St.Nic

BELATED OCTOBER(?) MIX - ESSENTIALS FOR BINKY PART II
PLAYING: M83 - Kim & Jessie
I had such a crazy October that I missed releasing an October mix.  I’m sure tons of you were crying in a corner and for that, I apologize.  I had every intention of creating a “Haunted House” edition featuring Miami Horror, Magic Wands, Black Ghosts, Deadmau5 and of course, Fake Blood, among others.  Next year.

Since I’m still busy, you get a mix I made in the summer for my little sis Hilary (aka Binky.  Aka The Bean.)  Its called Essentials for Binky Part II.   Hilly was touring with Madonna and needed some tunes for the road.  I kept adding more songs to the folder up through August.  Some of the selections are old favorites that I didn’t think Hilary had heard, but most are from 2009.  

So here’s a mix I made with love, for the best girl on the goddamn planet.  31 solid songs featuring: White Lies, YACHT, Passion Pit, The xx, Shiny Toy Guns, Muse, Filthy Dukes, M83, The Airborne Toxic Event, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Bat for Lashes, The Bird and the Bee, Sigur Ros, Air France, Royksopp, Friendly Fires, Empire of the Sun, The Black Ghosts and The Gossip, plus a couple more.

DOWNLOAD Essentials for Binky Part II.  (160 MB Zip - files at 256-320 KBPS)
 
PS - The picture on this mix stems from an unorthodox Christmas tradition in the St.Jean family.  Many Xmas eves we watch the South Park movie and sing the “Uncle Fucker” song.  Hilary & I especially love the Satan/Saddam relationship and annoy everyone by rewinding the parts with Saddam. 

You could say “Uncle Fucker” is our “Good King Wenceslas”  :) 

House Highlights
I don’t post nearly enough house music on here, considering how much I love and listen to it every day…and since my post on Todd Terje still gains the most downloads and views (this warms my heart), I am going to make a better effort. 
Some of my favorite highlights from October… 

Ellie Goulding - Under the Sheets (PLAYING)
I wish all pop music singles were this melodic and trip-hoppy. Ellie’s lovely voice in a fantastic pairing with Brit producer Starshift.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

Marchand-Supernova
This blog makes an overwhelming case for my weakness for French house.  I’ll just keep digging that hole, because this send up to “Send Me an Angel” (one of my all-time favorites since 8th grade) is irresistable.  
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

Vitalic - One Above One
Franco-Italo maestro Vitalic is back with a brand-new album.  This cut is insane. If you don’t like the bass to hit hard, you won’t like Vitalic.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

Florence + The Machine - Drumming Song (Boy 8-Bit Remix)
Heard this on Annie Mac’s Radio 1 show and had to have it.  I listened to this song on repeat during my road race this weekend; when your footfalls can match the bass, its a pretty sweet feeling.  When the drums break down and Florence is working her incomparably powerful pipes around 4:30…whoa, nelly.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

The Silver Pesos - Regresando
Here’s your chance to discover something awesome before the inevitable wave hits.  I love this debut single from The Silver Pesos…reminiscent of Esthero, Zero 7, Everything But the Girl, Lamb and a little Portishead.  Intricate and sweeping production results in the hauntingly beautiful “Regresando.”  If this track is any indication the full-length album will be an essential.  You can listen and download “Regresando” and the more electro remix below, in full 320 kbps quality.

The Silver Pesos was formed in 2009 by producer/instrumentalist Peter Brambl, singer Chloe Conger, and guitarist Robert Weber. Their upcoming full-length release, ‘Born at Midnight’, was recorded in Santa Monica, CA and Ubud, Indonesia with a full band that features a Balinese rhythm section.    

DOWNLOAD REGRESANDO at www.thesilverpesos.com. 

Get Busy Committee - Oh. My. God.
So I’ve been sleeping on all my new music because I’m buried in work.  Lame excuse, a long list awaits, and I figured I’d at least listen to Get Busy Committee’s two free tracks (listen and own them below, yes, you’re welcome).  Holy mother of hotness, ”My Little Razorblade” is insaaane.  It samples The Knife (I think?); I can’t remember the name of the track but when I find it in my library I’ll get back to you.  Make sure you visit www.getbusycommittee.com because there’s a cute koala bear there who also happens to like semi-automatic weapons. 

