Zorch - E​.​M​.​F.

Not to be confused with the electronic U.K. band from the seventies, this duo from Austin Texas produces dense omnichord melodies, catchy, dynamic compositions, soulful vocals, and an all together weird/fun vibe. Their latest EP is Cosmic Gloss​/​E​.​M​.​F.

Sparky and the Random Band: Making the Strange Things Happen (Everyday)

Patrick and Jami, the husband and wife duo out of Minnesota known as Sparky and the Random Band have been making free form experimental music and videos for about a year now. Ambient and bizarre, their music, as well as their videos, create an alternate sensory experience. Listening to the music, I find myself asking: “what’s making this noise?” Then I watch their videos and ask: “what am I seeing here?” Eventually I give up trying to guess how they made that weird sound and I’m simply absorbed in it like an acid trip. Its amazing that they are able to achieve this other worldly quality considering their material is improvised and recorded live in their basement, with an old multi-track recorder. "It's based on free form jazz and beat poetry but made with effects pedals” Patrick says. "We make music, make videos and then post them to the internet… sometimes all in one day.” The instruments range from an old Conn organ, Moog theremin, didgeridoo, vocal samples, and even their cat Ozma, all of which are diluted with effects until they sound like something else entirely. Always adventurous and experimental, they try to “make the strange things happen (everyday)” as their tag line goes. Their new EP is called "Organza." It is available for free download along with their other albums on Vibedeck. They also have a blog with a little more info including a completely true story about how the band started. And make sure you check out all their weird videos. Like this one:

The Ladies (Zach Hill + Rob Crowe)

Thought I'd check up with Zach Hill to see what the busiest drummer alive is doing. Turns out: not much, but I realized I never listened much to The Ladies (the collab with Rob Crowe from Pinback back in 2006). They make a good two piece. Crowe's soulful yet somewhat mellow vocals and distinct melodic picking style is a good counter to Zach's furious, unconventional drumming:

Big Spider's Back - Black Chow

It's amazing what one can do with some old logging video and a sense of irony. I like all the trippy dissolves in the beginning. It goes perfect with the chill wave kind of vibe.

Halloween Swim Team - Science Fiction

Sorry people, haven't updated in a while. I've been working on other stuff, including the new Twitter account (which you should follow... now!). Anywho, I'll try to update more frequently. Here's a little track from the LA band Halloween Swim Team. I like the retro synth/electronic sounds they are so fond of. They also did a cover of David Bowie's "Look Back In Anger" which is worth checking out.

Noise Room

The compilation, Noise Room from Sonig, has a lot of excellent electronic/experimental stuff from artists like Black Dice and Kevin Blechdom. Definately worth adding to your library.

Tickely Feather - Trashy Boys

Philadelphia's Annie Sachs, better known as Tickley Feather (on Animal Collective's Paw Tracks records) achieves an almost eerie, ethereal yet fun and catchy sound, which is impressive considering it's all home recorded. This track, for instance, could easily be a pop hit from any decade depending on how you play it, but washed in effects, it takes on another, stranger quality. The video is kinda trippy/funny.