Hailing from LA, The Funeral Party are a far more joyful prospect than their doom laden moniker may suggest. The band’s mix of distorted power chords, cowbells and screeching vocals creates a glorious racket that should see them mentioned on many tastemaker’s lips. On the appropriately titled ‘NYC Moves To The Sound Of LA’, the quartet display a fiery knack for a killer hook while lead singer Chad Elliott’s screams are the perfect accompaniment to the frantic backing. Although The Funeral Party take their name from one of the more sombre moments of The Cure’s 1981 album ‘Faith’, The Funeral Party site a wide range of influences on their MySpace from Brian Eno, Aphex Twin and Yazoo (or ‘Yaz’ as they’re known in The States).
Penning a song about New York has clearly worked out for Funeral Party, as they’ve attracted the attention of one of the city’s most prominent tastemakers. The band will be supporting Julian Casablancas on the singer’s upcoming US tour in April. While no releases are lined up yet, we recommend keeping an eye on their MySpace for forthcoming releases.
Neon Indian’s new single , ‘Sleep Paralysist’, is the latest offering on the Green Label Sound’ series of exclusive free downloads from some of the most creative names of the moment – joining the likes of Chromeo, Solid Gold and Amazing Baby.
The project, created in Austin, Texas by 21 year-old wonder kid Juan Palomo – formerly known as VEGA – earned raved reviews last year with debut album ‘Psychic Chasms’. Neon Indian’s blend of lo-fi analog recordings; synth riffs and psychedelic vibes has been a key player on shaping the new ‘Glo-fi’ style, one of the most promising trends in today’s indie music.
‘Sleep Paralysist’ was recorded in collaboration with Chirs Taylor of Grizzly Bear and can be downloaded here.
One of the latest voices to come out in support of the seemingly doomed digital radio station 6Music is that of Domino Recording Co. The label has one of the widest ranging and varied rosters of any independent label and its values are clearly in line with the mindset of the station. While Domino is home to such major artists as Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand and Animal Collective; the label also devotes as much attention to nurturing smaller acts such as Eugene McGuiness, Wild Beasts and Four Tet. The label’s ethos has always been to develop artists they love, rather ones that are sure to sell millions of records. It’s a view that is shared by 6Music, whose DJ’s promote and play music they have a genuine affection for, not just records that have been included on a playlist.
Considering the station and the label embody several of the same values, it’s no surprise Domino has shown its support for the station. Many of the label’s acts have also issued statements showing their support, including this from Lightspeed Champion:
“The end of 6Music is such a disgrace and catastrophe, I learnt so much from it, and imagine that if I was younger I would have learnt more. A lot of people are going to remember this. This is so upsetting for music fans across the country.”
6 Music’s roots are laid in the tradition of such tastemakers as John Peel, and it would certainly be missed here at Shazam HQ. For more information regarding the bid, head to the Save BBC 6Music Facebook page here. The BBC are also welcoming feedback for the proposals. To get your feelings across regarding the matter please send your thoughts to SRconsultation@bbc.co.uk.
One of the most eagerly awaited releases of 2010, the follow-up to Brooklyn duo’s MGMT groundbreaking debut ‘Oracular Spectacular’, is beginning to take shape. Hardcore fans will already be familiar with the album’s title, ’Congratulations’, and the colourful, cartoon-inspired cover. Added to that, there will also be a limited edition package that’s set to feature a special coin, a 32-page booklet and a scratch-off front cover.
Now the time has come for the first taster, which the band is giving away through their website. ‘Flash Delirium’ continues the duo’s taste for mixing diverse musical influences into the same track. This time paying tribute to both Phil Spector’s epic wall of sound and the current batch of new lo-fi and DIY artists. The results, if not as immediately catchy as ‘Kids’ or ‘Time To Pretend’, may be as rewarding after a just few listens.
Fresh from winning the Best Male category at this year’s NME Awards, Jamie T is set to release the latest single from his second album ‘Kings & Queens’. ‘Emily’s Heart’ is one of the album’s more solemn moments, with the singer reflecting on a love gone wrong. The accompanying video is sure to win over many fans. It follows a young man’s fruitless attempt in trying to get the affections of a girl, one that unfortunately seems slightly out of his league.
The full single is released on March 15th through Virgin and is currently available to download through iTunes.
Fernando Miranda Rios, A.K.A. Michoacan, is an unclassifiable producer from the Bay Area of San Francisco. His work has previously found favour with all manner of dance music taste makers. Noted fans include Belgian Electro-clash pioneer Dr. Lektroluv, who signed Michoacan to his label in the mid noughties, and deep house maven James Priestly from Secretsundaze – who has made Michoacan’s track ‘2 Bullets’ a bona fide anthem at his über cool London parties.
‘In The Dark Of The Night’ represents Michoacan’s first releases on DFA; a seemingly natural home for his off kilter dance stylings. The record starts off with some tripped out phased drums, that could have been ripped straight from a late 80’s dub mix by Francois K or Paul Simpson, then deliciously warps into a solid punk-funk bassline. With clear influences from the underground music of early 1980’s New York, ‘In The Dark Of The Night’ is a quintessentially DFA-esque track. Which is high praise when you consider how well regarded the label’s output has been in recent years.
