Who: The Roadside Graves

What do they sound like?: Jersey-bred rockers, fueled by equal parts Uncle Tupelo and Lucero.

Why YOU should listen!: I was initially turned onto this band by LNWF friend Lauren Measure, so thanks go out to her. The song “West Coast,” which you can listen to below, is goosebump-inducing. The band has been getting loads of praise from their Jersey-peers and a few major websites here and there. I’ve been told I need to check them out in their proper habitat, which would be a booze-filled basement in New Brunswick, NJ. I can only imagine the rawkus scene for now. With painfully honest and unflinching lyrics that would make John K. Samson proud, this band could easily become an obsession with a ton of people very soon.

Tags: Band Spotlight, The Roadside Graves by Matthew
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With few exceptions (Cat Power, Mirah), usually the combination of the words “female,” and “singer-songwriter” cause little reaction in me. At best, an unimpressed rolling of the eyes or maybe even a pantomimed vomit if I’m feeling saucy. I must be missing the girl gene that causes me to tear up when I hear “Pieces of You” on the radio. Therefore, it’s a rare occurrence that a female musician gets such a strong recommendation from me. Congrats, Essie Jain.

There are a lot of reasons why I like Jain so much, only half of which have to do with her being British. Her brand of modern chamber pop music is delicate and beautiful without ever getting cheesy or overly sweet, and dang, can that girl sing. We aren’t talking Aretha Franklin belting here; rather, Jain’s ability to convey a feeling in the quietest possible way makes listening to a song like “Glory” an incredibly intimate experience.

Check out more about Essie after the jump.

[Read more →]

Tags: Band Spotlight by Leah
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Two band spotlights in a week!? Hell yeah! We gotta make up for lost time! Onwards Costa!

Yeah, the moniker is a Grade reference, but who cares. Stolen Bikes Ride Faster, Italy’s best-kept secret, after that delicous treat that’s essentially fried & sugared dough, definitely bring the post-hardcore-tinged thrashy goodness. SBRF’s not trying to reinvent the wheel or anything, but they’ve got the chops, the melody, and the passion that has me attempting to slamdance in my cubicle at work, resulting in hurt elbows and broken whiteboards. They’ve got a split 7-inch out with New Bruises on Kiss Of Death Records, which I think you need to spend your rent money on now. Go, do it. Late Night Wallflower commands it!

Check out the track “I Result Impatient” from their release Nothing Has Changed below.

Tags: Band Spotlight, News, Stolen Bikes Ride Faster by Costa
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Photo by Joshua Peach.

Who: Tiny Hawks

What do they sound like?: A concoction of Rites Of Spring, mixed with Fiya and a splash of Hella.

Why YOU should listen!: Every time I put this band on at my record store, people ask who I’m playing. The band’s sound just commands attention from the listener. One minute it’s intense, short-burts of catharic screams, followed by an atmospheric instrumental. The Providence, RI-based band is currently on a break from playing shows but I can only hope they’ll come back soon.

Check out “The Things You Belong To And Those That Belong To You” from Fingers Become Bridges (Corleone).

Tags: Band Spotlight, Tiny Hawks by Matthew
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Who: The Underground Railroad To Candyland

Background: The San Pedro, CA based band, who just released their long-awaited full-length Bird Roughs on Recess Records, features Todd C. from Toys That Kill/F.Y.P.

What do they sound like?: Pop punk veterans showcasing some This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb-esque jams.

Why YOU should listen!: Fans of the aformentioned bands would most definitely get into this. Although there are some shared characteristics, the band’s sound is much more folky, with some garage and surf rock thrown in for good measure. Bird Roughs has definitely reserved a spot on my year end best of list.

Check out “Livin’ in a Straw in the Summer” below.

Tags: Band Spotlight, News, The Underground Railroad to Candyland by Matthew
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