Project Rhythm Seed

By Lukas Clark-Memler
Consistency and longevity are words often undervalued in the music world. The perpetual and obsessive search for the ‘next big thing’ has created, what I like to call, a debut generation. Most current artists don’t make it past the debut, and many listeners simply refuse to commit to an act long enough to see them past album number one. This has resulted in record labels furiously hiring and firing – churning out debut after debut.  Read more...

Crocodiles released the free instrumental EP Fires of Comparison today. The San Diego duo who were brought together by their shared love of girl groups and punk, and feelings of small-town-alienation, have announced a US fall tour in conjunction with the release of their new album Sleep Forever, out September 14 via Fat Possum.  Read more...

The Germans are continuing to make their mark as a place of cultural relevance in the music and festival scene, not only in Europe, but around the world. This past SXSW ’10, several German organizations hosted a lunch that brought together the best and brightest in German music. Now, Germany is celebrating their best in music, as well as International artists, with the upcoming Berlin Festival.  Read more...

Video shot and edited by Paul Giret. Audio recorded by Alan Sanderson. Produced by Myles Crawley. Guitars provided courtesy of Taylor. Drums provided courtesy of Page Drums.


By Myles Crawley
A couple of weeks ago we introduced you to a great new band from New York City called The Dig. As part of that introduction we posted an interview and an acoustic performance of their song “Penitentiary”. We are happy to now share with you the second two songs that these guys performed for us. The Dig’s first album, Electric Toys, is out now. if you like what you hear, you can buy the album here. For the time being, we hope you enjoy The Dig performing acoustic versions of “You’re Already Gone” and “Feel Like Somebody Else”. Thank you once again to Stout Irish Pub in San Diego for kindly allowing us access.

Foreward by Myles Crawley
Remainder of article and live video provided compliments of revision3
A couple of months ago my friend Alan Sanderson and I were out for a beer. After a few pints we strolled over to the Casbah, which is a great little underground club in San Diego. Everybody who is anybody has played there. It’s a requisite hole in the wall along the road to success. On this particular night we were surprised to hear that there was a band from Selkirk, Scotland playing named Frightened Rabbit. Alan and I are both from Scotland. I grew up in Glasgow, where Frightened Rabbit now reside. Alan grew up in Galashiels, which is right next door to Selkirk. So we were understandably curious to hear and see more.

Before the band came on we were standing talking to a fellow with a very strong Scottish accent. I personally thought he was maybe a roadie for the band. He was completely unassuming. We were chatting about this and that for a while before he says to me and Alan – “Are you guys gonna be around for a while? I think it’s time for me to go and do my thing.” As it turns out this fellow was Scott Hutchison, the singer/songwriter/frontman of Frightened Rabbit. Alan and I stood at the side of the stage and watched the band’s show, which was amazing! The audience was eating out of Scott’s hand by the end of the show. No fire pots, no explosions, no million dollar light show. Just a bunch of guys playing the shit out of their instruments to a crowd of true believers. You’ve gotta love that! So here is a bit more information on who exactly Frightened Rabbit are. The video below was shot at the Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco the night before the band played The Fillmore. If you get the chance, go and see this band. Their new album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, is out now. You can buy it here. Thanks to revision3 for sharing.  Read more...

By Katrina Nattress
Yeasayer has teamed up with renowned artist and video director Andreas Nilsson (MGMT, Fever Ray, Moby, José González) to create a bizarre and poignant, humorous and heartfelt video for the bands newest single off Odd Blood, “Madder Red.”

Kristen Bell, the cutesy star of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Veronica Mars, plays the lead, mourning over her beloved “pet,” which happens to be a throbbing, oozing sac of vestigial limbs with kind, blue eyes that you can’t help but love.  Read more...

By J. Brown
In taking inspiration from New York City, Nashville-born Justin Townes Earle is set to release his latest album, Harlem River Blues, on September 14th. The album proves to be a progression in the singer’s sound as he moves toward more soulful, blues-based country music. Earle, the son of the legendary Steve Earle, in many ways can be described as the savior of real country music, as he respects its tradition, the old-time base, and the genre’s best forefathers. His style is an art long lost amongst today’s popular country stars who do little to pay tribute to the genre’s greats in the manner Earle does, as his music embodies a certain sense of timelessness and an eye toward the unadorned. It takes skill to produce new material that sounds fresh and original while also in line with eras long gone. His previous albums cannot be classified as entirely country, as they also fall under the classic singer/songwriter tradition with a good mix of Southern influence. A preview track has been released in anticipation of the record and it takes its name from the album’s title, Harlem River Blues. You can hear the track here:  Read more...

