JayeL Audio

I thoroughly understand that I have a propensity to like songs long after they have been overplayed, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop anytime soon. Case in point, Calvin Harris’ “Feel So Close”, as covered by LA-based duo Dwntwn. Jamie and Robert lighten the synth dance track into a calming, new wave beach anthem. Leffler’s hushed vocals particularly shine and give Harris’ lyrics a more vulnerable vibe.
Watch the video below and check out Dwntwn’s glitchy single, “Transition”.


Like Dwntwn on Facebook and download their new mixtape, Midnight Ride for free.

I must really want summer to get here already because every song sounds like a summer anthem to me. Latest example, Athens, GA’s own Reptar with the whirling guitar and percussion of “Sebastian”. Certainly an afro pop vibe that I can’t get enough of and makes me wish I got to the Foster the People show at Masquerade earlier to see Reptar open. Reptar’s debut album Body Faucet will be released on May 1st (Vagrant Records). Get “Sebastian” below for the price of an e-mail address.

Like Reptar on Facebook

REPTAR LIVE DATES
2/25 – Stubbs BBQ – Austin, TX
2/27 – Solar Culture – Tucson, AZ
2/28 – Soda Bar – San Diego, CA
2/29 – The Echo – Los Angeles, CA
3/1 – Popscene @ Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco, CA
3/2 – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR
3/3 – The Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
3/5 – Reef Boise – Boise, ID
3/6 – Kilby Court Gallery – Salt Lake City, UT
3/7 – Hi-Dive – Denver, CO
3/8 – The Bottleneck -Lawrence, KS
3/12 – Stickyz Chicken Shack – Little Rock, AR
3/24 – Sixth & I Historic Synagogue – Washington, DC
3/29 – Local 506 – Chapel Hill, NC
3/30 – The Southern – Charlottesville, VA
4/2 – Cactus Club – Milwaukee, WI
4/3 – 7th Street Entry – Minneapolis, MN
4/4 – High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI
4/5 – Schubas – Chicago, IL
4/6 – The Firebird – St. Louis, MO
4/7 – Lifestyle Communities Pavilion – Colubus, OH
4/9 – Ninth Ward – Buffalo, NY
4/12 – Great Scott – Alston, MA
4/13 – KungFu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA
4/14 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
5/8 – Montreal, QC – Cabaret Mile-End#
5/9 – Toronto, ON – Wrongbar#
5/11 – Detroit, MI – Crofoot Ballroom#
5/13 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave II#
5/15 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater#
5/16 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s#
5/17 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room Lounge#
5/19 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater#
5/20 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up#
5/23 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory Concert House#
5/28 – George, WA – Sasquatch Music Festival
6/11 – Philadelphia, PA – The Theater of Living Arts#
6/13 – Washington, DC – 930 Club#
# With Grouplove

70s style guitar riffs. Care free lyrics. More cowbell. Free Energy is back. If they ever film a Dazed & Confused sequel, they should probably have these guys compose the entire soundtrack. Take a listen and download the soon to be Spring-time anthem below:
Look for Free Energy’s sophomore album Love Sign later this year.

These guys looks much improved from when I saw them open for Girl Talk some 5 years ago. Take a look at The Death Set‘s video for “They Come To Get Us”, with an homage to movies like Back To The Future, Godzilla and more. Guaranteed to be part of a network’s upfront presentation at my agency this spring.

Mansions on the Moon initially impressed with Paradise Falls, an album co-signed by DJ Benzi and Diplo. If you aren’t acquainted with “She Makes Me Feel”, get familiar below:
Mansions on the Moon – She Makes Me Feel (.mp3)

The act’s space age ambient pop with a hip-hop edge must have charmed Pharrell as well, since he executive produced their latest EP, Lightwaves. All five tracks balance pop sensibility with a sense of calm, but “Take A Look” shines as synthy piece that would line up nicely next to M83 on your next playlist.
Mansions On the Moon – Take A Look (.mp3)
Download Lightwaves here for the price of a tweet or fb “like”.

Even more exciting, their just announced tour features a stop at the brand new ATL venue, Terminal West. If you’ve been following their progress on Facebook, you’re probably just as amped as I am to check out the shiny new space.

