Thursday 23 April, 2009 11:08 AM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
Geggy Tah is a band initially composed of writer/singer Tommy Jordan and keyboard/guitarist Greg Kurstin. Each of them had a younger sister who was unable to pronounce her brother’s name when very young; “Geggy” and “Tah” were the baby girls’ mispronunciations of their brother’s names. This song is from kind of old, from 1996 but make sure you listen through the intro because this quirky song will be in your head all day.
Tuesday 21 April, 2009 9:36 PM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
While all you loyal readers out there on the blogosphere get new music everyday, for the mainstream public, new songs are released on Tuesdays. Being fed up with mainstream music as of late, the fact that it is Tuesday is for the most part, insignificant. However, why is this day different than all others. Some heavy hitters released new CD’s.
First, I gotta give it up to my man, King of Miami, Boss of Bosses, Rick Ross. His first song “Hustlin” will forever be legendary, and sadly, no song in his future career can replicate that sort of impact. His new CD, “Deeper than Rap” nonetheless has plenty of expected weed, Miami drug business, Maybach driving themed bangers. Key tracks to listen for are ‘Mayback Music II’ with Kanye and Lil Wayne and ‘Yacht Club’ with a slight Latino-jazz influence.
Second, Asher Roth dropped his first LP today. As you can see, FOUR MONTHS ago, I predicted Ash to blow up big. Dont believe me? Check my very first post. Asher performed in my house about five months ago, and literally, didnt attract more than 15 people. Its wild to see how someone can gain such success almost overnight. I personally think Asher is clever and witty with his verses, but wasnt quite convinced of his flow until today. I love every one of these beats on the CD, and truth be told, and man is this hard to say being a 305 local, I would almost purchase “the Roth” over “the Ross”.
Finally, may I present to you, Empire of the Sun. The track “Walking on a Dream” got me hooked a few months ago, so I bought the album today and was not disappointed. This Aussie duo has lots of straightforward pop chops, Eighties-flavored keyboards, and funny rhymes. They combine an acoustic guitar and a disco beat too.
Saturday 18 April, 2009 3:26 PM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
Look. I know I just posted a track from Chiddy Bang sampling MGMT’s “Kids”, but they just had to go and do ANOTHER sample. And it HAD to be as equally catchy. So I HAVE to post it. This time, they re-worked Kid Cudi’s “Day N Nite”. Chiddy Bang has also sampled Radiohead, French band Yelle, and Santana and keep it ever so current for example calling out Asher Roth rapping “… tell Roth that I dont love College”. It seems to be a solid formula for success as these guys are blowing up all over the net. Keep in mind, the members of Chiddy Bang are still freshmen in college.
Thursday 16 April, 2009 12:58 PM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
A rapper from Los Angeles, Dom Kennedy sports San the hipster look of Supreme, UnDftd, Fixed Gear bikes, and the culture of Fairfax. A postive rap about relaxing on a beautiful Cali day. I decided to post this song in honor of all things WATERMELON related (a pun for my USC readers).
Tuesday 14 April, 2009 3:36 PM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
An acclaimed success of SXSW (one of the largest music festivals in the country) emerges a Brit band called Late of the Pier. On their MySpace its listed as: “Sounds like: your ears are melting” and “music to have asthma to”. I do not have asthma (can you help me out here Erika?) , nor do I know what it sounds like when your ears melt, but I imagine their descriptions aren’t too far off. This band is predicted to be in the ranks of Passion Pit , Phoenix, and Ratatat aka big new Indie bands of the year 2009. Their songs are super catchy, a little schizo kind of all over the place, and… dance-able? What are your thoughts?
Tuesday 14 April, 2009 3:16 PM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
Today emerged Easy Star All Star All Star’s “Lonely Hearts”. This reggae label has done full covers of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” aptly named “Dub Side of the Moon” as well as RadioDread, their ganja interpretation of Thom Yorke’s crew, a little known band called Radiohead. I am not sure how diehard Beatles fan’s will like this, yet any music lover must appreciate the joy of “Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts” and any recreation thereafter. In addition, this CD features appearances by Matisyahu and Steel Pulse. So sit back and enjoy some “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”. This full CD is available on iTunes.
Monday 13 April, 2009 10:55 AM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
This song has been floating around the blogosphere for a month now. It dropped on Kid Cudi’s mixtape “‘09″ and will be on Kevin Rudolfs next cd. This song is sure to get some serious airplay.
Monday 13 April, 2009 10:12 AM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
We all know Im a sucker for sampling. Its kind of un-original but a witty, popular hook is chopped up and made into a new song, maybe something new even better can come out of it. I posted something a few weeks back when these guys sampled Radiohead and it seems like Chiddy Band will gain notoriety through sampling songs and flowing effortlessly over them.
Monday 6 April, 2009 9:05 AM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
What a clever little song we have on our hands here. Originally posted on Kanye’s blog, he took Lady Gaga’s acoustic version of ‘Poker Face’, threw down some kicks and snares, added Kid Cudi and Common to it and re-birthed a terrible song into a certified street cred jam.
Sunday 5 April, 2009 8:51 AM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
The first time I saw Ratatat perform was when they opened for Daft Punk two summers ago. Ever since then, Ive had a mild obsession with this group. These guys fuse hip hop beats with spectacular acrobatic guitar riffs as well as a satisfying amount of the blips and quirks of electro. With its catchy name, pronounced, Rat-a-tat, they seem to be known yet not heard by many. I saw them perform again last night and they always manage to get the crowd rowdy and wild. For your listening pleasure are a few key tracks you all should have.
Wednesday 1 April, 2009 3:28 PM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
This song is off Moby’s latest CD “Last Night”. This was a concept album where the order of songs is symbolic and has the feeling of a night going out. For example the first song is something you would listen to during your Pregame, then it becomes more house as if you’re in a nightclub, then mellows out for late night, and then obviously, the morning after. Ballin.
A personal note is that this is my favorite new song from all of Ultra.
Thursday 26 March, 2009 4:35 AM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
Right from the get go, this songs blazing sirens and electro synths get you pumped. Boys Noize hails from Germany and will also be playing here at Ultra this week. I have never seen him live but he has been remixing everyones songs and his music has such an intensity. This song may be a bit much for my normal readers. What do you think of this guy? feel free to comment below.
Wednesday 25 March, 2009 8:11 AM | New Music | Jonathan Ross Shriftman
I can not even believe how close Ultra is. Only 2 days away! In the spirit of this almost holy event, the next few posts will showcase some of the upcoming talent. Meet Simian Mobile Disco. Some of you may know their song from Fifa 08 and in case youre wondering, yes, this is the same Simian who produced “We are Your Friends” by Justice. This group is more pop like, and not so much electro as them however. The songs are light hearted and you’ll be singing the hooks asap. Will be a dope set this weekend I know.