What an interesting week in new music. I pulled in tunes from far and wide; obscure and familiar; and I do it all…so you don’t have to. Take advantage of my labor of love with my notes from the New Release Show, which is part of the Music You Might Otherwise Miss.

Well, let’s get it kicked off with a really talented, basically unknown band out of Brisbane, Australia. They are called BMX and they are made up of 3 like minded males in their 20’s and 1 female in her teens that banded together to create a party. From the party spawned BMX. Live synth, guitar, and vocals with programmed drums and bass. They have been together for only a mere 3 months and this is a demo I picked up on line. It’s kind of rough but you can hear the potential in this track. They remind me of an updated B-52’s. Check them out if you can find them.

Next up is Bound Stems; they are five-piece band out of Chicago, who counts Billy Ocean as a musical influence, which goes to show they have a sense of humor. They actually describe their style as indie slash alternative, but I feel a little post-punk in their sound, as well. I must fess up a full disclosure statement here. I have edited the song. I thought the intro was a tad too long, so I cut about 20 seconds. It’s a short song too…so pay attention. From their album THE FAMILY AFLOAT, I played “Happens To Us All Otherwise.”

Changing musical direction here, with the latest from a band called Horse Feathers, which is basically the duo of Justin Ringle and Peter Broderick. Ringle is originally from Idaho but moved to Portland, OR, where he met Broderick. They both shared a great love and affection for Bruce Springsteen’s NEBRASKA album and it’s stark folk sound. You can feel that influence heavily on their sophomore effort, HOUSE WITH NO HOME, which is on the Kill Rock Stars label; who are famous for discovering the Decemberist’s, for example. Check out the eerie beauty of track number three, “Working Poor,”

Keeping in the slower vein of things with “Victor Jara’s Hands,” a brand new single from Joey Burns and John Convertino, also known as, Calexico. Actually, I don’t think “Victor Jara’s Hands” is the selected single, but it should be. I believe “Two Silver Trees” is. Oh well, I’ve been wrong before.

Also, look into the new release from Okkervil River. They are a group of high school friends from New Hampshire, who moved to Austin, Texas and named their band after a river that is in St. Petersburg, Russia. Go figure. Seriously though, these boys are a solid indie band that has been writing, performing and recording for close to ten years. Their latest creation is called THE STAND-INS and I played “Calling And Not Calling My Ex.” FYI, I also liked “Pop Lie” and “Lost Coastlines.” Whatever that means to you.

I was excited to see that Joan Osborne put out a new disc where she worked with some old friends. I played “To The One I Love” and it’s from her new CD, LITTLE WILD ONE. That song is not the selected single but I really liked the qualities portrayed in that song by Ms. Osborne. It has the fresh sensibilities of her RELISH release combined with a mature artist’s experiences. She is out on tour and I hope I get to catch a show. I’ve seen her a couple of times over the years and was fortunate enough to meet and introduce her at a concert I emceed last year in Baltimore. The money’s not good but the fringes make up for it.

“Anything You Want” is the latest single from Belleruche. Most of their music I would describe as hip-hop and turntable slash club music, which is not my musical strong suit. But while previewing the disc, this song really got my attention because of the soul and R&B feel to it. It has great crossover appeal. It’s from their yet-to-released album, THE EXPRESS.

Let’s keep it moving with another impressive release from The Broken West. The new album is called NOW OR HEAVEN. And actually for me, picking just one song for today’s show was more like HELL. I narrowed it down finally to two tracks and then I vacillated between those two. My choices were: “Auctioneer” and “The Smartest Man Alive.” I ended up selecting the former.

I am out of here but before I go, let me slip in one more with a tune from Dar Williams. Her latest effort is PROMISED LAND and she hits the mark on this one. I played the lead off track, “It’s Alright,” but it’s a pleasant listen all the way through. I will see you all again next week.

My show has yet moved again. Ah, life in Public Radio. I am now on Thursday’s from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on WMFO, 91-5 FM in Boston or at wmfo.org. I’ve been playing the Uptown Blues Party from 2 to 4 and then following up with the New Music Show on the Music You Might Otherwise Miss but I’m thinking about changing it. Let me know what you think. Should I run the new music at 2:00 PM or at 4:00?

Also, I will be going internet shortly. Simmons College, here in Boston, is starting an internet radio station and I’m getting an opportunity to get involved. The details are yet to be worked out but the potential is fantastic. I’ll keep you posted.