Pitstop: Loud Valley

My discovery of Orlando band Loud Valley came, surprisingly enough, from reading a show bio. It was a strange sort of chance that led to me perusing Day Joy's bio for the Cameo Gallery gig opening for Secret Mountains' record release show despite knowing more or less exactly who they were (I had in fact seen them just the night before). And that perusal led to Loud Valley as I learned they and Day Joy share several members. Of course I was intrigued.



Loud Valley, the brainchild of Travis Reed, is another one of those genre-defying bands Florida seems to be churning out in full force these days. Unlike Day Joy, with whom the band now shares the majority of its members, Loud Valley isn't quite so melancholic; allowing itself brightly lit traverses alongside it's ear-opening, buoyant weaving of textures all while managing to sound rather straightforward. At times recalling sunkissed lounge days and at others giving in to darker tendencies. The band's only record at present, the self-titled full length, hits a rather large number of moods all the more effective due to the album's rather cohesive build up. Tracks seems to spring forth from the end of others; logical progressions from either brighter or darker, more layered moods established before. In fact, Loud Valley ends very much how it starts - a far more jubilant echoing of "Pensacola" on "Daytona Beach".

Actually, Loud Valley shares a lot in common with Lord Huron's Lonesome Dreams; both sharing a rather cinematic western feel (especially "The Refrain") with tracks that seem to conjure up images of wide-open sun-warmed lands. But where Lord Huron spins a rather clear-cut pop feel from his previous experiments, Loud Valley seems wholly content dwelling in less predictably linear territory.



Since the release of its debut, Loud Valley has undergone a couple changes - shedding many of its members and, if the more recent track "Orlando City Blues" is anything to go off of, it's sunnier tendencies. It's not exceptionally dark, but the  noticeably more jammy Loud Valley's track surrenders over the folk-recalling dream pop vibe in favor of a something far more garage rock. Not a particular head-scratching turn when going from Loud Valley's penultimate released track "Ruins". It's a different Loud Valley but one that still manages to make you interested in what's in store. Here's hoping not too long before we find out. Until then, check out more of their tunes via their Bandcamp.

All Around Sound's Favorite Albums of 2012

As mentioned in my favorite tracks year-end round up, 2012 function more so as the year of the single than anything else and more so this year than any other in recent memory. While one or two tracks were pretty spectacular on their own, throw together with a group of like-minded (or not in some cases) tracks saw them floundering for life, attempting to plug up the holes of sinking ships of hastily recorded follow ups or unmethodical debuts.That said, the year was not without it's fair share of brilliant music moments - albums that not only delivered on the potential of their singles but exceeded them by leaps and bounds. Here are, in no particular order, some of the exemplary records that really took the idea of an full length record to heart. Enjoy!

SoftSpot - Enzo
A relatively recent addition to my list of almost obsessively listened to albums, SoftSpot's premiere full length Enzo gets it's name from the Japanese word for "circle" and delivers as much; the album flowing from track to track with unceasing undulating energy. A listen to Enzo, it's not hard to see why it belongs on here: Sarah Kinlaw's vocals are hypnotic, the band not relegated to merely background players. SoftSpot reach an exceptional balance between balls to the wall frenetic jams and organic unfurling introspectives. There's no clear divide between them either as a track metamorphoses into the other almost without warning but not jarringly so. Everything on Enzo seems natural, seems right with no undue kinetic energy explled as SoftSpot demonstrate their prowess as band of patience willing to ride out the mounting waves of their own composition and benefiting greatly from it.

Bro. Stephen - Baptist Girls
If there's anything I've learned from Mad Men (besides how to drink copious amounts of booze, chainsmoke, and commit adultery like an Olympic champion) it's this: Nostalgia is America's chief good. Case it point: Bro. Stephen's nostalgic reveries are simply too good not to enjoy. It's intimate, heart-felt, and more so about beautifully crafted moments that make your heart bang or flutter than anything else. Scott Kirkpatrick is certainly gifted as a singer and a songwriter, of that there's is no question, but what really makes Baptist Girls is how each individual part of it's construction: from the precious melodies, the subtle creak of wood, to Kirkpatrick's beguiling sincerity, it's how they all congeal together to create these moments similar to yours, similar to anyone's that you can relate to. That are so beautifully simple, they make you nod while maybe you tear up a little. Baptist Girls is more than just a collection of songs, its a series of moments lovingly arranged like a family photo album.

