[sugar-free] feb.25 – march 4

what’s on sugar-free for the week of feb.25 through march 4:

[ac+r debut] Alive in Bed-Stuy
Spencer joints the ac+r family from a little old place called Brooklyn (have you heard of it?). After spending a few years dabbling in the music scene via Pitchfork, Rykodisc, Central Park SummerStage and PopGun Booking, Spence has decided to beef up his indie street cred by adding ac+r to his rep. He’ll be bringing the best from the boroughs and beyond every Wednesday (noon-3pm) with the help of a few of his friends.

Rocky Volotado’s True Devotion
True Devotion dropped this past Tuesday, adding another notch to the belt of raw-yet-composed singer/songwriter Rocky Volotado. Resident blogger Brett had the pleasure of seeing Volotado on this most recent tour, which took place in various secret locations (and living rooms). Look for Brett’s review of his album sometime this week on ac+r.

[ac+r golden show] Buckets of Rain: Songs of Desperation & Urgency
Zack thought this installment was pretty great. And he was right.
“These songs mean so much to me,” he said. “It’s incredible how putting together a playlist is grounds for self-expression. I wish radio radio had that to it. Maybe it will again someday.” Just listen. There’s nothing more to say.

J. Cole
Ac+r hit the streets of DC last week to see what people are listening to as well as spread the ac+r cheer. We met some cool people the Marvin Center on George Washington University’s campus. Senior Kori Clanton told me she can’t stop listening to J. Cole’s The Warm Up mixtape, so we’ll be playing it all week. Listen for “Lights Please,” which is her favorite song. Much love to GW!!

Yawn
It is questionable whether the band had it right when they named themselves Yawn. Their sound is hardly boring, yet it is quite contagious. You be the judge. If you still haven’t had your fill of their EP after its frequent airtime this week on sugar-free, hit up their site where you can download it for free.

Broken Bells
The Broken Bells is a project by the singer/songwriter James Mercer, of the Shins, and producer Danger Mouse (The Grey Album). The two expressed an admiration for each other’s music while meeting at a music festival in 2004. The resulting collaboration is a blend of Shins style melodies and lyrics, and organic electronic production. Not to be missed.

[sugar-free] feb. 18 – feb. 25

what’s on sugar-free for the week of feb.18 through feb. 25:

Broken Social Scene
The collective indie powerhouse Broken Social Scene will break their five year album-dry-spell with the release of Forgiveness Rock Album on May 4.  They’ve shared one track off the album titled “World Sick,” and it’s great. So in honor of their new material, we’ll be giving spinning for you their self-titled 2005 release.

Get a free download of “World Sick” to play over and over again until the album comes out just by clicking below and entering your e-mail. The track will be delivered to your inbox.

The Morning Benders’ Big Echo
Big Echo? More like huge splash, because that is exactly the reaction this album is getting in the indie community. Paige reviewed it this week, so give her post a read if you want to get a feel for their style before you dive right in. But, pretty much the album rules. You’re guaranteed to like it if you enjoy music that sounds good; who doesn’t?

Surfer Blood
“Florida’s Surfer Blood recently put out their debut “Astro Coast,” and boy, it’s a doozy. When you listen to the first three tracks, which includes the single “Swim,” you’ll notice that it’s almost too difficult to continue listening to the rest of the album, mainly because they are so addicting.” – Brett

And sugar-free will be running their album to fuel your obsession. Read Brett’s whole review here.

[ac+r golden show] 20 Watts
20 Watts pretty much are some of the most dedicated people to music coverage, and ac+r is lucky enough to have them host two shows a week. Irina always holds it down on Thursday nights and she managed to have a bomb show even though she was sick. Props to her and the whole 20 Watts team! Check out their digs at http://20watts.wordpress.com/ & listen to 20 Watts every Tuesday and Thursday 10pm-midnight.

[sugar-free] feb. 11 – feb. 18

what’s on sugar-free for the week of feb.11 through feb. 18:

[ac+r debut] what’s good
Heath is a great addition to the ac+r family, and it’s not all credited to the fact that he shares a name with a classic candy bar. This elementary school teacher will be playing the best in pop music of the indie and rap variety, while also praying for snow days. Listen to him every Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm-8pm.

[ac+r debut] buckets of rain
Zack has been dishing out some pretty solid playlist for the past couple of weeks, but this week marks his debut to the live stream. He isn’t able to record the actual broadcast but you’ll be able to listen to the playlist after his shows via his usual grooveshark playlist. His Wednesday night show showcased Ryan Adams, so Zack’s favorite Adams’ album Cold Roses will be on play this week.

Minus the Bear’s They Make Beer Commericals Like This
Not only does this album rule, but it’s kind of timely seeing how the Super Bowl wasn’t too long ago (and you know you only watched it for the beer commercials). Brett got a chance to see Minus the Bear with Maps & Atlases and Phantogram after a mini roadtrip to Allentown, Pa. Read the review here.

The Strange Boys
Paige profiled these blooming Texans this week, highlighting their awesome sound and their sophomore album Be Brave that comes out Feb. 23. Lucky you, we’ll be playing the new album all week, so if you like what you hear, pre-order it here.

Accordions
These haunting folksters from Indiana are set to release their new album Hope for the Best at the end of the month. They’ll be playing at the Earth House Collective in Indianapolis, IN Feb. 27 with Arrah and the Ferns and Arlo and the Otter (yay Jason & Max! they’ll be playing Baltimore at the end of March). We don’t have our hands on the cd yet, but you can hit up the band on their myspace for it ($10). To give you a taste of their style, we’ll be playing four early recordings by the band all week.

[ac+r golden show] i survived snowmageddon, audiocandy+ 2/8
Snow has pretty much directed all the lives of us here in the DMV(+). Here’s the audiocandy+ show that commemorates the blizzard of 2010.

[sugar-free] feb. 4 – feb. 11

what’s on sugar-free for the week of feb.4 through feb. 11:

Bear Hands’ Golden EP
Brett offered up a great review of Bear Hands’ 7” this week, so we decided to hit you with the EP.

[local love] Woo & Yellow Dubmarine
Half the world loves reggae music. Half the world loves the Beatles. Put them together, and you’ve got an undeniable combination for success. And so you have Woo and Yellow Dubmarine. The band just released their first “woo”-length New Found Dub last week so we figured we’d serve up the album. Buy the album at any of their upcoming shows:

Sat 2/13 – @ The Depot in York w/ Second Self and Zack Lowe- VDAY SPECIAL
Sun 2/14 – @ the 8×10 in Federal Hill Balt, Baltimore w/ Can’t Hang – VDAY SPECIAL
Sat 2/27 – @ Chapala’s in Burtonsville, w/ Eastern Standard Time
Sat 3/6 – @ the 8×10 in Federal Hill Balt, w/ Basshound
Wed 3/10 – @ Santa Fe in College Park
Sat 3/20 – @ Rockville Austin Grill
Fri 4/23 – @ The Draught Horse in Philly

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Edward Shapre and the Magnetic Zeros are going to be a hot ticket on the small stages of summer festivals this year, so better log your hours listening to them early; we promise it will be pain-free. We consider it some of the best twee pop we’ve heard in a while, with a little hint of Arcade Fire and Zooey Deschanel. Get their album From Below here.

[ac+r chit-chat] Younger Years
Paige sat down with Baltimore punks Younger Years for a heart-to-heart about girls, the streets and sushi.

[ac+r golden show] Hip-Hop 101: Lesson Seventeen, The Power of Four
Who says it better than the master himself: “Group mentality may drive people to act a certain way in the larger context. But within rap, it drives artists towards innovation. A group of four or five can really bank on each other, positively reinforcing the power of the group. So many dope groups over the years have made their mark on hip-hop. And here are some of these artists. Till next week, bump some Killarmy or Freestyle Fellowship. I recommend it.”

Headlights’ Wildlife
Last week Paige profiled Headlights, so we’ve decided to play their latest album Wildlife. Check them out live March 21 at the Ottobar in Baltimore with David Bazan, of Pedro the Lion. You can also buy their album here.

[sugar-free] jan. 28 – feb. 4

what’s on sugar-free for the week of jan.28 through feb. 4:

[ac+r debut] Philos Adelphos
This week marked the start of Philos Adelphos, hosted by the lovely Joey and Andrew stationed at Temple University in Philly. Google their show’s name and you’ll find out why these witty guys are going to such a good college. This is their debut show, but you can tune in to their live broadcast every Tuesday (3pm-5pm) and Thursday (8pm-10pm).

[ac+r golden show] Jammin with the Johns, 1/26
The 20 watts’ review department served up some killer tunes this week, highlighting all the noteworthy bands that have been making crucial moves in the scene lately (and getting due praise as well). Settle in for two hours of selected tracks from ac+r favorite Beach House, as well as Four Tet, The Magnetic Fields, The Silent League and more. Plus, these guys know their shit. Listen to their live show every Tuesday night (10-midnight).

summer fest fever
With the festival season soon upon us, ac+r has been ramping up with coverage, content and contests (love that alliteration, eh?). Paige chose to celebrate her investment in a 2010 Coachella trip with a special themed audiocandy+, outlining all the must-see acts performing at the festival this year. Listen to persuade yourself into dropping the cash to go or daydream at how much it is going to rule to hear these songs live.

Don’t forget to enter the “summer fest fever” contest. Up for grabs: an ac+r prize pack including your choice of an ac+r t-shirt and two free tickets to a local show. What’s the deal: submit 15 bands you think will be at Bonnaroo this year; whomever gets the most correct guesses win. Contest ends once the line-up is announced (which is rumored to be Tuesday, 2/2!). Get your guesses in ASAP! More details here.

Younger Years
Consider Younger Years a road map to avoid materialism and social standards, and in what more appropriate packaging than some good ol’ punk. These Baltimore boys haven’t let Charm City soften their MO too much, proven by their The Death of Steve Rogers EP. Buy the EP here and look out for an ac+r chit-chat with the band in the near future.

Scout Niblett’s The Calcination of Scout Niblett
Nothing is like some raw emotion. Sincere and identifiable, but still rough and cold; best served by a woman that can sing, because it softens the blow a little. Scout Niblett does exactly that with her new album, The Calcination of Scout Niblett. Buy it here. For fans of Fiona Apple, 90s rock and blues—minus the bass, add some guitar feedback.

ac+r deluxe

audiocandy+radio is proud to announce that we’ll be on-air 24-hours a day, seven days a week!

In the downtime between scheduled ac+r shows, listeners can tune in for “sugar-free audiocandy+radio,” a selection of featured content and the best of ac+r. Material will be refreshed every Thursday; look for a blog post outlining it.

Playing on “sugar-free” for Jan.21-28:

[chit-chat] Filligar
I sat down with Chicago-based Filligar in early October ‘09 to hear more about their sound, tales from the road and future plans. The pop-influence indie rock band had plenty stories to share ranging from inner-womb jamming to their failed band name KOAL.

Mouth’s Cradle
Electro-pop artist Kevin Hedegus (aka Mouth’s Cradle) came on to the Syracuse music scene last year, playing house parties and releasing the Baby Teeth EP on O’Morning Records. His first full-length album The Next Big Thing is due out in a little over a week, so in anticipation we’ll be playing his EP so you can get a taste of his flava. If you like what you hear, help the cause by donating to the record pressing here.

Beach House’s Teen Dream
Put best by our DJ Brett, “a butterfly is born every time this album is played.” We’re just helping prevent butterfly extinction. Plus the album rules. Win-win. Pre-order it here, on disc or vinyl.

[ac+r golden show] Hip-Hop 101: Lesson Twelve
Evan chose to share some jams that inspire him. Let’s all the start 2010 off on the right foot.

[ac+r debut] Buckets of Rain
Zack joins the ac+r line-up Sunday and Wednesday nights to showcase the best in songwriting: classic or current, local or well-known. Just have an expectation of two hours of beautiful music. Visit the show’s page on ac+r.

[ac+r debut] set it off
Garrett premieres a new installment of his show, set it off, every Friday at 3pm to get your weekend started on the right foot via a musical exploration, by way for Brooklyn. Guaranteed to expose you to some new jams. Visit the show’s page on ac+r.

If you’d like to recommend some “sugar-free” goods, feel free to hit me up at paige@audiocandyradio.com.