New Au - "Ida Walked Away"

Au's current official lineup remains Luke Wyland and Dana Valatka, but each excursion sounds like the work of much larger cast. See, for instance, "Ida Walked Away," an escalating bit of falsetto-fronted art-pop from the Portland band's forthcoming Versions EP.... CONTINUE READING NEW AU - "IDA WALKED AWAY"»

Posted on July 31, 2009 in MP3 (2 comments)
Tags: Au | Super Furry Animals

New Au - "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

When it doesn't sound like Animal Collective, Au's music often approximates a snow or sleet storm, but one that's all angles and the light refracted off a crystal, so this picture of Luke Wyland and Dana Valatka out in the... CONTINUE READING NEW AU - "I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS"»

Posted on December 22, 2008 in MP3 (0 comments)
Tags: Au | Cymbals Eat Guitars

CMJ '08: It's A Photo Wrap

The crapshoot buffet of 25 minute sets from overextended bands is now closed, thanks. When you're out all day and all night, you encounter lots -- some undercooked and unpalatable flller, some that's ripe and right, lots never intended for... CONTINUE READING CMJ '08: IT'S A PHOTO WRAP»

New Au Video - "RR vs. D"

This video for Au's "RR vs. D" opens with a tiny crystal ball filled with golden flecks spinning in Michael Jackson's hand and somehow ends up in this field, but the Verbs clip, directed by Rainbow Dropshadow (curiously, my nickname... CONTINUE READING NEW AU VIDEO - "RR VS. D"»

Posted on September 25, 2008 in Video (4 comments)
Tags: Au | Silversun Pickups

New Au - "Are Animals" & "Sleep"

It's fitting this new Au song's called "Are Animals" because Luke Wyland & his band of Portland noisemakers do a pretty good Animal Collective impersonation on it. Then at 1:21 it shifts, breaking from that opening whiplash into the organ... CONTINUE READING NEW AU - "ARE ANIMALS" & "SLEEP"»

Posted on May 23, 2008 in MP3, Tour Dates (0 comments)
Tags: Au

New Au - "RR Vs. D"

Indie rock is doing amazing things in service of the parts of speech and grammar in general these days. Vampire Weekend is through with oxford commas, No Age is 100% pro Nouns, and now we learn Oregonian psych-folk troupe Au... CONTINUE READING NEW AU - "RR VS. D"»

Posted on April 4, 2008 in MP3 (12 comments)
Tags: Au

Hey You, Meet Au

Another day, another Portland band. This one's more of a guest-laden one-man project though; Au (say the letters, pronounce the name -- Ay you) is the work of Luke Wyland, a multi-instrumental nomad who's buckled down in Oregon and begun... CONTINUE READING HEY YOU, MEET AU»

Posted on May 15, 2007 in MP3 (11 comments)
Tags: Au