Je voulais refaire le festival de Reading à la base mais le jour où jouait Radiohead était complet. J’ai donc décidé de faire celui de Leeds, même WE, même line-up décalé d’un jour et donc pleins de fun à venir !!

Le Carling WE, entre Leeds et Reading est probablement le 2ème festival le plus mythique de l’Angleterre après le Glastonbury. Y arriver en voiture est plutôt simple car tout est bien indiqué et il y a une excellente organisation. Le parking est gratuit (en même temps, vu le prix du festival, ils peuvent se le permettre…). Les bottes sont plus que conseillées car c’est un festival très campagnard !!

Après avoir garé la voiture, je pars vers l’entrée du site (il suffit de suivre les festivaliers. Passage dans une grande tente histoire de se faire attacher un nouveau bracelet bien mythique et je débarque sur le site. En fait, on entre par le camping. C’est là la difficulté en fait, parce que les scènes ne sont pas indiquées (ou alors j’ai raté quelque chose). Alors oui, ça peut faire sourire mais le site est véritablement immense (le plus grand site de camping que j’ai jamais vu). Des tentes à perte de vue (et l’ambiance du camping est vraiment extraordinaire !! L’ambiance des festivals UK hors musique est ce qu’il y a de mieux de tout ce que j’ai pu voir jusqu’à maintenant !!). Je vous jure, j’ai essayé de repérer les énormes scènes, impossible…

Du coup, je trouve un panneau d’orientation : y’en a pleins, c’est pas pour rien. Le camping est divisé en zones de couleurs, c’est monumental. Y’a même des petites cabines de DJ à certains croisements pour la nuit et comble du comble, des attractions aussi !! Si, si. J’ai vu des trains fantômes, des auto-tamponneuses, des trucs pour faire vomir… Je vous jure, ça fait peur de tomber sur ce genre de trucs en plein milieu de camping de festival (et y’avait pas qu’un spot pour les attractions, y’en avaient un peu de partout).

Après m’être planté, je finis par comprendre où se trouvent les scènes (je me suis complètement planté de direction…). Avant d’arriver sur l’entrée du site musical à proprement parler, on peut quand même admirer des restaus (implantés pour l’évènement au milieu de la boue), des magasins/tentes de tous les styles (notamment une énorme tente Oxfam), un terrain de foot improvisé et l’énorme tente de Silent Disco (wouhouuuuu !!) !!

L’expérience en UK vous dit qu’il faut avoir imprimé le programme avant si vous voulez pas lâcher 8£ pour l’acheter (vu qu’il est affiché quasiment nulle part). Le site de musique en lui même est énorme bien sûr. Il y a 2 très grosses scènes (la Main Stage et la pyramide NME/Radio1) sur lesquelles passent les plus gros calibres et il y a 4 scènes alternatives (mais ne pas s’y tromper, y’a bien 75% de programmation à voir absolument sur ces scènes aussi…) donc vous l’aurez compris : c’est la mort en permanence de choisir entre 2 ou 3 trucs qui déchirent. A ajouter à cela le fait qu’il y a pas mal d’artistes (notamment les perles montantes) qui ne passent qu’en UK… Ca vous fait un mal de crane quelques jours avant quand vous essayez d’entourer les groupes que vous devez voir sur le programme !!

Sur le site en lui même, c’est excellent : y’a de la bouffe du monde entier (et la spécialité locale, une sorte de ragout en croute !!), encore pleins d’attractions, des magasins de fringues, de bottes, de chapeaux, de posters, des bars normaux, des bars à oxygène, … C’est un grand n’importe quoi anglais !! La population est une vraie attraction à elle toute seule : des vrais anglais de festivals mutlicolores qui s’amusent avec tout (la bouffe, la bière, la boue, …).

Quelques mots sur les groupes que j’ai pu voir ce jour là.

Screaming Lights : l’excellente surprise des petites pouces anglaises sur une toute petite scène. Gros talent malgré leur jeunesse avec de la pop qui ressemble beaucoup aux Mystery Jets qui les ont pouponné un peu sur leur tournée.

Bear Hands : un quatuor de post punk New Yorkais qui a ouvert ma journée. Une très bonne entrée en matière qui vire un peu à l’expérimental de temps en temps. Un groupe à suivre.

Titus Andronicus : Un des gros coups de coeur de la journée que j’attendais de pied ferme. Mes petites flèches montantes américaines qui font une sorte de pop punk très efficaces qui part dans le shoegazing quand ils le décident ! Bref, de la balle atomique !! A ne pas rater !!

The XX : je les ai vus avant que ça fasse un buzz en Europe. Je connaissais pas vraiment et j’ai trouvé ça bien sympathique.

Magistrates : c’est frais, c’est jeune, c’est pleins de couleurs. Des Pet Shop Boys des temps modernes !!

Grammatics : des locaux de l’étape avec des petites chansons bien sympathiques et qui sont très propres en live !

The Hot Rats : ceux qui n’ont pas bien fait le travail de préparation ne tiqueront pas forcément sur ce nom alors que derrière se cache Gaz et Danny de Supergrass. Autant dire que ça déchirait bien sous cette petite tente !!

Golden Sivers : l’une des sensations de l’année en UK. C’est bien de la balle aussi en live. A ne pas rater !!

The Rumble Strips : Qui bosse derrière les platines de ce quintet : Mark Ronson et Phil Spektor. Est-il besoin d’en dire plus sur la qualité ??? Un groupe surprenant qui va vous épater avec un son très UK !

MSTRKRFT : toujours aussi efficace pour alimenter le dance floor. Je n’ai pas pu rester après pour Deadmau5 qui était très en retard.

In Case of Fire : des irlandais qui font un rock qui dépote grave, aidé en ça par l’un des Pixies tout de même !

Frank Turner : song writer plutôt populaire dans le pays qui écrit des chansons gentillettes qui sont reprises par le public. A voir seulement en UK je pense.

Metronomy : On change un peu de décor par rapport à la petite salle de la laiterie mais le show est assez identique (outre la quantité de fans supplémentaires !!). C’est vraiment très cool à voir !!

Passion pit : l’un des gros buzz de l’année depuis les USA. Même si j’accroche pas à tout, c’est clair que c’est bien sympa à écouter.

Crystal Castles : un duo sans compromis avec Ethan aux manettes et Alice au micro pour une performance d’une rare intensité. Musicalement, ça peut déranger certains mais le show est impressionnant !! (et la plupart diront que c’est juste insupportable, hé hé)

Gallows : rock hardcore, je n’ai pas du tout accroché (c’était le soir, je commençais à avoir les oreilles fatiguées…)

Noah and the Whale : je suis juste arrivé pour la fin de leur set (c’était au tout début de l’après midi). Surprenant de coller ça sur la Main Stage mais c’était bien sympa avec leurs chansons bien léchées à la guitare.

The Living End : je sais plus où j’ai déjà vu les australiens cette année mais le punk sympathique des australiens m’a bien donné envie de venir refaire un tour !

Yeah Yeah Yeahs : impossible pour moi de rater la prestation de la troupe !! Vraiment excellentissime avec un Date with the night explosif ++ sur le final !!

Bloc Party : Encore une grosse prestation pour la 3ème fois que je les vois cette année. C’est toujours du bonheur et là ils ont pu sortir un peu plus du dernier album vu le public.

Radiohead : Oui bin voila, je l’ai déjà crié sur tous les toits quand j’en suis revenu. C’était pour moi l’un des 2 meilleurs concerts du groupe que j’ai pu voir (je sais plus trop à combien j’en suis mais le dernier qui était à ce niveau là, c’était un certain 14 juillet 2003…). Vraiment une très grosse différence par rapport à toutes les dates que j’ai faites l’année dernière. Le groupe était bien décontracté et a retouché certains de leurs titres (subtilement, certes mais même certains anciens y sont passés). Il n’y a pas photo au final : c’est un bon cran au-dessus de l’année dernière. Le groupe maîtrise beaucoup mieux leur tournée. Ca s’entend et ca se voit sur scène aussi. Un concert mémorable.

Une bien grosse journée au final avec un point d’orgue magnifique et quelques très bonnes découvertes. Cela n’a fait que confirmer mes précédentes expériences anglaises : des line-ups extrèmement riches à découvrir, une grosse frustation du coup parce que tout passe en même temps, d’autant plus que les groupes ne jouent pas très longtemps et le peu de temps de changement de scène fait que souvent le son laisse assez à désirer, au moins sur les premières chansons. Le public est très connaisseur mais très anglais : donc pénibles à toujours parler fort et à s’exciter comme des puces sur les singles en jetant les bières en l’air. En dehors de la musique, l’ambiance est hors du commun, que ce soit dans les allées ou dans le camping (le retour la nuit était phénoménal).
Donc le festival UK coute très cher mais musicalement, si y’a de quoi faire pour la qualité des groupes et pour l’ambiance en dehors de la musique, c’est pas ce qu’il y a de plus rentable et de plus tripant comme festival pour ceux qui viennent pour la musique.

So – we finally made it to the end of 2009!

If anyone in your fraternity claims it was a crap year in music I think it’s a fitting moment to slap the person, put his (or her) head into the bassbins of Fabric, turn the volume knob in deep South East and aurally torture the person to the following Top 10 Reader Choices List on Space Dust as voted by YOU!

Running a blog can be a singular affair where you at times feel you might be the only person who actually like what you’re posting.

This is when statistics come in handy. Giving a perspective of what you people, around the world, actually like (and don’t like) on Space Dust.

It would have been selfish of me to just keep this information for myself, and it would have been even more narcissistic of me to only highlight my personal choices of the year.

So – give the voice to people – I say! Here’s how you guys voted with your feet (or is that the fingertip ?) on Space Dust in 2009.

BEST OF 2009 – TOP 10 READERS CHOICES

#1: The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (Axwell & Dirty South Remix)

Since dropping sometime prior to summer 2009 Axwell & Dirty Souths take on The Temper Trap’s ridiculously catchy – “Sweet Disposition” – just kept growing and growing and growing.

It was a match made in Heaven between a great song, and two astonishing talented producers who delivered the Chord Hook Of The Year

Mp3: The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (Axwell & Dirty South Remix)

#2: Skunk Anansie – Because Of You (Duke Dumont Remix)

The comeback of Skin and the boys very nearly beat The Temper Trap to the #1 post for a short while, but with Tongy well on the case of “Sweet Disposition” the remixes of “Because Of You” was left behind in second and third position on the Top 10 Readers Choices chart.

Surprisingly the Duke Dumont Dub-Step remix proved more popular with you lot than the Michael Cleis version, which somehow speak loudly about the formidable rise of Dub-Step in 2009.

Mp3:Skunk Anansie – Because Of You (Duke Dumont Remix)

#3: Skunk Anansie – Because Of You (Michel  Cleis Remix)

Michel Cleis’ 9′06 mins. epic remix of “Because Of You” followed in the wake of his huge, terrace-rocking “La Mezcla”!

Treading a similar path – its understated drum-pattern coupled with shimmering top-line, and Skin’s chanting vocal, kind of opened the Ibiza heavens, and upon your return you just couldn’t get enough of it!

Mp3: Skunk Anansie – Because Of You (Michel Cleis Remix)

#4: Metronomy – Do The Right Thing (Wild Geese Remix)

After being featured  in the Aeroplane August Mix Chart the powers of Metronomy exploded to the forefront, and this mid-tempo, Balearic, “Your Love”-top line driving Nu-Disco remix by Wild Geese just summed up the whole vibe of Summer 2009 in 7′21″ mins.

Mp3: Metronomy – Do The Right Thing (Wild Geese Remix)

#5: DJ Hell – The DJ (Radio Slave Remix)

DJ Hell provided some fantastic moments in 2009. Not content with delivering one Tech gem after the other on his Gigolo label – he also enlisted the powers of Radio Slave who promptly took the road-call of Diddy of “20 mins. versions” literally and pushed the fucker to a staggering 28. mins on his remix.

To keep a crowd locked in the same track for 28. mins seems like an entirety, but with Hell and Radio Slave time wisked by in seconds and you lot lapped it up like kittens.

Mp3: DJ Hell – The DJ (Radio Slave 28. mins. Version)

#6: Cosmic Balearic Beat Vol 2: Dance Disorder – My Time (Radio Slave After The After Remix)

Nu-Disco has undoubtedly surpassed the sound of Electro faster than you can say “Kawasaki”, and with Aeroplane spearheading the sound the compilation of Cosmic Balearic Beats Vol. 2 proved to be the soundtrack of the summer 2009.

