Connor O’Brien aka Villagers is totally entrancing live and in this beautiful video from the State you can get a sense of that magic. As you’ll hear in the interview he is coming back to the states this month and this time he is bringing the full band. He’ll play Philly on Nov. 1 at Kung Fu Necktie and unless there is a birth or a death I expect you to be there. They’ll be hitting a number of other cities too so check the dates and find a show near you.
[MP3] Becoming A Jackal
I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely familiar with the original version of this Stardust track; but, there is something about it’s slow build and unfussy energy that appealed to me. Turns out there’s a lot of smarts behind Eat More Cake, a group that consists of multi-instrumentalists Andrew Briggs and Matt Pearn, drummer Alex Lane and DJ Owen Charles. The track maintains it’s funky smoothness for the whole ride make it an ideal bit to bookend your next dance party mix.
[MP3] Music Sounds Better With You (Eat More Cake Remix) – Stardust
To say I like Cee-Lo’s new song “F**K You” would be a ginormous understatement. The man has a magical way with words and with this offering proves he knows the art of subtly with its’s laid back beats. Then Brass Knuckles go and run it through the remix wringer and you know what? It is galactic. Listen to it and you’ll know what I mean.
[MP3] F**k You (Brass Knuckles Remix) – Cee-Lo
Ok I know I know enough with the remixes of “Home” and after this one I promise to stop. I’ll even keep this short and to the point. Party Supplies tear into the original and with some well placed power chords and merengues turn it on it’s head. You’ll love.
[MP3] Home (Party Supplies Remix) – Edward Sharpe & The Magnificent Zeros
This band will put a big fat smile on your face every time you hit play. They’ve nailed the group sing along angle nailed and catchy piano hooks to fully draw you in to their lovely lovely web. The four piece does poppy without being cloying. “Bones Attack” is a prime example of the power of their punctual percussion and strong keys. It’s sweet message rolls right along on the smoothness of the instrumentals. Their new album came out last week so you can get a full fix of their indie pop goodness.
[MP3] Bones Attack!!!
Computerization is just one guy who is making pretty fantastic electro-twee. Putting lyrics – the likes of which you’d normally hear paired with gentle guitars – against mellow synths and providing them with an electronic pulse creates an interesting sonic combo. He is still fairly fresh, although he does have two albums for download on his website, and there is room to grow into his concept that will make it more accessible. However, there is enough there to enjoy now that I’ll be keeping my ear on what he comes up with in the future.
[MP3] You’ll Be Ok
Hiding From Andy politely brought themselves to my attention a few months ago knowing I like to support local music scene. I added their new EP Street Lamp Constellations to my “new tunes” mix and kind of forgot about them. That was until last week when this really great song came on shuffle and I went to figure out who it was by. Lo-and-behold it was Hiding From Andy’s “Invitation,” a tender track with a slight country lilt. When I gave the full EP a listen and it is plays out with a similar modesty. The quartet keeps it pretty chill on Street Lamp Constellation and they do it well but I’m interested to hear if they ever pick things up a little. Regardless, you should check them out.
[MP3] Stay Close
We all have our own ways of going through the world but, well, the fella in this Junip video is unlike anyone I’ve encountered, and I’ve encountered a lot of kooks. The song has such a smooth vibe about it I just love the guys awkward presence. The Junip’s new album is pretty awesome, if you haven’t checked it out yet you’re missing out. If you need further convincing go read my review of it over at Strangers In Stereo.
[MP3] Always (Run Roc Remix)
I am in the midst of a full on Florence & The Machine obsession. I’m not usually one to loop albums but Lungs has been on pretty much constant play around TWIAPC central. She’s another singer, like Ida Maria, who’s skills I would love to posses myself. The woman knows how to create an experience but matching visuals to sound and mood (her , for example) and she does just that with this new video for “Heavy In Your Arms.” With every listen I want to see her live more and more.
