Bonus MP3s: Fizzy Dino Pop Lets Us Sample Its New, Irresistable J-Pop Dance Sound

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Scott Squires
Fizzy Dino Pop
For a few years now, Denton's Avery Williamson has been creating music under his Fizzy Dino Pop moniker, mostly existing in a computer-generated emo-core realm, combining eight-bit samples and sounds with angsty, often-screamed vocals for a sound that was certainly mind-boggling but also oddly tempting.

In a change of pace, though, Williamson's most recent works have a far more universal appeal--and a decidedly upped international flavor as well. Now joined by Kyoto-based vocalist Yuria Hashimoto, Fizzy Dino Pop's latest material is more J-pop in nature than anything else. And, by layering futuristic synths and electrodance beats underneath Hashimoto's soft vocals, it makes for an incredibly catchy, fun sound.

Others have noticed, among them the much-buzzing Neon Indian, which has commission a Fizzy Dino Pop remix of its blog hit "Deadbeat Summer," which should see its release in the coming weeks. Already, the duo's remix efforts have done wonders for local hip-hop act Sore Losers, whose already-catchy "Bizarre Celebrations" track was transformed by Fizzy Dino Pop into an irresistable elctro-dance track that ranks among the best local tracks we've heard in 2009. After the jump, enjoy a free download of that remix, courtesy of Williamson, plus two new tracks for download from Fizzy Dino Pop's upcoming EP release.

And be sure to catch Fizzy Dino Pop in a rare performance with Hashimoto on Sunday night at The Cavern, where the band will perform alongside Dallas' Ishi and Kansas City's Ssion.

Bonus MP3: The Crash That Took Me -- "Through The Pattern and Out the Other Side" (Plus: A Giveaway!)

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In this week's paper, Observer contributor Eric Grubbs takes a look at the path taken by The Crash That Took Me--one that's run through past area favorites [DARYL], Black Tie Dynasty and Macavity--to get to where it is today, a seven-piece piece on the brink of releasing its sophomore album.

In next week's paper, he'll review said actual disc, called Chlorine Colored Eyes. For now, just a short preview of his review:
In many ways, this record is a logical follow-up to the band's debut, Orchestrated Kaleidoscopes. And for the better, the now seven-piece sounds like a fully-fledged and fully-realized band.
And at the band's CD release show at Sons of Hermann Hall tomorrow night, where the band will be joined by True Widow, Stereo Is a Lie and Gaffney, fans will be given a free copy of the disc upon paying their $10 entrance fee. Not a bad deal.

But here's a better deal: The band's been kind enough to offer up two pairs of tickets to tomorrow night's gig--and with it, two free CDs--to a couple of DC9 readers. Could be you, too, if you're among the first two people to email me with "Chlorine Colored Eyes" in the subject line.

Even if you miss out on that freebie, though, this one's open to everyone. After the jump, check out the exclusive, temporary download the band has offered of the album's third track, "Through The Pattern and Out the Other Side."

Bonus MP3: Rachel Bazooka -- "My Mirror"



It was way back in 2007 when the above video of Taylor Young,
he of THe BAcksliders and The O's, made its way to Youtube, posted as the visual accompaniment to the song "Chrissie Hynde" from Bucks Burnett's long-in-the-making Rachel Bazooka outfit.

Turns out the project, which, at its core, is just a duo featuring Burnett and
Hubertus Winnubst, had plenty more on the way--about 93 more minutes to be exact. Earlier this week, Burnett dropped off Rachel Bazooka's debut release, Colorbl nd. It's a mommoth of a debut if ever there was one, clocking in at 97 minutes over the span of two discs.

Far as Burnett knows--and he'd know plenty, given his long history an area musician, producer, record store owner and, most recently, eight-track museum proprietor--it's the first ever double-disc debut from a Dallas band. Hell, by his recollection (and who are we to argue otherwise), it's only the fourth double-disc debut in history, behind debuts from Frank Zappa, Chicago and George Harrison--or so Bucks explains in an essay over on Unfair Park, where Robert's also posted a stream of the first disc's closing number "Carry Me Down." There, he goes on to say more about the disc, and it makes for a good read, actually. But Bucks doesn't offer up this pretty pertinent info about the other artists who say in and joined Rachel Bazooka in the studio, recording this monumental release, among them Young, Salim Nourallah and Paul Averitt.