WENN

Rockers Weezer are set to revisit their roots – they’re making plans to perform their first two albums in their entirety on a retro tour.

The “Buddy Holly” hitmakers are preparing to release their eighth studio album, “Hurley,” next month but front man Rivers Cuomo reveals they’re making plans for a special nostalgia trek.

The band will spend two-night stints in each city and treat their devoted following to performances of their 1994 debut “Weezer” (also known as the “Blue Album”) and 1996′s “Pinkerton.”  Read more...

NEW YORK (AP) — A source close to “American Idol” says that Aerosmith front man, Steven Tyler, told the source he will be a judge on Fox’s “American Idol” next season.

While an official announcement about Tyler has yet to come from Fox and the producers of the top-rated show, the source told The Associated Press on Wednesday, “there is no reason to refute” Tyler’s account. The source spoke only on the condition of anonymity because the source was not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.  Read more...

You’ve heard their music everywhere – including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The OC,” “Ugly Betty” and television ad campaigns for Nissan and Microsoft. Now Chris Holmes and Brian Liesegang step out front with Ashtar Command‘s first-ever video, “Deadman’s Gun.”

Ashtar Command penned “Deadman’s Gun” for Rockstar Games’ critically acclaimed, Western-themed video game, “Red Dead Redemption” and the song is also featured on the Red Dead Redemption Original Soundtrack. So check out the video now:  Read more...

Video shot and edited by Paul Giret. Audio recorded by Alan Sanderson. Produced by Myles Crawley.

By Myles Crawley
One of the many things that I absolutely love about working with Project Rhythm Seed is the free music. We receive new CD’s and album downloads quite regularly from the many PR/publicity firms that we work with. So many that quite honestly there are times when CD’s pile up for a bit before getting opened and listened to. In the same such manner I recently became aware of a new band from New York called The Dig. I received their new CD, Electric Toys, in a stack with about 10 others. It took me about a week to get down to listening to them, but oh what a pleasant surprise for me when I finally did.  Read more...

By Katrina Nattress
Riding on the coattails of 2008′s outrageously successful Only by the Night, which sold over six million copies worldwide and garnered four Grammy awards, Kings of Leon have not stopped to take a breath. Between numerous worldwide tours and festival appearances, the family band that’s taken the world by storm somehow made time to record a new album.  Read more...

California five-piece Young The Giant will digitally release their self-titled debut album on October 26, 2010, via Roadrunner Records. A physical release is set for early 2011. Produced by Joe Chiccarelli (The White Stripes, The Shins, My Morning Jacket), mixed by Michael Brauer (Coldplay, My Morning Jacket) and recorded at Los Angeles’ Sunset Sound Studios and Kingsize Studio, the 12-song album is an arresting collection of bright, melodic rock that ushers in Young the Giant as a fresh and vital presence. After AOL Spinner’s recent premiere of rousing lead single “My Body,” which features an infectious chorus swinging with intensity and a hard-hitting drum pattern, the song has been streamed 30,000 times and leapt to #1 on Hype Machine in just two days. With early support from KROQ and LIVE 105 and a newly announced run of September support dates with Marina and The Diamonds, Young The Giant is bound for an exciting future.

Comprised of Sameer Gadhia (vocals), Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar/vocals), Payam Doostzadeh (Bass) and Francois Comtois (drums/vocals) – Young The Giant write the sort of rock ‘n’ roll that arrives with a fully formed pop sensibility and arena-ready hooks. They exhibit an incredible command of their song craft that is well beyond their years but, with ages ranging from 20 to 22, the band embrace their youthfulness, allowing it to inform their music with a fresh perspective and complement their inherent ability to evoke a sun-swept, carefree Southern California vibe. While all five band members are from Orange County, their diverse ethnic backgrounds – Indian, Persian, British, and French- Canadian among them – bring eclectic cultural influences to their music. They began playing together in high school and, after garnering a fervent and loyal fan base through local shows throughout the years, they released their 2008 debut EP Shake My Hand. Since then they have signed with Roadrunner Records and have opened for the likes of Kings of Leon, Minus The Bear, The Whigs and Ghostland Observatory.

