Well Played, Cut Copy (& The Rapture)

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

Sail AwayWhat happens when one of your favorite bands remixes another favorite? Well, I suppose there’s a lot of room for disaster in that equation, but when Cut Copy remixes The Rapture you’re going to get superior indie-electro-disco with a driving beat, exultant synths, Luke Jenner’s stratospheric vocals and approximately 2 to 3 moments where the beat vanishes and the tension builds and builds until the only thing you want in this crazy, mixed-up world is for that damned propulsive low-end to return. And it does. And you’re dancing. And you remember just what you love about Cut Copy (& The Rapture).

“Sail Away (Cut Copy remix)” by The Rapture

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Number Ones: Laura Gibson

Posted on February 2, 2012 by

Laura GibsonOccupying the #1 spot on KBUT’s charts this week is La Grande, the beautiful new album from Laura Gibson a Portland-area singer-songwriter who creates intimate, nostalgia-rich Americana that leans heavily on her warm and distinctive vocals. Her latest album La Grande is a compelling and gorgeous 10-song set with a penchant for mythologizing the American West. Slow-burning campfire hymnals rest alongside upbeat railroad rhythms, creating a vibrant tapestry that incorporates lilting jazz vocals, shuffling Tropicalia beats, wistful strings, and intricately multi-tracked harmonies. Here’s La Grande‘s excellent title track, which opens the album with a purposeful driving rhythm, setting the stage for the beautifully tension-filled album that remains.

“La Grande” by Laura Gibson

La Grande marks a confident step forward for the young singer-songwriter. It’s a strong album that will appeal to fans of Gillian Welch, Marissa Nadler, and anyone who appreciates bold and sweeping Americana. She’ll be playing in Denver at the Hi-Dive on February 17th.

Random fact: Gibson has the distinct honor of performing the first ever Tiny Desk Concert for NPR. Check it out here.

“Number Ones” is a weekly look at the #1 record on the KBUT airwaves. Stream the greatness live at kbut.org.

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Number Ones: Etta James

Posted on January 26, 2012 by

The DreamerThe sad news of Etta James’ passing last Friday brought a swift and heartfelt response from KBUT’s DJs. Audio tributes poured over the airwaves for days following the news, spanning from her timeless early hits “Tell Mama”, “At Last” & “I’d Rather Go Blind” to tracks from her latest album The Dreamer which was released on November 8th on Verve Forecast records. These days of commemoration propelled The Dreamer to #1 on KBUT’s music chart for the week. Enjoy the title track of Etta James’ The Dreamer:

“The Dreamer” by Etta James

Etta JamesFor more on Etta James (from better writers than I):

- Grant McFarren, January 26th, 2012

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Genre Roulette: Microhouse

Posted on January 26, 2012 by

In the 80’s, house music was king in electronic music clubs and parties. Along came the 90’s and the invention of minimal techno, which took the sounds of straight-forward techno (less popular than house due to its more aggressive feel) and severely stripped them down. Then minimal techno and house music were fused. The signature kick drum of house music was replaced with static, glitches, clicks or other noise. We now have microhouse. Here is one from Akufen, often cited as the godfather of microhouse. Now you know. Enjoy!

And for something with a little more untz untz, but keeping a very stripped down feel commonly found in the microhouse genre, check out Germany’s Decomposed Subsonic:

- Chad Reich, January 26, 2012

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Well Played, Andrew Bird

Posted on January 23, 2012 by

Andrew BirdLovers of intelligent chamber pop rejoice: the first track from multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird‘s Break it Yourself is now available. “Eyeoneye” features one of the most anthemic choruses Bird has ever penned, pounding drums, and a brief inclusion of his trademark whistlin’ solos (at 1:38). Break It Yourself comes out March 6 via Mom + Pop. “Give yourself a hand”, Andrew Bird.

“Eyeoneye” by Andrew Bird

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Elephant Revival Live @ KBUT

Posted on January 18, 2012 by

Elephant RevivalKBUT was honored to host Elephant Revival on Sunday, January 15th in our studios before they took the stage at the Center for The Arts (with The Infamous Stringdusters). Jackson Melnick (along with a flock of local Revival admirers) welcomed the Nederland-based “trancendental folk” group and invited them to perform live on the air. Listen below for stellar renditions of “Remembering a Beginning”, “To and Fro”, “Down to the Sea”, “Tam Lin”, and a beautiful acapella tune from Bonnie Paine.

Elephant Revival Live in the KBUT Studio

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Number Ones: Infamous Stringdusters

Posted on January 17, 2012 by

We'll Do It LiveTopping the KBUT music charts this week is the new live album from modern bluegrass masters The Infamous Stringdusters. We’ll Do It Live properly captures their intense and thrilling live shows, full of extended bluegrass jams and solos that somehow never forget their traditional heritage. The Stringdusters treated Crested Butte to a great performance at the Center for the Arts on Sunday, Jan. 15th, a show which no doubt helped their record reach #1 this week.

As a special treat, enjoy this in-studio interview that the Stringdusters recorded with Matt Malick, host of KBUT’s famous bluegrass program “The Great Divide Radio Show.”

The Infamous Stringdusters Interview on The Great Divide Radio Show

If you missed The Stringdusters live last weekend, don’t despair: they’ll be back in the valley at Bluegrass in Paradise on July 14th & 15th, 2012.

“Number Ones” is a weekly look at the #1 record on the KBUT airwaves. Stream the greatness live at kbut.org.

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