Octopus Windmill

Amsterdam's Source for Solid Musical Happenings - Octopuswindmill(at)gmail.com - Follow on Twitter

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Octopus Windmill Waves Goodbye

As you might've noticed by the date of my last post, my music writing days have been sorely lacking. I thought I just needed a little break, but it turns out I'm happier hangin' it up. Happier in the sense that I have a little more free time on my hands to spend doing things that I feel are a little more constructive. But before I disappear into the ether, I just wanted to say a quick thank you for reading and listening - especially those of you who've been with me since the beginning (Jan. '09). I've put together a final mix which you can download below, followed by my long overdue lists of favorite albums, EPs and songs of 2012. So long, my friends. It's been real. Waving a warm goodbye with the ends of all eight extremities, -OW- Octopus Windmill Mixxxtape #6 (Click to download) Tracklist: 1. Rhye - The Fall 2. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Swim and Sleep (Like A Shark) 3. Foxygen - Shuggie 4. Helado Negro - Dance Ghost 5. Solange - Losing You 6. Chris Cohen - Rollercoaster Rider 7. Seapunk Bummer - SlutXFriend 8. Houtakker - Judy, Judy 9. Angel Olsen - Sweet Dreams 10. Daughn Gibson - Reach Into the Fire 11. Youth Lagoon - Dropla 12. The Revival Hour - Hold Back 13. Nightlands - So Far So Long 14. Amor de Días - Jean's Waving 15. Earl Grant - The End Photograph by Henry Cosmo Tertius Greaves | | Layout by Ennio Franco Danieli Still available (until downloads run out): Mixxxtape #1 Mixxxtape #2 Mixxxtape #3 Mixxxtape #4 Mixxxtape #5 Favorite Albums of 2012 (in alphabetical order): Beach House - Bloom Chris Cohen - Overgrown Path Mac DeMarco - 2/Rock and Roll Night Club Daughn Gibson - All Hell Grizzly Bear - Shields Here We Go Magic - A Different Ship Lambchop - Mr. M Angel Olsen - Half Way Home Tame Impala - Lonerism Wooden Constructions - People Now People Honorable Mention Albums of 2012 (in alphabetical order): Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes Bro. Stephen - Baptist Girls DIIV - Oshin Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan Guided By Voices - Class Clown Spots a UFO Richard Hawley - Standing at the Sky's Edge Helvetia - Nothing In Rambling Damien Jurado - Maraqopa Kindness - World, You Need A Change of Mind Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid M.A.A.D. City Liars - WIXIW Magic Trick - Ruler of the Night Pye Corner Audio - Sleep Games Sleeping Bag - Women of Your Life Michael James Tapscott with Andrew Kenower - Good Morning, Africa Tindersticks - The Something Rain The Walkmen - Heaven Matthew E. White - Big Inner Wild Nothing - Nocturne Sam Willis - Winterval Winslow - Winslow Favorite EPs of 2012 (in alphabetical order): Burial - Kindred/Truant Evenings - Unreleased Collection Odawas - EverythingIsChemical Virtual 7" No. 26 Pure Bathing Culture - Pure Bathing Culture The Revival Hour - Clusterchord Daniel Rossen - Silent Hour/Golden Mile Solange - True Favorite Songs of 2012 (in alphabetical order): Daughn Gibson - Rain On a Highway Grizzly Bear - Half Gate Here We Go Magic - How Do I Know Angel Olsen - Free Solange - Losing You Wild Nothing - Through the Grass Special Thanks and Love to the Following Supportive Friends/Blogs I Admire: Belmont Bookings (Love you Belmonsters. Thanks for everything.) Cartelle Ennio Franco Danieli Disco Naïveté Flannelgraph Records Marathonpacks Carmel McNamara Mperfect My Old Kentucky Blog Over Muziek Sounds Good To Me Too TwentyFourBit YVYNYL Wilkerton

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Neil Halstead - "Full Moon Rising"

On September 11th, Brushfire Records will release Palindrome Hunches, the third solo album from Slowdive / Mojave 3 frontman Neil Halstead. The first single, "Full Moon Rising", is right on par with the best of the slow burning folk-pop ballads that dominate his previous solo ouput - warm, restrained and pretty as hell. Check it out below and head over here to download a free mp3 of the track. Neil Halstead - "Full Moon Rising"