After the jump, a stream and a free download of another of the Disc One's tracks, this one called "My Mirror."

Stream Norah Jones' Ryan Adams-Penned Song Over at NPR.org

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Over on NPR.com today, a real treat: The National Public Radio folks have posted a stream of the new Norah Jones track "Light As A Feather" for all to listen in on.

It's a track of note because, for one, Jones didn't write it; rather, mercurial and prolific alt-country icon Ryan Adams did. And, like the other early offerings we've seen from Miss Jones' new disc, it's quite the change of pace. Specifically, this song gives the often-adult-contemporary-affiliated Jones a decidedly Americana feel--like a less twangy but just-as-sultry Lucinda Williams. Which is high praise--at least in this instance.

Jones' new record, The Fall, earns its release later this month, on November 17. No news yet of any upcoming tour dates associated with the disc's release. Starting next week, though, she will be all over your TV sets, with upcoming performances scheduled for Letterman (11/11), Good Morning America (11/16), The Colbert Report (11/18) and The View (11/23).

New Norah Jones Record To Be Remixed By Beck, Beastie Boys, Santigold, Others...

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Miss Jones, if you're nasty.
Pretty kickass Norah Jones news today via Entertainment Weekly: In order to satiate the demands of media outlets in desperate need for extra content, Norah Jones' new record, The Fall, will have its tracks remixed by the Beastie Boys, Santigold and Beck, among others.

So, yeah, the whole thing about this record being a change-of-pace from Jones' past stuff? Believe it.

In fact, Jones was so inspired to change things up on this disc that, for a time, she tells EW, she considered approaching Beck and asking him to produce the whole thing.

Kinda wish she did, actually. Oh well. Next time?

(Hat tip.)

Molina and Johnson Finally Set Up North Texas Tour Stop, Offer Up New MP3

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Jonathan Cargill
The ghosts of Will Johnson and Jason Molina.
Earlier this month, we passed along news of the release date for Centro-matic frontman Will Johnson's collaboration with Magnolia Electric Co.'s Jason Molina called...wait for it... Molina and Johnson. Well, with under a week remaining until the release of the tandem's self-titled debut, the band has finally announced a stop in Johnson's native North Texas: On February 12, the duo will play Dan's Silverleaf as the second-to-last stop on its three-week-long U.S. tour.

In the meantime, you'll just have to purchase the record to tide you over. But, since you can't get the record until Tuesday, well, the band was kind enough to pass along another mp3 to whet your appetites in the meantime. Stream and download "Almost Let You In" after the jump.

Meet Abacus, Ourselves and Melting Season, The Three Most Recent of Mom's Offspring

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Gavin Guthrie
Sleep Whale, at dusk.
No DC9 in SPACE filming tonight--and, because of some technical errors on our part, no DC9 in SPACE episode to share before the end of the day today either (although, once it's ready in a few hours, we'll have last week's episode up on the blog for your viewing pleasure).

Our missing out on tonight's taping, though? Well, that's a hell of a shame--especially since tonight's episode had the potential to be a real good one.

In fact, the plan was actually to film two episodes this evening: One with Sleep Whale, the much-loved instrumental band formerly known as Mom, which is gearing up for the release of its new record (with vocals!), Houseboat; and a second set, this one from Sunnybrook, the project from Sleep Whale member Paul North, younger brother of Sleep Whale founder Joel North.

Unfortunately, both bands had to back out of tonight's taping at the last minute, and we weren't able to find a suitable replacement in time (although, between you and me, we were on the verge of somehow scoring quite the replacement coup at the last minute...but that's neither here nor there.) Either way, we're sorry--for your sake and for ours--that we won't be able to film these bands tonight. Especially because, really, there's something kinda crazy special about what's going on with Sleep Whale at the moment--all four of its members, actually.

See, all four current members of Sleep Whale--Paul North, Joel North, Bruce Blay and Spencer Stephenson--are all also currently working on own solo projects. And here's the crazy part: All four of the solo projects are pretty good--maybe good enough to put the ol' "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" idiom to rest...

Bonus MP3: The Lash Outs -- "Contemporary Music"

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DOMA-nominated punk-rockers The Lash Outs, the guys who griped that "The Kids Don't Wanna Dance," continue their role as cultural commentators on this new track, "Contemporary Music."

It's one of two new tracks just posted to the band's MySpace page, and will be included on the band's upcoming album. They'll return to Tulsa in January to finish mixing and recording with Stephen Egerton of The Descendants and All, and will likely release it in Spring 2010.

You'll probably get to hear a few of the new tracks tomorrow night, when the band plays with The Uptown Bums and The Broadsiders opening for Youth Brigade at The Lounge on Elm Street.

"The new songs are a bit poppier than the stuff on our last disc," Joey Holbrook writes in an e-mail. "Think Paul Collins' Beat meets the Dickies."

Sound good? Find out after the jump...

Bonus MP3: The Naptime Shake -- "Hawks"

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[Editor's Note: So, here's the deal. In addition to being a staff member here at the Observer, Noah W. Bailey is a member of our music writing staff. He also happens to front The Naptime Shake, an act whose debut album is getting raves from a bunch of local music blogs. Presents us with quite the conflict: How can we review it without being biased? Truth is, we probably can't. So, instead, we've chosen to go the opposite route, and just let Noah, surely the most biased of all when it comes to his music, review the disc himself. Below, read his take in all its glory. Fair warning, though: It's not as adoring a review as you'd expect...]

The Naptime Shake's Blood and Panic is, quite frankly, music for old people.

Let's see: fingerpicked guitar, check. Wussy acoustic ballads (Hello, "Los Angeles"), check. Banjo, check. Hummable trumpet parts ("Mermaid of Virginia"), check. Tastefully played piano parts, check. Authentic Wilco-lite Americana sound, check. No samplers or danceable beats, check. No band members under the age of 28, check.

It's like Terry Gross compiled data from some Fresh Air focus group and built a band based on the outcome.

Meanwhile, lead singer Noah W. Bailey's voice is the perfect blend of bland and inoffensive. But what really get my grits are the lyrics, which feature everything from predatory woodland creatures to 1940s-era disaster tales. And The Naptime Shake is from Dallas. Have you ever seen any fucking bears ("Nourishment") or mountain lions ("Blood and Panic") in Dallas? I didn't think so.

Plus, there's just no way a 28-year-old can convincingly sell the tales of doomed World War II-era sailors ("Wolves and Water") and dock workers ("Texas City"). You weren't there, dude. And no matter how much talent you surround yourself with--Jake Barnhart (Little Grizzly, American Werewolf Academy), Paul Burrough (Pleasant Grove), Glen Farris (Doug Burr), Chris Mayes (Pleasant Grove, Deathray Davies, The Boom Boom Box)--there's no getting around it: This is an album built on lies.

After the jump, take a listen to and enjoy a free download of one such lie.

Stream The Rocket Summer's New Single. If You Dare.

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As promised, Grapevine's own Bryce Avary of The Rocket Summer has gone ahead and debuted his new single, "You Gotta Believe," the title track to his new EP, over on the Alternative Press' Web site.

And, according to Avary's label, Island Def Jam, it created quite the stir, apparently crashing the magazine's site not once, but twice as fans scurried over to listen to the stream. Or so goes the excuse the label used to justify the poor sound quality of the stream.

According to Island Def Jam, the stream's now been fixed and fans should be hearing the song as its meant to be heard--which, actually, is a little off-putting if anything.

Seriously: Go listen to the stream. It's still skipping all over the place--or, it is for me, at least. Which means, I figure, one of the following things: a) my computer is the problem, not the site; b) the stream is still pretty crappy; or c) The Rocket Summer is distorting the crap out of his power-pop/pop-punk tunes, and it's kind of a genius move away from the mall punk scene.

Were I a betting man, I'd place money on the first two options. But I'm rooting for the third.

Bonus MP3: Baruch the Scribe -- "...and Today with joyous singing"

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Danny Fulgencio
Brauch The Scribe. Or one of the five, at least.


