The rapper and poet

Paris Pershun and Slimy Gravy are A.Dd+, a hip hop duo from Dallas.  Their first album, When Pigs Fly, was released last year.  Currently, they're touring the west coast with Talib Kweli but they'll be in Austin later this fall for FFF.  Catch them on the blue stage at 1:10pm on Sunday.  Here are two tracks from When Pigs Fly, the first features Dustin Cavazos and the second is a recent remix by DJ Eleven.




Last month, DJ Eleven disco-remixed Mary Go, a track from When Pigs Fly.

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:

Rich Sun

Poor Moon is Christian Wargo and Casey Wescott, along with brothers Ian and Peter Murray. Christian and Casey played in Pedro the Lion and Crystal Skulls and are members of Fleet Foxes. Warm and earthy, and overall delightful, their debut, self-titled LP has been in my heavy rotation.

You can download their song "Holiday" for free on the Sub Pop website. Give it a listen below.

Pop Infection

Michigan's Lightning Love tread the fine line of twee. They remind me of Love is All, layering lyrics about life, love, and being a drunken mess over infectious pop. This may be one of those albums that loses its appeal after too many listens, but for now, I'm dancing along.

You can listen to their new album Blonde on their Bandcamp. Below is my favorite track, "Bobby Thompson."

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.

The ukuleles are alive with the sound of music

LP is not the rapper El-P.  Although I think she should collaborate with Killer Mike.  She is also not 'like a cross between a young Bob Dylan' and anyone else.  I'm looking at you ACL artist page.  Her look does resemble Jimmie Hendrix and her sound a ukulele wielding Florence and the Machine/Joplin hybrid.  Not my words.  The music blends beautiful, rich vocals and a very talented band.  The result being a smashing success.   LP is playing ACL on the Venture stage at 2:30pm on Friday.  I'll leave you with LP's cover of Widow.

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.

The Animals Never Knew We Were There

Band of Horses' new album will be out soon and yesterday they released the first video single, Knock Knock.   The video is a throwback to the projector run educationals of the 60s and 70s.  Musically, the pep level has increased substantially since their last album.  My guess is that new album will plant them firmly in the mainstream and increase the size of their font on festival posters by 5 - 10 points.  Enjoy!

Traveling, I Love You But United You're Bringing Me Down

My plan was to post the new Dean's List single.  Their latest track represents an evolution from party rap to a more serious introspection about partiers growing older.  Then United canceled my flight to Austin and I needed something with more cheer (Constanza).  DJ Zebra to the rescue.  The Paris DJ is releasing a collaborative album in Oct and dropped the first video single earlier this month.  The group is called Zebra and Bagad Katraez.  The song reminds me of Rubblebucket and the cinematic montage in the video was just the pick-me-up I needed.  If everything goes according to plan, I'll be jamming to Zebra in the car from Dallas to Austin later this afternoon.  You should check out the Dean's List single I mentioned too,  it's called Hennessy at Cookouts and you can find it here.

Ain't no man in this world who could pull me down from my Dark Star

Fresh from the bakery, boys and girls. Today, Poliça released their brand new video for Dark Star,  part of their amazing debut Give You The Ghost. Also today they are releasing an EP of remixes of Dark Star, including mixes by Gardens & Villa, and Alluxe. The video is nothing groundbreaking, except that the song is awesome and you can watch Channy Leaneagh prance and dance around for 3 minutes 50 second while holding the Light of Eärendil (bonus nerd points to whoever gets the reference)... adorable overload.

Enjoy!