BRAIDS: Live at XOYO

Dream-pop buzz band BRAIDS played for a packed house this week at XOYO. In 2008 BRAIDS released their first EP and started playing with bands including Deerhunter. But the band from Montreal has gotten lots of attention since the release of their debut full length album Native Speaker earlier this year. They’ve drawn comparisons to early Broken Social Scene and Arcade Fire (though I like them better than both) and garnered much due praise from sites like Pitchfork and Stereogum.

The fairly new outfit consists of a typical indie rock set-up with a guitarist, keys, drums, and bass with each member contributing vocals. But they also use loop machines and synths to craft their dreamlike melodies, which can sometimes spell disaster at a live gig. I’ll admit that after listening to the tracks from Native Speaker I was skeptical of their ability to recreate the impressive atmosphere that you get when listening to the record. Wrong I was. Their set was a non-stop ebb and flow of mesmerizing soundscapes: a perfect amalgam of wafting airy vocals, oozing synths and seriously tight drums.

BRAIDS were all about creating a mood with sound. 

BRAIDS-Lemonade

BRAIDS- Native Speaker

Click Read More to read the full review....

Amy Winehouse-Lioness: Hidden Treasures

We all knew The Soul Queen of Camden had unreleased material, the question was when it would reach the rest of us. The question has been answered with the announcement of the December release of Lioness: Hidden Treasures, a collection of previously unreleased tracks spanning the course of her career. The 12 tunes are a mix of new, unheard material and alternative versions of her most familiar tracks as well as a few covers. American producer Salaam Remi, who had worked with Amy since she was signed to Island Records in 2002 says, “It’s not the album she would have made. But these are things I would like people to know that she did. It makes no sense them sitting on my hard drive wilting away.”


In classic Amy fashion, jazz standards are included in the mix with contemporary hip-hop tracks. Listeners will be glad to hear the inclusion of an original version of "The Girl From Ipanema" and Donny Hathaway's "Song for You" recorded in one of Remi's first sessions with Amy when she was 18.
For fans the release of this posthumous collection will bring mixed emotions. On the one hand, we can always be grateful for new or unreleased material from a beloved artist, but this collection presents only a shadow of what her 3rd album would have been and will most certainly leave us with a twinge of regret that we'll never hear the final product. 


One of the first tracks to leak features verses from her close friend and creative influence Nasir Jones, better known as the rapper Nas. Winehouse's tune Me and Mr. Jones was written about a boyfriend who she wouldn't let get between her and the Nas gig in Brixton. After her death Nas agreed to add lyrics to the previously recorded original. Listen to the track below.

Amy Winehouse- Like Smoke (ft. Nas)


Check back for more news on the full album set to be released on December 5th

-Hillary D.

Purity Ring at Old Blue Last

Canadian Electrowave duo Purity Ring popped into London for an evening gig at the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch last weekend. And after a short but intense set Megan James and Corey Roddick left the small but dedicated crowd wanting a bit more.

It was no surprise to see their set only consisted of a few tightly rehearsed tracks filled with Roddick's layered drum chops and James' lofty airy vocals. The band began releasing tracks about 9 months ago and since they've only debuted about 5 or 6. In their defense, when Pitchfork asked them why they have released so few tracks Roddick replied "...releasing a constant stream of music can cheapen the work. We want each song to linger with people."

Emphasis on perfectionism was pretty evident at the show. Sometimes electric music from new bands can get sloppy when bands are forced to come out of their basements and onto a live stage, but James and Roddick kept everything in line from the sharp synth riffs to the chopped up vocals.  But at shows like this I always find myself hoping they will let loose a bit, improvise. Especially when the set was over and all they could do was throw their hands up and say "That's all the songs we've got". I wanted to scream back...make something up! 

But despite the brevity, the set was intense enough to keep the listeners very interested and wanting more. Roddick's Quality over quantity mantra won out here.

