Time for another seasonal playlist. I’ve mentioned it before, how I like to make playlists every few months that reflect the current head space of my life.

My winter playlist has some new stuff, some old stuff, some stuff in between, and all around awesome little ditties that are currently ruling my musical life.

So, invest some time and venture with me through some tunes.

My winter 2009 playlist:

• Straylight Run – Hands In The Sky (Big Shot)
• Radiohead – Just
• Them Crooked Vultures – Gunman
• Muse - Thoughts Of A Dying Atheist
• Hurricane Bells – Monsters
• Band Of Skulls – Cold Fame
• The Kills – At The Back Of The Shell
• The Kills – I Hate The Way You Love, Pt. 2
• The Dead Weather – So Far From Your Weapon
• Wolfmother – Cosmic Egg
• Rob Zombie – Sick Bubble Gum
• Rob Zombie – What?
• Static-X – Goat
• The Horrors - Sea Within A Sea
• Thirty Seconds To Mars – This Is War
• Gossip – Coal To Diamonds
• M. Ward - Never Had Nobody Like You  (Feat. Zooey Deschanel)
• Greg Laswell – Come Undone
• Matt & Kim – Good Ol’ Fashioned Nightmare

I know, I’m really late to mention this but I just watched it again and it’s just so good…  Start off your Thursday right.  THIS IS ALL REAL.  (Except the part at the end.)

I heard this a couple of weeks ago but it’s really been troubling me as to who made it. Well, this lovely marvel is by Matt & Kim, an American duo from New York. It’s brought a little bit of ‘that’ summer feeling to the cold wintery nights, it will definitely be on my ipod for all those horrible winter mornings.

Off to Manchester tomorrow to do Mancunian things, wander round and take in the winter vibes. I love Manchester in the winter, it makes me happy for unknown reasons. I may venture down to the xmas markets. Maybe.

Thank the music gods for Matt & Kim and their boisterous album, “Grand.” Being stuck in 7 hours of southern California holiday traffic would have been unbearable had it not been for this record playing on repeat on my iPod. The simplicity and upbeat arrangements of their tracks make it almost impossible not to be in a good mood. “Daylight” is of course their big commercial hit, but it’s the New Kids On The Block “Hangin’ Tough” esq beats of “Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare” that really got me rocking out in my car. I also have to add in the quintessential traffic song, “Don’t Slow Down” which I screamed numerous times at my fellow drivers… Yes, I have road rage.

Myspace

Twitter

Since I did a round-up of the games I’m playing right now, I thought I’d also do what music I’m listening to at the moment. Just for fun.

Coeur de Pirate – Coeur de Pirate

A beautiful album by Montreal native  Beatrice Martin. A really great chill out album. By the way the album is entirely in French. (Unfortunately I wasn’t able to post any of the real music videos since they don’t allow embedding.)

Fool’s Gold – Fool’s Gold

Lately I’m into African type rhythms, and this album really caught my attention. Just listening to it makes me so happy.

Gang of Four – Return the Gift

I’ve always been into Gang of Four, but recently I’ve listened to them a lot. I love the rawness and attitude. They also came up with one of my favorite lines in a song ever, “To hell with poverty we’ll get drunk on cheap wine”. Check out some awesome dancing below.

Matt & Kim – Grand

Another fun and catchy indie album full of great songs.

Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires

I’ve basically been listening to this album steadily for over a year now. It’s so fantastic.It kind of reminds me of the Talking Heads a little bit.

This advertisement’s really great. And I love the song (Daylight, by Matt & Kim).

(UPDATE: I realise a surprising number of people can’t tell what’s going on in the commercial. Its a man, walking through parties of different eras all the way back to when Bacardi started.)

Go listen if you haven’t heard it -the video’s below, its really cool.

Caijia and I are OGLs. Woohoo! Lets go partner!

I really want to watch American Psycho. And I’m really sorry, realise I haven’t been posting in French!

Cette pub est formidable. Et j’aime le chanson (Daylight, par Matt & Kim). Allez l’ecouter, si vous n’en avez jamais.

Caijia est moi sont des OGLs. Ben! On y va!

Je veux vraiment regarder American Psycho. Et schouis desolé!! J’ai oublié de poster en français.

