March 11, 2014: 311

311-- Come Original

Capricorn Records

Then, t.f. MTV

So apparently it's 311 day.  Get it? 3/11? Yeah. Never heard about this super smart marketing move until I was listening to Philly's 104.5 today.  I didn't realize how many hits 311 had, nor how they're still a thing and producing new music.  On 3/11/04, the band played a monster 5 HOUR SET.  The DVD of that concert went Platinum. Major props for that. And they continue to go back to New Orleans on 3/11, like today!

Now t.f. Billboard

The Nebraskan band had two albums before making it big with their self-title smash.  "Come Original," from 1999's Soundsystem, was their first single on MTV-- back in those days of TRL. Sigh.  Not everything had that polished look to it like it does now and guys wore button-downs with t-shirts. I could go on about more 90s-ness and about 311's and Adele's covers of The Cure's "Love Song"... and I will-- soon!

March 10, 2014: New Music: Bipolar Sunshine

Bipolar Sunshine-- Drowning Butterflies

The Aesthetic Recordings/Polydor

Dat style.    t.f. The Chuckness

This tune is just straight-up chill.  Bipolar Sunshine, a.k.a. Adio Marchant, was a part of KiD BRiTiSH (I wish I could tell you more, but I will probably bring the band in for another day) before starting this side project.  He had a Free On iTunes Single of the Week for his EP Aesthetics back in July and his new EP Drowning Butterflies came out in November.  I just really like this song.

March 9, 2014

Haim-- If I Could Change Your Mind

So I knew about these sisters Danielle, Alana, and Este Haim and drummer Dash Hutton for a few months now, and just today I was watching the tube (ya know, TV) and Target had a commercial that featured this crossover band. So naturally, I have been listening to them all day.

t.f. Bearded Gentlemen Music

I think the thing about Haim (pronounced "high-im") is that there's a lot of genres going on at once, especially in "If I Could Change Your Mind," which heavily features R&B and disco. I think what gets me is that their sound is kind of muted and that's what lets me just go about my day with them in the background but also bump up the volume and listen to the excellent riffs that are going on.

t.f. NPR

The sisters started early and their first performance as Haim was on 7/7/07.  When their various side projects ended, they decided to get very serious about the band.  Days Are Gone came out last fall and is their first full-length album. They played on SNL pretty recently, and I very much appreciate that all the sisters sang and the faces Este (red lipstick) made (and are known for).


Live Performance-- Haim, The Wire
Live Performance-- Haim, Don't Save Me

March 8, 2014

Aretha Frankin-- Respect

Atlantic Records

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.  Every now and then ya just need this jam.  Aretha Franklin and producer Jerry Wexler turned Otis Redding's 1965 version a pop song for the history books in 1967. Franklin changed up the lyrics, adding the R-E-S-P-E-C-T breakdown and "sock it to me" part with the help of her sisters/backing vocalists Emma and Carolyn. The song, from her album I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You (long title, right?), became an anthem for any female who feels like she's TCB, Taking Care of Business.

Live Performance: Aretha Franklin,, Respect
Live Performance: Otis Redding, Respect

March 7, 2014: (Updated)

The Orwells-- Under the Flowers

The Orwells.  Not even twenty-one and these dudes know what they're doing.  I'm super excited because I am going to their concert in Philly soon and the tickets were a surprising $12.  Their stubs won't be worth that little for long-- this band is destined for a fantastic run.
This is one of my favorite tracks from their debut, 2012's Remember When, and it's one that will stick with me all throughout the day.

Updated: Concert was great. Twin Peaks opened and they were solid. Mosh pit, mosh pit, mosh pit! The Orwells literally sounded the same-- if not better-- live.

March 5, 2014

College and Electric Youth-- Real hero

Valerie Collective

Lakeshore Records

Oh, get romantic and wistful and serious all at the same time right now.  This song was featured in the 2011 movie Drive.  Which was an excellent movie, by the way.  A Real Hero is so enchanting.  

From College's Facebook Page

It was hard to find information on College and Electric Youth, who collaborated on the song, but College is a musical project of David Grellier, who also is a part of the French record label, Valeria Records. I love when artists have "musical projects" that are not just albums, but works and personas of different genres.

And look at these folks' indie-ness. So beautiful.

Electronic Youth being so, so indie pop it hurts

     

              

College and Electronic Youth

March 4, 2014

Louis Prima-- Buona Sera

Capitol Records

Happy Fat Tuesday! I picked this song for 3 reasons: 1) Louis Prima is from New Orleans, where Mardi Gras is huge 2) He's Italian-American, and reminds me of the traditions my family and I celebrate on Fat Tuesday and, 3) The song's fantastic and is a testament of its time and genre.

Start doing a little jig and snap your fingers.