SXSW Artists Torrent, Mika - Grace Kelly (video), Britney covers Amy Winehouse (video), more

• Can't make it to SXSW? Here's the next best thing: The SXSW Artists Torrent
  739 artists, 739 MP3s, 3.1GB
  
  
• Mika - Grace Kelly (video)
  Mika is blowing up in the UK. With his effortless falsetto, songs like this draw comparisons to Queen and the Scissor Sisters. His new album carves an interesting twee pop niche that will likely polarize listeners; but for now, I'm happy to join the bandwagon.
  
  
• Britney - Rehab (video)
  Britney covers Amy Winehouse's 'Rehab'. Well, not really. But this is pretty funny (mean, yes, but funny nonetheless).
  
  
• Total Lunar Eclipse on March 3
  
  
• 5 Things That Killed Hip Hop
  I prefer DJ Shadow's even more simplistic explanation in 'Why Hip Hop Sucks In '96'.

Labels: humor, indie rock, pop, video

New Feist MP3, Terminator vs. Robocop mash-up (video), The Longcut (video), Britney loses her head, I mean hair

• Feist - My Moon, My Man
  I'm digging the minimalist piano bassline, the shimmering keyboard in the chorus, and Feist's lovely vocals.
  
  
• Terminator vs. Robocop
  Quite possibly the most amazing video mash-up I have ever seen. Fantastic editing. Terminator vs. Robocop, who wins? And don't miss Terminator vs. Robocop Episode 2.
  
  
• The Longcut - A Tried And Tested Method
  A neat infographical music video in the style of Royksopp's Remind Me.
  
  
  
• On eBay: Britney Spears' hair
  As if marrying K-Fed at one point wasn't proof enough, this is definitive evidence that Britney's finally lost it. I'm beginning doubt that Britney will ever be hot again.
  
  
• Arcade Fire on SNL next Saturday (2/24/07)

Labels: indie rock, mp3, video

1 Million Visits!

Robyn - Konichiwa Bitches (video), The Shins - Phantom Limb (video), New Ted Leo (MP3), Arcade Fire tour dates, New Groove Armada (audio and MP3)

• Robyn - Konichiwa Bitches (video)
  Robyn will soon release 'Konichiwa Bitches' in the UK with remixes from Trentemoller and Menta. This hodgepodge of lunacy is a hilariously cheesy early contender for music video of the year. Get your karaoke on!
  
  
• The Shins - Phantom Limb (video)
  I guess this one's been out a while, but it's the first time I've seen it. For how much effort they put in, it's really rather dull.
  
  
• Ted Leo - Sons of Cain (MP3)
  A rockin' new tune from Ted Leo off their forthcoming album 'Living with the Living'.
  
  
• Arcade Fire tour dates, including North America
  02-13 New York, NY - Judson Memorial Church
  02-14 New York, NY - Judson Memorial Church
  02-15 New York, NY - Judson Memorial Church
  02-16 New York, NY - Judson Memorial Church
  02-17 New York, NY - Judson Memorial Church
  03-05 Dublin, Ireland - Olympia *
  03-06 Dublin, Ireland - Olympia *
  03-08 Manchester, England - Apollo *
  03-09 Manchester, England - Apollo *
  03-11 Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowlands *
  03-12 Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowlands *
  03-14 London, England - Brixton Academy *
  03-15 London, England - Brixton Academy *
  03-16 London, England - Brixton Academy #
  03-17 London, England - Brixton Academy #
  03-19 Paris, France - Olympia #
  03-20 Paris, France - Olympia #
  03-23 Stockholm, Sweden - Circus #
  03-24 Oslo, Norway - Centrum Scene #
  03-25 Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega #
  03-27 Berlin, Germany - Postbahnhof #
  03-28 Munich, Germany - Elserhalle #
  03-31 Lyon, France - Transbordeur #
  04-01 Cologne, Germany - E-Live Music Hall #
  04-02 Utrecht, Netherlands - Vredenburg #
  04-04 Brussels, Belgium - Halles de Schaerbeek #
  04-05 Lille, France - L'Aeronef #
  04-26 San Diego, CA - Spreckels Theatre
  04-28 Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field (Coachella)
  05-01 Atlanta, GA - Civic Center
  05-02 Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
  05-04 Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall
  05-05 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre
  05-07 New York, NY - TBA
  05-08 New York, NY - TBA
  05-09 New York, NY - TBA
  05-10 Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
  05-12 Montreal, Quebec - Arena Maurice Richard
  05-13 Montreal, Quebec - Arena Maurice Richard
  05-15 Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall
  05-16 Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall
  05-18 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
  05-19 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
  05-20 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
  05-27 Portland, OR - Schnitzer Concert Hall
  06-22-24 Pilton, England - Glastonbury
  
  
• Groove Armada has a new track entitled "Get Down" on their myspace from their forthcoming album. It combines glitchy tech house with ragga elements. You can download the MP3 on this blog.
  
  
• Condi Rice gets Condelicious
  Neo-Cons take cover. This scandalous parody will have liberals in stitches.

Labels: audio, electronic, humor, video

M.I.A. - Bird Flu (stream, video), David Vandervelde - Jacket (video), Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around Comes Around (video)

• M.I.A. has a stompin' new track on her Myspace: M.I.A. - Bird Flu Also, check out the Bird Flu (video).
  
  
• David Vandervelde - Jacket (video)
  The first video from one of my possible favorite albums of 2007.
  
  
• Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around Comes Around (video)
  The video for this somewhat forgettable song would have probably slid beneath my radar if it didn't star Scarlett Johansson.
  
  
• Details on Feist's new album, "The Reminder"

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

Go Bears!

Labels: hip-hop, mp3, video

The Essex Green and Camera Obscura at Logan Square Auditorium. Lily Allen - Alfie (video), more

• I commend those of my fellow Chicagoans who braved the -20 degree F wind chill to attend the The Essex Green and Camera Obscura show at Logan Square Auditorium on the eve of the Superbowl (GO BEARS). Even walking 3 1/2 blocks from the car to the venue was painful. My eyeballs started freezing up, my lungs hurt, and my eyebrows became numb. I apologize for not having pics; the lens mechanism got frozen. J/k, I just forgot it and my camera phone sucks.
  
  The Essex Green put on a solid if unspectacular show. They played new and old stuff including "The Late Great Cassiopia" and many selections from their 'Cannibal Sea' LP, including "Penny & Jack" and an energetic rendition of "Don't Know Why". The crowd seemed pretty restless in anticipation of Camera Obscura, but the talking continued through Camera Obscura's set.
  
  Tracyanne Campbell handled the rude talkers with grace by changing up the lyrics to "Books Written for Girls". Instead of:

  
  People get shocked in many ways
  I disappoint you
  I can't see through your perfect smile

  She sang:

  People are rude in so many ways [or something to that effect]
  They disappoint me
  When they talk through my perfect song

  ...to which the quieter fans in the audience enthusiastically applauded. They opened with "Let's Get Out of This Country". After closing a slow stretch of their set with "Country Mile" they concluded with "Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken" and "If Looks Could Kill", followed by two encores including "I Need All the Friends I Can Get" with the Essex Green on stage (this was their last tour stop together). Needless to say, Camera Obscura moved up several spots on my list of favorite artists.
  
  
• Lily Allen - Alfie (video)
  "Alfie" is a pretty dumb song, but this video is hilarious.
  
  
• The Charleston to Daft Punk (video)
  Do the "Charleston" to Daft Punk's "Around the World".
  
  
• iConcertCal
  A free iTunes plug-in that monitors your music library and generates a personalized calendar of upcoming concerts in your city. For PCs and Macs.

Labels: humor, indie rock, video