DJ DIY

Fever Ray - Keep the Streets Empty for Me

2011-07-13T18:36:00.001-04:00

Older, but I have been listening to this on loop. Enjoy!

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean

2011-07-12T17:11:00.003-04:00

All I have to say is, I AM CRAVING AMERICA.

Guess the Graph

2011-07-11T17:54:00.000-04:00

Today's guess the music graph is something that just popped in my mind. What does this graph (and possibly who) represent? Scroll down for the answer...

Answer : Nat Cole and Bing Crosby, immortalized now and forever associated with Christmas music. I was considering adding John Lennon to this grouping. However, John Lennon was murdered on December 6th, forever associating a tragic event in December rather than the classic "Happy Xmas (the War is Over)". Just some thoughts for you.

The Decay of Fischerspooner

2011-07-11T17:46:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, bands storm onto the scene and maintain there visibility. Others, like Fischerspooner, burst on and slightly fade in the collective conscious. Either way, they are enjoyable to listen to.

Google Trends Search Term : Fischerspooner

Columbus - Hubble

2011-07-10T16:45:00.000-04:00

The 1980s resurgence in music continues. Check out Columbus's "Hubble" as a prime example.

iTunes Killed the CD Star

2011-07-06T17:19:00.000-04:00

1.00

mp3

1.80

itunes

0.28

mp4

0.12

Today, I would like to share an interesting concept I have stumbled on. First of all, I am going to give a statiscians warning, correlation does not equal causation. However, let's pretend it does! Take a look at the graph above. Notice anything? Well, simply put, the rise of search for iTunes is anti-correlated with CDs. In essence, more searches for iTunes equal less searches for CDs.

Now, don't go burning down iTunes for the destruction of our plastic relics. Instead, this graph just indicates that the Google users could be described as slowly replacing CD searches with iTunes.

What's really worrisome about this graph is that CD can also mean certificate of deposit. So, either this is indicative of the decline of physical music sales, or else everyone is fleeing interest bearing accounts (which is plausible in today's economy). Just some food for thought.

The Steady Decline of Trance

2011-07-05T12:00:00.001-04:00

Google Trends Search Term : Trance Music

The nineties were filled with throbbing beats and out of control clubs. Ecstasy was the drug of choice and groups like the Crystal Method, DJ Tiesto, and 1200 Micrograms were pretty big. However, that time passed. Unlike disco, it didn't die overnight, it faded away in America. Spending time in Europe, you still can here the elements of trance in most of the pop music here. However, as Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" has shown, America's music scene is slowly looking backwards on the heydays of pop in the 1980s, glossing over the Haddaways and Dirty Vegas of the 1990s. Music, like fashion, is cyclical. With the infusion of electronica and psych music in the Indie scene (see Yeasayer and Hooray for the Earth), perhaps trance is due for a resurgence in about a decade or so. We shall see.

Team Ghost - High Hopes

2011-07-05T08:11:00.000-04:00

I originally heard this song without knowing who actually was performing. Turns out, this is the new endeavor (formed in 2009) by Nicolas Fromageau. He was one of the original founding members of M83, a band that I really enjoyed suring their early albums, especially Lost Ghosts. Now he´s back, with Christophe Guerin and producer Jean-Philippe Talaga in Team Ghost. The group picks up where M83 left off in the early albums, combining electronic sounds with shoegaze feel.

"High Hopes" is a track from their 2010 album Celebrate What You Can't See. The video was directed by Romain Glé and Thomas Séon and matches the music perfectly. Nothing like shoegaye and water drops. Enjoy!

Also, look out this October for a possible collaboration between Team Ghost, Zola Jesus, and Beck. Should be interesting.

Sidenote:

In case you are wondering, M83 has experienced a pulse/decay career. See graphic below. However, they maintain a good internet search presence.

Google Trends Search Query : M83

Happy Fourth of July! Bruce Springsteen Style

2011-07-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

Being abroad for a bit has made me appreciate the United States of America that much more. Conversing with Europeans, there still is this notion that America is a great and intriguing place. The vast scale, the large population, and the overall dream that is America still impresses people. That is probably one of the reasons why most people in Europe know all of the major hits of artists like Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, and of course, Bruce Springsteen.

And since I am out of the country, I will be celebrating the independence and foundation of the United States of America by listening to the BOS in Germany.

And the BOS is still the boss.

Google Trends Search Term : Bruce Springsteen

What Correlates with Hipster?

2011-07-03T17:00:00.000-04:00

Google Correlate is a new and useful tool. If you are curious about what correlates with hipster, you are in luck, I already ran that search for you.

