W♥M

Ladies, Women, and Girls

A heartbreak of records is what you said
And all the girl bands have gone to your head
So what do you think we're trying to do?
Now it's about us, it's not about you

- Bratmobile

Read more Riot Grrrls, Girls Girls Girls.

Le Tigre 2023 Tour Read More Le Tigre Le Tigre, "The Tiger", is undoubtedly the best project that Kathleen Hanna's been involved in since Bikini Kill. Originally, this band was conceived to be a "live" version of her solo effort, Julie Ruin, but as it developed …

Le Tigre
letigre.world

Every riot grrrl fan is excited about Bikini Kill coming to St Paul this April 20th… so it’s even more exciting to hear that Kathleen Hanna’s art/dance project Le Tigre have reformed to launch their first tour in 18 years! Unfortunately, they’re not stopping by Minneapolis this year… but there’s always hope for next year.

Le Tigre at First Ave (09 Aug 2005)

I’ve seen Le Tigre twice, including their big First Avenue show in August 2005, writing, “The end of their set was really, really fun, they played all the hits: "Hot Topic", "TKO", and the finale "Deceptacon".”

Le Tigre Tour Dates

5/27: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
6/1: Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Sound Barcelona 2023
6/3: London, UK @ Troxy
6/5: Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall
6/6: Glasgow, Scotland @ Barrowland Ballroom
6/8: Madrid, Spain @ Primavera Sound Madrid 2023
6/9: Porto, Portugal @ Nos Primavera Sound Porto 2023
6/11: Paris, France @ Le Trianon
6/14: Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
6/16: Berlin, Germany @ Huxleys Neue Welt
6/17: Hamburg, Germany @ Markthalle
7/1: Oakland, CA @ Mosswood Meltdown Festival
7/3: Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
7/6: Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
7/7: Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
7/9: Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre
7/15: Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
7/17: Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
7/18: Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre
7/19: Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
7/21: Toronto, ON @ History
7/22: Montreal, QC @ L’Olympia
7/24: Boston, MA @ Royale
7/28: Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel

Yelle: Top Fan Read More Yelle Oh how I love "Je Veux Te Voir"! Julie Budet, aka Yelle, is in New York for Fashion Week, so I'm sure you'll see her in loads of magazines. Her band will be doing a ton of dates in North America in mid-April …

Yelle
yelle.fr

I’ve been a “top fan” for French artist Yelle since I heard the song “Je Veux Te Voir”.

It was announced recently that Yelle’s new single, “Top Fan” is out now. I recently saw the official music video on YouTube and, as always, they are truly amazing.

The single is taken from their fourth album L'ère Du Verseau (aka The Age Of Aquarius) – their first new album in 6 years, that came out in 2020… Unfortunately due to the pandemic, they were not able to come to America for a tour.

Now that the pandemic is over, the upcoming Yelle tour will start at the end of February in Washington DC’s 9:30 Club, and will stop in New York for 2 Elsewhere dates, before going to the west coast to play Los Angeles and end at San Diego’s influential CRSSD Festival.

YELLE returns live to USA very soon:

Sat Feb 25: Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
Tue Feb 28: Brooklyn, NY - Elsewhere Hall
Wed Mar 01: Brooklyn, NY - Elsewhere Hall
Fri Mar 03: Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco
Sat Mar 04: San Diego, CA - CRSSD Festival

It’s a very brief tour… and if additional USA dates are announced, I will be sure to let you know.

Women In Music Read More Bratmobile Jen Smith from Bratmobile inspired the name "riot grrrl". The short-lived band reformed in the 2000 with Ladies, Women and Girls and I finally got to see the band live! When they first started in 1993 .…

Women In Music
womeninmusic.org

The 501(c)3 non-profit organization Women In Music announced in person chapter events for their third annual educational Summit, taking place next week, January 25-27. In person events already started on January 24 and will continue until the 27th… featuring chapters in Nashville, Chicago, Boston, and Denver in addition to the online programming scheduled from January 25-27.

The highlight for me is that Molly Neuman, from Bratmobile, will hold a panel. She’ll be discussing her career path as a drummer in Bratmobile, part of the massively influential riot grrrl movement of the 1990s.

Details below:

January 26 | WIM Chicago’s 2023 Kick-Off Party
In support of WIM Summit, Women In Music Chicago is hosting a 2023 Kick-Off Party at Midwest Brewing Company Thursday, January 26th from 6PM to 9PM! Chicago’s very own DJs will be spinning tunes and food will be provided. WIM members will receive two (2) drink tickets at the event (valid ID required)

Register: event-5103587

January 26 | WIM Boston’s Fireside Chat with President Nicole Barsalona
Join WIM Boston and WIM Northeastern on Thursday, January 26 at The Record Co. for our portion of WIM's annual Summit! This year, we're treating guests to a motivating -- and free -- evening of networking, conversation, and career advice. We will have an informative fireside chat with WIM President and Artist Manager, Nicole Barsalona, and WIM Boston leader and Artist Manager Kristina Latino.

Register: event-5126316

January 27 | WIM Denver’s Go Speed Networking
#WIMDenver has got the need for speed! Join them for a fun-filled evening of Speed Networking on Friday January, 27th at River North Brewery - Blake Street Taproom! This event incorporates a speed-networking game to make conversing easier, even for the introverts squirming in their seats as they read the word “networking”. You’ll meet more fellow industry professionals; converse with colleagues, share experiences and make connections. Plus! All attendees will receive two complimentary drink tickets upon entry (must be 21+ and provide ID for proof of age)

Register: event-5116266

As part of the nonprofit's mission to educate, empower and advance women in the music industry, this year’s Summit will highlight various panels offering diverse topics and perspectives from leading industry professionals including Samantha Kirby, Cheryl Paglierani, Mari Davies, Jenna Gaudio, Dann Liebermann, Leslie Powell, Heidy Vaquerano, Christine Osazuwa, Lauren Smith Brody, Jules Kammann, Leigh McCorkle, Acacia Diaz, Thea Raskin, Blair Miller, Temima Shames, Cassie Petrey, Sari Kohen, Tara Bendler, Maria Gironas, Neeta Ragoowansi, Moira McCarthy, Nicole Barsalona and many more.

This year’s 2023 Summit programming will be presented virtually, as it has in years past, to allow global chapters and members equal access to the educational and career development content. Alongside executive programming, a focus on those entering the industry will include a career fair on day three, inspired by Women in Music’s new collegiate expansion, the WIM Mentorship Program and the WIM Internship Program, the latter of which places diverse candidates into paid in-house industry internships at partner companies. Beyond industry-specific conversations, this year’s Summit will explore workplace culture and community in 2023, with sessions highlighting data behind remote and hybrid models. A talk from Author, Founder and CEO of The Fifth Trimester, Lauren Smith Brody, aims to help parents navigate the “new normal” of virtual work. WIM members can register for free, and tickets are available for purchase to non-members.

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

La Femme at Turf Club, St Paul (15 June 2022)

Setlist Nouvelle-Orléans Cool Colorado Le sang de mon prochain Où va le monde Mycose Nous étions deux Télégraphe Foutre le bordel Paris 2012 Antitaxi Me suive Elle ne t'aime pas Sur la planche 2013 It's Time to Wake Up (2023) -- Encore -- Packshot Tu t'en lasses Tatiana with Trance Farmers Read More La Femme I was really looking forward to La Femme, the psych-pop indie band from Paris. Their music is fun and cinematic, comparable to a Claude Chabrol Or Godard New Wave film filled with attitude and lust and all things Parisian ....

Acclaimed French psych-rock band La Femme sold out the Turf Club in St Paul on June 15. Simply amazing, as it is one of the bands that we’ve highlighted out of Desert Daze in Oct 2017. We have described them as “fun and cinematic, comparable to a Claude Chabrol Or Godard New Wave film filled with attitude and lust and all things Parisian.”

Trance Farmers (the name is something you might hear someone from the south pronounce “Transformers”) opened the show. The Los Angeles band played a 40-min set.

We knew La Femme was great, but, again was blown away that they’ve sold out the Turf Club. You have to understand that this is a work week and the show starts late. On top of that, it is listed as a 21+ show, which limits how many fans can attend… still we were impressed that they’ve managed to attract such a large audience.

Setlist

Songs on their set (see photo) included a few songs from their third album, Paradigmes (Disque Pointu/IDOL), as well older songs, such as “Sur la planche” and “It's Time To Wake Up (2023)” from their self-titled debut album.

As you can see from the photos, a few songs into their set, Marlon Magnée and Jane Peynot just took off their “tuxedos”. The rest of the band, including Clara Luciani, also discarded their uniforms, as they continue to play into the night.

The band is fun, often interacting with the fans, and would invite guests to come on stage. In fact, opening band Trance Farmers, was invited back on stage to help them close out their finale song, “Tatiana”.

The French band don’t often play in America, so if you want to see beautiful French people making beautiful French music, check out their show.

La Femme’s latest album, Paradigmes, out now via Disque Pointu/IDOL.

Remaining Tour Dates:

Jun 18 Seattle, WA, US The Crocodile
Jun 19 Vancouver, BC, Canada Rickshaw Theatre
Jun 20 Portland, OR, US Wonder Ballroom
Jun 22 San Francisco, CA, US The Regency Ballroom
Jun 24 Los Angeles (LA), CA, US The Belasco
Jun 25 Palm Springs, CA, US The Alibi
Jul 1 Saint-Denis-de-Gastines, France Au Foin De La Rue
Jul 29 FESTIVAL LES ESCALES
Aug 4 Place Des Arcades Sauveterre De Rou
Aug 25 Paris, France Rock en Seine
Sep 9 Bourgoin-Jallieu, France Parc Des Lilattes
Sep 10 Bourgoin-Jallieu, France Parc Des Lilattes
Sep 17 Fontainebleau, France FBLO FESTIVAL
Sep 19 Amsterdam, Netherlands Paradiso
Sep 30 Berlin, Germany Astra Kulturhau

La Femme at Turf Club, St Paul (15 June 2022)

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

International

Here are some foreign movies or television show you can watch if you’re in lockdown, as we are.

Read More Ghost in the Shell [15 Jan 2015] Origa (singer for Ghost in the Shell: StandAlone Complex anime), 44, lung cancer [15 Jan 2015] Kim Fowley (hated manager of The Runaways), 75, bladder cancer …

DOROHEDORO
netflix.com

My new favorite anime is Dorohedoro (ドロヘドロ), based on the Japanese manga series by Q Hayashida.

The series is about a lizardhead man called Caiman and his friend Nikaido. They try and uncover what happened to Caiman and how and why he’s a lizard.

I haven’t read the comic book, but looking at some of the art and pages online, I can tell you that Q Hayashida’s style is very unique and when they adapted it for animation, they had to streamline some things - even though the animation is still very detailed and very well animated.

As for the series, it’s action-packed. Genre-wise, it’s all over the place… from punk-rock to comedy to food anime to straight-up horror.

Although I did really enjoy the series, I do have some minor complaints about Dorohedoro. Despite being 12 long episodes, it still felt unfinished by the time you watch the finale - it was all to set up Season 2! There are way too many episodes that has nothing to do with the main storyline. For example, there is a cooking contest episode and a baseball game episode… out of left field, to use the phrase. There are also too many episodes devoted to each character - I don’t need to know the backstory to Noi. I think sometime it’s better to leave things a mystery.

Overall, I love the art and the action and the strange world’s rules.

You can watch Dorohedoro on Netflix. Netflix also has an exclusive to Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2045 (worst title ever), which is on my next watchlist.

About Dorohedoro:

Amnesiac Caiman seeks to undo his lizard head curse by killing the sorcerer responsible, with his friend Nikaido's help. In the Hole, that's a threat.

Read More Films Night of the Living Deb is a delightful "Zom-Rom-Com" (Zombie Romantic Comedy) film starring Maria Thayer as local camerawoman Deborah and Michael Cassidy as Ryan. …

CLIMAX (2018)
a24films.com

Gaspar Noé’s films are not for everybody. You have to keep that in mind, as you watch his latest film, Climax. The movie is just a very long dance sequence into hell. There is not much of a story here, just a long journey … told through dancing. They based the film on a true story, so keep that in mind.

