"Makes me feel like a madman on the run..."

Links to what I cannot embed.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero video


It came out two days ago, so if you haven't seen it, do so now.

I enjoy this new direction that they've taken. Yes, it's softer. Yes, it's more 80's-ish, but hey, I love the 80s. And wow their drummer lost a bunch of weight. I'll have what he's having.

Metric - Pre-Order Fantasies

New Metric album is dropping soon. They've had it announced for quite a bit, so again, if you haven't taken advantage of digital downloads, or getting the limited fan edition, might as well.


Also.

Also.

One of my life goals came true.

I met Bono. The musical love of my life. He signed my "All I Want is You" record.


He wrote "Yum..." underneath his name.

I, like the fangirl that I am, took the time to draft a heartfelt letter to the band, and he took it from me gladly, for which I am very grateful. He actually took the highly decorated Indian envelope from me and looked at it and began to sign it and I gasped "No no, this is for you."

And he looked up and smiled and said, "Oh, this is for me? Like a gift?" And I said yes, and he said thank you, and put it into his pocket and said he'd read it later.

I hope he did. It kind of rocked, if I do say so myself.

The photo I uploaded makes him look old, but I figured it'll be there for all the haters, or all those who aspire to greatness as a reminder that everyone is human and we all have our flaws despite years of rocking, tons of money, and excessive fame. So, to my fellow poor college grads, at least we're young and pretty!


I really need to make it a point to post more, because I still love discussing music as much as ever. Life has kept me a bit busy, but hang in there, folks. In a few months, I Wake Up Late will be back in full swing.

"And we were winning the war with a lighter and a peace pipe..."

Plushgun is, quite simply, my type of music, and more accurately, my kind of artist.

He is a do-it-yourselfer, a one man show: writing the lyrics, crafting the emittance of electro beats, and combining them with the digital purr of his vocals to create addictive indie pop music. When I hear "Just Impolite" or "Dancing in a Minefield" I think of a youthfully nostalgic Postal Service with the clear influence of the New York sound emerging through the speakers.

The layering of vocals is distinct and smooth with a bit of Depeche Mode in their orchestration and lift. The tunes tend to be on the more energetic side of pacing, but never run the risk of being too noisy or video-gamey in speed. It creates for a very balanced equation of vivacious melodies and peaceful singing.

Kudos should go out then to Plushgun's Dan Ingala, who is undertaking this musical masterpiece on his own, without being signed onto record labels (shocking at how he's not been discovered in that way yet) or having the benefit of studio time and extreme production. Regardless, the music sounds amazing and is gaining a large fan following. You know what? I'm not even going to say much more. I'll let the talent speak for itself.





Plushgun - Dancing in a Minefield from the Plushgun EP which can be purchased from the band's myspace page here








If you're in the NYC area, Plushgun is going to be performing at the Bitter End (147 Bleecker St) tomorrow night. Show up, so one day when he is famous, you can say you were there at the first show.

"Something's telling me this time it will be different..."

I've only recently (two days ago) discovered Girl Happy, and I wonder why I hadn't found these Norwegians sooner. This band is delightful. Their pop-rock music is accessible and has a distinct Beck-like alternative influence on some of their guitaring. I'm not sure to whom to compare them. For some reason, I feel like they'd fit in with a Stroke 9, Marvelous 3, Sugarcult late 90's rock crowd. I haven't been able to gather much information about them from the internet. They, luckily, have a myspace page here. Apparently, the drummer in the band is a friend of the group a-ha and stepped in during a Spanish broadcast. And then they went on to tour with them as an opening act.

I wonder if their band name comes from the Elvis Presley movie?



Girl Happy - Je T'aime from Take it to the Mountains




Girl Happy - Remind Me Tomorrow of Today (I think this video is funny)


Here's Girl Happy opening for A-Ha

"The mirror's even tired of you..."

Theo Kogan is better than you are.

At the very least, her voice would like you to believe so, as it surges with attitude during every track of the newly released Theo and the Skyscrapers album So Many Ways to Die. She sings lyrics like, "when she shoots a load, you better swallow" with a delivery that reminds you she and her band members probably did not so much as blink while attaining their extensive collection of tattoos. The song "Big Britches" does the best job of reinforcing their queen-bitch-synth-punk sound, by the way.

Regardless of the bold demeanor, it's on some of the more experimental tracks where the band truly shines. "Tease," which I quoted previously, is a departure from some of the speedier pacing which marks the rest of the album. It is what I believe to be the strongest track. The deeper synth layering and drumline match the lower vocals really well and truly embody the tone of the album. Another example of the radical side appears on what turned out to be my favorite track, "New York." The band plays for a minute and a half before the vocals cue in, and then those same vocals are used to propel the melody further (especially toward the end), rather than impart the lyrical material. I mean, it's so well orchestrated that if I were ever to create a horror movie (a la Danny Boyle and 28 Days Later) and the horribly infected potentially zombie people were clawing their way up to our unaware society from their graves, "New York" is the song I would want playing in the background to provide a slowly building suspenseful atmosphere. Seriously.

Theo and the Skyscrapers understand the rock lifestyle (Theo used to roll with the Lunachicks. Small world, one of the other members of the Lunachicks babysat a friend of mine from college when she was but a wee tot. Sean Pierce played with Toilet Boys, etc), making a name for themselves without label support and touring with bands like Rancid and Marilyn Manson (the latter of whom's influence you can hear on the darkerwave edges of the guitar material, particularly the song, "Spider"), and are a band that seems to emanate the attitude of the city they inhabit.

Theo and the Skyscrapers are embarking on a summer tour soon and you can purchase the album at the TATS Myspace.


While I'm on the topic of bands and New York, the Siren Festival's schedule was finally announced:



Now I don't have to worry as much about potential time conflicts between desired acts like the We Are Scientists, Voxtrot, and the New York Dolls, as everything is laid out in a handy dandy flyer.

Though it's 11 days away, I'm excited (It'll be my first concert back from my MCAT imposed 3 month live music hiatus) so here are some tracks to get you guys excited too.

Voxtrot - Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, and Wives from Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, and Wives EP

We Are Scientists - This Scene is Dead from With Love and Squalor

Keith Murray = yum.

"If life lets you down, I will make it okay..."

Bedroom Eyes is a musician for the masses.

Not only does he have two full EPs available for download, completely free of charge, but the lyrics are built into the mp3s (depending on what player you use) and the accompanying album art is provided as well.

That is thorough.

Bedroom Eyes is comprised solely of the Swedish indie pop musician Jonas Jonsson (with sit-ins and contributions from other musicians during his live sets). The manner in which he sings makes me think of a softer male version of Nico. The music brings a high energy but maintains a comfortable sound. There is an ease in which the optimism is delivered. There are also definite folk influences on the melodies through the use of banjos and harmonicas on certain tracks. Lyrically, the songs are sweet with intellectual references (Ricky Gervais, Nick Drake, Daniel Treacy) and they have consistently sharp closing lines. Also, look above. Jonas is adorable.

Here are two of the tracks I like best. Conveniently, one from each EP.

Bedroom Eyes - Dancing Under the Influence from Embrace in Stereo EP
Bedroom Eyes - Norwegian Pop from Valentine Vacancy EP

I suggest heading on over to the website: Bedroom Eyes and downloading the rest.

"Teacher thinks that I sound funny, but she likes the way you sing..."

I am constantly thankful for the presence of my friends and often awestruck in looking back and realizing the growth that has occurred, both of our bonds and of each individual. Keeping that in mind, I thought it would be nice to put up a couple of my favorite tunes on the topic. From the early notion that two children could walk with eachother merrily to school, to people being with one another in their final days, here are a handful of songs that I believe chronicle the growth of companionship in a unique manner.

The White Stripes - We're Going to be Friends from White Blood Cells. I think Jack White captures the nature of elementary school friendship perfectly. Children walking to school, getting messy, the rambly sing song nature of their speech, the coziness of autumn. Even the video for the song, (which can be found here) is understated and sweet as Jack plays guitar while Meg sleeps.




Stellastarr* - Somewhere Across Forever. This song reminds me of a conversation. I've always thought of it as a back and forth between two people, perhaps teenagers, of a particularly bold and brazen temperament, wanting to strike out on their own and establish a world for themselves.




Justice Vs Simian - Never Be Alone. Aka "We Are Your Friends," the story behind this song is hazy, possibly due to the many re-imaginings of the bands involved (Justice, Simian, Simian Mobile Disco, Garden). From what I've gathered, it seems that Simian released "Never Be Alone" and then Justice remixed it for a contest (but didn't win!). The song still took off, was renamed, and won an MTV Europe Music award (it was the one where Kanye West went crazy). It reminds me of nights spent dancing, and how I was told to remember the lyrics so one of my friends could get the song, but never did.



LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends from Sound of Silver. The line "you spent your first five years trying to get with the plan and your second five years trying to be with your friends again" makes me think of 30 or 40 year old business people in suits running around trying to be 20 again. As a bonus, here's Franz Ferdinand - All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem Cover). Quite possibly better than original.



Death Cab for Cutie - "Follow You Into the Dark" from Plans.
I thought it was best to put up the video.




And as a post script to yesterday's initial video post, Rod Thomas actually contacted me and is a really sweet fellow who appreciates even the tiniest support. He's coming to NYC in late September, and you should totally check him out. I know I'll be there.