Browsing Category border breaker
border breaker, single track
Vargas & Lagola – Rolling Stone
You may not know Swedish duo Vargas & Lagola (consisting of Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare) yet. But their debut single Rolling Stone might change that immediately. After all, Al Fakir and Pontare are not new to the game…
First of all, they were successful solo artists in their home country and in a second life they became Swedish Grammy winning songwriters and producers, who wrote and produced songs for the likes of Seinabo Sey, Katy Perry, Avicii, Axwell /\ Ingrosso and Madonna. Coffee, anyone?
Now, Al Fakir and Pontare have given their careers a third leash of life by forming recording duo Vargas & Lagola. Rolling Stone is only their first single, but one that sounds like you have known it all your life long. An earworm, that’s for sure.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
border breaker, single trackLoyle Carner – Ain’t Nothing Changed
Loyle Carner – Ain’t Nothing Changed
In real life Loyle Carner is Benjamin Coyle-Larner. A 21-year old London rapper who was nominated for the BBC Sound Of 2016. One of the things I find refreshing about him, is that he is one of only a few rappers who dare to show their softer side.
When Benjamin lost his stepfather in 2014, he decided to quit drama school and fully concentrate on his music career. A year later already he played the Glastonbury festival.
His first single that drew my attention at the end of 2015 was the jazzy track Ain’t Nothing Changed. I loved it! After that came No CD and The Isle Of Arran (among others) and his first album Yesterday’s Gone. He is currently touring Europe in support of it.
In other great news: Ain’t Nothing Changed is set for re-release in the UK around mid-April. Hopefully the rest of Europe will follow. I’m sure it will become a huge hit this time around. Hear why over here:
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
border breaker, single track
Von Wegen Lisbeth – Sushi
This German indie pop band started off in 2006 as Fluchtweg. After changing their name several times, they now go by the moniker of Von Wegen Lisbeth. One of the things that make them stand out is their use of unusual instruments like a toy Glockenspiel, a Casio keyboard and a steel drum.
After releasing two EP’s (in 2012 and 2014), their full debut album Grande came out in the summer of 2016. The great single Bitch was the first to catch my ears and their new one is called Sushi. It is currently bubbling under the European Border Breakers Chart.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
border breaker, single track
Sälen – Heartbreak Diet
If you missed out on their earlier singles IILWMBF (I’m In Love With My Best Friend), Diseasey, The Drwg and Copper Kiss (like I did, to be honest), this is your chance to get to know Sälen. Not the Swedish town, but the London pop trio. There is a connection though. They ‘chose’ the band name by throwing a dart at a map and Sälen was where it landed (true story).
What can you expect from Sälen (except potential future stardom)? I like this description: ‘sweet sugar-pop with a bitter aftertaste’. And I like their music, obviously. Otherwise it wouldn’t be on this blog… Heartbreak Diet is the new single.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
border breaker, single track
Bad Sounds – Wages
If you like (electronic) brass (STOP THE PRESS: those are real horns!), dirty mouth organs and an overall baggy sound that resembles the Madchester sound of the late eighties/early nineties, this is your new favourite track. If you think that sounds good, let me introduce you to Bad Sounds…
Bad Sounds are a British five-piece from Bath, who like to channel their energy into upbeat songs. And into fun video’s, as well. Like the one for their single Wages, below. The track was released in September 2016 already, but has taken since then to reach the European Border Breakers Chart, which it enters this week at an impressive #39.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
border breaker, ebbchart, single track
Alma – Dye My Hair
One week before the start of this blog, Alma’s Dye My Hair was the last Wildcard of 2016. Now that I’ve seen her perform at showcase festival Eurosonic Noorderslag, last Thursday, I feel the urge to bring it to your attention as yet. Consider it my present to her, because today, 17 January, it’s her birthday. Happy 21st anniversary Alma!
Alma is Finnish singer-songwriter Alma-Sofia Miettinen. A few years ago, when she was 17, she participated in television talent show Idols, where she finished fifth. Last summer, at the age of 20, she released her debut single Karma. A great track with equal parts deep house, r&b and pop, that went on to become a huge hit in the European Border Breakers Charts. Actually, it was this one track that landed her at Eurosonic Noorderslag; there simply was nothing more to judge at the time…
The festival bookers did a good job giving Alma this platform. She has a great voice, that is even enhanced on stage by her sister, who doubles pretty much all vocals. Their voices go very well together. Behind the singing pair, the beats are produced by three musicians behind launch pads, one of whom also plays guitar.
And now, there is this second single, Dye My Hair. It contains the same infectious ingredients as her debut, and deserves to become her breakthrough hit. Once that has happened, a re-release of Karma would be a great idea!
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
border breaker, ebbchart, single track
Dua Lipa – Thinking ‘bout You
Talking about the European Border Breakers Chart: Dua Lipa already has three top 5 hits under her belt: Be The One, Hotter Than Hell and Blow Your Mind (Mwah). This makes her easily the most successful emerging British artist of the last year, good for a European Border Breakers Award. And she hasn’t even released her debut album yet! This self-titled cd will only come out on 10 February (UPDATE 11 January: the release has been pushed back to 2 June).
In the meantime, while Be The One is re-released in the UK, the rest of Europe is being serviced with a new single. Thinking ‘bout You shows a slowed down, classy, timeless side of the pop princess. And one that fits her well. Is it 10 February already?
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
border breaker, werner's weekly, wildcard
Werner’s Weekly (week 52)
Aan de meeste dingen komt een eind (aan Carte Blanche op de radio, bijvoorbeeld), weer andere dingen beginnen pas net (zoals Werner’s Weekly) en sommige dingen moeten nog van start gaan (Carte Blanche als muziekblog).
Maar sommige dingen gaan altijd door. Zoals nieuwe muziek. Die laat zich door geen Kerstmis tegenhouden. In mijn Spotify-playlist Werner Tipt vind je releases zo afwisselend als The Van T’s, Rhodes vs. Felix Jaehn, Jaakko Aukusti, Yelle, For King & Country, Smoove & Turrell en Tegan & Sara. Voor meer informatie over dat soort releases kun je vanaf komende week terecht op www.carteblanchemusic.nl. Dat wordt dan ook de nieuwe standplaats voor Werner’s Weekly.
Hoewel deze week de allerlaatste radiouitzending van Carte Blanche te horen is, zal de Remschijf gewoon blijven bestaan. Die was er immers ook al vóór de allereerste uitzending, bijna 30 jaar geleden. De Remschijfgeschiedenis gaat terug tot begin 1985. Sindsdien heb ik er 1654 gekozen. De 1655e is de laatste Remschijf die Remschijf heet. Carte Blanche Music wordt nl. een Engelstalig blog en vanaf dan kies ik wekelijks een Wildcard. Het idee blijft precies hetzelfde: het is het beste liedje van die week, dat nog wel een zetje kan gebruiken.
De laatste Remschijf is Dye My Hair van Alma. De Finse singer-songwriter Alma-Sofia Miettinen scoorde in juni ook al een Remschijf met haar debuutsingle Karma. Die werd niet opgepikt in Nederland. Hopelijk geldt dat wel voor Dye My Hair, die nu al een top 5-hit is in de European Border Breakers Chart. Het is in elk geval net zo’n aanstekelijke mix van deep house, r&b en pop als zijn voorganger. Benieuwd naar haar optreden op Eurosonic Noorderslag!
Een andere onnavolgbare combinatie van stijlen hoor je deze week in Werner’s Weekly op Better Than Me van Blood Orange feat. Carly Rae Jepsen.
Als tegenwicht voor de Kerstmuziek zijn deze week ook veel stevige nummers uitgekomen. De beste zijn wat mij betreft Run With The Bulls van de Amerikaanse viermansband Smallpools en I Was King van het Japanse(!) One OK Rock.
Sinds haar Lily Allen-achtige single Last Night (Beer Fear) heb ik een zwak voor Lucy Spraggan. Eind januari 2017 verschijnt haar nieuwe album I Hope You Don’t Mind Me Writing, waarvan Modern Day Frankenstein de catchy single is. Al net zo aanstekelijk is Alcatraz van King No-One en op diezelfde muzikale stapel ligt One Drop van Be Charlotte. Een veelbelovende afsluiting van een mooi muziekjaar. Op naar het volgende, dat ik via Carte Blanche Music goed voor je in kaart zal brengen. Bookmark maar alvast!
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
