Hey everyone, hope you are enjoying New Tunes Tuesday so far. Here are a couple free and legal mp3’s from some of the bands you are hearing today on New Tunes Tuesday, along with some mp3’s from bands we are playing on Nothing But New. Don’t forget Nothing But New airs every Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm ET!
All the way back in 2001, Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear had no idea that he would become a member of the band. He had no idea that he would be a core member of one of the up and coming musical acts in the US, that he would be opening a string of dates for Radiohead or playing on the late night talk show circuit. What he did know is that he would be making music with his friend and NYU roommate, Fred Nicolaus.
Daniel and Fred’s early collaborations consisted of a couple 7″ released put out by southern California indie Isota Records, which also released their debut full length album, The Whitey On The Moon (which was also the band name at the time) in 2003. Not long after that release, Daniel began to play full time with the Grizzly Bear boys and suddenly had little to no time for his project with Fred as the Bears became a nearly overnight success.
However, always lurking in the background was the music he innocently crafted with Fred back at NYU and the desire to return to that landscape never went away. The Whitey On The Moon album had been re-issued in the UK and was a critical hit, which prompted the duo to get back together for a new album. And during breaks from Grizzly Bear activities, Daniel and Fred began to fine tune the new album, which in parts had been written as far back as their friendships beginnings, and chose a new name as well, Department Of Eagles, which is a reference to artist Marcel Broodthaers’ Institutional Critique.
The result is a beautifully crafted folk/ pop record titled In Ear Park. Daniel and Fred combine 60’s pop melodies and vocal styles with a delicate layer of folk instrumentation to make this album really soar. (excuse the soaring eagles pun) Some songs will sound like they belong on a Grizzly Bear album, as this record does not stray too far from the music Daniel creates with his “other” band, but the lyrics are of a much more personal nature. Daniel has said that the album as a whole is in memory of his father, who passed away last year. The album’s title is the fictional name of a park and Daniel and his Dad would regularly spend time walking through. And you can feel the nostalgia throughout the album, which Daniel also said had a tone and emphasis that was too personal for a Grizzly Bear album.
So while fans of Grizzly Bear will certainly find a lot to love on In Ear Park, the personal touch that Daniel and Fred have placed on this new Department of Eagles record is bound to gather others as well.
Headlights closed out the WOXY.com stage at this years 2008 MidPoint Music Festival. They played a really wonderful set to finish things off. Check out some pics from the show below, all courtesy of Jesse King.
Cincinnati favorites Wussy were kind enough to play on our stage over the weekend at MidPoint. Have a look at some great photos from that set below, all from Jesse King.
While we were mostly unfamiliar with The Mocks before MidPoint, we really enjoyed their set. Have a look at some photos from their performance, all taken by Jesse King.
Jukebox The Ghost played in the WOXY.com lounge and headlined our stage all in one day last weekend. The band played some new songs for both sessions, and you can have a look at pictures from their set at MidPoint below. All pictures again by Jesse King.
It was great to see The Purrs live on the WOXY.com stage last weekend during the MidPoint Music Festival. See them yourself with these photos taken by Jesse King below…..
Friday night at the WOXY.com stage kicked off with a great performance from Columbus girl rockers Rosehips. Check out some pictures from the show below, all taken by Jesse King.
