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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.

Luigi&Luigi

video mashup // world remix
Luigi&Luigi is actually a post-production design shop in Paris, that makes some seriously cool motion graphics. More recently they developed a music video for Air's track "Mer Du Japon". But today, I beseech you to enjoy this excerpt from a project of theirs called Mondovision.

Planet pieces recontextualized into video wonder.

GiovanniSample Mondovision (Dalai in the Storm and Basicamente are my faves)

Paul Irish on 8/27/2007 7 comments

7 Comments:

  • Robert said on 8/28/2007 07:33:00 AM :

    I need another two hours of this injected straight into my veins.
    I have never felt so cleansed after watching something and wish the internet would vomit more of this type at me.
    Well done you.

  • FD said on 8/28/2007 11:55:00 AM :

    Very cool stuff. I stumbled upon another (in my opinion) very cool music video today and thought i'd share.

    Talib Kweli - Hot Thing

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=UUPCBmcpNzk

    I know it's not the type of music usually on Aurgasm, but it's very good and the video is ace. Hope you enjoy.

  • Boo said on 8/29/2007 10:45:00 PM :

    Great stuff. I enjoyed it. Must be very time and energy consuming to produce videos like these.

  • Dean said on 8/31/2007 02:05:00 PM :

    Schweet stuff.

    It wouldn't be easy, but I don't think it would be too crazy either... as long as you've got the ear for it. I bet the producer just dumped all the samples (A/V) into a multi-track video app. Then it would be a matter of laying out the song and carving down to the video you want to display.

    Awesome execution though!

  • MM said on 9/01/2007 12:42:00 AM :

    Yep, I heartily agree with everyone else. Vibrant, creative, funky and playful! Almost made this guy laugh out loud in delighted surprise.

  • Anonymous said on 9/01/2007 07:19:00 AM :

    that wás right on awesome. does anyone have any idea where to download these tracks?

    thanks in advance

  • guarana said on 9/09/2007 02:33:00 PM :

    This is great!
    Thanks

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Marsen Jules

ambient // folk electronic
Set adrift on an open sea of morning sunsets, wrapped in silk sheets with bubbly sounds permeating your skins pores, Marsen Jules' "Les Fleurs" pulls its way into every nerve of your body - wrestling gently with layers deep inside, feeding your heart with impulses of tranquility, while soothing and effortlessly lifting away the surface of every day. Escape, forget, dream.

Close your eyes and drift away.
Marsen Jules - Coeur Saignant

Words and music contributed by Kyle
buy this cd

Paul Irish on 8/23/2007 5 comments

5 Comments:

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Hafdis Huld

icelandic pop-folk // electro pop
The charming debut of former Gus Gus singer, Icelandic-born Hafdis Huld, is a fun jaunt of quirky contemporary pop. Her girly voice crosses between the eccentricity of Cerys Matthews and fragility of Emiliana Torrini; her songwiting's sweet but with macabre twists; and her arrangements never bore. Hafdis' electronic noise, instrumentation of keyboards, xylophone, and especially the surprising country sound of banjo, amount to some bizarrely catchy musical romps.

Delicious wit and great seriousness.
Hafdis Huld - Diamonds On My Belly
Hafdis Huld - Tomoko
buy this cd

Julija on 8/22/2007 7 comments

7 Comments:

  • ~Jennifer said on 8/22/2007 01:27:00 PM :

    Oh, I like These! I'll have Tomoko on the brain all day. :-)

  • Demara said on 8/23/2007 01:03:00 AM :

    I agree with Jennifer! I LOVE Tomoko...that's such a great song!!! Thanks for finding it...

  • Anonymous said on 8/23/2007 03:43:00 AM :

    Here's one more found through g2p:

    Younger Longer

  • Derek said on 8/24/2007 07:25:00 PM :

    Lovely. Has that certain flaming lips - yoshimi, playful bittersweet/longing vibe.

    tomoko and yoshimi...maybe more than a coincidence?

  • Derek said on 8/24/2007 07:41:00 PM :

    Lovely. Has that certain flaming lips - yoshimi, playful bittersweet/longing vibe.

    tomoko and yoshimi...maybe more than a coincidence?

  • Tom said on 9/03/2007 09:41:00 AM :

    I know no-one will probably ever read this comment since I'm a little late to the party but still catching up on my feeds after hols :-)

    I saw Hafdis Huld at the BigChill (in the UK) and she was amazing. Not only were the tunes great but she was mesmerising between tracks, with some very funny anecdotes! Nice find :-)

  • Paul Irish said on 9/03/2007 01:14:00 PM :

    Tom, I heard she was a doll at the Big Chill. I'm jealous. :)

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Priscilla Ahn

singer-songwriter // blithe folk pop
While I can appreciate any artist who can adeptly play and loop the harmonica, guitar and bells for a single song, and often incorporates the banjo, ukulele and even kazoo in her live show; part of me would expect this instrumental overkill to hide a less-than-stellar voice. But not Priscilla. Her voice can only be described as ethereal, and carries a sense of hope and innocence in songs whose lyrics aren't always so untarnished. This, plus the hint of vulnerability in her music, makes you want to hold your breath and bask in her subtle storytelling. Close your eyes and have a listen.

