THE INDIE MACHINE

Interpol has just released a brand new song on their website called ‘Lights’. Enter your birthday and email address below to get it absolutely free. Could this mean a new album in the near future? Check them out on Myspace here.

I’m at a loss for words people. Take a look for yourself at this rather intense video. M.I.A.’s new LP drops June 29th on N.E.E.T./Interscope. Apparently, she’s taking suggestions from fans for the name of the album. Hey, what are you waiting for? Give her a call. M.I.A. on Myspace.

Krista Loewen, keyboardist and founding member of YSP!WSD! took some time out recently to talk with The Indie Machine. This was before the untimely passing of their drummer, Devon Clifford. I had the opportunity to see the band at The Horseshoe Tavern recently and Devon was such an amazing presence on stage. With that being said, I’d like to dedicate this interview to the memory of Devon Clifford. Thank you for the music, your spirit will live on.

1. How did you come up with the name of the band when you started out?
The band name started out as a song name, and in that song we would get the crowd chanting back and forth with us “you say party! we say die!” It just ended up sticking as the band name.

2. You’ve all been together for quite some time now. What’s different about YSP!WSD! in 2010 as opposed to 2005 when your first album was released?
We’ve all changed a lot as people in the last 5 years. A couple of us joined the band during that time, though we’ve been solid with this line-up for a few years. We’re not just 5 years older but we’ve gone through a lot together. I think the way we approach the band and each other has evolved quite a lot. These days, we know what we want to do and we know that the best way to do that is by supporting each other. We’re 5 really different people with strong personalities, and we’ve learned a lot about how to stay on the same page.

3. XXXX has enjoyed quite a bit of success in Canada, especially in the latter part of 2009 after it was released. Did you guys expect to see that kind of response to the album?
We hoped for a positive response, we hoped it would do well, and we believed that we had created something that had the potential to reach a lot of people. I don’t know if we would say we expected it, but we all felt like we had created something we were really proud of.

4. Howard Redekopp has been involved in some very successful Canadian albums in the past. What was it like working with him on the new album?
We had a wonderful time working with Howard, there are not enough positive words to describe him!

5. It has been some time since the band has been able to tour in the US. How does it feel being able to tour South of the border again and why?
We just finished a US tour and we had a fantastic time. We weren’t sure what our reception would be like, but in almost every city there was a warm and excited crowd waiting for us. I ate some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had in my life! We really enjoyed the tour.

6. With that being said, how was you SXSW experience this year?
It was pretty intense, we played 6 shows in 2 days! We were joking about how SXSW is like band bootcamp. It’s great to be at SXSW though, always a crazy time.

7. You were selected to play with Phoenix as a follow up to the 2010 winter Olympics back in January. What did that mean to the band?
We were very happy to be asked to play that show. We were really excited to play with Phoenix, being fans of theirs. We were also excited to be playing at the Orpheum, a beautiful venue in Vancouver that normally houses the symphony.

8. The band is headed out a large scale European & UK tour at the end of April. How is it different playing overseas as opposed to playing here at home or in the US?
It’s kind of hard to make sweeping comparisons, because shows vary from city to city so much. But Europe definitely wins for band hospitality, they stuff you full of delicious food and drink, and really make you feel like an honoured guest, it’s a real pleasure to tour there.

9. Tell us five bands you are excited about in 2010?
I really loved a band we played with from Australia called Pivot. I’m in love with the new Beach House album. I adore the Cave Singers and the Duchess and the Duke. I’m very excited to hear the new Winter Gloves album when it comes out later this year.

10. What are your top five songs on your mp3 player right now?
Cloudbusting – Kate Bush
Silver Soul – Beach House
What Do I Get – Buzzcocks
18 Wheels – Murder City Devils
Dancing On Our Graves – Cave Singers

YSP! WSD! – Myspace

Housefire’s myspace page describes them quite well actually, indie experimental shoegaze. This up and coming sextet hails from The City of Roses, Portland, Oregon. They have been making waves around the Pacific Northwest with their live shows in recent months. Currently the band is working on a new EP which will be released in July. To coincide with the release, the band will be doing a West coast tour which will see them play Los Angeles, San Francisco & Seattle among others. Check out the video for ‘LA Ex’ below. ‘Mystery Thrill’ is up on their Myspace page, which will be included on the new EP.

The Do come to us by way of Paris, France and Helsinki, Finland.
Their sound, indie electro pop with a side of tropicalia.
The group is comprised of Olivia Marilahti, Dan Levy & Pierre Belleville.
They recently released their debut album, ‘A Mouthful’ on Six Degrees Records.
Check out the video for, ‘At Last’ below. The Do on Myspace.

Devon Clifford, drummer for You Say Party! We Say Die! passed away earlier today after collapsing on stage Friday night during a gig in Vancouver. Reports say that he suffered a brain hemorrhage. I had the opportunity to see the band for the first time a few weeks back @ The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. Devon was an amazing presence on stage and I am sure he will be dearly missed by his fans, band mates, friends and family. The following statement was issued by Paper Bag Records today:

“It is with absolute sadness to report that our dear friend Devon Clifford passed away just hours ago in a Vancouver hospital surrounded by his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. I request that we respect the family’s privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Secret Cities hail from Fargo, North Dakota. Their sound is all over the place in an experimental electro dream pop kinda way. Trust me, this is a good thing. The band is comprised of MJ Parker , Charlie Gokey & Alex Abnos on drums. They will release ‘Pink Graffiti’ through Western Vinyl Records on June 8th of this year. For a band looking to rebuild their sound with the new album, they’ve got a good thing going here. Secret Cities, the best thing to come out of Fargo since Chuck Klosterman. Check them out on Myspace.

1. Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Kicking Horse On Brokenhill
2. The National – Afraid Of Everyone
3. Arches – Another Fading Memory
4. Dr. Dog – Shadow People
5. U.S. Royalty – Every Summer
6. P.S. I Love You – Facelove
7. Young Rival – Got What You Need
8. Unnatural Helpers – Sunshine / Pretty Girls
9. Cousins – Nans
10. Collapsing Opposites – Diamond Mind
11. Locas In Love – Bushwick
12. Sleeping At Last – Porcelain
13. Elk City – Jerks On Ice
14. Israel Darling – Samson The Mason
15. Middle Distance Runner – The Fury
16. Porterblock – Youth’s Magic Horn
17. The Bloodsugars – Light At The End Of The Tunnel
18. The Darcys – House Built Around Your Voice
19. Gauntlet Hair – I Was Thinking….
20. Diamond Rings – All Yr Songs
21. MGMT – Flash Delirium
22. Pendentif – Pendentif
23. Hooded Fang – Highway Steam
24. Hooded Fang – Sleep Song (Live Acoustic)
25. Hooded Fang – Almost Done (Live Acoustic)
26. Hooded Fang – Circles & Blocks
27. Caribou – Odessa
28. Wolf Gang – Back To Back (Active Child Remix)

The initial NXNE line-up came out yesterday and this year is shaping up to be just as good as last. On top of all the incredible artists listed below, you can also see Women, Young Galaxy, The Soft Pack, The Raccoon Wedding, The High Dials, The Besnard Lakes, P.S. I Love You, Julianna Barwick, HEALTH, Glass Candy, Elliott Brood, DD/MM/YYYY, Bruce Peninsula and more. June, we’re waiting for you.

Toronto’s Hooded Fang will be live on The Indie Machine this Thursday night, April 15th. The band is currently working on new material, a follow up to their 2008 self titled EP. Be sure to tune in between 6 and 8pm for an interview and acoustic session with the band! Check them out on Myspace — you can tune into the show on Fusion Radio.