The Field - Looping State of Mind

The Field and his work have been - and this is not an understatement - probably the cornerstone of my musical existence since 2007. I would guess that From Here We Go Sublime is the album I have listened to most in my lifetime.

So new material from this artist is of huge significance.

I am still taking time to become acquainted with Looping State of Mind but I really do adore the opening track, Is This Power.

So here it is for your aural pleasure:

01. Is This Power by Nikita Velichko

Did you lose yourself in it? That is a rhetorical question. Of course you did.

Mr Oizo - Stade 2

I'm not one for tattooing, but often when listening to Oizo - I've dropped the Mister - I feel overwhelming that I would happily deliberately scar my body with a permanent display of my love and affiliation for the work of this man.

I'm coming to terms with many things currently. One of those things being Stade 2.

Here is Camelfuck. Apparently it is obvious that I would love from 1:29 onwards. But who wouldn't?

CAMELFUCK by oizo mr 3000

Anyway, I'm off to rejiggle my 'top 5' to make room for Oizo and Eddie Mair.

New Build

A new joint venture.

Very hot off the press. Featuring members of Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem.

No link to the website as yet because it crashed when they announced it.

But I found the track.

It's great.

Finding Reasons by newbuild

Modeselektor remix Radiohead

I'm smiling.

Good Evening Mrs Magpie - Modeselektor RMX by Radiohead

Breakbot

Sorry for the lack of content round these here parts. Life is particularly odd. Not great, but chin is still up for now. This track is a little slice of disco magic to help me forget my troubles.

Joe Goddard

As I live and breathe! Is there no slowing Joe Goddard down? Not that I'm complaining. But if anyone can afford to take it a little easier now and then it is the lovely Joe.

New EP? Wonderful. And it really is, actually.

Joe Goddard - Gabriel by DFA Records

LCD Soundsystem

In Lego.



Absolutely spot on. Flawless.

Amy Winehouse

How I always think of her and will continue to remember her.. Throwing stuff at Dido..

Starlesoufs

If you enjoyed the most recent suggestion from Pop Cultureddd but thought it was just lacking, oh, I don't know, a late 70's disco vibe? Then worry not! Starlesoufs have breezed into our lives with some tracks that will make you dance regardless of heat and humidity. You'd fall into a dehydrated heap happily if you were having a boogie to this.

Just remember to stay properly hydrated, people!

Thank you Starlesoufs! Thankyouthankyouthankyou.

Here is a sample of their finery.

Love Cloud by Starlesoufs

Cherokee

A Monday you'd just rather had bothered coming round. The more in unfolds the less you like it. That is until you get home and release it all in the discovery of wonderful tracks like these.

Laid back French stylings of Cherokee just ease it all away. Okay, so the influence might be pretty obvious, but that does not at all detract from the calibre and quality of these tracks.

Mambo Jet by Cherokee (Official)

Sable Doux by Cherokee (Official)

Errm..

I suppose you can only really hide for so long. And in a bid to try and lie to myself that everything is perfectly normal I guess I should blog.

So in follow up to the previous long ago post here is the Tom Vek album, Leisure Seizure. As far as I'm aware it got leaked, but you can legitimately purchase it now, so you should probably do that.

Tom Vek - Leisure Seizure (2011) by modularpeople

OMG! Tom Vek really is back!

It is alright. Just calm down. Getting over excited is not going to do anyone any good. So sit back down. Take some deep breaths and when you are ready watch the brand new Tom Vek single, A Chore!

Lots of equally exciting things to follow, including the album which is released 6th June titled Leisure Seizure. And hopefully some lives dates. And merch.



No later than I go ahead and post this than I receive an email with the following:

Paul Chambers and 2manydjs

Not really being in the loop anymore with the ol' electro/dance/techno genres means I had not come across Paul Chambers until The Bearded Boy sent me a YouTube video of a 2manydjs at Coachella, which was mainly intended to demonstrate the crazy-awesome visuals that had been difficult to describe in conversation (see below). And other than reminding me that all work/reading/eating cake makes Stephanie a dull, wide-hipped girl highlighting the desperate need for some rollicking dancing to let off steam, the other thing I garnered from it was the amazing Paul Chambers track.

But how very lame! I can't embed the original. So you can have the link that will take you to the Paul Chambers SoundCloud page. And here is the Soulwax remix. Don't worry it hasn't got any of those 'Soulwax claps'. Phew!

Paul Chambers - Yeah, Techno! (Soulwax Mix) by soulwax

The 2 Bears

Whilst I may be totally biased and my judgement clouded by my stalkerish tendencies for Joe Goddard, I have repeatedly been listening to the content of The 2 Bears page on SoundCloud.

These sounds excite me so much. So here are the two EP's so far released.

Is it a bit of a pathetic admission that the simplistic and declarative nature of Church makes me a little wobbly in the knee and tear duct areas?

The 2 Bears - Curious Nature E.P. by The 2 Bears

The 2 Bears - Follow The Bears E.P. by The 2 Bears

John LaMonica

I must say it is pretty much an impossible struggle not to fall in love with John LaMonica a little bit more every time I hear his voice. He could call me a self-indulgent, bitch-faced, loser yet if he was singing it I would still be dewy-eyed. And this very candid confession will possibly prompt a lightening reaction 'unfriend-ing' from Facebook. But as long as he doesn't stop making beautiful music, then, whilst not ideal, I think I can live with that.

This guy is lyrically prolific and aurally stunning.

Now I have the privilege of being able to share a promo of his debut album, Volunteers.

John LaMonica - Volunteers by Moodgadget

Retro full-scale melt-down

Remember all those blog posts in the final throws of my undergraduate degree where I'd castigate and denounce the theorists I was struggling to come to terms with?

Well this is similar. Except that I'm the twat that has gotten me into this situation by and large! Why am I blanking and unable to explain my own proposed research?! I should be shot! In the face. At least I'd have a viable excuse for being a useless, fumbling, tongue-tied non-sociologist loser.

I would like to crawl into a cave/hole/pit and be left with only this song for company and hibernate until all the stressful things just disappear.

Marriage by Gold Panda

Panda Bear

For those of you that are giddy about all things Animal Collective it means that almost by extension you will be delighted by the surfacing of the new Panda Bear album, Tomboy. It is apparently a prerequisite that seemingly you don't have much free will or choice over.

Prepared to get giddy.

Panda Bear - Tomboy by In House Press

I am not ready to accept that it is over..

The last time I saw LCD Soundsystem cannot be the last time I would ever see LCD Soundsystem.

A proper farewell tour. Is it really too much to ask? Murphy has been threatening it for so long I didn't think it would be quite so abrupt. So it can't have happened. It is not over. The part-time hipster portion of my life is not ready for retirement.

The Kübler-Ross model of the stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I am in denial. And acceptance right now seems like something that will never ever occur.

This article nearly made me cry.

I know that when I watch the final gig I will definitely cry. I shall inform you if it helps me through any of the other stages of grief.



If somehow the Pitchfork version makes a reappearance onto the internet please someone let me know. And obviously I shall do the same.

The LED

The LED are providing some much needed bass and beats. And brilliantly executed.

Scottish homeland pride for these boys is overwhelming. I just need a plain loaf and Iron Bru. That would be all I would need to fuel me dancing to these tracks.

A Ricocheted Kitty is a powerhouse the likes not seen since approximately 2008.

The LED - A Ricocheted Kitty by TheLED

A remix of Telephone with an 8-bit breakdown? It is a must!

Lady Gaga - Telephone (LED Remix) by TheLED

Moshi Moshi mix by James Yuill

The ascent into a difficult week has been made all the easier by this brilliant (yet short) mix by James Yuill for Moshi Moshi.

I want to fall asleep in the ray of sunshine hitting the carpet behind me whilst enjoying this mix again. Alas, I am caught between the demanding poles of my life work and study.

If you click through to the SoundCloud page it is on you will find the tracklisting. Or just click here.

Moshi Moshi Mix III: JAMES YUILL by moshi moshi music

BRAIDS

If you've already read about a million blogs waxing lyrical about this band then go do something more productive. Like 'fug' yourself!

BRAIDS are a band that are growing on me in an addictive kind of way. Like I crave listening.

That is a good sign!

Check their MySpace page (link above) for upcoming gigs. I'd like to chance they'll be pretty special live!

BRAIDS - "Lemonade" by BRAIDS

Help!

