Birthday Weekend, Landon's Birthday, New Summer Tunes

It's my birthday! Well, tomorrow is. But today is party night. Exited to get together with some friends tonight for some drinks and music (and I've been told there is dinner involved). Don't I have a wonderful man to plan this whole thing for me? I do indeed. Yesterday at my regular stop at Drink, Kelly gave me two free drink cards for my birthday, and she reserved the couches for my crew and I tonight. If that doesn't scream loyalty to their customers I don't know what else would. Happy early (27th) birthday to me, I am hoping it will be a great success.

There is another birthday coming up (we have a swarm of Leos in our family). My little boy will be 4 on August 9th. Epic plans underway for that as well. First, the cake. I have never actually made a cake for him (shame on me, I know). This year, I'm getting all Martha Stewart/Ace of Cakes on this birthday's a** and making an incredible cake. This cake has blueprints and a week long planned out process. I am making him a Fairly Odd Parents cake, 3 layers, lime green frosting, marshmallow fondant crowns and stars coming out of the cake complete with a Cosmo and Wanda candle. Here comes the one bitch about this - Fairly Odd Parents is a retired show, therefore anything Fairly Odd Parents has become collectable. I paid $6 for a candle, which wasn't bad (thx Amazon), but all the figurines are $22 each! Bummed I couldn't put more on the cake. I have been watching tons of cake making how-to videos, so I should be a virtual expert by the time I have to start this cake. Another fun thing Noah and I are doing for Landon's birthday - a surprise room remodel. Painting a wall lime green and putting up some cool robot decals and he is going to have bunk beds! I figure the top bunk can just be a little seating area/hangout for him. I hope he is going to like it, I'm exited to get started on it.

Some great summer tracks I am really digging this week.

M83 - "Midnight City"
He's back and releasing a double album in October. The first single off Hurry Up We're Dreaming I love the 80's synth vibe and the quintessential romantic saxophone at the end (maybe Kenny G can be cool?)
I was playing this in my car and the car stereo turned this track up on it's own...really strange. Turn it up, and dance.

Midnight City by M83

The Drums - "Money"
10 points for a catchy surfer hook

The Drums - Money by weallwantsome1

SBTRKT - "Pharaohs"
I love SBTRKT's (self-titled) new album, another great track. I'll have to give the link for this one, couldn't find it on sound cloud : http://hypem.com/item/1ckz7/SBTRKT+-+Pharaohs

Chiddy Bang - "Manners"
IMO, Chiddy Bang is the future of hip hop. He's a seriously creative MC, I always love what he uses for a back beat. "Manners" is no exception.

Mind Your Manners by ChiddyBang

Summer Jamz 2011 - Top Ten Dance-your-pants-off-sunny-day-bbq-open-field-festie Tunes

It was bound to happen. With the amount of fantasic tunes released in the last 6 months a summer jam playlist is definitely needed, but not that easily thrown together. While rotating favorites like MGMT "Kids", Banarama's "Cruel Summer" and Major Lazer's "Pon de Floor" will always make my summer soundtrack, there are some great new contenders for that classic summer dance sound. So, without further adieu, my countdown of the top 10 (new) Summer Jamz.

10. Adele - Set Fire to the Rain (Plastic Plates Remix)
 It's no secret, I am a raving fan of the remix - a GREAT remix. Adele has acheived noticable mainstream pop attention with hits like "Chasing Pavements" from her first album, 19, and more recently with "Rolling in the Deep" off 21 (which has also seen it's fair share of monster remixes). The powerful bluesy and sometimes raspy voice of Adele set to a road-trip-worthy summer dance beat, I can envision my self driving with the window down, 70mph, singing "but I'll set fiiireee, to the rainnn...." while the sun reflects off my fuschia mock Ray Bans. And while I know next to nothing about Plastic Plates - it's safe to say now the name will stick.

Adele - Set Fire To The Rain (Plastic Plates Remix) by PLASTiC PLATES

9. Future Islands - Tin Man
Baltimore's Future Islands have peaked my interest recently, most likely because they are not like anything I've heard before. Lead singer Sam Herring's voice is reminiscent of that always-in-pain vocalist of the 90's grunge scene, is somewhat rock opera like, but he is usually backed by more upbeat pop/rock synth beats which makes for an odd combination that, surprisingly, works extremely well together. "Tin Man" strikes me as a summer beat - with the steel drums and rolling bass, but perhaps with a darker undertone. I've heard they are fantastic live, and I'm terribly bummed I missed them at the Monkey House recently.

