[playlist] Hump Day Power Play (1-2-2013)

Year-End Mix, 2012 Edition

Well that was fun! Over one full year of Hump Day Power Plays, and we've compiled 53 mixes to date! Since 2012 is officially in the books, I figured I've give a sample of my year-end list for best albums of 2012. I picked a song from some my favorite albums of 2013. I'm still working on the actual list, so pay no mind to the order in which these songs appear. Just sit back, listen, and enjoy the sounds of '12.

Stream the playlist below (or by clicking here).

:: Hump Day Power Play (1-2-2013) ::
01 ::"Fitzpleasure" – alt-J
02 ::"Flaggin a Ride" – Divine Fits
03 ::"Money" – The Drums
04 ::"Five Seconds" – Twin Shadow
05 ::"Why Won't They Talk To Me?" – Tame Impala
06 ::"Temporary" – White Rabbits
07 ::"Alphabet Song" – Lower Dens
08 ::"Not The Same" – Tanlines
09 ::"Oblivion" – Grimes
10 ::"Myth" – Beach House
11 ::"Dark Star" – Poliça
12 ::"Serpents" – Sharon Van Etten
13 ::"It All Began With A Burst" – Kishi Bashi
14 ::"We Got It Wrong" – St. Lucia
15 ::"The Man Who Lives Forever" – Lord Huron
16 ::"Chained" – The xx
17 ::"Yet Again" – Grizzly Bear
18 ::"Everyone Knows" – Vacationer
19 ::"I'm Not The Phoenix Yet" – Moonface
20 ::"No Future/No Past" – Cloud Nothings

:: Get Spotify ::

[video] Moonface - "Faraway Lightning"

Epic Video from Moonface

"Faraway Lightning", the latest single off Moonface's Heartbreaking Bravery, has a new music video. Created by Marsha Balaeva, the stop motion-animated video is filled with Native American imagery and far-out visuals. It's perfect for the ominously-brooding track, which features the backing of Finnish post-rock outfit Siinai. Check it out!

Buy :: Moonface - With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery (Jagjaguwar)

[video] Two•Tonne Bowlers - "An Acquired Taste" (w/ Spencer Krug)

Spencer Krug at age 17

Certain things are just better left buried, but luckily for us, someone else has done all the digging. A while back, it came to the knowledge of we Spencer Krug fans that he was once in a ska band. I didn't believe it at first, but more substantial evidence surfaced, thus confirming the rumors.

You most probably associate Krug with bands like Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Moonface, Frog Eyes, Swan Lake, or even Fifths of Seven. One that I'm guessing isn't on that list is the Two•Tonne Bowlers. Well, he had to start somewhere, and if you'd like to see some extremely rare live footage of Krug's high school band for yourself, check out the video above. Thank you YouTube!

[new music] Moonface - Heartbreaking Bravery

New jams from Krug & Co.

And just when I was greedily wishing there was more Wolf Parade-related music to hear, the WP fansite posted info on a new Moonface LP. As mentioned before, the Spencer Krug-driven musical project was to eventually incorporate the collaborative works from other bands. Well, that time is apparently here, and the third Moonface LP, entitled Heartbreaking Bravery, is set to feature the musical accompaniment of Siinai. The album drops April 17, 2012, and according to their press release: 

Siinai is the Finnish band Krug worked with on this album. Krug met Siinai when their former band, Joensu 1685, toured with Wolf Parade throughout Europe in 2009. Over the following year, friendships were born, Joensu 1685 broke up, Siinai was formed and Krug unexpectedly received a copy of their first album, Olympic Games. Siinai could safely be described as progressive kraut rock. Their songs are long and heavy, often gorgeous, repetitive, with slow subtle hypnotic changes that bring to mind a single cell splitting into two. Also of key interest to Krug at the time: they had no vocalist.

