Urban Outfitters

From Elsewhere 06/29/09

UO Profiles: Crocodiles

UO Profiles: Crocodiles permalink

The fuzzy, lo-fi songs of San Diego duo Crocodiles are pure, catchy pop with surprising not-so-sunny side. Fortunately, they’re not nearly as angry as they (try to) look.

From New York 06/25/09

Free Energy at Mercury Lounge

Free Energy at Mercury Lounge permalink

You know how sometimes you really like a band, but they only have two songs on their MySpace and they don’t have an album yet but you don’t care and listen to those two songs over and over? We’ve been doing that with Philly upstarts Free Energy, who’s first track, “Dream City” is a bonafide, feelgood beach jam. Catch them in NYC tonight at Mercury Lounge—the perfect way to celebrate the fact that it almost, kind of, actually feels like summer.

From Miami 06/25/09

Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Expression permalink

On Friday, July 3 from 6-9pm at Urban Outfitters South Miami store in The Shops at Sunset Place, Freedom of Expression brings together local artists and craftarians to help raise money for the Del Portillo Family, a local Miami family battling lung cancer. Also catch The Killer Moon (7pm) and Spinlight City (above, 8pm) as part of the good-hearted festivities. 

From Philadelphia 06/25/09

Win Tickets to See Sonic Youth

Win Tickets to See Sonic Youth permalink

Sonic Youth roll through town on July 2nd for a show at the Electric Factory in support of their new album The Eternal, and we’re giving you a chance to see them. For free! Enter to win tickets to the show at UO’s two Philadelphia locations (110 South 36th St and 1627 Walnut St.). And don’t say we never gave ya nuthin’.

From New York 06/16/09

Via Tania at Joe's Pub

Via Tania at Joe’s Pub permalink

Catch Chicago-dwelling Aussie Via Tania tonight at Joe’s Pub in all her whispery, elfin glory.

From Philadelphia 06/10/09

LSTN #5

LSTN #5 permalink

For our fifth installment of LSTN, we’ve partnered with iTunes—but we’re still bringing you 23 wicked, rad, awesome, bang-up, freaking dope tracks—all for free. Major Lazer, Grizzly Bear, St. Vincent, The Delta Spirit, Phoenix, Hecuba and Jeremy Jay are just some that populate this list, so open the sunroof and get a cherry limeaide: Welcome to Summer.

From DC 06/05/09

Beautiful Swimmers’ “Oh Yea” Video permalink

Layering 80’s workout videos into a sexy fever dream, Aurora Halal and Ashiq Khondker’s visuals are the perfect accompaniment for Beautiful Swimmers’ spacey, world-music-tinged electro. 

From New York 06/05/09

Mama Bear

Mama Bear permalink

Yes, Brooklyn by way of Portland by way of Pennsylvania band Mama Bear did name themselves after the Berenstain Bears, but VIVI and Dpdp, aka Victoria and Dale, are also awesome because they sing impossibly catchy folk/pop-songs that are comforting indeed.

From New York 05/29/09

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter permalink

It’s officially BBQ season and with it comes the need for BBQ music. Our recommendation? Nick Catchdubs and Mr. Ducker’s Radio Friendly Unit Shifter mixes. The two volume series, presented by Mishka, cuts up 90’s alt rock (Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, etc.) into BBQ-sized doses.

From Elsewhere 05/29/09

Kim Gordon's Daryl K Vintage Collection on eBay

Kim Gordon’s Daryl K Vintage Collection on eBay permalink

Seriously, there is only one thing that could be better than scoring vintage Daryl K—and that’s scoring vintage Daryl K worn by an actual rock star—which is what you can do on our eBay store. With more than 20 items ranging from vinyl pants to tapered jeans and brocade jackets, each piece was worn by Kim Gordon and comes with an autographed tag, complete with description of when and where the item was worn. All of the proceeds will benefit Community Resources for People with Autism, a charity of Gordon’s choice.

From San Francisco 05/27/09

Boone's Farm and the US Air Guitar Championship

Boone’s Farm and the US Air Guitar Championship permalink

If you previously thought Boone’s Farm was only for those with learner’s permits, think again: It’s now for air guitarists, too. Boone’s Farm is now the official beverage sponsor of the US Air Guitar Championships, and is even debuting a new flavor, Sunshine Pink, with the event. Hopefully, this sets a precedent for future such partnerships: New York Fashion Week Brought to you by Colt 45, maybe?

From Los Angeles 05/26/09

The Music Tee

The Music Tee permalink

LNA and Invisible DJ paired up to make the Music Tee, which comes with a tracklisting on the back and a code to download an exclusive playlist with songs from the likes of Asteroids Galaxy Tour, Afternoons, Magic Arms, Holmes and WAZ. Sounds good.

From Seattle 05/20/09

The Capitol Hill Block Party

The Capitol Hill Block Party permalink

The Capitol Hill Block Party is Seattle’s biggest summertime music event, with 50 bands on three stages during two days. This year’s lineup includes Sonic Youth, The Gossip, Deerhunter, Micachu & The Shapes, and the Pains at Being Pure at Heart. And guess where you can get tickets! Give up? Ok, at all Seattle Urban Outfitters! Go! Go!

From Philadelphia 05/20/09

Groover's Paradise

Groover’s Paradise permalink

No, not Grover! Though that would be awesome, too, but this time around, it’s Groover’s Paradise, a seasonal get down at Kung Fu Necktie, with $1-off Yards and DJ Mental Feelings plays country of the good ole kind. 

