So here's another music video by Casey Ford Alexander, the Princeton-educated Politics major with a flair for smoothly abrupt (oxymoron?) cinematography and visual/audio pathos.
It's a music video to to the song "Empty Diamond Graces" by Mandala, which I had not previously heard before I saw the video. The song is thought-provoking and haunting, with a sort of ethnic but modern feel.
As far as the video, I would say the composition random-ass and shaky shots is not nearly as fluid as in Alexander's previous videos. However, as always, the Los Angeles-based director seems to capture the raw emotion of the lyrics and music and translate them into a visual montage that draws the audience in until they feel almost complete empathy. Once again, well done CFA.
And download Mandala's album The Visitation for FREE here!
-G
The weekend is over and you're back to school, work, etc., dragging yourself out of bed to grab that first cup of caffeine for the day and struggle through the first day of the work week. So here's a song that'll let you wallow for a bit more and day-dream about the (deceptive?) promises of escape next weekend (as you lounge around at home sipping let's say your 3rd cup of caffeine).
Last march, the Weeknd released their first album, House of Balloons, for free on their website. Raw, catchy, and unforgettable, the album immediately blew up, receiving attention from a crowd that ranged from Pitchfork-following hipsters to famous rapper Drake.
Only months later, R&B singer Abel Tesfaye has released his second album, again for free. Download it now, it's surely worth listening to. And check out some of the new songs below, and the crazy yet richly symbolic music video for The Morning, which was featured on their first album.
You know when you're stuck in a creative rut, or even just a lazy one, thinking about things you've done and more you can do but you just can't find the inspiration or motivation to do it?
And then something comes along - perhaps a person, a song, the swaying of a tree during a northeastern hurricane, and you feel the urge to do it.
Name: G. Rut: Haven't made a short film or video or been inspired to in a while. Inspiration/motivation:
Real talk I almost cried during this. I'll be sure to post more about this filmmaker very soon....
If you want to dance and say Fuck It because summer is ending:
Alors On Danse by Stromae
If you want to dance around your room in your underwear rejoicing because it's still summer for a little while longer:
Safari Disco Club by Yelle
If you want to wallow about a summer fling[s] that took a turn for the worst (or pretend you're Blair Waldorf in Paris in front of a certain painting... ok sorry I shouldn't be making a GG reference on an indie blog):
L'heure avait sonne by Joyce Jonathan
-G
P.S. Disclaimer: I'm not saying I do any of these things. But I'm not necessarily saying I don't! :P
Bonjour! It's G here and I've been in France for the last month or so :) Going out at night, it's fun to hear what the popping music is in France. And then I just felt the need to share a couple of my favorites!
These two songs are super catchy and they're music you can both sing along to bobbing your head or full on loco dance to. I also love these because they bring back great memories haha... basically if you're on the French Riviera definitely hit up a town called Juan-les-pins. Tell the bouncer at Le Village and the bartenders at Le Crystal you're a friend of Lucy Liu, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce, and I think you should be good. Jk. Kinda.
Dancing with the DJ (Chiddy Bang Remix) by The Knocks
Welcome to St. Tropez (DJ Antoine vs Mad Mark Remix) by DJ Antoine vs Timati feat. Kalenna
You know when you hear a song and something clicks and just have to listen to it over and over again? It's like a constant need, an addiction if you will, a longing that can only be fulfilled by clicking Play one more time. Ok so now I'm just getting a little dramatic.
But anyways, the other day a friend sent me the song "Serenade" by the band The Naked & Famous and I instantly loved it. The number of times I've listened to it is absurd. It's a cute, somewhat sad in a way, but head-bopping song. Check it out here:
HEY EVERYBODY! It's not winter anymore and the weather isn't shitty (at least in California.) And if you don't live in California, who cares! It's almost not terrible weather! I feel like I've been inside for forever. I was gone from IMA for awhile, but I'm almost out of high school, and there is and will be a bunch of bangin tunes coming out just in time for the best summer of your life, so I had to come back. Here are all my latest jams that I have been listening to this spring season. They are an eclectic bunch, but it'll give you an idea of what I've been up to while I've been gone. Unless it's been so long you didn't even know I wrote on this blog. Either way, here are some songs. I am too lazy to post their mp3s, so just convert and download them at www.benderconverter.com or www.youtube-mp3.org.
Some piano, some catchy claps, from New Orleans. So obviously they make good music. It's a pretty lighthearted song and that with the title reminds me of springspring$P|2!N6 (spring).
