MtP. Halloween Playlist

I’m posting this instead of writing for Meredith Fineman and her quirky blog – so I’m publicly asking for mercy (and an extension), more on that later.  Last night’s Halloween party was nothing short of amazing, a hard earned title given last year’s benchmark, which consisted of Clockwork Orange attire, in an Australian ex-pat bar, packed with students from the adjacent mime school.  Great people, great dancing, shitty neighbors – all in all a wonderful time.

As usual and per request, here’s a sample of the playlist.  Play loudly and often

Tokyo – The Wombats (Vampires & Wolves ’96 Bulls Remix)

In The Summer – Crystal Fighters

We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off To Have a Good Time – Jermaine Stewart

Got to Get It On – Marvin Gaye

I Want You Back v. Starry Eyed – Jackson 5 v. Ellie Goulding

I Poke Her Face – KiD CuDi

Fluorescent Adolescent – Arctic Monkeys

Electric Feel – MGMT

Fantasy – Mariah Carey

Odessa – Caribou

Hearts On Fire – Cut Copy (Aeroplane Remix)

Lovefool – Mr GASPAR Remix

Stand On the Word – Keedz

All These Things That I’ve Done – The Killers

Silvia to Ibiza – Swedish House Mafia v. Miike Snow

Songs We Love To Hate, (re)Made To Love

This is a hands down, self-serving, cathartic post I’m only making to somehow justify the shameful addiction to the mash-ups (I could stop right there, mash-ups are music’s ugly, cacophonous bastard) of completely contemptible pop drones.  I’m talking about Britney Spears, Justin Beiber , Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry… the slew of conspirators guilty of a modern holocaust of aesthetic.  Too Harsh?  No, these people are ruining music and multiplying like talentless rabbits.

But damn it, the remixes of their crap are midas-like, an alchemy I’m 100% okay with, and would go as far as to say justifies their (the pop drones) existence in the first place.  Isn’t one of most honorable things about art its ability to make the ugly beautiful?  Well, without further ado, here are beats to guiltlessly indulge and share.   Do yourself a favor, check them out.

Katy Perry Covers MGMT – Electric Feel
As talentless as she may be (see youtube clips of her live, awful), this cover is silk.  Just like the original, the beat and xylophone (all due credit going to MGMT) are hypnotic.

Jay-Z and A-ha – Hey Papi + Take On Me
The 80s are as indefensible as Jay-Z is a magician (see: Rihanna). This song rocks.

16 Bit Covers Yael Naim’s Cover of Britney Spears – Toxic
This is my favorite.  Don’t bother listening to it if you don’t have access to a good sub.  The bass is thick, making Yael Naim’s voice that much sexier.  Come to think of it, don’t bother listening to this song alone.

Justin Bieber and MSTRKRFT - Heartbreaker Baby (CJ Milli Mix)
Justin?  MSTRKRFT?  Luda?  Are you kidding me?  Why am I listening to this?  Is it the piano?  Look, it’s not amazing, but the fact that CJ Milli’s made Bieber enjoyable is no small feat.  Also, it doesn’t hurt that Milli is gorgeous.  Hit me up if you’re reading this.

Seriously, were you expecting to see Party and Bullshit in the USA?  Okay, fine.  Psyche.
Dr. Dre + Snoop vs Miley Cyrus – The Next Episode

New Four Me

It’s a little after one in the morning and the District looks stunning… big giant pinwheel-like snowflakes as abundant as cabbies were reluctant to take me home.  You know, in the modernist’s hell, it’s a DC cabbie, not Phlegyas, who ferries you across the River Styx.  And instead of the River Styx it’s I-95 thru Newark.

I swear my NEXT post will be awesome and sans-music, but this one’s quick and easy – four new songs, new for me, new four me… you get it.  First up is this great new band called MGMT, psyche  Now enjoy!

Making Plans for Nigel – Nouvelle Vague
Beautiful, crisp, clean bossa nova… not at all new wave like their name suggests, but then again, they’re French and well aware of the irony.  The entire album’s worth downloading, but start here.

Alley Cats – Hot Chip
Where has THIS Hot Chip been?  This is exactly the song you’d imagine listening to as the last bits of rain splatter against the windshield, as the storm and sun sputter and peek out respectively.

Girl’s Night – First Rate People
As much as I love indie… there’s such a thing as too much synth pop.  First Rate People is a welcome reprieve.

Dirty Dancing – New Kids On The Block
I really didn’t want to like this song, but that piano… that damn piano.  That’s when it hit me, this song sounds very similar to the Sufjan Stevens & Outkast collaboration – Dumb I Sound.  Crisis averted, integrity intact.

Christmas Jams!

Merry Christmas From Artorius!

Hello and Happy December; I’ve missed you kids dearly.  Guess what, lot’s of cool stuff coming your way in the near future, including more pleonastic updates (ha).  What do you have to look forward to from yours truly?

• A speakeasy coming to an apartment near you next post
• Downloadable mix tapes (instead of these bastard links) next next post
• A 2.0 Primer for mom & dad next next next post

But, before I get ahead of myself, let’s focus on the season at hand, and apropos jams.  These songs are a bit off the beaten path (read: you won’t find Mariah freakin Carey on my playlist.  Enjoy!

Julian Casablancas – I Wish It Was Christmas Today

Bing Crosby – Happy Holidays (Beef Wellington Remix) <— So So So Good

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – All I Want For Christmas

Run DMC – Christmas in Hollis

Sufjan Stevens – Put The Lights On The Tree (Pocketknife Remix)

Happy Christmas

Arthur

Gratuitous Cochlea Pleasure

Well I promised myself that my next post would be about something salavatingly intellectual… shit.  Can we just settle for rocking out?  Look, it’s either good tunes or good health care (spoiler alert: only one’s happening this year).  So rest assured, I’ve been (and am devoted to) cube dancing to some of these for the past few weeks; it’s high time I spread the embarrassment.

And now, for your cochlea’s pleasure…

Redial – Heart
If this song does not get you dancing, nothing will.  This electronic beat has perfect build up.

Tim & Jean – Come Around
If you like Passion Pit, you’ll like Tim & Jean, good-natured indie pop rock.

Jonsi & Alex – Stokkseyri
Amazing classical jam, so unique I’m not even sure what to term it, but I promise you’ll love it.

Black Milk – Mo Power
Awesome rapper, Black Milk sounds like Common, Mos Def, and a fucking orchestra.

Black Gold – Shine
This indie song just straight up kicks ass; oddly cathartic.

P.S. – What are you listening to?  Hook me up!  Also, coming soon, functionality which will allow you to listen directly to songs on my blog.  No more of this hyperlink nonsense.

Birthday Post & Jam

Hello world,  it’s my birthday!  Thanks mom.

Naturally, my birthday will not be accompanied by musical insouciance, here’s the tune I’ve especially picked to rock out to for my birthday.  It’s an indie / dance band discovered by Lupe Fiasco, random & awesome, enjoy:

Hey Champ – Cold Dust Girl

Summer Songs – Audibly Edible

Short and sweet; some great tunes for when you’re either existentially roaming city streets, driving with the top down, or pouring sweat as you dance.  Carpe fucking diem.

Existential Roaming
The Only Living Boy in New York – Simon and Garfunkel
Bruises – Chairlift
Love the Nite Away – DJ Kaos

Top Down
So Insane – Discovery
When They Fight They Fight – The Generationals

Sweaty Dancing
Do You Think Im Sexy? – Rod Stewart (Disco Tech remix)
Cant Shake Your Love – The Knocks

P.S. – Please help me democratize my music; what music blogs do you all listen to?  I’ve got hypem.com, wearehunted.com, prettymuchamazing.com, and thehoodinternet.com…

My Set – Steve’s Bar

First and foremost, THANK YOU to everyone who came out and made last night euphoric.  I hope everyone had a good time, as promised here’s the set from last night.  I’ve got more gigs coming, so stay tuned.  Also, if anyone can tell me how I got home, and where my dignity might be, it would be greatly appreciated.  I might have left it at the Wendy’s drive thru…

Steve’s Bar Set

Oh la la summer nights – Party Ben
Rich Boys – Little Boots
1901 – Phoenix
Crimewave – Crystal Castles vs Health
Face to Face – Daft Punk (Night Drugs remix)
Brooklyn Go Hard – Jay Z ft. Santigold
Hey Ya! – Outkast
The Seed 2.0 – The Roots
I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance – Black Kids (Twelves Remix)
Bittersweet Dirt – Jay Z vs The Verve
Promiscuous With You – Party Ben
Every Little Earthquake – Little Boots (Clap Mike Armour Remix)
High Fidelity – Jurassic 5
A-Punk – Vampire Weekend
Twist and Shout – Pat Swayzak Remix
All That She Wants – Ace of Base (Disco Villains Remix)
Sleepyhead – Passion Pit
Doo Wop – Lauryn Hill
Embrace the Martians – Kid Cudi
Don’t stop Just Dance – Lady Gaga vs Journey