Music Video Monday will be taking a break. When I feel more inspired to post more videos I will, but for now I'm giving MVM a rest. If you want more cool videos go to WWW.INDIENATION.TV
For all you Americans, I'm sure you know that today is Superbowl Sunday. The biggest sporting event of the year! I'm about to watch my boy Peyton rip shit up. After the Superbowl I'm going to be ripping shit up myself at the Mandrake in Los Angeles. Those who came last month saw the Hip-Hop party we threw down, and this week will be even crazier, with more live performances and more crazy dance music. I recently got reconnected with one of my favorite dance albums from the last decade, Basement Jaxx's 2001 release, Rooty . The [...]
Last night Holy Ghost! and L.A.'s own Classixx headlined the first ever DJ Night at the V-Lounge in Santa Monica. I've lived in LA my whole life and to my recollection this was the first big dance show on the Westside. West LA is not known as the hub for great live shows but hopefully last night was the beginning of a new tradition. It was storming last night, but that didn't stop the electro fans from coming out in droves. The place was a madhouse, with the Main Stage and Back Room packed with sweaty [...]
My boy Casey hipped me to Phantogram a couple weeks ago. Their style is right up my alley. They have dope beats and some sexy female vocals. They hail from New York and seem to have some Hip-Hop influences according to their Top Friends on their Myspace Page . They remind me of Ms. John Soda or Bat for Lashes; electronica tinged Slow Girl. I hope the right people take notice of this band cuz I want to see these 2 blow up in the future and most importantly come play some shows out in LA. [...]
We've been a huge fan of Moulinex for a while over here at GB (who apparently changed their spelling to MOULLINEX). I recently got some DISCOTEXAS tracks in the mail and they are some real heaters. Discotexas is a collection of some amazing new artists that blend funk and electro to create tracks that are made to get you on the fucking dancefloor. I'm always hungry for a new Moulinex track, but the track from newcomer Rockets is definitely in consideration for best song of the year so far. And if you're near Portugal, check out their "Discotexas [...]
Metric is the epitome of Indie. They have turned down numerous recording contracts from major labels to keep full control of their music. "Help I'm Alive" is the first single from their much anticipated third album Fantasies , which they released on their own Metric record label. The video has some really cool and random images layered over a great live performance by the band. And as always Metric delivers a great thunderous tune.
Back in 2001 I heard Nikka Costa's "Like A Feather" on a Tommy Hilfiger commercial and immediately fell in love. These tracks from her debut album Everybody Got Their Something , are an eclectic blend of Soul, Pop, and a little Hip-Hop. ?uestlove even plays drums on a few tracks. I think this is one of the best soul albums of the past 10 years. And if "Push & Pull" sounds familiar you may have heard it on the Blow soundtrack. She released a couple of mediocre albums following this one and never really made it like [...]
I just got this the other day and have been loving it. The first thing that came to mind was that it reminds me of Kelis. But when I checked Tinashe's Myspace apparently he's some young black dude from the UK. This dude is dope from what I've seen. I don't know much about German producer So Shifty , but he's remix of "Mayday" is hot. Perfect head-nodding dance track. Tinashe - Mayday (So Shifty Remix)
If you're a GB regular than you know all about Blende . The UK duo has been one of our closest friends from jump. They make big beats that come with even bigger bigger drops. They just dropped off this heavy MSTRKRFT remix literally about an hour ago. The track has never been released before and wasn't even up on their Myspace page. So enjoy your very first taste of Blende's remix for MSTRKRFT'S "Breakaway." MSTKRFT - Breakaway (Blende Remix)
Over the last couple of years Brooklyn-based rockers Yeasayer have been one of the most talked about indie bands on the scene. They received a lot of notoriety while on tour with MGMT and have drawn comparisons to alt-rockers Animal Collective. In their new video "Wait for the Summer," they deliver a visually stunning, psychedelic trip. The video starts with an apple in the Garden of Eden that eventually leaves this planet and explores the deepest ends of the galaxy until it is the last living thing left in the universe.
Back in 2001 RES released her debut album How I Do . It was a mix of Soul and Rock and had some pretty sick Hip-Hop influenced production. Not surprising since the album was Executive Produced by Doc (producer of Esthero's debut album) and a young, hungry Santi White aka Santigold. Back in the day Santigold was in A&R and Executive Produced a lot of groundbreaking albums. RES's debut album definitely rivals Santigold's debut album, and somehow she has yet to release a Sophomore album, but she still plays live in LA from time to time. [...]
Golden Bloggen Nights Part II was the shit. If you missed out you should really be kicking yourself. We had some live performances from KooKoo's Nest, Angel, King Genie, and Sky King. It was a good old night with some real Hip-Hop. The Mandrake is a real intimate spot which lead to something like you've never seen before. We also had Kill Bill and Jem and the Holograms going on in the background. Anyway you can re-live the night with my mix taken from last Sunday. So it will be like you were there partying with us. Enjoy! [...]
I got a track in the mail the other day from new Brookyln producers Tete-A-Tete and it had me grooving. The track is a remix of Le Tigre side project MEN. It's an 8 minute dancey synth-pop epic with about 3 build-ups. I think its their first track and if that's true I see big things in the future from these guys. MEN - Simultaneously (Tete-A-Tete Remix)
My favorite time of the year is here! I will be back with mp3s for that ass
Icelandic Electronic-Folk group Múm always made albums filled with quirky, lengthy song titles. Now the band has brought their odd sense of humor to their music video making. This clip shows a Nordic farming couple hunting for their dinner. After securing a deer carcass, the dead animal proceeds to join the couple in a sing along. And if you think that sounds strange, wait until you see the rest of the video. Visit www.indienation.tv for more videos
Unless you've been living under a rock for the last week you have undoubtedly heard of the Earthquake that has ravaged Haiti and left nearly 100,000 people dead. Athletes like Tiger Woods and NBA star Samuel Dalembert have reached out to provide aid and encourage others to do the same. The Fugees have also stated that they are planning to reunite for a benefit concert whose proceeds will go to benefit the relief effort in Haiti. So today I am celebrating the Fugees' efforts by posting tracks from their 1996 breakthrough album The Score . If you [...]
We are doing Golden Bloggen Nights Part 2 at the Mandrake this Sunday. If you couldn't make it out last week don't worry. This week will be bigger and better. We have live performances from some Up-and-Coming L.A. Hip-Hop groups and of course I will be on the Wheels of Steel. I know none of y'all hot work on Monday cuz of Martin Luther King Day so come party with your boy Keyvon aka Kool Ethan. We'll be there from 9PM-Midnight. And enjoy this mash-up and mix in the meantime. Kool Ethan - Grindin 4 Pleasure [...]
In 2001 I saw this wickedly imaginative video for Kenna's "Hell Bent" and was hooked immediately. When I later found out that the track was produced by Chad Hugo of the Neptunes and that Kenna was a young, tall black guy like me I flipped the fuck out. He just released a new single called "Turn" to help promote his climb of Mt. Kilamanjaro that is raising awareness about the global clean water crisis. He is making the climb with Lupe Fiasco, Jessica Biel, Santigold, and more. Bananas. Kenna - Turn Classic [...]
Every first Thursday of the month Future Sounds throws The Rumble at the 3 Clubs in Hollywood. The Rumble is a music showcase that gives the best up-and-coming Indie musicians a chance to shine. This month The Rumble featured Southern California acts Chasing Kings and Aushua . The party is free and runs all month in other cities throughout the country like Las Vegas and Brooklyn. Check out Future Sounds to find the Rumble nearest you.
Black Star's 1998 debut album had a lot of people reminiscing about when A Tribe Called Quest burst onto the scene nearly 10 years earlier. It had been a while since a new Hip-Hop act had stepped on the scene with a socially conscience message that was delivered in such a well-produced album, featuring early tracks from producers 88 Keys and Hi-Tek. But most importantly Black Star's album featured two great MC's. These days it is nearly impossible to find had an album with one good rapper. Members Mos Def and Talib Kweli have since become cultural superstars. But Hip-Hop [...]
Golden Bloggen
The Shins: “September” (b-side of “Simple Song” 7”)
St. Vincent - 'Cheerleader'
Jay-Z & Kanye West - Ni**as In Paris (Explicit)
OK Go - Needing/Getting - Official Video
M.I.A. - Bad Girls (Official Video)
Download: James Blake Live Album (Unofficial)
My Funny Valentines
Lana Del Rey - Without You (Kill Paris Remix) [Dubstep]
The Kills on Letterman (Video)
