When in Rome

Instead of looking forward, sometimes it's better simply to look back.

When in Rome - The Promise

VV Brown & Nice N Wild

Okay, okay...so I know I have been talking a lot these days about new music, new sounds, new styles, blah blah blah. That was all fine and dandy, until I stumbled across VV Brown's remake of the 80's track Padlock. There is just something about this track that brings me back in life about 12 to 18 months, to club nights out in New York, to The Hunt & Tell Tale Heart (R.I.P), to before my life became a bit less selfish and my Dad has his heart attack.

So here's to moving forward, to looking back, and to fantastic nights out with a great soundtrack to keep you and your friends cozy.

VV Brown - Padlock

And while I'm at it, here's another track that brings me back to those late Tuesday's and Thursday's spent in dark and hot downtown spaces, dancing, drinking & forgetting about your quickly approaching 7:00 AM wake up. To burning the candle at both ends, and loving every minute of it.

Nice N Wild - Diamond Girl (Diamond Mix)

Solid Gold + Amazing Baby + Holy Ghost!

I must admit, the past few months have been tad musically confused. I am speaking only for myself, and not proclaiming any worldly truth outside of my own meager mind. But given the fact that I share music on this here slice of WWWDot, I feel obliged to divulge my lil secret.

I have been at odds with exactly what type of music I really like, perhaps because my tastes have been wandering off into the woods in search of something, anything, different. The hard electro club kid banger stuff feels so damn immature, the italo disco stuff feels a bit obvious & the 80's post-punk new wave thing has been on repeat for quite a while now. I was lost.

But now I am found...sort of. It started with my proclaimed infatuation with all of the Classixx productions, where I realized I was feeling something a bit more relaxed, yet still pop oriented and related to the electro/disco/new-wave/post-punk sounds I mentioned above. The Sidwho? Millionaire track added weight to this new feeling of mine and now Solid Gold's Matter of Time has sealed the deal. And just for fun, compare the first few seconds of Matter of Time to the first few seconds of Sidwho's Millionaire.

I'll let the music talk for itself. Enjoy.

Solid Gold - Matter of Time

And though a bit different from the fantasy land I described above, I am feeling this new Amazing Baby track as well. It relates, it's got that late night swagger, and to top it off, their from Brooklyn! With love, from Brooklyn...

Amazing Baby - Supreme Being

And finally, since we're on the topic of Brooklyn, Classixx, and this new sound I've fallen head over heels for, here's a Holy Ghost! track that fits the mold and that Classixx remixed. I'll post both the original and the remix, how's that? Too good.

Holy Ghost! - I Will Come Back

Holy Ghost! - I Will Come Back (Classixx Remix)

Drop the Lime + Classixx

Drop the Lime is a bass heavy kingpin from Brooklyn whose sound I want to like (cuz the just dude ooooozzzes radical sauce) but I just can't get into the hard stuff. Despite that, I can appreciate what he's doing, as his hard hitting songs sound quite a bit more mature and unique than most of the 21 year old hipster club shit being played waaaayyyyy too much these days. Whatever happened to a good ol' danceable harmony and melody?

Well, the Classixx dudes, as always, know what's up. If you're familiar with my blog and my stated taste in pop music, you'll know I'm obsessed and post tracks from these guys a lot (i.e. Mayer Hawthorne post below). Their electronic sound is oh-so recognizable in a sea of faceless "bangers." Everything they touch turns to silk, including Drop the Lime's Devil Eyes. Have a taste, and enjoy a mellowed out slice of citrus...

Drop the Lime - Devil Eyes (Classixx's B-Live Mix)

And while I'm at it, since I brought up Mayer Hawthrone, here's another soulful remix of one of his tracks to go with the Classixx remix I posted last time, with harmony and melody for days!

Mayer Hawthorne - Just Ain't Gonna Work Out (Astronote El Camino Remix)

Mayer Hawthorne + Classixx

I had the chance to see Mayer Hawthorne at the new Knitting Factory in Williamsburg early in October, and I passed it up for a very fine quadruple date dinner at Freeman's. I had the shaved brussel sprout salad and a damn good baked fish who's name now escapes me. I'll blame that on the five Freeman's Cocktails I put down over the course of the meal. Ugh, to die for!

