Download The Loom's "In Your Doldrums" On Brooklyn Vegan

"The Loom released their debut LP, Teeth, on November 1 via Crossbill Records. You can stream and purchase the album at their bandcamp and download the second single, "In Your Doldrums," for free above." Download "In Your Doldrums" over on Brooklyn Vegan now, and check out The Loom's upcoming tour dates while you're at it!

Dirty Laundry Premieres The Spinto Band's Soundtrack for "Biba Democracy"

"Everyone's favorite off-kilter pop group from Delaware The Spinto Band are back with an original soundtrack to a new film called Biba Democracy (out on December 6th)." Download the complete soundtrack over on Dirty Laundry right here.

Brett Netson Speaks On The Importance Of Art In Protest

I believe that it is our job as artists and musicians to do the work of making this egalitarian self-organization understandable, strong and beautiful. In a visceral, instinctive and wild way. We are competing with the would-be artists of our time who have compromised their skill and talent to the fundamentalist religion of “brand management.” “Occupy” is what a movement looks like without “brand management.”

Read Brett Netson's full article on Occupy Musicians.

Watch Mannequin Men cover "Nuttin' For Christmas" On The AV Club

Mannequin Men cover "Nuttin' For Christmas"

Brett Netson's "Simple Work For The Dead" Reviewed On The Big Take Over

"One can tell that these songs were brewing inside of him for a while even though the each song was separately written and recorded within a day. You would think there would be some disconnect but it’s clear that Netson must have had a vision for the album. A vision that, for half of it, words had no place as four of the last six tracks are instrumentals.

SWFTD is something to absorbed. The listener can feel his anger against a culture that doesn’t act in its own best interests but feel powerless to instigate change." Listen to "God is Wrong" now on The Big Take Over.

Buried Beds Featured On NPR's Song Of The Day

"Buried Beds' sound has naturally evolved in the intervening years, fleshed out and spiked with a bit of anthemic urgency: "Steady Hand" opens Tremble the Sails on an auspicious note, building majestically as its strings, guitars and boy-girl harmonies combine to form a sweetly soaring roar. It's a lovely surprise to be reminded of this under-exposed sleeper, and to revel in the end of its self-imposed silence." Listen to "Steady Hand" over on NPR!

Check Out The Street Eaters New Video For "Livid Lizard"

Brooklyn Based Premieres The Loom's "The Devil You Know"

"The group has grown tremendously in the three years since: They’ve played hundreds of shows, gone through a few personnel changes (a new vocalist; going from six members to five), and recently released their full-length debut, Teeth, on Crossbill Records. “When we made the EP, we didn’t really know what we wanted to sound like,” says vocalist/guitarist John Fanning. “We were still very much figuring that out.” But by pushing themselves to learn one another’s styles and experiment with new ways to use their instruments, they’ve found a clearer direction that focuses on one of their greatest strengths as a group: balancing extremes." Listen to "The Devil You Know" and read their full review on Brooklyn Based.

NPR premieres Tunabunny's new "Cross Wire Technique" video!

Tunabunny's members have fun making music together. That much is unmistakable from watching the band's freewheeling video for "Cross Wire Technique."

The Georgia band makes scuzzy, effervescent basement pop, and was one of the bands we were most excited to see at CMJ earlier this year.

The group's latest video matches the energy and carefree power of its music. It depicts, in quick flashes and head-spinning camera twirls, band members and longtime friends Brigette Herron, Mary Jane Hassell, Chloe Tewksbury and Scott Creney goofing off in a local coffee-roasting warehouse. It's exactly the jubilant and lighthearted video you'd expect from four good friends. By the end, you'll likely want to be friends with them, too.

Read the rest and watch the video HERE.

Bust Magazine premiere's Zoe Boekbinder's new "Salt Water" video!

Singer and guitarist Zoe Boekbinder describes her personal style as "geek glam," but her music's been praised as old-school folk-y pop. A theater nerd in high school, she took up singing after her friends goaded her on. After school, Boekbinder and her sister formed a band called Vermillion Lies--an outfit that produced albums in 2006 and 2008. After the release of their second album, the two went their separate ways musically, but never stopped recording tunes. (Her sister still writes and performs as Kim Boekbinder.) In 2009, the beyond-charming Boekbinder recorded a solo album in Brooklyn, NY, and she's currently on tour, so don't miss her when she arrives in your hometown. (You can track her movements on Facebook or Twitter.)

Read the rest of the profile, and watch the video for "Salt Water" HERE.

