Been way too long since I’ve posted. I’m thinking lately that I want to make podcasts instead of compilations (really just adding voice-over to the usual 18-20 song set). While contemplating the logistics for that (all advice is welcome!) I’ve been doing less new music searching, instead re-listening to stuff I found before. One of my recent re-discoveries is The Young Lovers out of Melbourne Australia.
The Young Lovers
A five-piece with one very cute (and usually barefoot) female member, The Young Lovers first caught my attention on the Valentines Day broadcast of Passport Approved. I woulda thought by now that the tune “Talking In French” would have caught on, but I haven’t heard it anywhere (‘cept their MySpace page; click the photo above to go to there, Liz Lemon). A little research and it turns out that the song’s been kicking around since early 2007! Now why is it that Boston radio stations will play the same old 90’s chestnuts over and over, as if they’re current, but won’t pick up a two year old rookie? Presumedly, it’s a hit down under, and, since they’re all in their early twenties, there’s likely plenty of time for them to conquer the states. Here’s the video:
Now I’m the first to admit that often my taste in music isn’t for everyone. I’ve had friends tell me I’m nuts to love Kate Nash or Amy Winehouse, which is likely what drove me to the web in the first place. Nothing is so weird that it doesn’t have some fans in cyberspace. I sense I’ll get similar resistance regarding Gin Wigmore.
Gin Wigmore
A Passport Approved favorite, Gin was mentioned here in January (as part of my Amy/Duffy/Adele continuum) as well as in March (as guest vocalist on Smashproof’s “Brother”). Her own website (click the pretty photo above) draws connections to Macy Gray, Debby Harry and Edith Piaf, which should give you some sense of what you’re in for. The 21 year old singer-songwriter was born in New Zealand and spent some of her childhood in Argentina. The first song of hers I was aware of, “Under My Skin”, is a bouncy, almost retro affair (hence the Amy comparisons). Check the video:
I hadn’t seen that video till finding it for you; she’s fun to watch! Anyway, as much as I already liked her, her ballad “These Roses” really grabbed me and shook me. A raw, plaintive, sad tale of a love that cannot be, I wonder what some of my younger subscribers will think of it (C.A. in Belmont?).
Brooklyn’s Chairlift has a nice new song (you remember “Bruises” from the iPod commercial—“I tried to do handstands for you…”—-posted here last September).
Chairlift
The new song “Evident Utensil” has a trippy, drippy, really cool video that MUST watch in HD. Go to their MySpace page to see it and many others, or just click the photo above to go to YouTube (the video in not embeddable, sorry)
Also hailing from Brooklyn, White Rabbits are back with “Percussion Gun” (you remember “The Plot” from djeddieo volume 8, 1/2007).
White Rabbits
With their signature twitchy, adrenaline-fueled drums (evoking Adam Ant!), this new cut rocks. Check it out at their MySpace page or click the video below.
And how about an excuse to post a picture of Lily Allen?
Lily Allen
I mentioned the War Child Heroes CD back in March but I don’t recall if I pointed out Lily’s version of The Clash’s “Straight To Hell”, complete with participation of Mick Jones. It’s especially nice that in the aftermath of M.I.A.’s global success with the “..Hell” sample in “Paper Planes”, this version omits it. Otherwise, the melody is intact, and while I’m a believer that every Clash song is better by The Clash (whether their originals or their covers), this one is a nice tribute. No video, just this “non-video”:
djeddieo.com 