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
After finishing my freshman year of college I knew I didn’t want to move back home to Minneapolis for the summer but I didn’t have the money to travel all summer or rent a place so instead I decided to live in the guest cabin of my family’s lake home in northwest Wisconsin. I found a job tending bar and waiting tables at a mexican jazz joint in the nearest town – the metropolis otherwise known as Spooner. I suppose I should clarify that they didn’t feature solely mexican jazz bands rather, they made mexican food and booked jazz bands. The owners had connections with some of the bookers in the Twin Cities so they were able to lure a number of excellent acts -wanting to write off a vacation to cabin country by playing a gig- up for a couple of shows a week. The only major problem was that there wasn’t much of a demand for jazz nor authentic mexican food in that part of Wisconsin and marketing budget was non existant so the shows were usually myself, the owners, a few curious vacationers and the bar regulars (who didn’t give a hoot what was playing as long as the Leinies was cold). While I failed to make much money that summer I did get to hear some incredible jazz and get my first taste of grilling musicians about their passion.
When I wasn’t working I was usually reading, lounging on the dock or kayaking around the lake. I brought my dog Al up to keep me company for the summer and we had some major bonding moments – he was particularly fond of the late night swims we’d do when I got home from work around 3am and wanted to wash off the smoke and greasy smell in the lake – as I learned what was, and will probably always be, one of the greatest lessons of my life – how to be totally ok with being alone. Naturally I also spent a lot of time listening to music. My mother kept her entire record collection at the lake so I often I threw on some of her LPs when I was in the mood. I also inhaled all the classic jazz recommendations my boss gave me which was a great way to learn more about what jazz I liked and what I didn’t. The rest of the soundtrack for that summer was comprised of classic country and oldies which were the only two radio stations I could bare to listen to during my 25 minute commute to work. Those three months were perhaps some of the more random three months of my life – going to a tractor pull/meat raffle, surviving a f5 tornado, cutting 15 lbs of celery for a massive batch of menudo (which imparts a scent so vile and pervasive it took me years to me ok with the vegetable), learning the danger of Long Island Ice Teas – but definitely provided me with a lot of amazing memories and fodder for mah memoirs.
Walk Like A Man – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Thats Life (Frank Sinatra) – The Eels
Cherry Bomb – John Mellencamp
Let It Be Me (Everly Brothers) – Reid Jameson
Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright (Bob Dylan Cover) – Metric
Jackson – Johnny Cash
Cuerpo Y Alma (Body & Soul) – Esperanza Spalding
Night Swimming (REM Cover) – Coldplay (live at ACL)
Mood Indigo – Charles Mingus
This remix brings me nothing but pure unabashed joy. There have been a bazillion remixes of Feist’s work -all to varying degrees of listenability- and until now Britt Daniel’s version has been my fave. That may soon change with a few more listens of this incredible track. Escort gives it a big band treatment with horns that will make your worries melt away. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
[MP3] I Feel It All (Escort Remix) – Feist
I love me a bit of classic R&B and the PUNCHES brothers tease out all the greatest bits of this Jackie Wilson essential. They’re smart enough to know not to mess with it too much but instead they manipulate the breaks and original funk to build into an epic dance track. If I were responsible to get a group of people up and moving I would most certainly put this track in the mix.
[MP3] Higher & Higher (PUNCHES Remix) – Jackie Wilson
Continuing in the vein of playing around with well known tunes I give you Borracho’s retake of Ram Jam’s Black Betty. I personally never would have thought to pull out the disco from the base beats in the original. The result is a lot of fun and just when you think you know where they’re going that cock their heads a bit and take you on a spacey tangent. There’s lots to notice hidden in this remix, tuck in and enjoy.
There have been a ton of interesting snippets dropped in my lap lately – most of them awesome concert announcements- and I feel the best way to get them out there is to simply dump them all into one post. So, here goes….
There is buzz that the irish band The Frames will be touring North American this fall with stops in Philly, NY, Chicago, Washington, DC, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Frames are an incredible folk rock with a wealth of under appreciated albums in their catalog. Best known for their lead singer, Glen Hansard of the Swell Season & lead in the movie Once, their music is the nourishing in the ways that some of the classics (Van Morrison, Van Zandt, Knopfler) are nourishing; great arrangements, timeless lyrics and superb execution. This is a show you should plan on attending and I’ll be sure to let you know when schedules are announced.
[MP3] Listen girl (live)
TWIAPC favorite Frightened Rabbit has announced their return to Philly will be on October 28th at The Starlight Ballroom. They’ll be sharing the bill with Plants & Animals which is a strong match – and a promise of a night filled with stellar music making.
[MP3] Backwards Walk (Daytrotter session)
In honor of its 10th anniversary Philly dance party institution Making Time has bombarded this summer with an astonishing line up of shows – Delorean, Andrw WK, Rapture, Holy Ghost; today Dave P dropped news that LCD Soundsystem will headline the finale blowout to be held on September 24th at the Naval Cruise Terminal in the Navy Yard. This, I promise you, will be one hell of a party. Start early with the Urban Outfitters Backyard Pre-Party [DJs - Food - Drinks - Local Wares for sale] from 6-9 then the dance-y goodness commences at 9 and will include DJ sets from Dave P., Mike Z., Adam Sparkles, Broadzilla DJs, Rock Tits and Pink Skull before LCD takes the stage at some point late into the all ages event. Tickets will be the best $25 you can spend.
[MP3] All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem cover) – Main Drag
Other important shows to be aware of…
July:
Dinosaur Feathers are returning to Danger Danger Gallery Friday – a day after opening for The Antlers in NY- on their first stop of their summer tour. If you haven’t seen them yet be there.
La Roux is bringing her synthpop jam to the Trocadero on the 29th and in the spirit of gingers supporting gingers I highly recommend you nabbing a ticket.
August:
Phosphorescent is the big name in this summer’s PW 20th Annual Concerts in The Park. Held every Wednesday in the month of August the series brings free shows to Rittenhouse Park. They’re playing on the 1tth and it will surely be packed but sort out a picnic and get there early.
Local Natives are doing a show in the sanctuary of the Church on the 6th. After seeing them at SXSW this spring I can only imagine this set will be breath taking.
Gosh the more I dig into the calendar the more I realize there are a whole slew of incredible shows stopping in Philly in the next few months. Why don’t you take a trip on over to the TWIAPC shows calendar, hell even subscribe to its RSS feed, and I’ll do my very bestest to keep it chalk full of new announcements as soon as I get them.