Dox's Tune Picks of 2013

I know, it's late to be posting my picks of 2 best songs of 2013 but I hope it's ok to anyway.  I was just so busy over the holidays that I just kept forgetting about this or postponing it until it was already the new year. But these are just too worth sharing, late or not. As with everyone, there were a very many favorite songs of the past year for me, these are just 2 strong examples.

Hard to pick just one track off this killer debut album from 2013 but this is the one I keep coming back to in my sets. Real, confrontational postpunk revival rock from an all-kickass-girl group.. An earth-shaking, shit-stirring album that'll chill, move and rock you to your core! It perfectly captures the badass gothrock essence of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus and other postpunk greats but they do it with their own energy and vision.

Mesmerizing hypnotic psychedelia and trippy rock was in no short supply in 2013 but this was one album of that genre that rose above the others ( although Suuns and Clinic are definitely worth mentioning as well) with catchy songs that didn't just drone on endlessly and can be enjoyed by people who aren't dropping acid while listening. "Holland" is an excellently constructed work of auditory art that is hauntingly beautiful. The chord progression is just amazing. The Black Angels remain one of my very favorite bands.

Enthropy Panache

Soviet Soviet - Hidden [Fate]

I never really understood what was all the fuss with this post-punk revival thing. All I know is that when my neighbour Gerald the hipster starts talking about it, it’s already lost to me. The Italian trio Soviet Soviet is one of those bands who have nothing to do with the mainstream hype cycles or media publicity. Releasing their debut full-length after six years of existence tells me these guys know that good things come when good things feel like coming, no matter what’s hot this week or what decade it happens to be. They also know how to make catchy post-punk hooks - oh my goddess do they know! And forget about all the usual doom and gloom issues here - if this stuff doesn’t get you running towards the dance floor then you’d better check you aren’t dead!



Chelsea Wolfe - Feral Love [Pain Is Beauty]

After first being exposed to the searing guitars on her ‘Apocalypsis’ album, I knew there were great things to expect from Chelsea Wolfe. I just didn’t expect it to happen so soon and with such a quantity. I mean - how many commercially successful singer-songwriters out there would be able to fuse Indie Pop with Doom and Dark Metal, Dark Ambient, Folk, Goth, Electronica and Björk while making it all sound very fresh and completely their own? How many would dare to make a tribute album to Rudimentary Peni? Even without this kind of backing evidence it is clear that ‘Pain Is Beauty’ deserves our most sincere nods of approval and applauses with hands clad in black velvet. Hell, I don’t want to limit the admiration of this album to the average goth only. For all I care you could be a construction worker or a skate park brat - give it a listen and you’ll surely hear this music is not a laughing matter. ‘Pain Is Beauty’ is sore like a fresh bruise and I wouldn’t be surprised if playing it alone in an old house in the midst of the woods would get you in touch with the beyond. I’m still trying to get back to normal myself.

Iain Lordhunter

Arcade Fire - Reflektor

Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem are both strong contenders for my favourite band of the last decade, so when I heard James Murphy was producing the new Arcade Fire album I was very excited.  I was also very nervous that it wouldn't work, as I found the UNKLE collaborations often sounded like 2 separate very good things shoved unsuccessfully together.  But as soon as I heard this, I loved it.  It's got driving indie rock bits! It's got plinky dancey bits!  it's got bits sung in French! And then, if that wasn't enough, ...David Bowie turns up!  Nearly 8 minutes in length but never outstaying its welcome, it even features an Anton Corbijn-directed video full of intrigue, glitter balls and papier mache heads.  Song of the year.

The Uncluded - Delicate Cycle

My second choice is another coming together of 2 great artist(e)s: the rapper Aesop Rock and singer-songwriter Kimya Dawson of The Moldy Peaches.  Aesop delivers, over an acoustic guitar backing, a potentially psychopathic rap about sending people body parts in the mail, while Kimya sings a touching tale about growing up in a laundromat.  Perhaps these are even two halves of the same story, who knows. Then the two come together on the chorus and it manages to sound both sweet and sinister at the same time.  It possibly shouldn't work at all, but it really, really does.


Iain Lordhunter
DJ @ AAi, and pub landlord at The Bannister & Shamrock.

Moby Tenenbaum's Two Top Picks

I guess the most important criterion for picking my two tops songs would be the frequency with which I've played them at my gigs. There are a number of tunes that I've repeated a lot, but I'm going to with two that are quite similar in emotional tone: "Thames Soup," by The Phoenix Foundation, and "Starlings Over Brighton Pier," by Bell X1. To me, they're both achingly beautiful, contemplative tunes and I'm sure I'll be playing them a lot for years to come. I DJ every Sunday from 2 to 4 SL time at the venerable old alt7.

Uglyana Jones

2013 was a year of great transition for me.  I took a big risk and stepped out of a situation where I had been dependent upon others to care for me directly into a situation where someone was dependent upon me for care.  It was terrifying and difficult in ways I didn't expect.  But taking on this challenge has allowed me to finally begin to discover parts of myself I had lost or forgotten and build myself into someone I can almost recognize.

The two songs I've chosen for 2013 both reflect this journey, the almost euphoric relief of waking from a nightmare while the affect slowly dissolves.

1.  Wild Creatures from Neko Case's 2013 album 'The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You'

Neko Case - Wild Creatures

2.  Girl Called Alex from Kurt Vile's 2013 album 'Walkin on a Pretty Daze'

Kurt Vile - Girl Called Alex

I DJ at the Velvet Tuesdays 3 pm to 5 pm SLT and specialize in conceptual sets.

Sam Shecter

Tegan and Sara - Closer

I picked this song because I just love Tegan and Sara. They have been one of my favorite bands for a long time, also because this song talks about how love can be such a unique thing, how it can fill your mind completely, even if you are gay or straight or a pony, It's love and love is for everyone.

Chvrches - Recover

About this song and Band, there reason I selected this song and band is because they were introduced to me by a great friend of mine, so it has a special meaning. Second Reason is Because the lyrics on this song really move me as well.

Hello ^-^

My name is Sam Shecter, I started Djing not very long ago, if I am correct, just in the beginning of this precise year. It has been quite a rush, I've always loved Djing since I was a little kid. I'm almost 2 years and 7 Months old on SL and I love what I do here, I love sharing music on my sets, I think it is amazing how we can connect With music, It's not only me that shares a part of who I am but the persons that listen also teach me a lot of things, and that is what I love about all of it.

Ferdynand Straaf

It was not easy to find 2 songs. 2013 was not realy a year with highlights. My two favorite singers (Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen) released both a new album "recently" but both were at the end of 2012. So they don't count.

I ran through my collection and found some others, but more then 2. I had to make a decision. I chose for the first, a new Folk-Rock band and a collaboration of 2 musicians who  have been making music for a long time.

To start with the new band:

American Aquarium - Burn, Flicker, Die

A perfect song, great beat, a text that tells something, enough variation to prevent you getting bored, a singer with a voice which I as dutch can understand without have to think "what's he singing about". So in short; A perfect song.

My second choice is from the album "Black Pudding"

Mark Lanegan and Duke Garwood - Cold Molly

I became a fan of Lanegan's music when i heard him Sing "In the Pines". I don't know who Duke Garwood is but this was in the description by the YT video:
"For those who are unfamiliar with Garwood, he has been described in the UK press as Lanegan's 'spiritual cousin across the Atlantic waters'".

This is music in the tradition of the great (post) punk singers. Great arrangements, also a perfect song. Everything fits. No highlights just good music. I'm so happy it's still made these days.

Sean Rowe - Acoustic version of Jonathan

Very rich music..sometimes you hear Dylan then Cohen or Sprinsteen, also a understandable voice, and a great guitar player.

Soko - I'll kill her

My latest discovery, a female singer but coming with something so pure and direct, a relief after all the Adele's, Gaga, Lorde's etc. etc. Okay, a last one with a haunting video (warning!):

Soko - We might be dead by Tomorrow

Lobito Brando

1) Woodkid - I Love You

This music is super wonderful, full of rhythm. I went to a woodkid gig the energy and presence on the stage are quiet amazing. Definitely one of the best for 2013.

2) Beijing - Sequin

This is like the "best new artist for 2013" for me. It is a brand new surprise and what a great one. I went passionate about this track right on the first time I heard it.

Becka Blackrain

1. Capital Cities - Farrah Fawcett Hair ft. André 3000 and narrated by Frank Tavares (of NPR)
Oh my!  There has been an abundance of fantastic music this year!  I honestly could put a list together of my 'Top 100 of 2013' in no time.  For my 1st selection this year, I will pick one that most people missed or forgot about, but is so brilliant!  Capital Cities is a band out of LA, and I just love their originality and creative songs.  The chorus is as follows ... "You know it when you see it... You know it when it's there.... Like Michael Jackson's 'Thriller',.... Like Farrah Fawcett hair... It's good sh*t!"

2. Arcade Fire - Here Comes The Night Time
This album is a true testament that indie music is alive and well.  There is so many different sounds and rhythms and idea's and beats that you hear on their new album, that it's nearly impossible to just listen through once!  Almost every song on the album is interesting and cool, but the one that jumped out at me the most, was 'Here Comes The Night Time'.  Enjoy!, and here's to another year of happiness in the Indie world!  xo

I just wanted to say a few words about my 2 fave clubs in SL.  1stly, AAI.. my family.  I love everyone who runs that place, dj's there, or even just hangs out there.  Every single one of you make it what it is, and I wouldn't change anything about it.. The people, the vibe, the tunes, the laughs.  AAI is my home:)
2ndly, The Bannister & Shamrock.  Everytime I walk in the door, I smile.  Same thing as AAI... I just adore the people there, the DJ's, the laughs, all of it!  Thank you everyone who makes SL such a cool and enjoyable place.  See y'all next year!  xo

Indie Cantina - Best of 2013!

Folks - December is here, and at Indie Cantina, that means it's time for: Best of ...2013! We are inviting you, SL's top DJs and musicians, to send in the two tracks you think were the BEST of 2013.

To take part, just send a notecard to me with youtube / vimeo / soundcloud URLS for your two tracks, as well as a couple of sentences about each song.

You can also send along a short bio (a bit about you, your music, which club you play or DJ at and so on), and I'll post the entries on the Indie Cantina blog: http://indiecantina.wordpress.com

PJ Thornton

Metric - Youth Without Youth

One of the songs that did stand out for me in 2012 was Metric's Youth Without Youth. I've always liked Metric so it was a no brainer and it's one of the few new songs I bought in 2012.

Metric - Youth Without Youth from Metric on Vimeo.

The Sheepdogs - The Way It Is

To come up with something else took a little bit more thinking, but I think I can safely pick The Way It Is by The Sheepdogs. It's not ground breaking, just some solid old timey rock and roll. Also, they managed to get through an entire baseball themed video with no one wearing an ironic Expos hat.

Iain Lordhunter

Lana Del Rey - Blue Jeans

I was late to the Lana Del Rey party, having initially liked Video Games, but not really understood the fuss. By the time I heard the 'Paradise edition' of her album Born To Die, the backlash had already been and gone. It's a great album, and that is definitely the version to buy. I've gone for 'Blue Jeans' as my favourite track but the epic 'Ride' ran it very close.

Grimes - Genesis

My second choice is from another female artiste who divides opinion. Grimes' music is quirky, ethereal and sounds like nothing else out there ( although I expect 2013 will throw up a horde of imitation mini-Grimes ). Again it was tough to choose between two tracks: 'Genesis' pipped it, but I love 'Oblivion' too.

Cherryblonde Scribe

The Rubens - Don't Ever Wanna Be Found

After a GREAT deal of deliberation, my favourite track for 2012 goes to Australian band The Rubens for "Don't Ever Wanna Be Found". This polished outfit have released an album that respectfully nods to alternative rock's past, without ever downplaying the validity of their own life experience. They're young, but they know their stuff.
"Don't Ever Wanna Be Found" puts the taste of dust in my mouth and makes me yearn for a muscle car and a dodgy road trip.

Tame Impala - Apocalypse Dreams

Coming in second is another Aussie band, and I am not ashamed to have chosen both Australian tracks, there is some astonishingly good music being made across the world and we make it here too. Tame Impala's second album, Lonerism, is gaining international recognition, and Apocalypse Dreams was the first release from it. A lush journey from punchy pop to psychadelic sensuality, Apocalypse Dreams makes me want to go lay in the daisies and watch the clouds roll by, and that's as good a use of my time as any.

Becka Blackrain

Ok...if I HAVE to pick my top 2 songs for 2012, then so be it! My #1 song from last year is Best Coast - 'The Only Place'. It not only embodies how I feel about music, but how I feel about life in general!!...It's happy, upbeat, fun, care-free, and makes me wanna jump up and dance! How could you NOT like this track?!!

Best Coast - The Only Place

Coming in 2nd place is Passion Pit with a great track called 'Take A Walk'. They are a fantastic indie band from Cambridge, Massachusetts. All but one in the band attended The Berklee College of Music in Boston They have it all... great beats, unforgettable melodies, catchy...but edgy lyrics, and a stage show to die for!!

Enjoy :) xx

Passion Pit - Take a Walk

Paradox Messmer

Django Django - "Wor"

This is the first song of 2012 that totally made me go OMFG and lose my shit! Because it brought back the primal spirit of rock n' roll in full furious force with its rollicking build up of a guitar assault that is a throwback to the golden age of underground rock while still managing to sound new and fresh. That aptly describes the rest of this debut album, which is destined to be a classic for years to come.

