Credit: Jason Shindler

While summer tours and events come to an end, autumn brings us the last music packed months of the year. Monster massive, HARD Haunted mansion(omfg), Smokeout Festival, Lovevolution (oh wait..), TAO .. and way too much more. I saw SPOON for free the other day at sold out Palladium (courtesy of FYF Fest). Absolutely beautiful last-minute show. I saw them at Coachella, but nothing beats seeing a band that everyone is there to see together at a more intimate venue. Much like when I see Bassnectar at the Wiltern this Saturday. COME WITH! Tickets are $30 here.

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Delightful Mention!

Martin Solveig feat. Dragonette – Hello
Just as I started fiending some new, catchy, dancy, upbeat electro my brother Amir senses my despair and sends me this A+ track. Martin Solveig (born Martin Picandet) is a french DJ/producer who collabbed with Dragonette to birth this ridiculously catchy track. Dragonette is a 3 piece new wave/synth pop band from Canada. One of those bands with a girl singer with a really pretty voice that’s perfect for throwing on electro beats and remixing. I was introduced to them, because Midnight Juggernauts remixed one of their older tracks (included it as a bonus below). Been at the top of my playlists for years. Definitely haven’t been able to stop busting out “Hello” so enjoy.
Dragonette – I Get Around (Midnight Juggernaughts Remix)

Artists: Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP
Now I know this isn’t an unfamiliar set of names. Their single “We Speak No Americano” has topped the charts in countries all over the world. The Jersey Shore fags even made a video with it. And if that wasn’t enough, I’ve heard it on 102.7 as well. I’ll cut the bitterness. I’m happy for these guys, and they definitely deserve the exposure. Creativity like this definitely needs to be heard. Yolanda Be Cool is a DJ duo from Australia consisting of Sylvester Martinez and Johnson Peterson. DCUP, also a DJ/producer from Australia, throws down on some tracks with YBC. I’m thinkin’ they should just combine forces under the Yolanda Be Cool name…on account of the fact that it’s a bad ass name. The name is a reference to the film “Pulp Fiction”, where the character Jules (played by Samuel L. Jackson) shouts “Yolanda be cool” to a female armed robber named Yolanda. I LOVE Quentin Tarantino movies, so extra points for them. Their “Afro Nuts” song is a funky ass, disco’d out masterpiece for your listening pleasure. These guys are good.

Artist: Deerhunter
This isn’t the first time I’ve thrown Deerhunter on one of the YOLO lists. But if you didn’t like it before, give them one more chance with these tracks. Their new album Halcyon Digest was released last week and, thanks to my friend Amir (damn two Amir’s this week), it’s all I’ve been listening to. It’s an indie fans dream. Deerhunter is a four piece indie rock band from Atlanta, GA. They usually stick to a more ambient sound with Bradford Cox’s (solo project: Atlas Sound) dream like voice taking you away. More on the mellow side. On Halcyon Digest, they stick to their ambient sound but take it to a more up-beat level. Lots of really dancy songs accompanied by their classicly psychadelic, mellow treats. This album is necessary for anyone with ears.

Credit: Jason Shindler

Another day, another dollar. Another week, another playlist. I just shuffled through my library for this one. A little less personal, but it will get the job done. I’ve been needing a new mix. It’s week zero for UC people…when the regulated parties bring you down, listen to this:

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Delightful Mention!

Artist: sebastiAn

I’ve mentioned this guy in past posts, and by good reason. If you haven’t picked up some of his stuff yet, now is the time. sebastiAn has been with me since the beginning of my electronic music escapades. He has a sound and style that is unmatchable by anyone else. It’s kinda dark, has a lot of quick samples, that I feel would take ages to put together in the way that he does, and it’s bassy as can be…he makes sure of it. He’s also on Ed Banger Records, which is one of, if not THE most renowned electronic music labels in the world. With acts like Justice, Mr. Oizo, Uffie, DJ Mehdi and headed by Busy P, you can bet they wouldn’t be on their for nothing. sebastiAn made a CD full of remixes that you can get here. It’s a compilation of everything he’s remixed from 2005-2008. All good. All necessary.

Artist: Pretty Lights
I’ve been getting more and more into Pretty Lights as the days go by. They’ve been recommended to me on numerous occasions and have been at a lot of the festivals I’ve been to. For some reason, I have yet to see them. Apparently, their live show is where they get a lot of their acclaim. Pretty Lights consists of DJ/producer Derek Vincent Smith and Adam Deitch on drums, for live shows. They are very comparable The Glitch Mob, but still have their own thing going on. Smith started off producing a lot of hip hop beats early on and the result was Pretty Lights. He samples a lot of vintage, funky soul songs and mixes it up with his take on hip hop and synthy electro. A very unique sounds that makes for a pleasant listen. All of their albums are available to download for FREE on their website. He requests a small donation if possible. For these tunes, I can make the sacrifice.

There you have it folks. School is almost in session…let’s hope it doesn’t restrict the flow of posts. The YOLO lists are too fun.

-Skinny Genes

Party people…it’s been too long. I’ve got some delightful treats to make up for it in this week’s list. Lot’s of concerts are coming up in the near future that all you guys should consider. I wish I could make it to Ratatat on the 21st at Club Nokia, but I’ll be at Bassnectar at the Wilter in the city of angels on October 9th. Haunted Mansion is fast approaching, and tickets will take their next price jump soon. Check out the Upcoming Events page for details if you STILL haven’t made up your mind on going. It should be a no brainer. Come with me.

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Delightful Mention!

Artist: Goose
I stumbled upon these guys the other day. I accidentally clicked my Last.fm recommended artist section, and the first song that played was “Bring It On.” They were recommended to me because Soulwax was the first related artist. Needless to say, I was hooked immediately. They have the same thing going on as Soulwax as far as sound and dancy-ness goes. Goose is a four piece band complete with a singer, synther, bassist and drummer. Most of their songs start off with a really catchy synth beat that’s followed closely by the drums that’s almost certain to make you move. It will all make sense after you hear the first song.

White Sky (Basement Jaxx Club Mix) – Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend has always held a special place in my heart. Their good vibes and masterful musicianship has always kept them at the top of my charts. Contra their newest album was very much a continuation of their self titled. A lot of people were expecting a different sound and it would have been nice to see some progression, but I still loved it. It’s all too happy and easy to get down to. Nothing makes me happier than when someone takes an indie track like this and transforms it into a danceable club beat. Basement Jaxx have been in the game for awhile, so you can trust that they wouldn’t put their name on anything that wasn’t choice. I’ve had this one on repeat for the past week and by good reason.

Artist: 2 Many DJ’s
2 many? Never enough, if you ask me. 2 Many DJ’s is essentially a Soulwax DJ set. Stephen and Dave Dewaele thought it wasn’t enough to be part of one of the biggest electronic names in the business, so they went on to create 2 Many DJ’s. They always found themselves wanting to spin some of their favorite music when they were in clubs, so they created this group to do just that. The best part is they put their own little Soulwax spin on the songs and seamlessly weave them together live. Their show consists of them spinning in front of a big screen with the album art of the song their banging out. I always respected this, because they’re helping promote a lot of the songs they play. They released their mixtape “As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt. 2” which showcases how talented of DJs they really are. Not only are these guys gods as producers, they really know good music.

Artist: Thee Oh Sees

These guys are a garage rockers dream come true. I was fortunate enough to finally see them at FYF Fest last weekend, and they were just as crazy live as I had hoped. The band is headed by John Dwyer (pictured), who is the backbone and brains of the group. He switched between a regular guitar and his 12 string through the songs and was getting down the whole time. Their lo-fi sound and creative guitar riffs, coupled with the harmonizing of Dwyer’s voice with Brigid Dawson’s (keyboard) really makes for a good sound. They didn’t really catch on with me until I heard their first serious full length “Help.” From start to finish, it really is a rocking album. My favorite off the album is “Meat Step Lively.” Lucky for me, I pulled out my FLIPcam in the nick of time, and it made for an awesome video. Fuck yeah!

Alright guys I hope you learned something new today. The music just keeps coming, so I’ll try and continue to pass on the latest and greatest and old but timeless. All of your feedback and comments fuel the site, so let me know what you liked and didn’t like.

-Skinny Genes

Goodbye room!

Music.Music.Music.Music.Music. This is going to have to be a shorter, less informative YOLO List for this week. I spent too much time on the HARD Haunted Mansion posts (Night 1/Night 2). Now it’s time to make the move out of my former house and ready myself to move to sunny Newport Beach, California. I probably shouldn’t have waited to do everything last minute, especially since I’m seeing Chemical Brothers and Chromeo tonight at the sold out Hollywood Bowl. But you only live once, and I’m not about to put my life on hold fo’ nothin’. Enjoy this list! All of your feedback fuels this site, so thank YOU for that. C+A+D is happy to hear we’re helping to make your music world go ’round.

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Delightful Mention!

