The Extra Glenns (Lens) - Martial Arts Weekend

John Darnielle, of The Mountain Goats, released this album the same year as "All Hail West Texas," one of my favorite albums of all time. Unlike AHWT, Martial Arts Weekend has a hi-fi, and an uncharacteristically large amount of band embellishments throughout. Some outstanding songs include "Somebody Else's Parking Lot in Sebastopol," with a great harmonica part throughout, "The River Song," and the odd "Ultraviolet."

Artist Spotlight-Pessimister

So, like finding Radio Wire Empire, Pessimister is another user of the music forum I go on, and shared his music with the community. His music is mainly acoustic guitar, but he has some folkier songs that include drums and other instruments. If you're interested in some sweet lo-fi folk, or just any acoustic music, pessimister is another artist you must add to your collection.
One of the best parts about it, is his music is free other than his "void" LP which you can name your own price for, so take a listen below and if you like it, download his EP's here. And even moreso, buy his LP.

REVIVAL/Dear and the Headlights Demos

So, I began to think: "Why the hell did I stop posting on my blog?" That question was answered with another question, and that was "What can I cover next?" which was a way for me to think about more music, and get lost from the original question. BUT, that was 3 months, today is a new day and new posts coming every other day. You have my word.
So, to build up some hype, I have something purely amazing.

Dear and the Headlights, (one of my all-time favorite bands) broke up this year. It was a very sad but necessary move for the band to be happy. But these guys are so cool, they actually answered the question "What happens to songs that aren't released?/What haven't we heard?". They gladly released 30 demos of songs never fully recorded or just first drafts. And I've got to say, it's amazing. Starting with a great emotional track "Come With Me For a While", the demos are just as good as getting a new album. So, all in all, something good did come out of the end of a great band. :)

Like Pioneers-Piecemeal

To put it simply, Like Pioneers is a great band for this current weather. With great tracks that start out smooth and transition into great indie-rock tracks, the all around sound is very reminiscent to the To Bed to Battle LP by Look Mexico.
Upbeat, fun, summer-core, Like Pioneers will put a smile on your face and a skip in your step.
Very accessible lyrics makes this album all around easy to listen to, wheter it's ambiance for your homework, or for driving in the sun with the windows down, this album is strong from start to finish. Highly recommended.

Download here.

Sleigh Bells/CSS White Rabbit 4/21

The White Rabbit (San Antonio, TX) is a probably the best up and coming artist venue, but a show including Sleigh Bells, a loud and exciting noise rock band from New York, and CSS, or 'Cansei de Ser Sexy' from Saul Paulo, Brazil, definitely was a highlight show.

The day after the infamous '420,' Sleigh bells blinded the crowd with strobes, had the sexy Alexis Krauss (Of the duo) spray bottles of water onto the crowd, and made us dance and scream into each others sweat like some kind of primal therapy.

Two people, singing and playing guitar to, what I assume is, pre-recorded heavy drum and bass was surprisingly exciting, and did not feel fake in the slightest. The two-man band's energy was sincere and definitely resonated through the crowd. I did not make sure, but I think they played every song from their debut album 'Treats,' and when 'Infinity Guitars' started, I knew this was probably one of the most fun shows I've ever attended.

A perfect amount of FUN energy, no fists, no blood, only stoned kids coming down from the previous day to enjoy some great noise rock, stomping, hopping, screaming along, and making up new ways to dance to catchy music.

Band Site

Download the debut album 'Treats' here.

Out Go the Lights-Acceptance EP

After not knowing anything about the band, and some careful google search manipulation, I was able to contact Out Go the Lights. Alex Clements and Allen Clark from Orlando, Florida form a fantastic 2 piece-band that is capable of making music that breaks from their city's normal Post-Hardcore "scene".(despite the band's distaste for the word)

When I contacted Alex I asked a small informal interview over email and can already see he's just another teenager that loves music. Cranking out new songs every month, Alex Clement is very picky on how he likes to make a song, but being a 17 year old leaves very little time to devote completely to music production.

With the simple story of growing up with a best-friend who loves musics since they were toddlers, the band has a chemistry that is almost visible while listening to the EP.

Having only played a few shows in their hometown, and their family and friends being their main audience, they would love for anyone out there to sit down and listen to their work.

Self-labeled as "pop music" this duo is able to put together songs that have catchy drum beats and guitar riffs that get in your head and stay there.

I highly recommend you listen to them if you're into any alt. rock/smooth pop.

Acceptance by Out Go the Lights

PLEASE take a listen.

Download

Also, an acoustic demo from their next EP here.

