TV Girl is a postmodern pop band out of LA who released their debut album, French Exit this past June. The group incorporates looped samples, 80s-like synths, trip hop beats and catchy low-pitch vocals in what amounts to lovable lo-fi bubblegum pop. Piano, harps, xylophone and woodwind are also orchestrated in their songs, making for an easy and breezy listening style. Stream the track “Birds Don’t Cry” below and pick up the album on iTunes.
While BANKS is getting ready to drop her debut album, Goddess — out September 9 via Harvest Records — she recently released another sultry single, “Beggin For Thread” in anticipation of the long awaited debut. Known for her raw and emotionally charged lyricism, the moody songstress cuts to the core on the new track with lyrics like “My words can come out as a pistol / And I’m no good at aiming, but I can aim it at you.” Displacement of anger is a dangerous thing, but certainly makes for good songwriting. Listen to the latest single, along with the Schlohmo-produced track “Brain” below.
BANKS will be performing at DC’s 9:30 Club September 26, BUT the show is already sold out. I suggest you get over to StubHub now if you care to see this angsty crooner live; I hear she puts on a wicked performance.
Mt. Si. is the enigmatic new entity based out of LA. That’s seemingly unimportant though, when you have the support of RAC, Classixx and Kisses in the form of reposts on SoundCloud. Besides, once their ethereal dreampop sound fills your ears, you won’t be sweating the details, darling (it’s true). Stream the soothing tracks “Oh” and “True” below.
Sean Guerin and Isaac Franco are multi-instrumentalists and founders of De Lux, a post-disco, dance-punk band based out of L.A. Behind the duo is the independent label Innovative Leisure (home to Classixx, Hanni El Khatib), who released their full-length album Voyage this April. De Lux’s sound is reminiscent of Talking Heads, with additions of tropical disco. Get your groove on to their track “I’ve Got To Make A Statement (No More Likes or Ums)” below.
This dreamy new remix of Bon Iver’s “Holocene” from Satchmode is the perfect downtempo soundtrack for this rainy day in the district. The LA production duo keeps Justin Vernon’s vocals at the forefront — adding an underlying shimmery layer of immersive synths to stunning effect. Listen below, and pick up a free download over on Soundcloud.
SIREN is a new indie-pop duo out of LA, comprised of friends Kat Ostenberg and Skyler Stonestreet. Their debut single “I Think I Like You” rose to prominence on the HypeM charts earlier this month, thanks to their infectious hook lines, rousing drums, unique styling and well, overall sirenic sound. Stream below — I think you’ll like it 😉
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.
If you’ve not yet heard of Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna, I implore you to spend some time getting acquainted with this rising star. Breaking onto the North American stage in 2012 with her self-titled debut, the already internationally-acclaimed artist released her follow up album Nocturnal this past fall.
Filled with velvety vocals and melodic instrumentation, highlights of the album include the sultry song “Falling,” produced by Danish instrumentalist Robin Hannibal of the musical duo Rhye. Watch the video for this enticing, disco-infused number below. Also a standout from the LP is the infectious single “I Wanna Go,” produced by Mike Einziger of Incubus. Check out a refreshing remix of the track by Parisian producer Belarbi below.
Another outstanding interpretation comes by way of Canadian duo Adventure Club with their insanely seductive rendition of Yuna’s earlier single “Lullabies.” Demonstrative, bass heavy and drop-laden, the mix only serves to amplify Yuna’s already emotionally-charged, signature soul-pop sound. Download both of these mixes (for free!) on Soundcloud today, and pick up Yuna’s new album on iTunes here.
With another Daylight Savings upon us, it seemed like the perfect time as any to share this track by the California-based artist Sunny Levine. Known for his work as a producer — having worked with big names such Pete Yorn, Scarlet Johansson, and Mickey Avalon — Levine also has his own solo project. Spring forward, and make “No Other Plans” but to listen to this gorgeous carefree tune below.
https://soundcloud.com/sunnylevine/no-other-plans-ft-young-dad
And I wonder what I’d do with all that time
How ’bout we ignore a couple of things
And get way too deep into details
BANKS, the LA-based chanteuse has garnered a lot of attention in the music scene this year for her sultry R&B-inflected sound. The groovy beats on her track “Warm Water” — produced by none other than TEED — get turned up a notch in this house remix by producer Figgy below. Be sure to pick up the free download here, then check out the devastating SOHN-produced track “Waiting Game” — released on her EP London last month.
BANKS performs in DC this Saturday at DAR Constitution Hall with The Weeknd (full tour dates below). No furlough for the fervid artistes.
BANKS Tour Dates (Supporting the Weeknd):
10/02 – Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center
10/04 – Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center
10/05 – Washington, D.C.@ DAR Constitution Hall
10/07 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/08 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/11 – Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
10/13 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
10/14 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
10/15 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
10/17 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
10/19 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
10/20 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
poetry in an empty coke can 