A little over a week ago, myself and 8 friends embarked on a trip clear across the world to sail the Islands of Croatia. Equipped with only a small weekend duffle bag and a large lust for adventure, I had no idea what i was getting into. I was warned this would be the craziest trip of my life. I watched the videos. Still, I was hesitant to fully endulge such a monsterous claim. I mean, I have been in a champagne-spraying brothel party in the slums of Marrakesh, Morrocco. (And just to set the record straight: No. I did not partake in any of the goods from Marrakesh’s night market.) How much more crazy can one get?
Nothing could have prepared me for what was in store. Upon arrival, I found out rather fast that this country we were going to sail around was not Croatia. This country is called TheYachtWeek. I can honestly say that I have not, nor will I ever experience a week long, all out rage like YachtWeek. As much fun as it was, I do not plan on going back…. I think. I partied pretty hard in college and even harder afterward. I have never partied this hard for this long. Each night, a party was set up at a different island venue. Each party was bigger and better than the party before it. The sailing trips entailed of short 2-3 hour cruises between island destinations and served as a prefunk for the next party. We set sail on Saturday and the trip culminated Friday night. I was ready to go home by Wednesday.
Looking back it was the coolest thing I have ever done. The Smokova was an allstar cast and I could not have asked for a better crew to set sail with. I come back with with new friends, better friendships, sea urchin stings and the confirmation that this was the craziest trip I have ever done.
Check out this song by Calvin Harris ft. Kelis called Bounce. It served as our unofficial YachtWeek anthem. It will make me dance until I can’t dance anymore.
Shout out to Skipe, our skipper.
“I don’t want to dance.”
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So the picture isn’t really in season unless you are living the Sheen dream (in which case, everything is in season) but the music definitely is. DJ Sabzi (from Seattle’s very own Blue Scholars) provides the electro-sound while accompanied by the soft, sweet nothings of Kelsey Bulkin. Nice find J. Bauer, you did it again.
We have been noticing a lot of people covering this song. Got us to thinking that Katy Perry had much more than just a catchy summer song which we first anticipated back in May. Is it the writing? The melody? Bruno puts his acoustic version on this song that makes you want to kick your shoes off and bob your head.
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I have to admit, I can’t take full credit for the discovery of this song as it was somewhat outsourced. I was watching TV last night and, low and behold, this came on during the Halloween scene in the show “Outsourced”. I am sure you will like The Bird and The Bee’s take on the Hall and Oates classic a lot more than my attempt on a pun. Enjoy!
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The lead singer of Vampire Weekend pops up again, this time in a cameo role for Chromeo. “I Could Be Wrong” brings back the 80’s via synths, sax and even a spoken interlude… all in classic Chromeo fashion. Look for the new album entitled, “Business Casual.”
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Man, Cee-Lo is always comingfresh. He’s got the right amount of Ron Artest in him to make sure he keeps us on our toes. Never stale and really artistic with the music video telling a story. Speaking of which, this is a message to all your artists who are sluffin on your music videos. Yes, I know that we are beyond the age of MTV being a major marketing opportunity, but music videos are more than a marketing opportunity. Remember how MJ would create short films for his music videos? I still watch those today. It’s part of the music; it’s part of the art. Bring them back artists!
“I guess he’s more of an XBox and I’m more an Atari. But the way you play your game ain’t fair.”
“And though there’s pain in my chest, I still wish you the best… and um, Fuck You!”
Big shotout to my boy V-Diddy for finding this cut. He’s 2 for 3 now. He put me onto “Billionaire” and Bruno Mars but failed with Kesha. Yes I’m keeping score.
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There have been moments when I have been walking downtown to work with my ipod in and realized this is what it would be like to have a soundtrack to my life. I would want this to be my walking music.
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Hey, Its been awhile. How are you?
I miss you.
I get it, the silent treatment. I guess I deserve it.
I know, I know. I neglected you and I feel bad. But I’m a changed man.
