Browsing Category wildcard
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 49):
Wildcard (week 49):
The Go! Team – Mayday
The Go! Team never disappoints me. Ever since their Get It Together EP, which kickstarted the 21st century, the Brighton band serves up delicious cocktails of seemingly incoherent genres. Sounding disruptive at first, apparently our ears have gotten used to their eclectic mix, while in the meantime, the band refined their sound. And in 2017 weāve come to the point that The Go! Teamās complex compositions are wholly acceptable and accessible, while Iām certain the band donāt feel like theyāre compromising in any way.
Still, their new single is a cry for help. But an ingenious one as such. The first 8 seconds of the song, for instance, consist of a morse code set to a beat. A morse code which, of course, spells the songās title: M-A-Y-D-A-Y. As usual, part of the trackās lyrics are shouted like a bunch of cheerleaders would, while other parts are sung as sweet as honey. The brass band that was already present on their latest single Semicircle Song, blows some soulful elements into the song, making it a triumphant affair.
To make things even more joyful, Mayday is this weekās Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. So the song, that will be included on The Go! Teamās new album Semicircle, due 19 January 2018, is already to be found in the Wildcards 2017 playlist, and features prominently on this blog for one whole week. This SOS deserves a helping handā¦
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 48):
Wildcard (week 48):
Noel Gallagherās High Flying Birds – Itās A Beautiful World
You may not have noticed, but three weeks in a row, the Wildcard came out of Australia. Pure coincidence (although itās undeniably a talent-packed continent). The Presetsā Do What You Want, Tension by Kira Puru and Iāll Make You Happy by The Bamboos (feat. Montaigne) can all be found in the Wildcards 2017 playlist.
This week however, itās a beautiful world for Noel Gallagherās High Flying Birds, as their new single is added to this slowly growing list, featuring the best songs of the year so far. Itās A Beautiful World is certainly one of them, with its Tears For Fears-like chorus.
As the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, the track features here prominently for a week, only one mouse click away for you to enjoy.
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.
cover, single track, wildcardWildcard (week 47):
Wildcard (week 47):
The Bamboos (feat. Montaigne) – Iāll Make You Happy
50 years agoā¦ I wasnāt even born then! But itās true: it’s 50 years since iconic Australian band The Easybeats hit the UK charts with their timeless pop song Friday On My Mind.
At the end of this week, in celebration of that anniversary, the Rebeat EP will appear, uniting several contemporary Australian bands: Daniel Johns’ Boom Tish project, KLP, LDRU feat. Nicole Millar, San Cisco, and eight-piece The Bamboos.
The latter bandās contribution, their version of The Easybeatsā Iāll Make You Happy, features guest vocals from singer-songwriter Jessica Cerro, better known by her stage name Montaigne. The addition of a brass arrangement gives the classic track a soulful vibe to great effect.
This is how a homage should be done, and thatās why Carte Blanche Music decided upon its own mark of honour to this ode, by pronouncing Iāll Make You Happy by The Bamboos (feat. Montaigne) this weekās 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 46):
Wildcard (week 46):
Kira Puru – Tension
Kira Puru is an Australian vocal talent, but more than that. Sheās a multi-disciplinary artist, hands-on at every level, both on stage and in the studio. Apart from that, sheās a photographer, visual artist and DJ.
Renowned for her genre-bending style, Kira Puruās new single isnāt easy to pin down. With its pounding four-to-the-floor beat, fuzzy bass and tremolo guitar, Tension is equal parts funk and soul. In her own words, itās āgoth discoā.
One thingās for sure: itās groovy from start to finish and I love it! Thatās why Tension by Kira Puru is featured here prominently this week as 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 45):
Wildcard (week 45):
The Presets – Do What You Want
Sydney duo The Presets (Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes) are remixers for acts like Kings Of Leon, Silverchair and Lenny Kravitz, but are also musicians in their own right.
