Artist | Glasser
Song | “Treasury of We”
Album | Ring

After a long and extremely enjoyable weekend at Purdue, I finally made it back to discover some really great music surfaced on the web during the past week and weekend. While checking out some of my favorite music blogs, I stumbled across this video of the band Glasser breaking down their musical set-up [via | I Guess I'm Floating]. For those who are unaware of Glasser, they are an up-and-coming indie band led by vocalist Cameron Mesirow. Utilizing rhythmic hooks and synthesizer-infused electronica melodies backing up Mesirow‘s mezmerizing and beautiful vocals, Glasser has found a unique way to expand the sounds of instruments to create a song filled with so many layers and textures it’s hard to believe it is only being created by 4 musicians. Which happens to be exactly why this video is so amazing, because it gives the listener a first-hand look at how Glasser goes about solving their own audio conundrum by creating their own network of sound and instruments, including an electronic drum kit, MIDI keyboards and the coolest instrument of all: a Roland MIDI Guitar Pickup.

MP3 | Glasser – “Treasury of We”

After listening to this band for a few months now, being able to see a video breakdown of just how they master and craft their unique sound is absolutely amazing! The innovation at work in this band in order to make extremely unique sounds and tunes is already enough of a reason to check these guys out live, as well as pick up their debut album Ring as well. Be sure to check out this video and see the breakdown of my favorite Glasser track – “Treasury of We,” and see if you would have ever guessed that the marimba sounds were coming from a guitar, I sure as heck didn’t.

This is definitely a must-see video if you are a fan of emerging musical ideas and innovation, and therefore I attached the member-by-member breakdown of the equipment used on the song via the video’s YouTube page.

Henrik Von Rivers Plays…
Apple Macbook Pro
Arturia Midi Keyboard
Korg Micro Kontrol
RME Fireface 400
Ableton Live 8
Various plug-ins

Jon Leland Plays:
Roland TD7 Drumset
Korg Electribe MX

Jason McMahon Plays:
Fender Strat Guitar
Hexaphonic guitar pickup and Guitar synth

Artist | Dam-Funk
Song | “3012 Luv Affair”
Album | LA Series 7

After hearing this track a few weeks back, it immediately made it on my instrumental/chill mix that I’ve been working on for awhile. I first posted a music video from Dam-Funk [Pronounced DAME-FUNK] for the single “Hood Pass Intact” back in September [HERE], and have become quite a fan of his from that day forward. Best known for utilizing traditional funk and soul sounds with modern electro-boogie fueled by synthesizers and arrangers, Dam-Funk collaborated with fellow All City Records label-mate ComputerJay to create a series of 10 different 10″ singles for the record. After 6 previous works, LA Series 7 takes the cake so far as the best release.

MP3 | Dam-Funk – “3012 Luv Affair”

I don’t know what it is about this song that is so catchy, especially due to the fact that it is strictly an instrumental. The synth hooks serve as a perfect chorus, creating a soulful melody of electro-funk-boogie that is the perfect music to kick back and relax to. Be on the look out for more songs from Dam-Funk in the near future, and if you are in the LA-area check out his website and see him live! I caught him at Pitchfork Music Festival and it was the best outdoor dance party I had ever experienced.

Links

Website//MySpace//Twitter

Artist | Beck
Song | “Loser”
Album | Mellow Gold

Boy, there isn’t much to say about this song that hasn’t already been said in the past 16 years. It’s hard to believe that this was the song that broke Beck into the radio rock mainstream, but ever since that day it has been a long road of great music exploring every crevice of the indie rock mantra. Although I will admit not really beginning to listen to “good” music until the late 90s, this was the first Beck song I had ever heard and it made me a life-long fan of the song. This music video was a great visual break through into the musical mind of Beck, serving as an example of what a $300 budget for a music video can do in terms of enjoyment and expression.

If I ever broke onto the music scene, I would definitely want to do it with the smash-hit “Loser.” Impecable timing on Beck‘s part.

“Soy un perdedor.

I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?”

Artist | Sleigh Bells
Song | “Riot Rhythm”
Album | Treats
Director | Bo Mirosseni

After watching this music video, I think I start to appreciate just how difficult being a great chess player can be. Taking cues from Quentin Tarantino and the Kill Bill movies, the new Sleigh Bells music video for “Riot Rhythm” tells the story of a young kid learning from ‘The Master” everything it takes to be a great chess player. Beating a computer, training in the rain, and even killing a fly between two chess pieces – These are all of the essential skills needed to become a true “Master” in chess now-a-days.

MP3 | Sleigh Bells – “Riot Rhythm”

Incorporating “Riot Rhythm” as the background training music helps to tie this crowd-thumping Sleigh Bells track into a useful song for training for chess. Even though I don’t need a reason to listen to Sleigh Bells due to their creative and amazing sound, this music video will definitely be watched many a times in the future which will in turn resonate this song even deeper into my brain.

Awesome.

Artist | Ratatat
Song | “Neckbrace”
Album | LP4

If you have never heard of Ratatat before, then you might be slightly freaked out by the mass amount of birds in this music video for their newest single “Neckbrace.” [For a refresher on this fact, see the "Party With Children" Music Video HERE]. Releasing a few months ago, LP4 is a fresh set of Ratatat tunes utilizing their trademark sound of keyboards and synths accompanied by electric guitars and bass. These guys have always been a staple of great party music, and this video no doubt helps to prove that fact true.

