In the Mix Archives - Page 34 of 55

RAVE’S FAVES: The Vaccines – Wetsuit

Contributed by Bruce Rave

The B3Sci gang and I had a great time hanging with The Vaccines after they wrapped one of their many SXSW sets. I’ll be running a 30-minute interview special around 2:00 Pacific time on my Friday Go Deep show at Moheak Radio. Drummer Pete was telling us about how “Wetsuit” is his favorite Vaccines song as it relates what the band was going through when they first formed. It’s a change of pace compared to most fast-moving Vaccines tracks, but it’s another fine pop melody in full force.

The Vaccines – Wetsuit

Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST

The Vaccines: (Info) (Pre-order What Did You Expect…)

Rating: 8.7

reviewed by b3

03-31-11

THROWBACK SATURDAYS: Bobby Womack – You’re Welcome, Stop on By

In the Mix Throwback Saturdays

Nobody past, present or (likely) future can shit talk on a record like Bobby Womack.

Bobby Womack – You’re Welcome, Stop on By

Bobby Womack: (Official) (Amazon)

reviewed by b3

03-26-11

RAVE’S FAVES: Prima Donna – I Don’t Want You to Love Me

In the Mix Rave's Faves

Contributed by Bruce Rave

Had an ace time hanging with the entire B3Sci team last week in Austin. We interviewed Chapel Club, The Vaccines, and Bombay Bicycle Club. The three will run weekly on my Moheak Radio Show with songs included, beginning with Chapel Club tomorrow (Friday). For this week’s fave, we have the LA band Prima Donna. Their “I Don’t Want You to Love Me” is on fire. It takes me back the the glam-punk best of bands like The New York Dolls. Here you go:

Prima Donna – I Don’t Want You to Love Me

Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST

Prima Donna: (Myspace) (Official) (Facebook)

Rating: 8.3

reviewed by b3

03-24-11

SXSW Thursday Afternoon Wrap 03/17/11: Raphael Saadiq, The Vaccines, Foster the People, Cults

blahblahblahscience In the Mix Live Show Reviews

We arrived during Cults set, and caught a band often too overlooked on last year’s ‘best of’ lists. But not by everybody, “Go Outside” was recently re-released through Columbia. Judging by their set, and if we were gamblers (and a gentleman never tells), we’d bet pretty handsomely that you’ll be seeing a lot more action from Cults in 2011.

Cults – Go Outside

The Vaccines set was full of energy, fast-paced, and over before you knew what had happened. It says a lot when a band with a set full of short-running songs can so captivate their public (their first single runs only 1:24 long). With catchy hooks and melodies on songs like “Blow Up” and “If You Wanna”, they impressed a courtyard of eager listeners. “Wreckin’ Bar” killed. “Post Break Up Sex” had us popping around. The set was kinetic and fun. Pay attention, kids, cause The Vaccines are definitely a band to watch out for in 2011. And stay tuned for an exclusive b3sci interview with the band backstage after their set. And yes, the interview is about 50% talk about penises. C’mon what did you expect?

The Vaccines – Norgaard

Foster The People again played to make some noise. That’s sick set #2 we’d caught from them. 2-0, boys. Read about sick set #1 here.

If you know b3sci then you know that we are BIG fans of Raphael Saadiq, so suffice to say we were pretty excited to see his set next. We’d missed him at Stubb’s the night prior but left the performance at Cedar Street impressed nonetheless. Strongly rooted in jazz, blues, and R&B, Saadiq gave a performance that was funky and full of soul, mixing influences from greats like Chuck Berry and James Brown. Saadiq’s band was great. Consisting of a drummer, a bassist, two guitarists, a keyboardist, and two excellent backup singers, the Saadiq band provided a proper foundation for his sound. The pocket was tight, the harmonies were on point, and the vibe was right. Material wise, we heard a collection of new tracks from Saadiq’s forthcoming studio album, Stone Rollin’. What we heard was really really good. More of that 70’s soul inspired sound we’ve heard in singles “Good Man” and “Radio” with big beats and huge hooks.

Raphael Saadiq – Good Man

Catch all of b3sci’s SXSW 2011 coverage HERE

Photography contributed by Genevieve Sheehan

reviewed by b3

03-18-11

RAVE’S FAVES: Lykke Li – Youth Knows No Pain

In the Mix Rave's Faves Track Reviews

Contributed by Bruce Rave

When the tribal rhythms of Lykke Li’s “Get Some” hit the internet last fall, it became a fave track for me but I wondered what kind of depth we’d get on her second album. Good news! While there’s nothing else that has the same feel, Lykke has shown she can deliver from different directions. “Youth Has No Pain” is the opener. It has a garage feel complete with a 60’s organ sound. Check it out here:

Lykke Li – Youth Knows No Pain

(Official) / (Purchase)

Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST

Rating: 8.3

reviewed by b3

03-17-11

SXSW Wednesday Night Wrap 03/16/11: James Blake, Mona, Belle Brigade, Chapel Club, Ellie Goulding

blahblahblahscience In the Mix Live Show Reviews

James Blake @ Stubb’s:

There was definitely an air of anticipation (and weed) for James Blake’s first SXSW performance. After an approx. 30 minute delay due to technical problems the superstar of the Indieverse took the stage. First things, we noticed were 1) James Blake is really fucking tall. Like dude towers over everyone else on stage. 2) His band is very young. The other lads in the band were maybe 22-23. Blake started the set with “What Was It You Said About Luck”, immediately we’re struck by how strong the vocals come off live. The R&B influences are particularly palpable as Blake smooths in and out of each syrupy melodic line. The bass was really loud; windpipe shaking, back of your mouth rattling loud. The interplay between the physical intensity of the bass, the sweetness of the vocal, and the detached withdrawn quality of much of James Blake’s songs was quite powerful. “Limit to Your Love” was a highlight that included an excellent 4-5 minute dub reggae-styled section.

James Blake – Wilhelm Scream

Mona @ Antone’s:

Dressed in plain t-shirts and styled in pompadour-esque haircuts, Nashville’s Mona ripped into set opener “Trouble on the Way”. Despite some tepid early interactions with Antone’s house soundguy, the band blazed through an approx. 30 minute set with an absolute confidence and strong focus. Second song “Teenager” soared, “Listen to Your Love” filled the room. The venue was maybe 3/4’s full but those there were really feeling it and the band seemed to (almost unbelievably) level up with each song. Mona were great, a band truly in top form. Later in the set, they played some newer more Nashville, sort of Gospel-influenced material. What we heard sounded solid, with frontman Nick Brown sounding almost Joshua Tree-era Bono-esque (in a good way) at times. Mona are stars and primed to blow the fuck up on both sides of the Atlantic, and with sets like Wednesday Night’s at Antone’s (a favorite of SXSW thusfar) they’ve got the live performance chops to back up the hype.

Mona – Teenager

Belle Brigade @ The Phoenix:

We made it over to the KCRW showcase at The Phoenix just in time to catch the later half of Belle Brigade’s set. What we experienced was a well crafted, energetic set of tunes that showcased the band’s excellent harmonizing and onstage performance skills. Set closer “Losers” really cut the room well with the LA brother-sister duo’s backing band doing great work to really lift the song’s best moments.

Belle Brigade – Losers

Chapel Club @ The Phoenix:

Anticipation was high at the capacity filled Phoenix for Chapel Club’s up-to-this-date rare U.S. performance. The band opened with “Surfacing” and, at times, seemed tenuous, as if the weightiness of the moment caught the band a bit off guard. “Roads”, from the “Wintering” EP, was next and showed off the band’s newer more atmospheric sound. The chemistry onstage between guitarists Michael Hibbert and Alex Parry is really phenomenal. Their performances were definitely the highlight of the set. Singles “O Maybe I” and “All the Eastern Girls” engaged the crowd. Singer Lewis Bowman commented several times during the set to the effect that, the band were “suprised to be there”. We weren’t. Despite a few dodgier edges, Chapel Club certainly played as if they belonged on a stage like the Phoenix… or larger.

Chapel Club – After the Flood

Ellie Goulding @ Bat Bar:

The Bat Bar was packed for Ellie Goulding’s midnight set. A significant overflow crowd filled the street outside the small venue. Ellie and her fans seemed totally captivated with each other. That interaction was great. The kid’s knew and sang back the lyric to every song. What wasn’t good: The venue. Ellie and her band were jammed into a corner of a long brick corridor. The basic space and acoustics of the room made for some poor sound. We had difficulty hearing the band, hearing Ellie. From what we could hear, the band sounded small, too small for her sound. Set closer “Starry Eyed” ended the night on a positive note as the oblong room went brick discotheque, arms flailing wildly, bodies in motion, post-adolescent girl to aging hipster dude.

Tinie Tempah – Wonderman (feat. Ellie Goulding)

Contributed by Alex Sheehan
Photography contributed by Genevieve Sheehan

reviewed by b3

03-17-11

SXSW Wednesday Afternoon Wrap 03/16/11: Foster the People, Local Natives DJ Set, Mount Kimbie

blahblahblahscience In the Mix Live Show Reviews

The All Saints Spitalfields / I AM SOUND 2011 Day Party at Shangri-La on Wednesday was excellent, a definite contender for best day party/showcase at SXSW thus far.

Following a set from Friendly Fires, which I sadly missed, LA’s latest talk of the town Foster The People took to the stage.. or backyard tent. Fresh off the heels off of what’s likely to be LA’s best residency showing yet in 2011, this young multi-instrumentalist and multi-tasking collective proved not an ounce short of all the hype they’ve been showered with at this their first SXSW appearance. With only their Foster the People EP available to fans right now, and their single “Pumped Up Kicks” spreading like a wild fire in the blogosphere, the band proved to also be a live force to be reckoned with. Foster the People’s performance reminded me of early MGMT shows and records; the grooves, the dance party vibes. The band’s songs seemed to translate better in a live setting vs. on record, with Mark Foster’s lead vocals especially on point. How could we not love “Pumped Up Kicks” next level chorus hooks… it’s sound immediately familar (like all good pop songs) but yet unique to the band (like all great pop songs). Set highlight “Houdini”, sounded great and has equal hit potential. The best news is that every track the band played, be it even new or forthcoming material, held up without dull moment. Foster the People’s live show is definitely one to check on. It’s happy, it’s uptempo, it’s energy, it’s happening. Into it.

Foster the People – Houdini

Between the Foster set and the prep from Mount Kimbie, Local Natives set up shop inside the club for a special DJ set. They spun Mark Ronson. We sipped the free Sailor Jerry Rum. The party was flying high.

Local Natives – Who Knows Who Cares (bretonLABS Remix)

b3sci favorites Mount Kimbie took the backyard tent next with equipment poised on a… picnic bench! Kimbie were solid as expected. We caught their LA debut back in October which at the time came in tow with some sick visuals to back up the duo’s innovative brand of multi-instrumental experimental electro. As a sign of any great artist, strip that all down and the guys still kill it. Relying on great instincts with samples and overall live musical manipulation, the act’s brief but great set was a fitting auditory illustration of Kimbie’s sound. A sound palpable enough to more casual electro fans but challenging enough to keep interested the most serious fans of the genre.

Mount Kimbie – Carbonated

reviewed by b3

03-17-11

SXSW Tuesday Night Wrap 03/15/11: RJD2, PS I Love You, Gold Panda, Surfer Blood

blahblahblahscience In the Mix Live Show Reviews

Following a day of packed interactive, legal panel discussions like “Data Customization and Privacy – Can they Coexist?” and “The Convergence of Traditional and Internet TV” it was time to jam:

First was an off-the-beaten-path-party hosted by fellow Virgin Mobile 25 brothers the BroBible at The Belmont. Got to hand it to them, dudes can throw a party… chilled shots from giant ice sculptures, models, celebrities… and great tunes. Chiddy Bang and Hoodie Allen fronted the bill but we were most psyched for the set from Columbus native producer RJD2. Ramble John Krohn owned the tables and worked the packed invite-only party as if it were his own. His smooth blend of eclectic beats made for a great atmosphere and set the mood for the night to come.

RJD2 – Ghostwriter

On the other-side of town and musical spectrum I hit up the Pitchfork Media Showcase at Emo’s. It was funny, the official “music” part of the festival had not even begun and there was already a line for badge holders. I figured, if there was any time to wait in lines at SXSW this year… why not make it on Tuesday night?

I may have missed the 3D presentation of a Deerhunter live performance, but the wait in line was worth it for Canadian noise-rock duo PS I Love You. The oddly imaged pairing of a more hip Jorge Garcia look alike and a drummer somewhere between a dark haired Larry Mullen Jr. and this guy worked better than most would think. Unlike what Surfer Blood would produce later in the evening on the same stage, these guys were rough in all of the right ways. Dynamic levels of overdrive on fantastically ragged guitar sounds combined with pounding rhythms and Paul Saulnier’s impulsive vocals to create pleasantly low-end rock and roll noise.

PS I Love You – 2012

So you’re at SXSW, you’ve made it through the line and you’re about to enter the venue and start jamming. Nah, dude, not at Emo’s. Nah, man, there’s a SECOND line for the INDOOR stage. Bogus. While waiting in the second line, I chatted up some Aussies who advised on some cool new electro acts including Skrillex and Emalkay. Sick. Sporting a dark hoodie and what looked like one of those vintage High School sports shirts that Abercrombie has been taking the piss on for the last 10 years, UK producer Derwin Panda hit the Emo’s stage; and so the digital dance party began. Lush synth queues, almost shoegaze, “chillwave?”-influenced vibes, hip-hop beats. Smooth transitions were plenty with sounds bridging gaps between dubstep and chillwave. Gold Panda showed off an excellent currency in today’s electro, working flawlessly with simple yet manic builds and tasteful well-placed samples.

Gold Panda – Marriage (Star Slinger Remix)

Surfer Blood – Harmonix

Back at the outdoor stage Surfer Blood had some sound issues… even losing audio for about 15 seconds at one point. Like pros though, they played through with their blend of feel good riff-based neo-surfer alternative. The band played very well together and the new material sounded promising. Minus weak live vocals these guys definitely delivered on the P-fork sound rather nicely. Familliar but still annoying enough to not be pleasant. They finished the set with “I’m Not ready” from their forthcoming release. CDQ.. we’re on the look out.

reviewed by b3

03-16-11

SXSW 2011: b3sci Guide/Battleplan

blahblahblahscience In the Mix Live Show Reviews

The forces of b3sci descend on Austin, TX today for the SXSW festival. We are super super psyched. (There aren’t enough supers we can qualify that with. We’re stoked.) What shows are on our radars? Where might you be able to link up with the b3sci crew? All very important questions! We’ve put together a guide (our battleplan) to the must see b3sci-approved Night showcases and Day parties. Now all we need is that teleportation device!

Shows are color-coded together. Some day party times are approximate.

Download: b3sci Guide to SXSW 2011

reviewed by b3

03-16-11

RAVE’S FAVES: Elbow – High Ideals

In the Mix Rave's Faves Track Reviews

Contributed by Bruce Rave

I should ask the B3Sci dudes if I can post the entire Elbow album Build A Rocket Boys. It’s that fucking great. Their sound is lower-key than on the last two, but it’s beautifully done and really majestic. I feel like Elbow are picking up where Radiohead left off after OK Computer. I’m predicting right now that they’ll be nominated next year for another shot at winning the Mercury Prize. Check out “High Ideals”.

Elbow – High Ideals

Purchase / Official

Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST

Rating: 8.3

reviewed by b3

03-10-11

5 Live Acts You Should See in 2011!

blahblahblahscience Hit Me!In the Mix

We recently caught up with aloud.com Editor Callie Morris to get her recommendations on the top live acts for your radars in 2011. Check it out:

Janelle Monae

With her penchant for dapper tuxedos, perfectly coiffed hair and massively energetic performances, Janelle Monae is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Her debut album The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III) was released in May last year, gaining her a Grammy nomination and a massive following of fans. With music style similar to Outkast, Funkadelic and James Brown this is definitely one act I will be checking out in 2011.

She is currently touring the UK but keep checking her Myspace page for more news and info, you can get tickets here .

Warpaint

With the release of their debut album The Fool in October 2010 LA based band Warpaint have been steadily rising to the top of their alternative/dreamy rock genre. They also frequently appear on 2011 ‘ones to watch’ lists including the BBC Sound of 2011 poll, so if you haven’t already checked them out it’s definitely time to do that..!

They will be touring the US extensively from 5th March, following this with a UK tour in May. Keep an eye on their Myspace site for more details and get tickets here.

Pete Doherty

Anyone who was at the British festivals Reading or Leeds in 2010 (or just follows music news) will know that one of the most talked about acts were The Libertines and their epic reunion performances… With that it seems frontman Pete Doherty has been catapulted back into the music scene with his solo tour in May this year. As well as his solo stuff the crowd can probably expect to hear tracks from The Libertines and Babyshambles too. Pretty flippin exciting.

Get Tickets

Hercules And Love Affair

Hercules And Love Affair is a musical project started by DJ Andy Butler in New York, playing with disco, dance-punk and nu-disco Andy has said that he likes to feature different guest vocalists and band members to keep audiences on their toes – including vocals from Antony Hegarty (from Antony & The Johnsons) and Nomi Ruiz on various tracks. Live they bring charisma, energy and a lot of fun… Definitely on my to-see list for 2011!

They’re off on a European tour in March, which will be well worth your time. Get tickets.

James Blake

James Blake has a pretty amazing voice. When this voice is mixed with the experimental dubstep beats that have now become his trademark, he creates awesome tracks and gets a lot of attention from both the media and his ever-expanding fan base. Originally from London, England he began by recording tracks in his bedroom, fast-forward a couple of years and he is busy promoting his debut album James Blake which was released in February this year and preparing for his European tour beginning on 10th March.

Get Tickets

reviewed by b3

03-10-11