Monthly Archives: August 2011

My Weekly Five – Adrien Simonnet

  1. Cry baby ” by Lady linn (Belgium, 2011, Universal Classics & Jazz France)

New Discovery.

Singer already famous in Belgium, Lady Linn won the prize for Best Singer in the Music Industry Award in 2009 and 2010. She draws her influences in the soul of Irma Thomas, and in the 60’s pop singers specially Louis Neefs, while going through the bossa nova and without forgetting the timeless Beach Boys.

“Cry Baby” is the single from the album “No Goodbye at the All” recorded in Paris with Renault Letang (Jane Birkin, Manu Chao, Feist …), to be released next fall. Between pop and jazz you will discover a pop album decorated with gleaming brass, swirling melodies and touching voice. Each track has an individual style, a world, an emotion that Lady Linn was able to transcribe while keeping modernity and authenticity.
I assume the music of Lady Linn & the Magnificent Seven will spread out the world like a wildfire next winter thus I am pleased to present it for you right here right now !

audio link :

Cry baby by Lady Linn

video :

 

  1. 3 Libras ” by A Perfect Circle (USA, 2000, Virgin Records America, Inc.)

Personal Song.

It is at the apogee of the “new metal” times that released the debut album of A Perfect Circle. Although those are years that I’m totally a fan and with which I have matured musically, the rage, despair and then heavy guitars have sometimes a dubious aroma of dollars… Nevertheless , in contrast to all the cliches of the moment, the group of Billy Howerdel and Maynard James Keenan released a debut album so rich and fascinating. The inventiveness of the group and fine compositions make “Mer de Noms” a remarkable and historic work. The group immediately imposes its uniqueness : a delicate metal, melodic and aerial, dominated by a poignant lead as sincere and experienced. The richness and subtlety of the compositions (enhanced with violin, piano, xylophone, vocal harmonies) and the accuracy of sound mixing demonstrate the meticulousness of the band.

video :



  1. Adore ” by I:Cube (France, 1999, Versatile Records)

Under-appreciated Artist/Band that you love.

Nicolas Chaix aka I: Cube is a French musician active in various genres of the electronica music such as house, downtempo and ambient.
It became famous within the French underground scene in the mid-1990s, especially thanks to his remix of Daft Punk’s  “Around The World” in 1996, whom makes him the favor back by remixing the same year one of his titles, Disco Cubizm …
In 1997 released his first album Picnic Attack. Since then, three albums have appeared, including the very well known “Adore”.

The album’s opening  track I present here recalls with its bossa tempo the languid evenings on the sea shore. I: Cube  carefully tricks with music genres avoiding conventions, and shines with intelligence in the choice of sounds, rhythms and atmospheres.

video :

 

 

 

    1. The bicycle ” by Budam (Faroe Islands – France, 2011, Volvox Music)

    A rarity.

    Búi DAM comes from the Faroe Islands, a group of islands lost between Scotland and Iceland. Formerly known as a young jazz guitarist, he next flew to Cuba in order to to learn from Caribbean rhythms. On the occasion of his travels, he collected many small pieces of each culture and brought them back to the Faroe Islands where he sets out to mix them. This long journey make it turn to Budam, a kind of character who now tells his audience stories of demons, angels, lovers and murderers. His second album “Man” is a concept album divided into four sections referring to nature, religion, love and death. It is about human nature in its best days as a watershed in its darkest : open heart introspection from birth to death, all backed by a clever and biting humor.
    In this new opus published in March, Budam explores a new trail, where the electronic and the organic get together to produce notorious atmospheres sometimes nervous and sometimes ethereal, between anxiety and mystical ecstasy.

    link :

     

  • 5. “I’m A Man” by Black Strobe (France-UK, 2007 , Black Strobe Rec – Beggars)  

    Music Supervisor’s choice. Songs used in any media.

    Black Strobe is a French electronic music band created in 1997. Initially composed of Arnaud Rebotini and French DJ Ivan Smagghe, the group is gradually expanded with the arrival of other musicians. Their music is similar to the electronic body music and electroclash. In 2007,  they released their first album resolutely electronic rock, techno or post apocalyptic “Burn Your Own Church” from which the song “I’m a Man​​” is extracted, new version of the former 1955’s Bo Diddley popular song.