I could have posted the entire album, but this workout by Radio Slave, working his 11.mins. chunk magic, on Dance Disorder’s “My Time” had you swinging from the rafters.

Mp3: Dance Disorder – My Time (Radio Slave After The After Remix)

#7: Soul II Soul – Back To Life (Remix By The Rules)

What can you say ? The legacy of Soul II Soul’s awesome classic – “Back To Life” – got the justified update treatment by The Rules, and suddenly magic was born again.

It sent us way back to the summer of 1989. It proved that great music transcends time and fashions, and even on a cold December night, like tonight, it sends rays of summer light straight into you living room.

Goose bumps all around – go hug a stranger!

Mp3: Soul II Soul – Back To Life (Remix By The Rules)

#8: The Tough Alliance – A New Chance (The Juan Maclean Remix)

The DFA crew had an awesome year. The Juan Maclean in particular seemed busier than most, and whatever moved seemed to have a The Juan Maclean Remix attached.

The Tough Alliance delivered this Pop driven gem in the shape of “A New Chance”, which The Juan Maclean sent on an NYC Disco-strutting walk down the piano-driven pavements of Lower East Side with a Balearic stamp firmly placed on the forehead of the two Swedes.

Mp3: The Tough Alliance – A New Chance (The Juan Maclean Remix)

#9: Marbeya Sound – Salmons Take

The announcement of Cosmic Balearic Beats Vol .2 back in August had you reaching for mouse-action, and this seeded Balearic Nu-Disco diamond by Marbeya Sound – “Salmons Take” – seemed to hold on right up until time of writing.

It’s mid-tempo, cascading arpeggio driven, Disco strut is just the kind of shit, which might soundtrack a new version of “Saturday Night Fever” anno 2010.

Mp3: Marbeya Sound – Salmons Take

#10: Orbital vs. Roy Two Thousand – Halcyon 2K

Considering the sea of re-edits and remixes of remixes of remixes cluttering the Blog’o’sphere this awesome, lovingly crafted homage to the 25 Year Jubilee of Orbital created by Roy Two Thousand stood way above the rest of the pack.

And thankfully – you people voted with you love and fingertips for this to remain within the Top 10 Space Dust Readers Choice chart.

Just to prove the point of Dub-Step, and its atmospheric rise to wider acclaim, Roy Two Thousand’s take on “Halcyon 2K” is the kind of stuff, which should have had an official release, but – thankfully – got a life of its own on the Blog’o'Sphere!

Mp3: Orbital vs. Roy Two Thousand – Halcyon 2K

Oh my goodness, only four days until Christmas, and what better way to spread the Christmas cheer than with a novelty Christmas song by a mainstream artist? With a list of the year’s best remixes of course! Why would you want to listen to a novelty Christmas song by a mainstream artist? The truth is you wouldn’t, so here are my picks for the best remixes of the 2009;

20. 1901 (Ryan Nexus Remix) – Phoenix

19. Strange Enough (Mr. Oizo Remix) – N.A.S.A.

18. Drumming Song (Boy 8-Bit Remix) – Florence and the Machine

17. Walking On A Dream (Kids at the Bar Remix) – Empire of the Sun

16. A Milli (Nadastrom Remix) – Lil Wayne

15. Black & Blue (Tiga Remix) – Miike Snow

14. I Love London (Paparazzi Remix) – Crystal Fighters

13. Love Long Distance (Fake Blood Remix) – The Gossip

12. Dominos (Switch Remix) – The Big Pink

11. Seven (Crookers Remix) – Fever Ray

10. Dawn of the Dead (Station X Remix) – Does It Offend You Yeah

9.  Radio Ladio (Radioclit Swedish Remix) - Metronomy

8. Heartbreak Scorceses (‘96 Bulls Remix) – Snobscrilla

7.  Youth & Vitality (Designer Drugs Remix) – Tigersapien

6. Crimewave (LA Riots Remix) – Crystal Castles

5. Strictly Game (Kids at the Bar Remix) – Harlem Shakes

4. Heads Will Roll (Ryan Nexus Remix) – The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

3. Anthonio (Designer Drugs Remix) – Annie

2. Half in Love with Elizabeth (Foamo Re-edit) – Mystery Jets

1. Love Kills (Sidechains vs Buffetlibre Remix) – Little Boots

And!….honourable mentions to:

Animal (Fake Blood Remix) – Miike Snow

Buttons (CSS Remix) – Sia

I’m In Miami Bitch (Ruckus Roboticus Remix) – LMFAO

Cornelius vs Girls On Film (Aggro 1) - Bloody Beetroots vs Duran Duran

Only something that really appeals as an art form to people of my generation, slightly older, is the music video.  A bit pointless in concept the execution these days is pretty much on par, useless “performance” and fashion videos put out by the likes of Rihanna or whoever else is “good” these days.  Better are some artists, creating videos of such quality and concept they’re sometimes better than the songs themselves, or even the artist themselves.  In this issue of Dig, Dug, Damn! you reap the rewards of my deep digging, bringing you what I feel to be the top 25 music videos of all time (in random order).  Then, after, I post some follow-up videos that didn’t make the list (I’m only posting a single video by a band, so some artists would otherwise have multiple entries).  Let’s rock!

Artist: Stabbing Westward Song: Shame

This was one of the most simple decisions on the whole list.  The video has everything from band performance to a virtual breaking of the 4th wall, and the story itself is very devious and fun, tying perfectly into the lyrics.  I love the concept so much, and for when it came out, it’s really ground breaking.  (Directed by Paul Cunningham)

Artist: Michael Jackson Song: Thriller

I’d say something about the video but everything in the world that could be said has already been said, and recently.  (Directed by murderer John Landis)

Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins Song: Tonight, Tonight

This is an obligatory selection, and obviously so.  Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, later of Little Miss Sunshine fame, and based on the classic 1902 film Le Voyage Dans la Lune by Georges Méliès, the video is a technological masterpiece and a simplistic dream come true shot entirely with backdrops and a stationary cameras.  PS: The Smashing Pumpkins are my favorite band ever.