If I could go back and do it all over again, I certainly wouldn't change a thing. That said, had Classixx been on the bill as well, let's just say my fish may not have tasted to zesty. Well, probably not, because an 8 PM reservation for 8 people at Freeman's (thank you Spanky!) is an impossibility not to pass up, nor is a quadruple date with 7 people you love dearly and see not often enough.

This one goes out to the sexiest group of quadruple daters south of 14th Street.

Mayer Hawthorne - Green Eyed Love (Classixx Remix)

Million Young

I honestly don't know much about Million Young at all. That said, I do know I like the way the kid from Florida sounds. And I like the fact that he is offering up his Sundream EP for free download here. The first Million Young track I feasted on was Hammock, and it's what hooked me. So here it is, along with another track, Chlorophyl. Both are included on the five track EP.

Million Young - Hammock

Million Young - Chlorophyl

Ali Love

In blog years, I am way late on this one. Even so, I couldn't let that stop me from posting a track I have been loving these past few weeks. Ali Love is a Londoner who has had his ups and downs, it seems. After releasing a pair of singles on his own label "I Love Records" in 2006, his breakthrough came in 2007 when he provided the vocals on the Chemical Brother's single Do It Again. He released another pair of singles thereafter, which didn't reach the U2-type expectations of the big boys at Columbia, his the newly signed label. Columbia dropped him in 2007/08, and made one hell of a mistake

Here's Ali Love's newest effort, Diminishing Returns, released by Backyard Recordings. You all know by now how much I love my 80's inspired sounds tweaked with synth, waves and bass to meet today's dream-state aesthetics. This one's sure to make its way into your life sooner or later, so why not now.

Ali Love - Diminishing Returns (extended version)

Sidwho?

Sidwho? Who? Exactly. I don't know much about the dude or the Future Classic Label that supports him, but based on the way he sounds and the way he dad's, I'm down to know more about the man they call Sidwho?. Millionaire, his track featured on the thrird installment of the Australian record label's Apres compilation series, is a treat for the senses.

What a pleasant first taste for what is to me, a new artist and a new label. Enjoy this rain storm. Heavy clouds and pleasant mist.

Sidwho? - Millionaire (12 inch mix)

Bringin it ba ba ba ba back...

Two songs I am happy I have, that I'd like to share. Two songs with not much in common except for the following:

1) both from back when we were all a bit younger
2) both totally rad to play right now.

The beauty of good music, in all its shapes and sizes, is how it lingers in your life similar to a scent from your childhood. For me it's the taco's cooking in the kitchen, the sizzle of ground beef powdered with seasoning straight out of the lil bag, reminding me it's time to set the table.

In the spirit of memories and memory making, I say bravo! to mom's home cooked taco's, Comme des Garçon's 8 88 and everything else that smells, tastes, feels and sounds so damn good.

P.S. - I am sorry the preview option is disabled for these two songs, however, please trust me add them to your life, if you have not already.

Lil Wayne - Hustler Muzik

Flock of Seagulls - I Ran

Little Dragon

Thanks be to Black Bear for pointing my nose in the direction of this sweet honey. Little Dragon's dreamy 80's-esque electro pop has added a nice color to my recent mornings and a fuzzy warmth as the temperatures have dropped quickly here in New York. As the leaves color brilliantly, then fall flat, so do we (love) Fall.

Little Dragon - Blinking Pigs

Little Dragon - Looking Glass

Little Dragon - Feather

Gotye & Passion Pit

So the first 30 seconds of this pop song keep you guessing, wondering if this track is going to be any better than the rest in your fresh batch of downloads. And then the beat drops, and it becomes evident that, yes, this song is better than most. And soon after, once the synths and vocals both start to really kick, you'll know you are ready to throw back the cocktail, put down the glass, get up and move, tied to nothing and no one. Just you, the darkness and the swell of right now.

Australia's Gotye gets a Passion Pit remix of their stellar A-side, "Learnalilgivinanlovin" In the words of Neon Gold, "Keeping the throwback guitar and drums of the original intact, Passion Pit take the blueprint laid down by Gotye and dress it up in all manner of synth riffs and washes in keeping with their signature electronic aesthetic."

Goyte - Learnalilgivinanlovin (Passion Pit Remix)

Simian Mobile Disco

Justin, thanks for sending this my way. The birthday boy is giving out presents! I hope to see everyone Friday night, August 21, at 15 Romolo. We'll be celebrating one great man's birth and cutting a rug while sipping some fancy cocktails. Lil Stel and Pierre will be pumping song's like this brand new SMD track all night, and expect it to be a fab time all around. Cheers to Justin, happy birthday stud.

Simian Mobile Disco - Cruel Intentions (feat. Beth Ditto)

Classixx

Every single thing these dudes touch turns to gold. Classixx have remixed the likes of The Ting Tings, Phoenix, Major Lazer and Fischerspooner, among others, and every single release is a sure fire hit cut out either for the dance floor or that energized commute to and from work in head-phoned solitude. Their remix of Lisztomania is in my top 5 from 2009 already, and I wouldn't be surprised if another track they remix or produce in the next few months adds its way into my short list as well.

For those of you who don't know Classixx, now you do...

Classixx - I'll Get You (ft. Jeppe)

Pheonix - Lizstomania (Classix Remix)

Major Lazer - Cash Flow (Classixx Glass Bottom Dub Mix)

Holy Ghost! - I Will Come Back (Classixx Acapulco Nights Version)

Chew Lips

Okay, just imagine...you're favorite bar or club is having a private party, you're on the list and since you know the bouncer, the bartenders and the club owner, all your friends are on the list too - as long as they are dressed to the nines and ready to party til dawn, of course. We're talking high heels, bright red lipstick, bangs, skinny jeans and a styli top for the girls and black boots, fitted jeans and a loose fitted long sleeved top with a nice texture to it and some chest hair showing for the dudes. Whatever, as long as everybody is rocking what is is they rock best.

You walk in and right then the DJ throws on this track to start you're night. Order a Sazerac cuz it's cocktail night and let the games begin...

Chew Lips - Salt Air (Jupiter Remix)

The Orange Lights & Alan Braxe

I cannot and will not claim to know much about The Orange Lights beyond what I gathered from their myspace page - the U2 and Stone Roses influences seem quite apparent. Anyhoo, the Alan Braxe remix of their Life is Still Beautiful single is nothing less than great, and certainly worth a dance, a drink and a tipsy good time.

The Orange Lights - Life is Still Beautiful (Alan Braxe Remix)

And in the spirit of tipsy moments with those you love, here's a Lifelike remix of Moby's Mistake.

Moby - Mistake (Lifelike Remix)

RIKSLYD (29-year-old-Norwegian-Village-Girl-Who-Makes-Electropop-In-Paris)

RIKSLYD's Amisexy just got played at Stella McCartney's FW09 Runway show, which means the girl knows how to make skinny babes walk straight, stop, pose, turn, pose again, and walk straight some more. Talent!

Here's 2 tracks of hers, both to be played when you are feeling like America's Next Top Negro Modelo...

RIKSLYD - Marimba Song

RIKSYLD - Amisexy

This Sweet Love

All Sunday's should be as Sunny as this one. Here's a sunny track I have been listening to quite a bit this past week, from coat to coast, finding sunshine in both cities.

James Yuill - This Sweet Love (Prins Thomas Sneaky Edit)

Fenech-Soler & Alan Braxe

UK outfit Fenech-Soler are in love with Alan Braxe. And French House guru Alan Braxe is in love with Fenech-Soler. The product of such a romance is Fenech-Soler's debut single, The Cult of Romance, out on Braxe's Vulture label.

Alan Braxe remixed that track, and a handsome baby boy was born. Have a listen to baby...

fenech-soler - the cult of romance (alan braxe remix)

Tom Ford

Pheonix v. Classixx

Not that Pheonix's 'Lisztomania' needed a makeover, but boy, I am very glad Classixx had the idea to do so. Classixx uses 'Lisztomania' to create a beautiful haze I regularly visit after midnight, where eyes gently close, body parts merge and the wave of right now, this moment, this breath, takes hold.

