Just A Reminder

"1,2,3,4"


So Feist's new record, The Reminder, finally hits stores (physical and digital) today. Last week I featured her song "My Moon My Man" twice on the Knuckles McGregor podcast , so I figured I might as well throw the absolutely drunk Boyz Noise remix up for grabs. If you don't love the deep synth'd out vocoder intro, then swallow a handful of Mitsubishi pressed E-bombs and let the serotonin leak freely.

But first things first, if you haven't seen the videos for "1,2,3,4" and "My Moon My Man" do yourself a favor and scroll down. After watching you will have the strange urge start wearing multi-colored spandex leotards and recreating the synchronized choreography of "1,2,3,4" at slumber parties (post pizza, pre-pillow fight). You may notice a common theme among the videos, Feist sure loves dancing (Broadway?). Did I mention that I have a large (and growing) crush on Mrs. Leslie Feist?

The Reminder is also on sale at Amazon for a mind blowing $7.99.

Coincidently, while writing this post, STV SLV from THE HOOD INTERNET hit me up notifing me about a brand new Feist vs. Lloyd mash up they just posted. These guys are on fire, so of course, I had to throw it in in the mix. Feist vs. Lloyd- My Moon My Shawty

If you enjoy Ms. Feist's sweet voice, you may be interested in these tracks she cut with Norway's version of Simon & Garfunkel, the Kings of Convenience. Feist and K.o.C have collaborated alot in the past, both in the studio and on tour, and this live in-studio performance from KEXP in Seattle is a fine example of the lush, tranquil sounds they create together. "Know How," "Live Long" and "The Build Up" are Kings of Convenience songs, while "The Water" and "Mushaboom" are both off Feist's 2003 album, Let it Die.

Kings of Convenience w/ Feist- Know How
Kings of Convenience w/ Feist- Live Long
Feist w/ Kings of Convenience- The Water
Feist w/ Kings of Convenience- Mushaboom
Kings of Convenience & Feist- The Build Up
Feist- My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Remix)




"1,2,3,4"


"My Moon My Man"

I'm the Man Who Loves You Jeff Tweedy

"With a Sky Blue Sky"


Jeff Tweedy and Wilco. For my money there truly hasn't been a better source of creative American music for the past ten plus years than the music of one Jeff Tweedy. From his early work with Uncle Tupelo, to his grand experiments in studio aesthetics with Wilco, Mr. Tweedy has never disappointed. There is no doubt that his work with Wilco has become so mesmerizing, enchanting and cathartic that the band has been elevated to the ridiculous level of artists/bands who can do no wrong (Beatles, Radiohead, ABBA). One of the most staggering things about his musical accomplishments is that he has produced inspiring music in many different veins, collaborating with a wide variety of artists, from Jim O'Rourke to Ian Hunter, to Billy Bragg and contributing to countless side projects, including Loose Fur (w/ O'Rourke and Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche) and the supergroup Golden Smog (members of Soul Asylum, The Replacements, Wilco, Big Star and The Jayhawks).

Fortunately for us, Wilco will be releasing their new record, Sky Blue Sky, on May 15th on Nonesuch Records. The album, which is classic American rock and roll at its finest, features 12 tracks showcasing Tweedy's timeless song writing and some superbly intricate guitar work from axe-man Nels Cline. No doubt this album comes just in time for summer road trips down dusty highways, where it is sure to find a home. You can listen to the entire record here. Below you can download the lead single "What Light" for free.

Also for your aural enjoyment, we've chosen to share a few phenomenal live tracks culled from fine solo performances. The first few come from a benefit show Jeff did at the Vic Theatre for Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital, which treated Jeff's son for Kawasaki Disease. The other batch comes from a different benefit performance he did for the "Letters to Santa" organization. Both feature stripped down acoustic versions of classic Wilco and Uncle Tupelo songs, as well as some rarities, covers and some a bunch of other "good stuff."

And all the way at the very bottom of the post you can find a stunning version of 'The Thanks I Get', featured in the recent Jeff Tweedy solo dvd, Sunken Treasure. If you haven't seen the film yet, do yourself a favor. Highly Recommended.

Wilco- What Light From the forthcoming Sky Blue Sky

Jeff Tweedy- I Can't Keep From Talking ("Living Room" show 4/8/06) A Golden Smog song, one of the numerous side projects Tweedy participates in.

Jeff Tweedy- The Ruling Class ("Living Room" show 4/8/06)A showcase for Tweedy's impeccable story telling, this track features a funny tale which connects Tweedy and "King of the Hill."

Jeff Tweedy- I'm Beginning to See the Light ("Living Room" show 4/8/06) Solo acoustic version of this Harry James song from an intimate performance at the Hotel S n' S in Chicago.

Jeff Tweedy- The Laminated Cat (w/ Glenn Kotche) Personally, I think this is the definitive version of this Loose Furs song. 3/5/2005 Vic Theatre, Chicago.

Jeff Tweedy- I Shall Be Released The encore from the Vic Theatre show 5/8/2005. This homage to the Band couldn't be a more fitting show closer. Right on.

Pictures from one of the Tweedy "Living Room" shows

Bangers & Mash

"Look out weekend cause... HERE I COME"


Fog Machines and Laser Beams!
Holla! Bringing you some fresh house bangers and some sweet sweet mash ups. There is a ton of super money, flourescent swirling electro bumping these days and this section will be our forum for bringing you what we think are the dope new head bangers. This week we've got cuts from Chi-town's finest Kid Sister (gonna be bigger than JLo's ass (pre shrinkage), mark my words), Purple Crush, and brooklyn's guitar fueled electro rock stars, Ratatat. Should be enough lube to get your weekend running smoothly. Added bonus for those of yall who haven't seen it yet, all the way at the bottom is the Justice vs. Simian video for "Never Be Alone." Thats right, the video that won best video at MTV Euro awards, and then Kanye rushed the stage...

Ghosthustler- Parking Lot Nights Heard about these synth lovin' Texans on GorillaVSBear Who knew they were into bass heavy electro in the lone star state?

Kid Sister- Girlie Rock!(flosstradamus mix) Kid Sis run tings, let it let it let it let it perculate! Damn Girl, Don't hurt 'em

Purple Crush- Vacation(vocal dub mix) Not sure where I got this track from but its money and it will make you wanna ghost ride your ford ex-ploder down 42nd street during rush hour

Notorious B.I.G- Party and Bullshit (Ratatat Remix) From their soon to be released collection of hip hop remixes, Remixes II. Check out Remixes I for sick reworking of Ghostface, Missy and Jay-Z tracks.

Dizzee Rascal vs. Cyndi Lauper- Girls Just Wanna Fix Up This comes from the guys over at the Hood Internet These cats are blessing us with unreal mash ups and really money photoshops. Check out their Broken Social Scene vs. R. Kelly- Im a Flirt and Lil Wayne vs. Modest Mouse- Fire it up Fireman.

Justice- D.A.N.C.E You'll never dance alone again (cough cough). These Ed Banger guys are absolutely crushing the dancefloor these days. Make sure to check out the video below.

Last but certainly not least is Rick Ross vs. Simian Mobile Disco- Hustlin' Hustler (A-Trak) This is from A-trak's new Dirty South Dance mix which cuts up killer electro with the grimmy, rock slanging dirty south hip hop. A must for the weekend


Until next time, enjoi. (photo courtesy of williemarlow.com, check him out, shits bananas)

Phish Island Run '98

"For Those of You Who Want to Stick Around and Dance to the FUNK..."


In the midst of what was arguably their most creative and productive practise sessions (which eventually led to the album The Story of the Ghost), Phish scheduled a quick run of four east coast shows in early April 98, known to 'phans' simply as "Island Tour." The gigs - two nights in Long Island, and two nights in Rhode Island - are considered by many to be the creative musical pinnacle of the band's career.

Coming off of a Fall tour and New Years 1997 run where the band began experimenting with a looser, groovier style of playing (which has affectionately been dubbed "Cow Funk"), the theme for the first shows of '98 was no doubt wah'd out PHUNK. The four shows featured some of the most intricate, awe-inspiring improvisational work the band ever created - the result of years of rigorous practice and musical camaraderie. The jamming from these shows is utterly egoless, yet the band maintains a clear sense of direction and purpose throughout; the music hovers as it progresses along, propelled equally by four distinct musical personalities and ideas, spontaneously and constantly morphing into something fresh and exhilirating.

