Playlist: A Lifetime Ago

Okay, so 2006 - 2009 wasn't that long ago, but in 2006 I was 18 and that feels like a very long time ago now. In 2006 it was my first year at uni - a time of my life that I genuinely treasure and that shaped who I am today. Anyway, enough of that, here's some music I was grinding to during those years.

1. Camille - Ta Douleur
1. Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna (weird video, please excuse)
2. TV On The Radio - Wolf Like Me
3. The Strokes - You Only Live Once
4. Sarah Blasko - Flame Trees (Cold Chisel cover)
5. Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
6. !!! (Chk Chk Chk) - Must Be The Moon
7. Sonic Youth - The Diamond Sea
8. The Books - Tokyo
9. Midnight Juggernauts - Into The Galaxy
10. The Rapture - Don Gon Do It
11. Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battle The Pink Robots Part 1
12. Emiliana Torrini - Sunny Road
13. Pavement - Range Life
14. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Red Right Hand
15. Klaxons - Atlantis To Interzone
16. M.I.A. - Paper Planes
17. Black Keys - Midnight In Her Eyes
18. Infadels - Love Like Semtex
19. Justice Vs Simian - We Are Your Friends
20. Feist - My Moon, My Man
21. Hot Chip - Over And Over
22. Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
23. Bloc Party - Banquet
24. DJ Shadow - Six Days

Fresh: Hot Chip

Hot Chip - "How Do You Do?"

Loving the new track by Hot Chip.

Artist: Poliça

Poliça - "Lay Your Cards Out"

Loving Poliça right now. It's an odd mix, the auto-tuned voice, the quite raw bass lines and drums, against the heavily-effected melodies - and yet it really works.



See after the jump for some more tracks from their 2012 album, Give You The Ghost.

Cover It: Doug Anthony All Stars

Doug Anthony All Stars - "Throw Your Arms Around Me"

The Doug Anthony All Stars were an Australian comedy group in the late 80s and early 90s (in case you weren't aware), who had some pretty controversial songs in their repertoire. On occasion they'd pull out a beautiful cover, such as Throw Your Arms Around Me, by the Hunters & Collectors and Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through The Grapevine (see after the jump for the rousing cover).

Cover It: Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys - "You Know I'm No Good"

A bit of an older one, but definitely worth a mention; Arctic Monkey's cover Amy Winehouse's You Know I'm No Good.

Friday Find: Niki and the Dove

Niki and the Dove - "Mother Protect"

So you know what? I'm putting up a couple of Friday Finds, 'cause fuck it, it's been a good week for musical stumbling. Another find this week was Swedish group Niki and the Dove. Their music is quite eclectic - Mother Protect is a bunch of interesting stylistic ideas, within an electropop skin, if you will. There are delicate and plucky layers of percussion and interesting melodies, only to be quickly replaced with a wall of airy and reaching synths.



I don't want to make a same-same comparison to another Swedish band, but Malin Dahlström, the leading lady of Niki and the Dove, does sound quite a bit like Karin Dreijer Andersson of The Knife. Niki and the Dove is a lot more stripped back however, with a little touch of wilderness.

Friday Finds: Ödland

Ödland - "Østersøen"

Such an impressive clip by French band Ödland.

Fresh: Lucy Rose

Lucy Rose - "Night Bus"

This is a beautiful demo by English singer songwriter Lucy Rose - expected to appear on her upcoming album Like I Used To. I'll have to admit of late I've had a little tug in my stomach saying "go on, back to England" - soulful and whimsical British music is only serving to strengthen that tug. *sigh*

On Repeat: Future Islands

Future Islands - "Before The Bridge"

New category! This was inspired a bit by a friend, and I think we can all relate to playing that one song on repeat over and over. Of late it's been Before The Bridge by Future Islands.



By the way, get it on iTunes and turn it up loud - it sounds fantastic.

Fresh: Oh Mercy

Oh Mercy - "Drums"

Well that's a bit sexy - check out Melbourne band Oh Mercy's latest single, Drums. Very catchy too, and a great arrangement.



Via Triple J.

Playlist: A Bit Of The British 60s

1. The Zombies - She's Not There
2. The Kinks - All Day, And All Of The Night
3. The Animals - It's My Life
4. The Beatles - We Can Work It Out
5. The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
6. Marianne Faithfull - This Little Bird
7. The Hollies - Look Through Any Window
8. The Who - I Can't Explain
9. The Yardbirds - For Your Love
10. Sandie Shaw - There's Always Something There To Remind Me

Remember...

Roy Orbison - "Shadaroba"

So, after watching all of series 5 of Mad Men, and having missed most of the earlier episodes, we've recently gone back to the beginning to see how it all started. Of course one of the most enjoyable elements of the Mad Men world is the brilliantly placed music references and the soundtrack. The end of season 3 is tied up with Roy Orbison's Shadaroba.



Have a looksie after the jump to see some more songs used on the show.

Fresh: Poolside

Poolside - "Slow Down"

This synth-pop summery track is cutting through the NZ winter, so Poolside, I thank you. Check out their new single Slow Down, and keep an eye out for their debut album in future months.



Via Music Ninja.

Cover It: Ray LaMontagne

Ray LaMontagne - "Crazy"

I know, there are heaps of covers of Gnarls Barkley, but expect the very best from the man who brought us heart-wrenchers like Jolene and Be Here Now.

Fresh: Beirut

Beirut - "The Rip Tide

Check out the beautiful new clip for Beirut's The Rip Tide.

Friday Finds: Ane Brun

Ane Brun - "Do You Remember"

How have I not heard of this beautiful music? Do You Remember was a YouTube click-through, and boy am I glad for it. Ane Brun is a Norwegian singer/songwriter with a stunning voice - hints of Beth Gibbons (check out Don't Leave, which feels like it was born in a wistful year during the 60s or 70s), and a real folky, almost modal influence. And fall to your knees when the vocal harmonies begin.

Cover It: Husky

Husky - "I Need You Tonight"

Looking a lot like Dan Auerbach's long-lost brother, Husky Gawenda is one quarter of Melbourne band HUSKY. They've had a lot of attention from Triple J recently, winning Triple J Unearthed and bagging a spot on the Hottest 100 with "History's Door", but they've also spread their wings internationally, releasing their new album on Sub Pop . Good work lads! Check out their cover of "I Need You Tonight" by INXS below, and their latest single after the jump.

Playlist: A Visit Home

So, after a recent visit home I scooped up (and recovered) some music from my old computer in Brisbane, Australia. Screw you burglars! Back-ups FTW.

1. Australian Crawl - Reckless
2. Ghostwood - Red Version
3. Handsome Furs - Cannot Get Started
4. Art Brut - Formed A Band
5. Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
6. Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream
7. Cut Copy - Lights And Music
8. Albert Hammond Jr. - Cartoon Music For Super Heroes
9. Joy Division - Transmission
10. Badly Drawn Boy - Something To Talk About (C'mon, brilliant).

Fresh: Benin City

Benin City - "Baby"

Stark and desperate, and then suddenly full - "Baby" is the latest single from British band Benin City.



Via I Guess I'm Floating.

Friday Finds: Jarle Bernhoft

Jarle Bernhoft - "C'mon Talk"

This was a recommendation from my lovely man-friend. And he was right, I really dig it. Looping can easily become repetitive and formulaic, as the one-man-band complex can lead to laying down everything and just letting it loop. "C'mon Talk" is quite simply a well-crafted pop song - Bernhoft plays with the song's dynamic, building up layers and stripping them back, and creating variety with harmonies and beat-boxing.
Heaps of soul, a bit Bruno Mars, but very distinct all the same.

Fresh: Lykke Li

Lykke Li - "Come Near"

The latest offering by the lovely Lykke Li - nothing short of brilliant, as usual.

Cover It: The Books ft José González

The Books featuring José González - "Cello Song"

Beautiful cover of Nick Drake's "Cello Song".

Playlist: Dancing In The Kitchen

 

1. Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There
2. Lykke Li - Little Bit
3. The Rapture - Whoo! Alright - Yeah...Uh Huh
4. San Cisco - Golden Revolver
5. Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam
6. Sam Cooke - You Send Me
7. Macabees - Toothpaste Kisses
8. Easybeats - Friday On My Mind
9. Mystery Jets - Young Love
10. The Drums - Money

Bill Coleman - "There You Go"

I stumbled upon Bill Coleman today and was pleasantly surprised that with each time I pressed play on one of his tracks, I grew ever-fonder of him. An Irish man with an impressive and understated style of folk/indie/electronic.



Check out all of his stuff, I beg you.

Cover It: James Vincent McMorrow

James Vincent McMorrow - "Higher Love"

Minus the sharp percussion, and the 80s brass, and the perms and mullets, you still have one helluva good song. Here's James Vincent McMorrow's cover of Steve Winwood's hit, Higher Love.

Fresh: Tennis

Tennis - "Origins"

This, this is brilliant. A friend-of-a-friend posted Tennis' latest single Origins, and I'm having a jolly time trekking through their catalogue tonight. Here, take a gander at Marathon, oh, and Cape Dory. It does feel like I've been thrust back to a time during primary school, with titles that evoke outdoorsy activities.



And, you have the check out their website. A big bout of nostalgia will grip you, provided you were born pre-1990.

Cover It: Ball Park Music

Ball Park Music - "Do You Realise??"

I'm aware that many (well, both really) of the covers featured on this blog are Triple J Like A Versions. But they're just so good! Check out this one by Brisbane's Ball Park Music.

Playlist: Music To Spin To

A soundtrack for a bit of spinning and twirling.

1. Beach House - Wedding Bell
2. Talking Heads - This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)
3. Lawrence Arabia - Apple Pie Bed
4. Beirut - Santa Fe
5. Nouvelle Vague - Ever Fallen In Love
6. Hungry Kids Of Hungary - Wristwatch
7. Belle & Sebastian - I Didn't See It Coming
8. Avalanche City - You And I
9. Brigitte Bardot - Moi Je Joue

Artist: EVY JANE

EVY JANE - "Sayso"

Affected somewhat by a recent viewing of The Grey, Liam Neeson's latest wolfy survival flick, I'm watching the latest clip for Vancouver's EVY JANE with a bit of tension in the belly. "No! Don't go out there! Stay inside!"

But seriously, Sayso is a stunning R&B stumbler, that features the beautiful last-breath vocals of Evelyn Maso, showcasing the pair's (that is, both Evelyn's and Jeremiah Klein's) sophisticated songwriting and production skills.

Fresh: Rufus Wainwright

Rufus Wainwright - "Out Of The Game"

Pretty gorgeous actually, featuring Helena Bonham Carter. Looking forward to the new album Out Of The Game (release date 23rd April), produced by Mark Ronson!

Artist: Santigold

Santigold - "Disparate Youth"

Really enjoying Santigold's latest offering, "Disparate Youth".

Friday Finds: Sends

Sends - "Sounds 2010-2011"

And now for an artist that you probably haven't heard of, and whose recordings haven't appeared on your Pitchfork RSS or your Twitter feed, and yet the polished and crafted quality of Sends' 2010-2011 offerings make you wonder how it hasn't. Sends' sound certainly fits nicely alongside other chill wave groups, but also explores some more interesting and jarring effects and sampling styles (see: Ghost Data and Haunted House).

Via The Sound They Make.



You can get the album for free from Sends' Bandcamp.

Remember...

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap - "Young Girl"

Maybe not. Introduced to me via the underrated TIME LIFE series CDs (thanks Mum, who also had me dancing to Motown at a young age).

Friday Finds: Jens Lekman - "An Argument With Myself"

How did I miss this? From the man who brought us the adorable mishap that was Maple Leaves.

With lyrics like "Oh please, no you oh please! / I wanna see you drop down on your knees / I wanna see your hand waving "Farewell" / Why you hittin' yourself, why you hittin' yourself?", with his sweet-and-innocent tone when cramming as many words into a sentence as possible, you might guess David O'Doherty's joined the party.

Remember...

Machine Fun Fellatio - "Girl Of My Dreams"

Machine Gun Fellatio, notorious for their risqué live performances, elaborate costumes and eclectic style disbanded in 2005. We'll never forget lovely Pinky though, a true space oddity.

Fresh: Battleships

Battleships - "In Retrospect"

Battleships are a group from Sydney getting a bit of attention back on the sunny shores of Aus. They've got a BIG sound; wavy delayed guitars and dripping in reverb their single "In Retrospect" seems to simultaneously hark back to some great 90s bands, whilst staying remarkably fresh. It may have an unusual structure and rhythmic bed, but this only assists to maintain interest and marries perfectly with the catchy melodies and simple chord structure.
You can even get a free download at Triple J Unearthed.

Friday Finds: Future Islands

Future Islands - "Balance"

I love this: Sam Herring's husky and powerful voice in the driver's seat, supported by those lovely layers of synths and that bass. The lyrics are calm, and in a way reassuring: "and the sun will leave your room / and leave you to the night / and that's alright / because before the morning comes / there's a certain calm / and then there's light"

Who wouldn't want to be on that trip with that beautiful couple?



Check out Little Dreamer and Tin Man for some more of that Sam Cooke-or-even-Desmond-Dekker-flavoured voice.

Fresh: White Rabbits

White Rabbits - "Temporary"

Found via Triple J, the new track by Brooklyn group White Rabbits. It's got a familiarity about it, a little bit Spoon-ish...whatever it is, I like it and should just it enjoy it for heaven's sake. I hear you.

Also check out Back For More.

Cover It: Lanie Lane

Lanie Lane - "Gold On The Ceiling"

Great cover of the Black Keys' track Gold On The Ceiling.

Remember...

Jem - "They"

Final year of high school and this was a mainstay. I see now that it got quite big through being on the more heart-string-pulling mainstream TV shows (The OC, Grey's Anatomy...), but at the time I thought I was among a small few who had heard it. There you go.

Fresh: Gotye

Gotye - "Easy Way Out"

Yet another brilliant film clip by Wally De Backer. Beautifully constructed with surprisingly nostalgic animation.

Gig Bite: Laneway Festival '12 - Silo Park, Auckland

Talk about a scorcher! But the grey-and-white-flecked Auckland sky, and city landscape, was the perfect backdrop for what proved to be a full day of hot new music.

EMA
First to play was American songwriter EMA (Erika M. Anderson). Some dirty grunge with a distinctly industrial motion to it, her music manages to balance the strong frontwoman (kinda Karen O, and a bit of Bjork - think the demanding vocals in Army of Me), with grinding guitars and sledge-hammer percussion. I really got into the live set, but I've only found a few tracks that have permanent homes in my library.



Cults
Next up were Cults! Continuing the gothic vibe, but injecting a bit of rock'n'roll, Cults manage to broach subjects like death and violence in a sugary, organ-infused coat of tinkly percussion and child-like vocals. Love it!



Glasser
We snuck away to the Park Lane stage to check out Glasser at this point and were grateful to catch even the smallest amount of her set. I remember hearing Apply a little while ago and loving the combination of lo-fi and tribal sounds. It was great to see Cameron Mesirow (along with a bearded and bespectacled sidekick), belting it out right next to the sparkling blue water of the viaduct.



Laura Marling
In all their motherland glory, Laura Marling and band took the stage next, armed to the teeth with mandolins, banjos, acoustic guitars and a double-bass. I just can't say enough about Marling; it might be my soft spot for a bit of British melancholy, or just my huge respect for her skill with words. No matter how hard you try you just can't resent her for being so damn young and talented.



Okay, so at this point we got a bit hungry and missed a bit...but back to the music!

Artist: Laura Marling

Laura Marling - "Ghosts"

So! It's probably a little late to do a Laneway Festival review...but I think I might. Before that, however, just thought I'd quickly share a beautiful little video by Laura Marling (who we saw play at Laneway - she was fantastic). Anyway, more on that later but please enjoy cut-outs, skull makeup and broken hearts.

Artist: Big Sad

Big Sad - "Ghost Club"

Ghost Club is the 2011 release by a good friend of mine, Big Sad. This is true alone music: the headphones go on and there's no pause to watch animal clips on YouTube or to make a cup of tea. The minimalist electronic style of this album evokes the record's namesake: the music of a ghostly place, somewhere devoid of air where the spirits come to dance. An overly literal interpretation, maybe, but the delicate percussive clicks, distant droning melodies and suffocated bass seem to bridge a space that's both organic and other-worldly.

Check out Young, and don't go using your laptop speakers: the loping footfalls of weighty bass is what really moves this track along. Vector Heart is an equally powerful piece, calming and hypnotic.

You can download the album for free here.

Friday Finds: Purity Ring

A YouTube click-through, this one. Purity Ring, the collaboration of Corin Roddick (GOBBLE GOBBLE) and Megan James, are riding the lo-fi electronic wave like pros, and yet their future pop sound is still entirely refreshing and unique. Whether it's the innocent teenage-like vocals, the tasteful use of auto-tune, dub bass and classic synth sounds; or the sophisticated lyrics, Purity Ring's three releases are just genuinely great songs.



Check out their Tumblr to download copies of a couple of their tracks.

Delightful: Martin Brooks' "Golden Tree"

Check out this film clip from Martin Brooks, directed by Ninian Doff.



Via It's Nice That.