March 30, 2013

MUSIC: PHOENIX NORMAND

CLICK to buy RUNNING (JAEGER RYDALL REMIX) from iTunes.
IN TWEET: INDIE ARTIST PHOENIX NORMAND IS “RUNNING” WITH AN INFECTIOUS DANCE TUNE THAT WILL MAKE YOU MOVE. WE DARE YOU TO RESIST THE HOOKS OF THIS UBER CATCHY SINGLE.

As a rule, we don’t cover mainstream, major label music on RONTHINK but when we stumble across a great indie voice, we’re all over it. 

Today we’re sharing a couple of tracks from an artist we really like: San Francisco-based singer/songwriter Phoenix Normand. If you’ve been looking for new music that'll get you off your ass and help you shake the winter blues, Normand has you covered.

NOTE: IF YOU ARE USING A BROWSER OR MOBILE DEVICE THAT DOES NOT SUPPORT THE HTML5 MUSIC PLAYERS FROM SOUND CLOUD EMBEDDED BELOW, PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A LINK TO PHOENIX NORMAND'S FULL SOUND CLOUD LIBRARY.

I’m listening to the LFB RADIO MIX of RUNNING as I write this post and I can’t get enough. It’s infectious, full of great hooks and offers a sweet balance of smart lyrics and an irresistible dance beat. Of the two re-mixes, it’s the one that grabbed me right away. I took it running with me on the beach this morning and can’t think of a better soundtrack for your workout...outdoors or on the dance floor.


THE JAEGAR RYDALL take on RUNNING is a little colder and more aloof but it still works quite well, especially the haunting piano line that closes the remix. It’s nice to see the same source material re-mixed in ways that leave you with two completely different vibes after listening.


Both remixes of RUNNING are lifted by echoes of time-honored club kid bravado and pleasant layering of vocals that, at times, woke up my inner Erasure. These are welcome qualities in a genre that often churns out more of the same. Normand manages to make RUNNING rise above the clutter and infuses it with remarkable replayability. Both remixes of RUNNING are worthy additions to your digital music library.

CLICK to get BLUE LIGHT from Sound Cloud.
BLUELIGHT, a second hot single from Normand, is the song I want to accompany me every time I enter a crowded room. It’s a down and dirty paean to the classics of bluesy soul, complete with strong organ accompaniment and powerful electric guitar. 

It’s the kind of song that demands you go out to see and be seen with your crew. Hell, even if you don’t have a crew BLUELIGHT will make you want to throw one together. There’s also a serious message rolling with the party here, though my favorite line offers a kick-ass antidote to a troubled world: “I’m gonna sit back on my grove and let my big, fat booty move.” We say, amen!


Here's the video for RUNNING and, below that, a link to the LFB RADIO MIX of the single from iTunes. Support indie music and make Phoenix Normand a part of your playlist.

CLICK to buy RUNNING (LFB RADIO EDIT) from iTunes.