Girl Loves Distortion is a trio from Washington DC formed by Jenn (Drums), Steve (Bass) and Chris (Guitar).
Their powerful rock sound is a mixture of some ill-used distortion pedals, a lot of emotional energy and scads of indie attitude.

GLD's debut release "Earth Beings In Exhibit" is out now on Exte Records and I really recommend you to check it out.

Download:

• GLD - Transition & Resistance (right click, save as!)
  

• GLD - Earth Beings On Exhibit (iTunes), (Amazon), (eMusic)
  

• My Space: myspace.com/girllovesdistortion

Sorry for the delay guys and gals, but between climbing Mount Everest, paddling up the Nile river and winning three gold medals at the Paralympics in Beijing I really couldn't find the time to update this blog...Anyway, now I'm back and I'll continue to post regularly about exciting new music.
That said, here is my first musical offering for this late summer; Elke.
Elke is a brand new band from Australia's Gold Coast consisting of four guys (Dave, James, Joel and Zak).
They kinda come out of nowhere, but they definitely take you somewhere!
Their inspirational melodies and heavy, pondering rhythms coupled with interesting lyrics and superb vocals are really destined for great things.
Their influences reach from Cut Copy to Midnight Juggernauts and Cure. If you're into one of these bands you should absolutely check out Elke!

Download:

• Elke - The Melt
• Elke - Till I'm Gone

• MySpace: myspace.com/elkebandau
  

This band exemplifies how the Brooklyn music scene works: a singer from small-town Minnesota meets a guitar player from Iowa. The Williamsburg restaurant where the singer works is owned by a former punk drummer, who coincidentally knows a bass player from Canada. When joined by a calssically trained, private piano teacher, the Hype Of The States were completed. The members are Jezrael (Vocal, Guitar), Austin Raukus (Guitar), Kristina B. Nameless (Bass), Sandelicious (Drums) and Mike Weiser (Keys).
The Brooklyn based quintet released their debut EP "Some Like It H.O.T.S.", a collection of high-quality pop rock songs with an edge.
I'd describe their sound simply as: Really catchy and plain cool!
You should definitely give them a listen!

Download:

• H.O.T.S. - Sexxxy Stuff

• MySpace: myspace.com/hypeofthestates
  

The Birmingham trio Johnny Foreigner has been around for quiet some time on the local gig circuit. Last summer they signed a record deal with Best Before Records and at the end of last year they went to New York to record their debut album "Waited Up 'till It Was Light".
The debut features indie-rock influenced, lo-fi, pop-punk tunes with fast guitars, happy, upbeat vocals and some killer rhythm sections.
Johnny Foreigner's sound gives off the expression that not only is it great to listen, but they would probably be exciting to see live, which is sometimes hard to get from an album.

Download

• Johnny Foreigner - Salt Peppa & Spinderella
  

• on iTunes (US)
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/johnnyforeigner

Emerging from the New York electro rock scene the band Automatic Duo combines quirky synthesizer melodies with rock'n'roll guitar riffs and danceable beats.
Responsible for this massive sound are Chance Drzewucki, Matt Rockteacher, a pair of Brooklyn based musicians who list influences from Prince and Ray Charles to the Flaming Lips.
Their debut album "Fake History for Outlandish Times" sounds surprisingly fresh.

Download:

• Automatic Duo - Ain't Got A Lover
  

• Automatic Duo - Fake History (artist homepage)
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/automaticduo
• Homepage: automaticduo.com
  

The Hotcakes are Erin Marsz (Vocals), Lee Leshen (Drums), Chris Hills (Guitar) and Eva Brooks (Keys).
Their lead vocalist Erin was a member of the Brooklyn based band "Tralala" which released two critically acclaimed albums and then split up.
Chris, the guitarist, also plays in a soul band called "Evergreen".
The Hotcakes first EP, released in march '08, is produced by Josh Peck who among other compositions wrote the new Knight Rider theme.
Anyhow, what comes out of this venture is marvelous. The songs are very melodic, 60s influenced, indie pop rock tunes. Erin's voice is lovely and very energetic, Chris plays great guitar solos and some bad ass riffs, Eva on Keys creates wonderful melody lines and Lee on Drums lays down some huge grooves.
All in all, an outstanding effort.

Download:

• The Hotcakes - Mister Mister

• The EP is currently only avaible on their live shows.
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/thehotcakesmusic

The guys from buffetlibre.net have finally released their 80's Cover Project.
I really recommend you to download and share this delicate selection of more or less famous 80's tracks remixed or covered by contemporary indie rock bands and DJs.

Download:

• The 80's Cover Project by Buffet Libre

• Buffet Libre: buffetlibre.net
  

The Mood is: Marco Argiro (Vocals, Guitars), Corinne Callen (Vocals, Keys), Kenton Langstroth (Guitar), Chris Bunatta (Drums) and Brian Karp (Bass).
This five-piece band has been making quiet a name for itself in New York City's music scene.
The formula for their success lies in the catchy melodies, the upbeat rhythms and their solid songwriting skills. I like the simple but graceful vocals and the Glockenspiel adds even more charm to their contagious pop rock tunes.
The new record "Synaesthesia" is out now on Outright Records.

Download:

• The Mood - In The Forest (zShare)
  

• Direct
• Also available on iTunes & CD Baby
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/marcoargiro
• Homepage: themoodrocks.com
  

The New York City-based quintet Blonde Acid Cult consists of Sonny (Guitar/Vox), Michael (Vox), Phil (Drums), Dammo (Bass) and Marcus (Percussion). The group debutated during the summer of 2007 playing a few small and invite-only gigs. As we know the word spreads fast throughout downtown Manhattan when there's a cool new band to be discovered and that's why we'll be able to enjoy their next gig on June 25th at Boweries Ballroom, perhaps Manhattans finest venue hosting live music.
They call their sound "Madhattan", inspired by "Madchester", an alternative rock genre that developed in Manchester (England) towards the end of the 80s. Surely, the influence of groups like Stone Rose, Happy Monday or even 808 State is sizable but there's more going on: funky drum breaks, a lot of punk attitude and classic guitar rock elements but first and foremost it's Manhattan's melting pot culture that carved them.

