Mekong Delta

Bon Iver Live at AIR Studios

mekongmusic — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:05:32 +0000

4AD and Jagjaguwar have teamed up to showcase the amazing (double Grammy award winning!) talents of Bon Iver for this exclusive session at AIR studios.

It’s actually just Justin Vernon, Sean Carey, two grand pianos and a bunch of other bits and bobs rendering some spartan versions of beloved Bon Iver songs from the latest album, from the ‘Blood Bank EP’ and a Bonnie Raitt cover. See their set list below and follow the link to watch the full 25 minute video.

Guaranteed to give you goosebumps. Enjoy.

1. Hinnom, TX
2. Wash.
3. I Can’t Make You Love Me
4. Babys
5. Beth/Rest

Check it out on Youtube now.

School of Seven Bells – Ghostory

mekongmusic — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:12:00 +0000

Ghostory is School of Seven Bells third album and is available from February 28th or to pre-order everywhere right now.

Those are some facts now here are a few others.

The former trio shed a member in 2010 namely Claudia Deheza, Alejandra’s twin sister, supposedly be mutual agreement but that’s definitely going to make family get together’s tricky from now on!

So, between tours, the newly slimmed down duo of Alejandra ‘Alley’ Deheza (Vocals) and Ben Curtis (Guitar/Programming/Production) found themselves taking a different approach with Ghostory aimed at creating music together that’s spontaneous and organic. Reacting to each others ideas one-on-one in a way they didn’t whilst composing their previous two albums Alpinisms (2008) and Disconnect From Desire (2010).

The question is posed then, do these changes in personnel and approach make a big difference to the final results? Well early listens suggest the answer has to be ‘no, not really’.

I’m a big fan of the band and in particular their debut album with it’s sweeping dreampop washes and repetitive, hypnotic rhythms and these newer songs are closer to that older ethos, including the willingness to experiment and bliss out in the wondrous melodies, yet still with some inconsistency in the songwriting itself.

The album opens on a near perfect note with The Night‘s abstract arrangements swirling around the dramatic pop sounds but it dips almost immediately with Love Play slowing down the pace to a crawl and the mood swings way down to deliver a miserable dirge of a track, thankfully they songs don’t linger so this downturn is shortlived.

Lafaye is next, the song about the girl who’s the conceptual heart of the album (her life and the ‘ghosts’ within it being the pretext for all songs). It’s been the lead single and thankfully this is where the album regains its momentum and begins to make sense, albeit from a revised slow start.

There is a bewildering amount of energy invested in the aural pleasure this album brings, the musical equivalent of a swan graceful on the surface of the water but paddling furiously beneath to maintain that effortless air of calm. If this sounds like a criticism it’s definitely not meant to, I’m merely pointing out that whilst the songs break over the listener, like waves crashing against the shore, there’s an inherent complexity to their overall sound and perceived simplicity that usually fails to get credited to the band with each successive release.

Ghostory isn’t perfect, Love Play aside there are a few other places where the listening is less flowing and the ambient bent of the album’s latter half it occasionally a fine balancing act – for instance Scavenger is saved from mediocrity only by Deheza’s soaring vocal. The sounds come from left field and the approach, although not unusual is not mainstream by any stretch, but thinking about the acceptance of Florence & The Machine seems to be a good marker for the willingness of listeners to embrace the more avant garde stylings of School of Seven Bell’s music.

Is this album going to see the pair reach their tipping point, gain mass appeal and start playing enormo-domes? Almost definitely not. But they’ll continue to win more new friends through gentle persuasion and a persistence for excellence on their own perfect terms.

SXSW Festival Our Must Sees

mekongmusic — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:46:05 +0000

Wow it’s almost March already and the year is slipping by so quickly that for many of us it’s difficult to keep track of what’s happening in the crazy world of music. Fear not. We’re here to tell you about something called the SXSW (South by Southwest) Festival which happens this time of year down Texas way, between 9-18 March to be precise.

Yes, we’re being facetious, we’re sure you already know all about SXSW.

It’s celebrating its 25th year in 2012 (since it’s humble beginnings as a local music showcase in 1987 when 700 people attended). Of course these days it operates Film and Interactive conferences alongside the Music showcases too.

But like all festivals there’s an enormous amount happening – see the most up to date music schedule here – and if you’re not careful you could miss something great which is why we’re posting this preview so you can check out our selection of the best shows/bands in action using our handy list below. Enjoy.