You think I am just going to run off again?
How about this, you give me 1% of your trust back and I’ll earn the other 99%?
Yeah?
(I hope I remember how to still do this.)
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I don’t know what it is with me or pop music but songs with whistling in them (see Scorpion’s “Wind of Change” and Peter, Bjorn and John’s “Young Folks”) tend to be very catchy songs. It must be that whistling along is so much easier than singing along (especially on the ears of others.) “Skinny Genes” is no exception. Eliza lends her British accent to a feel good song that makes you want to whistle along.
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You may have heard this on the radio already (I know Andrew heard it in LA today) but you probably haven’t heard it like this. Songwriter Eric Holljes steps out behind the curtains to give this song, originally performed by MIke Posner, an acoustic kick. The simplicity of the arrangement allows you to really appreciate the instrument that is Holljes’ voice.
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I never really liked Katy Perry. Her songs were catchy but I figured they were gimmicks and dumb. And then, just when I thought she couldn’t possibly be any dumber, she goes and does something like this…. and totally redeems herself. Considered the Cali version of Jay-Z and A. Keys’ NYC anthem, “Empire State of Mind”, “California Gurls” gets a helping hand from Mr. Westcoast himself; Snoop Dogg. The song is yet another 80’s inspired joint that is destined to be this Summer’s anthem.
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Perfect pick-me up in anticipation for a frenetic Friday. O’Spada hails from Sweden and their new album is due out May 15th. It has a perfect balance of synths and impressive vocals that is a little reminiscent of the 80’s. I loved the 80’s.
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If you couldn’t tell by his stage moniker, Chris Glover aka Penguin Prison is a little weird. Even one of his influences thought so. His music caught the ear of Q-Tip but after a couple meetings he was not signed because of his quirky-ness. Whatever the case may be, I still enjoy his music. Reminds me of David Bowie a la “Let’s Dance.”
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The UK has been offering up much of the music I have been listening to lately. Tinashe is no exception. The Zimbabwe transplant’s song “Saved” has an up-beat 60’s soul vibe behind some distinct vocals. It definitely makes you want to move.
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Though “Shooting Stars” came out in 2008, I only first heard it in the closing credits of “How To Make It In America” a couple weeks ago. The song reminds me of a night out in New York…. it’s not over the top but it doesn’t stop. Once you think it slows down, it won’t and you can’t get it out of your head for the next four days.
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Fresh to hit the UK music scene is Ellie Goulding. Recently nominated as BBC’s “Sound of 2010″ (previous winners include, Adele, Little Boots and Corinne Bailey Rae), Ellie’s single “Under The Sheets” receives a hip hop treatment by Philly based Chiddy Bang.
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I first came across Sia on Kanye’s blog over a year ago and even though I thought she was a little weird, I couldn’t stop watching/listening. Her quirky performances were intriguing and now I am a fan. “You’ve Changed” is a new single off her upcoming 2010 album and if you are lucky enough to be in Seattle on April 12th or at Coachella, you will be able to get a live glimpse of what I am talking about.
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During one of my recent endeavors into the depths of the interweb, I came across Jonathan Carr. From Glasgow, Scotland, Jonathan received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music at the ripe age of 17. While there, Jonathan won a competition to have John Mayer produce and perform on his track. The outcome: pretty awesome. Here is a link to a clip of the making of the song.
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The good news is; Esmee Denters, the Youtube star/Oprah guest, has her own album. Bad news is; it wasn’t released in the U.S. But fear not followers, I think we picked the best song on the album. “The First Thing” is a love ballad and if you listen closely you may hear JT in the background.
When does an Academy Award nominated director have time to make a music video? When the music video in question is for none other than Michael Jackson. Spike Lee lends his talent on this post-humous tribute to the King of Pop. The video is a montage of images from Michael’s past as well as clips of his fans. The closing clip is the most moving, showing Michael’s hat and glove in front of his childhood home. The spotlight is still on you Michael.
