Dionne Bromfield

Dionne Bromfield, hailing from the UK, broke into the music scene late last year at the ripe age of 13. She's had close (musical) guidance from her Godmother, who is none other than the bee-hive wearing, Blake lovin, soulful wonder that is Amy Winehouse, who gushes about Bromfield's talent, saying how much more talented she is than Amy ever was at 13.

Bromfield's album covers off Motown classics like Aint No Mountain High Enough, and this little diddy below, The Shirelle's Foolish Little Girl.

Have a listen.

M.I.A.

This is the most disturbing music video I've ever seen, bar none. I wasnt fully prepared as I sat quietly at my desk this Monday morning for what my eyes were about to see. My morning coffee-internet-surf has never made me feel so ill. Maya is always one for making a statement and to speak up against war, and this certainly does both of those things by exposing how stupid prejudice can be and by reminding us how violent war actually is. Can you stomach it? MIA

VV Brown

Lemme intro you to my ears’ bestie, VV Brown. She is all kinds of hip. Imagine, a doo-wop indie brit guitarist that doesn’t play chords. She took the strings off her guitar and uses it for the beats. To best explain her, I’d she she’s one part Remi Nicole, one part Wino, one part Duffy. She’s all kinds of gloriousness. Promise.

Nike

Nike's new promo for their Free Run+ shoe is the sheezy. Hifana, a Japanese breakbeat duo, hook up the shoes to their mixers and system and use them as a soundboard - it kind of reminds me of that setting on keyboards where every note reps a different instrument. They bend em, twist em, stomp em to make a siiiick beat. Did somebody say it was shot in a top secret location in Tokyo? Sold....

Florence and the Machine

Did Florence round 2 last night. She had originally scheduled at the Phoenix (a mid sized venue, bigger than MOD club where she performed the first time around) but the tickets sold out so quickly, she upgraded to the Kool Haus. Its crazy the venue size jump she was able to sell out in only 5 months difference. I've seen a lot of bands have such a hard time performing in that space in regards to engaging the audience since its such a huge stand-only type venue, but I am still in awe with how she was able to be so captivating in it.

Florence, along with her machine, are definitely one of those must see live bands, because even though their cd is so amazing, the live show brings a whole new life to the music. Its as theatrical as it is musical, and it truly consumes you. All I have to say is if I had her voice, I don't think I would ever speak. All communications would be only in song. The fashion on her (and in the crowd) is a whole other experience in itself - Flo was sporting a black cape, black leather shorts and a black mesh longsleeve, with leather accents. The set list one upped itself song, after song, even though Swimming & the Bird Song where noticeable missing (and her cover of Cold War Kid's Hospital Beds which she performed @ Mod Club). I guess a girl can't ask for it all. For me, the show stealers were Dog Days Are Over, Between Two Lungs & the Drumming Song. On a scale of 1 - 5 I'd give this show an 'amazeballs'.






SET LIST
Howl
Kiss With a Fist
Hurricane Drunk
My Boy Builds Coffins
Between Two Lungs
Hardest of Hearts
Drumming Song
Cosmic Love
Blinding
I’m Not Calling You A Liar
Dog Days Are Over

ENCORE:
You’ve Got the Love
Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)

Covers

some old and new (er)

An Ode to the Boss

I just can't get enough of the Essential Bruce Spingsteen album lately - its 3 discs rolled up into one huge ode to the Boss. Ive been playing it every morning this week... he just has a way of making you a little more excited about getting out of bed. You can't tell me that his hits dont get you going and if you do, you must be a liar.

Seriously classic videos alert:

Sounds

Sounds in my ears all day long: