Miami Horror - Sometimes

Sometimes when all that's lost remains, drink from the fountain of youth and never age again...

Yeah, this track is almost past its blog-by-date, but it's just too damn sexy to ignore. Miami Horror is Australian disco-pop producer Benjamin Plant a self-confessed fan of 80's and 90's pop including my most despised Swedish stars - Abba. Thankfully, this influence is not overtly obvious in the latest single Sometimes, a disco ballad with an 80's synth hook, airy pads, and a delicate vocal delivery. The music video is rad too, an unorthodox 'short film' approach by director Rhett Wade-Ferrell. Miami Horror are yet another Australian band completely nailing this new-age disco sound, check out their 2008 EP 'Bravado' and expect an album to drop early in 2010 - the year of the disco... again.

Miami Horror - Sometimes (Music Video)

Paramore - Brick By Boring Brick

I've calculated the risk of losing valuable "scene-points" by posting on a 'popular' band, but to be honest, I really don't give a shit. Paramore are a band who have consistently released quality music and the video for their latest single 'Brick By Boring Brick' is worth sharing entirely of its own merit. It's a haunting dreamscape that follows the narrative of the lyrics in an Alice In Wonderland-esque fairy tale. 

Paramore - Brick By Boring Brick (Music Video)

'Brick By Boring Brick' was one of my favourite tracks off 'Brand New Eyes', a near-perfect execution of pop/rock with more balls than a rhino on heat. The video has reignited my crushcrushcrush on singer Hayley Williams... Oh, and of course - my fluctuating love for Paramore.

Pre-sale tickets for their New Zealand tour go on sale this Friday. They play Auckland's Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre, Thursday March 4th, and Christchurch's Westpac Arena, Friday March 5th. This is pretty much a guaranteed sell-out, so don't risk missing out. 

Tim & Jean - Come Around

Tim & Jean (I assume it's pronounced 'Jean' as in Jean Claude Van Damme) are a duo from Australia producing... yes, you guessed it and I'm getting rather tired of typing the words - 'electro-pop'. I wasn't terribly impressed with their debut track 'Come Around' until I discovered it's only a rough demo and that these lads are aged just 15 and 18 (step aside Jonas Brothers). 'Come Around' is very Passion Pit sounding due mostly to the buoyant synth stabs and falsetto vocals to rival the Bee Gee's. I'm posting these guys more as a *watch this space* kind of deal, Tim & Jean show promise and are already causing a stir in Australia, recently supporting US electro whizz-kid The Secret Handshake on his latest stint down-under. I'm sure it won't be long until the rest of the world catch on, or 'come around' to Tim & Jean.

Tim & Jean - Come Around (Rough Version Mix) SAMPLE

Tim & Jean - Come Around (Rough Version Mix) FULL DOWNLOAD

Wolfgang vs. Britney

I guess you could say I have a historical affection for Britney Spears. I mean what pre/mid pubescent teenager didn't froth over the hottest school girl in life requesting our gutter dwelling minds to "Hit [her] baby one more time?" Britney Spears is hot... Ok, maybe she was hot, but one thing that is unquestionably 'hot' is this remix of her latest single '3' by producer extraordinaire Wolfgang Gartner. 

Britney Spears - 3 (Wolfgang Gartner Extended Mix) 

Wolfgang Gartner is the 'it' producer in dance music right now, everything he touches turns to gold. In regards to the Britney remix he said, "It was a challenge to make not cheesesy as fuck, but I think I nailed it". He produces out of Austin, Texas and has been dropping killer tracks under the pseudonym since 2007 including an epic remix of Beethoven's 5th (who knew classical could be converted to club?) 

Wolfgang Gartner - Wolfgang's 5th Symphony (Original Mix)

His Britney remix still retains the classic Wolfgang sporadic synth attack and is held together nicely by the hell-a-catchy pop melody. It's a guaranteed club banger that is destined to be thrashed to death... enjoy it while you can. 

Britney Spears - 3 (Wolfgang Gartner Extended Mix)

Wolfgang Gartner - Wolfgang's 5th Symphony (Original Mix)

ps. Thanks Theo for the tip ;)

Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk

I first heard this track a few weeks ago and it didn't do anything for me. However, tonight at work I had a melody stuck on repeat in my head and I couldn't for the life of me think who it was. Then I realised... it was none other than the song I had disregarded as mediocre returning to haunt me, and upon re-listening I must admit - first impressions don't always last.

Two Door Cinema Club are a three piece indie / electro band from Ireland of all places. Their debut single 'I Can Talk' has just been released by Kitsune accompanied by a rather erratic video clip. 'I Can Talk' is an upbeat dance-a-thon that reminds me of 'A Weekend In The City' era Bloc Party with vocals reminiscent of a less melancholy Death Cab For Cutie. It's simple, it's fun, and it's catchy. But remember - be prepared to give it a second chance if the first listen doesn't tickle you in that special place.

Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk (Music Video)

Owl City + New Zealand

My friends at Coup De Main Magazine announced last night that Owl City will play support for Cobra Starship at their Auckland show on the 12th of March next year. New Zealand only recently embraced Owl City, but their debut single 'Fireflies' already holds the #3 position on the charts (Cobra Starships latest single 'Hot Mess' doesn't feature in our top 50 at all). It seems we have an affection for this cute (for lack of a better word), quirky golden boy of electro-pop. Adam Young has taken what Benjamin Gibbard took underground with The Postal Service and re-packaged it, with the most colourful of wrapping paper and a bow to decorate. Owl City is an absolute delight and if you were umm-ing and ahh-ing about attending the Cobra headline show you best not need any further convincing. 

Owl City - Fireflies (Music Video)

Get your tickets here... they're gonna sell out! 

Details:

Cobra Starship with support from Owl City

Friday, 12th of March, 7:30pm

Town Hall

Auckland

Cobra Starship (sorry South Island, no Owl City for you)

Sunday, 14th of March, 7:30pm

Town Hall

Christchurch 

Strip Steve - Delta Disco EP

'Delta Disco' is the second extended-play release by French house producer Strip Steve. His style is noobishly defined as "new school disco-filter house" but for those of us that are uneducated in the various technicalities associated with electronic music genres (myself included) I will provide my own simple-minded interpretation of Strip Steve and his 'Delta Disco' using a few key words - upfront electro-house with distinct funk/disco undertones. Geez, that was no better was it. Perhaps there is just no easy way to put Strip Steve in a box... Have a listen to his EP teaser and make up your own mind.

Strip Steve - Delta Disco EP (Teaser)

He's signed to Boys Noize Records and is hailed as a "visionary" producer creating a new appreciation for old-school house music by delivering it in a fresh and decidedly 'new school' way. From balls out banging Breakin' to the more funky Dancin', 'Delta Disco' is the essential ingredient to be dropping at parties this summer.

Check out a couple of his funkilicious remixes...

Das Glow - Lite Brite (Strip Steve Remix)

Shadow Dancer - Cowbois (Strip Steve Remix)

Savoy - Automatic

Forgive me as I catch my breath! I just stumbled across these guys completely by chance and it would be no exaggeration to say Savoy are creating some of the most exciting electro to hit the scene this year. The 3-piece (two DJ's and live drummer) are a hybrid of the dirty distorted, bass-driven Justice and the raw creativity of Soulwax. Add a sprinkle of fidget-electro to garnish and 'voila' - there you have it - Savoy.

Savoy - Live at The Fox Theatre

You would expect these guys to be from some obscure European country due to their exceptional taste in dance music, but in fact, they hail from Colorado. They released their debut album 'Automatic' in October, but what's more, they're giving it away for free! Head to their website www.savoyband.com, one click of the mouse and 'Automatic' is yours. They don't even ask you to sign up to a mailing list or anything.

Savoy are just about ready to explode. With international DJ's starting to take notice and dropping Savoy tracks in their sets, record labels and dance music fans alike will soon embrace their magic.

Head to www.savoyband.com now to download their debut album 'Automatic'.

Or if you would like to sample before you download the whole thing, check out one of my favourite tracks...

Savoy - Rhubarb (Download)

Detachments - Circles

Detachments deliver a darker vibe of indie-dance music that help set them apart from the rest of the pack. With obvious 70's post-punk influences (Joy Division, New Order) their first single 'Circles' is an original fusion of the old, with the new - unique, reverb saturated vocal delivery, disco synth, and the trademark 'same beat throughout the entire song' drums. Initially 'Circles' sounds as though it's going nowhere, but wait until the 2:12 mark and you're in for something special. 

Detachments - Circles (Music Video)

'Circles' is released on the 30th of November. Search hypem for a pretty suave remix by Mighty Mouse. Also check out their myspace for more tracks / videos / information. 

Kids Of 88 - Uno Dos Tres

Kids Of 88 dropped three fresh tracks on their Myspace (www.myspace.com/kidsof88) this week - 'Ribbons Of Light', 'Cotton Mouth', and 'Sugar Pills'. Since the release of their debut single 'My House' earlier this year KO88 have wreaked havoc on the New Zealand charts and been thrashed ( ... definitely not to death) on every FM frequency across the country. Now, with a remix of the 'bad girl' of pop, Ke$ha, under their belts, whispers of a looming international record deal, and three new kick-ass tracks, Kids Of 88 look set to continue their onslaught of the music industry and dance floors alike.

Ke$ha - Tik Tok (Kids Of 88 Remix)

'Sugar Pills' is expected to be the follow-up single to 'My House' as they received NZ On Air Music Video funding for this track back in June. In my opinion it is the strongest of the three - a sexy slow-jam slightly tilted towards a more experimental sound compared with the blatantly pop 'My House'. There is even a sprinkle of hip-hop in the pre-chorus with McCarthy spittin' some Kanye-esque rhymes, "never get bored of ya christian dior, never get bored of the head you're givin', the life I'm livin". The chorus (if you can call it that?) is a layered vocal soundscape, atmospheric and delicate yet still curiously catchy. How do they do that?

Check the tracks out on their Myspace - www.myspace.com/kidsof88 and prepare yourself for the takeover. Kids Of 88 have got the goods, sugar pills included.

Vampire Weekend - Cousins

Ever since Vampire Weekend kindly gifted us with 'Horchata' I have been closely following the progress of their much anticipated sophomore 'Contra'. They released the second song off Contra online this week - Cousins, supported by a music video, which leads me to assume this is the first official single.

Vampire Weekend - Cousins (Music Video)

They've notched up the BPM, and with it, the energy. But, I'm not totally convinced this is a good thing. It's more manic than anything off their self-titled debut mainly thanks to the unorthodox drum beat and the walking (more like a fast-jogging) bass line. It's still good, don't get me wrong, but it's not a track I would sit down and listen to. To me, it sounds like the theme music to those god-awful dreams where you're trying to run away from impending danger, but your body is moving in slow motion. It's frighteningly frantic, but that just might be what gets you off. 

Designer Drugs

Designer Drugs have been pumping out uncompromising bangers on the regular over the last couple of years, remixing everyone from Flo Rida and Nelly Furtado to Little Boots and The Toxic Avenger. They have also released a few originals dropping the Zombies / Back Up In This EP earlier this year, and have most recently released their Riot / Drop Down EP. 

They are currently signed to indie label 'I Heart Comix' and are in the middle of their North American 'Riot' Tour. 

Designer Drugs (Live @ Webster Hall 20/11/09)

(wait for them to drop the second track 'Riot' - it is nothing short of epic!)

I don't rate Designer Drugs like I do some of their heavyweight counterparts such as The Bloody Beetroots, but they hold their own against the influx of 2nd-gen 'rockstar' DJ's to hit the scene recently. Their mixes are consistent, yet predictable... But, at least with Designer Drugs you know what you're going to get, and most of the time what you get is one helluva party. 

Check out one of my favourite remixes and an original. 

HEARTSREVOLUTION - Switchblade (Designer Drugs Remix)

Designer Drugs - Drop Down (Original Mix)

Gemini Club

Gemini Club sound like they should have emerged from the UK underground as they possess that 'credible' indie raditude, and the UK is the most fertile breeding ground for this indie/electro sound. However, these synth junkies hail from Chicago where they are still relatively under the radar. But, then again, they did only surface in July.

Gemini Club - Show Me A Showdown

From their Myspace - "Starting with a traditional writing and recording process Gemini Club competes a song and then asks the computer to destroy it, chopping, looping and rearranging at its own discretion. With these cuts the members return to the rubble of their material and rebuild it and so create a sound no traditional rock band could ever achieve. This music is science fiction, guided as much by technology as the will of the bands members."

It's an interesting idea. I don't know how true it is, but it's interesting all the same. And Gemini Club are good... just as good if not better than many of those happy-clappy followers of the dance music revival. I doubt they will remain 'under the radar' for much longer. 

Gemini Club - Ghost (Live)

Gemini Club - Show Me A Showdown - DOWNLOAD

Gemini Club - Mary's Day - DOWNLOAD

Crystal Fighters Pt. II - Xtatic Truth

Xtatic Truth was released prior to I Love London. It's a little more ambient, beginning with a plucked oriental instrument before injecting some epileptic electronica over the melancholy vocal hook, "We were born to be alone, everybody all alone, born alone to be alone, we'll stand alone forever". I'm still psyched on the energy they manifest in their rather minimal approach to electro. Get into it!

Crystal Fighters - Xtatic Truth (Music Video)

Crystal Fighters - Xtatic Truth (Arcade Remix) - DOWNLOAD

Fyfe Dangerfield - When You Walk In The Room

I can't help it if I'm happy, I can't help it if I'm happy not to be sad...

With perhaps the coolest name for a solo artist I've seen in a long time, Fyfe Dangerfield has unleashed the first track from his upcoming album - 'When You Walk In The Room'. 

Fyfe Dangerfield - When You Walk In The Room

It's a pop-a-long love song, but Dangerfield's vocal delivery sets it apart from crisply produced, auto-tuned billboard artists creating a more raw and believable sound. It's a feel-good track carried predominantly by jiving piano, driving drums, and a touch of dirty over-driven guitar - and of course Dangerfield's distinct vocals. 

His debut solo album 'Fly Yellow Moon' is out January 2010. 

Crystal Fighters - I Love London

Spanish [insert unclassifiable genre here] band Crystal Fighters officially release their single 'I Love London' today on Kitsune. I say 'officially', as the track has been causing a commotion in cyberspace for quite some time already. 

They introduce themselves in the frankest fashion - "We are Crystal Fighters. We make fast dance music with Basque instruments, synthesizers, and our voices". 

Crystal Fighters - I Love London (Music Video)

I'm at a loss for words. Crystal Fighters seem to have created something organic and original, with the energy and ferocity of a ginger kid all hyped up on mountain dew. 

Check out a live clip from a Myspace / Kistune promotional event. Doesn't it just make you want to rip off you clothes and dance like a P-addict on a down buzz in your bedroom? Frick. 

Crystal Castles  vs. Myspace / Kitsune 

 Crystal Fighters - I Love London (Paparazzi Remix) - DOWNLOAD

Strange Fruit Project - Crash

My friend Theo over at Sunday Morning Revival has been posting on some fresh hip-hop lately, which got me on the buzz. Strange Fruit Project have just dropped their first single 'Crash' from the upcoming EP M.A.S.K (Making Art Sound Kool), which is dropping November 17. In an age where hip-hop has become synth-hop and rappers have become pop-stars, Strange Fruit Project have taken it back to the roots, kickin' it old school with breaks, rhymes, vintage samples, and no need for a hooky chorus punch line.

Strange Fruit Project - Crash (Music Video)

Check out the EP 'M.A.S.K' out November 17.

Vampire Weekend vs. Miike Snow

Producer extraordinaries Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg (also known as Bloodshy & Avant) from electronic band Miike Snow have just released a remix of Vampire Weekend's 'The Kids Don't Stand a Chance'. These guys have worked with the likes of Britney Spears (Toxic), Madonna and Kylie Minogue, and since dropping the debut for Miike Snow, they have been pumping out remixes for a number of their 'bff' bands.

This remix has a distinct Snow flavour to it, but the drop is hell'a clubby with an over-distorted synth slamming the off-beat and a spastic arpeggio of sorts that would keep any rave junkie at bay.

Download it and drop it at the next 'tea party'... they'll lap it up like it's going out of fashion. 

Vampire Weekend - The Kids Don't Stand A Chance (Miike Snow Remix)

Cold War Kids - Behave Yourself

Cold War Kids are releasing a 4-track EP entitled 'Behave Yourself' on January 19, 2010. The first track to hit the net 'Audience Of One' sounds like what you would expect from these indie veterans. Lyrically they have a lot more soul compared with so many of the bands indulging on a diet of bubblegum and cheese these days. Musically it's more stripped back and down-tempo. Honest to the core but not over dramatic, Cold War Kids appear as though they will continue to release nothing but quality. 

Cold War Kids - Behave Yourself (EP Teaser)

Sexual Healing

I'm not gonna lie. 'Sexual Healing' has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. I'm talking about the song of course. Both the original by the sexual healer himself, Marvin Gaye, and the cover by Ben Harper on his 'Live From Mars' album. However, the version to hit the blogosphere most recently is by unassuming nerd-poppers Hot Chip. The promo shot above looks more like the new cast for 90's hit TV series - Freaks and Geeks. But, we all know nerdy is the new sexy, right? So - out with the suave, smooth talking black men - and in with the dorky, shaky voiced white boys. Is that racist? I don't care - let's make love tonight.

Hot Chip - Sexual Healing (Download)

And why not check out the man who got so many guys laid in the 80's do his thang' live.

Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing (Live)

Wolf Gang - The King And All Of His Men

Wolf Gang is a latecomer to the playground of UK indie-pop. His debut single 'The King And All Of His Men' is due to be officially released on November 16. It's a feel good piano pop ballad with a nice melody and a hooky "wooo ooohhh ooohhh" chorus. It's sounds like The Rocket Summer meets MGMT - an unusual hybrid that works extremely well.

I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more from Wolf Gang in the near future as he's already out supporting the likes of Little Boots and Marina & The Diamonds. 

I won't post a download link as the single hasn't been released yet, but check out the swanky music video below.

Wolf Gang - The King And All Of His Men (Music Video)

Sweet Disposition

A moment, a love, a dream, a laugh, a kiss, a cry, our rights, our wrongs...

I know this track is nothing new, but I had this one line on relentless repeat in my head throughout the 8.5 hours I spent at work tonight. It's an incredible song with just enough of every essential ingredient to keep it fresh and sweet to the ears no matter how many times I hear it. 

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Music Video)

To make this post worthwhile rather than simply introspective I'll share a couple of remixes. The first is by Alan Wilkis who livens the original up with some extra percussion, a new groove and a bunch of synthesizers. It's not exactly a 'dance' remix, but it's a nice reinterpretation of the original. The second is a collaborative effort by renowned producers Axwell and Dirty South. It takes a relaxed approach with a gradual build that eventually climaxes almost five minutes into the song. It is produced extremely well and is more club oriented, but it's no banger. I almost think you could drop the original mix in a club and come away with a better result.

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Alan Wilkis Remix) (Link removed by request)

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Axwell & Dirty South Remix) (Link removed by request)

Fenech Soler - Lies (Alex Metric Remix)

I posted on Fenech Soler last month, but their debut single 'Lies' has just had a makeover by remix wizard Alex Metric. This guy has remixed the likes of Bloc Party, Phoenix and Ladyhawke, so it's probably quite exciting for relative 'newbies' Fenech Soler to be clubified by someone with such a prestigious rep. 

Personally, I still prefer the original, but if you're curious have a listen below.

Fenech Soler - Lies (Alex Metric Remix)

Penguin Prison - A Funny Thing

It's been a long time coming, but the US finally have a worthy contributor to the music revolution that has been sweeping Europe this past year. In the same vein as Friendly Fires, Late of the Pier, and Miike Snow are - 'Penguin Prison'.

Their track 'A Funny Thing' is pure disco deliciousness - groovy bass line (check), 80's synth samples (check), hooky as hell melody (check). If 'Penguin Prison' don't blow up soon you could blame it on a number of things... but you definitely could not blame it on the boogie!

Penguin Prison - A Funny Thing

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp

Brooklyn based poster-boys of psychedelic, Yeasayer, released the first track from their 2010 sophomore album 'Odd Blood' online this week - Ambling Alp. They have said the aim of the new album is to, "make you feel inadequate, like you're not cool enough to be listening to [this] music". Whether they were joking or not, you do feel a sense of privilege as you listen. It's the kind of feeling you get when you discover something new that none of your friends know about yet...

Ambling Alp is enjoyable, smooth, and delicious - like a cold beer on a hot day - the perfect addition to your summer playlist.

You can grab the track legitimately by signing up to the mailing list on their website. Awfully generous of them, isn't it! 

www.amblingalp.com

Digging up the past...

Tonight I discovered my parents old record collection gathering dust in our attic. I'm not sure what possessed me to go searching for it, but I remembered flicking through them as a child; looking at the pictures mostly. I had always assumed I was the black sheep of the family - the only one who truly appreciated and understood music. But, it seems as though my parents still have a few hidden secrets from their youth...

My first discovery was an ice-cream container and a plastic bag full of 45's (singles). The likes of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Beatles, Queen, The Police and a band I had never heard before Electric Light Orchestra (who happen to be excellent), had been tucked away for all these years. I felt robbed. All of this potential musical influence left squandering away as I grew up on whatever pop culture fed to me.

Jimi Hendrix - All along the Watchtower (Live, 1970)

The box of LP's boasted the greatest of treasures - Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon, John Farnham - Whispering Jack, Paul Simon - Graceland, Split Enz - True Colours and a bunch of other classics from that era of greatness.

This new discovery has re-ignited my passion for classic music and may just have inspired a new hobby... we'll see how it goes.

Indulge yourself...

Jimi Hendrix - All along the Watchtower

Queen - Somebody to Love

John Farnham - You're the Voice