Another V42 Day

SARALEE ep cover

After a South Beach breakfast and a few episodes of "HIMYM" and one of "Mad Men", I spent the day trying to get my car fixed (Wednesday for alternator fix attempt #3); writing a couple of blogs (follow links for music!) after discovering a few new bands; working out from 2 - 4 pm; and drawing. Plus I ate smart all day, and did a load of laundry. A V42 day is always a good thing to live through...

Hercules

It's been a good week or so exercise-wise. I worked out 4 times, and I feel great. Plus, I've eaten pretty responsibly for the most part too (except for that bag of M&M's and the 16-pack of Slim Jims). A few more weeks of this (helped by the fresh spring air that was nice for a day today), and I'll be a fine match for women of Ms. Fox's caliber. Heh.

I also found some cool free music to spice up my iPod, a good mix of mellow and energetic. And of course I shared it with the world. I enjoy that blog, performing what small service I can for my musician friends, concert-going chums and random people who pass through.

Eardrums Pop

I got an e-mail from Insect Guide letting me know about their new free music release coming up on 12/20. When I went to the Eardrums Pop website to look around, I found a few other cool freebies, and immediately snagged them for my iPod.

First I came across Baffin Island, a band led by Melanie Whittle of The Hermit Crabs, and including members of The Very Most. Their sound reminds me of the music I listened to a lot back in the mid-90's when I lived in Boston (Roslindale), bands like Velocity Girl and Jale. Their 3-song offering is cute and upbeat, and will be perfect for upcoming dreary winter days.

Then I opted for the 4-song EP by Sometimes Always. The music reminds me of My Bloody Valentine mixed with R.E.M., when both bands were first starting to form their signature sounds. It's a cool blend, and rather surprising that the band is just one dude from Indonesia. And since my iPod is generally dominated by female singers, it's always cool to find music with a decent male voice.

Next up was Tiny Fireflies. It was the first music that caught my eye (and ear) on the site, but I tried to download it twice to no avail. Luckily there was another download option, and it finally worked out fine. Kristine's ethereal voice is right in the bulls eye of my personal taste. These songs will fit seamlessly into a mix of Ivy, Olive, Mazzy Star, and An April March.

And last but not least, three songs by the aforementioned Insect Guide. And amazingly, track 2 features Graeme Naysmith of one of my all-time favorite bands, Pale Saints, on guitar! They do a great job with their e-mails of keeping me up to date on great new music in the genres I am partial to, as well as giving me "blog fuel" for my music journal, Not Lame Minus.

So if you happen to be reading this, and want some cool music, click the link of each band above, and be swept away to each artist's page for some free audio magic...