Sweet Axe

Click Here to see 20 of the sweetest guitars ever made.

Free Music: Akudama

In an effort to undermine everything the RIAA stands for, Akudama is giving away new free tracks every month this summer. Last time, we were hit hard with Arctic Jog, and the ubiquitous Fatty Acid remix.

This time around, a new tune called "Fireflies", which was tracked last year in a secluded Massachusetts barn. Complete with lush, heady string arrangements, I like to listen to this song with headphones on in New York City at night. It fools me into thinking i'm out in the country.

Track #2 is an oldie of theirs, something that was tracked long before the band was doing their almost-weekly show in Williamsburg. It's called "We have Stars" and it has the lovely (somehow nostalgia inducing) sound of a 90's digital multi-track recorder.

Hurry, there's only a few days left in May, after which these puppies make their way to the iTunes store.

Click HERE to go to the download page. C'mon, it's FREEEEEEEEE.

For more Akudama, visit www.akudamamusic.com

CDs on their way back?

from wired.com

"TuneCore is poised to partner with Amazon’s on-demand CD-printing-and-distribution service, Wired.com has learned. It’s a deal that could put powerful new physical publishing options in the hands of musicians, even as the world goes increasingly digital.

The service is expected to be announced Thursday, linking Amazon with TuneCore, a novel digital distribution startup that’s made waves signing the likes of Trent Reznor, Keith Richards and other stars seeking a way out of the label system, as well as slews of garage bands and hopefuls on their way up."

full story HERE

The death of Gaga

If this spread doesn't put the nail in her coffin, I don't know what will. As wittily remarked by Gaga herself, "“I don’t feel like I look like the other perfect little pop singers. I think I’m changing what people think is sexy.”

hahahaha, this is sexy? riiiiiiiiiight.



wait! on second thought, I kinda do wanna get down with a fart bubble mime....

NOT SAFE FOR WORK! Flying Lotus "Parisian Goldfish"

This is 100% NSFW, 100% LOL, 100% WTF? Video by the Tim and Eric dudes set to flying lotus's "parisian goldfish". I don't know what to say about this one, its just straight up weird.

New Videos: Daedelus and Tortoise

Enjoy!

Daedelus "La Nocturn"

Daedelus LA Nocturn by Eli Stonberg from Alfred Darlington on Vimeo.

Tortoise "Prepare Your Coffin"

Cougar EPK...Album coming this Summer

Every morning on my way to work, I see ads for the new Bravo show called "The Cougar". This premise is obvious to those hip to the urban dictionary. (kinda hot) Older woman has younger men compete for her heart, in painfully scripted competitions.

If only Bravo knew that the above use of the word is sooooooo last year. So what does Cougar bring to mind now that we've put the slur to death? Cougar means HEADY INSTRUMENTAL "EMERGENCY ROCK".

This summer, my new favorite band Cougar will be dropping a heavy, heavy new album. (a follow up to the stellar "law") Ninja Tune (the mighty fine label that represents such juggernauts as Amon Tobin and Bonobo) was lucky enough to grab these dudes and will be unleashing the flood gates also known as "Patriot" in August.

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy, and let me tell you, this shit ROCKS. My favorite is a tune called Rhinelander, which incorporates lush vocal harmonies set to latin scripture (I know, sounds weird, but it just works, ok?)

I could draw comparisons to bands like Tortoise, Jaga Jazzist, Four Tet, or maybe even Battles; but I won't because they are unique in their own right.

Taste the EPK, and count the days till August. More Links below the vid



Links:
The Website
Myspace
Youtube Vids

NPR's "Wild Card" Beat Box World Champion

so, a few days back I found out that chicks make beats, and then last night my girlfriend informs me that not only do they make beats on the ole computer, but they beatbox as well. In fact, NPR just gave the beatbox crown to a 17 year old lady from Canada. Mighty fine to see the ladies making their mark on the more abstract world of hip hop. Check it. The skillz are redonkulous.



although clearly not a woman, the first runner up is also quite skilled...

follow up post: LIGHTWORKS

so my roomate insisted I put the last post in perspective, specifically with regards to pumping J Dilla's LightWorks, or should I say, Raymond Scott's "Lightworks". The source material that Dilla liberally sampled from is a track by Raymond Scott (b. 1908), a cartoon composer and apparent inventor who had occasional stints playing with synthesizers. Here is the original, in all it's glory.

what's on my playlist

so it's been quite a while since a post. between working, writing new music, and assembling IKEA furniture, I haven't had a moment to blab to all you lovely people. In hopes that this initial effort will get me back in the swing of things, here's a list of stuff i'm currently listening to (some old, some new) with links so you can get down too.

LUKID:
This is one of my favorite new finds. I think it was Pandora that blessed me with his presence, while searching for music similar to "Flying Lotus". There I am, minding my own business, and on pops a song called Isis, a mangled, off-kilter, subsonic beat that fu*ked my mind so hard, I had to step out for a smoke when the track finally finished.

It's not hip hop, it's not typical electronica, it's not really break-beat, it's just Lukid. From last.fm, " Lukid is Luke Blair. He is from North London. He is not related to Tony Blair. Lukid makes music on his computer. So far he has released an album called ‘Onandon’, an EP called ‘The Now’, and another album called ‘Foma.’ These platters were released on a record label called ‘Werk Discs."

So, not that much bio info out there. All I know is he's a grad of an English Music Technology collegiate program, moved to London, and subsequently started cranking out absolutely ridiculous electronic music.

Get on this shit now, while he's still "underground", ur whatever.

LINKS:
LUKID ON MYSPACE
LISTEN TO THE TRACK "ISIS"

HRVATSKI:
OK, this music is not for the faint of heart. Hrvatski, otherwise known as Keith Fullerton Whitman, is a mad scientist of drum breaks and noise. Although much of the music he releases under his "christian" name might be called ambient or drone, Hrvatski slaps you across the face with abrasive distortions, warped melodies, and relentless drums.

Think Squarepusher's "Go Plastic" with a sense of humor. It's drum and bass for the ADD nation. And it's soo soo good. Wanna have nightmares tonight? just pop on THIS TRACK, and take some tylenol PM.

LINKS:
Hrvatski on LAST.FM
Keith's informative but incredible out of date website

thanks is due to my roomate Mike, who popped this stuff on one evening when my mind was capable of absorbing it.


J DILLA:
This one is an oldie but a goodie. If you don't know who J Dilla is (aka Jay Dee) I don't know what to say. You should know, you need to know, you damn well ought to know. Often called "your favorite producer's favorite producer", the late, great J Dilla is known for his signature sound and undeniable groove with the MPC. His beats have backed every rapper worth talking about, and his tunes continue to inspire years after his death.

The reason I'm listening so much these days? One word, LIGHTWORKS! By far my favorite track off his album Donuts. It's featured as a beat on the new MF Doom album, but deserves to be heard sans MC.

Support good music, and the Lupas charity his album profits go towards and pick up the record.