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Tour De Vaap

“A compilation of music from 417”

Tag Archives: experimental

April 24, 2013 Blaue Blume – On New Year’s Eve

Blaueblue

Somewhere in between the dramatic and powerful sound of early Genesis, 80s angst and singer Antony lies Blaue Blume.  This singer form Copenhagen has but one released song under his belt, and boy is it a good one.  ”On New Year’s Eve” is strange and fragile, a song with dark undertones and a delicate voice, skipping from note to note as if the melody could shatter at any moment due to the desperate voice.  It’s the setting sun, dark and fleeting which quickly becomes darkness and then the dawn, dancing into a new and mystery day.  It’s enveloping and you can hear it below.  Hopefully we’ll here more about this guy soon.

 

Blaue Blume – On New Year’s Eve

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September 1, 2012 Baio – The Silent/New You

Everyone in the indie music scene at least knows of Vampire Weekend, but lately it’s the members’ side-projects that really have my attention.  First there was ROSTAM with his two singles last fall.  Now Chris Baio is stepping up with some new ambient electronic pieces.  The two singles “The Silent/New You” compliment each other perfectly: “The Silent” is a bit more lively and worldly (or at least as lively as a song called “The Silent” can be) while “New You” is darker and edgy than its predecessor using lots of reverb and quick sharp drums to create a paranoid beat.  It’s amazing to hear what these guys can do on their own.  Together they form a hip, crisp indie rock band, but apart they’re completely different beats.  Check out these dark tunes below, and if you’re feeling the experimental vibes, you can download them here or on the Greco-Roman soundcloud.

-M. Kauf

Baio – The Silent/New You

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May 21, 2012 Sigur Rós-Ég Anda (Video)

This is probably the most educational music video I’ve ever watched, not to mention the solid song behind it…

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April 6, 2012 Jeff Beam – Be Your Own Mirror

This bassist of the Portland band The Milkman Union is from a rare breed of musician: the true psychedelic artist.  Beams music speaks of self-reflection awash with fuzzy guitars, crisp drumbeats and a variety of subtle little bleeps and bloops that leave your ears perked for the entire listening experience.  You never know what’s gonna happen next.  The opener “Whispering Poison in His Ear” is a quieter acoustic number, gently lulling the listener into Beam’s world with guitar, strings and a soft-high hat.  But Beam quickly moves into heavier and darker songs with “Hospital Patience” and “Part One” plays out like a prog-rock Jethro Tull track.  After a trippy initiation into the second half of the record Beam continues to show strong musical skills inherited from the greats of the Early-70s (like a heavier Big Star) on songs like, “Existentially Speaking” and  ”Successful People Who Never Existed.”  But music aside, his album Be Your Own Mirror is interesting for it’s lyrical theme.  Beam sings of alienation, urbanphobia and, at times, disillusion with the human race.  It’s as close to Walden’s Pond as a records gonna get.  It’s the perfect get-away album and it’s out today.

-M. Kauf

Jeff Beam – Now

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April 4, 2012 Dirty Projectors – Gun Has No Trigger

For this one, you may not want to wait until you read the post before listening.  Dirty Projectors are gearing up to release their first full length since 2009′s Bitte Orca.  If the first single off the upcoming album, “Gun Has No Trigger,” is any indication of what Swing Lo Magellan has in store, I anticipate this album being a top contender for best album of the year.  The single is catchy, catchy, catchy.  Longstreth desperately conveys his message to the sharp beat of a kick drum and well-timed female backup lines.  In short, this single is pure musical genius.  If you haven’t already, listen below to see what I mean.

-M. Kauf

Dirty Projectors – Gun Has No Trigger

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February 21, 2012 Cold Blue Kid – Mimic

It’s hard to put a finger on this Chicago Indie band.  They’re the unique creation of frontman/guitarist Alex Longoria and their songs range from electronic synth pop to rock to summery love songs.  Recently, they released a 6 track EP titled Mimic which is filled with all sorts of surprises, twists and turns.  The first three songs, seem to embody a strange mix of The Cure with the Dream pop sounds of Beach House, while the second half has a rockier edge and Alex’s voice truly shines.  All around, the EP is a stunning DIY effort considering the variety of sounds and instruments.  I’d be interested to hear what this band would sound like with the high-end production of a major labor.  For a taste of this chameleon group, check out the title track below and look for more from Cold Blue Kid down the road.

-M. Kauf

Cold Blue Kid – Mimic:

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April 23, 2011 Delicate Steve – Sugar Splash

It’s hard to describe 23-year-old instrumentalist Steve Marion’s sound.  It seems to come from everyone and everywhere, culminating into a blend of distorted guitars and driving drums.  I learned about him after reading a “bio” on his band and I’ve been listening to him on repeat ever since.  To me one of the standout songs on the album is “Sugar Splash.”  In this song, Steve somehow manages to combine a latin drum beat with Ratatat-like guitars.  If you like it, be sure to listen to “Butterfly” and “Wondervisions” of his debut album Wondervisions which came out in February. – M. Kauf

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April 12, 2011 Dirty Gold – Roar

“I’m waiting, not taking, I’m coming home/

I’ve tasted, my sunlight, I’m coming home”

I’ve been waiting for this album since January.  I spent countless hours searching the internet for any trace of this band.  I found nothing.  Just that wonderful single with early morning echoes in every guitar riff and a longing yet optimistic voice tearing through a mighty drumbeat.  All I knew was that April 12 would eventually arrive and the wait would be over.  Now that day has come and I did not wait in vain.  The debut Ep from Dirty Gold was an impressive effort from the teenage band that formed in November of 2010.  It opens with “North” a short but sweet jangle of vibraphones that eases the listener into the album.  Roar transitions nicely from song to song as Beach Boys surf pop blends with indie synth stars Beach House.  It’s amazing how much sound this trio generates.  The 4th song “Quite Place” has an amazing weight to it, using strong keyboards to effortlessly play with both singer and guitarist.  I know this band will bring some interesting stuff in the future.  As I wrote this, in some of the first nice weather (75 degrees!) for a long time, I couldn’t think of a better album to have by my side.  - M. Kauff

Dirty Gold – Quiet Life:

Dirty Gold – California Sunrise:

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April 11, 2011 Panda Bear – Last Night At The Jetty

“I want to enjoy what’s meant to enjoy
Not try to find slights and slurs to employ”

In honor of record store day, Panda Bear is set to release his new album, Tomboy. This will be the fourth solo album by Noah Lennox, a member of the experimental rock band Animal Collective. However, this new work is a deliberately different sound, focused on straying from “the severe parameters of using samplers.” Instead, Lennox was inspired by “doing something with a heavy focus on guitar and rhythm.” Tomboy’s track “Last Night At The Jetty” features harmonies reminiscent of The Beach Boys, futuristic samples, and lyrics sung in a slow, hypnotizing tempto that fall over a wobbly synth straight from Merriweather Post Pavilion. Ultimately, it takes the listener on an visceral journey similar to previous works while exploring new, darker depths of the genre. – M. Hoff

Panda Bear – Last Night At The Jetty:

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April 8, 2011 Hella – City Folk Sitting, Sitting

Hella
Sargeant House is now privileged with unveiling math rock’s new face .  Since their last release , Hella has struggled with the popularity of their drummer, who applies an energy comparable to that of nuclear fission, and has thus made the years following their last album unproductive. Leading to this release, however, Hella has left the math rock community with a fractured picture of how their new sound will blend, as Zach Hill continues to bang his hides with Bygones , and Spencer Seim with Amaranth . But until then, we will sit, like City Folk. Sitting, sitting. – J. Brookes

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