Playlist: Happy Halloween!

Here are my 13 (I know, such a spooky number) favorite Halloween songs. Enjoy! There are plenty of witches, werewolves, zombies, and vampires to go around!

Beach House - "Tokyo Witch"

Beck - "Scarecrow"

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Satan Said Dance"

The Flaming Lips - "Convinced of the Hex"

Friendly Fires - "Skeleton Man"

Jay Reatard - "My Shadow"

Manchester Orchestra - "Wolves At Night"

Modest Mouse - "Spitting Venom"

Ra Ra Riot - "Ghosts Under Rocks"

Say Hi To Your Mom - "These Fangs"

Spoon - “The Ghost of You Lingers"
Starlight Mints - "Pumpkin"
Sufjan Stevens - "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhh!"

Plus I figure the extra boost of free music will help the fact that I've only posted nine times in October. Now that's spooky...

Sonny & the Sunsets

It's pretty hard to not love Sonny & the Sunsets, what with their vintage-style west coast pop and all.

Although Sonny & the Sunsets was formed in 2007, they didn't release their debut album Tomorrow is Alright until August 2010. It's interesting though - the band recorded the album on a classic 1970's 388 Tascam tape.

This track makes me think of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and you all know how much I love them!
Sonny & the Sunsets - "Lovin' On An Older Gal"

Fun fact: Sonny Smith works out of an office in the back of his friends' surf shop. How cool is that?



Sonny and the Sunsets' Tour Dates:
10/26 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall #
10/28 Portland, OR Holocene #
10/29 Vancouver, BC Cobalt #
10/30 Seattle, WA Neumo's #
10/31 Spokane, WA Stage 54 #&
11/02 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge #
11/03 Denver, CO Bluebird #
11/05 Dallas, TX Granada #$
11/06 Houston, TX Mango's #
11/09 Phoenix, AZ Rhythm Room #
11/10 San Diego, CA Casbah #
11/11 Los Angeles, CA Echo ^
11/12 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex *

# = w/ Best Coast
& = w/ No Joy
$ = w/ Deerhunter & Casino Versus Japan
^ = w/ Tennis
* = w/ The Pains of Being At Heart

Blonde Redhead Tour Dates

Blonde Redhead has just finished up their tour of both Europe and China, and they're returning to the road October 15th for their first North American tour in over two years.

Support on most of their tour comes from Pantha Du Prince, who recently released his third album, the wonderful Black Noise, through Rough Trade. Pantha Du Prince has remixed Blonde Redhead's song "Here Sometimes" which you can download below:

Blonde Redhead - "Here Sometimes" (Pantha Du Prince remix)

Blonde Redhead's U.S. Tour Dates:

10/17 - Toronto ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre
10/18 - Detroit MI - Magic Stick
10/20 - Newport KY - Southgate House
10/22 - Chicago IL - Vic Theatre
10/23 - Milwaukee WI - Turner Hall Ballroom
10/24 - Minneapolis MN - First Avenue
10/25 - St. Louis MO - The Pageant
10/27 - Nashville TN - Mercy Lounge
10/29 - Atlanta GA - Variety Playhouse
10/30 - Carrboro NC - Cat’s Cradle
10/31 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club
11/01 - Boston MA - Paradise Rock Club
11/03 - New York NY - Webster Hall
11/04 - New York NY - Webster Hall
11/14 - San Diego CA - House Of Blues
11/15 - Pomona CA - Glass House
11/16 - Los Angeles CA - The Music Box
11/17 - Los Angeles CA - The Music Box
11/19 - San Francisco CA - Warfield Theatre
11/20 - Portland OR - Roseland Theatre
11/21 - Vancouver BC - Commodore Ballroom
11/24 - Seattle WA - Showbox (at the market)
11/26 - Salt Lake City UT - The Depot
11/27 - Denver CO - Ogden Theatre
11/29 - Houston TX - Warehouse Live Studio
11/30 - Dallas TX - Granada Theater

New Fences Music Video

It'll never get radio airplay in its true form, but I can't help but like this song.

