Kanine Records sure knows how to pick ‘em. After signing Brooklyn’s Chairlift in the fall (they now jumped ship for a reissue on Columbia) here’s Blind Man’s Colour from Saint Petersburg, Florida. This older (but still awesome) video for “Never Hope For Treasure” was filmed by a high school friend of the band as his digital film imaging class final. Though its not on their forthcoming LP, the group’s natural influences shines through the haze. Kyle Wyss and Orhan Chettri and already released an EP Wooden Blankets through Kanine and their full-length debut, entitled Season Dreaming, is out August 18th. The electronic duo is still trying to shake the “you’re biting Animal Collective” accusations but Blind Man’s Colour plan to set it straight in the Pleased to Meet You section of Under the Radar‘s Summer Issue. Did I mention they’re both 19-years-old? Hot diggity damn!
NME darlings Florence and the Machine have a spring-themed music video for single “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up).” In the clip Florence and other prancing friends turn a Victorian lawn party into a Bacchanalian romp. Oh, and there’s a watery funeral in there too. The song is a Kate Bush-like bit of atmospheric pop, and is slated for the U.K. group’s debut LP, which is being distributed by Island. Regardless of the hype, Florence Welch possesses some beautific pipes. The album is due out on July 6th and if you couldn’t catch everything in the vid the band’s Myspace recently posted some quality stills of the shoot by photographer Alex Lake. Florence and the Machine will be featured in our Summer ‘09 issue. (www.florenceandthemachine.net)
This upbeat Modest Mouse single from forthcoming No One’s First and You’re Next is already a live staple, and two days ago the band start streaming it for fans. Now here’s a somewhat creepy live and stop-motion video from longtime Tool collaborator Kevin Willis. The orange vinyl “Satellite Skin” 7-inch single is available here, via Sony Music Entertainment & Skyroo. There’s only 4,000 of these puppies so grab it quick! “Satellite” is the A-Side and “Guilty Cocker Spaniels” is on the flipside. The dancing treehouses eclipse this average MM song but its David Cronenburg-meets-Beetlejuice aesthetic pack a monochromatic whallop. You also expect the Wheelers from Return to Oz to come squeaking through the frame. I think I’m going to have nightmares about eggs, eye sockets, edible birds, and back vaginas. (www.modestmouse.com)
“I won’t lie to you, I’m frightened,” Letterman pointd out on Friday night (May 15). As you should be Dave. Atlanta’s Mastodon cracked his audience’s skulls wide open and poured in their prog-metal elixir. They performed a truncated version of “Oblivion” from their very successful Crack the Skye LP, which debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 chart. Despite some road-wary vocal chords from the other dudes, Brann Dailor truly shined. He’s a true triple threat on drums, vocals, and songwriting. “Beautiful,” wisecracks Dave. Yes, there’s plenty of beautiful destruction to go around. (www.mastodonrocks.com)
Various Artists
“Kidney Now!” (All Star 30 Rock Jam with Elvis Costello, Beastie Boys, Talib Kweli) Video
The entertaining Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey-helmed NBC sitcom 30 Rock had a star-studded musical finale last night. The plot revolved around GE heavyweight Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) meeting his biological father, who needs a kidney. Since he can’t be a donor himself, Jack turns to his contacts in the entertainment world. The song and charity event called “Kidney Now” is born. Think “We Are the World” but with funnier. Naturally, comedic revelry ensued. Warning: There are plenty of 30 Rock spoilers in the video but you can watch the full episode on the magical time-waster Hulu.) Remember, “reach down deep inside and just give a kidney.” Below is the full list of the musical guests that appeared for in the spoof:
Elvis Costello Mary J. Blige Clay Aiken Sheryl Crow Adam Levine Adam Horovitz Mike D Sara Bareilles Wyclef Jean Norah Jones Talib Kweli Michael McDonald Rhett Miller Steve Earle Moby Robert Randolph Rachael Yamagata Cyndi Lauper
I have a confession to make. I’m an awkward kisser. To wit, If you imagine kissing a mannequin you’re getting rather close to my “style.” My fiancée might try to tell me otherwise but I know I share a kindred spirit with this new video for well, “Awkward Kisser.” The new video from Seattle’s Telekinesis is directed by Portland, Oregon’s Spencer Gentz. Gentz also makes music under the name Bell Plaines. It follows main man Michael Benjamin Lerner and his mannequin beau as they frolick amongst “cherry blossoms, cherry soda, and late nights in the countryside.” Piano pop speaks to me even if Ben Folds ruined it long ago. Telekinesis hits the road today in support of their debut album, Telekinesis! Find out where Lerner got his music skills (hint: His stage name rhymes with Beevie Funder) in our feature in Under the Radar‘s current Spring ‘09 Issue.
Animal Collective
“Blood” (New Song Live at 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.) MP3
May 14, 2009
Animal Collective commenced their mostly sold-out U.S. spring tour with Grouper this week, and apparently NPR was in the house. AC’s concert at the 9:30 Club in our nation’s capital also sported a brand new track. The working title of the hazy chant-driven joint is “Blood.” Avey Tare and Panda Bear volley the vocal duties back and forth in the same way they did on this year’s amazing Merriweather Post Pavilion. After some OK remixes, it’s nice to wrap your ears around a new blissed-out track other than live staple “What Would I Want Sky.” The industrious fan community at Collected Animals managed to snag a fairly high-quality mp3 of “Blood.” Praise to the music nerds of the world. Enjoy! Animal Collective were featured in our Winter ‘09 mag. [GVB]
Here’s the new video from Jarvis Cocker, for the song “Angela,” from his album Further Complications out 5/19 on Rough Trade. The garage-pop video sees the former Pulp leader getting down with his bearded bad self in front of a captivated audience in Paris. I’m not very good with my French locales but I believe the Rue Chappe is an historic apartment in France. Its creator, a Monsieur M. Chappe apparently invented the mechanical telegraph. In non-French related news, Jarvis hates The Killers. Be on the lookout for a feature with the Mr. Cocker in Under the Radar‘s Summer ‘09 issue.
