Blog-achella 08: Monkeyin' around

Here's an act that realized being a middling Indie Rock band is not nearly as much fun as rockin' a party...

Simian Mobile Disco



Who they are: Like MSTRKRFT, these Brits used to be in a Rock band (Simian), but when the band broke up, they chucked their guitars and bought samplers.

What they sound like: Actually they sound kinda like MSTRKRFT, too. Crunchy Electro-style house goodness, but not really going quite to the Frenchy extremes...

Simian Mobile Disco - Hustler (ysi)

What I think: I like them quite a bit, and I like the video for this song even more...



Yup, that's a good one... what? You already know I'm a perv... :P

Blog-achella 08: Don't be (Booka) shady

Might only get one post in today, but at least it's a good one...

Booka Shade



Who they are: A German duo, co-founders of Get Physical Records, who we've talked about 'round here before.

What they sound like: Another act on the "Is it Techno or is it House?" border, which makes you realize that border is stupid and the only real question is "Is it any good and/or can I shake my stuff to it?"... And the answer for Booka Shade is "yes" and "most of the time", and I say that because the new record is a bit of an introspective affair. But that for me is one of these guys' best qualities... they really nail "atmosphere" in their tracks... whatever the hell that means. But they do. Like, totally...

Booka Shade - Karma Car (ysi)

What I think: One of my favorite newer electronic acts, and moving up the list. They do a pretty cool live thing, too... same kind of setup as Royksopp...



Don't miss this one... unless you suck, then miss away... :P

Blog-achella 08: Another "Legend"

You know, sometimes I really got nothin' for this opening sentence... this is one of those times...

Murs



Who he is: Although his real name is Nick Carter, he is not the one from Backstreet Boys. You're just gonna have to trust me on that one... actually he's a rapper from L.A., and the second member of the Living Legends crew performing at the 'Chella, along with Luckyiam.

What he sounds like: Good underground beats and above-average rhymes. Dude can really put some great lyrics together and can be really funny when he wants to be...

Murs - She Had A Nascar (ysi)

What I think: One of the better guys out there that not too many people have heard of... why don't you get yourself off that list and go check him out?

Blog-ahella 08: Shiny Disco Balls

And now for something completely different...

Dimitri From Paris



Who he is: He is the very sophisticated Frenchman with the very sophisticated sound.

What he sounds like: Actually, it's changed up a bit. He used to be quite synonymous with the Lounge sound (like on his great artist album Sacre Bleu), but it seems that lately Disco is his thang... what with a bunch of Disco mix CDs and re-edits to his name. Here's one of the re-edits, and big props to American Athlete (once again) for the tune...

Goody Goody - It Looks Like Love (Dim's Compiled Edit) (ysi)

What I think: I think a Disco throwdown in the Sahara tent would be equally fantastic and awkward. I mean, what are all the shirtless pill-monkeys gonna do? Are they gonna bust out their Saturday Night Fever moves or actually venture out into the sun? "It burns! It buurrrrrrnnnnsss!"

Blog-achella 08: Don't wear new shoes

To me, it seems quite fitting to start Monday off with something a bit on the mopey side...

Autolux



Who they are: An L.A. band! I use the exclamation point because there have been very few L.A. bands on the bill this year that I can remember, which seems a bit odd considering. I mean, why import crappy bands from elsewhere when there are plenty of crappy bands in L.A.? But then again, L.A. has a music scene that... well, if it was crappy, that would be an improvement, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.

What they sound like: They sound like the good ol' days of Shoegaze, which I was actually quite into for a minute...

Autolux - Blanket (ysi)

What I think: This is the perfect band for all of those who whined and whined when My Bloody Valentine didn't get booked. But be careful... as you gaze at your shoes you'll realize how wrecked they've gotten over the weekend... just sayin'...

Blog-achella 08: In which I turn you on to a new blog

From Jamaican Dub to Swedish Techno... one of the reasons Coachella is so cool...

The Field



Who he is: A Swedish dude named Axel Willner, and living proof that not all Swedish people are good-looking. I honestly thought they all were, but now my bubble has burst. Eh, maybe it's just the glasses. Why am I spending so much time pondering some guys looks, anyway? I'm not even a gay...

What he sounds like: It's sorta in between Techno and Trance somewhere, but don't let the 2 "T" words scare you off, it's real good...

The Field - Over The Ice (ysi)

What I think: When I covered him last May I said... wait a minute, I don't have to repeat myself. Just click the damn link and see what I said for yaself...

Also, an amazingly talented friend of mine has produced a video for this song, so why don't you peep that, and also check out his blog. He's just started, but it's going to be a veeeeeerry interesting place (said in that tone of voice that kind of half gets you excited and half creeps you out at the same time)...



Pretty fuckin' cool, eh? Wish I had that kinda game...

Have a great weekend!

Blog-achella 08: LKJ

Today we start with probably the most "serious" guy on the bill...

Linton Kwesi Johnson



Who he is: Jamaican-born, British-raised, highly educated speaker of truths. I mean, he's like only the second living poet to be published in the Penguin Classics series. Now, I really have no idea what that means, but I'm sure it's very impressive to those who do... :P

What he sounds like: LKJ is known as the "dub poet"... he does a spoken word style over dense dub beats in a Jamaican patois that only barely resembles English and that I am quite fascinated with. I mean, look at the title of this song... what the hell does that mean?

Linton Kwesi Johnson - Come Wi Go Dung Deh (ysi)

What I think: This certainly ain't no UB40 shit here (not that I have a huge problem with UB40... they were really good until they got old and started doing nothing but bad cover songs), this is some real intense stuff. Spark one up and get some knowledge...

Blog-achella 08: All the cool kids are doin' it

The next band on the list is Sons & Daughters a really mediocre Scottish Rock band, but I will give them (or rather their website) credit for one thing... introducing me to the awesomest new website I've discovered in a while. It's called FabChannel, it's got tons of streaming full live concerts, and the best part is... quite a few of them are actually from bands you'd want to see. Check it out... I'll wait...

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Pretty freaking cool, eh? Moving on...

Cool Kids



Who they are: A Chicago/Detroit Hip-Hop duo.

What they sound like: Very indie Hip-Hop with sparse beats and clever rhymes. They gave this track away for free, so enjoy guilt-free...

Cool Kids - Action Figures (ysi)

What I think: Okay stuff, but I think I gotta hear more to form a real opinion on 'em... this from a guy who loves to jump to snap judgements on bands based on checking out snippets of their tracks from their Myspaces... what can I say... I'm a paradox, yo!

Blog-achella 08: The goofy chick

Now for a singer with a very unique voice... and comedy stylings...

Sia



Who she is: Aussie singer who got her first big break singing for Zero 7, her second when her song "Breathe" was used for the final scene of "Six Feet Under" and her third when she broke her arm falling out of a tree. Boy, that was a corker there, huh... hey, it ain't all comedy gold...

What she sounds like: Well, her solo work really does sound a lot like Zero 7, but is that just because she sings for Zero 7? Discuss...

Sia - Beautiful Calm Driving (ysi)

What I think: Caught her live once at an Amoeba in-store, and even moreso than by her singing, I was struck by what a goofy chick she is. Seriously, she practically does stand-up comedy between songs, then busts out with this super emotional singing. Very odd. But regardless, she is a fantastic singer and will most likely do some of your fave Zero 7 hits as well... bonus points!

Blog-achella 08: Guess they heard Prince was playing, too...

Let's start Thursday off by saying... "Holy crap! Prince is playing!"... yup, still pretty stoked about that...

Less stoked about Raleigh, NC's Annuals and their mellow Indie Pop. Not bad, but nothing I'd get terribly excited about. I'm sure Nic Harcourt loves 'em, though. That's not necessarily a compliment...

Also not quite doin' it for me is Black Mountain from Canada. Seems like they're trying to channel Led Zeppelin somewhat, but the results are "meh", and "meh" don't get you the full treatment when Tone is in a hurry.

Holy Fuck



Who they are: A bunch of wackos from Toronto.

What they sound like: Purely instrumental, kind of on the LCD Soundsystem tip, but more noisy and choatic. They've been getting a lot of pub lately for their smashing remix of Radiohead's "Nude"... be sure to cop that one. I have a feeling you might be able to figure out why I chose this song to post, though...

Holy Fuck - Tone Bank Jungle (ysi)

What I think: They are supposed to but on a very good live show... despite their electronic elements, they play it all live without any laptops or such things and use some very unusual "instruments"... I'd definitely give 'em a shot.