Tag Archives: Phoenix

Alex Frankel Still Got It

Alex Frankel (Holy Ghost!) released his Still Got It EP with two remixes by France’s Breakbot (La Fiesta Remix and Club des Vedettes Remix), a Choices Remix and the instrumental version of the single. Earlier Alex Frankel shared the video for “Still Got It”, an anthem for embracing the next step whatever it may be, all out now on CASUAL / Ed Banger. Alex celebrates everybody’s return to the dancefloor with a wildly fun video that finds him dancing outside some of France’s iconic dance clubs and reveling in front of party flyers. The photos of French club exteriors featured in the video were pulled from Prost’s book After Party. He teamed up with motion designer Dixsaut to turn them into the dance party on the streets the video invites us to join.

“Still Got It” is a glimpse into Alex’s world as he works towards a full length in 2022.

“Still Got It” finds joy in resilience and celebrates the personal spark each of us has that fortifies our optimism even in hardship. It’s a quick glance back while dancing into the future that invites everyone, “Let’s have a toast to staying young as we get old”. The song plays with some of the hallmarks of classic 80s pop and reimagines them for this moment, with a wave of euphoria that keeps rising as it builds from just Alex’s voice to a choral arrangement performed by the East Coast Inspirational Singers choir. 

The Breakbot remix of “Still Got It” (Breakbot Club des Vedettes Remix) was shared by Adult Swim Singles as part of their 2021 program, and puts a playful and synthy spin on the single. The rework, by French electronic mainstay Breakbot, is especially fitting as the original single marked Alex’s initial release for Ed Banger, rendering him the first American signee to the legendary European label. Listen to it here. Alex also shared a celebratory new DJ mix last week on Magnetic Magazine to kick off the summer with his blend of house, funk and disco. 

Alex says of the songs origins, “I played the demo for Thibaut ( Breakbot) one night at Bernie’s Restaurant while we were outside on a smoke break  (back when, you know… people still ate dinner out) and on the spot he demanded we go try it on the audience at his gig that night. The response was great and after that, I knew I had to finish it. I called the East Coast Inspirational Singers, my favorite gospel group in NYC and they came by to help me get it there.”

Alex Frankel first emerged as one half of beloved NYC duo Holy Ghost! whose hybrid of synth pop, disco, and a range of electronic music made them an international dancefloor and festival staple. Along with their own albums and EPs for DFA and West End, the group have been in demand remixers sought out by their peers like LCD Soundsystem, Phoenix, and Cut Copy. Alex has also done remixes for US Girls, Naeem, Neon Indian and Moby.

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Santigold: 10 Years Golder Tour

Santigold is embarking on a US tour to commemorate the recent 10thanniversary of her self-titled debut album. The 10 Years Golder Tour kicks off April 30th at Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium. She will be performing her debut album in its entirety as well as songs from throughout her career including her latest mixtape-style album I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions (Downtown). 

This past summer, Santigold released I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions (Downtown), a spontaneous mixtape-style project she recorded with Mixpak Records producer Dre Skull. Santigold and Dre Skull bonded over their shared passion for Reggae and Afro-Caribbean music. Dre Skull, known for working across dancehall, hip hop, and electronic music as a DJ, producer and founder of Mixpak Records became an instant creative comrade of Santi’s. They decided to explore their ideas for a mixtape, which ultimately grew into a 10 song recording session, which they came to call The Gold Fire Sessions. Over the course of two weeks, they recorded the bulk of the songs, playing with Reggae and Afro-Caribbean influences while pushing and pulling their pillars with Santi’s singular point of view. As the writing and recording gained steam, Santi unearthed a few gems (ideas she had started with producers Ricky Blaze and Diplo) from her unreleased vaults and she and Dre reworked them, threading together classic Santigold ideas with the spirit of this new work. The incisive social commentary, humor, and daredevil sound that have become hallmarks of her work take on exciting new forms on this project. Unlike other Santigold albums, which are recorded over long periods and heavily curated and edited by Santi, I Don’t Want is a loose and spontaneous project, a snapshot of the infectious energy of the sessions with Dre Skull.