Purity Ring- Ungirthed

Purity Ring- Lofticries

  

Keep checking back for new tracks from Purity Ring.

Jamie XX

As the first post from our new location SPAM has decided to post on one of London's hippest artists: Jamie xx. You're probably familiar with Jamie at this point, he's the British producer, DJ, and The xx band member responsible for Adele's Rolling in the Deep Remix. And of course his remixing of Gil Scott Heron's I'm New Here with the haunting refixes of NY is Killing Me.

Round about this time last year Jamie and his band mates from The xx were celebrating their Mercury Prize for best British artist. Now Jamie is working mostly on his mixing and DJing for BBC et al.
A more recent mix he made for Fact Magazine is ethereal and dark with some recognizable bits and a lot of cool stuff in between. Hear the Fact Mix here.

This is his newest track called Far Nearer
 jamie xx - far nearer

Here's his BBC Essential Mix
 Jamie xx Essential Mix by Young Turks

See what you think

Rizzle Kicks: Brighton's Best Hiphop

A new hip-hop outfit from Brighton called Rizzle Kicks is really making a splash in the UK. The group is made up of just two dudes, singer Harley "Sylvester" Alexander-Sule and rapper Jordan "Rizzle" Stevens. The boys have been nominated for Best Newcomer, Best Video and Best HipHop Grime at this years Mobo Awards. ALSO they bagged a nomination for Best British Single at the Radio1 Music Awards.
Not to mention that their single "Down With the Trumpets" has broken the top 10 on the charts recently.

Their early '90s vibe on thier album 'Stereo Typical' attracted the attention of producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad, who produced A Tribe Called Quest...a collaboration is afoot.

They just released this vid today... check it






Rizzle Kicks- Down With The Trumpets



Seun Kuti: New Album

Fela Kuti's youngest son Seun came out with a slammin' new album entitled From Africa With Fury: Rise. Seun took over his father's band "Egypt 80" when he died in '97 and has been touring and making records with them since.


Fela is often called the "Father of Afrobeat" and produced politically charged outspoken and innovative music. The power of his sociopolitical voice is on par with Bob Marley's. He believed in music as a medium of change and later in life went into politics. Seun, like his father, believes that music and art plays a pivotal role in inspiring the people of Africa.
His new record clearly expresses that, without losing the heart of Afrobeat.

Seun Kuti and Egypt 80- Rise


Seun Kuti and Egypt 80- African Soldiers/Mr. Big Theif



Listen to the NPR interview with Seun Kuti here.

-Hillary D.

Fall Creek Boys Choir: Download

Here it is. The highly anticipated collaboration between Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and Brit electro-producer wunderkind James Blake. The idea was born when they met at SouthBySouthWest last year and they created the track via email.

This track can definitely be recognized as Blake's work. Minimalist sound punctuated with a haunting dog bark and layering/harmonization of Vernon's vocals. [Editors note: found out that the aforementioned 'dog bark' is actually a Cuica. Although you rarely hear Cuica's being played so slowly and monotonously. There you go]

Lovely, I think... although there was rather a lot of hype surrounding it...see what you think.

James Blake and Bon Iver- Fall Creek Boys Choir

G-Eazy New Video:

One of our favorite Loyno artists just released a retro video to accompany a catchy track from his Endless Summer Mixtape.

Check out the rest of the Endless Summer Mixtape on Eazy's Website. He sampled lots of doo-woop and 50's pop tunes, added some drums and polished it all off with his signature laid back delivery.

Keepin' it classy.

MMJ at Lollapalooza

The best live act in America just graced Chigaco's Lollapalooza Festival in Grant Park. On their Website they've posted live footage of a few of the songs including an inspired version of One Big Holiday. 

Also, MMJ just announced a string of European tour dates. That way the folks across the pond can experience the thrill of a concert led by Jim James. That's at least one export that we can be proud of. 

Lammicken: Braids Video.

BRAIDS - Lammicken from Mark Webber on Vimeo.

