Free Energy dropped the first video for the song Free Energy. There is so much to love in this video. For some of you Philly folks you’ll recognize the No Libs locations and perhaps some of your favorite locals rocking out. For my fellow ’04ish Carls there’s a lot to enjoy as well (ahem Evan grooving). And for those of you who simply dig Free Energy its a really fun video that nails the vibe of the group on the head.
I pass a iron clad Well Done! To the folks over a M ss ng P eces for a job well done.
Here is another Free Energy bit for you to enjoy
Dream City
Yesterday I received an email from a DJ named The Kids Are Radioactive promoting his new tracks. I gave them a listen and actually pulled one for this weeks Remix Rehash (coming tomorrow). Then a few hours later I noticed original email had grown a little tail of replies. You see, TKAR had failed to BCC the massive list bloggers he had sent his stuff to and the astute bunch of smart ass music nerds we be had picked up on this and had begun bantering. It began with talk of the weather at our various international locations but quickly became a crazy thread of pretty cool dialogue. Soon it spread to twitter, tinychat, spreadsheets and a facebook group (of course). Now August 18th has been declared Music Blogger Day. The play by play of today’s epic email thread has been reported really well by a number of the folks on the list Sheenabeaston and The Music Ninja are two worth checking out. Clearly TKAR didn’t anticipate this kind of ripple effect when he mistakenly hit cc instead of bcc but after today’s insanely fun rush of blogger bonding I can’t help but tip my hat to him. So, I give you his tracks and hope you go give them each a little Hypem love.
Ra Ra Riot – Can You Tell (The Kids Are Radioactive Remix)
I think this is going to be the beginning of some interesting new music blogging adventures…
The Swell Season did an exceptional session on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series last week . Featuring both old and new music. If you’ve been waiting to here more from them like I have check it out here
WHY? did a little session action as well performing off of their up coming album Eskimo Snow for the Bay Bridge sessions. They’re coming to the Church on October 2nd, FYI. Listen to it here
There have a major influx of awesome videos lately which I think are worth sharing with the masses.
To kick it of Netherfriends, who are about to kick off a little midwest tour made this fabulous bit of film for their track Nunya (beeswax)
Nunya (Beeswax) from Dan Scotti on Vimeo.
Fitz and The Tantrums, one of my favorite new discoveries released this video for their song Winds Of Change. Its pretty spectacular. They are touring with Flogging Molly this fall.
Modest Mouse also released the video for King rat which was directed by Heath Ledger. I have a thing for animated videos and this is a grand example of why.
Speaking of awesome animation Here We Go Magic has this most delightful video for Fangela. They too will be passing through Philly making a stop at the TLA on September 23rd.
And last but not least is this haunting/ WTF ? video from Mason Proper for Safe For The Time Being. Watch it. Enjoy it. Question it.
Mason Proper – Safe For The Time Being Official Music Video from Dovecote Records on Vimeo.
Dinosaur Feathers are pushing out a brand spankin new EP on the 18th but for you eager fans I have a track you can get at RIGHT NOW! They’re playing in Brooklyn tonight at Public Assembly and in Philly on September 9th at Danger Danger gallery.
Here ya be….
Don’t Fear The Vegabonds
I received this mix from Primate King an indie artist out of the Bay area yesterday and it blew my socks off. It is 58 minutes of smacktacular danceyness and it is sure to cure whatever ails ya this Wednesday morning.
Electro Pusher Deux
There is a lot of goodness tucked into this Remix Rehash. A track to jam to while cruisin with your windows down, a little 80′s sounding trancey synth
In need of a little workout music? then you should check out the offerings of Borracho. A Canadian duo dedicated to setting the perfect get your groove on dance party atmosphere. They know their way around pacing a mix so you just. keep. wanting. more.
100% Puerto Rico (Big Pun)- Borracho Remix
In honor of the group Little Man Tate’s decision to hang up their hats Don Diablo offers up this remix of their song I Am Alive. Its a feel good bit you won’t be able to resist hitting replay (over and over again). Clearly Mr Diablo has nothing but love for the guys on LMT.
