The Tape

A while ago we made a post about Run Dan Run a South Carolina oft downtempo and partly electronic indie rock group. Oh how they’ve grown as Ashley Hopkins, a member of said band, has given the world a solo project by the name of, guess what, Ashley Hopkins! The music is quite different from Run Dan Run relying more on classical instruments instead of electronic ones and the result is a lovely mix of heartfelt vocals, string arrangements, and general catchiness. Oh and he got all DIY with it and produced and recorded the record himself. Oh and it’s free. Yeah, pretty cool. 

Ashley Hopkins - Trees

We at The Tape generally enjoy good old fashioned indie rock. Gabriel The Marine satisfies our cravings for some nice classical + conventional instrumentation (a la Ra Ra Riot) with their newest EP. In their own words:

Gabriel the Marine is a concept fueled Art Rock/Indie Rock band from Long Island. It was started in the winter of 2008; its members seeking to write around their talents and abilities leading to a classical, blues, and jazz influenced indie pop sound. The band’s theme is based around inner conflict; the character Gabriel is a combination of all the members’ traits and conflicts (conflicts; hence Marine). The band has acquired a loyal following on Long Island, and in the fall of 2008, released their debut self-titled EP. The band is currently making plans for a North East tour.

Their song Maybe, Baby is a perfect crowd pleaser: it’s got the chorus you want to shout to, the strings adding clout to the epic struggle, and it also sounds really good. Twilight In The Sun has a slightly more conventional approach (it doesn’t have the powerful strings) and a less cathartic chorus but still comes out a solid tune. So if you feel like jamming to some quality indie rock check out Gabriel The Marine

Gabriel The Marine - Maybe, Baby

Gabriel The Marine - Twilight In The Sun

Brazilian band Nancy have just gotten the remix treatment from yelpy Canadian poppers Born Ruffians. This is Born Ruffians first remix and it gives the original a more downtempo spin akin to a more tropical Grizzly Bear or one of Born Ruffian’s more downbeat songs (Little Garcon and Red, Yellow, and Blue being prime examples). The remix and original can be downloaded off of RCRD LBL and are for sure worth your time.

Classic Born Ruffianing:

Born Ruffians - Foxes Mate For Life

I can’t remember the first time I heard “Such Great Heights”. It must have been at least 4 years ago when it was all you would hear. It was a pivotal moment as I realized how much I really do love electronic music. Ben Gibbard’s soft spoken vocals over Dntel’s fabulously inventive production struck a chord with me that resonates to this day. However, as much as I love it all there’s something guilty about it. These songs embody that guilty feeling I have when I hear hushed vocals and glitchy percussion.

The Postal Service - Such Great Heights

Dntel is the closest you could get to The Postal Service as he is one half of the group. And the fact that Ben Gibbard actually sings on this song makes it the most Postal Servicey song ever. It’s brilliant.

Dntel - (This Is) The Dream Of Evan And Chan

Styrofoam is a contemporary who has a few albums under his belt. This song is a bit dancier than the previous but the vocals ground it in guilty territory. 

Styrofoam - After Sunset

Lali Puna is a bit less accessible but still makes me feel guilty. Or at least a little melancholy, introspective, and depressed. It’s quite bittersweet. 

Lali Puna - Bi-Pet

Okay so this song doesn’t quite make me feel guilty as it’s absolutely beautiful. I love Apparat and I love Telefon Tel Aviv and their unity results in one of the most sublime remixes I have ever heard.

Apparat - Komponent (Telefon Tel Aviv Remix)

We just got sent a track by an artist called LehtMoJoe. It’s self described as SebastiAn like, which is accurate, but it is much more sparse, which isn’t necessarily a good thing, but it works. It’s a little bit slower pace than one might expect but it gives more of a groove, and there are some nintendo sounds which are cool too. I can’t identify the micro samples but I assume there’s some Tom Petty in there. Check it out.

Lehtmojoe - Tom Petty

Since the dawn of ABBA and synthesizers man has been plagued by impossibly catchy yet ridiculously gay pop music. It’s a mystery as to why Swedish people seem to make such damn good music. It’s an ever vexing conundrum that leaves some pondering “Wow I quite enjoy this ditty yet I feel it questions my sexuality to an uncomfortable degree.” Never fear faithful GMM goers for your secret is safe here. These following songs will have you dancing and grooving all while wondering if the pink shirt you chose today was the right idea. 

First up are Swede poppers Lo-Fi-Fnk. A single off their 2006 debut album “Boylife”. Yes it’s called Boylife. This song is not only a fantastic gay poppy club tune but also a veritable Los Angeles/large metropolitan city anthem.

