Berlin producer Robot Koch has teamed up with oft-collaborating vocalist John LaMonica for his fourth release, and first with Robots Don’t Sleep. His new self-titled EP is a fresh galactic mix of composition and instrumentation for the European beat maker. Robots Don’t Sleep translates seemlessly as a band project, taking a songwriting and melodic focus similar to Koch’s previous work with LaMonica on The Other Side. B3SCI’s got the US Premiere of the new EP. Get into it below.
CREEP have just let loose on this new single featuring School of Seven Bells’ Alejandra De Heza and trip hop star Tricky. The down-tempo cut treads a dark and chilly gaze offering just a taste of what’s to come from CREEP’s debut album expected next year.
CREEP – Call Her (ft. Tricky & School of Seven Bells’ Alejandra De Heza)
Dream pop duo GEMS drop off their latest, the beautifully melodic “All I Ever”. Recorded in a deserted beach town this past October on North Carolina’s Outer Banks there’s a rhythm, space and consistency to the track that reminds of the steady pulse of waves against an empty beach. Great track.
Jagjaguwar doesn’t miss. The label’s latest announced release is Naomi, the upcoming fourth LP from Seattle’s The Cave Singers. “Have to Pretend”, the LP’s lead single, is the sort of gritty slightly menacing soul-driven rock and roll that demands attention.
Alt-J (∆)’s incredible first major release An Awesome Wave is making them one of the most talked about acts of 2012. Winning the Mercury Prize Award and just announcing a spring North American tour, it seems like all systems are go for this Leeds based quartet. Today, only a couple hours after their North American tour dates were released, alt-J unveiled a daunting remix of “Fitzpleasure” conjured up by LA DJ BetaTraxx. Changing tempos and overall feel of the song makes this remix stand out over other remixes of the song. The heavy use of reverb had me almost immediately. By Brian Litwin
Following up a recent and well received show at the world famous Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, The Colurs, fronted by Max Townsley and Drew Erickson, performed a mellow set this past Friday night at the extremely elegant SoHo House. Complete with an 8 piece band, and over looking a cloudy Friday night skyline of Los Angeles, The Colurs played a collection of songs from their recently released self-titled EP. The dinner and drink crowd was especially receptive to the collective’s brand of orchestral pop and in the dimly lit room, the experience both rhythmically and harmonically found the pocket. A highlight of the set was a bouncy, well arranged version of the track “Easy To Love”, as was the beautiful love ballad, “Julia”. Having only formed in Denton, TX in 2011, we expect to more buzzing yet to come from The Colurs. By Brian Litwin
New York based singer songwriter Jon Bellion recently dropped a second track from his forthcoming free album Translations Through Speakers via the Visionary Music Group label. “Life” (produced entirely by Bellion) is an infectiously charming track infused with effervescent vocals, a bright harmonic release, and an impossibly catchy sing-song refrain. Check out the accompanying new video by director Jeremy Peel. By Erin Feathers
L.A. based ZOOS//ZOOS are officially kicking off The Zoo this Saturday (12/8) at the Central S.A.P.C. with an evening of jams from The Gaslamp Killer, Dam-Funk, MORRI$ and Sun Araw. We here at B3SCI are so stoked to burn the midnight oil in Santa Monica for this bawse eve of performances and exclusive DJ sets that we’re giving away one pair of tix for the show! To win just hit our inbox and mention that you want to be entered in the drawing to jam with The Gaslamp Killer this Saturday. Our winner will be picked at random the day before the show.
Get additional details on the event are here at Central S.A.P.C.. See you all there!
It’s no surprise that Canada has treated this 6-piece from Regina, Saskatchewan so well. Having been crowned “Best New Canadian Band” and “Best New Alternative Band” by iTunes Canada in 2009, Rah Rah recently released their new album The Poet’s Dead in the US and it’s an album I’ve spent some time with. For several band members, their last week’s visit to LA for a small handful of shows was their first trip ever to California. As with other folk-flavored rock bands that veer between a harder and softer dynamic, I’d hoped this live show would rock (rather than put me to sleep). I’m glad to say this band not only rocked it, but exceeded lofty expectations. Rah Rah can play. Literally, band members often switched up on instruments, between tunes or even sometimes mid-song. They perfectly nailed their tempos and crescendos bringing select highlights to a supreme level of intensity.
Rah Rah’s set opened with their infectious song, “Art & A Wife”. This track reminds of New Pornographers around the time of their Twin Cinema album. Throughout the song, and even the set, Rah Rah feature male-female vocal exchanges. In general, four band members in Rah Rah provided lead vocals with Marshall Burns handling most of them. Marshall’s voice sounds a bit like Neil Young — more so live than on the recordings. His vocal on “Dead Men” was a highlight that night, as was “Prairie Girl” sung by Erin Passmore. And some locally Regina-flavored humor was found in the set’s finale, “Duet For Emmylou And The Grievous Angel”.
Rah Rah obviously enjoy playing, and they have a down to earth, winning way in their stage manner. Still building their loyal L.A. following the comfortable crowd was responsive and offered them a very warm encore. By Bruce Rave
*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.
L.A. electronic artist Alek Fin just dropped his new “Mull” EP which the whole of we’re bumping pretty steady up in b3 HQ. The In Rainbows-esque “Rocks In Paper” is our choice track from the set. Give it your attention.
(Official) (Soundcloud)
