In preparation for Monolith Music Festival next week at Red Rocks I have snagged videos from the acts I’m most looking forward to seeing. I’ll spread it out over the next couple of days for your continued pleasure. Enjoy the show!
The Thermals
Edward Sharpe & The Magnificent Zeros
Daytrotter just captured Home beautifully.
Remix!: Before Tigers (CFCF)
Lately I have gotten in the habit of asking bands about other acts they’ve performed with/heard/respect that may benefit from a little more attention. So far the results have been fantastic. I have discovered a whole mess of new groups and since its what I do I’m going to start sharing them with you. Starting with this twofer.
The Darlings were brought to my ears by Greg 
Sullo the lead singer of Dinosaur Feathers. While discussing what promising indie pop there is out there today he dropped their name and when I said I wasn’t familiar with them he gave me a look that implied I needed to immediately get my hands on some.
I have been beyond plused by their work. There is a Pogues-esqu balance in their arrangements with smart lyrics delivered sincerely (even if that means agrily like on If This Is Love) while
punkier instrumentals keep you on your toes and wanting more. They have been getting some excellent, and well deserved, press and I’m glad to add my ups to the pile. Try these two tracks on
and, as always, support the live show. The Darlings will be in Philly on the 19th if you’re free get yourself there.
Hezekiah Jones is a group suggested by James of
River City Extension [who are playing at The Fire tomorrow night incidently]. HJ is a group that records with a whole troupe of contributors and then performs live with whomever is available and both deliveries a equally delectable. Perhaps due to the rotating cast’s constant; Raphael Cutrufello. Cutrufello writes the songs and provides lead vocals as well as a number of other instrumental noises and does so with luring beauty. His voice is clearly informed by the folk tradition but maintains an authentic indie balladeer vibe pushing HJ’s songs towards a really fresh end of the spectrum. This ripe flavor is made even more potent by the variety of “instruments” used to create arrangements surrounding the vocals. Whether the song calls for sweet lilting support from a guitar and tender harmonies or raucous banjo strumming and banging pots and pans there is always the right mix there to create the perfect sound.
They cover a range of topics from love to politics and all of it draws you in, makes you think and more often than not bob your head in time. Hezekiah Jone performs quite a bit in Philly and the surrounds so you should have no problem catching the live action. In the mean time start your collection with these two superb tracks:
Want to stay updated on what shows I’m looking forward to? Subscribe to the calendar. I’ll be posting it monthly just to keep your lazy folks tuned in but if you want to know every time I add a show or event then hook yourself up.
Ben Lee has brought the gang back together. 14 years after they first futzed around together, and after some v. successful solo/side projects, Noise Addicts has put a new free album out there for mass consumption. Recorded on a whim (of sorts) the playfulness and quirky but intelligent lyrics are still there. You can download it here: NOISE ADDICTS . It will bring genuine playful joy to your day, guaranteed.
Sheenabeaston is responsible for bringing this track to my life. In a post I can do nothing but support and sympathize with ie. a massive dump of stuff just to catch up. So, if you enjoy this raga-ish undeniably move busting track check out the rest of what the lady’s got posted.
Jump Up 2 This (Major Lazer vJack Beats) – Melechtric Remix
When this track bounced my way I was in a total new wave mood so I’m not sure if that is why it sits so well in my ears but I have hit the repeat on this one numerous times and at a certain point a girls gotta stop trying to figure out why and just go with it. Your turn…
Beep Beep Beep (Extended 12″ remix) - Tiga
The brilliant Pasta Primavera posted this cross between spacey synth and old school rhyming. Mr Wrangler has touch when it comes to mash ups. Finding the right way to pull these to together is an sign of true skill. Its like they were meant to be.
I Got Soul vs National Anthem - Dave Wrangler
The original in this case is magnificent on its own but with Kolt13′s spit and polish it carries it an anthemic place. Push it at just the right places and holding back to emphasize the build. I applaud thee.
1901 (Phoenix) – Kolt13 Remix
While I was up in Brooklyn this weekend for After The Jump Fest I had the pleasure to chat with Philly’s own Drink Up Buttercup. These four gents have come quite a way in the last few months, amassing their energy, talent, passion and dollah dollah bills to make a running leap into the wider world of indie music. Beyond increasing their number of shows this has mainly meant going into the studio to record their first album. According to Ben [bass, general chaos] there wasn’t one way they went about trying to capture their unmistakable live sound, there were many ways. Depending on the song they adapted their recording style. At times parsing each member’s contribution and laying them down separately at others all four of them piling into the studio together. Not surprisingly, James [guitar, vocals, ring leader] admitted, the exactness of the click track didn’t really mesh with DUB’s heavily improve nature. So, more often than not, they ended up scraping convention and tearing it up in the studio. Those tracks are now in the finishing stages before the public gets a little taste of what is to come with the release of their first single this fall.
Catching their gig this weekend the was, once again, a noticeable improvement of their delivery. For those of you who are unfamiliar with DUB’s raucous shows, they make their music with garbage cans, tool boxes and an assortment of other odds and ends, as well as, the usual suspects (bass, guitar, drums). When there is that much involved there is a fairly good chance that what will come out is unformed, aimless noise. Not in the hands of these fellas though. Their outrageous energy is tamed by a clear vision of where they are taking their audience and shaped by adept musical skill across the board. Watching them over the last few months I have seen them become much more comfortable on stage which has served to fully round out their sound. Taking this show on the road will, no doubt, build up Drink Up Buttercup’s following. Rippling out from their tight Philly base to claim members in each stop along the way.
Despite the growing momentum, and crazy tour schedule staring them down, they all remain relatively unphased by what is to come. They’re winding down their day jobs, planning the video games arsenal to be packed and spending a little quality time with their Philly crew in preparation for the road. And, in a few weeks they will throw their garbage cans, beat up tool box, toys and the rest of their instruments into a van and head out for an indefinite tour of the east coast. And, while I’m sure they’ll miss all that home has to offer and have to partake in some shmoozing that is counter to their antisocial ways it is clear the minor impediments are no threat to need they have to make their music.
Be sure to get yourself out to see them now while their playing the small venues that truly complement their offerings. It will be a night to remember.
Gods & Gentlemen
I’m feeling a little retro with this week’s NTK picks.
Fitz & The Tantrums – Breakin The Chains Of Love
I have been hoping someone would champion the return of good Motown soul sound so when this gem was delivered to my in box I’ll admit I was as giddy as a school girl. There is a lot to enjoy in Fitz’s sound. There are danceable melodies and easy lyrics to sing along to and it all leaves you feeling that much happier. Fitz’s vocals are smooth and truly reflect the feeling of the era he is trying to replicate. I cannot wait to see this act live and hear what else they have to offer.
The Drums - Let’s Go Surfing
This video when I first saw it struck me as a nice trip back to the halcyon days of The Beach Boys and beach blanket boogies. Now, I’m not saying The Drums are of Beach Boys quality but there is certainly promise there and they can really create a wholly enjoyable and smart aural experience. As a project by a couple of best friends it is pretty easy to understand where they draw the “fun” that is undeniable in their music. They will be releasing their Summertime EP on September 15th with a full album dropping sometime early next year.
We Were Promised Jetpacks – Ships With Holes Will Sink
These boys don’t really fall in my retro theme but anyone who has been reading TWIAPC for a while knows I have a total weakness for Scottish bands. I had heard WWPJ a little last year but it wasn’t until I gave a good bit of ear time to These Four Walls, their most recent album, that I realized they wickedly talented. Much like Frightened Rabbit they are capable of building a song from an initial balladish melody into jangly epic pulse racer. Their drummer provides a strong slightly frenetic beat to which loud but tight guitar riffs are added and subtracted to fit the phrase of the song. They are addictive and I’m really looking forward to seeing them in October when they pass through town. Download These Four Walls and listen to the full thing. Its all good. **photo courtesy of Neil Thomas Douglas
Have you been looking for an excuse to get up to New York before summer officially turns into fall? Look no further. After The Jump Fest is this weekend and Saturday they will be featuring two of Philly’s newest buzz bands Drink Up Buttercup & Free Energy. One day tickets are only $10 and you will be supporting Philly music on NY turf.
TWIAPC favs, Dinosaur Feathers, Holiday Shores, Das Racist & Suckers will also be performing. I can’t imagine a better reason to swing up NY way.
We’ve had a string of lousy hot days lately. They drain you of all your energy, make you want to wear as little as legally possible and make a trip out for water ice/cold beer/gelato an essential part of your daily routine. During one of the few times I have totally succumbed to the humid beast and lounged about contemplatin life I assembled this list of love songs covers that are appropriate for such sweltering lazy summer days.
Nothing Matters When We’re Dancing (Magnetic Fields) – The Antlers
The Antlers have been getting a lot of murmuring as of late and this cover of indie darlings Magnetic Fields is a excellent example of their skills. Its slow and beautiful, respecting the original’s ethereal-ness. If you like this listen to their own stuff its fantastic too.
Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol) – Natasha Bedingfield
Snow Patrol’s original is fantastic love song but when Natasha Bedingfield wraps her superb vocals around it new depths are discovered. The sparse accompaniment counters her delivery quite nicely.
To Love Somebody (The Bee Gees)- Damien Rice & Ray LaMontagne
The brothers Gibb don’t get enough credit from our generation. Beyond their work on Saturday Night Fever they produced some notable singles. This track is amongst the best and when in the care of Damien Rice & Ray LaMontagne it becomes sigh inducing.
Whole Wide World (Wreckless Eric) - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Fans of the movie Stranger Than Fiction [the scene with the flours is one of the best romance scenes in the last ten years] and the television show How I Met Your Mother know the soundtrack moment perfection this song is capable of delivering. Elvis Costello’s live delivery is almost as good as Will Ferrels version in the movie but it suffices.
Pain In My Heart (Otis Redding) – Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
Grace Potter has pipes and that’s what it takes even attempt Otis. While this may not be your typical love song that doesn’t mean it isn’t the love song some people needed to hear this summer. Ms. Potter puts a masterful bit of soul into this version the does anyone’s heartache justice.
Into The Mystic (VanMorrison) – The Swell Season
To close things out I give you an Irishman covering a fellow Irishman. I’m anxiously waiting the Swell Seasons new album (due out this fall) and find myself resorting to relistening to everything of theirs I have. Hansard puts his all into his take and you get the sense he has been covering this song for a long while.
It has been a chaotic few days around these parts. I have moved my sister into her 6th floor NY walk up, moved myself into my new 5th floor Philly walk up, hit two major deadlines at work, had a pretty unexpected element of a project I’m working on fall apart at the v. last minute and finally I have been knocked into a wonderful new world of bloggerness with all the #replyall
shenanigans. Finally, things are unpacked (mostly), project is on the mend, and new forums and groups are being formed and my mind is coming together. But, I hope you can understand that this week my remix preferences leaned towards more chill tracks. And these were the best of what I discovered…
Skinny Friedma
n one half of Philadelphyinz sent me this retake on Bon Iver’s Blood Bank. Its bass heavy and even more spare and hollow than the original. Scaling back when it comes to remixing takes real skill and Skinny Friedman de-liv-ers.
Blood Bank (Bon Iver)- Skinny Friedman DJ Edit
The Very Best is an international outfit (hailing from London and Malawi) that combines the “catchy” of quality afro pop with the smarts of indie music. Their newest single features Ezra Koenig (he of Vampire Weekend fame) and this remix by Architecture in Helsinki tosses in a marching band feel that just tickled me.
Warm Heart Of Africa – Architecture In Helsinki Remix
Mason Proper 
is playing the remix game by releasing a whole EP of remixes of their stuff. This one by Wallpaper has a mid-90′s tasty candy shell. It made me want to do the Carlton dance and toss in a bit-o-disco to fully appreciate everything this has to offer.
Safe For The Time Being (Mason Proper) - Wallpaper Remix
CJ Milli came back at me after my last post of her skills with this CeCe Peniston vs FACT (Mstrkrft remix) and it so screams of summer that I used what little energy this stupid hot weather hadn’t sucked from my body.
Finally, Los Angeles – CJ Milli Remix
And now that I’ve set you up with some delectable soundtrack fodder for your evening I’m going to enjoy the deck of my new place…
