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Friday, June 29, 2007

ART BRUT - "It's A Bit Complicated"


Everyone's freaking out about the new ART BRUT album "It's A Bit Complicated", which was just released on Downtown Recordings. The Brit band's first LP "Bang Bang Rock and Roll" was a highlight back in 2005 and the new follow-up should prove the same for 2007. The new single 'Direct Hit' is everywhere right now. Check out the track and its accompanying video below.

STREAM - Art Brut - Direct Hit
STREAM - Art Brut - Post Soothing Out

Art Brut - 'Direct Hit' (music video)


More links...

Art Brut on myspace

Art Brut - "It's A Bit Complicated"
Tracklist:

1) Pump Up The Volume
2) Direct hit
3) St Pauli
4) People In Love
5) Late Sunday Evening
6) I Will Survive
7) Post Soothing Out
8) Blame It On The Trains
9) Sound Of Summer
10) Nag Nag Nag Nag
11) Jealous Guy

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Studio B In Brief - KLAXONS, CSS, M.I.A., SHOUT OUT OUT OUT OUT, DIRTY ON PURPOSE, CHROMEO, KID SISTER, FLOSTRADAMUS


KLAXONS have a new live ep available for download at URGE. The four live tracks ('Gravity's Rainbow', 'Golden Skans', 'Atlantis to Interzone', and 'Magick') were recorded at the Klaxons April gig in Brooklyn at Studio B.

Both CSS and M.I.A. have both announced summer dates at Studio B. M.I.A. will be bustin' out tracks from the new album "Kala" on July 25, just days after she plays the Siren Festival at Coney Island. And CSS will be sharing the Studio B stage with SHOUT OUT OUT OUT OUT and DIRTY ON PURPOSE on August 3.

Also, don't forget this amazing show - CHROMEO, KID SISTER, FLOSTRADAMUS - coming up on July 6!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

UNKLE - 'Burn My Shadow'


As previously reported UNKLE are set to release its third album "War Stories" on July 24. Subtitled 'A Collection of Desert Songs', the new album marks a fairly huge departure for James LaVelle, the mastermind behind UNKLE, as a majority of the tracks are performed live with real instruments, differing from the previous two mostly electronic albums. It seems fairly obvious that LaVelle was inspired by the DESERT SESSIONS series, a collection of cd's each recorded in the California desert by QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE lead singer Josh Homme, who silimarly has a large role in "War Stories". Check out Homme and QOTSA producer Chris Goss recording the new album in this UNKLE - Video Podcast (behind the scenes).

The first single 'Burn My Shadow' featuring Ian Astbury of THE CULT is now available to stream below.

UNKLE - Burn My Shadow

More info at unkle.com and here

Friday, June 22, 2007

SAVATH & SAVALAS - "Golden Pollen"


Guillermo Scott Herren is a man of many musical styles, moods, and monikers. Most widely known as the man behind PREFUSE 73 and the excellent 2003 album "One Word Extinguisher", Herren now returns with the 3rd LP from SAVATH & SAVALAS titled "Golden Pollen".

Herren originally started out as a DJ in Atlanta, but is now based in Barcelona...and listening to a Savath & Savalas album makes you sort of feel like you've been swept off to an Almodovar-colored bungalow on an unpopulated hillside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea from the Spanish coast...no stress or troubles in sight, just endlessly easy beauty. At least that's what a Savath & Savalas experience does for me. Try it out for yourself (imagination required for full effect).

STREAM - Savath & Savalas - Various Tracks

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Attention LA - BRMC 'Berlin' video shoot


I guess we now know what the next single from BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE's latest album "Baby 81" will be.

New YEAH YEAH YEAHS ep "Is Is"


The new 5-track YEAH YEAH YEAHS ep, titled "Is Is", will be released on July 23. A video has surfaced for the track 'Down Boy', which consists of footage from the now infamous free double show at Glasslands Gallery in Williamsburg. From what I've heard from the new ep so far, it seems "Is Is" takes Karen O and the YYYs back into a more raw state, recalling the original "Master" ep that started it all back in 2001.

"Is Is" tracklist:

01 Rockers to Swallow
02 Down Boy
03 Kiss Kiss
04 Isis
05 10x10

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - 'Down Boy' (music video)

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

ROBYN - 'With Every Heartbeat'

I heart ROBYN!

Robyn - 'With Every Heartbeat' (music video)


Robyn - 'Konichiwa Bitches' (music video)


P.S. Posts in which I actually have something to say will resume shortly.

