May 152018
 
scary pockets

You probably haven’t heard of California funk duo Scary Pockets. We hadn’t either, until stumbling upon their amazing sax-jazz cover of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory highlight “Pure Imagination.” But we should have. Turns out their keyboard player, Jack Conte, was half of one of YouTube’s first viral covers groups: Pomplamoose. (Conte also founded popular crowdfunding platform Patreon – needless to say, Scary Pockets has a page).

That’s the resume, but what hooked me before I discovered any of that were their new cover videos. Like a ’70s funk version of Postmodern Jukebox, Conte and his guitarist partner Ryan Lerman bring in guest singers for vintage soul takes on pop hits across the genre map. Start where I did, with a smooth jazz take on “Pure Imagination” featuring saxophonist Sam Gendel. Continue reading »

Aug 272012
 

Following up on their massively successful Youtube version of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” (133 million views and counting!), Walk Off the Earth is back with another indie pop cover. As they prepare to kick off an international tour, the Ontario five-piece has released their take on fun.‘s “Some Nights.” They invited singer/songwriter Julia Nunes along for the ride. Continue reading »