FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 16/16) - For Misty - Portland Cello Project

For Misty - Portland Cello Project (Track 16/16)
Album - Portland Cello Project (Purchase)
Label - Unsigned
http://www.myspace.com/celloproject
http://portlandcelloproject.com
Photo taken by Alicia J. Rose

The Portland Cello Project (PCP) is an indie cello orchestra comprised of an ensemble of 8-16 cellists collaborating with some of the biggest names in the Portland music scene including the Horse Feathers, Dandy Warhols, Laura Gibson and a host of others. At one of their eclectic sessions you might hear anything from Bach, to Britney Spears and even a little bit of Salt-N-Peppa. That's right, this ain't no mellow cello troupe, they got some spice in their step. They have just released their debut full-length featuring collaborations with Three Leg Torso, Loch Lomond, Weinland, and of course Heather Woods Broderick on our compilation closer, "For Misty". Here is a clip from their sold-out show at the Alladin Theatre this past Spring.

Weinland and The Portland Cello Project: "God Here I Come" from Douglas Jenkins on Vimeo.
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FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 15/16) - Love Like Fire - From A Tower

Love Like Fire - From A Tower (Track 15/16)
Album - An Ocean in the Air (Sample/Purchase)
Label - Heist or Hit
http://www.myspace.com/lovelikefire

Love Like Fire is an indie-rock four-piece from San Francisco, led by vocalist Anne Yu. They are in the final stages of recording their debut full-length with producer Bill Racine (Mates of States, Rogue Wave) and will be touring the next few months through the US including the Monolith Festival in Colorado. Stay tuned for more news on their debut full length on heistorhitrecords.com. Here's the video for our featured "From A Tower".

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 14/16) - Blind Pilot - Go On, Say It

Blind Pilot - Go On, Say It (Track 14/16)
Album - 3 Round and a Sound (Sample/Purchase)
Label - Expunged
http://www.myspace.com/goblindpilot
Photo Taken From Myspace Album

This Portland Oregon duo consists of Israel Nebeker and Ryan Nobrowski, craftily creating a simple yet catchy brand of melodic indie-folk with their acoustic guitar, brushed drums, and soulful vocals reminding me of that brief collaboration between Iron and Wine and Calexico. They are currently wrapping up their 2nd west coast 100% leg-powered bike tour. Thats right, these college buddies have traveled to many small towns far and wide hauling their gear on bikes to expose people to their remarkable rounds of sound. The proof is in the pudding.



Music video for our featured "Go On, Say It".

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 13/16) - The Morning Benders - Boarded Doors

The Morning Benders - Boarded Doors (Track 13/16)
Album - Talking Through Tin Cans (Sample/Purchase)
Label - + 1
http://www.myspace.com/themorningbenders
Photo Taken By Timothy Norris

The Morning Benders are a youthful indie-pop rock quartet from Berkeley, CA, founded by lead singer/guitarist Chris Chu. They've developed quite a following after the release of their debut LP, Talking Through Tin Cans this past Spring and are currently getting ready to play at both the Monolith and Treasure Island festivals in September before a brief tour with Ra Ra Riot and several Puma In-stores this October. Try this video on for size of our featured "Boarded Doors"



The Benders have recently offered The Bedroom Covers, an album featuring new interpretations of some of their favorite tunes from yesteryear including songs of Fleetwood Mac, The Cardigans, The Ronettes, Roy Orbison and many more recorded on a laptop in their apartment. You can find more info. on the project on the benders blog as well as links to download the entire album.

http://ambenders.blogspot.com/2008/07/bedroom-covers.html

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 12/16) - Mike Relm - Body Rock

Mike Relm - Body Rock (Track 12/16)
Album - Spectacle (Coming Soon)
Label - Radio Fried
http://www.myspace.com/mikerelm
Photo Taken by Jerome Gacula to gear up for his tour with the Blue Man Group

Mike Relm is the multimedia master audio/visualist/turntablist from San Francisco, CA, dazzling audiences with his wildly imaginative onslaught of pop culture bits that combine film and music to produce what many consider to be the most entertaining and technically advanced DJ performance around. He has recently annouced his first North American headlining tour this Fall, in support of the highly anticipated upcoming debut album 'Spectacle", which will include our featured "Body Rock".

