Tag Archives: dance
Listen: Tesla Boy – “Keyboards & Synths”
Filed under Awesome, listen, Newest Love
Listen: Outasight – “Automatic”
Listen: Outasight – “Automatic”
Outasight has released his single of “Automatic”; the 2nd single from the highly anticipated sophomore album from one of the most versatile artists in hip hop. “Automatic”, has all of the key elements of a dance floor anthem. From the driving beat and hypnotic synths to the funky guitars and Outasight’s one-of-a-kind vocals, “Automatic” is the perfect vessel to introduce Outasight’s return to the world of independent music where he once cut his teeth as one of the most buzzed about artists around.
Outasight is a Yonkers born-and-bred singer/songwriter/rapper whose rise to prominence took him from a star of the New York City mixtape circuit to a record deal with Warner Bros. Records. He’s best known for his single “Tonight Is the Night”, which you might recall from the 2011 Pepsi Commercial featuring Ray Charles, Britney Spears, Kanye West, Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey. “Tonight Is The Night” was also the main theme to the 2012 NHL All Star game, at which Outasight performed, and the 1000th episode of WWE Monday Night RAW. Capitalizing on the success of “Tonight Is The Night” and the strength of the overall album, Outasight’s major-label debut Nights Like These (Warner Bros. Records) debuted November 23rd, 2012 and peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Heatseeker’s Chart.
With the move back to working as an independent artist, Outasight is making the most of the freedom that comes with being in charge of your own creative destiny. The new batch of Outasight music slated for release is every bit as dynamic as Nights Like These, but with a return to the edge and swagger that made Outasight such a special artist in the first place.
Stay tuned as Outasight unveils more audible treats from his new full-length debuting early next year.
Filed under listen, new albums, video
Cut Copy Releasing Oceans Apart Compilation Next Month!
Cut Copy has truly become an international band in the past decade, having released four albums & performed over 1,000 global headline tour dates & prestigious international festivals in the process. They’ve additionally DJ’ed continuously during that period, remixed a selection of amazing artists, and run their own dance imprint, Cutters Records. The global Melbourne ambassadors have now just announced Cut Copy presents: Oceans Apart, a 19-track continuous DJ-mixed snapshot of new & exclusive music from their hometown’s thriving underground dance music scene & club culture mixed by the band themselves- set for release digitally November 11th! In addition, two vinyl EPs of compilation highlights will be released on November 18th. For an early taste of the compilation, fans can give NO ZU’s “Raw Vis Vision” a spin.
Listen: NO ZU – “Raw Vis Vision”
Both a local scene document, which is increasingly rare in this global age, and a bumping 80-minute non-stop dance party, Cut Copy presents: Oceans Apart is the product of the band’s observations of its hometown, where it became undeniably apparent that this fertile community was mushrooming. As frontman Dan Whitford elaborates, “we’ve always found deep inspiration in the music of our home city. It’s where Cut Copy started, as just one band in a potent community of unique and likeminded artists. But it also continues to inspire and surprise us, with great new music constantly bubbling to the surface.”
“The motivation behind the compilation came from a late night conversation in a Melbourne club with a friend of mine. As we excitedly shouted over the noise of the dance floor, one of us said ‘the dance scene in Melbourne has gotten so interesting over the past few years- someone should really document this!’, adding “We looked at each other knowingly, and from that moment, the idea for Oceans Apart was born.“
Cut Copy presents: Oceans Apart threads together a cross-section of the different party crews, label rosters & ambitious lone rangers that have been catalysts in making Melbourne vibrant & happening week in, week out- all in the format of a continuous dance mix, which is what the music was made for.
There’s been much speculation as to how this unprecedented wave came about. Is the fluoride in the city’s water supply having positive side effects? Is it the mediocre Melbourne weather that’s either keeping people on the dancefloor or in house arrest, tirelessly tinkering in the studio? Is it the abundance of late night venues or the long standing presence of two influential community radio stations? Or does it all come down to the appreciative audience that are just as critical as the creators? All we do know is that this epidemic can’t be stopped and needs to be celebrated.
Catch Cut Copy LIVE On Tour:
10/28: Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater
10/29: Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
10/31: San Diego, CA @ The North Park Theatre (SOLD OUT)
11/1: Los Angeles, CA @ Red Bull Sound Select (SOLD OUT)
12/31: San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine
Cut Copy presents: Oceans Apart tracklist:
1. Knightlife – Don’t Stop
2. Andras & Oscar- Music Is My Life
3. Michael Ozone – Oxygen
4. Statue – Statue Theme
5. Turkish Prison – Overboard
6. Ara Koufax – Brenda
7. Myles Mac – Suburban Odyssey
8. Fantastic Man – Robotic Temptation
9. NO ZU – Raw Vis Vision
10. Coober Pedy University Band – Kookaburra
11. A+O – Take Me
12. Nile Delta – Aether
13. Tornado Wallace – Circadia
14. Speed Painters – Total Person
15. Len Leise – Call of Kati Thanda
16. Bell Towers – After Party at Jackson’s House
17. World’s End Press – Feel City (Outskirts Dub)
18. Roland Tings – Swimmer
19. Sleep D – Austral Aura
Check ‘Em Out: Teeel
Listen: Teeel – “Runners”
Check out this song, “Runners”, which is a new track from Teeel’s album Hydrostatic (out digitally now via Mush Records, followed by the physical release in November). “Runners” is the follow-up to Teeel’s first single “Disk Go”, which also has a super fun music video (see below).
On Hydrostatic, intricate synth and guitar work dance around bouncing basslines, laying foundation for an album full of vocal hooks. Teeel switches up styles from track to track, delivering dancefloor-ready grooves, dark washes of synthesized brooding, and pop hook after pop hook. If you dig folks like Holy Ghost! or Chromeo, you’ll probably love Teeel.
Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, listen, new albums, Newest Love, video
New Original Track From The Chainsmokers
Listen: The Chainsmokers (ft. Siren) – “Kanye”
If you’ve been a long time reader here at Musically Amusing, you know that I’ve been a HUGE fan of The Chainsmokers from the very beginning! While I LOVE their remixes, I’m pleased to bring you their second original track, “Kanye” featuring Siren (an LA based indie-pop duo).
Available on iTunes and through all digital outlets, the track follows up one of the year’s biggest songs and cultural phenomena, “#SELFIE”. However, it’s quite a departure from the cheeky, crossover club anthem that put Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall on the map.
Provocative in both its name and stirringly gorgeous sense of melody, “Kanye” fuses Siren’s divine delivery and uplifting lyrics with The Chainsmokers entrancing and enigmatic production. Moreover, there’s a very special and ultimately inspiring message at the heart of this anthem. The word “Kanye” insinuates that only you can define what makes you individually happy. What other people think doesn’t matter, and do not let anyone take that happiness away from you. If you believe in yourself, anything is possible and no judging allowed!
Pall elaborates, “We look at the word ‘Kanye’ as an adjective. The song is about what it means to be like Kanye. It’s about just owning it no matter what you’re doing. Whether you’re on top of the world partying in a penthouse or you’re driving an old car playing your favorite song, it’s about enjoying the moment you’re in and feeling like you’re the king. You embrace that confidence. We didn’t want to do something too left field after ‘#SELFIE’, but we wanted to show another side of ourselves. What Siren does is just beautiful, and we built the production around that. It gets the message across. Own your shit, be self-assured, and remain confident in everything you do.”
In addition, the boys have launched an Instagram and Facebook campaign with the hashtag #BeLike. They’ve included a fun quiz that you can take here!
After returning from a packed European tour where they hit stages at both Tomorrowland and Ultra, the guys are also gearing up to launch a live radio show on SiriusXM August 18. It’s called “Nice Hair with The Chainsmokers” and it will air on Electric Area. The show is unlike anything else on the air. The guys will speak candidly on the lifestyle of touring international EDM superstars, allowing listeners a vignette behind the curtain. Nothing will be held back, and their wild antics and unpredictable personalities will be on full display!
Things just keep heating up for The Chainsmokers, after MTV recently crowned the group an “Artist to Watch”. “#SELFIE” was officially certified platinum by the RIAA for digital sales in excess of 1,000,000. The song also soared to #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart within merely five weeks and reached the Top 5 on iTunes in over 43 countries. “#SELFIE” is the #6 video on YouTube’s “Top Music Videos of 2014”. Furthermore, it garnered a nomination for “Choice EDM Song” at the 2014 Teen Choice Awards and the guys have been receiving tremendous support for DJ Mag‘s “Top 100 DJs” [vote here!]
Dancing with Imaginary People
“Frontman Dylan Von Wagner has a voice that wavers between uncertainty and rock ‘n’ roll confidence, and he’s one of the few modern-day vocalists I have a hard time comparing to anyone else.” – USA Today’s Pop Candy
“Imaginary People’s lead vocalist, Dylan Von Wagner, has the kind of voice you don’t hear much anymore: there’s a vibrato to it, and an occasional yelp, and a good-natured snarl, all of which might put the listener in mind of Elvis or Jerry Lee Lewis.”–Interview Magazine
“Sounding like Eddie Veddar and Tiny Tim Harmonizing in a meat cooler, Dylan Von Wagner’s shivering warble grabs you straightaway.”–Rolling Stone
“Von Wagner is a commanding presence, expressive and elegantly bombastic”–Pitchfork
“…as much of a throwback as it is a dance party-starter.”–Nylon
The world we see in Imaginary People’s video for “Miles” is an honest day in New York City, but somehow slightly more fanciful. Perhaps it’s the carefully constructed cinematography, the 80’s boom box perched nostalgically on a shoulder or the radical and unapologetic dancing. As the main character leads us from symmetric backgrounds to a pulsing dance floor, we see how many ways this song can be boogied to.
Imaginary People have created a pure, unadulterated sound, utilizing Dylan Von Wagner’s surprisingly unique vocals, as well as a dance-happy synth and pulsing drums throughout. This track creates a vibe that could easily apply to a sweaty strobe lit dance floor or playing pool in a dimly lit pub. Half blues, half punk, half something completely their own, this video is a perfect match for a sound is as unique as this guy’s dance moves.
