Black Kids Ride New Wave

2008 is definitely the new 80's, or maybe it's just a reaction to the Bush years? In any case it seems like a lot of acts, both major and minor, are borrowing some elements from the 80's. First I fell in love with the keyboard-driven 80's-style synth-pop of Cut Copy. Then I heard that EP by the Cool Kids, which actually made me fall in love with a 2 year old Spank Rock record.

Well this week in indie-rock we were finally able to get our hands on the full-length debut from Black Kids. These Floridians have been making waves ever since the release of their Wizard of Ahhs EP. As you might have guessed, it has a very 80's new-wave sound. In other words, lots of keyboard sounds, mixed with Robert Smith-like vocals, on top of disaffected, post-punk dance beats.

The, inappropriatly named, Black Kids will be showing Mr. David Letterman their stuff on the Late Show tonight (Thursday). So set your TiVo to record the last 10 minutes of Letterman that way you don't have to watch his whole dinosaur hosting thing for too long.

Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You
Black Kids - Hurricane Jane
Videos and more after the jump...

The new album by the Black Kids is called Partie Traumatic and you can buy it directly from their MAJOR label, Columbia. Wow how does a group of mostly white people from Florida get signed to Columbia with a name like Black Kids? Well their cooler than cool music probably has something to do with it...

You can stream their music by clicking this audio player link from their website.

You can also watch these videos:

Black Kids - I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You video via YouTube


Black Kids - Hurricane Jane video via YouTube

I've embedded this widget from Columbia Records, it's a major label so I don't really trust it. Like see how it says "Free Download" sure it's free if you sign up for their mailing list...which is Free with a catch. See how they do that?


PS.
the Cool Kids have a free mixtape. The link was in their MySpace blog.

Read more!

Wolf Parade at La Zone Rosa

I feel like I've mentioned this several times already, but it can't hurt to mention again. One of my favs, Wolf Parade will be bringing their brand of indie-rock to La Zona Rosa this Friday. It appears as though you can still get tickets but they'll cost you a 20 spot.
Good news is that's cheaper than buying their back catalog and chances are they'll be playing...like almost that many songs. But it's also 5 gallons of gas, I bet if you brought 5 gallons of gas to your local ticket merchant they would be more than willing to hook you up with a ticket to see Wolf Parade. Give it a shot.

Need I point you to the same Wolf Parade content after the jump? Don't worry I'll find something of note...


Ok, so I have been scouring for content on Wolf Parade that I haven't already posted. I did find this cool video from Sunset Rubdown, which shares singer/songwriter Spencer Krug with Wolf Parade. Anyway, it's a Black Cab Session, which you should definitely check out if you haven't already.

Sunset Rubdown video borrowed from Black Cab Session, they use Daily Motion.

I also found this video for I'll Believe in Anything by Wolf Parade. It's on .MOV format.
Here it is again:

via YouTube

Read more!

Dizzee Rascal the Shows We Missed

I missed my chance to catch Dizzee Rascal at Emo's last night, but bloggers get tired too. Besides Dizzee loves it here, in the last year he's performed at least half a dozen times, including once where I get my haircut (Bird's Barbershop). If you didn't hear about Dizzee Rascal back when Fix Up, Look Sharp was being hyped, then keep your ears open for his 2008 summer jam, Dance Wiv Me. This song is already number 1 in the UK following Dizzee's triumphant Glanstonbury appearance, where some say he outshone Jay-Z?!?! Most who would say that are English though.

UK hip-hop is much different from US hip-hop, the UK sound is much more closely related to electronic and dance music as opposed to 70's R&B/Soul. Dizzee Rascal sounds like he's a bigger fan of Orbital than he is of the Jackson 5 for getting the party started. Dance Wiv Me is a great example of this aesthetic, Calvin Harris and Chrome are both featured, with that signature Calvin Harris electro-funk groove leading the way. I see this hitting the U.S. market in a commercial before the radio plays it, which is a pretty sad statement. But what're you gonna do when Clear Channel won't take any chances?

Video and more after the jump:



Dizzee Rascal - Dance Wiv Me ft. Calvin Harris and Chrome video via YouTube

Just for fun here is a live video of Orbital doing Chime in .MOV format. Which, means it's like a 30MB file. But it's pretty awesome...especially considering this post isn't even about Orbital.

Read more!

{{{Sunset}}} Mr. Baird

Imagine if Brian Wilson or John Lennon sat in their bedrooms playing Pro Tools. You may remember from my record store post that I picked up the latest from local artist(s) {{{Sunset}}}. Well now I have had some time to really digest The Glowing City and I really like it. Not only is it distinctive enough so you know what you're listening to as soon as it hits the iPod Shuffle but it still manages to sound diverse.

{{{Sunset}}} is what, now defunct, Sound Team member Bill Baird is up to these days. From what I can tell this guy is quite prolific and he is totally in love with the studio. The Glowing City definitely has the sound of someone who like to twiddle knobs in a room with no sunlight. Each song is a soundscape, with layered textural sounds that sometimes obscure and sometimes enhance the melodies. Bill Baird and I are both big fans of chiming percussive instruments, like sleigh bells, vibraphones and xylophones, which can all be heard throughout the album.

Tag {{{Sunset}}} as one of Austin's biggest up-and-comers in the next year. Try to catch one of their local shows before they go the way of Ghostland and disappear from Austin's scene. Their label site has a handy little widget showing their live calendar but I couldn't manage to steal it for you so find it here.

Music and more after the jump...

Someone on Last.Fm saw that I was listening to The Glowing City and asked if I could send them a free Mp3 copy. I was all, "For reals? I bought that shhh at the record shop. You should do the same. Pssshh". Ironically you can stream The Glowing City direct from the Last.FM site here. It might be kind of hard for you to find this record at the record shop near you, but fear not. I got your back, you can get it here or here in virtual land. Or if you live in Austin, then you should effing know where to find it by now...End of an Ear, Waterloo, possibly Cheapo.

And/Or just catch a live show. Like this Friday at Progress Coffee or this Saturday at Victory Grill.

{{{Sunset}}} recorded a session for Daytrotter, which if you don't know already, is a really bad ass indie-music site that has artists come in and record exclusive, intimate sets. You can read the whole quirky interview and get all of the tracks here.

Here's an official free track from {{{Sunset}}}'s label Autobus:
{{{Sunset}}} - The World is Awaiting

I'm not a big fan of videos streamed using Virb, but Bill Baird is which means you can find 15 {{{Sunset}} videos on their Virb page. Although it saddens me because this video will not be viewable on iPhones here is a vid for one of my favorite tracks on The Glowing City.

{{{Sunset}}} - Zombies video via Virb...and YouTube thanks reader.

Ponder this Austonians, why given all of the great locations in Austin did Bill Baird choose: The Office Depot parking lot at S. Lamar + Oltorf, The Gold's Gym parking lot near Blazer Tag on Ben White, and the Chuck E. Cheese at S.1st and Ben White...strike that last one going to Chuck E. Cheese is kind of brilliant.

Read more!