Tender Loving Empire

One of the best record labels based in Portland, Oregon is Tender Loving Empire. Some of the greatest Northwest indie bands are on this label. Something about all the bands is that feeling of classic American nostalgia. Almost like folk music, but you can hardly say that about Finn Riggins. They are more of a prog-rock trio with some steel drums in a couple of their tracks. Though they haven't come out with a full length album in two years, they just released a single "Some Are Knightz."
Now Jared Mees & The Grown Children are one of my new favorite bands. They just released their third album on the label called Only Good Thoughts Can Stay, which is a very appropriate title for this album. Another thing about all the bands from Tender Loving Empire is that they put on great live shows, and it seems like they are always putting on shows all over the Northwest.
Other great bands include; Typhoon, Boy Eats Drum Machine, Y La Bamba, Loch Lomond, Radiation City, and more!
You can also stream full albums from some of these bands for free here.

Woods, Tomorrow's Tulips, Miracle Parade, and New Releases

So I know I have been slacking a little bit so here is a bunch of great bands and music. Yesterday's notable new releases were Thievery Corporation, Handsome Furs, and Shabazz Palaces.
So Woods is a really cool band from Brooklyn. Their newest album, Sun and Shade came out last month and it sounds great. It has a lot classic indie acoustic-rock to it. Coupled with Jeremy Earl's folk-y high vocals, it's a sound best described as lo-fi folk rock.
Miracle Parade just came out with their first full length, Hark and Other Lost Translations last week. They are another kind of indie folk rock, I really enjoy the single, "The Dying Physicist."
The last band I'll share for today is Tomorrow's Tulips, who I just learned of today. Another cool lo-fi band emerging out of Costa Mesa, CA. I love their crunchy guitars and the use of the reverb on the vocals. Their first full length is due to come out on July 19th on Galaxia Records.

Some (relatively) Unknown Bands

This band I just came across today at GorillaVsBear, they are called Young Galaxy. Their newest album, Shapeshifting, came out in February and it is really cool. You can stream the entire album for free here. They have really chill beats with soundscape like synths and the vocals just add another layer of instrumentation.
Real Estate is a band that I have enjoyed ever since their debut album in 2009 of the same name. Last year they came out with an EP called Reality, and the single "Out of Tune." They are the perfect summer band with awesome indie guitars and lyrics that are easy to listen to at the pool or the beach.
One of the best bands I have heard  in a while is The Radio Dept. Though they have been around for 10 years, they are still unknown here in the U.S. They just released a best singles double album, which is always a good place to start. Or you can check them out here.
Last but not least I'll break away from the chill indie music and give you Flake Music. Though now they are better known as The Shins, Flake Music started way back in early/mid-90s with a bunch of singles and EPs. Their only full length is called When You Land Here, It's Time To Return.

MusicFest NW

11 weeks from today is the start of Portland's MusicFestNW and the lineup is really solid all the way through. The headliners for this year is Band of Horses, Iron and Wine, and Explosions In the Sky. There are so many good bands that I just want to name them all, but I will just highlight some of the best. Archers of Loaf, Blitzen Trapper, Handsome Furs, The Antlers, The Thermals, Typhoon, Fool's Gold, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Finn Riggins, Jared Mees & The Grown Children, and so much more. Every week I will feature a couple of bands/artists from the festival this year starting with Avi Buffalo. This band is really chill indie rock with great lead falsetto vocals. It really reminds me of Vetiver and Real Estate, they have that cool summer sound. Check them out here.

I've Been Thinking About Your Mom

So this week's new releases are really awesome, first and most obvious purchase is the new Bon Iver self-titled album. I've only listened to a little bit of it and it's great.
The next band is Unknown Mortal Orchestra with their debut self-titled album. Their sound is really cool, it is like a lo-fi indie funk band. They are also from Portland, so buy their album.
Next is Jeff the Brotherhood with their 4th full length album, We Are the Champions. It is definitely different from their last one, but it's just as good. Still really psychedelic and rockin' but with a new polished sound to it, and also a pure slice of rock and roll.
 Other releases include; Weird Al's Alpocalypse, Skrillex's More Monsters and Sprites, and YACHT's Shangri-La.