So Foster The People has some new stuff that I should be listening to, but I haven't, instead I have been constantly listening this RAC remix. Can RAC do wrong? I don't think so.
Catchy as fuhhh. I love mustaches, and Oates provides more than enough. This song has brought out my inner Hall & Oates fan, which I did not know existed.... Out of Touch (DJ Kue Remix) - Hall & Oates
I personally think this is the best rap to sample Semisonic's Closing Time, not the notorious B.I.G. remix. So sue me. Maybe it's the line "You're cute, you're like Topanga before she got fat."
This recently came out. It will be thoroughly remixed, don't you worry. Also has clips of the vocal from Finally Moving. I recommend this song for your friday nights.
I was on a college rapper kick for awhile, which possibly explains the origin of this song in my iTunes library.
I was digging Alex Winston's covers before I knew she had her own stuff. I liked it, but then, anything Star Slinger remixes is worth multiple plays. So give this a listen. Reminds me of Sleigh Bells at times. Sister Wife (Star Slinger Remix)- Alex Winston
I am Robyn hear me roar.
CHILDISH GAMBINO PLEASE COME SIGN MY FOREHEAD. I want you.
Florence, you're beautiful. Addicted to Love is as sultry as it gets. Makes you want more.
you're right DJ Fresh, it is going to get louder.
This song is blowing up everywhere, for good reason. It's a hipster oldie by this time, but this is the kind of song that bypasses that nonsense. Don't be fooled by the release date, this song deserves to be played again and again.
I saw this guy, Kevin Olusola, perform live last week during a college visit and was so amazed that I just had to share it with you all! His cello skills are jaw-dropping and then he just randomly starts beat boxing? Insane.
Oh and by the way, he's going to Berklee College of Music next year, although he's pre-med and fluent in Chinese (he majored in East Asian studies). Nbd.
On Sunday, June 5th, local Bay Area radio station Live 105 will host its annual BFD concert at the Mountain View Shoreline. This year Linkin Park, Snoop Dogg, The Strokes, Cage The Elephant, and Wolfgang Gartner will be playing, among others. Lawn tickets are $39.50 dollars, or $26.25 if bought in a four-pack.
Notorious techno music festival, HARD, is returning to Los Angeles State Historical Park on Saturday, August 6th. The festival does a great job with gathering together the best and newest electronic acts, with Duck Sauce, Boys Noize, Chromeo, Ratatat, Skrillex, Digitalism, and Caspa playing. Tickets are $60 dollars and available here. The festival is 18+ only.
Last night Chicago's Lollapalooza Music Festival announced their lineup, which, as it has for years, balances a wide variety of pop and indie acts from a broad span of musical genres. Eminem, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, and Muse will headline the festival this August 5th-7th in Grant Park. Other notable bands include My Morning Jacket, Deadmau5, Cee Lo Green, Bright Eyes, Arctic Monkeys, Beirut, Ratatat, Crystal Castles, Atmosphere, Cold War Kids, Cage The Elephant, Local Natives, Sleigh Bells, Phantogram, and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. The techno/electronic stage of the festival boasts an equally stellar lineup, with Girl Talk, Kid Cudi, Bloody Beetroots, Afrojack and Skrillex playing. Regular three day passes are selling for $215, with all discounted tickets already sold out.
Here's some songs from bands playing at Outside Lands 2011. Some come with music videos, and Major Lazer's Pon de Floor is especially interesting...
-C
The 2011 lineup has been announced for San Francisco's Outside Lands Music Festival. The lineup looks great, especially compared to last year's. It should make ravers, indie rockers, and indie pop lovers happy as Deadmau5, Girl Talk, Major Lazer, along with Arcade Fire, The Black Keys, The Decemberists, and MGMT, Phantogram, Toro y Moi will be playing. Get your tickets now, they're currently on sale for $175 but then they go up to $185 and $199.50 as they sell out.
San Francisco's 4th annual festival in Golden Gate Park, Outside Lands, will be announcing its lineup this Monday. The event, taking place August 12-14th, looks like it may top last years lineup. "Ranger Dave" has already leaked some lineup clues on his Twitter. We know for sure Best Coast will be playing, as the clue "ranger dave is not on the right coast, but the west coast" is pretty straight forward. Try to figure out the others onthe festival's account.
Cut Copy and the Decemberists are rumored so far, and many online blogs speculate Wilco and Arcade Fire as headliners. Checkthis website for rumor updates. -C
A super random playlist with an equally random name that somehow works... hopefully?
From 80s music to 8 bit, alternative to pop, reggae to r&b, techno to hard rock. Yea, I was in one of those moods. Enjoy!
