Owl City – iTunes sensations! (video)

While fans of alt/experimental/avant/indie etc. music tend to look askance at sales numbers and mainstream popularity, sometimes the big web vendors get it right. EMusic has recently touted contemporary classical artists Nadia Sirota and Julianna Barwick. Both of these talents are accessing mainstream audiences in part due to the site’s efforts to raise their customers’ awareness of contemporary classical music with reviews, playlists, and primers. Mega-kudos EMusic!

Online juggernaut iTunes is posting big sales numbers for an electronic pop act with skilful arranging and composing chops. The site’s #2 overall and #1 electronica recording is Owl City’s new LP Ocean Eyes. Fans of Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, and vintage bleeptronica will likely be please in equal measure by “Fireflies,” the recording’s leadoff single. Check out the video below.

Video “Fireflies” (YouTube)

David Mead; new album; 2 MP3s

After a hiatus, singer-songwriter David Mead is releasing a new album August 25 on Cheap Lullaby. Almost and Always is well worth the wait. Mead has long been a songwriter who can combine polished craftsmanship with authentic emotional appeal – the new LP continues that trend. That Mead has overcome career vicissitudes – label changes and the like – to deliver some of his finest songs to date makes it all the sweeter.

Two tracks from Almost and Always are linked below.

MP3: “Blackberry Winters”

MP3: “Rainy Winter Friend”

Videos (and a video contest) by Thrill Jockey artists

Tik by Lokai is being used in a film by Gerald Zahn. A view from a single window in Iceland, the movie chronicles a day when those far north get nearly 24 hours of sunlight. The band’s album Transition is slated for release on 18 August.

Video: “Tik”

Meanwhile, Double Dagger is touring up a storm in support of their album More. They recently released a video for “Vivre Sans Temps Mort.”

MAKE YOUR OWN FIERY FURNACES VIDEO!

WNYC's Soundcheck is holding a video contest starring none other than Brooklyn's rock sibling duo, The Fiery Furnaces. On June 23rd, Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger released their first single "The End is Near" from their new album "I'm Going Away" out on July 21st and now YOU get to try and make a video for the song. You can download the track now, right here.

You can use any video editing program of your choice and you have until August 31st to create your masterpiece. The winning director will appear live on the show with Cordero and The Fiery Furnaces in September.

There are but a few simple requirements to submit your video. Start by uploading your video to YouTube, then visit the Soundcheck Video Contest YouTube group page and click on "Join This Group". Once you have joined, click "Add Videos". Select the box next to your Fiery Furnaces video and click the "Add to Group" button, and that's it, you've done it. Be sure to include your contact information in either your YouTube profile or video description so you can be reached upon your win.

You have until August 31st to submit all entries. Good luck!