Islands - In a Dream it Seemed Real

These Canadian indie greats came out with an album in 2012 that was highly personal for the frontman, dealing with his divorce from someone he calls in one song his best friend. It's an emotionally soaring album full of ups and downs, mostly downs, but there is still a breath of hope in there like with any great album about a turning point in a man's life. This song is gorgeous, haunting and poetic. Go get this album.

Tia Violet

2012 was such a good year for music so its been really difficult to narrow it down to just two songs but these stick out for me at the moment, mainly due to RL gig memories :)

The Courteeners - Lose Control

Its no secret how much of a fan I am of The Courteeners. "Lose Control" was available as a pre-release in December 2012 and is just a taster of whats to come from their long awaited third album which should be released Feb/March 2013.

The Vaccines - No Hope

From their second album "Come of Age" released September 2012, this was the first single. Amazing live band, great song and great album. 'Nuff said!

Mallory Cerise

Swans - The Seer Returns

The darkest and weightiest of them all, as powerful as dark earth, Swans destructure and restructure your soul. Yet the flipside of this darkness is catharsis. This is sheer slow-burning force cleverly disguised as music.

In Death It Ends - Forgotten Knowledge

Eminently bewitching and tension-fueled, this music sends the listener on an incessant, futility-stained chase after ghosts, as these ghosts happen to come from one’s subconscious.

(Ed: love Porl King's bass :) )

Space Grelling

I stopped by Space's recent Best of 2012 sets (Part 1 and Part 2, last & the previous Wednesday), so there were about 60 songs to choose from. As we went along, Space pointed out songs that might fit into the top 2.

Grizzly Bear - Yet Again

"Shield from Grizzly Bear was one of my favourite albums... it completely took me by surprise," says Space

Palma Violets - Best of Friends

Palma Violets won the top spot on the NME best of 2012 list. (If you'd like to see the NME list, you can click here)

The Joy Formidable - Cholla

Thirdly, a song from an album that is due to be released on 21 January 2013:

Finally, listed below is Sirius XM Alt Nation's Best Alt-18 of 2012
1. Passion Pit - Take A Walk
2. Grouplove - Tongue Tied
3. The Black Keys - Gold On The Ceiling
Walk The Moon - Anna Sun
Silversun Pickups - Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)
Of Monsters & Men - Little Talks
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
Muse - Madness
Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait
The Wombats - Jump Into The Fog
fun. - We Are Young
Atlas Genius - Symptoms
AWOLNATION - Kill Your Heroes
Imagine Dragons - It's Time
Blondfire - Where The Kids Are
A Silent Film - Danny, Dakota & The Wishing Well
Metric - Breathing Underwater
Jack White - Sixteen Saltines

Moby Tenenbaum

The two songs I selected mid-summer for Indie Cantina as best so far may still be my favorite songs of the year - 'You As You Were', by Shearwater and 'Marigold', by Alberta Cross, but it’s really impossible for me to identify a definite best two or even best 10. It’s much easier for me to pick my favorite two albums, although even that is difficult. So how about if I pick two of my favorite albums with representative songs from each?

My favorite album of the year is probably Fanfarlo’s 'Rooms Filled With Light', the sophomore album of a British quintet. What I love about Fanfarlo is that they set the bar really high and throw everything they’ve got at you - guitars, horns, reeds, electronic effects, glockenspiel (yes, glockenspiel) and they make it work. I also love their attention to songcraft, particularly in terms of building tunes level upon level. This song, 'Deconstruction', is a good example of that.

Another great album, which might rank number two (at least right now) on my Best of 2012 list, is 'Poles', by the Belgian/Austrian/Spanish/Italian four-piece Lonely Drifter Karen. They remind me of Fanfarlo in their commitment to highly intelligent songcraft and also feature a frequent affinity for quasi-worldbeat rhythms and sounds that I really like. This track, 'Brand New World', is representative.

Violet Ninetails

Electric Youth - Right Back to You (track)

This song makes me feel like I've been living in a postapocalyptic wasteland and I just found a time machine and instead of going back and changing the past I just go back to the 80s and drive around and have fun. I can't really ask for more from dance music.

Hammock - Departure Songs (album)

Track pick: Tonight We Burn Like Stars That Never Die

What a lovely album. It sounds like what the inside of a star's heart must look like. I love all of it. It's the perfect soundtrack for driving through barren landscapes at night - eerie, ethereal, celestial and sidereal.

<3