:: arjanwrites music blog ::

Fraiche MP3 Download: Reni Lane "Place For Us" (Glitter & Blitz Remix)

 
Reni Lane's "Place For Us" is one of my favorite songs right now. It is such a captivating and liberating song - both lyrically and musically. I love how Reni's storytelling can apply to so many different situations and to so many different people - whether you just fell in love or are looking for your own place in this big, wide, mad world.

With lyrics like, "Searching through the dark you know it's time to let the light in (. . . )  there's an open embrace for us," the song provides hope and perspective. Just what a good pop song needs to do. The song can give you a little lift when you need it

Check out a totally guilt-free download of the Glitter & Blitz remix of "Place For Us." The original track is taken from Reni's Custard/Universal-Motown debut that hits stores early next year. Reni Lane (Linda Perry protege) is a fraiche new talent to keep your eye on. Combining catchy pop sensibilities with a friendly rock edge, this red-haired gal is going places. Up the charts for starters.

Make sure to catch Reni Lane showcase her music next week Thursday at my SUPERFRAICHE POP NIGHT at Santos in New York. The SUPERFRAICHE night will the town's epicenter of hot new pop, so make sure to be there! Get your tickets today.( Proceeds of the event will benefit music programs of War Child. 7Digital will be giving away free music downloads.)

Reni Lane "Place For Us" (Glitter & Blitz Remix)

Fraiche MP3 Download: Dragonette "Easy" (Buffetlibre Remix)

Remix collective Buffetlibre and Barcelona's Sidechains have put their crafty DJ hands on Dragonette's "Easy" and turned it into a glistening disco mix. It's like a homage to classic Italo disco mixed in with a whole lot of Martina Sorbara goodness. Gosh, this band is darn good. Why is no major label backing this? Something is seriously wrong. In the meantime, we have to thank folks like Buffetlibre for continuing to spread the good music in their own unique way (Click here to download Dragonette's new album "Fixin' To Thrill. On sale at 7Digital.com.)

Dragonette "Easy" (Buffetlibre Remix)

Video: Arjan chats with Sam Taylor

Sam Taylor is one of the most exciting new pop talents to look out for in 2010. The British crooner started out as a West End performer when he was only 9 years old and he's now gearing up to become a full-blown pop star - writing songs and performing gigs.

His rise to pop fame was accelerated when Taylor was discovered in a London coffee shop by William Baker, fashion designer and close friend of Kylie Minogue. Baker even introduced Taylor to Minogue who gave him some important tips over a dinner date.

I've met and interviewed many singers over the years, but I can honestly say that Sam Taylor is something special. He is an exquisite pop balladeer, belting out gorgeous and gut-wrenching tunes. His delivery is one of a kind that has both boys and girls enchanted.

Check out a quick little web chat I had with Sam this past weekend to introduce him. He talks about how he got started in the music business, his candid dinner chat with Kylie Minogue, writing pop songs and his upcoming performance at SUPERFRAICHE POP NIGHT.

Sam Taylor will be making his U.S. debut at SUPERFRAICHE next week Thursday. Make sure to see him as one of the first! Click here to get your tickets today!

Listen to Disco Freaks vs Dragonette "Easy Sun"

Check out this excellent club mash up of Freemason's remix of Disco Freak's "Take Me To The Sun" and Dragonette's "Easy," which is taken from their new album. That's a whole big pile of dance floor hotness that works very well together. Enjoy. (Click here to download Dragonette's new album "Fixin' To Thrill. On sale at 7Digital.com.)

Listen to "Soles of Fire" by Sam Sparro, Mark Ronson and Theophilius London

While on the topic of Mark Ronson, there are few others interesting bits to report about. The British producer just wrapped recording sessions with '80s super band Duran Duran. Stripping them down from all the glitz and glam, an insider tells me that Ronson demanded that Simon Le Bon and his men would forget all about their Timbaland experience and go back to the basics. Ronson even made them record in a dingy recording studio in London to make it work.

Ronson also produced a very interesting collaboration between ArjanWrites.com fave Sam Sparro and British MC Theophilus London. Together they are Chaffeur and they unleased the first fruit from their collaboration last week. Ronson produced the track in support of his new Gucci-branded line of sneakers. Very, very interesting. Sparro hits the falsetto and brings the soul. Get it here.

Fraiche MP3 Download: Bebel Gilberto and Mark Ronson "The Real Thing"

Time for something a little different. A little more mellow.

Mark Ronson turns on the retro on his new new collaboration with Brazilian pop icon Bebel Gilberto. Originally performed by Sergio Mendes and written by Steve Wonder, Bebel Gilberto and Mark Ronson put their own unique spin on "The Real Thing."

The original version is an undeniable disco track, but one would never know from this reinterpretation.  Bebel's sultry voice and Mark Ronson's killer horns and percussion reintroduce this classic to a new generation of music fans. Perfect fare to keep you comfort in those dark and rainy days of fall. "The Real Thing" appears on Bebel Gilberto's new album "All In One." (Click here to download "All In One" on 7Digital.)

Bebel Gilberto and Mark Ronson "The Real Thing"

Dangerous Muse to Perform at SUPERFRAICHE POP NIGHT on November 12 in New York City

I'm thrilled to announce that New York electro-pop duo Dangerous Muse has been added to the list of performers of next week's SUPERFRAICHE POP NIGHT. Long-time readers of this blog know that I've been following the duo of Mike Furey and Tom Napack ever since they splashed onto the pop scene with "The Rejection" and that stunning Advocate cover back in 2006.

Since then, the guys have been working on new material for their upcoming debut album. The much-anticipated LP will be introduced this month with the release of “I Want It All," the album's first single produced by Bloodshy & Avant (Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez). A music video shot in Los Angeles with director Greko Sklavounos and remix single package will support the single release. (See a preview of the video.)

Producers on the yet-untitled album also include recording artist Esthero (making her production debut), Josh Harris (The Killers, Seal, Dangerous Muse), Ted Ottaviano (Book of Love, Dangerous Muse) and David Siskovic (Justin Timberlake, Cut Copy, Gwen Stefani, Goldfrapp).

Fans have been eagerly awaiting new songs from the duo and I can assure you that Dangerous Muse is alive and kicking. They will be playing songs during Superfraiche together with Brad Walsh, Menya, Reni Lane and Sam Taylor. It will be a great, electrifying and superfraiche pop night to remember.

Make sure to get your tickets to SUPERFRAICHE today!