#5 Late of the Pier - Space and the Woods

Late of the Pier - Space and the Woods
Fantasy Black Channel (2008)
Other Songs to Check Out: "Bathroom Gurgle", "Focker"
http://www.lateofthepier.com

Like The Airborne Toxic Event, we are still awaiting the arrival of Late of the Pier's album Fantasy Black Channel (due early August). Luckily for us, a few of the singles from this album have already popped up onto youtube. Space and the Woods is my favorite so far, with a great synth beat and vocals that remind me of many bands from the 80s. This song took me a few listens to get into, but now I'm hooked and it makes my daily rotation. This one has a bit of an odd video, but that seems to be the trend these days among new UK artists (or even, new artists in general).

#4 The Airborne Toxic Event - Does This Mean You're Moving On

The Airborne Toxic Event - Does This Mean You're Moving On
The Airborne Toxic Event (2008)
Other Songs to Check Out: "Wishing Well", "Sometime Around Midnight", "Papillon"
http://www.myspace.com/theairbornetoxicevent

In exactly four weeks, I will be in Northern BC with about 40,000 of my closest music-loving friends enjoying the final day of the Pemberton Music Festival. One of the bands that I'm most excited to see at this three-day extravaganza is The Airborne Toxic Event, who I stumbled across while listening to the festival's online radio. According to the Pemberton website, this LA band has been compared to The Clash, The Smiths, and The Cure, and their music was called "Poetry you can dance to" by the LA Times...and they've only released one three-song EP (their first full length CD is coming out August 5th). Basically what I'm getting at here is that this is a band to keep an eye on, and if you're going to Pemberton they're an absolute must-see.

#3 Cut Copy - Out There on the Ice

Cut Copy - Out There on the Ice
In Ghost Colours (2008)
Other Songs to Check Out: "Hearts on Fire", "Lights and Music", "Strangers in the Wind"
http://cut-copy.blogspot.com/

I have a soft spot in music for two things: 1) Catchy dance beats and 2) Certain parts of songs that just blow my mind, even if the rest of the song is somewhat mediocre (which isn't the case for this song, but has been in the past for others). I saw Cut Copy play live back in May, and it was the best show I've ever been too. I didn't know this song too well when I originally went to the show, but it was my new favorite leaving the show. I love everything about the song, but every time I listen to it I find myself waiting for the 2:45 mark...where I can then close all my doors in my room and start jumping around like a maniac. Yes, it's that awesome.

#2 Sufjan Stevens – The Mistress Witch From McClure (Or, The Mind That Knows Itself)

Sufjan Stevens – The Mistress Witch From McClure (Or, The Mind That Knows Itself)
The Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras from the Illinois Album (2006)
Other Songs to Check Out: "For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti", "John Wayne Gacy Jr", "Casimir Pulaski Day"
http://www.sufjan.com

I’ve found that a great way to kill some time when I should probably be doing something more productive is to check out the Take Away Shows on a website called La Blogotheque (check out their website / YouTube). Basically they film musicians and bands singing their songs in odd, and often public, locations (flea markets, a roof, a stairway, etc). They have tons of amazing videos and I guarantee that more will be appearing on this blog in the future, but I decided to go with this song by Sufjan Stevens first because for me it has it all – an amazing song with fantastic imagery, a brilliant and talented young artist, and a very intimately shot video. I seriously challenge you to watch this video and not want to learn to play the banjo and/or marry Sufjan Stevens.

#1 Gotye - Hearts a Mess

Gotye - Hearts a Mess
Like Drawing Blood (2006)
Other Songs to Check Out: "Baby", "Thanks for Your Time", "Here in This Place"
http://www.gotye.com/

For the first actual track entry on our blog, I've gone to what's been my favorite song for the past few months. I can't remember how I came across Gotye, but I'm sure glad I did. Both Like Drawing Blood and his older cd, Boardface, are fantastic, but this song is one of the one's that really jumped out at me when I listened to it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Welcome to shuffle. play. repeat.

How do you find out about new music? Maybe you turn on the radio or watch music videos on TV. Maybe you spend hours scouring YouTube or other websites. If you're like us though, you turn to your friends to enjoy their latest discoveries and to share a few of your own. That’s what this blog is all about: sharing new music with people who love it just as much as you do.

shuffle. play. repeat. (SPR) was created by BOY! and GIRL!, two music lovers who thrive on finding and sharing new bands and songs. Each entry will feature one song. Like what you hear? We’ll include a link to the band's website so you can find out more. And be sure to come back every couple of days; we're constantly stumbling across new music, and in the future we'll be including special features like Top 10 lists and fave picks from guest bloggers from up-and-coming bands. For now, we encourage you to enjoy our music picks and check back often. And remember, we’re doing this because we want to discover new music too, so if you have any suggestions, concerns or questions drop us a line at shuffleplayrepeat@gmail.com. We are always looking for guest submissions as well, so feel free to send us your picks for great new tunes!