Toddla T - Ob/Sessions for #Topman Ctrl w/ Raf (The 2 Bears)

Check out this interview with Toddla T, in the first of a series of videos titled Ob/session, hosted by Raf Daddy from The 2 Bears. I'm loving this style of interview, really cool.

What is Ob/Sessions? 

How much can you learn about someone through the music they love, the music that influences who they are as a person as much as why they make the music they make? And how much more could you learn from having a conversation about said music over a flask of tea in the front seat of a car? 

Man about town and music obsessive Raf Rundell (The 2 Bears) has taken it upon himself to find out what music really makes people tick. In Ob/Sessions for Topman Ctrl, he'll drive out to meet musicians,producers, record label bods and artists to talk to them about their quiet musical obsessions in an attempt to uncover influences that you wouldn't normally associate people with. He'll park up somewhere with a view, a Thermos and a talented passenger then play the tunes through a car stereo while talking about how they've been inspirational on the interviewees life and - in turn -- their music.

Songs for warm nights

I thought I'd share a couple of the artists that I've had on repeat while I make the most of the recent warm nights, and brood over the dark clouds that the weatherman promises me are to come...

- Bonnie & Mariee

I'm pretty ashamed that I didn't know about this incredible pairing earlier, but better later than never, I suppose.  Not much to say about this other than it's Bonnie "Prince" Billy & Mariee Sioux and so it's obviously beautiful.

- Father John Misty

Fear Fun might be a teensy bit similar to Tillman's other stuff, but I feel like it's different enough, and of course still wonderful, plus it has a more summery feel than the autumnal output of the Fleet Foxes

- Hannah Cohen

The very beautiful and very talented Hannah Cohen is currently pretty much on loop when I'm trying not to stress out at work and when I'm relaxing back home.  I dare you not to fall in love at first listen.

- Cold Specks

I've only recently discovered Cold Specks, but her rich gravely voice has me hooked already.  I particularly love the pared down Elephant Head

Teen Daze - Treten video

Teen Daze has just released a video for "Treten", a fantastic track from his soon-to-be released album, All Of Us, Together. I love the video, made up of footage taken from 1960's nature documentaries.

Teen Daze’s debut album, All Of Us, Together, goes on sale June 5th via Lefse Records.

Hot Chip - Night & Day (Daphni Remix)

Yet another post about Hot Chip's latest single "Night & Day". Daphni (aka Caribou) has produced this great little remix, making the track slightly more dance-floor friendly by removing Alexis Taylor’s vocals and concentrating on the ridiculous (ridiculously good) beat. You can download it for free here.

Beach House - 'Myth' (on Later with Jools Holland)

Check out this awesome performance from Beach House on Jools Holland last night. Their new album, Bloom, is out now - it's an a essential listen, check it out.

YEASAYER - HENRIETTA

You have no idea how long I have been waiting to post what I am about to post. Since Toy Stereo was nought but a collection of isolated and disparate primordial thought-pulses snaking about in the far corners of Frank and Matt's mind-boxes; since those distant days of 2010, enswirled in a misty memory-haze, I have been waiting, always waiting, for new material from Brooklyn-based electronic maestros Yeasayer. Their 2007 album All Hour Cymbals remains one of my all-time favourite records; I had quite honestly never heard anything like it - the mix of folk and world influences combined with witty sampling and masterful arrangements was a sonic treat unrivalled by anything else that Matt's dad had recommended we listen to. That car journey to Glastonbury 2008 was momentous; as we neared the fabled Worthy Farm site my anticipation grew into a fevered excitement in the knowledge that we would soon be witnessing these actual wizards of sound perform live before our very peepers. Needless to say the gig was brilliant and over the years to come I would travel far and wide to such exotic cities as Nottingham and Bristol, to student unions, converted tugboats and former opera houses to see Yeasayer live. Things had gone a bit quiet since the release of their second album, 2010's Odd Blood, an extravagant and athemic anti-pop masterpiece; but now we finally have a new track - entitled 'Henrietta'. I am absolutely delighted to say that Yeasayer have taken their sound in a more understated, impressionistic direction which is a welcome progression from the fizzing multilayered busy-ness of Odd Blood. Download 'Henrietta' for free here.