Sonny Rollins wins life-time Award

Normally Mthings is dedicated to up and coming bands, or current bands that are getting a lot of buzz... but sometimes articles are dedicated to honoring timeless great musicians... from any era.  Sonny Rollins, the legendary jazz saxophonist, was awarded Wednesday as a 2011 Kennedy Center Nominee.t.  Rollins, 81, is one of the most influential saxophonists as well as jazz musicians.  He is knows for his great playing and presence on stage.  Having won already several Grammies and the Kennedy award, he still plays saxophone to this day, really remaining the most important thing in his life.  I have always loved his playing for the sweet, round, melodic and slightly airy tone he gets from his Tenor sax... So here's a tribute to one of the greats, Sony Rollins:
-mthings 12/28/11


You can buy Sonny Rollins' music here: The Definitive Sonny Rollins On Prestige, Riverside and Contemporary - Sonny Rollins
05 - Sonny Rollins - The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Bed of Forty Winks, by Sonicbrat

Here is an interesting song from an interesting musician: Bed of Forty Winks by Sonicbrat.  The man behind Sonicbrat is Darren Ng from Singapore, a music editor and composer who has pieced together this song from various string and instrumental recordings.  The artistry is in the composition itself.  Bed of Forty Winks is a very imaginative piece where you can simply let it take you wherever your mind goes.  In a world where music seems to be shouting at you a lot of the time, it's nice to hear something that leaves room for interpretation from the listener.
-mthings 12/22/11


Click Here to listen to Bed of Forty Winks










If you like that, then also check out this other beautiful song by Sonicbrat called "Hana"


[ totokoko 024 ] sonicbrat - hana

First Rate People - Someone Else Can Make A Work of Art

This post is about "Someone Else Can Make a Work of Art" by First Rate People.  First Rate People is a Canadian indie-pop-folk band.   This song is off their new album that's also called "Someone Else Can Make a Work of Art."  The song is a beautiful poem, with a a wonderfully simple arrangement.  Its a catchy-feel good song.  The chorus that that is the title of the song, has a great melody.  The song explores some different arrangements as it goes on changing the drums, adding instruments and rhythms, which keeps the song interesting throughout.  I love the lyrics.  Have a listen, enjoy!
-mthings 12/18/11



Someone Else Can Make A Work Of Art - First Rate People

Christmas Time is Here, a cover by The Woods

Around this time of year many artists release covers of classic Christmas songs.  Some play the songs just as they were recorded or some might choose to play them with their own personal spin.  One band that has released a cover this year is the California based indie band The Woods with their cover of Christmas Time is Here.  The original version from Charlie Brown Christmas is already a favorite of mine with its simple and classic quality.  The Woods' cover keeps it simple like the original while making it contemporary with its interesting arrangement.   The guitarist outlines the chords of the song with an almost Hawaiian-sound, and a synthesizer makes eerie noises on and off and the vocals are sung in falsetto. The combination gives it a dream-like feel, but still reminiscent of the original.  The Woods is known to have an almost psychedelic sound to their music but they are receiving a lot of attention for this simple Christmas cover.

-mthings 12/14/12

WOODS- Christmas Time is Here by WOODSIST

Little Boots is Back with "Shake"

Little Boots (real name Victoria Hesketh,) the British electric-pop-indie singer is back with a new track called Shake.  Shake is somewhat of a standard club-song.  It makes you want to to move or dance.  It has a repetitive background with a solid bass line and drum track and a straight-forward verse and chorus that repeat a few times.  What's nice about the production of Shake is the build up of each verse, where every 4 or 8 measures a new instrument or sound is added which makes it exciting when you reach the chorus.  Little Boots' voice works well over the rhythmic background.  Little Boots has been around for 3 or 4 years releasing a few albums but this is a single-track she's put out, maybe as a preview of some upcoming album.
-mthings 12/12/11

You can buy the track here: Shake - Single - Little Boots Little Boots - SHAKE by LittleBoots


Some DJ's are making remixes of Shake, in the same way they did this fall with Lana Del Ray. Here is one by Azari and III: Little Boots - Shake (Azari & III remix) by LittleBoots

Devil's Work, new song for Miike Snow

Miike Snow, a Swedish producer and singer who released the very catchy song last year Song For No One is about to release his second album.  I personally really like Song For No One, with its great chorus and guitar riff.  Here's that song:
You can buy the album or individual songs here:Miike Snow - Miike Snow

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Snow has released one song, Devil's Work, from his not-yet-named upcoming album.  It's catchy and has a great piano-loop in the background proving Snow is still a great indie-pop producer.  Snow also has a great voice for the songs he makes. It gets a little repetitive in my opinion, but is a great preview of his upcoming album.
-mthings 12/08/11

Devil's Work by miikesnow

Of Montreal to release their 11th album

The band, Of Montreal, has an interesting inventive sound. They have a Beatles influence that drives the back-beat of their songs. This can be heard in Wintered Debts, a song on their upcoming 11th album that they've released on their website. It sounds like something out of the 60's, but with a modern view. There are about 10 different sections in the song, so it is very fun to listen to. They are all great musicians, so they do justice to such a spacey and varying piece of music.
mthings 11/28/11

It's definitely worth a listen:

Wintered Debts by of Montreal

Hal's- an LA Local Music Spot

There are not many great live jazz venues left, or so it feels like. But one that comes up is Hal's, in Venice, CA, where I happen to live. The spot is a dark candle lit bistro, that smells of delicious new-age American cuisine and always hosts a cool-mature crowd at any given night of the week. You can sit at the bar, or have a table for dinner and there is live music and a great atmosphere. The address is 1346 Abbott Kinney, a street that has many cool shops, bars and cafes, in the heart of Venice, CA. And live jazz lives here. Playing an old standard, the horns take a break to solo, and the band plays on. People also take a break in their meals and drinks to applaud the musicians. They play what they want, and it sounds great. 3 horns: two saxes and a french horn, take their time and play sweet held out harmonies. The tenor takes another solo. The crowd's applause again. There are not many left, but Hal's Bar and Grill remains a great venue, even on a Monday night.
-mthings 12/05/11

It's not much, but here is a little sample of the music and scene when I was there:

Born to Die

Lana Del Ray is a name indie-music listeners are hearing more and more of.  This fall she released two songs, Blue Jeans and Video Games, which were her debut tracks as an artists.  Both tracks received a lot of attention especially Video Games which was made into various remixes by dozens of DJs.  Her songs seemed to have left listeners waiting for her to come out with something new.  Well, she has just released a third track, Born to Die.

Born to Die is a great follow-up to her two previous songs.  It still has a dream-like quality that Blue Jeans and Video Games have.  Her melodies are clear and catchy, and her lyrics are poetic.  The production behind her gives the song hip, edgy feel, and compliments her vocals in an interesting way.  Hopefully there is more to come from Lana Del Ray.
-mthings 12/04/11

Tennis, a new band with great new single "Origins"

The band Tennis has come out with a new track, Origins, that is off their new album Young and Old.  The song is extremely catchy with has a light, poppy feel to it.  The singer Alaina Moore has a tinny voice that hits the upper registers that works really well with the indie style of the band.  The background combines many interesting and fun instruments like some horns, a synthesizer, and a bouncy piano riff.  The overall package is entertaining and rhythmic.  It's getting a lot of attention, and a lot more is to hopefully come from Tennis.

-mthings 11/23/11

Tennis - Origins