Shameless Self Promotion

Photo Credit: Molly Ehlers

 

So recently I recorded a little single for the upcoming Temptation EP I have been working on. This song was a lot of fun to make and really challenged my abilities to create something cohesive and something that I could be proud of. Although the recording quality is quite poor I can at least blame it on the program I was using. Anyways, here it is, for you, the single, Sometimes.

Basha! Basha! Basha! – Sometimes

Live Bucket List

Everyone has their bands who seem to produce music that have the ability to evoke every feeling we want to experience seemingly simultaneously. Recently I was thinking about who would be on my list to see live and after numerous video views and narrowing down I have found my three finalists: Miike Snow,City and Colour, and Bon Iver. Although, of course, I want to see so many others live I really feel like these 3 would make me feel things that other bands wouldn’t.

1. Miike Snow has been one of my favorite bands since their album dropped and has continued to not disappoint. I have heard (and seen) that their live performances are some of the best whether it just be in a studio or at a huge venue in a dance tent. The overall experience looks like it would be some of the most fun (and best music) that you would hear/see live. Although all of their songs have some sort of meaning to me, I still consider the fact that the live performance is seemingly incomparable to any other dance/electronic experience I have seen. This video was taken for Myspace Studios within the “Transmissions” tapings and was recorded at what looks to be a house that overlooks downtown LA. The sound quality is crazy good and after viewing their live shows via Youtube it is easy to see that the combination of quality and experience would absolutely be one of the best.

Miike Snow – Silvia

http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/100618031 (Sorry about the link, this video isn’t on Youtube yet)

2. City and Colour is a Canadian native who actually has a history with the “emo” band Alexisonfire but has created quite a different name for himself with his solo project, City and Colour. Dallas Green has in fact won a Juno award for the Best Canadian Singer-Songwriter as well his album going platinum in Canada finishing in the number 3 spot. When City and Colour comes on to my iTunes it is easy for me to stop whatever I am doing in the moment and just enjoy this dude who is much more talented than I (and many) could ever dream of being. The cadence within his vocals simply draws you in and the folk-y strumming keeps you listening for what is coming next. The emotional topics that Green covers within his 2008 Bring Me Your Love record are nothing short of heart-wrenching emotional experiences that leave you pondering and wanting more. This guy definitely knows that he is doing and it would be quite an experience to see all of these factors coming together on one stage.

City and Colour – Body in a Box

3. Anyone who knows me personally knows that I have quite an affinity for Bon Iver and their For Emma, Forever Ago album that released two years ago. Simply, this is the most REAL album I have ever experienced. I say experienced because this album was much more that a “listen” to me, this album was everything I was going through, emotionally, at the time. It was everything I wanted to say rolled into one 9 track album. I have easily experienced this album over 55 times and I cannot think of another record that evokes real pain, sorrow, triumph, and excavation more so than For Emma, Forever Ago does for me. Every time I listen it takes me back and shows me things that I had forgotten, taken for granted, enjoyed, hated, loved, and lost. I can easily say that I want to see Bon Iver more than any other band I have ever mentioned on this blog and I can guarantee  it will stay that way until I am lucky enough to experience them live. I think this video says a lot about the emotion that goes into shows for Bon Iver, even if it is only a studio show, it still means something to them and I still get chills watching it- Maybe you will too.

Bon Iver – Flume

Honorable Mentions:

Kanye West

Sublime W/ Rome

Chromeo

John Mayer

J. Cole

Gang Starr (r.i.p. GURU)

The XX

The Pass

These guys are dope dope dope. They have a funky style and capture it with their electronic sequencing.  If you have an affinity for electro music and arpeggiators this is your best bet. Definitely something you can just chill to.. or even dance if you feel so inclined. You can listen to their whole album, Burst, here. Just a super talented band with some great cuts.

The Pass – Criminal

 

The Pass – Out of Hand

Jj

Being different and coming hard with the verses. I can dig it. I can really respect people who do this sort of thing. Fuck all the haters, let’s see you do it. I honestly have no idea who this band is comprised of or where there from and truly I don’t care. They make hella good music so just let this ride.

Jj – Let them (T.I. Cover)

Jj – I’m the one/ Money on my mind

Tokyo Police Club

Cannot stop listening to this band from Canada this morning. Absolutely one of the best live shows I have ever seen. I saw them after they released CHAMP so I saw a lot of their new stuff but I would have loved to see a little more off of Elephant Shell, which is one of my favorite albums of all time. They have the ability to capture so much emotion in their lyrics. They write what I wish I could write and they perform it even better. So many of these songs have sentimental value to me- both good and bad, but that is the way I like it. It’s a reminder of closing a chapter of my life and opening another. Their Elephant Shell album will forever hold a place in my life and for that I thank you, TPC. Thanks for saying the words I could never write down.

Tokyo Police Club – Juno

 

Tokyo Police Club – Graves

 

Tokyo Police Club – Tessellate

 

Tokyo Police Club – Gone

 

Tokyo Police Club – Favourite Food

Blackbird Blackbird

Had to let you guys know about this new track from Blackbird Blackbird. I have heard his older stuff and it’s a little more ambient with heavy reverb on vocals but I can definitely say that I like the new sound better. Check out Blackbird Blackbird’s myspace and buy their albums and EPs if you are digging it as much as I am. http://www.myspace.com/byeblackbird

Blackbird Blackbird – Erasers

Morning

Waking up with a massive headache is always fun. It probably means that you had a pretty good night though. This song might help ease you into the sounds of the real world. The bottom line is that I will never get tired of remixes of this song.

The XX – Intro (Deep Focus Bootleg)

Pepper Rabbit

I’m wanting to hang out with my little brother and this song embodies a lot of our relationship. I wish I could be there for you whenever you need someone, man. If you ever get this just know I’m here and I’ll always be, even when no one else is.

Pepper Rabbit – Older Brother

Tyga Tyga Tygaaaa

I have been on this guy for the past week and cant stop wont stop. Definitely a freshman in the game but rhymes suggest something different.  His earlier mixtape with Chris Brown is legit but my favorite is his Well Done Mixtape with DJ Drama. These next few cuts are definite slaps to put on the iPod and hit the gym or even get the party started on a THIRSTY THURSDAY night.

You gotta know these tunes will be bumping wherever I go tonight. Happy Thursday, y’all. Let’s get wild.

Tyga – Maybe

Tyga – Teach Me How To Freestyle

For those that were hype at the mention of Chris Brown:

Tyga (Feat. Chris Brown) – Wonder Woman

Black & Gold

Sam Sparro is a Australian native who has a soulful touch paired with a nice cohesive futuristic vibe. His song Black and Gold rose to the top 5 in both the UK and Australia and it’s for good reason. The chorus and pumping rhythmic synths keep this joint flowing. You WILL be singing the words to this song. It’s one of those songs that you feel like you have heard a million times before but never gets old. Enough hyping it up though, check it out for yourself. Peep Sam Sparro‘s myspace page for additional songs and tour dates. enjoY!

Sam Sparro – Black and Gold