So the track I seriously can't get out of my head this week is Sam Sparro's "Black & Gold." A mixture of disco beats, soul singing, and funk. Sparro is originally from Australia, but has called LA home since the ripe old age of ten. Though over the years he has bounced back and forth from London, Australia, and the US. He actually wrote the single "Black & Gold" when he was working at a coffee shop in LA! He is currently on a European tour, but if you are a fan of music like Daft Punk, Hot Chip, and Scissor Sisters then I really think you should check this dude out ... I seriously can't get his song out of my head!
So this last week I got myself a copy of the new Tokyo Police Club album entitled Elephant Shell. Now let me just say I've heard buzz about these guys for awhile but never got into their music, and didn't even have high expectations that this album was going to be any good. I enjoyed the first single called "Tessellate" but after I listened to the entire album beginning to end, I was actually surprised at how much I like it. The lead singer, David Monks, vocals remind me of really old death cab stuff I use to listen to in high school. And the overall sound is just catchy. My favorite track right now is "In A Cave" because I seriously dig the heavy bass line in it. Tokyo Police Club are going to be playing at the Hammer Museum in LA on July 24th.
So I figured I would let you in on a little LA secret - The Blood Arm. Don't let the name fool you, there is nothing sadistic or bloody about this band. Fancy piano key beats will have you tapping your toe from beginning to end. I'm particularly fond of the jam "Suspicious Character" and can't get it out of my head after I listen to it. But I wanted to share their latest video for their single "Do I Have Your Attention". Now go off and brag to all your friends that you know something they don't!
One band that has recently caught my attention is a band entitled Grizzly Bear. The boys are from Brooklyn, New York and manage to bring a very soft, relaxed, and borderline whininess to their music. I can't help but listen to their current single "Knife" over and over again. A love song intertwined with romantic lyrics and undertones of sadistic words on murder. I think if you enjoy bands like Belle & Sebastian, Beirut, and The Shins you will really enjoy Grizzly Bear. You can listen to their music here on their myspace.
The past few weeks I haven't been able to go a day without listening to a song by an extremely talented band entitled Beirut. With front man Zach Condon spending his life in Paris, and New York he is able to bring mixtures of different cultures to the groups music. I mean, how often do you see a band where the lead singer plays the french horn and their also happens to be an accordion player? His voice is on a completely other level and is so hypnotic-al and whimsical it can make you feel like you actually are in a foreign country when listening. Beirut is coming to Los Angeles in late May for two shows and I'm crossing my fingers that I come into some funds and get to see them live. You can check out a few songs they have up on their myspace here.
