poetry in an empty coke can

J. Bernardt – Calm Down

Posted on November 21, 2016November 21, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Fans of Belgian band Balthazar may already be acquainted with Jinte Deprez, the co-frontman of the aforementioned project and multi-instrumentalist now making music under the moniker J. Bernardt. Emerging from his home studio in Ghent with an altogether different sound, Deprez’s solo enterprise takes a turn into a more soulful category, reminiscent of Nick Murphy FKA Chet Faker.

Drawing on a range of influences from his father’s love of Kraftwerk to his own pop sensibilities, Deprez’s first single “Calm Down” is a seductive groove draped in delicious, broody vocals. The effort, out now via Play It Again Sam will be a part of Deprez’s debut record, slated for a 2017 release.

RMX ROUNDUP: CRi + Rosewater Ctz / Promises Ltd. + Gilligan Moss / Christine and the Queens + Tourist

Posted on November 19, 2016November 19, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Roughly every other weekend, we share a RMX Roundup of the freshest mixes and electronic beats on the blogosphere. To begin this installment we have a new edit of CRi‘s “Why I Love You” from a fellow Canadian producer who goes by the name Rosewater Ctz. CRi is currently one of our favorite electronic producers, and he just released a remix package for the prototype via TOKiMONSTA‘s Young Art Records. While we don’t know much about Rosewater Ctz, we love the cinematic and almost monastic quality that he brings to the original cut with the atmospheric opening and dramatic drop that reminds us a little of Delerium‘s “Silence.” Listen to this stunner below.

Another production duo killing the game is Gilligan Moss, who just dropped their rendition of Promises Ltd.‘s hit song “American Eyes.” If you haven’t heard, Promises Ltd. is a new electropop duo consisting of artist Chrome Sparks and vocalist Charlie Brand. Moss apply their signature synth wizardry to the track, taking the pop song to new euphoric heights.

Finally, we have Tourist‘s new interpretation of Christine and The Queens‘ “Saint Claude.” Tourist, the London-based and Grammy award-winning producer (William Phillips) gives the single by the French singer Héloïse Letissier a rousing reimagining and solid dance tick. Stream below.

Shy Luv – Joyrider

Posted on November 18, 2016November 18, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

After the release of a well-received debut EP last year, Sam Knowles (Karma Kid) and Jake Norman (Armeria) aka Shy Luv have a new single on their hands that’s set to propel them in an exciting new direction for 2017. What initially began as an informal studio sesh between the artists quickly propagated the new electropop project, on which all material is written, performed and produced by the duo. Sonically similar to Talking Heads or Hot Chip, their new track “Joyrider” is just that — a jubilant nu-disco journey punctuated by a funky bassline and afrobeat percussion. Go on a joyride with Shy Luv below.

[CCP PREMIERE]: MRKI – Weird Nights

Posted on November 16, 2016November 16, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

CCP is pleased to premiere the new single from Miami’s MRKI — a sublime slice of electronica entitled “Weird Nights.” The female artist takes her name from the Greek word meraki, a term used to describe the soul, love or passion that one puts into their work. Such is the aim of MRKI, who uses nu-R&B and experimental electronics on her latest effort to create a downtempo pop ballad with the help of fellow Floridian and producer known as Kaixen. The atmospheric track “Weird Nights” begins with a mystical, Purity Ring-esque opening and draws you in closer with melodic synth swirls and woodwind section throughout its duration until the final, shimmering denouement.

“Weird Nights” officially drops November 18 and is likely to be included on MRKI’s forthcoming EP, slated for an early 2017 release. Until then, wrap your ears in wonderful weirdness below.

JERK – Accidents

Posted on November 15, 2016November 16, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Indulging on a steady diet of ABBA during the genesis of their new EP, Houston-based band JERK generate dark, danceable pop songs as illustrated on their self-titled debut. JERK is comprised of group mastermind and multi-instrumentalist Austin Smith along with drummer Zach Alderman and keyboardist/vocalist Vicki Lynn. Speaking on the EP, Smith states: “I originally wanted to make slow disco songs. I’d been a layer-heavy songwriter in the past and I wanted to experiment with limitation. Before, I’d use anything at my disposal to fill maximum room in a song, so for JERK I worked inside a set of rules where I couldn’t do that, which forced some inventive creativity on my end.” The result is a minimalist take on dance rock replete with eerie synthesizer swells, trippy guitar lines and mildly menacing vocals.

It’s a solid debut so don’t be a jerk — stream lead single “Accidents” below.

Salt Cathedral – Unraveling (ft. Matisyahu)

Posted on November 10, 2016November 10, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

saltcathedral

While we try to stay away from politics on CokeCanPoetry, we can’t help but think that Salt Cathedral‘s new single, “Unraveling” is an apt allegory for the general disposition and discord that has enveloped the United States this past week. The New York based Colombian duo, comprised of Juliana Ronderos and Nicolas Losada collaborated with acclaimed reggae artist Matisyahu on their new pop track that intermixes dancehall and Caribbean influences from their Colombian heritage with an upbeat and hopeful synthpop arrangement.

Interestingly enough, the effort marks Matis’ first collab with a woman — in defiance of one of his previously held Hassidic traditions. It’s a nice, inclusive message, the coming together of two different cultural backgrounds to create a harmonious and uplifting track. Ronderos sings: ‘And if you’re looking to fight me, intermittently / All I got for you is bread and flowers / And if you’re sitting beside me / Then let’s embrace the love and live for each other.‘ It’s a beautiful directive that would do the country well to consider during these divisive times.

Listen to the single below and look out for Salt Cathedral’s first full-length to release in 2017.

DC LIVE: Wild Beasts / Sam Evian / K.Flay

Posted on November 8, 2016November 8, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

On any given night of the week in the DMV there are myriad options for live music, which is why we’ve started the segment DC LIVE to call out our picks. On the short list is UK’s Wild Beasts, who will be performing at Black Cat with Porcelain Raft November 11. Wild Beasts, who take their name from fauvism — the early 20th-century art movement have carved out an impressive space in the indie landscape in the last ten years they’ve been around, releasing their fifth LP Boy King this August. Check out their recent single “Woebegone Wanderers II” below and be sure to head out to the show this Friday.

Next on our list of upcoming show recs is Sam Evian, who will be playing at Songbyrd with SAD13 November 18. The solo moniker of Sam Owens, the frontman of Brooklyn indie rockers Celestial Shore, released his debut album on Saddle Creek this September. His track “I Need A Man” is a reference to the Serge Gainsbourg record Histoire de Melody Nelson.

Frustrated with all of the violence and political turmoil brewing in his home state of North Carolina, Owens relayed to Stereogum: “With all of that going on and ‘Melody Nelson’ in my head, I latched onto Gainsbourg the provocateur and made my voice a twisted version of his story. I imagined part of me was Melody, the naive teenager in Serge’s strange story of love and innocence lost. ‘I need a man I can trust.‘ It’s more of a conversation starter…is there such a thing? My hope is that people in my community and abroad will start to look out for each other more, and take more action in preventing abuse and violence.”

The politically-informed track is a compelling listen, owing to Owen’s delicate falsetto and dreamy guitar work.

Finally, Californian rhyme queen and much buzzed about artist K.Flay will be playing at Rock & Roll Hotel November 20. This August, K.Flay, otherwise known as Kristine Flaherty released her new EP Crush Me, which builds off her hip-hop background and showcases her flare for angsty punk. On lead single “Blood In The Cut,” Flay spins emotional devastation into something celebratory through breakbeats and buzzy guitars, peppered with confessional quips like ‘reading through your messages / my favorite way to die.‘ Listen below and come out for K.Flay’s rousing live show later this month.

Vessels – Had A Love (ft. Anna of the North)

Posted on November 3, 2016November 3, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

UK electronic act Vessels have a new single on their hands that’s a marked departure from previous efforts — and likely a preview of what’s to come on their upcoming LP arriving next year. Soliciting Scandinavian dreampop duo Anna of the North to supplement their new song, “Had A Love” is a hypnotic house track with warm melodies and a beautiful, euphoric build. The bright vocals of Anna Lotterud add a lot to the effort, thawing the intricate tech-focused and bass-heavy sounds that Vessels have executed prior.

Hear “Had A Love” below — out now via [PIAS] imprint Different Recordings.

Brompton Collective – Collide

Posted on November 2, 2016November 2, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

We love supporting local outfits, especially when they prick our ears with electronic earworms such as this. Meet Brompton Collective, an experimental electronic band based out of D.C. comprised of Julian Nienaber and Andrei Mamonau. The duo formed after Mamonau declined his return flight to Russia, endeavoring to pursue his musical proclivities stateside instead. Since their inception, the collective have amassed an underground following through mixtapes, homemade lo-fi melancholic productions, and their unruly live shows. Their debut single “Collide,” freshly released via Admirable Traits Records is a pulsing, electric guitar driven dance track with an alluring vocal.

The guys are currently in the studio working on their debut EP, so look out for more soon. Hear “Collide” below.

LEISURE – Got It Bad

Posted on October 31, 2016October 31, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

‘Keep things leisure’ — a variation on ‘living the good life’ is the manifesto of new New Zealand act LEISURE. The Auckland-based RnB collective released their self-titled debut LP this October and have already enjoyed a taste of international critical acclaim. The five-man band bring together a diverse confluence of styles ranging from ’70s funk, ’90s rap and R&B, to dance music of the early aughts. The result of their eclectic efforts is a treasure trove of psychedelic, vaguely unsettling funked-out electronica. Get this band on your radar and get their song “Got It Bad” in your ears below.