With his magnetic presence, it’s difficult to divert your eyes from dancer Menelik Puryear. Von Wagner explains to Pop Candy, “Menelik is dead serious about dancing; he literally danced for seven hours straight and has no problem shaking it in front of anyone.”
Miles is the b-side to the equally as energetic and danceable “Fever Nation,” which premiered earlier this summer.
Filed under Check 'em Out!, video
Listen: Happy Colors & G-Buck – Worldwide (Codes Remix)
Listen: Happy Colors & G-Buck – Worldwide (Codes Remix)
In anticipation of the release of his debut album, Codes has remixed Happy Colors and G-Buck’s “Worldwide.” Codes transforms the tropical bass original into a Brooklyn Bounce stomper sure to impact set lists worldwide. Get this track for FREE instantly when you pre-order Main Course’s compilation, The Remixes Vol 03 (Out July 15th).
Check ‘Em Out: Blank Paper
Listen: Blank Paper – “Whip”
Blank Paper is a Brooklyn-based Synth-Pop Quartet comprised of Marie Kim (vox / keys), Taylor Bense (keys / synth), Cory Sterling (keys, bass), and Chris Holdridge (drums / synth). The group is the result of four eclectic and distinctive musical backgrounds that have come together to produce playfully melodic and dance friendly, yet dark synth-pop music. The band originated in NYC in 2012 and released their debut EP, Tape Dreams in early 2013. “Whip” is the third single from their self-titled EP, which came out yesterday!
Several years prior to the release of the first Blank Paper EP, the quartet met and became friends in college. Taylor Bense (at the time) a session guitarist and songwriter, invited Marie Kim to start singing on his compositions and write together. Taylor, Chris Holdridge and Cory Sterling had a band together, and Marie her own. After these projects disbanded, the four of them naturally came together to write and perform, sharing their passion for feel-good music with a darker edge.
Artists like Kavinsky, Little Dragon, The Knife, and The Gorillaz inspire their sound, but the band’s originality and musicianship take Blank Paper to a new level of innovation within the pop context. A rarity in electronic synth-heavy music, their live show is completely free of laptops and backing tracks.
Check out the album now on Spotify!
Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, listen, new albums
New Album: Foxes – Glorious
London’s own Louisa Rose Allen, better known as Foxes, will release her full-length debut album Glorious in the US digitally on Monday, June 23rd. The album debuted in the Top 5 on UK Album Charts when it was released earlier this year overseas. Additionally, Foxes will support Pharrell on his UK tour later this year.
Foxes recently won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording for “Clarity” with Zedd which they performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon! and Late Show with David Letterman.
The stunning Foxes has graced the cover of UK’s Fabulous and The New Review as well as gorgeous features in UK’s InStyle and stateside in the likes of Flaunt, Elle, Marie Claire and NYLON. Stay tuned to see Foxes make a cameo on an upcoming episode of BBC’s sci-fi hit “Doctor Who.”
Listen: Foxes – Holding On To Heaven (The Chainsmokers Remix)
Filed under Awesome, new albums, remixes, video
Newest Love: Tapioca and the Flea
Los Angeles electro-pop outfit Tapioca and the Flea (TATF) have premiered the brand-new video for their new single “Take It Slow”, which premiered last week and is available on iTunes. The video shot by ENDS (creative collaboration between director duo Daniel Iglesias Jr. & Zack Sekuler), who is also responsible for The Neighbourhood’s “Sweater Weather” and “Afraid”, chronicles the highs and the lows of a chaotic relationship. “Take It Slow,” which was produced by Crystal Castles’ Ethan Kath, is TATF’s contribution to Red Bull Sound Select’s forthcoming Limited Edition Split 7″, to be released as free gift with purchase on Record Store Day (April 19) at all participating retailers in the US.
PopMatters had this to say about the track, “Just don’t let the title fool you, since “Take It Slow” is a brisk, catchy synth-driven number, a combination of old-fashioned pop-minded songwriting and a state-of-the-art vibe.” TATF will bring their high energy show to Los Angeles’s Amoeba Music (6400 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028) for an in-store performance this Saturday, April 19th at 6 PM.
Tapioca and the Flea began as a bedroom project of Samuel Jacob-Lopez, Jr. As the son of a Puerto Rican DJ and salsa dancer, the LA-based artist fell in love with rhythm at an early age. Growing up skateboarding to the sounds of artists like Syd Barret, Radiohead and Dr. Dre, Tapioca and the Flea, found its own eclectic blend of psych, indie rock, and electronic music. In 2011, he recruited three of his best friends – drummer Matt McClanahan, guitarist Ronnie Watson and bassist/keyboardist Frank Alva – and the full electro-pop band was fleshed out. Tapioca and the Flea gained momentum in their native L.A. on the strength of their psychedelic dance tracks “Mellotron” and “Home” and have opened for such acts as CSS and Young the Giant. The band has won praise and support from OC Weekly, who nominated them for Best New Artist of 2014 and The Owl Mag, who described their music as “the soundtrack to the world’s coolest underwater dance.”
Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, listen, Newest Love, Shows, video
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