Usually Don Diablo is the one doing the remixing but this time it is his track that is getting chopped up. This is gritty and pushes hard. Redial’s amped up attack makes it the perfect track for a high speed chase scene, if Daft Punk hadn’t earned the honor of creating the Tron soundtrack I’d say this should would be in the running.
[MP3]Who’s Your Daddy (Redial Refix) – Don Diablo
I’m not entirely sure whether I like this remix because it gives Katy Perry’s ridicupop song an alluring new spin or because it makes the stupidity of her lyrics that much more apparent. Either way I definitely think it is worth a listen. I couldn’t find much about Majestyy but I’d love to hear them take on some of the other crap tracks eating the airwaves.
Today is my mother’s 60th birthday and it absolutely breaks my heart that I can’t be with her to celebrate. She’s a woman that never ceases to completely amaze me. It is she who is responsible for my musical passion and curiosity. Over the years she has shared with me her endless knowledge of classic rock, the importance of the back up singer, the righteousness of good soul music, the historical significance of protest music, what makes a good guitar riff, the comfort of associating music to place and too many road trip mixes to count. She has also inspired me to advocate and fight for what I believe in, seek new adventures, enjoy a good baseball game, appreciate our crazy little family, build a good community and never consider myself too old to be a silly kid.
I could go on and on about what makes her incredible but there is no more appropriate way to convey my love for her than with a mix. So, mama….
[MP3] We Built This City (Starship cover) – D-Sailors
[MP3] Streets Of Philadelphia (Springstein Cover) – Casiotone For The Painfully Alone
[MP3] These Days (Jackson Browne Cover) – Gregg Allman
ps for those of you who wonder what my relationship with my dad is like (since I give Sue so much love on TWIAPC) I assure you it is just as wonderful. Only he and speak the language of food. So, if I had time to write a food blog too it would basically be an homage to the greatness that is Gar.
Boy, the first release from Young Man (aka Colin Caulfield), is a testament of the complexities of a youth’s perspective of adulthood. Constantly striving to achieve “grown up” status while lacking the full vernacular to completely express his desires and curiosities this is an album that succinctly captures the nieve certainty of that age. The seven tracks on Boy give voice to the fickle sense of self & direction one experiences at the edge of adulthood then places those perspective carefully in intricately devised arrangements. Caulfield admits the album is largely autobiographical and with such a clear connection to his emotions so early in the game I’m willing to bet the music he creates in the future will evolve beyond any expectations I could make now. Big predictions, I know, but his kid has it in him to get the job done.
Just the other day I bemoaning the lack of new banjo picking bands in my life. Not that I don’t still love me my Yarn, Avett Brothers, Freelance Whales etc I just fear reaching my limit of their plucky goodness. Then a lovely email from the folks of UK band Lanterns On The Lake drops in my box and I finally have new banjo! Their song “You Need Better” is a delicate track with a gentle but proud banjo tickle. The group’s arrangements are far more than the simple drips of the banjo lines; they know their way around the lush landscape of layered strings and cavernous organs too. All of this creates an entrancing musical effect. Their patiently assembled songs build slowly and beautifully giving your mind plenty of time to saveur all it’s intricacies. No plans to be stateside any time soon but I’ll happily indulge in their wonder.
[MP3] You Need Better
As a member of the Strangers In Stereo blog collective I’m delighted to be able to share such efforts as the monthly Stange Sounds mixtape. Here’s the every month a different blog curates Strange Sounds; they’re responsible for selecting a artist they support/dig to make a mixtape that, in turn, is shared with the rest of SiS and our readers. This month The Culture Of Me was at the helm and he elected to work with elusive producer Spectacle. Read on to find out how the TCoM made his pick and what the man himself has to say about his mix.
It’s strangest to us when we come across talent that we hadn’t any idea really existed in its current form. Even if upon revealing their identity, you’d still be as aghast as if you had never known who or what is behind the moniker. Such is the case with the shadowy producer named Spectacal, who keeps his identity as close to his chest as an ace gambler. With this edition of Strange Sounds, we couldn’t think of anyone else to ask to do it, because, to be quite honest, anyone can put together a cohesive mix, but a very, VERY select few can do it with such ease, succinctness and confidence in the obscure and the discovered as this figure can, testament to the musical knowledge and nerdery that Spectacal harnesses and displays. The mix itself is stellar to our ears and super pointed in approach, with selections by Ikonika, Lone and Martyn to throw you into the experimentally-discerned and something like an L-Vis 1990 to keep it funky and approachable. Also, if you only just now are hearing about FaltyDL, consider this a blessing, because we remember when Spectacal introduced us to this artist, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that you guys are getting the same treatment.
This mix is specifically what a summer night out of tunes should be. Bumping from the start with something steady, leading to a unanimous moment of percussive entrapment, and settling down with something anyone can go to smiling and chillin’ to. Tunes are all about conveying emotions from our souls, that’s what music should be; a representative parameter of what one feels or embodies. With this mix, I’m sure anyone can wile out, or just bop their head to constantly. Stay easy, stay fun and keep bumpin’.
The Martin Brothers – Steal Drums (Julio Bashmore Mix)
Zombie Disco Squad – Twang
FaltyDL – St. Marks (Cosmin TRG Remix)
Lone – Pineapple Crush
Uncle Bakongo – Bambaara
Breach – Fatherless
Martyn – Miniluv
Diamond K & Al Ripken – Hands In The Air (Bok Bok Remix)
Kingdom – Fogs
Ikonika – Psoriasis
Brenmar – Heavy Pockets
L-Vis 1990 – Do You Remember?
Todd Edwards – I Might Be (Joy Orbison Remix)
SBTRKT – One Week OverGet it Here
The Do – At Last (kidam version) from THE DO on Vimeo.
The Do’s song “Stay” is perhaps one of my favorite feel good tunes to add at the tale end of a mix or to throw on the bring on a bout of smiles. I’ve been waiting for what seems like forever to get word of new material from the French/Finnish duo and I think “At Last” is the perfect package to deliver the news that their next album A Mouthful is about to be released. They’re also about to being a 12 stop N.A. toure (sadly no stops in Philly) to support the release. Since I won’t be able to see them live, I’ll have to make do with this nice slice of video.
[MP3] At Last
The Postelles – “White Night” Music Video from The Postelles on Vimeo.
There is a certain pleasure to be gained in watching something filmed in winter during the stickiness of a summer heat wave. There is also an undeniable enjoyment wrought by listening to catchy pop rock. These two truths make listening to The Postelles a double joy.
[MP3] White Night
I knew nothing of This Is My Suitcase prior to watching their video but that is all it took to make me entirely smitten. The Ohio four piece has a full album of equally quirky and charming tunes to offer but I think they’re going to be hard pressed to make another video as equally matched to the lyrical charisma as this one. If you like then I suggest you explore the rest of The Keys To Cat Heaven.
[MP3] Fish & Dishes
What starts off kinda slow and sexy pushes it’s way into for more intense territory quickly in Jakwob’s remix of GCWCF’s “Collapsing Cities.” Like a soundtrack to a tense montage in an indie thriller if definitely imparts a mood. You’ll dig it, I promise.
[MP3] Collapsing Cities (Jakwob Remix) – Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly
Originally intended to simply be an dance floor filler for the Scatterblog DJ’s this retake of the hip hop classic “Push It” is the guiltiest of pleasures. I have absolutely no qualms with admitting I’ve already done a damn fine impression of a crazy person dancing around my apartment to this. Your turn!
[MP3] Push It (Scattermish remix) – Salt ‘N Pepper
Aislyn is Passion Pit’s Ian Hultquist’s new side project with his girlfriend Sofia Degli Alessandri. They’ve taken on Miniature Tigers’ Bullfighter Jacket and given it a an awesome sonic shellacking. This remix is super catchy and will definitely find its way into your next party mix. I’d also keep an eye out for further brilliance from Aislyn.
You know what’s tasty this time of year? Smooth, sweet and cool ice cream. I just had some – well a variation on the theme since I can’t eat dairy- and it brought to mind another tasty item, cover songs. Since I’m still in too much of a food coma to finish off the post I had started earlier today I am instead sharing with you the musical equivalent of the huge serving of ice cream I just inhaled. These are the top picks from my recent covers acquisitions. So, eat up!
I Love You Always Forever (Donna Summer Cover)- Jukebox The Ghost
Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen Cover) - Flaming Lips
The Wolves (act I & II) (Bon Liver Cover) – Catherine A.D.
Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkle) – Reid Jamieson
Baby ( Justin Beiber Cover) - Neon Trees
Barefoot Floors (Neil Young) - Wailin Jennys
Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright (Bob Dylan Cover) - Metric
To Kingdom Come (Passion Pit Cover) – Sam Billen
Graceland (Paul Simon Cover) – Tallest Man On Earth
All My Friends ( LCD Soundsystem Cover) – Vanaprasta
I love this video mostly because watching it you know it was a massive heap of fun to plan and make. This kind of faux buddy action short is just to sort of video bands should be making with their time, especially if they have the resources. The full enchilada is there flashbacks, moustaches, ambiguously gay vignettes and gratuitous athletics. Perfect story to play out during “Through The Night.”
[MP3] Show Me The Night (Grum Remix) – Jump Jump Dance Dance
Wallpaper makes some of the most digestible music. It is addictive and well executed, much like this video for their single “I Got Soul, I’m So Wasted.” They know how to put on one hell of a show and they bring the same cheeky high energy vibe to this club centered video. They’re swinging through the Barbary on August 8th don’t pass this one up.
[MP3] I Got Soul, I’m So Wasted
Tennis – Cape Dory (Underwater Peoples Records) from RichsLaw on Vimeo.
Oh suburban antics. I’m certain I did something like this to pass the aimless summer days during my midwestern kidhood. The exhilarating rush of adrenaline that results from such shenanagins is very much in line with the breezy and fun music earning Tennis a whole lot of attention lately. The Denver group is making their way east but, as of now, without a stop in Philly. So, if you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to see them live take it, I’ll be super jealous and even more curious about their awesomeness translates.
[MP3] Baltimore
Mmmmmm, Mondays are perfect for a smidge of new neo-wave and Murder Mystery will provide you with just such a fix. The New York band makes the tastiest of tasty slice of life pop songs that go in easy and stay rattling around your ears as you find yourself humming them all day long. They’re just pushing two singles out for your enjoyment right now but man do I hope there is a full album hiding up their sleeves.
[MP3] I Am (If You Are)
[MP3] Change My Mind
This is some good good business here folks. The Humms, a poly-genre loving band from Georgia, will be releasing their new record Lemonland in August and it’s 18 tracks offer up an excellent exploration of the essential components of psycho-billy, punk, garage rock. The group manages to cover such a wide swatch of sonic territory because they don’t try to mash them up into something new. Instead, each track has it’s own distinct sound- often an homage to the classics- but with the grubby Humms treatment which gives it that extra kick. Lemonland may be a mixed bag genre-wise but each song is executed so well and with the same raw enthusiasm they all become pieces in a curious puzzle.
[MP3] Fat Bat
Dinosaur Feathers – Teenage Whore from The Moonmen on Vimeo.
I know I’m not alone in wondering when we were going to finally see some videos for Dinosaur Feather’s excellent album Fantasy Memorial which dropped all the way back in April. Welp, the time has finally arrived. The video for “Teenage Whore” came about when they won a battle of the bands and were paired with the winners of a tandem contest for video makers. The result is a nice collection of vignettes occurring simultaneously in an apartment building. The drama builds with the chaos of the song and the full package comes together. Now that they’ve got this one done I would love, love, love to see them tackle “Fantasy Memorial” next. Jussayin Greg, jussayin.
[MP3] Teenage Whore
Sweden’s Jenny Wilson is rocking a new-Annie Lennoxish vibe that is immediately alluring. Upon hearing Like A Fading Rainbow for the first time I couldn’t resist a bit of outright grooving. Then she goes and makes a video that I could damn well been a dancer in. I really love the absence of inhibition in this video especially considering the song remains very cool through out.
[MP3] Like A Fading Rainbow
I hadn’t ever heard of Cloud Control until I stumbled across them in The Recommender blog yesterday and I have become fully smitten with this Aussie band. The landscape in this video is simple and refreshing much like their music. After this first taste of their easy pop and charming harmonies I am hungry for more. Their album Bliss Release came out in May and their touring the UK right. I guess we’ll have to wait patiently for them to make it stateside, hopefully sooner rather than later since I hate being patient.
[MP3] Meditation Song #1