2012 Tour
March 9: Los Angeles, CA — The Mint
March 13—17: Austin, TX — SXSW
March 21: Lawrence, KS — The Granada
March 22: Omaha, NE — The Waiting Room
March 23: Ames, IA — M-Shop
March 24: Iowa City, IA — The Mill
March 25: Minneapolis, MN — 7th Street Entry
March 27: Milwaukee, WI — Shank Hall
March 29: DeKalb, IL — The House Cafe
March 30: Pontiac, MI — iLounge
March 31: Chicago, IL — Bottom Lounge
April 1: St. Louis, MO — The Gramophone
April 3: Memphis, TN — Hi Tone
April 5: Birmingham, AL — Bottletree
April 6: Athens, GA — New Earth Music Hall
April 7: Atlanta, GA — Terminal West @ King Plow (tickets)

I’m just going to assume you’ve been playing the hell out of the new Santigold track “Disparate Youth” as much as I have. Its hypnotic, inspirational and genius. Purchase “Disparate Youth” on Amazon and stream below:

Look for Master of My Make-Believe on May 1st via Downtown/Atlantic Records and catch Santi on tour with Red Hot Chili Peppers, at SXSW, Electric Forest, Coachella and Governor’s Ball (what a fun line-up).

Influence is largely the theme of the majority of mixtape number two for this week. Teen Daze kicks things off with an Earth, Wind & Fire sampling dance party. Speaking of influence, does the piano fueled opening of Miike Snow’s “Devil’s Work” remind anyone else of Van Halen’s “Right Now”? I swear I just flashbacked to middle school. Charming female songstresses Alex Winston and Oh Land cover The Black Keys and The National, respectively. Even Mayer Hawthorne and Electric Guest offer up soul and Motown related gems. Elsewhere, The National demo a new track that sounds, well, like The National. We welcome back The Shins, which sound like the old Shins, but aren’t really the old Shins. Lastly, I have to say, I’m really enjoying the blues rock inspired sound of Cold War Kids new demos. I’m certainly intrigued by the addition of a new lead guitarist in Modest Mouse’s Dann Gallucci.

JayeL Audio 1-27-12: DOWNLOAD (.rar)
1. Teen Gaze – Let’s Groove
2. Electric Guest – This Head I Hold
3. Johnny Headband – Over There
4. The Shins – Simple Song
5. The Concept – Gimme Twice
6. Gospel Music – Apartment
7. Midi Matilda – Day Dreams
8. Ed Vallance – Crystlalline
9. Mayer Hawthorne – Stick Around
10. The National – Rylan (Live on Q)
11. Miike Snow – Devil’s Work
12. Meg Myers – Adelaide
13. The Big Pink – Hit the Ground (Superman)
14. The Oh Hellos – Hello My Old Heart
15. Alex Winston – Everlasting Light (The Black Keys cover)
16. Dana Falconberry – Petoskey Stone
17. Cold War Kids – Minimum Day
18. Kishi Bashi – Bright Whites
19. Diagrams – Tall Buildings
20. Water Town Bucket Boys – Meet Me Where The Crow Don’t Fly
21. Boxer Rebellion – Losing You
22. Oh Land – Bloodbuzz Ohio (The National cover)
Thanks to CoS, All Things Go, Mixtape Maestro, PMA, Largehearted Boy and the interwebs.

While Givers didn’t put on the show I hoped they would until the last three songs played, I’m still hopeful to see them in another setting. Their energy seemed cage with such a short set and inside on a chilly January evening. I’m certain they would live up to the hype at an outdoor venue or festival.

Check out my review of the show at Atlanta Music Guide.

Also, pick up their debut album In Light at Amazon for $5.

Partnerships like this always intrigue me. Singer-songwriter Aleksandra Denton aka Shura and electronic producer Cyrus Shahrad aka Hiatus missed a connection early in their careers at one of Denton’s solo shows. By way of chance, Shahrad heard an engineer mention he was recording with Denton and he jumped at the chance to work with her. After crafting “River” together, the two decided to become a musical pair, thus Hiatus & Shura was born.

Soulful and enchanting vocals from Shura mixed with lush, minimalist production by Hiatus make this a duo I hope to hear more from soon. Ambiance for the looming cool months ahead.
Hiatus and Shura – First by Hiatus
Hiatus & Shura on Facebook

At some point during November, I happened to stumble along LA duo Electric Guest‘s hypnotic, reverb-filled “American Daydream” (free DL) and folk strummer “Troubleman” (check the breakdown at the 4 minute mark). Then I found out their debut is going going to be produced by Danger Mouse, look out. The guys’ latest cut “This Head I Hold” sounds even more diverse with funk drenched vocals and throwback Motown-like production.

While these fellas only have a few LA shows lined up, something tells me they are bound to be everywhere in 2012 once people give them a chance. Being named one of MTV’s artists to watch in 2012 certainly helps.
American Daydream by ElectricGuest
Troubleman by ElectricGuest
February 6, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
February 13, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
February 20, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
February 27, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
Like Electric Guest on Facebook and catch them in LA: