Music We Love: St Vincent & David Byrne

David Byrne is one of those timeless artists who we never get bored of. If we hear he's coming out with a new project, we are on the edge of our seats. So we were utterly thrilled when we got our hands on his new collaboration album with the lovely Annie Clark of St. Vincent. The first video off the single is strange and beautiful. We love it. What do you think?

David Byrne / St Vincent "WHO" from martin de thurah on Vimeo.

Watch it NOW - Sound City.

Amazing comes in strange packages sometimes. Such is the theme of this dope documentary about the storied SOUND CITY recording studio in Culver City, CA.

We watched this movie last weekend and LOVED it. We dig it when the hype matches the reality. If you love music, you'll love this film, plain and simple.
 

Holly-day Gift Guide

The holidays are coming up, and I must say that this is my favorite time of the year! Everyone loves to receive gifts, but I really take pleasure in gift giving. (Plus it doesn't hurt that my name is in so many Christmas songs!) Check out what I think would make great gifts for the special people in my life!

Enamel Coffee Pot | Milk Bottle Measuring Cups | Lemon Recipe Cards

Juniper Flats | Shaggy Mesh Sweater | Cat Embroidered Sweater

Foreign Fields | Hannah Georgas | Solange | Jens Lekman

Music Wednesday - FATHER JOHN MISTY

According to KCRW and a bunch of our indie music industry experts, FATHER JOHN MISTY is the new artist to get to know. 

Joshua Tillman, former drummer of Fleet Foxes, stepped out from behind the instrument early this year to launch his solo project and fans and critics alike are so glad he did. 

Check him out and let us know what you think!

Music Friday - Diane Birch

Another great songstress to send you off on a fabulous weekend adventure. Diane Birch, is as interesting as her songs. Channeling old world glamour, with nuances of hit makers from decades long gone, she's original and a very refreshing addition to today's music scene.

Here's an excerpt of her bio -

"Singer-songwriter Diane Birch took half her lifetime, and traveled across the globe, to get to America, where she literally found her voice and made her remarkable debut, Bible Belt. Though only in her mid-twenties, Birch likes to think of herself as an “old soul,” and indeed there is a startling maturity in her singing and a veteran’s self-assurance in her writing. Hook-driven songs like “Fools” and “Valentino” offer more than just instant gratification: they’re like your new best friends – you’ll want to get together with them as frequently as possible. Birch mixes piano-playing virtuosity with easy-going soul, and she can strike an uplifting groove on even the most melancholy tune. Her work bears hints of Laura Nyro (when she was hanging out with LaBelle) and early 70’s Karen Carpenter (when she was ruling the charts), while effortlessly incorporating New Orleans second-line rhythms, gospel fervor, doo-wop harmonies, country-blues guitar and classic AM radio-style melodies."

Listen to Bible Belt one time through and you're hooked. Let us know what you think?

Music Friday - Milow.

Went to a show last night at the Troubadour in Los Angeles and discovered an artist from Belgium named Milow. I realize we might be a little late to the game with our discovery but he was amazing. Definitely one to add to your play NOW list. 


His biggest stateside success is his cover of 50 Cent & Justin Timberlake's AYO Technology and after hearing it live last night we know why. 


We dug a little deeper in our research and found this great duet he recorded with Marit Larsen, a Norwegian singer songwriter, entitled Out of My Hands. It's stunning and we love the way they shot the video almost as much as the song. 


Enjoy the music find and have a great weekend. 

Scenes from Coachella

I just got back from Coachella and I'm about to get on a flight straight to Taiwan but I wanted to share some photos from my weekend in the desert. As a music industry veteran I was fortunate enough to have a guest pass that let me get the best view in the house for all the bands I wanted to check out.

Left: I'm always lucky enough to stay with my friend who has a wonderful house in the desert.

Right: Beautiful day at the festival! I've actually never been on that ferris wheel, even though I've been to the festival many times.

Left: One of my favorite acts of the weekend, Destroyer's music is always so beautiful. 

Right: The gorgeous and talented Laura Marling, I've been waiting for a long time to see her live.

Left: Los Angeles band Dawes has been a favorite of mine for quite some time.

Right: Andrew Bird has one of the most magical and creative sets! He was perfect at the Outdoor Stage.

Left: One of the sets I was most impressed with was Bon Iver!

Right: One of the many art pieces sprinkled out throughout the festival grounds.

I didn't get photos of some of my favorite acts of the weekend including Jeff Mangum and Mazzy Star. There was so much more to the weekend than these quick snapshots but this is all I have time to share for now!

Is anyone going Weekend 2? Who are you looking forward to see?

M. Ward makes our hearts melt

We've had a long-standing crush on M. Ward. Whether he's collaborating with Zooey Deschanel as one half of the musical duo She & Him, or working on his solo projects, his music and voice always sends an arrow straight through our hearts. We've been waiting with baited breath for his new album, A Wasteland Companion, to be released. The album doesn't hit until April 10, but in the meantime let's all enjoy the video for the first single off the record, "The First Time I Ran Away."

Does he make you weak in the knees, too?

Lost Things - A Fine Frenzy

We found this super cute video featuring Alison Sudol from A FINE FRENZY and knew immediately it was something to share. We think decor8 said it best with, "oh gee oh my it’s a delicious way to spend 2 minutes of your time today."

Oh to live in that world... Enjoy~

written & directed by Angela Kohler and Ithyle Griffiths.

Music Friday ~ The Watson Twins.

The Watson Twins are a great singer-songwriting duo that began their musical journey in 2006. Ever since then, touting good fortune and the people they met along their way, they have transformed themselves into a musical group not to be missed.

According to their BIO, "their latest recording, NIGHT COVERS, is a collection of cover songs pulling from influences and favorites spanning the last five decades." 

Currently on tour with Jessie Baylin (another one we've discussed and LOVE), make sure to check them out live!!

Happy weekend~

Music Friday - Jessie Baylin

We had the privilege of seeing Jessie Baylin perform live at The Hotel Cafe way back in the day when the line up was a bunch of unknowns and the crowd was slim. Performing in between Joshua Radin, Brett Dennen, Sara Bareilles and Joe Purdy; Jessie stuck out as one to watch and so we've followed her musical journey ever since.

Her new album, LITTLE SPARK, hit store shelves on Tuesday and above is a little sampler of all the amazingness that went into the making of it. She's quintessentially cool. Her sound is a throw back (as she mentions above) to the music greats of past decades. Seek out her story, get to know her music and you too will be on board.  

Ice Cube Celebrates the EAMES.

 
Some things are expected, others not so much. Such is the case with this fantastic video featuring ICE CUBE celebrating the EAMES.

Who knew he studied architecture?? The more you know...

The Civil Wars.

Today we're lauding The Civil Wars. To say we love this band is simply not enough. We had the privilege of seeing them live this past weekend and the show far surpassed our expectations. 

Every once in awhile, you hear, see or experience something that you know is extraordinary. The Civil Wars, live in concert, was definitely one of those defining moments.

Having sung together now for only 3 years after meeting in a song writing session in Nashville, this duo has taken the industry by storm. Their voices blend as if they are coming from the same source. They are old school, talent rich and dress up for the occasion. 

Get to know them with these backstage videos shot on their tour this past Summer.

je t'aime la musique: Adanowsky

Adan Jodorowsky, working under the moniker Adanowsky, is a French/Chilean musician who recently caught our attention and we think you'll love his sound as much as we do. He's the son of visionary filmmaker Jodorowsky, so it's no surprise that talent runs in the family. Says T Magazine, "It wasn’t until he left his native Paris for Chile and translated his lyrics from French to Spanish that he and his career started to go places. Lately, he splits his time between Mexico City, Los Angeles, Paris and anywhere the tour for his melancholy new album, 'Amador,' takes him." Recently Adanowsky found a kindred spirit in Devendra Banhart, and the two collaborated on a song and music video.

Listen to the magical sounds of Adonowsky & Devendra Banhart

Adanowsky - You Are The One (Ft. Devendra Banhart)

Powered by mp3skull.com

Then go check out the music video.

If you live in LA you have two chances to see Adonowsky this week. Don't miss him!

