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Noz's Best Raps, 2011

Posted Fri, 12/16/2011 - 11:57 by Jesse Thorn | 1 comment

Sound of Young America contributor Andrew Noz just dropped off his top 50 rap singles of 2011. I have to admit that I look forward to this list every year.

Above is one of my favorites of the year, Pete Rock's "Roses," with Smif & Wessun and Freeway. Noz's top pick this year is a natural, N*ggas in Paris.

The Fugazi Live Series

Posted Wed, 12/07/2011 - 11:35 by Rebecca OMalley | 2 comments

Between 1987 and 2003, Fugazi played over 1000 concerts and more than 800 of them were recorded by the band's sound engineers. Now, for a small fee, you can download many of these recordings for your own library. Adding to the fun for discerning and nostalgic fans, the archive will also list available photos, flyers and miscellaneous show info associated with each performance. Only 130 shows are available now, but they will continue to release more monthly until the archive is complete.

The process is also a collaboration with the band's fans. They are actively welcoming the contribution of photos, recordings, corrections, and any additional info that may be missing from the record of specific shows.

This is a fascinating way for the band to take control of both its legacy and its body of work. I'm really curious to see what fans think of it.

Jackie Wilson Said

Posted Wed, 12/07/2011 - 08:38 by Jesse Thorn | 0 comments

Probably my favorite song by a white person.

Also: who knew that Fred Wesley toured with Van Morrison?

Yeah, you better give Fred Wesley a solo.

Psychedelic Sunshine: Interview With The Free Design

Posted Tue, 12/06/2011 - 06:52 by Rebecca OMalley | 0 comments

Check out this terrific Red Bull Music Academy interview with legendary joy creators, The Free Design. As most of you know, the band wrote and performed the delightful JJGO! opening song, "Love You". And while I'm certainly partial to that classic (we played it at our wedding), I also recommend nearly all of the songs on "Kites are Fun", especially the other popular wedding tune "I Found Love".

Their story is an engaging read. Apparently, they not only appeared on the Tonight Show and Merv Griffin - but also on Captain Kangaroo! Perfect match!

It also features this clip of "Umbrellas" which I had never heard before. Friend, if this doesn't start your morning with a smile, then your bliss button is in need of repair.

Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat & The Song That Changed My Life

Posted Sat, 12/03/2011 - 17:06 by Jesse Thorn | 0 comments

Our power was out for about 54 hours here at MaxFun World HQ, thanks to WIND SURGE LA 2011. I had to go over to my friend Adam Lisagor's house to record an edition of The Song That Changed My Life with the great Dan Deacon. Dan was a guest on The Sound of Young America a couple years ago, and his music continues to amaze and inspire me. We ended up palling around for half an hour besides the STCML interview. Class act, that Deacon.

Below is the song Dan chose, Conlon Nancarrow's "Canon X (Study No. 21)." Our piece will most likely be out next month.

Nile Rodgers, Musician and Hit Producer: Interview on The Sound of Young America

Posted Mon, 11/28/2011 - 11:20 by Julia Smith | 5 comments
Show: 
Bullseye
Guests: 
Nile Rodgers

You might not recognize Nile Rodgers, who began his music career as part of the purposely faceless band Chic -- but you'd for sure know his music if you heard it. He founded Chic with bassist and friend Bernard Edwards, and launched a string of hits including "Le Freak" and "Good Times", and went on to become a songwriting and producing superstar with a tried-and-true formula.

The anthem "We are Family"? That's one of his, too. He was behind Diana Ross' "I'm Coming Out", David Bowie's "Let's Dance", Madonna's "Like a Virgin" and many more. Now, he reflects on decades of hitwriting, the legacy of disco, and the meaning of music in his life.

His new autobiography, out now, is Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny.

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They Might Be Giants: Marty Beller Mask

Posted Fri, 10/28/2011 - 21:47 by Rebecca OMalley | 0 comments



Fun new video from They Might Be Giants - just in time for Halloween!

TMBG also has a terrific new rarities release available called "Album Raises New and Troubling Questions". It contains loads of unreleased tracks and is therefore required listening for the devoted fan. You can grab it here.

Roy Ayers' Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Fela-fied

Posted Fri, 10/07/2011 - 11:46 by Jesse Thorn | 0 comments

Roy Ayers performs an Afrobeat version of Everybody Loves the Sunshine that is so f'ing awesome.
Via

John Roderick of The Long Winters: "The Song That Changed My Life" on The Sound of Young America

Posted Wed, 10/05/2011 - 10:20 by Julia Smith | 0 comments
Photo credit Andrew Youssef
Show: 
Bullseye
Guests: 
John Roderick

John Roderick is the front man for indie rock group The Long Winters and has worked on projects with bands like Death Cab For Cutie, The Decemberists and most recently did guest vocals on recent TSOYA guest Jonathan Coulton’s new album ‘Artificial Heart’ on the track “Nemeses.”

John talks with us about the influence on him that was ZZ Top’s masterpiece -- Give Me All Your Lovin’ -- and how it may have been the catalyst to a career in music instead of one in law.

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