jeremy
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Home page: mailto:jeremy@friendsfromfar.com
Posts by jeremy
Emily Kai Bock
03 days ago
by jeremy
in Uncategorized
Our sincerest apologies from us a FFF for our lack of new material being put up on the blog as of late. We were having some technical difficulties. None of us here claim to be computer whizzes or software engineers, just over exuberant lovers of music.
So with that being said I would like to introduce you to a very talented lady by the name of Emily Kai Bock. Emily (as far as I know) doesn’t sing or play any instruments, but her work has a profound effect on the music being released. Emily is a talented director based out of Montreal. One of my favourite new bands “Majical Cloudz”, also out of Montreal have a song/video out called “Childhoods End”. I was immediately drawn in by the black and white video to its portrayal of an artist, largely shunned by society, and his struggles with emptiness, feeling apart from the rest of the world and his struggles to express himself through his art. The more I dug into her work, the more I realized that some of my favourite new videos were also shot by her. She has done work with Grimes, Doldrum, Sebastian Schuller, Grizzly Bear to name a few.
Making a music video that works is no easy task, and Ms Bock pulls it off with visual ease and sophistication.
**a side note here: the actor in this video is Kenneth Welsh, the father of Devon Welsh from Majical Cloudz. See Emily’s interview here
Personal favourite “Nightlife” by Sebastian Schuller. Really captures the loneliness in a big city
With 6.5 million views this is perhaps her most well known work. Grimes – Oblivion
One of my all time favourite bands Grizzly Bear
Please check out her website, and send her some love!
http://www.emilykaibock.com/
Merchandise
0
Sounds like – The Smiths
Feels like – I didn’t even notice I was dancing to this
This Tampa trio has got some big names backing them. Tastemaker music website Pitchfork gave the group a 2,500 word review of 2011 album “Children of Desire” and are now featuring their new track “Anxiety’s Door” ahead of their upcoming “Total Nite” EP. They will be in Vancouver March 29th. I’ll be there.
Flight Facilities – Clair De Lune
16 months ago
by jeremy
in Electronic
I tend to drown myself in music these days. Skipping from websites, to blogs, to friends recommendations. There is a seemingly endless amount of content out there, and it takes something remarkable to catch my ear. Flight Facilitie’s “Claire De Lune” does just that. If a movie soundtrack could be put into a 7:42 minute disc, this would be my vote for best score. Stunning as she is talented, Christine Hoberg’s elegiac lyrics float on the soft strings and drums. If you close your eyes for a second, you might think you’re in this movie.
Find a quiet place, click play and let this song envelop you. And for God’s sake, don’t play this through laptop speakers.
Father John Misty
0
Joshua Tillman is an American folk singer currently using the moniker of Father John Misty. Previous to his solo career he was a member of Saxon Shore and Fleet Foxes. Being brought up in a christian household, he describes himself as a fairly unmotivated child who originally wanted to be a pastor, as per his parents guidance. While Father John has around been a while, I’ve only recently stumbled upon his music. The more I listen the more I wish there was more of him out there. His music has a raw honesty to it, a story-telling ability that evokes emotions. His live performances on youtube are just as good as any studio recording, that is, of course if you can put up with the Fathers’ insistence on awkward dancing. It looks about as natural as watching a family member break it down at a cousin’s wedding. Stick to singing Father, stick to singing.
The first gem I stumbled upon was “Only Son of the Ladies Man”. A true tribute to a man who had a way with women all his life, even up to the seemingly tragic end of his life.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings – Another tragic Hollywood song about planning an early exit and picking out their own casket.
On a little lighter side is “Writing a Novel”. Another brilliantly written story of a person taking an unknown drug from a Canadian shaman. I was laughing the first time I heard this…”I’m no doctor, but that monkey might be right!”
can’t think of a title!
08 months ago
It has been a GREAT few weeks for new music. Friends have been sharing, websites have been showcasing, and more importantly, the musicians have been creating sweet sweet sounds that make this world a better place. I’ve been so crazy busy lately, I haven’t had a chance to sit down and do my homework on bands but I feel like these new finds need to be shared. And so, without further ado, and without any real introduction…..here you are 
Alabama Shakes: from, you guessed it. Hugely underplayed group. Brittany Howard’s voice – nuff said, have a listen.
Sr. Sly – Found you out
Mysterious group releasing no names or band photos. Rumours said to contain singer from FTP. What do you think?
Revenge song with lots of collected anger
GriZ – Smash the funk
21 year old Michigan DJ with an absolute banger. *looks into crystal ball* I see a very bright future for this young man. Also just released his new album “Mad Liberation” for free here (,)(,)
C2C – Arcades
Four piece turn table group from France. You be forgiven if you thought you landed in, perhaps, the best Zelda level ever. Very talented group, and a largely kept secret outside of France. Great artistic video to go with. Cutting mad shapes!
Brilli∆nt
0
Hello everyone,
I’m very excited to share with you, ∆ (Alt-J). A group of 4 young men who met while attending Leed’s University in 2007. Now while we could dig very deep into the meaning of this chosen symbol for a band name, it may indeed come down to the triangle being the band (or at least the lead singers) favourite shape (refer to Tesselate). The first song of ∆’s that I heard was “Fitzpleasure”. A puzzling song in the traditional sense, it is a showcase of their eclectic tastes and ability to capture your attention. Seemlessly frolicking between genres and keeping your ears on edge, their new album “An Awesome Wave” does not dissapoint and has been met with critical acclaim.
First up, “Tesselate” where we first hear of the bands love for triangles and probably the only musical group to use a mathematical term of repeating shapes, as an innuendo of sorts. This soulful enigma comes with an amazing video, directed by Alex Southam and is a modern-day gangster remake of Italian Renaissance painter Raphael’s ‘The School of Athens’.
Second is another song that has been paired with a equally pleasing video. “Taro” has been combined with the 1988 film “Powaqqatsi: Life in Transformation”. The dialogue free documentary focuses on third world countries in conflict. The song and video work perfect with the Bhangra sound giving it that worldly edge. I truly did get shivers the first time I watched this.
And of course, Fitzpleasure.
The rest of the album is available to listen to here, orrr you can buy it on itunes
Crystal Castles
09 months ago
by jeremy
in Electronic
Crystal Castles, back after what feels like a year of silence….wah wah I’ll be here all night. This doesn’t really need an introduction, they continue to pump out new original material. Enjoy
Das Humans
210 months ago
When a friend first showed me the “Humans” a week ago, I was in disbelief that I’d never heard of them. As an avid fan of local homebred music (mainly because it means I can see them in Vancouver more then once a year) I was blown away that I had never heard of these guys. Based in East Vancouver, Robbie Slade and Peter Ricq combine to create electronic music with a more human fringe by adding live vocals to their shows. And so, like a good human, I immediately went onto their website to buy their latest album “Traps”. Two tracks in particular have been playing ipod tennis on my playlist. “Da Ciel” is one of those songs that grabs you from the start and makes you wanna start moving. Cool downtempo beats laced with an oriental sounding harp(?) will, most assuredly take the edge off a stressful day. The second on my list that love made is “Possession”. A more upbeat jam with hints of jungle dance party. Am I blowing your minds with wordy definitions yet?!
Da Ciel
Possession
Now I cannot in good faith, post this up without adding a couple extras to the mix. One song, and its accompanying video had me literally LOL’ing on a Saturday afternoon I thought the alcohol had finally won. You will enjoy this video and if you don’t you either have no sense of humour or had a bad run in with a puppet cop at one point or another. “Bike Home” is the name of the song.
The last one I will add to the mix is an unabashedly pop song “Avec Mes Mecs”. Again, with the laughing, at its simple but to the point lyrics. An example “Gonna text you, cause I can’t do it when I’m high, gonna sex you, cause I can’t do it when I’m high.” So simple but yet so truuuue.
Who knew all we had to do is party?!
Bike Home Video
Avec Mes Mecs
Yeasayer – Longevity
0
Building the suspense of their new album due out Aug 21st, Yeasayer has dropped another bangin’ single. “Longevity” is a turn to a more electronic side sans jungle noises, quirkiness and downright twisted music video’s that made people either love or hate them to begin with. Personally I think they are fantastic. I had the pleasure of seeing them last April in Vancouver. It was one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen and if they come to town again I’ll be front row and centre. I wasn’t able to find this on Soundcloud as of yet, but their facebook page has released this video, literally 30 minutes ago.
Beat Culture
011 months ago
by jeremy
in Electronic
Beat Culture is a DJ outta Hong Kong….heard of it? Ya, ok, but the kicker, is this kids 17! Heard his music on Hype last week and like a good blogger, did some research to find out who this man is. Turns out its a boy, who, on his facebook page talks about finally finishing highschool so he has more time to make beats. WHAAA?! Although his most recent album “Tokyo Dreamer” (a free download) has an amazing amount of running waters sounds lacing just about every track, you’ll be drawn in by each tracks different face and progressive build-up. In “If Only” at around the 1:30 mark, you may have the feeling of lifting your arms, jets start shooting out of your feet as you rise above the Tokyo skyline. “Midori” on the other hand, is a dreamy rainy day, with pop samples carefully placed. First up though is Useless, the song that got me interested in what this guy is doing. One listen and I promise, you’ll have the feeling something great is going to happen to you.
Both albums are free downloads so I’d encourage you to DL em, have a listen, and get this kid the exposure he needs before he’s even allowed to step foot in a club…
Useless
If Only
x
Midori
