dipped in dollars » Danger

Sounds of Summer: Beat Connection

Danger — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:56:13 +0000

The boys from Beat Connection, a Seattle based duo, recently sent over their debut EP, Surf Noir. These eight tracks are light and summery with a heavy dose of nostalgia, and are perfectly reminiscent of the sand and surf. Considering that they’re giving away this delightful bundle of songs for FREE on their bandcamp, you’d really be a fool to pass this up.

Beat Connection – In the Water
Beat Connection – Silver Screen

Candy Claws – “Catamaran”

Danger — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:37:23 +0000

So this track by Candy Claws is hardly new, but was recently brought to my attention by a friend. It’s subtle and sweet and the perfect segue into the week.

Candy Claws – Catamaran

ALBUM: Sia – We Are Born

Danger — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:12:31 +0000

I have been listening to We Are Born, Sia‘s latest album uncontrollably for a few weeks now. Ever since hearing “You’ve Changed” (and watching the adorable video), I’d been looking forward to hearing the album in its entirety. Her undeniably soulful voice in addition to her ability to write surprisingly dark pop songs makes for a winning combination. There is truly something in this album for everyone: highs and lows, danceable moments followed by emotional ballads. These tracks are the ones I couldn’t get out of my head, and will surely leave you hooked and wanting more. It has definitely become an integral part of my summer soundtrack.

Sia – Never Gonna Leave Me
Sia – Clap Your Hands

Annie – “Antonio” (Designer Drugs Remix)

Danger — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:47:44 +0000

Having been a fan of Designer Drugs for a minute now, it seems a tragedy to have not come across this remix of a track by Annie (another love), sooner. It’s been out in the world for a while but still does the trick. Luckily a friend brought it to my attention in advance of their show this saturday here in DC (I’ll be there with bells on), and I’ve been listening to it on repeat.

Annie – Antonio (DESIGNER DRUGS Remix)

VIDEO: DJ Fresh – “Gold Dust”

Danger — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:28:06 +0000

“Gold Dust”, a pretty phenomenal track by Londonite DJ Fresh arrived via email not too long ago, but today it is enhanced even further by this phenomenal music video. It begins as a simple video of people playing double dutch, but escalates in awesomeness as the moves get more and more intense. It’s an incredibly catchy song, and the jump ropes have this hypnotic effect, sucking you further and further into it. The album is out August 9, be sure to check it out.

DJ Fresh – Golddust

Sounds of Summer: Murder Mystery

Danger — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:37:35 +0000

So I hope by now that you guys know how much I like pop music, and if you cover it with some electro beats and sparkly synths I literally LOSE CONTROL. In steps Murder Mystery to satiate my pop addiction. These tracks are sweet, light and perfectly reminiscent of this grand season of leisure. (though if like me, you live in DC, perhaps a more accurate summer description would be heavy and swamp-esque) Anyhow, rambling/ griping about the weather aside, I’m in love with these sounds, so hop to it, press play already.

Murder Mystery – I Am (If You Are)
Murder Mystery – Change My Mind

Dragonette – Easy (Fabian Remix)

Danger — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:16:14 +0000

This track arrived the other day from the guys at Binary as one of their artists, Fabian, is responsible for this delightful remix of a delightful song. The delicate vocals of the original Dragonette track are effortlessly elevated to the realm of electro-pop in this remix, and I just can’t get enough. What a gem, this is going to be on repeat for a long time.

Dragonette – Easy (Fabian Remix)

Patrick Lee – “Quittin’ Time”

Danger — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:42:32 +0000

Sending me an email describing your music as “good beats to drink cheap beer to” is a good way to get me to listen to your stuff. Having the sounds to back it up? Well, that’s how we ended up here. Patrick Lee, the man behind “Quittin’ Time”, has me listening to this track on repeat. A little bit like the intersection of blues and electronica, there are also moments of pure rock, and don’t even get me started on those vocal samples. This track is all over the place in the best kind of way, but the only way to truly understand is to give it a listen yourself.

Quittin’ Time by Patricklee

Dirty Projectors & Björk – Mount Wittenberg Orca

Danger — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:55:52 +0000

I just received an email about this collaboration between Dirty Projectors and Björk (two of my faves) for a cause, and obviously I couldn’t resist. The email alone says so much more than I could ever paraphrase, so here it is:

“In April 2009, Brandon Stosuy from Stereogum.com asked me if we wanted to play a benefit concert at a bookstore in New York. I said yes. He asked Björk the same thing, and she said yes. Then he asked us if we wanted to collaborate, and we said yes. Björk asked me what we should do, and I said, “I don’t know, I guess I’d really love to write a bunch of new songs for us to sing together?” And she said Yes.

That same month, Amber from Dirty Projectors was walking along a ridge on Mount Wittenberg, north of San Francisco. She was looking out at the ocean and saw a little family of whales, as you sometimes do in April on the Northern California coast. I wrote some songs about it and sent them to Björk, who agreed to sing the part of the mom whale. The songs became Mount Wittenberg Orca. Amber and Angel and Haley sang the part of the kid whales, and I sang the part of Amber. [...]

We’ve decided to give away all the money that Wittenberg generates to the project of creating international marine protected areas. Only 1% of the oceans are protected in any way and this is a huge problem. We’re working with the National Geographic Society to create areas of sustainability, so the oceans don’t end up like a giant poisonous corpse hugging the continents.

We’re so psyched about how this recording came out and hope you are too. Don’t listen on those tinny computer speakers — put in on the stereo and blast dat shiiiiiiiiii!!

Enjoy.

– David Longstreth”

You can buy the 7 track album (for a minimum donation of $7, what a steal!) HERE. Good cause, good music, it’s a win win.

Upstation

Danger — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:07:31 +0000

So Upstation is a Moscow based group that sent me some of their stuff. While many of their tracks came off as a little bit too cheesy for my tastes, a few of them really hit the spot. “Get It On” is unbelievably danceable and though “She Won’t Forget You Boy” is still saccharine sweet, sometimes you need a little bit of that in your ears.

Upstation – “Get it on”

Upstation – “She won’t forget you Boy”