Flying Lotus: Summer Mixtape

“Lovers Melt 2 will hopefully be part of your summer sound. Some of my favorite songs ever. Some you know, some you might not..” – Flying Lotus

LOVERS MELT 2 - Flying Lotus by kronika

Flying Lotus' newest mixtape includes none of the heavy reworkings and transitions we've come to expect from mixtapes these days. It does include, however, some of the most sampled songs of all time. Great soul, jazz, and world tracks from the psychedelic '60s, funky 70's and electronic 80's.
Essential summer listening. Enjoy.

Toro Y Moi New Stuff

Toro Y Moi has a new EP on the horizon called Freaking Out. Its gonna drop rather soon on Carpark Records. This track is actually a cover of Cherrell and Alexander O'Neal's 1985 Saturday Love.


Toro Y Moi- Saturday Love



and what's more....A new video from Toro Y Moi for How I Know. Featuring...Yes that's him...Damien from Mean Girls. You go Glen Coco!

If you like Toro take a look at his Blog

Big History: New Single

New Orleans 6 piece indie-electronica band Big History has been playing One Eyed Jack's and the Republic for a little bit now... and anyone who claims to be into the local music scene has seen these guys live a few times at least. But they just recently released their first major single "War Drum" that has the blogosphere buzzing with excitement.

"War Drum" is a pounding electronic journey through synths and violins with Meg Roussel's warm vocals leading the way. With some help from British electro-pop artist/producer Japayork, Big History's production really let the sparks fly on this track. They are moving further in the dance direction and we're loving it...

Also, for more info about the band and an exclusive interview check the local spotlight page over at Art Official then find em on Facebook

OH, and also you'll want to take a look at Voiceless Artists ...a spanking new management company that already houses some real talent in art and music and is sure to search out more.

RIYL  Beach House, Best Coast, The XX, Crystal Castles....that kinda thing, enjoy.


Big History- WarDrum


-Hillary D.

Neon Indian: New Stuff

Neon Indian, also known as Alan Palomo, has set the release date for his new album Era Extrana. On September 13th we'll see the follow up to Palomo's debut Psychic Chasms.

The first single Fallout has gotten some mixed reviews. Its rather different from the cartoon synth that we came to love in the first album Psychic Chasms...see what you think.

Neon Indian- Fallout


Also, earlier this year Palomo hopped over the pond to Helsinki to film a video accompaniment to a preview of Heart: Attack... another track from the upcoming album. Beautiful clips and a more interesting tune from Palomo, can't wait for the full track.

Neon Indian- Heart: Attack

Breakbot: New Mixtape

French Electrogroove master funk-prince Breakbot released a new mixtape a little bit ago. Be warned its saucy.

 Breakbot - Lazy Sunday Selecta 

Also, Breakbot just remixed a Chromeo tune from the "Business Casual LP".... A collaboration project with none other than Solange Knowles.

 When The Night Falls (Breakbot Remix) 

and one more older Sneaky Sound System remix from Breakbot....if you missed it.

 When We Were Young (Breakbot remix) 

Christoph Andersson: New Album on the Way

New Orleans isn't the first place anyone thinks of when you mention electronic music. But Christoph Andersson's monthly Electronic TKVR parties that he hosts with other local acts Swiss Chriss and G-Eazy have grown to  500+ ragers in little over a year. He likes being the black sheep in NOLA where electronic is a less popular genre. He told Filter Magazine "Not being around other electronic musicians or a huge scene has benefitted me. I don't think I'd do very well in a place like New York or L.A.... I doubt I'm even cool enough."

Oh you're cool enough, mister. Andersson, despite being new to the scene, has already shared the stage with Hot Chip and Crookers at Voodoo Fest and started his own record label, Hurst Recordings (named after the Nola street where he grew up) and, over the past year,  released an EP and various catchy beat-driven pop tracks. His refreshing sound has caught the attention of other artists and bloggers with its bridge between airy pop and dance. He told LSU magazine that his main goal going into every track is to "blend really catchy pop music...with really contemporary electronic technique".

