Smack Talk

Attention all BANDS: Do you want 50k to make a music video?

2010-05-10T14:00:00.004+02:00

In a first for South Africa, MK, DStv's leading rock and pop music channel, is commissioning 10 high quality music videos of South African artists valued at R50k each.

Dubbed the MK Music Video Project (MK MVP), MK is inviting production companies to approach any band they believe complements MK's progressive channel strategy and to pitch on their behalf. Similarly bands and record companies who would like to put their songs and ideas forward, should approach a South African production company to do so.

Says Victor Edward Eckard, Head of Content for MK: "The South African music and production industry offers a wealth of exceptional talent. Through MK MVP we hope to further stimulate this market and bring that talent to the fore, allowing our artists and production houses to show their true colours and in so doing offer our viewers compelling content."

The following should be taken into account when pitching for MK MVP 2010:

· MK MVP pitches are only open to South African production companies.

· The music videos need to meet the R50,000 budget and need to be of a high production value. In essence the videos need to raise the standard of music videos in South Africa.

· Bands who would like to pitch their tracks must do so through a recognized music video production company who, in turn, must follow the correct format.

· Only three music video pitches are allowed per production company.

The following information must be included in the pitch:

1. The MK MVP cover page. Go to http://mktv.co.za/mvp for more info.

2. Company background and experience.

3. Show reel of previous work completed.

4. Crew list with crew experience (include CVs).

5. Music video treatment and creative with graphical and video references.

6. Complete budget breakdown of proposed music video production.

7. Artist biography, photo and press pack.

8. An MP3 version of the selected song (complete with the composer and record company / rights holder details).

Pitches will be selected based on the following criteria:

· The production company and crew experience as well as examples of previous work.

· Treatment and creative of the music video.

· Budget and production value.

· Artist / band profile and song choice (the songs will be chosen by an MK panel).

· How the music video concept complements the MK brand; how it speaks to the MK target market; and how well it fits within the Channel's look and feel.

Additional info:

· The decision for the music video commissions will rest with MK only and the decision will be final.

· The deadline for all pitches is 31 May 2010 and communication regarding the chosen ten will be received by the end of June 2010.

· The production companies chosen to create the videos must deliver the final product by 30 July 2010.

All pitches must be sent via email to victor.edward@mnet.co.za.

Desmond winners and a HUGE show

2010-04-29T13:29:00.004+02:00

So, last week I had two pairs of tickets to give away to Desmond's MONSTER show at Assembly. The two winners each got a pair.

My first winner sent me this pic:
His email subject line read, 'I'm using my sexuality to win tickets. i even photoshopped out my tat.' - Pity he didn't photoshop out his fat.

The second winner sent this pic through.
It's a mixture of the winners' names on something that looks like playdoe, I think (and of course a play on the name Desmond & The Tutus).

Anyway, Desmond & The Tutus played one of the best Cape Town shows ever. Better the second time around rings true in more ways that one for The Tutus. The last time they played at the Assembly it wasn't amazing - the sound was poor and the crowd were not feeling them. Monday's show was also their second show of the long weekend. They played on Friday night at a charity event at the Albert Hall. The sound was very poor which was a real pity, considering the quality of the rig they hired for the event.

But Monday night was crazy. Without the online portal to purchase tickets, people queued. It's been a while since I've seen queues outside the Assembly. Anyway, the bands started early! Desmond, the headliners for the night weren't expected on before about midnight, but took the stage at 22h45. They played an energy filled (and energy sapping for that matter) sets I've had the good pleasure of witnessing. Their was even something of a tame mosh-pit in motion and loads of crowd surfing. (The next trick will be to convince Shane to take the dive.) More than that, other than their new track, everyone sang along to every song.

On the cards for the Tutus going forward are two more trips overseas - France in June and Japan in September/October (TBC). Stay tuned for more.

The Summer Obsession

2010-04-22T13:25:00.004+02:00

Is Punk Rock cool again? I got an email asking me punt a band that sounds similar to Blink and Sum41. I never enjoyed those bands.

The Summer Obsession have just produced their 12 millionth release, just in time for our winter.

If you like, download the album from MediaFire.
They also have a VERY useless website (everything is coming soon...).

Desmond & The Tutus: Win Tickets

2010-04-20T21:06:00.004+02:00

Last time I had held a competition for tickets to Desmond & The Tutus I got a couple of interesting motivations (the above pictures). Someone even sent in a song written as a motivation. I was impressed.

For Monday's show at Assembly, I have two pairs of tickets (four). Would you like a pair? Send me an email with your motivation. richardcoleking[at]gmail.com. Make it good. Competition closes on Friday. Winners will be contacted over the weekend (via email).

Desmond & The Tutus head back to Cape Town

2010-04-19T13:22:00.006+02:00

This coming weekend is a long weekend for most. Schools have Monday off while most businesses will grant their minions leave for Monday. This makes next week a three day week.

What's more (and more importantly) Desmond & The Tutus will be in town this time next week to play a huge show on Monday night at The Assembly to welcome in Tuesday, Freedom Day.

They will be playing alongside some winners.
- DESMOND & THE TUTUS (headlining)
- THE REVELATORS
- KID COLT
- MAGNUM HI FI
- RICHARD THE III
- BRUCE WILLIS!?!

More info

Crystal Castles

2010-04-19T13:06:00.004+02:00

As you may have read on we-are-awesome, Crystal Castles are releasing another self titled album in June. (The album is set for worldwide release on June 8.)

Tracklisting:
1. Fainting Spells
2. Celestica
3. Doe Deer
4. Baptism
5. Year of Silence
6. Empathy
7. Suffocation
8. Violent Dreams
9. Vietnam
10. Birds
11. Pap Smear
12. Not in Love
13. Intimate
14. I Am Made of Chalk

Sample one of the new tracks from the forthcoming album:

Celestica :: Crystal Castles | MediaFire

A Night with Aoki Part #2

2010-04-13T15:01:00.003+02:00

On my way to the much anticipated Assembly show I thought back on the discussion we had with Steve Aoki only hours before. The man plays between 250 and 300 shows a year and he runs a record label and he sources new acts and and and. I knew I was in for a treat.

As I climbed the Assembly stairs with my friends the hype that had so long been building was realised. I was concerned though. The Skene brothers were busting out some huge tunes, to the point that I thought that the evening might be climaxing too soon. But I was wrong, and not for the first time.

Aoki took the stage after midnight with expectations brewing beyond some fans control. A particular young lady (I am sure she was just one of many) had far too much to drink and it wouldn’t be farfetched to suggest that she remembered very little of the evening’s proceedings.

Aoki’s fan interactions were second to none. He was crowd surfing within five or 10 minutes starting his show. WARP (Aoki’s Bloody Beetroots remix) was his second track and proved a crowd favourite to the point that he closed the show with it as well. At the beginning of the show the die-hard fans and electro junkies filled the immediate area in front of the stage. There was a healthy mix of girls and boys in the early periods. But soon it became too much. The rotation policy became standard for most. You would enter the fray, get sprayed with champagne by Aoki and get wet-through from a mixture of yours and others sweat, and dance (like that was even optional with everyone rubbing up on you). Personal space doesn’t exist, but no one complains.Then you would get out, rest, recuperate, get a drink and head back in for some more fun. If you were lucky Aoki would even crowd surf while you were in there. These gatherings weren’t violent mind you (as so often they can be). It was just that err’body wanted to be at the front, to touch him (on his studio), to get a better vantage point or get spotted by Mark ‘The Cobrasnake’ Hunter. Louder than the music was the ongoing chant, "Steve!...Aoki! Steve!...Aoki! Steve!...Aoki! Steve!...Aoki!" Such a jol.

Assembly did really well hosting this year’s biggest event. I remember Bloody Beetroots last year was great, but you could see that the hosts learned a lot from that time. The stage was bigger and the fencing around the stage was more secure (not moving every time a forward surge was made by crazy wet fans).

Big up ya’ll. Next up: JUSTICE (please).

Florence and the Machine :: Swimming

2010-04-13T13:37:00.004+02:00

There is so much music in cyberspace and so much of it is abysmal or indifferent that I become cynical towards bands before giving them an ear. Florence and the Machine is one of these. I got the track 'Swimming' and started listening to it only this morning and I have to 'share the love'. I am thinking, British-more-upbeat-Lykke-Li OR British-Shakira-sounding-vocals-but-less-pop-more-orchestra-instruments. Yes? No?

They even won 'Best British Album of 2010' at the BRIT Awards.

Florence and the Machine :: Swimming | MediaFire

Website

Civil Twilight on Radio 92.9

2010-04-13T13:17:00.005+02:00

You may have heard Civil Twilight on 5fm in recent weeks. They are from Hout Bay, Cape Town. They have been playing a number of great gigs and on some television and radio shows around the States. This one is their single, Letters from the Sky, the single off their self titled album.

Teardrop, Massive Attack's track has long been a big part of Civil Twilight's set list (longer than Jose Gonzalez has been playing it). I think you'll agree, they perform it phenomenally.

A Night with Aoki Part #1

2010-04-12T10:17:00.005+02:00

With the dust finally settled after one of the biggest weekends in Cape Town, a look back at the Aoki experience is a must.

On Friday night, just hours before the show, a few guests got the privilege to meet Aoki at the Red Bull Studios in Cape Town. I was one of these. After a long day of cage diving in Gaansbaai, Aoki treated some of our city’s top DJs and producers to some of his pearls of wisdom. The LA based DJ owns a record label called Dim Mak. One of Dim Mak’s prize acquisitions was The Bloody Beetroots in 2007. The biggest track out at the moment is WARP! well known for its line, ‘1, 2 WHOOP! WHOOP!’ before smashing people’s inhibitions with some of the biggest electro sounds around.

Aoki was also so complimentary of our ‘Fairest Cape’ and even said that he was interested in canning the interview and heading through to one of the townships with all in attendance. Everyone laughed nervously. Was he being serious? He was. However, the interview went on. The next day he hiked up Lions Head with Blaise Janichon & Pierre Coetzee and continued to sing Cape Town’s praises.

Not only did he love the Mother City, but he loved one of our most famous exports, Die Antwoord. He didn’t attempt to say their name, but he raved about them, sad only at missing the opportunity to sign them to his label. He spoke particularly well of DJ Hi-Tek (and his PC Komputerr), expressing a desperate need to meet them and even announced that he had already been in contact with Interscope Records (Die Antwoord’s new label) in the hope of doing a single with the controversial South Africans.

He even shared a few stories of his previous musical endeavours. As a kid he started out in a hardcore punk band. Admitting that his singing voice is less than desirable, he tended to opt for screaming when handed the microphone. He learned to play all regular band instruments filling in wherever he had to.

When asked about what he was expecting from the show at Assembly later that evening, he admitted, “I honestly have no idea what to expect”, acknowledging that he was not concerned if it was a small show – he was just so excited to be in SA. It wasn’t a small show, not by Cape Town’s standards. Almost 1000 people packed out Assembly paying top dollar for a top show. But more on that later...

The ‘formal’ interview ended and he hung around the studios to chat to anyone who still had questions or wanted to shake his hand. One thing that all who were there will declare is, he is a down-to-earth character. No questions were beneath him, and no people below his interest. He even liked the idea of visiting Gugulethu’s famous Mzoli’s.

A few short hours later and it was off to the show.

A Night with Aoki Part #2

The Toxic Avenger :: Escape (Bloody Beetroots Deathcrew77 Remix) (Live @ Stereo Bielefeld)

2010-04-12T10:09:00.006+02:00

A very different Bloody Beetroots. Now only if we could get the crowd to be quiet...

Midnight Juggernauts :: Vital Signs (new music video)

2010-04-07T17:29:00.003+02:00

Midnight Juggernauts new video is rather interesting, with slow edited twisting and jiving of the video's players.

Vital Signs - Midnight Juggernauts
from the forthcoming album 'The Crystal Axis' out May 28th

Steve Aoki - This Friday!!

2010-03-30T14:08:00.006+02:00

Steve Aoki is in town this Friday, Easter Friday, Passover Friday, Friday 2 April 2010. If you were unaware of this, you've been living under a rock.

Get your tickets online webtickets.co.za. They are only R120, a steal if you ask me. Aoki keeps company with electro giants Justice and of course Italian boys, Bloody Beetroots among others.

More from Steve Aoki

MGMT :: Flash Delirium (Music Video)

2010-03-30T13:43:00.003+02:00

Flash Delirium (the music video) is up on MGMT's site for your viewing pleasure. Click along here to view it.

MGMT :: Flash Delirium

2010-03-11T13:30:00.003+02:00

MGMT just released a track from their forthcoming album, Congratulations, as a free download. It takes a few listens to get into (admittedly) but has the potential to be winner. Their album cover (above) is quite nifty too.

Click here to get your hands on Flash Delirium from the MGMT website.

Congratulations is out on 13 April 2010 with the following track titles:
01 It’s Working
02 Song for Dan Treacy
03 Someone’s Missing
04 Flash Delirium
05 I Found a Whistle
06 Siberian Breaks
07 Brian Eno
08 Lady Dada’s Nightmare
09 Congratulations

OK Go :: This Too Shall Pass (Passion Pit Remix and alternate music video)

2010-03-08T13:17:00.004+02:00

Last week I posted the greatest video of 2010 so far, OK Go's This Too Shall Pass. I read somewhere that the Passion Pit remix of the track is pretty wow. I did some searching and found it. It is quite something.

This Too Shall Pass (Passion Pit Remix) :: OK Go | Mediafire

Have you seen the other video for This Too Shall Pass?

Ok Go :: This Too Shall Pass (music video)

2010-03-04T13:35:00.005+02:00

I realise that every major music blog the world over has or is in the process of posting Ok Go's latest video. And why not? Their videos are amazing. This one might even take the cake as their best yet. This track is off the new album, 'Of the Blue Colour of the Sky'.

Foals :: Spanish Sarah (music video & mp3)

2010-03-02T13:25:00.005+02:00

Foal's first album, Antidotes is great, most notably, the track, Cassius. The forthcoming album, Total Life Forever, has to do much to live up the success of Antidotes. The first single is completely different to the Foals I am accustomed to, sporting more of a Sigur Rós sound with hints of the indiepoprock we are used to. The album is scheduled for release in May.

Spanish Sahara (Mount Kimbie Remix) :: Foals | MediaFire

Lykke Li and Bon Iver :: Dance Dance Dance (music video and live mp3)

2010-02-23T13:22:00.003+02:00

Lykke Li is a Swedish gem that is making a name for herself as a great folk artist with a little sexy European accent. Before now she half covered the Kings of Leon track, Knocked up which was a very special track and covered the famous, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? accompanied by delicate piano notes.
Bon Iver and Lykke Li performed Dance Dance Dance together in LA. I think you may enjoy this:

Dance Dance Dance :: Lykke Li and Bon Iver | MediaFire

Vampire Weekend :: Giving Up The Gun (music video)

2010-02-22T15:00:00.005+02:00

This new video features famous people. Camp Rocker, Joe Jonas and Broke-Back Jake Gyllenhaal are tennis players. They are truly awful. (via Lines of Oration)

The Bloody Beetroots :: III to Destroy

2010-02-22T13:39:00.003+02:00

My bizarre affections for The Bloody Beetroots is no secret. It might have something to do with a special night we one spent together at The Assembly in Cape Town in March 2009. It might not. I don't know. But this track is bitching! The first thing that goes through ones mind as this track is played, 'They've changed their genre!' But it evolves rather quickly into the more familiar HEAVY ELECTRO that they are famously synonymous with.

The Bloody Beetroots :: III to Destroy | MediaFire

Band of Horses :: The Funeral

2010-02-22T13:31:00.003+02:00

I appreciate that I am very late on the Band of Horses fan-wagon, but they are phenomenal! The Funeral has to be among my favourite tracks at the moment and it's been around since 2006. They are in the process of putting together Night Rainbows, their third studio album.

The Funeral :: Band of Horses | MediaFire

Hot Chip :: Touch Too Much

2010-02-18T13:41:00.003+02:00

Made in the Dark is still one of my favourite albums by Hot Chip. That said, I haven't listened to it in a while. Touch Too Much never really stood out as an AMAZING track. It still doesn't. But I stumbled across this remix. In parts it has been reworked to sound like a grungy electro track and in others it is more kwaito in flavour. I like it.

Touch Too Much (Fake Blood Remix) :: Hot Chip | MediaFire

Death Cab for Cutie :: Earth Angel (Cover)

2010-02-16T13:29:00.003+02:00

I generally shun away from all things Death Cab. But I thought I'd give this track a chance. I often find bands twist my arm with covers. This was no different.

Death Cab for Cutie :: Earth Angel (cover) | zSHARE

Calvin Harris :: Stars Come Out

2010-02-16T13:11:00.004+02:00

Calvin Harris, a Scott by birth, reckons he created disco, and he released his second album, Ready for the Weekend in August last year. But he's not as well known for his own albums as he is for some of artists he's worked with and remixed. Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry and Cut Copy are just a few.

This track though is off Ready for the Weekend.

Calvin Harris :: Stars Come Out | MediaFire (link removed on request)

Johnny Foreigner (UK) - Television advertisement

2010-02-12T10:00:00.002+02:00

Man, this is going to be such a wicked show! Check out the television advert.

