by Bill Pearis

Peace

With their EP Delicious release of September 2012, Birmingham's Peace showcased four distinct sides to their musical personality. There was the twitchy Foals-like number; another harking back to the ragged blues-rock of The Doors. The EP was high in quality, but posed a question: just what do Peace really sound like?

2013 will provide the answer - although the shape this blossoming band settles on is likely to be left malleable. Comparisons to Vampire Weekend and Friendly Fires are impressive on-paper parallels. But Peace are hinting at something rather more singular, and they'll want to deliver music that connects with unique effect, rather than via echoes of recent past. - [BBC Sound of 2013]

UK group Peace (not to be confused with Vancouver punk band of the same name) are on the "longlist" for BBC's Sound of 2013 poll and their single "California Daze" came in at #13 on NME's Best Singles of 2012 list. As mentioned above, there's is a Foals-esque vibe to their music, but comparisons could be made to Mystery Jets as well. You can stream "California Daze" below and watch a few music videos as well, including one for their new single, "Wraith."

New Yorkers (or visitors to the area) who want to see what al the fuss is about in person will have that opportunity next week, as Peace are making a quick American visit to both coasts next week and will be in NYC on December 19 for two shows. They play a free early show (7PM) at Pianos, and will then head across the Williamsburg bridge to play Glasslands, opening for Touché, a show that also has Rarechild, and Night Shining on the bill. Tickets are still available. If you can't make it to those shows, Peace will be back in 2013 for SXSW which may include some non-Austin dates as well, we'll see.

San Fermin

If you're going to that Pianos show and want to stick around, the show immediately after (doors at 8PM, but not free) features a headlining set from Brooklyn's San Fermin a group that features Ellis Ludwig-Leone who has worked (as an assistant to Nico Muhly) on arrangements for The National, Passion Pit, Sufjan Stevens, and more. Sam Fermin (that also features Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe of Lucius) make music equally indebted to indie rock and theatre, and you can stream a track below which is from their self-titled debut, out in February 2013. The late show at Pianos also has Annie & the Beekeepers and Great Caesar on the bill and advance tickets ($8) are available.

Tour dates, videos are streams are below...

Continue reading "UK band Peace visiting U.S. next week for NYC & L.A. shows; San Fermin ready debut LP, playing shows (dates, streams)"

Merchandise at Mousetrap in Chicago, April 2012 (more by Jimmy Farabi)

You may have noticed the announcements of CMJ artists trickling out as of late (like Sub Pop's lineup), but now comes the official word from the fest on another batch of bands. Highilights include AraabMUZIK, UK acts Savages and Everything Eveything, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Cities Aviv, Ken Mode (playing with Pig Destroyer), Daughn Gibson (playing with Pissed Jeans), Local H, Slug Guts, Dune Rats, Royal Canoe, and Sleepies among many many others. A full listing of the second round of CMJ artists is below.

One of said surprises is Merchandise, who plays NYC tonight at WIERD (9/12). The show is first of THREE NYC dates for the band, who will also play 538 Johnson tomorrow (9/13) before hitting Saint Vitus on Friday (9/14, tickets).

A list of the second round of CMJ artists is below, along with updated Merchandise dates and a recent video.

Continue reading "CMJ announces second round of artists; Merchandise is here, catch them three times this week (tonight at WIERD)"