Future Perfect Radio Blog

Positive 'Tones -- Parlotones live in Chicago

2010-10-06T13:45:00.000-07:00

Future Perfect Radio correspondent Patrick Fitzell brings us a review of The Parlotones live in Chicago. Enjoy!

Chicago, IL - Breaking into a new market can be difficult in any industry. It takes a committed, positive-thinking, motivated individual or group to gain even the slightest amount of recognition for their artistic abilities. When the Parlotones outgrew their South African musical habitat, they began a worldwide tour that has now brought them to the land of opportunity, the final test to attain rock stardom. Last night at the Bottom Lounge, the Parlotones explained backstage why they are prepared for the challenge, then proceeded to shake the high warehouse brick walls with their unique brand of intellectual dance music.

Kahn Morbee, the statesman and lead singer of the group joined drummer Neil Pauw and guitarist Paul Hodgson over 12 years ago in Johannesburg, ZA. Soon after they began jamming, Paul's brother Glenn added his ivory tickling and bass slapping skills to round out the band's sound. Through many late nights and long journeys sometimes totaling 8 hours to play one show, the Parlotones persevered and became national phenoms.

South Africa is a culturally diverse country still figuring out a way to organize and present the multitude of artistic styles based there to the population. The lack of quality mid-level venues in the country does not make it easy to cultivate musical talent such as the Parlotones. "There isn't enough infrastructure to actually provide for [local rock bands]," Morbee said with slight disappointment in his voice. Also, for better or worse, "there's not a big enough audience for one style of music to feed it, to sustain it." That reality, however, presented the band with an ultimatum: stay in South Africa or take a leap of faith and bring the stories and hopeful messages of South Africans to the world.

Dressed in black from head to toe, save for scarlet neck ties, the Parlotones opened the set with the single "Life Design." The recently released album Stardust Galaxies has already reached Platinum status back home. Much is due to the aforementioned lead single that pays homage to dedicated people who have overcome obstacles and adversity to attain their goals. It may serve as the band's mantra as they continue to be well-received at each stop across North America, Chicago included.

With South African flags waving and vuvuzelas trumpeting (thought you'd never hear that hum ever again, eh?) the Parlotones felt right at home on the Near West Side. Morbee's sweeping vocals on "Giant Mistake" sent the crowd into an uproar. Then Glenn grabbed the spotlight for a delicate piano solo to begin the romantically tragic "I'll Be There." Female audience members could not contain glass-shattering screams of enjoyment.

Don't assume the adoration causes amnesia among the band members. "It wasn't a quick or easy path to success," Morbee explained. "There were a lot of obstacles in the early days. You start to cherish the good moments...and not take them for granted." Their humility shines through in the countless ways the Parlotones give back their time and social status to champion worthy causes in Africa such as United Against Malaria and POSI+IVE Rocks.

From carting around a P.A. system in their van to playing at the 2009 South Africa Presidential Inauguration, the Parlotones' journey to stardom at home has not been the most direct. Though their tour across America winds along from the West Coast to the Northeast, the Parlotones are on a direct path to achieving great success.

Band of the Day: The Tillers

2010-09-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

Today's band of the day hails from Cincinnati: The Tillers. Self-dubbed as "Cincinnati’s traveling minstrels," the folk group should be ear candy for fans of Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver or The Builders & the Butchers.

Watch their video for "Lantern Lullabye" below or browse their MySpace page. Big thanks to Each Note Secure for the tip!

For tons more awesome indie folk, check out the Au Naturale or Indie Roots radio streams!

The Tillers - Lantern Lullaby from Pete Ohs on Vimeo.

Band of the Day: Westkust

2010-09-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, yes, today is the first day you're probably back at work or school (or both) after a nice relaxing long weekend. Or, for folks outside the U.S., it's just a Tuesday -- but, hey, that's pretty rough too. The cure is brilliantly fuzzy shoegaze from Sweden.

Westkust fits the bill nicely. I stumbled upon them via the exceptional Swedesplease blog. Check out Westkust's song "Queen" there, or at the group's MySpace page.

They're headed in a direction much more along the lines of My Bloody Valentine's vintage buzz, rather than the pseudo-80s, synth-infused vibe of groups like The Depreciation Guild. Both post-rock routes are awesome, but it's great to hear this sort of DIY raw fuzz again.

For much more shoegaze and post-rock, check out our Post-Rock channel. Happy Tuesday!

New Channel: Femme Fatales

2010-08-26T13:18:00.000-07:00

We've got a brand new channel here at Future Perfect Radio: FEMME FATALES, celebrating today's best indie female vocalists.

This channel is basically nothing but women vocalists: Neko Case, Ladyhawke, Bat for Lashes, Rilo Kiley, Cat Power, Florence + the Machine, Mirah, Lykke Li, Tegan & Sara, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Anni Rossi, Alela Diane, Camera Obscura and a ton more!

Get listening here or by clicking the image at right. And you can check out a sample hour's playlist from the new Femme Fatales channel below. Happy listening!

FEMME FATALES SAMPLE PLAYLIST:

1. The Submarines -- "You Me and the Bourgeoisie" (from Honeysuckle Weeks)

You'll probably recognize this tune from the 7 billion Apple commercials you've seen in the last few years, but Blake Hazard (and hubby John Dragonetti) are not to be missed. (Anyone else get an anti-consumerism vibe from this track? Odd that it would be used to sell a device that probably no one actually needs).

2. Samantha Crain -- "Lions" (from You (Understood))

Hey, just added this earlier this week! Samantha Crain has a real captivating voice. She hails from Shawnee, OK and You (Understood) is her second LP. Check her out if you're a fan of Jonna Newsom.

3. Bat for Lashes -- "What's a Girl to Do?" (from Fur & Gold)

Oh Bat for Lashes. My soft spot for Natasha Khan and Co is a mile wide. The video for "What's a Girl to Do?" was my intro to Khan and hooked me instantly. Since then, Bat for Lashes has become one of my most-listened-to artists on Last.fm. Enough said.

4. Sleigh Bells -- "Rill Rill" (from Treats)

This may be my favorite track from Sleigh Bells' new album. It's got a great hooky beat and isn't as in-your-face as other tracks. Alexis Krauss' voice is mezmerizing. "Wonder what your boyfriend thinks about your braces..."

5. Tegan & Sara -- "Call It Off" (from The Con)

Here's another sweet track from a group usually a bit more in-your-face. "Call It Off" (featuring the Quin sisters) is quietly somber but still liable to get stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

Here's another quick 10:

6. Tilly and the Wall -- "Pot Kettle Black" (from O)

7. The Bird and the Bee -- "Meteor" (from Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future)

8. Neko Case -- "People Got a Lotta Nerve" (from Middle Cyclone)

9. Sia -- "Day Too Soon" (from Some People Have Real Problems)

10. Au Revoir Simone -- "Another Likely Story" (from Still Night, Still Light)

11. The Like -- "Walk of Shame" (from Release me)

12. Morcheeba -- "Blood like Lemonade" (from Blood like Lemonade)

13. Joanna Newsom -- "Emily" (from Ys)

14. Sarah Jaffe -- "Vulnerable" (from Suburban Nature)

15. Mirah -- "The Garden" (from Advisory Committee)

New Music Adds, 8/24

2010-08-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

Time for another longer-than-your-arm (and more fun, too) list of new music just added to our channels at Future Perfect Radio. Notable entries include !!!, Sufjan Stevens, Ra Ra Riot and Ami Saraiya. Get listening here, and check out the list below.

!!! -- Strange Weather, Isn't It?
Best Coast -- Crazy for You
The Bodies Obtained -- I Cry When You Cry
Candy Claws -- Hidden Lands
Sean Carey -- All We Grow
Chief -- Modern Rituals
Coil Sea -- Coil Sea
Common Grackle -- The Great Depression
Samantha Crain -- You (Understood)
Brent Deboer -- The Farmer
Delorean -- Real Love
Frontier Ruckus -- Deadmalls & Nightfalls
Imbogodom -- The Metallic Year
Brad Laner -- Natural Selections
Dylan LeBlanc -- Pauper's Field
The Like -- Release Me
New Idea Society -- Somehow Dissapearing
Sam Prekop -- Old Punch Card
Pretty Lights -- Spilling over Every Side
Ra Ra Riot -- The Orchard
Ami Saraiya -- Archaeologist
School of Seven Bells -- Disconnect from Desire
Sonen -- Devious Device
Stars -- The Five Ghosts
Sufjan Stevens -- All Delighted People EP
Still Flyin' -- A Party in Motion
Venice Is Sinking -- Sand & Lines
Women -- Public Strain
Young Man -- Boy

New Music Adds, 8/2

2010-08-02T14:32:00.000-07:00

Happy August, dear listeners. Here's an extremely, horribly, incredibly delayed update on the new music now playing on Future Perfect Radio. You can hear all this music, and tons more, on the New Music channel.

Plus, don't forget you can mix and match your own stations now! Give it a whirl.

Adult Themes -- Young Bodies
The Black Angels -- Phosphene Dream
Black Mountain -- Wilderness Heart
Blitzen Trapper -- Destroyer of the Void
Blonde Redead -- Penny Sparkle
Bombay Bicycle Club -- I Had the Blues but I Shook Them Loose
Bon Iver and Peter Gabriel -- Flume / Come Talk to Me
The Budos Band -- The Budos Band III
Fennesz Daniell Buck -- Knoxville
ceo -- White Magic
Jeffrey Clark -- If Is
Colour Revolt -- The Cradle
Cotton Jones -- Tall Hours in the Glowstream
Samantha Crain -- You (Understood)
Crocodiles -- Sleep Forever
Dead Confederate -- Sugar
Deastro -- Mind Altar EP
Elisnore -- Yes Yes Yes
Film School -- Fission
Flying Lotus -- Cosmogramma
The Foxymorons -- Bible Stories
Geronimo -- Fuzzy Dreams
Grasscut -- 1 Inch / 1/2 Mile
Hey Champ -- Star
Jessca Hoop -- Hunting My Dress
Hot Hot Heat -- Future Breeds
The Innocence Mission -- My Room in the Trees
JBM -- Not Even in July
Kacey Johansing -- Many Seasons
Pat Jordache -- Future Songs
Lights On -- Here Comes the Ocean
The Love Language -- Libraries
M.I.A. -- MAYA
Magic Kids -- Memphis
Mahjongg -- The Long Shadow of the Paper
Marah -- Life Is a Problem
Maximum Balloon -- Tiger
Mazes -- Mazzzes
Mean Creak -- Comedian 7"
Menomena -- Mines
Mountain Man -- Made the Harbor
Morcheeba -- Blood Like Lemonade
Mt St Helens Vietnam Band -- Where the Messengers Meet
Mystery Jets -- Serotonin
NewIslands -- NewIslands
Oberhofer -- O0O0o0O0o 7"
PS I Love You -- Starfield
Pallers -- The Kiss
Panda Bear -- Tomboy
The Poison Aroows -- Newfound Resolutions
Paul A Rosales -- Wonder Wheel I
Ra Ra Riot -- The Orchard
Kelli Scarr -- Piece
Secret Cities -- Pink Graffiti
Shapes and Sizes -- Candle to Your Eye
Sleigh Bells -- Treats
Snake! Snake! Snake! -- EP
Suuns -- Zeroes EP
Sofia Talvik -- Florida
Shannon Stephens -- Shannon Stephens
Tape Deck Mountain - Aquarium Drunkard Session
Tears Run Rings -- Distance
Tender Forever -- No Snare
Tennis -- Tennis
Thieving Irons -- This Midnight Hum
Tokyo Police Club -- Champ
Upstairs Downstairs -- Inland and Out
Various -- New Weird Autralia, Vol. 6
various -- PDX Pop Now! 2010
Versus -- On the Ones and Threes
Wavves -- King of the Beach
Wild Beasts -- We still Got the Taste Dancin' on Our Tongues
Wolf Parade -- Expo 86
Woven Bones -- I've Gotta Get / Hey Kid 7"
Young Galaxy -- No Art
!!! -- Strange Weather, Isn't It?

Sneak Peek: Build Your Own

2010-06-27T12:37:00.000-07:00

Coming (hopefully) Tuesday on Future Perfect Radio: the ability to build your own indie radio station! It's a pretty easy-to-use feature. You just select which of the 35+ channels on Future Perfect Radio you want, press "launch channel" and we mix those channels into your own personal station!

Look cool?

Music for Your Eyes: Black Mountain's "Old Fangs"

2010-06-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

New Music, 4/16

2010-06-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

Soo we've been a little busy at FPR lately, what with the new site and all. Plus there's some new features we're STILL working on (*cough* building your own channel *cough cough*). As this is sort of a one-man operation, that meant we were slacking when it came to adding new music. NO LONGER!

Here's a healthy helping of new tunes, all carefully added into the channels you love (and even the ones you just sort of like). Enough banter!

