Song Of The Week: City Calm Down - Sense Of Self (Ta-ku Remix)

Perth based producer Ta-ku dropped this free remix just over a week ago, in support of City Calm Down's recently released Movements EP. The track is fairly traditional Ta-ku with a brilliant rolling beat and stuttering synths sitting around skipping vocals.

Listen:
                                     

New Music Video: Flying Lotus - Tiny Tortures

After a number of interesting videos released in preview of the album, Tiny Tortures is our first music video off Until The Quiet Comes. Directed by David Lewandowski and starring Elijah Wood, the video follows a man that looks to have recently lost his arm through increasingly surreal adventures on his medication.

Watch said video:

The Genre Discussion

The idea of categorising media and creative output is almost as old human history itself. These days though, with barriers collapsing around genres and even mediums, there is a strong argument that any traditional ideas of genre categorisation do not work with modern media, and more specifically, music.

Genres are usually thought to have originated in Ancient Greece, as Plato and Aristotle came up with categories in which to group various types of theatre and poetry together. This made sense for traditional theatre and film later, as most productions had to hit on core themes or plot points that were unique to the genre they fell in. It also, to an extent, made sense when applied to music. Contrary to popular belief, the categorisation of music into genres is actually supposed to be done by musicologists rather than a listener with some time on their hands. The idea is that musicologists should have a great enough understanding of what characterises different types of music that they would be able to set up a system of categorisation that would funnel listeners towards more music that they would like, rather than have listeners trawl through huge amounts of music until they happen across something they enjoy. In fact, it could be argued that that is what genres really do; they just don’t work as well as we would like.

There are two main issues that seem to turn up with this idea of genres. The first one is that many people feel the system doesn’t actually work to begin with. When you do come across a genre it’s either been categorised by some kid with iTunes or at best via a group consensus on a forum. Even then most people will simply disagree with the definition put forward if it doesn’t fit with what they feel is important or distinctive about the genre. There seems to be little to no real input by anyone who is actually studied in the subject, meaning any idea that our genres have been set up to help us find more music simply doesn’t fit. The other argument is that, even when this system of genres does work, it’s too constrictive to both listeners and musicians. In many cases genres have become concrete, constricting development of the music and funnelling listeners away from anything new or different, instead directing them back to the small group of genres they’ve always listened to. Musicians too seem to be defined by how much they have conformed to certain genres, rather than the genres being defined by what music is being made.

Of course neither of these points are universally true and there is apparently a good deal of genuine musicology that goes into categorising music into the genres on online music stores such as iTunes or Bleep. One way or the other, genres do seem to still be a big factor in the way we interact with music and it is worth taking a look at their role in our listening.

New Music Video: Jakkals - Rum Trifle

Jakkals are an unsigned, three-piece, indie band from Cape Town. Their first single 'Woah! Nelly' was popular in the underground scene, but now they seem to be coming up in the world with their brand new music video for their song 'Rum Trifle'.

Taken from their first EP 'Trifle' the song has a "kwela- guitar" riff running through it, accompanied by a funky bass-line that, as Jakkals say, "nods your head". The music video is really well made and classy for a barely-known South African band (considering what more popular SA bands are doing) with a lesson of  “if he doesn't love you for who you are, leave him alone" displayed in a very artistic way.

Jakkals are a band to be watched, in no time at all they will be very popular in South Africa. If this EP is anything to go by, then we predict a bright future for these guys.

Watch the video right here:

New Music Video: The Plastics - Best Pretenders

One of the most anticipated videos from Cape Town based The Plastics. 'Best Pretenders' is the newest single off their second and latest studio album 'Pyramids'.

Although the song is not the best Plastics song, it is still pretty awesome and this is what makes The Plastics one of the best indie bands SA has to offer. They also have a knack for making funny and cute music videos- with Caves, Caroline and Stereo Kids. This is probably the cutest of all their music videos- a kid trying to find his lost imaginary (or not) friend, but finds something better instead.

SPOILER ALERT!

He finds interracial relationships...GO BOY!

The thing that really separates The Plastics from the rest of South African bands, is that they don't just play the same old popish/ Prime Circle-ish/ The Parlotones sounding music all the time. They have their own ways and styles. They give us some hope that maybe not all South African bands put together can just form one big crap sounding band.

Watch the video right here:

Song Of The Week: The Naked and Famous - Young Blood

For this week's song of the week we have New Zealand's The Naked and Famous with their debut track 'Young Blood' from their album 'Passive Me, Aggressive You'.

This song was released a while ago (last year) and made it's way onto almost every advert and movie you can imagine. I chose this song because frontman Thom Powers blogged that they would try very hard to come down to South Africa, so I though it would be fitting to give you a taste of what they're about.

This is the track that generally hooks people onto their music- it makes you feel young and invincible and is probably the soundtrack for most of our teenage lives.

Watch the video right here:

New Music Video: Shortstraw - Waterworks

South African indie band Shortstraw have released their newest music video for their song 'Waterworks'. The band are making a slow but steady rise to fame- playing top venues in South Africa and having a sponsorship by Music Connection. They are famous for getting crowds on their feet (and then off their feet again when people step back and say "what the fuck did he just say??")

The song itself is more serious than what most Shortstraw fans are used- funny, quirky songs like 'Keanu Reeves' and 'Underfed'. The music video is very much above the quality and effort of most South African bands. It has beautifully shot underwater effects and, for once, a fitting story to go with the song. They have made a real effort to bring out a real and touching video, and they should be proud of what they have released.

Watch the video here:

Atoms For Peace - Default Single

It's been three days since the vinyl-only release of Atoms For Peace's Default single and us non-audiophiles are finally getting to hear it. The title track has been available for some time, but the release has also given us the b-side, What The Eyeballs Did and an instrumental version of Default. What The Eyeballs Did is our first taste of a Flea bass line with Atoms For Peace and it is groovy as balls, complimented by a glitchy beat skipping around at the base. Yorke's vocals don't quite have the colorful flare that they do on Default, but overall the song is very good. The instrumental version of Default is a novelty, but it's little more than that and you're unlikely to come back to it after a few listens.

Listen to What The Eyeballs Did:

Civil Twilight Announce South African Tour

Following the release of their latest album, 'Holy Weather', Civil Twilight in association with We-Are-Awesome (how much do you want to bet Desmond and the Tutus will open for them?) and Webtickets, have announced they will be touring  their home country once again this December.
The Nashville based band will be playing Joburg on the 20th, Durban on the 22nd and Cape Town on the 28th. 


Civil Twilight is a mystifying blend of atmospheric sounds with swirling guitars and hazy storytelling centered on the struggles and triumphs of human existence. Three parts South Africa and one part Nashville, Steven McKellar, his brother Andrew, Richard Wouters and Kevin Dailey combine power and grace to provide a soundtrack for everything from the cracking of a heart to a walk around the block.

Tour dates and line-up for South Africa:

Johannesburg: Facebook event page.
Date: 20th December 2012
Venue: “Under the Bridge” Town hall (Henry Nxumlo Street, Newtown, JHB)
Ticket prices: Pre-Sale R125 | General Admission R175

Durban: Facebook event page.
Date: 22nd December 2012
Venue: Live the venue (166 Mathews Meyiwa Road (Stanford Hill Road), Berea 4023)
Ticket prices: Pre-Sale R60 | General Admission R100

Cape Town: Facebook event page.
Date: 28th Decemeber 2012
Venue: Wittebome Civic Centre (Rosemead Avenue, Wynberg)
Ticket prices: Pre-Sale R125 | General Admission R175

Tickets available at Webtickets: (https://www.webtickets.co.za/)

New EP - The 1975 'Sex'

Manchester based indie electronic band The 1975 have finally released their brand new four track EP ‘Sex’.  Following their last EP, ‘Facedown’  ‘Sex’ is an exploration and discovery of new sounds by The 1975.

The EP is much more popish and mellow - with one song, ‘Undo’, which has an almost R&B feel to it. The rest of the songs are filled with atmospheric guitars and prominent drumming, once you get past the heavy accent of lead singer Matt Healy, these tracks are really catchy- with a lovely combination of music genres.

The 1975 are on their way to making their debut album, and if these EPs are any indication to what is to come then we are going to be, once again, graced by the sounds another UK based band. BBC1 will have a field day with these guys.

Listen to it here:

The 1975 - Sex EP

Watch The Official Trailer For Coldplay Live 2012

Coldplay have released the official trailer for their upcoming DVD 'Live 2012'. Chris Martin (lead singer) talks about how it feels to see 30 000 people come together in one space. The DVD is due for release on the 19th November. You can pre-order it here.

