Liz Fraser (Cocteau Twins) EP Coming Jan 26

Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Fraser Pays Tribute to Fallen Echo & the Bunnymen Member Jake Drake-Brockman on New EP: Blurt has more info here. Isn't this the second motorcycle death in the Bunnymen circle? Makes me all the more worried for my own brother, whose primary transportation is a motorcycle.

The track-list:
Moses:
1. “Moses”
2. “Moses” (Thighpaulsandra remix)
3. “Moses” (Spaceland remix)

Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, Kurt Cobain and ?

This screen capture or whatever did not turn out as I wanted, but someone might figure out what this location means.
Why am I even dwelling on such things at 2 a.m.? I guess I miss my time in Hollywood and the surrounding area. I felt connected to something and hopeful of being part of something. That felt feeling is quite drained from me at present. I have no reason to remain where I am and no thoughts on where to drift. The weather here is nice, though.

View Larger Map

'Fade to Grey': Christopher Anton Releases New Version

Ever since Anton's "Your Perfect Tragedy" CD was delivered by my mailman, I have been hooked. His style contains the elements of synthpop that keep me coming back for more. His work, at times, has a rough edge to it... it's not overly polished (a compliment) and it feels almost organic, like rock music. The lyrics make me feel something. I am reminded of Mesh, if only because there is a very masculine, almost angry tone. The beats pound and the voice is in the mix, not on top of it all (like Erasure, or Pet Shop Boys), but rather a part of the music, like its own instrument.



For more information on the Fade To Grey cover, go here.

Christmas Weekend Update 1.0a

Had a perfect drive up to my mom's for Christmas: a live, commercial-free recording of a recent My Morning Jacket concert played on the radio. It was recorded at the House of Blues. I know only a few songs, but I enjoyed the set. It flowed very well and was a perfect solo driving companion (no NRT).
I got to hear some Big Sonic Chill on the way home. It was fun to try and name the artist. I have a massive collection of downtempo / triphop...but the local station, 94.9 FM, never fails to bring me something new or uncover something I had forgotten about.
So, here's a video from a band that probably should have had more attention:

Foxglove Hunt: New ep out on iTunes

From a blog post on myspace:

"Built My Fortress
Ok, so it's been over a year since we said anything on this blog. Sorry.

We've just put together an EP entitled "Built My Fortress" that will be released just before Christmas. This release will contain one never released track, two tracks from our Japanese-only release of "Stop Heartbeat" and live versions of "It's Not Effective", "That's Getting Personal", and "A Concealed Weapon".

We're getting things moving again toward a full length for the first part of next year, and thought this would be a nice way to get us going in that direction. We continue to stay focused on writing pristinely crafted pop songs, using the latest technology available from 1983. On our new tracks, there has also been almost an even 50/50 collaboration between Ronnie and I, which has been different and exciting. At least for us.

Thanks for your continued support - we feel privileged to be able to continue to make records for the love of it......

Rob"

I found it at iTunes here for $5.94. This will be a Christmas present (for me)!

I am off to Orange County for the last Christmas at my mom's place. The house has sold. Who knows where I'll next year? Annual Christmas party at my Uncle's on Sunday in Los Angeles. Time to load up the mp3 player with driving music.

Free Stripmall Architecture track

Stripmall Architecture announced:
"For a short time you can download the exclusive track, "18 Minutes" totally free. "18 Minutes" is a little bit different than what you might expect from us but we hope you enjoy it. Download 18 Minutes now."

"When their longtime band, Halou, came to an end in 2008 (during a US tour with indie legend Bob Mould), Ryan and Rebecca Coseboom regrouped quickly and launched their new project, Stripmall Architecture."

As a huge Halou and Anymore fan, I am happy to hear more material from this superb act.

I just keep on posting about The Bravery

...only because they can't seem to get a break. The press hates them more than the Killers. I might just like them out of spite, at this point. My credibility is not at stake, as I am not a musician, just a person with hearing. Lord knows, I very much dislike some artists and I am actually afraid to say "I don't get it" publicly (say, over-rated MBV, Fl Li, Ni Dr, Suf Ste, Jack J, Jason M, White S, The Doodletown Pipers, 99% of "R&B" and a great many industrial acts (VAC?)) because people freak-out if you don't like popular artists. I like a lot of popular artists, but not every single one!

NME review is here: http://www.nme.com/reviews/the-bravery/10989

Free 4AD 2009 Compilation

In Memoriam

Sad news from Lost Highway: "It is with great sadness to report that Cardinals bassist/vocalist/collaborator Chris Feinstein (Spacewolf) has recently passed away. He was an integral member of Ryan Adams & The Cardinals and will be deeply missed by all of us here at Lost Highway and throughout the entire music community.
Please send your thoughts and prayers to Chris's family, friends and bandmates during this difficult time."

"This is the saddest day of my life. I lost my best friend today...things will never be quite the same."
-Brad Pemberton

Spiritualized - Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space

December - Ice on my heart

Funny how something can evoke emotion, even when you do not know what is being said.

[ingenting] "Dina händer är fulla av blommor" from Labrador Records on Vimeo.

Portishead new track "Chase The Tears"

Recorded for Amnesty International. Video and purchasing info at www.portishead.co.uk



Doldrums covers the song already? YouTube or myspace it.

Year End Lists: Don't Hate 'Em

Year-end lists aren't all bad. Sure, they can infuriate you, the music fan, if your favorite release isn't listed. The good can be found by being humble. You cannot have possibly heard every release on every list, right? So, cozy-up to your computer and research those albums you have never heard of or perhaps passed-up (admittedly, just a dumb name can make me pass up a band. Ladyhawke is a prime example).
So, the fading sunlight finds me enjoying a very fine Scottish band "The Twilight Sad". Can't listen to this material at anything but l-o-u-d and in stereo if not surround sound. This is music for mopey people that long for the 90's sustained guitar wall of sound, those crashing cymbals, and tracks over four minutes long. The wonderful vocal accent is a bonus for an American like me. There is no reason that I really enjoy Scottish bands. I have no bias, no connection, nothing. Just seems they produce superb rock. I'll keep my synth-pop love in the USA, England, Australia and Germany.
So, take a look-see at this list and explore. I am glad I did! How could I have missed out on The xx and....

Editors US Tour Dates

Editors US Tour Dates


Feb 05 || Seattle, WA || Showbox at the Market
Feb 06 || Vancouver, BC || Commodore Ballroom
Feb 08 || San Francisco, CA || The Warfield Theatre
Feb 09 || San Diego, CA || House of Blues (worst venue in town! Hate this place!)
Feb 11 || Los Angeles, CA || The Wiltern
Feb 13 || Denver, CO || Ogden Theatre
Feb 15 || Chicago, IL || The Vic Theatre
Feb 16 || Toronto, ON || Phoenix Concert Theatre
Feb 18 || Boston, MA || House of Blues
Feb 19 || New York, NY || Terminal 5
Feb 20 || Philadelphia, PA || Trocadero
Feb 21 || Washington, DC || 9:30 Club

"After two years away, Editors are coming back to the States in support of the US release of their third studio album. In This Light And On This Evening debuted at #1 in the UK charts and charted in the top 10 across Europe.

This album finds Editors heading in a daring new direction where synths replace the soaring guitars and lead singer Tom Smith takes his vocals to haunting new places, giving the album a dystopian, apocalyptic, mechanical ambiance."

The full-length digital album is available NOW from iTunes or Amazon.com.