I Am Alive (Little Man Tate) – Don Diablo Remix
This one comes from RQM’s new EP. Fresh off the OMG! presses this will appeal to anyone who likes their electro to have a hint of 80′s set to a nice synthy beat. Kindly offered up is this take of Barely Evil it should tug at ya enough to go check out the rest of RQM’s offerings
Barely Evil – RQM Remix
And finally a little somethin somethin for your cruisin needs. Its a little bit playful and a lot a bit head boppin. Perfect to toss on when you just want to chill back and relax. Enjoy!
We Won’t Break (Zoot Women)- Mr Vega
Bad Veins are two guys from Cincinnati and a reel-to-reel deck named Irene. They don’t pay much attention to the common curiosity about the origins of their band name, how their lady friend came to be known as Irene nor are they much bothered with buying into what is expected of an indie band trying to make it either (you won’t see them moving to Brooklyn any time soon). And that is perhaps why they may be some of the coolest fellas touring their asses off right now.
But, it isn’t what makes their music so fucking pausing. That is directly related to the great deal of intent and musical intelligence that goes into the creation and presentation of each song.
What started as the solo tinkerings of Ben has now grown to involve the classy presence of Irene and the frenetic talents of Sebastien. Ultimately creating a trio so obvious and wickedly tight they melt away and leave their music to do their talking. Considering they do trend towards the leaner side when compared to the bands consisting of small armies that seem to be so popular right now but their sound, man, their sound is powerful.
Their album was recorded largely in Ben’s home studio where he and Sebastien masterfully built layers of bass, rhythm, loops and even strings then passed them on to Irene. When you listen to their record it is impossible to miss the assortment of elements that are pulled together to achieve their greatness. Some parts are surprisingly simple, like the fuzzed out bass lines on Falling Tide others are unexpected, for example the strings on The Lie. While they aren’t members of the every album needs to read as a whole camp the entirety of their debut album shares a thread of epic potential that ties it together nicely. They reach for realms most small groups wouldn’t even begin to fathom and not only do they achieve a thoroughly developed sound but they stretch their skills over enough territory that you are left wanting more, much, much more.
Seeing them live is one way to scratch that “more” itch and I’m happy to say the same amount of musical smarts go into their live show. Both Sebastien and Ben recognize the importance of putting on an entertaining live show. To Sebastien this means giving the audience plenty to watch and move to for Ben it means blowing them away with compact and constantly engaging sets. They create quite the homey little set up on stage drum kit to the left, bunches of homemade noise makers to the right and Irene holding court in the middle. It looks like an arrangement devised by the Cohen brothers especially when the buys take the stage in their military button downs.
The amount of sound they blew through the speakers on Wednesday night was astonishing. It was probably a good thing they keep their sets on the shorter side because it was a lot to take in. Sebastien is a whir of energy which plays nicely with Ben’s emotional delivery. Both are clearly investing a great deal of themselves in their performances and it creates yet another layer to their sound. The vocals are moody and sincere and the presence of the live drummer are what keep the electronic components from becoming static. This is an act that doesn’t really need improvement yet I have a feeling will present itself in a number of different forms as the group continues to play and experiment.
For all of you who missed Wednesday’s show you’re lucky. Bad Veins will be returning to Philly’s North Star Bar on September 20th. For the rest of you non Philly readers. They are going to be all over these United States over the next few months so be sure to check out their tour schedule.
Be sure to get their album but here is a nibble for your needs
Gold & Warm
Mando Diao
I have quickly become addicted to this posse of Swedish lads. They create a punchy pop sound that over the course of their existence have smartened up and acquired a wee hint of Motown rhythm countered with a skotch of southern edge. There are quite a few delectable tracks , The Wildfire or You Can’t Steal My Love. Its the kind of music you put on when you have some intense ya-ya’s needing to be danced out. You can hear bits of their next album, Give Me Fire, on here but the Gloria, employs some early wall of soundesque lady background vocal. I Wanna Dance With Somebody makes you want to do just that. Go acquire any and all Mando Diao you can get your hands on and try to spread the love so that they may stray in their extensive European touring to come state side.
River City Extension
This is another group that immediately left a big impression on me. I wrote about them briefly a few weeks ago after their lead singer played a moving solo set with Dinosaur Feathers. Then… I listened to their album Nautical Sabbatical. This entire album is a pleasure to listen to. They cover some good genre ground from the soundtrack friendly Its No Ha Ha to the banjo picking awesomeness of Clever & Quickness its layer upon layer of rollicking good music. There are a whole slew of folks who contribute their skills to build RCE’s layers, which means there are more opportunities than usual for things to get messy; however, it stays within the lines to push its way into your heart and keep yers feets a stompin. I’m beyond anxious to take in their live show, which of course I’ll report back to you diligently.
Mark Mallman
When I first saw Mark Mallman live I was a sophomore in college and he was insane. He screams he is in your face and at times I thought I was witnessing a breakdown. I saw him many more times over the course of my college career (he is a Twin Cities artist and they love to play the Cave) and after a while I realized there was definite method to his madness and my fandom was cemented. He popped into the main stream when his side project Ruby Isle released their full length album last year to wide praise. But his solo work deserves as much, if not more attention. He has an album coming out so he will be doing a whole bunch of touring [including PHILLY!!!! on Sept. 22nd] it is now your duty to go out and experience the whirl wind that is Mark Mallman. For your enjoyment here is the video for Invincible Criminal,a single of his new album, as well as one of my fav. older tracks Knockout on 22nd
I took some time at the beginning of the month to embrace one of those quintessential American past times, the road trip. I had to get back to the Twin Cities for a family reunion and thanks to a absurdly wired car I was able to work from the road. My partner in crime and I mapped out a meandering route hitting up friends and family along the way.
Of course there was excellent music along the way. On the way out PIC and I did a little exchange of what we both considered “essential” music. We would take turns playing albums and sharing all our knowledge about each of them. I shared Allman Brothers, Derek & The Dominoes, Buddy Holly, Marc Cohen etc while he shared Foo Fighters, Hum, Dismemberment Plan and so on.
Music popped up other places as well. We spent the 4th in a Chautauqua community in Lakeside OH where the all-American children sang patriotic songs. At the Metrodome where I saw my final Twins game in that deplorable arena (and they lost to the Yankees of course). And the night around the fire at my family reunion when my cousins and I sang the entirety of Gin & Juice (the Gourds version) and most of the Drive By Trucker’s song book.
On the whole it was a pretty spectacular trip so I thought I’d share a little mix tape with you of a few of the better tracks that made their way through our speakers.
Gin & Juice – The Gourds
Just (Radiohead) - Nickle Creek
Bell Bottom Blues - Derek & The Dominoes
Silver Thunderbird – Marc Cohen
Jack & Diane – John Mellencamp
Locked Out – Crowded House
Twilight (The Band) – The Jones Street Boys
Everlong (Foo Fighters) – Wakey!Wakey!
Heavens To Purgatory – Most Serene Republic
Enjoy the whole soundtrack
It turns out when you take two days off to be sick everything ferments and grows this mold of immediacy. Its true in work, social and blog. You just gotta spend the time deciding whether its the good kind of mold (ie penicillin or bleu cheese) or the tossable kind (um, you know it). I am still waist deep in these determinations so I can’t provide you the full analysis of these except to say they were the one’s that jumped straight from “inbox” to “yes please” surpassing “maybe for a slow week” and “if it fits.” Enjoy!
Remedy (Little Boots) - Buffetlibre vs Sidechains remix
The Woods (Cartridge) - Buffetlibre
Who’s There (Riton & Primary 1)- IAMXL remix
Let The Bodies Hit Thunder - Crookers vs. DJ Sega (DJ HLM More Bass Edit)
Treat Me Like Your Mother (The Dead Weather) - Diplo Remix
We Are Golden (Mika) - Don Diablo Remix
Disco Disco Disco – Don Diablo