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Pure Bathing Culture - "Lucky One"

Portland, Oregon pop duo Pure Bathing Culture, which consists of Vetiver guitarist and keyboardist Daniel Hindman and Sarah Versprille, respectively, have revealed a second single from their recently released self-titled EP. Built around the rhythm of what sounds like a drum machine submerged in water, "Lucky One" falls on the ears like a coconut from a palm tree, knocking you into some sort of tropical-tinged daze that you hope to never snap out of. Pure Bathing Culture - "Lucky One"

The Pure Bathing Culture EP is out now on Father/Daughter Records. Snag your copy on 12" vinyl here and check out the EP's sun-soaked first single, "Ivory Coast", below. Pure Bathing Culture - "Ivory Coast"

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Groundislava - "TV Dream" (Feat. Clive Tanaka)

In preparation for his new album, Feel Me, due out August 28th via Friends of Friends, LA-based producer Jasper Patterson, aka Groundislava, has revealed a new 5-track EP titled TV Dream. For the title track, described as "an ebullient ode to a friendship's inception drenched in summery vibes and ghostly playfulness", Patterson has once again enlisted the boundless talents of Clive Tanaka, who lends his soothing, vocoder-enveloped vocals to the dreamy, synth-laden ballad. Groundislava - "TV Dream" (Feat. Clive Tanaka)

Stream the TV Dream EP in its entirety here and look out for Feel Me to drop via Friends of Friends on August 28th. Previously: Clive Tanaka Reveals "All Night, All Right" Clock Opera - "Once And For All" (Clive Tanaka Remix) Clive Tanaka Y Su Orquesta - "Neu Chicago"

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Foxygen - "Make It Known"

Jagjaguwar ain't the type to sit around and pat themselves on the back. Sure, they're receiving Record Label of the Year awards and releasing Grammy Award-winning records these days, but what I've always found most appealing about the label and their affiliates (Secretly Canadian, Dead Oceans) is that they'd rather change the subject and tell you about something new that they're excited about. For many labels, that's the definition of success - having the freedom to take risks and being able to give up-and-comers a chance to blossom. Yet, somehow, each new act Jagjaguwar introduces feels more like a sure thing than a roll of the dice. Take one listen to "Make It Known", the first single from latest signees Foxygen, and you'll hear what I mean. Despite their young age (Sam France and Jonathan Rado are both 22), the duo already sounds like a couple of road-worn rock veterans who grew up being encouraged to file their Ariel Pink and Devendra Banhart records on the same shelves as their parent's Stones and Seeds records. Have a listen and snag a free mp3, courtesy of the A.V. Club, below. The track will appear on the band's forthcoming, self-produced Take The Kids Off Broadway EP, which was mixed wth a little help from Richard Swift. Foxygen - "Make It Known"

Pre-order Take The Kids Off Broadway and stream the EP in its entirety at Foxygen's Bandcamp. Out July 24th on vinyl and digital formats via Jagjaguwar. UPDATE: Foxygen has released a second track from their forthcoming EP, which you can download below. While "Make It Known" recalls the youthful grit of early Stones, Waitin' 4 U" seems to get its influences from My Aim Is True-era Elvis Costello and The Beatles' a la "Don't Let Me Down". In other words, it's more of that classic-with-a-fresh-twist-sound that has me even more eager to hear what else these guys are capable of. Foxygen - "Waitin' 4 U"

VIDEO: Foxygen - "Make It Known"

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The Paellas - "Lights" + "In The Ghetto" (Elvis Presley Cover)

Clear some room in the top tier of your Promising New Acts list for Osaka, Japan's The Paellas. "Lights", the band's recently self-released single, is a gauzy, reverb-drenched pop jam - the perfect soundtrack to your warm and cloudless days. Coupled with the equally delightful b-side "Long Night Comes", it ought to make a lasting impression, perhaps most of all on anyone who likes anything on the Captured Tracks roster. The Paellas - "Lights"

Not to be overlooked, The Paellas have put a wonderful spin on Elvis Presley's somber classic "In The Ghetto". The Paellas - "In The Ghetto" (Elvis Presley Cover)

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Levek - "Black Mold Grow"

Damn, was it really November of 2010 when the single for Levek's instant indie classic "Look On The Bright Side" came out? I've been waiting even longer than I thought for some new material from this fella. Well, lucky me (and lucky you), the wait is over. Levek is set to drop his debut album, Look A Littler Closer, on September 25th via Lefse. You can stream the album's opening track and first single, "Black Mold Grow" below, which beautifully blends bits of soul, funk and whatever you might classify Grizzly Bear as. Few records I'm looking forward to more than this one this year. Preorder the CD or LP from Lefse right over here and check out Levek's recent Daytrotter session if you're up for some bonus goodness. Levek - "Black Mold Grow"

Previously: Levek - "Look On The Bright Side" Mixxxtape #1

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Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - "Baby"

On August 20th, 4AD will release Mature Themes, the new album from Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti. You can now hear the first single, a cover of Donnie and Joe Emerson's "Baby" featuring Dām-Funk, below. Head over to Gorilla vs. Bear to hear the original. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - "Baby"

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Grizzly Bear - "Sleeping Ute"

On September 18th, Grizzly Bear will release a new, yet-to-be-titled album via Warp Records. You can hear the incredible, Daniel Rossen-led opening track, "Sleeping Ute", below. Bonus: the band will play Amsterdam's Paradiso on November 5th! Grizzly Bear - "Sleeping Ute"

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Moons - "Bloody Mouth"

Today, Leisure drummer (see previous post) and all around nice guy Brian Justie launched a new record label, No Recordings. The label's first release is a 7" single from Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Moons, entitled "Bloody Mouth". It's a sweeping, down-tempo pop song, blissful and lucid in all the right ways and exactly the kind of song you want to kick off a promising new label with. Have a listen, watch the video below and act fast - the hand-stamped 7" is limited to just 250 copies. Moons - "Bloody Mouth"

VIDEO: Moons - "Bloody Mouth"

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Leisure - "Plastic Soul"

Since falling for their infectious "Green Light" single last year, I've been anxiously keeping an eye out for some album news from Cambridge, Massachusetts' Leisure. That news has finally arrived, along with a brand new track to whet our appetites. Bask in the sax-y sounds and magazine gloss of title track "Plastic Soul" below, snag your free mp3 over here and be sure to pick up the band's debut when it drops via The Orchard on June 18th. Leisure - "Plastic Soul"

Leisure - "Green Light"

Previously: Leisure - "Green Light"

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VIDEO: DIIV - "How Long Have You Known?"

VIDEO: DIIV - "How Long Have You Known"

DIIV - "How Long Have You Known"

Previously: DIIV - "Doused" DIIV - "How Long Have You Known?"

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SINGLE FILE: Here We Go Magic - "How Do I Know"

Welcome to the latest edition of Single File, a feature that focuses on dissecting the latest and greatest singles - from their start to the cover art - by asking their composers to give up some song-specific insider details, pretty or gritty as they may be. Today I bring you "How Do I Know", the latest single from Brooklyn, New York's Here We Go Magic. It can be found on the band's third album, A Different Ship, a sprawling, colorful pop record filled with delightfully catchy tunes about hot-dogging your way to the top and drinking vodka over the ocean, among other things. Released just this week on Secretly Canadian, the album was produced by Radiohead's "sixth member", Nigel Godrich, who offered his services not long after he and Thom Yorke danced around to the band's early morning Glastonbury performance back in 2010. The result is nothing short of stunning, and nowhere is that more evident than on "How Do I Know". I'm thrilled that the song's author, Luke Temple, was willing to answer a few of my questions about the single, so have a listen and read on as he sheds a little more light on this sunny jam. Here We Go Magic - "How Do I Know"

OW: What is "How Do I Know" about? Luke Temple: Is love some spiritual connection or is it a decision or in an action? Stuff like that. OW: When and where was the song written? Did you write it yourself and present it to the band or was it written together? Temple: I wrote that one a few years back and it was just kicking around without a home. I introduced it to the band and they liked it enough to want to put it on the record. OW: How did it come together during the recording process and what do you think Nigel Godrich brought to the song that maybe another producer couldn't have? Temple: He brings clarity to anything he works on. It went smooth for that one. We did it live and there it was. OW: Who created the cover art for the 7" and why do you feel it represents this single? Temple: I did. It's just what it is. I figure it could be used for just about any record art. OW: What can you tell us about the single's b-side, "My Plate's On Fire"? Temple: We were recording another song and, in between takes, the band just started playing that progression spontaneously. I put some words to it and there we have it. OW: Anything else you'd like to share about the single that people might not know? Temple: I like to pretend it's an old show tune. If you take the "Here We Go Magicness" out of it you can imagine Buddy Clark singing it. OW: What's next on your agenda? Temple: Tour! And tour they shall. Check out a full list of North American and Euro dates here and order the "How Do I Know" 7" single along with a copy of A Different Ship over at Secretly Canadian, or snag a limited cassette copy of the album from Joyful Noise. Watch the Sean Pecknold-directed video for "How Do I Know" below. Here We Go Magic - "How Do I Know"

Previously: SINGLE FILE - Co La - “Blood Orange Crush (Dynasty Version)” SINGLE FILE - Dylan Ettinger - "Lion Of Judah"

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ALBUM STREAM: Wooden Constructions - People Now People

One of the freshest and best new bands I've heard in a long while, Wooden Constructions, just released their debut album People Now People today via Subroutine. If I could afford to buy you all a copy I would. Not a single moment of filler on this thing. Stream it in full below and name your price for the mp3's, or order the LP from Subroutine. Their live show is not to be missed, so if you plan to be in the Amsterdam area next month, be sure to buy tickets to their album release show at Melkweg on June 12.

People Now People by Wooden Constructions

Previously: Wooden Constructions - "Smoul In Mali" Wooden Constructions - "Full Brother"

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DIIV - "Doused"

Since posting about DIVE's hook-laden single "How Long Have You Known?" last month, the band, led by frequent Beach Fossils collaborator Zachary Cole Smith, has changed their name to DIIV out of respect for a 90s Belgian band named Dive. The news also came with "Doused", another brilliant cut from their forthcoming Captured Tracks debut, Oshin. DIIV - "Doused"

Oshin is out June 26 on Captured Tracks. DIVE - "Doused" Live at Cakeshop in NYC (via Bleary Eyed Brooklyn)

Previously: DIVE - "How Long Have You Known?"

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Ultraísta - "Smalltalk"

Between recent record production for the likes of Radiohead, Here We Go Magic and Atoms For Peace - a band in which he also performs - it's hard to imagine where Nigel Godrich finds the time to eat, let alone start another new project. Whatever the case, his latest musical endeavour, Ultraísta, was revealed via Pitchfork yesterday and, no surprise, it delivers. The first taste, "Smalltalk", finds Godrich, along with Atoms For Peace drummer Joey Waronker and London artist Laura Bettison, honing in on some kind of Stereolab-meets-hip-hop vibe that's sure to please. No details yet on an album or tour of any kind but keep an eye on their site for any updates. Ultraísta - "Smalltalk"

Ultraísta - "Smalltalk"

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Wooden Constructions - "Smoul In Mali"

The Netherlands' own Wooden Constructions announced today that their highly anticipated debut album, People Now People, will be released by Subroutine on May 11th. Led by singer Gover Meit (imagine a cross between the bulgy-eyed manics of John Maus, the venomous sneer of The Fall's Mark E. Smith and the seemingly uncontrollable flailings of Yeasayer's Chris Keating), the four-piece has created an incredibly refreshing take on post-punk and disco house that, in their own words, will "make your girlfriends dance and your babies cry". Stream the new single, "Smoul In Mali", below to hear just how right they are and head over to their Bandcamp page to snag a free download of it. Wooden Constructions - "Smoul In Mali"

Wooden Constructions - "Full Brother" (Live at DWDD)

Previously: Wooden Constructions - "Full Brother"