“Hawaii Aloha” sounds like something that would be life changing live. When I first saw them at Outside Lands ’10, the crowd was pushing and shoving each other all over the place. No rules. No one cared. Singing at the top of their longs. It was the Strokes first time back in California in almost 5 years. This song reminds me of that. The Strokes – Hawaii Aloha
“I’ll Try Anything Once” is a slower, serious, more intimate version of “You Only Live Once,” the track that got me into the lifestyle and procured the creation of YOLO. Very beautiful track that defies the Strokes we’re used to getting. I love these guys… The Strokes – I’ll Try Anything Once
FULL POST
Holy shit! New Strokes songs! Well two of them…to me at least. These demo surfaced after being buried for years in the interwebs. “Rhythm Song” seems to be a demo pre Is This It? Which explains it’s fucking AWESOME rawness, which the Strokes built their reputation around. Julian’s powerful vocals, Nik’s ridiculous riffs, getting lost in Nikolai’s basslines, Fabio’s perfect drumming, and Albert keeping it all together. Old rockin’ Strokes. Not that I’m hating on the new Strokes. It’s all just different. The Strokes – Rhythm Song
“Hawaii Aloha” sounds like something that would be life changing live. When I first saw them at Outside Lands ’10, the crowd was pushing and shoving each other all over the place. No rules. No one cared. Singing at the top of their longs. It was the Strokes first time back in California in almost 5 years. This song reminds me of that. The Strokes – Hawaii Aloha
“I’ll Try Anything Once” is a slower, serious, more intimate version of “You Only Live Once,” the track that got me into the lifestyle and procured the creation of YOLO. Very beautiful track that defies the Strokes we’re used to getting. I love these guys… The Strokes – I’ll Try Anything Once
It wouldn’t be hyperbolic to say that The Strokes’ debut Is This It? is a musical epoch. Many of us can remember the first time we heard it and the ensuing obsession that became a lasting addiction. The Strokes, young and unintentionally cool, kicking over mic stands (or more literally picking them up and throwing them), became a band that would shape a generation’s music. Many prominent figures in the indie scene today (i.e., Arctic Monkeys, and Tokyo Police Club, etc.) credit them as a major influence. Is This It?, one of the few flawless albums to date, is nearing its ten year anniversary this Saturday and in that spirit, Stereogum asked 11 indie bands to cover each track. Each track is carefully and respectfully reinvented.
1. Peter Bjorn & John – Is This It?Delightful Choice!
A glossy opener, it’s evident that Swedish trio Peter Bjorn & John did not take the task of covering the Strokes lightly. They do not deviate from the original track, though it is sped up and revamped with electric guitars and a synthy twist. It is clear they were not trying to meddle with the originality of the song. “We just wanted to play it as good as we could,” John Erikson told Stereogum. It’s nothing game changing but it is a job well done.
2. Chelsea Wolfe – The Modern Age
Chelsea Wolfe takes a sedated take on “The Modern Age.” It’s lo-fi and heavy like something from a bad dream, but in a surprisingly cool way. It’s not utterly shocking to hear that she had been taking “lots of heavy cough syrup” when she recorded it.
3. Frankie Rose – SomaDelightful Choice!
Frankie Rose’s sugar-coated take on “Soma” is a sort of shimmering memory. It’s enjoyable and nostalgic in a sort of 1990’s romantic comedy kinda way, but not as formulaic. Emphasis on synth and heavy drums serves to keep the song fast-moving and smooth but also utterly enjoyable.
4. Real Estate – Barely LegalDelightful Choice!
According to Martin Courtney, Real Estate was influenced by the Strokes from the beginning, starting a Strokes coverband at 15. They did a really nice job of making “Barely” Legal” their own. It embraces the edge that makes Real Estate such a unique (and kickass) band, meanwhile maintaining the original vibes of the song.
5. Wise Blood – Someday
Wise Blood’s take on “Someday” is nearly a new track entirely. It’s edgy and indie, embellished and austere. It’s a complex arrangement but it holds onto the original structure of the song. “I decided to try and stick with the way the song develops,” Chris Laufman said.
