The Music Minute

jason - Posted on 22 March 2009

Kaka (aka Richard Karlsson) sings about the struggle and challenge of life. His upbeat, retro faux-dance tracks give the listen a sense of hope and energy. He shifts gears through genres as diverse as reggae, electro-tinged '80's melodies, and pure indie pop. Through it all he keeps a solid beat, and never gives up. Kaka's self titled album was just released in the UK on March 9th, and he was supposed to come play the Elysium venue at SXSW this past Wednesday but had to cancel his trip. To make up for missing his chance at SXSW he is pushing his joy and tracks out into the on-line media. Here is my favorite track.

Listen to: It's A Longshot (mp3)

Released on Vinyl through Bark & Hiss Records a year ago, Trouble Books' The United Colors of Trouble Books is finally getting the attention and global launch that it deserves. This is an intimate exploration in sound through home-recorded ambient experimental pop. Ohio's Trouble Books blend odd loops, drifting guitars, and hushed vocals to create a warmth that is sure to ring in Spring. The album will be rereleased on Own Records April 9th.

Listen to: Transient Color Glories (mp3)

When Jagjaguwar announced last month that they had signed Dinosaur Jr I was surprised, but excited. Fat Possum is a great label, but Jagjaguwar has slowly built a reputation for creating quality products with a small and unique twists. Along with the signing announcement they also announced that they will be releasing the band new 7" "I Don't Want To Go There", a track that will appear on their next full-length due this summer. If all of that wasn't enough, Dino Jr. just embarked this past week on a nation wide tour that will land them in some of the smallest venues that they have ever played in. If you have ever seen J, Lou, and Murph live then you will understand why a small venue would be explosive under the weight their amps. You can check out all the dates here, and you can find me in the crowd at Otto's in DeKalb on April 11th.

The Minnesota duo known as UltraChorus is Chris Heidman and Jeff Lorentzen. The two spend nearly everyday in their Minneapolis SoTM studio composing and making beats. Chris and Jeff both have established histories in beat production. Chris, in fact, began his career as half of the late 90’s electro indie band Sukpatch, pioneering beat driven music for the twee set by way of the Beastie’s Grand Royal label. After a small bit of indie cult status was achieved, Sukpatch laid down their samplers and called it done in 2004. UltraChorus creates dance pop with a solid electronic edge. Now they bring you the debut single, “Words Kept Talking”, available only on 7-inch vinyl and digital download. It is perfect for the dance floor or the summer's drive with the windows open.

Listen to: Pheonix "1901" (UltraChorus Remix) (mp3)

Next month Ontonio is going to share with the world the latest "dance funk pop band", Green Go. Their debut full length, Borders, will be released in April, but in preparation they have released a collection of remixes cleverly titles Green Go Remix Project Vol. 1. It features music from Born Ruffians, The D'Urbervilles, Women and more, and can currently only be heard through various media outlets.

Listen to: Women "Black Rice" (Green Go Remix) (mp3)

Ohio's Ryan Smith plays a genuine mix of folk rock and roots rock, and always has "Good Intentions". His latest album, "I Just Want To Feel That Way" is available for free download through his myspace page, and I highly recommend you check it out.

Listen to: Good Intentions (mp3)

If you are going to name your band "Boom Box" anything then you have to be as diverse as an actual boom box can be. Born to Dominican immigrants in Brooklyn, NY, singer/songwriter Lael Llaverias grew up listening to music from his homeland witnessed the rise of hip-hop and played in alternative bands that swept glam rock under the carpet. As he added members to the band that would become Boom Box Repair Kit, the flavors of the eclectic group began to stir and mix into the reggae-funk-rock that they display on their debut album, My Dear Antagonist. At its core, this album is a dance album, but it is the wide range of influence that will really keep your interest.

Listen to: I Rather Dance With a Stranger (mp3)

It has been a relatively short amount of time since Partisan Records re-issued Deer Tick's debut War Elephant on November 11, 2008. The record was originally released in a limited run by Jana Hunter's short-lived Feow! label. Yet John McCauley III, who wrote and recorded War Elephant at the age of 20 and plays every single instrument on the album, has become one of the most distinctive voices in independent music. Partisan Records recently announced that it will release the band's sophomore album, Born on Flag Day, later in 2009 - the band is putting the finishing touches on the record as you read this. A documentary film about the band, titled To The City of Sin! has just been wrapped up, with Cory W. Lovell serving as director. Here is a sneak peek at the movie.