Cold Specks - I Predict A Graceful Expulsion 

While it never really pays to cut down another artist in other to praise another artist, damn if only some of that residual buzz from the Alabama Shakes had fallen on Canada's Cold Specks. Her voice crowning the stormy, weathered soul of her own make. Dark atmospheric pieces with brilliant, triumphant moments I Predict A Graceful Expulsion is a quiet, delicate beauty of an album and entirely deserving of as many eager ears as possible. The fact that it hasn't might be the greatest slight of the year. She doesn't have a big band behind her gospel-inspired take on the singer/songwriter idiom but Al Spx's voice is as sagely, pained, and most important of all sincere as a modern soul singers could be. That's not a dig at anybody, Spx just provides a clean, non-showy alternative to what can sometimes become a flashy, spectacle.  

Jessie Baylin - Little Spark 

Layered with sweet Bacharachian sweeps and Dusty Springfield's classy sensuality, Jessie Baylin's sophomore record is one steeped in past influences but instead of playing like a jukebox album, Baylin utilizes her adoration of  60s/70s pop to convey her own troubles which are not all that different from theirs. At times fun and infectious, others serious and heartfelt, Jessie Baylin's Little Spark is a pop album that thoroughly benefits from knowing its history. The Brill Building lushness and orchestral flourishes provide an insatiable base for Baylin's flavorful additions. It's guilt-free pop you'd wish could set some sort of standard. Not only wearing your influences on your sleeve but using them merely to enhance instead of dominate what you're already skilled in. 

Laura Gibson - La Grande 

With more than a handful of releases underneath her belt, La Grande is Laura Gibson's most accomplished. Seeking solace in a rather old-timey sound, La Grande manages to avoid hokey-ness aided completely by her minimalistic approach to songwriting where she says just enough to have every word resonate with purpose while never quite being contrived about it. Each song belongs, each verse and phrase important. Gibson always been a gifted, poetic lyricist but when aided with the rather creative western-y lo-fi leaning sound on La Grande, the whole takes on a very classic feel. 

Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams 

A work of unmitigated patience, forethought, and effort, Lord Huron's debut full length Lonesome Dreams could be called a concept album of sorts. While western-tinged instead of the world-inspired sound of their previous EPs, the album fits rather excellently into the Lord Huron canon. Despite the fact that the PR campaign seemed filled with painstakingly thought of detail (a website for the fake author of the novels of which Lonesome Dreams is based on being one of them), Lonesome Dreams is an album that doesn't get bogged down with all that when put into actual practice. The details function more as behind the scenes notes dictating where the story will go without seeing exhaustingly recalled. Lord Huron have a talent for simple-seeming but complexly layered chamber pop and they don't disappoint here. Their sound as full and evenhanded on their sepia-colored opus as any of the more electronic leanings of Ben Schneider's creation, Lonesome Dreams is another stellar example of what a concept album can be: easily to listen to without foreknowledge, enjoyable all around, and tremendously rewarding if you do happen to get it. While I'm sure we've yet to get the full brunt of Lord Huron's innovation, Lonesome Dreams is a particularly wonderful start.  

Daughn Gibson - All Hell 

If you had explained Daughn Gibson to me before playing it for me, I probably would've avoided it like the plague. Electronic/Country hybrid? That sounds relevant to exactly none of my interests. Thankfully no one told me what to expect from Daughn Gibson and I got the pleasant surprise of a wonderful album of unexpected twists and turns and a surprising amount of emotional resonance for such a sample-laden release.    It's rather easy to be dissuaded from an album that feature stories about people appearing on Cops and yet Gibson with his commanding presence, deep booming baritone, and adventurous charm make the album a completely worthwhile endeavor. A rather impressive effort and much appreciate burst of new and interesting in two genres where sameness is commonplace.

Hospitality - Hospitality 

From the angular melodies to the band's tight knit padding for Amber Papini's smart lyrics about city life, post-college, and all sorts of old young people concerns, Hospitality is catchy jangle pop done right. Papini has a real knack for pop hooks that don't quite feel like pop hooks and the band perfectly balances hanging back to give Papini the room her feathery vocals need to alight while making their own presence known and heard. A far different version from the syrupy chamber pop of their EP days, Hospitality provides an excellent base for the band to build upon. An album that proves Hospitality are ones to watch and enjoyable ones at that.

