New Cut Copy!That great Australian electro-pop band, Cut Copy, has finally released some new material. After 2008's "In Ghost Color's" (Modular Recordings) the band has been touring, and touring and touring and touring and well that's about it. Can't blame a band for taking full advantage of the wave of recognition, but let's get some new tunes already! Well, we have one, one. In advance of their summer festival tour (including a prime time slot at Lollapalooza Saturday August 7th) we are greeted with "Where I'm Going". Well worth the wait to be sure.

Download: Cut Copy – Where I’m Going

Better Know a Lolla Band...

We return to our off-and-on series, "Better Know A Lolla Band" with the fabulous Matt & Kim. Created in 2004 by Pratt Institute students Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino, the d.i.y. dance pop band has been featured on several tv soundtracks and commercials. The tune "Daylight" was featured on the FIFA 2010 soundtrack as well as the show Entourage's final credits in season 6. 2 records in and a third on the way. Matt & Kim will be performing at the Siren Festival, Fuji Rock, Pukkelpop as well as our very own Lollapalooza. Their set begins at 5:00pm Friday follwing Devo on the south end of the park. However, *conflict alert*; the Black Keys begin at 6:00 at the North Stage, just as Matt & Kim finish up on the South end. It's a 15 min. walk easy, do the math...
Enjoy the shocking video for my personal favorite "Lessons Learned"

Today, a delicious summer-jam from Milwaukee's Kings Go Forth. Part of this beautiful neo-soul revival that has been bubbling up over the past few years, these guys get it right! So, get in the car and roll down the windows and turn it up, all the way up!

Kings Go Forth - One Day

A Band a Day Keeps the Boredom Away.

I found this band on NPR's All Songs Considered and was lovestruck. The band are Lower Dens out of Baltimore. The band features Jana Hunter who transplanted from Houston to form the group, along with 3 more fine folks. I've seen quite few interesting bands coming out of Baltimore recently, Beach House and Future Islands among them. Must be all those thousand dollar fondant draped Charm City cakes. Enjoy the lead single off the forthcoming record "Twin Hand Movement" (due July 20th on Gnomosong Records) titled "Hospice Gates".

Lower Dens – “Hospice Gates”

My top 10 records of 2010 thus far.

With the first half of 2010 officially in the books, it is time to recap. We've been blessed with another bumper crop of amazing music so far. Here are a few favorites I've found along the way. The 2nd half of looks to be just as solid with records due from The Arcade Fire, Blonde Redhead, !!!, Of Montreal and others, stayed tuned!

1. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Download: The Cave

2. The Black Keys - Brothers
Download: “Everlasting Light” by The Black Keys

3. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
Download: LCD Soundsystem : Dance Yrself Clean

4. The Apples in Stereo - Travelers in Space and Time
Download: “Dance Floor”: mp3

5. Sleigh Bells - Treats
Download: Sleigh Bells – Tell ‘Em

6. Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
Download: Neon Indian - Terminally Chill

7. The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night
Download: Besnard Lakes – And This Is What We Call Progress

8. The Morning Benders - Big Echo
Download: The Morning Benders – All Day Daylight

9. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way
Download: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - I Learned The Hard Way

10. Tarlton - Evergreen's
Download: "Learn By Example"