Today (June 6) is FensePost’s seventh birthday, and since I didn’t post anything this morning I kept my head down, powered through and wrapped by mid-year best of 2013 list, covering my top 10 LPs from January to June. Before jumping into the list, let’s go over a few of the more highly anticipated albums of the second half of 2013. Just a list of bands for you: Camera Obscura, Daughn Gibson, The Moondoggies, Pure Bathing Culture, Ty Segall, Typhoon… I’ll leave it at that. (more…)

The past week saw several notable artists — many ranking among my favorites — release new tracks. Camera Obscura distributed a new track off their forthcoming album Desire Lines, Typhoon gave us a stellar digital single, and we heard a new track off the upcoming album from The Moondoggies. On top of that, I continued the show with recent tracks off new or just released records including those by Scout Niblett, The Mantles, Phosphorescent and Club 8. (more…)

As you may already know, but I’ll state it nonetheless for those who do not, I have a weekly radio show on KSVR Mount Vernon, KSVU Hamilton and KSJU Friday Harbor. You can tune in via the respective dial pinpoints if you live within those townships, or you can stream from KSVR.org. We will be hosting our pledge drive in April, so I thought I’d kick things off by doing something no other station in Skagit or (to my knowledge) the surrounding areas does: a vinyl only night. (more…)

I broke the rules this week on my very unoriginally titled radio show on KSVR Mount Vernon. The Indie Music Show featured a few tracks that are, quite distinctly, not even close to being indie. And one of them kicked off the show. It’s the new track by David Bowie called “Where Are We Now?” Shortly thereafter, I crossed the ocean for a set from France, where I played a track by famed singer and Masculin Féminin actress Chantal Goya and another by Serge Gainsbourg. (more…)

I’ve been in a weird place musically of late. I’m a bit scattered, all over the map. My affinity for light, soft and playful folk has returned, but I’m also crushing on slacker pop and dream pop at the moment. Pretty hard, thank to bands like Darlings and Indians. I shouldn’t be surprised at this disjointedness; I have always had diverse desires when it comes to music and varied playlists like this one are a common occurrence. (more…)

Brooklyn slacker pop outfit Darlings have been a long-time favorite. Darlings from 2009 was a top LP for that year, and their Warma EP follow-up in 2010 followed suit for EPs. Then they went silent for a year or so before giving us a 7″ single with Pet The Ghost in 2012 with the promise of a new LP on the way in 2013. Well the time has come and the new LP, Perfect Trip, is less than one month from its release date. (more…)

It’s day three of my top 50 countdown, meaning we’re in the middle and doing #30 down to #21. Par with how the previous two have gone, we begin with a pair of honorary mentions. (more…)

Visiting the parents is often a stressful time. Despite their incessantly busy schedules, they have actually learned to relax in retirement despite their hectic lifestyle. I visited them two weekends ago now. Hence the absence of an August 17 radio show recap; there was none. Instead, I participated in my brother’s wedding. (more…)

Pet The Ghost continues Darlings‘ trend of producing great, lazy summer garage pop. Their new single highlights the two sides of the Brooklyn-based band. “Pet The Ghost” is full-on garage pop, but within it Darlings produce the sweltering hot, lazy summer sound. “Shelley”, on the other hand, is much louder and more upbeat. (more…)

I had Friday off and ended up spending most of the day sanding down cabinets. They came out looking great; a natural light pine distressed with a hint of dark stain peeping through. Ultimately they will get two light coats of matte brown followed by white paint and distressed lightly. (more…)