The dance sequence (many of them as one-take) are amazing, and the intro soundtrack of a remixed Cerrone’s “Supernature”, is very catchy.

I’ve seen all of Noe’s film, except for his debut I Stand Alone, and can tell you that his films are for art house fans. It’s not feel-good or have coherent storyline. His films are all about raw, primal emotion… from sex to ultra violence. Love it or hate it, you have to admit he has a certain vision to his films.

The first time I heard of Gaspar Noe, was through his breakout international hit, Irréversible (which I own on DVD). The movie is told in reverse, but unfortunately, at the time, everyone said it was too similar or had copied Christopher Nolan’s Memento.

Anyway, if you want to watch Climax, it’s available to stream on Amazon Prime.

About Climax:

From director Gaspar Noé (Irreversible; Enter the Void; Love) comes a hypnotic, hallucinatory, and ultimately hair-raising depiction of a party that descends into delirium over the course of one wintry night. In Climax, a troupe of young dancers gathers in a remote and empty school building to rehearse. Following an unforgettable opening performance lit by virtuoso cinematographer Benoît Debie (Spring Breakers; Enter the Void) and shot by Noé himself, the troupe begins an all-night celebration that turns nightmarish as the dancers discover they've been pounding cups of sangria laced with potent LSD. Tracking their journey from jubilation to chaos and full-fledged anarchy, Noé observes crushes, rivalries, and violence amid a collective psychedelic meltdown. Starring Sofia Boutella (Atomic Blonde) and a cast of professional dancers, Climax is Noé's most brazen and visionary statement yet.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

R.I.P. Philippe Zdar (Cassius)

Cassius: 1999 Read More Cassius Cassius - La Mouche - Virgin France S.A. This is a must have album if you're a dj. I played La Mouche at several clubs in Chicago including Karma and the Metro. Basically, I was beating and the .…

Grammy-winning producer Philippe Zdar (half of influential French house duo Cassius) fell off a building in Paris, France and died at the age of 52. According to Pitchfork, via a press agent, it was an accident.

When not so busy with Cassius, Zdar had worked with Phoenix, Kanye West, Cat Power and more, thanks to his ownership of Motorbass studio (named after Zdar’s old duo Motorbass) in Paris.

For the full death list head over to Musicians who died in 2019.

June (36)

[23 Jun 2019] Dave Bartholomew (American Hall of Fame musician), 100, heart failure

[22 Jun 2019] Paulo Pagni (Brazilian drummer for RPM), 61, pulmonary fibrosis

[22 Jun 2019] Stepan Shakaryan (Azerbaijani-born Armenian composer), 84

[21 Jun 2019] Kelly Jay Fordham (Canadian singer-songwriter and keyboard player for Crowbar), 77, complications from a stroke

[21 Jun 2019] Eamon Friel (Northern Irish singer), 70

[21 Jun 2019] Elliot Roberts (American music executive for Asylum Records), 76

[20 Jun 2019] Jacqui Magno (Filipino jazz singer), 65, pancreatic cancer

[19 Jun 2019] Anthony Hedges (English composer), 88

[19 Jun 2019] Philippe Zdar (French electronic musician for Cassius), 50, fall

[16 Jun 2019] Bishop Bullwinkle (American singer and comedian), 70, heart attack

[16 Jun 2019] Zappy Max (French broadcaster for Radio Luxembourg), 97

[16 Jun 2019] Sergey Ostroumov (Russian drummer for Mashina Vremeni), 53

[15 Jun 2019] Karlheinz Miklin (Austrian jazz musician), 72, stroke

[13 Jun 2019] A. Rahman Hassan (Malaysian singer and composer), 73

[12 Jun 2019] Philomena Lynott (Italian author of My Boy, the story of Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy), 88

[11 Jun 2019] Enrico Nascimbeni (Italian singer), 59, heart attack

[10 Jun 2019] Chuck Glaser (American country singer for Tompall & the Glaser Brothers), 83

[10 Jun 2019] Ib Nørholm (Danish composer and organist), 88

[10 Jun 2019] Sven-David Sandström (Swedish composer for Jeppe: The Cruel Comedy), 76, cancer

[10 Jun 2019] Paul Sinegal (American zydeco and blues guitarist and singer), 75

[09 Jun 2019] Bushwick Bill (Jamaican-American rapper for Geto Boys), 52, pancreatic cancer

[08 Jun 2019] Spencer Bohren (American roots guitarist), 68, prostate cancer

[08 Jun 2019] Andre Matos (Brazilian singer for Viper), 47, heart attack

[08 Jun 2019] Yehuda Talit (Israeli record producer), 74

[08 Jun 2019] Tre Da Kid (American rapper), 32, shot

[07 Jun 2019] Zhanneta Metallidi (Russian composer and music educator), 85

[07 Jun 2019] Serguei (Brazilian rock singer-songwriter), 85, multiple organ failure

[06 Jun 2019] Dr. John (American Hall of Fame singer-songwriter), 77, heart attack

[05 Jun 2019] Brian Doherty (Canadian guitarist for Band Big Wreck), 51, cancer

[04 Jun 2019] Roger Covell (Australian musicologist), 88

[04 Jun 2019] Mikey Dees (American rock musician for Fitz of Depression)

[02 Jun 2019] Piet Botha (South African rock musician), 63, pancreatic cancer

[02 Jun 2019] Lawrence Leathers (American drummer for For One to Love), 37, strangled

[02 Jun 2019] Paulo P. A. Pagni (Brazilian drummer for RPM), 61

[01 Jun 2019] MC Reaça (Brazilian singer), 25, suicide by hanging

[01 Jun 2019] John Myers (British radio executive for GMG Radio, Radio Academy), 60, cancer

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: December 14 to December 15, 2015

Read More Deerhunter Atlanta-based indie punks Deerhunter are back on tour in promotion of their fifth studio album. Recorded entirely on an 8 track, Bradford Cox (frontman) … Atlas Sound I got this note that Atlas Sound is heading out on tour next week -- with Broadcast! Since we haven't written about Broadcast in, like, 2007, it's good to hear about them recently. Unfortunately, they're not …

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from December 14 to December 15, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

DEERHUNTER
at First Avenue
Monday, 12/14/15, 7pm ($20)
first-avenue.com

SPIN Magazine's "Best Rock Band of Our Time", Deerhunter is coming to town with Atlas Sound on Monday, December 14th at First Avenue in Minneapolis.

Deerhunter is a four piece indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia who will be on the road promoting their new album Fading Frontier (4AD). Singer Bradford Cox has been known to take the stage in a sundress and covered in fake blood. Granted, it's no Gwar show but I am definitely anxious to see what they are like!

Atlas Sound will be opening this show along with majority of the rest of the tour. Atlas Sound is Cox's solo project. I am super excited to see what he is like in a solo setting versus a band setting all in one night!

Tour dates:

12/08/15 New York, NY Irving Plaza
12/09/15 Brooklyn, NY Warsaw
12/10/15 Boston, MA Royale Nightclub Boston
12/12/15 Detroit, MI The Majestic Theatre
12/13/15 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall
12/14/15 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
12/15/15 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
12/17/15 Columbus, OH Skully's Music Diner
01/08/16 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
01/09/16 Athens, GA Georgia Theatre

Read More Woody Allen It was a weekend in Minneapolis where Woody Allen could be found in multiple places- Allen’s latest star-packed film- the mystery drama, Irrational Man, had opened in theaters that Friday … Amélie Amélie (Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain), is currently my favorite movie of all time. I've long loved Jean-Pierre Jeunet's previous movies (Alien: Resurrection, The City of Lost Children, and Delicatessen) …

GAD ELMALEH
at Cedar Cultural Center
Tuesday, 12/15/15, 7pm ($22/$25)
thecedar.org

The so-called "Ben Stiller of France" and the "Jerry Seinfeld of French Comedy", funnyman Gad Elmaleh is doing a rare English show at the Cedar on Tuesday, December 15th. Born in Casablanca, he speaks Moroccan Arabic, English, Hebrew, and French.