Future Islands - Tin Man

8. Caribou - Sun (Pyramid Remix)
I'll have to admit, I am not really into Caribou's orginal "Sun". But there is really something special about this remix. Pyramid is a young producer from France, I really couldn't find much information about him otherwise (try searching Pyramid on Google). This remix in particular shows bits and pieces chillwave with a little more of a dance beat. Either way, it screams summer - aviators, lightweight sundresses flouncing in the wind, sunkissed skin. It may even be a perfect track for a pool party.

Caribou - Sun (Pyramid Remix) by -Pyramid-

7. Wolf Gang - The King and All of His Men
If this countdown was based purely on the number of days the song was stuck in my head, this tune would without a doubt be #1. Alas, because there are many more factors than brain stickiness, Wolf Gang's "The King and All of His Men" lands at a respectable #7. It has all the elements of a fantastic pop song - catchy lyrics, back-up "oooo oooo ooooooh" vocals, great keys, drums and a chorus you just can't forget: "you took her soul, so incomplete, why don't you stop....fighting me. You're in control, so why should you beeeee....fighting me". They have been galavanting around Europe and opened up for The Killers, as well as headlining a good percentage of their own gigs. Here is the video for the track below - how much cooler can you get than filming in a cave while running after a cute girl with vintage suitcases? Here's to wishing they'll come stateside soon.

6. Fitz and the Tantrums - Don't Gotta Work it Out

There is nothing I like more than a throwback to Motown. Among the likes Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Mayer Hawthorne and Raphael Saadiq, Fitz and the Tantrums have literally exploded on to the 'modern motown' music scene. How? Take it from their website "In just a year or so, soulsters Fitz & the Tantrums went from the living room to the main stage. The recipe for meteoric success? Six killer musicians, five dapper suits, irresistible songs, some serendipity and one vintage organ." When I see a band come on stage wearing stylish, well fitting suits, black ties and swanky fedoras, I know it's going to be a great show. "Don't Gotta Work it Out" off Pickin' Up the Pieces is a track you can throw on at a BBQ and people of all ages can jam out to it. Or you can hang out in the air conditioning and imagine you're in a smoke-filled jazz club with high rollers, dirty martinis, and red carpets.

Fitz & The Tantrums - Don't Gotta Work It Out


5. Justice - Civilization (LAZRtag Remix)
It seems like the second Justice released the first single from it's forth-coming, still untitled sophomore album on the heels of the new Adidas commercial, everyone made a remix. There were some good, some bad, some ok, and some exceptional. LAZRtag's remix was one of the exceptional. While it still keeps the vibe and weight of the original track, it mixes and speeds it up a bit so this remix is sure to hit dance floors around the nation. Justice recently released the Romain Garvas-directed video for Civilization, which is as much and interpretive piece of art as it is a music video. Check out the video here, but also enjoy the remix.

Justice - Civilization (LAZRtag Bootleg Mix)

4. Starfucker - Julius
Ok, ok, so I know I blogged about this track before, but I just adore it. It's on it's way to being one of my summer classics. And because it was not released until last fall, it's still technically a new summer jam. I love how the vocals drown in the pop synth beats, so neither is more prominent than the other. Something about the beginning of it reminds me of an 80s cartoon theme song, though I can't put my finger on it. It's wonderful and fun in it's entirety, sure to be enjoyed for a long time to come.

Julius 7" version

3. Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise
Here we are at #3 - getting to the good stuff. One of these things is not like the other. Meaning, I normally don't post much hip hop. But it's the Beastie Boys. With the release of Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 they are still schooling everyone in the hip hop realm on how it's done. The first track off the album, also accompanied by a star studded video (Seth Rogan, Elijah Wood, Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Susan Sarandon and more) leads by example. It shows us that solid rhymes and a funky beat are still king.

