congratulations - "Dr. Doctor"

By -

Photo by Leila-Mae Rummery

congratulations are one of those bands that are thrilling for music writers, since they don't quite sound like anyone out there. Of course, that drives us crazy since it's very difficult to describe them. Their latest single, "Dr. Doctor," is heavy on funk and post-punk. It's undeniably dance friendly without sounding like any dance music out there. This is a killer party jam, even if most people would describe it as "weird." And it is weird, in a gloriously fun and creative way. Most bands that are this fun aren't creative, but luckily for us all congratulations were never told that.

The band says of their latest single:

"When we made this album, one of our main goals was idiosyncrasy - whilst we draw on a lot of influences, I truly believe no one could make this song but us. This song is for everyone trapped inside their own head, spiralling and catastrophising - we feel you. Just avoid this particular Doctor."

You can watch the video for "Dr. Doctor" below. Join Hands is due out February 13 on Bella Union, and is available for pre-order here. For more on congratulations, check out the band's website.

On Repeat...

Monday Mix: Newport Folk Festival 2014 Must See Bands

By -
Image
With this weekend's upcoming Newport Folk Festival, we thought we'd highlight some of this year's can't miss acts. We're focusing on the bands playing smaller stages and earlier in the day. I mean, you're obviously going to see Ryan Adams and Jack White. Instead, these are the acts worth getting there early for, and seeking out the smaller stages. Phox Friday, 1:50, Quad Stage Phox hails from Baraboo, WI, the winter home of the Ringling Brothers' Circus. I'm not sure if that is connected to their music or not, but Phox has an otherworldly charm and a magical feel. They come across as a more grounded St. Vincent or a less intense version of early Tori Amos. Their music is simply beautiful and uplifting.  Reignwolf Friday, 2:55, Quad Stage Truly pushing the boundaries of what can be considered "folk" are Reignwolf. Reignwolf is Jordan Cook, who sounds like a mixture of The Black Keys and Queens of the Stone Age, mixed with just a lit...
Read more

Minibeast - "High Sea"

By -
Image
Somehow Peter Prescott of Mission of Burma and Volcano Suns has another band that I never knew about. Minibeast already released an album that I completely missed back in 2012, and they are currently at work on the follow up, Free Will. Based on a track from the upcoming album, "High Sea," Minibeast shares some common sonic ground with Mission of Burma, but with an added emphasis on the groovy side of things. It's basically the noise and dissonance of Burma but heard through a 60s surf groove, as if Frankie and Annette were punks. You can listen to "High Sea" below. Minibeast currently have a Kickstarter to help fund the final production of Free Will. You can get more information on that here . It should be out sometime in June.
Read more

The Cairo Gang - "Be What You Are"

By -
Image
Photo by Rachel Cassels The Cairo Gang is mostly Emmett Kelly, who recorded most of their upcoming album, Goes Missing,  on his own while travelling. "Be What You Are" is pure pop gold, reminiscent of British invasion bands like The Kinks and The Zombies. It features jangly guitars and some of the most infectious layered vocals you've heard in years. Luckily the beauty of this style of music is that it never quite sounds dated. It might sound like it's from a certain era that happened 50 years ago, but everything you've ever listened to since then borrows so heavily from it that it always sounds current. It's the kind of music you wish you hadn't missed, only now you haven't. Goes Missing  is due out June 23rd on God? Records. You can pre-order the album now, and be sure to check out The Cairo Gang's Facebook . Listen to "Be What You Are" below, and below that are tour dates, many opening for Mikal Cronin. Sat. Sept. 5 - Portlan...
Read more