6. Austra – Alone, Together
Katie Stelmanis said she had a tough time with the cover but eventually embraced it as an Austra song. It has definitely been tailored to her style, but it succeeds in still managing to sound like the original Strokes song, quite a feat when refashioning something already considered flawless.
7. The Morning Benders – Last NiteDelightful Choice!
San Francisco natives the Morning Benders dissembled the album’s first single “Last Nite” and restructured it into an undeniably fun pop jam. They took the seemingly sporadic assembly of the original track and organized it into something structured but pretty damn catchy.
8. Owen Pallet – Hard To Explain
Owen Pallet’s rendition of “Hard To Explain” is a really lovely classical composition. It opens with the original melody delivered by violins and Pallet’s emotion-driven vocals. It really manages to harness the sentiment of the song in a beautiful way.
9. Heems – New York City Cops
Heems takes a “fuck tha police” approach to “New York City Cops,” a song that originally lamented that “New York City cops ain’t too smart.” All Himanshu Suri had to say about what influenced his interpretation of the song:
“Michael Stewart, Eleanor Bumpurs, Amadou Diallo, Patrick Dorismond, Alberta Spruill, Timothy Stansbury, Abner Louima, Sean Bell, Ousmane Zongo, Randolph Evans, Anthony Baez, Clifford Glover, and Fermin Arzou were senselessly beaten or killed by the NYPD while unarmed.”
10. Deradoorian – Trying Your Luck
Deradoorian’s rendition of “Trying Your Luck” is slightly more lethargic than the original, with a subtle sort of reggae twist. It’s well structured, gleaned and sweetly catchy. It shifts the emphasis on the lyrics in such a way that it seems less mournful and more optimistic than the original.
11. Computer Magic – Take It Or Leave ItDelightful Choice!
Computer Magic is perhaps most suited to cover the album’s closing track. Newwave and futuristic it is a perfect testament to the timelessness of the album. Yet Danielle Johnson still manages to make it her own. Like every other song on the tribute, uniquely refurbished, it offers much more than a cover to a classic song.
FULL POST
It wouldn’t be hyperbolic to say that The Strokes’ debut Is This It? is a musical epoch. Many of us can remember the first time we heard it and the ensuing obsession that became a lasting addiction. The Strokes, young and unintentionally cool, kicking over mic stands (or more literally picking them up and throwing them), became a band that would shape a generation’s music. Many prominent figures in the indie scene today (i.e., Arctic Monkeys, and Tokyo Police Club, etc.) credit them as a major influence. Is This It?, one of the few flawless albums to date, is nearing its ten year anniversary this Saturday and in that spirit, Stereogum asked 11 indie bands to cover each track. Each track is carefully and respectfully reinvented.
1. Peter Bjorn & John – Is This It?Delightful Choice!
A glossy opener, it’s evident that Swedish trio Peter Bjorn & John did not take the task of covering the Strokes lightly. They do not deviate from the original track, though it is sped up and revamped with electric guitars and a synthy twist. It is clear they were not trying to meddle with the originality of the song. “We just wanted to play it as good as we could,” John Erikson told Stereogum. It’s nothing game changing but it is a job well done.
2. Chelsea Wolfe – The Modern Age
Chelsea Wolfe takes a sedated take on “The Modern Age.” It’s lo-fi and heavy like something from a bad dream, but in a surprisingly cool way. It’s not utterly shocking to hear that she had been taking “lots of heavy cough syrup” when she recorded it.
3. Frankie Rose – SomaDelightful Choice!
Frankie Rose’s sugar-coated take on “Soma” is a sort of shimmering memory. It’s enjoyable and nostalgic in a sort of 1990’s romantic comedy kinda way, but not as formulaic. Emphasis on synth and heavy drums serves to keep the song fast-moving and smooth but also utterly enjoyable.
4. Real Estate – Barely LegalDelightful Choice!
According to Martin Courtney, Real Estate was influenced by the Strokes from the beginning, starting a Strokes coverband at 15. They did a really nice job of making “Barely” Legal” their own. It embraces the edge that makes Real Estate such a unique (and kickass) band, meanwhile maintaining the original vibes of the song.
5. Wise Blood – Someday
Wise Blood’s take on “Someday” is nearly a new track entirely. It’s edgy and indie, embellished and austere. It’s a complex arrangement but it holds onto the original structure of the song. “I decided to try and stick with the way the song develops,” Chris Laufman said.
