BEAST, a project from Betty Bonifassi and Jean-Phi Goncalves, is one of the most refreshing and innovative music projects we have come across in long while. Mix together electronica, hip-hop, rock and jazz and you get BEAST. The duo jokingly coined their music “trip-rock” and the classifier has stuck. Really what we have here are two incredibly talented musicians with lengthy careers that came together in the spirit of creating something new. This natural creation is what makes the music so intense and exciting.
We had an opportunity to sit down with Betty Bonifassi and Jean-Phi Goncalves after a recent visit to the United States. We caught up with the pair after they had spent a long day of traveling in from Montreal and then sound checking for a show that night. After spending ten minutes with them we were hooked. It is clear that they are still getting used to the success and attention that their project has gained. Their single, “Mr. Hurricane”, was just recently nominated for a Grammy in the Best Short Music Video category along side of Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas and Depeche Mode. An upcoming SXSW performance along with a ton of touring is setting things up for much deserved global recognition.
We had a chance to watch BEAST perform live and it was an incredible experience. Bonifassi’s vocals burn with intensity. Goncalves’ instrumentation and production reminds us of a mad genius. At the end of the performance our hearts were racing and our eyes were as wide as saucers. Tank and I exchanged glances that simply said, “was that for real?”
KC’s Personal Picks: “Devil”, “Mr. Hurricane”, “Satan” and “Out of Control”
Check out our exclusive interview with BEAST
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Remixes. Some of us can’t get enough of them and some of us love to hate them, but one thing is true: if it’s done right a mash-up of music becomes something completely different and ear-catchingly awesome. You may have read our piece on Girl Talk a while back and, if you’re like us, fell in love with the complete disregard for song integrity (or even copyright laws.) Well, somewhere between that and a more subtle remix closer to that of the hit 90’s jam “One Sweet Day” comes the beginnings of the electrifyingly electronic Dan Black.
Completely disregarding what purists would call “butchering the song”, his remix of Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize” and Rihanna’s “Umbrella” caused the web to stir in 2008. The signature beat mixed with the mild melody of one of gangster rap’s most famous set of lyrics created a song that was closer to a popular dance hit than a hard-core rapper’s delight. Now I know a lot of you are saying, “How dare he. One of those songs is a legendary jam by a music icon that shouldn’t have been changed.” All I can say is that I’m sure Rihanna doesn’t mind.
Check out the original video for yourself:
Now, for all of you out there that think, “Hey this is catchy, but I would like it better if it were more original.” That’s exactly what Dan Black was thinking when he went on to create the single “Symphonies” (recently featured on our Weekly Jukebox) for his brand new 2010 release UN. It wasn’t until I heard the songs back to back that I realized that he had taken what was surely an experimental mix-up and turned it into a song that was all his own (still retaining a little of the Rihanna flavor, but who could blame him?)
After listening to the full album, I found other tracks equally as catchy as the first single including “U + Me =”, “Alone” and “Yours.” He even remixes his single (which if you’ll remember is already a remix of a remix) with Kid Cudi. Pop in this album if you’re looking for a party…or if you want the party to look for you.
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If you like Dan Black, check out V.V. Brown!
V.V. Brown has a story that’s not unlike my own. She’s a British model-turned-singer who’s vocal talent is only matched by her intellectual prowess. She got offers to top UK universities including Oxford and York, only to turn them down to follow a career in music. Yeah, that’s pretty much me to a “T”.
So was it worth it? How do you leave an opportunity to study at these elite institutions for something as uncertain as the music industry? If your name is V.V. Brown and you’ve got the pipes to back it up. That’s how. Her mix of soul, pop and electronic music span aspects of different decades from the 50’s until now, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone with her exact style. She’s making a name for herself and for good reason. Her newest release Travelling Like the Light is an album full of potential singles and poppy triumphs (I daresay there’s no bad song on the entire the album.)
“Quick Fix” and “Game Over” are my personal favorites, but give the album a once over and you’ll be hooked. Check out the video for “Crying Blood” and you’ll see why V.V. Brown is someone you need on your personal music radar (if you have one of those…I heard Sharper Image was all sold out…):
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If you like V.V. Brown, check out Lily Allen!
We haven’t featured mind-bending electronic music in a while. It’s not because we don’t like it. In fact, there’s nothing better for getting us pumped up than some hardcore dance music (other than possibly AC/DC). It’s just that there are so many players in the game, it’s hard to keep up with all of the new music that comes out. BT is definitely an exception.
BT (full name Brian Wayne Transeau) is a music producer and “audio technician” known for his signature dance floor hits and booty-scrumpin’ music (I edited that last part with some of my own verbiage). As an early ankle-biter, BT was dubbed a child prodigy, learning piano by age two. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out to focus more on his music. So, yeah, he’s kind of a big deal.
His new 2-disc album These Hopeful Machines has more club music than you can handle, but also has dream-like “soundscapes” that offer a sweet transition from the bass-driven beats for the club floor. It’s actually a well-constructed audio journey that offers a wide range of styles and sounds to accomplish what feels like a complete story. I don’t get that often from the repetitiveness of other popular club music, but it’s exciting to see where he’s going to take you.
“Suddenly” is a mix of a wide range of vocal harmonies, rock guitars and dance beats and kicks off the album with full force whereas songs like “Every Other Way” and “A Million Stars” focus more on the melody than a wide range of electronic sound. This 2-disc album definitely spans a larger spectrum than what we now label specifically as “club music”, but fans of the genre will not be disappointed. If you want to listen to the full album, click here. Or check out the link below to get your groove on.
Amazon Music
If you like BT, check out Basement Jaxx!
If the name of this group makes you think of the little adult establishment that you visit out by the interstate…well, you are a perv. And no this is not the establishment where the kids from 90210 hung out. Passion Pit is an electronic/synth band out of Massachusetts that is gearing up to blow your mind.
Passion Pit
The music that these boys put out is nothing that you will easily find on your local radio dial. Well, maybe you would find it if your radio ran through a synthesizer that also doubled as a time machine that only goes back to the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Their sound is ethereal, trippy and vibrant. Much love to my thesaurus for that last sentence. This style of music may take a few listens to get used to but I know it will grow on you. The guys have shared the stage with Death Cab for Cutie and Girl Talk. You might find their sound is similar in style to The Postal Service.
Passion Pit’s new album “Manners” came out a few months ago and it is quickly gaining a lot of attention. I personally recommend that you check out “The Reeling”, “Sleepyhead” and “Little Secrets”.
Scope out the “Sleepyhead” video to see what Passion Pit is all about.
Amazon Music
If you like Passion Pit, check out Girl Talk!
