Blackbird Blackbird is coming out with a new EP June 3, and has released the title track “Tangerine Sky” in anticipation. The SF-based composer Mikey Maramag drops another sonic earworm with its wobbling synths and textured soundscape. Stream below — and if you’re in DC, I’ll see you at his Rock & Roll Hotel show June 30!
Perhaps you may have heard of Glass Animals, the much buzzed about quirk-pop quartet out of Oxford. Last year they signed with Wolf Tone records, the label started by super-producer Paul Epworth (known for his work with Adele, Florence Welch, and Foster the People). “Gooey” is the title of their first EP, as well as the lead single off their debut album Zaba, out June 9. The compelling track uses atmospheric and reverberated sounds to create a unique sonic formula that will keep your head spinning. Stream below, along with the inventive remix from Gilligan Moss, the Chicago producer that is generating a lot of buzz in his own rite.
Glass Animals has a smattering of U.S. tour dates this summer, and DC peeps can catch them at U Street Music Hall July 8.
Brother/sister duo BROODS has made quite the impression on the blogosphere, and with their hit debut single “Bridges” it’s easy to understand why. Produced by the Grammy award-winning (and Lorde producer) Joel Little, the New Zealand siblings Georgia and Caleb Nott are clearly poised for international success with their ethereal atmospheric sound. What’s really blowing me away though is the below remix from NY production duo ASTR, who apply a breathtaking balearic beat and melody that manages to elevate the original in my mind. If you’re in the DC market, you can catch BROODS at U Street Music Hall this Friday, May 2 and ASTR opening for The Knocks at 930 Club June 16.
Jeremy Malvin, who creates music under the name Chrome Sparks is a young musician and native of Ann Arbor, now residing in Brooklyn. His obsession for synthesizers can be clearly seen in Marijuana, a song from his EP Sparks released March 2013. Influenced by a background in classical percussion, Chrome Sparks’ music is filled with a cloud of arpeggiators and lead sounds. Jeremy can currently be found on tour with a couple of friends — with upcoming performances at DC9 April 30, and Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn May 2.
I feel music in your eyes
Rainbows, in your ears
Welcome to another edition of Remix Roundup! Let’s get started with this Goldroom/MØ collaboration on the soulful track “Don’t Wanna Dance.” The LA producer/DJ takes the Danish artist MØ’s original to nu-disco-heights with his hypnotic, shimmering synthed-up rendition. (Sidenote: DC’ers can catch the Danish songstress performing at U Street Music Hall on May 20.) Next up is Brooklyn producer BAILE‘s electronic rework of British indie rock band Daughter‘s song “Love” — off their 2012 EP Wild Youth (via 4AD). Dark and foreboding, this downtempo and percussion-laden remix blends well with Elena Tonra’s chilling vocals. Last but not least is the gorgeous Rainer and Grimm re-imagining of Sam Smith‘s affective new ballad, “Stay With Me.” I’ve been waiting for a quality retake on this one, and it turns out the Toronto-based production duo were just the ones to step up to the plate. Stream all three tracks below — each of which is available for FREE by following their respective DL links on Soundcloud.
Indie pop outfit and Brooklyn-based band HAERTS released their debut album Hemiplegia last fall. Signed to Neon Gold Records, the release is a four-track EP that includes a cut produced by Jean-Philip Grobler of St. Lucia. However, “All The Days” is by far the best track in this blogger’s opinion. Looking forward to seeing it performed live when the group opens for London Grammar at 930 Club on Monday. On another DC-centric note, HAERTS is also headlining at U Street Music Hall May 8. Check out more upcoming tour dates while you sink into the track below.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
4/14 | Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club (with London Grammar)
5/8 | Washington, D.C. @ U Street Music Hall
5/10 | Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl
6/6-8 | New York, NY @ The Governors Ball
6/12-15 | Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
6/19-22 | Dover, DE @ Firefly Music Festival
7/19 | Toronto, Canada @ Time Music Festival
In honor of their upcoming sold-out 930 Club show in DC on Monday, this edition of Remix Roundup is dedicated to one of my favorite artists at the moment — London Grammar — and the myriad of remixes devoted to them. So many in fact, that it was difficult to pare down to just the top five (can you tell I’m a fan?). Alas, it had to be done.
First up is the top-notch rework of their track “Hey Now” from Tensnake, an upbeat disco remix that hits euphoric levels at 2:55. Next we slow things down a bit with Budo‘s rendering of “If You Wait.” The Seattle-based producer takes the gorgeous vocals of Hannah Reid and accentuates them with different instruments in this downtempo rework — available for free on Soundcloud. Next we have High Contrast‘s energetic recast of “Strong,” and producer Paul Woolford‘s perfectly punched up rendition of collaborative track with Disclosure “Help Me Lose My Mind.” And rounding out this week’s epically long installment of Remix Roundup (#sorrynotsorry), we have Henry Schwarz‘s bass-infused version of “Wasting My Young Years.” The German producer’s reinterpretation encapsulates everything the group embodies — powerful, poignant music with shimmering soundscapes and haunting vocals. Stream below and let me know your favorite, (if that’s possible).
Swedish duo I Break Horses, consisting of members Maria Lindén and Fredrik Balck produce a magical lo-fi fusion of shoegaze and dreampop. This January saw the release of their sophomore LP Chiaroscuro via the label Bella Union (Beach House, Explosions in the Sky, Fleet Foxes). Stream the single “Denial” and check out their spring tour dates across the US below.
Tour Dates:
4/14 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
4/15 – Washington DC @ DC9
4/17 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
4/18 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
4/19 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott
4/21 – Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
4/22 – Toronto, ON @ Underground at the Drake
4/24 – Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom – Pike Room
4/25 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
4/26 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock
4/29 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
4/30 – Portland, OR @ Holocene
5/2 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
5/3 – Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
Tycho has a new album out entitled Awake, which was released last month via Ghostly International (the label behind Phantogram and Gold Panda). The San Franciso-based trio originally started as the solo project of Scott Hansen, whose sound has evolved from a primarily ambient composition into a more organic, post-rock electronic soundscape with the addition of guitarist Zac Brown amd drummer Rory O’Connor. The single “Spectre” off the LP is a beautiful, propulsive instrumental brimming with electric bass lines, energetic drums and distinct guitar patterns. Currently embarking on a tour all across the country, Tycho will be playing at DC’s 930 Club April 20.
Following up their critically-appraised album Slave Ambient in 2011, Philadelphia rockers The War On Drugs released Lost In The Dream earlier this month. Written by the band’s frontman Adam Granduciel on the heels of a breakup, the album tackles themes of loss, isolation, and depression. In the end though, Granduciel ultimately achieves an honest, heartfelt, and hopefully healing record that’s been lauded even more than the last. Stream their single “Red Eyes” below, and if you’re in DC catch them at 930 Club April 18.
poetry in an empty coke can 