Dutch producer De Hofnar has transformed John Legend‘s somewhat blasé ballad, “All Of Me” from JL’s latest album Love In The Future into a spectacular, sax-filled affair. The saxophone is truly an essential ingredient here. Stream and pick up a FREE download by following the link below.
Rising Manchester DJ/producer Sam O’Neill, or TCTS as he calls himself has just released a new EP These Heights via Greco-Roman. The UK label, whose roster of artists includes the likes of Disclosure, TEED, and co-founder Joe Goddard, is no insignificant backing in a rapidly flourishing world of future garage. Feel free to play the following track off the EP “over and over.”
you did my little heart in like a house of cards…
Props to my Canadian friend Jon Keypour for this one, who introduced me to the Montreal-based indie/art-rock group known as Braids. Their dreampop sound is experimental in nature — akin to Animal Collective if their vocalist were female.
The kaleidoscopic track “Lemonade” is off their debut album, Native Speaker, which while a couple years old is still relevant. The Canadian quartet recently released a new album and is currently on tour in Europe.
Although I had heard the London Grammar cover of Kavinsky’s “Nightcall” before seeing their show in October, it had failed to hold the same allure as the rest of their music. That all changed however hearing the downtempo track performed live, from the powerful pipes of Hannah Reid herself.
The original cover is a slow-to-build ballad, but Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard has rendered a captivating reinterpretation with the addition of drum and bass. The single will be out December 8th — but you can pre-order it here.
If you love indie and also happen to be nostalgic for the dulcet pop stylings of the 50’s and 60’s, then look no further than the new Tennis EP just released via Communion Records. Sample their track “Mean Streets” off the five track EP Small Sound below and grab it on iTunes today.
Tennis will be playing at DC’s Black Cat TONIGHT!
Tennis Tour Dates:
11/06 Washington, DC @ Black Cat
11/07 Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
11/09 Montreal, QC @ II Motore
11/10 Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
11/12 Bloomington, IN @ Bluebird Nightclub
11/13 Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar
11/14 Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
11/16 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
11/17 St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
11/19 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
11/20 Madison, WI @ The Frequency
11/21 Maquoketa, IA @ Daytrotter
11/29 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
While Tegan and Sara‘s latest album, Heartthrob may not have caught my attention at the time of its release earlier this year, this Monsieur Adi makeover of their track “I Was A Fool” certainly did. The Parisian producer turns the simple track into an 80’s pop ballad with its four-to-the-floor beat — and a synth chord that reminds me a little of this Boy Meets Girl gem.
Wild Belle — whose live show was one of the surprise standout performances I saw last year — is coming back to DC this Tuesday to play at U Street Music Hall. If you’re not already familiar with the Chicagoan brother-sister duo, I suggest you get acquainted as their brassy blues and reggae-inflected songs are not to be overlooked.
In “Another Girl,” vocalist Natalie Bergman croons about being “another experimentation.” Stream the torch-like track below and check out the official western-inspired video released last month if you’re so inclined. Lastly, DO catch the charismatic duo live if given the chance.
Erlend Øye, one half of Kings of Convenience, one quarter of the Whitest Boy Alive, and collaborator with Royksopp is primed to release a new album sometime next year. Although the Norwegian has yet to announce a release date, this is joyous news for fans of the folkateer. The album, La Prima Estate will be sung entirely in Italian — adding to the charm of his latest project. Enjoy a preview of the first single off the album below.
Bonus: A video of one of my early favorites from KOC. This melancholic track makes me utterly, supremely and absurdly happy.
The Brooklyn-based trio Au Revoir Simone have been on my radar since 2007, the year they went on tour with Peter, Bjorn and John and I was discovering the wonders of dreampop. Described by London’s The Times as “a collision between the Waitresses, Stereolab and Kings of Convenience, their music has power from what it holds back rather than spells out, and is just waiting to be fallen in love with (or to).” Indeed, their whimsical Still Night, Still Light LP from 2009 was on heavy rotation in my playlist at the time and still is — sample a few favorites off the album below, including a rad remix by Neon Indian and a disco edit of “Only You Can Make You Happy.”
After a long hiatus the group released a new full-length album last month, Move In Spectrums, which debuts a more space-age pop sound that diverges from their prior lighter fare. While it may not hold the same charm as their previous efforts, they have definitely paved the way for many female bands in existence today (ah hem, HAIM).
Au Revoir Simone will be performing at DC’s U Street Music Hall tonight, and at the Highline Ballroom in NYC tomorrow!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Oct 15 – Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall
Oct 16 – NYC – Highline Ballroom
Oct 18 – Boston – Brighton Music Hall
Oct 19 – Montreal – The Belmont
Oct 20 – Toronto – The Drake Hotel
Oct 22 – Los Angeles – Echoplex
Oct 23 – San Francisco – Slim’s
Oct 25 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir
Oct 26 – Vancouver, Canada – Electric Owl
Oct 27 – Seattle – Neumos
Oct 28 – Chicago – Lincoln Hall
Hot off the press is this ‘steamy’ new edit of BANKS’ track “Change” by The Chainsmokers. I can’t get enough of BANKS lately so it’s nice to hear another take on the track from the the NY-based producers. Pick up a FREE download by liking their page and check out the BANKS original below.
If you’re in NYC, catch the duo spinning at Webster Hall TONIGHT!
poetry in an empty coke can 