Fridae

Download New Keane Live EP

This week, Keane released another live set on iTunes appropriately titled "Live In London." After the digital release of their AOL studio performance and the University of London Union show, this live gig was recorded at the Apple store on Regent Street in London. The set features some old tunes and some new ones including "Everything Changes," "Somewhere Only We Know," "Crystal Ball," "Is It Any Wonder," the new single "A Bad Dream" and the sublime and much-overlooked "Nothing In My Way." The download package also includes a video of the performance, which makes for a pretty good value for all you video iPod junkies out there.

After lukewarm response to their sophomore album, Tom's stint in rehab and a cancelled U.S. tour, 2006 turned out to be a bit of a lost year for Keane. This live EP shows, however, that the trio is an excellent live band with a knack for melody. Tom's voice is not always reaching those subtle high notes, but the "Live in London" EP captures the distinct intimacy of an instore performance very well. Especially, the toned down version of "Is It Any Wonder" is worth a listen.

In related Keane news, you can now download "A Bad Dream" b-sides on 7Digital including the gabber house Luna-C remix of the song and the the group's cover of The Cult's "She Sells Sanctuary." Also, look out for Keane at the Grammys next month. The group is nominated for Best Pop Vocals Performance By A Duo Or A Group for "Is It Any Wonder."

Download Keane "Live In London" EP

---

Free Download: Locksley "Why Not Me"
Locksley is the little indie band that can. Hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, the foursome of Jesse Laz (vocals/guitar), Kai Kennedy (lead guitar/vocals), Aaron Collins (bass, vocals) and Sam Bair (drums) take their inspiration from '60 Brit pop bands like The Kinks, The Hollies and The Beatles. They independently release their debut "Don't Make Me Wait" next Tuesday.

One of the best ways to get their music noticed is to tour and excite audiences with their "blistering live performances," as a press release put it. Last year, the group toured with OK Go, We Are Scientists and She Wants Revenge. This year, the band will be touring with The Rapture in February. I'm sure Fuse TV and MTVu will pick up this band sooner than later and help them break out from the indie circuit into the alt-pop world.

Download the track "Why Not Me" from ther debut album. It is an invigorating blast from the past with its kicky beats and hooky harmonies. This band burts with energy and they want you to have some of it.

Get Locksley "Why Not Me" [MP3]

---

Guilty Pleasure: LAX "Forget You"
Mix up bits of Sugababes, the Pussycat Dolls and JoJo and what you get is new American girlgroup LAX. The trio was recently signed to Blackground Records, the label that also released JoJo and Aaliyah. LAX are Southern California-based Brianna, Christina and Jamie who got their start early as kids on local talent competitions. They started working with songwriter/producer Alex Cantrall (JoJo, Fantasia) who prepared the girls for a meeting with Blackground's Vincent Herbert who immediately saw potential in LAX after the global success of JoJo's "Too Little Too Late" that features a comparable sound. "Forget You" is an accomplished slice of sugary, throw-away pop that could easily become one of your biggest guilty pleasures this spring.

Listen to LAX "Forget You" [Real]
Watch LAX "Forget You" [Quicktime]

---

Disco Friday: Electrico "Love In New Wave" (Aldrien & Akien Rmx)
Electrico is a really fun band from Singapore who have had moderate success with their invigorating indie pop sound in East Asia and Australia. Singapore DJs Aldrien & Akien produced a great electro house mix of Electrico's lead single "Love In New Wave" that has been distributed on vinyl by small Italian dance label Cosmo Note. The track is taken from the group's self-financed debut "Hip Nation" that was recently picked up by Universal.

Aldrien and Akien are arguably two of the most popular DJs in Singapore with regular stints at dance palace Zouk. Electrico's singer David Tan (who is also a DJ) asked the duo to create a mix of the song so that he could it play as part of his own sets. Aldrien en Akien were so pleased with the result that they sent it to Pete Tong who has added it to his influential "Essential" playlist, giving Electrico worldwide recognition. The track is not available on iTunes but you can buy it in high-def MP3 format on BeatPort (search for Electrico).

Stream Electrico "Love In New Wave" (original)
Stream Electrico "Love In New Wave" (Aldrien & Akien Rmx)