Can were one of the most influential bands to come out of the late-60s / 70s “krautrock” scene, with their minimal arrangements emphasizing drums and bass, intertwined guitar solos and rambling, often incoherent vocals (sung in “the language of the cave-men”). Founded in Germany in 1968, the experimental rock band went through several singers and described themselves as an anarchist community, constructing their music mostly through improvisation and editing, with most early works being recorded at a castle which they rented outside of Cologne, Germany named Schloss Nörvenich.

Watch the music video for 1971′s “Mushroom” and a short video by Brian Eno in tribute to Can after the jump..

Read more of ”Music video: “Mushroom” by Can with special tribute by Brian Eno“

Sonic Youth need no introduction, that much is true. The grandparents of indie-rock are (somehow) still going strong, recently releasing their 21st full-length album and touring heavily throughout the summer in support of it. The various members of the group are also working on book and solo releases as well as tending to their family life in New Jersey (having recently moved from NYC). Presented here are two wonderful videos from 1995′s brilliant album, “Washing Machine”, which is at the top of our favorite SY releases list.

Videos and links after the jump..

Read more of ”Music video double-feature: Sonic Youth’s “Diamond Sea” and “Little Trouble Girl”“

Child actor turned musician turned beard Will Oldham has been releasing music under various monikers since the early 90s, recording for the Drag City label as well as his own Palace Records label. Hailing from Louisville, KY, Will Oldham creates incredibly vast melodies for cowboys, with his signature creaky, weary voice singing about horses, farms, his family and the sun. Currently touring the world in support of his recent collaboration with Tortoise, “The Brave and the Bold” CD, Oldham has worked on his new CD/DVD, under his current moniker, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, titled “The Letting Go”, which will be released in Fall 2006.

Videos after the jump…

Read more of ”Music video: “No More Workhorse Blues” by Bonnie Prince Billy“

Smog’s Bill Callahan is one of independent music’s most prolific singer-songwritiers without a doubt. With a voice that is both deep and smokey that rises and swells with the tides and fits in perfectly when crooning songs of love hate. Texas-based Callahan began recording lo-fi at his home in 1988, releasing tapes on his own label up until being signed to Chicago’s major-indie Drag City in 1991, for which he’s still releasing. Recently Smog has been touring the world to promote his 2005 album “A River Ain’t too Much to Love” and working on his new album at home in Austin, Texas.

Both videos after the jump..

Read more of ”Music video double-feature: Smog’s “Mother of the World” and “Rock Bottom Riser”“

We’re big music people here in the Bunch of Nerds universe, so it only makes sense that we’d eventually start posting music and videos from some of the artists and labels that we love. So, our first video in what, I guess, will become another new posting series, is from our beloved UK indie darlings, Broadcast. Hailing from Birmingham, Broadcast’s first few releases were featured on the Duophonic Label, run by their good friends in Stereolab, before the band was picked up by legendary UK electronica label Warp Records. “Winter Now” is a track from 2003′s “Haha Sound” on Warp Records and if you are interested in their latest album, the band has recently completed recording “Future Crayon” to be released August 22nd, 2006 on Warp.

Video and links after the jump..

Read more of ”Broadcast – “Winter Now” performed live on CBC’s ZeD“

Being a fan of Silver Jews I can’t believe I missed this, but, oh well, -2 scene points for me. Silver Jews came out of a long hiatus at the end of 2005 to record and release a new album on Drag City named “Tanglewood Numbers”. Not their greatest work, but certainly worthy of a Silver Jews release, the album features a ‘love’ song named “Punks in the Beerlight”, for which SIlver Jews released a very interesting music video to accompany it. The video, directed by Todd Lincoln, cuts up scenes from Planet of the Apes and reforms the cult film into a music video love story with Silver Jews supplying the soundtrack.

Watch the video and maybe shed a tear after the jump…

Read more of ”Silver Jews mash up Planet of the Apes for music video“