Correlated with hipster

Apparently, girlfriends are most related to hipster. Go figure. I also enjoy the mac charger.

Why Coldplay Should Never Be Considered Indie...

2011-07-02T17:42:00.000-04:00

1.00 coldplay 0.20 death cab 0.20 mgmt 0.05 mumford and sons

Too mainstream. Compared to other major Indie influences using Google Trends, Coldplay still dominates in search volume index.

Feist - My Moon My Man

2011-07-02T17:23:00.002-04:00

Just a Feist kind of day.

Duffy - Mercy versus the Doobie Brothers - Train Running

2011-07-01T17:23:00.002-04:00

Mahup by DJ Alias JY. Additionally, this ends a two year mental block on remembering Duffy's "Mercy". One mental thing to check off the list. Enjoy a pretty cool song and video mashup!

Nobody Beats the Drum - Poisson Vert

2011-06-29T17:35:00.000-04:00

Well, well, well. Nobody Beats the Drum returns with a new outing and a crazy video for "Poisson Vert". These are the same guys who brought you the crazy video below. So enjoy! And remember, Nobody Beats the Drum...

P.S. I am starting to get into an electronica/dance kick these days, so bear with me.

The Shoes - Wastin' Time

2011-06-28T17:29:00.002-04:00

BAM! New post. Will update more tomorrow. Enjoy the video!

Alexander - A Million Years

2011-06-27T16:55:00.000-04:00

To tell the truth, I heard his other song "Truth" on a French station in Germany and was reminded of this song, "A Million Years." Sometimes the world works in funny ways. Enjoy!

Noah and the Whale - Life is Life

2011-06-26T13:57:00.002-04:00

Much like this video, I am exhausted from a long run. Enjoy Noah and the Whale's "Life is Life"!

Moby - After

2011-06-23T17:28:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, I am a sucker for Moby...

Bon Iver - Calgary

2011-06-22T19:29:00.000-04:00

Heads up, Bon Iver released a new album, Bon Iver. Really worth a listen, here's one of the album's staples "Calgary". Enjoy!

Tidelands - Holy Grail

2011-06-20T15:46:00.001-04:00

A great animated video for Tideland's "Holy Grail". The duo is out of San Francisco and have developed a very unique sound, very American. It almost reminds me of a folk version of Interpol. Their debut album If... will be released on July 26th. Enjoy!

The Weeknd - House Of Balloons / Glass Table Girls

2011-06-19T12:00:00.000-04:00

The resurgence and transformation of hip-hop is truly amazing at the moment. An equivalent Indie-like movement is sweeping through the Hip-Hop record industry allowing for artists like the Weeknd to gain attention. Great stuff.

Yuck - Rubber

2011-06-19T09:06:00.001-04:00

Just a London shoegaze day for me. Enjoy the drone of Yuck's "Rubber".

Performing Artist's Passing

2011-06-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

With the sad note that Clarence Clemons, an anchor of the E-Street band and close friend of the BOS, died today due to complications related to a stroke, it made me realize that I hadn't thought about the BOS, E-Street band, or the 1980s in depth for a long time. Being in my mid-twenties, I still have this glow about the 1980s in my memory. From waiting in long-lines with my mom to receive dot-print out reports, sitting in the backseat with my dad listening to the Minnesota Twins, rummaging through industrial and consumer good surplus stores, typing on typewriters in the sun, and to just being a kid, there is a certain aura about the 80s. The music, and the invention of MTV definitely played a role. Some early memories are associated with the likes of Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen.

When one of these icons dies, when a pivotal singer or performer passes who songs we know by heart, whose songs actually greeted me in foreign lands, it jogs the memory. Collectively, we are reminded of what we stopped hearing in the music long ago, the performer. The song. And with it, you hear the anthem of everything this performer unknowingly shared with you. For me, I shared my first-summer job, long road-trips though the East Coast of the United States, and my first day living in Germany with the BOS and the E-Street Band.

I think that is why when an artist dies our attention is turned to them once more. For example, here are the Google Trends for Michael Jackson:

To Clarence.

R.E.M. - Losing My Religion

2011-06-18T19:22:00.001-04:00

I had this song stuck in my head all the time I was walking through Berlin. I'm spreading the neuro-harmony disease now. Enjoy!

Lady Gaga - Edge of Glory

2011-06-17T15:55:00.000-04:00

A rare pop post these days, but when it comes to Lady Gaga...

Cults - Go Outside

2011-06-16T15:54:00.000-04:00

A little older entry from the Cults, but when I found this homemade video set on Maui for the song "Go Outside", had to post it. Enjoy!

Gnarl's Barkley

2011-06-15T17:58:00.000-04:00

Who's Gonna Save My Soul Now

Gone Daddy, Gone

Crazy

Just a Gnarls Barkley kind of day.

Miike Snow - Black and Blue

2011-06-14T18:53:00.001-04:00

An older one, but a great one. Enjoy.

Timmy Curran - Nordic Monster

2011-06-13T16:50:00.000-04:00

Timmy Curran is a stellar indie artist. Whatsevenmore is that he provides the majority of his music for free. So, if you enjoy "Nordic Monster" of of his 2011 album Options, head over to his website and download it for free. Heck, download the entire album.

P.S. Iceland surfing sounds masochistic.

Rone - "So So So"

2011-06-12T14:05:00.000-04:00

Rone's "So So So" is elegantly done. The video only enhances the awesomeness. Enjoy!

Memory Tapes - Yes I Know

2011-06-11T16:25:00.000-04:00

Great song by the Memory Tapes off of the 2011 album Player Piano. The video is kinda creepy though.

Vitalic - "See the Sea (Red)"

2011-06-08T18:25:00.002-04:00

I'm into running music these days and Vitalic definitely fits the bill. Check out the video for "See the Sea (Red)" off of the album Flashmob.

Jon Hopkins and King Creosote - "Bubble"

2011-06-07T16:58:00.000-04:00

If you get a chance, you should check out John Hopkin's "Second Sense" as well. There just isn't a good video of it online at the moment.

Jon Hopkins' "Vessel"

Pink Floyd - "The Great Gig in the Sky"

2011-06-06T18:09:00.000-04:00

Pink Floyd got me through my senior year of college, and no, I am not in my forties. I really started to get into music while I was finishing up my degree at the University of Minnesota. Almost daily I would make a journey to the used CD and record store. There, I happened across a $3 Dark Side of the Moon CD. I would blast it in my 1999 Lipstick Red Pontiac Grand Am as I drove to and from my research lab. Even though it was 33 years after it was released, I really enjoyed discovering the music, especially the "Great Gig in the Sky".

Someone asked me once why I don't really post negative reviews, it has to do with part of my name. The DIY part. We are all our own DJs deciding what music to listen to and what to reject. I've come to enjoy a wide variety from Ini Kamoze to Daft Punk to Godspeed You Black Emperor! to AC/DC to Lady Gaga. The important thing is to know what you like. So I present what I like.

Enjoy Pink Floyd!

Cults - Abducted

2011-06-05T12:00:00.000-04:00

A great showing by the Manhattan based Cults with their 2011 self titled Cults. Score another success for Lily Allen's new label.

Radiohead's Amnesiac Turned 10 Years Old

2011-06-04T20:25:00.000-04:00

I feel old. Here is the entire album in neat videos.

"Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box" - Dan Provost's interpretation

"Pyramid Song" - Phillip Bloom.

"Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors" - Levi Winter

"You and Whose Army?" - Brodie Gwilliam

"I Might Be Wrong" – Rik Cotterill

"Knives Out"

"Morning Bell/Amnesiac" – Tyler McGill

"Dollars and Cents"

"Hunting Bears" – Oscar Mar

"Like Spinning Plates" – Christopher Warnow

"Life in a Glasshouse" – FeltPelt

This is making me feel old...

JUSTICE - Civilization

2011-06-04T19:38:00.000-04:00

Due to travels, I nearly missed this video. I've mentioned Justivce before with the song "D.A.N.C.E." off of the 2007 album Cross. However, I realized I neglected the equally impressive "Stress" presented below. However, the video matches the sound of Justice's recent 2011 outing in Civilization (also, they already sold out to Adidas...). It pits a herd of buffalo against the falling symbolic statues of mankind. Symbolism? Anyways, enjoy. I know I will when I am running.

Sia - Academia

2011-06-04T18:25:00.000-04:00

Enjoy this typographic ode to Sia's "Academia." Very St. Vincent-esque.

Cold Mailman - "Time is of the Essence"

2011-06-02T16:08:00.000-04:00

Okay, time is all off at the moment. Enjoy Cold Mailman's "Time is of the Essence" whilst I get my barrings. Seriously. Like serious.

Battles - Ice Cream

2011-06-01T21:07:00.001-04:00

Ouch. Massive travel. Much like an Ice Cream headache inducted nightmare. Enjoy Battles "Ice Cream". I'm going to go to sleep. For a couple of days.

Yesayer is saving me in lab.

2011-05-26T01:47:00.002-04:00

Turn it up all the way, drives away any tiredness. Will resume normal positing tomorrow, whatever tomorrow means.

Goldfish - "We Come Together"

2011-05-24T22:24:00.000-04:00

Long day in the lab. Time to get cheered up by Goldfish's unique sound and a video dedicated to the history of video games. Plus, Katamari Damacy makes a guest appearence. Enjoy!

Inside Indie - Little Scream - "Red Hunting Jacket"

2011-05-23T10:35:00.000-04:00

So, this song is pretty awesome on its own. Now consider that this is the sole work of Laurel Sprengelmeye, a one woman band (she does have help from R.R. Parry and others, especially during live performances). That makes it all the more impressive. The amount and complexity of the sound she is able to produce is incredible. Enjoy the video (I really enjoyed the stop-motion myself) and song!

P.S. Canada still is producing great Independent talent.

Daily Dubstep : Scistitch - "Event Horizon" -EDIT- Scistitch and Swallace - "Focus"

2011-05-23T00:30:00.002-04:00

Those interested in Dubstep should check out Scistich's work. Jumping off of what I mentioned in yesterday's post about Proximas, this track displays the other-side of the Dubstep world. The balls out, bass blasting, take-no-prisoners world. And they do it wonderfully

-EDIT-

The SoundCloud link was giving me troubles, so instead, enjoy a Youtube clip.

Proximas - "One Wish"

2011-05-22T21:22:00.000-04:00

In the Dubstep frame of mind, Proximus' "One Wish" presents the versatility of the genre. Instead of the typical over-the-top bass and fast transitions (which, I'm not complaining about, especially they are great to run to), you get a stripped down almost fragile techno sound. The combination of using Anime loops as one of the driving forces make this a pretty stellar track.

Now, compare the almost score like (you could see this as the soundtrack for a Jason Bourne or James Bond movie) to Skrillex...

The Rise of Dubstep

2011-05-22T18:49:00.000-04:00

My friends often give me a hard time about liking dubstep. I just wanted to post this, it is the future. The search term above was for dubstep. If you don't really know what dubstep is, the definition is pretty simple. "Tightly coiled productions with overwhelming bass lines and reverberant drum patterns, clipped samples, and occasional vocals."

Some examples:

You gotta love bass.

Kitten - "Chinatown"

2011-05-22T16:16:00.000-04:00

Get your Yeah Yeah Yeahs' buzz on with Kitten's "Chinatown". The song is off of there 2011 EP Sunday School. They recently played SXSW to a positive response. Overall, they produce a pretty polished and solid indie rock sound. However, due to the similarity to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, I am interested to see how they differentiate their sound in the future to carve out a fan base. This Los Angeles based group is currently on tour overseas in jolly ol' London but return stateside July 23rd for a performance in Chicago. They're worth a listen and potentially patronage. Enjoy!

As a bonus, another Yeah Yeah Yeah's video for your comparison.

In Honor of the Rapture

2011-05-21T17:31:00.002-04:00

Eclectic Method's "The Apocamix."

I Break Horses - "Hearts"

2011-05-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

In the tradition of other dream pop bands such as Air and School of Seven Bells, there appears I Break Horses. It actually took a little more effort than usual to find out about this Swedish shoegaze band. In reality, it is a duo, Maria Lindén and Fredrik Balck. You should check out there website, it gives a sense of the overall personality of the band, in their own words, diminutive transformed into "a shit kicker in high-fidelity."

The song "Hearts" (off of their debut 2011 album Hearts) is a stellar outing into the shoegaze genre. At times it feels like a hybrid between an updated "Girls" by Death in Vegas (famous for being on Lost in Translation, see below) and a sped-up/unporcessed "Chariots of Fire" by Vangelis. However, I Break Horses is able to put their own flavor of sound onto the shoegaze genre. From the brilliantly captured video and well designed website, I believe that they will be a good group to follow in the future.

Horray for Earth - "True Loves"

2011-05-19T17:00:00.000-04:00

Horray for Earth, a Boston based indie electro band, released their first full length album True Loves May 3rd after their successful EP Momo was received well. Their sound is a combination of Yeasayer and Passion Pit with lyrics that are packed with optimistic anxiety. Overall, Horray for Earth serves as a good symbol for our generation. Great power but overwrought with personal demons.

Plus, the video is kind of how I dream.

As A DJ, if you are ever feeling lazy...

2011-05-19T14:46:00.000-04:00

...play Journey.

