Out of the office…

but I will return.  currently moving, back at it on thursday friday.

Dri >>

Finally getting to this e-mail that’s been sitting in my inbox for a couple days now.  A press release on Lawrence, Kansas artist DRI (from Adrianne Verhoeven).  I had not heard her before I got the e-mail, but I took a quick listen and loved her voice.

But I didn’t have the words to write anything.

She’s no stanger to the music scene, having lent her vocals and keyboards to bands like The Anniversary, Art in Manila and Fourth Of July.  Her debut album is all Adrianne, soulful electronic pop that could have gone off in any direction.  She’s worked with multiple producers (soul/funk deejay Josh Powers, hip-hop producer and emcee Nezbeat, electronic composer 1,000,000 Light Years and protools-stylist SayMyName) in a way to capture her ability to sound comfortable in a variety of different styles.

I’ve had it on all morning.  So far, Two Are One‘s Beach House sound has put a spell on me.  That’s the video above and the lead-off song on DRI‘s debut album Smoke Rings.

Head to Daytrotter to hear more.  Catch her on the road opening for Conor Oberst and Handsome Furs on their respective tours for some dates in July and August respectively.

Jump In The Pool by Friendly Fires

Who : Friendly Fires from St. Albans, UK.

What : Can you imagine a better song to hear during this sunny weather?  Check out this British three-piece who are blowing up right now.  Even though since 2006 they’ve put out discs on People In The Sky (EP called Photobooth ) and Moshi Moshi (EP called Cross The Line with such songs as Paris ), the debut full-length hasn’t dropped yet.  Check XL in Sept.  Toss this song below on your summer mixtape between M83 and !!! .

Song : Jump In The Pool .

Pop Montreal 2008 >>

So far so good.

CONFIRMED ARTISTS: Burt Bacharach, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Hot Chip, The Persuasions, Dan Deacon, Cori Bishop (aka Elyse Weinberg), United Steel Workers of Montreal, The Dodos, Liam Finn, Wintersleep, Dark Meat, Headlights, Playdoe, Dabaaz, Kim, Eric Bélanger, The Veils, WIRE, Crystal Castles, Black Kids, St Catherines, Vetiver, Silver Apples, Thomas Function, Julie Doiron, Chad Van Gaalen, Dominique Grange & Jacques Tardi, Great Lake Swimmers, Katie Moore, Socalled, Woodhands, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Sam Shalabi, Gatineau, Jason Collett, Chocolat, Irma Thomas, Wedding Present, Evangelicals, Beach House, Jana Hunter, Cex, Teeth Mountain, Teki Latex, D’Urbervilles, Michie Mee, and so much more!

Your Island by Young Rival

Who : Young Rival (formerly The Ride Theory) from Hamilton.

What : More new material from this great foursome (only Aron and Noah pictured above) from Hamilton.  Many are anticipating the new record from this group which I’ve heard is ready to hit ears in Sept.  Some tourdates into the end of summer including ones with King Kahn and The Shrines.

Song : Your Island (via Stereogum ).

One Day As A Lion >>

“It’s better to live One Day As A Lion then a thousand years as a lamb”.

Is it?  Really? What would you do for that one day??  And can you imagine what you could get done in 1000 years, even as a lamb?

The quote is from a black and white photograph by legendary chicano photographer George Rodriquez.  It also happens to be the new moniker for Zach de la Rocha’s newest musical endeavor.  It’s a twosome along with Jon Theordore on drums (of Mars Volta fame).

Its solid from what I’ve heard so far.  But, while while flipping channels the other night I’m pretty sure I heard someone from MTV Canada call this a mix between Rage Against the Machine and Daft Punk.  Really?  I hear the Rage, don’t hear anything close to those two French robots though… Look for their 5 song EP out on Anti.

Take a listen for yourself.  Wild International (from Electrorash).  Heavy.

Something Is Not Right With Me >>

Looks to be the first single off the next Cold War Kids record out in Sept.  Streaming on myspace.  What do you think?

Chain by School of Seven Bells

Who : School of Seven Bells from Brooklyn.

What : Ex-Secret Machine Benjamin Curtis formed this band with the twin sister vocalists of On! Air! Library! .  Look for them opening M83 ’s current North American tour.  Reminds me of Fujiya & Miyagi with female vocals, awesome.  Look for a full length on Ghostly .

Song : Chain .