Song of the Day: "Saw You In A Dream" by the Japanese House

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If you like Imogen Heap and Frou Frou, you'll like The Japanese House. My song of the day is "Saw You In  Dream," by the aforementioned artist.

Here's a bit about The Japanese House as reported on letsloop.com, which has become my favorite place to find new music.

"The Japanese House is an English Dream-Pop artist founded by Amber Bain. At 19, her first release 'Still' became Zane Lowe's Hottest Record on Radio 1."

I'ma keep my eye on this girl. She's good.

—Sarah Torribio

That cool quote by Alice Walker

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Song of the Day: "Quit" by Cashmere Cat ft. Ariana Grande

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My song of the day is a really cool song by Cashmere Cat called "Quit" and which features Ariana Grande.

This is a great song--sexy and chill and wistful and all that.

Bit it also has this really slow-burn funk and dubstep symphonic thing going when you get to some of the breakdowns. It's a different tone but it was the same way I was reeled into loving Justin Bieber's "Where Are Ü Now. Which I believe  Diplo and Skrillex produced or mixed or whatever—I'm really on a learning curve with this modern blend of electronic pop rock and R&B music.

It's where I feel the oldest. Me from '80s. Me no understand today's tunes.

But then I give a new song a chance and from time to time I get obsessed.

The maker's of this particular song, "Quit," are betting that you're be waiting with baited breath for when the beat dro
                              oo
                                    ops.


For me, the epiphanic moment comes at 1:25 or so. There it is

And I'm like, bitch, I'm too cool for pop music. I want to go back to my easy teenaged ways where I liked everything except "rap and country." It's not that easy. Plus, who needs all the feels evoked by what's basically a digital torch-song?

But then again. . .

There are really good songwriters and producers out there right now, as well as bands. It's an embarrassment of riches and a Sisyphean task. All you can do is hope you stumble across some of the good stuff out there. It may help if you can find a curator. Someone who can say, this song is special, or at least it's special to me today. And who you agree with some percentage of the time.

If I can do that, I will be satisfied. Nah, I wanna be rich too and also known as a writer.

But enough of me. It's such a fine line between "being personal" and being Narcissistic in a blog. Hey, what's going on? One short blog entry and I've alluded to two Greek gods. I wasn't aware of the denizen of Mount Olympus and its environs had made its way so firmly into my subconscious.

Okay, Ariana Grande has a versatile voice and may well surprise us over her career. I think I even once saw a video of her as a teen singing a version of an Imogen Heap song, for which I say "50 points for Gryffindor!"

Oh shit, there's that riff back 2:50 in the track. And it wouldn't be so exquisite if it didn't take all that time for the beat to to dro
                                       ooo
                                                oop.

Oh yeah, and I got up on the Wikipedia just, which is my main source of information alongside Wikileaks (just kidding, true not true, sweaty palms). I've learned that this Cashmere Cat—a very tactile name, if I may say—is a Norwegian DJ.

Here's a pic of said cat, and he looks like he's one with the turntable.

Why are DJs from Nordic countries so good and so plentiful? I'm even friends with a Swiss DJ/aka life coach thanks to my parents, who introduce me to all kinds of interesting people.

I'm pretty sure it has to do with a magical, Thor-like transformation in which someone puts on a really hot track just as the Northern Lights appear overhead. Björk magically appears and kisses them on the forehead, followed by a visitation by a peaceful polar-bear who comes bearing a pair of golden headphones.

The object of said ceremony feels his heart begin his or her heart to beat like a bass drum and so it begins. But I digress. . .

Heree, again, is my song of the day: 'Quit" by Cashmere Cat featuring Ariana Grande.

Chillaxing gif of the day. . .

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Posted by tripitty on tumblr

Epigram of the Day: "Timeless"

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Song of the Day: "Doing It For the Money" by Foster the People

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You think that age 40 (that was me a coupla years ago, not tryna shave any years off) you're too old to fangirl over new rock music.

After all, who has ever topped the fine music of the '80s? For instance, who can do better than the Psychedelic Furs' 1984 hit "The Ghost in You"? I mean, really. Or INXS' "Don't Change" or Tears for Fears' "Head Over Heels" or U2's "With Or Without You"? I could go on endlessly, because I go full Rainman when it comes to talking about music. That's a compliment to Rainman, by the way, because I admire his focus.

But anyhow, then my friend Josh invited me (and, quite generously, Brian) to a Foster the People concert. And, get this. Right before going, I had to write a non-interview story on the band back when I was freelancing for the Reno Gazette, so I had to delve into their catalogue before the show and I was blown away.

"Pumped Up Kicks," I can take or leave, although it may well start to grow on me. I'm just starting to appreciate the Rolling Stones, for God's sake.

But the rest of the catalogue, tout alors!

Anything off Torches and most particularly "Coming of Age" off their sophomore album "Supermodel," is a keeper. Such a cool mix of electronic music, indie rock and a soupcon of R&B, disco and funk. That's a sexy recipe.

So my point, and I have one, is that Foster the People has dropped a new joint. In fact, they've dropped three new songs on an EP I gotta get.

I've only listened to one of them, "Doing It for the Money," but I'm obsessed. I've got that biz on repeat—I'll risk overdosing. Those with similar musical taste may grok why.

—Sarah Torribio

Song of the Day: "It All Means Nothing" by The Screaming Females

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I am absolutely in love with a band called The Screaming Females. It's an indie rock band from New Jersey and I'm told by Wikipedia they've already released six albums.


The lead vocalist, one Marissa Paternoster is a wonderful singer. Her voice is higher and she's her own lady, but her aggression, angst, and complete commitment reminds me of the late Mia Zapata of The Gits. And the guitar on this tune will put hair on your chest, in a good way.

I'm ready to see this group live ASAP.

Song of the day on battlestar eclectica is "It All Means Nothing" by The Screaming Females. Word.

—Sarah Torribio

Song of the day: "Lumina" by Joan Osborne

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Most people are familiar with Joan Osborne's "What if God Was One of Us," which was all kind of catchy. The song was off her 1995 debut, "Relish," which means I was about 21 when I bought this record.

The aforementioned song was one of the first songs I played while teaching myself guitar, along with the whole of Hole's "Live Through This"—with "Violet" and "Miss World" being favorite tracks.

Back to Joan Osborne. My song of the day is her "Relish," which is a quite, hushed, pretty and, lyrically speaking, subversive song. It is, after all, a retelling of the Adam and Eve story.

I could be mistaken but I think it was on the soundtrack of "Walking and Talking," a romantic comedy featuring Catherine Keener and Anne Heche, which is one of my favorite movies.

For another song in this vein, and from a similar era, try Liz Phair's "California." Sometimes quiet speaks loudly.

—Sarah Torribio

Song of the Day: "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz

This weekend, I went to a wedding where I had the great joy of gathering on the dance floor with many relatives. You haven't lived until you've seen my 87-year-old great-aunt Lorrie cut a rug to tunes like  "Dynamite." by Taio Cruz. 
˜
And while the video is basically a jiggle show for the men-folk, "Dynamite" IS an amazingly catchy song. Picture the scene. You're at the wedding of your cousin, someone you've seen only a handful of times over the years but for whom you are developing a slow-burn familial affection. 

You're talking to another relative who's "blood," but you can't quite figure out how. You've just complimented her beaded blouse and she's telling you why she hates her job. Suddenly, Taio Cruz summons you to put your hands in the air. And you're at a wedding, so you're obviously, like him, wearing all your favorite brands—or at least are in a presentable state. 

So you bid goodbye to your cousin/aunt twice removed, saying, "Girl, I've gotta catch up with you later, because they're playing my jam."

Chances are, she gets it.

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Song of the Day: "Running With the Night" by Lionel Ritchie

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I'm so hip, I actually purchased a piece of choice vinyl on Saturday, National Record Store Day. It came from a thrift shop, but still. . .

It's a record whose grooves I wore out as a child, and it's in cherry condition. It is. . .Can't Slow Down by Lionel Ritchie.

"Running with the Night" was my favorite track on the album as a kid. I believe I co-owned the album with my sister Andrea, who is two years older, and a pre-pubescent pioneer in Columbia Record membership.

There's a lot going on in this vid. And how did I never notice how heavy the guitar is on this bad-boy? Who needs rock 'n roll when you can have rock 'n soul?

—Sarah Torribio

                                                           

Song of the day: "Sway" by The Kooks

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I  like the song "Sway" by the English indie pop/rock band The Kooks, so much so that I think I might have to take a deep dive into their catalogue. It's the very essence of rock 'n roll. Plus, I'm a sucker for a cockney accent.

—Sarah Torribio

Song of the Day: "Silver" by Waxahatchee

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"Silver," by Waxahatchee, is song of the day on Battlestar Eclectica. It's a nice slice of alt rock—melodic and with some nice jangley guitar. I dig the low-fi video production and the girl bassist with glasses is my spirit animal.

—Sarah Torribio

Song of the Day: "Ultralife" by Oh Wonder

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I continue to really value the website letsloop when it comes to finding great songs, new and old. I'm digging on this lively offering by the London-based alt-pop duo Oh Wonder, called "Ultralife."

—Sarah Torribio

Song of the Day: "Find You Inside" by Joseph of Mercury

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"Find You Inside" by Joseph of Mercury is an alt pop song that is totally sex on wheels, with some major New Wave flair.

—Sarah Torribio

Song of the Day: "Magpie" by Saint Etienne

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"Magpie Eyes" by Saint Etienne is an exceedingly cool piece of indie Brit pop.

—Sarah Torribio

My latest electronic composition. . .

I'm continuing my self-education in creating electronic/ambient music. I'ma go back later and produce the heck out of some of this stuff.

This particular tune, called "Without You I Dwell in Darkness," features two quotes from the movie "Willow," with the wonderful Val Kilmer speaking.

I made it on beatlab and garageband and uploaded it onto bandcamp.

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Epigram of the Day: "Digital horse sense"

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That cool quote by Margaret Wise Brown

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That cool quote by Bob Marley

This quote—along with his entire catalog—is why every woman is more than a little bit in love with Bob Marley.

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Song of the Day "Like a River Runs" by Bleachers

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Today's song of the day is "Like a River Runs" by Bleachers. Their first album, Strange Desire, is a good one.

These guys are frickin' hitmakers. They know how to pull the strings that give me the epic feels, and to balance epic wistfulness with sing-along pop hooks.

--Sarah Torribio