In the decade since her classic debut, Santi has revealed herself to be the most eclectic artist of her generation with a broad influence. She has collaborated with Jay Z, Kanye West, The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O & Nick Zinner, Beastie Boys, David Byrne, Amadou & Mariam, Q Tip, MIA, Mark Ronson, Pharrell, Julian Casablancas, U-Roy, Lykke Li, Basement Jaxx, Matt & Kim, Major Lazer, Asap Rocky, Diplo, Lil Yachty, Devo, and The Lonely Island. Her songs have been sampled by Drake & Lil Wayne and Future among others. She’s written for Gza of Wu-Tang Clan, Lily Allen, and Christina Aguilera. Santi has been handpicked for tours by Bjork, Kanye West, Jay Z, Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Beastie Boys. She’s a singular artist beloved by her peers across genres.

10 Years Golder Tour Dates
April 30: Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium
May 2: Boston, MA @ House of Blues
May 3: New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
May 5: Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore
May 6: Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
May 8: Chicago, IL @ The Vic
May 14: Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
May 15: San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
May 17: Los Angeles, CA @ The Palladium
May 18: San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic

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Highly Anticipated: New Album From The Technicolors

Phoenix-based band the Technicolors’ forthcoming album Metaphysical (out July 7) focuses on “a void”—the one between where its frontman, Brennan Smiley, is, and where he’d like to go. Today we are pleased to premiere “Impostor!,” a single from that very LP, which seems to encapsulate this concept. “The song is about everyone’s constant need of explanation for everything,” says Smiley. “Everyone wants you to explain yourself, tell why you did something a certain way, as opposed to just feelin’ it and letting it move you, or maybe challenge you to think differently.”

Fittingly for summer, “Impostor!” is a roll-your-windows-down tune. The guitar intro has a ’90s rock grittiness and bite that sets the tone, and next comes Smiley’s Julian Casablancas-esque voice—a softer swoon that creates a needed contrast for the song to flow (and makes it ideal to leave on repeat). Smiley says the track started simply with a guitar riff, courtesy of guitarist and vocalist Sean Silverman. The lyrics came later when Smiley was sitting in a unair-conditioned room in the thick of an Arizona summer. He watched an early-2000s “Magic Tricks Revealed” documentary in the guest room of the studio the where the band was recording and realized he would have to sing “Impostor!” the next morning. He didn’t have any lyrics—yet. “I started literally sweating out the most ridiculous lines ever,” recalls Smiley. “The last line of the second verse is about making an elephant disappear.”

Smiley wrote the lyrics in about five minutes, and the track’s guitar riffs ultimately powered Metaphysical as a whole. “We plugged the acoustic guitars straight into this old Neve console that mixed some pretty legendary records, and cranked it till it sounded like what you would imagine if Raiden started a band with Johnny Cage,” says Smiley. “I think we stumbled on some wild guitar sounds that have since inspired us to go even further down those roads.” – Interview Magazine

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Video: Miniature Tigers – “Crying In The Sunshine”

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“Persistence is the key ingredient when it comes to the story of Miniature Tigers. Originally started as a bedroom project by front-man Charlie Brand in Phoenix, Arizona in 2006, the band has since released 4 studio albums, toured the planet and cultivated a cult base of die hard fans through their constant output of brilliantly written records. Early albums such as Tell It To the Volcano and FORTRESS garnered them critical acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork, NPR and Stereogum while later albums such as Mia Pharaoh and Cruel Runnings (recorded in Jamaica) sent them on more futuristic indie-pop realms, garnering support from Neon Gold and festival appearances at Lollapalooza, ACL, Fun Fun Fun, and international touring with multi-platinum act Fun.
Like many bands after nearly a decade of hard work and moderate success, Charlie Brand started considering his future. He started an exciting buzz-worthy project with close friend Jeremy Malvin (Chrome Sparks) called Promises Ltd. , wrote and produced for other artists such as rapper Skizzy Mars and after a long relationship came to and end, naturally he turned to what he always turned to….and the output took shape in what eventually would become Miniature Tigers 5th LP.
 “I Dreamt I Was a Cowboy was written after the end of a long relationship. I wanted to leave those recordings intentionally raw to maintain the feeling of that time. I wanted it to feel clear and immediate.” As the “demos” came together, it became evident that the recordings were actually album cuts. “I spent a few months couch surfing with friends in Texas and New York before eventually moving to Los Angeles. Many of the songs on the record were written and recorded while I was living on someone’s air mattress. This album felt so specifically personal that when it came time to finish I decided to not re-record anything in a studio and to just mix and master it myself. ”

The end result is a 5th album jam packed with the excitement and energy of a debut album…but with the mastery that can only come from a seasoned writer like Brand, where the lessons learned and scars born from a life dedicated to music are not in this case in vain but celebrated in the mastery of expression in it’s truest form.

