BB Brunes

Here is another band from across the ocean. BB Brunes, a French rock band, has been gaining popularity with the release of their 2nd album, Nico Teen Love, at the end of 2009. 

I’m a fan of Black and Blue and Dis Moi.

I saw them on the nightly show, Le Grand Journal, which airs on Canal +.  This live show invites celebrities to come for an interview while interspersing skits and other information, like weather and news snippets, throughout the 2 hours.

Carry out Anyone?

A friend passed this along to me, and I think it is awesome.  The concept of a ‘Take Away Concert’ is exactly what I like about indie music.  It’s raw and intimate, which should be what music is all about. No sound editing, just the artists, their instruments, a camera, and all the natural sounds of their surroundings.

So watch Tous Les Concerts à Emporter - filmed all over the world!

Paris’ Finest

Pacovolume

The first music found in Paris was a live performance on TV.  Never having heard of this artist before, I was digging the song but could’ve sworn he was English because among other things, he sings in English. I did a little research and found out that he is in fact from Paris. 

Pretty poppy but no more than Phoenix, The Airborne Toxic Event, or Your Vegas.   His voice leans a bit towards Kele Okereke from Bloc Party…He just released his debut album, Manhattan Baby, September 28th. 

Fresssssh from Paris…

Pacovolume - Cookie Monster (video)

MaGic MomenTs

MGMT + Caroline Polacheck from Chairlift cover Aimee Mann & Til Tuesday's Voices Carry at Bonnaroo 2009

AMAZING!

White Cowboy

What has Jack White been up to lately?

Well, just what he does best...making music in his own unclassifiable genre of alternative indie rock. He's back with a new project titled The Dead Weather which includes himself, The Kills' Alison Mosshart, Raconteurs' Jack Lawrence, and Queens of the Stone Age, Dean Fertita. Their debut album, Horehound, was released last week (July 14th) and kicks off with the single Hang You Up from the Heavens.

However, the real gem from this project is the video for the song, Treat Me Like Your Mother, produced by Jonathan Glazer...The mock shoot-out between White and Mosshart shot with choppy sequences and slower motions really capture the essence the firing machine guns. And that paired with the rock riffs - definitely give to artistic precision and creativity, making for a quite deliciously pimp 4 1/2 minutes. Both music videos make listening to the songs well worth it because without them I'm not sure how long the songs can hold there own for those not a part of White's cult following.

Dark was the Night

A friend told me about this VERY cool Compilation released this past February...started by 2 members of The National to benefit the Red Hot Organization - an international charity raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.

To get more information, go here.


*picture and hopefully widget to follow shortly*

Rhombus

For anyone living or traveling to Utah, yes Utah, in the near future...you can see the likes of M. Ward, Bon Iver, and Jenny Lewis performing in a free concert series...This info obtained from Utah Valley's online magazine, Rhombus, ...Check their website out for updates on local music, movies, sports, politics, and general entertainment.

You can also follow them on Twitter!

And going old school you can listen to this while you "Tweet" - this song also serves as one more tribute / paddle to the child's behind for MJ :)

Death of a...Bankrupted Pedophile or The Most Famous Person to Ever Live?

Ok so they say everyone mourns/grieves differently...but really world?? is it absolutely necessary to stop every song on the radio, on your comp/ipod, on every website, music channel, and any other place that the ear picks up labyrinths of notes, and switch to playing ONLY Michael Jackson?!

How is it even possible for airplay to increase by 1735%? I'm not sure if I should be happy or sad about that. I mean, we all love MJ and yes, I too, still have not swallowed the reality that the King of Pop is gone, but do we really need a constant reminder?

Some fun facts on this past week's Posthumous Explosion:
- Airplay jumped from 3,671 plays to 67,383 with "Billie Jean" being the most popular
- 1/2 of iTunes Top 20 downloaded singles were MJ
- Every slot in Amazon.com's Top 15 best-seller list was MJ
- The topic has been on Twitter's Trending Topics since the announcement of his death over a week ago AND when announced Twitter's number of normal tweets per second DOUBLED
- Many celebrities and fans have paid tribute including Pete Wentz, P Diddy, Chris Cornell, Lisa Marie Presley, etc

For all you stalkers, I mean fans, out there...a public viewing of his body will be held at his Neverland estate on Thursday...

R.I.P Michael Jackson

Crazy Communists

News from Russia...apparently the crazies over there are trying to make it illegal for kids to be 'emo' ...

a. Define emo.
b. If you so wish to define it based on attire and music listened to - can you really regulate that?

Was there really any thought put into this new proposed legislation?? the officials say that being emo increases chances of being depressed and suicidal...ummmm have they ever considered kids might be that way because RUSSIA'S PEOPLE ARE OPPRESSED??

Oh well...your transatlantic neighbor feels you, so enjoy some local punk/ska empathy :)

Patent Pending - Cheer Up Emo Kid

New Stuff from the Brits

Maximo Park made a track off their upcoming album,Quicken the Heart, available for download on their website. MP was formed in 2000 and will release this 3rd album in May. This won't be the first single from the album, but it is still a preview of some of the new stuff they've been working on - go their website to register and download or just listen to it here for free :)

Maximo Park - Wraithlike

This is a song from their first album, A Certain Trigger.

Maximo Park - Apply Some Pressure

Amy Winehouse

Update on the crazy Brit - she has no longer been granted visa access to the states in light of her recent arrest for assault.

Therefore, Winehouse will no longer be playing alongside the headliners at this year's Coachella Festival. :(

Conan/Fallon

I know this is a little past due, but in case you missed out on Conan's last night...he was serenaded by The White Stripes' We Are Going To Be Friends. The duo started out kinda stiff and shaky, but by the end of the show had it together to really give Conan a performance that he will always remember...he has long admired Jack and Meg and through the years they have forged a weirdly fitting friendship

White Stripes on Conan (watch)
The White Stripes - We Are Going to be Friends (listen)

As you know, Conan is taking over Leno's time slot, who is getting pushed up to 10pm, while Jimmy Fallon is taking over Conan's gig...Fallon's got some big shoes to fill...can Conan keep the Late Night audience?...how will Leno do at the pseudo primetime spot....

Fallon's first week included performances by Ludacris, Rose Bryne, and Jon Bon Jovi...Fallon struggled a little the first week getting settled in, but as all good shows need time this week has a promising outlook for the beau. The rest of this week's guests are Russell Brand, Tracy Morgan, Emily Blunt, and Jarod Miller.

Conan will be back June 1st.

Festivals III

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, is pretty much a bigger, west coast version of Bonnaroo held in Indio, Ca. This 3 day fest is being held April 17-19th. The lineup includes headliners, The Cure, The Killers, Paul McCartney, Morrissey, and the ever-so-brash Amy Winehouse. You can buy tickets here

A list of announced artists who are performing at both Coachella and Bonnaroo are Alberta Cross, Booker T and the DBTs, Crystal Castles, Girl Talk, Jenny Lewis, People Under the Stars, The Ting Tings, TV on the Radio and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

A preview of the artists performing:
Leonard Cohen - Everybody Knows
Girl Talk - Play Your Part (Pt. I)
Girl Talk - Still Here
Girl Talk - Hold Up
Girl Talk - Minute by Minute
Girl Talk - Once Again
The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight
The Airborne Toxic Event - Gasoline
The Airborne Toxic Event - The Girls in their Summer Dresses
The Hold Steady - Sequestered in Memphis
The Hold Steady - First Night
We Are Scientists - After Hours
Dr. Dog - Worst Trip
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
Fleet Foxes - Blue Ridge Mountains
Fleet Foxes - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
Peter Bjorn and John - Objects Of My Affection
Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks
Michael Franti & Spearhead - Yell Fire!
Michael Franti & Spearhead - Never Too Late
Michael Franti & Spearhead - I Know I'm Not Alone
Michael Franti & Spearhead - Ganja Babe
Bob Mould - Days of Rain
James Morrison - Wonderful World


Artists that I have already mentioned you can also check out are M. Ward and Okkervil River.

Festivals II

Oxegen is Ireland's largest festival that has been growing in popularity since it's conception in 2004. It is basically a smaller version of Glastonbury.

This year the festival is being held July 10-12th with headliners: Kings of Leon, The Killers, Snow Patrol, and Blur, and the rest of the lineup can be found here .

Tickets go on sale March 6th.

