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Crying for a fakeout #tbt

Felipe — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 22:48:19 +0000

Aaaaand we’re back! After a brief hiatus and whirlwinds of emotion, it seems a fake out throwback Thursday-style track is the proper way to celebrate the last few weeks. Take the past, reminisce, and improve on it (maybe “cry” a little, then “revive”… ya know, cuz of the band and song name…? idk man). First time I heard this track, I immediately thought, “what stupid 80’s playlist did I accidentally click on? I don’t listen to 80s unless I’m at a cover band show with my mates, listening to Punk Goes 80s (amazing album btw), or at McFadden’s on 42nd and 2nd. Everyone knows, if you’re at McFadden’s, you go 80s” (and yes, I thought all those things right when the song came on), half way through the song, after I finished that thought, it was followed by, “hey wait a minute… that riff would be great for a movie montage! Maybe MY biographical movie’s montage!?”, and then, “oh this is actually a really good song… niiiiice”. Crying, an odd name for a band that’s for sure (although let’s be honest, we’ve seen much worse on this blog… Shit Present? Diarrhea Planet??), are an NYC-based trio who have matured from snarky EP writers to full-blown intricate LP debuters. Crying mix 80s synth with modern day indie sensibility and top it off with some stadium rock flare for good measure – “minus the teased hair, laser light show, and stadium,” according to NPR. You’ve got touches of Rush, REO Speedwagon, and Van Halen, all smoothed over with some silky female indie vocals. Their debut album, Beyond the Fleeting Gales, is an all around awesomely fun music experience. It goes fast, it goes slow, it goes just right. The full Goldilocks album, minus the bear walking in and ripping your face off.

Feli Says he’s back alive and kickin’

Does 4 Door Theatre have enough Doors?

Felipe — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 13:00:18 +0000

Generally speaking, the maximum occupancy of a room or building is determined by the number of available exits, since each exit can only accommodate a certain number of people before a bottleneck occurs. And since I am technically the fire marshal of the 19th floor at my office building (woop woop floor 19 yo!) (and that isn’t a joke, I actually am the designated fire marshal in case of an emergency and have subordinates. It’s pretty cool. If there’s ever a microwave fire, for a few hot minutes (yay puns!), I will reign supreme), I thought it’d be neat to see how many fire codes 4 Door Theatre violate and/or what its max capacity is (and for that matter, Two Door Cinema Club’s). Basically, the International Building Code, or the IBC (that’s what us people in the biz call it – also not to be confused with Snoop Dogg’s LBC – “Long Beach Crew”), set standards for this sort of thing. So let’s assume that all four of 4 Door Theatre’s doors are continuous and unobstructed means of egress, and don’t exit through a kitchen or storage room. And that we’re dealing with doors 32 inches in width so we can jam in as many people in as possible (the minimum clear width requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act is 32″, but not if the doorway is deeper than 24″, then it’s 36″). Another factor to consider is whether this Theatre has stairs or no stairs (ie – ground level club or in the basement of some building). If there are no stairs, you need 0.2 inches of door width per person, versus 0.3 with stairs. So with four doors, of 32″ width each, on the ground floor (no stairs), this 4 Door Theatre could serve a maximum 640 people (426 if it was in the basement). So like, a good amount, but not enough to get rich from. At least it’s way more people than Two Door Cinema Club – especially since there’s seating involved at the cinema and that brings along a whole heap of other regulations regarding space and what not…

But Feli, why so many rules?! I thought music and art were supposed to be expressions of freedom and raw passion and why you tryna oppress me man!! While I would never wanna be a buzzkill, sometimes art can be dangerous (see: the Brown Note, basically anything by R. Kelly, and Danger Music – a form of noise music meant to harm either the listener or the performer – ya, actually a thing…). In 1991, an art installation in Japan killed a few people when the 500 pound umbrellas fell over during a gust of wind. There’s tons more bonehead art deaths like that. If you find yourself to be patron #641 at the 4 Door Theatre show, and denied access, it’s because of a fire in 1946 Atlanta. Much like the Titanic 34 years earlier, the Winecoff Hotel was deemed “fireproof.” Seriously!? Was that even possible back then? I ain’t no scientist, but unless the hotel was made of water, I’m not sure how it’d be fireproof… Well as you correctly presumed, The Winecoff burned and burned, trapping and killing 119 people because..? THEY DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH DOORS!

I could go on and on with flamin’ fire facts but I’ll spare you. 4 Door Theatre is ironically a 2 person band from Nashville who make happy pop music.

These are the sorts of things Feli Thinks about

Long Weekends for Winners

Felipe — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 16:30:51 +0000

It was Friday before a long weekend, and like most of you, I’m wasn’t actually working. My computer monitor might not even have be on, I wouldn’t know. People walk by your cube, you furiously hit ALT+TAB!! ALT+TAB!! (Where’s that fake excel sheet!? pick up the phone…) “…oh yes Frank. ya’know.., we’ve gotta maximize work time efficiencies and markets and synergizations… No no… totally.” So as we fake worked our way in to the weekend, we actually needed to get things organized so as to properly initiate vacay. Fun swim trunks? Good, good. Next: adequate driving/lounging/fiesta-ing music is required. But since it’s a Fake Work Friday (#FWF – btw I just invented that, feel free to use it) I needed the path of least resistance (re: “do as little work as possible”) for the weekend’s hot jams. Reaching back to previously featured artists seemed like my best bet. Getting me started was Midnight To Monaco, originally featured back in June. These duders have been releasing real fun(ky) tracks all summer. Next was Logic, originally featured back in October 2014 (ya… that’s 2 years ago), who has been blowing up the last year, and here is featured on Big Gigantic’s new track “All of Me.” Then we’ve got Get Inuit’s new track “Teriyaki,” whose fuzzy-pop is rather infectious. Closing out the official “Feli’s End of Summer Four Track Playlist” is a Country Swag prize from Brett Young and his mega-hit off his debut EP – “Sleep Without You.” Impossible not to smile during that one. And don’t try and be tough. Everyone secretly likes country. Just conform already.

So that’s what Feli Said. But since he’s lazy on #FWF, he didn’t get around to posting till today.

EDEN-drugs

Ashley — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 13:30:17 +0000

As is the case with many folks, my 9-5 consists of sitting at a desk typing away on a computer day after day. Most of the time the only thing that helps me get through a long day is listening to music. I’m sure most of you can attest to the power that music has to pump you up during that mid-afternoon slump, chill you out after a particularly grueling assignment, or get you ready to tackle a stack of paperwork that, if it were to fall over, would bury you at your desk for weeks.

It was exactly one week ago today while I was listening to the #NewMusicFriday playlist, that one song in particular came on, and I literally had to stop what I was doing to click over to Spotify. The song that caught my attention was “drugs” by EDEN. I immediately started doing research on the artist–Who is this person? What other songs are available? Is the artist going on tour anytime soon or did I completely miss the boat?

Thankfully, I managed to glean some information from the Google machine regarding the person responsible for creating the latest song for which I cannot stop hitting repeat. EDEN is the moniker under which Jonathon Ng releases music for your listening pleasure. This 20 year old Irish multi-instrumentalist has previously released tracks as The Eden Project. He has his own label, MCMXCV, through which he released his most recent EP, “End Credits” in 2015.

What struck me initially about the song “drugs” was the line: “Cause I’m a fucking mess sometimes” which is (naturally) delivered right before the drop. I’m not sure if the lyric resonated with me so much because the first time I heard the song I may have been going through a brief period of self-loathing… or maybe because it’s a universal feeling many of us may have experienced before? After listening to the song on repeat solely because I liked how it sounded, I decided to delve into the lyrics. The song seems to revolve around the comparison of relationships to drugs because, “Hey! Sometimes I just can’t quit you regardless of the gigantic mess you’re making of my life” amirite?

