Australian trio Tokyo Denmark Sweden make electro-dance-pop that will spur an 80’s movie buff to yearn for a new John Hughes film. While Hollywood can’t seem to create the same magic Mr. Hughes did, Tokyo Denmark Sweden have no problem translating the classic synth era into modern nostalgia. Packed with rich bass and beats, bright vocals and synthesizers, ‘When It Breaks’ is about 3 minutes and 40 seconds worth of danceable escapism; magic we all can use. By Desiree Autobee
Summertime in March; sounds wild and crazy, right? Well, you’re just one play button push away from realizing your very own summer in the bleak later winter with Boston duo Carousel’s sunny new joint for “Another Day”.
We recently caught up with 22 year old UK singer-songwriter Tom Odell to capture an intimate and exclusive performance of his breakthrough track, “Another Love”. The session was filmed at Elias Studios in Los Angeles and features a guest interview appearance by KCRW DJ Jason Kramer. Keep an eye out for Tom in 2013 and his debut album Long Way Down, being released later this spring.
The dreamy cinematic (& very good) “Julian” is new from London-based sister dudo Say Lou Lou (a/k/a Saint Lou Lou). Look out for a digital release for “Julian” coming soon with remixes from Dan Lissvik, Monsieur Adi & more!
D.C. collective Misun trade in the retro tinged guitars for arpeggiated synths (of the analog sort) with their latest electro pop gem “Promise Me”, produced by none other than trusty, local boardsmith Nacey. Get familiar below.
Our one Chloe does not miss. Three tracks in, “I Wish I Could Tell You” is the latest and final release from Chloe’s debut “Rumour” EP, and the young English songstress has credited to her name three gems. The pulled-back “I Wish I Could Tell You” exhibits the same freshness and visceral transparency of Ms. Howl’s first two tracks “Rumour” and “No Strings” albeit in a slightly more accessible and certainly more vulnerable package. We’re loving it.
In The Valley Below, whom we featured on a B3SCI Presents gig in L.A. back in July, announce their debut EP “Hymnal”. The somber, Los Angeles at nightfall with the Santa Ana winds rolling in, title track is our pick from the set. You can stream the rest of the (also great EP) on the band’s Soundcloud here.
Portland band Radiation City drop off a playfully soulful new cover of the Astrud Gilberto bossa nova-pop version of “Fly Me To The Moon”. Adding washes of both reverbed organ and beautiful female-voiced harmonies, Radiation City’s version is not only transportive (close your eyes and it’s early Sunday morning in Belém) but it’s also fresh and unique and well justified in its continued existence as a “Fly Me To The Moon Cover”.
IYES, a duo out of Brighton UK, impress again with newest track “Glow”. The electronic-informed pop song is 100% fire from track start to stop, including a chorus hook so strong, you (or I, the world at large) may be altogether powerless to resist it.
Resident B3 scientist Erin Feathers recently connected with rising indie R&B producer, and all around creative-type (best watch out for those), JMSN for a brief one-on-one about the musician’s story, music, and what the future holds. Take a look at their conversation below.
B3SCI: A little background on yourself for our readers, after several attempts to be happy making music on major labels, you fashioned your own label for the release of your 2012 album †Priscilla†. Can you tell us more about your label White Room Records and how it has affected you most as an artist?
JMSN: I think that its affected me in the fact that I finally have artistic freedom. No politics. No bullshit. Just Music. Thats what it’s all about. White Room is my canvas.
B3SCI: †Priscilla† attracted a good deal of attention this past year and helped spur on a few big-name collaborations. You sang accompanying vocals for Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid M.A.A.D City, which was one of the best albums of 2012. Has working with other artists tempered any of your darker perspectives and musical intuitions?
JMSN: Not at all. I think that life decides where I go with my music. Sure these experiences are a part of my life, but more emotional situations decide the shape my music takes from here.
B3SCI: We’re fans of your videos from †Priscilla†. Is there a particular director or film maker who inspires you most? How important are visual cues to you and your music?
JMSN: I wouldn’t say I look at particular film makers as much as I look at particular films. I love when film makers can make things move like a song. Flowing with the energy of the shots is important. It takes different approaching to think of video in a different way then just watching it.
B3SCI: Unit 6 is your latest collaboration with Ab-Soul. The lead single “You’re Gone” is a catchy club stinger with racy lyrics and a playful swagger. Did cough syrup have anything to do with it? Kind of joking, but seriously.. was there something behind the vibe on this track?
JMSN: I don’t know, honestly. This was originally gonna be a JMSN song, but the verses we’re too hip hop. So I actually had the chorus on there before Ab got on it. I was kind of making a post †Priscilla† song about closer. Ab came in and flipped it to how he saw fit him.
B3SCI: If you were ever given the choice do a project with Usher, would you be on your best soft-and-sensual-R&B-behavior, or would you try to talk him into going all out with a dark and more experimental style?
JMSN: If we’re talking about me as a producer, I cater to the artist. I would see where his minds at. Where he wants to take things. I would help him do that to the best of my ability. I mean don’t get me wrong, you’re gonna hear JMSN influences in my production no matter what, but I will never tell an artist what to write about or what kind of song to make. That’s just not something I would want to hear Usher release if it’s not him you know.
B3SCI: What was your first impression of Los Angeles after growing up in Detroit?
JMSN: Hahaha. Great question. I hated it at first. The whole “Hollywood” bullshit. I’ve found good people out here now though. When you can separate yourself from that, you’re good. I also love the weather.
B3SCI: Name a proud moment in your life that is also embarrassing as hell.
JMSN: I have no idea how to answer that question. Ha.
B3SCI: What appeals to you most about producing your own music?
JMSN: You know exactly what you want and you make it happen. As well as learning on the way.
B3SCI: You recently collaborated with Tyga on his new LP Hotel California. Can you tell us something first-hand about the experience?
JMSN: Tyga is an awesome dude. It’s all about the music with him, so we got on good. It was great to collaborate with him. I’m very proud of the song too. Came out great.
B3SCI: Can you elaborate on your plans for a solo project?
JMSN: I’m working on it as we speak. Pretty far into it. The Blue album. Just making sure the story is right for this one. I wanna make sense of all the ideas and experiences I’ve had in this amount of time, to make a good body of work. I can’t wait for people to hear the evolution of JMSN.
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