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Tag: Los Angeles

  • Tune of the Week // The Naked and Famous – Higher

    Tune of the Week // The Naked and Famous – Higher

    The Naked and Famous - nessymon

    Higher from The Naked and Famous is this week’s Tune of the Week

    I genuinely miss The Naked and Famous when they’re not around. Their debut, ‘Passive Me, Aggressive You’, became the soundtrack to my 2011 after I reviewed their Button Factory gig for Goldenplec.

    It was such a good album and many of tracks found themselves synced (the term when a track from an album gets put on the telly or in a film) across everything from Cabin in The Woods to Made in Chelsea. The follow up album, ‘In Rolling Waves’, featured ‘Hearts Like Ours’, another cracker, but didn’t seem to have the same impact.

    Somewhat Damaged – Doing it for themselves

    Well, they’re back and on their own terms by the looks of it. New Zealand’s finest are now living in Los Angeles and will be releasing their third album, ‘Simple Forms’, on October 14th.

    Three years isn’t a huge amount of time to get an album together but when you realise that The Naked and Famous are releasing this on their own label, ‘Somewhat Damaged’ and being distributed by Kobalt Label Services, it shows that the guys have their heads screwed on and getting down to business.

    Kobalt are a company that independent artists can use to get their music out there without having to have the powerhouse weight of a major label behind them. They make sure that the tracks are on iTunes, can help with marketing, all the business stuff.

    Anyway, ‘Higher’ is the current single from The Naked and Famous, they really do have their own sound and Alisa Xayalith’s vocals contribute a big part to it. Electronica with a band sound and rousing chorus refrains you can sing at the top of your lungs? That will do nicely, thanks!

    Pic from Facebook

  • Sheppard // Geronimo // BalconyTV

    Sheppard // Geronimo // BalconyTV

    I know I posted this on Facebook last week, but I really do have to add it here. Geronimo is Australia’s biggest selling single of the year and Sheppard are now venturing outside Oz to show the rest of the world what they are made of.

    They’ve been touring like mentallers over the past while. They are in the UK and Ireland at the moment and are due to make an appearance at the Electric Picnic in Co Laois next weekend.

    Here’s they are in Los Angeles though, doing some Balcony TV stuff. No, I’m not envious of the view, or the sunshine (it’s pissing rain outside right now) what I am envious of is the awesome live sound Balcony TV and teamed up with Sheppard to get. Plus this is all one camera shot.

    Fine piece of work ladies and gents, fine piece of work.

  • Saint Motel: Benny Goodman (Video)

    Saint Motel: Benny Goodman (Video)

    SaintMotelI love Saint Motel. I really enjoyed their album ‘Voyeur’ from earlier this year (which reminds me that I must actually write about it here).

    The LA four piece has revealed a new video which was directed by lead singer AJ Jackson and features two viral sensations combining creative forces – 7-year-old Miles “Baby Boogaloo” Brown and Derrick Tuggle.

    Benny Goodman was a real person and AJ Jackson has said “The concept for the video is inspired, like the song itself, by the tale of Benny Goodman’s struggle for success. As Benny learned at the Palomar Ballroom in 1935, when no one else believes in you, when you can’t go on, when the end is near…don’t give up! Because that just might be your time to shine.”

    As for the internet pairing in the vid, Baby Boogaloo began dancing when he was 3 and has appeared in videos for Chris Brown, Aloe Blacc and Stereotypes as well appearing as a finalist on ‘America’s Got Talent’. Derrick Tuggle became an overnight sensation when he starred in The Black Keys’ “Lonely Boy” music video.

    Have to say, I as delighted when I was able to play this on national radio on Culture Cafe on 2fm.

    Photo from here

  • Free Music Monday 11/06/2012: Haim

    Free Music Monday 11/06/2012: Haim

    I first heard of Haim a while back John Kennedy played them on Xposure on XFM. I downloaded their EP and have been listening to it since. It’s about time, I passed on this gem.

    You can get the three track ‘Forever’ EP for free by filling in the form below or going directly to the band’s website.

    The LA based quartetfeatures three sisters Daniella, Este and Alana Haim and their mate Dash Hutton and will also be releasing the EP on vinyl in July on National Anthem Records.

    The EP features, Better Off, Forever and Go Slow. Here’s the new video for Forever. Enjoy!