{brilliant beats} os diagonais - nao vou chorar

notting hill carnivalStacked speakers were the norm during Monday's Notting Hill Carnival where feel-good beats were plentiful.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTCxlvSr-a8?rel=0&w=640&h=25]

Os Diagonais - Nao Vou Chorar

This has to be one of my all time favorite feel-good songs. Actually, the entire compilation album that it's on, Black Rio 2 - Original Samba Soul 1968-1981, is one groovy, funk-filled, happy-fest.

I googled the album to get a link only to learn that the DJ who mixed it is from London! AND he's performing this Saturday night in Notting Hill for a "Super Brazil Mash-Up Session!" Okay, who's in town and wants to boogie?

let's go fly a kite + {brilliant beats} jim noir

joe the big kid inspires a little kid[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMO3FNc-C-I?rel=0&w=480&h=25]

Jim Noir - Key of C

Two weeks ago when we went to Hampstead Heath, we sat atop Kite Hill and Joe drooled over the kites that flew high above. Flash forward to Monday, Joe had his own brand new kite - and a new friend. As we got the kite up for its first flight, a little boy ran over to us screaming "WOW!". He was too adorable for words as he jumped around and chased the kite's trail. Joe was just as excited, actually. Behind that cool facade he's a big kid...and I love him for that.

guess where we are + {brilliant beats} rodrigo y grabriela

IMG_5216[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-qgum7hFXk?rel=0&w=640&h=25] Rodrigo y Gabriela - Tamacun

We're in Madrid, España! I know we were just here but this time it's for a friend's wedding - a perfect excuse to come back so soon, right?

I couldn't think of a more appropriate brilliant beat for today's post than a piece from Rodrigo y Gabriela. They're not Spanish but they sure know how to tear it up on the spanish guitar. If you ever get the chance to see them live, do it. Their skills will blow your mind. Disfrute!

photo + {brilliant beats} metronomy

IMG_6263[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFrNsSnk8GM?rel=0&w=640&h=25] Metronomy - The Look

The latest from Metronomy makes me think of our sunset walk along the canal last weekend. I loved coming across the silhouette of this tree next to the stark black pipe.

After posting last week's brilliant beats with just the song and photos (sans video), I think that I'm going to keep going in that direction. I got the idea to shrink the YouTube video window via Old Brand New so thank you, Dabito! He calls himself a "vintage vulture" and posts great fleeting moments photos like the one above.  Check him out here.

brighton + {brilliant beats} the go! team

play me...The Go! Team - Ladyflash[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lT2Tq2rC9I?rel=0&w=640&h=25] brighton brighton brighton brighton IMG_6043 brighton brighton brighton IMG_6085 brighton

A little music with some photos ain't bad, eh? Today's brilliant beat is from one of my favorite bands, The Go! Team, who just happen to be from Brighton. I love their song, Ladyflash...it's the perfect soundtrack to a great day.

Brighton was just that, a great albeit windy day. Ten rounds of vintage penny arcade games for a pound, fresh hot donuts on the pier, the most amazing lunch at Plateau, stumbling upon the Royal Pavilion, and enjoying the ocean air. The only bummer was discovering the stores and goodies on North Road too late - both the farmers market and flea market had just wrapped up. Oh well, makes for a perfect excuse to go back!

On a side note, hen and stag parties (aka. bachelorette/bachelor parties) seem to be the thing in Brighton. Come 6pm we felt like we were in Vegas soberly watching throngs of party people gearing up for a big night out. I'm not gonna lie, I was happy to get on the train to go back to London for the evening. It was getting crazy.

Want to see more photos? Click here.

{brilliant beats} another goodie from foster the people

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04TXoFI6CSM?rel=0] I can't get enough of these guys. Their album Torches has been on heavy rotation on my iTunes and being in LA makes them sound even better. One of the last sweet moments of my trip was when my niece Juliana and I danced to this song (above video) while I packed. It was way too cute.

I'll be back in London tonight and though I'm going to miss my family like crazy, I missed my other half, Joe, like crazy too. See you soon, babe!

See you later LA!

 

{brilliant beats} dcode festival edition

We're off to Madrid today for the dcode Festival! When I heard that Kasabian was headlining I knew that we had to go, especially since one of Joe's best friends lives there (i.e. instant crash pad). I'm beyond excited to check out our first international music festival...here are a few faves that I'm really looking forward to seeing:

I will forever be grateful to my friend Matt Petrone for introducing me to Kasabian back in 2005. I was instantly a fan but have never had the chance to see them - it.is.on!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C0OEVWKZv0?rel=01]

A taste of home with LA's Foster The People. I'm madly in love with this song right now.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ?rel=0]

The last time I saw The Ting Tings perform was at a Nylon Magazine party in LA. I will always say yes to seeing them live, they are too much fun.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH6wpO66J4k?rel=0&w=640&h=390]

Been dying to see The Sounds since college. I just love the attitude in her voice and their simple but dance-inducing beats.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X44tSdjH4_I?rel=0&w=640&h=390]

Even if you aren't into electronic dance music, you've just gotta be a fan of this song. Crystal Castles really opened my mind to enjoying this genre after seeing them at Coachella in 2009.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56E8yYgLNHE?rel=0&w=640&h=510]

Hasta luego!

{brilliant beats} ivy & gold by bombay bicycle club

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK2fWmsBUzk?rel=0] Is anyone else a sucker for a good whistling song? I've had this one by Bombay Bicycle Club in my head for the past few days but I don't mind...it adds a playful skip to my step when walking down the street.

These guys seem to be pretty big out here and with a new album due in August, I'm excited to keep me ears tuned for more. Enjoy!

{brilliant beats} middle of the bed by lucy rose

[dailymotion id=xh0x85]

If Feist had a singer-songwriter little sister, Lucy Rose would be it. I fell in love with her voice during her performance at Saturday's Bushstock music festival. It's the type of style, range, or whatever you call it that I'd want if I knew how to sing well. And had the balls to get up on stage.

It was hard to pick which video/song to share but this one for Middle Of The Bed is great because it features the full band. It starts off slow so if you can't wait to hear her sing, forward to 2:00 minutes and that'll do it. Enjoy!

{brilliant beats} skeleton boy by friendly fires

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyA8zfouG4Y?rel=0] It wasn't until I decided to do these music posts that I realized nearly half of the bands in my iTunes library are from the UK. Brilliant!

One of my faves is Friendly Fires. I danced my pants off to them at Coachella in 2009 and particularly love this video for Skeleton Boy. Watch as their outfits appear via tiny white styrofoam balls and enjoy the lead singer's soothing yet electric voice. And who can ignore his funky moves? Not me.

They just released a new album and I've already bought tickets to see them in November. With a day-long music festival, Bushstock, scheduled for this Saturday and this festival in Madrid later this month, it feels really good to get back into the swing of music discoveries and revelry.

Enjoy the video. I dare you not to at least tap your foot on the floor.

{brilliant beats} balloons by foals

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHcOFmiswcQ&w=640&h=390] After Shazam-ing the song Balloons by Foals several times, and "liking" it on Pandora repeatedly, I finally decided it was time to buy the damn song. It's not new but it still sounds fresh to me. I love the energy and the fact that you can hear their British accents through the lyrics (so strangely rare, right?).

Seriously though, this song gets me going. I may or may not be bouncing around the living room like a fool right now.

Sorry for the poor video quality and pop up ad (just click out of it). The "official" video doesn't allow embedding.

{brilliant beats} michael kiwanuka

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTa28a8QKo4] I love music and chances are that you do too. What I love even more is learning about brilliant new artists.

Since most of you guys (the awesome people who follow this blog) are in the States, I've decided to start sharing the beats and sounds from UK artists that are currently making my ears perk up.

For the first Brilliant Beats, I give you Michael Kiwanuka. I mentioned him in Monday's post and I still can't get his soulful voice out of my head. Also, this video looks like one fun day: flea market shopping, bicycle riding, cafe lounging, and carnival rides. Michael, can we hang out?