I'm sorry I didn't post anything last week. I was pretty overwhelmed and excited and thrilled about the election results, and nothing I was thinking of posting seemed quite appropriate. Anyways. This week I've got something a little different than I usually post about, from DJ Rekha, who you can see on the right.
This is the title/first track off of DJ Rekha's cd "Basement Bhangra" and it's appropriately called "Basement Bhangra Anthem." DJ Rekha was born in London, lived in New Delhi for three years, then moved to Queens. She pretty much spearheaded the bhangra movement in NYC, blending bhangra, hip-hop and dancehall to create some really addictive dance music. She regularly hosts "Basement Bhangra" parties in NYC, so if you're ever in that part of the world, check those out.
Bhangra is a style of South Asian pop music that originated in India and Pakistan, rooted in Punjabi traditions. An easy way to distinguish bhangra from other types of Indian pop music is that bhangra features insistent rhythms played on the dhol, a two sided drum.
don't have a lot of time for a more in depth post, but my roommate just showed me this song. it's fantastic! it's got that 70s/80s electro-punk-dance feel to it that makes you wanna shake your groove thang :)
enjoy!
karate :: kennedy
I don't need no nine mil glock These hands are deadly guns From smokin, drinkin, bein a thug I sip hypnotyq from a coffee mug I keep a healthy state of mind I only drink and drive night
(Chorus) I know Karate I Know Jujitsu I Drive Like a Gangsta when I'm coming to see you
And I'm coming to see you all the time I Got a bottle of cheap jug wine Pop some pills and make some love and try to recline I like to drive into the sun I like it when your sitting gun My single is on, it's number one
I know Karate I Know Jujitsu I Drive Like a Gangsta when I'm coming to see you i know Karate I got some mojo But holding hands aint something I do, thats true!
My best girl asked me if she's the only one I gotta be blunt, I say (everybody) Hell yeah!!!
Hey all! I'm subbing my post with my friend Vincent's guest blog! Enjoy, because he is rockin!!!! The End. Love, Meggo. ----- In the spirit of summer dance parties, I want to draw attention to The Dance Party. DC is not particularly known for its indie music scene, but I learned about The Dance Party skimming through upcoming shows at the Black Cat--my exact thought process was as follows: "The Dance Party? Hmm. I love dance parties." [click.] [click.] [commence booty shaking.] The band hails from College Park, MD and is comprised of Mick Coogan (vocals/guitar), Danny Hoag (bass), Jeff David (drums), and Kevin Bayly (guitar), and their music falls more appropriately under "power-pop" -- whatever that means.
Regardless, be forewarned: this album is a sweat inducer.
This particular song, Renegade, is not representative of the foot thumping, head rocking, booty shaking that follows after approximately 19 seconds of playing the first song on the album ("A-list"). I do have my criticisms though...The album is ripe with words half-screamed in syllable form, repeated as if I missed it the 13th time; teenage angst one-liners sung in falsetto; and even worse dancing as exemplified in the youtube video bleow, reifying what we know as "that (white) guy" trying too hard at the club. Nonetheless, the band has awesome beats-- I will bet on the Lindbergh baby that it won't fail to get you dancing. So, know that the album is amazing--but I want to talk about "Renegade."
"Renegade" is one of the slower songs on the album, but it somehow still manages to get me playing air drums. This song speaks to me particularly because of these lyrics: It's such a gas When you're living fast And your friends don't know your name
Spinning 'round Down in District town I do believe I lost my way
This summer has been ridiculous for me. And I know none of you know (or care to know) who I am, but I'm going to tell you anyway. I just graduated from American University in May and I've since been putzing around DC trying to find a job in this broke-as-shit thing some call the "economy" (unemployment jumped to 26% in July!). I'm interning at the same place as Meghan and I make barely enough money to pay bills and party. I suppose this song captures more than just this summer--I think it represents the on-going incapacitated state of ridiculousness the was my last two years in college (thanks KT!).
But I feel attached to the song because it pays homage to my inner child, only to finally say: "Vincent, get it together!" I like the idea of being a renegade--being a living testament to the rejection of social expectations of a college graduate. But, truth be told, there is something comforting in the daily 9-5 hum. In the interest of sparing you my personal dilemma's, I'll end this entry here.
I hope you enjoy the band!
(Blading for non-violence...)
Click HERE for the Black Cat schedule. Playing Sept. 6.
Renegade :: The Dance Party
Close my eyes For the big surprise Make a wisher look around
Spinning 'round Down in New York town And everything just seems all wrong
Police man Wanna shake my hand Ask me how I feel today
I said I'm doing fine But my friend and I Do believe we lost our way
Coming down Don't count unless you mean it Back, get back to it Back, get back to it
Getting down Don't count unless you feel it Back, get back to it Back, get back to it
Killing time On your daddy's dime Gonna make you a man someday
I grab my coat And she grabs her coke The disco's just two blocks away
Uncle Sam Wanna shake my hand Tell me "Son, you're doing just fine"
Hey, thanks man But you don't understand All I do is waste my time
It's such a gas When you're living fast And your friends don't know your name
Spinning 'round Down in District town I do believe I lost my way
sorry for the late post y'all. work at both of my jobs has been crazy, and so has applying for jobs in minnesota! let's cross our fingers though because all this hectic havoc is driving me nuts!
ok, back to the music...
i am not really sure when i first came across the group Justice, but i last remember hearing them on 89.3 The Current recently and they've been on my jams playlist ever since. and then i was at a house party this past weekend, when my ipod started playing the song...i'm thinking it was one of those free songs of the week downloads from itunes from a while back, but either way, i was very pleased!
Justice is a French electro pop/dance group and their totally jammin. they have some sort of weird cross fetish, that i haven't been able to completely determine if it has any sort of spiritual/religious significance or not, but i really could care less...because, as i've already iterated, Justice is JAMMIN!
i highly recommend checking them out, and then dancing around wherever you may be...and yes, that includes chair dancing...
the end. love, meggo.
here is a little sample of me and my friend vincent jammin out at the house party we attended last weekend...probably to Justice!
D.A.N.C.E. :: Justice
Do the D.A.N.C.E., 1, 2, 3, 4 Fight! Stick to the B.E.A.T., Get ready to ignite
You were such a P.Y.T. (pretty young thing) Catching all the lights Just easy as A.B.C. That’s how you make it right!
Do the D.A.N.C.E., 1, 2, 3, 4 Fight! Stick to the B.E.A.T., Get ready to ignite
You were such a P.Y.T. (pretty young thing) Catching all the lights Just easy as A.B.C. That’s how you make it right!
Do the D.A.N.C.E., 1, 2, 3, 4 Fight! Stick to the B.E.A.T., Do the dance, Do the dance!
The way you move is a mystery, Do the dance, You’re always there for music and me. Do the dance, The way you move is a mystery, Do the dance, You’re always there for music and me.
Do the D.A.N.C.E., 1, 2, 3, 4 Fight! Stick to the B.E.A.T., Get ready to ignite
You were such a P.Y.T. (pretty young thing) Catching all the lights Just easy as A.B.C. That’s how you make it right!
The way you move is a mystery, Do the dance, Do the dance. You’re always there for music and me. Do the dance, Do the dance. The way you move is a mystery, Do the dance, Do the dance. You’re always there for music and me.
Under the spotlight, Neither black no white, It does not matter, Do the dance, Do the dance!
As strong as you might, Working day and night, Whatever happens, Do the dance, Do the dance!
Under the spotlight, Neither black no white, It does not matter, Do the dance, Do the dance!
As strong as you might, Working day and night, What at all happens, Do the dance, Do the dance!
The way you move is a mystery, Do the dance, You’re always there for music and me.
happy tuesday everyone!!! i'd like to continue onto my happy summer music theme of a couple of weeks ago...and with the theme of jammin! i came across this lovely rock group from LA called Ima Robot. i first heard this particular song of theirs on pandora.com - an online radio 'do-it-yourself' station (which if you haven't checked it out, you totally should!). i had created a 'Cloud Cult' radio station and Ima Robot popped up after a couple of days of groovin. i found myself bouncin around in my office chair while i was putting together a media hit list and organizing some invoices.
Anyway...
Ima Robot put out their first full length album in 2003 - but have been makin sweet sweet music since the late 90s. They've also toured with some rockin bands like Hot Hot Heat, and The Sounds (two groups we need to blog about soon!!!) which must have been super fun.
this particular tune comes from their second album Monument to the Masses, which was released in 2006. what is fun about this particular group is that their really diverse in terms of style - and they're funny. you can't go wrong with people that can make fun music that can also make you laugh and feel giddy and silly and....summery :)
so, enough with my talkin! get to jammin. hope y'all enjoy Ima Robot as much as i have been! the end. love, meggo.
(video disclaimer: i tried my hardest to find a video/audio version of this song that was from the band, but after trying various audio/visual websites, this was the best thing i could come up with! so, hopefully this person's fun-times pictures will accompany the song in an exciting way!)
The Beat :: Ima Robot Julie’s clocking out at the station hurry up and get your pay a two day vacation Friday, Saturday down in the basement shower up in the sink throw on some lipstick and look pretty in pink
short skirts in the cold to the club oh the night is waiting getting closer you feel it shaking on the dance floor
this is the beat, the beat we fight to this is the beat we live and die to here’s to the kids that get it off we work all week to sweat it off
this is the beat we beat the pressure throwing away the world with pleasure we’re working hard to burn it off so dj won't you turn it up
beat beat, beat beat beat beat, beat beat
julie's doing shots at the counter thinking 'bout his great escape from his stupid job telemarketing but he never can shake the weight a little tap on the shoulder the prettiest girl in pink "Oh no, I can’t dance," he told her as she dragged him from his drink
freeze frame in the heat she moved oh and it’s close to shaking so close but the crowd is breaking on the dance floor
this is the beat, the beat we fight to this is the beat we live and die to here’s to the kids that get it off we work all week to sweat it off
this is the beat to beat the pressure throwing away the world with pleasure we’re working hard to burn it off so dj won’t you turn it up
and we can be for city boys and summer girls who dream just like the kids with chinese rocks and beating hearts thank you boys
make some noise make some noise
this is the beat, the beat we fight to this is the beat that we get high to this is the beat, the beat we fight to this is the beat we live and die to this is the beat, the beat we fight to this is the beat we live and die to here's to the kids that get it off we work all week to sweat it off this is the beat to beat the pressure throwing away the world with pleasure we're working hard to burn it off so dj won't you turn it off
BONUS SONG!!! (just for fun!) Hello I Love You :: Ima Robot
This song goes out to all present (and past, and future I suppose) members of Luther College Pride in all it's incarnations (Aware, GLBTA Flag). If you were fortunate enough to either attend the MBLGTACC conference in a car of Luther kids, or if got to shake your booty at Drag Ball 2008 "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," you have probably heard this song before. Or you might just be really cool and on top of your music.