I have never (that I can think of in this very moment) actively asked any of you to support a cause. But now I am. Please sign this petition to stop a young woman being separated from her family, having her bright prospects extinguished and help show your agreement that sending a fellow human being to a country where she will legitimately fear for her life is simply wrong.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jeanine_kamba/

An electro pop 80's icon has shown his support. So follow suit!

Name: Gary Numan on Mar 16, 2011
Comments: Does the press know about this? a fan sent it to me and i'm shocked, I will pass this on good luck x

Death From Above 1979

Err, so, yeah.

I suppose I should try and formulate words that represent the emotional state I have found myself in with the recent announcement of Death From Above 1979 reformation. Elation. Terrifying joy. Ecstasy.

You have to have the full story.

I considered selling anything and everything to get to Coachella. Which is in America. And I don't do leaving the country. I'm not sure in the use of my passport. But I seriously considered it. But the fact it would have cost oh-so-very-much money stopped the far-fetched dream before it had begun. But at least they were back together. I had a serious conversation with The Boy in which I laid my intentions bare and told him if they came to the UK I would ensure categorically that we would be going.

And then! They only went and announced dates in bloody London! LONDON! Hyperventilation was inevitable. I calmed myself and spread the word.

Ticket sale day meant I was up and ready to get tickets. Which I did. I was lucky. As that stupid, idiotic, bastarding SeeTickets is a useless website and they tell lies. Within half an hour I had spent my months wages on tickets, travel and accommodation. I was poor. But poorer than normal. I had £34 to last me two and a half weeks and I spent £20 a week just on travel! But I have never been happier to be poor.

So that is it. I'm going to see Death From A-fucking-bove 1979. And it means that one of the bands I never got to see, have reunited and I will get to see. Just one biggy remains. Can you guess?

Weekend Wolves

Emails asking me to check something out largely go unnoticed in my inbox. Busy bee, n'all that. But for some unexplained reason, it wasn't even procrastination, this caught my attention and I was glad I stopped and had a moment with Weekend Wolves.

There is little I know other than their German origin and they make incredibly dark, macabre and beat-compelling tracks. I hope to see them on the up-and-up.

More of this, please!

Weekend Wolves - Venus by WEEKEND WOLVES

Weekend Wolves - The End by WEEKEND WOLVES

Weekend Wolves - X by WEEKEND WOLVES

Yelle

A brief moment of calm. Eye of the storm. I am all too aware. So I won't be winding down fully. It will all kick in again in a few days.

But just for now I'm going to use Yelle and her awesome new track as a bit of a soundtrack to me dancing around and not feeling (too) guilty about it.

And once I have played hard, I'll be back to working infinitely harder.

Fucking awesome track. You can download it for free too! Woo!

Safari Disco Club by YELLE

Radiohead - King of Limbs

This is fairly exciting news, I suppose. Especially since I have learnt my lesson the hard way and will definitely not be writing a sociological dissertation around the release of this new album of theirs. So maybe I will be able to enjoy King of Limbs a little more. If it is good, that is.

I still have In Rainbows nightmares.

Sort yourself out with a copy here. Digital release Sat 19th February. Followed by the hard copy to be sent out from Mon 9th May.

Watch the ridiculous race to review and tell everyone about your thoughts on the album as soon as is aurally possibly on the internet. But not here. I kid myself that I have a life.

Just because..

If you had managed to forget I am here to remind you that the wonderful, sexy and wonderfully sexy Funeral Party are currently touring the UK.

I am positively beaming over the prospect of going to see them tomorrow in Newcastle at The Cluny. I've never been to this venue and I have high hopes that it will do justice to the performance that Funeral Party will give, which never seems to be anything less than face bleeding.

So here is Finale:



And here is a little documentary:



They should get you in the mood for some indie rock 'n' roll.

T.E.E.D remix

Yes please.

And for once, I'm like super hip, this was posted approx half an hour ago and here it is blogged for you. But its a Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaur remix and obviously I am going to aurally ingest it as soon as is humanly possibly. Plus as it is of a Katy Perry song it gives me an excuse to post a quite over-the-top, drool-inducing picture. I may have crossed a boundary here, but obviously you'll all enjoy it, so no boundary crossed.

Katy Perry - Firework (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs Remix) by T-E-E-D

James Owen Fender @ Maida Vale

James Owen Fender went to Maida Vale. Have a look. It seemed to go pretty well.

And he is touring. So you should, like, definitely go. I will be going.

The Lamp - Tuesday 8th Feb - Hull
Mojo - Monday 21st Feb - Liverpool
The Old Brown Jug - Weds 23rd Feb - Newcastle Under Lyme
Trof - Thurs 24th Feb - Manchester
Milo - Friday 25th Feb - Leeds
The Live Lounge - Saturday 26th Feb - Blackburn
WAMA - Sunday 27th Feb - High Wycombe
Kasbah - Monday 28th Feb - Coventry
The Monarch - Thursday 3rd March - London
Spanky Van Dykes - Tuesday 8th March - Nottingham
The Attic - Friday 11th March - Bathgate
King Tuts - Saturday 12th March - Glasgow
Stereo - Sunday 13th March - York

The Chapman Family

Still producing some of the best lyrical content and musical angst imaginable.

Having a long-running battle with anxiety and panic disorders any song with 'anxiety' or 'panic' in the title usually make me feel a bit... off.

But I love this.

Anxiety by The Chapman Family

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs

I hate that I was not particularly aware of Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. Everything was there that would point to this being fully ingratiated into my life by now. Awkward looking artist. "Or something". And being on the fucking Greco-Roman Label! Where have I been?! Their roster includes David E. Sugar, Grovesnor and the sex-dream inducing Joe Goddard. So it really only makes sense that I love Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. I knew I knew the name from somewhere, bloody Greco-Roman! There is no suitable and acceptable excuse for this oversight. Get it in your life, Reader(s) of Pop Cultureddd!

Household Goods EP by T-E-E-D

Grouplove

Grouplove are a fairly up and coming band. Their EP is out 7th Feb and they have a few dates around the UK and elsewhere to do all that promotion malark. No doubt 6 Music will have them in at some point, they've given them enough promo so far.

But, let's be honest, if Colours is anything to go by, as a stand alone single, we may have some pretty awesome music to come from this band.

You'll be singing this song in your head and tapping your feet when you really should be concentrating on other things, like your boss talking to you, some suicide-inspiring meeting, a request from an old lady customer, your other half saying something about something you just nodded along to. Sign of a good song.

Grouplove - Colours by amediamindset

Moments of 2010

1) Seeing Paul Banks of Interpol fiddling with the tuning of his guitar for the pitch-bends in the song The New is possibly one of the most amazing things I have witnessed. Only Interpol.

This is the gig I was at. So the quality could be better. But I was here! So you are having this one.

2:31 for those amazing pitch bends.





2) Whilst attending Leeds Festival this year was something I did a lot of complaining about when I think back to it I definitely do not get all nostalgic and think of it for something better. It was dirty. I was cold. But, fuck me, Funeral Party were incredible. An absolute force. I cannot wait for their tour in the spring and their album which you can pre-order here!

Giant Song by Funeral Party



3) Which leads me onto my next moment. The moment I discovered SoundCloud... Well, probably not so much that moment in the moment, but it certainly had major repercussions after. A brilliant medium to discover new artists and share them. Or hoard them to yourself. Whatever works for you.

Without SoundCloud I wouldn't have stumbled upon the next artists when I did.



4) The first time I heard Odessa by Caribou I knew my life was going to be irrevocably changed thereafter. Words fail me. I cannot adequately express what this album has come to be to me. But suffice to say it is seminal.

And here is the bloody whole album thanks to SoundCloud!

Swim by Caribouband



5) I've only gone and possibly saved the best til last!

Gold Panda has literally rocked my world. Upon discovering You I wondered what the point in continuing with this whole musical journey was. A bit how I felt after discovering The Field. And whilst not a million miles away from one another. I think Gold Panda is wholly more accessible and gives me much more the inclination to dance.

The pinnacle moment was seeing him live. In that funny little club The Cut in Newcastle. Seeing him jump about and hit those buttons with perfect precision for his awkward rhythms and the crowd absolutely lapping it up was the best gig I have been to in a long time. Sometimes your idols fail to inspire you and there is that cliché that goes along with it, but Derwin Panda has made my 2010. I am very grateful.

Here is the infamous You, followed by Snow & Taxis:

You by Gold Panda

Snow & Taxis by Gold Panda