Now that’s some Patrick Bateman shiz right there. The song is from the band’s third (awesome) album – Moment Bends. I would describe this album as a depressing beach holiday – melodramatic lonely hearts, grooving to tropicana flavoured synth at the resort’s disco. It’s a lot slower than their past efforts. For me, standouts on the album include Denial Style, That Beep (the beep from 2008′s EP of the same name) and B4 3D.
As always, I hope I get to catch them on tour soon! There’s nothing better than bopping to AiH at a live show.
Down at my favourite watering hole under the stairs (the Wine Cellar), Hazel & Jack have been regularly cranking Toto on Tuesdays. Strictly the karaoke hits – Hold The Line, Rosanna and Africa. Let’s dance!
Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle. Sometimes I think Bill Callahan’s Eid Ma Clack Shaw is the perfect song. The dry delivery, of the lyrics, the marching bass (reminiscent of Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads) – ”this song is a spell.”
For those of you not familiar with Mr. Callahan, he is an American singer-songwriter based in Austin, Texas. Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle is his second release under his own name, having performed as Smog for the first seventeen of his years. If you enjoy the track featured above, I highly recommend you explore his back catalogue. Learn more about the man and his motives by reading this Tiny Mix Tapes interview.
I was scrolling through acres of music I haven’t played in yonks, and came across Bossy. Sung by New York’s first lady of neo soul, Kelis (featuring Too Short), Bossy was one of my musical highlights of 2006. I was happy to dig it up – I think it’s definitely on par with Milkshake.
The video is pretty swell , with moments of genius – spotlighted octopus tentacles, flowing Veuve, a blue powder-puff poodle, and a unicorn ice sculpture. As one YouTube user noted, Kelis always looks classy, no matter what she’s writhing in. The Alan Braxe & Fred Falke Remix of Bossy is also top class; fast paced and bouncy – download it here.
If you like Kelis and Auckland-bound this summer, then you’re in luck; she’s playing at Splore-City in the lush new Aotea Square in February. It’s going to be a banging festival, with other great names like Mayer Hawthorne, Caribou and J-Star on the line up, along with a sprinkling of ambient work & performances.
Now here’s a yuletide soundtrack that’s sure to be a favourite for years to come:
A Very Little Christmas is a non-traditional carol album, compiled by Auckland’s Little Monster Studio. It’s a diverse set of songs from a loosely affiliated group of local bands who were all given the freedom to make their own musical take on the festive season. Artists include Luckless, Tono and the Finance Company, Canadia, Great North and The Crawley Christmas Singers. My picks of the bunch are Chelsea Jade and James Duncan’s romantic French Kissmas, Hold Dear’s melodic Anthem for An Orphan (for those celebrating in a big lonely city), and The Gladeyes’ lo-fi Carols and Parties.
There has been a lot of Kanye hating recently but you can’t deny talent. He makes fun, friendly songs and the ‘Good Life’ won a Grammy for best Rap after all. The video was directed by Jonas and François with animation by So Me, the same crew who made Justice’s super D.A.N.C.E. T-shirt video. Illustrated type is definitely the flavour of the month… hmm and on that note, hasn’t similar lettering been used for Ben & Jerry’s? Okay, on with the Kanye visual bubblegum:
Hello! My name is Amber Parkin. I'm a New Zealander living in London. I'm a writer obsessed with fondue, chesterfield sofas, vintage dresses, foxes, and 35mm.
