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Money – Bluebell Fields

money band

Rapidly working their way through a host of un-google-able band names such as “Youth” and “Books” Bella Unions latest signing seem to have finally settled on “Money”, and this is their new video for future album track “Bluebell Fields”. Comparisons are being made to the likes of early Verve records and with the elusive nature of this Manchester outfit so far, the late summer release date for their debut record is already a highly anticipated one. It’s also worth taking a listen to their recent session with Amazing Radio to further appreciate the emotional capacity of their beautiful reverbs and heart-wrenching songwriting. By Nathan Hetherington

MONEY england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown93

reviewed by
05-08-13

Review: Bag Raiders @ Lure w/ Plastic Plates, Gorgon City and Jason Bentley 5/3/13

Bag Raiders

What a way to kick off Lure’s Private Label concert series. The combination of Lure being one of the hottest nightclubs in LA and having some of the hottest DJs perform is pure gold. During a Bondax and Breakbot concert that I reviewed back in late March, I noticed how the DJ stage was on the side of the venue rather than the center, making the feng shui a bit odd. On Friday night May 3rd, Lure had a nice setup with lighting rigs, an open roof and the DJs directing the crowd from a riser in the back, facing all of the audience.

First up was a man who has been everywhere in LA, and basically has a stronghold on what is popular in up and coming music, KCRW’s Jason Bentley. Being a Music Director with impeccable taste is one thing, and having a nice feature in LA Weekly is another, but the man has always been a tremendous DJ. Serving as a great opener on the night, the crowd was responsive to his bumping set.

People started to really pile in as the hands were switched to Aussie born Plastic Plates. Felix Bloxsom has amassed a nice following over the past couple of years and has been featured on a couple of Kitsune’s compilations. Being on this bill seemed to only make the most of sense. Felix’s set was a perfect prelude to Bag Raiders, using similar elements of a house heavy set. A highlight from the set had to be PP’s awesome remix on the super catchy “Cast Away” by Strange Talk.

Plastic Plates left the stage to a rowdy audience, only to usher in another Aussie act. Bag Raiders arrived to a loud applause. The house duo from Sydney, consisting of Chris Stracey and Jack Glass, got things started quickly, and everyone in the buidling was ready. The duo started playing off of their 2010 self-titled release. Momentum shifted when Chris Malinchak’s infectious single “So Good To Me” took over the speakers. Almost like a taste of what’s to come next Friday at Lure, Bag Raiders let the track just play and took it easy to enjoy the beauty of it. The rest of the set was a mix between originals, remixes and some new stuff that was very well received. The climax of the whole set was easily their big single, “Shooting Stars”. The club seemed to be sucked into a trance with the gradual rise of the verse and the monster drop into the chorus. A perfect way to end a Friday night.

Reviewed By Brian Litwin
Photos By Corey Armend

Lure (Facebook)

reviewed by
05-08-13

Premiere: Joe Janiak – Steel Toe Boots

joe janiak

You might not know it yet but you (will) know Joe Janiak. Other than his vocal and co-write feature on Bondax’s mega track “Gold,” Janiak apparently has his own arsenal of pop tracks to complement those serious vocals chops. “Steel Toe Boots” ‘fires at will’ with a patient and well conducted arrangement of sparse guitar and piano work, atmospheric effects, beats… and that voice, seriously check out that voice! Get familiar with Joe Janiak and grab a free download of “Steel Toe Boots” below.

Joe Janiak england (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
05-08-13

Steel Phantoms – Curtain Call

steel phantoms promo

Brooklyn duo Steel Phantoms (ex-Islands) have a new S/T EP in the works (their second) of which the catchy indie rock and roll of “Curtain Call” is the lead single. Reminiscent a bit of a heavier (instrumentally) yet less Rod Stewart-y (vocals) Walkmen, “Curtain Call” brings the pace, energy and joyousness as well as sound songwriting execution to its genre that in 2013, etc that has been all and too well missed/missing.

Steel Phantoms newyork (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
05-07-13

Zack Moss – Nobody Lovin’ Me (But You)

lamu

Seattle-based Zack Moss fixes up a nostalgic bit of looped-vocal house on new track “Nobody Lovin’ Me (But You)”. Finished with a summery bass thump and moody synth textures, Moss’ new track glides easily from your earphones to your heart and to your head, and (most importantly) your feet as all of house music’s stimulatory targets are summarily and very well ticked.

Zack Moss washington (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.0

brown93

reviewed by
05-07-13

Joel Compass – Fucked Up

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Joel Compass shares his thoughts about things “Fucked Up” with this latest track taken from his forthcoming Astronaut EP. The recently Zane Lowe minted ‘Hottest In The World’ track doesn’t fall short. With its eye clearly set on the r&b pop sound of tomorrow, “Fucked Up” is something of a jam.

Joel Compass england (soundcloud)

Rating 8.0

brown93

reviewed by
05-07-13

Idesia – lustfound x onacloud

indesia

Inbox gold. Idesia is a new LA based neo soul, jazz and hip hop fusion project that has delivered some essential listening with their new Other Nights EP. “Lustfound” and “onacloud” are two of our favorite takeaways from the project. New music aficionados take note and stay tuned for more that’s sure to come from Idesia.

Indesia (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
05-07-13

Review: Blackedout – Blackedout [EP]

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What is seemingly in the same realm of xxyyxx, Giraffage and Mister Lies, Blackedout may be the next thing when it comes to atmospheric sounds and beats. Not much is known about the producer, but the cumulative listens on the just released EP are quickly rising. A standout from that four track free Blackedout EP is “Bambi”. Laying down a smooth drum track over a bed of forest inspired chords and sounds, Blackedout takes you back to your childhood memories and the innocence tied with it. By Brian Litwin

Blackedout – Bambi

Blackedout – You Don’t Understand

Blackedout (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
05-07-13

Flight Facilities – I Didn’t Believe ft. Elizabeth Rose

flight facilities

Flight Facilities keep us moving with their new single “I Didn’t Believe,” featuring, fellow Australian and buzzworthy electro pop producer, Elizabeth Rose. The song drops offical today (May 7th) in the US via Future Classic / Glassnote. Groove to the track below and check out the duo on tour this summer if you can.

Flight Facilitiesaustralia (Facebook)

TOUR DATES

11 May – Perth, The Bakery
17 May – North QLD, Base Magnetic Island
18 May – Sunshine Coast, Warehouse Party
21 May – SOLD OUT Melbourne, Corner Hotel
23 May – SOLD OUT Melbourne, Corner Hotel
24 May – Brisbane, Oh Hello
25 May – SOLD OUT Sydney, Oxford Art Factory
26 May – SOLD OUT Sydney, Oxford Art Factory
2 June – Dublin, Forbidden Fruit
8 June – Amsterdam, Amsterdam Open Air
13 June – London, Village Underground
5 July – Bordeaux, I.Boat
12 July – Paris, Parc Floral de Paris
13 July – London, Wireless Festival
26 July – Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay

Rating 8.6

brown8

reviewed by
05-07-13