This has been quite a year for Chaz Budnick of Toro Y Moi beginning with the influential chillwave sounds of his debut album followed by an international tour for Causers of This. With this success, he brings us something new – a project called Les Sins which produces a more energetic beat that suits him just as well. Due out November 9th, Lina is the debut track.

Bloodbuzz Ohio is the new single off the upcoming album, High Violet, by The National. The mp3 is available for free download from the band’s website.

Who are the Besnard Lakes? A indie band formed in Montreal by a husband and wife duo, Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas. In 2007, they released The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse with a cameo by another appreciated band of mine, Godspeed You! Black Emperor/Silver Mt. Zion. Here is a song from their upcoming album, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night.

Stardeath and White Dwarfs released their debut album, The Birth, this summer. They are best known for touring with the Flaming Lips (Wayne Coyne = lead singer Dennis Coyne’s uncle) and also have toured with Deerhoof, Explosions in the Sky, British Sea Power, and Band of Horses.

At the Ra Ra Riot show last night at Emo’s in Austin TX! Our first concert since moving to Austin and definitely nothing to sneeze at (we liked). Lots of energy from everyone on the stage and the humbleness of seeing them pursue around the venue mingling with fans in the crowd. Their set list covered most of their album, The Rhumb Line, and played Too Too Too Fast, Can You Tell and this song:

The two opening bands made the show entertaining as well. Princeton, a LA-based band formed in 2005 by twin

brothers Jesse & Matt Kivel, their friend Ben Usen and drummer David Kitz, is releasing their debut record, Cocoon of Love, September 29th (just next week). Maps and Atlases, formed in 2004, includes band members Dave Davison, Shiraz Dada, Erin Elders and Chris Hainey.