Johnny Foreigner (UK) - Your Winners!

2010-02-11T13:22:00.004+02:00

Ok, so after finding some random machine and churns names and spews them out again in a random order, I have found my winners. They both won themselves double tickets. All they did to win was email me the following:

Alice Gnodde:
Where you first heard about Johnny Foreigner: Friends - before the tour was organised
Where you want to go (Assembly/Libertas): Ass!

Lala Quail:

Where I first heard about Johnny Foreigner: i was first introduced to them by a very colourful, friendly flyer.

Where I want to go: Assembly, please.

Well done ladies.

I didn't pick you? Don't despair, you can still get tickets here.

More from Johnny Foreigner.

The Police :: Roxanne (Discotech Remix)

2010-02-11T13:11:00.003+02:00

Man. This remix made me realise how much I miss a band that's not even from my era. But I think when I get home I am going find an old Police cassette tape and play sides A and B! Daring I know.

The Police :: Roxanne (Discotech Remix)

FIFA interested in SA's talent

2010-02-11T13:02:00.003+02:00

No, not we-are-awesome street fashion type talent. They did a post about Taxi Violence and D7. I don't know the latter as a band, but I saw my one friend in the pic. Check it here.

Kasabian reveal new England Away kit

2010-02-10T14:59:00.004+02:00

During their encore at the Paris Olympia theatre, 2500 French fans got more than they bargained for as Kasabian belted out Fire while frontman Tom Meighan showed off the new jersey. England will where it in March when they play Egypt at Wembley.

Tom commented on Sunderland's website: "It's brilliant to be the first band ever to launch an England shirt and where better to launch this particular kit than away from home? When Umbro approached us to represent England away we jumped at the chance as we are all football fans and loved the idea of revealing the England away shirt when playing in the country of one of our great footballing rivals."

Vampire Weekend :: Ruby Soho (Rancid Cover)

2010-02-10T13:35:00.003+02:00

I like Vampire Weekend. I don't know that I've heard anything they've done that I haven't loved or at least, liked. They recently did a live cover of the punk band Rancid's track, Ruby Soho from their '95 album, ...And Out Come The Wolves.

Vampire Weekend :: Ruby Soho (Rancid Cover) | zSHARE

La Roux :: Tigerlily (B. Rich Remix)

2010-02-09T13:06:00.004+02:00

Just when I was starting to convince myself that the whole 'lets remix La Roux to shizz' that dominated 2k9 was over, this happens: I find a track I haven't heard remixed previously.

La Roux :: Tigerlily (B. Rich Remix) | zSHARE (link removed on request)

Search Smack Talk for more on La Roux.

Leslie Feist

2010-02-08T13:28:00.003+02:00

Have you heard Feist's cover of her own band's track Lover's Spit? The Canadian act, Broken Social Scene recorded the track back in 2002 for their album, You Forgot It In People.

In 2007, Feist covered it for her own gains.

Lover's Spit :: Feist | zSHARE

Johnny Foreigner (UK) free tickets

2010-02-08T13:08:00.005+02:00

Of late, there has been a huge amount of online publicity and funky ghosts on street posts. All for Johnny Foreigner and their phenomenal South African entourage. For the lineup for the different venues, click here. They also have an EP for free download and an interesting teaser. Click here for that.

This weekend they hit Cape Town. Now the very nice people from Griet have given me two double tickets to the shows. It could be a pair for each, or both pairs for one. You tell me where you want to go, and between myself and Griet, we will organise.

Information to be mailed to richardcoleking[at]gmail[dot]com:

Name:
Where you first heard about Johnny Foreigner:
Where you want to go (Assembly/Libertas):

The relevant dates are: 13 February @ The Assembly || 17 February @ Klein Libertas

Enter soon to avoid disappointment.

Yeasayer :: O.N.E.

2010-02-05T13:18:00.003+02:00

So after yesterday, you will remember that Yeasayer are releasing their second album, Odd Blood, next week. Here's another track from that forthcoming disc.

O.N.E. :: Yeasayer | zSHARE (link removed on request)

More Yeasayer

Moullinex mixes Cut Copy & Sebastien Tellier

2010-02-05T13:02:00.004+02:00

Moullinex was given remix requests from the well-known artists, Tellier and CC (among others) and did some work to make them grand(er). Portuguese Munich based Luis Clara Gomes has been signed to Gomma Records since 2009 and is in the process of recording a full length album.

Kilometer (Moullinex Remix) :: Sebastien Tellier | zSHARE
Lights And Music (Moullinex Remix) :: Cut Copy | zSHARE

Yeasayer

2010-02-04T13:06:00.005+02:00

The new Yeasayer album is out on 9 February 2010. This is an exciting treat for all music lovers. It's called Odd Blood, and was leaked on 10 December 2009. The band responded saying, "Presents are always spoiled for those who open them before they are supposed to."

Madder Red is one GREAT track off the forthcoming album. Go out and buy it. It's already got raving reviews.

Madder Red :: Yeasayer | zSHARE (link removed on request)

Tracklisting:

1. The Children
2. Ambling Alp
3. Madder Red
4. I Remember
5. O.N.E.
6. Love Me Girl
7. Rome
8. Strange Reunions
9. Mondegreen
10.Grizelda

Tigerstrike :: Xanax

2010-02-03T13:10:00.004+02:00

Jonathan Muir from Tigerstrike just mailed me with a new exciting track. It's got a little nu-rave slash The Ghost Frequency sound to it, with the accompaniment of a rich sounding string quartet. I am pretty sure it's been put together on his mac, but it still sounds great. [On this point I was wrong as the below comment cements.] The track is called Xanax - a drug having something to do with relieving anxiety. Enjoy.

Xanax :: Tigerstrike | Mediafire

Band of the Year: Kings of Leon disclose the failure of 2009.

2010-02-02T13:33:00.005+02:00

So after a year of living it large with world fame and millions of fans, Kings Of Leon highlighted some regrets in an interview with SPIN.

Only by the Night is certified platinum in the U.S. Kings of Leon spend the summer playing The Today Show and headlining U.K. and American festivals (like Austin City Limits) alongside their heroes Radiohead and Pearl Jam.

NATHAN: If a band got to do just one of those things, it would pretty much be the highlight of their year. The Today Show was awesome 'cause they said I was the first person ever to drink a beer on the air at 6:15 a.m. And Lollapalooza and ACL were phenomenal because that was kind of our American homecoming. The night before ACL was the drunkest I got all year—thanks to one Edward Vedder.
CALEB: Ed actually called it immediately. He was one of the first people to hear Only by the Night, and he said, "You're about to ride a big wave." I don't even think he liked the record. But he knew immediately that we were about to go through something big.
JARED FOLLOWILL: When our manager told us we had sold a million records, I was blown away. But it's also kind of bittersweet. Once you go platinum, you're automatically considered not cool.
CALEB: We definitely got bigger than we wanted to be. You feel like you've done something wrong. That woman in mom jeans who'd never let me date her daughter? She likes my music. That's fuckin' not cool. You almost start doing damage control: When people ask you to do stuff, you're like, "No, because I can already tell this record is going to get to a level where people will fuckin' hate us."
NATHAN: When we started this band, our goal was to sell 10,000 records and put on one concert a year for 10,000 people. We did that 179 times on this tour.
CALEB: We used to play small clubs, go out to dive bars, drink with fans—it was a beautiful thing. Now you're backstage at a big arena with Walmart lighting, and they're not letting anyone in. Our real fans, the ones who've been there for the last five years, are in the front row pissed off. They'll turn their backs on us during "Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody," put their middle fingers up. I get it. We're definitely sellouts. But when you have success like we've had, you kind of have to feed the masses. As corny as it sounds.
NATHAN: For every fan we lost by quote "selling out," we've probably gained five.
JARED: The first year I was in the band, I made $500. Now you start to feel like an asshole sometimes. You're on the plane, like, "Dude, it's been 30 minutes—where's my sushi?"

Read the full interview here.

Whitest Boy Alive - Erlend Øye

2010-02-02T13:05:00.003+02:00

What do the bands, Kings of Convenience, The Whitest Boy Alive and Röyksopp have in common? Erlend Øye. The Norwegian is involved with all three. His latest side project (lets be honest, being involved with three successful acts makes them all side projects or none of them), is the Whitest Boy Alive is great. The Berlin based band released Rules in 2009, their second album which is played completely by the band ie, there is no programming or sequencing. That is cause for celebration. Not many acts take that option these days.

