A select few songs by Taken By Trees have been a stand in for my Kings Of Convenience needs recently, attractive slow guitar and melody and a voice to hum along to.
There’s no rush in Candy Claws’In the Deep Time, it as if Mum matured and worked with someone like Library Tapes.
Foxes In Fiction has been doing some covers lately and I had to share this one he did of Sufjan Stevens’John Wayne Gacy Jr.
Just to change speeds since its Friday and I just posted 3 bedtime style tracks, here’s a new Nacho Lovers spin of CFCF off the new remix EP.
I met Willy Anderson before I knew he made music under the name Weed. He was kind, straight edge(had to throw that in because of his band name) and the quietest guy on the field during a late night wiffle ball game. I remember wanting to talk to him because he was wearing a Winnipeg Jets hat in Brooklyn which meant that he might of had the unhealthy obsession about 1990’s NHL hockey as I did. After finding his music I had to share it with friends plus also collab on a shirt idea which is a mixture of his EP art and the Vancouver Canucks logo, so the above imagery is that result.
I always thought Yo La Tengo’sSummer Sun record to be the best record to listen to it with friends while doing something outdoorsy like canoeing or camping, never tested it but i’m sure it would hold up to my expectations.
I saw Mark Kozelek the other night, I hope the people in San Fran caught him as well recently. He was selling all his albums for only $10! after the show so I picked up the live session one from 2009, definitely disappointed, he did a great job with my favorite song Carry Me Ohio.
Sadly I don’t know much about Forest Swords but that never stops me from posting a bands music. The echo on the vocals at 2:17 and 2:31 is what grabbed me, I want it to loop forever! is it going thru a guitar?! whatever is going on, i’m a fan.
I really like today’s batch of tracks, all are really catchy in my mind. This Viernes track i’ve been waiting to share, its shimmery, light and builds nicely. The piano and vocals are so inviting while the guitar sits back and sets the tone yet never takes control which is a good formula for what I love in good shoegaze.
Cepia shared his official remix of M.I.A., this might be the first place its been posted and were proud to have it, he did a great job. You can always trust Cepia to push post IDM forward and he shows that here by making it work perfectly with a pop hit. Highly Recommended.
Deastro puts a spark to DIY/lo-fi and gives it that extra energy but from a producer with experience in his sound, you don’t always get that feeling, man what good drive too.
I think I have found my favorite Ratatat track which is named after their original band name I guess, what? the intro sounds like Mum, who would of thought, lovely work from this Brooklyn duo.
I remember when I first heard Dust Devil by School Of Seven Bells, I wanted to share it with everyone and have it on repeat. The synth line is driving and full like a proper synth pop melody should be these days. The girls sound powerful and untouchable to their surrounding counterparts in the music world. The record is out now and comes with remixes from Mux Mool and The Sight Below for less than $8 on iTunes.
Below is a video that shares some of the highlights of this groundbreaking Matthew Dear album that’s coming together, I can’t put my finger on the sound and that gets me excited. The record touches on a tempo and soundscape that is unlike anything being done right now, check this song that was just leaked the other day.
Oh Willits…you are one of the kings of controlling glitch with guitar making it a beautiful thing, never stop, your sound is perfect for any journey in life.
Noveller has my complete attention when she plays live, she brings an array of pedals for her guitars and slowly entrances you into a stare while you listen.
Over the past few weeks I’ve been going through the process of putting together a live band for the Tycho show coming up on July 9th here in San Francisco. Those of you who’ve been to my past shows will know that I usually play solo and the focus is on the visuals and some light synth work. But this recent break from playing live (been working on the new album) has given me a chance to re-evaluate what I want the performances to be about and it’s also afforded me some time to put into developing the whole thing a little more. The visuals will still be a central element of the show, but I also want to try and bring some of the instrumentation to the forefront as well.
This upcoming set at Mezzanine will be my first show back in a while — and one of only a few I’ll be playing this summer as I wrap up the album — so I wanted it to be something special. I’ve been working with some other musicians on the new material so it sort of made sense to try and incorporate them into the live stuff. I spent the past couple weeks deconstructing a lot of the songs and working them into live versions that sort of bridge the gap between electronic and traditional instrumentation and have been rehearsing with the band at Ira Skinner’s studio in Sacramento. Zac Brown (frequent collaborator and guitarist for Dusty Brown) will be handling bass duties while Matt McCord will be on drums. I’ll be on some guitars and synth and Dusty and Jessica Brown will be joining us for a couple songs as well. We’ve got a few more practices but things are sounding really good and I’m excited to bring it all to life on the 9th. Hope to see you there.
Edit: Cover image replaced due to “appropriation issues” (see comments for info)
I found Datahowler when his album cover above caught my eye, pretty and simple and not too emotional, just the way I like my vocals. Download his 2 song EP here for FREE.
Orchid Tapes is run by the musician Foxes In Fiction, he shares a ton of free EPs by friends and musicians alike and also keeps the cassette community having something to listen to by doing limited runs of albums on cassettes. The most recent release is by 16 year old Trans-Bedroom Sound which includes some real nice airy tones and a perfect soundtrack for an afternoon nap. Pick up the FREE EP here.
Half of Sweden’s slow disco duo Studio comes to us as D. Lissvik is back with a serious world music guitar solo that’s supported by some dark hypnotic sounds, a nice lengthy piece, pretty interested in hearing the rest of this LP.
Disco done unlike anything else these days brought to you by The Swiss.
Yes, both of those passports are mine. The first thing that was said to me upon my arrival in Narita was “Do you know Interpol?” I answered yes and was lead into an interrogation room where I sat for about 45 minutes. Periodically someone would come explain that my passport was stolen. I would explain back to them that it couldn’t be, as it was right there in front of us. In the end I was told to go to the American Embassy and get a new one (hence the two above). So now I have two passports and a unique knowledge of the underworld at Narita Airport. That was at the beginning, much has happened since then.
Since my last update I have been out mining for cool things. No more tourist attractions (besides the Ramen Museum in Yokohama. My Mom already made fun of me for visiting a noodle museum, so don’t start). I am happy to say that I have been successful in my searchings for all things weird and wonderful. Most of my time has been spent in Aoyama, Harajuku and Naka Meguro (with some Daikanyama too). It’s been hard to decide what to focus on; clothes, housewares, interiors, music, games, food…I could easily spend all of each day bouncing between all the different shops in those areas. One place I literally had to leave because I was afraid I might buy too many things (Sempre). I also found a hair salon that was having a yard sale. Their three items for sale were a replica M16, faded porn, and a Twitter sign. Awesome.
I found more CFCF remixes to share with you guys, a real proper remix that shows off the same talents he displays time after time, this track reminds me of a housey earlier Royksopp without the vox.
When I first heard Popnoname on Kompakt he was doing mostly singles for the Pop Ambient compilations, really nice smooth digital stuff but I never checked him out beyond that. This is more on a pop tip, vox with a rolling synth melody, simple and easy to swallow.
I wouldn’t miss putting up a new Toro Y Moi even if you told me we all already heard it before, loving this one he did for The Longcuts, its back to what I love most about his production.
I can’t figure it out but I think Duliatten Disco Dancer is the very talent re-edit disco master Todd Terje but don’t quote me on that, loving this worldly psych disco cut even if the guitar gets alil out of hand at the end.
