CARIBOU, FUCK BUTTONS@ The El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles

Before making the trek out to the desert for Coachella, I was lucky enough to catch Caribou and Fuck Buttons at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.

CARIBOU


I have only become a fan of Caribou in the last year, with their excellent 2007 album Andorra. Live, the band is more hypnotic, with abstract light projections beautifully accompanying the percussion-driven sonic tangents. Despite some sound issues, Caribou were really great. The four-piece band created a certain level of manic delirium, but for the most part the sets were impressive, tight, and rich with mind-boggling rhythmic muscle.

FUCK BUTTONS


I knew absolutely nothing about Fuck Buttons before, but live at the El Rey on Thursday night they were tremendous. Fuck Buttons are a duo from the UK who make experimental noise-electro that is nearly indescribable. One of the many highlights of their set was when Andrew Hung howled like a cockatoo into a psychotic sea of reverb. Check these guys out!

Coachella Coverage

As always, Coachella was an incredible event, showcasing over 100 bands and DJ's. Beth Gibbons proved a bonafide rock star as she led Portishead in a stunning comeback performance. The Black Lips and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings were on fire (some literally), providing a stealth alternative to Jack Johnson on the main stage. M.I.A. had a diva moment when she brought the show to an uncomfortable halt, at which point the "diva moment" turned into a full-on meltdown. And of course, Prince was amazing, sharing the stage with Morris Day and The Time for a pair of songs, then with Sheila E for her classic "Glamorous Life".

THE BLACK LIPS, Mojave Tent



The Black Lips were one of the highlights of the weekend, tearing up the Mojave tent with their rowdy rock 'n' roll. The boys ended their set by lighting their guitars on fire before they all-out destroyed them and threw the mangled guitar limbs into the crowd.

HOT CHIP, Sahara Tent


Hot Chip proved they can command the gigantic Sahara tent as good as anyone (Daft Punk aside). Their live set was high energy and the packed tent didn't let the scorching heat diffuse their enthusiasm. Fueled by percussive outbursts, this was a hot and sweaty dance party that had everyone moving.

LOVE & ROCKETS, Outdoor Stage


Much to their fans' delight, Love & Rockets made a solid return to the stage, rocking through classics like "No New Tale to Tell", "Ball of Confusion", and "No Big Deal". The songs sounded remarkably tight and fresh and the light show was perfectly suited to the bands style and tone.

M.I.A., Sahara Tent


Meltdown aside, when MIA was on she was on, but the show overall was very rough. She played the rock star, wearing a platinum wig and strutting around the stage like a fierce diva. But I think her show at Terminal 5 last October was far, far superior.

***

I'm still in LA, but hope to post some more pictures soon.

-all photos ©2008 by Scot Bowman

Countdown to Coachella 1 Day...

Okay, so I'll admit this countdown kind of fizzled out at the end, but I've been slightly overwhelmed with getting ready to make my way out to the desert. My first stop is Los Angeles, where I will catch Caribou and Fuck Buttons tonight at the El Rey Theatre. Hey LA! Anything else going on tonight?

Then, Friday morning we head out to Indio for the festival, where I will definitely be catching Goldfrapp, MGMT, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Hot Chip, Cut Copy, Portishead, Black Lips, Santogold, Dan Deacon, Battles, M.I.A., Yo Majesty!, Bonde do Role, Simian Mobile Disco, Love & Rockets, and of course Prince! It's gonna be a great weekend and I will do my best to post as much as I can.

Happy Coachella! See you on the other side...

Countdown to Coachella 4 Days...

GOLDFRAPP


Say what you will about their latest album Seventh Tree, but I love it. Live, Goldfrapp are always majestic, sexy and flawless. I thought Goldfrapp should have been added to the 2006 line-up, but better late than never! I really hope they get a nighttime slot on the Outdoor Stage. This will be truly memorable.

Goldfrapp - Twist (music video)


DATAROCK


Datarock are a super fun live band. All the guys wear their trademark red jogging suits and always put on an energetic show that gets the crowd dancing. I have a feeling they will be playing in the Mojave tent, so get ready to move a lot and sweat your arse off.

Datarock - Fa Fa Fa (music video)


CALVIN HARRIS


Calvin Harris is straight up British dance pop. His new album was stolen so it may be a while before we get to hear some new tunes from him...but in the meantime, we can all get down to some of the excellent tracks off his last one, like "Merrymaking At My Place", "Girls", and "Acceptable in the 80's".

Calvin Harris - Acceptable in the 80's (music video)


THE TEENAGERS


The Teenagers are another risky choice, as I'm not sure how their music will translate to the live setting. But, just in case their isn't someone better playing at the same time, I have these guys in my periphery. At the very least it should be a good dose of trivial fun.

The Teenagers - Starlett Johansson (music video)

MADONNA - 'Give It 2 Me'

Madonna's new album Hard Candy hits shops next Tuesday, April 29th, but a few tracks have leaked onto the web over the weekend. The next single has been confirmed as "Give It 2 Me"...and the you can stream it now below.



[NOTE: It looks as though this has been taken down already...sorry]

CYNDI LAUPER - Bring Ya To The Brink

Cyndi Lauper's new album Bring Ya to the Brink is set for a May 27th release in the US. The new studio album has been described as a rhythmic, dance album and features collaborations with Kleerup, Basement Jaxx, Dragonette and many more. I have a feeling this one is gonna be good.

Catch Cyndi on the True Colors Tour this summer, where she will be joined by The B-52's, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and more.

Record Store Day Tomorrow!

Go out and buy records/and or cds tomorrow. It's for a good cause. For more info, visit www.recordstoreday.com

Countdown to Coachella 7 Days...

HOT CHIP, London, England



Everyone knows this is gonna be one of the hottest, sweatiest moments of the weekend. Hot Chip are a live act that deliver. And with their sexy breed of electro-dance, the crowd (and I mean crowd) will be jumping!

Hot Chip - Over and Over (music video)


CUT COPY, Melbourne, Australia



I just saw Cut Copy at Studio B and they put on a fantastic live show. As well, the Australian band's new sophomore LP In Ghost Colours is post-modern electro-pop at its finest. This should be a great show, with unexpectedly guitar driven rock'n'roll moments.

Cut Copy - Going Nowhere (music video)


MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS, Melbourne, Australia



Another synth-based band from Melbourne. I have never seen the Juggernauts live, but they recently opened for Justice and their debut album Dystopia is like listening to a futuristic Electric Light Orchestra. I really dig their tracks and hope this one translates well to the live setting. This could be a risky venture, but you never know.

Midnight Juggernauts - Shadows (music video)


MODESELEKTOR, Berlin, Germany



Modeselektor are a Berlin electro duo who are associated with both Ellen Allien and Apparat, and are deeply adored by Thom Yorke, who also appears on the new record Happy Birthday!, released last September. This is for hardcore electroheads only...

Modeselektor - Black Block (music video)

LYKKE LI - 'I'm Good, I'm Gone'

Lykke Li has a new video, just in time for the US release of her debut album. Youth Novels will finally hit North America on May 6. In the new video for "I'm Good, I'm Gone" Lykke busts a move, as do bodybuilders, old women and a pair of little girls. It's all very cool, actually. Check it out...

Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone (music video)

Countdown to Coachella - 9 Days...

SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS, Bushwick, Brooklyn


Honestly, I think this is the act that I'm most excited to see. Not only have Ms. Jones and her Dap King's recorded all three of their amazing records just around the corner from my humble apartment in Bushwick, but these records have grown on me in a way I can't use words to express. When I listen to these records I feel like I'm 14 years old again, rediscovering the passion that music can convey.

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights (music video)


YO MAJESTY, Tampa, Florida


Yo Majesty first rocked my world when they opened for CSS last summer at the Fillmore East in New York. These chicks from Tampa, Florida know how to move a crowd. They have been known to strip off their tops on stage, prance around with Beth Ditto, and most importantly, make jams that recall the 2LiveCrew era of hip-hop. Do not play the following video at work or around right wing relatives...but be there for their performance at Coachella. No one will tell.

Yo Majesty - Club Action (music video) - NSFW!!!


SPANK ROCK, Philadelphia, PA


Spank Rock has been very busy the last year. When not remixing or opening for Bjork, getting nasty with Bangers & Cash, or helping a sister out, Spank Rock has a vital career of his own. Check out his 2006 debut LP YoYoYoYoYo. This should be off the hook.

Spank Rock - Rick Rubin (music video)'

BONDE DO ROLE, Sao Paulo, Brazil


This one should be really interesting. I may be biased (I do have a photo of Marina framed over my desk), but how can this group go on without its lead woman? Marina left the band recently and has been replaced by not one, but two new lead females. I saw these guys almost two years ago in San Francisco and they were fantastic. But I have no idea how the recent shake up of the band will effect its sound and overall show. I'll be there to find out.