Free, new Audio Bullys track

I was looking around myspace today and found this:

AUDIO BULLYS Announce free download ‘Kiss The Sky’ taken from forthcoming March 2010 album.
Fresh out of the studio having completed their 3rd album, Audio Bullys (aka Simon Franks and Tom Dinsdale) have announced that they will be giving away a free track ahead of the release of their forthcoming album (due for release March 2010)....
The free download, ‘Kiss The Sky’, will be available for 2 weeks only from Monday 30th November at www.audiobullys.com and is full of the attitude, energy and emotion as one would expect from these melody obsessed Londoners...
Speaking about the free download, Simon Franks of the group said:
“We are happy to give a song away for free to give the fans something and to give them an idea of what is to come next year on the album. We’re really glad to be on Cooking Vinyl as we’ve seen how well they’ve worked with The Prodigy.”

Audio Bullys have released two albums – ‘Ego War’ and ‘Generation’, each one containing the massive singles ‘We Don’t Care’ and ‘Shot You Down’ respectively. Their third as yet untitled album will be released on their own label Face Piece, in conjunction with Cooking Vinyl (current home of The Prodigy and Groove Armada)..."

Dust of Basement and Skinny Puppy

With Skinny Puppy showing here in town tomorrow, I am all over youtube tonight. I miss The Dust of Basement... very active in the 90's... a very fine take on pop's girl/boy duets...but darker and better. Saw them one time and it was one of best shows I have ever seen.


In Summer 2006, Dust Of Basement decided to discontinue their work. The finally concert was December 9th 2006 in the Berlin club K17.


Discography
1995 Regress - EpCD
1996 Words of god - MCD
1997 Remembrances - CD
1998 Remembrances 1998 - CD
1999 Opticus - CD
2001 Come with me - CD
2002 Five become two - 2CD
2003 Home coming heavens - CD
2004 Awakening the oceans - 2CD
2005 Meridian - 2CD

Do You Hear Me?

Like Sugar PopCast returns! Yes, it's been almost two months, but I have it finished and a new show ready to be published! I also have a Christmas mix of sorts in the works. I lost a hard drive to age (a lurking IDE platter in my newest machine), so I had to re-acquire certain alternative Christmas tracks and line them up for family listening. Peter Murphy vs Tom Waites...lost...but found "Police Stopped My Car."

Like Sugar 28 sounds like this:
01 - The Sound Of Arrows - Into The Clouds
02 - Neon Indian - Terminally Chill
03 - Anything Box - Do You Hear Me?
04 - Paper Plane Pilot - Leave It To Me
05 - Marsheaux - Regret
06 - James Yuill - Over The Hills
07 - Lola Dutronic - All Over The World
08 - Project Pitchfork - The Tide: Third Dream
09 - Gary Numan - I Die: You Die
10 - The Ravonettes - Breaking Into Cars
11 - Mixtapes & Cellmates - Soon
12 - Girls - Morning Light
13 - Glas vegas -It's My Own Cheating Heart...
14 - O. Children - Dead Eye Lover
15 - Gang of Four - Glass
Subscribe for free on itunes
or download / stream on Odeo.
Get it on zshare too:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/6944306074139dc8/

The Old 97's: Wreck Your Life

Dive bar DJs read on:
Blood Shot records are re-releasing "Wreck Your Life" on vinyl for the first time. It is limited to 1000 copies. It includes all singles, compilation tracks and the Wreck Your Life cd.
TRACKLIST
Disc One
Side A:
Victoria
The Other Shoe
Doreen
You Belong To My Heart
Dressing Room Walls
My Sweet Blue-Eyed Darlin'
Side B:
Big Brown Eyes
Bel Air
Old Familiar Steam
Over The Cliff
Goin' Goin' Gone
DISC TWO:
Side C
W-I-F-E (7" version)
Ray Charles
Cryin' Drunk
Harold's Super Service
Sound of Running
Cryin' But My Tears Are Far Away
Side D:
Por Favor
W-I-F-E
Eyes For You
Let The Train Blow The Whistle
Making Love With You
I'd Be Lonesome

It Has Bells and That Always Gets Me

My InBox made my day... absolutely love this mix of music styles. It's what I'd do if I could Do. I hope this is not a marketing joke: "Inu is the new band from Count [DJ Shadow, New Order, Radiohead, Halou], Tim Hingston [Nyles Lannon], and Zoe Keating [Imogen Heap, Rasputina]"
That's a list of major talent. The music has me quite excited! Check it all out at:
http://www.inumusic.com/
As of this post, you can get the track "The Bailing" if you supply the usual info. I've found that signing-up for such things leads to more good stuff being emailed your way down the road.

Le Sport? New Material?

I could be way off on this, but I found a link to "new Le Sport" material today. Here is the link: http://www.lesportmusic2.tk/
As far as I knew, they announced they broke up. If you know otherwise, please let me know. Le Sport created some of the best modern synthpop of 2000- now, I feel. "Euro, Deluxe Dance Party" is soooo good. Very New Order/Pet Shop Boys.
Comments welcome!

New Electric Pop Group due January 2010

The Electric Pop Group (listed influences: Another Sunny Day, Brighter, The Field Mice, Harper Lee, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Razorcuts, Ride, The Smiths, Stereolab, The Stone Roses etc.) have announced:
"Our new album, "Seconds", is finally recorded, mixed and mastered!
It will be released in January 2010 by Matinée Recordings, and if you'd like to get hold of it as soon as possible, it's available for preordering now at The Matinée Shop.
We will also have one of our new songs, "Believers", released on a new compilation, called "The Matinée Grand Prix". This record is also available for preordering now at the Matinée Shop."

This listener can't find a bad song by this artist. I highly recommend listening to the tracks on their myspace page. Check out some of their "friends" too, as there are many perhaps-unknown artists that may appeal to you.

Where Is My Mind?

So, sometimes, I stay in. There are so many great music nights here in San Diego. I am friends with enough DJs to keep going and going....but sometimes, I just want to explore new music and mix tracks together while doing so. Two monitors makes it much easier. I miss having three computers, but the wife took hers, and I gave the other to a brother. The interesting part here, is, I look at just what the hell I played when I wake up the next day. Some of these "mixes" are so eclectic, I can't fathom what I was feeling when I lined up the tracks. I say feeling, not thinking, for certainly it's all about the feel and rational thought is ignored. A "happy" song or two, and then a very dark one is wedged in. Nostalgia seems to be a running theme. The track list starts out with dancey, newish material and crashes into a wall of the music of my youth in the end. With YouTube, this pattern can really make me feel a certain sense of degeneration. YouTube has so many songs that I simply lost, own on cassette or never owned at all. The images of the video aren't so important as the actual song. Just finding that 80's alternative track that I haven't heard in 20 plus years evokes a lot of emotion....and I hated every day of my childhood. I think music was and continues to be an escape for me. Some aspect of this escape is a positive and certainly some of it can be negative.

DJ Edgartronic tonight!

If I can gather myself together, get some oil (Tin-man style), I might make it out to this excellent San Diego pairing: DJ Edgartronic and Hot Pink Delorean.



Be sure to add http://edgartronic.com/ no matter where you live. He's got excellent mixes up on his re-launched site. This DJ is San Diego's rising star and is in high demand. Don't know how he does it, really. He spins sets for so many artists I love...and so often. He's big on vinyl, so you know he's worked hard for his reputation.

Sambassadeur - Free MP3

Sambassadeur - Free MP3 of the upcoming single "Days."

Labrador Records writes:

"Sambassadeur are right now putting the final touch to their upcoming album "European" which will be out on February 24. Without revealing too much the band has told us that electric guitars were prohibited on the recordings.

A first single called "Days" will be out on December 2. You can download it for free today -----> here."

I really liked the song "Final Say" and I played it on Like Sugar PopCast 5.