Best Video at the Woodies Awards.

Check out this link to see the Matt & Kim song in the previous post.  Although this song gives me flashbacks to my grandma induced panic attack, it still gives me chills every time I hear it.

Matt & Kim – Daylight

We have been getting quite a few hot tracks from CEPI.  We decided to post them all in one post.  Check them out here:

Matt & Kim – Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare (CEPI Remix)
http://www.mediafire.com/?mekd25kyvew

CEPI – Broke
http://www.mediafire.com/?dzjjdzh0txm

CEPI – Tenga Miedo
http://www.mediafire.com/?kzkmcfu0luc

CEPI – Yeah?
http://www.zshare.net/audio/67876491df2d4a21/

CEPI -Anniversary
http://www.mediafire.com/?zoy3yntz2mr

CEPI – Cara De Panocha
http://www.mediafire.com/?mv2hxmdgwdm

Little Boots – Earthquake (CEPI Remix)
http://www.mediafire.com/?imwzzmqj1zn

Here is the baby making mixtape! Indie-dance, nu-disco. Chill mixtape by CEPI

Mayer Hawthorne – Green Eyed Love (Classixx Remix)
Miami Horror – Sometimes
The XX – Shelter (Them Jeans Edit)
Redial – Let Me Go
Yacht – Psychic City (Classixx Remix)
Friendly Fires – Paris (Aeroplane Remix)
Crystal Castles – Crimewave

http://www.mediafire.com/?toqtlmkrnmc

If you’re in San Diego on Friday check out CEPI opening for Le Castle Vania.

I’m a fifth of the way there and ready to celebrate! And then add another 5,000 words.

And listen to this song.

It’s the Dandy Warhols & Silversun Pickups tonight at Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. For once in my life I have great tickets right up front in the orchestra section. Oh yeah, Matt & Kim have the opening slot.

By the way, I love this song from The Dandys, “We used to be friends.” The below is from an iFilm contest, which I think is way better than their “offical” video.

Links:
www.silversunpickups.com
www.dandywarhols.com
www.mattandkimmusic.com

AFG Must Rock!
Check Out: www.TheSwaggerSticks.com

Dan Black’s “Symphonies” gives way to the free download track of “Pink Cadillac” by 100 Akres & Roz Bell – the first free, major label-less song to reach the top of my chart. That’s quite a feat and to me just shows the online, fan-oriented direction the music industry is going in. Great music is being made and posted everywhere – ya just gotta find it!  Below is an acoustic clip of Roz singing “Pink Cadillac”, as well as the free download link to the song (also available on the chart page itself)…

http://tinyurl.com/cfebkj

Mr. Black also has the Fastest Riser on the chart with “Alone”, a recent UK single. He’s had a couple of showcase concert dates in NYC this past weekend, his only dates so far in North America. Also making a huge move is someone else who is actively touring, Mika with the magnificent “Blame It On The Girls”. American duo Matt & Kim are everywhere these days as “Daylight” steps into the Top 10.

There’s lots of activity on the chart as significant moves come from songs by David Rush, Hot Chelle Rae, Joshua Radin, Roz Bell, and Michael Buble. There are only two debuts, which means the basement of the chart will likely be sent packing in two weeks.

Enjoy the chart, and please post any comments you might have

NEW TO THE CHART:

EMPIRE STATE OF MIND Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys
I really have the NYC bug after being there this past summer – I wanna go back soon, but I don’t know when that will be!! Anyway, “Empire” is a great ode to that city.
PUMP MY PUMPS Dan Black
Dan gets a rare fourth concurrent entry on the chart from his CD UN. This one’s a tad unusual, but definitely worth repeated plays. It’s a potential club banger along the likes of David Rush’s “Shooting Star” or Kevin Rudolf’s “Let It Rock”. Audio link below for your enjoyment!

Nominations for the 2009 MTVu Woodies are out  – Passion Pit, Friendly Fires, La Roux, Phoenix, and even Ra Ra Riot get some credit this year.  The event tapes at NYC’s Roseland Ballroom on November 18th, but voting begins today (and runs through November 16th) at woodies.mtv.com.

The nominees for the 2009 “mtvU Woodie Awards” are:

Woodie of the Year – (Artist of the Year)

The artists who made the biggest splash on mtvU and the college music scene this past year.

Nominees:

Asher Roth (SRC/Universal Mowtown/Schoolboy)

Kings of Leon (RCA)

Drake (Universal Republic/Young Money)

MGMT (Columbia/Red Ink)

Silversun Pickups (Dangerbird Records)

The Breaking Woodie – (Best Emerging Artist)

mtvU is where new developing artists are test driven for the first time by the toughest critics around: college students.  One of this year’s newest artists will win the coveted “Breaking Woodie.”

Nominees:

Grizzly Bear (Warp Records)

Never Shout Never (Warner Bros./Loveway Records)

Wale (Allido/Interscope)

La Roux (Interscope/Cherytree)

Friendly Fires (XL Recordings)

Passion Pit (Columbia/Frenchkiss Records)

Left Field Woodie – (Most Original Artist)

They are genre-busters. They resist classification.  They came out of left field, and we are still not sure what section of the record store to find them.   

Nominees:

Amanda Blank (Downtown Records)

Janelle Monae (Bad Boy Records)

Major Lazer (Downtown Records)

Jay Reatard (Matador Records)

Tech N9ne (Strange Music Inc)

Best Video Woodie  – (Best Video of the Year) 

The music video that is so incredible, we would watch it even without the music.

Nominees:

Matt & Kim “Lessons Learned” (Cornerstone/Fader)

The Dead Weather “Treat Me Like Your Mother” (Warner Bros./Third Man)

Death Cab for Cutie “Grapevine Fires” (Atlantic)
Anjulie “Boom” (Hear Music)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Heads will Roll” (DGC/Interscope)

Kid Cudi “Day N Nite” (G.O.O.D Music/Fool’s Gold/Universal Motown)

Performing Woodie – (Best Tour) 

For those artists who take to the road and never let up, always giving that memorable live performance. 

Nominees:

Green Day (Reprise/Warner Bros.)

Phoenix (Glassnote)

3OH!3 (Atlantic/Photo Finish)

Animal Collective (Domino)

POS (Rhymesayers)

The Good Woodie – (Greatest Social Impact)

The award for the artist whose commitment to a social cause has effected the greatest change this year. 

Nominees:

John Legend (Columbia Records) – Show Me Campaign 

 John Legend founded the Show Me Campaign to help end poverty through sustainable development at the individual, family, and community levels.  His organization works closely with Millennium Promise and the people of Mbola, Tanzania to implement practical solutions to poverty including clean water, improved health care and education, higher-yielding agriculture, and internet connectivity.

Wyclef Jean (Columbia Records) – Yele Haiti

Wyclef Jean has been active in his support of his native country and created the foundation Yéle Haiti to provide humanitarian aid and assistance to Haiti. Yéle Haiti is a non-political organization intended to empower the people of Haiti and the Haitian diaspora to rebuild their nation.

Kenna (Interscope Records) – PlayPumps

Kenna began working closely with PlayPumps at the beginning of 2009 in an effort to bring 100 PlayPumps water systems to Africa. PlayPumps’ goal is to provide access to clean drinking water to ten million people. Kenna also started his own organization, called Summit on the Summit, with the intent to promote safe water drinking worldwide and to teach the importance of setting and attaining goals – physically and emotionally – by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and documenting his experience.

Jamie Tworkowski – To Write Love on Her Arms

Jamie Tworkowski founded To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA), a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and to invest directly into treatment and recovery.

Ra Ra Riot (Barsuk Records) – John Ryan Pike Memorial Foundation

When the band’s 23-year-old drummer, John Pike, passed away tragically, his family and the band formed the John Ryan Pike Memorial Foundation, to encourage and promote music and the performing arts. 

Alicia Keys (J Records) -Keep a Child Alive/AIDSactivism

Alicia Keys is a devoted AIDS activist and philanthropist. In 2003, she co-founded Keep a Child Alive (KCA), a people’s movement that provides life-saving AIDS medicine and surrounding care to children and families in Africa and India. KCA also provides support to AIDS orphans left behind to keep the most vulnerable children out of harms way.