Christoph Andersson- Metropol



Christoph Andersson- Tuxedo


Christoph Andersson- Getaway

Amy Winehouse: Rest in Peace

Amy Jade Winehouse was born on September 14th 1983 in Southgate, London. Her father Mitch recalls singing along to records with his daughter, leaving out the words for Amy to fill them in. 

Young Amy received training at the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School and then later instruction from the acclaimed Sylvia Young Theatre School. She began writing music when she was 13 and started a rap group called Sweet N' Sour with a school mate. She then began singing with a local London jazz band and when a former boyfriend sent one of her early demo tapes to an A&R man it led to a deal with EMI Records.

Since then she has been called the New Queen of Soul, an icon of our generation, she has won comparisons to Sarah Vaughn and Nina Simone among other talents. 

Amy's 2003 debut Frank was nominated for the Mercury Prize and won the Igor Novello songwriting prize for best contemporary song with "Stronger than Me". But it was with her second album Back to Black (2006) that she won international acclaim. The record won 5 Grammys including Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. She won a BRIT award in 2007 for Best British Female Artist. She then won 2 more Igor Novello songwriting awards, one for Best Song Musically and Lyrically with "Love is a Losing Game" and another for Best Contemporary Song with "Rehab". Most recently she was working on a project with Tony Bennett and working on a new album slated to come out in November of 2011. 

Amy's most beloved music was '60's soul and traditional jazz. She idolized singers like Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday and Etta James. Her sense of style which included what became her trademark beehive and Cleopatra eyes was borrowed from 1960's girl groups like the Ronnettes and the Pips. She said she didn't listen to much "new stuff". "I just like the old stuff, she told SPIN magazine,  "It's all quite dramatic and atmospheric. You'd have an entire story in a song. I never listen to, like, white music -- I couldn't sing you a Zeppelin or Floyd song." 

Towa Tei's "Sunny"

Japanese house/lounge producer Towa Tei has been making waves since he made his US debut in 1990 as a member of "Deee-Lite" (Groove is in the Heart!). When Deee-Lite split up he relocated to his native Tokyo and began creating bubbly yet eccentric pop melodies and working the Tokyo club circuit as a house DJ. You've probably heard music from his previous 5 releases on Olympus and Mitsubishi commercials, or on any of the movies he's created soundtracks for, or in a club in Kyoto...

His 6th release Sunny is a great one that reminds me somewhat of Stereolabs Chemical Chords. Mixing ambient textures with breakbeats female vocals from Yukihiro Takahashi and Yurico.

And here's an older track from his first album "Future Listening" (1995). Featuring none other than bossa nova beauty ...Bebel Gilberto.


 Towa Tei - Technova



"that new thing..."

Cults: Cults

So in honor of everyone freaking out about the new Cults album..." OH MY GOD FINALLY, THE FULL LENGTH CULTS ALBUM"... I decided to acknowledge its worthiness as well. Here are a few tracks from their first self titled release and a 'lil info about the band.

Go here to listen to the full release... (its all streaming on soundcloud! love them)

Cults- Oh My God


Cults- You Know What I Mean

and if you've somehow dodged this sonic bullet...

Cults- Go Outside
 

G-Eazy and Curren$y Ensemble

Our Loyola New Orleans homeboy G- Eazy is touring with Curren$y this coming week in the FLA. These are going to be great great shows.

Eazy just returned from a lil tour on the East Coast where he I'm sure he rocked much of the set with tracks from his newest product The Outsider. Chock full o rad tracks like Netflix and Kings. Like he says, this dude's "part Johnny Cash, part Lennon and Part Drake..."

Curren$y is busy promoting the new mixtape Weekend At Burnie's that'll drop on June 28th. Which made Complex's 20 Most Anticipated Album's of the Summer List.  He just released a new track called "I Dont Want A Man" but personally I prefer #JetsGo. Check it Out.