Best Music Videos of 2009: PART 4
Monday, December 7th, 2009
Posts Tagged ‘M83’
Dan Deacon – Paddling Ghost
Department of Eagles – No One Does It Like You
Dinosaur Jr. – Over It
Grouper – Hold The Way
Kanye West - We Were Once A Fairytale [directed by Spike Jonze]
M83 – We Own The Sky
The Mae Shi – R U Professional
Matt & Kim – Lessons Learned
MGMT – Kids
No Age – Losing Feeling
Rainbow Arabia – Omar K
The Walkmen – On The Water
Spend Your Summer Nights Well: A Mixtape
Monday, September 7th, 2009
by RiftDweller
This Labor Day Weekend marks the tail-end of the summer of 2009; savor it with this little gift from us at Kata Rokkar…
Click Here To Download Full Mixtape
The XX – 
Intro from XX
The Notwist – Pilot from Neon Golden
Caribou – She’s the One from Andorra
School Of Seven Bells – Half Asleep from School Of Seven Bells
M83 – Skin of The Night from Saturdays = Youth
Fever Ray – Triangle Walks from Fever Ray
Björk – Isobel (Transfunk Mix) from Motorbass – Remixes
…music video? – Postrockfeelgoodsongofthemillenium from Fireproof Your TV
Codeseven – Alt Wav from Dancing Echoes/Dead Sounds
The Album Leaf – Writings On The Wall from Into The Blue Again
Volcano Choir – Island, IS from Unmap
Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue from Ambivalence Avenue
The Walkmen – Four Provinces from You & Me
City Breathing – Under The Din of a Dying Marquee from Look How It’s Snowing Upwards, Look How They Move Towards Heaven
Papercuts – Future Primitive from You Can Have What You Want
Division Day – Azalean from Visitation
Portishead – Pedestal from Dummy
Woven – Triumpheting Strength from Designer Codes
show review: M83 at The Mezzanine
Friday, May 29th, 2009
M83
M83 stunned an adoring and attentive crowd Wednesday night at the Mezzanine, with an intoxicating mix of atmospheric electronica – at times slow and droning and other times fun and emotionally intense.
James Yuill
Techno-geek James Yuill opened up and came out looking like he just got out of the office. His bizarre brand of folktronica got the crowd pretty warmed up with his acoustic guitar, heavy basslines, and infectious beats. A pretty decent opening act if you ask me.
After a 20 minute set up, M83 takes the stage. Frontman Anthony Gonzalez, decked out in a black leather jacket, captivated the sold-out crowd with his extensive use of reverb effects and often softly-spoken lyrics at times submerged in instrumentation.
M83
Backed by Loic Maurin and Morgan Kibby of The Romanovs the trio played songs from their eclectic catalog, one that stretched back 8 years and four studio albums. At times they were deafening and danceworthy; at others so quiet you could easily hear Anthony’s breath against the mic, or the quiet hum of the venue’s air conditioning.
The band’s orchestral electronica fit somewhat perfectly within the spacey confines and bass-heavy speaker system of the Mezzanine. The three-piece played their set to an audience that was standing motionless at times (Moon Child) and then suddenly dancing uncontrollably (Sitting), waiting as each note faded from earshot – before erupting with thunderous applause.
M83
The highlight of the night was “Skin of The Night,” which highlighted ’s vocal ability and the band’s mix 80s synth and dark instrumentation. For “Kim & Jesse,” the audience went ballistic and sang along creating an electric and intensified mid-point to the band’s set.
If I had one complaint, it would be that the sound system seemed too bass heavy. That and the distortions were ear-piercing at times. I’m glad I brought along my ear-plugs that night. I need to more often.
M83
All in all, M83 left me in awe at a band who can relax you for one song and make you dance like a maniac the next. Truly a band that understands mood and the importance of diversity during a performance.
M83 – Skin of The Night
M83 – Run Into Flowers
James Yuill – Left Handed Girl
This Week In Bay Area Live Shows: May 24th – 30th
Sunday, May 24th, 2009
Well today is the last day of the San Francisco Popfest and probably the best day to attend one of the shows. After all today is Dear Nora, Eux Autres, ChEAP RED, Birds of California, and the ever so wonderful Botticellis at Café du Nord. This is a great opportunity to witness the best in local music and up and coming bands that you’ll be listening to later on because your friends told you to or Pitchfork gave them a 8.1 and you figured, “Hey! They’re good but certainly not the most innovative or cred-boosting I’ve hear this year.”
Right.
Anyway, you also have The Dears, Great Northern and Eulogies playing The Independent tonight as well as the biggest midget in the game Lady Sovereign and Chester French at the Rickshaw Stop. Monday, Flight of the Conchords and Arj Barker bring the laughs to the Berkeley Community Theatre.
Tuesday hosts Animal Collective and Grouper at the Fox Theater in Oakland. I’ve been waiting months to finally see these guys and hear the new tunes live. Could this be the best show of 2009 for me? We’ll see. In San Francisco, you have Boston’s Passion Pit rocking out at Bimbo’s 365 Club to a sold out crowd. I remember seeing them at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge playing for like 5 people and thinking to myself, “…cool.” Now look at them.
Wednesday I’ll be zoning out at the Mezzanine with M83 and James Yuill. I haven’t seen M83 live yet but from what I’ve heard they’re fantastic. Also St. Vincent returns to the Bay with Pattern Is Movement to play Bimbo’s 365 Club. I would have liked to go to see her but my heart belongs to M83 right now. Our good friends at Ears of the Beholder are going and will most likely be giving a report of the festivities. So stay tuned.
Thursday explodes with Black Moth Super Rainbow and School of Seven Bells at the Bottom of the Hill, the lovely Jenny Lewis at the Fillmore, The Prodigy at The Warfield, King Khan & The Shrines making noise at The Great American Music Hall, and Japandroids with No One and The Nobodies & The Happy Hollows at Hemlock Tavern. No lack of options here.
Friday Friday Friday! Wolf Eyes and Black Dice at the OCD Warehouse and Sun Kil Moon and Mia Doi Todd at The Great American Music Hall. I HIGHLY suggest attending Sun Kil Moon even though Langhorne Slim will be folking it up at The Independent. It’s tough, but a wise choice.
Saturday wraps up the week with indie-punks The Thermals at the Bottom of the Hill, The Roots at Davies Hall in San Francisco, and goth-tronic band Woven and instrumental locals Cloud Archive at the Hemlock Tavern. Woven made our top 20 Best Albums of last year with Designer Codes and are definitely worth checking out if you’re into dark electronic Aphex Twin vs Elliott Smith music.
See you out there!
Woven – My Conditioning
Dear Nora – My Guitar
Japandroids – Rockers East Vancouver
Mia Doi Todd – My Room is White (Dungeon Mix)
Kata’s Best Records of 2008: #30 – #21
Saturday, December 13th, 2008
Before you read any of this, look at the title of this post. No no, look at it again; it says KATA’s Best Records of 2008. You think I should have put Vampire Weekend or Frightened Rabbit on the list? Good for you. But to be honest, I just heard of Frightened Rabbit last week and Vampire Weekend just didn’t cut it for me. You got a list? Share it! I’ve been reading a lot of lists this past week and so far I’ve found out about some pretty awesome artists/bands. Here’s one and here’s another one. I also will not stand for the word ‘overrated’ unless you can give me the definition of the word. Are you bitter that all your friends and the blogs love Fleet Foxes and you totally know that Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy put out a way better record this year? Well good for you, but I’m not convinced. Opinions can be shared, but be reasonable. Remember that It’s a scary time for music. I mean Nickelback made a new record and Creed might get back together. So we need to stay strong and walk as one, okay? This was a good year for music and it’s time we enter this new year with something wonderful gracing our ears. So how ’bout we get started?
30. Flying Lotus – Los Angeles: Electronic music’s J Dilla does not disappoint with this one. Even the album’s more disorderly elements are somehow perfectly integrated into the overall sense of groovy calm and funky forward motion.
Flying Lotus – Melt!
29. Why? – Alopecia: There’s this twisted and hypnotic poetry coming from Why?s bizarre yet fantastic album.
28. Hot Chip – Made in the Dark: I guess they’ve done better (The Warning) but Made in the Dark is an enjoyable and wonderful tribute to 80s dance music.
27. Amanda Rogers – Heartwood: Sweet and smooth songwriting has never been so cute. Ms. Rogers takes her sound in a more upbeat direction and the results are superbly heartwarming.
Amanda Rogers – Fate’s Northern Shore
26. M83 – Saturdays = Youth: I felt like listening to old Depeche Mode after first hearing this record. I can’t say I saw this change in style coming from M83, but I can say I’m enjoying it.
M83 – Kim & Jesse
25. Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords: Most comedy rock go right for the laughs, but this record could be good even without the hilarious lyrics. From censorship to Bowie, this record spares no one and it is uproarious.
24. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular: Eccentric, weird, and super psychedelic; this album is the indie-kid anthem record. Not every song rocks, but tracks like Kids and Time to Pretend are undeniably catchy.
23. Russian Circles – Station: Each song on this record is like the soundtrack to a natural disaster. There was a lot hanging on this atmospheric yet brutal record. But the instru-metal band brought their A-game.
Russian Circles – Xavii
22. Santogold – Santogold: To me, the best types of artists are the ones that are not easily describable. Santogold fits in that category quite comfortably. While I was kind of overwhelmed by her songs on every other commercial on TV, this album still remains as my summer soundtrack.
21. The Mars Volta – Bedlam of Goliath: The chaos and post-punk rampage that I loved about The Mars Volta returned with this album. Still no where near De-Loused, the album still pierces the listener with its freak-funk beats and push-pull rhythms.
The Mars Volta – Ilyena
(click on album cover to purchase album)
This Week In Bay Area Live Shows
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008
Minus the Bear at Bimbo's 365
Here’s some concert photography from the following shows…
Minus the Bear / Annuals / Helms Alee at Bimbo’s 365
Facing New York at The Bottom of the Hill
Well it’s Turkey Day week; so whether you’re going home to family or spending it friends, here’s a few “things to do” in the Bay Area before you stuff your face with extreme yummy-ness.
Sunday (Today):
Drive-By Truckers / The Hold Steady
The Fillmore
1805 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco CA 94115
Note: The Hold Steady will be headlining on Monday at the same venue.
Monday:
Portugal. The Man / Wintersleep / Earl Greyhound (HIGHLY Recommended)
Slim’s
333 11th Street
San Francisco CA 94103
Deerhunter / Times New Viking / Common Eider, King Eider
The Great American Music Hall
859 O’Farrell Street
San Francisco CA 94109
Tuesday:
The Decemberists / Loch Lomond
The Warfield
982 Market Street
San Francisco CA 94103
Wednesday:
wallpaper. / The Lovemakers / Hottub
Mezzanine
444 Jessie Street @ Mint
San Francisco CA CA 94103
Thursday:
What are doing looking here? You should be with people you care about on this day! And what kind of venue would open their doors on Thanksgiving Day anyway? You obviously aren’t a very good businessman to think that this is possible. Phhhh.
Friday:
M83 / School of Seven Bells
The Fillmore
1805 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco CA 94115
Saturday:
Dizzy Balloon / The Frail / The Picture Atlantic
Rickshaw Stop
155 Fell St
San Francisco CA 94102
Let me take this time to share some Kata Rokkar news (among other things). Before you go…
We have a Facebook Fanpage that you can instantly make yourself cooler by joining. Also, two older Kuestionnaires with Division Day and Robby Roadsteamer are the TheHyp.net.
Oh yeah, Chinese Democracy is out. Pick up your free Dr. Pepper. (I think the website crashed though, heh)
Far is currently touring the UK right now. So if you’re in that neck of the woods, do yourself a favor and see them live. This may not happen again…
Members of Death Angel, Will Haven, Phallucy, Eightfourseven, Death Valley High and other “special guests” will take part in a benefit concert for Deftones bassist Chi Cheng on Saturday, November 29 at Fat City in San Francisco, California.
Fat City
314 11th Street @ Folsom
San Francisco, California 94103
Cost: $12
All proceeds will go to Chi’s family.
wallpaper. – Evrytm We Do It
Deerhunter – Wash Off
Drive-By Truckers – Zip City
Dizzy Balloon – Raise A Glass
Loch Lomond – Tic
School of Seven Bells – Connjur
Portugal. The Man – Stables and Chairs
