Jul 30, 2010
Play For Today: N.A.S.A.(ft. Kanye West, Santogold& Lykke Li) – Gifted(Flirtphonic Remix)
SIS EXCLUSIVE! posted by Kiran Gollakota at 9:00 am
I don’t know much about Flirtphonic, but I do know that his music is rather good and I like it quite a bit. The New Yorker’s remix of “Gifted,” from N.A.S.A.’s well-received 2009 album, The Spirit of Apollo, is funky and modern—all exotic drums, squeaky synthesizers, and immensely danceable rhythms. Flirtphonic’s sound is fresh, unique, and energetic. In short, it’s everything you might need to put that extra bounce in your step on an otherwise dreary day.
Jul 30, 2010
New To Know: Murder Mystery + The Humms
story via The World In A Paper Cup, posted at 6:00 am
Murder Mystery
Mmmmmm, Mondays are perfect for a smidge of new neo-wave and Murder Mystery will provide you with just such a fix. The New York band makes the tastiest of tasty slice of life pop songs that go in easy and stay rattling around your ears as you find yourself humming them all day long. They’re just pushing two singles out for your enjoyment right now but man do I hope there is a full album hiding up their sleeves.
http://www.box.net/shared/static/fd3z9uq1qq.mp3
http://www.box.net/shared/static/rofjtd9l0f.mp3
The Humms
This is some good good business here folks. The Humms, a poly-genre loving band from Georgia, will be releasing their new record Lemonland in August and it’s 18 tracks offer up an excellent exploration of the essential components of psycho-billy, punk, garage rock. The group manages to cover such a wide swatch of sonic territory because they don’t try to mash them up into something new. Instead, each track has it’s own distinct sound- often an homage to the classics- but with the grubby Humms treatment which gives it that extra kick. Lemonlandmay be a mixed bag genre-wise but each song is executed so well and with the same raw enthusiasm they all become pieces in a curious puzzle.
Jul 29, 2010
Review: Lorn –Nothing Else
SIS EXCLUSIVE! posted by Veronica Murtagh at 5:00 pm
Lorn – Nothing Else | Brainfeeder | Grade: A+
Isolate any single bar from the twelve tracks of Illinois beatmaker Lorn’s debut full-length Nothing Else and it’s evident he is in the right place on the roster of Flying Lotus’s Brainfeeder imprint. His dubstep-derived sounds are dark, stuck to one another in a sticky tar. They enter through your eardrums, hit your nervous system and splinter off in every direction until your feet can’t move, your fingers go numb and your mind gives in to its higher master.
Lorn is positioned uniquely amongst the ranks of his contemporaries. Nothing Else is too large to fit within the confines of genres even as broad as “electronic” or terms as general as “album”. While his peers create tracks to be released as singles, remixed by others or played out within a DJ set, Lorn’s focus is that of a symphonic composer across Nothing Else.
Like the work of Franz Schubert, similar sounds reappear but within differing contexts unfold into new animals. A single line of driving, pitched up synth (akin to Ratatat’s token sound) is familiar across Nothing Else. The trudging swamp waters of “None An Island” are made navigable by its flashlight beacon cutting the darkness and lighting your steps back towards the shore. What was a leading hand becomes an agent inciting panic on “Automaton”, jagged metal teeth zipping over a wafting line of dread coupled with heavy, erratic bass.
Jul 29, 2010
Sup Sydney
story via Stoney Roads, posted at 3:00 pm
I am writing this, not to be cynical, but to provoke a reaction.
Disclaimer* These points reflect my opinions on a broad range of topics in terms of dance music and clubs and have been compiled from what I have seen happen over the last 3 years. This article can relate to anyone around the world who visits this blog but im sharing my opinions from a view point of living in sydney
Social Media – 5 years ago, you would get an sms from your friend saying ‘come to this club’, essentially making the club night a small network of friends. Everyone would know at least know 2 or 3 people in the club and it would lead to friendships being forged. With the introduction of Facebook, the club experience has become much more stranger laden, mainstream and profit focused. Tip – take a risk and look at promoting your night another way. Ask a promoter pre facebook/myspace how they promoted their nights. It may take 5 mins longer but you will command a lot more respect if you can pull a killer night off without the help of Facebook.
Deadbeats – thanks to Facebook everyone know what the F*&^ is going on. Deadbeats are the guys who make the clubs less friendly. They are there to either pick up a “chick” or kick some guys arse for brushing across their rats tail. Think the general male population needs to focus less on their next lay and actually enjoy the music.
Noob Night Holders – “earn your stripes” before attempting to run a night, rather than go to your mum or dad, get a couple of grand and rape everyone’s facebook with invites.
Globalisation of dance music (dance music saturation) – The lines between genres of dance music are thinning and music is becoming more of a generic formula in terms of creating what would be considered popular. It should be compulsory for every dj to spend a certain amount of hours a week looking more deeply into blogs/beatport.
Local Support act djs – They take less risk in terms of music variety in the fear of having their music rejected by the crowd and not looking cool. So instead of hearing something fresh when you walk into a club, you are more likely to hear a shitty cold play or pon de floor remix and a bunch of 17 year olds dancing. NOTE – selling out does not make you a good dj. If I or any other person who has a half decent taste in dance music wanted to listen to cheese, I would go to my little sisters ipod.
Railroading – practise your mixing till your ears bleed please before you get the pleasure of playing in a club. Respect the crowd by making the beats match and giving us something fresh to listen to.
Flyers – If you are going to theme your party on your flyer, actually go to the effort of buying a few things and theme the club rather than making it the same old bland venue and relying on people to dress up to create the desired atmosphere. Holding a night should not always be about making a profit.
Jul 29, 2010
Live: The Faint At Metro,Chicago
SIS EXCLUSIVE! posted by Katie McMillan at 1:00 pm
All photos by Doug Williams/Enlyte Photography
This past weekend I was an irresponsible writer. While under most circumstances , I take some small delight in being the nerd at the show taking notes in the corner, this proved to be quite an impossible task at the Metro on Friday. Partially because I was quite drunk, but mostly, I’ll give credit where credit is due; the energy of
The Faint brought to the stage and the enthusiasm of the crowd was an infectious combination that I don’t think kept anyone idle during the show. In the nearly tropical atmosphere of Chicago’s brief monsoon season, the venue turned into The Faint’s own dance-punk party on Mars and no rise in temperature or humidity percentage seemed stop them, or the audience, from having a raucous good time.
It’s hard to believe that at the beginning of their career, The Faint (then known as Norman Bailer) were once peopled with the likes of Conor Oberst and signed to his predominantly indie folk label, Saddle Creek Records. Though they hail from Saddle Creek hometown Omaha, Nebraska, their sound has always been far more heavy and electronic than the signature softer country twang of other prominent members of the “Omaha sound”. Thus, their break from the label with the release of their latest album, 2008’s Fasciinatiion under their own imprint blank.wav came as no surprise. However, much has been quiet on The Faint front since they wrapped up a tour with Ladytron in mid-2009, seeing three of the members (Clarke Baechle, Todd Fink and Jacob Thiele) embark as DJs under the moniker Depressed Buttons, playing in clubs and smaller venues. The band’s announcement of a short, five day tour of the Midwest seemed just a fan indulgence and their Chicago show certainly seemed to prove as much.
Jul 29, 2010
3×3: A Short Interview With Holy Ghost!
story via , posted at 11:00 am
Holy Ghost! release their 4-track Static On The Wire EP on August 23rd. It’s the first taste of the band’s oh-so-sweet electro-inflected disco dance music and it feature relative blog hits ‘I Will Come Back’ and ‘Say My Name’ as well as the new song featured in the video which itself features Caroline Polachek of Chairlift.
The duo have made their name with their remixes too including the might Monarchy remix – probably the remix of the year so far as well as their superb Friendly Fires cover. This edition of 3×3 of some cold hard fact-sharing, the band share their top three answers to three questions.
Holy Ghost!’s Three favourite remixes/songs/ albums of 2010
1. LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening
2. Still Going – Spaghetti Circus
3. Shit Robot – ‘Simple Things’ (Todd Terje remix)
Three of Holy Ghost!’s biggest influences and why
1. James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy from DFA – The Masters
2. Dollar bin 12″ records – We discovered a lot of great music and production ideas by searching through old, discarded vinyl over the years. Whether it was old disco or freestyle records, we love digging through old records and finding the hidden gems.
3. New Order – for their music and production, but also for the visual concepts.
Three things Holy Ghost! have planned for the rest of the year
1. Release our album
2. Play many, many shows with our live band
3. Enjoy the days off.
Jul 29, 2010
Play For Today: DominiqueYoung Unique – Show My Ass
SIS EXCLUSIVE! posted by Will Hines at 9:00 am
This might appear “late”, but searching back through the archives, I noticed that we’ve yet to really delve into the enigma that is Dominique Young Unique. As a whole the Strangers in Stereo collective stands behind this 18-year-old out of Tampa, FL. When she first emerged with “Music Time” and “Hot Girl”, our interest was piqued.
There was, however, always something in reserve. She returned this year with “Show My Ass” (video), a scattergun single of incredible energy, with handclaps and a feisty electro influence. Producer David Alexander is surely behind the diverse crib sheet but the one thread that ties all the madness together is Dominique, her flow unrelenting for the three minute running time.
