Bears And Bullets Songs Of The Year (#25-#1)

Continuing with yesterday's list, we count down the best songs of 2013 down to number one. See if your favorites made the list, after the bump.

Stream: Nicolas Jaar - Daftside (Random Access Memories Remixes)

Just so you know, the adornment of Nicolas Jaar has now exploded ten-fold. The visionary 23-year-old producer, two years after the release of the seminal Space Is Only Noise LP (and numerous other small efforts in between), has crafted the otherwordly Daftside. The album (named in the same ilk of his 2011 EP DARKSIDE) completely recraft's Daft Punk's Random Access Memories into something completely new and bewildering. While some arrangements and signatures from the original album are still in tow, Daftside is largely a completely new sounding concept. It's an absolute must-listen, below.

DJ Falcon and Paul Williams on Daft Punk

In the latest additions to the The Collaborators, The Creators Project introduced a pair of new interviews from fellow Frenchman DJ Falcon and singer-songwriter/actor Paul Williams, the man most famous for writing "Rainbow Connection," on their roles with Daft Punk's Random Access Memories.

While the latter contributor may be a bit perplexing, both give unique perspectives that weren't apparent in the previous episodes of the series  DJ Falcon (Stéphane Quême) began his rise in France around the same time as Daft Punk as an atypical house DJ, and gives the view on working together as actual long-time friends rooted in similar origins. While the latter talks of a person feeling and mature connection to what the music can be.

Check out both interviews below. Random Access Memories is set for release May 21.

Chilly Gonzales on Daft Punk

Moving forward with part six of The Creators Project series on the making of Random Access Memories, the focus moves towards Chilly Gonzales.

Generally, Gonzales is more of a composition player in the musical landscape, earning fame not only as a pianist, but as a complimentary piece to more familiar artists like Jamie Lidell and Feist. During the interview, the classically trained Gonzales, rather than focusing on the emotionalism and subject matter, discusses what he knows best - composing. One moment in particular stands out, when Gonzales professes his adoration of the signature on "Digital Love."

Keep checking back, because this series isn't over yet.

Pharrell Williams on Daft Punk

There's no trying to escape it, the campaigning Daft Punk have done for Random Access Memories is totally engrossing. No album in recent memory has done so much to garner this amount of hype and done it so effectively well as have the electro pioneers, asking the question, are Daft Punk ready to be the biggest thing in music?

After teasing fans at Coachella and during Saturday Night Live with a preview of "Get Lucky" with Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, the first and only song fans have heard from the album, the star-studded tracklist was unveiled. Then, the duo's Saint Laurent ad campaign debuted. And now, we have the fourth installment in the Creators Project series, featuring the aforementioned Williams.

Watch below and keep waiting until May 21.

Nile Rodgers on Daft Punk

In the latest installment of The Creator's Project documentary series on the making of Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, the focus moves to super producer/musician Nile Rodgers. Opening up, Rodgers talks about feeling the same way as when he met David Bowie and Duran Duran as he does with the electro idols, and how much things have evolved since his hey-day.

Rather than on the Giorgio Moroder and Todd Edwards portions, however, Rodgers largely discusses the processes he used in creating his past hits and how that's transferred to Random Access Memories, rather than simply drooling over how good the duo actually are.

Watch below while we count the days down until May 21.

Todd Edwards on Daft Punk

Last week, the Creators Project (of Vice) released the first of a continuing series of interview about this year's biggest album, Daft Punk's Random Access Memories.

Going from Giorgio Moroder, the second installment in the series focused on Bloomfield, NJ producer Todd Edwards, who fans might be familiar with previously worked with Daft Punk, supplying the vocals on Discovery standout "Face to Face."

Edwards details his participation, but what really stands out is his unabashed love for what the duo are doing. So much so, he reveals, that he actually moved because of his short time working with them. Check Part Two below and stay tuned for more soon.

Giorgio Moroder on Daft Punk

Fans familiar with Vice may recognize another one of its side pieces, The Creators Project. While not only focusing on music, a la Noisey, The Creators Project does highlight the more artsy of music videos, so there's some crossover.

The newest and most damn exciting series from the group is a collaboration series about the upcoming Holy Hell it's actually coming new album from electro deities Daft Punk. The first of the series features insight from Italian disco pioneer Giorgio Moroder, who helped out on Random Access Memories.

Moroder discusses the duo's penchant for supreme perfectionism, exuding unmistakable high praise for the French giants. Watch part one of the series below and get ready for Random Access Memories May 21. A new national world-wide holiday.