Conveyor - Conveyor
If there was a more vibrant, colorful album released all year, no one certainly told me. Conveyor's self-titled debut is an auditory sunburst, channeling sunny days and unrepressed happiness while building on the group's  minimalistic experimental pop we saw at work on their Sun Ray EP. Quirky but not goofy, Conveyor create exuberant smile-inducing moments of sheer aural bliss while never casting any doubt on their talents as legitimate musicians. Conveyor is a slowly-evolving but always engaging pitch-perfect adventure where every route is the scenic one and every path worth taking. A charming whole filled with tasty, interesting parts.

You Won't - Skeptic Goodbye

Sometimes making truly special folk pop let alone music isn't to try and turn the whole world upside down. It's possible to be creative without necessarily redefining a whole genre of music. Sure, those are what everyone's usually looking for but every once in awhile you stumble upon a record like Skeptic Goodbye from the Massachusetts duo You Won't. It's charming beyond words, fully demonstrative of the twosomes talents, a brilliant collection of songs that works together, but any deviation from pre-established norms is subtle. No look at me attention-grabbing antic here. Josh Arnoudse is a gifted lyricist with the kind of voice that gently commands attention not pleading for it and Raky Sastri is a skilled instrumentalist and well as producer. Their songs are either catchy as all get out or just too good not to want to listen to again and really that's what any good musician to strive for. Skeptic Goodbye is a great smattering of folk pop some with rather anthemic leanings.  

Will Stratton - Post-Empire 

Singer/songwriter Will Stratton is an musician who really gets it. Having great lyrics (which he certainly has in spades) is not all it takes to write a good song. Stratton's approach to songwriting pairs all of his various talents to work to create incredible music moments and excellent mood-changes. In fact, Post-Empire starts with about 2.5 minute orchestral intro before the entrance of the more folk-friendly guitar, a full three before Stratton's first verse is even uttered. This reverence for the actual extra elements of a song is something you'd wish more people cherished, more people employed. Maybe not in such a grand fashion but when an album takes it's time beginning, you know it's going to be a worthwhile listen. In addition to lovely arrangements, Stratton's fingerstyle guitar paired with his rolling, ambling melodies makes for a pretty incredible all-around immersive experience. Post-Empire is the kind of album you can put on and just sit and marvel at the level of musicianship contained within. 

Daniel Rossen - Silent Hour/Golden Mile EP 

Most people refrain from putting EPs on an albums list. I'm not most people. Especially not when you have a record like Daniel Rossen's Silent Hour/Golden Mile EP. On his first true solo outing, Rossen expounds upon the epic arrangements of Department of Eagles and Grizzly Bear with his own solid voice resulting in five songs that are simply spectacular. Astonishingly poetic turns of phrase that stick with you are paired with larger than life instrumentals that seem to grow larger and more layered with each subsequent listen. Topped off with intensely emotive vocals, the EP is a testament to Rossen's own talents and why others are so lucky to have him a collaborating. A beautiful stirring collection of songs that almost weren't. Thank heavens they were.

Efterklang - Piramida
With three fantastic albums under their belt, there was no doubt in anyone's minds as to Danish trio Efterklang's awesomeness or artistic integrity. Then in a move that couldn't possibly be foreseen, the Danes had the wacky idea to go to an abandoned Russian coal-mining settlement in the far north of Norway where they recorded all sorts of sounds that formed the framework for their brilliant, brilliant fourth studio album Piramida. On it, they combine the accessibility of Magic Chairs with the dreamy, atmospheric air of their orchestral-leaning albums. Piramida is a work of incredible artistic ambition proving Efterklang as master craftsmen and truly creatively leaders. Employing women's choirs and orchestras, Efterklang reach a level of collaboration most can only dream of.

Kishi Bashi - 151a 

With a real sense of overarching themes and a cinematic scope, Kishi Bashi's debut is certainly an impressive one. Especially considering the pit of doubters waiting in the wings to compare him to other violin/loop pedal users Andrew Bird and Owen Pallett. While learning from his predecessors, K. manages to offer up a singular, unique voice. Japanese vocalizations are welcome treat from the "oh" and "ah"'s you find in standard pop music while K.'s psychedelic deviations add a distinctive coloring to what would already be an applause-worthy effort to create a debut so strong it has to be heard to be believed. 151a is an amazingly adventurous debut brimming with talent and life.

