I Am The Crime
A Fine Mess
New Leads
Sweet Offering from The Sweet Serenades
Mar 9th
The Sweet Serenades‘ new song “Die Young” actually kind of suits their name as it is a sweet (albeit bitterly so) duet with Club 8 singer Karolina about the dangers of falling in love with a one night stand. Apparently it was featured in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, but what upcoming-yet-already-popular-in-the-blog-world band hasn’t been featured on that show? I just hope The Sweet Serenades don’t suffer the same fate as Imogen Heap who I used to adore but can’t listen to anymore without imagining Marissa and Ryan from The O.C. pouting over whatever injustice their upper-class lives have inflicted upon them (or the SNL skit it resulted in, but at least that one was kind of funny). No, do the song justice and listen to it without having it tainted by the context of some American soap drama. And if you simply must have something to watch while listening, then check out the cute video:
“Die Young” is available on The Sweet Serenades debut album Balcony Cigarettes (a previously posted track from said album can still be found here).
Sparklin’ Saturday
Feb 27th
Sorry sorry sorry! I meant to post this song ages ago, but unfortunately it coincided with my identity crisis as a music blogger a while back.
Atlanta duo La Chansons have gotten a bit of flack in reviews lately but then their kitschy 80s electropop is hardly for everyone. Personally I find them adorable (I’ve featured them here before for a reason, after all) and the new track “Sparklin’” simply cements that opinion. I mean, it’s a cute song about rollerskating, how can you not like that? Plus, there’s quite a bit of tongue in cheek to their sound and image (just look at the album cover for Pete’s sake).
Taken from their sophomore effort, the aptly titled King And Queen Of The Dance Floor, released via Stickfigure Records.
~ “Sparklin’” ~
Balmorhea album, tour
Feb 23rd
Balmorhea (pronounced bal-more-ay) are releasing their new album Constellations today which follows their previous releases All is Wild, All is Silent (2009) and Rivers Arms (2008). I actually haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet but if the free song “Bowspirit” is any indication, I think I’m gonna love it. Acoustic instrumental and very down to earth, “Bowspirit” offers you a bit of peace of mind despite its sometime melancholic sound. To put it simply: it’s beautiful.
Tour dates
03.17 • Red Bird SXSW Showcase – Central Presbyterian Church (Austin, TX) %
03.19 • SXSW – Western Vinyl Showcase (Austin, TX) ^
04.01 • Feinkost Lampe (Hannover, Germany)
04.02 • Magnet (Berlin, Germany)
04.03 • Jaz (Rostock, Germany)
04.04 • Roepaen (Ottersum, The Netherlands)
04.05 • Paradiso (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
04.06 • Curieuze Neuze (Gent, Belgium)
04.07 • Cellule 133A (Brussels, Belgium)
04.08 • Bardens Boudoir (London, England)
04.11 • Captain’s Rest (Glasgow, Scotland)
04.15 • Werkstatt (Chur, Switzerland)
04.16 • Bad Bonn (Düdingen, Switzerland)
04.17 • Alte Landi (Vinels, Switzerland)
04.20 • Societäts Theater (Dresden, Germany)
04.25 • Ekko (Utrecht, The Netherlands)
% w/ Hauschka & Dustin O’Halloran, ^ w/ Ola Podrida & Sleep Whale
~ “Bowspirit” ~
The Radio Dept. – “Heaven’s On Fire”
Feb 10th
The Radio Dept. have a new upcoming single, a pleasant little tune called “Heaven’s On Fire” that brings spring and summer to mind (or perhaps I’m just so desperately sick of the cold that I want it to remind me of that, I’m not sure.) The song is taken from the album Clinging To A Scheme which is due for release April 21 via Labrador. The single will also feature a cover of Sade’s “All About Our Love” and will be available in shops March 24. But until then, you can download the single right here.
New O’Spada Remix, Video
Feb 5th
I don’t claim to stay on top of what O’Spada are up to, but I do think they’re pretty good and I gotta support my fellow Swedes, right?
This time it’s a remix of the track “Ten Strikes” done by French producer DAZE, as well as a video of the original version of the song done by “two Englishmen using old stock footage and stop motion animation to create a very surrealistic experience.” Yeah, you be the judge of that.
Personally I think the DAZE remix is much sharper than the original. O’Spada in general seem to go for a sort of late 80’s dance sound that sounded old even back then, but it still has a nostalgic value.
O’Spada’s next single “Pay Off” is due in February and the album (with the same name) will be out sometime before summer.
O’Spada – 10 Strikes (the will of will & george video) from Will Cummock on Vimeo.