Krug asked if they wanted to make an album together, a collaboration wherein Siinai would perform the meat of the music, and Moonface would take care of the vocals (and ultimately a few licks on the keyboard). Upon agreement from Siinai, Krug arrived in Finland in August of 2011 to begin restructuring demos and write a few tunes from scratch. Big beats boomed. [Three] Colours burst. Krug’s addiction to melody and pop music met Siinai’s love for simplicity and their rare patience for music that slowly evolves, and something somewhere in the middle was created. It was a compromise that everyone enjoyed making. Heartbreaking Bravery:

Can't wait to hear the entire album! Check out the first single, "Teary Eyes And Bloody Lips", here:



Moonface
With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery
Out 04/17/12
01 :: Heartbreaking Bravery
02 :: Yesterday’s Fire
03 :: Shitty City
04 :: Quickfire, I Tried
05 :: I’m Not The Phoenix Yet
06 :: 10,000 Scorpions
07 :: Faraway Lightning
08 :: Headed For The Door
09 :: Teary Eyes And Bloody Lips
10 :: Lay Your Cheek On Down

Check out Krug with Siinai.... such a strange photo!

[playlist] Hump Day Power Play (1-11-2012)

Spencer Krug Edition

Spencer Krug is one of the hardest working and most prolific indie songwriters of this era, establishing musical acts that include Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, Frog Eyes, Fifths of Seven, and Moonface (not to mention the Two•Tonne Bowlers). Notably, his solo work from the Sunset Rubdown EP contains the song "Three Colours", the very song that lends its name to this blog. Today's Hump Day Power Play features songs from the tortured genius that is Mr. Krug.

What I've always found so interesting is the way that Krug seems to tinker and toy with new sounds, usually in some obscure side project before putting all the pieces together for his materspiece works. Currently, the newest moniker for Krug's creative outlet is Moonface. In his first release, he crafted a 20 minute track exploring the unique sounds of the marimba (and shit-drums). In his latest EP, he tried his skills with the vibraphone organ (though, he would have hoped it were vibraphone). In interviews, Krug has alluded to the development of a rotating lineup for Moonface, in which friends will eventually help support and shape the organic and ever-redefining sound of the band. I'm very excited to experience the evolution of this project. Anyway, in the spirit of Spencer Krug, I've put together a playlist that highlights some of my favorite Krug tracks. Enjoy!

Hear it by simply clicking here. Playlist is below.

:: Hump Day Power Play (1-11-2012) ::
01 :: "Disco Sheets" - Wolf Parade
02 :: "They Took A Vote And Said No" - Sunset Rubdown
03 :: "Apollo and the Buggalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!" - Sunset Rubdown
04 :: "Stadiums And Shrines II" - Sunset Rubdown
05 :: "California Dreamer" - Wolf Parade
06 :: "You Are A Runner And I Am My Father's Son" - Wolf Parade
07 :: "Idiot Heart" - Sunset Rubdown
08 :: "Snakes Got A Leg III" - Sunset Rubdown
09 :: "Bang Your Drum" - Wolf Parade
10 :: "Reture To The Violence Of The Ocean Floor" - Moonface
11 :: "Call It A Ritual" - Wolf Parade
12 :: "The Taming of the Hands that Came Back to Life" - Sunset Rubdown
13 :: "I'll Believe In Anything" - Wolf Parade
14 :: "Nightingale / December Song" - Sunset Rubdown
15 :: "All Fires" - Swan Lake
16 :: "Shut Up I Am Dreaming Of Places Where Lovers Have Wings" - Sunset Rubdown

Get Spotify (if you don't already have it).

[Mp3] Moonface - "The Way You Wish You Could Live In The Storm"

New song from Moonface

In early August, Moonface (aka Spencer Krug) released his second LP entitled Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd Hoped. Apparently, the song posted below, "The Way You Wish You Could Live In The Storm", did not fit in well with the rest of the album and was ultimately cut from the record. It's a good one. Also, Moonface has announced more US tour dates which kick off this month. See below for a city near you. Notably, Moonface has been playing an awesome Fine Young Cannibals cover of "I'm Not the Man I Used to Be" (not "She Drives Me Crazy", unfortunately).