From Elsewhere 05/19/09

In B Flat

In B Flat permalink

In B Flat is Darren Solomon’s musical YouTube collage that’s surprisingly beautiful and relaxing. 

From Los Angeles 05/15/09

Kitsuné x The Cobrasnake permalink

Mark Hunter and Kitsuné have teamed up to release a digital EP, Kitsuné x The Cobrasnake, which drops on June 1. Hunter directed the video for Classixx‘s “I Get You,” and whaddayaknow, it’s like a Cobrasnake photo come to life. 

From Los Angeles 05/14/09

Dark Night of the Soul

Dark Night of the Soul permalink

Strange but true: David Lynch has teamed up with Sparklehorse and Danger Mouse to create Dark Night of the Soul, an album of songs written by Sparklehorse and Danger Mouse—with help from the likes of the Flaming Lips, Vic Chestnutt, Iggy Pop and Frank Black—and packaged with a book of photos taken by Lynch. NPR has posted an exclusive first listen of the entire album. It’s Lynchian, to say the least. 

From New York 05/14/09

Wah Do Dem

Wah Do Dem permalink

Wah Do Dem was filmed after the writers, Ben Chace and Sam Fleischner, won two tickets for a cruise to Jamaica, and it stars newcomer reggae artist Sean Bones and Norah Jones (yes, the one your parents like). The (fictional) movie follows Bones, who was left heartbroken by Jones, as he attempts to find himself in Jamaica. It premiers at the LA Film Fest in June, but until then, check out Bones’ band, which is also called Sean Bones

From Paris 05/13/09

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Kitsuné FW 09 permalink

The Kitsuné fall collection is based on Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate. The lookbook includes some Bob Dylan hair and a few carefully positioned scarves. 

From New York 05/13/09

Phenomenal Handclap Band

Phenomenal Handclap Band permalink

If you missed them last night at Southpaw, you can catch the funkiness that is the Phenomenal Handclap Band tonight, when they perform a secret show at Black Betty. This eight-piece band has a rotating roster of special guests that include members of TV on the Radio, The Dap Kings, Mooney Suzuki, Antibalas and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Ok, so it’s really just an unannounced show, but secret totally makes you want to go, doesn’t it?

From Los Angeles 05/13/09

Rob Roy

Rob Roy permalink

How to describe Rob Roy? It’s a little crunk, a little hipster, a little r&b, and a little bit like a hip-hop soundtrack for a Judd Apatow movie. We like. And he was a damn cute kid. 

From Los Angeles 05/12/09

Anvil! The Story of Anvil permalink

Anvil! The story of Anvil is a rock doc like no other. You might start watching it expecting to have a good laugh at the expense of Robbo and Lips, two Canadian hessians who have been trying to get their thrasher band Anvil off the ground since the early ‘80s, but it’s more likely that you’ll end up with a tear in your eye and a big smile on your face. This Wednesday at the Nuart Theatre, catch the film and stay for a special live performance by Anvil—it’s heavy metal at it’s most heartwarming.

From DC 05/12/09

Fatback

Fatback permalink

Fatback is the most fun dance party in a city filled with fun dance parties. A bold statement, we know, but last time we went we woke up the next morning on out the couch, wearing a feather headdress and humming Os Mutantes. Beat that this Saturday, May 16 from 10PM-3AM at LIV at Bohemian Caverns (2001 11th St, NW).

From Los Angeles 05/11/09

UO Profiles: Krysten Ritter

UO Profiles: Krysten Ritter permalink

Krysten Ritter is like the pretty, fun, sarcastic best friend you never had. She also happens to be an actress—starring in the Gossip Girl-prequel Valley Girl, which airs tonight—and fronts a really good band, Ex-Vivian. We recently caught up with Ritter to discuss hipsters, banana clips, modeling and the mall. 

From London 05/11/09

Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding permalink

Ellie Goulding belongs to the same race of melodic nymphettes as Lykke Li, Marina and the Diamonds and El Perro Del Mar. Someday, their queen, Björk, will herd them all off to some great fairy disco in the sky, and all us mere mortals will be left wondering where all the good tracks went. 

From New York 05/07/09

UO Profiles: Lissy Trullie

UO Profiles: Lissy Trullie permalink

With their EP, Self-Taught Learner out, and a tour on the horizon, Lissy Trullie may be the epitome of cool—but only most of the time. 

From Boston 05/05/09

Aloud

Aloud permalink

Maybe you just watched that rad mountain bike video that we posted. And maybe, like we were, you were like “WTF is this awesome song?” Well, we did the research for you: “Fan the Fury,” by Aloud. More, please.

From Portland 05/05/09

Gossip

Gossip permalink

Gossip‘s much-hyped Rick Rubin-produced album isn’t available in the States until 6/23. And while many die-hards saw Rubin’s involvement as just another example of mainstream co-opting indie’s best acts, if the first single, “Heavy Cross,” is any indication, they’ve hit this one out of the park. Sweaty, beer-soaked dancing, anyone?

From Elsewhere 05/04/09

Wu Note Records

Wu Note Records permalink

Call it Wu Note Records or the Blu-Tang Clan, but graphic designer Logan Walters has reimagined Wu-Tang album covers in Blue Note Records’ iconic jazz stylings. ODB has never looked so classy. (Via FontFeed.)

From London 05/04/09

I Hate the Way You Love

I Hate the Way You Love permalink

For one week only, Pitchfork is offering the full 47-min Kills 2005 tour documentary, I Hate the Way You Love, in its entirety, and it’s an interesting, intimate and intense portrait of one of the most compelling bands making music today.