From the jolting percussion and anthemic chorus of “My Body” to the driving guitars and lovesick fervor of “Cough Syrup,” Young The Giant is overflowing with addictive melodies and heartfelt lyrics at every turn. “Islands” marries off-kilter jazz rhythms with vocalist Sameer Gadhia’s haunting falsetto to create an unnerving effect. The electric slide guitar that punctuates “Street Walker” shrouds the song’s frenetic pulse and soaring vocals in mystery. The chiming guitars in “Twelve Fingers” exude pure joy, while the rhythmic swing of “Strings,” and the sun-stained pop of “I Got” capture Young The Giant in their SoCal glory.  Read more...

By Alana Crawley
July 28th proved to be an eventful night at The Glass House in Pomona. A good three hundred show-goers filled the venue to see the edgy rock & roll trio known as Civil Twilight light up the stage alongside Paper Tongues and Neon Trees. It seemed that the majority of the crowd was there to see the other bands, but it was obvious that Civil Twilight won the crowd over with their mysterious, energy-filled performance.

Have you ever listened to an album and thought to yourself, “Wow, these guys couldn’t get any better”? Well, Civil Twilight definitely topped their awe-inspiring album with their even more impressive live performance. They opened up the show with a haunting instrumental, which transitioned into the cool, funky bass line of “Perfect Stranger.” Right off the bat, you could tell that they were comfortable on stage. They wasted no time in providing the audience with a memorable performance. Lead singer Steven McKellar’s vocals were dead on and he effortlessly switched between playing piano and bass throughout the entire show. When they began playing “Soldier,” I was completely blown away at how together they were. It was like watching an early performance of The Police. That good! The communication between the boys was amazing; it was almost as if they were reading eachother’s minds.

The thing that really struck me the most about Civil Twilight’s performance was how much they let their music climax. They built the musical layers so thick that the atmosphere was rank with sonic tension and feeling like it was on the verge of breaking. Then they would bring it back down, only to bring it up again, almost as if they were teasing the audience who, by the way, thoroughly enjoyed it. I was looking around the crowd and I could tell that everyone was seriously digging what Civil Twilight had going on.

“Save Yourself,” a song about a father lying to his son, brought on a more melancholy tone. I’ll even admit that I got a little teary-eyed. You could really feel the emotion streaming out from McKellar’s voice, and it affected everyone in the building. From there, the band went on to play their rendition of Massive Attack’s song “Teardrop.” In my estimation it was even better than the original. The chemistry between the band was totally apparent, especially amongst brothers Steven and Andrew McKellar. They ended up finishing the song while kneeling next to each other on the ground, and the intensity with which they played was remarkable. Civil Twilight saved their hit, “Letters from the Sky” for the finale. Almost everyone in the crowd seemed to recognize the song, and they began to clap, snap and sing along with it. The band really fed off the crowd’s energy and responded in kind, which made for a stellar ending to a mind-blowing show.

Civil Twilight’s talent is certainly real and unmistakable. Watching them perform, you could tell that the boys enjoyed playing their music as much as we enjoyed hearing it. They are definitely going to be huge. They are currently touring in the US until September 2010. Go and see them if you get the chance! Their CD is out on now on Wind Up Records. Pick it up here.  Read more...

By J. Brown
Anytime singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne is about to release a new album, it feels a bit like being an impatient kid waiting for Christmas to come early in order to unwrap that one present you’ve been waiting to get your eager hands on for what seems like forever. In my book, LaMontagne is a musician and artist who can do no wrong, and so it is with great anticipation that I (and probably his other devoted fans) await his latest release God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise, which is out on August 17th. This album is a change of pace for LaMontagne, who self-produced the album and recorded it in the span of a week or two with his newly-dubbed band The Pariah Dogs. The album was recorded live in LaMontagne’s barn in Massachusetts with the band, which is comprised of Jay Bellarose (drums), Jennifer Condos (bass), Patrick Warren (keyboard), Eric Heywood (guitar) and Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar). Judging by the release of the first single, “Beg Borrow or Steal,” the album will deftly mix soul and folk with LaMontagne’s weathered, pained and powerfully moving voice, much like he did on several tracks of his last release, such as “Henry Nearly Killed Me” and “Hey Me, Hey Mama.” You can hear the first single here:  Read more...