Tuesday 13th

Follow That Bird (Venue: Headhunters | 9.40pm)

Wednesday 14th

Pillowfight (Dan The Automator/Emily Wells) (Venue: 512)

Superhumanoids (Venue: Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room | 8.10pm)

Sleep∞Over (Venue: Barbarella | 10pm)

Titus Andronicus (Venue:Bar 96 | 1 am)

Vondelpark (Venue: Karma Lounge | 10.15pm)

Wavves (Venue: Lustre Pearl)

Zola Jesus (Venue: Elysium | 11pm)

Thursday 15th

Pitchfork’s Showcase (Venue: Central Presbyterian Church | From 7pm) Includes some real favorites of ours, Purity Ring, Nicolas Jaar, Grimes, Fiona Apple + more

Cloud Nothings (Venue: 512 Rooftop | 1 am)

Laura Gibson (Venue: Red Eyed Fly)

Miike Snow (Venue: Lustre Pearl)

Oneohtrix Point Never (Venue: Red 7)

Friday 16th

Shearwater (Venue: Red 7 | 12.00am)

Blitzen Trapper (Venues: Austin Convention Center @4pm & Red 7 | 1 am)

Saturday 17th

Blackbird Blackbird (Venue: Malverde)

Lost Lander (Venue: Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room | 11.10pm)

SBTRKT (Venue: The Madison)

Typhoon (Venue: Swan Dive)

Win Win (Venue: Karma Lounge)

Times (where mentioned) are subject to change so please check with venues in advance!

Vizodo Campaign Launch

mekongmusic — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:32:47 +0000

Mekong Delta is happy to announce the launch of a campaign for a new online community for creative people in the city of Portland, Oregon (that’s a huge number of people)…and it’s called Vizodo.

What is this? Well, prompted by Mekong Delta‘s move to Portland last year to continue our music coverage, reviewing, previewing and record label, we saw a gap in the market for a space online where creative people across many disciplines, not only music, can collaborate with each other.

We know that musicians are super creative people and they know designers or artists (and some ARE themselves) so they can create merch, but if you need any promotional pics do you know a good photographer? Or what about a creative video to accompany your new single? Maybe you’re a filmmaker looking to soundtrack your short film, know any musicians who can help? Or you’re a writer looking to work with musicians, review shows or get your script made into a movie. What about designers/artists seeking to get their work seen as album artwork or posters?

The scenarios are only limited by your diverse talents. What we’ve suggested here is the tip of a very big iceberg!

Vizodo wants you all (bands, photographers, artists, writers, filmmakers, designers etc.) to set up your profile online and then members can post their collaborative projects to the site OR contact each other directly. So far so social community…

What we also want you to do is promote yourself on your profile, in your store (sell physical and digital items online – music, art, prints, commissioned pieces), list your shows and events, add galleries to showcase your work, add music to stream…you have the flexibility to do pretty much anything.

Yes, there is Myspace, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Facebook, specialist gallery sites, lists and personal websites but Vizodo is the ONLY place that brings these creative talents together with a unique opportunity to work in collaboration alongside other creative people!

And it’s FREE to sign up and join in.

Also, whilst you’re being creative the public will be viewing your profiles, events and show listings, browsing the stores and everything else Vizodo offers so you’ll really be telling everyone how talented you are, where they can see you play or exhibit your work and how they can help you too.

We’re focusing on building the Vizodo community and the website itself (all the tech and design things) but in true collaborative fashion we also need your help to spread the word and raise the initial funds to start this project successfully.

So, let the collaboration commence, let’s make Vizodo the vibrant creative community we know it can be.

Hit us up here for more information, donate to the campaign, use the social links below to Like Vizodo via Facebook or Tweet the fundraising campaign details to your friends and colleagues whether they’re creative people themselves or if they love going to galleries and shows.

Emily Wells Creates Magical Music At Doug Fir

mekongmusic — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:41:29 +0000

Emily Wells, Timmy Straw @ Doug Fir Lounge | January 12 | $10 (Get Tickets)| 8pm | 21+

Now playing: Symphony 1: In The Barrel Of A Gun

Texan born, one woman musical wonder Emily Wells has been playing and recording music since the age of 4 when her parents started her off with the violin. The years of practice (Suzuki method – learn by ear and practice a lot) resulted in a fascination with sound that has led her down a path of soundscapes, experimental recording and the creation of looped, carefully constructed musical symphonies ever since.

Added to this aural blend, a mix of violin, glockenspiel, organ, synthesizer and recently added bass drum, is the earthy tone of her vocals and the spun sugar sound of these processed through the effects of her sampler, tweaked and toned live on stage.

Performances are an exercise in musical multi-tasking as she sets sounds off on their merry way and weaves the tones and voices around each other to construct the songs. These vary from built tunes lasting a typical 4 minutes to longer more involved pieces that stretch out and draw the listener in gradually. They are undeniably beautiful and catchy simultaneously.

