Coachella rumors, Teki Latex (MP3), Sophie Ellis-Bextor (video), Pharoahe Monch (video), New Young Pony Club (video)

• There's a myspace blog that's keeping track of Coachella confirmations and rumors. Of course, knowing how previous years have gone, take these with the grain of salt. The speculation is exciting though. More of the latest can be found on the Coachella forum. The following was shamelessly cribbed from the aforementioned site.
  
  PRETTY MUCH CONFIRMED:
  The Police (an legit insider confirmed the offer to the band)
  Air (myspace)
  Chk Chk Chk !!! (label, myspace)
  The Fratellis (tour schedule)
  Lily Allen (playlouder, interview)
  Silversun Pickups (numerous music sites, band's myspace at one point)
  Hot Chip (confirmed from band during a radio interview on wwcd 101.1 fm)
  Peeping Tom (tour schedule)
  Comedians of Comedy (myspace)
  Blonde Redhead (tour schedule)
  Junior Boys
  Explosions In the Sky
  LCD Soundsystem (DFA)
  Fountains of Wayne (Filter)
  The Rapture
  Gogol Bordello
  Fields
  Lupe Fiasco (pitchfork, interscope site)
  Oh No Oh My (confirmed during an interview)
  Cornelius (Filter online)
  Ozomatli
  MSTRKRFT
  Digitalism
  VNV Nation (numerous magazines and websites)
  Novatron
  Kaiser Chiefs (tour schedule)
  Konono No 1 (tour schedule and Spin)
  Rodrigo y Gabriela (Spin)
  
  
  LIKELY:
  Arcade Fire (new album, plus tour schedule)
  The Shins
  Bright Eyes
  Modest Mouse (new album, plus tour schedule)
  Queens of the Stone Age
  Bloc Party
  The Walkmen
  Beirut
  The Hold Steady
  The Decemberists (tour schedule plus recent album)
  Cold War Kids
  The Killers
  Boards of Canada
  Mew
  Tapes and Tapes
  TV on the Radio
  Arctic Monkeys
  Muse
  CSS
  Band of Horses
  Smashing Pumpkins
  Rage Against the Machine
  Brazilian Girls
  
  
  
• Teki Latex - Les Matins De Paris (MP3)
  Tasty french electro pop from Teki Latex featuring Belgian pop tart and actress Lio. One of my favorite tracks of the year so far. Big thanks to Discobelle for posting this earlier.
  
  
• Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Catch You (video)
  I like this song better now that I've seen the video. She looks a bit anorexic though. The song is very energetic but her vocal delivery is rather nonchalant. I guess that's part of her appeal, but it's hard for me to really get into the song. Not coming from the UK, I don't know much about her except her club hit from a few years back with Spiller, "Groovejet".
  
  
• Pharoahe Monch - Gun Draws
  A public service announcement from Pharoahe Monch. This is an internet-only video deemed to graphic for MTV.
  
  
• New Young Pony Club - Ice Cream (video)
  This ranks up there with 'Test Icicles' among the worst band names ever. The video is tasty though. The single will see a stateside release soon.
  
  
  
• Cell phone bling rivaling the iPhone: Prada.
  
  
• How not to drive on icy roads
  Brought to you by the local Mensa chapter in Portland

Labels: electronic, hip-hop, mp3, pop, video

New Wilco album info, New Bjork album details, Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill (MP3 and video), more

• New Wilco album is entitled 'Sky Blue Sky'
  Due out May 15. I can't wait! Stream "The Thanks I Get".
  
  
• New Bjork album will feature two tracks produced by Timbaland
  Meester Fly informs us that her new album will feature two tracks produced by the hottest plagisrist/producer in music these days: Timbaland. The Konono nr.1 collab is also intriguing. I love Bjork, but if I see that her next video features her dancing around with Timbaland with her airbrushed cleavage hanging out, I might have to retire from writing this blog.
  
  
• Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill (MP3)
  Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill (video)
  This is the next single off their excellent 2006 LP "Let's Get Out of This Country".
  
  
• Ewan McGregor in Kurt Cobain biopic?
  
  
• Mixtapes aren't a crime. Well, tell that to the Atlanta DA. If this case sees the light of day, Tony Touch, DJ Clue, Funkmaster Flex, you're next! This is a racist war on hip-hop music using your tax dollars, Atlanta. What a joke.
  
  
• Petey Pablo - Fire (stream)
  He's back with a dancefloor anthem that may be as big as "Freek-a-Leek".

Labels: hip-hop, indie rock, mp3, video

Timbaland plagiarized a Finnish musician (video), New Common (MP3), How not to rob a liquor store (video), more

• Timbaland plagiarized a Finnish musician
  He didn't just steal a riff to help produce Nelly Furtado's "Do It". It sounds like he almost stole the entire C64 mod song! Check the YouTube evidence, then read the Something Awful discussion.
  
  
• Common - Play Your Cards Right (MP3)
  Here's a new song from Common, featuring Bilal from the Smokin' Aces soundtrack [via]
  
  
• How not to rob a liquor store
  OMG, this is the funniest ish I've seen in quite a while.
  
  
• Kevin Shields promises there will be a new My Bloody Valentine album, someday
  
  
• Prince, Bjork And Sufjan Stevens among those on upcoming Joni Mitchell tribute

Labels: hip-hop, humor, pop, video

Grizzly Bear - Knife (Girl Talk Remix)(MP3), The Pack - Candy (MP3)

• Grizzly Bear - Knife (Girl Talk Remix)(MP3)
  Girl Talk mashes Grizzly's Bear's "Knife" with Clipse's "Wamp Wamp", then throws in some lines from Ying Yang Twins' "Jigglin'" for some more fun, plus the 'whoop' from Armand Van Helden's "Witch Doctor". There are surely other samples mixed up in there too. The result is a mind-altering sonic re-interpretation. It's sure to rock your booty.
  
  
• The Pack - Candy (MP3)
  What happens when crunk meets the Bay Area and embraces getting stupid and retarded? Just ask Too $hort and E-40 about 'hyphy'. Too $hort's has some new proteges, The Pack, whose sound is fairly typical of hyphy. It sounds like a Ying Yang Twins track mixed with "Tootsie Roll".

Labels: hip-hop, indie rock, mp3

New Clipse remix (MP3), Pomofomo (MP3s), Donny Hue & the Colors (MP3s), Nelly Furtado video, Beach House video

• Clipse - Mr. Me Too (Z.A.K. remix)(MP3)
  Damn, this is a slick remix. It reminds of of Siik's remix of Amerie's 1 Thing; it's a laidback reinterpretation over a Lee Fields instrumental, 'Honey Dove'.
  
  
• Pomofomo - Late Night City Skylines (MP3)
  
• Pomofomo - Ain't Worth My Time (MP3)
  These songs are a fresh 21st century take on the 80s synth pop sound. The lead singer sounds a bit like Bernard Summer and the instrumentation is clearly influenced by bands like New Order and the Pet Shop Boys. It sounds a bit like Tahiti 80, The Similou, or The Blow (with a bit more meat).
  
  
• Donny Hue & the Colors - Humming with the Flowerbirds (MP3)
  
• Donny Hue & the Colors - Mountain Piece (MP3)
  Sounds like Page France meets Jens Lekman. It may take a few listens to get into it, but the buildups and hooks are sublime. You can download the whole album from the label here.
  
  
  
• Nelly Furtado - Say It Right (video)
  Nelly Furtado's new single 'Say It Right' might be the best song on her album. Watch out; this earworm is hard to get out of your head.
  
  
• Beach House - Master of None (video)
  Kick off your shoes and relax to the trippy new Beach House video.

Labels: electronic, hip-hop, indie rock, mp3, pop, video

Gwen Stefani feat. Akon - The Sweet Escape (video), Hot Chip - Arrest Yourself (video), The National Pool - AO1 (MP3), more

• Gwen Stefani feat. Akon - The Sweet Escape (video)
  Songs like this make her album not a total waste. This one is light years better than 'Wind It Up'. [cred].
  
  
• Hot Chip - Arrest Yourself (video)
  The new video from Hot Chip is like a watching-paint-dry version of The Matrix.
  
  
• The National Pool - AO1 (MP3)
  The National Pool hail from Nashville and create an intresting fusion of indie rock and electronic elements on this track.
  
  
  
  
• The Apple iPhone is gorgeous
  Is it too late to return my enV? Nevermind, it is exclusively only available through Cingular for now.
  
  
• The 2007 Tomorrow Never Knows festival begins Wednesday, January 10 at Schubas Tavern in Chicago
  
  Tickets for the daily four band bills and DJs Upstairs are available at schubas.com for $15 per show or $50 for a five show pass and free festival poster. Family show tickets are $8 and also available at schubas.com.
  
  Wednesday, January 10, 2007 – 9:00 PM – 18+
  French Kicks with Headlights, Skybox and Eagle Seagull
  DJs Upstairs: Flosstradamus
  
  Thursday, January 11, 2007 – 9:00 PM – 18+
  Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos, Dr. Dog, The Bees (U.S.), and Brooklyn Bridegrooms (Robert Hicks of The M’s)
  DJs Upstairs: Bald Eagle
  
  Friday, January 12, 2007 – 9:00 PM – 18+
  The Ponys with Sano (Josh Chicoine of The M’s), The Early Tapes and Guest
  DJs Upstairs: DJ Matt Fields
  
  Saturday, January 13, 2007 – 3:00 PM – All Ages
  Paul Green’s School of Rock – Chicago
  
  Saturday, January 13, 2007 – 9:00 PM – 18+
  Mucca Pazza with Office, The God Damn Doo Wop Band and Tigercity
  DJs Upstairs: DJ Major Taylor
  
  Sunday, January 14, 2007 – 3:00 PM – All Ages
  Paul Green’s School of Rock - Chicago with The Blisters
  
  Sunday, January 14, 2007 – 9:00 PM – 18+
  Bound Stems with Dirty on Purpose, All Smiles and The A-Sides
  DJs Upstairs: Matt ROAN
  
  
• R.E.M., Van Halen, Patti Smith, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, The Ronettes inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  I don't know what their criteria are, but I'm surprised it took that long for all the inductees.
  
  
  
• Best prank of the year so far, on Flickr: The Post-It Note Jaguar
  
  
• The Mystery of Picasso - Google Video
  Watch Picasso in a time lapse video as he creates an oil painting...his own way. Just when you think you know what's going on, you don't. It helps me appreciate his work a lot more.
  
  
  
• Beach Impeach Project Photos
  Over 1000 people showed up for a flash mob to spell IMPEACH! on Ocean Beach in San Fran. Hats off for the effort and the near flawless execution!

Labels: electronic, indie rock, mp3, pop, video

Kleerup feat. Robyn - With Every Heartbeat (MP3 and video)

Kleerup feat. Robyn - With Every Heartbeat (MP3)

Kleerup feat. Robyn - With Every Heartbeat (video)

Robyn's only release of note last year was the Rakamonie EP, which unfortunately didn't include this track with Kleerup or her excellent track with Christian Falk that I posted earlier. Here is the MP3 and the rather boring video. If 2006 (and her forthcoming single) are any indication of things to come in 2007, I can't wait for new album material.

Labels: electronic, mp3, pop, video