Is This It?

I'm not going to lie; as popular as this blog has gotten, I really need some help keeping it together. I've had absolutely no time to continue writing recently and have been posting all normal Whipping Post content on my Facebook page (Josh DeNutte). I'll continue creating Whipping Post Mixes, currently streaming Episode 10 on 8tracks.com, and I'll keep plugging things through my Facebook (Facebook is the new Tumblr), but as for creating full posts with somewhat detailed content, I just don't have the time right now.

If you have a passion for discovering and writing about new music, or even just want to post new videos and songs whenever you find them, please reach out to me. I would love to have someone help me out with keeping this blog going. Find me on Facebook, 8tracks (The Whipping Post), or Twitter @twpjosh

VIDEO: The Decemberists - "This Is Why We Fight"

Off their latest album, The King Is Dead. This video looks like a trailer for a film I would see in a heartbeat.

VIDEO: Frank Ocean - "Songs For Women"

This album will no doubt be in my top 10 come December.

VIDEO: The Lonely Island - "We're Back!"

The Lonely Island are set to do it again. Turtleneck & Chain drops May 10th and will feature spots from Akon, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, and Nicki Minaj just to name a few.

Hear the New Justice Song "Civilization" (Now High Quality)

I was waiting to post this new song from Justice because 1. it was just 30 seconds of an Adidas commercial, 2. it became a low quality radio rip, and 3. I don't want to post 4 times about one song just like you don't want to listen to all the shitty versions before the high quality one. The track surfaced on iTunes France recently, so here it is, the new Justice song, "Civilization" and it doesn't disappoint!

NEW: YACHT - "Dystopia (The Earth Is On Fire)"

DFA, the label responsible for acts like Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, and YACHT, have begun producing a web series called White Sessions, where someone plays a new track from one of the label's artists on a turntable in their office. The latest White Out Session features a new track from YACHT. It's nothing different from the duo, just good classic dance-rock at it's best. YACHT will be in D.C. April 25th at Black Cat.

DFA White Out Sessions - Dystopia (The Earth Is On Fire) by ▲ YACHT ▲ from DFA Records on Vimeo.

NEW: Yonas - "Mindless" and "Fall Back"

I'm so happy to see Cause (oops!), Yonas finally getting some much deserved love on the web. I fell in love when I heard his song "More Than Music" back in '06 and I've been following the guy ever since. Here are a couple new tracks that Yonas put out this month. Look for his new album, The Proven Theory late April.

Yonas - "Mindless"


Yonas - "Fall Back"

VIDEO: TV On The Radio - "Will Do"

TV On The Radio give us a video for "Will Do", the first song we were treated to when we heard about their upcoming album Nine Types Of Light. It's a sad, sci-fi influenced video, where the band use virtual reality as a substitute for physical love and pleasure. So far, I'm a big fan of both the tracks TV On The Radio have released for Nine Types Of Light.



Related: TV On The Radio - "Caffeinated Consciousness"

NEW: Cults - "You Know What I Mean"

Ummm...holy shit. I just fell in love with the new Cults song and I can't stop playing it. The production on this is incredible. From a 50's girl group vibe to a booming hook that grips you and refuses to let you go, this is like nothing we've heard from the duo. While "Go Outside" may always remain my favorite track from Cults, it certainly didn't hit me like a ton of bricks, the way "You Know What I Mean" just did. This album is going to be incredible. Head over to their Soundcloud page to stream the song NOW. Catch Cults this Friday at Rock & Roll Hotel.

Odd Future Storm Off The Billboard SXSW Showcase Stage

After making nearly a half-dozen appearances through the SXSW week that kept everyone talking, Odd Future took the stage at Buffalo Billiards and barely made it through three songs before cursing out the crowd, the venue, and yes, even Billboard, and then finally stormed offstage. From the moment the group started its set with "Sandwitches," things weren't quite going as planned.



Read the details over at Billboard.

Sleigh Bells Killed It At The Woodie Awards

Got my tickets for the Sleigh Bells and CSS show at 9:30 Club on May 7th. Going to be epic, no big deal.



Odd Future wrapped up the Woodie Awards show with a performance of "Sandwitches" involving crowd surfing, a midget, and some creepy mascots:

Foo Fighters Could Play A Concert In Your Garage

On April 12, Foo Fighters will be releasing their highly anticipated seventh studio album Wasting Light. The album was recorded entirely in Dave Grohl's garage, so, in cooperation with Blackberry, the band is holding a contest for the biggest Foo Fighters fans to win a chance to host a live Foo Fighters performance in their own garage on eight dates throughout the month of April. The performances will only take place on eight dates in eight cities so fans living in New York, Washington, D.C., Toronto, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Dallas or Seattle can enter the contest here. All you have to do is explain, in 25 words or less, why you deserve to win and send a picture of your garage. Listeners of local radio stations can also win a chance to attend the garage show in their town. So enter the contest and hopefully you get the chance to have the Foo Fighters playing a show in your garage.

April 8 New York (RXP 101.9)

April 13 Washington DC (DC 101)

April 14 Toronto (102.1 The Edge)

April 19 Chicago (Q101)

April 20 Minneapolis (93X Rocks)

April 25 Denver (Channel 93.3)

April 26 Dallas (102.1FM The Edge)

April 27 Seattle (107.7 The End)

Foo Fighters - "Rope"

WATCH: James Blake live at SXSW

James Blake setlist:
"Unluck"
"Limit To Your Love"
"Klavierwerke"
"Lindesfarne II"
"The Wilhelm Scream"
"To Care (Like You)"

Justice Set To Release New Album!

ZOMG I JUST PEED.

After more than a year of maybes, false rumors, general lies, and fake songs, French electro Gods Justice announced on their Facebook page the release of their next single "Civilization" on April 4th. The artwork is above and it will be the first single off their upcoming, still-untitled follow up to their 2007 blockbuster. The Facebook post also included the following message:

THE BEATING OF A MILLION DRUMS
THE FIRE OF A MILLION GUNS
THE MOTHER OF A MILLION SONS

Lyrics? We'll see. Get pumped and watch the iconic "D.A.N.C.E." video below:

Zack Galifianakis Is Hilarious on SNL

The one time SNL does something funny and people blow it out of proportion and it becomes controversial. Hulu edited Zack Galifianakis' opening monologue but you can find it on Youtube and below:

NEW: TV On The Radio - "Caffeinated Consciousness"

TV On The Radio recently gave us another new song off their upcoming album Nine Types Of Light. The album is shaping up to be one of the best of the year, in my opinion. Nine Types Of Light drops April 12th.

TV On The Radio - "Caffeinated Consciousness"

Follow TWP on Twitter!

I finally joined the 21st century and upgraded to a smartphone. I know. Even my grandmother already owned one and actually wanted to show me how to use a few apps. Embarrassing.

I've been shying away from creating a Twitter account for The Whipping Post (and personal use) due to my lack of mobility, and while I created a Facebook Page, I haven't kept much on top of it for the very same reason. But thanks to Steve Jobs TWP can continue to grow. Thanks Stevie, fur reals.

SO FOLLOW THE WHIPPING POST ON TWITTER @TWPjosh and get on that Facebook page! Is it just me, or is following Lauren Conrad and Katy Perry, like, the greatest thing ever?

VIDEO: Starfucker - "Quality Time"

New video off Starfucker's upcoming album Reptillians.

The Tides Are Turning

What's going on with me lately?

My last five album downloads:

1.) Lupe Fiasco - Lasers


2.) Wiz Khalifa - Rolling Papers


3.) Pac Div - Mania!


4.) Odd Future - all of them...


5.) Gucci Mane - The Return Of Mr. Zone 6

NEW: jj- "The End"

I've fallen in love with everything jj have given us in their just over a year of existence. The duo posted this track up on their blog today with no info. Well that's not true. There were a few lyrics about nuclear explosions, birds, mermaids, you know, the usual. There wasn't even a true title posted, so I guess we're just going to call it "The End".

jj - "The End"

Broken Bells Annouce New EP

Broken Bells are following up their debut album with a new EP featuring four songs that didn't make the cut for the self-titled album. Meyrin Fields is set to be released March 29th and the duo have given us the title track to preview. I usually hate hearing about albums featuring songs that didn't make a previous album because bands are basically admitting that it's B-Grade material. However, "Meyrin Fields" has a really great sound and I think it would have definitely been a standout track on Broken Bells.

Broken Bells - "Meyrin Fields"

Gayngs Release FREE Remix EP

Minneapolis collective, Gayngs, took a step away from Relayted's smooth, 80's soul-vibing, prince-esque sound on their new EP Affiliyated. The band had some very specific rules that they dished out for the creation of the 7-song set:

To create the GAYNGS’ Regrind EP all of the stems from the bands debut album, Relayted, were arbitrarily named and compiled into a list … [A] collection of producers and musicians … were then instructed to choose only 10, without knowing what songs they came from or what instruments they contained. One could choose anything from four sax solos and six bass lines, to eight keyboards and two background vocals. The combinations that could be chosen were indefinite…the only certainty was that the parts would all be set to the tempo of 69 beats per minute.

From there, the re-grinders were free to chop, pitch-shift, and otherwise pulverize the stems into a new, cohesive song. The only rule was that they must use all 10 stems they were given, and that the tempo must remain at GAYNGS’ standard 69 bpm.

Foster The People Announce Debut Album

May 24th will see the (seemingly) long-awaited debut album from Foster The People. The album will be titled Torches and be released by Columbia Records. After the band's tease with the Pumped Up Kicks EP, I'm beyond excited to hear the full-length. Foster The People will be setting out for a Spring tour this week and will most likely be giving us all a preview of some new songs off Torches.

3/08 Santa Barbara, CA SOHO
3/13 Santa Fe, NM Corzon
3/14 El Paso,TX Lowbrow Palace
3/21 Tempe, AZ Sail Inn
3/22 Solana, CA Belly Up
3/23 San Francisco, CA Independent
3/25 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios
3/26 Seattle WA High Dive *SOLD OUT
3/27 Boise, ID Reef
3/29 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
3/30 Denver, CO Walnut Room
3/31 Kansas City, MO The Record Bar
4/01 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
4/02 Chicago, IL Schuba’s *SOLD OUT
4/03 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace
4/05 Montreal, QC Petit Campus
4/07 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall
4/08 New York, NY Mercury Lounge *SOLD OUT
4/09 Brooklyn, NY Knitting Factory *SOLD OUT
4/10 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie
4/11 Washington DC Red Palace
4/17 Indio, CA Coachella
5/30 George, WA Sasquatch

Previously on TWP: Foster The People - "Helena Beat" and Wiz Khalifa vs. Foster The People


Foster The People - "Pumped Up Kicks"

NEW: 1,2,3 - "Riding Coach"

Another band I debuted almost exactly a year ago, in the same playlist as my last post, has a new song for us. 1,2,3 recently signed to Frenchkiss Records, home to Passion Pit and Freelance Whales, and should be giving us a debut album sometime this year.

1,2,3 - "Riding Coach"

NEW: Summer Camp - "I Want You"

London's Summer Camp recently released the first song off their upcoming debut full-length. "I Want You" was produced by Steve Mackey, who has worked with M.I.A. and Florence and the Machine. This is a bit more intense than the song I posted almost exactly one year ago on the February 2010 Playlist, but I like it. Summer Camp will play their first ever U.S. show next month.

Summer Camp - "I Want You"

VIDEO: Dr. Dre "I Need A Doctor"

MASHUP: Hold On Tight (Wiz Khalifa vs. Foster The People)

I feel like I haven't shared a really solid mashup for a while now. Can't wait to catch Foster The People here in D.C.

Travis Barker & DJ Whoo Kid - Let The Drummer Get Wicked (Mixtape)

March 15th will see the release of Travis Barker's album, Give The Drummer Some. But before then, he's giving us the mixtape Let The Drummer Get Wicked. The mixtape features big names like Lupe Fiasco, Too Short, Xzibit, Wiz Khalifa, and of course some sick drumming from Barker. Download the mixtape FO' FREE here.

NEW: Six Alleged New Songs From Justice's Visceral LP

Check out these new songs off Justice's upcoming album, Visceral. It feels like it's been a decade since Cross and I need me some authentic Justice songs in my life!

TWP Presents: The Untitled Playlist (Episode 9)

I just noticed the folder for Episode 9 sitting on my desktop, waiting to be published. My apologies for not getting this out sooner, it just got lost in the mix. There's some really great music going on in this episode. Sidenote question: Where do you think the White Stripes will reunite, Coachella or Bonnaroo? And what's the over/under on that show happening? 5 years? More?



1.) Tennis System - "FS"
2.) Beans - "Mellow You Out" (feat. Tunde Adebi)
3.) Starfucker - "Julius"
4.) The White Stripes - "Seven Nation Army" (Glitch Mob Remix)
5.) DOM - "Beth"
6.) Detox Retox - "Caroline"
7.) UZi-OHIO - "Wonderwall"
8.) Yuck - "Coconut Bible"
9.) Sleigh Bells - "Tell 'Em" (Diplo Remix) DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED VIA FUN POLICE
10.) Metal Mother - "Billy Cruz"
11.) DOM - "Bowl Cut" (Aislyn Remix)
12.) Freelance Whales - "Day Off"

Bonnaroo 2011 Lineup Announced

Bonnaroo 2011 lineup
Eminem
Arcade Fire
Widespread Panic
The Black Keys
Buffalo Springfield feat Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Rick Rosas, Joe Vitale
My Morning Jacket
Lil Wayne
String Cheese Incident
Robert Plant & Band of Joy
Mumford & Sons
The Strokes
The Decemberists
Ray LaMontagne
Bassnectar
Iron & Wine
Girl Talk
Primus
Dr. John and The Original Meters performing Desitively Bonnaroo
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Pretty Lights
Florence + the Machine
SuperJam with Dan Auerbach and Dr. John
Explosions In The Sky
STS9
Gogol Bordello
Beirut
Big Boi
Scissor Sisters
Gregg Allman
Ratatat
Global Gypsy Punk Revue curated by Eugene Hütz
Robyn
Warren Haynes Band
Deerhunter
Opeth
Atmosphere
Old Crow Medicine Show
Bootsy Collins & the Funk University
Wiz Khalifa
Matt & Kim
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
The Del McCoury Band & the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Mavis Staples
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Chiddy Bang
Jovanotti
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
Loretta Lynn
Cold War Kids
The Walkmen
Devotchka
Wanda Jackson
Neon Trees
Portugal. The Man
Sleigh Bells
Amos Lee
Best Coast
Dãm-Funk & Master Blazter
The Sword
The Drums
The Black Angels
School of Seven Bells
J. Cole
Nicole Atkins & the Black Sea
Wavves
!!!
Junip
Freelance Whales
Justin Townes Earle
Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses
Deer Tick
Band of Skulls
Sharon Van Etten
Abigail Washburn
Omar Souleyman
Twin Shadow
Kylesa
Man Man
The Low Anthem
Alberta Cross
Railroad Earth
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Smith Westerns
The Head and the Heart
Karen Elson
Beats Antique
22-20s
Phosphorescent
Clare Maguire
Hayes Carll

Who Is Arcade Fire Tumblr

I love the utter revolt we're seeing by Bieber and Gaga fans in the aftermath of the Grammys. From Bieber fans vandalizing Esperanza Spalding's Wikipedia page to Tumblrs being set up to voice disgust over the Album of the Year winners, I think I like the tween controversy more than the actual awards. I can't stop reading this stuff.

http://whoisarcadefire.tumblr.com/

New Foo Fighters

The new Foo Fighters album is set for an April 12th release and if the video for "White Limo" is any indication, this album will be a big change in direction from the band's last. "White Limo" is heavy. It definitely has the sound, and look, of classic 90's Foo Fighters.

Guards Release Free EP Covering Metallica, Vampire Weekend, and M.I.A.

Yesterday, Guards released at digital 7" cover song EP. Head over to their Bandcamp to grab it FO' FREE. Listen to their cover of M.I.A.'s "Born Free" below:

Guards - "Born Free" (M.I.A. Cover)

Grammy Performances

To my surprise, we had a few above average performances last night on the awards show. A few of my favorites are below:

Cee Lo Green and Gwyneth Paltrow perform "Forget You"


Muse rocked the stage with "Uprising"


Eminem and Rihanna "Love The Way You Lie" and Eminem with Dr. Dre and Skylar Grey "I Need A Doctor"


Winners for Album of the Year, Arcade Fire, performed "Month of May" and then immediately grabbed their instruments for a second go around after receiving their award to give us "Ready To Start"

Grammy Bowl V: The Wrap Up

Read it and weep! Your Grammy winners are below (big congratulations to Arcade Fire!) and I take a commanding lead into Grammy Bowl VI next year. Truth be told, both Adam and I had no idea who to pick this year and I guess I just happen to be a pretty good guesser. Winners in BOLD. Esperanza Spalding, really?! This is why I hate the Grammy Awards.

record of the year
nothin' on you- B.O.B. and Bruno Mars
love the way you lie- Eminem and Rihanna
fuck you- Cee Lo Green
empire state of mind- Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
need you now- Lady Antebellum

album of the year
the suburbs- arcade fire
recovery- eminem
need you now- lady antebellum
the fame monster- lady gaga
teenage dream- katy perry

song of the year
beg steal or borrow- ray lamontagne
fuck you- cee lo green
the house that built me- miranda lambert
love the way you lie- eminem and rihanna
need you now- lady antebellum

best new artist
justin bieber
drake
florence and the machine
mumford & sons
esperanza spalding

best female pop vocal performance
king of anything- sara bareilles
halo- beyonce
chasing pirates- norah jones
bad romance- lady gaga
teenage dream- katy perry

best male pop vocal performance
haven't met you yet- michael buble
this is it- michael jackson
whataya want from me- adam lambert
just the way you are- bruno mars
half of my heart- john mayer

best pop performance by a duo or group
don't stop believin'- the cast of glee
misery- maroon 5
the only exception- paramore
babyfather- sade
hey soul sister- train

best solo rock vocal performance
run back to your side- eric clapton
crossroads- john mayer
helter skelter- paul mccartney
silver rider- robert plant
angry world- neil young

best rock performance by a duo or group
ready to start- arcade fire
i put a spell on you- jeff beck & joss stone
tighten up- the black keys
radioactive- kings of leon
resistance- muse

best hard rock performance
a looking in view- alice in chains
let me hear you scream- ozzy osbourne
black rain- soundgarden
between the lines- stone temple pilots
new fang- them crooked vultures

best rock song
angry world- neil young
little lion man- mumford & sons
radioactive- kings of leon
resistance- muse
tighten up- the black keys

best rock album
emotion & commotion- jeff beck
the resistance- muse
backspacer- pearl jam
mojo- tom petty and the heartbreakers
le noise- neil young

best alternative album
the suburbs- arcade fire
infinite arms- band of horses
brothers- the black keys
broken bells- broken bells
contra- vampire weekend

best r&b song
bittersweet- fantasia
finding my way back- jaheim
second chance- el debarge
shine- john legend and the roots
why would you stay- kem

best contemporary r&b album
graffiti- chris brown
untitled- r kelly
transition- ryan leslie
the archandroid- janelle monae
raymond v raymond- usher

best rap solo performance
over- drake
not afraid- eminem
how low- ludacris
i'm back- t.i.
power- kanye west

best rap song
empire state of mind- jay-z and alicia keys
love the way you lie- eminem and rihanna
not afraid- eminem
nothin' on you- b.o.b. and bruno mars
on to the next one- jay-z

best rap album
the adventures of bobby ray- b.o.b.
thank me later- drake
recovery- eminem
the blueprint 3- jay-z
how i got over- the roots

best country song
the breath you take- george strait
free- zac brown band
the house that built me- miranda lambert
i'd love to be your last- gretchen wilson
if i die young- the band perry
need you now- lady antebellum

best country album
up on the ridge- dierks bentley
you get what you give- zac brown band
the guitar song- jamey johnson
need you now- lady antebellum
revolution- miranda lambert

best song written for a motion picture, tv, or other visual media
down in new orleans- the princess and the frog
i see you- avatar
kiss like your kiss- true blood
this city- treme soundtrack
the weary kind- crazy heart

best short form music video
ain't no grave- johnny cash
love the way you lie- eminem and rihanna
stylo- gorillaz, mos def, bobby womack
fuck you- cee lo green
bad romance- lady gaga

