Portugal. The Man is playing tonight, October 2nd at the B.Side Lounge in Boulder, yes, you read that correctly, a very small/intimate venue for them, I was rather surprised when I read this. Even more so when I heard they are playing a second show the following night at the B.Side as well. Tickets are cheap [10-15 dollars-ish?] and will likely sell briskly so buy early. Looking forward to seeing the best thing out of Wasilla Alaska since Sarah Palin!
Next Wednesday, October 6th[?] I believe, Argentinian guitarist and songwriter Federico Aubele will be playing at the Bluebird Theater in Denver, 15 dollars I believe. Mr. Aubele recently released a new album, which show's a trend away from the trippy, acid-jazz and dub-influenced production of his previous works, no doubt heavily influenced by their association with ESL records, and production by Thievery Corporation. I actually have to say I prefer his first 2 albums to his most recent work, I think his brilliantly complex guitar riffs and melodies pair very nicely with TC's production, yielding an ethereal, sophisticated, yet also distinctly Latin sound. Needless to say I am excited for this show!!
Now I'm off to listen to the dopest beat ever made, Parisian beat junky Onra's "My Comet" on the bike ride home through Boulder.
Oh and as an afterthought here's some new musiq I can't get enough of lately:
1.) Swedish Indie-pop trio Miike Snow's new self-titled album. Filled with exceedingly catchy but also fairly robust and well-produced pop songs, this is the best Swedish pop album since Kleerup's "Kleerup" [what is it with these self-titled Swedish pop albums? oh well, not complaining cuz the music is so damn good!].
2.) Anything by New Order. Ok ok, I know this isn't exactly "new" music, but sometimes I think New Order doesn't get the recognition they deserve for being one of the most influential, accomplished, and brilliant pop bands of the past 20 years. Their sounds is complex, but also extremely approachable and likable, and has a unique character you can follow throughout their entire discography; an impressive feat for such a prolific group. Better than Joy Division? Quite possibly.
3.) French-Canadian indie band "Malajube". These guys are incredible. Their sound immediately makes me want to compare them to fellow Quebecois rockers "The Stills", or perhaps even Minus The Bear or The Walkmen, but a more thorough listen reveals an amazingly developed and diverse sound, with everything from sonic lo-fi jamming to high-energy ballads. While I don't usually put much stock in Pitchfork Media's ratings, I will say they gave their sophomore album "Trompe L-Oeil" a very favorable review, and even included it on their best-of-2006 album list. Their most recent album, "Labyrinthes" is an impressive follow-up, and is very likable. These guys have gotten pretty big in the Quebecois indie scene, but alas, have yet to make much of an American impression. Perhaps it's the strictly Francophone vocals [yes, I understand very little, but mostly it just makes it more beautiful]. In any case, they get my recommendation for listen.
4.) Did I already say I love Detroit hop hop head turned neo-soul crooner Mayer Hawthorne? Oh Yeah, he's the shit.
5.) Just a few random notable tracks from the abyss of the blogosphere:
L.A's DJ Classixx is setting up to be one of the best remixer's of 09', check out his songs "I'm on it" and "Cold Act Ill" for a good idea of his style. He has also worked with Jeppe of Junior/Senior as well as Phoenix.
A few tracks by uber-talented remixer's "Treasure Fingers" to check out: "Don't be on with her" [Treasure Fingers Remix], Miami Horror. "100 Percent" [Treasure Fingers Remix], Chromeo. Most of these track's can be found on the Hype Machine [hypem.com], youtube, or Last.fm.
6.) Rio De Janiero's funkiest retro-electro duo, "Database", these guys kind of sound like if Chromeo took a trip back to the 70's and came back with some groovy beats. Particularly good [and available as free last.fm downloads!!!] are "Dance like 107", "Realce", and "Turn Your
Love Around Benson."