Lollapalooza and the current state of music festivals

Why can't you get tickets?

There's a permanent sway that has held over the music festival market, drifting in one improbable direction in the past six years. Availability for music festivals, such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Coachella, have become slim in recent years, selling out earlier and earlier every season. What results is a fundamental change in the way we, as fans, approach the idea of festivals.

New Atoms For Peace - Judge Jury and Executioner

As we look into the future of 2013, there's already a lengthy list of important releases headed our way. Among the ranks of Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire, and (maybe) Daft Punk, Thom Yorke's well-known side project Atoms For Piece has scheduled an album release for late February.

The single "Judge Jury and Executioner" this morning on Zane Lowe's BBC 1 Radio Show, which also features a nice little visualizer video to go with it. Check it out below, and grab Amok February 25 and 26 (U.S.) via XL Recordings.

New (!!!) Daft Punk album/tour coming in 2013

In what has to be the most terrifyingly exciting news we've seen in a while, French super-no-one-else-compares-to-them duo Daft Punk are finally, finally coming back.

It's been over three years since the release of their live album Alive and more than six since the duo's last studio album (not counting their work with the Tron: Legacy soundtrack). In that time, Daft Punk have earned the stellar reputation as one of the biggest and best live music spectacles in the world. Their transformative show at Coachella 2006 (their first U.S. show since 1997, at the time) and Lollapalooza 2007 were ritualistically heralded as two of the greatest festival performances of the decade - by anyone. You can go so far as to say that the current popularity wave electronica music is riding in the U.S. was all started by Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, so word of a new album and tour should be bigger news than ever.

You can see in the promo graphic, March 13th of next year marks the release of No End, which was produced with help from Nile Rodgers and Giorgio Moroder. As well, word is that the production team responsible for the iconic live pyramid in their performances will be hard at work again to make sure the new live experiences are more memorable than the last. Tour dates are sketchy, but do in fact exist. We'll likely hear more news on live performances in the near future. For now, however, just revel in the excitement. It's finally time.

Lollapalooza 2012 Must-See Artists Pt. V

Today we'll continue our Lollapalooza countdown with part five.

#2: Sigur Rós
There have been very few artists as consistently remarkable as Sigur Rós throughout the years. With every new album (and side project), the band's enigmatic status continued to grow, with hauntingly emotional expansiveness made all the more surprising considering the fact that they sing in another language. 

There's a distinct fan-fare for the band, despite its Icelandic roots. In a niche entirely its own, Sigur Rós exists as an anomaly. The songs are lengthy and touchingly atmospheric, without connecting any certain meaning to its large English speaking fan base. But that insatiably memorable sound on standout tracks like "Hoppípolla" from 2005's Takk... and "Svefn-g-englar," the song most of us were introduced by from the group, is what keeps the legendary status of the band growing.

Word of the band's live performances sound almost cult-like in their absurdity. One description heard fairly often when viewing Sigur Rós is that it brings fans to tears. Literal tears. Would you miss an opportunity like that? I won't.

The band will be performing at 4 p.m. on the Red Bull Soundstage, Sunday, August 5.



#1: Justice 
Sitting at the top of my "must-see" list even before Lollapalooza became a staple in my life, French electro duo Justice could easily be the show of the weekend. Known for their chaotic light shows and live experiences, Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay are the next in line to the fellow France natives Daft Punk  (not quite there yet) for their crowning live electronic music experiences.

The only unfortunate circumstance of Justice performing this year is that fans will have to decide between them and Jack White, who will be performing at the same time Sunday night, August 5. Considering I've seen White in various live forms already, I'll venture to the North side of Grant Park for what's sure to be a memorable party.

The band will be performing at 8:30 p.m. on the Budlight Stage, closing the festival.

Wednesday Bears: Stream Daft Punk's Da Chip 2

Sound familiar? Da Chip 2 is the second in a series of Daft Punk 8-bit covers, which was first released three years ago. The second go around features fairly obscure artists, but extremely well-done covers of "Digital Love" and "Make Love." You can stream the entire 13-track tape below.

All the Lollapalooza rumors so far ... today.

It's been a while since I've filtered the website (and not my Twitter account, which you should be following) with Lollapalooza rumors, so I'll get back on base.

Yesterday, it was pretty much revealed through several sources and suspicious scheduling that A Perfect Circle are set to be one of the six main headliners at this year's festival. So, for those that need a refresher, that makes four confirmed headliners: Eminem, Foo Fighters, Muse (all three completely confirmed), and A Perfect Circle.

With two headlining spots remaining (and three Perry's Place, the electronic/dance stage, headliners still unnamed), there have been speculation for a small handful of artists, including; Coldplay, My Morning Jacket, and now Death Cab for Cutie.

Rumors, however, became even more interesting after Perry Farrell revealed in the March/April issue of Relix that, “I can’t tell you who’s gonna be headlining this year, but one of the headliners is a dance act." Early rumors indicate that the probable act will be either Justice, Deadmau5, who played the festival two years ago, or the Chemical Brothers. Daft Punk was also mentioned, but chances of them performing again seem like a disillusioned dream.

The festival's Last.fm page, which has every artist confirmed or semi-confirmed for the weekend, has also listed Justice. Again, it's not a confirmation, but a reasonable suspicion for the French duo's speculative appearance. From this point, I'd make them the most likely headliner to be named next.

Outside of headlining rumors, several acts have also been added to the billing, including; Arctic Monkeys, Surfer Blood, and Tennis. It may also be within reason to assume that the Vaccines will make the lineup. The group is currently touring with the Arctic Monkeys and have no Chicago dates scheduled around August 5-7.

Stay tuned to Bears and Bullets for any and all rumors and information regarding the annual festival through the coming weeks ...

Tuesday Bears: New Tron trailer with Daft Punk

After receiving word that Daft Punk's much-anticipated TRON: Legacy Soundtrack would be slightly pushed back, and the duo's surprise showing at Phoenix's Madison Square Garden show, listeners can finally get a (nearly) full-listen to "Derezzed," complete with a new preview for the movie with previously unseen footage and Daft Punk themselves spinning in Tron world.

The TRON: Legacy Soundtrack is due out December 7, with the movie scheduled for release Dec. 17, via Disney.

Daft Punk - Derezzed (TRON: Legacy Trailer)

Thursday Bears: Phoenix headline MSG, Daft Punk appear

Last night, Phoenix performed perhaps the most important concert of the now seemingly-huge 10 year career at Madison Square Garden in NYC. The implications of headlining a giant venue? Sure, that's a big deal, but it pales in comparison to what happened during the show.

In what can only considered to be a concert wet-dream, fellow Frenchmen Daft Punk made an appearance at the near end of show in between Phoenix's rendition of "If I Ever Feel Better," bringing their own alternate version of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger/Around the World." All I can say, really, is goddammit. Oh, and the videos are a bit spotty.

Phoenix (ft. Daft Punk) - If I Ever Feel Better/Around the World/Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Live at MSG



Phoenix (ft. Daft Punk) - 1901 (Pt. I) - Live at MSG



Phoenix (ft. Daft Punk) - 1901 (Pt. II - Encore) - Live at MSG

Friday Bears: First listen to Daft Punk's Tron: Legacy Soundtrack

Courtesy of 107.7 Seattle, fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming Winter-release of Tron: Legacy can get  their first listen to the equally, somehow, appealing Daft Punk-crafted soundtrack. From the six clips you can kinda gather the sound from the film, curating a mixture of Hans Zimmer, Philip Glass and, well, Daft Punk.

Listen for yourself here. Tron: Legacy is due out December 17, courtesy of Disney. Check out the official trailer below.

Tron: Legacy (official movie trailer)

Bears and Bullets Top Ten Albums of the Decade - Discovery

#4: Discovery - Daft Punk

"One More Time" is an all too simple urge. Just playing Daft Punk's 2001 album Discovery or its lead single "One More Time" only once was, for most, unlikely. The lead into the albums first four cheerily enriching future house anthems was uncompromising and brilliantly individual. Then it slides into Hell's bells break of "Aerodynamic," a continually trifling love song in "Digital Love," and the robotic beat blast of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger," all made popular by the group's Interstella 5555 videos, produced two years after Discovery's release.

The album, for all it's 70's disco and LED samples, doesn't hark back to the glory days of dance music. It takes a defibrillator to it and blows it wide open. The electro pulsations of "Crescendolls," a song built on a 5-second sample loop, sound like chrome blitz, shining and beating on cheer after cheer. There in lies Discovery's greatest export --addiction. The albums glossy polish and unwavering rhythms are so enriching and enjoyable, it remains to this day one of the most fun records in memory.

#10: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Spoon

#9: Dear Science - TV On The Radio

#8: Fever to Tell - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

#7: In Rainbows - Radiohead

#6: White Blood Cells - The White Stripes

#5: Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective