This is a roughly recorded, but fantastic mix - the selections are amazing and the genre bending journey is worth 95 mins of your listening pleasure. Featuring Funk, Disco, Dubstep & Techno it certainly is a lesson in how to put together an amazing DJ set.
It all started when I was taking a walk at dusk and Mr. Buckley's version of Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" popped up on my iPod. It instantly put me in a mood for some similar tunage, and leads me to someone who reminds me quite a bit of the magnanimous Mr. Buckley. If you appreciate a laid-back singer songwriter that doesn't put you on folk-overload, then I think you would put Patrick Joseph in the swell files. Not all Buckley reminiscent all the time, the multi-instrumentalist presents a varied and soothing repertoire of well crafted songs. His recently released album Antiques, is available for a "name your price" download through the artist's website. One of the stand-out tracks, "Better Than it Was Before."
The song that first garnered the artist attention on the web in 2009 that also ended up on Antiques, is "Arsonist Blues."
Mr. Joseph performs around town at venues like Hotel Cafe, El Cid, and Room 5. If you have a chance, check him out.
P.S. Patrick and fellow musician Lucas Martinez do a really good cover of Nina Simone's "Feeling Good" and if you see them live, keep your ears open for this one!
Apparently it took a kick-ass show at Coachella that's been talked about quite a bit in LA to get me into these guys. It seems the more I dig though, I'm finding that there isn't a ton of music produced by Empire of the Sun. Here's what I have been able to kick up:
-The group is headlined by two Aussies, both with other band projects they're known for.
-Nick Littlemore, of the band Pnau is also currently musical director of a Cirque de Soleil show at Radio City Music Hall. This totally makes sense if you watch any of the EOTS videos, and pay attention to their visual style.
-Luke Steele, the other half of EOTS, also has another band called The Sleepy Jackson, which is a much more stripped down acoustic venture.
-Their live shows are highly theatrical and thematically tied together and musically seamless.
What is interesting to me, is that the band really hasn't put out any new music since 2009, yet they had packed slot at Coachella and a fantastic response to their music in general. I'm wondering if they plan to continue on as Empire, or if the Nick and Luke will continue to go in separate directions with their other bands and side projects. I think what they are doing is interesting, highly visual, and has a nice mix of electro-pop with a little Mad Max futuristic world vision thrown in. Tell me what you think?
Their hit single, "We Are the People," which was filmed in Monterrey, Mexico. I think the video locations are pretty visually stunning.
Here is a video from their recent Coachella performance (sort of a rough, homemade video but you get the idea):
Here are some of Luke's The Sleepy Jackson musical stylings:
So last week I headed down The CAMP in Old Street for Foster The People's 1st gig in London. This band have been creating a buzz for a while stateside and the sold out crowd in London last Wednesday (13th) had an air of excitement. The LA boys bounded on stage with such energy and enthusiasm it was very difficult not to be entertained by Foster The People who have been compared to MGMT. A set that was punchy, tight and full energy kept the crowd at CAMP dancing until midnight. These boys attract an up for it, happy following, even for their 1st gig in the UK.
And today saw the release of this amazing remix of Pumped Up Kicks by NYC's The Knocks - just up for it and brilliant - I be giving it a spin on Saturday...
FTP played Coachella at the weekend and are returning to the UK in May to kick start a string of dates across Europe before playing all over Canada and the US including 2 sold out dates at El Ray in LA... Its a big year for these boys....
Panda Bear's new record 'Tomboy' has hypnotized me today. The gentle sounds of Tomboy are magical and this album has a psychedelic, washed up summer sound that has won me over today. Noah Lennox's other main project is of course Animal Collective - who's album Merriweather Post Pavilion was massive for me in 2009 so I have been looking forward to this release for while.
This new record is full of the ambient loveliness that Panda Bear executes so well. Early highlights for me are 'Benfica' & 'Surfer's Hymn'. The whole album feels enormous and the echoing, haunting vocals are just beautiful. Lennox is constantly experimenting with his sound and there are elements of dub-step / and hip hop beats on this record which add to the repetitive atmospheric vocals. In my opinion this is one of those albums that begs to be listened to over and over - especially on a beautiful early summer's day.
Sit back and let the sounds of Panda Bear wash over you....
Laura: Everyone loves a good cover tune right? From the band at your Cousin's wedding playing Young MC's "Bust a Move," to the saucy Flamenco version of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," a good cover can re-invent a song and put a fresh spin on an old favorite. Sometimes even make a not-so-likable song, well...damn good.
Some covers that have been floating around in my head lately that really stick are, the Secret Sisters with Jack White, covering Johnny Cash's "Big River." Jack White of course throws some well-deserved rocktitude on it:
Le Original, also kick ass in it's own way. Oh Johnny C, you're good not just 'cause you're cool.
I'm also a big fan of this Elvis cover too. I'm a sucker for a good Elvis cover. It's such common ground to tread, but it hits a sweet spot I think...Anna Calvi does it well:
Now please enjoy the original care of some random You Tube video that some dude edited...why not!
And lastly on my list of kick-ass covers, comes "Tyrone," as covered by My Morning Jacket. Please excuse the shoddy video....it was taken by yours truly on a Canon Power Shot with a video function. But the audio isn't bad....
The original:
(And That Ain't Right Child)
Andy: One of the most important tunes that has stuck with me for years is Ride's 'Vapour Trail'. Every time I hear it I get shivers down my spine. It sums up what an amazing bad Ride were and their legacy of shoe gaze sounds can be heard everywhere.
Now listen this outstanding cover by Seattle shoe gaze lovers: Trespassers William. This cover is nothing but incredible and takes nothing away from the original and stands on its own as being as magical.
God bless Erol Alkan for including it on his 'Bugged In' compilation from a couple of years ago.
Ok so Siouxsie and the Banshees effort of The Beatles fine song Dear Prudence is also one of my all time favorite covers - basically speaks for itself - beautiful:
Ok and onto something that is totally different, but in my opinion is still an amazing cover! This time it comes from Oxford boys Foals in the form of Swedish House Mafia's One. Yes, thats right Foals covered one of the biggest dance tunes of last year and have made it their own. There are not many covers that blow you away and grab your attention but this one does - its huge and sounds like it was almost made for Foals to play, what with their relentless percussion driven sound. Its totally different from the above tracks so if your feeling a bit mellow and chilled - prepare to get groove on!
Ok and now to the original feat Pharrel - not to everyones taste but you have to admit that it is pretty dam epic! Reminds me of standing in a field last summer jumping around.... Last years huge club anthem:
Today sees the release of Architecture In Helsinki's new electro upbeat album full of bouncy tunes. The Aussie 5 peiec have been going for 11 years and Moment Bends on Modular Records is their 5th album. Based on the single Contact High - its defo worth a punt in my view....
So in a year ripe with fantastic music, comes change for the West Coast Faction of After We Talked. I've recently relocated....to the other side of Hollywood (the prettier side) and have taken some time away from AWT. Music, has not been absent from my life during this time, however I have not had the ability to do much writing about it as of late. Kudos to Andy in London for taking the ball and running with it, posting new lovely musical bits on the regular while I was transitioning in to my new home. I thought I'd share some of the songs and artists that kept me motivated to pack, move, and un-pack again.
Really enjoying former Elephant front man Diego Garcia's new album. Have only heard a few tracks, but here is one of them "You Were Never There" off his debut solo album entitled "Laura."
I also like the song "Stay," which sounds sort of half Spanish ballad, half 50s crooner...diggin' it. I'm seeing Velvet paintings...
I've also really been into the Vaccines lately, thanks to Andy in London's suggestion. The entire album is good, but the track that has superfantastic earworm power is "Post Break Up Sex"
On the softer side of things, I've been listening to the soothing sounds of Agnes Obel. Something fresh and yet old-world about her. I like this track called Riverside.
I even like some tracks of the new Paul Simon joint, "So Beautiful So What." The two tracks I've heard off the album seem to have a bluesy sort of New Orleans/Zydeco feel to them. Takes me back to my last trip to Nola and time spent dancing at D.B.A. in the Marigny district. Have a listen to "Afterlife."
Alright friends, enjoy the rest of what's left of Sunday. I bid you adieu.
Oh it feels good that the Beastie Boys are back this year and doing what they do best!
'Make Some Noise' has been floating about this week and it just sounds so damn good....Its the first helping from the upcoming Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2 LP out in May. A couple of years ago there may have been doubts about whether Brooklyn's finest would return to their former glory after Adam Yauch’s cancer scare but after 'Make Some Noise' was leaked online a couple of weeks ago, you can totally feel they are ready to stage a comeback of epic proportions.
I have been listening to Wild Beasts a lot recently - their album Two Dancers which was easily one of the best albums of last year really still sounds so good and utterly brilliant. They return in May with new single Albatross from forthcoming album Smother on Domino Records.
Their haunting sounds and distinctive vocals are nothing but a joy to listen to and Albatross certainly soothes the soul. I saw them play last year at the Lovebox festival in London on a seriously hot day in the city and their dreamlike sounds cast a spell over Victoria Park that day as I am sure they will again on August 6th when they play Field Day in the very same park.
They have a string of gigs around the UK in support of the new album release including 2 at the absolutely stunning Wilton's Music Hall. A Victorian Music Hall in London's East End - very befitting for a band who sound so beautiful.
I'll leave you to enjoy Two Dancers from last year
3 years after their debut album was released to universal acclaim and a Mercury prize nomination, Glasgow's finest band return with EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\ - out 04//04. I am getting pretty excited about absorbing what Glasvegas have been working on during the 3 year's they have not been around.
This album has the potential to be massive - stirring, uplifting and haunting tunes are what Glasvegas does best and this trailer certainly wets the appetite.