By Lukas Clark-Memler
Ariel Pink is our first postmodern rock star. The self-revered Godfather of the chillwave genre has made an impressionable mark on the Los Angeles music scene despite a reclusive and hermitic lifestyle. Pink’s sojourn to stardom has been unusual to say the least – with a handful of lo-fi, 8-track recordings released only on tape, and a recording procedure that utilised beat boxing in lieu of drums, it seemed that Ariel Pink (birth name: Ariel Marcus Rosenberg) would remain undiscovered and misunderstood

Enter Animal Collective (and their newly formed label Paw Tracks) who, after experiencing Rosenberg’s warped and fragmented art-rock, saw past the kitschy and vastly unmarketable exterior, glimpsed signs of raw genius and promptly signed the Californian to their label. The rest, dare I say, is history. Years passed, and Ariel Pink continued to churn out his now signature surrealist endeavours into pop nostalgia. Beginning with The Doldrums in 2004 then Worn Copy and House Arrest (in 2005 and 2006 respectively), Rosenberg gained a cult-like following and his reputation as a purveyor of guilty pleasures for the terminally abstracted grew to a global status. But the musical cognoscenti, cynical as they are, doubted the true extent of Ariel Pink’s musical range and predicted that he, despite formidable buzz, would end up forgotten and rendered obsolete.  Read more...

Frazey Ford’s solo debut album Obadiah was released last week to praise from critics and fans alike; today Obadiah enters the Canadian Top Current Album Chart at #74 with 729 albums sold and lands at #6 on the Overall Digital Album Chart, putting Frazey among such artists as Eminem, Sheryl Crow and Jack Johnson, and ahead of Drake and M.I.A. Obadiah also appears on six different regional charts. Frazey also came in at #44 in the US on the Billboard HeatSeeker.  Read more...

This is a biography for Crowded House in the year Twenty Ten in which I will attempt to provide a bit of history, lay out the facts surrounding the making of our record Intriguer and to signal our intention for new shows and extracurricular activity thereof…..right then.

This is Neil talking. The whole thing started with Split Enz. In 1972 I watched it unfold in real life as a glassy eyed teenage brother, became immersed in it and then at the age of 19, that was 1977, I got to be part of that mighty and mental New Zealand invention. We took it to every corner of the globe, stumbling from one opportunity to another. I wrote some songs along the way, “I Got You,” “Message To My Girl,” “One Step Ahead,” “History Never Repeats,” they helped to give the band a bigger audience but that early music will always stand tall for me, original and uncompromising, my inspiration…check out the album, Mental Notes! Respect to brother Tim, Eddie, Noel, Phil and the others for blazing the trail. After all, they started it. I was invited in. It was intense and truly excellent.

Paul Hester (drums) and I (singer / guitar) went onwards from Split Enz to Crowded House; we wanted to be in a 3 piece band that could fit into one rental car. We found our bass player Nick Seymour, fresh from the catwalk, clearly loving the attention. We liked how he wore his bass low, had aspirations to funk and after a while we let him paint our suits with Masonic symbols. Despite all that and along the way we became a really good band. I think we tried to make ourselves even smaller by turning to acoustic, bass, snare drum, 3 part harmonizing our way through lounge rooms and restaurants, busking, unplugged, whatever they ended up calling it on MTV. It made us very interested in our audience and we learnt how to draw them in, to sing together like it’s a party. That became our way of doing things, wishing for accidents, showing artifice and awkwardness the door.  Read more...

ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! It’s the sound of The Suzan, a boundlessly energetic all-girl band from Japan making their international debut with “Home.” Their irresistible charm captivated Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John (who they convinced to produce their record with a MySpace message!) and tastemaking indie Fool’s Gold, who have previously introduced the world to artists as diverse as Kid Sister, Kid Cudi and Treasure Fingers.  Read more...