Lough Allen

Some kTunes for the hell of it. Music for music’s sake.

This is my contribution towards getting us all through these miserable times. Also since my laptop’s keyboard is still only semi-responsive, thus making any significant amount of typing thoroughly painful. Here’s a batch of unrelated songs that have been inserting smiley emoticons into my life in the recent past. I feel like we’ve suddenly been plunged into the winter after that one week of good weather after the Picnic and I feel entirely unprepared for the seasonal change so hopefully these songs will help.

MP3: The Avalanches – Radio – [Buy] An oldie but a goodie, The Avalanches at their sample-tastic best.

MP3: YACHT – Psychic City – [Buy] The whole album is an absolute joy, but this song is too much fun to possibly avoid.

MP3: Dat Politics – Wish Ya – [Buy] The French group’s album Mad Kit is equal parts annoying/confusingly infectious.

MP3: Beth Jeans Houghton – Golden – [Buy] I’ve been liking the early signs from this adventurous young folky singer.

MP3: Fanfarlo – Luna – [Buy] Another album where any track could be called a standout, this is one of my favourites.

MP3: Lisa O’Neill – Anonlikely Scale – [Buy] Got re-acquainted with Lisa and her tunes when we played with her in April. “Has An Album” is out now!

MP3: Matt & Kim – Daylight – [Buy] I just keep coming back to this song. It’s brilliant. Just now discovered it’s on a Bacardi ad.

MP3: The Hood Internet – If I Could Rock (It Would Feel Like This) The mash-up experts blend more ludicrous R Kelly nonsense with some classic Jens Lekman to wondrous effect.

Only in America would you get a cover of Blanco, Lampard and Kljestan. Photo courtesy of teambox.com

I’m not much of a gamer, and occasional fixation with my N64 aside, I tend to steer away from video games. But if there has been one video game constant in my life, it would be FIFA Soccer.

I’ve owned each and every release from the franchise, since the introduction of its World Cup ‘98. If there is a such thing as an electronic pastime, this would be it for me. I owe it to FIFA for the countless nights I’ve spent up winning silverware and managing my beloved Arsenal.

Eleven years on, I’m still hooked. That’s why I’m anxiously awaiting the October release of the latest installment of the series, FIFA ‘10. I don’t even know why I’ll buy it, simply that it’s been engrained in me to have the newest release.

My purchase will most likely be vindicated by the game’s soundtrack. For as long as I can remember, a prerequisite for any FIFA game was a good soundtrack. From Blur on the ‘98 game to last year’s inclusion of The Bloody Beetroots, Cut Copy and Chromeo, the series has always made music a priority.

This year’s soundtrack is a great one featuring the latest from indie, electronic an world music. Here are a few selected songs that Charlie and I handpicked for your enjoyment.

-Ryan

The Answering Machine – It’s Over! It’s Over! It’s Over! (download)

YES, BRIT INDIE ROCK!!@$- R

Cut Off Your Hands – Happy As Can Be (download)

Funny story about these guys. They used to be called Shaky Hands, but then a band from Oregon under the same name attempted to sue them. So, they changed their name. Greatest name change ever, because the real Shaky Hands suck and Cut Off Your Hands is way better.- R

The Enemy UK – Be Somebody (download)

I find the song title ironic.  The Enemy UK has a decent start with a catchy chorus, but the entire song just reminds me of other generic bands.  They should really try to be somebody different.- C

Matt & Kim- Daylight (Troublemaker remix featuring De La Soul) (download)

One of Charlie’s favorites. A rap-infused remix of Matt & Kim’s catchy single.- R

Metric – Gold Guns Girls (download)

Through various means I’ve acquired three Metric songs, and they’ve all been very enjoyable.  I’d love to stall on a Fifa menu to hear this one over and over.- C

Mexican Institute of Sound – Alocatel (download)

Clearly meant for a broad target audience, “Alocatel” is one of many non-English songs on the soundtrack.  I was only initially curious because the band name reminded me of The Ministry of Sound’s Chillout Annual albums, but the amazingly poor song appalled me enough to include it in the post.  Enjoy this one!- C

Passion Pit – Moth’s Wings (download)

I love Passion Pit. You love Passion Pit. We love Passion Pit.- R

The Whitest Boy Alive – 1517 (download)

Lead singer is the guy with the crazy name from Kings of Convenience. Enough said.- R

Matt & Kim’s summer smash hit Daylight remixed real nice by DJ Troublemaker. De La Soul provides the chorus for a real nice version of the jam.