This show at Doug Fir is her first of 2012 and it’s a welcome return to the NW as there have been scant releases in recent years, nothing solo since 2009′s Dirty EP so promises to showcase new movements, the fruits of recent collaborations Pillowfight w/ Dan The Automator, explorations and a continuing ability to beguile and entrance.

I Break Horses – Hearts

mekongmusic — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:41:29 +0000

Top Ten Albums of 2011 – Album of the Year
1. I Break Horse – Hearts

Now playing: Hearts

Swedish duo Maria Lindén and Fredrik Balck released their debut album and melted our hearts, in fact long before the album release the textured landscapes of the title track Hearts (listen above) gave us goosebumps every time we listened. The woozy sway of their romantic dream pop is a blissful experience from start to finish.

Sure they get called dreampop and shoegaze and they have those elements at their centre (Slowdive and MBV of course) but what really makes this the best album of the year for us is the consistently high quality of songs throughout and despite operating in a genre seemingly saturated with bedroom bands willing to fuzz their sound and operate at a ‘glum’ level I Break Horses sounds otherworldly, exciting and transcendent so if you’re seeking comparisons maybe think Cocteau Twins for the 21st century.

Although Hearts reeled us in many other songs like the sparkling glacial repetition of album opener Winter Beats, or Wired with its rolling bass-lines and tinkling synths or maybe the simultaneously energetic yet laid back beats of Pulse keep the fascination going. The Stockholm pair have delivered an album which is referential but not derivative and that’s a difficult trick to pull off considering the influences they cite and the company they seek to keep and they’re worthy of all the praise heaped on them in 2011.

A magical debut and and a wonderful album full stop.

Karin Dreijer Andersson New Song ‘No Face’

mekongmusic — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:51:52 +0000

A new track No Face by Karin Dreijer Andersson (The Knife, Fever Ray) is featured on the We Are The Works In Progress compilation. The song was originally written for The Wolf Hour, for which Karin composed the soundtrack.

We Are The Works In Progress is a 14-song benefit album to support Japan compiled and organized by Blonde Redhead. It will be available digitally on January 10th and the double LP can be pre-ordered via their website.

You can hear the track now over at Disco Naivete.

The Shins To Release Port Of Morrow Album In March

mekongmusic — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:05:47 +0000

James Mercer has announced that The Shins fourth album Port Of Morrow will be released worldwide in March 2012 on they’re own Aural Apothecary label via Columbia Records.

The album artwork is above and tracklist below and although there’s no exact date for the release just yet the very fact that we’re approaching January 2012 means there’s not too long to wait. There’s also a series of tour dates to support the release and these are due to be announced some time in January.

1. The Rifle’s Spiral
2. Simple Song
3. It’s Only Life
4. No Way Down
5. September
6. Bait and Switch
7. Fall of ’82
8. For A Fool
9. 40 Mark Strasse
10. Port of Morrow

Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math

mekongmusic — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:05:31 +0000

Top Ten Albums of 2011
2. Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math

Now playing: Apprehension

Andy Hull really got to grips with the kind of music he wanted for Manchester Orchestra on their third release. The sound is more consistent across the board, the concept more focused than their previous two albums and the result is an overwhelmingly listenable, heart-warmingly enjoyable and hugely rewarding experience.

The shifting tones of previous efforts is replaced by a uniformity and sonic drive with Hull’s vocals the main feature, over the rampant instrumentation and musical styles of I’m Like A Virgin Losing a Child or Mean Everything to Nothing.

Simple Math is the sound of the band re-defined, knowing itself clearly, possessing it’s own voice where previously Hull’s music felt like he was figuring things out on the move, joyous odes and terrible pain sitting side by side but feeling disjointed. The eponymous track from this album alone consolidates these polar opposites in four transcendent minutes of lush orchestration and emotive questioning.

I think this still stands out as their best album to date, no mean feat given the exceptional highs of their earlier albums, so this explains why they’re at number two in our list.

The Weeknd – House of Balloons

mekongmusic — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:33:45 +0000

Top Ten Albums of 2011
3. The Weeknd – House of Balloons

Now playing: High For This

Back in March the House of Balloons ‘mixtape’ found itself online and quickly going viral due largely to the tracks High For This and the eponymous House of Balloons which used Happy House by Siouxsie and the Banshees as it’s starting point.

For Abel Tesfaye and producers Doc McKinney, Illangelo and Zodiac it was the beginning of a highly successful and busy year which saw two more albums drop Thursday and Echoes of Silence, in August and December respectively, but within the opening bars of first song High For This it was obvious this was an exceptional talent backed by great ideas and brought something unique to the R&B genre in a blurring of urban genres and electronica.

Download all three albums FREE from The Weeknd’s website here.