Wakey!Wakey! -- Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last Time
Now Playing On: New Music, Singer/Songwriter, The Big Apple, Indie 101

Here We Go Magic -- Pigeons
Now Playing On: New Musicc, The Big Apple

Ratatat -- LP4
Now Playing On: New Music, A Chance to Cure, Dance Rock, The Big Apple

Health -- ::Disco2
Now Playing On: New Music, A Chance to Cure, Dance Rock, Los Angeles

Holy Fuck -- Latin
Now Playing On: New Music, A Chance to Cure, Dance Rock, Maple Leaf Citizens

Sleepy Sun -- Fever
Now Playing On: New Music, San Francisco

Hot Hot Heat -- Future Breeds
Now Playing On: New Music, Dance Rock, Indie 101, Maple Leaf Citizens

Fol Chen -- Part II: The New December
Now Playing On: New Music, A Chance to Cure, Dance Rock, Los Angeles

Foals -- Total Life Forever
Now Playing On: New Music, Across the Pond, Indie 101

The Dead Weather -- Sea of Cowards
Now Playing On: New Music, Indie 101

Faded Paper Figures -- New Medium
Now Playing On: New Music, A Chance to Cure, Dance Rock, Los Angeles

Delphic -- Acolyte
Now Playing On: New Music, Dance Rock, Across the Pond

Hooray for Earth -- Momo
Now Playing On: New Music

Jamie Lidell -- Compass
Now Playing On: New Music, Singer/Songwriter, Across the Pond

Jews and Catholics -- Who Are? We Think We Are!
Now Playing On: New Music, Noise Rock

Javelin -- No Mas
Now Playing On: New Music, A Chance to Cure, Dance Rock, The Big Apple

Dr. Dog -- Shame, Shame
Now Playing On: New Music, Twee-Pop

Peter Wolf Crier -- Inter-Be
Now Playing On: New Music, Au Naturale

The National -- High Violet
Now Playing On: New Music, Indie 101, The Big Apple, Austin City Limits

LCD Soundsystem -- This Is Happening
Now Playing On: New Music, Dance Rock, Indie 101, The Big Apple, Pitchfork Fest, Austin City Limits

Broken Social Scene -- Forgiveness Rock Record
Now Playing On: New Music, Indie 101, Maple Leaf Citizens, Pitchfork Fest

Chief -- Night & Day
Now Playing On: New Music, The Big Apple, Los Angeles

Caw! Caw! -- Bummer Palace
Now Playing On: New Music, Chicago

Yo La Tengo -- Here to Fall Remixes
Now Playing: New Music, Dance Rock

Wintersleep -- New Inheritors
Now Playing On: New Music

The Wailing Wall -- The Low Hanging Fruit
Now Playing On: New Music, Au Naturale, The Big Apple

The Ponys -- Deathbed plus 4
Now Playing On: New Music, Noise Rock, Chicago

Karen Elson -- The Ghost Who Walks
Now Playing On: New Music, Singer/Songwriter, Across the Pond

Villagers -- Becoming a Jackal
Now Playing On: New Music, Across the Pond

Born Ruffians -- Say It
Now Playing On: New Music, Maple Leaf Citizens

Pearly Gate Music -- Pearly Gate Music
Now Playing On: New Music, Au Naturale, Seattle

Kurt Vile -- Square Shells EP
Now Playing On: New Music, Au Naturale, Singer/Songwriter, Lo-Fi

Spouse -- Confidence
Now Playing On: New Music, Portland

Solex vs Cristina Martinez + Jon Spencer -- Amsterdam Throwdown King Street Showdown!
Now Playing On: New Music, A Chance to Cure, Dance Rock, Nordic

Ty Segall -- Melted
Now Playing On: New Music, Singer/Songwriter, Noise Rock, Lo-Fi, San Francisco

Rafter -- Animal Feelings
Now Playing On: New Music, Dance Rock

Jack Rose with D. Charles Speer & the Helix -- Ragged and Right
Now Playing On: New Music, Singer/Songwriter, The Big Apple

Parlovr -- Parlovr
Now Playing On: New Music, Noise Rock, Maple Leaf Citizens

Oval -- Oh
Now Playing On: Flux

The Moondoggies -- You'll Find No Answers Here
Now Playing On: New Music, Au Naturale, Seattle

Manatee -- Indecision
Now Playing On: New Music

JDSY -- Blue Newspaper
Now Playing On: New Music, A Chance to Cure, Michigan

Pete Francis -- The Movie We Are In
Now Playing On: New Music, Singer/Songwriter, The Big Apple

Boxharp -- The Green
Now Playing On: New Music

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti -- Before Today
Now Playing On: New Music, Twee-Pop, Los Angeles

Walking Sleep -- Measures
Now Playing On: New Music, Los Angeles

Male Bonding -- Nothing Hurts
Now Playing On: New Music, Noise Rock, Lo-Fi, Across the Ponds

Frog Eyes -- Paul's Tomb: A Triumph
Now Playing On: New Music, Maple Leaf Citizens

Free Electric State -- Caress
Now Playing On: New Music, Post-Rock, Noise Rock

Neverever -- Angelic Swells
Now Playing On: New Music, Twee-Pop, Los Angeles

And later this week I'll be adding new stuff from Sparklehorse & Danger Mouse, Teenage Fanclub, Film Club, Tame Impala and more. But I'll have all the details about that when we come to it. Happy Wednesday!

Future Perfect Radio has some big changes in store!

2010-06-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

We're thrilled to announce that on June 14, Future Perfect Radio will get a major facelift with plenty of new features in tow! What you see above is a sneak peek of the new homepage, which offers a smaller footprint and should load tons faster than the current FPR site.

In addition to the cosmetic changes, you'll be able to find new channels by searching for artists and keywords! That means, for example, you'll easily be able to find all the Future Perfect Radio channels playing The Decemberists! We've also added lots of ways to interact with social networks like Facebook through FPR and you'll be able to build your own channels!

All these changes are set to take place on Monday, June 14, so be sure to stop by!

(Also, if you use an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, you can listen to Future Perfect Radio on the go with the free AccuRadio app, which will receive a MAJOR update later this week with cover flow, search and lots of other great features!)

Pitchfork & Austin City Limits on FPR

2010-05-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

It's (almost) summer and that means it's time to break out sunblock for another line-up of great multi-day festivals! There's Austin City Limits, Pitchfork Music Fest, Lollapalooza, Sasquatch and so many more.

You can preview this summer's selection of music fests with Future Perfect Radio. First up are our updated channels for Austin City Limits and Pitchfork. Each channel features music from the awesome bands playing at the festivals. They're a great way to get pumped for the events or decide which bands to see! Tune in by clicking on of the images below!

ACL runs from October 8-10, 2010 in Austin, TX and will feature groups like Vampire Weekend, LCD Soundsystem, Beach House, Muse, The Flaming Lips, The Mountain Goats, Bear in Heaven, The xx and tons more! Chicago's Pitchfork Music Fest is sooner -- July 16-18 -- and will feature Modest Mouse, Broken Social Scene, Wolf Parade, Surfer Blood, Liars, jj and more.

Stay tuned for Lollapalooza and Sasquatch channels too!

New Music Adds, 5/7

2010-05-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday dear listeners! FPR music director Michael here to fill you in on all the new music you can hear, right now. Just click the channel links assigned to each album to automatically launch the FPR player! Happy listening!

Annuals -- Sweet Sister EP
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music

The Apples in Stereo -- Travellers in Space and Time
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music

Band of Horses -- Infinite Arms
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Au Naturale, Seattle

Broken Social Scene -- Forgiveness Rock Record
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Maple Leaf Citizens

Cate Le Bon -- Me Oh My
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Singer/Songwriter, Across the Pond

Dum Dum Girls -- I Will Be
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Noise Rock, Lo/Fi, Los Angeles

The Fall -- Your Future Our Clutter
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Across the Pond

Fang Island -- Fang Island
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Au Naturale, The Big Apple

Sarah Jaffe -- Suburban Nature
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Au Naturale, Singer/Songwriter

Lali Puna -- Our Inventions
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, A Chance to Cure

The Living Sisters -- Love to Live
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Singer/Songwriter, Los Angeles

Minus the Bear -- OMNI
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Seattle

The New Pornographers -- Together
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Maple Leaf Citizens

The Radio Dept. -- Clinging to a Scheme
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Post-Rock, Nordic

She & Him -- Vol. 2
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Au Naturale, Singer/Songwriter

Snowglobe -- Little More Lived In
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music

Sugar & Gold -- Get Wet!
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Dance Rock, San Francisco

The Tallest Man on Earth -- The Wild Hunt
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Au Naturale, Singer/Songwriter, Nordic

Wesley Wolfe -- Storage
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Au Naturale, Singer/Songwriter

The Whitsundays -- Saul
Now Playing on: FPR, New Music, Maple Leaf Citizens

The Nightwatchmen in Chicago, 4/30

2010-05-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

FPR correspondent Patrick Fitzell was at the April 30 performance of Tom Morello's "alter ego" The Nightwatchmen in Chicago. He reviews the concert below!

Music has a long history with politics. From appearances at national conventions to campaign rallies and protest marches, musicians showcase their talents to draw more attention to worthy causes. Such is the nature of the Nightwatchman, Tom Morello’s alter ego. He appeared at the Bottom Lounge on Friday in support of the Industrial Workers of the World, the international workers union that vehemently fights to empower employees.

Morello, a card-carrying member of the IWW summoned the ghosts of past musical activists to provide the generally pro-union crowd with a great night of raucous rebel music. Joining him on the bill were folk singer Bucky Halker and self-labeled Americana group the Rust Belt Ramblers.

Solo performances by Halker and Morello book-ended the night but that was as far as the similarities went. Halker’s sweet sounding twang delivered somber songs of hard living, social injustices, and picket lines. Holding a Ph.D in American history, Halker recited lyrical stories of such notable figures as union scab Casey Jones and anarchist Emma Goldman. He invited the Ramblers on stage to conclude the set with the little diddy “Don’t Let the Bastards.”

Having already warmed up, the Ramblers had an easy time of maintaining the concertgoers’ high energy level. Lead singer “Lucky” also known as Miss Bailey Dee and her leather-clad band mates cruised through their swinging set. Playing tunes off their upcoming EP “…And Dreamers We Were,” the Ramblers displayed great showmanship for such young musicians. At one time, guitarist Johnny Chastain perched himself atop the stand-up bass of Mickey T. Craft during a solo.

Thanks to Halker and the Ramblers, audience members were eagerly anticipating Morello’s entrance. Donning his signature cap and dark aviator sunglasses, the Nightwatchman confidently strolled on stage. From that moment, Morello proved his one-man show can rock as hard as the other super groups on his résumé.

Morello began with the rebellious “Flesh Shapes the Day” and got a huge reaction from an acoustic rendering of “Guerilla Radio.” The highlight of the night had to be the final song Morello would play, but he didn’t want to do it alone. To the surprise of on-lookers, Morello invited all who could fit to jump on stage and sing the timeless “This Land Is Your Land.” Staying on topic with the closing song, Morello’s parting message was, “Take it easy, but take it.” Despite having a strong political undertone, this night was all about the power of music. No one knows that better than Morello who will continue to set the bar for supporting causes that promote dignity and respect of all people.

New Music Adds, 4/16

2010-04-16T11:36:00.000-07:00

Future Perfect Radio on the iPad

2010-04-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

The iPad has arrived!. And the first app you should download is AccuRadio, which includes over 500 different radio channels -- not to mention the 35+ from Future Perfect Radio!

All the web features of Future Perfect Radio (artist bans, song skips, etc.) are included in the app along with beautiful 3D cover flows that let you browse through your entire recently played song history! It's a gorgeous app.

We hope you'll try out the free AccuRadio app on your brand new iPad! Just click here to launch iTunes' App Store and download AccuRadio for your iPad (or iPhone, or iPod Touch!)

Streets on Fire, The Kickback, The Ivorys and Glasko at The Metro (3/26)

2010-03-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

Streets on Fire, The Kickback, The Ivorys and Glasko played the Metro in Chicago on Friday, March 26. Future Perfect Radio correspondent Patrick Fitzell was there and reports back with his reactions and plenty of photos!

There is no better deal for a night out than free live music. Chicago has few bars and clubs willing to host talented artists at no charge to the public (except maybe the cost of printing out a flyer and arriving by 9pm). The Metro provided just that kind of opportunity on Friday night. Four bands with Windy City connections rocked the walls of the moderate ballroom. Energy abounded from Streets on Fire frontman Chadwick who began the night at a feverish pace. South Dakota natives The Kickback (pictured above) were up to the task of maintaining the energy level raised by the "Streets" with a less frenetic but equally feisty set. It made for a smooth transition to the full and refined sound of Glasko (pictured below).

With family and friends watching from the balcony, Glasko was poised on stage but still managed to display some rowdy behavior. Bassist Nick Alvarado expressed sincere gratitude for the support Glasko receives wherever the group plays in the city. When their set concluded, the crowd reacted the loudest it had all night, in part, because the headliners were preparing to take the stage. After a somber tribute was read in memory of a fallen friend, The Ivorys' dedicated performance concluded a quality night of music. If any of these bands decide to be this generous again, I recommend taking full advantage. Whatever the price of admission, listeners will get more than expected.

(The Ivorys)

(The Kickback)

New Music Adds, 3/26

2010-03-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday dear listeners! FPR music director Michael here to fill you in on all the new music you can hear, right now. Just click the channel links assigned to each album to automatically launch the FPR player! Happy listening!

Broken Bells -- Broken Bells
Now playing on: New Music, New York

Butterfly Explosion -- Lost Trails
Now playing on: New Music, Post-Rock, Chamber Pop, Across the Pond, SXSW 2010

The Depreciation Guild -- Spirit Youth
Now playing on: New Music, Post-Rock, New York

Epstein -- When Man Is Full He Falls Asleep
Now playing on: New Music, Flux

Galactic -- Ya-Ka-May
Now playing on: New Music

The Go Find -- Everybody Knows It's Gonna Happen Only Not Tonight
Now playing on: New Music, Twee Pop,

Japandroids -- Art Czars
Now playing on: New Music, Noise Rock

Kate Miller-Heidke -- Curiouser
Now playing on: New Music, Oceania

Los Campesinos! -- Romance Is Boring
Now playing on: New Music, Twee Pop, Across the Pond

The Magnetic Fields -- Realism
Now playing on: New Music

Massive Attack -- Heligoland
Now playing on: New Music

Mumford and Sons -- Sigh No More
Now playing on: New Music

OK Go -- Of the Blue Colour of the Sky
Now playing on: New Music

Ortolan -- Time on a String
Now playing on: New Music

Phantogram -- Eyelid Movies
Now playing on: New Music

Seabear -- We Built a Fire
Now playing on: New Music, Twee Pop, Nordic

Serena-Maneesh -- Time on a String
Now playing on: New Music, Nordic

Shout Out Louds -- Work
Now playing on: New Music, Twee Pop, Nordic

Twin Tigers -- Gray Waves
Now playing on: New Music, Georgia

The Unthanks -- Here's the Tender Coming
Now playing on: New Music, Across the Pond

The Whigs -- In the Dark
Now playing on: New Music, Noise Rock, Georgia

Xiu Xiu -- Dear God, I Hate Myself
Now playing on: New Music

New Music Adds, 3/5

2010-03-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

Yikes, it's been a long time since I filled you all in on what's new at Future Perfect Radio. Time to play catch up! Here's a nice long list of some of the more notable new albums we've added to our channels.

