Elektrik People - The Lost Get Loud

I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with a couple of the members of Elektrik People on multiple tours back in the day and I am really excited about this new direction they have taken their music. Their debut EP came out today and I am very pleased with the way it turned out.

The members of Elektrik People used to play in an indie rock band called War Stories. They were the first band I ever got to work with in my days of being an intern while in school. After the members of War Stories parted ways, some of the band regrouped and formed this more electronically influenced band. They were able to breathe new life into their music by simplifying their line-up and switching up their sound. The lead single off of The Lost Get Loud, called I Love My Life, had me hooked instantly. Also, as it turns out, I wasn't the only one! It was good enough to get a stamp of approval from the one and only Katy Perry on her Facebook page! Check it out below.

After hearing I Love My Life I couldn't help but get stoked to hear what they came up with next. Upon listening to their EP for the first time, the title track really stood out to me. Evan's vocals really shine on this one and I also love the 80's-esque synths in conjunction with the epic guitar during the chorus. This song has a great intensity that grabs you and doesn't let you go until it's over. Check out The Lost Get Loud below.



The last track I wanted to highlight is Painted Gold. This song definitely brings some serious sex appeal to the EP. Those massive bass lines will make you want to get to know your body a little better than you did before listening to this track. Get down with your bad self below!


Make sure to throw Elektrik People a 'Like' on Facebook while you're listening!

Enjoy! <3

Coachella Spotlight #15: Blood Orange

Today I wanted to shed some light on an artist performing at Coachella that I haven't heard before this morning. I don't know whether it was his name, his picture, or both at the same time that made me look his music up, but I feel like this could be a cool artist to see during the day to just kick it and watch while you hang out with your friends and try to escape the hot desert sun in the Gobi or Majove tents. Cool off and check out Blood Orange!

Blood Orange, a.k.a. Devonte Hynes, is a British singer/songwriter who has been pursuing a musical career since 2004. He dabbled in a few different bands and songwriting projects for other artists until he formed Lightspeed Champion in 2007. As Lightspeed Champion he released two alternative/indie rock albums that began to show Dev and his style off to the world. By 2009 Lightspeed Champion had gone on an indefinite hiatus, leaving Dev free to explore his musical career on his own. Then he formed Blood Orange with just him, a laptop and a guitar.

Blood Orange is much more contemporary sounding, with its soulful/80's sounding electronic beats and vocals. I really like what he has done with his new found direction. It reminds me of The Weeknd at times, but less talk about drugs and girls wanting to be naked and more self-reflective lyrics about his personal feelings or relationships.

His latest album, Cupid Deluxe, is full of groovy tunes that make me excited to see him at Coachella. The first track, Chamakay, sets the tone for the album with its subdued, whisper-y vocals, xylophone-esque synths and smooth saxophone to bring it all home at the end. Check it out below and get in the mood.

The other track that stood out to me was also the most popular track on the album, called You're Not Good Enough. This song has a strong guitar riff throughout that brings a little more life to this track compared to some of the others. I love the synths he uses to fill the space in the background. They give it that 80's vibe that is super in right now. Check it out below



Lastly I wanted to show one of his older songs that I think is great. He covered Florence + The Machine's Never Let Me Go, but left a good amount of Florence Welch's vocals in his version as he sings along side her. It is really beautiful. I can see this track never getting old, as it has so much emotion and power with its minimal beat allowing the vocals to shine. This is one of the best covers I have ever heard.



Make sure you check out Blood Orange at Coachella! You can always use a good chill-out sesh to refresh yourself for the rest of the night.

Happy Coachella! <3

Coachella Spotlight #10: CHVRCHES

It will be really cool to finally see one of 2013's biggest buzz bands live at Coachella this year! They're infectious indie/electro pop sound booked CHVRCHES trip to the desert long ago.

This Scottish trio burst onto the scene in 2012 with the release of their first hit single The Mother We Share. This track put Chvrches on the map. This song has been around for so long though, so I wanted to show my personal favorite track from their debut album. I am huge fan of Gun. I love the synths that remind me of one of Tom Cruise's epic running scenes from any of his movies in the 80's. This track has great pacing and it keeps you wanting more all the way through. Check it out below!

Chvrches is also a very remixable band since all they use are samples, drum machines and synths to complement the vocals. There's nothing I love more than finding a remix that sticks close to the original track, but makes it even better. These remixes of Lies by Ikonika and Tourist respectively, bring two totally new vibes to the track, but still keep the vocals intact. I love seeing what artists can do to other artists' creations. Check them out for yourself!





I look forward to experiencing Chvrches live this April! Do yourself a favor and get familiar so you don't miss out.

Happy Coachella! <3

Phil Gerus

I just stumbled onto Phil Gerus's SoundCloud, and what a score it was! His 80's electro-pop vibes are so on point.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... 80's Baby!!! I love how prevalent the 80's is in a lot of new music that is coming out these days. Phil is adept at channeling the music of the decade that made the saxophone sexy and modernizing it into some insanely groovy beats. I don't think any of his tracks illustrate this more than his track Love Is Not So Frightening. Check it out below



This Russian producer must have a massive library of old cassette tapes, LaserDiscs and VHS tapes full of 80's classics. It is uncanny how well he can capture the feeling of being in an 80's movie. His track Don't Kiss Me While I'm Swimming makes me feel like I am Tom Cruise seducing any woman I like in a room in with billowy white drapes and silhouette lighting.


If you dig his sound, follow him on Facebook and check out all of his stuff on his SoundCloud!

Enjoy! <3

Fickle Friends - Swim

What a perfect start to a Friday! A solid breakfast, some coffee and this awesome new track from this new Brighton based band, Fickle Friends.

Fickle Friends are a very new band. They formed in 2012 and just uploaded their second official track onto their SoundCloud only two days ago! The song, Swim, is similar to a lot of the new music that is coming out of the UK lately. It has that fun, 80's/new wave sound that has been making a serious resurgence within the indie world during the last year. Nevertheless, this song is definitely worth checking out. Fickle Friends will be a band to keep an eye on as they continue to grow and produce more excellent tracks like this one.

Don't forget to throw them a 'Like' on Facebook if you dig their tunes!

Enjoy! <3

MS MR - Think Of You (Haerts Remix)

Audible Twilight favorites, Haerts, have just dropped their FIRST remix ever as a band for MS MR's track Think Of You. I really dig the direction they went for with this one. The tempo is upbeat and it has that 80's influenced sound that you can clearly hear in all their music. I hope they continue to release remixes, because this one is excellent. I can't stop tapping my feet!



Also, after checking out MS MR's SoundCloud, I found this awesome remix of another one of their tracks called Hurricane that is along a similar vein as the Haerts remix above. Check out CHVRCHES spin on Hurricane!


Enjoy! <3

Haerts

It is not very common that I am a fan of bands with female vocalists. I know, I probably should not say that out loud, but I wanna be real with you guys. However, Haerts has been one of those awesome exceptions! The band formed in 2012 and shortly after released their first single, Wings, which was produced by Jean-Philip Grobler (a.k.a. the one man band: St. Lucia.) This single was infectious with its 80's inspired sound and catchy hook. If you follow some of my playlists on Spotify, I am sure you have heard this before, but if you have not, check it out below!



Earlier this month the Brooklyn based quintet released their Hemiplegia EP, the first EP released by the band on Columbia Records. It included Wings and their latest single All The Days along with two other solid tracks. Check out the EP on Spotify! Here is the video for their second single, All The Days.



Haerts are definitely a band to keep an eye on as we head into 2014. I fully expect them to be aboard the festival circuit this upcoming season as more music begins to surface by this talented group. Get on the train now so you are prepared to see them perform at a festival near you next year! 'Like' them on Facebook or check out their website to keep up with the latest from this rising act.

Lastly, here's a free remix for your listening pleasure, courtesy of Shlomo!


Enjoy! <3