Gentle wanderings between nostalgia and daydream.
Priscilla Ahn - Lullaby
Priscilla Ahn - Dream

Words and music contributed by Michelle Lee
buy this cd

Paul Irish on 8/16/2007 15 comments

15 Comments:

  • Paul Irish said on 8/16/2007 11:13:00 AM :

    "Lullaby" is such a gorgeous track. What a find, Michelle!

  • ylimem said on 8/16/2007 11:57:00 AM :

    Absolutely lovely. My new favorite post.

  • Michelle said on 8/16/2007 02:19:00 PM :

    So excited to see Priscilla up here! Even more excited that you guys like her. :)

    (& Thanks Serena [www.serenagrace.com], for the great photo.)

  • Julija said on 8/16/2007 02:20:00 PM :

    What a find, indeed! Wonderful. Thanks, Michelle.

  • Andrew said on 8/16/2007 02:22:00 PM :

    I just posted something up about her on my blog - she's an absolutely fantastic singer. I got to see her in concert with Cary Brothers earlier this month and she was really something to listen to.

  • emily clark said on 8/16/2007 07:55:00 PM :

    I'm so happy more and more people are now noticing Priscilla! She's been out for awhile now, and it was only a matter of time until she'd begin breaking through. Thanks for supporting her!

  • Anonymous said on 8/16/2007 10:32:00 PM :

    Dream kinda makes me want to cry.

  • Blonde on Blonde said on 8/17/2007 12:03:00 AM :

    That was a great find, really beautiful music. Another great band that just released a CD is the Lovemakers. There first single wine and dine is really great, fun and upbeat. Check it out at www.fuzz.com

  • Paul Irish said on 8/17/2007 12:25:00 AM :

    hey blondeonblonde. stop spamming this blog with the lovemakers note. i listened to the cd and its pretty bad.
    so.
    stop.

  • The Swan said on 8/17/2007 05:01:00 PM :

    GORGEOUS! This is like what Jewel always should have been, but never really was. That voice could stand up to almost any arrangement. It would be great to hear her do some covers just to show the difference.

  • Sixtiz said on 8/21/2007 08:57:00 AM :

    Yes, definitely awesome ! I love to discover new artists here (and many thanks for that, btw), and she really is one of my favorites now !

  • Demara said on 8/23/2007 01:15:00 AM :

    Oh wow! This singer is beautiful!! I AM breathless...Aw man! I LOVE IT...thanks again dude.

  • audiotaco said on 8/24/2007 08:11:00 PM :

    Priscilla is wonderful! I loved it when she sang back up for joshua radin- "Pills" never sounded better.

  • aaron said on 9/03/2007 11:39:00 AM :

    Very good. I enjoyed the song way more than I expected too. Perhaps I was jaded by the mediocrity of KT Tunstall. Thanks.

  • no1uno said on 9/10/2007 02:32:00 PM :

    just bought the EP from Filter - can't wait! thanks for the introduction. Vocally, she reminds me of Ingrid Michaelson.

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Silent Land Time Machine

post-rock // shoegaze
Originating from Austin's diverse, musical underbelly, Silent Land Time Machine draws its influences from such cult hits as Godspeed You! Black Emperor and A Silver Mt. Zion. This one-man symphony features the viola, violin, guitar, accordion, piano and anything else he can get his hands on. While he credits much of his instrumental inspiration to violist Anni Rossi and Zion's Sophie Trudeau, his dynamic self-recordings successfully create his own polyphonic brand of music. It's the perfect music to attach to the soundtrack of your sentimental memories and dreams.

Nostalgic polaroids flip past while your odometer flips forward.
Silent Land Time Machine - Everything Goes To Shit
Silent Land Time Machine - The Thing This Doesn't Mean Is Nothing

Words and music contributed by Abhinav

Paul Irish on 8/15/2007 3 comments

3 Comments:

  • Diego said on 8/15/2007 07:28:00 PM :

    I saw this SLTM in concert and he was amazing!

  • scout said on 8/15/2007 10:38:00 PM :

    im skipping on purple clouds while holding hands with all my friends when i listen to silent land time machine!!

  • Anonymous said on 8/20/2007 05:29:00 PM :

    très joli chanson et une très belle voix génial j'adore!!!!

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Tony Allen

afro-beat // hip-hop
Funky good times and flavorlicious rhymes from the Afro-beat legend Tony Allen, hooking up with artists like Damon Albarn, Ty, and Unsung Heroes, to name a few, "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.

Delicious flavors for your mind and booty.
Tony Allen - Every Season (feat. Damon Albarn & Ty)
Tony Allen - Crazy Afrobeat

Music and words contributed by Kyle
buy this cd

Julija on 8/14/2007 2 comments

2 Comments:

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Federico Aubele

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.

Distinctly Latin and sensual.
Federico Aubele - En El Desierto
Federico Aubele - Ante Tus Ojos
buy this cd

Julija on 8/10/2007 2 comments

2 Comments:

  • Julija said on 8/10/2007 02:21:00 PM :

    And if this name sounds familiar, his tracks "Postales" and "Esta Noche" were featured on Eighteenth Street Lounge Music's "Den Of Thieves" (2003), and other compilations.

  • azulmarino said on 8/10/2007 10:23:00 PM :

    I "discovered" Aubele's music years ago during those rare moments when MTV shows some real music.
    But hearing "En el desierto" I regret that he decided to sing along his music. He better let more talented singers do the singing.

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Petra Jean Phillipson

british singer-songwriter // pop folk // folk-baroque
Although Notes On: Love (2005) is the debut album, recorded with the former Verve guitarist Simon Tong, Petra Jean Phillipson has years of experience in music, writing and collecting songs for about eight years. Unavoidably, her vulnerability and emotionality reminds me the beautiful sadness of Nina Nastasia, yet Petra Jean has the strength of Polly Jean Harvey and Shannon Wright. Her honest lyrics, haunting murmurs, choruses and melodies, and overall powerful sound, balances between spooky and bewitching.

Contemplative and compelling work.
Petra Jean Phillipson - I Want The Impossible
Petra Jean Phillipson - Play Play
buy this cd

Julija on 8/06/2007 6 comments

6 Comments:

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Hey DJ Friday: Summer Selections


I've been meaning to put together a DJ mix for this summer. Something capturing the vibe of the patio dancefloor, the dudes on the wall looking for a head-nodder and the people of all flavors looking for a collective groove. Let me tide you over with a couple songs that would make the mix, and naturally all deserve a post of their own. Enjoy some Tru Thoughts treats with Freddie Cruger (aka. Red Astaire) and Flevans. Then bring it up a notch for Groove Armada's killer single.

Freddie Cruger - Pushing On (feat. Linn) (from VA - Shapes 07 2007)
Flevans - 12 Apostles (from Cold Hands EP 2007)
Groove Armada - Get Down (from Soundboy Rock 2007)

Paul Irish on 8/03/2007 5 comments

5 Comments:

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The Matinee Orchestra

laptop folk // avant-pop
Reminding us of simple joys, refreshing as summertime lemonade flavour, The Matinee Orchestra brings a lot more loveliness than one could expect from so called laptop music. From ice-cold tender textures of Múm to the quirky playfulness of CocoRosie and the innocence of Psapp's toys' recordings, rich electronic sounds and instrumentation of harmonica, violins, glockenspiel, warm and relaxed guitar tones weave into the softest sound. Genuinely tranquil and warming, they are taking you on a magic journey through the day.

Soundtrack for daydreaming.
The Matinee Orchestra - Run For Cover (It's Going To Rain)
The Matinee Orchestra - Imagination Of A Watermelon
buy this cd

Julija on 8/02/2007 3 comments

3 Comments:

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Bjørn Torske

coastal dub // norwegian electronica
Given that he hails from a country where the sun barely sets during the summer months, it's not hard to understand how Norwegian producer and artist Bjørn Torske was able to create Feil Knapp, an engaging collection of blissful summer electronica. "Møljekalas" dabbles in bright island-esque percussion over an underbelly of melodic synthesized beats. "Hatten Passer" is more true to Torske's DJ background: a deep pulsating bass line laced with dubby twists and playful whistling.

An album without an ounce of angst.
Bjørn Torske - Moljekalas
Bjørn Torske - Hatten Passer
buy this cd

Anne on 8/01/2007 3 comments

3 Comments:

  • Marc Brooks said on 8/01/2007 02:31:00 PM :

    so excellent. thanks for brightening up my day, anne!

  • Bug said on 8/02/2007 12:00:00 AM :

    Tasty black cherry zing.

    Hmm, all this is making me wonder whether I should start tagging my library by flavor.

  • Kerry said on 8/02/2007 01:53:00 PM :

    The bass programming on Hatten Passer reminds me of the programing on Groove Armada's first album - personally, I wasn't so sure about the track until the whistle dropped: then I was sold.

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