2 New Videos from Mystery Artist

Closest guess so far points to Margaret Berger.

Mountain Man - "Yours Truly Sessions"

Yours Truly met up with Mountain Man in San Fransisco for an intimate A Cappella session. The female trio from Vermont harmonize beautifully in these videos and each song leaves a lasting impression. You can buy their EP from BandCamp, here.

Cibelle - "Lightworks" and "Green Grass"

The Brazilian singer/song writer, Cibelle has termed her music "Tropical Punk." Here she takes on Raymond Scott's "Lightworks" and Tom Wait's "Green Grass." Keep an eye out for her forthcoming Las Venus Resort Palace Hotel, out this Spring.

Juana Molina- Un Dia

Argentinian singer Juana Molina's "Un Dia," is the title track off of the 2008 album of the same name. Fleeing Argentina in 1976, Molina grew up in Paris, learning guitar at age 5 from her tango-singing father. She started as a television actress back in Argentina and was also featured in her own very successful sketch comedy show, called Juana and Her Sisters. Her music continues to reinvent the label of "singer-songwriter" as she incorporates organic sounding electronics with acoustic instruments and percussive vocal loops (nearly all of which she self produces in her home studio). With "Un Dia" Molina continues to evolve as a landscape of layered, frenetic sounds provide backdrop to her soaring voice as she sings in Spanish: "One day I will be different... I do things I did not ever... I will sing the songs without words and each one can imagine... I will travel, roam ..."

Here's another track off the album:
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Juana Molina: Los Hongos De Marosa

Lunice x NOSAJ THING - 1685/Bach

Marika Papagika - Smyrneiko Minore [Greece]

In the early 20th century Marika Papagika was a popular Greek singer. She was one of the first female Greek singers to ever be recorded. She was born in 1890 on the island of Kos where she started her career but then relocated to New York City. There she performed often with her husband who accompanied her on the hammer dulcimer. There is a good compilation of world music called Black Mirror which was where I first heard her music. However, her song, "Smyrneiko Minore" stands out from the rest. It is such a sad sounding song and her voice is both achingly beautiful and soulful.

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Marika Papagika:Smyrneiko Minore

This is a video for the song produced by Erin Womack.

Beniamino Gigli- Mar par d'udir ancora (1929)

This song comes from an opera called "The Pearl Fishers" by Georges Bizet. It is hard to put into words how beautiful the song is, but here are some of it's lyrics translated into English from Italian:

"I believe I hear again, hidden beneath the palm trees, her tender, resonant voice, like a dove's song, o enchanting night, divine rapture, o charming memory, mad intoxication, sweet dream. In the starlight, I believe I see her again, parting her long veils, in the warm breezes of the evening, o enchanting night, divine rapture, o charming memory, mad intoxication, sweet dream."

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Beniamino Gigli:Mar par d'udir ancora

Warpaint - Show at the NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM w/ Yeasayer

Tonight, Warpaint will be playing at the Natural History Museum. The show starts at 8PM. So that means there are two great shows tonight, Warpaint and then Daedelus/Nosaj Thing/Jogger/Frosty at the echoplex. Hope to see you at both.

Artist Spotlight - Nosaj Thing

Nosaj Thing released his debut album Drift, in June 2009 and it received critical acclaim. Pitchfork called the album "gorgeously haunted." The album peaked at 5 on the iTunes Electronic chart, and went all the way to 1 on Bleep and Boomkat. For those living in the L.A. area, Nosaj Thing will be performing with Daedelus, Jogger and DJ Frosty at the echoplex this Friday.

From the "Views/Octopus EP"
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Nosaj Thing:Aquarium

From Jogger's album, "Friends of Friends, Vol 1."
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Jogger:Nice Tights (Nosaj Thing Remix)

Welder - Purple & Orange

In 2008 the S.F. based musician, Welder, aka Brendan Angelides and “Eskmo”, released this music video for the song, "Purple & Orange." The video was shot and edited by Scott Pagano at Neither-Field. Pagano has worked with musicians including BT, Christopher Willits, Funkstorung, Kid606, the Kronos Quartet, Twerk, Richard Devine, and Speedy J. Thanks to our good ol' buddy J. Cole for the tip.

Durlin Lurt - Him Jenson

In 2008, an album surfaced called "Him Jensen" by the artist Durlin Lurt. The album was filled with strange, lo-fi hip hop beats that sampled the works of legendary Jim Henson. The experience is like viewing Henson through a murky kaleidoscope lens. Him Jenson is an unusual but rewarding homage to one of the greatest entertainers of all time. The album is now getting a proper release through Leaving Records and you can download the album for free here.

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Durlin Lurt:Understand

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Durlin Lurt:Zowie

Diplo - "Hot Fuk" (2007)

On the song, "Hot Fuk," from the 2007 album, "I Like Turtles," Diplo seemlessly mixes music from artists such as MIA, Spoon and Enur ft. the late Natasja. Without songs like these, dealing with LA traffic would be infinitely worse. The rest of the album contains artists such as The White Stripes, Rihanna, Soulja Boy, DJ Shadow and ton others.

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Diplo:Hot Fuk

Mos Def - "White Drapes"

Mos Def's album, The Ecstatic was one of the best records of 2009 and a live performance at the Grammy's would have made the show not be a complete waste of time. Anyway, the video above is for Michael Sterling Eaton’s upcoming album, Mictape Vol. 1, which will feature Curren$y, Ernie Gaines, Scoop Deville, Stalley, The Cool Kids and more.

Mondo Cane - "20 km al giorno"

To say that I've been really looking forward to Mike Patton's new project Mondo Cane, is an understatement. It will consist of cover versions of 1950s and 1960s Italian pop music performed with a full orchestra. The release date was first scheduled for the summer of 2008 but has continued to get pushed back. This video is a live performance in Amsterdam of the song, "20 km al giorno."

Fever Ray gives acceptance speech

Fever Ray received an award for the years best dance artist at "P3 Gold" in Gothenburg. Wearing a melted face mask she gave off an indiscernible moan of appreciation...one can only assume. These days, Karin Dreijer Andersson intrigues like no other. Those unfamiliar with Fever Ray, the music video for the song "If I Had a Heart" directed by Andreas Nilsson is a good place to start.

Janka Nabay - Eh Congo

Sierra Leone's, Janka Nabay has released the track, "Eh Congo" from his upcoming ep, bubu king, out march 9th on true panther. “Bubu music,” is a traditional music that has been practiced in Sierra Leone for hundreds of years. However, pre-Janka, bubu was played by only a handful of tribes in the country's north and could only be heard on the holy day of Ramadan. Janka was the first to popularize bubu music so that young people from Sierra Leone to Liberia were dancing to it clubs every weekend. During the decade of war in the 90's his music was appropriated by Sierra Leonean rebels and used as killing themes. From his bio it says, "They used his hits to rev themselves up, and also to lure innocent people out of hiding before murdering them. Janka fought back against the rebels with new songs...declaring that bubu music stands for peace, good governance and the empowerment of women." Nabay now lives as a humanitarian in Philidelphia and after years of not making music he says that he plans to return to his homeland to pick up where he left off. You can pre-order the 12" EP here.

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Janka Nabay:Eh Congo

Idiot Glee - All Packed Up

Lexington's Idiot Glee came out with the song, "All Packed Up" pre-New Years but I'm just getting around to posting it now. Prefix states, "The next time you come home after a hectic day and just want to wind down with some cough syrup and Golf Channel on mute, this would probably compliment all of that very nicely." I could try to say it differently but when it's said so well, well what's the point.

Check out their other songs on their myspace.

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Idiot Glee:All Packed Up

Interview - Broken Deer

Recently, I had the honor of giving an interview with Lindsay Dobbin of Broken Deer. Linsday lives in Yukon, Canada where she creates some truly mesmerizing music. She describes her music as the "sound of decay." All of the imperfections of sound only add to the surreal charm of her music. For the willing, Broken Deer will carry the listener into uncharted territories of the self. You can listen to more Broken Deer songs at her myspace and you can purchase the album, “Our Small Going” directly from Gandhara Recordings here.

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Broken Deer:Faces on the Riverside

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Broken Deer:White Woman

1. How does life in Yukon, Canada influence your music? Does the landscape and culture play a role in your music?

They certainly do. Here’s a list of the highlights: quiet, pure sound, snow and ice, forests, cold, lots of dark, lots of sun, mountains, lakes, openness, wild, animals, eccentric people, artists and trades-folk mix, snow-shoeing, sliding, arts funding, spirituality, shamanism, out-houses, cabin dwellings, no electricity, natural light, candle light, moon and stars. It’s the kind of place that makes me feel insignificant and significant in the same moment. Powerful stuff.

2. You’ve released your album, “Our Small Going” through the San Francisco label Gandhara Recordings. They’ve released some interesting projects. What is it like working with the label? Why did you choose to work with them?

I really believe in the energy and intention behind Gandhara. It’s all about supporting spontaneous, strange, beautiful music, and getting it heard via sustainable means – releasing limited runs of hand-made albums or pay-what-you-can digital downloads. Also, the artists can influence the direction that Gandhara takes – it’s not a top-down sort of thing. The openness and collaborative effort is vital. It’s super-exciting to be a part of, and I’m looking forward to what develops over time.

3. Your music is minimal…what instruments do you like to use?

It varies. Mainstays are my voice and a hand-held recorder (it has as much influence on the sound as any instrument). In terms of other instruments, I’m open to whatever is around. I’ve used field recordings, guitar, drums, piano, keyboards, bells, and accordions, among others. Pretty standard stuff – but I tend to get interesting results through the recording process, where the source of some sounds are often concealed. The joys of working with tape!

4. Are there certain themes in your music? With me you talked about the “sound of decay.” What does that mean?

The content of the music is really informed by my process of responding to whatever environment I’m in. Like I mentioned above, the instruments that are around play a role in the sound and compositions, for sure. But I’m often writing songs that tell an unspoken story of a particular place, whether it be the external environment or my own inner world. I really play around in the deep, and that’s where everything comes from.

5. Was there a specific occurrence in your life that made you want to express yourself musically?

I didn’t grow up in a household with musical instruments and people playing music, as the classical story goes. I grew up in a multi-generational, rural home, and I somehow ended up with the record and 8-track player, along with loads of recordings going back to my great grandmother’s collection, in my room. For hours, I would sit alone doing nothing but listening to everything from Gladys Knight to Elvis to the Carpenters to James Last (party time!). The sound of those recordings made an impression on me, quite literally. I think as a result of that early experience, listening is my main instrument. Every other means of communication I feel like I’m putting an ocean through a straw – but processing the world around, especially through sounds, is the closest I can get to truly speaking.

6. Do you have any views about the artists place in society? Should art be a social movement or art for arts sake?

I believe in art for arts sake. I think art does have the power to transform individuals, society, and culture – but, on a basic level, I believe in the power of expression. For me, as an art-maker, my focus is always on transforming/healing myself and the immediate environment by means of creation. My body is the wee bit of universe that I’ve been give to take care of, and I think creative expression is a necessary part of life, in any arena. I think an artist in a community can remind people of the importance of this.

7. What era would you like to be reborn in? Why?

I’d like to be reborn as a whale. Why? Well, it just seems natural.

Balmorhea - Bowsprit

The instrumental quintet, Balmorhea will be releasing their third album, "Constellations" on February 23rd. The Austin, TX band produces some of the most interesting instrumental music I've heard in a while. Definitely a band to keep tabs on.

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Balmorhea:Bowsprit

Carl Sagan - 'A Glorious Dawn' ft Stephen Hawking (Cosmos Remixed)

The words that come to mind when watching this are strange, profound, and outright hilarious. It's that awesome mixture that keeps me coming back to this video for repeat viewings.

A warm thanks to our friend anewidentity for this one.

Maluca - "Live in Santo Domingo"

I received a lot of great feedback from people when I posted the music video for Maluca's song, “El Tigeraso.” So here is a bootleg recording of her performing in Santo Domingo.

Setlist:

Big Bad Bangs
Culebra
Kalembe (Maluca Dubplate)
Jungle Violento
Tigeraso / Tigeraso (Sticky K Remix)
Outro

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Maluca:Live in Santo Domingo

Radiohead: “Lotus Flower” (live at Haiti benefit)

Here's a new Radiohead song titled, "Lotus Flower." Thom York performed it alone at the Los Angeles Haiti benefit.

FACT Mix 118 - Bullion

The bad-ass psych-hop DJ, Bullion put together this ten minute mix for Fact Magazine. Artists in the mix include David Crosby, Fleetwood Mac, and Buffy Sainte-Marie. For full track list click here.

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FACT Mix 118:Bullion

Rhymefest - "Exodus 5.1"

"Exodus 5.1" is a spoken-word piece by Chicago MC, Rhymefest. The video inter cuts a live performance of the song as well as some grainy footage of downtown Chicago. A rolling guitar loop creates a minimal backdrop to Rhymefest's stark and powerful words. His debut record Blue Collar came out in 2006 and the record El Che is supposed to drop sometime this year.

Mystery Artist - "9.20.19.13.5.723378"

There have been some mysterious viral videos floating around, having everyone guessing who the creator is. Guesses have been anywhere from Lady GaGa to Goldfrapp to Christina Aguilera. But more likely it's none of the above. Either way, there is an enjoyable creepiness to these videos that make me curious for more.

Previously:

L.A.C.M.A. presents director Andrei Tarkovsky, a Retrospective

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art presents a retrospective look at Russian film director Andrei Tarkovsky, going on now until Feb. 5. For those who only know the remake of his film "Solaris" with George Clooney, this retrospective would be a fantastic introduction to this epic director and his phenomenal works. Be sure to check out perhaps his most famous film, “Andrei Rublev” (1966), Saturday, January 30. This film chronicles religious icon painter Andrei Rublev. Taking place in Medieval Russia, the film reflects on the life of Rublev as “he tries to reconcile his faith, his art, and the savage reality around him”. Get there early to also check out “Meeting Andrei Tarkovsky”, a documentary about the director as told by many of his collaborators.

"Tarkovsky for me is the greatest, the one who invented a new language, true to the nature of film, as it captures life as a reflection, life as a dream". –Ingmar Bergman

For more information and showtimes click here.

JULIAN SMITH – "Techno Jeep"

via juliansmith87:

"The sounds in this video are ACTUAL sounds from the Jeep. Everyone began rehearsing their parts 2 weeks before we shot the video. It took us 7 hours of filming to get a solid take."

David Byrne & Fatboy Slim (Feat. Santigold) - "Please Don't"

David Byrne teams up with Fatboy Slim on a concept-album based around the life of Imelda "Steel Butterfly" Marcos, widow of former Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The album, "Here Lies" is out 2/23 via Todomundo/Nonesuch. Other contributors include Tori Amos, Róisín Murphy, Alice Russell, and Sharon Jones. "Please Don't" features the singer, Santigold and the funky clavinets are reminiscent of mid era Talking Heads.

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David Byrne And Fatboy Slim:Please Don't (Feat Santigold)

Toro Y Moi - "Blessa"

Mimosa - "Crunksteppers Guide to PsyPhy"

Tigran Mimosa, like many of his west coast peers, makes some dirty glitched out dubstep. He’s got 2 EPs out, Flux For Life and Hostilis. He's giving his new mix, "Crunksteppers Guide to PsyPhy" away for free over at Soundcloud. In the mix, Mimosa uses Hip Hop samples from Dead Prez to Missy Elliot.

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Mimosa:Crunksteppers Guide to PsyPhy

Swept Away, dir. Lina Wertmuller (1974)

Upon viewing “Swept Away” it is easy to forget that it was written and directed by a woman, Lina Wertmuller. While Wertmuller sets out to create a film about politics and class struggle, the subverted relationship between the rich Raphaella (Mariangela Melato) and the poor sailor Gennarino (Giancarlo Giannini), immediately dominates and intrigues its audience. The two become stranded on a deserted island alone together and Gennarino is charged with being responsible for their survival. Raphaella appears to gain pleasure from verbally assaulting and giving orders to the lowly sailor, while his animosity toward her grows. Gennarino quickly realizes that his survival skills give him the upper hand in the relationship and stages a sort of one-man worker’s revolt against the capitalist pig, Raphaella. In a display of sexual violence that leaves many feminists up in arms about the film, Gennarino assumes his dominance over Raphaella. Giannini and Melato perform these roles with such stellar conviction that you are completely enveloped in the story of love and survival that ensues. Wertmuller began her film career as the third assistant director to Federico Fellini on his masterpiece “8 ½” and was the first female director nominated for an academy award for another masterful work called, “Seven Beauties.” Her wonderfully controversial films will leave a lasting impression and cannot be missed.

Things To Come - "Speak of the Devil"

Things to Come is one of thousands of unknown garage bands from the 60's. In 1994 a CD came out with 16 previously unreleased demos from 1965-67. Although one could argue that the band mostly attempts to imitate what the Stones, Them or other popular groups were doing at the time, they had some real gems. The song "Speak of the Devil" is about as gritty and as fresh as anything created in the era of dark psychedelia.

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Things To Come:Speak Of The Devil

The Seeds - "A Faded Picture"

The Seeds were best known for the song, "Pushin' To Hard." "A Faded Picture" is a slow dirge, reminiscing on times past. The song is steady with slide guitar and somber chimes. Lead singer, Sky Saxon whimpers with an attitude that never dulls.

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The Seeds:A Faded Picture

Jesca Hoop - "Four Dreams" & "Seed Of Wonder"

On Friday, we waited in a line outside of The Hotel Cafe to get sold out tickets to Jesca Hoop. It was worth it. Not only did the doorman give us half off for missing the opening but the show exceeded all expectations. She mostly played new songs from the album "Hunting My Dress" (currently only released in the UK). Hoop said that she grew up on murder ballads and it shows. Her music is minor-keyed, full of crooked thoughts, hymn-like at times and rather ominous. But that's not to say it's not fun, as "Four Dreams" shows, the music has both a sense of humor and a great rhythmic quality.

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Jesca Hoop:Four Dreams

And from the Silverscreen Demos:

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Jesca Hoop:Seed Of Wonder

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, dir. Terry Giliam

Visionary director Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus” is a true feat of imagination and one his best films in recent years. Faced with a slew of challenges to the production, including the unfortunate and untimely death of Heath Ledger (Tony), the film delves seamlessly between imagination, reality, good, and evil. Gilliam has said that the film is his “Amarcord,” and like Fellini, he basks in the environment that he knows best; which for Gilliam are these magical and fantastical worlds. We meet the aged Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) as he is approached once again by the devil, Mr. Nick (wickedly played by Tom Waits). Mr. Nick has come to collect on a wager in which the life of Parnassus’ daughter, Valentina (Lily Cole), would be his prize. Parnassus sets out with his traveling Imaginarium in a new wager with Mr. Nick, to be the first to entice five souls, in the hope of winning back his daughter. Tony (Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Ferrell) aids Parnassus in this journey by gathering people to step beyond the magic mirror into a world of their wildest imaginations. Despite the tragedy in the midst of making this film, in the words of Dr. Parnassus, “you can’t stop a story being told” and as the credits roll, you certainly feel the magic behind “A Film From Heath Ledger and Friends.”

Gil Scott-Heron - "Me And The Devil"

"Me and The Devil" is the first thing Gil Scott Heron has released in over a decade. In the 70's Heron wrote songs such as "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" and "Winter In America." He's known for his intelligent street poetry and was a major influence on the birth of hip hop. The music video for "Me and The Devil" has skeleton crews roaming the streets and sinister looking carnies looming in the shadows. Heron continues to push his artistry to new heights. His forthcoming LP titled, "I'm New Here" is due out on February 9th.

Vashti Bunyan - "Train Song"

Vashti Bunyan was pretty much overlooked in her heyday but now she's known as a folk-psych legend. She is best known for her 1970 album, "Just Another Diamond Day" but "Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind", a collection of demo sessions from 1964, is just as wonderful. Her songs are rather simple, typically meditating on the elements or farm life. She has a sweet, innocent voice, reminding me of a mother singing to a newborn. "Train song" has to be one of my all time favorites.

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Vashti Bunyan:Train Song

Young Man - "Playtime"

Chicago's Colin Caulfield of Young Man gives us another taste of his upcoming album, "Boy" with the song, "Playtime." In the song he somehow manages to make a music box sound like its being strummed like a guitar. This really nice effect adds to his mellow 60's vibe.

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Young Man:Playtime

Twin Sister - "I Want A House"

Twin Sister's lovely song "I Want A House" is part of a digital EP called "Vampires With Dreaming Kids." In this song, beautiful vocal harmonies move smoothly along the spacious instrumentation. The band is offering the EP for free on their website.

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Twin Sister:I Want a House

Pit Er Pat - "Water"

The LA based Pit Er Pat will be releasing The Flexible Entertainer this January 26th via Thrill Jockey. "Water" is a strange R&B track...a bit of a head scratcher but cool nonetheless.

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Pit Er Pat:Water

The Knux - "Floozy"

The Knux (short for the Knuckleheads) are two brothers from New Orleans who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina and now make music in LA. "Floozy", the first song off the, "Fuck You EP" has a seriously infectious funky beat.

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The Knux:Floozy

Parkour - Motion Reel

parkour motion reel
by yom_

White Hinterland - "Icarus"

I'm greatly anticipating White Hinterland's upcoming release, "Kairos." It's due out on March 9th via Dead Oceans. Their previous releases have been wonderful and although "Icarus" seems a little watered down, it has the same dreamy chill sound that's so enjoyable.

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White Hinterland:Icarus

Beyonce: "Single Ladies (In Mayberry)" (Andy Griffith Mashup)

The Knife - "Colouring of Pigeons"

The Knife teams up with Mt. Sims and Planningtorock with their new track, "Colouring of Pigeons." The song is part of an opera they wrote called "Tomorrow, In A Year" which is due out on March 1st. The opera is based on the writings of Charles Darwin. "Colouring of Pigeons" is an 11 minute journey into a dank & beautiful hemisphere...truly a unique musical experience.

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The Knife:Colouring of Pigeons

Bullion - "Crazy Over You"

Bullion's song, "Crazy Over You" is off the new "Say Goodbye To What Is" EP. The two song EP is available for as little as a British pound over at Bandcamp. The psych-pop track, "Crazy Over You" samples Buffy Sainte-Marie's untamed vibrato as well as the otherworldly 70's rocker Klaus Nomi. It nicely blends musical eras, from the 60's to the present.

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Bullion: Crazy Over You