The weather here in Sacramento, CA has been absolutely beautiful lately and Spring will be here before we know it. The photo above is of Sacramento’s McKinley Park. I always get in a nostalgic mood when seasons start to change. This small collection of tunes takes me back to high school (90-94) when I was really into “shoegazy / airy” female alternative sounds. I won’t go into detail about these artists because, we all know who they are.


Enjoy!




The Sundays - Where the Story Ends

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Cocteau Twins - Bluebeard

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Breeders - Divine Hammer

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Concrete Blonde - Mexican Moon

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

This is a solid collection of tunes.


“Hazel” is the latest single from the new Junior Boys album “Begone Dull Care”. I’m always surprised when I hear that a new album has been released by them. It’s not too often that a sythnpop band can last over an album or two. If you live in the Northern California Area they will be playing at Bimbo’s. I’m gonna try my best to make it out.


I’ve always been a big of Fred Falke and happened to stumble upon this remix by Digitalism. I’m not much of a fan of Digitalism, but love Fred Falke and Alan Braxe. I added an extra track and video to this post by the duo. French house is hot.


Underworld needs no introduction since they have been doing it since the late 80’s. The track “Sola Sistem” is off the 2002 album “A Hundred Days Off”. Every element of this song holds the track together like glue. If you take away just one, the track would fall apart. The lazy snare, the warm atmospheric synth, the stabby bass/synth lines, the droning vocals and simplistic melody all make for a timeless classic.


Efterklang, ok these guys blow me away. They remind me a lot of Mum/Mice Parade, but with a slightly more “Worldly” sound. I’m a sucker for harmony made by electronic and non-electronic instruments. Intense and entertaining live performers as well.


Enjoy!




Alan Braxe and Fred Falke - Rubicon

This vid is not the greatest but, I too took my drivers test in my parents 81 Volvo so I have a soft spot for it.





Efterklang - Step Aside (live)

Junior Boys - Hazel

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Efterklang- Step Aside

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Underworld - Sola Sistem

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Digitalism - Apollo Gize (Fred Falke Remix)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Alan Braxe - In Love with You (Paradise & Romualdo)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Recently I’ve really been into the band Efterklang and was interested to see if they had any music videos. I found “Illuminant” and my jaw nearly hit the floor. The videos posted below are all done in “stop motion” by Toby Stretch. Toby’s site is filled with amazing storyboards and ton’s of other mediums of art. I found myself watching these videos over and over again.


Toby your work is crazy, but in the most beautiful way.

Efterklang: Illuminant
At one 00:54 this video does a 180 and turns into something simply mind blowing.

Woodsong

Radiohead: Weird Fishes/Arpeggi


One of the winners of the Aniboom Animation Contest For Radiohead’s In Rainbows.

Today’s tracks are both old and new.


Alka and L’altra both have a clean IDM sound but, still have nice hints of warmth. Listen closely to the subtle bending guitar in L’altra’s “A Day Between”. The 2 tracks by The Notwist and 13 & God are a few years old (04 & 05). I’m a sucker for any artist/track that is influenced by Drum n’ Bass. The last half of “This Room” breaks off into a super moody / temperamental sound with touches of beauty. Such a fitting song for the rainy weather we’ve had in Sacramento, CA lately. If you didn’t know already 13 & God is comprised of both members from The Notwist and the hip hop group “Themselves” from Anticon Recordings.


Also, watch for the samples from the old school “Smash TV” 8-bit game in “Afterclap”.


Enjoy!




L’altra - A Day Between

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Alka - A Modest Collection of Lint

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Notwist - This Room

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

13 & God - Afterclap

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I’ll admit, this is a lazy post. Below are 4 outstanding tracks that all have a commonly smooth subtle driving sound. It’s like the old saying, “A little goes a long way”.


Enjoy!




Sideshow - Television (feat. Cortney Tidwell)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Black Moth Super Rainbow - Rollerdisco

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Milosh - You Fill Me

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

WBEEZA - Hurricane

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The four tracks I posted today all have subtle elements of a colder IDM sound. “Try Again” from Outputmessage can be downloaded for free along with the full album. My buddy Garret Bjerkhoel introduced me to Monokai. Not only is Monokai’s music amazing, but he is also an outstanding interactive designer and has a nice blog. Obfusc is on one of my favorite up and coming electronic labels, Electronic Eel. Not much to say about Yppah other than he’s a badass!




Obfusc - “Amateur Cartography”

Yppah - “Cannot See Straight (Drum Cover)”

Outputmessage - Try Again

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Monokai - Looming

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Obfusc - Delayed Sunshine Reaction

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Yppah - In Two, the Weakly

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The weather here in Northern California has been amazing lately. I’m trying not to get too excited because it is still winter after all and there’s bound to be rain sometime soon, but I’ll get excited anyhow. I’m anxious to head out to the Bodega Bay Coastline and wander the cliff sides while basking in the sun. The songs I posted today all have a warm/airy sound, perfect for a getaway weekend drive.


Enjoy!

Bodega Bay (Northern California Coastline) Photos


If you’re not familiar with the Northern California Coastline here are some photos I have taken while exploring the trails.

















Manitoba - Crayon

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Aeroc - Blue Eyed Bitter

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

School of Seven Bells - Connjur

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Christopher Willits - Colors Shifting

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Lately I’ve been getting back into the “shoegaze, dream-pop, etc” genre I loved years ago. The pioneering sounds of bands like “Cocteau Twins and Slowdive” I’ve noticed seem to becoming popular again, which is awesome. With that being said I wanted to share some songs from Airiel. Airiel was just on tour with Ulrich Schnauss (huge fan) so I posted some photos from that too. If you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t heard of Ulrich Schnauss I highly recommend checking him out.

U.K. 2008 Tour w/ Ulrich Schnauss Photos

Sugar Crystals (feat. Ulrich Schnauss)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Liquid Paper

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Shirley Temple Tidal Wave

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I just heard the news that Charles Cooper from “Telefon Tel Aviv” was recently found dead. Read the article linked below for more details. If you’ve never had the chance to hear Charles Cooper and Telefon Tel Aviv’s music I’ve posted some of my favorite tracks. Their music will be missed.


https://cbs2chicago.com/local/charles.cooper.musician.2.918857.html


The Birds Kopie

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Fahrenheit Fair Enough

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Komponent Telefon Tel Aviv rmx

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

“Poison Remedy” is the latest mix from Seattle based dn’b dj “Hacynth”. The set is filled with liquid rolling sounds as well as perfect blend of harder edged dancefloor anthems. He also has a ton of archived mixes which I highly recommend.

Enjoy!

Tracklist

The Ride - Shapeshifter
Leffe - Raiden, The Sect
Lomo - Henree, Eveson
Trouble Maker - Jammo
Plastic Soul (D-Bridge Metal Soul Mix) - Shy FX
So Far Away - Drumagick
Fools Paradise - Dan Marshall *
Mas Que Nada (Subz & Matik Remix) - Ara Shades
Superstition - Henree, Eveson
No More Running - Camo, Krooked *
Recovery - Sinistarr
Never Had A Dream (Furney Remix) - Total Science *
Indigo Run - Stress Level & TC1
1 Week Later - Will Miles
One Of Them (Current Valve Remix) - Limewax
Cumberbatch and Wires - Jonny L
Like It Is - Calibre (’06)
Señoritas (Fast Forward Remix) - Kuba-Chrom (’97)

Download “Poison Remedy” Here