3 posts tagged “indietronic”
The Scottish singer/songwriter/producer/remixer is truly a jack-of-all-trades. He scored a nominal hit last year with “Acceptable in the ‘80s,” poking fun at the fashion and pop culture of the period. The video is a parody of many early ‘80s new wave videos, which were often dreamlike and nonsensical (since video was a new medium for music at the time, it allowed for much more creative freedom). The 24-year-old is also known for his producing talents [Róisín Murphy, Kylie Minogue, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and the highly entertaining “Michael Jackson” by The Mitchell Brothers (you should YouTube the video immediately!)]. He lends his clever remixing abilities to tracks by The Ting Tings, CSS, and Jamiroquai. Keep on the lookout for Mr. Harris this year.
The synth-pop musical duo from The Windy City met back in 1999 and shared similar musical aesthetics. The band takes its name from vocalist Justin Sconza (who is HOT as Hell, by the way), when he asked his counterpart (instrumentalist Colin Yarck) to call him “Walter,” which was short for his new alter ego, Walter Meego. The group’s musical style has been described of elements of dance, funk, and post-punk, and they’ve been compared to the likes of New Order, Daft Punk, and Radiohead. Their upcoming full-length, Voyager, showcases a wide range of ability, and features the track, “Wanna Be a Star.” Walter Meego is probably some of the most intelligent electropop goodness in the past six years. Keep them on your radar.
Perhaps my favorite new musical act of the year thus far would undoubtedly be MGMT. The artsy bohemian duo from Brooklyn has produced some of the most innovative sounds I’ve heard this decade yet. Combining elements of garage rock, glam (think Bowie-esque and T.Rex crooning vocals), and a bit of ‘80s synths, and you’ll have a magical combination of rock that transcends time. They’ve already produced a string of catchy singles from the recently released Oracular Spectacular including the mesmerizing “Time to Pretend,” the soulful “Electric Feel,” and the synth-driven “Kids.” I know it’s only April, but I’m almost ready to hand the Best Album of the Year Award to MGMT. Check them out.
Last year, Klaxons were touted as the band to watch by NME, as the cheeky Brit mag proclaimed them the purveyors of the new rave movement. This year, NME has crowned a new band as their lovelies du jour. Foals hail from Oxford, England (which is more than just a University. Oxford is a cool little city…like a miniature London, if you will. I have an undying love for it that hasn’t faded since I studied there for a term ten years ago). Foals provide a clever combination of math rock and dance-punk that creates a captivating sound. Their debut album, Anitdotes, was just released a few weeks ago in the UK, and has already shot to number three. The album’s US release is slated for today. The band caught my attention with their single, “Mathletics” a few months back, and it hasn’t left my “most played” iPod list yet!
Black Kids have enjoyed a whirlwind of success in just six short months. Back in August, they performed for Athens Popfest (Athens, GA), and the festival catapulted them to online fame, as indie music bloggers talked about them non-stop. As a result, they received coverage in The Guardian, Vice, NME, and The Village Voice. They also released an EP titled, The Wizard of Ahhhs that same month, which earned them a stellar review from Pitchfork Media (and contained an outstanding single called “Hurricane Jane”). Since then, they’ve signed a deal with Quest Management (Björk, Arcade Fire), and have received exposure in The New York Times and USA Today. Rolling Stone named them one of the ten best new bands of 2008. Their first official single since signing with Almost Gold Recording was released yesterday and is a newly recorded version of “I’m not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You.” Look for their debut full-length (TBA) to drop in July.
In no other year since the close of the ‘90s has dance music made such a powerful comeback. The year 2007 has (in many ways) paralleled 1997 by combining indie rock and electronica. Back then, the pioneers were The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Republica, Underworld, Atari Teenage Riot, Sneaker Pimps, The Crystal Method, etc. These days, there seems to be a repeat performance with the ever-changing genre of dance-punk (as more and more disco beats are added to already synth-laden rock), as well as the proclamation of the British “new rave” movement by NME magazine. Though Britain produced some outstanding singles from stellar bands this year, 2007 really belonged to its continental neighbor, France. In fact, so many excellent tracks were produced this past year, it would take me ions to write… Suffice to say that the below are my favorites, but honorable mentions go to tracks I’ve not listed from amazing bands like Holy Hail, Cut Copy, Chromeo, The Cribs, Scratch Massive, Spoon, Digitalism, Riot in Belgium, Snowden, The Teenagers, and LA Riots (see blog post titled, "I Love the 2000's (So Far)!" for more track listings). I’ve hyerplinked the track to its corresponding YouTube video, as well as listed their Myspace address. Some of the tracks can also be found on my Featured Playlist at Projectplaylist.com, which I’ve also provided a link.
To enjoy some of the tracks from my personal playlist, click HERE.
Also, for a trip down Memory Lane, check out "2006: The Year in Music"
“It’s Not Over Yet” – Klaxons
http://www.myspace.com/klaxons
Probably the most influential band of 2007, these so-called purveyors of the British “new rave” movement offer a lot more than your typical dance-punk outfit. Inspired by everything from apocalyptic notions, to the supernatural and magic, their work references figures like Aleister Crowley, William Burroughs, and Thomas Pynchon. The band takes its name from the Greek term meaning “to shriek” (usually by a loud warning device), which is evident with the rave-style siren you hear in a few of their tracks. “It’s Not Over Yet” is one of the calmer, more melodic tracks on Myths of the Near Future (the critically acclaimed full-length debut), and has a melancholy, but oh so loveable chorus.
“Anyway You Choose to Give It” – The Black Ghosts
http://www.myspace.com/blackghosts
Following the lead of electro-dance-punk producer-duo du jour, MSTRKRFT, Simian’s Simon Lord and The Wiseguys’ Theo Keating record together as The Black Ghosts. Like Klaxons, the supernatural is a big influence on the Brit band’s music-style, but unlike Klaxons, it’s more disco-oriented, and is easily detectable in such tracks as “Anyway You Choose to Give It.” This track is not only extremely danceable, but also highly melodic…the makings of a great pop song.
“Road to Recovery” – Midnight Juggernauts
http://www.myspace.com/midnightjuggernauts
Trailing the success of fellow Aussies, The Presets, Midnight Juggernauts have blasted their way into the dance scene of the the late ‘00s. The trio’s recent full-length, Dystopia, was nominated for a J Award by the Aussie youth radio station Triple J for Australian Album of the Year. With influences like Electric Light Orchestra, it’s no wonder that their ambient melodies layered over disco synths have catapulted their underground success. They have also remixed the likes of !!!, The Presets, Dragonette, and Electric Six. They, themselves, have been remixed by Cut Copy, The Presets, and Wolfmother. “Road to Recovery” is highly melodic and trance-like over a highly danceable disco beat…highly addictive.
“Computer Camp Love” – Datarock
http://www.myspace.com/datarock
Hailing from Norway, Datarock originally released their debut album Datarock Datarock in 2005, but it was re-released this year in North America. The duo’s influences include everything from Talking Heads to the Happy Mondays, but you can definitely hear them channeling early eighties nerd-rock band, Devo in their track “Computer Camp Love.” Inspired by watching 1984’s Revenge of the Nerds, they recorded the catchy tune. When they mention Commodore 64, I had an immediate flashback to second grade (the first computer I encountered), writing cutesy programs in Basic. Datarock has also been lumped into the new rave genre, thanks to Britain’s NME magazine.
“Young Folks” – Peter Bjorn & John
http://www.myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn
The Swedes have always been the tastemakers for the Western World throughout the years. I mean, let’s examine for just a moment, shall we? Abba. Cheap Monday jeans. Gay marriage. Ikea. The Sounds. The Knife…and finally, this year’s latest export, Peter Bjorn & John. The band originally formed in 1999, but it wasn’t until the track, “Young Folks,” with its irresistibly catchy whistling intro first caught the attention of North American indie kids early last year. Since then, the song’s popularity has grown exponentially, and is now commonplace on mainstream radio.
“Nestle In My Boobies” – The Coathangers
http://www.myspace.com/fuckthecoathangers
Words cannot describe how much I love these lovely and talented ladies. Tearing up my hometown of Atlanta, and reeking havoc across the rest of the country, The Coathangers are no sweet girl band. They sing about everything from “shutting the fuck up” to “not touching their shit.” I mean, any band that names themselves after something as horrific as a pre-legal abortion instrument, is bound to have something to say…and these ladies say it…LOUDLY. “Nestle in My Boobies” has an addictive quality (maybe it’s something to do with the extremely catchy lyrical content) that makes you want to replay the song over and over. From the city that gave you The Black Lips, Snowden, and The Hiss, The Coathangers promise to make their mark on the international indie scene.