Burning :: Whitest Boy Alive | zSHARE

1517 :: Whitest Boy Alive | zSHARE

Ladyhawke :: Magic (The Swiss Remix)

2010-02-01T13:21:00.005+02:00

Ladyhawke, from New Zealand/Aussieland was one of my most exciting discoveries of 2009. She is constant, predictable (making it easy on the ears) and unique. Listen to her and you'll know what I mean. I reckon that's why she's been such a success since hitting the scene. Myspace.

Also click here for the Magic video released by Island records in October.

Magic (The Swiss Remix) :: Ladyhawke | zSHARE

Dear Reader @Mercury this weekend!

2010-01-29T15:04:00.004+02:00

It's been a long time since I've had good reason to go to Mercury. Now there's a reason. This weekend's highlight is Dear Reader! The lovely Cherylin Macneil is home to play for us. Be there.

Facebook invite.
Dear Reader Fan Page

(FAKE!!) Justice :: Beginning of the end (FAKE!!)

2010-01-28T08:00:00.003+02:00

So yesterday I posted a "Justice" track, The Beginning of the end. I thought at the time that it was kinda similar to the tracks from Cross, and the name was a little too similar to the biblical track names, Genesis, Let There Be Light, and Waters Of Nazareth.

As it happens, it wasn't really a Justice track. It was just a fake. I think it's a good thing; it was a little crappy. Justice posted on their Facebook Page that it wasn't theirs. Check it.

If you want the track anyway, click here.

ODDSAC - Trailer for the Animal Collective Visual Album

2010-01-27T13:23:00.004+02:00

Animal Collective and Danny Perez have been working on a Visual Album. Unfortunately, it's unlikely to be released here for obvious reasons. If you are in The States though, click here to see if it'll be screened anywhere near you.

Steve Aoki is coming to South Africa

2010-01-27T13:02:00.006+02:00

For the three of you who read my blog instead of We-Are-Awesome's Steve Aoki is coming to South Africa in April! This is bigger news than Bloody Beetroots ever were! Speaking of Bloody Beetroots, they collaborated with Aoki a while back; you may remember.

Steve Aoki is going to be performing at The Assembly (Cape Town) on 2 April 2010 and Bassline (Johannesburg) on 3 April 2010.

I am excited.

Gladiator (Steve Aoki x DJ AM Remix) :: AutoErotique | zSHARE

Justice :: Beginning of the end

2010-01-27T10:09:00.003+02:00

So I was super excited when I awoke this morning to find a new track from Jousteeece in my feed. I thought you might be as well, so I think I'll share the love. Enjoy.

Does this mean there is a new album soon?

Beginning of the end :: Justice | zSHARE

The xx :: VCR (music video)

2010-01-26T13:16:00.003+02:00

VCR [the music video] was just released by The xx.

The xx :: VCR | zSHARE

More from The xx

New Video | "Letters from the Sky" Live from 99X

2010-01-26T12:45:00.002+02:00

Tonight @The Waiting Room

2010-01-25T13:52:00.002+02:00

Holiday Murray will be playing tonight at The Waiting Room. Opening for them will be James Jack Boonzaier. This is his first show since his short lived stint with Howard Roark. Interestingly enough he is sharing the stage with Timothy King, the same Timothy King who played on Nigel James Moore's EP before he (Moore) departed for New Zealand. They also launched the EP at Waiting Room. Some interesting trivia for you on this Monday Afternoon.

For more information click here. (Facebook page)

Johnny Foreigner tickets from Griet to you!

2010-01-22T13:05:00.006+02:00

Here are some of the dates and venues as well:

CAPE TOWN
9PM SAT 13 FEB
THE ASSEMBLY

with supporting acts:
KIDOFDOOM
YESTERDAY'S PUPIL
SHE MAN LION
BRUCE WILLIS

STELLENBOSCH
6 PM WED 17 FEB
KLEIN LIBERTAS TEATER

with supporting acts:
ASHTRAY ELECTRIC
THE PRETTY BLUE GUNS
THE REVELATORS
BRUCE WILLIS
EL GORDO

RAMFEST
8PM FRI 26 FEB
NEKKIES RESORT

with supporting acts:
BOO!
LARK
ISOCHRONOUS
TIDAL WAVES
DYNAMO DJ TENT
VICE BEACH PARTY
LOADS MORE

What's more is the nice people from Griet Artists have given me two sets of double tickets to give away to Johnny Foreigner shows at The Klein Libertas and Assembly. WOW! You better let me know if you want them, cos there are only two sets. (I said that already, but I am trying to emphasise the urgency.)

I will run something of a competition closer to the time. For full tour dates, click here.

If you don't know who this Johnny Foreigner group are, click here.

Franz Ferdinand and Grizzly Bear pull off the Covers

2010-01-22T11:20:00.004+02:00

As you may have noticed by now, I enjoy a good cover. If not, I do. Click here for more covers.

Franz Ferdinand have got hold of Blondie's FAMOUS track, Call Me and rockified it. True story. It's pretty cool.

Grizzly Bear took Hot Chip's Boy From School track and made their own. It is very melancholic; like we would expect anything else from Grizzly Bear! I like.

Call Me (Blondie) :: Franz Ferdinand | zSHARE
Boy From School (Hot Chip Cover) :: Grizzly Bear | zSHARE

Wolfmother :: White Feather

2010-01-21T10:01:00.002+02:00

So Wolfmother released Cosmic Egg last year, an album I meant to buy while in Aus, but never got around to it. Unforgivable, I know.
In an attempt to promote their third single due out on 1 February, a number of remixes of White Feather (the track name), have been released. Check out the BURNS remix:

White Feather (BURNS remix) :: Wolfmother | zSHARE

Yoav

2010-01-19T13:47:00.003+02:00

This last weekend (16 January 2010) Yoav played at Assembly in Cape Town. Unfortunately for him, not too many people know who the talented young Israeli/South African guy is and so the venue was a little sparsely populated. All this said, he is one to watch. He's got his stuff up on iTunes, accessible through his Myspace where you will also find more music to sample.

His album is busy being mixed in LA (according to his webpage) and his site is being built again. (I think it's again, otherwise, for the first time.) Check the progress.

The 'Beautiful Lie' music video from 2007

Listen to rough demos here.

Hot Chip - more off One Life Stand

2010-01-19T13:28:00.003+02:00

As promised I have a couple more tracks to get you excited for the forthcoming hard-copy release of One Night Stand. They are super cool, but I think my favourite so far is still I Feel Better. Find it here.

So here we are:

Thieves In the Night :: Hot Chip | zSHARE

Brothers :: Hot Chip | zSHARE

(I had to remove the links; bummer! They don't seem to get that USA laws don't apply in SA. And to argue my case, I have to fax or snail-mail them. How archaic! Email me for the tracks.)

Lissie

2010-01-19T13:05:00.003+02:00

Mechiel Couvaras, a great musician in his own right forwarded me a link to some 'new' music. Lissie, a young lass from Lincoln, USA is an interesting folk artist (that's the genre I am giving her) with a country twist. It's actually quite similar to that of the depressing but excellent Laura Marling, the talented individual from the UK.

Have a listen and see what you think.

Look Away :: Lissie | zSHARE

Bonus track for comparison:

Tap At My Window :: Laura Marling | zSHARE

Lissie Myspace

More downloads from Lissie

Arcade Fire :: Haiti

2010-01-19T10:03:00.004+02:00

When I first saw that Arcade Fire had a track called Haiti, I was convinced they recorded it in the last few days in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the tragedy. But then I looked through my library and found that it was off their Funeral album, suitably named due to the deaths of band members' friends and family. This was released in 2004.

That said, Arcade Fire are doing their thing to help Haiti out. I copied this from their site:

"Friends,

Haiti needs your help in her darkest hour.

We just got off the phone with our friends at Partners in Health (Zanmi Lasanté).

Most of the medical infrastructure in Port-au-Prince is down.
Since Partners in Health's clinics are in situated the surrounding areas and haven't been damaged, they are mobilizing their resources towards
the capital, setting-up field hospitals to treat the injured on the ground.
Also, Paul Farmer (the founder of PIH) is at the UN and has access to the best information on where to direct the money... so for the moment
if you want to help, we suggest sending funds to:

www.pih.org
+ http://www.standwithhaiti.org/haiti

Volunteer Request
If you work in the medical sector, or know someone who does:
Surgical/trauma experience only | Stand With Haiti | Partners In Health

Canadian residents with Roger and Fido cell phones can text HELP to 1291. 5 $ will be directed to Partners In Health's Haiti emergency fund.

Please be generous as time is of the essence.

love,
Win and Regine

p.s.
these photos convey some of what is going on:
+ www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/earthquake_in_haiti.html"

As one might suspect, Haiti has made somewhat of a comeback to music blogs and the like.

