679 NEWS!

2010-10-12T11:16:00.003+01:00

WE HAVE MOVED TO

679artists.com

COME JOIN US....

Ariel Pink and the Shortsighted Gig Goers

2010-06-16T11:57:00.004+01:00

We went to see Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti last night, which was interesting.
Their album is looking in danger of being in our top 5 of the year already and although it felt for most of the gig like we were privy to an extended band-rehearsal being played-out in front of 800 bearded-hipsters, it was pretty pretty good.

As your 679 correspondent has mentioned before, 20-20 vision is not something we've been blessed with so while the band actually looked like this:

We saw this line-up on stage:

Maybe that's why our brain got bamboozled and we paid £10 for one 7" of this track.

Admittedly, it is our song of the summer.

(thanks for the snaps Rozzer M)

Ears checking #20 - June

2010-06-09T11:35:00.003+01:00

EARS CHECKING #20 - June (Spotify)

1. James Blake - CMYK
2. Hurts - Better Than Love
3. Lady Gaga - Alejandro
4. Missy Elliott - Pass That Dutch
5. The Streets - In The Middle (Nero remix)
6. Major Lazer - Pon De Floor
7. Male Bonding - Year's Not Long
8. Tan Lines - Real Life
9. Telepathe - Chromes On It (Gold Panda remix)
10. Starfucker - Florida
11. Washed Out - Feel It All Around
12. The Radio Dept. - Heaven's On Fire
13. Gonzales & Louie Austin- Let's Groove Again (Z version)
14. Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers - Egyptian Reggae
15. Gichy Dan - Cowboys and Gangsters
16. BBC Orchestra - Manhattan Skyline

EARS CHECKING #20 - June (Spotify)

stopmakingme yeah

2010-06-02T16:52:00.006+01:00

We love Stopmakingme. Known to his mum as Dan Avery, to us as Davery and to clubbers across the land as 'that-blonde-guy-with-the-sick-disco', Dan has just made our June a little brighter with his latest mix.
Taken live from the Hot Boy Dancing Spot it features cuts from !!!, Scissor Sisters, Poni Hoax and Benni Benassi, alongside some of his own latest remixes.
For your ears:

Stopmakingme - Recorded live at Hot Boy Dancing Spot (May 2010) by stopmakingme

Also, Dan was kind enough to lend his remixing skills to a Marina's last single I Am Not A Robot which you can have for free here. Gah, isn't summer wonderful.

Marina and the Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Stopmakingme! edit) - MP3

tough talking

2010-05-26T17:19:00.003+01:00

Here's nice 3 page article on Ben in this months issue of Q. Fancy.

(click for a bigger view)

Radio 1 Big weekend

2010-05-24T11:50:00.002+01:00

What about the weather huh?
Radio 1 picked a good weekend to throw their Big Weekend festival with both Marina and Plan B taking to the stage. Have a look...

And She Said...

Cover Girl (part 2)

2010-05-14T13:37:00.001+01:00

We're particularly enjoying the cover line 'OMG SEX!'

EARS CHECKING #19 - May

2010-05-13T13:50:00.000+01:00

EARS CHECKING #19 - May (Spotify)

1. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Round Round
2. Egyptian Hip Hop - Wild Human Child
3. Joe Jackson - Stepping Out
4. Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill
5. Kelis - Acapella
6. Ronika - Do Or Die
7. 3Oh!3 & Katy Perry - Starstrukk
8. Civil Civic - Less Unless
9. Charlie Alex March - Mao
10. Golden Filter - Golden (Clock Opera remix)
11. Cold War Kids - We Used To Vacation
12. Justin Timberlake - My Love
13. Frankie Valli - Beggin (Pilooski edit)
14. Glen Campbell - Witchita Lineman

EARS CHECKING #19 - May (Spotify)

You dun know.

2010-05-11T18:35:00.003+01:00

Check out this picture from the latest issue of Interview magazine.
Incidentally, Marina's artwork has all been inspired by the work of Interview. Pop really will eat itself.

The Robots are taking over Selfridges

2010-05-10T17:45:00.003+01:00

Marina has taken part in 'Sounds of The Mind' exhibition taking place at Oxford Street shop-of-dreams Selfridges, which has given over a whole window to the theme of I Am Not A Robot.
All the window displays were revealed this morning, and you can see all of them over here, including Florence, Dizzee Rascal, Hot Chip and The Drums.
They're live now and will be on display until the 14th June at Selfridges.

Speaking of IANAR, we've got some remixes you might like the sound of. How about:

I Am Not A Robot - Fool's Gold remix (MP3)

I Am Not A Robot - Flex'd rework[Passion Pit] (MP3)

I Am Not A Robot - Ground Control remix (MP3)

679 telly take-over

2010-04-26T17:39:00.002+01:00

try saying that 6 times fast.
Our 679 artists got busy on TV over the weekend. Did you see:

1) The Streets on Doctor Who

This made us so happy we knocked our tea over our laptop in surprise

2) Plan B on Jools Holland

this time it's She Said, an interview, and Writings on the Wall

3) Marina on BBC Breakfast

4) Marina on Frock Me

5) Marina on C4's Koko Pops

phew - well she does have a single out this week!

