First, tricky riffs grab you. Then, horns swell around you and before you know it you’re full sucked into the funky sway of King Expressers. This Brooklyn group originally came together in Accra, Ghana and have drawn influence from soukouss – a melding of afro-pop and caribbean rhythms – to bring us this feel good brand of music. The smooth vocals roll over the up beat horns and dare you not to hit repeat. This is the kind of music you play to turn a sour day around.
Real True Story
In need of a little raspy southern dive bar rock? Then get a dose of State Champion. Wearing the whiskey dampened traits of classic alt country they fill Stale Champagne with tracks reflecting their gritty roots and proudly imperfect sound. The group’s southern fried enthusiasm marks every note on this record. Lyrically they do a fine job cutting a swath through expected territory; family, love & drinking. Building phrases like “tattoo the words forget her where my feather used to be,” that intrigue and drwan you in. I have a sense their live show wears much of the rowdiness captured on this homemade record and I hope to catch it soon. Until then I’ll be keeping Stale Champagne on my playlist.
Come See What I Have Done
Savoir Adore & Circadian Rhythms took the stage at Kung Fu Necktie this week to mark and early start to my weekend. Circadian Rhythms has been on my list for some time now so I was pleased to finally be able to catch them. Unfortunately, their set left me a little underwhelmed. While I definitely heard the potential for greater things down the road they are still in need of a little refinement. Each song dabbled in a new genre from blues tinged alt country to psych pop and each had its strengths – a brave approach to percussive rhythms that would really shine if played with a little more confidence, for example; however, there lack a cohesiveness that suggests a sense of direction. Their instrumentals were complex and well thought out which made heavy leaning on Beach Boys phrasing and Ary Barroso’s Brazil a little disappointing. CR certainly has the musical ability to create something distinct but they need to sit down and decide what that “sound” should be then build their music around that. With a little more focus and work I can see Circadian Rhythms really carving out their spot but right now they are in need of some tightening
Savoir Adore, a band that has received much love from TWIAPC, took the stage next and put on what was probably the best show I’ve seen them do. Playing songs primarily from their fall release In The Wooded Forest, they won over the crowd and pulled folks in from the bar. Sav Adore’s fronters Paul & Deirdre have undeniable sonic chemistry. Her smokey vocals play well with his plaintive indie tuned croon, providing an allure to their pairing that is particularly noticeable in the live show. Their orchestral pop sound is built of deliberately placed synth effects and tight instrumentals. Hearing it live really makes the arrangements pop and the playfulness of the group’s stage presence adds a true sheen to the full package. In the previous shows I’ve seen their only stumble was the flow of their set choices. On Thursday night each song melded well with the next and by the time they reached their final song, an extended version of Bodies, it seemed as if they had just begun. They’re going to be out on the road quite a bit in the next few months please do make an effort to see them. Both live and recorded they are a superb use of your hard earned dollar.
Weathervane released this trailer for Sharon Van Etten’s session recorded in December. Pairing such a fantastic artist with this incredible project can lead to nothing but brilliance.
Shaking Through: Sharon Van Etten – Coming Jan.26, 2010 from Weathervane Music on Vimeo.
In addition, Weathervane announced a partnership with WXPN on Shaking Through an extension of the Project Series bringing independent artists from around the world in to the Weathervane studios and recording the magic that happens. This is a great new phase for the ambitious Weathervane crew, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what is yet to come.
Paste has gathered MP3′s from a whole slew of fantastic artists to entice you to donate to those in need in Haiti. You shouldn’t be waiting for more reason than simply to help others after this tragedy but this is an excellent opportunity to give and hear some new tunes. Money raised will go directly to Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross, and Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund.
Go here to donate and find out more.
