SongsSmiths

UNDER THE RADAR: THE NATIONAL - "Anyone's Ghost". 

The National play "Anyone's Ghost" in an abandoned castle overlooking New York's Hudson River.

UNDER THE RADAR: SKI LODGE - "Just To Be Like You".

The Brooklyn based quartet released a new video for the single "Just To Be Like You", a song that flirts with the jangly guitar sound and lush melodies of the pop masters of the 80s - think The Smiths and The Housemartins.

SONG of the DAY: SAMI THE GREAT - "Dresser Drawer".

Playful, sweet indie pop with a quirky twist from an Iranian-American singer/songwriter. Origin: Brooklyn, NY. Genre: Indie Pop.

KURT VILE - "Never Run Away".

In the official video, Vile presents his hometown of Philadelphia in a surreal post-apocalyptic vista. Dressed in white with matching accessories, the singer/guitarist wanders around in the fifth most populated city in United States. But in Vile's world or in the video director's (HARRYS) vision, Philadelphia is a ghost town in an alternate universe - a moving snapshot of memories in future tense.

UNDER THE RADAR: SMITH WESTERNS -"Weekend".

Smith Westerns are an indie rock band from Chicago, looking for some teenage kicks with their home-brewed mixture of garage, glam, and punk.

LIVE SESSIONS: MIKAL CRONIN - "Again and Again".

Playing garage-accented pop that reveals more than a passing influence of indie rock of the 1980s and '90s, Mikal Cronin was raised in Laguna Beach, California, where as a teenager he developed a passion for both surfing and rock & roll.

UNDER THE RADAR: MYSTERY PILLS - "The Glass Traditions".

Raj Dawson was born on the high plains of eastern South Dakota, but he’s spent the majority of his life in hilly Rapid City, closer to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore than the flat plains. In 2010, he adopted the name Mystery Pills for his guitar-and-synth-driven basement pop, recording his first songs in a Rapid City bank vault.

LIVE SESSIONS: ALLAH-LAS - "Don't You Forget It" live @ KEXP.

Allah-Las formed in Los Angeles in 2008 around a mutual love for records, Los Angeles history, and the beach. They are all surfers and cover the city from the East Side (Mt. Washington) to way out West (Venice Beach) - and their sound reflects the geography of the city.

Youth Lagoon perform another Wondrous Bughouse track for Pitchfork.tv. 

SONG of the DAY: DEPTFORD GOTH - "Feel Real".

Yearning, intense synth and forlorn vocals seamlessly fused to crate ominous atmosphere. Origin: London. Genre: Synth-Pop

UNDER THE RADAR: GIRLS NAMES - "Hypnotic Regression".

Northern Ireland's Girls Names music video for their single, "Hypnotic Regression". The Belfast band who debuted with the lo-fi post punk piece, Dead To Me, has transformed themselves to a studio-neat, high concept quartet with the follow up, The New Life. Directed by Nick Thompson, the music video for the tenebrous track, "Hypnotic Regression", looks like a sophisticated fashion ad.