Lo-Fi-Fnk - City 

Since his first EP “Frankisum” I have had an affinity for Frankmusik. Whether it’s the blinding neon color schemes, the hyped tempo gameboy breaks or the fact that he takes pictures of himself naked except for a synthesizer. It’s an affinity I can’t seem to rationalize with anything else other than the fact that he makes such crazy good pop tunes that I forgive him.

Frankmusik - In Step

Finally is a lesser known group. The Similou are an also Swedish electro dancy synthy duo who make a slightly more disco tinged blend of pop music. This song sounds like a rooftop jam as you overlook the city with your friends decked out in clothing more appropriate for a Duran Duran video and sunglasses more appropriate for the daytime. And it includes the line “Rainbow Styling”.

The Similou - All This Love

By the way: No offense to homosexuality.

So I saw this video. It’s a homage to one of John Carpenter’s films “The Thing” (which is a really cool movie). The video was so creative and well done that I was impressed at first and neglected something more integral to the experience: the music. Thus began my quest to find out about Zombie Zombie, the Parisian duo comprised of some analog synths and a drummer/percussionist who make really involving, atmospheric, soundtrack like music. Plus in an interview with NME they said digital was dead and got up in Justice’s face (see myspace for image of said interview). Aside from the “controversy” these crazy Frenchians are stirring they also make some pretty groovy stuff. Check it out and buy their new EP on Beatport.

Zombie Zombie - Driving This Road Until Death Sets You Free

I hate to say sensationalist things like “this is the best dance song of the year” (Mad props to Say Whoa) or “Metal On Metal is the next big thing” but I want to say this with every bit of integrity I can muster: Metal On Metal and their song No Front Teeth are amazing. They are destined for great things I tell you. Whether it’s the plucky arpeggios, the team spirited handclaps, the almost discernible cheers that comprise the song’s vocal section, the bitcrushed something or other, or any combination of these elements, something will grab you in this song. Something will grab you and suck you in like a whirlpool to another dimension of awesome and all night partying. For serious guys, check it out. Oh and we did an interview with the people from Metal On Metal.

How would you describe your sound?

Slaughter house

What are some of your inspirations?

It is easier to say what doesn’t inspire and that is Celine Dion, Billy Ray Cyrus & Kate Perry.

Inspiration for our sound comes mostly from post-punk records, as well as various forms of 80s electronica. And we can’t deny the holy trinity of LCD Soundsystem, Soulwax & Daft Punk

If you could be stuck in one decade or year, which would it be?

The end of 60s, when everything exploded music & culture wise. We’d love to go on tour with Johnny Cash. Or 70s but in the 18th century - partying with Marie Antoinette.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

Map Of Africa and Seasick Steve

What are you guys listening to (and liking) now?

Bowie’s “Hunky Dory” (best of his, no doubt) and M83 “Saturdays=Youth

What do you think about the state of music/Dance music?

“Fantastic as always. As long as you go to the record store and find the new name or record (and that still happens) - it’s always good. We’re not fans of fidget, though.”

If you could organize a fight between anyone, anywhere, who and where would it be? Who do you think would win?

Jackie Chan vs Bruce Lee. That one, we’d pay for. Also, some others: Devil vs Bob Sinclair,

Jigsaw vs Jonas Brothers, Freddy Krueger vs Barbra Streisand, etc.

What’s next for Metal on Metal?

On September 26th we have new remix coming out, this one

is for POLARKREIS 18. The song we’re remixed is ‘Allein Allein’. Also, most importantly, by that time we’ll have our second single & video called “Damn!” ready.

“MOMS formed three years ago at Princeton, and now live in Brooklyn. They play orchestral space-pop, combining the epic scale of post-rock with a pop sensibility, using mandolin and strings as the driving force behind the music. Their most frequent comparisons include Final Fantasy and Broken Social Scene (if they were pared down to a 6-piece [they added a cellist!]).”

Like the sound of a renegade orchestra at an out of control school dance. A ballroom dance on the moon with amplifiers. A Victorian disco. Miracles Of Modern Science sound like a gorgeous arrangement of classical instrumentation transplanted into modern space tinged pop songs. Check them out and remember to grab their upcoming EP when it’s finished.

Miracles Of Modern Science - MR2

Miracles Of Modern Science - Eating Me Alive

We try to keep you guys informed on the current state of music. But mostly we want to keep you informed about good music. It is with this in mind that we backtrack to 2004. A man named Michael Milosh puts out an album on Plug Research. The result is a beautiful symposium of found sounds, warm feelings, cold beats, off balance and soulful lyrics, and melancholy music. A melding of Dntel and Radiohead that works so well. And you just have to feel moved or at least intrigued when Michael’s opening track has happy and uplifting lyrics. You’ll understand why that’s something of intrigue when you hear it. I recommend hearing the whole album, because it has the power to captivate and guide your ears into the world of Michael Milosh. And it sounds really good.

Milosh - Your Taste

Milosh - You Make Me Feel