Friends,
This is incredibly painful. Three days have passed. It’s Monday 11/16. We keep crying. We keep thinking about all of the victims and their families. To our friends fighting at the hospital. To our friends who didn’t survive. Every hour that passes unveils new losses and injuries. This is unbearable.
Our people, our neighborhoods, our Paris are bleeding. They are the people who we love, the places where we eat, dance, play music, and socialize, the city of our lights.
Stade de France, Paris 11th, le petit Cambodge, le Carillon, la Belle Equipe, le Bataclan: the places where we smile, laugh, love, scream, sweat, hug, cheers. The places where we bind our emotions and build our friendships. The places where cultures meet. Life.
It’s Monday. We’re mourning. We’re neither nurses nor policemen but we’re trying to help as much as we can with what we have: words and love. Talking about what happened, unable to do anything else, writing and sharing our grief and hope, sending heartwarming messages to the ones we know and even don’t know, helping anxious and broken families looking for missing loved ones. Trying to share love as much as we can. Live.
We Parisian, French people who have the chance to wake up this morning in Paris or wherever city in the world have something more: our Culture. The music we play, the dishes we cook, the wine we make, the stories we write, the movies we produce, the paintings we paint, the drawings we draw, the sculptures we shape, the photos we take, the products we design.
The arts, our “Art de vivre”. This is what we stand for. This is our freedom. This is our response. We Parisian, Banlieusard, French people, musicians, chefs, winemakers, writers, movie makers, painters, sculptors, designers, entrepreneurs, craftsmen. We’ll continue to create, to love each other and to live. Because this is all we know and have.
From Beyrouth to Paris, thinking of all of the refugees on the road far away from their burning home countries: Art, Love and Life are our response and will free the world from hatred. Because Art, Love and Life are limitless.
Onward and never stop jamming
“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” Victor Hugo.
Thump goes the beat, and Major Lazer is responsible for this summer’s heaviest. Already claiming a Track of the Weekend recently, Major Lazer and MØ are back with a cover of Frank Ocean’s “Lost.” It’s everything you want it to be, and more. Big, boisterous, hard like a boulder, Major Lazer fans will be thrilled, if they haven’t already heard it, of course!
Never stop jamming!
Summer vibes are all around us, as speakers thump during afternoon BBQs and the sky stays light until we’re drunk. It’s all about the positive mood, something that Parisian electronic artist Christopher Dixit uses to create. “Little Black Beard’s Mood” is his new EP that just came out on Nowadays Records in mid-July. The timing couldn’t be better for this journey through electronica.
Let’s get to the details:
Released: July 17, 2015
Genres: electronic, future beat
Tracks: 5
Who would like this EP?
Anticonformist electro heads who enjoy instrumental and sampled mixes of different cultures and styles.
Our thoughts:
The envelope keeps getting pushed in the world of electronic music. DIXIT takes inspiration from things like Japanese culture and video games, applies a deep understanding of beatmaking, and weaves stories throughout the five tracks on this EP.
The styling is wide, meaning this music can pair well in many different sorts of playlists. Our favorite track is probably “Mini Synthèse” for its clever use of sampling to produce the feel of different genres, all in one song!
Never stop jamming.
In the concrete jungle of Brooklyn, NYC, the strumming of a guitar breaks up the sound of the engines of taxis and the pulsing of ventilation systems. Floating out of a window and over the expanse of metropolis come harmonies. Today these harmonies are from singer-songwriter Lee Reit, who has just released his debut, self-titled album. Here are the details:
How long have you been working on this album?
The album was recorded by between May of 2013 and June 2014, mixed throughout the summer of 2014 and mastered in fall of 2014. Most of the music on the album was written in 2012 and 2013, but many of the lyrics come from earlier–as early even as 2009. This stew’s been simmering for a while.
Which songs are you most excited about?
There’s a wide range of styles on this album. “Dream Another Night” and “Wheel Within a Wheel” are the strongest pop songs I’ve recorded thus far, so I’m excited for those to make their way out into the wider world. Beyond those songs, “Visions of Eternity” and “Pleasure of the Fall” showcase lyrics that I am proud to call my own, and the string arrangements on “Thanks for the Lessons”– all the work of my producer, Jared Saltiel – are really exceptional. That’s a song I really hope will find its audience.
Who should listen to your music?
People who are likely to form a connection with my album are people who like to spend time thinking about lyrics, people who appreciate hearing primarily acoustic instruments being played by real people, people who look to music as a means of going deeper into themselves, people who like the tone of a classical guitar, people from religious backgrounds, people who have difficulty falling asleep, people who do not shun red wine or brown liquor.
Where do you find new inspiration?
I like a lot of music from France, Spain, Brazil, and West Africa. I think you can hear that influence in my playing. I find inspiration in silence and in the sounds of nature, and in the tone of my guitar. My lyrics are inspired by a sense of obligation to form something permanent out of the blur of the passing months and days. All of my music is an attempt to halt time, or at least slow it down.
Where can people see you play live?
Over the next few months, I’ll be playing in New York, Toronto, and Montreal. Performance dates for the second half of summer and the early fall will be posted on my website, leereit.com, in the near future.
What are your plans for the rest of 2015 and 2016?
I’m recording a new single this week, and will release it, along with an accompanying video, likely sometime in early August. I’ll also be shooting a live acoustic performance of “Dream Another Night” in a one hundred-year-old barn in Ontario in the coming weeks. After that, I hope to record a new batch of songs to be released early next year as an EP.
As city dwellers, we often seek out the greener places, either by settling down in a park or heading out to the countryside for some fresh air. Not having the habit of constant gardening, we (us, at least) also don’t have ideal conditions, since our small apartments are limited in space and light. Plus, while our thumbs might be many different colors, they are not usually green.
Still Human, a Parisian start-up, aims to change that by creating a smart, beautifully designed and practical solution called Biom. Biom is essentially a round pot for your plant that you can set on the railings or edges of your window. Sensors inside measure the four primary factors: water, temperature, fertilizer, and light.
What we like: It’s so hard to know how much water to give a plant, not enough and the plant dies. Too much and the plant dies! Wondering if a certain window gets enough light for your plant? Does the plant get too hot? Does the cold risk taking it out? What was once a question of intuition is now scientifically verified. Of all the tech happening inside the Biom, all you see is a light that flashes different colors when your plant needs attention.
Bonus points: The smartphone app can alert you when your plant needs attention when you aren’t home, it also lets you choose between different plants because, of course, all plant species are different. Oh yeah, the rounded design fits so wall with horizontal lines (like guard rails), and helps to break up the monotony of window after window after window….
The early bird specials are still available on Kickstarter, with the super early bird going for only 30 euro. If you drag your feet you can still get one for 50 euro, or a duo for 80 euro (because two look better than one!). Think of how much money you’ll save not having to buy a new plant every two weeks! 17 days to go, so get to it!
The grass in the fields is brittle. The sunshine pours down daily. It’s been a dry summer here in northern France, and the city of light has been the city of heat. Few acts right now are hotter than the temperatures here, but one that’s unquestionably on fire is Years & Years, an English electro-R&B group that has been steadily infiltrating the airwaves. The trio’s latest single, “Ties” capitalizes on their now-famous style: a seductive voice, expertly-constructed melodies, and some of the catchiest lyrics this side of Disney. No wonder “Ties” was the hottest track on Whyd this week. And their album “Communion” is rapidly on pace to become one of the biggest of 2015.
The sunshine blazed across a clear sky when I arrived at the Mama Shelter, one of Paris’s trendiest locales. In the mid-afternoon heat everything moves slower, even the servers who polish knives and the few patrons who sip Perrier through black straws. I’m here to meet Erica and Jules, who make up Grand Bain. As we start talking their message hits home for me. Erica, an American, and Jules, a Frenchman, creating art together. And not just music, it’s a story of intercontinental love.
Erica was always passionate about culture and music, focusing on history and French when she studied at UCLA. Her passion for France brought her here to Paris, where she worked as a cook in a top restaurant.
Jules was brought up in a musical family, his father being a musician, and he had been involved in many projects throughout his lifetime. It was during the time that he was working on a new wave project that they sought a singer.
Erica was also looking to get involved with a musical project. She had been writing songs but was hoping to find something more. Calling her roots more “soul” than their current music, her background is more musical theater, soul, and R&B. Despite the potential mismatch, she auditioned for Jules’s old group, and they immediately got along.
That old new wave group did not share the same fate however. Soon after the group dissolved, and Jules and Erica struck out together under the new name, Grand Bain, in early 2014.
Jules’s father has a studio, and Jules works as a sound engineer, two great advantages for an emerging group to get music out to the grand public. Both Erica and Jules consider themselves perfectionists, so it understandably took a while before they had something they were confident enough to share. There was one thing they were sure enough about though, each other. They recently got married here in Paris.
The result of their partnership are three tracks currently available on Soundcloud (my personal favorite being the catchy and powerful “No Country”). They have put the finishing touches on their first EP, to be released sometime in the fall, preceded by their first single and music video which will come out in September.
Jules describes their musical creation as “starting with lyrics, melody/chords, whereas before it was rhythms.” What’s important is to identify cool potential, recognize the beginning of inspiration when it strikes. If it’s not there, you wait. They often go to Burgundy to work on their music together, to take a break from city life.
Not limiting themselves to constantly creating new sounds, they also take bits of older music and re-purpose those songs. Erica said that their upcoming single is actually the first song they co-wrote together. It sat on the sidelines for a while before they came back to it.
Their music could be classified as sad, but Erica’s sunny philosophy changes what that might mean to some people. “I don’t believe that people are sad. Sad things happen to people. The important thing is to not hide it or let it fester. Release it.”
If they could open for any group touring right now, they don’t hesitate when they both said Arcade Fire. They also mentioned Interpol as an inspiration. One listen to “Leonie’s Dream” will confirm that. If there is one driving theme for Grand Bain as musicians, it’s to be powerful. Explore feelings, don’t run from them.
Now that they have a nearly-finished EP and have started working on songs for a full-length album, they are looking to make the move across the world to Los Angeles. Since they sing in English, it makes sense to reach a wider audience who can appreciate the music more quickly. They will be looking for a manager and a way to get set up there.
In the meantime, you can still catch Grand Bain here in Paris, they play tomorrow night at Le Motel and the big release party is October 9th at the Bus Palladium.
Summer is in full swing and offices are already a little less crowded as people head off to the world’s destinations. This week, the Whyd community turned its ears towards the land down under, where Whyd favorite Flume just released a remix of a different Australian duo: Collarbones. “Turning” is resonant and powerful. The voice is reminiscent of Years & Years. The melody attracts and captivates. But then Flume adds depth. He boosts the original track deep into house territory, all of it climaxing into a heady blast of turn-it-up electronica.
Thanks to Louis de Sentenac for getting it to us!
From the constant buzzing and ringing of your smartphone to the never-ending notifications from social media to the billions of websites and videos available at your fingertips (including awesome blogs about music and tech), it’s easy to sympathize with the person who says “I can’t seem to get anything done.” There are simply too many distractions in our modern, connected lives. Luckily for us, the makers of Saent have done something about it, in the easiest possible way.
Saent is a button that you place on your desk when you are working. Once you press the button, Saent’s software locks you into the pre-approved apps and programs that you need to use to work. In this remarkable way, it actually blocks you from distraction, by preventing you from clicking that link to 28 things only Parisians will understand, or from stalking your ex on Facebook for the third time today.
What we like: The design is so simply and small, it invites a touch. Press it to start a scientifically-calibrated focus session. Plus the little blue light is an indicator to your co-workers (or anyone else that might be sharing a space with you) that you are in the middle of a focus session and that you can’t be distracted. It’s small size makes it portable so you can have a focus session no matter where you are working from on any given day.
Bonus points: Sometimes working hard can be a reward in itself, but - let’s be honest - sometimes it sucks. Saent has a system that rewards you for completing focus sessions. You can track your progress in the dashboard, and see if you are focusing more or less than your friends. You know who else you might want to impress with your stats? Your boss.
The early bird specials are already sold out, but for just $39 you can get your own Saent and one year of its premium software. Seems like a small price to pay for vastly increased productivity. The project has raised over $10K in two days on Indiegogo. Get there quick!
All images courtesy Cabaret Frappé Facebook page.
Hello! Can you introduce yourselves, who is behind the Cabaret Frappé in Grenoble? Is that a Starbucks drink?
Nope. It’s a pure European blended musical event organised by Grenoble city. The festival, 70% funded by the regional government, offers 3 stages and various activities during 6 days. More than half of the events remain free. Only some shows are paid, at a really affordable price.
How long has the Cabaret Frappé been going on for?
The Cabaret Frappé is already going to celebrate his 17th birthday. This year, beside the must-see festival in the garden, the festival also features brass band performances in the city train station, and will have a free concert on the Bastille, a fort on the top of a hill, offering a breath-taking view over the city. To finish, the Cabaret Frappé offers an after party in a legendary concert hall : Le Ciel.
Is the end of July a good time to visit Grenoble?
We can definitely say that the end of July is a good time to visit Grenoble, in order to enjoy the area, surrounded by three wonderful mountain ranges. The mountain is also an amazing natural place to visit outside the winter period. During July, it’s the perfect weather to go around for a walk, and cool down in the lakes and waterfalls of the area. Within Grenoble, you can visit the charming city centre streets and parks, and enjoy many entertainments as well.
What kind of artists will be performing?
Assuming the role of a pioneer, the Cabaret Frappé is behind many innovative musical discoveries. The festival supports musical creation, and ensures high quality programming. It promotes local and international artists within a large range of diverse music styles.
What’s the vibe like?
The festival mainly takes place in a nice park, in the heart of the city. It brings about 50,000 people during the week. Friends and family gather in this fresh oasis, under the shade of the trees, to enjoy a moment of relaxation ideally suited to discovery. Around the musical program, various activities are freely organized: readings in the Rose Garden, world games, screen printing or free childcare centre for young parents attending paid concerts.
What are you the most proud of about the CF?
We are really happy to give the opportunity to discover today tomorrow’s talent. The Cabaret Frappé attaches great importance to promote emerging artists and showcase their performance in front of a large public.
Is “Alright” Kendrick Lamar’s most political song? It does fit perfectly well into America’s modern narrative of black vs. police. One thing is for sure, it’s another visceral experience whose music video is a visual masterpiece featuring Kendrick flying through the streets and rapping atop streetlights before getting shot by a white cop. It’s the latest in his string of hits off of “To Pimp A Butterfly” confirming what we thought all along: 2015 is the year of Kendrick Lamar.
Thanks to Dans Ton Casque for getting this one to us!
When the temperatures soar above 40ºC (+100ºF) like we’ve been having this week here in Paris, there are few things better than an ice cold Heineken, the emblematic beer in a green bottle with a red star that’s available in even more places than Coca Cola (well, maybe, don’t quote us on that). But Heineken is not just cool temperature-wise, they have also been a leading source of inspiration and they are very deep into music culture. They did, after all, create GreenRoom, which is an awesome source for the latest trending news, especially for music.
We read GreenRoom’s posts all the times, from their music services comparisons, to insider Game of Thrones updates. The unique style and voice works perfectly (if you speak French!). And they have shared nothing but good music on their Whyd page since almost the very conception of Whyd. Mad respect.
Now their offering grows, as they have just released a very slick app - My Greenroom - which lets you download their articles for offline viewing. You can also see top lists of the most read articles, and see the articles that your friends have liked, to make sure that you can know what Marie Robin has been reading!
They are also releasing a mix between a magazine and book called “Festival Mon Amour” in collaboration with Snatch magazine. The publication is a limited edition featuring the world of music festivals. You can pick up a copy at places like Collette, Palais de Tokyo, la Gaité Lyrique, and Mama Shelter.
If you’ve been following us in the recent months you know that we’ve announced interesting things to come from Whyd. We are passionate about connected design, IoT, and everything that makes home living not only easier, but more aesthetic and emotional. In our research we stumble upon tons of interesting projects launching on crowd-funding sites around the world. They are created by brilliant minds who need as much support as possible to make their dreams into reality. It would be a crime not to share them with our trendy community of creative music lovers, since we have a hunch that you are into technology as much as we are. It’s part of the modern lifestyle.
Crowd-funding has changed the paradigm of the way products are created. In this new column of the Whyd Blog, we will be presenting you with the coolest products we can find that combine technology and the home in an aesthetic way – exploring things like new interfaces, increased autonomy, and more functionalities – always with an eye for design.
If you find any gems yourself, please send them to us!
- Never stop jamming!
Let’s start off with a simple idea that was maximized to its full potential. Introducing Aumi, a smart, blue-tooth connected nightlight that you can control either with an app or directly on the device through a unique touch interface. You can select from millions of different colors, control intensity, and set timers. A built-in battery keeps it on when the power goes out, and it doesn’t block a second plug!
What we like: The combination of touch control and app. It’s not always easy to find your phone, type in your code, and open an app (which is hidden in a folder four home screens away), especially when it’s something as simple as turning the brightness down or up. Being able to control the Aumi on the device is a big plus.
Bonus points: The design. It’s simple, elegant, and minimal. The rounded design invites you to touch it, and gives you a very intuitive way to do that, but the familiar dial function.
There are already almost 1000 backers, and it has surpassed its goal already! The early bird specials are already sold out, but you can still get one Aumi if you back $35 on Kickstarter.
Heat wave’s a-coming here to northern France and the city of light is set to become the city of swelter. Skirts flutter in the hot breeze and sweat drips from brows. Perfect time to enjoy the icy goodness of a mojito on a terrace while listening to some dreamy music. An ideal song for this situation is Isaac Delusion’s new single “How Much You Want Her” that just dropped this week on Microqlima. You already know Isaac Delusion from our Whyd interview, and their two previous tracks of the weekend. This track is a clear development for them, the voice flying high like a satellite in low-Earth orbit, the rhythm and guitar teasing and building, and one of the best choruses we’ve heard all year.
We’re proud to belong to a community of music lovers like you. Together, we built the leading music curation platform. Now, we want to go farther.
We created Whyd to invent aesthetic, empathetic and simple products that help you feel positive emotions. We’re leveraging art, design and technology to bring you beautiful experiences. We love music. Music inspires us. Music is a fundamental part of our lives. We want to give you the next evolution in music.
Music is art. Your speaker should be too.
We’re re-inventing the home speaker and we need your help! Join the journey and get notified as we share stories along the way:
Every so often an artist comes along that can rivet you without words. Someone who can create entire atmospheres of feeling and emotion with no air. Someone with the ability to paint a picture with no paint. You get the idea. Right now that artist is Feynman, who - not to be confused with the legendary physicist - has been spinning around the world like electrons in an Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
He just released his EP “Illusions,” on Fake Music. Let’s get the details:
Released: May 25, 2015
Genres: electronic
Tracks: 5
Who would like this EP?
Fans of Ratatat’s beats, Daft Punk’s funk, The Chemical Brother’s energy.
Our thoughts:
It’s been a while since an emerging artist has delivered such a high-energy EP, where the funk runs rampant like a hippopotamus in a flooded Georgian zoo. Feynman weaves threads of style and swagger through rises and falls. “Diego in Vegas” is a turn-your-speaker-up-until-your-neighbors-fucking-hate-you track that will get your bones a-rattling.
But at the same time it’s rather classic, settling in for the sort of mainstream electronica that enabled Daft Punk to rise to global fame. This is comforting in an era where experimentation has gone to such extremes that genre defining has become a one-song game.
Pump it up!
Everyone get ready. This weekend is France’s Fête de la Musique, which is an all-day, all-night celebration of music that takes over cities on June 21st, the first day of summer. There are endless things to do, and as the hour waxes late so do the craziness, filthiness, and drunkenness. Capturing this inevitable feeling of raging is Foals’ new single “What Went Down” from their forthcoming album of the same name. Foals’ fans might be a little turned off by the rawness and clamor, but it represents a new direction for the group, one that more hardcore fans will find a welcome change, and one that’s perfect for this weekend in Paris.
Thanks to our man le coup du lapin for dishing this one to us!
A spectacular June evening is descending along the banks of the Canal Saint Martin, Paris’s premiere place to sit and drink rosé for the apéro as the sun warms your shoulders at 7 pm. It is here, behind an ever-morphing tag and a pathway that we arrive at the Comptoir General, a mix of African influences, antiques, and Caribbean vibes. Three of four members of Dead Sea are waiting with me for pints at the bar.
Their friendliness is instantly apparent. Caro, the singer, was the first to meet me. Her English is great, she even tells me the other guys - Alex and Charles, the brothers who started Dead Sea - were worried about doing an interview in English. I reassure them. We step into the courtyard. The mic clicks on.
This interview was translated from French. Tony Hymes for Whyd in bold.
Dead Sea, the name, is that because you are Jordanian? Israeli? Is there a reason that you chose this name?
Charles: There is no particular sense, it’s just two words that we like, together.
Caro: There is also the idea of voyage too.
Charles: True, it evokes the idea of travel, the sea, death. We listen to a lot of psychedelic music, and Dead Sea sort of goes along with that. Plus the two words go along well together, doubling the “EA.”
Does the image of the Dead Sea as a place, is that something that you like too? Dryness? Low mountains in the distance? Salt?
Alex: Everyone floats.
Me: That’s the psychedelic side, everyone floating.
Charles: Never thought of it before!
Looking at Charles and Alex, both decked out in leather jackets.
And when did you guys buy your first leather jacket?
Charles: Maybe 5 years ago, before we did a lot more psychedelic rock. We had other clothes then, like when we were in a different group we had our name on the back of a jacket. The idea of the Dead Sea is to make rock with machines. It’s not to do electronic music, but to keep the rock spirit.
When did you meet Caro?
Alex: We met her a year ago at the Paris Psychfest. We had made a flyer looking for female singers, and we put them in all of the girls bathrooms, and then Caro sent us some samples and we really liked it.
Did you already have a project, Caro?
Caro: I had already been involved in a few other projects in the past. I attended a music school in England, and I had some folk groups. When I arrived in Paris I didn’t have a project, and I was looking for a group to find. And coincidentally I was at the Psychfest and saw their flyer, looking for a female singer. So it came along at the right time, and the style fit me really well.
You guys released an EP recently, two songs. Are you rather happy with the EP?
Charles: Yes we are happy. We based all of the communications for the group around the two songs and the video. We are at more than 20K listens on the EP, which is pretty good.
Alex: We also have had a lot of reviews on blogs.
What did the reviewers say?
Alex: Overall they were mostly positive.
Charles: In any case, the people who never responded probably didn’t like it.
That’s probable, there is also the side where everyone tries to be a friend to everyone: they do a review, you share it from your side too to help them reach a wider audience too. It’s always going to be positive with blogs of that size. So in that case, what is your biggest criticism of yourselves right now? What is the thing that you are most trying to improve?
Charles: Good question.
Caro: Maybe the scenography,
Charles: We are trying to work with a small company for the lighting, staging for performances, making a logo, we would like to work on the visual side. On the music side, we are just trying to make more songs so that we can have 10 by the end of the year and release an album.
Tell us Caro, what part do you play in the creation of Dead Sea’s music?
Caro: I was pretty happy from the beginning since there were a lot of singers that responded to their flyer, so there was a sort of contest. They sent us two demos, and they wanted me to write the lyrics and melody, which I did, and they liked it. Now I also have a synth so I can play around with that. But mostly it’s the lyrics and melody, which works out well since everyone has their own part.
When it comes to creating new songs, do that come from just jamming around or are there specific places where you find inspiration?
Alex: That could come from a specific place, lots of times it comes from listening to other groups. We spend a lot of time studying different lines and segments, sometimes Charles sends me a synth line, or a drum line.
Charles: Since we are making music electronically, we find a starting point and build from there.
Is it because you are brothers that you jam well together? Is there something in your DNA that links together vibrations?
Alex: I think so, yes, we grew up in the same place, listening to the same music.
Are you both happy, at the same time, with one song?
Alex: Sometimes there are disagreements.
Charles: And when we are all happy that’s when we know the song is done.
Alex: But we do have disagreements, that can last for weeks!
Charles: We have a set of songs that we all like, and it’s that set that we play live.
Imagine one year from now, what are your realistic expectations?
Caro: I think the most important part is to have a full album by the end of the year. We’ve been talking that having only two songs out there can limit us and what we can do in terms of audience. So an album will bring us to the next level. And in a year definitely to do festivals, even small ones.
Alex: And with the album to find a record label.
Caro: Find people that support us!
Are you going to be playing live soon?
Charles: Yes, June 23rd and 26th. The 23rd is at the Bababoum, and the 26th is in a small room called the Buzz, it’s the place that we met Caro!
Caro: Yes! We’ll celebrate my first year anniversary with the group!
Champagne then!
Sometimes the middle of the week can drag. Hump days are like speedbumps, slowing you down and pulling the weekend further out of reach. Sometimes the only thing you can do is find some hype music and turn the volume up. Shake away that stagnancy, drive forward my friend.
We’ve got just the playlist for you this week, Techno curated by our friends Process London, who know a thing or two about the genre. Let’s get the story behind the curation:
When did you start listening to Techno?
I start listening to Techno about 5 or 6 years ago.
Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Techno started speaking to you?
Every time! When I listen to a track for me is like the artist is talking to me, trying to tell me a story.
It works even better on a big sound system!
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
It helps me to focus so I listen to it a lot at work when I need to get things done quickly; As well as when I get back home after a long day and I need to relax with a beer or a glass of wine. Techno goes really well with wine!
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
There are a lot! but I would go for one that I have added in February: Utkast - &&&&
Listen to the Process Techno Playlist with 700+ tracks here.
If you think things have been a little quiet here at Whyd recently, we can assure you, it’s about to get much louder.
For the past nine months we have been carefully crafting our next product, and we hope the result will blow your socks off. We’ve added key new team members. We’ve expanded our workplaces. And we’ve been busy preparing all of the ground work.
As music lovers, what we are building is catered to you, to your needs and desires, all coming from an opportunity we’ve identified to drive innovation towards a better music experience.
Stay tuned, and never stop jamming!
It’s been nearly 20 years since Lauryn Hill released her smash hit “Doo Wop” that catapulted her into superstardom. The question then goes: how do you remix such a powerful song? How do you respect the track and its fans, yet creatively bring it into the 21st century? Leave it to none other than our man Poldoore, who has been tearing it up recently. Modern and electronic, Poldoore’s remix provides a layer of funk while staying true to the original soul of the track. The trumpet at the end is the icing on the cake. No wonder it’s been at the top of the hot tracks all week!
Put this track on when you’re getting ready to go out tonight, and you’ll be assured to pop it off right.
This week features one of our Community Manager’s favorite genres, the classic, soulful, never-old-and-forever-awesome Motown. Originating from Detroit in the 50′s and 60′s, Berry Gordy founded a record label called Motown Records, playing on Detroit’s popular moniker: the motor city. To this day Detroit is famous for two things: cars, and music. There is no doubt that Ford and GM and Chrysler have produced some beautiful cars over the years. But nothing can compare to Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and the wave of music responsible for the foundation of nearly every popular genre we listen to today.
This playlist of reference is curated by Justin S. Let’s the get the story behind the creation:
When did you start listening to Motown?
That’s easy! Ever since I can remember, I’ve been jamming out to music from Motown. I really appreciate the fact that my parents introduced me to this genre of music at a young age because it’s where I found my passion for singing.
Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Motown started speaking to you?
The first time I ever heard “Aint Too Proud to Beg” by the Temptations. I think every naive kid going through their first break up always finds that music can help ease the pain of a heartbreak. I don’t think I fully understood what the song meant then, but to me, it’s always a reminder that sometimes you need to do everything you can, to get what you want or where you want to be.
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
The one that comes to mind most is driving down to Myrtle Beach every year for family vacation. Having the windows rolled down, Motown blasting, knowing that in a few hours I would be sitting on the beach is something I looked forward to each Summer. Carolina Beach Music goes hand in hand with Motown because that’s where it was born. To me, there’s nothing better than being near the Ocean listening to the music of Motown.
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
This is a no brainer for me. “Up on the Roof” by the Drifters is hands down my all-time favorite Motown song. Whenever I get stressed or need some time to myself, I listen to this song and it helps me know that there is a place “Where you just have to wish to make it so"….And that’s Up On The Roof.
We listen to a lot of electronic music, especially here in the urban Parisian music scene, so it’s really nice to break out of that mentality and cleanse your ears with something totally new and unexpected. We recommend heading down to the Caribbean to the cultural anomaly known as Cuba, and the singer Daymé Arocena, who was picked up by Gilles Peterson and the Havana Club Rum “Havana Cultura” series.
She teased the world with this EP recorded over a few days in Havana and London, and her new album “Nueva Era” is out soon.
Released: March 30, 2015
Genres: cuba, latin, jazz
Tracks: 4
Who would like this EP?
Fans of Ibeyi’s vibe, Nina Simone’s voice, and Charlie Parker’s horns.
Our thoughts:
Does talent exist? If you need an example to prove the affirmative response to this question, just take one listen to Daymé Arocena’s voice. She is practically pouring soul into the microphone, and she’s only 22 years old.
Her mixtures of Cuban and afro-caribbean style is unexpected and fresh. Her sense of jazz and instrumentalization is just light enough to keep from bogging down the focal point - her voice - but bops along to piano and drums like their rhythms had naturally fallen from the atmosphere.
The most amazing part is that you feel like she is holding something back, she wants to break into scat, but she keeps it under control. Maybe she’s saving it for later. Maybe she doesn’t want to show all her cards. But there is something monumental underneath, and let’s all hope that she shows it one day.
Only three words can describe the situation in Paris today: Hot. As. Fuck. With temperatures soaring above 30ªC the populace has firmly planted itself outside, along the banks of rivers and canals. Rosé is flowing like the Seine. It’s a great time to be in the French Capital. So it’s total coincidence that Beirut bursts back onto the world scene with their first single in 4 years, “No No No” and it immediately shoots to the top of the hot tracks. Beirut fans will be pleased with the harmonious rounds, the use of the voice as an instrument, and of course some horns for good measure. Apparently their new album will be coming out in the fall, so we have ample time to chill in the sunshine before heading off to pick it up.
Thanks to Maxime M (again and again!) for getting it to us!
Our good friends Les Disquaires de Paris have been hard at work this year organizing what looks to be one of the most interesting music events in Paris this year: Good For Ears. Taking their core spirit of promoting independent record shops - and pairing those curators with some of the coolest acts coming out of the French capital - Good For Ears is a 4 day musical bonanza happening at 4 of Paris’s most emblematic music venues: Le Divan du Monde, La Plage de Glazart, Nuba, and L’Internationale.
Every night starts with a live concert, with groups ranging from Montmartre to Tahiti Boy to Bel Plaine and Amarillo. Then, each night features a different independent record shop to man the turntables, spreading their wealth of musical knowledge to you all night long.
Here’s a link to their Friday, June 19th event at Nuba to give you an idea! See you there!
On a sunny June morning three years ago we moved two wooden tables from Ikea up two flights of stairs and opened the door to the small, bright office that would be Whyd’s home, in the Paris Labs Innovation incubator in Paris 20ème. We met some of our most faithful music lovers there, we grilled up meats and comraderie, we moaned when the coffee machine didn’t work, and we had discussions that were usually so loud that our neighbors - both next to and under - hated us. What can we say, we’re passionate people!
Three years later, Whyd has a new workspace, still with entrepreneurs and young professionals, but we’ve moved up to Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement. We’re in a luminous, modern space called the “Jungle” with palms and beach umbrellas, alongside diverse companies like the real estate marketplace DingDong, a modelling agency, and even an oyster exporter!
We’re looking forward to a lot of productive days in our new spot!
After a few weeks of hiatus, the Track of the Weekend is back just in time for the end of May. And you know who else is back? Our favorite Australian producer Flume, a man who is no stranger to the Track of the Weekend. His latest single “Some Minds” is a haunting orchestral voyage led by Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt on vocals that takes a while to build into Flume’s classic electro riffs. But when it tops off, there is nothing to do but hit repeat.
We’re already salivating for Flume’s new album! Thanks to Wark for getting it to our ears.
Another year, another summer, with the lazy summer night where stars fall into dreams and the world seems like it will never end. For sitting around the campfire, strumming a guitar, bellowing calls and returns, there is nothing better than Bluegrass and the impeccable genre of Americana. This week’s playlist of reference is curated by our man Tom B. Let’s get the story behind the curation:
When did you start listening to Bluegrass/Americana?
I started to listen to Bluegrass in the mid to late 60’s when I first heard Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, the music made me feel good and put me in a great place.
Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Bluegrass/Americana started speaking to you?
I bought the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s album “Will the Circle be Unbroken” which is a collaboration of country and bluegrass players, it opened my eyes to how good these players are and how great these old songs are. I think it might have been my first exposure to Vassar Clements, Mother Maybelle Carter and many of the other great musicians and singers on this album. It is my favorite album even though I don’t listen to it as much as I used to I think it is always a special time when I do. The song “Keep on the Sunny Side” will always cheer me up if i’m down and a very moving song for me.
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
I add a lot of the newer songs and groups to it before we go to a string music festival “Harvest Music Festival” at Mulberry Mountain, Ozark, AR. I will line up my favorite artist so I can become more familiar with their music. I like to listen to many different genres but if we are going to see someone live I like to listen to that genre before I go.
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
“Keep On The Sunny Side” with Mother Maybelle Carter
One of the best things to do when summer hits Paris is to chill on the banks of the Seine. Combine that with some classic underground hip hop and you’ve got a great time on your hands. That bodes well for APÉROBOAT, a hip hop event organized by The Backpackerz to celebrate the new version of their webzine.
The party has sweet DJs spinning the best hip hop all night long, some vinyl traders to help you beef up your personal collection, and projections of rap and hip hop documentaries to round out the cultural aspect. All of this is taking place at one of our favorite places in Paris, Batofar, and the entry is free! Here’s the link to the event.
The dudes at The Backpackerz made this playlist to give you a taste of the vibe. See you there!
Here at Whyd, we know a few things about being international. Our team is often dispersed across Europe, the United States, and Asia at any given time, and our community is just as diverse. We appreciate the perspective that this quality brings, and embodying this global spirit is Maïa Vidal, whose Facebook bio states quite proudly that she is “Franco-American, Barcelona-based, eclecto-pop ingenue, (+singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/filmmaker/visual artist)… breaking hearts and blowing minds since 1988.”
She just released her latest EP, “The Tide” yesterday, here’s the deal:
Released: May 18, 2015
Genres: eclecto pop
Tracks: 6 (3 original cuts, and 3 remixes of those same tracks)
Who would like this EP?
Fans of Ellie Goulding’s voice, people who like Lana Del Rey’s orchestral arrangements.
Our thoughts:
Having been active for many years now, Maïa has produced a lot of music across her past projects, all of which culminates in “The Tide,” an exercise in musicality. Her catchy hooks are thought-provoking. Her voice seduces. There is a lot of originality in her lyrics. Overall, the three songs beg for more.
Which brings us to the weakest point of the EP, the three remixes. The two remixes of the title track “The Tide” erase a bit of her magic. We understand that this is a trend now, to include remixes on EPs to fill it out, but repeating a track three times on a 6 track EP reduces the impact and power of what Maïa Vidal has put together.
Her original versions are more than enough! And you’ll find yourself singing the hooks even after the very first listen.
Not all the music shared on Whyd comes from emerging artists. There are also the classics, and included is the most classic of them all: Classical Music. Whether you’re studying, working, or want to let the beauty of music wash over you, take a listen to this playlist curated by Cyril Delmas-Marsalet. But first, let’s get the story behind the curation:
When did you start listening to Classical Music?
Since I was a child. My parents and grandparents used to listen to Classical music.
Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Classical Music started speaking to you?
When I was about 9 years old, our teacher told us that Maria Callas had just died. We listened to one of her great “arias”… That was a great discovery for me, full of emotion.
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
Classical music is great for working at home (I’m a teacher). There’s a Classical tune for each mood and each moment.
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
Opera, of course… “A Te O Cara”, from “I Puritani” by Bellini, sung by Luciano Pavarotti.
The sun is out and it’s hot in the incubator here in Paris. Spring has sprung, nearly into summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to embrace the three dudes from Paris known as We Are Spring. They just released their new EP, capped off with a few shows around Paris over the last few weeks. Here’s the deal:
Released: April 29, 2015
Genres: dreamy pop
Tracks: 4
Who would like this EP?
Fans of Woodkid’s vocals, Elvis’s crooning.
Our thoughts:
There is one word that comes to mind when listening to We Are Spring’s EP: succulent. Each song sounds like it is ripe with sweet juice just ready to be bitten into. There is a richness to the way that the songs build. There is balance.
While it sounds a lot like Woodkid and his orchestral adventures, We Are Spring manages to stay more on the dreamier side, finding the sweet spot between shoe gaze and pop. A highly enjoyable listen for a spring afternoon.
Soon De La Soul will be back on the scene with a new album. To tease the soulful masses, they released this little gem, and it shot directly to the top of the Whyd hot tracks this week. That’s a good sign. We can’t wait, because if their new album is anything like “God It” it will signal the return of the masters. For all the clamor and autotuning going on in hip hop today, it feels good to crank it to something that sounds like it’s already a classic.
Thanks to Kalu for slipping this one into our streams!
One of the biggest success stories our of France recently has been Rone, the young producer signed to InFiné music. His music has been praised by the greats, and he sports a unique European personality. Most importantly, he has a knack for taking songs and transcending them to a new level of reality. This is precisely what he did with his remix of Yael Naim’s “Coward.” Originally a typical Parisian-style ballad, with its a cappella, church-like choir, and a few piano notes here and there, Rone brings “Coward” into an era so modern, it’s basically the future. Punctuated, powerful, and prescient, it’s no surprise that this track was the most popular on Whyd this week!
This time it’s Greenroom who we need to thank for getting it to us. Thank you guys!
The next installment of our Playlist of Reference series turns up the volume. “Alt Rock” is a collection of bangers curated by our man Stefanos. As is the tradition, let’s get the story behind the curation:
When did you start listening to Alt Rock?
I was a rock fan since the 70’s . When I was a student in Glasgow, Scotland in the late 70’s and early 80’s I used to listen to BBC Radio 1 and the famous DJ John Peel who had his program every night.
Peel played many of the new groups who sent him their demo tapes. He gave them airplay and made them known.
I loved groups such as Echo and the Bunnymen, Joy Division, Siouxsee and the Banshees, The Cure, Cocteau Twins, etc…
Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Alt Rock started speaking to you?
Yes. Echo and the Bunnymen and Siouxsee and the Banshees really impressed me.
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
On a long haul flight to a holiday destination.
When feeling a bit out of energy and needing a recharge.
Concentrating on the music on a good stereo. listening in the dark.
To make me optimistic and put me into a fighting mood.
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
Hello Aquilo! Who does what in your duo?
We write and produce the music together at our flat in Manchester. We both play a bit of guitar and piano, but Tom primarily sings lead vocals.
How did you start playing music together? Did you have a clear vision of the sound that you wanted or is a compromise between your two different styles?
I found a song that Ben did online, he lived across the road and we decided to try and write something together.
I don’t think we had a clear vision, it came from a lot of experimentation and combination of our individual music tastes.
Where do you draw your inspiration from? Are there contemporary artists that you look up to?
We suppose we’re inspired by people like Mount Kimbie, The Weeknd, Bonobo, Fleet Foxes, Fink, Washed Out, Steely Dan and maybe even D’Angelo.
Can you tell us about your new EP? What can we expect?
This EP feels bigger than the other 2 EPs. The old EPs sort of shows our mellow side and this EP (although still holding emotion and thoughtfulness) feels as though it has more bursts of Energy. We almost see it as a stepping stone to our album.
You will be playing at Melt in Germany, are you doing any other festivals this summer, maybe in France?
We’re dead excited for Melt Festival. We’ve never been to Berlin before so it should be a good one. We’re playing a few festivals this summer but unfortunately for now we don’t have any dates booked in France (yet!) although will do very soon.
This week’s EP Review sees the release of MiM’s new EP “Samsara.” Hailing from Paris, MiM made the music for the opening of the Canal+ series “Bref.” Now he’s teamed up with a bunch of talented artists and released “Samsara” on Chateau Bruyant Records. Let’s get to the details:
Released: April 20, 2015
Genres: hip hop, trap, grime, deep
Tracks: 5
Who would like this EP?
Fans of Grimes’s vocals and mixes, people who like The XX’s vibe
Our thoughts:
Never before in the history of music has there been such a convergence of trends and styles. Today it’s possible to take samples, spin them towards diverging directions, lay down some fat beats, get some seductive vocals and somehow you have music - music that actually sounds pretty good. MiM is the latest to follow in the steps of this trend. “Samsara” is like an international banquet of finger foods with each morsel delicately prepared and served on a toothpick for our enjoyment.
“Blow” featuring Anna Kova is without question the most poppy track, but it still manages to weave between a dozen genres and come out on the other side feeling complete - no easy feat.
Sometimes it feels like there is too much going on, and in these moments MiM’s personality gets a bit lost. This is the risk with being so eclectic. Luckily these moments are few and far between. The overall result is a satisfying adventure through the world’s urban cultures that leaves you wanting more.