I declare this track essential Friday listening and guarantee you will love it immediately. I might be working the rest of the night but for the rest of you people gearing up for a proper Friday, here is your soundtrack.
I am putting this at the top of my running playlist… 

Ta-daa! It’s the St.Nic September mix, just in the nick of time. Phew. This was 99% finished couple weeks ago without the metadata. Curse you, metadata.

Its a humble rumble of a mix for a Wednesday. It starts kinda upbeat and gets…upbeaterer. PLAYING - “Back in Your Head” by Tegan & Sara.

DOWNLOAD the St.Nic September 2009 Mix
(Right click to “save as” for the zip)

With hugs & love,
Nic

1. Echo and the Bunnymen – I Think I Need It Too (2009)
Uh-huh. New Echo and the Bunnymen, as in, only a few days ago. And I like it.
2. O Maria! – Sea Wolf (2009)
Props to BBarrish for turning me onto this band. Their new single rocks and I wish they would cut an entire song around the bridge.
3. Processory – Uninvited (2007)
I’ll keep throwing Processory out everywhere until people start listening to me. Their eponymous debut album is my favorite record of the last 2 months and its $8 at Amazon. That’s a little more than two Starbucks lattes and a lot less guilt.
4. Bird & the Bee – Love Letter to Japan (2008)
I posted this back in June but don’t have many downloads of it; the song was on my first mp3 post and amateur that I was (am), my links and quality were lame. Like Miike Snow and Processory, an uberproducer hides within Bird & the Bee.
5. Breaking It Up – Lykke Li (2008)
I’ve loved Lykke long time but lately listening to this lively tune nonstop. Say that five times fast.
6. Editors – An End Has a Start (2007)
Culled this superb Brit indie from the archives – Editors had the #1 album in the UK in ‘07. Tom Smith is Josh Homme’s voccelganger (my fluid new word for ghostly vocal double).
7. Not the Only Person – The Rumble Strip (2009)
Mark Ronson’s trademark production on a garage-rock stomper. Also my personal contender for best-absurd album cover of the year for “Welcome to the Walk Alone.”
8. Lushlife – The Songbird Athletic featuring Greg Saunier of Deerhoof (2009)
Did you know that Haldar (aka Lushlife) had 13 years of classical piano training and 7 years in jazz drumming before making the move into hip hop? I love this happy cut so much I plan to buy the rest of the record on good faith.
9. Tegan and Sara – Back In Your Head (2009)
I love this duo. They produce addictive beat-driven harmonies and rock uber-cool haircuts I could never pull off because the shape of my face is a cross between Gerard Depardieu and Mr. Potatohead.
10. Dub Pistols feat. Ashley Slater – Back to Daylight
From their album “Rum & Coke,” released in May. I listened to this song all summer, retired it for August and now I’m bringing it back for you. Okay, and me.
11. Plastic Jungle – Miike Snow (2009)
Saw these tall Swedes live earlier this month – what a fantastic performance. Since I’ve blown through all their other singles I’ve got this one on the rotation. You can really hear the “Toxic” influence here.
12. Empire of the Sun - We Are the People (Says Simon Remix)
Like La Roux and Florence + the Machine, remixes of this (awesome) band abound. This is my favorite remix of “We Are the People.” I’m dying while Joey Negro makes us wait for his remix of “Walking on a Dream.” Seriously - I love that song and Joey Negro almost never misses.
13. The Cult of the Romance – Fenech -Soler (Alan Braxe remix) (2009)
Ooh that salacious synth gets me every time. And Alan Braxe is one of my French faves.
14. Sangueboom – Sabo & Zeb (2008)
Sexy femme plus Brazilian favela funk = hotness.
15. Siriusmo – Gummiband (2009)
Siriusmo is a solid Berlin producer on the same label as Boyznoize. Someone in the Netherlands will probably license this song for a silly commercial where a laughing lady loses a hat, a handsome observer shakes his head in amusement, mirth ensues while they chase the errant accessory and then the couple falls in love. And the product advertised is totally irrelevant, like motor oil.
16. The Sun – Portugal. The Man (2009)
So you won’t forget them, this band is from Wasilla, Alaska. Their album, the “Satanic Satanist,” is an essential.
17. The xx – Islands (2009)
My favorite track, hands down, from their stellar debut album. Also my contender for best band name of the year because Googling “The xx” makes you feel pervy courtesy of all the sordid results.

