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About Aurgasm

Launched two years ago, Aurgasm has developed into a destination of passionate music lovers around the globe. Its audience includes music mavens, critics, journalists, and bloggers—a highly influential audience. It has been profiled in The Boston Globe and mentioned on MSNBC.com, BoingBoing, Kottke, del.icio.us, and digg. Aurgasm specializes in everything not under the American rock umbrella—music such as: downtempo, folk, nu jazz, chanson, scandinavian, jazz, cuban, brazilian, electro, soul, jump blues, bluegrass, film score, and electronica.

About Paul Irish

A young man of twenty-five years, Paul's interest in music was initiated by his parents' rock band, playing The Standell's 'Dirty Water' in his basement. Since the mp3 format appeared on the internet, Paul has been eager to find his next favorite song.

His interests include: user experience design, emerging web trends, ecommerce, branding, maps, product design, typography, information design/overload, & sustainability.

Contact

Paul Irish
email: paul [atsign] aurgasm.us
AIM: Paullll Irish
Myspace: Paul's myspace
I listen to everything I'm sent, but I prefer music that isn't by a 'band'.

Contributors

Julija is an art student in Vilnius, Lithuania fond of wine and contemporary design. Andrew (blog) is a travelling Scot who writes and currently lives in London.

Sonya Kitchell

vocal jazz // americana blues
The smoky vocal mysticism of Norah Jones and Natalie Merchant. Unique and developed songwriting ability. This young woman, Sonya Kitchell, has created a calm sound of maturity that you wouldn't expect from a sixteen year-old. Yes, she's sixteen. Not to let that be the novelty that propels her popularity–her talent alone can do that plenty. (Alas, the selling point of the talented Matisyahu was his novel cultural juxtaposition, not his firebrand musicianship. :-/) "Train", from her upcoming album, chugs along fueled by a strummy guitar and Sonya's full voice. Look for this one in your local Starbucks in a few months.
Young girl with an old soul.

Sonya Kitchell - Train
buy this cd

Paul Irish on 2/20/2006 21 comments

21 Comments:

  • AZ said on 2/22/2006 02:04:00 AM :

    That's quite amazing. Probably gonna pick this one up when it hits the stores- right in the sweetspot. Thanks!

  • Anonymous said on 2/24/2006 03:04:00 AM :

    Sh'e definitely going to challenge Norah for the crown. Good stuff.

  • supergurg said on 2/24/2006 05:43:00 AM :

    a sultry jazzy little number!

    thanks again,
    Gurg

  • Anonymous said on 2/25/2006 01:12:00 PM :

    This is absolutely amazing. Thanks.

  • Runman said on 2/26/2006 02:30:00 AM :

    Wow, that track bespeaks of a talent on the way, what a voice, surely not even fully developed yet. I can see, and hear her going more towards Fiona Apple's Tidal album, track 'Sullen Girl, more than the Norah Jones direction. Or maybe that's merely what I'd like her to do.

  • Tim Young said on 2/28/2006 10:37:00 AM :

    Sounds an awful lot like Joss Stone to me?

    the face of today

  • Anonymous said on 3/03/2006 10:30:00 AM :

    U can appreciate this artist and many others on RADIO SHIC PODCAST

  • Paul Irish said on 3/03/2006 10:34:00 AM :

    Okay stop it with the self-linking, guys.

    I'll recommend my readers to Radio Shic, though. He's got a good thing going.

  • Daisy said on 3/03/2006 04:49:00 PM :

    Gorgeous voice! I think there are similarities to Norah Jones and Joss Stone but it feels less "produced" and is all the better for it. I suspect she's made another fan here, thanks for the post.

  • Moka said on 3/03/2006 05:51:00 PM :

    I find her more similar to jolie holland than to norah jones-
    She sounds promising, thanks.

  • mylime said on 3/05/2006 01:48:00 PM :

    I can't stop listening to this album. The muted tones of melancholy make me fear she'll follow the plath of sylvia.

  • Robbie said on 3/06/2006 04:39:00 PM :

    Another great post, Paul.
    I'm consistently amazed at the music you find.

    Looks like I need to go shopping.

  • Kerry said on 3/08/2006 12:05:00 PM :

    And, more than two weeks later, we're dying for a post here... please, I need my, er, aurgasm fix.

  • Anonymous said on 3/08/2006 09:19:00 PM :

    she is really good. thanks for writing about her. nice blog.

  • Paul Irish said on 3/08/2006 10:36:00 PM :

    Kerry, I just updated to satisfy your needs. :) Also, another reflex reaction is coming super soon, too. And I'll be giving away a REAL TANGIBLE PRIZE!!!

  • wes said on 3/09/2006 04:45:00 PM :

    I saw her perform last year, industry showcase, at 15, very confident performer, had an amazing band with other youngsters, particularly the piano player Miro something. Her management team has already refused a few record deals so I feel this girl will actually end up doing very well for herself

  • cbro said on 3/09/2006 10:53:00 PM :

    She is amazing live but be careful of the cd it is not that strong. Which is strange. She is such a confident performer and only 16. She has "it"...now if we could just get "it" on the cd. Sorry but I was disappointed.

  • Paul Irish said on 3/10/2006 12:12:00 AM :

    cbro, sucks to hear the CD didnt grab you. I definitely pick my favorite track on the CD to post here.. so you can expect every song to be not as good as what you see here... :) But i try to pick good music FROM good albums, too.
    Anywho. thanks for the feedback.

  • Jilly said on 3/21/2006 06:39:00 PM :

    very nice. i definitely hear norah jones, but i also hear a little joss stone somewhere in there.

  • Leaphty said on 7/01/2006 02:06:00 AM :

    I heard Sonya on an NPR interview and it took awhile to hunt her down but I just bought both her CD's and picked up shirts for my kids. This young lady will be a part of the music industry for the ages. She is a classic already. I think I'm in love.

  • Kathy said on 11/11/2006 08:23:00 PM :

    I heard Sonya in a Starbucks in passing and caught me. I 'looked her up' on Limewire, and will be going out to pick her up in my local CD shop. She's very cool. And surprised me huge when I found out she is 16. Yes, I yelled out loud, "SHE'S SIXTEEN?!" Good thing I was at home.

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The Ark

swedish glam-rock
During last year's South By Southwest festival, hipsters heading down 6th Street on their way to the Bloc Party show were stopped when passing by a closet of a club called The Drink. Inside the giant sidewalk window, leadman Ola Salo was jumping from amp to ceiling light to drum set, while his band was pumping out firey glam rock action. Now, typically music with electric guitars and drums doesn't strike my fancy, but The Ark definitely forces the volume knob up. 'Rock City Wankers' perfectly showcases their ability to instantly spawn a party with their vibrant attitude.
Dynamic rock that makes it impossible to stand still.

The Ark - Rock City Wankers
buy this cd

Paul Irish on 2/15/2006 10 comments

10 Comments:

  • Runman said on 2/18/2006 12:45:00 PM :

    Oooh, dunno, a bit harsh Paul.

  • Paul Irish said on 2/18/2006 12:47:00 PM :

    Really? It's like a rock concert at a carnival, to me.

  • AngerBoy said on 2/19/2006 07:22:00 PM :

    This rocks my socks.

  • AJ said on 2/25/2006 12:09:00 PM :

    Hi all i have been lucky enough to see 'the ark' live cos they were support act to 'the darkness' and they were fuckin fantastic and im gonna buy their album too

  • Anonymous said on 3/03/2006 01:44:00 PM :

    damn... i would have loved to see this band with the darkness. that would be hot.

    like your mom

  • Hampus Krona said on 3/18/2006 11:19:00 PM :

    OMG! We sweeds have had the fabulus joy of haveing these guyes all to ourselves. But ofcourse.. we are willing to share... The Ark is not only an band, it is a "statement". And they rock the hell out of everything! -- *lover of the Ark*

  • Anonymous said on 3/19/2006 10:56:00 PM :

    Fairly super, in a Stiff Little Fingers way. Break out my Members Only jacket, I'm going to Eightiesville. Keep bringing us the good stuff!

