MUSIC: The Golden Boys

Came across a good band through the recent Monofonus Press sampler (which you can get for free here) called The Golden Boys (out of Austin, TX). Expansive rock with a hearty dash of psychedelic noise makes for a wonderful listening experience.

::: The Golden Boys - James The Gentle Dreamer (f/ an upcoming release)
::: The Golden Boys - Oooh Girl (f/ Whiskey Flower)
::: The Golden Boys - If I Can't Hold You In My Arms (f/ Whiskey Flower)

You can download more tracks directly from their myspace page. Buy Whiskey Flower directly from Hook or Crook (Oakland!).

[The Golden Boys on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to electricnarwhal.]

Tags: mp3, music, the golden boys, monofonus, austin

LIVE: Jim James & M Ward (03/15/2008 @ St. David's Church)

I really wish I had been at this show. I've seen Jim James solo a number of times, once with M Ward, and each time it shines a new light on his MMJ material. Luckily for us, some fine fellow recorded the concert in its entirety (and it's fairly good quality). Recording details, credits, tracklist, and FLAC files can be found over at the archive.org page where I grabbed these tracks.

[Download entire concert as a ZIP file here.]

M Ward Solo
::: M Ward - Sad, Sad Song (live @ St. David's Church)
::: M Ward - Oh Lonesome Me (live @ St. David's Church)
::: M Ward - Poison Cup (live @ St. David's Church)
::: M Ward - Rollercoaster (live @ St. David's Church)
::: M Ward - Duet for Guitars #3 (live @ St. David's Church)

Jim James & M Ward
::: Jim James & M Ward - Chinese Translation (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James & M Ward - One Life Away (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James & M Ward - Outta My Head (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James & M Ward - Wonderful (The Way I Feel) (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James & M Ward - Golden (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James & M Ward - Look at You (live @ St. David's Church)

Jim James Solo
::: Jim James - Bermuda Highway (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James - It Beats 4 U (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James - What A Wonderful Man (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James - Sec Walkin' (live @ St. David's Church)*
::: Jim James - Librarian (live @ St. David's Church)*
::: Jim James - Smokin From Shootin (live @ St. David's Church)*
::: Jim James - Thank You Too (live @ St. David's Church)*
::: Jim James - I Will Be There When You Die (live @ St. David's Church)
::: Jim James - Gideon (live @ St. David's Church)

* indicates tracks from MMJ's upcoming release Evil Urges, which drops on June 10th.

[My Morning Jacket official website.]
[M Ward official website.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to coodooaustin.]

Tags: mp3, music, live, my morning jacket, jim james, m ward, austin

MUSIC: Car Stereo (Wars)

A good friend of mine recently pointed me towards Car Stereo (Wars), out of Austin. Looks like he (they?) caught the ears of the folks over at Blender (see here) at SXSW and the Austin blogs seem to be loving it as well. Quickly setting aside the obvious comparisons to Girl Talk (like Gillis owns all things mash-up related), it seems like they're onto something good. I formally invite them to DJ out here in SF. Here are some tracks:

::: Car Stereo (Wars) - Who Likes Nick McKenna
::: Car Stereo (Wars) - Gator McKluskys Gold

Order the album directly from the artist here (complete with hand-cut felt mustache!).

[Car Stereo (Wars) on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; free 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to CS(W).]

Tags: mp3, music, mash-up, car stereo, wars, dj, austin, girl talk

MUSIC: Kosovo

Ran across this band recently and immediately grabbed onto the songs. Comforting electro-pop tracks, easy-to-digest, and beautiful. Here's their bio:

Formed in early 2006, Kosovo is a 3-piece outfit from Austin, TX who combine live instrumentation with electronic production techniques to create hybrid, genre-defying downtempo with a strong pop sensibility. With influences that range from ambient and electro to all flavors of modern electronica, their organic-yet-restrained sound makes you wonder where the man ends and the machine begins. Their instrumental Pascal EP will be self-released in 2007, while they continue recording their debut LP.

Here's some sample tracks for your enjoyment.

::: Kosovo - A Terraformed Existence
::: Kosovo - Milk of Magnesia

[Kosovo on myspace.]
[Current macktronic contest.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to dwaoka.]

Tags: mp3, music, kosovo, austin