Browsing Category wildcard
border breaker, single track, wildcardWildcard (week 31):
pop
Wildcard (week 31):
Skott – Mermaid
Skott is a young Swedish artist, surrounded by mystery. She grew up in a community of folk musicians and only came in touch with pop music at a later age. Once she started to make her own music, she combined the two and added a classical touch to it all.
In October last year, Skott’s single Amelia was my record of the week. Now, she repeats that feat with her new single Mermaid. A track she started working on three years ago already, but that only recently found its final form. It was worth the wait…
Mermaid by Skott is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard (all of which you can find in the Wildcards 2017 playlist)!
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.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 30):
indie | pop | rock
Wildcard (week 30):
Wolf Parade – Valley Boy
Over the years, legendary record label Sub Pop has been the home of bands like Afghan Whigs, CSS, The Go! Team, Hole, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Modest Mouse, Nirvana, The Postal Service, Saint Etienne and The Shins. One of the best bands in its current roster, in my opinion, is Wolf Parade.
Wolf Parade is a Canadian indie rock band. They went on indefinite hiatus in 2011, but announced their return to recording and performing in January 2016. Since then, they worked on a new album, Cry Cry Cry, which will be released by Sub Pop on 6 October. The first single is here already and Valley Boy is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard (you can find all of them in the Wildcards 2017 playlist). Good to have them back!
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.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 29):
pop | r&b | soul
Wildcard (week 29):
Aloe Blacc – King Is Born
If Aloe Blacc were to be remembered for his vocals on Avicii’s Wake Me Up only, it would be a bloody shame. Let’s at least also recall him for his wonderful real name: Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III. And needless (I hope) to remind you of his own hits I Need A Dollar and The Man.
Last year he released three tracks (one of them being the great Broke), all of which haven’t yet appeared on an album (that’s a more or less coherent collection of songs, kids). The same goes for his new single, King Is Born. A new classic, as far as I’m concerned. Most literally so, because it uses a sample from The Ides Of March’s 1970 hit Vehicle. Pop quiz question: in what hugely popular rock band did The Ides Of March singer Jim Peterik show up in the 1980’s?(*)
Talking about boxing, this brings me back to Aloe Blacc’s new single. King Is Born is the theme song to the upcoming boxing match between titans Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor, on 26 August. It’s also scheduled to appear on Blacc’s new album, that he is currently finishing.
King Is Born is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard and will feature here prominently the whole week long!
(*) Survivor, best-known for their Rocky-related hits Eye Of The Tiger and Burning Heart.
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, wildcardWildcard (week 28):
pop
Wildcard (week 28):
Alice Merton – No Roots
German-born Alice Merton has already conquered the countries south-east of her native land. Airplay in Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Macedonia and Moldavia has gained her a #11 position in the European Border Breakers Chart. Now, it’s up to the rest of Europe to step in.
Merton grew up in Canada, came back to Germany at 13, but spends a lot of time in the UK as well, where her parents had gone and live. Hence the title of her debut single: No Roots…
I hope she feels at home on Carte Blanche Music though, if only for one week, for No Roots by Alice Merton is the new Wildcard! (you can find all of them in the Wildcards 2017 playlist).
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.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 27):
electronic | pop
Wildcard (week 27):
BC Unidos (feat. Shungudzo) – Bicycle
Competition is mad recently, but only one song can be chosen to be the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard…
This week, this blog will prominently feature Bicycle by BC Unidos (feat. Shungudzo). It may be the debut single for this Swedish duo, but they aren’t new to the game. Patrik Berger wrote Dancing On My Own for Robyn, I Love It for Icona Pop and Boom Clap for Charli XCX and Markus Krunegård has amassed multiple Grammy nominations.
Perfectly timed for the Tour De France and the summer, this could be a smash! It will undoubtedly sound great on the bicycle, but I strongly recommend listening in your car. With the woofers open wide. Feel that bass!