6. Austra – Alone, Together
Katie Stelmanis said she had a tough time with the cover but eventually embraced it as an Austra song. It has definitely been tailored to her style, but it succeeds in still managing to sound like the original Strokes song, quite a feat when refashioning something already considered flawless.
7. The Morning Benders – Last NiteDelightful Choice!
San Francisco natives the Morning Benders dissembled the album’s first single “Last Nite” and restructured it into an undeniably fun pop jam. They took the seemingly sporadic assembly of the original track and organized it into something structured but pretty damn catchy.
8. Owen Pallet – Hard To Explain
Owen Pallet’s rendition of “Hard To Explain” is a really lovely classical composition. It opens with the original melody delivered by violins and Pallet’s emotion-driven vocals. It really manages to harness the sentiment of the song in a beautiful way.
9. Heems – New York City Cops
Heems takes a “fuck tha police” approach to “New York City Cops,” a song that originally lamented that “New York City cops ain’t too smart.” All Himanshu Suri had to say about what influenced his interpretation of the song:
“Michael Stewart, Eleanor Bumpurs, Amadou Diallo, Patrick Dorismond, Alberta Spruill, Timothy Stansbury, Abner Louima, Sean Bell, Ousmane Zongo, Randolph Evans, Anthony Baez, Clifford Glover, and Fermin Arzou were senselessly beaten or killed by the NYPD while unarmed.”
10. Deradoorian – Trying Your Luck
Deradoorian’s rendition of “Trying Your Luck” is slightly more lethargic than the original, with a subtle sort of reggae twist. It’s well structured, gleaned and sweetly catchy. It shifts the emphasis on the lyrics in such a way that it seems less mournful and more optimistic than the original.
11. Computer Magic – Take It Or Leave ItDelightful Choice!
Computer Magic is perhaps most suited to cover the album’s closing track. Newwave and futuristic it is a perfect testament to the timelessness of the album. Yet Danielle Johnson still manages to make it her own. Like every other song on the tribute, uniquely refurbished, it offers much more than a cover to a classic song.
There’s no better excuse to road trip up to San Francisco with some of your best friends than for one of the more premier music festivals of the West Coast: Outside Lands. Pretty much everyone and there mom was playing in the spread out stages of beautiful Golden Gate Park (full lineup), but I had my heart mainly set on finally seeing The Strokes. I’d been wanting to see them for all of my music-listening/concert-going career, and I wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away. I bought my ticket the instant I saw that they were on the bill. There was no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Going to San Francisco, and especially Golden Gate Park, is always an adventure. Nothing but good vibes coming from all angles and people in NorCal. I love it. I wasn’t able to get as many videos as I should have, because I was too pumped to be at the show. I’ll use my words to help you visualize what an amazing weekend it was for music in San Francisco.
Highlights of Outside Lands Through C+A+D‘s Eyes:
DAY 1
Bassnectar
So after we walked around what seemed like all of San Francisco to find the entrance of the fest, we were greeted with the hard-hitting beats of one of dubsteps finests, Bassnectar. Unfortunately, I was only able to catch the last few songs of his set, because I couldn’t find my damn way in to the park. This was my third time seeing him, if you want to count it, and I really can’t get enough. He’s one of the few dubstep artists I can see myself getting down to for an extended period of time. Dubstep has always been love it/hate it for me, but he just really knows how to stay consistently amazing. He takes a lot of classic songs that used to be on the radio (before it turned to absolute shit) and puts his spin on it to turn it into a heavy, yet enjoyable, dubstep track. He’s a must see for anyone that’s just getting into dubstep. He’ll for sure push you over the edge.
Tokyo Police Club
I missed Tokyo Police Club at Coachella this year, and I wasn’t about to let that happen again in SF. After the end of Bassnectar, we rushed over to to see them at the tightly packed croud at the Twin Peaks Stag (where the party was at for most of the fest). I’m not familiar with a lot of their songs, but they were really fun to watch and played everything I did know. They ended their set with “Your English Is Good,” and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Wolfmother
There’s not very much I can say about Wolfmother, other than I need to see them again. I didn’t get to see their whole set, because we were running around and for what I did see, we were at the very side so I had a shitty ass view. They sounded AMAZING, and the singer was fucking awesome so I want to go see them again for real. Their best song was obviously “Woman,” and it was really cool to see them play it live. This MSTRKRFT remix is one of the better remixes that I’ve heard. Dance!
The Strokes
So, we got to the Twin Peaks stage for The Strokes a little later than I wanted to, but I was hoping Furthur would take most of the SF crowd to the mainstage. We got a pretty decent spot, but I wasn’t planning to stay there once the music started. I’d waited years to see these guys on stage, and they performed better than I could ever imagine. The light show set up was nuts, as they had a big screen in the back that showed tetris/pong/pacman and other visuals (see here). They played all their songs flawlessly. The solos were perfect. Julian’s voice was perfect. He was hammered as fuck by the way, which was to be expected and made it all the more entertaining. They were very much worth the wait, and I’m so happy to have knocked them off my list. From what I remember, the songs they played were: Is this it?, Someday, Reptilia, New York City Cops, Barely Legal, Soma, You Only Live Once, Juicebox, 12:51, Hard to Explain…pretty much everything I wanted/needed to hear. Let’s get that new album going, eh? Edit: Found the whole setlist here thanks to my buddy Taylor Rae.
DAY 2
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
This marks my third time seeing these guys, and I don’t think it’ll ever quite match up to the first, which was at Coachella. That was definitely more of a place for them than at Outside Lands, if you ask me. Anyway, I’m always down to see these guys. They always get really into it and sound amazing at the same time. Sometimes the singers try and talk to each other for the show, and it gets a little awkward when they mess up or don’t really improvise well. All in all, great band. Great sound. I recommend seeing them if they come around and you’re down with happy folk music.
Chromeo
I love Chromeo. These guys are so damn entertaining. The two play off each other and make for a really funny show. They’re comedians and musicians. That definitely puts them ahead of a lot of people. They came out with some really hard disco/dance renditions of their classic songs: Mama’s Boys, Bonafied Lovin’, etc. Definitely going to try and see these guys again if I have the chance. People who were walking outside of the event mobbed the fence to get down for Chromeo, because the entrance is about a 15 minute walk from there. I should have done the same, because I missed a lot of Edward Sharpe’s set because of it. Check out this interview my friends at West Coast Leak got at their show in Oregon right before they came down to SF.
Nas & Damian Marley
These guys were amazing. I saw a video of their performance on Jimmy Kimmel’s show which didn’t make them look that promising. On the contrary, they rocked the fucking show like none other. I was getting down with that reggae/hip hop combo. They transitioned off each other from genre to genre perfectly. From fence to fence, people were showing them the love they deserved, and I’m so happy I was fortunate enough to see them. I just picked up their album and am going to give it a shot. Maybe I’ll get a song or two on the next YOLO List.
Empire of the Sun
Ok. Where do I begin with this? Empire of the Sun could quite possibly take the cake for weirdest shit I have ever seen in my life. This performance was so much more than for the music. Straight up Cirque de Soleil shit. They had a bunch of dancers in scary/weird costumes doing scary/weird things for a straight hour. Sometimes, I feel like they would make the beat really hard to follow just to trip people out on purpose. This show was made to be seen on acid. Not condoning, just saying. Everybody around me was doing a lot more standing and staring than listening and dancing. Definitely YouTube videos of it if you haven’t already. Seeing them play “Walking on a Dream” was unreal. I’ve listened to that song so many times and have heard numerous remixes, but seeing them play it was definitely fulfilling. Through their whole set, they had a lot of glam rock/disco/classic rock jambalaya thing going on that was really interesting to watch. Was not expecting to be blown away to that level, but they definitely succeeded.
All in all, it was a damn good weekend. I had so much fun running around Golden Gate Park and just being in San Francisco. I love that place AND I love concerts. Win/Win. Couldn’t have asked to be with better friends to share the experience with. Definitely going to try and make it out there in the upcoming years, assuming the lineup is anywhere as good.
Bonus!
