Here’s your after work jam status for a Tuesday. On “Wolves”, by Devon UK singer-songwriter Ben Howard, clattering acoustic strums support a percussive but beautiful series of melodies. Get a sample below.
Ben Howard – The WolvesBen Howard: (Ben Howard) (Facebook)
Rating: 8.2
Football @ Beerland
Football are officially our favorite suprise of SXSW 2011. On our way to the Virgin Mobile Live House we saw some dude that resembled a short haired Dave Grohl rocking the fuck out on the roof of Beerland. The band played below, and their sound was as raw as anything we saw at SXSW. But the sound seemed strangely familiar…. Tons of people started to gather from the streets. We got close as well. One blood stained white telecaster, Two hand drawn white t-shirts with a sharpie…Could it be? Is it? YES! Holy shit this was our dude from AV/Murder! These guys are perhaps responsible for one of the sickest sets I have ever seen. I knew I should have bought one of those damn shirts! Dudes if you’re reading this, hook us up with some custom b3sci threads! Football are fucking sick, if you like music that makes your head want to explode from just sheer brutal awesomeness, then take notice.
AV/Murder – Glossy MagsTrouble Andrew @ Virgin Mobile Live House:
Trouble Andrew at moments seems like a sound that would have emerged from LA’s Sunset Strip if it were still relevant to music nowadays. Jeez. How many bands have we heard in LA trying do what these guys do so well? Trevor Andrew’s unique blend of raw alternative underground rock is fucking awesome. It has a hip hop sensibility, it has punk sensibility, it has commercial radio sensibility. Songs pending, these Brooklyn natives could end up everywhere. There live show is definitely an experience worth having, and after opening for the likes of Fishbone, Yelawolf, Wu Tang, and Erykah Badu during SXSW this year, they are definitely off to a right start.
Trouble Andrew – Bang Bang
Quadron @ Malverde
Everybody’s fav Danish soul duo, Quadron, played a breezy enjoyable set to Malverde’s 4th floor open-air stage. This was our first catching the duo live and suffice to say our girl Coco and our man Robin did not disappoint. Coco’s sweet sultry tones, Robin’s smooth instrumentals, Quadron’s super cool R&B-influenced pop. The prime factors were all on point during the performance. We loved Coco’s engaging yet semi-shy interactions with the crowd. “I love Texas.” “We’ve got some CDs for sale after the show. I’d love for you to buy one. Maybe I can give you a hug. I love selling.” Too cute. The set primarily consisted of songs from the band’s debut, “Buster Keaton”, “Average Fruit”, and set closer “Slippin'” were among the highlights. Malverde’s open-air 4th floor stage seemed to fit the band. It was that sort of deepest twilight, fading to night time in the day. The city glowed, buzzed behind them. The setting framed Quadron’s music perfectly. We hurriedly left Malverde in dead sprint cross town for TOKiMONSTA @ Mohawk. But we left totally pleased but what we had heard. We love Quadron!
Quadron – Slippin’
TOKiMONSTA @ Mohawk
Post-crosstown hustle we slipped into the door at Mohawk just in time to catch most of TOKiMONSTA’s set. We heard hip hop classics laced up with varying heavinesses of electrobeats. Method Man’s “How High” over a pulsing synth driven rhythm. “Forgot About Dre” blended with multi-tracked hi-hats. TOKi was flawless. She seemed to be having a great time. With every sort of sound manipulation, she would smile. Kind of like, “Yeah, This Rules!” It was great. We got down. Everyone else in the place got down. It was sick. And………..Silence. One of TOKi’s sound inputs fried and the set was finished. Bogus. Still, what we saw ruled. And we’ll take what we did see as a sick preview of what a full TOKi show might be like.
TOKiMONSTA – Almost Free
Obits @ Red 7
Obits are pioneering veterans. They blow many of today’s kids clear out of the water. Playing some of the best vintage gear we’ve seen, the band ripped through some serious time rock portal straight from Red 7 to CBGB’S (see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnYy2x00zHU). Get Obits a time machine and put them on a bill opening for Television. What happens?
Obits – Two Headed Coin
Little Comets @ Latitude 30
Little Comets are a new talented group emerging from the UK. They fall into a space that seems to bridge today’s indie and brit-pop pockets. Sure, it seems like a likely space but who else has made a real significant impact there? Other than the “labeling” obstacle these kids have, there is some song craftsmanship in their favor. Unlike some young bands, their abundance of intricate arrangements and melodies work and contribute to an overall sound that’s definitely got us hooked and psyched to hear what’s more.
Little Comets – Isles
Charles Bradley & the Menahan Street Band @ Cedar Street Courtyard
“Heartaches and Pain”, not just Charles Bradley’s opening song but really his life. A man of obviously tremendous talent, the sexagenerian never got the breaks or the right situation to fully realize his potential as a musician. Backed by the great Menahan Street Band, Charles Bradley entered the stage at Cedar Street Courtyard to sing out the first few notes of that song. And WOW! Unbelievable! His voice! It’s really really something! We knew we were to be witness to something really special. And it seemed Charles felt the same way, this was a great moment in his life. A true realization of a lifelong dream (as cliche’ as it sounds, in his case it’s absolutely true). Mr. Bradley had tears in his eyes during that first song and well into the set. It was just an extraordinary moment. One of the coolest concert moments, I’ve certainly ever witnessed. Anyway, back to his voice. Holy shit! Bradley’s vocal ability is off the meter. Like his records are great and he sounds terrific on them. But to hear him live, like that, it’s truly something; akin to hearing the performance of one of the great soul legends. Really. He’s that good. To hear/see him emote on tracks like “Lovin’ You, Baby” and “Why Is It So Hard”, it really gives you goosebumps. It’s the expression of profound emotional pain and depth at its most visceral and immediate level, it doesn’t get much more real than that. “The World Is Going Up In Flames”, when you hear it you believe him, like you wanna grab a bucket or a firehose or something to help put it out. You’re that moved. Charles Bradley’s set at Cedar Street was no doubt one of our favs at SXSW, if not our absolute favorite. At one point during the set, Bradley looked down at his leg to see that he had been pretty severely bleeding from his knee; the blood collected in a not so small pool of blood at his feet. “Are you alright?”, you could hear his sax player motion over to him. “Oh shit.”, said Bradley. And with that he continued.
Charles Bradley – The World Is Going Up in Flames
Wye Oak @ The Parish
In our opinion Wye Oak are one of the best bands going. If you like dynamic music and beautiful melodies how can you not love this Baltimore duo? Well their label, Merge Records, certainly loves them. Catching the later half of their official Merge showcase at the Parish, Wye Oak returned some serious love to their friends at the label. It was a lovefest. Wye Oak loves their label. No shit. Debuting material from the forthcoming release Civilian, the duo seemed reallllllly into it; positively beaming, energetic; suggesting, not only that they couldn’t wait to perform the material, that they couldn’t wait to just hear it! That’s when you know a band is proud of their music!
Wye Oak – Take It In
Bombay Bicycle Club @ Latitude 30
We could tell from our Q&A with them before their set, that BBC are introverted artistic types. We, of course, mean that in the greatest way possible. These kids were able to evolve from local band to music career in their adolescence. They are supremely talented, music is their life and that shines through. We expect many great records to come from these guys. The band Followed up their early electric guitar heavy material with a largely acoustic record, last year’s Flaws. We were intrigued at what some of their new, post-Flaws, material might sound like. The answer we got was material that was somewhere in between, definitely a sound less raw than Flaws but a bit more produced and refined, like their debut. A few gems, which we’ll certainly now be anticipating on the band’s forthcoming third album, definitely stood out. Guitar and synth-layers flowed through the impressive set of about a dozen songs, and as always the bass tone was hot, especially unique and great. BBC are completely independent and seemingly less concerned with what’s happening with their peers. The band have set course to a sound that is developing more and more into something that’s wholly their own.
Bombay Bicycle Club – Magnet
Catch all of b3sci’s SXSW 2011 coverage HERE
Photography by Genevieve Sheehan
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
Yes! Grooves in rock and roll! We need more of this! Grooves and guitars! Rock and roll is the devil’s music, kids. The devil’s been keepin’ tabs on you, indiesphere, and the shit he’s heard lately, he’s just not that into it! Dudes would sell their soul for just a little bit of that rhythm, that groove. Alison Mosshart-1, Jamie Hince-2, add in the devil, and the devil makes 3.
The Kills – DNARating: 8.28
This one goes out to all our b3sci fam that spent V-Day by themseleves, alone, solo, devoid of the company of others. b3sci <3's you. Paul Simon – 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Blunt Instrument Remix)
Rating: 8.2
The Streets computers and blues video Mike Skinner shows off his true genius with the debut of a “chooseyour own adventure” style YouTube video. Based off The Streets final album Computers and Blues (due out February 7), the video includes superb music with a story that shows how idle hands are the Devil’s playground, karma really can be a bitch, and making breakfast for your neighbors may result in a kickass acoustic guitar/vocal duet; this is one of the most impressive things I’ve seen in a long time.