Song selection over the four nights featured many new tunes that would later appear on "Ghost", longtime classics stretched to their mind-bending limits, and brilliantly executed covers that proved the band's versatility and ability to work in a miriad of different musical styles. Below is a selection from the final show's second set and encore. Listen as "Possum" is taken to uncharted territories, and then morphs into a funked out version of "Cavern" to close the set. The band then encores with a smoking version of Jimi Hendrix's "Bold As Love". This mini compilation of tracks not only captures the spirit of the classic four night run, but more importantly shows how the Island Tour served to create an air of energy and excitment that would carry over throughout the summer and last well beyond the release of"Ghost" in the fall of 1998. Mmmm, Cow Funk.

Phish - Possum -> Cavern, Bold As Love (April 5, 1998)

Nu Musik: Ra Ra Riot

"Dying is fine, but maybe..."



Ra Ra Riot

Festivals like Austin's SXSW and New York's CMJ Music Marathon are notorious breeding grounds for unsigned musicians turned "celebrity overnight"(twista), having launched relatively unknown acts like theArcade Fire and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah to instant indie rock stardom. Regardless of whether or not you are lucky enough to make the trip, there are so many music snobs with Wi-Fi access covering the events that you can live vicariously through one of the jounralists who ran amuck in New York racing by subway between Brooklyn and the Village or vomiting up BBQ in Austin between sets at the infamous Emo's.

With that in mind, let's raise the all important. Who was the "it" band? Who launched a thousand emails and got a million myspace hits? And, more importantly, who got the Pitchfork love??? Know doubt the big hit of CMJ was the Norweigan goth-electro group The Knife As for SXSW, I'm not too sure, although Austinite's Ghostland Observatory , Voxtrot , and Peter and the Wolf have all been showered with love and street cred from the blogosphere.

PopMatters feature on the daily showcases highlighted a cello infused rock band from the city that brought us the Carrier Dome and Carmello Anthony, Syracuse. Affectionately known as 'Cuse, the college town in Upstate New York isn't exactly known for its indie rock output. Bluntly put, 'Cuse is no Brooklyn or Portland. Ra Ra Riot, a six piece made up of the standard guitar, keys, bass, drums with a dash of violin and cello for good orchestral measure. The PopMatters article gave Ra Ra Riot one of their honored "Where did these guys come from?!" titles after catching one of their six showcases, which they booked on the strength of a three song demo. I got a hold of the afore mentioned demo and was immediately impressed. Think a more animated, poppier sounding Arcade Fire (huge cello sound) . While the band has yet to become the envy of thrift store shoppers around the world, we hear at the Bobka agree with those over at PopMatters. Ra Ra Riot are the real deal, and if they keep writing songs like "Can You Tell" and "Dying is Fine," another standout from the demo, they are sure to be on everyone's "Bands to Watch list." Really don't know much about these guys except that they just released their first self-titled EP, which features a few of the tracks from the demo. Download "Can You Tell" below.

Ra Ra Riot- Can You Tell
Ra Ra Riot website

WELCOME TO THE NEW DEAL

Da NEWEST DEAL!!!

January 1, 2006. BB King's, New York, NY

Welcome to Chocolate Bobka, where two mildly employed, Jer$ey bred twentysomethings, share music that makes us feel little giddy inside. You know the feeling, a fizzy bubbling somewhere between your kidney's and your heart. We'd like to think that the songs you'll find hear are special, for one reason or another. And there is no better description of that bubbling feeling of hearing something new and wondrous than this description from a Greil Marcus review of a Springsteen show at the Roxy in 1978. The excerpt appears in his book Ranters & Crowd Pleasers: Punk in Pop Music, 1977-92

"If you're lucky, at the right time you come across music that is not only "great," or interesting, or "incredible," or fun, but actually sustaining. Through some elusive but tangible process, a piece of music cuts through all defenses and makes sense of every fear and desire you bring to it. As it does so, it exposes all you've held back, and then makes sense of that, too...Your emotions shoot out to crazy extremes; you feel both ennobled and unworthy, saved and damned. You hear that this is what life is all about, that this is what it is for."

It is in this spirit that we feature one of our favorite bands in our inaugural post,
the New Deal. These Canucks spit hot electro fire, self described 'live.progressive.breakbeat.house.' Their live blend of synth'd out dirrty house is the soundtrack to nonstop dance parties wherever they go. But while these glow stick eating, technobeam pee'ing canucks are experts in bringing the party, they sure as hell know how to cool it down as well. Today we highlight a track off the groups 2003 downtempo ep, "Please Be Seated." Enjoy.

the New Deal- Birds in the Ocean Part II