Something To Talk About.

So I haven't posted in a long time, partly because I have been so overwhelmed by my job that I go into a nearly comatose state when I get home, and partly because I just haven't had anything important to say as of late. Well something has just peaked my interest. Coldplay just released the first single, "Violet Hill" from their new album Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends for free download on their website. It's wonderful. A bit of a different sound than what I expect from them but not a complete departure. I highly suggest that you head on over and give it a listen. In the mean time you can lend your fickle ear to the scrapped version of "Talk" from X&Y. It's good. It's also easy to see why this version pales in comparison to the album track. Enjoy.

Talk (Scrapped Version)

Download Violet Hill from the Coldplay Website HERE. (get it now, it's only available for a week.

The greatest Swedish export since the Chef.

I went to see Robyn last night at Popscene in SF. Barring the pushy hipsters, the Furries ( oh yes, there were men dressed in full body animal costumes!), a drunk guy who almost got in a fight with my boy, and the support beam that partially obstructed my view, it was a great time. For only playing three shows in the US I was worried she might phone this one in, but to my utter delight it was fantastic. 1st off there was a band, not just some shoddy backing track and second, that trick can sing. I often wonder about dance acts as to whether or not they actually have the vocal ability their CDs boast or if through the magic of production they are made somewhat passable. Certainly not the case with Robyn. Her vocals were clear and crisp and she herself was energetic and playful! The setlist included all of her latest singles and she even played 3 encore songs including a popular ballad version of "Be Mine" of which she had already performed the dance version, "Jack u Off" a Prince cover that sounds like it was recorded in a basement juke joint during prohibition (and I mean that in the best possible way), and a stripped down version of the hit "Show Me Love" from her 1997 album Robyn is Here. I leave you with a few tasty tidbits and urge you to buy her album. It's dance pop goodness at its finest. Enjoy.

Buy Robyn's Music HERE.

With Every Heartbeat

Be Mine (Ballad Version)

Jack U Off

Show Me Love


Watch

Konichiwa Bitches!


Be Mine


Handle Me

Feel the weapon's sensation

On any given weekend, my boyfriend, Daniel, can be found DJing in the city. His passion for music rivals my own, and although we have vastly different tastes, we occasionally see eye to eye on a particular artist/song. Shiny Toy Guns "Le Disko" is just such a song. About 5 months ago he made me a mix cd of some of his favorite electronic-esque songs and this track immediately caught my attention. It's got a great beat, a great hook and a very dirty guitar. I love a good dirty guitar! Well technically I love a dirty anything. But I digress. This is actually the 3rd incarnation of "We are Pilots." It was previously released in January 2005 and again in November 2005 on independent labels, making the Oct 2006 Universal Records release unofficially dubbed V3. Now, Daniel is somewhat of a purist. He prefers the gritty sound of the independent version versus the crisper if not slightly over-produced major label release. I however don't care what version is playing, I'll dance to either. I'd wager you will too.




Enjoy

Le Disko (Original Independent Version)

Le Disko (Universal Records Version)

Le Disko (Boys Noize Vocal Mix)



**Little bit of gossip for ya, it was rumored that the vocalist for Shiny Toy Guns, Carah Faye Charnow, is actually the vocalist heard on Paris Hilton's album, Paris.

Hmmm....... You be the judge!!

Paris Hilton (or possibly Carah Faye Charnow) - Stars are Blind


*** If you're interested, and I know you are, Daniel recently posted a mix online for download.


Click the cover art (which he created) to take you to the .zip file.

Here She Comes.

I've been trying to put another mix together for weeks now and everytime I think I have it... I don't have it. So while I continue to struggle with that endeavor I've decided to post a few of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artsts.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Miss Imogen Heap.




I had the pleasure of seeing her perform not once, but two times this year, and she's coming back my way this december and I'm certainly going for for a third. If you've never been, seeing Immi live is a really intimate experience. It felt like I was sitting in her living room and she just happened to have three different keyboards and drum machine. The space was warm and inviting, decorated with foliage and christmas lights. It was cozy. The venue was small enough that even though I was in the back of the room it felt like I was involved in a personal conversation with Immi herself. She told us stories about the songs, showed us how she loops her vocals and instuments and played with the voice synthasyzer she uses on "Hide and Seek." She played several songs on a standard piano instead of the keyboard which brought a new delicacy to the music. She even forgot the words mid way through a song and joked about how we'd just have to sit through the whole thing again. I feel confident in saying not a single person minded.

Pictures of the performance in San Francisco 1-26-06










So, until I can get my head together and release another full mix, enjoy a few b-sides, remixes, live tracks and colaborations from one of the most talented musicians of our generation.



Speeding Cars - Imogen Heap

Cumulus - Imogen Heap

I'm A Lonely Little Petunia - Imogen Heap

Hallelujah - Imogen Heap

Hide and Seek (Unofficial Strings Remix) - Imogen Heap

Hide and Seek (Morgan Page Bootleg Remix) - Imogen Heap

Just for Now (Live Lounge in Toronto) - Imogen Heap

Let Go (Solo Piano Version) - Imogen Heap

Second Sense - Jon Hopkins (Feat. Imogen Heap)

Not That Big (Metronomy's NotThatRemix) - Temposhark (featuring Imogen Heap)

Congratulations - Blue October (Feat. Imogen Heap)

and just for fun (and 'cause I know a certain K80, who shall remain nameless, loves a capella group covers of popular songs) ,

Hide and Seek - UCLA Awaken A Capella


And make sure you check out Immie's Myspace to make sure you don't miss her comin' around your way!