Contributed by Alex
Get more from the The Streets on b3sci HERE
Rating: 8.8
Photo by Carrie Day
Ask and ye shall receive. In prepping a November b3sci feature on the killer tune “The Sparrow and the Wolf”, we were really knocked out by Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow; really knocked out by some of his ideas about music and about songwriting. His debut album Early In The Morning will be released in the States January 25. And a fantastic debut it is. We recently had the chance to catch up with James and ask him a few questions about his album, musical influences, the internet, Dublin’s music scene and more…
b3sci: While growing up, when did you know that music would become a major part of your life?
JAMES: I think I always knew music would be a huge part of my life, which is strange considering when I was younger I didn’t really play any instruments, and I certainly didn’t sing or write music. I just always felt drawn to it, the feeling of holding a record that you loved in your hands was always a magical thing to me, I wanted to be part of that.
b3sci: With Ireland’s legendary tradition of folk music, are there any classic artists in particular that you‘ve looked up to or grew up with?
JAMES: Not neccessarily grew up with, when i was a kid I didn’t really have the appreciation for folk music that i do now. But for me, and for most people, when you talk about Irish folk music, you can’t look past Van Morrison. Astral Weeks and Veedon Fleece are two records I listen to almost constantly. My dad was a huge Luke Kelly and Planxty fan as well, when we were growing up he’d play their songs at parties in our house, it had a much bigger impact on me than I realized at the time.
b3sci: So then given the history of folk music, did you feel there were specific obstacles to overcome as an artist before you were embraced by your peers?
JAMES: Not really, I think like most countries there’s a route you have to travel in order to gain some sort of respect from your peers, play certain venues, play a certain amount of shows, things like that. But when it comes down to it you either make music that’s worthy of other musicians respect, or you don’t.
b3sci: Are there any particular places that you find inspiration, or types of music you love, which you think might come as a surprise to some?
JAMES: I think the main influences I have that surprise people are Hip Hop and Hardcore Rock. I mean drums were my first instrument, I learned to play drums along to bands like Refused, At The Drive-In, and Glassjaw. And then listening to Hip Hop and seeing people like the Neptunes and Timbaland making such incredibly unique music made me want to learn how to record and produce music myself.
b3sci: Can you tell fans a bit about your songwriting process? Has the ability to play all the instruments on your new record affected this process?
JAMES: Songwriting definitely involves all the instruments for me, I tend to switch between them as I write. I’ll hear drum lines or banjo parts, and follow them wherever they’re going. I record a lot of demos as i write as well, so I can hear things back, figure out what’s working and what isn’t. I think it gives everything a pretty singular feel, it’s not just a singer with a guitar plus a backing band putting down tracks, everything is very deliberate and every part serves a purpose.
b3sci: If you could collaborate with anyone past present or future, who would it be with and why? Keep in mind they wouldn’t need to be a musician… any sort of artistic collaboration counts.
JAMES: I think based purely on hero worship it would have to be Roy Orbison. As far as i’m concerned there never was a better singer, songwriter, or interpreter of melody. I sometimes sing ‘In Dreams’ in my set, I dont even come close to doing it the justice it deserves, but it’s the most compelling pop song I’ve ever heard, just the way he builds it and builds it, then finishes with that soaring note, it’s perfect.
b3sci: Are there any tracks from your album that you feel especially connected to or proud of as an artist? If so, which and why?
JAMES: I think I feel equally proud and connected to every song on the album. If there was one track I’d single out it would be “If I Had A Boat”, it’s the first thing I wrote for the album, I
remember finishing the first demo of it and the feeling I got listening back to it, I knew it was the song that would open the record. I didn’t even have the acapella intro written yet, I could hear it in my head already though.
b3sci: Is there a message… theme, specific sound, or concept on the album you are looking translate to the musical world?
JAMES: There was no specific theme I was consciously exploring while I was writing and recording, but looking back and hearing it finished there’s a lot in there about transition and change. Moving out to the house to record by myself was a decision I took because I’d realized I needed to change something fundamentally if I was every going to get it done, and that definitely found it’s way into the foundations of the album. Also I can hear the time passing when I listen back to it, starting it in January when it was freezing cold, moving into the spring and finishing it in the summer. Plus the proximity to the sea also played a huge part, I can hear the sea in every song.
b3sci: Do you feel the internet has played a role in the development of you as an artist? How would ideally like to see both your career and your fans affected by it moving forward?
JAMES: The internet has been vital to my record, when I put it out I hadn’t really played live, I certainly hadn’t played any of these songs live, so no one had really heard of me. Giving my record to blogs, them talking about it, using things like myspace, facebook, and soundcloud, they gave the album life really early on, and it’s sustained it all the way through to now. I’d like that to continue and grow, I like people to feel like they’re connected to what I’m doing, what I’m trying to do.
b3sci: What are some of your favorite sources for news and music discovery?
JAMES: I read a lot of music blogs, although not as many as i used to. Stereogum, Yourstru.ly, Pitchfork, Gorilla VS Bear, all really good for finding new music. I read a lot of news websites as well, not music related, things like CNN and the New York Times, if I’m not playing music I’m usually off reading something.
b3sci: Is there something really great that you’re listening to and influenced by at the current moment?
JAMES: Mines by Menomena was my favorite record of 2010, sonically it’s like nothing I’ve heard before, really great songs articulated so uniquely. I also love the new album by the Walkmen, Lisbon, they’re such a great band, and the production on it reminds me of the early Sun recordings, I’m pretty sure they’ve gotten the best guitar and drum sounds I’ve ever heard.
b3sci: Hypothetical situation, you’re stranded on an island… and you can chose between having with you either 30 songs OR 10 albums… do you chose to have the albums or songs with you, and why? What’s at least one that would be in your selections?
JAMES: 10 albums for sure, I have always been and will always be an albums person. After the Goldrush by Neil Young is an album that I’d find it very hard to live without.
b3sci: What general observations, if any, do you have about the reception of emerging songwriters from Ireland, and even Europe, in the States?
JAMES: I’ve been treated incredibly well so far in the US, the reception to the record has been exactly what I always hoped it would be. So much of what I do is rooted in American music, so to be able to go over there and for people to care about what I’m doing is something I am very grateful for.
b3sci: How would you say emerging American songwriters are received over in Ireland are Europe nowadays?
JAMES: I’m not sure I’m qualified to speculate on that, although from personal experience I’ve always been pretty excited to see great American musicians come over here and play!
b3sci: What in your eyes are some of the popular misnomers about being an emerging independent artist among the general, casual listening public?
JAMES: I’m not sure I’ve ever come across any specific popular misnomers to be honest. I mean the word ‘indie’ often has certain connotations attached to it, some good, some bad. More now so than ever though it feels like independent music is really at the forefront of modern music. I mean bands like The National, Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, all debuting near the top of the US charts, things like that happening make it a whole lot easier for new acts working independently to be taken seriously early on.
b3sci: We are heading to Dublin for our first time in a few weeks. Few Questions for you:
1) What food MUST we try?
2) What beer MUST we drink?
3) And what clubs must we check out for spectacular local music?
JAMES: I can’t think of a way to answer that question without sounding terribly cliche and twee, people tend to have very specific ideas about Ireland and the food and drink we have on offer!! Guinness and Stew! As for live music venues, there are a lot of new places popping up, like the Workmans Club down on the quays, that have a lot of great bands coming through them, and the institution that is Whelans is somewhere you should go, at the very least for the history to be found, pretty much everyone has played there at some point.
b3sci: We love to cook. Is there a specific dish you love or recipe that we should try out?
JAMES: I really like to cook, I mean i get zero time for it these days, but when i do there’s a Morroccan chicken and couscous recipe I found on the internet, think it was BBC good food or something like that, it’s really easy to make and properly good.
b3sci: Happiness… what in this world of ours will ultimately do it for you?
JAMES: Will ultimately do it for me!?? Thats a pretty big question, one I have no answer for. I mean a lot of things make me happy, my family, my friends, getting to do what I love. But sure ultimate happiness isn’t really something musicians have in spades, if I was content I don’t think that I’d be making music, or trying to search for new and interesting things to sing and write about.
James Vincent McMorrow – Sparrow and The Wolf James Vincent McMorrow – Down The Burning Ropes James Vincent McMorrow – Breaking Hearts
Compiling a year end Best of Songs list is not exactly the easiest ask. There are SO MANY great songs. And ‘the line’ between making one’s list a true Best of list vs. a Favorite songs of the year list can be quite the thin one. Here’s our best go at it. Also, if you’ve yet to check out our Top 50 Albums of 2010 list then you can get familiar HERE. Happy Holidays, and thanks for reading! We’ll see y’all in 2011…
01. Adele – Rolling in the Deep (Buy It)
02. Kanye West -Power (Buy It)
03. Cee-Lo Green – Fuck You (Buy It)
04. Aloe Blacc – I Need a Dollar (Buy It)
05. Tinie Tempah – Pass Out (Buy It)
06. Alicia Keys – Unthinkable (I’m Ready) (Buy It)
07. The Black Keys – Tighten’ Up (Buy It)
08. Beach House – Norway (Buy It)
09. Janelle Monae – Tightrope (Feat. Big Boi) (Buy It)
10. James Blake – CMYK (Buy It)
11. Far East Movement – Like a G6 (Feat. The Cataracts & Dev) (Buy It)
12. Drake – Fireworks (Feat. Alicia Keys) (Buy It)
13. B.o.B. – Airplanes (Feat. Hayley Williams) (Buy It)
14. Arcade Fire – Ready to Start (Buy It)
15. M.I.A. – Born Free (Buy It)
16. Swedish House Mafia – One (Feat. Pharrell) (Buy It)
17. Jose James – Made for Love (Buy It)
18. Ski Beatz – Cream of the Planet (Feat. Mos Def) (Buy It)
19. The Fresh and Onlys – Waterfall (Buy It)
20. Rick Ross – Super High (Feat. Ne-Yo) (Buy It)
21. Cassius – I Love You So (Buy It)
22. Gil Scott-Heron – New York Is Killing Me (Buy It)
23. The National – Terrible Love (Buy It)
24. Deadmau5 – Right This Second (Buy It)
25. Phantogram – As Far As I Can See (Buy It)
26. Washed Out – You and I (Feat. Carolyn Polachek) (Buy It)
27. Deerhunter – Helicopter (Buy It)
28. Erykah Badu – Window Seat (Buy It)
29. Wiz Khalifa – Black & Yellow (Buy It)
30. Big Boi – Shutterbugg (Feat. Cutty) (Buy It)
31. Katy B – Katy On A Mission (Prod. by Benga) (Buy It)
32. Mount Kimbie – Field (Buy It)
33. LCD Soundsystem – Oh You (Christmas Blues) (Buy It)
34. Jesse Rose – You Know It (Original Mix) (Buy It)
35. Band of Horses – Laredo (Buy It)
36. Kelis – 4th of July (Fireworks) (Buy It)
37. Funeral Party – Just Because (Buy It)
38. The Soft Pack – More or Less (Buy It)
39. Jeremy Messersmith – Tatooine (Buy It)
40. Klaxons – Echoes (Buy It)
41. Chapel Club – O Maybe I (Buy It)
42. King Reign – Money (Feat. Saukrates and Kardinal Offishall) (FREE Download)
43. Grinderman- Worm Tamer (Buy It)
44. Mona – Listen To Your Love (Buy It)
45. The Sand Band – Set Me Free (Buy It)
46. The Vaccines – Blow It Up (Buy It)
47. Beady Eye – Bring the Light (Buy It)
48. Lykke Li – Get Some (Buy It)
49. Shad – Yaa I Get It (Buy It)
50. Professor Green – Just Be Good To Green (Feat. Lily Allen) (Buy It)
Honorable Mentions:
Corinne Bailey Rae – Are You Here
Fat Joe – Ha Ha (Feat. Young Jeezy)
Chris Turner – Liquid Love
Flying Lotus – And The World Laughs With You (Feat. Thom Yorke)
Lissie – Record Collector
Crookers – Cooler Couleur
Dale Earnhardt jr jr – Simple Girl
J. Cole – Premeditated Murder
Cee Lo Green – I Want You (Demo)
Small Black – Weird Machines
NERD – Hypnotize You
Eliza Doolittle – Skinny Genes
Usher – OMG (Feat. Will.i.am.)
