Here Is What Is - 07.28.09

Every once and a while, I enjoy listening to something that isn't an electrified dance beat. When I was contacted about Here Is What Is, I was pleasantly surprised after listening to a sample of their EP, Done Before It Starts. The band is described as "genre-bending, experimental indie rock", which I would agree with to a certain extent.

The band was created in Vancouver and their formation was catalyzed by the bassist, Josh Cole (who attended Capilano College/University in North Vancouver).

For a good majority of last night's concert at the Media Club, my mind floated along with the music. I don't think this is a bad thing. I do enjoy going to a concert and letting my imagination travel with the music. With the wavering guitar sounds and soft, long vocals in songs like "Done Before It Starts", "Lucy and the Lost Lions", and "Please Wake Up"; it's hard not to let your imagination take control of your thoughts.

"You Can't Not Dance" was a song that stood out. This tune has a steady, catchy beat that emits pure emotion. The female vocalist/guitarist, stated that the audience should dance at this point but no one seemed to take this advice (unless there were a few at the front I couldn't see), me being one of them. With no offense to the band, this song isn't exactly a song I would dance to, which isn't a bad thing. It's a great song. It's most definitely my favourite aside from "Final Fantasy." It's just a fairly slow beat that really just makes me want to bob my head, move my shoulders a little and let my mind dance to.

All-in-all, the concert was well-performed. Perhaps it's because the band consists of siblings and good friends, but they all seem to be on the same musical page. Here Is What Is is going on tour to promote their new EP and I'm sure by the end of the tour, they will be heading towards bigger and better things.

Bulletproof Concert

Amidst the hot and sweaty atmosphere of the Biltmore, La Roux and her band mates took the stage in hopes of getting everyone even hotter and sweatier. The show started with "Tigerlily", which was performed well but I felt as if La Roux (a.k.a. Elly Jackson) was a little timid at first. This could've definitely been due to the heat. Though, once she performed "Colourless Colour" she started to adapt to the heat and break out. At this point, her energy built up and the concert got significantly better and more impressive.

"Bulletproof" was a great song to end with. The entire audience was pumped up and started jumping up and down. At the end of the song, Jackson somewhat joined the audience by standing at the front of the stage, gripping the low ceiling of the Biltmore, pumping the audience up with the beat and her fist. The ceiling almost looked like it was going to break. I don't know if it was because Elly Jackson is so strong or because the Biltmore is so old. This left me wanting more but I think she ran out of songs to perform and she was also doing a CD signing session after the concert.
She performed all of her songs from her first, and only album at the moment, La Roux. I'm going to admit I really love La Roux's lyrics. They are clear and real. Elly Jackson isn't the only person who should be credited to the lyrics though. Ben Langmaid, the co-writer and co-producer of La Roux, also helps out with the production and creation of the electropop songs and lyrics.

Even though it was ridiculously hot and sweaty, the concert was great. "Colourless Colour" and "Bulletproof" were by far my favourite songs that were performed. Next time La Roux hits up Vancouver, I would like to see her/them perform at the Commodore. Hopefully, her fan base grows a little more and the next show can be even more bulletproof then the last.

La Roux - Bulletproof

Here Is What Is - Contest

Vancouver's own, Here Is What Is, is playing at the Media Club on July 28th. The band consists of five members who combined musical forces in 2007.

The show is the official release party of their first album, Done Before It Starts. This album reminds me a little of the American band, Beach House. In my opinion, Here Is What Is is as ambient as Beach House but the Vancouver band seems to have a little more energy.

If you'd like to win tickets to this show, send an e-mail to remixourlives@live.com before July 27th.

Free download of "You Can't Not Dance" here

Je t'aime, Sébastien Tellier

And I also really like Hypnolove for remixing "Fingers of Steel" so wonderfully.

Both artists are from France and specialize in romantic, sexual beats. This isn't the first time Hypnolove has remixed Tellier. They also remixed "La Ritournelle", which isn't as good as the remix of "Fingers of Steel" but is still decent. Check out my preferred remix below.

Sébastien Tellier - Fingers of Steel (Hypnolove remix)

Also, Tellier has a new video for his song, "L'amour et la violence"

Bad Blood

Simian Mobile Disco has collaborated with Alexis Taylor, the singer from Hot Chip (not to be confused with the adult film star). This collaboration between these two artists is so sensual I love it. It's almost like a revised version of "10,000 Horses Can't Be Wrong" combined with the casual yet enticing vocals of Alexis Taylor.

Simian Mobile Disco - Bad Blood (feat. Alexis Taylor)

Don't you let me go tonight, I'm hanging high

I know I write about Lykke Li way too much but I think her live stuff is really something to talk/blog about and I haven't really blogged about it yet so here I go.

If you ever have a chance to see her live, do it! As for now, here are some live tracks. "Little Bit" was remixed by Death to the Throne (which I've already blogged about). Here is the link to the remix.

Lykke Li - Little Bit (Live on MPR)
Lykke Li - Hanging High (Live on MPR)
Lykke Li - Tonight (Live on MPR)

Oh, hell no!

Since my mp3 player decided to delete all my newly uploaded music, I was persuaded into browsing my older stuff. Foals popped up so I put on "Cassius" right away. After that, "Red Socks Pugie" came on and I really got into this song. It starts off softly with short drumbeats and eerie background noises. Then, it transcends into energetic "hello no's" and "what the hell's", which work so well with the rest of the music. It's great to freak out to when you've had too much coffee.

The ending is also something to take note of. It's almost like a mash-up of remixed jewelry box sounds and bass notes, fading out.

Foals - Red Socks Pugie

La Roux

This British redhead is gracing Vancouver with her electropop presence on July 27th at the one and only, Biltmore Cabaret.
The previous posts I've written regarding La Roux have basically been about the song, "In For The Kill" and its remixes. After getting my hands on the entirety of the album, La Roux, I'm surrendering my eardrums to these beats on a daily basis. Check out the "Bulletproof" video below. And of course, I can't help but add a remix to this post (remix courtesy of Foamo).

La Roux - Bulletproof (Foamo Remix)

La Roux - Bulletproof

Remix, Says Simon

Says Simon is an up-and-coming DJ/artist who has produced two recognizable remixes so far. One remix is of Boss In Drama's "Favourite Song" and the other is of "We Are The People" by Empire of the Sun. I definitely prefer the "We Are The People" remix; it's the yummier remix of the two.

Empire of the Sun - We Are the People (Says Simon Remix)

Resistance - 09.14.09

YES! Muse is going to release their fifth album, Resistance, on September 14th! And of course, there are no North American dates set for their Resistance Tour yet. All the dates are in Europe and Britain. Hopefully, there will be some North American dates in the new year.

Here's the most recent Muse remix I can find. It's "Supermassive Blackhole" remixed into a hardcore ravey dance beat, produced by a Emre B.

Muse - Supermassive Blackhole (Emre B remix)

Muse - Fury (Live at Royal Albert Hall 2008) (B-side/bonus track from Absolution)


I don't know if I can wait until September...