Happy Year End

I have recorded a mix of my Top 20 of 2014 tracks. The one hour and fifteen minute mix can be downloaded for free as an mp3 here:

Amazon Cloud Drive - https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/w9PYfO_tjpXCcDldhNVX_iyPvLAt_oiJhaWcboFybYg

DropBox - https://www.dropbox.com/s/zxiwnnu6r0chfvi/DJ%20Talbot%20%20-%20Top%2020%20of%2020Fourteen.mp3?dl=0

Google Drive - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1uHIeNBTwbzeWQzWDBqeTI0dEk/view?usp=sharing

Like Sugar mp3 Updates Part 1

I am updating the links to my Like Sugar PopCasts (now on Google Drive; you can download the .mp3 or use a plug-in to stream the shows).

Like Sugar - PopCast 1

Like Sugar - PopCast 2

Like Sugar - PopCast 3

Like Sugar - PopCast 4

Like Sugar - PopCast 5 (January 2008)

Like Sugar - PopCast 6

Like Sugar - PopCast 7


Like Sugar - PopCast 8

Like Sugar - PopCast 9

Like Sugar - PopCast 10

Hear my indie / synthpop / post punk / dreampop / powerpop / ethereal selections on:

SoundCloud

Twitter   

Spotify

Facebook

MySpace

GeoCities 

NAMBLA

Email djtalbotlikesugar@gmail.com

 


 

Ramblin' Man

I moved again. I am now 3 miles more North and about a six minute walk to the beach. This is a short-term location and I will travel onward by the end of the year. It's kind of neat to live in Treasure Island (for the 10 year old in me).

As I keep saying, I post my music discoveries and recommendations on Twitter often. It's simply easier and reaches a larger audience on more devices. So, I am @djtalbot if you want to keep up with me. I check Soundcloud everyday... and a large percentage of my finds are via that service. I am also DJTalbot there.

I'm not sure of the fate of my podcasts. With so many playlists out there, it may be the end of podcasting for me. Maybe if I was not moving around so much, I'd put some together. It's fun to line up tracks and mix them to play in complimentary keys and beats per minute. Plain old playlists do not offer that!

Here's a romantic synthpop album from this Summer. With tracks titled "Graveyards Eyes" and "Your Love Is A Criminal", you know this is the kind of soaring, dark synthpop that wants you on the dance-floor all by yourself. Fans of And One, De/Vision, Felix Marc and Depeche Mode will find this a pleasant listen. Turn up the bass for a better experience.

The Legendary House Cats

Once in a while, something important is released. A work from the heart and soul of a musician. This is certainly one of them! John Girgus (ex-Aberdeen, Languis, Non Ultra Joy) should be on your radar. For indie-poppers, dreampoppers, and C-86 kids.(link here if not loading in your browser / I don't understand Blogger after 7+ years: http://thelegendaryhousecats.bandcamp.com/album/first-light-ep)

Friday Roundup

A few picks that I'm impressed with:

It's long, but songs used to be long / extended play in the 80's and this one is very 80's!


This band is new to me. Someone mentioned them on the indiepop mailing list. Yes, mailing lists still exist and that format is quite easy for cutting and pasting to check out suggestions!


I fell in love with this act right away. It's been some time since I found something new and had to immediately collect all their tracks. I am reminded of The Cure with a hint of Bright Eyes.

Ostrich Ballet

It's great to see that Stockholm's Ostrich is still creating classic synthpop. I played them on some of my very early Like Sugar Popcasts back when I found them on Myspace (which was a great place to hear new music).



Proud to see some old friends (I used to DJ with Brent) from San Diego will be opening up for Berlin's Ballet School. Sundrop Electric has a debut album and recent ep here.

Coming Home

Sometimes, you have to return home, where the comfort of familiar stirs emotion you thought you were over. Call it what you will, this Coldwave set pairs the post-punk sounds of the past with today's modern electronics. Enjoy DJ Narcolept's one-hour mixtape, free via Soundcloud.