MP3 | Ratatat – “Neckbrace”

Artist | Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y
Song | “Huey Newton”

I’ve been working on listening to the Taylor Gang x JETS movement that has been getting huge in the rap game, with Curren$y and Pittsburgh’s finest Wiz Khalifa leading the way. Well much to my luck, Wiz Khalifa just dropped this track onto the web an hour or so ago, via his Twitter account (@RealWizKhalifa).

new wiz khalifa & currensy – Huey Newton http://bit.ly/dtagDo—
Wiz Khalifa (@RealWizKhalifa) November 10, 2010

Immediately I realized that this song was a re-working of the 80s classic “Africa” by Toto. If its got Toto and/or “Africa” involved in the song, I will listen to damn near anything.

MP3 | Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y – “Huey Newton”

I have to admit that this is one of my favorite songs from the 1980s and definitely a great song to drink to. This time around, Wiz and Curren$y take their turns spitting verses over the track rightfully named after the co-founder and leader of the Black Panthers, Huey Newton. [Although oddly enough, I'm not sure how Huey Newton would feel about having a song like this named after him]. Regardless, these guys are both bringing a fresh sound and style to the rap game that could use any help it can get. Look for more from these guys in the near future, as they are pumping out mixtapes every couple of months.

Artist | Volcano Choir
Song | “Island, IS”
Venue | Shibuya-O West

For those who have never heard of Volcano Choir, then you are in for quite a treat. Led by Bon Iver front-man Justin Vernon, the collaboration between Vernon and indie band Collection of Colonies of Bees was an instant success of musical dynamics which eventually led to the formation of an official band Volcano Choir. Releasing one of the best albums of 2009 with Unmap, Volcano Choir never officially took their sound on the road in support of the amazing album.

MP3 | Volcano Choir – “Island, IS”

Well I guess that last part can officially be scratched off the To-Do list because just the other night Volcano Choir began a series of concerts in Tokyo, Japan at the Shibuya-O West ballroom. This video is almost professional-quality, and demonstrates how incredible their layered, textured sound translates into a live show.

I really hope they announce some tour dates in the US soon…

Artist | Hesta Prynn
Song | “Can We Go Wrong”
Album | Can We Go Wrong EP

There is something about Hesta Prynn that adds an additional level of coolness to her debut single “Can We Go Wrong.” Maybe its her good looks and post-punk aura that makes her extra attractive, or maybe its her ability to fuse synths and electronics to the likes of The Muse and The Strokes with her distorted pop-rockvocals that make Hesta Prynn‘s music so catchy and fun. With a noise-rock sound that serves as an extension of the pioneered sound by the Brooklyn duo Sleigh Bells, Hesta Prynn is quickly becoming a house-hold name for fresh, fun dance rock.

MP3 | Hesta Prynn – “Can We Go Wrong”

With a music video for her stand-out single releasing a few weeks ago, Hesta Prynn is now on her way to success via her debut Can We Go Wrong EP, which can be downloaded for only $4 on her website! Be sure to give this track a listen along with the accompanying music video, and be on the look out for more great music from Hesta Prynn in the future!

Links

Website//MySpace//Facebook

Artist | Warpaint
Song | “Undertow” [Blackbird Blackbird Remix]
Album | The Fool

Leave it up to Mikey Sanders aka Blackbird Blackbird to grab an amazing new track from Warpaint entitled “Undertow” and send it into another-worldly direction. The original track is a song of heart-break and emotional frustration, fueled and powered by the hazy guitar riffs and feminine harmonies.

“What’s the matter? You hurt yourself?
Opened your eyes and there was someone else?
Now i’ve got you in the undertow.
Now i’ve got you in the undertow.
Why you wanna blame me for your troubles?
Ah ah ah you better learn your lesson yourself.
Nobody ever has to find out what’s in my mind tonight.”

MP3 | Warpaint – “Undertow” [Blackbird Blackbird Remix]

Of course once the Blackbird Blackbird remix was complete, the tune took on a whole new emotion established through the waves of dispersing sound and sonic deliriums. I can’t get enough of Blackbird Blackbird and their chillwave sound. Whether it’s the constantly developing and evolving solo tracks or the creative musical expansion through remixes, Mikey Sanders has quickly established himself as a pioneer of sound in a constantly-changing musical world.

Check out the original version of the Warpaint track “Undertow” below, where you can give it a listen and download!

MP3 | Warpaint – “Undertow”

Be sure to give this track a listen and check out some past blog posts of Blackbird Blackbird here, while also checking out his website and BandCamp, where you can pick up some of his music for free or super cheap!

Links

Website//MySpace//BandCamp//Tumblr

Artist | MGMT
Song | “This Must Be The Place”
Venue | Wesleyan University [4/20/2003]

During my time searching through Talking Heads songs for last week’s Throwback/Thursday, I came across this gem of a video of everyone’s favorite indie-pop stars MGMT covering the Talking Heads‘ “This Must Be The Place.” Upon first glance I realized immediately that this video was definitely not recent, and the description saying it was from 2003 made sense for sure. You can tell that MGMT got its beginnings as a fun, quirky college band, and this video proves that true.

Of course any cover of the Talking Heads is a good thing, but by the MGMT boys pre-overnight-stardom makes it that much better. Enjoy!