The always politically-conscious Emanuel Botelho is one of my dearest friends from Portugal and I am super stoked he is blessing us with some new instrumental tunes under the moniker Nihilist Assault Group. Emanuel explores instrumental pop like no other, melding guitars and melodies together that seem to soundtrack ones’ journey through a wandering path into a mystical forest of wonder and mystery. Emanuel is releasing his Russian-American EP through Amdiscs and MPD October 3rd, be sure to get it there when it drops. This EP will also include the 9/11 Responder’s Bill track that was premiered on my Compilation for World Hunger, which was under a different moniker then.

osella, coloni, minardi by nihilist assault group

Related:

Quit: Baconnayse [mp3]

20 Anos De MPD Compilation [mp3s]

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It seems pretty easy to let your mind wander and daydream with the psychedelic surf-inspired instrumentals that Portugals’ Branches produces. The astral sounds surround you thanks to the woozy guitar of which it is composed of, equally giving it a laid-back surf aesthetic. Branches were a recommendation from my Portuguese friend Johnny back in April of 2010. Pedro has since found his way onto Ian Nelsons’ Triple You Tapes Summer Sampler and has been surfing across the internets’ blogs. Be sure to check out his equally awesome jam titled Vamos which found its’ way onto Friendship Bracelet not too long ago.

Branches: Cool Kids

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Previously:

Branches: Mar De Marco [video/mp3]

Hosannas is a Portland, Oregon band whose music is built upon toned guitars with an emotional avant pop edge. The below video, shot and directed by Guy Wagner, shows the delicate egg traveling carefully throughout in the beginning, only to be mishandled, abused, and crushed toward the end. The climatic ending to the track seems to go hand in hand with the ultimate destruction of the egg, hinting that the egg may be a symbol for a man or a woman’s lovelorn heart. The director uses the visual torture of the egg to represent ones’ troubles with love and the rollercoaster ride it can bring one upon.

Hosannas – When We Were Young from hosannas portland on Vimeo.

Hosannas: When We Were Young

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