“The Bomb” – New Young Pony Club
http://www.myspace.com/newyoungponyclub
Perhaps my favorite band over the past year would undoubtedly be New Young Pony Club. Ever since I first heard the sexy track “Ice Cream” last fall, I knew the London-based band would climb to new levels of success. “Ice Cream,” as well as “Get Lucky” were both originally released in 2006, but their most recent single, “The Bomb” was released a few months shy of their full-length debut, Fantastic Playroom, last July. NYPC’s sound is probably most deserving of the term “new rave,” since they combine punk/new wave aesthetics to dancey synths, but they refute the tag. If you could combine the punkiness of girl fronted band, Elastica with the playful dancey-ness of Missing Persons, NYPC would fall somewhere in the middle.
“Lovers Who Uncover” – The Little Ones (Crystal Castles Vs. The Little Ones Remix)
http://www.myspace.com/wearethelittleones
Times are good for LA-based band, The Little Ones. Their harmonic sixties sound has been compared to the likes of The Kinks, The Zombies, and The Beach Boys. They’ve toured with fellow successful indie acts like CSS, Tilly and the Wall, and Kaiser Chiefs. Their single, “Lovers Who Uncover” is an infectious track by itself. However, when Toronto-based duo, Crystal Castles lends their fantastic remixing ability, it becomes a dance floor hit in indie dance clubs the world over.
“First Class Plane” – Rock&Roll
http://www.myspace.com/thenameofthebandisrockandroll
The year in music definitely belongs to Paris. Francophiles all over the world will delight in the emergence of multiple French bands over the past year infiltrating indie dance music. The ironically named Rock&Roll is one such band. Since their 2006 EP release First Class Plane (the cover was designed by Karl Lagerfeld), Rock&Roll continues their momentum towards mainstream success. The title-track is a guitar-laden masterpiece reminiscent of good, old-fashioned seventies rock. Like their Aussie counterparts, Wolfmother, Rock&Roll let’s you know that rock ‘n roll is still alive and well. Be on the lookout for Rock&Roll as models for Roberto Cavalli’s spring-summer 2008 campaign.
“It’s Getting Boring By the Sea” – Blood Red Shoes
http://www.myspace.com/bloodredshoes
Brighton, England is a fantastic city. With all the cultural amenities of its northern neighbor capital city, but with the advantage of the fresh sea air, Brighton is sort of like a London on the beach. Blood Red Shoes just so happen to be from this vibrant little town. However, they think it’s getting boring…so much so, that they wrote a song about it. “It’s Getting Boring By the Sea” is a guitar-heavy track evoking the spirit of ‘90s alt-rock as they croon on not being able to “escape anything in this town.”
“Never Even Told Me Her Name” – Air Traffic
http://www.myspace.com/airtraffic
Piano rock never seems to go out of style. Ask Billy Joel. Ask Elton John. Ask Ben Folds Five. It has an immediate soothing effect you just can’t seem to put into words. Brit band, Air Traffic is the latest installment of the never-dying genre that takes its name from practicing next to a runway and picking up air traffic control signals on their amplifiers. “Never Even Told Me Her Name” is a delightful little ditty that makes you want to scream the lyrics while watching them perform in a dumpy little dive bar.
“D.A.N.C.E.” – Justice
http://www.myspace.com/etjusticepourtous
Destined to be the number one indie dance track of the year, “D.A.N.C.E.” has single-handedly dominated indie dance charts for the better part of 2007. Not bad for French electro house duo, Justice, who are on their way to becoming a household name. Paying homage to Michael Jackson, “D.A.N.C.E.” references “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” as well as “ABC.” Together with other catchy singles like “DVNO” and “Tthhee Ppaarrttyy” (featuring Uffie), their 2007 full-length, †, promises to springboard them to mainstream success. Last year, the video for their single “We Are Your Friends” (with Simian) landed them Best Video at the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards (the thank you speech was famously interrupted by self-righteous rapper Kanye West, who felt he should’ve won the award). “D.A.N.C.E.” was nominated as Video or the Year at the 2007 Video Music Awards, but lost to Rihanna (featuring Jay-Z).
“Myth Takes” - !!!
http://www.myspace.com/chkchkchk
Being one of the purveyors of the dance-punk revival, !!! have made their mark on indie music throughout the decade, especially with 2004’s Louden Up Now, which made them popular with EMO kids across the globe. Their 2007 release, Myth Takes, shows a more sophisticated, intelligent, and mature !!!. The title-track hasn’t been released as a single yet (at least, not to my knowledge), but it is such a great track, I had to include it on the list. There is a definite Johnny Cash quality to the track (the monotone vocals, and the dark new wave-style instrumentation with a slight country tinge). It’s no wonder since Myth Takes was recorded in Nashville. With links to The Juan Maclean and Out Hud, !!! continues to evolve with the changing times, exciting their fans with what’s next.
“I Believe” – Simian Mobile Disco
http://www.myspace.com/simianmobiledisco
Born out of the remnants of Simian in 2005, Brit boys James Ford and James Shaw are the mastermind producer/remixer duo behind Simian Mobile Disco. Though they’ve released several low-profile singles of their own, they are arguably more noted for their acclaimed remixes for artists like Air, The GO! Team, CSS, The Presets, and Klaxons. However, with the success of last year’s “Hustler,” they’ve gained more recognition as artists in their own right. “I Believe” has helped their 2007 full-length debut, Attack Decay Sustain Release achieve international success.
“À Cause des Garçons” – Yelle
http://www.myspace.com/loveyelle
The past two years have been a whirlwind of success for this Parisian solo artist. Yelle’s popularity first rose on Myspace.com when her track “Short Dick Cuizi” (poking fun at Cuizinier of French hip-hop outfit, TTC) began receiving rapid airplay. The finalized version, “Je Veux Te Voir” has been played continuously in Parisian clubs (and clubs around the world). “À Cause des Garçons” is a bit more intelligent and mature than her previous single, but has all the same qualities that make you want to shake that rump. Both singles can be found on her 2007 release, Pop-Up.
“O-hot Brain” – One-Two
www.myspace.com/powerpopuptothetop
2007 seems to be the year of the dance-your-ass-off-powerpop-electro-producer-remixer-ruler-of-the-indie-dance-universe DUO (for example: MSTRKRFT, The Black Ghosts, Simian Mobile Disco, Datarock, Justice, Crystal Castles, Digitalism, The Presets, etc., etc.). To add to the madness is French duo One-Two. However, what sets them apart from the rest of the pack is their ‘60s pop songwriting style combined with electro-funk beats. Their production follows the likes of Phoenix, Zoot Woman, and Air. “O-hot Brain” is a delightful little pop ditty with vocals echoing Talking Heads frontman, David Byrne.
“Cold Hands” – Black Lips
http://www.myspace.com/theblacklips
As I said in my previous blog post, certain time periods in my life are characterized by the music I listen to. In other words, I have a personal soundtrack tied to many of my memories. The 2000’s are my decade of independence… I graduated college in 1999, so the turn of the millennium began a whole new chapter in my life. Some of the best times, and, indeed, some of the absolute worst times have been over the past seven years. At the beginning of the decade, my musical taste was quite varied, but I enjoyed downtempo, deep house, jungle, and indie rock. By the time late 2002 came along, a musical renaissance was blossoming in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which paved the way for indie rock’s resurgence and its redefined sound in the mid-late ‘00s. The movement was coined “electroclash” and touted the early eighties’ most prized musical instrument, the synthesizer. Most electroclash was inspired by ‘80s new wave and synthpop, so fashion directly reflected the time period. As a result, we still have tinges of ‘80s revival in fashion and mainstream music thanks to electroclash. Below are some of my favorite tracks of the decade thus far. Again, I’ve linked them to YouTube videos where available. Enjoy!
2000
“Trouble” – Coldplay
“Bohemian Like You” – The Dandy Warhols
“Be Yourself” – Morcheeba
“Everything in its Right Place” – Radiohead
“Like A Feather” – Nikka Costa
“Shadows of Ourselves” – Thievery Corporation
“Never Gonna Come Back Down” – BT
“Messenger” – Aerial (now Aerial2012)
“Playgirl” – Ladytron
“Fuck the Pain Away” – Peaches
“You’re My Disco” – Waldorf
"Always" - Lisa Shaw (Restless Soul Peaktime Mix) guilty pleasure house track
"True Love" - Aquanote (Original Mix) guilty pleasure house track
2001
“Tomorrow Comes Today” – Gorillaz
“Don’t Panic” – Coldplay
“Elegant, Intricate” – pH Balance
“Sei Tu” – The Dining Rooms
“(Come Potrei) Scordare” – Bertrand Burgalat
“Sippin’ 40z” – Gravy Train!!!!
