[Video] Bruno Mars' Super Bowl Performance
To tell the truth, it's been all Janet and Justin's fault. If you're in your mid-twenties or below at the moment, then a good percentage of the Super Bowl halftime shows have been set on tape delay and toned down to just above audible, with movements highly scrutinized. Two years ago, the NFL tried to fine M.I.A. for her middle finger at the end of her performance. That and a general sense of boredom that has perpetuated the half time show of the year's biggest contest since Justin Timberlake stripped Janet Jackson's left breast bare for the world to see.
Last night though, Bruno Mars put on one hell of a performance, playing on the 50s/60s-esque aesthetic complete with a dancing backing band and footwork that James Brown would grin at. Aside from an odd inclusion of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who performed only "Give It Away," as Flea and Anthony Kiedis flexed their manliness over Mars by forgoing shirts in the frigid New York night. Alas, though, Mars was entertaining from beginning to end as he held the tempo in his hand throughout, ending the performance with a rousing take of "Just The Way You Are," which was preceded by a dedication from military members to their families. While the game was less of a contest than many would have liked, Bruno Mars made sure they were entertained in between. Watch the whole thing, streaming below.
[youtube id="9nFMRcuZhQ0"]
Grading The 2014 Grammy Winners
So, back in December, around the time the Grammy nominations were officially announced, I wrote a post titled "Grading The Grammys" where I gave my two cents on what I thought of the nominees, who I thought should win and who I thought actually would win. The music industry equivalent to filling out an NCAA tournament bracket in March, I watched yesterday as my picks were scuttled fairly quickly. Using the mentality that it is better to recognize many rather than few and spread an award rather than smother one artist with them, my choices for Grammy winners was a bit different from what actually went down last night in LA. Read on to see who I thought would win, who actually did and how that makes me feel, here below.
Record of The Year
Nominees:
- "Get Lucky" - Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
- "Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons
- "Royals" - Lorde
- "Locked Out Of Heaven" - Bruno Mars
- "Blurred Lines" - Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell
Actual Winner: "Get Lucky" - Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
My Prediction: “Royals” – Lorde
Breakdown: I read somewhere in the lead up to this year's Grammys that the award show could very quickly devolve into a sort of Lifetime Achievement Award for Daft Punk, who did have arguably the song of the year in "Get Lucky" which seemed to be on an endless loop throughout the Summer. "Royals" certainly had its own run, but looking back it was somewhat ridiculous to think she could overtake Daft Punk.
RatKing Announces Album With "Canal" Single
RatKing is an act I couldn't seem to hear enough about throughout last year. The New York trio took the indie music scene by storm in 2013, en route to playing Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Tx., and booking a set for this year's Coachella in Indio, California. The eclectic and begrudgingly different group, led by artist Wiki whose solo music was the first whiff anyone had of Ratking initially. Today, the crew announced the release date of their highly-anticipated debut project, So It Goes, due out on XL Recordings with production allegedly coming from the likes of Young Guru. April 8 appears to be the day the masses can expect a proper release from the group, but they offered up their latest single, "Canal" to hold listeners over for the time being. Take note, Ratking will be around for awhile.
Sidewalk Chalk: "Grocery List"
Sidewalk Chalk is a band that has been making noise for a minute, but really stepped things up lately. The 8-piece multi-genre act, who was selected as Chicago's "Most Outstanding Group" in 2012 by the Chicago Music Awards, has been preparing for the release of its next project, Leaves. They have been building some serious buzz, first with their lead single, "There She Goes" and yesterday with their follow-up single, "Grocery List", debuted on Revive Music.
Blending genres is a practice found today in disciplines from EDM to rock and everything in between, and for Sidewalk Chalk the mix of different styles and aesthetics continues to mesh together into one of the most refreshing sounds out today. Check out the latest from Sidewalk Chalk, streaming here below, and be sure to pick up Leaves, due out February 25.
If you're in New York City or Chicago, Sidewalk Chalk will be playing a pair of album release shows in both locales on February 21 and 22, respectively.
[Video] Cass McCombs: "Big Wheel"
Early this week, Cass McCombs premiered the new music video for "Big Wheel," a track off his latest album, Big Wheel and Others. Though labeling Big Wheel an album is somewhat of an understatement. This 22- song masterpiece explores the mind and world of McCombs, emulating a variety of different styles from blues to country.
The video, shot by Cass's close friend and collaborator, Albert Herter, presents clashing and vivid imagery, complimenting and colliding with the soothing and subtle sound of Cass's voice and style. Check out the video and upcoming tour dates to catch Cass McCombs live.
