Tumult

I'm gonna kick it off with a short video of magnificence.
Damn:

SEABASE vs STELVIO from YUHZIMI Ltd. on Vimeo.

Not only is that the road that marks the border between Italy and Switzerland, but it is also probably my favorite single place in the world. If only because the road itself is so extreme and I can remember being exposed to an unrivaled clarity here. One of the most visceral and heightening moments of my life. And this guy is smug enough to kill it on a track bike. Not too outlandish to add this to my "Things I just gotta do" list, perhaps with my hommie, Mr. Ted0, non?

It also shells off as an image into the tumult and exertion that this last weekend has been. Granted, damnit, I wasn't biking through the alps. But shit, it nearly feels like it. In a moment, I lost a piece of everything in a suckerpunch of confusion and neglect. I destroyed myself to bring in the new year, and had it back within my grasp. I don't know if I've ever felt thrown is such a loop. I think my innards will bee feeling whiplash for the next few days...

Underworld--Bird I

But such violence consequently tore this scared kind of lethargy that has been sticking inside of me like some molded sap. Terror is a phenomenal motivator. So, a consequence of being thrown around has refreshed a kind of drive in me. A drive to a new job, an alteration in style, an upping of self-expectation and shit I plan to do. Looking forward to auditing a PhD-level Philosophy course/colloquium on 21st Century thought and various adaptations of "Culture". Throwing myself back into the challenge of Philosophy again should augment this regrowth I want to kick start.

I hope such aggressiveness will provide some clarity as to where I want to take myself in this A venir of tomorrow: back to France? Peace Corps? Establish something more real in Denver? Grad School? Elsewhere? Strange enough, remaining in Denver seems the brightest diamond at this point...

It's terrifying! It's happening! It's up in the air! But goddamn, it's beautiful.

tu quoque...et moi?

I present to you a new face. More ephemeral with much less volume. Perhaps the shifting aesthetic pleases you, perhaps not. Either way, I find it more in que with what I'm trying to extricate from me to you...

This is a beautiful video from a wonderful little collective that I recently stumbled upon; it also is a good point of departure for this new face and, well, where I happen to be right now...


In addition to its very mesmerizing/hypnotic quality, it brought about a kind of i.)questioning and ii.)thinking for me.

That which is thinking(ii) is the eloquent pattern of synchronized movement--which, in turn, is just a meditation or variation on relation. Relation and dynamic. As base as it is to remark on the unhindered and innate skill of such creatures to move autonomously, together, and in safety--not colliding. And, taking that, remarking on the pattern or interplay of movement within a greater entity. More abstractly put: singularity within singularity. It intrigues and encourages the notion that Being dwells in movement. At least the expression or manifestation of being's relationship to other Beings. Relational movement.

That which is questioning(i) actually springs from an entire consideration of my relationship with Pigeons. Not entirely pigeons as a species: a cooing, smattered, omnipresent pestilence; yet not entirely pigeons as a concept either (as best one can transform creatures into a concept!). I think about the time from my childhood where, in a violent (psychotic, perhaps?) bout of rage and frustration my father climbed to the top of our 3-story Victorian house in Springfield and kidnapped the recently-hatched baby pigeons from their nest on our roof, proceeding to decapitate each of them. Following their quick deaths, my father and I hung the heads from the four corners of our roof. Later that night, I remember having a panic attack after being so overwhelmed with fear and the vivid image of someone coming and forcefully removing my head whilst finishing my supper alone in the kitchen. I remember having difficulty falling asleep weeks later for fear of someone cutting off my head. I was no more than 8 at the time. I still do not understand why my father brought me along with him on this terrible task of murder--certainly not the highlight of his parenting career. Two things are certain, however: the first one being that we never had pigeons again at that house, and the second that it was the most terrifying memory of my childhood.

I am also reminded of taking pride as a hunter of pigeons as a middle schooler. My best friend and neighbor, Ashton and I made clay throwing darts and rid our neighborhood of pigeons by patrolling the streets after school. Our pursuit was not explicitly motivated by a loathing for the creatures, but more a feeling as though I had succeeded at something, regardless of the seeming triteness of such a task.

And a third instance of taking such joy in the art of chasing and stalking pigeons from my days in Paris. I remember having entire joyous discourses on the proper techniques for pigeon kicking while strolling through le Jardin de Luxembourg, or chasing them while bombing down the road next to the canal between Place de la République to la Bastille....

...and so, it seems that upon reconsideration of pigeons, I realize that I quite enjoy bullying the little winged rats. Upon more careful consideration, I realize that their entire perception and treatment is a misnomer. I also realize the importance of the aesthetic they add to not only a city scape, but the conceptual aesthetic of the purely ephemeral. So ephemeral that their presence is even something to be forgotten, and it is the perceived effect of their appearance that comes into being and consequently passes away. So, to the new face, and to a newfound appreciation and love for the Pigeon: the concrete creeping kings of ephemeral rapture!

So here's a real pretty remix of Baths's Hall, check it, real lovely:
Baths-- Hall (The One AM Radio Remix Feat. The Los Feliz Ladies Choir)

I'm sitting here, first shift of the week. It's just before 2 and a firetruck/ambulance team just pulled up to the home next to ours. This has spawned two things: me wondering if someone has recently slipped and tumbled down the hole (or may be slipping) and, secondarily, the effect of the lights flashing on the camera on the front door. It creates the somewhat frightening effect of storm and lightning on the street just outside. It's marvelous.

I've spent far too long trying to compose a snippet of change and quality here. I'll wrap it up with another beautiful video by yak productions. This one is to Baths's Animals. See how everything kind of loops into itself now? Here I go again!

Alterity, or what is reaching?

Let's get it kicking with this track. Killer drumbeat. Download, listen and read on, friends!
LTJ Bukem--Journey Inwards
(an apt title, perhaps?)

It's Been an interesting week in relation to, well, Relation and the discourse between and amongst people (not to mention within!). Feel rather inclined to describe myself as being somewhat enraptured in some uncanny, lumbering quagmire: It seems that once a rupture is introduced formally: recognized, marked, titled; it reverberates and surges, rendering any smooth surface rigid, sharp and incongruous. Incongruity is nothing short of beautiful, only in circumstances as mentioned, it manifests upon the body more like a fracture....

...When all along nothing within its most rudimentary form has really changed. Now can we really hold the process of naming, noting and identifying accountable for such haze and whirl? Or does this yield the inclination of form itself feeble?

This is a question that I've been rehearsing in my mind and comportment lately....

...As is usually the case, my obscurity is direct. For reasons of privacy, and in the fashion of chaos and falling stars, provocation through ambiguity pins open the possibility for a much more brilliant vagary than directness and clarity. At least as it relates to some matters?

Thoughts?

Here's another, pretty song. Digging this whole record, Shine Through. You probably would to--or ought to...
Aloe Blacc--Nascimento scene 2

Anyway, to kind of carry on into and through the mire of nonsense and semiotic mamblings (my new mot-hybride--caught in the space between murmurings and ramblings) prior commenced: I find myself in a hyper-abstracted situation where, when it comes to careful consideration, I am quite pinned down; it is not fateful nor dreadful, just troubling, as the commitment of my choices and force of my emotions are what draw the pressure upon my shoulders more pressing.

I realize that such a description of my perceived circumstance is...impossible at best. But here's my first step into trying to work through this in-between that has up to this point only manifested itself to me in energies and fleeting expressions.

Oh, and here's another. To end things on a 'better' note--although I never wish to espouse anything but wonderment and progress!

The Glass--Four Floor Letter.


I'll try and pull apart the ends of this tightly-wound accordion for further examination later. For now, enjoy the beautiful new music!

Doubt, ululation, flame!

Persnickle. Not quite sure how to describe things apart from that, at least for the time being...



A very full birthday weekend indeed my thanks for all those who participated in the celebration and folly, as that's really how it ended up--fortunate or not. Best part was the gorgeous little dinner I had with my exquisite lady, Ms. Jillian K. Pate at a charming petit Absinthe bar/Bistro, Z Cusine . Enjoyed a cocktail at the bar--beautifully named À Côté--Le Boulevard Saint Germain--one of my favorite in my favorite city; moved next door and ordered a Bordeaux, which I'd rate at an....11 I'd say; then split some Muscles and a delicious Tulip steak with my sweet. Then returned to an apartment full of friends and enjoyed some coffee, a gourmet cheesecake and wine with friends, my mum and her strange friend. 'Twas quite lovely...

Thursday was spent with my Father, Brother and amigo Brian, eating, shopping, retrieving and going to Dry Docks, what has been rated Denver's best Brewery (although I'd still lean in favor of Great Divide. Brian and I ended up respectably buzzed after sampling all they had to offer and a selection of our favorite, the H.M.S. Victory ESB. The evening was concluded with a night of Tequila shots, nachos and a few beers with Jillian.
Thursday's Song:
Yppah--Never Mess With Sunday

Friday was my party cookfest. The cook fest went excellently, due largely thanks to Molly B., who excellently cooked by my side; the second half of the evening, which I will call the Tequila Terrorism went so well I remember it less than I'd like to admit. According to some I was wild; while others profess drunkness and warmth. Regardless, 2 liters of tequila, 4...ish six-packs and a couple of bottles of wine later the place looked like a bomb had gone off inside. That and a whole handful of others made asses of themselves and a handful of good souls had to pay for it much more than they should have; although I am in no way responsible for the actions of others, I am responsible for where said actions take place. I'm cutting myself off from flagrant drunkness, spotty memory and a jam-packed house and will lean my preferences toward loving swooshiness and charming dinners. Class, not craze....
But it was a night to remember...up until shot number 9...

In light of this, I'd like to offer a new song by Blockhead--one that appreciates a sort of gloom, but still puts forth a smile because, well, it is a NEW Blockhead song, is it not?
Blockhead--Ugly Brown

Coming to a point where I'm kind of ready to move on to another kind of work. OR at least another place of work. The amount of strain, press and stress that working here at Gemini as an overnight is no longer worth it. Although I don't anticipate really shifting gears anytime soon; I do realize, however, that the post-graduation chill-out isn't really manifesting itself due to the pedantic stress I get from a job where I feel like appreciation is a word devoid from my superiors' vocabulary. At this point, I'd like to be involved with a place like Mental Health Denver or doing something a little more clinically-oriented (erhm...science, cough, cough) and a little less 'therapeutic' and babysitting. I'm also considering going for my Phlebotomist's certification and taking that where it may follow, as that'd at least put me behind clinic doors....Oh, but these are extentions into future projects and under an assumption that my foundation stays steady here and the anchors keeping me here stay beautiful and solid, as I feel myself being viscerally tugged over seas to whatever new Francophone (mis)adventures await....

All things revealed, I'm just stretched in many places at once: very happy yet quite hungry. And I'm not willing to just 'settle'.

Oh, here's a rockin' remix of my favorite song off of Bonobo's Black Sands, and anyone who wants to see one of the best musical performances out there, they'll be here the 24th....
Bonobo--Stay the Same (Welder Remix)

Where you going?

The haunt, chill and beauty of October never ceases to put me in a sort of trance. The smell of the air, the feeling of living in a tableau. I drive/walk/ride around, my face a little awash, trying to pull in all the color. The haunt of October is the most interesting: the days of warmth still scrape your arms and bronze your face; yet we all know that the cold, wet and white loom of Colorado winter is waiting to surprise the good nature out of us just around the corner...November. October gets all the fun--eggings, t-pings, drunken parties, sweets and November is that cold morning cleanup. So enjoy your last 10 days of free coasting before the chores kick in, kids...

Have some fun on my drum.
.

Fitness month is going well thus far. Regular Yoga is really starting to pwn some serious sauce on me--which is surely tip-top. Never thought I'd feel soreness so deep in my muscles. Such fluidity has begun to stream in my movement and step. It's different, it's nice.

This song really makes me cry. I'm not quite sure why. Not the only song with Cudi's vocals that makes me tear up...Real beautiful. Check it. Dan Black is also a worthy, very talented artist that should definitely be checked out by those who seek pleasantries for the ears :)


Interesting how the unconscious or 'sub'consciousness is always and unususally one step ahead of that thinking, engaging, contemplative, feeling self. It's a protector, at times. A space and time that once seemed so grandoise and decadent: dead weight upon the thought and shoulders--can suddenly cease to mean anything. You start to detach, unplug and release. Whether you 'realize' it or not--it becomes an empty space. Blank and hollow; yet something that doesn't quite feel like it can be touched. One accepts absence, and one becomes absence. One no longer 'misses' as absence is the precise inverse of presence; when one encounters more absence than presence, the hollow of absence is all one comes to know.

And I grimace, but sometimes I just get sick of myself for always having that hand and smile out. Putting so much into each breath. Planning, assembling. I feel useless. Like a shortcoming, really. Just because of what I seem to generate or inspire: lack. It's lame. And I'm tired. So tired. Tired from another overnight, tired to this absence. Tired of wanting to move forward, advance--trying to find a niche to push forward; yet feeling as if things are so static. So fucking static and I want them to move. It's hard to push so long and much into something unchanging; and then I realize there's nothing I can really do to change it. Then I feel dumb and helpless. It's that static and undecided that seems to have weidled mastery over me. Blame me not of overthinking; I do that minimally...I think I could just use a nap in the passenger seat while someeone else takes the wheel for a bit. Preferably someone who can (and is willing to) drive stick...

but rule #1: set your phasers on Stun!

kibitzer

Today I am happy for caffeine, as it is a substance that makes the impossible possible. It is also the only reason I am probably still awake now, which, in all circumstances but the one I am in now, might not be the best of things....

It's been a long week, and I haven't really gotten anything done (my baby still sits in limbo, for example...) I guess that's probably due to the 70-hour week I've had--volunteered for, actually. Anyway, I'm ready for a week, some time with my girl, a lot of sleep, some good food and a few beers...damn ready.

Moving on the 15th--38th and Federal. An improvement, I hope; guess I'll be seeing. At least I'll no longer be sharing a living space with the most irresponsible person I've ever met.

So, things have been a bordel; a good bordel of preparation, though. So, all is fine.

Not as fine as this music though!

1.) This track is real nice. I just melt to the slow moan and whine of the horns via Hypnotic Brass Ensemble.
Laws & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (ft. Dave Young) -- Never

What's this?
2.)Chilly Gonzales -- Pianist Envy
(it's a shredder, trust me!)

3.)Oh yeah! Did anyone know J. Dilla had a younger brother? Not as sharp, but still pretty tip top. Check it!
Illa J. -- Sounds Like Love (ft. Debi Nova)
ps: Check his whole album. It's good and def. worth it, despite the very obvious "My brother pt. 2, I am" vibe that just streams from the album.

4.) This song is good alone, but the fact that it's got so many good heads throwing themselves in here makes it stupendious
Polyphonic & Reanimator -- Survive Another Winter
bonus if you can tell me who is in here--voices, that is...

5. Too fun:
Sammy Bananas -- My Body

And everyone should at some point catch this film/memoir/documentary on memory, people and places, Sans Soleil (Sunless). I'ts a highly meditative film that engages in a really provoking dialog with the aforementioned subjects. Contemplative in its strangeness; melancholic in its contemplativeness...

I saw a fucking rad show last Saturday night. Got to see Baths and Dosh. Let's see....I cried during Baths's set and Dosh was so layered and smooth I barely took my eyes off him during his whole, loopity set. Had the wonderful opportunity to talk to Baths, which turned out to be a 30-minute conversation and got to find out how much of a totally rad (and charmingly nervous) guy he is. Apparently he'll be here again in February doing a headliner tour. So when I'll be telling you you need to see him with me, y'all can't be saying no a 2nd time, ya hear? Oh, if you never checked out his video for Lovely Bloodflow, you should now, or else you're a dumb sucker....

Bliff, Blaff, I'll call it a done for now.

Holla!

Nubuck Kidlib, floss shine

Damn, already clunbking around to the end of September. Suppose I'm always a bit surprised/shocked by the speedy passage of time. Meant to toss some stuff up here before bouncing out of the country for 10 days, but never really got around to it, I suppose.

It seems that a general update is at hand before I start flying through the music... I'm really looking forward to the commencement of October. Going to actually take some time to solidify things and get my feet planted (all things permitting...): prepare for winter, save some money up, get some money paid back, chill, get a new place and I have also declared October fitness month. I want to slam it and be in mean shape by my birthday. That's the plan, at least.

Costa Rica was immaculate. I don't know if there's more I could say unless I Were to go into a whole memoir about the adventures and travels I had there. Go to that country, rent a car and try and get from one of the phenomenal national parks to another, then come talk to me. My new obsession might be driving in different countries. It's such a fun game. Europe is still my favorite. Relative to driving, and well, being in CR made me realize just how much I still miss Europe. If I listen to my heart or instinct at all, I'll have to be there again in the next 5 years...

Anyway, also got in a pretty bad/really good motorcycle accident. Pretty bad because my baby was 'totaled'; pretty good because I should have been seriously injured or dead and got away with a scraped elbow and bruised hip. Kind of a sobering experience. Bummer though is that I'm currently without a bike. Don't know how much longer I can manage sanity in such a situation....

Anyway, enough gibber-gabber about life and travels and near-death. Let's get down to the bones and tunes...

1.) Local Natives -- Eyes Wide (Fools Gold Remix). There's something tremendous about this track. Maybe it's the epic chanting or the slicing snap-beat. Or maybe Fools Gold just makes amazing remixes. I checked out Local Natives' new album, Gorilla Manor and was unimpressed. Need to give it 4-5 more listens before I make up my mind though. This track kills it, however.

2.) Eliot Lipp -- Ballkid; Eliot Lipp -- Linc. This guy is a golden new discovery in the genre of Jazzy hip-hopy ambient/chill music. Straight off of his s/t'd album which is certainly worth checking out.

3.) Lia Ices -- Grown Unknown. Another brilliant, catchy as hell song that I can't get enough of...


I'll leave it at that for now. Enjoy.

There's hip-hop....and then there's....?

There's hip-hop/rap, then there's good hip-hop/rap. Then, well, there's Themselves. I've posted there stuff all over the place, like here and here and, probably my favorite son by them, here. Anyway, I'm stoked on them, and I'll argue that Doseone is probably the most charged musician currently out there in terms of raw (albeit wayward) creativity and, well, just damn well being out there. Anyway, here's a rad video of Jel and our man Doseone that I'm rather stoked on. Indeed!

Themselves @ Camp Basement with livemusic.fm from anticon. on Vimeo.

If you get nothing else out of this but that Doseone is mad sexy, your life is nonetheless better now.

Anyway, here's Baths's new (and premiere) video for my favorite song off of his debut, Lovely Bloodflow. I find it to be one of the more beautiful things I've seen lately really.

Baths - "Lovely Bloodflow" from anticon. on Vimeo.

Anyway, guess I should toss up some new stuff--or just stuff here...These next tracks go in conjunction. Nothing super epic, just a good beat and a good sound that caught my ear. Perhaps it'll catch yours too (both by the Bomarr Monk):
a1 - green gold fronts
a2 - large happy fat

This song is just real pretty:
Modeselektor - The White Flash

A little abject, this post be, but we all need such a thing...from time to time.

Marc out.

Hootin' and hollerin'

Why does electronic music have a (coupla) step(s) up on classical? Many many, but here's a few: no need for a whole damn symphony (that's what comps are for!), it has drumbeat, and any 'ol body can do it! Classical, however, has that enduring devotion that people like Chopin, Rachmaninoff, or hell even that crazy bastard, Scriabin had. But, do I hope we're getting there. Anyway, I'm stoked on this:


....DJ Egadz everyone. Give him a couple more years and he'll no doubt rival my current favorite electronic artiste, Tony Simon
DJ Egadz - White Flag

By the by, that new favorite artist I've probably told everyone about? Yes, Nujabes. I found his source (and Mr. Simon's source as well!). The throughly fantastic (yet older) jazz musician, Yusef Lateef. One of my new favorites, still putting out music/teaching at 90. Plus he was part of the Black Muslim movement of the 60s(ish), which is one of those marginal little pockets in history that I love to know everything about. Now, find me three songs in this one:
Yusef Lateef--Love theme from 'The Robe'

Ahhh, yes, up and coming beauty Andreya Triana has recently put up her debut. You may recognize her from Bonobo's newest masterpiece, Black Sands. Here's the title track song:
Andreya Triana - Lost Where I Belong

And this song is just too damn cute:
The Hundred in the Hands - Gigantic Tom Tom

As regards other brilliant media, Julian Schnabel is my director of the week because he makes beautiful, meditative films about liminial individuals and he paints and shit. Most presently, his film Before Night Falls is one of the best bestowed upon mine eyes and soul in the last year. Additionally, Revanche is my individual film of the month.

Anyway, to add an animal kingdom atop my preexisting capitol of Alderaan, I've been caught up in between James Baldwin's Another Country and Douglas Hofstadter's newest essaie, I am a strange Loop and have found myself in a piecemeal niche--along with the Jazz and beats that is the new metronome for my biology--where I'm digging my teeth into a kind of uncannily beautiful mist of romance, dreaming again and walking on water upside down...and I feel like my mind built this when I wasn't looking...

Well, tomorrow I part for NY. Boy am I stoked to see some of the most beautiful people I've ever had the abounding luck to meet and befriend....who knows where I'll be after that?

Feather

Well, August has already befallen us. Seems odd; yet seems to make sense. I can't seem to tackle this inchoate sense of waiting--which I fear August will bring; a wait for something unnamed and not really acutely planned for or in range. Perhaps August is just an aspiration, as I yet remain unsure where the rock may roll.

Backpacking with Jillian went well--albeit it's shortness. Boef. The 4-day trip to the San Juan Mountains was...decent. Really having more and more difficulty being comfortable around my father. Just so reactive. Anyway, climbing Sneffels was a blast. Hats off to 14er #24. Holla. Biggest downside, however was the fucking rain. Spent about 4 days practically soaked. Pwnd par la nature...

I'm stoked:

Mad stoked on heading out to NEW YORK in about a coupla days or something of the like. Gonna see a whole onslaught of Amigos à la Pairs that I haven't seen in well over a year. So here's a shout out to all'o'y'all!

Stoked to get out of the shitty, house I'm currently in with beer cans and dog shit all over the place. Best location I've ever been in, worst housemates I've ever had (well, 3 awful, 1 good).

Stoked to be chillin' well past September.

Stoked on the amazing people in my life (you know who you are).

Stoked that things are getting better (or back to how they were).

Stoked to go to Costa Rica in September.

And, of course: Stoked on some new-ass music I'm about to share with y'all! There's a lot of it here, and it's all good.

Let's get started:

This one I have a hunch my amigo Ted0 will enjoy quite a bit. Not sure if he's totally your groove, but Wax Tailor is a fuckin' master. Check it!
Wax Tailor--The Games you Play

Because I'm _______, all I can seem to want to listen to these days is mostly sans-parole, jazzy...ish, chill stuff with a good beat...or Hip-Hop. If anyone can help me with the name of this category of music, that'd help. So I'll throw out a whole handful...
Pt. 1 of all I can listen to:
Fat Jon - Mira
Nujabes - A Day by Atmosphere Supreme
They loose their minds on this track:
Cinematic Orchestra - Man With The Movie Camera (live)

Pt. 2: Hip-Hop (most of it Jazzed-up):
Blessin' it

Feather

This one I really was digging earlier this week after getting lost in the rain, after dark, no shirt on a run while camping, there you have it:
Highs 2 Lows
This one goes out to that special someone in my life.
(These first couple come from one of my new favorite artists, Nujabes. Who, tragically died in February of this year as I came to learn upon reading more into him after being substantially impressed by his album Metaphorical Music (which is what some of this is off of...) Kinda a bummer when you get really stoked on someone and find out he's recently deceased. Putain.

...and one more:
Blue Scholars - The Inkwell


Also, I meant to throw this one up last time, but didn't. A really beautiful song.
Florence and The Machine - Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix)


Ok...Well, that's about an hour worth of listening. Enjoy!

Be ready for even fresher scratches and beats within the week!

Holy Shit!

It's been about two months since my last update: Lame. Something, perhaps to do with the massive blur of things lately. Just wanting a bit (a lot) of a down shift or slow down, which I have been feeling to the slightest effect of late. A minute to read and read words and signs that have directed me to a here and there (a consequent nowhere).

Still, things have been so unsteady. I feel this spectral beyond that quivers and haunts...like I be swimming in troubled water.

Anyway, running lower on time (gotta wake the kids soon!) than I'd like, so I'll dive right in.

First off: Baths. Really one of the most fascinating fresh new sounds I've heard in ages. There's something so mechanistic, menacing and sorrowful about this song; yet with a certain amplification of affirmation and calm. Check out his new album, Cerulean. It won't let you down...Real Talk.
Baths--Lovely Bloodflow

Next up...These guys recently came out with their first album in....ohhhh....8 years? Blood like LemonadeAnyway, for old times sake, I'm gonna throw up an oldie but a sure-fire goodie.
Morcheeba--Au Dela

And this last one goes out to a very special, eloquent lady in my life. Listen to the words, Love. You'll know who you are...

That's it for now. I'm planning on keeping this here Mezzanine updated on the regular. I've gots lots to share!

Cheers

The Chill post

One last week of classes then a couple of tests the week after and I will finally have this abstraction of freedom and comfort in my palm. It's bittersweet, sitting at the cap of the week where I know not how I am going to find the motivation to pulse forward.

So here's some music that's been keeping me in it lately.

Louise Attaque--Sean Penn, Mitchum. This is another one of my favorite bands, and the album this came off of (here) is really a keeper. They are just calm, beautiful music with very oneric lyrics (for those of you qui comprenent la parole française). I really like how the chorus flows with the zip of the music...


These Guys are good too (Tosca--Boss on the Boat). This is Dorfmeister's second side project. Again. Chill stuff. Good for focus.

Brad Mehldau - Sky Turning Grey (For Elliot Smith) Good sound. 'nuf said.

Dosh--Country Road. I really like what this artist is becoming. His new album, Tommy is really clean with some great tracks. I missed seeing him at the Hi-Dive last week I think due to my being ZOMBIE tired from that school/work thing...Anyway, check his new album, it's got Andrew Bird on a couple of tracks= + + Good.

Crystal Castles--Intimate. OFf of their new album, I like a very small handful of songs. They either: (a) tried to put some noise core mutant with hyperdistorted screamy vocals which just sounds like shit (b) added a lot of randomized sound effects that just distract from the music of (c) just failed to put anything above bland in their new album. Which is a bummer. But this is one of those songs that is not subject to a, be, or see, so I can groove it.

These last two came from Cinematic Orchestra's contribution to this amazing project. One of my favorite bands like most of my other favorite bands. Get dem shitz together and you get a big 'ol banana on my face. Play these guys back to back and if you want a bonus, listen to it while skating around some place, swerving in and out of people....
St. Germain--Rose Rouge
Songstress-- See Line Woman (See Line Woman Vocal)


Yeah, chill some sauce to that....

Maybe I'll do energy post sometime...

Checkered

I've been a bit behind as far as keeping my updates normal lately. The obvious reasons for this need not be stated.

First off, not at all music related, but I'd like to give a super special shout-out to Stone's 2nd Most recent Collaboration ale, the El Camino (un)Real Black Ale. I haphazardly stumbled upon this while browsing Argonaut, bought one, was blown away in my mouth. Well, I headed back to Argonaut 2 days later and cleared them out of all their remaining 15 bottles. Honestly, I have never tasted a beer that delicious and complex since the legendary Westerleven 12, the purportedly "Best Beer in the World".

Anyway, if you can find this, it is more than worth a taste. So try and snatch one up if you can. Otherwise, stay on my good side, assholes!

They also just released their next collaboration ale, Saison du Buff where they get together with some pretty mean brewers.

Anyway, been listening to a handful of stuff around the block, and I plan on throwing some of that at all'o'yall....

Alright, first:
1.) These New Puritians--Attack Music
--> This song sticks in the folds of my gyri like a bur. Kind of electro-art-rocky but it's a really tasty tune and it's off of their new album

2.) The National--Terrible Love. Their new album is probably my favorite out of what they have. It's brilliant, wonderful, uplifting and cheery just like all of their stuff and makes you just want to go out and blindly fall in love. Yeah.

3.) Hocus Pocus--100 Grammes de Peur. Probably my favorite band that's currently active--largely because their new album, 16 Pièces is a knockout. Lyrically and Musically their most driven album.


Bonus: A big shout-out to ConnardTed0Monsieur thank you for this massive destruction that has been the theme to my life the last 10-12 days. For real.

Anything Else?

Damn

Wow, April's almost over, and I've not thrown anything up here all month. That's 3 weeks and that's lame. Guess it's been a busy month. Ha, wait, it's been probably the busiest time in my whole life: full-time job, 22 credit hours, and an internship I'm just choking down.

Anyway, all 'o you haters who were either uninterested or too broke to come to Bonobo with me: you all missed one of the most varied and wonderful shows you'll probably ever see. Tant pis pour vous.

So, in name of that, here's a barrage of a couple of crispy, jazzy tracks (including the title track off of Bonobo's new album). They're long, but good for a chill session. Enjoy.

Jaga Jazzist--Sweedish Take Away
The Cinematic Orchestra--Everyday
Bonobo--Black Sands


Bonus:
Sunday Girl V. Diplo--Four Floors
This song is beautiful, sexy and one of the better tracks I've heard all month. Hope it pleases you.

Cheers.

Couldn't pass it up

I'm really looking forward to seeing what else Jónsi (most recognizable face fromcreates. His new album, Go is due out April 15th, or you can stream it direct from NPR (which I am doing right now). Regardless, this is a really beautiful track:
Jónsi--Time to Pretend (MGMT cover)

And, again, I can't but help but love the shit out of this one. Whoever the woman is in this makes it spring from decent to great!
Lil Shorty--Too $hort

Lots'o'listening!

Haze

Bleck. 14 Overnights in a row; 3 more to go. It'll all be well worth it about 12 days from now with my next paycheck.

Anyway, been barreling through bullshit with school and my internship, but here are some tunes that have cheered me up lately and I hope they'll have a similar effect on all'o'y'all!

This one is for Meghan (who probably won't read this...)
Edward Sharpe and ....--Home (RAC Remix)

And, probably my favorite track of of Bonobo's new album (which I would probably give a 11/20, sadly. The second half pulls it together)
Bonobo--Black Sands

And This song just Shreds. It goes out to an amigo of mine who might just be cooler than it.
Tunng - Hustle (Bloc Party Remix)


More comin' later on in the week, so don't be a stranger!

Shift Shift Shift

New Mexico was rad. A pretty epic drive down there including fog, blizzard and an eerie kind of catharsis upon arriving in Albuquerque. Perhaps most importantly was just getting my arse and eyes away from Denver for a chunk of time with my Beloved....

Ha!

Anyway, got some good stuff to comin' at you...

First off, Broken Bells . A collaboration between James Mercer of the Shins + The great Danger Mouse = most excellent. Anyway, never really being a super big of a fan of the Shins, this duo, however makes for a fascinating sound. Without further adoo:
Broken Bells-Sailing to Nowhere

New stuff by Rocky. Yeah.
Rocky Votolato, Red River


I'm just going to leave it at that for now...More to come soon!

A little bit of breathing room...finally

The quarter is finally over. Those last two weeks were really taking a toll on my body. I don't think I've ever felt a stress so corporal than the one that's been battle-axing through me. Anyway, I'm going to be bouncing out to the (hopefully) sunny domain of Santa Fe in a coupla hours, which I'm looking forward to. As well as longer days, with the arbitrary changing of the clocks. I guess spring is here? We'll see.

Regardless, here are a coupla tunes that are a little around the board but it's all new stuff I've been listening to this week and thought I'd share a little speck with you.

1.)Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons, Mockingbird.
--> Pretty folky, but sometimes this is the stuff that drives me. Really good sound and vibe coming from these guys.

2.) I might get some haters for this, but I like her stuff. She's got a cool story and is a part of the Doomtree Hip-Hop collective. Anyway, check it!
Dessa, Matches to Paper Dolls

3.) I don't know why, but I love the hell out of this song. Maybe you can tell me?
CatDiesel, k-os

And a Bonus. Just for fun. Hysterical but with a good sound.


Well, that't it for now. I'm a bit rushed, so excuse the lack of detail. Look for more later on in the week!

MARC(h)!

Let me start by saying that I fucking Love this month! Yay. Although it's a little bit like half-dead duck starting up at the musty gray sky outside, the devil of February is now away from us. Horray for temporally-defined superstitions!

Here's one that's fun and blood-cloting! (it's at leas the first)
Attack of the Postmodern Baboons!

This one is just clean and all over good. Another one of those bands that if you don't listen to them, well..... you should probably just get better:
Four Tet-Glue of the World

You may have heard mention of one of my new up and coming music brilliancies, Mr. Son Lux. (I threw one of his tracks up a coupla weeks ago...but you didn't read that anyway...). Well, he threw out a new EP a little minute ago and it slaughters daughters. This guy dices and slices songs you love and gives them an entire new spin. Anyway, without further ado, this one is Epic:
Son Lux-Weapons V

Oh yeah, aaaannnnddd, these guys are pretty good, I think some of you will like 'em:
Toro y Moi-Blessa

Markéd intentions

I also want these shoes. Cooler than me or you.

Nothin' special; QUE les bonnes

I should be writing my damn CRP, but I thought I'd share some goodies with all'o'yall...
Just gotta love these:

Guess what?!?
Marina & The Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Penguin Prison Remix)

Really looking forward to these guys' new album.
Stylo (feat. Mos Def and Bobby Womack) (Chiddy Bang Remix)

Right right. Now to make leaps and bounds in being unmotivated!

Where we going?

Sorry it's taken me a little minute to throw some stuff stuff up here, but starting full-time and school has left me scampering about and without as much internetzzz as I would like...

Guess what? It's February. Now, now, now, I mean not to be fatalistic and so forth, but let's be straight: things don't really start lookin' up until Brian's Birthday. But oh well...

I'm trying to spruce it up by going into the market for a new car. I figured a legit job and a civic with a death clock that keeps ticking was good enough reason to open that market. In 2 hours, I might have one, actually. And it looks a little something like this. Not quite the e30 body that I've always drooled over, but it's definitely something to work with. So, we'll see about that!

Anyway, got a coupla tunes that might serve as little pick-me-ups amidst February's static sludge.

First off, a new mashup killer: Beat Logic! Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking... but these guys really know how to do it well. It was hard to pick a track off of this album, but I found this one to be particularly lucrative and good. If you like it, you can get a FREE DOWNLOAD (wha?!) of their album here.
Anyway:
-Beat Logic, Omar's a commin'

Second, a good ol'classic, and a decent articulation of how I've been feeling in the year 2010 thus far. This one's for you, Magic Man.

Trois. New artist of the week: Yppah. Anyone get the name of the band? Anyway, stumbled upon these guys by tracking down what I liked. Turns out they're on Ninja Tune (Another label with nothing but Gold under its wing). AND (just learned this about 15 seconds ago) they're touring with the one and only BONOBO in the Spring! Playing at the Ogden April 17th!
Yppah-It's not the same.

I think that'll suffice for the time being. Check back soon!

Toad

Bleck, bleck bleh. Nothing special, but something good.

This one's for two big Jerks in my life whose names start with a T and a B. Any guesses?

Nosaj Thing: Light 1
--->PS, they'll be in Denver Sat. Feb 13th, to all of you who don't read this. I wouldn't miss it if I were not me...

And, this song just makes me wanna shake.

That's it for now. I'll toss some more up later on this week.

Hobagagagb!

Happy New year!

You know what's always cool about the 3rdish week of the new year? It seems that a lot of good artists put out some new stuff in the first month that seems to mark the rest of the musical year. Last year, Andrew Bird, Bon Iver, and Animal Collective all kicked out some pretty damn listen-able stuff and we had a damn good year of music in 2009!

This time around, I've only had a chance to sample a small handful of some good ól good ones, two of my favorite bands, at that.

Massive Attack! Their new album (first in 7 years) is...very different from their other stuff. Lacking in their strength in terms of hper-distinction, THIS is Massive Attack, however, they co-lab-or-ate with tons of champs out there (Tunde Adebimpe, Damon Albarn, Hope Sandoval, Guy Garvey and Martina Topley-Bird). This isn't supposed to come out for another weekish, so don't report me!
Pray for Rain

Second: Good 'ol Blockhead's at it again. If you don't listn to his stuff: you suck. Get better and download this.

I really dig this bonus piece (thank you external free mp3 sites)

Groove Armada-Shameless (feat. Bryan Ferry)

Cheerio!

Keep the waters stirring

Got a bit of a mix-mash of sounds sounds sounds! But what have I always said?
Nothing too terribly 'new' but certainly, very good. Please consume...

You know those songs that you've been listening to for ages, that you never stop loving and the lyrics will come into your head out of absolutely nowhere and you can't stop until you listen to it again? Well, I do, and this is one of my favorites. He only played it once.

I've been meaning to throw these guys up here for quite some time. Fucking awesome modern folk band straight outta Raleigh. Wendy, I think you'll like these guys. They'll be in Austin in a little minute too, so you should get on that. Flyin' at ya!

Another nature-based band out of the UK: Bracken (named after a genus of fern, how cool!). And, yes, another Anticonnie. But, for reelz, give this a listen.

And, as (somewhat) usual:
Fun bonus.
Weird bonus.


Enjoy!

Here for your consumption

It's been quite the week. Quite the week indeed. Still haven't slept after working an overnight last night. Feeling decent except for the fact that I feel like a zombie. No need to fret, because there is delicious media out there!

First off, this project seems that it's going to really amount to something spectacular and makes me respect the artist that is The Knife tremendously. Even though no one is going to actually read the link and no one is going to read this post anyway, I have to pull a quote from a description of the project:

"Commissioned by Danish performance group Hotel Pro Forma to write the music for their opera based on Charles Darwin and his book ‘On the Origin of the Species’, The Knife decided to make this a collaborative process, working with artists Mt. Sims and Planningtorock for the first time, to capture the huge scope of the Darwin and evolution theme."

Yeah, this song is brilliant and I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the album in March.

Other awesome news: Yeasayer is coming to the Bluebird in April to celebrate the release of their new album, which I expect to be impeccable.

Third, another of the greater new bands in 2009 that I hadn't taken to time to listen to until this week, The XX is my band for the week. Really catchy, cute and, well, damn good pop out of England,
-The XX, Heart Skipped a Beat

Fourth...I'll save those other pieces for next time, folks. Can fill your plate too much because it's usually the seconds that taste the best!

-Cheers

A week into it!

Here's a couple of others that I've been really digging this week. Adding a bit of variation for those of you who like it! (...or not?)

First off: Sj Eseau. This guy is unique. Coming out of the UK, making rounds of music that mixes the macabre, the dramatic, the satirical and the simple. I would definitely recommend one (or both of his two albums: Small Vessel and Wrong Faced Cat Feed Collapse. Yeah.

Sj Eseau--Geography (Donkey dancing in the Bath)

Second, Alela Diane. I've probably mentioned her before, but she is the best female folk singer since Kate Wolf, arguably. I know some people would have my tongue and throat for this statement, but I think it's true.

Alela Diane--White as Diamonds


And third, I just can't get enough of this guy. This is a nothing short of amazing remix of Beirut's A Sunday Smile.

A Sunday Smile (Remixed by Son Lux)

Cheers to the first week of school, The Denver Whiskey Club, visits from afar and brilliant, creative art!

New year, new melodies

I haven't thrown anything new up here in over a month. Gross. Largely on account of my not being in school and therefore having the internet even less at my fingertips. But I'm starting Monday and have a lot of new sounds to share with the small corpus of people who happen to read this, mais boef, ce n'est pas grave.

Two of particular interest this time:

Son Lux, Betray

An excellent solo artist out of New York. And, yes, another contributing benefactor to all things amazing and musically-challenging that is anyone on the Anticon label. His sound is a peculiar one, as it experiments with its own mood and tempo..at least that's what I'd say. Here's a starter; I'll throw one of his remixes up here later.

Darc Mind

Another Anticonnie, as I'll say; damn good voice and sound this guy has. Give it a listen.

...and then, of course, I have to have my personal favorite, super-weird bonus track. If you have paitence and an affinity for the mercurial, melodic and sharp sounds of Themselves (one of my new favorite bands) at their most unhinged, you'll love this one.


Any thoughts?

Cheers. Happy new year. Listen to more and different music. That should be everyone's resolution indeed. I'll throw some more stuff your way later on in the week. Be ready!