Big Troubles:

Real Estate:

Big Trouble // Freudian Slips

Real Estate // Easy (Live in NYC)

Hands down, Real Estate is my favorite band of the past five years (and I seem to not be the only one). Ever since their first EP, Atlantic City Expressway, graced my ears I’ve become an insta-fan. Their new record, entitled Days, which has garnered quite the attention as of late, features the track “It’s Real” which is probably my favorite Real Estate track they have ever recorded. The band first performed this song live in Japan about a year ago, and since then I’ve compiled quite the collection of mp3s/videos of this track performed live. You can check out my favorites below:

Real Estate // It’s Real (Album Version)

Real Estate // It’s Real (Live in Shibuya)

Real Estate // It’s Real (Live in NYC) (via: NYCTaper)

I have deliberately not bought the LP yet because I knew the band was going to swing by Salt Lake City in early November (today, in fact) and I wanted to make sure that they got the maximum percentage from my buying the album. Also, I haven’t listened to any other songs that have been released from Days because, frankly, I don’t want to be disappointed. When you record something as great as “It’s Real,” I can only see it going down hill from there — but who knows, hopefully I’m wrong!

If you live in Austin, go to this. If you live in the world, buy this. And if you like music, listen to this:

(full review forthcoming)

If someone asked me what are my three favorite micro-genres of music that I enjoy most at the moment it would be beat-laden electronica, “witch house” (in quotes), and girl-driven garage rock. Adding another hyperlink to the latter is Oaklander/LA-uh-er and recent Art Fag Recordings signee Colleen Green.

Admittedly, I don’t know much about her biography (and it seems like I’m not the only one), however, for all those that have been jaded by the recent transformations of one Bethany Cosentino will find a home with Green’s don’t-give-a-fuck songs. After blazing through what she has posted on her bandcamp — nine tracks, mostly covers — it makes me excited to hear what she has in store for her six-track Art Fag EP. After scouring the internet for mp3s from the new release, I could only dig up an acoustic version of “Cujo” Green did for Washington State University’s KZUU radio back in March, which you can hear below, and a link to what sounds like the vinyl ready version of the same track over at blahblahblahscience. Enjoy!

Colleen Green // Cujo (Live Acoustic on KZUU)

Have no clue where I downloaded this live set of Emily Reo or what city it was even recorded from (but if the Reo’s exclamation of “Jheri, he’s kind of famous” is any indication, that might answer both questions), but nonetheless I feel inclined to post about it.

Although I don’t possess a tangible copy by anything of Reo (my suspicions that her Witch Mtn. Cassette was out-of-print seems to be unfounded), my digital library is scattered throughout with references to the singer. Whether it is with her collaborations (Blackbird Blackbird, Craft Spells, Philip Seymour Hoffman) or her original material, anytime is always the right time when it comes to listening to her stuff.

Although the live tracks I have of hers can be counted on one hand, each one is an endearing gem. You can check out my two favorites from her performance at Will’s Pub (including a Built to Spill cover) below and be sure to grab her Witch Mtn release for a pay-what-you-want price here.

Emily Reo // Metal On Your Skin

Emily Reo // Car (Built to Spill Cover)

Allah Las // Long Journey

Highly, HIGHLY recommend watching the video. One of my favorite groups of the past decade doing what they do best. Fucking amazing. (Available for one week via P4k)

The Knife // Wanting to Kill

The Knife // Forest Families