Change

Dear readers,

After long consideration I have decided to change my blog. During the writing on my other blog, about my travels, I noticed that I'm able to express myself better when I write in my native language. On top of that most of my readers are Dutch and it's more attractive for them to read Dutch articles.

So after two years of blogging in English, my posts will be in Dutch from now on.

Inni?

Sigur Ros (an Icelandic band that delivers amazing and one-of-kind music) posted a video called 'Inni' on their website today. Speculation is everywhere, new song, new album, new tour? Nobody knows. It's a beautiful video though!

Update:

The video is a trailer for a new live cd and concert film from the band. It will be released in November this year. The film was directed by Vincent Morrisset, who was also responsible for the Arcade Fire's behind-the-scenes video 'Miroir Noir'. Sigur Ros is known for their beautiful special effects, so my expectations for this film are very high.

A foretaste of what's coming:

Music Addiction

I always thought I was quite addicted to music. I listen to it every single day, I write about it, I blog about it, I spend a lot of money on it.. But this man outclasses my addiction by far. He owns more than 1 million albums and 1,5 million singles.

Angry Birds Comes to Life

Everybody has ever played or at least heard of Angry Birds. In the game, players use a slingshot to launch angry birds at pigs. The mission is to destroy all the pigs on the playfield. Can you imagine what it would be like to use an iphone to launch a real angry bird? T-Mobile sponsored an event in Barcelona including real-life birds, pigs and a band that played the music from the game.

Project New Music - May 2011

At the beginning of 2011 I started something new: Project New Music. In this project I will monthly discuss the new albums I have listened to by sharing some general information and my own opinion. Which album has surprised me, which release didn’t fulfill my high expectations and which band may be the next big thing? You will read my opinion at the end of every month.

This month on Project New Music: Alex Turner, Bon Iver, Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi, Death Cab for Cutie, Foo Fighters and Wild Beasts.

Alex Turner

This talented young man has released a new album with his band Arctic Monkeys and released a solo album. That album is the score from the movie Submarine. This album is more relaxing and quiet than the music from the band. I think to be able to judge this album you have to watch the movie first. It’s good to hear that Alex turner is able to think outside the box and make different music. The result is a good album, but not an outstanding one.

Best song: Stuck on the Puzzle

Bon Iver

I don’t know what it is, but it has never really worked between Justin Vernon and me. Seen my taste in music I should be liking Bon Iver, but somehow I don’t. I think it’s his voice that prevents me from listening. The same counts for the band’s new album ‘Bon Iver, Bon Iver’. Maybe the penny will drop if I keep listening and keep trying. Who knows.

Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi

Everybody knows Danger Mouse, although some may know him unconsciously. He is the other half of Gnarls Barkley, has cooperated with The Rapture and Gorillaz and has a band called Broken Bells with James Mercer (The Shins). Daniele Luppi is a composer, a producer, a conducter and he plays lots of different instruments. They worked together to produce an album with music inspired by the music from old Italian westerns, like the music from Ennio Morricone. The project is called ‘Rome’. The vocal parts belong to two established, but very different artists in the music industry: Norah Jones and Jack White. Altogether this sounds like a score without a movie. But who needs a movie when you’ve got music like this!

Best songs: The Rose with the Broken Neck and Two Against One

Death Cab for Cutie

A new album from Death Cab for Cutie is always different than the previous ones. The band keeps reinventing itself. The consequence is that every new album has to grow. But over the years I have discovered that almost every album will keep growing until I love it. It’s always a pleasure to listen to Ben Gibbard’s voice. Codes and Keys sounds electronic, happy and still very DCfC-like. I think this album once again has the potential to grow into a new favorite.

Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters are back! Their previous album was more poppy than ever before. On this album they return to their original style: more guitars, more screaming and more rock. This is the way I like this band, this is the reason why I loved them when I was 15. I don’t know if it’s just nostalgia or the quality of the band, but I’m jumping around when this album is playing through my speakers.

Best songs: Bridge Burning and Dear Rosemary

Wild Beasts

Wild Beasts were one of my favorite discoveries of 2010. We Still Got the Taste Dancin’ on Our Tongues made a huge impression on me. The band has two singers with distinctive voices. The most impressive quality of the band is Hayden Thorpse’ high baroque voice. It’s a voice you hate or love. If you are able to listen to Antony Hegarty’s voice, you will sure enjoy this band! It may take some effort and time to start liking the music, but it is worth it.

Best song: Loop the Loop

Jeff Nishinaka

Jeff Nishinaka is a sculptor, but not an ordinary one: he’s a paper sculptor. His art has been used by companies like Visa, Paramount Pictures and Coca Cola. By experimenting with different papers, shapes and edges he created his own style.

"Paper to me is a living, breathing thing that has a life of it’s own. I just try to redirect that energy into something that feels animated and alive."

Jeff Nishinaka

Here are some examples of his art. The rest of the portfolio on his website is a recommendation!

Project New Music - March 2011

At the beginning of 2011 I started something new: Project New Music. In this project I will monthly discuss the new albums I have listened to by sharing some general information and my own opinion. Which album has surprised me, which release didn’t fulfill my high expectations and which band may be the next big thing? You will read my opinion at the end of every month.

This month on Project New Music: Elbow and Lykke Li.

Elbow

Elbow is definitely not a newbie in the music industry. But if you ask a random person to name a song from the band, not many will get any further than ‘One Day Like This’. And even that song is not very well known. Their previous album got more attention than all the older ones together, but still not the attention it deserved. Maybe 'Build a Rocket Boys!' will be the turning point. 'The Birds', 'Lippy Kids' and 'Open Arms' are amazing songs. Elbow is back and they are ready for the long-awaited breakthrough. And how I wish they will succeed, because these hard-working gentlemen deserve it.

Lykke Li

I don’t know what’s up with Scandinavian and Icelandic music, but somehow it keeps enchanting me. The same counts for this Swedish woman. At first sound it seems to be poppy. Nothing more, nothing less. But if you pay more attention, you will discover some edges that make her music interesting. I haven’t spend enough time listening this album to name favorite songs, but I do know that this music is interesting enough to start listening to.

Archive

Project New Music – January 2011
Project New Music – Febuary 2011

Wordless Wednesday #58

*, originally uploaded by chant0m0.

Wordless Wednesday #57

Corner, originally uploaded by __MV__.

Project New Music - February 2011

Last month I started something new: Project New Music. In this project I will monthly discuss the new albums I have listened to by sharing some general information and my own opinion. Which album has surprised me, which release didn’t fulfill my high expectations and which band may be the next big thing? You will read my opinion at the end of every month.

This month on Project New Music: De Staat, Radiohead, The Boxer Rebellion, Kaizers Orchestra and Anna Calvi.

De Staat

De Staat is a dutch band that keeps growing and growing. Their debut album was completely written by the leadsinger, Torre Florim. The second album, however, has been written and made by the entire band. Together they sound like a machine, all the parts work together perfectly. De Staat doesn’t make mainstream music, but crosses boundaries. In one song they even use a car horn. The result is a great album with ‘Ah I See', ‘Sweatshop’ and ‘I’m a Rat’ as highlights. The past few years have been great years for the band, but I think 2011 will be even better. World, prepare yourself for being overwhelmed by De Staat!

Radiohead

If there is one band that keeps reinventing itself, it must be Radiohead. Every album they make sounds different then the previous ones. The same counts for ‘The King of Limbs’. The band sounds more electronic than ever before and delivers the least accessible album they have ever made. ‘Codex’ is an amazing song, I immediately loved that one. It’s an album that needs time, that needs to grow on you. So keep listening and I’m quite sure you will discover its beauty.

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion has the potential to become a popular band, but hasn’t reached a large audience yet. I think ‘The Cold Still’ will change that. This album proves that the band is ready for their breakthrough. The music is a bit more poppy and easier to listen to. I think we will see the band on the big festivals this Summer and will hear them on the radio more and more. My guess is that in 2011 they will finally get the attention they deserve. I personally like their previous albums a bit more than this one, but it’s still a beautiful piece of music. My favorite songs are ‘Both Sides Are Even’ and ‘The Runner’.

Kaizers Orchestra

Not many people know Kaizers Orchestra. I don’t know how I found out about this band, but I know them from songs like 'Maestro' and 'Delikatessen'. They have released a new album, called Violeta Violeta Volume I. Like the previous albums it is filled with crazy songs. You have to be able to see through the chaos before you can start liking this band. But once you are in the mood, this album will put a smile upon your face.

Anna Calvi

A distinctive debut, that’s the best description for the self-titled album from Anna Calvi. Her voice is powerful, the music is mysterious and she’s unique. She reminds me of PJ Harvey, but at the same time she delivers something new. She wrote her songs in a dark underground basement and that gives the music a dark touch. A remarkable debut that, once again, needs time to grow. It’s the kind of music you either hate or love. I think I’m going to end up loving it.

Wordless Wednesday #56

Liverpool Cathedral, originally uploaded by mahonyweb.

Build a Rocket Boys!

How do we create buzz for a new album? That must have been the question Elbow's PR agents have asked themselves. And the idea they came up with is just brilliant. By sharing news about their album on twitter or facebook you can unlock previews of songs from the new album. Result: a lot of status updates and tweets about the band.

How does it work? You go to their website and give them permission to connect to your facebook or twitter account. You choose the song you want to hear and share a message on your own profile: "I just voted for *song name* to be the next track unlocked from Elbow's new album #BuildARocketBoys." When enough people have spread the word about a song, it will be unlocked. Clever, right?

The first song, Dear Friends, has been unlocked. On top of that they will release an animated clip for every unlocked song. Here's the one for Dear Friends:

Carl & Ellie

It's very rare that an animated movie is able to touch people's hearts. Up however is a movie with a scene that made a huge impression on me. No words, just music and a portrayal of the love between two people.

Wordless Wednesday #55

Light Approaching, originally uploaded by GethinThomas.

Wordless Wednesday #54

Everyone has a photographic memory, but not everyone has film., originally uploaded by Kelly West Mars.

Spray Paint Art

Brandon McConnell is a spray paint artist. He taught himself by studying other artists' techniques and with a lot of practice and determination he has become the artist he is now.

"Spray paint art has opened up a whole new world for me and allows me to express my feelings and imagination. I am constantly learning new things and plan to continue to spray paint as long as I can."

Brandon McConnell

In this video you see the artist in action. At first it seems like his painting is just chaos, but the longer you watch, the more beautiful the spray painting becomes.

Here are some other examples of his art and there are lots of other paintings on his website.

Wordless Wednesday #53

Fidelio - 64/365, originally uploaded by Luca-P.

Project New Music - January 2011

Today I will start a new project that has everything to do with the last three posts. Every month I will discuss the new albums I have listened to by sharing some general information and my own opinion. Which album has surprised me, which release didn’t fulfill my high expectations and which band may be the next big thing? You will read my opinion at the end of every month.

This month on Project New Music: Adele, DeWolff, Krach, Ilanois, James Blake and Cold War Kids.

Adele
This woman made a huge impression on the world at the age of 19. She delivered a steady debut album, with a mature sound. Her sound has even become more mature on her new album, 21. Sometimes I think I’m listening to a woman of at least 30 years old, instead of a 21 year old singer. Some new influences that can be found on the album are Americana and country music. When Adele was on tour across the USA, a bus driver introduced her to this kind of music. It inspired her on her new album, which can be heard in the song 'Rolling in the Deep'. I think that song is the best one of her new album, but there are some other nice ones (like 'Set Fire to the Rain'). But in my opinion a bit more blues and country would have turned this album into a great one, instead of just a good one.

DeWolf
DeWolff is a Dutch band. Their music is very recognizable, because it has an extraordinary instrument: a Hammond organ. Their debut album sounded like it was made in the ‘70s, with a lot of guitar, organ and drum solos. On their new album the band sounds a little different. I can hear some influences from The Beatles and at the same time there’s a lot of mystery and psychedelica. I don’t really know how to properly describe this album, which gives an indication of the differences between the songs. I think it would have been better if the boys would have tried to create a more distinctive sound, instead of combining all these different styles.

Krach
Krach is an odd band. Their songs are a combination of rock and electronic. During gigs their songs become more and more electronic as time passes by, which results in some sort of dance party with DJ’s. I’m more into the rock part than the dance part, but I can imagine they will reach a big audience by combining the two. Both rock and dance lovers will be able to identify with their music. The beginning of their album is my favorite bit, with songs like ‘And So I Do a Little Dance’ and their first single ‘Do the Wave Now’. Their album is currently featured on the Luisterpaal.

