A Very Untzological Birthday

I was sitting next to singer and guitar player Jack Penate (who beat me to 25 by about 10 months) when the clock struck 12 to usher in my 25th birthday. After a round from the others of “has your quarter life crisis set in yet”, Jack set a great tone for my 25th year. His outlook on 25 is the same as mine. 25, as he told me, is the time to get settled in, put away the negative and insignificant things in your life, and make your mark on the world. Not a bad thought from the rocker.

He wrote this song to that point.

Jack Penate – So Near

And while you are at it check out this other great tune of his

Jack Penate – Everything is New

I highly recommend buying his album punks, so get at it! - (itunes)

I had the fortune to be invited to sort of house warming party at Vampire Weekend key board player Rostam Bantmanjli’s place last night – Rad because I just posted his collaboration with Kid Cudi (All Summer). Rostam invited over a group of his friends from Julliard. We kicked around a few beers as they sight read classical music and tried out string quartet versions of indie pop songs. It was one of the cooler things I have been to in a while.

Here is a pretty killer clip from Conan of Vampire Weekend with the String Quartet I mentioned above.





Have a great night and best of luck in whatever this week holds for you,

Master of the Untziverse

JAVELIN // Dog Days

Ahh, the dog days of summer. They have taken their toll on me in a myriad of ways. Between working like a mule, traveling through the Rust Belt, and partying like a there’s no tomorrow, I am a little embarrassed to say that this post comes as my first in over a month. What I have lacked in quantity, however, will be picked up in the quality of this music right here.

I want to take my 10 million candle power striper fishing light and shine it right on Javelin, a raucous duo of from Brooklyn via Providence, RI (in my opinion, the most underrated city in the northeast). I saw them perform a rocking live show a few nights ago at Great Scott in Allston where they tinkered away at their mash of effects machines and synthesizers. If you are into funky, carefully mixed, big beat, party music, then this band is for you. Here are a couple tracks just so you can sample their deliciousness, but I would highly suggest you to pick up their fantastic new album No Mas and if you are in New York this weekend, go see them perform at the Soho Grand Hotel this Saturday.

Javelin - Vibrationz

Javelin - Oh! Centra

Buy their album on iTunes or Amazon

Here are a few additional tracks that I cannot stop listening to:

RAC is just crushing it these days. Here they find a way to take Ed Sharpe’s “Home” to an even more ethereal and powerful level than it already was. This is a great song to listen to with your best friends in the world.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Home (RAC Remix)

I know Tweezy posted this a few weeks ago, but goddamn, this is one of the best songs I have heard in a while…so sexy!! not me!!!

Active Child - When Your Love Is Safe (Classixx Remix)

Listen to this tasty treat and move yo’ feet…

Dragonette - Easy (Fabian Remix)

I don’t usually like Passion Pit remixes, but this is more like a cover and Penguin Prison absolutely stomps it.

Passion Pit - Little Secrets (Penguin Prison Remix)

ALLYJANDRO

NAME: ALLY
LOCATION: UNKNOWN
FAVORITE SONG: What do All the People Know by the Monroes

Sorry to all of those of you who expected much over the past few weeks. The untz has felt the full weight of August heat. We have been on vacation so to speak, however, vacation wouldn't be right without fresh MUSIC. So, I bring you four jams to get you through hot lobster garbage and sandy towels.

This first jam is pretty explosive. It's reached several blogs and we'd be irresponsible not to post it as well. I am a fan.

Housse De Racket - Champions (Edwin Van Cleef Remix)

Brush your Grums because this bitch booms. Big Room, Small Car, Smaller Apartment... who cares. This is what you should be dancing to.

Groove Armade - History (Grum Remix)

I felt a little nostalgic with this one. The original is decent enough and let's face it 'Sky Ferreira's' cover of "Animal" is pretty sweet. You won't do it.

Sky Ferreira - One (WAWA Edit)

This is my inspiration for this week. It's not even close to new, however, it totally flew under the radar. This is something harder for those more experienced... This is aggressive Tiesto. Angry bass highlights this track coupled with unrelenting Tiesto persistence. Broaden your horizons and listen to some big boy music.

Tiesto - Fresh Fruit

Bonus:

Monroes - What Do All the People Know?

A Dream within a Dream

It's been a low-key weekend as I prep for the last hard burn of summer. To help the Untz faithful in a similar state, I have a selected tracks that can help you slide into a mellow, but upbeat groove.

Bassnectar from Frisco (San Francisco) typically lay down heavy beats glossed over with a variety of electronic techniques. This song has a sort of dreamlike quality to it. The list of styles this group pulls from is endless.

Bassnectar – Magical World

We have posted Ellie Goulding a few times before, and I suggest you check out this track from Mr. Smooth. (More Ellie Goulding). This remix is of one of my favorites. It has some giddy up and features some interesting electronic additions. Ellie Goulding is currently on tour in the UK, and I am dieing to see her live if she comes stateside.

Ellie Goulding – Lights (Messed remix)

This is my favorite jam of the post. Tegan and Sarah are identical twins from Calgary, Canada (A very stellar place according to a lovely art dealer couple I met at the Russian Vodka Bar). They have been kicking out tracks since the 90s, and have not lost any of their electro pop relevancy. This remix by Toro y Moi is just about as good as it gets.

Tegan and Sarah - Alligator (Toro y Moi remix)

Final Jeopardy

Muddy Waters is a top ten badass. If you disagree - watch this live session of his. Still disagree… well change your mind.




Much Love,

Master Untz

Check out our boy Ghostwaves!

GWALEX

Real Names: Alex & Gwenn
Location: Wherever you want
Perfected Sex Act: Aboriginal Sauce Pan

This week we have four fun songs to brighten up your week. Enjoy.

The first track in the set list is another RAC remix of Bloc Party frontman Kele's "Everything You Wanted". Great vocals highlight this track, however, RAC's signature synthesizer transforms this melodramatic tune into something much lighter. I definitely prefer this to the original. Check out the punks jump up and falke versions too.

Kele - Everything You Wanted (RAC Remix)

This track was a last minute submission from Hoodie Allen and produced by RJF that was just too good not to post. Hoodie hits the nail right on the head in, "Words of Wisdom". This is a chill hip hop track that samples Two Door Cinema Club's "Undercover Martyn" and whispers relax into your ears. Thanks for the track. Keep it coming.

Hoodie Allen - Words of Wisdom

Next, is another remix of Lil Wayne's "Stuntin' Like My Daddy". I have to admit I know very little about FAMUEL other than this artist has some other hip hop and indie remixes floating around. By now, most of you are tired of Lil Wayne remixes, but this one is awesome. Completely different tune. SHOW ME MY OPPONENT!

Lil Wayne - Stuntin' Like My Daddy (FAMUEL Remix)

The last song in this post is a Keljet remix of Temper Trap's "Love Lost". While the original is great, I obviously prefer everything electro. This song adds just enough without denaturing the original flavor of the song. The sick guitar solo remains.

The Temper Trap - Love Lost (Keljet Remix)

BONUS: This week's chill pill...

Cults - Oh My God

$MASHER OUT

Vampire Cocktails

For relaxing times, make it Santori time. The forces of the cosmos have me drinking substantial amounts of Japanese whisky and listening to Vampire Weekend. This week’s post highlights some of their more interesting collaborations, mash ups and remixes.

This first track is a mash-up of Vampire Weekend and Untz Society all star Kid Cudi. Kid Cudi is on top of his game and it is hard not to be impressed with his rhyming ability. This mash-up is a perfect blend melodic rapping and Vampire Weekend’s signature sound.

Kid Cudi vs. Vampire Weekend – Cudderisback

More Cudi Punks! This collaborative effort with Vampire Weekend member Rostam Batmangilij is nothing short of epic. The song builds steadily and features an interesting mix of California garage rock guitar and church bells. Best Coast rounds out the equation with a trancy chorus.

Listen to the song, remember how great this summer has been and thank the stars if you can get out to the beach.

Kid Cudi ft. Rostam Batamgilij and Best Coast. – All Summer

I posted a remix of this poolside jam featuring Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend at the very genesis of our blog, and when I could not figure out “links.” Warm Hearts of Africa is upbeat yet relaxing. Its rhythm is therapeutic and the chops Ezra displays are impressive. The music video steals the show completely.

Warm Hearts of Africa – The original