Eux Autres new release

I am a little late in posting this announcement. Saw these two play live a couple years ago and I have enjoyed everything they've released. Nicholas, of Eux Autres writes:
"Just a quick little note to let you know that our new EP, Strangled Days, is
out in the US today! Pick it up at any of your favorite online retailers.
Most of the EP is currently streaming at euxautres.bandcamp.com
vinyl copies are available from the UK through
wiawya.com and roughtrade.com
Keep your eyes peeled for a new Christmas 7" in November. Pre-sale info to come soon...
Thanks!
-Nicholas
--
Eux Autres

www.euxautres.com
www.myspace.com/euxautres
www.facebook.com/euxautres
www.twitter.com/euxautres

Brim Liski for Ulrich Schnauss fans

Came across this on twitter today: http://one-track-mind.com/brim-liski-fight/
One Track Mind writes of Brim Liski "...the band themselves are referring to [their sound] as “dance doom,” with other suitable orienting points including the gothic guilded electronics of Depeche Mode and Massive Attack or the open skies navigated by Bel Canto and This Mortal Coil".
How appealing is that? Thanks, One Track Mind for this excellent find!
"Fans of artists such as Ulrich Schnauss or Syntaks will feel at home with the soaring, blissed out textures of Brim Liski".

Deep Down Drama Hound

Sitting here, waiting for something to trigger a more up-beat mood...need to finish Like Sugar Popcast 28. It was due out 5 days ago.
Getting into the sounds of Dag for Dag... Drowned In Sound writes: "Dag for Dag combine early-Cure, Violent Femmes, Cramps, and (perhaps) early Low (an inevitable effect of forlorn female vocals and minimal instrumentation)".
I thought I was exploring some Swedish stuff, but these two are actually newly signed to Saddle Creek and come from America! They wandered about, it seems, and ended up close to where I nearly landed.
Somehow, Bjork's "I Play Dead" seemed the perfect follow-up track and it's now making me dance dramatically.
I have 2 sets of friends (married couples that have never met) visiting Las Vegas this weekend. Coincidence. I hope couple 2 enjoy the Leonard Cohen concert. Utah is the farthest I have traveled to see a band (Synth Con. I had to see Wave In Head, Somegirl, Provision, etc)
Saw a nice announcement at Stereogum. I read that Magnetic Fields have released the cover art and track-list for the upcomimg "Realism" album.

(Suede "Stay Together" now playing)
Tried to get a new Tahiti 80 free(?) mp3 this week, but it ended up being a preview. That "A Love From Outerspace" track is really timeless for me.

New Mesh

Mesh "A Perfect Solution" (new!!) is now available. Put on your friend-hat and order it from A Different Drum: $15 "This latest offering from Mesh fits right in with their other top-notch productions. It is more edgy and agitated than their last epic album, "We Collide" but fits right in with their high standards at the very top of the synthpop scene. This time it is released in the USA so you can get it for a good price too! Order the CD here :
http://www.adiffere ntdrum.com/ buy/MET618/ Mesh-A-Perfect- Solution
With tracks with these titles, you know it's gonna be emotional:
1. If We Stay Here
2. Only Better
3. Everything I Made
4. Is It So Hard
5. Hold It Together
6. It's Gone
7. How Long
8. Who Says
9. Hope, Dreams
10. Want You
11. The Bitter End
*Beavis and Butt-head sounds* for track 4. You could take one title's word and exchange it for another to create a classic Mesh track. My favorite album is still "Original 91-93"... many good tracks on that one.

Raveonettes free track

“The Chosen One” Bonus Track From The Raveonettes’ In And Out Of Control [Vice Music]

http://broadtime.com/mp3/thechosenone.mp3

The Mary Onettes "Islands" - New album out today!

Labrador Records says:
The Mary Onettes "Islands" - New album out today!

The Mary Onettes’ critically acclaimed debut was described as the perfect mix between A-ha and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Now they are back with a grandiose new album that is...well, what can we say? It's pure perfection and the best album you'll hear this year. No less.

www.labrador.se/shop.php3

Halloween 2009

Yes, I emerged from my cave and braved my fears. Oddly, I was not photographed so much as the photographer. I did not wear a costume, so I felt like a loser (Sometimes I Feel Like A Loser). All I know is I danced. A lot. Very therapeutic. Thank-you Club Sabbat and whatever warehouse party we ended-up at.
Anyway, here's a few pics that came out (most were of people's backs):

Halloween 2009

Beborn Beton "Another World"

As a big fan and amateur programmer working with FruityLoops, I am really impressed by this rendtition of Beborn Beton's "Another World." I can only imagine the hard work that went into this!

Paper Airplane Pilot - First Flight

Are you a fan of The Postal Service, New Order, Erlend Oye and/or Human League? Late last year a 10-track album called "First Flight" was released by Paper Plane Pilot. Earlier this year a cover of Death Cab's "I Will Follow You into the Dark" came out.
I really enjoyed this electronic pop!

You can listen to it all here: http://www.paperplanepilot.com/radio/

Rambling on

Well, I am not working much. Some sort of slump. Some sort of dry period. "Feast or Famine" say my clients...gives me some time to explore music, but the feeling of uselessness makes me want to listen to old music, not new! Then I get to looking through my digital photos and I get all sad...like the best years have passed me by.

Anyway, Nephu Huzzband has new tracks to check out on myspace. I blogged a while back that the vocalist reminds me of Robert Smith. I am not too active on myspace anymore, but I cannot deny that it's a great place for new music.

Listening to Project Pitchfork, Princess Niko, some Pet Shop Boys (Yes), Nitzer Ebb and some Lucyfire.
Catching up with the busy DJ Narcolept.

Wanted be one of these guys for Halloween for some time:

Stable, Swords

itsmorrisseysworld.com announced that "Morrissey's handpicked b-sides collection 'Swords' is out today (Monday 26th October) in the UK".
By now, most fans know the beloved Morrissey "is in stable condition after his collapse in Swindon Saturday night".

It's my opinion that Morrissey's b-sides are his best work. I often wonder why they weren't included on the main album.

UPDATE: http://electro-candy.co.uk/2009/10/24/morrissey-collapses/

Sick Muse

I'm enjoying some good old synthpop on myspace. Give this play-list a try before it's gone: http://www.myspace.com/electropopfestival
You'll note that Ostrich and Universal Poplab both played this festival on October 17th. I have included both acts on my Like Sugar PopCast over the years. This line-up really impressed me. Wish something like this could happen here in the USA. I miss the Synth-con that A Different Drum did...

Oh, what else...seems I post things on twitter more than on my blog... you can add me, I am @djtalbot. The train-wreck looks like this:
The Word Magazine (UK) has @DotAllison on it's Nov CD: "Paved With A Little Pain" http://bit.ly/D26nd
Potty Mouth Sissys have a new myspace page (previous one was hacked).
Depeche Mode - Somebody - Live In Buenos Aires -17-10-2009 http://bit.ly/3B4K43 #depechemode
Blah, blah, you get the idea.

Head over to http://stytzer.blogspot.com/ and offer some encouragement. I rely on this blog to keep me up with what's worth my time in Northern European music.

So, I am working on Like Sugar #28, and I have The Sound of Arrows, The Raveonettes, Mixtapes & Cellmates, Girls, Glas vegas, James Yuill, Neon Indian, Gary Numan, Project Pitchfork (can you believe it? Best material from them ever), Editors, O. Children, Gang of Four, Pet Shop Boys, Pati Yang, Mika and more...all this must be boiled down to the strongest track-list.

Everything Is Temporary These Days

I just read that one of the staples of my podcast have split and canceled their tour. Some of my favorites of the past few years like "We Danced Together", "Suspicious Eyes", and "Retreat" will never be replaced, it seems, as The Rakes have split.
I'm reading this disappointing news while listening to Girls' "Album." The track "Hellhole Ratrace" is a rather spectacular 7 minute soundtrack to this news.
Wait, does "Headache" by Girls sound exactly like Moose (UK)? Goodness, this IS a great album. Will be buying it locally.

Louis Eliot of Rialto...new material!

An interesting read at this blog. Seems my hero Louis Eliot, the wonderful singer of the under-noticed 90's Britpop act "Rialto" is releasing new material in 2010. The author writes: "Well, I am delighted to announce that the long-awaited follow-up album is finally being released in January 2010. What's more, I've already had a listen to it and it's brilliant. Kittow's Moor is the first album that Louis has made with his new band, The Embers..."

I am super excited. Got to love it when an artist you love keeps on, despite a band break-up! Eliot's 2004 release is still listed on Amazon (USA) for the absurd price of $44.99.

Joy Electric to release covers album

The first song from the new covers record (titled "Favorites at Play") by Joy Electric is up now on their MySpace page. It is a version of The Killers' "When You Were Young."

Ronnie writes that "The album also includes versions of songs from Coldplay, Keane, Blink 182, Feist, and more and will be available in stores and online November 3rd. There will be some pre-order information coming shortly, but for now here is the tracklisting.

1. 1, 2, 3, 4
2. Viva La Vida
3. I Miss You
4. Falling Slowly
5. When You Were Young
6. Somewhere Only We Know
7. It Ends Tonight
8. Decode
9. Say It Right"

Free James Yuill "This Sweet Love"

I played some James Yuill on PopCast 27. Here's a link to a re-recording (rather than a remix) by the man himself. It's called "This Sweet Love (Earth Version)".

I recommend his Turning Down Water For Air (Nettwerk in USA / Moshi Moshi in UK. It goes well with synthpop and fans of Passion Pit and such.
James Yuill blog.

I've Made Skin Crawl

I have been a bad friend to this band. I only received one humble email in August, and it got lost in the Like Sugar Control Room e-mail dot-matrix print-out bin, which is virtual, or in the "cloud".
So, with some ado, please listen and watch this beautiful song by Recordable Colors. "I've Made Skin Crawl". I do know 2 of the band members...but if this was crap, I'd never post it. I think it's beautiful... long-time readers know I am a sucker for bells or spoons on glasses and organs (musical organs, mind you!)!

My Latest Podcast is now available

Like Sugar PopCast 27 finally out! Please leave me a hello if you are still following the show. I love to hear from listeners!
I am on some very generous DJ promo lists and I am always open to more. Contact me at djtalbotlikesugar@gmail.com

Stream or download via zshare.

Subscribe on iTunes.

Stream or download via Odeo.

Here's the track-list:

01 - [ingenting] - Halleluja! (free mp3)
02 - James Yuill - This Sweet Love
03 - Stars - B itches In Tokyo
04 - The Wake - Provincial Disco
05 - Morr issey - The Ordinary Boys
06 - The Tem per Trap - Sweet Disposition (Thanks B.S., for suggestion)
07 - The Mary Onettes - Puzzles (free mp3)
08 - Miles Fisher - This Must Be The Place
09 - Junior Senior - Together For One Last Dance
10 - Vitalic - See The Sea (Red) (free mp3?)
11 - Memory Tapes - Bicycle
12 - Passio n Pit - To Kingdom Come
13 - Mo by - Mistake (Yusek Remix) (free mp3?)
14 - Neon Neon - Raquel
15 - Stripmall Architecture - Stop Thief (free album here)

Must Keep This Alive...

New material for my Autumn playlist: a "double a-side" from Lola Dutronic in my inbox! I quote: "Au Revoir" is a chilled groove, sung in French, with special guest Mike Garson (of David Bowie fame) contributing some of his trademark amazing piano, while our English language offering, "All Over The World" is another slice of electro-pop in the same vein as our recent summer dance hit, "My Radio".Listen to 'em at myspace.

I just finished another listen to Bradley B's excellent latest podcast mix. You can get it here.
Check out his incredible track-list! Perfect companion to my Like Sugar material?
Moby - Mistake
The xx - Heart Skipped A Beat
The Golden Filter - Favourite Things
Passion Pit - Little Secrets
Miike Snow - Sylvia
Fever Ray - Seven (CSS Remix)
The Horrors - Sea Within a Sea
Grace Jones - Williams’ Blood (Aeroplance Remix)
Erlend Oye - Sudden Ruse (The Twelves)
Yacht - Psychic City (Rory Phillips Remix)
Metric - Sick Muse (Adam Freeland Remix)
Underworld/Mark Knight - Downpipe (original club mix)

Ulrich Schnauss and Guns N' Roses

Guns N' Roses use Ulrich Schnauss sounds without permission? Read the article on Pitchfork. Listen for yourself. I wonder how many Ulrich Schnauss fans also follow G N'R.

Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star) new alblum streaming

It sprinkled a bit today, and it's generally overcast. Perfect weather for a listening party for the new Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions over at: Spinner.


Some nice parts of a recent interview with the San Francisco Examiner are on Hope's site here.

Suicide

Of the three tracks I've heard from the upcoming Ravonettes album, "Suicide" is my favorite (you can hear it here). Here's a short clip with some thoughts about the song.



Remember, the new CD is out October 6th and is titled "In and Out of Control". Doesn't Sune Rose Wagner look like a Reid brother?

Visitation

Had a great night. My brother appeared here in town, and we took on some Nintendo Wii Resort. Our friend A come over too and destroyed us in Archery. Good times and we saved cash by staying out of the bars / taverns / pubs.

Of course, I now have an amazing head-ache. I showed the Miles Fisher "This must be the Place" video and was informed that it's an homage to American Psycho. I think I like it more now.

This and That

Lowe has a new video for the track "Berlin Night Express". No departure from their sound, yet satisfying in the way that Mesh (UK) creates a certain sound between rock and synthpop. Watch here.

Local? Zoe & Lee host a mixer Friday, September 25, 2009 6:00pm - 10:00pm at their store:
Say Goodbye to Summer with some drinking, dancing and discount shopping!
Music by Monchis, Alex Villalobos & Dr.Indulgent.Refreshments provided, tons of bargains!
Hunt & Gather
Street:
4496 Park Blvd. Suite G
San Diego, CA
6192973040

The Raveonettes are streaming their new/fourth album via myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/theraveonettes Pre-Order At iTunes.

Uhhh, who is burning incense? I heart apartment living! F you, hippy, hear my sounds!!!

And now back to being nice....

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are playing here in San Diego at The Casbah. I am skipping this one. Too many other bands on the bill and no real die-hard indiepop friends that are, well... friends. My local friends are into other genres. It's a Tuesday too, I guess.

It's Monday!

Forgive the regurgitation, but perhaps I am compiling something useful for you.

Color Theory has posted a nice piano pop gem over here. "Can’t Wait for the Night" is a collaboration with Inbox. Read more at ColorTheory.com

The L.A. Times has an article on Joe Pernice's literary efforts. I love me some Pernice Brothers. I follow the fun on twitter via http://twitter.com/ashmont

Over at SIART, one can find a nice post re: Midnight Juggernauts. They are sounding a tad more organic and I like it.

Discobelle.net has a dribbly-lazer-filled track from Boys Noize and it's currently pounding through my audio system here in the Control Room. It called "Starter" and God help me from annoying the neighbors with this one, cuz I want to. Read and download at discobelle.

Finally, this song was stuck in my mind all day.

9 1/2 Days

Posts here are becoming infrequent. With the mainstreaming of twitter, I think micro blogs like mine are less relevant. I am not writing about my personal life or even much about my own opinions. The most I will say is "I like this or that".

I think my podcast is also getting lost in the landslide of available digital music. Not sure I want to continue doing it if there is no audience! Mix "tapes" will always be something I do. 25 years of making them in a few formats...can't see myself stopping now. I love sharing new music and re-living old stuff.

Elegant Machinery fans (synthpop) can hear vocalist Robert Enforsen sing on this track (hear it on youtube, buy it via A Different Drum). ADD has a cool video with more vocals in Russian.

I really like this song that found its way into my inbox. Tonight, I thought I'd look for a video. I was pleasantly surprised! The video reminds me of when music videos told a story. Loving this one:


I have a new mix that features a few repeats from my regular podcast. I guess I can share it now, since it dropped a few days ago (for one specific friend). Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it! Get it here.

Stripmall Architecture

OMFG, new material from Halou / Anymore in the form of Stripmall Architecture:
http://stripmallarchitecture.bandcamp.com/album/we-were-flying-kites

Ryan and Rebecca Coseboom offer up more brilliant material. The best part is, it's free at 128kbps quality download and then you set the price! Be sure to listen to track 4: Stop Thief. This is a classic track from one of my most beloved couples.

The Legends

An interview with my favorite Labrador Records band: The Legends. Thanks to @itsatrapdotcom (on Twitter) for the link.

Some Blogs Have All The Luck

Just stumbled on an amazing post at Not Many Experts blog: http://notmanyexperts.blogspot.com/2009/09/rowling-was-right.html

Bloc Party and Alex Metric are there for streaming and it's worth several listens. Bloc Party never fails to sound good remixed. Some bands just sound off when dance-mixed. Bloc Party has something special in that they become something else when remixed.

The title of this entry means nothing, I just have that Rod Stewart song in my head.
Oh, be sure to grab this mp3 too. Saw it on NME's Daily Download. O. Children "Dead Eye Lover". Dark stuff is always good.



Happy Birthday to Devon Rowe of Mummy Guns!

Holiday in USA

It's a 3 day weekend here in the USA!
Friday seems to be the day I am flooded with music announcements of all sorts. It could also be that I don't pay as much attention during the week and I relax and forget about my business on Fridays. Self-employment can become a 7 day a week thing, so I also force some time off to maintain the tenuous grasp I have on the real world.

Color Theory has a real stunner at http://www.thesixtyone.com/theoddyear/song/64528/. Fresh material and very subtle. I love it. Brian takes electronic music further than could be expected. He adds a human warm to what some think has no soul.

My inbox has a nice surprise track by Morgan Page: "Page is ready to debut his latest single "Fight For You", from the all new full-length albumset for release Spring 2010. The track is yet another display of Morgans skilled use of driving synth lines and vocal harmonies that glides through pulsing four-to-the floor beats. The sneak preview dropped yesterday here.

Sad news, Echo and the Bunnymen keyboardist (after 1989) Jake Drake-Brockman Dies. Read the article here.

Strange on the inside

A mix I stitched together for a neighbor-friend is now up on zshare: http://www.zshare.net/audio/6495705455fdb7f0/
It's not a mix for everyone, and has some rude language and themes. This was a custom mix!

I just downloaded a new Mary Onettes track from http://www.labrador.se/Puzzles/TheMaryOnettes_Puzzles.mp3

Yeah,this post is ugly. I have been suffering in the heat wave that has engulfed my fair kingdom. I have turned to video games to stay sane, as it's too hot to work. I worked today and it was a mistake. I am sure my body temperature was dangerously high.
Hey, isn't that Mary Onettes song "Puzzles" just perfect? I still need to watch True Blood...the show is SO close to jumping the shark!!!

Undue Assumption 08-25-09

I found some free mp3's worth downloading at Limewire (while you are there, read the album review of "My Guilty Pleasure", the new one from Sally Shapiro).

Mazzy Star fans should check out the latest Hope Sandoval solo effort. "Blanchard" is available here.

The Go! Team remix Black Moth Super Rainbow's "Twin of Myself". I wish it lasted a little longer, as it's only 2 minutes and 37 seconds. Limewire has it here.

Miss Kitten & The Hacker have a new CD "Two" and you find a remix of the track "Party In My Head" by Thieves Like Us here.

Who The Bloody Hell Are They? have a nice remix by Passion Pit. The track is "Learnalilgivinanlovin'" by Australia's Goyte. Plenty of Goyte over at last.fm to check out.

Moving over to New Music Express... I can't stop listening to this brilliant mix of Moby's "Mistake" by Yuksek. There's also a re-recording of "Glass" by Gang Of Four that's very much worth clicking on! If you haven't subscribed to this blog, I highly recommend you do so. A lot of great free material showing up here. It's called "The Daily Download: Edited by Tim Chester". Find it here.

I know there's an Arctic Monkeys covering Nick Cave's "Red Right Hand" mp3 out there...but I can't find a free or legal copy.

Stream Imogen Heap's new one here

Listen to the new Imogen Heap (the voice you loved from Frou Frou) album "Ellipse" before it is released August 24th/25th:

We All Wanna Be Prince

I played this freely distributed track on my last podcast. A silly video has been released:

Felix Da Housecat - We All Wanna Be Prince


Note: I do not want to be Prince. A prince, perhaps. It is a catchy, mid-tempo tune and it's better than anything I have heard from Felix El Gato de la Casa.

It rained here today. Rain in the summertime...I should have thought of that earlier, before I queued-up Cocteau Twins BBC Sessions. Hitherto, From the Flagstones, Musette and Drums, Pepper-Tree, Beatrix, Ivo and now Otterley and I am about done. Oh no, Serpentskirt just came on and now I have goose-bumps and no smile, lol.

Stripped

Depeche Mode canceled their San Diego show, so all I can offer are these 3 videos from near San Diego. Listen to the crowd sing along!

Vitalic Postmarks, Color Theory, UVS

Vitalic (the alter ego of French programmer/multi-instrumentalist Pascal Arbez) is offering a free mp3 ringtone here. The new album "Flashmob" is coming out on September 28th.

I'm listening to Miss Kitten and The Hacker's "Two" CD right now. The third track really stands out. It reminds me of The Dust of Basement. All it needs is a growling male vocal accompanying the chorus.



I have mentioned them before, and now we have the release of new material from The Postmarks. As far as I can tell, this mp3 is free to share, so here's the link to "Lucky Charm". I just saw Andy Chase (of Ivy) play live in his other band, Brookville, with the Trashcan Sinatras. Chase has taste.

Arghh...Chrome just locked-up as I was writing this. Back to Firefox.

Download a free / legal mp3 from Color Theory "I Stand By My Mistakes" here. Doing so actually helps the artist (Microsoft has made the song available for free – no sign up required. Not only that, but they’re paying Brain Hazard of Color Theory 50¢ for each unique download) and beyond that, it's my favorite song on the new album! I love that Brian's wife Michelle sings with him on this beautiful track.

The excellent blog Noisebox has an entry on one of my favorite early 90's acts "Ultra Vivid Scene". Read it here and be sure to check into this act. Way ahead of their time. The music stands up even today.

The Instant DJ Toolbox

It's fun to laugh at yourself once in a while:

Once Again, It's New To Me and I Like It

Just listened to Jesper Norda's "You Know" ep a few times. Four beautiful songs. His voice reminds me of Jarvis Cocker's (of Pulp) with the styling of Nick Cave. My favorite track is "A Glance of The Sun, A Word of Trust". I can recommend this soft collection to my listeners with great hopes for more from Jesper Norda!
Another ep (We Have The Guts) is still available for for free at eardrumsmusic.com.

Two bros dancing at Lollapalooza 2009

I didn't make this find, but it sure is fun to watch. Two bros dancing at Lollapalooza 2009.

My Last Two Weeks

Since I am on holiday, for two weeks (anyone get the reference?), I am able to delve deeper into my music search.
Here are some links you might enjoy. Lots of good sounds out there!

A new podcast by Bradley B is out. I'm listening now, to his Staycation. Excellent selection of tracks, as always. Love the Whip and Empire of The Sun choices!

The Raveonettes have offered a free new song, "Suicide". This Danish band gets better with each release, in my opinion (I was not a fan at first, and wrote them off as a worse version of BRMC). Google it or try Pitchfork for the download.

Good things happening at buzzbands.la Saw a post for The Lovemakers, who will be here in San Diego on August 14.

My crush on Emiliana Torrini's voice continues. Enough with the Bjork comparisons. It's an accent only! She plays the El Rey Theatre in LA on August 19. Los Compesinos! play after her on the 21st. Nice Summer for LA people! Not to mention the 6th annual FYF Fest, formerly the Fuck Yeah Fest, will be taking place September 5th, 2009 at the LA Historic State Park in downtown LA. This will be the first year the festival will be taking place outside of Echo Park.

I love Pee Wee and the LA Times has a nice piece on his return to the stage here.

The new [ingenting] track "Halleluja!" is available for free here. I wanted this one for my podcast and now I have it! Beautiful.

The Cribs add Johnny Marr, so says Filter Mag here.

Dot Allison is tweeting much these past days. I hope it's really her, as she responded to me and I got all excited. Follow her: http://twitter.com/DotAllison

My new Podcast is available now

Like Sugar PopCast 26 is out today!
I know I have readers and listeners, because some of you have been kind enough to comment. I am not sure how to comment back to you, so I want to say thanks here and now for taking the time to say hello. Kind comments and hellos keep me interested in doing this podcast thing, so please say hello if you like what you hear or read!

Track-list for Like Sugar PopCast 26:
01 - Lady hawke - My Delirium
02 - Dark Distant Spaces - Born Soldiers
03 - Parralox - Sharper Than A Knife (Electropop Version)
04 - Linus Loves - Prom Night (Don Diablo Remix)
05 - Felix Da Housecat - We All Wanna Be Prince
06 - De peche Mode - Fragile Tension
07 - Mesh - Crash
08 - Royksopp - You Don't Have A Clue (feat. Anneli Drecker)
09 - Fischer spooner - Door Train Home
10 - Stereo MCs - Deep Down and Dirty
11 - The Pro digy - Stand Up
12 - Love and Rock ets - All In My Mind
13 - The Pain s of Being Pure At Heart - Young Adult Friction
14 - Don Juan Dracula - Shotgun
15 - Seize - Wishful Thinking
16 - Clan of Xy mox - Emily (C.O.X. Remix)

Subscribe on iTunes.

Stream at Odeo.

Listen right here with this lil player!

Mew: "Introducing Palace Players" Video

I love Mew and if you dig my podcasts, you really should check them out. You read up on them here. You won't believe what the title of the album is....

Sierra Nevada Pictures

Here are the too few pictures I took this week.

I Have Returned!

I am back from my backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevadas. More on that to come. Time to unpack, clean the studio, and catch-up on all the music news and releases.

For now, check out this cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart"

Hear Broken Social Scene's version of this classic!
(thanks, Pitchfork).

http://twitter.com/djtalbot

American tour dates for Mew

Mew has confirmed a small batch of headliner dates in the Americas:

08/22 - Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
08/24 - Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
09/01 - Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA
09/04 - The Independent, San Francisco, CA
09/10 - Vive Cuervo Salón, Mexico City
09/11 - Teatro Estudio Cavaret, Guadalajara, Jalisco

http://www.myspace.com/mew

Thanks, itsatrap, for the info!

Jarvis & Generationals

Jarvis Cocker has made a free download of the Pilooski edit of "You’re In My Eyes (Discosong)" : http://jarviscocker.net/news/poolski-remix

I'm enjoying a full CD listening party: the band is Generationals (formed from the short-lived act "The Eames Era" who had their music show up on Abercrombie & Fitch's website and on Grey's Anatomy). Here's the link ( I like the Angry Charlie track: http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/9

It's New To Me: Passion Pit

Well, I missed seeing Trash Can Sinatras because the date changed for the San Juan Capistrano show. I do look forward to seeing them here in San Diego on July 28th. I have two tickets...need to find another person that likes 'em to share that other ticket with.

After a few listens, I am listening to Passion Pit a lot this week. I like the album "Manners" much more than last year's ep "Chunk of Change." Here's the video for the latest single (a song I would have picked as the first single)!

San Diego: Promo Video for local shop

Just passing along a video that Lee / (DJ) Dr. Indulgent created for his new shop here in University Heights. He's one of my favorite local DJs and I am happy to see him launch his own store. Hunt & Gather even has rare vinyl!

Bloc Party shows love for a fan

How sweet is this? How many bands would care so much for their fans? Here's what is written in the Bloc Party newsletter:

"Nettie Remembered

On a very different note, we're sending all our thoughts and prayers to the family of Jennifer John right now. Jen, also known as Nettie, was very sadly killed in a car accident last Saturday. Nettie was truly one of our biggest fans and the thought of no longer seeing her in the front row of our gigs is a very difficult one to deal with at the moment. We shall miss her dreadfully.

For those of you who might want to share your thoughts and tributes to Nettie, please have a look at the thread at blocparty.net.

She is very much in our thoughts."

Just came across this play-list:
1. The Dixie Cups - Chapel Of Love (2:48)
2. Beatles - And I Love Her (2:30)
3. Bjork - All Is Full of Love (4:47)
4. Ralph Myerz - 02 - Nikita (4:57)
5. Portishead - Numb CDS - 03 - Revenge of The Number (3:22)
6. Royksopp - Melody AM - 02 - Eple (3:51)
7. Ian McCulloch & Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins) - Candleland (3:22)
8. Cocteau Twins - Winter Wonderland (2:49)
9. Stars - This Charming Man (2:43)
10. The Lightning Seeds - You Showed Me (4:07)
11. Thievery Corporation - Mirror Conspiracy - 04 - Lebanese Blonde (4:47)
12. Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored (4:51)
13. Wolfsheim - Künstliche Welten (City Philharmonic of Prague Edit) (4:28)
14. Spandau Ballet - True (6:07)
15. Nick Cave - I Am Sam Sountrack - Let It Be (3:30)
16. Human Drama - A Million Years (5:06)
17. Audio Bullys - Generation - 12 - Im In Love (2:54)
18. Pete Yorn - Musicforthemorningafter - 02 - Strange Condition (3:57)
19. The Jesus And Mary Chain - 01 - Darklands (5:29)
20. Cranes - Loved - 07 - Beautiful Friend (3:14)
21. The Smiths - Ask (3:12)
22. Peter Murphy - Unshattered - 02 - Kiss Myself (4:19)
23. The Damned - Alone Again Or (3:38)
24. Aberdeen - Homesick and Happy To Be Here - 01 - Handsome Drink (3:16)
25. Trash Can Sinatras - Cake - 05 - The Best Man's Fall (3:40)
26. The Las - There She Goes (2:42)
27. Echo and the Bunnymen - People are Strange (3:39)
28. The Damned - Phantasmagoria - 05 - Is it a dream (3:27)
29. Def Leppard - Hysteria (5:54)
30. Anything Box - Worth - Wedding Day (4:43)
31. Kie The Vez - Here is the House (DM Cover) (3:43)
32. Kate Bush - The Whole Story - 06 - Hounds Of Love (3:03)
33. Wolfsheim - Closer Still (Radio Edit) (3:27)
34. A Flock of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song (3:46)
35. The Sundays - 02 - Here's where the story ends (3:54)
36. Delays - Faded Seaside Glamour - 02 - Nearer Than Heaven (3:28)
37. Cocteau Twins - Frosty the Snowman (2:55)
38. The Cardigans - Lovefool (3:18)
39. Pete Yorn - Music for the Morning After - 11 - On Your Side (5:02)
40. The Motorcycle Boy - will you still love me tomorrow (3:20)
41. The Ocean Blue - Ballerina Out Of Control (3:55)

It's what I had DJ Narcolept play at my wedding. I guess #40 is answered because #27 is true. Now I just do #22 in #19 and listen to the music in this video:

Catching Up With my blog

I think the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs "It's Blitz!" is their finest material and I have come across a review that I can agree with. Read it here.

