Mercer Lounge
February 29, 2012
The Shins’ frontman James Mercer has been on a radio tour supporting their upcoming fourth album Port of Morrow, due out March 20th. As all my loyal readers know, Mercer is my G, so I gotta post some highlights from his on-air acoustic sets. I blessed you a couple weeks ago with an exclusive live clip of “It’s Only Life,” a POM album cut that has yet to be released. Now, here are a couple more recent performances. First, one of my all time favorite Shins tunes, “Young Pilgrims” off Chutes Too Narrow. Then, the beautiful “September,” which is on the new album. And finally, live from WFUV at Fordam University in New York, a very cool acoustic rendition of Wincing The Night Away‘s “Australia.” Enjoy…
“Young Pilgrims” Live at 101.9 KINK.FM in Portland, Oregon
“September” Live at 107.7 The End in Seattle, Washington
“Australia” Live at 90.7 WFUV in the Bronx, New York
To hear the entire hour long James Mercer appearance on WFUV’s Words and Music, click HERE. Nice interview, and a couple more live songs too. Can’t wait to hear this album!
*BONUS*
The Spin Interview: James Mercer
*UPDATE*
Mercer brings his band along to perform “Bait and Switch” off Port Of Morrow live from some sort of music den in Portland, Oregon. I remember when they debuted this song live a couple years ago. Super sick.
Leading Ladies
February 21, 2012
There’s a lot of dope music out right now, and a lot of it is being made by females! Who run the world? GIRLS. Here are three of my favorite songs out that are right now, all featuring a leading lady. Up top is a cover of Beyonce’s “Party” by Brooklyn band Chairlift, led by Caroline Polachek and featuring Das Racist rapper Kool A.D. who spits a fun verse. I like how they flipped this. And below, check out a great cut by newcomer Meg Myers called “Monster.” This shit is tough…
Also, watch the video for this smooth song from another newbie, Yuna, called “Live Your Life,” produced by the one and only Pharrell Williams…
Shouts to Pigeons & Planes, a new site I’m working with, for putting me on to all three of these songs/videos. Bookmark it. Now. I’m out.
*UPDATE*
Another female led gem found on P&P. It’s by Wild Belle and it’s called “Keep You.” Fire…
Say What?
February 20, 2012
These “Shit ________ Say” videos are all the rage right now, eh? I need a late pass for posting this, but I love “Shit New Yorkers Say,” which pokes fun at pretentious New York City residents. Really well done. Watch it above. And it inspired me to make a “Things BGC Kids Say” video with the middle schoolers I work with, and they did a great job with the whole concept and took some quality jabs at themselves. There’s some budding talent in this crew. Watch below…
Also, love this one “Shit Toddlers Say.” My son Luca is gonna be two in May, so I can relate to a lot of this. He loves watching it too, probably because the little girl in it is super cute. Check it…
Catching up on posts. More coming asap. Hollerrrrrr.
It’s Only Life
February 13, 2012
James Mercer is making the rounds it seems, promoting the late March release of The Shins’ new album Port Of Morrow. He’s been hitting up different radio stations and such, playing acoustic versions of Shins classics, and new cuts from the album. I came across some pretty decent video/audio of Mercer performing a brand new song called “It’s Only Life” live in Hollywood at some 987FM event. Check the footage above. Also, listen to the official leak of “September,” the b-side to their first single “Simple Song,” below. It’s seriously incredible…
Can’t wait to hear this album in full. Later skaters.
Be Mine
February 12, 2012
Alabama Shakes is a new band buzzing on the indie scene, and I like their style. Their lead singer, Brittany Howard, sounds like the female reincarnation of Joe Cocker. She’s got soul, for real. And the band’s soulful too, with hints of country, blues, and southern rock stylings that make for a unique, live sound reminiscent of The Black Crowes in their prime. I’m digging the live version of this song “Be Mine” (performed in studio at KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic) which I’m assuming is on their upcoming debut album Boys & Girls due out in April. Keep your eye out for this crew. They’re dope. And shout to all the lovers out their reppin’ hard for their partners. This is another Valentine’s Day weekend jam for you.
A Case Of You
February 12, 2012
For all of you hopeless romantics out there celebrating Valentine’s Day weekend, this one is for you. James Blake covers Joni Mitchell’s classic Blue album cut “A Case of You” on his new Enough Thunder EP, and it is truly a beautiful rendition. Love the piano on this. Check the video above, featuring actress Rebecca Hall who you will recognize from Woody Allen’s Vicky Christina Barcelona. And below is a clip of Joni Mitchell playing “A Case Of You” live in London…
This post has a few family connections for me. First off, Blue is one of my Mom’s favorite albums, and I have great memories of listening to this with her on family car rides etc. Also, as my Mom pointed out when I sent this to her last night, many people say Rebecca Hall looks a lot like my sister Rebecca, which I think is a bit true (my sister’s prettier). And also, every time I listen to James Blake’s version, I think of my own wife, who I am forever falling in love with. Great song. Props to James Blake for doing it justice. LOVE.
Subway Soul
February 1, 2012
My dude kills Adele’s “Someone Like You” on the 86th Street subway platform in NYC. Absolutely murders it, vocals and drum only. Shout to the good folks at Complex Magazine for putting me on. And crack up below to some guy on the subway rapping along to Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Niggas In Paris” he’s off the hook! Major LOL!
Only in New York. Hollerrrr.
Electric Guest
January 27, 2012
New band alert! These dudes Electric Guest are out of California, and their debut album Mondo, which is producer by Danger Mouse, is set to drop in April. Check the video below for thier latest release “This Head I Hold.” Tell me this shit ain’t fresh.
For more, stay tuned to their official website. That’s it!
Fresh Mash
January 23, 2012
My boy Jon Jo, who is a teacher at White Plains High School, told me these Pogo music videos are the craze with the students right now. This guy basically takes audio clips, mostly from Disney movies, and makes them into original songs, complete with the matching video edits. My first thought was, “This reminds me of Kutiman!” Kutiman makes songs and videos by taking different YouTube clips of musicians and mashing them all together. Anyway, this Fresh Prince of Bel Air one is my favorite Pogo song/video by far. The beat and samples are sick, and all the Will Smith dance moves make it very entertaining to watch. My only complaint is I want to see more Carlton dance moves!!!! Watch above, and then check out the official Pogo website HERE. One.
Simple Song
January 9, 2012
Mondays usually suck, but this song made today much, much better. Nothing like a brand new song from my favorite band of all time, The Shins. Click below to hear their first single, “Simple Song,” off of Port Of Morrow, due out March 20th. I just listened to it five times in a row. Stream below, and get more info on the album also (including how to pre-order)…
Listen: The Shins “Simple Song”
Finally, an album dropping that I am truly excited about.
*BONUS*
“Insane Lullaby” was the first song The Shins’ frontman James Mercer and Danger Mouse ever released together, before they formed Broken Bells. The actual studio recording is not that rad, but this acoustic version, performed live on KCRW, is incredible. I totally just stumbled upon this, and it got me super open. Plus, I found the mp3 of it! Oh gosh, I love the Internet. Watch the video of their performance above, and download the acoustic version of “Insane Lullaby” HERE. Uno.
