DDOSBS#11 - The Temper Trap

Back in 2006, an unknown rock band from Melbourne put out their self-titled EP The Temper Trap, giving the world a taste of what was to come.

Throbbing rhythms, grand instrumentation and far-reaching vocals.

Their debut album is yet to drop, but these guys could well be the sound of 2009. July 19th, why don't you nudge on over here.

DDOSBS#10 - Devandra Banhard

From the moment Devandra Banhard kicked off his musical career in 2002, the Texas-born singer-songwriter seems to have been on a desperate odyssey to touch upon every possible music genre known to man.
In his most recent 2007 production 'Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon' alone it's easy to distinguish the sounds of samba, motown, doo-wop and latin rock, amongst others.

Conveniently, in the mid 2000s, the term New Weird America was coined to describe such explorers as Devandra. Consider this style as a sub-genre of Psych Folk in which inspirations can be drawn on an endless array of musical influences, whether free jazz, heavy metal or noise music.
It gets rather technical if you look into it, so just give it a listen instead:

For something lighthearted:
Devandra Banhard - Lover



For more of a classic-rock epic:
Devandra Banhard - Seahorse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFMIYz0TZ-U

DDOSBS#9 - Shinichi Osawa

Normally, we don’t hear too much from the Japanese music scene (and we’re not talking about the bleep-bloop tunes of Mario that we do know very well), mostly because of the language.

In the house genre though, there are some guys that can really kick it. Take Shinichi Osawa (1967!). Formerly releasing records under the name Mondo Grosso, he’s done a lot of Acid Jazz, House, and Electro House.

This track would fall somewhere in between these styles with a sturdy guitar and vocals by Au Revoir Simone added, making for a kick-ass interpretation of the Chemical Brothers' original.

It's all in the build-up.

Shinichi Osawa - Star Guitar

DDOSBS#8 - The Virgins

The story of the New York band The Virgins is one of in-the-fast-lane to success.

Two of the members met while modeling at a photo shoot. They formed a band, recruiting another member and started passing out their demo EP (5 songs) to DJ, artist and model friends. Within no time they were ‘the new thing’ in the NYC hipster scene and started opening for other bands.

A record label took notice and signed the front man of the band, Donald Cumming. Voila, the band recorded an album and their music was almost immediately featured on several TV shows and one of their tracks made it into the Rolling Stone's "100 Best Songs of 2008".

Catchy tune.

The Virgins - Hey, Hey Girl

(Don't mind the video, it's the only one available)

DDOSBS#7 - Plantlife

When the summer inevitably breaks, it sets the mood for chilled out music.

The musical style of Plant Life came about when two from the hip-hop scene became tired of what was going on there in the late 90's. They chose to take a musical path uninfluenced by what was currently 'happening'. It just had to feel good to them.

They didn't even plan on releasing the music they made at the time. This is how their vintage-feel funk came about.

This version is beautifully remixed into a chilled out summer tune.

Plant Life - When She Smiles She Lights The Sky (4Hero Remix)

DDOSBS#6 - Q-Tip

As a glimpse of Q-Tip’s solo career indicates, the New York rapper and 'A Tribe Called Quest' member has been on a desperate search to find his balance on the fence that separates commercial hiphop-corruption from subterraneal over-abstraction.

After his “pop-sellout” labeled 'Amplified' and his too-leftfield-to-be-released follow-up 'Kamaal the Abstract', Q-Tip seems to have hit a homerun with his third solo product 'The Renaissance'.

In "Manwomanboogie", Q has enough funky basslines, cross-era musical referances and mellow one-liners to go around.

Q-Tip - Manwomanboogie (Feat. Amanda Diva)

DDOSBS#5 - Django Reinhardt

From gypsy origins and destined to become a jazz star. That was Django Reinhardt. His style is very characteristic and recognizable.

In the first half of the 20th century this Belgian artist made a name for himself and performed together with the likes of Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie.

For some reason, this music makes me think of France.

Django Reinhardt - I'll See You In My Dreams

DDOSBS#4 - Tommy Sparks

This Swedish multi-instumentalist seems more than ready to conquer the pop-world with his musical combustion of jaunty lyrics, energetic hooks and his music video's lightsaber wielding fatmen in tights.

See for yourself.

The full album should be out next month.

Tommy Sparks - She's Got Me Dancing

DDOSBS#3 - Groove-Lexada

In techno/house, there are many sub-styles to be discovered. One particularly has been gaining some popularity over the past time. This is Minimal-Techno, or just Minimal.

While some people inherently dislike the style, opinions are also polarized the other way, some people solely want this type of music.

A characteristic of this fairly new sub-style of the techno genre is that the style focuses on rhythm and repetition, and not so much on melody and linear progression, as most styles do. Minimal is deemed as somewhat underground, going back to the basics of techno.

This minimalistic view is also found in other arts like architecture, design and visual art. Minimal Techno is its occurrence within House music. The origins of minimalist aesthetics go back to the early 20th century German Bauhaus style, to put this music-style in a larger context.

This particular song has some of the Minimal Techno elements in it, although Minimal purists would still say there is too much melody throughout.

Turn up your speakers. No matter your personal liking, you've gotta admit, this song has some bounce to it.

Groove-Lexada - Pull The Trigger

DDOSBS#2 - Bell X1

For the past couple years, indie rock band Bell X1 has been on the uprise, stepping out of the seemingly interminable shadow that fellow-Irishmen U2 have cast upon Emerald Isle's rock scene.

The band was formerly known as 'Juniper' before frontman Damien Rice called it quits.

In "Rocky Took a Lover" the band's characteristic style can be heard. A tug-of-war between Noonan's grainy, narrative voice and the refrain of chiming piano chords leads to its satisfying harmonious conclusion.

Bell X1 - Rocky Took a Lover

DDOSBS#1 - P Square

In general, it's difficult for African musicians to penetrate the Western music scene.
Quite a pity, seeing how there are some great artists around the continent, who produce songs that could successfully compete with what IS popular.

Although this duo has held the #1 position on MTV Base with one of their videos, a good example are these Nigerian artists, twin brothers.

Their popularity is especially considerable in Cape Town, where Audi sales skyrocketed after P Square used one of its cars in their music video.

P Square - Do Me