>’Item that Explodes’ Remix

Posted on February 9, 2011 by dowkstar

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The last time I was in SF was over Thanksgiving 2010, Bruno Mars’ Grenade was literally blowing up the radio everywheres (srsly, James’ radio was in shambles and Weezy almost took some shrapnel to the eye).   Well, now that the original version has died down (a bit) and the explosions have subsided, it’s given my ears and nerves a chance to recover enough to really enjoy this Passion Pit remix.  I’m glad Passion Pit doesn’t feel like they have to stick to their own music and their DJing is really just fantastic.  Big ups to Bruno on collabbing with the boys on this as well.  Keep it up good sirs!

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>So Up

Posted on February 9, 2011 by carsk

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Last time I saw the Knux live, it was a bizarre showcase where they played three songs and were so, ‘Up’ that I’m pretty sure they weren’t even remembering lyrics. Questionable live show aside, they have apparently been working on a sophomore album, and if its sounds like this new track, I think I can forgive their questionable showing. Courtesy of Consequence of Sound here is their new track.

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Then I Guess You Can Hang With Me

Posted on February 9, 2011 by carsk

‘Hang With Me’ is one of those songs that constantly changes meaning and import depending what is going on in my life. Joywave has done a fantastic cover of one of my top played songs by Robyn, turning it into a chill and dreamy tune, in direct contrast with the dancetastic original track. I do believe the mark of a good song, like a great friendship, is the ability to evolve into something so different from its origin and still enthrall you.
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>Secrets

Posted on February 8, 2011 by carsk

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This is one of those songs that I’ve had in my library for a while now and yet had never managed to play. I’m regretting this delay but since my fit of focus this weekend, I have been playing it nonstop in concert with Pretty Lights and anything We Plants are Happy Plants cares to touch. Silver Swans has perfected that dreamy pop sensibility I find so appealing during the mid-week lulls and are San Francisco locals to boot. So enjoy the mellowness before what I know will be an insanely fun and intensely musical next few days.

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>Pretty Lights are Pretty

Posted on February 7, 2011 by dowkstar

>Carls and I were up in Tahoe this past weekend, celebrating her birthday, skiing and meeting her crazy (but generally cool) winter cabinmates.  The two of us were enjoying some pisco sours and discussing all things music when we came across the Kanye song All of the Lights, remixed by Pretty Lights.  I’m a big fan of the work that Pretty Lights does, so it’s no surprise that several of their songs are up on my iTunes most played list, or that I included them on Carls Thanksgiving mix.

We didn’t have these lights or balloons, but much like the peeps in this vid, we had a kick ass time, complete with plenty of booze, celebrity and even some smashed cupcakes.  Things can only get more glorious with Weezy’s arrival on Thurs and a Fool’s Gold concert on Saturday!

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>Strange Talk

Posted on February 2, 2011 by carsk

>I have been lucky enough to have amazing friends (see: Dowks post about it here) and for the last two years I have been able to go to the Sundance Film Festival and generally live the glamourous life with my far more grown up friends. As the resident hipster, my annual contribution to the ‘dance crew is an mixtape to pull them kicking and screaming into a new year of awesome music. It’s always an interesting challenge finding music they can find accessible and expand some musical horizons. Since they all dug Passion Pit last year, I thought that Strange Talk would also appeal to the gang, but got worried it might be a little too much dancetasticness. While I’m still debating whether it makes the cut, this video provides a ridiculous and apropos contrast to the muzak.

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>Choice Notes

Posted on February 1, 2011 by carsk

>Everyone’s favorite Sister Wife, Alex Winston shot these super cool live movies while in London for a show. She sounds like she would be such an amazing live performance no? In other news- yes Weis, someone else saw your text and without any context now thinks you are a little odd and into polygamy. I’m rolling with it.

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>Girl Walk

Posted on February 1, 2011 by carsk

>It’s all over the internets and it’s awesome.

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>Aston Shuffle

Posted on January 31, 2011 by carsk

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The Aston Shuffle have an awesome video that not only appeals to my taste in music but my mild obsession with typography. Enjoy!
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>Givers and (Show) Takers

Posted on January 28, 2011 by dowkstar

>Oddly enough, last night was my first show of 2011, but it certainly did not disappoint!  I went with two of my bestest concert buds, Tron and the Felarcanator.  Was also supposed to meet up with the roomie, but we continued our trend of Not Seeing Each Other, Ever.  Anyway, tickets were originally purchased due to the fact that Ra Ra Riot was headlining, and well…duh, but it had the added benefit of showcasing Pepper Rabbit (who I saw with Freelance Whales late last year) and some random other band, Givers.

Pepper Rabbit kicked the night off, and I enjoyed them from the balcony, whiskey ginger in hand.  They had quite the crowd watching, as you can see…normally opening acts at Neumos have 2 or 3 rows at the front and an empty backfield as people try and consume as many libations as possible before the headliners come on.  The Los Angeles based band is certainly worth checking out if you get a chance.

Next came the Givers, which imho were clearly the stars of the night.  From Lafayette, Louisiana, they had a great indie pop dance sound.  Super high energy, the drummer was a beast, and Tiffany, the girl of the group was a real show stopper.  She played the xylophone, drums and a ukulele and was very good at all of them (particularly the drums). You can tell they’re still in the process of refining their music and have made vast strides since the release of their EP, to what today’s version of Up Up Up sounds like.  Full album coming out soon…should be some really good stuff!

After the Givers left the stage, Ra Ra Riot came on.  Don’t let me give you the impression that they were a bad show, au contraire, they certainly put on quite the performance.  They played some older stuff and some songs off The Rhumb Line, which I was more familiar with.  The cellist and violinist, both women, were not only quite formidable string players, they were also rather attractive (bonus!), each in their own way, a sultry cellist with a great voice, and the super upbeat cute girl next door violist who must have snapped 30+ horsehairs on her bow, given the fervor with which she played.   Their encore, fantastique aussi!
                     
I’ll be in Cali for 10 days at the beginning of Feb, spending time with the ToA, but when I get back, it’s Smith Westerns, Macklemore, Fresh Espresso, Girl Talk, The Naked & Famous and the Foals (tell me you’re not jealous and I won’t believe you).  I’m going to try and get my D90 in and get some real shots, rather than this iPhone garbage…
Posted in Givers, Live, Pepper Rabbit, RaRaRiot, Seattle | Leave a comment