Click any of the links following each album to hear the channel it's playing on!

The Album Leaf - A Chorus of Storytellers
Now playing on: New Music

Asobi Seksu - Rewolf
Now playing on: New Music, New York

Beach House - Teen Dream
Now playing on: New Music

The Builders and the Butchers - Where the Roots All Grow
Now playing on: New Music, Folk, Lo/Fi, Portland

Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM
Now playing on: New Music, Singer/Songwriter, UK

Dark Dark Dark - Bright Bright Bright
Now playing on: New Music, Chamber Pop, New York

Eels - End Times
Now playing on: New Music, Los Angeles

Ernest Gonzales - Been Meaning to Tell You
Now playing on: New Music, Electronica, Post-Rock

Field Music - Measure
Now playing on: New Music, UK

Friendo - Cold Toads
Now playing on: New Music, Canada

Holly Miranda - The Magician's Private Library
Now playing on: New Music, Singer/Songwriter, Michigan

Hot Chip - One Life Stand
Now playing on: New Music, Dance Rock, UK

jj - jj nº 3
Now playing on: New Music, Twee Pop, Nordic

Kings Go Forth - The Outsiders Are Back
Now playing on: New Music, Dance Rock

Midlake - The Courage of Others
Now playing on: New Music, Folk, Chamber Pop

The New Pornographers - Together
Now playing on: New Music, Chamber Pop

Owen Pallett - Heartland
Now playing on: New Music, Singer/Songwriter, Canada

Pacific Theater - Animals at Night
Now playing on: New Music, New York

The Soft Pack - The Soft Pack
Now playing on: New Music

The Splinters - Kick
Now playing on: New Music, Lo/Fi, Noise Rock, San Francisco

Spoon - Transference
Now playing on: New Music, Austin

The Soldier Thread - In Spades
Now playing on: New Music, Austin

Surfer Blood - Astrocoast
Now playing on: New Music, Twee Pop

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - The Brutalist Bricks
Now playing on: New Music

Titus Andronicus - The Monitor
Now playing on: New Music, Lo/Fi, Noise Rock

Toro Y Moi - Causers of This
Now playing on: New Music

Tunng - ...And Then We Saw Land
Now playing on: New Music, Folk, UK

The Watson Twins - Talking to You, Talking to Me
Now playing on: New Music, Noise Pop Festival

Woodhands - Remorsecapade
Now playing on: New Music, Dance Rock, Canada

Yeasayer - Odd Blood
Now playing on: New Music, New York

You Say Party! We Say Die! - XXX
Now playing on: New Music, UK

Most Anticipated New Releases of 2010

2010-03-04T12:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, so maybe it's a little late to be doing this (really, how is it already March?) but here's a quick run-through of some of the albums I'm most looking forward to in 2010. Please share your thoughts on each, or tell us about what albums you can't wait for, in the comments section!

Spring:

Yeasayer - Odd Blood
Midlake - The Courage of Others

[Oops! These are already out. If I were posting this on January 1, as a respectable blogger might, these albums would definitely be on my list though. And boy, they did NOT disappoint.]

She & Him - Volume Two (March 23)

Jónsi - Go (March 23)

[Jonsi, aka Jónsi Þór Birgisson of Sigur Ros.]

Dr. Dog - Shame, Shame (April 6)

Caribou - Swim (April 20)

MGMT - Congratulations (April)

The New Pornographers - Together (May 4)

Broken Social Scene - TBA (May 4)

The National - TBA (May 4)

The Hold Steady - Heaven Is Whenever (May 4)

[Can we all agree May 4 will be the most awesome day of spring?]

The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt - I Love You. I Love You. I Love You And I'm In Love With You. Have An Awesome Day! Have The Best Day Of Your Life! (May 5)

[It's not enough that you have a long, difficult-to-remember band name, is it? You also need a ridiculously long and impossible-to-remember album name. Go talk to She & Him, please.]

School of Seven Bells - Disconnect from Desire (Spring)

LCD Soundsystem - TBA (Spring)

The Soldier Thread - In Spades (Spring)

Summer

Here We Go Magic - TBA (June)

British Sea Power - TBA (Summer)

The Go! Team - TBA (Summer)

The Dears - TBA (Summer)

Fall

Architecture in Helsinki - Vision (Fall)

Panda Bear - Tomboy (September)

Friendly Fires - TBA (Fall)

Matt & Kim - TBA (Fall)

Of Montreal - TBA (Fall)

Bands we hope/wish/hear are releasing new albums at some point this year

Radiohead, Arcade Fire, !!!, Band of Horses, Explosions in the Sky, Foals, Tokyo Police Club, Klaxons, Working for a Nuclear Free City, Daft Punk, The Thermals, No Age, Fleet Foxes, Stars, Ra Ra Riot, The Rosebuds, The Pipettes

So what about you? Which albums are you dying to hear? Did we miss any big releases? Share by commenting below!

And remember, you can hear all the best new music on our New Music channel, streaming now!

Attend the NAB Show for free!

2010-03-01T12:33:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, Future Perfect Radio is on the cutting edge of the radio industry, delivering many niche channels to people around the world. We represent many of the changes rapidly affecting radio broadcasters. If you're interested in topics like these, the 2010 National Association of Broadcasters Show is a great place to learn more.

The Show, running April 10-15 in Las Vegas, offers plenty of panels, lectures and other opportunities for broadcasters and others interested in radio! You can find out more here: http://ow.ly/15xv1

I’m giving out a code for FREE ACCESS to the Exhibit Hall at the show. This free Exhibits-Only pass includes (but is not limited to):

- Access to the Opening Keynote and State of the Industry Address
- Info Sessions
- Content Theater and Destination Broadband Theater

Visit http://ow.ly/13T8Q today to redeem or register at http://nabshow.com/register with the code A913 (and feel free to pass this along).

Don't forget to check out the official show website at http://www.nabshow.com for more information, news, and to register!

New Music Adds, 1/28

2010-01-28T12:08:00.000-08:00

You know the drill, this here's a listing of some of the new music we've added to our 35+ radio channels here at Future Perfect Radio.

But first, we're happy to announce that you can hear the new Vampire Weekend album Contra in full on our New Music channel! Yep, every single track. (If you don't care for the new album, no worries! You can just ban Vampire Weekend and we'll remove all their music from your stream). Just click the previous link, or the album art at left, to launch the channel and get listening.

Now, on to other new adds. Remember, just click any of the headings to instantly launch the channel!

NEW MUSIC

Cold War Kids - Behave Yourself
Four Tet - There Is Love in You
Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago
The Sunshine Underground - Nobody's Coming to Save You

CHAMBER POP

The Kissaway Trail - Sleep Mountain

NOISE ROCK

The Mantles - The Mantles

SINGER/SONGWRITER

Caroyln Mark - Let's Just Stay Here
Julia Marcell - It Might Like You

AU NATURALE

Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago

DANCE ROCK

The Sunshine Underground - Nobody's Coming to Save You

ACROSS THE POND

Trembling Bells - Carbeth
Four Tet - There Is Love in You
The Sunshine Underground - Nobody's Coming to Save You

AUSTIN, TX

Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago

GEORGIA

The Constellations - Southern Gothic

INDIE DOWN UNDER

The Brunettes - Paper Dolls
Karnivool - Sound Awake

LOS ANGELES

Cold War Kids - Behave Yourself

MAPLE LEAF CITIZENS

Caroyln Mark - Let's Just Stay Here
Timber Timbre - Timber Timbre

NORDIC

The Kissaway Trail - Sleep Mountain

SAN FRANCISCO

The Mantles - The Mantles

SEATTLE

Trespassers William - The Natural Order of Things

Future Perfect Radio on the iPhone!

2010-01-21T11:45:00.001-08:00

Exciting, life-changing news folks: You can now listen to all of the free streaming radio channels from Future Perfect Radio on your iPhone or iPod Touch!

Just download the free app from AccuRadio (Future Perfect Radio's parent radio station) and start listening! Find it right here! The app features all the great features of FPR: over 35 channels, the ability to skip tracks, ban artists and pause the stream, along with album art and info about the current song. Plus, you can select "favorite" channels (like Indie 101 or Best of the Decade for instance), for quick access.

Simply download the app and find "Future Perfect Radio" in the Genres list!

Additionally, you can tap into AccuRadio's hundreds of other radio channels as well from this app! That includes selections of rock, alternative, classic rock, classic indie (Vintage Violence, highly recommended), classical, jazz, hip-hop, country, reggae, Broadway and so so so much more.

It's a must-download for any music fan! Find it here in the iTunes App Store, or search for "AccuRadio" on your iPhone!

New Music 1/11

2010-01-11T12:50:00.000-08:00

Here's a run through of the new music recently added to Future Perfect Radio. Just click on any of the channel titles to launch your personal radio player!

NEW MUSIC:

Freelance Whales - Weathervanes
Tom Waits - Glitter and Doom Live
Real Estate - Real Estate
Norah Jones - The Fall
Devendra Banhart - What Will We Be
Oh No Ono - Eggs

POST-ROCK:

Lightning Bolt - Earthly Delights

DANCE ROCK:

Cold Cave - Love Comes Close
Oh No Ono - Eggs

LO/FI:

Real Estate - Real Estate
Devendra Banhart - What Will We Be

TWEE POP:

Freelance Whales - Weathervanes

AU NATURALE:

Freelance Whales - Weathervanes

SINGER/SONGWRITER:

Tom Waits - Glitter and Doom Live
Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young
Norah Jones - The Fall
Devendra Banhart - What Will We Be

THE BIG APPLE:

Real Estate - Real Estate
Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young
Norah Jones - The Fall
Shlohmo - Shlomoshun Deluxe
Freelance Whales - Weathervanes

MAPLE LEAF CITIZENS:

The Besnard Lakes - Are the Roaring Night

NORDIC:

Oh No Ono - Eggs

Future Perfect Radio's Best of 2009

2009-12-18T12:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, here we go. The Top 25 list. Well, my Top 25 list. These are just my favorite albums of the year, nothing more. I've also included some over-hyped and disappointing albums at the end, so if you're looking for spite skip there.

Remember, you can hear all these, and tons more great music from 2009, on our Best of 2009 radio channel. Click the button below to launch your personal radio player!

THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2009

25. Slaraffenland - We're on Your Side
24. The xx - XX
23. Faunts - Feel. Love. Thinking. Of.
22. Home Video - It Will Be OK
21. Loney, Dear - Dear John
20. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
19. The Ghost Is Dancing - Battles On
18. Metric - Fantasies
17. Taken by Trees - East of Eden
16. Black Moth Super Rainbow - Eating Us
15. Jeffrey Lewis and the Junkyard - 'Em Are I
14. A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding Head
13. Apse - Climb Up
12. Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
11. The Depreciation Guild - In Her Gentle Jaws

10. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns

Yes, I know Hometowns was first released in 2008, but it wasn't until this year that it was exposed to the world at large by Saddle Creek. I'd much rather reward the album with a "Best of" mention rather than leave it off due to a technicality. So here it is, a wonderfully dynamic album with a range of styles all connected with Nils Edenloff's unique vocals. A few tracks -- "The Deadroads," "In the Summertime," and "Don't Haunt This Place" -- stand out nicely on their own, but more importantly the entire album is listenable from beginning to end. A great band with a quaint backstory that I look forward to following in years to come.

9. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

You'll notice The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are also on my "Over-Hyped" list below. Not because their music is bad -- quite the contrary, I love their nostalgic '80s shoegaze-ish fuzz rock. I just don't think this is all that original and sometimes I feel like the songs are formulaic. That's my hyper-critical side though. The rest of me loves this album. I'm a sucker for the feel, the wall of guitars and the accessibility of it all. It feels like a guilty pleasure of an album, but without the guilt.

8. Bat for Lashes - Two Suns

I'm also a sucker for female vocals. And man, does Bat for Lashes' Natasha Kahn deliver. In Two Suns she runs a gambit of emotions all backed by wonderfully immersive melodies. Each song is like a world you can get lost in, making the entire album very engaging and worth quite a few listens. Hate that last song though.

7. The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love

To be honest, I had expected whatever The Decemberists did this year to be the best album of the year, no questions asked. The Crane Wife is simply amazing and is one of the few albums I've never grown tired with or sick of. I don't see that happening with The Hazards of Love. It's an impressive album, don't get me wrong, a concept album of the 21st century that takes dedication to figure out. I saw the band perform the album from start to finish at Lollapalooza and it felt like watching an opera. And that's fine. I'm just not always in the mood for an opera. Some of the harder elements in the album didn't really gel either. That said, expecting The Decemberists to repeat themselves is like expecting to wear shorts in Chicago during winter: it just ain't goin' happen. And shouldn't because, even if piles of freezing snow aren't as fun as a nice summer day, it's still worth experiencing.

6. Alela Diane - To Be Still

Alela Diane is gaining more notoriety which is wonderful, but I still think she deserves more attention. I personally liked her second effort, To Be Still much more than other over-hyped folk-ish albums of 2009. Her first LP, The Pirate's Gospel was charmingly lo-fi and DIY. That changes in To Be Still, which feels much smoother and more professional. That may not sound like such a great thing for all you lo-fi fans out there, but it does help bring out Diane's remarkable voice.

5. Florence + the Machine - Lungs

Speaking of remarkable voices, wow. Florence + the Machine came out of left field for me this year and floored me. People have told me they don't like this album because songs sound too much like Amy Winehouse and well I see that comparison, I also think Florence Welch's voice puts Winehouse's scratchy "talent" to shame. "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" and "Cosmic Love" are some of the most powerful and addicting songs of the year.

4. Sea Wolf - White Water, White Bloom

This was perhaps one of my most anticipated albums of the year. Alex Church's Get to the River Before It Runs Too Low and Leaves in the River captivate me with their atmosphere: woodland America, or small-town middle-of-nowhere. It's not the happiest music in the world, but it's of the sort that creates a vivid world you can almost see if you close your eyes. So I was giddy to finally get my hands on White Water, White Bloom and ecstatic to find the same overpowering sense of place -- Church's ability to create a landscape with his music, tinged with whatever emotion the song deals with. Keep your Grizzly Bears and Monsters of Folk, I've got Sea Wolf.

3. Passion Pit - Manners

I love those albums that sound so happy and bouncy on the surface, but are actually depressing calls for help underneath. Manners is like that. It scores points for its ridiculously addictive dance rock while also adding a bit of downcast lyrical depth for those who want it. It's an album that's a bit too much at times, too bright, too falsetto, too out-of-control and has been the cause of many a headache for me. But I kept coming back because every single song is amazing. It's an album with no down time, no skippable songs. I put every track on Future Perfect Radio because I felt bad leaving any out.

2. Mew - No More Stories Are Told Today Sorry...

I'll be honest, I hadn't heard of Mew before this. Yes, I know. I'm terrible. How I could come so far without knowing and loving Mew, I don't know, but that ends now. No More Stories Are Told Today… is a glittering gem. The soaring instrumentals, the odd rhythms, the chilling vocals -- it all mixes together to create something weird, something beautiful, something I couldn't get out of my head.

1. The Builders and the Butchers - Salvation Is a Deep Dark Well

This was tough. As great a year 2009 was for music, there was nothing that stood out and said, "Yes, I am the best. No one tops me. No argument." At least for me. In the end, I picked as the #1 album the group that has me most excited not about 2009, but about the years ahead. And that's The Builders and the Butchers.

Their Salvation Is a Deep Dark Well is as creepy as a Lovecraft story at times. I've compared it often to McCarthy's "Blood Meridian" for that feeling of a bloody, out of control frontier. And I love that. That's what I loved about The Decemberists, their creepy sense of warping human nature and sending a chill up your spine. That love for storytelling over simplistic outpourings of personal emotion. The lyrics are brilliant, the music addictive and perfectly arranged to meet the emotion of each song. On-stage these guys are frantic and that feeling comes through on the recording. I can't wait, absolutely cannot wait, to see what these boys from Portland have for us next. Salvation Is a Deep Dark Well was simply my most-listened to and absolute favorite album of 2009.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

UUVVWWZ - UUVVWWZ
Elizabeth and the Catapult - Taller Children
WHY? - Eskimo Snow
Califone - All My Friends Are Funeral Singers
Joker's Daughter - The Last Laugh
Viva Voce - Rose City
Japandroids - Post-Nothing
Or, the Whale - Or, the Whale

OVER-HYPED

5. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

You'll notice a few of these over-hyped albums are also on my "Best of" list. That's because none of these albums are bad, quite the contrary. Some are very good. But the amount of attention they received was disproportionate with the quality of the music. Phoenix was one case: yes, many songs are brilliant and extremely pop-friendly. But the album as a whole, while excellent (#20 out of the 25 best albums of the year, in my opinion) wasn't as striking as other releases.

4. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Same here. I really liked this album (#9 overall on the Best of list) and while I haven't tired of listening to The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's music, I have tired of hearing about the band. Frankly, I don't think what they're doing is all that new and it's all pretty formulaic. They deserve praise and attention, sure, but not on the level they did this year.

3. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

This one's almost too obvious to point out. Others have argued this point much better than I, but my reason is simple: I don't like Animal Collective. This album didn't help me like them. I don't see what everyone went so crazy over. That may make me lame, but there it is.

2. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

I hesitate to put Grizzly Bear on here for 2 reasons. 1) Like Animal Collective, this is obvious and almost cliche. Of course it was over-hyped. 2) I do like this album. It was enjoyable and I can see how it inspires love and devotion from fans. What I can't see is the "ground-breaking" or genre-changing aspects that others have pointed out. Again, maybe this makes me lame, but I think other artists outdid Veckatimest this year.

1. Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk

If anything, 2009 showed us that Good Artist + Good Artist doesn't necessarily = Good Music. Discovery is a great example, but so is Monsters of Folk. Man, what a boring album. After listening to it, I was surprised to see Monsters of Folk still popping up on magazine covers and such. Didn't anyone listen to the music? Again, other artists outdid Monsters of Folk this year and deserve the attention that was erroneously handed to this failed collaboration.

DISAPPOINTMENTS

5. Silversun Pickups - Swoon

I liked this album. I wanted to love it though. I was expecting Silversun Pickups' to follow up Carnavas with another Best of contender of an album. But Swoon fell short of my expectations -- which were perhaps too high. In any case, I was disappointed. Wah wah.

4. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic

The Flaming Lips are one of those groups that apparently everyone likes except me. I just can't get into them. Every time they come out with a new record, I say to myself, "Yes, this time I will fall in love. I will finally see the light and grasp what indefinable element causes everyone to give themselves up to Coyne and Company." And each time I'm disappointed. It's an okay album, sure, but an okay album shouldn't become "good" or "great" just because everyone knows who the band is.

3. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast

Noble Beast, like Swoon, suffered from my perhaps-too-high expectations. I really love a few tracks from Bird's latest album, but overall it's just not an album I see myself listening to more than a few times. Maybe I'm missing something.

2. Discovery - LP

Man I was excited for this one. I'm not a huge Vampire Weekend fan, but I do enjoy their music and I absolutely adore Ra Ra Riot. So a collaboration between members of both should be amazing, right? Wrong. Like Monsters of Folk, this was proof that good artists can often make very bad music. Discovery's album was pretentious, rambling and even ruined a Ra Ra Riot track. I applaud them for trying something new, but otherwise this was a huge letdown.

1. Muse - The Resistance

What happened to Muse? Absolution is still one of my most treasured albums for its huge guitars and roller-coaster emotional backdrop. Blackholes and Revelations fell short, but still is pretty darn good. Then this came along, this "album." This dungheap of a release. When they're not ripping off Queen, they're just meandering aimlessly, like maybe they'll think up a good song halfway through or something. I'll still look forward to the next album hopefully, but this was a mighty letdown.

Ars Technica: Broadcast radio only relevant in movies; make way for Internet radio

2009-12-11T10:37:00.000-08:00

"In the movies, radio is a mythic force: local, rebellious, life-changing. This hardly describes the reality at commercial radio stations today, but it does tell us something about how radio was—and about how we want it to be."

So begins a recent article by Ars Technica on radio and Hollywood. Towards the middle, it includes a very gracious mention of Future Perfect Radio. You can read it here.

"The days of the locally oriented, brick-and-mortar commercial radio station are long gone, replaced by automated playlists, centralized studios, and digitized personalities."

And while it's true Internet radio -- like Future Perfect Radio -- is mostly bereft of local live voices (for now...) it does offer more local, independent and unheard of artists. It can be changed and crafted to better fit the tastes of you -- the listener.

The article goes on to show how movies are a place, perhaps the only place, "where vibrant, daring, local radio lives; where you can walk right into the main studio and hang out with the gurus; where the music comes from down the block, and the on-air monologues touch your soul."

Broadcast radio simply isn't like that anymore. The article goes into many well-stated reasons why, but let me sum it up for you: it's because broadcast radio sucks. It's full of bloated, washed-up artists no one actually likes while the majority of listeners are people stuck in cars with nothing better to listen to.

"That's why an entire generation has turned to Internet sites like AccuRadio's Future Perfect Radio."

Indeed. Welcome to the future, my friends. You're part of something new, something exciting.

Yes, you may not be able to walk into Future Perfect Radio's studios and have a chat, but you can post a comment to me on Facebook. Or shoot me an email (mschmitt@futureperfectradio.com). Or catch me on Google Talk (mlschmitt23). Or send a DM my way on Twitter (@fpradio). I'll chat. I'll listen to your ideas about the station, about the best albums of 2009, about new channels, about the weather or even the Cubs' prospects for 2010.

So yes, Internet radio may not be there yet, but it's brand new. Give us time, help us grow, and we'll turn into the best place to hear music ever.

Project Playlist: South America

2009-12-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

Future Perfect Radio has over 25 35 channels, thousands of artists and even more songs. It's a lot to take in and maybe it's tough to find your feet. That's where Project Playlist comes in. At (ir)regular intervals, we'll break out one of our channels and post the first couple of tracks that come up in the radio player. This way, you get a more in-depth look at what's playing on our channels!

At long last, it's here! South American indie -- a whole channel of it! This week Project Playlist takes a look at a tiny selection of the music you can discover on this vibrant channel. These were the first 5 songs to play on my Future Perfect Radio player:

1. Cerouno - "Altura" from Atari Amor (Fan Zinatra, 2008)

A playful electro-pop piece with a heavy dash of twee. Reminds me strongly of The Postal Service if Ben Gibbard had a preference for Spanish. Cerouno hail from Venezuela. You can find out more about them at http://www.myspace.com/cerouno

2. Glivers - "Crise de Consciência" from Single 2008 (Self-Released, 2008)

A straight-up rock track with a catchy melody and heavy rock instrumentals. The Portuguese vocals add a bit of spice (Gulivers are from Porto Alegre in Brazil). The band list Britrock as a strong influence on their music and that can definitely be felt. More here: http://www.myspace.com/guliversrock

3. Quiero Club (feat. Jorge Gonz) - "Minutos de Aire" from Nueva America (Nacional Records, 2009)

Ok, so technically Quiero Club is from Mexico which, according to my atlas, isn't exactly in South America. But you'd have to agree their style fits in perfectly with their fellow bands from Brazil, Argentina and other South American countries. So can we let this geographical error slide? Cool. This is an upbeat tune with a quick-n-silly guitar riff. As with most of the music on our South American channel, it has its spicy moments -- adding a touch of flavor you just don't get with music from other regions. The song evolves into a hand-clapping melody that would sound oh so brilliant live. More here: http://www.myspace.com/quieroclub

4. L.A.B. - "Seguando Andar" from Less a Bullshit (Self-Released, 2009)

If you've heard and love Working for a Nuclear Free City (here: ), you'll fall in love with L.A.B. too. They offer the same blend of other-worldly vocals, subtlety dance-able electro mixes with plenty of rock influences thrown into it all. "Segundo Andar" is particularly worthy of dance floors but offers a hint of the type of expansive instrumentals you usually find in post-rock. A dynamic track. Find out more about L.A.B. here: http://www.myspace.com/labrocklab

5. Homiepie - "Flying Machines" from Fireworks EP (Self-Released, 2008)

A lo-fi mash-up of messy guitars, off-kilter vocals but plenty of hooks. The only track on our list that features English vocals, "Flying Machines" eventually develops into a quirky twee-pop track that would make Architecture of Helsinki proud. I get a Tokyo Police Club vibe, too. More here: http://www.myspace.com/hellohomiepie

The point of it all is that, though I can make comparisons to well-known acts, nothing is a carbon copy. There's something indefinably unique about this music, something that should make you sit up and take notice. Like the next big act out of Austin, Portland or some pretentious university, these bands take what you love and tweak it, make it better, make it more interesting. And there's a whole continent worth of this stuff to discover. Tune in!

New Music, 11/30

2009-11-30T11:04:00.000-08:00

Another week, another huge batch of music added to Future Perfect Radio. This time, I'm going to try something a little different. Instead of just listing the new albums, I'll be categorizing the post by channel so you know exactly where to find the new music you want to hear! Clear as mud? Then here we go!

(click a channel name to launch your personal radio player!)

INDIE 101

The xx - XX
A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding Head
Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky
Califone - All My Friends Are Funeral Singers
Yeasayer - Ambling Alp
The Ghost Is Dancing - Battles On
El Perro del Mar - Love Is Not Pop
Air - Love 2
Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
Atlas Sound - Logos
The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
Built to Spill - There Is No Enemy
Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones
The Gossip - Music for Men
No Age - Losing Feeling
Thao - Know Better Learn Faster
The Flaming Lips - Embryonic

NEW MUSIC

Califone - All My Friends Are Funeral Singers
Air - Love 2
Jamie T - Kings & Queens
Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
Grooms - Rejoicer
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
Loch Lomond - Night Bats
Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring
The Mary Onettes - Islands
Pants Yell! - Received Pronunciation
Royal Bangs - Let It Beep
The Swell Season - Strict Joy
Tegan and Sara - Sainthood
The Temper Trap - Conditions
World's Greatest Ghost - No Magic
Atlas Sound - Logos
Russian Circles - Geneva
The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
Built to Spill - T here Is No Enemy
Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones
The Gossip - Music for Men
No Age - Losing for Feeling
Thao - Know Better Learn Faster

AU NATURALE

Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
Loch Lomond - Night Bats
The Swell Season - Strict Joy

CHAMBER POP

Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
Loch Lomond - Night Bats
World's Greatest Ghost - No Magic

DANCE ROCK

Royal Bangs - Let It Beep

NOISE ROCK

The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
Grooms - Rejoicer

SINGER/SONGWRITER

The Swell Season - Strict Joy
Tegan and Sara - Sainthood

TWEE POP

Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring
The Mary Onettes - Islands
Pants Yell! - Received Pronunciation

ACROSS THE POND

Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring

THE BIG APPLE

Grooms - Rejoicer

NORDIC

Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
Ólöf Arnalds - Við og Við
The Mary Onettes - Islands

PORTLAND

World's Greatest Ghost - No Magic

INDIE DOWN-UNDER

The Temper Trap - Conditions

PS -- It's not quite official yet, but the South American indie radio channel is here! Try it out here! More to come on this.

New Music Adds 11/3

2009-11-03T13:12:00.000-08:00

We've added a ton of new music to Future Perfect Radio lately. Here's the run-down of some of the more notable new tunes you can hear on Future Perfect Radio. Hear them all, and tons more great indie, on our New Music channel (click to tune in!).

Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
Islands - Vapours
Sea Wolf - White Water, White Bloom
Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk
French Horn Rebellion - Beaches and Friends EP
Asobi Seksu - Acoustic at Olympic Studios
Mountain Goats - Life of the World to Come
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Higher than the Stars
Jump Clubb - The Love of No Dance
Jogger - This Great Pleasure
The Ghost Is Dancing - Battles On
Casxio - Casxio
Vampire Weekend - Contra
The xx - XX
Times New Viking - Born Again Revisited
Slaraffenland - We're on Your Side

Treasure Island on Future Perfect Radio

2009-10-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

The Treasure Island Music Festival kicks off this weekend (10/17-18) in San Francisco! Future Perfect Radio has been providing the radio jams for the festival on their website (here), where you can hear music from all of the great acts set to perform! MGMT, The Flaming Lips, Girl Talk, Yo La Tengo, MSTRKRFT, The Decemberists, Grizzly Bear, Passion Pit, Beirut, Dan Deacon, Brazilian Girls, Bob Mould, The Streets, DJ Krush, Sleepy Sun, Thao and more awesome groups will be performing on the island.

To celebrate the kick-off of the Treasure Island Music Festival, here's a sample of what you can hear on our Treasure Island Radio channel!

1. Thao - "Beat (Health, Life and Fire)" from We Brave Bee Stings and All (2008)

2. LTJ Bukem - "Music" from Logical Progression, Level 1 (1996)

3. Passion Pit - "Swimming in the Flood" from Manners (2009)

4. The Flaming Lips - "Fight Test" from Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002)

5. Murs - "Love and Appreciate II" from Murs for President (2008)

6. The Walkmen - "The Blue Route" from You & Me (2008)

7. Grizzly Bear - "Alligator" from Horn of Plenty (2004)

8. MGMT - "Kids" from Oracular Spectacular (2008)

9. Beirut - "Elephant Gun" from Lon Gisland (2007)

10. Girl Talk - "Play Your Part (Pt. 1)" from Feed the Animals (2008)

(P.S. If it's San Francisco music you're after, our San Fran radio channel is just for you! Nothing but the best indie artists from the Bay area. Click here to tune in!)

South America: We need your help!

2009-10-05T13:21:00.001-07:00

We at Future Perfect Radio pull in listeners from all over the world: Europe, Russia, Australia, Japan, Canada, Mexico, not to mention the United States. We even got a hit from Antarctica once (penguins be rocking y'all).

But the most active and loyal listeners always come out of South America. Brazil, Chile, Argentina...you guys are the best when it comes to listening to Future Perfect Radio. That's why we're creating a South American indie channel!

But we can't do it alone. We need your help. You all will be the ones listening to this new channel, so it's only right you have a hand in its creation.

What bands and artists should we add? Tell us in the comment section and we'll be sure to add your suggestion to the channel!

New Music Adds 10/02

2009-10-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

Here's the run-down of the new tunes you can hear on Future Perfect Radio. Hear them all, and tons more great indie, on our New Music channel (click to tune in!).

These United States -- Everything Touches Everything
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir -- ...And the Horse You Rode in On
Jay Reatard -- Watch Me Fall
Land of Talk -- Fun and Laughter
Orenda Fink -- Ask the Night
The Dodos -- Time to Die
Castanets -- Texas Rose, the Thaw and the Beast
Yo La Tengo -- Popular Songs
WHY? -- Eskimo Snow
The Subjects -- New Soft Shoes
Or, the Whale -- Or, the Whale
The Pastels -- Tenniscoats / Two Sunsets
The Dirty Projectors -- Bitte Orca

The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir in Accident! Here's How You Can Help:

2009-09-25T11:35:00.001-07:00

"One of the members of the Bloodshot family, The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, was in a terrible van accident yesterday in Indiana, on their way to a show in Cincinnati in support of their new record.

"Without getting into too much detail, the van blew a tire and then rolled several times, eventually coming to a rest upside down on the median. The band was transported to the Jasper County Hospital in Rensselaer, IN.

"Alison Hinderliter, Jay Santana, and Ethan Adelsman were all released from the hospital last night with minor injuries. Elia Einhorn was held overnight with injuries to his head and neck, and is expected to be released tomorrow. Mary Ralph has a broken pelvis and collarbone, and will probably be moved to a hospital closer to home. Mark Yoshizumi was airlifted to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn last night with injuries to his head, back, and neck. He is in serious condition, but making progress. Our thoughts go out to all our friends in the band, and their families, friends, and significant others.

"All of the band's gear was destroyed, and the van was totaled. As anyone involved with music knows, a lot of musicians don't have health insurance, copious amounts of income, or time to spare off work. This accident - apart from being medically and personally horrible - is also going to be expensive. We here are doing what we can to help them, but if anyone else would like to help out, there are three ways to donate and support The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir in this time of need.

"1. Sign in to PayPal and send donation to: tsygc@bloodshotrecords.com
2. Send this email link to friends/contacts.
3. Click on the button in this news story.

"That last link - the news story - will be constantly updated with more information on who's in and out of the hospital, what's going on, and what the band has to say.

"Thanks everyone for your kind words and thoughts, and please be safe out there."

(Thanks Swank!)

Win ...And You Shall Know Us by the Trail of Dead Merch!

2009-09-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

Intense rockers ...And You Shall Know Us by the Trail of Dead are crazily on tour again! Or perhaps, you could say, they're STILL on tour. After venue-hopping the U.S. in support of their new album The Century of Self, they skipped over to Europe for some international dates. Now, they've come back to North America for even more shows. Sheesh.

In celebration, Future Perfect Radio is giving away some awesome Trail of Dead merchandise! We've got:

2 copies of The Century of Self 2 copies of The Sell Out EP 4 Trail of Dead t-shirts 4 Trail of Dead posters

Any one of these could be yours. And entering the contest is easy!

Just post the following message on Twitter:

Win free Trail of Dead swag from @FPRadio! http://bit.ly/ESrLT (Post this to Twitter!)

And you'll be entered into the contest! It's that easy.

Posters and CDs are nice, but to really experience ...And You Shall Know Us by the Trail of Dead you have to see them live. Here's when they're coming to your city:

09/21/09 - Boston, MA (Paradise)
09/22/09 - Toronto (Lee's)
09/25/09 - Chicago, IL (Logan Square Auditorium)
10/03/09 - Austin, TX (Austin City Limits)
10/08/09 - Los Angeles, CA (Henry Fonda)
10/09/09 - San Diego, CA (Casbah)
10/10/09 - Visalia, CA (Cellar Door)
10/11/09 - San Francisco, CA (Independent)
10/12/09 - Portland, OR (Dante's)
10/13/09 - Seattle, WA (Neumos')
10/14/09 - Vancouver (Venue)
10/16/09 - Edmonton (Starlite)
10/17/09 - Calgary (Ballroom)
10/19/09 - Salt Lake City, Utah (Urban)
10/20/09 - Denver, CO (Bluebird)
10/21/09 - Albuquerque, NM (Launchpad)
10/23/09 - Oklahoma City, OK (Conservatory)

New Music Adds, 8/26

2009-08-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here's the run-down of the new tunes you can hear on Future Perfect Radio. Hear them all, and tons more great indie, on our New Music channel (click to tune in!).

YACHT - See Mystery Lights
Taken by Trees - "Watch the Waves" from East of Eden
Starlight Mints - Change Remains
Dappled Cities - Zounds
Japandroids - Post-Nothing

Project Playlist: Great Lakes Soundtrack

2009-08-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

What iTunes could learn from Sony: Music "Check-Outs"

2009-08-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

The music industry is in trouble. No surprise there. CD sales are falling as digital services try to figure out how to entice consumers to buy music they could download for free elsewhere. Interestingly, music fans have again and again said (in survey format) that they'd happily use legal options to listen to music, if any half decent ones existed.

But, they don't.

Enter Sony and the company's new e-book reader, just announced today. The reader itself is nothing special, similar to Amazon's own Kindle DX but minus any sort of web browser. What is impressive is the addition of a "check-out" or "rental" system for borrowing e-books from your local library. Without going into details (find them at Ars Technica here) you can download a DRM'd e-book for a few weeks. At the end of those weeks, the book disappears, just as if you had "returned" it to the library.

This could work for the music industry.

iTunes, or a similar service, could offer music "rentals" or "check-outs" for free -- no strings attached. Users have that music to listen to for two weeks at most (any longer and you might think you actually own that music and it's important that no impression of ownership is imparted, see below). At the end of that time, the DRM yanks the music back into the online library of music, but not before offering to sell you the music for $0.99 or whatever.

Why would this work when previous DRM schemes have failed? Because there's no impression of ownership. When I buy a track for $0.99, I assume I now own that track. In the same way, when I buy a candy bar for $0.99, I eat it because I own it. If someone were to come along and take away my candy bar, I'd be pissed because I paid for it. In the same way, people get pissed when music they paid for gets taken away by DRM for whatever reason.

If they don't pay for it, there's no anger. If a service makes it clear you are "borrowing" music for a limited amount of time, no one complains.

The library service, if replicated properly digitally, could take a bite out of illegal file sharing and -- gasp -- even push music sales by letting people legally try music before buying it. That's what I -- and most other consumers -- want after all.

So, iTunes, where can I apply for my library card?

Japandroids, Sufjan Stevens, Yo La Tengo and more join Pop Montreal line-up

2009-08-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

More than a few big names have been added to the roster for the upcoming POP Montreal International Music Festival. They include:

Sufjan Stevens, Yo La Tengo, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Jay Reatard, Micachu & The Shapes, Clues, Slim Twig, Think About Life, Cadence Weapon, Sam Shalabi's Egyptian Light Orchestra , Japandroids, The Dø, Lullaybe Arkestra, Duchess Says, Dragonette, Joel Plaskett, Kid Koala Presents: The Slew, Ariane Moffatt, Young Galaxy, Aids Wolf, Tanlines, Katie Stelmanis and Ninjasonik.

Whew. And the festival assures us that they still have "hundreds" of other artists to announce. Sheesh.

Artists already on the line-up include Fever Ray, Butthole Surfers, Diamanda Galas, Os Mutantes, Roxanne Shante, Krautrock Faust, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Mono, DJ /Rupture, Tobacco, Lemonade, (Ghislain) Poirier, Matt & Kim, Iris Dement, Loudon Wainwright III, Wovenhand, Destroyer, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks, Thee Oh Sees, The Intelligence, The Homosexuals, Bajofondo, tUnE-YaRdS, Zombie Disco Squad, Mike Simonetti and more.

Best to get your tickets now when they're cheap ($175, as opposed to $225). More info, special deals and tons more can be found at Pop Montreal's site here!

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart hit the road with The Depreciation Guild, Cymbals Eat Guitars

2009-08-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

Everyone's favorite '80s throwback noise/shoegaze act The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are hitting the road this fall with Future Perfect Radio favorites The Depreciation Guild and Cymbals Eat Guitars. Pinch yourself people, with a line-up like that you may just be dreaming. Tour dates below.

Listen to The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Depreciation Guild and Cymbals Eat Guitars on our personalized radio streams (click to launch your player). Guaranteed to spice up your weekend or totally distract you from work.

9/05 - Cambridge, MA - The Middle East (18+)
9/06 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa (All Ages)
9/07 - Toronto, ONT - The Legendary Horsehoe Tavern (All Ages)
(more dates after the break)

9/08 - Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium (All Ages)
9/09 - Madison, WI - Orpheum Stage Door (All Ages)
9/10 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown (All Ages)
9/12 - Morrison, CO - Monolith Festival (All Ages)
9/13 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court (All Ages)
9/14 - Boise, ID - Neurolux (21+)
9/15 - Seattle, WA - Neumos #^
9/17 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir (21+)
9/18 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
9/19 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour (All Ages)
9/21 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah (21+)
9/22 - Tucson, AZ - Club Congress (All Ages)
9/24 - Fort Worth, TX - Lola’s (All Ages)
9/25 - Austin, TX - Mohawk (All Ages)
9/26 - New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks (18+)
9/27 - Tallahassee, FL - Club Down Under/FSU (18+)
9/28 - Atlanta, GA - Earl (18+)
9/29 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 (18+)
9/30 - Washington, DC - Black Cat (All Ages)
10/01 - Baltimore, MD - The Ottobar (All Ages)
10/03 - New York, NY - Webster Hall (18+)
10/05 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church (All Ages)

Buy tickets here.

New Music Adds, 8/20

2009-08-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

Here's the run-down of the new tunes you can hear on Future Perfect Radio. Hear them all, and tons more great indie, on our New Music channel (click to tune in!).

