I don't know what you were up to this weekend, but Björk was busy hitting up Rekjavik’s Nordic House to attend a karaoke marathon to support an environmentalist petition. She also manned the mic with a cover of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart. That's all you really need to know.
mp3: Björk (ft Kelis) - Oceania (Radio Mix)
Perfect weather, tons of rad kids and a massively major lineup set the stage for the summer's first Pool Party on the Williamsburg Waterfront. While the warm weather season began with queried "will they or won't they" whispers circulating, the season's festivities were announced a few days prior to the initial shindig. First up, was the collection of Pictureplane, Why?, Fang Island, but ultimately the headlining collaboration between Deerhoof and Xiu Xiu, which immediately became a heat-seeking missile of attention warranting.
The supporting acts began the day with an energetic installment of their finest work. From goth'lectro-dance to straight good ol' boy rock, Pictureplane, Why? and Fang Island upped the anticipatory buzz factor before the main music got to gettin'.
With Xiu Xiu's main man Jamie Stewart helming a mash of the two bands, he along with members of Deerhoof, put on a spectacular show in which the collective recreated and covered the entirety of Joy Division's iconic album, Unknown Pleasures. The crowd, a scattering of young admirers of the bands and staunch supporters of the legendary English rock troupe, were treated to a re-imagining of the disc, while paying respect to Curtis, Hook, Morris and Sumner by sticking true to the arrangements that are so beloved.
From She's Lost Control to Disorder, Candidate and every song in between, the stage was full of energy and excitement: a fitting tribute, and an event that was pleasurable on all fronts. You can watch video of Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof performing Shadowplay below. We'll see you next week on the water!
Full gallery of images from the day can be viewed here.
mp3: Xiu Xiu - Gray Death
mp3: Deerhoof - +81
I feel like I have a fever of the same degree...106. Well, in actuality it's not so high...
...and if one more person asks me if I need cowbell for the fever, slaps will be administered. Along with a nice dish of the bits. Cheers!
Lourdes, Lola, Madonna's daughter, or whatever you want to call her has a fashion blog. link
Pedestrian chats with Peter Hook about the lost Joy Division tapes. link
Perfume Genius is playing Glasslands on July 23. I'mm'a go to this. Are you? link
Hot Hot Heat announced a national tour. Check out the dates here.
Our buddy BetaTraxx (formerly Redlight), got his original tune Foxtrot mixed up by our other pals, LightsoverLA. Friends and free and awesome! Song is below.
mp3: BetaTraxx (featuring Kendahl Gold) - Foxtrot (LightsoverLA Remix)
I could lay in bed all day. And or stretch my tired bones. Or maybe I'll just do neither and go lay in the park all day. Decisions, decisions...
Beasts, please...I'm kidding. Y'all know I'm hustling away to give you new tunes and ish. Actually, come to think of it, I need to do this quicker than normal. The bittiest bits...and go.
NME has news from Coachella, updates on Glasto, and more. link
Ke$ha sucked on SNL. link
DJ Doorly sent over his mix of Marina and the DIamonds' I Am Not A Robot. Download mp3 below.
Thom Yorke covered Joy Division. link
Leaks this weekend included: Crystal Castles new disc and tracks from Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears and Kelis. You can find 'em if you're all sorts of sleuthy.
mp3: Marina and The Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Doorly Remix)