Skywatchers

Skywatchers would greatly like to be astronauts. "The Skywatchers Handbook" (Their 2010 Debut Album) is described as...

...a story of escape from the gravity of the Earth to the weightlessness of space. It begins in a field of lonely Victorian flowers. Electronic and scientific pulses cross-pollinate with the vibrations of bucolic wooden instruments. The old and the new. The wood and the alloy.

And its lovely... This "electro-folk, british ambience" is not unlike an emotional ride into space. Their new single "Serves Me Right" Is not much different from the debut tracks, but is definitely a sign of maturing and improving...

With a vocals similar to that of Maps & Atlases you'll be wondering how there is so much unfamiliarity in the sound.

SKYWATCHERS - SERVES ME RIGHT - (SINGLE MIX) by skywatchers

Website:

Skywatchers

Free The Robots-Ctrl Alt Delete

You like electronic ambient music? You like dub? Well then take a look here at Free the Robot's latest 2010 album "Ctrl Alt Delete". With this Electronic Hip-Hop/Dub album, you'll be bobbing your head to the slow beats and charismatic flow of the robotic synth. With a great variation of dub and ambient sound, every track is sure to bring a different level of attraction.

Highly recommended for those who like any electronic IDM, or ambient music and those who like electronic instrumental Hip-Hop.

Jupiter by Free the Robots

Tumblr.

Store.

Faceboook.

Twitter.

I am Robot and Proud

Heck yes you like chiptuney-downtempo. Canadian artist Shaw-Han Liem is pretty popular for making people want to feel good about dancing like robots. Take a load off, do yourself a favor, give it a listen.

Band Review - The Sarcastic Dharma Society

For the past few weeks I have been frequenting a site called CLLCT (http://cllct.com/). A music community which distributes music uploaded by musicians for free. Its great, simple, and produces great results. One of the most heavy-hitting releases I have come across is called "Sannyasa Songs (of Love)," by The Sarcastic Dharma Society. The lyrics, melody, and unique voice of this band has found a special place in my head to stay for awhile.

"I'm just like the giving tree, I need to be useful to be happy."

All of his releases are free to download on the site, and please, if you like the site, the bedroom-core 'do it yourself' attitude it frequents, then create an account and support the artists.

The Sarcastic Dharma Society CLLCT: http://cllct.com/art/thesarcasticdharmasociety

Sannyasa Songs (of Love): http://cllct.com/release/sannyasasongsoflove

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesarcasticdharmasociety

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thesarcasticdharmasociety

Band Review - Rabbit Hole Revelations

Trip-hop, Electronic, Brazillian-elecro-fancy-folk, call it whatever you must, but Rabbit Hole Revelations has an amazingly diverse sound which gives each song its own character.

LP by Rabbit Hole Revelations

Download his LP, and check out his EP for even more.

Don't expect to see Pedro Bazan of San Diego in San Antonio anytime soon, but you can follow his

Myspace and Soundcloud for more.

Band Review-Radio Wire Empire

After lurking on music forums with people posting their own music, I came across this beautiful artist with barely any back story out there on the internet. This shit had to be indie as fuck.

Whether it's one guy or with one guy with help from friends, this electronic dream pop setup has me falling all over his music. With first having listened to the Song "The Insistence of Dawn..." from their upcoming EP, Color & Colour, I fell in love instantly. This song from the get go gives us an ambient wave of synth accompanied by a beautiful head-bobbing beat that doesn't quit. And with the verses picking up your spirits and your sense of self worth, you'll get lost in the sound and feel free. Whether you are the dancing type or not, the rhythm will flow trough you in some way.

Altogether, listening to the cool, flowing melodies with beats that put you in a trance, you'll fall in love too. The high-pitch vocals and the cache of sounds that make you wonder in awe how one can put together such a beautiful piece of music.

This is music to listen and let it carry you to places in your mind where you can be happy with where you are, or help get you there.

I highly recommend RWE if you're a fan of Baths, Passion Pit, Kisses or other Synth/Dream Pop.

This is an act you can't be without.

Last.Fm: http://www.last.fm/music/radio+wire+empire

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/rapideyebrunette

• Hold Your Horses

So, give it a listen and if you like it, follow him on twitter: @RadioWireEmpire

The Music Blog

Here at the sound bakery, you'll find two dudes behind the counter that just love music. So, we've decided to share our love with you.

On this blog you'll find a variety of genres ranging from Indie-Folk, to some fast paced electronic and everything in between.

So follow us!

We'll be posting either daily to bi-weekly, mainly posting album reviews, album recommendations, and reviews from shows in our wondrous city of San Antonio.

-Cpt. Dansky and Lt. Wiggly