28 Costumes to release new album

Liverpool band 28 Costumes has announced the upcoming release of their new album. Recorded in the summer of 2008 by fellow band member Andy Donovan, the album will contain several tracks already released as singles ("This Band Has Eaten All Our Money") and some released on EPs ("Inside/Out", "You Excite Me", "Erika") as well as several new songs. This album will be the band's sophomore release after the 2004 The Fake Death Experience. The album is to be called This Band Has Eaten All Our Money after the single of the same name is set for a summer release but lucky concertgoers will have an opportunity to buy the limited edition album on their April 10th show in Liverpool. The limited edition album will come in 28 Costume's money bags filled with real money where it will be possible for an even luckier few to get their money back as several of the bags will be filled with the exact cost of the album.

I have to say it's about time! I love this band's energetic and vibrant sound and have been waiting for the news of this album's release for about two years. It's sure to be amazing and I'm excited just thinking about it. Hear what the band sounds like with their music video for the single "Erika" released before Donovan joined the band:

Cast Spells on Daytrotter

Dave Davison, lead singer for technical pop band Maps & Atlases, also has a solo side project by the name of Cast Spells. The trademark twanginess of Davison's voice is there but the sound is a bit more stripped down allowing you to really hear Davison's songwriting efforts; a seemless blend of metaphor and folk-influenced pop goodness. After playing the Sargent House show at SXSW, Davison stopped by Daytrotter and you can hear the results here:
http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/cast-spells-concert/20031031-3738212.html

Also you can hear Cast Spells' debut release Bright Works and Baton EP here and at his bandcamp site.

Pitstop: Anya Marina

Something that you often hear about the music industry is that's it about who you know. San Diego's Anya Marina proves that while that may true, talent also works. Marina having trained as an actress as well as obtaining a degree in English and you'd hardly peg such a versatile woman to be the singer/songwriter sort (Ezra Koenig and his NYU writing degree aside) but what she learned as a writer and an actress allowed her to develop a successful live stage act eventually opening for musicians like Jason Mraz and Rhett Miller. Her experience with radio as a DJ for numerous California station probably didn't hurt either. The talented songstress has released two albums Miss Halfway in 2005 and Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II in 2009 and has had her songs featured on a variety of popular dramas like Grey's Anatomy, United States of Tara, and Supernatural (which is actually how I found out about her). She's also one of the various indie artists featured on the New Moon Soundtrack. She even done a cover of T.I. hit song "Whatever You Like" where you can finally understand the lyrics. She's also had numerous nominations and wins for San Diego area music awards and with her unique voice, combination of serious, sexy, and playful, and memorable songwriting it's not hard to see why.

Enjoy this video of Marina's "Move You" from her 2009 release Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II:

Watch: MGMT - "Flash Delirium"

Last week when their album leaked, MGMT made their whole album available for listening. Now they're premiering a brand spanking video off Congratulations for the track "Flash Delirium".

The video is shot in a bright, colorful, and all around visually appealing style and features band leaders Andrew VanWynGarden and Ben Goldwasser attending a welcome home party attended by military officials and the like. While not containing the over the top trippiness of their "Kids" video, "Flash Delirium" is still strange with vestiges of the psychedelic vibe that the band is known for.

Watch it here:

Watch: Left with Pictures - "The Ides of March"

It's the end of March and that means Left with Pictures is serving up a brand new song/video combo as part of it In Time project. March's song is called "The Ides of March" and while the subject and lyrics are kinda dark, Left with Pictures delivers another radiant gem of poppy goodness guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Dirty Projectors gives a gift in the form of free tracks

Fans of the Brooklyn based experimental rockers Dirty Projectors or just those looking good free music can rejoice as in addition to additional tour dates before the band heads off to plays a bunch of festivals abroad the band has also posted tracks "Ascending Melody" and "Emblem of the World" available for download on their website for free. All you need to do is go to their website and put in your email address and you'll the proud owner of two new shiny tracks yet to be released. For those craving a physical copy, you're in luck and can buy the 7" from the Domino Records store. Help yourself to the free download here:
http://www.dirtyprojectors.net/

For those unfamiliar with the ethereal siren song like vocal harmonies that often form the base for David Longstreth's soaring vocals, hear what they sound like in "Stillness if a Move" from their 2008 release Bitte Orca:

Watch: Lykke Li - Possibility

Swedish lovely Lykke Li is one of a handful of artists that lended their talents to create exclusive tracks for the New Moon soundtrack among the likes of Thom Yorke, OK Go, Death Cab for Cutie, and Muse to name a few and despite my dislike of the movie series, any good music lover can't deny that of many of the songs are just plain good.

The video for the track "Possibility" was filmed live in a similar vein to her video for "Tonight" and the alternative version of "Breaking It Up" but her powerful tone and lyrical clarity will have you second guessing the video's authenticity. Don't. It's live. It's real. It's good.

Enjoy!: