Worthy Pursuits and Playlists - Paste Rock'n'Reel

New music you should look (and listen!) for

The 2nd Annual Paste Rock'n'Reel Festival kicked off Friday (I will now shamelessly plug it in my email). We're having 11 shows and 50 bands. I've written about a few of the bands in previous emails (like My Brightest Diamond) but there are a bunch I'd never heard of before. Upon listening, I discovered some I liked a lot (thanks, OK Productions, for booking those bands). Over the next two weeks, I'll highlight some of them...

The Futurists - Atlanta, GA - Unsigned

The Futurists recently got a makeover -- new name, new producer, better stage presence, better lyrics. They make powerpop rock music you can dance or headbang to -- your choice. Their MySpace page is loading weird so go to PureVolume -- you can download the songs if you want, which is cool because we all like free music. http://www.purevolume.com/thefuturists

Good Chance You'll Like This Artist If You Like: Mars Volta, Franz Ferdinand, Muse

Band of Horses - Seattle, WA - Sub Pop - New Release: Everything All the Time

When Sam Beam of Iron & Wine is your fan, you can go a long way. Just ask Band of Horses, who were signed to Sub Pop Records, Iron & Wine's label. I wish I'd listened to this album (and their previous EP) a lot earlier... it's pretty stellar. One of the two Horses recently left the band but the band is still touring (and headlined the festival on Sunday) so I suppose the music will go on. Hear some at myspace.com/bandofhorses

Good Chance You'll Like This Artist If You Life: Iron & Wine, My Morning Jacket, Neil Young, Wolf Parade

Jil Station - Atlanta, GA - Unsigned - New Release: Still Love

Don't be confused: this is a band, not a woman. Average age -- 19 years old. They haven't been together too long but sound pretty polished (maybe it's the studio work). They also sound a lot older than they look. Good ol' glam rock (without being tools), plus piano medleys, and 70s influences shine on their album. You can download their single at myspace.com/jilstation -- again, free music is always nice...

Good Chance You'll Like This Artist If You Like: The Killers, The Who, Jet

And a playlist...

The whole 'everyone-send-a-song-for-a-playlist' idea was not wildly successful... BUT those of you who did send songs sent a heckuva lot... so here it is...

Playlist from Summer 2006

Jack Johnson - Better Together

Switchfoot - We Are One Tonight

Panic! at the Disco - The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Tell Me, Baby
AFI - Miss Murder

Gnarles Barkley - Gone Daddy Gone

Justin Timberlake - Sexy Back
Wolfmother - Woman

NERD - Rock Star (Jason Nevins remix)
Gavin Degraw - Belief

Jessica Simpson - Public Affair
Sheryl Crow - Real Gone

Ashley Parker Angel - Let U Go

Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On

OK Go - Here It Goes Again
Head Automatica - Graduation Day

Rock Kills Kid - Paralyzed

Kelis - Bossy

Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
Death Cab for Cutie - I'll follow you into the dark
Muse - Exopolitic
Beatles - Hey Jude
Jack Johnson - Constellations

That's all for now... CK

(This is from a weekly email distribution. To be added, email me)