So sorry that I haven’t been posting this week. I have been rather ill and finding the energy to pull it together to function let alone blog has been rough. But I finally got the meds I needed and will be back in full force by Monday with three awesome new post in the making. But since I never like you to leave here empty handed enjoy this video of a wedding that took place in St. Paul. I actually heard about this from friends when I was back there a few weeks ago and got a good laugh when it went viral. I can’t imagine a better way to dance yourself into your marriage.
And to inspire your own spectacular dance ideas Philly’s own DJ Shawn Ryan recently sent me this excellent summer mix Superprince II. Its packed with awesomeness so download it now.
The World In A Paper Cup and Bag Of Songs co hosted a night of new music last Sunday at The M Room. I brought in Dinosaur Feathers for their Philly debut and BOS invited River City Extension over from Toms River NJ. It was the end of a long weekend for all involved but that didn’t stop either band from putting on a truly entertaining show.
If you aren’t already familiar with Dinosaur Feathers getter done and be sure to see them live. Their easy stage presence belies the intense amount of skill and vocal awareness that brings their harmonies to life. Its becoming more acceptable to have less then tailored vocals leading an indie band. In most situations it becomes an instrument enveloped by the rest of the band to the groups benefits. All three vocalists in DF have excellent voices and they combine to build incredible and unexpected harmonies, in particularly for an all male trio. They flexed this muscle on History Lessons and Sleeping In on Sunday and it was flawless. On their newer stuff they maintain the strong vocals and start tinkering with punk and alt. rock guitar riffs. Their set was a fantastic cross section of where they’re at now and where they are headed. They begin recording next month and hope to release an LP this winter. But do yer best to see them live so you can add them to your list of “I knew them before they were big.”
River City Extension, a seven member outfit from Tom’s River NJ were supposed to follow however, after opening for Cake Saturday night in Baltimore only their lead singer Joe could muster up the energy to perform. I truly had no idea what to expect but was thoroughly blown away by what I witnessed. This was a v. intimate performance, just a man his guitar and a few folks dedicated enough to stay out late on a work night, but he put his all into his 45 minute set.
RCE is an alt country band and Joe, I gathered, is its driving soul. He has a beautiful voice (a perfect compliment to DF opening set) and true knack for crafting lyrics. He has a rasp about his voice that suggest he cut his teeth belting out Springsteen tunes before introducing a little bit of a raw southern country influence. I took a stab at capturing his solo set with my iPhone and surprisingly got some good material. There were moments when I got the chills watching Joe go to town, caught in the moment, busting guitar strings just to entertain the small but enthralled audience. I couldn’t have imagined a better way to cap off the night. Next up for me is to catch the entire RCE crew at one of the many shows they have lined up over the next few months. I suggest you do the same.
Teenage Whore – Dinosaur Feathers
Friends & Family (live) – Joe (River City Extension)
Bone Marrow Twist & Shout (live) – Joe (River City Extension)
Come one come all its going to be a good time!
Here is the second edition of New To Know where I point you in the direction of some newish bands that I’ve been digging lately. Get your shovel ready cause you’re about to join me
Floating Action – Silver Lining
This group of fellas just floated (I couldn’t resist) a new bunch of covers out in the indie music ether. They touch on Pepi Ginsberg, Beck, Little Joy and this simple take on Rilo Kiley’s Silver Lining. For some reason it just keeps getting caught in my head. Their take on M Ward’s Absolute Beginners is another fav. They are on Park The Van’s label and incidentally Park The Van is in need of your support. They are asking people to purchase something from their online store to get them through them tough times. Floating Action”s Versions would be a good place for you to throw your cash towards this good cause.
Mama Bear – You Make Me Feel Like Hips
This is one of those groups that is just simply really really good. The first time I heard You Make Me Feel Like Hips I was sucked in to the Brooklyn twang (a varietal notably different from the true southern variety but no less enjoyable and distinct) and simple adoring lyrics. After chasing them down and hearing a bit more I’m pleased to report its all this good. I’m hoping to lure them down to Philly this fall so, as always, keep checking the concert listings. (sketch by Mike Applebaum)
Drug Rug – Never Tell
These two have a corner on 70′s-ish feel good pop vibe. Without getting too lovey dovey about it they are making tunes you can sing along to as well as. Hannah Please (which I like for more reasons than my sister’s name is Hannah) has an interesting distortion effect on the vocals that softens what would otherwise be a shouty punkish track making it fit in to the rest of synthy experimental album. They will be in Philly at Kung Fu Necktie on August 15th and their album drops on July 28th.
The Chop - It’s Never Enough
I can’t really put my finger on what it is I like about The Chop. The vocals, curious instrumentals and loops are, of course, notable and successfully set them apart from the masses. But, usually that’s not enough to get more than two listens out of me. Mehbee its their overall playfulness, appreciable quirk factor and the potential to be great live that keeps me interested. You give it a listen and let me know what you think.
Fight Test (Flaming Lips)- Backyard Bangers Remix
Flaming Lips announced another concert at Festival Pier in August with Explosions In The Sky opening. Its going to be one trippy and spectacular show no doubt. So I thought this, besides being a solidly awesome ditty, was appropriate for this week’s rehash.
Honey (Erykah Badu)- Seiji Remix
This is a sexy little remix to kick of this week’s Remix Rehash. I put out a call for some unique tracks and this came to my attention via CubikMusik. I have always liked this EB drop and this new funkier version is more than welcome especially cause it is oh so good. Seiji really taps into the soul edge with a 80′s flavored electro vibe.
One Pure Thought (Hot Chip) – Toddla T Remix
Hot Chip remixes are a dime a dozen and I will admit I receive them with a hint of skepticism. This one though has the right touch of dance hall to create a whole new sound without challenging the purity (heh heh see what I did there) of the original track.
Prom Night (Linus Loves) – Don Diablo Remix
Mister Diablo has been rightfully busy with remixing in memorium of MJ but still threw this out for mass consumption. Its chill (for DD) but builds towards a pretty awesome end. Good for cruising now that is would appear that summer has decided to arrive.
Little Bit (Lykke Li)- Death To The Throne Remix
So, I often get bland PR emails with demos and remixes. But this gem dropped into my in-box last week and totally made my day. It just so happened that the song was equally sweet. For your reading and listening pleasure [that's right dawls a twofer] from the tips of his witty fingers I give you the original email
“waddup? here’s something new that i made. it’s a “re-remix” of the lykke li song “little bit”, not to be confused with the other little bit remix I’ve made. and now your wondering “another lykke li remix?” and then i reply in my angry samuel l. jackson voice “HEY, YOU TELL THE HOT GIRL THAT WORKS AT URBAN OUTFITTERS TO STOP LISTENING TO HER!! SHIT!!!!!!” ..i’m gonna go smoke a cigarette now….enjoy”
I have been on a new music spree lately. I don’t know if its a matter of me really digging through all the emails to find the gems or simply pursuing some of the tidbits that cross my path whether it be via Twitter, myspace or suggestion I’m always ALWAYS interested in new music. There’s a lot of new stuff I want to share but I’m going to break it down for you in a few installments in hopes of making this a regular feature.
One For The Team – First, a band the hails from my hometown of Minneapolis, One For The Team is a quartet that has done a very nice job for itself grabbing the attention of MTV producers (they popped up on an episode on Real World: Brooklyn) and regular audiences alike. After giving their new album, Build A Garden, a listen its easy to see why. The vocals, provided by Ian and Grace are in sync enough to sit well in your ear but distinct enough to lay well on top of the indie pop instrumentals. Give them a hear they may just be your new favorite band.
Best Supporting Actress
Ida Maria -
I got the absolute fucking pleasure to see Ida live at Bell House in New York a few weeks ago and felt my heart go pah pitter. I had heard, and very much liked, her sassy punky tunes prior to the show but watching her perform the layer of vulnerability and realness behind such songs as Oh My God and Keep Me Warm became far more apparent. Shes ballsy brash and in your face. Her lyrics are simple and manage to cut straight to the heart of some sentiments I have often felt myself. Ahem, “you think I’m in control?” Get her stuff. ALL OF IT. And when she’s near see her. I’m uber giddy to catch her at Monolith this fall. Here is a bit of the actual performance I caught.
Ida Maria “Oh My God” Live at the Bellhouse NYC from AbzPunkPhoto on Vimeo.
Swimming In Speakers – Swimming In Speakers first EP is the product of a home recording project by two friend’s in up state New York. The result has a little indie softness countered by a bit o’ pop synth with a whole lot of potential. The beautiful harmonies are lulling but literally just a hint off the beat so you are pulled along through the tightly woven tracks.
In Knowing
Chris Garneau -
Personally, I’m a generally more of a ninja girl so when I read the title of Chris Garneau’s single No More Pirates I couldn’t resist. I happily categorize this as a song that lives up to its awesome title. The rest of the material on his new release, El Radio, is also exceptionally good. Its a delightful romp through interesting syncopation, peppy piano, haunting strings and playful lyrics. He’s from Brooklyn so hopefully he’ll be dipping down Philly way soon.
No More Pirates
Friday night I left New York under ominous conditions and a ceiling of crazy cool clouds, to make the drive back to Philly to see The Most Serene Republic at North Star Bar. The normally 75 min drive took a full two hours with intense lighting and torrential rains holding nothing back over the New Jersey Turnpike. The delay caused me to miss Wheat at Kung Fu Necktie which I feel really horrible about cause I like their stuff and was really looking forward to the show. I was pleased to find we had only missed the first of two openers for TMSR.
The other opener Buried Beds did a good job prepping the audience for TMSR to take the stage. While not entirely remarkable Buried Beds attempted to include pretty much every indie/pop/alt country trend device; chamberish harmonies, regular use of strings (in this case violin) and crowding the stage with a small village of band members. All of this without managing to really establish a clear sense of what impression they wanted to leave behind. Although there were a few songs towards the end of their set that begin to suggest the potential of good things to come for the group.
The Most Serene Republic came to my attention via Ryan Hansen of Ryspace about two months ago and I have been looking forward to this show ever since. I didn’t know exactly what to expect from the hard to define but easily listenable troupe but hardly could have hoped for the musical mastery I witnessed.
The group is about to drop a new album so there were a lot of new unheard songs on display but they still included some of the older stuff. The new material tends toward the pop end of the progressive indie music spectrum. But it is most def. a thinking man’s pop. Songs like Heavens To Purgatory use a little banjo and thumping bass loop to bounce along chasing some of the best guy/girl vocals in the biz. Despite using the word Gadzooks the Canadian outfit manages to avoid Twee territory by grounding it with juicy instrumentals. Other new pieces were more reminiscent of their older more typical progressive rock sound which appealed to the die hard fans in attendance.
Watching them perform really adds another layer of appreciation for their distinct sound. The songs are far more epic live then on record, an effect achieved by the well placed horn lines and the occasional string contribution. Like other bands I really love both live and recorded (Frightened Rabbit for example) it was evident these guys all knew their music inside and out; their own lines and times as well as their band mates. The comfortable way they interact both musically and personally on stage contributes to a very inclusive concert experience. Plus the presence of hand clapping and the dose of humor brought by lead vocalist Adrian also keeps it from getting too cerebral.
The gave new shine to some of their earlier works to balance out the new stuff. The version of Compliance started with lulling and scenic instrumentals that dropped you off at the door of strong in you face vocals. I was not expecting but fully adored this departure from the album version. Phages was a bit more like the album arrangement but simply in the live setting it too carried a new appeal.
By the time they ended their set I felt as though I had witnessed the most complete live set I’d seen in a while. There was something for everyone, including the band who all seemed to take a certain pleasure in the particular tracks they had chosen for the evening. We grabbed the new album (which comes out in July) and I had it on repeat most of the weekend. Go grab the first single and find out if they’re in your area cause both the live and recorded versions of TMSR are worth your complete love and adoration.
This is a doozy of a remix post kids. I guess the beginning of summer, or at least what the calendar says is the start of the summer, has put people in a mixy mood cause there has been a mad influx of good noise in my inbox. Put ‘em on your shuffle, power up the office soundtrack or add them to your dance mix do whatever you need to fully enjoy them.
D.A.N.C.E. Happens – IAMXL
A full on mix this is. Lengthy and satiating. Should keep you humming well beyond its hour playtime. Bulletproof talent once again on display from Vancouver’s DJ darling.
Don Diablo vs The Roots - The Seed 3.0
This classic Roots bit is brought back around with Don Diablo’s revival touch. Enough of a new shine without overwhelming the solid and recognizable funk bass lines of the original.
Combination Pizza Hut & Taco Bell - Das Racist
This remix is just ridiculously catchy. Not particularly cerebral but sometimes that’s the determining factor.
Nothing 2 Step 2 - Sammy Bananas
It seems Sammy has no planes on slowing down any time soon. He keeps pumping out the killer remixes and appearing at the freshest of parties (FAM[thursdays at Bowery] and The Players Club most recently). And does frequency affect quality? Never!
H.A.L. naw – CJ Mili
The lovely Sheenabeaston brought this track to my attention. A little dirty south always reminds me of hot sticky summer days. CJ Mili does some highly enjoyable pop dancey remixes so if you like this one be sure to check out the rest.
Peak Hour Live MIXX – JhnRdn
And finally in honor of two excellent dance party events going down this weekend in Philly [Making Time Pool Party Saturday afternoon then progress to Live Forever Saturday night at the Barbary] a mix offered up by one of my local favs JhnRdn.
A little wind has been taken out of my music sails. He impacted so much of what we know of music from funk to pop. MJ’s influence will never be forgotten.
My fondest MJ memory has got to be the summer one family on our block rented a big screen television and got the pay-per-view Black or White Concert for all the kids to come over and watch. We couldn’t have rocked any harder if we were front row at the actual concert. We danced and sang along until all of us collapsed on the floor. There are few people, let alone musicians who could reach through a television into a living room in suburban Minnesota and thoroughly blow the minds of a bunch of Midwestern kids. He will be missed.
July 19th Bag Of Songs and The World In A Paper Cup present Brooklyn band Dinosaur Feathers at the M Room stage for their Philly debut. This is one of those opportunities to see a band that will be gathering much more buzz as the year goes on so be sure to mark your calendar.
Here’s a little street work they did for L Magazine’s Northside Festival