Crazy for You by Madonna
All Cause of You by The 88
Love Complete by The Epochs
Sleep Tonight by Stars
Lovefool by The Cardigans
A Funny Thing by Penguin Prison
Live to Tell the Tale by Passion Pit
Years (Five-Eight) by Starscream
Stratosphere by Digitalism
Baptism by Crystal Castles
Make Me Sweat by Basement Jaxx
I Got What You Need by Eve
Shut Up by the Black Eyed Peas
Welcome to Jamrock by Damian Marley
Shoot Me in the Smile by The Matches
Seventeen Forever by Metro Station
Trepador by Filligar
In Love With the 80's (Pink Tux to the Prom) by Relient K
Bruises by Chairlift
Absolutely (Story of a Girl) by Nine Days
Stream and download British band Noah and the Whale's song "Give It All Back" from their latest album "Last Night on Earth!" Check it out and a brief interview with them from Nylon Magazine here.
Be sure to check out London producer Pariah, his debut EP and follow-up Safehouses are pretty promising. His song Detroit Falls is amazing, he's got this sound that's somewhere in between James Blake, Flying Lotus, and Burial.
R&B singer Abel Tesfaye, with the help of Drake's tweets and Pitchfork's review, has started a career after releasing his first EP only nine days ago. While the lyrics and voice of Tesfaye sound like typical R&B, the music that envelops his voice breaks the genre's boundaries. His music is instantly accessible, but more lasting and cohesive as a larger album.
Even better, he's offering up the album House Of Balloons, for FREE, right here. Don't get turned off by the creepy album cover. Check out some songs below.
High for This, slow at first, but give it a minute and it's a great song.
My friend N and I made a music video for singer-songwriter Trent Dabbs's contest for his song "Leave to See" just off his newest album "Southerner." It's a song about longing and wondering, perfect to sing along to or chill out to. You can download the song for free by liking Trent's facebook page.
We're hoping to get "Most number of views on YouTube" so please watch it and send it to your friends if you like it! Special thanks to our close friends CY and RR for starring in the video and AM for telling us about the contest. Enjoy :)
In wake of the disastrous earthquakes and tsunamis that hit Japan two Fridays ago, our favorite Berkeley band the Morning Benders released an EP to raise some funds. The band was scheduled to perform in Tokyo for the first time last week. Front man Chris Chu was particularly excited to return to the land of his birth, and thus all the more motivated to do what he could to help out after the disaster struck. 100% of the proceeds go to the Japan Society's Earthquake Relief Fund - way to go Morning Benders!
Donate to help and get the EP to listen to some sweet music here.
Check out the music video for Mornin' by the up-and-coming electronic band Star Slinger from their debut album Volume 1. The song is addictive and the video is trippy.
San Francisco's 4th annual music festival in Golden Gate Park, Outside Lands, will return to the bay for the August 12th-14th weekend. Tickets go on sale on March 11th, and this year three-day tickets are only $149.50, which is pretty much unheard of for a big music festival.
Last year's lineup couldn't compare to previous years, but Another Planet entertainment definitely caught on to some negative responses online, most of which were on the festival's own Facebook page. So they'll be trying this year to maintain the young festival's reputation, and hopefully take advantage of some amazing new acts in the 2011-2010 music scene.
Went and saw Starfucker at the Rickshaw in SF twas excellent...
check out their new album Reptilians and their opener Unknown Mortal Orchestra: How can u luv me
Hey guys, sorry it's been a while since I've done a post. Anyways, much to my dislike, the weather here in the Bay Area recently hasn't lived up to the sunny California stereotype. We're expecting rain, rain, and more rain for the next 10 or so days. So to get myself into that perfect balanced mood of being chill and at ease vs. being too relaxed and not wanting to get out of bed in the morning, I listen to my go-to rainy day songs.
So here's a snippet of my rainy day playlist, enjoy:
Just months after their amazing 2010 debut, Causers of This, Toro y Moi have released their second album: Underneath the Pine. Be sure to check this prolific electronic band, as they've already solidified a spot in the indie electronic scene. The music video for New Beat from their new ablum along with Thanks Vision from their first album is below.
The one and only Radiohead has just announced their new album, The King of Limbs, to be released digitally this Saturday. You can also pre-order the physical album, which comes with 2 vinyls, a CD, a digital download, and hundreds of pieces of artwork for May 19th.
Just like In Rainbows, Radiohead has announced their album only days before their release. It was especially surprising given that they've been mostly off the map recently besides lead singer Thom Yorke's appearance at Glastonbury festival in England and some blog posting.
