Only months after their debut at the Vancouver Art Gallery's FUSE event, Times Neue Roman are getting alot of attention and doing some big things. The Toronto based act is comprised of poet Arowbe Arowbe Arowbe, who continuously delivers such an energetic flow and some great hooks over the beats composed by Alexander, The, who brings us back to the 8-bit console generation. Prepare for one of your next favorite club bangers when you hear "Hi, this is my new song". Remix anyone? You may already be familiar with them if you were at the Nuit Blanche Festival. Yes..they were the guys driving around in a U-Haul and performing out of the back of it. Their antics, along with a much hyped live show which includes some great visuals, have caught the attention of fans and the industry alike. With tracks already set to appear on CSI: Las Vegas, and A&E, you're going to be hearing a lot of these guys.
Times Neue Roman’s To Die EP is available now on iTunes and other online music stores.
Ever since the inception of this feature I've been giddy with excitement at the prospect of rummaging through the BTA mailbag to discover what musical treasures have been sent through our door. And the experience has easily lived up to the fervent expectation. There have been some real contenders this week, including the latest anti-folk gem from Jay Jay Pistolet, who the London contingent of BTA have been stalking for the majority of the year. But there was one real standout that exploded from the mailbag to snatch the trophy.
The RGBs showcase a collection of fully formed, infectious, electro disco pop tunes, with extra bass to ensure total submission from the dancefloor. "The Day" is my current favourite, with its pulsing electro beats, frenetic synths and compulsive vocals, inspiring spasmodic grooving / flailing in this correspondent's living room. As their debut promo "The Everlaster" below illustrates they also provide some impressive visual stimulus which never hurts...
Their debut album is due to be released in early 2009. Having already played a bunch of the major UK festivals and due to support CSS in the coming months, expect them to emerge as one of the early highlights of next year.
Little Joy is some kind of awesome collaborative project featuring Fabrizio Moretti of The Strokes, Rodrigo Amarante of Los Hermanos and Fab's girl Binki Shapiro. It all started when Fabrizio and Rodrigo met way back in 2006 at a festival in Portugal and vowed to lay down some tracks together. It took a bit longer than expected, but the guys eventually hooked up at Devendra Banhart's pad in Echo Park and recorded some material. The resulting self-titled debut, released last week, is already one of my favourite albums of 2008 and I've only listened to the whole thing a handful of times.
For some reason the sound here really, really reminds me of Is This It, especially on tracks like 'Keep Me In Mind'. Some selections are decidedly mellower ('Play the Part', 'With Strangers' and closer 'Evaporar') but a Latin vibe permeates the album and gives even the gentlest song, 'Don't Watch Me Dancing', a sweet twist. Little Joy - Keep Me In Mind Little Joy - Brand New Start Little Joy - How To Hang A Warhol
Facts about Juana Molina: 1) Born in Argentina 2) Has been playing the guitar since she was 5 3) Lived in exile in Paris for 6 years 4) Used to be a comedic television actress 5) Voice for Elastigirl in the Argentinean release of The Incredibles 6) Fifth album Un Día was released last month Juana Molina - Un Día
I have wanted to post about Pattern is Movement for a while now, and today is the time to drop some knowledge.
Pattern is Movement is Andrew Thiboldeaux and Chris Ward. At first glance, one may easily mistake the duo for a pair of truckers or movers in search for a good burger joint. They just look the part. Yet, this brawny, bearded, and balding duo shouldn't be judged by its appearance, but rather by the character of its music. And lucky for them, Pattern is Movement has created a brand of song that many are labeling as one of the most original sounds around the indie scene today.
With influences ranging from ?uestlove to Radiohead, the boys are responsible for some incredible tracks. My favourite is "Right Away", a song that is catchy and upbeat yet still haunting. Think Arcade Fire on this one.
For those of you in the Toronto or Montreal area, you can see the band this week at the Elmo on Nov 15 or Club Lambi on the 16th. Enjoy the tracks below, as well as this Take Away Show featuring the duo performing on a traffic median.
Aparently Iran (the band) is nothing new, but I first heard them recently with their track 'Buddy'. TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone is a member of the band and Dave Sitek, of TVOTR, helped to create those layers of noise that permeate his work.
DJ Z-Trip, who I am totally unfamiliar with makes just the right tweaks to this Motown staple. The results are a crisp, funky mix of Michael at his pre-pubescent best.
BTA sat down recently with White Lies frontman Harry McVeigh to discuss the band's origins, Ben Sherman, and Guitar Hero.Journalistic genius ensued.
White Lies is made up of McVeigh, Jack Brown and Charles Cave; a trio who started playing music together as 15 year olds under the moniker Fear of Flying.When asked about the name swap, Harry told BTA that the original trio was "very naive in our song writing and in the way we approached everything." After they matured as a group and got some Talking Heads covers out of their system change was in the air. McVeigh explained that White Liescame about once "the band progressed so much that we thought we deserved to be called something new."
White Lies enjoyed their first trip to the economic danger zone that is Iceland last month, where they played the Airwaves festival.McVeigh told BTA that the festival experience was great and that "Iceland is an amazing place, completely barren, there’s nothing there."Sounds like a new marketing campaign for the tourist board.
A recent tour with Canadian twosome Crystal Castles led to collaborative efforts on an amazing subterranean-sounding electro remix of White Lies’ track 'Death'.In true patriotic style, BTA asked Harry if Crystal Castles had pimped Canada to them, and were disappointed to hear that this was not in fact the case.In a possible reaction to our dejected faces Harry quickly assured us that they had actually been visiting Canadian landmarks and having a great time."We went to Niagara Falls yesterday, and we’ve heard good things about [Queen West].We also ate a few meals here," he said, gesturing loosely in the direction of McDonalds.God, I hope not.
Fresh off the festival circuit, the boys were playing a show at the Horseshoe Tavern and then flying to NY for an in-store show at Ben Sherman.While they'd done in-stores before at record stores, this clothing shop will be a new experience for them.
When asked about the band's favourite type of show, Harry mentioned that while every type of venue has its merits, festivals guarantee new fans, a definite plus for up-and-coming bands. "People tend to wander around, and so we get fresh ears," explains Harry.
The topic of new bands led to talk about Guitar Hero, North America's pop culture craze.We were curious to know if it was also big in the UK (it is) and if they themselves had played (they have).Harry even endorsed the videogame, explaining that plastic instrument mania is encouraging for the music industry as it motivates new talent.And they wouldn’t mind being a part of this phenomenon either:"I think it would be a huge compliment to have one of our songs in there."
Still young and modest, these talented lads did not seem to take their burgeoning success for granted and even went so far as to mention a couple of acts they thought we should check out, fellow Brit bands The Joy Formidable and Post War Years.
For your enjoyment, here is a live version of White Lies' 'Death'.
Brighton-based math rockers Brontide may have only been doing their thing for a few months, but the trio have already recorded a handful of impressively powerful and menacing instrumental tracks. Drummer William Bowerman used to be a member of the now defunct I Was A Cub Scout (a name undoubtedly familiar to British readers) and describes his new band's sound as "the most melodic music we have ever played, in the same song as playing the heaviest music that we have ever played, with no singing." Fantastic.
In other New Music Monday news, Vampire Weekend have contributed a new track called 'Ottoman' to the soundtrack for feel-good flick Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. VW simply can't seem to write anything except catchy, excellent tunes and 'Ottoman' is no exception. Unfortunately, in a disappointing turn of events the soundtrack is not, in fact, 'infinite' as it contains only 15 tracks. It does, however, feature other exclusive contributions from the likes of Devendra Banhart, Band of Horses, We Are Scientists, Bishop Allen and Shout Out Louds which makes things okay again.
Sorry about my tardiness, friends. Hallowe'en is to blame.
In other news - Last weekend I was fortunate enough to be invited to Musikki & Media, the annual weekend conference/showcase of the finest of emerging artists Finland has to offer. I drank and slept about as much as only a jetlagged alcoholic North American can, yet I did catch some really great shows, too - turns out the Scandanavian music scene offers a bit more than heavy metal and the occasional pop princess.
Here's a quick glance of the best that I caught while hangin' out in Tampere:
In the tradition of the Japanese tendency to produce highly infectious all-girl garage rock comes the Finnish counterpart to the 5,6,7,8's or Shonen Knife - Pintandwefall (pronounced separately - 'pint and we fall') is 4 teenage Finnish girls (yes, I know) who write witty, cute, and often ridiculous lyrics juxtaposed with Pixies-esque riffs and an extremely competent rhythm section. Songs like "Somewhere I'd Be Worshipped" demonstrate the band's lyrical sense of humour "little girl likes Poets of the Fall/it's almost Pintandwefall/so she's our fan". Also, check out "What is Shark" on their myspace.
Also check out the video.
They're signed to Gaea Records, a small label in Finland that seems to have its finger on the pulse of that which is certainly exportable.