Enjoy their crazed up video to "Shake It Loose" directed by Lace Drake:

• Blonde Acid Cult - Kick The Funk
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/blondeacidcult
  

NRK, a trio hailing from São Paulo(Brazil), have released their first EP "Radical" as free download on their homepage.
It comprises 5 sick smash hits for the dancefloor which are proof enough of their talent.
The EP progresses in mostly upbeat fashion and is jammed with interesting ideas and arrangements. The band uses a lot of live instruments and combines them with some sugar coated dance beats to create some stunning original tracks.
Their music is influenced by local dance hero Edu K. and James Murphy's DFA sound.

They'll properly release the EP on June 12th.

Download:

• NRK - Radical EP
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/gonrk
  

The Confusions from Sundsvall/Sweden consist of Mikael Andersson-Knut (vocals, guitar), Zarah Edström (keys, vocals), Mattias Löfström (drums), Henrik Svensson (guitar), Magnus Thorsell (bass) and Fredrik Hast (guitar).
In 2002 the band garnered some well deserved critical attention outside of Scandinavia with their stunning single "The Pilot".
Now they're back with their 5th studio album "The story behind the story".
With its catchy song hooks, the quirky guitar riffs and the simple but thoughtful lyrics the album is a delight from start to finish.

The album is available now on Massproduktion Records.

Download:

• The Confusions - The Pilot
• More songs, b-sides and live recordings can be found on: The Confusions Media Page
  

• iTunes (Europe)
• iTunes (US)
• Massproduktion Webshop (Sweden)
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/theconfusions
  
• Homepage: theconfusions.com

Does it offend you, yeah? are James Rushant (Bass), Dan Coop (Keys), Morgan Quaintance (Guitar) and Rob Bloomfield (Drums) from the UK.
Don't let the long band-name scare you away because this is really high class guitar-driven Indie-Electro!
James and Dan, were already producing and DJing when they eventually decided to make some tracks together. They stuck their first song "Battle Royale" on their MySpace and as it was really well received they did a track every week until they started getting noticed by record labels.
They have been picked up by Virgin Records and fired out a brand new live show including the two new members - Morgan and Rob.
Their debut album "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into" is a filthy electro punk fracases reminiscent of Justice, Daft Punk, and The Prodigy.

Download:

• DIOY - Let's make out
• DIOY - We are Rockstars

• iTunes (US)
• iTunes (Europe)
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/doesitoffendyou
• Homepage: doesitoffendyou.com
• MySpaceTV: video for "Epic last song"
  

The Help Movement is a duo from a small village in Kent, UK. It simply consists of a certain Dan Lyons and his mate Terrie Stereo.
They began to work together in late 2007 and at that time there are only some demo songs available but as far as I can see they're pretty dope!
Dan has a remarkable voice and nice songwriting skills, especially for such a young guy. Terrie in turn is responsible for the neat production and the unique sound of the recordings.

If you're lookin' for some refreshing new music - look no further because this versatile and exciting new band is the freshest sounding act I heard in a while.
They're on the road to success and should face no big problems in breaking into the British indie music scene.

Download:

• The Help Movement - Elvis

• MySpace: myspace.com/thehelpmovement

Heavy guitar riffs, African rhythms and eerie vocals - this is the sound of BLK JKS (pronounced Black Jacks) from Johannesburg, South Africa.
The current line-up of Linda Buthelezi (Vocals), Mpumi Mcata (Guitar), Molefi Makananise (Bass) and Tshepang Ramoba (Drums) has been playing together for just over a year.
Their music is a unique blend of traditional South African music, Jazz, Funk and psychedelic alternative Rock. The lyrics bear witness to the bands consciousness of South Africa's reality. Their songs are about traffic incidents, criminality and starvation.

In a recent interview with the local online magazine jhblive.com they stated

"It's a challenge for people to listen to our music, not that all the other musicians who make music that is easier to listen to aren't good, its just that we are different, and therefore challenging to the formulated opinions that are already out there."

One of these prejudices they gainsay is that a lot of people are making a big deal out of the fact that they are black and play rock-based music. In South Africa there is still that stigma that rock is for white people only.
Bassist Makanise says:

"We're done with this thing of black, white, black, white especially in music. We really want to show the world that South Africa means what it says when it talks about unity."

The band is currently in NYC to record their first EP "Mistery" at Hendrix's Electric Lady Studios.
The EP drops on June 15th and the debut album "After Robots" will follow later this year.

Download the BLK JKS already classic "UmZabalazo" legally and for free here.

My Space them or visit their blog.

Tokyo Pinsalocks bestow with fresh electro pop from the hip Tokyo underground scene.
The all-girl trio consists of Hisayo (Bass), Naoko (Vocals and Synths) and Reiko (Drums), all three are incredibly talented and extremely creative.
The group offers a tight sound comprising vibrant synths, heavenly rythms and Naoko's dreamlike vocals.
The music is crisp, varied and danceable. Their songs invoke a sense of well being and draw the listener into Tokyo's sunshine-inflected psychedelic pop underground.

"Planet Rita" is the bands third mini-album. It was released recently only in Japan through Kimono Records. But you can buy it digitally here on JapanFiles.com

My Space them or check out their official (Japanese) Homepage.

See them live: