Video: Cold Specks - 'Blank Maps'

Cold Specks is the moniker of unpronounceable Canadian singer Al Spx. She apparently takes her name from the following line in James Joyce's Ulysses: "Born all in the dark wormy earth, cold specks of fire, evil, lights shining in the darkness". Lighthearted, this music is not. She has an album due out on May 22nd entitled I Predict a Graceful Expulsion but was kind enough to release this video for her upcoming single, Blank Maps.



Due out on May 22nd on Mute Records.

Stream: Tom Waits - "You Can Never Hold Back Spring"

It looks like Spring has finally come to Cleveland. The weather forecasts warm temperatures from here on out. Here is a nice tune from the inimitable Tom Waits entitled You Can Never Hold Back Spring. 

2-02 You Can Never Hold Back Spring by oldjoytree

Also, if you weren't aware that Heath Ledger based his Joker performance on Tom Waits, this video clip from a 1979 interview should leave no doubt in your mind. 

Passed Over: Ben Howard - 'Only Love'

Somehow this one slipped through the cracks last year but, fortunately, I've been turned on to it now. It's by UK artist Ben Howard.

Ben Howard - Only Love


While you're at it, check out this amazing video of Ben performing the song live for a surprise flashmob.

Stream: Fiona Apple - 'Every Single Night'

 After just a short 7-year hiatus, Fiona Apple returns with a new full-length album, due out on June 19th. It's another mouthful of an album name, The Idler Wheel is wiser than the Driver of the Screw, and Whipping Cords will serve you more than Ropes will ever do. Here is a taste of things to come, with her lead-off single, Every Single Night.

Download: Wintersleep - "Resuscitate"

Wintersleep has a new album set to be released on June 12th entitled Hello Hum, but they've given us a little taste of what's to come with a song from that forthcoming release. It's called Resuscitate and it showcases their new electronic leanings. Check it out:

Wintersleep - Resuscitate

Here's a video of Wintersleep performing a song from their 2010 release, Weighty Ghost.

Video: Cloud Nothings - "Stay Useless"

Check out this new video from Cleveland's own Cloud Nothings. It's a trippy animated affair for the title track of their recent LP Stay Useless. 

Stream: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes - "Mother"

Spinner brings us a stream of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes' new song Mother that was written for an album commissioned by Every Mother Counts. Check it out below.

Listen to "Mother"