Jools Holland makes his second appearance in 7 days on the 679 blog

2010-04-21T16:24:00.003+01:00

...as Ben Drew performed Stay Too Long on Later last night

Proper work out that.

INCIDENTALLY, tickets for Plan B's October went on sale today, over here.

Ears checking #18 (April '10)

2010-04-20T12:57:00.005+01:00

EARS CHECKING #18 - April(Spotify)

1. Caribou - Odessa
2. Museum of Bellas Artes - Who Do You Love
3. Darwin Deez - Bad Day
4. Plan B - She Said
5. Pharrell & Jay Z - Frontin
6. The Streets - Too Much Brandy
7. J Dilla - So Far To Go
8. Hot Chip - I Feel Better
9. Simian Mobile Disco - It's The Beat
10. Grum - Heartbeats
11. The Strange Boys - Be Brave
12. Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart
13. The Whitest Boy Alive - Burnin
14. Beach House - Norway
15. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Every Night I Die At Miyagi's
16. Marina and the Diamonds - Numb
17. Africa - Toto

EARS CHECKING #18 - April(Spotify)

...and all these kids are defnitely not Robots...

2010-04-19T12:34:00.002+01:00

Check out the 80s Robot dance vibes! We love the PS22 Choir and are so touched that they took on Robot. We highly recommend their version of Phoenix's Lisztomania too, it makes our stony hearts sing

She's not a Robot in LA either

2010-04-14T17:29:00.003+01:00

Here is a sneaky peak at the visuals that Marina has shot for her forthcoming tour.

Filmed on Hollywood Boulevard no less ("OH MY GOD" etc. etc.)

It's also Marina's own entry to a competition where we're inviting you to submit your own Robot video. You can win a flipcam and some cold hard cash. that's right, cash.
DETAILS ARE OVER HERE.
Personally, I'm waiting for a Chatroulette video entry. Maybe without the self-pleasure element.

Jools Holland ain't a Robot either

2010-04-14T11:49:00.002+01:00

Plan B takeover

2010-04-13T12:18:00.002+01:00

With the new album sat at number 1 in the album midweeks today (!) we've been spotting Ben Drew everywhere - including these two found on Team 679's home streets

the sun is out in London today

2010-04-08T16:28:00.003+01:00

And all is good in the world.
Q: How long are Darwin Deez' limbs?

A: Very.

She Said "it's the Rak Session"

2010-04-01T12:06:00.002+01:00

Hopefully you've spotted that Plan B's She Said is in the process of running up the chart this week and so as an aside, he's a little video of Ben performing the track acoustically.

The EP is OVER HERE (subtle).

When Doves Cry

2010-03-29T11:36:00.002+01:00

We're fully up for this.
Our friends at Lost In Paris are joining up with Pure Groove Records to host a night of nothing but the Lil Purple man.
This Thursday is Prince night. NOTHING ELSE. Wonderful.

these Boots were made for touring

2010-03-23T15:42:00.002Z

Our Bootsy has been hot footing it across the states in a track that resembles a black of flats. Whilst on the road, Boots' brother has been making a video diary.
Our favourite episodes so far are...

Laptop-gate

Lazer Harp time

All the tour videos are in their full youtube glory over HERE.

Plan B should scare James Corden too

2010-03-16T15:50:00.001Z

Catch Plan B on Jonathan Ross on Friday night?

we're on holiday!

2010-02-26T19:30:00.001Z

Normal blog services are will resume on March 15th as we're off to Japan!

Marina at NME awards

2010-02-25T15:24:00.003Z

Marina and Biffy duetting on Many of HorrOr at last night's NME awards.
AMAZING.

your sword's grown old and rusty...

2010-02-22T13:20:00.000Z

Lovely.

She Said...

2010-02-18T15:16:00.001Z

Here's the follow up to Ben's top 10 single, Stay Too Long, out on 29th March. Well alright!

Camden Town

2010-02-16T13:54:00.000Z

9/10

2010-02-12T15:52:00.000Z

Cheers NME - that's just how we roll.
(click the picture for a read)

Ears checking #17 (Feb '10)

2010-02-09T14:49:00.004Z

EARS CHECKING #17 - February (Spotify)

1. Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This
2. Fool's Gold - Surprise Hotel
3. Darwin Deez - Constellations
4. Gold Panda - I Suppose I Should Say "Thanks" Or Some Shit
5. Primary 1 - Nikoli's Rave
6. Memory Tapes - Bicycle
7. Boy Crisis- Dressed To Digress
8. In Flagranti - Pick A Trick
9. Death From Above 1979 - Romantic Rights (Erol Alkan remix)
10. Good Shoes - Under Control
11. White Rabbits - Percussion Gun
12. Devo - Gut Feeling
13. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Young Adult Friction
14. Plan B - Stay Too Long (Pendulum remix)
15. Shy FX & T-Power - Shake Ur Body
16. Marina and the Diamonds - Hollywood
17. Liam Lynch - United States of Whatever

EARS CHECKING #17 - February (Spotify)

2 choice bits of TV from the weekend

2010-02-08T18:32:00.002Z

Jonathan Ross

GMTV

Hollywood karaoke

2010-02-03T14:13:00.007Z

Having a scoot around Youtube this week we've spotted a couple of interesting little covers of Marina's single Hollywood (*cough out now cough*).
For ease of consumption, here's a handy Top of the Pops-style chart (ie, the first one is just sublime).

