poetry in an empty coke can

swim good x Merival – since u asked

Posted on July 2, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

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As part of producer Ryan Hemsworth‘s Secret Songs series, swim good has paired up with vocalist Anna Horvath aka Merival to produce “since u asked.” Jon Lawless, the Toronto-based artist behind swim good has cooked up a sweet little ditty of a track that also features contributions from Joel Karlsson of Air France (RIP), Darren Seltmann from The Avalanches and Torquil Campbell of Stars. On top of this dream team of producers, we detected a Whitney Houston sample in there as well.

So what’s the song about you say? Glad u asked. Lawless notes that the track is a response to the highs and lows of “when someone asks how you’re doing and you can’t help but give a super honest answer.” Relatable. Stream this wistful, heartrending tune below.

Rudimental – Rumour Mill (ft. Anne-Marie & Will Heard)

Posted on June 27, 2015July 10, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

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In anticipation of their forthcoming album We the Generation, powerhouse UK electronic act Rudimental has shared the official second single off the LP. “Rumour Mill” is a vocal duet between between rising London singers Anne-Marie and Will Heard. We’ve heard Heard (hah) before on Tourist‘ track “I Can’t Keep Up,” and he continues to entice us with his seductive and broody vocals. The effort is a feel-good, energetic house number that will make you want to dance all up in your car, much like the video below. Look out for Rudimental’s album to drop September 18 via Major Tom’s/Big Beat, and scope out their upcoming U.S. tour dates below.

Rudimental North American Tour Dates:

09/29 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
09/30 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
10/03 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall
10/06 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
10/07 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco
10/08 – San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine
10/09 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom

Cayucas – Moony Eyed Walrus

Posted on June 26, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

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Seaside, surf-pop duo Cayucas dropped their sophomore LP Dancing at the Blue Lagoon via Secretly Canadian this week. Twin brothers Zach and Ben Yudin expanded their musical aesthetic on the album, imbuing their tropical and typically Californian sound with a more personal tone and overall riper quality. Stream the jangly and sun-washed tune “Moony Eyed Walrus” for a taste of the LP below. DC locals can catch Cayucas playing Rock & Roll Hotel August 3, with Hibou supporting.

Farao – Bodies

Posted on June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Farao

Just when you start to think you’re becoming aurally jaded, a Scandi indie-folk goddess emerges out of the ether to restore your faith in the new music scene. Such is the case with Kari Jahnsen, the London-based Norwegian singer-songwriter known as Farao. She just released her new single “Bodies,” which will be featured on her forthcoming debut LP Till It’s All Forgotten — out on September 11 via Full Time Hobby. The album, on which Jahsen composed and performed nearly all the instruments was produced by Mike Lindsay (of English group Tunng) and mixed by Grammy award-winning producer Andrew Scheps (Hozier, Lana Del Ray). The beauty of “Bodies” is that it unwinds in an unexpected fashion, expanding in all different directions all the while retaining its bedazzling and melodic musical core.

Farao’s first US tour kicks off in NYC this fall and concludes in LA. Full dates below — but DC brethren can catch the chanteuse at DC9 September 23.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

9/10 – Sebright Arms – London, UK
9/17 – Rockwood Music Hall – New York, USA
9/22 – Smiling Buddha – Toronto, CA
9/23 – DC9 – Washington DC, USA
9/24 – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, USA
9/26 – Music Hall Loft – Portsmouth, USA
9/29 – Hotel Café – Los Angeles, USA

Thundercat – Them Changes

Posted on June 22, 2015June 22, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Today marks the release of a surprise album by none other than bass wizard Stephen Bruner, professionally known as Thundercat. The mini-LP, which was announced only a few days ago is entitled The Beyond / Where the Giants Roam and was released on Flying Lotus‘ label Brainfeeder. FlyLo actually co-produced the lead track “Them Changes,” which is a funky and jazz-infused jaunt about the crimson aftermath of a love gone wrong. The number also features notable jazz musician Kamasi Washington on sax. We can’t say enough good things about this one, so listen below and then head over to iTunes to purchase / hear the album in full.

RMX ROUNDUP: Gavin Turek + TOKiMONSTA / AYER + TKDJS / Whitney Houston x Halogen

Posted on June 20, 2015June 21, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

It’s time for another Remix Roundup, and this week we’ve got a full line-up of soul-powered, dance-packed mixes. First up is a retake of a track by disco’s new pop princess, Gavin Turek. Having released her single “Frontline” this spring, the dance homage to Donna Summers has now been given the remix treatment by TOKiMONSTA. TOKi, who is one of our favorite female producers in the biz dials up the drama and dazzling deep house vibes on the original, while keeping Turek’s invigorating vox at the forefront. The remix package for this track drops June 26 via iheartcomix’s new label 1INFINITY.

Next is a rework taken from AYER‘s new EP, In My Headphones. The Brooklyn artist, who’s been featured on our remix segment before has crafted quite the soulful electropop song with the eponymous single off the EP. Fellow Brooklyn group TKDJS turn the track into an energetic house number replete with dark synths and deep bass lines. Pick up a free download for your headphones here.

Last but not least, we’re throwing it back with a spectacular rework of Whitney Houston‘s iconic track, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” God knows how much we loved Whitney in the ’80s, and thankfully Halogen gives us the chance to revisit “The Greatest Voice of All Time” in this century with a new twist on the classic. The Atlanta-based production duo apply a vibrant house backdrop to Whitney’s heart-stopping vocals, and the result is a rousing dance number that will make you wanna feel the heat with somebody — as well as to snag the track gratis on Halogen’s Soundcloud page.

Alpine – Foolish

Posted on June 19, 2015June 19, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

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Australian act Alpine had one of our favorite albums of 2012, A Is For Alpine. Nearly three years later, the six-piece released new album YUCK this month on Ivy League Records for which they’re already receiving critical acclaim. Their second studio album was inspired by 1960’s pop and built on the group’s repulsive reaction (“yuck”)—and simultaneous exploration of—”first world problems”: awkward dates, a distaste for romance, lust lost, plastic vanity, foolish attraction and ego against egos.

The lead track off the LP, “Foolish” consists of breezy vocals from female frontwomen Phoebe Baker and Lou James, tropical synths and buoyant beats. The band and their particular brand of quirkpop is rounded out by Christian O’Brien (guitar), Ryan Lamb (bass), Tim Royall (keys) and Phil Tucker (drums).

Stream “Foolish” and revisit standout track “Hands” from their debut LP below.

I’lls – Let Me Have Just One

Posted on June 16, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

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Another day, another solid Australian electronic act. The Melbourne three-piece known as I’lls (and pronounced “isles”) is comprised of Simon Lam (drums, vocals), Hamish Mitchell (keys) and Dan Rutman (guitar). The guys, who are classically-trained jazz musicians call themselves “the outcasts of jazz — jazz rogues.” Having enjoyed success in their native Australia, they are on their way to breaking out overseas thanks in part to the support of artists like Chet Faker for their distinctive left-of-centre pop sound. Their new single, “Let Me Have Just One” is an intriguing and evocative track that will be featured on their upcoming EP, Can I Go With You To Go Back To My Country.

Stream below and look out for the EP to release July 6 via Solitaire.

Miami Horror – Love Like Mine

Posted on June 13, 2015June 13, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Miami Horror

Australian outfit Miami Horror have just released their second LP, All Possible Futures via Dine Alone Records and are currently on tour in North America in support of the LP. The new record is ripe with post-disco dance jams inspired by ’80s rock groups along the likes of Talking Heads, New Order and INXS — as well as iconic pop stars such as Paul Simon and Michael Jackson. The sunny disposition on the album can be attributed to the band’s time spent writing and producing the album in LA.

Listen to the catchy lead single, “Love Like Mine” and check out their stateside tour dates below. DC peeps will have the chance to see Miami Horror live in concert at U Street Music Hall June 19.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

6/19 – U Hall – Washington, DC

6/20 – The Dolphin (DJ Set) – Philadelphia, PA

6/23 – Rough Trade – Brooklyn, NY

6/24 – The Sinclair – Boston, MA

6/25 – Fairmount Theatre – Montreal, QC

6/26 – Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON

6/28 – Electric Forest – Rothbury, MI

6/30 – Schubas – Chicago, IL

7/2 – High Watt – Nashville, TN

Trails & Ways – Say You Will

Posted on June 11, 2015June 11, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

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After much build-up, Trails & Ways finally dropped their debut album Pathology via Barsuk Records earlier this month. While recording and producing the LP, the Oakland quartet generated a lot of buzz over the last couple of years, embarking on two national tours and opening for Mac DeMarco, Phox, Stars and Tycho. The second single off the album, “Say You Will” is a sleek and sinewy number steeped in four-part harmonies, rhythm guitar, plucky synths and a syncopated bass.

Written by their bassist Emma Oppen, here’s what she had to say about the song: “Two years ago I met someone very special, and had the experience of falling in love in a matter of hours. In my delirium, I imagined making an ultimatum: Say you will, or don’t say anything at all. A few months later, I wrote the bass line in the back of the van on our first summer tour, and made the first demo recording of the vocal melody against the droning fan of a venue bathroom.”

Stream the song below and say you will pick up the album on iTunes. Friends in the DMV area can catch them performing at DC9 this Sunday, with fellow Oaklanders Waterstrider supporting (full list of June tour dates below).