Soundtrack of 2013

January

"Bombay" by El Guincho

At one point, I went completely bizzerk on this video...watching it over and over and over and over.
I still continue to be intrigued about this.

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February


"Hold On When You Get Love And Let Go When You Give It" by Stars
My favorite from their latest album 'The North'. Anticipating their concert, this was the perfect song
to keep the hype up. It sounds incredibly surreal live!
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March


"Phone Sex" by Blood Diamonds feat. Grimes
Forgive me, one of my favorite Grimes hits is a b-side with Blood Diamonds. Although the message
of this song gives me weird disturbing thoughts. No, Claire. Noooo!


"Truth" by Bloc Party
The first single off their new record 'Four'. Also one of my favorites side by side with "So He Begins
To Lie" and "Day Four". They're back! The Party is back! The world is a better place. Also, got to
watch them live and meet 3/4 of the band (more of that on my 'Highlights of 2013' post!)
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April


"Streets" by Abby

I remember being on an SXSW high on Youtube and found this gem.
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May


"Sense Of Self" by City Calm Down
Can I just say, the indie music scene in Australia is amazing! One of them is City Calm Down. Think
Simple Minds 2013 lovechild. Hello.


"Lady Black" by Sons of the Sea
Sons of the Sea is Brandon Boyd and Brendan O' Brien. And you know, anything Brandon Boyd is
tasteful and magical. This man can do no wrong.
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June


"Ffunny Ffrends" by Unknown Mortal Orchestra
This is my anthem.
If this ain't your anthem, you can't sit with us.


"Golden Light" by Starfucker
I am madly obsessed with Starfucker. There, I said it. Happy?
The best single off 'Miracle Mile' in my opinion. I could just go on and on about this band but before
this turns into a Starfucker appreciation post, let's just say their music is a big part of my inspiration
bank.
Come, let's start a band!
June is basically UMO x Starfucker all day everyday!
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July


"Champagne Coast" by Blood Orange
"Come into my bedroom come into my bedroom come into my bedroom come into my bedroom..."
Oh Dev...
Dev Hynes/Lightspeed Champion is so good at what he does sometimes it makes me cry. Everything
he touches turns into gold! Wish to work with him someday (dream big)
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August


"It All Feels Right" by Washed Out
...and the whole 'Paracosm' album. 'Nuff said.
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September


"Send The Pain On" by Chrome Sparks
I saw these guys were touring with Starfucker so I instantly checked them out and voila!
(que hallelujah chorus)


"Dancing On My Own" (Robyn cover) by Real Magic
I'm sorry Robyn but Real Magic's cover is better.
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October

"Don't Move" by Phantogram
Someday I wish to sing this to someone. (see bridge)
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November


"Sunday Night" by Last Dinosaurs
"...we were in the right place at the wrong time it's only you could read my mind..."
/sigh


"Losing You" by Solange
Remember back then when Solange tried her luck in music and it was a big flop? Yes, we all do. Now
she's back and made us eat our words. Mad respect to Dev Hynes (Blood Orange) for producing her
stuff. See, I told you!


"It's A War" by Blackbird Blackbird
Blackbird Blackbird is Mikey Maramag. He is full bred Filipino making it big in San Fo and all over
the world. His latest album 'Boracay Planet' is the bomb! Check it out if you're craving for some
dreamy pop goodness.
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December


"Everything Is Embarrassing" by Sky Ferreira
Angst in all the right places.
Also, another hit produced by Dev Hynes (Blood Orange). 


"I'm God" by Clams Casino
SEX.
He released three volumes of mixtapes available for download and it was one of the best things on the
internet so far.
(...also, the title is pretty accurate because Clams Casino IS a God.)


"Carry Me" by Bombay Bicycle Club
I dreamt about Jack Steadman just recently. We hooked up and made lots of babies.
Kidding. I dreamt he was gay.
This song though!


What was your 2013 soundtrack?


∞B

there's no party like a BLOC PARTY

It happened. It finally happened! I remember back in 2010, news circulated that Bloc Party will be visiting Manila together with Phoenix and Muse. Unfortunately, it was just a false alarm. But who would've thought three years later, here they are!

Let me give you a brief history of my 8-year on/off relationship with Bloc Party. It all started when I had a habit of stealing my big sister's cd collection. I saw the 'Silent Alarm' record (that year of its release around 2005?) and tried to give it a listen. Lo and behold, a fangirl was born. I remember an interaction with Russell Lissack on Myspace (yes, Myspace. Back then when it was all about the music) where he used to talk to fans. I still remember his default song was "Hummer" by Foals. Also my first introduction to Foals. Thank you Russell. 

At one point, I dread that these guys would break up since Kele and Matt each came out with solo albums, Russell toured with Ash, and Gordon returned to his old band Young Legionnaire. Luckily, "Four" gathered them back into one place. 

Me and my 'Blocmates' (kinda like Clay Aiken's 'Claymates' but better. Ok, I'll stop.)
Thanks to the photographer who took this!

Up Dharma Down setting the mood right.

They opened the show with "So He Begins To Lie" featuring sexy Matt Tong in short shorts and 70's chest hair.

One of my favorites from the album!

I loved the part when they came back for an encore, Russell hit that first note of "So Here We Are" and crowd went wild! Kele scanning the crowd with a big awe on his face. What a moment right there.

We were in a state of Flux! +Rihanna intro! I knew it! (not really)

I wonder which one of them is the Ri-Ri fan.

They came back for round 3 (Yes, a second encore!) with another favorite, "Sunday"! "I love you in the morning, when you're still hungover" is a perfect line to my Bloc Party aftermath the next day.

The amazing quartet of Kele, Russell, Gordon and Matt took the crowd in a roller coaster of emotions. A ride you never want to end. I loved it. I loved every single part of it.

(Photo by Dax Balmeo)

Two hours, 4 amazing musicians, a light show that made the Pyromusical look rubbish (no offense), and music that never gets old. One of the best shows I've seen so far!

Oh! And I met 3/4 of the band. Russell is such a sweetheart!

SETLIST:

So He Begins to Lie
Mercury
Hunting for Witches
Positive Tension
Team A
Waiting for the 7.18
Song for Clay (Disappear Here)
Banquet
Coliseum
Day Four (Remembered closing my eyes to that soothing "oooh" part)
The Prayer
One More Chance
Octopus
[Encore 1]
So Here We Are (Glad they replaced 'Signs' with this. So nostalgic!)
Ares
This Modern Love
Flux + We Found Love by Rihanna intro
[Encore 2]
Sunday
Truth
Helicopter


3 things I learned:
1. Matt Tong is definitely the crowd favorite. In photos and interviews, he'd look like that quiet, nerdy Asian in rimmed specs and granny sweaters but come showtime, he transforms into a drum machine...in sexy short shorts--which I believe he wore on every show this tour. For that, I shall quote his tweet, "I think anyone within a five-meter radius of me whilst I've been wearing those shorts has been through a lot."
2. Russell still had his signature asymmetrical fringe but in a mature, professional version. Hah
3. Gordon is multifunctional. He shifts gear from the bass guitar, to the keyboard and the glockenspiel. Also, can someone explain to me why he let his guitar rest on the post? (if you didn't catch a glimpse of that you can watch it on the video below)

Here's something to take you back to that night. I would live in that night if I could...
(Pardon the rusty audio. We were in front of the speakers.)



All photos by Beverly Kho unless otherwise stated.

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