Charli XCX - "Nuclear Seasons"

"Nuclear seasons is about a sense of decay. Whether it be the decaying of love, the decaying of life or the decaying of a period of time. Its about being lost and frozen and surviving. Its about being on your own and feeling magic alive when you come through the other side."

Charli XCX - "Nuclear Seasons"

Created over the last year in London, LA and Sweden with a small team of producers (Ariel, Patrik Berger, Jocke Ahlund), Charli XCX’s debut album will be unveiled early next year.  All of this only at the age of 19, expect big things from this London-based goth-pop starlet.

Tom Vek - "Aroused"

After a six year hiatus, the London-based self-taught musician Tom Vek is back with his second studio album - Leisure Seizure on Island Records. 

Tom Vek - "Aroused"

Smoking cigs is soooooo cool.

tUnE-yArDs - "Bizness" [video]

'Bizness' is taken from the band's second album, w h o k i l l, set for release on April 18th. In promotion of the album's release, tUnE-yArDs tour North America and Europe from April through to June. A full set of dates are listed below.

tUnE-yArDs - "Bizness"

26th Apr - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
28th Apr - Doug Fir Lounge, Portland
29th Apr - The Crocodile, Seattle
30th Apr - The Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver

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Absofacto - Kiko

Back in November we had the chance to "sit down" with Absofacto to find out who and what is behind the intriguing project - check it out here (also featured in Absofacto's press page).  Since then Jonathan has been grinding in the studio, emerging this week with two new expectantly addicting originals.  Released on Dovecote Records, Absofacto combined his "tuneful experimental pop" with the instrumental hip hop of 10k Cities (the duo of Zoomzip and Pollination) to create this limited edition split 7" vinyl called Kiko.    

After months of listening to Absofacto, the best way to describe the sound is to call it a rebellious and unconstrained version of Spoon, spruced by vocals reminiscent of an Americanized and contemplative James Mercer (of The Shins).  If you dig Ghostland Observatory you'll also enjoy Kiko's third track, created solely by 10k Cities.  Check them all out at Abso's bandcamp page. 

is not enough to get me over that chasm

where the gaudy wristwatch wrapped round your arm can slow

Breton - Counter Balance

I'm chuffed to bits with this one.  "Breton fuse brooding hip-hop, rock and electronica into an unmistakable signature sound, expect anthemic vocals, driving synth hooks, heavy guitars and tough beats."  I couldn't have said it better myself, which is why I didn't.  A collection of filmakers, musicians, and remixers holed up in a warehouse in South East London have combined to create this awesome foray into the experimental electronica world.

With the Counter Balance EP, on Hemlock Recordings (the label sporting increasingly popular James Blake and Fantastic Mr. Fox), set to be officially released in December, Breton is bound to hit the Bands to Watch in 2011 list.  Troysnoise received an email from Breton's people (awesome) on Monday and had the chance to listen to the five tracks yesterday.  "December" and "Hours Away" stand out as the two that will garner the most play, with all five bringing their own uniqueness to the air waves.  Click on "RDI" to get the free download, and check out the rest of upcoming EP below.

Breton - Counter Balance EP

There used to be a chorus right here / There used to be a point where the tracks disappear.

Update on Thursday, November 25, 2010 by troysnoise

Hopefully you've heard Temper Trap's magnificent album Conditions by now.  Three weeks ago we were blessed with a Conditions Remixed; a Temper Trap endorsed twist on all 10 tracks of the Melbourne's 2009 platinum debut album.  Pushing aside the imitators, Trap arranged for one group of producers/DJs per song, with the aforementioned scientists at BretonLabs having the honor of running with "Drum Song."  Previously a purely instrumental track, the robust vocals of England's (fairly apparent once you hear her voice) Kate Tempest have been added to create a powerful 5 minute remix.  Seems quite fitting for a Fight Club sequel soundtrack.

no flesh or energy / care about genius / don't care about celebrity

Absofacto

This is the first time I've streamed more than three songs in one posting.  Considering how unknown Absofacto still is (yet to hit the 10,000th myspace page view) and how quality I think this sound is I felt the need.  This is a one man project by the way, making it all even more impressive.  Be sure to check out more tracks through their website by clicking on the picture below.  Helping a relatively unheard of project like Absofacto gain exposure is why troysnoise is here.

"Cat Out of the Bag" is from a compilation of songs called Tagalong, released almost a year ago.  The other two, "Whose Side..." and "Punch Drunk..." are 2010 singles, with Punch Drunk being released about two months ago.  Absofacto distributes these songs randomly every few months, giving updates to fans on its website.  The latest word from an Oct. 20th update is that an EP is on the way.   I'll be patiently waiting.

Absofacto - "Cat Out of the Bag"       "ooh, ah ai ah ai ah ai ooh, ah ai ooh"

Absofacto - "Whose Side Are You On Anyway?"   "So I've got to, I've got to change my ways"

Absofacto - "Punch Drunk on Black Mold"  "I am sitting in the back with a jar of fire ants, picking my teeth with a razor blade"

Baromet - Survey of the Passers-by (EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW)

Here's my first November posting focusing on a relatively unknown artist who I think has a lot of potential.  Baromet's EP, Survey of the Passers-by, released in late May, has a uniquely intriguing and introspective sound.  Baromet, the moniker Stefen Smith uses for his solo project, is based in California.  He's still striving to hit the 5k visits mark on his myspace page following this EP release, a number that's been steadily growing as word continues to spread about the unsigned artist's new work.  Describing his sound as, among other things, "experimental," I'm diggin' "Polar-noon Highroad," "Travels" and the instrumentals in "De-Coherent Blue."  Let me know what you think, and click here to check out the other two tracks and download the entire EP for free.

Baromet - "Polar-noon Highroad"

Baromet - "Travels"

Baromet - "De-Coherent Blue"

Thursday, November 4, 2010 -

After all of the positive vibes we've had from this posting we decided to reach out to Baromet.  We were able to catch up with Stefen today, finding out just where that name Baromet came from. 

TN: What inspired the name Baromet and the name of this debut EP Survey of the Passers?

Baromet:  I've always been really fascinated by cryptid' s (Jersey devil, Loch Ness monster, etc.) growing up. I came across one called Barometz, or Scythian lamb in some places. It's basically a lamb that grows out of the ground and that really creeped me out, so I called myself Baromet.   The name of the EP, "Survey of the Passers-by," came from my own reflection of people passing in and out of my life. The tracks on the EP are my own way of saying "I'm taking notes, so I'll remember you were there."

TN:  Is the picture you use for "Travels" somewhere in California / did you take it yourself?

Baromet:  It's from this trail I wandered off on in Yosemite. I was really moved when I saw it. It's just a crappy cell phone picture, but it means something to me.

TN: Your music has an edgy day-spa type sound to it.  Is that what you were going for?

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