Grimes at The Fader

On July 20, 2017, in Digital Audio, Music, tech, by mugen

Grimes talks about her new Roli soundpack, politics, and the creative process at The Fader.

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“RealiTi” Video by Grimes

On May 8, 2015, in Music, by mugen

This track seems to have been dropped from Grimes’s new album. from the “lost album” Grimes was planning to release last September.

I dig it. I like the layered sounds, and there’s a lot of promise for what’s to come.

Rumors circulated after “Go” came out that Grimes may have scrapped an album she was working on due to bad fan reaction. She sets the record straight, though – it was just too depressing to tour with. Sadly, “RealiTi” was one of those “depressing” songs… but at least we got to hear/see it!

Even The Atlantic got in on the RealiTi love

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GRIMES tour

On May 8, 2015, in Concert, Music, by mugen

So very sad that none of these places are close to where I live now:

Grimes Tour Dates

Indiana, Illinois, Michigan… SIGH. Moved away from the midwest too soon.

Trying to think of reasons to head to the midwest, Canada, or back to NC. ‘Cause I’d do that. Not even concerned about not liking Lana Del Rey so much (in all honesty, I haven’t heard enough of her music to like or dislike her, really), but want want want to see Grimes live.

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Grimes & Blood Diamonds – “Go”

On November 9, 2014, in Music, song, by mugen

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Still waiting for new material from Grimes, but in the meantime, she’s put two early albums (Geidi Primes and Halfaxa) up for donation/sale/free download on Bandcamp. Seriously, this is good stuff, and there’s a sample song from each if you’re not convinced to grab it all.

This is an independent artist doing it independently, after breaking through to sign with 4AD for her most recent album. She’s offering the music free, essentially, but you can “tip” any amount you want to support her efforts. If you don’t want to commit too much, underpay for one album and give it a shot. If you dig it, go get the other one and make up the difference! These are albums you’re unlikely to ever see in a local mainstream store (Best Buy, Target, etc.) and are even unlikely to see in most indy shops, because they’re kind of “old” and really small runs on small labels.

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Batches and Cookies

On February 1, 2014, in Music, song, by mugen

Thanks, Grimes. This *is* pretty great.

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First – how’d I miss CHVRCHES until now? They are awesome and from Scotland, which is something akin to an exponential increase in coolness.

Next – The singer for this trio is a well-educated (Law degree and Journalism, pro journalist before starting the band) woman who’s not going to just “take it” when it comes to online misogyny, as she writes in the Guardian. Reminds me of Grimes being fed up as she finished her last tour.

Just had a conversation with my fantastic coworker and friend Ashley about feminism and the way it’s considered a bad word by what too often appears to be a whole generation of young women. I brought up a very weird article I read about Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill being a fan of Taylor Swift and her women-centered lyrics, even though Swift has been attacked by Camille Paglia as “killing feminism.” Swift herself has shied from the word “feminist” – and has, in fact, characterized feminism as “a guys vs. girls” thing. Jezebel and The Frisky have taken her to task for this mischaracterization.

As disheartening as it is to hear Swift misrepresent what feminism even means, and as weird as it is to hear Hanna defend her, it’s reassuring to hear Grimes and Mayberry speak out (even if it remains discouraging to think that they have to do so). I wonder what Paglia would say about these two ladies? Sadly… she’s probably never heard of them…

Paglia and Grimes agree, though – Beyonce has the right idea. In particular, Grimes links to NPR’s Fresh Air coverage of Beyonce’s new album and its sample of the TED talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on feminism:

Grimes Speaks – Post World Tour

On April 24, 2013, in Music, by mugen

Grimes speaks her mind and lays it out – we could all learn a bit from this kind of honesty.

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Top 10 of 2012

On February 10, 2013, in Music, song, by mugen

Last week I posted my “best of 2012” list from Spotify, in no particular order.

Here, then, is my countdown of the top 10 songs of 2012. This was hard to get straight, and rounding out numbers 9 through 11 was a little difficult. It was hard to limit it to 10, but I think I picked a pretty good representation of what I enjoyed and what I listed to. I also tried to work in the artistry at times, as well as the impact on music/pop culture.

First, some runners up:

  • Fun. The album Some Nights has some great songs on it. I only hope the follow-up comes close. This band is pretty impressive and innovative. I can’t tell if the taste for anthems is keeping this band afloat beyond their freshness date, but we’ll see.
  • Rise Against and Skrillex put out some good tunes in 2011 that got popular in 2012, but that didn’t really fit my criteria.
  • If “Locked Out of Heaven” didn’t sound so much like a Police song, I’d have included it, I think.
  • Both Imagine Dragons and AWOLNATION put out good albums with lots of good music. The standouts didn’t quite beat what I included here, though.
  • I fuckin’ hated everything I heard by 2 Chains. Just to be clear.
  • Silversun Pickups, Walk the Moon, and Grouplove also put out good stuff. I’m watching for more from all three, and digging back through what’s already been put out.
  • “Work Hard, Play Hard” by Wiz Khalifa is a great song, but I’m not a fan of straightforward frontin’ or weed songs. The production value was fantastic. I’m thinking I might want to try remixing this.

The Countdown:

#10 “Fuck U Betta” – Neon Hitch

The bad girl’s answer to “Call Me Maybe.” Totally danceable, amazing vocal quality, attitude in your face. I hope Neon keeps putting out good music. Her collaboration with Gym Class Heroes “Ass Back Home” is another standout.

#9 “Little Talks” – Of Monsters and Men

The Celt in me is drawn to this, even though the band is actually from Iceland. The ghost story elements of the lyrics, the haunted nature of the relationship, the questionable sanity of (at least one of) the voices – all make for a wonderful love story. I’m reminded of White Lady beach hauntings and “Brandy” by Three Dog Night. But the celebratory feel of the music is a nice counter to the deterioration of the relationship.

#8 “I Fink U Freaky” – Die Antwoord

The tempo shift in the middle and the speed of both Ninja’s and Yo-Landi’s raps is powerful and gnarly. The synth stabs preceding the choruses and punctuating the song are perfect. The video’s pretty keen, too, but not really part of my criteria. This tune is danceable and irreverent.



#7 “Burn It Down” – Linkin Park

I’ve never really been a Linkin Park fan. I have had a passing interest in a song or two here or there. But their new album is the first I’ve actually paid to own. Without any expectations about “their real sound,” I can just enjoy where the band is now. I’m digging their new explorations.



#6 “Defribrillator” – Angelspit

Probably the 3rd-best song this band’s ever recorded, after “Juicy” and “Skinny Little Bitch.” They’ve still got it, and their sense of humor remains. I wish I was more in-touch with this scene than the radio, but at least I found this one.



#5 “Gangnam Style” – Psy

Come on. If I didn’t mention this tune, it’d be a lie. This is pop gold, and the fact that it’s Korean is even more impressive. What floored me most was when I found out that this tune was on the juke at the local beer ‘n wings restaurant. Better, in my opinion, though, is the “reply” song by Psy and Hyuna “Oppa is Just My Style” – 오빤 딱 내 스타일


#4 “Heartbeat” – Childish Gambino

This whole album is worth buying. And yeah, it’s Troy from Community. But it’s more than just a comedy rap disc — it’s heartfelt but complex and smart hip hop.



#3 “Madness” – Muse

As successful as Muse has become, they keep pushing their own limits. The bass riff (and the instrumentation that lets them play the song live) is amazingly catchy and adds a surprisingly unique tone to the song. The vocal build near the end shows the range of the band, as well.



#2 “Genesis” – Grimes

I had this song and “Oblivion” both on my big list, and almost put both in the top 10. Grimes hits a weird chord for me (and apparently lots of other reviewers, too) in that her sound is weirdly stripped down but still techno and catchy and appealing, but I’m unsure why. I bought this album on vinyl and am glad I did. Grimes is a sort of throwback/posterchild to DIY alt.pop who will probably become one of the more interesting producers of around 2020 or so.



#1 “Somebody That I Used to Know” – Gotye

Yes, this was played to death once it was picked up on by mainstream radio. But its popularity takes nothing away from the soundsculpture songwriting method, the confessional lyrics, the vocal dynamism of both singers, and the excellent harmonies. I’m a much bigger Grimes fan than Gotye, and still — this is the better song.



“Vanessa” video – Grimes

On August 16, 2012, in Music, song, by mugen

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