*Photo by Todd Cook
The ukulele has been popping up in indie music with increasing frequency in the last year or so. Usually the tool of twee-ish cutie crooners wanting to up the plucky appeal of their songs. Galapaghost, the brainchild of Casey Chandler, is ukulele centric but more assertive than we’re accustomed to hearing. Don’t get me wrong, this is far from thrasher ukulele. The lyrics are sigh inducing and the arrangements plod along with just the right amount of quirk. Throughout Our Lost Generation Chandler’s voice is the factor that keeps Galapaghost away from sticky sweet territory. While in the higher ranges for a few measures he flexes some range which keeps the music grounded. You’re All I Need is prime fodder for a mixtape for your crush while Lost Generation may very well find itself in a sitcom montage. Great weekend listening for you.
You’re All I Need
Let’s Say We Did are definitely coming from rock and roll roots, mostly of the mid-seventies variety. On their new EP the Swedish group brings the clean lines characteristic of their retro inspiration into the now by fuzzing out the high end and pushing their bass to the front. This isn’t complicated music making and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I find it most enjoyable. Follow Me Down has enough going on instrumentally to make multiple listens reveal a little something new each time while the lyrics are simple enough to get caught in your head. Its a good start for this Swedish group and I look forward to hearing more from them in the future.
Follow Me Down
These boys gots lots of energy. The music that makes up their new release No Hope, No Future has the aggressive percussion and jangly guitars essential for good dancing music. Exploring the boundaries of a distinctly indie punk tradition Good Shoes dabbles in the disco realm on Under Control and slows things down to indie pop ballad range for City By The Sea. The arrangement on City By The Sea is deceptively delicate, the product of a group applying an impressive degree of intention to their work. Each track has something to offer and when listened to (and considered) as a whole further depths are revealed. I will admit I am fully addicted to this album and really hope a trip to the US is in store because the live show has got to be incredible.
Under Control
Haven’t posted a remix rehash in a while but I figured it was the best way to ease us all back into the work week after the long holiday weekend. This one has a lot of layers suit your needs, from chair dance party to “one hour to go” amp up, doownload and get back to work!
Skinny Friedman, one half of local dj duo Philadelphyinze, gives a subtle tweak to this XX track. Its smooth with just a skotch more bump to amp the sex appeal. Wonderfully complementary to the original track.
Stars (Skinny Friedman Edit)
E-Six (The Crossfader King) has some skills that unfailingly leave me with remixes that are smile inducing and perfect for ripping me from the clutches of a bad mood. This is my new favorite iPod head bopper. I threw in the equally fantastic (but def. more serious) Won’t Go Quietly mix for good measure.
My Boy Lollypop (E-Six Remix)
Won’t Go Quietly (E-Six Dub remix)
Tom Ato’s work came to me via Music Ninja’s year end smorgasbord. He slaps a synth rich disco feel onto the Band Of Horses tune. Pushing the measured plodding of the base track to much more danceable levels Ato gives new life to the indie dirge.
The Funeral (Band Of Tomatoes Remix)
Dirty Disco has the music for you to crank when making a getaway. This spin has thread hollowness that definitely reminds me of the potential to feel alone on the dance floor. Yet the rest of his machinations swell up to suck you into the comfort of the trance-ish beat.
Loud & Clear (The Dirty Disco Remix)
Database , a Brazilian tag team, take this Savoir Adore track and add just enough digital pep to make it even more addictive. Their additions create a new propulsion the pops and whirs in time to the vocals.
is a Swedish dj who, in a rather bold move, has chosen to tackle Marvin Gaye’ s Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. While the original is far too deep in my heart to lose preferred status this is an interesting new approach to the R&B classic. Lets call it a thinking piece.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Mikey Mic Remix)
Rural Alberta Advantage (January 6th Kung Fu Necktie)
The boys of WAS are touting this as a show dedicated to rolling out new material from their forthcoming album. We’re lucky to a stop on this mini album taster tour and it will definitely satisfy fans and newbies alike. Uninhabitable Mansions are the most perfectest group to get this show started. 
Better known as a member of Guillemots, one of my favs, Fyfe is releasing a solo effort this year and doing this little tour thang to support Fly Yellow Moon. It is an excellent endeavor and will surely be a fantastic show.