Relating love to a drug is definitely nothing new. However, EDEN is able to spin the woes of relationships into a piece of music that showcases lyrics sung with a great deal of emotion layered on top of well crafted electronic beats. The song is a little dark, a bit moody, but definitely a dance-y piece you should be listening to on repeat. The song has a completely unique feel, which makes it a true indie-electronic gem.

EDEN’s newest EP is scheduled to be released on August 19th. You can pre-order “I Think You Think Too Much of Me” here.

If you live in North America, he’ll be embarking on a tour beginning on Sept 7th. Find the full tour schedule+tix here.

Listen to “drugs” below, and make sure you keep EDEN on your radar.

CADE, Florida Man, strikes again

Felipe — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:54:29 +0000

Back in April we visited some Florida Man highlights when we checked out Chris Farren, like the Florida Man who said the cocaine in his buttocks wasn’t his. Well don’t worry, Florida Man continued his shenanigan-filled tomfoolery in honor of CADE and his new catchy track that’s racking up listens; like the FM (no relation to other people with those awesome initials) tried to walk out of a store with a chainsaw stuffed down his pants; or the FM who threw a toilet at imaginary attackers while barricaded inside a meth lab; or the FM who terrified a vacationing family with gunfire meant for an iguana; or the FM who screamed “F*ck Them Horses” before punching a police horse; or the FM who pocket dialed 911 while cooking meth with mom; or the FM who was arrested for beating a drag queen with a tikki torch while dressed as KKK member who then ran for mayor (of town just north of Ft. Lauderdale); or the FM who spent 5 hours driving his dead grandmother around a nudist colony; or the FM who attacked an ATM with a hatchet after it didn’t accept his check; and let’s not forget the FM who called 911 after his Playstation stopped working! “Hello this is 9-1-1. Do you need police or paramedics?” “Do you know about the whole thing going on with the Playstation Network..?” Well the 19-year old singer/ songwriter/ producer CADE from the always classy seaside town of Tampa finally got his Playstation working and has performed alongside G-Eazy, Steve Aoki, Jason Derulo, etc.

Feli Says Listen

Throwing SHAED

Ashley — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 05:30:39 +0000

SHAED is a DC based electronic trio comprised of lead singer Chelsea Lee and twin brothers Max and Spencer Ernst. Formerly known as The Walking Sticks, SHAED has amped up the synths this time around, which serve as the perfect backdrop to showcase Lee’s strong and sultry vocals. With a new name also comes a new, elevated sound. The trio has traded in a more indie-pop aesthetic for one that runs a synthy + R&B course. Don’t be surprised if one of their songs gets a club remix, and then ends up in heavy rotation on your favorite spin instructor’s dance/club/R&B playlist.

The band has three singles currently on SoundCloud; “Just Wanna See,” “The News,” and “Thunder,” the latter of which is a song in support of Bernie Sanders.

You can catch SHAED at School Night in Brooklyn on June 20th and at Warby Parker Sound Sessions in DC on August 4th.

Cheerleader: a Philly Five Way SFW

Felipe — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:45:14 +0000

Philly is a pretty cool town, and despite the naysayers, some real strong stuff comes outta the City of Brotherly Love (I didn’t know Philadelphia literally meant that :-/, I thought they called it that cuz ppl high-fived a lot, or they had a sweet YMCA or something): the Fresh Prince, The Wonder Years, all 17 Rocky movies, the $100 cheesesteak at Barclay Prime made with kobe beef, Taleggio cheese, shaved truffles and sauteed foie gras, It’s Always Sunny, and don’t forget Bob Saget and the best Lawrence brother (no! not Joey! ew). This indie haze five-way, Cheerleader, are from Philly too. Now, let’s be Frank (Reynolds), I certainly don’t put them in the same league as the Barclay Prime cheesesteak – or The Wonder Years for that matter – but some nice warm background summer music in January seemed appropriate. But since I’ve been getting complaints that lately I’ve covered too much “happy” music, I’ll be back with a vengeful depression soon.

I don’t even listen to me, so why do what Feli Says?

Whatchu know bout Saint Raymond?

Felipe — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 18:05:50 +0000

If can you recall my affinity for Notti-teens (no! not a porn genre on RedTube [jeez!], but the “dubious subsect of British youths known for their awkward white kid version of “daggering”?, Saint Raymond and Ady Suleiman?), well Saint Raymond finally came out with first full length album (and boy is it lengthy…. 17 tracks?? Who does this guy think he is??, a 90’s rapper like Juvenile or Three Six Mafia?). Getting through the whole thing takes forever but he’s got a real smooth sound. Maybe Major Lazer can do some stupid 30-second mega cut of the album so people can listen to all the songs in one sitting, then retire from music, throwaway his stupid mixing keyboard, get a vasectomy, move to Oregon with the crazy wildlife people, and never play a music festival again. Major Lazer’s the worst.

Everyone knows down deep that Major Lazer is the worst. At least that’s what Feli Says :-/

Gabriela’s 2015 Funkouement

Gaby — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 21:23:07 +0000

I remember the precise moment I sold my soul to the music devil; South by Southwest, ATX. The very own Most Definitely’s Stoli infused afternoon at The Yard. Before that my unexposed dreams twinkled in classical piano, A Capella’d harmonies, and celestial music festivals. Needless to say, this year had me hooked. My fellow writers and cousins have inspired my search for musical talent. Oh, and I finally got that electric guitar, oww. I bid you adieu Beelzebub’s year. A brief confessional precedes my list; in the words of our most mystical Calypso, “My intentions are honest ones, and my heart is not made of iron…”

Maybe I should blame my fiery zodiac, or just admit… Sharing this list exposes the soundtrack of my year thus far, a personal and utterly biased list. I can’t speak for you, but, if you take a gander you might just find yourself learning moves you’d never dreamed feasible (or flexible enough for). Two quick confessions and then we’ll commence musically, I promise. As a small town high school English teacher, the music industry is comparable to Dante’s second ring of hell, a daunting fiery pit of passion, authenticity, and soul; a niche I am gingerly stepping into through wonderful role models and musical talents. Finally, my draw to the music is through my synesthesthetic (new word?) viewpoint. I see the notes morph through spools of color across my lids, they roll, bubble, pour, through my veins. It’s a direct reaction to the art and dedication of the artists. Alas, enjoy. Make space to dance, lay, and free your body from our daily mundanities.

Here’s a Soundcloud version of the playlist, with a few added bonuses not found on Spotify:

Cheers, 2015.

Double Dose of Dames: Catey Shaw & POLICA

Felipe — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 17:09:07 +0000

Double Dose of Dames: Tuesday Edition, brought to you by dope ladies who sing good songs. Catey Shaw – the bisexual Brooklynite ukulele subway performer – and POLICA – twin city synthpopper named for the Polish word for “work ethic.” What do they have in common? Well Channy Leanagh (POLICA frontwoman) is a big fan of the radical Canadian feminist Shulamith Firestone, author of the 1970 book Dialectic of Sex: The Case for Feminist Revolution. Once she opened up the book, she couldn’t put it down, even naming her last album after it. And well, Catey Shaw is kinda the embodiment of that feminist freedom. Catey is also from Brooklyn, where there is a Shulamith School for Girls (albeit no direct relation, although a good word coincidence, it’s an Orthodox Jewish school & “shulamith” translate approximately to “peace”). Shulamith Firestone had some pretty out there ideas, for instance she described pregnancy as “barbaric;” and with regards to patriarchal societal structures imposed on women through their biology and the disadvantages caused by pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing: “she advocated the use of cybernetics to carry out human reproduction in laboratories as well as the proliferation of contraception, abortion, and state support for child-rearing to enable them to escape their biologically determined positions in society.” — The More You Know —

Feli Says “Get Learned”