Life After Radiohead

It's his own work; All we grow.

2010-10-13T02:05:00.000-07:00

I have just been introduced to ex- BON IVER drummer SEAN CAREY. And there-in lies the problem.

On first listening, and instant raport was formed between All We Grow, CAREY's debut effort, and I. This album has that reflective and hopefull and youthfully wise timbre which I have come to admire in so many artists now days. But more than that, the real showcase of the album is his composition skill. Trained classicly, and self-proclaimed "jazz nut", S.CAREY makes the most mundane of repeated chords seem surreal; Ethereally Important.

Yet, It seems that PITCHFORK, SLANT and others out there in the blogosphere Ignore the eloquence and beauty displayed in such tracks as In the dirt, and tie his musicality directly to acts like BON IVER, FLEET FOXES & SUFJAN STEVENS.

Yes, One cannot ignore the similarities between artists, yet why is it so uncommon for S.CAREY to sound like a former bandmate? And personally, I think he exudes his own maturity and sense, migrating far away from the raw and juxtaposed temperatures of For Emma, Forever Ago, into his own sublimely produced and polished comtemplation.

In The Dirt - S.Carey [Mediafire]
Broken - S.Carey [Mediafire]

Pretty Please

2010-10-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

Pretty Please Line-Up Announcement from Pretty Please on Vimeo.

Get on down on the 22.10.10 for a good old time.

my view

2010-10-07T00:18:00.001-07:00

my window. my tele. my

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Highly Recomended: Crooks & Lovers

2010-09-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

Crooks & Lovers is the Debut Effort of London duo MOUNT KIMBIE. This 11 Track LP is gorgeous, showcasing there attention to detail, and understanding of form, eloquence and intricacy. With only one pre-released track "Field", this comes filled with a heap of new soothing, beautiful, post-dubstep gold.

This album is availabe through iTunes and various other Legal and Illegal outlets.

Trumpdisco

2010-08-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

Trumpdisco Ep Promo from Skinny White on Vimeo.

Beyond Blue Charity Gig August 27th @ The Mercat

2010-08-09T03:47:00.000-07:00

Good local tunes, for a good global cause.
Radiostar / Wilfred Jackal / A Brokers Night Sleep / Ghost Note / The Zoo (djs)

And also featuring.... Me! PEACHWOOD!

@ The Mercat Cross 456 Queen Street CBD
Tickets Available At the door, Or BETTER AND CHEAPER VIA Mostix.

Come down and support BEYOND BLUE: THE NATIONAL DEPRESSION INITIATIVE.

Ma'men.

2010-07-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

TRUMPDISCO are an Act from Melbourne. I was involved in a Thursday night which they were linked to, which gave me the opportunity to see them play many times, and converse with them and such.

It is hard to label such an act; It's like Orchestrated noise. Their live shows leave nothing to be desired. They can work a crowd like no one else. Sweat pours and fists flail, as the audience (usually a heavy cult following) dance their way through an hour or two journey.

Their remixs have been played by the likes of THE BLOODY BEETROOTS, and great things have been expected from the two-some for a long time. Their Debut EP will drop on August 9.

Right Here Right Now - Fat Boy Slim (Trumpdisco Remix) [Mediafire]
Sonne - Rammstein (Trumpdisco Remix) [Mediafire]

Steve Aoki ain't the only cool Asian.

2010-07-09T00:09:00.000-07:00

HIFANA are a Japanese Breakbeat outfit. Their name is "south winds" in the Okinawan dialect. JUICY and KEIZO came together as hood friends in 1998 have had limited success in Japan. Very into sampling, scratching and live percussion, the duo boredline on lame with syncopated routines, and gimicky tricks in live performance, but the music is epic, and I like it. They release their debut album Fresh bush breakin' in 2003, and have released 3 others to this day.

Mount Kimbie

2010-07-04T17:09:00.000-07:00

MOUNT KIMBIE hail from the old country. Their beautiful and unique music is making waves all over, and rightly so; they are truely special. It is hard however, to label them as dubstep, or big beat, or even electronic for that matter - it is poetry in music. They (like JAMES BLAKE) are the avant-garde of this new emotional sample-based "post-dubstep".

Baves Chords - Mount Kibie [Mediafire]
Basic Space - The XX (Mount Kimbie Remix) [Mediafire]

First of many

2010-06-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

To me, JEFF BUCKLEY epitomises what it is to create music. When one trawls past the aptly acclaimed masterpiece Hallelujah, there is a depth of work that is eclectic, eccentric and ethereal - however unrecognised.

I was aware of JB (how could you not be) all through my childhood. My nan would sing that haunting chorus to me whenever the word hallelujah came up in conversation. But, it was a girl that I liked; an avid BUCKLEY devourer (one who is no longer just 'aware', thus being obsessed by his skill and magic) who really turned me onto him. We were spending some alone time on a school camp, and she was showing me all his songs on her ipod. I was enthralled by his musicality, his voice, and his neo-romantic-MORRISSEY-ian way of poeticising his exploits and experiences. I purchased Grace the next day.

