Posts Tagged ‘alternative’

saturday nite with… THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP

Aug 21st, 10 / 0 Comments

The Phenomenal Handclap Band is a tight-knit aggregation of musicians and artists from Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. At the center of it there are two talented musicians: Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand, who, after years of searching and contemplation, through live performance and the manipulation of recorded music, have finally succeeded in realising their singular musical vision. They have gathered around them talented musicians such as Patrick Wood, Nicholas Movshon, Luke O’Malley, Laura Marin, Quinn Luke, and Joan Tick, enhanced by the remarkable talents of Aurelio Valle, Carol C, Jaleel Bunton, Bart Davenport, Jon Spencer, and Lady Tigra, among carefully chosen others.

The Phenomenal Handclap Band – Tears

Together they have crafted a sound that is equal parts anthemic, dancefloor-oriented and orchestral, borrowing elements from progressive rock, disco, electro, and psychedelia.

The Phenomenal Handclap Band started when Collás and Marquand, two New York underground club DJs, became restless with the concept of playing other people’s music. Both had also been involved in the thriving nightlife scene and had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of esoteric music ranging from Brazilian soul to vintage psych-rock. As a band The Phenomenal Handclap have put together a stunning debut album which is the harmonious culmination of their diverse musical backgrounds.

The Phenomenal Handclap Band – Baby (Clock Opera Remix)

The Phenomenla Handclap Band – 15 To 20 (David E Sugar Replay Remix)

For more info, check out the band’s page on MySpace. You can buy their debut album on The

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TUNE YARDS @ PANTIERO FESTIVAL

Aug 13th, 10 / 1 Comment

tUnE-yArDs is the moniker of American multi-instrumentalist Merrill Garbus. Her first full-length as tUnE-yArDs, Bird Brains, was released in August 2009 on British independent record label 4AD. Before working solo, she was part of the band a Sister Suvi.

Last night in Cannes, Merrill walked on stage bare foot and ready to give it all! First there is this amazing voice, enhanced by African-influenced drums, bass and ukulele. Then there is Merrill’s natural ease on stage, her instant bond with the audience and her warmth. Song after song the atmosphere gets more intimate and we get acquainted with an artist whose positive attitude is incredibly contagious.

tUnE-yArDs – Fiya

tUnE-yArDs’ do-it-yourself approach to music, which was the motto of the the self-recorded and self-produced debut Bird-Brains, works like a charm on stage. It seems like the songs on the album find their true meaning during this performance, as if their existence on a physical record was too limiting for them and they needed to be played out in the open to really shine. It may be due to Merrill’s experience of living in different places (Kenya and Quebec) or maybe just her personality, but all through the performance there is a clear impulse to share and open up, to communicate and create a real dialogue with the audience. As a matter of fact, the singer repeatedly addressed the audience in French

tUnE-yArDs – Synonynonym

tUnE-yArDs’ debut album Bird-Brains is availabe worldwide since November on 4AD and you can buy it on Tune-Yards. It was first released as a limited edition vinyl and cassette in June 2009 via the Portland-based imprint Marriage Records. It was then remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright and the new version includes two bonus tracks: “Want Me To” and “Real Live Flesh.”

Show tUnE-yArDs some love on MySpace.

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MARTINA TOPLEY BIRD – SOME PLACE SIMPLE (Alternative/Indie/Pop – UK)

Aug 11th, 10 / 0 Comments

British vocalist Martina Topley Bird, best for her work with trip-hop legend Tricky, recently released her third solo effort, Some Place Simple, on Damian Alban’s label Honest Jon.

On this album, the artist actually revisits songs from her previous two albums, Quixotic and The Blue God (which was produced by Danger Mouse). The idea to record new versions of some of her songs actually came about after Damon Albarn  (Gorillaz frontman) encouraged her to strip the songs naked and get back to the simplicity of vocal melody and drums.