Utilizing window blinds, shaky objects and thunder for the background noise on its debut six-track EP, Evil Memories, Denton-based Baruch the Scribe has the sound to set a truly unique pace for its release show on Saturday night at Hailey's. Also performing at Hailey's on Saturday? Toronto-based folk band, Elliot Brood, which, actually, should male for a nice pairing of styles.

Oh, and if you miss the band there, Baruch The Scribe can be found again next Saturday at J&J's Pizza and back at Hailey's on December 5. Basically, the act's gonna be hard to miss.

After the jump, where you can stream and download "...and Today with joyous singing" from the debut EP, you'll see why. It's a little more upbeat than the rest of the tracks on the short release, but don't be fooled: When these guys perform, the crowd isn't falling asleep...


Did Dorrough Walk From The BET Hip-Hop Awards Winless? Maybe. Dunno Yet. But He Did Perform With Snoop, Soulja Boy, Jim Jones and Nipsey Hustle...

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Dorrough, DJ A Bay Bay, Dr. Teeth and DJ Merk on the red carpet at the BET Hip-Hop Awards.
Though the footage from the event won't air until October 27, the 2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards were filmed Saturday. And though he was up for three nominations at the awards show, it doesn't appear as if Dallas-based rap phenom Dorrough, famous for his nationwide hit single "Ice Cream Paint Job," walked with any hardware.

Well, we can't say that for sure just yet, actually. Seems the BET folks are doing a decent job of keeping the results fairly concealed despite the time delay. That said, while we still don't know whether Dorrough walked with awards in either the Best Hip-Hop Video or Viewer's Choice awards categories, we do know this much: The Rookie of the Year award went to former Degrassi star and Lil Wayne-supported artist Drake.

Still, even if he did walk away winless, the awards still appear to be worth your watching while--if only because Dorrough performs "Ice Cream Paint Job" during the show, with a little help from Snoop Dogg, Soulja Boy, Jim Jones and Nipsey Hustle, who all appeared together on stage as they do in one of the song's official remix takes. And Dorrough's Twitter account has the pics to prove it.

After the jump, just for kicks, check out a mashup remix Dorrough's pal DJ Merk (see above right) did for another Dorrough hit "Walk That Walk," where the song gets combined with fellow Dallas hip-hop group The GS Boyz's "Stanky Legg." And, for good measure, a dance remix of Drake's "Forever," created by DOMA-winning area DJ, Yeahdef...

Phoenix Project Lets You Listen To Improv Lottery Recordings, Then Walk Like A Zombie

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Click to enlarge
The DIY space Phoenix Project has a busy weekend, with Saturday's lineup of Big Fiction, Muhammadali, Leg Sweeper and The Sleepies followed by Sunday's show with Dysrhythmia, Four Days To Burn, Waste Burai and Baring Teeth.

But the capper is an early Halloween treat Sunday afternoon: a Zombie Walk from the Fair Park-area venue to Deep Ellum and back before the Dysrhythmia show.

Note: This is not to be confused with the Deep Ellum Zombie Crawl two weeks later.

As detailed on the poster, participants should come to the Phoenix Project (406 S. Haskell Ave.) dressed as a zombie at 2 p.m. for make-up, which will be provided. The walk will depart at 4 p.m.

And if you need to bring some headphone fodder to put you in a stupefied and addled zombie state of mind, may I suggest any of the four excellent tracks recorded by Michael Chamy at the Project's September 26 Improv Lottery? Description of the event, personnel information and a link to download are after the jump.

Bonus MP3: Seryn -- "We Will All Be Changed"

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Mark Scott
Seryn

In January, the first time I stumbled across Nathan Allen of Seryn , he was playing his guitar while walking on Fry Street. At the time, Allen said he was working on some solo-acoustic material.

Well, as mentioned in this week's North of the Dial, after adding several more members to the mix, his solo material ended up spawning Seryn. Six months and a dozen shows later, Denton's Seryn has quickly catapulted out of Denton's house show scene, landing in bars, clubs and, um, records stores in Fort Worth and Dallas.

The band's been steadily composing new material, and agreed to send our readers the group's very-recently-recorded/released effort, "We Will All Be Changed," which until very recently I think the band called "Beach Song." Check it out after the jump.

Tags: bonus mp3, Seryn

Bonus MP3: Molina and Johnson -- "Twenty Cycles To The Ground"

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The cover of Jason Molina and Will Johnson's new collaborative disc.
We've been waiting on this one for a while--pretty much a year and a half now, actually--so pardon us if we geek out here for a moment. But, this week, we finally heard some official news on the new collaborative project from Centro-matic's Will Johnson and Magnolia Electric Co.'s Jason Molina.

Turns out Molina and Johnson (as both the album and the project are named) will see a release on Tuesday November 3, under the Secretly Canadian label banner.

Unfortunately, no local dates are yet on the duo's upcoming docket--but, the good news, I guess, is that no other American cities are, either. Rather, from mid-October to mid-November, the duo (which is jokingly--and kinda hilariously--referred to by its publicist as Phantoms of Folk in the press release announcing the disc's release) will be hopping around Europe, treating their overseas fans to their new songs.

Oh, and of those songs, according to Johnson in the presser: "For ten days we wrote, co-wrote, workshopped, complimented, scrutinized, drank, invited friends to come play music, smoked, made lots of notes and drawings, drank a little more and shot the BB gun off the back porch when we just needed some time and space. In the throes of all this, our record was made in the late February sun."

Among those friends invited to play along: North Texas' own Sarah Jaffe, Howard Draper and Scott Danbom. Not on all the songs, though. For instance, there doesn't appear to be much assistance offered by other parties on the spare "Twenty Cycles To The Ground," which Secretly Canadian has graciously passed along for DC9 readers to stream and download after the jump...

Bonus MP3: Chucky Sly -- "Jimmy Is About To Die"

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Gloria Levario
Your favorite local rapper's favorite local rapper.

As Nic Hernandez explains in this week's dead tree version of DC9, the full-length solo debut from Dallas raapper Chucky Sly is some 15 years in the making. And ir's all the better for it, Hernandez explains: 

The feel-good hip-hop popularized by groups such as A Tribe Called Quest gets a prominent nod, sure, but so too does a smattering of dub influence, funk samples and even soulful singing (Sly himself belts out a few lines on "Until You Get Home"). As a result, the final product stands as one that excels in several disciplines. His confident delivery and thought-provoking lyrics exude the aura of a true thinker, a welcome shift from the recent, expected recipe for success for locals in the more radio-friendly line of the same work.

Indeed, this isn't your favorite local urban radio station's hip-hop. Sly's brand is more of the thoughtful, narrative variety--and, as such, his The Unseen Mechanism album stands as one of the more surprising, exciting releases in what has already been well-established as a banner year for DFW music.

After the jump, check a cut from Sly's record to see what we're getting at on this one...

Bonus MP3: VIDEO -- "Images"

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OK, Dallas: If in the last three months you hadn't yet found time to drive to Denton to catch one of VIDEO's sets, and you aren't planning to see them in Austin tonight, then tomorrow night will be your first chance to catch the band considerably closer to home. As we told you yesterday, VIDEO will be playing Saturday's Parade of Flesh show at Dallas DIY venue The Handsome Kitten (located at 824 Exposition Ave., No. 8).

The band's booked as local support for Seattle's The Intelligence, along with Denton's PVC Street Gang. So, if you're "over" hearing stories about how much fun some of us find Denton house shows, then you'll probably want to stay home. Your loss, though; this promises to be a memorable one. Especially if the band doesn't just save its cover of The Misfits' classic "Bullet" for its Denton audiences.

Anyway, VIDEO was kind enough to sent along an mp3 of "Images," which frontman Daniel Fried says is one of the band's "older songs." Check it out after the jump.

Bonus MP3: Fungi Girls -- "Dream of Oz"

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The cover art for Seafaring Pyramids.
I guess now is the time where rubber hits road for upstart Denton-based record label Play Pinball! Records because, on Saturday night, as Cleburne's Fungi Girls' debut album, Seafaring Pyramids, officially hits the streets, it will instantly become the label's first release.

Early birds looking to catch the worm can get the album on Saturday night at the album's official release show at The Handsome Kitten in Dallas. For what it's worth, this is a show worth seeing: The DIY venue has quite the lineup scheduled for the evening, with Fungi Girls, PVC Street Gang and Video as the local support for Seattle's The Intelligence.