“Frank Sinatra” – Miss Kittin
“Love Burns” – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
"Family Affair" - Mary J. Blige guilty pleasure Top 40 track
2002
“Destiny” – Zero 7
"Get Free" - The Vines
“Remind Me” – Röyksopp (featuring Erlend Øye)
“In the Waiting Line” – Zero 7
“Fell in Love with a Girl” – The White Stripes
“Politik” – Coldplay
“Agenda Suicide” – The Faint
“Madame Hollywood (Mr. Hollywood Version)” – Tiga
“All Around the World (Punk Debutante)” – Cooler Kids
“Do I Look Like A Slut?” – Avenue D
“Replicunt” – Dirty Sanchez
“House of Jealous Lovers” – The Rapture
2003
“Seven Nation Army” – The White Stripes
“Sweetness” – Fischerspooner
“Kick in the Shin” – Adult.
“Strict Machine” – Goldfrapp
“Seventeen” – Ladytron
“Asymmetric” – Dirty Sanchez
“Bike Thief” – Freezepop
“Mine for Life” – The Sounds
“No, Not Now” – Hot Hot Heat
“Bandages” – Hot Hot Heat
“Talk to Me, Dance With Me” – Hot Hot Heat
“Such Great Heights” – The Postal Service
“Clark Gable” – The Postal Service
“Move Your Feet” – Junior Senior
"Movin' On" - Miguel Migs (Vocal Mix) guilty pleasure house track
2004
“No Expectations” – I Am the World Trade Center
“Between Us and Them” – Moving Units
“Emancipation” – Moving Units
“This Is How We Do” – Mount Sims
“Hello, Is This Thing On?” – !!!
“Girl and the Sea” – The Presets
“Desperate Guys” – The Faint
“Michael” – Franz Ferdinand
“Dead Disco” – Metric
“Combat Baby” – Metric
“Party Crashers” – Radio 4
“Misfit” – Elefant
“Night on Fire” – VHS or Beta
“You Got Me” – VHS or Beta
“Everything Is Everything” – Phoenix
“Run, Run, Run” – Phoenix
"Turn It Up" - Robots In Disguise
"Lola's Theme" - Shapeshifters guilty pleasure house track
"L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)" - Kasabian
"Flawless (Go to the City)" - George Michael guilty pleasure Top 40 track
2005
“Everyday I Love You Less and Less” – Kaiser Chiefs
“I Burn for You” – Paradise Boys
“Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)” - The Arcade Fire
“Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth” – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!
“Romantic Rights” – Death from Above 1979
“Walking with a Ghost” – Tegan and Sara
“Dare” – Gorillaz
“Grass” – Animal Collective
“Disco Sheets” – Wolf Parade
“Tribulations” – LCD Soundsytem
“Red Light” – The Dead 60s
“Bucky Done Gun” – M.I.A.
“Random” – Lady Sovereign
2006
See blog post titled, “2006: The Year in Music” for complete list.
“Are You the One?” – The Presets
“Burning” – The Whitest Boy Alive
“Lloyd, I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken” – Camera Obscura
“Ice Cream” – New Young Pony Club
"Free Stress Test" - Professor Murder
"JeVeux te Voir" - Yelle
"Dirty Party" - Juan Trip'
"Photobooth" - Friendly Fires
"Jump (Radio Edit)" - Madonna guilty pleasure Top 40 track
2007
See blog post titled, "2007: The Year in Music" for complete list.
“Pieces of People We Love” – The Rapture
"Born of a Star" - Holy Hail
"Saturdays" - Cut Copy
"Fancy Footwork" - Chromeo
"Hey Scenesters!" - The Cribs
"Broken English" - Scratch Massive
"Don't You Evah" - Spoon
"Pogo" - Digitalism
"La Musique" - Riot in Belgium
"Like Bullets" - Snowden
"Homecoming" - The Teenagers
"LaLaLa" - Nouvelle Vague (featuring Julie Delpy)
"Sorry" - Kaskade (Dirty South Mix) guilty pleasure house track
2008
"Time to Pretend" - MGMT
"Kids" - MGMT
"Electric Feel" - MGMT
"Tomorrowland" - Walter Meego
"More Than I Can Say" - Walter Meego
"Mathletics": - Foals
"Hurricane Jane" - The Black Kids
"Disco Heat" - Calvin Harris
"You Belong" - Hercules & Love Affair
"Summer" - Shy Child
"Great DJ" - The Ting Tings
"American Boy" - Estelle (featuring Kanye West) guilty pleasure Top 40 track
