Every Friday, Fred Hystere sends a note to fans of the site and streams 10 of his favorite songs…aaaaaand then he takes off his pants on camera and makes up a dance to each song.

29 October 2011

Hello, everyone!

Sorry I missed you guys last Friday – I was CMJ’ing it up at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC (as the guest of Cascine) and watching some of my favorite new artists, including: Chad Valley, Penguin Prison, Data Romance and more. They were all incredible, but, as he’s tended to be in 2011, Chad Valley was a cut above the rest. INcredible.

I’m going to attempt to make this post short, because I have a fuckload of dumb bullshit I have to do before bed. But today I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind a lot, something I refer to as ‘shedding.’

As I’ve  mentioned before (probably way too much), the last few years have been all about personal growth for me. Of the many reasons I’ve been able to grow as a person, one of the biggest has been my ability to get rid of extra baggage in the form of people. The older I get, the more I realize that I’d rather have no friends at all than friends who I don’t gel with in the most important of ways. That realization has led me towards ‘shedding’ many people in my life; and it’s a process that’s essential if you’ve ever felt as though you’re spinning your wheels and recycling the same negative forces in your life over and over.

The fact is, no one needs to have people in their lives who chip away at any confidence they’ve worked hard to build up over the years. Recently the word ‘contributor’ came up in a conversation between myself and a friend.  We both came to the conclusion that people are either contributors or they’re not – and feel free to add that train of thought into all aspects of life. From co-workers, to friends, to spouses and to (literally) writers for a publication, what use are people who taketh away for every way they giveth? Translation: If you feel as though someone in your life is a draining force, as opposed to a positive contributing one, you don’t need them.

We all have our own definition of the things that are important to us in relationships – be them business, friend, romantic, etc. A few of my personal needs include people who have:

1. ..an ability to communicate on the spot as opposed to letting shit fester

2. ..a good sense of humor

3. ..good manners

4. ..patience

5. ..a real interest in being a good listener/having good conversation

Originally, I had planned to give a specific example (without naming names) of someone who I recently stopped speaking with. But instead of going down that route, I’ll just say that having that person out of my life has felt like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders – which only confirms just how amazing it feels to shed people like that out of your life.

Bottom line: If you’re currently in a situation which is draining as opposed to ‘contributing’…try shedding. It works.

Ok, now onto the music!

This week there’s no theme for my Weekend 10 other than party time! You should recognize many of these artists and a few of them I’ll be introducing you to next week.

In the meantime, listen to every dancetastic track below and click the link at the beginning of the list to download the entire mix.

Have a great weekend and I’ll see you all next week!

Nakedly Yours,

Fred Hystere

 

To download the entire mix, click here: http://bit.ly/sjja2Q

 

1. Quentin Mosimann “Do You St Tropez (Dante & Sicky Remix)”

http://www.facebook.com/QuentinMosimannOfficial

 

2. Charli XCX “Jungle (Phaeleh Remix)”

http://www.facebook.com/charlixcxmusic

http://www.facebook.com/Phaeleh

 

3. Fiorious “I’m In Love With A German Film Star (Cerronza Remix)”

http://www.facebook.com/fiorious

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cerronza/65575490448

 

4. Switch featuring Andrea Martin “I Still Love You (Louis La Roche ‘I Still Love Switch’ Remix)”

http://www.facebook.com/SwitchDubsided

http://www.facebook.com/louislarochemusic

 

5. Sandee “Notice Me (James Anthony Works The Big Room Bassline Mix)”

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fans-of-DJ-James-Anthony/261605084041

 

6. Strange Talk “Climbing Walls (Strange Talk Remix)”

http://www.facebook.com/strangetalkmusic

 

7. Fiorious “Pretty (Scuola Furano Remix)”

http://www.facebook.com/fiorious

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scuola-Furano/10139874708

 

8. Queen Of Hearts “Shoot The Bullet (Le Prix Remix)”

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Queen-Of-Hearts/141481409204014

http://www.facebook.com/leprixmusic

 

9. Monarchy “You Don’t Want To Dance With Me (Moonlight Matters Remix)”

http://www.facebook.com/monarchysound

http://www.facebook.com/moonlightmatters

 

10. Futurecop! “Starworshipper (MPM Remix)”

http://www.facebook.com/futurecop.universe

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MPM-Soundtracks/290219744325188

 

The Hotness is your daily look at 3 new songs that are amazing, essential, and are sure to make you horny. Ok, the last part isn’t necessarily true. But if you don’t like at least one of these three songs, you need to check 1) Your testosterone levels 2) Your estrogen levels 3) Your hearing.

