[Night Out] HONNE @ Bowery Ballroom (3/11/2016)

photo credit: Liz Morrison 

Oh hello there, HONNE fam! Nice to see you again. When last we met these huggable fellows they were keeping us warm on a cold cold night at the Mercury Lounge. Last night, however, Sprout and I witnessed them keep us sweaty on a semi chilly night in a sold out room that is more than double the size: my most favorite of spaces, the Bowery Ballroom. You can tell that they've been touring a good bit since November because they were a lot more at ease than previously witnessed. I guess once you conquer that first show crossing the pond it's hard to feel unstoppable.  

Amidst the collective booty shaking I was able to be reminded of how INCREDIBLY AWKWARD it is to accidentally make eye contact with a complete stranger while singing lyrics such as, "we could be getting frisky girl til 3 o'clock in the morning." I've joked previously about their music making me pregnant, but there's nothing like remembering what you're singing along to while making eye contact with a stranger and subsequently trying to visibly chuckle and glance away as quickly as possible. 

Near the end of their set the duo debuted their next single, "Someone Who Loves You", which they dedicated to [presumably] a fan named Ricardo who has apparently been having a rough go at it. The single, which prominently featured their fierce backup singer, is expected to be available for the rest of the world to hear in the coming weeks. 

I had a nice #rockmom moment during their final number, "All In The Value", when James went to perform his *ahem* HONNE-SOLO (sorry) which prompted an eruption of excited lady screams as he wailed on his guitar. Definitely not the same band I saw less than 6 months ago, that's for sure. 

Check out the photos Sprout snapped from last night below. The band has a handful of sold out shows left in North America, so hopefully you'll be at one of them. 

Get acquainted with the fellas if you haven't already courtesy of their latest EP. 

[Watch] XO - "Divine Disaster (feat. James Chatburn) (Official Video)"

What's that? You've been itching for some thump with a little pinch of wobble in your life? I gotchu fam. Enter: Staffordshire producer/songwriter XO and his first ever music video for his latest track, "Divine Disaster", which features Sydney's own James Chatburn on vocals. You may recognize the location of this video even if you're not located across the pond because it was featured in a fairly memorable scene in the film A Clockwork Orange. The single, which also includes the b-side "Night Time Solace" is now available for you to purchase (and you should because both tracks are quite delightful). 

Once you've found yourself wanting more XO in your life, be sure to check out his previous two EPs, which are equally as awesome. 

[Listen] Mossy - "Electric Chair (Slum Sociable Remix)"

Check it out you guys we have a new Aussie to enjoy! Also because I'm nice I'm giving you a bit of a 2 for 1 special where you try out a new Aussie and you get a remix from the ol' Slum Sociable fam for $FREE.99! 

For those of you who are just catching up like me, MOSSY, who hails from Sydney, unveiled this GORGEOUS video a few weeks back for his debut single, "Electric Chair", which comes from his self-titled debut that will be dropping on May 13th courtesy of boutique label I OH YOU. The video got past me the first time, but thanks to this sophisticated rework by the Slum guys you can enjoy both side by side as I did. 

Because I'm a stickler for knowing a particular song before I hear the remix first, watch this dreamy video below. 

Then enjoy this rework from Slum Sociable (who are apparently working on a remix EP of their favorite artists). 

[Listen] Coast Modern - "Animals"

I'm still trying to figure out Coast Modern. Their debut single, "Hollow Life" charted super well on Hype Machine (and rightfully so because the song is fire). Their latest tune, "Animals" is equally a banger. I don't know much more about this fresh faced LA duo other than the facts I just presented. Oh and they're going on tour with BORNS soon and conveniently going to be at SXSW playing a ton of shows including a set at the Hype Machine Hype Hotel and Perez Hilton's party.

It doesn't look like they've been around terribly long. They appeared to just have materialized out of nowhere complete with some kind of brain melting management team that set them for success in a big way. I suppose I get skeptical because I've seen this kind of setup so many times where I fall in love with a baby buzzworthy band and they either blow up or burn out really fast without warning. Harnessing hype properly where you gradually gain traction as a means to not be dismissed as the flavor of the week is tricky these days. I hope for their sake that by the time they make it here in June for their first ever headlining show (at Rough Trade nonetheless) that I'll have more to report. 

[Watch] You Wont - "Ya Ya Ya (Official Video)"

As a self-proclaimed lover of all things weird but totally awesome I can't begin to tell you how equally confused and delighted I am by the video for Massachusetts duo You Wont's single, "Ya Ya Ya". I am always the first to admit that I am bad at "getting" videos, but honestly I don't think there was an actual point to this video other than to make something for the sake of the lulz. I get that the powdered wig getup is a hint towards their forthcoming sophomore album, Revolutionaries, which drops on April 29th. Anything past that though? I'd rather not overthink it and just enjoy it, which you absolutely will. This tune will leave you involuntarily swaying and head bobbing. You'll also probably attempt to yodel along and feel embarrassed that you won't be as good at it. That may or may not have actually happened to me. This is probably a silly way to describe their sound, but I liken them to Wilco's more upbeat cousin. I think you'll hear what I mean courtesy of the video below. 

Like any good hard working band should, You Wont will be hitting the road in support of the album, which kicks off the day of its release. NY fam you have 2 different chances to catch these guys live so you have no excuses. I will probably go to both because I love myself, so I look forward to seeing you there! 

You Won't Tour Dates, Spring 2016

4/29 - Portland, ME @ One Longfellow Square

4/30 - Portsmouth, NH @ Birdseye Lounge

5/03 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory

5/04 - New Haven, CT @ BAR

5/06 - Boston, MA @ Sinclair

5/07 - New York, NY @ Berlin 

5/08 - Northampton, MA @ Parlour Room

5/10 - Toronto, ON @ The Drake

5/12 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle

5/13 - Madison, WI @ Frequency

5/14 - Minneapolis, MN @ Turf Club

5/16 - Bloomington, ID @ Bishop

5/17 - Nashville, TN @ Hi Watt

5/18 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl

5/20 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle Back

5/21 - Washington, DC @ DC9

5/22 - Philadelphia, PA @ Boot and Saddle

[Listen] Summer Heart - "Pretty Haze" x "The Forbidden"

It's so damn lovely out in NYC and these are the jams you should be playing as you twirl around in the sunshine. Like the name of the song hints, "Pretty Haze" sure to leave you in a lovesick haze.  Likewise "The Forbidden" continues to envelope you in subtle serenity. Both tracks come from Summer Heart's forthcoming EP, which drops later this year. These songs going to be the soundtrack to couples cuddling on blankets in McCarren Park this summer, so if your relationship survived cuffing season, you're welcome in advance for the inevitable swoonfest you'll experience from this. 

Per his tweets and snaps, the Swedish mastermind behind the project, David Alexander is currently in Brooklyn working on more music, so it's most likely that yours truly is going to be making him #SKOAfam very soon. 

If you're one of those patient people with money heading to SXSW in the next couple of days, make sure to add at least one of his performances to your daily agenda alongside the BBQ eating and standing in long lines. If SXSW isn't in your sights, you can always come to the Knitting Factory near the end of the month and hang out with me. 

Summer Heart On Tour
16 – The Townsend (1:05am), SXSW, Austin
19 – Icenhauer’s (1am), SXSW, Austin
23 – The Knitting Factory, Brooklyn, NYC

[Listen] Mayer Hawthorne - "Love Like That"

I see you, Mayer Hawthorne, with your very blatant nods to the dudes who you just shared a stage with at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN in your new track. This SCREAMS "Kiss On Your List" for a second there and I am HERE. FOR. IT. 

I'm so happy that we finally have an album name and release date! As much fun as Jaded Incorporated and Tuxedo were to watch him dabble in, Hawthorne is best when he's 100% being himself.

His fourth solo LP, Man About Town, drops April 8th. April is birthday month for Sprout and I, which means I will probably be pre-ordering this Limited Edition Bundle preemptively. It features a beautiful gray & yellow marbled vinyl, an exclusive album t-shirt, 2 post cards (one already stamped apparently?), a poster, and 2 laser engraved glass whiskey tumblers with his ever popular semi-broken heart MH logo.

Not exactly sure post cards are a thing I consider to be "deluxe worthy", but you know what? I guess Sprout and I will sip some birthday whiskey from my future tumblers and write something heartfelt to Shey and Rocko or something equally sappy. I know, that sounds adorable. You want a love like #SKOAFam has, trust me. 

No major tour to support the album has been announced yet, but you know that should be announced fairly soon. 

Haven't checked out his other new track, "Cosmic Love" yet? I gotchu. 

[Watch] Nodaway - "Chariot (Official Video)"

Nashville you're on a rolllllllllllll y'all! Why weren't the local bands in Nashville all this good when I lived there? I mean damn I would've at least considered stickin' around for at LEAST another... week... maybe.... before inevitably packing my bags and hightailing it to New York. 

After being thoroughly delighted by fellow Belmont alum Nodaway's debut single "Hairspray" and subsequent EP 500 Days of Whatever ***which is still my favorite album name of 2015*** , the band is back with a new single and an even snazzier video than last time. I had already been on board with their punchy poptasticness, but this new track, "Chariot" honestly caught me off guard in terms of how quickly they've managed to develop in such a short period of time. Although I've never had children, I liken it to sending your kid off to summer camp and he/she returning a foot taller. It's clear that they've chosen a artistic direction, both musically and visually, and it more than suits them. 

We know how good I am with artsy videos. I have no idea what all of the elements are supposed to mean in this video but man is it entertaining to watch. WARNING: when the song ends they show some fun footage of the folks involved goofing off and someone gets quite the scrape. If you're squeamish, it's slightly NSFL. 

Either way, enjoy new Nodaway! 

Also a fun thing I learned while trying to make sure I was up to speed on all things Nodaway. Did not know you could actually purchase Nodaway branded hairspray that smells like watermelon and has a QR code so you can download their EP for free. THIS IS VERY CLEVER AND I ENJOY THIS GREATLY. Here is what said b(r)anded hairspray looks like: 

Attraction enhancers, EH? Guess I'll need to acquire a can of this to see if I can attract some attention while I'm shopping for records at Rough Trade on a Friday night. Kiiiiiiind of kidding? Not about shopping for records on Friday night (unless there's a show).