Tuesday Tunes--October 4, 2016
Shaun Cordingley
An eclectic and upbeat list to start the best month of the year off (seriously, it's Halloween Month), featuring a couple of bigger artists in the dance community, and then a swing through the USA for some indie alternative, pop, and rock.
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new and different music that we are enjoying, or re-expose them to things they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website, so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Grandpa's Groove - Parov Stelar ft. AronChupa
Every so often I like to throw a bit of dance your way here on Tuesday Tunes, because while I know that the songs are never as "unknown" as the indie music I generally like talking about, I know for a fact that outside of the EDM community, a lot of the biggest artists could be dolphins, and no one would know.
Which would be the greatest conspiracy ever.
Anyway, first up this week is "Grandpa's Groove" from the pioneer of electro-swing Parov Stelar, and Swedish DJ, Hip-hop artist and footballer AronChupa (who I will talk about more in the next song). Parov Stelar is an Austrian DJ who helped to create a fusion of jazz age (swing) music, and modern house/dance. While some non-edm people may recognize his biggest hit, "Booty Swing", it should come as little surprise that he has continued to play with genres and sounds (including a foray into downtempo). His latest release, "Grandpa's Groove" is a return to more of the "classic" electro-swing: a song nearly impossible not to dance along to, and blending a folksy-story/song with that jazz age EDM we all love.
Honestly, even if you are not a huge EDM fan, you really should give Parov Stelar a listen; I'm almost positive you (unless you're completely miserable/only like Pat Boone) will get a smile on your face.
Fired Cuz I Was Late - AronChupa
AronChupa is a Swedish Renaissance man, who not only played collegiate and professional fussball, but is a DJ, rapper, record label owner, and producer who does more than collaborate with Parov Stelar on the last track. EDM fans will probably recognize him for his 2014 worldwide Top 10 hit "I'm an Albatraoz" (NSFW), but today I want to talk about a song he released late last year "Fired Cuz I Was Late".
This has a really excellent balance between, electro-swing, hip hop, and an excuse to have a kick ass flute. This is a song that, I think I listened to about 15 times in a row after the first time I heard it--it's fun, genre-bending dance that never fails to get me moving.
Any fans of C2C, electro-swing, or again, smiling and moving while listening to good music need to give "Fired Cuz I Was Late" a listen.
Feel Better Now - Vanilla Sugar
Hailing from Houston, Vanilla Sugar is probably best described as an alternative/electronic group--they call it 'electrocore' which I quite like--, and their track "Feel Better Now" features a great mix of high energy alternative, and a fuzzy, haze rock akin to Sleigh Bells (a band I am very fond of). Vanilla Sugar sound like one of those great indie bands that would be absolutely amazing to see live, and I hope they find a bigger audience through all of the touring they are doing now (including a spot at the Warped Tour this summer), so they can release more songs. Anyone who misses that late-90s alternative scene really should give "Feel Better Now" a listen or three; Vanilla Sugar feels like your favorite bands when you were growing up, while giving you something exciting and original.
Shoutout to Vanilla Sugar for hitting me up on Twitter as well--that is not always going to work for every band, but I'm glad they did, as this is a helluva song.
Before You Go - Rabid Young
"Before You Go" by Las Vegas' Rabid Young is one of those tracks the effortlessly seems to blend electro-pop and indie rock--the combination of pop synth with rock drums creates a beautiful layer beneath Eric Rickey's 21st century-Eighties vocals. Not only is "Before You Go" catchy, and enjoyable, but the song's production has perfectly balanced it into a "why am I not hearing this everywhere" sound. Rabid Young is one of those bands that I can almost guarantee you are a going to hear more, and soon. At least you better be, or else it might be time to move somewhere with better taste in indie music.
If you like "Before You Go", be sure to check out their self-titled EP that released last year, and another shoutout to the band for hitting me up on Twitter (seriously though, that does not always work).
To The Wolves - Kingsley Flood
Wrapping up Tuesday Tunes this week is Kingsley Flood's "To The Wolves" from their upcoming album (upcoming as in releasing in 10 days) Another Other. "To The Wolves" is a great bit of indie rock ala The Black Keys, which features a violin--that violin adds a real dynamism to "To The Wolves" that really takes this track to the next level of awesome. If Another Other is too far away for you to get more Kingsley Flood, I suggest The Good Fight EP (2015), or Battles (2013).
This is 21st Century, socially conscious blues rock, and I like it....although it is hard to argue with calling Kingsley Flood "Billy Bragg-like folk-punk sound" like the Washington Post did...
Here's the Apple Music Playlist for September 2016! I think this list might be missing the most songs off of it that any Tuesday Tunes playlist ever has, but that is what happens with indie music--but you do get 17 great tracks this month, so it by no means feels bare. Nor was it super quick & easy for me to put together...but that's a given.
Remember, if you want me to put these playlists on other services (like Spotify), let me know on Twitter (I've linked it below)
If you're looking for more Tuesday Tunes, are late to the party, or just want more theguysfrom.com in your day, here are the playlists for:
There are other (earlier) playlists available for you if you check out earlier articles or search on Apple Music itself.
If you're wanting me to put these playlists on other music services (ones that I don't regularly use myself) let me know in the comments below.
See you again next Tuesday with five more Tuesday Tunes!
-S (@Shauncord)