Though their recently released LP Say Us(Arts & Crafts)was their first, Zeus is far from green. In fact, the Toronto-based band made up of Mike O’Brien, Carlin Nicholson, Neil Quin, and Rob Drake have been flaunting their hook-heavy brand of pop rock since their days as Broken Social Scenester Jason Collett’s backing band. These are musician’s musicians, the kind who can pulverize the rickety walls of a nondescript dive bar or conquer the sweeping grandeur of an arena with equal amounts of ease. In the second episode of our original series of video portraits ON TAPE, we sat down with the rock gods-in-training to discuss the first time they ever picked up an instrument, the perils of heartbreak, and of course, those other seminal Canadian rock icons, The Barenaked Ladies.
Ryan Gosling’s indie rock side project, “Dead Man’s Bones,” is back with a cinematic new music video, shot in a Los Angeles retirement home. The video, for the song “Pa Pa Power,” also features the Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir, who have worked with Gosling’s band before. The whole thing clocks in at just over twelve minutes(!) but it hardly drags, thanks to its mix between the seniors’ heartening participation in the clip, and the dark, surreal sequences that frame it.
If you’re in LA, you can catch Dead Man’s Bones playing at the “Fuck Yeah Fest” (a.k.a. FYF Fest), which is set for September 4th. In the meantime, check out the video for “Pa Pa Power” below:
Cee-Lo Green has been relatively silent since the last Gnarls Barkley album was released in 2008. But he dropped a mixtape a few months ago, and is set to release a new solo album later this year. The first single leaked this week and it’s a soulful, retro, Motown-style jam…with some very NSFW lyrics. The song is called “F*ck You” and it’s the perfect summer kiss-off anthem. It’s off his upcoming album “Lady Killer,” due out later this year. Check out “F*ck You” below:
Chilly Gonzales, say goodbye to your anonymity. The marketing gods at Apple have chosen the eccentric musician’s pulsing “Never Stop” (off his upcoming LPIvory Tower) to soundtrack their long-awaited iPad campaign. The song features layers upon layers of syrupy piano, steady hand claps, and a throbbing bassline that seamlessly work in unison to craft an infectious, genre-hopping pop anthem. Frankly we can’t wait to see how Apple incorporates it into their always fun advertisements.
This isn’t the first time Gonzales has teamed up with Steve Jobs and Co. Feist’s “1,2,3,4″ was famously used in an iPod ad in 2007 – a song that Gonzales produced. That ad helped Feist’s record sales soar, and one wonders if the same thing will happen to Gonzales. We spoke to the maverick maestro late last year, and can see him embracing new found fame. Regardless of the impending campaign’s effect on his career, Gonzales is about to have the first hit single of his career.
My go-to album for much of spring (and carrying over into the summer) was Band of Horses‘ latest disc, “Infinite Arms.” Recorded in North Carolina and California, the album combines the band’s signature jaunty harmonies with a folksy, southern rock twang. It’s the type of album that you can throw on for a relaxing weekend at the cottage, or — as in my case — have playing on repeat for months on your iPod without feeling dreary or dated. The band is currently on tour through Europe, but took time out recently to film their latest music video for the song, “Laredo.” Check it out below:
