LA world-dance-fun collective Fool's Gold, who for better or worse chose the same name as the Chicago-based dance label with no relation to them, just released a video for their single "Surprise Hotel." It's very, late-David Byrne meets Paul Simon's Graceland with just a hint of Rusted Root. It's also very fun. Like going to the beach.
The video projects that level of fun, and mixes it in with senior citizens...
Two observations:
1) Girls next to pools in indie videos are way different than the ones in rap videos
2) The opening sequence makes me have to pee.
Silver Starlings "Closer"
The Silver Starlings are two members of Arcade Fire and two friends from other bands (at least I hope they are friends, and not just talented strangers who they met at a bus stop or some hip party).
They are Canadian, which, if you listen to a lot of indie rock, isn't that surprising, because I'd hazard to guess that a slight majority of the good indie in the last 4 years has come from Canada (sorry Brooklyn, keep trying.)
Toronto's Last Gang Records is giving folks a taste of what to expect from the group's upcoming album.
"Closer"
The first taste is free kid, but after that you've got to buy it.
It's pretty. A good introduction to the group, although it has a very distinct TV on the Radio feel, and could pass for a b-side from their second album.
We Have Band has Video
This UK-based group is starting to catch some good buzz. An experiment in breakbeat-nu-dance electro - they kind of remind me of Warren Suicide meets Fat Boy Slim.
Here is We Have Band's video for a catchy little number called "You Came Out."
You can also stop by RCRDLBL and pick up a nice remix.
Here is We Have Band's video for a catchy little number called "You Came Out."
You can also stop by RCRDLBL and pick up a nice remix.
Troy Davis
If you aren't familiar with the Troy Davis case, then you should get a little background on it, but the abbreviated version is that he was arrested for the murder of an off-duty police officer in Savannah, GA in 1989 and has been on death row since 1991.
I wrote a lengthy piece about it for the South Magazine a few years ago, which is how I first learned a lot about the case, and I've followed it closely ever since.
Davis was convicted based on witness testimony and no physical evidence, and in the past few years 7 of the original 9 witness have recanted their testimony, with several saying they were coerced by police.
Due to a GA state precedent Timberlake v. State, the witness recantations aren't considered substantial enough evidence to require a re-trial, and so Davis has sat on death row while countless appeals have gone before courts at every level.
On Sept. 29, the 11th Circuit Court in Savannah will finally hold a hearing on the developments.
Earlier in the summer, CNN aired this segment, which I was incredibly surprised to see had a woman who used to live in Yamacraw Village (public housing not far from where the shooting happened) saying that another person dropped the murder weapon off at her house that night.
I wrote a lengthy piece about it for the South Magazine a few years ago, which is how I first learned a lot about the case, and I've followed it closely ever since.
Davis was convicted based on witness testimony and no physical evidence, and in the past few years 7 of the original 9 witness have recanted their testimony, with several saying they were coerced by police.
Due to a GA state precedent Timberlake v. State, the witness recantations aren't considered substantial enough evidence to require a re-trial, and so Davis has sat on death row while countless appeals have gone before courts at every level.
On Sept. 29, the 11th Circuit Court in Savannah will finally hold a hearing on the developments.
Earlier in the summer, CNN aired this segment, which I was incredibly surprised to see had a woman who used to live in Yamacraw Village (public housing not far from where the shooting happened) saying that another person dropped the murder weapon off at her house that night.
The Afterthought - beat battle mix
I got a copy of this nice little compilation from the folks over at moovmnt a few weeks back. The afterthought part of the equation is that after they hosted a red bull beat battle, they thought it might be nice to compile the beats into a nice little package.
Here is one of my favorites from J'83, who you will definitely be hearing more from in the future, because dude is nice.
You can download the whole comp over at moovmnt.
Koushik - The Beep Tape
For a couple more days, you can get a free download of 30 instrumentals from Stones Throw newcomer Koushik. After this week, you'll have to pay $8.99 for it, so hurry. It's pretty dope.
"Beep #12"
After his debut, which was sort of psych-folk-indie-hip hop, it's interesting to hear him take on a slightly more traditional take on hip hop beats, albeit 'traditional' for him is still the acid jazz freakout like you'd expect from the Stones Throw camp.
"Beep #12"
After his debut, which was sort of psych-folk-indie-hip hop, it's interesting to hear him take on a slightly more traditional take on hip hop beats, albeit 'traditional' for him is still the acid jazz freakout like you'd expect from the Stones Throw camp.
J.Period + K'Naan = The Messengers
Earlier this year J.Period dropped one of my favorite mixtapes, a best of Q-Tip retrospective that came out right before The Renaissance came out. Now he's back with K'Naan, who I've heard anecdotally is one of the most real and humble people in the convoluted world of hip hop right now. They joined up for a series of EPs paying homage to various influential musicians by sampling various joints and then topping them off with all sorts of brilliant verses.
Here is one of my favorite cuts, "Johnny Was" off the 2nd EP, the tribute to Bob Marley.
They just dropped the 3rd EP, a tribute to Bob Dylan, swing by Potholes In My Blog to pick up a copy.
You can also grab the 2nd EP over there as well if you click here.
RIP Gertrude Baines
The oldest person in the world died today. Damn. The piece opens by saying she liked her bacon crispy. Ms. Baines was 115. When I was born, she was in her late 80s. I can't even handle the idea that I'm moving ever closer to 30.
She was a Georgia native. Born in the 19th century, when Grover Cleveland was president. Trivia Question (first person to hit me up with the correct answer wins a prize): what makes Grover Cleveland unique among American presidents? And for extra credit, which term was he in when Baines was born?
My condolences go out to her family, if she didn't out live them all...
She was a Georgia native. Born in the 19th century, when Grover Cleveland was president. Trivia Question (first person to hit me up with the correct answer wins a prize): what makes Grover Cleveland unique among American presidents? And for extra credit, which term was he in when Baines was born?
My condolences go out to her family, if she didn't out live them all...
Fly Gypsy
What happens when you take a Russian producer and a Jamaican MC and have them collaborate? No, it's not a diamond-crusted cover of "It's a Small World Afterall." It's Fly Gypsy, and their Vodka-Rum mixtape, which you should go grab a copy from their website.
Video: Raekwon "Walk Wit Me"
Raekwon is always just so slick. Always bringing crazy slang. Always on some jewels and liquor talk, but delivered with that intelligent cartel swagger that separates him from the average loud mouth street dudes.
This is his new video, nothing spectacular, but the track feels like classic Chef. Cuban Linx 2 has dropped, so go hunt that down, and if you haven't heard it, find that track he does with Havoc on Jay Stay Paid, because both of them rip the mic like they were hungry all over again.
This is his new video, nothing spectacular, but the track feels like classic Chef. Cuban Linx 2 has dropped, so go hunt that down, and if you haven't heard it, find that track he does with Havoc on Jay Stay Paid, because both of them rip the mic like they were hungry all over again.
Kid Koala and the Slew
I posted something about Kid Koala and Wolfmother's rhythm section collaborating on some crazy psych/hip hop fusion that they are taking on a little tour this fall. Well, apparently, right now you can download the whole album for free off his website, so you should most definitely do that before he changes his mind and makes you pay him money for this 40 minutes of awesomeness.
Mad Men in 60 Seconds
I've been loving me some Mad Men for a while, and have been thoroughly enjoying Season 3 so far. This is probably the funniest parody of what is probably the best show on television right now.
What's interesting about Mad Men is that it's actual viewership, ratings wise, isn't all that major, a few ticks above a million per week on Sunday nights, but apparently, it's making serious moves when it comes to OnDemand, episode purchases on iTunes, etc, and DVD sales. Is this where TV is headed?
The other thing they do brilliantly is make ads seem less intrusive by providing little tidbits about their major sponsors, ie - BMW, Heineken, etc. Maybe that's only interesting if you have more than a passing interest in the art of marketing, but it makes the whole process seem more interesting when insight beyond a 30 second spot introduces the actual ad. Although, I guess when you have a savvy show about ad industry execs, then you need to approach advertising with a fresh perspective.
Although some criticize the show for how the show's women are portrayed, a large part of the show's creative team are women...Here is the most informative article I've seen looking behind the scenes at the show from the Wall Street Journal last month.
What's interesting about Mad Men is that it's actual viewership, ratings wise, isn't all that major, a few ticks above a million per week on Sunday nights, but apparently, it's making serious moves when it comes to OnDemand, episode purchases on iTunes, etc, and DVD sales. Is this where TV is headed?
The other thing they do brilliantly is make ads seem less intrusive by providing little tidbits about their major sponsors, ie - BMW, Heineken, etc. Maybe that's only interesting if you have more than a passing interest in the art of marketing, but it makes the whole process seem more interesting when insight beyond a 30 second spot introduces the actual ad. Although, I guess when you have a savvy show about ad industry execs, then you need to approach advertising with a fresh perspective.
Although some criticize the show for how the show's women are portrayed, a large part of the show's creative team are women...Here is the most informative article I've seen looking behind the scenes at the show from the Wall Street Journal last month.
Claude Denjean - Phays RE-Edit
You might know the Steam song "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" if you've ever gone to a sporting event...
I recently discovered Claude Denjean's moog version while digging in an antique store in Charlotte a couple weeks ago, and I just finished this little re-edit. Enjoy.
Claude Denjean - NaNaHeyHey (Phays re-edit) by Phays
Stop here to download a copy.
I recently discovered Claude Denjean's moog version while digging in an antique store in Charlotte a couple weeks ago, and I just finished this little re-edit. Enjoy.
Claude Denjean - NaNaHeyHey (Phays re-edit) by Phays
Stop here to download a copy.
Spankrock v Japanther
I don't know where these two met, but I'm willing to bet there was a plate of drugs involved.
I found this via URB.
There's elements of this I really like. Singing into a phone? Check. Jamming on a roof? Check. Screaming "fuck the cops?" Still cool.
What kind of bothers me is the mix. Now, Japanther has one of the most excellent band names going, and they've been on the lower-than-lo-fi tip since forever, as far as I know. But I feel like this song would benefit from just a little less drums in the mix, and a dash more keys/guitar. I know it's not cool to care a lot, but fellas, don't sell yourself short here.
Japanther & Spank Rock "Radical Businessman" from Chad von Nau on Vimeo.
I found this via URB.
There's elements of this I really like. Singing into a phone? Check. Jamming on a roof? Check. Screaming "fuck the cops?" Still cool.
What kind of bothers me is the mix. Now, Japanther has one of the most excellent band names going, and they've been on the lower-than-lo-fi tip since forever, as far as I know. But I feel like this song would benefit from just a little less drums in the mix, and a dash more keys/guitar. I know it's not cool to care a lot, but fellas, don't sell yourself short here.
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