Filed under: Single Reviews | Tags: Architecture In Helsinki, Black Rice, Brew Barrymore, Diplo, El Guincho, I Will Never Love You More, Like It or Not, My First Radio, Progress, SoKo, Women
It’s been a long time coming, so I figured I’d get on the ball and make a third installment of “Five Songs to Check Out”. These songs have been on my iPod for a good part of the past month. So I thought I’d post them finally. And they are:
Women – Black Rice There’s something eerily similar to Animal Collective about this work. “Black Rice” sounds like it could be the tenth track to Strawberry Jam. And what’s wrong with that? Women’s debut, self-titled album is due out in mid July and I can’t wait for it to come. DOWNLOAD
My First Radio – Progress It wasn’t too long ago I wrote up a review for My First Radio. Fast forward a few months and MFR is at it again, with two new singles. Unfortunately, you’ll just have to wait for the second one. For now, we’ve got “Progress”, a sound unlike anything MFR has previously done. DOWNLOAD
Diplo – Brew Barrymore Usually when I want to calm down and relax after a tough day, my initial thought is not club music. But Diplo has managed to pull off one of the greatest electric relaxation mixes of all time. Not that many exist, but still, that’s not to take anything from Diplo. DOWNLOAD
SoKo – I Will Never Love You More It seems I have a thing for girls with soft songs, and funny, yet cute, accents. Naturally, SoKo is next in that lineup. With previous hits like “I’ll Kill Her” and now this song, she seems like a tough cookie to love, and yet it’s so easy to do so. Damn her! DOWNLOAD
Architecture In Helsinki – Like It or Not (El Guincho Remix) Here’s a new remix from El Guincho, taken from Architecture In Helsinki’s Like it or Not EP. I’ll be honest, I’ve never heard the original, but my verdict upon initial listen is that this dude needs to do more remixes, because this is just class. DOWNLOAD
It’s here! And in case you don’t read big, bold headlines, it’s an interview with Kathryn Bint of One Little Plane. (NOTE: This is my first interview, which explains the suckiness of my questions)
You are about to put out your new album, Until, in late June. How’s that going and what can we expect?
It’s quite an exciting time. My album comes out June 30th. I will be playing an album launch show [see above, crane your neck] and will be playing a few festivals this summer like Field Day and the Green Man festival.
Of the songs that you’ve made, which one means the most to you?
I think its hard to really say which one means the most. They all mean very particular things to me from various moments and times in my life. I think generally, they each teach me something, whether about song writing and about the experience I am trying to convey or the story I’m telling. In that way, they are all quite essential.
What, or who, would you say is the main influence on your music?
At the moment, I’ve been reading lots of books and being force fed a lot of minimal techno by my boyfriend. As for a main influence, I think I’m always really inspired by song writers who have the ability to write songs that sum up the experiences of many.
Any plans for record deals in the near future?
Yes, hopefully. It would be lovely if some labels from other countries would be interested in picking up the record, especially in the US.
I understand you moved to London from Chicago. Was it a culture shock?
I did move from Chicago to London and yes, it was a bit of a culture shock. There are a few things that I’ve embraced whole heartedly like tea and saying “Wicked,” and I really love the music scene in London, but I desperately miss the open spaces of America and going to a local coffee shop.
Your web presence doesn’t offer much biographical info. How did One Little Plane come to be?
When I moved to London, I found myself surrounded by so many musicians. It just seemed like a natural progression. I’ve always been drawn to making music and writing songs. I think being around people who inspired that and who kicked my ass to actually get it done was probably very essential in finishing the album. I wanted to make music that told a very personal story and yet, embraced the other elements of music that I love.
While we’re on the topic of One Little Plane’s origins, where did the name come from?
The name was inspired from and old 1940’s Disney cartoon called Saludos Amigos. One of the story lines is about a baby plane.
What has been your brightest memory so far in your career?
I think probably playing my first OLP gig. It was at this amazing sea side festival called Homegame, up in Anstruther, Scotland. It’s a beautiful little village with a wonderful sense of community. There is this great label called Fence Records from there who organises it and puts out some lovely records. I played in a town hall that was covered with old pictures and fishing equipment. I was so nervous and the audience was so kind.
I assume you have a bit of downtime when not playing gigs or recording, so what do you like to do when you have time to do stuff?
Make tea, read books, hang out with friends, travel around, listen to music…
Considering the ridiculous amounts of traffic I get from people Googling for M.I.A.’s new clothing line, I figured you might get a kick out of this. Remember when I wrote:
“Fortunately, I and everyone else who’s had to get their eyes checked, can rest assured in the fact that her shirts can’t flash and/or blink. Oh god, did I just give her a new idea?”
Ummm… (more…)
The jury’s still out, but my mind is made up. I don’t have the experience and know-how to accurately predict what will make it in this industry and what won’t, so I won’t pretend to. I do, however, know what aspects of music appeal most to me, and Croydon’s Pressure Drop has it. But everyone doesn’t see it like I do. In fact, many are practically calling for their heads saying it’s, “absolutely awful, unoriginal, droney, non-musical, shite.” And of course, we have my personal favorite, “Being caught performing autofellatio by my mum seems preferable to hearing ‘Peroxide Dreams’ again.” But, then there’s the other side of town claiming Pressure Drop’s the only way we can avoid an apocalypse. It’s truly a love-hate relationship for these South London youngsters.
Although I don’t think it’s anything groundbreaking par se, I can’t say it’s as shitty as the others think. When I first heard them, I’ll admit, I didn’t, and still don’t think, they could go all the way. They lack that spark that the Arctic Monkeys and Bloc Party had; nothing jumps out at me. Maybe it’s just the amateur recording, afterall, I’ve heard they’re great live. But I haven’t heard them live, so I wouldn’t know. Regardless, in the end we all must choose a side. What will yours be?
MP3: “Peroxide Dreams” – The Pressure Drop
MP3: “Youth Culture” – The Pressure Drop
Filed under: Single Reviews | Tags: Amanaz, Arctic Monkeys, Pete and the Pirates, Peter Moren, Sissy Wish
And the promises keep coming. As I’ve already mentioned, my interview with One Little Plane (my first ever) is about to get underway. She’s accepted my proposition, and I’m currently awaiting her answers to my questions. Look for that soon.
In other news, I have my second installment of five singles you need to check out. And they are:
Amanaz – Khala My Friend If Jimi Hendrix were to write one more song for us, I’d imagine it would sound something like this. If you’re all about that fuzzy stoner jamming that was Hendrix, “Khala My Friend” is your song. The whole thing gets better with each listen. DOWNLOAD
Arctic Monkeys – Diamonds Are Forever It’s festival season! To celebrate, I have one of the best festival songs of 2007 for you. In case you don’t read big, bold, colored titles, it’s the Arctic Monkeys covering Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds Are Forever” of 007 fame at Glastonbury. It’s pretty damn good. DOWNLOAD
Pete and the Pirates – Mr. Understanding Reading has a new pop group in the form of five young men and an understand mister. It embodies everything that a pop-rock indie song should be. The music video is pretty entertaining too, in all of its apparently homemade splendor. DOWNLOAD
Peter Moren – Social Competence Peter Moren—one third of Swede popstars Peter, Bjorn and John—releases his debut solo album titled “The Last Tycoon”, an album full of dusty countrified tracks with Peter’s trademark faultless songwriting. The lyrics are so damn catchy… even without the whistling. DOWNLOAD
Sissy Wish – DWTS She wants to dance, damnit, and she wants you dancing with her. “DWTS”, from last year’s Norwegian Grammy-nominated Beauties Never Die, is an acronym standing for “Do What They Say.” Her “Betty Boop” vocals definately are the sugar in your musical diet. DOWNLOAD
M83 – Saturdays = Youth. Maybe I’m a few months late on M38’s new album, but Frenchman Anthony Gonzalez’ Saturdays = Youth is even later—about 20 years later. The sounds this guy belts out are as close to the 80’s as you can get, but can you expect anything less? He, like his other fellow Frenchies (Daft Punk and Air; I’m looking at you), has never been one to shy away from the risky, outdated, and sometimes, even tacky sounds. But no man can do it like he does. Synths woosh like windtunnels and ping like lasers while the drums pound and throb in their robotic ways.
MP3: “Graveyard Girl” – M83
MP3: “We Own The Sky (Maps Remix)” – M83
Kleerup – Kleerup. In other foreign news, Swedish producer, Kleerup, is all set to release his self-title album. Okay, I’ll admit it, I don’t give a shit about Kleerup’s new album. I just wanted an excuse to talk about Lykke Li some more. Kleerup is best know for collaborating with Robyn on last summer’s chart-topping megahit, “With Every Heartbeat”. Well, like with potato chips, he couldn’t stop at just one, could he? Of course not. He’s at it again, only this time, replacing Robyn with Lykke Li on “Until We Bleed”. Though maybe not as chart topping as “Heartbeat” was, “Until We Bleed” holds its own against any of the best singles this year.
MP3: “Until We Bleed (ft. Lykke Li)” – Kleerup
