Sébastien Tellier: Look

This video directed by Mrzyk & Moriceau for Sébastien Tellier is absolutely mesmerising.

Polybius

In the same week that our new meeting rooms at work have been christened with the names Cassette and Floppy (as a homage to outdated technology) this video popped up in my twitter feed. It's kinda scary how fast technology has come in such a short time - I'll be able to tell my kids what it was like before everyone had mobile phones. If I remember of course.

I absolutely love this clip and arrangement. The only problem is it's far to short and needs to be a full track.

On the upside it's been a lovely introduction to electronic artist Miaoux Miaoux. He sounds a little like Ben Gibbard don't you think?

The Preatures: Is This How You Feel?

Just quietly, The Preatures are going to HUGE.

Willow: Sweater

The art of projection is nothing new but it when done well it nonetheless is still pretty amazing. An example of this is the video by director Filip Sterckx for the Willow track Sweater. Created using just 3 projectors, a floor and two walls the result makes you want to star in your own fantastical adventure. 

On another note, my friend Nic's band Cogel just released their new single and video incorporating the magic of projections too. It's rad. Check it out here.

Bejitarizumu

I am going to Japan for the first time in two weeks and in my very important preparations I came across this. 

Yes my friends, THIS is why I am going to Japan- cuteness, colour and general all round coolness (in case you were wondering how I found this it was through my new found obession and official Kawaii Ambassador of Harajuku, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu!).

Sponsored by a company to promote healthy eating, it's hard not to get this dance and song stuck in your head. The best part? The purple dancer (which was always my favourite) is a boy! 

Shoo shoo shoo sa! sa! Anyone want to learn the dance with me?

Lulu and the Lampshades : You're Gonna Miss Me

Laura sent me this fabulous song which caused a flurry to find out more about the artists. The girl on the track is Louisa from Lulu and the Lampshades (now renamed Landshapes) and this video is from way back from 2009. I'm sure you'll agree this is pretty rad. I can just imagine if I attempted to do this! It's probably last all of 10 seconds.

Chromatics: Lady

I haven't hyperventilated over a new single for a long time but OH MY GOD CHROMATICS HAS A NEW SINGLE!

Them, along with label mates Glass Candy have amazing sound and style that I could only describe as the perfect soundtrack to if you had a dream about having a crazy night out, meeting the love of your life and driving around at 4am in the morning. Oh, it would also all be in soft focus.

Now excuse me while I go plan a crazy night out and organise a car for 4am in the morning...

Made In Japan : What It Is

I first saw Sydney indie group Made In Japan a couple of years ago when they played as hip hop duo Horrorshow's band at the Oxford Art Factory. I thought to myself "hey there's an Asian guy in that band!".

Since then they've released a awesome couple of tracks (though I don't think officially) and been the soundtrack to my leaving Australia-to-live-in-Vietnam-the-first-time-leaving-do.

Their latest clip for their single "What It Is" features everything that makes Sydney amazing- the harbour, the weather, GoodGod, the inner west. Watermelons even.

Head over to JJJ to download some of their tracks or even better they're playing where it all began on the 25th February to launch their new album Sights & Sounds. Buy tickets here. I'll be there with dancing shoes on!

Jane Tyrrell: Old Fashioned Morphine (Jolie Holland cover)

I have what seems to be an ever growing list of girl crushes. It includes such people as Roisin Murphy, Natasha Khan, Ellen Allien and that a girl I saw at Sydney Theatre Company last night (who's inspired me to buy some short boots).

As well as that, somewhere towards the top of that list is Australian artist Jane Tyrrell for the following reasons:

• She joined hip hop group The Herd and made them somehow more awesome- unlike the awkwardness of Fergie joining the Black Eyed Peas *shudder*
• She has an amazing voice that goes across hip hop, soul, blues and everything in between- if you have a chance to see her live do it!
• She was part of The Firekites- if you haven't heard of them they're pretty damn amazing
• She's also a graphic designer and artist
• She doesn't dress like a prostitute- win!

I think if I add any more points I might sound creepy so I'll leave it here.

Want to see more? Check out this cute video here.

Lana Del Rey: Video Games

Lana Del Rey is my new obsession. Who could possibly resist that voice? It's the type to bring boys to their knees!

Kate Bush: 50 Words For Snow

Excuse me I'm sorry to bother you,

But don't I know you?

There's just something about you.

Haven't we met before?

When we got on top of the hill,

We saw Rome burning.

I just let you walk away.

I've never forgiven myself.

I saw you on the steps in Paris.

You were with someone else.

Couldn't you see that should have been me.

I just walked on by.

Then we met in '42,

But we were on different sides.

I hid you under my bed,

But they took you away.

Come with me, I'll find some rope

I'll tie us together.

I've been waiting for you so long…

I don't want to lose you again…

 Snowed in at Wheeler street.

Just two old friends.

Keeping the fire going.

We looked so good together.

Can't we just stay there forever?

We were so happy!

I'd live that day over and over.

But the world won't stop turning.

How do you find music you love? The way it usually works for me is that I'll play an album a couple of times, and my ears will somehow pick up on some random detail. That's the test. When I'm not fully focused, will something jump out at me?

Kate Bush has a new album called 50 Words For Snow (you can stream it here).  I LOVE Kate Bush. She is probably the only one left on my list of "people I want to see before I die". Considering she has toured only once in her career it's probably not about to happen anytime soon.

I'm all about lyrics when it comes to music (I'm often taken back when most people say they don't notice them!). I love Kate Bush because she is an amazing songwriter- everything she writes springs visuals and emotions with such simplicity. I feel like there's layers and layers of meaning, yet with one simple story. Kinda of like fairytales you love as a child but who's full meaning you find out later.

My favourite song of all time is "Running Up The Hill" where she manages to so poetically capture the essence of of a break-up. It's not about being heart-broken as most songs are, but rather it gets to the heart of wanting someone else to feel how you feel. Isn't that the essence in a break-up?

On her latest album the song "Snowed In At Wheeler Street" is the one that grabbed me, and an excerpt of it's lyrics are above. I must be mushy at heart because it's about a couple who love each other through time. That sounds incredibly corny and done before, but add her textured voice, and Elton John, and you feel like you were there with them watching the scenes before your eyes.

Let me know what you think. Perhaps Kate Bush isn't for everyone.

On another note, Ben Folds is another lyricist I love (for the same reasons) and this is equally my favourite song of all time, again, for the lyrics.

Gotye: State Of The Art

There is a high chance this blog could turn into a Wally de Backer lovefest and you know what? I'm okay with that.

It he seems like he's on a roll releasing 2 animation videos in the last couple of weeks.

This one is super sweet and I just want to hug one of those big furry creatures don't you?

You can also stream the full Gotye album here.

Foals: Blue Blood

This song has made a comeback on my rotation. And when I say rotation I pretty much mean on repeat. I do have a bit of an obsession with video clips and this is up there as one of my favourites. I've considered re-enacting these dance moves at home alone on many occasions. Maybe there's something about English schoolboys doing dance routines?

What's your favourite at the moment?

Rimer London featuring Cata.Pirata - Love Dagger

This track is the first song on the Remix Artist Collective Modcast that's still on high rotation in my house. My boyfriend loves this track cause of the synths and handclap (the disco experience is all about the clap), and I love it cause I thought they mixed Crystal Castles Crimewave in with another track. Oops (I still love it though).

Gotye feat. Kimbra: Somebody That I Used To Know

Wally de Backer. Need I say more?

via lmac attack

Doctor L Featuring Clip Payne: The Def Song

I don't love this song though I know that if I heard it more it would grow on me. What I do love though it the video treatment. They way they used archived footage is gorgeous and I really love the colours and layers.

Now I might just go listen to it again...

Seeker Lover Keeper : Even Though I'm A Woman

Everything about this song and video is perfect.

Seeker Lover Keeper

Natasha Khan

Right this moment I'm listening to an interview Natasha Khan aka Bat For Lashes on FBI Radio.

It's making me:
1) Feel sad I'm missing out on her show at the Opera House
2) Love her more- she sounds completely down to earth and interesting
3) Feel very inspired- she's been gardening, doing a childrens illustration course and been working with the ballet!

I need to be more awesome now.

Image via The Phoenix

Onra: The Chinoiseries

Before you listen to this, I need you to read the below. Then, put the sound up, turnall distractions off, and step away from the computer for 9 minutes (but not too far obviously). Cause you're worth it.

I started this project August 2006, when i got back from a trip to Viet Nam, the land of my grandparents. As a vinyl junkie, i really couldn't come back to France without bringing back some wax. After hours spent riding on a motorbike in Saigon streets, a taxi finally helped me find some Asian records.

I almost felt like an explorer discovering a forgotten treasure. I bought 30 vinyls, most of them in poor condition, back to the crib, and started making beats with some material i wasn't used to.

I worked on this album through 2007. I think this is the perfect soundtrack to any Hip-Hop head going to South East Asia. It reflects all the different sides of those countries: Raw, sad, culturally rich, amusing, kitsch and romantic.

With a hook like this I knew I was in for something special.

Everyone knows I love music- sometimes in an obsessive "okay I get the point but you're now getting creepy" way. There can be moments where I experience something new and it rocks my world. I vividly remember seeing Seekae for the first time at the now defunct Hopetoun and being completely entranced. It was hot, stuffy, and we were squished out the back and couldn't even see, but through all of this their music managed to stop me in my tracks.

The Chinoi Series by Onra makes me excited- and I love being genuinely excited by new music (new to me anyway, this was released in 2007).

I've mentioned on this blog before about my love of the "nostalgic" genre (I made that up, yep, go ahead and use it) and this embodies it to a tee. Onra's description above is perfect and I couldn't have put it any better. I can see stories play out in my mind listening to it and love the textures and layers it invokes. Perhaps on some level it's something I can relate to- Asian, but not quite. Listening to this interview just makes me love it more.

Excitingly, Onra is playing in Hanoi on June 3rd! Total win. I can't wait.

I hope you love this as much as I do.

* I've since found out that it's not actually The Chinoi Series, but rather The Chinoiseries (one word not two). Chinoiseries in french meaning "little things without much value, and that usually are decorated with a lot of details". Thanks Charlotte!

Paper Record Player Invite

This wedding invitation by Kellie Anderson and friends is a just a little bit amazing. It's a paper record player! For more check out her blog here.