Another week in the books, and another weekend on the horizon. The minutes of the clock tick slowly towards evening. With each tock the excitement builds. Layer upon layer, until the excitement explodes into the freedom of the weekend. Summing up this feeling of building is the experimental rock duo from Brooklyn: RATATAT, back on the world scene with “Cream on Chrome.”
For the fans of RATATAT who have known them since the days of “Loud Pipes,” you wont be disappointed with “Cream on Chrome” which carries the signature electric guitar, funky bass beat, and mathematical construction that enables RATATAT to weave stories and narratives through music with no lyrics. And that’s why it’s #1 on Whyd this week.
Thanks to Maxime M for getting his, like, 25th track of the weekend!
For our music lovers in Lille, you might remember when we interviewed Bâton Blanc on the occasion of their first techno party. For a smaller town like Lille, with a limited nightlife, a techno party was a big moment of celebration. Now, after planning and a lot of work, the team at Bâton Blanc has a new venue and partner in 3/3. A new party has been announced, this one happening on Thursday, April 30th at the Tchouka Club. You can find the details here.
As the headliner for this event, they are bringing in an up-and-coming Ukrainian producer. His name is SE62, and we had the pleasure of interviewing him:
Hello SE62! Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from originally?
Hi there, my name is Yura, I am 27 years old. I have been living all my life in Kiev, Ukraine.
How long have you been making music? How did you get started?
My music background started at 10-12 years old. My grandfather was a musician, he showed me a lot of folk instruments. I started producing my first music at university when i was a student. Somebody dropped me Ableton CD.
What’s the character of SE62 now? Who would like to listen to your music?
At the moment I’m listening to house music and a lot of instrumental hip hop from the golden era (early 90’s). Love that gritty stuff. And jazz & soul records. I am trying to make more clubby music. I am happy to see when people dancing and have fun!
What kind of things do you have planned for 2015 and beyond?
Travels, my first album, wedding, hope Magister Study and a lot of work with the music and design.
Looking forward to visit Lille. Henri (Inner Sense) made awesome gift for me. It’s a book about French cities, such a cool book ! I am so exited to come!
It’s one of the nicest days of the year here in Paris, and while we took advantage of the weather yesterday to light up the grill, today the sun just won’t stop pouring down on us. It’s the big blue sky, a quality of the world that begs for movement, for exploration, to keep going further and further – or just lay back and relax.
Among the potential soundtracks for days like this is Country, a genre that exudes travel, open spaces, being on the road. Harmonicas, guitar strums, songs about whiskey and cheap cigars. Today’s Country Playlist of Reference is curated by Hedd’zding, who was kind enough to give us the story behind the curation:
When did you start listening to Country music?
The first country songs that I listened to were in my father’s car when I was younger and when we were doing a lot of driving.
However, I rediscovered this music style thinks to Whyd and its passionate users.
Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Country music started speaking to you?
Country music is a style which, whatever the song, transports me in a whirlwind of feelings and freedom. So when I take the car alone for a long trip, it’s sunny and the highway is all to me, country music is definitely speaking to me.
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
Like I just said, it’s awesome when you’re on the go.
But also, and it’s a bit contradictory but I love listening to country music when I’m working, it motivates me.
The third moment when I like to listen this playlist and country music in general, is the day after a night of partying when I’m tired. Some calm country songs are just incredibly peaceful and relaxing for this kind of moment.
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
It would be “I got a name” by Jim Croce for many reasons. It’s a beautiful song it represents one of the most beautiful scene of Django Unchained, a movie that I love, when J. Fox and C. Waltz cross the mountains to reach the Mississippi. This song really makes me think about the great American spaces, I love it!
So do we Hedd’zding!
Whyd’s Chief BBQ Officer had a chance to dust off the tools, scrap the rust off of the grill in the little backyard of our incubator, and under a blazing sunshine, kick off year with our first BBQ of 2015.
After the usual challenge of lighting the grills, we got the charcoal smoking and enjoyed Tony’s signature burgers.
Sadly, it was most likely the last BBQ at our incubator, before our lease is up at the end of May. The BBQ had become synonymous with Whyd, and it was in this very location that we first launched our music community exactly three years ago, with Gilles, Jie, Adrien, and Loick.
For those of us with us from the very beginning, you remember how crazy things got.
We’ve come a long way since then - as evidenced by the new team members in this photo: Laurent, Jeremy, and Damien’s arm. Luckily, they are fans of BBQ too. And whether we are in Paris, San Francisco, or China, we are all in complete agreement that the next chapter of Whyd will contain at least a BBQ or two.
In the meantime, bon appetit, and never stop jamming!
Konnichiwa! We’ve recently seen a surge in music lovers joining us from The Land of the Rising Sun, and we’re super excited about that! As a team, we are passionate about meeting our music lovers in person, hearing their stories, and sharing a beer. Our trusty Community Manager Tony will be visiting Japan for two weeks from April 25th to May 10th, stopping in Tokyo, Kyoto, and bouncing around between a few other places too. If you’d like to meet him for a beer and some conversation, just send him an email: tony at whyd dot com.
He will be very happy to meet you, in addition to learning more about your culture and music!
Never stop jamming! ジャミング停止することはありません
Who’s going to be drinking some rosé tonight? These guys!
Yep, the sun is out here in Paris and even though our team is scattered around the world from San Francisco to Shanghai, we’re all feeling the spring vibe. Few bands so well evoke the hope and pleasure of spring and summer than Australia’s Tame Impala, whose debut album featured a picture of Paris’s Jardin des Plantes.
The psychedelic, shoe gaze group has been sprouting back onto the world scene recently with a few new singles, including their latest, the hottest track on Whyd this week. As light as a nap in the sunshine, “Cause I’m A Man” is weightless, lofty as a daydream, and sweeter than a fresh wild strawberry picked from deep in the woods.
Thanks to Maxime M for nailing it this week!
The next installment in our Playlist of Reference series sees things get a bit more epic as we dive into the world of Trance music. This Trance playlist contains electronic rises and falls - a roller coaster of different energies accelerating through our ears, all curated by Mathis Lorenzo. As usual, let’s get the story behind the curation:
When did you start listening to Trance music?
I really discovered Trance during the first festivals I attended when I was 16 years old. I already knew a little bit about it then, of course, but it was during that specific time that the music took on a new dimension in my eyes.
Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Trance started speaking to you?
Yes, and not just once! The most interesting thing with Trance in my opinion is the internal voyage that it permits. Making you dance, galloping on a bewitching beat, it lets you have a certain experience, solitary and subjective, or “transcendence.”
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
I don’t always listen to this playlist, as opposed to others because I think that certain conditions are necessary to really appreciate it. So I normally listen to this playlist when I know that the quality and volume will be high, and then when the ambiance and I are ready to go!
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
I would say “Vitamin T” by Terranoise, because it’s the most representative sound for what I like in a genre where there is a lot of mix of numerous different sub-genres. With a fast and aggressive beat, I am incapable of keeping myself from dancing when I listen to it!
Our next EP review features the American alt duo Lyonn, who just released their debut EP “We’ll Light The Sky.” Let’s get to the details:
Released: March 31, 2015
Genres: alternative, alt pop, indie
Tracks: 4
Who would like this EP?
Fans of From Kid’s vocal harmonies, Two Door Cinema Club
Our thoughts:
There is something that happens when two musicians come together instead of one. Case in point: Lyonn’s project started as a single singer-songwriter but after chemisty percolated one became two. There is an added depth, sure, but there is much more energy. Lyonn, made up of Tyler Gelrud and Attila Yavuzer, have struck a path down the center of indie pop with “We’ll Light The Sky,” studded with positive harmonies and catchy hooks.
The first track, “Empty Bed” could have come out of the emo wave of the 90s and early 2000s, but nothing about it feels repetitive. The title track, “We’ll Light The Sky” hints at the “deep” trend that is rolling through contemporary music right now. It’s a mix of past and present, pushed over the edge by how earnest it all sounds.
Overall, for anyone looking for a solid group of alternative tracks, Lyonn will not disappoint.
It’s Good Friday, which is sort of an obvious way to refer to a Friday, since most people would consider Fridays to be good. It’s like saying “Bad Monday,” you can probably just say Monday and people get the idea.
Religious jokery aside, we’re looking forward to a long Easter weekend, some time with family, and of course some extended unwinding accompanied by great music. A perfect track for some solid relaxation comes from Whyd favorite Jamie XX, who has already held two tracks of the weekend. This time he teams up with his childhood skateboarding friend Romy for “Loud Places” which, by any objective measure, would seem like a ridiculous name for a song because of how calm it is. But by Jamie XX’s standards, this one is a thumper.
A big merci to Louis de Sentenac for getting it to all of us!
Hello Asagaya! Can you tell us how you arrived in France?
I was downloaded to France three years ago. It was one way of doing things, as good as any other at the time. My transfer went pretty well even if I would’ve preferred the premium USB key option, which is definitely more comfortable.
Does your Japanese heritage bring something to your music?
There isn’t any Japanese heritage because I am inspired by all types of music or almost all types of music. The music of the world is an inexhaustible source that rolls out across decades and I try not to get stuck in one style, one country, or one era. I have the feeling that one life will not be enough for everything there is to listen to.
How long have you been making beats? Where does your inspiration come from?
I’ve been making music for over 12 years, alone and with different groups, more or less underground. Rock, funk, dub, trip hop, hip hop, bizarre, etc. I have multiple influences, from Dr. John to Shawn Lee, passing by Frank Zappa, Philip Glass, Can, Moondog, Fela Kuti, the list is long.
Tell us about your album “Light of the Dawn,” that you just released this week. When did you start working on it?
It’s an introductory course composed of meetings and micro-histories where the main character toggles between different realities. When Guts discovered me in the abyss of the web, we started to put together some tracks for a potential album. Then, he found some really talented artists (Leron Thomas, Lorine Chia, Akua Naru, Afrodyete, and Jay Prince) to give another dimension to my work, without ever imposing anything.
Two years later, thanks to his complete support and artistic vision, the support from Open Side Music, Mr. Gib’s craftsmanship in the OneTwoPassIt studio, and Blanka’s mastering, the album is out on Jakarta Records.
Which song from “Light of the Dawn” is your favorite? Why?
The track that I am the most proud of, without any doubt, is “In the Mountain of Bliss.” Firstly, for Leron Thomas, his words, his creativity, and his talent on the trumpet. From thousands of kilometers away, he totally understood the concept and musicality of the track. Then because it’s the harbinger piece for the character and for the rest of the project…
When and where can your fans come to see you in live this year?
I’ve recently benefitted from the important backing of AFX Booking, who is already working on upcoming shows for the fall. Before that, I will be opening for Guts at La Cigale on April 16th, playing in Grenoble on April 30th, and then I open for Al’Tarba on June 13 at New Morning.
It’s time for our next installment of our Playlist of Reference series, this time taking a jaunt around the globe to exotic destinations. Like any voyage, the idea is to open our ears to new sounds, finding connections with our own societies, and enjoying everything new. Today’s World Music Playlist is curated by Sijelmassi Youssef. Let’s get the story behind the curation!
When did you start listening to World Music?
I started to listen to music very young thanks to my sister who introduced me to French music and to classic rock later. I enjoyed Supertramp, Queen, America, George Benson, James Taylor, Crosby Stills Nash and Young… the list is very long.
Then I had to work for few years on cruise ships where I was working next to people coming from different parts of the world. On a cruise ship you do work but also share with your coworkers – food, culture, tradition, and music. That is where i started to enjoy different sounds coming from different part of the world.
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
For me there is a kind of music for every kind of mood you can be in. Even for my world music playlist there are different genres for different moods I can be in. Maybe some Latin sounds if i’m happy and maybe some Qawwali sounds from Pakistan if I’m looking for some serenity.
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
If i have to choose one song from my world music playlist that would be a song from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan called “Allah Hoo.” Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan died few years ago, he is the most popular singer of a genre called Qawwali, the devotional music of the Sufis. Just have a seat, close your eyes, and enjoy!!!! His powerful and emotional voice will go deep inside you, and will bring peace and happiness.
For those of you who have been with us from the beginning, you might remember the story of Poldoore from two years ago. The Belgian producer was discovered by Cave aux Poètes concert venue in Lille, France because his music was shared on Whyd. The program manager booked him, and since then he has seen a strong rise in popularity here in Europe and beyond.
After a big 2014, he’s back with another EP for 2015. “Blind Eyes” is out on Cult Classic Records, and features artists like Awon, Dephlow, and Cise Star. Let’s get to the details!
Released: March 24, 2015
Genres: jazzy hip hop
Tracks: 3
Who would like this EP?
Fans of 20syl’s and Chinese Man’s beats, fans of The Roots’ lyrical style
Our thoughts:
If there is a trendy sound in hip hop today, it comes from the mix of jazz-oriented saxophones cut in between scratched vocal samples, and Poldoore’s latest effort weaves in and out of this category – which is fitting, since he has staked his name on that sound. But “Blind Eyes” goes further. Lyrical and strong at the same time, there is no doubt that the collaborations on “Blind Eyes” bring a levity and seriousness to this EP.
To Poldoore fans, “Blind Eyes” (the title song) will be an instant classic. “Never Defeated” is poppy enough to make it onto mainstream radio, lifted by the seductive female vocals. In total, the range present in this one, 3-track EP is very impressive, and if it’s a sign of things to come, the future will continue to be bright for Poldoore.
Spring is here for us in Paris, and the cycle of life continues it’s never ending swing. As the flowers bloom you can feel the energy in the air, the people drinking next to the Canal St. Martin, music blaring from open car windows.
Capturing this funky moment is a track that almost became the Track of the Weekend a few weeks ago, but ascended to the summit of popularity when the Bollywood-style video came out this week. “Lean On” by Major Lazer and MØ is a study in contrasts: between the Danish MØ and the Indian setting of the video; the electronic riffs and the poppy feel; and between the lyrics themselves:
“Blow a kiss, fire a gun.”
Thanks to Diana Tabachnikov for getting it to the Whyd community!