Their latest album Pacifica, which included the great single Promises, among others, Ā dates back to 2012. Now, thankfully, thereās a new sign of life. Do What You Want is The Presetās new single, and I love the way they announced in on their Facebook: āDo yourself a favour and buy it. Ha ha, just kidding. We know you’re not going to buy it. So stream it, sing it, scream it, feeeel it. We don’t care. Our love for you is unconditional. Do what you want.ā
The track couples a pounding four-to-the-floor beat with a rocky sound and some old-school vocal sampling, resulting in a certified banger that combines the best of LCD Soundsystem and Audio Bullys. Or, as they describe it themselves: āpub rock technoāā¦
Find out how that sounds via Carte Blanche Music, where Do What You Want is this weekās Wildcard. Hence it will feature on the blog prominently, only one click away from discoveryā¦
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 44):
Wildcard (week 44):
MisterWives – Never Give Up On Me
Anno 2017 MisterWives, that started off as an 80ās cover band, has a nice bundle of original songs under their belt. To me, Our Own House and Machine (a Carte Blanche Music Wildcard early this year) are stand-out tracks in their repertoire, and there obviously is more to come.
After releasing their second album Connecting The Dots only last Spring, the American six-piece wastes no time and already gives us a completely new track. A new highlight in their catalogue, with a guitar riff destined to make audiences jump.
Never Give Up On Me is sure to brighten up Carte Blanche Music this coming week; I added it with love to the ever expanding Wildcards 2017 playlist, featuring the best songs of the year so far!
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 43):
Wildcard (week 43):
Dagny – Love You Like That
The ways of the music world are inscrutable sometimes. Take Dagny Sandvik. Her debut single Backbeat should have been a huge hit upon its first release in October 2015, after the very credible full-band show she did at Eurosonic Noorderslag in January 2016 or at the latest when it was re-released in May 2016. But somehow, however radio-friendly, her electronic pop didnāt get the media attention it deserved.
True, three of the singerās singles appeared in the European Border Breakers Chart, but radio support hasnāt yet been broad enough to really set the chart on fire.
Iām confident her new single will do the trick. Itās currently at the very doorstep of the EBBC Top 100, with a #1 position in this weekās Tips by Country chart. Love You Like That is another slice of perfectly crafted commercial dance pop, featuring Dagnyās silky voice and beautiful harmonies. The dynamic structure of the song keeps it exciting throughout its full 3 minutes.
In other exciting news: the track is this weekās Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
PS: Dagny, dear: Iām completely ready for your debut album thatās over two years in the makingā¦
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 42):
Wildcard (week 42):
Childcare – Getting Over You (By Dressing Up Like You)
This British quartet wouldnāt have existed if it wouldnāt have been for six-year-old Katie. Ed Cares was babysitting her when she overheard him humming a song he had written. She persuaded him to form a band, which he did. True storyā¦
In this light, Childcare is only a fitting name, isnāt it?
And there are more fun facts surrounding this band. How about this one? Guitarist Rich Legate is the son of the guy who designed the āMentosā font. The other band members are bassist Emma Topolski and drummer Glyn Daniels, by the way.
Childcare are inspired by I Should Coco era Supergrass and Phil Spector produced Motown shakes, which becomes instantly clear when you listen to their latest four to the floor banger Getting Over You (By Dressing Up Like You). Great title, I think, and a beautifully unorthodox approach to moving on from a relationship break-up. True story as well, evidently, but Iām sure you wouldāve guessedā¦
But the best true story of āem all: Getting Over You (By Dressing Up Like You) by Childcare features prominently on Carte Blanche Music next week, for itās the new Wildcard. The latest addition to an already great (play)list!
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 41):
Wildcard (week 41):
Les Gordons – Let The Music Speak
Upgrade alert: Let The Music Speak by Les Gordons featured here before, but next week Iāll give it the Executive Treatment. I chose the track as the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, all of which you can find in the Wildcards 2017 playlist. Being a Wildcard isnāt just a quality hallmark or a stamp of approval; it means the song features prominently on the blog for one whole week, only one mouse click away for your listening pleasure.
Just a reminder: Les Gordons are a Swedish āmaximum-energy bandā, and have been dubbed āThe Hives with more popā. But instead of describing it, Iād rather Let The Music Speak!
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 40):
Wildcard (week 40):
Isaac Gracie – Silhouettes Of You
If you like Jeff Buckley and mid-ā90s Radiohead, you donāt want to miss Isaac Gracie. A talented singer-songwriter who is handsome on the outside, but tormented on the inside, and who couples a rusty guitar sound with haunting vocals and an emotional vibrato.
Silhouettes Of You is the new single off his EP The Death Of You And I. Musically, it marks the official start of this yearās autumn.
We celebrate that a full seven days long, as Isaac Gracieās Silhouettes Of You is this weekās 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.