Arcade Fire :: Haiti | zSHARE

Hot Chip :: One Life Stand (album out soon)

2010-01-15T10:03:00.003+02:00

So, by now we are getting excited for the first of next month. Why? Because the new Hot Chip is hitting the shelves. The digital album is already available on iTunes, but there is nothing like getting the hard copy of One Life Stand or any album for that matter.. I bought Made In The Dark, arguably not as amazing as The Warning, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It is quite chilled and makes for great background music (most of the album). Anyway, the album came with a DVD. It was them (Hot Chip) performing a few of their tracks from The Warning and Made In The Dark at some of the festivals they'd played. Some really good stuff. That was more than a year ago and I still watch the DVD from time to time.

One Life Stand is their first album in two years, so I think it's fair to say, they've had enough time to get some quality new stuff together.

Here's another taste:

Hand Me Down Your Love :: Hot Chip | zSHARE
I Feel Better :: Hot Chip | zSHARE

More from One Life Stand

The xx (more tracks)

2010-01-15T09:36:00.004+02:00

Seriously, who doesn't like The xx? I dare you to point out one sorry sod who doesn't feel the way I do for this band. The more I hear, the more I love. It's just audio happiness. Share in it. You know you want to. If you don't like it, you can delete it. Simple.

Infinity :: The xx | zSHARE
Infinity (Christian TV Bootleg remix) :: The xx | zSHARE

More from The xx

Lost A Girl :: New Young Pony Club

2010-01-13T13:05:00.006+02:00

Do you remember the Vice Magazine Launch at Assembly? Do you remember the New Young Pony Club DJ set by Lou Hayter? Woeful hey? Anyway, the reason we were all there, aside from the magazine launch, was because we love all things NYPC! Well, in hindsight, almost all things. But enough on that. They have a new album coming out!! The Optimist is due for release on 1 March 2010. This is big news.

In December they released their first single off the album, with an accompanying music video. Kyk.

Also, download the new single:

Lost A Girl :: New Young Pony Club | zSHARE

Metric, Vampire Weekend and Ellie Goulding do Covers

2010-01-12T13:30:00.006+02:00

Ellie Goulding is a name that has started to pop up more and more as people fall in love with what she does. I stumbled across two covers she's done, a Robyn cover with Erik Hassle and most notably a Bon Iver cover of his track Wolves. They are both pretty great and well worth the bandwidth.

Metric and Vampire Weekend really need no introductions. Metric has covered the Bob Dylan track, Don't Think Twice It's All Right while VW have gone to town on Radiohead's Exit Music.

Don't Think Twice It's All Right (Bob Dylan Cover) :: Metric | zSHARE
Exit Music (Radiohead Cover) :: Vampire Weekend | zSHARE
Be Mine (Robyn Cover) :: Erik Hassle and Ellie Goulding | zSHARE
Wolves (Bon Iver cover) :: Ellie Goulding | zSHARE

More covers

Vampire Weekend release Contra

2010-01-12T13:16:00.006+02:00

So in the States today (12 Jan) Vampire Weekend are finally releasing their much anticipated Contra album. Yes please. It was released in the UK on the 11th.

If you are interested in buying the album, but haven't heard enough to give you that final push in these times of economic turmoil, give the album a listen below.

Check out their first video off Contra, Cousins:

Here are a couple of songs to maybe get you in the Vampire Weekend mood off Contra:

Tracks removed because the WEB SHERIFF asked me nicely.

Bonus:
Exit Music (Radiohead Cover) :: Vampire Weekend | zSHARE

parkour motion reel

2010-01-11T14:03:00.001+02:00

parkour motion reel
Uploaded by yom_. - Watch original web videos.

So amazing and time consuming.

Originally tweeted by @jpleriche

Animal Collective :: Brothersport (new music video)

2010-01-11T13:52:00.004+02:00

Animal Collective just released their third single, Brothersport off the Merriweather Post Pavilion album.

Enough said.

Johnny Foreigner (UK) 'Choose yr side and shut up!' SA Tour

2010-01-11T13:08:00.006+02:00

A while back (April 08) I did an interview with legendary Pretoria based DJ and VJ (visual jockey) Ben Rausch for an issue of Chew Magazine. He mentioned among other things, that he would love to play with Johnny Foreigner, a largely unknown act (around these parts) from the UK. (And by play you know that I mean syncing visuals with music, right?)

[interview as it appeared in Chew Magazine]

It was exciting therefore, that Johnny Foreigner decided that a South African tour was on the cards. This is to take place in February. More than that, our very own Ben Raush or Sassquatch as he is known by his fans, is to play alongside them! So in collaboration MK and Griet Artists, Johnny Foreigner and Sassquatch will be performing in the following cities:

13th FEB - CAPE TOWN

17th FEB - STELLENBOSCH

19th FEB - PRETORIA

20th FEB - JOHANNESBURG

26th FEB - RAMFEST - MAIN STAGE - 20:00

I can only assume venues will be decided soon. If you know, let me know.

Griet also put together this enticing teaser to get you in the mood for a party:

In celebration of this awesome occasion, Johnny Foreigner put together an EP that they are using to publicise their venture to our sunny shores. This is a free download and comes with artwork and everything one needs to make a legit CD.

This Summer! South African Tour Promo :: Johnny Foreigner (EP)

Join the group for more information.

Maps

2010-01-05T13:12:00.003+02:00

Living in Cape Town, a pretty small city for those who've lived here most of here most of their lives, you find that maps are not really as necessary as an ipod and griffin are in your car set up. All you really need in Cape Town is the aforementioned ipod, a jack, time (for the unpredictable Cape Town traffic), your sunnys and a sense of adventure. Because lets face it, just how lost can you get in a city where the mountain is there to guide every decision you make?

When in Melbourne, you need a map for everything. Because the city is so flat and is soooo spread out, you can get lost if you only lose concentration momentarily. In Australia you need four types of maps (location depending obviously). You need a road map for when you drive. [Never before have a treasured an electronic map as much as I did my TomTom while I was driving from one side of Melbourne to the other, an hour and thirty minute drive I might add.] You need a train map so you get on the right line. You need a ferry map for Sydney's water transport system. And, you need a tram map in Melbourne so that you end up where you want to, rather than not.

Speaking of maps, have you heard Maps from Yeah Yeah Yeahs? Probably. Have you heard the acoustic version and the Arcade Fire cover of Maps? Probably not hey?

Maps - Arcade Fire | zSHARE

Maps (acoustic) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs | zSHARE

The xx

2010-01-04T13:08:00.004+02:00

The xx are a three piece out of the UK, London more specifically. While I was on my travels I was repeatedly told that I must listen to The xx. Friends' ipods played their tracks and I became accustomed to their rhythmic, mature sound. They released their debut album, xx in August '09 which has been met with two thumbs up from most critics. I stumbled across a few of their tracks on the interwebs. Here are three of the best. There are even elements of Animal Collective and Hot Chip sounding material in their music. The latter band is interesting, as The xx hail from the same school as Hot Chip. Tis great.
The xx Myspace.

Islands (Nosaj Thing Remix) | The xx (zSHARE)

Hot Like Fire | The xx (zSHARE)

Stars (Skinny Friedman DJ Edit) | The xx (zSHARE)

Australia

2010-01-04T10:07:00.002+02:00

So you may noticed blogging was a little slow in December. The truth is, I was on a well earned trip to Australia (Sydney and Melbourne) with friends. Winner. So that's the explanation.
I am so glad I was not sitting next to this guy! I promise to blog more this month.

Zebra & Giraffe - Assembly - Tonight

2009-12-29T10:05:00.005+02:00

Lets see if we can get back into this blogging thing. Zebra & Giraffe are playing their last show for the year. (WOW, a whole two days.)
Check out the invite.
Get tickets here and save!
Myspace
Facebook Page
Follow Greg Carlin on twitter: @zebraandgiraffe
Latest tweets:

[click to enlarge]

The Bedroom Philosopher

2009-12-17T09:12:00.005+02:00

In my last week in Melbourne, I got a chance to see a bizarre, but quite brilliant act, The Bedroom Philosopher. His sound is quite similar to that of Art Brut, but he is so much more than just a musician. His show is musically apt, but his comedy is really good. Fashioned by his knowledge of Melbourne culture, a lot of his humour required some previous knowledge of the city. Needless to say, I missed some of it. But other humour was constructed that was more universal, or just easily understood if one had spent any time in the city at all.

His set was long, but easily observed from the sitting position that everybody maintained around their small tables with glasses of overpriced whiskey or wine. Fun.

He ended the show with this song, 'I'm So Postmodern'. Watch the video. It's much better live, but this will suffice.

The Sartorialist

2009-12-12T04:31:00.005+02:00

Scott Schuman was in Melbourne the other day signing his new book, The Sartorialist based on his blog, The Sartorialist. I attended. It was quite a cool time. He is really short, not what I expected at all. Really quite interesting.
There were literally hundreds (maybe 1000s) of well dressed people lined up to get their books signed and steal a few words with their hero. He signed for about three hours while drinking glass after glass of Veuve Clicquot and San Pellegrino. Lifestyles of the rich and the famous. He wasn't complaining.

Die! Die! Die! & Villains of Wilhelm

2009-12-12T03:41:00.003+02:00

Villains of Wilhelm

So while I was in Sydney last week I went to see a couple of interesting bands. We caught a train and a bus through to Bondi and after asking a few locals, we found Beach Road Hotel. Villains of Whilhelm are an Australian replica of The Hives, we decided. The Brisbane band seemed as thought they'd taken one of the Hives albums and put Aussie lyrics to the existing melody and jammed. It was quite a treat.

We were excited for the traveling band and main attraction of the evening, Die! Die! Die! who had come over from from New Zealand and are touring Australia. I had seen this video of them, and I took it for granted that they had a chick vocalist.

I don't think I can be blamed.

Anyway, the poor lads (yeah, three dudes) were awful. We left half way through their set. That's been my Aussie music experience thus far. I missed The Presets, I am missing Yacht tonight, and I found out last night that Animal Collective is sold out. Bleak. I might have to resort to Jet.

My friend is having his Bachelor's tonight, so that's sweet as.

Lykke Li :: Will you still love me tomorrow (music video and mp3)

2009-11-23T18:57:00.003+02:00

Lykke Li is one of those you can't help but be drawn to. Her voice is captivating - I think it has something to do with the European accent she sings with? She is promoting her new single and giving it away. Check out her site for the very special music video and track. The track almost sounds like it was recorded a long long time ago. She accompanies her voice with only the backing of a stunningly proportioned piano sound.

lykkeli.com/promo

A IS FOR AWESOME tonight

2009-11-20T07:54:00.003+02:00

Hey! Don't forget the party of 2k9 tonight. If you're missing it, you're missing out.

Click the image for more details.

Bon Iver :: Re: Stacks (Tomas Barfod Remix)

2009-11-17T13:18:00.004+02:00

Every other person on twitter has been talking about what they've been doing (studying mostly) whilst listening to Bon Iver. And I can't say I blame them. His melancholic, folky music is quite special.

For those of you steeping yourself in the genius that is Bon Iver, try this remix on for size:

Bon Iver :: Re: Stacks (Tomas Barfod Remix) | zSHARE

The very deliberately sluggish way it builds is very appealing and seductive in nature.

Shadow Puppets, Katy Perry, Lily Allen and Dr Fox's Old Timey String Band attempt Covers

2009-11-16T13:24:00.005+02:00

I came across a number of wicked cool covers. There is something special about a cover by an artist you appreciate, especially if the cover is of a song you couldn't previously care for. Let's take S.O.S. from Rihanna for example. The Last Shadow Puppets did a rough cover of it, and now I think I kinda like the track.

S.O.S (Rihanna Cover) - The Last Shadow Puppets | zSHARE

Lily Allen and Kate Nash have a voices quite similar to one another, but unique in the greater music field. Lily Allen covers The Kook's Naive track. It's really great:

Naive (The Kooks Cover) - Lily Allen | zSHARE

Katy Perry took an interesting jab at Electric Feel by MGMT. I'm undecided.

Electric Feel (MGMT Cover) - Katy Perry | zSHARE

Dr Fox's Old Timey String Band did a sweet number on Kids (by MGMT).

Kids (MGMT) - Dr Fox's Old Timey String Band | zSHARE

Hot Chip - One Life Stand (new album)

2009-11-16T13:10:00.005+02:00

Hot Chip are set to release their fourth album in February 2010, One Life Stand. I think it will be a winner, but then again, Hot Chip are not in the habit of disappointing.

One Life Stand tracklisting:

"Thieves In The Night"
"Hand Me Down Your Love"
"I Feel Better"
"One Life Stand"
"Brothers"
"Slush"
"Alley Cats"
"We Have Love"
"Keep Quiet"
"Take It In"

Have a listen to Take It In to get a taste:

Take It In - Hot Chip | zSHARE

30 Seconds to Mars :: Kings & Queens (music video)

2009-11-12T13:55:00.004+02:00

I am not really a huge fan of Jared Leto's work, but this is something special. @charnyewest posted this on his twitter:

30 seconds to softy? new 30 sec seems similar
to U2..complete with vague,
spiritual lyrics...hmm...
christian buy in?http://bit.ly/13w802

I'm still unsure of what to make of it?

W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E. :: Wale ft. Justice

2009-11-12T13:27:00.004+02:00

Justice are one of my favourite electro duo-artists. Hip-Hop is arguably my worst genre. Great start to a post, right? Well, the collaboration of one of my favourite genres with one of my worst has resulted in something rather tasteful, if a healthy blend of electro and rap can be rendered tasteful. Wale, an artist I have been unfamiliar with until now has mixed Justice's D.A.N.C.E. and rapped over it. If you can look past the swearing and typical hip-hop genre content, you might enjoy the song. Watch his video below. If you've seen the original D.A.N.C.E. Video, you will appreciate the similarity.

W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E. :: Wale ft. Justice | zSHARE

Muse :: Undisclosed Desires (Thin White Duke Remix)

2009-11-12T13:10:00.003+02:00

Muse's album, The Resistance, has been hit with mixed reviews ranging from great to worse than Black Holes And Revelations. I would be faster to agree with the first opinion. That said, as I commented on a previous review I read, it is certainly no Absolution, but I am appreciating the experimental journey on which it seems Bellamy is taking the band.

Here is a remix I stumbled across of Undisclosed Desires off The Resistance. It gives the track more of a head bobbing feel than the original. Purists may be offended:

Muse :: Undisclosed Desires (Thin White Duke Remix) | zSHARE

Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa :: Hot Chip & Peter Gabriel

2009-11-10T13:36:00.004+02:00

Yip, Peter Gabriel from Genesis. He recorded with Hot Chip on this Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa cover. I'd be pretty honoured if I was a member of Vampire Weekend. This is not Pete's first exposure to 'African' music however. He covered Shosholoza for The Gods Must Be Crazy when I was a kid. This cover is really special for anyone with the sense enough to enjoy VW. Listen out for the yelping puppy.

Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (Vampire Weekend Cover) :: Hot Chip & Peter Gabriel | zSHARE

Bonus mp3 (without Fabio Pop's Dancefloor Rework):

Psychic City (Classixx Remix) :: Yacht | zSHARE

Phoenix :: 1901 Bo Flex'd (Passion Pit Remix)

2009-11-10T13:18:00.003+02:00

Just when you think something has been remixed to death and nothing unique or good can come from ANOTHER remix, Passion Pit smacks us with a pearl.

1901 Bo Flex'd (Passion Pit Remix) :: Phoenix | zSHARE

Bonus mp3 (without Fabio Pop's Dancefloor Rework):

Psychic City (Classixx Remix) :: Yacht | zSHARE

Grizzly Bear - Ready Able (music video)

2009-11-10T07:00:00.001+02:00

If you haven't yet seen GB's video, Ready Able, you must.

A IS FOR AWESOME #2

2009-11-09T15:33:00.007+02:00

Last Year, the rain poured, the cars slid and the cold reached my bones. But I got there. Where? astore and we-are-awesome threw what they called, A is for Awesome, a party for Cape Town's scenesters. Even though the weather placed something of a dampener on proceedings, the place was packed out. Check out pics from last year's event - a is for awesome.

This year, things have escalated somewhat. ADIDAS ObyO are on board to ensure a wicked cool African beat fest.

The lineup includes:

- Gazelle (Live)

- Desmond and the Tutu's (DJ Set - Shane Durrant)

- Haasbroek

- We-Are-Awesome DJ's (Andrew and Sean)

- Radio Elite

Party of 2k9? I don't know, but I reckon it's going to be pretty epic by Cape Town's standards.

When: 20 November 2009

Address: Tafelberg Tavern, 105 Hope Street, Cape Town

More info on Facebook.

Grizzly Bear are everywhere

2009-11-09T13:53:00.006+02:00

Grizzly Bear are rising to Stardom. Deep Blue Sea featured on the prestigious Dark Was The Night compilation, Veckatimest has been one of 2009's greatest albums and their new video, Ready Able, is bizarre, but great - they use plasticine in motion to tell a story.

Their track featuring Victoria Legrand, Slow Life, is part of the New Moon Soundtrack, a compilation that even grown men are considering purchasing for the unsurpassed calibre of music. Plans are in place to send fourteen year old siblings into record stores to grab the Pattinson covered CD along with the promotional poster - don't forget the poster!