The website Radiohead is using to sell the album, thekingoflimbs.com, has apparently been overloaded with visitors and is very slow to respond. On the site you can also buy just a digital copy for $9.00 versus the $48.00 for the entire set.
On another note, check out this conspiracy theory about Radiohead's album releasing pattern.
I'm making a super short promotion video for IMA and I'm in need of some footage from you guys! If you're interested in appearing on IMA, please send super short clips of yourself (from the shoulders up) saying "IMA" (as Imma, not I.M.A.) and/or "I'm a _______." Fill in the blank with whatever you want - I'm a musician, I'm a fashionista, I'm a music aficionado, for example.
Send to indiemusicapp@gmail.com and I'll put in as many clips of you guys as I can :) Thanks for the help!
You can buy the digital copy of James Blake's self-titled, full-length album RIGHT NOW. If you're in the UK this is old news, as his album was released yesterday. Regardless, check it out. His last three LPs were amazing, and his newest full-length deserves a listen.
In other news, the more established electronic act Cut Copy has just released another album, Zonoscope.
I just came across the LA-based trioPollynyesterday and was immediately hooked. The combination of Genevieve Artadi's deep voice with the sporadic strumming of Anthony Cava on guitar and Adam Jay Weissman mixing some funk in, makes me wanna close my eyes, sway from side to side, and croon along.
Relatively fresh to the music scene, the band just released their debut album "This Little Night" in June and have subsequently put out a few EPs. Check out a couple of their songs, "Gave It Up" and "Can't Get Into It" below. "Gave It Up," my personal favorite, is a perfect middle ground between a fast-paced get-me-out-of-bed song and one that makes you sigh and fall asleep. New go-to morning drive song? Check.
That's right, the bigger, badder, and better version of Skins - the original UK version - is coming back this Thursday, January 27th. With a completely new and relatively obscure cast, the show is sure to be met with some criticism (since losing characters like Tony and Cassie after the second season was hard enough). Yet all the same, its Skins - the rawest drama out there and the only show I've heard of where real world teens directly take part in the writing process. The first episode focuses on Franky (fourth from the left in the picture), a boyish and artsy girl complete with a pixie cut and a plethora of black and plaid clothes. Although the premise - kid moves to a new town (from Oxford to Bristol in this case) and goes to the local school where she encounters mean girls and makes friends with outsiders, only to have the mean girls later be suspiciously nice to her - seems cliche, I'm pretty confident the show will spice it up with the usual innovative and "controversial" material that will make the US version seem even more prude in comparison.
So as I gear up to watch the second episode of Skins US tonight and try and keep an open mind, I can't help but be very excited for Thursday to see Skins as it should be - almost completely uncensored in its glory of British accents and slang, swear words, and unforgettable Bristol late nights/early mornings that are hard to remember.
But now I'm just left wondering two things:
1) Where can I get a quality online stream of the episode that I can watch here in the States?
2) Do you wont to go to ah pahr-ee?
"The linear versus the abstract thinker," "The studio tinkerer versus the bedroom balladeer," and "Boy versus girl" are but a few ways The Submarines describe themselves. But after listening to their newest single, "Birds" over and over again, I would call Blake Hazard and John Dragonetti talented musicians who flawlessly blend mellow and musing lyrics with springy guitar riffs and piano melodies. The song is a lot more easy-going, and perhaps even catchier, than the husband-wife duo's more famous "You Me, and the Bourgeoisie" that was featured on an iPod commercial a couple years ago. It's the first single from their third album "Love Notes/Letter Bombs" planned for release on April 5.
Arguably the most important music festival of the 21st century, Coachella, has just released its 2011 lineup. Continuing a strong history and following up one of the most talked about lineups from 2010, the list is nothing short of perfection. The lineup includes big alternative names like Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, and the Strokes; up-and-coming indie artists like Sleigh Bells, Phantogram, and the Radio Dept; stellar electronic bands like Crystal Castles, Bloody Beetroots, and Animal Collective; not to mention a continuation of the hip-pop headliner with Kanye West. This is all not to mention Erykah Badu, Cold War Kids, the Tallest Man on Earth, Twin Shadow, Delorean, Boyz Noize, Best Coast, Robyn, the Black Keys, Duck Sauce, Bright Eyes, the Broken Social Scene, and MANY, many more.