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Brand New: The Chain Gang of 1974 – “Miko”

1974

The dog days of summer call for a brand new song from The Chain Gang of 1974. The sun soaked vibes of “Miko,” which premiered with Neon Gold yesterday, is the first new offering TCGO1974 has released since 2011 and will be on their upcoming sophomore album.

“‘Miko,’ the barnstorming first taste of [the] next record opens innocently enough, like a waxing moonbeam of meditative pop, unfolding with relaxed candor…But then things go haywire as it slides into hyperdrive, taking off on the pestilent wings of Isom Innis’ studio magic as the Foster The People jack-of-all-tradesman turns in one of his finest production efforts yet. Buckle up and take flight.” says Neon Gold.

“Miko” is the first new track from the The Chain Gang of 1974’s sophomore LP due out in 2014 – the follow-up to the band’s 2011 debut Wayward Fire. The Chain Gang of 1974 is the moniker of genre-jumping singer/multi-instrumentalist, Kamtin Mohager. Since moving from his hometown of Denver to Los Angeles three years ago, in the midst of recording Wayward Fire, Kamtin has now become one with the elements of Southern California. His upcoming album is indicative of his free spirited lifestyle. The upcoming album was produced by Isom Innis (Foster The People) with additional help from Tony Hoffer (M83, Phoenix and Silversun Pickups, among many more).

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FILTER Magazine’s 4th Annual Culture Collide Festival

Culture Collide 2013 Flyer

• Phoenix with special guest Dinosaur Jr open the festival with Official Culture Collide Kick Off Show presented by Goldenvoice on Oct. 9 ^ (Separate Ticket Required)

• $20 limited wristbands available through midnight, June 16, at Ticketfly.com

• 25+ counties slated to participate featuring quality music, comedy, industry panels, happy hours and more

• Saturday outdoor stage added to the festival

FILTER Magazine’s reputation for delivering premier artists and uncovering new talent is bolstered each year when it brings the best bands from around the world to Los Angeles. Curated by music and lifestyle tastemaker publication, FILTER’s Culture Collide returns to Los Angeles’ Echo Park for its fourth exciting year October 9-12. This unique multi-day experience celebrating creative curiosity stretches across some of LA’s most renowned and intimate venues, where attendees are bound to discover their new favorite international band, as well as FILTER’s own favorite headliners, artists, comedians, industry experts and more. No passport needed, just a Culture Collide wristband.

Culture Collide – presented by FILTER Magazine and produced by FILTER Creative Group – proudly announces its first wave of confirmed artists including: Phoenix (France)^, Dinosaur Jr (US)^, Liars(US), The Raveonettes (Denmark), Miami Horror (Australia), King Khan & The Shrines (Canada, Germany), Iceage (Denmark), The Men (US), Rob Crow (Acoustic, US), Medicine (US), Alice Russell (UK), No Joy (Canada), Plastic Plates (AU), Mumiy Troll (Russia), The Great Wilderness (Costa Rica), SiMoN (Japan), StereonoiZ (Peru), Iza Lach (Poland) , Prāta Vētra (Latvia), Chateau Marmont (France), Maya Vik (Norway), Funeral Suits (Ireland), Mujuice (Russia), Hell Shovel (Greece, Germany, Canada, France), Wooster (US), Okta Logue (Germany), Instrumenti (Latvia), DENA (Bulgaria), PanSTARRS (Egypt), with many more to be announced in the coming months.

“We are so proud to be bringing our favorite bands to Los Angeles this October,” said FILTER co founder Alan Miller. “Culture Collide has really become THE destination to discover your new favorite band from around the world. We’d also like to thank our partners, because it is their continued support that enables Culture Collide to year after year deliver an amazing music experience for such a low price.”