Slow Life (Feat. Victoria Legrand) :: Grizzly Bear | zShare

Bonus track:

Service Bell :: Grizzly Bear & Feist | zShare

Psychic City (Classixx Remix-Fabio Pop Dancefloor Rework) :: Yacht

2009-11-09T13:32:00.004+02:00

By now, you may be aware that I have a new found love - Yacht. I am really getting into their music and am looking forward to seeing them in Aus at the end of the year.

Their track Psychic City has received something of a revamp, one that you anticipate and hope will continue a lot longer that it ends up doing. Nonetheless, this chilled melancholic track is very enjoyable.

Psychic City (Classixx Remix-Fabio Pop Dancefloor Rework) :: Yacht | zShare

Electro Monday - KiD CuDi ft. MGMT & Ratatat

2009-11-09T13:11:00.004+02:00

The plan over a weekend is always to catch up on sleep and what-not in time to have awesome energy levels come Monday morning to ensure a GIANT elevation in productivity. This invariably never happens and caffeine is systematically pumped into the bloodstream at intervals throughout the day to maintain consciousness, much like our smoking counterparts who are the first to alert you to tea-time with the words, 'smoke break!' as they dash out the door to get their fix.

All this to say, that the addition of music to this system could be the difference between managing to get through the day and kicking proverbial ass in the office. Take a listen:

'Pursuit of Happiness' (Benny Benassi Remix) :: KiD CuDi ft. MGMT & Ratatat | zShare

Jay-Z, Alicia and GaGa

2009-11-06T12:59:00.004+02:00

Jay-Z and Lady GaGa have been appearing on more and more respected sites across the known blogosphere. And so, in an attempt to not neglect my mainstream music lovers, check out these tracks from the two of them. Alicia even collaborated with Jay-Z for their mix. For my pretentious 'indie' readers, you might even like the Jay-Z one.

Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys) :: Jay-Z (zShare)

Bad Romance (Prod. by RedOne) :: Lady GaGa (zShare)

The Members, #7: Andrew Mckellar

2009-11-05T22:03:00.006+02:00

It's been a while since I updated The Members series I did. Andrew Mckellar, the guitarist from Civil Twilight, the best band by far to leave South Africa's shores was interviewed by Ultimate Guitar.

With all the fanfare being spun around 2008’s Twilight movie, it is easy to presume that the melodic rock outfit Civil Twilight adopted their name from the movie, but in fact the rock trio originally from Cape Town, South Africa took their name from the aviation term for the time of night when only the brightest stars are visible. The band members, who consist of lead singer/bassist/pianist Steve McKeller, his brother and guitarist in the band Andrew McKeller, and their good friend Rich Wouters on drums, gravitated to each other due to their musical compatibility. Since 1996, they have been gradually been building momentum in commercial markets and establishing a steady fanbase whom they can count on for support.

Civil Twilight released their debut album Human in 2007. They were lucky enough to be picked up by a TV and Film placement company based in Los Angeles who placed a few of their songs in prominent television shows and major films. Wind-Up Records liked what they heard. They signed Civil Twilight and released the band’s self-titled sophomore release in March 2009. The band is presently on tour where guitarist Andrew McKeller was generous enough to answer some questions for Ultimate-Guitar.com.

UG: What brought the members of Civil Twilight together?

Andrew McKeller: We all grew up in the same small town in South Africa and attended school together. Rich and I were in the same grade and one day decided to start jamming together. We later brought my younger brother Steve to practice and he eventually became the singer and bass player. I'm grateful for those early series of events. We would be no where if we didn't have Steve on board. I guess it's a small mystery why we are still together. We respect each-other, which helps and we have all shared a lot of challenging times. Moving to the States with nothing and having to survive, we all lived in a hot sweaty garage and shared a car for years. We even shared a cell-phone for almost a year. Through all that you learn another level of respect.

Who came up with the name of the band?

The name came from a list of aviation terms we had been looking through. We were a little inspired by the band name Wilco, also an aviation term. Out of all the names we were looking through, Civil Twilight seemed to stick out. Its definition is a certain time of twilight when only the brightest stars are visible. I don't think any of us really have a strong connection to the name. We just liked it and decided to use it.

"I guess it's a small mystery why we are still together."

Who were some of you musical influences while growing up?

Bands like Oasis, Silverchair, Reef etc. were mine and Steve’s first introduction to music that made me want to listen and hear more and ultimately made me want to play guitar. As a young teenager I related very quickly to the angst and attitude in the music. I couldn't give a shit what they were saying but I could feel the passion and I wanted to somehow create that. Music is a very emotional medium for me. The very fact that just the sound of a guitar can make you want to break something or make you cry is still incredible to me. Bands like Rage Against The Machine or more specifically Tom Morello or Jack White can create music that gives you a sense of power and invulnerability just from the notes they choose to play. Or someone like Jeff Buckley who can make you feel his desperation and sensitivity by what he plays. I think I've always been attracted to music that stirs me and the mystery of it.

What was it like growing up in Cape Town, South Africa?

Cape Town is a very beautiful place with a very diverse culture. White sandy beaches and mountains surround the city and we spent most of our time outside. As many people know, South Africa has had a very shameful history of segregation. We were lucky enough to have great parents who were against what was happening at the time. Our perspective growing up was that of equality and respect for all people. South Africa has an incredible mix of people, and therefore music, and we all grew an appreciation for that. South African bands like Johnny Clegg and Ladysmith Black Mambazo were great. And the jazz scene too had a very unique flavor which I still enjoy. Elements of all that can be heard on more commercial albums like Paul Simons [record] Graceland, which included some South African musicians. I have a great appreciation for different cultures and what they all bring to society.
I feel very privileged to have grown up there.

What was the impetus for making your first record Human? Where did those songs come from, and what made you feel ready to release them to the public?

Well, we recorded that album pretty quick and it was a reflection of what we felt at the time. We had been writing a lot and went into the studio and pretty much played everything live. Songs like “Human” were done completely live with no overdubs. Once it was all done we didn't really think there was much of an option but to release it. And at the time we were still unsigned and wanted something we could tour with and sell. We got the interest of a TV and film placement company in LA who got us placements on “House,” “Without A Trace” and the new “Terminator” series. And eventually the interest of Wind-Up Records who signed us in mid 2008.

How did the music industry respond to Human?

The only real avenue we had to sell the record was at shows, and we set up an online store where you could buy the record for $5 or download it for free if you wanted to. We just wanted to get our music our there and thought if it was available for free, people who didn't want to spend the $5 could just get it. We encouraged everyone to buy it if they liked it. As far as the industry goes, we had a few reviews online and in magazines but our biggest response has been from the TV/Film industry. They gave us a chance to be in front of a lot of people and we gained a few new fans from that.

How did you meet David Kosten and what was it like working with him on your self-titled recording released earlier in 2009?

David was great. We had such a relaxed, fun time working with him. He had some great ideas and pushed us a bit to think outside of the box. We were given a list of producers from Wind-Up and really liked what he was doing. The Bat For Lashes stuff was great as well as his own stuff under Faultline. So it was a no brainer when we had to choose. I hope we get to work with him again in the future.

"Its definition is a certain time of twilight when only the brightest stars are visible."

What was the inspiration for the song “Letters In The Sky”? How did this song evolve and when did the band know it sounded the way you wanted it to on the album?

This song was written in the studio. I remember hearing Steve playing a riff on the piano and I really liked it, so we all got into the live room and started playing with him. We jammed it out a couple times and it all came together pretty quick. There was a vibe there already and we just reinforced it. It's a love story about a man in a prison camp who is dreaming of being free and seeing his loved one again. We didn't think too hard about this, but the dynamics of the music seemed to fit perfectly with the story.

What elements do you look for in you songs? What do you listen for when you are developing the songs?

The process was very natural. We would jam for hours on end and listen back to elements we liked and construct songs from those. At the time there wasn't much of a conscience effort to have a theme or particular mood for the album. Once listening back to what we were working on we tried to make sure that the songs had an emotion to them. A song like “Human” was written by Steve while we were in South Africa visiting the family. When he played it to us in the studio one day we knew right away that we had to record it and put it on the album. It spoke to all of us and continues to speak to me.

UG: What is next for Civil Twilight?

That’s a good question. Well, we are touring right not and will continue to do that for a while. It has been very exciting traveling around America and playing. We are continuing to write new material and be inspired by what we hear and do. Trying to be a better band is one of the next steps, I guess. The music industry is a very different place these days, so we are always trying to think of new ways of making this band a success, whatever that means. But success for us, I think, is more about getting to do what we love, being creative and making music we are proud of.

[Original Source]

Click here for more on Civil Twilight.

