Check out this video of Fever Ray’s Karin Dreijer (The Knife) accepting a major award at Sweden’s P3 Guild ceremony last week. Let your freak flag fly, Karin.
Charlotte Gainsbourg – “Trick Pony” + Flaunt Mag Photos
Charlotte Gainsbourg – “Trick Pony”
As I’ve stated before, j‘ai taime Charlotte. Her latest album, IRM, is one of my favorites this year. Both her and her music are impossibly sexy, cool and hip on all levels. Even if the subject matter is on the topic of a head injury she endured after a water skiing accident in which she had to undergo surgery and countless MRIs (or IRMs in French). So when Flaunt Magazine sent me photos from their recent issue featuring shots of Charlotte snapped by famed photographer Kurt Iswarienko, how could I refuse?
IRM, produced by Beck, is out now. Get it if you haven’t already.
Phoenix – “1901” [BbopNRokstedy Remix]
Phoenix – “1901” (BbopNRokstedy Remix)
Normally I don’t pay much mind to the ‘remix’ emails in my inbox. So I got curious as to what made me open this particular one from the Virginia-based duo calling themselves BbopNRokstedy. I think part of it was this photo, because this guy looks a bit like my eccentric friend, BH. The other was their MySpace tagline “Be Afraid”, which made me laugh. And then there was the song, Phoenix’s “1901”. I mean, c’mon. That was one of the best tunes of ’09, hands down. So I gave it a spin. And liked it. Hey, at least they’re not remixing Animal Collective (so cliche).
Stuck in My Head: High Places – “On Giving Up” [Free MP3]
High Places is set to release their second LP, High Places vs. Mankind, on Thrill Jockey in early April. The album takes on the daunting subject matter of being human and what it’s like to interact with other people. The duo cover a wide range of material from romantic relationships to addiction, aging, and death. Definitely a more somber and serious tone that their lighthearted debut. I like it. And this advance track, “On Giving Up”, has been firmly planted in my head all week. Enjoy.
The Rumble SF: A Noise Pop Warm Up
Jaguar Love – “Jaguar Warriors”
My First Earthquake – “Cool In The Cool Way”
It’s an electro pop extravaganza this Wednesday night, February 3, at San Francisco’s Rumble featuring Jaguar Love and local acts My First Earthquake and Butterfly Bones. This month the best free music night in town gets an upgrade from Harlot to Cafe du Nord. Legitimacy at last! RSVP at SonicLiving to get in free.
New Caribou – “Odessa” [Free MP3]
After watching the new iPad video on Apple that featured Caribou on the background soundtrack, I got curious as to what these guys are up to. Haven’t heard from them in a while. I mean their last album, Andorra, was released in 2007! So what a pleasant surprise to find they just announced a new album, Swim, due out April 20 on Merge Records. And, oh happy day, they released the single “Odessa” for our listening enjoyment. And if you’re thinking this track is a bit of a departure from Andorra, you’re right. The inspiration behind Swim was to make ‘dance music that sounds like water.’
Beast – “Mr. Hurricane”
Loved this music video from the Montreal-based duo calling themselves Beast. The video is so good it received a Grammy nod for Best Short Form Video. Enjoy!
Tunng – “Don’t Look Down or Back” [Free MP3]
Tunng – “Don’t Look Down or Back”
The UK-based folktronica collective, Tunng, is about to release their fourth album, …And Then We Saw Land, in early April. They’re sharing this track, “Don’t Look Down or Back”, as a free download now. Enjoy.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre Say: “Let’s Go Fucking Mental” [MP3]
The Brian Jonestown Massacre – “Let’s Go Fucking Mental”
BJM have cleared a track for free download from their forthcoming tenth album, Who Killed Sgt. Pepper, due out February 23rd. Tour dates have also been announced. “Let’s Go Fucking Mental!”
BJM tour dates:
5/28: Cabooze, Minneapolis
5/29: Turner Hall, Milwaukee
5/30: Metro, Chicago
5/31: Grog Shop, Cleveland
6/02: Phoenix Concert Hall, Toronto
6/03: La Tulipe, Montreal
6/04: Paradise Rock Club, Boston
6/06: Webster Hall, New York
6/08: TLA, Philadelphia
6/09: 9:30 Club, DC
6/10: Mad Hatter, Cincinnati
6/11: Off Broadway, St Louis
6/13: Bluebird Theater, Denver
6/14: Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City
6/15: Knitting Factory, Boise
6/17: Crystal Ballroom, Portland
6/18: Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver
6/19: Neumos. Seattle
6/21: Fillmore, San Francisco
6/22: Henry Fonda Theater, Los Angeles
Everything Will Be Alright. Be Cool.
Golden Ages – “Everything Will Be Alright”
Philadelphia-based Golden Ages seems to have the making for success. His ethereal, experimental soundscapes evoke references to the icons of his genre – Deerhunter, Panda Bear and Animal Collective. Both “Be Cool” and “Everything Will Be Alright” are two singles coming from his full length called Tradition, releasing this Spring. Rarely do I like to plagiarize a musician’s artist statement or press release, but this one was too good not to.
“Everything Will Be Alright” is about those tough times in life when you feel like you have no control over anything but you have to realize that things will work out, and even if they don’t, things will look up in time. “Be Cool” is about taking it easy, not being frustrated or impatient, and just enjoying life instead of worrying about the little things. The record’s describes that phase in life where you find yourself maturing both mentally and emotionally. “It’s about the transition from the aimlessness of youth into the difficult task of determining your own place in the world. The way growing up changes your relationships with those who are close to you, for better or for worse, and the need to leave in search of something better.”
the OCMD 