Ever wanted to be a part of history? Tonight the Funhouse will debut Bleeding Heart’s Vignette, a band on the cutting edge of this decade’s stylistic champion: post rock. Leaving behind all semblance of traditional song structure, this local trio will wrap you up in their enveloping sound as they sail into the uncharted waters of guitar driven instrumental music. Show starts at 9pm so get there early and try to remember this one, your kids might ask you about it someday…

If you haven’t heard of CMJ, as the saying goes, you better ask somebody. As hundreds of thousands of artists, music lovers, and industry types descend on New York towards the end of October, CMJ ranks in the top-tier of independent music festivals nationwide. Although SXSW currently occupies the collective conscious of the music industry, many of the artists that debuted at CMJ have found the critical reception necessary to propel them to a SXSW showcase. Take for example the upcoming Sub Pop/Hardly Art showcase that will be in Austin, March 18th. Made up of the bands that were the top CMJ picks from these labels, this showcase promises to show off the best finely tuned (or untuned, in the case of our featured lo-fi artist) goods they have to offer.

Headlining the Hardly Art half of this event is Golden Triangle. Unknown to almost everyone when they opened the CMJ showcase, this band is currently wrapping up an acclaimed tour where they rocked audiences nationwide before their album Double Jointer releases on March 2nd. To further express our infatuation with this decidedly lo-fi, girl-fronted, garage rock band, SMB presents their latest single “Jinx” that combines the aforementioned styles with, dare I say, Motown soul? Decide for yourself by checking out “Jinx” below, and stay tuned to SMB for more on Golden Triangle, SXSW and all the best new music!

Golden Triangle – Jinx

It’s been a little while since I’ve had the pleasure of writing about an Australian band, and so despite great difficulty, I’m going to resist opening this article with cliche quips of Fosters and placing shrimps on barbies etc. Instead I’m going to launch right into Red Ink, an exciting new group from Australia’s Mornington’s Peninsula, outside of Melbourne. Wasting no time in assailing their audiences with dizzying, new-wavey pop, this group purveys unparalleled energy that has created  a crazed frenzy across the Aussie festival circuit they’ve just completed (remember it’s summertime down under). Currently in the studio recording their highly anticipated debut, Red Ink has received praise for their first single Audrey, which showcased the bands intensely energetic style  and  John Jakubenko’s smooth yet punchy vocals, at times reminiscent of Joe Strummer.

Before they even post their hot off the press followup single “Battlescars” to their myspace though, Red Ink has decided to share this song with you via SMB for their USA debut! Available below as a free stream/download, this track packs a punch of power-pop-punk with catchy hooks you’ll be singing for days. Look for more from these awesome Aussies soon, and remember, you heard them first on SMB!

Red Ink – Battlescars

In a genre defined and dominated by syncronicity, UK electronic artist Four Tet pushes and pulls at the groove to every so subtly to take you to edge of your head bobbing comfort zone. Having opened for the likes of Animal Collective, this now internationally renowned act is sure to please mainstream electroheads and experimentalists alike. Four Tet plays tomorrow 2/23 @ Chop Suey.

Building on their reputation as one of experimental and independent music preeminent music festivals, the Sasquatch Festival will once again be drawing music fans from all walks and interests to the Columbia River Gorge Amphitheater this Memorial Day weekend. Last year tickets sold out quick so be sure to get yours soon here. This years lineup has just been released and looks to be there best yet! Check out the full listing below and stay tuned to SMB for our “best of” picks and a complete survival guide to Sasquatch 2010!!!

Saturday, May 29th
My Morning Jacket / Vampire Weekend / The National / Deadmau5 / Broken Social Scene / OK Go / Wale / Public Enemy / The Hold Steady / Miike Snow / Z-Trip / Brother Ali / Minus The Bear / WHY? / The Very Best / Portugal. The Man / Mumford & Sons / The Lonely Forest / Nurses / The Middle East / Patrick Watson / Morning Teleportation / Laura Marling / Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros / Fool’s Gold / Garfunkel & Oates / Dam-Funk / Shabazz Palaces

Sunday, May 30th
Massive Attack / Pavement / LCD Soundsystem / Tegan and Sara / Kid Cudi / Nada Surf / Dirty Projectors / The xx / The Long Winters / Simian Mobile Disco / Midlake / Girls / Vetiver / The Tallest Man On Earth / YACHT / Booka Shade / Caribou / Avi Buffalo / City and Colour / Cymbals Eat Guitars / A-Trak / Fruit Bats / tUnE-yArDs / Local Natives / Freelance Whales / Jets Overhead / Rob Riggle / Luke Burbank

Monday, May 31st
Ween / MGMT / Band of Horses / She & Him / Passion Pit / The New Pornographers / Drive-By Truckers / Boys Noize / Camera Obscura / The Temper Trap / Dr. Dog / Neon Indian / No Age / The Mountain Goats / Phantogram / Quasi / Japandroids / Mayer Hawthorne & The County / The Low Anthem / Fresh Espresso / Hudson Mohawke / Telekinesis / Past Lives / Yes Giantess / Craig Robinson / Todd Barry / Rory Scovel

Head on over to SSG for tonight’s music recommendations including Sap’n @ Neumos!

“If it rains another day, I’ll probably freak out. It’s always raining here.” These opening lyrics off Man/Miracale’s debut album The Shape of Things easily resonate with Seattle listeners. Seattleites are more prone to SAD than “freak-outs” however, SMB is pleased to introduce you to this Oakland based band that can relate just enough to our overcast skies to send up a little California warmth through their resplendent indie-pop.

Life is simultaneously thriving and decomposing in their stridently diverse tracks. Lead singer Dylan Travis agilely adapts to each one by expressing styles ranging from abrupt David Byrne-like stanzas, to angelic Robin Pecknold-esque discants. The album is overall upbeat, though at times lending enough edge to keep their bright sound from boiling over to bubbly pop.

Tense overtones come to a head on “Pushing and Shoving” which begins with a raucous chant, defining an intensely deliberate rhythm that is carried through the song by driving guitar and percussion. The vocals belt out the story of a relationship that’s abrasiveness sets the stage for a striking crescendo. The following track “Other People” releases your bated breath with a punky stuttered guitar riff that epitomizes the albums pop sensibility. The Shape of Things (available here) pleasantly works from start to finish as it showcases Man/Miracle’s style. Warm your spirits with these two tracks today, and be at their Black Lodge show on January 29th.

Man/Miracle – Pushing and Shoving

Man/Miracle – Other People

Exciting News: I’m pleased to announce that I’ve joined Seattle Show Gal as New Music Editor! You soon be finding links to my posts here s0 be sure to head over and check out one of Seattle’s finest music news outlets.