1 - David' Lyre

(i need one of those masks)

2 - Da Viglio

(she looks like that OCD one out of Glee. Topical)

3 - Charlotte Calamity

(we like the fact that she was being quiet becuase her dad was asleep and her mum was reading to her brother)

Amazing. Have you heard this re-working too?

Marina and the Diamonds - Hollywood(Monarchy's Gisle remix) - MP3

XX begin the take over

2010-02-02T13:51:00.001Z

This reminds me off The Wave. I like it.

Gonzpiration

2010-01-29T10:54:00.004Z

There's not much we need to say about this video, apart from we can't quite work out when or where in the past 20 years it was shot, but we're assured they are Estonian subtitles.

For the record, we bloody love Gonzales. Those gloves! That hair! The sweeping beauty of his remix, which you can download right here!

Marina and the Diamonds - Hollywood (Gonzales Orchestral Remake) - MP3

Sometime Wannabe

2010-01-27T13:33:00.008Z

Ah Primary 1.
Nothing better then a dreamy piece of video poppin' up on Youtube of a Wednesday, and the above cut is taken from P1's current mini-album, Mess Detective. It's an arresting collection of wistful electronic jams and lo-fi pop gems, and one of the first essential records of the year.
You can buy it on a fancy CD here or if you're impatient, download the whole thing for free (FREE!) over on his blog.

But hey, have one of the finest cuts right here.

Primary 1 - Foaming (White Room edit) - MP3

Oh Alex James, what will we do with you?

2010-01-21T13:36:00.001Z

And just what is Alan Titchmarsh doing on that show?

Remixes infected your brain - PART 2.

2010-01-14T17:46:00.006Z

Have you seen the acoustic video for Marina's Hollywood above?
Not too shabby eh.

Also, just a heads up there there are two hyper-limited 7"s of Hollywood up for grabs.
The 1st - Hollywood and Bad Kidz - from Record Store
The 2nd - Hollywood and Hollywood (Gonzales Orchestral Remake) - from Pure Groove

But it's always nice to get something for free, so as it's nearly the weekend...

Marina and the Diamonds - Hollywood (The Juan MacLean remix) - MP3

TOUCH ME - Jacko generator

2010-01-11T14:29:00.012Z

I would have liked the Jacko-Generator to be an offshoot of the Channel 5 show, Michael Jackson; The Live Séance, where you can magically make him pop out of your screen.
Alas, it's the slightly less mental and more office friendly site which you can tap along and make Jacko "OWWW" and "EEEHEE" to your heart's content.
Click the image above, or here, and turn your speakers up.

While we're here, I rediscovered this gem of a remix over the holidays.

Jacko - I Can't Help It (Tangoterje remix) - MP3

Yes, that is Marina in a bath. In her dress.

2010-01-06T11:36:00.004Z

NME have graced us with their annual 'new bands for the year issue' and it's actually a really good read. A fair few mentions of bands we're keeping an eye out for this year and then there's this little spread on Marina. Peter Robinson (King of Popjustice) nails it.

(click for a bigger view)

Also, you can grab a bunch of new tracks, including Obsessions, on the NME mixtape thing here. You don't even have to give em your email address. Nice.

Things we loved (but didn't post) in 2009

2010-01-05T14:49:00.001Z

1) Tempa T - Next Hype

2) Darwin Deez - Constellations

3) Everything Everything - MY KZ YR BF

4) Sneezing Panda

Remixes infected your brain...

2009-12-29T17:53:00.004Z

How's your Christmas been? Filled with gammon and gifts we hope.
And as a final treat at the end of the year (decade too), have a spanking new Marina remix on us by the SPECTACULAR Fenech-Soler.
HAPPY NEW YEAR x

Hollywood (Fenech-Soler remix) (MP3)

happy bloomin Christmas, one and all

2009-12-23T17:08:00.000Z

what's going on here then?

2009-12-17T16:56:00.003Z

Now that's definitely Marina, but is that?
No.
It can't really be Gonzales at the piano?!
EYES PEELED PEOPLE.

Long enough for something to go wrong...

2009-12-10T13:58:00.005Z

See that there, that's the new video for Stay Too Long by Plan B, that is.
It's also the naughty cut, so if you want to show it to your little nephew, best go with the Radio 1 (a-list) friendly version over here.

Its out on Jan 11th, what a new year treat.

Happy David Bowie Day!

2009-12-09T12:33:00.004Z

Happy David Bowie day one and all!
Not really sure why it's offically Bowie Day but any excuse to put on Let's Dance and shuffle around the office whilst belting out "TREMBLE LIKE A FLOWWWWWER" is good with me.
A he's a good guy that Bowie, check out this fan letter he sent in 1967 (click for a bigger view)

Retro Ears - New Jack Swing

2009-12-08T20:40:00.003Z

It might be down to the fact that I was at school in the early 90s, but I am very fond of that oft-overlooked gem of a musical subgenre; New Jack Swing.
Populated by characters like Teddy Riley, Brandy and Mary J, the calling card of a classic New Jack Swing track is quite simply; PARTYTIMES.

So as an early Christmas pressie, here's a Spotify playlist.
Thanks to The Last Skeptik, Scott Pinglewood and Ralph Razor for their contributions.
(Check out those cap n' tie combos on Boyz 2 Men!)

Retro Ears - New Jack Swing (SPOTIFY)
1. Brandy & Monica - The Boy Is Mine
2. Adina Howard - Freak Like Me
3. Boyz 2 Men - Motownphilly
4. Color Me Bed - I Wanna Sex Up
5. En Vogue - Don't Let Go
6. Bobby Brown - Every Little Step
7. Jade - Don't Walk Away
8. Al B.Sure - Nite and Day
9. Michael Jackson - Remember The Time
10. R Kelly - She's Got That Vibe
11. Bell Biv Devoe - Poison
12. Brandy - I Wanna Be Down
13. Brownstone - If You Love Me

Retro Ears - New Jack Swing (SPOTIFY)

Lady Boots vs. Sir Gary of Numan

2009-12-04T15:32:00.004Z

First Phil Oakey and now Gary Numan; Boots is well on the way to having a contact book that read like cast list from thee execellent Synth-Pop Britannia documentry.
Have a read of the lead article in today's Guardian where Gazza and Victoria interview each other.

my name's European Bob

2009-12-01T20:57:00.004Z

I'm a bit of a sucker for end of year musical lists, and this year we get the added indulgence of End of Decade lists. It's been an interesting (and sometimes predictable) read rattling through these various charts and being reminded of some gems that we've loved and also some that we'd clean forgotten about.

You'll have to believe that despite my affiliation with 679, The Streets' Original Pirate Material up there for me too so we were collectively thrilled to have The Guardian / The OMM / The Guide and even Get Cape Wear Cape Fly claim it as their choice from the past ten years too.
Cheers lads and lasses.

Zane Lowe went one better and picked it as one of his 4 Masterpiece albums, meaning that this evening it'll be played in it's entirety. You can listen again here too.
This means we get to hear "LEE SATCHEL YOU BASTARD" uncensored on R1.

Remember these?

Mr Skinner, we salute you.

Actually my name's Marina...

2009-11-30T16:48:00.002Z

We are very thrilled to present the brand spanking new video for Marina and the Diamonds' Hollywood.

Directed by Kinga Burza in the most hilariously OTT mansion we've ever been to, see how many US icons you can spot (we've noted Elvis, Obama, Marilyn so far).
It's out on 15th Feb on limited vinyl, CD and through those digital information transfer thingys (don't reckon they'll catch on to be honest).

More big Marina news tomorrow.
Ooh it's all go innit.

it really really really could happen

2009-11-29T22:17:00.001Z

Blur The Movie? YES PLEASE

hot video Wednesday

2009-11-18T17:16:00.005Z

Isn't it great when 3 songs you REALLY love turn up with 3 equally great videos?

1. Primary 1 & Riton - Radiate

2. Good Shoes - Under Control

3. Flairs - Truckers Delight

Humm, I do have a slight issue with the end of this particular video, but besides that its like the grubby older brother of this oft-forgotten gem.

so what's how they do it...

2009-11-06T11:40:00.003Z

Just something to ponder next time you pop on a 45.
What do you mean, you don't know what a 45 is? Sigh...

it's a Weezer Snuggie!

2009-11-04T17:07:00.004Z

Making a late but strong contender for promotional item of the year, good ol Weezer are even giving away a copy of their new album with every branded Snuggie bought.
I'll have one in each colour for Christmas, yeah?

Guest Ears - Ruth Saxelby

2009-11-02T11:32:00.003Z

Once in a while we'll hand over the Ears Checking reins to someone we think has a particularly fine taste in music and this month that honor lies squarely on the wonderfully selective ears of Ms Ruth Saxelby.
When not shaking her thing at every cool clubnight in London we've frequented, Ruth can be found interviewing exciting new bands for Dummy magazine and also posting her musings on her own blog, Rambling On About Music. She also has the best selection of ra-ra skirts this side of the 1950s.
For a daily dose of ones-to-watch tips and generally life updates, you can follow Ruth on twitter here.

GUEST EARS CHECKING - Ruth Saxelby (Spotify)
1. Talking Heads - Burning Down the House
2. Foals - Olympic Airwaves
3. Invisible - London Girl
4. Nenah Cherry - Buffalo Stance
5. We Have Band - Oh!
6. Terry Lynn - IMF
7. Dels - Lazy
8. Micachu - Golden Phone
9. Girls - Hellhole Ratrace
10. David E. Sugar - Although You May Laugh
11. The XX - VCR
12. Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
13. Beck - Youthless
14. Au Revoir Simone - Knight of Wands
15. Friendly Fires - Strobe
16. Health - In Violet
17. Remember Remember - The Dancing
18. First Aid Kid - Hard Believer
19. Animal Collective - My Girls
20. Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence
21. Prince - I Would Die 4 U
22. Electrobic - Getting Away With It

GUEST EARS CHECKING - Ruth Saxelby (Spotify)

spot the fictional character...