The Loom's "Teeth" Gets High Marks On Consequence Of Sound

"Dixie, but Creedence came from San Fran, so who cares? Their brand of Americana, a healthy heaping of folk smattered with horns and male/female dual vocals, refreshingly cuts loose at times with hot, fuzzy guitar solos. A song like “The Middle Distance” barrels forward with crashing drumbeats, swirling brass, and frenetic vocals and gives way to guitarist John Fanning’s blissfully overdriven leads." Read the rest of this review on Consequence of Sound.

QRO Magazine Reviews Robin Bacior's "Rest Our Wings"

""I Hate The States" has an up-twang feel, yet Bacior's vocals are near-conversational - and there's some great strings, to boot. Single "Ohio"(click to download) drops the listener in the middle of Bacior's story about meeting a boy from the Buckeye State - again with strong strings. Meanwhile, the preceding "Jubilee" is some catchy alt-country/folk." Visit QRO Magazine for the complete review of Robin Bacior's new album.

Stereogum Explores Sacramento, CA With Songs From Appetite & Sea Of Bees!

Listen to Stereogum's Sacramento specific playlist featuring tracks from our very own Appetite and Sea Of Bees on their 916 area code run down here. Also, scroll down for Sea of Bees "Gnomes" video included on their local video playlist!

UK's DRUNKENWEREWOLF discovers TUNABUNNY

Until this point, alongside Britain I’ve been grossly and unjustifiably ignoringTunabunny. Nevertheless they’ve kicked up a stink in the United States, throwing their self-branded clanging spunk rock in the face of everyone who dares broach their parameter.

The band formed in Athens, Georgia in 2008 after a long-term friendship and not much inclination to play music. Despite not knowing how to turn on a PA or actually use their instruments, in the spirit of all things good and proper punk Tunabunny ploughed on, irritating their neighbours while still acquiring a decent local following. In 2010 they finally released their self-titled debut, and the devotion that unfurled had such fervour it even touched the infamous and holy Everett True. Unfortunately he’s not been quite so enthusiastic about their recent effort Minima Moralia, but what does he know? The monster thinks it’s ace.

Read the full article HERE.

Shelby Earl Talks To Spinner About Quitting Her Day Job and Recording Her Solo Debut

"Shelby Earl spent the better part of eight years promoting other people's music before she decided it was time to focus on her own. So the Seattle singer-songwriter took a leap. She quit her job as a record-label liaison at Amazon -- the latest in a series of music-related corporate gigs -- and waited tables while she worked on what became her solo debut, 'Burn the Boats,' which is out now on Local 638 Records." Read the complete interview and watch Earl perform her single "Burn the Boats" on Spinner.com.

Under The Radar Premieres The Spinto Band's New Track "The Sheriff"

"The tumbleweed-conjuring guitar work is reminiscent of Neil Young's improvisatory soundtrack for Dead Man. The one problem with the track is that it lasts only two minutes. Thankfully, the documentary's full score will remedy that situation. Its tropical grooves are worth your attention. "Listen to "The Sheriff" on Under The Radar.

Mannequin Men's "Why Do I Get?" Premieres On MTV Hive

“Why Do I Get?” a catchy gem of a song from the group’s new self-titled record, is a woozy, rambling slow burner that simply asks “Why do I get so tired?” And it almost didn’t make the final track listing.

“Originally we wrote the song hanging out at the practice space after the bar with just three of us,” says guitarist Kevin Richard. “We were gonna bail on it but decided to bring it to the band and Ethan [D’Ercole, guitar] came up with that little guitar lick and made all the difference.” LIsten to "Why Do I Get?" over on MTV Hive right now.

VISQUEEN ANNOUNCE HIATUS, FINAL SHOWS; FRONTWOMAN RACHEL FLOTARD'S LOCAL 638 RECORDS MARCHES INTO 2012

It is with both a heavy heart and high excitement for what's next that we at Riot Act are announcing that the legendary Visqueen, formed ten years ago by Rachel Flotard and Ben Hooker, has announced that they're going on hiatus. Seattle (lucky Seattle) has TWO chances to see Visqueen's final shows, which are both benefits:

11/19
The Paramount with Rainn Wilson (Charity Event for Mona Foundation).
In Rachel's words: "This night is full of hilarious stars. Check out the fucking POSTER, Jesus."
Mona Foundation Video.

OFFICIAL INFO: TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE.

