Darkstar "Gold" video

Saw this on Gorilla vs. Bear this morning. I hope you all enjoy. These Hyper Dub dubstep boys are up to something else. Their new album North is due out November 2nd. I'm thinking only good things about this record.




Darkstar: Gold from Evan Boehm on Vimeo.

Deerhunter + No Age + Shed + Flying Lotus

Blog removed by DMCA.

Tame Impala - Lucidity from Modular People on Vimeo.

Thomas Michael Callihan

September 2010

Talk Talk//Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti//Sun Araw//David Bowie

Sorry, I haven't posted anything in a while. I've been moving, starting new jobs, attending to typical life bullshit, etc. But the past few weeks have been good and this is what I've been into. 

Talk Talk

I revisited Talk Talk (first picture above) who I haven't listened to in years. I went through a phase a while back trying to hear all the classics that aren't on Rolling Stones greatest list of great music records. As I could have figured, there was tons of great shit that was outside the pop music/radio spectrum that Rolling Stone loves so much. There were a lot of interesting things going on with music for decades that they decided to leave out so that they could sell more copies of their magazine (that's something you can respect). Not only did they give into commercialism but as music journalists, failed doing their research on music. This still seems to be the case today. No going back now though. 

I was pretty sick yesterday and my girlfriend was in study mode. With that in mind I put on Talk Talk's 1991 album Laughing Stock. The album was even better this time around than last time and it seemed to be perfect for an atmosphere of studying and recuperating. I always try to find the perfect sound track for the situation. In the car, Laughing Stock, reminded me of Miles Davis's Bitches Brew. The way those beautiful notes would melt into noise. I love it. I know improv was used on this album a bit and that incense was burning along with glowing black lights in the studio to set the mood of the album during the recording session. At certain points there were thirteen violin players who would show up for a recording session. 

No matter how you feel about post-rock, this album might be one of the reasons that term exists and why it can also be very cool. 

Talk Talk - Laughing Stock

(You might know the No Doubt cover of this. This is when Talk Talk we're more pop and just got back from touring with Duran Duran. How funny that Duran Duran was on tour with Talk Talk)

(This is towards the end of their career as Talk Talk. It reminds me of the Radiohead "No Surprises" video. Talk Talk is one of the few groups who progressed being a band and not digressed. I would have loved to see what they would have done after Laughing Stock)

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti 

This year a friend of mine came to me and asked me if I heard the new Ariel Pink? I was a little shocked because this person was more into the other spectrums of music. I instantly said YES! I wasn't too impressed by the record, I've only heard it a handful of times. I am not here to talk about the new record either. I heard a disco edit by Night Plane (a Brooklyn producer) of one of the singles and knew I'd have some friends that would be into it. Ariel Pink is one of those artist you love or hate. I love the way he chooses sound for his records and the way he doesn't care about what Rolling Stone says (or at least I think) about his record, that above all things deserves respect. 

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: "Round and Round (Night Plane Disco Edit)" Mp3

Sun Araw

Sun Araw is a solo member of Magic Lantern and Vibes. He recently moved out to Long Beach after spending some time in Austin. Much like Talk Talk, Sun Araw uses methods of improvisation. If you're not a fan of psych rock, drone, classic rock, afro-beat, noise or jam you might not be into this record. It's almost as if he took all the 70's weirdo stuff we might or might not know and threw it in a blender and pushed liquify on modern effects. This takes time to get into and if you're looking for a hook, you're done for. Cameron Stallones (Sun Araw) also makes his own music videos. If all artists did this we might have less capitalism in music and more art, or at least I'd like to think so. 

Sun Araw: "Ma Holo" Mp3

Sun Araw: "Deep Cover" Mp3

DEEP COVER - SUN ARAW from CatCakes on Vimeo.
 

David Bowie

I'm not going to write a David Bowie bio, if you don't have David Bowies first 12 records, you shouldn't be reading this blog. Download them right now. There is some rough patches like Pin Ups and Diamond Dogs, but besides that they're all pretty fucking good. The man was always on some next level shit. Especially the album, Low, that record freaks me out. 

I stumbled upon this edit while re-downloading some Bowie I've lost over the years. 

David Bowie: "Golden Years (Mano Le Tough Edit)"

The embedded for this was taken down but its David Bowie doing "Golden Years" on Soul Train. It's pretty fucking cool being that he looks like a vampire and all in front of the Soul Train crowd. WATCH THIS VIDEO!

Onra Interview

Onra, a new and exciting producer residing in Paris, France, spoke with me the other day about what he's up to and his future. If you haven't heard his new record Long Distance, you should go check it out now. It's one of the most tasteful and funkiest records that I've heard all year. It's making its way into my top 20 of the year, I'm pretty sure. If you don't want to read the interview, at least listen to the tracks and watch the video. The tracks will definitely make your summer play list and maybe a few mixes. 

How are you doing today, what city are you in and what are you working on currently?

Hi, I'm doing fine, thank you. I'm in Paris today, it's the first day of summer, also the day of the releasing of my new album "Long Distance". I'm working on helping promote this new LP, working on a US tour. I just started to work back on Chinoiseries Pt. 2, I made half of it last year already, and I need to finalize it for 2011. 

How old were you when you made your first production and how has it changed since then?

I was 19 when I started to play around with a computer program called Ejay. The cheapest software you could find at this time, not even 20 bucks if I remember right. I've used it for a few years, until it sounded more serious, then I decided to buy my first piece of equipment, which is an Akai MPC 1000, that I still use today. I've been using this machine for seven years now, I'm feeling really familiar with it, but I'm getting to a point where it is too limiting for me, and I feel like I need to learn those new programs if I want to step my game up.

I really like the cover art for the new record, Long Distance. How much input did you put into it or did you give free reign to the artist who designed it?

No, actually, it has been one of the main reasons why the album got pushed back, since the label and myself were not too sure of our first options. The graphist sent me something like 40 examples of covers before we all agreed on this one. I felt this album was really important to me, so I really wanted to be 100% sure that I liked the cover.  

After Chinoiseries pt. 2, I read you're going to be done with concept albums. Are you wanting all your past projects to come together and form a solid concrete sound or do you hope to create a new sound altogether?

I don't know where I'm going now, I'm not trying to think too much about it, I'm going with the flow, taking one thing at a time, and we'll see where it leads me. With "Long Distance", I feel I'm getting closer to how I want to sound, but still, there's a lot of progress to be made, I'm still very far from where I want to be.

When I hear your music I hear influences from Dam-Funk, Madlib, J Dilla, and maybe Washed Out. Are these artists big influences on your work and if not who DOES influence you?

It's true for the first three artists, especially J Dilla. He's a legend, a genius, a god for me. I guess that says a lot. I'm also inspired by all the dope Hip-Hop and R'n'B producers from the 90's, that's what I grew up listening to. I didn't know about Washed Out until recently, when someone after a show, asked me if I sampled "Washed Out" to make that "Moving" beat. It appears that we sampled the same thing. Though I made this beat almost two years ago, from the same time I released "My Comet" on a 7".

Which producers would you like to work with and why?

I'd like to work with my friends, the people that surround me here in Paris. Buddy Sativa, Walter Mecca, Häzel, etc... I'm a big fan of their work, I hope the world will soon open their eyes on what we got here in France cause there's a lot of talent. Aside from them, I'd like to work with artists that I'm already in touch with. People like Waajeed, Dam-Funk, Jneiro Jarel, Reggie B, etc...  

The MCs/vocalist chosen for you in the past seem very appropriate, but which MCs/vocalist would you like to work with if it was up to you with no budget involved?

That's an interesting question. I'd randomly say Andre3000, Sade, Prince, Pharrell, Bobby Caldwell, Kashif, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, a lot of MC's... 

What are some of your favorite albums of all-time?

Slum Village "Fantastic Vol. 1&2", Lonnie Liston Smith "Visions of a New World", Brenton Wood "Baby, You Got It", Aswad "New Chapter In Dub", Roger Troutman "Many Facets Of Roger", 

I know you're going on tour soon. What is your live set up? I heard you might be bringing a friend on tour this time.

Yeah, exactly. Buddy Sativa is coming along with me on tour. He plays synthesizer on top of my productions. I bring my two MPC 1000's on stage, and play my beats from them. We really are a good fit, it makes the show much more enjoyable for the crowd.

America seems to be on the line-up for a future tour. How many U.S. dates do you want to end up playing?

I'd like to play as many dates as possible... I'd like to stay for two months, so 20 gigs would be awesome. 

What is your formula for laying down a track?

I always start with finding a sample, then it just happens in the MPC. Sometimes I know what I want to do exactly, sometimes I don't and I go with the flow... 

Do you have a day job or can you survive just making music?

I'm surviving with music right now, thanks to the gigs I get, because the money we got from CD's/Vinyls' sales is very small. Surviving is the right word. I have basic needs, I never buy anything too pricey, so I can live off my art pretty simply. I wish I could renew some equipment, buy other machines, but for now, it's not possible.

Onra: "High Hopes (feat. Reggie B.)" Mp3

Onra: "Long Distance feat. Olivier DaySoul" Mp3

(if you need help finding the album or tracks let me know and I'll see what I can do)

Onra - The One feat. T3 from Slum Village from Onra on Vimeo.

Nü Sensae Interview

This duo coming all the way from Vancouver, BC is creating new noise/punk in fun and exciting ways. They're made up of Andrea who plays bass/sings and Daniel who plays drums. I haven't been this excited to see a new punk band in years. I recently was lucky enough to interview them briefly about their influences, favorite producers and how they feel about the Real Housewives of New York. They seem like pretty silly kids and I'm looking forward to meeting them in person. Nü Sensae will be playing the Atlantic in Gainesville, FL Friday June 11th with touring partners Shearing Pinx.

Where are you currently?

A - Providence, Rhode Island.

Who are you in the band and what do you play?

A-Andrea I play bass and sing.

D- Daniel, I play the drums.

You're currently on tour with Shearing Pinx, how is that going? You're both from Vancouver, is there any kind of camaraderie or competition going between you 2?

A- We hate them, they hate us, it's cute.

D- We have all known each other many years. Our first show was with the Pinx.

It think it's pretty obvious to say you guys sound or influenced by Sonic Youth or maybe Nirvana. What other artists sonically are you influenced by and why?

A- I got into those bands a lot more after playing music, I always liked them, but I was thinking a lot simpler like the Germs or something.

D- I love Nirvana and Sonic Youth. But I am also influenced by lot of bands that don't sound anything like us..Patti Smith, The Breeders, Stooges, X...

If you could work with any producer who would it be?

A- Rick Rubin, I like what he did with Slayer.

D- Nina Simone, bring her back!

What new bands/artists are you following and who maybe would it be a dream to tour with?

A- Cult Ritual.

D- Tv Ghost and Swimsuit.

Is this going to be your first trip to Florida?

A-Yes!

D-Yes!

On tour what are you listening to in the van?

A- I've been listening to the first record by Epitaph, a German Sabbathy band from the 70s and Neil Young

D- Pixies, Babes in Toyland, Kurt Vile

What is your favorite city outside of Vancouver?

A-I really like California.

D-I like New York, Philadelphia and southern California.

Where would you like to tour?

A- Asia.

D- Antarctica / Europe.

Do you think we should hold Tony Hayward (CEO of BP) responsible for the oil spill in the gulf?

A- He's dead to me.

D- I hold myself responsible for that.

What are you watching tonight, the Real Housewives Of New York finale or the Celtics vs. the Lakers? Don't worry, I'm not judging.

A- I wish I were watching Real Housewives of New York, although I prefer New Jersey

D- No way! ATLANTA!

Is there anything going on in Vancouver I should check out that I probably haven't heard of art wise?

A- Yes, C/R/I/T/I/C/S/.

D- Leanne Carmicheal's photography.

Is there anything you'd like to say to Florida before you get here next Friday?

D- We don't have tans...

Nü Sensae: "Cat's Cradle" (mp3)

Nü Sensae: "New Lies" (mp3)

Music Waste #4: Loud Date ft. Nu Sensae from the shots on Vimeo.

Is Arcade Fire similar to Green Day?

I remember 2004 so well, there were releases from Animal Collective Sung Tungs, Madvillain Madvallainy, Dizzee Rascal Showtime, and countless others where I actually thought music was as amazing as it was when I was 12 years old. Arcade Fire was part of this affair with Funeral. The album was as if David Bowie made a concept album about the post-apocalyptic world circa 1973, but not then now. To say the least I was blown away from all this music. I even saw Arcade Fire on tour, the band wasn't very tight yet, but the passion was there and you knew in the future they would dominate.

About 3 summers ago I saw Arcade Fire again, this time at ACL festival. The band had gotten tighter but the new record was so cheesy and full of in-your-face messages that I couldn't get into it. The stage and show were also littered with cliché, atheist-type propaganda that I always hate seeing. Neon Bible's were everywhere. That name alone (Neon Bible) gives me a stomachache. I had to walk away and go home early.

To get to the point, The Suburbs the new Arcade Fire single with b-side "Month of May" is everything you want from whinny, rich, spoiled kids who are bored and don't want to think about anything new except the same cliché bullshit. OKAY Arcade Fire, we fucking get it. The Suburbs suck and are part of the pollution to American culture. I don't want to hear about it anymore, and I hope all you other indie bands get the same idea. I think I'd feel kind of weird if I was a grown ass man and my fan base was 16 year-old kids in all black who have these formulaic thoughts of life and being alternative. What happened to individualism? Was American Idiot any influence on Neon Bible/The Suburbs? Similar ideas are on both records, one's just dumbed down more than the other. I feel both bands are using their stardom to spread their thoughtless, unoriginal thoughts of America and the future to their empty fans.

This was written due to people wanting to read bad reviews sometimes from me. I'd go on comparing the 2 bands but I don't want to give them more press that they don't deserve.

Arcade Fire: "The Suburbs"

Arcade Fire: "Month Of May"

Bored with the USA

A great icon was just denied access into the US. I can't fucking believe this, one of the best DJs in the world can't obtain a visa into the states to headline a music festival in Detroit called Movement. Ricardo Villalobos hasn't played here since 2002, and might not anytime soon. What the fuck is wrong with this country? Maybe I'm one of the only minimal house kids I know but this guy is still the real deal. (via XLR8R)

Ricardo Villalobos: "Easy Lee"

Ricardo Villalblos: "Dexter"