wongie's music world

she and him - why do you let me stay here (new video)

2008-07-14T08:22:00.002-04:00

she and him - why do you let me stay here [link 2]
[though a majority of the zooey deschanal and m ward (aka she and him) album, volume one, was recorded between los angeles and portland, it took a performance in austin texas' sxsw to make them official. paying homage to the music that influenced the duo, she & him are currently touring the US with their retro pop sound. it's taken me awhile to warm up to them (for personal issues against zooey), but i'm now a fan.]

hot remix: solange - i decided pt 2 (freemason radio mix) (new video)

2008-07-13T03:14:00.002-04:00

solange - i decided pt 2 (freemason radio mix) [link 2]
[solange knowles (aka beyonce's baby sister) has always had the fortune to run to the beat of her drum. taking baby steps as an actress and releasing under the radar music, it looks like solange is finally ready for her closeup. the 1st single off her album sol-angel and the hadley st. dreams is not only produced by the neptunes, but is a surprising doo-wop soul tune with minimal background music. i wasn't a big fan of the initial mix, which is why i'm so happy that the freemasons brought the kind of chords that the song really needs. now, i love this tune! can't wait to hear what else solange has in store for us!]

pop fix: the saturdays - if this is love (new video)

2008-07-13T02:58:00.003-04:00

the saturdays - if this is love [link 2]
[the UK have the corner on fabricated girl groups. somewhere amidst the mediocre choreography and oversinging, there are a few acts that have managed to shine (sugababes and every now and then, girls aloud). well... the saturdays are looking to fill the current void of chart topping girl groups and so far my reaction is kind of 'eh' to their attempt. but then again the fact that they've sampled yazoo (yaz to all you US folks) is reason to showcase just this once.]

death cab for cutie - cath (new video)

2008-07-13T00:27:00.002-04:00

death cab for cutie - cath [link 2]
[i have more than a few friends who are totally enamoured with death cab's current album narrow stairs, but i have yet to latch on to any of their songs for my playlist. but for those of you who love this ben gibbard penned track, enjoy!]

naughty naughty: mylene farmer - degeneration (new video)

2008-07-12T20:08:00.003-04:00

mylene farmer - degeneration [link 2]
[one of the biggest selling stars of france returns with the 1st single off her upcoming album point de suture. embracing a total electronic sound, mylene continues to prove that her quirky style still remains au courant after 22 years. add to the fact that the video is one literal cluster f**k and you've got a nice return to the french charts.]

gonzales - working together (new video)

2008-07-07T00:49:00.002-04:00

gonzales - working together [link 2]
[canadian by way of berlin, then paris, rapper/composer/singer, gonzales returns to our playlists with his latest album soft power. the collection is actually a borderline tribute album to the soft rock tracks gonzales listened to during the 70's and 80's, though i'm not quite sure what this current single should remind me of. nevertheless, it's fun and catchy.]

broken social scene presents kevin drew - safety bricks (new video)

2008-07-07T00:15:00.004-04:00

kevin drew - safety bricks [link 2]
[though broken social scene co-founder, kevin drew, got everybody from that band to play on this album, he's definitely still calling spirit if a solo release. interestingly enough, each member of the band will get their chance to release solo albums as the broken social scene presents series will showcase their individual talents over time (brendan canning's album 'something for all of us' will be out later this month). how cool are these canadians? very!]

la blogotheque presents: bon iver - lump sum / skinny love

2008-07-04T12:12:00.005-04:00

bon iver - lump sum [link 2]

bon iver - skinny love (live) [link 2]
[as you know, i've been quite the fan of bon iver these past few months. the surprising thing is that i discovered his music as a live artist (via live performances on tv and youtube) as opposed to my usual route of hearing the music via myspace/articles/downloads. it's rare to love an artist live and then go back to listen to the studio versions of songs afterwards. anyway, the blogotheque folks continue to perpetuate my live love of justin vernon and his pals as they perform two sessions (a total of 6 performances!) for the website. awesome!]

(gimmicky) video of the week: pop levi - semi babe (part 1/2) (new videos)

2008-07-03T06:17:00.006-04:00

pop levi - semi babe [link 2]
[totally gimmicky but follow the instructions of these two videos and you'll get to hear this cute summer ditty by uk avant pop artist pop levi.

the instuctions are easy:
click on the left video first
quickly pause it
then click play on the right video
pause that too
rewind the right video to the beginning
click play for the left video (you'll see a countdown start)
once the countdown hits midnight (or zero), play the right video
sit back and enjoy

honestly, i'm more fascinated by the cueing of the videos perfectly than the song itself, but heck, at least he got my full attention for 3 min 22 secs whole heartedly!]

