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Short Vampire Weekend interview
This unsigned band from NYC is one of the best things I have listened to lately. Its fresh and exciting. Nothing revolutionary, indie rock meets african music, but it's tasteful and different. Have a try yourself by listening 4 tracks on their myspace page. As Stereogum put it very well, it's 'Paul Simon meets The Walkmen'. I hope for them to go far because their music is really a breath of fresh air. 
Here are a few questions answered by Ezra. Where are you guys from? How did you start playing music together? I'm from New Jersey as is Chris Tomson. Baio's from Westchester and Rostam's from DC. We all went to college together and known each other for a few years before starting Vampire Weekend towards the end of our (except Baio's) senior year. Are you aware that you sound is already quite mature and your own? Is that something that came spontaneously or something you have thought about a lot before/since starting playing? At one point, I tried to write a manifesto (in the Tintin font) because we all felt strongly that Vampire Weekend should have a unique and cohesive vibe. I never finished the manifesto but there's totally a spirit of keeping things Vampire Weekend-y (although that's a pretty malleable concept). What do you expect from the band: having a bit of fun or do you take it seriously and your aim is to release records, tour and make a living of it?
We'd love to make a living off of music and we're certainly going to try to do it.
Your music brings together indie stuffs with world/african music: if you were to guide any indie kids (i.e. anyone) into listening some world/african artists, which 2/3 records would you recommend them to get their ears on? Is that something you listen regularly? Where does it come from ( i.e. your parents used to listen to it at home when you were younger, travelling...)?
Honestly, the best way to hear cool African music is probably through blogs like Benn Loxo du Taccu. There was another great one called "Awesome Tapes from Africa" which doesn't seem to get updated much these days. They're both run by guys who've lived/spend a lot of time in Africa and unearth stuff most Americans would probably never hear otherwise.
In terms of actual artists/records:
Orchestra Baobab is pretty incredible. I saw them when they were in New York a few years ago and I was seriously impressed. Their record "Pirate's Choice" is cool and has a nice name.
The 1986 compilation "Madagasikara Two" is kind of hard to find but awesome. I used to buy tons of records at yard sales and somehow acquired this one. I didn't listen to it until years later (right around when VW started).
My dad had some Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade records so that must have been the first African music I heard.
Info on who is releasing your first 7'' and EP in May (label, dates...).
We're doing the 7" with Free News Projects which is an extension of the Philadelphia art gallery Space 1026. We're self-releasing the EP and we can't give any exact dates yet, but hopefully very soon.
Your plans until the end of the year?
We're planning a national tour for July with some sporadic touring and recording in August. We might do a short-ish tour with Dirty Projectors which would be awesome! The fall will probably involve a lot of college shows. Maybe get a full-length out by early 2008.
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Friendly Fires // Grovesnor
If you were to ask me who are currently some of the most exciting new and still unsigned bands/artists in the UK, I would right away start talking about Friendly Fires and Grovesnor. 
Friendly Fires have released a first EP a few weeks ago and have another one ready to come out with an impresive couple of tracks entitled 'Photobooth' and 'On Board'. It's nothing new, disco-punk to make it short, but it's very well crafted.
Check their myspace page: myspace.com/friendlyfires 
Grovesnor, if you have listened to the latest DJ Kicks by Hot Chip, is the track that stands out by a mile from all tunes. OK, it's also the first song on the mix among 24, but that's not the only reason why it is the highlight. 'Nitemoves' is a track you would swear is coming from some forgotten electro/soul artist from the 80s. Well it's the work of a guy called Rob in his late 20s (i am guessing here) from London. Lots of emotions and synthetisers. Again have a check here: myspace.com/grovesnormusic Enjoy.
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Frida Hyvonen
She is one of my favorite newcomers from 2006 even if originally her debut album was released in 2005 in Sweden. Yes you read it, she is from the current mecca of pop music: Scandinavia. Frida is from Sweden. And oh boy she is good - real good. Her songs are raw, intense, playful and perfectly build in the 2/3 minutes time-frame full of perfect choruses and hooks and bridges. I can't stop listening to Until Death Comes. She reminds me in some ways to Joanna Newsome (I know that's an easy one), Tori Amos, Carole King... If there is any justice in this world, she should have a bright future. I can't wait for her to come and play in London, UK. Check ou these videos on Youtube: I Drive My Friend, The Modern and this Live performance on TV. Also download You Never Got Me Right from the Secretly Canadian website. SC released to the rest of the world in October last year this wonderful album.
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Top 2006
The Knife – Silent Shout Boris – Pink Spank Rock – YoYoYoYoYo Ellen Alien & Apparat – Orchestra of Bubbles Frida Hyvonen – Until Death Comes James Holden – The Idiots are Winning Fujiya & Miyagi – Transparent Things Joanna Newsome – Ys The Gossip – Standing in the Way of Control Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped The Blow – Paper Television Sound Directions – The Funky Side of Life
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Back after 18 months of silence...
I'm back. Unbelievable. New year resolution? We'll see. The idea is still to share with anyone interested my views about music and my latest discoveries. I might also stop writing in French and stick only to English. Again we'll see. Let's not start by setting rules.
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Arctic Monkeys
Fake Tales of San Francisco (video - this is just a link to the video)
Sorry guys but i have been lazy about learning how to host my own mp3s so i have been giving you legal ones posted either by bands or labels. Anyway, here is another video... This is Domino new band, Arcic Monkeys, from Sheffield and this song 'Fake tales of San Francisco' is just fantastic. They look quite young and yet their music is very mature and confident. It sums up everything that has been going on since rock'n'roll started. Can't wait to hear more. Let me know what you think.
Désolé mais je n'ai pas encore pris le temps d'apprendre a poster mes propres mp3s sur mon serveur donc en attendant je continue a vous proposer des trucs intéressants mis a disposition par les artistes ou les labels. Aujourd'hui une nouvelle vidéo qui j'espere vous donnera envie d'en connaitre plus... Voici la nouvelle signature Domino, Arctic Monkeys, en provenance de Sheffield. La premiere écoute du morceau de la vidéo ci-dessus m'a convaincu tout de suite du bien de ces jeunes gens qui, malgré leur jeune age (je n'en ai aucune idée mais ils ont l'air jeune), jouent une musique d'un maturité epoustouflante. C'est un condensé (attention c'est un compliment) de tout ce qui s'est passé depuis que le rock'n'roll existe. C'est jouissif et je suis fan de ce morceau. dites-moi ce que vous en pensez.
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Jamie Lidell - King of 'Soul'
Jamie Lidell - Live at Royal Festival Hall in 2004 (video)
His new album 'Multiply' is out soon and everyone should buy it. The first time I heard 'Multiply' I was confused as I was expecting some electro-funk 'a la warp'. But Jamie Lidell is one of these artist that will always be where you don't expect him to be and this time he has decided to re-invent 'soul music'. This video shows his genius.
Son nouvel album sort prochainement et tout le monde devrait se precipiter dessus. Ma premiere ecoute du single 'Multiply' m'a deroute car j'attendais plus Jamie Lidell dans un registre electro-funk que 'soul'. Mais Lidell n'est jamais la ou on l'attend et aujourd'hui il se re-invente en chanteur de 'Soul music' en 2005. C'est la classe et cette video montre tout son genie.
Buy here | Acheter ici
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