I have nothing too deep to say about this mix, other than that I went looking for new music that I found interesting. It's a somewhat varied mix with a poppy vein running through it, especially the first couple of tunes. Eleven of the fifteen songs date from the first two months of 2018, so much of this stuff is pretty hot off the presses - several with no Last.FM info or pics. The other four date way back to the dawn of time - 2017. Nothing heavy to impart - I just hope you all find something to enjoy here.
(Cover is a section of Dale Chihuly's "The Sun" at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Thanks to Allyson F. for a bit of technical assistance).
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Camila Cabello (feat. Young Thug) / Havana
I just find this song infectious. She is all of 20 - Cuban born, raised in Miami - and a former member of Fifth Harmony. But what makes the song for me is the sixteen bar section from Young Thug. Without that piece, I don't think this song would be on the mix - that small snippet is magic to my ears.
More Info from Last.FM
Karla Camila Cabello Estrabao (born March 3, 1997), known by her stage name Camila Cabello, is a Cuban-American singer and songwriter. She is a pop, R&B, and Latin-influenced performer who first came to prominence as a founding member of the girl group Fifth Harmony. Born Karla Camila Cabello Estrabao in Cojimar, Cuba, Cabello moved to Miami, Florida at the age of six. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking environment (her mother is Cuban and her father is Mexican), she fostered her love of music by listening to Celia Cruz and Alejandro Fernández. Read more on Last.fm more...
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Troye Sivan / My My My!
A baby-faced, 22 year-old South African born Aussie with a big hit on his hands. Definitely super pop and on the far end of the spectrum from Pere Ubu.
More Info from Last.FM
Troye Sivan Mellet (born 5 June 1995 in Johannesburg, South Africa), better known as Troye Sivan, is an Australian actor, YouTuber and singer-songwriter. His YouTube channel has over 1.1 billion views and more than 7,25 million subscribers. In July of 2014 he released his first single titled “Happy Little Pill” from the TRXYE EP that was released on August 15 2014. As an actor, he played young James Howlett in the 2009 X-Men film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and most recently has starred in the Spud film trilogy. Read more on Last.fm more...
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James Bay / Wild Love
An elder statesman of these first three at 27 - and a Brit. I was pulled in by this song as soon as I heard the first few bars.
More Info from Last.FM
James Bay (born James Michael Bay on 4 September 1990) is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. In February 2015, Bay received the Brit Awards "Critics' Choice" award. At the 2016 Brit Awards he received the award for Best British Male Solo Artist. Bay also received three nominations at the 2016 Grammy Awards, for Best New Artist, Best Rock Album, and Best Rock Song. Hailing from Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Bay gained a reputation thanks to stints Read more on Last.fm more...
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Tommy Emmanuel (feat. Jason Isbell) / Deep River Blues
Tommy Emmanuel, at 62, is an antique compared to the first three artists - almost as old as the three of them combined. His guitar playing is absolutely impeccable. And to put that together with a duet with Jason Isbell? Love when they harmonize - had to be on this mix. While the first three tunes are all uber electronics, this tune is pure acoustic. You could imagine them playing this song in your living room.
More Info from Last.FM
Tommy Emmanuel (born May 31, 1955) is an Australian virtuoso guitarist, best known for his fine art of "fingerpicking". He is considered by some as the greatest fingerpicker in the world today. Throughout his career he played with many famous legends like Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Sir George Martin and John Denver. Some tracks of note include The Journey (a Top 30 hit in Australia in 1993), Cross The Nullarbor and his cover of Mason Williams's Classical Gas. Read more on Last.fm more...
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Zola Blood / Heartbeat
I can't find much info about this group other than that they are British. Heard this on Radio Paradise.
More Info from Last.FM
Hailing from around the UK but meeting in East London's Hackney Wick, Zola Blood are Matt West (vocals), Ed Smith (synths), Sam Cunnington (drums), and Paul Brown (guitars). They formed in 2013 and with some rough demos quickly caught the attention of Talk Talk manager and Label, Keith Aspden (Pond Life songs) and have been working together since. Zola Blood’s first recordings emerged from their windowless rehearsal room in 2014. Their dark, rumbling Read more on Last.fm more...
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LUME / Tip of Your Thumb
Another group I don't know much about - Chicago based with Michigan roots, apparently. I assume the song is about thumbing your smartphone.
More Info from Last.FM
There are 2 artists named Lume. 1. Lume is Joeri Bruyninckx, an experimental/noise/lo-fi project of a Belgian who has been living in Austria for a while, but has recently returned home and started releasing lots of CD-r's again. His recent splits include one with Bear Bones, Lay Low and one with Partkdolg. He also made a CD with people with a mental handicap, called "Present". a compilation: Lume: Delete Everything Before Current Position (2001-2005) Read more on Last.fm more...
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The Spencer Lee Band / Kissing Tree
Kansas born composer/songwriter via LA. Another song I just find infectious, especially when it drops at 1:13. First single from his first album - though he has a ton of TV and film credits.
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St. Beauty / Not Discuss It
An Atlanta based duo who apparantly met while working at a clothing boutique that held a showcase for local talent (so watch out, KK). Interesting lyrics.
