Last Song this week was Mr Little Jeans cover of “The Suburbs” originally by Arcade Fire.
Hailing from Norway, Mr Little Jeans, AKA Monica Birkenes, is one part sweet vocals with lovely harmonies (think 60′s, but not quite so saccharin sweet, a little more honest sounding), add some bouncy percussion, a touch of elecro production and a shadow of indie rock. Taking her nom de plume from a character in Wes Anderson’s film Rushmore, you would never guess what youre getting into just by the name.
This version takes Arcade Fires epic to a whole other level, bringing a sense of laid back tension, with lots of spaces and pops. It’s dark and heavy, and yet sounds like it can all just float away in an instant. For me, this song is the epitome of Chill Wave, and is the sound of how a Lazy Sunday should be.
I have also included the video for the original track. If you havent seen it, please do. It brought chills down my spine in the best way possible.
This weeks last song is Bone Dry by AB and the Sea.
With heavy influences from The Beach Boys and the Beatles, its not a surprise that I’m and huge fan of AB and the Sea. Started by Koley O’Brien and Joe Spargur way out in Wisconsin in 2008, they currently call San Francisco home. The honest lyrics, sweet vocals and charming harmonies just make me smile and shimmy around with a rather stupid smile on my face. They have played with The Morning Benders (another Last Song Alumni) and are set to play at San Franciscos premier Indie Club Popscene (which I am gutted at not being able to go to.)
Looks like the boys are gathering speed back in California and I wish them all the best.
The Last Song this week is one that i sometimes forget. and then i’ll be walking along, listing to music and it just builds and im floored, like i am every time i hear it, by just how perfect it is.
i give you Sleep Deprivation by Simian Mobile Disco.
Freaking amazing.
SMD primarily a production and remix team made of James Ford and Jas Shaw of the band Simian, however their original material is gorgeous. Based out of the UK, they are known for the analog style and mindblowing live shows. i had the good sense to see them at the Roundhouse for the iTunes festival a fest years ago and my jaw was on the floor for most of the gig. They spend the entire show running around all this equipment, physically bending and creating much of what you hear. and then the lasers, which were everywhere. not something I’ll forget for a long time.
Sleep Deprivation builds and just keeps getting deeper. Is it my favorite SMD song? i dont know. but i’ll tell you one thing: its one hell of a contender.
ok, so im way behind.
life has happened and ive been buried under a mountain of work, but heres a quick Last Song for you’all.
He looks so normal, doesnt he?
The Last Song this week was a cover of Radioheads Karma Police, by John Vanderslice.
Currently hailing from San Francisco, Vanderslice is not that well known. He used to play in a group called Mk Ultra, but now mainly does solo stuff. Having a bit of a political bent (not generally my thing), he has quite a few tracks that are heavily influenced by the 9/11 attacks and the Green Zone in Baghdad. His songs however are beautiful, and i have not yet heard one i dont like.
Karma Police is one of the small handful of songs that can bring me to tears with in seconds. i hear that opening piano line and… yeah. im sometimes a sap. This version is stripped down and raw. and completely different. and still beautiful.
so this is a non music related post. but a rather important one.
this last week at the club a very sweet girl passed out with alcohol poisoning. not good. i really hope shes ok.
we all party. we all drink. sometimes more then other. just please please please keep an eye out for eachother and yourselves, ok? drink water every now and again. remember that it takes a bit for the boosze to hit you.
This song is actually a week behind. Life happened. Sorry. anywho! The Last Song is a cover (again) of The Cardigans’ Lovefool recorded by the ever charming Morning Benders.
The Morning Benders originally hail from my old neck of the woods, The Bay Area of San Francisco. Berkeley, to be specific. I remember them from around the old scene and had a friend who played drums. Always enjoyable, they got a bit of attention and were signed to Rough Trade Records. They’ve been on tour with Death Cab For Cutie, Broken Bells, The Kooks, and Grizzly Bear.
They released a few EPs and by now a couple full lengths. Back in 2008 they put forth the Bedroom Covers EP, filled with adorable covers including songs from The Smiths, Talking Heads, Velvet Underground and Fleetwood Mac. And the best part? They gave it away for Free.
They have since moved over to the mecca of cool that is Brooklyn NYC, but im sure they are still Bay Area boys at heart.
I’ve actually played this cover a few times at the end of the night. I think it just sets people off with a smile.
