February 2011

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Music

Congratulations GRAMMY Winners

We’ve been anticipating The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards for months now. That’s why it was with great pleasure that we saw the following become big GRAMMY winners last night:

Congratulations to these winners! Visit GRAMMY.com for a full list of those who took home a golden gramophone.

∞  February 14, 2011 — 12:00AM

MusicRecommended By Rdio

Lady Gaga was Born This Way

Lady Gaga shares the first song off her second studio album, Born This Way.

∞  February 13, 2011 — 12:00AM

Label SpotlightsMusic

New on Rdio: Matador Records

Celebrating 21 years since its creation, Matador Records has die-hard fans, a large catalog of classic albums and a healthy roster of both upcoming and accomplished musicians alike. We’re pleased to have their music on Rdio so check out our guide to Matador Records, past and present.

Active Matador Artists

Matador Alumni

More recently Matador acquired True Panther Records, which adds to their numbers these next-wave musicians:

For a complete list of artists who are or have been on Matador Records, check Wikipedia or MatadorRecords.com, where you’ll also find news and the frequently-hilarious Matablog. Follow @matadorrecords for immediate updates on their new releases and touring information.

Previous label features include: 4AD, Epitaph Records, Merge Records, Domino Records and Nettwerk

∞  February 11, 2011 — 12:00AM

Influencer SpotlightsMusic

Influencer Spotlight: AbsolutePunk.net

Created by a high school kid armed with computer know-how and a love for Blink-182 and MxPx, AbsolutePunk.net began as a place for like-minded music fans to gather, talk about and introduce each other to new music. Since it began 11 years ago, AbsolutePunk.net is home to thousands of album reviews, forum threads, music exclusives, artist interviews and most importantly, excited music fans. Today, we’re pleased to highlight AbsolutePunk as an Influencer on Rdio.

Why is AbsolutePunk worthy of your Follow? Because they’ll make sure your Recent Activity feed will be a steady stream of lesser-known, just-below-the-radar, newly-discovered bands from off the beaten path.

Here’s a sample of what you might expect to cross your radar—these are the AP.net staff and members’ five favorite albums from the past six months:

Also not to be overlooked are AbsolutePunk’s curated (and collaborative) Playlists—with names like We Wanna Be Pitchfork, Whisper Quiet, and Harder, Harder…, there’s bound to be something that you’ll love in their mix.

Previous Influencer Spotlight: Spin Magazine

∞  February 9, 2011 — 12:00AM

MusicNew Music Weekly

New Music Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Rock, pop, country, electronic—there’s something for every music fan in today’s New Music Tuesday playlist. The same is reflected in today’s New Releases page, with plenty of music to sample as you march through this work week. Perhaps you’ve been looking forward to UK whiz-kid James Blake’s debut album, are stoked for more from the bombastic And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead…, or the latest from soft-spoken Okkervil River? Whatever it is, we’ve got it.

Playlist Notes

  • Wiz Khalifa, Roll Up: No doubt he’s bummed that his Black and Yellow didn’t win the Superbowl, but at least Wiz Khalifa has this second single off his upcoming album, Rolling Papers, to console himself (and all those Steelers fans).

  • Jessica Lea Mayfield, Tell Me: With a career that kicked off in a duet with neighboring Ohioans The Black Keys, Jessica Lea Mayfield pulls out all her folk and country tricks to make a memorable and catchy sophomore album.

  • James Blake, James Blake: Feist fans may recognize the familiar melody of James Blake’s version of Limit to Your Love but his minimalist reinvention means that little else is similar. Expect the same focused, heady music from the remainder of Blake’s strongly electronic debut album.

  • Stevie Nicks, Secret Love: The Fleetwood Mac songstress goes solo again with her first album in ten years. A modern single with a classic voice, Secret Love is from May’s album, In Your Dreams.

  • Cut Copy, Zonoscope: Produced by the same fellow who worked with Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley and Deerhunter, Cut Copy has tightened and honed their dance-friendly style.

  • Mr. Big, What If…: There’s more to Mr. Big than the sweet-sentimentality of their mega-hit, To Be With You. These hard rockers display what makes them tick in their new album, 14 years in the making.

  • Yanni, Truth of Touch: The maestro of smooth synths, electric keyboards and soundscapes, Yanni is back with original instrumental tracks that will sooth and please your ears.