Long story short: this week, when visiting this blog, you’ll be only one click away from BC Unidos (feat. Shungudzo)’s Bicycle. It’s the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
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.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 26):
funk | pop
Wildcard (week 26):
Eliza & The Bear – Higher
When these five Essex musicians got together in the autumn of 2011, all of them had given up trying to make it as super stars. They felt their efforts had failed, and it was time to return to real life. They started Eliza & The Bear as a hobby, just for fun.
Knowing this, you’ll understand why their songs are so happy and their trumpets so triumphant. They did what they loved to do most, without having to prove anything to anyone. There was no master plan.
But after the band started posting their recordings on their Facebook page, they caught the attention of blogs, managers and labels, and decided to become a real band after all. Last year, they released their self-titled debut album, but Higher is a brand new song. As joyous as ever…
And there’s one more reason to cheer, ‘cause Eliza & The Bear’s Higher is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
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.
single track, wildcardindie | pop
Wildcard (week 25): IX – Difference
Marnix Dorrestein is a songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, singer, piano player, guitarist, drummer… well, in fact he plays on everything he comes across. After winning the largest Dutch talent show with his band Über-Ich in 2012, he was invited to attend a talent development plan. This resulted in his first musical solo project, IX, which is actually a trio.
You can hear a big love for ’60s, ’70s and ’80s pop in his music, which he calls nostalgic future pop. But a partly electronic cabinet of instruments and exotic influences make it sound rather more futuristic than nostalgic, as you’ll witness on IX’s new EP 00:00.
Anyway, these are only words and music must be heard. So why don’t you hit ‘play’? And again? And again? Difference by IX is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
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.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 24):
indie | melancholic | pop
Wildcard (week 24):
Nana Adjoa – The Resolution
Meet Nana Adjoa (real last name: Effah-Bekoe). She’s a talented Dutch singer-songwriter, who used to play bass and guitar and provide backing vocals in a plethora of bands, like A Polaroid View, Sue The Night and most recently with Janne Schra. Now, she’s working on a solo career.
The last few years Adjoa has been working on the songs that are about to be released on her debut EP Down At The Root. The first track off it is the beautiful single The Resolution, which she wrote and produced herself.
The Resolution by Nana Adjoa is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
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.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 23):
pop | rock
Wildcard (week 23):
Triggerfinger – Flesh Tight
Belgium may be a small country, but the number of great musicians per capita is extremely high. Always has been, by the way. Only one small piece of evidence to support my thesis: this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard is by a Belgian band, just like last week, when Soulwax’s Do You Want To Get Into Trouble? featured prominently on this blog.
One of best known Belgian bands in recent years is Triggerfinger. Not because they have so many hits, but because they are such an incredible live band. They’ve played every venue and every festival around. If you haven’t done so before, please go and see one of their shows and you’ll be sold.
Their new single Flesh Tight adds a touch of Roxy Music and David Bowie to Triggerfinger’s typical hard, bluesy, stoner rock sound. I could hear it all week. And so can you, for the next seven days you’ll find the track at the top of this blog, only one click away from pleasing your ears.
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.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 22):
electronic | pop
Wildcard (week 22):
Soulwax – Do You Want To Get Into Trouble?
Just over two months ago, I listened to Soulwax’s new album From Deewee. Halfway through the 12-track collection my ears were drawn to Do You Want To Get Into Trouble? A track with a great drive, courtesy of Belgian music masterminds the Dewaele brothers. I tipped it here on Carte Blanche Music and now it has been chosen as the band’s new single.
With its infectious combination of beats, bass, synths and minimalist lyrics, Do You Want To Get Into Trouble? is a track that would stand-out on the radio. Hopefully, music programmers will allow themselves to be as adventurous as Soulwax themselves, for once.
As I said before: I like to put my money where my mouth is, so this great song is next week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. Prominently positioned at the top of the sidebar for one whole week, all you have to do is click to have a good time!
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.