Having gone last year, I can personally tell you that the festival lives up to the lineup. The atmosphere is perfect: endless fields and stages sprawl out for acres under the warm Palm Springs sun. There is ample room for the crowds, one rarely feels claustrophobic, unlike Treasure Island Festival. And to top it off, Coachella usually books some crazy visual artists. Last year featured a massive origami statue and sculptures that shot spirals of flames up into the air.
Just go. Arcade Fire's past performances at Coachella were apparently breathtaking, and I'm sure Kanye won't let his be forgotten. This may be a bold statement, but Coachella is the closest thing we're gonna get to Woodstock.
In order to seduce the Skins following that has grown to cult-like status in the US, MTV organized a pretty stellar lineup of songs for the show's US premiere. Mimicking the opening (along with almost every other) scene, the US version opened with Effie returning from a night of hard partying. As the camera switched from Effie to her older brother, giving audiences the first glimpse of the US Tony in action, My Girls by Animal Collective started. Just a few minutes later, When I'm Small by Phantogram transitioned in as students in the now Baltimore, once Bristol, high school walked to their classes.
MTV obviously did some research, which apparently took time away from the casting as many of the characters struggled to replicate the complexity and idiosyncrasies of their British counterparts. However, this is a music blog, so I'll leave the reviews of US Skins up to the TV critics. Check out the two highlights from the opening episode's soundtrack below.
British electronic artist James Blake's official genre is Dubstep, but you wouldn't be able to tell from his music. In a world of ever-expanding genres and movements, Blake has taken the best from the recent electronic trends to create a unique, distinguishable sound. In his 3 amazing EPs, Klavierwerke, CYMK and The Bells Sketch, he mixes minimalist and drone techniques with classical and R&B sounds. His gift of song-making defies the typical chorus/verse system; instead, Blake relies on intricate structures of sound.
Given he's British, Blake has released his work earlier in his home country. According to his website, he has his first full-length album coming out soon, but we'll have to wait for the official US date. Check out his intense build-up in his song CMYK and the interesting voice modification in Tell Her Safe below.
Die Antwoord, the whole notha' level zef group all the way from South Africa has been recently featured in the January edition of my favorite magazine, NYLON. A fashion and culture mag, Nylon is almost too popular to be considered indie but alternative enough to not be mainstream (a la Urban Outfitters or American Apparel).
Anyways, Ninja and Yo-Landi have a two page spread in the mag which offers some insightful information (the two have a 5-year old daughter?!). Buy the issue, its cover story features Mila Kunis and her role in Black Swan.
And watch a short feature on Die Antwoord on NYLON TV below:
'Sup monday morning. I can't believe you're upon us, and the weekend is over. I guess as a second semester senior I should appreciate the finite number of high school mondays I have left, but if you say that to me in a few hours when I have to wake up and drive to school, I'll probably fight you. In order to alleviate the ennui and frustration that one suffers while commuting to and from school, I make car CDs with songs that are just ridiculous enough to keep me from getting on the highway and driving until I don't come back. It's tempting. There's a little house music, a little reggae, a little dubstep, 50s soul and just a few in spanish. Lately I've had trouble making mixes with songs that relate to each other, thus I have decided to accept the randomness. You know those people you see singing alone in their cars? I'm proud to say that I'm one of 'em. So, whether you bike, drive, walk, ride the train or ski to school/work/wherever you waste 5 days of your precious week, these songs might help make the daily trip just a little more bearable.
Let It Out- Girl Talk
My Volvo (Sabzi Remix) - Grynch *
Once in A Lifetime - Talking Heads *
The Rain - Calvin Harris
Can You Kiss Me First (1928 Remix) - College
Indestructible (A-Trak radio Edit) - Robyn
Bam - Sharps
Abrazame (Hold Yuh Riddim) - Los Rakas *
Safe & Sound (Zion I Remix) - Rebelution
California Soul (Diplo/Mad Decent Remix) - Marlena Shaw *
You & Me - Penny & The Quarters
Girls Fall Like Dominoes - Nicki Minaj
Da Cali Anthem - Rusko
Download this playlist for free on mediafire here!!!!
Will Wiesenfeld has caught a lot of attention lately, especially with his release of the spectacular Cerulean under the name Baths. Continuing his prolific streak of electronic music, Wiesenfeld has released another album titled Mend under the name Geotic. Unlike the glitchy yet pop-driven Cerulean, Mend is more ambient and slowed down. Given the switch of genres, Mend will most likely take longer to catch on when compared to Cerulean, but given Wiesenfeld's ability, it's definetely worth a few listens. Grab it HERE for free courtesy of the artist. For an in-depth description of the album, click here.
