Listen: Hospitality - "Monkey"

When I saw Brooklyn indie-rock trio Hospitality at Brooklyn Bowl a couple weeks ago they premiered a couple new songs and I lamented that they sort of sounded like the songs on their self-titled full-length debut. This wouldn't have been a bad thing per say if the band hadn't more or less been sitting on some of their debut tracks since their 2008 EP.

Seems all my worrying and stressing was for naught as Hospitality's new track "Monkey" is just on the right side of new and different while maintaining their same angular songwriting and jangle. Unlike their debut album or EP however, "Monkey" sees Amber Papini really owning her frontwoman role, coming out swinging and bursting with confidence. Her furtive coos replaced with full-bodied purrs and ample stage presence (guitar solos included). "Monkey" is the most aggressive Hospitality track to date and it seems like a year of touring has really lit a fire in the trio. Here's hoping there's more where this came from.



"Monkey" will be released as a b-side along with lead single "The Drift" on Merge Records out October 30th. You can pre-order the limited edition 7" here.

(via Stereogum)

Watch: Hospitality - "Eighth Avenue"

Earlier this year, Brooklyn indie-pop three-piece Hospitality charmed their way into the hearts and minds of anyone lucky enough to hear their self-titled Merge Records debut. Since then, the band have been riding high on the full length's success spending the better part of the year touring around the whole of the US of A. Having recently returned to their old stomping grounds (and playing an amazing free show at Brooklyn Bowl late last month), it only seems apt that they release a little something something to celebrate the occasion. Enter their brand new video for "Eighth Avenue".

Directed by Gregory Mitnick and Nat Livingston, the video features a racecar driver who discovers the tears of his lady friend give him an added advantage or his competitors and results in him winning. Of course, this spirals horribly out of control and the drive (played by Victor Magro) ends up tormenting his lady (played by Courtney O'Reilly) at almost every opportunity, collecting her tears in a cup. Does this sound terrible? Because it is. But don't worry, karmic retribution gets doled out eventually. I won't spoil the ending but the lady finds out about the driver's trickery and drama and mayhem ensues. Another great and hilarious (but also kind of douche-featuring) video from Hospitality.

Watch Hospitality's video for "Eighth Avenue":
Hospitality - Eighth Avenue from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Hospitality - Hospitality (2012)

It’s a kind of strange coincidence that at their Mercury Lounge show last July, Brooklyn bands Hospitality, ARMS, and North Highlands played in an order the exact opposite to their album’s release times. A unifying factor between all of the bands that night was that each was sitting on a mostly finished album awaiting release when the time was right. North Highlands was first, self-released on the first day of CMJ, ARMS next also opting to self-release, and Hospitality one-upped them all by signing to Merge Records and getting a release date months away.

While it’s no doubt due to my ongoing obsessive love with ARMS that I was even remotely aware of Hospitality’s existence, the other reason I mention the aforementioned show at Mercury Lounge is because, surprisingly North Highlands and Hospitality are similar. One plays dance-y genre-dodging blend of high energy tunes, the latter intelligent, well-paced pop with touches of rock where it matters most. But Hospitality, like North Highlands’ Brenda Malvini, triumphs through the focus on Amber Papini’s delicate vocals. In fact, they’re far more subdued than Malvini’s, who occasionally raises it for rousing shouts.  But they’re by no means lifeless or passable, no, Papini’s the embodiment of that oft quoted Theodore Roosevelt saying: “Speak softly and carry a big stick”. Her stick of sorts is her winding tales of metropolitan life that imbue seemingly unimportant people and events with an endearing importance like “Betty Wang”. That and her band – Brian Betancourt and Nathan Michel bring Papini’s stories to greater life with their mindful arrangements and simplistic dressings that end up making the song (“Friends of Friends” outro in particular comes to mind).  Hospitality’s songs are the kind that remain largely unexpected and delightful regardless of how many times you’ve sat down with the record, no doubt a testament to Papini’s deft songwriting and her bands thoughtful assistance.  Several tracks you may have heard before, on the group’s debut EP way back in 2008, are given updates, transforming from lo-fi folksy pop numbers  into higher quality tracks with a rock edge while retaining the same charm that led you to love them in the first place.    