Moonface :: "The Way You Wish You Could Live In The Storm" (Unreleased)

Moonface tour dates:

10-07 :: Milwaukee, WI :: Cactus Club
10-08 :: Madison, WI :: U. of Wisconsin (The Sett)
10-09 :: Minneapolis, MN :: 7th St. Entry
10-11 :: Saskatoon, SK :: Amigo’s
10-12 :: Calgary, AB :: Republik
10-14 :: Vancouver, BC :: Waldorf
10-15 :: Seattle, WA :: The Crocodile
10-16 :: Portland, OR :: Doug Fir Lounge
10-18 :: San Francisco, CA :: The Independent
10-19 :: Los Angeles, CA :: The Satellite
10-20 :: San Diego, CA :: Casbah
10-21 :: Tucson, AZ :: Club Congress
10-23 :: Denver, CO :: Larimer Lounge
10-25 :: St. Louis, MO :: The Firebird
10-26 :: Chicago, IL :: Lincoln Hall
10-29 :: Washington DC :: Rock ‘N’ Roll Hotel
10-30 :: New York, NY :: Bowery Ballroom

[new album] Moonface - Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd Hoped

Huge news from Moonface

Well, our rumors have been confirmed. Fantastic news has been posted over at Jagjaguwar's site, announcing the release date for Spencer Krug's newest album, along with US tour dates.

Recorded under the moniker Moonface, Krug's LP will be entitled Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd Hoped. The album is set to drop on August 2, and it appears to only contain 5 tracks. As Krug describes in the press release:

"Organ Music runs around 37 minutes and is dense, but in a satisfying way, I hope, like eating a small, heavy piece of cheesecake. It's music played with an organ, organ beats, organ beeps and bloops, and some digital drums. Music based on layers and loops, the hypnotizing sound of a leslie speaker, and the onslaught of melody. Originally there were something like 9 or 10 almost fully formed songs, but late in the recording process I decided to cut it down to five, crystalizing the good stuff, killing my troublesome darlings, and avoiding the weighty world of a 1.5 hour double LP. You're welcome. Cutting songs is like shucking the husk off a cocunut. Now we can just drink the milk. Now, in my mind at least, there is no filler on this album. Hopefully you will feel the same way. Please, let me serve you cheesecake and coconut milk. Please, enjoy."

To hear said organ beeps and bloops, check out "Fast Peter" below. It seems to be quite a departure from Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown, though you may notice the familiar backing vocals from fellow Rubdown-mate Camilla Wynne Ingr contributing the backup vocals. Tour dates are also posted below (no love for Seattle, yet).

MP3 :: Moonface - "Fast Peter"
(from Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd Hoped)

Track Listing:
01 :: Return To The Violence Of The Ocean Floor
02 :: Whale Song (Song Instead Of A Kiss)
03 :: Fast Peter
04 :: Shit-Hawk In The Snow
05 :: Loose Heart = Loose Plan

Moonface tour dates:

07/13/11 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
07/14/11 - London, ON - Call The Office
07/15/11 - Detroit, MI - The Lager House
07/16/11 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
07/17/11 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
07/19/11 - Allston, MA - Great Scott
07/20/11 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
07/21/11 - Washington, DC - Black Cat
07/22/11 - Raleigh, NC - King's Barcade
07/23/11 - Atlanta, GA - 529
07/26/11 - Austin, TX - Emo's Indoors
07/27/11 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada
07/29/11 - Oxford, MS - Proud Larry's
07/30/11 - Nashville, TN - 12th and Porter
07/31/11 - Bloomington, IN - Russian Recording
08/02/11 - Newport, KY - Southgate House
08/03/11 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Cafe
08/04/11 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
08/05/11 - Northampton, MA - Iron Horse
08/06/11 - Montreal, QC - Il Motore

[new album] Moonface - Out In August

New Album & Tour from Spencer Krug's Moonface

I'm filing this post into the rumor pit, but during Friday's Moonface show at New York's Envelope (review can be read here), Spencer Krug apparently stated that there will be a "full-fledged US tour this summer, along with an LP in August."