Charlotte Gainsbourg in Flaunt Magazine
Feb 3rd
I’m a sucker for pretty pictures of pretty people, especially if the people in question also happen to be very talented. This is why I’m bringing the latest issue of Flaunt Magazine to your attention. Besides starring in a beautiful series of photographs taken by Kurt Iswarienko, Charlotte Gainsbourgh is also being interviewed in this issue (obviously that’s not her on the cover though).
The French songbird talks about collaborating with Beck on her latest album, the emergency brain surgery she went through after suffering a blow to the head in 2007, and how indulging in Lars von Trier’s controversial movie “Antichrist” helped in her recovery.
To read the full interview, just follow the cut at the bottom of this post.
~Charlotte Gainsbourg – “Me and Jane Doe”~
Mirror, Mirror On The Wall…
Feb 1st
Despite already featuring them on the site twice, I haven’t given Desire a proper introduction yet. To be honest I wasn’t even planning to but it only seems appropriate now that they make their third appearance (albeit with the help of some guest stars).
Hailing from Montreal, Canada, Desire consists of Megan, Johnny and Natty. Befitting their Italian disco sound, the band is signed to American label Italians Do It Better, home of similar artists Glass Candy, Chromatics, Nite Jewel amongst others. Their album II was released last year and – while far from perfect – got some heavy rotation on my playlist.
The reason I’m having these guys on the site again is because of a remix of their song “Miroir Miroir” that fell into my mailbox last week. It’s done by Mirror People, also known as producer Rui Maia, and features The Dark Esquire whose vocals have replaced Megan’s.
So to the question at hand – who is the fairest of them all (um, both)? The original or the remix? I think they both have strong points but I am inclined to like Mirror People’s version better because it has a darker and more mysterious touch to it while Desire’s is more direct and upbeat. And even though the remix is slightly longer it actually feels less repetitive than the original. But there’s not doubt that I enjoy both versions. Why choose anyway?
~ Mirror People – “Mirror Mirror” (feat The Dark Esquire) ~
Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
Jan 11th
I can’t seem to be able to make up my mind whether I want to continue with this site or not, but until that decision is fully made, here are a few new tunes that I kind of like:
~ LANTERNS. – “Midnight Psalms (Alright!)” ~
~ Boy Genius – “Blame Love” ~
Kent – “Töntarna”
Oct 21st
Swedish rock royals Kent are back with a video for the new single “Töntarna” from their upcoming album Röd. It’s rather dark but still accessible, like most of their music. Good too, of course. Only difference is perhaps that the electronic elements are heavier than usual, although they’ve expermiented with that on the previous album, Tillbaka Till Samtiden.
“Töntarna” is out now and Röd is slated for release later this year (i.e. in time for Christmas) but can be pre-ordered via iTunes and several Swedish online stores.
New Echo & the Bunnymen
Sep 30th
Hey, Echo & the Bunnymen are back! Wait, were they ever really gone? Their new album The Fountain is coming out October 12 which is also the same date when when they kick off touring. Have a listen to the opening track “I Think I Need It Too” off the new album below and see what you think. I like it, although I’m not completely sure if it’s solely because it’s a good track, or if it’s the old Echo & the Bunnymen sound that’s making me feel nostalgic. Could very well be both.
Tour dates
Oct 12 2009 8:00P
Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton, Midlands
Oct 13 2009 8:00P
The Ritz Manchestar, Northwest
Oct 14 2009 8:00P
Barrowlands Glasgow, Scotland
Oct 15 2009 8:00P
The Roundhouse London, London and South East
Oct 20 2009 8:00P
Queen Elizabeth Theatre Toronto, Ontario
Oct 22 2009 8:00P
The Fox Theater Oakland, California
Oct 24 2009 8:00P
Nokia Theatre Los Angeles, California
Nov 15 2009 8:00P
Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia
Nov 17 2009 8:00P
Black Cat Washington, Washington DC
Nov 18 2009 8:00P
State Theatre Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Nov 20 2009 8:00P
Kewsick Theatre Glenside, Pennsylvania
Nov 21 2009 8:00P
Stage One Fairfield, Connecticut
Nov 22 2009 8:00P
Hammerstien Ballroom New York, New York
Nov 23 2009 8:00P
House Of Blues Boston, Massachusetts
Nov 25 2009 8:00P
Metro Chicago, Illinois
Dec 12 2009 8:00P
Oxford O2 Academy SOLD OUT Oxford, South
Dec 14 2009 8:00P
Newcastle O2 Academy Newcastle, Northeast
Dec 15 2009 8:00P
Leeds O2 Academy Leeds, Northeast
Dec 17 2009 8:00P
O2 Academy Liverpool, Northwest
Dec 18 2009 8:00P
O2 Academy SOLD OUT Liverpool, Northwest
Dec 19 2009 8:00P
O2 Academy SOLD OUT Liverpool, Northwest