I couldn’t wait til the next post for these delightful treats. I’ve heard the song on numerous occasions in Soulwax and 2 Many Dj’s sets, but wasn’t ever to get my hands on it til I picked up the Calvin Harris essential mix. Lucky for you, I got both, and you need both. I’m pretty sure the essential mix is the reason I nailed my midterm today. I’ll be seein’ him at Haunted Mansion!
There’s no better excuse to road trip up to San Francisco with some of your best friends than for one of the more premier music festivals of the West Coast: Outside Lands. Pretty much everyone and there mom was playing in the spread out stages of beautiful Golden Gate Park (full lineup), but I had my heart mainly set on finally seeing The Strokes. I’d been wanting to see them for all of my music-listening/concert-going career, and I wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away. I bought my ticket the instant I saw that they were on the bill. There was no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Going to San Francisco, and especially Golden Gate Park, is always an adventure. Nothing but good vibes coming from all angles and people in NorCal. I love it. I wasn’t able to get as many videos as I should have, because I was too pumped to be at the show. I’ll use my words to help you visualize what an amazing weekend it was for music in San Francisco.
Highlights of Outside Lands Through C+A+D‘s Eyes:
DAY 1
Bassnectar
So after we walked around what seemed like all of San Francisco to find the entrance of the fest, we were greeted with the hard-hitting beats of one of dubsteps finests, Bassnectar. Unfortunately, I was only able to catch the last few songs of his set, because I couldn’t find my damn way in to the park. This was my third time seeing him, if you want to count it, and I really can’t get enough. He’s one of the few dubstep artists I can see myself getting down to for an extended period of time. Dubstep has always been love it/hate it for me, but he just really knows how to stay consistently amazing. He takes a lot of classic songs that used to be on the radio (before it turned to absolute shit) and puts his spin on it to turn it into a heavy, yet enjoyable, dubstep track. He’s a must see for anyone that’s just getting into dubstep. He’ll for sure push you over the edge.
Tokyo Police Club
I missed Tokyo Police Club at Coachella this year, and I wasn’t about to let that happen again in SF. After the end of Bassnectar, we rushed over to to see them at the tightly packed croud at the Twin Peaks Stag (where the party was at for most of the fest). I’m not familiar with a lot of their songs, but they were really fun to watch and played everything I did know. They ended their set with “Your English Is Good,” and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Wolfmother
There’s not very much I can say about Wolfmother, other than I need to see them again. I didn’t get to see their whole set, because we were running around and for what I did see, we were at the very side so I had a shitty ass view. They sounded AMAZING, and the singer was fucking awesome so I want to go see them again for real. Their best song was obviously “Woman,” and it was really cool to see them play it live. This MSTRKRFT remix is one of the better remixes that I’ve heard. Dance!
The Strokes
So, we got to the Twin Peaks stage for The Strokes a little later than I wanted to, but I was hoping Furthur would take most of the SF crowd to the mainstage. We got a pretty decent spot, but I wasn’t planning to stay there once the music started. I’d waited years to see these guys on stage, and they performed better than I could ever imagine. The light show set up was nuts, as they had a big screen in the back that showed tetris/pong/pacman and other visuals (see here). They played all their songs flawlessly. The solos were perfect. Julian’s voice was perfect. He was hammered as fuck by the way, which was to be expected and made it all the more entertaining. They were very much worth the wait, and I’m so happy to have knocked them off my list. From what I remember, the songs they played were: Is this it?, Someday, Reptilia, New York City Cops, Barely Legal, Soma, You Only Live Once, Juicebox, 12:51, Hard to Explain…pretty much everything I wanted/needed to hear. Let’s get that new album going, eh? Edit: Found the whole setlist here thanks to my buddy Taylor Rae.
DAY 2
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
This marks my third time seeing these guys, and I don’t think it’ll ever quite match up to the first, which was at Coachella. That was definitely more of a place for them than at Outside Lands, if you ask me. Anyway, I’m always down to see these guys. They always get really into it and sound amazing at the same time. Sometimes the singers try and talk to each other for the show, and it gets a little awkward when they mess up or don’t really improvise well. All in all, great band. Great sound. I recommend seeing them if they come around and you’re down with happy folk music.
