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Panther - "These Two Trees"
This week we're Dropping "These Two Trees," a basement-crammed dance jam by Portland's Panther. The band's now a duo -- breaking main man Charlie Salas-Humara added Joe Kelly, ex-31knots, whose live drums take the booty kicking up a notch. (The freshly minted twosome just completed a UK tour with the Gossip and heads out on a U.S. tour with Architecture In Helsinki on 10/10.)
Panther are currently putting together a new album to be released on Kill Rock Stars in February (working title 14kt God). Charlie and Joe recorded it themselves, with Christina Files mixing. "These Two Trees" is a raw, atmospheric demo of a track that'll appear, in one form or another, on the album. Here's Charlie on "These Two Trees":
We recorded it in my basement studio this Spring. We used bongos, drums and a little circuit-bent keyboard my friend made for me -- I wanted to make it sound like some of the old Cuban songs I heard growing up, but with a more burnt out dance hall vibe.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Puerto Rico and Chicago. Joe grew up in Milwaukee. We have midwest hearts.
What're the lyrics about? Hard to catch them with all that echo.
Basically, take what you can from these trees. I am not a very political person in song, but it refers to the rape and deforestation of Oregon's beautiful forests. I know, I know...
Premature Evaluation: Beach House - Teen Dream
When we meditated on Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally's gorgeous sophomore album Devotion we had the following to say: [Y]ou can't fall back on Mazzy Star or Galaxie 500 references because they've pushed themselves into their own, unique solar system.... (more)
New Jonathan Boulet Video - "A Community Service Announcement"
This dude's the latest signing to Australia's Modular label, landing with a tidy package of promotional offerings: a catchy, moistly breezy indie-pop debut single that couldn't be better titled for a meet-the-artist track; a subtly arresting/marginally tricked-out video; and a... (more)
New El Guincho - "Antillas (XXXchange Remix)"
When we first heard onetime BTW Pablo Díaz-Reixa, aka El Guincho, we were drawn in by "Antillas," a song we described as "a five-minute bundle of clattering loops and sunny harmonies." It was from the self-released Alegranza!, before he'd signed... (more)
Muse To Headline Coachella 2010?
According to Consequence Of Sound, a previously reliable source pins Muse to the coming year's desert fest headlining slot. Glenn Beck just bought a ticket. The dates are April 16-18. Oh and these Coachella headliner rumors? Needs more Pavement.... (more)
Parents Just Don't Understand Horrorcore
From hardcore to heavy metal to gangsta rap, local TV news teams have long warned parents about the terrifying new sounds rotting teenage brains. This week it's San Fran's KPIX on the horrorcore scene. Not all juggalos are murderers, dad!... (more)
