GET TO KNOW: Modulogeek

Photo by Bobby Benedicto

I am so excited to introduce to you guys this amazing musician! He is Joon Guillen aka Modulogeek. He just came out with an amazing new EP this year called Transition (Number Line Records) and it might just be THE best local release of 2011. I bugged him with some silly questions which he gamely answers below...

When did you start as Modulogeek?

It was mostly an act of desperation. When I moved to hk I found it increasingly frustrating to not being in a band (as was the norm in Manila). Eventually I decided to go solo and what better way to start by trying electronic music? 

How would you describe your music?

It's pop music that has had quite a few drinks in a bar, hooks up with a nice cute girl, then wakes up the next morning in a tub of ice with its kidney removed.  

What’s the story behind your name?

I took a class in cryptography and learned that modular arithmetic (where modulo is always used) plays a major role in modern encryption (as in, how we keep our Internets secure and such.)  At the same time I associated modulo operations with how my interests wax and wane periodically, as if in a cyclical manner - it could be film one moment, then books the next, then taxidermy, then back to film etc etc. Geek is kinda obvious ;)

How would you describe Transition in one sentence?

Kidney removal trial runs!

You played Mandolin in the track The Tail of Mr.Fox? Can you tell us what other musical instruments you play?

I didn't play them. A handful of the tracks in Transition are results of remix projects by the monome.org community.  The idea is to create a song out of only a handful of participant-submitted samples and nothing else. So The Tail of Mr. Fox is 100% samples, as are Spectre and No Laughing Matter. I *can* play instruments (to some degree).  Just the usual rock band components - guitar, bass, drums, keyboard. 

Were you in Hong Kong when you made Transition? If yes, would you say that the culture/vibe in HK inspired you to make this EP and in what sense? 

Yes I made the tracks in HK.  I guess there is some influence, but I can't tell exactly how.

Photo by Camilla Pante

 WHAT'S...

...your worst vice?

gaming marathons!

...your favorite website?

rockpapershotgun.com, xkcd.com and slashdot.org 

 ...are you listening right now?

Deerhoof

 ...your secret talent?

none worth telling :D

 ...your worst fashion advice? ;)

i have no fashion sense so anything i say is bad fashion advice.

 ...song/band/artist you'd never admit you listen to?

i dunno.. i have no shame in music. i just listened to "Tomorrow" from Annie several times in a row, does that count?  

So there! Now it's time for you to listen to his music. Download it. Love it.Share it.

DOWNLOAD HERE

MUST WATCH: Hinnom, TX by Bon Iver

Just Vernon has a weird-looking, hairy pair of nips. Bon Iver will be releasing a deluxe edition of the self-titled sophomore album. But instead of including new tracks/remixes, they will make a video for each track. That includes this clip of the song Hinnom, TX. I SO LOVE THIS MUSIC VIDEO! There's nothing going on actually on this video just some driver's point-of-view while driving into a sunset. I dont know why but I am saddest when on the road during sunset.

Tuesday Not so Morning Music Bonanza!

You can laugh at the title of this post all you want but I assure you that the following bands you're about hear are such winners! (or your money back)

I will start with this awesome band from Brooklyn called Fort Lean. I am not really good at categorizing a band in which genre it falls in to but Fort Lean's music is somehow different from the usual sound Brooklyn bands produce. Their music is a mixture of vintage rock & roll, grunge, melodic indie-rockish music with some surf rock edge. It may look complicated but their music says otherwise. They have a self-titled EP out which you can download for free on their Bandcamp site but you can stream it right here


They just released a music video for their song Beach Holiday (my fav track from the EP)

Another must listen band is Juveniles. They are hairy. They are French and they make amazing new wave indie-pop sound with the right amount of synths. They just signed in to Kitsune few months ago and you can stream their first EP We Are Young below...
We Are Young by Juvenilesmusic
Night Nights by Juvenilesmusic

...and download their current single Hard Working Girls too! J'adore!

DOWNLOAD HERE

Toro y Moi Live in Manila!!!

not until you taste my mom's cooking! haha. That's from Chaz's tweet last June.

Yes, Chazwick Bundick aka Toro y Moi is half Filipino and he's going to have a one night performance in the Philippines on February 15, 2012 at the Hard Rock Cafe. Im going to see him at the Laneway fest in Singapore that same month but I definitely wont miss his performance here in Manila and will let him taste my mom's adobo! :)

Toro y Moi is one of the pioneers of the "chillwave" movement along with Washed Out and Neon Indian. If you're not familiar with Toro y moi's music, you can check my playlist below or just google him. He's everywhere ;)

He also did some amazing remixes and one of my favs is his remix of Tegan & Sara's Alligator

Thanks to Kindassualt for bringing another indie act in Manila!!! Stay tuned for more info about the gig. EGGXITING!

We love new stuff, yes?

Vanbot – Make Me, Break Me

Another electro-dance act from Sweden so expect that this sounds a lot like Robyn. Not complaining though.

Jens Lekman – I Don’t Know What To Do With This Information

This sounds like a song you would listen to while chestnut roasting on an open fire.

Sharon Van Etten - Serpents

A folky, singer-songwriter anthem that will snake into your ears and will stay in your brain for quite some time.

Jukebox the Ghost - Half Crazy

From last year's release Everything Under The Sun, i never thought they'd still remember to release a track from that one. Again, not complaining at all.

The Vaccines – Tiger Blood

Produced by Albert Hammond Jr. No wonder it sounds like a Strokes reject. ;)

The Big Pink – Hit The Ground (Superman)

From the new album Future This Out January 2012.

Cults x Freddie Gibbs – Bad Things (Remix)

Beautiful mess...

Fleet Foxes - The Shrine / An Argument

The best animation i've seen after The Lion King

The Naked and Famous – No Way

The only song I actually like from this New Zealand band.

of Montreal – Wintered Debts

Seven minutes of awesomeness!

The Rapture – Sail Away

This track is still from THE best gospel album this year, In the Grace of Your Love.

Datarock - California

Haven't heard from these guys for quite a while!

Saint Motel - At Least I Have Nothing

Because I say so...

Foxes - Home

Forget about Lana Del Rey! Louisa Rose Allen aka Foxes is THE real deal.

Spector – Grey Shirt & Tie

Everything from this band is just beautiful. Fred MacPherson

Tennis – Origins

The duo collaborated with The Black Keys' Patrick Carney in this track.

Niva – Dirty Water

Why do they make awesome music in Sweden? I wanna live there! Adopt me Niva!

MUST WATCH: Sophia In Gold by Letting Up Despite Great Faults

This is how you fight the monster under your bed. Sophia In Gold is still from Letting Up Despite Great Faults' Paper Crush EP, one of my fave releases this year.

#nowplaying

Welcome Back Sailors - I ll Be There

Runaway by Imperial Teen

Come Over by Contrakids

Northern Lights by Cider Sky

Nightlife by Phantogram

Living Decorations by Maps & Atlases

Lizzy Come Back to Life by TV Girl

 

Spice Girls - Naked

MUST WATCH: All We Ever Wanted Was Everything by MGMT

Here's the video for MGMT's cover of Bauhaus classic All We Ever Wanted Was Everything from the compilation LateNightTales.

GET TO KNOW: Larry g(EE)

Here's another Pinoy Pride! US-based Fil-Am musician Laurence Gayao II aka Larry g(EE) joins the retro-soul movement with his funky sound and an amazing EP waiting to croon its way to everyone's playlist. I got an advance listen to his debut EP Weekends and loved it so much. I'm a big fan of nostalgic-pop or soul revivalism or whatever you call it. I like how Larry gives a little modern twist to the soul, Motown sound instead of recreating it. His first single, Yo Mama, is a perfect example of that ingenuity. 

I also love this track called I'm Your Fool...

I did a short interview with Larry and found out about his Filipino roots, musical influences and his love for Amy Winehouse...

BON: Can you tell us something about your Filipino roots?  

Larry g(EE): Both of my parents are from Mindanao.  They moved to America in the early 70's and have been in America ever since.  I was born in America and have only been to visit the Philippines once way back in the early 80's. I barely remember anything from that visit except for the chicken adobo and the beautiful beaches there.  I was really young (like 9 or 10).  

BON: Is your family musical?  

Larry g(EE): Definitely.  My mother and her brother (my uncle) use to perform as a gospel duo back in the late 70's/ early 80's and my father owned a recording studio around that time as well. I used to sit in during those sessions and just soak it all up.  My siblings and I (I am 2nd oldest of 4 (2 sisters and 1 brother)) were always around music growing up (church choir, piano lessons, and guitar lessons).    

BON: Who are your musical influences? 

Larry g(EE): Here's my top 5 --->1)  My uncle was a big influence growing up.  He taught me a lot about music growing up.  2)  Elvis 2) The Beatles 3) Michael Jackson 4) Stevie Wonder 5) Hall & Oates

BON: You were part of a band called Odis. What has been your biggest challenge as a solo artist in writing/making your solo debut EP Weekends? 

Larry g(EE): During my time with Odis I really learned a lot about pursing a career in music (both good and bad).  We had some local and regional success and toured independently for 5 years. I think the challenges we faced earlier on and towards the end of our run made it a lot easier this time around.  When I started writing this album it was only me I had to deal with and not 4 other members.  The transition as a solo artist has been really positive primarily because because I really took my time and didn't rush right back into music after the break-up of the band. 

BON: Speaking of Weekends, what's the usual weekend for you? 
Larry g(EE): I'm either playing a show, hanging with the family, out with friends, or just staying in and writing music.  I prefer the low-key weekend writing music however sometimes that isn't necessarily the case (just depends on who I'm hanging out with). 

BON: Your real name is Laurence Gayao II. What's the story behind your screen name Larry g(EE)?  

Larry g(EE): Having gone through experiences in school and during my time with the band, my name would consistently get butchered when announced, I wanted to do something different yet easy to say.  Now the g(EE) part?  Well there's 2 reasons for that:   1)  the simple 'G'  was already taken (Kenny G) and 2) I wanted to do something that would visually catch the eye.  Call it a form of 'branding' if you will.

BON: Are there any Filipino bands/artists you look up to that somehow inspired you to to become a musician?  

Larry g(EE): Honestly I would have to go back to my uncle Jun (pronounced as June) and my parents.  They really taught and nurtured my growth in music.   I'm also inspired by the Fil-Am (full or half) artist's of today paving the way for aspiring artist's such as myself.  They reflect the changing face in entertainment and music and how it is more excepting in regards to race and culture.

BON: What's the most played song on your iPod?  

Larry g(EE): "Love is A Losing Game" - Amy Winehouse.  Its beautiful sad love song.  I hate the fact that she passed away though.  I really loved her voice and her music. 

     
BON: Do you have any plans in performing here in the Philippines?  

Larry g(EE): It's definitely a goal and dream of mine to play a show in the Philippines.  I'm really motivated and encouraged about that possibility especially with the release of this EP.  While it's only 4 songs deep, I feel like it is a great introduction to who I am as a solo artist and where I'm going.  Only time will tell at this point but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try my best to get there.  Cross your fingers.

Larry g(EE)'s debut EP Weekends drops 12.9.11. Visit www.larry-gee.com for more info

The New Independents

Paradigm Shift x Leatherengines

OS

Gold Dot

Salad Day x Kisses A

Charli XCX - Nuclear Seasons

...

Paradigm Shift x Leatherengines

"A tiny bit less virginal than the last collection, Dream Incubation goes back to the absent consciousness of falling asleep. Clothes that resemble a cross between pillow cases, parachutes , and men's boxers which give rise to elements like armholes, necklines , and belt loops that take after the fly of a pair of boxer shorts. Ambiguous clothes that restrict ,and at the same time , provide ease and inspire free-fall or flight."

PLAY THIS SONG

Here's a thousand ways how you can wear each piece.

You can actually make your own version on how to wear these...

Endless possibilities...

Triple the trouble! this collaboration by Paradigm Shift (Karl Luterio & Mike Magallanes)and Leatherengines (Curves Lopez) pushes the boundaries of functional clothing. Congrats you guys! ;)

Visit http://paradigmshiftclothing.com/ to order

Watch the lookbook in motion of Dream Incubation

Si Marco! ;)