otem rellik, seen above with a suitcase of rewired and painted electronics for which he is responsible, has been called a hip-hop mastermind. Yes, he has put out many records over the past decade featuring heavy drum machines and quick flow verse, but there is something more than a rapper, and more like a Bob Dylan-esque monumental folk singer, with Toby Hendricks, the man behind otem rellik. If you don’t like the readability of that last sentence, dive into otem rellik’s newest album, Elephant Graveyard. Circle Into Square just released a colection of remixes by otem rellik titled Skelephant Remixtape, featuring remixes of Restiform Bodies, Sole and the Skyrider Band, Wu-Tang, Dr. Octagon, as well as some of his own tracks. The remix release is available for free through the label.

Empty Coffins from otem rellik on Vimeo.

“Splinter” from Elephant Graveyard

I first became wise to the Wise Blood two nights ago while I was trolling Myspace. The visuals on their page, paired with their grainy-soulful beats had my head bobbing the moment I pressed pay on ‘STRT SRNS’. As with most of the music I love, I was not able to find any history or background on Wise Blood through their site. To gather my intel I turned to the blogosphere. I found some great reviews and interviews (Bohemian Cuddle Box, I Guess I’m Floating, Delicious Scopitone, We All Want Someone To Shout For) on Christopher Laufman, who I came to discover is the creator behind Wise Blood.

Wise Blood’s EP is free to download. The music carries with it a powerful-tribal energy where the easiest way to describe it to someone is to press play.

‘B.I.G. E.G.O.’

‘STRT SRNS’

‘2 ALL THE GIRLS THAT HAVE TRUSTED ME’

Currently residing in Denver, Eric Peterson has made quite an impact on the mile high city. He contributes to the music community playing in Old Radio, Houses, and Hindershot, contributing and arranging music for Tangled We Weave (a split project between himself and film contributor Jennifer Brookes), organizing local music compilations, and playing a leading role in the Denver-based music collective Hot Congress. Somehow, in between all of this and being a full-time student, Peterson manages to make some of my favorite Colorado music, under the moniker Roger, Roll.

For his solo project, he writes, performs, and records everything that will be on record. He has recently compiled a group of friends for a live band, including members of Sun Red, Hello Kavita, Dream Wagon, Old Radio, among others projects. Since 2007, Peterson has crafted two releases for Roger, Roll, with the help of Old Radio and Hot Congress member, Patrick Kelly. These are “Dodging and Burning” and “The Blackwell Gate.”

Roger, Roll just released its new 7″, “Polaroid in Reverse” on July 16th through Hot Congress. “Polaroid in Reverse,” as well as previous R,R releases, is available through rogerroll.net. One may purchase the release under the name-your-own-price system that Radiohead pioneered (at least for “major albums”) for their “In Rainbows” release in 2007.

As a heads up, the new 7″ release is the first of several Roger, Roll 7″ releases, with similar themes. In essence, the collection will translate to one cohesive, full-length record spread across multiple 7″s. Although this rings a similar bell to the layout of the latest Broken Social Scene release, “Forgiveness Rock Record” – which was released as a multiple 10″ box set – I will certainly be laying down the skrilla for the whole Roger, Roll vinyl collection. It has shown to be a worthwhile project just from the two songs from “Polaroid in Reverse.”

“Foreword” from Polaroid in Reverse

“Picture Perfect” from Polaroid in Reverse

“Don’t Hesitate” from the Blackwell Gate

I recently discovered that it isn’t that hard to write a pop song. My cousin has a toy keyboard with all of these preset hooks and rhythms in it. I pushed buttons for a couple of minutes, got a beat going, some simple riffs, let my fingers dance back and forth over no more than three keys. Then I started to sing about the sea turtles that were swimming around on the television. I was rather proud of myself. I told myself that I could even consider myself an “artist” if I took the angle, “Yeah, I don’t have any talent and put very little effort into this song, but that makes me cool because I did it and just didn’t care. I’m awesome, follow me on Twitter.”