Martina Topley Bird – Poison

“Poison” is a good example of this less-is-more approach: Topley Bird’s gospel-inspired vocals, African drums and tambourine, full stop. The result is a song that is simple and straightforward  but also warm and disarmingly honest. As with many other tracks on the album, the subtle arrangements and soulful vocals work like a charm, turning this album into the artist’s most distinctive and imaginative record so far. Not content with this wholly stunning reinvention of her previous tracks, Martina Topley Bird also recorded four new songs for the album: “Orchids”, “All Day”, “Kiss kiss kiss” and “Harpsichord Kiss”.

As a bonus, here’s a disco-friendly remix of “Poison”. Produced by Australian hip electro outfit Van She, it’s synth-laden, heavy bass ode to the dancefloor…

Martina Topley Bird – Poison (Van She Tech Remix)

Drop by Martina Topley Bird’s MySpace for more info and music. Buy the new album on Some

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EBERG – ANTIDOTE (Indie/Electronica/Pop – Iceland)

Jul 13th, 10 / 2 Comments

Eberg is a young Icelandic musician who made his debut in 2003. With his electronica-meets-indie rock sound, Eberg quickly made a name for himself.

His first album, Plastic Lion, was originally a limited edition Iceland-only release, with 50 CDs packaged in handmade wooden cases. The profits raised from the sale of these 50 first exclusive copies allowed the band to make more CDs, with a more conventional packaging this time. Plastic Lion was then distributed by Bad Taste in Iceland by Rotator in the UK the next year.

Eberg’s second album, Voff Voff, followed in the footsteps of his debut, still mixing electronic arrangements, traditional instruments and samples. The album got rave reviews among critics and bloggers and some of the singles  (most notably “Inside Your Head”) became hits in the UK, getting airplay on UK hit-maker radio BBC Radio 1.

Eberg – Inside Your Head [download HERE]

On his third album, Antidote, Eberg manages to create a perfect balance of moods and styles. On this largely varied album, he flirts with indie rock, brings in hints of trip-hop and embraces dreampop. Poignant and quirky, his songs are at times nostalgic, at times hopeful, but always earnest.  There are more fuzzed-up guitars this time around but there is still a fair amount of experimentation with textures and sounds. Sharp and concise, and always recognizably Eberg, Antidote is what critics were expecting from Eberg and he has delivered.

Eberg – Antidote

If you want to find out more about Eberg or sample some of his new songs, visit his page on MySpace. Please show your support and buy his music on Eberg

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SUNBIRDS – RIVER RUN (Alternative/Pop/Rock – UK)

Jul 6th, 10 / 0 Comments

Sunbirds are much more than just another indie rock band! With members hailing from London, Los Angeles and France, they have developed a rare sense of sonic eclecticism that directly results from the combination of their culturally diverse backgrounds .

United through their love of music, the four piece found a new home in London, where they are now based. Together they make very catchy, melodic pop/rock with a nice twist of psychedelia, sometimes reminiscent of US indie sensation Yeasayer or Australian underground mainstay Lost Valentinos

Sunbirds – Sunshine

Sunbirds relish the classics of rock music and psychedelia so it’s only natural that their sound should be influenced by the music of their forefathers. Through experimentation and endless hours of work in the studio, they have managed to create a sound that is both deeply rooted in the past and looking straight to the future, making it utterly timeless.

Sunbirds’ brilliant debut EP, River Run, will be out digitally on July 19 2010. It will be available worldwide through Smoky Carrot but if you can’t wait, you can listen to it in streaming HERE.

In the meantime, you can get a free download of the single “Sunshine” on Sunbirds’ official website and show the boys some love on MySpace.

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SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS – IAMUNDERNODISGUISE (Alternative/Psychedelica – US)

May 18th, 10 / 0 Comments

Brooklyn-based electro pychodelica trio School of Seven Bells (aka SVIIB) have annouced the release of their sophomore effort Disconnect From Desire, due out on July 13.

Benjamin Curtis (guitar) and twin sisters Alejandra Deheza (vocals, bass) and Claudia Deheza (vocals, keyboards) are still mesmerizing the listener with their dreamy sound and abstract lyrics.