I listened to that album everyday for an obscene peiod of time. It was all I wanted to hear. My ears constantly craved his gentle swooning voice, which occasionally cracks with passion like aural lighting. I'd been through musical obsession before (NIRVANA), but not like this. I was in love with JEFF.

But I limited myself. I only listened to Grace, because it was the only LP that he'd put out. I was only interested in his finished product. It was a year or two before the same girl (I didn't like her anymore. We we're just friends. And I was fucking anything that looked my way) gave me Sin'e and it all changed. I once more became obsessed by this entity. I bought/downloaded/watched every EP/CD/Mp3/DVD/EPK that I could discover, and I truely loved this man. I learnt all my favourite JB songs. I wanted to be JEFF BUCKLEY.

Nowadays, my obsession isn't as hectic as it once was. But he still resonates within me whenever I hear the fragment of a tune o'his, or read a facebook status referencing him. I will always have a place for JEFF BUCKLEY in my heart.

This is the first of many posts on JEFF I am sure. Whenever that fire within me burns for him, you'll know about it. I give you a live recording of I Woke Up In A Strange Place, from the Mystery White Boy Live album.

I Woke Up In A Strange Place - Jeff Buckley [Mediafire]

Where are we?

2010-06-23T03:58:00.000-07:00

MAPS & ATLASES are from Chicago Illinois, in the States. They're a bit pop, a bit folk, and a bit math rock. They sound like a crossover of MINUS THE BEAR and MUMFORD & SONS; but the singer is very unique in his delivery, really making this standout.
The quartet have just released their long awaited first LP (after several EP's) entitled Perch Patchwork. Like MTB they have that real oceanic vibe, and their songs capture you in this frenetic and solid groove.
Perch Patchwork marks a new direction for the band, favouring their math-rock sound for a more folk rock approach. They trade their frenetic, frantic pace for well orchestrated and multi-dimensioned, layered folk-rock-pop.
I think that their old sound displayed on EP's such as Tree,Swallows,Houses is more interesting and appealing. But I'll give you one of each so you can decide.

Every Place Is A House - Maps & Atlases [Mediafire]
Pigeon - Maps & Atlases [Mediafire]

All in a nights work

2010-06-22T05:41:00.000-07:00

Here are my findings for this Tuesday evening:

MAGIC ARM hail from Smith-country UK (Manchester). Internet trawlings led me to this little gem of folk pop entitled Outdoor Games. This song is so delicate and beautiful, and so simple in form. For me, it's like THE BEATLES meats a folky M83. I really like this one.

Outdoor Games - Magic Arm [Mediafire]

THE BOOKS are an experimental act from the U.S that have startled me a bit. With no overlying genre, experimental is the best way to can describe them; but they display a musical freedom which I've not come across before. They're a bit electronic, very folk, utilising interesting samples and seamless spoken word. They've been floating around since 1999, where the two (Nick Zamuto and Paul de Jong) shared a New York City appartment. They describe their sound as Collage music.

Smells Like Content - The Books [Mediafire]
A Cold Freezing Night - The Books [Mediafire]

It's a guilty pleasure okay? I have a real soft spot for hip-hop, R'n'B and good looking girls who combine the two with cutsie pop overtones. This song was a so fresh favourite of mine, and today I found an extremely smooth remix of it. AMERIE was a bit of a pre-pubescent crush of mine (Bit of a late bloomer, it came out in 2005), and this remix (by a producer I've not heard: SIIK) makes me think hot white sands/mediterranean-romantic-20something love. Oooh I like it.

1 thing (Siik Remix) - Amerie [Mediafire]

Local Natives: Gorilla Manor

2010-06-21T03:22:00.000-07:00

LA based LOCAL NATIVES make incredible indie rock. Their self funded debut Gorilla Manor was released in 2009/10 with a #3 on the Billboard new artist chart.

From the very start of the album, there is this contemplative down-tempo kind of vibe. Wide Eyes sets the tone of the album: "oh to see it with my own eyes". Taylor Rice's vocals and choice of harmonies are sublime, and complimented by these fragile little guitar licks, and ethereal vocal stabs.

It is a very personal debut. In Airplane, Rice laments "I want you back", but it's not a cliche. His delivery is filled with such honest requisite, that I infact swooned on first listening. Both musical and lyrical maturity exude in Cards and Quaters. Reminiscent of a LIOR track, the harmonic quality of this song is to die for. Very down-tempo and simple in nature, it holds what I identify as the most passionate and romantic chorus on the album, and maybe that I've heard in a long time; "Steal away, you and me, to a cave, made of sheets."

The albums denouement Sticky Thread is a fitting end. The melody is kind of easier than its companions, and lets you down softly (after what is a captivating journey). My only criticism lies in that stock fade-out. I wish that Rice had finished the album with his stunning vocals, maybe a repetition of that line "they work you so hard".
Apart from Cards and Quaters, my other stand out has to be Sun Hands. It's just one of those songs that pull you in, and makes you hang on to every word uttered, and every little slide and harmonic stab. It's a little FLEET FOXES, and again a little LIOR.
I look forward to hearing alot about LOCAL NATIVES in the future, as this album really shows the maturity and knack they hold musically. I don't think I've ever heard a more quality Debut.

Sun Hands - Local Natives [Mediafire]
Cards and Quaters - Local Natives [Mediafire]

Retrotunes

2010-06-20T22:41:00.000-07:00

Music, Like most mediums (if not all) is cycular; in the sense that ideas from the past may be brought back to life in the future. I do not count this as re-using, more re-stating.

THE MAGIC KIDS hail from Memphis Tennessee, and they have this 60's American prom/Beatles-esque kind of vibe. Beautiful orchestral arrangements pepper this sickly-sweet, innocent pop-rock; I like it. It's simple, non-taxing but well crafted music. Lyrically speaking, it keeps well within that 60's vain; nothing of too much depth, but fun and bubbly.

Summer - The Magic Kids [Mediafire]
Hey Boy - The Magic Kids [Mediafire]

Also: I haven't found out too much about this band/act, but she/they go under the name of TENNIS. Here's a nice little diddy in that similar retro vain.

Marathon - Tennis [Mediafire]

About time boys

2010-06-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

It has been 3 years since British nu rave outfit Klaxons released their critically aclaimed Myths of the Near Future. And now, after already recording their sophmore once before (their label Polydor deemed it "to experimental for release"), after having undisclosed problems with producers (Tony Viscoti/Focus... Finally landing on James Ford only to end up with Ross Robinson), and most importantly, after 3 years of waiting, we are all set for Surfing The Void, scheduled for release on August 23.
The first single of the album will be Echoes (august 16), but there is one track already floating around the interweb (thankyou Zane Lowe).
This track signposts familiar things from Klaxons, as they retain that dissonance frantic energy they displayed in their debut. However, I am interested to see the few "too experimental" tracks they have kept from their first stab at the follow up.

Flashover - Klaxons [Mediafire]

In the future

2010-06-20T03:43:00.000-07:00

It seems that electronic music is taking over. Generally speaking, your age is the main factor in your reaction to this realisation. Those of an older creed still believe in music of old, and do not adapt well to anything new and different. This is just the way we are. Thankfully, as this young style of music develops (like all music) so does the broad spectrum of creativity that comes along with it. Enter James Blake.

Blake (Forefront of picture, with Mount Kimbe) is a 20 something London chap. He was a piano/vocalist first (ooh I like that) and it shows in his production. He has a real ear for intricacy and keeps everything rather delicate. Of course, there are some tracks (his earlier productions) which have that british dark dubstep timbre; an ominous foreboding digital breakdown with flutes.
One can even find tracks with his smooth, charming and slightly mawkish voice over jazzy piano chord progressions, and synths/minimal beats.
He invites open emotion on a dancefloor (and not in that 80's let it all out kind of way), and you can't help but be in awe of the choices he makes as you keep on listening.

CMYK - James Blake [Mediafire]
Measurements - James Blake [Mediafire]

Who the fuck is WU LYF?

2010-06-19T23:09:00.000-07:00

WU LYF (World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation) are an act from Manchester. And that's about all there is to know about them.
Playing under countless psuedonyms (WU LF WU LF, Tu-Wang Gang, or my favourite: Vagina Wolf), and never quite being honest about... well... anything, they have created epic amounts of buzz and hype around the A&R game in the old country. And they dont want a bar of it.
But this mysterious, hedonistic approach to a music industry where acts are rushed and recycled, compliments their unique and sublime musical stylings. Beneath all the seemingly juvenile pre-career publicity ideas, there is good hearty music, laden with experience and what sounds like a mixture of guilt and underdog-desire.
The larynx shredding, yet somehow perfect vocals, against contemplative organ and soundscapes creates so much tension in SUCH A SAD PUPPY DOG , but the song peaks and transcends into Shorty wanna be a thug by 2pac.
Their music is filled with these odd juxtapositions that indicate either focus, drive and individuality; determined to succeed-but at their cost...or reckless, youthfull ideaologies. Either way, expect big things.

WU LYF - Heavy Pop [Mediafire]
Vagina Wolf (WU LYF) - Nic Cave [Mediafire]

It's all so new

2010-06-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

It is hard to describe an enigmatic act like Radiohead. Lyrically spearheaded by Thom Yorke's sometimes conflicting, yet elegant and eloquently crafted ideas, the act has been at the apex of creative music since Pablo Honey was released in 1993.
They are so recognized and respected, that they have an almost "spiritual" vibe about them. You cannot touch Radiohead. They have done, and will do so many wonderfull and challenging things.
This blog isn't me literally trying to find "the next Radiohead". Nor am I constantly comparing Artists/Bands to them. Nothing that ostentatious. No, I rather intend to display music that I think pushes creativity, and what it means to be creative.

How To Disappear Completely - Radiohead [Mediafire] (my personal favourite)