    I could not agree more  : “Instantly audible is an insistent, driving, hard edged rhythm tinged with an air of 70’s glam-rock. Focused on moulding Diddley’s rhythmic incarnation with their own dark-electro rock sound, the track’s harmony is reduced to its simplest form. Barely breaking for a chord change, the vibrancy and hubbub of the rhythm is revealed, and vocals from Arnaud Rebotini blend perfectly. Simulating a sound reminiscent to the union of Johnny Cash and David Gahan, Rebotini gives the track gravitas and does justice to the work of a man of such great talents”  (Matt Clutton – 4 Jun 2007)

    Regarding  licensing works, this track has been used for the Guy Ritchie’s  “RocknRolla” trailer , and  many other media also later, like the recent “Horrible Bosses” trailer for which I’ve placed  the track in collaboration with Beggars.

    Look at the “Horrible Bosses”  trailer : I’m a man (synchro)

  • Listen now to the original Black Strobe track “I’m a man” :

  • Rebotini had aswell  the good idea of ​​entrusting some of his favorite tracks from Black Strobe ( “Me & Madonna”,  “Italian Fireflies”…) to the younger generation : Jolie Chérie, Tape To Tape and The Twelves,… in order to offer these traditional pure disco deviant works, a second life on dancefloors.This one is very good one : Black Strobe – Me & Madonna (The Twelves Remix)

MY FIVE: A collection of songs from along the False River (Louisiana)

1.The Milk – “(All I wanted was) Danger ::: New Discovery

I felt the an urge to say something fresh and/or lactose-tolerance related here, but instead I’m just going to focus on the fact that this band is excellent and fun, and I just recently found out about them.  Gets you excited like a sugary shake.

2. Sister Suvi – “Golden (Common Cloud, 2009) ::: Under appreciated

tUne-YaRds are all the rage lately: they’re interesting, quirky, oh-so-NPR and take extra effort to type on a keyboard (almost exceeding the offbeat-cute-factor with the galling aspect of typing all those caps and lower cases, ugh).  This is the lesser known and older project between Merrill Garbus from tUne-YaRds, and Nico Dan & Patrick Gregoire from Islands…. and it is super cool.

The voice is just as distinct,  but there’s all sorts of fascinating layers of sound and builds. This particular song from Now I Am Champion, sounds like a mild Zeppelin incarnation of with all the dirty guitars and vocals that smudge into one another and surge into a crescendo that just begs to be …well… appreciated.

3. Uncle Tupelo – “Black Eye” ::: Personal fave

It just doesn’t get any better than this.  Young Jeff Tweedy just does something to me that is singularly unique in the way I crave it every once in a while. This song in particular can never stay on repeat long enough…. the raw timbre of his voice and the  complexity of the guitar within such a simple structure, are so perfect together.

4. Tommy Tucker “Sign of the Judgement” ::: Oddity /Rarity/ Gem

Found this one on a compilation called “That Old Lonesome Sound”… Splicemusic gathered a bunch of great bands (Wye Oak, Phosphorescent, Deer Tick, among them), to record their favorite old  folk songs…..

You can download “THE OLD LONESOME SOUND” Compilation, HERE

This one, by Baltimore artist Tommy Tucker, sounds like its an old recording, until the middle of the song when it kicks up to present day.  There’s just a certain savage-charm to the drums and vocals formula.

5. Twin Peaks Theme – Angelo Badalamenti ::: Music Supervision Pick

Lets get one thing straight: David Lynch. (ok, technically its two things…).  Aside from the fact that his mind works in the most brilliant of ways, he knows how to assemble parts and pieces that translate his bizarre and enveloping worlds into something of motion and picture… and Angelo Badalamenti’s score is one of those pieces that made the Twin Peaks experience come together.

Twin Peaks would not have been the zany, crazy universe that it was without the assembly of those undeniably quirky musical themes.  I seriously have no idea how he did it, but the score aligns perfectly with all of the shows eccentricities, while paying wink-and-nod homage to all the cheesy soap-opera scores of 90’s daytime TV.  How is it possible to be strange, dissonant, ironic and insulting, while also just kicking proverbial soundtrack ass?

My Weekly Five (Susan Dolan)

1. “Cannons” by YOUTH LAGOON (Upcoming Release on Fat Possum, 2011) ::: New Discovery Pick

The songs from Youth Lagoon’s upcoming album really get me lost… in a “staring out the backseat window” kind of way. The use of reverb, distant-sounding vocals, and indecipherable lyrics paint fuzzy nostalgic images. I guess, without the distraction of detail, it’s easy to slip into a dream state. Two songs “July” and “Cannons” are available for free download on his bandcamp page, and the stellar full-length is due out on Fat Possum September 27. Really good!

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Free downloads here: http://youthlagoon.bandcamp.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youthlagoon

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2. “L.A.” by THE FALL (from This Nation’s Saving Grace, 1988) ::: Personal Song Pick

Sometimes I can’t help myself from music supervising moments in my own life– driving through Hollywood at night, for example. And for that, the perfect track is “L.A.” by The Fall. The pulsing forward-motion and attitude that comes across in this song is unbelievable. It matches street-energy perfectly. Lyrics aren’t necessary. It’s all about the vibe. Besides, Mark E. Smith’s shit-hot mouth noises and “L.L.L.L.L.L. A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A...” kind of say it all.

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http://www.visi.com/fall.intro.html

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3. “Crowned In Chrome” by CROOKED FINGERS (from Crooked Fingers, 2000) ::: Under-Appreciated Song

Archers Of Loaf is getting a good amount of well-deserved praise right now, considering their reunion shows and reissues, etc. However, it’s the catalog of Eric Bachmann’s post-Archers project, Crooked Fingers, I tend to revisit more often. I like the minimal instrumentation on songs like “Crowned In Chrome” because it really puts front and center Bachmann’s captivating voice and mastery of lyricism: “There comes a time a man just cannot trust his freedom, leeching off a host that will disease him, shining up the shoes that send you on your way, into your darkest hour.” Slaughters me every time.

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http://www.crookedfingers.com/
Twitter: @crooked_fingers

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A new album by Crooked Fingers is due out October 11 on Merge.

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4. “Edge Of Seventeen” by STEVIE NICKS (from Bella Donna, 1981) ::: A Personal Theme Song (for somebody)

Someone asked me recently, “What’s your personal theme song?” I drew a blank. I mean, there are a lot of songs I would consider as my anthem. Those of Bob Dylan or Sleater-Kinney maybe? It depends on what I’m going through that day. In any case, it’d be difficult to commit to just one song. I will admit, however, “Edge Of Seventeen” would make an excellent theme song for somebody. To me, it has always been like a female version of “Eye Of The Tiger” (from Rocky). Maybe it’s that chugging guitar rhythm or Stevie’s mega-tough vocal delivery, as if she’s about to destroy someone/something. After all, Nicks did write the song to express grief over John Lennon’s death (“Words from a poet and a voice from a choir…”). Heck, that being said, maybe it is my anthem after all. I’ll meet you in the boxing ring.

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5. “Love Me” and “Bedazzled” by DUDLEY MOORE and PETER COOK (from the film Badazzled, London Records, 1968) ::: Music Placement Love

Fans of British comedy, this is for you! The story goes something like this: Peter Cook is the Devil–he gives Dudley Moore seven wishes but then sabotages each of them, crushing Moore’s chances of finally making it with Margaret. In this sequence, Moore’s wish is to be a pop star. Just when he thinks he’s won Margaret over with the melodramatic “Love Me,” Cook shows up out of nowhere with the emotionally detached “Bedazzled” and the girls go wild. Dudley, outsmarted once again! (Moore doubled as the film’s real life composer, just so you know.) Clearly these are spoofs based on what were modern day pop stars. Yet, when taken out of context, the songs are actually pretty incredible. In fact, the production quality is spot on (if not better) than what you would’ve heard on the pop charts at the time. I think the reason why this scene is brilliant/hilarious to me is the same reason why Lonely Island from Saturday Night Live works so well. Goofball lyrics are one thing, but it’s total authenticity in the execution that makes them priceless.

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The Lonely Island – “I’m On A Boat (feat. T Pain)”

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My Five (David Hayman)

1. “Avec Mes Mecs” by HUMANS (Independent, 2011) ::: New Discovery Pick

Humans are Peter Ricq and Robbie Slade. These guys flew out from Vancouver and played our Vapor Music showcase back in February when they had not yet been widely released beyond our borders here in Canada. Since then I’ve introduced them to my friends at Lip Sync music and they have been able to secure some serious placement-action with their music including a crazy spot on a big HBO series and I am working on an insane independent feature called Mr. Viral that will also feature a handful of Humans tracks a la Dust Brothers in Fight Club. The film has a similar vibe to FC but it tackles a much more cynical take on the new modern world which suits the dizzying array of sonic-ammunition that Humans throw into their dizzying mixes. I am looking forward to getting more placements for these good-guys and hopefully work with them as original composers on one of my next video games or film projects. Check out their other videos like “Bike Home” (http://bit.ly/3V6Vq) to ‘get’ the puppet-reference and please dig deeper and learn what Humans are all about. —– Humans will rise!