2009-10-31T13:33:00.002Z

Happy Halloween one and all!
Here we have a (cameraphone) snap of Marina and Little Boots getting down with their character of choice for halloween, and here are some topical (not tropical) tracks we'll be spinning over the weekend

The Sonics - The Witch (MP3)

Prince - Batdance (MP3)

Death In Vegas - Aisha (MP3)

An afternoon game of spot the MC

2009-10-28T16:54:00.002Z

My brain has melted.
Just in case you were trying to put names to faces, check out the credits on the site here.

a welcome return...

2009-10-27T17:39:00.008Z

Well alright, we're happy to announce the return of Plan B, with a track that you may not have been expecting.
This is taken from the forthcoming album and produced by Paul Epworth, it's a soulful indicator of the sound of the record. That won't be out until next year but for now, head over to Zane Lowe here who made Stay Too Long one of those Hottest Track in the World things.
We know he has a new one everyday (man, he is so enthusiastic) but reckon this is his proper favourite.

How not to write a creative brief

2009-10-25T21:28:00.006Z

This is one of the best things I've seen in a very long time:

Mick knows what time it is:

I on the other hand have been here more times than I would like:

Golden Girl

2009-10-23T13:08:00.008+01:00

We popped along to see our own Little Boots on tour in Brighton yesterday, and in support was the charming Ellie Goulding. We've been waiting for her first single to drop for a while, and here it is.

Released on Neon Gold (a fine label which was also home to the first two Marina singles), Under The Sheets ain't half bad. You can grab a download over at their site.

10 silver spoons coming after me...

2009-10-21T14:32:00.004+01:00

Marina's Mowgli's Road will be out proper on 16th November...

What do you do when the whole world thinks you're a bit of a wally...

2009-10-20T17:53:00.003+01:00

...Call up Spike Jonze to make a short film showing what a wally you've been, blame it on a leftover gremlin from Where The Wild Things Are and then murder it, in the process absolving yourself from breaking Taylor Swift's simple heart.
I still think he's a wally.

"Catch it in my hand I won't say a word..."

2009-10-19T18:40:00.013+01:00

Lalala, new Earthquake video...

And here some remixes for your ears:

Earthquake - Dekker & Johan remix - MP3

Earthquake - Clap Mike's Amour remix - MP3

Earthquake - Stonemasons remix - MP3

off the subject (#1 of an occasional series)

2009-10-16T14:06:00.003+01:00

Man Men is quite possibly the best TV in the past 10 years.
This is one of the better homages we've seen

"it's been an emotional journey, thank you sycophants"

Bright Young Things #6 - Housse De Racket

2009-10-15T16:32:00.004+01:00

Housse De Racket are two Parisians, Victor and Pierre, who have an unhealthy obsession synths, heartbreak and tennis. HDR may sing in French but don't hold it against as they weave sonic tales which transcend the language barrier.

They're headed off on tour with Does It Offend You Yeah at the end of this month and then our chums over at 50 Bones records are going to release their debut UK single - a double A side of Synthétiseur and the glorious Sur Le Papier.
As a treat for your eyes, here is the future-tastic new video for Synthétiseur

And it wouldn't be a Thursday if we didn't offer you a remix for your MP3 player
Housse De Racket - Synthétiseur (Van She remix) - MP3

Plan B isn't dead...

2009-10-14T16:22:00.000+01:00

...Despite what this video depicts. This is the title song to Sir Michael Caine's new movie, Harry Brown (trailer of which you can see here) which features Ben in the supporting role. Hollywood beckons.

Credibility is so passé

2009-10-13T15:49:00.001+01:00

I was privy to a conversation this morning about a band planning on shooting their video in a squat populated by a band most definitely not signed to a major label, but infinitely more credible.
It reminded me of this scene from the excellent Dig! about the friendship/war between the Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols.

And just becuase it's a gem, here's the LaChapelle directed video for Last Junkie On Earth

Dandy Warhols - Last Junkie On Earth - MP3

Ears checking #16 (Oct '09)

2009-10-08T19:24:00.002+01:00

EARS CHECKING #16 - October(Spotify)

1. Stricken City - Pull The House Down
2. Girls - Lust For Life
3. Spoon - Tweekers
4. Late Of The Pier - Space and the Woods
5. Spandau Ballet - To Cut A Long Story Short
6. Boots - Earthquake
7. Chromeo - Fancyfootwerk (Russ Chimes remix)
8. 33HZ & Teki Latex - Paris, Texas (In Flagranti mix)
9. Hudson Mowhake - Trace
10. Gold Panda - Back Home
11. Lykke Li - Good I'm Gone (Metronomy remix)
12. Fools Gold - Suprise Hotel
13. Andrew WK - Party Hard

EARS CHECKING #16 - October(Spotify)

Cuckoo! We're behind the scenes at Marina's video shoot...

2009-10-02T16:47:00.004+01:00

So those of you following Marina and the Diamonds on twitter will know that Marina spent last night on a sleeper train from Glasgow (where she's mid-NME tour), which was eventful for almost getting in a scrap, and I quote;
"If the drunk guy opposite me kicks my foot one more time i am literally going to knock his fat head off!!!!!!!!"