Artist: A-Ha Song: Take On Me

Ripped from the pages of history, this video is every bit successful as it is ambitious, every bit amazing as it is a delight to watch.  The story fit with the song, the animation was excellent, and it should be immediately apparent why this is hailed as one of the best by most every source you can find on the topic.  (Directed by Steve Barron)

Artist: New Order Song: True Faith

An old favorite of mine, New Order are every bit as fresh as ever, and this video was amazing to me as a child.  Honestly, it’s even more intriguing to me now with the strange, almost metaphoric performance art going on all throughout, mostly rhythmically.  If that doesn’t sell you on watching I don’t know what will.  (Directed by Philippe Decouflé)

Artist: Björk Song: Bachelorette

One name: Michel Gondry.  The director of films such as Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep has a way with visuals that is almost like being a puppeteer of humans and a painter of theatrics.  He’s directed many great videos, especially for Björk, and I feel this is the broadest and most impressive of her bunch.  His work appears numerous times on this list.

Artist: Eric Prydz Song: Call On Me

Steve Winwood never sounded so good (probably because he rerecorded his vocals for the Sweedish DJ and producer), and music videos have never been so sexy.  Eric Prydz hit a high note with the song, and director Huse Monfaradi hit all the correct notes with the visual, making something fun, energetic, and envelope pushing.  I mean, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has gone on record about it, that’s how scandalous it is.  Oh, and just so you know, I really like the red head in the black and yellow top (barely shown) and the blond (pink top) PS: The video has a sequel that is also awesome, which is near the very bottom of this post.

Artist: Aphex Twin Song: Windowlicker

One of the longest, funniest, sexiest, scariest, and strangest music videos ever.  And quite offensive too, first harshly mocking rap and hip-hop culture then paying homage to Michael Jackson and David Lee Roth’s “California Girls”.  I don’t recommend watching this for the first time if you’re intoxicated in any way.  Or is it the other way around?  (Directed by Chris Cunningham)

Artist: Weezer Song: Buddy Holly

As if it needs saying, Spike Jonze is a brilliant man.  This video was a favorite in my teens for the retro motif in visuals and lyrics, the fun and boppy nature of it all, and for being such a seamless insertion into, of all things, Happy Days.  The Fonz makes everything cooler.

Artist: The Foo Fighters Song: Everlong

Michel Gondry, again, makes an entry on this list, this time with vanilla flavored musical act The Foo Fighters, in what is one of their best songs and, by far, their best video.  The video makes little to no sense, like, what kind of drugs were they on, why the huge hand, why two men in an implied heterosexual relationship, where did the nunchucks appear from?  The list goes on, but it’s such an awesome video regardless.

Artist: God Lives Underwater Song: From Your Mouth

This is probably the only video on the list that will make you hungry.  I didn’t think about that when I chose it, but now it’s extra earned it’s spot because these things don’t usually inspire the munchies.  I very much enjoy some God Lives Underwater so when the video was released I didn’t need any additional info.  I didn’t know how great it’d be, watching an Asian attack a personal buffet in reverse, then having the band there, just looking cool and stuff.  If I were in a band I’d do a similar gimmick.  (Directed by Roman Coppola)

Artist: Röyksopp Song: Remind Me

It’s kinda scary how well the song and video go together, the main chorus and the beautiful and simplistic dissection of every day life.  Like being reminded, it’s the most basic component of a complex machine or system that becomes glaring, and multiple viewings of this video will prove different each time, different aspects of the animation and the items within standing out, a mathematical equation, almost, proving the lyrics true.  (Directed by H5)

Artist: Toni Basil Song: Hey Mickey

Directed and choreographed by who is in my eyes the original riotgrrrl, Toni Basil herself, the song is infectious and the video is iconic with the plain faced, average bodied cheerleaders and an incredibly upbeat tune for a song that is basically a huge middle finger to the titular Mickey.  I’m not going to lie to you- I find the video sexy, and I find old school Toni one of the most delicious curiosities ever.

Artist: No Doubt Song: New

While it’s not particularly deep or telling, No Doubt’s video for their entry on the Go soundtrack is one of the best “party” atmosphere videos ever.  I do prefer more difficult concepts as a starting point, but it sometimes says something in not being slightly new or different but in taking something as old as dust and improving upon it, breathing a new life into something established.  Gwen Stefani looked awesome as hell here, too.  (Directed by Jake Scott)

Artist: Skinny Puppy Song: Pro-Test

This was a struggle to pick for the list as there are lots of greats out there, but, like the Aphex Twin entry, this takes stereotypes and stands them on their heads, and I’m a huge fan of both stereotypes and standing them on their heads.  The concept is simple, the dance moves are, for all practical purposes, impossible, and message is clear: People dressing differently than you doesn’t mean they don’t have the same, exact interests.  (Directed by William Morrison)

Artist: The Cardigans Song: My Favorite Game

This video puts a smile on my face, and for more reasons than Nina Persson and her many exquisite qualities.  The song is great and the devil may care attitude of the video is refreshing, all others being about caring bunches and tons.  The humor is unexpected, as is the rock, car crashes, and crumpled bodies, and I don’t care who you are or what your name is, those things inspire a chuckle or two.  (Directed by Jonas Akerlund)

Artist: The Prodigy Song: Smack My Bitch Up

Like the last video this one is directed by Jonas Akerlund, but is the much more disturbed older sister with truly no concept of sanity or safety.  It took a a risk with the disgusting nature, first person POV, and quick, manic cuts, but the song matching intensity, vivid colors, and phenomenal twist at the end send this vid to the stratosphere, and does so with a APB out on it and a sexy, sexy partner in the bed with it.

Artist: Pat Benatar Song: Love Is A Battlefield

Another classic video, another I first became acquainted with as a child (I would only ever watch Nickelodeon and MTV) and loved for the story telling aspect mixed with the obvious cheese that comes with being from the year 1984, which creates a teen angst rock opera so irresistible you’ll want to shake your cans at a scummy pimp the next time you see one.  (Directed by Bob Giraldi)

Artist: Fiona Apple Song: Criminal

Scandalous for no reason other than low amounts of brain activity in the general public, what is actually just a sensual and cool video had an unrequested but welcome intensity tacked on it, and though being good a great video does not make, add Fiona herself with the sultry vocals and fantastic song (the whole album is killer) debuting herself to the world, and yes, this video is tops.  PS: I’d like to exhaust her with my sex.  (Directed by Mark Romanek)

Artist: Metronomy Song: A Thing For Me

How did it take so long for this to happen?  Yes, put the lyrics on screen.  Yes, help us keep rhythm.  Yes, make visual jokes with it.  I adore this video, the cute girls in the video, the clever shots, the awesome song, and everything about it.  I’m not too hot on much else the band has done, but like how it takes only 1 thing to tear something down, it sometimes takes only 1 thing to build something up.  (Directed by Megaforce)

Artist: Yeah Yeah Yeahs Song: Maps

A real work of art, director Patrick Daughters did the smartest thing humanly possible for a struggling band, and that is make the most basic video possible while still being visually interesting.  No special effects, no random story, no quick cuts to make the band look as cool as possible, nothing!  It is just 2 dudes and a chick on a stage, playing a song.  They’re not even moving around erratically or trying to be fashionable with their instruments, because it’s always easier to add than it is to take away, and where the simple  nature of the video leaves the song bum rushes in and really paints the canvas here.

