You may remember Mandy Lee from that disco-knighted M83 "Midnight City" remix that The Knocks put out last February, but she's actually got a little project of her own called MISTERWIVES. Debut single "Vagabond" is a piano-riddled lovedrug of a folk song that flaunts its way through the midwest like Alex Winston's kid sister on a bullet train to the Heartland. If you were looking for a change of pace, here's a new starlet to get familiar with.
The Sound of Arrows and The Knocks are two of our favorite electronic duos in the game right now (or, y'know, ever), so to have the two appear on the same track is more or less a dream come true. The Swedish daydreamers remixed "Brightside" late last year and now The Knocks have returned the favor on "Wonders" and amp up the dance factor for the club. Through wizardly electronic flourishes and Stefan's looped and thinly sliced vocals, it's like a darker after-hours departure from the original's blissful nostalgia that breaks more than just a few curfews along the way. You could say it's a match made in Neon Gold heaven.
It's that time of year again, and after packed out showcases at SXSW 2010 and 2011, we're back with another barnburner for you with our 2012 official showcase. Wrapping up our inaugural Neon Gold Tour at SXSW will be St. Lucia, Savoir Adore and our showcase headliners The Knocks, joined by fellow Neon Gold alums Polarsets and ANR, and the next big things of tomorrow in Brooklyn's Fort Lean and Los Angeles' HAIM. The whole thing's going down at Karma Lounge, just steps from the 6th Street and the epicenter of SXSW at 105 East 5th Street between Congress and Brazos. As per usual, it's 21+ with free entry to those with official SX badges on a first come, first serve basis, so come out early as space is limited and this is going to be a night to remember. Set times and MP3's below - see you in Texas, friends.
Time to unveil the special guest for POPSHOP014, which will also be doubling as the official launch party of the Neon Gold Tour. We're thrilled to welcome Chiddy Bang to the Popshop stage for a very special underplay for the duo, celebrating the release of their debut album Breakfast earlier that week on February 28th. In order to bring you this supersized lineup we've had to bump the ticket price up to $15 adv and $20 day of show, so congrats to the large number of you who followed our advice and cashed in on the $10 early bird tickets over the last few weeks.
POPSHOP isn't back in full swing until next month (a thousand pardons), but to satisfy your January fix, our first event of the new year will be another edition of All Things Gold in our nation's capital. It's sure to be another blowout with The Knocks returning to U Street Music Hall to tear the roof off the place once again after selling it out in their first tango with All Things Gold last August. Plus, we've got the triumphant return of local hero Brenton Duvall on the ones and twos, plus Boston bright young things Magic Man opening things up. Not only was The Knocks' last DC show with us one of our biggest events to date with over 500+ tix sold, they'll also be unveiling fresh cuts from their just-released - and frankly brilliant - Magic EP, so this is definitely not to be missed. It's all going down this Thursday with festivities kicking off at 9pm sharp - $10 advance tickets are still available HERE but close to selling out, so move fast before it's too late.
In a massively overdue but endlessly glorious meeting of the minds, our favorite pop duos from both sides of the Atlantic have come together on a Neon Gold dream come true of a remix, as The Sound of Arrows help us make it to the brightside and beyond with this exclusive remix of The Knocks debut single proper. Chipping away at the original key line and replacing it with cloud nine synths that whip-pan across the universe and back at the speed of light, the Arrows sound like they were literally born for this, their remix destiny. It's as if the two superhuman duos entered a Power Rangers montage sequence and combined to form some kind of invincible Neon Gold Megazord, like our childhood dreams coming true some 15 years late.
Sure, Popshop may be tonight and all but let's face it, we're an insatiable bunch. So without further do, we present the third installment of our new Lights + Music rave. The third time's the charm and you'd be sorely mistaken if you think we're gonna drop the ball on this one, as we're coming correct with a hail mary of a lineup for a very special Friday Night Lights + Music this time around. Getting things started on the ground will be our very own Smash and Riggins in J-Patt and B-Roc of The Knocks on the decks early, before London's finest Starsmith and Russ Chimes take things into overtime as the double threat main event.
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