Opossom - Girl

In a pretty good, self-directed video, Kody Nielson's Opossom gives us "Girl" from the "Electric Hawaii" album. Can I hear Burt Bacharach in here? Comparing both Kody and Ruban Nielson's projects is interesting, with a lighter, possibly more commercial (relatively speaking) sound coming from Opossom, whereas Ruban Nielson's Unknown Mortal Orchestra is slightly darker. But the common genetics behind the music aren't difficult to sense. I initially found it a little challenging to warm to both bands, but continued exposure has found the fan in me and this music is ultimately very rewarding to listen to. And it can be "listened to", unlike much music which can only exist on an indeterminate gradient somewhere between one's focus and the background.



OPOSSOM - GIRL (Official Music Video)

Kimbra - Settle Down

This came on the TV when I was in Hong Kong recently. It was interesting watching it from another perspective...and I was reminded of the brilliance Kimbra is capable of. For me, this track (and I include the video) is possibly one of the greatest commercial offerings in recent music history. I don't say that lightly. And I suspect there might be a few others who are similarly enthusiastic. At time of writing the video had 20 million views. To me it's close to magic. I read recently that the US music executive responsible for signing Kimbra had thought maybe her music had needed brightening up (paraphrased) for the global market. I just hope they don't kill it. For me "Settle Down" is perfect balance between commercial viability and artistic integrity. I don't think the more recent offering, "Warrior" (done since the marketing machine launched), works nearly as well, and I can almost sense the head honchos wielding the big levers behind the scenes. Have a look at the "Warrior" video at the link below. Let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy3HT34IrUU



Kimbra - Settle Down

JBrown & The Mic Smith - I'd Like To Know

Further evidence of the talents of JBrown & The Mic Smith. A nice little rap asking some big existential questions. "I'd Like To Know" is off 2011's "JB&TMS EP". Maybe it's just me, but everything I have heard from these two indicates massive commercial potential. The songs are fun, hooky, and well-produced. It's hard to fault them. I know there is a computer program out there which one can run songs through, and after crunching the musical numbers, it forecasts the level of potential commercial success. (Ok I agree this is a little sad). Cynicism aside, I can't help thinking JBrown & The Mic Smith songs would be pushing the top end of that program's scores. They seem to have that balance of elements that is often difficult to achieve. I hope this is being noticed by the "big end of town" offshore. You can buy JBrown & The Mic Smith's music at the link below.

http://jbrownmicsmith.bandcamp.com/



JBrown & The Mic Smith - I'd Like To Know (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO HD)

Luckless - Skin & Bones

I had been meaning to post Luckless' "Hawks" for some time, but they have beaten me to it with this video for "Skin & Bones". Luckless is Ivy Rossiter, loop pedal specialist, and Will Wood, percussionist. The music is lyrically-driven and stripped-back to basics creating what I like to think of as an organic mix of elements. I like it. If you want to pigeonhole the music within a genre, indie-folk/rock would probably be appropriate. This is very well put-together video, and beautifully photographed. The video was directed by Ryan Mansfield, edited by Ben Chesters, and produced by James Watson. You can buy Luckless' music at the link below.

http://luckless.bandcamp.com/



Luckless 'Skin & Bones' Official Music Video

Shapeshifter - Diamond Trade

Well this one hasn't disappointed. How Shapeshifter have managed to maintain such a high standard of material over so many years is quite impressive. And there is always some form of aural evolution which gets us past the "been there, done that" hurdle. This time it's the introduction of a "house" feel to their track inventory. "Diamond Trade" is from the new album and is available for download from (this) Friday 9th November. Good looking video as well. If you are interested, the link just below here is for a mini-documentary on the making of the "Diamond Trade" video. Talks about the use of high speed cameras. 5000 frames per second in HD! Nice all-round package chaps!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaWnp86imwA



Shapeshifter - Diamond Trade

Tamaryn - The Garden

A USA/New Zealand hybrid here. Tamaryn is a two-piece fronted by Tamaryn, New Zealand-born, but out of the country for quite a few years now. Meeting Rex John Shelverton in New York in the early 2000s, Tamaryn looks after vocals while Rex handles the instrumental arrangements and production. I assume the two write the songs jointly. Having moved to San Franciso, Rex's hometown, a few years ago, Tamaryn have released two albums..."The Waves" (2010), and "Tender New Signs"(this year). They have been described as a "shoegaze"/"dreampop" fusion and that seems pretty accurate. This is the second of two videos for songs from the second album, the other being "Heavenly Bodies", which I will post at a later date. I really like this band. Not meaning to step on any toes, but a short-hand description might be as a Dear Time's Waste / She's So Rad hybrid. You can buy Tamaryn's music at the link below.

http://www.mexicansummer.com/shop/tamaryn-tender-new-signs/



Tamaryn - "The Garden" (Official Music Video)

Annah Mac - Bucket

Fooood fight! An enjoyable folk-influenced, summer-radio-friendly offering from Annah Mac who has previously been posted on this blog for her "Girl In Stilettos" video. Annah writes good pop songs and "Bucket" is another example. I would like to see something a little more edgy/dissonant from her though. Maybe that is coming? The video for "Bucket" is well-executed and apparently shot on a brand new Sony HD camera. On 1080 HD the photography definitely has superb clarity. You can buy Annah Mac's music at the following link:

http://www.amplifier.co.nz/default,56625.sm



Annah Mac - Bucket

Timmy Schumacher ft. MC Spyda - Rock Out

I got this off Cheese on Toast (www.cheeseontoast.co.nz). I didn't know Auckland's Timmy Schumacher prior to this morning, but I am glad I do now. Of course I now wish I had this video prior to October 31st! Timmy produces/arranges here with MC Spyda from Nottingham, England on the rhymes. Has a bit of "Firestarter" feel to it - as well as "Come Dancing"! (The Kinks 1982). The superb, well-edited, and rather scary video is directed by Marc Swade. For more from Timmy Schumacher, go to the link below:

 http://soundcloud.com/timmy-schumacher



Timmy Schumacher ft. MC Spyda 'Rock Out'.  Director - Marc Swade

The Phoenix Foundation - Bright Grey

2007's "Bright Grey" single was a bit of a benchmark for The Phoenix Foundation, bringing a new group of listeners to the band. The "Happy Ending" album was also (IMHO) a creative highpoint, followed in late 2009 by the "Merry Kriskmass" EP which was a disappointment to many. Fortunately we had 2010's superb "Buffalo" to follow.  The "Bright Grey" video was directed by Taika Waititi, and for the usual modest budget, reveals no limitations, working perfectly with the song using a retro 70s/80s device. They even managed to get a De Lorean into the video. The Phoenix Foundation remain one of my all-time favourite bands.



The Phoenix Foundation - Bright Grey

Spycc - In Love

As a purposely-inclusive music blogger looking to reward talent, I often have to cross borders that are difficult for someone from a cosy, white-middle-class, politically-correct base reality. Sometimes some of the artists I listen to reflect perspectives that I don't necessarily concur with. But these are personal stories being told, and I must reward talent. Spycc's "Self-Progression" EP is one of my releases of the year. The songs are well-constructed, well-produced, well-performed - challenging sometimes, and an absolute pleasure to the ear. This video, clearly done on the cheap, but nonetheless pretty good (dir. Danny Aumua), is for "In Love", off the EP, which is downloadable for free (it shouldn't be). You can find the EP at the link below:

http://spyccmusic.tumblr.com/



Spycc - In Love