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famous cutie

17 Oct

Just coming down from my first Treasure Island weekend and I am angry at myself for not attending previous years’ festivals. I have never experienced a music festival that felt intimate, never had such a delightful backdrop as the San Francisco skyline, and never enjoyed a crowd so much. Saturday’s untz had everyone’s feet off the ground, prancing around in headdresses and fairy wings, while Sunday was a chill day of picnic spreads, cat naps in the sun and swaying to sounds.

Oh, and the music was amazing. Highlights include The Head and the Heart (surprise), Friendly Fires dancing their faces off with us, Beach House, and below.

Today’s Emo: No Way / The Naked and the Famous

No Way

‘no way / no way / no we’re never gonna talk about it’

One of my favorite sets of the weekend was my first to soak in on Saturday afternoon, Kiwi indie rock quintet the Naked and the Famous. They played their better known singles, but also had my knees buckling over stuff I was hearing for the first time, including No Way, a song with a certain finality that felt stirring live.

Everyone in the band looks young and most of the male members are in need of hair cuts, reminding me of the teen dreams of the 90’s 90201. Lead singer Alisa Xayalith was absolutely mesmerizing in a billowy bright red shirt with matching red lips and killer long bangs, swaying as she sang and played the keyboard. My festival party all tried to guess which lucky band mate she is sleeping with. #emo

Today’s Untz: Doors Unlocked and Open / Death Cab for Cutie (Cut Copy remix)

‘down in the ocean of sound  / we’ll live in slow-motion / and be free / with doors unlocked and open’

I finally saw CC (and danced my face off) for the first time on Saturday night, and the festival closed out with Death Cab Sunday night, so this remix is the perfect weekend blend. I would never have predicted mixing these two worlds would work so well, but now that I dig into the track it actually makes perfect sense… eerie, funky, tropical let’s get a little weird chill untz. #untz

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naked whale

1 Jul

The first of July brings an onslaught of U-Hauls, for free signs on battered couches on corners and for rent signs throughout city windows as people come and go with the changing of a summer month. I have moved the past three summers, spending July surfing craiglist, battling for real estate away from crackheads, cable cars and preschools, and miserably folding my life into boxes to Katy Perry (tough times call for terrible music). This will be my first summer of being settled, and it feels great to stay home.

Happy 4th of July! Signing out til Wednesday for some much needed R&R and playtime.

Today’s Emo: Tonight’s the Kind of Night / Noah and the Whale (RAC remix)

‘on his lips the perfect smile / his eyes begin to flood’

English folksters Noah and the Whale got RAC’ed, and the result is indie pop happiness. Once again, the threesome behind the Remix Artist Collective take a great track and keep it great… not an easy feat. I love that this version isn’t overdone… the original holds its own without cheap thrills tossed in for fanfare. Instead, just jubilant sounds woven throughout to wash something warm over Noah and the Whale’s already standout track off their new album, Last Night on Earth.

It is Friday, and tonight’s the kind of night where everything could change. #emo

Today’s Untz: Young Blood / The Naked and the Famous (White Sea remix)

‘the mood it changes like the wind / hard to control when it begins’

Surprisingly not mis-categorized as untz. White Sea’s version of Young Blood starts even slower than the original version, emitting ethereal emo with whispy, echoing vocals amidst hushed sounds, but then electro hijinx kick in at around 1:51 and do their thing for the rest of the track. Things sound off and on at the same time, with playful drums, discordant beats, and lots of ‘yeah yeah yeaaaahs’ sprinkled throughout. Love kiwis The Naked and the Famous’ original version of the song, loving this trippy, hopped up version as well. #untz

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head and heart, naked and famous

14 Feb

I thought about doing a sappy Valentines Day post on the best untz and emo love songs of all time, but I am happy and tan and tired and jet lagged and not in the mindset to make such a sweeping selection of songs. Instead, I present two mellow tracks that have nothing to do with cupid but are definitely lovable. It is good to be home. ❤

Today’s Emo: Rivers and Roads / The Head and the Heart

‘been talking ’bout the way things change / and my family lives in a different state / if you don’t know what to make of this, then we will not relate‘

I’ve waited as long as possible to share a second THATH song, and it’s time. My favorite Seattle sextet closed both of their SF shows with this aching campfire worthy tune, and to be perfectly honest about my degree of emo, I teared up a bit the first time I heard it. The song’s lyrics, booming drum, and Charity’s raw, throaty voice embedded in the slightly off in a good way harmonies make it worth crying over.

Rivers and Roads was not on the band’s original cd release, and I have been dying to get my hands on a clear recorded version of the track for months. Prayers were answered when the band issued a remastered version of their debut album with a studio version of R and R in January.  #emo

Today’s Untz: Young Blood / The Naked and Famous

‘trying to find the in-betweens / fall back in love eventually / yeah yeah yeah yeah’

The Naked and Famous is a young group of New Zealanders that remind me of a less whiny Passion Pit. I love the beats in this song, the male/female vocals, and the feelings it evokes… like you’ve missed out on something good but you still feel hopeful for what is next. A fitting song title. The Naked and Famous’ ablum lands stateside March 6th, and Punching in a Dream is another favorite track. #untz

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