Tune in as Arjan of Arjanwrites.com has the latest behind-the-scenes look at the pop-alternative music industry, interviews, unreleased demo tracks, free downloads and original music reviews.
Free Download: Microfilm "Sex Education"
Microfilm are Chicago duo Matt Keppel (vocals) and Matthew Mercer (synths) who create their own distinct fusion of traditional synth pop and modern-day dancefloor music. Their common love of "synthesizers, soundtracks, high design and low art" brought the two musicians together in 2005. From Mercer's home office the two have been experimenting to develop their own sound. The group writes on their MySpace site that they want to bring vintage synthesizer pop into the new millennium. "We don't want to bore with the same track repeated over and over or get rooted into one specific style only," Matt writes me in an email. "I think 'synth pop' can and should be a broad umbrella term." The band is currently unsigned and is looking for a label to get their music marketed and distributed.
Check out the instrumental track "Sex Education" that is a fun electro-pop tune that sounds like it was put through a PowerBook shredder to create a peppy, cut up effect. Matt writes me that this instrumental track is a good example of the group's 21st century synth pop that was made for the dancefloor. Visit the duo's MySpace site for more samples of their music, including a great remix they did for Ladytron that the group might use in the future. Download "Sex Education" by Microfilm [mp3]. (Thanks to the band for sharing this track with Arjan Writes readers.)
Stream "Sex Education" by Microfilm:
Free Download: Debbie Harry "Dirty Deep"
Blondie's frontwoman Debbie Harry is making a return to the spotlight this summer with a new greatest hits album, a tour together with The New Cars and a little rhyme about Lil' Kim. It all started back in March when Blondie was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (and even cooked up a little controversy). Her promo blitz continues next month with a hot new spanking interview in the May issue of GENRE Magazine. Make sure to pick it up at a newsstand near you when it appears next week.
Blondie's "Greatest Hits- Sound & Vision"(Capitol/EMI) will hit stores on July 3 and features classics like "Heart of Glass," "Call Me," "The Tide is High" and "Sunday Girl." Also included is "Rapture Riders," a mash-up of Blondie's "Rapture" and The Doors' "Riders on the Storm."
"Dirty Deep" is a brand-new song by Debbie Harry that she wrote about rapper Lil' Kim. Harry's attempt to talk/rap her way through the pimped up tune is somewhat bizarre and at best a nice gimmick to stay in the game. But I also have to admit that Harry's sassy lyrics are spot on, which instantly reminds you from who Gwen Stefani, Pink and Christina Aguilera took some of their inspiration. Download "Dirty Deep" by Debbie Harry [mp3].
Stream "Dirty Deep" by Debbie Harry:
Sneak Peek: Keane "Under The Iron Sea"
When I spoke with singer Tom Chaplin of Keane last week, he insisted that the group's hectic lifestyle of the last two years has not changed the band's outlook on their music. But after relentless touring, a headlining gig at Live8 in 2005 and worldwide fame, it is pretty obvious that the band has lived and learned, which is expressed on their much-anticipated new record "Under The Iron Sea." Musically and lyrically, this new album is a lot bleaker than their previous CD "Hopes & Fears" as Keane tries to wrap their hands around the challenging times we live in. "This is by no means a positive album," Chaplin added. "Under The Iron Sea" will be available in stores on June 12th. You can view the entire track listing of the record here.
Interestingly, Keane is able to convey their angst and concerns without the use of any single guitar. Instead, keyboard player and muscial mastermind Tim Rice-Oxley experimented with new and vintage synths that he collected while touring.
"Under The Iron Sea" kicks off with the angsty "Atlantic" that will be released as a digital video single in May. "Though the world is broken, I need a place to make my bed," sings Chaplin, capturing the darker overall theme of the record. The album picks up steam on the
catchy "Is It Any Wonder?" that shows how Rice-Oxley has skillfully used synths to mimic a guitar-infused arena sound that still sounds distinctly Keane.
Arjan Writes faves The Infadels have been touring their butts off in Europe to drum up support for their debut record "We Are Not The Infadels." Some U.S. fans will finally get a chance to see the band jump around on stage dressed in their signature black shirts and red ties at the Coachella Music Festival later this month. This gig serves as a teaser for North America since their album will not be released stateside until late 2006 according their U.K. rep. "Love Like Semtex" has been selected as the new single of the group. It is an infectious rock romp with plenty of pop sensibilities. Check out the fun video for the song that includes a performing dog, jelly, old man and disco balls. "Love Like Semtex" is dance floor work-out indeed. (Click here to download "Love Like Semtex" from 7Digital.)
Watch The Infadels "Love Like Semtex" [quicktime]