Next on the Gaea Records showcase of Thursday night was electro-pop 4-piece I Was a Teenage Satan Worshipper. Not much known about these guys (and girl), as their band bio is obviously a load of BS, but musically they mix dark synth and vocal influences with bubblegum pop electronics to create a vibe that is somewhere between A Place to Bury Strangers, EMF's only hit "unbelievable", and Crystal Castles.
Also on Gaea, Jesse (pronounced Yess-eh) are a bunch of dudes with bad haircuts and ironic 80's vintage stylings (read: Terry and Dean from FUBAR) playing fully instrumental electronic dance music. It's not particularly groundbreaking (one could even argue that it isn't particular good) but they do produce some pretty solid hooks, even if they lean on them a little often. Overall, it all just kind of sounds like a lost Megaman soundtrack. "Riffi" is obviously the level where you're whizzing through the galaxy on a hovering skateboard.
My only real regret of the weekend spent in Finland (apart from sleeping through the operating hours of the Lenin museum) was missing Vuk's set. Instead, I passed it up for the highly-buzzed and totally forgettable performance from Rubik, the "must-see" show of the festival according to the organizers and locals. From the reports of those who went against the advice of the masses, Vuk's darkly eclectic chamber pop was an absolute highlight. The New York-via-Helsinki young woman has an incredibly distinct voice that I'm sure must be absolutely stunning in a live environment. I'm currently hoping she'll respond to my email request for an mp3 (I can't find one anywhere). In the meantime, check out "Gramophone and Periscope" on her myspace.
My favourite performance of the festival was from Helsinki's modern-day Velvet Underground/Jesus and Mary Chain hybrid Joensuu 1685. I grabbed a copy of their debut, self-titled disc and have found it to be less vibrant than their live show, but still a valuable listen if you like your stoner pop mixed with the kind of analog fuzz that's predominantly missing in the days of 320kbps. Regrettably, the most accessible song on their myspace, "Walk on Water", isn't featured on the record. But "Sick City" should give you a more accurate representation of what these (really nice) dudes are all about.
Sidebar history lesson: Thanks to Wikipedia, I now know that Joensuu is a northern University town in Finland. What happened there in 1685, however, is anyone's guess; the city wasn't officially founded until 1848.
How was everyone's Halloween? I hope it was filled with drunken debauchery and lots of stumbling. I gots a few remixes for you here; not really gonna write anything today, my mind is basically a bowl of brain soup. You may or may not enjoy these but trust me on the DFA mix of Paper Planes though, the music is hella tight... but it just doesn't fit quite perfectly with Mia's flow.
Los Campesinos! were technically the headliners and the Ballroom represented their largest indoor gig yet. Unfortunately, the venue sucks balls. It's got the ambiance of an airplane hangar, multiple leaks in the roof and dismal acoustics. Plus the door staff didn't seem to know how the guest list or online ticketholders should be dealt with, forcing everyone to line up together one giant queue. In any case, all three bands were solid and played lengthy sets. Cardiff indie poppers Los Campesinos! offered up a number of songs from new album We Are Beautiful We Are Doomed (released October 27th) along with a handful of classic cuts from debut Hold On Now, Youngster... and all were well-received by the jubilant crowd.
Seth of Polyvinyl emailed us recently about Cale Parks, an New York based percussionist and solo artist that is releasing his second solo album Sparklace.
Parks' digital brand of pop struck me from the first listen. Not only is his overall sound original, but the variance he provides from track to track is impressive. 'Some Sew, Some Find' has a light electro trash vibe; 'Every Week Ends' comes off with a smoother and more warm groove;and 'CC Meenkie Instrumental' could play at a yuppie martini bar just as well as a Burial track.
While Parks is still relatively unknown, his music deserves your ears. A favourite on my October Zune playlist.
In Ottawa, we have the first weather report calling for snow. In a panic, I searched for new sounds to keep me warm. Here's one that I'd like to pass along.
New York's The Loom seems to be born out of the cold winters and brutal weather that anyone in North Eastern America experiences year-in-and-out. What else drives people indoors to write soul-soothing music. No noise here; members of The Loom craft delicate multi-instrument acoustic arrangements wrapped in blankets of brass horns. Listen to the track "Song for the Winter Sun" from the EP At Last Light. Everyone who has braved the winters here will appreciate what I am offering.
Don't get me wrong, I love winter! I just want some tunes that will get me through.
While I tend to be partial to anything French, I promise you that I am being as unbiased as possible when I tell you to watch out for Francois Virot. This quirky character from Lyon, France has been making music since the not-so-tender age of seven and has recorded a reported 17,839 demo cds since then. That part sounds made up, so emphasis on the 'reported'. If it's true, I'd like to find out where these demos are... and who was in charge of keeping count.
