On their 2009 debut Aim and Ignite, NYC-based alt-pop rockers fun. delivered ten tracks that were as whimsical as they were riotous. The band (founded by The Format’s Nate Ruess) returns next year with Some Nights, the band’s major label debut. “We Are Young,” the first single from the effort, features Janelle Monáe and is a lush continuation of what the band started in 2009.
The guys released a limited edition vinyl picture disc single of the track this week via Fueled by Ramen, but we have one to win here at TVD! fun.’s Andrew Dost also had a chance to chat with us about the new album, touring, and vinyl.
How did you approach recording the album?
It was very different from Aim and Ignite, in every way. We wanted to step outside our comfort zone and work with a hip hop producer, and Jeff Bhasker really opened us up to a lot of new sounds and ideas. We also did some of the album in New York with Emile Haynie, who is incredible, too. Instead of staying in one studio the whole time, we were kind of all over the place, which was a pretty big change. I think you can hear that travel/motion in the songs.
British indie rock hooligans The Kooks kicked off the first of two sold out nights at Webster Hall last night. NYC is just the second stop on the band’s U.S.tour in support of their third LP, Junk of the Heart, and most dates on the trek are already sold out.
It’s already been five years since Luke Pritchard and co. released their debut album, and while they might be looking a bit more Beatles-esque these days, their live show promises to be as spunky as their “Sofa Song” days. The Postelles are supporting on both dates.
If Friday night’s Downtown Recordsanniversary show at Webster Hall went like a petite Pitchfork Festival, then Saturday night at Terminal 5 was on par with Coachella.
The night kicked off with a DJ set from the Ed Bangercrew Dj Mehdi and So Me. Like any event that involves something remotely Ed Banger related, I am always hopeful the elusive First Lady of Ed Banger, Uffie , will emerge in a pupil-dialated rage and storm the stage to lip sync “Pop The Glock.” Alas, I was left sorely disappointed, but the crunchy, house-infused beats from the duo got the entire venue – comprised mostly of hipster-cum-prep school fair – into an appropriate state of mind.
Major Lazer followed suit, running through the majority of its debut, Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do. The duo – DJs Diplo and Switch – primarily just hit play on their LP while some guest MCs hooted and hollered over their tracks. Santigold even graced the stage to sing (and shake) to her contribution on “Hold The Line.” Still, bouncing up and down to the thumping bass of “Pon De Floor” with a bunch of sweaty kids while a real-life laser show burned your retinas made up for any underwhelmingness of the band’s live performance.
In best for last fashion, Miike Snow rounded out Saturday’s trifecta for a set that lasted a little over an hour. The band emerged in the V for Vendetta-esque masks they’ve been rocking in their shows since they started touring.
While some still are under the impression Miike Snow is a dude (frontman Andrew Wyatt is usually responsible for causing this confusion), Saturday’s crowd seemed to be a bit more in-the-know, turning almost every song into a sing-a-long until the band took each song into dizzying new heights with new arrangements and “jam” sessions. I use the word jam lightly because while, yes, they jammed, they did so with the precision of a band that is made up of Swedes Bloodshy & Avant, the uber-producers responsible for the likes of Britney’s “Toxic.”
Still, in a live setting, tracks like “Silvia” and “Black & Blue” soared into piano-laden, vocoder-induced oblivion that only proved why Miike Snow’s 2009 debut is still bringing in new fans today.
Well done, Downtown! Maybe Uffie can join for the decade bash…she can do lights at least?
For some, pop music represents everything wrong in the world of music — the latest saccharine sweet lady-ode from a mop topped Justin Bieber, a booze-drenched, autotuned-to-death Ke$ha record. But to others, pop is a lifestyle; a genre that isn’t always necessarily in fashion, but even when it’s not, people can’t help but gawk in wonderment.
Right now, pop is indeed “in.” Last night at the second edition of Popshop – a new monthly pop club night hosted by Neon Gold Records and HeavyRoc Music – girls, gays and hipsters alike filled the Lower East Side’s Tammany Hall for a raucous celebrating a who’s who of ‘pop muzik’ up-and-comers.
Last month’s Popshop debut showcased performances from indie-darling MNDR as well as French Horn Rebellion. Last night’s show opted for an even more dance-party approved line up (is that even possible?) with HeavyRoc’s own The Knocks headlining, along with performances from NY-based Penguin Prison and Like Diamonds. Read More »
