A Speakers in Code Proclamation: We, the united bloggers of Speakers in Code, henceforth declare this tenth year of the 21st century, the official year of the percussive-stringed instrument known as the banjo. It’s an unlikely instrument, in a landscape of electronic bleeps and bloops, auto-tune, and mashups, but the banjo has stirred up underground … Read more
My friend Matt recommended that I give Freelance Whales a try. I call him my friend, but you know what? I’ve never met him. We share a late mutual friend, a music lover, and Matt and I keep his spirit alive by passing musical tips back and forth. I love being one-half of this long … Read more
Frankly, there’s nothing better for an avid concert goer than to catch two much-buzzed about (and for me, adored) bands for a mere ten bucks. That’s what last night brought to me: the Queens-based Freelance Whales with opener, Minnesota duo Peter Wolf Crier, at the always fabulous Off Broadway in Saint Louis. I got the … Read more
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the first single from Philly rapper, producer, and mixtape master Gilbere Forte’s upcoming LP, 87 Dreams. It’s entitled “1st Floor,” and it samples one of the best tracks from one of the best albums of the year by SIC faves Freelance Whales. Add the fact it’s produced by … Read more
The Shout Out Louds have just released a mini-documentary directed by the band’s bassist and video director, Ted Malmros. Titled Shout Out Louds … at Work, it provides insight into the process involved (the good, the bad, and the ugly) with creating the new album, Work, which is out now in stores and online. According … Read more
Artwork credit: Alyssa Shapkoff Want more? Check out the entire list of albums here. (And don’t forget about best songs here). Delorean | Subiza (True Panther Sounds) [buy] The Spanish electro-synth quartet Delorean has come a long way from its early punk rock roots. 2009 brought about this punk-to-dance transformation with the Aryton Senna EP. … Read more
Artwork credit: Alyssa Shapkoff Click here to see the entire list, from 100 – 1. 25 Sufjan Stevens – From the Mouth of Gabriel The most classic Sufjan song of the 2010 onslaught of Sufjan songs, “From the Mouth of Gabriel” is haunting and just plain beautiful. Flutes and clarinets, plucking guitars and lyrics that … Read more
Photo courtesy of The Lighthouse and the Whaler Last year, I sort of developed this nerdy crush on Ohio’s dream-folk outfit, The Lighthouse and the Whaler. The band-aid kind, not the groupie kind. But, I definitely went through a phase where I plastered the band’s name all over Speakers in Code like a hopelessly devoted … Read more
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
Don’t get me wrong, Thursday at Bonnaroo was a good time. Best Coast, Wavves, Freelance Whales, Hayes Carll, and Sleigh Bells all rocked their respective tents. But, I was really looking forward to Friday morning, when Sharon Van Etten was scheduled to perform at the Which Stage, which is the second largest platform at Bonnaroo. … Read more