**Courtesy of Muddy Flowers singer Amir Razmjou, who was also featured on YOLO List: Week 3.

Artist: Sonny & the Sunsets
Album: Tomorrow is Alright

The San Francisco music scene is currently out of control, especially when it comes to finding fresh creative ways of making pop music. Sonny Smith and his band The Sunsets are creating their own place in this community. Smith’s vision is a much more nostalgic and stripped down one; filled with acoustic guitars, hand percussion, catchy bass lines, and beautiful vocal harmonies full of la la la’s and ooh’s and ahhh’s. These songs are so beautifully simple that it can’t be overstated. Smith sings about love in all its glorious forms, growing up, killing people with a tube of cream, a planet of women where men are kept in chains, and much more. If you read more about Sonny Smith, you will find he is what you would call a modern renaissance man of the arts. He’s written plays, directed films, worked on visual art, and now music. In a recent project, he created 100 fictitious bands, and had various visual artists draw album art for each of these artists, and then Smith wrote and recorded a song for each of these artists… yes.. 100 songs. This project was displayed in a gallery in San Francisco. Look at Sonny & the Sunsets– “Tomorrow is Alright” as a snapshot of Smith’s carefree, poetic, and loving view of the world.

Previous YOLO Lists
Week 6
Week 5
Week 4
Week 3
Week 2
Week 1

do NOT forget to dance.

Party people. It’s always good to be back here with these playlists. I was worried for a second that it’d be harder to make these lists as the weeks went by, wrong. Every time I’m shuffling through my library, I stumble upon another song or artist I feel you guys should be listening to. I hope you guys are using these lists to help guide you in the direction of finding new music. I’m just trying to make it easier. Use Last.fm to help you find related music and just go from there. Last.fm is probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me music-wise. When you sign up for it, it gives you this program that goes through your iTunes and sees what and how much of what you’ve been listening to and gives you recommendations depending on that. Plus, the artist bios and the most popular song lists are very helpful. Anyway, the list is all ready for you below. Try and leave a comment of your thoughts on the list if you can. I love hearing that you guys are enjoying these.

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Delightful Mention!

Gifted – N.A.S.A.
N.A.S.A. (North America South America) is a DJ duo who have collaborations of songs with artists from a wide spectrum of musical backgrounds. This song in particular features Kanye West, Santigold and Lykke Li. “Gifted” is another one of those songs that has numerous remixes, many of which that rival the original. The first time I ever heard it was the Treasure Fingers remix. Leave it to Treasure Fingers and The Twelves to take a choice song and turn it into a disco’d out party. His remix is definitely my favorite rendition of the original. I just heard the Masuka remix the other night. Instant hit for any bass head. As I’ve said before, I’m really particular about dubstep. It either hits home or is garbage, to me. This song is definitely one of the better dubstep remixes that I’ve heard. Ya’ll mutha fuckas know who dis is.

Artist: Fake Blood

Fake Blood is one of those DJs who constantly delivers. “Mars” put him on the map last year as it made its way onto any experienced DJs set. His songs always hit hard as fuck, and he kills it live. I saw him at HARD 13 in March with Jack Beats and Boy 8 Bit. He also released an essential mix that ended up being the fifth best of the year. Make sure to look him up and remember his songs, because you can bet you’ll be hearing them at an electronic show. He’s going to be at HARD Haunted Mansion on Saturday. So, if you DO go that day, be sure to see him. You won’t be disappointed.

Fake Blood Essential Mix

Artist: Cheetahsaurus
If you’ve been following these lists, you probably remember me talking about one of my favorite bands that broke up called The Colour. I don’t want to get into how sad I am, still, that they broke up, so I won’t. Of their band members, the lead singer Wyatt Hull went to this band, Cheetahsaurus. It’s nice to hear his voice, because it was one of the best parts of The Colour, but it’s definitely not the same. These guys still have a lot of soul, and the song is pretty catchy. As far as I know, they’ve only released one album that was decent at best. The remaining members of The Colour went to a different band, that seems to be doing better, called We Barbarians. Both are still great indie rock bands, but they’ll never really compare to The Colour.

Previous YOLO Lists
Week 5
Week 4
Week 3
Week 2
Week 1

Giving another week it’s own playlist..

Still coming off that HARD Summer high. And to be honest, I think it definitely made it’s way into the “Best Night of My Life” level like I thought it would. Expect details and highlights of the night + videos and some delightful downloads in the next post. I tried branch out a little more and throw in some of my favorite hip hop/rap into this weeks YOLO list. I’m really particular about hip hop. To me, a good rapper is someone you can listen to without any beat and still have it be a pleasure to listen to. (AKA i’m not down with Lil Wayne…if anyone has some of is shit that will make more sense to me, send it my way). Anyway, someone who flows and still manages to get creative with the beats is really what I look for. With artists like Immortal Technique and Del the Funky Homosapien, good beats and seamless flows are a given. Don’t forget to have an open mind while you go through these lists. There’s some good in every genre, you just have to give it a solid chance.

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Delightful Mention!

Rusko – Woo Boost
Dubstep is finally making it’s way onto DJ sets and people’s playlists world wide. Rusko has always been a front runner and face man for dubstep, and he just moved to LA to help spread the good word in sunny southern California. I’ve been getting less weird looks every time I throw on some dubstep at parties. At first, it’s kinda weird because it sounds like robot sex…but once you get with the groove, there’s nothing quite like it. It’s usually very hit or miss for me. I either love a dubstep song or absolutely can’t stand it. This track, on the other hand, is everything I would want from a dubstep song and definitely my favorite so far. It hits hard as fuck when the beat drops, and it’s just an all around great song. Rusko’s new album was a big disappointment. I was expecting a CD full of heavy “woo boost-esque” songs and got an album full of the more mellow side of dubstep that I’m not into. This song should give you an idea of where dubstep is going.

Artist: Ty Segall
As garage rock solidifies its own special spot in my heart, I owe a lot of the thanks to Ty Segall (pronounced sea-gul). His first two CDs were decent, but he didn’t really do it for me until the release of his latest album Melted. With a full backing band, including a girl bassist and drummer, they bring nothing but hard grungy rock that still manages to stay catchy and fun to go crazy too. You’ll understand when you hear “Girlfriend,” my favorite off the album. I saw them live at The Smell in LA, and it was a straight riot the whole time. Takes me back to my old hardcore days in the pit. These guys are easy to get down to. Let me know what you think.

Architecture In Helsinki – Heart It Races (Dr. Dog Cover)
Dr. Dog has always been one of my favorite bands. They’re really folky and kinda have a country vibe to them, but I love it. Pretty much everyone in the band sings, but they’re mainly led by their bassist and lead guitarist. The high and low pitches of their voices harmonize really well. I never got into Architecture In Helsinki, or gave them a fair shot even, but this remake is where it’s at. You can hear the original here. Clearly, Dr. Dog knows how to remake a song the right way. It’s upbeat and really easy to get stuck in your head so be careful.

Artist: Del the Funky Homosapien (aka Deltron3030)
The name may come off as a little funky to you, but it’s nothing less than just that. His voice will probably sound familiar, and by good reason. Gorillaz have used his expertise in a few songs (Clint Eastwood, Rock the house). The way he spits is really unique and he’s got a hella bay area thing goin’ on since he’s from there. Whatever, though, fool knows what he’s doing. His beats just top it off. I can always trust a song with him in it to be what I need out of hip hop/rap artists.

Artist: Bassnectar
As A-Trak said it, “Get down with that dubstep LA.” Check out the Audiotistic post here for a video of the beginning of his set where he plays “Here We Go” and some tasty remixes for download.

That wraps up this weeks YOLO list. I hope you guys are finding use in the playlist and going places you never thought you’d go. If so, I’m doing my job, and I will continue to help you all out. Leave thoughts/comments/opinions/concerns!

Previous YOLO Lists
Week 3
Week 2
Week 1

Your week just got it’s own playlist!

source

So, it’s Sunday, and I pretty much played out last week’s CD. I’m likin’ that we both win on these playlists, because it definitely makes my daily driving a lot more tolerable. A little bit of dance, a little bit of hip-hop, a lotta bit of indie/alternative. Ended up being a pretty mellow list, now that I look at it. You can sleep to this playlist.

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Delightful Mention!

Artist: The Muddy Flowers
I’m proud to say that this band consists of a bunch of my friends from home (allllllllllllllllll the way back home……where I’m from). Call me biased, call me whatever, I know talent when I see it. If you’re into the lo-fi/garage rock stuff, there is no reason why you wouldn’t enjoy these guys. A melodic combo of instruments and personalities, driven by the passion of their frontman gives them a very unique sound. I had their last album, “Downer,” on repeat upon its release a few weeks ago. You can pick up a copy at their local shows. Here’s a vid

Flight Facilities – Crave You
I was hooked on this track right when I heard it. It has a Daft Punk feel to it. I’m not sure what it is exactly that gives it that feel, but I’m sure you’d understand. No other voice could be a better match for this track. Lyrics are very important, and for this song, they’re key. We’ve all been there. I tried to find more from these guys after I heard “Crave You.” For the most part, all they have is remixes of the same song. All good.

Artist: Arcade Fire
Ok so Arcade Fire‘s new album just leaked, and it’s been racking up most of my plays for the last week. Funeral, their first album, is definitely one of my top 5 most played. Neon Bible, their second, never really caught on for me. The two tracks are my favorites off The Suburbs so far. I’m gonna leave the rest to BBC (full article):

“…The Suburbs is their most thrillingly engrossing chapter yet; a complex, captivating work that, several cycles down the line, retains the magic and mystery of that first tentative encounter. You could call it their OK Computer. But it’s arguably better than that.”

Your week just got it’s own playlist!