Katzenjammer

Who: Katzenjammer

Hail From: Oslo, Norway

Label: Propeller Recordings

Active from: 2005 to current

Sounds like: Girl Power Norwegian Polka with alternating punk and rockabilly attributes

Who doesn't love a good ol' polka? I know I do! Play it like rockabilly or punk song AND by an all girl band from Norway?!?!?!!?? How, I ask, can you go wrong? Katzenjammer: German for cat's yeowl is playing Bonarooo this year. Put on your best liederhosen and TANZ!

Katzenjammer - Bar in Amsterdam

Katzenjammer - Le Pop

Deastro

Who: Deastro

Hail From: Detroit, Michigan

Label: Ghostly International

Active from: 2008 to current

Sounds like: If New Order was still making relevant music but without the leftover dark undertones from Joy Division. Simmer and stir with live instruments.

I 1st got a hold of Deastro last year on their sleeper Keeper's. I enjoyed the album, but never blogged on it. They generated some buzz this year at SXSW but I never got around to seeing them. Only a year later, Moondagger was released. Randolph Chabot Jr. (brain child behind the electronics) is definitely fine tuning his craft and kicking out smoother music. While primary electronic music he is using real instruments (and musicians) as well. The use of a real drummer (not a drum machine) give the songs a more diverse and authentic feel. On a side note for us Austinites, how can you go wrong with a song name like, "Daniel Johnston Was Stabbed In The Heart With The Moondagger By The King Of Darkness And His Ghost Is Writing This Song As A Warning To All Of Us" Check out some of the tracks from Moondagger:

Deastro - Parallelogram

Deastro - Toxic Crusaders

The Crocodiles

Who: The Crocodiles

Hail From: San Diego, California

Label: Pat Possum Records

Active from: 2008 to current

Sounds like: Reverb loving garage rock of The Velvet Underground

There is a thick layer of reverb gravy oozing all over this band's music. They feel like something out of the late 70's early 80's. The music is at the same volume as the vocals so that they are almost another instrument. They aren't drowned out like My Bloody Valentine but it does have it's MBV moments. The 1st LP Summer of Hate was released in April of 2009. Opener "I Want to Kill" and title track "Summer of Hate" are 2 of the strongest tracks on the album.


The Crocodiles - Summer of Hate

The Crocodiles - I Want to Kill

The Crocodiles are playing with Holy Fuck at Mohawk in Austin, TX on June 11th for $8.

That Ghost

Who: That Ghost

Hail From: Sonoma County, California

Label: Two Syllable Records

Active from: 2006 to current

Sounds like: Lo Fi simple indie pop

That Ghost is one man band Ryan Schmale. Part of what is impressive about him is that he is only 18 and his current LP, Yong Fridays, is his 3rd. According to intertubes these are all D.I.Y. releases recorded mostly in his bedroom. Young Fridays was picked up by Two Syllable Records last year. Put it in your earhole.

That Ghost - Open Windows

That Ghost - I Crossed Out the Options

Passion Pit

Who: Passion Pit

Hail from: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Active: 2007 to Current

Sounds like: Sped up Postal Service who emotes with fabricated, off key (but fun) falsettos and a dash of ass shaking.

Even If You Don't, You Do is up again. Format and how I'm going to get the music out there is still a work in progess, but I got tired of not sharing the love. For those who don't know I had some post removed due to complaints from some label or organization. I'm really sorry I was giving your artist free press. I was disheartened for awhile and kindly bowed out of the blogosphere. Wounds licked, I'm back an to spread my music loving seed all over your face!

I’ve been digging on Passion Pit for awhile, but figured I had to reboot my music blog somewhere. I really like them on 1st listen with Sleepyhead, their big breakout single. It reminds me of a somewhat more electronic TV on the Radio. The rest of the album felt a little more Postal Service…at least in tempo. I liked it, but I didn’t love it. However, having it on my iPod in a playlist of newer albums, it really grew on me. I actually love them now. I think this is a band that may take a few listens to really dig. I think part of what threw me off is the lead singer's constant slightly altered off key falsettos. At first, they just seem a little off key, but after several listens they totally add to the happy party dancey feel of the album. Chunk of Change, the bands 1st EP was released in September 2008. Its a tight complete EP. There really are not any weak tracks on the album. To my surprise their LP, Manners released in May 2009, was not the EP with a couple added tracks. The only repeat offender is their hit Sleepyhead which was understandably added to bring in any new cummers from the blog buzz. Adding to their strength is the fact that Manners is not more of the same. If feels like a continued evolution of what began on Chunk of Change. It feels a little more mature, a little more arty, without losing its original appeal. Once again I think Manners takes a couple listens to really dig it, but I think they are worth the time. Check them out.

On a trivia side note: According to Last.fm Chunk Of Change was originally intended as a Valentine’s Day gift from Michael Angelakos (lead vocals) to his girlfriend.
~Sorry baby, I gave your Valentine to the music whores of the world.


Passion Pit - Sleepyhead

Passion Pit - Little Secrets

For those in Austin, Passion Pit will be playing Wednesday 6/3 at Emo's with Harlem Shakes.