  • MonMouth said on 4/04/2006 07:38:00 PM :

    This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

  • MonMouth said on 4/04/2006 07:49:00 PM :

    Sounds like NYC, smells like subway platforms; can't be Swedish.

  • Anonymous said on 5/03/2006 05:37:00 PM :

    The Ark is the best I have ever seen!! I've been an ARK-lover since 2001...I can't get enough, they're fantastic and I'm gonna see them again in Italy on 11th June!! Can't wait...they rock...I need them in my life! Vale from Italy.

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William Orbit

vocal electronica // atmospheric
He crafted Madonna's grammy-winning comeback Ray Of Light, been criticized by composer Arvo Pärt, loved by tranceheads (Ferry Corsten's trance remix of Adagio For Strings, anyone?), and shunned by many others. (Seriously, what's with the name?) Now, William Orbit is releasing a solo artist album far better than his previous Pieces In A Modern Style. To be honest, I don't want to enjoy his music, but I can't maintain disinterest. The album is entirely too cohesive–it sounds like different themes of the same (beautiful) song. But I'm still moved by the angelic melodies on this album despite their methodical (over)production.
An A+ album I wish were by someone else.

William Orbit - Surfin
William Orbit - They Live In The Sky
buy this cd

Paul Irish on 2/13/2006 11 comments

11 Comments:

  • Muriel said on 2/15/2006 06:31:00 PM :

    You're right, angelic, but [annoyingly] cohesive. Maybe because I am just one for shuffle. (I enjoyed Surfin better than the other.)

  • Anne said on 2/15/2006 06:58:00 PM :

    I get the sense that a lot of people feel the same way - they don't want to like this music. Maybe audiobloggers and audioblog readers (audioblogophiles??) shouldn't be so concerned with how trendy or hip or unknown a particular artist is, rather the focus should be the music itself. Is it so wrong to like mainstream music? [Although I'd hesitate to call William Ørbit mainstream.] Either way, this music makes me happy. Just when I was thinking it had been too long since the last really good ambient electronica album...

  • Leo said on 2/15/2006 11:40:00 PM :

    I like how he uses base on They Live In The Sky without it being clubby-dancefloor. I like how the few odd sounds in these songs don't seem like gimmicks used to prop up an insubstantial instrumental background. Part of trance, to me anyway, is making the insubstantial instrumental seem substantial. I think Orbit succeeds with that.

    I'm usually not a fan of music that sounds like stuff I could make a home. There are portions of the tracks that seem like they follow some sort of formula and if I just had the program he used I could make this music too. There are just enough of those moments (like the cheesey lyrics or the sea gulls) to prevent me from rushing out and buying the album. I'll have to let this grow on me before I ask for more.

  • Seb Jarakian said on 2/17/2006 01:55:00 AM :

    I must say this new album might take some time to get used to. I love Pieces In A Modern Style for how beautiful and ambient it was.

  • Tim Young said on 2/17/2006 05:53:00 PM :

    Yup. Pieces in a Modern style was my favorite going to sleep album for a long time after in came out. This I'm really not sure about yet. I'm giving it a listen nonetheless!

  • Runman said on 2/18/2006 01:01:00 PM :

    Anyone remember Bassomatic? When Orbit first emerged as a groove scientist. Sensational. A big name and pro in the industry now, but I feel in the decade or more since he first emerged on the cutting edge, he has now fallen into pedestrian mediocrity.

  • Paul Irish said on 2/19/2006 05:29:00 PM :

    Wow.. that's pretty old stuff. I can't say I remember it - I was only eight when it was released.
    I'll take a listen to Set the Controls for the Heart of the Bass and let you know! I'm pumped to hear it.

  • Mars said on 2/24/2006 01:39:00 PM :

    Two days ago I bought "Hello Waveforms" at my local record store.

    It is so beautiful, ethereal, entrancing... exactly what this world needs right now!

