The Digital Outhouse

Teen Daze “Brooklyn Sunburn” A lot of exciting...

joewhistle — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:27:00 -0700

Teen Daze “Brooklyn Sunburn”

A lot of exciting things are happening here at The Digital Outhouse, and I wish I could share the news with everyone, but just like Apple we like to keep these things under wraps.

Unlike Apple, when we actually unveil what it is, it won’t be a big deal, and the line to see it will probably be 2 people long (my Mom and Dad).

Hey, speaking of wonderfully-new things, Teen Daze’s new album All of Us, Together (which is due out June 4th) is currently streaming for free at hypem.com.

Free things are always just swell.

Quadron “Baby Be Mine (Michael Jackson Cover)” So...

renostache — Sun, 27 May 2012 22:03:00 -0700

Quadron “Baby Be Mine (Michael Jackson Cover)”

So sorry to inundate you with two covers in a row, but this one is too good not to post.

Special shoutout to my favorite cholita who posted this on her blog. She also has a clothing and accessories line up which can be found here. (You’re welcome, Dre.)

Poolside “Harvest Moon (Neil Young Cover)” Last...

renostache — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:18:00 -0700

Poolside “Harvest Moon (Neil Young Cover)”

Last night, I had a grand time watching the great James Murphy, (yes, that James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem) spin a set at Public Works in SF. The set lasted about 3.5 hours and I was beyond gassed when I got home from dancing to 3.5 hours of some amazing disco house (THAT’SMYSHITJAMESMURPHY!).

During his set, he dropped this song and I didn’t realize what was happening in my ears as I was falling in love with a song. It was something so familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. My friends Mary and Luke were also thinking, “I’ve heard this song before, but I can’t figure out what it is!” Two guys in front of us turned around and let us know that it was Poolside’s rendition of Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon.”

It is by far one of the best covers I’ve ever heard.

p.s. Joe sucks.

Jenny Lewis “Acid Tongue” The evolution of musical...

joewhistle — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:20:40 -0700

Jenny Lewis “Acid Tongue”

The evolution of musical preferences for an individual is, often times, a nightmare-filled journey through several bad iterations of Kidz Bop. That’s just the way it works, unless you’re lucky enough to have a musical mentor who steers you towards the Rolling Stones rather than the Black Eyed Peas early on in life (obviously, I wasn’t so fortunate).

The funny thing is (much like your high school reputation) certain preferences (or in the case of high school, embarrassing moments) never fade away. Rather, they grab hold of you like a parasite and stick around for the ride. I’m not going to get into my wonderful High School experience (it really was quite thrilling), but I will say this: I used to listen to this.

Now I listen to Jenny Lewis. Acoustic guitars and female vocalists. Some things never change.

Mos Def “Ms Fat Booty” I understand that to hip...

joewhistle — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:48:00 -0700

Mos Def “Ms Fat Booty”

I understand that to hip hop connoisseurs, saying that “Ms. Fat Booty is a pretty cool song, bro” is the equivalent of coming up to someone who lived through the 60’s and stating “have you heard the song Let It Be? It’s pretty rad”. That’s not the point though. The point is I’m going to do it anyway.

So, yeah. Ms. Fat Booty is a pretty cool song, bro.

While I’m at it, I should add “that Mos Def guy is a pretty cool cat” and “man, they don’t make real shit like this anymore”.

Cliche’s aside though, no wait, actually that’s all I’ve got.

Sleigh Bells “Demons (Diplo Remix)” Sleigh Bells...

renostache — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:28:00 -0700

Sleigh Bells “Demons (Diplo Remix)”

Sleigh Bells already has a sound that has an edge sharper than a razor. Add in Diplo’s touch and you have a weapon of mass destruction.

TOBACCO + Air “Sing Sang Sung...

joewhistle — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:01:00 -0700

TOBACCO + Air “Sing Sang Sung (Remix)”

Unsurprisingly, TOBACCO and the rest of Black Moth Super Rainbow blew my mind at their show in San Francisco a few weeks ago. It was a smorgasbord (what a funny word) of aural wonder, splattered with hints of hip hop, rock and psychedelia.

I once read that BMSR’s music was “the missing link between Daft Punk’s cosmic kitsch and the wistful bliss of ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’”, and I couldn’t agree more. I mean, doesn’t this excite the pants right off of you?

Because my pants are definitely off.

Anyway, TOBACCO’s remix of this Air track is one of the most appropriately stunning remixes I’ve heard in a long time. I’m almost inclined to say it’s better than the original.

Really though.

Killer Mike “Butane (Champions Anthem) (Produced by...

renostache — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:50:00 -0700

Killer Mike “Butane (Champions Anthem) (Produced by El-P)”

El Producto a.k.a. El-P has been a busy boy as of late. His new album Cancer For Curedrops on the 22nd. He also had his heavy hand in the production of Killer Mike’s R.A.P. Music. This track in particular is fire, hence the track title “Butane”.

Norwegian Arms “Tired of Being Cold” Trust me when...

joewhistle — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:11:00 -0700

Norwegian Arms “Tired of Being Cold”

Trust me when I say this is the perfect song for the approaching (well, technically it already is here) Summer.

This wonderful tune was waiting for me in our submission inbox, and fortunately I had the sense of mind to give it a listen. What better way to peace out the colder months of the year then by blasting an anthem in staunch declaration of how over it you really are?

This quirky psych-folk duo from Philadelphia is made up of Brendan Mulvihill and Dr. Dog’s Eric Slick (yeah, Dr. fucking Dog), and they sum up this song better than I ever could:

Tired of Being Cold is quite literal, after dealing with the psychological effects of an extended winter and -40 degree temperatures, one finds it difficult not to ruminate on one’s past and reflect upon the choices they make. That being said, the song is upbeat, frantic, fast, and hopeful.

Keep an eye out on their bandcamp page, as this dynamic duo is set to release their first LP, Wolf Like A Stray Dog, later this year.

Lower Dens “Brains” No, this isn’t a song...

joewhistle — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:01:10 -0700

Lower Dens “Brains”

No, this isn’t a song about the ever-impending zombie apocalypse. And no, this isn’t a side project from Beach House’s Victoria Legrand (though there is most certainly an undeniable similarity between the two bands).

No, this is Jana Hunter, the Texas based singer/songwriter, at her best. Hunter is known to have various side projects scattered throughout the land, but the Lower Dens is definitely my favorite. Their combination of dark, minimalism and Hunter’s ethereal voice make me want to join a cult (or something sort of outrageous like that).

Unfortunately for me, I already belong to several cults (tumblr non-withstanding).

On the bright side, the band recently unveiled their newest LP, Nootropics (if you’re unfamiliar with what Nootropics actually are, you should check this article out) on Ribbon Music, and scored an 8.2 on you-know-who’s website.

MGMT “Love Always Remains” By implementing the...

joewhistle — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:05:00 -0700

MGMT “Love Always Remains”

By implementing the almighty power of hindsight, I’ve come to realize that there’s something special about MGMT’s earlier releases.

For obvious reasons (mostly relating to youth), a majority of the songs featured on their Time To Pretend EP have a less than serious feel to them, and there is a particularly
blasé imperfection to each of the delicately crafted tracks.

Of these, MGMT’s ode to the “west” (which I directly interpret as the West Coast, and more specifically, San Francisco) best demonstrates what I am trying to convey.

No one has to hear / the sound of people laughing at their fears

and the ocean and sun are always there / to make you happy

if you’re feeling scared of the darkness.

Van She “Idea of Happiness (SebastiAn Remix)” This...

renostache — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:02:00 -0700

Van She “Idea of Happiness (SebastiAn Remix)”

This post is going to be shorter than my usual posts, but it’s because I have a full night ahead of me and I need to jam out. Imma jam out to this song for sure.

Craft Spells “Still Left With Me” So approximately...

joewhistle — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:41:23 -0700

Craft Spells “Still Left With Me”

So approximately one day ago, my favorite band from Stockton took to the Internet (more specifically, SoundCloud) so they could unleash their new EP Gallery on their unsuspecting victims.

Needless to say, I was pretty excited.

This of course, means that Justin Vallesteros and crew will be playing their new material at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco this weekend. Sadly, I won’t be there.

But maybe you will be.

Anyway, for all of the unlucky folks who won’t be able to make it out there, Deer Lodge was nice enough to provide a free stream of the EP over at their site. I’d recommend heading over there to check it out. But only after you hang out here a little longer. I get lonely.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah “The Skin Of My Yellow Country...

joewhistle — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:24:00 -0700

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah “The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth”

Ideally, I’d like to meet someone who’d listen to this (classic? Too soon?) song and say “Let’s clap our hands. And say, yeah”.

Really.

Cherub “Doses and Mimosas” So, I was busy all of...

renostache — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:51:00 -0700

Cherub “Doses and Mimosas”

So, I was busy all of yesterday morning and wasn’t able to check my personal e-mail as I usually do when I get into the office. When I finally was able to log in, I see this e-mail from my dear friend Mary saying that she had a “JAM” for me from her co-worker, Teale (what up, Teale? I know you’re reading this). Well, it turned out that I’ve listened to song about 75 times since then.

Today was pretty rough. I think I’ll have me a good time*.

*Please note that Reno Stache, nor do other members of thedigitalouthouse.com condone the illicit usage of illegal substances. Heh.

Black Moth Super Rainbow “Spraypaint” The Spring...

joewhistle — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:59:25 -0700

Black Moth Super Rainbow “Spraypaint”

The Spring and Summer months usually hold the promise of introducing amazingly awesome stuff into popular culture. For many reasons (and by many, I really mean to say monetary) the entertainment world feels inclined to shower us with their bountiful gifts, and as a consumer of all things material, color me stoked.

Two such examples are the simultaneous (well, not really) releases of the Avengers movie, and Black Moth Super Rainbow’s follow up to their 2009 album, Eating Us. Both are pretty fucking significant.

I had the pleasure of watching a midnight showing of the Avengers last night, and it was everything I hoped it would be. It’s full of mind-numbing action, and almost feels surreal at some points. Sure, superhero movies have become a mainstream, money-making powerhouse over the last few decades, but to this extent? No, never.

Moving forward, The Avengers movie has set the precedent for what comic-based films will need to live up to (though comics have been doing ridiculous shit for years now, like the Civil War story arc, and more recently, The Avengers vs. X-Men). One superhero? No, how about 5? Or 25.

Trust me when I say this, The Avengers was great (like realizing a childhood dream, great), but just wait until the movies adapt stories like House of M. I mean, if the potential moral ramifications of having 98% of the mutant population lose their powers, followed by the mandatory registration of their identities with the government does not interest you, I don’t know what will.

And then there’s this whole Black Moth Super Rainbow deal. With a band lineup that reads: Tobacco, Father Hummingbird, The Seven Fields of Aphelion, Ryan Graveface and Iffernaut, you’d almost think they were the Avengers themselves. And they sort of are, but for like music, bro.

According to my super-secret sources, we can expect something, well, sometime soon. I’ll also be seeing them next week in San Francisco, as they put the finishing touches on their west-coast tour and that be rad if I saw you there too.

Oh and by the way, my favorite Avenger (from the comics) is Hawkeye. Thanks for asking.

Charlotte Gainsbourg “Anna (Moonlight...

joewhistle — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:11:42 -0700

Charlotte Gainsbourg “Anna (Moonlight Matters Remix)”

“Moonlight Matters is what happens when the sun goes down, The mood is right, and creativity is set loose…”

So reads the first line in Sebastiaan Vandevoorde’s biography for his alter ego, Moonlight Matters. For those lazy to read further, Vandevoorde has remixed tracks by artists such as Lana Del Rey, Metronomy, The Drums and of course, Charlotte Gainsbourg. They’re all pretty great, and add a touch of “smart-witted melody” (as he himself would say) to the original versions of the songs.

In general, I’m not too fond of remixes but this? I can live with.

Keep an eye out for his new EP (which was announced on his Facebook page last month) due out sometime in late May.

The Ruby Suns “Kenya Dig It” Names are...

joewhistle — Tue, 01 May 2012 09:02:54 -0700

The Ruby Suns “Kenya Dig It”

Names are quite important, which is pretty silly considering that no one actually gets to pick the name their born with. Sure, through the power of legal action we have the ability to change our names, but that often ends in disaster (particularly for sports athletes such as Mettta World Peace). So often we’re stuck with whatever our parents gave us, and if your name is say, Dick, then you’re going to be a Dick forever (for better or worse).

The reason I bring all of this up should be obvious. “Kenya Dig It” is an awesome name (not to mention, a lovely aural adventure through the creeping mists of psychedelic music).

Often times, artists subject us to uninspiring song titles that implement a word or two from the song’s lyrics. I have no problem with that, but why can’t we have a little more fun with the whole process (Sufjan Stevens sure does)?

I view music as a sort of spiritual communication between humanity (well, some of it at least), so should we really be limiting ourselves like this?

I think not. Kenya dig it?

Church Spires “Islandic” Mikey Maramag from the...

joewhistle — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:58:00 -0700

Church Spires “Islandic”

Mikey Maramag from the ever-so chill Blackbird Blackbird has released a new track entitled “Islandic” under the monicker Church Spires. Without a doubt, the new side project fuses elements of Blackbird Blackbird, but takes a different approach with stronger traces of hip-hop.

Taken a listen and you’ll see what I mean. And if you have time, check out this interview we did with him a while back. It’s totally worth your time.

TiRon & Ayomari “Her Theme Song” Ft. Bj The...

lizisms — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:13 -0700

TiRon & Ayomari “Her Theme Song” Ft. Bj The Chicago Kid

Sometimes watching a music video, before you’ve heard the song itself, is like watching a movie adapted from a book. Before reading the book itself.

I find book-to-movie adaptations a lot more treacherous than song-to-video ones. Not that there’s anything wrong with this video but I just like creating my own characters, thank you very much.

Listen to this track all the way through. The end is the best.