song of the day - monday

Lately it feels like I've been constantly espousing my affection for Sofia Coppola. I loved Somewhere -- easily one of last year's best films -- and have frequent pangs of nostalgia for Lost in Translation. Keeping in that theme, I thought Kevin Shields' "City Girl" would be a good song for this AM. It's briefly featured in the film, playing softly in the background during the title sequence, accompanying the infamous shot of a translucent-pink-panty-clad Scarlett Johannson. Kevin Shields of course is the frontman of My Bloody Valentine, so the song has that requisite dreamy, hazy quality (that band's "Sometimes" from Loveless is also featured in the film. Here's a Sofia Coppola-directed music video that nicely pairs the song and film:

song of the day - saturday

It seems I have a thing for exposing my celebrity crushes. This one should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me, but I think Thurston Moore is a total fox. My love for Sonic Youth is of course undying, as they are and always will be my favorite band.

Here's the first single off of Moore's forthcoming solo album. It's called "Benediction" and it's lovely:

Thurston Moore :: Benediction

song of the day - nostalgia edition

My Bloody Valentine “Blown a Wish”

Because I talk about them all the time, I thought I would post my favorite song from my favorite band. For me, it’s a deeply nostalgic dreamscape – driving in college with the top down, drinking at coffee shops that no longer exist, now-cringeworthy vintage clothing decisions, sloppy dorm room hookups etc. I've been in Austin this week for work, so I guess that's meant meandering through a lot of old Texas memories. The short hand -- I want to move back.

I included a snippet of lyrics – “Midnight wish/Blow me a kiss/I'll blow one to you/Make like this/Try to pretend it's true" -- in a short story I wrote in college, and would be more likely to get a tattoo that says that than anything else (though I think I’ve aged past that foolishness).

song of the day - wednesday

Abe Vigoda, “Sequins”

A few weeks ago I caught Wild Nothing (who I just can’t get over I like them so much) at Bowery Ballroom with my friend and preferred concert buddy Claire. Wild Nothing of course rocked with all the 80s inspired nuance that their album Gemini and subsequent Golden Haze EP delivered. It was an all-around great show with Minks, who just released an impressive debut LP, opening with Abe Vigoda. I didn’t know anything about this LA-based group of awkward guys, but have come to love their sound. “Sequins”, the opening track off their album Crush, is both upbeat and sweeping, pretty representative of their overall sound. The lead singer's voice works for me, and it’s nicer to listen to than it is to watch him perform – I’ve never seen someone sweat so much live … it was a bit like Albert Brooks anchoring the weekend edition in Broadcast News.

Here’s the band performing the song live:

song of the day - thursday

Work Drugs, "Dog Daze"

Distant vocals offset the disco-light, lounge-ready beat, lightly resembling a track from the recent Destroyer album, but obscured and drowning in melancholia. It's still decadent and glittering, a bit like and episode of The Love Boat but done as sudsy melodrama. Here's the video:

song of the day - wednesday

Small Black "Despicable Dogs (Washed Out Remix)"

Great opening bands are one of my favorite things. When I saw No Age at Music Hall of Williamsburg last fall, I wasn't too impressed with the headliner (all noise, no nuance), but openers Soft Circle and Small Black were really great. I knew nothing about either beforehand, so it was a great surprise. Small Black (a pleasantly motley band of locals) has the killer 80s sound that I just can't get enough of. Last year they released both a self-titled EP and the full-length Chains, both of which I highly recommend picking up. This track reinterprets the EP's most appealing track through the eyes of electro artists Washed Out (if you haven't given their EP Life of Leisure a listen, do so now):

song of the day - tuesday

Beach Fossils, "What a Pleasure"

Last summer I played Beach Fossils' self-titled debut on an endless loop. Dreamy, drifting lilts with just the right amount of summertime twang. Their new EP shows encouraging growth. They've moved beyond the beach bum aesthetic and now show a deeper, hazier sound that closely resembles label-mates (and the totally awesome) Wild Nothing. Here's the title track off the new album:

song of the day - monday

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, "Alisa"

I've been a bit of a fanatic for Ariel Pink since hearing Before Today, his killer album from last year. That one features "Round and Round", a hypnotic track that is currently my ring tone. His whole body of work is quite strong, particularly 2006's House Arrest. I've learned that they will soon re-press it on vinyl, and given that it's a grainy, sample-heavy sound, that will be a sublime must-have. Here's today's track, "Alisa", performed live (and quite well), below:

song of the day - sunday

A Gap Between, "Neon Signs"

Heavy synth beats propel this sudsy bit of nostalgia. It's like a nightclub scene from any 80s film (Fright Night actually comes to mind) - and that's a serious compliment. Click here to visit the band's Soundcloud page to give it a listen.

(Pictured above: A gay club in Cape Town, the name of which I can't recall. A room bedecked with disco balls felt appropriate for the song)

song of the day -- saturday

Memoryhouse, "When You Sleep"

My love for these guys' debut EP The Years, which was released last year, is well-documented. So I was intrigued when I heard they had done a live cover of this track from My Bloody Valentine (my favorite band). Memoryhouse is among the few bands that possesses the requisite dreamy haze necessary to cover those legendary shoegazers. Here's video of Memoryhouse performing the cover at Mercury Lounge last year:

song of the day

Toro y Moi, "New Beat"

The first song off their new album Underneath the Pine(s) is a seductive, upbeat disco send-up. Dripping with retro synth and a champagne dream-soaked vibe it's a dance track that even guys who don't dance (me) can get behind. I recommend checking them out at Music Hall of Williamsburg on April 10. Here's the video: