Singles - Incubus

Right, so everyone probably knows about Incubus for one reason or another. I'm sure that more than a few of you people have/have heard of their album Make Yourself from 1999. But I'm not so sure how many people know about the song Battlestar Scralatchtica, even though everyone should. As the name makes perfectly clear, the song involves a lot of scratching. What isn't clear from the name is the inclusion of a sort of trip hop or house feel with dub and great bass. To tell you the truth, I don't really want to keep writing about this song because I decided to post this in an hour I had in between class (or if you prefer, because I'm a self-centered arrogant bitch)...but listen to the song anyway!

The Climax Blues Band

Well...it's certainly been a while. And I am not making my long-awaited, victorious comeback with the band that I thought I was. Instead, I'm going back to my roots of blues rock and awesome. Therefore, I am giving you music by the Climax Blues band (also called the Climax Chicago Blues Band despite being from Stafford, England) formed in 1968. These guys had epic harmonies, and I mean EPIC. This group of amazing musicians formed a crazy lineup when it came to playing together and singing together. I am constantly and consistently impressed with songs they write, as they put all the instruments and voices to use with grace and style. If you can ever call blues graceful. As I am a bit rusty from such a long absence and could therefore never do this band justice, I'll just have you listen to Standing By A River and Mole On the Dole.
Also, here's their official website.

Villains

You may find yourself asking me, “how can you make another post about Los
Angeles music makers? “ while you read on in contempt for my geographic
diversity in terms of music taste. Well, prepare to groan an annoyance because
the answer is, I happen to like the music I find in LA, so I’m right you’re
wrong, I’m big, you’re little, I’m smart you’re dumb, and there’s nothing you
can do about it (by the way, if you didn’t live Danny Devito in that movie, you
probably deserve to be ostracized to the steppes of northern Russia). These
remixing, DJ, stars also played at the aforementioned Electric Daisy Carnival
Event. Unfortunately for me, due to unforeseen circumstances, I missed them.
Villains remixes are some of my favorite, and I haven’t met a person yet who
doesn’t like their very danceable remix of Buzzin by Shwayze. An old favorite I
had for a while was their mix of Steve Akoi’s Cut Me Up. Those two songs found
their way onto many a playlist in the june/july area. They’re fun, and easy to
listen to, so give them a shot, VILLAINS.

The Glitch Mob

Today’s post focuses on a group of DJs from the magical place of wonder andamazement that is Los Angeles. From a first listen the heavy beats sound like theycould be backing an MC as he spits aggressive, hard lyrics with passion at aroaring crowd, however; as you let the music play on, it takes on a life of its own. I discovered The Glitch Mob through my adventures in (and around [ok, a lot around]) the Coliseum for Insomniac Event’s Electric Daisy Carnival. I, never expecting a lack of crowd control that resulted a swarming, pulsing mob of drugged kandi kids, drunk gang bangers, and stoned jungalists, showed up with what I thought was plenty of time to get in and relax. I was dead wrong. As I stood in the giant snake that engulfed the venue, I wondered to myself, “Is this god’s punishment to me for such decadence as a 12 hour massive with 5 stages of kick ass music?”. The answer came back with full force from the circuitGROUNDS stage, located just over a, sadly, impermeable fence. A resounding NO, was heard from the booming speakers as edit, Boreta, Ooah, and Kraddy began their set. The line opened up as the heavy Electronic infused Hip-Hop stylings and the wait became bearable. As the music continued, I heard a remix of Ludacris’ Get Back that had me looking for another listen for a full month (seriously, I can’t find it anywhere, and its pissing me off). Whether you’re a Hip-Hop head who is too afraid to venture into the world of EDM, a Junglism purist decked out in camo, or a Electronica obsessed PLURRite, there is bound to be something you’ll like in this HIGHLY danceable music. One of my favorite tracks of theirs is a remix of Nalepa’s Monday. I will admit to looking quite ridiculous in a drunken dancefest fully at the whim of this songs bass. Its free on their site, which I suggest you check out, as it is full of other things as well. They just played yesterday at the OC's JuJuBeats, but my guess is, you probably missed it.

This is Ivy League

This is Ivy League is an Indie band formed in 2005 in Brookyln. The band was started by Ryan Blackinton and Alex Suarez. Now, if those names don’t sound familiar to you let me refresh your memory. The year is 2006, it’s a hot summer (you may or may not be learning a foreign language lakeside in a place called Dent). The internet has released news of a movie featuring Samuel L. Jackson entitled “Snakes on a plane”(that’s right, mother fucking snakes, on a mother fucking plane). How could one possibly advertise such a movie? With a song like Bring it (Snakes on a Plane) –times are strange, we got a free upgrade for snakes on a plane. But this is not about Cobra Starship. The duo of Blackinton and Suarez were sent up to the international music scene with that hit, and This is Ivy League was not forgotten. In 2008, Twentyseven Records released This is Ivy League’s CD. They have a light pop/folk element similar to that of bands such as Of Montreal, or Harlem Shakes, but vary in their own way. They also have a feel good vibe that can’t let you down. Experience it for yourself with London Bridges, but also check out the rest of their music. As always, let the music speak for itself. Who really reads any of this anyway?

Fakers -Stanton Warriors

I'm about to blow your mind. 3, 2, 1, GO! My last post was about the Jose Gonzalez cover of the Massive Attack song Teardrop, but this time, things are flipped. The bristol based breakbeat duo formally known as Stanton Warriors created a chill remix of Gonzalez's Crosses. The song includes a nice non-imposing beat that hold up the rhythm while a light mix of synth is lain over Gonzalez's guitar playing and an occasional ephemeral piano loop. Gonzalez's voice haunts the song, giving it emotional power and beauty. This track is great for chill music, and who knows, maybe you can slip it on for a little dancing as well.

http://www.stantonwarriors.com/

http://www.jose-gonzalez.com/