Monday November 7

Bardot's It's A School Night - 1737 N Vine 90028

with VV Brown, Grace Woodruffe

9:30PM - Free with RSVP

Tuesday November 8

Origami Vinyl in Echo Park (solo/acoustic) - 1816 Sunset Blvd 90026

7PM - FREE

je t'aime la musique: Beirut

We've had a musical crush on Zach Condon of Beirut since he was an 18 year old kid recording Gulag Orkestar in his mom's basement in New Mexico. And his newest release, The Rip Tide, has absolutely sent us over the moon. Known for his lyrics which weave imaginary tales of strangers lives, on The Rip Tide Condon took a huge departure, and a huge risk, by turning his focus inward. This is a collection of his most personal songs to date, accompanied by his characteristic old-world folk instrumentation. If you haven't already fallen madly in love with Beirut, this album will seal the deal.

I Am Listening to: Real Estate

New Jersey band, Real Estate's latest album Days has been on heavy rotation this week. Their laid back beach-pop sounds, reminiscent of The Beach Boys, are perfect for the transition from summer to fall. In Los Angeles, we've been experiencing an extended summer with the heat this week and this album is the ideal soundtrack. Days is a little romantic, a little nostalgic, a little dreamy, and tinged with a bit of sadness.  Take a listen to "Green Aisles" below or you can stream their entire album over at NPR.

Let us know what your favorite fall albums are!

Real Estate - Green Aisles by DominoRecordCo

new music we love: Lana Del Rey

The internet is just buzzing about Lana Del Rey, and we can see why. Lana Del Rey is actually the alias of Brooklyn-based musician Lizzy Grant. Her songs are sexy and moody, reminding us of our favorite songstresses of the past like Fiona Apple, Cat Power and Tori Amos.

The video for her newest single, Video Games, is a collection of pop cultural images that will leave you feeing melancholy and nostalgic. Check it out below, we have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of Lana Del Rey in the future.

More Music.

You definitely have heard us wax poetic about The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood and to keep up with the trend we started, we present you with yet another amazing artist we discovered there.

Cary Brothers is an indie singer songwriter hailing from Los Angeles. He helped get the original HOTEL CAFE tour on its feet and his songs have been in over 60 television episodes and movies; most famously being Garden State. 

His new song Belong is featured below. He's amazing, get on board. 

Something Old, Something New.

(Picture of Buddy Holly, courtesy of Sunset Radio, Your Alternative)

Buddy Holly was a musical genius. Revered in his time for being a pioneer of rock & roll, he is said to have influenced the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton. 

Sadly, his music career was cut short when he died in a plane crash at the age of 22 but even in death he continued to inspire singers. Most famously was Don McLean with his hit American Pie, which depicts, among other things, "the day the music died." (Listen here.)


Fast forward to 2011 and the nods to his influence keep coming. RAVE ON Buddy Holly is a compilation of his greatest works as performed by some of our modern favorites.
We think Stephen Thompson of NPR Music detailed the album best when he said,

"The collection's high-wattage guest list is pretty remarkable for a tribute album — a form usually defined by its unevenness and filler. But Rave On Buddy Holly does more than just throw big names against the wall over the course of a generous 19 tracks. It also adds up to an impressively diverse collection of takes on the innocence of another era. Buddy Holly churned out a formidable collection of pop classics in just a few years, and his catalog offers many unforgettable odes to wide-eyed, open-hearted youth."

Listen to the full track list here and tell us which song/cover is your favorite!!

Bon week-end

(album cover Bon Iver, Bon Iver)

Bon Iver, Bon Iver is the latest release from Justin Vernon. It comes out on Tuesday June 21st and if you haven't pre-ordered it already, you should.

Justin or Bon Iver as we all know and love, took a long time to release this second album and in his own words said, "this is a sounds-first album, leading with the how and not the what." Sounds amazing doesn't it?

As many devout followers of his music know, he is a complex and deep singer-songwriter. I think the review from Pretty Much Amazing sums it up best with this take - 

"For Emma, Forever Ago, the stark and raw album that put Bon Iver on the map, wasn’t just a solo work, it was a work of solitude. While Bon Iver, Bon Iver retains some of that album’s wintery feel; it is clear that there is more communion here."

Listen and then decide for yourself.