Showing posts with label city and colour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label city and colour. Show all posts
Friday, 30 September 2011
City And Colour: Weightless.
Recently it's been taking a lot to convince to keep on liking Dallas Green as he was one of the main reasons that Alexisonfire, aka my favourite band since I was about 14, split up. If he keeps producing the music that he's doing and videos such as this to go with them, he's just about hanging on in there.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
City And Colour: Fragile Bird
Regular readers of Village Boy will know that I am huge fan of Dallas Green, whether it be in the form of Alexisonfire or his solo project City And Colour. After seeing his incredible Royal Albert Hall performance a little while back, my anticipation for his latest album, Little Hell, could not be any higher. And just to whet the appetiate even further, he has released the video for Fragile Bird.
The video features his beautiful friend Shantel Vansanten, who plays an emotional distressed women. The videos got a really dark and gothic feel to it and reflects the song perfectly, props to director Michael Maxxis.
It's also worth taking a look at the 'making of' below.
The video features his beautiful friend Shantel Vansanten, who plays an emotional distressed women. The videos got a really dark and gothic feel to it and reflects the song perfectly, props to director Michael Maxxis.
It's also worth taking a look at the 'making of' below.
Monday, 16 May 2011
Music Monday 51.
Jai Paul - BTSTU
Ok this has been around a little while but that's not what this blog is about, I'm not looking to try and keep up with the internet. Despite hearing this a while back, I've only just started raping the repeat button. It's got a pretty unique sound, whispering vocals mixed with almost chant like vocals, going from acapella to some heavy electro beats. It's a pretty addictive mix.
City And Colour - Northern Wind
In case you missed it, I went to see City and Colour at the Royal Albert Hall last month, and it was incredible (my review). His third solo album is due to be released in June and despite having already read most of it, I can't wait. This is another track that has leaked to pleasure our ears. It's simple and classic, suggesting that the album will have the old as well as some new stuff (Fragile Bird, for example).
Death Cab For Cutie - Home Is A Fire
I've heard mixed reviews for the new Death Cab album so far, which is a shame for a band that has produced some wonderful music over the years. But I'm yet to hear it so I'll try and approach it with an open minded. I do really like this song, BUT it feels a bit all over the place, almost like 3 or 4 songs mixed together. On the other hand, the video is pretty nice. Some really good visuals in there and when I discovered it was by Shepard Fairey and Nicholas Harmer, I wasn't surprised.
Julio Bashmore — Ribble To Amazon
Taken from the Youtube description, I couldn't have said it any better myself: ""Ribble To Amazon" taken from the ep 'Batty knee Dance' which slings a bit lower lower than the title track of the ep.. Staggering pads and the same 808 sorcery conjure up a weightless club beat. The long trance style build up just ensures this track to be played as part of many big DJ sets around the world."
Ok this has been around a little while but that's not what this blog is about, I'm not looking to try and keep up with the internet. Despite hearing this a while back, I've only just started raping the repeat button. It's got a pretty unique sound, whispering vocals mixed with almost chant like vocals, going from acapella to some heavy electro beats. It's a pretty addictive mix.
City And Colour - Northern Wind
In case you missed it, I went to see City and Colour at the Royal Albert Hall last month, and it was incredible (my review). His third solo album is due to be released in June and despite having already read most of it, I can't wait. This is another track that has leaked to pleasure our ears. It's simple and classic, suggesting that the album will have the old as well as some new stuff (Fragile Bird, for example).
Death Cab For Cutie - Home Is A Fire
I've heard mixed reviews for the new Death Cab album so far, which is a shame for a band that has produced some wonderful music over the years. But I'm yet to hear it so I'll try and approach it with an open minded. I do really like this song, BUT it feels a bit all over the place, almost like 3 or 4 songs mixed together. On the other hand, the video is pretty nice. Some really good visuals in there and when I discovered it was by Shepard Fairey and Nicholas Harmer, I wasn't surprised.
Julio Bashmore — Ribble To Amazon
Taken from the Youtube description, I couldn't have said it any better myself: ""Ribble To Amazon" taken from the ep 'Batty knee Dance' which slings a bit lower lower than the title track of the ep.. Staggering pads and the same 808 sorcery conjure up a weightless club beat. The long trance style build up just ensures this track to be played as part of many big DJ sets around the world."
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
City And Colour: Royal Albert Hall
Just over a year ago I journeyed to London town, Kentish Forum to be precise, and witnessed one of the best gigs I had ever been to in the form of City and Colour. I expected it to be good, I knew the man had talent and had seen him perform with Alexisonfire, but I did not expect the performance I got that night. The power and emotion in his voice surprised me and ran shivers through my spine. A year later, I traveled back to London, but this time to an even more illustrious venue, The Royal Albert Hall, to see the man Dallas Green again. And the night more than matched the night in Kentish Forum. I was expecting his incredible voice this time, and I expect more magic, and that is what I got.
It was slightly weird as the venue filled with tattoos, piercings, fringes and skinny jeans, a crowd very much juxtaposed to the venue. This is not a place for Alexisonfire and City And Colour fans. Just being sat down as opposed to being jostled around in a sweaty moshpit, in such a venue, seemed a little surreal and even uncomfortable for most. This is the job of support, to warm up the crowd and get them ready for the main act. That night the support was provided my a new favourite of mine, James Vincent McMorrow, much more suitable than Sharks who had supported the previous year, and he more than stepped upto the mark. It may have been daunting warming up a crowd of Dallas and Alexisonfire adorers especially when he's very much in the same singer-songwriter category, but it did not show. James' voice was just as powerful and emotional as the one that would follow, you could feel the songs and lyrics. Boy did good.
Then it was time for Dallas Green as City and Colour. As he walked onto the stage with his band, the noise level went up with cries of adoration and admiration from the crowd. It was soon clear that Dallas only gets better. I hate to repeat the words powerful and emotional, but those really are the words that can't be avoided when you hear Dallas live. The set followed a familiar format, with band, by himself and then rejoined by his band of hometown friends. It is when he holds the stage alone that you get sucked into the performance, it's memorizing and intense. His performance of Like Knives (video I filmed below) was one of the highlights for me, he told us that it was one of the first songs he wrote and played it to his mother for her approval.
Between songs Dallas spoke to the crowd with his usual shyness and humanity (saying "it's not me up here and you down there, we're all here together"), yet he proved he has wit and humor to match many. (As he asked for the house lights to be turned on to see the venue and crowd someone yelled "I've got an erection!", only for Dallas to reply "Well it's taken 9 songs to find the funny guy in the audience".) There was one stage, just before Body In A Box, where he asked the crowd to put away their phones and cameras, just for one song. Not because he had a problem with people filming or taking pictures, but because he felt that everyone tries so hard to make memories on an event, they forget to enjoy the event as it happens. Very true. He then apologised for sounding like a Dad. His setlist was a perfect mix of some of his earliest songs to tracks of his new album, out in June. Although one of the surprises of the night was his cover of Adele's Hometown Glory (below). Covers are often overused, and just seem like they are performed for the sake of it. However this cover seemed perfect, Dallas even said he wish he had written the song himself, not just in terms of a match of incredible voices but you could feel Dallas sing the lyrics, though it not his own song.
The gig could have gone on and no one would have minded apart from the Albert Hall staff, though there are worse ways to be earn a living than watch Dallas, but it had to end at some point. Even in the encore Dallas surprised the crowd with his song choices. He turned the end of Comin' Home into James Blake's Wilhelm Scream, a nice touch. And he then sat down at a piano for the first time that evening and performed a "sort of cover", Happiness By The Kilowatt, by his other band Alexisonfire (below). It was a special moment to see him draw on a song he helped write so many years ago, for a band so different to his solo performance, to end a special night. It's hard not to love Dallas Green, he's talented, emotional, funny, shy and humble and puts on a wonderful night on a consistent basis it would seem. I simple can't wait for him to come back this autumn.
It was slightly weird as the venue filled with tattoos, piercings, fringes and skinny jeans, a crowd very much juxtaposed to the venue. This is not a place for Alexisonfire and City And Colour fans. Just being sat down as opposed to being jostled around in a sweaty moshpit, in such a venue, seemed a little surreal and even uncomfortable for most. This is the job of support, to warm up the crowd and get them ready for the main act. That night the support was provided my a new favourite of mine, James Vincent McMorrow, much more suitable than Sharks who had supported the previous year, and he more than stepped upto the mark. It may have been daunting warming up a crowd of Dallas and Alexisonfire adorers especially when he's very much in the same singer-songwriter category, but it did not show. James' voice was just as powerful and emotional as the one that would follow, you could feel the songs and lyrics. Boy did good.
Then it was time for Dallas Green as City and Colour. As he walked onto the stage with his band, the noise level went up with cries of adoration and admiration from the crowd. It was soon clear that Dallas only gets better. I hate to repeat the words powerful and emotional, but those really are the words that can't be avoided when you hear Dallas live. The set followed a familiar format, with band, by himself and then rejoined by his band of hometown friends. It is when he holds the stage alone that you get sucked into the performance, it's memorizing and intense. His performance of Like Knives (video I filmed below) was one of the highlights for me, he told us that it was one of the first songs he wrote and played it to his mother for her approval.
Between songs Dallas spoke to the crowd with his usual shyness and humanity (saying "it's not me up here and you down there, we're all here together"), yet he proved he has wit and humor to match many. (As he asked for the house lights to be turned on to see the venue and crowd someone yelled "I've got an erection!", only for Dallas to reply "Well it's taken 9 songs to find the funny guy in the audience".) There was one stage, just before Body In A Box, where he asked the crowd to put away their phones and cameras, just for one song. Not because he had a problem with people filming or taking pictures, but because he felt that everyone tries so hard to make memories on an event, they forget to enjoy the event as it happens. Very true. He then apologised for sounding like a Dad. His setlist was a perfect mix of some of his earliest songs to tracks of his new album, out in June. Although one of the surprises of the night was his cover of Adele's Hometown Glory (below). Covers are often overused, and just seem like they are performed for the sake of it. However this cover seemed perfect, Dallas even said he wish he had written the song himself, not just in terms of a match of incredible voices but you could feel Dallas sing the lyrics, though it not his own song.
The gig could have gone on and no one would have minded apart from the Albert Hall staff, though there are worse ways to be earn a living than watch Dallas, but it had to end at some point. Even in the encore Dallas surprised the crowd with his song choices. He turned the end of Comin' Home into James Blake's Wilhelm Scream, a nice touch. And he then sat down at a piano for the first time that evening and performed a "sort of cover", Happiness By The Kilowatt, by his other band Alexisonfire (below). It was a special moment to see him draw on a song he helped write so many years ago, for a band so different to his solo performance, to end a special night. It's hard not to love Dallas Green, he's talented, emotional, funny, shy and humble and puts on a wonderful night on a consistent basis it would seem. I simple can't wait for him to come back this autumn.
Monday, 11 April 2011
Music Monday 46: Bumper Edition
Yes, I missed one, I'm sorry. I'M SORRY! But I was in the French Alps snowboarding so I'm not really that sorry. But to make it up to you, here's another bumper edition. No words, just music.
City and Colour - Fragile Bird
Death Cab For Cutie - You Are A Tourist
Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise
Shad & Skratch Bastid - Give You All I Can
Hoodie Allen - NY is Killing Me (Prod. by Jamie XX)
Childish Gambino - The Longest Text Message
Hodgy Beats - Mystery
Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
City and Colour - Fragile Bird
Death Cab For Cutie - You Are A Tourist
Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise
Shad & Skratch Bastid - Give You All I Can
Hoodie Allen - NY is Killing Me (Prod. by Jamie XX)
Childish Gambino - The Longest Text Message
Hodgy Beats - Mystery
Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Music Tuesday 32.
Don't work in retail at Christmas guys. Seriously. Don't do it. But hopefully this will be my last year doing so and I will have some nice shiny new advertising job next year. Hopefully. So apologises for this weeks being a day late, but it's now here, so listen up!
Kanye West - Christmas In Harlem (ft. CyHi Da Prynce & Teyana Taylor)
In a year that has belonged to Kanye, whether it's his free music giveaways, his twitter rants, his short movie or his near flawless album, it only feels right that he should bring out a Christmas song. And what a Christmas song. Kanye manages to combine that Christmas jingle-jingle feeling along with that Harlem hood vibe, not an easy recipe, but unsurprisingly Kanye pulls it off. A seriously good way to end a seriously good year for Yezzy.
City And Colour - At The Bird's Foot
There are some artists that I expect nothing less than perfection from, Dallas Green is most definitely one of them. This track, part of a compilation album to raise money for the oil spill victims of the Gulf Coast, is wonderfully deep, passionate and somewhat dark, perfect for the record. This live version shows Dallas' incredible live talent, one of the many reasons his Royal Albert Hall gig sold out within minutes. Give the CD a listen too, featuring Phoenix, Passion Pit, Damien Rice and more.
Brother - New Year's Day
I went to see these guys in a crazily intimate show the other night, and wow. Despite only playing about 6 or 7 songs, they were all absolute belters, New Year's Day being their newest song. I can't recommend this band highly enough, they come with self-assurance yet they are full of passion and energy amounting to some seriously impressive songs. They are among my predictions for 2011, Brit-pop is back.
Out Like A Lion - A Better Place
Supporting Brother were another hot 2011 band, Out Like A Loin. Sounding quite Foals-y with the energy and riffs of Two Door Cinema Club, it's clear that these guys have got something about them. They've clearly taken a great deal of time constructing their songs and working on their live shows. Excellent stuff, give these guys a listen.
Kanye West - Christmas In Harlem (ft. CyHi Da Prynce & Teyana Taylor)
In a year that has belonged to Kanye, whether it's his free music giveaways, his twitter rants, his short movie or his near flawless album, it only feels right that he should bring out a Christmas song. And what a Christmas song. Kanye manages to combine that Christmas jingle-jingle feeling along with that Harlem hood vibe, not an easy recipe, but unsurprisingly Kanye pulls it off. A seriously good way to end a seriously good year for Yezzy.
City And Colour - At The Bird's Foot
There are some artists that I expect nothing less than perfection from, Dallas Green is most definitely one of them. This track, part of a compilation album to raise money for the oil spill victims of the Gulf Coast, is wonderfully deep, passionate and somewhat dark, perfect for the record. This live version shows Dallas' incredible live talent, one of the many reasons his Royal Albert Hall gig sold out within minutes. Give the CD a listen too, featuring Phoenix, Passion Pit, Damien Rice and more.
Brother - New Year's Day
I went to see these guys in a crazily intimate show the other night, and wow. Despite only playing about 6 or 7 songs, they were all absolute belters, New Year's Day being their newest song. I can't recommend this band highly enough, they come with self-assurance yet they are full of passion and energy amounting to some seriously impressive songs. They are among my predictions for 2011, Brit-pop is back.
Out Like A Lion - A Better Place
Supporting Brother were another hot 2011 band, Out Like A Loin. Sounding quite Foals-y with the energy and riffs of Two Door Cinema Club, it's clear that these guys have got something about them. They've clearly taken a great deal of time constructing their songs and working on their live shows. Excellent stuff, give these guys a listen.
Monday, 6 December 2010
Music Monday 30.
I'm excited about this week's post. It appears that my music taste is increasingly being taken over by hip-hop. I'm not complaining though.
The Bullits Ft. Lucy Lui and Jay Electronica
The Bullits is a one man show by Jeymes Samuel (mixed by Oliver Wright in Miloco Studio's MusikBox), who is, and will be, joined by a load of people from Jay Elec to Lucy Lui to Tori Amos. It's shaping up to be one hell of a show. I literally can't stop listening to this song. The beats, the hooks, Lucy's voice. And then comes in JAY ELECTRONICA. Not that we should be surprised, but this man steals the show. Can't wait for more stuff from him and The Bullits, but this will more than do for now.
Shad & City and Colour - Live Forever
I've been waiting for this song for AGES. After seeing Dallas casually mention that he was collaborating with one of my favourite artists of the year, I was searching on an almost daily basis for the track. And then it came. It's not the greatest sound quality, it's got a phone ringing over the end and Dallas pretty much only sings the chorus. But none of that matters. Dallas' voice is beautiful as usual and Shad is presenting our ears with some of his best rhythms. Hopefully this combination of Canadians will increase Shad's fanbase to a wider audience, because he deserves it like no other.