  • Runman said on 2/26/2006 02:06:00 AM :

    Paul, I'm well pleased you chased up 'Set The Controls'. Please leave your thoughts, particularly on the track 'Fascinating Rhythm' old can still sound good. But I have older ears I guess.

  • Rob said on 3/09/2006 12:30:00 AM :

    thanks for this post, i'm actually quite enjoying "surfin"... cheers.

  • pindi said on 3/24/2006 12:33:00 PM :

    Hey,

    Thought you might also be interested to know of William O's Strange Cargo series of albums, one of which stars a young Beth Orton. The track is taken from the Strange Cargo 3 and is entitled 'Water from a Vine Leaf'.
    Haven't listened to the tracks posted hear but looking forward to it.

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Reflex Reaction: Audio Valentines

I want your reaction, here. Leave a comment and for any/all of the songs, write your reaction to the song – keep it brief! (5-15 words, extra points if you hit exactly 10) After a few days, I'm going to publish the most evocative/impressive/amusing comments here. Be sure to leave your name.
UPDATE! The best reactions follow:
italian folk // café jazz
Quartetto Cetra - Un Bacio A Mezzanotte
  • cue Dean Martin, complete with cane and straw boater, making eyes at Sophia Loren.~db
  • Red velour, low light, and a martini with your sweetheart.~Skoodog
  • A leggy Italian brunette spinning her parasol on the boardwalk~Brett

    • nu-jazz // hip hop
    Dancing Djedi - Body Surfin' (feat. Mos Def, Tash, & Q-Tip)
  • poor work on the Ernest Ranglin original, with the lyrics from Body Rock just pasted upon it. Too bad : the pulse of the Ranglin is mad!!!~Garrincha
  • good funk, bounce, reggae flavor, too disjoint to truly savor~Dookie
  • I see an Afro Marcel Marceau doing the jerky moonwalk in a robot suit.~db

    • female folk // americana
    Clare Burson - Love Me in the Morning
  • tender, floating, soft and caressing~kEma
  • Reminds me of a bluegrass/celtic festival. Nostalgic and homesick.~Elise
  • Passionate with a dash of armpit hair. Lilith Fair artist for 2006.~nomisong

    • Paul Irish on 2/07/2006 24 comments

    24 Comments:

    • Nottke said on 2/07/2006 05:24:00 PM :

      QC: Cute and endearing. Compells me to tickle-attack my seven-year-olds.
      DD: Refashioning Ernest Ranglin with fresh hip hoppers is mad gangsta.
      CB: Juxtaposing acoustic sensibility with cinematic arrangement. Quite talented. Cute, too.

    • Peter said on 2/07/2006 05:44:00 PM :

      Dancing Djedi - Mos Def chilling on the beach in Jamaica with his Uncle Ernest.

    • Skoodog said on 2/07/2006 05:45:00 PM :

      clare: Arm in arm, on a porch swing, watching the rain.

      quartetto: How they did Valentine's in the 1950s downtown Las Vegas. (or - Red velour, low light, and a martini with your sweetheart.)

      the rap one: This kid in high school used to do this dance called "the flow." I imagine him doing that dance to this.

    • Anonymous said on 2/07/2006 06:55:00 PM :

      QC: great! use this in my dance class: lots of fun

    • orbital sentry said on 2/07/2006 07:31:00 PM :

      QC- Mid-week reassurance that the lulls are over, enter happiness.

    • aaronwez said on 2/07/2006 08:20:00 PM :

      Un Bacio A Mezzanotte ~ Sunny and Smiles. Mid-day, on the town with my sweetie :)

      Body Surfin' ~ Posturing for the posse when she's not in the room.

      Love Me in the Morning ~ My new lover hears the midnight call of the heart.

    • db said on 2/08/2006 12:41:00 AM :

      I see video clips:

      QC: cue Dean Martin, complete with cane and straw boater, making eyes at Sophia Loren.

      DD: I see an Afro Marcel Marceau doing the jerky moonwalk in a robot suit.

      CB: slow-mo falling rose petals (á la American Beauty), but set in a banjo-pluckin little house on the prairie

    • anthony said on 2/08/2006 07:31:00 AM :

      QC: Sneaking exuberant giggles while skipping after first kiss with new crush.

    • kEma said on 2/08/2006 07:48:00 AM :

      QC: fragrant, touching, elegant
      DD: playful, dancable and amusing
      CB: tender, floating, soft and caressing

    • Garrincha said on 2/08/2006 09:37:00 AM :

      DD : poor work on the Ernest Ranglin original, with the lyrics from Body Rock just pasted upon it. Too bad : the pulse of the Ranglin is mad !!!

      QC : fresh ! Perfect soundtrack for a romance in southern italy

      CB : nostalgia - very pure & very addictive

    • Elise said on 2/08/2006 11:05:00 AM :

      CB- Reminds me of a bluegrass/celtic festival. Nostalgic and homesick.

    • Kerry said on 2/08/2006 12:14:00 PM :

      DD: Smooth reggae vibe and ill rhymes better served without electric piano.

    • Brett said on 2/08/2006 03:21:00 PM :

      CB -- Can she be my personal alarm clock? Smooth and lovely.

      DD -- Fair to middlin' -- Summer songs always get points by default.

      QC -- A leggy Italian brunette spinning her parasol on the boardwalk

    • Runman said on 2/08/2006 06:04:00 PM :

      Liked the QC track, thanks Paul, and Nottke for the link .
      Some more tracks of hers here..
      http://www.clareburson.com/music.html

    • Anonymous said on 2/09/2006 03:25:00 PM :

      QC - Cool - immediately brightened my spirits! I like it!

      DD - I try to be open to new stuff, but still don't get the Rap thing...

      CB - Is OK...nicely done..

    • nomisong said on 2/09/2006 09:48:00 PM :

      Un Bacio...: Perfect background music for montage sequence of lost Sex in the City episode.

      Body Surfin': Messy as hell comared to the OG. Q-Tip needs to comeback better than this. So does Mos.

      Love Me...: Passionate with a dash of armpit hair. Lilith Fair artist for 2006.

    • Dookie said on 2/10/2006 09:12:00 PM :

      DD:
      good funk, bounce, reggae flavor, too disjoint to truly savor

      (but glad to hear it anyway, thanks)

    • Christian said on 2/12/2006 05:07:00 PM :

      QC - sounds like something i would here as background music in a book store, great music

      DD - what hiphop should sound like, good production, great MC in mosdef

      CB - nice voice, reminds me of Lhasa De Sela, just english

    • Anonymous said on 2/13/2006 02:18:00 PM :

      QC-sweet, fun, good mood music
      DD-good background music, not "listening" music
      CB-sounds like Aimee Mann

    • Alex Hutton said on 2/14/2006 09:29:00 AM :

      QC- Nice, but a little too overproduced for me. Much closer to authentic than the other two tracks.

      DD-I'm sorry, but even Jazz guitar can't erase my disgust for lyrics all about how some guy's machismo is going to make the ladies drop their pants. Sometimes I wish Hip-Hop would take a hint from B.A.D. and try to write a song about something different.

      CB-Lady, if you're so durn worried about this person loving you in the morning, then maybe you shouldn't have slept with them. It's not like you didn't have a choice. As far as quality of music, Little Sparrow by Dolly Parton trumps it pretty hard. This one's way too overproduced, like the Waif version of Justin Timberlake.

    • Paul Irish said on 2/14/2006 09:50:00 AM :

      B.A.D.? Biological Aerosol Detection?

    • Runman said on 2/15/2006 09:22:00 AM :

      B.A.D.? Baroque Artists Diatribe?

    • Alex Hutton said on 2/17/2006 07:31:00 AM :

      Big Audio Dynamite, Sillies.

    • courvidae said on 2/28/2006 01:09:00 AM :

      I find the responses to "Bacio a Mezzanotte" really entertaining, mainly because the song actually translates to Don't trust a kiss at midnight! Oh, how two years of Italian come in handy.

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