[news] The End of Wolf Parade (for now)

Wolf Parade take indefinitely long hiatus

After just releasing two new tracks from the Expo 86 sessions, you'd think Wolf Parade were gearing up for another tour. Unfortunately, towards the end of their November 26th show in Toronto at Sound Academy, Spencer Krug apparently announced that it would be their last show "for a long time." To confirm the sad news, the Wolf Parade Fansite had this to say:

“It does not come easy for me to post this news. Dan Boeckner has contacted us and stated that Wolf Parade will be taking an ‘indefinite hiatus’.”

So what does this mean for WP fans? Well, I would think that we should expect records from their various other musical projects in the near future. Sunset Rubdown has also been placed on hiatus as well, so in a perfect world, late 2010-early 2011 would witness releases from Moonface (Spencer Krug), Handsome Furs (Dan Boeckner), perhaps Treasure Hunt (Arlen Thompson), and Johnny and the Moon (Dante DeCaro). Though that would be asking for way too much this Christmas.

[new music] Moonface - Dreamland EP Hear it Now!

Own a copy today!

You can now acquire a digital copy of Moonface's Dreamland EP: marimba and shit-drums over at the Moonface website. Purchased through a Radiohead-style "pay what you want" donation, the one-song, 20 minute long EP is then available for download once the transaction is complete. If you're more of a material kind of person, you can pre-order yourself a physical copy (12" vinyl only) over at InSound for $15 (release date is January 26).

The Moonface website seems to be receiving a lot of heavy traffic, which has the tendency to crash. Be persistent, and it'll eventually go through with the purchase.

Pre-Order :: Moonface - Dreamland EP: marimba and shit-drums

[new music] Moonface - Dreamland EP Pre-Order

Pre-Order Now

You can now pre-order a 12" copy of Moonface's Dreamland EP: marimba and shit-drums over at InSound (also, you may notice that the album blurb sounds quite familiar). Spencer Krug's dream-inspired EP will only set you back $15, but you'll have to wait until January 26 of the new year. Here's hoping the digital copies will become available sooner for pre-order buyers...

Pre-Order :: Moonface - Dreamland EP: marimba and shit-drums

[news] Wolf Parade - LP #3

Wolf Parade back in the studio

Officially news (via Wolf Parade fan-site) according to Arlen Thompson, Wolf Parade are back in the studio recording the band's third LP. Hopefully the band stays on track and makes the "early spring" release goal. Here's what what was said:

The record is going well. We’re just starting songwriting. We’ll be in the studio tracking at Hotel2Tango at the end of February and are trying to have the record finished by early spring.

In other news, Spencer Krug is set to release the highly anticipated Dreamland EP: marimba and shit-drums through his newest vehicle Moonface. Expect the album to drop January 26 via Jagjaguwar.

[new music] Spencer Krug's Moonface - Dreamland EP

Dreamland EP: marimba and shit-drums

Back in January in an interview by Stereogum, Spencer Krug (of Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake) reported that he'd been tinkering with a marimba/drum project for nearly two years. Krug had this to say:

"[The marimba is] an instrument that I've always liked, but I've never had the patience to bring on the road or even try recording. I don't think it's the coolest move for my 'street cred,' but it's a beautiful sounding instrument, what can I say?"

According to Jagjaguwar, Spencer Krug's experimental solo project has been given the name Moonface and will be releasing the 20 minute Dreamland EP: marimba and shit-drums on January 26, 2010 (the same day as Spoon's Transference!). For those of you who keep up with every Krug moniker, Moonface has already released a two-song picture disc in collaboration with artist David Horvitz. Those two songs however did not feature the marimba, so don't expect the same sound. So what should we expect? Jagjaguwar has only said the following:

This is physically available only in the vinyl format (approximately 20 minutes of music on a single side of a 12-inch record). It is also available in digital formats. The vinyl edition and some digital editions will be accompanied with a dream journal, on which the music is based.

I once kept a dream journal, though it never made any sense when I tried to analyze it. I wonder if Krug's dream journal talks of places where lovers have wings, perhaps??? They've also released the cover art of a snorkeling Krug, which is posted below. 2010 is already shaping up to be one solid year for music.