Happy New Year!!!!!
Posted by : Max Mohenu
Archive | December, 2010
New Ghostface Killah Video Sneak Peek
27 DecGhostface Killah has posted a sneak peek for his new video. The single, 2getha Baby, is off Ghostface new album, Apollo Kids. Listen to the interview with Raekwon. It’s awesome.
Posted by : Max Mohenu
Dirtbag Awards : Best Videos Of 2010 Pt.3 (Top 10)
27 Dec10. Pantha Du Prince – Stick To My Side
We coined minimalist techno producer Pantha Du Prince as “Next Level” earlier this year. Immediately after that, Black Noise and the video for Stick To My Side came out and blew our minds. Good job Pantha, good job.
9. Twin Shadow – Castles In The Snow
“Everything I touch turns cold. Castles In The Snow”
8. Memoryhouse – Lately
Memoryhouse’s dream pop ballad, Lately, stole our hearts instantly. In the clip for the song, two sisters share everything from secrets, letters, dresses and boys. The colours, lighting, and concept made this video a must-see and really put Memoryhouse on the map. Nothing was more gorgeous in 2010.
7. Games – Shadows In Bloom
Don’t watch this video while on drugs. Actually, wait, scratch that.
6. Active Child – I’m In Your Church At Night
Active Child frontman Pat Grossi used to be a choir boy. Now the question is, do all choir boys grow up and make sexy dream pop records with enough soul to put R.Kelly out of business ? We’ll have to get back to you with the answer to that. But what we can tell you is this video fucking ruled.
5. Neon Indian – Mind Drips
The first video in history to use the LZX Visionary Video Synthesizer. Can’t say we weren’t impressed because we definitely were.
4. Caribou – Odessa
Still trying to figure out why there’s a random dick shot in the beginning of this video ? Yeah, so are we.
3. Interpol – Lights
Interpol’s self-titled album failed to generate the type of success their previous efforts did. It’s a shame because this video had everyone from Interpol die-hards, bloggers, and music fans alike talking. From PVC, sponge baths, and milky weirdness at the end, director Charlie White gave the band a theatrical, visually stunning video that definitely got multiple plays in 2010. With the lineup changes and other stresses behind them, we hope that whatever happens next for the legendary New York indie band is just as epic as this video.
2. El Guincho – Bombay
Three letters sum up the world’s reaction to El Guincho’s Bombay music video, W.T.F. The video is a trailer for an upcoming film of the same name. We can’t wait to see how much weirder this shit gets.
1. Twin Shadow – Slow
In most cases, El Guincho’s video would’ve been number one just based on superb imagery alone. However, Twin Shadow covered all his bases in 2010 and this video definitely helped garner some attention. Once people caught wind of the new wave revivalist hit single, Slow, a slew of other awesome tunes followed, his debut album was named Best New Music on Pitchfork, and let’s not forget the sold out shows. One video helped do all that, just saying.
Posted by : Max Mohenu
Happy Birthday Dirtbag Journalism
25 Dec
Hello Dirtbag Readers
Dirtbag Journalism just hit the one year mark and I just wanted to take the time to thank everyone who reads and supports the blog. It has been an amazing year of music news, interviews, and giving you the scoop of new artist. This year wouldn’t have been possible if not for all the consistently awesome writing from myself and my contributors. I’d like to thank Melissa Kim and Anne T. Donahue for all their hard work and awesome contributions. 2011 is looking even better for Dirtbag J. I’ve got a new website in the works(something a little prettier than this one ) and a few other surprises I can’t talk about just yet. Thanks for all the love and support. Also, special thanks to these dudes for being so rad :
All of the “Best Of” list will be posted in the next couple of days. Sorry for the break, just taking a little break for the holidays. Thanks again guys.
Posted by : Max Mohenu
Lykke Li Reveals The Cover For Wounded Rhymes
14 Dec
Gorgeous!!
Lykke Li worked with Australian artist Leif Podhajsky. The photo’s done by Roger Deckker. Her single, Get Some, was recently remixed by Beck and Mike D. Listen to it here
Wounded Rhymes drops in March.
Posted by : Max Mohenu
Dirtbag Awards : Melissa Kim’s Top 10 Next Levels Of 2010
14 DecOf the couple dozen Next Level pieces written by us at Dirtbag Journalism this year, 10 of the featured bands really lived up to and even surpassed our expectations. Here’s who made the cut and why you should still care going into the next year.
