New Video: Bajofondo - Lluvia

Bajofondo have a new video for their latest single, Lluvia off their album, Presente. To me the real beauty of this song are the poetry of the lyrics, about life's up and downs, and how we wait for the rain to cleanse the streets of city and get rid of the darkness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Gw7ZNifhqmo

If you live in the Los Angeles area, they will be in town at the  House of Blues Sunset Strip with Shuggie Otis on August 29th, 2013. 

New Video: Janelle Monáe - Dance Apocalyptic

Okay, I am not obsessed with Janelle Monáe or maybe I really am? This just happens to my third post on her in a week. To me she is one of those artists that has been able to tap into the soul of music and uses it to create fun and magical moments even when delivering a message through her lyrics. 

Take this song for instance, it is about the end of the world and dancing all the way until it ends. When you hear the song, you think it's a peppy, happy-go-lucky song. There is always more to her music, you just have to listen or pay attention. I love how serious she takes her craft. 

Why worry about the end? Just dance until it ends! And now please enjoy this video: 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaMBagakSdM#at=20

New Song: M.I.A. - Only 1 U

M.I.A is teasing us with a new track that premiered on a London radio show and has M.I.A. and it has fans everywhere clamoring to hear it. There is no word if the track, Only 1 U will be part of her new album MATANGI due out later this year.

M.I.A. tweeted instructions on how to listen to the track:

#ONLY1U instruction > keep away from LAP TOPS play in #REALSPEAKERS #LOUD. in direct sun light or in a dingy room #BASS on #dingdingding
— M.I.A (@MIAuniverse) July 2, 2013

So now that you have the listening instructions, here you go:

http://youtu.be/S3gHdTfok24

Video: Janelle Monáe closes BET Awards

Janelle Monáe closed out the 2013 BET Awards last night with a great performance of her funky big bass and empowering anthem, Q.U.E.E.N, she was joined onstage by Erykah Badu who's featured on the single.

Monáe delivered a message without being preachy, was sexy but classy without being obvious & flashy about it and there was no need to lyp-synch unlike some other performers before her. This was and is the real deal.

All you other so called "artists" need to take notes on how it's done or just step aside and let Ms. Janelle Monáe do her thing.

I can't wait to hear this song live, but until then enjoy the live version. 

Be warned your booty may shake just as the lyrics state, "the booty don't lie."

New Song: Janelle Monáe - Dance Apocalyptic

My favorite ArchAndroid, Janelle Monáe is teasing us with a new song titled Dance Apocalyptic from her upcoming album The Electric Lady due out Sept 9th, 2013.

The song is very peppy and fun and out just in time for summer bbq's.

https://soundcloud.com/atlanticrecords/janelle-mon-e-dance 

There is also a video in the works: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcwsCugjU0g

New Vid: M.I.A. - Bring The Noize (2 editions)

M.I.A. is back with not just one but two editions of her video for her latest single, Bring the Noize off her upcoming album MATANGI.

Version one everyone in the video is wearing white and only a few pops of color appear like her hot pink wig, some club lights and some gold plated scenes.

http://youtu.be/cCkIYkaLBGs

Version Two is the Matangi Gold Edition - Everything is gold plated and it all looks embossed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJPS40yBKWk

Either way, I am glad to have new music from M.I.A. just in time for summer!

I am back to posting!!!

Hello again!

After not posting much for almost over a month, I realized that I still want to do this and I will change the format slightly to include events in the L.A. area. 

At one point I will be switching to something else perhaps a website with a new more encompassing name but for now I will continue to post periodically. 

I do enjoy doing this and while the time away was good. 

There is just way too much good music out there that needs to disseminated.

Hope you are having a great summer. 

Regards, 
El Güido 

New Vid: Q.U.E.E.N by Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu

Janelle Monáe is back with a new video for her single, Q.U.E.E.N. that features Badoula Oblongata aka another one of Erykah Badu's alter egos. Q.U.E.E.N. is the first single from Monáe’s upcoming album The Electric Lady, which doesn’t have a release date yet. It’s the follow-up to Monáe’s critically-acclaimed and amazing album, The ArchAndroid. 

The video is very stylish and Monáe even dons a chic new hairdo which looks great on her but I still love her with her iconic pompadour. Looking forward to hearing more from this album. 

For now, turn up the bass on your speakers and shake it because as the lyrics say, "the booty don't lie."

You can buy  Q.U.E.E.N on iTunes here. 

Enjoy & support! 

 

http://youtu.be/tEddixS-UoU

My Latest Remezcla Article: Review - La Santa Cecilia's EL Hielo (Ice)

Here's an excerpt of my latest article for Remezcla. This time it was a song review on the latest single for one of my favorite L.A. bands, La Santa Cecilia beautiful new single, El Hielo (Ice).  




from the article published in Remezcla on 2/7/13: 
 
There are an estimated 2.8 million immigrants living in the U.S. Many left their home countries in hopes of a better future and in pursuit of the illusive “American Dream.” These immigrants are part of a shadow workforce that faces daily barriers, live under persecution and with constant fear of being deported just to provide for their families. On their moving new single, “El Hielo (Ice),” La Santa Cecilia brings into the limelight some of the people that strive to survive, day in and day out. The tragically beautiful and melancholic track uses some of these stories as inspiration to address this poignant issue in a melodious way.

You can read the rest of the article and hear El Hielo (Ice) here: 

 http://music.remezcla.com/2013/latin/review-la-santa-cecilia-el-hielo-ice/ 

Meet Divine Fits (Coachella 2013 Artist)

Divine Fits was formed after Spoon's Britt Daniel suggested to Wolf Parade's Dan Boeckner and it wasn't long before their first performance came about and then their first album, A Thing Called Divine Fits. 

Divine Fits play Coachella Friday April 12 & 19. 

Below I have compiled a link to hear their first album and some videos to get to know them better. 

http://youtu.be/HqKESoRWitU

http://youtu.be/8NqbhygoDSA

http://youtu.be/aoJt3zFl3fg

Meet Robert DeLong (Coachella 2013 Artist)

Billboard describes Robert Delong's story very well: 

“Here’s a story you don’t hear much anymore in this YouTube sensation(!), social media era: Aspiring musician practices for hours daily and plays live shows until he’s spotted by a label exec, who signs him to a record deal. That’s what happened for Robert DeLong, the Los Angeles multi-instrumentalist whose striking debut album “Just Movement,” comes out on Feb. 5 through Glassnote Records. Trained as a drummer, DeLong has created a sound that reflects his dance music influences and an indie-rock sensibility that’s as club-ready as it is headphone-friendly. Its release is just days away, but stream the full LP exclusively on Billboard.com”

—BILLBOARD.COM

Click here to stream the new album ‘Just Movement’!

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/code/1537551/robert-delong-just-movement-exclusive-album-premiere

Below are some additional songs and videos to get to know Robert DeLong better. 

He plays Coachella April 14 & 21st

http://youtu.be/nnSyu4eZkZ4 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzQa7eIoMgU

Meet: Kids These Days (Coachella 2013 Artist)

Chicago based, Kids These Days have a funky mixture of hip hop, soul and jazz with live horns, several singers, MC's and everything. 

You can say they are kind of like a younger version of The Roots but not they are not strictly hip hop.

Their excellent album Traphouse Rock produced by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy is available as a free download.  
Yes, absolutely free! What are you waiting for? It's free music!

They have a popular song, Doo-Wah where they use the music of The Pixies in a very interesting way.

Kids These Days play Coachella Saturday, April 13 & 20.

Below is a compilation of their songs and videos to help you get to know them more. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4DAUMuvBmM&feature=share&list=UUE0BAKx5m2_xM0QV9gonIvA

http://youtu.be/_60ihLGHylc

Meet: Vintage Trouble (Coachella 2013 Artist)

Vintage Trouble (VT) are a rock & soul band that formed in Hollywood. They have one album out, The Bomb Shelter Sessions. This is perfect for fans of Jimi Hendrix and classic rock and roll and soul done just right. They are one of my favorite lineup discoveries and I am excited to see them live!

Their electric performances have made Vintage Trouble rise to the top and they are currently the opening act for The Who's North American tour.

Their fans have become known as Troublemakers and are considered a key component to their success and live shows .

Want to become a Troublemaker?

VT play Coachella on Saturday April 13 & 20.

Take a listen, feel the groove and become a troublemaker:    

http://youtu.be/6fbMmrDItSg 

http://youtu.be/cqnfXq6o_Fo 

http://youtu.be/5pDr7cQgTHk

http://youtu.be/ThZZnS4Jvwc

Meet: Purity Ring (Coachella 2013 Artist)

Canadian electronic synth-dream-pop duo, Purity Ring formed in 2010 and is made up by vocalist Megan James and Corin Roddick who does the music.

Their music has an electronic synth-pop that has described by some as indietronica.

They have one full length album, Shrines. Recently, they released a cover of the song Grammy by Soulja Boy.

Purity Ring plays Coachella on Friday, April 12 & 19. 

You should get there early for them.

Below are some songs and videos to get to know them better whether you are going to the festival or not:

http://youtu.be/Xqw4wo8vdY8

http://youtu.be/PmRraoL9v7k 

http://youtu.be/wVcOwVD4V30

New Video: Bajofondo - Pide Piso

I previously put up Bajofondo's new song, Pide Piso and now there is an official video for the song. 

Bajofondo's new album in five years titled Presente will be released on March 5th, 2013. 

The video is released just in time for Valentine's Day, it is like an 8-bit video game about love and dance. Check it out:

 

http://youtu.be/M8SVYDvMVzY

Watch the 2013 Grammys Best Performances

The Grammys were held last night and I must admit that this year the performances were rather blah. Even the much anticipated and overhyped return of Justin Timberlake to the stage was underwhelming. Other performers relied on the theatrics and production more to put on a show but there were a few performances that I felt stole the show and revived it for intervals the few minutes they were on. 

The performance that was my favorite of the night was Jack White's who wore an awesome suit and brought some good old energetic rock and roll to the Grammy stage and performed Love Interruption and Freedom at 21 from his nominated album Blunderbuss. This is how it's done! Others take note!

Jack White - Love Interruption & Freedom At 21... by IdolxMuzic

The next performance that was memorable was the Grammy tribute to Levon Helm, the drummer/singer for The Band.  The tributes at the Grammys even though they mean well usually come off as trite and contrived (like the horrible tribute to Bob Marley) but this one included an all-star band of legends and soon to be legends covering The Weight: Elton John, Mavis Staples, T. Bone Burnett, Zac Brown, Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, and Mumford & Sons.

Zac brown Band Elton John Mumford Sons Mavis... by dm_51181cced0274

Another performance that revived the show was The Black Keys who was joined by Dr. John and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band for a great rendition of their hit "Lonely Boy." It definitely felt like Mardi Gras came a week earlier to L.A. I hope The Black Keys consider recording with them as it sounded great.

The Black Keys - Lonely Boy - Grammys 2013 by IdolxMuzic

One of the surprises of the night was Miguel who I had heard recorded but had no idea what he would sound like live. He performed Adorn with Whiz Khalifa (who was just there for me and was unnecessary) but Miguel's voice live was just amazingly smooth! He's definitely an act to watch out for in the next few years.

 

Miguel Adorn Live at the 2013 grammy's by f1533382024

New video - Beck epically reimagines Bowie

This amazing feat was pulled off last week at 20th Century Fox Studios and you can now see the full live performance of the song not even a week later. This is a great concept for covering songs and perhaps in the near future it will become a series of recordings by Beck or even other artists doing renditions in such an epic and innovative way. The musicians were conducted by Beck's dad, David Campbell.

text from youtube video:

The Hello, Again performance started with an idea -- Beck would reimagine David Bowie's classic, "Sound and Vision." But it became more than another cover. It became an experience that presented a fresh take on the possibilities of the once familiar, for both the audience and the performers.

In collaboration with Beck and a "band" of more than 160 diverse musicians, Director Chris Milk created a concert experience that was fully immersive for both the audience and the performers. By capturing the concert with 360-degree cameras and binaural microphones, online viewers will have the opportunity to experience the show from any and every seat in the house. 

Coming soon to www.hello-again.com.

Watch the full performance below with out the 360-degree that will come soon:

http://youtu.be/QnOmrDzRrGQ

Below is the original version by David Bowie if you want to compare it to Beck's reimagined rendition:

http://youtu.be/6IJsAuUgSgc

New Song - The Postal Service - A Tattered Line of String

The Postal Service have a new song, A Tattered Line of String from their forthcoming 10th Anniversary deluxe reissue of their only album Give Up.

The song features Jenny Lewis who will be also joining them on the road in their upcoming reunion tour that includes both weekends of Coachella in April.

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

New song: Mala Rodríguez - La Rata

One of my favorite MC's ever, Spain's Grammy-winning La Mala Rodríguez has a new song out from her forthcoming new album. Check it out:

Mala Rodríguez - La Rata:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E7eIQrrGxY

Meet: The Lumineers (Coachella 2013 Artist)

There are quite a few roots revivalists acts out now and I am pretty sure that by now you have heard The Lumineers. Their music particularly their song Ho Hey has been used in several commercials, movie trailers and can be heard just about anywhere there is a radio nearby.

Chances are you already know them, but here's an opportunity to get to know them even more or to get to know them completely if you haven't hear of them yet. 

The Lumineers may not have the most original sound. In fact, they have said that they are not trying to reinvent the wheel. They are really good at what they do, writing simple and relatable songs. These songs along with their old-time instrumentation adds personality and gives each song their own vibe.

The Lumineers are set to play Coachella Sunday April 14 & 21

Below are some songs and videos for you to listen to and get to know them: 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvCBSSwgtg4

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

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6e5wxzPsQM