It’s just about that time of year when there’s nothing better than coming across a catchy, youthful tune that gets your mood up to par with the warmer weather. UK’s Blue Boats has done just that for us this week. A dream-pop solo project started by Olly Gale, a student in Bournemouth, couldn’t have chosen a better time to release his newest track “Summers Down.” The bedroom pop piece is highlighted with dreamy similarities to artists such as Craft Spells and Wild Nothing with a vibrant guitar lines and echoed vocals. As with his previous work, a mirrored rhythm of synth and drums runs in the background to keep a consistent, inspirational flow throughout the song. Take a listen and dream away, summer’s certainly not down with this on play.

Blue Boats – Summers Down

Check out of some his other work on his Bandcamp where it’s all free to download!

South by Southwest is a week of performances by cutting-edge underground artists, potpourris of paper-based entry wristbands, and getting to know Texas’ notoriously weird city. Even to someone like myself who’s experienced two CMJs, and having worked at a college radio station for the past four years and thinking I know music, SXSW has proven me floored as the next level of music festival. The showcase features a range of artists, from dystopian midwestern folk rockers to DC-originated moombahton DJs.

Taking place every spring in Austin, Texas, the city transforms itself into a fantasy world for a week, flooding the city with musicians, journalists, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, and loyal followers and fans. Locals also have a strong presence at SXSW, a few Austinites I met were St. Edwards students and were generally enthusiastic about having artists from across the globe come to them. Not to say Austin is a city at all lacking musical culture. Famously, Austin is also known for PBS Show “Austin City Limits,” which, since broadcasting on national television since 1976, has opened up Austin’s entertainment draw to the rest of the nation. During South By, Austin locales are rented out for the week and taken over by artistic collectives, record companies, and American companies to further industry connections. The venues and bars of the city of Austin open their doors, promoters standing outside vouching for all passerbys to see “the next big band.” Although its a lot for anyone to absorb in a week, I’m going to guide you through a number of amazing acts who should be worthy of your attention in 2012.

Keep reading…

Samuel Walker (aka Hotline) and Gavin Royce (aka Bad Decision, head of A&R at Nurvous/Nervous) recently linked up to form the Brooklyn-based production/DJ duo Walker & Royce. The uniquely versatile up-and-comers have released tracks and remixes that touch on deep and gritty techno, the funky elements of R&B-tinged disco and bright, colorful, 80′s-inspired indie dance.

Get familiar -

SAARID – Future Lately (Walker & Royce Remix) – recently featured on Volta Bureau’s November Beatport Chart

Ter Khan – Disco Addict (Walker & Royce Remix)

Walker & Royce – Little Things - out soon on Dither Down records

Five days prior to the Queen of Pop’s birthday, Danny Daze released a short preview of his take on Madonna’s 1995 club hit, “Bedtime Story.”

Daze preserves the deep, obscure, hypnotic tones of the original (co-written by Björk) while slightly speeding up the BPM and adding an 808 bass that’s so low, it’s inaudible through laptop speakers.

After teasing his listeners for nearly two weeks, the full-length version is now available for listen and download–DJs are encouraged test out the 808 bass during their next club gig (especially if that club embodies dark rooms).

Madonna – Bedtime Stories (Danny Daze Dark Room Mix)

The Portland, Oregon & Marfa, Texas duo YACHT (which was named after the Portland Alternative School, “Young Americans Challenging High Technology”) released their second full length album a couple weeks ago on DFA Records. This included a super-catchy synth electro pop track appropriately titled, Utopia.

Today saw the release of the remixes and each is excellent in its own way. DFA has been kind enough to offer a free download of the Miracles club remix but don’t sleep on the other ones. I think the Jeffrey Jerusalem remix is top notch and reminds me of a new age Talking Heads track. Give all three a listen and you be the judge.

More YACHT tracks can be found Here

Yacht – Utopia (Remixes)