Miike Snow Share New Track “Devil’s Work” and Film Accompaniment
Miike Snow live at Stubbs in Austin, TX, March 2010
One of my favorite acts of 2009, Miike Snow, shared the first track from their upcoming album today titled Devil’s Work. I’m interested to see where they go with the second full length which according to their Facebook on 11/29 “is complete, the videos are being shot, the artwork is being finished, and the tour dates are being planned.” Listen to the track below and screen the film accompaniment below (which I must say reminds me of M.I.A.’s Illygirl clip). Check out my interview with the trio back in 2009 here.
Stream: Miike Snow – Devil’s Work
Jamie Woon’s Acoustic Performance at Mister H at the Mondrian Hotel + Video
Last night Mondrian Soho Sessions + SPIN hosted a special and extremely intimate acoustic performance by Jamie Woon (following his set earlier in the night at Mercury Lounge) at Mister H. I enjoyed a few complimentary vodka sodas while flipping through the latest issue of SPIN Magazine before Jamie Woon took the stage after 11PM (by stage, I mean an impromptu 4ft x 4ft platform that elevated Woon a few feet above the crowd).
I filmed his performance of Lady Luck (see below), however the lighting was not the most optimal, give it a listen anyway. Be sure to pick up his latest album, Mirrorwriting.
Stream: Jamie Woon – Night Air (Nico Moss mix)
Featured Film: Edward Burns’ “Newlyweds”
Newlyweds is the 10th feature film from acclaimed actor-director-screenwriter Edward Burns. In the film, Burns and Kerry Bishé star as newlyweds (Buzzy and Linda respectively) whose lives are disrupted by the unannounced arrival of his wild half-sister and news of her sister’s marriage troubles. Filming for Newlyweds was completed in 12 days primarily in the New York neighborhood of Tribeca and cost $9,000 to make. Impressive!
Newlyweds premiered at the closing of the 10th Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, but I was able to catch an online private screening of the film prior to it’s worldwide release (December 26th, 2011) via an online social screening platform organized by SAP Sponsors. Immediately following the screening, Edward Burns joined the small group of cinephiles for an online Q&A. When I asked Burns about his thoughts regarding the online platform and Video On Demand as a method for viewing film, he expressed enthusiasm (as much as you can in an online chat) for these new mediums calling them the future of independent film.
Also during the Q&A Burns described Newlyweds as his love letter to Tribeca, which I also believe to be an edgy and entertaining lovechild of Woody Allen and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Be sure to catch the film on your platform of choice beginning December 26th, 2011! Visit EdwardBurns.net for more information.
Sleigh Bells To Continue Their “Reign of Terror” in 2012 (Teaser Trailer)
The pun-possibilities are endless here, but let’s just get straight to the point: Sleigh Bells are back with a major announcement, just in time for the holidays! I had a feeling they would resurface before the end of 2011 to reign terror on our most jolly holiday, especially after hearing news back in April that recording for album #2 would begin in June (it doesn’t take THAT long to record right?)
The album’s title, Reign of Terror, is the only thing revealed in this sleek teaser clip (which is in line with the reported “darker sound“) released just moments ago onto the internet. No release date, no tracklisting, no list of collaborators (don’t think I forgot about that Beyonce mention earlier this year), so we all just have to keep our eyes and ears on the Reign Of Terror mini-site and the band’s Twitter for any sporadic clues. This is truly exciting news, we are listening Sleigh Bells!
Just over two years ago Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss (who were in the process of signing with M.I.A.’s Neet Recordings at the time) sat with us to discuss their debut album in an exclusive interview with Tastes Like Caramel, it’s inspiring to see how far 2 years can take you!
Stream: Kids Steppin’ Up (M.I.A. vs. Sleigh Bells)
Blondes To Release Self-Titled Debut in 2012
In my update yesterday I forgot to mention that I also caught Blondes‘ set at Cameo with Lemonade for FIXED’s 7 Year Anniversary on Halloween weekend (headliner Gold Panda was unable to make it to NYC because of the freak snow storm). My friends and I ventured out in that apocalyptic wintery night in our costumes, and it turned out to be one of the best dance parties I went to all year long (in addition to this at Ps1).
Blondes Live at Cameo 10/29/11
Lemonade Live at Cameo 10/29/11
A few weeks ago Blondes released the raver-friendly video for their song Wine (watch the video and stream Teengirl Fantasy‘s remix of the track below) and this morning I received news regarding the duo’s self-titled debut album. The album will be out on February 7th, 2012, check out the tracklisting below:
| CD 1 | CD 2 |
| 1. Lover | 1. Lover (A JD Twitch Optimo Mix) |
| 2. Hater | 2. Lover (Dungeon Acid Remix) |
| 3. Business | 3. Hater (SFV Acid’s Encino Oaks Remix) |
| 4. Pleasure | 4. Business (John Roberts Remix) |
| 5. Wine | 5. Pleasure (Andy Stott Remix) |
| 6. Water | 6. Wine (Teengirl Fantasy Remix) |
| 7. Gold | 7. Water (Bicep Remix) |
| 8. Amber | 8. Gold (One Blonde Strange Idea by Traxx) |
| 9. Gold (Laurel Halo Chains Remix) | |
| 10. Amber (Variation in Cm by Rene Hell) |
Be sure to keep up with Blondes on Facebook, Twitter and catch one of their face-melting gigs when they are back in town.
Stream: Blondes – Wine (Teengirl Fantasy Remix)
update:: CMJ, Pixies, Yuck and The Month From Hell
Hope you are well. I need to vent a minute so bear with me. 2011 has been the most chaotic year ever, with so many curve-balls thrown my way and bumps in the road. It’s been trying and unpredictable but somehow I’ve managed to work it out, but not without the help of my friends and family and also my own drive and relentless unwillingness to give up. In hindsight I realize that sometimes it is necessary to come full circle, even if that feels like being back at square one. 2011 saw me get blindsided by a layoff, spend a month in Europe (Berlin, Paris, London) figuring things out, picking up freelance consulting work and then taking a position with an unstable company that I had to leave before it destroyed my dignity. And throughout all of that I neglected this blog and I barely attended any concerts (and pretty much missed CMJ entirely). It’s not easy to upkeep a blog alone (I commend all of you who do and have) in such unpredictable times. But what I’m getting at is that I miss doing this and really do feel like there is something missing in my life when I’m not sharing these experiences.
Now that I’ve gotten that off of my chest, I actually do have some updates. Somehow in October I had the opportunity to see The Pixies at The Wellmont Theatre in New Jersey with Surfer Blood (pictures here), Zola Jesus at The Ace Hotel for CMJ, araabMUZIK and The Stepkids at The Thompson Hotel in the LES (both really great sets) and Yuck at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (Who I’d been meaning to see for ages).
AND: I’m happy to share that I have a few things in the pipeline and am keeping extremely busy with side endeavors but most importantly I am still optimistic. I think 2012 will be a great year (Dear God, please!) and I think I’m back on the right track. 2011 needed to happen. October needed to happen. I feel stronger, and ready and my ears miss that ringing sound the day after a really loud live gig. I actually miss that sound and that feeling.
New Friendly Fires Music Video: Hurting + Tiga’s Remix of Blue Cassette
The ‘Fires finally heard my cries to release Hurting as a single from their party-starting record Pala. Check out the trippy (to say the least) video below along with Tiga’s thumping remix of Blue Cassette!
And if you happen to be in London tonight, Friendly Fires will take over Boiler Room at Corsica Studios along with Carl Craig, Paul Woolford and Axel Broman. We also hear that Carl Craig’s remix of the band’s Show Me Lights will be debuted during his set.
Stream: Friendly Fires – Blue Cassette (Tiga Remix)
New Rihanna Music Video: We Found Love
Rihanna‘s highly anticipated music video for We Found Love, the first single from Talk that Talk (out 11/21/11) has been unleashed. Check out the visually stunning and controversial clip at the link below!
Watch the video HERE.
Rihanna on WhoSay
AraabMUZIK Remixes The Big Pink’s ‘Stay Gold’
Future This, The Big Pink‘s follow up to A Brief History of Love is out this January! Check out AraabMUZIK‘s remix of Stay Gold below and the music video that was released earlier this year.
The Creators Project’s Dumbo Take Over + Live Performances
Florence + The Machine Live at Creators Project 2011
Last year’s epic Creators Project at Milk Studios in New York City was revived last weekend in the picturesque neighborhood of Dumbo, Brooklyn. This year’s multimedia extravaganza had a much stronger focus on the art exhibitions rather than the party vibe of last year’s Creators Project, making things a lot less chaotic. The all-day event was spread across different warehouse spaces and was strategically immersed throughout Dumbo’s architecture and welcoming community.
I fell in love with the exhibitions, namely Quayola’s Strata #4 Abstracts The Flemish Masterpieces (see a video clip below) and Mick Rock and Barney Clay’s Life on Mars Revisted (also a clip below) among many others. Florence + The Machine and Chairlift tested out brand new material from their upcoming albums, while Four Tet played an enthralling live DJ set in the archway under the Manhattan Bridge. Sets from Clams Casino A$ap Rocky, Justice, Ikonika and Girl Unit also turned up the energy a few notches with attendees who seemed only mildly drunk yet extremely content.
It was another job well done for Intel and Vice on Creators Project 2011 and a step in a more sophisticated direction. My only criticisms being the lack of open bar and the ‘WTF moment’ when headlining act Justice got shut down early in their set. Check out some pictures and videos below and be sure to visit The Creators Project for anything else you may have missed. Full gallery HERE.