This was the moment that her talent was really announced, and sure enough, Unique is now the worst kept secret in music. If you missed her equally impressive Domination mixtape, download it here.
http://www.strangersinstereo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Show-My-Ass.mp3
Jul 29, 2010
Lil Wayne vs. 500 Days Of Summer – 500 Days Of Weezy
story via Pigeons And Planes, posted at 7:00 am
Well damn. My Sick Uncle made this mash up project putting Weezy up against the hipster-adored soundtrack to 500 Days Of Summer. Definitely not the most obvious artistic decision, but something about it seems to make sense. You can stream the album here. Saw it at HHU. Oh, and #FreeWeezy, obviously.
“This is not a mashup album, this is an album about Wayne.”
Jul 28, 2010
Video: Robyn – Hang With Me (Premiere)
story via Muumuse, posted at 5:00 pm
Oh boy…now this is a real treat.
The clip follows the singer on her recent touring adventures, all gorgeously shot by director Max Vitali.
This video will prove to be an instant favorite for hardcore fans, offering a rare, intimate glimpse of Robyn as a pop star. While there’s loads of great footage following the singer on roller coasters and performing in front of massive crowds, the best moments are the ones pictured above–smiling simply all on her own.
From her official website, “Hang With Me” will be released “6th August in Scandinavia / 17th August in the US and Canada / 3rd September in Germany, Switzerland and Holland / 5th September in the UK and Australia.”
Jul 28, 2010
Review: Man/Miracle– The Shape Of Things
SIS EXCLUSIVE! posted by Ryan Sievert at 3:30 pm
Man/Miracle – The Shape Of Things | Third Culture / eMusic Selects | Grade: C+
Oakland-based Man/Miracle have been around since 2006, and managed to remain off my radar until eMusic recently released The Shape Of Things as part of their Selects label; a digital distribution channel that gives artists label support without the associated overhead of a physical catalog. The record stands as a testament to the opportunity afforded by consequence-free digital distribution, but also proves the band could have used a little more time in the incubator before releasing a full-length.
After repeated listens, it has to be said: The Shape Of Things is uncomfortably indebted to The Dirty Projectors singular sound. “DayGlo” is the most egregious offense—all faux-African guitar, awkward vocal modulation and soft-then-loud verse/chorus dynamics—but the slavish imitation pops up all over the record, particularly in the vocal arrangements. And depending on your tolerance of the NPR-approved world beat digressions found on recent releases from Local Natives or Au, you’ll either have just enough aural patchouli or dismiss Man/Miracle as some kind of nu-indie version of Rusted Root.
The Daily Dose
-
Apple’s new Magic Trackpad has copied the iPad in becoming a musician’s paradise. Extra inputs = more fun. via Digital Arts
2 days ago
-
Les Savy Fav have issued a statement on their site addressing the early leak of Root For Ruin, their forthcoming album due in September.
2 days ago
-
DMX surrendered himself to a judge this week, and is expected to serve a 90-day jail sentence in connection with a 2002 driving conviction. via Billboard
2 days ago
A little birdie just told us...
-
tympanogram 24 hours ago
writing up our most played of the week for #SiS. Any guesses as to who took the top spot?
-
creamteam 4 days ago
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to @will_hines of @strangersstereo. Only one year until you can legally drink in the States! #SiS
-
creamteam 5 days ago
It's FB friending day on #SiS. Interesting to put a face to all the bloggers in the group.
-
creamteam 7 days ago
@sheenabeaston @thecultureofme Well it added a good chunk of time onto pulling images for the #SiS Now Playing grid. Which = HATE IT.
-
thecultureofme 7 days ago
My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: The Black Ghosts (2), The Smiths (1) and Cex (1) #sis http://bit.ly/bofmJx
Dont be a stranger join our mailing list sign up now its awesome!
HOT TOPIC
i do think this is a re-recorded version for upcoming the album, don't you? :) great video.
jm sounds off on "Video: Hurts – Wonderful Life" JOIN THE DISCUSSIONCHARTER MEMBERS EST 2010
- The Blue Walrus
- Cream Team
- The Culture Of Me
- Disco Demons
- Discopunk
- First Up!
- Forward Music
- Hard Candy Music
- The Music.fm
- The Music Ninja
- Muumuse
- Nialler9
- One Thirty BPM
- Pigeons And Planes
- Pretty Much Amazing
- The Recommender
- Sheena Beaston
- Tastes Like Caramel
- Stoney Roads
- Too Many Sebastians
- Tympanogram
- Vinyl & Vodka
- We All Want Someone To Shout For
- The World In A Paper Cup
- Yours Truly