DJ Troublemaker – Daylight Remix (feat De La Soul)

MON SEPT 21
david gray on regis & kelly
aaron carter on bonnie hunt
lynyrd skynyrd on conan o’brien
black joe lewis & the honeybears on craig ferguson
living colour on jimmy fallon
matt & kim on jimmy kimmel
franz ferdinand on carson daly
flaming lips on colbert report

TUES SEPT 22
raphael saadiq on today show
ll cool j on regis & kelly
paolo nutini on ellen degeneres
sean kingston on wendy williams
noisettes on letterman
monsters of folk on conan o’brien
reba mcentire on craig ferguson
kid cudi on jimmy kimmel
mat kearney on carson daly
herb alpert on tavis smiley

WEDS SEPT 23
sheryl lee ralph on wendy williams
mary j blige on letterman
wynonna on conan o’brien

THURS SEPT 24
chynna phillips on the view
noisettes on ellen degeneres
nelly furtado on tyra
jay z and barbra streisand on oprah
snow patrol on letterman
india.arie on conan o’brien
paolo nutini on carson daly
smokey robinson with joss stone on jay leno
phoenix on jimmy fallon
nelly furtado on chelsea lateley

FRI SEPT 25
honor society on today show
mika on gma
alexa ray joel on wendy williams
david gray, ll cool j on letterman

SAT SEPT 26
u2 on snl
hardly strictly bluegrass festival on austin city limits

MON SEPT 28
harry connick jr on today show
melissa etheridge on good morning america
passion pit on letterman
brad paisley and sheryl crow on jay leno
paramore on conan o’brien
metric on carson daly

TUES SEPT 29
miranda lambert on letterman
alice in chains on jimmy kimmel
harry connick jr. and gloria estefan on the view

WEDS SEPT 30
harry connick jr on letterman
brad paisley on conan o’brien
alice in chains on jimmy kimmel

THURS OCT 1

FRI OCT 2
avett brothers on letterman
shinedown on jimmy kimmel

SAT OCT 3
dave matthews band on austin city limits
lady gaga on snl

Today I finally gotten an e-mail on getting a pass for Pop Montreal.
I’m very excited and can’t wait to see who I am going to see play or who I will meet.
As the title says part 1.
I know I know, its very early but I should give this a shot.
I am going to list on who I am or might see on Day 1 (Sept 30th) of Pop Montreal.

9pm: Bahamas at Ukrainian Federation. (Options at that time will be either Bear Claps at Cagibi or Leif Vollebekk at O Patro Vys)

10pm: Amy Millan at Ukrainian Federation (Options at that time will be Holger at Club Lambi)

10:15pm: NoBunny at Sala Rossa (Could be a maybe)

11pm:  Cassim & Barbária at Balattou. (Options at that time will be Elephant Stone at O Patro Vys)

11:30pm: Bruce Peninsula at Il Motore (This is a MUST to see them live!)

12am: Matt & Kim at Club Lambi (Not sure since its going to be crazy packed as usual for them but I will take a chance)

If there is an act that I should totally see please make a comment.
I am trying to diversify my musical taste this time for Pop Montreal.

TUES SEPT 15
taylor swift on the view
queen latifah on ellen degeneres
reba mcentire on bonnie hunt
phoenix on conan o’brien
care bears on fire on letterman
kelly clarkson on jimmy kimmel
ghostface on jimmy fallon
metric on carson daly

WEDS SEPT 16
latoya jackson on the view (guest host)
dave matthews band on ellen degeneres
smokey robinson on bonnie hunt
miley cyrus on jay leno
yeah yeah yeahs on conan o’brien
pink on jimmy kimmel
john fogerty on letterman
qtip on jimmy fallon
pete yorn on carson daly
flaming lips on colbert report

THURS SEPT 17
latoya jackson on the view (guest host)
maxwell on ellen degeneres
bruce hornsby and eric clapton on jay leno
megadeath on jimmy fallon

FRI SEPT 18
cast of fame on gma
latoya jackson on the view (guest host)
colbie caillat on ellen degeneres
ledisi on wendy williams
nelly furtado on conan o’brien
gary mule deer on letterman
keri hilson on jimmy fallon
shakira on jimmy kimmel

SAT SEPT 19
uncle kracker on the early show
john mayer on austin city limits
green day on snl

MON SEPT 21
david gray on regis & kelly
lynyrd skynyrd on conan o’brien
living colour on jimmy fallon
matt & kim on jimmy kimmel

TUES SEPT 22
raphael saadiq on today show
ll cool j on regis & kelly
paolo nutini on ellen degeneres
noisettes on letterman
monsters of folk on conan o’brien
reba mcentire on craig ferguson
kid cudi on jimmy kimmel
herb alpert on tavis smiley

WEDS SEPT 23
mary j blige on letterman
wynonna on conan o’brien

THURS SEPT 24
chynna phillips on the view
noisettes on ellen degeneres
snow patrol on letterman
smokey robinson with joss stone on jay leno
phoenix on jimmy fallon
nelly furtado on chelsea lateley

FRI SEPT 25
honor society on today show
mika on gma
david gray on letterman

SAT SEPT 26
u2 on snl
hardly strictly bluegrass festival on austin city limits

Who were the biggest winners from the VMAs 2009? Click under the jump for the winners from the 26th annual MTV Music Video Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday 13 September 2009.

As well as the list of winners, see also the MTV Awards arrivals and scandal.

• Video of the Year VMA Winner: Beyonce, Single Ladies.
• Best Female Video VMA Winner: Taylor Swift, You Belong With Me.
• Best Rock Video VMA Winner: Green Day, 21 Guns.
• Best Pop Video VMA Winner: Britney Spears, Womanizer.
• Best Male Video VMA Winner: T.I. featuring Rihanna, Live Your Life.
• Best Hip Hop Video VMA Winner: Eminem, We Made You.
• Best New Artist Winner VMA Winner: Lady Gaga.
• Best Breakthrough Video VMA Winner: Matt & Kim, Lessons Learned.
• Best Video (That Should Have Won a Moonman): Beastie Boys, Sabotage
• Best Art Direction VMA Winner: Lady Gaga, Paparazzi
• Best Choreography VMA Winner: Beyonce, Single Ladies
• Best Cinematography VMA Winner: Green Day, 21 Guns
• Best Direction VMA Winner: Green Day, 21 Guns
• Best Editing VMA Winner: Beyonce, Single Ladies
• Best Special Effects VMA Winner: Lady Gaga, Paparazzi.

We’ve heard the clamoring all summer…”When are Silversun going to play an LA show?”

Since the release of Swoon, the band has criss-crossed the country playing numerous headlining shows and festivals, yet they still haven’t had a chance to play to their home crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is over (almost). Silversun Pickups will headline LA Weekly’s first-ever LA 101 event on November 3 at the Gibson Amphitheatre, with two stages brought to you by the cherished local paper and KROQ.  The Dandy Warhols and Matt & Kim will join them on the main stage, with an additional acts to be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets will go on sale Saturday, September 19 at 1pm, at LiveNation.com.

Video Of The Year: BEYONCE – Single Ladies

Best Female Video: TAYLOR SWIFT – You Belong With Me

Best Hip-Hop Video: EMINEM – We Made You

Best Male Video: T.I. FEAT. RIHANNA – Live Your Life

Best Pop Video: BRITNEY SPEARS – Womanizer

Best New Artist: LADY GAGA

Best Rock Video: GREEN DAY – 21 Guns

Best Breakthrough Video: MATT & KIM – Lessons Learned

Best Video That Should Have Won A Moonman: BEASTIE BOYS – Sobatage

Printre evenimentele notabile petrecute in cadrul festivitatii se numara omagiul adus lui Michael Jackson de catre sora sa Janet, prezentarea trailerul extins pentru Twilight Saga: New Moon si nu in ultimul rand comportamentul impertinent al lui Kanye West in timpul speech-ului castigatoarei Best Female Video, Taylor Swift.