Voted "The Funniest Person in France", Elmaleh has appeared in several films, including Coco, The Valet (aka La Doublure) and Midnight in Paris (Woody Allen), and Priceless (aka Hors de prix)... the latter with Audrey Tautou (Amélie).

Details in French:

La tournée US de Gad passe par

Northampton (MA), le 10 décembre
Burlington (VT), le 11 décembre
Minneapolis (MN), le 15 décembre

Pour gagner 2 places VIP à l'une de ces dates il suffit d'envoyer un mail à gadus[a]gad-elmaleh.fr (merci de préciser la ville) !

Gad US Tour
Win 2 VIP tickets by sending an email to gadus[a]gad-elmaleh.fr

Read More Neon Indian Neon Indian is the brain child of Alan Palomo. A young man from Mexico who has lived as a Texan for most of his life. He came into the scene with the album Psychic Chasms. It hit the blogsphere ...

NEON INDIAN
at Oxford Art Factory (Sydney)
Tuesday, 12/15/15, 8pm ($38 AUD)
moshtix.com.au

I know, I know, this isn't taking place in Minneapolis... but we are covering it.

Neon Indian is currently touring in Australia, and will be stopping by Sydney's Oxford Art Factory next Tuesday. Yes, we already caught him on this current tour in support of Vega Intl. Night School in Minneapolis in October, but we are interested in seeing what his show is like down under.

Dance perpetrator KLP (LIVE), with fresh electronic talent Wishes, will open the show.

Additional details:

Following an unforgettable appearance this week performing ‘Annie’ on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Neon Indian’s world takeover continues with the glamorous new single ‘The Glitzy Hive’, the third cut off his unequivocally groovy comeback ‘VEGA INTL. Night School’ out today via Popfrenzy/Caroline Australia.

Accompanying the release is the announcement of additional Melbourne and Adelaide dates to his long-awaited Australian return. The godfather of chillwave will be among the first to christen brand new Adelaide venue Fat Controller, and will perform as part of 'Friday Nights' program at The National Gallery of Victoria. These dates join his highly anticipated Meredith and Disconnect festival appearances and Wollongong, Sydney and Brisbane sideshows, where dance perpetuator KLP will be delivering her stunning live support set.

Following the success of the singles ‘Annie’ and ‘Slumlord’, collectively clocking up more than half a million SoundCloud plays, ‘The Glitzy Hive’ is a bouncy dance-floor jam, ready just in time for summer. Lose yourself in the groove of the bass, rhythms, and washed-over vocals – the perfect blend of balmy sunsets and late night beats.

The follow-up to 2011’s 'Era Extraña', 'VEGA INTL. Night School' marks a period of aesthetic reinvention from Neon Indian. The album brims with diversity and elaborate songwriting – attributable to the variety of locations of its creation; a cabin aboard a cruise ship, DFA’s Plantain Studios in NY and Pure X’s Austin practice space, results in his most interesting work to date.

NEON INDIAN AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2015
PRESENTED BY POPFRENZY

10th Dec // Fat Controller – Adelaide
11th - 13th Dec // Disconnect Festival, WA
11th - 13th Dec // Meredith Music Festival, VIC
14th Dec // University of Wollongong – Wollongong
15th Dec // Oxford Art Factory – Sydney
16th Dec // The Foundry – Brisbane
18th Dec // Melbourne – National Gallery Of Victoria

langen + vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Die Geschenke

Pierre d'Albret - Girls in my Arms

Anchor Factory, a small record label out of Germany France, have released "Die Geschenke" ("The Gift") a few days ago, January 12^th. According to the press information, I think it was put together over the Christmas break.

Just quickly listening to the eight tracks, starting with the last track, "Girls In My Arms" (feat Prysmo) and working backward. The compilation features other Anchor Factory artists, I'll confess I've never heard of them. I'm not what you would call a DJ expert, and I guess most house music just sounds the same to me. What I can tell you is that I can listen to these songs and it's not a chore, unlike other records I've reviewed.

