Altered Freebies: Smashing Pumpkins; Les Savy Fav; Junip Rope

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

The Smashing Pumpkins: Freak
Billy Corgan returns with a patch of hired Pumpkins. "Freak" marries the swirling guitars of the Siamese Dream era with a modern-rock sheen.



Les Savy Fav: Let's Get Out of Here
This Brooklyn band wants to get to know you better on this track from their upcoming album, Root for Ruin.



Junip: Rope and Summit EP
Most bands offer no incentive to signing up for thieir mailing list, but acoustic industrial outfit Junip is giving away an EP. That's worth filling out a form, right?

The Villains Take Over Morning Sessions

As we count down to next week's First Thursday Concert in West Mount Vernon Park, The Villains bring their country-fried rock to Morning Sessions at 9:20 a.m. Friday. The Atlanta-based band is touring in support of their debut album Just Another Saturday Night--and destroying preconceptions with each set.


"When the record first came out a lot of reviewers were fooled, thinking this would be a punk act, or a metal act," says bassist Dan Call. "But we like the fact that there’s something a little dangerous; great songs and great bands, there’s always a hint of that and the name fits us."
.

Pale Stars Shine on Baltimore Unsigned

Pale Stars' first attempt at following up their 2006 self-titled release resulted in a creative black hole. "We started working . . . with the original four member lineup. It wasn't a great studio experience, and things kind of dwindled out," says vocalist Brandt Huseman. "A year and a half later, I had some songs that were Pale Stars songs in my mind," he says. "I started sending some demos to [guitarist/producer Nat Bradley], and he sent back some finished tracks. Three tracks in, we realized that we weren't a four-person band."

Huseman is a staple of the Baltimore music scene as a member of The Greenberry Woods and Splitsville.  His partnership with Bradley has allowed them to expand the indie power pop palette on the new release, How Much is Enough. 

"One of the great things about technology today is that you are in control of your own destiny," Huseman says. "Nat spends the time exploring all those choices and uses conventional things in unconventional ways. He's like a mad scientist."

Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday, with an encore edition at 9 a.m. Saturday, to discover Pale Stars on Baltimore Unsigned.

CD of the Week: Street Songs of Love

Alejandro Escovedo's tenth studio album, Street Songs of Love, was created on the stage. The influential singer-songwriter set up a weekly residency in an Austin club for two months, previewing three works-in-progress each week and testing them out on his willing audiences. 

“It was interesting to see it grow and blossom," he writes. "It started with the room half full, but it built until the last one sold out. Every week it became more intense with the album taking shape in front of us organically." 

The resulting collection continues Escovedo's arc as a vital songwriter, from his punk days in the '70s and '80s to his critically acclaimed solo career that took off in the '90s. Standout tracks "Anchor" and "Tender Heart" are a great introduction to Escovedo's work.

Altered Freebies: Cut Copy; Ra Ra Riot; !!!; Jenny and Johnny; Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Cut Copy, "Where I'm Going"

The first single from the Australian dance rock band's fourth album channels New Order and The Beach Boys in equal measure.

Ra Ra Riot, "Boy"

Ra Ra Riot's first album was made shortly after the death of their original drummer, John Ryan Pyke. The band's mournful mood has lifted on "Boy," coming from their sophomore release, The Orchard.

!!!, "AM/FM"

!!! get in touch with the spirit of '80s radio culture with this danceable number from their new album, Strange Weather, Isn't It?

Jenny and Johnny, "Scissor Runner"

Is it the British Invasion? No, it's Jenny Lewis and her boytoy Jonathan Rice making adorable music together.

Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, "Sink/Let It Sway"

They apparently still love you early '70s power pop. Dig those handclaps!
(via Stereogum)

Roadhouse Special: The Homemade Jamz Blues Band

In an era when teenage family bands are marketed like Happy Meals, The Homemade Jamz Blues Band stands apart for its commitment to focusing on the music. The trio, featuring Ryan Perry, 18, on guitar and vocals; Kyle Perry, 16, on bass; and Taya Perry, 11, on drums, plays hard-driving, modern Delta blues for a new generation.

Tune in at 7 p.m. Friday as John Mathews opens this week's TMD Roadhouse with a special showcase of the family affair from Tupelo, Mississippi. Plus, he'll provide one lucky listener with an opportunity to win tickets to the band's show this weekend.  

The Homemade Jamz Blues Band performs an all ages matinee show at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 24th, at Rams Head Tavern. 

Download a free copy of the title track "I Got Blues For You" on Amazon.com. 

Rogue Wave's Incredible Story on Morning Sessions

Rogue Wave drummer Pat Spurgeon counts his blessings because of someone's decision to become an organ donor. Born with one failing kidney, Spurgeon's quest for a suitable match ended 13 years ago when he underwent his first kidney transplant. When that organ began to fail, however, it looked like it might have been the end for a musician who was just starting to hit his stride--and for a band that was poised for success.

Undeterred by the difficulties and risks associated with the process, Spurgeon made the decision to perform self-dialysis on the road. Meanwhile, Spurgeon's friend Jim Granato chronicled the mechanics of self-dialysis, the search for a new kidney, and the support system created by family and bands such as Death Cab for Cutie and Nada Surf that helped to raise money for health care costs.

Granato's resulting documentary, D tour, is a must-see rock doc--regardless of your position on organ donation. And Pat Spurgeon's personal story is a must-hear interview on Morning Sessions at 9:20 a.m. Friday.
Rogue Wave performs at the Ottobar on Thursday, July 29.

The Water Rises on Baltimore Unsigned

The instrumental rock group The Water can be traced back to a natural source. "James [Klink] and I have known each other since kindergarten," says Dan Cohan. "We used to go down to [the park] to light fires, build rafts and do other things that ten-year-olds do. We referred to that activity as 'going down to the water.' We thought it was a good nod to our past. It's also kind of a ballsy name because it's impossible to Google."

Although the band is hard to divine--especially since their 2009 and 2010 E.P.s are both self-titled--their elaborate soundscapes are worth seeking out. "We started with guitars, drums and keyboards," says Cohan. "We kept adding to it and saying 'One more thing.' I think we're at a good level now . . . . and we can't fit any more in the car."


Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday (with an encore edition at 9 a.m. Saturday) to catch The Water on Baltimore Unsigned.

The Water performs at the Monument City Scavenger Hunt Party at Sonar on Saturday, July 24th.

CD of the Week: Truth and Salvage Co.

Amid this year's California country rock renaissance (see Dawes, Band of Horses, et. al), Truth and Salvage Co. stand out on the collective strength of their soaring harmonies and four principal singer-songwriters.

The Black Crowes' Chris Robinson produced the band's self-titled debut album, which boasts the irresistible "Call Back," some gorgeous lap steel work on "Old Piano" and an appearance by North Mississippi Allstars' Luther Dickinson.

Truth and Salvage Co. are on tour with Big Head Todd and the Monsters and they'll hit the road again with The Black Crowes this fall.

Altered Freebies: Jaill; Kid Cudi; Menomena

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.


Jaill, "Everyone's Hip"
"Everyone's Hip" is the first single from Jaill's sophomore album, This is How We Burn, which comes out on later this month. You can catch them opening for The Hold Steady this summer.


Kid Cudi, Rostam Batmanglij and Bethany Cosentino, "All Summer"
Alternative rapper Kid Cudi, Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend and Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast combine their hipster powers for this song, brought to you by the good people of Converse Shoes.


Menomena, "Five Little Rooms"
After sweating it out on the beach with Cudi, Batmanglij and Cosentino, cool off in "Five Little Rooms," from Menomena's upcoming album, Mines.

WTMD Heads to Artscape

WTMD is a proud media sponsor of Artscape, America's largest free arts festival. From Friday to Sunday, July 16-18, our staff and volunteers will be manning the giant WTMD membership tent on Cathedral Street.

We'll be directly across from the Wachovia Stage so you can't miss us. It's a great opportunity to meet some of your favorite hosts, chat with other music lovers, and pick up a bumper sticker or beach ball.  Plus, our hosts are handling stage announcements for great live acts throughout the weekend.


