Hottest 100

If you're an Australian, you'll know the January 26th (Australia Day - for all those o/s players) is synonymous with Triple J's Hottest 100 Countdown.


Every year my shortlist has to be whittled down from around the 80 mark, to just 10 songs - it seems to get harder each year! I thought I'd share my votes as 10 songs that I thought deserve to be in the Hottest 100 of 2011.


I tend to vote for songs that I don't think will get as many votes - I haven't wasted a vote on Gotye's Somebody I Used To Know (and I sincerely apologise for this if you are reading Wally!) because I know that it has had enough exposure and has enough love to get in the top 3 (lets face it, it WILL be #1) and therefore didn't need my help. Having said this, I still actually think that was the best song released in 2011.


I digress. Here are my 10 votes, in no particular order, of 10 songs I believe deserve a place on the Hottest 100 list - even if they aren't the biggest songs of the year they can't be overlooked.





Fitz & The Tantrums - Moneygrabber
I only heard this song a few months ago but it instantly got me dancing and singing along. I love the nostalgic American feel to it and I still just never get sick of hearing this song.





Flight Facilities Feat. Jess - Foreign Language
Flight Facilities just keep releasing crackers. These guys are great producers and this song has been huge for them this year and a great follow up to last year's Crave You. Can't wait to hear more from them.





Foster The People - Helena Beat
I first heard this song back in January and it instantly struck a chord with me. It was summer, we were heading down to a party at my friend's shack by the beach and it was the perfect soundtrack. Every time I hear it, I get taken back to hot summer days and happy memories.





Husky - History's Door
Husky were a reasonably unknown Unearthed act until this song got picked up on Triple J and they have not looked back. They supported Gotye on his national tour in October and they were amazing. So very talented and this song is just beautiful.





James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream
This is another song that just overwhelmed me when I heard it - musically it is so free from any genre, it feels so raw and emotional. You feel like you're in this haze when you hear it - such beautiful chill out music and so unique.





Luke Million - Arnold
Haha. If you haven't heard this song, you really must play this video. It is hilarious. This was a bit of a token vote on my part - Luke Million is actually an Adelaide boy and a member of an awesome disco act called The Swiss (another band to watch - they're taking off in Europe and their live act is always fun x 100) and while I actually do love this song for the great bass line - It has actually taken off this year and has been played and requested on Triple J non stop. Luke deserves a spot in the 100 and I think he'll get in the top 50 because this song is awesome.





M83 - Midnight City
I first heard M83 back in 2008 and I hadn't heard much since, but when this track got airplay this year I instantly remembered what I love about this French producer. There is something that is constantly in his music that lets you know it is him. I can't put my finger on it, but I really respect how his music can be quite diverse and yet so distinctive. Plus - sweet saxophone solo at the end of this track!





Matt Corby - Brother
Wow. To think that Matt Corby was once on Australian Idol is really hard to comprehend. This track is so beautifully executed and soulful. Definitely an Unearthed act to keep your eye on - this song in particular has struck a chord with a lot of people and it hasn't even been around very long. 





New Navy - Zimbabwe
I love New Navy. I'm really picking up what they're putting down. I just can't get sick of hearing this track but their whole EP really is great. They have this kind of fusion of Foals and Phoenix and Foster the People and Seabellies and god knows who else which really just makes them instantly a band I like. Such a great summery track, it makes me want to drink beer in the sunshine.





Seabellies - Board the Apartment Up
I had the Seabellies album on high rotation at the beginning of this year and this particular track really reminds me of the day my beautiful friend & sort-of-step-sister Mimi moved to London - it was playing in the car as I drove from the airport to say goodbye and holy crapola, it induced tears! It really doesn't help that they sing "Don't go, don't, don't go"! Anyway, all that aside, the entire Seabellies album really resonates with 2011 memories for me and I could continue to have it as the only album in my car for a long time to come.


So there you go - my 10 votes for 2011. There were so many fantastic smaller acts that I wanted to give votes to but this whole 10 only rule really does make it hard. Special mentions go to Loon Lake, Big Scary, San Cisco, Joe Goddard, Kanye & Jay-z (although as if they need my vote!), Yuksek, The Holidays... yeah ok I could continue but I'll stop.

Have any of you got your votes in yet? Would love to hear your ten. 

xxx

Gotye- SomebodyThat I Used to Know

Gotye's latest single Somebody That I Used to Know is doing ridiculously well in Australia at the moment - such a beautiful song and incredible film clip!
For those who don't know it here's the video:


And yesterday local Adelaide dj's Loot & Plunder released their remix of the tune. I was verrrry apprehensive but, it really does sound great and does the song justice - plus - Gotye himself approves!

Have a listen:
Gotye - Somebody that I used to know (Loot & Plunder Remix) by Loot & Plunder Djs

New Navy

It's a love thing.

On high rotation.

Love Ting- Anna Lunoe & Wax Motif by Anna Lunoe

Aeroplane March 2011 Mix

Aeroplane March 2011 Mix by Aeroplane (Official)

James Blake

Strange Talk

Climbing Walls by Strange Talk


This track has been getting a lot of airtime on Triple J at the moment. These guys from Melbourne uploaded this track on the Unearthed website and since then have played at Parklife Festival in Melbourne - they're a band to watch for sure. I love this track, its so bright and it always makes me feel like dancing.

