SPOTLIGHT: Lightspeed Champion releases new full length LP
Lightspeed Champion
Lightspeed Champion is the brain child of Devonté Hynes and has been active since 2005. In 2007, he released Falling off the Lavender Bridge to critical acclaim. This record was recorded and produced in Omaha, Nebraska with the help of Saddle Creek producer Mike Mogis. Mogis is most famous for his work with Connor Oberst and Bright Eyes. Falling off the Lavender Bridge has a star studded guest list, including Nate Walcott, pianist and trumpet player for Bright Eyes, and The Faint drummer Clark Baechle.
Now, in 2010, Hynes has finally released the followup to 2007’s Falling off the Lavender Bridge, titled Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You and is a bit more complex than the initial Lightspeed Champion release. Where Falling off the Lavender Bridge is often simple and poppy, the new record is thick and speckled with new sounds. Now, it’s not to say that Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You doesn’t feel like the same band that captured the indie folk scene’s heart back in 2007, but it is definitely a departure from the earlier release. Devonté’s voice is definitely stronger on this release. The 2007 release had a kind of sweet nervousness to the vocals, which have since been replaced with vocals soaring with confidence and intention.
You can currently purchase the both Lightspeed Champion albums at Domino Record’s website on vinyl for $12.99, CD for $8.99 and digital for $7.99. The band is currently touring the UK and western Europe.
Tags: indie, indie folk, review
By Jared Montgomery 
Feb 25, 2010 
Albums in Brief, Artist Spotlight, Reviews, Video 
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Exciting new Puget Sound psych-folk quintet The Cat From Hue embodies Seattle environment
The Cat From Hue, indie/psych-folk quintet from Camano Island, Washington, are an interesting listen. Clearly influenced by other indie bands from the northwest, Modest Mouse and Portugal. The Man, this young group uniquely portrays the Puget Sound in their lyrics alongside upbeat, folksy instrumentals. In “Welcome Back The Rain,” through well constructed folk guitar, slow drum beats, tambourine, and high keys, their music emulates the sound and feeling of a typical rainy day in the Puget Sound. Their lyrics in this song are delivered strong and sleepy, with the verse declaring “We watch the days run down to the hour change/We watch the green leaves turn around, and walk through the sleet and the rain…” and more cleverly sour lyrics regarding the Seattle music scene: “I hear the Puget Sound is Land of the Green/I reciprocate the meaning with the speech about the scene [...] just a crow in my crow’s nest/tippin’ back my Seattle’s Best Coffee.”
The Cat From Hue — “Welcome Back The Rain,” from Shoreline
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The Cat From Hue — “Stumble On,” from Shoreline
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The Can From Hue are currently unsigned and have many shows lined up. To see more information about the band visit their myspace, myspace.com/catfromhue, or visit them on Facebook. See below for a video of them live, acoustic, as well as a look at their upcoming shows.
Tags: folk-rock, indie, pshyc-folk
By Scott Mathews Feb 23, 2010 Artist Spotlight, Seattle, Washington, Video Comment (1)
NEWS: Intricate, inventive Kaki King preps new release, Junior
Courtesy of Big Hassle Media
Kaki King, “2 O’Clock” from 2008’s Dreaming of Revenge | Download
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Junior, King’s release-in-waiting, is planned for release on April 13 and is her fifth record. It’s being released on Rounder Records, which has been home to a slew of solo releases from bluegrass and jazz musician Béla Fleck.
Read on for King’s tour dates; she launches her tour days after her album hits shelves.
By Matthew Montgomery Feb 16, 2010 News Comments (0)
PLAYLIST: Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love for many and a reminder of loneliness for others. In the spirit of love and loneliness, I have organized — in no particular order — some of the best indie love songs over the last 10 or so years or so. Each of these songs are draped in melancholy while also delivering a powerful and heartfelt message of love. Throughout my life, I have used these same tracks to wallow in sadness, whereas now they supplement my feelings to the one I love.
So, whether you are feeling down and out or deeply in love, this playlist will help you make it through the day.
1. Radiohead – “Lucky”
A song I often listened to when lost and lonely. I now clearly see the very powerful and forward-looking message Thom Yorke passionately delivers.
2. Augustana – “Coffee and Cigarettes”
Escape and love: the clear message behind this song. Escape from ourselves for some, escape with love for others. Beautiful.
Tags: indie
By Scott Mathews Feb 14, 2010 Playlists Comments (0)
News: Broken Bells, incoming indie rock darling the result of James Mercer, Danger Mouse collaboration
James Mercer, lead man for The Shins, and Danger Mouse have put together a soothing and funky collaboration: Broken Bells. “The High Road” is a tantalizing peek of what will likely be one of the better albums we see this year. The single, the first from the upcoming self-titled album, is the current iTunes Single of the Week.
Snippets of the entire album are available on the iTunes, along with the entire first track, “The High Road.” At this time, we can only speculate the possibility of a tour; if tour dates are set, we will promptly update that information here. For more on Broken Bells, visit brokenbells.com.
As a side note, James Mercer will also be appearing in filmmaker Matt McCormick’s film, Some Days are Better Than Others. The film will be screening at South by Southwest Film Festival, which will take place from March 12–20 in Austin, Texas. More information may be found at somedaysthemovie.com as well as sxsw.com/film. Specific screening dates have not yet been announced.
Tags: electronic, indie
By Scott Mathews Feb 12, 2010 MusicGeek.org, News, Video Comments (0)
Review: Chase Pagan — Bells & Whistles
Bells & Whistles
The last time I heard much of Chase Pagan, he was performing at The Electric Theater in St. George, Utah: That was somewhere around four years ago, before the birth of MusicGeek.org. It’s with some pleasure, then, that it is that I give Bells & Whistles, his latest, a listen.
“Life Garden” | download
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Tags: indie, indie rock
By Matthew Montgomery Jun 12, 2009 Album Reviews Comments (0)
Concert Photos: Garage Voice, Noah and Abby Gundersen, and Tom Rorem
Tags: indie, indie rock
By Matthew Montgomery Jun 05, 2009 Photos, Southern Utah Comments (0)
Movie Review: (1997) A Better Place
A Better Place
Directed by Vincent Pereira
1997, View Askew Productions
If you can’t remember, high school was painfully awkward for most parties; it was rife with fighting and bickering, especially between differing social classes. At least, that’s the image put forward in A Better Place, a 1997 film directed by one-time director Vincent Pereira.
Produced in association with Kevin Smith’s View Askew, A Better Place isn’t always visually dazzling, but its simplicity allows more subtle elements to fall into place. The vibrancy of some of the colors used and the straightforward editing and cinematography combine to create memorable imagery that strongly supports the film’s most vital asset: dialogue. (more…)
By Matthew Montgomery Sep 17, 2008 Reviews Comments (0)