10. Sleigh Bells
Noise-pop has gone a bit mainstream this year, thanks in part to the hustling of this Brooklyn-based duo who played the Coachella, Pitchfork, and Primavera festivals. Okay, so those festivals aren’t technically considered mainstream, as popular as they are. However, MuchMusic is. And since the already understood to be pretty vocalist Alexis Krauss sexed up her image in the “Infinity Guitars” music video with an unbuttoned Catholic schoolgirl uniform, RayBans, and baseball bat, the video has been on constant rotation on the Canadian music television station for the past month. And who’d want to lose that kind of momentum?
9. Broken Bells
Although the combo of Danger Mouse and James Mercer of The Shins could just be a one-off, there’s something still really exciting about these guys making music together. Not only was “The High Road” a really neat tune, but they outdid themselves with their video vixen for “The Ghost Inside” (as if you need to be reminded that it was Christina Hendricks), and then followed that up with an interactive 3-D music video for “October.” Despite having other big priority projects, Broken Bells definitely isn’t some musical one-night stand; what Danger Mouse and Mercer have might just be the real thing.
8. Pantha du Prince
Crossing over from minimal techno to indie rock successfully is one thing, but knowing how to do it by tastefully selecting a few established friends (Panda Bear, LCD Soundsystem) to be a part of his album, Black Noise, is certainly another. Pantha du Prince’s Hendrik Weber has also well-capitalized on switching to Rough Trade Records, who not only released Black Noise in February, but also put the album opener, “Lay in a Shimmer,” on vinyl in November. Because he only did a handful of solo dates before touring with Blonde Redhead, we can only hope that a full-out solo North American tour is next.
7. The Drums
Somewhere between an EP, a full-length, and a quitting guitarist, The Drums made the move from Florida to Brooklyn. So, it’s fitting that their song, “Down by the Water” is played as Gossip Girl’s Brooklyn boy, Dan Humphrey, stares longingly at Serena from a distance as he ponders a future with her—only to find that she still has feelings for her former professor. Looks like Lonely Boy “felt stupid,” but The Drums sure don’t.
6. Nicki Minaj
Okay, so her debut album Pink Friday may not be all that (at least, not in comparison to when she livens up other peoples’ songs). Trey Songz’ “Bottoms Up,” Kanye’s “Monster,” and Sean Kingston’s “Dutty Love” feature a ferocious Minaj, whereas her debut album is more pop than pop a cap in every rapper’s ego. These thoughts aside, if you watch her MTV documentary, “Nicki Minaj: My Time Now,” it’s pretty clear she is a star. We’ll be looking forward to her future work for sure.
5. Les Sins
Chaz Bundick proves his versatility with his disco-house outfit, Les Sins, which made its debut in November. Since Bundick released a 12’’ this year, it’s pretty likely that a Les Sins EP or album is happening next year. Along with chillwave, Bundick also seems to be pretty integral to another movement as well: cry-dancing.
4. Toro y Moi
“When can we get together again? Never mind. I lost you.”
-Toro y Moi’s Chaz Bundick making my entire year super sappy with
his song “Talamak” from his debut album, Causers of This; all the while heralding in the chillwave era and championing it well into 2011 with his sophomore release, Underneath the Pine in February.
3. James Blake
How do you know when you’ve made it? Is it when Pitchfork salivates every time you release an MP3? Is it when the sultry member of The xx, Oliver Sim, tells everyone that you “[have] an amazing voice”? Or is it when you get cuter looking with every passing press photo you take? Well, all of these things did happen for James Blake, but in addition, we know he’s really made it because this month he got a shout-out from celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton. Now that Blake is on everyone’s radar, it’s only a matter of time until he makes a cameo on the latest installment in the Kardashian saga, “Kourtney & Kim Take New York.”
2. Gauntlet Hair
Is Gauntlet Hair in the #2 spot because upon reading their Next Level piece, Craig Nice of the Colorado duo gave Dirtbag the best feedback ever (“I read the ‘snorting lines with underage princesses in the White House’ and was like ‘What the fuck does that mean?!’ But it began to make sense to me before reading the next line.”)? Well, that didn’t hurt. But aside from producing good music—as everyone on this list does—we love another quality about them: they know how to keep promises. When Dirtbag first reported on them in August—well after their initial April hype—the band said a full-length album was in the works. And it really must be on its way because they recently released a 7’’ on Mexican Summer with new tracks “Out, Don’t…” and “Heave” as some kind of awesome teaser.
