Video Reveals San Francisco, Pre-Earthquake

This video consists of one (semi) continuous shot taken from a trolley moving its way down Market Street toward the Ferry Building in San Francisco, reportedly just days before the devastating earthquake and fire of 1906. The clip is beautifully set to Air's classic 1998 track "La Femme D'Argent". This may get repetitive to some, but anyone who lives in or loves San Francisco should get a kick out of seeing what the city was like way back then. Very cool. Thanks to Renee Zalles for the tip!

ReviewQUIET VILLAGE - Silent Movie 81%

The duo that comprises Quiet Village are Joel Martin and Matt Edwards, the latter of which is also known in the dance world as Radio Slave. The pair met while attending Sir Dunstan’s College in South East London back in the early 90’s. One night Joel and Matt shared a car, en route to a drum ‘n’ bass club, and got to talking about music–particularly house and disco–and their mutual love of record shopping. A creative bond was formed. Now, nearly fifteen years later, that bond has spawned the ambitious debut LP, Silent Movie.

The name Quiet Village fittingly references Martin Denny’s groundbreaking 1959 exotica album of the same name. Denny’s influence here is magnum, as the duo freely admit that they “make the old sound new”, which is a perfect summation of their style. From the opening strings of “Victoria’s Secret”, a gorgeous aria to the sea, complete with the sound of crashing waves and crying seagulls, things sound familiar. Many of the songs on Silent Movie sound of another time, one where everything is laid-back, slow and easy.

With the exception of “Circus of Horror”, an uptempo psychedelic jam, the disc plays out like the soundtrack to a beachside cocktail party. Not unlike a “chill” DJ compilation, samples are a monumental ingredient to these tracks. Italo disco, contemporary house, and Mediterranean/Belaric Island sounds are interwoven throughout the original compositions, as recognizable hooks saunter in and out at just the right moments. Perhaps the finest example of this interplay is found on “Too High To Move”, an ode to the late 90’s downtempo lounge era, which features a slowed-down sample of Janis Ian’s 1979 hit “Fly to High”.

The second half of the disc descends into total ambience, with “Gold Rush”, a hypnotic interlude, utilizing a psychedelic guitar loop and a hauntingly echoed vocal to transport you to, say, an acid trip in the California desert circa 1968. On tracks “Singing Sand” and “Utopia” you are transported once again, though this time the environment is more like a vacation day spa.

Following largely in the footsteps of The Avalanches’ Since I Left You LP (2000), Quiet Village aren’t exactly doing anything new on Silent Movie, but the production is quite admirable. In fact, you could say this is 2008’s answer to Air’s Moon Safari-the ultimate chill out record, though at times it can border on easy listening elevator music.

-originally published at kevchino.com.

THE TEENAGERS - 'Make It Happen' etc.

French dirty-cutesy-hedonistic-electro trio THE TEENAGERS may very well be the most hyped act of 2007 and they still don't even have a proper album out yet. But, according to my favorite west coast blog missingtoof.com, that is about to change. The boys at the toof hint at a full length album to soon be released on Merok Records and they also offer up a trio of exclusive new tracks, all rumoured to be on the highly anticipated debut LP. Still no word on exactly when it will be physically released, but I for one cannot sleep, anxiously awaiting its arrival.

The new tracks - 'Make It Happen', 'Self Love', and 'Tiger' are all available at missingtoof.com. Go there now.

STREAM - The Teenagers - Various Tracks

Also worth checking out: The Teenagers remixes where you can check out their remixes of SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO, THE BLACK GHOSTS, AIR, AU REVOIR SIMONE, and THE ENEMY.



And a repeat video post:

The Teenagers - Homecoming (music video) (NSFW!!!)

DARKEL

It's taken me awhile to get acquainted with the solo debut of DARKEL, one half of the French electro duo AIR. The self-titled album was released way back in September 2006 and I have only just given it a spin for the first time. Wow. I love it so much better than the latest Air album. Check out the album's lead-off track 'Be My Friend'.

DOWNLOAD - Darkel - Be My Friend (mp3)

DARKEL - ' At the End of the Sky' (Music Video)

NEW VIDEO FRIDAY

!!! - 'Must Be the Moon'


YACHT - 'See A Penny (Pick It Up)'


AIR - 'Mer do Japon'
Air Mer du Japon Video

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FUJIYA & MIYAGI - 'Ankle Injuries'

BJORK Confirms Coachella

According to the LA Times BJORK will make her second headlining appearance at this year's annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, slated for April 27-29 in Indio, CA.

Other headliners announced in the LA Times article by Geoff Boucher are RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. Boucher also confirms the following acts for what is sure to be a memorable three day festival:

WILLIE NELSON
INTERPOL
ARCADE FIRE
SONIC YOUTH
ARCTIC MONKEYS
MANU CHAO
THE DECEMBERISTS
AIR
CROWDED HOUSE
THE ROOTS
KINGS OF LEON
TIESTO

Previously confirmed acts include:
HOT CHIP
!!!
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
DIGITALISM
LUPE FIASCO
and many more

New Music 2007 - AIR

Pitchfork reports today that 'Pocket Symphony', the forthcoming album from French electro duo AIR will be released by Astralwerks on March 6, 2007. Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Beck) produces.

I will never forget their sunset performance at Coachella 2005 - simply breathtaking.