The Marathon Mixtape
Because nobody runs 26.2 miles with only silence.
In 490 B.C. a Greek soldier named Pheidippides ran 26.2 miles back to Athens to announce victory in battle. After exclaiming the victory he dropped dead. Insane people such as myself decide to run this distance as well, but we call it a marathon. Regardless of why you run, you question your own sanity during months of training. I'll be running my second marathon this year in Chicago, so I'm spending a good portion of my time on the lakefront, my iPod keeping me company mile after mile...
Posted by Lisa White on Jul 24, 2008 @ 7:02 am
New Music From Those Dancing Days
Swedish sweethearts step out with vintage tunes.
What is it with those damn Swedes? When they're born is the hospital required to place a stick of bubblegum on their tongues like some sort of pop rock communion? Wouldn't that be weird? The Concretes, The Cardigans, The Knife – just a few native bands you'd have to be in a coma not to enjoy. Swedes really do possess the ability to brighten up one's day. Even the most jaded of ABBA haters must have a slight affection for them, who holds a grudge that long without harboring secretive lustful thoughts? Those Dancing Days may never reach the success of ABBA, but they'll look super cute trying.
Those Dancing Days are an all girl five piece Swedish explosion formed in 2005. Quickly signed to Witchita Records, these just-out-of-high school pin-ups specialize in 60's Motown meets new wave, with girl group harmonies and a little new wave Farfisa to keep it bouncy. Their first proper single, "Hitten" is a sugary cry for help as front lady Linnea Jönsson plays the lovelorn victim questioning her smothering relationship. The song is instantaneous and cute like a Care Bear. You will have it stuck in your head no matter what your feelings may be.
Interesting side-note, if you watch any of their videos, other than the fact they all look like they just stepped off the set of 3-2-1 Contact, the drummer is always playing with ropes instead of drumsticks. Strange foreigners!
Posted by Joe Roth on Jul 23, 2008 @ 7:28 am
Get to Know: Akai
Hiromi and Robbie Matsumoto delve into the insanely beautiful.
Whether it's music, painting, film, anything where an artist must rely solely on their imagination and their raw talent, there will always be a balance between happiness and insanity. The finished product can come quickly or slowly depending on how the artist interacts with the piece. It's not something that's all fun and games, and many times artists will find a side project to delve themselves into so not to become another Van Gogh. To the Minnesota painter Hiromi Matsumoto, music became his creative release...
Posted by Amy Dittmeier on Jul 22, 2008 @ 6:16 am
This Scene Isn't Broken
How will the second Broken Social Scene Presents hold up?
Don't let the headline fool you. This isn't a Broken Social Scene record. What it is, is the solo work of Broken Social Scene founding member Brendan Canning; aided by members of the band. Since Canning was one of the two people who started the band, his work and Broken Social Scene's work are very similar.
The ginormous collection of individuals that makes up Broken Social Scene coalesced in Toronto in 1999 when there were far fewer members...
Posted by Cory Roop on Jul 21, 2008 @ 6:35 am
The Hangover Mixtape
Because drinking fluids just isn't enough.
Many things in life should be taken in moderation; fatty foods, obnoxious friends, gambling and, of course, alcohol. Yet some celebrations call for excess, and this past weekend my roommate finally turned 21 (he's wise beyond his age, but boy do I feel old sometimes), and this called for copious amounts of alcohol. The next morning we needed a soundtrack to lie around to as we swore we'd never drink again and finally started to recall the things we did or said the night before...
Posted by Lisa White on Jul 17, 2008 @ 6:16 am