Haling from Echo park, jangly folk duo Count Fleet, are dropping their Stay Here / Favorite Fiction 7″ (Manzan Records) Tuesday August 2nd. Described as “earnest and winsome” by Buzzbands LA, title track “Stay Here” is an upbeat hearty folk offering, while “Favorite Fiction” is a blues flecked 70’s styled pop opus.

Led by video director Elliot Glass and Caitlin Dwyer, this twosome are joined by a rotating group of Los Angeles musicians and friends, Count Fleet’s brand of folk infused psychedelic rock, emerges with a modern indie pop aesthetic, marrying a wide range of influences from 60s and 70’s folk and Motown R&B.

Count Fleet released their Richard Raymond (Local Natives, Broken West) produced, debut EP in early 2011 to much local acclaim from Radio Free Silverlake, KCRW and LA Weekly who proclaimed, “Elliot Glass might be best known as a video director for the indierati … but he has teamed up with Caitlin Dwyer for a focused set of pop tunes that, dare we say it, manages to outdo his way buzzier clients.”

Count Fleet are set to embark on a mini West Coast jaunt in support of the 7″ this week, with stops in San Francisco, Portland and Seattle before they prep for their full-length record.

Download “Stay Here”

Stay Here- Count Fleet by INDIGENOUSPromotions

Upcoming Live Dates:

8/3 Los Angeles, CA at Origami Vinyl (in-store)

8/4 Los Angeles, CA at The Satellite (release show)

8/5 San Diego, CA at Soda Bar

8/6 San Francisco, CA at Hotel Utah

8/8 Portland, OR at Alberta Street Public House

8/9 Seattle, WA at The High-Dive

For live reviews, album requests, and other press inquiries, contact Veronica Pulcini: veronica@indigenouspromotions.com

The Rumble LA is hitting the Echoplex for an early all ages show this Thursday July 7th with NY troubadour, Luke Rathborne continuing his mini run of the West Coast on The Rumble Tour. KEXP endorsed, Luke Ratborne counts the folks at Paste and Interview as fans, as well as the The Strokes (who he opened for at SXSW this past year) and considering his backing band includes Tahrah Cohen and Julia Kent of Anthony And The Johnsons, it’s safe to say he’s in good company.  Listen to his I Can Be One/Dog Years Split EP (Dilettante Recordings) and you’ll be swooning over him too.

Dog Years E.P. – Luke Rathborne by Luke Rathborne

Taking their name from the seminal Woody Allen flick, Manhattan Murder Mystery are set to bring the dirty scuzzy rock for the PBR set. With an reputation for an intensive live set led by Matthew Teardrop’s vocal prowess, this local act has Radio Free Silverlake proclaiming, “every Manhattan Murder Mystery show is like a battle royal. A wonderful, scummy battle royal.” These dudes dropped their acclaimed self-titled debut earlier this year, with growling numbers like “I Always Think About Dyin’” and “Parking Lot.”

The Rumble LA is brought to you by our buds at Future Sounds, BMI, BuzzBands LA, Dirty Laundry TV, Origami Vinyl, Moheak Radio, Evenbrite, Veoba and PBR. Remember to RSVP here.

Our love for gloomy surf pop really knows no bounds, hence our adoration for Mrs. Magician. Think endearing seaside guitar pop met with a pitch-perfect dose of woozy 60’s doo-wop that will have you swaying this summer. This local four piece write classic tales of heartache and drench them in fuzzy reverb to craft modern AM ready indie goodness. Just listen to The Spells 7″ (Loud & Clear Records) for the hypnotic and enchanting,”Angel Baby.” for further reinforcement.

Mrs Magician – The Spells by mrs.magician

New York’s, Luke Rathborne is 2011’s answer to haunting and delicate dark pop that have NYLON and Paste singing his praises. At only 23, Rathborne dropped his I Can Be One/Dog Years Split EP (Dilettante Recordings) this past Spring, chock full of Leonard Cohen meets Jason Collett styled singing and songwriting, showcasing a breadth of talent far beyond his years.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Super sludgey shoegaze ala Sonic Youth met with 80s influenced synths reminiscent of Joy Division and The Cure, this four piece, led by Danny Brown, are fresh off their mini West Coast tour with Primitive Noyes. Formed in 2010, Colony take thrashing garage rock and inject it with enough psych pop flourishes to create their answer to art rock. Think Explosions in the Sky, but bigger and louder.

