Can you believe it's already going to be 2011 in a few days? I think of 2003 as if it was only a couple years ago. Anyways, I loved 2010 music-wise, so I want to share with you some of my favorite songs of the year (in no particular order). We've got some basic/obvious picks and some pretty random ones. Like F's, my list is a playlist so click on the arrows on the side to scroll through:
Celestica by Crystal Castles (there's something ethereal about this song I love) The Cave by Mumford & Sons (this song makes me want to smile and cry at the same time. Kairos memories) Years (Five-Eight) by Starscream (music made with gameboys? also featured on the Skins US preview) Excuses by the Morning Benders (when I hear this song I get nostalgic for some reason) Wasted Daylight by Stars (classic Stars, good build-up) Barbra Streisand by Duck Sauce (catchiest song ever) Giving up the Gun by Vampire Weekend (perhaps the highlight of my summer playlist this year) Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine (originally released in '08 but re-released in 2010 so i'm counting it) Sunrise Projector by Tycho (soothing beats perfect for rest & recovery) I Am Not a Robot by Marina & the Diamonds (another re-release, I don't know where I first heard it but I always find myself singing it) A Funny Thing by Penguin Prison (dance music brought back, a la Michael Jackson before the creepiness) Like a G6 by Far East Movement (not even kidding i love this song, it's too catchy and brings back some crazy memories)
At the beginning of 2010, I thought there was no way to beat 2009's music. There were too many masterpiece albums--Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Passion Pit's Manners, Bon Iver's Blood Bank, Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion, Girls' Album, Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest, The XX's self titled debut. Release after release, however, I realized 2010 had overcome the previous year.
These few releases changed my mind. (I've linked the album covers, check out some sales on iTunes.)
1. Cerulean-Baths: This album proves that you can make art out of bleeps and glitches.
2. Crystal Castles II-Crystal Castles: The complexities of their second release barely fit into one album. Every single time I listen to it, the record feels new again.
3. Treats-Sleigh Bells: After a free release of a fuzzy EP in 2009, Sleigh Bells threw themselves out into the spotlight (also with the help of M.I.A.). Their full-length debut represents one of the most inventive sounds ever to be created.
4. Contra-Vampire Weekend: When listening to Contra, you can't help but tell that these guys are perfectionists. The album's just so crisp in its production, but not cheesy or overly pop. Vampire Weekend actually care about the music.
5. The Suburbs-Arcade Fire: This third full-length from the indie-all-stars, now pop-somebodies is a testament to the fact that these artists can tackle any topic, no matter how grandiose or elusive, and express it in music.
6. Cosmogramma-Flying Lotus: Cosmogramma just sounds like noise at first listen, but given all the shit out there that dies after a few replays, you have to give it a chance.
7. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy-Kanye West: You can criticize him all you want, but while you're joking about his latest public blunder he's in a studio somewhere makingreal music.
8. Forget-Twin Shadow: This album's so well crafted you wouldn't believe it's a debut.
9. Halcyon Digest- Deerhunter: Halcyon Digest is an irrefutable masterpiece, hands down.
10. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty- Big Boi: Whether solo or not, Big Boi knows how to make music inventive, catchy, and distinctive.
Honorable Mentions: The Wild Hunt- The Tallest Man on Earth, King of the Beach- Wavves, Teen Dream- Beach House, Love Remains- How to Dress Well, Eyelid Movies- Phantogram, The Age of Adz- Sufjan Stevens, Fang Island- Fang Island, The ArchAndroid- Janelle Monáe, Clinging to a Scheme- The Radio Dept., Subiza- Delorean, Black City- Matthew Dear, Gorilla Manor- Local Natives, Root For Ruin- Les Savy Fav, High Violet- The National, Avi Buffalo- Avi Buffalo, CMYK- James Blake.
(It's a playlist so just click the sides to see the next song)
The Morning Benders - Cold War
Lissie "Everywhere I Go"
Dry The River - Bible Belt
The Roots - The Fire (feat. John Legend)
Sufjan Stevens - Futile Devices
Land Of Talk - Quarry Hymn Jónsi - Go Do
The Cave - Mumford & Sons
Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs - Like Rock and Roll & Radio
Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks
Miniature Tigers - Gold Skull
Rill Rill - Sleigh Bells
Laura Marling - Rambling Man (I Speak Because I Can)
The National - England
RATATAT - MAHALO
I had a sudden, undying urge to share with you the songs "Celebration Guns" and "Sleep Tonight" by the Canadian band Stars. Both songs are haunting but calming, perfect for these rainy days (in the bay area at least) and stressful times. Stars blends story-like lyrics, soothing vocals, and instruments galore into beautiful indie rock that will make you want to listen to them over and over again. I know I always do. Anyways, here are the songs. Enjoy.
Sleep Tonight
Celebration Guns:
Also check out their other songs too, especially those from their album Set Yourself on Fire.
So goes "Apricot Jam" by the band Filligar. I love this song and especially this line so much it always pops up as my facebook status sometime during December. It's a line about motivation and hope, pushing you through that last stressful week of finals, work, crazy holiday shopping or visiting relatives, through that blizzard or rainstorm, to see the light.
Ok, enough with the cheesiness. Although I'm not ecstatic about their newest releases, Filligar is one of my favorite bands. They've been called college-rock revivalists and compared to The Black Keys and even Sufjan Stevens for some songs. Their sophomore album "Succession, I Guess" is definitely my favorite, with songs with amazing lyrics like those of "Sunflower Kid" (when it's all done, I'm gonna get some sun, I'm gonna get some sleep, I'm gonna get some cold drinks), the catchy "The Midnight Society" (you've never watched Snick on weekend nights) and the spunky "Trepador" (sweet conceit stirs the air).
Most of these songs had amazing videos, and for my top ten I've included them. Some didn't have official videos, but just the song instead. So here it is:
1. Crown on the Ground- Sleigh Bells. I think I first heard this song in 2009, but it was officially released this year. So many things that should make Crown on the Ground a bad song (the screeching guitar, the overbearing bass, the fuzzy quality) turn out make it the best song of 2010, at least for me. According to the band and evident in the title, the song's about humility, but Sleigh Bells has no reason to be humble.
2. Apologetic Shoulder Blades- Baths: Baths will take over the electronic music world some day. In his first testing of the growing genre, he has released an album that's nothing short of spectacular. Baths knows what makes good music, and he's got the dedication and skills to make something out of it. AND LOOK AT THOSE HANDS MOVE.
3. General Patton- Big Boi: In 2010, I tried to be less snotty and started to listen to rap. While there's some really shitty stuff out there in the genre, Big Boi separates himself from everyone else. He's creative in his beats (check out the opera sample a fews seconds after the intro in the video below) and masterful in his lyrics: "Speed it up like The Ballad of Ricky Bobby boy go fast, not a hobby this my life you disrespect it that's your ass, as one half of OutKast return like ghost of Christmas past, it's the son of Chico Dusty must be West Savannah bad."
4. Mouthful of Diamonds- Phantogram: So, so good. A true triumph of electronic and pop. This song was an instant favorite; the lyrics, the synth, the guitar, the memories beneath make it one of the best this year.
5. Monster- Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Bon Iver: Just looking at the title you can tell there's some serious talent behind this song. But what makes it so good is that a rookie, Nicki Minaj, kills some of the most established rappers out there in her performance 3ish minutes in. "You could be the king but watch the queen conquer, OK first things first I'll eat your brains, then Imma start rocking gold teeth and fangs, cause that's what a muthafuckin monster do," a muthafuckin monster takes down the competition.
6. Castles in the Snow- Twin Shadow: There's no doubt that Twin Shadow has composed one of the best albums this year, and there's no doubt that Castles in the Snow most epitomizes the album. The song keeps you on your toes throughout, slowly building tension that was created in the tracks before it, all to be let go by the end of the song.
7. Clear Spirits- Les Savy Fav: In addition to exploring rap, I've tried out punk in 2010 and Les Savy Fav has led this experiment of mine. Further establishing themselves as one of the best indie-punk bands to live, Les Savy Fav returned with Root for Ruin this year. In the album, they tightened up their music-making skills while adding in subtle elements of electronic to create a truly amazing album. The last song Clear Spirits brings this great record to an even better close.
8. Real Love- Delorean: Like Castles in the Snow, this song was so special for me because it built up on tension that slowly builds in the song. I love how it's based on a simple sampling of voice that says no more than "ah ah," but the song's so much more than that. By the last minute, you'll know what I mean.
9. Baptism- Crystal Castles: You'd never expect the rowdy, dark Crystal Castles to create such a masterpiece like their second self-titled release earlier this spring. Baptism best captures the ability of the group, as they take a simple rave beat and turn it into a real song.
10. Barbra Streisand- Duck Sauce: Who can't love this song? Honestly, it's perfect for so many reasons, the funny reference to a random pop star, an undeniably catchy sound, pounding techno that you can't help singing along to. The best part is that the song is so apt for the time period and our generation in its masterly combination of pop and techno, but most kids from our generation don't understand the reference to the singer after whom the song's named. You've gotta love the humor of Duck Sauce. And you've gotta love Ezra Koenig and Kanye in the video.
And here's the rest, not in order.
11. Enchanting Ghost- Sufjan Stevens
12. Walk in the Park- Beach House
13. Heaven’s On Fire- The Radio Dept.
14. Who Knows Who Cares- Local Natives
15. Cameras- Matt & Kim
16. Ready for the World- How To Dress Well
17. England- The National
18. Art House Director- Broken Social Scene
19. Empire State Of Mind- Jay-Z
20. Zodiac Shit- Flying Lotus
21. Slowdance- Matthew Dear
22. Love Is All- The Tallest Man On Earth
23. Wasted Hours- Arcade Fire
24. He Would Have Laughed- Deerhunter
25. Enter The Ninja- Die Antwoord
The British house duo of Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Buxton known as Basement Jaxx has just let out their latest single "Dracula" today. Described as a "twisted slice of bowel-shaking vampire house," it's dark and moody to say the least. Not my favorite by them, but I'd give it a 6 out of 10 and definitely recommend it if you're in the mood for some angry music.
Jk, our favorite Upper West Side-African fusion band hasn't sold out. But, if you haven't seen (or heard I should I say) it on TV yet, their popular song "Holiday" from their latest album Contra is featured on two new commercials: Tommy Hilfiger and Honda-Civic. Honestly, it's too catchy to not be. And as C mentioned, they're in the running for a Grammy for best alternative music album for Contra. If you ever have the chance to catch the band live, jump on it. They sound even better than they do on record!
Arcade Fire up for 3, Vampire Weekend for 1, Black Keys for a ton, Janelle Monáe for 2, Big Boi for 2, and Kanye West for 1. Surprisingly, Big Boi and Kanye West's albums aren't up for best rap album.
Awards to watch:
Album of the Year: Arcade Fire's The Suburbs, Eminem's Recovery, Lady Antebellum's Need You Know, Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster, or Katy Perry's Teenage Dream
Best Alternative Music Album:Arcade Fire's The Suburbs, Band of Horses' Infinite Arms, Black Keys's Brothers, Broken Bells' Broken Bells, or Vampire Weekend's Contra
Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals: Arcade Fire's Ready to Start, The Black Key's Tighten Up, Jeff Beck & Joss Stone's I Put a Spell on You, Kings of Leon's Radioative, or Muse's Resistance
Best Urban/Alternative Performance:Janelle Monáe and Big Boi's Tightrope, Bilial's Little One, Cee Lo Green's Fuck You, Carolyn Malachi's Orion, or Eric Roberson's Still
Best Contemporary R&B Album:Janelle Monáe's The ArchAndroid, Chris Brown's Graffiti, R. Kelly's Untitled, Ryan Leslie's Transition, or Usher's Raymond V Raymond
Best Rap Solo Performance: Kanye West's Power, Drake's Over, Eminem's Not Afraid, Ludacris's How Low, or T.I.'s I'm Back
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Big Boi and Cutty's Shutterbugg, Drake, T.I. and Swizz Beatz's Fancy, Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz's On To The Next One, Ludacris & Nicki Minaj's My Chick Bad, or Young Jeezy & Piles's Lose My Mind
I heard this song on the new xmas amazon kindle commercial and went searching for it. It is by Bibio aka, British music producer, Stephen Wilkinson. I've been looking at this guy's stuff and he's got a really, cool different sound. This song is called lovers' carvings' and gets really good around 1:30... the cowbell is a nice touch
If you haven't heard Duck Sauce's amazingly catchy song Barbra Streisand yet, then you either haven't been on a computer or out in public for the last few weeks because it's EVERYWHERE. The song is pop at its core, but it has elements of techno holding it together. And more importantly, it will stay in your head all day.
So I thought I'd post the video, because it's not only funny but also one of those few music videos you actually want to keep watching till the end.
Greg Gillis, better known as Girl Talk, has just released his 3rd full album, All Day. And like usual, IT IS AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD. The only bad side is the demand for his album is so high it's shut his label's (Illegal Art) server. They posted a bunch of torrent links that aren't illegal, so don't worry about the FBI coming to your door.
For those of you who don't know Girl Talk, I promise you will find something you can appreciate in his music. If you can't, you must listen to some weird stuff, because he mashes up songs from across genres and decades of music. His music defines the word "accessible," and his albums are non-stop dance parties. Check. Him. Out.
And for those who do know Girl Talk, or at least know they're going to like him, he's got dates out for a ridiculous tour. Given that his crazy live shows take the place of album sales, Girl Talk has booked a ton of dates. I've embedded a documentary about his shows below split into 3 parts. He'll be visiting Oakland's Fox Theater on FRIDAY the 18th of March. Check below for the rest of his tour dates as well.
Side Note: The FBI thing is part exaggeration, part South Park reference, but my friend did get sent a $250 dollar check in the mail for two Limewire downloads, not to freak you out or anything.
PART 1:
PART 2:
PART 3:
11-12 Omaha, NE - Sokol Auditorium, 11-19 BuenosAires, Argentina - Hot Festival, 11-20 Sao Paulo, Brazil - Planeta Terra Festival, 12-03-04 Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE, 12-31 Milwaukee, WI - The Rave, 01-05 Cleveland, OH - House of Blues, 01-06 Columbus, OH - LC Pavillion, 01-07 Covington, KY - Madison Theater, 01-08 Louisville, KY - Expo Five, 01-10 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues, 01-13 Houston, TX - House of Blues, 01-14 Austin, TX - Austin Music Hall, 01-15 Dallas, TX - Palladium, 01-17 Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall, 01-18 St. Louis, MO - The Pageant, 01-20 Birmingham, AL - Workplay, 01-21 Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle, 01-22 Charleston, SC - Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, 01-24 Knoxville, TN - Valarium, 01-25 Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore, 01-27 Raleigh, NC - Disco Rodeo, 01-28 Norfolk, VA - NorVa, 01-29 Richmond, VA - The National, 01-31 Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head, 02-01 Washington, D.C. - 9:30 Club, 02-04 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory, 02-05 Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre, 02-24 New York, NY - Terminal 5, 02-25 Providence, RI - Lupo's, 02-26 Boston, MA - House of Blues, 02-28 Portland, ME - State Theater, 03-01 Montreal, Quebec - Metropolis, 03-03 Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Hall, 03-04 Chicago, IL - Congress, 03-07 Madison, WI - Orpheum, 03-08 Minneapolis, MN - First Ave, 03-11 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre, 03-14 Missoula, MT - Wilma Theater, 03-15 Seattle, WA - Showbox, 03-17 Portland, OR - Roseland, 03-18 Oakland, CA - Fox Theater, 03-19 Pomona, CA - Fox Theatre, 03-21 Los Angeles, CA - Palladium, 03-22 San Diego, CA - SOMA, 03-23 Tempe, AZ - Marquee
Whether you're a working man (or woman) dragging yourself to a 9-5 day at the office, or a high school student dragging yourself to a 7-period class day, Mondays can be overwhelming, terrible, and downright tiring. I personally dread them - weekend's over, homework's due, 3 class periods before lunch... ouch. But one of the things I love about Mondays (besides Gossip Girl)?
Music Mondays: 5 FREE downloads from the Urban Outfitters blog every single Monday. That's right, you now have more reason to love Urban asides from its overpriced over-sized grandpa cardigans, flannels, and cute baby-doll dresses.
Honestly it's a lottery with these songs - they've featured great artists like Penguin Prison and Julianna Barwick, and mediocre (imo) bands like Twin Sister. But hey who doesn't want free music?
I meant to put this up awhile ago but if you haven't already check out Sigur Ros's frontman, Jonsi's, album, Go. It is a big explosion of happiness... that is all I can say to describe it. And with the mountain of stress with college apps, that is all I need. While much of Sigur Ros's songs are not very joyful, individually Jonsi builds on their huge sound adding a lot more joy and a symphony of new instruments to create this playful, childlike album.
Below is my favorite song Go Do, but I also suggest "Around us" and "Boy Lilikoi"
Search "Starscream" on Google and the first thing that'll pop up is a Transformers robot. But sorry, I'm talking about the NYC electronica duo that's too fresh to even have a Wikipedia page. Though Damon Hardjowirogo (say that 5x fast) and George Stroud look more like your neighborhood indie gamers, these boys are tearing it up as two of "23 New York Teenagers You Ought to Know About" and providers of the background music ("Years (Five-Eight") for the 2nd preview of Skins US (it pains me to even mention that show). And how does Starscream create its space tunes? Oh using the usual drums, bass, keyboard, and... Game Boys. As a chiptune band, they use video game console sound chips to make music. Don't ask me what that means, but it sounds cool - and so do they.
Stream all of their songs and download a few from their album Future, and It Doesn't Work here.
Check out my fave song "Years (Five-Eight)" below:
Pogo is an Australian electronic artist who takes small sounds from a film or scene and sequences them to form his own pieces. His most famous piece is Alice (my favorite.) But here is his latest that came out today, Wishery taking sounds from Snow White.... tis very cool stuff
Imma let you finish Kristin, but I'm more popular than you.
Right off the bat I'll say that this post has been a struggle not only because it's been maybe two months since my last one, but also because it's about Kanye West. Not only is his music causing my inner hipster to start strangling herself with a pair of urban outfitters leggings, but also my inner normal person is going "hey that guy's a douche." Could this guy get any more pretentious? So with that being said, I will try and move on.
My main objective is to talk about todays rap artists and sampling. You're not alone in realizing that almost every friggin' rapper out there today is layin' rhymes over yesterday's top indie song. When Kid Cudi sampled Paul Simon on 50 Ways to Make a Record, it was all I could do to not spit out my orange juice all over my keyboard. As a fan of Paul Simon, I'd say it's a good song because I already liked the melody, but really? It's just a ridiculous concept. And then there's Hoodie Allen whose last album was almost entirely him rapping over sampled artists, not to mention Chiddy Bang's "Truth". And then let's also not forget Big Boi's "General Patton" which samples Giuseppe Verdi's opera, "Vieni, o guerriero vindice,” perhaps the most random of them all.
Recently, I was in my friends car listening to their CD. It soon dawned on me that I was listening to Kristin Chenoweth sing Popular. And then Kanye West started rapping? Nope, the new thing isn't sampling indie songs anymore, it isn't sampling the Numa Numa song like T.I. and Rihanna, and it definitely isn't sampling opera (sorry Big Boi.) I guess it's Broadway. But let me remind you that Kanye definitely isn't the first rap artist to do this, since Jay-Z already did it first with "Hard Knock Life" in 1998. Some argue that these artists are "stealing" but personally I think once a song's out there it's just as much mine as it is yours. Trying to hold onto something as intangible as music seems a little silly. All in all, I think that without artists being able to access each other's music and add their own style would probably end music as we know it. And in the end I guess I would have to admit that Kanye's a creative guy despite his obvious shortcomings.
Matt & Kim up close and personal at Outside Lands '09
Sidewalks isn't set to release until Tuesday (Monday at 9 PM Bay Area time, that's what up) and even though Matt and Kim have already given us one pre-album release ("Cameras") they just gave us one more - "Good for Great." For those of you worried by Matt and Kim's new sound in "Cameras," "Good for Great" sounds much more Matt & Kim-esque just a little more demure... and I love it!
Crystal Castles & The Cure's Robert Smith make for a clashing mix in the remix of CC's "Not in Love." Think 80's techno - electro-pop beats, distortion, synthesizer, thumping bass line, etc. It's a little repetitive at some parts (we get it, you're NOT in love), but overall I give the song about a 8 out of 10. It's missing that haunting quality of Alice Glass's voice in the original but I like the brightness too - I'm in need of some pick-me-up music.
[For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of hearing songs like "Just Like Heaven" and "Friday I'm in Love," The Cure is an English rock band and Robert Smith is their headliner with a sweet voice that stands in stark contrast with his signature smudged-eyeliner red lipped look...]
Girls Sequined berets and beanies - Literally add some shine to those overcast fall days with these sparkly hats. Functions include keeping your head warm, covering up a bad hair day, and adding a little extra oomph to your look. Sequined berets and beanies also give a more urban feel to any outfit.
Tweed shorts - I'm dying for some. Warm, cozy, classy - tweed is definitely a fall pattern, but I don't mean cover yourself in it head from head to toe. I suggest getting trouser cut shorts, and don't forget some tights to keep your legs warm (and leg warmers perhaps....)
Doc Martens- Perfect for puddle-splashing, concert-trekking, leaf-crunching, holiday shopping, you name it. In other words, keep your feet clean, comfy, and looking coool in the "best counter-cultural footwear of the decade" (according to NY Fashion Week 2010). Sheesh how much more indie can you get. Do basic black, rubber neon yellow, even Hello Kitty if that floats your boat- the options are limitless. I have these black floral ones and I assure you they are nothing short of amazing :)
If you're feeling low on new music, make sure to check out these albums:
Root for Ruin-Les Savy Fav. These indie-punk veterans have once again proven they can make a solid album. They combined punk with catchy beats and occasional glimpses of electronic to make a great record (and only for $7.99!!!).
Forget-Twin Shadow. While it has the soft quality of dream-pop, Twin Shadow's music retains variety in their debut album Forget. Their songs are especially catchy, like Castles in the Snow, and melt together into an amazing album.
Lucky Shiner-Gold Panda. Gold Panda has been getting a lot of hype for a lot of reasons. His new album is instantly accessible to electronic lovers, but still has an artistic depth that you want in an album.
There's only 6 days left until Live 105's Subsonic Spookfest. Featuring artists like Dyloot to Steve Aoki to MSTRKRFT and everyone in between, this is gonna be one sick event you simply cannot miss out on.
Get a FREE download of a mix made by Miles the DJ made entirely of artists performing at Spookfest 2010 here. Guaranteed half hour of head banging.
Details: 16+, $50 advanced, $55 at the door, Friday at the Cow Palace, Doors open at 6 PM
If it isn't already scoffed at enough (even before a single episode has come out), Skins US has seemingly taken another step backwards by not using the original Skins UK theme song. The "new" show apparently launched a competition for anyone in the United States to compose a tune and send it in (extended deadline: November 21), the winner will be announced around December 15. Check out contest details and vote for your favorite here.
Skins US Cast
(http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/6146/55960963.jpg)
Now this could be a good thing, launching some 15-year old part time-DJ or 35 year-old struggling singer/songwriter into fame, and giving Skins US a catchy new tune that says, "Hey, we're not British but at least we have good music." (Jk). Or it could be disastrous, provoking more outrage among die-hard fans who already ridicule Skins US (typically because MTV is producing it) enough.
What do you guys think: opportunity or outrage?
-G
P.S. Fyi, the original theme song is by Fat Segal (also called Segal) and can be easily found online (wink wink). The song helps make the show and honestly it's so good, it's even my ringtone :D
P.P.S. After watching the new trailer, my opinion is set about the show but I'll leave it up to you guys to tell me what you think.
DJs and assorted techno artists have traditionally kept secrecy about their talents. Vary few release all of their songs, and even less release full albums. You can only find some tracks on illegal softwares, so if you're dedicated to paying your artists and reserved to iTunes, you won't have much luck.
I walked into Deadmau5 with this understanding of techno. It was completely true. Frankly, I had only listened to a few songs by the notorious, Micky-Mouse-helmet-wearing DJ and I liked only two. However, I'd seen some online videos and I expected a good show.
But I got even better. Deadmau5 came on stage with his usual massive cube and mouse-helmet. When he popped up, the crowd went wild as it stretched from the stage all the way back to the food vendors. He maintained the basic format of some of his most popular songs like Ghosts N' Stuff, but like most DJs, mixed his music live.
The most interesting thing about Deadmau5's performance was his fluctuating of intensity. Sometimes he would blast out his techno sound at full volume, and then he'd slowly wind down, and then back up again. It wasn't traditional build up techno (which I hate) but rather a complicated rise and fall performance.
And of course, with the massive DJ cube and mouse-helmet equipped with fluctuating light patterns, the show was musically and visually pleasing.
Keeping with the tradition of techno, Deadmau5 saved his best for Treasure Island.
Check out some videos of the show here (remember to turn up the quality for the best sound/visual):
For me, the Swedish band, Miike Snow was the true highlight of this beloved music festival. Amidst all the techno/ rave-esque artists at the festival, Miike Snow delivered the most artful performance of the evening. Wearing silver masks and shrouded in artificial fog, they brought their A game and played their best: "Silvia," "Burial," "Cult Logic," Black & Blue,""Animal," and the Vampire Weekend mash-up I posted a couple weeks ago. And to tell you the truth I prefer them live. Perhaps it was merely the "happy" crowd or the pure joy of even being there, but they played with a completely different sound and energy live... well whatever it was it was amazing... The best song live was Silvia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZO1nMuZSnI... but it is also my favorite Miike Snow song so I am a bit biased
The video of Silvia I was going to put up was unfortunately put down, but this will do...
We all thought they were a joke, but they're a band. Die Antwoord kicked off Treasure Island Music Festival this year with their Zef Hip-Hop Techno beats, and it was so fokken next level. First their DJ came on, replacing DJ HI-Tek because he apparently doesn't like to fly. Clips of their music videos ran on the screen as Yo-Landi Visser jumped out on stage in a full body, pajama-like jumpsuit. She's even smaller in real life, but she's got all the same spunk as she does in their music videos. Then, Ninja joined her on stage to spit some next level rap and even free-style in between songs. Die Antwoord put on a goofy show, and it may have frightened a few people, but you can't deny that it was some fresh Zef.
The hit British duo The Ting Tings' new single "Hands" has been remixed by the ever-so-lovely Passion Pit and is up for FREE download here. This song is the new one playing in my mind as I walk around bobbing my head and humming. So listen to it and "clap your hands if you're working too hard" (that means you, seniors).
The non-remixed version is pretty good (though saucy), and you can stream it in the same link but it's not available for free. Bummer.
Yes, Pitchfork.com dominates indie culture. A best new music title from the folks in Chicago guarantees a US tour. Any album on their list generates a massive chain-loop of "related artists" on iTunes. Hell, they even have their own music festival, Pitchfork Music Festival. Or maybe two?
Yes, Pitchfork has announcedOffline Festival in Brooklyn, NY. The lineup has plenty of TBAs but is still amazing. Acts include TV on the Radio, Avey Tare of Animal Collective, Wild Nothing, Glasser, How To Dress Well, Baths, Matthew Dear, Zola Jesus, and more. The festival runs from Thursday, October 21st to Saturday, October 23rd. Tickets are only $10 dollars, so if you're in New York in October or happen to go to college there next year, be sure to check it out. Pitchfork doesn't disappoint.
While it's too late to catch it now (unless you happen to live right next to an indie record store), Sufjan Stevens has released his new album to a select few shops before his October 12th release date. I walked into a Philadelphia record store on Sunday, Repo Records, to the sounds of unfamiliar, electronic Sufjan. And I knew I had listened to his singles over and over, so I asked myself: Could it be? The new album?
It was. They had a single Age of Adz left. This little story proves that we should all be going to indie record stores, who knows, they may have that album before iTunes does...
Foals has always amazed me with their exprimental guitar shots and complicated riffs, but in this album they are able to carry their sound while mixing electronic and some dance into it. What Foals show in their new album is their ability tochange their orignial sound with a different one without sounding cliche or just plain bad. Foals are one of my personal favorite bands and if you haven't heard them yet then I suggest you go and listen to them. Please, go and check Foals!
A definite Indie sound mixed with folk and electronic has to be none other than The Temporary Thing. His album, The Buck, The Bed, ...and the Bottle, has left me astounded with sounds that range from Broken Bells and the Shins*. Songs like "My generation" leave me with wanting more from this artist, and boy does he give you more. This talented one-man songwriter not only gives you a relaxed and mellow toned sound he also enables a soft feel for dance within his songs. If you have not yet checked out this artist I suggest you do it now, if you don't then your missing out on one hell of a songwriter!
Love, Teddy <3 (*probably because the lead singer from the Shins is part of Broken Bells*)
Although these albums are 2-3 years old they are some timeless pieces of work. This garage-band techno duo from Germany can get any party started with their songs! My personal favorites have to be "Yes, I don't want this," "Pogo," and "Idealistic." There sound is purely addictive and once you hear one bit by them you have to hear the rest. So check out this band, even though they're albums are a couple years old, there songs are still young!
