Those of you who follow altInterstate in any way – or anyone within earshot of me – knows that I’m a rather big fan of orchestral folk-rockers Lost in the Trees. Needless to say, I had some high expectations as I walked into the Cedar Cultural Center Monday night, where frontman Ari Picker and his band of musicians were headlining on their first trip to Minneapolis. I am pleased to say that
More >
It's going to be tough to choose which show to see this Saturday night in Minneapolis - Bowerbirds at The Cedar, Chairlift at the Triple Rock, Fanfarlo at the Varsity, Nada Surf at First Avenue - but my choice just might be Plants and Animals at the 7th Street Entry. The Canadian band released their third LP The End Of Thatat the end of February and features some truly great songwriting and
More >
Malian dynamic duo Amadou & Mariam are releasing their new album Folilaon April 10th in the U.S. On the album, they recruited help from Santigold, Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner and others, including TV on the Radio, who team with them on Folila track "Wily Kataso." Check out the video below.
More >
North Carolina orchestral folk-rockers Lost in the Trees are currently on tour, supporting their new album A Church That Fits Our Needs - which just dropped this week. They'll be at The Cedar Cultural Center on Monday, April 2nd, and altInterstate is giving away a pair of tickets to the show!For a chance to win, simply "Like" altInterstate on Facebook, then drop us an email at
More >
The Horrors 2011 album Skying was one of my top-ten favorite albums last year, and "Changing the Rain" is certainly a stand out track. Check out the video for the song below, which is a psychedelic, kaleidoscopic animated clip featuring the band as floating heads in space.
More >
Deerhunter is fronted by Bradford Cox, the eccentric, enigmatic and controversial artist with several side projects under his belt. But "Desire Lines," my favorite song from my favorite Deerhunter album Halcyon Digest (#1 album on altInterstate's Best of 2010) was written and sung by guitarist Lockett Pundt. A while back he announced his sophomore LP under his solo project Lotus Plaza will be
More >
Finally, James Mercer and The Shins are back with a new lineup and a new album. Port Of Morrow will drop on March 20th and is the first album by the Portland band since 2007's Wincing The Night Away. The band has been all over the place promoting the new album, with an appearance on last week's Saturday Night Live and other internet video-related sightings.And now - thanks to the band and
More >
A year ago the North Wales trio The Joy Formidable released their amped-up, reverb-filled album The Big Roar (read my review here). Their big sound is fronted by the ironically diminutive Ritzy Bryan, who both sings and takes on guitar lead. Watch their colorful video for the latest single from The Big Roar - "A Heavy Abacus" - below.The Joy Formidable will be at the Fine Line in Minneapolis
More >
The folks at NPR Music first exposed the orchestral folk rockers Lost in the Trees to many of their current fans outside of their home state of North Carolina, and looks like they've scooped it again. Stream their lovely new album A Church That Fits Our Needs (dropping on March 20th) over here.Lost in the Trees will be in Minneapolis at The Cedar Cultural Center on April 2nd. Keep checking
More >
Sharon Van Etten's latest album Tramp has been a constant part of my music circulation since it's release a couple weeks back. One of my favorite songs from that album is "Leonard," the video for which is below. It's a kaleidoscopic clip depicting " something that's long since passed, its images all sun-stained pale.""Leonard" by Sharon Van Etten from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.
More >
Icelandic folk-rockers Of Monsters and Men are relative newcomers, but seem to be taking us by storm. Here's the video for "Little Talks," the first single from their EP Into The Woods. Watch how the male semi-animated band members stomp through an alien animalistic landscape and how they are repeatedly saved from sure death by Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, the lone female band member.Of
More >
Yellow Ostrich's follow-up album to The Mistress - Strange Land - may not be out until this coming Tuesday, but you can stream the whole thing now, below. The Alex Schaaf solo project-turned-threesome expand their sound much more on Strange Land. Check it out for yourself.
More >
Danger Mouse (a.k.a. Brian Burton) worked with Norah Jones on their Italian/spaghetti western-themed Rome, and gives her some production help on her upcoming LP Little Broken Hearts, (that's the album cover over there). The first single is titled "Happy Pills" and is a bit sunnier and poppier than we might otherwise expect. Listen below...what do you think?Little Broken Hearts is due out May
More >
altInterstate indie, orchestral-folk faves Lost in the Trees are releasing their new LP A Church That Fits Our Needs on March 20th. Back in January we got to hear "Red," our first exposure to that album. Below, take a listen to the second track to hit the 'net: "Golden Eyelids" is a beautiful orchestration of lyrics, voice and instrumentation that never ceases to amaze me.
More >
Twin Shadow, Washed Out and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart each released excellent albums over the past couple of years. Now, you can find the former two bands - along with Violens and Saint Etienne - remixing four songs from the excellent Pains album Belong. The EP Acid Reflex will be released on Record Store Day (April 21st), but you can stream it in its entirety below.
More >
Now that the world is learning that that furry Grammy-wielding indie artist is actually named Bon Iver and not "Bonnie Bear," we can get back to the business of praising Justin Vernon's music. The video below is for "Towers," another strong cut from the Grammy-winning Bon Iver LP, and features an old man at sea and some beautifully-shot nature imagery. Fans of the incredible video for "Holocene
More >
Yellow Ostrich is following up the re-release of their excellent album The Mistress with the louder, fuller Strange Land, due out on Barsuk March 6th. A month back we heard the track "Marathon Runner" from that album. Now (thanks to Rolling Stone), you can listen to and download "The Shakedown," a heavier guitar-driven tune from the New York indie trio.MP3 "The Shakedown" by Yellow Ostrich
More >
I can't get enough of the new Heartless Bastards album Arrow right now. The Austin, TX band stopped by David Letterman's studio last night and laid down "Parted Ways." Check out the groove-filled video below (thanks to The Audio Perv).
More >
Sun Kil Moon releases Among the Leaves on May 29th. Here's "Sunshine in Chicago," our first exposure to the new album.<p><a href="http://soundowl.com/track/2uzn/sun-kil-moon-sunshine-in-chicago">Download Sun Kil Moon Sunshine in Chicago</a></p>Download Sun Kil Moon Sunshine in Chicago
More >
Austin, TX's Shearwater just released their first album under the Sub Pop label, and it's a good one; Animal Joy dropped on Valentine's Day. We have the video below for the track "Breaking the Yearlings," which is full of - appropriately enough - animals.Shearwater will be opening up for Sharon Van Etten at tonight's sold out show at The Cedar in Minneapolis.
More >
What is this? The MOG Music Network is MOG's community of the best music blogs from around the internet. The network is growing rapidly and we're always looking for more great music blogs to add to our roster, so if you think your blog should be part of the MOG Music Network, APPLY HERE!
© 2006-2012 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
Locating MOG account...