Seattle’s Brent Amaker And The Rodeo just released Year Of The Dragon, their fourth release overall and first one for Fin Records. Lead man Amaker recently put together a wide arrangement of tracks for a MAGNET mix tape that’s stamped with our approval. Also, below is the stellar second track off the album, “Country Sky.”
“Country Sky” (download):
Black Moth Super Rainbow “Hairspray Heart”
I love BMSR. Their latest LP, Cobra Juicy, has been in heavy rotation at my house since the day it came out. This video can potentially trigger seizures, so there’s the added value right there. If you’ve got to insert a warning label on your product, it may be dangerous, and that makes it sexy. Not to mention, BMSR is selling their own rubber masks at their online store. I want one of those masks! And I want the rest of the BMSR catalog on vinyl. Video
David Bowie “Where Are We Now?”
Brent Amaker And The Rodeo has seen its share of tours, and one of my favorite cities to visit is Berlin. David Bowie is one of my favorite artists, and he’s delivered a classic after 10 years of silence. So when I saw this video, it was the best of both worlds. David sits next to a freakish little siamese twin, while classic Berlin film footage rolls behind him on a wall. You can’t deny the genius of Bowie, and if you have ever visited Berlin, you understand his obsession with that city. It’s an incredible place. I’ve been listening to The Next Day quite a bit, and I’m still trying to find a weak link in the equation. There is none. Long live David Bowie. And thanks, David, for reminding me to begin work on some European tour dates. It’s time to get back to Berlin. Video
La Luz “Call Me In The Day”
One of the great things about living in Seattle is being surrounded by great music. Every time I turn around here, I discover young, talented musicians freshly endorsed by the hipster set. I can’t really keep up with it all, because there is so much happening. But this band, they are special. La Luz is an all-female surf project, and their sound transcends traditional surf music. The songs are hooky. The vocals are beautiful. And these ladies have real musical chops. I suspect they may be the next Seattle band to rise above it all. Be on the look out and check out a track while waiting for them to come to your neighborhood. Audio
Hanni El Khatib “Family”
I like this band. I don’t know them that well. My brother-in-law sent me a link to their video. It’s amazing. I heard they have toured with the Black Angels. Which reminds me, my mix tape would not be complete, without the Black Angels. They’re up next. Video
The Black Angels “Evil Things”
I love me some Black Angels. And I love it when they sing about Evil. Enough said. Audio
Adult. “Tonight, We Fall”
In the mid-’80s, I played keyboards for a new-wave band based out of Norman, Okla. Keys were my first instrument. This new Adult. track takes me back to that time. I suspect I may have owned the exact keyboard sampled for this track, because the sound reminds me of a time when I was more interested in Flock Of Seagulls than Sergio Leone. Regardless of that, I really dig the song. Just like Bowie, Adult. took some time off, and now they are back with new music. I guess I missed it the first time around. I like it when that happens. Now I can discover the back catalog. Not to mention a whole pile of strange videos and film shorts. Audio
Dead Ship Sailing “Hot Hot Hot”
I love this collaboration between Graig Markel and Zera Marvel. Apparently, these tracks were produced in the bedroom. And there is evidence of that. The sound is dark and sexy. The lyrics are not overly complex, but who needs complexity? They get the point across with three words in the title. Listen to the track, and you will understand. Audio
Afro Samurai Soundtrack (Produced By RZA)
In the beginning, I discovered the art of Takashi Okazaki (Afro Samurai). Then I discovered the Afro Samurai soundtrack produced by RZA. Equally impressive! A mutual friend connected me with Takashi Okazaki, and he agreed to create the album art for our new record. It was incredible to get to work with him, and I’ve since gone deeper down the rabbit hole and peeled back the layers of Afro Samurai. It’s not just about the story, or the art. It’s not just anime featuring famous voiceover actors (Samuel L. Jackson and Lucy Liu). It’s a full-on audio-visual experience, and the soundtrack from RZA is incredible! It’s worth a stand-alone listen. Check it out. Video
The Easy Beats “Good Times”
Johnny Podhradsky is our band photographer. He’s toured everywhere with us. Johnny is a strange dude, and he’s one of my best friends. If Johnny was in a ’60s rock band, he would be this guy in the Easy Beats. I heard that one of the guys in the band is the brother of one of the guys from AC/DC. Damn good pedigree, don’t you think? Video