on the radar 2008: little jackie - the world should revolve around me

2008-07-03T02:42:00.001-04:00

little jackie - the world should revolve around me [link 2]
[remember imaani coppola? about 10 years ago, the kooky neo soul singer had a minor hit with legend of a cowgirl only to be lost in the shuffle of being at a major label soon afterwards. well, it looks like imaani is back and this time she's collaborating with the talents of programmer/producer adam pallin in the form of little jackie. the duo have crafted a fun album filled with motown references filtered through catchy catchy pop. check out their latest single that's just begging to be soundtracked for the summer!]

jay brannan - housewife (new video)

2008-07-03T02:39:00.001-04:00

jay brannan - housewife [link 2]
[i am not in the habit of showcasing artists just because he or she is 'out', in fact, i tend to avoid music that blatently caters to the LGBT market (if i never hear a song about 'one day we'll be free...', it won't be soon enough. puke!) so in the case of singer/songwriter/actor jay brannan i have to give it up to him for releasing a strong collection of songs that not only speak to me personally but is broad enough to not paint itself into a corner. do i secretly want to be someone's housewife? you'll never know!
if you like what you hear, go and get his album goddamned now (only $9.99 yo!)]

lil wayne - a milli (video premiere)

2008-07-03T01:38:00.005-04:00

lil wayne - a milli [link 2]
[i usually don't pay any attention to boastful rap, but this vocal hook line is HOT! like SCORCHING hot! as his song claims, lil wayne managed to sell a million copies of his highly anticipated album tha carter III in the first week (biggest 1st week sales of 2008) and looks to continue his hot streak with this killer jam. i'll allow the boasting this time around, but luckily the rest of the album is more than that!]

estelle - no substitute love (new video)

2008-07-02T05:05:00.004-04:00

estelle - no substitute love [link 2]
[as much as i like this 3rd single (heck it even comes with a george michael "faith" reference!) from the album shine, i'm keeping my fingers crossed for a roots down version with just simple harmonies and guitars on the mix. oh, and somehow project runway christian siriano ended up in the video along with kelly rowland. weird!]

want more, check out another version of this song performed live on my favorite music show on the planet, later with jools holland!

nocturnal discoveries: tristan prettyman, justin nozuka, charlotte sometimes

2008-06-30T04:59:00.007-04:00

because i've practically been living in a hotel for the past two weeks, my viewing habits before i crash these nights have been with VH1's nocturnal state. not only do they show music videos (what!!! on tv?!!) but their playlist is actually interesting enough for me to discover new acts. the following three have been my favorites before i go to sleep:

tristan prettyman - madly [link 2]
[i seem to have a self imposed information brain fart when it comes to singer/songwriter/surfer chick tristan prettyman. the biggest mistake is that i kept on thinking that she was aussie singer missy higgins with a new single (hey, give me a break, it was usually 3am when her video would come on). then just when i thought i knew who this singer was, i couldn't find ANY information online for tristan PERRYman. it's like an information wall that i've finally overcome. thank goodness cause her album hello is not bad at all.]

justin nozuka - after tonight [link 2]
[fans of this blog know that i've always had a soft spot for a guy singing behind his acoustic guitar. so discovering this toronto based half japanese/half american singer/songwriter was inevitable (especially right before i go to sleep). part of a family of talented kids (brother george is an r&b sensation in canada), justin dedicated his debut album to his mother holly because of her support and help in self releasing this soulful collection. aww...]

charlotte sometimes - how i could just kill a man [link 2]
[what a solid single for this young music prodigy. having self released a few EPs before signing to a major label, charlotte sometimes is actually the alias for jessica charlotte poland. her strong debut album waves and the both of us is a mix of adult lyrics masked in a glorious world of pop, just the way we like it (if you like what you hear, the full album is available for only $5.99!). just in case you can't see the above video, check it out on youtube.]

the ting tings - shut up and let me go (new video)

2008-06-29T20:28:00.002-04:00

the ting tings - shut up and let me go [link 2]
[i can say this cause i've been a fan of the group since december, but there's something cheerleader-ish about the songs of the ting tings don't you think? thank goodness katie white and jules de martino are hotties, if not, i would have placed them on my 'bored now' train awhile ago...]

vampire weekend - oxford comma (new video)

2008-06-29T20:14:00.002-04:00

vampire weekend - oxford comma [link 2]
[this video is a long time coming, easily one of the more popular tracks taken off vampire weekend's debut album, the video directed by actor/comedian richard ayoade (the mighty boosh, the IT crowd) is an ode to the iconic style of director wes anderson (chock with chapter breakdowns). maybe wes will take on directing duties for their next video effort?]

hercules and love affair - you belong (new video)

2008-06-29T19:25:00.003-04:00

hercules and love affair - you belong [link 2]
hercules and love affair - you belong (riton rerub) [link 2]
[what a lovely ode to house music of the late 80's/early 90's, i'm a sucker for those traditional house chords and it looks like brooklynites hercules and love affair are on the same page with me. add to the nostalgic giddyness is the sick rerub by british dj riton. taking the hook and spinning it on it's head, the remix gleefully bounces the song like pong on speed. it's fun, it's random and it's something i hope you like!]

roisin murphy - movie star (new video)

2008-06-29T18:27:00.003-04:00

roisin murphy - movie star [link 2]
[sorry for the lack of postings in the past two weeks, but my day job has forced me to go into a continuous coverage of some of the biggest movies of the summer. i've been immersed in interviews with the batman, the mamma, the wanted, the hellboy and even the robot. needless to say, i'm 'movie-d out'! so it's a bit ironic that my first blog, post movie marathon, comes in the form of "movie star" from the beloved roisin murphy. sourced from my good buddy xolondon, roisin pays homage to the early films of john waters and as usual, looks fabulous (even while chewing on necks). for those of you who missed me, i'm back bitches!]

the stills - snakecharming the masses (new video)

2008-06-15T16:29:00.003-04:00

the stills - snakecharming the masses [link 2]
[i think everyone fell in love with the stills when they released the brilliantly effortless debut album logic will break your heart back in 2003. but like many bands, the montreal based guys experienced a serious sophomore slump in which they attempted to channel their inner rock god to unfortunate results. thats why i'm kind of approaching their latest release oceans will rise with a bit of caution. i'm still not quite sure based on this 1st single (and art installation video). guess i'll have to wait to hear the album then.]

video of the week: the notwist - where in this world (new video)

2008-06-15T16:15:00.005-04:00

the notwist - where in this world [link 2]
[what a great mini movie of a video AND a welcome return of the notwist! back in 2002, these guys put out an album called neon golden that was easily one of my soundtracks for the year. within the past six years, notwist formed another band and experimented with hip hop under that release. luckily the german quartet have returned to their notwist incarnation and the result is a folk electronic album, the devil, you + me, that is internal and overflowing with beauty at the same time. one of the soundtracks for 2008? we shall see.]

those dancing days - run run (new video)

2008-06-15T15:47:00.002-04:00

those dancing days - run run [link 2]
[any band that has high regard to the girl groups of the of the 60's deserves props. add to the fact that this five piece all girl band hail from sweden and you pretty much have the perfect mix of reasons to 'heart' them. we've radared this band back in january and i'm happy to hear that they're still making good catchy retro-fitted pop songs perfect for the summer.]

holly throsby - a heart divided (new video)

2008-06-15T14:06:00.004-04:00

holly throsby - a heart divided [link 2]
[australian singer songwriter holly throsby recorded her latest album a loud call in nashville and the result is a gentle sweet album filled with alt-country charm (it even features cameos by members of lambchop and the silver jews) and dreamy pop. currently touring australia, let's hope with this new collection of songs, holly will finally be able to bring her lovely tones to our north american shores.]

the teenagers - make it happen (new video)

2008-06-15T13:44:00.002-04:00

the teenagers - make it happen [link 2]
[oh to be a french band that channels the concept of the 'dreamy teen'. everyday would be about love and sex and hanging and sex and love. the teenagers have been the band of choice for equally dreamy hipsters the past few months and i am proud to say that they have broken through my wall of resistance. vive la 'dreamy' france!]

on the radar 2008: annuals - sore (new video)

2008-06-15T03:41:00.003-04:00

annuals - sore [link 2]
[what a lovely discovery! this six member group of eclectic performers hail from raleigh, NC and have combined their talents to release their latest EP wet zoo. filled with melodious wistful songs that kick into surprising crescendos, the annuals are not only working on their upcoming full length album, but also their various solo side projects (in which all the members help each other out on). it's a musical lovefest and that's the way i like it!

currently touring the east coast, try to check out the band at one of their upcoming gigs below:

June 18 - Brooklyn, NY at Sound Fix Records (in-store performance)
June 18 - Brooklyn, NY at Union Pool
June 19 - Arlington, VA at Iota
June 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Millcreek Tavern
June 21 - Carrboro, NC at Arts Center

AND if you'd like to win tickets to one of their upcoming shows OR passes to your local zoo/aquarium OR get an animal sponsorship under your name, click on the link below to enter:
http://www.canvasbackmusic.com/contests/annuals/wetzoocontest]

dizzee rascal feat calvin harris & chrome - dance wiv me (new video)

2008-06-14T13:21:00.004-04:00

dizzee rascal feat calvin harris & chrome - dance wiv me [link 2]
[besides wiley, have you heard this summers UK garage infused 80's disco rap anthem? rappa dizzee rascal gathers together the talents of calvin harris (who always seems better when working for other people) and singer chrome and has made a fun jam that is full of surprises. i've been listening to this non-stop and from the looks of the buzz coming out of the UK, i'm not the only one. hot! hot! hot!]