[MP3] Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix)
Blackbird Blackbird – Pure (Official Music Video) from Isaac Bauman on Vimeo.
New hot band on the scene Blackbird Blackbird has put together a nice little video for their track “Pure.” Normally I’m not the biggest fan of super choppy visuals but they use it to great effect here as it plays off the song’s dream pop scape. It doesn’t get too messy and overwhelming instead it is clean and well timed. A beautiful counterpoint to this particular track’s aloft beats. I’ll be writing a bit more about Blackbird Blackbird soon, consider this just an introduction.
[MP3] Pure
Shaking Through released another fantastically curated episode of their indie artist series. This time Mark Schonenveld of YVYNYL selected Long Island buzz band Twin Sister to come down to Philly for a session at Miner Street Studios. As always Shaking Through gives us the full recap on how the new track “Meet The Frownies” came to be; from the song writing process to the equipment and technology used to create the recording. All the coverage is to be found over on the Shaking Through site. You’re going to really dig this track.
[MP3] Meet The Frownies
This Eau Claire Wisconsin band gives the midwest pop scene something to be proud of. Their new album Something Like Blood doesn’t challenge the tried and tested sound the group has established with their previous two releases (one album one EP) but it does give it a little spit a polish; as a result, there is some undeniable new sparkle in the music. The warm instrumentals don’t fall prey to excessively sparse, dry guitars or moody percussive outbreaks instead favoring solid arrangements that weave their away around you while you’re distracted by the slightly anxious but none the less intelligent lyrics. Recorded in Bon Iver’s home studio April Base in Northwest ‘Sconsin Something Like Blood bears the touch of two very talented audio engineers – Brian Moen and T.W. Walsh- who know where the group needed some prodding and filling out. The energy and talent though are entirely sourced in Meridene’s four members who sound more in sync than ever in sound and mood on this album. This one is most definitely worth your ears.
[MP3] Gone, Baby Gone
You haven’t heard quirky until you’ve listened to the Danish do quirky. Mimas’ new album Lifejacket is the supreme point of entry. There aren’t many acts that can deliver the kind of random yet delightfully witty subject matter that Mimas do without letting the kooky factor taking over. This foursome touch on the art of growing a moustache, lay off notices, guilt -amongst other things- while still executing some equally fascinating melodies. Their musical talent is clear as they are able to make even the most unusual lyrics seem ho hum. While there is certainly room to clean up some of their sound the group is off to a wildly entertaining start.
[MP3] Application
For indie bands there are a few milestones they all have their eye on when they really make the push for “quit your day job” status; first sold out show, first non-bedroom recording, first CMJ/SXSW/other festival performance etc. Being asked to do a Daytrotter is near the top of many bands lists. Appearing on the awesomely curated site is definitely a sign that you’ve solidly made an impression. Dinosaur Feathers, a group I hold near and dear, can now cross the accomplishment off their list. Their fantastic session went live yesterday and I couldn’t be happier for them.
[MP3] Fantasy Memorial
There is something magical and charming about Villagers’ music. Live, they serve it up like a polite and genuine gift. This video manages to hint a little at both. The craft of this video, much like the music, is in the details; how the shadow of him carries the backing vocals or how the lit up designs reflect the emotion of the moment. Very well done. They’ll be back in Philly on November 1st at Kungfu Necktie. You’ve got your tickets right?
[MP3] Becoming A Jackal
I. Love. This. Video. Next time I have a shit load of fire works, streamers and balloons I may very well gather my friends and do something very similar. No camera necessary but stellar soundtrack -on par with Parlovr’s “pen To Paper” a must.
[MP3] Pen To paper
PA PA POWER – DEAD MANS BONES from Noaz Deshe on Vimeo.
Technically this isn’t a music video, it’s a short film featuring Dead Man’s Bones & their single Pa Pa Power. It is shot in an assisted living facility and is a testament to the power music has to unite people and put a smile on their faces. As if that doesn’t sell you on watching all 11 plus minutes of this video then let me remind you that Dead Man’s Bones is Ryan Gosling’s band. This video also made me realize how very much I like this song.
My first “career” out off college was as a pastry chef in a cupcake shop in St Paul Minnesota. It had absolutely nothing to do with either of the degrees I had acquired in college but everything to do with following my bliss. I went to culinary school in Vermont then moved back to Minneapolis to start baking. That first summer in the kitchen was awesome. I didn’t mind the 4:30 am call time nor the 100 degree temps we hit during back off because I loved what I was doing and I loved who I was doing it with/for. This was at the very tip top beginning of the cupcake craze so people were still totally giddy to see the 24+ varieties of cupcakes we made – red velvet, smores, chai, lemon mousse, carrot, hummingbird (to name a few favs)- and didn’t scoff at the other goodies either. It’s a pretty sweet gig being a pastry chef, no one really gets upset when you give them sweet delicious noms.
As for the people I was working with, they were some of the coolest co-workers I’ve ever had. We’d roll in at call nod hello, start brewing the coffee, turn on the ovens and crank the tunes. Then we’d get about our work rolling croissants, making batter, baking bread … The soundtrack was either The Current (which has just started filling the gaps in Twin Cities music coverage ) or one of the mixes people would bring in; both introduced me to all kinds of new tunes- I distinctly remember the first time I heard Architecture In Helsinki their gleeful twee broke a particularly stressful morning and forever won my adoration. In those hours before the shop opened when we could crank the music and rock out while doing an extraordinary amount of work I would often get lost in whatever was playing. While I have since left baking professionally (for now) I still do a whole lot of it at home and the scene is pretty much the same: me + sugar + oven + blaring music = heaven. “When I grow up” I’d love to own my own bakery – and performance space, of course – and you know the sound system in that kitchen would be amazing. This playlist is just a little bit of the music I discovered that summer and a few others that I brought to the kitchen mix. Bon appetit.
Everybody’s Changing (Keane Cover) – Lily Allen
Move Your Feet – Junior Senior
Songbird – Eva Cassidy
Heart It Races (Architecture In Helsinki cover) – Dr Dog
First… And Then – Handsome Boy Modeling School
Chin Up, Cheer Up – Ryan Adams
Gravity Rides Everything (Modest Mouse Cover) – Lenka
All I Want Is More – Reel Big Fish
Sweet Pea (Amos Lee Cover) – Tom Meny
Seven Nation Army (White Stripes cover) – Alice Russell
Silje Nes is a woman of many many talents and she knows how to use them in orchestra to create wonderful music. On her new release Optiks the mulitinstrumentalist (we’re talking guitars, drums, viola, bass, xylophone, electronics, keyboards, concertina, flute, trumpet, percussion …) crafts hooks and builds carefully nuanced ebbs and flows of rhythm into wondrous music over which she melts her delicate voice. It is possible that because she create all the sound in her work that she is able to tweak it just so to find arrangements the average composer might not consider. As a result the slightly experimental yet entirely accessible material continuously serves up unexpected turns and musical phrases. Apparently she’ll be touring the US this winter and I simply must she how she delivers live. In the mean time I’ll just relish this breath taking bit.
[MP3] The Glass Harp
This Ohio band has been on my radar since 2008 when I first swooned for their keenly spirited indie pop tunes – I think “I Don’t Love You Anymore” made it on most of my play lists that year. Back then they had a pretty firm grasp on how to write addictively catchy lyrics and pair them with quirky instrumentals. In the past two years they have really refined their skills and decided on their “sound.” Interestingly enough the midwest band has a decidedly surf band feel about them now but it seems to fit them. They’re fleshing out their arrangements and giving them more musical presence, no longer are they just a fun indie band, now their flexing some major musical muscle. They’ve got a new EP out and at 5 songs it gives you just enough to tide you over until their full play release. Check them out- old and new- you won’t be disappointed.
[MP3] Good Vibes