Killa Kela

This is one of those rare occasions where I'm venturing out of my comfort zone and featuring an artist that is probably quite unfamiliar to the average reader of this blog. Unless they happen to be into beatboxing.

It is perhaps unfair to pigeonhole Killa Kela as simply a beatboxer - the man himself prefers 'multivocalist', recognising his all round vocal skills. Indeed, his live show and previews of his new album indicate more of an electro vibe.


Now, this is handy for me. I'm certainly no expert in beatboxing, although I'm aware of Rahzel's reputation from his expert beatbox-singalong combos and I had the pleasure to witness a young fellow named MC Xander (check out his White Stripes remix on Youtube) in action at the Notting Hill Carnival a few years back. Likewise, I managed to catch Mr Kela live recently at my university summer ball at the IndigO2. A pretty swish venue if you ask me.

My friend Katie (who writes a film blog called The Stories That Really Mattered) described Killa Kela as "a bit like that guy off Police Academy". She is, of course, referring to Lavelle Jones. Here he is acting like a robot. And just for relevance, here is Peter Crouch dancing like a robot. Good times.

Perhaps Katie was being a little harsh on Killa Kela but I didn't take all that much away from his performance either. While beatboxing is an undoubtedly challenging skill, performers need to utilise it in an appropriate manner for wider appreciation. It appears that 'Amplified', the upcoming album from Killa Kela, is an attempt at incorporating different styles to attract a larger audience and also represents an evolution from an artistic perspective. No bad thing, in my opinion.

Free download 'Couple Of Wasters' is a hefty dose of dirty electro, an inbred mix of Basement Jaxx, Freeform Five and The Prodigy. Check it out below.

KILLA KELA - COUPLE OF WASTERS

'Amplified' is out this summer, preceded by the single 'Built Like An Amplifier' which is out on June 29th.

The Longcut

Mancunian experimentalists The Longcut have just announced details of their second album, 'Open Hearts'. Hurrah! It follows the 2006 debut 'A Call And Response' released on the Deltasonic label.

The band have since parted with Deltasonic and in the age of non-traditional release models have opted to make 'Open Hearts' downloadable immediately on MP3/FLAC for those who order it prior to the October 5th release date. Bloc Party did a similar dealio for their third studio LP 'Intimacy', albeit holding a couple of tracks back for the physical release. The Longcut however are allowing fans to get hold of all the tracks a good few months earlier than the CD and vinyl releases by ordering through [Melodic].



Not only that, they've elected to donate a free mp3 ('Tell You So') to tickle our pickle as well as showcasing a selection of album tracks on their MySpace. Although I must admit, offering up a track clocking in at over 6 minutes is somewhat brave. Then again, it worked for The Horrors with their 8 minute odyssey 'Sea Within A Sea'. While that track signified a vast change in orientation for The Horrors, The Longcut's second album appears to be very much in the same experimental electronica meets dancedance post-rock mould that they carved a niche for with their previous material.

With 'A Call And Response' going largely unnoticed, let's hope that this new album turns some heads. And finally, I simply have to point you to the wonderful [video] of the equally wonderful single 'A Tried And Tested Method', which I gushed about on here ages ago.

THE LONGCUT - TELL YOU SO

For full details on how to order the album and information on forthcoming tour dates, head over to [thelongcut.com].

Intimacy Remixed

Bloc Party have a new album out this week. A couple of years ago, I'd probably have been pretty excited. Now, I'm pretty indifferent.

It's not just the fact that following the fantastic debut album 'Silent Alarm', we have seen ever diminishing returns in the forms of 'A Weekend In The City' and the most recent effort 'Intimacy'. No, it's more to do with the fact that this new album is a remix album. While I didn't really listen to the alterno versions offered on 'Silent Alarm Remixed', I just wonder what the point really is of a remix album. A showcase for new artists? An opportunity for Bloc Party tracks to be played in dance clubs across the world? Or just a shameless cash-in?

Signs (Armand Van Helden remix) from Bloc Party on Vimeo.

However, I thought it'd be unfair to tarnish 'Intimacy Remixed' with such ignorance, before I've even bothered to listen to it. Especially when it's available on Spotify (leave a comment with your email, if you need). There are some interesting names involved too - the likes of Mogwai and Armand Van Helden being joined by the likes of Gold Panda and KHI fave Banjo Or Freakout. It also seems to include the last ever remix by Paul Epworth under his 'Phones' moniker. Ultimately, my opinion on the album hasn't changed much, which is a shame really.

I do however think the We Have Band dub of 'Halo' is ace, unfortunately I don't have that to post. Instead, have an equally ace track, in the form of Bloc Party semi-covering Prince's 'I Would Die For You' live at Reading Festival 2008.

BLOC PARTY - I WOULD DIE FOR YOU (LIVE PRINCE COVER)

If, like me, you were unsatisfied with the remix efforts but if, unlike me, you have remix talents then go forth and remix 'Signs', 'Ares' or 'Ion Square' at [blocparty.com]. Or all three if you fancy.

If, on the other hand, you actually really liked 'Intimacy Remixed' then buy it at [Play] or at [Piccadilly Records] which should soon have the epic triple LP version on sale.

Away We Go, Alexi Murdoch

It should be painfully clear that I have an affection for music. I also have a passion for film, which you may not be aware of, unless you follow my [Twitter] feed. So it brings me great joy to be able to combine such interests in one wholesome blog post.


Sam Mendes was last seen directing 'Revolutionary Road', starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. 'Titanic' on land. It looked awful. However, after that he went and did what all Oscar winning directors do - make a little indie comedy called ['Away We Go']. While it follows the new "indie" conventions of a) quirky family, b) cartoon animation sequences, c) roadtrip, and d) hippy soundtrack, none of that stopped 'Little Miss Sunshine' from being an excellent film. And the DeVotchka led soundtrack for that film was just as good as the film itself.

The trailer (see embed below) for 'Away We Go' popped up sometime in March and I was immediately drawn in. Not least by the backing song - heartfelt acoustica at its best, which gave me a similar vibe to the first time I heard 'The Outdoor Type'. Seeing as that is one of my favourite songs ever, any comparison is a massive compliment.



After some furious googling, I discovered that this track was written by some bloke called Alexi Murdoch. Still not really clued up on his background but he showed enough promise in 2006 to be named by Rolling Stone as "one to watch". 'All Of My Days' is one step toward fulfilling that potential. I have high expectations for both the film and the soundtrack, which is largely composed of Murdoch tracks. Hopefully we can get two happy endings.

ALEXI MURDOCH - ALL MY DAYS

'Away We Go' premieres on June 5th in America and will be opening the Edinburgh International Film Festival on June 17th. The soundtrack will be available from June 2nd digitally.

Passion Pit

A little bit behind the times on this one, and possibly redundant as a consequence, but a new Passion Pit track debuted on Pitchfork the other day. More importantly, it's actually rather good. And even more insanely, another track appeared online and is also good fun. Such was my shock that I decided to make this blog post rather than post a little [Twitter] update. I really had Passion Pit down as one hit wonders after disappointing recent single 'The Reeling' and last year's Black Kids debacle.


Kicking off like a warped version of 'There She Goes' by The La's, 'Moth's Wings' almost immediately moves into Frightened Rabbit meets The Polyphonic Spree territory. By that, I mean a stunning combination of melancholic lyrics, pounding drums, big choruses and an overwhelming sense of euphoria.

PASSION PIT - MOTH'S WINGS

Shame it isn't a single, it's certainly one of my favourite tracks of the year and might have put paid to those MGMT comparisons. Although other new-song-off-album 'Little Secrets' is a more typical synthy hipster party jive - albeit with added catchy singalong fun from a bunch of kids who were probably passing by the studio during recording or something. It also sounds a bit like Michael Jackson covering the amazing Talking Heads track, 'Once In A Lifetime'. I say that more as a justification to repost this bizarre video of Kermit the Frog pretending to be David Byrne but 'Little Secrets' is pretty ace too. Same as it ever was.

Passion Pit are touring the UK in May, prior to the release of their debut album, 'Manners' out on May 18th. Preorder 'Manners' at [Play.com] for £8.