G.R.O.s Best of 2010

Here's my round-up of the year that was 2010.

Album of The Year: Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM

Runners Up:
2. Everything Everything - Man Alive
3. Yeasayer - ONE
4. Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo
5. Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
6. MGMT - Congratulations
7. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
8. Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me
9. Beach House - Teen Dream
10.Vampire Weekend - Contra

Best of 2010 Mix, which you can download here:

1. Katzenjammer - Bar in Amsterdam
2. LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls
3. Everything Everything - My Kz Ur BF
4. Django Django - WOR
5. Caribou - Odessa
6. Yeasayer - ONE
7. Avi Buffalo - What's It In For
8. Primary 1 feat. Nina Pearson - The Blues
9. Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets
10. Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith - Not In Love
11. Veronica Falls - Found Love In A Graveyard
12. Klaxons - Echoes
13. MGMT - Flash Delirium
14. Darwin Deez - Radar Detector
15. Joanna Newsom - Easy
16. Arcade Fire - Sprawl II
17. Laura Marling - Goodbye England (Covered In Snow)
18. Rich Aucoin - It

Discuss.

Cloud Nothings

Cloud Nothings are Cleveland lo-fi garage rockers that will appeal greatly to fans of Black Lips, No Age, et al.

They're currently supporting Les Savy Fav on their European tour and will be in London next week.

Cloud Nothings - Didn't You
Cloud Nothings - Understand At All
Cloud Nothings - Hey Cool Kid

New Radio Dept. and more.

Here are some playlist boosters from across the board, highlighted by The Radio Dept.'s new song from their "Never Follow Suit" single. Other songs below from accomplished producer Ski Beatz's 24 Hour Karate School album, as well as lesser known Newcastle trio Polarsets. I threw in The Vaccines' "Wreckin' Bar" as well, it deserves all the attention it's been getting. Hard to get enough of it clocking in at just 1:25.

The Radio Dept. - On Your Side
Ski Beatz - Prowler 2 feat. Jean Grae, Jay Electronica, Joell Ortiz & Mos Def
Polarsets - Leave Argentina
Active Child - Wilderness
Deerhunter - Helicopter (Diplo & Lunice Remix)
Bag Raiders - Way Back Home
The Vaccines - Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)

New Duck Sauce - Barbara Streisand

Very groovy.

Friday Five

Inspired Flight is a San Diego guitarist/dj duo making down tempo pop featuring some very talented rappers including Inspectah Deck and underground/backpacker troupe Living Legends. They have a knack for integrating a range of genres in one song, often switching gears and interrupting a chilled out instrumental with a skilled verse. It's not quite Gorillaz, but they definitely have something. "It's The Chemicals" is a serotonin heavy journey featuring Scarub of Living Legends. Their debut is titled We All Want To Fly, and you can grab it here, or download the title track featuring Inspectah Deck in exchange for your email.

Inspired Flight feat. Scarub - It's The Chemicals

"How 'ye doin'? Who 'ye screwin?" One highlight. Jay Z referencing Axl Rose and Norman Mailer is another. Also, Kanye sheds light on Iran, Korea (North, I assume), Islam, and Van Gogh. Thoroughly entertaining remix of a great song.

Kanye West feat. Jay Z & Swizz Beatz - Power (Remix)

Yuck, sometimes Yu(c)k, from North London, New Jersey, and Hiroshima, are a highly touted young band currently opening for Modest Mouse in the U.K. The exposure will surely make them a household name, as they do everything from ballads ("Daughter," "Automatic") to 90's pop rock ("Georgia") very well. Get a better version of Yuck's story over at the ever-vigilant Guardian.

Yuck - Georgia
Yuck - Daughter

Thanks to Tom Robinson's Introducing for pointing me to a blog called Awesome Tapes From Africa. It's exactly what it sounds like. Lots of great cassette rips from across the continent with downloads aplenty. Botswana's Shumba Ratshega, real name Moses Malapela, is one of many great discoveries. Makhirikhiri is perfect summer listening, heavy on handclaps, choruses and whistle-y sorts of things.

Download the whole thing here.

Last off, Montreal behemoths Chromeo return with Business Casual, the highly anticipated follow up to Fancy Footwork. Lead single "Don't Turn the Lights On" is sure to get loads of remixes, one of note by the Italian/Belgian duo Aeroplane.

Chromeo - Don't Turn The Lights On (Aeroplane Remix)

Latitude Revival Mix

"If you ever needed evidence of how middle class a festival Latitude is, Marcus Brigstock is your paper boy". A line delivered as he dispensed the Guardian to a member of the crowd asking why the Murdoch-owned Times was the only newspaper available on site. Reading Festival, this is not.

To prolong the festival vibe, one of my friends has organised a post Latitude revival party. We're meant to bring something cultural along and share it with the group. A mix-tape of the key moments of the festival was the obvious choice. Here it is:

Latitude 2010 Mix

1. Kitty, Daisy & Lewis - Going Up The Country

2. Standard Fare - Philadelphia

3. Yeasayer - ONE

4. Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

5. Belle & Sebastian - The Boy With The Arab Strap

6. Laura Marling - Hope In The Air

7. Florence & The Machine - Rabbit Heart

8. The Temper Trap - Love's Lost

9. The Coral - Dreaming of You

10. The Horrors - Who Can Say

11. Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man

12. The Middle East - The Darkest Side

13. Jonsi - Go Do

14. The Antlers - Atrophy

15. Frank Turner - Photosynthesis

Sprinkled among the more established names, there's a few new bands here worthy of your attention.

Inbox Wednesday: Boats

As I skimmed the almost 9,000 emails that remained unread in the BTA inbox, one caught my attention, in the subject it had the word "Winnipeg" the city from which Boats hails. I don't know why this appealed to me, but I figured..."What the hell, I'll check it out!" With that said, you can see that our screening criteria for Inbox Wednesday is very stringent.

Nevertheless, within the first two bars of "Chrome Eyelids", I was sold. The vocals on "Cannonballs, Cannonballs!" come across with a vulnerable confidence and lead a chorus of beating chants. Add a synth, a xylophone, a chugga-chugga drum pattern and the occasional horn and Boats creates a very pleasing sound. Boats' sound ventures from indie, to grunge and floats on folk-esque simplicity.

Boats will soon commence a thorough tour of Canada, so if you have the chance, check them out. I know I will when they hit Raw Sugar in Ottawa on October 9th with Casiotone for the Painfully Alone.

Boats - Chrome Eyelids

Boats - Drink the Lake

New Gregory Pepper Project: Common Grackle

Mr. Pepper has been a favourite of this blog since we started, back then with an amazing release fronting The Dymaxions, later on with Gregory Pepper & His Problems. His new project Common Grackle finds Pepper teaming with hip hop producer Factor, and the results are staggeringly good from what I've heard so far. The Great Depression also features hip hop legend and bonafide crazy man Kool Keith on the opening track, which warrants a purchase simply to hear what kind of madness they came up with. This will appeal to fans of Islands and Why? as well as Peppers' previous output. Check out the video for the title track, featuring emcee Cecshi:



Only $7.00 for the download, $9.00 for the CD, here.

Common Grackle feat. Ceschi - The Great Depression

New Music Monday: Cowlick

In an attempt to get back into the habit of posting I'm looking to Hamilton for inspiration. From what I've heard, there seems to be an ever-growing community of dedicated musicians with a very loyal following. I guess it's all those years of living in the shadows of the Steeltown smoke. With several of the production facilities now closed, Hamilton's art community now appears to be rising from the ashes. One such band is Cowlick who recently celebrated the release of their album Wires.

Cowlick's slow growth into the scene has ensured that they're prepared to make a move. The band's core features the Hudecki brothers, Dylan and Jackson, accompanied on bass by Ian Parker. Dylan's name may be familiar, having spent time with By Divine Right from 2001-2004 and again in 2005.

Cowlick's sound is expansive and raw, there's strong element of psychedelia in everything they produce. By basing the core of their music on spacey guitar sounds, the group is able to explore into various genres. The guitars go from stringy to punching in an instant following the strong rhythm section on every track. Make sure to check out the track "Thunder vs. Lightning"

The band was recently featured on Southern Souls playing creative renditions in an elementary school using the school gym (with a basketball) and the music room.

Enjoy!

Cowlick - Thunder vs. Lightning

Cowlick - Wires

COWLICK - Everyone of Us from Mitch Fillion (southernsouls.ca) on Vimeo.

Other Hamilton bands to check out: Huron, Young Rival,

Hamilton Radio: Take A Listen

Happy Hour Benders

This Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., Toronto was privvy to this:

Along with a free helping of the (2^nd) best ice-cream in the city, those who could rush over from work quickly enough enjoyed 30 minutes of Chris Chu’s quiet musings during a delicate acoustic performance on Manning Street.

The Morning Benders’ front man was the main (and only) attraction of the innovative show, an in-store- cum -street performance organized in collaboration between The Big Chill ice cream parlour and the neighbouring Soundscapes record store.

If this is the first you hear of this California outfit, I can promise you it won’t be the last. Having performed with heavyweights MGMT, Yo La Tengo and Yeasayer, toured with Grizzly Bear and Death Cab, and now conquered the frozen dessert scene, the indie world is their oyster.

Here's more:

Excuses

the morning benders | MySpace Music Videos

New Cut Copy - Where I'm Going

Australia's Cut Copy released one of the mastered tracks today from their upcoming new album, which is still currently nameless. Described by Dan Whitford as something along the lines of what Brian Wilson would have written if he spent his days doing acid in London in the 60's instead of hanging out in California. I'm inclined to agree. The track definitely has an airy, throwback feel and would be a good addition to your sunny summer days playlist. You can download the track here or head over to their website where it is also being given away for free-ninety nine.

Cut Copy - Where I'm Going

Arcade Fire's Exclusive Fans-only Gig at Hackney Empire

I was one of the privileged few who were allocated tickets to last night's Arcade Fire gig at the Hackney Empire - their first non-festival performance in the UK in 3 years and a chance for them to test out new material from forthcoming album The Suburbs in front of a crowd of devout fans (including Florence and the Machine). Tickets were only made available to a selection of those who pre-ordered the new album online a few days before the event. Rather than me describe how amazing it was, have a look at the much more eloquent glowing reviews from the BBC, Guardian and Telegraph.

The monster 18-song setlist played out as follows:
Ready to Start
Modern Man
Neighbourhood #2 (Laika)
No Cars Go
Haiti
Empty Room
Rococo
The Suburbs
Suburban War
Intervention
We Used to Wait
Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)
Rebellion (Lies)
Month of May
Crown of Love
-encore-
Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)
Keep the Car Running
Wake Up

Based on the new material presented last night, "We Used to Wait" and "Rococo" are likely to be my favourite tracks from album number three.

"Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)":


"Wake Up":


Win crowdsurfing at the end of "We Used to Wait":

Pional - In Another Room

After reading this review on Resident Advisor and noticing that P4K had featured this track a couple months ago, I gave it a quick listen and was blown away. The beat itself is deceptive, at first seeming too slow for its own good. Metallic percussive elements and various chopped choral samples begin to unravel and provide a very propulsive background for the main vocals which echo underneath, lurking in unrecognizable depths. Find this track on Pional's A Moot Point single, out on Hivern.

Pional - In Another Room

Jingling All The Way

Brooklyn's Sleigh Bells have finally released their debut album, the appropriately titled Treats. I've been a big fan ever since I heard the excellent "Crown on the Ground" last year and the majority of the new tracks are of a similar pedigree.

Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill
Sleigh Bells - Crown on the Ground

Such Great Heights

I've been listening to The Wild Hunt, the new album from The Tallest Man on Earth, almost incessantly since it was released over a month ago. It's one of those amazing records that grabs you firmly by the ears from the first listen and doesn't let go. He's Swedish, it's folk, it's amazing.

The Tallest Man on Earth - The Drying of the Lawns
The Tallest Man on Earth - Love Is All

Bros

The new Black Keys album Brothers is one of my favourite albums of the year so far, and the new video for lead single "Tighten Up" is a winner as well:

Check out another track, the excellent "She's Long Gone":

The Black Keys - She's Long Gone

The Return of Ratatat

So we all know their sound by now: screaming guitars, tribal rhythms, the occasional big cat howl. Ratatat are back with 'LP4', which was originally set to come out shortly after 'LP3' dropped two years ago.

Regardless, it is out in physical form now. Hopefully these guys do a bit more extensive touring, as their live show is incredible.

Party on!

Ratatat - Party With Children
Ratatat - Neckbrace

This is Happening - UPDATED

UPDATE: 'I Can Change' is now available as a high quality mp3.

First, there were the 'Drunk Girls' (read: summer 2010 party anthem), now we get a little more laid back with 'I Can Change' from LCD Soundsystem's forthcoming album, This is Happening.

LCD Soundsystem - I Can Change

Also, floating around this morning was this radio rip of 'Dance Yourself Clean'. Sounds like another winner, despite the lower quality.

LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yourself Clean

Get excited, this album is shaping up well. You're going to want to actually buy it when it drops May 17 in Europe, May 18 in North America. You also don't want to miss them live, starting at Coachella next weekend.

And Speaking of New Wolf Parade...

Wolf Parade, my favourite band with a wolf-inspired name, is currently on a massive tour that will see them travel across Europe and North America through the summer.

Here is a pretty high quality video of a new song, it is still untitled but the uploader has called it 'Fast Ballad'. It's not their fastest track, but it's definitely Wolf Parade.

Friday Five: 1st 1/4 2010 Highlights!

You guys, it's already April! That means that a quarter of the year has passed us by. Fortunately for the keen music fan, there has been lots of great new stuff to soak in through our ears. We've already had great new releases by Hot Chip, Owen Pallett (formerly Final Fantasy), Vampire Weekend, Spoon and MGMT (oh what? it's not out till next week...LEAK ALERT). Plus I've stumbled upon new interests, like Das Racist whose reference-laden rap makes me smile. Their mixtape/album is well worth the free download.

And there is so much more too look forward to in the coming months: LCD Soundsystem are releasing LP3, 'This is Happening', on May 18 in North America and Wolf Parade are dropping their next one, 'Expo '86', in June or July (fingers crossed for June). Broken Social Scene have new record, 'Forgiveness Rock Record', coming out May 4 which I'm sure will be another epic based on these tracks. Not to mention every morning I check the interwebs hoping for some piece of information about highly anticipated LP3 by Arcade Fire - tipped to appear later in the summer.

Enough talking, these songs are all objectively great.

LISTEN / TELL YOUR FRIENDS:

LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls

MGMT - Flash Delerium

Hot Chip - I Feel Better

Owen Pallett - Lewis Takes Off His Shirt (Dan Deacon Remix)

Das Racist - You Oughta Know

Spoon - I Saw the Light

Children's Choir Covers Phoenix

Continuing on the Phoenix tip, I came across this video which is spreading quickly of the PS22 Chorus (who contributed vocals for Passion Pit's debut) singing their version of Phoenix's "Lisztomania." Read more about these brilliant kids in the Guardian. Considering they'll be featured in Entertainment Weekly and probably a million other publications, this isn't any sort of scoop. Still, this choir puts other kids to shame. Gotta love the husky dude in white being spastically into it and his buddy's Mutombo finger wag around the 2:05 mark. Much respect.



PS22 Chorus - Lisztomania

Free Phoenix Live Album

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix was undoubtedly one of 2009's highlights so this free album featuring 8 of the album's 9 tracks performed live at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney earlier this month is a treat not to be missed. The Observer is giving it away here but only until midnight this Tuesday, so grab it now. You can also check out the paper's comprehensive interview with the band here.

This Is Australia

Continuing my mission to attend every quality musical festival in the world, I sidestepped the harsh British winter this year to spend the first few weeks sampling the Australian summer festival season. In between navigating the dangers of spontaneous human combustion from the heat and locating their unfeasibly small two dollar coins in my wallet; I found time to immerse myself in the indie music scene. Primarily centered in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne this included attendances at Slopfrenzy, Southbound and St Jerome Laneway's events.

True to form, I've chronicled my antipodean adventures with a mix-tape of my favourite discoveries. I present to you: This Is Australia

1 - Philadelphia Grand Jury - Going To the Casino (Tomorrow Night)
2 - Yves Klein Blue - Polka
3 - John Steel Singers - Rainbow Kraut
4 - Canvas Kites - Wayside
5 - Little Red - Waiting
6 - Sugar Army - No Need for Lovers
7 - Cameras - June
8 - Felicity Groom & the Black Black Smoke - 39 Ways To Leave Your Lover
9 - Tame Impala - Sundown Syndrome
10 - Lisa Mitchell - Neapolitan Dreams
11 - Little Birdy - Brother
12 - Teeth & Tongue - Sea Ice
13 - Sarah Blasko - No Turning Back
14 - Frequent Flyer - Twirl & Sink

Think About Evangelical Life

Who knew that Think About Life would appeal to the devout masses? Their new video for "Havin' My Baby" shows what good music can do to people who believe in it. Starring muppet look-a-likes a hip preacher rockin' out to my favourite Think About Life track, a church is taken over by the sweet sounds of TAL. Can't wait to see TAL invade the cribs of a daycare next. Nobody's safe.

For those fortunate enough to attend SXSW, TAL will be showcasing their dominance of the live show.

Think About Life - Havin' My Baby

Enjoy!

Friday Five: Two-foot Express

There's nothing new to post in this week's Friday Five. These are just tracks that get me up and out of the house for work. Once out of the house, they ease my two-foot commute. Everyone has their own tracks that gets them up and at 'em.

Here's what got me to work this week:

The Lovely Feathers - In the Valley

Sigur Ros - Untitled 1 (Vaka)

First Aid Kit - Ghost Town

Palovr - Pen to the Paper

Elvis Costello - Radio, Radio

Enjoy!

P.s. For those in Ottawa, catch The Lovely Feathers on March 8 with The Love Machine and Oceans at Mavericks.

Friday Five: 2010 So Far...and a leak

The year is barely two months old and already there is plenty of music to be excited about. With so many anticipated releases, 2010 has the potential to top 2009's stellar year. Here are some tastes of tracks that I just can't keep out of my head.

Beach House tops my list of new favourites. Victoria Legrand's voice is hauntingly seductive and her lyrics dive deep into your soul. This song is simply amazing.

Beach House - Silver Soul

Jonsi's single off the album Go is just beautiful. The arrangements are calculated, but erratic. The music has such a soothing quality and his voice is just magical.

Jonsi - Go Do

Yeasayer take autotune-influenced tracks to another level, this track has some serious production elements which make it really exciting. Their new album has such a dance-pop feel once you get a couple tracks deep.

Yeasayer - Children

I just love The Besnard Lakes and their pretentious album titles; for example, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night.

The Besnard Lakes - Chicago Train

SUPRISE!

Broken Social Scene's first track from their upcoming album Forgiveness Rock Record is huge. I can't wait to hear what BSS has in store.

Broken Social Scene - World Sick

Enjoy!

New Chiddy Bang Video "Opposite of Adults"

I've talked about Chiddy Bang on here before, particularly this track where producer Xaphoon Jones does a great re-inventing of 'Kids' by MGMT. They have now released a very fun video to accompany the track just ahead of the UK release of their EP out February 22nd.



And if you are at all interested in how they made the video's visuals, we were just sent over a 'Making of' video for the track.

Behind the Scenes: Opposite of Adults from LOOSEWORLD on Vimeo.

Mumford and Sons cover White Lies

Mumford and Sons were on the air this morning on the 'Like a version' segment on Triple J. Oh what silly and playful banter the guys have. In the segment they play their song 'The Cave' as well as a great cover of 'Unfinished Business' by the White Lies. You can stream it below or head right here to download it in full.

Frightened Rabbit, 'Nothing Like You'

Check out the video of Frightened Rabbit's new single, 'Nothing Like You'. This track will be availabe on 7 inch and for download February 22nd. Their new album entitled The Winter of Mixed Drinks, will be hitting the streets on March 1st.


Frightened Rabbit on MUZU

Lil' Wayne, Drake, Eminem, Travis Barker kill it.

Now I really don't care about the Grammy's too much, but I had to watch it just so I could see the crazy performance of 'Drop the world' and 'Forever' by the power house of Weezy, Drake and Eminem. To top it off Travis Barker rocking the kit. I guess Kanye isn't invited to things like this anymore. He probably would've walked down and punched Taylor Swift in the mouth or something. Whoever runs the Grammy's was very uncool and took down the footage from youtube, but not even they could stop mother Russia, and this random link I found. The audio blanks out every once in a while because of all the naughty words.

* Forget the Russians, here's an uncensored video of it that I came across instead.

Okay City Feat. Shad

Vancouver hip hop group and BTA friends Okay City will be releasing their new Album Tocsin-B next week. In the meantime they have released a new Track featuring fellow Canadian rapper Shad, entitled 'Cities of the North'. The song can be listened to at their MySpace. Enjoy!

And also a reminder that the guys will be touring with Australian Hip-Hop legends Hilltop Hoods through February.

Feb. 7th Whistler BC - Garfinkel's
Feb. .10th Vancouver BC - The Venue
Feb. 12th Edmonton AB - The Pawn Shop
Feb. 13th Calgary AB - The Gateway at SAIT
Feb. 15th Banff AB - Wild Bill's

The Knife - Tomorrow, in a year

A few weeks back The Knife introduced us to their new project / full length album through the 11 minute track 'Colouring the Pigeon'. This was a collaboration between Mt. Sims and Planningtorock. This project was actually commissioned by Hotel Pro Forma to accompany an opera they had written entitled On The Origin Of The Species. The full album has been available to stream lately. It comes off in typical Knife fashion. Sometimes obscure, and always with a variety of sounds to interpret. Although familiar, it also goes in a bit of a different direction than past albums due to it being written for this opera in particular. The album will be available on digital release February 2nd.

The Knife - The Height of Summer

New (Actual) Daft Punk and Justice??

So I've just sat down to the good old computer too see that the interweb is buzzing with new tracks from both Daft Punk AND Justice. Once you've re-cooperated from your head exploding like mine did, take a listen to these tracks. The Daft Punk track 'The Crash' spans 12 minutes and definitely sounds more along the lines of backing music for TRON, and not some douche pulling a fast one. Maybe a response to that song that leaked days ago that wasn't them? The Justice track 'The Beginning of the end' sounds...well, like a Justice track. Synthed out keys and a slappy bass. Maybe they dropped it because their big brothers told them to.

*Not so awesome Update: So apparently people are now saying that the Justice track is fake, and was sent by a hacker using a fake Ed Banger e-mail account. Sorry for getting everyone all excited. I will be spending my day tracking down this guy...and killing him. Sure, between these guys and Keedz, Ed Banger might as well sign some more acts to take all the stress out of Justice actually releasing anything.

* Another Update : Both are fake. I hate the internet sometimes

Justice - Beginning of the end (FAKE)

Daft Punk - The Crash (FAKE)

Mumford and Sons, No. 1

Well if you were listening to the hottest 100 countdown on Triple J yesterday during Australia day, you heard that the land down under voted the number one song of 2009 to be 'Little Lion Man' by Mumford and Sons. Great track but somewhat of a surprise for their number one spot. Obviously this top 100 list has a bit of bias towards some of the years homegrown acts like Hilltop Hoods and Art vs Science, but it's still a nice sum up of 2009 in music. If you're interested in checking out the full list head here.

Keedz

Remember when that track came out like a year ago...and everyone thought it was new stuff from Justice? Well that was these guys Keedz, which nobody knows anything about or has heard anything from since. Their myspace isn't really helping me with this either, except it says they are from the states...but everything's in french. What?! Some people still think it is Justice just screwing with people. I've got to admit that the production of both the track and video have similarities. If anyone knows any more please feel free to chime in. Regardless, how dare they try to keep me intrigued. Whatever, I'm over it. It's still a pretty decent track, however preachy it may seem. Save me Jebus.

Keedz - Stand on the word

Grizzly Bear Covers Hot Chip

I'm a fan of Grizzly Bear. I'm also a fan of Hot Chip. So naturally I was smitten when Grizzly Bear played a set on Triple J yesterday covering...wait for it...Hot Chip. Have a listen to an acoustic version of 'While you wait for the others', as well as their rendition of the always great track 'Boy From School'. Head on over here to download the session.

Science of Cars & Trains

This new video from Portland's Cars & Trains, Intimidated by Silence, has something of a low-budget Michael Gondy charm to it. Plus my grandfather had that very same cuckoo clock above his favourite chair, so I can't help but love this.

Animation by Raquel Aparicio, whose brilliant work is certainly worth a gander.

Okay City, Hilltop Hoods. West Coast Tour

Okay City, which consists of Bill Maka and Ray Black, is the freshest thing hitting the Vancouver hip-hop scene. Quickly becoming known for their high-energy live performances and hard hitting sound. Any group that starts off with an introduction sampled from Back to the Future is just swell in my books. The guys originally started out in Ontario, connecting through the well known music industry arts program at Fanshawe College. Eventually making the move out west to broaden their horizons and touring with the likes of Sweatshop Union and opening for Swollen Members. Expect to see these guys starting a dance party on stage or spitting while walking on top of the bar. Their performance and ryhmes have already caught the attention of the crazy popular Australian hip-hop group, Hilltop Hoods, and Okay City will be accompanying them as their opening act for the majority of their west coast tour. This along with upcoming collaborations with Shad, means you will be hearing a lot more about Okay City in 2010. Check out the myspace for tour dates. Don't miss it.

The Whistler show with Hilltop Hoods is already sold out I'm pretty sure. The village being like 90% Australian and all... you may not realize how bananas this show will be. If you can find some tickets do it.

Okay City's track 'Potency', which the boys were so kind to contribute to BTA, is a laid back groove with a catchy string melody accompanied with a nice little Biggie Sample. Get it below.

Okay City - Potency