Nut Brown may have made their tunes the same way. They may have been watching the same turtles on television. But my composition doesn’t hold a candle to what Nut Brown has. Perhaps it is innate talent, experience as the front-man of Vancouver’s They Shoot Horses Don’t They, or superior equipment that gives Nut Brown the edge. I don’t know. But I do know one ingredient that goes into the Nut Brown hopper. He has gusto. He is all about what he is doing. The course is set, the fires stoked, and Nut Brown is at the helm. Full steam ahead.

Nut Brown – I Need A Love Like That

Nut Brown – Welcome Back

Nut Brown has made the album “I Really Do” available for free download at http://nutbrown.net/. Get after it.

I deserve a bone-breaking slap on the wrist. A band, that is less than 200 miles from my home, have been written up ad nauseam by my local alternative weekly and have created a sound so strong it could cause an earth quake have evaded me for three years. Despite all of my missed opportunities to discover Breakfast Mountain, I’m glad I finally stumbled across them sifting through the bowels of Myspace.

The aspect of Breakfast Mountain’s music that I most appreciate is their use of beats. They don’t over complicate them, and deliver their rhythm in a way that allows you to feel the song and soak in the heavy synth. They keep their songs fresh and allow all of their instruments room to air out. Breakfast Mountain has made their entire first LP “HOOOODED *PLUS” available to download for free; that was nice of them.

‘J Hollerday’

‘DUNN (NOT DONE)’

‘Log Jamm 2′

“suchbeats”

“Hot Heathrr”

Ambassador Engine is the works of Aaron Landgraf. He has been very very lax about his presence, however he already has four releases under his belt [and he offers them all for free download via his myspace page]. He recently released a track “Nowhere Near the Beach” through my favorite Colorado Label, Patient Sounds, for their first label compilation [also available for free download via their blog].

The latest Ambassador Engine release, Live Dismally EP, is a really great piece. Standing out from his previous works, the release doesn’t lack cohesiveness; in fact, the EP stands out the most to me. More dance, more gaze, more movement. Dig it. Also, Aaron sent me a new track “Destroy Everything” this morning. Wow.

“Nowhere Near the Beach” from Patient Sounds Sampler Vol. 1

“Niigata (July 16, 2007)” from Live Dismally EP

“Destroy Everything” (unreleased)

Everyone enjoys music differently whether it be in the car, stoned on the couch, at the gym, or in a cafe. In this process of experiencing someone’s creation, we are manifesting our own desires and fears as we listen. This is why music is so important. It is a cathartic process that everyone experiences and takes from whether they know it or not.

Thanks to Delicious Scopitone, I have found something that is going to define the next era of my life. How To Dress Well(HTDW) have been appearing all over the webdar. I realize bands come and go, but I really believe HTDW have something special to offer us. On the first listen I thought my speakers were blown, but I put headphones on and experienced bliss for the next few hours. They have released, for free, six EPs on their own blog and it doesn’t seem like they are slowing down. Keep them in your ears for the next few months and watch something beautiful happen.

‘Can’t See My Own Face’

how to dress well’s blog

Summer is upon us. It truly is. It might not feel like it, but we know great things are about to happen. Hollywood blockbusters, sweltering festivals, and cut off shorts. To be honest, I am most excited for cut offs and Larry Gus. Larry Gus is Panagiotis Melidis whose new album Stitches just came out on Cast-A-Blast Records. Panagiotis emailed us to say that he is “just a guy from Greece… living in Barcelona working on The Freesound Project.” I think Panagiotis is more than just a guy, he is the sound of summer. His audio snippets are going to be blaring from my battery operated boom box while I bike to the beach. Watch his videos, you’ll be doing the same thing.

‘Hearing The Words You Said’

‘Brass Park (Surround)’

‘The Sun Debates’

June is so close. As the rainy Seattle spring continues to flirt with summer I find myself drawn more and more toward bright, sun-washed music. It was the Summer Twins‘ video for their song ‘The Good Things’ that nailed that unobtainable summer feeling that I am seeking.

From what I have gleaned from their Myspace site, sorry if that sounds creepy, Summer Twins are Chelsea and Justine Brown. Live they are supported by Angelo Anderson and Marcio Rivera. What makes this band special to me is their combination of beautiful vocals and rough, yet incredibly tasteful, guitar melodies. It looks like they have a show Memorial Day weekend, so all of you Riverside, CA folks should get out and support them.