Manchester Orchestra - "Simple Math"

2011-05-19T12:00:00.000-04:00

I sometimes feel like a broken record. Anyone who enjoys the Black Keys will be interested in Manchester Orchestra. Personally, I could not stop watching this clip on repeat. It not only accompanies the music, but enhances the story being conveyed. "Simple Math" is off of there 2011 album Simple Math (kind of makes sense, huh?). Don't be thrown by their name though, they are originally from Athens, Georgia.

Woodkid vs. Cut Copy

2011-05-18T17:00:00.000-04:00

Woodkid's most recent release "Iron" versus Cut Copy's "Need You Now". Again, guess the theme.

Alex Clare - "Relaxed My Beloved"

2011-05-18T12:00:00.001-04:00

Anyone who is a fan of the Black Keys will enjoy Alex Clare. The emotion conveyed in his voice effortless falls into harmony with classic elements of blues and soul. Look for his debut album, The Lateness of the Hour to be available July 11th of this year. Additionally, the video effectively displays the passion and emotions associated with a young, dysfunctional relationship. Enjoy both (but not a dysfunctional relationship)!

Dan Deacon vs. Etienne de Crecy

2011-05-17T18:09:00.000-04:00

Above is Dan Deacon. Below is Etienne de Crecy. Guess the similarity from these two disparate artists.

Lykke Li - "Sadness is a Blessing"

2011-05-17T12:00:00.001-04:00

Lykke Li released her sophomore album this year (Wounded Rhymes) to mixed reviews. However, her vocal talent and unique sound still sets her apart from many other artists. Additionally, stellar casting (Stellan Skarsgård) and directing (Tarik Saleh) develops a music video that not only captures the music, but also presents a complete story about a couple's relationship. I highly recommend checking out the video.

WIM - "See You Hurry"

2011-05-16T21:22:00.001-04:00

WIM is another Aussie band poised to dominate Indie folk. Enjoy the song and simplistic yet haunting video.

Moby - "The Day"

2011-05-16T12:00:00.001-04:00

Well, I always enjoy Moby. Add on a well shot music video with Heather Graham playing an avenging angel and you get a memorable song. Overall, "The Day" from Moby's 2011 album Destroyed returns Moby to familiar and catchy territory. Enjoy!

Adele - "Rolling in the Deep"

2011-05-15T23:14:00.000-04:00

To kick things off, I am going to select Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" from her 2010's album 21. Some cool notes is that Adele's full name is Adele Laurie Blue Adkins. And she is only 23. Crazy. Enjoy the song though, it is soulful rock.

Note, this song also is making the rounds appearing on Glee! and the Voice. Basically, she is kicking butt.

Well Now, Time to Get Back to What is Important

2011-05-15T23:10:00.001-04:00

Music.

School of Seven Bells - I L U

2010-12-30T12:00:00.001-05:00

They always produce beautiful music. Their 2010 album Disconnect from Desire is out now.

Esmerine - Why She Swallows Bulletts

2010-12-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

Esmerine produces a beautiful composition in "Why She Swallows Bullets" off of their 2005 album Aurora.

Cinematic Orchestra - To Build a Home

2010-12-29T00:32:00.001-05:00

I initiate the beautiful music weak. First up is the Cinematic Orchestra's "To Build a Home" off of their 2009 album La Fleur. The British jass/electro outfit seemingly capture what it feels like to fall in love. Enjoy!

Florence and the Machine - Dog Days are Over

2010-12-24T17:30:00.000-05:00

Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man

2010-12-23T17:29:00.001-05:00

Seymour Bits - Put it Back Down

2010-12-03T00:21:00.000-05:00

LCD Soundsystem - Home

2010-09-27T19:09:00.001-04:00

You know, I take back anything that I ever said badly against LCD Soundsystem for both this song and video. Enjoy!

Daft Punk does TRON

2010-09-26T12:00:00.001-04:00

Enough said. If you enjoyed the space opera of Human After All, you may want to check out TRON.

Let's talk J. Ralph

2010-09-25T18:15:00.000-04:00

Joshua Ralph (J. Ralph) is a very prolific modern classical composer. He wrote the score for the movie Lucky Number Sleven, trailer above. Most likely, you would recognize his music from his work for car companies, like the Volkswagen clip below.

His combination of classical instruments and concepts with a modern/edgy interpretation really make the scores and compositions stand out. Growing up, I used to not listen to musics with lyrics and grew to really appreciate the complexity of sound in general (Godspeed You Black Emperor, Brian Eno, William Orbit, Explosions in th Sky, etc.). J.Ralph is worth a listen.

