You will need somebody when you come to die

Don't dismiss it like it's easy.
Tell me what's so easy,
About coming to say goodbye.

Andrew Bird's Three White Horses from his just released "Hands of Glory."

Shanghaied by psychedelia

Long time friends of the blog, Cuckoo Chaos, just released a video for the B-side of their new 7" Skeleton/Shanghaied.

Shanghaied is a trippy tune, full of Cuckoo's usual sandy sensibility that only California bands can pull off so well. The video is a fun DIY/Psychadelic, full of bright paper cutouts and repeating images... epileptics beware and stoners rejoice.

You can find the 7" for sale here, and the mp3s on Itunes.
 
 
Cuckoo Chaos "Shanghaied" from Black/White Iris Music on Vimeo.

You're not pretty but you got it going on

Brits Band of Skulls continue popping out singles for their 2012 release "Sweet Sour," this time with the awesomely named You're not pretty but you got it going on which is exactly what I would say about Emma Richardson, bass player and vocalist of the band. It also reminded me of the conversation that I was having with Safety Rat a while back about girls in Austin... it seems that even the not-so-pretty girls have it going on in this town. To the max. Oh yeah, they'll be here for ACL.

The video is pretty nice, reaffirming two strong held beliefs:

1) the best way to escape the pressures of day to day life is through dancing.
2) dancing can get you into trouble.

Enjoy:

You hold on to me, I'll hold on to you

Emperor Yes is a project led by London producer Ash Gardner. An LP is coming soon, but in the meantime they have released a single and video called Wasps, reminiscent of Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots in both tone and awesomeness. Also, awesome anime style sequences...

Fun, right?

Emperor Yes - Wasps from CHRIS BOYLE on Vimeo.

Without you I'm just bones

Michael Kiwanuka's parents escaped Uganda in the 70s, fleeing Idi Amin's regime, and settled in London, where Michael gorged on a steady diet of Nirvana and Radiohead. Not that you could tell from listening to his throwback soulful tunes, more reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield than anything else. While he follows the footsteps of Amy Whinehouse, Adele and a host of other British soul singers, his approach somehow feels more pure, less packaged for the masses.

His 2012 release is called Home Again, listen to it. He just released a video for his song Bones. Using an aged look they manage to capture the sadness of being on the road and really missing someone. We've all been there...

Kiwanuka will be here for ACL playing the Austin Ventures Stage at 4.30 on Saturday. No word on any night shows yet, but keep your ears peeled.