11/26
Visqueen Fare Thee Well Performance at The Neptune
ALL PROCEEDS are donated to Youthcare and Northwest harvest.
OFFICIAL INFO HERE

What's more, on 11/13, Rachel & Ben will DJ Seattle's local show with Megan Selling on 107.7 The End, and on 11/18, Rachel and acclaimed author Sherman Alexie will read at The Hugo House's Hugo House Literary Series in Seattle. And that's not all: 2012 is going to be a BUSY year for Flotard's label, Local 638 Records (speaking of, the labe's new Facebook page is here). Look for lots of news re: activity from Cobirds Unite, Shelby Earl, Star Anna, and Visqueen bassist Cristina Bautista.

More on the hiatus and what's next for Local 638 Records:
City Arts Online
Seattle Weekly

Mannequin Men's Ethan D’Ercole Introduces The A.V. Club to Gideon The Chinchilla

"At The A.V. Club, we believe there’s always something more to know about a much-known and much-beloved band. In the process of digging up some musical dirt on these guys, we discovered that in addition to all of his other interests and hobbies, D’Ercole is also the proud papa to a very lovely chinchilla, Gideon. As the band’s new self-titled record hits stores today, The A.V. Club sat down with the guitarist to talk about just how soft his pet is. " Read on for the full interview with Mannequin Men guitarist Ethan D'Ercole, and a whole lot of cuteness.

Robin Bacior Talks About Her Latest Video And More With Portable TV

"One of the most exciting things about working with other artists is having a conversation through your art. The video is a dialogue between my song, the dance choreography and the camera work of Ellis and Alex. I saw the filming, and saw the final product while I was on tour in California and was blown away by what they had made." Read Robin Bacior's complete interview with Portable TV and watch her video for "Ohio" right here.

The Loom Featured On NPR's World Cafe

"Recorded in New York, the record is fast and full of folk rock crafted with all the weapons in The Loom's extensive arsenal: banjo, trumpet, ukulele, French horn and mandolin, to name a few. The result is an album that alternates between modern and retro, with a sensibility that's right for autumn." Listen to two songs off of The Loom's Debut now over on NPR.

The SFist Reviews "Beyond This Place"

"Beyond This Place is a poignant and heartrending documentary, but it's not without comic relief, drawn mostly from the earnestness of the colorful characters. When Cloud spouts on about how people that “eat crackers and read their little black books are full of shit” the theater erupted in laughter, just as when the narrator, at the end of a long and searching sequence, asks himself in disbelief, “What is this fucking love I feel for Cloud Rock?” In fact, it’s that love, surprising and ever-present as it turns out to be, which sums up the tone of the film. Cloud Rock may have been an absent father, but he lives the only way he knows how—by his own definition. And as a result, he is charming, affectionate, and even strangely inspiring." Visit The SFist to read the complete review of the "Beyond This Place" showing in San Francisco.

Tunabunny at the Ace Hotel NYC on 10/23

(Photo taken by Chris Tucci)

Tunabunny at the Ace Hotel NYC on 10/23

(Photo taken by Chris Tucci)

Consequence Of Sound Can't Resist Mannequin Men's New Album

"Their self-titled fourth LP covers a lot of territory in its 37 minutes. There’s 60’s garage rock, mod, Twin Cities power pop, spit wad punk, and yes, even some rambling country influence. A mishmash of genre-dipping aside, Mannequin Men have had eight years of Midwest dive bar gigs and dues-paying tours to sharpen their snark, and it’s widely apparent on their latest effort." Don't stop there, continue reading this review over on Consequence of Sound.

Verbicide Magazine Reviews "Beyond This Place" Complete With Live Score

"The film is accompanied by a hauntingly poignant score by Sufjan Stevens and Raymond Raposa. The screening I attended had Sufjan and Raymond at the foot of the stage performing the score live. It’s an interesting experience — when the film started, my attention was torn. I found myself paying mind to the performing artists there in person and not focusing on the film. Still, as the opening music ended and the film drew me in, the subtle Hawaiian twangs and folk pickings melted into one with the film. The sound was deep and rich, providing a definitive difference between the live sound and a mixed master." Check out Verbicide Magazine's entire review.

NME premieres Tunabunny's new video for "Natural World"

Watch the video right HERE.

The Owl Mag Reviews The Looms' New Album “Teeth”

"Sometimes you just need a break. A break from the standard pop and rock that permeates the music scene these days. If you’re in need of such a break, the debut album from Brooklyn’s The Loom, is a wonderful place to start. The Loom is a five-piece act that incorporates banjo, ukelele, horns, and keyboards to create a full chamber-folk sound." Check out The Owl Mag's review of "Teeth" and stream tracks on their site here.

SHELBY EARL: "BURN THE BOATS" OUT TODAY ON LOCAL 638 RECORDS!