If you’ve been following Groovescapes for a while, you might remember this post featuring local, indie group Sun Hotel… If not, here’s another chance to get to know them. Last weekend these college-rock do-it-yourselfers released their second EP Team Spirit. As for myself, I’ve listen to the disc a handful of times over the past few days, and I’m picking up some heavy Crooked Rain-era Pavement vibes – a mix of smashing drums, jangling guitars, irreverent feedback, and astutely bewildering lyrics… Ahhhh, the beauty of blissful belligerence. Also at it again is Caddywhompus guitarist Chris Rehm, who, when left to his own devices, churns out eerie, ambient soundscapes and creepy, electro-acoustic pop tunes by the boatload. Before releasing his most recent EP, Salivary Stones, digitally, Rehm made the six-song set available for $5 on cassette tape – that’s right, cassette tape! Who even has a tape player anymore… Apparently quite a few people because last I heard Rehm had already moved all of the copies he packaged, 50 in total (if I remember correctly). Luckily for you, you can download both of these albums for FREE… So, give a listen below, and head on over to sunhotel.bandcamp.com and chrisrehm.bandcamp to snag the rest of the tracks!

MP3: Sun Hotel – Plantation Land
MP3: Sun Hotel – Honey
MP3: Chris Rehm – Soggy
MP3: Chris Rehm – (Not Thinking About the Future)

Sorry to spring this up on you on such short notice… But tonight (October 24th), bring yourself out to Cafe Prytania. On the bill are three of city’s burgeoning college rock acts… rowdy, alt-country outfit New Grass Country Club, freewheeling folksters Sun Hotel, and psychedelic, experimental jammers Mojo Method. The recently revived Uptown venue, previously Cafe Banquette, has built up quite a reputation for playing host many to New Orleans’ up-and-comers. This diverse showcase certainly highlights that facet – and should serve as a strong notice to what you [might] have been missing. The NGCC craft an exciting blend of roots-flavored Americana. Sun Hotel’s drifting, reverb-tinged folk is reminiscent Tennessee Fire-era My Morning Jacket, and Mojo Method’s mix of jarring grunge and sinister psychedelic blues make for one serious head-trip. Take a listen for yourself... Stream the tracks below. The show’s slated to being in roughly 5 hours, so there’s plenty of time to pull yourself together... See you soon.

MP3: Mojo Method – Camel Complacency
MP3: Sun Hotel – Life on a Boat