tropical – poetry in an empty coke can

Flamingo Jones – Fred Bear

Posted on July 15, 2016July 15, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

If you’re in search for the perfect tropical score to accompany your plans for coastal exploration this summer, look no further than Melbourne’s Flamingo Jones — who was introduced to the world in 2015 by way of his debut EP Wet Sounds. Inspired by the likes Brian Wilson, Animal Collective and Harry Belafonte, the Australian artist has cultivated a sound which he has aptly labeled ‘Nature Beat.’ For a taste of the breezy sun-kissed soca vibes Jones has to offer, listen to “Fred Bear,” a calypso confection of syncopated beats and whimsical lyrical musings below.

Kyla La Grange – The Knife

Posted on April 21, 2014April 22, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

British songstress Kyla La Grange is gearing up to release her second LP, Cut Your Teeth in June and has released the track “The Knife” in anticipation. Produced by Jakwob, the electronic offering employs a sweet cocktail of kalimbas, sugary synths and calypso steel drums that drift along harmoniously with La Grange’s soothing vocals. Stream the cut below.

RMX Roundup: Bonobo / HAIM + The Knocks / Thief + Weird Together

Posted on March 22, 2014June 20, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Another installment of Remix Roundup to get your Saturday night started off right. In a brilliant move by Bonobo, Simon Green uncovers the 1977 track “Les LaBas” by French jazz instrumentalist Henri Texier. With a South American-feel to it, this epic recast will transport you to someplace tropical in no time. Next up is The Knocks remix of HAIM‘s “If I Could Change Your Mind,” which transforms the original pop number into a seductive after hours edit. Finally, continuing the tropics theme is Sydney-based Thief, whose track “Closer” gets dressed up in calypso vibes by New Zealand duo Weird Together. Fresh off a showcase at SXSW and the release of his EP, Thief’s PJ Wolf is poised to bring his minimalist electropop sound to the masses this year. Best of all, every single one of these tracks is available for FREE DL by following the respective Soundcloud link below. You’re welcome.

Baio – Sunburn Modern

Posted on November 17, 2013August 21, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

There’s nothing I like more than the tropical goodness of a balearic tune, and this track by Vampire Weekend’s bassist Chris Baio fits the bill. The Greco-Roman release “Sunburn Modern” can be found on his 2012 EP Sunburn, the vibe of which Baio has described as “hopeful melancholy.” See if you agree by streaming the beat below.

HAIM – The Wire (Tourist Remix)

Posted on September 6, 2013April 14, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Until now the buzz around HAIM, the sister trio from LA had all but escaped my attention. This remix by the London producer Tourist, however, changed that with his tropical twist on their single “The Wire.”

The mix will be part of the Amazon’s UK deluxe edition of the bands forthcoming LP Days Are Gone, out September 30th. Stream below along with the virtually unrecognizable original, which, while not my fave, has an undeniably catchy chorus.

Tourist 2013 North American Tour Dates:
10/18 New York, NY @ CMJ
10/19 New York, NY @ CMJ
10/23 Boston, MA @ TT The Bears
10/24 Washington, DC @ U St Music Hall
10/25 Montreal, QC @ Belmont*
10/26 Toronto, ON @ Wrongbar*
10/27 Asheville, NC @ Mountain Oasis
10/29 Miami, FL @ Bardot*
10/30 Vancouver, BC @ Electric Owl
10/31 San Francisco, CA @ 1015 Folsom
11/1 San Diego, CA @ Bang Bang
11/2 Seattle, WA @ Lo-Fi
11/3 Los Angeles, CA @ Hard – Day of the Dead
11/7 Chicago, Il @ Concord
11/8 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry
11/9 Denver, CO @ Norad

*Supporting Duke Dumont

Clubfeet – Cape Town (Panama Remix)

Posted on July 27, 2013March 27, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Electronic group from Down Under, Panama recently released this remix of Clubfeet’s “Cape Town,” rendering an average synth-pop track from their fellow Aussies into a torrid tropical affair. Infusing the disco number with piano, percussion, and a sick bassline, Panama stirs up a potent combination of chilled out, calypso-laden bliss.

Transport yourself to Cape Town and grab the track GRATIS below.

“everybody buy me a drink, it’s my birthday”

And another one of my favorites from Panama – “It’s Not Over.”

Devendra Banhart – Mi Negrita (Daniele Di Martino Edit)

Posted on May 31, 2013August 29, 2013 by poetryinanemptycokecan

The divine Devendra Banhart is a Venezualan-American folk singer whose fourth album, Mala released in March. His enticing blend of Latin American romantic folk is infused with “flamenco-tinged guitars, ranchera-influenced group vocals, strutting mariachi percussion and quietly-enunciated, reverb-coated Spanish vocals,” as described by All Things Go.

