The xx

The xx’s debut album, XX, was released via Rough Trade Records. The youthful London based quartet mixes soft, conversational like vocals, with down-tempo melodies, and the result is completely mood altering. The xx works mainly with a traditional set-up (drums, bass, guitar, keys, sampler), yet their music is rather refreshing and creative…they must have found an indie-pop loophole.

"..I was like 'I like X's, I really like X's'. I just thought it was aesthetically pleasing"
-Romy

Who: The xx (Romy Madley Croft, Baria Qureshi, Oliver Sim & Jamie Smith)
Where: London
Type: quartet - dual lead vocals: Romy & Oliver - who also play lead guitar and bass guitar, Baria: keyboards / guitar, and Jamie: beats/ MPC sampler
Age: they all just turned 20
Genre: Rock/ Alternative/ New Age
Listeners also bought: Whitest Boy Alive, Phoenix, Grizzly Bear, Portishead
Hype on them: off the charts

When I first discovered The xx, I had no idea who they were or if anyone else had heard of them- just knew I was Into Them. Over the past few weeks I have transitioned from like, into full blown love. Turns out I'm not the only one. The blogs are buzzing about them - making them the critic's darling 'it' band of the moment. This would typically make them fresh meat to the music vultures who love to prey on anything 'hyped'- however even they can't deny that their record lives up to the critical acclaim.

Crystalized - The xx
Intro - The xx
VCR - The xx
Basic Space - The xx
Islands - The xx
Shelter - The xx

The xx on iTunes

- from ilistentoeverything.com

Adele remixed by Mick Boogie

DJ Mick Boogie mixes Adele's 19 with 80's beats and samples.

Adele (1988... The Remix Project)


Download directly HERE

Mick Boogie's official website - http://www.mickboogie.com/

Hip Hop Samples

Links to more Sample Source Compilations
than you can probably handle

Hip Hop Is Read put together full samples compilations for some of the greatest hip hop records of all time, all extremely well organized, tagged and downloadable (with cover art) at this URL: hiphopsamples.blogspot.com

The definitive Beastie Boys Sample Source Collection
@ Miscreant Productions

Go diggin-in-da-crates @ www.kevinnottingham.com

Jaydiohead

Few mashup projects I've heard can compete with the fluidity of Max Tannone (formerly Minty Fresh Beats)'s Radiohead/Jay-Z project.

Do you like Radiohead? (you should)
Do you like Jay-Z? (even if you don't)
You need this:

Click album covers below to download
the original compilation and the encore

Jaydiohead on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC) - 01/07/09

Oh My Rockness

Oh My Rockness is the place for indie rock show listings. They filter through hundreds of show listings each week and bring you the best of the bunch. Plus, original band profiles, weekly features, venue details, purchase tickets online, and more! Oh My Rockness represents New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. But keep on the lookout. More cities are coming soon!

Los Angeles: http://losangeles.ohmyrockness.com/

Chicago and New York editions currently available as well.

Discovery

An interesting electronic/R&B mix that brings to mind elements of both Passion Pit and The Postal Service. My friend Ryan told me to check out Discovery and I'm glad I did.

History of the band:
"Before they rose to indie rock acclaim with their respective bands, Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot frontman Wes Miles recorded together as a duo, embracing everything from Auto-Tuned R&B to synth pop in the process. The musicians launched the project in 2005 and began piecing an album together in 2006, although the project was shelved when Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot began to gather steam. One year after both bands released debut albums, the two reconvened to finish the recordings, which were released in 2009 under the title LP." - from AllMusic.com


* My Top 5 Members - the full album is on my idisk
in the Music You Should Have folder


Here are a few tunes from the record:

Osaka Loop Line


Orange Shirt


Swing Tree

Middle Distance Runner

Middle Distance Runner's new full length album,
"The Sun & Earth"
will be released on Engine Room Recordings -- Oct. 20th 2009




Video for Middle Distance Runner's - The Unbeliever


Middle Distance Runner "The Unbeliever" on jasonz.com.
Also featured on MTVu, Fuse.tv & The Tripwire.


-SEE Middle Distance Runner LIVE on their August National Tour-



8/04/09 Jammin’ Java Vienna, VA

8/06/09 PPL Plaza Allentown, PA

8/08/09 The Pub on Main Macungie, PA

8/09/09 The Space Hamden, CT

8/11/09 Union Hall Brooklyn, NY

8/12/09 The Blockley Pourhouse Philadelphia, PA

8/13/09 Modern Formations Pittsburgh, PA

8/14/09 Oldfield’s On High Columbus, OH

8/15/09 Cedar’s Lounge Youngstown, OH

8/16/09 Musica Akron, OH

8/18/09 Vaudeville Mews Des Moines, IA

8/19/09 Reggie’s Rock Club Chicago, IL

8/20/09 The Canopy Club Urbana, IL

8/21/09 Club Garibaldi Milwaukee, WI

8/22/09 Sokol Underground Omaha, NE

8/23/09 The Marquis Theatre Denver, CO

8/24/09 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT

8/26/09 Hotel Utah San Francisco, CA

8/28/09 Viper Room Los Angeles, CA

If anyone needs lists spots, photo passes or a copy of the album, please contact J.D. Klipper info@familyalbumsmgmt.com or Deb Bernardini deb@dbmpr.com