Metro Station are a myspace success story. Founding members Trace Cyrus and and Mason Musso actually recruited Blake Healy and Anthony Improgo through myspace, and then they quickly climbed to the top of the myspace unsigned band's charts. Columbia's Walking Eye program found them through myspace, and signed them shortly after. Since then they've toured with Cobra Starship, and opened for Panic at the Disco.
This particular track was an iTunes free song of the week back in October, and as anyone familiar with apple can figure out, any group that gets selected to have an iTunes free song of the day is probably going to hit it big shortly after that. (Feist, Yael Naim, countless other songs used in apple ads and given away as free tracks of the week).
As I mentioned earlier, it's been a big hit with certain Luther folk this semester, and has made it into the coveted top five of my "Getting Ready in the Morning" playlist. So without further ado, Metro Station's "Shake It"
Let's drop! Yeah, come on
I'll take you home If you don't leave me at the front door (Leave me at the front door) Your body's cold But girl, we're gettin' so warm And I was thinking of ways That I could get inside (Get inside)
Tonight you're falling in love Let me go now This feeling's tearing me up Here we go now
Chorus Now if she does it like this Will you do it like that? Now if she touches like this Will you touch her like that? Now if she moves like this Will you move her like that? Come on, shake, shake Shake, shake, shake it
Shake, shake Shake, shake, lets shake it
Shake, shake, Shake, shake, lets shake it
Shake, shake, Shake, shake, lets shake it
Shake, shake, Shake, shake, lets shake it
Your lips tremble But your eyes are in a straight stare (In a straight stare) We're on the bed But your clothes are laying right there And I was thinking of places That I could hide (I could hide)
Tonight you're falling in love Let me go now This feeling's tearing me up Here we go now
Chorus
I saw you dancing And I couldn't get you off my mind I could tell that you could tell That I was taking my time But I was thinking of ways To get you to stay tonight Body's shaking Tell me off so I can turn off the lights
Hurray for iTunes free song of the week! Otherwise I don't know if I would've ever come across Cut Copy. After doing a little research using the great wikipedia, I found out that Cut Copy hails from the great city of Melbourne Australia, and that they've actually toured with some pretty big names in the indie-dance and electropop genres. For example, Junior Senior, Daft Punk, Fran Ferdinand and Bloc Party. I like the song, I've found it's excellent to play in the morning when I'm getting ready for the day. It's not too vigorous so it's not overwhelming, but its catchy, repetitive and in a major key which all are important components of morning music. The music video is a little trippy, and kind of reminds me of the music videos that get shown really late at night on VH1. Just the band kinda rocking out while there are pretty lights and colors around. It works either way.
This is where we walk today For your birthday Secrets that we held that day Will be kept straight
All your friends have gone away So let’s celebrate With holding hope open for the one Making new way
Lights and music Are on my mind Be my baby One more time
Lights and music Are on my mind Be my baby One more time
Fading will become of you Seeing my face Cold and crystal you can hide But your tears race
I’ll be waiting by your time Put your dreams away With holding hope, hoping for the one Making new way
Lights and music Are on my mind Be my baby One more time
Lights and music Are on my mind Be my baby One more time
So my cousins showed me this yesterday and it cracks me up so I'm bumping it above my prepared post.
First of all, I'm amazed by the power of this song to be addictive and fun even WHILE it's just a little annoying. I realize that it might not be such a teetering line for everyone - I know folks who can't stand it cuz it's nothing but annoying and folks who love it cuz it's nothing but addictive for them. But regardless, I find that dancing along always tips it to the addictive side.
So what better way to show that than with the BEST dance instruction video of all time? Or am I alone in saying that I've tried every dance step demonstrated in this particular Peanuts clip and secretly wanted to be just like Snoopy when I grew up? (complete with the little jig he does around his guitar in between soulful strummings)
This whole shebang makes me laugh. And I hope it works for you darlings too :)
Happy First Sunday after the First Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox! (otherwise known as "Lets celebrate Easter on this conveniently available pagan feast day cuz we're the religion-co-opting Roman Empire!")
Jesus Christ is a pretty sweet duuuuude, A-a-a-a-aaaaa-leee-luuuuuu-jah!