A Sunny Day in Glasgow - So Bloody, So Tight

2010-09-24T10:29:00.001-04:00

A Sunny Day in Glasgow is a Philly based band that oddly toured through Ithaca, NY last year. They sound quite like a less refined, more gritty, less confident School of Seven Bells (see video below). But, any band that is brave enough to play in the Wildfire Lounge here in Ithaca (where the guests basically sit on top of you while you play) deserves a listen.

Plus, the video is quite cool with painted people. Enjoy!

m83 - We Own the Skies

2010-09-23T12:00:00.000-04:00

Because post-punk experimental rock often is overlooked, here is m83's 2009 "We Own the Sky". Enjoy!

Life is...

2010-09-22T12:00:00.003-04:00

My brain has been operating a lot like this recently, seeing the unity in most things. Probably because I have been listening to too much Radio Lab. Just putting a plug in for it, the broadcast is awesome.

The music behind this clip is Parachutes' "Where Were You" freely available on their myspace page.

Also, note that the waterfall in the second clip is actually Taughannock Falls out here in Ithaca. Yay Ithaca!

Brandon Flowers - Crossfire

2010-09-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

Brandon Flowers of the Killers decided to branch off into solo work. All I am going to stay is he is MUCH better with the Killers.

Royksopp - The Drug

2010-09-20T15:00:00.000-04:00

Royksopp released the counterpart to 2009's Junior with 2010's Senior. The mood is much different, darker, more broody. Hence, the overall creepiness of their video for "The Drug". A great addition to the Royksopp library overall and a stellar contrast to their pop infused last outing. Enjoy!

Kanye West - Power

2010-09-20T12:00:00.000-04:00

Kanye West is back, and well, is very Kanye. Ego big, check. Beat stellar, check. Unusual rhyme scheme, check. All in all, a very Kanye outing.

Bag Raiders - "Way Back Home"

2010-08-27T15:24:00.000-04:00

Bag Raiders resemble in many ways a younger version of the National. I would have more to say, 'cept time is creeping on and I gotta do Science! Check out their new album when it hits the waves October 1st of this year.

Cee Lo - "No One's Gonna Love You"

2010-08-26T00:34:00.000-04:00

With the new school year off and started, the campus is populated again. I'm starting to get that DJ itch again, so thought I should revisit the ol' blog. I'll kick it off with a great cover of a Band of Horses' song by none other than Cee Lo (probably most famous for "Crazy" when he worked with Danger Mouse). A great video is attached and mimics the overall tone/intent of the song. Enjoy!

Godspeed is Reuniting!

2010-07-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

In case you haven't heard, the great experimental band "Godspeed You Black Emperor" (put the ! wherever you see most appropriate)!!!

Cocorosie - Lemonade

2010-07-05T14:41:00.000-04:00

Cocorosie seems to be challenging Fever Ray/the Knife for interesting sounds and unsettling subjects/music videos. Who knew creep was becoming a niche market?

The American born, Parisian based, sister-centered (Bianca and Sierra Cassidy) CocoRosie have been bringing their unsettling yet beautiful sound to audiences across Europe and the US since 2004. Their 2010 release Grey Oceans continues their journey into the manipulation of sound and living on the edge of acceptable music. Definitly worth the listen.

Knuckles - What I Like

2010-06-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

Let's continue with the Suped Up Running Music. Knuckles (now known as Sovgner) hails from Paris and packs quite a musical punch. Personally, this makes me want to organize an urban relay team.

Vitalic - Second Lives

2010-06-06T12:18:00.000-04:00

I'm back baby! Being homeless and without internet for a few days really can cramp blogging efforts. But no matter now! Let's kick off things with Vitalic's "Second Lives" from their 2010 album Flashmob. Now, this posting drifts slightly from my normal indie or pop song posts, but I really enjoy techno-trance music every now and then. On his most recent album, Pascal Arbez (aka Vitalic) captures the new disco influence that is emanating through dance clubs and recording studios. Overall, the album is a very strong showing for the electronic industry, an industry who fell out of popularity once the rave scene died away. But, if you are looking for really inspirational running or exercise music, I would recommend checking Vitalic out!

The Black Keys - Tighten Up

2010-05-26T21:06:00.000-04:00

The Black Keys are ridiculously good right now. Still moving, so blog is kinda on semi-leave at the moment.

FM Belfast - Underwear

2010-05-24T18:07:00.000-04:00

Jammed for time as I am moving, but enjoy FM Belfast's "Underwear"!

Goldfrapp - Alive

2010-05-21T15:07:00.000-04:00

Goldfrapp released her new album Head First earlier this month. The retro-respective romp provides a nostalgia for sounds that were predominant in the 1970s and 1980s. The video for "Alive" is no exception. The current craze of vampires is melded with the 80's throwback of large hair and legwarmers. Enjoy!