NEW: The Knux - "She's So Up"

I love watching this duo's progress through the years. From Remind Me In 3 Days, Fuck You EP, and now this first listen off their upcoming still-untitled album, The Knux are growing by leaps and bounds. This is the true definition of alternative hip-hop. Close your eyes and envision a punk "fuck you" attitude, smashing guitars and spitting on fans. Now pair it with swift, storytelling rhymes. You've got The Knux.

The Knux - "She's So Up"

VIDEO: The Black Keys - "Too Afraid To Love You"

The latest video from the album Brothers:

GRAMMY BOWL V

Who wants to watch 3 hours of red carpet dresses, disappointing performances, and unworthy award winners? Me and Adam, that's who! Grammy Bowl V is upon us and it's time for us to prove that no matter how knowledgeable we may be about music, all bets are off when it comes to picking Grammy Award winners. How many people get to vote for the Grammy's? 40,000? More? How many of them are over the age of 65 and should be retired? 85 percent? More? Anyway, every year Adam and I try to pick who will actually win the awards, not who we believe SHOULD win (hence why I picked Lady Antebellum for Record of the Year....LOCK!) I'm ahead in our all-time standings, 2-1-1.

Adam's picks in RED, my picks in BLUE.

record of the year
nothin' on you- B.O.B. and Bruno Mars
love the way you lie- Eminem and Rihanna
fuck you- Cee Lo Green
empire state of mind- Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
need you now- Lady Antebellum

album of the year
the suburbs- arcade fire
recovery- eminem
need you now- lady antebellum
the fame monster- lady gaga
teenage dream- katy perry

song of the year
beg steal or borrow- ray lamontagne
fuck you- cee lo green
the house that built me- miranda lambert
love the way you lie- eminem and rihanna
need you now- lady antebellum

best new artist
justin bieber
drake
florence and the machine
mumford & sons
esperanza spalding

best female pop vocal performance
king of anything- sara bareilles
halo- beyonce
chasing pirates- norah jones
bad romance- lady gaga
teenage dream- katy perry

best male pop vocal performance
haven't met you yet- michael buble
this is it- michael jackson
whataya want from me- adam lambert
just the way you are- bruno mars
half of my heart- john mayer

best pop performance by a duo or group
don't stop believin'- the cast of glee
misery- maroon 5
the only exception- paramore
babyfather- sade
hey soul sister- train

best solo rock vocal performance
run back to your side- eric clapton
crossroads- john mayer
helter skelter- paul mccartney
silver rider- robert plant
angry world- neil young

best rock performance by a duo or group
ready to start- arcade fire
i put a spell on you- jeff beck & joss stone
tighten up- the black keys
radioactive- kings of leon
resistance- muse

best hard rock performance
a looking in view- alice in chains
let me hear you scream- ozzy osbourne
black rain- soundgarden
between the lines- stone temple pilots
new fang- them crooked vultures

best rock song
angry world- neil young
little lion man- mumford & sons
radioactive- kings of leon
resistance- muse
tighten up- the black keys

best rock album
emotion & commotion- jeff beck
the resistance- muse
backspacer- pearl jam
mojo- tom petty and the heartbreakers
le noise- neil young

best alternative album
the suburbs- arcade fire
infinite arms- band of horses
brothers- the black keys
broken bells- broken bells
contra- vampire weekend

best r&b song
bittersweet- fantasia
finding my way back- jaheim
second chance- el debarge
shine- john legend and the roots
why would you stay- kem

best contemporary r&b album
graffiti- chris brown
untitled- r kelly
transition- ryan leslie
the archandroid- janelle monae
raymond v raymond- usher

best rap solo performance
over- drake
not afraid- eminem
how low- ludacris
i'm back- t.i.
power- kanye west

best rap song
empire state of mind- jay-z and alicia keys
love the way you lie- eminem and rihanna
not afraid- eminem
nothin' on you- b.o.b. and bruno mars
on to the next one- jay-z

