Video Premiere: Matinee Club "Discotheque Francais"

Fomerly called The Modern, Matinee Club is alive and kicking! After Mercury Records foolishly dropped the '80s inspired pop outfit early last year, Nathan, Emma and Chi regrouped and decided to release their future records under a brand-new name.

Check out a brand-new video for their new single "Discotheque Francais" that was produced to kickstart their career. The video is a fantastic '40s inspired piece that tells the story of romance between a cabaret singer and her spy lover. It is somewhat of a mix between Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge and a classic World War II flick. You can tell plenty of money was invested to make the video look this good. And that is a very good sign. Things are finally getting serious for the band.

Also, look out for mixes of "Discotheque Francais" in your local clubs. Remixes on white vinyl were distributed to a select group of DJ tastemakers in London, New York and Los Angeles last week. The band is working it from the club up.

It looks like Matinee Club is finally getting the spotlight they deserve. Keep checking Arjanwrites.com for much more Matinee Club in the weeks to come.

Watch Matinee Club "Discotheque Francais" [YouTube]

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Free Download: Bitter:sweet "The Mating Game"
Los Angeles-based duo Bitter:sweet produces an unusual hybrid of jazz, electronica and world music. It is chill like Zero 7 but has the trippy qualities of Portishead. Their album "The Mating Game" was released last year and includes "Bittersweet Faith" that was also included on the popular "The Devil Wears Prada" soundtrack.

Bitter:sweet are singer/songwriter Shana Halligan and songwriter/producer Kiran Shahani who previously founded the Supreme Beings of Leisure. The band was formed when Halligan responded to an ad on Craiglist posted by Shahani wo was looking for a singer to complement his new project. Together they recorded the debut "The Mating Game" that was released back in April of 2006.

Check out a guilt-free MP3 download of "The Mating Game." It is one of those polished and well-produced tracks that paints a clear sonic picture and transports you instantly to a '60s spy novel. Delicious. It will accessorize your day. (Click here to purchase "The Mating Game" album on iTunes.)


Download Bitter:sweet "The Mating Game" [MP3]

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Mash Up: Sting versus Pharrell
Some mash ups are done so well that you almost forget about the original tracks they're based on. Good example are the excellent mash ups DJ Earworm has produced over the last few years. Up-and-coming DJ Jus Ske has put togeter a mix tape of his own mash ups called "My Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me."

The New York City DJ recently joined forces with Pharrel Williams and Star Trak as the DJ for Pharrel's new album "In My Mind," promo tour in Europe and Asia. He also appeared with Pharrell on several of his television performances in the U.S.

One of the mash ups on Jus Ske's mixtape is "An Englishman Was With That Girl In New York," a clash of Pharrell's "That Girl" (ft. Snoop Dogg) with Sting's "Englishman In New York." It is one those mash ups that I don't really get. It seems to fit muscially, but it lacks flow. What do you think?

Listen to Jus Ske "An Englishman Was With That Girl In New York"

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Scissor Sisters Kick Off Japanese Tour, Film New Video, Duet with PSB
Scissor Sisters kicked off their Japanese tour last night at the Tokyo Zepp Theatre. Jake is wearing a Disney inspired suit designed by Zaldy. While they were in town, the group also shot the video for their next U.K. single "She's My Man" directed by acclaimed Japanese director Nagi Noda.

In related news, Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant writes on the Pet Shop Boys web site that he will performing a song with Scissor Sisters on stage next month at a Body & Soul charity gig in London. (Thanks to Jordan for this little tidbit.)