The Naked and Famous - Young Blood (Daytrotter)

“Young Blood (Daytrotter Version)” by The Naked and Famous // Daytrotter Session (Echo Mountain 3.2.12)

Daytrotter continues sourcing out great performances for their Echo Mountain Recordings. This recent in-studio from The Naked and Famous included a take on their crowd favorite track, “Young Blood” which, while sticking fairly close to the original, comes off a little more jagged and dark, which is strange to add a slight sinister edge to such a jubilant track. At any rate, it’s a great jam worth a listen. 

(download and stream) The Naked and Famous Echo Mountain session (Daytrotter)

Washed Out - Feel It All Around

“Feel It All Around” by Washed Out // Daytrotter (Echo Mountain Recording 2.22.12)

It’s a slow leap day for music, so I thought I’d post another highlight from Washed Out’s recent trip to Daytrotter. This time with his stripped back take on what is possibly his most famous jam, “Feel It All Around”. Granted, here it’s nearly unrecognizable. Gone are the south beach chill vibes and underwater beats, and in their place is a gentle synth line, pretty piano, and clear dreamy vocals. Not a bad trade off, but truly, it’s almost a completely new track. 

(download) Washed Out’s Daytrotter Session

Washed Out - You'll See It (Daytrotter Session)

“You’ll See It” by Washed Out // Daytrotter (Echo Mountain Recording 2.22.12)

I hadn’t thought much about Washed Out recently, and then today Daytrotter drops this excellent three track collection of in-studio recordings. “You’ll See It” is a particular stand out as in it’s original form (from the Life of Leisure EP) it’s a pulsing electro-pop jam in every sense of the word, but here it’s a somber, piano ballad, and a beautiful one at that. An absolutely must listen. 

(download) Washed Out’s Daytrotter Session

Chelsea Wolfe - Mer (daytrotter session)

“Mer (Daytrotter Session)” by Chelsea Wolfe // Daytrotter Session (02.14.12)

Hearing Chelsea Wolfe work her magic in a live studio setting like Daytrotter brings out the widescreen, filmic, near-operatic sound that only peaks through on her album. It’s really works out tremendously well in this stripped back take on her single, “Mer”. Definitely a must listen for fans of Zola Jesus and Austra. 

(stream & download) Chelsea Wolfe’s Daytrotter Session 

White Hinterland - Teenage Dream (Katy Perry cover)

“Teenage Dream” by White Hinterland // Originally by Katy Perry 

Over at Daytrotter, Casey Dienel’s White Hinterland project have turned in a pretty great session and the highlight might just be their take on Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”. Stripping back all of the super-pop-production and pro-tools magic to just the core melody, we’re treated to a gorgeous, ethereal take on the pop jam. It’s pretty much just vocal layering and a quiet, crackling beat that backs her up, but it’s pretty much perfect. A must listen. 

Tammar - Untitled

“Untitled” by Tammar // Daytrotter Session (12.20.2011)

I’ve been a big fan of Tammar’s excellent album, “Visits”, so I was amped to hear them take some of those cuts to Daytrotter. Even more exciting was the inclusion of two non-album cuts (one from 2008, this one from ?). This track, “Untitled” continues to expand upon that dreamy, psych rock sound that they utilized on “Visits”. Intimate and yet big, expansive sounds permeate throughout. The near indecipherable lyrics flowing over cascading rhythms and jangle guitars give it sort of a Clap Your Hands meets WU LYF kind of vibe, but that comparison doesn’t do it justice. Just press play and let something exciting happen. 

(download) Tammar @ Daytrotter (12.20.11)

The Antlers - Hounds (Daytrotter Session)

“Hounds” by The Antlers // Daytrotter Big Orange Studios (11.23.11)

The Antlers’ recent visit to Daytrotter produced a gorgeous batch of in-studio cuts from their breathtaking album, Burst Apart. The stripped back production didn’t effect the outcome in the slightest, as evidenced by the damn near perfect take on album standout, “Hounds”. It’s one of my favorite songs of the year done for the great site, Daytrotter. Definitely worth a couple of dozens listens. 

(stream & purchase) The Antlers’ @ Big Orange Studios (via Daytrotter)

Teen Daze - The Harvest (Daytrotter Session)

“The Harvest” by Teen Daze // Daytrotter Session (2011)

Teen Daze recently dropped by Daytrotter to record some acoustic renditions of his usually electronic leaning tracks. This track, from his forthcoming album, A Silent Planet, has shifted from being a dreamy, chillwave gem into a somber, heartbreaking acoustic number. It’s pretty remarkable how much the songs shift in an acoustic, in-studio setting and it’s further proof of what a talented musician Teen Daze (in all of his various incarnations) has become since his early bedroom pop/ chillwave tracks. 

* Note: The first 19 seconds are silent. It’s not a blank file. 

(download) Teen Daze // Daytrotter Session @ Daytrotter

The National - Pretty In Pink

the national - PRETTY IN PINK (Psychedelic Furs cover // Daytrotter Session)

A session from a long while back. Not much new and exciting to post, so why not bring out the fun old toys that don’t get much play time these days. This was recorded back in the summer of 2007 during The National’s stop to promote their near perfect album, “Boxer”. Its exactly what you’d expect from the National covering a Psychedelic Furs track, which is to say you should have already heard it by now and if you haven’t - why the fuck aren’t you pressing play?

MGMT - Only a Shadow

mgmt - ONLY A SHADOW (Daytrotter Session)

A previously unreleased MGMT gem popped up on Daytrotter today and you can head over there to download it or click the play button up there and have a listen here while you wait. Oddly, the chorus reminds me heavily of a Tegan and Sara song, which is a bit strange, but it’s fun all the same. This is exactly what you’d expect from an MGMT b-side. Prickly guitar work and driving basslines with the usual singalong chorus. It’s good stuff. Not mindblowing, but damn good.

EDIT: Melissav just pointed out that this is actually a cover of a song by The Cleaners from Venus. Thanks! Good to know.

Bear In Heaven - Lovesick Teenagers

bear in heaven - LOVESICK TEENAGERS (Daytrotter Session)

I love this song so much and this in-studio version isn’t a huge step away from the original, but i really love how it came out. The vocals are a little further removed and the drums hold the beat over that pulsating synth from the studio mix, but it’s still fucking great.

(mp3) Lovesick Teenagers

Crooked Fingers - Crowned in Chrome

crooked fingers - CROWNED IN CHROME (Live from Daytrotter)

One of the great albums to get drunk with.