And with this post, tympanogram will be going (relatively) dark. We don’t want to go all Hipster Runoff and say we’re quitting and then come back the next Monday like nothing happened, so we may appear every so often if something really strikes our fancy, but there isn’t going to be regular posting here anymore.

We’ve loved doing this for the past three years, but the blog has come to a point where it’s more of a frustration than it is a joy to do, and since it’s no longer fun, we’re not going to keep it up. I have kids, Andy just bought a house, and the demands on our time are only going to increase from here on out. It seems like now is the best time to step back, say thanks, and move on down the line.

We’re not going to delve too deeply into the reasons it’s no longer fun, but the turnout for two shows this past week in Rochester had a lot to do with our personal frustration level, and were a stark realization of our lack of impact. The resulting existential crises are not brand new, but they’ve come to a head and it seems better to take a break from the whole thing. We still love music, and hopefully this time away will reinvigorate those passions and allow us to return to the frame of mind in which we decided to start this damn thing.

There are many, many people to thank for their help over the past few years, and a complete rehashing of all those who we’re indebted to would ultimately be incomplete, but please know that if you’ve taken the time to read our posts, follow us on Twitter, friend us on Facebook, interact with us at all, you’re appreciated. Thanks to the bands who have sent us their stuff. Thanks to the blogs who accepted us into their ranks without question. Thanks to our local friends who have let us try our hand at actually creating concerts, records, etc. We’ll see you around for sure.

And lastly, thanks to the group of writers we assembled for all of their hard work. We appreciate that you shared your love of music through us, and we’re sorry we couldn’t ever pay you all in anything more than free tunes. Out of all of this, the actual friends we made through our virtual ramblings will be more important than anything else.

I was supposed to write a review of Frankie Rose’s Interstellar, but clearly I never did. Every time I attempt a review I’ve assigned myself, I always suffer a lack of things to say. The only reviews I truly feel compelled to write are those I form strong opinions about in complex ways. Interstellar is a pretty good record, it’s just not one I had a lot to say about. Here is the video for “Night Swim,” a typically good song from the release.

Months ago, when I first found the band and began swooning over their music, frontman Leo Maymind of Spanish Prisoners sent me an email. Since that time we’ve been talking back and forth about a show in Rochester, world peace, and a potential interview. With that formerly hypothetical show turning to reality this evening, I figured it was about time to move on the interview as well. In typical fashion, I procrastinated and just got these few questions to him at the last minute. I tried to keep it brief since they are on the road with spotty internet service, but ever the sport, Leo sent over his answers. Here they are.

I’ve read a little bit about the formation of the band, but could give us the brief version of the Spanish Prisoners origin story?

I started the band a while ago, around 2008, as a bedroom recording project. I had a lot of ideas that I wanted to try out and I knew nothing about recording. It was impetus to learn some software I had and try to figure things out on my own. I also played some solo shows and a few shows with friends of mine, but nothing really too solidified.

[mp3] Spanish Prisoners // November Third

Your first record Songs to Forget came out several years ago, how has the band and your sound changed leading up to Gold Fools?

The band has changed pretty dramatically- now its a consistent four piece that has been together for almost three years. It took us a while to figure out our individual roles and how to play to our strengths. Our drummer Mike was initially the bass player, and our bassist James was playing second guitar. We shuffled things around a bit till we landed on this particular configuration. The recording stretched over two years and the band was evolving that whole time.

You’re coming towards the end of a fairly lengthy tour in support of Gold Fools, is this the first tour like this you have embarked upon? Is this something you would like to do more of, or is there another direction you’re leaning towards with the band?

This is the first tour we’ve done. It’s been really rewarding so far and its been great to meet new people in every city. It has been fairly lengthy though, and unfortunately we’ve all gotten sick at various points throughout the tour, which has made things slightly harder. Overall though I think we’re really enjoying it. It’s a totally different experience playing to people in Arkansas than it is playing in New York. I think you can gauge people’s reactions much more naturally.