Ilanois
This band has been selected for Serious Talent at the Dutch radio station 3FM. Chase the Sundown with Me is their second album. The first thing that grabs my attention is the cover of their album, cause it’s beautiful and looks very professional! Their album is produced by Simon Gogerly (U2, No Doubt) and mixed by Barny Barnicott (Editors, Placebo, Stereophonics). I would say it’s melodic rock and/or indie. Ilanois’ music sounds good, but it doesn’t blow me away. It misses that little extra thing that makes them stand out from the bunch. The first single of the album is called 'Chase the Sundown with Me'. Ilanois' album is currently featured on the Luisterpaal.

James Blake
This man is everything but mainstream. His music is quiet, relaxed and electronic with a bit of soul. It’s something special, definitely not ordinary. He’s called an electronic composer, which may be the best description possible. His first single is a cover of 'Limit to your Love' from Feist. James Blake’s version is not as good as the original, but I still enjoy listening to it. However, I still don’t know whether to like or dislike the entire album, I don’t know if the penny will drop. To be continued?

Cold War Kids
This band used to make alternative music with a ‘whisky-sound’. They made weird songs like 'Hang Me Up to Dry'. One of their new songs, 'Louder Than Ever', is a good example of the new direction the band has taken. The new album is produced by the man who made a commercial band of Kings of Leon and that is my problem with this album. I don’t like Kings of Leon since they have become more mainstream and the same is now happening with Cold War Kids. They will probably reach a bigger audience, but I think they will lose the listeners who liked their debut album.

New Music of 2011 - Part III

Last Friday I shared information about this year’s planned releases and yesterday I shared some information about the releases without an exact date. This post included bands and artists like Radiohead, Rome and Queens of the Stone Age. Today I want to give you some rumors about possible releases in Music of 2011 - Part III.

Rumors about possible releases

Last but not least, I have some rumors to share.

Damon Albarn

Damon Albarn is a busy man. He started with the 90’s band Blur. Then the news spread that he was the man behind Gorillaz and he started a new band called The Good, The Bad & The Queen. There are rumors about a lot of plans in 2011. He will appear in a project with Tony Allen and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), he might return to The Good, The Bad & The Queen for their second album, he might work on the soundtrack for a movie called The Boy in the Oak and there are rumors about a return to his old band Blur.

Florence & The Machine

This redheaded woman with an incredible voice is working on new material. It’s still uncertain if the album will appear this year or next year. If it will be released this year, it will be at the end of the year.

Beach House

This news is very uncertain. The indie rock duo has confirmed that they are working on a new album and will start recording it once they are finished with their tour. So maybe they will release a new album this year, but there is a chance they won’t.

Tomorrow I will start a new project that has something to do with the past three posts.

Sources:
Musicmeter (http://www.musicmeter.nl)
Oor
NME

New Music of 2011 - Part II

Yesterday I shared some information about the planned releases of 2011. This post included bands and artists like Krach, Adele and Elbow. Of course there are many artists who have already announced that they will release a new album this year, but haven’t given an exact date yet. These artists will be featured today in Music of 2011 - Part II.

Exact date to be announced

There are many artists and bands who have announced to release a new album, but haven’t given an exact date yet. These names include Coldplay (probably Spring), Death Cab For Cutie (probably Spring), Red Hot Chili Peppers (May/June), Fleet Foxes (Spring/early Summer), Amy Winehouse, Explosions in the Sky, Patrick Wolf (May), Wild Beasts (Spring), The Shins, Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys (May at the earliest)

There are some, in my opinion, extra interesting releases. Some extra information about them:

Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters will probably return with a new album in Spring. Rumors are they will go back to their old style. I used to be a huge Foo Fighters fan some years ago, until they disappointed me with their latest few albums. The old style? Bring it on! The teaser of the album sounds good!

Radiohead

One of the biggest alternative bands ever, who dominate most lists with their album OK Computer, will release a new album this year. Well actually, we hope they will, because they will release it ‘whenever they want’. Quite sure it will be this year though.

Queens of the Stone Age

We haven’t heard any new music from Queens of the Stone Age since 2007. Josh Homme (the lead singer) has been busy with his project with Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones, called Them Crooked Vultures. All of a sudden they appeared on the festival Lowlands last year. The news came out that they will release a new album ‘in time for the festivals’. Bassist Dean Fertita said they were ‘excited and ready to go’ into the studio in January.

Rome

Rome is a new project from Brian ‘Danger Mouse’ Burton and Daniele Luppi. Guest singers who will appear on the album are Jack White and Norah Jones. The album has been recorded over the past five years and was inspired by Ennio Morricone’s soundtracks. (If you don’t know Ennio Morricone, then shame on you and listen to this). Some samples of the project have appeared on YouTube and they sound very interesting!

The Bottletop Band

Another interesting project. The Bottletop Band is a so-called Superband that recorded an album for charity. Some of the members of the group are Tim Burgess (The Charlatans), Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys), Andy Nicholson (ex Arctic Monkeys), Drew McConnell (Babyshambles) and Mat Parks (The Noisettes), but other artists will appear too. Click here to hear the first song and here to see the guys in action.

Tomorrow I will share some rumors about new releases. So stay tuned for Part III.

Sources:
Musicmeter
Oor
NME

New Music of 2011 - Part I

2011 is already a month old. The next couple of days I will give you an overview of, in my opinion, interesting albums that have already been released, artists who will surely bring us new material and some rumors. On top of that I will announce a new project next Monday.

2011 will be the year of the established artists and bands, who either release their difficult second album or the #th (insert random number) album. In lists of expected releases you can find names like Death Cab For Cutie and Coldplay. But you will also find new names like Krach and two Superbands.

I will give you an overview of the interesting things 2011 will have to offer. No one knows if these names will be able to fulfill the expectations, but what I do know is that this list has the potential to become an awesome year when it comes to music!

Planned releases

Some interesting albums that have already been released are albums from DeWolff, British Sea Power, The Decemberists, Lola Kite, Adéle, Iron & Wine, 16 Horsepower and an EP from The Veils. The year has just started, but exact release dates are announced for Noah and the Whale, The Kills, Okkervil River, Kaizers Orchestra, Selah Sue, De Staat, Elbow and The Boxer Rebellion.

Of course there are some brand new names this year too. Because of the newness I want to give them some extra attention.

Beth Dito

Her name may not immediately ring a bell, but when I mention ‘Heavy Cross’ you may know who I’m talking about. Beth Dito is the singer of the band Gossip. She just released a solo EP.

Krach

Krach is a Dutch band and is in the running to become Serious Talent of the Dutch radio station 3FM. There album went on sale on the 24^th of January. They give the listener an interesting mix of rock and dance. Their first single can be found on YouTube and you can listen to their album on the Luisterpaal from 3VOOR12.

Shaking Godspeed

Another Dutch band. Shaking Godspeed had an explosive start by giving the best performance at ‘De Nederpopshow’. Their price? A spot on the biggest festival of Europe: Sziget. They bring you no nonsense blues rock.

Tomorrow I will share albums that will be released, but have no exact date yet. So stay tuned for Part II.

Sources: MusicMeter, Oor, NME

Streets Against the War

Dear blog readers,

I don't know if you remember me, but I'm the one who used to tell you stories about music, books, art and other random stuff. I have been very busy, which caused a terrible silence of two months. Today I had my last exam, which puts an end to this stressful period. I have missed my little space on the world wide web, so I'm glad I can give it the attention it deserves!

So thank you for your patience, I'm back in business! And here's my very first blog post of 2011:

We all know there's a lot of worry about terrorism and war. A lot of people fight against these two forces: some people demonstrate, some people go to troubled countries to take action and some people try to make a difference in their own city.

A group from Turkey used another way of expressing themselves. They cut silhouettes of soldiers out of newspapers and turned them into street art. When you watch the silhouettes in the right order, you will see an animation. But there is a tiny problem: the silhouettes are spread over 4 cities, 294 walls and 2930 kilometers of road, so there is no way you will be able to see the animation in real life. Fortunately, there's this thing called 'youtube'!