Song of the Week

This week's track is Tokimonsta's Cupidity. 

Until recently the song was exclusively available on the Japanese release of her 2011 EP, Creature Dreams, only turning up on her Soundcloud page for more public consumption at the end of last month.

Church Group Plan To Ban Lady Gaga From Coming To SA

Oh, you Christians.

The South African Council of Churches plans to hold a marcht to the Department of Arts and Culture in Pretoria in order to ban Lady Gaga from coming to South Africa.

Reverend Mxolisi Sonti told Beeld newspaper that they are concerned about the level of Satanism the singer could raise. He also says that if the South African government could stop the Dalai Lama from entering the country they can stop Lady Gaga. 

Well, won't this fuck up our tourism now. Let's just ban the Most Powerful Woman on Earth from coming to our country, why don't we? The next time a musician will come here will probably only be in a good 10 years.

Atoms For Peace Announce Debut Album Details

For those unaware, Atoms For Peace is the super group made up of Thom Yorke, Flea, Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronker and Mauro Refosco, originally formed to play Yorke's solo material from The Eraser. 

After releasing their debut single back in September and announcing a debut album at the same time, the band has revealed further details about the forthcoming LP. The nine track album is titled Amok and will feature the previously mentioned single, Default as well as Stuck Together Pieces, which has appeared in various forms in past. The planned release window is early next year.

Tracklisting:

Before Your Very Eyes…
Default
Ingenue
Dropped
Unless
Stuck Together Pieces
Judge, Jury and Executioner
Reverse Running
Amok

Listen to Default:

Mumford & Sons Premier New Music Video

Brittish group Mumford & Sons last night released their new video for Lover of the Light from their latest album Babel.

The video stars Idris Elba- who you might know from Prometheus, Thor and RocknRolla. It is a stunning display of a lonely man who longs to feel the natural world outside his concrete four walls. The textures, the smells, the air and the light. 

This is by far Mumford & Sons' best music video yet- to suit their best album yet. A true example of how art can be brought into making music videos.

 Even if you don't particularly like Mumford, watch the video anyway.

Watch the video here

Watch Ultraísta On The Late Show With David Letterman

Ultraísta played The Late Show With David Letterman last night as part of the American leg of their current tour. Here's their performance of Smalltalk from the show.

Vampire Weekend Debut New Song 'Unbelievers'

Vampire Weekend played their brand sparkly new song 'Unbelievers' last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live. You might recognise the song from their show at Cleveland's House of Blues earlier this year; however they called it 'New Song #2'

It's not really typical Vampire Weekend- it's more indie and the sound is more full. But it does have their playful and catchy hooks with that familiar guitar.

This song might be on their upcoming record which will follow their last LP 'Contra'. Frontman Ezra Koenig says the album is almost complete but admits it’s been a "long process".

He told NME, "We always try to write and record at the same time," he said. "So we've always got some ProTools session demo that tends to actually turn into the finished product. I think we have 80 per cent of the songs now."

If this song is any representation of their upcoming album, I can't wait.

Watch the video here

The Prodigy To Play Synergy Live This Year

The Prodigy have been confirmed to play Synergy Live festival this year as the headlining act in Jo'burg and Cape Town.

Voted "The Greatest Dance Act of All Time" by Miximag, The Prodigy are set to make your ears explode. No really.

Other home grown acts include The Narrow, Desmond & The Tutus, Beast, Prime Circle, Jack Parow, The Rudimentals, Fuzigish, The Plastics to P.H.Fat, Haezer, Audiophile021, Kennedy, Bruce Willis???, Mix n Blend, Chris Jack, George Daniel and Christian Tiger School.

The fest takes place in Cape Town: Theewaterskloof Dam - Villiersdorp on Friday 30th November and Jo'burg: Fourways on Saturday 1st December 2012.

You can get tickets at Webtickets, 3 day full Weekend pass for R530 
and at certain outlets for R510 (also 3 day full weekend pass)

Get Ready!

Song of the Week

This week, we go a little afrobeat, with Sinkane's "Jeeper Creeper". While not a new song, it does feature on his recently released LP Mars.

It's a funky little song that's smooth on the ears, and will get you into a bit of a dancing mood. Enjoy!

Chillz