Some songs to check out from the performing artists:
Kings of Leon - Use Somebody
Kings of Leon - The Bucket
Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
The Killers - Human
The Killers - Forget About What I Said
Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
Snow Patrol - Open your Eyes
Snow Patrol - Signal Fire
Blur - Song 2
Razorlight - America
Razorlight - Wire to Wire
Bloc Party - Hunting for Witches
Bloc Party - This Modern Love
Bloc Party - Blue Light
Elbow - Grounds for Divorce
Keane - Spiralling
Keane - Bend and Break
Lilly Allen - Knock Em' Out
Lilly Allen - The Fear
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Jason Mraz - A Beautiful Mess

Artists playing at Bonnaroo and/or Coachella include: Crookers, The Killers, Paolo Nutini, TV on the Radio, The Ting Tings, White Lies, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and The Mars Volta.

Psychedelic Pop

of Montreal

of Montreal - Chrissy Kiss the Corpse (Satanic Panic in the Attic)
of Montreal - Forecast, Facist, Future (Sunlandic Twins)
of Montreal - Requiem for O.M.M 2 (Sunlandic Twins)
of Montreal - Wraith Pinned to the Mist (Sunlandic Twins)
of Montreal - Nonpareil of Favor (Skeletal Lamping)
of Montreal - An Eluardian Instance (Skeletal Lamping)



MGMT

MGMT - Electric Feel
MGMT - Kids
MGMT - Weekend Wars
MGMT - Time to Pretend



Empire of the Sun

Empire of the Sun - Walking on a Dream
Empire of the Sun - We are the People

Festivals

Sooo not sure what happened to my 'Psychedelic Pop' post - it mysteriously disappeared - but maybe if I ever get around to re-doing it I will...but anyway in addition to getting stoked about spring and warm weather...it is time for festivals season!!

The 8th annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will be June 11-14 on the same 700-acrs farm in Manchester, Tennessee this year. This four-day camping and music festival will total over 120 bands and over 20 comedians performing on 13 stages. The initial 2009 Lineup has been posted on the festival's website.

Some bands that I felt compelled to highlight are:
The Knux - Bang! Bang!
The Knux - Cappuccino
David Byrne - Strange Overtones
Band of Horses - Is There a Ghost
Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You
The Decemberists - July, July!
The Decemberists - The Legionnaire's Lament
Béla Fleck - Poindexter
Béla Fleck - The Fjords of Oslo
Béla Fleck - The Last Jam
Gomez - See the World
Santogold - Lights Out
Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes
Okkervil River - Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe
Brett Dennen - Ain't No Reason
Brett Dennen - The One Who Loves You the Most
Crystal Castles - Air War
Crystal Castles - Magic Spells
Chairlift - Bruises
Alberta Cross - Low Man
Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue


Also some other artists playing whom I have mentioned in previous posts are: Animal Collective, of Montreal, Andrew Bird, MGMT, and Bon Iver

What a Sweetheart

So I must finally acknowledge Starbuck's for their music selection. They are coming out with a new CD on Valentine's Day that has an array of artists covering love classics from the likes of Elvis, The Cure, Bruce Springsteen, Buddy Holly, and Frank Sinatra. My advice - go be all cliched and purchase this for your hunny bunny so the coffee colossal can cease closing stores and once again dominate the consumer world. duh...

Death Cab For Cutie - "Love Song"
Katy Perry - "Black And Gold"
DeVotchKa - "Hot Burrito #1"
Department Of Eagles - "Love Me"
Jessica Lea Mayfield - "Words Of Love"
Ben Bridwell - "Your Love Is Forever"
Kate Tucker - "I'm On Fire"
Rogue Wave - "Maps"
A.C. Newman - "Take On Me"
Jem - "Yellow"
Richard Hawley - "Early Morning Rain"
Daniel Martin Moore - "I Hear Music"
She & Him - "I Put A Spell On You"
Lila Downs - "My One And Only Love"

This Cd is available for purchase on Jan. 30th.




Also...in the matter of love...this was a cool article I came across that puts indie musicians together as hypothetical couples: Potential Mates

Name + Name

1. Matt and Kim, aka Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino, hail from the electrified punk scene in Brooklyn. Matt handles most of the vocals, synthesized beats, and (if we are lucky) tamborine, while Kim hammers away on the drums creating all-around feel good, frenzied convulsions running through one's body.

They just released their 2nd album, Grand, on Jan 20th...Their music has appeared on the show Chuck and they have been hosts for MTV2 programs. They will be bringing their tour to the east coast at the end of February and also have a spot lined up at this year's Lollapalooza.

If you like them then you should also check out Mates of State, aka Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel (another quirky, energetic duo from the Golden Gate city)...

Matt and Kim - Yeah Yeah
Matt and Kim - Daylight
Matt and Kim - Ready. Ok
Matt and Kim - Someday



2. She and Him, aka M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel, are such a dynamic pair. Having first met on Zooey's home ground - a movie set - they were asked to record a song for that movie's credits and hit it off ever since then. They released their first album last year, went on a mini-festival tour, and are now effortlessly working on their second album.

Matt Ward's evolvution into a well-known one-man band has released 4albums with a 5th coming out February 17th titled Hold Time. Here is a preview of that song as well as a couple of this kool kat's other jams:

M. Ward - Never had Nobody Like You
M. Ward - To Go Home
M. Ward - Helicopter

Zooey, known for her actress status, has been in films such as Mumford, Almost Famous, Elf, Failure to Launch, The Happening, and Yes Man. She also appeared on many tv series including Frasier, Weeds, and the Simpsons. The Top Secret Scoop on her: she is starring in the upcoming movie about the untamed Janis Joplin and this past Christmas she became engaged to Death Cab's lead singer, Benjamin Gibbard...Congrats!

She & Him - Change is Hard
She & Him - Sentimental Heart
She & Him - Sweet Darling
She & Him - You Really Got a Hold on Me



3. Tegan and Sara, aka Tegan Quin and Sara Quin, are not only identical twins but they are also a cute, peppy indie punk/rock duo from Canada. They have toured around the world with names like Neil Young, Rufus Wainwright, The Killers, Hot Hot Heat, and Ben Folds and worked on albums with members of Weezer, AFI, and Death Cab. They have also recently designed 2 pairs of hipster-esque, PETA-friendly sneaks for the shoe company Macbeth - Sara's are white, Tegan's black each with their respective initals...What's next for these chic chicks?

Tegan & Sara - Call It Off
Tegan & Sara - The Con
Tegan & Sara - Back in Your Head
Tegan & Sara - Where Does The Good Go

January 20th Albums

Today is obviously a big day, but it is also one for the music world too. Here are some noteworthy albums that were released today:

1.

Having played at Bonnaroo, Andrew Bird, a musician from Chicago, released his 11th album, Noble Beast. This 14 track self-produced compilation with the first single 'Oh No' is true to Bird's roots vocally with his popular whistling and also instrumentally with his voilin, guitar and mandolin. He will be playing in Richmond, Va February 2nd at The National with a show at the 9:30 club in DC the following night.

Here is an exclusive interview with ABC on Bird's talent.

Andrew Bird - Oh No




2. Probably my most anticipated release is Bon Iver's Blood Bank. Currently on tour in Australia, Bon Iver has quickly become one of my favorite artists starting with Skinny Love . This Wisconsin native's new EP only contains 4 songs, but they don't disappoint. His folky, passionate vocals and guitar-stricken beats instigate an amazing mix of powerful yet mellow songs, of which 3 of the 4 are below:

Bon Iver - Woods

Bon Iver - Babys

Bon Iver - Beach Baby



3. Solo album from Radiohead's lead singer, Thom Yorke, titled The Eraser: The Remixes changes up 8 of the 9 songs from his previously released album, Erasers, in 2006. This new album features Cristian Vogel and Four Tet...usually can't go wrong with Yorke material :)



4. DJ Signify from Brooklyn released his album Of Cities featuring songs with Aesop Rock and Blockhead with whom he is currently doing shows...Along the underground hip-hop scene, some of his songs are vocally scarce and they all have a great chill vibe to them, so you should check him out!



5. So I randomly came across the group Cash Cash whose debut album, Take It To The Floor, is being christened in New York City tonight. Their hit single, There's a Party in Your Bedroom, (everytime I hear this I can't help but laugh) has circulated clubs in NY and is growing popularity across the states, so be on the lookout for this pop-techno boy band from New Jersey.

They have the sound of a Disney-esque, pre-teen pool party, but they still manage to get your head boppin while you reminiscence on those days that you danced around in front of the mirror in your room in a pink tutu, pearl necklace and a makeup-covered clown face blaring music...or was that just me?

