Spotlight On: No Kids

Vancouver based indie-pop newcomers No Kids are garnering some media attention with their first LP under the moniker No Kids, entitled Come Into My House (released last month on Tomlab). You may have already given them a listen and said, “hey, these guys sound familiar”. Well, if you’ve ever listened to P:ano, that’s why. The quartet recently changed names and labels to release their newest album, which is just unique and experimental enough to totally love. If you put The Blow and Flight of the Conchords in a blender, then added a little bit of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, you’d get No Kids. And it’s not a coincidence that both The Blow and Casiotone are on Tomlab with No Kids as well. Honestly, just listen to “The Beaches All Closed” and tell me you don’t enjoy it. Check the awesome piano line in the back that sounds strikingly similar to the progression in Sufjans “Night Zombies”. Recommended for anyone with a soul.

MP3: No Kids - “The Beaches All Closed”

Love,
Zack

Spotlight on: The Virgins

Ok so this isn’t really quiet a Spotlight On, as these guys have been getting crazy hype recently, and how could they not? “Rich Girls” may be one of the catchiest songs since “Hey Ya”, with one of the ultra-funkiest basslines this side of George Clinton. Now you might say, “gosh, not another new age indie rock/pop band from New York”. Then I’ll say, “fuck you”. “Rich Girls” is equal parts Chromeo, The Strokes, and Phoenix, with a splash of funk to top things off. Their songs have been featured in both the CW’s “Gossip Girl” and HBO’s “Entourage”, so expect big things from these goofy hipsters in 08. Oh, and grab a copy of The Virgins ‘07 EP here. Thanks to Dickson and Lansing for finding these guys.

MP3: The Virgins - “Rich Girls”
MP3: The Virgins - “Tequila Alley”

Love,
Zack

Spotlight on: Mojib

“Spotlight on” is a new feature here at All Things Go, where I’ll focus on some lesser known artists or up-and-coming musicians, giving you some background, but mostly just providing a vehicle to allow the music speak for itself. Here goes:

Move over DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist, there’s a new guy in town, and he goes by the name of Mojib. What fascinates me about the Swedish DJ is how masterfully he heavily layers instrumental track upon instrumental track, blending them seamlessly to create a full, epic sound. I first listened to his “Break of Dawn” remix of Sigur Ros’ masterpiece “Staralfur”, adding a completely new perspective to the song; one that features drum kit percussion that would make Four Tet blush. To me, remixes that can change the whole emotion or direction of a song while still maintaining the beauty of the original are those worth listening to, and this remix is just that. I cannot recommend it enough.

MP3: Sigur Ros - “Staralfur (Mojib Break of Dawn Remix)” [alt. link]

Now here’s the scary part: that’s not even my favorite Mojib song. That honor belongs to “Underneath”, which appears on his new 11-track LP, Whimsical Lifestyle. Listen to this song and tell me what wonderful track that he samples to perfection (hint: ATG readers should know this one in a second). Can’t figure it out? How about Sebastien Tellier’s veritable mega-epic jam, “La Ritournelle”. When i first heard that hypnotic piano line and the somber strings, I practically lost my shit. Seriously, the downtempo, electronic Whimsical Lifestyle could not be more up my alley, and neither could “Underneath”. Do yourself a huge favor and cop the track, as well as the album.

MP3: Mojib - “Underneath” [alt. link]

Love,
Zack