Artist: Kissing Tigers Song: So Stay In Love

I would honestly be shocked if anyone reading this has ever seen this video, or even heard of the band for that matter!  Well, they’re an excellent band and the video is endearing and adorable and yes, it’s great.  The reveal at the end is awesome, I think, and while it’s not the first time a band has made a cameo in their video by playing a show at some juncture in the tale, I think this video took a budget and got 5x the quality as another band or director would have.  (Directed by Jeycob Carlson)

Artist: DJ Shadow Song: Six Days

Beautiful, seductive, and trippy, this video is more than just a sampler of director Wong Kar Wai’s prowess.  In fact, this is probably the only video on the list that could be swapped out for another, because the lyrics of the song wrapped in the “Love Is A Battlefield” visuals lends quite well to Pat Benatar.  Really, though, what a gorgoeous and fitting motif for the song, and my how lovely everything looks!  Also, Bruce Lee quotes?  Yes.

Artist: Lisa Loeb Song: Stay (I Missed You)

The face, the body, the glasses!  Yeah, my main girl Lisa may seem like a pop culture blip on many less discerning radars out there, but in reality she is an amazing performer second to her being an amazing song writer.  This video in it’s single shot brilliance feels more like a diary entry than an invitation inside the desolate apartment, but once there the end result is the same- you’re smitten as hell, and happy to be so.  (Directed by Ethan Hawke)

Artist: Jamiroquai Song: Virtual Insanity

“What the h. is wrong with you?!” I ask anyone who doesn’t think this video is as amazing and groundbreaking as it obviously is.  I mean, maybe you don’t like the song, okay, but the technology of the room being walked about is both deceptively simple and stunningly pretty, and at the core of things that’s really what you want in the visual companion to a piece called “Virtual Insanity”.  I know I’m not wrong.  “Ground breaking” is the first two words I’d use, and my third would be “Jealous!”  (Directed by Jonathan Glazer )

Now, without any further ado, the videos that, in spirit, also made the list.

Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins Song: 1979

(Be sure to also check out the sequel video, Perfect)

Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins Song: Ava Adore

Artist: The Hughes Corporation Song: What A Feeling

(This is the sequel to the Eric Prydz video above)

Artist: Yeah Yeah Yeahs Song: Y Control

Artist:  Björk Song: Hyperballad

Artist:  Björk Song: All Is Full Of Love

y bueno: aquí nuestra selección de mejores remixes del año. todos son para bailar aunque no todos en la misma posición. también: hay unos para bailar con una erección o una humedad, otros para bailar solos, otros para bailar con un muerto mientras descienden sobrios una escalera sin peldaños, otros para bailar con los ojos extraviados en el pasado o el futuro y las venas atravesadas de no sé ya qué drogas. también: hay unos para bailar hacia fuera, gritando desde el balcón o en el filo de la azotea (déjate caer: vale la pena), y otros para bailar hacia dentro, con los puños cerrados y el cuerpo todo cerrado como un puño. y así. suerte.

download :: zip
gravity’s ra1nbow : remixes 2009

telepathe :.: in your line : dj/rupture & matt shadetek remix
the big pink :.: velvet : gang gang dance remix
metronomy :.: not made for love : joakim unmastered remix
memory tapes :.: bicycle : the horrors’ cosmic dub
maría y josé :.: corazón corazón : los amparito remix
fever ray :.: if i had a heart : fuck buttons remix
marina and the diamonds :.: i am not a robot : the aspirins for my children remix
yeah yeah yeahs :.: heads will roll : a-trak remix
cee lo and the good time guys :.: hello miss : armani xxxchange remix
captain ahab :.: party baby : sickboy remix
florence + the machine :.: you got the love : the xx remix
chairlift :.: evident utensil : the juan maclean remix
delorean :.: seasun : john talabot’s kid drum remix
poni hoax :.: the symbionese bride : principles of geometry’s poni hoax’s paper bride remix

The English electronic outfit perform ‘a cover of Empire’s ‘We are the People’ live in studio. Empire was just showered in a big big way at the 2009 ARIA Awards!

in the pic in the post below you can see the edge of a tree. screenshot of full tree:

the tree DANCES in the vid. it is pretty great. i guess this video really struck a chord with me or something. but anyway.

i also think that this tree looks quite a bit like the fiberglass trees that used to be outside of mcdonald’s in the ’80s. here is one pic that i found. you get the idea.

pic courtesy paul here.

No Official

metronomy – not made for love

Então, como eu estava devendo, vou postar hoje as fotos do PT. Aliás algumas das que se salvaram e as que saíram antes de minha bateria estranhamente acabar. Essa bateria NUNCA acabou antes assim. Mas enfim…

O primeiro show que eu assisti foi Maxïmo Park, que aliás fiquei MUITO LOCA, mas o ruim é que cheguei uns 2 minutos atrasada e não consegui ficar no meião da galere animada. Fiquei bem na frente, mas  ali acho que só eu e amigs sabíamos quem era Maxïmo Park. Mas quem liga? Cantei e pulei fazendo o maior ECO mesmo. Show do MP não é todo dia. E aliás, foi ma-ra-vi-lho-so. Fiquei querendo mais depois.

Depois voei para o outro Stage pra esperar por meu divooooooooooo Patrick Wolf, e ainda tava acabando o show do Copacabana Club. E me espantei porque estava CHEIO, tipo… minha teoria estava errada e teve gente que trocou Maxïmo Park por essa bosta Copacabana Club. Mas enfim, né? gosto é uma coisa que NÃO se discute.