Division Day - Visitation
Elizabeth and the Catapult - Taller Children
Riceboy Sleeps - Riceboy Sleeps
Florence and the Machine - Lungs
Apse - Climb Up
Viva Voce - Rose City
Amanda Blank - I Love You
Kava Kava - Forwards
Plastiscines - About Love
Royksopp - Melody A.M.
Various Artists - Weezer: The 8-bit Album
Patrick Wolf - The Bachelor
Thom Yorke - "All for the Best"
Torngat - La Petite Nicole
Science Fiction Theater - Science Fiction Theater

Featured Artist: Blind Pilot

2009-08-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

Forget "green buses," BLIND PILOT reduced their collective carbon footprint on tour by biking along the west coast. Hardcore. On stage, the group achieves a nice blend of folk, chamber pop and rock--basically exactly what fans of Sea Wolf or The Decemberists have been looking for. Listen in to our interview with Blind Pilot backstage at Lollapalooza 2009 below.

Listen to Blind Pilot's music, and tunes from all the great bands that performed at Lollapalooza 2009, on our Lollapalooza Radio channel:

Lollapalooza: Highlights from Day One

2009-08-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

Now halfway through the second day of Lollapalooza, we can look back on Friday and pick out some of the clear highlights for Future Perfect Radio:

1. Interview with Perry Farrell
Correspondent Scott Fleischer caught up with the king of Lollapalooza himself: Perry Farrell. He spoke to Future Perfect Radio about the success of this year's festival so far, the history and struggle of Lollapalooza and the failure of FM radio. Farrell: "Internet radio is wonderful. Better than ever."

2. The Decemberists play Hazards of Love in full
Expectations were high as The Decemberists took the stage Friday night. It didn't help that they were 6 minutes late -- the crowd, quickly grumbling, was silenced by the appearance of a spectral figure in a white wedding gown. From then on, The Decemberists had us in the palm of their collective hand. From beginning to end of their set, the band never laid down their instruments, never paused for mid-song chatter, but performed the entirety of Hazards of Love as if it were one long song -- which really, after hearing it played that way, it is. The performance was almost like a theatre production, with different characters coming forward to sing their part in the strange and magical story of the Hazards of Love. Check out photos from the performance here.

3. Interview with Ben Folds

Fleischer (or, perhaps, "Dan") spoke with famed singer/songwriter Ben Folds to discuss the history of Lollapalooza and the differences between the festival's tour incarnation and the stationary "take-over" of Chicago. Listen in below!

4. The Builders and the Butchers for Best Show of the Day!

While The Decemberists, Hey Champ and a few other acts certainly made a case for it, our choice for "Best Show of the Day" can only go to The Builders and the Butchers. Their energy, on-stage mash-ups of songs and fun crowd interactions (...did we mention their energy?) made their songs come alive. Like any live show is supposed to, it made us reevaluate songs we thought we didn't like so much, fall even deeper in love with treasured tracks, and long for a much longer set. While the band may have deserved a bigger crowd, the intimacy of the BMI stage certainly added to the show's impact. Find pictures from the performance here!

Be sure to keep an eye at Future Perfect Radio's Lollapalooza page for continuing updates: interviews (Chairlift already posted, No Age and The Builders and the Butchers up soon!), Twitter updates, photos and more! To hear the music from Lollapalooza's line-up of artists, click the radio image above or here.

Future Perfect Radio at Lollapalooza!

2009-08-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

Future Perfect Radio is now backstage at Lollapalooza, prepping for the first day of music-packed fun. We'll be posting interviews soon, starting with our conversation with Passion Pit (look for them here).

Click the above image to launch Lollapalooza Radio! (What's playing on Lollapalooza radio? Find out here!)

To get live updates from the festival, be sure to follow our Twitter feed @fpradio.

Project Playlist: Lollapalooza 2009

2009-08-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

Future Perfect Radio has over 25 channels, thousands of artists and even more songs. It's a lot to take in and maybe it's tough to find your feet. That's where Project Playlist comes in. At (ir)regular intervals, we'll break out one of our channels and post the first 10 tracks that come up in the radio player. This way, you get a more in-depth look at what's playing on our channels!

(Previous Project Playlists: Chamber Pop, The Big Apple)

Featured channel:

Future Perfect Radio will be backstage at Lollapalooza this weekend (more on that here), so it's only right that Project Playlist takes a look inside our Lollapalooza radio channel.

1. Andrew Bird - "Mx Missiles" from The Mysterious Production of Eggs

Mr. Bird, a Windy City hometown hero, is one of the biggest indie names on the Lollapalooza ticket (especially since the Beastie Boys pulled out). The whistling singer/songwriter made a big splash with The Mysterious Production of Eggs back in 2005. More recently, Noble Beast is one of this year's strongest efforts. We're unsure about how well Bird's subtle skills will translate to Lollapalooza's festival atmosphere, but we're looking forward to being proven wrong.

2. Bat for Lashes - "Siren Song" from Two Suns

Natasha Khan, the wonderful talent behind Bat for Lashes, rocketed onto the scene with "What's a Girl to Do?" from her debut LP Fur and Gold back in 2006. With Two Suns this year, Khan beat the sophomore slump and gave us a rich supply of luscious indie pop hits. Bat for Lashes is one of our Top 5 acts to see at Lollapalooza (more here).

3. Dan Deacon - "Woof Woof" from Bromst

Seems more and more people are jumping on the Deacon wagon everyday. The electro-infused songwriter sixth studio album Bromst is certainly our favorite, narrowly edging out his previous work Spiderman of the Rings. Like many of his tracks, "Woof Woof" is filled with inviting synth beats, unexpected melody jumps and vocals that, well, you just won't hear anywhere else. He should thrive at Lollapalooza.

4. Fleet Foxes - "White Winter Hymnal" from Fleet Foxes

Though not our favorite Fleet Foxes track, "White Winter Hymnal" seemed to seal the group's popularity last year--encapsulating everything you could get from the Seattle group. A folk, back-woods, sitting-round-the-campfire feel without sacrificing our rock roots. It's hard to believe Fleet Foxes was released more than a year ago -- one would think that after all that time the group would have some new tunes to show off. But maybe they need the right time to whip 'em out, like a huge multi-day festival...

5. The Decemberists - "The Sporting Life" from Picaresque

Picaresque is definitely our favorite Decemberists album. Except maybe Castaways and Cutouts. Or, maybe except The Crane Wife. Well, and Hazards of Love. Uhm. Well, suffice to say that we love Picaresque and "The Sporting Life" is a big reason: it perfectly sums up our youthful ever-successful, never-embarrassing sporting adventures. We caught The Decemberists live in Millennium Park a few years back and they were amazing -- expect the same in Grant Park. Another one of our Top 5 acts to catch at Lollapalooza.

6. No Age - "Keechie" from Nouns

No Age's impressive noise pop earned Nouns on countless "Best of 2008" lists, and for good reason. The fuzz and noise dominates the listener. These guys should rule the day at Lollapalooza.

7. Lou Reed - "I'm So Free" from Transformer

Well, here we come to it. THE guy playing at Lollapalooza. His tumultuous career is unmatched in the music world and with nearly 40 years of music to pull from, Reed's live set should be memorable to say the least. "I'm So Free" comes off his sophomore, and possibly best album Transformer, which was released by RCA way back in 1972. (For more classic underground rock like this, check out AccuRadio's Vintage Violence station!)

8. Passion Pit - "Fold in Your Hands" from Manners

We've written and raved so much about Passion Pit already, this feels like walking over well-beyond-trodden ground. Suffice to say that Passion Pit produce killer synth-dominated indie pop. Their debut LP Manners is amazing. You should go listen to it right now, if you haven't already. (And if you haven't: what's taking so long?) Another one of our Top 5 acts to see at Lollapalooza. Expect to find an interview from them here late Friday.

9. Santogold - "Creator" from Santogold

The collaboration between Santi White and John Hill was a stunning success, pulling ahead of slurs about ripping off M.I.A. to establish themselves as a formidable name in the indie club/dance scene. "Creator" was the song that launched the act to fame, and still sounds pretty darn good here in 2009.

10. Silversun Pickups - "Lazy Eye" from Carnavas

Before there was Swoon, there was Carnavas. The 2006 album took the music world by storm with its nostalgic combination of shoegaze and alternative rock (harking back to the Smashing Pumpkins). Though "Lazy Eye" has sadly been played to death in the meantime, it's still a killer track. Silversun Pickups are another one of our Top 5 acts to see at Lollapalooza, and we may just be bringing you an on-demand interview from them on Sunday.

Music for Your Eyes: YACHT's "Psychic City (Voodoo City)"

2009-08-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

Slightly creepy video from YACHT for their track "Psychic City (Voodoo City)" from their See Mystery Lights album, released on July 28.

Future Perfect Radio's Top 5 Lollapalooza Picks

2009-08-03T11:51:00.000-07:00

With 5 days left to Lollapalooza, we here at Future Perfect Radio thought it appropriate to pick our Top 5 Picks for the festival weekend. Here's the five bands you should definitely not miss:

(Also, don't forget that Future Perfect Radio will be backstage at Lollapalooza! Find out more here!)

1. Passion Pit (Sunday 5:00pm, on the Citi stage)

Dance-pop synth rockers Passion Pit wowed us with their debut LP Manners. It's still our favorite album of 2009 thus far. Their music is dynamic and engaging, providing glittering electro beats, inescapably catchy melodies and some introspective lyrics for those looking for some depth in their music.

2. The Builders & the Butchers (Friday 1:45pm, on the BMI stage)

Portland's The Builders and the Butchers are an incredible live act. Their darkly enticing folk rock is made for the stage, with swells and dramatic climaxes made all the better by the group's dual drummers and strong energy. Salvation Is a Deep Dark Well is an amazing album, which will sound all the more amazing live.

3. The Decemberists (Friday 6pm on the Budweiser stage)

Not that they weren't on your list already, right? Not only did The Decemberists came back strong from The Crane Wife with Hazards of Love this year, but they've been showcasing some new songs on tour lately that are nothing less than spectacular. The chance to hear some new Decemberists tunes alone should make these Portland chamber pop, English-lit rockers a must see.

4. Bat for Lashes (Sunday 1:30pm, on the vitaminwater stage)

England's singer/songwriter enchantress Natasha Khan beat the sophomore slump with Two Suns this year, which did exactly what any sophomore album should: floored us AND enticed us to go back and rediscover Fur and Gold all over again. Her amazing voice, unique wardrobe and singular style should not be missed.

5. Blind Pilot (Saturday 4:15pm on the BMI stage)

I realize this is the third Portland band on this list, but can we help it that the city is pumping out so much good music? Up-and-comers Blind Pilot strike a nice balance between the indie pop of The Shins and more folk-oriented groups like Iron & Wine or The Decemberists. We've been itching to see these guys live since hearing their debut LP 3 Rounds and a Sound, and would see them over some more well-established groups in a heartbeat.

Other acts not to miss at Lollapalooza: Silversun Pickups, Chairlift, Friendly Fires, Crystal Castles, Neko Case, Vampire Weekend, Andrew Bird, The Delta Spirit, Lykke Li, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver.

What would you ask The Builders and the Butchers?

2009-07-30T11:59:00.000-07:00

Lollapalooza is coming and Future Perfect Radio will be there. We'll be backstage speaking to as many bands as we can, and on the top of our list is The Builders and the Butchers.

So, what should we ask them? That's up to you!

Tell us what you'd ask The Builders and the Butchers through Twitter (@fpradio) or by commenting on this blog entry!

(We'll also be interviewing Chairlift, Passion Pit, Blind Pilot and more...so start brainstorming good questions for them too!)

Project Playlist: The Big Apple

2009-07-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

1. The Fiery Furnaces - "Charmaine Champagne" from I'm Going Away

One of my favorite tracks from The Fiery Furnaces' new album, released on Thrill Jockey on July 21. We liked the new album so much here at Future Perfect Radio, we featured The Fiery Furnaces as a Future Perfect Pick here (even though they did abandon Chicago for New York).

2. Jeffrey Lewis and the Junkyard - "Roll Bus Roll" from 'Em Are I

There's something so wonderfully charming about Jeffrey Lewis' half-spoken vocals. In "Roll Bus Roll," they're complemented by an unceasing beat that imitates the feeling of a bus rolling on. Together, this simple song about spending way too much time traveling on Greyhounds ends up pulling at my heartstrings.

3. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart" from Everything with You

This was it. This was the song. After hearing this self-titled track off the Everything with You EP, I was hooked on The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. After hearing the chorus ("We will never die") repeated over Jesus and Mary Chain guitars, pulled straight from the '80s, I was a complete fan. I heard it for the first time driving to pick up pizza back in January...yeah, it's one of those songs.

4. A.C. Newman - "Miracle Drug" from The Slow Wonder

Before there was Get Guilty there was 2004's The Slow Wonder. It was Canadian-born singer/songwriter A.C. Newman's debut LP (at least, debut under the A.C. Newman moniker) and, in our humble opinion, still outshines Get Guilty.

5. Gabriel Kahane - "North Adams" from Gabriel Kahane

Singer/songwriter and pianist Gabriel Kahane creates chamber pop tunes, heavily populated by a quick-moving piano and often featuring strings. "North Adams" is sort of what I imagine New York to feel like, walking down a busy street on a partly-cloudy summer day--an off-kilter melody, batches of happy and sad that all somehow works itself out in the end.

6. The Depreciation Guild - "Digital Solace" from In Her Gentle Jaws

What do you know? One of our Future Perfect Picks for the week! The Depreciation Guild features members of the buzz band of the year, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and thus not surprisingly sounds as if it's been (almost) transported directly out of the '80s. There are more Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine comparisons to be made here, but The Depreciation Guild is a little more conscious of the decade they happen to be living in. "Digital Solace" is a good representation of this--there's plenty of blips, bleeps and other 8-bit goodies to remind us all that we are, in fact, almost 10 years into this new millennium.

7. Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks" from Veckatimest

Speaking of buzz bands, here's one that could give The Pains of Being Pure at Heart a run for their money. Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest was one of the most anticipated albums of the year and certainly did not disappoint. "Two Weeks" is one of (if not the) best tracks on the record. There's a bit of Vampire Weekend here, but with a smoothly somber chorus.

8. Excepter - "Give Me the Cave" from Ka

"Give Me the Cave" comes from Excepter's debut LP Ka from way back in 2003. It's not for everyone and definitely has a happy home in our Flux channel. The group is made up of experimental DJs from New York, who came together to explore just how far they could push the envelope.

9. St. Vincent - "Just the Same but Brand New" from Actor

Singer/songwriter Annie Clark (better known as St. Vincent) really hit a home run with her new 2009 album Actor. She first caught our attention with 2007's Marry Me, but Actor floored us. "Just the Same but Brand New" was a big reason why, developing from a soft and somber opening to a strong, drum-led anthem.

10. Vivian Girls - "When I'm Gone" from Everything Goes Wrong

Didn't think we could do a New York playlist without the Vivian Girls did you? "When I'm Gone" is from their (very very) anticipated new album Everything Goes Wrong scheduled for release on September 8. Like the new album, "When I'm Gone" is a tad longer than their earlier work, but features all of the same fuzzy garage rock we know and love.

Nurses release mp3 from upcoming LP "Apple’s Acre"

2009-07-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

Portland's Nurses will be releasing their new LP Apple’s Acre on August 4. To satisfy your desire for psychedelic pop in the meantime, however, the band has released "Technicolor" from the LP as a free mp3.

Pick up the free mp3 here.

If you're looking for more about Nurses, be sure to check out Left | Right Hand's video interview with the group below. Additionally, Nurses have a ton of tour dates planned with The Brunettes, Pink Mountaintops, Throw Me The Statue, and many other groups. Find the dates after the break.

08/06 Portland, OR - Holocene w/ The Slaves, Inside Voices
08/23 Spokane, WA - Empyrean Coffee House w/ The Globes, Throw Me The Statue
08/26 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry w/ Throw Me The Statue, the Brunettes
08/27 Urbana, IL - Courtyard Cafe w/ Throw Me The Statue, the Brunettes
08/28 Madison, WI - Annex w/ Throw Me The Statue, the Brunettes
08/29 Chicago, IL - Subterranean w/ Throw Me The Statue, the Brunettes
09/01 Cambridge, MA - Middle East Upstairs w/ Throw Me The Statue, the Brunettes
09/02 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge w/ Throw Me The Statue, the Brunettes
09/03 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's w/ Throw Me The Statue, the Brunettes
09/04 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel w/ Throw Me The Statue, the Brunettes
09/05 Durham, NC - Duke Coffeehouse w/ Throw Me The Statue, the Brunettes
09/07 Atlanta, GA - The Drunken Unicorn w/ Throw Me the Statue, The Brunettes
09/08 Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder w/ Throw Me the Statue, The Brunettes
09/10 Houston, TX - Rudyard's w/ Throw Me the Statue, The Brunettes
09/11 Austin, TX - The Mohawk w/ Throw Me the Statue, The Brunettes
09/12 Dallas, TX - Cavern Ale House w/ Throw Me the Statue, The Brunettes
09/14 Phoenix, AZ - Modified w/ Throw Me The Statue, the Brunettes
09/15 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo w/ The Brunettes, Devon Williams, Throw Me the Statue
09/16 La Jolla, CA - UCSD - The Loft w/ Throw Me The Statue, the Brunettes
09/18 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge w/ The Old Believers, Pink Mountaintops
09/22 Seattle, WA - The Vera Project w/ The Brunettes
09/23 Vancouver, BC - Media Club w/ The Brunettes

Music for Your Eyes: We Have Band's "You Came Out"

2009-07-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

One of the creepiest videos I've seen in a long time. Since the Klaxon's "Magick," perhaps?

Apse to Release new LP "Climb Up" October 20

2009-07-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

Newtown, CT experimental rockers Apse are set to release their sophomore LP Climb Up on October 20 through ATP Records. It's hard to believe the group has been around for around a decade. Through line-up changes, switches in location and relentless exploration in the limits of genre constraints, the group is finally follow-up their triumphant 2006 LP debut Spirit. That album prompted Pitchfork to call Apse a "latter-day Radiohead or Sigur Ros," so you can be sure to expect great things from Climb Up.

The new album has been in production since 2008, recorded entirely by the band in their homes in Cape Cod. The group promises a "greater use of electronics, a range of instruments both modern and classical and – notably – a much stronger emphasis on voices and melodies" in the album. It's going to be a long wait 'til October.

The Best of 2009 (so far)

2009-07-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

It's never too early to start picking the best music of the year, right? Just like those ever-popular "Christmas in July" promotions, we're rolling out an end-of-year fixture a little early. But, while those swimming-trunk-clad Santas will disappear by fall, we intend to keep this rolling into the new year baby.

We've just launched a new channel on Future Perfect Radio featuring the music we feel best represents 2009 so far. Tune in clicking the button below.

Here's a run-down of the first 5 tracks that popped up on our radio player:

1. Deastro - "Biophelia" from Moondagger

In returning to his home state of Michigan, electronica producer Randolph Chabot was inspired to launch Deastro -- an '80s-loving synth-drenched group that released Moondagger in late June. The sort-of concept album has a lyrical storyline for those who want to look for it, but the addicting glittering electro-rock is the real highlight here. Future Perfect Radio interviewed Chabot here.

2. Frontier Folk Nebraska - "Lay It on the Line" from Pearls

I'd like to see a bill with both The Rural Alberta Advantage and Frontier Folk Nebraska -- what a delicious tongue-twister of folkish locale-inspired monikers. I have to admit, in a classic case of judging a book by its cover I desperately wanted to like this Kentucky group based on their name alone. Thankfully, their music backs them up: Pearls is one of the best indie folk records this year and it deserves way more attention than it's getting.

3. The Builders and the Butchers - "Raise up Your Weary Hands" from Salvation Is a Deep Dark Well

I (sorrowfully) missed Portland's The Builders and the Butchers' debut eponymous album from 2007, but their sophomore effort Salvation Is a Deep Dark Well blew me away. Where I -- a longtime Decemberists fan -- struggled to fall in love with Hazards of Love, Salvation instantly had me hooked. From the opening dark chorus of "Golden and Green," you know you're in for a darkly riveting ride through blasted Spanish landscapes, tortured souls and the occasional vampire lake.

4. Loney, Dear - "Summers" from Dear John

Was there ever an album that better captured the lonely and bleak feeling of January in Chicago? Sweden's Loney, Dear, headed by Emil Svanängen, hit gold on their third album Dear John. Introspective, self-critical lyrics are paired with somber, moving melodies that offer enough pop-friendly beats and upbeat synths to convince you to play the whole thing over again.

5. Passion Pit - "Moth's Wings" from Manners

Where Svanängen's music more often than not reflects the somber nature of his lyrics, Passion Pit wraps their sorrow in a pulsing synth-laden beat. "Moth's Wings" is a prime example: a shining, anthem-like melody offset by a disillusioned Michael Angelakos asking "Who's side are you on? / What side is this anyway?" For me, Manners is the king of 2009 so far. Every song is a gem. After two months I still haven't tired of this masterpiece.

Of course, our Best of 2009 channel isn't limited to these 5. It also includes music from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Jeffrey Lewis, Sonic Youth, The Decemberists, Silversun Pickups, Grizzly Bear, Andrew Bird, Pet Shop Boys and more.

We ain't perfect though: there may be stuff in there that totally sucks, and we probably forgot a few killer albums. It's up to you to point out the error of our ways. Comment to tell us, or yell at us on Twitter. Please. It's the only way we'll learn.

Summer on Future Perfect Radio!

2009-07-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

Summer means a lot of things to us here at Future Perfect Radio. Freedom from homework, trips to the beach, camping, drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, enormous bugs, sunburns, selling lemonade, humidity and paying more for gasoline. But most importantly, it means music festivals where you and thousands of your closest buds come together to collectively sweat and listen to amazing music for days on end.

We're celebrating these summer music fests on Future Perfect Radio with a few specially programmed channels. We've got Pitchfork Music Fest, Lollapalooza, Treasure Island and Austin City Limits. They each feature only artists performing at the respective festival. Take your pick below!

Are we missing your favorite music fest? Tell us! Odds are we'll have a shiny new channel, just for you, in days.

Free music will lead to me spending too much cash

2009-07-22T11:49:00.001-07:00

Free music gets a bad rap, more often than not. When a band releases an album for free, it's viewed as "experimental" and "cutting edge." People ask, "How will you make money?" and get their collective you-know-what's in a bunch. And it's really too bad, because free music is a musician's best tool to leverage bucket-loads of cash their way.

Case in point: Weezer. I don't like Weezer. Or, should I say, I didn't. After working for a physical therapy clinic for a summer -- and hearing "Beverly Hills" no less than 50,000 times on the radio -- Rivers and Co. didn't have a chance. I know they were better in the early days but I wasn't exactly motivated to spend time and money searching for such material. I just decided I wasn't a Weezer fan and went on with my life.

Until today. On Twitter, blogger and music connoisseur extraordinaire @christinajacobs pointed me to a compilation of 8-bit Weezer remixes from Pterodactyl Squad (here). I downloaded it (for free) and listened in. I was blown away. Here was "El Scorcho" redone as if it were the soundtrack to Pokemon on my Gameboy. "You Won't Get With Me Tonight" seemingly straight out of Sonic the Hedgehog. I'm a geek for this sort of stuff and was immediately sucked in.

After listening to the entire compilation album three times, I got to wondering what the real songs actually sound like. Sure, I knew a few, but most were unknown to me. So I headed off to iTunes and bought myself a dozen or so Weezer tracks.

Yesterday I would have laughed if you suggested that I would be buying Weezer songs today, but here we are. And why? Because of free music. Sure, it's not the original versions, but I wouldn't have been interested in those even if they were free. Through free remixes, covers and other "goodies," I became a fan.

I think bands can leverage this kind of approach to their advantage. Of course, more established groups will have an easier time of this, but it's not an impossible route for independent groups too. Provide goodies, B-sides, remixes and other "deeper content" for free that, hopefully, influence people to spend money elsewhere (in this case, in the original content).

Of course, to get people interested in the first place your music has to not suck. You'll notice "Beverly Hills" is not included in the 8-bit compilation.

New Music Adds, 7/21

2009-07-21T11:48:00.001-07:00

Here's the run-down of the new tunes you can hear on Future Perfect Radio. Hear them all, and tons more great indie, on our New Music channel (click to tune in!).

Bad Veins - Bad Veins
Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
Mew - No More Stories
The Vivian Girls - "When I'm Gone" off Everything Goes Wrong
The Depreciation Guild - In Her Gentle Jaws
We'll Make It Right - We'll Make It Right
Dr. Dog - Fate
We Have Band - US EP
Starfucker - Jupiter
Rubik - Dada Bandits

Project Playlist: Chamber Pop

2009-07-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

Future Perfect Radio has over 25 channels, thousands of artists and even more songs. It's a lot to take in and maybe it's tough to find your feet. That's where Project Playlist comes in. At (ir)regular intervals, we'll break out one of our channels and post the first 10 tracks that come up. This way, you get a more in-depth look at what's playing on our channels!

Featured channel:

(click to tune in!)

1. Tarkio - "Devil's Elbow"

Colin Meloy, pre-Decemberists (though the differences are minimal). The group released two albums before disbanding in 1999 -- I Guess I Was Hoping for Something More and the EP Sea Songs for Landlocked Sailors. They were combined in Omnibus, which was released in 2006.

2. My Brightest Diamond - "Feelin' Good"

This beautifully haunting cover comes off of the Dark Was the Night compilation, the 20th in the Red Hot series. The album is jam-packed with big indie names (Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, The Decemberists, Jose Gonzalez) but My Brightest Diamond's contribution is one of the most notable.

3. Brendan Canning - "Snowballs & Icicles"

Another chapter in the Broken Social Scene Presents series, "Snowballs & Icicles" comes from founding member Brendan Canning's Something for All of Us... LP. It's a quick track, but the accompanying thoughtful feeling lingers for much longer.

4. Dirty on Purpose - "Send Me an Angel"

Dirty on Purpose, though sadly now defunct, was a Brooklyn shoegaze/chamber pop fusion group that brilliantly meshed post-rock and alternative influences. "Send Me an Angel," a Real Life cover, was a stand-out track on the group's Like Bees EP--their last physical release.

5. The Dears - "Life or Death We Want You"

"Nobody wants you / But we want you..." sings Murray Lightburn in the deliciously creepy track from The Dears. The Montreal group released the track in their 2006 album Gang of Losers. Lightburn's dynamic vocals never fail to impress, and "Life of Death We Want You" is no exception.

6. The Rural Alberta Advantage -- "The Deadroads"

Seems you can't go very far nowadays without running into these rurally-nostalgic chaps from Toronto. They're clearly the band of the moment and "The Deadroads" was the track that justified the hype surrounding The Rural Alberta Advantage. There's a bit of The Shins going on, with a quick upbeat foundation, matched with Nils Edenloff's ever-pained vocals. It comes from the group's Hometowns debut, soon to be a fixture in many "Best of 2009" lists (even though it originally came out in late 2008, just sayin').