Filur is a Danish dance music duo, comprised of Tomas Barfod and Kasper Bjørke, who has seemingly come out of nowhere to release yet another dancetastic record to make feel guilty for not going to the gym. It’s called “Faces” and features different vocalists on all eight of the album’s tracks. The only artist I was already familiar with is a Danish singer named Nabiha, who released her own pretty groovetastic pop album earlier this year (which you MUST remind me to give a few more spins). Because I’d never heard of Filur, I didn’t know what to expect and should’ve probably read the press release BEFORE popping the album in at just after 2am last week — but I hate being influenced by anything other than my own opinions when it comes to listening to a piece of music for the first time. Still, listening to music while lying in bed that makes you want to dance your face off is certainly not ideal when you need to wake up at 7am the next morning. Truthfully, it took me all of 10 minutes listening to Faces before I leapt out of bed in my underwear, turned on the lights, grabbed the nearest prop I could find and danced until 6am. Yea, that’s one whole hour of sleep. Fun. Check out Shadow Boxing below.

*Filur’s excellent new album, Faces, is out now via Disco Wax.

 

Filur featuring Nabiha “Shadow Boxing”

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Steed Lord are an Icelandic trio residing in LA and comprised of ‘vocal diva extraordinaire’ KALI; and producers DEMO and MEGA. If you’re a fan of disco and not yet listening to these cats, you’ll want to lace-up those dancing shoes and hop to it, because these jams are as hot as anyone else’s I’ve heard all year. The production is right up there with some of the best disco tracks of the last few years and KALI’s vocals are as soulful and powerful as those of legendary dance diva, Billie Ray Martin. The first track I ever heard by Steed Lord was for their ace single, Bed Of Needles; but after doing a little digging, I realized that they’d just released a brand spankin new EP and, as my buddy Jon at OutSpokenNYC would say, it is ‘everything.’ My favorite song is called “You” and it features a hook that has been holding me hostage for well over a week and beats that recall some of my favorite tracks by up-n-coming Australian wizard, Ren Riz. Check it out below.

*Steed Lord’s new EP, The Eddie House, is out now and self-released.

http://www.facebook.com/steedlord

 

Steed Lord “You”

 

Queen Of Hearts is a UK solo artist and she has FINALLY released her debut EP, Arrival! Those of you that have been reading FH all year will know that I have been a HUGE supporter of her music since the very beginning. For the last few years, my music taste has shifted from Alternative Rock, Britpop & Trip-hop to left-of-center dance pop — and, of all the artists I write about, 99% of them don’t even come close to holding a candle to Queen Of Hearts as it relates to the definition of left-of-center dance pop. I’ve said before that her sound is more 2012 than 2011, which is a testament to her smooth gorgeous vocals and the bevy of producers lining up to work with her — which reads like the musical equivalent to a Fred Hystere-gasm: Johan Agebjörn, Ercola, DREAMTRAK, Diamond Cut, Monarchy, Fabien Waltmann, Fear of Tigers, StardonE, Bright Light Bright Light, Devil’s Gun and more . Originally my favorite QOH track was her first single, Freestyle, and while that song is in the running for my song of the year, her latest jam, Shoot The Bullet, is giving it a serious run for a its money. The song was produced by another Fred Hystere fave, The Sound Of Arrows. Check out the vid below and GET.INTO.QUEEN.OF.HEARTS.NOWWWWWW!

*Queen Of Hearts’s debut EP, Arrival, is out now via NightMoves.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Queen-Of-Hearts/141481409204014

 

Queen Of Hearts “Shoot The Bullet”

The Hotness is your daily look at 3 new songs that are amazing, essential, and are sure to make you horny. Ok, the last part isn’t necessarily true. But if you don’t like at least one of these three songs, you need to check 1) Your testosterone levels 2) Your estrogen levels 3) Your hearing.

Queen Of Hearts is a UK solo artist and a Fred Hystere fave. Her sound is rooted in dance music, but there’s a unique progressive edge to every song she touches, thanks to stellar production from up-n-comers such as Dreamtrak, Monarchy and more. Lyrically you’ll find some clever wordplay to go with what I believe to be one of the best voices in pop. Her latest slice of awesome comes in the form of new single “Perfect Mistake” which picks up right where “Freestyle” and “Where Are You Now” left off in out-Kylie’ing Kylie with a dancepop hook that..umm..you just can’t get out of your head for days. Sorry, guys..I had to go there. Anyway, I couldn’t be more excited for Queen Of Hearts’ debut EP to drop later this month and you would all be strongly advised to jump on this train now before the rest of the world does. Check out the Monarchy-produced track “Perfect Mistake” below.

*The Queen Of Hearts’ debut EP “The Arrival” will be out 3 October.

http://iamqueenofhearts.com/

 

Queen Of Hearts “Perfect Mistake” 

 

*Bonus: Queen Of Hearts “Spanish Sahara” (FREE DOWNLOAD!)

 

Summer Camp is one of the better up-n-coming UK duos to come out in the last couple of years. While I’m not sure if I’ve written about Summer Camp in the past (because I’m on a train right now from DC to NYC), I definitely meant to..so just roll with it, m’kay?  The duo is made up of Jeremy Warmsley and lead singer, Elizabeth Sankey, whose voice may remind you a bit of another Elizabeth (Harper) aka Class Actress. Musically, Summer Camp’s sound has always sounded like a low-fi grab bag of some of my favorite 80s artists, including Blondie and Berlin, if produced with a hazy and vague My Bloody Valentine-like sheen. Their debut album is called “Welcome To Condale” and was created thanks to funds raised via www.pledgemusic.com and they hope to continue to raise enough money to be able to go on tour in support of Welcome To Condale. Je can’t wait pas. Check out the stalkertastically awesome lead single from the album, “I Want You” below.

*Summer Camp’s debut album “Welcome To Condale” is out 8 November via the band’s own label, Apricot Records (an imprint of London-based Fred Hystere fave, Moshi Moshi Records).

http://www.facebook.com/summercampmusic

 

Summer Camp “I Want You” (FREE DOWNLOAD!)

 

HandS is a Norwegian dance pop duo comprised of Hakon Njoten and singer, Sofie Storaas. Their debut single is entitled “No Romance” and I’ve got to be honest that I wasn’t instantly grabbed by it. But,  I’m not really sure why because, after listening to the song for the past week non-stop, there is so much to like between the cute Abba-esque production and Roxette-like vocals. However, I think what forever endeared me to the song was discovering the New Order-style bassline that pulsates throughout the chorus; rounding the song off into pop perfection territory. Unfortunately, I’m still on a train, so that’s all I’ve got for ya. But trust me, you’ll like the song as it’s loads of fun! (And who doesn’t like a nice fun load, right?)

*HandS’ new single “No Romance” is out now via Cosmos Music Group.

http://www.facebook.com/HandSmusic

 

HandS “No Romance”

 

 

The Hotness is your daily look at 3 new songs that are amazing, essential, and are sure to make you horny. Ok, the last part isn’t necessarily true. But if you don’t like at least one of these three songs, you need to check 1) Your testosterone levels 2) Your estrogen levels 3) Your hearing.

The Sanfernando Sound is the DJ/remixing alias of (super sexy) recording artist Jason Sieu Persad. I’ve only just recently come across Jason’s remixes and last week included his hot-as-fuck remix of She’s The Queen’s song Sleepwalker’s Curse on The Fredhead Weekend 10. Since then I’ve been perusing his catalog of awesomeness and have spent the last few days completely fixated on his sick remix of Anoraak’s Crazy Eyes. The best DJs in the world are the ones that have the artistic vision and skills to completely reinvent a song and make it their own and, to simply say The Sanfernando Sound does just that, would be a huge understatement. I’m not a big fan of Anoraak’s music as a whole, but Jason’s dark, sexy, throbbing interpretation of Crazy Eyes is a must have for all fans of dance music. Take a listen below and then head over to The Sanfernando Sounds’ pages on Soundcloud and Bandcamp to support good music and grab a few free goodies along the way.

http://soundcloud.com/thesanfernandosound

http://thesanfernandosound.bandcamp.com/

 

Anoraak “Crazy Eyes (The Sanfernando Sound Remix)”

 

 

DREAMTRAK is the production/remixing moniker of UK-based Oli Horton and another one of my favorite new artists. Fred Hystere fans will be keen to know that DREAMTRAK is the man responsible for producing one of the best pop music songs released all year, Freestyle, by sickeningly talented new artist, Queen Of Hearts. I’d been meaning to check out the rest of DREAMTRAK’s music for a while now, before coming across his ridiculous remix of Teeth’s single “See Spaces”. I’m not a big fan of the original version of the song but, after hearing DREAMTRAK’s remix, I am convinced that everything DREAMTRAK touches turns to gold. If orgasms could be reached simply by listening to music, DREAMTRAK would surely be the one of the reasons. Check out his remix of Teeth’s “See Spaces” below.

http://dreamtrak.co.uk/

 

Teeth “See Spaces (DREAMTRAK Diamond Sound)”

 

 

Wynter Gordon is a New York City born and raised solo artist signed to Big Beat Records. As a songwriter, Wynter is up there with the best in the business when it comes to creating radio-friendly pop and has been the featured artist on tracks by the likes of David Guetta, Flo Rida, and others. She’s been steadily releasing dance floor-ready jams for the last few years and, while I’ve definitely *liked* a few of her songs, I’ve never *loved* any of them per se..until now. Her new single, Til Death, showcases Wynter’s strong pipes and ticks every box on the way to creating a sugary sweet popstastic 3 minute-plus home-run; that you can check out below.

*Wynter Gordon is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on her debut solo album, With The Music I Die.

http://www.wyntermusic.com/

 

Wynter Gordon “Till Death (Denzal Park Radio Edit)”