Music

Do you know what today is? It's Personal Life release day! If you're a Thermals fan (and you know I am), you've been excited for this day for a while now. And you won't be disappointed, because Personal Life delivers all of the energy, catchy hooks, and sing-along lyrics you've come to expect from these cuties. Check out their latest video if you need proof:



Pssst... You can also preview the new album at NPR First Listen, and if you live in PDX you can see The Thermals live this week at MusicFestNW (oh, and you can see us there too!).

Who needs overpriced beer and heatstroke when you can enjoy a music festival in the comfort of your own city? That's how I feel about Musicfest Northwest, taking place in Portland next week from September 8-11. Bitch Media will doing special daily blog posts on the upcoming acts. Don't worry--we won't flood the interwebs with any more updates on the Walkmen or The National, we'll be covering queer and female artists who maybe aren't getting as much attention as the bigger acts. PDX-ers can be informed about which shows to catch and non-locals can look forward new music, mp3s, and videos from shows. This week's mix is emblematic of the Pac-NW unknowns and international stars playing Portland next week. From New-Orleans bounce to artsy-dance and folk rock, hopefully you'll find something you like! Track list after the jump.

Although it's often used as the epitome of elevator music, bossa nova really doesn't deserve the square reputation it's somehow acquired. When it began, it was actually considerably cool and bohemian. If you've never listened, it's time to give bossa nova another try, and what better way than to check out the many great ladies of bossa nova past and present? It's super-60s, the perfect soundtrack to your Mad Men kick and ideal mellow end-of-summer music. This mix can only provide a small sampling of the bossa that's out there, but it's enough for you to temporarily pretend you're lounging on the beaches of Brazil, wearing a retro swimsuit and sipping a daiquiri.

Today's BitchTapes is dedicated to that traditional end-of-summer treat... (no, not fudgesicles!) The Road Trip. So play on playa, cause you're looking at 8 songs for, and about, the joys of the open road. Track list after the jump!

 Last Friday night, reality TV star/pop singer Tila Tequila was attacked by concertgoers at the 11th annual Gathering of the Juggalos in rural Southern Illinois. But you probably already knew that.

It's a story made in gossip blog heaven; a Playboy-model-turned-Myspace-celebrity-turned-reality-TV-star being attacked by the fans of the self-appointed "Most Hated Band in Music." Yet, both Tequila and the Insane Clown Posse are comparatively unpopular and disrespected, so why is it that Tila Tequila is the one getting the bad rap?! 

This music mix is dedicated to all things colorful.

 Red is covered by St. Vincent, amongst others; Blue (for which I probably could have included about 1000 other songs) is handled by the likes of Leonard Cohen and Joanna Newsom; Pink is handled by the Mountain Goats; Green by the National; and Grey by Josephine Foster. The lack of color is covered by the Dresden Dolls.

Any suggestions for good purples (besides Purple Haze please) or browns? Perhaps some lavender? Mauve? Other favorite color tunes?

 

Track list after the jump!

Even though August showed up faster than product placement on Bravo, summer's not over yet, and you can get your sun on with this sampling of bands bringing back garage and surf rock to a town near you....

Hooray for the Prop 8 ruling! Sure, we have to wait to see what the Supreme Court says, but in the meantime I thought we could celebrate with a special BitchTapes (the way all important political events should be celebrated, obvs). A mix filled with fun songs about weddings, complete with some same-sex marriage jams! So, without further ado, I now pronounce you feminist and mixtape. (Track list after the jump!)

• On PRI's This is the World, host Marco Werman talks about Indonesian surf band Dara Puspita, who "may be the rockingest garage band you’ve never heard of." (Audio)

• Reel Grrls' latest vlog is on the Gaga-fication of pop music (Video)

• On CNN, Maragaret Cho talks about her first all-musical comedy album Cho Dependent, and the first track "I'm Sorry"...which is about domestic abuse (Video)

• The Saturdays cover Justin Bieber's "Baby" with just guitars and their sweet, sweet harmonies (Seriously, give-you-a-cavity, maybe-a-bit-too-precious, harmonies.) (Video)

• New music! The Corin Tucker Band (listen to "Doubt" from ex-Sleater Kinney member's new band)! The Arcade Fire (stream thier new album on NPR)!, Robyn (watch "Dancing on My Own" at a recent show in Williamsburg)! MC Invincible (pre-order the Invincible + Waajeed "Detroit Summer" 7'')!

 

If you can tear yourself away from Jhameel this weekend, tune into Bitchtapes, where this week you can listen to all-female bands from the provinces!

Track list after the jump!