Fences - Girls With Accents

It's the hooks - I can't help it!

Feel free to download below:

New Music from The Moondoggies

It's been a while since the Moondoggies had any new music, but luckily that's changing. On October 12th, the Moondoggies will be releasing their new album Tidelands.

While the band’s 2008 debut Don’t Be A Stranger won over fans for it’s easygoing mood, Tidelands catches the Moondoggies at a more contemplative and mature moment. But don't worry, their music will still be full of great harmonies and catchy hooks.

Check out their single “It’s a Shame, It’s a Pity” below:

The Moondoggies - "It’s a Shame, It’s a Pity"

“It’s a Shame, It’s a Pity” truly is a stomping but solemn song, marked by the somber and pensive tones found throughout Tidelands.

Tidelands is now available for pre-order at the Hardly Art website, and they will be sending out a bonus Moondoggies cassette with preorders while supplies last. This limited edition tape features their 2009 Record Store Day EP on one side and their 2010 “You’ll Find No Answers Here” Tour EP on the other, and includes a free download of both releases.

Check out the tracklisting for Tidelands and tour dates after the jump!

Breaking Artist: Voxhaul Broadcast

I haven't done any "Breaking Artist" segments in a while, so I knew I had to truly find a breakout artist. Good thing Voxhaul Broadcast will not disappoint.

Voxhaul Broadcast hails from sunny Orange County, California, and they can't hide that upbeat flavor in their music. The four-piece indie rock band, made up of David Dennis (guitar, vocals), Anthony Aguiar (guitar, organ, backing vocals), Phillip Munsey II (bass), and Kurt Allen (drums) just recently signed with the Agency Group.

Their debut full length, Timing is Everything will be released sometime in early 2011. Produced by Grammy Award winning producer Tom Biller (Silver Sun Pickups, Seawolf, Liars) with additional production from Chris Thorne (Blind Melon), Timing Is Everything is a culmination of everything this band has been working towards. A mix of r&b, rock, and soul, they still somehow stay true to their original sound (the band recorded and mixed their 2008 debut EP Rotten Apples live AND in one day). With influences ranging from James Brown and Al Green to The Beatles and Donovan, it's hard to not have undeniably catchy beats.

Check out their song "Leaving on the 5th" below. "The track is about meeting someone who you know you'll have to say goodbye to the next day and making the most of the time you have with them," says guitarist and keyboardist Anthony Aguiar.

Voxhaul Broadcast - "Leaving on the 5th"

Voxhaul Broadcast has showcased at SXSW, CMJ, Sundance, Noisepop Pop Fest in San Francisco, and has been featured multiple times on Daytrotter.

Here's hoping that we get to hear more about them in the future!

Oholics

I feel like I've just time-traveled in the Delorean back to the 1960s. This six piece band definitely knows how to create psych-twinged, lush, experimental pop.

Check out "Lose It" below:

Oholics - "Lose It"

I love it. It must be the sitar.

For the Music Geek in All of Us (Creepy as Hell Edition)

I. Am. Freaking. Out. Why, you ask? Oh, read on. Read on.

Music has always been a way to express yourself, and much like how extremely (extremely) "gangsta" (yes, I did just use quotes) rappers pour a 40 for their homies, there's a whole new way to pay tribute to the dead. And it's a bit messed up.

That's where And Vinyly comes in.

Imagine: maybe it's been due to old age or maybe a terrible parachuting accident, but you've died. Instead of a traditional burial or having your ashes spread at sea, you could be turned into a vinyl record. Your ashes can be pressed into an actual, playable record. And there you are - immortal.

Basically, the ashes are sprinkled by a person of your choosing and baked onto a 24-minute disk, which can either be left as simple pops and crackles ("the minimal approach"), or grooved to play your last will & testament, a favorite song, or a personal message in your voice.

It gives a whole new meaning to the "death metal" and "soul" genres, doesn't it?

The average ash-load can be spread out to thirty records, which, if you so desire, can even be sold under the in-house label (R.I.V. - Rest In Vinyl) at stores around the world. People could buy your ashes and play you on a record forever.

What?

Hello October!

There is so much to look forward to this October! The Corin Tucker Band! Tim Kasher! Antony And The Johnsons! Badly Drawn Boy! Belle And Sebastian! Sufjan Stevens! Keller Williams! Kid Cudi! !!! (oh wait - that was August...maybe I just have to tone down the excitement).

Note: Unless noted, the release dates are all for the U.S.

October 5th
Abandon All Ships – Geeving
Alain Johannes - Spark
Allo Darlin’ - Allo Darlin’
Amusement Parks on Fire - Road Eyes
Apache Beat - Last Chants
Bring Me The Horizon - There Is A Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let’s Keep It A Secret
British Sea Power - Zeus EP (digital release])
Bruno Mars - Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Clinic - Bubblegum
Dark Dark Dark - Wild Go
David Archuleta - The Other Side Of Down
Down - Diary Of A Mad Band [Live CD/DVD]
Dustin Wong - Infinite Love
Guster - Easy Wonderful

Gonjasufi - The Caliph's Tea Party 

Idlewild - Post Electric Blues
Joe Satriani - Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards
Julius C - OK, OK
KT Tunstall - Tiger Suit
Legendary Pink Dots - Seconds Late for the Brighton Line
Leland Sundries - The Apothecary [EP]
Mark Ronson and The Business Intl - Record Collection
Marnie Stern - Marnie Stern
Middle Class Rut - No Name No Color
New Collisions - The Optimist
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - History of Modern


Pimp C - The Naked Soul of Sweet Jones
PS I Love You - Meet Me at the Muster Station
Raul Malo - Sinners & Saints
Royal Baths - Litanies
Shadow Shadow Shade [formally known as Afternoons] - Shadow Shadow Shade
Soft Landing - Soft Landing
Sun Araw - Off Duty
Swans - My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky
The Avett Brothers - Live, Volume 3
The Corin Tucker Band – 1,000 Years
The Creepshow - They All Fall Down
The Gurus - Closing Circles
Tim Kasher (of Cursive) - The Game Of Monogamy
Toby Keith - Bullets In The Gun
Tom Zé - Studies of Tom Zé: Explaining Things So I Can Confuse You
Tricky - Mixed Race
Truckasauras – Quarters
Various Artists - Subterranean Homesick Blues: A Tribute to Bob Dylan's Bringing It All Back Home
Waka Flocka Flame - Flackavelli

White Hills: Stolen Stars Left for No One EP

October 12th
All That Remains - For We Are Many
Antony And The Johnsons - Swanlights
Badly Drawn Boy - Part 1–Photographing Snowflakes
Banjo or Freakout: Way Slow

Belle And Sebastian - Write About Love
Big Search: Lay of the Land
Blank Dogs: Land and Fixed
Blue Water White Death: Blue Water White Death
Breathe Owl Breathe: Magic Central
Callers: Life of Love
Celtic Thunder - Celtic Thunder Christmas
Cheyenne Marie Mize - Before Lately
Cloud Nothings - Turning On
Dar Williams - Many Great Companions
Darius Rucker - Charleston, SC 1966
Die Antwoord: $0$
Doug Paisley: Constant Companion
Envy: Recitation
Florence and the Machine: "Dog Days Are Over (Yeasayer Remix)”
Franz Nicolay: Luck & Courage
Gangrene [The Alchemist and Oh No]: Gutter Water
Gold Panda: Lucky Shiner
Hauschka - Foreign Landscapes
Holy Sons: Survivalist Tales!
Houses: All Night
Idle Times: Idle Times
Indigo Girls - Holly Happy Days
Jane Birkin: Di Doo Dah (reissue)

Kedl Winter: Apple Core
Kelly Stoltz: To Dreamers
Less Than Jake - TV/EP
Lil Wayne - I Am Not A Human Being [Digital release Sep 27]
Liz Phair - Funstyle [CD release]
Meat Beat Manifesto - Answers Come In Dreams
Peter Gordon: The Love of Life Orchestra
Purling Hiss: Public Service Announcement
Silje Nes: Opticks
Simian Mobile Disco - Is Fixed
Sister Hazel - Heartland Highway
Starfucker: Julius
Styrofoam: Disco Synthesizers & Daily Tranquilizers
Sufjan Stevens - The Age Of Adz
Suuns: Zeroes QC
The Band Perry - The Band Perry
The Beets: Stay Home
The Black Heart Procession: Blood Bunny/Black Rabbit EP
The Black: Sun in the Day Moon at Night
The Dead C: Patience
The Foreign Exchange - Authenticity
The Foreign Exchange: Authenticity
The Fresh & Onlys - Play It Strange
The Orb featuring David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd) - Metallic Spheres
Various Artists: From the Land of Ice and Snow: The Songs of Led Zeppelin
White Moth: White Moth
Wilson Phillips - Christmas In Harmony
Wolf People: Steeple
Yann Tiersen (Composer of Amelie score) - Dust Lane
You, Me, And Everyone We Know - Some Things Don’t Wash Out
Zola Jesus: Valusia EP

October 19th
A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Autumn, Again (digital release)
Belfi/Grubbs/Pilia - Onrushing Cloud
Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series: The Witmark Demos: 1962-1964
Darkstar - North (UK Release)
Dwarr - Animals (reissue)
Ejigayehu “Gigi” Shibawbaw - Mesgana Ethiopa
Elton John & Leon Russell - The Union
Erland & The Carnival - Trouble In Mind EP
Eskmo - Eskmo
House - All Night
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Acme + Acme Plus (reissue)
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Orange + Experimental Remixes EP (reissue)
Kings Of Leon - Come Around Sundown
Kisses - The Heart Of The Nightlife (UK release)
Liars - Proud Evolution EP
Liz Phair - Girlysound + Funstyle
Mount Eerie - Song Islands Vol.2 (physical Release)
Mt. Desolation - Departure
Phantom Band - The Wants (digital only)
Rod Stewart - Fly Me To The Moon…
Shakira - Sale el Sol (The Sun Comes Out)
Sugarland - The Incredible Machine
The Extra Lens - Undercard
The Phantom Band - The Wants
The Philistines Jr. - If a Band Plays in the Woods...?
The Soft Boys - A Can of Bees (reissue with bonus tracks)

The Soft Boys - Underwater Moonlight (reissue with bonus tracks)

Various Artists - Radioclit Presents: The Sound of Club Secousse

October 26th
Apparat - DJ-Kicks

Avey Tare - Down There

Bryan Ferry – Olympia
Coliseum - Goddamage
Comic Wow - Music for Mysteries of Mind Space and Time
Dâm-Funk - Adolescent Funk
Deluka - You Are The Night (digital release was September 28th)
Diamond Rings - Special Affections
Gary Wilson - Electric Endicott (digital release)
Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger - Acoustic Sessions
Juliette Commagere - The Procession
K.C. Accidental - Captured Anthems for an Empty Bathtub / Anthems for the Could've Bin Pills
Keller Williams – Kids
Kermit Ruffins - Happy Talk
Kid Cudi - Man On The Mon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager
Kylesa - Spiral Shadow
Lesbian - Stratospheria Cubensis
Lyrics Born - As U Were
Pepper Rabbit - Beauregard
Seeland - How to Live
Small Black - New Chain
Sun Airway - Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier
Sun City Girls - Funeral Mariachi
Taylor Swift - Speak Now
The Octopus Project - Hexadecagon
The War on Drugs - Future Weather EP
Timmy's Organism - Rise of the Green Gorilla
Various Artists - Wah Do Dem OST
Viktor Sjoberg - Breakfast in America
Warpaint - The Fool
William Ryan Fritch - Music for Honey and Bile
Wolf & Cub - Science & Sorcery
Wooden Wand - Death Seat