Fink About It
I’ve always loved Fink – since I first heard his debut album back in 2005 I’ve been hooked on his sound, his voice and his outlook on music.
I’ve seen Fink live three times and as some of you may know – his music requires near complete silence because it’s so gentle. In most cases his music has shut the entire venue up but occasionally an industry packed event can rack up some serious chatting decibels. I hate it and I know Fink does as well. The cure to this is to stop the guestlist so it’s not a big social gathering.
I bring this up because he’s playing tonight at Cargo (in London) alongside live dubstep band Jazzsteppa and it’s free!
I just hope everyone shuts up.
Sort of Revolution, the title track to the third album has recently been released and features a remix by The Cinematic Orchestra. When I first heard it, I could barely notice any difference but then I realised how slight and subtle and beautiful it really was. I’ve played it back-to-back six times so far. Each time I pick up new sounds that I didn’t hear before.
Fink – Sort of Revolution (The Cinematic Orchestra Remix) – 
See you at Cargo.
Fink – This Is The Thing (Live from Haldern 08) -
Bon Iver Continues To Amaze
Some skeptics thought that after the hype of For Emma, Forever Ago faded away, Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver would have nothing left to sing for.
They were so wrong.
Volcano Choir is a new musical team consisting of the incredible Bon Iver and Collections of Colonies of Bees. Their album, Unmap, is due out in late September on Jagjaguwar but they’ve released the first song and it’s stunning.
The album has been recorded in a proper music studio as opposed to a remote log cabin but the sound remains so pure. I hope that they take this on the road because every show could potentially sell out in minutes.
Stunning.
Volcano Choir – Island, IS - download
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Kiss Of Life
August 2009. London, United Kingdom. Dull summer.
The sun hasn’t properly shown its cocky bright face for weeks now, and the capital is greyer than ever. I was about to surrender to the dark forces ruling weather in Britain and say goodbye to any chance of feeling warm again (oh dear, what a dramatic intro). Then I saw the video for Friendly Fires’ Kiss Of Life.
Although I felt slightly jealous at the sight of the band dancing on a beach, I couldn’t help but get hooked by the filthy carnivalesque beats of the song. And there I was, alive again. Seriously, the band made a great track, perfect dance tune. Singer Ed McFarlane’s contagious dance moves must be seen – it looks cool, but I think only he can get away with them. I’ll try them on a night out and will let you know how it goes.
So, yes, I think each Londoner needs a good kiss of life every now and then, and this track’s a good way of getting out of the city’s numbing torpor raging these days.
Friendly Fires – Kiss of Life –
Guest written by Christian P. (Follow me on Twitter here: Eluard)
Check the video for the song on the Friendly Visual Delight post.
Long Live The British Summer
If as a tourist, you came to London in the past month, you would honestly believe that the British Airways pilot secretly diverted to India during its monsoon season.
It has rained everyday for a month and the (so called) summer is drawing to a close!
Depressed is an understatement for how much the British public (including myself) feel at the moment.
Ty is a British rapper with three very strong albums under his belt. He’s an amazing lyricist and a certain song from the album Upwards is what I listened to during a recent downpour.
You wouldn’t say Ty was hugely popular in terms of commercial success – but if there were a Noah’s Ark for Hip-Hop and Rap, he would definitely have a place on board.
Ty – Rain
Love live the British summer.
Ty – Closer
Check out more on Ty’s MySpace
Spark Plug
She’s Got Me Dancing and the remixes were a huge hit on Mahogany and we loved them, for a while. Luckily I’ve managed to get my hands on the first track from the upcoming album, due out in late August and it’s got me excited for what the rest of the album has in store.
This song was actually on his MySpace page a while back but after everyone puts up 30 second ‘teaser’ clips (what the hell is all that about?!) of their songs, I could barely get an idea of what it was like.
Now I’ve got the full version I really love it and I think you will as well.
Tommy Sparks – Much Too Much –
Cougar Microbes are marching in like army ants
If The Mahogany Blog were to thank anyone it would be Cougar Microbes.
The London based Blog helped us get set up and the advice was invaluable.
Running since 2008 – the wide array of music posts ranging from a fantastic Duffy cover by Third Degree to an incredible Beastie Boys remix, Cougar Microbes was one of the earliest to pick up on She & Him.
There’s also a fantastic photo blog with some photographs you’d expect to see in the Ikea pictures section.
The image above is by far my favourite – I want it on my wall!
Check out the site, delve deep and delve long into the many many posts that this blog has to offer.
Jack Beats Does Florence!
Florence has already been remixed by everyone under the sun and so the next one would have to be by someone really special and luckily it is!
Jack Beats have done a stunning remix of the new single Drumming Song by Florence & The Machine.
It’s not quite what I expected from Jack Beats whose trademark sounds are huge basslines and lots of fidgety beats but it’s still a stand-out rendition.
It’s a radio rip so the quality isn’t incredible but it will do for now right!
Florence & The Machine – Drumming Song (Jack Beats Remix)
Turn The Page
Watched the trailer for the new Clive Owen film earlier – it looked like something I’d generally avoid but the song in the background got my attention.
It’s from a Californian singer/songwriter called Matt Hires. Usually this stuff wouldn’t appeal to me but there’s something about it that I really like.
His MySpace makes him look a little bit too polished for my liking but song is relaxing and after a stressful week, I’m happy to put it up.
Matt Hires – Turn The Page
