Crocodiles take their Jesus and Mary Chain cover band to the next level on “Stoned to Death”. Shaking free a bit of the overtness of that influence that characterized their earlier releases and into a sound a bit more their own. Introducing a more pointed heaviness, most particulary in the punch of the bass and drum, and a inclination to more hooky melodies, a song like “Stoned to Death” is one of a band in transition, of a band finding a firmer, more individual footing.
From “Paris” to “Jump in the Pool”, Friendly Fires always bring the heat on the choruses. And the out of this world choruses on the band’s cover of Depeche Mode’s “Strange Love” are no exception; a blend of atmospheric house-tinged synths and a falsetto that sounds ripped via satellite from the otherside of galaxy. You could put this cover on American pop radio right now and it’d be a Top 10 hit. It’s that good. It sounds totally fresh, new, and interesting but could still totally slice the charts apart.
Eliza Doolittle caught our ears in February with the irresistible UK hit, “Skinny Genes”. Her self-titled debut LP has found itself in heavy rotation here at b3sci HQ and Eliza is currently prepping a US debut and mega year in 2011. We recently caught up to get the 411 on her live cover of Cee Lo Green’s smash “Fuck You“, her Jamie XX collaboration, favorite recipes, Shakespeare and more!
b3sci: When will fans in the States get their next chance to experience Eliza Doolittle in a live setting?
ELIZA: Oooo! Well I’m going to be playing some festivals like SXSW and some others in 2011. And hopefully not long after that I’ll be doing some touring!
b3sci: Your live cover of Cee-Lo Green’s “Fuck You” display’s some incredible musical instincts. How do you do it… what’s your inspiration?
ELIZA: I love performing live so I hope my enjoyment translates and infects everybody watching. I love creating music and when me and my band perform live we try and take the recordings to the next level.
b3sci: On a related note, your voice just seems to find “the pocket” of a great pop melody, has Pop music always been your major vocal influence, or is there a particular style of music that you like to claim the foundation of your soulful delivery?
ELIZA: I loved a lot of different music…growing up, I sang and practiced along to Lauryn Hill, Mariah and Beyonce, really soulful pop vocalists so maybe that’s rubbed off on me but I also love sweet songs like Burt Bacharach music and Beach Boys. And rock like Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers…I don’t know what has directly influenced me.
b3sci: Is there a particular track from your self-titled debut album that you feel especially connected to or proud of as an artist? If so, which and why?
ELIZA: I really love all the tracks …when writing the album I had about 25 finished songs to choose to go on the album and I really loved a lot of them so the ones I put on the album, I really, really love! I think if I had to pick one song I would pick “Rollerblades” as that was the first song I wrote where I really found my own sound for the first time and the rest of the album was based on that sound …so I owe the song a lot!
Eliza Doolittle – Rollerblades
b3sci:Can you shed some light on the happenings behind your connection with Jamie from The XX, and the “Money Box” remix?
ELIZA: I had met The XX a couple of times and am a big fan of their music. I just asked Jamie if he wanted to do a remix and he said yes… so I sent him the parts!
Eliza Doolittle – Money Box (Jamie XX Remix)
b3sci: If you could collaborate with anyone past present or future, who would it be with and why? Keep in mind they wouldn’t need to be a musician, and any sort of artistic collaboration counts.
ELIZA: Hmm, Shakespeare! He is the artistic genius of the entire time we’ve been on this earth!
b3sci: We need to ask you a favorite question of ours… Hypothetical situation, you’re stranded on an island and you can only chose between having with you either 30 songs OR 10 albums! Do you chose to have the albums or songs, and why?
ELIZA: 10 albums definitely because they are pieces of art as a whole album, and I would feel empty without the other songs. Also, an album has 10 songs average on it so that would mean 100 songs!
b3sci: Haha you found the loophole! So what are a few of the albums that you would bring along?
ELIZA: Oooo… Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life, Steely Dan – Aja, Destiny’s Child – The Writings on the Wall, Beach Boys – Pet Sounds. Just to name a few…
b3sci: What’s your take on the internet and your development as an artist? How would you ideally like to see both your career and your fans affected by the internet and your message moving forward?
ELIZA: Well the internet is a blessing and a curse. Through Twitter etc, I can promote my music and shows but through illegal downloads, I can’t make very much money out of my record. I would love for people to respect the hard work that’s put into making a record and not steal the music but I don’t know if that’s ever going to happen.
b3sci: So what’s your take on the blogosphere? Do you participate?
ELIZA: I have my own blog and I love making it. I love documenting my journey and it’s a great way to interact with my listeners and show them some of my interests other than just music. So you should check it out… http://blog.elizadoolittle.com
b3sci: Is there something killer that you’re listening to and influenced by at the current moment?
ELIZA: I’m loving Cee Lo Green’s new album The Lady Killer. It’s superb! Love Janelle Monae and The Drums too!
b3sci: What are your general observations about the reception of emerging artists from the UK in the states, and the same vice-versa?
ELIZA: I’m not sure really, I hope people will listen to my music regardless of where I’m from. I hope people will like it!
b3sci: What in your eyes are some of the popular misnomers about pop stars and the music industry among the public?
ELIZA: I think people take being in the public eye way too seriously. People judge very quickly for the smallest things. Sometimes I make a spelling mistake on Twitter and have a bombardment of tweets picking me up on it and making a massive unnecessary fuss. I would love it if people just listened to my music and took me in for that rather than my grammar skills etc! Haha! And I’m sure other singers get the same jip.
b3sci: We LOVE to cook! Give us one of your favorite recipes to try out.
ELIZA: Baked beans on toast is my specialty!
b3sci: Well that’s interesting, might need to try that. We’ve got to ask you, happiness… what in this world of ours does it for you?
ELIZA:Great music, great friends and family! And lots of laughter …That’s all you need.
Yeah, we can rock with some Kate Nash. “Later On”, the newest single from Ms. Nash’s sophomore LP My Best Friend Is You, is my maybe our favorite single of her’s to date. Somewhere between the kinecticness of the rhythm tracks and the frenetic pace of Kate’s rapid fire delivery, the track totally just blows it out with hook after hook after hook; the subtle snare shuffles that introduce the verse, the jangle of tambourine into prechorus, the resolution and release of the tension of each chorus into a major key, etc etc. We could on. “Later On” knocks it out with some top shelf pop songwriting quality. We’re psyched. Get into it below.
Summer Fiction are one of our favorite surprises of 2010. b3sci recently had the chance to catch up with frontman, and singer/songwriter, Bill Ricchini to ask him a few questions about music and life. Check it out:
b3sci: Where can fans expect to see Summer Fiction perform in 2011?
Bill: We mostly play on the east coast, in NY and Philly, but yes, we’re coming to a town near you, hopefully. We’re planning some touring and speaking to some possible booking agents. We also just booked PopFest in NYC for the spring. Possibly SXSW…
b3sci: When people experience Summer Fiction for the first time, is there a particular message that you’re hoping translates?
Bill: I like to leave it pretty open ended and hope the audience or listener brings their own thing to the songs and performances. I will say the music is coming from a place of sincerity and hopefully that comes across on an emotional level.
b3sci: Just listening to the album, you can tell songwriting seems to just resonate in your bones. While your songs seem basic at the core they are complemented by fairly intricate arrangements and counter melodies. What has inspired you to be a songwriter, and what sort of education, experience, or vision leads you down your path of record production?
Bill: Thanks! I’m pretty obsessed with songwriting and arrangement. While I never studied music formally, I think I studied all of my favorite records growing up and somehow that is all in my DNA. I also enjoy producing, I feel it would be hard to give that up to someone, although maybe I will try it if Jon Brion calls.
b3sci: What’s your dream collaboration?
Bill: I’d love to write an album for a female singer and produce it. There are lots of gorgeous pop and torch songs I have ready to go but just need to find my muse… I’d also love to meet Brian Wilson. A while ago, one of the guys from Wondermints passed him one of my demos.. and I heard he liked it! That was kind of surreal… Music for film also excites me. I think Wes Anderson would like this record for some reason. Maybe it is the font choice.
b3sci: Is there a particular track from the album that you feel especially connected to or proud of?
Bill: I think “Kids in Catalina” has been really popping live. I like the construction of that song, the vocal choir and the vibraphone.
Summer Fiction – Kids in Catalina
b3sci: How would you say the music scene in Philadelphia has or hasn’t helped Summer Fiction along?
Bill: Philly has been 100% supportive. Bands, journalists, fans all came out for this record and many good friends from other bands contributed.
b3sci: Here’s a question we love to ask people… hypothetical situation, you’re stranded on an island and you can chose between having with you either 30 songs OR 10 albums? Which take the space?
Bill: 10 albums; no question. I like the thematic element of my favorite records, call me old fashioned but I like the way songs brush up against one another and form a complete thought. That’s what I went for with Summer Fiction. One of my choices would be It’s a Shame About Ray which is a perfect record.
b3sci: What are five things you can’t live without?
Bill:
1) Guitar
2) Digital voice recorder
3) Marble notebook
4) Good food
5) Books
b3sci: What are five things that you could totally be cool living without?
Bill:
1) Rent
2) TV
3) East coast winters
4) Hangovers
5) Traffic
b3sci: Has the internet played a role in the development of you as an artist?
Bill: Uh not sure. I tend to focus more on the message than the media, but the fact that the web is a great tool to share my art is gratifying.
b3sci: How do you discover new music?
Bill: Online, jukeboxes, shows, SXSW, radio, my friend Mike…
b3sci: What are you listening to at the moment? Anything influential?
Bill: The last Beach House record kills me. Arcade Fire and Deerhunter are really on their game… Kurt Vile is great too.
b3sci:In your opinion, what are some of the popular misnomers about being an independent and emerging artist/songwriter in today’s music industry, and with the general, casual listening public?
Bill: Maybe just how much discipline and focus it takes to make a good record.
74 Miles Away is a collaboration between Brussels jazz pianist Pierre Anckaert and the production team of MonkeyRobot. Two b3sci fav’s Ahu and Miles Bonny add some smooth, melt in the mix vocals to the track. The tones on Anckaert’s Fender Rhodes are just beautiful. They frame the track, providing just the right bit of structure and compliment to the tune’s otherwise vast vocal and instrumental arrangements. Bonny really shines.
Yeah, we know “Ready for the World” is played out to hell; but it’s still a fucking beautiful mega tune. And we b3sci’ers are major league crushing on it at the moment, so love it.
Prague-based electronic artist Tvyks comes at us crazy with this new track for “Mitte Riddim”. Tvyks lays down a kinetic beat, sounds coming through your speakers at all angles, spirited claps, tom shuffles, subtle synth counter rhythms. But at the tune’s core, there is a soulfulness and a humanness, something that draws you in, something in the tune that communicates at a more visceral level. UK rapper C. Monts drops a few choice bars into the mix, legging up the track’s possible crossover relevance. Get it girl!
You know what it is. Wiz on a Jamie Foxx track? Looks like our man is moving on up. Pretty solid return here from the Booty Call co-star. Feeling the string hooks and the laidback ’06-esque “Buy You a Drank” beat. Shawty Snappin. Lets get it.