What are your plans for the near and distant future?

We definitely have more touring on our agenda, but we are also going to try to work on a new record when we get back to Brooklyn. We have about half of it written and I think that is the most pressing thing right now, as it’s been a while since we’ve really been able to be creative and write. We will probably try to do another tour of some sorts in summer. And I know I’m gonna be drinking a lot of iced coffee. That is my top priority.

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If you live in Rochester, it would be a shame for you to miss the opportunity to catch this supremely talented band at Bug Jar, and to repay them for all the free music they’ve given us. Andy and I will both be there, and so should you be.

Once again, I have I Guess I’m Floating to thank for posting new Saskatchewan, though this time the Florida outfit notified me of things themselves on Facebook. The band has repeatedly hit a nerve with their delightfully quirky and oftentimes weird dream pop over the past year. “Cabin Fever,” from last September’s Skinny Dipping digital 7″ is still in heavy rotation, mostly because it’s damn near flawless and my ears can’t get enough. Before that was “Dreamboat” and the magnificent “Beast Coast” warming my tympanic membranes. Most recently, their cover of The Weeknd’s “The Morning,” with its interesting vocal cadences, captured my imagination much more than the original. Simply put, it’s been a pleasure watching the band develop from their early stages. Having been at this game for a good while, with bands like this, it continues to be rewarding playing a very small part, documenting their progress.

[mp3] Saskatchewan // Fronting

With a debut full length in sight, a new song from the pending release has been shared. Entitled “Fronting,” the track features a similar steady pace, albeit in a more twinkly new wave style. This is a band that makes measured, languid tracks that seep in and leave a lasting mark, begging for endless repeated returns. “Fronting” is no different.

I haven’t had the chance to give Mixed Emotions a listen as of yet, but I’m excited to. The video for the album’s second track “All Of Me” was released yesterday, and amped my readiness to give the album a proper listen. By the time this post goes up and you’ve had the chance to dance like the stoic folks in the video, I plan to have already done so.

Lockett Pundt is Lotus Plaza. He is also the lead guitarist for my favorite band, Deerhunter. As I waxed rhapsodic last October in reference to his cover of Cut Copy’s “Where I’m Going,” as well as in describing many of my favorite Deerhunter tracks (seemingly often penned by him), Pundt excels in crafting beautiful, guitar driven anthems. On “Strangers,” the lead single from forthcoming sophomore effort Spooky Action at a Distance, the chiming guitars once again prove lushly gorgeous. Pundt is also an understated vocalist, allowing for the instrumentation to occupy more space. As the tracks progresses, the guitars wind down and the tempo slows, until the track finishes abruptly.

I’m strongly anticipating this record, and might venture to my old stomping grounds in Ithaca for his live date mid-April.

Perhaps I’m being naive, but it seems the production value, storytelling and overall quality of music videos has been more impressive lately. Directed by AG Rojas, the not at all safe for work video for the new Spiritualized track “Hey Jane” continues this trend. A brutal look into the life of our protagonist, the story fittingly accompanies one of Spiritualized’s more coarse tracks. Enjoy isn’t the right word for this harrowing ten minute short film, but appreciate might be it.

I’ve been a poor blogger lately. I’ve not found much to be interested in for various reasons, and thus posts have been few and far between from my typing digits. Searching for quick inspiration, I found some in and old standby. Real Estate’s latest single, “Easy,” from 2011′s superb Days is getting its own 7″ from Domino. The b-side to the release is a track entitled “Exactly Nothing,” and it’s another breezy, rolling number from the New Jersey outfit.

The 7″ can be pre-ordered here.

Here’s another video from J. Tillman, aka Father John Misty, from his forthcoming Sub Pop release Fear Fun. Be careful, at the end it gets a bit NSFW.

Flower Anthem from WASHED OUT on Vimeo.

Watch a video by Karina Elbatova, set to music from Washed Out recorded during a Daytrotter session.