What's Rockin' Holland This Week?
I'm wrapping up my time here in Holland with packing up my suitcase tonight, filling up my iPod for the flight home and saying lots of goodbyes. Yesterday, I went to the Bijenkorf in Amsterdam, which is one of the few department stores here in town. Lots of books, fashion, modern furniture and, surprise, a very nice selection of CDs.
Check out the photo above of the store's weekly CD top 10. Keane, Amy McDonald, Seal and The Killers are big sellers here. (Note the prices of CDs in Holland. They cost almost 20 euros each. That converts to almost 30 U.S. dollars! People that complain about the CD prices in the States are getting such a deal.)
January 5, 2009 in Arjan | Permalink | Comments (0)
Download New Kylie Minogue Remix Album
Surprise, surprise! Today, Kylie Minogue has released "Boombox," a digital remix album full of some very rare and exclusive remixes of her song. Included are Mylo's fantastic remix of "I Believe In You" and Fischerspooner's electro remake of "Come Into My World" that Minogue performed on BBC's Top of The Pops. The album is available in MP3 format at 7Digital and if you are in the U.S. you can pay for the download with PayPal.
January 5, 2009 in Kylie Minogue | Permalink | Comments (2)
Free Download: Hermanos Inglesos "Komodo"
I've been in Amsterdam since Wednesday and it has been great to celebrate New Year's Eve here and spend time with family and old friends. One of the things I like to do when I'm here is to turn on the radio and watch MTV to see what music is popular with the Dutch. In the States it is mostly rock and hip hop that dominates the charts, but here it is pop and dance music that fills the airwaves.
No wonder that DJs like Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, JunkieXL and Tiesto are considered bonafide "rockstars" here in The Netherlands and in other parts of Europe.
While on the topic of European dance music, check out a few promos from hotly-tipped Belgian DJ duo Hermanos Inglesos. They are real life brothers Cedric and Didier Engels, resident DJs at the famous Culture Club in Ghent (also home of Soulwax and The Glimmers).
Newly signed to Fine Day Records, Hermanos Inglesos are turning heads over here with "Komodo," a kicky electro house track with an irresistible sub-bass groove. The release comes with head-nodding remixes provided by excellent French producer The Toxic Avenger, label mates Plastic Operator and German mad geniuses Acidkids. Let's dance.
Download Komodo - Original Mix Download Komodo - Toxic Avenger Mic Download Komodo - Plastic Operator Edit Download Komodo - Acidkids Remix
January 3, 2009 in MP3 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Free Download: Ultra Nate "Free" (Sidechains Remix)
Sidechains is one of the hottest new DJ talents to emerge from Spain. You must check out his creamy remix of the gay dancefloor classic "Free" by Ultra Nate.
His revamp of the 1997 smash happened during some soundboard experimentations in his Barcelona studio. "At the beginning I had the main riff of the song but it needed some vocals," he says about the production. "I took Ultra Nate's acapella just to see what kind of vocals could work on it. And at the end it fit so well that I decided to make the whole remix." Gracias, Sidechains.
Download Ultra Nate "Free" (Sidechains Remix)
January 3, 2009 in MP3 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Candy Perfume Girl
Oh la la.
Check out the glamerous cover art for Kelly Clarkson's new single "My Life Would Suck Without You." With this Revlon-inspired artwork I'm incredibly curious what the song will sound like. From the look of it, it seems more tongue in cheek Katy Perry than it is raw & rowdy Pink. I definitely like my Kelly Clarkson with some grit, so let's see what her new Clive Davis approved sound brings. The song should hit radio late next week and will probably leak online sooner.
January 3, 2009 in Kelly Clarkson | Permalink | Comments (4)
Free Download: Marina & The Diamonds "Obsessions" (Demo)
I alerted you a few weeks ago about Marina & Diamonds' "Obsessions" that will get a formal release next month. A demo of the song has been floating around the mighty internets for a few months. This lo-fi, rough demo cut is just as haunting and thrilling as the single edit. It's Tori meets Kate meets Regina. Marina is pure talent and this track is dynamite. This London-based singer/songwriter is a very exciting new talent to keep your eye on in 2009.
Download Marina & The Diamonds "Obsessions" (Demo)
January 2, 2009 in MP3 | Permalink | Comments (2)
Download Chester French Mixtape
ArjanWrites friends Chester French have put together a mixtape of soulful and poppy gems to celebrate the brand-new year. D.A. and Max continue their tradition of compiling the tracks they found most inspiring this year. It is most definitely a year to reminder for the Harvard duo with lots of milestones. From their debut at SXSW to the nomination for the MTV ArjanWrites Award, and from the release of their first EP to their collaboration with Pharrell and Common.
I love the eclectic selection on this mixtape. It is clear these guys have a penchant for classic pop, soulful grooves and timeless songwriter. Included on the mixtape are:
Squeeze "Take Me, I'm Yours"
Marc Bolan "Metal Guru"
Cartola "Preciso Me Econtrar"
Nina Simone "Sunday In Savannah"
George Harrison "Art of Dying"
Hugh Masekela "The Boy's Doing It"
Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood "Some Velvet Morning"
Steel Pulse "Your House"
Makonde "Manzara"
The Move "The Words of Aaron"
Alliyah "I Care 4 U"
Ennio Morricone "La Bambola"
Graham Nash "Chicago"
Myra Barnes "The Message from the Soul Sisters"
Download Chester French Mixtape
(A special message from D.A. and Max after the jump.)
Continue reading "Download Chester French Mixtape"
January 1, 2009 in Chester French | Permalink | Comments (0)