Having calmed down, here's some sneaky pics from the shoot WHICH IS STILL HAPPENEING (so so modern)

Oh, and did I mention the new single is Mowgli's Road, which you can have a listen to here

our new signing

2009-10-01T15:04:00.003+01:00

(maybe)

What's it all about, Harry Brown...

2009-09-24T11:11:00.004+01:00

Our very own Plan B is staring alongside Sir Micheal Caine in the new Brit-flick, Harry Brown. It's got old men vigilantes, smack adicits and Ben Drew shooting people. Winner.

It's out on 13th November.
Ps, here is Ben's IMDB page, fancy.

two bits of Boots TV worth watching

2009-09-23T19:21:00.002+01:00

Both off these struck me as quite wonderfully bizarre.

Katy Brand does one of her 'hilarious' parodies. Most odd.

And Thunderbirds are New In Town! This is taken from Bestival - check out Parker on drums

Tour de Champions

2009-09-21T16:55:00.007+01:00

It might be slightly off the subject but here at 679 we're huge fans of the Tour De France. And as this made me smile inanely, I thought it'd be only fair to share

Kraftwerk - Tour De France - MP3

Doobie Yacht Rock

2009-09-17T17:55:00.003+01:00

Take 5 minutes from your life to make it just a little bit better by watching this documentary on The Doobie Brothers greatest ever hit.

ps, this is my karaoke song of choice

I Wanna Go Surfing

2009-09-15T12:17:00.003+01:00

The weather may have switched over to WINTER already but this slice of LA pop leaves us imagining the strip lighting in our office is really the sun on a particularly lazy afternoon.
Damn, I do wanna go surfing.

The Drums - Let's Go Surfing

I wish my school discos were like this

2009-09-11T11:31:00.002+01:00

And what a fabulous jumper that man has:

Dave, Dave, my mind is going

2009-09-09T20:07:00.006+01:00

A truly moving rendition of the opening credits to 2001 by a school orchestra. The Cinematic Orchestra ain't got shit on this:

Reading Robot

2009-09-09T12:29:00.003+01:00

She's still not a Robot (sorry - last time we'll make that joke) but she was live on BBC2

Nowt better then Prince

2009-09-04T11:36:00.008+01:00

I came across this picture the other day and thought it was so excellent that I shamelessly stole it from illustrator Mat Maitland's site. Sorry Mat, I'll buy you a coffee to make up for it.
Go an check out Mat's other work which includes memorable album sleeves for Bassment Jaxx, Futureheads and Goldfrapp.
We all know that Prince beats Jacko hands down (well, it's an unfair contest these days I suppose), but here's some recent Prince inspired gems
Felix Da Housecat - We All Want to be Prince

Mariachi El Bronx - I Would Die 4 U (Prince cover)

Flairs - Better Than Prince

it's a cocknbull story

2009-09-03T12:41:00.002+01:00

Anita Blay is better know as thecocknbullkid and has been bubbling under for a little while now. Every now and then, seemingly out of the blue, she'll drop a track which sneaks into your brain and sticks around for months.
Rumours abound that she's been working with Gonzales on her album (amazing) and while we wait to hear what they come up with, we have Clean Apart to nestle it's way into your subconcious for the weekend.

thecocknbullkid - Clean Apart

While we're here, it'd be criminal not to share On My Own Again which came out last year and was definitely one, if not my favourite, songs of 2008.

thecocknbullkid - On My Own Again

The Rolling Stones vs. The Beatles

2009-09-02T18:29:00.000+01:00

This is a 'video' with Marianne Faithfull wandering about in Angerland.

And this is a book that takes the ball and runs with it.

Invocation Of My Demon Brother
Zachary Lazar’s second novel, "Sway", which Mark Rozzo reviews in this Sunday’s Book Review, interweaves three iconic stories--the rise of the Rolling Stones from 1962 through Altamont; the long, strange trip of underground filmmaker Kenneth Anger; and the sorry saga of Charles Manson associate (and convicted killer) Bobby Beausoleil--to get at the dark side of the 1960s, the moment when the Age of Aquarius imploded into Luciferian light.

It’s an odd book, all glittery surfaces and collapsing possibilities, but what may be strangest is that it involves so much history we can actually see. As I read "Sway," I kept using the Internet as an enhancement, a way to make some pieces of the story come alive.

After finishing Lazar’s account of Anger’s 1947 film, "Fireworks," I looked the movie up on YouTube and watched it for myself. I did the same with "Scorpio Rising," the 1964 biker film that made Anger a minor celebrity when it was banned in California.

As for Beausoleil, I discovered that he’s still in prison, where he makes art and music, which he sells on a website that offers only glancing reference to his role in the 1969 Manson-directed murder of music teacher Gary Hinman. ("During the commission of an absurdly misconceived drugs transaction, things went terribly wrong, and BeauSoleil killed a man.")

Then, of course, there are the Stones. We all know what they look like, but even 38 years later, it’s shocking to watch violence explode as they play "Sympathy for the Devil" at Altamont, as if they’ve invoked a force they couldn’t control.

This is the point of Lazar’s novel, that the 1960s were a time in which all sorts of children (the Stones, Anger and Beausoleil among them) got involved with things they didn’t understand. It’s also the idea behind Anger’s film "Invocation of My Demon Brother," which suggests that every invocation is followed by an evocation, desire become action and then unleashed upon the world.

That’s a fascinating concept, but "Sway" also raises a number of wholly contemporary questions about the way literature (or, for that matter, history) operates in our own digitized and archived time. Does it enhance or diffuse the power of Lazar’s novel to read it in conjunction with the computer, to look up and literally watch many of its scenes? What does it mean for memory, for reading, for our own power as writers and readers to invoke and then evoke a shared fictional dream?

I don’t know the answers to those questions; it’s just that I’ve never read a book in quite this way before.

Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones

2009-09-02T18:17:00.000+01:00

Ears checking # 15 (Sept 09)

2009-09-01T18:29:00.007+01:00

We've moved our playlist over to Spotify - alright!

1. Riton & P1 - Who's There
2. SMD - Audacity Of Huge
3. Friendly Fires - Kiss Of Life
4. Wamdaue Project - King Of My Castle
5. Little Boots - Symmetry
6. Cut Copy - Far Away (Golden Filter remix)
7. Marina - I Am Not A Robot (Starsmith remix)
8. Blur - Oily Water
9. Arctic Monkeys - Crying Lightening
10. Big Pink - Velvet
11. Spoon - Got Nuffin
12. Aztec Camera - Somewhere In My Heart
13. Lo Borges - Aos Bores
14. Gonzales - Let's Groove Again
15. Bullion - Are You The One?

EARS CHECKING - September 2009 (spotify)

Skull of Dreams mixtape

2009-08-31T18:39:00.002+01:00

When Boots isn't wearing portable garden centres at festivals and unknowingly starting geek wars with synth nerds she likes to relax by putting together mixtapes. No really, that and gardening.
Here's the latest for your download pleasure, we proudly present the Skull of Dreams mixtape:

And Your Dreams Come True - Beach Boys
Walking On A Dream (Treasure Fingers Mix) - Empire Of The Sun
Precious Little Diamond - Fox The Fox
Triangle Walks (Rex The Dog Mix) - Fever Ray
Obsession For The Disco Freaks - Alexander Robotnick
Cruel Intentions - Simian Mobile Disco & Beth Ditto
Kilometer (A Trak Dub) - Sebastien Tellier
Dreaming - Rainbow Team
Animal (Fake Blood Mix) - Miike Snow
Suspicious Minds - Miss Kittin & The Hacker
Pulstar - Vangelis
The Things That Dreams Are Made Of (Re Edit) - The Human League
We’re Back (Vitalic Mix) - Heartbreak
Anyway - Duck Sauce
Remedy (Stonemasons Mix) - Little Boots

Little Boots - Skull of Dreams mixtape (MP3 download)

"I was going to stand at the front and sing my little heart out"

2009-08-30T18:03:00.000+01:00

Hitler's most disapointed that Oasis have split up

STYLO-THUNDER

2009-08-25T11:14:00.002+01:00

Little Boots hooked up with VBS to make a documentary on her beloved Stylophone.

(If you can't see the full window then head over to their site for the wide screen experience).

I must say my favourite part was Brett Domino's annoyance at Boots stealing his stylo-thunder. Grrr, you tell her Brett.

And just because here's a photo of Rolf with his.

Making videos ain't easy...

2009-08-24T17:58:00.004+01:00

We are big fans of Your Twenties and so we're charmed and saddened in equal measure to see singer Gabriel wallowing in the despair of the failed attempts to make a video for their single, Billionaires.

We really want to see the owl version.
In the meantime we'll settle with a download of Billionaires, produced by Stephen Street out now on Neon Gold.

Your Twenties - Billionaires

Tweet The Streets - part 3

2009-08-20T15:00:00.002+01:00

It's time again to return to inner workings of Mike Skinner's mind and his 'recentlly added' playlist as a new Casting Down Your Pod drops.
Have to warn you this time - there is a little naughty language and talk of illegal goings on. OI OI OI!
You can follow Skinner here and 679 here. Ta-dah.

BEAT STEVIE - Casting Down Your Pod - volume 3(MP3)

New Boots Funtimes (containing earworm)

2009-08-20T13:24:00.005+01:00

Boots is having a busy old week, running around town, doing shows and promo to point out (delicatley) that Remedy is released this week.
In case you're not a regular listener of Jo Wiley on R1, you may have missed Boots cover JLS in the Live Lounge. Here you go:

There's something about this song that's been stuck firmly in my head ever since. Nightmare. Boots did a version in the studio too that you crazy JLS fans can purchase for your iPod or other none branded MP3 player. No favourites here.

Other Boots news, our gal is gracing the cover of The Big Issue from today. Well worth your cash.

More LB goodies and news to follow tomorrow. We do spoil you.

Good Shoes? Great song...

2009-08-19T19:22:00.005+01:00

Heck yeah! Those cheeky chappies from London's grimmest end-of-tube destination, Morden, are back. What's more they have managed to create by far the best song of their career to date.
The Way My Heart Beats is an arresting (hoho) slice of summery guitar goodness, coming in at a breakneck 2"31.
It's DIY, it's ballsy and it's flippin brilliant.
Nice to have you back Good Shoes.

