A list of our favorite albums of 2011. Below you’ll find the records that meant the most to me this year. A smaller list than in previous years which is a result of these records remaining in heavy rotation all year combined with an equal amount of time spent listening to records not released this year. [Note: this list does not include releases from the artists I work with directly]

Bon Iver | Bon Iver (buy)
MP3: Bon Iver – “Holocene”
MP3: Bon Iver – “Calgary”

Josh T. Pearson | Last Of The Country Gentlemen (buy)
Video: Josh T. Pearson – “Sweetheart I Ain’t Your Christ”

Feist | Metals (buy)
MP3: Feist – “How Come You Never Go There”

Wye Oak | Civilian (buy)
MP3: Wye Oak – “Civilian”

Conrad Plymouth | Comrade Pylmouth (buy)
Free Download: Conrad Plymouth – Comrade Pylmouth

Jessica Lea Mayfield | Tell Me (buy)
Video: Jessica Lea Mayfield – “Our Hears Are Wrong” (David Letterman)
Video: Jessica Lea Mayfield – “Sometimes At Night”

Nurses | Dracula (buy)
MP3: Nurses – “Trying To Reach You”
MP3: Nurses – “Fever Dreams”

Caveman – CoCo Beware (buy)
MP3: Caveman – “Old Friend”

EMA | Past Life Martyred Saints (buy)
MP3: EMA – “The Grey Ship”

James Blake | James Blake (buy)
Video: James Blake – “Limit To Your Love”
Video: James Blake – “The Wilhelm Scream”

Other Lives | Tamer Animals (buy)
MP3: Other Lives – “For 12″

Christoper Porterfield is one of my best friends. I’ve watched Chris and his band Conrad Plymouth perform countless times over the past two plus years. Each time powerful and unique. Friendship aside, he’s one of my absolute favorite songwriters. I started a label because I believe so strongly in his songwriting and wanted to do anything to make sure his music was heard.

Tonight he ushers in the release of of Comrade Plymouth – a free, and “mostly first take solo clearinghouse for old and new songs.” Don’t let that diminish the power of these songs. I’ve listened and watched them develop over some of the best nights of my last two years in Milwaukee.

Download it here and join me in looking forward to a full-length Conrad Plymouth record in the future.

Download: Conrad Plymouth – Comrade Plymouth

Tonight’s the night. Roadside Graves are back in town. Conrad Plymouth’s playing too. Make sure to arrive in time for Jeremy Benson’s opening set.

Roadside Graves :: Aquarium Drunkard Lost Session (August, 2009)

MP3: Roadside Graves – “My Father Sat Me Down” (Aquarium Drunkard Session, 2009)
MP3: Roadside Graves – “Liv Tyler” (Aquarium Drunkard Session, 2009)
MP3: Roadside Graves – “Ruby” (Aquarium Drunkard Session, 2009)
MP3: Roadside Graves – “Wooden Walls” (Aquarium Drunkard Session, 2009)

Buy: Roadside Graves – You Won’t Be Happy With Me EP

[photo: Tim Griffin]

Muzzle of Bees is proud to present Minnesota bluesman Charlie Parr at Linneman’s in Milwaukee tonight. Tickets are $8 and Christopher Porterfield of Conrad Plymouth plays a solo set to kick things off at 8PM.

MP3: Charlie Parr – “I Dreamed I Saw Jesse James Last Night”
MP3: Charlie Parr – South Of Austin, North Of Lyle”

Thanks to everyone who came out to both of our 6th Anniversary showcases this weekend. A big thank you to all the bands who made these shows so special. We had a blast and hope that you did as well. Let’s do it again next year. Enjoy photos of last night’s S. Carey + Conrad Plymouth show courtesy of our good friend CJ Foeckler. We’ll have video links for your shortly.

MP3: S. Carey – “In The Dirt”
MP3: S. Carey – “In The Stream”
MP3: Conrad Plymouth – “Fergus Falls”
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Buy: S. Carey – All We Grow | Conrad Plymouth 10″ Vinyl

Please join us tonight for our 6th Anniversary showcase at Club Garibaldi with performances by S. Carey and Conrad Plymouth to a Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. Please note: this show now begins at 10PM so that you can enjoy the Packers playoff game.

Yesterday, Spin premiered the brand new video for S. Carey’s “In The Dirt.” Watch it here.

MP3: S. Carey – “In The Dirt”
MP3: S. Carey – “In The Stream”
MP3: Conrad Plymouth – “Fergus Falls”
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Buy: S. Carey – All We Grow | Conrad Plymouth 10″ Vinyl