The video for ‘In The Dark Of The Night’ isn’t too shabby either. Featuring a visual montage of club scenes, disco balls and flashy lighting; the video looks as though the cameraman has been thrown into a disco snow globe and shaken vigorously.
To listen and buy ‘In The Dark Of The Night’ from iTunes click this link
After their debut album ‘Antidotes’ was released to universal acclaim back in 2008, there’s been much hype surrounding Foals next move. The first new track to surface from the band is the epic six-minute ‘Spanish Sahara’: a taster of the group’s new work but not an official single. Opening with a quietly strummed guitar and lead singer Yannis Philippakis’ falsetto vocal, the record is fairly sparse when compared with their previous dancefloor aimed singles ‘Ballons’ and ‘Cassuis’. However that’s not to criticize the slow burning track, it merely shows how the band’s sound has progressed from their previously poppier musical leanings. ‘Spanish Sahara’ takes the Oxford quintet’s trademark looped guitar riffs and pounding drums and evolves them into something new. Rest assured, the song quickly roots itself in your head and proves a great taster for the album, ‘Total Life Forever’.
‘Total Life Forever’ will be released on May 10th and the band has also announced a short, intimate UK tour to accompany the release of its debut single, ‘This Orient’. Foals have also made a remix of ‘Spanish Sahara’ available as a free download from their website. Tickets for the tour will be available at 9am on March 12th and the band will play the following dates.
Thu 29th April Liverpool Kazimier
Fri 30th April Newcastle Uni
Sun 2nd May Glasgow ABC
Mon 3rd May Leeds Met Uni
Tues 4th May Manchester Ritz
Thurs 6th May Cambridge Junction
Fri 7th May Nottingham Trent Uni
Sat 8th May Bristol Anson Rooms
Mon 10th May London Electric Ballroom
Weds 12th May Oxford 02 Academy
Fri 14th May Dublin Ambassador
Despite launching their career via their cult BBC radio series, New Zealand comedy-folk-rap-acapella duo Flight Of The Conchords have not performed in the UK since they gained their big break in the USA. Thankfully that’s all about to change with the announcement that Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie will finally be bringing their much acclaimed act to British shores this May.
If you’re not familiar with Flight Of The Conchords, their dry and subtly written HBO comedy show follows the exploits of a hapless New Zealand folk band trying to make it in New York with the help of their inept and hilariously naïve manager, Murray Hewitt. What makes the show shine, however, is Flight Of The Conchords’ wry, quirky but always amazingly inventive pastiches of pop music staples. Taking on everything from gangsta rap to Pet Shop boys style electro pop; Flight Of The Conchords’ songs are both funny and hugely listenable. Just check out their epic tribute to Barry White (above) for proof.
Flight Of The Conchords’ gigs will be supported by Kristen Schaal, who plays superfan Mel in the HBO series, and Arj Barker who plays the band’s friend Dave – both great comic actors in their own right. Tickets go on sale tomorrow and considering Flight Of The Conchords’ fanatic fan base you best get in there quickly if you’re interested in securing any.
Tour Dates
Dublin Olympia (May 5,6)
Birmingham NIA (10)
Manchester Apollo (11, 12)
Glasgow SECC (14, 15)
London HMV Hammersmith Apollo (May 16, 17)
London promoters Upset The Rhythm proved beyond doubt that Sub Pop still have an eye for finding great new alternative music. Recent signings Dum Dum Girls showed why they have the likes of Pitchfork and Vice eating out of their hands . Hailing from LA, the quartet pen beautifully fuzzy and spiky pop; recalling Motown harmonies but also the feedback drenched punk of bands like Black Tambourine.
Also performing on the night was London’s own Male Bonding. Again another recent signing to the legendary imprint, the punky trio set the tone perfectly with a frantic set. Tracks like ‘Years Not Long’ are delivered with reverb soaked vocals and backed by a mind numbingly tight rhythm section. The band are about to embark on US tour with Vivian Girls and will hopefully transfer the tenacity of their live show across an album.
While Dum Dum Girls decreased the pace slightly after Male Bonding, they were no less well received. The packed crowd gently nodded along to lead singer Dee Dee’s hypnotic vocals. Showcasing tracks from their forthcoming debut album, ‘I Will Be’, Dum Dum Girls showed that they perfectly justify the lavish praise they’ve been receiving of late. The band are about to play SXSW later this month, before embarking on a full US tour supporting American indie band, Girls. For more details head to their MySpace.
Our favourite US art rockers are previewing their fifth studio album ‘Sisterworld’ in full at MySpace one week ahead of release.
The album was conceived and recorded in Los Angeles and it’s based on Liars’ interest for “the alternate spaces people create in order to maintain identity in a city like L.A. Environments where outcasts and loners celebrate a skewered relationship to society”. ‘Sisterworld’ is somehow the trio’s attempt to find one of those alternate spaces and preserve their musical identity. The anticipating track ‘Scissors’ takes off right where their acclaimed ‘Drum’s Not Dead’ ended.
‘Sisterworld’ is released via Mute on March the 8th in normal and expanded versions. The expanded one will feature a bonus remix disc featuring the likes of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe, Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox, Melvins and others reworking some of its tracks.
Further details and tour dates are available at Liars official webpage.
