Like any hipster, I would like to attribute my slender physique to strict regime of cigarettes, illegal substances and a lack of nourishment; however, every hipster needs to work it out every once in a while. Unfortunately, I find my beloved lo-fi indie-folk-pop-rock fusions are not quite suited to sweating it out at the gym. So at times when I need something with a little more of a beat, where do I turn? Recently, it has been to Sufjan Stevens’ epic musical joyride, “Illinoise“–with a twist.
NYC-based alt-hip hop duo Metermaids have mashed-up their debut album “Nightlife,” an album acclaimed for its high energy blend of rap, rock, pop and funk, with Stevens‘ “Illinoise.”Yes, you read that right. Somehow, the combination works. Set to swelling violins, horns, banjos and ethereal loops of the Illinoisemakers’ vocals, the Metermaids’ lyrics and beats make Sufjan sound edgier than I ever believed possible on “Nightlife in Illinoise.” Don’t believe me? Take a listen to “A Breakdown In Chicago, or, How To Sabotage Your Own Happiness In Two Easy Steps.”
The Metermaids offer mash ups of five more tracks from “Illinoise,” the six instrumental versions of those mash ups and a must-have remix of “The Avalanche.” The best part? It’s entirely free. You’ve got nothing to lose. Whether you’re a fan of Sufjan, hip hop or free music, click over to the Metermaids’ Nightlife in Illinoise page, check out the tracks and accept the Metermaids’ invitiation to Come on! Refeel the Illinoise.
It had been a month since the blog was updated, and it was in need of updating.
“The blog needs updating,” said the Little Red Hipster. “Who will update the blog?”
“Not I,” said the Bob.
“Not I,” said the Cat.
“Not I,” said the Bobcat Cat.
“Then I will,” said the Little Red Hipster. And she did.
My apologies once again. I was expecting a post from Bobcat shortly following my own, but, alas, when a job needs to be done, do it yourself. (That is possibly the least hipster sentiment I’ve ever expressed in this blog, aside from my love of Barenaked Ladies. A real hipster would just glare at the job with apathetic rage until it did itself.) I really have no excuse for not updating, disregarding bouts of sickness and looming deadlines that lead to decisions that will affect the rest of my life. Bobcat, on the other hand, is playing with her new rabbit. Naturally, when I thought about what I should write about, flaming Conor Oberst sounded like an excellent idea–but then I thought, “Hey, I’ve been listening to a lot of Emilíana Torrini lately.”
Emilíana Torrini hails from Iceland, the land of swan dresses and Björk, and is best known for providing the vocals for “Gollum’s Song” for Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. And apparently she put out a new album. Who knew? Me and Armini, which dropped on September 9th, is a mix of genres from folk to reggae and country to jazz with a common Emilíana-spin. Never over-orchestrated or over-produced, each song features simple guitar and drum arrangements backing Emilíana’s unique vocals; her raspy voice constantly straddles the line between juvenile, bubbly innocence and breathy, world-weary maturity. Her slower, softer, stripped-down numbers often sound like songs meant only for the singer’s own ears–something private and vulnerable you were lucky enough to happen to eavesdrop on. But I digress–I’ve read only good things about this follow-up of Fisherman’s Woman (the follow-up of the popular, but drastically different Love in the Time of Science).
My pick is Heartstopper, a favorite of mine from 2005′s Fisherman’s Woman. It’s a simple enough song about everything in life seeming to fall apart all at once. The contrast between the slow, vulnerable chorus and the comparatively chaotic arrangement and the strength of Emilíana’s voice in the verses has always gotten me and my cold, apathetic heart. I’m not a huge fan of music videos usually, but this one is worth a watch or two (or ten). Seriously.
Going from stopped hearts to hearts beating like jungle drums, my pick from the new album is the infectiously catchy Jungle Drum.
Other highlights for me from the new album were Fireheads, Big Jumps, Gun and Bleeder.
For more on Emilíana Torrini, check out her official site and myspace page.
Also, if you would be so kind as to look in the sidebar, you can find many ways to keep in touch with us. If you would be so kind as to select the way that best suits you, please feel free to leave Bobcat angry messages (or comments!) demanding updates. ‘Til next time (which hopefully won’t be another month away): stay hip, kids.
That’s right. Bobcat and I have decided it’s time to mix it up–mixtape it up, that is. Allow me to introduce to you:
Each month, we’ll provide you with a track list. Here’s the catch: Each track must fit under certain guidelines while still preserving the flow of the mixtape–you know, giving it that holistic je ne sais quoi. Also, we discourage artist repetition on a single mixtape unless it is entirely necessary. That may sound like a loosely enforced rule, but know that if we think you’re taking the easy way out, we shall look down upon you. And we all know that it’s no fun to be the target of hipster scorn.
So, as we embark on this monthly musical scavenger hunt of sorts, Bobcat and I hope you will join us and leave your own mixtape track listings in the comments, link us to reply blog, drop us an email with them, etc. Despite the fact that we’re positive we have musical tastes superior to those of the entire rest of humanity, we really do want to know what you guys are listening to (if solely for the purpose of mocking it in the privacy of our own homes). Without further ado, I give you the first Mix(tape) It Up! Challenge:
A song with an impressive intro:
A song with a literary allusion:
A song released 20+ years ago:
A rap song that fits within the realm of hipsterness:
A song by the first band you saw in concert:
A song that mentions or alludes (clearly) to a historical figure:
A song employing a foreign language either in part or whole:
A song that describes your hometown:
A song that mentions fruit:
The most heart wrenchingly sad song you know:
A song containing alliteration:
An unlikely cover:
A song that name drops another artist:
A song by the band you most swoon over:
A song about endings:
Bobcat and I will be posting our own responses in the near future, but we mostly want to hear back from you. So take a stab at it! We challenge you.
Like any hipster, I would like to attribute my slender physique to strict regime of cigarettes, illegal substances and a lack of nourishment; however, every hipster needs to work it out every once in a while. Unfortunately, I find my beloved lo-fi indie-folk-pop-rock fusions are not quite suited to sweating it out at the gym. So at times when I need something with a little more of a beat, where do I turn? Recently, it has been to Sufjan Stevens’ epic musical joyride, “Illinoise“–with a twist.
It was quite a Heartstopper when I saw Hipsters Don’t Lie was updated.
It had been a month since the blog was updated, and it was in need of updating.
“The blog needs updating,” said the Little Red Hipster. “Who will update the blog?”
“Not I,” said the Bob.
“Not I,” said the Cat.
“Not I,” said the Bobcat Cat.
“Then I will,” said the Little Red Hipster. And she did.
Emilíana Torrini hails from Iceland, the land of swan dresses and Björk, and is best known for providing the vocals for “Gollum’s Song” for Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. And apparently she put out a new album. Who knew? Me and Armini, which dropped on September 9th, is a mix of genres from folk to reggae and country to jazz with a common Emilíana-spin. Never over-orchestrated or over-produced, each song features simple guitar and drum arrangements backing Emilíana’s unique vocals; her raspy voice constantly straddles the line between juvenile, bubbly innocence and breathy, world-weary maturity. Her slower, softer, stripped-down numbers often sound like songs meant only for the singer’s own ears–something private and vulnerable you were lucky enough to happen to eavesdrop on. But I digress–I’ve read only good things about this follow-up of Fisherman’s Woman (the follow-up of the popular, but drastically different Love in the Time of Science).
My pick is Heartstopper, a favorite of mine from 2005′s Fisherman’s Woman. It’s a simple enough song about everything in life seeming to fall apart all at once. The contrast between the slow, vulnerable chorus and the comparatively chaotic arrangement and the strength of Emilíana’s voice in the verses has always gotten me and my cold, apathetic heart. I’m not a huge fan of music videos usually, but this one is worth a watch or two (or ten). Seriously.
Going from stopped hearts to hearts beating like jungle drums, my pick from the new album is the infectiously catchy Jungle Drum.
Other highlights for me from the new album were Fireheads, Big Jumps, Gun and Bleeder.
For more on Emilíana Torrini, check out her official site and myspace page.
Also, if you would be so kind as to look in the sidebar, you can find many ways to keep in touch with us. If you would be so kind as to select the way that best suits you, please feel free to leave Bobcat angry messages (or comments!) demanding updates. ‘Til next time (which hopefully won’t be another month away): stay hip, kids.
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Posted in Folk, Indie, Music, Pop
Tagged " said the cat, angry comments, angry messages, apathetic rage, Barenaked Ladies, Big Jumps, Björk, Bleeder, Bobcat Cat, Conor Oberst, country, demand updates, Emiliana Torrini, Fireheads, Fisherman's Woman, folk, Gollum's Song, Gun, Heartstopper, hipster, Iceland, jazz, Jungle Drum, Little Red Hipster, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Love in the Time of Science, Me and Armini, not Bjork, not I, rabbits, reggae, sickness, swan dresses, the Little Red Hen