Filed under: 20 Watts Radio | Tags: Joy Division, The Cure, M.I.A., Passion Pit, Lady GaGa, Sarah Aument, Phantogram, Weezer, The National, Kid Sister, Radio, Raekwon, O Morning Records, Mouth's Cradle, Talking Heads, CFCF, Echo and the Bunnymen, Julian Casablancas, the swimmers, post-punk, Devo, Gang of Four, The Fall, The Raincoats, THe Jesus and Mary Chain, Biggie Smalls, Golden Shoulders, WERW, Audiocandy, Lymbyc System, Blakroc, Mirrors, Avi Buffalo, Yeasayer, Big Boi, Delirium, SixteenSixteen, The Tundra Toes, Grand Salvo, The Great Collide, Sleigh Bells, Pants Yell!, Devon James
20 Watts played Julian Casablancas, Joy Division, Sleigh Bells and more on WERW
Eric, Jett and Caitlin were in the studio from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. last night, playing new releases, editors’ picks, local favorites AND a solid hour of post-punk for all you lucky listeners. Here’s what we played last night: new tracks are in bold, local artists are italicized.
Don’t forget to tune in to 20 Watts’ Audiocandy+ shows on Wednesday and Thursday from 9-11 p.m.!
Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: electro, Electronica, Gang Gang Dance, M.I.A., Manimal Vinyl, Rainbow Arabia
Rainbow Arabia = M.I.A. + Gang Gang Dance + LSD
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Rainbow Arabia’s “Omar K” MP3
20 Watts’ staff recently spent a good two hours arguing about the top albums of the decade. I was pushing really hard for an M.I.A. entry on the list — a request that everyone, including my managing ed, summarily dismissed. Okay, sure, “Paper Planes” was way overplayed. But the blend of party-ready beats and tribal ululations? The whole East-meets-West-on-a-dance-floor deal? The world needs more of that.
Fortunately the world has Rainbow Arabia, an “ethnotronica” duo so compulsively danceable — and so pleasantly disorienting — that even our picky staff might be won over. Hailing from Echo Park, Cal., Rainbow Arabia force world music through an electro-dance sieve, resulting in a global neon cacophony like few you’ve ever heard. Think M.I.A. meets Gang Gang Dance meets LSD. Intriguing, right?
Rainbow Arabia have released one EP, The Basta, and one “mini-LP,” Kabukimono, on Maninmal Vinyl. They are not currently on tour, although they are playing a string of L.A. shows throughout November.
– Caitlin Dewey, Editor in Chief
Filed under: Releases of the Week | Tags: Bob Marley, Ezra Koenig, M.I.A., The Very Best, Vampire Weekend
The Very Best's album delivers a fresh selection of afro-beat pop
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD The Very Best’s “Warm Heart of Africa” (Ft. Ezra Koenig) MP3
WE GIVE IT: 14/20 Watts
The Very Best bring an eclectic and global sound to the scene with their new album Warm Heart of Africa. Fans of anyone from Vampire Weekend to Bob Marley will have no trouble falling in love with the voice of Esau Mwamwaya and the rhythmic beats provided by producers Johan Hugo and DJ Tron. This trio revives a sound that has been missing from music for decades.
While each song has a very different feel, the flow of the album as a whole is not disrupted. Boredom is not an option as the pace of the album moves from relaxing, to racy, from one song to the next. Unlike most artists in today’s afro-beat genre, this album provides a natural, rather than forced sound. Wirth this in mind, The Very Best do a perfect job in combining traditional African music with the modern twist it needs to be relevant. (more…)
Filed under: Editor Picks, Emerging Artists | Tags: Adrien Grenier, All Points West Music Festival, Entourage, Etienne De Crecy, Janelle Monae, La Roux, M.I.A., Rye Rye
La Roux is one of the under-the-radar gems at All Points West
The All Points West Music Festival is just around the corner, so it doesn’t hurt to preview a few sleeper bands that are definitely worth checking out. As with any major music festival, there are tons of great bands, but in most cases, there are just too many to appreciate them all. So in supporting the role of the underdog, here are few APW bands that aren’t media darlings, but should still be fun to watch.
1) La Roux
Her single “I’m Not Your Toy” is one my top summer jams this year, and she brings attitude and energy to her synth pop singles. Plus, she rocks one of the coolest hair-dos in indie rock, next to Janelle Monae.
Performance date: Sunday, August 2nd
There’s nothing like good french disco/techno music, and Etienne De Crecy has some pretty heavy mixes. I’m sure their live shows will provoke some hot and sweaty dancing. They seem more like a night-club act if you check out their MySpace page, so I’m curious how it’ll transition to a day-time show, or maybe they’ll just wait till it gets dark out. Then you all can break out the glow sticks.
Performance date: Sunday, August 2nd
3) Rye Rye
This girl is just waiting to break-out. She’s M.I.A.’s protege, so I’m counting on her set to be awesome. Her hip-hop is fast, heavy and electric, and she should be rocking some bright colors. This is her time to shine if she’s ever going to start her campaign.
Performance date: Friday, July 31st
I added this one just because I want to see Entourage’s Adrien Grenier slam on the drums. This band could suck, but at least Vincent Chase will be rocking out.
Performance date: Saturday, August 1st
–Jett Wells, Editor-in-Chief
Filed under: Editor Picks, Features | Tags: Bat for Lashes, celebrity tweets, celebrity twitter, John Mayer, M.I.A., Matt + Kim, Twitter, Wes Miles
Stay up-to-date on your favorite artists by following them on Twitter
All fans can get closer to their favorite bands just by following their tweets, whether those tweets are about recording sessions, post-concert thoughts or how big their feet are. Musicians in general are a lot of fun to follow, but these are the select few that really stand out.
1) John Mayer, a.k.a. “johncmayer”
Mayer loves to tweet, and he does so by making quirky analyses and comments to other celebrities — including the United States. Spotted July 4th on Mayer’s Twitter: “America, since it’s your birthday, you just lie on the couch. I’ll make you flapjacks. Today is your day. I am so happy to be your girl!” What an enigma.
2) Matt + Kim, a.k.a. “mattandkim”
Matt + Kim’s twitpics, while random, are also adorable. The duo reflects on nachos, Disney World and recycled toilet paper, as well.
Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: Charles Hamilton, Drake, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lady GaGa, M.I.A., Mr. Hudson, Rye Rye
Drake is one of three new pop artists with big breakthrough potential
The music industry flushes talent in and out faster than you can say “cash money.”
It seemed only yesterday that Kanye and Lady Gaga blew up and started ruling pop music, and now new artists are crashing onto the scene with fresh sounds and links to big names like Jay-Z, Kanye and M.I.A.
Don’t blink, because pop’s next generation is already in the making.
1) Drake
The cat’s already out of the bag on this kid, but he’s just breaking out onto the mainstream scene. Drake, a.k.a. Jimmy from Degrassi, is set to become the next big emcee, and he’s got the right company to support him. He’s had Jay-Z and Kanye work with him in the studio and it shows. Drake’s hit single “Best I Ever Had” is rocketing up the charts, and he just signed onto Lil’ Wayne’s label “Cash Money”.
2) Rye Rye
The first artist to sign to M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T. label, Rye Rye is essentially a grungier, faster-paced version of M.I.A. — with the chops and talent to eclipse Santigold as the best in American indie rap. Her debut album was supposed to drop in March, but has been postponed for unknown reasons; her new single, “Bang” was just released this week. Be sure to check her out at the upcoming All Points West Festival.
3) Mr. Hudson
He’s not as young as Drake and Rye Rye, but his lyrics and Sting-like appearance were good enough for Kanye West. West pulled Hudson from the U.K. after the two hit it off in a Hawaii studio project. Check out his new single “Supernova.” It’s not hip-hop, but with his auto-tune flows and Coldplay-like lyrics, Mr. Hudson could become a household name.
