rebellion in the air

21 Oct

Right when I was slipping into mourning that Treasure Island was over (approximately 10:55 pm Sunday night) I remembered the Bridge School Benefit Concert is this Saturday. The parentals have flown in from Oregon and we are heading down to South Bay this afternoon with my sister in tow. Excited to see my dad lose his shit over Neil Young (again), hear Mumford and Sons and Arcade Fire stripped down to acoustics, and, however shameful to admit, for my first ever Dave Matthews experience (teenage dream?)

 Today’s Emo: Rebellion (Lies) / Sophie Ellis-Bextor (Arcade Fire cover)

‘sleeping is giving in / no matter what the time is / sleeping is giving in / so lift those heavy eyelids’

In tribute to Saturday’s lineup, a pleasant female take on an Arcade Fire classic. Nothing crazy or novel here, just a chill, steady cover of one of my favorite songs. This is the first I have heard of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, but the tune appears to be a departure from her typical flare as a ‘cult discopopstar,’ crafted in contribution to a charity album.  I get a lot of flack from my friends for playing hard and then consistently crashing early, but this song always gets me stirring to dance all night… until I close my eyes. #emo

Today’s Untz: In the Air / Morgan Page (Mord Fustang remix)

I’m feeling a / feeling a change / in the air’

Playtime. Estonian producer and product of the 90’s Mord Fustang rattles Morgan Page’s In the Air into something inescapably dance inducing. The lyrics are emo and longing laced, but the steady builds and beats have my feet off the ground. Great work from such a youngster.  Happy weekend. #untz

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catcall club

19 Oct

Short and sweet, but with love.

Today’s Emo: Video Games / Bombay Bicycle Club (Lana Del Rey Cover)

‘I tell you all the time / heaven is a place on earth with you / tell me all the things you want to do’

The boys of Bombay Bicycle Club take one of my favorite songs of the year on a ride, turning Lana Del Rey’s breakout Video Games into a slow, dreamy heartfelt duet with the help of Lucy Rose. I love that they brought her in for the girl parts that would sound weird coming from a guy, but still own their part in its own right. The lead singer of BBC reminds me of Arcade Fire’s Win Butler with a slight Kermit the Frog tinge in his voice, in a good way. A song with such romantic devotion seems best played by two; Video Games are more fun with company. I love this song. #emo

Today’s Untz: Satellites / Catcall

‘deep breath and fill your lungs / and say it / say it’

Some funky, feel good 80’s inspired electro-pop to ease away Wednesday blues. Satellites is the first single off Australian artist Catcall’s upcoming LP debut, Warmest Place, due early 2012. I have had the track on steady repeat since initial discovery. The catchiest of choruses lead to the happiest of cats. #untz

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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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lost in the sunrise

14 Oct

I saw Capital Cities and Charlie (wait what) kill it at Public Works last night, and am continuing my music streak with Treasure Island this weekend, while perhaps squeezing in JFK of MSTRKRFT on Saturday night mid festival for good measure. Plus a dear friend in town to visit, and a 26th birthday in the midst of it all. This is going to be a good life.

Today’s Emo: Lost in My Mind / The Head and the Heart

‘how’s that bricklaying comin’ / is your engine still runnin’ / is that bridge getting built / are your hands getting filled’

It has been too long since I have posted some THATH on TUATE, and as I gear up for their set on Sunday of Treasure Island, it only seems fitting to get another of their best embedded up in here and back in my ears.

This track was the group’s first single and has all of the classic Head and the Heart components I love– foot stomping tambourine and lively piano with steady builds and stirring harmonies– all bringing me to the present tense tinged with a bit of the past. I can’t wait to see that ‘OMFG where did these guys come from?!’ look on festival goers faces who breath this track in for the first time, and to sing along with everyone else. #emo

Today’s Untz: Watch the Sun Come Up / Example (Moam remix)

‘hey, good morning / watch the sun come up’

Drawing from the vault for a little guilty pleasure, feel good untz to make the full transition into this weekend. Tiesto’s 2009 Creamfields set has gotten me through some long runs along the Bay and some even longer conversations in my head during these runs. There is a turning point a little over an hour into his set where Tiesto slips from Delirium’s more somber Silence into the signature trickling piano of Example’s Watch the Sun and I always snap out of my thoughts, crack a smile, and get a second wind. I could do without Example’s actual rapping parts, but haven’t found a remix of the track without that I like as much as this Moam work T sampled. Happy Friday. #untz

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college radio

12 Oct

I get a few emails from band managers these days (nbd) and while many of them come via a massive bcc and usually end up archived, occasionally people take the time to read and comment on my blog and in turn, I take the time to give their artists a solid listen. I am so glad I did in this week’s case because I am totally smitten on today’s emo, New England sextet Bronze Radio Return. Enjoy.

Today’s Untz: Shake, Shake, Shake / Bronze Radio Return

‘forget yourself / this room is hot we can make it hotter with your help’

The intro to Shake, Shake, Shake reminds me of Miike Snow’s intro into Burial, but the song quickly delves into something a bit more foot stomping a la Mumford and Sons. The lyrics and sound make me think of that moment at a concert when you decide to let go and get lost in heat and movement and drink and shake off your day or your night or whatever is holding you down.

Upon a little more research, it sounds like lead singer and guitarist Chris Henderson had this in mind when penning the track down: ‘there’s always this moment near the beginning of a set where everybody is standing around. It just takes one outgoing dude, or a tipsy couple, and they just start moving. You can see two or three more people going, and then as the set progresses, more and more people start to move.’ Happy to get the party started should the boys make it out West… their music has the kind of sound best let unleashed beyond studio walls. #emo

Today’s Untz: A Real Hero / College ft. Electric Youth (MegaMan & Panic City remix)

I have been hearing almost as much about the Drive soundtrack as the movie itself, so coming across a track off of it that Panic City got his paws on last night caught my eye, and after a single listen stole my ears. It’s time to play beats meet smooth female vocals, bringing on the desire to chill and dance my face off almost simultaneously with a slight turning of the volume dial in either direction. I should probably check out the film for more of this 80’s inspired electro-pop. OK and Ryan Gosling. #untz

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crave it like you mean it

10 Oct

Filled this weekend with a little bit of work followed by a lot of fun with Fleet Week, the Blue Angels airshow and excellent company. San Francisco offered up one of her best weekends yet, and I enter into the workweek with reinvigorated tan lines and a crippling need for coffee.

Today’s Emo: Say It Like You Mean It / Cinema

‘I picture her in the streetlight / barefoot for the whole night’

Today’s emo is probably the closest TUATE has actually gotten to actual emo, reminding me of the sacred bands of my high school years — Something Corporate, Dashboard Confessional, Third Eye Blind –but with a Frou Frou-esque kind of an edge to reel me in in the present tense. The Cinema is the side project of Arizonian indie rock group Lydia. #emo

Today’s Untz: I Crave Paris / Aeroplane vs. Flight Facilities vs. Friendly Fires

‘rehearsed steps on an empty stage / that boy’s got my heart in a silver cage’

Mash-up Monday. Three big players intertwine here with Aeroplane weaving Friendly Fires’ Paris into Flight Facilities Crave You, and the sounds melt together seamlessly. I shared a killer Adventure Club remix of Crave You a couple of months back, but this light and tropical angle feels just right. #untz

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sweet bloodbuzz

7 Oct

Work has been crazy before, but things feel at a new level. And once more, Friday does not feel like Friday when I know I will be heading back into the office on Saturday. Thus the shortest TUATE post of all time, but still only my favorite music.

Today’s Emo: Bloodbuzz Ohio / Oh Land (The National cover)

‘stand up straight at the foot of your love / I lift my shirt up’

Remember when Mr. Little Jeans covered Arcade Fire’s Suburbs, and broke everything down in the subtle, effervescent way that only a woman can take something apart and put it back together? This is that, but with the National and Oh Land, and I like it even more. I want to take everything too far. #emo

Today’s Untz: Sweet Disposition / Temper Trap (Axwell and Dirty South remix)

‘oh, reckless abandon / like no one’s watching you’

Classic emo + classic DJs = heartfelt dance party. #untz

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rebound right here

5 Oct

Fall’s first ‘heavy’ rain bout has been blanketing San Francisco this week, and while most of the city has forgotten how to drive and is grieving the loss of the sun (it should be back on Friday guys), the Oregonian in me is quietly comforted by the presence of low hanging clouds, the opportunity to sleep with the windows open and an excuse to cozy up inside a bit and catch up on music.

