David Byrne Has A Radio Station

*MP3: David Byrne & Brian Eno - "Strange Overtones"
*MP3: Dirty Projectors - "Knotty Pine"
*MP3: Animal Collective - "My Girls"
*MP3: Bon Iver - "Beach Baby"
*MP3: St. Vincent - "Out Of Work Actor"
*MP3: Fever Ray - "I'm Not Done"

No joke, THE David Byrne is broadcasting on DavidByrne.com a playlist of what he's listening to while he's on tour in Europe. Here is his statement:

"We're touring Europe for the month of April, and as we make our way from town to town, sometimes we're given CDs — by artists, labels or friends. There are some tunes in this month's playlist that won't be out for a couple of months! Sometimes we actually have time to stop into an indie shop and see what the staff recommends. Sometimes I read an online review of someone's new CD and might download all or part of it. Without my home & office CDs to pull from, I forgo a theme for a bit of a what's up hodgepodge."

It's pretty rad. It features the likes of Animal Collective, Bon Iver, St. Vincent, Fever Ray and Dirty Projectors. You know, all of my favorite bands.

Listen here.

(Ian Anderson)

N.A.S.A - "Money" (Featuring David Byrne and Chuck D)

Download: N.A.S.A - "Money" (Featuring David Byrne and Chuck D)
Download: N.A.S.A - "Gifted" (Featuring Kanye West, Santogold and Lykke Li)
Download: N.A.S.A - "Spacious Thoughts" (Featuring Kanye West, Santogold and Lykke Li)

N.A.S.A. have been just killing it lately. Amidst collaborations with the likes of David Byrne, Kanye West, and Santogold, N.A.S.A. are up to something real. "The Spirit Of Apollo" due out February 17, 2009 on Anti/Epitaph Records.

N.A.S.A on MySpace

Israel Lopez, Inventor of the Mambo, Dies at Age 89

(Bebo Valdes and Israel "Cachao" Lopez - "Lagrimas Negras")



Israel Lopez, the Cuban bassist and composer who, along with bandleader Damaso Perez Prado, is credited with inventing the style of music known as the "Mambo", has died at the age of 89. Lopez, who was known universally by his nickname "Cachao", passed away at Coral Gables Hospital as the result of complications from kidney failure. Arguably the most important figure in Cuban music, Lopez created the style of mambo by adding an open-ended improvisation to the traditional Cuban daizon and incorporating the horns from big band.

At the top of the post, you'll find two videos of Lopez performing with fellow mambo progenitor Bebo Valdes. As a bassist, I can honestly say that Lopez had some serious chops and will be deeply missed. The fact that he was still performing well into his eighties is incredibly impressive.

Read the LA Times Obituary here.
Read the Wikipedia entry on Mambo here.

And, since this is a indie music blog and everything, there is a video of David Byrne's track "Make Believe Mambo", from his solo album Rei Momo:



Also, finally, because it seems appropriate, here's the mambo from "West Side Story":




Israel Lopez MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)