–Jett Wells, Editor-in-Chief
Filed under: Editor Picks, Free 4 All | Tags: Kanye West, Lykke Li, M.I.A., N.A.S.A., Santigold, Steve Aoki
This was posted on Pretty Much Amazing four days ago, but it needs to be shared some more.
DJ/Mixer Steve Aoki remixed N.A.S.A.’s “Gifted” (featuring Kanye West, Santigold and Lykke Li), and I’m happy to say it’s a masterpiece of house music and techno/hip-hop.
I’ve never heard a Steve Aoki remix before, but he’s gotten my attention. The original song might be awesome too, but this is a really impressive remix.
I love how big artists spend time working on small-time pet projects like this. M.I.A., Kanye West and Lykke Li do this all the time, and I give all the props in the world to them. It says a lot about their love for music.
Give the remix a listen and download it off Pretty Much Amazing. Great dance song. Period.
–Jett Wells, Reviews Editor
Filed under: Editor Picks, Features, On-Campus Artists, Scene Around Town, XCLUS!VES | Tags: bloc party, Girl Talk, Handsome Furs, Katy Perry, Kings of Leon, Lily Allen, M.I.A., MGMT, Phantogram, Ra Ra Riot, Vampire Weekend
Could M.I.A. perform at SU next year?
My buddy Nathan Mattise forwarded me this survey, formed by University Union, that might decide next year’s music headliners at SU. The list of possible headliners is ridiculous–it can’t be real.
As for possible headlining acts, it asks you to grade the following: MGMT, M.I.A., Kings of Leon, Vampire Weekend and others. It would be utterly amazing to land MGMT or M.I.A. for next year’s Juice Jam, but how could this be true? University Union has less money than ever and still falls short on SU concerts every year, despite getting Bloc Party and Ra Ra Riot for last year’s Juice Jam (which I missed because I was in London! God!).
It gets even more ridiculous when it asks us to grade the possible supporting acts. Hold your breath, because these are headlining-quality acts: Lily Allen, Handsome Furs, Girl Talk, Katy Perry, and others. Girl Talk, a supporting act???!! Are these guys nuts?! This alone slashes the credibility of the survey.
It’d be a miracle to land any of these names for next year, but don’t give your hopes up.
Just to be annoying, I added a request for Phantogram next year. Hey, you never know!!!
–Jett Wells, Reviews Editor
Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: KOVA, M.I.A., Paper Planes, Pretty Much Amazing, Tokyo Police Club
Yuck! Glad that’s over. Lots of homework.
Anyway, back to M.I.A.’s new hit “Hit That” (Feat. KOVA). I found this track off of Pretty Much Amazing, and according to the post, this track is a part of nasty KOVA mixtape coming out soon, called the Stimulus Package. Wow, an Obama reference?
I’ll keep you posted.
This song is really punchy, but I just wish it was longer than 1:51. I wanted a least another minute. (Tokyo Police Club, anyone?) I mean, it’s just one big tease. M.I.A. pairs really well with KOVA, just based on the pitch of their voices.
I love the beat in this song, because it sounds a lot like that cash-register sound bite from “Paper Planes.” It’s loud and powerful. M.I.A. mixes her back-up voice with her lead vocals, and I love that she can pull it off.
I’m excited for the rest of the mix. Hopefully, there’s more M.I.A.
–Jett Wells, Co-Reviews Editor
It’s late, and I’ve got a bunch of work to finish, but I couldn’t ignore this. I just found this new M.I.A. track, “Hit That” (Feat. KOVAS).
[If you don't know the drill, just rick click the link on the page, and click "save link as."]
As for the song, it’s another gem by M.I.A. It has a very catchy beat to it. It’s not the rhythm that’s interesting, but the sound bite they use. Listen to it, and you’ll know what I mean.
I’m too tired to analyze the song now. Check back in tomorrow.
–Jett Wells, Co-Reviews Editor