1. Professor Green
Scars with cred, friendship with Lily Allen, and a twitter feud with Ryan Jarman of The Cribs. Aside from dominating the British rap scene this year, those are the other things Professor Green has been flaunting in 2010. And the best part? Mr. Grimetastic himself has another album slated for 2011. Oh, and one of his tweets to Ryan Jarman back in October is pretty great too: Ryan Jarman, there’s a legend in your band. It’s not you.
Posted by : Melissa Kim
New Toro Y Moi Single, Still Sound
13 Dec
Spin.com has just posted the first single off Toro Y Moi’s sophomore album, Underneath The Pine, which drops on Febraury 22nd(via Carpark).
The song, Still Sound, takes Chaz’s romanticized lyrics into the realm of early disco and funk, which is a definite change from the chillwave breakup songs and nostalgic summer anthems of 2010. Toro Y Moi is definitely taking a different direction with Underneath The Pine. More details on that in his interview with Pitchfork. Read it here
Posted by : Max Mohenu
Dirtbag Awards : Best Videos Of 2010 Pt. 2
12 Dec24. Diamond Rings – Something Else
John O Regan, you’re amazing.
23. Mice Parade – In Between Times
Mice Parade are gods.
22. Crystal Castles – Baptism
Best song, best video. Enough said.
21. Lykke Li – Get Some
Wounded Rhymes is going to be a knockout record. 2011 is the year of Lykke Li.
20. The Fall – Bury! Pt. 2 & 4
Epic!
19. Bonjay – Stumble
Killer, killer, killer! Thanks Sammy Rawal for directing another amazing video.
18. Toro Y Moi – Talamak
Dear Chaz : Will Underneath The Pine be as awesome as Causes Of This ? We’ll find out in February.
17. Foals – Spanish Sahara
Foals went from erratic Indie pop to Math Rock and everyone lost their shit. Their album, Total Life Forever didn’t end up being as intense as people thought, but it was still good.
16. Wolf Parade – Yulia
The Wolf Parade hiatus means more albums from their respective side projects. Can’t wait! This video ruled.
15. The Books – A Cold Freezin Night
If you love The Books, crazy ass kids and big guns; here’s your dream music video.
14. Tobacco – Super Gum
Space porn!!!
13. High Places – The Longest Shadow
This video converted Dirtbag Journalism to High Places. Good job!
12. Robyn – Indestructible
The Body Talk series kept this Swedish pop powerhouse relevant for all of 2010. Best part is the music stayed red-hot from Pt. 1 to 3(Pt.3 served as more of a greatest hits of Pt. 1 & 2, but still). Robyn will be playing Toronto in January.
11. How To Dress Well – Ready For The World
Lo-fi R&B dreamboat How To Dress Well makes his Toronto debut in January. Prepare to hear this and other sexy cuts off the highly successful debut, Love Remains. Shit is gonna get real at the Drake, believe it.
Posted by : Max Mohenu
Dirtbag Awards : Best Videos Of 2010 Pt.1
8 Dec35. Jeff Barbara – Wild Boys
Thank you Montreal for this lovely man. This video is sassy and fun! Jeff Barbara is gonna be big in 2011.
34. The New Sins – The New Sins
When Lou Hayter is done touring the latest New Young Pony Club record, tell her she’s got work to do. This record is long overdue.
33. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – Say No To Love
Oh summertime nostalgia. The 2010 recipe for a killer song. Never fails and neither did this video.
32. Tune Yards – Real Live Flesh
Weirdo R&B, face paint, and hand claps. The video is killer, and Tune Yards is all that and a bag of chips. Seeing her live is something you have to put on your to-do list.
31. Chromeo – Don’t Turn The Lights On
“Because tonight I wanna see you in the dark”
30. Yeasayer – ONE
Good dance moves.
29. Class Actress – Journal Of Ardency
Red light has never been this sexy. Good job Class Actress!
28. Shearwater – Hidden Lakes
Gorgeous song and video. Johnathan Meiburg’s voice is to die for.
27. Bad Tits – Bankok Hilton
Love these dudes. One of many amazing acts on Hand Drawn Dracula.
26. Efterklang – Modern Drift
Efterklang has a film coming out called An Island. Check out for it in 2011.
25. Ted Leo + The Pharmacist – The Mighty Sparrow
Ted Leo is the greatest. Great sound, great energy, and awesome stage presence He’s one of six acts confirmed for the Noise Pop Festival in February. If you haven’t seen him live, you may want to hit up Noise Pop.
Posted by : Max Mohenu
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