Though they may be the last from that fateful show to release their record, the wait was no doubt worth it. Each song on Hospitality has its place, wonderfully adorned with care and affection, what they lack in emotional vulnerability (a similar characteristic in North Highlands’ lyricism) they more than make up for in properly channeled talent and ability to just be darn good. Hospitality is downright enjoyable with just a hint of underlying quirk that’s just right regardless of mood. It’s poppy without being throwaway, smart without being bookish, and even manages to pack in a couple of cute moments into it. Hospitality’s is a record worth having – a surefire go-to when you’re looking for something just right. 

Get a taste of Hospitality with "Friends of Friends" and listen to their self-titled debut on Spotify.

 Hospitality - Friends of Friends by MergeRecords 

Now Streaming: Hospitality - Hospitality

Yesterday I announced a series of Hospitality news like their debut video for "Friends of Friends" that premiered on Stereogum, and their upcoming radio performances on WNYC and WFMU, and the release of their self-titled debut next Tuesday. Well today, Hospitality has made their album available for streaming on Spotify. The debut features some updates of tracks off their 2008 self-titled EP like "Betty Wang", "Liberal Arts" and "Argonauts" transforming them from lo-fi folk pop into fully realized pop rock gems bundled together with some brand new tracks.

If you have Spotify, you can stream the new album here.

So if you've been eagerly awaiting the album like me, enjoy.

Hospitality - "Eighth Avenue"

Well, Hospitality are certainly having a busy week which might very just be warm up for next week's album release goodness. In addition to releasing their debut video for "Friends of Friends", one of my favorite tracks, which up until now I've only been able to hear live (and through live videos on Youtube), "Eighth Avenue" is NPR's  Song of the Day" today.  It's a sunny little number which benefits greatly from Amber Papini's delicate drawl as she sings about boredom in a city that never sleeps. There's all sorts of little touches that make the track a bit more enjoyable than the live version - Brian Betancourt's falsetto (which happens live but is just nice to hear again), little flit and fluttery guitar licks that I didn't know were possible, and the juxtaposition of coarse, angular sounds alongside Hospitality's easy-breezy pop arrangement. An absolutely stellar addition to what's becoming more obviously a great debut from Hospitality.


You can listen to Hospitality's awesome "Eighth Avenue" at NPR here.

If that weren't enough, they also playing live on WMFU on Wednesday at 6pm EST and WNYC Soundcheck on Friday at 2pm EST. And they have a recently released Daytrotter session. A busy week indeed.

Watch: Hospitality - "Friends of Friends"

With the release of Hospitality's debut self-titled album little more than a week away, they decided to drop a gem of a video for one of their first preview tracks "Friends of Friends", which they released when they first signed to Merge Records. If the song wasn't awesome enough, the Scott Jacobson directed video, kind of clinches it. Hospitality have far more pull than I would've ever thought possible: Alia Shawkat (most known for her role as Maebe in Arrested Developed) stars in the video. She plays a dumped girl with a douchebag long-distance boyfriend who has some much needed girl time to get over the aforementioned douchebag boyfriend. It's like the plot of a rom-com only, not pointlessly drawn out to 110 minutes.

Watch the video for Hospitality's "Friends of Friends":

Hospitality - "Friends Of Friends" from stereogum on Vimeo.


(via Stereogum)

All Around Sound's Most Anticipated of 2012 Playlist (So Far)

2012 began with a number of bands having already promised this would be the year they release follow ups or even debut full lengths in some cases. Since it's only the first month of 2012, a lot of things have yet to be announced but from what has been, it's shaping to be a pretty great year (I mean new Bowerbirds!) for music. Here's a playlist of some of the releases I'm most excited for in order of release date (where possible).

