Voila, Musique

Music, Musings, and Discovery. By Joelle & Greta Our blog features artists whose songs encapsulate: Passion, Inventiveness, Character, Soul, Genuity, and Inspiration However most importantly, it is a tool for you to deepen your listening experience and to help talented artists be heard. -Just a touch about how we came to be- Joelle and Greta once identified as DJ Wild Horse & DJ Grey Fox and another year as DJ Lavender & DJ Lune. We spent three years together Co-DJ-ing an international music radio show at KUPS 90.1FM Tacoma. In May of 2013, we graduated (wahoo!) leaving our college radio careers behind us...and have now decided to transition our music collection and future findings to this blog. (: (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-53450020-1', 'auto'); ga('send', 'pageview');

[voilamusique]

This is such a tease!

[voilamusique]

This Melburnian band is killing it with their sound and album art.

An elegant beginning, a little hip-hoppy, very hypnotic, electro-vibes fading in n'out, short and to the point

Definitely worth a free download! 

[voilamusique]

Oh Denmark, how I swoon for you- and your beautiful beach bum musician's.

Sooo, everything I could find on this band was written in Danish but here are their names and parts....which I have so geniusly copy and pasted from their bandcamp.

Andreas Ledet: Guitar, synth  Frederik Fogde: Trommer, percussion  Johan Kruse: Guitar, synth  Lin Rosenbeck: Vokal  Mads Flethøj: Bas  Gabriella Silva: Cello  Rebecca Silva: Cello  Rasmus Holm: Trombone  Peter Sabroe: Wurlitzer

[voilamusique]

Alright...so I have been putting off writing about this new release for quite awhile because I really couldn't make up my mind on how I felt about it. But let's be real...it's good:)

When Alt-J first released their album An Awesome Wave in 2012 I was immediately head over heals for them...evidenced by:

1) Losing all shits when I first clicked on their Mp3 and it was actually really awesome-which is not often the case when scouring blogs for new music treasures.

2) Skipping classes and driving to see them in Portland because the show in Seattle was totally sold out. At the time, I was really impressed with keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton's live performance.

3) Playing every song (over the span of a few months) off their album on my radio show with Joelle!

4) Dancing and drunkenly holding my dear friend Jenny while singing "please don't go, please don't go- I love you so, I love you so" before she departed for Malaysia and I stayed in WA.

5) Seeing them again at Lollapalooza last summer 

Kinda obsessive? Agreed.

Let's gets back to the new release though. I do like it, I actually even like the Miley sample, hell, who doesn't love a good female rebel? And at the end the french verses... 

 "Une immense espérance a traversé la terre

  Une immense espérance a traversé ma peur"

are so thoughtful, beautiful, hopeful and grounding. Although, I do feel like it could be a little grimier, a little wonkier, a little bassier, a little alt-j-eir? Or is it just me? Do I just have too much emotion mixed up with their last album to fully appreciate the newly crafted material? 

One way or another, here is what I'm sure about:

I. The song is a tribute to their lost band mate, guitarist and bassist, Gwil Swainsbury. It seems to have been the best decision for him to go, but there is no denying it left a hole. 

II. It is also a message that even with one less member, the band is still optimistic about their future and they are still onward bound towards success.

Best of luck to you.

-Greta

[voilamusique]

Cate le Bon embodies sweet simplicity and clear round harmonies. Her songs are a reflection of genuine craftsmanship and beauty. 

I am reminded of the first(and only as a matter of fact) time I heard Adelle singing at a wine bar in Minneapolis- just an empty black stage and a lady with a bang-ingly beautiful voice.

Secondly, I am reminded of the First Aid Kit sisters at the Cedar Cultural Center(also in Minneapolis) when it was just two shy girls visiting from Sweden, harmonizing their hearts out. 

Cate le Bon has that same quality, that insta-enchantment kinda quality.

Give her a listen. And soon enough, you too will be wishing you'd grown up in Whales so you had her oh-so-enamoring accent. Also, I would like to note the guitarist H. Hawkline and in other songs drummer Nick Murray.

Enjoy.

-Greta

((If you want to skip the intro, and get straight to the good stuff, start your clip at 0:58))

Want to hear more?

https://soundcloud.com/turnstilemusic/i-think-i-knew-feat-perfume/s-k2Ezu

https://soundcloud.com/catelebon

[voilamusique]

This music video from Julie Ruin's album Run Fast is so rad. I'm obsessed with how each artist is in a separate location, two of which are in bodies of water! so awesome.  

Julie Ruin first collaborated in NYC in 2010, and members are as follows (in order of appearance) :

Kathi Wilcox on cello in NYC (she also plays bass for them)

Carmine Covelli on drums in Hawaii

Kathline Hanna, singing her little heart out, in Hawaii

Kenny Mellman on keyboard in a wetsuit in the Catskills Mountain

Sara Landeau on guitar in Australia

Quite an impressive collaboration if you ask me.

Chao,

Greta

[voilamusique]

So. Much. Soul. Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab!

Seriously Sinkane you have crafted such exquisite harmonies and embellished them with scrumptious bass, jazzy synths, and the most complimentary of drums parts. I love it.

Do yourself a solid and check out his latest album Mean Love.

-Wayne (Gretsky that is)

[voilamusique]

LCTRISCL

The Fire in the Distance is a cosmic collision of song, dance, and art.

The song-first and foremost, meet the band: Duo Lenny & Leslie, more lengthily known as Oskar Linnaeus and Adam Jonsson.

The dance - Introducing the choreographer...Erika Sjöberg!

The art- The lady that I can only imagine spent HOURS upon hours beautifying this video with body paint: Vilika Vitkute!

The song has a fluid-madness, liberation, and animalistic-ness about it, finding its roots in artists like Ratatat, MGMT, Miike Snow, and Chromeo.

Well, Sweden, you've done it again. Maximal (album title), with its strung-out guitar parts and colossal beat intensity is going to be anything but minimal;)

-gReta Rose

[voilamusique]

When I hear this song I imagine basking in the sun by a river letting Carmen's voice whisk my thoughts away with the current. Where does the warmth emanating from her voice take you?

I look forward to seeing what this enchanting lady from the Dominican Republic has up her sleeve. 

-Greta

[voilamusique]

[voilamusique]

I have been meaning to highlight Caribous newest release since the beginning of June and with no further adieu...Can't do without you.

The build up in Daniel Snaith's newest song is the best thing since crescendos were cool in middle school, or perhaps it's the best thing since dubstep blew up in 2007(when Mary Anne Hobbs spun at the 2007 Sónar festival in Barcelona)...or maybe it is just the"best thing since sliced bread". One way or another...you've done well for your self Mr.Snaith.

Caribou, formerly known as Manitoba, is a Canadian composer and musician who's collaboration with electronic hyperdub’s Jessy Lanza and Canadian violinist Owen Pallett** have created quite the sensory explosion.

Seems to me, Merge Records is going to have another success story on their hands when Caribous full album "Our Love" is released in October 2014.

**Owen Pallett won over my heart with Final Fantasy in 2007 after I saw this video by Vincent Moon

http://en.blogotheque.net/2007/09/18/final-fantasy-en/

He's just singing and playing the violin on a Sunday afternoon in the streets of Paris...pas mal, non?

+Greta

[voilamusique]

When I first heard Hamilton Leithauser's "Alexandra" projecting through the halls at my internship by DJ John Richards a couple of months back I was immediately drawn to its rosy bright quality.  

I jotted Hamilton Leithauser's name down on my phone so I could listen to the song later on my own accord -and as a side note added "Old timey-Vampire Weekend vibes"

Turns out, I was kinda spot on with my Vampire Weekend vibes reference- this track was co-written and produced by Rostam Batmanglij (core Vampire weekend bandmate&producer).

In terms of the "old-timeyness" I have no idea why Hamilton's refined and leathery voice sends my mind racing to the1920's. Maybe its the upbeat sinewy dynamics in the song that makes me think I should be flitting around Paris in the 1920's with a green slinky flapper dress and feather head band. whothef***knows, maybe I'm crazy or maybe I just really miss France.

Anyway- the other Walkmen bandmates must be feelin' like they have some big shoes to fill in terms of their solo careers because I am sure Hamilton's full album Black Hours is going to be a wild success. Naw, I'm sure they're thrilled at Hamilton's new success:)

Cheers,

G-ret-ski

[jungleindierock]

Glass Animals - Pools

New single from Glass Animals taken from their debut album ZABA out June 9th.

[voilamusique]

This new release by Glass Animals is also absolutely worth mentioning.

[voilamusique]

Chilean ladies of the sea (Marineros translates to sailors)-l lykee:)

I wonder if they are water signs?

Listen up!

[voilamusique]

Check out Seattle artist new release...Hesitation! I think Beat Connection has finally got their mojo on lockdown, because this song seems quite a few strides ahead of their previous work. It is undeniably attractive to the ear and totally catchy.

Take a listen, or maybe 2 or 3. And then maybe slap on your dancing shoes- I think I just might- bonne soirée!

More soon,

-greTski

[voilamusique]

CATALDO

This Saturday I went to Cataldo's show at the Columbia City Theater, in Seattle- superb show [Skip to next paragraph if solely seeking band description...Those looking to kill some time with a good old yogurt metaphor-read on].  So you know how Greek yogurt with live active cultures is kinda a big deal now? The trending, super-fuel, probiotic body energizer? Well, that is how I want to feel about the music I am listening to. I want the songs to make me feel alive and energized-and this is EXACTLY what Cataldo does- and is doing! Cataldo is that small, local, organic farm with pasture raised and grass-fed cows producing ze best greek yogurt ever- that you feel awesome about while consuming- and you are hooked on after. That metaphor hit home with anyone? 

Yes? No? Maybe-so?

About the band:

Eric Anderson, the lead singer, is charming, eloquent, has beautiful vocal resonation, and keeps the band together like a conductor-even when there is no rhythmic reason to the piece. Did I mention, the three person horn section?! Eargasm- then add intensifying bass, guitars, keyboard, highly focused drums, harmonizing vocals and voila! The quality of sound being produced is truly magical. Plus, the way their set (of songs) was organized was very mindful and fluid which made their performance even more enjoyable for the audience. 

--> Three songs to start with: The Beast, Gilded Oldies and Black Lamb 

---> If you live in Oregon, they are headed there next! Just a heads up!

----> Here is their website

http://www.cataldomusic.com/

With much love till next time.

-greta

[voilamusique]

"Dancing and Advancing to the Light"

Damn right. Sylvan Esso once again. 

J.L.L.