[youtube id="m_jA8-Gf1M0"]
Cass McCombs' Tour dates:
Jan. 8 - Bristol, UK @ Colston Hall
Jan. 9 - Glasgow, UK @ CCA
Jan. 10 - Manchester, UK @ Deaf Institute
Jan. 11 - Dublin, IE @ Workmans Club
Jan. 13 - London, UK @ Queen Elizabeth Hall
Jan. 16 - Lisbon, PT @ Teatro Maria Matos
Jan. 17 - Aveiro City, PT @ Teatro Aveirense
Jan. 18 - VN Famalicao, PT @ Casa de Artes
Jan. 19 - Santiago, ES @ Salon Teatro de Santiago
Jan. 20 - Madrid, ES @ El Sol
Jan. 21 - Cadiz, ES @ Edificio
Jan. 23 - Barcelona, ES @ La Sala (2) Apolo
Jan. 24 - Bordeaux, FR @ Bordeaux Rocks
Jan. 25 - Rouen, FR @ Le 106
Jan. 26 - Paris, FR @ MoFo Festival @ Mains D'Ouevres
Jan. 30 - Melbourne, AU @ Northcote Social Club
Jan. 31 - Brisbane RNA, AU @ Laneway
Feb. 1 - Melbourne, AU @ Laneway
Feb. 2 - Sydney, AU @ Laneway
Feb. 6 - Sydney, AU @ Oxford Art Factory
Feb. 7 - Adelaide, AU @ Laneway
Feb. 8 - Fremantle, AU @ Laneway
Feb. 17-20 - Southwold, Suffolk, UK @ Latitude Festival
[Video] King Krule: "A Lizard State"
King Krule is a weird guy. From his voice to his style to the music he makes, everything has a bit of a different feel to it. That sensibility is on display in his latest visual, this one for his track, "A Lizard State" from his latest project, 6 Feet Beneath The Moon, which made waves when it dropped late last summer. The video opens with a scene out of Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M For Muder, with Hitchcock walking sideways on a wall, explaining that the following story is about "An undertaker and who he undertakes" before cutting to a phone and a growl from King Krule, who then jumps into the somewhat haunting, 60s-inspired song. The whole video has a bit of film noir to it with dark shots and shadows throughout.
According to Director Jamie-James Medina: "Archy and I both love Hitchcock and we've spent a lot of time away from music talking about his films. When I heard the phone ringing over the intro all I could think about was Dial M For Murder and the scene where Grace Kelly answers the phone. That really started the conversation. I had this idea of Hitchcock introducing King Krule. I've seen every episode of Hitchcock Presents and every introduction that he gives is brilliant - you could use any episode and it would work. We loved the idea of Archy defying gravity and that being the setting for his performance. But right up until shooting we didn't know if we'd get permission to use the Hitchcock footage - to have him appear. Its such an honor that the Hitchcock estate gave us the opportunity. And then at the very end he said, 'and the room is full of lizards', so we had to find a set of lizards and managed to get a guy who entertains at children's parties."
Check out the latest from Krule below and catch him live on tour now.
[youtube id="kpkr79srKTE"]
The Tontons: "Magic Hour"
As we ease our way into the new year, one of the more exciting acts on the cusp is Houston-based foursome, The Tontons, who released their latest single, "Magic Hour" on Rolling Stone. The group enjoyed considerable success in 2013, releasing their debut video, "Veida" on The Wall Street Journal's music website and playing Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas, where they opened for Kurt Vile to start the fest and where we caught up with them as well. The group's funky, upbeat vibes can make even sitting inside on a cold snowy day seem pleasant.
Check out the latest from The Tontons by downloading the song on Rolling Stone.
Cass McCombs: "There Can Be Only One"
Promoting the release of his seventh album, Big Wheel and Others via Domino, Cass McCombs hits the road this holiday season with his December tour. McCombs has been making music for over a decade, but the new album is said to be his most encompassing work to date, highlighting McCombs' talent for storytelling, harrowing melodies, and beautifully honest voice.
Big Wheel and Others consists of twenty-two songs, making this work a double album, with a plethora of influences and sounds including folk, rock, blues, and many more. The album takes you on an intimate journey and makes you feel almost like you are reading a book or a collection of poems that you just can't put down. Big Wheel and Others is available on double CD, LP, and digital here.
Check out tour dates and take a listen to Cass McCombs "There Can Be Only One."
Tour Dates
December 2, 2013 Boston, MA The Sinlcair
December 3, 2013 Montreal, QC II Motore
Decemeber 4, 2013 Toronto, ON Great Hall
December 6, 2013 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
December 7, 2013 Louisville, KY Zanzabar
December 8, 2013 Nashville, TN High Watt
December 9, 2013 Alanta, GA Drunken Unicorn
December 12, 2013 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
December 13, 2013 Philadelphia, PA Boot & Saddle
December 14, 2013 Baltimore, MD Ottobar