Briefs: The Dodos, So Many Wizards, Howlin Rain, Robotanists, Red Cortez, The Bay Bridged

[Photo cred: Explosion 5000]

+ Never ones to rest - ever, The Dodos will follow up 2008's Visiter with Time To Die (out via French Kiss) on September 15. Singer/guitarist Meric Long recently told Pitchfork:

We have a whole new element in all the new songs right now-- an electric vibraphone. That's what's really standing out. It was something I wanted to incorporate a while ago when I heard about this company that made pick ups for vibraphones so you can actually plug it in and really fuck up the sound while retaining that organic element. It's taken a little while to figure out-- it's a very big instrument and, sonically, it takes up a lot of space.

[Via Stranger Dance]

+ I recently received an email from Nima Kazerouni of So Many Wizards with a video attached. He wrote:

A couple weeks ago, I played a street set for the Summer and Music series aimed at bringing artists and their music to downtown long beach. There's a short piece that is now put together and i think you will find entertaining.

+ Birdman/American recording artistsHowlin Rain will make a return to the Bay Area with a show at Oakland's Uptown this Saturday. I've had the pleasure of seeing Howlin Rain four times actually and the band brings something unique every time. Frontman Ethan Miller (who also fronts Comets on Fire) is one of the best guitarists I have ever seen! [Via The Bay Bridged]

Howlin Rain - "Dancers at the End of Time" (mp3)
Howlin Rain - "Roll on the Rusted Days" (mp3)

+ Beatcrave has an interview with Robotanists for their "Know Your LA Bands" feature.

+ Red Cortez will be joining The Airborne Toxic Event and The Henry Clay People for what is sure to be a tour of LA superpowers. [Via BuzzBands.LA]

+ If you plan to be in the Bay Area on the 4th of July then you do not want to miss The Fourth Annual El Rio Big Time Freedom Fest presented by The Bay Bridged, Tartufi, Thread Productions, and the SF Bay Guardian. Bands are playing all day and the stellar lineup includes such N&UR faves as Tartufi, Birds and Batteries, and Two Sheds. Full lineup and details at The Bay Bridged.

Enjoying The Bay Bridged Compilation

I broke down and bought a cup of coffee today. Some days you just need to - especially with the weather what it is today. I'm continuing to search the internet for more places to send the CD that we may have missed before. I also found a fantastic, rather extensive list of college radio stations - our main target when it comes to the dial. Hillary got me this fantastic book from the library - Money For Nothing: A History of the Music Video from the Beatles to the White Stripes. I'm having quite a difficult time putting it down.

Anyhow, yesterday I dropped by my Post Mail Box, which has been rather empty as of late, and was very pleased to find a copy of The Bay Bridged Vol. 1. I've been following the Bay Bridged for a little over a year now. For those of you who don't know, it's a rather comprehensive website (which I contribute to on occasion) devoted to covering and promoting the San Francisco Bay Area indie scene, complete with a weekly podcast.

Anyhow, continuing to build on an already successful brand, the Bay Bridged released their first compilation earlier this month, showcasing 11 up-and-coming local acts. The CD contains some new tunes from our friends The Dont's and Love is Chemicals, as well as others from the much-buzzed-about Dodos, Social Studies and Tartufi. Even if you do not live in the Bay, it's a great way to get a sample for the variety of work happening in this frequently overlooked scene. One thing that I think contributes to this lack of attention from the outside music world is that there does not appear to be a strong "scene" in the sense of camaraderie. I really think that, through their website and monthly shows, the Bay Bridged are building a community of like-minded bands and fans. In fact, it is solely thanks to them that I found the Music Lovers.

Purchase the album here.