Check out this trailer to Mike's current live DVD release Clown Alley, where Mike remixes audio to some of our favorite flicks including Napoleon Dynamite, Office Space and Pee Wee's Big Adventure. The DVD also comes with 3-D glasses for in-between skits where Mike evades insane killer clowns.

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 11/16) - Benji Hughes - You Stood Me Up

Benji Hughes - You Stood Me Up (Track 11/16)
Album - A Love Extreme (Sample/Purchase)
Label - New West
http://www.myspace.com/benjihughes

Benji Hughes is a singer songwriter from Charlotte, North Carolina, putting together his penchant for clever pop in the love ballads that comprise his prolific 25 track debut, A Love Extreme. The strawberry blond bearded Benji plays keyboards and guitar on the record but not without the production assistance from LA-bred session player Keefus Ciancia (T Bone Burnett, Sheryl Crow, Everlast) . Benji loves his beer but he might love women even more, case in point, the chivalrous video for "Girl in the Tower"

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 10/16) - Katie Herzig - Hologram

Katie Herzig - Hologram (Track 10/16)
Album - Apple Tree (Sample/Purchase)
Label - None
http://www.myspace.com/katieherzig
http://www.katieherzig.com/
Photo taken by Caleb Chancey

Katie Herzig is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville, TN. Paste Magazine has recently featured her as one of the top 25 best new artists after the success of her third solo effort, Apple Tree, self-released this past Spring. Katie has recently decided to Free the Tree, distributing her new album via NoiseTrade's remarkable and embeddable widget, offering fans the choice to tell 3 friends or to pay any amount in exchange for an immediate download. I've embedded the widget below so you can download the album straight from here and receive 2 unreleased bonus cuts not appearing on the album.

Check out her solid session on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic below.

FoundTrack's '08 Compilation (Track 9/16) - El May - I Remember

El May - I Remember (Track 9/16)
Album - Sound the Key Note EP (Sample/Purchase)
Label - Self-Release
http://www.myspace.com/el_may
http://www.elmayforever.com/
Photo Taken by Bernie DeChant

El May is the Australian singer-songwriter Lara Meyerratken. She's provided provided keyboards, drums, guitars, percussion, vocals and atmosphere to many stellar rock and roll acts like Ben Lee, Crooked Fingers, Luscious Jackson, Luna, Dean and Britta, Nada Surf, and others but now she's busy performing her own solo work. Our featured "I Remember" was also part of KCRW's Top Tune of the Day podcast a few weeks back. Here's a clip from the featured use of Lara's "Hero" in the '05 film The Baxter, sung by actress Michelle Williams.

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 8/16) - Le Switch - Pristine

Le Switch - Pristine (Track 8/16)
Album - And Now ..... Le Switch
Label - Autumn Tone
http://www.myspace.com/leswitch

Photo taken by Charlie Chu

Le Switch is a rock n roll quintet from Le Sanjeleuse (LA), led by Aaron Kyle on guitar and vocals. They've just released their highly anticipated debut full-length "And Now...Le Switch" on the Aquarium Drunkard label (Autumn Tone). My buddy Josh Charney provides the jangly piano pop for the group and was recently honored for his score of the short film "I Kicked Luis Guzman in the Face". Josh also runs an independent podcast where he brings special guests to talk, spin, and jam...you can stream or download the podcasts at www.jamsheedsjams.com Here's a le switch video feat. special guest ninjas by Aris Blevis.

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 7/16) - Forest City Lovers - On the Basis

Forest City Lovers - On the Basis (Track 7/16)
Album - The Sun & the Wind (Sample/Purchase)
Label - Out of this Spark
http://www.myspace.com/forestcitylovers
http://www.playthetriangle.com/
Photo Taken By Joe Fuda

Forest City Lovers are a Toronto based band consisting of three friends, two rats, a rotating drummer, and eight arms. They play beautiful melodic indie-pop with swelling string arrangements to make your heart glad. The group is led by Kat Burns, playing the role of chief songwriter in addition to being a skillful animation artist. I can only assume that she's the mastermind behind FCL's fun interactive website, where you can purchase their first two flawless albums, becoming a permanent fixture in my car stereo. Something about this music makes me want to be outdoors. To get an idea of what' i'm saying, check out their home-made music videos including this one compiled from footage from their summer '08 tour through the western US and Canada.



Check out Kat's blog for some of her animation videos, commissioned album artwork, and other artistic ventures.