Mothers of Gut Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

I came across Mothers of Gut while looking at the Family Times Records website. I listened to the track that was on there, "The Summer Century," and was instantly taken away by this band. The best way to explain them is a kind of psychedelic dream synth-pop groovy-ness. Check out their album on bandcamp and find out for yourself. (I recommend listening to this album with some good headphones)

After much deliberation (not that much), I decided to pick up the new debut Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. album, It's A Corporate World. It's really good. They are a mix of The Shins, The Radio Dept., and Ra Ra Riot. So they have that awesome indie guitar sound with a cool chill beat and cool use of vocals. Well you should check out the video, then check out more of their music here.

New Release Tuesday 6/15/11

So the big releases this week are Vetiver's 5th full length album, The Errant Charm and The Dear Hunter's huge release, The Color Spectrum. Now when I say huge, I mean it is basically 9, 10" records, or 36 tracks all about different kinds of music. Therefore, it is one of the most comprehensive concept record(s) in the 21st century. You can check out some of the tracks streaming here.
Vetiver's new album is much like their older stuff, though there is a crisper electric guitar that noodles out some cool solos throughout the tracks. It is a really low-key summer-y album that is very relaxed. Check it out here.

Rock 'n' Roll Could Never Hip-Hop Like This

So check this out, some fresh new hip-hop tracks. The first track is "Came Up" by G-Side ft. S.L.A.S.H. The violin just makes this track so killer and gets the mood going. Next up is another smooth, mad-flowing rapper Open Mike Eagle and this track "I Rock." All of his music that I have checked out is super chill. His delivery and rhymes are really well connected and witty, here's another, "Why Pianos Break." Finally this track "Not Playin'" by Stranger Day has a cool guitar riff that makes the song really bounce.

Hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Oh To Be Young and Evil

The Young Evils is an up and coming band from Seattle, WA. Their debut album, Enchanted Chapel is out now and you can stream it for free on their bandcamp site here. The album is a great mix of feel good rock 'n' roll and folk music. Right now they are unsigned, but the album was produced by Barrett Jones who has done albums with Nirvana and The Melvins. It is a great summer-y type of album and I highly recommend it. If you have the chance to see them live, take it.
Now going in a different direction is Norse Horse. Ryan Beal shows that he is one of the best that can loop guitars in a sweepingly hypnotic rhythm, while making it easy to listen to. According to his record label, Family Time Records, Mr. Beal is currently working on a follow up to his debut album Secret Geographies, which is sold out. Check out "Swamp Trotter" and other great songs here.

The Weekly Review of the Week

Now in the future I will post new releases every Tuesday, but since I just started today I will start with the hot new releases this week.
Cults debut album has finally dropped this week after a great single release last year. The self titled album sounds fantastic. It has a sort of dream-pop feel to it. The tracks that stand out most is "Go Outside" and "Oh My God." Overall the album sounds like a throwback to 50s pop with a new polished sound to it. Think Beach House meets Best Coast. And if you don't know either of those two bands then you should definitely check them out.
Another great album that came out this week is True Loves by Hooray for Earth. A really cool electro-pop sound that reminds me slightly of Yeasayer. Check out the cool video for the title track "True Loves."
Besides those two great albums Black Lips, Battles, Ida Maria, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. also came out with new releases this week.

The Artist of the Week for me goes to Oberhofer. I have just been listening to his music on repeat all week long, and though he's been around for a year or so I have just recently discovered him. I would put him in the realm of chill-wave, so if you're a fan of Neon Indian or Washed Out, give him a listen.

It's All About the Music

Welcome to the wonderful Killing Sasquatch music blog. Here you will find the latest and greatest independent music. I have all types of music to share with the world including, but not limited to, rock 'n' roll, instrumental, electronic, pop, experimental, hip-hop, chill wave, and much more. So if you're in need of some new music than look no further, I will be posting links and videos of the best music I know (hopefully) everyday.