Battle of the Divas: Queen Gaga, NY Beyonce, and Italy still loves Madonna

2010-05-19T16:47:00.000-04:00

Hello all-

Some more datafaction for you today. First up, which diva is ruling the internets? Let us consult the might oracle Google to see which artist tops the search engine out of Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Madonna, and Keisha (without the money sign).

Figure 1. Search volume index versus time for the search terms Gaga, Beyonce, Madonna, Taylor Swift, and Ke$ha. Data provided by Google Trends(c) and accessed on May 18th, 2010.

Lady Gaga's popularity exploded and has cast her as the dominant diva to date. Even Taylor Swift's drama dwarfs the peak searches for Lady Gaga. Beyonce comes in a distant second with Taylor Swift and Madonna coming in about third. Keisha (or Kei$ha) will be discussed at the end. However, do not discount the power of Beyonce, let's zoom into New York City.

Figure 2. Search volume index for New York City, NY for the search terms Gaga, Beyonce, Madonna, Taylor Swift, and Keisha. Data provided by Google Trends(c) and accessed on May 18th, 2010.

While Lady Gaga may be Queen of the World, Beyonce dominates her in the City that Never Sleeps. And Madonna still has global staying power, look at Italy.

Figure 2. Search volume index for Italy for the search terms Gaga, Beyonce, Madonna, Taylor Swift, and Keisha. Data provided by Google Trends(c) and accessed on May 18th, 2010.

NOTE: In the bar graphs, Kesha is spelled wrong, the search term was correct though.

Now back to Kesha (or Ke$ha, or what have you). The problem she is facing is that most people know her song and not her. Nearly as many people have searched for the song "Tik Tok" as they have "Kesha". So, she hasn't reached stardom yet, her music is just a little catchy (and poppy annoying).

Ramona Falls - Russia

2010-05-18T18:49:00.000-04:00

I've posted previously about Ramona Falls, but they just released a new video for "Russia", the song that originally made me listen to this band. The video is really well done and pretty humorous as well, and in a way, teaches a good lessen. Sometimes you have to let go. Sometimes you have to escape.

Gorillaz' Plastic Beach - Success or Otherwise?

2010-05-18T01:58:00.007-04:00

The Gorillaz released Plastic Beach nearly five years after their mega-hit Demon Days hit the shelves. The two albums offer slightly different stylistic sounds from the band, but overall are very similar and would appeal to the same audience. So, how do the releases compare? Let's consult the graph below...

Figure 1. Search Volume Index versus Time. Data provided by Google(c) Trends with a search term of Gorillaz.

From the graph, note that the maximum search volume index for Plastic Beach is nearly 3/5 of what it was for Demon Days. Thus, the trend suggests that there could exist a decrease in the popularity of either the album or the Gorillaz in general. Before we jump off the bridge here, several distinctions need to be made. First, the decline could be representative of other factors including listeners using streaming services like Pandora and Last.fm. Second, Plastic Beach has only been available for two months, therefore a second boom could occur a little after the release date. However, the previous pulse suggests that the peak has passed.

Overall, I would say it is a successful album. Unfortunately, the time between releases, lack of tours, and artists occupied with side projects may have thinned out those who are interested in the Gorillaz. But hey, they are still super stars, maybe not mega-stars like Lady Gaga... look for tomorrow's post on her.

Enjoy a nice stop motion video from Plastic Beach for "Some Kind of Nature".

Back, after a small hiatus...

2010-05-17T14:04:00.003-04:00

After a small hiatus, I am back to blogging. I decided to take a break to do my other more time consuming job of science, yay!

However, while data-mining for my research, I began to think about the state of music today. Essentially, there are SO many bands, musical styles, and fads that come and go very quickly. You are essentially defined by what you listen to. In conversations, people tend to ask "who do you listen to" and the overlap tends to show similar personality traits, age, and background. How did we get here?

During the dawn of rock-and-roll, there was limited access to both recording studios and national exposure. The Ed Sullivan show was a platform to expose the average American viewer to bands such as the Doors, Beatles, and Rolling Stones. Music's transportation was also much more limited due to being on vinyl.

As technology progressed inside the studio and out, the cost for recording and exposure plummeted. The a-track, tape cassette, and compact disc revolutionized the way music could be stored and transported. Listening to your favorite bands moved from your bedroom to the street. You could also broadcast to the world what you listened to via boomboxes. More radio stations came online allowing a diversification in the interest of the listener. Communities of listeners could be established with the same taste.