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 6/16) - Gang Gang Dance - House Jam (XXXchange remix)

Gang Gang Dance - House Jam (XXXchange remix) (Track 6/16)
Album - House Jam 12"
Label - Social Registry
http://www.myspace.com/ganggangdance

Gang Gang Dance is an experimental Brooklyn based 4-piece known well within the NY arts community for their distinctive tribal-futuristic sound. On our featured "House Jam", GGD have commissioned Spank Rock electro-producer XXXchange to rework this eerie upbeat masterpiece, highlighted by the Kate Bush-like vocals of Lizzie Bougatsos. This past week, Gang Gang Dance served as the conductors to Nike's 88 Boadrum free concert in Brooklyn, consisting of an 88 minute composition from 88 of the most accomplished drummers on 08/08/08. Here's a video below from the event.

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 5/16) - Emily Wells - Symphony 6: Fair Thee Well & the Requiem Mix

Emily Wells - Symphony 6: Fair Thee Well & the Requiem Mix (Track 5/16)
Album - The Symphonies : Dreams Memories & Parties (Sample/Purchase)
Label - Creative Control
http://www.myspace.com/emilywells
Photo taken by Anne Carmack

This LA based singer-songwriter has quickly captured the attention of all listeners through her captivating voice, bringing to mind such artists as Coco Rosie and Joanna Newsom. However, Emily separates herself from the pack with her one of a kind orchestral trip-hoperatic sound, playing up to 21 separate tracks of violin on each of the ten symphonies which comprise her latest full length. I was lucky enough to catch her record release show last month where she played a number of instruments including kalimba, toy piano, ukulele, melodica and of course the violin. Emily will be playing a few shows in the coming weeks at the Hotel Cafe including an already SOLD OUT performance with the talented rising Swedish pop star Lykke Li. I highly recommend checking her out.

Emily recently teamed up with KCRW DJ/music producer Jeremy Sole to create an original piece entitled "Joan of Arc" for Rami Kashou's Finale Collection on Project Runway Season 4. Check it out below.

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 4/16) - Ra Ra Riot - Dying Is Fine

Ra Ra Riot - Dying Is Fine (Track 4/16)
Album - The Rhumb Line (Pre-Order ; Release Date - 08/19/08)
Label - Barsuk
http://www.myspace.com/rarariot
Photo Taken By Sarah Cass

Ever since catching Syracuse's Ra Ra Riot on Halloween night of the 2006 CMJ music conference in New York, i've been eagerly anticipating the indie rock band's debut record. Well ...the rest of their devoted followers and I won't have to wait much longer as The Rhumb Line hits stores next Tuesday through Barsuk Records ; featuring a clever cover of Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love" and one of my personal faves "Ghost Under Rocks". Check out this fun animated video to our featured "Dying Is Fine" directed by Albert Birney, Nicholas Gurewitch, and Jon Moses.


They are currently touring through Europe but will make their way to almost every major city in the US this Fall so be sure to check their myspace for dates.

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 3/16) - The Beautiful Girls - I Thought About You

The Beautiful Girls - I Thought About You (Track 3/16)
Album - Ziggurats (Sample/Purchase)
Label - Controlled Substance Sound Labs
http://www.myspace.com/thebeautifulgirls

The Beautiful girls are an eclectic Australian trio with an electric sound blending roots, dub,reggae, and rock to produce irresistably catchy tunes in the style of Sting and the Police. They just finished a solid summer US Tour sharing the bill with Dave Matthews, John Mayer and O.A.R. in support of their 3rd full-length, Ziggurats. Check out the "Under A Southern Sky" video below for some live coverage.



- CLICK HERE for the high quality music video of our featured "I Thought About You" directed by Kiku Ohe

FoundTrack's August '08 Compilation (Track 1/16) - Mucca Pazza - Trio In E Minor, Opus 67, IV Allegretto

Mucca Pazza - Trio In E Minor, Opus 67, IV Allegretto (Track 1/14)
Album - Plays Well Together (Sample/Purchase)
Label - None
http://www.myspace.com/muccapazza

Couldn't think of a better way to start off a month featuring the olympic games than this call to arms from Chicago's Mucca Pazza. Truly a sight to be heard, this adult rock marching band of over 30 + has taken their self-described circus punk show to frequently sold out venues across the land including late night with Conan O'Brien and 10 canoes going down the Chicago River. If the 2016 games are in Chicago, they need to be commissioned for the opening ceremonies. Here is a video of their east coast tour.