Pheonix - Lisztomania (Classixx Remix)

And just to be fair, here's the original.

Pheonix - Lisztomania (Album Version)

Bit Funk

It has been a while since I have fallen head over heels into a song like this. Bit Funk's Love Scientific is some damn fine electronic production work, and never ever goes overboard. I know a lot of people love their hard hard electro, but to me, it just always feels amateur, obvious and simply inaccessible. Bit Funk gives me faith that there is a breed of danceable and emerging electronic music still able to sooth the soul without resorting to chaos.

Bit Funk - Love Scientific

Catcall

I played this at least twice on Thursday's launch of The Bar Code, and I wasn't even Dj'ing! Thanks for letting me drop a track Lil Stel, twice!

Catherine Kelleher is Catcall. Catcall's August is my new jam.

Catcall - August

Sferro & The Sweeps

Life inside a video game...
Midnight on a submarine...
Lasers dancing the waltz...
Just listen...

Sferro - Replique
The Sweeps - When In June

THE BAR CODE

As Director of Design & Decor for The Bar Code, I have been curating a mean collection of furniture and art objects to have on sale alongside the fashion and the bar and the DJ's and the beautiful people. Please come check it out, and take home a piece of vintage and modern cool.

P.S. - Official After Party Thursday night at 15 Romolo, directly following the event. I'll be behind the decks at Romolo tipsy and happy, so come out to both the launch of the event itself from 6-11 and then on to the after party as well.

And here's a plug running on the Radio - Alice 97.3 FM - crazy.

Ellie Goulding

Another London female electropop vocalist makes me wish I was driving with the windows down all summer long...

Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed

Goodbye Horses

Fan Death covers Q Lazzarus' classic and oh-so-sexy 'Goodbye Horses.' I tend to play the original late into an evening, late into a set, late into a haze of sweaty boys and girls who fell in love on the dance floor. Now I have two options when I feel like saying goodbye to a night and goodbye to some horses. Pretty awesome...

I'll include the original for those who don't have it, because you should, because its amazing, just because.

Fan Death - Goodbye Horses (cover)

Q Lazzarus - Goodbye Horses (original)

PS - Fan Death's original material is pretty awesome as well Here's a taste...

Fan Death - Veronica's Vail

Wave Machines

It happens to be 74 degrees, sunny as balls and the perfect Saturday afternoon to pop the sunroof, head north on 101 and sing along to the wave of happy pop and club bounce that the Wave Machines stir up. Keep the lights on, released on 4/20, is the first release off their upcoming debut album, "Wave if You're Really There." Enjoy, and break out the SPF...

Wave Machines - Keep the Lights On

My Monday Night, Your Twisted Wires

I love rediscovering music that lost itself in iTunes USA. Music, like dogs or dreams, often get lost in dark places. This song popped back into my regular rotation thanks to my upcoming Monday night trip down to Mezzanine to see Glass Candy. Opening is none other than Twisted Wires, a fellow Italians Do It Better cup of synthy disco Joy Division . Check it...

Twisted Wires - One Night at the Raw Deal

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Here's the first track off Pheonix's upcoming Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix , their 4th album, which drops on May 25th. Some pop, drop and roll.

Phoenix - 1901

Asobi Seksu & Twins

I just pulled this one off BigStereo and am a happy little boy as a result. I loved Asobi Seksu's breakout album, Citrus, and am happy to here these two being remixed by the likes of Twins.

Enjoy! It's a poppy jam indeed. PB & Jam!

Asobi Seksu - Familiar Light (Twins Remix)

SAUCE ::: I-15, Chris Brown, Mavado ::: SAUCE

What is it about those smooth R&B jams with a killa beat, saucy vocals and cheesy titles?

I-15 - Tootie Frootie

Chirs Brown ft. Noah - Which One

This third one is more dance-hall meets the bedroom.