The Rumble San Diego wouldn’t happen without the help of our loves at Future Sounds, BMI, M Theory, Friends With Both Arms, SDDIALEDIN, Owl & Bear, Bedouin Vintage, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Veoba and more. RSVP at Eventbrite here.

Heavy Hawaii will bring their melanocholy laced surf pop to Bar Pink, when we head home for The Rumble San Diego. Art Fag put out their gorgeous HH 12″ last year, featuring the dreamy and aptly titled “Teen Angel.” Tender and sweet retro inspired garage rock that would make Phil Spector proud met with tinges of surf pop, Heavy Hawaii’s sound is the perfect anecdote to the June gloom

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ale Mania make Pitch perfect post-punk with a pounding bass line, a healthy dose of reverb ala Ariel Pink and The Pop Group, that has Vice taking notice. These guys are lovechild of our friends in Beaters (and Rumble alum) and Sess they dropped their addicting,  A, Who Sings That Beat? LP (Volar Records) last year.

ALE MANIA–Robust Universe by Volar Records

White Arrows are finishing their mini stint on the tour with their stop at Bar Pink tonight and are likely to bring their arsenal of unique covers with them, including Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Save Me A Place.” The Boss + a Tron-esque light.

DJ Stierburger will be spinning all night!

The Rumble San Diego wouldn’t happen without the help of our loves at Future Sounds, BMI, M Theory, Friends With Both Arms, SDDIALEDIN, Owl & Bear, Bedouin Vintage, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Veoba and more. RSVP at Eventbrite here.

White Arrows are coming home to LA to headline The Rumble LA, after their stint at Sasquatch and a mini West Coast run. We’ve been enamored with their 70’s Stooges inspired rock meets electro-psych pop since they released their self-titled EP last year. Numbers like “Coming or Going” and “The Vouyer” drip with synthy Strokes like melodies and beats we can’t deny. Also, who doesnt love a band with an affinity for vintage 80’s Hawaiian shirts and lite-brite styled visors.

Coming or Going (RAC Mix) by WHITEARROWS

Milo Greene are bracing to be 2011’s The Head and the Heart, with sun-drenched indie folk pop that’s drawing comparisons to Local Natives with soaring three and four part harmonies. This quintet are growing quite the local following, opening for the likes of Lord Huron and have already been tapped by our friends at BuzzbandsLA to play KCRW’s, Also I Like to Rock Series at the Hammer Museum next month.

Click here to view the embedded video.

My Goodness are joining us from Seattle, promoting the release of their recently released full-length on Sarathan Records. Think the bluesy greatness of the Black Keys meets the blue collar sincerity of The Hold Steady and you have the duo of Joel Schneider and Ethan Jacobsen.

Click here to view the embedded video.

DJ HOLLOW EYED will be spinning between sets and RSVP at Event Brite here.

The Rumble LA is brought to you by our fine friends at Future Sounds, BMI, BuzzBands LA, Dirty Laundry TV, The Planetary Group, Origami Vinyl, Moheak Radio, Evenbrite, Veoba and PBR.

The Rumble is heading to our home base on Saturday May 7th with The Fling culminating their stint on the tour at Bar Pink after a long week on the road promoting the release of When The Madhouse Appear (Dangerbird). Check their “road warrior” video for our favorite track, “Wanderingfoot.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sean Davenport’s smokey croon coupled with funk keyboards and psych flourishes give Gun Runner their signature sound; smokey and heavy on the hypnotic beats. We’re completely enamored with their Bad Neighbors EP with smooth sensual numbers like “The Fixing” and “Fiber Glass.”

Classic Americana combined with the alt country swagger of Dawes (our current in office favorites) and the lyrical depth of David Dondero, Longstay craft a layered and textured rock sound that is set to perfectly accompany the heartiness of The Fling on this bill.  Rolicking blues and classic rock, resulting in a layered and textured sound evident on their Homes & Houses EP that friend Sezio called “a rock-pop album that’s not afraid to show some soul, or a soul-pop album that’s not afraid to rock.”

**DJ SNAKEHIPS** Playing the jams all night long for your dancing pleasure.

The Rumble San Diego wouldnt happen without the help of our loves at Future Sounds, BMI, M Theory, Friends With Both Arms, SDDIALEDIN, Owl & Bear, Bedouin Vintage, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Veoba and more. RSVP at Eventbrite here.

We’re doing Cinco de Mayo at The Echo this year and replacing tequila with PBR and Mariachis with the sounds of Apex Manor, The Fling and The New Division.

Pasadena’s own, Apex Manor are set to headline the night, before they embark on a tour with Jonny next month and dropped their debut, The Year of Magical Drinking (Merge) earlier this year. Ross Flourney (The Broken West) newest project is sun-flecked power pop meets the familiarity of early era Wilco at it’s best. Take one listen to “Teenage Blood” and you’ll agree with us.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Long Beach’s, The Fling are bringing it home for the night after traveling the entire West Coast run of the the tour in support of the re-release of their perfectly crafted alt-folk psych album, When The Madhouse Appear (Dangerbird) this week. This quartet’s music remind us of the infamous Laurel Canyon jam sessions of the 70’s we wish we could’ve been apart of.

The New Division do 80’s influenced new wave ala New Order and Joy Division just like we prefer it; heavy on the chilly synths. They’ve already been forkcasted and NME calls our favorite track, “Starfied,” ” a symphonic swath of synths fit for a regal ceremony.”

The New Division – Starfield by The New Division

DJ HOLLOW EYED will be spinning between sets and RSVP at  Event Brite here.

The Rumble LA is brought to you by our fine friends at Future Sounds, BMI, BuzzBands LA, Dirty Laundry TV, The Planetary Group, Origami Vinyl, Moheak Radio, Evenbrite, Veoba and PBR.

The Devil Whale Hit The Road With Head And The Heart:

4/24 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
4/25 West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour
4/27 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
4/29 Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
5/01 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
5/02 Nampa, ID @ Flying M Coffee
5/03 Boise, ID @ Neurolux

Not on the West Coast? Check out more Devil Whale dates here:

3/24 Atlanta, GA at Wonderroot
3/25 Nashville, TN at 5 Spot
3/26 Knoxville, TN at Preservation Pub
3/27 Charlotte, NC at Snug Harbor
3/29 Greensboro, NC at Green Bean Cafe
3/30 Philadelphia, PA at Trocadero
3/31 Williamsport, PA at Bullfrog Brewery
4/1 Trenton, NJ at Mill Hill Basement
4/2 Montpelier, VT at Langdon St. Cafe
4/3 New York, NY at Living Room
4/4 Brooklyn, NY at Pete’s Candy Store
4/7 Toledo, OH at Ottawa Tavern
4/14 Milwaukee, WI at Bad Genie
4/15 Madison, WI at North Mendota Supper Club
4/19 Des Moines, IA at 504 Club
4/21 Denver, CO at Moe’s
4/23 Dolores, CO at Dolores River Brewery

Download Single “Barracudas”
TheDevilWhale_Barracudas by INDIGENOUSPromotions

“Lyrics and harmonies all come together with precision, and The Devil Whale wants to prove this to you.” – Oh So Fresh!

For live reviews, album requests, and other press inquiries, contact: Kelsea Olivia kelsea@indigenouspromotions.com

Often compared to Grizzly Bear, Dr. Dog, and Fleet Foxes, What Laura Says‘ layered song writing and instrumentation melds together the sounds of psychedelia, pop, blues, americana, and indie rock. They deliver a fresh experience both vintage and contemporary in tone.

What Laura Says live show is their strength. They bring a dynamic and engaging energy, which allows them to convert fresh ears to loyal fans (including Devendra Banharrt) one city at a time. As Banhart says, “What Laura Says are amazing musicians, have zero boundaries and their music is full of so many surprises, not just from song to song, but within a single song. I love this band”

September, 2010 Show Dates:
Friday, 9/10 @ Subterranean, Chicago
Saturday, 9/11 @ UW, Madison
Sunday, 9/12 @ Firebird, St Louis
Tuesday, 9/14@ Riot Room, Kansas City
Wednesday, 9/15 @ Larimer Lounge, Denver
Thursday, 9/16 @ Kilby, Salt Lake City
Saturday, 9/18 @ High Dive, Seattle
Sunday, 9/19  @ Mississippi Studios, Portland
Tuesday, 9/21 @ The Knockout, San Francisco (SMiLE)
Wednesday 09/22 @ The Echo, Los Angeles
Thursday 09/23 @ Soda Bar, San Diego
Saturday 09/25 @ Yucca, Tempe

DAY 3

DAY 4

Waking up in a town like Albuquerque at a total stranger’s house is something you get used to pretty quick. Turned out that Andy from Writer has a good friend who is a landlord in the area and owns a few houses. He called up one of his tenants and told them two bands were in town and needed a place to stay. The young couple provided us with beds, late night food, beer, the remaining tequila and a wine bottle full of homemade coconut rum (a milky, spiced drink reminding me of horchata) that Andy and Paul stayed up late to finish. In the morning, our host Brian leaving for work, told us to have “a great rest of the tour.” I replied with “have a good day at… work,” which felt oddly like I was his mother, but nothing else really could have been a solid response. This tour was our work, and the call center was Brian’s.

Del Taco was breakfast, a $2.97 decision that was far from ideal, as my stomach decided it would not agree with the rubbery egg and hash brown mix the rest of the day. Stopping for gas on our way out of the muted-grey city, Paul tried bargaining an off-highway Chevron’s attendant for a pair of yellow Hulk Hogan-looking sunglasses from $12.99 to “eight bucks, cold hard cash.” It proved unsuccessful and he later continued his shade-search at a Las Cruces Salvation Army. There, Jaime, whose sucured a few fitted flannels already from our handful of thrifting stops, attempted to buy The Who’s Qaudraphenia on vinyl, but it was missing a disc. Las Cruces, New Mexico is a place rich with cheap beer, Western, Billy-The-Kid-shootout lore and big pickup trucks. We drove by pawn shops, fast-food-filled strip malls and a place that advertised “Donuts and Burritos” on the way to the historic town center where the venue was.

After wandering into the Double Eagle for an awkward bar counter session of bloody marys sipped under chandeliers and an over-ornateness of Baroque paintings filling gold-adorned frames, the (near comical) juxtaposition of us weary, scruffy longhairs getting served by a vest-wearing bartender next to midday martini drinkers conversing in an outdoor foliage-filled outdoor courtyard proved enough to handle and we opted for a healthy dose of $1 drafts and pool at the venue. After (what I think was some) traditional Tex-Mex, (It was all cheese, beans and the color brown to me) we set up inside El Patio for a Tape Deck Mountain production in between a jukebox blaring with Jay Z, Lady Gaga and Billy Idol. Sharing the bill with three two other San Diego bands, Black Mamba and The Paddle Boat, who closed the night with the great “Tears in a Bucket, Mother Fuck It” and dedicated the night to “fun.”

After more drinks and rounds of pool, it was full speed to El Paso. Empty sky and highway eyes. The pungent scent of roadside manure filled our nostrils as our speed neared 75 mph and we raced though the night towards the city lights. The breakfast burritos were still making me feel sour but I guessed it was only fitting that a bloated pile of MSG-filled glop was slopping around in my stomach as we crossed into Texas. Viva America!

Remember to check HOLLOW EYED for all of tour’s photos as well as other coverage over at Future Sounds and Indigenous.

DAY 5

Waking up refreshed and full of an actually decent breakfast, our we lounged around our El Paso fortress (Jordan’s girlfriend’s parents house) until packing the van for the short trip down the road to Take Two. Upon arrival we discovered, due to a promoter/venue mix-up, the bartender wasn’t aware of any band coming that night and it the show was cancelled after some free drinks and gas money were handed out by the overly nice bartender. As we started down a 9 hour drive, this cancellation proved helpful in giving us a four hour head start to Austin, so with our hollow-eyed sights set on SXSW its impending week of free beer, corporate sponsored whatever and enough running around to sprain an ankle (I did), we packed up and headed east.

The only real town on this 560-plus drive is Fort Stockton smack dab in the middle, off the I-10, just south of Odessa. It was there we collectively rubbed our eyes, stretched our legs and stopped for gas around 4A.M. next to an SUV full of giggling girls. After I hopped over the cymbal stand, out of the van and onto the concrete, one of the girls, coated with makeup leaned out the van and asked, “Are you alls a band?”

“Something like that,” I replied.

I walked around to the trunk and while searching through my bag, she asked, “What’s ya alls band name?”

“The Beatles,” I told her, thinking to tell them the biggest band on the planet seeing how she took it.

“Really? That’s weird,” she said puzzled.

“Yes, I know,” I told her and walked inside.

Arriving Austin just past 9A.M. proved fruitful, as we were able to find a spot just outside of the beating heart of SXSW, the convention center, and head inside for our credentials. “All convention centers look the same,” Andy (who teaches architecture back in San Diego) said while we waited in line. The columns outside the huge building were haphazardly covered in posters and colorful flyers advertising bands, brands and showcases like puppies from a pet store window. “Pick me, pick me,” they begged, yipping and tripping over on another. This was SXSW, where 1800 bands come to make it or break it and hopefully (soon) go home with a shiny new collar around their neck. I was with two of these bands and (though I had no idea how each member felt) I knew the little pit in my stomach was growing for them.

Writer had been slated to have their video for “Four Letters” featured in a film screening alongside indie mainstays like Grizzly Bear and Passion Pit and had that event to attend while TDM and I drove over near Lustre Pearl, the trio’s first SXSW show, and try and sleep somewhere. Travis took his sleeping bag down the street to a park and tried to nap, while Paul and Jordan passed out in the back of the van. I forfeited sleep after a brief attempt at shotgun-seating snooze and instead talked to the sound guy, while behind me, cases, upon cases of Pearl and Tecate were unloaded and stacked under a tent. Afterwards I went for a walk. SXSW has begun I thought, and the only shoes I brought are these $12 plimsolls with holes in the bottom. Shit.

So you know at this point, the coverage with Tape Deck Mountain and Writer was about the road to SXSW. I attempted to attend all of their shows, but once in Austin, I had a wealth of things unrelated to that tour planned such as interviews, showcases and work-related parties to attend, so naturally, I missed a few. Below are photos from two of TDM’s SXSW shows, which both turned out great. The bulk of general SXSW coverage can be found (later) here on Slumberjack and all the photos are of course over at Hollow Eyed. Further content will be Fuel TV and Future Sounds post SXSW.

DAY 6 (post SXSW)

SXSW was exhausting fun (read in-depth coverage of it here and here). With Austin behind us, we packed up yet again (minus a drum throne) and made the long drive from Austin to El Paso. I drove half the way blasting a wealth of records including the likes of Piebald, The Mary Onettes and Oasis to keep my awake, while Travis took the reigns for the remaining hours. We arrived this time around 4A.M. and quickly passed out, the six of us, in one back bedroom.

Six or so hours later, after some quick laundry cycles, we were headed to Tucson, AZ to play day three of some local festival that was being held in a small airplane hanger. Fellow SD bands Black Mamba and Blessure Grave had played previous sets. While stopped in Lordsburg, NM for gas and food, Andy asked us all, “So what did everyone learn from SXSW?”

“I learned that everyone [that matters] in bands and involved with the industry are [act like they are] 20 years old,” he said, smoking a cigarette standing in a parking lot between an Econo Lodge and Taco Bell (Travis called it the “worst ever”). Paul has no doubt that the underage hype-band boat has docked.

While waiting to get gas, I went to get something to drink. I walked across the street next to Kranberry’s Family Restaurant, where a sign adorned with a portly prospector wielding a spatula, directed RV traffic one way. I thought about what the food was like in there. Settling on Tecate, the Texaco attendant attempted to put the beer can inside both a paper and plastic bag. Telling him I didn’t need a bag (as I would just as soon throw it away), he remarked that it was “for my safety” and that there are “cops all around.” It was broad daylight in this one-street town of a few gas stations, hotels, a Taco Bell/KFC combination and the aforementioned Kranberry’s and he was worried (for me I hope) of crawling cops. I thought about believing him, but then noticed his clip-on tie was affixed a near two inches from his top button/collar, and assured him that I would be fine.

Washed Out and Four Tet’s latest proved excellent driving music as we crossed the deserted New Mexico drab. After a stop for Indian ponchos and fireworks, excitement rose, but tackling SXSW-related work (for me) proved a hearty task at this hazy and fatigued point in the day and it was something I had no interest in jumping into. I opted instead to open the beer and settle on a movie.

Upon entering Tuscon and checking into the venue, looking for anything normal to eat in that part (looked industrial, but we were assured it was “the center of things”) proved difficult, even after our hand-drawn map that listed “food places.” For a few minutes it looked like our only option was gas station food (again) or Dairy Queen, to which Paul replied, “I’m not about to wait in that dirty line for my gross hamburger.” We finally found a Whataburger next to a Food Mart (what the Hispanic grocery store was called). I almost bought a can of tuna and some bread, but later decided I wasn’t hungry and instead had some Modelo Negra in the van while we drove to the venue. I later met up with an old friend and they took me to an all-night diner where I finally gorged myself on two eggs, potato pancakes and toast, and later a breakfast burrito.

The show went well for both Writer and Tape Deck, who both sold some records to kids from CA (that drove up just for this local festival). We loaded up the van and went to meet a friend of the promoter at a local burrito spot who said we could sleep on his floor after he had eaten. I passed out in the van en route to the house and woke up several hours later cramped in the backseat wondering where I was. In hindsight I learned the van was a better accommodation as the rest of the guys clambered out groggy at sunrise telling me of the house’s “disgusting” cluttered floor. Jordan and Paul were convinced there were roaches in the house.

DAY 7

After loitering over internet and coffee at a bagel place, plastered with posters of local swim, basketball and baseball teams of years past on the walls, we got in touch with a friend who had the night before invited us to their pool for a swim. The last day of tour and it was time for a pool party? You know we got margaritas and popsicles. Four or so hours later, sundazed and crispy, we showered up and headed for Tempe and the last show. I started to push the feelings of returning to normalcy out of head. Two weeks is a long time to do nothing but sit in a van, sleep, eat, drink and watch music (with the intermission of SXSW thrown in). Andy from Writer shared my thoughts.

“Think about it,” he said packing drums in the parking lot before the last show.

“Going back to work, doesn’t that suck?”

That night’s gig was at a place called the Sail Inn near the airport in Tempe. While the openers played, Travis and the Washington-state headliners (also on their way back from Austin) exchanged stories and CDs. I brushed my teeth in the parking lot and just after spitting the white froth on the ground Travis hustled over to the van and exclaimed “it’s time to rock!”

Token singer-in-a-band-statement yes, but with his nerdish, endearing demeanor, you can’t help but believe him. The Sail Inn was fairly dead that night and the guitar amp had been malfunctioning, but as I noted the first night on tour back in San Diego, seeing TDM play “Scantrons” every night, regardless of the vibe, was something I assumed I’d never get tired of. I was right. It sounded as alive, as slow-growing and perfect as it had the first time I played (TDM’s debut) Ghost. For the Tempe show, each band got just $8 as payment, some friends made it out to fill the seats and some didn’t. What mattered was not the pay or turnout, but overwhelmingly, the nicknames we came up for each other, the stories we shared, the maps we couldn’t read, and most importantly, the camaraderie of each other clapping and singing along each night. I spent the last two (mostly sleepless weeks) with a core group of five amazing people, each riding some ever-longing, tiresome quest for, as Travis put it, finding that perfect “time to rock” and the overall fact of the matter is how I could not feel in anyway different from them.

All the tour photos (including the handful of bands I saw at SXSW) can be found over at Hollow-Eyed. SXSW coverage will be up soon over at Slumberjack. Thanks to everyone who came out to shows, to Future Sounds, Indigenous and of course to all the dudes in Tape Deck Mountain and Writer for this experience.

–Matt Draper