Cities Aviv has released a new album titled Come To Life. The Memphis rapper has taken a different approach in his new material than with his previous Ep's.  Come To Life sounds like more of a dance party album than a rap album. Never being one to shy away from heavy sampling, Cities Aviv has taken his sound to a whole new level with this album, but that's not a bad thing. It's definitely worth a listen or two. Plus, you gotta rep the 901, dawg.

 

We ran across this pleasant gentleman at the legendary Flora-Bama this summer.  He had a nice yet typical "bar band covers" thing going on as we walked in, but it was his original content that kept us there.  If you ever have the pleasure of seeing Albert Simpson live, be sure to request "Ding-Dong".  Here's his making of video for "Roll Your Mind".

I'll just leave this here.  [Via glorieband.com]

     "Instrumental band, Glorie, was formed in Memphis in the spring of 2009 by former Satyrs frontman, Jason Paxton, after an eight year hiatus from playing music. The other members of Glorie (Jonathan Kirkscey, Rob Brimhall, Andy Saunders, and Jeff Hulett) come from diverse musical backgrounds and have performed with an impressive array of artists such as Cat Power, Jay Reatard, The Bloodthirsty Lovers, Snowglobe, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and Al Green.

     The band started as a desire to create more substantive, engaging instrumental music with a strong focus on melody.  Their music blends acoustic, electric, and electronic sounds and draws inspiration from many genres including rock and instrumental hip- hop. Texturally, the instrumentation is diverse including layers of strings, synthesizer, guitar, piano, and vibraphone creating an entrancing thick wall of sound with a cinematic quality."

 Glorie's debut album is an amazing journey of beautiful driving instrumentals.  I highly recommend.  Head over to their Bandcamp page to grab Glorie, and if you like what you hear be sure to donate to help them get the next album going here.

Glorie - Looking Through the Mirror from LFM Films on Vimeo.

Nashville electronic pioneers Cherub dropped their long awaited full length album last week.  As expected, Mom & Dad sounds like if Prince and MGMT had a sexy baby.  If the hype is true these guys put on an amazing live show and are emerging as one of Nashville's go-to "not country" local bands.  Best of all Cherub have been generous enough to let their album go for free (via thissongissick).  Give it a listen!

Memphis' own Star & Micey are showcasing at Austin's SXSW this year. If you have never heard of them just think: folk & fun. The last performance I went to see them was at the Hi-tone. A performance that ended in the whole crew climbing up on the bar, turning off major lights and lighting candles, having us all gather around and have a sing a long with them. AMAZING. And so personal. It's the kind of music that you would sit around a bonfire and drink whiskey to(with all of your best friends). Being a Star & Micey fan means being directly connected to the heart and soul of their music. And dancing a whole lot. One of my favorite local bands that I am so proud of, Star & Micey.