Mavado - In Da Car Back

Santo Mixxy Mix

Here's a Santogold remix.

Santogold - Lights Out (Tepr Emo Remix)

Junior Boys

The first album was amazing, the second album was fantastic and the third album is better that chocolate cake. You don't believe me? Well take a listen...here's the new JB album, "Begone Dull Care." Press play, cross your fingers and praise be to JB.

Junior Boys - Beyond Dull Care (Full Album)

The Presets

Was just talking today about how great these two are live. Hence, the inspiration for posting this track, "If I Know You," off of their 2008 Apocalypso.

The Presets - If I know You

Speaking of tracks first heard in 2008, here's another that I recently re-discovered this week after it popped up on a shuffled iTunes playlist late one night while lying in bed (tipsy). Loved it then, in the dark, in the bed, in the mood.

Santogold - Starstruck

Vietcong Disco

Some new sounds being made and played in those dimly lit lofts out in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Along the lines of DFA and Rong Records, the Vietcong Disco (Eddie Mars and Malcolm LaSalle) is, "bringing you never before heard disco tracks, from better decades past, when war and torment were shortlisted by dance-culture, sexuality and flashy good looks."

Midnight Star - Close Encounter (Eddie Mars Edit)

Eddie Mars - The Pharoh's Jewel

Things That Look Like Other Things

I have not posted about design in a bit, except for the fab pair of Common Projects Sneakers I featured earlier, which are for sure an example high end design for your peds. Anyway, here are some cool Things that Look Like Other Things.

Royal College of Art graduate (UK) Cristian Zuzunaga has devised a fabric based on a 'pixel' concept, which is being produced by Danish manufacturer Kvadrat and sold through Moroso. The sofa looks like a zoomed in view of a lo-res image of school children playing hop-scotch behind the school house. That, or a Gerhard Ricter 'Color Chart' Painting, below.

Speaking of sofas, how about this leather loveseat on wheels. Which would you take, the oh so sexy leather Moto Guzzi, or the oh so Danish, and oh so manly mid century modern Sofa designed by Kaare Klint?

BlackDisco

Although, this track is pretty F-ing live. And F-ing pretty too.

BlackDisco - Let's Go!

Sleepyhead

So, given the fact that it 8:19 am, and I have already been up for an hour and 19 minutes to take the pup to the doggie park, its seems rather appropriate to post Passion Pit's 'Sleepyhead.'

Well, not exactly, its not the original but a remix that gets your coffee dripping, and given the fact that I am necking a sexy cup o' joe right now, it all just seems to fit. Wake up and enjoy the day sleepyheads!

Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (The Knocks Remix)

Mickey Gang Wants Your Vote

I always love letting you, the reader/listener/lover/spy, make up your own damn mind about these sorts of things. So here's an original track from a talented group of 4 young kids who call themselves Mickey Gang, and a dancy remix of the same song by Naji Naha.

Take a peek at both and mark your ballot for either Reform or Change. Or maybe you're like me and dig em both. Nothing wrong with being caught between a rock and a hard place, as long as the sauces from both skillets smell like recently rained upon grass at dawn.

Mickey Gang - I was Born in the 90's

Mickey Gang - I was Born in the 90's (Naji Naha Footloose Remix)

Peter, Bjorn & John vs. The Golden Filter

To follow up to my post below, lets keep Peter, Bjorn and John in our headphones a little bit longer, but add some female point of view to recipe. All the boys, shut the fuck up and listen, this chick means business!

Peter, Bjorn & John - Lay It Down (Golden Filter Remix)

Peter, Bjorn & John

Leaked from the depths of outer space and back again, its some brand new Peter, Bjorn & John.

Man, those first few seconds take me back to the first 3 weeks after Justice released/leaked D.A.N.C.E.. Gosh those lil kids voices sure make me smile. And then the beat drops, and you want to start moving, ever so slightly, tempted to dance, maybe, just maybe, once dance where all worries take a back seat for just one moment. And then it gets great and original as one would only expect from these three Young Folks. And your lost in their new fairy tale.

Peter, Bjorn & John - Nothing to Worry About