These songs are mostly instrumental, even on "vocal mix" of "No Good", there's hardly any lyrics. The songs feels very unnatural to me, like automatic robotic loops of beats (in particular "Danger House"). These songs reminds me of more popular DJ acts like Daft Punk.

While these type of house/dance music are designed to have repetitive sound for dancing purpose, I feel that you can enjoy them on headphones (to hear and appreciate all the layers and effects).

Full track listing below.

1. Alan Mathison – “Danger House” - 5:31
2. Debrie – “At Night” – 6:56
3. Prysmo - “Background” – 5:09
4. Tchong – “D.F.S.” – 8:44
5. Prysmo – “Reality” – 4:41
6. Leo Outlaw – “Leopard 909” – 3:37
7. Armagnac – “No Good” – 4:29
8. Pierre d'Albret ft. Prysmo – “Girls In My Arms” – 6:02

You can listen to the entire album on soundcloud.com, to buy the music, just head over to the label, www.anchorfactory.com.

vu () ♥ www.anchorfactory.com

Yann Tiersen - Les Jours Tristes

Yann Tiersen - Les Jours Tristes

Yann Tiersen - Les Jours Tristes

Trivia

"The Travelling Gnome" is a popular prank, originating in Australia in the 1980s. It involves stealing a gnome and taking it on a trip around the world and photographing it in front of famous landmarks (the photos are then sent to the owner).

Amélie (Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain), is currently my favorite movie of all time. I've long loved Jean-Pierre Jeunet's previous movies (Alien: Resurrection, The City of Lost Children, and Delicatessen), so going into the movie theater, I was expecting to like Amélie. I didn't expect to go out of the theater in love with this movie.

The whole movie, story, music, direction, it was so wonderful (I also suspect it also has a lot of it has to do with Audrey Tautou incredibly cuteness too).

If you haven't seen this movie, wow, where have you been? You must get the DVD (it's cheap) and you must absolutely watch it in French.

So anyway, Jeunet discovered Yann Tiersen through one of his production assistant who was driving him around. They were basically listening to Tiersen's accordion and piano music in car. Jeunet went out and bought every Tiersen CD and commissioned him to write the soundtrack for Amélie.

The soundtrack features a few pieces from Tiersen's four albums, including L'Absente (2001) which he was already working on.

One of the track, "Les Jours Tristes", appears on the soundtrack as an instrumental, but appeared on L'Absente with vocals by Neil Hannon (of The Divine Comedy fame), who co-wrote the song with Tiersen.

If you're interested in hearing more Tiersen, check out: Maggie♥Music: La Chute, Summer 78 (Instrumental) | Jesse: Le Train | lovelornloser: Comptine D'un Autre Été_ L'après Mid | Yo-Yo: Les Deux Pianos LLes Deux Pianos | Mikey: La Valse D'Amelie.

 July 20, 2007 9:23 PM  vu my♥posts [email protected] yanntiersen.com

Prototypes - Je Ne Te Connais Pas

 

Prototypes - Je Ne Te Connais Pas

Prototypes

Singer, Isabelle Le Doussal

There's really something about cute French girls... When I first saw Prototypes, I quickly checked out what they sounded like, it really blew me away. The accompanied picture only shows Isabelle Le Doussal, they are, in fact, a three-piece band consisting of Isabelle, Stephane Bodin and Francois Marche.

Although the band was formed in 2003 in France (probably in Paris?), they have only really barely hit the US market in 2006 with their self-titled album. The US album consists of their previous French releases, Tout le Monde Cherche Quelque Chose (2004) and Mutants Mediatiques (2006).

So based on the few songs I have from them, I really like "Je Ne Te Connais Pas", which translate to "I do not know you".

Bonus: You can download the five-track Je Ne Te Connais Pas EP from mintyfresh.com (under "Stimuli") for free.

vu

France Gall - Faut-il que je t'aime

France Gall - Faut-il que je t'aime

France Gall

France Gall - Poupee de Cire, Poupee de Son

If you like old sixties girl music, you're likely going to love France Gall.  Or anything out of the ye-ye music movement.

I've included her award-winning performance of Poupee de Cire, Poupee de Son, which I'm sure you've all heard of.  It's been re-recorded in many different languages!