Been kind of obsessing over this video for White Denim’s Street Joy. Not sure how I missed this but apparently it’s been out for six months. Director Carlos LaRotta’s (Birds on Fire) treatment includes a healthy dose of Tim & Eric / Doug Lussenhop VHS style. It’s always nice to see a band not take themselves too seriously, even in the case of such a somber and reflective song. but in spite of the humor there seems to be a fittingly nostalgic undercurrent at work here that ties the whole thing together. Really beautiful stuff.
Art by Sabrina Ratté (visual artist for Le Révélateur)
Here it is, my selection of most refreshing music to listen to that came out in 2011. It’s a collection of records that grabbed my ear and made me put my coat on and head to the record store. I’ll have my Top 50 singles of 2011 which include the Atlas Sounds, James Blakes, and all the other goodies from the indie world but this list less about the best of the best but more of what sticks to my bones, i’m sure everyone has their favorites of the year too, feel free to list them below i’d love to see them.
fyi: this list does not include any records I was apart of ala releasing or distributing. i.e. the Tycho album, Ghostly releases, and Moodgadget releases.
Enjoy the playlist, thanks for all the feedback, comments, “likes” etc. over the last year, always a pleasure reading what you all have on your mind.
“Play Pencil Pimp!!” is what I kept yelling at the recent Sepalcure show in NYC, today they got Pitchfork’s Best New Music on their debut Self Titled album, we’ve supported their sound from the beginning, I couldn’t be happier for them, you can buy their LP here. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Usually when you say Jose Gonzalez a girl in the room will scream and say “OMG I love him!” I do the same when someone says “its a Todd Terje edit of ______”. Blowing away the original is this edit, Todd you are a talent.
Always wanted to pick Evenings brains because I want to know if they were into IDM back in the day because they grab some great simple tricks from that genre that you don’t hear anywhere else.
Everyone needs a Star Slinger remix, he turns whatever you’ve done into a dancefloor bomb.
After mostly doing darker shows with Araabmuzik, Salem, OoOoo, etc. Beacon has released a melodic and passionate EP that translates into an amazing live set, i’ve caught their shows a handful of times this past week and its got hints of different style for everyone packed into one. They have a great sense of humor and their visuals unveil that at times, the rumbling dirty south low end makes it easy to loosen up, and both Jacob and Tom are really into performing so you feel like they’re there to entertain which is sometimes nice if done properly when were talking electronic music.
Our Tom Croose is back with an EP on the label that just put out the Caribou side project with all the edits. This tasteful upbeat cut isn’t all in your face and has that perfect tempo, also great for a night at home with a drink and vinyl. Pick up the 12″ here
So the Drive Soundtrack is all the rage, Michna went ahead and started us off with a more dancefloor early night edit of the College track, download it here for free
If you’re hungry for bliss then you’ll love Slow Magic, his name really delivers.
Went hunting around Soundcloud this morning for some songs that i’ve been meaning to hear, first stop was this Portishead cover Doldrums that Alley from School Of Seven Bells shared, instantly feel in love with the drums, feels fresh to the ears, what a perfect re-interruption.
Shigeto has way with remixes, usually starts really broken up and separate feeling then makes everything work together until you have this elegantly orchestrated song swaying into of you.
Once again OPN’s Ford & Lopatin comes with soundscapes that take on these tones where you feel like you’re living in poorly kept VHS taped world and that always was my dream.
Le Révélateur: pssssssssh! you sir are genius. I mean come on, this level of hypnosis/ambience doesn’t get reached by many artist that try to make this, he’s unreal, and the visual live?! I can’t handle watching it, its too good, makes me too happy, I feel like i’m glowing.
If you’ve seen the Drive movie you’ve probably looked for the soundtrack and you’ve figured out that College did the song you loved off of it, soo happy to see this music finally getting some recognition beyond Daft Punk. I went over to College’s soundcloud and found this great mix he recently did, download it and enjoy.
TRACKLIST
01 – Stephen Falken – See The Unseen
02 – Ken Scott – Dancer (Single Version)
03 – Freak Electrique – Cloud Surfer (Remix)
04 – Electrick Dragon – Italian Inspiration
05 – College – Blue Camera
06 – Maethelvin – Looking For Love
07 – Young Monday – A Written Description
08 – Yellow Beach Balls – Kissing Tail
09 – Smackos – The Age Of Candy Candy
10 – Gianni Rossi – Theme From Star Vehicle
11 – The Parallax Corporation – Lift Off (Album Remix)
12 – Teenage Bad Girl – Keep Up With You (Lifelike Remix)
13 – Synergy – Warriors
14 – M83 – Midnight City
I finished up a remix of Little Dragon’s song Little Man right before we went on tour together and it’s finally out. This is the first remix I’ve ever done and also the first time I’ve worked with vocals in such a literal way. Was a very inspiring experience to say the least; hoping to do more with vocals in the future.
Last night I realized I should be listing the shows of some of my favorite acts, I mean here and there these musicians freely share their art with us and I wanted to add a new level of support on the ISO50 blog, obviously I can’t share every tour schedule so i’ll pick shows weekly in NY and LA that are worth checking out.
Fri. 11/11
NY: Matthew Dear @ Public Assembly
LA: Holy Ghost! @ The Music Box Sat. 11/12
NY: Braille, Tim Sweeney, Heathered Pearls @ Zablotski’s
LA: Real Estate @ The Echo Sun. 11/13
NY: Skeletons, Andrew W.K.(DJing) @ 285 Kent
LA: — Mon. 11/14
NY: Youth Lagoon @ Mercury Lounge
LA: — Tue. 11/15
NY: Beacon @ Glasslands
LA: Frank Ocean @ El Rey Theatre Wed. 11/16
NY: Innergaze @ Shea Stadium
LA: Flying Lotus @ The Music Box Thu. 11/17
NY: Balam Acab @ Le Poisson Rouge
LA: Future Islands @ The Echo
Above are photos by Bryant Eslava of Sepalcure and Mux Mool from last nights Africa Hi-Tech show at Le Poisson Rouge.