1) First Aid Kit - "The Lion's Roar" 

It's hard to imagine that the Swedish sisters released their debut album almost two years ago but this month they're releasing a follow up that's looking like it might just blow their debut out of the water. The sisters are older and wiser and seem to just be growing in talent. First Aid Kit's sophomore album The Lion's Roar is due out January 24th. 

 First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar by Wichita Recordings 

2) Hospitality - "Friends of Friends"

This year sees the release of Hospitality's self-titled debut album, their first for new label Merge Records, the follow up to a low-fi folk poppy EP released in 2008 and it's about time. While I've grown to love the tunes of the EP, Hospitality's new sound is a step in the right direction. I've only heard several of the new songs live so I can only imagine how much better they'll be recorded with all the tools they had at their disposal. Hospitality is actually one of my most anticipated album's off the year, if only for the bewilderingly catchy "All Day Today". Hospitality is out January 31st on Merge. Get it, seriously.

Hospitality - Friends of Friends by MergeRecords

3) Sharon Van Etten - "Serpents"

I may have only heard Sharon Van Etten's lead single "Serpents" a couple days ago but that was enough to make me thoroughly intrigued by Sharon Van Etten's new album. Her first on Jagjaguwar, she's in good company alongside the increasingly popular Bon Iver. Hearing new track "Leonard" today also made it practically impossible for Tramp not to be on this list. Sharon Van Etten's Tramp is out February 7th.

 Sharon Van Etten - Serpents by All Around Sound Blog 

4) Fanfarlo - "Deconstruction"

When Fanfarlo first released new track/video "Replicate" back in September, I just about wet myself. The release was completely unheralded following a year-long radio silence which the band spent reacquainting themselves with real life after a year of straight touring and also writing and recording the new tunes. The year long self-imposed exile has certainly done some good. "Deconstruction" is the perfect blending of old and new and the bands claims of a more pop-oriented sound are not unfounded. And while the band could get together and release an album of nursery rhymes and I would still buy it, it helps that the new music is so downright good. Fanfarlo's sophomore album Room Filled With Lights is due out February 28th. 

 Deconstruction - Fanfarlo by Atlantic Records 

5) Plants & Animals - "Lightshow"

I've only heard this single track from Plants & Animals upcoming album and yet that was enough. It burrowed into my brain and stayed there for days exacerbated by my constant repeating of the track. I've lost count with how many times I've played it but it still hasn't lost any of it's edge. And so based off this track alone and a good deal of good faith, I'm much looking forward to Plants & Animals new album. Whether that'll change when they release the next track remains to be seen but I doubt it. I mean if you can write a song as good as "Lightshow", they should all be similarly awesome, right? Right. The End of All That is due out February 28th.

 Plants and Animals - Lightshow by SecretCityRecords 

6) Dry the River - "No Rest"

If there is one thing the Brits seem to know how to do and do well, it's folk. Britain's Dry the River are one of the multitude of bands that are cranking out sincere, well-written, and masterfully performed. I mean the only kicker is that their releases are region so those unfortunate enough to not be natives have to wait a bit before we're allowed to get our hands on their stuff. Like their Weights & Measures EP which they released mid-year in Britain and is only now available in the states. But it's music that well worth the wait. In more way than one. 2012 will see the release of Dry the River's debut album, an album that's bound to be epically enjoyable. Dry the River's Shallow Bed is slated for a March 5th release in the UK but there's no word yet on when the rest of the world will be able to enjoy. 

 Dry the River - "No Rest" by Dry the River 

7) Andrew Bird - "Nyatiti"

You know, when Andrew Bird did his massive auditorium/concert hall tour last year I should've known to expect an album and yet the news of his upcoming surprised and delighted me. Not too much has been revealed about it besides the name, release date, album art and a tracklist but if anything can be gleaned from the 30 second album trailer, the new album might be heavily acoustic. Or as acoustic as you can be when you rely on a loop pedal. Since there's no single released yet, I thought I'd include one of my favorite tracks off of 2010's Useless Creatures. Break It Yourself will be released March 6th.

 Nyatiti by Andrew Bird 

8) Bowerbirds - "Tuck the Darkness In"

If nothing else was released this year but the new Bowerbirds album, I would still be a happy man. Especially considering their last release was way back when in 2009. And while that's not a necessarily long time in music, it is when you see them live and they promise to return again soon with a brand new album and preview two new amazing songs. I fully intend to ravenously consume Bowerbirds third album like a starving wolf. And if our first peek at the new album is any indicator, the pastoral folk the band do so well is back after some much missed time away. Bowerbirds third full length album The Clearing is due out on March 6th. 

 Bowerbirds - Tuck the Darkness In by All Around Sound Blog 

9) Yellow Ostrich - "WHALE"

Considering last year's The Mistress was a re-release, the shock that Yellow Ostrich is so quickly coming out with another album should subside a bit. This year, Yellow Ostrich release their true Barsuk Records debut with Strange Land which also marks the band's first album together. Instead of bandleader Alex Schaaf's solo looping project, the band flush out their sound based off of Schaaf's demos. Sounds good. And while no one's really heard anything from the album yet, I'm assuming that the band's sophomore record is going to be enjoyable because of how insanely catchy their debut is. That's not something you forget how to do. Since there's no previews available yet, enjoy "WHALE" off The Mistress. Strange Land is due out March 6th on Barsuk Records.

 Yellow Ostrich - "WHALE" by Afternoon Records 

10) Lost in the Trees - "Red"
This year will see the release of North Carolina folk pop orchestra Lost in the Trees' latest album. A tribute to Ari Picker's deceased mother, the group don't appear to be taking any steps back away from their emotionally complex brand of sentimentality infused compositions. Instead the group have spent the year trying their best to capture the memory of Picker's mother filtered through a catchy pop sensibility and an orchestral grandeur. The result is sure to be an affecting work of beauty. Lost in the Trees' third album A Church That Fits Our Needs is out on March 20th on ANTI-.
 Lost In The Trees - Red by antirecords

11) Little Tybee - "Boxcar Fair"

Georgia folk pop outfit Little Tybee might very well have the quickest turnaround of all time. Their upcoming release For Distant Viewing is practically right on the heels of sophomore record Humorous to Bees which came out last April all the while the group put together and soundtracked a puppet show by the name of Boxcar Fair. While such a quick release schedule might worry people, new track "Boxcar Fair" should allay all fear. There's still the conscientious equality of each member in it's arrangements, not to mention the song just being all around good.  Little Tybee's For Distant Viewing's release date isn't exact yet but it can be expected sometime in March. 

12) Kishi Bashi - "Manchester" 

While Andrew Bird's album is definitely cause for excitement, up and coming violinist/loop pedal enthusiast/multi-instrumentalist Kishi Bashi's upcoming debut is definitely something to be excited about if not  worthy of occupying the majority of your interest. Since his debut opening for Sondre Lerche last year, Kishi Bashi's been hard at work prepping the follow up to his Room For Dream EP. The results are astounding. Funded about 120% via Kickstarter, Kishi Bashi's debut is on the right track. Those who helped fund the project got a sneak peek of "I Am the Antichrist to You" in addition to the previews featured in his welcome video and the song was absolutely astounding. But until he releases an album track as a single or otherwise, you can still enjoy "Manchester" from his EP.  Kishi Bashi's debut has a loose release date set for somewhere in the spring with a definite date coming soon so stay tuned. 

13) Conveyor - "Mukraker" 

Brooklyn band Conveyor have a lot to look forward to in 2012. Or rather fans do. Earlier this month, the released the digital single "Mukraker" which is part of their split 7" with other noteworthy Brooklyn band Illuminator. Also pretty sure they're working on a full length. No idea when that is but Conveyor's curious blend of slowly unfurling minimalism with explosive flourishes guarantees that I will be all over it when that day comes. In addition to everything else they release and do. Hopefully that'll be soon but you can't rush progress.

14) Secret Mountains - "Weepy Little Fingers"

Baltimore psychedelic rockers Secret Mountains can utterly swallow you with a single song and news is that they're planning on releasing a full length this year. That's as exciting as it is scary. The follow up to 2010's Rejoice EP, the band have been hard at work recording new tunes. And they just won a trip to record with Converse and record a live session so that's more new tunes and more recordings. Secret Mountains is going to have an intensely busy year and their debut full length might just be the cherry on top. No word yet on when their record is going to drop but news of which can't be that far away. Enjoy "Weepy Little Fingers" which the band released as a single last year. 

Secret Mountains - Weepy Little Fingers by friendsrecords

15) Of Monster and Men - "Little Talks"

Despite releasing their debut album in their home of Iceland last September, Icelandic folkies Of Monsters and Men are gearing up for a major North American explosion. After tours and the release of their Into the Woods EP, the band are prepping for the stateside release of their debut My Head is An Animal which will feature a different tracklist than the Iceland release. And considering all their updates are coming from the studio, it's only a matter of time before we learn of the upcoming album's release date. One thing is certain though, even if the album's tracklist is 100% different than the Iceland release and the Into the Woods EP, "Little Talks" is bound to be on it. It's the band's greatest songwriting achievement that deserves to be displayed whenever and wherever it can be.

    Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men 

16) Teletextile - "What If I"

Considering the band had their debut release over in Europe last year, expecting an release this year might be a bit of wishful thinking on my part but the band has stated an interest in doing some recording and releasing something this year so I'm going off of that. Besides who knows maybe the band's debut album Glass will get a stateside release sometime this year? I mean, there's 11 months for that to happen. Despite a 2012 release being mostly speculation on my part, the band's becoming pretty active over here so maybe just maybe we'll see something. If not, 2012 should be the year where everyone at least starts paying attention to Teletextile. 

Considering how early in the year it is, more and more album release news should come spilling out. I'm looking forward to being able to expound upon this list and getting to update several of those unconfirmed dates. Until then, I hope you enjoy. 

Pitstop: Friend Roulette

(Photo from Big Ugly Yellow Couch)

Considering my obsession with all things ARMS, it shouldn't really surprise anyone that I found Friend Roulette. ARMS' Tlacael Esparza is among its ranks alongside Kyle Olson of Hospitality, and Bryn Bellamy and Matthew Meade of Illuminator. It's a veritable who's who of New York City band members that all came together to make a rather exciting brand of chamber pop.

When I first heard "Sailing Song", it became incredibly clear that I was in for a unique experience. The percussionist's chops are displayed early on alongside swooping bass clarinet and hammered violin pizzicatos as Julia Tepper and Matthew Meade liltingly harmonize.

Where Friend Roulette differ from your standard chamber pop group is due in part to their diverse instrumentation making use of it band members eclectic musical talents like John Stanesco's EWI (an instrument mostly used in jazz) and also in their shying away from cutesy pop dressings. Friend Roulette's music is fun, dreamy, and prone to dark coloring - moments that prove some of the most memorable. There's always something interesting to listen for (not surprising considering the band is about six members strong).

Friend Roulette are currently working on an LP but for you now you can listen to their awesome four song EP.

Hospitality releases new version of old track "Betty Wang"

When Hospitality played ARMS record release party they announced they were going to play an old song they hadn't played in awhile. That song was "Betty Wang". The way they talked about it, I assumed it was some sort of treat that we were lucky to get that one time. So color me surprised when a new reworked version popped up today from their soon to be release self-titled Merge Records debut. There's not a whole lot to say about it since the song is from Hospitality's six song EP except the new version is great. A fan of the old version, the new version isn't that drastic of a change - just a bit more fire in Amber Papini's vocals and a quicker delivery.

