Miss Carla Bruni is one of the world’s most photographed models. She’s widely regarded as the top Italian model in the world, as well as one of the most financially successful. Being beyond the definition of beauty was apparently not enough for Carla, so she decided to try her (gorgeous) hand at music. She took after her idols Serge Gainsbourg and Joni Mitchell and crafted a quiet record of delicate songs, although not her in native tongue — rather, in French. The result is a intimate album with a lonely and wistful tone. Listen to a supermodel sing on her own terms.
My good man Tom Korkidis (of Eksi Ekso) asked last week me to join him playing some music at a local pub, River Gods, in Cambridge. The night had a great vibe, a full house and plenty of worldly tunes. I wanted to offer my sets to you guys as well.
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.
Funky good times and flavorlicious rhymes from the Afro-beat legend Tony Allen. Hooking up with artists like Damon Albarn, Ty, and Unsung Heroes, Home Cooking delivers a diverse course of intellect, style, and hip-happenin’ vibes to keep any party alive. Whether you’re looking to dance or sit back and feel the groove, it’s all in there.
Some of you might have seen Allie Moss performing with the lovely Ingrid Michaelson. Her debut EP Passerby (2009) reveals Allie to be a strong and promising singer-songwriter on her own. The extremely captivating “Corner” displays Allie’s songwriting skills as well as her sweet vocals and clever phrasing, setting the tone for the rest of her EP. From bittersweet to soft and melancholic, Passerby is a solid and well-crafted collection of folk-pop songs.
Busking in the New York City subway convinced Miss King that pursuing a career in music was worthwhile. Passerbys would ask for CDs, and while she didn’t have them initially, a performance at The Knitting Factory and a chance encounter with Velour Records head Jeff Krasno changed all that. Kaki King’s notoriety developed from her fret-tapping technique (video) featured on her earlier instrumental CDs. With her latest release, her imaginative songwriting and manual talent meet her tender voice.
Multi-instrumentalist with a strong background in jazz, a member of Hello Saferide, Maia Hirasawa is one of the most adored artists in Sweden. Since her solo debut, Maia has received highly positive reviews throughout Scandinavia, been nominated as one of “the Women of the year” in two Swedish magazines, and her first single was mentioned in several audio blogs. One of her fun pop type songs, “Crackers” instantly makes the day colorful and lively, as listening to the catchy melody line, you will find yourself smiling and singing.
Immediately on hearing this track I thought of Badly Drawn Boy’s seminal album The Hour of Bewilderbeast. Oren Lavie has the clear, high-fidelity instrumentation I associate with the UK baroque pop scene; having string work similar to the cello I fell in love with in BDB’s “The Shining,” and a general gaiety about songwriting that respects the listener while treating them with a cute tune worth sharing. It’s a shame his album is still only released in Europe; apparently they’d rather put off us Americans with a $22.99 sale price. Silly recording industry. :-/
Praised by such music figures as Laurent Garnier and Gilles Peterson, Lizzy Parks is mostly known to a wider audience for her collaboration with Ben Lamdin and his Nostalgia 77. In her solo work, Lizzy blends singer-songwriter tradition with modern day jazz. While Nostalgia 77’s influence is evident, it does not overshadow Lizzy. Taken from her album Raise The Roof (2009), “Take Care” embodies complex nu-jazz arrangements, rich vocals and excellent Lamdin’s production. Her cover version of Etta James’ “Seven Day Fool” is a real old-school R&B meets funky jazz treat.
argentinian singer-songwriter // latin guitar // downtempo
The energy of Up, Bustle and Out, the passion of Gotan Project and the chill-out feeling of Thievery Corporation combine to form Federico Aubele’s rich sound collage. His hypnotic guitar lines and mellow rhythms cross and layer with jazz and Latin music, for a thrilling, yet soothing sound. Federico is releasing his long-awaited album Panamericana in September, a follow up to his seminal 2004 album Gran Hotel Buenos Aires. “En el desierto” perfectly captures the feeling of this passionate new album.
Aurgasm seeks to bring you an eclectic menagerie of aural pleasures. We scout out music you've never heard and deliver only the finest. Expect music curiously different, yet simply enjoyable...
Paul Irish is a music-loving web geek in San Francisco.
Miss Carla Bruni is one of the world’s most photographed models. She’s widely regarded as the top Italian model in the world, as well as one of the most financially successful. Being beyond the definition of beauty was apparently not enough for Carla, so she decided to try her (gorgeous) hand at music. She took after her idols Serge Gainsbourg and Joni Mitchell and crafted a quiet record of delicate songs, although not her in native tongue — rather, in French. The result is a intimate album with a lonely and wistful tone. 
Funky good times and flavorlicious rhymes from the Afro-beat legend Tony Allen. Hooking up with artists like Damon Albarn, Ty, and Unsung Heroes, 
Multi-instrumentalist with a strong background in jazz, a member of 
The energy of Up, Bustle and Out, the passion of Gotan Project and the chill-out feeling of Thievery Corporation combine to form Federico Aubele’s rich sound collage. His hypnotic guitar lines and mellow rhythms cross and layer with jazz and Latin music, for a thrilling, yet soothing sound. Federico is releasing his long-awaited album Panamericana in September, a follow up to his seminal 2004 album Gran Hotel Buenos Aires. “En el desierto” perfectly captures the feeling of this passionate new album.