http://www.dashumans.com/
Merch: www.dashumans.bigcartel.com
Licensing: Lauren@lipsyncmusic.com
Vapor Showcase 2011 http://vimeo.com/22303971
Buy it on itunes: http://bit.ly/rciJET
Twitter: @dashumans
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2. “Everybody’s Got A Deejay” by ANDREW VINCENT (Kelp Records, 2005) ::: Personal Song

This is a very personal song to me because it was the closing track used in a short film I produced called POP SONG. The film was directed by Charles Officer ( Nurse. Fighter. Boy. / Mighty Jerome ) and adapted by Sean Reycraft ( 90210 / Rookie Blue / Degrassi) from his award winning play of the same title. The film was a wild experience for me and taught me a lot about who I am; my limitations, my expectations, my love for music-placement. Yes, I fell in love with music supervision during this film after finding some really cool indie gems via The Golden Dogs “I Don’t Sleep Anymore” from their first EP and even a wild garage-rock track from Jared Gutstat’s first real band; The Izzy’s (still active and awesome http://theizzys.bandcamp.com/). I was also lucky enough to connect with my good friend Jon Barlett at Kelp Records who got me hip to a very young Andrew Vincent who’s raw and honest tone fit perfectly with the awkward vulnerability we were attempting to explore in the short film.  This song came on the other night and it brought back a flood of memories for me and my wife Alison who was getting to know me at the time the film was produced.  This song has a permanent place in both of our hearts.

http://kelprecords.com/andrew-vincent/
Twiter: @vincentad  @KelpRecords
Pop Song (the beginnings): NOW archives http://bit.ly/r2AKbq
Pop Song (IMDB) http://imdb.to/nqXKFn

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3. “Bra” by CYMANDE (Sanctuary/Janus Records, 1972) ::: Under-Appreciated Song

Cymande was a Jamaican/Guyanese/British Funk band from the early 70’s who were definitely panned in their prime and only now rediscovered via music-supers, like myself, and a small handful of others who appreciate the real deal when they hear it. “Bra” was featured in Spike Lee’s Crooklyn and sampled in the Prince Paul-produced 3 Feet & Rising album by De La Soul http://bit.ly/3rZP9d “Bra” was also used back in the day as a breakbeat but not so much anymore.  I was also lucky enough to secure this song for a sequence in the 2009 film Young People Fucking (http://bit.ly/nlmlZY). I get more love for this placement than anything else I’ve done but no one I know owns this album. Trash your Phish and get your ass into a record store!

Buy it on itunes: http://bit.ly/o4AyKA

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*4. “1985” Wings cover by THE GOLDEN DOGS (from Big Eye, Little Eye – True North Records, 2006) ::: Rarity/Oddity Pick

Again, maybe I’m waxing nostalgic on my filmmaking days but The Golden Dogs have always been good to me with placements since Pop Song with “I Don’t Sleep” http://bit.ly/r2d3ap and “Birdsong” in the beloved Douglas Coupland film Everything’s Gone Green http://amzn.to/nlzpUA  and even in a Bud commercial http://bit.ly/nY5W9a  This version of “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five” (originally by Paul McCartney & Wings) is, dare I say, better than the original. Maybe it’s the recording quality, the earnest piano-pounding or Dave Azzolini’s confident yet desperate voice that soars above the original for me. Maybe I’m over Band on The Run? Maybe I’m over the Beatles? Maybe I’ve just lost it?… but this cover does not get the respect it deserves.

http://www.thegoldendogs.com/
Twitter: @thegoldendogs

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5. “Ice Cream” by BATTLES ft. Matias Aguayo (from Gloss Drop, Warp, 2011) ::: Placement Song

I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t clamoring to find a spot for this song in one of my shows but I just know it’s gonna pop up on Entourage or Breaking Bad and I’m going to kick myself for not being the first to place this song. Every movement in this dynamic track conjures up dramatic-sequences for me that can translate on so many visual levels. I almost got “Tonto (the Fourtet remix)” http://bit.ly/aA6GaX into Rookie Blue and I’ll keep trying but I LOVE ICE CREAM! What a great song to cut to. What a crazy montage this could be. And what a fantastic track to eat ice cream to. Mmmm Ice Cream.

Buy on itunes: http://bit.ly/lMAU7N
http://bttls.com/
Twitter: @battles

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