Spinner.com has a free .mp3 from Felix Da Housecat titled "We All Want To Be Prince." Not too bad for this cat. Get it here.

I'm enjoying a bunch of new synthpop courtesy of the steaming player available at A Different Drum. It's a fine selection of tracks, and a perfect background to catching up on my blog! Elegant Machinery's "Move" is the mix too! Listen here.


Oh... what else? I haven't blogged much because most of my info is coming off twitter these days. I don't want my blog to become a list of RT (retweets).

My podcast (Like Sugar 25) is still available on zshare (as well as iTunes and Odeo).

Ostrich: Sleepy Angels fan video

A fan has posted a video for the excellent synth song "Sleepy Angels" by Ostrich.

A Different Drum / Frozen Plasma

Thanks for placing your order with A Different Drum. We appreciate your
support of independent music!

This is a copy of the order that you placed. If you see anything wrong
with your order, please email sales@adifferentdrum.com and let us know.
If you selected payment by phone or if you have further questions, just
call 1-888-88-SYNTH (within the USA) or (435) 563-0409.

I just ordered the new Frozen Plasma CD "Monument". I have not pre-listened to it. I am going to trust that it's gonna be good, considering Felix Marc has not disappointed me with his solo album and earlier work with NamNamBulu (a band I played quite frequently in clubs).

I want to encourage anyone that orders physical cds to use A Different Drum. This label and on-line seller has been a major part of my music life and I want them to weather these hard economic times. I am dedicated to ADD... I even attended SynthCon in 2005! We flew to Salt Lake City, Utah for the event. I got to meet and chat with Michael of WaveInHead! We rode in a van to the airport with Somegirl.

If you have a love of synthpop and an interest in the life and business aspects of a label-owner, you can read a blog written by the owner of A Different Drum. It's here. I find it to be a well-written blog with personal and business insights that are truly interesting.

ps I am listening to Melody Club as I type this. Both Melody CDs I own were ordered from A Different Drum! What other label offers such tasteful electronic pop?

Excellent New Single from Arthur and Martha

The second single from Arthur and Martha.Video directed by Martin Ellerbeck and Nick Madeira. Taken from the single 'Music for Hairproducts EP' (Happy Robots Bot03. Available to download from iTunes or to limited CD single from www.happyrobots.co.uk. Taken from the debut album 'Navigation' (Bot4) available in all good record stores from July 2009.

I played their wonderful track "Autovia" on like my Like Sugar PopCast #10. I am happy to see another gem from them! Here is the video:

San Diego: Club Underworld is July 3!

San Diego: yeah, I know it's over a week away, but we need more people on the dance-floor, so the announcement is coming early. I danced quite a bit near one expert Goth dancer chick. Mostly, I just danced a combination of Robert Smith and Morrissey moves with the mirror. Anyway, this next club night will feature a great band: "AntiQuark". I love 'em live!
www.myspace.com/antiquark



If you are a band and you want us to play your music, contact me or this dude and we'll take a listen and get you some exposure if we dig your sound.

Bloc Party will release new single 'One More Chance'

My Bloc Party Newsletter says: Bloc Party will release a brand new single 'One More Chance' on the 10th of August on Wichita Recordings. The new track was recorded in April with Jacknife Lee and mixed with Phillipe Zdar. Dunno who they are, myself. This post makes me wish I had a cassette player. I want to listen to Bloc 57.
I think I'll leave the last letter off my name too! -Eri

I'm a believer
If you want lies I can tell them
If you want lies I got 'em
All the pennies in the Thames
Will not make it how it was

It's Stuck In My Head: Ringo Jones "Getaway"

Found a little gem on myspace. The track is "Getaway" and it's by San Diego locals "Ringo Jones". Always a sucker for girl-boy lyrics, but it's the warm, catchy guitar bit that can't get out of my head!
I really like the Old West Theme they have going. The lyrics to the songs reflect the Old West as well. Funny how I ignored this band because I thought they were country-western. How many times will I have look beneath the surface of my pre-judgement to discover something dear like this act?

Ringo Jones on myspace: www.myspace.com/theoutlawringojones

Peter Murphy is in town

...and the guilt is killing me. I can't stand to miss him. I love him. I am efforts to make the show tonight. We'll see. I have access to the promoter if tix are sold out! Oh, please come with me!

Just a video that makes no sense on my blog

Digging this Wale video with Lady Gaga: http://vimeo.com/5115676

Trashcan Sinatras Update

"In The Music", their fifth studio album, will be released in North America on July 14. The limited pre-order signed digipak has sold out.

The Trashcans will be on tour in the USA this summer and the tour
dates have just been announced:

july 16 san juan capistrano, ca - coach house
july 28 san diego, ca - casbah
july 29 los angeles, ca - troubadour
july 31 san francisco, ca - cafe du nord
aug 2 portland, or - aladdin theater
aug 3 seattle, wa - triple door
aug 5 salt lake city, ut - club vegas
aug 6 denver, co - larimer lounge
aug 9 chicago, il - schuba's
aug 10 milwaukee, wi - shank hall
aug 11 cleveland, oh - grog shop
aug 13 washington, dc - rock & roll hotel
aug 14 philadelphia, pa - tin angel
aug 15 new york, ny - bowery ballroom
aug 16 boston, ma - t.t. the bear's

Thanks to www.trashcansinatras.com

Arthur and Martha - Music For Hairproducts Single

As a huge fan of the the track "Autovia", I glad to see Arthur and Martha write: "Preceding the debut album, ‘Navigation’, is the new single ‘Music for Hairproducts’. Knowingly stupid, and archly clever; it’s an anthem for Head and Shoulders and hair-gel adverts worldwide. We defy you not to sing it’s infectious ‘sha-la-la’ chorus next time you’re foaming yourself in the shower."
Read more on the Arthur and Martha myspace blog here.

BT makes a return with single "Rose Of Jericho"

3 remixes to be released via beatport June 9th; another 3 remixes on June 23rd.
Press release:
June 9, 2009 - Three full years since the release of his critically acclaimed experimental album This Binary Universe, BT makes his highly anticipated return to dance-floors everywhere June 9. On Tuesday, BT unveils his brand new single, "The Rose Of Jericho," from his forthcoming full-length album due in fall. The composer, technologist and widely renowned pioneer of trance music will be rolling out three remixes of Jericho, exclusively on Beatport. Mixes include: BT's Dues ex Machina Album Mix, Sultan and Ned Shepard Remix and Robbie Rivera New Juicy Music Mix.

"It's been a long time since I've written music that I could feature in one of my Laptop Symphony sets. Not only is this track a floor-filling monster, it really features my current electronic music inspirations - minimal beats with big strong melodic and harmonic content. This track rips the A** off a dance floor. I've played it from Korea to Brazil, and it's the biggest track I've had to play out for years."

In other bleeding edge news, BT and his software company, Sonik Architects, are preparing to launch an innovative new iPhone application that is unlike anything else on the market. More news on this application to follow soon.

BT, born Brian Transeau, is much more than a DJ. By consistently balancing creative and memorable songwriting, sonic innovation and the latest technology for a cutting-edge yet organic sound, BT has become one of the most revolutionary artists and sought after producers on the scene. His multifaceted career ranges from scoring Pixar films, composing intricate scores with eighty-piece orchestras for films like The Fast and the Furious, remixing classics for Madonna, Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos and Seal, and crafting perfect pop hooks for *NSYNC.
,br> Fans can expect to hear more remixes of "The Rose of Jericho" on Beatport June 23 when BT releases three more remixes: Adam K and Soha, Virtual Vault and Robbie Rivera Juicy Miami After Hours Remixes. All six remixes can be found on iTunes and everywhere on June 30.

June 9th release:
1. Rose of Jericho (BT's Deus ex Machina Album Mix)
2. Rose of Jericho (Sultan & Ned Shepard Remix)
3. Rose of Jericho (Robbie Rivera New Juicy Music Mix)

June 23rd release:
1. Rose of Jericho (Adam K & Soha Remix)
2. Rose of Jericho (Virtual Vault Remix)
3. Rose of Jericho (Robbie Rivera Juicy Miami After Hours Remix)

More music from BT's new album to come!!

For more information, album requests or interview requests, please contact:

Lauren Daddis
Nettwerk Music Group
lauren@nettwerk.com

The Radio Dept. and a free .mp3

Johan, of Labrador Records writes "The Radio Department’s last year and a half has been a lot about delays and expectations. If I got a penny every time someone asked me “When is the new Radio Dept. album coming out?” I would have been a very rich man today. And to be honest I don’t know what they’ve been up to since they called me up in the fall of 2007, four hours before the scheduled mastering, to tell me the album wasn’t finished... but that’s ok. I’ve gradually come to understand that these things take time." Smiths reference? I'm spellbound, oh... but a woman divides. And the hills are alive with celibate cries. But you know where you came from, you know where. You're going and you know where you belong.
You said I was ill, and you were not wrong.

"The new single “David” contains everything that is good about music; like a mixtape of everything you ever liked, modernized and concentrated to 3 minutes and 35 seconds. A new world of sounds."
Download "David" for free here>>> David

Colory Theory announce release date for new album

John Lennon Songwriting Contest winner, Color Theory, announce a release date for new album. Read all about it at: http://colortheory.com/releasedate

Schiller offers club mix of Breathe

Christopher has posted this on myspace and I really like this version of the track:
There is a brand-new club-mix of 'Breathe', the anthem i recorded with swedish singer september.

we edited a new video for this uplifting version, and i am pleased to announce that you may watch it on our exclusive video-portal 'schiller-tv.com'.

enjoy this energetic version ;-) it will be released in several territories in the very nearest future, will keep you updated on this.

best wishes from berlin,
Christopher

Link: http://www.schillerserver.de/schiller_tv/index.php?id=breatheremix

Rename is seeking 15 "Song Sponsors"

Interesting marketing idea! From the Rename page:
For the price of $250, you can become a song sponsor and become a permanent part of the Rename album! Here are the details for the Song Sponsors. Each Song Sponsor will have one of the 15 songs NAMED after them, or named in honor of another person that you choose (though we can't use the full, legal name of any person other than the song sponsors themselves). That's right, you can choose to have the song named after yourself, or you can choose another special person in your life for whom the song will be specifically written. It could be a best friend, a lover, a spouse, a family member, or even a pet.

New Podcast - Like Sugar #24 out now

Like Sugar PopCast 24 is now live. It's a shorter one. Only 45 minutes, as opposed to the hour long one I do. This one is more rock than synth. I do have a new mix in the works in addition. It's all indiepop and every track is 3 minutes or less. It's all very twee.

Never you mind my E.E. Cummings spacing. The Internet Police have been watching me, so I must go underground!


Like Sugar PopCast 24 Track-list:
01 - W hite Lies - F arewell To The Fairground
02 - C omputerclub (RIP) - B eat Connection
03 - O nly Ones - A nother Girl, Another Planet
04 - P honenix - 1 901
05 - T he Rakes - 1 989
06 - B lacklist - F light Of The Demoiselles
07 - T he Legends - A lways The Same
08 - W ar Tapes - The N ight Unfolds
09 - J ames Yuill - No P ins Allowed
10 - S ally Shapiro - M iracle

Direct mp3 download: http://www.raincross-tech.com/~djt/Like Sugar - DJ Talbot - Popcast 24.mp3


Find me on the series of tubes we call the internet:
http://www.myspace.com/likesugar
http://twitter.com/djtalbot
http://www.facebook.com/people/Eric-Talbot/700576059


Can you copy and paste? If so, go wild below!

mevio: http://likesugar.mevio.com/
Odeo: http://odeo.com/channels/544823
iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=264378872

War Tapes: free mp3

I'm digging the sound of this band: War Tapes. Free mp3 here: http://www.sarathan.com/free/wartapesnightunfolds/WarTapes_NightUnfolds.mp3
New album came out Tuesday? Will have to look into this, cuz this sounds like She Wants Revenge meets every noisy 90's band I love! Thanks to Filter Mag, as always, for the heads up.

Blacklist - more NY post-punk

This act has some buzz and I'm impressed with the free mp3...read more about the band here.

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson

Yep, they are working together. I love everything Pete Yorn does and I expect him to pull this off nicely. I think the album is titled "Break Up". Listen to the single here.

Cross-posting a TBS post. And why not?

Because I LOVE Trembling Blue Stars, I post anything I can find related to this wonderful band. So, with-out knowing much about this cause, I am re-posting their post just because they are important in my life! Also, I saw Beth Orton mentioned, so this HAS to be a good effort. That makes it two Beths to follow! Beth Arzy and Beth Orton are important to my music life!

Bill Callahan, Ron Sexmith, Beth Orton and Marrisa Nadler are among the artists featured on the upcoming Crayon Angel: A Tribute to the Music of Judee Sill. Judee Sill was a Laurel Canyon-based folk artist who released two critically-acclaimed albums before dying of a drug overdose in 1979 at the age of 35. Sill, whose songwriting was influenced by Bach’s arranging, was the first artist signed to David Geffen’s Asylum label. Graham Nash produced her first single, “Jesus was a Cross Maker.” Sill’s albums were reissued by Arista in 2005.

Two songs on the album, Beth Orton’s “Reach for the Sky” and BIll Callahan’s “Like A Rainbow,” previously existed only as sheet music. The album is due September 22 from the American Dust label.

Here’s the track list:

Ron Sexsmith: “Crayon Angel”
Beth Orton: “Reach for the Sky”
Daniel Rossen: “Waterfall”
Frida Hyvönen: “Jesus Was a Cross Maker”
Shalants: “Lopin’ Along Thru the Cosmos”
Final Fantasy: “The Donor”
Nicolai Dunger: “Soldier of the Heart”
Trembling Blue Stars: “Lady-O”
Colossal Yes: “The Phoenix”
Marissa Nadler & Black Hole Infinity: “The Kiss”
Princeton: “Down Where the Valleys Are Low”
The Bye Bye Blackbirds: “There’s a Rugged Road”
Meg Baird: “When the Bridegroom Comes”
Bill Callahan: “For a Rainbow”
P.G. Six: “Til Dreams Come True”