You have to deal with an annoying Hulu ad and then the quasi-annoying Jimmy Fallon. But I think any expression Will Ferrell makes is hysterical. 

PLAYING - MUSE - Undisclosed Desires 
My favorite so far off ”The Resistance.” 
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
Download The Resistance at Amazon
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A few more fun cuts for you; too swamped to edit metadata though. 
Click to play, right click to “save as” and download.

The Gossip - Love Long Distance (Fake Blood Remix)
The Fake Blood stamp is all ovah this new remix. Listen for the hot little construction of Beth yelling “Fake Blood” around 2:30.  
PLAY/DOWNLOAD 
Fake Blood on MySpace

Processory - Uninvited
I know I’m a Processory pusher. (See 3 tracks posted here.) I hope this superb Finnish band gets more love.  I have Nightmagnets to thank for my recent discovery so I’m carrying the torch.  If you like Deastro, White Lies, Depeche Mode, etc., then please spend the so-worth-it $8 to download this record from Amazon. 
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

Miike Snow - Silvia
One more supremely-produced electro-pop track from Miike Snow’s June release.  Heading to their show w/Jack Penate on Sunday at TT the Bear’s.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
Download Miike Snow from Amazon.

Britney Spears - Radar (Bloodshy & Avant Mix)
I’ve run to this for months but now I’m publicly professing my love for this remix.  Yes its Britney bitch.  And before anyone dismisses this on the merits of Brit, Swedish super producers Bloodshy and Avant are also founding members of one of the “cool” bands on this post…and this remix is kickass.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

Owl City - The Salt Water Room
If you locked The Postal Service & Shel Silverstein in a cave deep in Minnesota and sealed it shut with a mountain of pixie stix and twee, their love child might be 23-year old Adam Young…aka Owl City.  At first too sweet for me, the earnest, is-this-for-kids? brand of eurobeat electronica eventually won me over. Owl City walks a fine line between adorable and awful, but I think debut record Ocean Eyes tips the scale to adorable with squigglies.  The WFNX Paradise show on Friday is not only sold out, but tix are on StubHub for…$300?!? 
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
Download Ocean Eyes at Amazon.

EIGHT ESSENTIAL DARK & SEXY SYNTHPOP TRACKS
Clearly I have a weak spot for this sound, so here’s a sampler of my favorite artists in heavy rotation.  
Playing: PROCESSORY - SIRENS

1. Processory - Brake Malfunction
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

2. Processory - Sirens
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

3. Processory - Old as Hills
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

4. Filthy Dukes - Poison the Ivy
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

5. Filthy Dukes - Somewhere at Sea 
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

6. Stars - Take Me to the Riot
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

7. White Lies - E.S.T.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

8. White Lies - Death
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

ARTIST INFO
Finnish band PROCESSORY seems wildly underrated; the album is awesome but they only have 444 friends on MySpace?  *Sigh.*  Hope they keep making music because I love this record something wicked.
Processory - Processory (released 2007) - Get details at DISCOGS

I just discovered STARS; Take Me to the Riot is pop perfection IMO and its on the album below.  Loving ‘Set Yourself on Fire’ too.
Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War (released 2007) - Buy from Amazon

FILTHY DUKES get lots of remix love but their new record of originals is a sleeper.
Filthy Dukes - Nonsense in the Dark (released 2009) - Download from Amazon

WHITE LIES got lots of hype this year (at least in their homeland Britain) and you should have their debut album.
White Lies - To Lose My Life (released 2009) - Download from Amazon

STRANGE RE-ARRANGE (LEO ZERO EDIT)
Alright, I’ll be surprised if anyone really likes this one.  I’m weirdly obsessed with it.  Which is odd, since its a 10-minute instrumental and I should be sick of it by now, but more listening just fuels the addiction.  I’d never heard of the inspiration, Richard Strange’s ‘Damascus’ - the 12” came out in 1986 and its one of those rare cuts (check info at Discogs).  I found the original track and ridiculous music video on YouTube, see below.  If you were the director and you wanted to mix some Bauhaus/Peter Murphy, Bret Easton Ellis, Max Headroom, one red fez and Orwell’s 1984 - BUT - your video budget was $12.72 - you might end up with this. I love it. (BTW if you’ve paid attention, you’ll remember I posted another Leo Zero remix here of Florence + The Machine’s ‘Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up.)’) 
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

