Who are Lady Danville you ask?  Well in musical terms, they’re the perfect mix between the Local Natives and oldschool Death Cab.  It’s the type of music you share with your lady friend when she thinks you’re lacking emotional depth.

This indie-pop trio hail from Los Angeles and following the events of a terrifying car wreck earlier this year became inspired to write the songs that would eventually make up their 3-track EP entitled “Operating”. Keep an eye out for these babes in the future, they’re going places.

posted by @clarkbs

Our two fave pals, Teen Daze x Local Natives

Teen Daze’s album Four More Years come out on Vinyl Aug 12th…

Aaaaand he plays No More Strangers again July 30th and Sept 17th woop.

Local Natives – Wide Eyes (Teen Daze Remix)

The Local Natives have continued their upwards trajectory. As predicted, they made their late night debut a few weeks ago on Craig Ferguson

They’ve shot a few Take Aways for La blogotheque, become one of the busiest touring acts across North America and Europe playing some of the best venues with some of the biggest acts around. They continue to surprise, inspire and awe. Not bad for a band that we did one of our first No More Strangers / WC 1 Year Birthday Party with at Funky Winkerbeans last April.

These fine gents (they really are the nicest dudes) are back in Vancouver, May 28th at Venue. It’s an early show. If you plan it right you can also make it to our super pal Timbre’s! other show, The Very Best with Love and Electrik and M!G!H! and pretty much have the best night imaginable.

If you haven’t already go and buy their debut, “Gorilla Manor” it was in our best of 09′.

Check out their new video with Matthew Lessner who also directed the Fools Gold, “Surprise Hotel” and “Stillness is the Move” videos.

The dudes are now getting remixed which is pretty cool.

Local Natives – Airplanes (Macchu Picchu Remix)
Local Natives – Airplanes (Bluebrain Mix)
Local Natives – Wide Eyes (Suckers Remix)

Oh and check out our video with the guyss too.

The gents are touring their balls off and are back in Vancouver, May 28th at the Media Club!!

Their WC best of 2009 album “Gorilla Manor” is now officially out in North America and highly rec’d

Last year we got our top of the year lists out early.

This year it seemed like everyone was trying to get their lists out as early as possible to capitalize on the potential traffic or whatever it is people compete for. We decided to sit back and let the year finish before commenting on it (read: we were super lazy).

None the less, here’s our picks for the best albums of 09′ Here’s to hoping you get 18% more lay in 2010.

20. Don Cash – Freshy Fresh

Don Cash really does wear his sunglasses at night.  This album was released as a free download, then on itunes, then re-mastered and re-released without some of my fave songs on it and there’s still talks of re-mastering it again and a label signing and release…  Either way, this is a great album with some next level jams.

Don Cash – Glam Banger

19.Tiga – Ciao!

Tiga’s collaboration with all his producer pals (James Murphy, Soulwax, Gonzales etc) made this album ironically transcend being just a dance album (mindless headfuck) and gave it some depth.  Tiga was huge in the first part of the year as the anticipation for the album grew from the first couple of singles. Then it all seemed to die down…  Not that I would ever steal anything but they were super tight fisted, blocking album leaks and maybe it hurt the album? I have no idea, maybe I’m B.S.ing but I feel like this album should have been bigger.  I also wish Tiga would do more performances with a live backing band.  Seeing him dj all of his hits was, um, err, mehhh.  I also want to see more of his alter persona come to life.

Tiga – Love Don’t Dance Here Anymore ft. Soulwax

18.Metric – Fantasies

I’ll probably catch lots of flack for this but… Whenever a band gets big in Canada there’s sometimes a bit of backlash from the people who think we live in a tiny little fish bowl and despise the band for making it big while other more “authentic” bands don’t get recognized.  I can’t see this happening in the US where there is much less of an identity crisis (albeit other ish).  In 2009 Metric decided to go their own independent route, ditched their label and management and blew up worldwide by making a great pop record that’s a solid listen from start to finish.  But then again, they are not noise punk.

Metric – Satellite Mind

17.Little Girls – Concepts

Josh McIntyre crafted this gem late at night, solo in his bedroom.  He started a myspace under the anonymous moniker, “Little Girls” (which btw is code for “little girls”) to gauge peoples reaction to these sonic experiments.  So far the response has been quite positive.

Little Girls – Concepts

16 .Mountain Man – Mountain Man

You can’t find this album on the internet for free anywhere so you should pony up the $5 pay what you want minimum for this lesser known gem.  For fans of Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Chamomile tea.

Mountain Man – ANIMAL TRACKS

15. Kap Bambino – Blacklist

I must be honest, I’m not an OG Kap Bambino fan. Apparently they made their sound a little less hardcore and a bit more poppy with this album.  Their hybrid punk/electro blend is something completely new to my ears. It kiiiind of picks up where Crystal Castles left off. Still bummed I missed their live show. I think I’m too old to go out on Sundays.

Kap Bambino – Red Sign

14. Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

It hasn’t come out yet officially in NA.  It’s out in England and I have British citizenship.  2009 was huge for them, they have won over a lot of new fans with their on point four part harmonies and the general charm of five dudes playing their hearts out.

Local Natives – World News

13. Handsome Furs – Face Control

Everybody’s fave indie rock couple lay down some guitar over drum machine loops and craft a solid follow up to Plague Park. Bow wow.

Handsome Furs – Radio Kaliningrad

12. Yacht – See Mystery Lights

Along with adding another member, signing to DFA has been a good thing.  It sounds like they added a little more New York post punk disco to their landscape and reigned in the sometimes overly experimental bits.  Pyschic City was definitely one of the songs of the year.

Yacht – The Afterlife

11.Antony and the Johnsons – The Crying Light

I really didn’t know what to think of Antony’s voice at first, it was quite shocking. It felt like a surprise reach around, if that’s something politically correct enough to say. But, the more I listened to it, the more I fell in love with the unique voice from which he speaks from and with. Their live show was one of the best of the year. Pretty much *tear* worthy (not that I would ever cry though). Do not fear the surprise reach around.

Antony & the Johnsons – Her eyes are underneath the ground

10.Peaches – I Feel Cream

Peaches oh Peaches, how I love thy teaches.  This is what Lady Gaga is ripping off and toning down for a mainstream audience.  That and maybe a lil Gwen Stefani…  Peaches is chick power to the infinite.    The best live show of the year.  All of this summed up a lot better, here.

Peaches – Talk To Me

9.Matt and Kim – Grand

Watching Matt and Kim play is like seeing two kids having the time of their life and enjoying every minute of it.  They just look so gosh darn humble you want to hug them.  While their previous self titled effort was a little too annoying / earnest / catchy / mehhh, “Grand” is an 11 track pop gem.

Matt & Kim – I’ll Take Us Home

8.Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Speaking of bands whose year it was, these Frenchies served it up like gour-met pate.  They should almost lay low for a year to let things cool off.  On the other hand there are so many hits on this album they should probably keep working it.

Phoenix – Fences

7. Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms

Bringing the psychedelic back to the dance floor.  Neon Indian makes me want to do acid and chill in a tent while watching bizarre projected patterns on the wall while practicing witchcraft.

Neon Indian – Deadbeat Summer

6.Wild Beasts – Two Dancers

Falsetto bitches! I swear I hear a little Morrissey in here, that and a lot of lyrics about girls and wild forest fornication parties that I want to be at.

Wild Beasts – We Still Got The Taste Dancing On Our Tongues

5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It’s Blitz!

“Waaaaaaah too electro!”. “What ever happened to the old YYYs?!?”  Go listen to Fever to Tell and reminisce.  It’s called progression and trying something new out.  Besides, I swear I can’t hear the difference, I’m no electro racist.  I think it worked and the YYYs are even more popular than ever.  Whether that’s a good thing or not is your call. For me they are definitely one of the defining bands of the decade.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Soft Shock

4. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

Top ten lists with MPP at number #1 are soooo boring. diss.

Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes

3.Fever Ray – Fever Ray

This album grew on me all year.  I think I was a little put off wanting it to be a bit more dance’y and Knife-like.  As the great economic recession of 2009 wore on I began feeling more and more like a sad little goth boy turning to my trusty Fever Ray album for comfort.  Also one of my fave live shows of the year.

Fever Ray – Triangle Walks

2.The XX – xx

The XX came out of nowhere with this debut album.  I don’t know whether it had to do with Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim’s whispery voices or the playful male / female back and forth or the above mentioned goth factor?  It’s the perfect mix, incorporating electronics with more traditional instruments creating a somewhat electronic beat driven album that even the indie kids can dance to.

The XX – Islands

1. Japandroids – Post Nothing

How could we not champion the home town heroes? They are on to even better things. Post Nothing was not their debut and they have not peaked.  Have you heard the new song they are playing in their set?? Hot damn. These sweethearts worked their butts off on this and earned everything 2009 has brought them.  Hopefully they find some time to write some new songs about girls and summer while touring their butts off.

Japandroids – Wet Hair

Yes its true, this Friday at the Biltmore.  A lot has happened to the band since they made their first trip up to Canada to play one of the very first No More Strangers.  They have been blowing up.  They have just released their debut lp Gorilla Manor and have toured North America and Europe, played with Peter Bjorn and Grizzly Bear, are currently a featured itunes artist.

Oh, and they were featured on Pitchfork yesterday.

They are currently touring with White Rabbit and Fools Gold.  They will be back in Vacouver again December 8th.

Local Natives – World News

Local Natives – Sun Hands

Here’s a video we shot with them

And here they are on BBC radio 1

They were in British newspaper, The Guardian’s, new band of the day feature today.

The guys are currently traveling 44 hours straight from the house in Silverlake they share to New York to play the Bowery Ballroom and an Eastern tour.

They are making it back to Canada passing through Toronto & Montreal, June 11th & 12th. Check out more of their dates here.

If they’re passing through your city, go and see them. They are very much live musicians and will blow you away.  They are also really nice guys so if you see them, go and say hi!

I am greatly honored to have had them do their first international tour date at our Winnie Cooper / No More Strangers night.

We made a lil video about their trip for a new thing were doing called Winnie-TV.  Hope you like it!  It features an interview, a live take away show, and footage from their performance. It also features their pals, The Union Line who played as well.  They will be right behind them, so be on the look out! Their self titled debut is bad ass.

Here are some tunes from both bands that they recorded at Daytrotter!

Local Natives – Cards & Quarters

Local Natives – Airplanes

The Union Line – Rich Man’s Tune

The Union Line – Mama Don’t Care

Oh and here’s some bonus footage from the after party that didn’t make the cut and probably shouldn’t be shown.

I want to send a big shout out to the Local Natives and The Union Line for coming out and playing at our birthday party! It was a blast.

The next, NO MORE STRANGERS party is on May 9th, we have Garland and Yarn playing.  More to follow!

Photos here

We have what promises to be our best No More Strangers to date this Saturday.

Local Natives and The Union Line are coming to party with us.  These bands are about to blow up.  Proper.  Aaaaaand it just also happens to be Winnie Cooper’s 1 year birthday party as well.

Familiarize your self with the bands and come down for a night of sweaty indie rock / dance party fun, Winnie Cooper style.

Local Natives – Airplanes

Local Natives – World News

The Union Line – Pearls

For lovers of harmonic, piano laced indie pop ala Grizzly Bear and The Dodos…

Local Natives are a five piece from the L.A. music hot spot, Silver Lake.

They’re at SXSW. Tomorrow (March 19th) they play the official SWSW showcase with Elvis Perkins & Grizzly Bear! Check their myspace for more shows.

They have a new LP they are getting set to release called, Gorilla Manor. Check out their pals, The uNion Line as well!

Local Natives – Airplanes

Local Natives – World News

The Union Line – Pearls