Radicalfashion | Odori

“Shousetsu” was the first track that really grabbed my attention off of Hirohito Ihara’s (aka Radicalfashion) debut album, Odori. The song is centered around what sounds like a resuscitation effort to save someone’s life. Air leaves an inhalation chamber as a monitor pings and a clock ticks away in the background, The patient gasps for a breath of air before a piano arrangement is layered over the hospital equipment sounds. You would think a resuscitation effort would be frantic, but Ihara paints the scene beautifully, almost like everything is in slow motion. It’s a very reflective track, really demanding the attention of the listener, particularly somber, yet bracing. I was on the train the other day and this song made for perfect listening as I gazed out of the window over the frozen winter landscape, and for the first time in months, I actually felt calm.

Odori is essentially a piano album, influenced by classical works but modernized by the use of technology. Instrument and piano loops, electronic washes, chopped up vocal samples, and MIDI samples of trickling water onto a pan as heard on “Opening” give the album a more modern and experimental feel.

“Photo Dynasmo” and “Shunpoudoh” are two other strong tracks on the album that are built around cut-up vocal samples. “Shunpoudoh” adds a playful piano part and minimalist beat to the vocals, while “Photo Dynasmo,” probably my favorite track on the record, layers digitally manipulated female vocal samples and static over a chilly piano before falling off into an abyss at the end of the track. The album also features two tracks featuring American composer Carl Stone, “Thousand” and “Usunibi.”

Odori is out now on Hefty Records and available from various shops and online outlets. Download “Shousetsu” from the album below.

Radicalfashion  ”Shousetsu” (via 3hive)

Cigarette in your Bed

I was having brunch with a friend the other day, and he commented on a very attractive woman passing by.  When she stopped to pull a out a cigarette, he totally changed his tune.  “Oh, she smokes, gross!”  He went on to describe how her demeanor of smoking was not sexy like the French.  I think he has some false world created in his mind from all those French films in the 60s.  Although, you got to admit, there was something beautiful about the way they smoked on screen.

Check out this great compilation of takes from classic French films featuring the beautiful Françoise Dorléac, set to the sounds of My Bloody Valentine. 

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZYc0WwCyak[/youtube]

pic of the week – rubix cube in the sky

unless you’ve been under a rock since the turn of the millenium, you’ve noticed that nyc’s landscape is in the midst of an architectural makeover. not only are lux condo’s springing up in the polished and skyscraper saturated areas of midtown, but they’ve also invaded the hipster enclaves of the lower east side, williamsburg, and long island city.

while waiting for a table at brunch on clinton st, i took this picture highlighting the strange juxtaposition of new and old lower east side buildings. the 16-story “blue” looks less like a high-end dwelling than the offspring of a smurf and rubix cube from of tron. at this rapid pace of development, what’s a hipster to do… move to philly? wait, that’s a touchy subject.

Lincoln Kicks Ass

 

We think Abe was the rockstar of all Presidents and since today is his birthday, we thought of this T-shirt from the folks over at glarkware.  And if this were to actually happen, Abe would totally kick some hairy Sasquatch ass!

Justice @ Hiro, On Sale Now!

Get your Justice tickets while they’re hot (and still available).

Ed Banger Records / Justice / DJ Medhi / Sebastian / Busy P / The Presets
Thursday, Mar 29, 2007 9:00 PM EDT (9:00 PM Doors)

at Hiro Ballroom

Kawaii | Kawaii EP

Kawaii (not to be confused with the Norwegian band of the same name) is a Paris-based electro-pop outfit consisting of La Loutre and Big Bisous. Correct me if I’m wrong, I haven’t brushed up on my French in quite a while, but “La Loutre” translates as “The Otter,” while “Bisous” is a greeting for “kissing cheeks.” So Kawaii is “The Otter” and “Big Kisses?” Am I completely off here?

Named after the Japanese word for cute and given their peculiar names, the band gives you a hint at what to expect from their music. The duo’s debut EP is a collection of five quirky electro-pop tracks that include samples from 1950’s French television news and a wide-range of instruments including, xylophones, ukuleles, and toy instruments alongside your standard guitar and bass.

The band also seems to be semi-obsessed with “ugly dolls” and decided to grace the cover of their EP with one and also to illustrate each of their songs with one of the hand-made monsters. Check out “Draw Me An Atomic Bomb” below and grab a copy of the EP from the band’s MySpace page.

Kawaii  ”Draw Me An Atomic Bomb” (via The Yellow Stereo)

Above image from Nono Chei.

SXSW 2007 Info, Parties and Day Shows

Get Hype!!! You know what time of year it is, SXSW 2007!!! Or what Bloc Party’s Kele likes to call it “An Indie Holiday” down in Austin, Texas. Just can’t wait to get down to my home state. I’ll be updating this post here with all the news, parties and day shows as soon as they come in. If you’re a band, label, marketeer or want us to come drink your beer please feel free to email us. Comments are always welcome. Also if you have an extra badge to handout: I’ll take pictures, give up my first born or come to your party and drink your beer.

Official Lineup

Wednesday, March 14th

Thursday, March 15th

LiveDaily and Spaceland day show co-presented by An Aquarium Drunkard, Chromewaves and My Old Kentucky Blog: Blonde Redhead, Annuals, Mando Diao, Datarock, Dirty On Purpose, Tally Hall
Where: Antone’s, 213 W. 5th St.
When: Thursday, March 15th 12-5pm
How Much: Free

Friday, March 16th

INSOUND Day Party with Pelican, Shout Out Out Out Out, Walter Meego, Black Lips and Apes and Androids. [More info]
Where: Club DeVille, 900 Red River
When: Friday, March 16th 12-6pm
How Much: $3 [No RSVP - 21+ Only]

MESS WITH TEXAS Day 1 hosted by David Cross with Les Savy Fav, The Black Angels, Gossip, Dead Meadow, Erase Errata, David Vandervelde, Matt & Kim, Danava, Brother Reade, Spindrift + Special Guest.
Where: Red Seven 611 E. 6th St.
When: Friday, March 16th 12-6pm
How Much: Free, All Ages

Saturday, March 17th

Huge blog curated day show starts on Friday. More on Hot Freaks!.

MESS WITH TEXAS Day 2 hosted by Patton Oswalt with The Walkmen, Sloan, The Black Lips, The Ponys, Fucked Up, Deerhunter, Fatal Flying Guiloteens, Ladyhawk, The Carbonas, The Cubical + two headliners that will be announced next week.
Where: Red Seven 611 E. 6th St.
When: Saturday, March 17th 12-6pm
How Much: Free, All Ages

Esquire Showcase is wristband and badges only.

Sunday, March 18th