Feb 072017
 
Hula Hi-Fi

Many listeners’ knowledge of Hawaiian music begins and ends with Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (which, to be fair, deserves every play it gets). But on a new album, a new trio aims to change that by adapting a dozen familiar songs across decades into a new genre they call “Hawaiian noir.” Like David Lynch in Maui, they reinvent songs by Nirvana (“In Bloom”), The Cars (“Drive”), Radiohead (“Bulletproof…I Wish I Was”), Chris Isaak (“Wicked Game”), and more with ukuleles, lap steel, and harmonies.

Known as Hula Hi-Fi, the band is new but the players – Josh Kaler, Annie Clements and Sarah Bandy – are seasoned, having worked with the likes of Sugarland, Amos Lee, Butch Walker, and more in their respective careers. Their abilities show; these are carefully constructed productions, not tossed-off ukulele strum-alongs. Continue reading »

Sep 132013
 

BOY, a German/Swiss duo comprised of singer Valeska Steiner  and bassist Sonja Glass, met while at a pop music course in Hamburg in 2005. Since then, the duo has gone on to put out Mutual Friends, an album that went gold in Germany and was just released in February 2013 stateside. On September 10th, the duo is releasing an acoustic EP of some of their songs off the debut album, and it includes this lovely cover of Air‘s “Playground Love.” Continue reading »

Nov 022011
 

Quickies rounds up new can’t-miss covers. Download ‘em below.

It takes a lot to make Robert Palmer hip, but L.A. electro-pop duo Kisses manage just that on their new single. Made up of Princeton frontman Jesse Kivel and girlfriend/fashion blogger Zinzi Edmonson, Kisses bring the dated ‘80s sound into the 21st century.
MP3: Kisses – Johnny and Mary (Robert Palmer cover) Continue reading »

Feb 082011
 

Quickies rounds up new can’t-miss covers. Download ‘em below.

For their LateNightTales mixtape, Texas folk rockers Midlake made some not surprising choices: The Band, Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span. As is tradition in the series, for one song they delivered a cover, and that one proves a more surprising choice: Black Sabbath’s “Am I Going Insane.” In their hands, the Sabotage cut blends in naturally.
MP3: Midlake – Am I Going Insane (Black Sabbath cover) Continue reading »