Dan Deacon

The Bridging the Atlanic crew really likes Dan Deacon's album Spiderman of the Rings, and we think you will too. Tracks range from frenetic schizo electro bashers ('The Crystal Cat') to twinkly ambient noise-scapes ('Big Milk) to atmospheric synth-pop ('Pink Batman'). Plus it has neat cover art and the songs all have cool names. Deacon is now on tour and Ottawa kids can catch him at Zaphods on July 10th.

Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat
Dan Deacon - Pink Batman

The video for 'The Crystal Cat', released a couple of weeks ago, is typical Deacon fare:


-Andrew M

Sticky-Icky

Lucky White Stripes fans on this side of the pond got an early taste of new track 'Icky Thump' last month when British radio station 83 XFM gave it spin, and I for one was hooked. It's a little heavier than the average Stripes song, but you won't hear me complaining. It's been in my iPod's heavy rotation playlist for the last few weeks; those of you who haven't heard it yet should give it a listen.

The album (also titled Icky Thump) won't be available until June 19th, but the 'Icky Thump' single can now be purchased from the iTunes store and the video was released today.


The White Stripes - Icky Thump

-Andrew M

Remix Sunday

Another great 2006 release, Hot Chip's The Warning made its way into more than a few 'best of' lists last year, and with good reason. On an album of consistently strong tracks, 'And I Was A Boy From School' was a standout; more of an alternate version than a remix, the gentle organic instrumentation of the acoustic version allows the (excellent) lyrics to be more easily heard and appreciated.

Hot Chip - And I Was A Boy From School
Hot Chip - And I Was A Boy From School (Acoustic Version)

-Andrew M

Beach Bears

If Brian Wilson had been born in 1982 instead of 1942, he probably would have released music that sounds a lot like Panda Bear. Although the Bear's new album Person Pitch is a little out there for some people, I'm totally loving it and really picking up a Beach Boys vibe. It's all vocal harmonies, lots of reverb and slick pop production. I think Brian would be proud.

Panda Bear - Bros (edit)
Panda Bear - Comfy in Nautica

-Andrew M.

Sore Ankles

Brighton outfit Fijiya and Miyagi have released the video for their single 'Ankle Injuries' from recent album Transparent Things and it's a looker. Catch them this summer as they do the festival circuit and make stops in Montreal and Toronto July 10th and 11th respectively.

-Andrew M

Remix Sunday

Australia's Van She have been popping out some tight remixes lately. Last month Bridging the Atlantic brought you a vocal re-work of Dragonette's 'I Get Around', and now we present this Kitsune Maison Compilation 3 electro-tastic remix of the Klaxons hit 'Gravity Rainbow' that sounds absolutely nothing like the original (in a good way). Keep your eyes on these guys.

Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow
Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow (Van She Remix)

-Andrew M

Shapes and Sizes

Shapes and Sizes are an incredible Canadian band you didn't even know existed. They're from Victoria, B.C. and they sound kinda like Islands and kinda like Built to Spill. But different.

Shapes and Sizes - Island's Gone Bad
Shapes and Sizes - Wilderness

-Andrew M.

This is the Dream of Owen Pallett

Last month I had the pleasure of seeing my first full set by the guy who calls himself Final Fantasy. Actually one Owen Pallett from Toronto, in the live setting Final Fantasy is just a violin and a looping pedal. This simple musical formula, along with his excellent albums which feature more varied production, has created one of Canada's most recognized and acclaimed artists. Last year Pallett won Canada's inaugural Polaris Prize for his sophomore album, He Poos Clouds, and he has contributed string arrangements to the likes of Arcade Fire, Fucked Up and DFA1979.

Final Fantasy - Many Lives -> 49 MP
Final Fantasy - This is the Dream of (Win & Regine) (live)

-Andrew W

Remix Sunday

Alan Braxe & Fred Falke have combined for some of the most bumpin' remixes in the past year or so, including their incredible renovations of Kelis' "Bossy" and DFA1979's "Black History Month." Though this Test Icicles remix dropped in '06, I doubt enough people have been exposed to its 80's synth lines and fuzzed out bassline. The predominate melody sounds as if its main inspiration was a Simple Minds track used to flesh out a Molly Ringwald teen romance, but luckily being paired with these unabashed whisky-hoarse lyrics gives the song a fresher aesthetic. All in all, this is certainly a banger for the summer, if not last summer, I think I'm much delayed in getting this up on the ol' interweb.

Test Icicles - What's Your Damage (zShare)
Test Icicles - What's Your Damage (Braxe & Falke Remix)

-Brad

May Grab Bag

May marks the start of the summer for the University crowd, and with the new season comes new opportunities for work, belligerence, patio surfing, and most importantly, the outdoor festival. Ottawa welcomes back Bluesfest and the Capital Idea! Festival, among others, bringing to town massive acts like Bob Dylan, Kanye West, and The White Stripes, and lesser known but incredibly potent bands such as Sunset Rubdown, Girl Talk, Born Ruffians, and Rock Plaza Central. I'll have to miss the aforementioned fests due to a cross-Canada trek, but those staying in town or rolling through should not miss these highly concentrated events. Bluesfest, offers a diverse collection of authentic blues and soul acts as well as jazz, indie, punk, and straight up rock and roll. Capital Idea!, running June 21st-30th, remains more indie-hipster-centric, but should not intimidate those unfamiliar with the billed bands. For those sitting on the fence, check out some material from the artists involved:

Capital Idea!

Rock Plaza Central - How Shall I To Heaven Aspire?

Xiu Xiu - I Love The Valley OH!
Russian Futurists - Our Pen's Out of Ink

Bluesfest

Gogol Bordello - Troubled Friends (Live)

Tokyo Police Club - Nature of the Experiment (Live on Letterman)

Jetplanes of Abraham (myspace)

Relief Maps (mp3's on myspace)

Jokko (myspace) **Senegalese afro-beat type stuff, very chill.

The Cat Empire (myspace)

and don't miss Kanye, Dylan, Michael Franti, Alexisonfire, The Hilotrons, Ohbijou...

and a couple random songs that may or may not improve your day:

Dandi Wind - Apotempnophilia

Avey Tare & Kria Brekkan - Palenka

-Brad