PARRYING YOUR SCRIPTURES WITH MY HANDS.

Besides having one of the more curious names in recent memory, Incan Abraham are part of a new movement of brilliant young LA bands (see also: HAIM, Electric Guest, et. al) set to take SXSW by storm this year. "Paper Army" is a utopian postcard from an island where everyone knows your name and worries and cares are but a thing of myth, nothing more than tall tales from the mainland. Borrowing from the best parts of Local Natives and Fool's Gold, it takes off with a serotonin-fueled synth bounce and skittering tropical guitars, as Yeasayer-esque vocals hang-glide through the cloudless skies high above. Soaked in yearning reverb, Incan Abraham toy with your emotions like a wind-surfing kite that reels in closer and closer with each verse until you're speechless and beat, right where they want you.

MP3: "Paper Army" - Incan Abraham

NEON GOLD SXSW 2012.

It's that time of year again, and after packed out showcases at SXSW 2010 and 2011, we're back with another barnburner for you with our 2012 official showcase. Wrapping up our inaugural Neon Gold Tour at SXSW will be St. Lucia, Savoir Adore and our showcase headliners The Knocks, joined by fellow Neon Gold alums Polarsets and ANR, and the next big things of tomorrow in Brooklyn's Fort Lean and Los Angeles' HAIM. The whole thing's going down at Karma Lounge, just steps from the 6th Street and the epicenter of SXSW at 105 East 5th Street between Congress and Brazos. As per usual, it's 21+ with free entry to those with official SX badges on a first come, first serve basis, so come out early as space is limited and this is going to be a night to remember. Set times and MP3's below - see you in Texas, friends.

07:00pm: ANR // STREAM: "It's Around You"


08:00pm: HAIM // STREAM: "Better Off"


09:00pm: Fort Lean // STREAM: "Sunsick"


10:00pm: Savoir Adore // DOWNLOAD: "Dreamers"


11:00pm: St. Lucia // STREAM: "Before The Dive"


12:00am: The Knocks // STREAM: "R.O.Y.L."


01:00am: Polarsets // DOWNLOAD: "Leave Argentina"

TIRED OF FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT.

And just like that SXSW is upon us again, but before we go ahead and tell you about everything we've got going on down there, we'd like to introduce you to our pick for breakout stardom in Austin this year. Calling it now, in two weeks time, the name on everyone's lips will be that of HAIM. Born and raised in the City of Angels, the sisters Haim sound like the precocious daughters of Stevie Nicks, reared on the '90s sass of Destiny's Child, with the modern bite of Friends. We've had their debut EP Forever on infinite loop since its modest release last month, and the west coast trio are quickly establishing themselves as one of the most promising new bands in the country.

There's not a misstep or weak moment in sight on Forever, but it's the immaculate title track that's truly heatseeking pop at its finest, an understated anthem for a generation. The gloriously percussive intro paves the way for Danielle Haim's tightly knit melodies to stretch out under unshakable palms, as those blissful girl group harmonies (harmonies for days y'all) and a blistering bassline converge to give you a fleeting taste of immortality. When the claps announce themselves in the last gasp final refrain and spring-loaded synths cut through the mix like diamonds, it's clear we've got a band with boundless potential on our hands. A&R's who caught the sisters' lone CMJ play last fall gushed that they were the best live act of the week (and any that missed it lied to their bosses and said the same), so don't get caught sleeping next week. We'll be bringing you two opportunities to see them down in Texas (and in NYC later this spring), so stay tuned and watch this space.

MP3: "Forever" - HAIM

GOLD033: ST. LUCIA

St. Lucia is one of those names that effortlessly rolls off our tongue when playing favorites, and we're over the moon to have him on the Neon Gold team full time as our first ever albums signing. How could we not be, when he's responsible for songs that so joyously melt in your mouth and taste like an intercontinental blend of tropical electro and nostalgic pop. Long story short, St. Lucia plays the soundtrack to our dreams, and we're pretty fucking ecstatic to unveil his debut album later this year. For now though, we're here to talk about the debut EP, both a primer for what's to come and a continued study in perfecting the 21st century pop anthem. It's a life-affirming affair that made us realize just how much he really struck a chord deep in our heart of hearts. Relax, your permanent vacation officially starts now.

You already know the picture-perfect "We Got It Wrong", a seductive thief in the night that steals your breath away from your singing-along lips on the opening track. This segues into a one-two knockout of "This Old House Is Gone" and "All Eyes On You",the two trascendent summer staples that sparked this whole not-so-secret affair. Then it's "Before The Dive" coming out of nowhere as yet another single-worthy smash to remember, bursting at the seams with infectious piano chords, overachieving hooks and handholding harmonies. "Paper Heart" brings us to the twilight of the EP as it unfolds into an ethereal catharsis, before the blissful 80's pop of curtain call ballad "Closer Than This" marks the EP's conclusion, an ellipsis before the exclamation point of St. L's debut album later this year.

The digital version of the EP drops March 6th on iTunes and all other digital retailers worth their salt, with the physical 10" vinyl release to follow on March 27th. Mark your calendars, friends, and head over to the Neon Gold Shop to preorder your vinyl NOW. In the meantime, stream the entire EP below and get involved with the debut music video for epic crowdpleaser, "We Got It Wrong".

DOWNLOAD: "We Got It Wrong" - St. Lucia

WATCH IT TUMBLE DOWN.

Brazilian discohaus duo Database wake up in the dream of Savoir Adore and get to work immediately. Party Paul's vocals float like a heavenly buoy through a current of rippling synths, as crunchy Jamaica-esque guitars and Delphic-esque cutaways keep things cracking throughout. Savoir play Popshop tonight at Santos Party House getting things started at 8:15 before St. Lucia, Chiddy Bang and The Knocks keep things electric until the early hours.

MP3: "Dreamers" (Database Remix) - Savoir Adore

ALL THINGS GOLD 008: NIKI & THE DOVE

This month's ALL THINGS GOLD showcase with our All Things Go brethren provides us with yet another perfect excuse to make memories in our nation's capital. This time around, we have Swedish debutantes Niki & The Dove playing their first ever US headline show (a couple days before they slay our pre-SXSW New Shapes party with Charli XCX and Clock Opera at Knitting Factory). Supporting will be NYC's finest, the inimitable Gordon Voidwell, getting things started early and electro-masseur Lightwaves will be manning the decks throughout. All that plus a special guest DJ headliner ready to bring U Hall to its knees in their first ever DJ gig in the DC. We've probably already said too much, but trust us it's going to be BIG. It's all going down at U Street Music Hall on March 8th at 9pm, and you can cop your tix HERE.

STREAM: "The Drummer" - Niki & The Dove


DOWNLOAD: "XO Boyfriend" - Gordon Voidwell

WRITE MY STORY DOWN.

Our Fort Lean 7" drops tomorrow, and we're stoked to be unleashing their first physical release into the world together with our dudes at Black Bell Records. We already shared our thoughts on the escapist pleasures of A-side "Sunsick", but flipside stunner "Precinct" is a slow-burning lament that lights the way and then ashes on your expectations. Keenan Mitchell's arresting vocals bay at the rising moon and drift towards classic rock guitars that curl up like a shadowy come-hither. Once the drums crash and the four corners cave in, you know this is the triumphant jailbreak scene. Without a shred of doubt in our mind, Fort Lean are the best new rock outfit in NYC by miles, so get your order of the single from the Neon Gold Shop in HERE. Oh yeah, and if you're in New York tomorrow, we're properly celebrating with a single release blowout at our new haven of rage, Santos Party House. Tickets are HERE, doors are at 8pm, see y'all there?

MP3: "The Precinct" - Fort Lean [exclusive]

NEW SHAPES NYC: DJANGO DJANGO + MORE

Because one of anything is never enough (and for those of you who can't/won't make it out to Brooklyn), we're ready to announce round two of our pre-SXSW New Shapes weekend. It's all going down in Manhattan at our new live headquarters Santos Party House two days later, on March 12th. This time out we've got Clock Opera and Charli XCX back for another round of blinding pop brilliance, as they open things up for another one of London's finest in experimental popstars Django Django. These New Shapes shows will most likely be our biggest shows of the spring and considering how fast tickets are selling for our Brooklyn show the Saturday prior, we highly recommend snapping up a pair HERE before it's too late.

STREAM: "Default" - Django Django


STREAM: "Once And For All" - Clock Opera


DOWNLOAD: "I'll Never Know" - Charli XCX

MIXING MY EMOTIONS.

We couldn't possibly be more all about Athen's primary guarantors of good vibes, Reptar. Ever since they first premiered "Sebastian" on Neon Gold TV last year (back when it was still spelled "Sebastien"), we've been dying to hear the studio version in all its Ben Allen-produced splendor. Our wish finally came true today, and yeah, it's everything we hoped it would be and more. From the first notes of jangly guitars and house party beats, we couldn't feel more at home. Frontman Graham Ulicny is like a southern fried cross between Ezra Koenig and Isaac Brock, flaunting reverb-coated hooks with a punch-drunk, impassioned cadence and leading an incredible singalong bit that's likely to be the highlight of live shows for years to come. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for their debut record, Body Faucet, out on Vagrant May 1st.

MP3: "Sebastian" - Reptar