Bonde do Role (w/ Marina) - Salta O Frango (music video)

THE GOSSIP Played Webster Hall

The Gossip! played Webster Hall in NYC on Tuesday night, a celebration of sorts for the release of their new live CD/DVD. One could say it was all about the music, which was fantastic, but there was a vehemently political tone to lead singer Beth Ditto's performance. Not only did she speak out, ostracizing media monsters like Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and Spin Magazine; she led the sold-out wild crowd in an encore chant of Patti Smith's 'People Have the Power'. She also raised her voice concerning the ongoing Democratic primaries, stating that we, the left, should come together and be as one. "No McCain", Ditto repeated in one of the many political interludes between the potent and raucous renditions of tracks like the pre-encore closer 'Standing in the Way of Control', the rockin' cover of Wham's 'Careless Whisper', 'Listen Up' which was preluded by a brief cover of Dolly Parton's '9 to 5', and the infectious sing-a-long version of 'Coal to Diamonds'. And that doesn't even cover the highlight of the evening when Ditto, seemingly impromptu, launched into an acapella cover of Cat Power's 'Metal Heart'.


With all the politics in the air, my friends and I couldn't help but launch into a political arguement of our own. Just months ago Ditto was pimping herself with the Devil of all media, Perez Hilton. A couple of weeks ago, Perez stated that "Justin Timberlake, The Gossip, and Adele" were dead to him. Could Ditto's media tirade be in part a reaction to Perez's actions? Whatever the case, she makes a good statement. I only wonder why she ever saddled up to Perez in the first place.

Drama and gossip aside, The Gossip! are an incredible live band and will become even bigger superstars in the future.

-photos by Scot Bowman

POWER DOUGLAS

Power Douglas are a Brooklyn band, though they’d like you to think they are from the mysterious land of Gentrified, NY. What gives it away though, is the fact that their new track “Pangea”, a hauntingly tripped-out jam, is a collaboration with TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe and Dragons of Zynth’s Aku.

What we have here is psyched-out, bass-heavy jams, with lots of echo, reverb, distortion, and fuzz. This is what TVOTR would sound like if they were a garage band. Word has it that both TVOTR and Dragons of Zynth have contributed heavily to the forthcoming debut LP Pentecostal Fangbread, which is due sometime this year on FiveSixMedia. If you can’t wait until then, Power Douglas play live at Death By Audio in Brooklyn on April 25th.

Listen to Power Douglas at Myspace.

This piece was originally published on Kevchino.com as part of Buzzworthy.

New SALLY SHAPIRO - 'Time To Let Go (Lindstrom remix)'

For fans of Swedish disco princess Sally Shapiro, check out this new remix of "Time To Let Go" by Lindstrom. The track is from the new Remix Romance Vol. 1 remix LP. If you love Sally and late night remix jams, you're gonna be so down with this. Check it out...

Sally Shapiro - Time To Let Go (Lindstrom remix) (mp3)

MESSINIAN

I don't often write about rap artists, but this guy caught my eye. Messinian is a self-proclaimed rock/rap/electro artist from Philadelphia. He has toured the world with Dieselboy, AK1200, and Dara, rapping to drum & bass under the guise of Planet of the Drums Crew. Solo, his sound is highly electro. Sometimes he sings with a funked-out soul style and other times he raps, soft yet dirty.

Messinian - Throw it Away (mp3 link)
Messinian - Can't Hide Her (mp3 link)

More hot tracks streaming at Myspace.

Countdown to Coachella - 10 Days...

For me, Coachella is a very special experience. This year will mark the 5th time I've made the trek out into the middle of the California desert for the country's greatest music festival; my first being in 1999, the inaugural Coachella. Like last year, I'm counting down the days to the festival (like a geek) because I'm so damn excited I can't think about anything else. So, for the next 10 days I'll explore who I think are the most exciting acts playing this year. These acts are in no particular order of greatness or favoritism. But I'll start with four acts that I've already seen and can highly recommend.

SANTOGOLD, Brooklyn, NY


Santogold was awesome when she opened for Bjork last September. Now, her debut album is finally coming out and I think Coachella will be her official "coming out" party. Expect Spank Rock and Diplo to join her onstage (as they did at Madison Square Garden). This is gonna be a great, great show.

Santogold - LES Artistes (music video)


BATTLES, New York City


Battles blew my mind when they played South Street Seaport last summer. The energy these guys create with their bizarre sci-fi funk sound is at times transcendental. Most importantly, you cannot miss these guys rip through the live version of the phenomenally epic robot track "Atlas".

Battles - Atlas (music video)


BLACK LIPS, Atlanta, CA


Black Lips are known for creating a certain level of chaos at their shows, though the one show I went to was rather tame. Whether it be urinating onstage, kissing each other, vomiting, or launching fireworks, a Black Lips show is never simply boring. Check out a NSFW clip of the band playing in Tijuana. Raucous or not, these guys deliver tight, hook-heavy rock n roll that sounds almost better live than it does on record. In fact, the Black Lips' first few albums were all recorded live.

Black Lips - Katrina (music video)


DAN DEACON, Baltimore, MD


Dan Deacon is another artist who creates pandemonium, but rather than doing it onstage, he does it in the crowd. As far as I can tell, Deacon never actually plays onstage. He sets up his wacky table of electronic gadgets, mixers and funny props in the audience and the party ensues around him. Often he instructs the audience in a sort of excercise, pulling you into the mix and everyone somehow becomes a part of the show. So don't complain if you never actually see Dan, just close your eyes and enjoy the euphoric madness that he creates on that wacky table.

Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat (music video)

Guess Who's Going to Coachella?!!

Albeit last minute, The Sky Report will be at Coachella!! Just when it looked impossible, some mountains were moved and I am officially going. If anyone has any incite to parties, great bands, or anything concerning Coachella, please share it! Also, I will be starting my Countdown to Coachella series (just like last year) on Monday.

-click to enlarge

SHY CHILD

Shy Child have a new record coming out in May. They are also opening for The Gossip! at Webster Hall on the 15th and for Midnight Juggernauts on their upcoming May US tour. Noise Won't Stop is the third proper album from Shy Child, due May 5th on Kill Rock Stars.

Shy Child are the duo of Pete Cafarella and Nate Smith, who spawned from Supersystem around 2000. Last year these guys performed "Drop the Phone" on Later with Jools Holland and for Stella McCartney at Fashion Rocks in London. Check out the video for that track...

Drop The Phone

PRINCE Joins Coachella

Wow! Now I'm really bummed that I'm not going.

New HOT CHIP Video - 'One Pure Thought'

Hot Chip have released the second video from their newest album Made in the Dark. The video for "One Pure Thought" is a cool animated clip showing the band in performance mode. The graphics are simplistic, but they suit the excellent track very nicely.

One Pure Thought

WINDSURF

Windsurf have been rocking my boat these past few weeks. The San Francisco duo with an affection for board shorts and beards. Without a doubt, Windsurf's Cali-lazy lifestyle inspires their work, a sound that has been described as a sort of fusion of krautrock and Fleetwood Mac. You can purchase the digital version of the Windsurf EP at Kompakt Records. Stream a handful of tracks here.

M83 - 'Graveyard Girl'

For M83's new album Saturday = Youth, Anthony Gonzales drew inspiration from the New Romantic period of the eighties, citing bands like Tears For Fears and Cocteau Twins, as well as classic John Hughes movies like Pretty In Pink and Sixteen Candles as major influences. The new single "Graveyard Girl" has been compared to Psychedelic Furs and Simple Minds, but to me the guitars sound just like Cyndi Lauper's "Money Changes Everything". But as much influence as there is at work here, Ewan Pearson and Ken Thomas bring their modern production sounds to the plate, lifting the new record out of the depths of retro regurgitation and turn this into a somewhat beautiful, new 'New Romantic' sound. I love it.

Saturday = Youth is out April 15th via Mute Records.

M83 - Graveyard Girl (music video)

MOBY on the Making of Last Night

Moby - Making of Last Night from moby on Vimeo.

Last Night is available now on Mute Records. Degenerates, Moby's monthly dance party at Hiro Ballroom, goes down tonight with special guests DJ Mehdi and Tommie Sunshine.

BJORK - 'Wanderlust'

Bjork churns out yet another visually stunning video with the new clip for "Wanderlust", from the 2007 Volta LP. The 3D version is expected to premiere on April 14th. Also check out the Behind the Scenes making-of the video...

Bjork - Wanderlust (music video)


Wanderlust - the making of wanderlust

GOLDFRAPP - 'Happiness'

Check out the amazing new video from Goldfrapp for the track "Happiness", taken from their latest release Seventh Tree available now from Mute Records.

Goldfrapp - Happiness

SEBASTIEN TELLIER - 'Divine'

Sebastien Tellier's new album Sexuality is reportedly an 11-track meditation on love-making. Produced by Daft Punk's Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, the album features songs like "Sexual Sportswear" and the super catchy new single "Divine". Sexuality is available now through recordmakers.com or on iTunes.

Sebastien Tellier - Divine (music video)