Barbara seems to be a folk band based out in L.A. and has been on the radar of recent sites over the past week. Apparently they appreciate Kid Cudi as an artist. Although I’m not the biggest advocate for the Ohio native, “The Pursuit Of Happiness” is quite the success track we soley could use in these rough times. Barbara has layed down an acoustic version of the song and here’s what they had to say about the format.

The attached song is a cover of Kid CuDi’s Pursuit of Happiness, which began as a joke after a long night of drinking, and will be your first introduction to Barbara. We are planning to leak a couple tracks from our forthcoming EP.

P.S. We usually don’t use samples, but you’ll notice a clear Iron & Wine sample and the faint humming of the legendary Sam Cooke.

Barbara- Pursuit Of Happiness [Kid Cudi Cover]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[Download]

A couple of weeks ago the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, stop by Los Angles station 98.7’s Slot Music Studios and performed their single Heads Will Roll.  Nothing more nothing less.

O+S is a collab project from former members of Azure Ray & Remy Zero. After a few listens to there single “Permanent Scars” clear skies and L.A. weather came to mind. A solid first effort and definitely one’s to keep on the radar watch.

O+S- Permanent Scar

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

With a busy week this somehow got overlooked! Silversun Pickups have released there video for “Panic Switch” from there new album “Swoon“. I’ve noticed a few sites complaining about Brian Aubert (frontman) suggesting that a new lead singer is needed due to his female tone-like vocals. Solid band they are, Smashing Pumpkins they’re not, one things for sure, the four piece from L.A. is about the closest thing we have to a mid 90’s sound, and for that, we don’t mind.

While Hollywood Q is giving this post a side eye, due to the fact that J*Davey isn’t putting out as much new material as he likes. I’m just happy they are being proactive and releasing videos. Sloow is off of their album, The Beauty of Distortion/Land of the Lost EPs, which is in stores now.  If you like this video or a fan of J*Davey head over to mtvU and vote for this video.

With all the new upgrades (coming soon) things have been quite hectic around here, so overlooking Ellen Degeneres fav band (whatevs) and friends of the cafe Bird and the Bees new video, was inevitable. Seems like the mainstream is finally (two years late) catching on to the retro sounds of Inara and George. Needless to say, we told you so! here’s there latest release “Love Letter To Japan” which features a virtual Inara and one very interesting game of PIU which is more popular in Korea.

Cold War Kids have released there video for the single “I’ve Seen Enough.” Which very well could be the theme song for 2009. With a heavy percentage of America facing hard times, playing this tune everyday just might get you through the day.

As cold weather continues to be the thing here on the east coast, Nite Jewels music gives us thoughts of a sunny day driving with the top down.  Residing in Los Angeles, the low synth-pop vocalist is quietly {pun intended} making a name for herself.  After listening to “What Did He Say” our current guilty pleasure, Jewel seems to take a few pages out of the Glass Candy/ Chromatics handbook.  A fun tune nonetheless which leads us to ask this question, WHAT THE HELL is she saying?

Nite Jewel- What Did He Say

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Side Note- We’ve listened to this over and over! still no translation.

If you’ve noticed, the ladies have been running things this week here at the cafe! which could be a sign of things to come in the new year.  Lex Land is the latest in our rare finds collection, Land the L.A. singer songwriter takes the word Melancholy to another level.  At the mere age of 21 , she has already created a blissful debut Orange Days On Lemon Street which has been played OVER & OVER again since it was passed to us a few weeks back. Surely this songbird will gain more recognition as the months progress, there is no doubt in our minds that soon the rest of the world will take notice to how talented this city of angels vocalist really is. Here is “As Much As You Lead” a sweet dosage of folk to get the day started off on a high note.

Lex Land- As Much As You Lead

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

How can you do one thing and hate it at the same time?? just ask Keenan Bell who has a story of keen interest, and if you let him tell it one thing he despises is a genre that most of us grew up on, Hip Hop. Relax Relax!!!! Bell does state that the genre has not been the same since what he calls “The Golden Age” has faded. That age included Run Dmc, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy & recent honorees De La Soul. Well one thing is for sure you have to fancy someone who speaks there mind and delivers such a bold statement.

Growing up in the suburbs of L.A. with an array of friends from Goth, Skate punks, and Indie kids, I can kind’ve relate to his statement, to a certain extent. Without question Rap/Hip-Hop whatever you want to describe it, is complete rubbish now and for those artist who say there bringing it back (insert side-eye), well good luck trying!!! thus my reason for denouncing it a long time ago, London D can vouch for that.

After listening to Keenan and his poignant delivery, what we have here is just an MC fed up with how things are and wants to bring forth his own diversity to the game, and honestly there’s nothing wrong with that syllogism at all. Here is “Save Your Life” a 90’s throwback that touches on Aids, Abortion, Celebs, & Label Monsters. The current school teacher may soon have to part ways with the kiddies and start doing this full time.

Kenan Bell- “Save Your Life”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.