Beach House

First of all, a big warm fuzzy welcome to the NeighborNeighborhood to Jep. Looking forward to your future contributions my friend.

Since Jep had to go and bring up summer & stilettos, I figured I'd chime in and add a few olives to his martini. Summer is sprouting & the longer days and warmer naps are inevitable. In the spirit of BBQ's, picnics and dirty feet, I bring you three new tracks from Baltimore's Beach House. Their new Teen Dream album, just released on Sub -Pop, is truly a midsummer night's dream and perfect for the pool, for the road, for the late night or early morning. They're out touring the U.S & bits of Europe from now through June, selling out shows left and right. Buy a ticket if you can, and say hello to summer.

Beach House - Walk In the Park

Beach House - 10 Mile Stereo

Beach House - Lover of Mine

Wolf Gang

Something about this song makes me feel like my life is set in an early 90's indie film about friendship, drugs, late night rendezvous' and no regrets. I'm not sure why, but regardless, I like the reference. Feels pretty good...

Wolf Gang - Back to Back

And for those who would rather live their lives on the dance floor, here's another Wolf Gang track, this time remixed by Baby Monster, who just signed to Big Stereo's new label. Cool.

Wolf Gang - Pieces of You (Baby Monster Remix)

Bon Iver / Skinny Friedman

Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago is without a doubt my defining album of 2009. On my flight home from New York on the day of my father's heart attack, October 18, 2008, I sat alone in a window seat toward the back of the plane, staring out into space and deep into my heart. On that 6 hour flight, I grew from a boy to a man, with Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago on repeat the entire flight, providing the soundtrack to my rite of passage. Comforting, honest and true, his music inspired a type of focus and strength needed for my new responsibilities at home and in life.

Over one year removed from that day, I am pleased to return to Bon Iver with my eyes and ears tuned to what lies ahead. The pulse Skinny Friedman adds to Bon Iver's Blood Bank gives an energy to the seriousness of the song, and resonates perfectly with my outlook right now. My mother is strong, my family is strong, I am strong, and with love in our hearts, we move forward carrying dad's example. Life is truly an amazing thing...

Here's to growing up, growing honest and growing aware of how beautiful it is to be alive. Thank you dad, love you.

Bon Iver - Blood Bank (Skinny Friedman Edit)

Sleepyhead

So, given the fact that it 8:19 am, and I have already been up for an hour and 19 minutes to take the pup to the doggie park, its seems rather appropriate to post Passion Pit's 'Sleepyhead.'

Well, not exactly, its not the original but a remix that gets your coffee dripping, and given the fact that I am necking a sexy cup o' joe right now, it all just seems to fit. Wake up and enjoy the day sleepyheads!

Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (The Knocks Remix)

Mickey Gang Wants Your Vote

I always love letting you, the reader/listener/lover/spy, make up your own damn mind about these sorts of things. So here's an original track from a talented group of 4 young kids who call themselves Mickey Gang, and a dancy remix of the same song by Naji Naha.

Take a peek at both and mark your ballot for either Reform or Change. Or maybe you're like me and dig em both. Nothing wrong with being caught between a rock and a hard place, as long as the sauces from both skillets smell like recently rained upon grass at dawn.

Mickey Gang - I was Born in the 90's

Mickey Gang - I was Born in the 90's (Naji Naha Footloose Remix)