Ia demorar um pouco pra chegar meu muso daí eu não consegui ficar ali ouvindo aquilo e fui buscar um energético porque eu estava há quase 48 horas sem dormir e com as pernas e os olhos morrendo. Mas não podia morrer antes de ver PW e Metronomy. Nem pensar…

Pois então, voltando pra ver Patrick, fiquei na grade mas bem de ladinho com uma segurança de 60 metros de altura na minha frente, ou seja, várias fotos tive que cortar a cabeça dela, mas até que saíram boas e o show dele também foi maravilhoso. Ele estava bem gay como sempre, cheio de glitter, trocou de roupa 2 vezes e repetia incansávelmente que ele estava amando estar ali e que ele amava todo mundo. Numa das indas e vindas dele do palco pra galere, ele caiu tentando subir de volta no palco. Ali ele ficou e começou á ter orgasmos. Me-mo-rá-vel. Um dos melhores shows que eu já assisti. E pra melhorar, no fim do show, ele veio até mim e eu peguei nele. Morri.

Tudo homem ali berrando pelo Patrick

Momento orgasmos múltiplos

Momento sou uma fada

"Meu lugar favoritoo..." senti um xaveco no cinegrafista

Acabou Patrick, ali mesmo fiquei pra assistir Metronomy. Ali mesmo não, cheguei mais pro meião, mas na grade ainda. Esperei na chuva por uns 40 minutos, observando meu amor fazer a Sound Check (meu amor= Oscar Cash) e observando também o quanto ele é baixo e o quanto aquela calça colada branca estava marcando seus dotes daquele ângulo. Fiquei um pouco chocada também com a quantidade de pessoas que sabia as músicas e o quanto o show ficou cheio e na hora de Sonic Youth. Medo. O show foi maravilhoso também, ai, mas quando acabou deu até dó. Só não curti que Oscar não interagiu, só ficou ali fazendo caras e bocas jogando toda a sua sedução e nem pra dar um oi pra galera… Mas é a vida né?

Essa calça tava uma perdição meu pai....

Ai sofri quando o show acabou. Não queria que acabasse também.

Depois de Metronomy ainda assisti Iggy PoP, que foi muuuuuuuito looooco, indescritível sensação de estar ali. Pena que nessa hora minha câmera já tinha morrido. Depois ainda peguei um pedaçinho do N.A.S.A. e depois rumei para uma after party, aliás dormi na after party. E foi isso.

Foi  maravilhoso o Festival. Podia ter sido melhor se eu tivesse menos morta. Mas mesmo assim foi maravilhoso. Quero maaaaaaaaaaaaaais.

E ah, Metronomy e Patrick disseram que estão programando outro show aqui ano que vem. Galere, se prepare!

Buenas buenas (Marina Person, MTV middle 90’s), aqui quem escreve pela primeira vez neste blog é o China, mais conhecido como Tchaina pela Jazz, q é mais conhecida como Jéssica pelo resto do mundo.

Estava eu, um dia desses, mais uma vez, em aplicativos inúteis do facebook,  quando minha ilustríssima amiga, ex-affair e altamente comparsa em distúrbios obsessivos compulsivos e síndromes do pânico, Jazz, me convida à dissertar sobre alguns dos shows que eu iria assistir no Festival Planeta Terra. Isso, após descobrir, óbviamente, que os shows que eu queria ver, ninguém queria. Foi meio que: “Tchaina, Tchaina, vai ver o show do Copacabana Club e escreve depois porque eu amo o Maximo Park e não vou sair daqui até o Paul Smith perceber que eu existo”. God knows qual neura se passa na cabeça da Jazz. And God knows why a Jazz queria ver a barulheira do Sonic Youth (AGAIN!), então, me pediu também, reconhecendo toda aquela minha fama (NOT!) de ser mais IN que todo mundo e de ter o melhor bom gosto musical ever, para cobrir o show do Metronomy, que era a razão de eu ir àquele festival.

Bom começamos então pelo show do Copacabana Club. Parafraseando Katylene, VEM COMEEGO!

Tenho que ser sincero, conheço apenas o ‘King of the Night EP’, gosto, não acho a coisa mais sensacional do mundo, mas acho “bem feitinho”. Eles começaram o show bem empolgados com a música Mrs. Melody, que acredito que seja do disco que eles estão gravando ou já gravaram pois sei que esta música já está sendo remixada pelos meus amigos (NOT! yet) do Database (www.myspace.com/databasetrax). O show, para minha surpresa, continuou bem animado. Não da minha parte, claro, que estava achando aquele figurino muito como se Balmain de arrebite encontrasse Os Cavaleiros do Zodíaco, com papelzinho holder de docinho de festinha infantil, querendo ser Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) com Lovefoxxx (CSS). Achei last week e muito poorlymade. Dá uma olhada.

Porém, vi um pouco de B-52’s tanto no som quanto na presença de palco dos caras (Ponto pras menynas! Batchy!). O som não é ruim e mantém as pessoas animadas. Bato nesta tecla três vezes, pois olhei diversas vezes para o público para ver suas reações. O show que começou meio que com umas 50 pessoas por ali, terminou com bem mais que isso com a banda tocando seu mega (NOT!) sucesso ‘Just Do It’ . A galera gosta, pula o show inteiro e é isto que basta para o Capacabana Club.

Agora vamos ao melhor show do festival, na minha opinião. METRONOMY!

Tenho que ser sincero novamente, conheci o Metronomy ano passado com o lançamento do ‘Nights Out – Because Music’. Eu tava todo naquela fase maximal ainda, queria cada vez ouvir sons mais pesados e não largava meus discos do Justice, Digitalism, Simian Mobile Disco por nada no mundo. Nem dei muita bola pro Metronomy, apesar do New Rave sempre ter me agradado absurdamente. Bom, fui escutar direito depois da minha corrupção parcial para o synthpop, que não faz muito tempo e AMEY! Fiquei tão enlouquecido quando conheci o Cut Copy. Pra quem não conhece, wikipedia nos diz:

ENTREVISTA – WE HAVE BAND

1. Quienes integran la banda?

WHB: Thomas WP, Dede WP yDarren Bancroft.

2. Cual es la historia de la banda?

WHB: Bueno Thomas y Dede están casados y pues nosotros hemos sido amigos desde hace ya un rato y pues no sabemos por que decidimos hacer música juntos, fue una cosa rara. Pero todo empezó cuando tuvimos una cena e hicimos una canción, que en realidad amamos, nos gusto mucho y pues bueno de ahí decidimos seguir haciendo canciones, la cena siempre esta involucrada para escribir las canciones, ella es la culpable. Bueno después de 6 meses de estar haciendo música platicamos y decidimos que era momento de tocar en vivo, al principio era algo pues como experimental que al final resulto en algo muy bueno y que nos satisface muchísimo y amamos hacer.

3. Donde pueden conseguir su música?

WHB: En www.wehaveband.com ahí los enviaran a algún sitio donde podrán encontrar nuestra música, también tenemos una lista de correos donde nosotros les mandamos música y pues las noticias de la banda.

4. Con cuales bandas han tocado juntos o abierto un concierto?

WHB: Actualmente no tenemos una gira tan grande, luego abrirle a una banda puede ser un poco de perdida de tiempo ya que casi siempre no te van a ver y pues no eres muy bien tratado, nosotros nos estamos enfocando a tocar en muchos clubs y pequeños toquines, ahí hemos tocado con  grandes bandas como: Micachu & The Shapes, Metronomy, Bloc Party, Peaces, The Invisible, Phoenix, The XX.

5. Tienen Fans famosos, como otras bandas o músicos?

WHB: Pues no estamos seguros de tener fans pero pues conocemos a muchas de las personas que ya te mencionamos, en el mundo de la música es muy fácil encontrarte con otras bandas en diferentes lados, en especial en los festivales, es algo que nos gusta mucho.

6. Cuales son las ventajas y desventajas de ser una banda indie?

WHB: Bueno pues no podríamos comparar ya que siempre hemos hecho todo solos, nos gusta la libertad de poder hacer lo que nos gusta, cualquier cosa que queramos eso es bueno pero pues también hay que trabajar mucho y muy duro para poder lograr que en la actualidad la gente escuche la música, andamos viajando mucho y pues tratamos de estar trabajando siempre en algo, bueno es algo que nos gusta y esta bien, creo que todo esto es parte del proceso.

7. Quienes son sus influencias?

WHB: Un montón de bandas, ESG, Bjork, LCD Soundsystem, Kate Bush, Radiohead, The Rapture, Chk Chk Chk. Nosotros tratamos de transmitir el mismo sentimiento o sensación que sentimos cuando escuchamos una gran canción.

8. Nos podrian describir a que suenan o su estilo musical?

WHB: Preferimos no decir nada, apenas estamos empezando y estamos en la búsqueda de un sonido, en ocasiones lo encontramos y podríamos decir que hacemos música para bailar.

9. Cual es el ultimo disco o banda que han estado escuchando?

WHB: Ahora estamos escuchando a The XX, de hecho lo escuchamos mucho, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Atlas Sound y Micachu.       

10. Que tan importante es el Internet, que tan buena herramienta de trabajo es?

WHB: Internet es genial, lo amomos por nuestra música, nos da el chance de platicar con gente como tu para dar a conocer lo que hacemos en lugares muy lejanos a nuestro hogar. Es un verdadero privilegio, nosotros usamos nuestro facebook y myspace, también contestamos los mails, en un trabajo cansado pero a la vez importante para nosotros.

11. Que es lo que viene para el futuro de WHB?                                   

WHB: Un montón de fechas, después bueno ya terminamos nuestro primer disco y saldar en marzo del 2010 y de ahí tendremos más y más taquines, también en ocasiones hacemos remixes de otras bandas, también saldrá algo de eso.

12. Hay muchas bandas en la actualidad, esto es bueno o malo, muchas son bandas de un solo hit?

WHB: Que haya muchas bandas no esta mal, de hecho obliga a que se esfuercen mas en ofrecer cosas interesantes para poder sobrevivir.

13. Les gustaría tocar en México?

WHB: Absolutamente si, estamos sorprendidos por las grandes cantidades de gente en México que nos pregunta cuando estaremos por allá, la nueva escena musical se siente muy activa ahí no podemos esperar para poder ir a tocar en México, seguramente lo haremos algún día.

14. Ustedes tocan como banda y djs o solo como banda?

WHB: Nosotros tocamos como una banda, batería, guitarra, bajo, voz y también tenemos algunas cosas electrónicas, somos 3 así que tenemos que ser creativos en la manera que tocamos y en nuestros shows estamos muy movidos tocando varios instrumentos.

15. Como ven la nueva escena musical en Inglaterra y en todo el mundo.

WHB: Para ser honestos nosotros no sabemos mucho de esto, las revistas hablan todo el tiempo de esto, pero en realidad no es mucho así que no ponemos atención a esto, nosotros sabemos que es lo que nos gusta y ahí esta, lo único que esperamos es que siempre haya cosas interesantes en todo el mundo y es todo lo que nos preocupa.

Crédito das fotos: Site oficial Planeta Terra

E aconteceu neste sábado calorento e chuvoso o esperado Planeta Terra Festival 2009! Cerca de 17 mil pessoas lotaram o espaço do Playcenter, intercalando diversos shows com alguns passeios nos principais brinquedos do parque (além de muita farra, bebidas e demais “atividades” hehehe). Obviamente, não consegui ver TODAS as bandas, mas isso já é de praxe de qualquer festival, pois sempre acontece de 2 bandas tocarem no mesmo horário em palcos diferentes.

Cheguei em plena hora do show do Primal Scream, e como já tinha começado, não consegui pegar desde o início, mas achei que foi bom (das músicas que eu lembro, tocaram Swastika Eyes, Movin’ On Up, Rocks e terminou com Accelerator)  e ficou um gostinho de “quero mais”( talvez porque eu quisesse que eles tivessem tocado Loaded! rs). Não achei que empolgou tanto, o som estava meio baixo, o palco escuro e em uma das músicas eles pararam 2 vezes (achei que foi proposital, mas depois descobri que houve um problema no som mesmo).

