Calling All Diamonds

So as most of you already know, I have a huge obsession with Marina Diamandis from Marina and the Diamonds (and yes Ellie Goulding as well, we'll save that for another post.) Let me just say, ever since I first heard "I am not a Robot" when it was an ITUNES free single of the week back in either 2009 or 2010. I was hooked on her voice. Homegirl can make her voice sound extremely deep one second, and the complete opposite the next second. After listening to each track on her 2010 album "The Family Jewels" I had one of those "I feel like we're the same person" kind of thought. The track "Obsessions" struck me and it is probably the most played track on my ITunes. The simplicity, the vocals, how you interpret the lyrics......it's deep. it's dark. it's hopeful..somewhat. It's a mouthful to say the least

Take note of how Marina looks in this video because it's about to change in the upcoming videos. 

SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOD. 

So in order to keep this brief & to the point. I had the pleasure of catching Marina & the Diamonds' set at last years' Coachella. Let me just tell you this, if you were there and missed her set- SHAME ON YOU. She performed the entire set without her in-ear monitor and nailed it for what we were able to catch. Marina has a lot of sass in her stage presence which makes her stand much taller than she actually is.

The wait for her next full-length album "Electra Heart" has felt like forever for the "diamonds" (what she calls her fans, & i'm proud to call myself a diamond). What's special about Electra Heart is that it's not just an album with a handful of songs + a cd cover with some fun images on it. Marina has worked extra hard to put together a more visual and interactive side to her album by creating a tumblr for Electra Heart , and if you have a couple minutes PLEASE CHECK IT OUT. It's seriously one of the most intriguing sites i've come across. Several months ago Marina posted a video on her youtube channel with minimal explanation besides the opening credits referring to the beginning of Electra Heart. In Interviews Marina was asked about Electra Heart...whether it was her alter-ego or a nickname and continuously she explained that it "is the antithesis of everything that I stand for. And the point of introducing her and building a whole concept around her is that she stands for the corrupt side of American ideology, and basically that's the corruption of yourself. My worst fear - that's anyone's worst fear - is losing myself and becoming a vacuous person. And that happens a lot when you're very ambitious."

"From Marina's Twitter: "Been building a project called "The Archetypes" since March 2011. I shot it myself across North America and Europe over 7 months.'The Archetypes' is split into 4 categories: "Su-Barbie-A", "Teen Idles", "The Homewrecker" + "Stars & Queens"...  

PART 1: "FEAR & LOATHING"

PART 2: "RADIOACTIVE"

To clear up the confusion, this track had a lot of hype behind it with the idea that it was the first single off Electra Heart, but Radioactive is acknowledged as the "promotional single" and will not be on the upcoming album. BOO

PART 3: "THE ARCHETYPES"

Lyrics: Housewife, Beauty Queen, Homewrecker, Idle teen.

The ugly years of being a fool, ain't youth meant to be beautiful

Queen of no identity

I always feel like someone else

A living myth

I grew up in a lie

I can be anyone

A study in identity & illusion

An Ode to Cindy

A living film

A Real fake

And you will never know

Love.

"Through others, we become ourselves" - The Archetypes

PART 4: "PRIMADONNA"

So Electra Heart is scheduled to be released on April 30th (and i'm hoping that is the same for the US release date otherwise heads will roll.) Definitely check out this amazing woman if you like what you see. I can only imagine how the rest of the album will sound with producers like Doctor P & Diplo in the mix. I've watched several interviews of Marina and you can tell that she's fighting hard to get what she wants, and she deserves every bit of it. She does a lot for her fans, and this entire concept with the album and the outside work will definitely take over everyones' minds once it's released

& to take things on a different route, Marina perfomed an acoustic version of both Primadonna & Homewrecker (another track that will be on the upcoming album)

New Album From Oberhofer/ New Music Video From Swim Deep: TREATS!

Tis the season for new album releases....




The debut album from Oberhofer, titled Time Capsules II, was released today just after making their television debut on the David Letterman show 5 days ago. If you're feeling a bit tired, this might be the perfect pick-me-up. "Away Frm U" is the track they performed and actually has been around for about 2 years (first released as a single with the track "Dead Girls Dance" in 2011, and earlier this year on the Time Capsules II EP). There's a few changes on the track from when it was first released, but I believe that it only made the track stronger. Brad Oberhofer's voice.....need i say more? 
Anyways, I REALLY like this album a lot & a few standout tracks besides "Away Frm U" are (in my opinion): HEART, Gold, and I Could Go.  This New York band gives off a lo-fi vibe that's been hanging out in your garage for a few years with just enough age to make you wish that you can listen to it on vinyl.........or really loud in your car. 

If you happen to be one of the lucky ones attending Coachella this year, these guys are playing on Day 3/Sunday. You can bet your bottom dollar that i'll be at their set during the first weekend. :)


P.S. SWIM DEEP just released a video for their track "King City" that's catchy as hell. Three guys from Birmingham living the life that will immediately remind you of what goes on in Venice Beach. 
Do those ears a favor & check it out.

COVERS THAT I'M CRAZY ABOUT.

For someone like me to truly "like" a cover, it has to be pretty damn good. Thought i'd share with you a few that definitely make my jaw drop.... and ignite the water works. Yes, i'm a female with raging hormones and sometimes I tear up when I'm emotionally attracted to a song, that's life. I could ramble on for days about what specifically caught my eye in each of these tracks, but i'll do you a favor & cut it short. ENJOY!

First Aid Kit - When I Grow Up (Fever Ray Cover)

click here for the original

Friendly Fires - Strangelove (Depeche Mode Cover)

click here for the original. 

Ellie Goulding - Don't Panic (Coldplay Cover)

This is just one of several covers that I've stumbled across from Ellie. I'm still head over heels in love with her cover of Rihanna's Only Girl from the Radio 1 Live Lounge.

click on the link to fall in love with it too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IieOEvzMjng 

After performing a few songs in the lounge, you're asked to perform a cover chosen from a list of current hit singles. A recent cover from the Radio 1 Live Lounge that I literally couldn't take off repeat for a few days is one from Bombay Bicycle Club featuring Lucy Rose. 

Bombay Bicycle Club ft. Lucy Rose - Video Games (Lana Del Rey Cover)

I was lucky enough to catch BBC & Lucy Rose at their shows in San Diego & Los Angeles. Their show in San Diego was at The Casbah, a small venue that immediately reminded me of a dive bar in Santa Barbara. It was a 21+ show & quite intimate if you ask me (what a relief it was to not feel squished or have someone's beer spill on you.... multiple times). After Lucy Rose's set ended, I found her hanging out in the patio area and chatted with her for a bit. After asking if they would perform the LDR cover during Bombay's set, Lucy laughed and went on about the concept of how they had to select the cover and that it probably will not be performed live again. I thought they did an amazing job by stripping Video Games dry and delivered it as a completely different song.  

Florence + the Machine - Addicted to Love (Robert Palmer Cover)

(Here's the original.) 

First off; It's Florence. She makes this track sound just as sexy, but with a more innocent Wonderland-ish tone. I first heard this when she released Lungs: The B-Sides (it's a must for your ears if for some strange reason you haven't listened to it yet.) 

It was hard to cut myself off from posting more videos, no joke. 

Youtube Narnia: It Exists, Believe Me.

I already know what you're thinking, "what the f*ck is she talking about. Youtube Narnia? Has she lost it?" Okay, here's the deal. For someone who mumbles when sober, and speaks in analogies a little more than a 22 year-old should, I've found something that requires your full attention (well, okay 75% of it will do). I discovered this magical wave of sounds randomly one night at home (this is due to the fact that I had to wake up at 5am for work, and my hangovers these days are the equivalent to being in a body cast.) 

It all started when I logged onto Youtube to watch videos of Purity Ring. Actually, it was this exact video^. With over 6 million views, I'm almost positive you've probably heard this track or have seen it pop up on your news feed. After reading nothing but great things from their Pitchfork set at SXSW, you should expect to see/hear more of this "future pop" duo...well, in the future.
So back to my so-called mystical experience. I couldn't help but let my eyes wander to the sidebar where you will find a list of youtube videos that are generally of the same artist, genre, etc. What caught my eye was the fact that the videos happened to be of different artists & groups. Also, each of the visuals for the videos were pretty simple in appearance, but attractively executed so that I would immediately click on them regardless if I was familiar with the song or not..... and this is what I experienced: one click after the other, and the rest is as memorable as the after-party of your senior prom (one hell of a good blur). 

1. Darius - "Maliblue"

2. Star Slinger - "They Like It Rough"

3. Teams vs. Star Slinger - "Say Please"

4. Blood Orange - "Champagne Coast"

5. Caribou - Odessa

6. Tycho - "A Walk"

7. Grimes - Vanessa

8. The XX - "Blood Red Moon"

So what's the significance in why I created this post? Well hopefully by now you've either A.) felt attracted to a song you haven't heard before, B.) recognized a song you already knew & fell in love with it even more, or C.) felt more relaxed then you did before reading this post. This is just a kernel of what I came across, so if you have the time...click on one of these links & let the exploration begin. Finally, don't take the video comments seriously... you don't have to be on drugs to enjoy the music. 

Welp, I hope you enjoyed this brief exploration into "the Narnia of Youtube"... remember, it's more than necessary to let your mind wander for a period of time...or an entire night. Pamper those ears, enjoy xx.

Introlover's Anonymous

I'd like to imagine the first track on an LP, EP, Mixtape, etc to be the catchiest (that is until you reach whatever their "hit" is). & I've stumbled across a few that have actually become some of my favorite tracks. 

1. The XX - Intro

Album: Self-titled (2009)

This is the kind of song that you can put on repeat........for a few hours.

2. Sharon Van Etten - Warsaw

Album: Tramp (2012)

I had the pleasure of catching SVE at the Avalon earlier week and not only did she open with this addicting track but it's also the first track on her most recent album "Tramp". I recommend you to start from the very beginning with "Warsaw" when you first listen to the album. It's a pleasant ride into her deep dark thoughts that you'll immediately find yourself addicted and relating to.

3. The Shins - The Rifle's Spiral

Album: Port of Morrow (2012)

Fresh out of The Shins' oven is "Port of Morrow" (released March 20th). [You just don't exist. / Your mother must be so proud.] This opener is one of the more exhilarating tracks from The Shins, only to transition into the power of "Simple Song". 

4. The Head & The Heart - Cats & Dogs

What really attracted me to this opener that you can find on their 2011 self-titled album is how well it transitions into the 2nd track "Coeur D'Alene", so I decided to post a video of them performing it live. The Head and the Heart is definitely one of those bands that you MUST see live in order to get the full feel of who they are. It's on my bucket list to catch them play at a house show as they've mentioned in the past as one of their favorite things to do.

5. Atmosphere - The Arrival

(I just went from different ends of the spectrum from the video above, but this is a perfect example of how spread out my taste in music is.) This is the perfect opening to the 2005 album "You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having". Slug knows best, mark my words....."I'm not really supposed to talk about this.....but....". Take a listen & you'll understand what I mean.  

6. Austra - Darken Her Horse

Album: Feel It Break (2011)

I stumbled across Austra last summer when NYLON included their track "Lose It" in a free Summer playlist, and immediately fell in love. The voice that belongs to Katie Stelmanis will captivate you along with the dark synthesizing & electronic sounds that accompany her. I give a lot of credit to the other members of Austra with recently mentioning Maya from TRUST but also Dorian Wolf who was in Spiral Beach, and the Lightman sisters. I strongly dislike comparing artists/bands, but let's just say that I'd love to see Austra & Zola Jesus play on the same bill of a show. A girl can dream, right? 

P.S. I'm a huge fan of watching the KEXP performances found on YouTube, and was stoked to see that Austra was featured back in November. Click on the link below to watch their performance of "Darken Her Horse" on KEXP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3i57LoYwiM&feature=relmfu 

ENJOY! XX

& let's begin.

It's impossible to start a blog without sounding cliche to the bone, so bear with me on this. When you're looking at blogs, WHAT is it that you're looking for? something new. something unfamiliar. & usually something that catches your eye. & hopefully this blog will not only catch your eye, but catch your ears as well (sorry, but I couldn't help it.) All you have to do is click. listen. & let your ears decide. If you know me, you'll already have the impression that it's impossible for me to stick to one genre, and even harder to focus on the most recent tracks so expect a few throwbacks every now & then. 

Here's 3 of my favorite tracks at the moment in no particular order. 

Trust- "Sulk" 

Album: TRST (2012)

Trust is one-part Maya Postepski from AUSTRA & one-part Robert Alfons. Needless to say "Sulk" is the perfect ticket into their album that will have you feeling like you're in your own twilight paradise.   

Young Magic - "Sanctuary"

Album: Melt (2012)

This is my favorite track from their newly released album, as it's the kind of song that immediately isolates your mind from every possible nuisance for a little over 3 minutes. Don't be surprised if you find yourself looking up the rest of the album after listening. Grab it on iTunes 

Little Dragon - "Nightlight"

Album: Ritual Union (2011)

A. It's Little Dragon. 
B. This will put you in a better mood than the one you were in before. 

C. Enough said. 
~~~

Each track gives a different feel, so which one do you like best? 
TONIGHT: Catch TENNIS on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. They're a duo of husband & wife and have a classic touch to their music that takes you back. In short: Imagine if She & Him and Best Coast had a child together. 

& 22 DAYS UNTIL COACHELLA! This will be my 2nd year attending, and the lineup is unreal. The sets that I'm dying to see off the top of my head: NERO, Metronomy, Avicii, First Aid Kit, Laura Marling, Feed Me, Borgore, Justice, and Beirut (trust me I'd name the entire lineup if I wanted to because it's that good).   

Till Next Time!