Chromeo
I love Chromeo. These guys are so damn entertaining. The two play off each other and make for a really funny show. They’re comedians and musicians. That definitely puts them ahead of a lot of people. They came out with some really hard disco/dance renditions of their classic songs: Mama’s Boys, Bonafied Lovin’, etc. Definitely going to try and see these guys again if I have the chance. People who were walking outside of the event mobbed the fence to get down for Chromeo, because the entrance is about a 15 minute walk from there. I should have done the same, because I missed a lot of Edward Sharpe’s set because of it. Check out this interview my friends at West Coast Leak got at their show in Oregon right before they came down to SF.
Nas & Damian Marley
These guys were amazing. I saw a video of their performance on Jimmy Kimmel’s show which didn’t make them look that promising. On the contrary, they rocked the fucking show like none other. I was getting down with that reggae/hip hop combo. They transitioned off each other from genre to genre perfectly. From fence to fence, people were showing them the love they deserved, and I’m so happy I was fortunate enough to see them. I just picked up their album and am going to give it a shot. Maybe I’ll get a song or two on the next YOLO List.
Empire of the Sun
Ok. Where do I begin with this? Empire of the Sun could quite possibly take the cake for weirdest shit I have ever seen in my life. This performance was so much more than for the music. Straight up Cirque de Soleil shit. They had a bunch of dancers in scary/weird costumes doing scary/weird things for a straight hour. Sometimes, I feel like they would make the beat really hard to follow just to trip people out on purpose. This show was made to be seen on acid. Not condoning, just saying. Everybody around me was doing a lot more standing and staring than listening and dancing. Definitely YouTube videos of it if you haven’t already. Seeing them play “Walking on a Dream” was unreal. I’ve listened to that song so many times and have heard numerous remixes, but seeing them play it was definitely fulfilling. Through their whole set, they had a lot of glam rock/disco/classic rock jambalaya thing going on that was really interesting to watch. Was not expecting to be blown away to that level, but they definitely succeeded.
All in all, it was a damn good weekend. I had so much fun running around Golden Gate Park and just being in San Francisco. I love that place AND I love concerts. Win/Win. Couldn’t have asked to be with better friends to share the experience with. Definitely going to try and make it out there in the upcoming years, assuming the lineup is anywhere as good.
Bonus!
I couldn’t wait til the next post for these delightful treats. I’ve heard the song on numerous occasions in Soulwax and 2 Many Dj’s sets, but wasn’t ever to get my hands on it til I picked up the Calvin Harris essential mix. Lucky for you, I got both, and you need both. I’m pretty sure the essential mix is the reason I nailed my midterm today. I’ll be seein’ him at Haunted Mansion!
Had to work on this week’s YOLO list early, Outside Lands took up a lot of my time this weekend. Another monumental weekend to add to the books. I don’t get to go to San Francisco often enough, so that was a treat for me. I’ll fill you guys in on how it went down later this week. I know I don’t give this disco shit a rest, but I had to stock up for you guys this week. My buddy Marc hooked me up with more BreakBot than I know what to do with. This is a good thing for both you and me. Keep the feedback and music coming! I love when you guys help out with these lists. If you’re wondering where I got the picture up top, it’s from this venue called The Smell in Los Angeles. Their bathrooms are all tagged up like that. Thought it was cool…Beaches are starting to clear up as the summer weather we’ve been waiting for finally decided to show. Enjoy the list compilation on the way there.
Artist: Young the Giant Young the Giant, formerly known as The Jakes, are another OC native. I grew up with some of these kids, and it’s cool to check back on someone years later to see that they’re doing really great things. This band is filled with all the talent and devotion you’re gonna need to make it to the top. The lead singer took time off from Stanford to put work into the band, and it’s paid off. They’ve played with the likes of Kings of Leon and Minus the Bear. They earned it, though. They’ll be playing every Sunday this month at The Troubador and every Wednesday at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa for cheap. See them! Here’s a video of my favorite song off their upcoming self-titled album on Roadrunner Records. The song was #1 on Hype Machine‘s Most Popular list last week. If you know anything about Hype Machine, you know that’s not an easy feat. Let me know if they deserved it:
Justice vs Simian – We Are Your Friends I was talking about this song in the last post. I thought it would be a good idea to throw it up on here if for some reason you were robbed of hearing it. This song is pretty much what put Justice on the map. They collabed with Simian (now Simian Mobile Disco) to make this song for a DJ contest and won. Now they are one of the premier producers in the world. I saw them for the first time at a smaller venue in LA almost a year after the release of their first album. Their live show is amazing. They DJ behind the cross with stacks of light-up marshall amps to their sides. Get here if you haven’t yet. Worth every penny. The other two times I saw them was at the past HARD Haunted Mansions. It’s always good to see them, but a DJ set doesn’t give you the feel for what they can really do. I want them to come back to LA to play their live set sooner than later. People here need to see what one of the biggest influences of today’s electronic music has to offer.
