Local/Indie Music - "Let the Beat Build" by Nyle

This NYU student got things started early in his career when he was only a freshman with his first album called Frosh, which quickly became a cult sensation. Nyle has been touring on the East Coast ever since and his reputation and band of followers are building steadily. It's easy to understand when you see the talent in this video, and as far as I can tell, he's still in school. I'm really excited to see where his career will take him.

This video was shot in one take along with the audio you hear in the song as well. I believe all the musicians/performers are NYU students as well. Wow.

Visit Nyle Online HERE.

International Spotlight - "So Hung Over" by The Bedroom Philosopher

Originally from Melbourne, Austrialia, actor, musician, and comedian Justin Heazlewood started The Bedroom Philosopher in 2002 as performance persona for his comic/musical talents. The music is ironic-post-modern-rock-punk and is as self-aware as it seems. The latest album Songs from the 86 Tram includes songs about Australian self-loathing hipster culture, which mirrors American hipster culture in almost every sense, but hightened and a bit more pathetic (let's just be honest).

Have a laugh and take a look. If only I were Australian and were able to appreciate all the very obvious socio-cultural references being made in the song. Regardless, it's goddamn hilarious. Especially when he attempts to pedal away on the bike at the very end.

Justin Heazlewood aka - The Bedroom Philosopher on MySpace.

Shuffle Song - "Outta the Band" by My First Earthquake.

My First Earthquake formed in the late '06s in San Francisco. Their sound is very solid rock/punk combo that has since disappeared, when electronic/pop started gaining popularity on the early to mid-2000's, but with a fresh twist.  Fun, fast and brilliantly written, their first full length album Downstairs is quite impressive.

This music video was #5 on SPIN's Top 20 Best Music Videos of 2009. It's pretty great. Also, the band's name refers to when the leader singer/guitarist had their first song-writing session, Rebecca (the lead singer) experienced her first earthquake that day. Also, yes, there is sexual innuendo as well.

My First Earthquake online.

Covers - "Get Your Hands Off My Woman" by the Darkness

Original: "Get Your Hand Off My Woman" by Ben Folds

The Darkness were a flash of rock greatness and then disappeared in the late 2000's - a kind of one-hit wonder. I wish they had stuck around a bit longer because they have such an authentic 80s-rock sound that is hard to replicate without becoming pretentious or completely stuck in the past without sounding pathetic.

I love me some Ben Folds and this is one of his most amusing songs. I never thought it could be covered well, but somehow I really do enjoy this version a lot. It really just rocks. No music videos to speak of, but you can listen to it and compare it to the original, which is also brilliant. Gotta love men who sing in falsetto.

Visit the Darkness and Ben Folds online.



The original by Ben Folds.

New Favorites - "Short and Entertaining" by JAMAICA

JAMAICA is a new rock/pop duo that really has me excited. They have such a great old-school sound and yet a really amazing newness to them that is really nice to hear. I fell upon this song completely randomly and it's got me wanting to download their new album on iTunes (I never actually buy music online).  Give a listen and tell me what you think. I'm really loving everything about it.

I can't find out much about them other than that they're French and that most of their music is snyth-free, which I really think is smart and very impressive.

Check JAMAICA out.




JAMAICA - 'Short and Entertaining' VIDEO from bermudapants on Vimeo.