Diamond Days Is Only 83 Days Away!

Diamond Days, our annual, four-day music festival moves from Brooklyn to Oakland, CA this summer. We’re not yet ready to officially announce the lineup, but we are proud to confirm these venues:

Thursday, July 17 at Mama Buzz Cafe, 2318 Telegraph Ave. at 23 Street, Oakland, CA, 7 p.m.

Friday, July 18 at Ghost Town Gallery, 2519 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, CA, 7 p.m.

Saturday, July 19 at Ghost Town Gallery, 2519 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, CA, 5 p.m.

Sunday, July 20 at Mama Buzz Cafe, 2318 Telegraph Ave @23rd Street, Oakland, CA.

We know that July is a long time away. In the meantime, here are seven Spring releases we recommend.

1. Dark Meat Universal Indians (Vice Records)

This 17-member group hails from Athens, GA and has members of Elf Power, Of Montreal and like every other band from the Elephant 6 roster. Pay special attention to choice tracks "Angel of Meth" and "One More Trip."

2. Blackstrap Steal My Horses and Run (TeePee Records) Think Soundtrack of our Lives but with more shoegazing…better yet, what you really wish the Dandy Warhols sounded like.

3. Black Angels Directions to See a Ghost (Light in the Attic Records)

A successful follow-up to their first LP (Passover), which came out a few years ago, this is your record for taking long night time drives that lead to nowhere.

4. Islands Arm’s Way (Anti-)

Beautiful psych-pop that is the perfect follow-up to 2006’s Return to the Sea.

5. Lights S/T (Language of Stone)

A 60’s girl band stoned out of their minds and hanging out in a haunted house on Mars and an early contender for the Best Album of 5768.

6. Vivian Girls Wild Eyes 7" (Plays with Dolls Records)

This band sounds like The Shaggs, but play their instruments a little better–plus, one of the members is named "Cassie Ramone." Is that her real name? Go to their myspace. See them on tour and ask her for yourself.

7. Festival Come Arrow, Come! (Language of Stone)

The Powell sisters, Lindsay and Alexis, sing pretty, but heartbreaking songs.

What do you think?