[playlist] Hump Day Power Play (11-7-2012)

Now That's What I Call 2008!

2008 was a fantastic year in music. So fantastic, in fact, that it inspired me to start blogging about the great acts and albums of that time. After years of anonymous music writing on Wikipedia (fighting with editors on which bands were truly "notable" and Wiki-eligible), I decided to take my own shot at promoting my favorite acts, and thus Three Colours was born. Feeling a hint of nostalgia this week, I put together an HDPP with some of my favorite songs from '08. Hard to believe that was nearly 5 years ago!

Stream the playlist below (or by clicking here).

:: Hump Day Power Play (11-7-2012) ::
01 :: "Gamma Ray" - Beck
02 :: "Mexican Dogs" - Cold War Kids
03 :: "Balloons" - Foals
04 :: "A-Punk" - Vampire Weekend
05 :: "No One Does It Like You" - Department Of Eagles
06 :: "Bang Your Drum" - Wolf Parade
07 :: "Shake Shake Shake" - White Denim
08 :: "Mercy" - Plants and Animals
09 :: "Psychotic Girl" - The Black Keys
10 :: "Kim & Jessie" - M83
11 :: "Can You Tell" - Ra Ra Riot
12 :: "For Emma" - Bon Iver
13 :: "Ragged Wood" - Fleet Foxes
14 :: "Boats" - The Aliens
15 :: "Wedding Bell" - Beach House

:: Get Spotify ::

[playlist] Hump Day Power Play (6-13-2012)

White Denim Mix

It's impossible to create a White Denim "hits mix" on Spotify without access to their amazingly awesome material from Exposion, Workout Holiday, or even their RCRD LBL EP; however, this week's HDPP features my favorite WD songs that are currently available. These dudes are some of favorite, genre-bending jammers making music today, and if you ever have a chance to see their impressive live show, do it!

Hear it by simply clicking here. Playlist is below.

:: Hump Day Power Play (6-13-2012) ::
01 :: "Let's Talk About It" - White Denim
02 :: "Mirrored And Reverse" - White Denim
03 :: "Drug" - White Denim
04 :: "Champ" - White Denim
05 :: "I Can Tell" - White Denim
06 :: "El Hard Attack DCWYW" - White Denim
07 :: "Shy Billy" - White Denim
08 :: "Darksided Computer Mouth" - White Denim
09 :: "I Start To Run" - White Denim
10 :: "Mess Your Hair Up" - White Denim
11 :: "Home Together" - White Denim
12 :: "At The Farm" - White Denim
13 :: "Incaviglia" - White Denim
14 :: "No Real Reason" - White Denim

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

[new music] White Denim - Takes Place In Your Work Space

New EP & tour dates from White Denim

It may seem like this came out of nowhere (no mention of it on White Denim's site, nor on Downtown's), but White Denim have been prepping a new EP which drops on Tuesday, October 25. Entitled Takes Place in Your Work Space, the band has apparently taken quite a departure from their previous LP, D. Check out one of the tracks, "Cat City", over at Dog Gone Blog. In support of this new material, the band has a handful of live dates across the US (posted below).

Also, the band recorded a live show over at Jack White's Third Man Records (here), which is definitely worth checking out.

White Denim tour dates:
10/21 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
10/22 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s BBQ
10/23 – Dallas, TX @ The Palladium Ballroom
10/25 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
10/26 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
10/27 – Pomona, CA @ Glass House
10/28 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
10/29 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
11/1 – Magna, UT @ Saltair
11/2 – Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
11/4 – Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre
11/5 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cabooze On The West Bank
11/7 – Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
11/8 – Pontiac, MI @ Clutch Cargo’s
11/9 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Zoo
11/11 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
11/12 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
11/13 – Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
11/15 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
11/16 – Richmond, VA @ The National
11/17 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
11/18 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos’ Southend Music Hall
11/19 – Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom
11/21 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
11/22 – Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House Of Blues

[new album] White Denim - D (Stream it now!)

White Denim Drop D, Their Best LP Yet

Austin's White Denim have a brand new full-length D, which you can stream in its entirety here.

It's definitely an album that rewards upon multiple listens. Each song is a complex, genre-bending journey through American rock. This could very well be the summer soundtrack for 2011. Check it out.

BUY :: White Denim - D (iTunes)

Also, check them out, in a city near you.

White Denim tour dates:
5.24 - The Casbah - San Diego, CA
5.25 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA
5.26 - The Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, CA
5.27 - The Cellar Door - Visalia, CA
5.29 - Bunk Bar - Portland, OR
5.30 - Sasquatch! Music Festival - George, WA
6.1 - The Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
6.2 - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO
6.3 - Jackpot Music Hall - Lawrence, KS
6.16 - Hi Tone - Memphis, TN
6.17 - The Drunken Unicorn at MJQ Concourse - Atlanta, GA
6.18 - The Basement - Nashville, TN
6.19 - Uncle Slayton's - Louisville, KY
6.21 - Rock N Roll Hotel - Washington, DC
6.22 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
6.23 - Pearl St. Nightclub - Northampton, MA
6.24 - Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA
6.25 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
6.27 - Il Motore - Montreal, QC
6.28 - El Mocambo - Toronto, ON
6.29 - Rock Lobster - Indianapolis, IN
6.30 - Schubas Tavern - Chicago, IL
7.1 - Mojo's - Columbia, MO
7.2 - The Opolis - Norman, OK

[mp3] White Denim - "Jay Time" (Hard Stuff Cover)

White Denim play Hard Stuff

White Denim recently spent some time at Austin’s 5th Street Studio to record a fresh new jam. Straight off English rock band Hard Stuff's debut album Bulletproof, WD offer this funktified revamp of “Jay Time” over at their Facebook page. Enjoy.

White Denim's new album D is out May 24 on Downtown.

[video] White Denim - "Drug"

New video from White Denim

As reported earlier, White Denim is primed to drop their new album D on May 24. Marking the band's US label debut, the album will be released via Downtown. In preparation for the new LP, the band has showcased an official video for the first single "Drug" (seen above). I'd like to see a "making of the music video" after watching all the humorous and drug-inspired stop motion photography. Check it out.

[new music] White Denim - D

White Denim return with new album D

Two new White Denim jams are available for your streaming pleasure. This comes in the wake of the band's announcement of their next release - WD's third LP, entitled D, will hit shelves here in the US on May 24 (June 6 for UK). Below you can hear the two tracks, "Drugs" and "Anvil Everything", which will appear on D. Also, check out the band's tour schedule if you live in the Austin area - lots of chances to see their face-melting live act during SXSW this year. More dates are surely to follow.

Anvil Everything by WhiteDenim

White Denim tour dates:

March 10 - Denton, TX - Conferette 35 Music Festival
March 11 - Austin, TX - Ghost Room – 9PM
March 12 - Austin, TX - 205 Brazos - Uship.com Interactive 8PM
March 16 - Austin, TX - The Parish - Day Party at 5 PM
March 16 - Austin, TX - Club Deville – SXSW Showcase at 11 PM
March 17 - Austin, TX - Austin Convention Center - RCRD LBL Party at 5 PM
March 18 - Austin, TX - Klub Krewcial - Gorilla vs Bear Day Party at 5:45-6:15PM
March 19 - Austin, TX - San Jose Hotel - Day Party at 3 PM

[video] White Denim - Live at Emo's (12-31-2010)

White Denim on New Years Eve

What I find most refreshing about White Denim is their willingness to take risks. So many bands today reproduce their album sound in concert to the point where there's very little difference. Sure it's also about the live experience, and the stage presence adds to the whole aura of the show. But it's very rare these days to see a band constantly tinkering with their sound and song-structure through live improvisation. White Denim is one of those exceptions, and I think fans have become open to the idea of the experience, too, which is why it works so well. Suffice to say, you never get the same show twice, and everyone goes home very happy.

A prime example of this experience was documented by Austin Music Weekly when WD headlined a New Years Eve party at Emo's last month. Definitely check this out - there are new jams showcased in the mix! And since White Denim doesn’t perform songs so much as medleys, in an effort to preserve the live integrity of one of Austin’s most thrilling shows, AMW condensed the audio to reflect that distinction.

[new music] White Denim - Last Day of Summer

Free New Music from White Denim!!!

According to James of White Denim:

howdy folks,

we hope that you are doing well today. the band has been straight up busy in the studio this summer with a fairly large collection of songs. we are pleased to share a handful of them with you right now. this record is something we made as a little summer retreat from our ongoing work on the third full length. many of these tunes have been bouncing around since the formation of the band back in 06. we were super pumped to utilize a few fresh and casual musical approaches on this record. we hope that you find something that satisfies you within this body of work. if you enjoy the music and feel compelled to support the group, please notice the support button beneath the download link and the image. we are going to be heading out on the roads this october and would greatly appreciate anything that you would feel comfortable contributing.

i would also like to add that we are still hard at work on the as yet untitled third lp. we expect to be wrapping that record at the end of the month. we can’t wait to play loads of this new material for you folks this winter and next year. at the moment i am writing all of the album info on a limited run of cd copies of ‘last day of summer’ that will be lovingly hand packaged and available at our fall shows. can’t wait to see you soon!

all the best,
james

So to sum that all up, White Denim is almost done with LP#3, but they're releasing an additionally album right now at their site (here) for free. Go get it.

White Denim Fall '10 Tour Dates:
Oct 16 2010 // Antone’s Blues Bar // Austin, TX
Oct 18 2010 // The Loft // Dallas, TX
Oct 19 2010 // Opolis // Norman, OK
Oct 20 2010 // The Bottleneck // Lawrence, KS*
Oct 21 2010 // The Waiting Room // Omaha, NE*
Oct 22 2010 // Fox Theatre and Cafe // Boulder, CO*
Oct 23 2010 // Fox Theatre and Cafe // Boulder, CO*
Oct 27 2010 // Club Congress // Tuscon, AZ
Oct 28 2010 // Clubhouse Music Venue // Tempe, AZ*
Oct 29 2010 // House of Blues // San Diego, CA*
Oct 30 2010 // El Rey Theatre // Los Angeles, CA*
Nov 1 2010 // The Independent // San Francisco, CA
Nov 2 2010 // Spaceland // Los Angeles, CA

*with Portugal the Man

[news] White Denim Update (fall tour and new LP)

New Progress from Austin's White Denim

White Denim has spent the summer creating their follow-up to the critically acclaimed Fits (one of the best LPs in 2009). Not much news has been released on the album, but what we have been told is that WD added another guitarist to the lineup that apparently "shreds," and it also appears that they have recorded not one, but TWO albums this year! One of those albums is set to drop this October. And in support of the new LP, WD also announced a handful of tour dates (posted below, some with stage support by Portugal the Man). No love to Seattle, yet, but stay tuned.

White Denim Fall '10 Tour Dates:
Oct 16 2010 // Antone’s Blues Bar // Austin, TX
Oct 18 2010 // The Loft // Dallas, TX
Oct 19 2010 // Opolis // Norman, OK
Oct 20 2010 // The Bottleneck // Lawrence, KS*
Oct 21 2010 // The Waiting Room // Omaha, NE*
Oct 22 2010 // Fox Theatre and Cafe // Boulder, CO*
Oct 23 2010 // Fox Theatre and Cafe // Boulder, CO*
Oct 27 2010 // Club Congress // Tuscon, AZ
Oct 28 2010 // Clubhouse Music Venue // Tempe, AZ*
Oct 29 2010 // House of Blues // San Diego, CA*
Oct 30 2010 // El Rey Theatre // Los Angeles, CA*
Nov 1 2010 // The Independent // San Francisco, CA
Nov 2 2010 // Spaceland // Los Angeles, CA

*with Portugal the Man

[news] White Denim Update - New Song, LP in the Works

White Denim tracking new album!

Earlier this year, White Denim returned to the studios to record a follow-up album to last year's amazing Fits. According to their website (as of today), the band has the basic tracking complete. While the album is probably far from being finished and on shelves, it's nice to see new jams have been recorded.

And for those of you who'd like to get your ears on a new WD song, the band has contributed "Yo-Yo" to the Elysium benefit CD (purchased here via iTunes). Elysium is an institution that encourages working actors, artists, and musicians to volunteer their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions and injury. While "Yo-Yo" isn't quite "new," US fans can finally get their hands on this UK b-side from the "I Start To Run" single. It's a great song, and buying it goes to a good cause. Other musicians on the compilation include Sonic Youth, Sleigh Bells, The Kills, and Black Mountain. Check it out.

Buy :: Elysium: A Benefit for the Art of Elysium

[news] White Denim Back In the Studio

White Denim - Making Hits Again

I don't really have any details, but according to White Denim's site, they're back in the studio working on their next album. Below is a little jam session from earlier this year - it starts out with a nice little instrumental opener, which leads nicely into "Heart From Us All," and then ends with a concert staple that's never made its way onto a proper album. I'm not sure what it's named, but I've always referred to it as "She Don't Say What She Want." Maybe it'll finally make the studio cut. Can't wait to hear some new tunes.

[mp3] White Denim - "YoYo" at RCRD LBL

"YoYo"

Thansk to RCRD LBL, you can now download the White Denim b-side "YoYo" which originally appeared on the Full Time Hobby release of "I Start To Run". This track does not appear on any full-length album, so if you're a fan, be sure to grab yourself a copy. To hear the song, it's streaming below, though thanks to RCRD LBL's new embedding feature, you can also download this groove-heavy track below.

[video] White Denim @ The Independent (1-20-10)

Melting Faces in San Fran

I just came across this video of White Denim, performing at San Francisco's The Independent. Captured so nicely, feast your eyes on the band tearing through "You Can Tell" into "All Consolation" into "El Hard Attack / DCWYW" into "I Start To Run".

[review] White Denim @ Neumos (1-24-2010)

Third Time's the Charm

Last night Seattle was treated to White Denim's third appearance. Unfortunately for the band, they happened to pick a rainy Sunday night for their latest exposion. Having attended their past two shows, I was expecting the usual tepid crowd one draws on such an evening, however, much to my surprise, numerous disciples of rock & roll made their pilgrimage to Neumos for a spiritual experience. And disappointed they were not... but we'll get to that later.

Last night's story begins with Brazos - an Austin, TX trio whose sweet-sounding set was truly charming. Starting off with a solo performance of "We Understand Each Other", lead singer Martin Crane's soft, southern croon was instantly captivating. Once the rest of the band joined in, the tempo picked up with a tribal drum-driven rendition of "The Observer". The rest of the set included Phosphorescent Blues' heavy-hitters. If you don't own their debut album, yet, I highly recommend you test drive this bad boy. I'm not really sure how to classify their genre, but listening to their debut LP evokes feelings of some long-lost, breezy summer afternoon - simply timeless. Brazos closed their set with an oldie - Feeding Frenzy's "Interlocking" - which was a fitting end to a wonderful opener. Set list below:

Brazos set list:
We Understand Each Other
The Observer
Tell
Day Glo
Downtown Boys
Kid
Interlocking

Up next came the main event: White Denim. Like I alluded to earlier, the crowd size nearly doubled before WD took the stage. If fans intended to hear the band's catalog performed exactly like it sounds on record, then they were in for a surprise. It's because White Denim understands that a concert isn't just about the music, but more importantly, it's about the performance. What you experience at their live shows is raw energy on stage, like controlled chaos. The band plays huge blocks of nonstop hits, masterfully tearing down the end of each song while seamlessly building a new jam from the destruction.

Kicking off the night with one of my personal favorites "Heart From Us All", WD proceeded to play three 30-minute jam sessions before calling it a night. I'm not sure if the band has invested in new equipment, but it was the best these guys have sounded live, in my opinion. Amongst the fury of Josh Blocks machine-gun drumming, the turbo-grooves of bassist Steve Terebecki, and the soul-powered screams of James Petralli, the crowd heard classics like "Darksided Computer Mouth", "Let's Talk About It", "Ieieie", "Shake Shake Shake", "Paint Silver Gold", and "Goldie Locks". To my surprise, it was the songs from the band's newest LP Fits that garnered the biggest reaction from the crowd. That's a huge difference than the last two times I've seen these guys. Newer jams included "All Consolation", "Syncn", "Mirrored And Reverse", "El Hard Attack", and "I Start To Run". As the night came to a close, the band thanked us all for coming out and promptly left the stage. However, after many chants and pleads for more songs, the band came back for an encore set (which they looked very surprised to have earned the privilege). The night concluded with "I'd Have It Just The Way We Were", followed by the loop-heavy "Don't Look At It That Way". But what finished the night off was simply amazing. Direct from the archives of White Denim pre-history, the band shut Neumos down with a killer performance of Parque Touch's "You". Hell of a show - hell of a night. Man these guys have talent.

Here's a video of WD's psychedelic interlude into "Shake Shake Shake", courtesy of Humberto Martinez at the Seattle PI.

[reminder] White Denim @ Neumos (1-24-2010)

They're back!

White Denim are finishing up the tail-end of their US tour, hitting Portland tonight, Vancouver tomorrow night, and Seattle this Sunday. Get your week started right by heading over to Neumos and catching their blazingly energetic live act (video evidence above). Stage support includes the lovely Brazos, whose debut album Phosphorescent Blues has been on constant rotation since its late '09 release (hear snippets below). Tickets are $10 and available through Ticketwest, or at Rudy's Barbershop. Don't miss these amazing performances.

White Denim w/ Brazos tour dates:
Jan 22 // Doug Fir // Portland, OR
Jan 23 // Media Club // Vancouver, BC
Jan 24 // Neumos // Seattle, WA
Jan 26 // Urban Lounge // Salt Lake, UT
Jan 27 // Larimer Lounge // Denver, CO

[news] White Denim - Fits Only $5.00

What a deal!

For a limited time, Amazon is selling digital copies of White Denim's Fits for only 5 dollars. Hurry, a deal this good isn't going to last long. Update: deal ends January 10.

Buy a copy to prime yourself for the band's western leg of their US tour, starting later this month.

White Denim tour dates:
1/16 - Club Congress - Tucson, AZ
1/17 - Casbah - San Diego, CA
1/19 - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA
1/20 - The Independent - San Francisco, CA
1/22 - Doug Fir - Portland, OR
1/23 - Media Club - Vancouver, BC
1/24 - Neumos - Seattle, WA
1/26 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake, UT
1/27 - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO

Buy :: White Denim - Fits (digital copy for $5)

[news] White Denim - West Coast Tour Dates (2010)

White Denim back in Seattle

After taking a brief holiday break from touring the Eastern 48, White Denim return to the road and are heading west! Below are the dates, which include a Neumos visit on January 24 (Sunday). Tickets are $10 and available through Ticketwest, or at Rudy's Barbershop. Stage support includes Austin's very own Brazos. Mark this on your calendar, and pick up a copy of their groove-bomb Fits if you haven't already.

White Denim tour dates:
1/16 - Club Congress - Tucson, AZ
1/17 - Casbah - San Diego, CA
1/19 - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA
1/20 - The Independent - San Francisco, CA
1/22 - Doug Fir - Portland, OR
1/23 - Media Club - Vancouver, BC
1/24 - Neumos - Seattle, WA
1/26 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake, UT
1/27 - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO

Buy :: White Denim - Fits (LP/CD/iTunes)

[new music] Brazos - Phosphorescent Blues

Brazos, quietly beautiful

Concluding their tour with White Denim after blazing through the eastern half of the greater 48, Austin trio Brazos have been busy promoting their new full-length album Phosphorescent Blues. Sounding very little like their debut EP Feeding Frenzy, the band has sanded down their rough edges with the addition of soft piano touches and subtle orchestration. Brazos is Andy Beaudoin (Drums), Martin Crane (Vocals, Guitar, etc), & Paul Price (Electric Bass), and the music they have created is timeless. Fans of indie folk acts like Fleet Foxes, Okerville River, and Blitzen Trapper should give this record a spin. Below are a handful of tracks off Phosphorescent Blues which embody the sound and soul of this beautifully crafted long player.

Buy :: Brazos - Phosphorescent Blues

[review] White Denim w/ Parque Touch @ Rock & Roll Hotel (11-14-2009)

Parque Touch Reunion!

Guest writer and Senior White Denim Correspondent E-Rock has been kind enough to give us yet another White Denim concert review, this time at Washington, D. C.'s Rock & Roll Hotel. Sounds like yet another solid performance. Hopefully WD will be hitting up the West Coast sometime soon (fingers crossed).

White Denim Rock DC
submitted by E-Rock, guest Three Colours contributor

White Denim once again deliver the goods with a rousing show at the Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, DC. Frequent readers of Three Colours are aware that this is not my first time witnessing White Denim’s explosive set. The White Denim freight train-steamroller thundered through Amsterdam last September, firing on all cylinders for sixty minutes straight. The band started out with a similar intensity this time around, but then settled into a slightly looser groove and stretched out their jams with more developed psychedelic or progressive arrangements. White Denim later finished the set strongly with their typical rapid-fire song medleys and tight, scorching execution.

I don’t have a lot of new details to add from the last review as the set was mostly similar. White Denim did pull out a new song that has not yet been released on LP. It was an exciting mix of styles (like everything else), with a bluesy classic rock intro riff progressing to a complex bridge with start-stop dynamics and swirling rhythms. They also had several new renditions for their studio craft.

The band was treated with a very enthusiastic crowd at the Rock & Roll Hotel. The venue was crowded (but not full), so it is possible that the word is finally getting out for this critically-acclaimed band. WD members were really enjoying themselves and appeared happy to be back stateside. Block (drums) and Petralli (guitar/vocals) were particularly intense and played off each other’s leads throughout the night. Terebecki (bass) was in his own zone, providing bass slaps and slides, and the three played as tight as any band I’ve seen.

The most unexpected event of the night was the finale of the show when White Denim invited Lucas Anderson (a.k.a. Byshop Massive, now a DC resident) onto the stage for an impromptu reunion of Parque Touch (Austin, TX). The foursome blazed through the decidedly more hardcore Parque Touch song “You” (heard here) for a fiery finish to an already strong show (video below).

White Denim are more talented than your favorite band and give intense live shows that cannot be missed. Buy tickets now if they are rumbling through your area. I can’t recommend these guys enough.

I should also mention that the opening acts did a good job warming the crowd up. My Mind (Philadelphia, PA) kicked off the night with a short set. They call themselves Punk/Funk/Crunk, but the group struck me as a progressive band that decided to play punk. I personally found their set entertaining and (inadvertently) hilarious. Next up were Brazos (Austin, TX). These three guys were really talented and played dreamy indie rock with chiming guitar, smooth/groovy bass, and well placed percussion. Martin Crane (guitar/vocals) puts his vocals up front and has a delightful, higher register voice that fits very nicely with their sound. While most of the group’s songs were generally happy and middle paced, Brazos concluded their set with a faster paced rocker, followed by a minor-chord melancholy gem. I highly recommend checking out Brazos if they are rolling through your town.