If you’ve been paying attention this week - and we hope you have, because there’ll be a test afterwards – you’ll know that singer-songwriter Diana Gameros is our Artist Of The Month. As well as exclusive interviews, performances and giveaways, we also asked Diana to reveal her favorite music of the moment. Here’s what she had to say:
Want to hear them for yourself? Just click that ‘more’ button and let’s go …
Well, it’s that time of the week when we usually select a member of the BAMM.tv Team to choose their favorite tunes of the moment … but, as we’ve installed the amazing San Francisco three-piece Geographer as our Artist Of The Month, we’ve handed the feature over to them. There’s just one slight twist – all their faves are from the BAMM.tv archive …
‘Better Way’ – The Soft White Sixties
These badasses play MUSIC, and they play it well and they play it raw. You get that “I’m listening to something good” feeling in your guts when you watch this.
‘Party Talk’ – Craft Spells
Just heard these guys, happy to have them making music in the bay.
‘If I Run’ – Voxhaul Broadcast
This video really showcases a simple and powerful talent. It’s great to see when a buzz band can sit down and blow you away with nothing but an amazing sweater, an acoustic guitar, and a beautiful voice.
‘Mickey Mantle’ – Waters
This is just some balls out, sharpen the axe rock and roll. I was very pleased when I heard this single come out of Van.
‘OG’ – Religious Girls
These guys are true artists, on and off stage, and have always deeply impressed me with their samples, use of synthesizers, and wild presentation and interpretation of what a pop song can be.
OTHER BAMM.TV STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
BAMM.tv Artist Of The Month: Geographer
BAMM.tv Team Playlists: Jeff LaPenna, Media Director
BAMM.tv Team Playlists: Chris Hansen, CEO
Another week, another playlist from one of our all-knowing BAMM Team (that’s ‘all-knowing’ in terms of music, by the way … none of us are too hot on quantum theory). This time around, we find out what Editorial Director Christopher Davies is listening to right now …
1. “Hold On, Hold On” (Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, 2006) – Neko Case
One of the many talents behind The New Pornographers, Neko Case effortlessly transposes the melodic pop strains of that particular supergroup into her solo work. Nothing revolutionary or groundbreaking – just great songwriting.
2. “Green Shirt” (Armed Forces, 1979) – Elvis Costello
For a good decade or so, Costello was quite literally at the top of this whole ‘music’ game. He has too many classic tunes to mention, but this one is often overlooked, so I’m going to stick it here. It’s just great: instantly hummable yet undercut with a weird simmering menace (‘you can please yourself, but somebody’s gonna get it ..’)
3. “Shake This” (Street Hop, 2009) – Royce Da 5’9
This is, quite simply, awesome.
4. “Ladybird” – (Nancy & Lee, 1968) – Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood
Hazlewood and Sinatra are maybe one of the best male-female double acts in history. There are lots of great moments on their 1968 album ‘Nancy & Lee’ (everyone knows ‘Some Velvet Morning’ … or at least they should do) but ‘Ladybird’ is a personal favorite.
5. “Careful” (The Warning, 2006) – Hot Chip
Gotta love these techno-geek ravers and their sense of undying fun and experimentation. ‘Careful’ is, in my humble opinion, one of the best opening tracks to any album EVER …
OTHER BAMM.TV STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
BAMM.tv team playlists: Fernando Estrada, Head of Business Development
BAMM.tv Team Playlists: Jeff LaPenna, Media Director
BAMM.tv Team Playlists: Chris Hansen, CEO
Friday is with us once again (so soon?), and that means we’re gonna usher in the weekend with another delve into the musical tastes of our staff. This time around we’re asking our newest BAMMer Sophie what’s currently rocking her ears. “My musical tastes encompass a wide range of styles and genres,” Sophie explains. “I’m hoplessley moored to the earthy melodies of Noah Gundersen’s raw americana and just as easily seduced by the crunch of rock and electronic artists.”
1. “Unconsolable” (Litost, 2012) – Ambassadors
The live version of this song feels wonderfully raw and unrefined. With lyrics that border on melancholy, the Ambassadors throw in another drum for a beat with some rage that just works.
2. “Cigarettes” (2012) – Noah Gundersen
Noah’s voice is powerful and his lyrics are poignant. A haunting song about addiction, be it a person or a substance, pick your poison.
3. “So Light Is Her Footfall (Breakbot Remix)” (So Light Is Her Footfall – EP, 2010) – Air
So chill. Make sure you turn up the bass.
4. “Rye Whiskey” (Antifogmatic, 2010) – Punch Brothers
Oh, the timeless love affair between bluegrass and whiskey. This track is sweet, southern rowdy. Plus, Chris Thile just won a “genius grant” from the MacArthur Foundation so he deserves a listen.
5. “Bright Lights” (The Bright Lights – EP, 2011) – Gary Clark Jr.
Big, crunchy guitar and Clark’s soulful voice make magic. If it were socially acceptable I’d even call this one groovy.
OTHER BAMM.TV STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
BAMM.tv team playlists: Fernando Estrada, Head of Business Development
BAMM.tv Team Playlists: Jeff LaPenna, Media Director
BAMM.tv Team Playlists: Chris Hansen, CEO
Now, it should be pretty obvious that we’re a bunch of musical masterminds here at BAMM.tv. Because – like all great geniuses – we feel the need to share our wide berth of knowledge with the world, each member of the BAMM team has put together a short playlist of personal favorites. There’ll be a new one every Friday, beginning with this installment from Phil Lang, Director Of Musical Operations (who you can see in the above picture, taking a break en route to battling Keanu Reeves in The Matrix).
1. “Wrong End of the Rainbow” (Wrong End of the Rainbow, 1970) – Tom Rush
Early 70s Folk Pop will always be my sweet spot, especially when it has a little twang. It appears that I’ve chosen the two songs (see: Crooked Fingers) for which there is no video of any kind on Youtube—not even an album version of the song with a still picture. Random fact: there is a lot of cowbell on this album…too much.
2. “Wonder” (Cold Fact, 1970) – Rodriguez
Documentary Searching for Sugar Man about this guy. Definitely check out the trailer. I love the blunt lyrical approach to this song. He just singing what we’re thinking.
3. “Still Falling” (Still Falling, 2002)- Virgil Shaw
Jim Fairchild (All Smiles, Modest Mouse) was raving about Mr. Shaw a few years ago. He was right. Very few songs in my iTunes account have the 5-star rating next to it, but this is one of them. It’s perfect. I wouldn’t change one single thing about it. He’s local, too.
4. “Everyman Needs a Companion” (Fear Fun, 2012) – Father John Misty
Favorite album of 2012 so far. What a voice. My favorite lyric of the year is in this song: “John the Baptist took Jesus Christ down to the river on a Friday night/ they talked about Mary like a couple of boys/ with nothing to lose/ too scared to try”
5. “Went to the City” (Breaks in the Armor, 2011) – Crooked Fingers
Favorite album of 2011. There about 10 songs of Eric Bachmann’s that I wish I had written. I love the pulsed, rigidity of this song, and of course that goddamn voice.