More Info from Last.FM
St. Beauty is an American music group composed of two singers, Alexe Belle and Isis Valentino. The duo is affiliated with a larger artistic collective called Wondaland Art Society, a group of musicians that also includes Janelle Monáe, Jidenna, Roman GianArthur, and Deep Cotton. Both the duo and the collective are based in Atlanta, Georgia. Belle and Valentino met while working at a clothing boutique that held a showcase for local artists in 2012. Read more on Last.fm more...
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Dan Auerbach / Shine On Me
I pegged this song to lead off this mix last summer. But, things happen. He didn't fall off the mix, just slid down to the #9 slot.
More Info from Last.FM
Dan Auerbach (born Daniel Quine Auerbach on 14 May 1979 in Akron, Ohio) is an American musician. A multi-instrumentalist, Auerbach is best-known as the guitarist and vocalist for The Black Keys, a blues/rock group from Akron, Ohio. Auerbach grew up in a family with musical roots. His second cousin once removed was the late guitarist Robert Quine, an American guitarist known for his innovative guitar solos. Auerbach became infatuated with blues music during his childhood after being exposed to old records by his father. Read more on Last.fm more...
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Francis and the Lights / Just For Us
His voice reminds me of Peter Gabriel. This guy's name? Francis Farewell Starlite. Whaaa?
More Info from Last.FM
Francis and the Lights is an American musical project led by Francis Farewell Starlite. The term "and the Lights" refers both to the lights on a stage and pixels on a computer screen. Francis' music is in the pop / R&B category, characterized by a heavy use of electronically produced beats and melody and live vocal. In live performances, Francis' vocal is backed by his pre-produced tracks with the assistance of a DJ while he uses a synthesizer at times. Read more on Last.fm more...
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Lucy Dacus / Addictions
Read an article about her in the NY Times a couple of weeks ago. This tune is off her sophomore effort - "Historian" - which is pegged for big things and is to be released in early March. Richmond based. Love that ticka-ticka-ticka drum thing https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/arts/music/lucy-dacus-historian-interview.html
More Info from Last.FM
Lucy Dacus is a singer-songwriter from Richmond, VA. Debut album No Burden was released on Friday 26 February 2016 via EggHunt Records. Following her debut, she was signed by indie giant Matador Records, who issued her second album Historian on March 2, 2018. After releasing a series of singles throughout 2019, her EP 2019 was released on November 8th. Read more on Last.fm more...
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Keith Urban / Parallel Line
I have never quite figured this guy out - an Aussie country singer married to Nicole Kidman. But this song is quite tasty, I have to say. A bit formulaic, but I smile when it comes on.
More Info from Last.FM
Keith Lionel Urban (born 26 October 1967) is a New Zealand-born country music singer, songwriter and guitarist whose commercial success has been mainly in the United States and Australia. Originally the front man for The Ranch, a three-piece group that released one album in 1997 to critical acclaim, Urban disbanded the group to pursue a solo career. In 2004 his album "Be Here" was nominated for best country album at the Grammy Awards and at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Read more on Last.fm more...
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Janelle Monae / Make Me Feel
This was a last minute find/substitution - like tonight as I was finalizing the mix hours before it was due. Shakira got dumped - probably the only time that's ever happened. And sorry for the F bomb - cover the kiddoe's ears. Funky.
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Janelle Monáe (born Janelle Monáe Robinson on December 1, 1985 in Kansas City, Kansas) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, actor and performer. She moved to New York to study theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Her original plan was to pursue a career on Broadway, but she soon changed her mind and returned to music. After moving to Atlanta, Georgia in 2003, Monáe founded the Wondaland Arts Society with like-minded young artists Read more on Last.fm more...
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BØRNS (feat. Lana Del Rey) / God Save Our Young Blood
Sounds like he should be Scandanavian, but actually another Michigan boy. He lured LDR via FaceTime to sing with him on this tune. I love the key change at 1:05, 2:12 and 3:03. He goes from E on the verse to F on the chorus, then back to E. Modulation, Bryn? I think the term "gauzy" applies well here.
More Info from Last.FM
BØRNS may hail originally from the lower peninsula of Michigan but his dreamy blend of folk, glam and electro rock sounds like it comes straight from the cosmos. This tree-house dwelling LA transplant will be bringing his angelic voice and dynamic live show across the U.S. this fall. Do not miss a chance to catch this unique, otherworldly talent. Read more on Last.fm more...
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X Ambassadors / JOYFUL
Thought this anthemic tune was an appropriate sign-off. A band from....Ithaca, NY. Love the saxophone cacophony and gospel feel.
More Info from Last.FM
X Ambassadors (also stylized XA) is an American rock band from Ithaca, New York. It currently consists of lead vocalist Sam Harris, keyboardist Casey Harris, lead guitarist Noah Feldshuh, and drummer Adam Levin. Their most notable songs include "Jungle", "Renegades", and "Unsteady". The band's debut full-length album, VHS, was released on June 30, 2015 Read more on Last.fm more...
