indie pop

sofia talvik

Sofia Talvik - You Plate Your Heart With Gold (The Courage Remix)
Sofia Talvik - Bored Ol' Heart
Sofia Talvik - Mother's Way, Father's Way (Sophie Rimheden Remix)

It makes me sad that I’ve been neglecting Sofia Talvik for so long. Recently, it came to my attention that the Swedish singer-songwriter will be releasing a “four piece saga” entitled L.O.V.E. The project consists of four separate EPs, each with four songs on them. The first set “L” will be released in the near future, and a new collection will follow for every three months in 2011.

But here’s the deal, you guys! She only has ten days left to raise enough funds for studio time, mastering, artwork and production. For only ten bucks, you can support the project and receive a free download of the first EP. And if you contribute even more? There are tons of extra perks, from handwritten postcards to concerts via Skype. Head over here for additional details.

Notably, twenty-percent of profits will go directly to ECPAT, an international charity seeking to end child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children for sexual purposes. So, on top of contributing to a fantastic musical artist’s journey, you’re also supporting a very good cause.

cocknbullkid

CocknBullKid - Hold On To Your Misery (Lissvik Remix Version One)
CocknBullKid - Hold On To Your Misery (Sunship Remix)

Winter sucks. There’s no way of getting around it, so you might as well just bash your head on your desk and embrace your self-diagnosed seasonal affective disorder. Don’t be that person who tries to put on a happy face amongst the wind chill and icy sidewalks. Other people hate that cheery motherfucker.

Instead, you should take the advice of CocknBullKid‘s “Hold On To Your Misery”. A little cynicism will do you good. Because, before you know it, there will be that one day when everything stops sucking. The sun will shine. You won’t need seventeen layers of clothing to step outside. And you’ll suddenly be dancing with several miniature (not to mention, extremely adorable) versions of yourself.

Speaking of which, have you seen the music video for “Hold On To Your Misery”? It’s literally the cutest thing ever. Like, no matter how hard you try to hold onto your insecurities and neuroses, the jubilant choreography and cheetah-licious outfits will put a smile on your face. Or maybe it’s just the whimsical bounce of the song’s arrangement? It’s impossible to say.

Of the handful of “Misery” remixes floating around, Lissvik‘s first attempt is the only one to fully capture the carefree spirit of the original. While it’s nowhere near as good, this is all we have to work with until the single’s officially released over here on March 11… Wait, seriously? We can’t even buy this song if we wanted to? Now that‘s something to get depressed about.

charles & beck & gordon

As heard together over a year ago, I now have some fresh tracks from electro-boogie luminaries Charles & Beck and Gordon Voidwell. I’m being brief because I just spent two hours in the crazy hot / 74% humidity waiting for Reptar to perform before finally giving up and heading back to my hotel room. However, Athens Popfest is a real good time and I recommend you come check it out next year (or tomorrow night at the 40 Watt, which is where I’ll be).

Chromeo - Don't Turn The Light On (Charles & Beck Remix)
Dash Speaks - Tonight (Charles & Beck Remix)
Twin Shadow - I Can't Wait (Gordon Voidwell Remix)

Also, daaaaaaaaaaaaaamn uploading mp3s on hotel internet is slow.

P.S. Thanks to WaPo for the two links!