[PHOTOS] Fleet Foxes at Peabody Opera House
ALL PHOTOS BY JASON GONULSEN Fleet Foxes made its return to St. Louis last night at Peabody Opera House. Photos by Jason Gonulsen.
Fleet Foxes
[PHOTOS] Fleet Foxes at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix
ALL PHOTOS BY JOE O’TOOLE Fleet Foxes recently performed at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix. Please enjoy these photos by Joe O’Toole.
Album Review | Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
Speakers Rating: 91/100 Fleet Foxes clearly know their sweet spot. Rather than pulling a 180 or switching things up with any degree of significance, the Seattle sextet nestled themselves deep into their rich, velvety folk-rock comfort zone for the recording of their second LP, Helplessness Blues. This approach has yielded a consistent, impeccable record that … Read more
The Best Songs of 2011 | 25 – 1
Well, friends, the end is no longer near. It’s here. The end of our Best Songs of 2011 countdown, that is. The real end comes next December, as we all know. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Bon Iver landed the number one spot with the track, “Holocene.” But, amazingly, the song and the record itself … Read more
The Best Albums of 2011
Our favorite album of the year: Bon Iver’s Bon Iver 50 Panda Bear – Tomboy (Paw Tracks) [buy the album] 49 Nicole Atkins – Mondo Amore (Razor & Tie) [buy the album] 48 GIVERS – In Light (Glassnote) [buy the album] 47 Admiral Fallow – Boots Met My Face (Lo-Five) [buy the album] 46 The Civil Wars – … Read more
News | Pitchfork Music Festival Bands Announced & Tickets On Sale Today
The Pitchfork Music Festival will take place on July 15th – 17th in Chicago, Illinois. The first batch of bands has got us rabid with unbridled anticipation: Animal Collective, TVOTR, Fleet Foxes, Cut Copy, Deerhunter, Ariel Pink, Destroyer, James Blake, Yuck, and others… Tickets go on sale at noon HERE. We will be there. Will … Read more
Concert Review | Fleet Foxes at The Pageant in Saint Louis
I am not a musician, but I cannot begin to imagine how frustrating it must be to hear a music fan or critic say these words: It all sounds the same. Of course, there are many other damning words that can be said to describe music that doesn’t leave a favorable impression, but when it … Read more
Halfway There | Best of 2011
We know, we know. 2011 is only half empty. Or, half full, as we optimistic bloggers at Speakers in Code like to think. But the midway point of the year is always a good point to pause, gather our thoughts, make some lists, revisit early favorites, and tell you about all the songs and albums … Read more
10 to Spin | Courtney Jaye (ACL Edition)
Today is the beginning of the 10th Austin City Limits Music Festival, and we’re excited for two big reasons: A) We’re covering the festival and B) we get to unveil our latest and greatest 10 to Spin, handpicked by one of our favorite artists, the one and only Courtney Jaye (who we were also fortunate … Read more
2011 Austin City Limits Music Festival | Day Three Recap + Interviews with Ruby Jane, The Greencards, and WAX
On the last day of any music festival, night arrives before you know it. You struggle to hold on to what you’ve experienced, what’s still left, and you maybe start to think if you’ll be able to do it all again next year. Of course, there are no guarantees — you might not ever pass … Read more
10 to Spin | Agnes Obel
“I don’t see myself as a singer that plays piano,” says Danish singer-songwriter Agnes Obel. “It always feels weird when people refer to me as a singer, because to me being a singer is secondary to the music. The songs and the melodies are the most important to me. But I’m not sure what you … Read more
Jam of the Day | The Middle East – Hunger Song
Like a fishing bobber off the coast of their native Queensland, The Middle East have been submerging and resurfacing for quite some time now. The band made its initial splash at SXSW way back in 2010. Following that, The Middle East released a highly anticipated EP, Recordings of The Middle East, which met stellar reviews … Read more
Jam of the Day | The Lighthouse and the Whaler – Windows
You’ve heard that song “Cleveland Rocks,” right? You know, the Midwestern anthem that boasts the city’s ability to “live in sin with a safety pin?” Whatever that means? Well, after spending the weekend with my new indie crushes, The Lighthouse and the Whaler, a fivesome out of the aforementioned Ohioan city, I want to write … Read more
Jam of the Day | Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
