Ears Are For Feeling

New Ears Are For Feeling Webpage: coming soon.

Soon the Ears Are For Feeling webpage will re-start at earsareforfeeling.com.

This webpage has onfortunately been dismantled towards a standard layout.

For now: please visit the youtube account. 

 

See you soon.

A new year, full of new music and new discoveries

Nobody knows what it brings, 2016, but music will always trigger my senses.
For me music-wise, I hope for some great DJ-nights, cool festivals and goosebumps on my arms during many shows.

My favorite prospect is the new Savages album, but most of all I hope for new diamonds in the rough that I can promote here.

 

So let's randomly look back at my 2014 January playlist, which I actually stil play sometimes and see what still sticks.

Moderat, Jungle, Real Estate, Balthazar, Poliça make up for bigger parts of my daily music routine. They are  bands that I just keep playing.

January 2014

 

By the way the first record of 2016, that i've listened, is in the books.

Gabrielle Papillon - The Tempest of Old and I liked it, not every track, but it's a good start.

2016 by Captured Tracks

For Captured Tracks followers, among which I include myself these days, it is going to be an action-packed spring.

Not only does this label contain Wild Nothing (which has a release coming up in February and I predict it is going to be special) & The Soft Moon. DIIV, Charlie Hilton and groovy Boulevards are on their roster as well and are promising to give huge boosts to their pretty young careers.

Boulevards promises to rock the dance-able indie scene in the US with their unmatched catchyness and soulful inspirations. DIIV is a truly fascinating act and although their new tracks sound very recognizable, still they are positioned in an unique corner of the genre and are unmatched in their flavor of dreamy uptempo indie-rock. Charlie Hilton is a talented songwriter that has impressed with first single 'Pony'. The record will also feature Mac DeMarco. All in all Captured Tracks might have the strongest indie line-up on their label, all with releases coming up. 

Will they dominate the spring of 2016?

Enjoy!

 

Germany Germany or St. Germain?

Stumbled on music from these guys lately and since their names are so 'related' their stories are completely different. A small-time electronics producer against a acid-lounge phenomenon (LP Tourist (2000)being a really special record. I predict that both are going to make some noise in 2016. 

The new Germany Germany record Willow is full of some great easy going tracks and could be a surprise hit from out of nowhere. (The music is from Canada by the way.)

https://grmnygrmny.bandcamp.com/

St. Germain is predicted to make his definite comeback in 2015, with an album that some people are saying of that it is a Tourist all over again.

And this track shows that this is no exaggeration.

 

Do you choose to move or lay back? That's the question.

David Dean Burkhart's channel

New Music, Old Footage

Just wanted to tell you guys about this amazing channel on Youtube. Their slogan says it all. A beautiful selection of tracks with homemade videos, mostly consisting of old (& relatively unknown movies) or footage. The results are melancholic and heartwarming.

An example & one of my new favorites:

A nice collection of videos to start delving into some new music with some nice videos to support them. It captures the mood of the music perfectly.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/user/daviddeanburkhart

 

Playlist DJ-set @ Balthazar Show 4-11-2015

So my first job as a small-time dj is done. Last Wednesday I played some records in advance and after the Balthazar-show in Doornroosje, Nijmegen, which was, as usual, a great one to witness.

For those who don't know Balthazar, here's my favorite track from the show

Even though they are a Major band in this part of Europe, I should talk about them a lil' bit more. They are a fascinating band.

I liked the opening act Fossa very much aswell, darker tracks at the end of their half-an-hour really did it for me.

 

On to my playlist to support their show:

Villagers - Courage

Ghost Culture - Glaciers

Heyward Howkins - Forecasting

Eels - Spectacular Girl

Chastity Belt - Cool Slut

Guards - Nightmare

Empires - How Good Does It Feel

The Dandelion - Daddy Long Legs

Menomena - Pique

The National - Wasp's Nest

*** Fossa Show ***

St. Vincent - Apocalypse Song

Elbow - Bones of You

Orphan Boy - Coastal Tones

Kasabian - L.S.F.

Warpaint - Drive

***Balthazar Show***

EL VY - Return To The Moon

Allah-Las - Recurring

Hanni El Khatib - Moonlight

Julia Holter - Sea Calls Me Home

Limblifter - Hotel Knife

David Byrne Ft. St. Vincent - Who

Earth Mk. II - No One Cares For You

Death Cab for Cutie - Summer Skin

Ultimate Painting - Kodiak

Grizzly Bear - Half Gate

The Decemberist - O Valencia!

Lower Dens - To Die In L.A.

James - Bitter Virtue

TV On The Radio - Careful You

The National - Demons

Fat White Family - Cream Of The Young

Blonde Redhead - Barrágan

 

Cheers,

Web Pt. 3: The Collab. we have all been waiting for.

Another issue of the things I've noticed on the web that are worth telling. 

 

1. Finally, with capital F. Two artists and their collab, have been the gossip for years now, ever since they both ran in to some success. And now, ladies and gentlemen it is Finally happening. Nils Frahm and Ólafur Arnalds are releasing their combined works on a full-length double-album. Title: Collaborative Works (obviously...) It will hold all their recently made material, EPs and seven new tracks.So prepare for all their crazy remixes and more new material formed into a record. This is going to leave a crater!

here's a quick taste of some previous work.

 

2. I would not post something here if I did not honestly believe in it. There is an emerging hype around a band, that is rightfully emerging. The band is New Venusians. It has some soul, it has a big-band vibe, alternative RnB-like lyrics, some Dreamy, synth-pop parts. It's an adventure into a new corner of the music world. For me, and probably for a lot of people. Think of FKA Twigs in a band, Hiatus Kaiyote with an indie catchyness i cannot fully grasp yet.

Of course, this is from Australia. Again, check how many people live there, and compare that to how many good Australian music you know, it's crazy, really.

Let's hope their material is constantly of this level.

Keep Running by New Venusians

 

What's going on, on the web. Pt. 1: Give me back the DEMO!

I read a lot about music, I like to read a lot about music. 

But it's hard to find a creative way of sharing that with you. Cause simply sharing news that has appeared on the web that is already filled with many blogs is unnecessary. So consider me your spam-filter and every once in a while I will post the things that stand out for me. That can, for example, be things from everybody's beloved Pitchfork or similar sources, consider this: the Hype evaluated or the Fuzz after a few days.

Two items I would like to bring up:

Chromatics are making some noise and even though the band is claiming this will be their most rebel-ish record yet, they just don't seem like that kind of band. Exactly that is what we can see from their latest single from their upcoming record 'Dear Tommy'. It is the blended down, edge-less version of the earlier released version of that track, almost a year ago. So.... Give me back the DEMO!

and here it is(the Demo):

 

Secondly,when Oneohtrix Point Never (had to check that three times) brings out material, there is always a lot of speculation on how good it is and what is driving him this time. Again, from an upcoming album and it does not dissapoint. Hard to grasp, but after a few days in the tank, I can say, this internet hype is real. We have a special album coming up. Nu-Metal influences, Nine Inch Nails as well, this is going to be a rock-inspired album by him. Read more here.

Especially the part from 02:00. Whoa.

 

Enjoy and thanks for reading.

 

Deafheaven is back.

The band that has single-handedly changed the face of metal and gave it a resurrection is back. 

American Deafheaven have recently announced 'New Bermuda' record coming this fall and this is the first material that I've heard from that record. I haven't listened to much Deafheaven since it is music for a specific mood. And that's an understatement. Yet, their music fascinates, inspires and grabs the listener by the balls, like no band in metal can do right now. Some will even claim it is not metal anymore. 

Well, this track is more classic metal than they may have been ever. More than the complete of 'Sunbather' Lp at least. Still, their own identity springs from the music from second one. The tenacity is still there, while many metal-bands in my opinion, are lackluster and uninspiring. Deafheaven is showing again and again, that it doesn't have to be the case. Is the band going to get even further out of the dark depths of music? I think so. 

I gave it a place in the playlist of August: here.

photo from: pitchfork.com

Powerful Best Kept Secret Line-up & The Best of December

The first part of the Best Kept Secret line-up has been confirmed and it's impressive, again. If you ask me, in the Netherlands, this is where you have to be this summer when it comes to good alternative music. It's completely clear in February. 

And my favorite twenty tracks from December, with a Indie neo-classic by Panda Bear on the first spot. A track that will be remembered for years to come. And I Have become a big fan of Dutch outfit PAUW. Great band.

full playlist here.

1. Panda Bear - Boys Latin
2. Arca - Thievery
3. PAUW - Shambhala
4. Young Statues - Run The River Dry
5. Soft Swells - Floodlights
6. Makthaverskan - Asleep
7. Bass Drum of Death - For Blood
8. Donnerwetter - Ego
9. Ghost Culture - Giudecca
10. The Afghan Whigs - Algiers
11. Roosbeef - Kalf
12. Motorama - Heavy Wave
13. The Hidden Cameras - Doom
14. Swans - Oxygen
15. Los Campesinos! - When Christmas Comes
16. Steve Gunn - Wildwood
17. Rich Aucoin - Yelling in Sleep
18. Deed Sea - Keep it High
19. Oceaan - Candour
20. Cheatahs - Controller

Howls stream their full album and it's something else.

With only 36 minutes, this is one addictive tour around the world of Howls. I dare to say that this one will take the band to next level of attention. The attention they deserve.

 

Daily Pick #309

Unfortunately Martijn Teerlinck a.k.a. The Child of Lov passed away yesterday. Set to change the genre of alternative R&B and in wait of his live debut next week, his passing has come way too soon. Rest in peace.

Let's remember his music. He released (onfortunately only one) an amazing album this spring.

Enjoy.

 

London Calling: The day after

London Calling has proved itself yet again, as a great festival to watch a lot of new bands, with hardly any disappointments among them.

