Sea of Bees - "Skinnybone" video

Director Stephan Litger was in the audience during a Sea of Bees NYC show in April. It's a good thing he was because approached Sea of Bees frontwoman Julie Baenziger (or Julie Ann Bee as she is sometimes called) with idea of shooting a video. Which they then filmed back when Sea of Bees returned to NYC supporting Stornoway.

Sea of Bees - "Skinnybone" from Gravity Sleeps on Vimeo.

The video itself is part Alice in Wonderland adventure with a touch of Macbeth Witches creepiness. Jules is riding her bike when she comes across a special garbage can. Down the rabbit hole she goes and emerges in a colorful tribal dress adorned with a smattering of paints, a human bone drum mallet, and the garbage can becomes a witches cauldron filled with a mysterious liquid. If things didn't veer enough into heebie-jeebie-land, a faceless doppelanger of Julie appears for a bit of mimicry before Julie decides to return home.

(via Eardrums Music)

Sea of Bees - Songs for the Ravens (2010)

My introduction to Sea of Bees essentially happened just from me checking out venues in New York City. You see, there's about three bands/artists that seem to constantly play at various venues in New York City that have references. I checked out Sea of Bees first and I'm certainly glad I did. The moniker for Julie Baenziger, or Julie Ann Bee for those who can't pronounce her rather difficult last name, Sea of Bees is a California based musician who just happens to have taught herself a multitude of instruments. Her music is characterized by large swelling melodies and unbridled passionate vocals.

Her debut album, Songs for the Ravens, released almost a year ago is a collection of songs with varying styles held together with the common strand of Bee's powerful vocals. Whether it's the more rock-influenced "Marmalade" or twee-esque "Fyre",, Julie Bee never looses sight of what's she's trying to say. She also has this great knack for creating these lush soundscapes to accompany her unique vocal stylings.

It's hard to believe that someone could write songs about love so dynamic and so refreshing as Sea of Bees. And yet she does so effortlessly. Her ability to tackle an age-old form and breathe new life into it comes most noticeably from her frank sincerity. There's tons of singer/songwriters singing about love out there but Sea of Bees might end up being the only you really believe.

Get a taste of Sea of Bees with her video for "Willis":

willis from TERROREYES.TV on Vimeo.

Acid House Kings let you choose their next single!

Swedish twee group Acid House Kings' fifth studio album Music Sounds Better With You is out this March 22nd, and the group are giving its fans the chance to pick their next single off the album. Here you can listen to samples of the four options for consideration: "Would You Stay Stop?", "Under Water", "(I'm in) A Chorus Line", and "Waterfall" which you can then vote on.

Pitstop: Avi Buffalo

With song titles like "Summer Cum" and "Five Little Sluts", I didn't really believe all the accolades of California based Avi Buffalo. But upon listening to their bright and summery self-titled debut, I'm willing to admit I was wrong. Take 60s surf rock, add in some newfangled guitar techniques, throw in the subtle majesty of some European twee pop and you'll at least have an idea of what Avi Buffalo sounds like. Surprisingly simple, Avi Buffalo still manages to avoid any definitive genre-labeling. Instead they make music that's just good. In it's own way that's oddly familiar and yet not. Like pure unbridled youth in musical form with light touches of nostalgia and consequence-minded sincerity thrown in for good measure. It's music that doesn't take itself serious. Just is, and manages to resonate with your very core and pop up later in your memory.

Originally starting as a recording project for guitarist/vocalist Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg before turning into a full on four-piece band, after a bunch of shows and festival appearances, the quartet has been reduced to a duo. Here's hoping there's more from Avi Buffalo on the horizon!

Get a taste of Avi Buffalo with the video for "What's In It For?":

Mates of State to release cover album

Seems like only yesterday that married indie pop duo and Kansas natives Mates of State released their last album Re-Arrange Us but it was almost two years ago. Now the band is gearing up for their newest release Crushes (The Covers Mixtape) slated for a summer release on Barsuk. The album marks the duo's first foray into self-recording and production and features cover songs from the vastly popular (Belle & Sebastian, Tom Waits, Fleetwood Mac) to the amazing but slightly obscure (Girls, Dear Nora). The band recently posted the complete tracklist for the record as well as some album art.

1. Laura (Girls)
2. Son et Lumiere (The Mars Volta)
3. Sleep the Clock Around (Belle & Sebastian)
4. Technicolor Girls (Death Cab for Cutie)
5. Long Way Home (Tom Waits)
6. Love Letter (Nick Cave)
7. Second Hand News (Fleetwood Mac)
8. 17 Pink Sugar Elephants (Vashti Bunyan)
9. Roller Coaster Ride (Dear Nora)
10. True Love Will Find You in the End (Daniel Johnston)

Their cover of Girls' Laura is available for stream and download on their website here:
http://www.matesofstate.com/splash/

Never heard of Mates of State? Get acquainted with this video for track "Get Better" off Re-Arrange Us: