A few of my fellow SiS bloggers and I have put together a proposal for a panel at next year’s SXSW music conference. What are we proposing to talk about you wonder? Well, as bloggers we are acutely attuned to the way people are discovering music, we often find ourselves getting creative with the ways we find the under heard -and deserving- musicians out there so we can in turn become the conduit for discovery for our readers and each other. Even more often we find ourselves discussing our approaches and perspectives of the state of musical discovery. So, we thought we’d open the discussion to a public audience and share how we find music, how our experiences (personal and professional) influence our perspective and where we feel “musical discovery” is headed. Among us we have social media consultants, promoters, ex-pr and radio presenters – all rabid music lovers – so I assure you it will be a very interesting discussion. But first we need you to vote so our panel is selected for the 2011 SXSX music conference. If you’re so inclined we’d surely appreciate your support simply click below to be taken to our panel page. If you have any questions about our panel or ideas you would hope are voiced if we are selected please don’t hesitate to drop a comment.
Hold Your Horses came to my attention by one of the bookers at Danger Danger Gallery – one of Philly’s best DIY venues- and after seeing this video I’m super bummed I missed seeing the French band’s stop in Philly a few weeks ago. This is one of the coolest premises for a music video I have seen in a long while, the group recreates classic paintings while performing the totally addictive track “70 Million.” The art major in me had a lot of fun trying to place the inspiration for each of the poses. Even if you don’t know your art history its a fully enjoyable video.
[mp3] 70 million
Wild Nothing – Chinatown from Jack Tatum on Vimeo.
The Red Balloon was one of my favorite movies as a child and I absolutely adore that Wild Nothing gave their video for Chinatown the same French 70′s vibe. The dream pop group’s music is heavily rooted in a nostalgic sound; lo fi guitars drenched in echoey vocals is their hallmark. Their strength lies in their humble approach, they’re not trying to psyche it out or give it a coating of synth, they’re simply trying to craft the same quality music of their musical fore bearers. The group will be opening for Stars on their fall tour, including a stop in Philly on September 30th.
[MP3] Golden Haze
And finally, this has nothing to do with music but it is incredibly delightful. I introduce to you, Marcel the shell.
MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.
The Fools Gold kids push Philly’s Free Energy “Bang Pop” in tropically spaced out directions with this remix. Yeah, I’m fully aware that is a strange way to classify their take on the otherwise entirely delectable pop tune but you listen to it and let me know a better way to describe the awesomeness that goes on here.
[MP3] Bang Pop (Fools Gold Remix)- Free Energy
This one is totally not the usual fodder for a remix rehash but it popped up while reviewing this week’s fresh remixes and I couldn’t resist popping it in here. I guess a variety of takes on Kyle Andrew’s track “You Make Me Smile” a confection of a ditty, have tracked Holiday Inn’s summer campaign which I can only manage is pretty effective since this is damn happy music that’s been roughed up a bit. It’s like the shabby chic take on remixes.
[MP3] You Always Make Me Smile (remix)
This remix, from the deft touch of Skinny Friedman, takes the breathy synth laden original and fancies it up just enough to make it the prime track to play as you’re winding down your dance party. I ha-luv the original -a truth acquired only after seeing it performed live- but Skinny’s spin is easy on the ear right off the bat. Just occurred to me it would also make a great driving track, lyrics you can sing along to with the beat to keep you awake. A win on many levels!
A long while back I saw My Gold Mask in Brooklyn and the Chicago duo totally blew me away with the power of their live performance. Lead singer Gretta Rochelle’s voice has an unfiltered rawness that leans towards the iconic lady howlers of the past. It’s the voice of a woman who has some stories to tell and she channels some deeper places during her performances. Her partner in crime Jack Armando knows know to complement her croon with his charging guitar riffs making them a pair to be reckoned with. They have a new 4 song 12″ due out in October that you should most certainly pick up.
[MP3] Tu Farai (Mina Cover)
[MP3] All Up In The Air
Sébastien Tellier – Look from Record Makers on Vimeo.
This video for Tellier’s song “Look” is being relieased as part of Record Maker’s 10 Anniversary celebrations and it embodies the chill euro coolness both the label and the artist are known for. The simple animation tells a cheeky -heh I love a good pun- story with clean imagery. The song, of course, is smooth as all get out which makes this one awesome video.
[MP3] Look
Take some plether pants add a healthy dose of weird animal/pop imagery and a whole lotta primary colors and what do you get? Why the most recent Scissor Sister video of course. I never tire of their effusive glam pop pep and it is even more amazing that they only seem to be getting better musically.
[MP3] Invisible Light
Kids of 88 – Downtown (Official Video) from Dryden Street on Vimeo.
Fantastic New Zealand pop duo Kids Of 88 slow it down a bit to get their sexy trance vibe on for this track and made this crazy video to accentuate the positive. For some reason I’m really digging on the primary colorscapes lately I guess and this is another way to get a great fix. If you like this you should definitely check out the super cool video they made for “Just A Little Bit.”
[MP3] My House (RAC remix)
I. Love. This. Album. Menomena is back and on their third album they have found their most comfortable sound yet. While having previously explored some darker, wider ranging territory in their albums Mines is more focused and as a result plays well both as a whole and as individual tracks. Their vocals – shared in turn by each of the bands three members- are strong and pure; pulling them to the front of the mix gives them more distinction and imparts a poppier vibe to the entire album. While the vocals are consistently given more presence the incredibly complex instrumentations Menomena is known for still shine from behind. Danny Seim’s percussions are more on point than ever and the refinement only pushes the entire groups sound a little further; they don’t abandon their complicated and varied instrumentations they have just found a much better balance making the songs far more accessible.
“Dirty Cartoons” is a brilliant example of these holistic productions. Without pulling in too many elements, instead allowing the vocals and percussion to build up a natural interplay the weight of the song is found in the negative space, the places where quiet is given a role. Again on “Tithe” – without a doubt my favorite track on Mines – you find a sumptuous relationship between the nuanced instruments involved. Delicate clinking bleeds into a charging piano/guitar force that advances and retreats versus the simple lyrical delivery for the rest of the song. It is so well executed you can’t help but become entranced by the dynamic.
I could go on and on and on about the brilliance of each of the tracks; how the beachboy like harmonies on “TAOS” melt over the chaotic percussion and soak up luscious baritone sax or how the bluesy grit of “BOTE” has a swagger you definitely wouldn’t expect from these Portland fellas, but I’ll let you find out for yourself. Go buy it. Now. Just do it. Okay? They’re on tour now and will be stopping in Philly on October 5th.
[MP3] Wet & Rusting
Ever the crowd pleasers Chromeo has produced an appropriately cheeky video for their track “Don’t Turn The Lights On.” They have a bit of fun with some simple techniques -and a totally creepy reoccurring eye ball theme – that keeps the smooth groove from getting too serious. These two give nerds everywhere hope for claiming their own slice of cool and I’ll forever dig them for that. Neb your preorder of Business Casual here.
[MP3] I Can’t Tell You Why (Eagles Cover)
This video is such a beautiful approach to the subtlety of the emotion behind this track. She’s proven her ability to entertain and now she proves she can tap into a deep emotion with her music. Yes, I admit I’m in the midst of a full on Monae obsession but she’s oh so worthy of it.
[MP3] Tightrope (feat. Big Boi) (Organized Noize Remix) – Janelle Monae
I’m planning on writing a full review of Calder’s newest album Are You My Mother in the next few days because it is simply astounding. So, I’ll keep this simple. Calder worked with director/friend/fellow curious mind to bring her sketches to life to tell her story of a bunny on a quest. It’s kinda of unusual but none the less a fun video to take in.
[MP3] Arrow
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