WHEN I SAW: The Radio Dept. Live in Manila...

I was like 0_0

I thought I would miss The Radio Dept.'s gig here in Manila last April 20 because of my trip in Pagudpod with my friends but things really happen for a reason. Though I wasnt able to join my friends in Ilocos, I was in Hard Rock Cafe in Makati singing with the rest of The Radio Dept.'s Filipino fans.

Their set was amazing. They sang most of the crowd faves like Heaven's on Fire and The Worst Taste in Music but didnt sing my all time fave Pulling Our Weight ;(. It's ok. Seeing them perform live was one of the things I was hoping to happen and thanks to the producers who brought them here!

Didnt have that much photos that night coz I was mesmerized and still couldnt believe I was really watching The Radio Dept live. Here are some of the shots I took...

Here's The Radio Dept. performing one of my favorite songs I Wanted You to Feel the Same (not my video)

MUST WATCH: Sadness is a Blessing by Lykke Li

Oh c'mon Lykke Li, why do you have to be so pretty even when you're basag?! I must say, Tarik Saleh did a great job in directing this music video for Li's stand out ballad Sadness is a Blessing from her sophomore album Wounded Rhymes. It captures the whole emotion of the song and presents it in an unconventional way. When I first heard this song, I thought that there would be dancing in its music video and Lykke Li didnt disappoint me. This girl knows how to drunk dancing in a classsy and graceful way which some of my friends should learn. haha!

The music video also features Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård(Mamma Mia, Good Will Hunting, Pirates of the Caribbean) as Lykke Li's father (not her boyfriend). Well, i thought he was playing Li's boyfriend until I saw this from her newsletter...

Oh well, so much about the explaining. Here's the music video... 

MUST WATCH: The Burning Plain by Tōwa Tei feat. Yukihiro Takahashi

Can't get enough of color blocking this season? Then check out Tōwa Tei's new music video The Burning Plain from his upcoming album Sunny. It's directed by Takeshi Nakamura and Yusuke Tanaka.

Though I am not a big fan of colorful things, this music video works for me for two reasons: its minimalist composition and the vibrant styling which reminds me of Prada Spring 2011 RTW...

And Jil Sander Spring 2011 RTW...

If you're not familiar with Tōwa Tei's music, he was quite big back in the 90's with his single GBI (German Bold Italic) which features Kylie Minogue on vocals. Watch/listen to the video below and i'm sure you'll remember the song ;)

THESE DAYS NOTHING BUT SUNSHINE: A Summer Mixtape

As a birthday post, here's a mixtape for my favorite season of the year- summer! I guarantee, you can have a sun tan by just listening to these songs. That's hot! FREE DOWNLOAD HERE!

Tracklist:

photo via here

MUST WATCH: Iron by Woodkid

This is how you should make debut! With its stunning imagery and direction plus the dark epic music, Woodkid's first single Iron is, by far, the best music video I've seen this year. It was directed by Woodkid frontman Yoann Lemoine and features one of my favorite models, Agyness Deyn. Watch the video below

MUST WATCH: A Gentle Persuasion & Bread and Circuses by The Camerawalls

One of my favorite Pinoy indie-pop acts, The Camerawalls, released two music videos to accompany their singles A Gentle Persuasion and Bread and Circuses.


A Gentle Persuasion is straight-up indie-pop track that's a perfect soundtrack for a summer roadtrip. It just sends good vibes every time I listen to it. 


I'm not quite sure why the band is releasing another music video but Bread and Circuses sure is worth to watch. Both tracks are part of the band's current EP Bread and Circuses that was released last year.
 

The Radio Dept LIVE IN MANILA!!!

After the success of The Whitest Boy Alive gig last March, another indie act is gracing the Philippines for a one-night only performance. The Scandinavian band The Radio Dept will be performing at the Hard Rock Cafe on April 20, 2011. I thought this gig would not push through but I was ecstatic when I heard that it's finally happening! I am such a big fan of The Radio Dept's dream-pop sound which is very accessible even for those who are not a fan of the genre. So if you happen to be spending the holy week in Manila, watch The Radio Dept instead! Ticket price is Php1,800 that comes with a drink plus a whole lotta fun! You can avail the tickets at Gweilo Bar Makati, Gweilo's Eastwood, Route 196, B-Side, Team Manila Stores.

For starters, here are some of my favorite tracks from The Radio Dept's albums that made me such a big fan.

The Most RAKENROL Pinoy Movie...Ever \m/

I've always wanted to start a band. A rock band. But my biggest problem since I started dreaming about it is I dont know how to play any musical instrument. The only thing I can contribute in my future rock band (if there is actually a future) is to be the lead vocals. Oh another thing, I cannot sing well. But that should not stop me from being a vocalist, right?   I mean these days, you dont need to have that 'golden voice' to be in a band. Just look at Quark Henares. He doesnt have the best vocals in the OPM scene (well he doesnt have THE voice actually) but he's in a band singing these quirky music and still receives raves from the people. But one thing I love about Quark is his passion and dedication to whatever art he's pursuing. And you can see all of that in his latest film about one of the things he's passionate about- music.

Rakenrol is Quark Henares' latest film and Diego Castillo helped him write the story. The film is about starting a band and discovering relationships along the journey of realizing the dream. Sort of like autobiographical for Quark and Diego, I suppose. So who's Glaiza de Castro's character? ;) Watch the theatrical trailer below and be excited as I am ;)

NEW MUSIC: This Is Our City by Taken by Cars

...or should I sing This Is Our Citeyy? ;)

This Is Our City is Taken by Cars' first single from their sophomore album Dualist to be released on the 15th of April. It still has the party-rock sensibilities that TbC is known for. I like it though This is our Citey kinda sounds like their previous hit December 2 Chapter VII. You can check out the other three tracks from Taken by Cars' new album on their BandPage or you can go to the album launch on April 15. Details here.

MUST LISTEN: Shook Down by Yuck

This one reminds me of a song from the 90's or early 2000 that I couldn't pin down what it iS. Shook Down is one of the tracks from Yuck's self-titled debut album that made me a fan of this UK modern college garage rock. How can you not love a song with You can be my destiny/You can mean that much to me lyrics in it. Swoon! 


Stream the whole album below and tell me which tracks are your favorites ;)

MUST LISTEN: New Work by jj

I admire artists/bands who can cover a song and turn it into something different from it's original form. jj is one of them. These 'Swedish pop deconstructionists' managed to mash Broder Daniel's Work and When We Were Winning with Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind which unifies the song and makes it sound familiar. New Work can be found in jj's Kills mixtape.