Na sequência veio a chuva (e eu me molhei toda, claro!) e a banda que eu mais esperava: Sonic Youth! Para mim foi o melhor show da noite. A banda está em ótima forma (estavam ali as tão conhecidas guitarras distorcidas e mais pesadas ao vivo do que nunca), empolgaram a galera e mostram que o tempo de estrada faz toda a diferença num show de rock (eles estão desde 1980 na ativa). Boa parte do repertório foi do último disco The Eternal (2009), que eu não tinha ouvido até então, e gostei muito! Ah, e um detalhe feminino que não pude deixar de notar: a Kim Gordon (minha musa baixista all time) estava linda: um vestido prateado todo brilhante e uma luvinha estilosa igualmente prateada (me lembrou a Cat Power, que usa uma parecida com os dedos cortados – eu quero!!!).

Mas não fiquei até o final (e me arrependi, como previa, pois depois eles tocaram músicas do Daydream Nation¬¬), pois queria conferir algumas bandas novas no outro palco. E daí veio a surpresa da noite: Metronomy. Super simpáticos (o vocalista estava meio “alegre” hehe e falava toda a hora com o público), dançante e animado. Os caras usam muito synths de teclados e baixo grooveado, o que confere um som meio oitentista para a banda. Gostei e achei o máximo o círculo de luz que cada um tinha na camiseta (que acendia de acordo com o ritmo das músicas).

E veio o show mais polêmico do evento: Iggy & The Stooges. Ouvi muitas pessoas dizerem que foi chato e pior que o de 2005 no Claro que é Rock, que eles estão velhos demais e etc, mas é rock n’roll das antigas (não tem como negar que os tiozinhos aterrorizam nos instrumentos ainda) e o Iggy Pop (mesmo parecendo um maracujá velho e beirando os 70 anos) continua performático e esbanjando energia, fazendo muita bandinha de rock comer poeira. Ah, e a polêmica (vocês devem ouvir falar disso ainda) se deu ao fato de um menino ter sido “apagado” pelos truculentos seguranças e desmaiado no chão com traumatismo craniano, isso quando o Iggy fez o famigerado “convite” para a galera subir no palco (nem preciso dizer que ficaram umas 500 pessoas lá em cima e que logicamente ia ter alguma confusão).

Encerrei a noite vendo a apresentação da dupla de DJs N.A.S.A., que foi dançante e deixou um clima de balada na pista. Gostei dos remixes que fizeram para algumas músicas conhecidas e também dos bonecos que ficavam dançando ali no palco junto, foi divertido vê-los! Mas minhas pernas reclamavam de dor de tanto ficar em pé e acabei indo embora antes de terminar.

No geral, achei que foi a edição mais fraquinha do evento e com muito menos coisas do que as anteriores (talvez efeito da crise, nem o TIM Festival sobreviveu e foi extinto este ano). A infra estava ok (o fato de ter sido num parque de diversões facilitou muito), as comidas estavam mais pobrinhas (no ano passado tinha até comida japonesa, este ano só hot pocket da sadia rs, mas em compensação tinha cerveja Heineken relativamente barata /) e contou uns pontos o fato dos brinquedos estarem abertos (eu não curto montanha russa, mas tinha fila pra ir em todos). Mesmo assim, gostei muito e não mudou a minha opinião de ser o melhor festival de música que acontece no país.

­

Hoje acontece em São Paulo a terceira edição de um dos mais famosos festivais de música no Brasil, o Festival Planeta Terra. Essa edição, como de costume, junta vários nomes consagrados da música internacional, bandas em ascenção e o que há de mais interessante no cenário do rock nacional. Para os interessados, apreciadores e fãs de Iggy Pop, Sonic Youth, Primal Scream, The Ting Tings, Metronomy, Maxïmo Park, N.A.S.A, Móveis Coloniais de Acaju e Macaco Bong , o festival é imperdível.

Primal Scream – Movin’ On Up (Live in 1991)

Os ingressos ainda estão disponíveis em diversos pontos de venda, que podem ser conferidos no site oficial do festival, e custam entre R$190 e R$200 (estudantes podem pagar meia). No site também é possível conferir os horários em que todas as atrações tocarão, assim como um guia de como chegar ao Playcenter, onde ocorrerá essa edição do festival.

Metronomy – Holiday

Para quem for, desejo que se divirta com os shows. O Planeta Terra sempre foi um tanto organizado em relação aos seus concorrentes, esperemos que dessa vez não seja diferente. Considerando o nível das bandas que se apresentarão de uma vez, apesar dos horários conflitantes, vale muito a pena. Ver tantos nomes importantes em uma só oportunidade é sempre muito interessante, divertido, e para muitos, imperdível!

Iggy Pop & The Stooges – Search and Destroy

I haven’t been posting on here for a few weeks now, naughty naughty me. This is mainly because I have been busy at work, in the process of purchasing a flat AND working on some other little projects in the background…

Here are some things I have found, liked, done and thought about during my blogging absence…

• Spending far too long creating a Halloween-themed Spotify playlist (which now seems to have disappeared?)
• The (quite disappointing) Turner Prize exhibition at Tate Britain
• Desperately wanting a Google Wave invite
• Amazing brunch in Roast
• Getting slightly obsessed with True Blood (but only until Heroes comes back on)
• Re-living my obsession with Metronomy (again), The XX and Prince
• I want to go to the Digital Design exhibition at the V&A next month

happy halloween!

we have band

metronomy

tenderlions

midnight juggernauts

Especially for tonight Chef presents a moody paranoid playlist. Chef’s Hiss!

The Killing Spree – Chromatics

Stars & Houses – Glasscandy

God Will Break It All – Krikor

Courtship Dating – Crystal Castles

Heads Will Roll (Tommie Sunshine mix) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

E.S.T. – White Lies

Also Frightened – Animal Collective

Do The Right Thing – Metronomy

Carnt Sleep (Foxbase Beta mix) – Saint Etienne

Night Drive – Chromatics

Blue Ridge Mountains – Fleet Foxes

Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime – The Field

Chris – Pat Metheny Group

Gots to be my favourite Metronomy song. Happy Halloween.

Recebi certos elogios pela primeira edição da Compilação Mágica e alguns pedidos de ‘’mais uma vez’’, rs. Então fiz outra seleção de mais doze artistas diferentes para que talvez pudesse refinar a variedade e gosto musical de cada um – to me achando né? Bem, trouxe hoje do eletro, dance ao pop de sempre e o velho folk que trás sentimentos relaxantes. Espero que gostem

Aqui para download a II Compilação Mágica       Download

Playlist:

Video ajab igal ajal vaadates muigama ja refrään on ülicatchy.

Briti elektroonika, kellele see siis ei meeldiks.