heard any good new bands lately?

Mr. Ferree, with sweet, sweet beard

BENJY FERREE

Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand have made Domino Records the hottest indie record label of the last three years, but label newcomer Benjy Ferree might be their next big thing. Fans of Devendra Banhart, Wilco, and the White Stripes will find Ferree's sweet and hooky acoustic guitar and weathered vocals instantly appealing. Leaving the Nest was released late last year and is a must-have CD. The title track, along with In the Countryside and Dogkillers are standout tracks.

THE REDWALLS

This Chicago-based four piece wears its Beatles influence on its sleeve. Thank God they prefer to rip off John Lennon 'cause we do not need another Jet. I've just been introduced to the band, and have been listening to tracks from their debut LP Universal Blues. 2005 saw the release of their follow-up album De Nova, which displays a slightly more grown-up sound with less obvious 60s-era hooks.

Heard any good new bands lately? is a new feature for passing on suggestions/reviews of bands I have recently come to know that you may not have (yet). If you have, let me know. If you hate them, let me know. If you've heard of something better, please let me know! Send me your comments by clicking the link below.

update: wino forever

check out wino forever for some notes on the victoria festival of wine, march 14, 2007. keep close tabs on that blog for frequent postings. we can't post fast enough to keep up with our furious tasting pace (check it out for proof), but you'll see many more soon.

Music News Notebook

• New Neil Young CD/DVD from his "Performance Series" to be released March 13. Check out the trailer for Live at Massey Hall 1971 here.
  
  
• It seems the new Kings of Leon album, Because of the Times, has been leaked. Check your favourite illegal-file-transfer-deelie. Have a listen if you like, but make sure you go buy it April 3. Oh, and by the way: it kicks ass.
  
  
• The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's new album will be titled Baby 81 and is scheduled for release May 1. "Weapon of Choice" will be the first single. Check out BRMC's MySpace for details and a cool new version of the track "US Government".
  
  
  
• Artic Monkeys picked up two statues at last night's Brit Awards: Best British Group and Best British Album for Whatever People Say That's What I'm Not. Their new album Favourite Worst Nightmare will be released in the UK April 23.
  
  
• An update on Wilco's upcoming release Sky Blue Sky is now available on their website. We have to wait until May 15 for that one, but the track listing is available now (woo-hoo.) Early word is that the track "Impossible Germany" is one of the band's best ever!
  
  
• Scroll to the bottom of this page to check out some videos from my new Group of the Week: The Strokes. Nothing new from the Strokes. That's OK, just listen to First Impressions of Earth again.

kings of leon news

my group of the week! this short clip is of a live performance of kol's rockin' new single on call. the new album because of the times is to be released april 3, 2007. listen to the album version of the new track here.

spring has sprung!

in bloom

502 Dallas Road, Victoria, BC

February 10, 2007 - 13 degrees today!

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