X-Rated SWIKs

After my bout with the flu, I finally returned to dance class last week for a workout and discovered a new song by Amanda Blank, “Something Bigger, Something Better.” A few months ago one of my music-pushers, Robbie (see Summer Tours), mentioned her debut album, I love You, which came out in August. But I never got around to listening to it. I was immediately hooked on “Something Bigger, Something Better” which sounded like it could have been produced by rapper Missy Elliott. I finally got around checking out Blank’s album. Of course, through my research it turns out that I missed her recent show in NYC with electroclash diva Peaches. I’m, once again, a step or two behind here. But I keep trying anyway. Even though I missed the live show it seems like a good time to say a few words about these X-rated singer-songwriters. (Yes, their lyrics are explicit, so you’ve been warned.)

New Music from North of the Border

The weekend before last life got in the way of the blog. I was in Montreal, but the trip led me to some interesting new artists. Unfortunately, over the past week, work and illness got in the way and I never found the time or energy to capture the weekend or the new sounds. So back to the weekend in Montreal. My friend Sadie was in town from San Francisco. She is a talented realist painter (see her website) and was on the East Coast to see some art. We headed to Montreal last Saturday to see the J.W. Waterhouse exhibit at its only stop scheduled in North America. Waterhouse is known for being part of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, which tended to combine nature with themes from Greek mythology and English literature. At the end of the exhibit there was a short film by Melissa Auf de Maur called Out Of Our Minds (OOOM). Auf de Maur is also a bassist and toured with alternative rock bands Hole and Smashing Pumpkins. These weren’t the only artists I discovered in Montreal. On Saturday night, we met up with Katheline, another member of the small group of hip co-workers at my day job, who lives in Montreal. She took us to some great bars and suggested some excellent music from north of the border.

Rave On with some more ‘ettes’

Yes, its another ‘ettes’ band. Even if they’re not using ‘ette’ in their name i.e. the Ting Tings, the 50’s and 60’s girl group sound seems to be everywhere. I’m not complaining, I love all the retro sounds permeating music these days. The Ting Tings combine their girl group sound with an 80’s pop sensibility, and the Noisettes with a soul inspired punk sound. The Raveonettes, on the other hand, have a late 80’s early 90’s alternative guitar band influence. It’s oddly dark and catchy. I had hoped to see them a few weeks ago when they were in town. But the show was during a completely hellish week at the day job and I didn’t even get to a SWIK post, let alone a concert. I hope to catch them the next time. Until then, I’m enjoying their latest album, In and Out of Control.