The East Side Boyz

There is something about east coast Canadians that I am totally envious of.

Generally speaking (I’m sure there are exceptions to the rule), Maritimers just seem to be born with a quick wit, a welcoming smile, and a wonderful talent for self deprecation. I am still aspiring to obtain one of these three traits, although I believe I’m closest to mastering the ladder.

My love for easterners is only rivaled by my love for the music they make. I’ve posted about Wintersleep in the past. Buck 65 is getting more looks. Joel Plaskett’s following is bigger than ever (and is a complete mystery to others). As I prophesized, the Maritime Pop Revival has arrived.

And now comes the heir to the east coast throne, Two Hours Traffic. The four-piece has released their second full-length album called ‘Little Jabs’ with Plaskett on as producer; and now their sights are set on world domination.

While they are definitely not the next Arcade Fire, I believe they are stylish enough to be in style and catchy enough to catch on. As long as people can get past the rather horrible band name.

You can give the new album a listen at http://www.twohourstraffic.com/tunes/index.html.



-mca

CRYPTO-nites!

If you're into Justice, Kavinsky, SebastiAn, et al. be sure to check out Cryptonites. The Swiss duo definitely follow in the footsteps of their mentors, but create some quality beats along the way; "Zodiac", "Glow" and "Hands of God" being among the best. Like their peers, Cryptonites also have an affinity for producing slick remixes and recently got their teeth into the new Coldplay track.

Grab their most recent mixtape featuring Digitalism, MSTRKRFT, Kylie, Bag Raiders, Salt N Pepa, Yuksek, Interpol, The Presets and more here.

Cryptonites - Glow
Coldplay - Violet Hill (Cryptonites Remix)

Cryptonites remixing Justice's DVNO during a DJ set last month:


- a.m.p.m.

RATATAT release new single, announce album

Well, that pretty much sums it up. And it seems everyones been writing about this today. Nonetheless, just a quick line to inform those who haven't heard yet that RATATAT have just released a new 7" entitled 'Shiller'. To add to the excitement, they have also announced that their third album, 'LP3' will be hitting the streets July 8th! Unfortunately for some, the 7" is only available on vinyl. But it does contain 'Mahalo', which is a preview of 'LP4'. As the guys describe it, it's from the future. From what they have been busting out live recently, 'LP3' is going to have some of you're favorite tracks of the summer. Get the 7" here for the low price of $3.00.

RATATAT - Shiller (zshare)
RATATAT - Shiller (ysi)

...And stream 'Mahalo' here at the 'Saul Sierce' Blog.

-Matty B.

"Atmosphere Finally Made a Good Record"

Defiantly tongue in cheek words from Atmosphere's Slug kick off "Trying to Find a Balance," the most accessible and one of 2003's Seven's Travels' best tracks. That album, dropped about halfway between their studio debut and the new one, When Life Gives You Lemons You Paint That Shit Gold, had a massive impact on getting the duo's name out there. Their latest release finds Slug and producer/DJ Ant in a comfortable spot, partly because they're often overflowing with confidence, but also that now they have the knowledge of having paid their dues. Such focus is paying off, as they're hitting personal heights in levels of commercial recognition . According to Billboard, Lemons debuted at number 5 in the states, a career mark for the boys from Minneapolis. There isn't a huge departure in any single aspect of sound or lyric, but sample a few of the tracks below and you'll find beats more reliant on simple, clean sampling and traditional instruments, backing Slug as he explores familiar topics like human inadequacies and contradictions.

Atmosphere - Painting
Atmosphere - Can't Break

Video: Shoulda Known



- B.A.

Remix Sunday: Miracle Fortress versus Daft Punk

I love both Miracle Fortress and Daft Punk, so for me this is just about the best thing ever.

Daft Punk - Digital Love (Miracle Fortress cover)

- a.m.p.m.

Contest: Longwave, May 10th - Camden Barfly

Big things are about to happen for Longwave. The Brooklyn band supported the Strokes on North American and European tours and frontman Steve Schiltz has recently been helping out Albert Hammond Jr. with guitar duties. The band hasn't released an album since 2005's There's A Fire, but six fully mastered tracks from Longwave's highly anticipated forthcoming fourth album were recently made available on their myspace page and seven YouTube videos of the guys laying down new tracks in the studio surfaced a couple of weeks ago. Blistering new song 'Sirens in the Deep Sea' has just been released as a free download from the myspace page, so head over and grab it now.

For those of you eager to hear the new (and classic) material live, we've got a pair of tickets for the final show of the band's current European mini tour, taking place at Camden Barfly tomorrow night. To claim the tickets as your own, email us with the subject line "Looooooongwave" before noon tomorrow.

Longwave - Satellites



- a.m.p.m.

Contest: Stag & Dagger, May 15 - London

Thanks to the kind folks at VICE Magazine UK, Bridging the Atlantic has 2 passes to Stag & Dagger to give away to a couple of lucky Londoners. The brand spanking new one day festival takes place in lovely Shoreditch next Thursday, May 15th, from 6pm to midnight and features over 100 acts including SebastiAn, Cadence Weapon, Times New Viking, 1990s, Black Lips, Jay Reatard, A-Trak, Slow Club, The Mae Shi, Diplo, Busy P, Operator Please, Atlas Sound, the debut performance of the new Hot Chip side project Booji Boy High, plus the Ed Banger Records crew. More info is available through the Stag & Dagger myspace page. The winner's passes will include free entry to all shows in each of the festival's 15 venues.

To enter, email us with the subject line "it's about damn time you jerks gave away festival tickets" before 3pm on May 12th.

SebastiAn - Dog
Atlas Sound - Recent Bedroom
Black Lips - O Katrina!
The Mae Shi - Run To Your Grave
Hot Chip vs Diplo - Shake A Fist
Booji Boy High - Doubleshaw

- a.m.p.m.

Coming Back For Even More

Glasgow-based Frightened Rabbit have created one of my favourite albums of 2008 (so far) in their sophomore effort The Midnight Organ Fight, released last month. I really enjoyed 2006 album Sing the Greys, but this new record beats the pants off the band's debut. The video for the first single, "Heads Roll Off", is below.

I really can't recommend this one enough, so check out the following tracks and get more info here.

Frightened Rabbit - The Twist
Frightened Rabbit - The Modern Leper



- a.m.p.m.