Leave me some comments on what you guys liked so I can coordinate these lists to better suit your needs. Otherwise, thanks to the people who sent me songs! Keep them coming. I mean it.
BONUS!! By some miracle, a recording of Soulwax‘s set has surfaced on the internet. Big ups to GottaDanceDirty for making it happen. It’s unreal listening to this set, which I have been for the past six hours straight, and knowing I was there to see it. It gets me every time. These guys are truly the greatest. If you got love for Soulwax, this is a delightful treat. The quality isn’t as good as the last live set I put up, but it’s definitely good enough to appreciate. Also, I threw up the opening song that they teamed up with Crookers and Mixhell to create. Help yourself.
Had to work on this week’s YOLO list early, Outside Lands took up a lot of my time this weekend. Another monumental weekend to add to the books. I don’t get to go to San Francisco often enough, so that was a treat for me. I’ll fill you guys in on how it went down later this week. I know I don’t give this disco shit a rest, but I had to stock up for you guys this week. My buddy Marc hooked me up with more BreakBot than I know what to do with. This is a good thing for both you and me. Keep the feedback and music coming! I love when you guys help out with these lists. If you’re wondering where I got the picture up top, it’s from this venue called The Smell in Los Angeles. Their bathrooms are all tagged up like that. Thought it was cool…Beaches are starting to clear up as the summer weather we’ve been waiting for finally decided to show. Enjoy the list compilation on the way there.
Artist: Young the Giant Young the Giant, formerly known as The Jakes, are another OC native. I grew up with some of these kids, and it’s cool to check back on someone years later to see that they’re doing really great things. This band is filled with all the talent and devotion you’re gonna need to make it to the top. The lead singer took time off from Stanford to put work into the band, and it’s paid off. They’ve played with the likes of Kings of Leon and Minus the Bear. They earned it, though. They’ll be playing every Sunday this month at The Troubador and every Wednesday at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa for cheap. See them! Here’s a video of my favorite song off their upcoming self-titled album on Roadrunner Records. The song was #1 on Hype Machine‘s Most Popular list last week. If you know anything about Hype Machine, you know that’s not an easy feat. Let me know if they deserved it:
Justice vs Simian – We Are Your Friends I was talking about this song in the last post. I thought it would be a good idea to throw it up on here if for some reason you were robbed of hearing it. This song is pretty much what put Justice on the map. They collabed with Simian (now Simian Mobile Disco) to make this song for a DJ contest and won. Now they are one of the premier producers in the world. I saw them for the first time at a smaller venue in LA almost a year after the release of their first album. Their live show is amazing. They DJ behind the cross with stacks of light-up marshall amps to their sides. Get here if you haven’t yet. Worth every penny. The other two times I saw them was at the past HARD Haunted Mansions. It’s always good to see them, but a DJ set doesn’t give you the feel for what they can really do. I want them to come back to LA to play their live set sooner than later. People here need to see what one of the biggest influences of today’s electronic music has to offer.
Leave me some comments on what you guys liked so I can coordinate these lists to better suit your needs. Otherwise, thanks to the people who sent me songs! Keep them coming. I mean it.
BONUS!! By some miracle, a recording of Soulwax‘s set has surfaced on the internet. Big ups to GottaDanceDirty for making it happen. It’s unreal listening to this set, which I have been for the past six hours straight, and knowing I was there to see it. It gets me every time. These guys are truly the greatest. If you got love for Soulwax, this is a delightful treat. The quality isn’t as good as the last live set I put up, but it’s definitely good enough to appreciate. Also, I threw up the opening song that they teamed up with Crookers and Mixhell to create. Help yourself.
Good morning! Had to churn this one out post Audiotistic, because I don’t know if I’m going to have time to do it later. Have a final Monday…every minute of studying I didn’t do and that I’ll never get back was 100% worth it. Audiotistic was everything and more. I’ll have videos and my favorites from the night on the next post. (Don’t worry, by the way, I’ll handle this test. It’s all about balance!)
So I didn’t get much of a response from the last one, but I’m going to assume that you all loved it, because I do! I’m planning on keeping them at two songs at most per artist, so I can show you as many as possible as the weeks go by. Look into the artists you like, and feel free to let me know if you need more guidance. I tried to keep it random as fuck again, so expect to hear something new. These have been really fun to make so far. Keep me posted on who stood out or what genre you want more of, and I’ll keep that in mind for future YOLO Lists.
ALSO! As you’re listening to these lists, if you feel as though I might enjoy a band you like, please tell me in the comments or email me! I have an ever-expanding desire for new music, and if I put it up here, you’ll get your credit for sure.
Miike Snow – Animal (Punks Jump Up Remix) Miike Snow is definitely one of the better bands out there right now. All around, too..they were absolutely beautiful at Coachella. This is one of those songs that all the remixes are way better, but the original is still amazing. This one imparticular has a grip of remixes, but the Punks Jump Up mix will always stand out to me.
Artist: The Colour The Colour…it feels like I’ve been listening to them forever. They used to throw flyers around my highschool, and I went to see them because the flyer looked cool. They were local, got really big, made an amazing album called “Between Earth & Sky”, traveled Europe, then broke up. Band conflicts are a damn shame..Regardless, this shit has been “go to” for me for all my music life. Todays Rolling Stones? ..or yesterdays I guess
Artist: Discovery This is a side project of Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot’s Wes Miles. Considering I loveVampire Weekend and think Ra Ra Riot’s aiite, I thought I’d give it a shot. It’s got this weird R&B thing going on, that’s kinda funny, considering it’s these two white guys. Somehow they pull it off though..
Your week just got it’s own playlist!
all these tracks are for promotional purposes only and if you want them removed email contactalijafari@gmail.com
FULL POST
Good morning! Had to churn this one out post Audiotistic, because I don’t know if I’m going to have time to do it later. Have a final Monday…every minute of studying I didn’t do and that I’ll never get back was 100% worth it. Audiotistic was everything and more. I’ll have videos and my favorites from the night on the next post. (Don’t worry, by the way, I’ll handle this test. It’s all about balance!)
So I didn’t get much of a response from the last one, but I’m going to assume that you all loved it, because I do! I’m planning on keeping them at two songs at most per artist, so I can show you as many as possible as the weeks go by. Look into the artists you like, and feel free to let me know if you need more guidance. I tried to keep it random as fuck again, so expect to hear something new. These have been really fun to make so far. Keep me posted on who stood out or what genre you want more of, and I’ll keep that in mind for future YOLO Lists.
ALSO! As you’re listening to these lists, if you feel as though I might enjoy a band you like, please tell me in the comments or email me! I have an ever-expanding desire for new music, and if I put it up here, you’ll get your credit for sure.
Miike Snow – Animal (Punks Jump Up Remix) Miike Snow is definitely one of the better bands out there right now. All around, too..they were absolutely beautiful at Coachella. This is one of those songs that all the remixes are way better, but the original is still amazing. This one imparticular has a grip of remixes, but the Punks Jump Up mix will always stand out to me.
Artist: The Colour The Colour…it feels like I’ve been listening to them forever. They used to throw flyers around my highschool, and I went to see them because the flyer looked cool. They were local, got really big, made an amazing album called “Between Earth & Sky”, traveled Europe, then broke up. Band conflicts are a damn shame..Regardless, this shit has been “go to” for me for all my music life. Todays Rolling Stones? ..or yesterdays I guess
Artist: Discovery This is a side project of Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot’s Wes Miles. Considering I loveVampire Weekend and think Ra Ra Riot’s aiite, I thought I’d give it a shot. It’s got this weird R&B thing going on, that’s kinda funny, considering it’s these two white guys. Somehow they pull it off though..
Your week just got it’s own playlist!
all these tracks are for promotional purposes only and if you want them removed email contactalijafari@gmail.com
