French Films

French Films is an indie rock band from Helsinki, Finland. The current lineup consists of Johannes Leppänen (guitar/vocals), Joni Kähkönen (guitar/vocals), Mikael Jurmu (bass/vocals), Santtu Vainio (keys), and Antti Inkiläinen (drums). The young band is attracting a lot of attention already. The group got started in 2010 by putting couple of home demos on their myspace page, which led to largely positive feedback and interest all over the world. The musical style of the band varies between garage, surf rock, post punk and new wave pop. They bring a breath of fresh air but at the same time there is something old school in their style and that combination makes them stand out in a very positive way. Their debut album Imaginary Future is set to release this September. This is "Golden Sea" off their EP of the same name.

www.myspace.com/frenchfilmsofficial

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Abigail Washburn

Abigail Washburn born in Evanston, IL, is an American clawhammer banjo player and singer. She performs and records as a soloist, as well as with the old-time bands Uncle Earl and Sparrow Quartet. She spent her elementary and part of her junior high school years in a suburb of Washington, D.C.. She attended high school in Minnesota, then attended Colorado College (Colorado Springs), where she was the school's first East Asian studies major. Following this, she spent some time living in China, where she had dreams of being a lawyer (having first visited that nation in 1996). She then spent three years in Vermont before moving to Nashville, TN. In 2007 Washburn entered a songwriting contest at MerleFest (a bluegrass music festival in North Carolina), winning second place for her song "Rockabye Dixie" and gaining the attention of the Nettwerk record label. Also in 2007, Washburn was reported as being the "girlfriend" of Béla Fleck. In September 2008, Fleck was alleged to be the "boyfriend" of Abigail Washburn. In May 2009, the Bluegrass Intelligencer satirized the upcoming wedding of Washburn and Fleck, joking that the couple promise to have a "male heir" who will be the "Holy Banjo Emperor". In February 2010, The Aspen Times reported that Washburn had become Fleck's wife in the previous year. In a July 2010 interview, Washburn said she first met her husband in Nashville at a square dance where she was dancing and he was playing. This is "City of Refuge" off her 2011 release of the same name.

www.abigailwashburn.com

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Happy Birthday Kaz & Happy Birthday Katy

I want to give a shout out to my boy Kaz, because today is his birthday. This video should put a smile on his face and possibly a tear to his eye. A little back and forth between Eyedea (1981-2010) and Slug from Atmosphere. Enjoy buddy! Hope your day is just beachy!

www.micheallarsen.com
www.myspace.com/atmosphere



There is also another birthday today that I must recognize and that is Miss Katy. She just saw this band last week up in the good ole state of Wyoming. I hope this adds an extra slice of specialness to your day!

www.zacbrownband.com

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Smith Westerns

Smith Westerns are an indie rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Smith Westerns consists of Cullen Omori (vocals), Max Kakacek (Guitar), and Cameron Omori (Bass). Their musical influences include David Bowie, Marc Bolan, T. Rex and Brit Pop. All members range in age from 19 to 20. Since forming in 2007, Smith Westerns have managed to tour both the United States and Europe while supporting the likes of MGMT, Florence and the Machine, Belle and Sebastian, Girls, and Passion Pit. Their self recorded “lo-fi” debut Smith Westerns released in 2009, garnered critical acclaim for their youthful and glam rock tinged approach to pop music. In 2010, Smith Westerns teamed up with Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TVOTR, Beach House) and current record label Fat Possum to record their sophomore effort in a proper studio. The result was a cleaner and higher quality recording of lush, layered timeless pop songs. This is "Tonight" off the aforementioned album.

www.smithwesternsmusic.com

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Julianna Barwick

Louisiana-bred, Brooklyn-based recording artist Julianna Barwick crafts ethereal, largely wordless soundscapes, all of which are built around multiple loops and layers of her angelic voice. Barwick, who credits a rural, church choir upbringing for her unique sound, begins most tracks with a single phrase or refrain, then uses a loop station and the occasional piano or percussive instrument to build the song into a swirling mass of lush, ambient folk. She released her first two collections of songs, the full-length Sanguine and the EP Florine, in 2009 and 2010. She recently signed with Asthmatic Kitty Records. This is "Prizewinning" off her debut LP Magic Place.  Hopefully this tune will not put you to sleep as you begin the week on the ever tough Monday.

www.juliannabarwick.com

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