Mixtape Monday

Mix Tape Mondays: Without Borders

Posted on by Get Set Go

Here are some bands to challenge your ideas of nationality as well as give you awesome music. They don’t fit into those neat little categories. Transnational, multilingual, and badass. They all offer thought provoking forays into defining modern identity without causing me to fall into a Hamlet-like spiral of existential angst. Now excuse me while I try to teach myself another language…or three.

 

Yoshida Brothers and Monkey Majik – Change. The band Monkey Majik is a Japanese Canadian band based in Japan. Their collaboration with the Yoshida Brother’s traditional Japanese shamisen is instantly intriguing. Monkey Majik sings this song in English but many of their songs are also Japanese or a mix of both. Try Alive.

White City – Space Cadet. Throw a Brit, a Swede, and an Aussie together in Kabul and what do you get? White City, that’s what! Like this try Perfect 10.

Ibeyi – Oya. French-Cuban mistresses of haunting sounds need I say more? They also  sing in Yoruba a Nigerian language. Listen to River and Mama Says. Kudoos to Abena for bringing these ladies to my attention!

The Royal Pirates – Drawing the Line. Oh hey. Royal Pirates I see you and your meta music video references. This Korean-American band have both Korean and English versions of some of their songs, cause that’s how they roll. Listen to Love Toxic and Fly to You

Add you favorites below!

Mix Tape Monday: Chicken Noodle Soup

Posted on by Get Set Go

Are you sick?

 Alright then. Consider adding these songs to your convalescing routine. That’s right! In addition to hot tea, soup, medicine, and large quantities of tissues soothe those eardrums of yours. They need love too. Wrap yourself in the fuzzy blanket of sound and forget about that headache and how cold it is outside.

Christophe Mae – On S’Attache. While Christophe’s quirky falsetto may not be for everyone I really enjoy his style (a sort of Jack Johnson jam session sort of vibe.) Plus he’s on a beach. It’s impossible to be sick and on a beach right? Check out Tombé Sous Le Charme.

Akdong Musician (also known as AKMU) – Melted. This sibling duo has taken South Korea by storm. Try Galaxy and Give Love for a more bubbly sound and a reminder that even if you’re sick the world is a pretty great place.

Nujabes – Aruarian Dance. Too sick to process lyrics? Look no further. This Japanese DJ and producer has got your back. These tracks are about as soothing as you can get. Counting Stars and Mystline will provide similar auditory relief.

Carla Bruni – Quelqu’un m’a dit. This Italian lady is a singer, actress, model, wife of Sarkozy. She nails the breathy French sound in this track and in Raphael as well.

Jhameel – White Lie. An all around renaissance man Jhameel has a vast musical range. I love many of his more upbeat rock/pop tracks but for those chill days try  Waves, and Poison.

The Chieftains – Sea Image. When you are on the road to recovery this Irish band always puts a spring in my step and me in a better mode. Listen to Boil the Breakfast Early or Chase Around the Windmill  just be warned you may be moved to dance a jig or two!

Any comfort songs I missed? Add them down below!

Mix Tape Monday: Reppin’ Rap

Posted on by Get Set Go

In my high school years I would stumble across the occasional amateur rap battle or two during lunch or between classes. I attribute the excitement of those fleeting moments of grass roots rap to the birth of my love of rap (and previously mentioned amateur beatboxing dreams).

The songs listed are much better than anything I ever heard in high school and way beyond my own ability (oh to be able to lay down such cutting and clever rhymes!). While I still can’t rap (well) I can at least listen to these songs, nod along, and practice a line or two.

 Ok or maybe not.

Salome MC – Price of Freedom. Both an artist and a musician this Iranian lady writes some rebellious rhymes covering everything from society, artistry, and ever present existential ambiguity. Like this? Try  Gonahe Vojod.

Swings – Fallin (feat Jay Park). The self titled “Punchline King” of South Korea lives up to his name with some hard hitting lines. Feeling this? Try 이겨낼거야 2 (Victorious 2)  and 달리자 (which also features many other famous Korean rappers).

Ana Tijoux – Somos Sur (feat Shadia Mansour). This French-Chilean rapper has been all over NPR lately and rightly so! I love her tracks 1977 and Shock as well.

Supersci – All Year Next Year. The 60’s almost Beatles-like electric tune to this Swedish rap group’s song immediately caught my attention. Want more? Listen to On The Grind.

Cut Killer– Nique la Police. This track mixed with Edith Piaf’s classic “Je ne regrette rien” speaks volumes about the tension surrounding modern French identity. Duly famous for the gorgeous shot it was used in the film La Haine (which go see now if you haven’t).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdQYzEc6wYw

Shing02 with Nujabes – Luv (sic) Part 2. For all you smooth, chill beats lovers out there Shing02 is for you. Anime watchers out there may recognize him from Battlecry the theme of Samurai Champloo. There are six parts to the Luv(sic) set. Check out the full set here.

 

Whew! I may have bit off more than I can chew. There is a ton of excellent international rap and hip hop to choose from so stay tuned for updates. In the mean time leave your reactions or suggestions below!

Mix Tape Monday: Footloose Edition

Posted on by Get Set Go

Sometimes I fall into dance routine funk. You know. When I’m out on the town and I’m pushed into the dreaded dance circle (or more accurately when I’m dancing around my apartment) sometimes I’m just at a loss. What step should I use? How many shimmies and isolations can I get away with? Fortunately, there is the internet to save me from my choreographic rut. Here is a list of videos that make my dance breaks more interesting.

Gather your dance crew around or try learning these moves solo. Everybody warmed up? Cause once you pop n’ lock the fun don’t stop!

SHINee – Lucifer. This South Korean boy band is well known for their great dances (try learning the dance to Sherlock as well). If this video is too fast try their practice version to help break it down.

Fuse ODG – Azonto. This is a new popular dance from Ghana (brought to you by my excellent friend Abena) is a little easier to jump into. The lyrics break down the moves so all you have to do is follow along.

Heropanti – Whistle Baja. These steps are from the Bollywood movie Heropanti. If you don’t feel up to the acrobatics pulled by our lead dancer you can definitely master the hook step during the whistling. Love this? Try Palat Tera Hero Idhar Hai

P Square – Alingo. Like the Azonto but want something a little faster? Try the Alingo by this Nigerian duo.

Dream Team do Passinho – Todo Mundo Aperta o Play. This dance group is performing the a Brazilian dance style the passinho considered to be a mix of hip hop and funk that is unique to Brazil.

Any great new international dance styles or popular choreographed dances that I missed? Post ’em below!

Mix Tape Monday: Battle of the Bands

Posted on by Get Set Go

That’s right folks. This week its all about bands, bands, bands. So break out your guitars and dust off those garage band dreams cause we’re about to rock.

 

The KOXX – Trouble Maker. These South Korean guys seriously know how to rock a guitar solo plus the awesome kitsch of this video would make the Wyld Stallyns proud. They certainly deserve a post all of their own but I couldn’t make this list without including them. Rock out more with Oriental Girl and 12:00.

Ykiki Beat – Forever. I love this track and if you’re like me and playing it on repeat try listening to Young Life and Garden. When I take my next trip to Tokyo I know who I will be looking up!

340ml – Fairy Tales. Swing away in Mozambique with Moodswings and Australopithecus (ok I may have included the last one because it blatantly panders to my anthropology degree…so shoot me.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYcl6p3oiCc

Quest Pistols -Ты Так Красива. Oh, you thought that video was gonna be all rainbows and cuddles didn’t you? Ha! Gotcha. These Ukrainians rocking your socks? Listen to Я твой наркотик

Wir sind Helden – Nuir ein Wort. This song makes me feel like that spending a day exploring Berlin with them would be lovely. Like this? Try Denkmal and Gekommen Um Zu Bleiben.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kexaS-4BZag

WHOwho – Her. More music from South Korea (I had to control myself before I got carried away). If you dig their electric sound with a touch of funk check out Bye Bye and Down Below

Kabul Dreams – Sadae Man. Want to rock harder in Kabul? Well this group (aka the first postmodern rock band in Afghanistan) can help. Try Can You Fly? and  Shahab

Don’t see the band you love here? Comment below! What other bands from around the world should everyone know about? Oh….and party on dudes!

Mix Tape Monday: Femmes Fatales

Posted on by Get Set Go

I wanted a way to share new songs that I’m loving at the moment. So I came up with the idea for Mix Tape Mondays. Each Monday I’ll post around six or seven songs based on a general theme (aka whatever strikes my fancy.) Each artist should have a variety of work to choose from so if you love one song check out the hyperlinks to find more! Hopefully, it should be an easy way to explore a range of the new music out there. If I am super ambitious there will be geographic mixes as well. Who knows? We’ll work it out as we go along. But enough of my rambling and on with the show!

For my first Mix Tape Monday I bring you Femmes Fatales, fierce female artists from around the globe and different musical genres. Its like a musical buffet just a few clicks away. So put those eating pants on and feel free to get seconds (or thirds…or more…this is a judgement free zone).

Let’s hear it for the girls!

Christine and the Queens – Christine. Their album Chaleur Humaine came highly recommended to me by my fellow musicophile, Abena, and I can see why. Like this lady’s sound? Try Nuit 17 à 52 and Science Fiction for more French tracks. Actually just listen to the whole album.

Nabiha – Never Played the Bass. This video is so fun! Danish disco all the way. I love her songs Mind the Gap and Trouble too.

Yuna Zarai – Mountains. This Malaysian singer-songwriter has such a beautiful voice that apparently even Pharell knows of her greatness. Listen to Falling and Tourist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a5zTTYaNl8

Ailee – Don’t Touch Me. A rare Korean solo artist amongst a sea of girl bands in South Korea. Dare I compare her to Beyoncé? For more try U &I.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyJCjbXzcKc

Egoist – Namae No Nai Kaibutsu. This Japanese band is for all you Evanescence fans out there. Yes, there may be a little black magic in the video but don’t mind that check out this song Fallen instead.

Yasmine Hamdan – Samar. Yasmine has major musical chops. Originally she was in a Lebanese band called Soap Kills but now is working as a solo artist. Want more? Try Deny and Shouei

Miss Ko –  葛仲珊 – 打破他. Like this awesome Taiwanese rap? Me too. Listen to  Selfie Addict (the video for this one is pretty hilarious)

This isn’t a comprehensive list but any means so keep your eyes out for later updates. Also Let me know which ones you liked! Or if there are some other female artists everyone should know about drop me a line in the comments below.

Music Videos for the Soul

Posted on by Get Set Go

Its that time of year when the cold weather starts to get me down and winter seems like it will last forever. Whenever I get the January doldrums watching these videos with a cup of tea perks me right back up. These songs are favorites of mine to listen to but their music videos always increase my smiles exponentially.

So if you need a shot of musical sunshine to combat the winter blues these videos will do the trick!

Elle Me Dit by Mika. The dance moves in this one always make my heart happy. They can move! Look at those hips! The practical jokes between family members also helps improve my mood.

Love Girl by CNBLUE. After this video doing the dishes always seems more appealing. Also I need to go buy some posters immediately.

Fascination by Alphabeat. I like to think of Alphabeat as the Danish cousins of Matt and Kim. It must be something in the smiles. Plus they’re so darn smiley its hard not to smile back.