Virot's first solo album, Yes or No is refreshingly simple and well... refreshing. Crisply layered vocals, simple strumming and hand clapping (!!) are his MO, which results in a sound I'd describe as a mix of Malajube, Islands and sunshine. Seriously. Sometimes there's even laughter in the background. And rainbows?
I recommend Say Fiesta and the little ditty in this video. And I fully plan on getting the album as soon as it's available in Canada. Because it's amazing. And because the vinyl is royal blue.
The fact that it's a Monday fully gives me permission to indulge in corny blog titles if I so desire. But yes, I know, I could have done better.
So.
There are few things I enjoy more than animated music videos, mainly because they combine two of my favourite things (music and cartoons) and because they achieve a level of crazy that cannot be reached in any other fashion. Other things I enjoy are hot air balloons, lightning storms and the ocean.
Owen Pallett aka Final Fantasy obviously knows all of this, and so just for me, he's put together this gem:
The third Final Fantasy LP is only due out in Spring 2009, but thankfully, he's throwing a couple of EPs our way to tide us over till then. Check out Spectrum, 14th Century, right here!
Prosecutor: Britain, you have been charged with an unhealthy fixation with old ladies talking suggestively about their feline companions; selling saucy postcards of scantily clad buxon beauties at seaside resorts; and allowing Eurotrash to pervert your television sets for over 10 years. In short, you are here to defend your love of all things "Camp".
Britain: No your honour, that was all in the past. We're a mature, respectable nation now.
Prosecutor: So tell me, who were the best selling artist over the past 5 years?
Britain: Um, ok that was Scissor Sisters but that was so 2004. I can assure you, we're fully reformed.
Prosecutor: Then how do you explain the current obsession with Heartbreak and their melodramatic, Pet Shop Boys soundtracking Flight of the Concords, debut album "Lies"? I present to you Exhibit A, a performance of their debut single "We're Back".
Prosecutor: If I'm not mistaken, this is a classic example of Italo disco.
Brtain: Bugger
Grab your oversized gold medallion and join them on their UK tour next month!
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. Check them out, just because they're insanely entertaining. And also just insane. I make promises of cubicle dancing. If you're at work, that is.
Trawling through the BTA email account last week I came across an email promoting New Zealanders Cut Off Your Hands. Perhaps you've heard of them before; I certainly had. A few months ago it seemed like their catchy as all hell single 'Oh Girl' was everywhere, so I happily gave new track 'Happy As Can Be' a cursory listen. As expected, I discovered another bouncy Britpop-esque tune that may not be the most original song I've ever heard, but put a smile on my face and a bounce in my step all the same.
And it seems that the Cut Off Your Hands star is on the rise. The band has just released their debut album You and I in New Zealand and Australia and next month they'll be supporting Foals and Friendly Fires on a tour through Germany.
Before I start, I have to thank bbbykmbrly for tip about That's the Spirit. From what I understand, Ben Wilson's history and influence is extensive in the Ottawa region and beyond. He's currently a member of two other outfits The Department of Foreign Affairs and Toronto Indie Music Award-winners The Polytone's. He has toured internationally and some Spirit tracks have made their way onto compilations in Canada and the US. I would consider myself somewhat of a musician, but this puts all of us apartment rockstars to shame.
Wilson's latest baby is Staying Places and its a good one. On this Antique Room release, his lyrics float introspectively over dreamlike music. Simple melodies over excellent arrangements; this is great stuff. This album seems to meld nicely with this month's other autumn-inspired folk picks. Use as follows: press play on desired player, sit down, remove your current read from the shelf, enjoy.
Make sure to check out the tracks "Head for the Hills", "Orienteering", and "It's Curtains for You". If you like what you hear, join Wilson to celebrate the release of Staying Places on November 1st at Zaphods in Ottawa.
ps. Wilson recorded That's the Spirit's first EP "with a broken radio shack microphone, a cracked classical guitar, two ghetto blasters and a delay pedal that caught fire during one of the recording sessions" (AntiqueRoom.ca) Now THAT's Indie!
A pretty heavy weekend work schedule always foils all of your other weekend plans. You know what I'm talking about. Here are a few remixes from all over the map for this week that I tend to rock during my 6 am walk / bus ride.
- I have nothing but love for you T.I. As you over expose yourself before you head to the slammer. Oh the new album? Meh. You were alright on Entourage though champ.