Trash Yourself :: new remixes

2009-11-05T10:12:00.004+02:00

Just before heading to Europe, John Bourke sent me a few tracks. There is a mixture of Bloody Beetroots type heavy electro, Jay-Z gangsta rap and some other stuff. Enjoy:

Straaatch - We Got (Trash Yourself Remix)

Fire for Effect - Sugar (Trash Yourself Remix)

Trash Yourself & The Toxic Avenger - Die (GTRONIC DubDub Remix)

Trash Yourself & The Toxic Avenger - Die (Lazy Ants Remix)

Trash Yourself & The Toxic Avenger - Die (The Bulgarian Death by Remix)

Trash Yourself - Forget It (DJ Loli This Kiss Remix)

How nice, no zShare folders. Simply right click, save link as... and voila.

Thriller (Michael Jackson Cover) :: Imogen Heap

2009-11-04T13:30:00.005+02:00

With all the Michael Jackson paraphernalia going down, it's a band wagon that cannot be ignored any longer. Imogen Heap is responsible for one of the greatest covers of any of the late MJ's work. I have been listening to her version of Thriller for the last few days, an I am convinced, she has be rewarded. But what reward can be greater than a post on Smack Talk you ask? It's a good question; I don't have an answer. Sorry. While I brainstorm, grab this track and listen you ears stukkend.

Thriller (Michael Jackson Cover) :: Imogen Heap (zShare)

Bonus mp3. Thriller (Louis La Roche Remix) :: Michael Jackson (zShare)

Imogen Heap has a new album out. It's called Ellipse.

La Roux :: I'm Not Your Toy (Jack Beats Remix)

2009-10-30T13:16:00.004+02:00

Everyone has now heard of La Roux. She is rather large and over-remixed. Why over-remixed? Well if you download the track below, you will hear what I mean. It has been changed to the point, that Jack Beats could have easily got away with changing the lyrics and calling it his own song. True story. That's not to say for a minute though that I disapprove of the track. I think it would fit in perfectly with most of the beats I imagine are played in Claremont. I got your back - Jocks are people too. For a La Roux mash-up of note with the Killers, click here.

La Roux :: I'm Not Your Toy (Jack Beats Remix) (zShare)

Metric :: Help I'm Alive (80kidz remix)

2009-10-30T13:07:00.004+02:00

So, as stated before, Metric's latest release (Fantasies) is awesome. Today they released a remix. It seems as though 80kidz have got hold of Help I'm Alive as has every major DJ, and played around with it just a little. It has a little somethin-somethin. Give it a whirl.

Metric :: Help I'm Alive (80kidz remix) (zShare)

Bloc Party :: Hunting for Witches (Crystal Castles)

2009-10-30T12:59:00.003+02:00

Hunting for Witches was one of Bloc Party's giant tracks off Weekend In The City. I first heard Crystal Castles when I got their self titled album. I loved (among others) Crimewave (Crystal Castles VS Health). It is a winner. I stumbled across this remix, and I knew I had to have it.

Without further adieu:

Bloc Party :: Hunting for Witches (Crystal Castles) (zShare)

Yacht

2009-10-26T14:43:00.006+02:00

When someone tells me that such-and-such-a-band are going to be playing in Melbourne when i am going to be there, and I haven't really heard too much about them, I do some research. I have now listened to bits and pieces and am getting pretty freaking excited to see them perform.

Yacht, this wonder duo from the US got hold of Phoenix's track, Armistice off their ridiculously huge album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.

Armistice (YACHT Remix) - Phoenix (zShare)

I am going to see them on 12 December in Melbourne.

Myspace

Site

Originals, Remixes, Covers and All Round Happiness

2009-10-26T13:45:00.003+02:00

Over the last few days (or week) I have been fortuitous enough to stumble across some very cool tracks. I thought I would share.

La Roux have been all over, making them one of the fastest sellout bands I have heard. They have been mashed with 'original sellout' boys, The Killers. It's actually a pretty cool mash-up. Take a listen:

Smile like you're bulletproof - The Killers vs La Roux (zShare)

Katy Perry seems to be getting her music on with every major electro act (I think particularly back to her mixing it up with Calvin Harris on the song, Waking up in Vegas). Now Boys Noize have collabed with Perry:

Katy On Boys (Katy Perry vs Boys Noize) - Dunproofin' (zShare)

So Metric's new album is such a winner. Fantasies has attracted a lot of acclaim from top music critics. They have also allowed for some sweet downloads of acoustic and on occasions, original versions of the songs from the album.

Gimme Sympathy - Metric (zShare)

Hot Chip's album, Made in the Dark disappointed a lot of people as it was way more chilled than their previous attempt, The Warning. One of the tracks that was remixed to death was their single, Ready for the Floor, a more upbeat club track. Lissy Trullie has gone one better (because there are only so many remixes that can be made of a song before it's just not recognisable). She's done a cover.

Ready For The Floor (Hot Chip Cover) - Lissy Trullie (zShare)

Enjoy kids. I know I have.

The Eigenharp

2009-10-21T11:11:00.004+02:00

So, one of the world's newest instruments has been launched. The Eigenharp is a very interesting music making device that might be the sound of the future. It retails for $5,8k, so there is no rush to purchase it.

This bizarre instrument is part woodwind, part drum and part piano. It can be blown, tapped and stroked to make sweet sounds, or you know, not so sweet sounds if you suck at playing it. (For the record, there was no innuendo intended for this last sentence.)

The Eigenharp is the brainchild of John Lambert, a musician and software entrepreneur, whose Devon-based team has been working on the project for eight years. He got tired of setting up loads of instruments every time he played a gig.

If you want to see this piece of magic in action, click here.

Beatenberg: The New NICE

2009-10-20T13:14:00.002+02:00

Over the weekend, I was fortuitous enough to stumble across a Beatenberg gig. I kinda crashed a birthday party where they were playing. They were unfortunately already halfway through their set when I arrived, but the few songs I did catch, I couldn't help but be reminded a little of Vampire Weekend. They were refreshing, fun, and had a wicked cool conversational stage presence.

Check out their Myspace. They have a couple of cool songs on there that I have listened to on repeat.

Also, Robin (the drummer) sent me this track for you to download:

In B Flat - Beatenberg

Up Coming Shows:

Oct 24 2009

8:00P

Obz Cafe

Cape Town

Oct 28 2009

9:00P

The Assembly (Annex)

Cape Town

Oct 31 2009

9:00P

Hectic on Hope

Cape Town

Nov 3 2009

9:00P

The Waiting Room

Cape Town

Nov 6 2009

8:00P

The Intimate Theatre

Cape Town

Nov 7 2009

8:00P

& Union

Cape Town

Dec 9 2009

9:00P

The Assembly

Cape Town

Ashtray Electric Outplay Dirty Skirts

2009-10-19T13:56:00.003+02:00

Rudi

Ashtray Electric and the Dirty Skirts played on Saturday night at Assembly. It was a good party. AE kicked things off with one of their best sets that I’ve seen. Unfortunately, Dirty Skirts open for no-one. As a result a nearly half full Assembly venue got to enjoy what the entire place should have been fortuned to witness – an energy sapping, musically extravagant act where their was never a thought that the lads were ‘going through the motions’. One thing is guaranteed at an AE show, you will witness them having fun on stage and interacting with the crowd. For all the love and fame they have acquired, they are still humble, level headed oakes who love music and can be seen chatting with almost anyone prior to or after a show.

Andre

Then Dirty Skirts came on and sang a few songs that went something like, “Woooooaaaah, Woooooooaaaaaaaaah” and on occasions, they threw in the odd “Cape Town!” for good measure, just in case anyone wonders where they are from. I didn’t enjoy their show and haven’t since they took a six month break from playing CT clubs to record their latest album. That was a long while ago.

Jeremy singing, "Woooaaah Cape Town!"

Photographs curtesy of the lovely (and now really bald) LizeKay. Follow her rants on twitter and check out her blog.

The Dirty Skirts and Ashtray Electric @Assembly tomorrow night

2009-10-16T13:11:00.004+02:00

This will be this weekend's highlight I reckon. Ashtray and Skirts face-off. Get your tickets now.

More information here.

Arctic Monkeys X Dizzee Rascal

2009-10-16T10:09:00.002+02:00

I have posted this song already, but I feel the need to emphasize the track in the title of the post.

Arctic Monkeys: it's as if everything they touch turns to gold. They teamed up with Dizzee Rascal known rather for a genre of 'music' I would not even like to name on my blog. (Yes, I am that pretentious.) But it's a great track.

Temptation Greets You Like A Naughty Friend w/ Dizzee Rascal - Arctic Monkeys (zShare)

They also launched the Cornerstone video yesterday. Apparently it's pretty average. I haven't had a chance to watch it yet.