Urgh – I’m still recovering from my kinda-holiday, but now have to face up to the reality that normal service must resume.
As last month was interrupted somewhat by a week or so off, there were fewer bands to choose from in the round-up – and yet, the standard of brilliant bands was as high as ever. Go figure.
Seven nights a week, there are tens, maybe hundreds, of bands playing across New York City. Making noticeable waves can be difficult. A Million Years have done it on the back of sharp, spit-polished songs like "Holy Ghost Town" that scratch a variety comparable itches—the forlorn, idealistic street rocker; the excited, guitar-wielding everyman. That they play like seasoned champs certainly doesn’t hurt either. A debut LP called Mischief Maker, produced by Longwave’s Shannon Ferguson, is out now.
It seems the Vancouver keeps calling me. This time it’s All My Friends and they’ve done this quirky pop song with Oh No! Yoko. It’s synth pop cuteness about Megan Fox and Transformers with Power Rangers on the cover of the EP. Oh No! Yoko’s good at keeping it jaunty and upbeat. Still got the sing-a-long rowdy-ness intact.
Friday are not for deep thinking. Fridays are for milking the fact that you (probably, hopefully) don’t have to wake up before noon tomorrow, which means you can go out and lose a few brain cells to loud, flaunting, unrelenting club music like this new Crookers remix for Princess Superstar. And while that one’s on the house, Princess Superstar’s forthcoming album is decidedly not—she’s just launched a page at Pledge Music where you can aid the recording process in exchange for a litany of exclusive items and experiences, everything from "excellent health and nutrition advice" (could be handy after this evening) to a "private burlesque strip-tease." Don’t trip over yourselves clicking, now.
Hell, I’m only just back from holiday. My hamster wheel isn’t spinning back at it’s proper speed yet. So my decision making may be impaired. Look, for example at today’s new band, Wolfy and The Bat Cubs. They’ve only had a thousand views on Myspace. Their songs have all been played less than ten times. What kind of choice is that?
I thought Attack Yourself is like 17 now? Satan’s Circus reckons he’s still 15. Nevertheless, more phenomenal filter house from this Middlesborough lad. I’ve heard his name circle round Leeds before ages ago and now he’s proper on my ones to watch list.
Still Waiting is his new EP that’s out via Satan’s Circus on Beatport just 3 days back. There’s the Leonardus version making the track even more disco, whereas Pardon My French proper laid down the french filter touch really smoothly on their remix.
OK, so it’s actually as close to the end of the week as it is to the middle. But I’ve been on holiday, so forgive me. Excitingly, the ‘web traffic’ to ANBAD has been exactly the same during the 10 days in which I have posted nothing whatsoever, so I can either take heart that my readership is loyal and wide-reaching, or turn sullen because my contributions to the site are entirely meaningless.
The ANBAD Donkey today reflects such duality of thought.
Bebe Zeva is a popular alt celeb/alt teen sensation from the Los Angeles California area. She is known as ‘the top model’ for the popular I AM CARLES brand and has done other branding+identity work for other alt + maltstream brands. In this video, it seems like she creates some sort of ‘new alt dance craze’ while vlogging on the internet. Only time will tell if this organic meme dance will ‘catch on’ or if it will be ‘just another micro-meme on the internet.’
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(Photo: Tom Jenkinson)
Even with Composition Book’s pages locked shut, Wild Nothing’s roots are easy to trace–diurnal mutterings of longing and the glimmer of gilded, memory-warped moments lead back to the UK’s most maudlin: The Smith, The Cure, Cocteau Twins. There’s something to be said, though, for mapping your sadness in echoes.
Rory Carroll recommends the Mum friendly sophisto pop of The Housewives.
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Patti Smith with Patrick Wolf and Seb Rochford played in London at Union Chapel.
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