Blue Water White Death Crafts a 'Song for the Greater Jihad'

Blue Water Death, the collaboration between Shearwater’s Jonathan Meiburg and Xiu Xiu’s Jamie Stewart, epitomizes a "do more with less" ethos that rattles with intensity. The duo champions a stripped-down approach that is beautifully set above shifting, strong undercurrents.

Blue Water Death will release its eponymous debut album on October 12, but in the meantime, the duo is offering a glimpse into its shadowy world with “Song for the Greater Jihad.”

Learn:
Blue Water White Death Online

Listen:
1 - Song for the Greater Jihad"

Buy:
Graveface Records

Mi Ami Issues Its 'Practice Tape'

San Francisco's Mi Ami has been growing its presence slowly and deliberately since forming in 2007, releasing a string of 12" records to its forthcoming sophomore release - and first for Thrill Jockey Records - Steal Your Face.

The trio lost founding member Jacob Long this summer, but Damon Palermo and Daniel Martin-McCormick are pressing on as a duo, whetting the appetites of fans and critics alike with Steal Your Face's first single, "Practice Tape."

Learn:
Mi Ami on Myspace

Listen :
1 - Practice Tape

Buy:
Thrill Jockey Store

The Black Heart Procession Turns a 'Blank Page'

San Diego's The Black Heart Procession went big with its forthcoming mini-album Blood Bunny/Black Rabbit, roping in dub legend Lee "Scratch" Perry for an appearance on the 40-minute EP.

The eccentri-folk duo is never without a couple of surprises, and this release promises the same. Take a listen to "Blank Page" from Blood Bunny/Black Rabbit below, and catch the group on tour with the Books.

9/28/2010 Le Poisson Rouge New York, NY
9/29/2010 Trocadero Theatre Philadelphia, PA
9/30/2010 9:30 Club Washington, DC
10/2/2010 Visulite Theatre Charlotte, NC
10/3/2010 Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
10/4/2010 Square Room Knoxville, TN
10/5/2010 Jefferson Theater Charlottesville, VA
10/6/2010 Ram's Head Live Baltimore, MD
10/21/2010 Somerville Theater Somerville, MA
10/22/2010 Pearl Street Nightclub Northampton, MA
10/23/2010 Le Cabaret du Mile End Montreal, QC
10/24/2010 Capital Music Hall Ottawa, ON
10/25/2010 The Mod Club Toronto, ON
10/26/2010 The Crofoot Ballroom Pontiac, MI
10/27/2010 The Ladies Literary Club Grand Rapids, MI
10/29/2010 Vic Theatre Chicago, IL
10/30/2010 Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN
11/29/2010 Music Box At The Henry Fonda, Los Angeles, CA
11/30/2010 Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA
12/3/2010 Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR
12/4/2010 Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA
12/5/2010 Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, BC

Learn:
The Black Heart Procession

Listen:
1 - Blank Page

Buy:
Black Heart Store

The Black Twig Pickers Prepare an 'Ironto Special'

Photo by Jeanna Duerscherl

Thrill Jockey Records listens for sounds that few can hear; it manages to unveil new and original artists at a pace that leaves its contemporaries in the dust.

One of Thrill Jockey's most recent signings is The Black Twig Pickers, a trio of Virginians that embrace old-time music built on fiddle, guitar and banjo (along with an assortment of less conventional instruments). The Black Twig Pickers will release Ironto Special on September 21, and have issued a single, "Don't Drink Nothing But Corn," for your listening pleasure.

Learn:
Black Twig Pickers on MySpace

Listen:
1 - Don't Drink Nothing But Corn

Buy:
Thrill Jockey Store

The Cinnamon Band Is 'All Dressed Up'

The Cinnamon Band's All Dressed EP was a pleasant surprise; I hadn't heard or heard of the Virginia duo, but upon first listen, I couldn't help but become intimately familiar. The band emits energized indie rock with the ease of a veteran group, likely due to songwriter/guitarist John Harouff and drummer Neil Campbell's musical relationship, which has been evolving since they first began playing together at the age of 12.

All Dressed is vibrantly straightforward; there is no slight of hand on these four tracks. Check out "I'm Asking You" below.

Learn:
The Cinnamon Band Online

Listen:
1 - I'm Asking You

Buy:
DigStation

The Hundred in the Hands Haunted by 'Ghosts'

Photo by Sarah Wilmer

The Hundred in the Hands are one of a number of boy-girl duos splashing into modern music with electro-attitude and honey-sweet vocals.

The group will release its eponymous debut on September 21 on Warp Records. In the meantime, enjoy "Ghosts" from the This Desert EP released earlier this year.

Learn:
THITH Zine

Listen:
1 - Ghosts

Buy:
BLEEP

Dark Dark Dark Caught 'Daydreaming'

Photo By Cameron Wittig

Dark Dark Dark's Nona Marie Invie is still an unknown quantity in music, but "Daydreaming," the first single from the Minneapolis-based sextet's sophomore album Wild Go, demonstrates that this is truly about to change.

From the pleasantly warped piano melody to Invie's vocal brawn and the ghastly harmonies, Dark Dark Dark is the haunting creaking of an empty old house, making sounds without caring about who - or what - is listening.

Learn:
Bright Bright Bright

Listen:
1 - Daydreaming

Buy:
Dark Dark Dark Store

Sun Airway and its Magic Touch

Philadelphia's Sun Airway has a magic touch, whether caressing out its original tracks or reworking compositions of others. The duo of John Barthmus and Patrick Marscelli craft electronically textured pop songs that are lilting and layered.

Sun Airway recently wrapped up its debut, Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier, after 18 months recording in Barthmus' basement. The album will drop on October 26 on Dead Oceans, but in the meantime, it has also released the single, "Oh, Naoko."

Learn:
Sun Airway Online

Listen:
1 - Oh, Naoko
2 - Casual (Here We Go Magic Remix

Buy:
Dead Oceans Store

Leslie: Looking for the 'Touch'

Charleston, South Carolina rockers Leslie are gearing up for a high intensity fall with the release of its debut long-player and a return to the road. In anticipation, the band - Sadler Vaden, Jason Fox, and Jonathan Carman - has released "Touch Me" for free download.

Check out "Touch Me" below, and catch Leslie on the road if you can.

August 27 - Charleston Pour House, Charleston, SC (with Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit)
August 28 - Slim's, Raleigh, NC
September 7 - Jillian's, Columbia, SC
September 11 - Greene Street, Greensboro, NC
September 22 - Droopy's, Myrtle Beach, SC
October 2 - Patriot's Point, Mount Pleasant (with Widespread Panic)

Learn:
Leslie on MySpace

Listen:
1 - Touch Me

Buy:
Leslie Store

Shannon Whitworth Rises from the 'Water'

Shannon Whitworth was the heart of bluegrass group The Biscuit Burners, and now, on her own, she has become a fresh new voice in the canon of Americana music.

Whitworth's sophomore release, Water Bound, is warm and flowing, her tempered, full voice balanced elegantly with acoustic backing and adorned frequently by her clawhammer banjo work.

Check out "Put Me Back" from Water Bound below.

Learn:
Shannon Whitworth Online

Listen:
1 - Put Me Back

Buy:
Amazon