best rap album
the adventures of bobby ray- b.o.b.
thank me later- drake
recovery- eminem
the blueprint 3- jay-z
how i got over- the roots

best country song
the breath you take- george strait
free- zac brown band
the house that built me- miranda lambert
i'd love to be your last- gretchen wilson
if i die young- the band perry
need you now- lady antebellum

best country album
up on the ridge- dierks bentley
you get what you give- zac brown band
the guitar song- jamey johnson
need you now- lady antebellum
revolution- miranda lambert

best song written for a motion picture, tv, or other visual media
down in new orleans- the princess and the frog
i see you- avatar
kiss like your kiss- true blood
this city- treme soundtrack
the weary kind- crazy heart

best short form music video
ain't no grave- johnny cash
love the way you lie- eminem and rihanna
stylo- gorillaz, mos def, bobby womack
fuck you- cee lo green
bad romance- lady gaga

LIVE: Tennis System @ Black Cat Backstage

I had the chance to check out local D.C. band Tennis System last week and I've got to say, they're a must-see live. Ripping through a 40 minute set of shoegaze psychedelic noise, the guys in Tennis System were only limited by the size of the Backstage at Black Cat. Opening up with "FS", it was apparent from the get go that Tennis System are consciously trying to push the artistic boundaries of what is typically expected of the genre. Lead singer/guitarist Matty T is so creative on guitar, I thought he was going to pull a Syd Barrett and whip out a Zippo to add to those kaleidoscopic guitar sounds. I had the opportunity to ask Matty a few questions:

There are two of you listed as Tennis System, but you have help during live shows. Give us the story with that.

At the start of the summer, our drummer and bassist wanted to pursue other professional careers. We tried out a number of drummers and bass players but none of them worked out, so Misha hopped on drums (his original instrument) and Matty's cousin Dale Holmes took over guitar and our mutual friend Richie Giese is on bass. They've been an incredible addition and have really rounded out our line up. We couldn't be more grateful to have them in the band. The reason why they are listed as 'Live' members is because they hadn't joined the band until after we finished the new record, 'Teenagers'. We’re also lucky to have Jeremy Teter sit in with us when he can to play keys; he’s on “Hey We Tried” on the album. He is an amazing musician, and his band Shapiro is a great, under-recognized band.

Who influenced you growing up?

Our parents, ultimately. The music that inspired them also inspired us: The Beatles, the Kinks, Neil Young, Yes, the Zombies. They never restricted what we could listen to. Matty’s brother Damien, (Th' Sounds Of) Kaleidoscope, played a big part in his music aspirations as well.

When can we expect your new album to be in our hands?

We're hoping to release 'Teenagers' by late spring/early summer. While you're waiting for the new record, you'll be able to pick up our new single, 'Hey, We Tried' available exclusively on Bandcamp.

What are you expectations with the release of this album?

We worked incredibly hard on our record, and we put everything we have into it. Working with Ryan van Kriedt (Asteroid No. 4 and The Dead Skeletons), we experimented; we added cello, bells, xylophone, synths and organ to create a new sound. We believe it’s our best work, and we hope that when people hear it, they stop saying we’re loud. Every band is loud when you see them live; shows are loud. We would be incredibly satisfied if people say it’s an amazing record, period.

Do you have a favorite DC venue?

The Rock and Roll Hotel – they’ve been generous and have always paired us with amazing bands, like Wavves and Japandroids . And the Black Cat, because they treat us well, the sound is great, and it’s fun to play there.

What are your thoughts on the DC music scene?

D.C. lacks a scene. It’s basically every man for himself here. There are definitely a few bands in this city who are working hard and collaborating. But, for the most part, there’s no camaraderie. If more people worked together, it would build a scene, and I think that is what would make people outside of this city start caring about what’s happening here. Baltimore is a perfect example; the bands there have really all benefitted from events like Whartscape – it’s a showcase of local music thrown by a collective of people, and look how many bands have benefitted: Dan Deacon, Beach House, Ponytail, Double Dagger.

Tennis System - "FS"


Download "FS"