Good Shoes - The Way My Heart Beats

The History Of Film In Title Cards

2009-08-19T17:00:00.000+01:00

Dutch graphic designer Christaim Annyas has collected film title boards from just about every film you would want including those from 1969 to 1976, or as we better know it - The Golden Age of American Film.

take a look at the site

Oooh get her

2009-08-18T15:11:00.002+01:00

Patrick Wolf doesn't like being told to get off stage before he's done...

stylophone-eone-eone

2009-08-17T12:07:00.002+01:00

Set to become the biggest champion of the humble Stylophone since adopted National treasure Rolf Harris, Little Boots has made a documentary with the makers of the wee machine.
Here's the trailer:

'We don't have a candy machine in the boys room!'

2009-08-10T20:15:00.003+01:00

One of the most touching things I've read on the internet for a good while concerns John Hughes, the man who made teenagers feel that bit less alone in the world, and grown-ups feel that perhaps kids are worth listening to after all.

Anyway, this girl who wrote John a fan letter wound up being pen pals with him over the course of the decade. It is AMAZING. Certainly cements Hughes' reputation as being everyone's fantasy uncle.

In other news, Lindstrom has done an absolutely boss remix of Doves' Jetstream. Seriously, the man shits tunes like some sort of Scando-Med golden goose. What do they put in the water over there? If it wasn't for the church burning and whale hunting I'd definitely go for Norwegian citizenship.

the Robots are taking over

2009-08-10T16:26:00.002+01:00

Marina played at Emmaboda Festival in Sweden last week and was joined by a gaggle of Robots for, well I Am Not A Robot. Utterly charming.
What do you call a collective of Robots?

UPDATE - there is no correct answer to the above question - ooooh...

Jeff Lewis draws The Cribs

2009-08-07T17:20:00.006+01:00

I'm a big big fan of Jeffrey Lewis' songs. I'm an equally big fan of his comics which I'm not at all ashamed to say sit on my bookshelf. I have have a personalised one he did for me on my birthday last year (fan-girl alert).
And I've got a soft spot for The Cribs which began after hearing their debut album - which could still be in my top 10.
In the run up to their fourth album, Ignore the Ignorant, they've teamed up and ain't it grand...

And if you wanted to watch the progress of the work, and hear the new single Cheat On Me, then you're in luck too.

Full respect to The Quietus who brought this to our attention.

Diamond Clash

2009-08-06T08:19:00.000+01:00

Clash Magazine have charmingly given over 5 whole pages of their new issue to Marina in a shoot that's vaguely reminiscent of soft-focus 70s porn. Not that we have an in depth familiarity with...
ANYWAY, here's a sneak preview.

Oh also, did you hear the unplugged version of Marina's Robot?

Marina and the Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (unplugged)

""My mother is the only 90-year-old in Britain with a poster of Lethal Bizzle in her kitchen."

2009-08-04T13:26:00.007+01:00

In the Guardian Weekend magazine last week there was a bizarre article on Tinchy Stryder. More specifically it was about how his career so far has been funded by Liberal Democrat shadow health secretary, Norman Lamb, re-mortgaging his house.
No really.

READ THE ARTICLE HERE

My favourite passage is:

He's interrupted by a fan. Not excitable teenage girls, but a middle-aged Scotsman: "I was being kept awake by music from a party the other night," he says, "but then I recognised it was your music and I thought, 'I can't complain about that'. "
"Tinchy, can I introduce a mate of mine?" Norman Lamb asks. "This is John Barrett, the MP for Edinburgh West."

But the article did remind me that pre-hanging with the Lib Dems, Tinchy featured on a grime remix of The Streets 'Fit But You Know It', alongside Kano and Lady Sov.

The Streets - Fit But You Know It (remix feat. Tinchy Stryder, Lady Sovereign and Kano)

Boots makes peach puffs with Tim Lovejoy

2009-08-04T13:02:00.004+01:00

(not a euphemism for anything)

Considering she'd been DJing at Bugged Out with Erol Alkan at 3am that morning, not too bad on the old cooking skills.

Neon Pocho

2009-08-03T11:18:00.007+01:00

Marina Diamond skipped across the pond earlier this year and bumped into Nylon magazine who rushed her into a tine music store and demanded she did a version of Obsessions. Here it is

Now, you won't have missed that eye-watering poncho, which Marina alleges on her own blog was "made courtesy of lovely Guatemalan lady on acid". Amazing.

Whilst we're on Obsessions - did you hear the Gold Panda remix?

Marina and the Diamonds - Obsessions (Gold Panda remix)

Tweet The Streets - part 2

2009-07-31T16:52:00.004+01:00

Gwad bless Twitter. Not only does it give you a hotline to your favourite musicians, allow you direct access into their innermost thoughts and let you have a sneaky look at their holiday snaps (see above), it also occasionally throws up an exclusive that is worth your sign-up in the first place.
Mike Skinner LOVES Twitter and this week Twitter loves him right back as he's posted up an exclusive podcast to download;

BEAT STEVIE - Casting Down Your Pod (MP3)

Incidently, you can follow 679artists on Twitter too

Where's Lorraine Kelly?

2009-07-31T13:32:00.001+01:00

Boots on GMTV this morning was pretty, pretty good. I've got dress envy.