Coveted Covers – Set 1

Welcome to the first installation of the new irregular regular, Coveted Covers! A post dedicated exclusively to the promotion of excellent covers and the artists who created them, and the originals too of course. The basic premise has already been established, see Recent Remixes. Basically too little time to post about each individual song yet their merit is so great that together they rationalise this segment. And you get your hands on some excellent tracks at the same time.

First up on the inaugural Coveted Covers is Batyar by The Ukranians (they are from Ukraine). Batyar, I presume, means Bigmouth Strikes Again in Ukranian, a very efficient language. Their cover of the most excellent Smiths‘ track is full of cultural vibrance and genuinely makes you feel like you’re watching them in a cramped underground Ukranian bar. Great stuff.

Batyar (Big Mouth Strikes Again, The Smiths Cover) – The Ukranians

Next is Nightwaves‘ cover of Phil Collins‘ classic track In The Air Tonight. Does anything really need to be said about this concept? It is too good! The cover has all the tacky goodness of the original but with a modern dreamwave touch. The guys from Binary nailed it.

In The Air Tonight (Phil Collins) – Nightwaves

Third on the list is probably my favorite in the lot. NZ duo Little Pictures cover of Weezer‘s breakthrough hit Buddy Holly is pure magic. The heartfelt rework captures the charm of the original but ditches the distorted power-chords for precise bedroom-pop embellishment. Getting all your mates into the studio to sing along and make up their own melodies is sheer Indie genius, even if that sounds a little contrived. I have loved this song for a while now and I often used it as my “happy song” to channel my “happy place” when in need. All class.

Buddy Holly (Weezer) – Little Pictures

4th is Hidden Cat‘s cover of Bag Raiders‘ massive hit Shooting Star. Why is a DJ doing a “cover” of another dance Act’s song? I don’t know, but it is quality. My friend lent me his ipod and suggested the track as I was about to go for a run on a beach in Koh Phangan, Thailand. This epic 7 minute interpretation was the perfect tune to keep my motivation high as the sun set behind me. Chilled electro bliss.

Shooting Stars (Bag Raiders) – Hidden Cat

Last on the list is a track from The Golden Filter who were featured here a little while ago. Their cover of The White Stripes‘ track The Hardest Button To Button is a grand transformation from the original. I chose this track because the Filter have this innate ability in their remixes, and indeed this cover, to infuse so much of their own sound into the track. Few Artists can reveal so much about their own style when borrowing someone else’s idea like these two can. Each track becomes an original once again. I think you’ll see what I mean.

The Hardest Button To Button (The White Stripes) – The Golden Filter

Recent Remixes – Part 1

I feel inclined to share some of the individual remixes that have been rocking my eardrums lately. They aren’t linked by artist, genre, origin or form, only by the fact that they are all excellent and they are on high rotation in my playlists. Some are old, most are new, but all are excellent. I figure it is just easier to dump them on you in one hit instead of trying to introduce each track and artist. I think you know what I mean…

First on the list is Cassian‘s remix of Aussie band Cassette Kids‘ track Spin. Sounds nothing like the indie-rock original. Driving bass and simple reworked vocals make this one of my favorite tracks to turn up and dance to in the bedroom.

Spin (Cassian Remix) – Cassette Kids

I have been getting into Classixx quite a bit lately ever since I heard “I’ll Get You” sampled in a Bag Raiders Minimix, so when I found their remix of Lisztomania earlier in the year, well I was quite happy. It would be hard to stuff this song up, but they did a great job. A laid-back chill groove that still oozes all the charm of the original.

Lisztomania (Classixx Remix) – Phoenix

Fred Falke has been one of my favorite producers for some time now. This man has a godlike ability to to take any track and lace it with warm, exuberant synths. It really is the definition of Happy Music. His remix of NZ electro Queen Ladyhawke is a fine example. Expect to see some more Falke here shortly.

Back Of The Van (Fred Falke Ultimate Beverly Mix) – Ladyhawke

4th in our list of 5 is Happymusic’s almost favorite artist ever Grum, remixed by Dcup. I don’t know much about Dcup but the 70’s disco inspired rework almost rates higher than the original. And you can bet there is more Grum coming shortly.

Can’t Shake This Feeling (Dcup Remix) – Grum

Finally, last but typically not least, is Russ Chimes‘ remix of Solid Gold by The Golden Filter. I posted on The Filter’s album release last week and wrote up Chimes a few weeks before that. I really dig his relentless electro mixes with contrasting light and heavy synth sounds. His tracks also have a live rock band kind of feel about them, which makes the music feel more organic.

Solid Gold (Russ Chimes Remix) – The Golden Filter

Hope you like Panda’s too.

The Golden Filter

The Golden Filter are probably the best half Australian electro act going around at the moment. I don’t know of any other half Australian electro groups, but if I did I doubt they would compare to the excellence of The Golden Filter.

Stephan Hindman lays the beats and the delightful (and Australian) Penelope Trappes contributes vocals. Think Goldfrapp but with a harder edge and much more now, and relevant. The duo combine bright 70’s disco synths with driving kick and snare beats garnished lightly with delicate and sultry vocals.

Their debut EP effort Voluspa was released on Monday in the UK and the rest of the world (for some bizarre reason the states have to wait a few more months). Lead singles from the record include “Hide Me”, “Thunderbird” and their breakthrough track “Solid Gold”. Stylistically the beats and melodies don’t really differ that much, but that doesn’t seem to matter when your music oozes sexiness and puts the un-learned listener into a catatonic state of ear-worship. Thunderbird is the stand out for me, if only for it’s charmingly tacky faux-epicness. You can stream the whole album from their website right now.

Listen, purchase, and keep an ear out for their live show. That will be a modern disco not to be missed!

Solid Gold – The Golden Filter

Hide Me – The Golden Filter

Thunderbird – The Golden Filter