OOOOR kids these days just use 'noodles' - here was the winner of their YouTube Contest
but I'm not sure what the prize is - maybe a chaperoned date w/ the band...oooooh kids

Cash Cash - Party in Your Bedroom




Other releases include ska-punk band Reel Big Fish - Fame, Fortune, and Fornication...hit ballads from Babyface - From the Heart...and Detroit-based hip-hop duo, Platinum Pied Pipers (PPP) - Abundance (check out Pigeon Hole by them too)

GG

So the Golden Globes were on last night, or as I learned "the GG's" in Britain...and Slumdog Millionaire went away with best musical score by A.R. Rahman. The soundtrack to that movie includes 3 songs by M.I.A. - the Paper Planes chick. So...Congrats.

But the real "GG" that I wanted to share is Guggenheim Grotto . This is a band from Dublin, Ireland and they recently played in Charlottesville's coziest joint to listen to good music, The Gravity Lounge. Their newest album, Happy the Man, will be released to the public January 27th but you can already buy it exclusively on iTunes (if you still actually pay for your music). I really like this band's mixture of folk and simple, melodious beats to create a sound that definitely resonates as European.

They will continue to tour in the US with free shows at the World Cafe in Philly (1/13) and The Living Room in NYC (1/14) and then onto The Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA. So if you're in that area you should definitely check them out - Nothing like free shows!

I leave you with 2 songs from their previous album, Waltzing Alone:
Philosophia
Told You So (live)



MySpace page - check out "Fee Da Da Dee"

Local Look-outs

So every week or so I'm going to try to post a relatively local artist to get them a little more exposure (gotta represent every once and awhile)

This week's local look-out band goes by the name of Virginia Coalition . This group hails from Arlington, Va and has been together since high school. They have been known for their anything-goes mentality at live performances, including a stint at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC...Upon releasing their 5th album they have toned it down and released more subdued beats with introspective lyrics. VACO (as coined by fans) are finishing up their fall tour with O.A.R. and recently played in Vienna, Va at Jammin' Java on New Year's Eve . Sing Along, one of their singles off their newest album Home This Year, features the Prom Night and Hairspray actress, Brittany Snow, in the video:

Virginia Coalition - Sing Along

Drop of Animal Collective's LSD

So everyone knows that Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion album is about to drop - big hype about that.

I first heard about them about 4 years ago on Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale - met a lone ranger at our hotel with whom we ended up exchanging a bunch of music. Got the Feels album from him and I will leave you with a couple old school jams from that:

Animal Collective - Banshee Beat

Animal Collective - Daffy Duck

Animal Collective - Two Corvettes

My End of the Year Jams

I figured I should do some closing out post about 2008, so I've posted some of my recent jams that cranked me through the holidays. Most of them are from the Season One Soundtrack for NBC's Chuck

These are my top 5 from that season (ok maybe 6):
Frightened Rabbit - Keep Yourself Warm
The New Pornographers - Challengers
The National - Slow Show
Finley Quaye featuring Beth Orton - Dice
Teddy Bears featuring Mad Cobra - Cobrastyle
Editors - Weight of the World

Recent Concert

This is a band that I saw most recently with my friend Brooke...I was introduced to them by another friend and definitely want to follow them in the coming years...they are an indie welsh group formed under the name People in Planes in 2003 and they are currently on tour after releasing their second album, Beyond the Horizon

The concert was awesome and I would recommend seeing them to anyone...They know when to rock out and when to bring it down but still keep the momentum.

Here are two of my favorites:


Last Man Standing (live)

People in Planes - Pretty Buildings

NY Post 2009 Tracks

So this is an article from the NY Post that talks about 5 new bands/artists to look out for in the coming year

Who to Know in 2009

...I think they are all worth checking out but I posted a couple of my favs from these artists!

Foals - Red Socks Pugie

Motel Motel - River

Passion Pit - I've Got Your Number

This is a Musical Revolution

Ok so I am pretty new at this so you might have to bare with me until I get things figured out. I will hopefully have pics, clips, links, and other random jazz coming soon. But basically I decided it's a new year and I'd give blogging a try since I've never done it before. I just wanted to share the music that I am currently digging with everyone else so they can enjoy some great jams too...

Cheers!