Way back in 2008, Fleet Foxes sneaked into our lives, unexpectedly dropping the list-topping, self-titled debut LP on all of our asses and shaking up the indie music world in the process. No one realized the band’s level of crossover potential until it was upon us, and looking from these 2011 eyes, it could be … Read more
Pajammy Jam of the Day | The Head and the Heart – Down in the Valley
“Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways…” The Seattle six-piece The Head and the Heart has absolutely floored me with its endless wallops of poignant lyrical punches in one single five minute song. “Down in the Valley” is perfectly reminiscent of that Northwestern indie-folk sound that’s been well harvested over the past five years … Read more
10 to Spin | Brooke Fraser
In early 2008, I fell in love with New Zealand indie-pop-rock sensation Brooke Fraser’s second album, Albertine. I played it everywhere – in my house, in my car, even outside while I fertilized my lawn. I enjoyed its honesty and pop flavor; songs like “Shadowfeet” and “Albertine” were among my favorites of the year. What … Read more
Our Most Anticipated Albums of 2011 (Quarter 2)
TV on the Radio’s album art for Nine Kinds of Light Back on our first birthday, we published a list of 25 albums over which we were salivating. We’ve barely had time to mop up our drool from January, February, and March’s all-star releases, and now we’re back, in similar fashion, with another … Read more
Pajammy Jam of the Day | Air Review – America’s Son
Dallas quartet Air Review are on the brink of something special. These Texans are in the process of releasing their debut EP America’s Son, one single at a time, over the next five or six months. The EP’s eponymous track is a cozy piece of folky Americana. Engaging, rustic, and immeasurably listenable, “America’s Son” envelops … Read more
Pajammy Jam of the Day | Forest Fire – Mtns are Mtns
Continuing to blur the line that historically separated “indie rock” from music your dad used to spin at night when he drank, NYC-based Forest Fire are hitting our asses hard with classic hooks and melodies that hipsters and hippies alike can get down to in unison. And looking back, 2011 has been an interesting year … Read more
10 to Spin | Grace Weber
Tonight, singer-songwriter Grace Weber will be performing at Off Broadway in Saint Louis (8 PM), singing songs off her latest release, Hope & Heart. The 23-year-old has already appeared on the likes of Oprah and The Today Show, and Billboard called her an “artist to watch.” Let’s take a few minutes to watch the video … Read more
Jam of the Day | Josh Tillman (Father John Misty) – Car Chase Theme
Via Sub Pop Josh Tillman is just one of those guys that never disappoints. After playing drums and providing harmony vocals in Fleet Foxes for a few years, he left Seattle behind for sunny L.A. While there Josh invented a new persona by the name of Father John Misty, recorded one of the best (and … Read more
Jam of the Day | The Postal Service – A Tattered Line of String
Let’s step back to 2003, shall we? To a world where Frankenstorms didn’t exist, and Avril Lavigne dominated those radio airwaves the way that Korean guy rules them today. It’s a world where playing guitar in a popular “alternative band” also meant stretching yoga-style before going on stage, because you also, inexplicably, had to do … Read more
MP3 | Dignan – Two Steps
Dignan’s been compared to big names such as Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, Cursive, and Manchester Orchestra, and the unsigned McAllen, Texas band is definitely one to watch. The band self-released its debut full-length, Cheaters and Thieves, last year, and it spent the better part of 2009 relentlessly touring in support of the album. Dignan’s … Read more
Pajammy Jam of the Day | Y La Bamba – Juniper
Portland’s Y La Bamba is fronted by Luzelena Mendoza, the only daughter of a Mexican immigrant. A complex character who draws inspiration from her strict Catholic upbringing and also the debilitating illness that led to her crisis of faith, Mendoza’s signature vocals weave magical threads of both the traditional and contemporary. It didn’t take long … Read more
MP3 | U.S. Royalty – Equestrian
If you are a Local Natives fan, you must give U.S. Royalty a listen. The band combines the same kind of southern, sweet tea harmonies with gobs of beautiful nature imagery a la Fleet Foxes. In fact, the vocals on the intro of “Equestrian” quite remind me of a hooting owl. And that’s a good … Read more
10 to Spin | Hayley Taylor
In August, I wrote about Hayley Taylor’s “No More Wishing,” and how I admired her for defining her idea of a true love. I’m also quite fond of her latest release, One Foot in Front of the Other; Taylor’s given us an album full of honest tunes that play well to her strengths: thoughtful songwriting, … Read more