What's better than young Swedish boys with great hair in a band making amazing indie dance pop tunes?? Ummmm... nothing really! Urban Cone stole our hearts a few months back when they destroyed the stage at Popscene here in San Francisco. Now they have a fresh new jam written about one of the greatest cities on earth, "New York". Urban Cone, please continue to be awesome! You bring such joy to indie dance pop, it's delicious!
NEW MUSIC: HER ROYAL HARNESS - BLOOD + FIRE
CommentA collaboration between Norwegian songwriter Helene Jaeger and London producer-instrumentalist Dylan Long, Her Royal Harness is described as a catharsis-driven take on genre-synthesist pop. They met online in an internet music forum over an argument about their different approaches to making music. Their debut album The Hunting Room will be available June 24th.
NEW VIDEO: FLUME - ON TOP
CommentIf I were a person who made music by creating beats live and turning knobs - I would want to make music and videos just like this. Flume - the Australian sensation - currently taking the world by storm. He is young, he is beautiful, he is talented, he is innovative, he is creative, he is RAD! This video for "On Top" featuring T.Shirt is also RAD! Flume forever!!
WHAT NATE SAYS: ALBUM REVIEW - THE LIMOUSINES - HUSH (2013)
CommentNate is a young musician living in the bay area who has something to say about The Limousines!
The tone of Hush was foreshadowed by The Limousines departure from Dangerbird Records and their decision to crowd source its funding via Kickstarter. Erik Victorino and Gio Giusti wanted complete creative control and as result Hush ends up sounding more intimate and raw. The Limousines have always been mature - even their tongue in cheek singles ‘Very Busy People’ and ‘Internet Killed the Radio Star’ were full of smart social commentary - but where 2011's Get Sharp lyrics muse on abstract concepts like existentialism and nihilism, Hush is centered around more introspective lyricism.
A more mature side of The Limousines is exposed on Hush. The album portrays the reality love and loss; Victorino bares his soul on Hush, but when The Limousines are at their rawest they are at their best. Two standouts are ‘Haunted’ where Victorino can’t escape the memories of his deceased friends and the title track ‘Hush’ where Victorino sings “don’t bother howling at the moon because the moon can’t hear you”. Victorino’s evolution towards maturity as a singer and lyricist is paralleled by Giusti’s evolution as a beat maker.
Giusti’s productions are the perfect balance of creative and infectious. His roots - his Jay-Z remix album The Bloody Album and Get Sharp - are evident but nothing on Hush feels recycled. The musical triumph of Hush is its diversity. ‘The Last Dance’ is a beautiful indie-pop trip-hop track similar to Purity Ring. ‘GRB 09042’ matches hip-hop drums with huge chants and vintage synths. ‘Fools Gold’ explodes into a saxophone solo that would make even George Michael jealous. The instrumentation on the album is as varied as the genres, however through it all Giusti manages to still sound like The Limousines.
The Limousines clearly avoided the sophomore slump with Hush. It is the culmination of three years of effort and it shows in the craftsmanship. It’s beautifully vulnerable. There are no weak spots on the album. The coalescence of the music, the melodies and the lyrics are incredibly engrossing and refreshing. Top to bottom Hush plays like an album and once you start you won’t be able to stop until it’s over. Overall, Hush is a great new album and it definitely merits a listen.
NEW MUSIC: CLOUD CONTROL - DOJO RISING
CommentA few years ago, I booked this band from Australia called Cloud Control for my SXSW showcase in 2011 - and they fucking blew my mind. Hands down, one of my favorite bands in Austin that year. I listened to their debut record Bliss Release at least one million times. The last time they toured the states, I was unable to catch a show which sucked, and I have been waiting for new music for what seems like forever! Well, the wait is over, and with this new Cloud Control track called "Dojo Rising" I am overwhelmed with excitement for whats to come! The new record is called Dream Crave and drops in the US on September 17. I want a US tour immediately! Really, this band pretty much has it all.......
NEW VIDEO: DRIVE BY NIGHT - PLAY FAKE
CommentThe best part about my job (I can't believe I listen to bands and see live music for a living) is coming across brand new bands like this simply because they were supported by other bands. It doesn't always work out for these new little baby bands, but the possibilities are wide open, and sometimes we can get in on the ground level of something pretty great! I feel this way about today's new discovery - Drive By Night - which my little angels China Rats suggested, and I am so happy that they did, because otherwise I would not be sitting here writing about it.
Drive By Night come from the same little British town of Leeds as China Rats - whom we already know and love, playing our Beautiful Buzzz SXSW showcase twice this year - and the two bands will be playing songs together at their upcoming gig in Leeds at Oporto on June 11. I'm not all together sure how many people in Leeds actually read our little blog, but there is the gig date.... just in case. Today China Rats posted this Drive By Night video on their Facebook, which came up in my feed....and this is how the magic happens friends!
This new track "Play Fake" from Drive By Night is a sweet little song, perfectly pop, perfectly British. It's the start of something that might be just great, and it's a beautiful place to catch a band.... when they are green with only a few hundred likes on a Facebook page created 5 months ago. Look at the likes of MS MR, Lovelife, or Little Daylight, or NO CEREMONY/// - all who within the last 6 months we have watched come up in our little scene! I like Drive By Night, I hope to be seeing much more from them in the months to come.
NEW MUSIC: HEY CHAMP - CELEBRATE
CommentChi town boys Hey Champ have a new tune that is delicious! "Celebrate" is the third installment of new music this year from this dance pop duo, and it is certainly the most epic track thus far.... it's like the indie dance pop version of an 80's but rock hair band power ballad, and I love it! Hey Champ have been straight delivering - and if you have not checked out a live show, this is something that everyone must do immediately. Bay area - Hey Champ will be playing Popscene on June 20.... I'll be there having a dance party!
NEW MUSIC: CAPITAL CITIES - FARRAH FAWCETT HAIR (FEAT. ANDRE 3000)
CommentThe day we have all been waiting for is upon us! Yes kids - Capital Cities is finally releasing their debut album In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery on Tuesday June 4. Some of you may just be learning about Capital Cities - they are taking off, selling out shows across the country, played all over alternative radio....it's all happening. Capital Cities have been part of our Beautiful Buzzz lives for over two years, and for us this release is a long time coming! I was just with my dear friends over the weekend at their show in Sacramento, and it was bananas! Capital Cities live show is better than I have ever seen - they have arrived at greatness! Could not be happening to a better group of guys!
Check out this track from In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery called "Farrah Fawcett Hair" featuring Andre 3000, and get a taste of what's to come! You can pre-order the record HERE!
REMIX: STRFKR - SAZED (PILLAR POINT REMIX)
CommentI am feeling a wee bit on the darker side of life today, so this remix from Pillar Point of "Sazed" by STRFKR is just what I needed to keep my dark mood going strong! STRFKR just announced a bunch of new fall US dates, and they will be playing Treasure Island Festival in the bay area!
