Confession: I watch the TV show, So You Think You Can Dance. I have danced on and off for much of my life--everything from ballet to African to hip hop--and I love it. Anyway, last week, "Tore My Heart" by Bay-area artist, Oona, was used for a Season 6 piece by choreographer Sonya Tayeh with Top 10 dancers Jakob and Ellenore. It was also used during Kelsea Taylor's SYTYCD Season 5 audition.
For months, SYTYCD fans have been looking for this tune. A free, short version of the MP3 is available for download at the fan site Pure So You Think You Can Dance. As of a few days ago, though, you can now purchase the full-length version from iTunes. Hurrah!
Watch the dance piece with Jakob and Ellenore here.
I am totally in love with this beautiful, wistfully sad new song by Nick Lowe.
The song isn't released yet, so I used my iPhone Voice Memo app to record an m4a audio version (which you can convert to an mp3 if you need to) from a video of Lowe performing the tune live earlier this month. Now I can listen to it via iTunes until it's released, when, of course, I will buy the official version.
Nick Lowe is an English singer/songwriter icon, but if you haven't
heard of him, you most likely know his songs, such as "Cruel to Be
Kind" and "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding"
which was a hit for Elvis Costello. He also produced Elvis Costello's
first several albums. He's having a bit of a moment--a couple years ago
he released his first new album in a long time called At My Age and is on tour promoting his new Best of album out this year, Quiet Please...The New Best of Nick Lowe. During his live shows, he's been performing this unreleased tune and I can't get enough of it.
Here are the lyrics. (Thanks to Ukelele Underground.) The song will make you want to cry. Guaranteed.
I Read a Lot
I read a lot, nowadays
Much more than before you left me high and dry
in a loveless land
with nothing but time on my hands
I read a lot, not just magazines
But other more serious things, to get me through the day
Nighttime too
Whilst wondering how in the world to go on without you
“Lonely” isn’t the word for me now
“Blue” doesn’t describe it somehow
I read a lot, I can’t put it down
While others are painting the town, you’ll find me in a world
Of fantasy.
Population: one. That’s me
So if you ask me how I stop
Contemplating what I now have not
I’ll reply
I read a lot
The xx is my new fave band. This quartet from SW London is kinda like the UK's late night answer to Black Kids. They feature dual his & hers melancholy vocals, chilly synths, strong bass lines and catchy dance rhythms. The xx is clearly '80s-influenced, but not at all copycat.
Here are videos of two of my favorite songs from their album--"Islands" and "Basic Space." Another standout is "Crystalised."
Throw Me the Statue reminds me a little of a cross between The Shins and Say Hi, another indie-pop, Seattle-based one-man band. In this sophomore effort from TMTS, the band really is a band now--a quartet in fact--but still led by Scott Reitherman. I just like the upbeat, sing-along nature of this song. A great way to end the summer (sniffle).
Here's the tune. Skip ahead to 8 seconds in if you're playing this at work (it's not part of the song--just part of the promo for whoever posted the video).
Who knew sometimes atonal, polyrhythmic, experimental, operatic, African pop-inspired indie dance music could be so good? If you're looking for unusual music to perk up your summer, check out the Brooklyn-based Dirty Projectors. You will not be bored. In fact, you may end up like me, listening to it all the time. Lest you think with all the hype they've been getting lately, that Dirty Projectors is a new band, let me correct you. Bitte Orca is their ninth--albeit most accessible--album release (including EPs).
Aussie band, Howling Bells, reminds me of a mash-up between Metric and Rilo Kiley.
No video of "How Long," so this is Howling Bells performing "Digital Hearts," another tune from their new album, Radio Wars. This isn't deep music, but it's retro-catchy and a little dangerous.
I'm getting bad about posting, so I'm going to post a bunch this
week--honest! And since I seem to be in self-flagellation mode, I could
really kick myself for missing Wilco perform in concert recently. I'm
making do with their new album, Wilco (The Album), which I was lukewarm about initially,
but it has really grown on me. I especially love this little love duet.
DJ Will "Quantic" Holland has once again put together a dynamite multicultural band of exceptional musicians to perform a modern take on music from the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. His latest album, Tradition in Transition, is a global mix of jazz, funk, soul, and salsa that still retains the trademark Quantic groove.
I love several of the tracks, but this beautiful tune sung by Colombian folk singer, Nidia Gongora, really speaks to me. I defy you to listen to it and not shake your hips!
Quantic and His Combo Barbaro are kicking off their latest tour in Europe shortly, but those of us in SoCal get a special treat. They'll be performing in LA at the Echoplex on Aug 15th and in the OC at the Detroit Club in Costa Mesa on Aug 16th. I bought my tickets yesterday. :) Buy yours here.
Playing catch-up. I'm a bit behind so this is for two weeks and then another post for this week a bit later. During that time though, I've been playing this tune from it-girl, Natasha Kahn of Bat for Lashes. It has a real lush, haunting, late '80s Kate Bush feel. Sure, it's a bit serious for summer, but try it late at night with a glass of port when you're trying to figure out how to save the world (or at least save your love life).
Summer is finally here and what better way to celebrate than a little latin jazz? I love the breezy bossa nova feel of this tune from Italian DJ and music producer, Gerardo Frisina. It's like a long lost song from Brasil '66.
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