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Songwriter

Ellie Goulding – Anything Could Happen (VEVO GO Session)

Ellie Goulding recently layed down this intimate acoustic version of her single “Anything Could Happen” while rooftop at The Standard Hotel in Downtown LA, for an exclusive session with VEVO GO. Some of team B3SCI were in the audience for the taping of this secret set and we must say… we were quite impressed with the singer-songwriter. Fighting the noise of the busy downtown streets below and even helicopters above, Ellie and her band nailed the performace with noteworty grace. Ms. Goulding’s new album Halcyon is out now and Ellie will be going on tour again this December. Needless to say her show is a don’t miss. Words by Brian Litwin / Photos by Russ Ramos

Ellie Goulding (Official) (Purchase Halcyon on iTunes)

reviewed by
11-09-12

Premiere: Josh Doyle – Bird of Prey (Live)

Fresh off a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live with his new single “Solar Storms”, singer-songwriter Josh Doyle dropped by the Vintage room at the Guitar Center in Hollywood, CA to chat with Nic Harcourt and perform some songs, including this stirring rendition of “Bird of Prey”. The former frontman of UK pop band The Dum Dums, Doyle recently released a new and self-titled album on 10/23 that’s produced by Grammy award-winning producer John Shanks. Take an exclusive look at this performance below and check out more from the session with Josh Doyle and Nic Harcourt at the GC podcast series here.

Josh Doyle (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
11-07-12

Stream: Texture Like Sun [EP]

With only a small collection of enamoring tunes of folksy roots to their name, the debut EP by Australian sensations Texture Like Sun is something worth your attention. Tracks like “Bottle” and “One Great Prize” have been making their way round the blogosphere within the last year or so and the band caught our attention with sheer melodic grace and humble substantive core. Give the self-titled debut EP from Texture Like Sun a sample below.

Texture Like Sun (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
11-05-12

Glen Martin – This Is All We Know

Los Angeles transplant from Michigan’s UP (that’s upper peninsula for those not familiar with the area) Glen Martin recently released his first EP titled Electric Baby. This self-released, 5 song EP exudes Americana with a catchy mix of indie and folk. A standout on the release is the lead off track, “This Is All We Know”, which has a kick back, tap your foot, and sip some whiskey kind of feel. By Brian Litwin

Glen Martin (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
11-05-12

Tom Odell – Songs From Another Love [EP]

Tom Odell evokes something deep within his learned soul on the new Songs From Another Love EP. The 21 year old singer-songwriter delivers his tune with a heartfelt candor and vocal that (so far) can hold it’s own with the best of post-Buckley proteges (Yorke, Bellamy, Martin, etc.) And while we’d think it’s safe to bet that Odell has worn through countless copies of Grace and Parachutes, his beacon of authenticity is pretty undeniable. From the relatable angst of “Another Love” to the vulnerability of “Can’t Pretend”, Tom Odell can summons a listener unsuspectingly with his powerful stories through voice and piano. How can you not listen to a writer so dialed-in and so capable?

Tom Odell – Another Love

Tom Odell – Can’t Pretend

Tom Odell england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
11-01-12

Dan The Man – Everybody, Nobody

Beloved sticksman Daniel Haggis of The Wombats is aka Dan The Man. His new and self-titled solo debut dishes out some proper pop that your ears are sure to fancy. All songs on the album were written and produced by Haggis, as he himself explains, “it’s a collection of songs I made over several years and was recorded in Liverpool during 2009/2010. Having toured for most of 2007/2008 I wanted to get off the drum kit and into the studio for a little change of scenery so I called a few friends and started recording what turned into this album.” While Dan The Man does harken the quirky brit-pop we know and love at the heart of The Wombats, Haggis’ collection of clever odes is particularly full of whimsy, and theatrics, all of which highlight the vast breadth of his own creative headspace. Third track on the album, “Everybody, Nobody” is a standout. The musically catchy anthem is somewhat a cheeky slap in the face with it’s darker tinged lyrics depicting the realities of fucked up society. The perfect tune for decades of jukebox diving at your next favourite watering hole.

Dan The Man – Everybody, Nobody

Dan The Man england (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
11-01-12

Ben Howard – Esmerelda

2012 Mercury Prize contender Ben Howard has released a new track from his forthcoming Burgh Island EP, expected via Island Records on December 10th. This beautifully darker penned song from Ben explores the electric side of the well versed six-string musician, and if “Esmerelda” is any indication, a sense of peril to his signature folk tinged vocal delivery. Preview “Esmerelda” below.

Ben Howard – Esmerelda

Ben Howard england (Facebook)
(Official)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
10-31-12

Marika Hackman – Burgundy (Warpaint Cover)

London based singer-songwriter Marika Hackman recently unleashed this illustrative version of Warpaint’s “Burgundy”. Her delicate interpretation of the song is available for free download as part of Marika’s new five track covers EP that you can grab here. Catch Marika Hackman on tour opening for Benjamin Francis Leftwich this winter throughout the UK and sample “Burgandy” below.

Marika Hackman (Facebook)

Rating 8.0234

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reviewed by
10-29-12

Haunter – Electric Feel (MGMT)

This Great Lakes four piece describe themselves as “a dreamy boy band from WI that cries often.” Well, cry a little less boys because your quietly pensive cover of “Electric Feel” is really really good. The MGMT cover is one of ten tracks featured on Haunter’s spinworthy debut LP which you can sample here.

Haunter (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
10-28-12

Bat For Lashes – The Haunted Man [LP]

It’s no secret that the first two studio albums from Bat For Lashes, Fur and Gold and Two Suns, enjoyed plenteous universal acclaim. Some critics have seemed a bit disappointed with Bat For Lashes most recent and third album The Haunted Man, yet there are many bright spots on the release. Focusing more pointed attention on her vocals, and backing off beats and bass lines, Natasha Khan gives a beautiful performance, and particularly on the album’s opening track “Lilies”. Natasha’s voice soars over the mystical rhythmic layers and steady drum beats throughout The Hunted Man. Khan has cited the album as being inspired in part by a 1970’s British drama known as “Ryan’s Daughter”, and Bat For Lashes ushers executes on the paralleled and psychologically haunting themes with a trademark elegance. By Brian Litwin

Bat For Lashes england (Facebook)

Rating 8.0

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reviewed by
10-24-12

The Raveonettes – Young and Cold

Some tracks you just can’t stop listening too. The lead track off The Raveonettes new Observator album has been wearing through our hard drive (if that’s possible). “Young and Cold” yields one of our favorites to date from the Raves with it’s simple duet and singalong a caliber melody. Do yourself a favor and check out the full hauntingly sweet spectrum of the Raveonettes latest Observator album.

The Raveonettes – Young and Cold

The Raveonettes denmark (Official) (Twitter)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
10-23-12

Premiere: Die Mason Die – Hold My Crown

Die Mason Die channel a darker side of their folky roots with new track, “Hold My Crown”. This, the second song to see release from the UK trio, offers up another exciting glimpse at the band’s unfettered intuition. On “Hold My Crown”, the colorful vocals of 19 year old frontman Samuel Mason trudge through the vast depths of emotive story telling with natural ease. Both technically and structurally, the band’s less-traditional approach is uniquely succinct to the 3:30 pop song delivered. Check out “Hold My Crown” below and keep an eye out for the debut EP from Die Mason Die this November.

Die Mason Die – Hold My Crown

Die Mason Die england (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
10-22-12