Culture Collide Kick Off Tickets and Pre-Sale Wristband Info

Pre-sale tickets to Culture Collide’s Official Kick Off show for Phoenix with special guest Dinosaur Jr, presented by Goldenvoice, at the LA Sports Arena, go on sale this Thursday, June 6, 10 AM – 10 PM

Purchase Linkwww.ticketmaster.com/Phoenix-tickets/artist/946877? (Use Password: BANKRUPT)
Public on sale: Friday, June 7 at 10am
Ticket prices: $39.50 & $49.50 + fees (8 ticket limit)

Limited Culture Collide Pre-Sale Wristbands Available Now
Culture Collide wristbands^ are on sale now via Ticket Fly for just $20 (for a limited time with the pre-sale code cc2013). Culture Collide wristbands will allow access to all general^ Culture Collude shows pending capacity. Must be 21 years of age or older. Ticket prices will increase to $30 at midnight June 16.

Link to Purchase Culture Collide Pre-Sale Wristbandswww.ticketf.ly/YnA2Zx

^ wristbands are not valid for special Culture Collide shows outside the Echo Park area including the kick off performance for Phoenix with special guest Dinosaur Jr on Wednesday October 9th

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Highly Anticipated: Debut Album from Classixx

classixx

LA producer/DJ duo Classixx are excited to announce the release of their anticipated debut album, Hanging Gardens on May 14th via Innovative Leisure. Since their breakout 2009 single “I’ll Get Youthe pair have remixed the likes of Mayer Hawthorne, Major Lazer, Phoenix, YACHT and Passion Pit among others.

Over the course of the last two years, childhood friends Michael David and Tyler Blake have spent countless hours in the studio with a variety of instruments crafting the 12 pop-infused dance tunes, that would become Hanging Gardens. It features collaborations with Active Child, Sarah Chernoff of Superhumanoids, Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem (who provides vocals on pop gem “All You’re Waiting For”), and, of course, Lady Gaga songwriter Jeppe on “I’ll Get You”. This debut packs airy tracks with touches of the Pacific coast that are destined to become summer anthems.

Hanging Gardens Tracklist
  1. Hanging Gardens
  2. All You’re Waiting For
  3. Holding On
  4. Rhythm Santa Clara
  5. Dominoes
  6. A Fax From The Beach
  7. Long Lost
  8. A Stranger Love
  9. I’ll Get You
  10. Supernature
  11. Jozi’s Fire
  12. Borderline

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New Video: Tahiti 80 “Easy”

“So why don’t you erase my name, cuz I will never feel the same.”

Check out this happy little ditty from Tahiti 80.

Tahiti 80 specialize in a danceable mix of carefree melodies and intoxicating grooves.  The band’s debut album, Puzzle, was released by Minty Fresh in the U.S. in 1999, and was critically acclaimed as a refreshingly upbeat nod to late 60s West Coast pop (particularly the Beach Boys). The album also placed Tahiti 80 squarely in the center of the  “French Pop Invasion” that was hitting the U.S., along with fellow French bands Phoenix and Air (most notably).  The band has been relentlessly productive ever since, having released an astounding ten EP’s and The Past, The Present & The Possible marking their sixth full-length album (which is available now).

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Newest Love: Strange Talk (+ free download!)

Click image to listen to Strange Talk's EP

The latest band that gets the hot Neon Gold label treatment is Australia’s Strange Talk, who will be releasing their Strange Talk EP on May 2nd. This EP marks Neon Gold’s first ever vinyl and CD release (to this point there have only been vinyl Neon Gold releases). The last few months have seen Strange Talk flex their musical muscle as a live act, honing their show opening for the likes of The Rapture, Neon Indian and Marina and The Diamonds.

Coming off like the perfect hybrid of Friendly Fires and Phoenix with a bit of that Down Under electro touch thrown in for good measure, Strange Talk are one of the most polished and exciting new acts to emerge. Fully equipped with an arsenal of stadium-ready anthems, “Climbing Walls” is all shimmering synths, cascading bass surges and expert delay pedal use, while next single “Eskimo Boy” shines as the bands flagship anthem, churning synths and heavy basslines slowly building up to the kind of dancefloor-swallowing breakdown Neon Gold dreams are made of. Elsewhere, “Is It Real” and “We Can Pretend” beg to be blasted with the top down on the open roads of summer as producer Eliot James (Two Door Cinema Club, Bloc Party), earns his 2011 Music Producers’ Guild Breakthrough Producer of the Year award with some of his finest work yet.

The Strange Talk EP is available for preorder from the Neon Gold website now for delivery on or around May 2nd.

Download: Strange Talk – “Climbing Walls”

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