The Last Song for this week was a remix of a cover. go figure, right? Crystallized (originally by The XX) covered by Gorillaz and remixed by J Thunder. phew.
We all know and (mostly) love The XX. but lets recap: London based 3 peice, formed in 2005, but didnt really start doing anything until 2009 when they became the band of the year. a festival favorite, they were constantly on tour in 2009 with their self produced debut record, S/T released in August. Their music is often described as “goth, indie, rock, new wave,” and a whole bunch of other labels. They recently won the Mercury Prize in September 2010.
Gorillaz is a band that reminds me of 10 years ago. and then 5 years ago. and then here i am, with them on my playlist. Started by musician Damon Albarn of Blur and cartoonist Jamie Hewlett (Writer of Tank Girl), Gorillaz is a “Fictional Band.” They started in 1998, selling 7 million copies of the S/T record which was put forth in 2001. They were nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2001, however the nom was withdrawn at the bands request. After 3 hugely successful studio albums, they are still going strong.
The remix artist on this track, J Thunder, i can find nothing on. zero. as far as i can tell from what the internet tells me, he (she?) doesnt exist. This may be the only thing they’ve done. If you find anything, let me know?
The end result is this track. its moody, and great. there are this little chimes that i really like.
Beautiful vocals, a bit of a disco beat, a touch dirty synth and loads of energy.
This weeks Last Song is The Kids are Radioactive‘s remix of Can You Tell by Ra Ra Riot.
i was really into Ra Ra Riot a few years ago. The caught a bit of the Bright Eyes, Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend wave, with honest vocals, harmonized string string sections and charming melodies.
From Syracuse, New York, they first gained attention in early 2006 playing around Syracuse University. They quickly became known for their energetic live performances and within a year of having formed they were picked up by V2 Records. They were a festival favorite and have played South by Southwest Music Conference (SXSW), The Iceland Airwaves Festival, and the Seaport Music Festival, as well as toured with The Editors and Tokyo Police Club.
Tragedy struck the band in early 2007. After played a gig Fairhaven, Massachusetts, the drummer went missing, only to have his body found the next day. It is believed that he drowned in Buzzards Bay which was nearby.
In 2008, Ra Ra Riot signed onto Barsuk Records and in August of that year they released their first full length, The Rhumb Line. in 2009, they made a rather charming video for Can You Tell, which accompanied a release of a collection of remixes of the same song.
In 2010, they released their sophomoric record, The Orchard. 10 of the tracks were mixed by Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla, and one mixed by Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij.
The other half of why this track is so great is The Kids Are Radioactive, aka Jordan Elliot, a 19 year old rising DJ from LA. Hes done some really interesting remixes, as well as some great original material. Signed to Binary Collective in 2007, he was the youngest artist on their roster at the ripe young age of 17.
All i can do is think back and wonder what the hell was i doing at that age.
heres a link to the remix (too big to upload!) and the original video.
The Last Song this was Tighten Up by The Black Keys.
i find this song just so sexy. it makes me just want to slither up next to someone at a bar and make eyes at them. go running through the rain on a hot night and make out on a front porch. driving through the countryside and just having that chemistry ringing through the silence.
The Black Keys are from Ohio. The name come The artist Alfred McMoore who used the phrase “black key” to indicate something was ‘off-center’ or ‘not quite right. Having released 6 records, they formed in 2001, recently being nominated for 4 Grammys including Best Rock Song and Best Alternative Album. The Black Keys consist of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney.
They have been in my periphery for years, but i always wrote them off as “too blues-y.” I was a fool. They are awesome.
The Last Song last week brought together two other favorites into one amazing track. it was What Starry Eyes Know by Neon Hitch.
Yes, her name is really Neon (she blames it on her parents being hippys). She spent most of her life growing up as a Gypsy and traveling around everywhere, and you can hear it in her music. Having worked with some major names (Imogen Heap, Ke$ha, Mike Posner, 3OH!3, Bruno Mars, Jason Derulo, Cathy Dennis, Greg Kirsten, Ryan Tedder, Rivers Coumo, David Brook, Sky Ferreira to name a few) before even having a record out, i think she is set to take over the world. with a querky personality and a great voice, i cant wait.
Take Ellie Goulding’s Starry Eyes and Two Door Cinema Club’s What You Know, combine them, add a little flair and an electro beat and ta da! an amazing new track.
check it out and enjoy.
the file i have isnt uploading, but you can grab the track here for free!
