Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

MP3: Yelle – Tristesse/Joie

Yelle is France’s latest international export.

Dripping with pop and style and inescapably catchy music, she is everything that a pop star should be.  She puts the majority of American pop to shame, like an adult telling the kids to go home and do their homework.

Her densely layered, electro-infused pop is hardly the disposable kind that is churned out over modern American airwaves, which probably explains her meteoric ascent.  In a scant few years, she has broken into innumerable music markets around the world.  She finally brings a full-fledged tour to the States, dropping by University of Maryland College Park’s WMUC and DC’s famed 9:30 Club on Monday, Oct 11.

I was lucky enough to have a few minutes to pick Yelle’s brain.

Aural States- Describe your background and history with music? You come from a musical family, correct? Read the rest…

So French pop-seamstress Yelle is coming to the area.  2 appearances next Monday, one at University of Maryland College Park’s radio station, WMUC at 5PM, then the late show at 9:30 Club.

I am unbelievably pumped for this.

Yelle “C’est l’Amerique” Tour 2008 – TEASER from Yelle on Vimeo.

The Presets got sick and had to cancel their DC tour date earlier this year.  But now they’ve returned triumphantly with Modular labelmates Cut Copy.

Refresh your memory by checking out our interview with Julian Hamilton and our review of their latest album, Apocalypso.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

MP3: The Presets – If I Know You

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

MP3: The Faint – Conductor (Thin White Duke Remix)

All photos: Faith Desired

The Faint are always a good prospect for a fun night and great show.

Unfortunately, the past two times I saw the Faint, their opening spots weren’t filled with the creme de la creme, and the trend continued here.

Jaguar Love, on paper, should be a fairly interesting project. Comprised of remnants of Pretty Girls Make Graves and Blood Brothers, the result is less than spectacular. In fact, it turned downright painful. I won’t say much else since I’ve already had my share of negativity earlier this week. In short, the performance was a muddied mess fronted with vocals from a guy who sounds like he has a bit too much love for Angus of AC/DC or hair metal in general. Read the rest…

All photos: Faith Desired

After what was, to be frank, a fantastic live performance at Bonnaroo, I promptly arranged to go see MGMT again in the club setting to see how they fared. What I stumbled upon was a mixed bag experience that, I’m not entirely convinced, is MGMT’s burden to bear.

Read the rest…