Cadence Weapon ft Shad - Baby I'm Yours
Oh, it's Shad again. This track needs little explanation. It's got some old-school, summer hip-hop flavours, some genius wordplay (as expected). Canada is quickly becoming the source of all things musically great.
The Streets - Going Through Hell
Back to the UK. And what artist represents the UK more than The Streets? Ok, the last album was a bit of a dud, but for the genius that was Original Pirate Material (closely followed by A Grand Don't Come For Free and The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living), I'm sure we can let Mike Skinner off. This track is set to be off "Computers and Blues", the last ever Streets album. Sad stuff. But if this track is anything to go by, Skinner is going out with a bang.
The Bullits Ft. Lucy Lui and Jay Electronica
The Bullits is a one man show by Jeymes Samuel (mixed by Oliver Wright in Miloco Studio's MusikBox), who is, and will be, joined by a load of people from Jay Elec to Lucy Lui to Tori Amos. It's shaping up to be one hell of a show. I literally can't stop listening to this song. The beats, the hooks, Lucy's voice. And then comes in JAY ELECTRONICA. Not that we should be surprised, but this man steals the show. Can't wait for more stuff from him and The Bullits, but this will more than do for now.
Shad & City and Colour - Live Forever
I've been waiting for this song for AGES. After seeing Dallas casually mention that he was collaborating with one of my favourite artists of the year, I was searching on an almost daily basis for the track. And then it came. It's not the greatest sound quality, it's got a phone ringing over the end and Dallas pretty much only sings the chorus. But none of that matters. Dallas' voice is beautiful as usual and Shad is presenting our ears with some of his best rhythms. Hopefully this combination of Canadians will increase Shad's fanbase to a wider audience, because he deserves it like no other.
Cadence Weapon ft Shad - Baby I'm Yours
Oh, it's Shad again. This track needs little explanation. It's got some old-school, summer hip-hop flavours, some genius wordplay (as expected). Canada is quickly becoming the source of all things musically great.
The Streets - Going Through Hell
Back to the UK. And what artist represents the UK more than The Streets? Ok, the last album was a bit of a dud, but for the genius that was Original Pirate Material (closely followed by A Grand Don't Come For Free and The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living), I'm sure we can let Mike Skinner off. This track is set to be off "Computers and Blues", the last ever Streets album. Sad stuff. But if this track is anything to go by, Skinner is going out with a bang.
Friday, 18 June 2010
City and Colour
After listening to Alexisonfire from a young age, I finally got to see them just before Christmas and loved it. They sounded amazing, better than expected. I had a similar wait to see their vocalist Dallas Green in his solo project City and Colour.
Dallas walked on stage to a massive applaud and cheer, and managed a typically shy "hey" to the audience. He and his 3 piece band started to play as the anxiety and excitement grew with anticipation for Dallas to sing his first line, greeted with another massive cheer. The set started electric with Dallas on lead and vocals of course, a bassist and drummer. Mixing a collection of songs from debut album, Sometimes and newer album, Bring Me Your Love as well as a cover, 2 new songs and even an accapella song. The gig was better than expected, Dallas brings such understated presence to the stage and an incredibly impressive voice, not that he needed to sing with the audience knowing every line of almost every song. I would have loved the gig to go on for hours, I was engaged from start to finish with my spine tingling through-out most of it. I strongly recommend seeing City and Colour if he again makes a rare appearance on stage over here. Incredible man, incredible talent.
Dallas walked on stage to a massive applaud and cheer, and managed a typically shy "hey" to the audience. He and his 3 piece band started to play as the anxiety and excitement grew with anticipation for Dallas to sing his first line, greeted with another massive cheer. The set started electric with Dallas on lead and vocals of course, a bassist and drummer. Mixing a collection of songs from debut album, Sometimes and newer album, Bring Me Your Love as well as a cover, 2 new songs and even an accapella song. The gig was better than expected, Dallas brings such understated presence to the stage and an incredibly impressive voice, not that he needed to sing with the audience knowing every line of almost every song. I would have loved the gig to go on for hours, I was engaged from start to finish with my spine tingling through-out most of it. I strongly recommend seeing City and Colour if he again makes a rare appearance on stage over here. Incredible man, incredible talent.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Music Monday 8.
In a week that has been filled with the last dregs of revision that I will ever have to do, it has been nice to be filled with A LOT of new and exciting music. New music has been creeping out of every side alley this week, therefore it's a HUGE update for you luck people this week.
Dallas Green - Nashville Skyline
Written solely for the finale of One Tree Hill, Dallas got together with friends Mark Schwahn, Matthew Ryan, Michael Grubbs and Courtney Jaye to produce this lovely track. Being his first new track since the release of Bring Me Love, it is unclear whether there is a new album on the horizon or if this track will feature on it. So instead of wondering, just have a listen and enjoy.
Caspa - Back For The First Time
After finding the DnB song of the summer in the shape of Medicin, the dubstep song of the summer has to be Caspa. This song does everything you want for a summer anthem. It's subtle rave beats work wonderful with the dub that is not too in your face but you have feel that it's there.
Kayne West - Power
Kayne is back. In a big way. I'm not saying that this is the best work that he's ever produced, yet this song is bound to be huge.
Uffie ft Pharrell Williams - Add Suv (Arman van Helden remix)
Another fantastic song for the summer. Pharrell and Uffie work so well together on this track and van Helden finishes it off just nicely. The tempo, beats and lyrics all fit in so nicely together that it simply becomes a huge tune, there is no other way of putting it.
Eminem - Not Afraid
Eminem is so hot and cold for me. When he produces tracks to the tune of Lose Yourself and Beautiful, you have to sit back and give him credit for incredible pieces of rap music. When you listen to Without Me you have to question his motives. Not Afraid is Marshall back to his best.
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs/Month Of May
After a long absence, Arcade Fire have treated us to a double bill of new tracks, The Suburbs and Month Of May. The Suburbs has to be my favourite of the two, but these guys are very much back and still producing some very special music.
Dan Black ft Kid Cudi
With a sample of Rihanna, this track combines the talent of these two men to great effect. Yet another colab for Cudi, stretching himself in every music direction to great success and admiration. When coupled with the video in the style of a film's opening credits, this is a great track.
Dallas Green - Nashville Skyline
Written solely for the finale of One Tree Hill, Dallas got together with friends Mark Schwahn, Matthew Ryan, Michael Grubbs and Courtney Jaye to produce this lovely track. Being his first new track since the release of Bring Me Love, it is unclear whether there is a new album on the horizon or if this track will feature on it. So instead of wondering, just have a listen and enjoy.
Caspa - Back For The First Time
After finding the DnB song of the summer in the shape of Medicin, the dubstep song of the summer has to be Caspa. This song does everything you want for a summer anthem. It's subtle rave beats work wonderful with the dub that is not too in your face but you have feel that it's there.
Kayne West - Power
Kayne is back. In a big way. I'm not saying that this is the best work that he's ever produced, yet this song is bound to be huge.
Uffie ft Pharrell Williams - Add Suv (Arman van Helden remix)
Another fantastic song for the summer. Pharrell and Uffie work so well together on this track and van Helden finishes it off just nicely. The tempo, beats and lyrics all fit in so nicely together that it simply becomes a huge tune, there is no other way of putting it.
Eminem - Not Afraid
Eminem is so hot and cold for me. When he produces tracks to the tune of Lose Yourself and Beautiful, you have to sit back and give him credit for incredible pieces of rap music. When you listen to Without Me you have to question his motives. Not Afraid is Marshall back to his best.
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs/Month Of May
After a long absence, Arcade Fire have treated us to a double bill of new tracks, The Suburbs and Month Of May. The Suburbs has to be my favourite of the two, but these guys are very much back and still producing some very special music.
Dan Black ft Kid Cudi
With a sample of Rihanna, this track combines the talent of these two men to great effect. Yet another colab for Cudi, stretching himself in every music direction to great success and admiration. When coupled with the video in the style of a film's opening credits, this is a great track.
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