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: Emerging Artists, Features, Scene Around Town, XCLUS!VES | Tags: B-Linn, Bears in America, Flying Lotus, folk, folk rock, funk n waffles, hip-hop, Lynrd Skynrd, Mouf, Mouth's Cradle, O Morning Records, Panda Bear, Passion Pit, Riceboy Sleeps, Sarah Aument, Sleepyhead, The Northbound Traveling Minstrel Jug Band
Sarah Aument and the rest of O, Morning Records rocked Funk 'n Waffles on Friday, 11/6
You never know what to expect while stumbling down the stairs of Syracuse’s Funk ‘n Waffles on the night of a show. Acts can alternate between amateurs and professionals, hip-hop and folk-rock. Lucky for the college crowd that O, Morning Records was on the job last night, serving an aesthetically and musically eclectic platter of shoegazing, dancing and hand-clapping.
Sarah Aument, O, Morning’s very first signee, headlined the show with her new band. Before her came stellar performances from Bears in America, Mouth’s Cradle and The Northbound Traveling Minstrel Jug Band. Not many student acts in the Syracuse area can realistically follow The NTMJB, the liveliest of the night and probably the biggest crowd-pleaser. (more…)
Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: Passion Pit, remix, Manners, Jack Beats, Chunk of Change EP, Gossip Girl
Jack Beats try their hand at remixing Passion Pit's "Little Secrets"
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Jack Beats’ Remix of Passion Pit’s “Little Secrets” MP3
When I first heard “Sleepyhead,” I became an instant Passion Pit addict. Considering Chunk of Change is just an EP, you can imagine my excitement when Manners dropped this past May. I so enjoyed introducing all of my friends to this amazing new group and relished in the fact that they were my own little treasure.
Sadly, the rest of the world soon discovered Passion Pit. “The Reeling” can be heard at almost every party. Remixes of almost every song on Manners are all over the great and powerful World Wide Web. “Moth’s Wings” was even featured on an episode of Gossip Girl. Needless to say, I was a sad, sad girl for at least a month.
The one thing that finally brought me out of my Passion Pit-turning-mainstream slum was a remix I recently discovered. After sifting through about 5 remix attempts of “Little Secrets,” I finally found one by Jack Beats that is quite possibly one of the best remixes I have ever heard. The once happy-go-lucky number is smothered with a dark, mysterious sound. These boys completely transform the track into something entirely different altogether and the end product is absolutely astounding.
– Elizabeth Vogt, Assistant Front of Book Editor
Filed under: News of Note | Tags: The Decemberists, Lil Wayne, Bonaroo, The Beastie Boys, Passion Pit, Bruce Springsteen, Santigold, Bob Dylan, The-Dream, Bella Union, Billy Corgan, The Black Eyed Peas, Midlake
Lil Wayne's No Ceilings mixtape leaked today
Lil’ Wayne’s No Ceilings has leaked four days prior to its scheduled debut of Halloween, reports RS. The mixtape is the most recent release after Weezy pleaded guilty to weapons charges, and includes hints at his pending incarceration like, “T.I., hold your head.” Carter rhymes over tracks like The-Dream’s “Fancy” and the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling”. Check out the leak courtesy of our friends over at Nah Right.
Midlake has finally released the details regarding their third release, which is apparently set to be titled The Courage of Others, reports Stereogum. The record, which will come to us via Bella Union Records, will feature a sound more reminiscent of, “British folk scene of late 60’s stuff,” says the group. With three years having passed since their last release, we’re expecting quite the album. Stereogum has a look at the track list and a few of the first dates of their 2010 US tour.
Billy Corgan hasn’t released anything worth its salt from the past couple of years, but apparently he’s feeling confident enough to take on the Swine Flu in his blog. In an 800-word rant against the disease and the “propaganda machine” behind it, Corgan explains why he won’t be taking the vaccine, reports Pitchfork. Corgan claims that the disease is man-made, according to “people” whom he has spoken to “as doctors”. He further goes on to boldly proclaim that, “I am willing to question anything: the existence of God, the existence of me or you or Robert Zimmerman.” That’s right, folks, even Bob Dylan.
