FALSE GOLD

Afro-Beat? Check. Lyrics sung in Hebrew? Check. More percussion than you know what do with? Check. Pure fun? Absolute check.

Fool's Gold, (featuring members of Foreign Born) the self-claimed "best Hebrew soul band in all of greater Echo Park," are probably, I'm willing to bet, the best Hebrew soul band in all of Los Angeles. Maybe even greater California? Maybe the Western Sea Board? Maybe the United States? You get the idea.

Having just self-released a two-song promo of sorts, I'm sure we'll be hearing much more from them. In the meantime, for you fellow Los Angelians out there, go see them at the Getty Center this Saturday. It's free! Or if you can't catch them then, then later this month at The Echo.

Paul McCartney

Saturated yet?

Next up:
The Ting Tings - another female vocal driven group with seemingly widespread appeal and similarly evoking established and already embraced sounds. Ongoing in the UK, pending in the US, already playing at the local club...

More hybrid ish

Santogold is set to go now with an upcoming album on the label responsible for the Killers (but don't hold that against her). Recent Creator/L.E.S Artistes release is equal parts M.I.A and Karen O. Hopefully, she can also channel both on the *same* track.

At least for the sake of convenience, this spot will explode.

Collins Kids

A great clip of them whipping out a Hank Williams cover

Here

Don't Look Back

In the back of my mind, I'd like to think that I have a convincing argument that Sam Crenshaw from Today's Special was based on Bob Dylan circa the Don't Look Back years. In particular, his playfulness and antagonism with the Times Reporter. We can go many ways here: putting Sam Crenshaw's dialogue to a Dylan song, overdubbing Crenshaw's dialogue over top of Dylan's from the film.

Anyways, if anyone would be so willing?

Mon Oncle Adios Mario

The theme song to MON ONCLE.

Frances LeMarque-
Mon Oncle Adios Mario

the pyramid was very responsible

Check out this fantastic animation from music/design duo, Impactist. Their other work (music, photos) is really great, but Leo's Song is definitely a gem.

Meiso (Klub Mix)

DJ Krush featuring Black Thought, Malik B.
Meiso (Klub Mix)

Produced by DJ Shadow
Found on the DJ Krush - Meiso 12" or CD single.

Appaloosa

The record is supposed to drop in April of 2008. In the meantime, begin clicking your heels together for something in the way of a Nico armed with a Casio keyboard—all packaged under the name Appaloosa (Anne Laure & Max Krefeld). Being touted by Chan Marshall as one of her favorite new things, it won't be long before word is out. And as she said herself, it will be time for them to "...RUN !!!!!!"

Spider

Spider, aka Jane Herships, self-released her beautiful debut, The Way to Bitter Lake, sometime ago. And while it's gotten some attention, it certainly never seemed to garner the proper type that it demands. But all that's about to change. She's since found a home on Canada's The Storyboard Label who were wise enough to to re-release and beautifully repackage it. And now it won't be long before we're all singing about scones come morning.

Listen to her on WNYC's Spinning On Air.

Julie Sokolow

Julie Sokolow debuted with a small, quiet recording done entirely on her Mac Laptop for Western Vinyl. Her voice sounded lovely and wild, but it only captured probably one-eighth of its capability. And that's not a bad thing, because it was still a lovely debut. But somewhere right about now, she's holed up putting together her sophomore release. While no release date has been slated, nor a proper label, when the time comes, those who haven't heard will quickly be forced to listen. And those who already have will kindly say, told you so.

Vampire Weekend

Spot is blown but the band is good enough to deserve it. Paul Simon-Graceland-Afro-Pop-New Wave-Ska (is cool again). Perfect soundtrack for a Wes Anderson film (in a good way). Catch them on tour now. On XL Recordings.

Stream Vampire Weekend.