poetryinanemptycokecan

RMX ROUNDUP: VÉRITÉ + backstroke. / Jack Garratt + Prides / Young Summer + Avec Sans

Posted on January 31, 2015June 20, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Welcome to another Remix Roundup, in which we bring you the latest and greatest mixes currently stirring up the blogosphere. Starting us out is the new backstroke. remix of VÉRITÉ‘s “Echo,” off the recent remix collection of her debut EP by the same name. 2014 was a breakout year for the NY-based alt-pop artist, who will be on tour in March — stopping at DC9 March 12. We love DC producer backstroke’s revision of the VÉRITÉ track with its driving synths and 80s-infused soundscape that perfectly compliments the soft and sonorous vocals of VÉRITÉ. Trust us that you’ll want this rendition ringing in your head long after you listen below.

Next we have the new Prides remix of the Jack Garratt original, “The Love You’re Given.” Taking the soulful electronic track from the British singer, Scottish synthpop group Prides gives it a beautifully polished makeover with luminous synth lines and smooth production style. Stream the effort below.

Finally, UK production duo Avec Sans have resurfaced with their impressive rework of the Young Summer single “Severing Ties.” Similar to VÉRITÉ, last year was a favorable one for the DC-based songstress Bobbie Allen (aka Young Summer), who received a good amount of acclaim in 2014 for her debut LP Siren. The shimmering pop ballad gets a dance reboot from the UK act, spinning it into a grittier electronic number. Locals can catch Young Summer performing at DC’s U Street Music Hall February 20.

Death Cab For Cutie – Black Sun

Posted on January 28, 2015January 29, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Death Cab for Cutie have revealed the new single off their forthcoming album Kintsugi, due out on Atlantic March 31. The album title, as bassist Nick Harmer relayed to Rolling Stone refers to a “Japanese style of art where they take fractured, broken ceramics and put them back together with very obvious, real gold. It’s making the repair of an object a visual part of its history.”

This lovely imagery and philosophical conceit also serves as a metaphor for the band’s professional evolution, after founding member Chris Walla exited the band last year. Fortunately, the parting was amicable and Walla is still involved creatively. “Black Sun” is a simple, elegiac track combining synths and distorted guitar — not dissimilar from early DCFC. Stream below.

Natalie Prass – Bird of Prey

Posted on January 26, 2015March 12, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Former member of Jenny Lewis‘ backing band, Natalie Prass is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter set to release her first full-length record this week. She recorded the album in the attic studio belonging to her label, Spacebomb Records, where she collaborated with former high school bandmate (and Spacebomb founder) Matthew E. White. Supported by the label’s house band, Prass’ melodious vocals are supplemented by lush strings, piano, horns and woodwind — a polished collection “nourished by reverence for past eras of big band and jazz and infused with the crisp detail of late ’70s and early ’80s R&B,” as described in a press release.

The lead single on what is unmistakably a breakup album, “Bird of Prey” proffers a good introduction to the warm, retro and sentimental style that Prass so effortlessly inhabits. Plaintive lyrics like ‘You don’t leave me no choice but to run away / You are a bird of prey / With a heart like the night’ as she croons on the chorus are sure to resonate with many.

Prass’ self-titled debut is out tomorrow. Listen to “Bird of Prey” and “Why Don’t You Believe In Me” below. And if that’s not enough, you can stream the album in full over on Pitchfork.

DC residents can catch the songbird live February 4 at DC9.

José González – Leaf Off / The Cave

Posted on January 21, 2015January 21, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

José González has shared the second taste off his forthcoming album, Vestiges & Claws — scheduled for release February 17 via Mute Records. It will be the Argentinian-Swedish songwriter’s first solo effort since 2007, after spending time collaborating with his band Junip and contributing to various other projects. According to a press release, the new LP includes an array of influences, from ’70s Brazilian productions, to American folk rock and West African desert blues.

In anticipation of the album listen to new single “Leaf Off / The Cave.” Also check out José’s recent cover of Arthur Russell’s “This Is How We Walk On The Moon” while you scope out his 2015 North American tour schedule below.

2015 North American Tour Dates:

4/06 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
4/07 – Washington, DC @ 930 Club
4/10 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
4/11 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
4/12 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre
4/13 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
4/14 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
4/16 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
4/18 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre
4/21 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
4/22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
4/24 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
4/25 – Vancouver, BC @ Imperial
4/27 – San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
4/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent

RMX ROUNDUP: Shura + Delorean / ViLLΛGE + Henry Krinkle / Tom Misch & Carmody + Wild Culture

Posted on January 17, 2015June 20, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

It’s been a slow start for electronic music in the new year thus far, so we’re beginning this week’s installment of Remix Roundup with one we missed in 2014, the Delorean rework of British songstress Shura. One of the strengths of the Spanish act is their eye for source material, which in this case is Shura’s debut single, “Touch.” Delorean drops their signature percussive production style over the dreamy pop ballad and the result is a match made in sonic heaven.

Next is a mix from Henry Krinkle that we’ve been sitting on for awhile. The LA-based producer takes the house track “Wanna Tell You” from Romanian electronic artist ViLLΛGE and weaves it into a lush, tropical synth-laden affair with drums, bass and yes, xylophone. Listen below.

Finally, we have the Austrian duo Wild Culture with their latest remix of Tom Misch and Carmody’s collaborative track, “So Close.” Wild Culture layer the guitar-licked, vocal-centric duet with a four-to-the-floor dance beat and subtle atmospherics to spice things up. Stream the exquisite effort below.

Years & Years – King

Posted on January 14, 2015January 14, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Escape the winter doldrums with the new single from Years & Years, a bright poppy anthem entitled “King.” Might as well call this UK trio the new pop royalty, because every thing they put out turns to gold. Stream the shimmering single below and look for its official release March 1 on Polydor Records.

Wild Child – Pillow Talk

Posted on January 12, 2015November 9, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

With two albums under their belt, Austin-based outfit Wild Child has cornered the market in indie folk since their inception in 2010. Formed by Kelsey Wilson (vocals, violin) and Alexander Beggins (vocals, ukulele), the duo grew quickly into a six-piece, as they enlisted members Drew Brunetti (drums), Sadie Wolfe (cello), Evan Magers (keyboards), and Chris D’Annunzio (bass). Kelsey is particularly gifted, once described by NPR as having “the voice of a Jazz Age Broadway baby, all coos and hiccups and shivers.” We concur wholeheartedly, as their mélange of instruments and singsongy melodies amount to all the warmth and heartiness of a fire on a cold winter’s day.

If you’re not yet familiar with Wild Child, do yourself a favor and stream a couple of standout tracks from their debut album Pillow Talk below. Really the entire album is worth listening to though, which is not something we say often here at Poetry. Their second album, The Runaround was produced by Ben Kweller’s boutique label The Noise Company in 2013.

Wild Child’s 2015 tour kicks off in North Carolina this week, with DC’s 9:30 Club as their next destination this Thursday. Check out their remaining tour dates on the poster below to see if they’re coming to a city near you.

wild-child-poster-finalsmall

JUDE. – Drive

Posted on January 5, 2015January 22, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

New independent duo JUDE from Florida have a few singles to their name, but it’s their latest effort (off their forthcoming EP The Bedroom) that has solidified their status as group to watch in 2015. Having drawn comparisons to Lorde (the vocals on “Crystals” are uncanny) and BROODS with prior efforts, the synthpop track “Drive” establishes them as a tour de force in their own right. Stream the dark and dreamy “Drive” below and pick up a free download for your personal collection on Soundcloud.

The Kite String Tangle – Stone Cold (ft. Tiana Khasi)

Posted on January 3, 2015January 3, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

In lieu of a Remix Roundup this week, we thought to share the latest track and accompanying remixes from Australian electronic producer The Kite String Tangle. Off his debut EP Vessel, “Stone Cold” is an affecting duet between TKST (aka Danny Harley) and Australian singer Tiana Khasi. Stirring vocals with a backdrop of tropical, melancholic synths set the tone for a ballad about that enduring theme of a love gone wrong.

TKST also released a “Stone Cold” Remix EP last month, including standout mixes from AMTRAC and KILTER. We like the juxtaposition of these two in particular, as AMTRAC’s version — utilizing his minimalist deep house production techniques — amplifies the drama of the original by focusing solely on the female’s side of the story.

Meanwhile, fellow Aussie producer KILTER highlights the male vocals/perspective, in addition to a strong drum and bass line. Listen to these two back-to-back for an interesting study in parallels.

POETRY’S TOP TRACKS OF 2014

Posted on December 29, 2014January 1, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

After much deliberation, Poetry is ready to present our picks for 2014, neatly compiled in no particular order below into a trim Top 40 Tracks. Considering the myriad of factors to consider when distilling a ‘best of’ list — not to mention sheer volume of quality music produced over the past year — this was no easy feat. Thus, we’ve included a handful of Honorable Mentions as well. While most of these tracks have been posted previously, there are a few that prior to now went unrecognized (our apologies to Owen Pallett, for example).

As an aside, it’s been a good year for Poetry In An Empty Coke Can and we’re excited for an even more expansive 2015 — so thank you for listening — and break out the champ as you relive some of the merrier (and not so merry) moments of 2014.

1. Bombay Bicycle Club – Luna