Today’s Emo: Right Here With Me / Expo

‘I want you right here with me’

This song makes me think of that moment when you realize you want to let someone into your life and have them around, really around, and what that feels like. The track is the second online single debuted by new Belgian indie electro poppers, Expo. Smooth vocals, playful synth, infectious beats, and even what sounds like a hint of Miike Snow’s Animal hidden in parts of the piano… I am right there with them. Watch out for their first EP, set for early 2012. #emo

Today’s Untz: Rebound / Arty and Mat Zo 

I realize my untz has been pretty indie laced lately, so here is a change of pace. My dear friend Asanka from Sri Lanka lives and breathes untz, and I had the pleasure of him sharing this track with me en route to Golden Gate Park for the Bluegrass Festival last weekend. Windows down, sun out, rocking out in the middle of the day, hard. There is so much going on in this song–the perfect blend of builds and breaks, with layer upon layer of sound and some stellar trance without being too… trancy. It momentarily had me wanting to drop everything and find a dark dance floor, but alas it was 1pm and I had an afternoon of open fields and epic folk ahead of me.

Arty is an up and comer garnering some serious attention from Russia while Mat Zo is a producer and dj hailing from England. When their powers combine… you know. #untz

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friendly tide

3 Oct

I attended my first Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, and it was amazing. Basically Outside Lands for grown ups and granola eaters, minus the pomp and circumstance, corporate sponsors and untz, plus a lot of twang. Best of all (and most flooring) totally free for all to enjoy.

We settled down with a picnic on the hill overlooking the Towers of Gold stage and saw Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) seriously break it down on the piano, followed by a great set by Broken Social Scene. The forecast called for fog and even a chance of showers, but instead we found ourselves drenched in indian summer sun, and several of the overlayered festival goers stripping down to their skivvys to beat the heat. This weekend goes into the ever growing list of the reasons why I love this city.

Today’s Emo: Teenage Tide / Letting Up Despite Great Faults

I will continue to ride the sun waves into Monday with some beachy California dream pop from Los Angeles’ Letting Up Despite Great Faults. The band name Letting Up Despite Great Faults reminds me of the likes of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and blends right into a blog where all the indie is called emo. It also demands an instant acronym in order to be efficiently discussed. LUDGF has a new EP, Paper Crush, out this October, and their dependable guitar, silvery vocals, and catchy beats here are enough to win me over, even if the acronym is a bit shaky. #emo

Today’s Untz: Hurting / Friendly Fires (Benoit & Sergio remix)

A snappy remix of one of the best tracks off of Friendly Fire’s newish album, Pala, with an intro that reminds me of the cooing tropical intro of my favorite Dolorean song, Stay Close. And a snappy introduction. #untz

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equals disco

30 Sep

It is getting dark early. I got caught somewhere near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge on Monday when the sun slipped below the Bay, and left me navigating through dusk for the rest of my post work run for the first time since April.  Confusingly, but not surprisingly, the daylight departs with the arrival of the warmest weather we have seen here all year. Happy fall San Francisco.

Today’s Emo: Nine Equals Nine / Vanaprasta

Nine equals good. LA gentlemen Vanaprasta have dropped the first release off their upcoming full-length record debut, Healthy Geometry, and this rolling opus has me buckling in the knees. With a fierce Lenny Kravitz meets Kings of Leon vibe in the vocals, celestial beats as a backdrop, and sweet harmonies, I’m over the slightly repetitive ‘nine equals nine’ and have this on loop. #emo

Today’s Untz: Big Jet Plane / Angus and Julia Stone (Stern* Disco remix)

‘can I take ya / take ya higher’

What is lazier, posting a song for a third time, or stealing the #1 song on Hypem yesterday? OK, what about both? It’s been a long week and I really love this song. Australian sibling duo Angus and Julia’s Big Jet Plane meets the match of another great remix artist for just the right amount  of Friday beats. As in I am exhausted and need to have a chill weekend but still have some fun kind of Friday beats. #untz

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