∞  February 8, 2011 — 12:00AM

Label SpotlightsMusic

New on Rdio: 4AD

Stemming from a record store turned music label, two employees of the chain Beggars Banquet took a chance and created what we now know as 4AD Records. With a more experimental flair than their parent company, they found enough success with the release of Bauhaus and Rema-Rema’s music to make a go of it. Thirty years later, 4AD is still part of Beggars Group alongside sister labels Matador, Rough Trade, and XL Recordings, who we’ll be highlighting in the coming weeks.

If you’d like to read more about 4AD’s tremendous history, their website does a great job of telling their story.

Classic 4AD Artists

More Recent 4AD Artists

A few years ago, 4AD created a video series, 4AD Sessions, to showcase some of their artists in a beautiful, intimate HD recording. Participating artists included Stornoway, Tune-Yards, Efterklang, Twin Shadows. It just may change how you feel about watching music videos on your computer.

For a complete list of artists who’ve been or are on 4AD, read up on Wikipedia or 4ad.com where you’ll also find more news, and 4AD’s journal. Follow @4ad_official for immediate updates on their new releases and touring information.

Previous label features include: Epitaph Records, Merge Records, Domino Records and Nettwerk

∞  February 4, 2011 — 12:00AM

Tips & Tricks

Tips & Tricks: A Quick Guide to Rdio Stations

We’re back with another edition of Rdio’s Tips & Tricks series. This week, Rdio Stations are up to bat — you might already recognize this little black “Play Rdio Station” box from your Heavy Rotation, Collection, or favorite Artist’s page, but, if you don’t, we’re here to fill you in.

Rdio Stations were designed for folks who like to ‘sit back and listen.’ To make this even easier, this post has three sections: Collection, Heavy Rotation, and Artist Rdio Stations.

Collection:

Use an Rdio Station from your Collection (or anyone else’s) to play a mix of songs—just click the Play button to hear a shuffled mix of 25 tracks.

To customize your Rdio Station, use the down-arrow button to select the number of songs (25, 50, 75, 100) or, add them to your Queue.

(Super-secret tip: if you enable Repeat on your Web Player, the music will continually refresh. Don’t stop ‘til you get enough!)

Heavy Rotation:

Want to hear a sample of the great tunes your Network is listening to? Can’t get enough of your own top picks? If so, Heavy Rotation Rdio Stations are for you.

Again, just click to add (or customize), and get listening.

When you play the Heavy Rotation Rdio Station for “Everyone”, you’ll hear a mix of songs from Rdio’s current Top 20 albums.

Artist:

With Artist Rdio Stations, we’ve added even more variety by adding the choice to turn Recommendations On or Off.

With Recommendations enabled, you’ll get a mix of songs from both your selected Artist, and similar Artists. If you leave them Off, you’ll only hear a shuffled mix of that Artist’s songs.

Questions, comments, suggestions for our next post? You know where to reach us.

∞  February 3, 2011 — 12:00AM

News

Coming to Rdio: Believe Digital

We want to provide you with as much music as possible, which is why we’re happy to announce that we’ve added Believe Digital to our growing list of Content Partners. As Europe’s leading independent distributor, Believe Digital’s additions bolster our French music catalog; some of their popular artists include: Gotan Project, MC Solaar, Birdy Nam Nam, Mulatu Astatke and Bob Sinclar. For a more complete list of the music they represent, check their website for Believe Digital Artists & Labels.

∞  February 2, 2011 — 12:00AM

MusicNew Music Weekly

New Music Arrivals

Today’s New Music Tuesday playlist is a look at the future. Listen for notable singles from upcoming albums by Dr. Dre, Panic! at the Disco, longtime alt-rockers turned balladeers R.E.M., Papercuts, former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and goofy trio The Lonely Island. In between these sounds, you’ll find selections from new albums by the likes of singer-songwriter Bobby Long, Kansas rapper Tech N9ne and the heavy, dark sound of Esben and The Witch.

Playlist Notes

  • Dr. Dre, I Need a Doctor: The second single off Dr. Dre’s third (and final) album showcases the complex and familiar relationship between Dre and his rap progeny, Eminem.

  • Ricky Martin, Musica + Alma + Sexo: Having graduated from the days of Menudo and She Bangs, Ricky Martin returns to his true form with a mostly Spanish-language ode to energetic block-party music. ¡Vamos a bailar!

  • Tommy Guerrero, Lifeboats and Follies: Tommy Guerrero, the San Francisco skateboarding legend, mixes meditative instrumentals with groovy percussion and soulful bass in his sixth album.

  • Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Songs from a Zulu Farm: Most easily recognized as the choir from Paul Simon’s Graceland, this South African group never stopped making music. This intensely personal album shares the common songs and lullabies from the groups’ childhood.

∞  February 1, 2011 — 12:00AM

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