Broken Bones

I've mentioned Sydney act The Holidays in a previous post and I thought I would share their video for single 'Broken Bones' which has been getting a LOT of airplay on Triple J at the moment. So good to see how well they're doing. Definitely a band to watch. If you're in Aus/NZ and you want to catch them they are playing along with some other awesome acts (Yeasayer, Les Savy Fav, Gotye, Foals to name a few) at St. Jerome's Laneway Festival throughout Jan-Feb.

The Holidays ‘Broken Bones’ from PEDESTRIAN.TV on Vimeo.

Well I've officially been put on work holidays until mid january, which in some ways is so awesome and so so shit at the same time. On the up side, I will definitely have a lot more time to put into posting because I've definitely slacked off of late. The financial situation will be pretty dire, but it'll be a fun challenge to find cheap entertainment!




Heading to Sydney for New Years and Field Day festival so I'm channelling all my energy into funding the trip - it will definitely be a very expensive 5 days! It's my friend's birthday on NYE and I think she's planning a picnic dinner and drinks down at Pyrmont to watch the fireworks - should be good fun. We were planning on this harbour cruise which would have been an incredible night but its looking like we are just too poor to add that to the budget. Devo!

Five Thousand - The best cultural guide for things in Adelaide

Five Thousand is a guide to what's happening in Adelaide. There is a guide for each Australian city, based on their cbd postcode. For example, Melbourne has Three Thousand, Brisbane has Four Thousand and Sydney has Two Thousand. It is kind of like a magazine that comes out weekly, with articles on various events/places.

You can browse the site in the following categories: 

• hear. 

• read. 

• goods. 

• look. 

• shop. 

• watch. 

• out.

• stray.

• work.

• eat/drink.

• win!

• maps.

The Thousands have recently released an iPhone app for those who want to see what's on, on the go. Simply search 'the thousands' in the app store and hey presto! there it is.


So if you're stumped with what to do, check out The Thousands, there's sure to be something there that tickles your fancy.

Delorean

Delorean - Seasun by tadpoletunes


Delorean - Deli by acid stag


Delorean - Subiza by Wimbot

Parklife 2010 - chilling with Sam in the sun


• Rude! maxi dress
• Sportsgirl hat
• Sportsgirl banges
• Azalia necklace
• Country Road cardigan
• Sunnies from Globalize

It was a long weekend here in Adelaide and the sun came out on monday for Parklife 2010. It was a beautiful warm day  which was a welcome change and inspired me to wear a light cotton maxi dress with drawstrings that makes it shorter and I looked a little like a cream puff... and my Azalia necklace (which I currently seem to wear with everything) and a Sportsgirl hat.


 I saw some great sets from Groove Armada, Kele, Missy Elliot, Classixx, Chiddy Bang, Busy P and The Swiss to name a few. One act, Delorean, a spanish electro band was on my not to be missed list - but I was surprised to see a pretty poor turn out for their set. Granted, there were some epic clashes and I had to choose between them and New Young Pony Club, but they are a great band and I think they deserved a better crowd. Anyway, they put on a great set and the people who were there definitely enjoyed it!

For those of you who haven't heard Delorean I've added some tracks above to introduce you to their music. 

Enjoy!

xxx

lukemillion

Sun Splash - Instrumental by lukemillion



Hey all, sorry I've been pretty slack of late - I promise I'll make up for it on the weekend, but I started a new job this week and have been flat out with freelance work, family stuff etc. So I know I've been a bit absent. Anyway, to tide you over, this is an instrumental track by lukemillion, one third of disco act The Swiss. If this doesn't make you feel like dancing I don't know what will.

Speak soon - happy thursday 

xxx

After Dark - The Count & Sinden feat. Mystery Jets

After Dark - The Count & Sinden feat. Mystery Jets by MusicHatch

Tim & Jean

Come Around - Tim & Jean by DeadBeatz-Indie

The Swiss

The Swiss DJ mix for Studio Brussels by The Swiss

Bubble Bath EP by The Swiss

The Swiss are a band from Adelaide that have been going great guns in the last year. They just finished a whirlwind tour of Europe and the USA and are back home in Adelaide after playing a dj set at Splendour. If you're heading to any of the Parklife festivals definitely make an effort to catch their set. I've posted a dj set here and one of their EPs from SoundCloud.

Also, despite the sad news about Ou Est Le Swimming Pool's frontman, Charlie Haddon, passing away a couple of weeks ago, the band has decided to go ahead with the album release in late September (I think). I was really looking forward to catching these guys at Parklife but it was obviously not meant to be. I definitely think that these guys had a huge amount of potential and the album was going to be huge regardless, but given the circumstances I think it will get a lot more exposure. Some bittersweet success for the remaining members.

One more band plug - The Holidays. These guys are from Sydney and have been getting some exposure on Triple J and Nova apparently too. Head to their MySpace to check out some of their tracks.

Another rainy day in Adelaide - I'm actively avoiding heading back outside but am about to meet Bre to obtain some margarita mix and sombreros for our impending mexican festivities tonight - nothing like a bit of tequila to warm you up!

xxx