School of Seven Bells – Face To Face On High Places (Jesu Remix)

School of Seven Bells – Iamundernodisguise (Alternate Version)

Find out more on School of Seven Bells’ MySpace and buy the new album on School

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FUJIYA & MIYAGI – PAPER AIRPLANES (Electronica/Alt – UK)

Apr 26th, 10 / 0 Comments

Brighton-based band Fujiya & Miyagi was formed in 2000. Strange name for an English band? As explained by David Best (lead vocalist but also guitarist and keyboardist), the name comes from the movie ‘The Karate Kid’ and a brand of record players: “Miyagi was taken from the film ‘The Karate Kid’ and Fujiya was the name of a record player. It just looked really nice written down. And it was the only name we came up with”.

Fujiya & Miyagi are self-described as being heavily influenced by 70’s krautrock bands such as Can and Neu! as well as early-90’s electronic music artists like Aphex Twin or  Tom Tom Club, all filtered for modern times.

Fujiya & Miyagi – Paper Airplanes

With their eclectic sound and interesting use of lyrics as just another element of rhythm in their songs, Fujiya & Miyagi have won over the hearts of a legion of supporters, among whom may be counted DFA, Tiga, Chicken Lips, Damo Suzuki and BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson.

Fujiya & Miyagi – Collarbone

They have also done some noteworthy remixes for bands such as Mercury Rev, Bomb The Bass or Half Cousin. Check out more music by Fujiya & Miyaki on MySpace and vote for their tracks on Hype Machine. Download their music on Fujiya & Miyagi

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NAJWA – EL ÚLTIMO PRIMATE (Indie/Rock – Spain)

Mar 4th, 10 / 1 Comment

Actress-singer-composer Najwa Nimri started making electronic music in 1996 with Spanish music producer Carlos Jean. As Najwajean they released their first LP, No blood, in 1998. They also worked together on two soundtracks (Asfalto and Guerreros) and released a compilation in 2002. After taking time off, the duo got back together in 2008 and released their first studio album in ten years Till It Breaks.

Najwajean – Drive Me

Najwa debuted as a solo artist in 2001 with her first LP Carefully. She worked with different producers and created a whole new sound, earning her both critical acclaim and commercial success. After releasing two more albums (Mayday and Walkabout), Najwa is now taking a new step and releasing her first album sung entirely in Spanish.

Najwa – Como un animal

El Último Primate is also a drastic change musically, since it mostly leaves behind electronic sounds and showcases a radically different sonic landscape.  Acoustic guitars and live drums clearly take the lead on this new record, produced by Peter Walsh and recorded in London. The overall feeling is that of a much darker record, that truly enhances Najwa’s interpretation. More intimate and confident El Último Primate might well be her best album to date.

Check Najwa’s official website for more info and buy her music on 7digital or  Najwa

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BARK BARK DISCO – SONG FOR THE LOVERS (Indie/Pop – Germany/Malta)

Mar 1st, 10 / 1 Comment

Bark Bark Disco is a band from the island of Malta and the city of Berlin. Its members, Morris, Charlotte and Antonio, created the band in August 2009, just a week before they played their debut concert with Bonnie Prince Billy, in a masonic cemetery in Valletta. Allegedly it was this gig that actually pushed the band to formation.

Bark Bark Disco – Song for the Lovers

Their track “Song For The Lovers” is a deliciously simplistic pop song with the catchiest of hooks. This electropop sound, that they describe as bedroom pop, permeates their debut album Your Mum Says Hello (released in February 2010). You can download it for free on their website.

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FAN DEATH – VERONICA’S VEIL (Alt/Disco – Canada)

Jul 16th, 09 / 0 Comments

Fan Death hail from Vancouver and are a quirky electro disco duo. They were one of the breakout acts of ‘08, along with Empire Of The Sun. The disco revival is in full swing (see Hercules & Love Affair, Holy Ghost!, Glass Candy) and these two Canadians bring you the beats like no other.

Fan Death – Veronica’s Veil (Erol Alkan’s Extended Mix)

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