First Aid Kit – Ghost Town
Foals – Spanish Sahara
Nicos Gun – Dirty Girl
Flying Lotus – And the World Laughs With You (Feat. Thom Yorke)
Sia – Clap Your Hands
Taio Cruz – Dynamite
Flight Facilities – Crave You (Feat. Giselle)
Ciara – Ride the Beat (Feat. Ludacris)
Tinchy Stryder – Game Over (Feat. Giggs, Professor Green, Tinie Tempah, Example, Devlin, Chipmunk)
Crystal Castles – Celestica
Gayngs – The Gaudy Side of Town
Big K.R.I.T. – Country Shit
Two Door Cinema Club – What You Know
Everest – Let Go
E-Train – Never Love You
Breton – The Well
Arcade Fire – Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Badio – Kiss the Sky
Dylan LeBlanc – If Time Was for Wasting
Flux Pavilion – I Can’t Stop
Freddie Joachim – Transistors
Great Lake Swimmers – Gonna Make It Through This Year
Gorillaz – Empire Ants (Feat. Little Dragon)
Groove Armada – Paper Romance (Feat. Fenech-Soler)
Karen Elson – The Ghost Who Walks
Manic Street Preachers – I’m Leaving You For Solitude
Mark Ronson & The Business Int’l – Somebody to Love
PS I Love You – Facelove
Menomena – TAOS
Sleigh Bells – Kids
STS – Fuck A Hook (Prod. By Don Cannon)
2010! What a year! We laughed, we cried, we got into it! It’s mid to late December, so you know what time it is, the presents are being wrapped, the tree is being trimmed, and all the world’s music writers are popping champagne and slapping each other fives, cause it’s Best of list season! So here goes the b3sci staff’s picks for the Top 50 LPs of the year. P.S. Many thanks to our readers for a super cool 2010, the blog has grown in ways we never could’ve imagined really. 2011 is going to be massive (unveiling the now under-construction site redesign!) so stay tuned to b3sci in the new year!
Gorillaz – Stylo (Feat. Bobby Womack and Mos Def)
Flying Lotus – Mmmhmm (Feat. Thundercat)
Arcade Fire – Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Erykah Badu – Fall in Love (Your Funeral)
Cee-Lo Green – Bright Lights Bigger City
The Black Keys – The Next Girl
Aloe Blacc – You Make Me Smile
The Tallest Man on Earth – A Lion’s Heart
Janelle Monae – Neon Valley Street
Bonobo – Stay the Same (Feat. Andreya Triana)
Gil Scott-Heron – Me and the Devil
Agalloch – They Escaped the Weight of Darkness
Band of Horses – Infinite Arms
The Roots – Dear God 2.0 (Feat. Monsters of Folk)
Raheem DeVaughn – I Don’t Care
Corinne Bailey Rae – I’d Do It All Again
B.o.B. – Past My Shades (Feat. Lupe Fiasco)
Grinderman – Mickey Mouse and the Goodbye Man
The Soft Pack – Answer to Yourself
Rick Ross – Maybach Music III (Feat. T.I., Jadakiss, and Erykah Badu)
Massive Attack – Splitting the Atom (Feat. Horace Andy)
Laura Marling – Blackberry Stone
Honorable Mention:
TOKiMONSTA – Midnight Menu
UNKLE – Where Did the Night Fall
Crookers – Tons of Friends
Neil Young – Le Noise
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings – I Learned the Hard Way
Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
Darker My Love – Alive As You Are
Lissie – Catching a Tiger
Ty Segall – Melted
Avi Buffalo – Avi Buffalo
Kings of Leon – Come Around Sundown
Summer Fiction – Summer Fiction
Small Black – New Chain
Freddie Joachim – Midway
Reflection Eternal – Revolutions Per Minute
Warpaint – The Fool
Nas & Damian Marley – Distant Relatives
Magnetic Man – Magnetic Man
Sleigh Bells – Treats
Local Natives – Gorilla Manor
Belle & Sebastian – Write About Love
Gayngs – Relayted
Professor Green – Alive Til I’m Dead
Deftones- Diamond Eyes
Ellie Goulding – Lights
Eliza Doolittle caught our ears in February with the irresistible UK hit, “Skinny Genes”. Her self-titled debut LP has found itself in heavy rotation here at b3sci HQ and Eliza is currently prepping a US debut and mega year in 2011. We recently caught up to get the 411 on her live cover of Cee Lo Green’s smash “Fuck You“, her Jamie XX collaboration, favorite recipes, Shakespeare and more!
b3sci: When will fans in the States get their next chance to experience Eliza Doolittle in a live setting?
ELIZA: Oooo! Well I’m going to be playing some festivals like SXSW and some others in 2011. And hopefully not long after that I’ll be doing some touring!
b3sci: Your live cover of Cee-Lo Green’s “Fuck You” display’s some incredible musical instincts. How do you do it… what’s your inspiration?
ELIZA: I love performing live so I hope my enjoyment translates and infects everybody watching. I love creating music and when me and my band perform live we try and take the recordings to the next level.
b3sci: On a related note, your voice just seems to find “the pocket” of a great pop melody, has Pop music always been your major vocal influence, or is there a particular style of music that you like to claim the foundation of your soulful delivery?
ELIZA: I loved a lot of different music…growing up, I sang and practiced along to Lauryn Hill, Mariah and Beyonce, really soulful pop vocalists so maybe that’s rubbed off on me but I also love sweet songs like Burt Bacharach music and Beach Boys. And rock like Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers…I don’t know what has directly influenced me.
b3sci: Is there a particular track from your self-titled debut album that you feel especially connected to or proud of as an artist? If so, which and why?
ELIZA: I really love all the tracks …when writing the album I had about 25 finished songs to choose to go on the album and I really loved a lot of them so the ones I put on the album, I really, really love! I think if I had to pick one song I would pick “Rollerblades” as that was the first song I wrote where I really found my own sound for the first time and the rest of the album was based on that sound …so I owe the song a lot!
Eliza Doolittle – Rollerbladesb3sci:Can you shed some light on the happenings behind your connection with Jamie from The XX, and the “Money Box” remix?
ELIZA: I had met The XX a couple of times and am a big fan of their music. I just asked Jamie if he wanted to do a remix and he said yes… so I sent him the parts!
Eliza Doolittle – Money Box (Jamie XX Remix)b3sci: If you could collaborate with anyone past present or future, who would it be with and why? Keep in mind they wouldn’t need to be a musician, and any sort of artistic collaboration counts.
ELIZA: Hmm, Shakespeare! He is the artistic genius of the entire time we’ve been on this earth!
b3sci: We need to ask you a favorite question of ours… Hypothetical situation, you’re stranded on an island and you can only chose between having with you either 30 songs OR 10 albums! Do you chose to have the albums or songs, and why?
ELIZA: 10 albums definitely because they are pieces of art as a whole album, and I would feel empty without the other songs. Also, an album has 10 songs average on it so that would mean 100 songs!
b3sci: Haha you found the loophole! So what are a few of the albums that you would bring along?
ELIZA: Oooo… Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life, Steely Dan – Aja, Destiny’s Child – The Writings on the Wall, Beach Boys – Pet Sounds. Just to name a few…
b3sci: What’s your take on the internet and your development as an artist? How would you ideally like to see both your career and your fans affected by the internet and your message moving forward?
ELIZA: Well the internet is a blessing and a curse. Through Twitter etc, I can promote my music and shows but through illegal downloads, I can’t make very much money out of my record. I would love for people to respect the hard work that’s put into making a record and not steal the music but I don’t know if that’s ever going to happen.
b3sci: So what’s your take on the blogosphere? Do you participate?
ELIZA: I have my own blog and I love making it. I love documenting my journey and it’s a great way to interact with my listeners and show them some of my interests other than just music. So you should check it out… http://blog.elizadoolittle.com
b3sci: Is there something killer that you’re listening to and influenced by at the current moment?
ELIZA: I’m loving Cee Lo Green’s new album The Lady Killer. It’s superb! Love Janelle Monae and The Drums too!
b3sci: What are your general observations about the reception of emerging artists from the UK in the states, and the same vice-versa?
ELIZA: I’m not sure really, I hope people will listen to my music regardless of where I’m from. I hope people will like it!
b3sci: What in your eyes are some of the popular misnomers about pop stars and the music industry among the public?
ELIZA: I think people take being in the public eye way too seriously. People judge very quickly for the smallest things. Sometimes I make a spelling mistake on Twitter and have a bombardment of tweets picking me up on it and making a massive unnecessary fuss. I would love it if people just listened to my music and took me in for that rather than my grammar skills etc! Haha! And I’m sure other singers get the same jip.
b3sci: We LOVE to cook! Give us one of your favorite recipes to try out.
ELIZA: Baked beans on toast is my specialty!
b3sci: Well that’s interesting, might need to try that. We’ve got to ask you, happiness… what in this world of ours does it for you?
ELIZA:Great music, great friends and family! And lots of laughter …That’s all you need.
Summer Fiction are one of our favorite surprises of 2010. b3sci recently had the chance to catch up with frontman, and singer/songwriter, Bill Ricchini to ask him a few questions about music and life. Check it out:
b3sci: Where can fans expect to see Summer Fiction perform in 2011?
Bill: We mostly play on the east coast, in NY and Philly, but yes, we’re coming to a town near you, hopefully. We’re planning some touring and speaking to some possible booking agents. We also just booked PopFest in NYC for the spring. Possibly SXSW…
b3sci: When people experience Summer Fiction for the first time, is there a particular message that you’re hoping translates?
Bill: I like to leave it pretty open ended and hope the audience or listener brings their own thing to the songs and performances. I will say the music is coming from a place of sincerity and hopefully that comes across on an emotional level.
b3sci: Just listening to the album, you can tell songwriting seems to just resonate in your bones. While your songs seem basic at the core they are complemented by fairly intricate arrangements and counter melodies. What has inspired you to be a songwriter, and what sort of education, experience, or vision leads you down your path of record production?
Bill: Thanks! I’m pretty obsessed with songwriting and arrangement. While I never studied music formally, I think I studied all of my favorite records growing up and somehow that is all in my DNA. I also enjoy producing, I feel it would be hard to give that up to someone, although maybe I will try it if Jon Brion calls.
b3sci: What’s your dream collaboration?
Bill: I’d love to write an album for a female singer and produce it. There are lots of gorgeous pop and torch songs I have ready to go but just need to find my muse… I’d also love to meet Brian Wilson. A while ago, one of the guys from Wondermints passed him one of my demos.. and I heard he liked it! That was kind of surreal… Music for film also excites me. I think Wes Anderson would like this record for some reason. Maybe it is the font choice.
b3sci: Is there a particular track from the album that you feel especially connected to or proud of?
Bill: I think “Kids in Catalina” has been really popping live. I like the construction of that song, the vocal choir and the vibraphone.
Summer Fiction – Kids in Catalinab3sci: How would you say the music scene in Philadelphia has or hasn’t helped Summer Fiction along?
Bill: Philly has been 100% supportive. Bands, journalists, fans all came out for this record and many good friends from other bands contributed.
b3sci: Here’s a question we love to ask people… hypothetical situation, you’re stranded on an island and you can chose between having with you either 30 songs OR 10 albums? Which take the space?
Bill: 10 albums; no question. I like the thematic element of my favorite records, call me old fashioned but I like the way songs brush up against one another and form a complete thought. That’s what I went for with Summer Fiction. One of my choices would be It’s a Shame About Ray which is a perfect record.
b3sci: What are five things you can’t live without?
Bill:
1) Guitar
2) Digital voice recorder
3) Marble notebook
4) Good food
5) Books
b3sci: What are five things that you could totally be cool living without?
Bill:
1) Rent
2) TV
3) East coast winters
4) Hangovers
5) Traffic
b3sci: Has the internet played a role in the development of you as an artist?
Bill: Uh not sure. I tend to focus more on the message than the media, but the fact that the web is a great tool to share my art is gratifying.
b3sci: How do you discover new music?
Bill: Online, jukeboxes, shows, SXSW, radio, my friend Mike…
b3sci: What are you listening to at the moment? Anything influential?
Bill: The last Beach House record kills me. Arcade Fire and Deerhunter are really on their game… Kurt Vile is great too.
b3sci:In your opinion, what are some of the popular misnomers about being an independent and emerging artist/songwriter in today’s music industry, and with the general, casual listening public?
Bill: Maybe just how much discipline and focus it takes to make a good record.
more Summer Fiction on b3science HERE
Summer Fiction – Throw Your Arms Around Me Summer Fiction – To: Alone
Photo by Carrie Day
We’ve been fans of singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow for a minute now. His penchant for soulful melody and tuneful lyricism makes him one to keep eyes peeled to in 2011. Already a success in his native Ireland (#1 album, sold-out national tour), McMorrow is set to release his debut LP Early in the Morning in the States in January. We can’t wait. Check out some of these quotes about his development as an artist and writer. (Man, would we love to just hang out and talk music with this guy.)
James Vincent McMorrow – Sparrow and The Wolf“I started listening to older music from the 50’s-70’s, and learning guitar, piano. Then I heard a Donny Hathaway song called ‘I Love You More Than You Will Ever Know’ and it made me want to start singing.“ (YES!) “I’ve been a huge fan of female singers, probably because of the way I sing. I can understand the way they construct melody almost better than I can the way male singers write.” (YES!) “That’s how I started learning how to record myself,” remembers James, “by listening to people like The Neptunes and Timbaland, and trying to figure out how they did what they did.” (YES!)
rating: 8.3