I Will Dearly Miss A Different Drum

A Different Drum closes doors. Read the announcement here.
I am still here, as irrelevant as Like Sugar may be. I post my music finds on Twitter at @djtalbot.
I am saddened by the end of ADD. I certainly count the label as a major influence on my music collection. I even flew to Salt Lake City, Utah to attend the label's convention. Todd always mailed an extra promo cd or two with all of my orders. I never asked, he just did it and I was so thankful. I wish Todd Durant the best of luck in future ventures!

A Wildly Good Playlist

I think the blog format is becoming obsolete. It's easier to reach music fans via Twitter (and then posting playlist links). If you want to keep up with very new finds, please keep up with this growing playlist:

Like Sugar Music Podcast 41 is up!

New music podcast is up on SoundCloud (for now) at: https://soundcloud.com/djtalbot/like-sugar-podcast-41

Mid Week Update

Wow, this is rather good. Helios has loads of material out there and this is the best I have heard in a while. I like his unique voice, as it's not your standard male-diva sound. It's a free download too!


More synth satisfaction. These mixes bring me back to the 80's and somehow feel modern. I am sharing this all over the place:


Delighted, myself, to hear Lamb will be releasing a 6th album:

Synthpop for your Saturday and more

Not not exactly synthpop, this is worth a listen. I think Twin Shadow should get more attention. The music is that good, even live.



 New one from Only You:


A new-to-me act from Indiana:


How lovely is this? From a free comp!


There was a time when I listened to this kind of music way too much. Early 90's was a great era for me.


Here's a newer one that captures the classic Gothic sound:


Of course, by now, my readers are aware of the new Peter Murphy release "Lion". I am rather pleased with this release.

Synthpop for your Saturday

Junica continue to produce synthpop that is a cut above.


Not precisely synthpop, but has enough elements to make it a worthy post today. On any day, it's a nice mid-tempo song that feels right any time of day. It's all about the strings on this one.

Still Riding The Synth Wave

Excellent dark synthpop from Mac (one half of BIOnighT, an Italian "Berlin School" duo that split in 2011). Link is here, as Bandcamp embedding isn't showing for me. Trust me, this is what makes synthpop so appealing. It's dance-able, it's emotional.


How great is this old Dutch track? I read that Minny Pop's second album is out on double vinyl. I need to get more from them.

Synthpop for your Saturday

I am continuing my series of synth-driven songs on Saturdays. First up is this mid-tempo stabby one from Lust For Youth on Sacred Bones Records.



This one is rather accessible, mixing classic elements with modern vocal stylings.

Synth From Sweden

Melodies In Mono offer up some satisfying free synthpop tracks via Soundcloud:




This is the sort of sound I like. It's less polished than most modern synthpop and has an interesting vocalist.

A Well Balanced Music Post

Five-song mini-album from Röyksopp & Robyn streaming now at NPR.

Thank-you, It's A Trap: the new Teddybears track is epic!



Some jangle because I felt like it:


Finally, some "psych" (a term I really don't use):

Going Nowhere

 It's really hard to update this blog when the Internet connection is about 12kbit/s. I cannot really stream anything, so I can't listen to new tunes. I am too broke to establish a connection ($90) here, so I am using my phone (1.5 GB per month... and I use that in a day). So, I do apologize. It's a been a creeping-lava-like progression for me. I did lose my job (despised it!) and found another the same day. But, the background check takes a week. I can say that where I live is nothing short of paradise. It's clean, safe, sunny, and friendly. Great views everywhere I go. I think I could have a future here, but that will require continued sacrifice (ie, going without American life-style luxuries).

 Snowy Norway's Apoptygma Berzerk has this announcement: "Those of you held on to their cassette decks over the past years are finally rewarded with new food for their players: "7" is being re-released on cassette, including no less than 13 bonus tracks, and coming in 7 (!) different colors to choose from. The edition is strictly limited to 200 units." You can order your copy here.

 Don't forget that Apop has covered Major Tom (Coming Home). 

 Chicago's In On It shared these delicate tracks with me. I really like the darker sound-bank used here. Another example of the varied forms of Synthpop. 

Stay with me. More updates when the dust settles. More frequent thoughts on Twitter: @djtalbot 

Still Here

Music fans: you can find my picks on Twitter at @djtalbot
That is where I am for now, as I re-establish my life. Be sure to check into Hits In The Car and @hearshadowmusic for tunes that are very much in our taste. I have loads to share and I appreciate all the support. PopCasts will be returning. Cheers!

April Showers

The Soundcloud tracks I post are in HTML 5 to allow Android and iOS mobile users to stream. For some reason, the option to embed via Soundcloud classic is not allowing me to copy the code. So, for now, the colors and size may be off. If anyone has trouble, please let me know.

This is pretty representative of the sound I strive to play and share. Found it via @itsatrap (who sent me here). Whoa! That player is huge, man!


This one is from The InBox... and it's a moody piece. Some classic synth sounds really set the tone. Thanks to these two Portuguese musicians now based in D.C.


Fanfarlo have a new video for their pleasant "Cell Song" off of the recent "Let's Go Extinct".


These guys are all about a good time. Uplifting, playful and aimed at the dancefloor, Kashe is an act I will be tuned into.

The Blog Continues

I am still here. Well, I am in a different place now, but still here, on your screen. I have finally acquired a place of my own in Saint Pete Beach, Florida. I am connected via my phone for now. 60 Mbps connection is coming in a few weeks. I won't be posting much until then. One thing I have lost is time. I am now a regular old employee at a jay oh bee. Haven't punched a timeclock since 1999!
I may be more active on Twitter (@djtalbot) for now, passing along links to great music. For today:

Scottish trio The Twilight Sad are reissuing their exhilarating debut album ‘Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters’ for Record Store Day on 19 April 2014.

I am excited for my friends in The Luxembourg Signal. The first single "Distant Drive" b/w "Wishing Pool" is coming April 29th on limited edition vinyl and digital formats.

The Luxembourg Signal, while being a brand new project, features members who have been playing together for years as part of the much adored Aberdeen (Sarah Records)(!!!!) Several years, several bands -- including most recently Fonda and Trembling Blue Stars -- and a few reunions later, Johnny Joyner, Beth Arzy and Brian Espinosa started The Luxembourg Signal with Betsy Moyer and Ginny Pitchford. They have created a spacier, noisier, and more mature sound that occasionally harkens back to their early 90s roots. Piecing together almost ten years of ideas and nabbing any recording time possible with Beth when visiting Los Angeles from the UK, their debut is finally here. Six minutes and 25 seconds of pure-pop bliss that is the perfect teaser to their upcoming full length coming in late summer 2014 on Shelflife.
The band also managed to take some time off recording to perform live supporting Shelflife labelmates The Ocean Blue in Los Angeles.

Listen at Soundcloud.

New Track by The Mary Onettes

Hot on the heels of a US / Canada tour-dates announcement, Sweden's The Mary Onettes offer a new track from their upcoming mini-album:


North American Tour:
March 3 – Under The Snow Festival, Montreal, CA
March 5 – Boston @ Great Scott
March 6 – Philadelphia @ Johnny Brenda’s
March 7 – Brooklyn @ Glasslands
March 8 – Savannah @ Savannah Stopover
March 9 – TBD
March 10 – 16 – SXSW
March 17 – Tuscon @ TBD
March 18 – San Diego @ Soda Bar
March 21 – San Francisco @ Neck of The Woods

Turn It Down!

I have been asked to turn it down four times since I moved into my current hovel. That is not a good sign. I can honestly say I had to turn the volume dial a few millimeters...to reduce the noise. Upstairs occupants are not tolerating any sound at 7 p.m. Because I am a guest here, I must comply. I am searching out the best place to live... one that has no shared floors or walls.


This is what Keane would sound like if they formed a super-group with The Killers:


What? Another HUSH! track:


This is from my Inbox and I am rather happy that I checked it today. Instantly catchy:

Astari Nite: A Collage of New Wave, Darkwave, and Indie Sounds

Astari Nite present their full-length album “Stereo Waltz”, which is currently available for a “name your price” download here. A collage of New Wave, Darkwave, and Indie sounds, this act has my ear! A solid effort that charges right out of the gate. Just enough electronics to keep a place on the dancefloor and your iPod.

It's Monday, So Let Me Brighten It

This synth-driven gem should add some light to your day:


Or, how about something from Down Under? It's Summertime there, so this catchy indie track should help with Monday blues:


Found this via It's A Trap (on Twitter):


I love their track "Book Of Advice"! I think it's the strings and similarity to Shout Out Louds. If nothing is showing above, I will fix it later. It's a holiday here, after all.

Synthpop For Your Saturday

Feeling under the weather today, so this Saturday post arrives late. After living and working alone for 13 years (except for a few months), I think I have no immunity to colds. I am in the Sunshine State now, and it's really rather cold. Also, I am living on a sofa and around people more. Hence, the 2nd illness since November for me. Puked yesterday (and sober too! It must be noted). Insomnia struck me last night.

To kick off the new year, Stripmall Architecture offer a new track today. Their version of GusGus' "Blue Mug" is available as a free download right now...
Rebecca and Ryan wrote "We first heard this song when GusGus released their demo version on a compilation. When they released their final version, they had taken the song in a completely different direction. We've always loved both versions, but, for our take on it, we tried to imagine what the final version might have sounded like if we, a totally different pair of  from a very different background, had written that demo. What would our final version have sounded like?"


Deezer is offering an exclusive stream of the 'Amalfi Remix EP', including 4 unique remakes of the Hooverphonic hit single by Hermanos Inglesos, Jetlag, WAP and Milldyke. The remix bundle is released worldwide on January 17th, but you can already hear it on Deezer today UNLESS you are in America, Deezer. Dumb name.


Read-up on Gary Numan in this new article over at Filter Magazine. Interesting interview. Find out what is the best song he ever wrote and more.

I heard from Moto Boy: "First single from my new album! Yes! Finally! It took me four years. Thanks for waiting. Someday is the first single to be taken from the forthcoming album. It's an anthemic lullaby in the spirit of fuck all and follow your heart. My third album, “Keep Your Darkness Secret,” will be out on March 26th, 2014."
My obsession with Swedish acts continues, and you can hear why. This is Top Ten of 2014 material for me!

Bleeding Rainbow and Eternal Summers Have New Albums Coming Soon

"Gouge" is the first single from the upcoming (March 4, 2014) album The Drop Beneath by Eternal Summers. Kanine Records comments: "It features the band taking a darker, slightly shoegazier turn.” Pre-order here.


Also on Kanine Records, Philadelphia rockers Bleeding Rainbow "expanded from a duo to a quartet for their sophomore LP Yeah Right, expanding their sound as well to include some of the brighter sounds from 1990s UK shoegaze. On February 25, Kanine will release Bleeding Rainbow’s third album, Interrupt; “So You Know” finds the band continuing down the path they blazed with their last one, cleaning up their sound just a smidge."

Mid-Week Update

Just a few selections for you. I am still not settled-in here in Florida. One day I hate it here, and the next I feel mildly apathetic. At least I can relax a little, now that I have a temporary living situation. I have always said that looking for a job is the hardest job.

New from Labrador!


Brilliant indiepop from Spain's Lost Tapes:


A lovely synthappy remix of Alpaca Sports' "Telephone":


Stripmall Architecture always satisfies. This is one has a slower tempo, and is a fantastic chill out track:

Synthpop For Your Saturday

Brand-new electro-pop for 2014 from New Arcades (goodness from and free)!

New Arcades Facebook page.

This one was posted over at Hits In The Car, but it's so good I had to re-post it (thanks M.S.).



Instrumental goodness from France.

A New Year

A few I have been streaming these past few weeks via Soundcloud:

Female vocals, dreamy electronics. Reminds me of Venus Hum.



Mellow male vocals and nice drum machine beats.


Indiepop continues to hold my interest. Can I just call this one "fun"?


2013 was not the best year for Like Sugar. I don't think I published more than one or two podcasts. Moving 2,466 miles and  into some serious drama was not helpful for the blog. The shut-down of Turntable.fm in the middle of my move nearly paralyzed my inflow of new music discoveries. At the time of this post, I still have no permanent abode, but I do have a laptop and access to the Internet just about anywhere via this jetpack.
 

One more before I go, some "froth rock" from Austrailia: