Indie Rock
Jamie xx Teams Up With Quayola for “Progress”
Producer Jamie xx teamed up with multimedia artist Quayola and his team, Abstract Birds, to create stunning visuals for a brand new track entitled “Progress”. Resembling a sort-of DNA strand, the video was created using two 15-meter HD screens and Partitura software as part of the ‘Structures’ project with Rizlab.
You can watch the video over at Rizlab’s webpage. More videos will be released as the week progresses, including recordings of Jamie xx and Quayola from a September 22nd live performance.
Foster The People Live on Saturday Night Live
Just in case you’re one of the very sheltered few who haven’t yet heard Foster The People‘s infectious single, “Pumped Up Kicks”, the Los Angeles trio dropped by Saturday Night Live to perform two songs – the other of which is “Houdini”. The performance also includes a guest appearance by Kenny G in the final horn section of “Pumped Up Kicks”.
Check out the two videos below.
“Pumped Up Kicks”:
“Houdini”:
Interview: The Calm Blue Sea
What are your names and specific roles in the band?
Steve: I’m Steve and I play drums and we all write.
So you and Kyle (bassist) were both there when the band started?
Steve: I guess I’m an original member and Kyle is not. He’s our 2nd or 3rd bass player, but he’s been with us since 2009 so I don’t think he’s going anywhere.
Why did you guys choose the name The Calm Blue Sea?
Steve: Okay, I have no explanation for that. Maybe Chris does, but they had it when I got in already. (more…)
Jupe Jupe Prepare New Album, ‘Reduction in Drag’
Seattle synth-rockers Jupe Jupe are currently finishing up their sophomore effort, Reduction in Drag, which will be self-released by the band on November 1. Anchored by layers of fuzzy, uplifting synth and guitar, Jupe Jupe tracks are appealing from the first moment they reach your ears. There’s no denying the ’80’s influences apparent in their composition and when coupled with the throbbing beats, the quartet create an sonic environment that is fit to rock a stadium.
Do yourself a favor and throw on some headphones while listening to the following two tracks, both taken from the band’s upcoming album.
The Decemberists EP Details
On November 1, The Decemberists will be releasing a follow up EP to The King is Dead, which was released earlier in January this year. The EP is titled Long Live the King and will be released on Capitol. It will include songs written during the recording of The King is Dead, acoustic songs and a cover of “Row Jimmy” by the Grateful Dead. The cover for the EP is above and the tracklist is below:
1) E. Watson
2) Foregone
3) Burying Davy
4) I 4 U & U 4 Me
5) Row Jimmy (Grateful Dead cover)
6) Sonnet
Listen: Bon Iver – “With God On Our Side (Live Bob Dylan Cover)”
MP3: Bon Iver – “With God On Our Side (Live)”
[Via 24Bit]
Listen: Florence and the Machine – “Shake It Out (Remix feat. The Weeknd)”
Florence and the Machine enlisted the help of Toronto R&B singer The Weeknd to remix their brand new single, “Shake It Out”. The remix will be available on iTunes on October 2nd along with the original track and another remix by Italian DJ Benny Benassi. You can check out the song now below.
MP3: Florence and the Machine – “Shake It Out (Remix feat. The Weeknd)”
“Shake It Out” will be included on Florence’s new album Ceremonials, set to drop on October 31 in the UK via Island. U.S. release information has yet to be announced. You can listen to the original track after the break.
Listen: Face of Man – “A Sharper Image”
Columbia University based Face of Man will be printing their 2011 self-titled album on a limited edition CD starting October 1st. Meticulously weaving a wide range of styles into their sound, the indie pop band’s new record is minimalistic but altogether an extremely catchy listen. Over layers of guitar and electronic beats, frontman Alex Silva’s autotuned falsetto is unique and rings quite brightly, reminding me of a subtle mix between fun.‘s Nate Ruess and pop artist LIGHTS. You can listen to or download one of the tracks from the album below.
Only 200 copies of the physical album will be sold, so make sure to hop on over to their Bandcamp and order.
Video: The Dangerous Summer – “Work In Progress”
It isn’t much, but we now have a black-and-white video accompaniment to The Dangerous Summer‘s lead single “Work In Progress”. One of my personal favorites from the album, “Work In Progress” is the band’s heaviest song to date and relies heavily on the emotional weight and power that AJ Perdomo’s voice carries. The video is really quite simple, featuring close-up shots of the band performing the song over a white backdrop.
War Paint is out now via Hopeless. You can purchase it on iTunes here.
MiaoMix Monday #2 [Post-Rock]
Last week’s MiaoMix was full of electro party songs, so this time I made a more chill mix to listen to. This week, I put together a post-rock playlist. For people who are not familiar with the genre, post-rock is similar to rock but it ignores the typical song structure that rock music has. Most post-rock songs rely on quiet arpeggios and simple chord progressions which build up to powerful crescendos. Most songs are also instrumental, so this music is great for studying. Listen to the playlist below. (Some songs are really long. Sorry.)
miaou – “Intro”
Sigur Rós – “Hoppípolla”
The Calm Blue Sea – “We Happy Few”
múm – “Green Grass of Tunnel”
This Will Destroy You – “Quiet”
Mogwai – “Auto Rock”
pg.lost – “Yes I Am”
Explosions in the Sky – “So Long, Lonesome”
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