As for the record, though: Play Pinball!'s Chris Engberg and Trent Ostvig just received their copies this week--and they're already looking at filling orders for as faraway as Japan. The label should still have a few copies colored vinyls left after shipping off all the pre-sales, but both the gold and the green pressings look sharp, so, unless you really want the standard jet-black, then we recommend you get your copy soon. And, what about that suitable-for-framing cover art by Seattle's Carlos Ruiz (see above, right)?!?! 

Oh, there's music on there, too, by the way. Back in July, you might recall, we offered up an mp3 for "Pacifica Nostalgia." Now check out a peek at another song--this one an exclusive track for DC9 readers--titled "Dream of Oz."

Update: As mentioned in the comments, Parade of Flesh breaks the bad news that Fungi Girls will not be playing this show after all--though copies of the album will still be available to purchase at the show, according to Ostvig.

Bonus MP3: Binary Sunrise -- "Five Minutes"

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Steve Visneau
Binary Sunrise and the Good Records family.
In last week's dead tree version of DC9, I chatted up Polyphonic Spree leader Tim DeLaughter about the resurgence of his Good Records Recordings label, which, after a three-year absence in terms of releases, is returning to the market in a big way with upcoming releases scheduled from the Spree, Texarkana's Pilotdrift and, more than likely, a solo release from DeLaughter as well.

But launching it all? The debut release from Binary Sunrise, the oddball pop project spearheaded by Kenneth Kemp. The self-titled release, which is available for sale at, go figure, Good Records as both a CD a a CD+LP combo purchase, boasts a wide array of influences--from The Cure to Neutral Milk Hotel to The Modern Lovers and everything in between--which, on its own, makes it a compelling listen. But beyond that, there's the second track on the disc, a song called "Five Minutes," which, aside from boasting one of the catchiest bass lines we've heard all year, we've also already called one of our favorite songs of the year.

We're not alone on that front, as DeLaughter shared in last week's piece, while speaking on the same song:
"[My wife Julie and I] just kept sitting with [the song] and sitting with it and listening to it all the time," DeLaughter says. "So we said, 'Let's help this guy and put it out, 'cause, otherwise, it's just sitting here with us.'"
Now it can sit with you, actually. For the next week, the folks at Good have exclusively offered DC9 readers the chance to download "Five Minutes" for free. After the jump, you can go ahead and do so...

Bonus MP3: Dem Southernfolkz -- "Feels Like"

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In last week's DC9 in SPACE installment, Dem Southernfolkz dropped by our loft space to talk about their writing process, but also to hype up the then-upcoming release of their free-to-download, four-song EP, Something To Hold On To.

Well, this week, over at the band's sharply revamped Web site, as promised, the EP's been released--and it's up as a free download.

Don't really know what else we can say about Kinfolk Jack, Saturday Alridge and Big Ben that we haven't already; this is thinking man's hip-hop at its finest, with a down-home, refreshing production value unlike much else you're likely to find locally or regionally in this day and age. And with a live show that stunned at Good Records' birthday bash last April, this is an outfit worth keeping your eyes and ears on.

After the jump, a stream and download for one of the tracks off the new EP, just as a sampling in case the promise of a free four-song EP isn't enough to sell you on a simple right-click of the mouse...

Bonus MP3: Play-N-Skillz -- "Dallas State of Mind"

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Nothing Play-N-Skillz does these days should really come off as too big a surprise--the two-time Grammy-winning, Dallas-based production duo of Juan and Oscar Salinas have been keeping fans on the edge of their seats for some time now, offering up big news (starting their own label), new tracks (still kinda shocked that "Checkin' My Fresh" never saw much radio play) or remixes on the regular.

And today, the duo's offering up yet another fine remix effort, this one called "Dallas State of Mind." A remix of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind," this version finds the Salinas brothers name-checking their favorite parts of the D, all, according to their Twitter feed, as further preparation for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game coming to town in February. For example, take this line: "Courtside, giving Josh Howard high-fives / I'm so Mark Cuban I cuss at a referee / Look at my Yums /Yeah, I'm definitely reppin' Dallas."

Take a listen--and download the track, too--after the jump...

Bonus MP3: Roy G and The Biv -- "Runnin' (Miadis Remix)"

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Nikki Loehr
Roy G and The Biv

It's been a minute since we checked in on Roy G. and The Biv, who, surely, are most easily described as the sugar to Alan Palomo's spice when it comes to Denton-bred electro-dance outfits.

Well, today comes a spate of news, actually: First, and perhaps foremost, the duo of Max Townsley and Drew Erickson is hard at work on their debut full-length release, which is set for release in 2010. Second, the band's also in the process of finishing up some remix work for The Bravery and Iglu and Hartly. Third, and perhaps more pertinently, there's this: This morning, the duo released a new remix of its song "Runnin'," created by some fella named Miadis (not sure who he is; closest we could find to that moniker is Fort Worth's George Miadis, also bred in Boston like Roy G and The Biv, and a member of local quartet EpiTas). But, regardless of who the person behind the remix is, fact is, it's a nice update, swapping out some of the sheen in favor of a slower, lazy summer beat.

Stream and download the new mix after the jump.

Bonus MP3: The Uptown Bums -- "This and That"

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Jackson McPeek
The Uptown Bums
If you've already inked your fingers on our paper edition this week, then you know a lot more about The Uptown Bums than that the band's opening for Monotonix tonight at Rubber Gloves.

But, 'cause I interviewed every member of the band individually for the piece, loads of material for this particular North of the Dial ended up on the cutting room. Stuff like, well, this: Bricks were literally falling from the side of the band's house venue, 818 House, when Wavves played the house's kitchen "amphitheater" at last year's House by House Fest in Denton.

Oh, and this too: The band recorded a whole album's worth of material with Orville Neeley of Bad Sports before Neeley's recent move to Austin to run sound at Beerland. Unfortunately, The Uptown Bums aren't planning on releasing the material as a full-length-- mostly, the band says, because its are already working on a much more "cohesive" effort. But the band will be releasing that old material as a series of 7-inches set to come out in the coming months. And they've been kind enough to pass along a preview of one of the tracks for DC9 readers.

After the jump, check out "This and That" to get an idea of the band's "kitchen punk" sound.

Bonus MP3: Dovetail -- "Love Is War" (Plus: A Free Pair Of Passes To Tonight's Show.)

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Philip Creamer of Dovetail.
Tonight, Trees offers a pretty nice break from the early booking tendencies over at the storied, recently re-opened venue, as an all-local bill of Hoyotoho (performing DJ sets throughout the night), They Were Stars, The Orbans and Hendrick all come together on Elm Street to partake in a show celebrating the CD release of a new-ish local act, Dovetail.

Though a four-piece, there's really no need to kid yourself about what Dovetail is--a carefully compiled collection of musicians and sounds meant to surround and complement frontman Philip Creamer's impressive leading pipes. And the handful of tracks on the EP being celebrated this evening (called Love is War) no doubt showcase as much. After the jump, check out the title track from the disc for a sampling and, ah hell, go ahead and grab it as a free download, too, courtesy of the band.

Before we jump, though, the company behind tonight's show, Method Entertainment, has been kind enough to offer one reader two free tickets to tonight's show. So, on that note, first person to email me with "Love is a Battlefield" gets themselves and a friend into the show for free.

Update: Contest is over. Congrats to our winner.

Now, onto the music...

Dustin Cavazos Releases New Video, Free EP Download



When we first met Dustin Cavazos, he was one half of the surprisingly interesting screamo-hop outfit Scuba Team Go, combining his creative beats with an even more inventive combination of styles. These days, though, the skate-hopper's been focusing on his solo material, still creating his own immediately recognizable beats and covering them with his similarly recognizable slow-paced, deep, thoughtful vocals.

And this week in particular has been a big one for Cavazos and his solo efforts, seeing the release of both the above video (the song for which serves as the intro to his upcoming full-length release) and a new EP called The Shelly, which he's offered up to fans as a free download you can access right here.


Bonus MP3: Mount Righteous -- "Sing to Me, Tiffany"

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It's been almost a year-and-a-half, if you believe it, since Mount Righteous first (quite adorably) burst onto the local scene, immediately charming area music fans with its clever, punk-ish, acoustic, marching band-ish and ever-cheerful sound.

Of course, that was just the live show, though.

'Cause, you'll surely recall, we dug on the full-length debut from the band, too, called When The Music Starts--for my money, a top five area release in 2008. Which is why, probably quite predictably, there was something of a heartswell 'round these parts when an email arrived announcing the upcoming release of the collective's next output, a five-song EP called Open Your Mouth.

Though self-recorded by the band this time around, Mount Righteous again handed the mixing duties for this effort over to area studio marvel John Congleton, who (again) produced a fine live-sounding replication of the band's sound. After the jump, a sampling from the new, highly anticipated disc--the fourth track on the album, "Sing to Me, Tiffany," which the band has been kind enough to offer DC9 readers as a free stream and download.

Bonus MP3: Boys Named Sue -- "Light Beers Away"

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Tonight, the rabscallions known 'round town as the Boys Named Sue will stop on by Sons of Hermann Hall--with The King Bucks in tow--to host a CD release party in celebration of the Sues' latest release, The Hits, Vol. Sue!

The new disc, released on Idol Records, is classic Sues--which is to say, it's good-time party music. Which is to say, it's a collection of drinking tunes. Which bodes well for tonight's event, I'd think, which kicks off at 8 p.m.

After the jump, a free mp3 from the Sues to whet your appetite for both tonight's show and the new disc. In the coming weeks, expect a review in the print product, but for now, jump with us and check out the second track on the new album, "Light Beers Away."

Gig Alert: Neon Indian at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios

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No need to be shy, Alan.
At the risk of beating you over the head with this information, it seems worth our while to remind you that tonight marks the much-anticipated debut of Alan Palomo's newest project, Neon Indian, which has garnered praise from outlets far beyond us and the normal local music press.

Tonight's We Shot JR-sponsored show, which will also feature Darktown Strutters, Kashioboy and Vulgar Fashion and, an as-yet-undertermined DJ, was originally scheduled to take place in the basement of J&J's Pizza, but for whatever reason, earlier this week, the show was moved to Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios. The show marks the launch of Neon Indian's world tour, the details of which were announced yesterday (for a full list of dates, cities and venues, check the schedule after the jump) and which will, this weekend, find the Palomo and fellow Neon Indian members Jason Faries, Ronny Gierhart and videographer Alicia Scardett aplaying the super-gorgeous confines of Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, as part of the Monolith Festival.

Should all make for quite the exciting night/weekend. Oh, and in case you still needed more convincing on Neon Indian's legitimacy, head on over to Chris Cantalini's Gorilla Vs. Bear blog today, where he's showing off the latest Neon Indian remix, in which the band offers up a phenomenal tripped-out take on Au Revoir Simone's "Another Likely Story."

Yeah, Buddy: Dorrough's "Ice Cream Paint Job" Turns Into A Borderline Internet Meme

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Hope you're not yet sick of the smash summer single "Ice Cream Paint Job" from Dallas' own Dorrough (that's him in the above photo). Because, if you were, well, you're out of luck, friend.

In recent weeks, Dorrough's breakthrough single has seen the man from Lancaster getting all sorts of attention--and all kinds, too, in the forms of remixes, covers and even, yup, some parodies.

(He's even popped up on the most recent remix for The New Boyz's "You're A Jerk," the song at the forefront of Los Angeles' new dance-hop scene, Jerking, which our sister paper in LA says is currently jostling with the D-Town Boogie for nationwide supremecy.)

Anyway, after the jump, a far more in-depth breakdown than probably necessary of all the attention sent Mr. D-O-Double-R's way.

Bonus MP3: Sunnybrook -- "Willow Whale"

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Less than a month after spending his day in the Internet sun, earning adoring raves from the likes of Gorilla Vs. Bear and Pitchfork, it's been announced that the Denton-based project Sunnybrook has been signed to the Lefse Records label--which, for those of you playing at home, is indeed the same label behind Neon Indian's upcoming release.

Lefse announced the signing on its blog on Friday afternoon, proudly announcing Sunnybrook as "our second act from Denton, TX," and allowing that Paul North, the man behind the moniker, is aiming for an early 2010 release for his debut. But the label also went one step farther, offering audiences a free download of a new Sunnybrook track, "Willow Whale."

Stream and download the track after the jump.

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