Festival Stage, Friday

4:30 p.m.	Marcell and the Truth	Erik Deatherage
6 p.m.	Old Man Brown	Erik Deatherage
7:30 p.m.	Angel Band	Bug
9 p.m.	The Crawdaddies	Bug

Festival Stage, Saturday

12 p.m.	Sick Sick Birds	John Mathews
1:30 p.m.	Groove Stu	John Mathews
3 p.m.	The Robert Frahm Band	John Mathews
4:30 p.m.	Jah Works	John Mathews
6 p.m.	Wes Tucker and The Skillets	Tyler Laporte
7:30 p.m.	Shook	Tyler Laporte
9 p.m.	Mambo Combo	Tyler Laporte

Wachovia Stage, Saturday

5 p.m.	Jackie Greene	Erik Deatherage
6:30 p.m.	Cold War Kids	Tyler Laporte
8 p.m.	Gov't Mule	John Mathews

Festival Stage, Sunday

12 p.m.	OrchKids	Tyler Laporte
1:30 p.m.	Bitter Sweet	Tyler Laporte
3 p.m.	Janine Wilson	Nick Jackson
4:30 p.m.	Sweet Leda	Nick Jackson
6 p.m.	Fools and Horses	Nick Jackson

Rogue Wave on Morning Sessions, Part 1

Over the past thirty years, Kool and the Gang’s "Celebration" has commemorated countless sports victories--and inspired at least one indie rocker. After an injury kept guitarist/vocalist Zach Rogue bedridden for months, he picked up his Sears Silvertone guitar and recalled some sunny, summer days at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.


"I went back to my happiest moment and I remembered when I was a little boy and I’d see the Oakland A's play," he says. "When they won, at the end of the game, they’d play 'Celebration' and it was the best feeling! Everyone was celebrating and cheering and life was that simple and happy. I felt excited again, in a way I haven’t in a long time. I wanted to write a song that made me feel like that."


The resulting song, the title track to Rogue Wave's Brushfire Records release Permalight, is a joyful affair. With its programmed dance beats and keyboard blips, the band sounds like they're in a happy place, even though they laid down tracks in the home of the blues Oxford, Mississippi--and you couldn't fault them for feeling blue.

During the past few years, the band has endured two career-threatening medical crises and the death of a close friend. It's one of the most moving and triumphant stories you'll hear in rock and roll. And it's documented in the award-winning film D-Tour, which aired recently on PBS.

In fact, their story is so big, that Erik is taking two Morning Sessions to share it. Tune in at 9:20 a.m. Friday for Zach Rogue's personal story. 

Rogue Wave performs at The Ottobar on Thursday, July 29th.

CD of the Week: Jack Johnson's "To the Sea"

Baltimore has suffered through a major heatwave recently, and Jack Johnson's breezy brand of island jam pop is the perfect antidote. Johnson's fifth studio album, To The Sea, is his most accessible record yet, with layers of jangling guitars and simple melodies. The video for the first single, "You and Your Heart" perfectly encapsulates Johnson's surfer sensibility. 


Jack Johnson and his labelmates, friends, backing band ALO perform a sold out show at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Saturday, July 17th. Don't forget the sunblock.

Secret Mountains Revealed on Baltimore Unsigned

The psychedelic rock band Secret Mountains formed in the wake of The Owls Go, a duo featuring guitarist Jeffrey Lewis Silverstein and vocalist Kelly Laughlin. "There were some conveniences to being in a duo, but I think we were getting bored," Silverstein says. "We had these nice songs that people liked, but we wanted more rhythm."

In their quest, Silverstein and Laughlin rounded out the ensemble to include bass, percussion and keyboards. The additional personnel built a fuller sound--and a shift in the songwriting. "Our songs have gotten a lot less linear," says Laughlin. "We have to have everyone else because they all are an integral part of our music."

The resulting five-song E.P., Kaddish, garnered raves from the local music press, including City Paper and Aural States. Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday (with an encore edition at 9 a.m. Saturday) and discover Secret Mountains for yourself.

Secret Mountains performs at The Hexagon on August 23rd.



Secret Mountains - Dead Sea from Secret Mountains on Vimeo.

Altered Freebies: Blonde Redhead; Jukebox The Ghost; Best Coast

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Blonde Redhead, "Here Sometimes"

Blonde Redhead returns with a new song off their upcoming album Penny Sparkle, set for release in September. By the sound of it, this album will be a nice lead-in to fall.


Jukebox The Ghost, "Empire"

WTMD favorites Jukebox The Ghost have finished their sophomore LP, Everything Under The Sun and are treating us to the first single off it. It's fun, quirky, and it's sure to please.

You may remember them performing this song when they were on Morning Sessions last year...

Best Coast, "Boyfriend"

Best Coast creates a fun little jingle for those summer crushes that you'll find during these hot days down at the beach. More will be available on their Crazy For You release, due out July 27th.