Snakehips’s remix of “Warm Water” by BANKS speeds up the original track’s vocals then translates the PBR&B sound to a nu-disco combo of staccato keyboard chords, bassline, and flashes of cosmic synths – going from Sade to Moon Boots in 4 minutes and 13 seconds.
Author: BoxSpeaker
“Gripp” – George Maple x Kwes x Kilo Kish
Check out George Maple‘s latest song – a collaboration track called “Gripp” with Kwes and Kilo Kish on the record label Parlez Parlez.
“Next to You” by Bumblebeez featuring Maria
A few months ago, I was served a YouTube pre-roll ad by Lacoste. I’m not very fond of the alligator polos, but I really loved the song in the background, which turned out to be “Next to You” by Bumblebeez featuring Maria.
While “Next to You” is a more sensual, lounge-y electro track, some of their other songs fall more into the lo-fi punk style – giving them a broad musical reach.
“Sleep Alone” by Chapel Club
The machine-like synths that begin “Sleep Alone” by Chapel Club easily blend into the relaxed bassline which in turn is juxtaposed by the abrupt drums, all an auditory metaphor of the lyrics’ themes of forced insomnia. An insomnia worsened by not wanting to sleep alone.
“I Need a Star” by Clintongore
Clintongore is a “cosmic synth pop” duo separated by the wide expanse of the United States – singer Sierra Frost is based in San Francisco and drummer/synth player Chris Crawford is based in Brooklyn.
While Clintongore’s single “I Need a Star” is more upbeat and higher-pitched (and even has some overdriven guitar riffs behind the distorted vocals in the chorus), tracks like “Keep in Mind” and “Homesick” really embody the “cosmic” portion of their self-described genre – producing styles similar to electroclash heard in Adult. tracks mixed with the space-y, 80s feel of music from Liquid Sky.
“Diplomat” by Cathedrals
“Diplomat” by Cathedrals is an electrorock track by Stockton-based Josiah Byars, originally from the indie folk/Americana band A Movable West.
Byars’s electrorock side-project Cathedrals is much like Ben Gibbard’s foray into electronic music through his side-project turned indie music sensation Postal Service. While “Diplomat” has a higher chiptune to analog instrument ratio, tracks like “Eat Your Heart Out Cary Grant” still have more of an indie rock feel with the occasional electronic loop and background ticks. “Eat Your Heart Out Cary Grant” even features Jenny Lewis-style backup vocals.
In fact, Bryars’s vocals are reminiscent of another early 2000s indie band, Say Hi (aka Eric Elbogen).
BoxSpeaker Picks: SF 10/4 – RACES!
This weekend is San Francisco’s annual, completely free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Music Festival at Golden Gate Park.
You should also stroll a few blocks across the street to Neck of the Woods tonight to catch RACES, Only You, and TAXES!
“Shapeshifter” by Elephant
With their track “Shapeshifter,” Elephant brings a 1960s pop sound, reminiscent of Nancy Sinatra singing in her cover of “Bang Bang”.
Elephant’s Facebook shows influences include French hip-hop and 80s disco, but they also have a 1960s French feel – somewhat similar to Serge Gainsbourg’s slow tracks with the Ye-Ye girls and/or a Francoise Hardy track, especially in “Shapeshifter” and in “Spies.”
It also reminds me of Phantogram’s “Nightlife.”
BoxSpeaker Picks: SF and Oakland Shows – 9/28
Here’s a quick rundown of concerts and events Bay Area readers should check out tonight:
San Francisco:
Cold Fronts, The Jaded, The Wearies, and Flaggs at Neck of the Woods
“Strange Architecture” is a BoxSpeaker favorite because of its lo-fi garage rock feel.
AM & Shawn Lee, Monophonics, and DJ BCause at the Independent
AM & Shawn Lee hail from Echo Park and bring a 60s/70s French Library feel mixed with some disco riffs.
Menomena and Helio Sequence at the Great American Music Hall
Helio Sequence and Menomena are high school BoxSpeaker favorites, especially Helio Sequence. Bringing together beachy Fender Telecaster guitar sounds and a relaxed but still dancey drum beat, songs like “Keep Your Eyes Ahead” really epitomized high school romance.
OAKLAND:
Station to Station is a multimedia art public art project. With music from bands and musicians such as Dan Deacon, No Age, and Twin Shadow, and sculptures, films, and prints from dozens artists, this roving mini festival is sure to appeal to all senses and art preferences.
“Seven Hours” EP by Douglas Dare
Douglas Dare has the same playful, quick jazzy piano notes and mournful slow singing characteristic of 1950s vocalist Chet Baker but overlays a modern, computer-produced indie hip hop-style beats in place of an improvisational jazz drummer. Combining old aesthetics with new technology in a melding of genres.