For those of you who couldn’t make it to this year’s Bonaroo, fear not. On December 15th, the powers behind one of the indie communities most massive festivals will be releasing a DVD of this past year’s show, the aptly named Live From Bonaroo 2009, reports Pitchfork. The DVD will include performances from The Beastie Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Santigold, Passion Pit, and the Decemberists, to name a few.
– John Luposello
Filed under: News of Note | Tags: Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes, MGMT, Monsters of Folk, My Morning Jacket, Passion Pit, She & Him, Spaceman 3, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Monsters of Folk played a great set at Greek Theater in L.A.
Indie rock’s Monsters of Folk played a rather monstrous set at the Greek Theater in L.A. this past Sunday, reports RS. The band burned through an impressive 35 songs in less than three hours. The group’s debut full length release dropped about a month ago and was the object of their promotional efforts at the show. The group’s lineup is equally impressive, consisting of My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, She & Him’s M. Ward, and Bright Eyes’ Connor Oberst and Mike Mogis. Their set sampled material from each of the members’ other bands, which alternated with tracks from Monsters’ catalogue.
Stereogum gives us a look at another Passion Pit remix, this time of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s “Heads Will Roll”. While Karen O was busy at work on the soundtrack of Spike Jonze’s Where the Wild Things Are, Passion Pit turned out a rather dark club rendering of the original, which you can get here.
Arcade Fire’s Richard Peer Parry will be debuting an orchestral piece on October 29th, reports Pitchfork. The piece, entitled “For Heart, Breath, and Orchestra”, will be performed by Parry, Nico Muhly, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music. Parry has announced that, “During the performance, many of the performers wear stethoscopes which enable them to play in sync with their own heartbeats.”
MGMT’s label has confirmed reports by the San Francisco Examiner regarding the title of their upcoming release, says Pitchfork. Little is known about the record, except its title, which is now confirmed to be Congratulations. The duo is reportedly recording in Malibu with Spaceman 3’s Peter “Sonic Boom” Kember. MGMT has been playing a few of the record’s tracks during their gigs this past summer. Check out the videos here.
– John Luposello
Filed under: Features | Tags: Beatles, Blind Melon, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Discovery, Elliot Smith, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lykke Li, M83, MGMT, Passion Pit, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rolling Stones, The Wallflowers
Hate DJing for your parents?
I just got back from a two-day getaway trip to UpState New York with my parents. It sucked, but I’m not going to get into that. However, it reminded me of an annoying occurrence that happens every time I share a car with my parents for a prolonged period—choosing music.
Every time, my mom or my dad asks me to put in my iPod, which is filled with tons of music I love, cherish and worship. To them, a lot of my music is challenging, repetitive and just plain obnoxious. Music is one of the many generational divides we face with our parents, but there are ways to pick music that all sides can enjoy. Keep in mind, this method doesn’t last forever, and you’ll get tired of it, but it helps. All parents are different, but the following tips apply to even the most conservative music lovers.
1) Avoid songs/bands/genres that are repetitive
This means no house music, techno, or Top 40 music. My parents hate hearing the same notes repeated over and over again. It drives them crazy, which is understandable. It’s not like you’re parents want to pull the car over and have a full-out dance party.
Red Bull and Spin's band pairing contest features a pretty epic prize
I never enter contests, but ever since my buddy won the last SPIN/Canon contest and won a free ticket to see Girl Talk, I’m a little more optimistic. SPIN dares you to ask what’s the most unique band collaboration you can think of or would like to see? The winners selected get a free flight to Los Angeles and see the ultimate pairing together live. This isn’t remixes, just collaboration.
I said La Roux and Passion Pit. What are your thoughts?
Filed under: Features, Mix Fix | Tags: 3Oh!3, Dan Black, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, La Roux, Lady GaGa, Passion Pit, Santigold, St. Vincent, Steve Aoki
Jay-Z and Steve Aoki? We think it would work!
I grew up hating remixes.
That’s because I heard a lot of bad ones in the day, and loved the original songs so much, newer versions just couldn’t compare. My ears were young and unkempt. These days I’m always on the prowl for a great remix. The beauty of music blogs these days is that remixes can be cut and taped together and posted online so fast, remixes of the same song explode in waves within the same week. The parameters of music-making have totally revolutionized. There’s still tons of crap out there, like everything else, but after studying the better remix DJs and bands for a few months, I’ve compiled a few fantasy remixes I’d like to hear some day.
1) “D.O.A.” by Jay-Z (remix by Steve Aoki, featuring Lady Gaga + Santigold)
Once I heard Aoki’s remix of N.A.S.A.’s “Gifted,” I was sold. The man has a knack for giving songs an extra gear. He’s more a house-techno remix DJ, but he’s careful and meticulous. I love Jay-Z’s “D.O.A.,” and it’s only a matter of time till someone remixes the new jam. I think it’d be awesome to speed up the song with backup raps and harmonies by Lady Gaga and Santigold. Gaga is too talented to be a consistent back-up vocalist, but Santigold isn’t quite big enough, and adds so much to each song she sings along to anyway. She’s fantastic in Jay-Z’s “Brooklyn Go Hard.” She’s adds soul and jazzy rhythm. It’s usually a lock the remix will be at least decent if she’s apart of it. As for Gaga, she’s a hit-maker and can turn any song into something hot. She made Wale’s “Chillin’” so much better.
2) “I’m not your Toy” by La Roux (remix by Dan Black, featuring Kid CuDi)
I love La Roux, and I love Dan Black. Just since La Roux has electronic rhythm and catchy pop harmonies, Dan Black makes sense here. They’re both really synth-pop heavy. Also, to contrast La Roux and her feminine voice, Kid Cudi could add some much needed hip-hop flavor. He did really well in the remix of 3OH!3’s “Don’t Trust Me.”
3) “The Strangers” by St. Vincent (remix by Passion Pit)
I always thought St. Vincent had some serious remix potential, and yet I have yet to see one. She’s got an awkward folksy voice, but also plays around with interesting sound-mixing. I could see her voice in some awesome synth-smashing. Thus, Passion Pit could mix an awesome song with St. Vincent lyrics. Although Passion Pit has the reputation of going over board with their remixes—-if they did it right, they could turn “The Strangers” or “Actor Out of Work” into club scene hit.
–Jett Wells
Crowd watching Passion Pit (credited to TimmyGUNZ)
I’m jealous of these bastards. The photo was taken from Brooklyn Vegan.
Passion Pit played back-to-back concerts this past weekend at the Bowery Ballroom. I couldn’t even get in with a press pass from MTV. The canceled show in Syracuse is all that more painful now.
Word is that the show was “visually dull,” according to a NY Times reviewer.
That’s depressing if it’s true.
–Jett Wells
Filed under: Editor Picks, Features | Tags: Dirty Projectors, Discovery, Lady GaGa, Matt + Kim, Passion Pit
Dirty Projectors
Upbeat, feel-good summer music is in, and moody power chords are out of style like baggy pants. It’s time to feel great and dance with smiles. That’s why it’s time to countdown the pop tunes everyone’s going to be dancing to this summer.
This list includes a dab of mainstream pop with a mix of fun upbeat indie-pop.
1) “Little Secrets” by Passion Pit
-Passion Pit going to explode after their big back-to-back concert sets at the Bowery on the 19th and 20th. “Moth Wings” gets more attention on their MySpace, but “Little Secrets” has unmatchable energy. This song kicks ass.
2) “Stillness is the Move” by Dirty Projectors
-These guys are getting a ton of buzz with their new album Bitte Orca, and it’s well deserved. They’re hard-working musicians with a really quaint sound that still jams hard. Indie hipsters will frolick to these guys for a while.
3) “Orange Shirt” by Discovery
-I swear this is my last endorsement of Wes’ Discovery, but I really like their sound. It’s experimental and new-wave like Passion Pit but still harnaces Ra Ra Riot’s warm feeling.
4) “Paparazzi” by Lady GaGa
-I know I previously bashed GaGa’s latest single, but after listening to it a few more times, it’s got me hooked. I’m such a pop junkie. Lady GaGa’s music is so over-played, but she’s a hit-maker. I can’t argue with it. [Sorry, Caitlin]. I still stand by my remark that her other songs are better, though. I think I’ve watched too many music videos here at MTV.
5) “Daylight” Matt + Kim
-That damn Bacardi commercial has got me hooked to Matt + Kim’s quirky and addictive smash hit. If I were drunk, I’d just play this song all night and host a dance party. Sound good to you all?
–Jett Wells, Reviews Editor
