Check out these awesome (7 of them; including ones by Fred Falke and Viceroy) remixes of Mystery Skulls “Ghosts”.
Listen: Mystery Skulls – “Ghosts” (remixes)
Also, if you didn’t see the video for the original track that I posted earlier this month, check it out!
Semi Precious Weapons is a band founded by singer and Berklee College of Music grad Justin Traner. Though starting off as a punk band in NYC, their sound has evolved and they’ve toured the world with Lady Gaga and most recently Kesha. Now, they’re based in LA and have a new album coming out in April. The new album, Aviation, was produced by Tricky Stewart. Keep your eye out, and in the meantime check out the video above for “Aviation High.”
Filed under Band Change-ups, new albums, video
Riding high on the critical and internet success from November’s Ballin’ Oates, The Melker Project is at it again with Trill Collins. This time, Scott Melker is blending Phil Collins with Gucci Mane to the Pharcyde to Jay Z, and everyone in between.
Listen/download: The Melker Project – “Ballin’ Oates”
His 4th EP focusing on a single classic artist, Trill Collins was a formidable project. “I’ve been obsessed with Phil Collins since I was a Young Melker, and have always wanted to tackle his catalogue. The task was daunting, as a number of Phil’s songs are basically rock/pop perfection, particularly ‘In The Air Tonight’,” Melker says.
The Melker Project’s methods are truly a labor of love, as he replays all of the individual instruments with updated sounds and synths. He then used these new sounds to remix the tracks, and later reincorporated samples from the original Phil Collins songs. After all of this was done, he combined his new versions with appropriate vocals. Melker explains, ”In the case of ‘Invisible Touch,’ I decided to do a straight up remix with the vocal being the only element of the original track.”
In his 16 year career, Scott has played gigs around the world alongside notable DJs and acts, including DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ AM, Public Enemy, Slick Rick and Dougie Fresh, Kanye West, Wu Tang, Q-Tip, Ne-Yo, TI, The Ying Yang Twins, Jet, among others.
Combining his genre-savvy music selection – from Hip Hop, Trap, R&B, Rock, House, 80s, Funk, EDM Soul and Classics – with his razor sharp skills on the turntables, Scott Melker is among the few selectors challenging the traditional assumption that DJs simply play records.
In addition to entertaining crowds live, The Melker Project is hard at work in the studio. His remixes are coveted by DJs and music aficionados around the globe. A number of his recent remixes have reached number 1 on the hypem.com popular charts, and have been spotlighted by Billboard, VH1, Fuse TV, Earmilk, The Los Angeles Times, and a number of other notable music publications.
Besides having the entire Trill Collins EP available for streaming, fans can currently download the mp3 of “In the Air ToNas” for free. The Melker Project will also be releasing a new track from Trill Collins, once a week, on his Soundcloud page for fans to download.
Listen/download: The Melker Project – “In the Air ToNas”
Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, downloads, listen
This looks like the absolute coolest festival ever!
Lightning in a Bottle is California’s premier camp out festival celebrating art, electronic music, yoga and much more!
The dates for the festival this year is May 22-26, Memorial Day Weekend.
The history of Lightning in a Bottle spans more than a decade; friends, family, and co-horts of The Do LaB are thrilled and astounded that it’s been more than ten years of celebrating art, music, performance, sustainability and life, making miracles and catching Lightning in a Bottle!
2014’s music lineup will be announced in early March. Past headliners include Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, The Glitch Mob, Purity Ring, Rusko, Nicolas Jaar, Thievery Corporation, Big Gigantic, Booka Shade, Bonobo, Beats Antique, Mimosa, Tycho, EOTO, Shpongle, Tipper, Lucent Dossier Experience, Apparat, Paper Diamond, Panty Raid, Nit Grit, Nosaj Thing, Emancipator, Star Slinger, The Very Best, Daedelus, Lee Burridge, Claude Von Stroke, Justin Martin, J-Flip, Jesse Rose, Nick Warren, Polish Ambassador, Odesza, Kastle, Gladiator, and more!
Popular alternative rock band The Kin kicks off yet another nationwide tour on February 5, 2014, in support of their new five-track EP Get On It (Interscope Records). Fresh off their Australian and US tours supporting P!NK, the power trio amps up to headline their own two month tour, bringing their explosive live shows to 27 cities across the US in February and March 2014.
The Kin, comprised of Isaac Koren (vocals, keys), Thorald Koren (vocals, guitar, keys), and Shakerleg (drums, percussion), have enraptured live audiences worldwide with their powerful vocal harmonies, hard-driving guitar and percussion and captivating stage presence. It was only a matter of time until major labels took notice and Interscope signed on to help promote their current EP Get On It, released in October 2013. The Kin teamed up with legendary producer Tony Visconti (best known for his work with David Bowie and T.Rex), as well as former Record Plant staff engineer Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith) and Nic Hard (Joey Ramone, The Church) to capture the group’s gritty, propulsive rock sound that comes across best during their live performances. The Get On It EP is currently charting in the US and Australia and went gold in New Zealand, reaching #2 on the Pop charts there.
During their tours, The Kin also are known for causing trouble with their signature “Musical Robberies” where they burst into a randomly chosen high-traffic public area, such as a diner or airport, and surprise innocent on-lookers with a spontaneous live performance. The Kin have launched several of these “musical robberies,” including at the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, Soho House, Seven Grand Whiskey Bar in Los Angeles, and a French airport. “We’re looking to surprise people and give them a musical experience,” says Isaac. “Even if it’s just for a split second, it’s a rush for everyone involved.”
Tour Dates:
2/18/2014 7pm Columbus, OH A&R Bar
2/20/2014 7pm Pittsburgh, PA Club Cafe
2/22/2014 6pm Cambridge, MA TT The Bear’s
2/23/2014 8pm New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
2/24/2014 8pm Vienna, VA Jammin Java
2/26/2014 8pm Philadelphia, PA World Cafe Live
3/9/2014 9pm Indianapolis, IN Deluxe at ONC
3/15/2014 9pm Denver, CO Larimer Lounge
3/17/2014 7pm Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
3/19/2014 7pm Seattle, WA The Crocodile
3/20/2014 9pm Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
3/21/2014 7pm Sacramento, CA Assembly
3/23/2014 9pm Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst
3/24/2014 8pm Fresno, CA Strummer’s
3/26/2014 8pm Santa Ana, CA Constellation Rm
3/27/2014 830pm San Diego, CA Soda Bar
3/28/2014 8pm Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
3/29/2014 5pm Las Vegas, NV Container Park
Filed under Check 'em Out!, listen, Shows
Photo credit: Myles Pritchard
Riding high on the wave of critical success in Phebe Starr’s native Australia, the Sydney-based electro-pop artiste has made a splash in the US with her debut EP, Zero– out now!
The Zero EP features tremendous vocals atop tribal beats, dramatic electronic chimes & sincere passionate refrains. Phebe just unveiled the striking video for EP cut “Tonight,” which introduces symbolism with an entirely whitewashed set, aside from the sausages, steak & colored knives. On the color scheme, Phebe elaborates: “there is something so thought provoking about meat. It is so offensive, yet there is a fragility that encapsulates the human experience. I like to ingest a part of my heart and thoughts without spelling it out.”
Phebe previously unveiled Icelandic trio Steed Lord’s deliciously club-ready “Tonight” remix – an irresistible cut to power a dance-fueled trip into the night. Influenced by the likes of Kraftwerk, Bjork, The Cure, Beck & ‘90s beats, Phebe Starr has quickly become renowned for her effortless blend of organic sounds & ethereal electronic pop. Zero EP cut “Alone With You” garnered an impressive 50k downloads as the iTunes ‘Single of the Week’ in Australia & New Zealand.
Filed under Check 'em Out!, listen, video
Warner Bros. Records has released the original motion picture soundtrack to Universal Pictures’ Endless Love. The romantic drama hits theaters nationwide tomorrow, Valentine’s Day.
The digital-only soundtrack, which can be purchased here, features music from an array of celebrated bands, including the Top 40 hit-in-the-making “Pumpin Blood” by NONONO, as well as The Bird and The Bee featuring Matt Berninger, Echosmith, Franz Ferdinand, Tanlines, Guards, and Tegan and Sara, who perform the track “Don’t Find Another Love,” which was written specifically for the movie. Please see below for the full track-listing.
Endless Love stars Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike) and Gabriella Wilde (The Three Musketeers) in the story of a privileged girl and a charismatic boy whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart. Directed by Shana Feste (Country Strong), the romantic drama co-stars Bruce Greenwood, Joely Richardson, Robert Patrick and Rhys Wakefield. Scott Stuber (Ted) of Bluegrass Films and Pamela Abdy (Identity Thief) are joined by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (Gossip Girl) of Fake Empire to produce the film from writers Feste and Joshua Safran (Gossip Girl).
The track-listing for Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Endless Love is as follows:
1 Pumpin Blood – NONONO
2 Don’t Find Another Love – Tegan And Sara
3 All Our Endless Love – The Bird and The Bee featuring Matt Berninger
4 I Know It’s You – Guards
5 All Of Me – Tanlines
6 Go Outside – Cults
7 Right Action – Franz Ferdinand
8 Crickets – Drop City Yacht Club
9 Peaches – In The Valley Below
10 Leading Me Now – The Tallest Man On Earth
11 Surround You – Echosmith
12 Ends of the Earth – Lord Huron
13 Endless Love Suite – Christophe Beck
14 Pumpin Blood (The Jane Doze Remix) (Bonus Track) – NONONO
NPR has premiered the new PHANTOGRAM record Voices in its entirety as part of their exclusive FIRST LISTEN series. Due out February 18th via Republic Records, Voices can be heard now!
Stream: Phantogram – Voices (via NPR)
Phantogram will be taking to the road this spring in support of the record, with a full US tour that begins April 4th in Pittsburgh, PA. (YAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!)
Phantogram have also premiered the video for “Fall In Love”, the critically-acclaimed first single from Voices.
The pre-order for Voices is available now —
Listeners who pre-order the entire record will get an instant download of tracks “Bill Murray”, “Nothing But Trouble”, and “Fall In Love”.
In addition to the full US tour, Phantogram will also be performing on the West Coast during the week of the record’s release, making the following stops:
02.20.14 Oakland, CA Fox Theatre – SOLD OUT
02.21.14 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades
02.22.14 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Palladium – SOLD OUT
02.23.14 Ventura, CA Ventura Theatre
After featured performances at the Maverick Music Festival in San Antonio Texas on March 21st and the Buku Music & Art Project in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 22ndPhantogram will embark on a full U.S. tour:
04.04 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE
04.05 Columbus, OH LC Pavilion
04.06 Cincinnati, OH 20th Century Theatre
04.08 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
04.10 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
04.11 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theatre
04.12 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
04.13 Minneapolis, MI First Avenue
04.15 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
04.16 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
04.18 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
04.19 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater
04.21 Tulsa, OK Cain’s Ballroom
04.23 Dallas, TX South Side Music Hall
04.25 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
04.27 Atlanta, GA Counterpoint Festival
05.23-25 George, WA Sasquatch! Festival
06.20-22 Dover, DE Firefly Music Festival
Recorded in Los Angeles with co-producer John Hill (Santigold, MIA), Voices follows up the group’s celebrated self-titled EP, which spawned the track “Black Out Days”. Phantogram’s full-length debut Eyelid Movies [2010, Barsuk] and Nightlife EP [2011, Barsuk] established them as one of music’s most intriguing indie outfits. Soon, the likes of The Flaming Lips and Big Boi [Outkast] began seeking them out for studio collaborations. Republic Records also recognized their spirit and joined forces with them in 2013.
Filed under Awesome, Highly Anticipated, new albums, Shows, video
NONONO has two tracks on the soundtrack to Universal Pictures’ upcoming movie Endless Love, a romantic drama starring Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike) and Gabriella Wilde (The Three Musketeers) and directed by Shana Feste (Country Strong). The film hits theatres February 14th 2014. “Pumpin Blood” and The Jane Doze Remix of “Pumpin Blood” are both featured on an impressive indie soundtrack, which also features Tegan and Sara, The Bird and The Bee featuring Matt Berninger, Guards, Echosmith, and Tanlines.
NONONO played their first official US shows just this past fall, when they took New York City’s CMJ Music Marathon by storm, being championed by everyone from Billboard, who named them one of the “Best of CMJ 2013”, to Grantland, to TIME and even CMJ themselves, who highlighted the band in their “5 International Artists to Watch” feature. Fashion media has been quick to jump all over Stina’s natural beauty and the potential of NONONO. Vogue,ELLE, Glamour and Into The Gloss all profiled Stina, and Refinery 29, Nylon and Harper’s Bazaar picked NONONO as an Artist To Watch in 2014. Stina is an unlikely, unassuming rock star in the making. She went to school in Brighton to become a psychologist, and then proceeded to work as a nurse in a mental institution. She’s been writing songs all her life, usually for other people though. It wasn’t until recently, when the 24 year old got linked up with Astma & Rocwell, that Stina stepped into the spotlight. Watch Stina and NONONO perform acoustic versions of “Pumpin Blood,” “Like The Wind,” and “Fire Without A Flame” for All Saints and also stopped by Perez Hilton for a session as well.
Listen: NONONO- Pumpin Blood (The Chainsmokers Remix)
Musically Amusing 