Video | GIVERS - That Was Your Mother (Paul Simon)

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Just a wild prediction here, but Paul Simon's Graceland will most likely influence bands and artists for many years to come. Personally, I would be hard pressed to name 25 or 30 better albums, and Simon's not even necessarily one of my favorite musicians. It's just that Graceland is almost a perfect work of art.

For Louisiana's GIVERS, it's already made its mark.

"Our connection to Graceland is the fact that most of us grew up with that album in our household," explains vocalist and guitarist Taylor Guarisco. "It's probably made its way into our subconscious and it's influenced the way we play as a band."

Here's Guarisco and his fellow GIVERS, along with Dickie Landry and the Lost Bayou Ramblers, covering Simon's "That Was Your Mother." It's their contribution to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Graceland, which will be released as a special CD/DVD/LP box set on June 5th.

The Best Songs of 2011 | 75 - 51

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Check out songs 100-76. And keep up with the list on Spotify here.

75 The Kill Van Kulls - Lost and Found [buy the single] [more Kill Van Kulls on Speakers]

Concert Photos | GIVERS + Pepper Rabbit + 1,2,3 at Cicero's in Saint Louis

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All photos by Katie Guymon

Last Monday, GIVERS, the swiftly up-and-coming Lafayette, Louisiana fivesome put on a helluva show at Cicero's in Saint Louis. We've been doting on the fun-time guys (and gal) since the inception of Speakers in Code, and we were thrilled to hear the news of the band's debut LP release with a stop in our town to promote In Light. The album is full of poolside jams. Highly recommended to blare from your own speakers for the next few months, at least.


Pepper Rabbit was the second opener of the night. The L.A. duo played new songs from the forthcoming Red Velvet Snow Ball (out August 9th on Kanine) to an eager crowd.


1,2,3 kicked the night off real proper like. Gotta say, ever since listening to the Pittsburgh band's new release on Spinner, we've been intensely digging these guys. Please do check out the album, New Heaven, that just came out last week.

The Perfect Mixtape | Speakers + Summer 2011

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Photo by Katie Guymon

It's that special time again: the first day of summer. And, just like last year, we are celebrating the longest day of the year by gifting you with a special mix: Speakers + Summer Volume 2. We've handpicked tunes that, to us, scream and holler summer and put them in one handy dandy download perfect for poolside cranking. Until those autumn breezes start to cool everything off once again...

But, let's not think about that just yet. Let's think about sixteen summer songs, just a click away.

Speakers + Summer Volume 2 [download HERE]:
1 The Blind Eyes - Hermetically Sealed
2 I'm From Barcelona - Always Spring
3 Toro y Moi - New Beat
4 Generationals - Ten Twenty Ten
5 The Elected - Born to Love You
6 Foster the People - I Would Do Anything For You
7 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - Vocal Chords
8 Fucked Up - The Other Shoe
9 Destroyer - Chinatown
10 GIVERS - Ceiling of Plankton
11 The Black Lips - New Direction
12 Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed
13 My Morning Jacket - Circuital
14 The Dodos - Don't Stop
15 Matt Nathanson - Faster
16 Katie Herzig - Make A Noise

Jam of the Day | GIVERS - Saw You First

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Seriously, how in the world has it been over a year since I first wrote about the yummy goodness that is GIVERS? "Up Up Up," from the band's self-released EP, was my first introduction to Louisiana quintet's unique blend of funk, afro-pop, and island flavors. And, I loved it instantly.

Needless to say, the looooong wait for the "promised in 2011" GIVERS debut album has been hard. But, Houston, we have a release date! On June 7th, the band will offer up In Light on Glassnote. To celebrate the announcement, I've chosen another fabulous song off the EP as today's JOTD: "Saw You First."

GIVERS - "Saw You First"


From what I've read, it sounds like the album will be full of GIVERS' signature "unrelenting positivity." Lead singer/guitarist, Taylor Guarisco, commented on the sound: "Being from the South, we have all learned how to slow down and appreciate life as it is here now--something that in most parts of the world is totally lost. All of this is directly reflected in every aspect of our music, as well as every other celebratory music in Louisiana--whether it be Zydeco, Cajun, Creole, jazz, or funk.”

Hey, who doesn't like a party?

And guess what? Just last weekend, we noticed a new post on the band's blog that announced an upcoming Saint Louis show at Cicero's. After getting confirmation, we are psyched to say that GIVERS will be in town on June 27th with Pepper Rabbit and 1, 2, 3! We'll let you know when tickets go on sale.

Jam of the Day | Tahiti 80 - Keys to the City

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The boys of Tahiti 80 have been in the music game for a long time, at least compared to so many of the indie upstarts who work diligently to avoid "flash in the pan" status. Spearheading the French Invasion of the late '90s and early 2000s, along with notable acts like Phoenix and Air, Tahiti 80 is a modern nod to the west coast pop of the '60s (think: The Beach Boys).

This new track, "Keys to the City" is no different. It reminds me of everything I loved about that GIVERS track, "Up Up Up," I first heard last winter when the days and nights were oh-so gray and unexciting. "Keys to the City" is gonna heat up your winter fo sho.

Tahiti 80 - Keys to the City

The band's ninth EP, Solitary Bizness, is out now, and you can expect the band's fifth full-length, The Past, The Present, & The Possible in February 2011 on the T80's own label, Human Sounds. (There's another Beach Boys reference).

Jam of the Day | GIVERS - Up, Up, Up

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GIVERS puts ants in my pants and makes me do the boogie dance.

This Lafayette, Louisiana five-piece makes music that is pure, unadulterated fun, perfect for fans of Vampire Weekend. It's clear that GIVERS is heavily influenced by the native music of their hometown and neighboring New Orleans. Add afro-pop, indie, and funk flavors on top of all that, and you get a medley of finger lickin' goodness. The song's title tells no lies: it makes you get up.

GIVERS - Up, Up, Up

GIVERS supported Dirty Projectors on a fall tour, and they are prepped to hit up SXSW this March.

The GIVERS EP is out now, and you can expect the band's first LP next year. Don't know about you, but I'm on pins and needles.