7. Belle and Sebastian - "I Fought in a War"

No chamber or twee pop list is complete without a tip of the hat to Belle and Sebastian in some way. In this case, the influential Scottish group has shown up in person with their classic "I Fought in a War" track off their 2000 album, Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant.

8. Loney, Dear - "Hard Days 1.2.3.4"

Before Emil Svanängen was taking the world by storm with Loney, Dear's Dear John, he was wowing Sub Pop audiences with glittering tracks like this one off his 2007 LP Loney, Noir.

9. Windsor for the Derby - "Fallen off the Earth"

A wonderfully spaced-out groove from Tampa's ambient outfit Windsor for the Derby. The track comes off of the group's latest LP, How We Lost.

10. The Aluminum Group - "Two-Bit Faux Construction"

These guys have been pushing chamber pop since before it was cool. Chicago's The Aluminum Group formed in the early '90s, releasing their third album Pedals (on which "Two-Bit Faux Construction" appeared) in 1999. It remains one of (if not the) group's best albums to date.

Music for Your Eyes: The Builders and the Butchers' "Golden and Green"

2009-07-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

Surreal video for an awesome song. Not what I expected.

Pitchfork Music Fest on Future Perfect Radio

2009-07-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Pitchfork Music Festival will draw dozens of amazing bands and thousands of indie fans from all over the world to Chicago this weekend (where we're experiencing a wonderfully freakish cool summer, 70s in July, what is this?). But of course, not everyone will be able to make it out to Union Park.

Maybe tickets are too expensive for you. Don't worry though, you're not alone: I guess cause of some global recession that's apparently been going on since last year. Maybe because Chicago is too far away. Maybe because all your friends are lame and don't like The Pains of Being Pure at Heart or The Black Lips and you're one of those people who don't go anywhere alone. Maybe festivals just aren't your thing.

Or! Maybe you are going but just can't get enough. Maybe, instead of coming home exhausted after a live music-filled day like a sensible person, you're just hungry for more!

Whatever boat you're in, Future Perfect Radio has you covered. We've created a channel containing only the artists playing at this year's Pitchfork Music Fest! It's almost like being there...minus the crowds, the fickle weather, the ticket price and the waiting.

Click the button above to get listening!

Music for Your Eyes: The Depreciation Guild's "Dream About Me"

2009-07-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

Beautiful shoegaze. It's like it's the early '90s and you're hearing My Bloody Valentine for the first time. 'Nuff said.

The Brooklyn group have announced that they will be releasing In Her Gentle Jaws on deluxe vinyl and digital this fall (it was originally released as a free download in 2007). The Depreciation Guild's follow-up LP is in the works this summer, and will be released on the group's new label Kanine.

They'll also be touring with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (who else?). Dates after the break.

07-17 - Chicago IL - The Hideout w/ Coltrane Motion
09-05 Boston, MA - Middle East Downstairs
09-06 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rossa
09-07 Toronto, Ontario - Horseshoe Tavern
09-08 Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium
09-09 Madison, WI - Stage Door at the Orpheum
09-10 Omaha, NE - The Slowdown
09-13 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
09-14 Boise, ID - Neurolux
09-17 Portland, OR – Music Fest North West/Doug Fir
09-21 San Diego, CA - Casbah
09-22 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress
09-24 Fort Worth, TX - Lola's
09-25 Austin, TX - The Mohawk
09-26 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
09-27 Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder
09-28 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
09-29 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
09-30 Washington, DC - Black Cat
10-01 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
10-05 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church

White Denim sign to Downtown Records, new LP coming in October

2009-07-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

Austin's punk and garage inspired outfit White Denim have signed to Downtown Records. Presumably, the new label will release the group's new LP Fits, due for release on October 20. The album follows-up White Denim's debut full-length, Workout Holiday, which helped launch the group to wide recognition last year.

We can expect the group to embark on a U.S. tour in support of the new album in October as well.

Here's what we've been told about the Fits:

When a band’s first album is unpredictable enough to invoke comparisons with artists as wildly diverse as hardcore innovators the Minutemen and professorial idiosyncrasy of Randy Newman, then you can reasonably assume its been made by people who care about music. Lots of it. Jazz, punk, funk, country, acid rock, even piano ballads – all these labels have been used, accurately, to describe White Denim. Their second record is more problematic though. It has to sound like them.

Or, the Whale preps new album for September

2009-07-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

Or, the Whale is preparing to release a new album on the heels of 2007's Light Poles and Pines (which featured the band's debut single "Call and Response" and helped earn them a 2008 Hollywood Music Award for Best Americana/Roots Artist as well as a coveted spot on Radio & Records Top 100 Americana Artists of 2008).

Tracks like "Black Rabbit," which features a gale-force chorus above electric feedback and pounding drums, play out as if in an effort to prove just how hard the band can rock. At other times, as on "Never Coming Out" -- a paranoid and agoraphobic rail ride that explodes into a final a capella starburst -- Or, the Whale showcases their ability to present a reflective, stripped-down arrangement (no small feat for a band with seven members). Likewise, the creeping "Keep Me Up" shows how Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter" might sound if re-imagined through the mournful wail of pedal steel.

The San Francisco group's new self-titled album is filled with more complexity and shape, not to mention diversity and emotional impact. It lands on September 22 on Seany.

Yourself and the Air making waves

2009-06-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

I wasn't familiar with Yourself and the Air before their EP, Friend Of All Breeds, landed in my Inbox. If you, like I was, are unfamiliar with the group, let me introduce you.

The Chicago group formed in 2006 and released their first EP, Cold Outside Brings Heavy Thoughts to Think, the next year. Now they're back with Friend of All Breeds, an extraordinary blend of post-rock instrumentals, pop-friendly melodies and pained vocals. Yourself and the Air's music captivates -- some tracks are creepy and haunting, others rousing and triumphant.

"Like The Pixies, Yourself and the Air are experts at building songs around distinct guitar movements that shift seamlessly into one another on a smooth rotation. Best of all, they do it without sounding like a shallow imitation." - Tiny Mix Tapes

"Friend Of All Breeds has a worried heart, certain it has been mistreated and desperate to understand why." - Illinois Entertainer

"The delicious music created by suburban Chicago 5-piece Yourself & the Air is urban and jangly, yet spaced-out with a dreamlike quality — akin to the soundtrack to a twisted kids movie delivered with an eerie calm, climactic structures and relentless rhythms." - chicago INNERVIEW

Yeah. So you should be a fan. You can hear Yourself and the Air on Future Perfect Radio now. Get to it.

Yourself on the Air was also recently featured on Daytrotter. Check out their session here.

Tour dates after the break!

7.16 - The Replay Lounge - Lawrence, KS
7.17 - Hi Dive - Denver, CO
7.18 - Bash's - Lubbock, TX
7.20 - Notsuoh - Houston, TX
7.21 - The Mohawk - Austin, TX
7.22 - Rubbergloves Rehearsal - Denton, TX
7.23 - Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack - Little Rock, AR
7.24 - Spanish Moon - Baton Rouge, LA
7.25 - The Earl - Atlanta, GA
7.26 - The End - Nashville TN
7.27 - Bottletree - Birmingham, AL
7.28 - Southgate House Parlor - Newport, KY
7.29 - Circus - Columbus, OH
7.30 - Vollrath Tavern - Indianapolis, IN
7.31 - Turf Club - St. Paul, MN
8.1 - Subterranean - Chicago, IL

The Rural Alberta Advantage Need Your Help!

2009-06-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

One of the albums I've been most excited about this year is The Rural Alberta Advantage's Hometowns. I got a tease of the Canadian group when they were first signed to Saddle Creek alongside UUVVWWZ, and I was hooked from the first 20 seconds of "Don't Haunt This Place."

I finally got the whole album yesterday, and boy does it live up to my expectations. A wonderful blend of twee, indie pop and folk -- like smooshing Sea Wolf and The Shins together. Every song offers something different, no two sound alike but every one is addictive.

And to add to the group's coolness, they're raising money to release a 7" single. You can pledge your support (and receive really cool goodies!) on KickStart. Check these guys (and gal) out, you will not be disappointed!

Pitchfork Music Fest schedule posted

2009-06-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

The schedule for this year's Pitchfork Music Fest in Chicago, July 17-19, has been announced. Check out the full listing after the break. Additionally, it sounds like tickets for Sunday have been sold out. So, if you were hoping to catch The Vivian Girls, Grizzly Bear, M83, or The Flaming Lips, you're out of luck.

Of course, you can hear all of those acts, and indeed the whole Pitchfork line-up, on Future Perfect Radio's Pitchfork Music Fest channel. Tune in by clicking on the button below!

FRIDAY, JULY 17
8:40 (A) Built to Spill
7:20 (C) The Jesus Lizard
6:10 (A) Yo La Tengo...

5:00 (C) Tortoise

SATURDAY, JULY 18
8:40 (A) The National
8:30 (B) The Black Lips
7:30 (B) Matt and Kim
7:25 (C) Beirut
6:30 (B) Lindstrøm
6:15 (A) Doom
5:30 (B) Wavves
5:15 (C) Yeasayer
4:30 (B) Ponytail
4:15 (A) Final Fantasy
3:35 (B) Bowerbirds
3:20 (C) The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
2:40 (B) The Antlers
2:30 (A) Fucked Up
1:45 (C) Plants and Animals
1:45 (B) The Dutchess & The Duke
1:00 (A) Cymbals Eat Guitars
1:00 (B) Disappears

SUNDAY, JULY 19
8:40 (A) The Flaming Lips
8:30 (B) The Very Best
7:30 (B) Mew
7:25 (C) Grizzly Bear
6:30 (B) Vivian Girls
6:15 (A) M83
5:30 (B) Japandroids
5:15 (C) The Walkmen
4:30 (B) DJ/Rupture
4:15 (A) The Thermals
3:35 (B) Women
3:20 (C) Pharoahe Monch
2:40 (B) The Killer Whales
2:30 (A) Blitzen Trapper
1:45 (C) Frightened Rabbit
1:45 (B) Dianogah
1:00 (A) The Mae Shi
1:00 (B) Michael Columbia

A=Aluminum Stage, B=Balance Stage, C=Connector Stage

The Veils on tour

2009-06-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

Add to our previous list of dream artist duos The Veils and The Faunts. Oh yeah. Well, at least The Veils are hitting some venues this summer (even if they're Faunts-less). Check out the dates after the break.

Thu, Jul 9 Vancouver BC Canada Media Club
Fri, Jul 10 Seattle WA US Chop Suey
Sat, Jul 11 Portland OR US Mississippi Studios
Mon, Jul 13 San Francisco CA US Bottom of the Hill
Tue, Jul 14 Costa Mesa CA US Detroit Bar
Wed, Jul 15 Los Angeles CA US Spaceland
Fri, Jul 17 Tucson AZ US Plush
Sun, Jul 19 Ausitn TX US Mohawk
Mon, Jul 20 Norman OK US Opolis
Wed, Jul 22 Minneapolis MN US 7th street entry
Thu, Jul 23 Chicago IL US Empty Bottle
Fri, Jul 24 Cleveland OH US Beachland Ballroom Tavern
Sat, Jul 25 Pontiac MI US Pike Room @ Crofoot
Mon, Jul 27 Toronto ON Canada Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
Tue, Jul 28 Montreal QUE Canada La Sala Rossa
Wed, Jul 29 Cambridge MA US TT THe Bears
Thu, Jul 30 New York NY US The Mercury Lounge
Fri, Jul 31 philadelphia PA US Johnny Brenda’s
Sat, Aug 1 Washington DC US Rock and Roll Hotel
Mon, Aug 3 Brooklyn NY US The Bell House

Match made in heaven: Asobi Seksu tour with Loney, Dear

2009-06-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

You can say that again. Glitzy shoegaze connoisseurs Asobi Seksu will be touring with Sweden's electro-influenced rocker Loney, Dear. Dates are below.

What duos would you like to see roll into town? Here are a few of ours:

Bat for Lashes and Black Moth Super Rainbow
Yeasayer and The Builders and the Butchers
Sea Wolf and the Portland Cello Project
Foals and Coldplay (just kidding)

Sep 16 - Joe’s Pub (special acoustic performance) - New York, NY
Sep 23 - Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC
Sep 24 - The Earl - Atlanta, GA

Sep 26 - The Mohawk - Austin, TX
Sep 27 - Hailey’s - Denton, TX
Sep 29 - Plush - Tucson, AZ
Sep 30 - Casbah - San Diego, CA*
Oct 1 - Troubador - Los Angeles, CA*
Oct 2 - Slims - San Francisco, CA*
Oct 3 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR*
Oct 4 - Chop Suey - Seattle, WA*
Oct 6 - Biltmore Cabaret - Vancouver BC*
Oct 9 - 7th Street Entry - Minneapolis, MN*
Oct 10 - Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL*
Oct 11 - Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH*
Oct 12 - Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto ON*
Oct 13 - Il Motore - Montreal QC*
Oct 14 - Great Scott - Boston, MA*
Oct 15 - Maxwells - Hoboken, NJ*
Oct 16 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY*
Oct 17 - Johnny Brendas - Philadelphia, PA*

*w/Loney Dear

Deastro releases "Live at Lime With Deastro" EP

2009-06-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

Can somebody tell Deastro he doesn't need to keep releasing music? He's got an LP coming out for pete's-sake, and yet he continues to put out EPs. First it was Grower, now Live at Lime with Deastro. Randolph Chabot is like some kind of awesome music machine! Okay though, this is a live EP, so it's not like Chabot had to give up a week in the studio or whatever. The music comes from a March 29 performance at Dubway Studios in New York. The EP can be yours for a whopping $4 at LimeWire's store here.

Check out our interview with Chabot here. Remember, Deastro's full-length Moondagger lands June 23 on Ghostly International. You can hear it now on Future Perfect Radio.