It doesn’t get much better than that – but when you add a beach house backing by the skilled London-based producer Daniele di Martino, the result is an exquisite rework that’s perfect for a Friday afternoon (or rooftop rendezvous).

Make sure to pick up a free download below and check out the tour dates. He’ll be playing at DC’s Sixth & I Historic Synagogue June 8th.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

5/31 Park West – Chicago, IL Buy Tickets
6/1 Saint Andrew’s Hall – Detroit, MI Buy Tickets
6/3 Danforth Music Hall – Toronto. ON Buy Tickets
6/5 Théâtre Corona – Montreal, QC Buy Tickets
6/7 Wilbur Theatre – Boston, MA Buy Tickets
6/8 Sixth & I Historic Synagogue – Washington, DC Buy Tickets
6/10 Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA Buy Tickets
6/12 The Town Hall – New York, NY Buy Tickets
6/26 Button Factory – Dublin, Ireland Buy Tickets
6/28 The Old Market – Brighton, UK Buy Tickets
6/29 Glastonbury Festival – Pilton, UK Buy Tickets
7/2 Kulturkirch – Köln, Germany Buy Tickets
7/3 Gruenspan – Hamburg, Germany Buy Tickets
7/4 Muffathalle – Munich, Germany Buy Tickets
7/6 Heineken Open’er Festival – Gdynia, Poland Buy Tickets
7/8 Heimathafen Neukölln – Berlin, Germany Buy Tickets
7/9 Mousonturm – Frankfurt, Germany Buy Tickets
7/11 Paradiso – Amsterdam, Netherlands Buy Tickets
7/12 Le Splendid – Lille, France Buy Tickets
7/13 Le Trianon – Paris, FR Buy Tickets
7/14 Montreux Jazz Festival – Montreux, Switzerland Buy Tickets
7/17 The Ritz – Manchester, UK Buy Tickets
7/18 Barbican Hall – London, UK Buy Tickets
7/20 Plaine de la machine à feu, Dour Festival – Dour, Belgium Buy Tickets
7/21 Colours of Ostrava festival – Ostrava, Czech Republic Buy Tickets
7/22 KKL Luzerner Saal – Lucerne Switzerland Blue Balls Festival Buy Tickets
7/25 Piazza Napoleone – Lucca, Italy With Neil Young Buy Tickets
7/26 Rock in Rome – Rome, Italy With Neil Young Buy Tickets
7/27 CarroPonte – Milan, Italy Buy Tickets
7/30 Sala Apolo – Barcelona, Spain Buy Tickets
7/31 Teatro Circo Price – Madrid, Spain Buy Tickets
8/2 Casa da Musica – Porto, Portugal Buy Tickets
8/3 CCB, Lisbon – Portugal Buy Tickets
8/24 FYF Fest – Los Angeles, CA Buy Tickets

Beat Connection – Saola (Odesza Remix)

Posted on May 6, 2013May 6, 2013 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Beat Connection is quite possibly my favorite new electropop group to emerge last year. From Seattle, the tropic-vibes trio released their debut LP The Palace Garden August of 2012. They kicked off a brief West coast tour last week with fellow Washington based duo Odesza, who remixed their track “Saola” in honor of the collaboration.

Grab the track (gratis!) below, and sample some of the other ‘beats’ as well.

I feel too little and think too much.

Upcoming Tour Dates:
5/7 – Sacramento: Jambalaya (w/Odesza)
5/9 – Eugene: WOW Hall (w/Odesza)
5/10 – Vancouver: The Electric Owl (w/Odesza)
5/17 – Seattle: Neumos Crystal Ball

Dan Croll – Compliment Your Soul

Posted on March 31, 2013April 1, 2013 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Dan Croll released latest single “Compliment Your Soul” a couple months back, and it just happens to be the perfect feel-good track to compliment your Sunday.

Charli XCX – I’ll Never Know

Posted on January 4, 2013January 4, 2013 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Traveling abroad in Australia right now, hence the lack of posts as of late. Thought I’d drop by though to share one of my favorite songs from 2012 by Charli XCX, which just happens to be the perfect soundtrack for the beach.

Incidentally, the english artist just finished a tour with St. Lucia this fall in the US and Australia (alas, prior to the SL concert I saw and my own adventures down under). Close your eyes for this one and the synths may just transport you to your own tropical island.