Make Some Noise by Beastie Boys

2. Dillon Francis - HARD Summer 2011 Mix
Moombahton is taking over the world (yes spell check that is an actual word). Maybe it isn't yet, but it's made it's way in to our hearts just in time for summer with this epic mixtape from Mad Decent's Dillon Francis. It may have been "invented" by Dave Nada, but Mr. Francis is showing us what it's all about, and that it's made for gettin' down. A mix of sultry reggaeton and house music, I had not much interest in Moombahton until this mixtape. Now, I get it; it's quite honestly dance floor gold. If you're not convinced, get yourself about 3:05 in to this mixtape and you will understand. That's where it hooks me in and makes me wants to move. Also included in Hard Summer Mix - a throwback to some high school tunes with some Fat Joe/Big Pun and Missy Elliot. Somehow, Dillon Francis managed to sample CSS' newly released song "Hits Me Like a Rock" about two months before they actually realeased it. Not sure how that happened, but pretty sure this man is genious. Initially, he only allowed about 10 free downloads of this mix, then cut it off subsequently pissing off the masses. Now, once again, you can download for free (do it while you still can!).

Dillon Francis - HARD Summer 2011 Mix  by DILLONFRANCIS

1. Cut Copy - Pharaohs and Pyramids
I already knew what my #1 summer jam was before I decided to put this post together. Off their album Zonoscope, "Pharaohs and Pyramids" taps in to the 'drop the beat' mentality that mirrors LCD Soundsystems's "Dance Yrself Clean" (My #1 Summer Jam of 2010), although Cut Copy makes you wait for it less, and want it more (sorry J Murph I'm still upset you broke an incredible band up at it's peak). While "Dance Yrself Clean" is fairly lackluster for about 3 min and leaves you salivating for that beat drop, Cut Copy has an amazing track that just happens to have an impressive dance beat drop about 3 min in also - no doubt getting the party started and the crowd in a complete dance frenzy at one of the numerous summer festivals they are playing this year. I expect I will see nothing less at Camp Bisco, where they are expected to 'get the party started' opening up the stage on Thursday night. Add it to your summer playlist, you will not be disappointed in the least.

Cut Copy - Pharaohs and Pyramids

Getting Shpongled

So what is a Shpongle? Or a Shpongletron for that matter. I was bound to find out. Noah and I went to "The Shpongletron Experience" kind of on a whim. His friend was going, and I Googled "Shpongle" and knew by the YouTube videos that I would not even be slightly let down by this show. Shpongle live will also be at Camp Bisco this year, so I figured I should check it out. The Shpongletron appeared to be a pagoda style DJ booth (well DJ tower) that has multiple projection screens. There was an eye shaped screen at the very top, and a 3D cast of the Shpongle head front and center on the tower. As the DJ/Producer made his way up to his perch in the Shpongletron, with his surely Peter Pan inspired feather chapeau, we got closer for a better look. The two hours that followed were no less than amazing, I was awe-struck. The graphics on the projection screens were really fantastic. The projection on to the 3D Shpongle head made it appear to move it's multiple sets of eyes, and twist and turn it's head around. The music was great. A world beat/house music combo with some obvious bits of Latin flare. Lots of drums and flutes. You can see the Shpongletron video I took below :

It was an all around fun time, and it was and experience. AND I am about 99% sure I saw my high school science teacher.

With all this rain and flooding, I've been seeking out some new fun music to listen to to keep my spirits up. Here are a few tracks that have been rotating on my playlists this week.

Just bought their album Reptilians - Definitely worth a good listen, this is my favorite track:
STRFKR - Julius by Polyvinyl Records

I also have to post the Zelda-inspired music video for this one:

And speaking of Zelda, you can check out Zedd's "The Legend of Zelda" remix here 

Funkabit is an Italian export - real funky, almost lounge-like

Blue moon by Funkabit

Yet another super remix from this 16 year old (!) France native - watch this kid:
Deadmau5 - Raise Your Weapon (Madeon Remix) @ Pete Tong 05.13.11 by Madeon

And finally, not so uplifting but still a great time, Electro-pop group Fenech-Soler:
Lies by Fenech-Soler

The Relentless Grasp of Winter and New Music Obsessions

I have to vent for a minute here. It seems like Vermont is stuck in this terrible weather pattern of mid-40s and clouds (well thunderstorms today). What is going on here? It's the end of April and it feels like late February. As soon as I gave up my boots and my winter coat on one 55 degree day, they were back on the next because I like to take a nice long walk on my lunch hour and not freeze.

Last Saturday was no exception to this absurd weather pattern. April 16 (aka the day that everything good in the state seemed to be happening) was an attempt at the start of music outside. I purchased my tickets to UVM's annual SpringFest weeks ago, crossing my fingers for a sunny day above 50 degrees. This April 16 was neither of those things. Just barely pushing 40 degrees, with fierce wind gusts and a terrain that was like a soaked sponge due to rainfall and a record amount of snowfall pushed SpringFest off the green and in to Patrick Gym. Bummer, but at least I was going to get to see the Roots and Theivery Corporation. SpringFest was due to start at noon with three openers before the headliners, so we took our time and arrived at 2pm hoping to catch at least one of the openers. What we found was a pretty empty gym with some rowdy college kids tossing around SpringFest branded beach balls. Hmmm where was the music? About 40 minutes of waiting later with still no music, we discovered Patrick Gym had no power which meant...no music. The last opener, Brothers McCann, tried to ease the crowd by doing some acapella stuff with a drum kit, sax and a tambourine. I applaud them for the attempt but almost an hour in with no (amplified) music, we left to go have a drink at a local chain restaurant. Fast foward an hour later, the power turned on right as we walked in. Like literally, as we walked in the door. Our string of luck for the day started here. Brothers McCann were allowed to come on and do some legit performing - and all I can say is what a difference when they were plugged in. They went from almost high school recital sounding to a perfectly rendered, beautifully harmozied, jam-band version of Mumford & Sons. You can check them out here, glad I caught a few songs from them.

Next up, Thievery Corporation DJ set. A quick disclaimer; I LOVE Thievery Corporation. I have seen their live act 3 times, always with an on-stage posse of 20+. This was a DJ set, so I knew it would be different, but I was a bit disappointed. The switched off, El Jefe spinning Thievery-esque instrumental stuff and Eric spinning mostly reggae. The transitions between tracks were not that good, and there was little to no performance value. Just one guy walking around while the other one spun and bobbed their head, no microphone. AND I missed the sitar. But I still love Thievery.

The Roots put on one of their classic lively shows, almost freezing the whole act multiple times and starting back up perfectly synchronized, like pressing pause and then play on a tape deck (or iPod). Oh, that sousaphone...I didn't really understand why they did a bunch of "americana rock-and-roll" cover songs, they have a ton of material to work with. But they were really good, as expected.

At 7:30 we departed Patrick Gym, just enough time to go home and eat a combination of left-overs for dinner and back to Burlington for, what I consider, the better part of the day : ?uestlove DJ set with Lazerdisk Party Sex and Philly Slick at Nectars. We parked nearby and just barely made it in to Nectars to catch about 15 min of the first opener, Philadelphia Slick. Philadelphia is a good, funky hip hop crew who are way too underestimated. Hardly anyone was there for their set at a sold out show. They kept it lively, threw out some t-shirts and cleared the stage. Noah's friend Joe happened to be bartending, which got us little to no cost drinks for a few rounds. Lucky lucky day. Lazerdisk Party Sex was next. They had me at storm trooper masks. Not only do they have fun, synthy, mixes including "Lemonade is Still Popular" (the vocal sample was 'lemonade was a popular drink....and it still is...pop...pop...pop...pop...Bruce Willis' HILARIOUS and totally danceable) and "Tigerblood" (you guessed it snippits of Charlie Sheen rants), but they are really good performers; jumping up and down and making hand motions to get the crowd going. Dressed in suits with a tie and bow tie, and of course the storm trooper masks. Fun fun fun. Oh, and they are originally from Burlington, awesome. Here are some photos from the show below:

As well as the two aforementioned tracks:

Tiger Blood by LAZERDISK PARTY SEX

Lemonade is Still Popular by LAZERDISK PARTY SEX

So, mid-Lazerdisk set I'm standing watching in excitement while Noah runs outside for a minute. Someone comes up and stands right next to me. I'm having a good time, I look over and did an instant double take. In all his awesomness and brown cord jacket glory, stands El Jefe (Rob Garza) of Thievery Corporation. I froze, and got on the iPhone and started a text to Noah: "I'm standing next to El Jefe..." as soon as I get done with the last "e" in Jefe, Noah comes back. I whisper "look to my left". He's looking around and finally spots El Jefe (who was maybe two feet from me) and goes right in for a handshake and a compliment about the great set today. Noah buys El Jefe a Corona and us another round of drinks, and I'm still close lipped and starstruck while he goes on about how we've seen Thievery 3 times in the last year. I couldn't believe it, the whole night I was just in awe. I never meet musicians, or anyone famous!

The night got more awesome still, if that was possible. ?uestlove came on and did almost a 3 hour DJ set of hip-hop history (or what I call ?uestlove unconvers the sample). He seeks out the sample of a track, plays the sample, then somehow transitions into the hip-hop track completely seamless. It was truly amazing, every minute of it. The show was totally worth the $20 just for that set, but I happened to get 1 1/2 more sets included in the ticket price.

More spring music tonight with Bassnectar and EOTO. I'm trying to prep my ears. This weekend will be crazy - I took Thursday and Friday off which will be spent putting up moulding and transition strips and preparing to have Noah's family up for Easter. Landon wants the Easter Bunny to bring him new movies (mommy plans on the Easter Bunny bringing some fun outdoor toys). We'll see what happens.

New music obsessions - Miami Horror. A perfect combo between chillwave and disco, I can already hear their album Illumination being the soundtrack to my summer. Check out my favorite tracks below:

Holidays by Miami Horror (Official)

Sometimes by Miami Horror (Official)

Looking forward to album releases from Digitalism and Justice. Check out the new singles :

2 Hearts by digitalism_official

Justice - Civilization by WATM Magazine

Ok sorry, this was a long post. But thanks for reading!

Without a coat and in to Festival Season!

It's April 14, 45 degrees, and I'm wearing a skirt and flip flops. Now, this might not seem like appropriate clothing for the conditions, but it's April and I am giving up my pants/leggings, boots and winter coat. Warm weather will come eventually. Heck, it was 73 degrees on Monday of last week. But it's Vermont. I have come to terms with our obscure weather, or our lack of weather pattern at all. It could be 70 degrees and sunny one day, and  snowing the next. I do remember a snow fall once in June, during my high school days - wow is my high school 10 year reunion really supposed to be next year?! Scary. Anyway, I digress. So yes, off with the coats and in with pasty white skin that hasn't seen sunlight since, well, last summer. And while my cold-to-the-touch legs are waiting for that 70 degrees and sun again, let's talk about what I am most looking forward too this summer.

M-U-S-I-C, outside. While it is a bummer that UVM's springfest this Saturday has been moved inside to the Patrick Gym (the stage would sink in to the green it's so moist), at least it's an attempted start to the beautiful, unpredictable and absolutely necessary outdoor music season. It will still be a fantastic show - with the Roots and Thievery Corporation DJ set. I really can't imagine those two acts could ever disappoint. I'm actually pretty stoked to see Thievery do a DJ set. While they are amazing live, I have seen them no less than three times in the past year and a half, and they usually do a very similar set. Music outside - June for me marks the start of Festival Season! For a reasonable ticket price, you can see a menagerie of your favorite acts perform while you tough it out camping with port-o-potties, little running water and no electricity. But that is the whole experience of things. The festival culture is something you will not see anywhere else besides a festival. The music and togetherness allow people to let go of their inhibitions and just enjoy themselves (am I sounding like a hippie yet?) A good music festival is probably the freest place you can be on Earth. Surrounded by people that all love the music and to be there with you. I'm still deciding on the festivals I'll attend this season, one I am pretty sure of is Camp Bisco. It was hands down my favorite last year with more than enough bass, lightsticks, lazer-like light shows and Eeyores on sticks to go around for everyone (yes the Winnie the Pooh character).

Cheers to the kick-off of a great spring, which will lead to a fantastic summer, and enjoy some tracks from this year's Camp Bisco artists below:

Cut Copy - Pharaohs and Pyramids by modularpeople

Nighttime by Afrobeta

Everyday (Netsky Remix) by Rusko