Additionally, some artists began to explore unique sounds to gain an edge (Brian Eno with ambient, the synth revolution) while others stuck to formulas to seek pop star fame. Thus, subclasses of certain genres hit.

Two of the most important factors that have propelled the music industry to where it is today is the dropping cost of quality recordings and the ability to mass distribute a song without a major record label contract. Enter the era of the MP3. Although the roots of indie recording stretches way back (the Pixies, Smiths, etc.), the number, diversity, and popularity of independent and main-stream post-independent bands is due to the digitalization of music. Allowing music to be compressed in an easily stored, listened to, and transported file essentially broke open the music scene.

Just some evolutionary thoughts on music for you today. I may follow this post up later with some statistical analysis, because that is the frame of mind I am in!

Sigur Ros

2010-05-12T16:25:00.000-04:00

Wednesday seems like a Sigur Ros day. Enjoy!

Drake - Find Your Love

2010-05-10T19:49:00.002-04:00

I am only posting this to say that Drake live was one of the worst performances I have ever seen. His rhymes were lazy and prepackaged, his crowd engagement missed the mark, and his performance of his own material fell well short of entertaining. I think the crowd of drunken undergrads sang most of his lyrics for him. Overall, I am disappointed with the taste of music the Slope Day Programming Board sees fit to bring to Cornell University. Ithaca College had a much better representation of Indie music that seems more appropriate for my generation and the students who attend both schools. However, they are also not as Frat based. Off my soap box for now.

WhoMadeWho - Keep Me in My Plane

2010-05-09T17:28:00.002-04:00

The Danish trio WhoMadeWho is starting to gain notoriety. They were one of the featured artists at the famous indie SXSW music festival. Overall, their sound is combining indie rock with dance punk. They are also legendary live performers, so add them to a list of bands I would like to see live... Enjoy "Keep Me in My Plane" off of their 2009 album The Plot.

The Chemical Brothers - Swoon

2010-05-08T16:37:00.002-04:00

The band who won't quit, the Chemical Brothers, are releasing their new album Further this June. They have weathered the rise and fall of electronica/big beat and along the way continued to produce stellar albums. Overall, by sticking to their own sound and the collapse of the majority of the bands around them, the Chemical Brothers are left a unique voice. Although some of their music borders on the line of retro sounds, it is hard to call the Chemical Brothers throwbacks since they were producing albums when many of their competitors in the indie music scene were not even born yet. Enjoy the new video "Swoon" from their album. Additionally, find "Hey Girl, Hey Boy" below.

Ratatat

2010-05-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

Ratatat is releasing their new album LP4. They are known for their techno infused rock and overall craziness. "Mirando" is a prime example. The song has a fairly simple construction, but set the music to remixed images of The Predator and suddenly you have a modern classic (okay, maybe not but it is still awesome). "Shempi" from the same album is below.

Silversun Pickups - Substitution

2010-05-06T23:27:00.002-04:00

An older song from the Silversun Pickups. "Substitution" is off their 2009 album Swoon. The style of the video slightly reminds me of St. Vincents "Actor Out of Work". Enjoy!

Lazer Crystal - Love Rhombus

2010-05-04T15:13:00.002-04:00

Welcome back 80s. Thirty year retro for Lazer Crystal's 2010 album MCMLXXX. I'm not sure I am enjoying all of this 80s throw back, making ME feel old.

On Music Matters

2010-05-03T18:46:00.003-04:00

The Black Keys - Next Girl

2010-05-03T18:18:00.003-04:00

Ah, the Black Keys. Overly sexualized women. A singing T-Rex hand puppet. 70's glitz and glam. Sprinkle in some awesome southern, blues infused indie rock and suddenly you have the sound and style of the video for "Next Girl" off of their upcoming 2010 album Brothers. To note, this is not the first video of theirs with a T-Rex hand puppet...

Daft Punk - Technologic

2010-05-02T13:20:00.000-04:00

Just a Daft Punk Sunday.

The Dodos - Fools

2010-05-01T17:32:00.002-04:00

The San Francisco based Dodos have been producing high quality American Idie Rock since 2005. "Fools" is off their 2008 album Visiter. Since then, they released the 2009 album Time to Die. Overall, their sound is very similar to bands such as the Antlers, Bear in Heaven, and the Animal Collective. Enjoy!

M.I.A. - Born Free (NSFW)

2010-04-29T23:17:00.003-04:00

Well, welcome back M.I.A. One of the reasons why I am forced to display a Vimeo clip for this video is because Youtube pulled it off of their website. You can't really blame them with the video's nudity, execution of a young boy, and slow motion explosion of another boy. Political much? "Born Free" is off of her upcoming album.