PREMIERE: Dinah Washington - Slick Chick (Maximum Balloon Remix)
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Dinah Washington wasn't nicknamed the Queen of the Blues without reason. The Chicago legend who shared the stage with Fats Waller and Lionel Hampton among others had a voice that seemed to capture the sad soul that gave the genre its name. Taking Washington from blues to Big Sleep is Maximum Balloon, the solo effort of TV On The Radio's Dave Sitek, who very effectively translates "Slick Chick" into L.A. Noire-friendly terrain. Sitek allows each element of the original, from Washington's voice to sax to keys, to mix with his eerie pulse, bringing out the gritty underbelly lurking quietly in all three. The trill in particular showcases Sitek's success in doing so. Check out Rockstar Game's official soundtrack and remix album out on Verve.
Dinah Washington - Slick Chick (Maximum Balloon Remix)
DOWNLOAD: Gemma Ray - 100mph (in 2nd Gear)
Just got back from the first of Gemma Ray’s three NYC shows this week, at Cake Shop. She arrived from London in the afternoon, about a month before the release of her new album, Lights Out Zoltar! Some sort of fame should follow close behind. Ray plays a cool guitar — graceful wrist-flicks of blues and rockabilly-tinted ’60s pop, a mink stole in a contemporary cut — and she sings noirish ballads and boilers straight from the heart of town. She covers Etta James and also Gallon Drunk, whom she declares her favorite band with a look that says she might fight you over it. Your options are as follows: Catch her in NYC Wednesday at Pianos or Brooklyn Thursday at Pete’s Candy Store, or just content yourself with the cinematic drama of “100mph (in 2nd Gear).
Gemma Ray - 100mph (in 2nd Gear)
EXCLUSIVE NEW DOWNLOAD: Dot Allison - Buzzing Round the Honey Pot (Acoustic)
Why are so many big names buzzing ’round Dot Allison on her forthcoming Room 7 1/2? It’s not just the wounded prettiness of her close voice, but the way she slips so quickly between plea and accusation with her direct, crushed-roses lyrics. Pete Doherty and Paul Weller sing on the record, while plenty of sophisticated noir is provided by James Johnston and old-school Bad Seed Mick Harvey, but Allison is the star on this acoustic version of the album’s “Buzzing Round the Honey Pot.” Yeah, see, now you’re stuck with your hand in the honey. Shows you what can happen.
Dot Allison - Buzzing Round The Honey Pot (Acoustic)
EXCLUSIVE NEW DOWNLOAD: Joe Gideon & The Shark - Hide and Seek
When someone says “brother-sister guitar-drums duo,” you are no longer allowed to say “Oh, you mean like…”—even if Londoners Joe Gideon and his sister Viva do play rock music under some kind of cracked blues spell on the forthcoming Harum Scarum. Gideon is more a cockeyed storyteller than a singer, as the comically evil little tale within the thumping “Hide and Seek” proves. The uncommonly talented Viva represented Great Britain in the Barcelona Olympics as a rhythmic gymnast; now she merely drums, pianos, whoops and plays a little guitar—often at the same time. Which is probably why she gets a nickname like the Shark as opposed to the sort of things you call your little sister.
Joe Gideon & The Shark - Hide And Seek
Joe Gideon & The Shark's RCRD LBL Page
Live Performance + Interview Video from The Roxy
Here's the full video of our live performance / interview from a month or so ago at The Roxy in Hollywood. I believe we're posted the teaser vid elsewhere, but this is the real deal!
So I hope you've got 15 minutes to spare...
Pop Noir backstage with Sebastien Tellier
We played a sold-out show with Sebastien Tellier over the weekend.
Here's some photos of us backstage, all looking suitably sweaty and dishevelled!
A fun night was had by all...
See you at the next sold-out shows!