DJ PALEBOY (theskyreport) Tomorrow Night


DJ PALEBOY (of The Sky Report) will be playing all the latest electro/dance-punk/guilty pleasures once again tomorrow night at Capone's, starting at about midnight, with Professional Amatuer's MERKIN MUFFLEY kicking things off at 10ish.

Stay tuned for new DJ Paleboy dates at venues in Tribeca and Williamsburg in July...

Monday, June 18, 2007

THE GO! TEAM - 'Grip Like A Vice' (video)

swgfs

Add to My Profile | More Videos

CLOETTA PARIS


CLOETTA PARIS is another new discovery from Sweden that I first heard about over at Big Stereo. They are a soft-electro duo, who bring to mind the sound of last year's electro darling SALLY SHAPIRO. If you liked that album you will love the three tracks currently streaming on the duo's myspace page, including a cover of the 80's John Parr classic 'St. Elmo's Fire'! Wow.

It has been rumored that Sally Shapiro's producer Johan Agebjorn had some involvement in these Cloetta Paris songs, but I can't seem to find a solid reference to this. Anyone have some insight?

Check out Cloetta Paris below:

STREAM (and Download) - Coletta Paris - I Miss You Someone/St. Elmo's Fire/Broken Heart Tango

ZACH CONDON - 'Venice'

A new song has surfaced from ZACH CONDON, the forefront of theskyreport favorite BEIRUT. And solo, it's more of an electro affair. But all glory is not lost, as horns (a signature Beirut sound) deliver a profound punch on the second half of this track.

The song, a gorgeous electro refrain titled 'Venice', appears on a new compilation for The Believer (Magazine), compiled by Pitchfork Media's Brandon Stosuy. The collection also features rare tracks from GRIZZLY BEAR, DEERHUNTER, OF MONTREAL, YACHT, THE BLOW, THE TWILIGHT SAD, SUFJAN STEVENS, EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY and I'M FROM BARCELONA.

Read more on Zach Condon in earlier posts on I Guess I'm Floating and Nialler9.

In other Zach Condon news, he recently joined Ed Droste and GRIZZLY BEAR onstage at the recent Primavera Sound Festival in Spain. I would have died to be there.

DOWNLOAD - Zach Condon - Venice (mp3)

Friday, June 15, 2007

TAKEN BY TREES - New Victoria Bergsman project



VICTORIA BERGSMAN may not yet be a household name, but surely her voice is. Whether it be from her appearance on PETER BJORN AND JOHN's indie anthem 'Young Folks', or maybe from back when her former project THE CONCRETES loaned their song 'Say Something New' to a heavily aired Target commercial, most people, albeit subliminally, have heard Victoria's beautifully sad voice.

And now, Bergsman has a new project, TAKEN BY TREES and will be releasing the new album "Open Field" on June 18 via Rough Trade Records. The first single, 'Lost and Found' is a lovely little slice of bittersweet melancholy, perfectly showcasing that unmistakable voice of Bergsman.

Pitchfork has the picturesque video that makes me wanna go get lost in paradise somewhere, or you can stream a few songs at the Taken By Trees myspace page.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

ROISIN MURPHY - 'Overpowered'


Irish electro chanteuse ROISIN MURPHY returns this summer with the brand new album "Overpowered", her follow-up to the 2005 solo debut "Ruby Blue". The title track serves as the first single, which also comes accompanied with a strange video of Murphy finishing a show, then taking the bus home in an over-the-top, atrocious checkered dress that gives one the feeling Roisin is poking fun at fellow art-electro-chick Alison Goldfrapp. It's hard not to draw the GOLDFRAPP comparisons, but remember, Roisin's originally the singer for MOLOKO, an electronic act that made a splash back in 1995, a good few years prior to Goldfrapp. Then again, Alison Goldfrapp appeared on ORBITAL's 'Are We Here?' in 1994.

These comparisons are all in good fun, as both are uniquely captivating and deserving of your attention.

STREAM - Roisin Murphy - Overpowered

VIDEO - Roisin Murphy - Overpowered

ELECTRIC CAMELTOE - June 28th At Capone's!


DJ's MERKIN MUFFLEY and the self-proclaimed Mayor of Bushwick JRK PARTY are on hand for another crazy night at Capone's in Williamsburg for a special 'Ride From Pride' edition of ELECTRIC CAMELTOE. The night will also feature a special live performance by BASIC BLACK & THE OFF WHITES.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

I'M FROM BARCELONA


I'M FROM BARCELONA hail from Sweden and have a new single called 'We're From Barcelona'.

Got that? Good.

Cause they're really great no matter where they're from or wherever they sing about being from. To further complicate matters, the band consists of a mind-boggling 29 members, ala THE POLYPHONIC SPREE.

This mob-scene of a band will be joining BLONDE REDHEAD for one of many McCarren Pool Parties at McCarren Park in Brooklyn on August 5. I'm so there!

The debut album "Let Me Introduce My Friends" was released back in April on Dolores Records. A new recording titled 'Britney' (presumably about Ms. Spears) just surfaced on the band's myspace page (thank you missingtoof.com for that).

Stream - I'm From Barcelona - 'Britney' (and others)

M.I.A. - 'Boyz'


Despite reading this disappointed fan's opinion, I think M.I.A.'s brand new video/single 'Boyz' is the hottest shit I've heard in a while. There's something so smooth and easy about this track it simply demands that you start shakin' it.

"Kala", the follow-up to 2005's "Arular" officially drops on August 21 and features production by such novelties as TIMBALAND, DIPLO and my new personal fave SWITCH. The tracklist will also include the previously leaked tracks 'Bird Flu' and 'XR2'.

M.I.A. - 'Boyz' (music video)

Monday, June 11, 2007

ROBYN - 'Konichiwa Bitches'


The new ROBYN album has really been grabbing my attention lately. First when the forthcoming single 'With Every Heartbeat' hit blogland a few weeks ago. Then I checked out her myspace page and streamed the kickin' first single 'Konichiwa Bitches' and the impressive cover of TEDDYBEARS' 'Cobrastyle'. Wow! This Swedish pop princess has come a long way from her mid-90's two-hit punch on the U.S. charts.

But, like many great releases, the self-titled comeback album has been out in the UK for over a year now, with no street date set for the U.S. Recently the album was re-released in deluxe form (again, only in Europe).

Wake up America (or at least the record labels)! It's time for some ROBYN!

DOWNLOAD Robyn - Konichiwa Bitches (mp3)

Friday, June 08, 2007

THE FUCKING CHAMPS @ Studio B, Brooklyn


Here's a little photo pictorial of THE FUCKING CHAMPS show at Studio B in Brooklyn Tuesday Night. We got too embroiled (if you know what I mean) for a formal interview. But I can say this...they were extremely unhappy with Studio B, and found that their show at The Mercury Lounge the night before went far better. Despite Studio B's ill behaviour, it was a great show! I hung out with Mandy Taylor, lead singer of THE VATICANS the whole night. Let me tell you, Kellogg's Diner never tasted so good than in the company of The Fucking Champs and The Vaticans...shit!












All photos by Scot Bowman ©2007

Thursday, June 07, 2007

MR. OIZO to Make American debut at Studio B


This should be an amazing night at the Studio. The following is the press release I received:

FIXED

THIS SATURDAY JUNE 9TH, 2007

@ STUDIO B
259 BANKER ST. (BET. CALYER AND MESEROLE)
WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN

10pm-4am

WITH VERY SPECIAL GUEST DJ:

MR. OIZO(FRANCE)
(FCOMM, Ed Banger)
MR. OIZO (myspace)

YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT...MR. OIZO!!!
THIS WILL BE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN AMERICA!!!
MR. OIZO IS THE GENIUS BEHIND CLASSIC PARTY TRAIN ANTHEMS SUCH AS "FLATBEAT", "HALFANEDIT" AND "STUNT". HIS REMIX OF UFFIE'S "READY TO UFF" WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRACKS OF 2006 AND HIS UPCOMING RELEASES.."PATRICK122" AND "TRANSEXUAL" ON ED BANGER ARE BOUND TO BE TWO OF THE BIGGEST RELEASES OF 2007!!!
YOU KNOW HIS TRACKS, YOU KNOW HOW THEY MAKE YOU FEEL....NOW, FREAKOUT TO THEM LIKE CRAZY PEOPLE!!!
THIS WILL SURELY BE A RAGER NYC!!!

&

IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH...WE HAVE VERY SPECIAL LIVE GUESTS:

IN FLAGRANTI feat G. RIZO(Brooklyn, NY)
IN FLAGRANTI (myspace)

IN FLAGRANTI'S DEBUT FULL LENGTH "WRONGER THAN ANYONE ELSE" WAS ONE OF THE BEST FULL LENGTH DANCE RECORDS OF LAST YEAR AND TRACKS LIKE "GENITAL BLUE ROOM", "IT'S ALL RUBBISH", "BUSINESS ACUMEN", AND "JUST GAZING" HAVE BEEN ILLUMINATING YOUR NIGHT LIFE AND THE FIXED DANCE FLOOR FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS. EXPERIENCE THEM LIVE ON SATURDAY JUNE 9TH @ FIXED!!!
YES PLEASE!!!

ALONG WITH RESIDENTS:
JDH
&
DAVE P

Illuminating the dancefloor with nitemusic!!!

$10.00 in advance/$12.00 at the door

Advance tickets avaiable at:
Other Music 15 E. 4th St. NYC
&
Or online

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Interview with LUIZA SA of CSS


Interview by Scot Bowman for The Sky Report

Firstly, it should be noted that CSS are #1 on my all-time LastFM chart. It should also be said that this chart only reflects the last year and only songs played within my computer (not including my iPod or DJ sets). Nonetheless, I'm pretty crazy about CSS.

Luiza Sa, guitarist for Brazilian pop-electro-rock sensation CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy), recently dropped by The Sky Report on a sweltering post-Memorial Day evening in Brooklyn. We drank lots of sweet white wine, enjoyed a delicious Pumpkin Dumpling dinner (courtesy of the lovely Rachel Rosen) and she let me freely interview her for well over an hour. Among the many things I learned from Luiza, some highlights include:

-CSS are not and have not ever been involved in the baile funk scene, despite Pitchfork Media’s proclamation of such a fact.

-The next single from the debut album will be ‘Music is My Hot, Hot Sex’.

-The follow-up album will be recorded early next year and should hit shelves by June 2008.

-CSS turned down opening slots from such heavy hitters as BJORK, KYLIE MINOGUE, PEACHES and SCISSOR SISTERS due to scheduling conflicts, but will in fact be opening for GWEN STEFANI in Europe come September.

-COURTNEY LOVE really did storm the CSS trailer backstage at Coachella.

-LOVEFOXXX is indeed very much in love with Simon Taylor of KLAXONS


Here is part one of the Luiza Sa interview:

THE SKY REPORT: I saw you at the Mezzanine (San Francisco) almost a year ago with Bonde do Role and Diplo. How did you and Bonde do Role originally meet each other?

LUIZA: Okay, so we’re about to tour and we have this manager, Eduardo. He saw us, like the third show we did in Sao Paulo and he wanted to sign us. And at that time we were like, “We don’t need a label. Fuck this.” He used to work for this label that releases all Matador (Records), Domino, Warp, Sub-Pop. All these cool things. He’s the one that brings that to Brazil. And later he was pushy and he got us onto the label. At the same time he was working with Bonde (do Role) and he met Diplo while he was in Brazil. Diplo came to one of our shows. We already knew M.I.A. At the time we didn’t know if it was a good idea, because people are going to go to this ethnic baile funk show and we’re not that!

TSR: But you got labeled in America as being a part of baile funk.

LUIZA: You (The Sky Report) do your research, but journalists, they think they know it all. We have nothing to do with baile funk. Baile funk is something from another city. We never experienced that. We like baile funk. We think it’s cool. We like the philosophy. But it’s not in Sao Paulo.

TSR: Is it only in America that you got labeled as that?

LUIZA: Mainly. Really reliable people like Pitchfork (Media) saying “Oh, this band is baile funk!” Like what the fuck are you talking about? We’re so obviously not baile funk. And it’s like “I know Brazil”. No you don’t.


TSR: So, I wanted to ask you about the new album. Have you started it yet?

LUIZA: We have some stuff. Like five to eight songs. We’re playing two or three or four songs at the most in shows. But don’t really have time to work on them.

TSR: Do you guys have a timetable of when you’re going to record it?

LUIZA: Yeah. We’re gonna record it next year. We’re going to start end of February or March. We’re going to record some stuff here (New York), I think. We’re having ideas. I think it’s so good that we don’t have to record in that like- We’re processing. We’re already playing songs and they change. Processing the ideas. That’s how we want to do it. We just released the album in the UK. There’s no reason we should rush. The first album is so special to me.

TSR: Do you guys know who’s going to produce it yet?

LUIZA: We’re thinking about some names. Some people are expensive. We want the best, which we cannot afford. We’ll probably go back to Brazil. I think it’s going to be good.

TSR: And you think it will come out late spring?

LUIZA: June (2008).

TSR: Let’s talk about Coachella. How was that experience for you?

LUIZA: Amazing. I want to play Coachella every year! It’s so much fun!

TSR: Paris Hilton was dancing-

LUIZA: (interrupts) Right next to me! There was a PA and she was behind it, so people couldn’t really see her. And I was like, “Come onstage!” And she was like, “No, I’m shy.” And the song ‘Meeting Paris Hilton’…it was so funny.

TSR: Was she actually dancing during that song?

LUIZA: Yeah! We got onstage and Ira had some problems with her bass. The bass stopped working. She was really nervous. And I was right next to her so I was like, “Oh my God!” And then I looked at my side (of the stage) and it was like Paris Hilton, J.D. Samson (of Le Tigre) and Peaches. And they were all dancing together by me. It was a great time.

TSR: Wait, I feel like I have to sneeze.

LUIZA: Look at the light!

TSR: Seriously?

1st Photo by Scot Bowman ©2007
All other photos by Amos Mac ©2007

CSS & YO MAJESTY @ Fillmore East at Irving Plaza - June 01, 2007

Okay, I'm not a professional photographer at all, but at the last minute I ended up with a photo press pass for the CSS set at Irving Plaza (sadly not for Yo Majesty) and took these photos with my cheap little digital camera. But I think a few turned out kinda cool.

-Lovefoxxx

CSS really rocked on Friday. The first three songs, while I was in the photo pit, were electric. They played an awesome new song first, then things exploded when they flew into 'Alala'. Lovefoxxx dived into the audience right over my head. It was insane. The rest of the show was absolutely solid, adreneline charged party-rock at its finest. Other highlights included 'Art Bitch', the cover of L7's 'Pretend We're Dead', recent LOGO hit 'Off the Hook', and the double encore culminating in a triumphant take on their biggest hit 'Let's Make Love (and Listen To Death From Above)'.

It is rumored that Lovefoxxx announced her pregnancy (presumably with Simon Taylor of KLAXONS) during the show, though I was obliterated at that point and somehow missed it.

-Lovefoxxx

YO MAJESTY opened the show and oh my fucking god. These guys are going to be huge. Three ladies from Tampa, Florida who shake it hard and bring down the house nasty style. This shit was out of control! To be honest, I've never seen this type of show before, but it reminded me of what it would have been like to see an early SALT 'N' PEPA show or maybe 2 LIVE CREW in Miami circa 1990. I can't praise these girls enough. Check them out. The photos I took of these guys turned out really bad so I won't bother posting them. Does anyone have any good ones?

-Luiza Sa

All photos by Scot Bowman ©2007

Here is a really great amateur video of 'Fuck Off is Not the Only Thing' from the Irving Plaza show.

C.S.S. - 'Fuck Off Is Not the Only Thing (live at Fillmore East)'

Monday, June 04, 2007

THE FUCKING CHAMPS - Tonight at Mercury Lounge, Tomorrow Night Studio B


San Francisco's THE FUCKING CHAMPS are in town for two shows, tonight at The Mercury Lounge and tomorrow night at Studio B. We'll be on hand for the latter, with some pics and a brief interview with guitarist Tim Green. Their latest opus, appropriately titled "VI" was released on Drag City in April and has received this great review from Pitchfork Media.

Get ready for some hair-raising, mind-blowing, heavy metal action, cause these shows are simply going to rock!

Stream various tracks here.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

New Video - FRANZ FERDINAND - 'All My Friends'

I'm still quite in love with FRANZ FERDINAND's cover of LCD SOUNDSYSTEM's 'All My Friends' and now it has a great music video too! Check it Out.

FRANZ FERDINAND - 'All My Friends' (music video)

Friday, June 01, 2007

Hanging Out with Luiza Sa of CSS and Ed Droste of GRIZZLY BEAR in Brooklyn

-Luiza Sa (CSS) on the Morgan Ave. Subway Platform

Wednesday night, The Sky Report had the wonderful privilige of sitting down for a pumpkin ravioli dinner (thanks Rachel!) with LUIZA SA, guitarist for everyone's favorite Brazilian export CSS. Firstly, Luiza is the sweetest, most charming girl I've met in a long time. She was very easy-going and fit right in with the casual nature of our blog. After the interview, Luiza asked us if we wanted to come along with her to Ed Droste(of GRIZZLY BEAR)'s apartment. We gladly accepted the invite and had a fantastic time. Here are a few photos from that night. Our full interview with Luiza will be posted early next week and you know we'll be on hand for the sold-out CSS show at Irving Plaza tonight! (I know, it's called Fillmore East now, whatever!)

In further Grizzly Bear news, they just departed on a flight to Spain for this weekend's Primavera Sound Festival and will be opening for FEIST in the U.S. throughout June. Also, just in case you missed it, check out Ed's enormously entertaining coverage of his experience at this year's Coachella Festival on Rollingstone.com.

-Derek and Luiza on the L Train

-Ed and Chad chatting with Scot

-Ed and Luiza showing their mutual affection

All photos by Scot Bowman ©2007 and Derek Morris ©2007