I’m not gunna deny I have a thing for Dinosaur Feathers. They are making the kind of lo-fi pop I think we’re going to be seeing a lot of this year. Except they’re doing it better than the majority of the bands out there. Their first single Teenage Whore is deceptively tender despite it’s title and now we have this new nibblette of ear candy:
They’re playing Pet Ghost Project’s Record Release at Fontana’s on the LES Friday May 29th (this Friday) so come out and catch them live.
Today is my sister Lilly’s 30th birthday. From choreographing dances to NKOTB to camping in a van at Phish shows we have shared a number of amazing musical moments. Her incredible ability to remember the lyrics to any song she has ever heard (a talent I have envied my entire life) and true knack for finding a nice piece of pop music have both greatly influenced my musical tastes and knowledge. So in honor of this milestone birthday I salute her with a lil lilmix.
Sparkle – Phish (live)
Just Like Heaven – Kat Edmondson
Listen Girl - The Frames
Getting Better (Beatles cover) - Fionn Regan
I was on deadline for two projects today and the cosmos were just not aligned for efficiency. Internet fail at the mobile office, man passing out/seizing next to me at Starbucks , late trains, I could go on. Despite insanity breathing down my neck I kept getting drawn into some musical awesomeness. Fortunately I made my deadlines so as a little long weekend treat I’m putting out a little post of what caught my fancy amidst the chaos.
Saw White Rabbits last night at The Bowery Ballroom (full review to come) and the album doesn’t even touch the electricity of the live show. This has been on loop pretty much all day…
You know I can’t resist a dance video and this guy has got a nice mix of geek + groove + carefree attitude I immediately adored him.
DaveyDanceBlog -64- NYC Union Square from Pheasant Plucker on Vimeo.
And finally IAMXL is apparently using the peppy pills cause he’s been pumping out really awesome work lately. The assortment compliments the RANDOM theme for this post. He tackled Gogol Bordello and Stars, of course.
Gypsy Part Of Town (remix)
The Night Starts Here (remix)
Put these on, take a deep breath, and let long weekend status officially set in!
Tomorrow night at The Fire in Fishtown there will be a whole slew of fantastic music making. One of my favorite Philly entertainers Chang Chang will be performing with Brooklyn’s Adams Castle & Me You Us Them. There is no doubt in my mind that this will be the best way to pass your Thursday night.
To get your party started enjoy these track:
Choose To Get Loose – Chang Chang
Girls Love Coke, No Joke - Chang Chang
Quick Strike They Live - Ruin It (featuring Chang Chang)
If you have a soft spot for mandolin or an affinity for well crafted country ballads you should clear your calendar for May 27th . Yarn is a rare species of bluegrass group. While they sound and look like they’re fresh outta some Georgia backwater they actually reside in the hipster/indie hotbed of Brooklyn,NY. Despite the lack of overwhelming immediate influence for a typical blue grass ballad, or perhaps because of it, they produce a sound that out does most of their cohorts on the blue grass circuit. The fella’s have been paying their dues playing all sorts of interesting venues in the north east and finally they are coming to Philadelphia to play a gig at the Tin Angel on May 27th. The venue’s intimate setting will make this show you’ll one day say “I saw Yarn at a tiny little club way back when they were getting started” and momentarily look off into the distance with that look of fond remembrance of a night incredible music. Get you ticket quick because they are sure to sell out. See you there!
Sometimes I receive new tid bits I’m so in love with I have to numb my desire to write scads about how much I enjoy them and just get them posted to ignite your aural fires. It helps that tonight I am so beyond tired that writing a lot wouldn’t be doing anyone any favors.
First Up: Mark Mallman, my fellow Minnesotan and the front man for Ruby Isle, is releasing his new album Invinceable Criminal in August. Here is a track off said album – You’re Never Alone In New York as well as the cover of Boy In The Bubble MM did for the Buffet Libre Rewind. Mallman was a frequent visitor to our campus bar/music venue The Cave so I’ve seen him a bunch and every time is a little more frenetic than the last. I will certainly be hunting him down on his pending tour.
Next up: IAMXL. This man is quickly snatching up property on my summer remix playlist. His take on For The Longest Time has been on consistent replay and now he sends along this batch of wonders. Feist’s Mushaboom and Bloody Beetroot’s Warp are both given the IAMXL spin. Go here: Crack4dj’s.net to find out what other spectacular remixes he’s been throwing down.
One of the reasons I put the effort I do into maintaining The World In A Paper Cup is the incredible community of people involved in creating, producing, promoting, debating, supporting and sharing music. In the last six months I have met (both virtually and literally) some sincerely passionate, fascinating and knowledgeable music heads all with their own unique stories and perspectives to share. One such person is John Wood the man behind The Learning Music Series. You may recognize his name, he has manned the keyboards for a wide swath of act out there today (including Inara George, Sebastien Tellier, Mike Andrews etc). He is also a fervent supporter of all things creative.
In 2006 he began a collaborative effort to produce a homemade “album” a month. These initial efforts included cassette recordings, music videos, new material from electro, folk and pop artists, even a autobiographical musical contributed by a robot. The material isn’t limited to one genre or aural aesthetic. The only consistent thread is the high quality of intent and skill put into each piece. As the momentum grew the project became a live act performing with a revolving cast ranging from four to 20 musicians. Wood has tapped the talents of some of his friends in the Bird & The Bee, The Section Quartet, Beck and Obi Best to lend their hand to these performances. An experience that I have no doubt must be a sight to behold.
They still release an album a month on a sliding scale from $.01 for the digital edition to $59 for a beautifully packaged album with homemade cover art delivered to your door every month for a year. The 2009 series began in March so you’re not too far behind (and you can still catch up). The material thus far is astounding. My personal favorite being the single off of May’s album; 87 Year Old Brain. An enjoyable little morsel featuring hand clapping and sing songy harmonies that leave you wanting more. The full album is a collection of frequent LM contributor Jeff Eliasson’s favorites from the first LM series; re-recorded by Jeff and his band with Wood providing vocals. Listen to the single from April Electric Letter and you will get a sense of the variety these albums provide. Enjoy these two tracks but go and sign up for the full she-bang. It will be like Christmas coming every month when that Learning Music package is delivered.
*Art courtesy of Jeff Eliasson
Will Dailey, a singer/song writer who hails from Boston who has been hovering on my radar for a while, is finally breaking the surface of wider, much deserved, acclaim so I thought I’d do my job of keeping you in the loop on acts you need to know about.
Will’s voice has a fresh rasp to it which allows for a surprising degree of flexibility when delivering his work. This year he will release a new EP every three months, each with their own focus. So far, vol. 1 Fashion Of Distraction tossed a nod to the southern rock of the 70′s, captured perfectly on the track Piece of Mind. Vol 2. By The Blue Hills is a homage to his Boston musical roots. The vocal cameo’s that support the effort range from Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo) to Tanya Donelly (Belly, Throwing Muses) to Elliott Easton (The Cars) and even Tim Brennan (Dropkick Murphys). The eight tracks on this EP prove his dedication to and respect for the musical community distinct to Boston. I’m particularly fond of Tomorrow Still Comes and the wonderful How Can I Make You Happy.
He is setting out on an East coast tour this month and you should really make an effort to see him. I’ll be at the World Cafe show on July 25th. See what you’ll be in for … watch him cover the Tears For Fears classic then go buy your ticket.
Enjoy this video of a track off of Vol 1.
Keep You A Mystery from Will Dailey on Vimeo.
A little while back I featured a video of an international “cover” of Stand By Me. Well, it turns out it is just one track of many featured on Playing For Change a recently released two disc CD/DVD. The project started in 2005 and has gone all around the world recording various musicians singing the selected tracks. Then the recordings are interwoven to create collaborative covers that really demonstrate that music is really a universal language. Starbucks [a company that has totally restructured itself in the last six months from world devouring coffee conglom to refocus on localized services and higher standards of service] has been promoting the CD at it’s POS and the Playing For Change team is continually working on new tracks and posting new video.
I am so beyond envious of these guys. I would love the chance to travel the world recording music. But until that check from winning the dutch lottery I keep getting emails about arrives I will have to make due with being the person who brings this good work to you.
This edition of remix rehash is a mixed bag of soul, pop, electro and awesome. A lot of heat was put on my in box this week and there was absolutely no way I was going to be able to sort through it all. I leave such insanity to my fellow manic dedicated efficient bloggers. However, there were a few that really grabbed my ear.
Gypsy Woman (mike Genius remix)
My current roommate and I are about to part ways and this track reminds we of him a little glammy a little old school a lot of fun. So it is for him I put this out there.
Little Secrets (Pepepe Remix)
There are a gajillion and one Passion Pit remixes out there right now. Some are pretty fantastic and deserve you seeking them out. I like this one because it tosses a little nod to Passion Pit’s first EP while still putting a wicked edge on their new track.
Hooligans (Don Diablo’s Drive By Disco Mix)
This has a little bit of a eighties pop punchyness to it. Another grand roll with Don Diablo
Make It Funky
This mix hit me so right this week. Coming to me courtesy of Cubik Musik it scratched a soul funk itch that was nagging me all week. I have had this on regular replay all week and has been instrumental in averting some crazy making melt downs.
Dance Dance Dance (Buraka Som Sistema remix)
I really can’t tell you how very very much I like this remix. It continues to find me at the absolutely best moments. Load it on your shuffle and let it speak to you as well!