Lands & Peoples - Pop Guilt 

Though by no means a proper representation of the brilliant new direction the Baltimore lads have taken since losing some of their members, Pop Guilt is a snapshot of the band in their youth and in it you can trace elements for their rugged experimentalism. That said Pop Guilt is a great album in its own right featuring bustling pop choruses, dynamic textural play, and some rather incredible vocal chops in Caleb Moore and Beau Cole. And yet as pleasant and arresting as the vocals can (and are allowed) to be, Lands & Peoples music isn't nor has it ever been a platform for them. Lands & Peoples make great use of textures and layers, using vocals to add more dimension, more depth to their already seemingly fathomless experimental pop ditties.

Port St. Willow - Holiday 

After my discovery of The Antlers' Hospice, I really wasn't looking for a record like that again. A record that would utterly destroy all my emotional barriers and make me absolutely fatigued from just feeling so much but here we are. While not quite as devasting, Holiday certainly falls into the same category of mood music that is simply too beautiful for words. Each and every listen results is a cathartic release and never do you grow numb to Nick Principe's raw, emotion-shredding work. In musical landscape dominated by senseless, vapid music without real meaning, it's a treat to get something this precious, this heartfelt, this real. Principe places himself completely out in the open and the result is an album of absolute elegance and finely crafted pathos.

Levek - Look A Little Closer 

In addition to being a veritable grab-bag of 70s musical styles, Look A Little Closer builds upon the somewhat cartoon-y vibe of Levek's demos with some pretty solid jams. It also happens to function doubly as a sort of emotional catharsis for Levek mastermind David Levesque while avoiding relying too heavily on that to function. In fact, without that little tidbit of information, it's still entirely possible to enjoy Look A Little Closer without feeling like you're missing something; some crucial piece to the puzzle. Instead the album slopes gently into a multitude of jam-laden 70s psychedelic subgenres while not sounding like it's trying too hard to do so. Levek for all intents and purposes casually eludes any notion of genre seeking the far more rewarding option of simple good music.

Young Man - Vol. 1
As under-represented as female songwriters/arts/bands seem to be in the music industry sometimes it seems like they have the most interesting stories to tell. The most clever spins on their tragic love lives, the most affecting vocals. I wasn't actively looking for an exception to that, for someone to describe the trials and tribulations of manhood when I found Colin Caulfield aka Young Man. In a series detailing his rite of passage into manhood, Vol. 1 isn't even the full scope of the Caulfield's experiences. And yet, it does so so articulately, so universally, so accessibly while sounds so personal that Vol. 1 quickly became a favorite. It's a male songwriter singing about something actually important that isn't your standard heartbreak tale or love song. Wrapping up his sagely observations in smart-pop dressings, Vol. 1 isn't just an album that appeals to young men or even older men. It's got a broad appeal while tackling a subject few explore that actually matters.  It's a well-rounded effort equally displaying Colin Caulfield's intelligent songwriting chops while also showcasing the talents of his collaborators and dressing them up nicely in solely beneficial arrangements.

Bowerbirds - The Clearing 

There comes a time in every band's career when they seek to change some form of what they've been doing either for better or worse. For Bowerbirds, they expanded upon their pastoral reveries by reaching a higher level of universal resonance than ever before. Transforming from mild-mannered folk band to high-minded art rock band, The Clearing in a lot of ways shines a light on where Bowerbirds have been and where they are going. Their third album, the album gives little hints about their roots while detailing their lives together in their trademark nature-laden imagery and artful use of metaphor. And while employing far bigger experimentations to their sound, they also apply it at a smaller level giving resident power harmony gal Beth Tacular her lead debuts in "Hush" and "In the Yard", the result is simply amazing. Beth, Phil Moore, and the rest of the talented crew of musicians are in rare form on The Clearing and create an album that both appeals to the long-standing Bowerbirds fan while also shaking things up to keep things interesting and grab some new ears.  Bowerbirds have always been masters of subtle emotion-stirring moments and the certainly don't disappoint as each lyric, each phrase, each musical flourish pulls at the heart-strings, brings a smile to your lips, or just lets you bask in the glory of a truly good band that knows what it's doing.

Hundred Waters - Hundred Waters 

In a musical climate where things sound more than a little similar and overdone, a band like Hundred Waters is a much needed breath of fresh air. One of my favorite things about the band is the utterly unclassifiable nature of their music. Owing equal parts of their composition to electronics and the ethereal sensuality of Nicole Miglis vocals, the band are rather unlike anything I'd heard before in the best way possible. Imaginative, creative, and expansive, Hundred Waters' debut album plays like an absolute dream - consuming you fully from start to finish with it's mesmerizing textural play. Hundred Waters are a band of artists in a completely nonpretentious sense creating enthralling, intriguing multi-layered masterpieces that don't beat you over the head with how art-y they are. Instead Hundred Waters offer up works of beguiling beauty that all fit together spectacularly in the grand scheme of their album. Their album is downright cosmic - raising perceptions about what art music can be while remaining accessibly so. Their palette of sounds are otherworldly and grand - the soundtrack to epic adventures or grandiose happenings while remaining subtle enough to operate on a smaller level. An absolute behemoth of talent and dazzling display of non-grandstanding musicianship.  

Honorable Mentions:
River Whyless - A Stone, A Leaf, An Unfound Door

Lucius - Lucius EP

Black Girls - Hell Dragon

Daniel Hart - The Orientalist (rerelease)

Now Streaming: Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams

After two weeks of waiting and anticipation and bated breath, the release of Lord Huron's debut full length Lonesome Dreams is almost upon us. The band have had quite the release campaign, delivering eight enigmatic but wholly enjoyable trailers, dropping a couple singles, and debuting the video for their first single "Time to Run" on NPR where you were introduced to the band's old-style Western concept. And now, the album is available for streaming right on over at NPR a week before its October 9th release date. It's been quite the year for Lord Huron and here's hoping there's more to come from the intrepid Los Angelenos.

In case you missed any of the lead up, you can listen to previously released album tracks "Time to Run", "Ends of the Earth",  "Brother (Last Ride)", and album bonus track "The Stranger" (from the 2010 Mighty EP) here:









And remember, Lord Huron's Lonesome Dreams is available October 9th on I AM Sound. Make sure to order it if you haven't already. It's gonna be a good one.

Watch: Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams Trailer #8 featuring "In the Wind"

As the release of Lord Huron's debut full length Lonesome Dreams looms ever closer (we're around the two week mark now), it's fitting that Lord Huron have ponied up another album trailer for the work. Their latest is the eighth in their set of trailers featuring snippets of tracks from the other and unlike the past two trailers, it's a song we haven't been introduced to before at all.

"In the Wind" is very similar in sound to "Ends of the Earth" or even "Brother (Last Ride)" with elements of "The Stranger" thrown in for good measure (although this is based solely a minute teaser so the whole thing could be quite different). The trailer, while still capturing the old-time Western feel of where Lonesome Dreams is supposed to take place, trades in the washed out technicolor for classic black and white. It's a simple enough scene: Ben Schneider aka Huron sitting in front of a roaring fire - guitar in hand, it's the sudden cut to end credits that's cause for alarm. Even though there's two songs we've yet to preview, trailer eight might very well be the last in the series of trailers. Which is both exciting and not so much but with two weeks to go until the release of Lonesome Dreams, I'm sure we'll all manage.

Here's hoping for more methodical and well-thought out works detailing the adventures Huron and his gang.


Lord Huron's debut full length Lonesome Dreams is out October 9th on I AM Sound.

Watch: Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams Trailer #7 featuring "Ends of the Earth" + "Ends of the Earth" stream

Like them or not (which you totally SHOULD), one thing you can says about Los Angeles based band Lord Huron is that they never do anything halfway. Today the band premiere another trailer for their upcoming full length Lonesome Dreams which brings the count to seven. Seven trailers, seven unique opportunities to hear snippets of upcoming tracks from the debut.

In the case of this trailer though, you may have already heard the song in its entirety as Lord Huron's "Ends of the Earth", the first track on Lonesome Dreams, was recently chosen as KCRW's Track of the Day and given away as free download. So if you were paying attention you got an ear-full of Lord Huron's cinematic Western-invoking folky goodness. If not, never fear. Lonesome Dreams is rapidly on its way and Lord Huron seem determined that you never forget that. The trailer featuring panning view of mountains and plains as if to say "Yep, this is where it's all going down". Sounds uneventful but any opportunity to hear Lord Huron's amazing new tracks is a good one in my book. Enjoy trailer number seven featuring "Ends of the Earth":



Lord Huron's debut full length Lonesome Dreams is out October 9th on IAMSound.

Get a full taste of "Ends of the Earth" here:

Watch: Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams Trailer #6 featuring "Brother"

If you were somehow wondering how a week could go by without any new Lord Huron news than you're in luck. Today, they dropped another, in their ongoing series of album trailers for full length debut Lonesome Dreams. This time the sixth which features a song you may have heard before if you've been paying any sort of attention to the band lately. But if you were unfortunate enough to miss that bit of news, you're in luck once again.

Trailer number six features "Brother", a sort of homage to Ben Schneider's world pop-inclusion in Lord Huron's early days and even with a little bit of Eastern influence, the old timey Western sound the band have apparently been going for this album is surprisingly intact. It's a potent blend of east meets west. Yup, all that gathered from a minute long trailer. Or you can listen to the track in full here.




Lord Huron's Lonesome Dreams is out October 9th.

Watch: Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams Trailer #5 featuring " The Man Who Lives Forever"

Well clearly Lord Huron are on a roll this week. After releasing "Ends of the Earth" as KCRW Tune of the Day Wednesday and "Brother (Last Ride)" yesterday as Rolling Stone's Daily Download, I half-expected Lord Huron to craw into a hole for close to a month until around the date their upcoming debut full length came out. Not so.

However instead of another spanking new track for our consumption, we're being gifted with another one of their trailers for Lonesome Dreams. This one, the fifth in the series, features track "The Man Who Lives Forever" keeps up the old school film varnish. Unlike the other trailers in the series which looked like they'd be easily be videos detailing the adventures of Huron and his gang, trailer five features some found footage much like the video for "Mighty" although this case instead of animals, it's Hindi dancers.

Way to keep us all guessing Lord Huron. Watch the fifth trailer for Lonesome Dreams:

Listen: Lord Huron - "Brother (Last Ride)"

Yesterday, Lord Huron premiered the lead track off their upcoming debut full length Lonesome Dreams and in case that wasn't enough to utterly consume whatever free time you had to listen to it, turns out they're not done monopolizing your time just yet. Today, the band debuted "Brother (Last Ride)" over at Rolling Stone, the 9th track on Lonesome Dreams.

Even though "Brother" is the penultimate track on the record, the mystery behind the ongoing drama of Lonesome Dreams is still preserved. One the latest track, Lord Huron dip a little into the world-inspired sound of the Mighty (and Into the Sun) EP as "Brother" recalls "The Stranger" in its winding, ornamented sprawl. It's not too much of a departure from the kind of Western-invoking folk we've been treated to so far but it's nice to know that all the world influence hasn't been drained out of their music.

Listen to Lord Huron's "Brother (Last Ride)":

Lord Huron · Brother

Listen: Lord Huron - "Ends of the Earth"

After the release of their fourth album trailer and the music video for "Time to Run" but a few short weeks ago, Lord Huron continue to spoil us. This time they're offering up the lead track off their upcoming album Lonesome Dreams "Ends of the Earth" which perfectly sets the stage for their cinematic Western.

Recalling wind-swept plains and guitar played on the stoop of a busy saloon under the sweltering desert sun, "Ends of the Earth" begins with a sort of breezy, calm before bursting into vivid lushness that'll pull at your heartstrings. It's just the sort of introduction to Huron and his madcap adventures you need to get on board for Lonesome Dreams and really proves all the anticipation for Lord Huron's debut full length is certainly worth it. October 9th is so far away but Lord Huron continue to ease the wait effectively. Until next time, caballeros. 

You can download the track at KCRW here.

Watch: Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams Trailer #4 featuring "I Will Be Back One Day"

Gather around brothers and sisters, it seems it's that time again. Lord Huron have offered up yet another trailer for their upcoming full length debut Lonesome Dreams. I don't know about you but since learning about the painstaking amount of thought the band have put into the Lonesome Dreams mythos (each song apparently a book in a collection of books known as the aptly named Lonesome Dreams series by fictitious author George Ranger Johnson), it about doubled my anticipation for more of the story to be told.

Sadly that time is not now, not exactly. The latest installment of the Lonesome Dreams trailers features another new song by the name of "I Will Be Back One Day" but is done very much in the style of the other trailers meaning it's mostly song and title credits but there is a tiny bit of something to hold onto here. If you watch closely you see what might be a snippet from the next or an upcoming shot of the video that features a hazy Ben Schneider (or Huron as his character has been dubbed in the series) singing along.

It's enough to drive you absolutely ravenous with anticipation but considering Lord Huron have already given us more than we need to settle us until the album release, we'll just have to wait to see what else they have up their sleeve.



Until then, just remember: Lord Huron's Lonesome Dreams is out October 9th.

Watch: Lord Huron - "Time To Run"

To say that I am excited for Lord Huron's debut full length Lonesome Dreams would be the most epic of understatements. There are no words in the English language for how pumped I am for this thing to roll out. And apparently the band is too as they're doing what seems like everything in their power to give fans something to look forward to on pretty much a weekly basis. Whether that's album trailers featuring new songs or the occasional single, Lord Huron have certainly been good to those patiently waiting for the album's release.

Well today, over at NPR, Lord Huron premiered their music video for first album single "Time to Run". If you follow them on any of their various social networks, you've no doubt seen a picture or two from the video shoot that probably raises eyebrows along with your blood pressure.

The video for "Time to Run" is as intricate as Lord Huron's musicmaking, set as an old-style Western. You're dropped right into the middle of the action as you find Ben Schneider aka Huron running from a group of angry folk. He's knocked out and captured where it's revealed a girl is at the root of all his current problems and right when he's about to be hanged for an undisclosed crime, his pals come to bail him out. Perfect. And the best part of the video is perhaps the "To Be Continued..." hinting at more of the saga that might play out in other videos from Lonesome Dreams.

Watch Lord Huron's epic Western adventures in the video for "Time to Run":


Lord Huron's Lonesome Dreams is out October 9th.

(via NPR)

Lord Huron releases more album trailers

In case the release of their first album trailer featuring newly unveiled single "Time to Run" wasn't enough to get you properly keyed up for the release of Lord Huron's debut full length album Lonesome Dreams, you're in luck. The band, who spent the better part of the year in more or less absolute cryptic time-bidding silence, have some more trailers for you to see. One of which features live staple "She Lit A Fire" and the other (the one I'm most fawning over) featuring brand spanking never before heard track " The Ghost on the Shore". If Lord Huron keep this relentless onslaught of album previews up, we're all sure to go insane when the album actually streets in October.

Check out the new teasers for Lonesome Dreams:




Lord Huron's Lonesome Dreams is out October 9th.

And in case you missed it, here's the first single "Time to Run":

Lord Huron - "Time to Run"

A little more than a week ago, Lord Huron announced the upcoming release of their debut full length Lonesome Dreams with a spiffy cinematic trailer that featured new song "Time to Run". Now you can listen to the whole song and well, it's a thing of beauty.  After a sparse, chime-laden intro, the track picks up pace and becomes a veritable sonic sunburst - bright, sunny melodies rolling on with undeniable catchiness. Lord Huron's world music influence is still there, although tapered back a little and not as blatant. 

Lord Huron continues avoiding things like standard song lengths and normal songwriting conventions and the result is something special as the track's breakneck pace screeches to a halt midway through for the reintroduction of the track's melodic vibraphone intro. "Time to Run" certainly makes you excited for the rest of Lonesome Dreams. Here's hoping we don't have to wait too long to see what else Lord Huron has up their sleeves. 

Listen to Lord Huron's "Time to Run":

 Lord Huron - Time to Run by All Around Sound Blog 

Lord Huron's debut album Lonesome Dreams is out October 9th.

Here's the trailer if you missed it:

Lord Huron to release debut full length + tour dates

After what seems like ages of waiting but is actually more like a year and some change, California tropical pop invoking  Lord Huron are following their release of 2010's Into the Sun and Mighty EPs with their debut full length album entitled Lonesome Dreams. Other than it's October 9th release date (mark your calendars!) not too much else is known about it just yet. However their album trailer does feature new track "Time to Run" and should make you very excited about the album's release. Also, the band are going on a Fall tour in support of it so if you're anything like me and have yet to see the band live, quickly realize the error of your ways and plan to keep a night or two free just for them. You won't regret it.

Watch the album trailer for Lord Huron's Lonesome Dreams:


Tour Dates:
8/24 The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA - Los Angeles, California
9/21 Mojo's - Columbia, Missouri
9/25 Magic Stick Lounge - Detroit, Michigan
9/27 Midpoint Music Festival - Cincinnati, Ohio
9/28 Pygmalion Music Festival - Champaign, Illinois
9/29 The High Watt - Nashville, Tennessee
9/30 The Bottletree - Birmingham, Alabama
10/2 Dan's Silverleaf - Denton, Texas
10/3 Stubb's BBQ - Austin, Texas
10/5 Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, Georgia
10/6 Local 506 - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
10/7 Black Cat Backstage - Washington, DC
10/8 KungFu Necktie - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10/9 Mercury Lounge - New York, New York
10/11 Great Scott - Allston, Massachusetts
10/12 Glasslands Gallery - Brooklyn, New York
10/13 Mohawk Place - Buffalo, New York
10/15 Schubas - Chicago, Illinois
10/16 7th St. Entry - Minneapolis, Minnesota
10/18 Larimer Lounge - Denver, Colorado
10/19 Kilby Court - Salt Lake City, Utah
10/20 Neurolux - Boise, Idaho
10/21 Barboza - Seattle, Washington
10/22 Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, Oregon
10/24 The Independent - San Francisco, California
11/1 Casbah - San Diego, California

Two new Lord Huron tracks

I have missed Lord Huron every time he's come to New York. When Lord Huron was at CMJ playing the Paste Magazine day party at The Living Room, I was just next door at Pianos getting my face rocked off by ARMS. Do I regret my decision? No. But it is pretty unfortunate. So when I saw these live-ish videos that Lord Huron did for Rollo & Grady, I could just imagine that I was watching Lord Huron live and all is right with the world.

I've essentially been doing aural shots of Lord Huron's Mighty EP and Into the Sun EP so it's nice to hear something a little different. New track "Man Who Lives Forever" throws off the obvious world influence while still maintaining Ben Schneider's entrancing layers of sound and there are occasional hints of globe-trotting tropical pop sytlings with bongos, amped ukulele, and balmy open riffs.

Lord Huron - Man Who Lives Forever from Rollo & Grady Sessions on Vimeo.

Lord Huron - She Lit A Fire from Rollo & Grady Sessions on Vimeo.

Lord Huron - "Mighty" video

Unlike the sprawling ice fields featured in "The Stranger", the second video from Los Angeles based but intrepid world traveler Ben Schneider's band Lord Huron focuses on the hot and vast wilds of Africa. Well mostly. In the video for "Mighty" there's vintage found footage of a family of leopards as they do battle against hyenas, gazelle, and cobras along with numerous visuals of boats and the sea and even a little bit of animation to spice things up. And while that might sound like the most exciting thing ever (which it totally is, by the way), the video by Yuki Aizawa makes it work. It's very National Geographic but in a cool way. Plus who can turn down another chance to hear this balmy, upbeat track again?

Lord Huron's video for "The Stranger"

So technically this is old news considering the video was released around 2 months ago but I only recently discovered California's Lord Huron and this video is pretty sweet. The video for "The Stranger" is pretty much everything you could ask in a music video. Directed by Jacob Mendel, it's got a nice cohesive plot that fits well with the actual music itself. Two intrepid travelers are out with a wearying third who collapses. The two then perform some sort of ceremonial funeral rites that involve taking his cool fur hat, socks, and shoes and continuing on their journey. Then things get kinda weird. One of the journeymen starts to see the dead guy popping up in all sorts of place while the other remains oblivious. I won't ruin the ending cause it's pretty good. Just watch it, it's entertaining and the video itself is awesome.

Enjoy the video for Lord Huron's "The Stranger":

The Stranger from Lord Huron on Vimeo.

Lord Huron - Mighty EP (2010)

You ever have a band's name in your head and not entirely sure how it got there? I can't tell you how or when I heard of Lord Huron but it seems like they've been at back of my head occasionally coming to the forefront for almost a year. Every once in awhile, they name would pop into my head and I'd ignore it and move on to something else. Until eventually I decided to check them out.

Lord Huron is Los Angeles based musician Ben Schneider (and his touring band) who crafts infectious sunny tracks of the folk pop variety with a bit of a twist. Schneider's music is filled with noticeable world influence. Like unrestrained calypso-esque "Mighty" or the Balinese Gamelan remiscient opening in "The Stranger"

Mighty, Lord Huron's second EP, is short and sweet offering up four addictively catchy songs with enough juice to keep you energized for days. The only problem is there's a sort of haze pervading his music in both its upbeat dancey-ness and a light otherworldly fuzz that manages to obscure his lyrics which happen to be pretty imaginative.

You can listen to this EP and his previously released Into the Sun EP at Lord Huron's Bandcamp.