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explosions

3 Oct

Today’s Indie: Explosions / Ellie Goulding


‘and the mountains would shake / I need to know I can still make / explosions’

Ellie is definitely far from indie anymore, but I can’t help in continuing to share her music… I simply like it so much. Today’s track is the second single off of her sophomore album, Halcyon, due out October 9th. It is a slow building, sweeping ballad with beautiful keys that highlights the Brit’s beautiful songbird chops (just listen to first few seconds of her ethereal church choir cooing).

I knew the world halcyon as an adjective: ‘denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful; calm, tranquil.’ However, halcyon also refers to a mythical bird in Greek legends fabled to ‘have had the power to calm the wind and the waves while it nested on the sea during the winter solstice.‘ Sounds about right. #indie/tory

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high for this

30 May

Today’s Indie: High for This / Ellie Goulding (The Weeknd cover)

Ellie Goulding covers the Weeknd’s High for This, and just like Couer de Pirate’s cover of Wicked Games, its a door closer, candle burner, light dimmer kind of song. Ms. Ellie has come a long way from being afraid of the dark. #indie / tory

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vampire heartbeats

29 Dec

I am back in San Francisco and in the midst of a forced staycation – the office is closed for the week and we have to take the days off as vacation. Accordingly, I am making the most of it by taking over this ghost town, spending last night playing heated games of liars dice and prowling in the Mission into early hours. And lots of Animal Planet.

Today’s Emo: Heartbeats / Ellie Goulding (The Knife cover)

‘ten days of perfect tunes / the colors, red and blue / we had a promise made / we were in love

I came across EG’s cover of this classic last night and immediately buckled in the knees… my admiration for this lady is only growing, and it is hard not to love hearing her voice sing one of the most romantic songs of my time. Heartbeats technically started with The Knife’s untz original, but her version is easily traceable back to Jose Gonzalez’ stripped down emo take.

There are so many gems nestled in the lyrics that I had a hard time picking a single string for italics above. I ultimately opted for the part of the song about perfect tunes, because when you are smitten hard, music just sounds so much better. #emo

Today’s Untz: The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance / Vampire Weekend (Chromeo remix)

‘your pillow feels so soft now / but still you must advance’

While I have never been a die hard Vampire Weekend fan, their debut album and I did spend a magical spring break together back in college, amidst the sand and surf. This remix has me back on that beach, Corona in hand. #untz

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starry snow

9 Dec

Santa Con is an annual rite of passage for the revelers of all things fun in San Francisco (and around the world), and I am excited to rock my $14.99 Walgreens Santa suit in all of its glory, have some champagne in my orange juice on Saturday morning (OK orange juice in my champagne) and go dance my face off with a thousand or so of my closest friends throughout the streets and bars of this fine city, immersed in a sea of red and white. It is hard not to be jolly in a Santa suit… this holiday brings out the best in everyone.

Today’s Emo: Devil’s Work / Miike Snow

‘my hands, I feel like I’ve been here before’

Miike Snow has given us all an early Christmas gift for being good boys and girls… a new song from their upcoming album, and it is exactly what I wanted this year. I didn’t realize just how much I missed their signature squiggly synth until I got a fresh taste of it. This is a song that just keeps giving. #emo

Today’s Untz: Starry Eyed / Ellie Goulding (Russ Chimes remix)

‘next thing we’re touching’

A throw back: I hearted this song on Hypem back on November 20th, 2010, but I am on a serious Ellie Goulding kick, and this remix is worth a revisit. I am still kicking myself for hearing MGMT at Outside Lands (despite numerous warnings that their live performances leave much to be desired) instead of seeing the golden haired English songbird tear up Sutro Stage. You live and you learn. #untz

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happy lights

12 Sep

The lineup for Neil Young’s 25th annual Bridge School Benefit Concert was released last week, and I could not be more floored. Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons, Foo Fighters… yes please. The only time my dad makes it down to San Francisco each year is not to visit two of his three lovely daughters but rather to see Neil’s (first name basis) annual production as one of his most loyal fans… clearly music runs in my veins.

We make it a family affair with lawn tickets, the perfect picnic, and craftily smuggled in bottles of wine (my mom looks very innocent to security guards). Looking forward to this year more than ever – tickets go on sale Friday on LiveNation so don’t miss out.

Today’s Emo: Junk of the Heart (Happy) / The Kooks

‘I wanna make you happy / I wanna make you feel alive’

I had an epic love affair with The Kook’s first album, Inside In/Inside Out, circling the CD on repeat for days on end while circling the San Francisco streets with my current love at the time, but alas, like most young love, my feelings for the Kooks fizzled with their second release, Konk.

The verdict is still out on their upcoming album release on Tuesday, but if it sounds anything like this syrupy title track, its looking like fluff… feel good puppy fluff. I like that this song openly embraces its sap factor, and its reminding me of simple Beetles love songs. Too many listens, and you are sure to get a toothache, but with moderation the perfect treat. #emo

Today’s Untz: Lights / Ellie Goulding (RAC remix)

‘I had a way then losing it all on my own / I had a heart then but the queen has been overthrown’

The Remix Artist Collective weaves their signature magic with a softer take on one of the most remixed songs of year. I have been rocking out hard to the Bassnector version, but the RAC spins Lights into something you can take with your morning coffee.  I love the flute sounding spirals interspersed throughout, and the preservation of Ellie’s original take. RAC is great at remixing songs without changing their core, just showing them to us from a different angle. #untz

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longest nights and lights

6 Feb

This post comes a day early and from 30,000 feet somewhere over Arizona (thanks gogo) as I find myself en route to Costa Rica. I am reuniting with two of my best college friends from the other coast for seven days of sun, surfing, monkeys, mango, and lots and lots of beer. No words to express this excitement, but a couple of fantastic songs to carry the week.

Today’s Emo: I Feel Better / Hot Chip

‘I only want one night, together in our arms / this is the longest night, we’re meeting arms to arms‘

Somehow Hot Chip makes robots sound sexy, and I love it. The Brit electro-pop gang garnered my interest with Boy From School and Ready for the Floor, but won me over with this string filled, nintendo game-esque declaration of adoration. The music video is also absurdly entertaining, and while boy bands and aliens don’t exactly mesh with the lyrics of this song, it worth a view (or three). #emo

Today’s Untz: Lights (Bassnector Remix) / Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding has a sultry sweet English voice, a la Kate Nash, and has done some crazy good slow jam covers on anything from Bon Iver’s the Wolves to Rihanna’s Only Girl in the World. She also has a most mashable sound and has been sampled and untz’afied by some of the worlds best djs. This Bassnector remix of Lights is insane. Even if you hate dubstep, just try not get blown away by the drum and bass. Bon voyage. #untz

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