Song of the Day

Archive for the ‘New Wave’ Category

The new wave group, Kids of 88, was formed in 2004. Group members Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy, grew up listening to styles of music different from that of your average teenager. In time, they developed a new wave sound, by taking past ideas from pop music and putting a new twist on them. Their music can be described as a combination of “sleazy basslines”, “mind-numbingly catchy hooks” and “suggestive innuendos.” Their intertwining of quirky lyrics and musical elements, make them a force to be reckoned with in pop music. Based out of New Zealand, Kids of 88 built off their local success and soon began to spread throughout the United States. It was in the U.S. that Kids of 88 landed a remix for superstar Ke$ha’s single “Tik Tok.” Soon after, pop group Cobra Starship also requested Kids of 88 remix their song, “Hot Mess.”

This single “Just A Little Bit”, debuted at #13 on the New Zealand chart, when their album “Sugarpills” was released on August 16, 2010. In addition to their success with “Just A Little Bit”, Kids Of 88 were chosen to support Ke$ha on her December 2010 European tour which hit the following markets: Zurich, Paris, Brussels, Barcelona and Madrid. A Kids of 88 tour in the U.S. is also in the works for 2011.

I wasn’t sure if I should feature this song or their track Sugarpills but this one has just the right kind of provocative beat that gets my feet moving. I also am a fan of GoldFrapp and this song undulates with the titillating sex pump that’s in songs like Strict Machine and Train but with more punch and violence. Their music video doesn’t fail to convey the message either. Also check out Sugarpills with a Sinead O’Connor sample mixed in with good effect.

Also check out the official Kids of 88 website.

I wonder if the historical slate of band names was whipped clean would indie bands like this one out of Brooklyn still choose the names that they do? I guess every band has a different reason for picking their name aside from trying to sound cool, but it just makes me wonder. After watching this music video for some reason I feel like I’ve could toss my brain into one of those side loading laundry machines for a few cycles and I wouldn’t know anything strange happened. There’s something emotionally strong about this song but like most of the objects in the music video, all the sounds seem to be slowly destroyed like dragging something behind a car while it slowly grinds away.

The masks remind me of a bunch of other music videos. Is there some kind of psychological trend or message here that I’m missing here? Anyone, anyone, … …. Bueler, Bueler?

“Get your Filthy Dukes off me!”, she cried before screaming and dashing out of the dark pulsing London nightclub. Funny scene huh, happens ALL THE TIME!

What’s with all the electronic music on the Song of the Day blog? This doesn’t sound like indie music, it’s like I’m in a Nintendo game from the 80′s or something? Which makes me wonder, did they have Nintendo in England in 1985 too? The guys from Filthy Dukes probably did, damn dirty remixers.

Delorean, not to be confused with Dolorean, or a rapper, or a car.

Update: 4/11 Just talked to the band Dream Thieves today on a flight on their way back to Iowa City from Coachella 2011 and they mentioned Delorean was on the list of amazing bands playing at the festival. Said they really enjoyed Delorean along with the rest of the showing. Perhaps Dream Thieves will be there next year? Dream Thieves sounds much like a mix between Phantogram and Crystal Castles. Very good tunes.

Ratatat is a Brooklyn based duo that produces some good tunes that are easily recognizable but diverse in their minimal synthesized melodies and progressions. Their music can replicate tonal landscapes that are reminiscent of bands like Radiohead, The Strokes, Crystal Castles but also vary into different musical themes that employ melodies riffs and sounds from all sorts of musical genres from hip-hop, to R&B, to New Wave and Rock. It’s hard to find any bad songs by this band. Here’s a bunch of other great songs with music videos on YouTube that I found by them that are really worth listening to. You have to hear them to get a taste for what this band can do. Be careful not to play them all at once.

This video is crazy, but hey, that’s art. I love this song. Couldn’t embed it from YouTube, but some other sites had it. The sound quality is probably best on the YouTube page. You must stick up for yourself son, never mind what anybody else does. This line is anthem worthy.

San Francisco based artist Scott Hansen shows his best work here. This music has creates such a rich multi-layered experience that it’s hard imagine any possible way this song could be better other than making it longer. This indie techno music track is a refreshing journey into sound that I wish more people had the opportunity to experience. I don’t understand why popular radio stations avoid playing this music and think that they are doing us some sort of benefit by trying to play only those artists that have the largest mass appeal. And yet, anytime you go to a spa or get a professional massage you’ll find the rooms often playing music like this because it IS APPEALING to most people especially when they want to relax.

I just hope Tycho keeps up the good work and gets more of his music out and into our ears. Be sure to visit the official Tycho Music website to learn more about this talented electronic music artist.

Recommended today by a friend of the band. Ishi is from Dallas Texas I believe. Good song, nice band. Here’s a little push. I also really like the other “Unofficial” music video that’s up for this song on YouTube. Take a look at Pastel Lights on Roller Blades.

After hearing the song, the name of the band, Washed Out, and the name of the song make perfect sense, the ethereal song by this band seem to wash up and all around us like soft waves which we can swim in, and as you watch the music video you can feel yourself floating in the water, soaking it in, and letting the slow steady movement of the waves take over.

Just found this and wanted to post it. Please excuse my super brief post writing. I’ve just been working so much, and I don’t get paid for this. hahahahaha. But if you appreciate it, please let me know, I just love encouragement and support. If you have any Song of the Day recommendations, like indie bands or just your favorite songs or artists, or just want to tell me about something, please share. LOL