nocturnal discoveries: tristan prettyman, justin nozuka, charlotte sometimes

because i've practically been living in a hotel for the past two weeks, my viewing habits before i crash these nights have been with VH1's nocturnal state. not only do they show music videos (what!!! on tv?!!) but their playlist is actually interesting enough for me to discover new acts. the following three have been my favorites before i go to sleep:


tristan prettyman - madly [link 2]
[i seem to have a self imposed information brain fart when it comes to singer/songwriter/surfer chick tristan prettyman. the biggest mistake is that i kept on thinking that she was aussie singer missy higgins with a new single (hey, give me a break, it was usually 3am when her video would come on). then just when i thought i knew who this singer was, i couldn't find ANY information online for tristan PERRYman. it's like an information wall that i've finally overcome. thank goodness cause her album hello is not bad at all.]


justin nozuka - after tonight [link 2]
[fans of this blog know that i've always had a soft spot for a guy singing behind his acoustic guitar. so discovering this toronto based half japanese/half american singer/songwriter was inevitable (especially right before i go to sleep). part of a family of talented kids (brother george is an r&b sensation in canada), justin dedicated his debut album to his mother holly because of her support and help in self releasing this soulful collection. aww...]


charlotte sometimes - how i could just kill a man [link 2]
[what a solid single for this young music prodigy. having self released a few EPs before signing to a major label, charlotte sometimes is actually the alias for jessica charlotte poland. her strong debut album waves and the both of us is a mix of adult lyrics masked in a glorious world of pop, just the way we like it (if you like what you hear, the full album is available for only $5.99!). just in case you can't see the above video, check it out on youtube.]

the ting tings - shut up and let me go (new video)

the ting tings - shut up and let me go [link 2]
[i can say this cause i've been a fan of the group since december, but there's something cheerleader-ish about the songs of the ting tings don't you think? thank goodness katie white and jules de martino are hotties, if not, i would have placed them on my 'bored now' train awhile ago...]

vampire weekend - oxford comma (new video)

vampire weekend - oxford comma [link 2]
[this video is a long time coming, easily one of the more popular tracks taken off vampire weekend's debut album, the video directed by actor/comedian richard ayoade (the mighty boosh, the IT crowd) is an ode to the iconic style of director wes anderson (chock with chapter breakdowns). maybe wes will take on directing duties for their next video effort?]

hercules and love affair - you belong (new video)

hercules and love affair - you belong [link 2]
hercules and love affair - you belong (riton rerub) [link 2]
[what a lovely ode to house music of the late 80's/early 90's, i'm a sucker for those traditional house chords and it looks like brooklynites hercules and love affair are on the same page with me. add to the nostalgic giddyness is the sick rerub by british dj riton. taking the hook and spinning it on it's head, the remix gleefully bounces the song like pong on speed. it's fun, it's random and it's something i hope you like!]

roisin murphy - movie star (new video)

roisin murphy - movie star [link 2]
[sorry for the lack of postings in the past two weeks, but my day job has forced me to go into a continuous coverage of some of the biggest movies of the summer. i've been immersed in interviews with the batman, the mamma, the wanted, the hellboy and even the robot. needless to say, i'm 'movie-d out'! so it's a bit ironic that my first blog, post movie marathon, comes in the form of "movie star" from the beloved roisin murphy. sourced from my good buddy xolondon, roisin pays homage to the early films of john waters and as usual, looks fabulous (even while chewing on necks). for those of you who missed me, i'm back bitches!]

the stills - snakecharming the masses (new video)

the stills - snakecharming the masses [link 2]
[i think everyone fell in love with the stills when they released the brilliantly effortless debut album logic will break your heart back in 2003. but like many bands, the montreal based guys experienced a serious sophomore slump in which they attempted to channel their inner rock god to unfortunate results. thats why i'm kind of approaching their latest release oceans will rise with a bit of caution. i'm still not quite sure based on this 1st single (and art installation video). guess i'll have to wait to hear the album then.]

video of the week: the notwist - where in this world (new video)

the notwist - where in this world [link 2]
[what a great mini movie of a video AND a welcome return of the notwist! back in 2002, these guys put out an album called neon golden that was easily one of my soundtracks for the year. within the past six years, notwist formed another band and experimented with hip hop under that release. luckily the german quartet have returned to their notwist incarnation and the result is a folk electronic album, the devil, you + me, that is internal and overflowing with beauty at the same time. one of the soundtracks for 2008? we shall see.]

those dancing days - run run (new video)

those dancing days - run run [link 2]
[any band that has high regard to the girl groups of the of the 60's deserves props. add to the fact that this five piece all girl band hail from sweden and you pretty much have the perfect mix of reasons to 'heart' them. we've radared this band back in january and i'm happy to hear that they're still making good catchy retro-fitted pop songs perfect for the summer.]

holly throsby - a heart divided (new video)

holly throsby - a heart divided [link 2]
[australian singer songwriter holly throsby recorded her latest album a loud call in nashville and the result is a gentle sweet album filled with alt-country charm (it even features cameos by members of lambchop and the silver jews) and dreamy pop. currently touring australia, let's hope with this new collection of songs, holly will finally be able to bring her lovely tones to our north american shores.]

the teenagers - make it happen (new video)

the teenagers - make it happen [link 2]
[oh to be a french band that channels the concept of the 'dreamy teen'. everyday would be about love and sex and hanging and sex and love. the teenagers have been the band of choice for equally dreamy hipsters the past few months and i am proud to say that they have broken through my wall of resistance. vive la 'dreamy' france!]

on the radar 2008: annuals - sore (new video)

annuals - sore [link 2]
[what a lovely discovery! this six member group of eclectic performers hail from raleigh, NC and have combined their talents to release their latest EP wet zoo. filled with melodious wistful songs that kick into surprising crescendos, the annuals are not only working on their upcoming full length album, but also their various solo side projects (in which all the members help each other out on). it's a musical lovefest and that's the way i like it!

currently touring the east coast, try to check out the band at one of their upcoming gigs below:

June 18 - Brooklyn, NY at Sound Fix Records (in-store performance)
June 18 - Brooklyn, NY at Union Pool
June 19 - Arlington, VA at Iota
June 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Millcreek Tavern
June 21 - Carrboro, NC at Arts Center

AND if you'd like to win tickets to one of their upcoming shows OR passes to your local zoo/aquarium OR get an animal sponsorship under your name, click on the link below to enter:
http://www.canvasbackmusic.com/contests/annuals/wetzoocontest]

dizzee rascal feat calvin harris & chrome - dance wiv me (new video)

dizzee rascal feat calvin harris & chrome - dance wiv me [link 2]
[besides wiley, have you heard this summers UK garage infused 80's disco rap anthem? rappa dizzee rascal gathers together the talents of calvin harris (who always seems better when working for other people) and singer chrome and has made a fun jam that is full of surprises. i've been listening to this non-stop and from the looks of the buzz coming out of the UK, i'm not the only one. hot! hot! hot!]

the brunettes - small town crew (new video)

the brunettes - small town crew [link 2]
[there's nothing like a sweet pop song that evokes images of morning dew to start your weekend (images of bike riding in a park also come up... i'm just full of imagination today!). this sweet duo from new zealand released their album structure and cosmetics almost a year ago, but it's never too late to discover gentle loving tunes as good as this.]

ladyhawke - paris is burning (new video)

ladyhawke - paris is burning [link 2]
ladyhawke - paris is burning (alex gopher remix) [link 2]
[new zealand is in the house! this multi instrumentalist hipster is getting buzz over in the uk after signing to the influential electro dance label modular records. if you go over to her myspace page, you'll quickly discover that she's beyond dance and even sounds a bit like stevie nicks in some rockier tunes. i've included a HOT remix by alex gopher for all you beatheads, it is friday the 13th! enjoy!]

pussycat dolls - when i grow up (new video)

pussycat dolls - when i grow up (ralphi rosario remix) [link 2]
[after a failed solo career, nicole scherzinger returns, with tail between her legs, to the group that made her a worldwide star. there's something still hypnotic about a group of trannylicious ladies who sing and dance their hearts out (can you tell they're one down from the original roster? yeah...i couldn't either). lets hope that their upcoming album will continue to churn out hits for an act that is unfortunately only as good as their last smash. so far, so good.]

live wongie: bon iver - skinny lover (live on later with jools holland) / flume (live on later with jools holland website)

bon iver - skinny love [link 2]
[this is a performance by a man who has been heartbroken and found a way to channel it through song. with his album for emma, forever ago garnering some of the best reviews of the year, justin vernon aka bon iver (pronounced like the french "bon hiver") has crafted a raw collection written by a man who disappeared into the woods of wisconsin only to find his soul again. whether it's as poetic as people are making it, bon iver has put out something pretty amazing.]


bon iver - flume [link 2]
[check out this gorgeous performance of yet another gem from his album.]

sigur ros - gobbledigook (new video) [over 18 version]

sigur ros - gobbledigook [link 2]

[please note: not that there's anything wrong with nudity, but i do have to warn you that there are nudies in this video.]

[inspired by the photos of ryan mcginley, there's nothing like images of young hipster nudists jumping around happily in the forest. directed by arni and kinski, the big surprise is that wong kar wai cinematographer, christopher doyle, lensed the happy video. then again, for those who know the man, maybe not THAT big of a surprise. great song from the upcoming album Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust.]

goldfrapp - caravan girl (video premiere)

goldfrapp - caravan girl [link 2]
[omg california looks just AMAZING in this video! 3rd single off of the excellent seventh tree album, the song ends in a choir of jubilation that should take away anyone's negative thoughts (unless you're the devil). oh to live by the ocean...]

a fine frenzy - come on, come out (new video)

a fine frenzy - come on, come out [link 2]
[i have no clue how acts that fall under EMI records get promoted these days. with the label getting rid of most of their record label heads (wtf indeed!), acts like a fine frenzy are left to fend for themselves in the already saturated world of music. alison sudol deserves better. so in the spirit of promotion and hype, i implore you to not only discover how wonderful this artist is, but go out and get her underappreciated 2007 debut album one cell in the sea now.]

MGMT - electric feel (new video)

MGMT - electric feel [link 2]
[i keep forgetting that these guys are homegrown. maybe it's the fact that they've hit on such a major level everywhere that lil ol brooklyn just doesn't seem like a natural base anymore. if you haven't picked up a copy of their excellent debut yet, then smack yourself in the head then buy here now!

UPDATE 6/14: check out this creepy animatronic version by the rock-afire explosion. apparently you can have any song performed by these animals. bizarre! thanks to alfredo for the heads up!

foals - red socks pugie (new video)

foals - red socks pugie (henrik schwarz remix) [link 2]
[back in the beginning of the year, the foals were high on everybody's list of bands to watch in 2008. though i was curious, i found myself not as inspired by their whiney vocals and art rock sounds. i haven't written them off just yet, maybe it's because this hot retro henrik schwarz remix is just plain fabulous. thank goodness for remixes!!!]

cage the elephant - ain't no rest for the wicked (new video)

cage the elephant - ain't no rest for the wicked [link 2]
[this kentucky five piece have released a wonderful lazy anthem that evokes all the southern charm of beck's classic "loser" with an equally catchy chorus to boot. do we love them? well...we're not fawning over them yet, but this is a fun bbq track to blast with a nice cold beer in hand.]

mystery jets - two doors down (new video)

mystery jets - two doors down [link 2]
[it's as if the 80's never went away when you hear poptastic songs like this! this uk five piece just keep on releasing happy retro songs that fit my summer soundtrack. get their fabulous album 21 here.]

on the radar 2008: bryn christopher - the quest (new video)

bryn christopher - the quest [link 2]
[for a 1st single, this is an impressive release. bryn's winehouse-esque vocals not only has a timeless quality, but he also has a tone that sounds like a diva in sequins. reports that his debut album will feature samples from the never before used stax catalog only makes for something even more raw and timeless. i can't wait!]

screw damien rice, check out his ex-partner instead: lisa hannigan - lille (demo)

lisa hannigan - lille (demo) [link 2]
lisa hannigan - sea song (demo) [link 2]
[how gorgeous is this demo? currently adding the finishing touches of her debut album, this longtime collaborator of damien rice (adding some of the best vocals to his songs if you ask me) ended her creative relationship with the troubadour under a carefully phrased posting on his site back in march. sounds like she's doing fine without him can't wait to hear new material in the coming months!]

madonna feat. pharrell - give it 2 me (new video)

madonna feat pharrell - give it 2 me (paul oakenfold remix edit) [link 2]
[not sure how long this video will be up (since warner is taking these down like wildfire), but here you have it, the brand spanking new madonna video in which she wears lingerie and hats for 4 minutes. i'm still a total geek during the 'get stupid' breakdown (thank you pharrell!), but as a bonus to my readers, here is the paul oakenfold remix for you beat freaks.]