October is looking to be a crazy month for shows, to be honest. So far, I've already got Angus & Julia Stone, A-Trak, Classixx, Etienne de Crecy & Chromeo lined up, and September isn't even over yet. You should expect a few noticeable changes on Avenge The Virgins in the coming month as well, since we're trying to step our game up and expand our reach a bit. A lot of behind-the-scenes stuff, but hopefully we'll be able to show you the fruit of our labour in a not-too-distant future.
Anyways, I felt like treatin you to some somewhat soothing music today. You know how I roll on rainy-ass days like today.
I'm guessing this came to be after Mayer Hawthorne heard the great (and coincidentally, overloaded with strings) remix that Classixx did of his "Green-Eyed Love" tune a while back. These L-A disco kings always deliver quality productions, and this soulful monster of a tune seems to support their winning streak of dope work. Detroit native Hawthorne, one of the brightest stars on Peanut Butter Wolf's label Stones Throw, channels all of the Motown greats and delivers a silky smooth sexual salvo of a song. Here's to hoping that Classixx and Mayer Hawthorne work together again in the future.
One more night, give me just one more night. I love Busy Signal's music with a passion, and this just happens to be one of my favorites. A lovers reggae tune for those nights where you just kick it back with the missus. This song is the audio equivalent of pillow talk, folks. No need for foreplay, you've got Busy Signal to heat up the vibe.
I'm not too sure if this is kosher to post, but what the hell. I love you, Turbo Records, please don't send a cease and desist! The people need to hear this masterpiece, for it shall be bulldozing their dancefloors into rubble very soon. My friends, you have been warned.
Well, now, I would have posted the song that goes with the video below, but, to be honest, it has been posted everywhere. Just enjoy this phenomenal visual roller coaster ride instead . El Guincho es mas awesome, cabron.
Tonight's post is going to follow a format that I'll probably keep repeating every time I post. I'll do an in-depth feature on an artist/scene/collective that I find particularly innovative or talented, then I'll just post random tracks that I'm feeling at the moment. That way, you get to expand your horizons and stay on top of things. How unbelievably fucking convenient.
Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the one and only....
MAYER HAWTHORNE
You guys are probably expecting soft indie pop or indie rock by the look of this guy, right? Well, you could not be more wrong, to be honest. Mayer Hawthorne is making some of the sexiest, soulful and funkiest music out there at the moment. Before I get into all the hoo-ha, here's his chef-d'oevre and one of the best singles of the year, Just Ain't Gonna Work Out
Just wonderful, innit? (Note the Dam Funk cameo). His music has a sort of old-school vibe goin on, and it is interesting to note that Mayer Hawthorne actually plays all of the instruments on his records. The dude is soulful and talented, and his music is funky as hell. His tunes have a sort of retro feel to them, but still maintain a kind of modern groove. Mr. Hawthorne is signed to the famous Stones Throw label, along with Dam Funk, James Pants,& Madlib, among many others. He's a forward thinking artist who knows his history and pays tribute to the many godfathers of funk and soul. As well, he's working with Snoop Dogg on his new album, which should be an interesting combination to say the least. I'll leave you with a quote that kind of sums up the attitude surrounding Mayer Hawthorne.
“I think Mayer is the only artist in the history of the label that I’ve signed after hearing only two songs,” says label head Peanut Butter Wolf (an AMAZING Dj in his own right). “Sometimes, you just know it’s the right thing to do.”
Without further ado, here's a few of his songs, and I definitely recommend his album. Perfect baby makin' grooves.
Probably my favorite remix of this trio of Swedes, by the inimitable Mark Ronson. It has such a groovy reggae/rock steady vibe to it, and this song still has one of the best hooks of the year, in my opinion. (Little known FACT: The 3 gents in Miike Snow are the producers of Britney Spears' TOXIC. Mind= blown)
Felix Cartal is essentially the embodiment of punk ethics in electro. He's a young guy without any particular training or cred, who invested a bit of money into his laptop, started sending his original tunes and remixes to people, got a LOT of blog attention, and is now touring the world. Felix Cartal is one of the most promising young electro talents at the moment, and visits Montreal often enough. I'd definitely recommend checking him out next time he rolls through, his aggressive and moody music usually makes a crowd go apeshit. This song in particular is a remix of a massive tune by Dutch House DJ (and frequent collaborator of the Swedish House Mafia) Laidback Luke. The sweet house vocal is the perfect counterpoint to the pounding electro riffs. This song sounds ridiculous on a half-decent soundsystem, believe me.
The song that gives this post its name. Interesting little story surrounding this gem: I downloaded this song about a month ago, didn't listen to it, yet threw it on the ipod for later listening. About 3 weeks ago, I was walking back home as stoned as an adulterer in the Middle East (Oof. I am so not funny), and this beauty started playing in my headphones. The retarded "I wanna go to the friend's party" seemed ridiculous enough, but when the breakdown hits, oh my fucking lord. I LOVE LONDON! A simple electro bassline hits, then the most hilarious vocal I've heard in a while. "I'm so high and I can't speak", muttered in the most convincingly destroyed voice. Crystal Fighters are made up of 5 Spaniards who live in London. While this song isn't particularly amazing, it was quirky and insane enough to blow my mind that night and warrant inclusion on this pathetic little list.
Sorry about the updates, y'all. We're still getting into the groove, but things will definitely start picking up soon. (Mixes coming soon? Say it ain't so)
The songs featured on this blog are for promotional use only. Our goal is to promote the artists we feature, to expose great talent to a wider audience, and not to steal money from their pockets. If you would like a song removed, just get at us in the comments and we'll be more than happy to oblige. If you like the music we feature, then support the artists next time they roll through your city, either by going to a show, or by buying merchandise!