sweater weather

23 Apr

Today’s Indie: Sweater Weather / The Neighbourhood

’cause it’s too cold for you here right now / so let me hold both your hands in the holes of my sweater’

With easy rhythms and rhymes and loads of Cali swagger, it was no surprise to discover up and comers The Neighbourhood sprouted up from LA. There has been some serious internet buzzing around this young fivesome since they got airtime on Radio 1, with echos of “the next Foster the People” ripe in air, but time will tell. Right now I just want  to settle into their nostalgic surfer-y rock (new genre?) sound and ride the wave. #indie/tory

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every night i say a prayer

23 Apr

Today’s Untz: Every Night I Say A Prayer (Tensnake Remix)/ Little Boots

Little Boots is back after some time off accompanied with a remix from Tensnake. I first heard this remix on The Magician’s mixtape and finally crossed its path again today.

I love the deep 80′s era synth lines and funky bass, backed by her hauntingly sexy vocals along with Andy Butler of New York disco group Hercules and Love Affair. The softer drum claps are a nice touch as well. It’s hauntingly retro and futuristic all at the same time. #untz/Tom


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twilight voodoo

20 Apr

These two songs could not be more opposite…. the beauty of TUATI.

Today’s Indie: Turning Page / Sleeping at Last

‘if I had only seen how you smile when you blush / or how you curl your lip when you concentrate enough’

A sleepy happy love song because it is Friday and beautiful out with even warmer weather ahead and this city is filled with people in good spirits opening doors for one another, smiling, and saying hello… the kind of energy you can soak in.

I have liked this song for a while now but felt conflicted about sharing it because I discovered it via a Twilight movie (hey it was a rainy Thanksgiving break back in Oregon and my sister needed company). Ultimately though, good music is good music, and this is a gem of a song about the kind of love  you want to shout about across mountains (or in the movie’s case, across species and generations). Wheaton, Illinois’ Sleeping at Last’s Ryan O’Neal wrote the song exclusively for the film. Obviously Team Edward. #indie/tory

Today’s Untz: Brazilian Rhyme / Earth Wind & Fire (Vodoo Farm Dubstep remix)

So today’s tune is aggressive and that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Voodoo Farm and I go way back. From a lead singer/rapper of a funk band, Stealing From Bandits, to a freaky dubstep producer, my buddy Liam Dirlam has done it all. He’s been making splashes back east, but beware west coast… he’s coming for you.

“whattup trashjuice (that’s me),

so i made this jam as a request from a friend for a film project we are working on… i actually wasn’t suppose to release it to the public, but our communication got screwed up and i got a few angry calls the next day.  so its out, its free, im making a whole new remix for my boy, and the world has another strange piece of music to jam out to or get angry at.  it’s funny how people get protective over older music and say stuff like “how DARE you remix the beatles or jim morrison!” what people dont understand is that the same artists who inspire you to listen to new music are the same ones who inspire me to make it. peace, love and turtledoves mafugga” #untz/tom

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homecoming

18 Apr

Coachella 2012: Gotye proved to have ample talent beyond being somebody someone used to know, The Head and the Heart played a goose bump eliciting old song I hadn’t heard yet amongst my usual favorites, Madeon kept my feet off the ground for an entire set, and I learned that the rumors are true–Florence is a every bit a goddess on stage.

The weather was nothing like previous years and a bit like Goldilocks and the three bears: Friday was brrrr-chella, Saturday was mild-chella and Sunday was just right in the low 80’s. I would take this trifecta over the 106 forecast for next weekend any day, but I did find myself questioning if I had really left SF a few times. Now it’s a week of hibernation to rest up for STS9 on Saturday at the Fox. We don’t miss a beat.

Today’s Indie: Eyes Wide Open / Gotye

‘we walk the plank with eyes wide open’

State of the Art / Gotye

‘invite the neighbours around / start the bossanova beat and limbo from the living to the kitchen’

We made our way to the Mojave tent on Sunday evening to hear some of Gotye’s set and to see if the Aussie was headed for one hit wonderland or had the swagger to keep up with his hype. I had my answer with the performance of his opening track, Eyes Wide Open. Dazzling. With strong, wistful vocals, a catchy chorus and sprawling drums, the song elicits a similar feel to Somebody that I Used to Know, but a few songs later Gotye proved that his sound is anything but cookie cutter. His trippy State of the Art and its accompanying video felt like it came from a totally different state of mind / planet. Great indie to close out the last day of the festi. #indie/tory

Today’s Untz: Fluffy Amadeus / Filipsson & Ulysses

We’re back from the desert and now fully engaged into city life once again. This year my experience at Coachella was way different than years past. For one, I saw a ton more indie music than before, which is in part due to the non-eclectic nature of this year’s untz portion of the lineup (in my humble opinion, of course). I tend to stay away from some of what I would consider “standard anthem house” acts since I’ve caught enough of that over the years, and to be fair, I missed acts like Modeselektor, Flying Lotus, Beats Antique and Sbtrkt to catch some of Tory’s shows.

I did have the pleasure of catching a 17 year old Madeon absolutely crush the Sahara Tent with his upbeat dance floor heaters. Justice did a great job although their performance was delayed by technical difficulties, and M83 blew me away with their epic and soaring instrumental parts that at times had me reminiscing of a Disco Biscuits jam. Martin Solvieg had his moments until he dropped the standard new age American “Dubstep” bass farts and of course Girl Talk was standard fare. With all said and done, I didn’t have one single moment where I didn’t enjoy myself.

Surprisingly, my most intimate and favorite electronic moments of the weekend occurred around our daily pool parties each morning. From summer time pool party disco to atmospheric deep house, the untz ran strong with our crew. The track featured today has nothing to do with the actual lineup, but has everything to do with my Coachella experience. In my own warped head, this is the ANTHEM of the weekend. This immediately brings me back to a pool engulfed in sunshine, surrounded my palm trees and mountains. What could be better? #untz/tom

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blogchella

11 Apr

We are packing up and driving down to the desert in the wee hours of tomorrow morning to experience the phenomenon that has become Coachella. In hot anticipation (and in spite of the forecast for cooler weather and potential showers) here are five of each of our must hear artists down in the valley. We will be back next week with plenty to share. xoxo

Coachella Indie:

Saw You First / Givers ~Friday 2:15p Mojave~

‘I know there’s light inside because I saw you first / it was in a dream’

Intro / M83 ~Friday 10:15p Mojave~

‘we were the lights, the the deserts, the faraway words / we were you before you even existed’

Coeur d’Alene / The Head and the Heart  ~Saturday 4:40p Mojave~

‘oh the things people will do for the ones they love’

Holocene / Bon Iver ~Saturday 9:30p Coachella~

‘I could see for miles miles miles’

Cosmic Love / Florence + the Machine ~Sunday 9:45p Outdoor~

‘I took the stars from my eyes, and then I made a map/ and knew that somehow I could find my way back’

#indie/tory

Cochella Untz:

Roche / Sebastian Tellier (Breakbot remix) ~Breakbot Friday 2:30p Sahara~

Shuriken / Madeon ~Friday 6:35p Sahara~

The Night Out / Martin Solveig (Lenno remix) ~Saturday 6:10p Sahara~

Wildfire / SBTRKT ft. Little Dragon ~Saturday 10:15p Gobi~

Hold On / Rusko (Sub Focus remix) ~Sub Focus Saturday 11:40p Mojave~

#untz/tom

only the music

9 Apr

Today’s Indie: Only the Horses / Scissor Sisters

‘and if this is the end / the best place I’ve ever been’

Scissor Sisters have fallen off my radar for a while now, but instantly grabbed my attention with this new single off their upcoming album, Magic Hour. There is a bit of untz in today’s indie because the track is traceably produced by Calvin Harris with some help from Boys Noize’s Alex Ridha. So cheery, so catchy, wild horses couldn’t keep me away. The perfect Monday morning fix. #indie/tory

Today’s Untz: Can’t Live Without Music / MAM

‘they can take my life, but they can’t take my pride/ they say music died, but they lied’

As I’m gearing up for Coachella this week, I think it makes sense that I post a song relevant to not just a festival, but to music in general. Music is art. Music is life. I can’t live without it and wouldn’t want to imagine a world without it.

MAM, which consists of producers Matt Hughes and Miguel Campbell, brings us today’s track appropriately titled, “Can’t Live Without Music.” I instantly am reminded of Daft Punk. The house and funk sounds in this sexy, funky tune remind me specifically of “Something About Us.” I don’t think there is much you can say after that comparison… the ultimate compliment. #untz/tom

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twin solstices

6 Apr

A wintery tune to hopefully help grace us with some spring snow up in Tahoe this weekend. Snow and then sand… 7 days.

Today’s Indie: Winter Solstice / Cold Specks

‘you put your hand over your chest / swore that the fire would rage’

The Winter Solstice: the longest night, the shortest day. Thinking of it feels offbeat as we get closer to summer with each day and extra minute of daylight, but Cold Speck’s song has the perfect icy chill to cause you to take pause. Slower songs like this can take a while to settle into you–multiple listens, several days, some time away — but when they finally do it is that much deeper. Canadian turned Londoner Al Spx (real name) has released this slow burning ember of a song off her upcoming album, I Predict a Graceful Explosion, out May 22nd. As if explosions could go any other way. #indie/tory

Today’s Untz: Strange (original mix) / Adana Twins

Hamburg Germany’s duo the Adana Twins released a smooth and sexual deep house tune a month ago. It’s a pretty hard task taking on a Doors track, but they absolutely crushed it. I could see this being played in a number of situations, but the best time that comes to mind is in the wee hours of the morning “when you’re alone” and “people are strange.” If you dig this type of music, I’d get used to hearing this track. Massive. #untz/tom

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talkbox carousel

4 Apr

With just nine days to go, Coachella fever has settled into my brain, rendering me incapable of thinking of anything beyond the sun drenched desert valley echoing with seemingly never ending music. Fittingly, music will have to serve as a distraction until we head down south. Counting the hours.

Today’s Indie: Where Have You Gone / Carousel

‘I’ve been thinking about that time where we would stay up til the sunrise / if I said I want it back would you meet me with the same eyes’

Boston’s Carousel has released a great track to push through the midweek wiggles, Where Have You Gone, a song about a love that has slipped through your fingers, and all the thoughts that accompany the question of if you could get it back. Regretful and uncertain lyrics are juxtaposed with a colorful, hopeful sound, and the result is bewitching. These days seem long, where have you gone? #indie/tory

Today’s Untz: Talkbox Intended / Gramatik

Gramatik just released his new EP, Digital Freedom, today for free. Whereas a lot of his older stuff is much slower and more hip hop influenced, this is six tracks of straight heat. He addresses this on his Facebook: “Also, I just wanna say one thing to those who know me only by my chilled out hip-hop beatz: don’t be scared when you hear this EP, my true fans know that I’m nothing if not versatile. Good music is larger than one genre so just open your mind, absorb the vibes and you’ll be versatile too! : ) Don’t you just love that word?”

I have been eagerly waiting for this release ever since I saw him here in SF at The Independent which was a great show. He, along with Michael Menert, posted a youtube vid promoting the tour that included the track, “Talkbox Intended,” featured here today. Well we finally have the finished product so check it out and download the EP. As he mentions, open your mind and absorb the vibes. #untz/tom

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chromatic return

2 Apr

Today’s Indie: The Page / Chromatics

‘and if you love me like you say / take this book and burn a page / the rain will wash away the ashes’

I came across Chromatics via their cover of Neil Young’s Into the Black, and am now settling happily into their original work. I love the contrast of hard guitar and soft vocals, layered with synth. The Page is off the Portland band’s recent release, Kill for Love– their first album in five years. Not sure what they were doing all that time, but glad that they have resurfaced. #indie/tory

Today’s Untz: Return of the Mack / Mark Morrison (Viceroy “Jet Life” remix)

Viceroy, the man who reps summer time all the time, just released his eagerly anticipated remix of “Return Of The Mack” by Mark Morrison. First off, the original song is one of the greatest songs of all time. Viceroy, in typical fashion, turns this classic into an anthem that is perfectly suited for tropical weather, sunshine, and sheer happiness. It’s exactly why I was initially attracted to Viceroy when I first heard him some time ago.

It’s also a plus that he’s based right here in San Francisco. Perhaps living in a city which doesn’t actually have a summer has inspired him to created music that brings about that happy feeling associated with warm weather. Unfortunately, I missed my chance to see him this past Friday with another favorite of mine, Plastic Plates although I’m sure I’ll have another. The next time I won’t take so kindly to my previously scheduled plans. For now, along with all of you, I’m gonna enjoy this fresh tune. Happy Monday. #untz / tom

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the idea of shadows on stars

30 Mar

We have entered our office Mega Millions pool and are in on 150 tickets. If we don’t post on Monday, we are collectively worth $44 million after taxes via lump sum, and are in Greece, but will follow up shortly.

Today’s Indie: Here / Shadows on Stars

‘I dont know where all the time went / we carved its path with road trips / and cast the spell with backs on beaches under the stars’

The best music has the ability to take you somewhere else– to offer a temporary respite from clanking keyboards and office lighting and overly caffeinated coffee jitters. Oregonian duo Shadows on Stars take me out in the woods somewhere back home in the Pacific Northwest with this song, nestled amongst trees on a peaceful, dewy morning. If you have never been up there, just picture all those sweeping aerial forrest scenes from the Twilight movie previews.

The swells of sound and softly echoing male/female harmonies remind me another celestially minded group, Stars, and this slivery whisp of a song has me yearning for something of the past… I am just not sure what. Whatever it is it has had me hitting repeat all day. ‘Here’ is my first taste of the band’s self titled debut, and it licks of promise… you can download the album for free via the band’s Facebook page. #indie/tory

Today’s Untz: Idea of Happiness / Van She

‘and she says, stop you know you lift me up dancing / you know how to find me, you take me away’

Van She, an electro pop band from Sydney, recently released their single ‘Idea of Happiness’ off their upcoming album of the same name due out July 6. Their label introduced them as a “new band from Sydney fresh on ideas, fresher than Flavor Flav, fresh like coriander, fresher than the Fresh Prince, fresher than fresh eggs.” The Australian label Modular People has busted out acts like Cut Copy, The Presets, Ladyhawke and Sneaky Sound System so Van She is in some seriously good company.

This track has summer written all over it. So soak it in, enjoy it, and have a great weekend. We’ll be back with some Monday untz to lift your spirits. #untz/tom

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