Listen to the new version of "Betty Wang":
Hospitality - Betty Wang by MergeRecords

Caveman - CoCo Beware (2011)

It’s pretty much a given now that anything ARMS-related, I will check out. So when We Listen For You sent out that fateful tweet a week ago that mentioned ARMS and New York City quintet Caveman’s new albums, I was all aboard.

Caveman’s debut album CoCo Beware was among the multitude of album released this past Tuesday (9/13) but it shouldn’t be buried underneath the pile of other records. While most of the other records had tons of songs that were hit or miss, Caveman’s debut is full of psych-pop gems from beginning to end. Though some of the songs are short, they go exactly where they need to go in their short duration, establishing easy breezy melodies filled with dreamy synths and primal, ever-present drums. Yet despite its psychedelic leanings, it’s an album that’s as richly engaging as the various sounds it is filled with like hazy, instrumental track “Vampirer”. Not to mention there’s one of my favorite album effects: The lead in. In a time where the concept of an album is spotty at best, two tracks linked together by a cool effect or melody that leads from one to the other will always be a good decision in my book.

CoCo Beware is an album where there’s rarely a slowdown. From the moment you hit play, it speeds along, albeit at its’ own easy-going but never boring leisure. Caveman is like a drum circle in band form. However, instead of dragging along like jam bands are apt to do, they keep things simple, precise, lucid; but also loose – allowing you to get lost in their otherworldly haze and locked in vocal harmonies. A definite must listen, must buy, and must repeat.

Give Caveman a listen with this live video of "Great Life" for Yours Truly SF featuring an actual drum circle (composed of ARMS drummer Tlacael Esparza and Hospitality bassist Brian Betancourt, to name a few):

Caveman "Great Life" is Yourstru.ly from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

CoCo Beware is also streaming on Spinner, listen here.

Hospitality sign to Merge Records

As mentioned in my intro post on Brooklyn quartet Hospitality, one of the common ties between them and the headliners at July's Mercury Lounge show was that they were all sitting on soon to be announced albums. Well good news for Hospitality. They just recently signed with Merge Records alongside a slew of awesome artists like She & Him and Telekinesis. Which means that the release of their debut album is within reach. Set for a release in early 2012, it's only a matter of time before fans can have Amber Papini's distinct floating vocals and the band's driving rock accompaniments.

Get a taste of the new album with new song "Friends of Friends":
Hospitality - Friends of Friends by MergeRecords

Pitstop: Hospitality

I never understand why some people don't go to concerts until the headliner's set. The openers (at least in my privileged opinion) are usually pretty good and that's extra true in this case. In probably the only instance where I didn't see the opener's whole set (getting lost in the wilds of a city will do that to you), I missed what was sure to be a rousing set by Brooklyn four-piece Hospitality at ARMS and North Highlands co-headlining show. How do I know this? Because the only two songs I got to hear were incredible. And so as soon as I was able, I sought out any information I could on. Turns out the main theme of that gig was that each band was sitting on new album so a lot of the music was brand spanking new and thus not available for continued consumption. What I did find was a 3 song self-titled EP (available on their Bandcamp). Which is kind of backwards. Going from the amped up, energetic live stage show to the more low-key tracks written and recorded several years ago. The songs are sparse yet with distinct melodies carried by Amber Papini's unique delicate vocals.

In my research I've seen Hospitality referenced many times as "pop music that doesn't take the easy way to a hook". And it's true, Hospitality takes the long and winding high road to exceptional songwriting. They're unpredictable yet catchy; good music that comes almost delightfully out of left field. Give "Eighth Ave" a listen to better see what I mean:

Hospitality @ Mercury Lounge 7.27.2011 from Jessica Amaya on Vimeo.