Monday, April 21, 2008

Interested in personal musical selectionals

Just back from a weekend climbing trip to Pinnacles (maybe to be discussed in a future post), and my calendar says that - ooh yeah! - it's time for more live music this week.

First up, I *might* be recruited into going to back to Popscene this Thursday - so soon, I know - to see Scottsman wunderkinder Calvin Harris do his R&B-influenced dance electro act before he goes on to play Coachella Saturday. While his music doesn't blow me away - it's not quite "full" enough for me - I think it'd be fun to see live; in fact, I think it'd be more than acceptable (video).

On a more definite and must-see note, I've got tickets for the Cut Copy / Simian Mobile Disco (SMD) show this Saturday at Mezzanine; this thing is madsoldout.. and with good reason. Cut Copy is one of the most underrated groups putting out bright, guitar-driven new wave dance music (live and direct from Australia); their latest album "In Ghost Colours" has really grown on me; I play it all the time, sometimes in the background and sometimes when I'm getting psyched-up to go out (it's that versatile). Check out some of their new tracks on their myspace page.

And as for SMD, well, they've been crazyprolific this past year, releasing an awesome buzzing dance album called "Attack Decay Sustain Release", DJing 'round the clubs, and doing some great remixing/producing this way and that. Yeah, these guys have been on heavy rotation everywhere - mix CDs galore - especially via the singles (and various mixes of) "Hustler" (video) and "It's the Beat" (video). If you haven't heard the album in its entirety, get thee to Aquarius Records or Amoeba and give it a go!

This last opportunity just came across my desk late this past week. It seems The Bloody Beatroots are back in SF - remember I saw them at Popscene a few weeks ago? - and playing a DJ set with the LA Riots at Rickshaw Stop a week from Tuesday (i.e. the 29th). The show is FREE with rsvp (because it's part of a small, 4-city tour sponsored by Scion - the car folks). Yeah, so I've already mentioned that I loved seeing The Bloody Beatroots throw down their crazy Italian bangers, so I'll leave it at that..

But the LA Riots should also bring a great party; I've been looking out for these guys to come up to San Francisco ever since I started hearing about them (and checking out their work) on Discobelle and Disco Dust (and other in-the-know Internet peeps). These guys are best know for their remix work for such heavy-hitters like Justice and Kylie Minogue, but they throw down at the clubs pretty regularly (as far as I can tell). Check out one of their many mixtapes online to get a feel for their rockin' - rockin' in the freshdancebangers sense of the word, of course - aesthetic. I say yes! to their selection of Das Pop, MSTRKRFT and Count & Sinden; the LA Riots should be very proud. haha.

In any case, I haven't really put the word out on this one yet, but if anyone is interested, let me know; I can pretty easily be mobilized. Just note that this shizz is on a schoolnight, so be prepared to limp into work Wednesday morning. ;)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the new Cut Copy record and Can't wait to see them on Saturday! Only time I ever saw Cut Copy live was about three years ago at Popscene where the band played a late night live set after opening for Franz Ferdinand @ the Civic.

This Thursday is gonna be nuts for Calvin Harris, too! I hear he plays with like a 7 piece full band, damn. First show in America. My mates back in London caught Calvin live last year and still rave about that show.

later,
Darren

Eric said...

Yo Darren,

Thanks for the comments..

Huh.. now you got me leaning towards seeing the Calvin Harris show. I was just talking to my friend today and we decided to "play it by ear" on Thursday night, but now I might be the one to push us to go! If you checked out my Bloody Beetroots post (03/14/08), you know I have a slight hesitancy about seeing shows at Popscene.. given that it's an 18+ venue and I'm 29 (and my friend is 27); still I'll rock out there no problem for the right show. haha.

In any case, I'll definitely be at Mezzanine for Cut Copy, so feel free to say hey. Man, I know that night is going to be kickass (and packed to the gills); I'm ready. ;) In fact, I'm playing Ghost Colours right now and it's getting me psyched..

Anonymous said...

Yeah, that new Cut Copy record is a top 10 2008 contender, easily!

Also, really like new music from The Presets, Bag Raiders, Big Face, Hercules and Love Affair and Pacific. (all really good nu-electronic stuff)

Bummed i missed Bloody Beatroots @ popscene!

And yeah, I know Popscene is an 18+ party, and I'm actually 33 (my GF is 29) but it doesn't bother us at all 'cause they get such great events there! (and the energy at the party is pretty nuts and un-jaded, and we dig that)

We do select which shows to attend and are NOT weekly regulars.

The funny thing is that I was born and raised in SF and have been going to popscene for years... Its always been an 18+ party since it started back in 1997 or whatever and sadly it seems that I'M just getting fuckin' older, ugh.

And plus, We go to shows at Slim's, Fillmore and Rickshaw and those are ALL ages.

Mezzanine on Saturday is gonna off-da-hook and get there early for Black Kids (cool new quirky leftfield/ indie-pop act from Florida on Calvin Harris' record label)

late!

-Darren

Anonymous said...

Please tell me Eric you made it out last night for Cavlin Harris!

Amazing show, holy fuck!!!!

See you tomorrow for Cut Copy

late,
Darren