This is a message just to let you know, I have put a playlist with all the bands on my Youtube channel: Here

On top of this, in the next days to come, I will look closer to some of the highlights of the festival, and there were quite a few, and try to convince you, that these artists are the future. So look forward to this.

Thanks for watching!

Guess what? It's September

After a somewhat calm summer, when looking at album releases, september is looking to give us lots of great things. And because I'm planning to be more active on the blog, since the holiday is over, I wanted to give you guys a preview of what is to be expected and what to look out for this month.

Ready? here we go.

The xx - Coexist

Grizzly Bear - Shields

Animal Collective - Centipede Hz

The Vaccines - Come of Age

The Fresh and Onlys - Long Slow Dance

The Avett Brothers - The Carpenter

David Byrne & St. Vincent - Love This Giant

Band of Horses - Mirage Rock

The Corin Tucker Band - Kill My Blues

Menomena - Moms

The Soft Pack - Straps

Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor 2

Jens Lekman - I Know What Love Isn't

Cat Power - Sun

Deerhoof - Breakup Song

The Raveonettes - Observator

The Presets - Pacifica

And this is just a list of highlights, wow!

Anything missing? Let me know.

Have a musical month!

 

New Mineral Beings EP

A dutch band I have mentioned a while ago, Mineral Beings, has just released their new EP Bliss. Seeing them on Bergpop together with these new tracks have made me fell in love with their sound. (Especially with Break the Spell)

And because it's available for free download, i'd like to share it with others: Download Here. on

Or on soundcloud: Enjoy!

Octopus, by Bloc Party

Finally, we hear something from Indie-powerhouse Bloc Party. Are you curious about what they've come up with this time around, so was I. And although I admit saying something constructive about a song after two repeats is not always right(and only 300 views overall on youtube.), I am still going to give it a go, this time around.

The band seemed to have kept their electronic influence, while at the same time, they've tried to go back to the roots of songs like Helicopter and Banquet. Kele (the singer, and people, start listening to his solo material...) uses his voice in a way he hasn't done before in this band, background vocals are back, and i've definitely missed their uptempo style. There is no other band like Bloc Party in that fashion.

So here it is, love it, hate it. I for one, know it's going to be a hit on the festivals because it fits right in with their other hits.

 

 Their new album is up for release the 19th of August.

Spiritualized

I only recently read a column in dutch music magazine OOR (www.oor.nl) which stated that this was quite a dead year for pop-music. The writer stated that until now, 2012 has only been a year with a few highlights and that most artists went on repeat. I disagree.

While the new acts that stand out are rare, they do very much stand out. When I say this, I think bands like: Django Django, Alt-J, Woodkid(from whom the most has jet to come this year.), Blaudzun and the new Regina Spektor album seems to be a hit as well. On top of this I believe some more mainstream bands for example The Temper Trap, went on a succesful repeat(if you can even call it a repeat).

For me it's almost fitting that just today, i found out about a new track by Spiritualized. Spiritualized is a (indie-)dreampop formation that shows that you can still make a decent popsong, that doesn't seem blank or boring after just a few listens. While they have been around for quite some time, they have been relatively quiet over the last few years. Let's see if they can still match the succes of Album: Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space, dating back to 1997.

The track also has a mysterious video.

 

Spiritualized, thank you for once again proving me, Pop-music can still be fascinating.

What do you guys think?

2:54

As of late, the 80's sound has been dominating on my mp3-player, mainly because I have only recently really discovered Joy Division(not like I didn't know them, but I started to dig different songs and I discovered, to my opinion, the real Joy Division), but also acts as Toy, Warpaint and The Horrors are often on repeat. They all have a way of being melancholic without being depressing, but actually being quite uplifting.

And now we have the relatively new act 2:54, which has toured with Warpaint(not a bad starting point), that has really surprised me. Based around sisters Hannah and Colette Thurlow, the London band can be one of 'the' new acts this year. A bit like The XX a while ago, a band to which they also have been compared(just with more guitar power)

Check it out. This is their latest single: Scarlet, and one of the album: Creeping

 

 

Check out their Myspace for more free music: http://www.myspace.com/thetwofiftyfour

 

Nice Line-Up at De Affaire (Nijmegen)

This years' De Affaire, the alternative festival that will -as usual- be held in Nijmegen during the 'vierdaagse', has some names to show off with. The best include: Sharon van Etten, whose album has convinced many critics, Breton, an experimental band that has caused a hype lately, and a while ago featured on this blog: Twin Shadow. And then I haven't even mentioned Kurt Vile, Rats on Rafts and The Jezabels jet.

For full line-up and schedule  http://www.de-affaire.nl/nl/programma (onfortunately in Dutch.)

This is going to be great.

 

 

 

 

Blur is very much alive

Damon Albarn and companions' gig at the 2012 olympics in Hyde Park, isn't just to show off old hits. They have announced the release of two new tracks next week, far before the Hyde Park show. Guess Gorillaz is really over for now, let's see if Blur can live up to it's potential once again.

Check out their website: www.blur.co.uk