Check out this incredible jazz version of Daft Punk‘s instant disco funk classic, “Get Lucky”, as re-interpreted by The Stepkids! Their version has actually made it to the Wikipedia page for “Get Lucky”. Check out paragraph 2 in the ‘Release’ section. Make sure you come out on Wednesday (5/22/13) night to Brooklyn Bowl, so you can see the band live for yourself. Who knows, maybe they’ll do a full out electric version of this cover…I wouldn’t want to miss that! Just like I wouldn’t want to miss the chance to see the band, and many others this year at Bonnaroo. Every attendee will be automatically entered to win 2 passes to the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival!
Get your discounted tickets for Wednesday’s show, in advance here.
This snazzy trio can’t be defined by any one genre of music. They’re folk, neo/classic soul and 20th century classical with punk and jazz all rolled into one funky band. And I’m sure you could throw in some other varieties as well. This is what they pride themselves on. They prefer not to have a specific, singular sound. How do The Stepkids define “The Stepkids”? “Psychedelia for the 21st century.”
The three dashing members, Jeff Gitelman (guitar), Tim Walsh (drums), and Dan Edinberg (bass and keyboards) have had much experience in the music industry, specifically with R&B and Hip-Hop, before the creation of The Stepkids. They toured with the likes of Alicia Keys, 50 Cent, and Lauryn Hill as a backing group.
Just as they don’t have a singular sound, they don’t have a singular “lead” singer. They are constantly emphasizing the importance of each member contributing equally. They all write the lyrics together and they all sing together, as a whole.
To get the full experience, you really need to see them in person. Watching this video of their live performance for “Suburban Dream” is getting me stoked for their Brooklyn performance. They also have a number of hilarious, mind-tripping videos that are worth checking out, but they just don’t do the trio justice. Come see them for yourself. LIVE. You won’t be disappointed. Plus, one of my all time favorites is opening for them, so get there early!
For the last three months, I haven’t been able to get these girls out of my memory. Once again, I’m a little late to post, since they released their first official video for the single “Forever” a month ago. With a guitar riff that calls to memory Michael Jackson‘s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”, this song should definitely be in the discussion for song of the summer. Many critics have likened the band to a cross between Fleetwood Mac and En Vogue, but I’m getting more of a cross between MJ and The Pretenders. Watch the video below, and make sure to check out my previous posts about Haim, here and here.
To pick up where I left off two weeks ago, and a nice follow up to Friday’s jammy post is another feature on LA based jazz wizard Thundercat. I did a promo piece on him back in January, when he headlined SOB’s in NYC. Well here is the lead single of his amazing debut album, The Golden Age of Apocalypse. The song is “Daylight”, and this video was filmed live at The Echo on September 5, 2011 for his album release show. Watch as Thundercat and his band absolutely tear it up.
Toro Y Moi is the stage name of Chaz Bundick. The 25 year old is a native of South Carolina, and has been credited, along with fellow luminary and friend Ernest Greene a.k.a. Washed Out for starting the chillwave movement. Greene is from Georgia, and it may be the slower pace of life and southern hospitality that bred the style both of them happened upon back in 2009/2010, but it appears that especially Bundick has evolved past that ambiguous tag to create something a little more complex than the soundtrack to a “Life of Leisure” spent wasting away at the beach. Check out the single “New Beat” from his sophomore album Underneath the Pine. Bundick has incorporated much more funk and disco into his sound, which already drew from a strong foundation growing up listening to R&B/Soul music. The bass line, which is mimicked in a synth, sounds like a variation on the motif in Michael Jackson‘s “Baby Be Mine”. Any homage to the King of Pop is welcome in my book.
Just to close out this week’s theme, is a disco-punk staple from the UK juggernaut Friendly Fires. They are a prime example of how much cooler dance music is when performed by an actual band. Having seen them live, they also prove that live music trumps a polished studio cut just about every time. With a little time and space to breathe the band offers some extended breaks in choice songs to give the effect of a DJ spinning in a packed dance club where the crowd is truly entranced by the beats being served. Watch the video for “Skeleton Boy” below, and try to tell me you’re not ready for the floor now.
