In weather lore (yes, there is such a thing), March is said to "come in like a lion and go out like a lamb," and there has often been a correlation with the course of new music that follows suit. You’ll notice that this month's new release list is twice as long as February's was. You might’ve also noticed that it went up to about 50 degrees on Monday. Still, don’t let mother nature or these musicians fool you. We’re still in it for the long haul. While most of us perceive March 21st to be the first official day of Spring, the indie music community sort of kicks off Spring on the third Saturday of April, Record Store Day (i.e. the single greatest holiday ever created.) We Buffalonians are usually safe to start celebrating Spring around that same time. Usually.
While we have endured a lot more lamb-like conditions this winter, here are ten artists releasing some roaring new music this month (see what I did there?). You can be pretty thrilled that this winter is just about over, and celebrate in anticipation of some great new tunes this March.
10. Canary Girls: Everything is Changing
Technically, the Canary Girls were supposed to release their first LP at the end of February, but our patience will soon be rewarded by what's sure to be an awesome first album by an incredible new local talent. Formed in October, the electro-indie group have played numerous shows together and hopefully an album release show is in sight as well. In the mean time listen to their tune, "Waves and Stations" and stay tuned for updates.
9. Mirroring: Foreign Body
If you haven’t heard of Mirroring, that’s okay, they're a fairly new group. Surfing through P4K’s Best New Tracks about a week ago I came upon their song “Fell Sound” and was instantly impressed with its obscure, dreamy haze. Mirroring consists of Grouper’s Liz Harris and Tiny Vesper’s Jesy Fortino. Their first LP Foreign Body is set for release on March 19 via Kranky.
8. The Men: Open Your Heart
Brooklyn Punk-rockers
The Men are following up last year’s LP
Leave Home with the riff-laden new LP
Open Your Heart. From the title of the title track "Open Your Heart" one might assume that the group might be deviating from their heavy, Ramone's influenced, non-trendy punk sound, but only slightly. The four-piece group still sound like they recorded this in 1975, but the attitude of the music is positively 2012. The LP is set for release on March 6, you can
preorder it on their website for $15 vinyl, $12 CD. They have also set a tour date to play
The Bug Jar in Rochester on March 23.
7. Late Night Tales: Belle and Sebastian
If you're unfamiliar with the
Late Night Tales series, let me first inform you, out of the 25 tracks on this collection, only one song is by Belle and Sebastian...and it's a cover of "Crash" by The Primitives. Late Night Tales is a series where a renowned musical group or musician compiles what they think would be the best "late night" selection. So while this isn't exactly a release of new songs, it is still jam packed with some killer tunes by the likes of Broadcast, Gold Panda, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and Toro y Moi. This 2 CD compilation will be out March 26. For more information and a track listing visit the Belle and Sebastians
website.
6. s / s / s: Beak & Claw
Comprised of indie-folker
Sufjan Stevens, rapper Serengeti, and electro-pop artist
Son Lux, it is not hard to figure out how s / s / s conjured up this clever name for their new collaborative project. While their new EP is only four songs, make no mistake, these three artists have shown their capabilities in compacting complex sounds and concepts in each of their own previous albums. While no tracks from the EP have been released yet, the short collection of songs is said to be jam packed with fuzzy bass, adventorous vocals, and Sufjan auto-tuned.
Beak & Claw comes out March 20, and can be preordered on Insound’s
website. Listen to the 2009 track "You Are The Blood" which Sufjan and Serengeti first joined forces on.
5. Andrew Bird: Break It Yourself
A new track from Andrew Bird’s newest album (since 2009’s Noble Beast) surfaced mid-February called “The Crown Salesman” and is available for a free download on Bird’s facebook page. The track really illustrates how Bird has evolved as a folk-rock artist. Bird’s claim to fame as the multi-instrumental, whistling songwriter might be in jeopardy as both this track and the first single “Eyeoneye” are wrought with rough guitar riffs and feedback. Bird’s voice takes control, and there is a fullness to these tracks that should really foreshadow what will likely be a strong album. Break It Yourself is out March 6.
4. Tanlines: Mixed Emotions
The Brooklyn electro-pop
duo are releasing their debut full-length,
Mixed Emotions, on March 20 after having previously released two acclaimed EPs in 2010. The first single off the album "Brothers" is catchy and danceable. This LP is sure to be a hit that will last throughout the summer months. You can pre-order it on vinyl or CD on Matador's
website.
3. Daniel Rossen: Silent Mile/Golden Hour
Known from his vocal and multi-instrumental work with Grizzly Bear, Daniel Rossen will be releasing his solo 4-track EP Silent Hour/Golden Mile on March 20 via Warp. In the past few years, it seems like every other band is taking time off so its members can pursue a solo project. Even Rossen’s bandmate Chris Taylor released his own solo album last year under the name CANT, not to mention, on his own record label. On “Silent Song” Rossen does little to deviate from the Grizzly Bear sound, which is essentially good news. Rossen really shows off his songwriting skills on the lonely piano track “Saint Nothing.” We can anticipate as much variety as any 4 song release will warrant on Rossen’s EP, but we also need to remember who we’re dealing with here.
2. The Shins: Port of Morrow
Yes. The Shins have finally come out of hiding and will be releasing their first record in 5 years on March 20. The first single off Port of Morrow, “Simple Song” is anything but with thick guitar riffs, jangly paino, and far-reaching, catchy vocals. While keeping their Garden State sound, there seems to be a more direct and more up-beat vibe going on, and it just really works sonically.
1. Poor Moon: Illusion
Sub Pop recently signed Poor Moon, which consists of Fleet Foxes’ members Christian Wargo and Casey Wescott, and Ian and Peter Murray from The Christmas Cards. The first track off the 5-song EP "People in Her Mind" is a poppy, guitar-bop tune with summery vocals that will really get you excited for this snow to melt. From all the success that Fleet Foxes have had, and with J. Tillman coming out with a solo release this May, there is a lot of talk as to whether these guys can go out and do it on their own. I'm betting Poor Moon will not disappoint when their album comes out March 27.