TALKING HEADS - BORN UNDER PUNCHES (DOBIE’S TRANSIENT RE-EDIT)
This song needs no intro.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

Andreas Tilliander - Caught in a Riot (Vapnet Remix)
One of my summer jams.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD

the xx - crystalised

this young london quartet is scary-good.  I mentioned them in my last post (see evil little ‘warriors’ remix). Kind of like portishead; melancholy & moody.  All their songs melt together and the tempo barely changes.   But the outcome is more sexy than depressing.  Their album, confusingly titled “xx,” just came out last week and its stellar.  Perfect for a quiet, grey Sunday morning like this one. 
   
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
Visit The xx official site.

THE NEW TRACKS in the rotation…
To open post and view comments, click the green audio icon to the left.  To listen, click the play button and pop out the media player lower left.  To save, right click to “save as.”  All files on Mediafire.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - HOME (playing)
Damn this is catchy, in a “Young Folks” meets “Kumbaya” meets “Tambourine Man” kinda way.  That sounds like a terrible formula but I love this. This track is pristinely produced, with that lovely analog crackle and even the silly vaudeville banter. Alex Ebert from party staple “Ima Robot” fronts.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
They’re playing Brooklyn Music Hall in Williamsburg on Aug 30;
The Independent in San Fran on Sept. 15; The El Rey in L.A. on Sept 22.
I say this for the benefit of my lucky friends in these cities…check them out!
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros Official Site

Dead Man’s Bones - My Body’s a Zombie For You
Kids’ choruses are all the rage these days (xo PS 22).  Check them out on this solidly good first single from new band Dead Man’s Bones (which may or may not count a Hollywood leading man among its members).
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
Dead Man’s Bones on MySpace

La Roux - I’m Not Your Toy (Data Remix)
Ooooh yes…cheesy synths, absurdly simple chorus, fuzzed-out bassline?  Of course I love it.  Parisian DJ/producer (and Kitsune favorite) Data turns out  another hot remix a la Justice and MSTRKRFT.  
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
Data on MySpace

Don Diablo - I’m Not From France (Louis LaRoche Remix)
Dutchman Don Diablo gets mad hype but I don’t love his productions so far.  Don Diablo, Laidback Luke, Jack Beats and Crookers…I just don’t get the hype yet. Maybe I’ll come around at some point.  BUT…this track is nice.  I fall for the filtered French house formula every time.  Props go to Louis LaRoche for this one. 
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
More on Don Diablo and Louis LaRoche at their official sites. 

Frankmusik - Confusion Girl (Russ Chimes Remix)
Tongy & Frankmusik’s fave remix of this track and mine too.  
Filtered disco-style, of course.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
Russ Chimes at MySpace

Calvin Harris - Flashback
I’m psyched to grab Calvin’s new album ”Ready for the Weekend”, out Monday.  His latest releases are unashamedly 90s Eurobeat but who cares - he does it well.  Fake Blood’s remix of “Ready for the Weekend” edged out High Contrast’s version as my favorite, and I’ve listened to it steadily for months now.  I hope producers will be busy all year working the rest of this record.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD



Booty Luv - Say It (Sidechains Remix)
Barcelona resident Sidechains got some love from Annie Mac last night.  He feathers this Booty Luv cut with the golden disco dust…
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
Sidechains on MySpace

Magic Wands - Warrior (The XX Remix)
I posted Magic Wands’ “Black Magic” already and I’ve liked everything else I can get my hands on…”Warrior,” “Kiss Me Dead” and “Teenage Love.”  Meanwhile, The xx is on fire, putting out some amazing songs, so look for their new album (“XX”) in October. (BTW, searching ”the xx” online is an exercise - I’m sure you can guess at the results you get.) No surprise the two combined to turn out this sexy, evil little remix.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
Magic Wands on MySpace   The xx on MySpace. 

Killa Kela - Everyday (Lifelike Remix)
Lifelike, along with Classixx, Fake Blood and Treasure Fingers, are consistently putting out remixes I need to have…Lifelike doesn’t even waste the outro on this one.
PLAY/DOWNLOAD
Lifelike-Music.com   KillaKela.com