W♥M

Do you speak leek? (Loituma - Ievan Polkka)

nobody@vox.com(W♥M) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:58:34 -0500

Loituma

No one is as surprised about the resurgence of this 1995 song Loituma's "Ievan Polkka" than the band themselves. The song was used for the now-famous Loituma Leekspin Girl in 2006, a simple, but hypnotic, flash animation of Beach character Orihime Inoue. Inoue is seen here spinning a giant welsh onion called the Negi, however the English interpretor mis-translated the episode as a Leek - hence why the Loituma girl is often called the Leekspin girl.

The band's been long in retirement when the phenomenon hit and were soon asked for tour reunion, as well as in talks of re-releasing and remixing "Ievan Polkka". All this fuss for one song ?

So let's take a look at the song and why it's so popular.

First of all, the song isn't an original, it's based on an old 17th century Russian folk song, "Savitaipaleen polkka". The traditional song was then translated to Finnish in the 1930s by Eino Kettunen, which are the lyrics and melodies are based on on the Loituma's version.

As the internet have demonstrated, there are many different recording of this song, what I think I liked about Loituma's version is that there are actually no music in their recording. It should also be noted that they often would make up new/different lyrics, ala a cappella scat-style. Combined that with the harmonies and you can see why people just love this song.

While this is not an end-all to all things "Ievan Polka", I have compiled some recording and videos and variance of this song:

Pauli Räsänen - Ievan polkka	Sukellusvene - Savitaipaleen Polkka	Recall Project - Як Цуп Цоп (Loituma Polkka)	Loituma - "Ievan Polkka" (Eva's Polka)1996	Loituma - Ievan Polkka
Holly Dolly - The Dolly Song	Loituma - Levan Polka (the official video)	Loituma Girl	Miljah - Ievan Polkka	Arttu Suuntala - Ievan Polkka aka Ieva's Polka

Some notes: I'll have to admit that the "official" new video is pretty awful. It looks like it was based on those wacky hips-gyrating/thrusting Saturday Night Live guys (they later appeared in that stupid movie A Night at the Roxbury (1998)). Apparently the song got so massive that it was remixed into a a ringtone-selling song called "Holly Dolly", which was later featured as a full music video. Holly Dolly seems to me like a novelty thing, like that stupid Crazy Frog.

The Russian rap song is quite interesting, mixing hardcore rap-style with an old Russian folk song, while the Sukellusvene has no lyrics and sounds pretty loungey.

My favorite on here is a brief singing by Miljah, who looks surprisingly cute waving her leek.

Bonus: You can download a free Loituma Girl application for your iPhone.

Miku

Update 3/15/09 4pm: There's not just one, but two iPhone application! The second one is Miku Miku, a 3-D demo of Hatsune Miku singing Ievan Polkka. What's interesting about this version is that it's completely computer-generated (all the vocals are synthesized Vocaloid by Yamaha Corporation). Plus Miku is seen in the demo holding a giant onion.

PS I was going to do a podcast on this song, but based on all the variations, I've decided to just keep it as an article. It's okay, I have a ton of other songs I can talk about :)

03/15/2009 01:47:40 ♥ vu () ♥weheartmusic.com♥podcast.weheartmusic.com♥news.weheartmusic.com

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Say Hi

nobody@vox.com(W♥M) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:25:34 -0600

Say Hi - One Two ... One

Say Hi

Tour Dates

03/06/09 Neumos Seattle, Washington
03/12/09 Bottom Of The Hill SF, CA
03/13/09 The Echo Los Angeles, CA
03/14/09 Beauty Bar Las Vegas, NV
03/15/09 Plush Tucson, Arizona
03/17/09 Longhorn Saloon Ft. Worth, TX
03/19/09 Room 710 Austin, TX
03/20/09 SXSW Austin, TX
03/21/09 SXSW Daystage Austin, TX
03/21/09 The Parish Austin, TX
03/22/09 Hi-Tone Cafe Memphis, TN
03/23/09 The End Nashville, TN
03/24/09 Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, GA
03/25/09 Plaza Bowl Richmond, VA
03/26/09 Black Cat Washington,DC
03/27/09 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, PA
03/28/09 The Bell House Brooklyn, NY
03/29/09 Mercury Lounge New York, NY
03/30/09 Middle East Upstairs Cambridge, MA
03/31/09 Garfield Artworks Pittsburgh, PA
04/02/09 Circus Columbus, Ohio
04/03/09 Beat Kitchen Chicago, Illinois
04/04/09 7th Street Entry Minneapolis,MN
04/05/09 The Slowdown Omaha, NB
04/06/09 The Hi-Dive Denver, Colorado
04/07/09 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, Utah
04/08/09 Neurolux Boise, Idaho
04/09/09 Holocene Portland, Oregon

Discography

[2002] Discosadness	[2004] Numbers & Mumbles	[2005] Ferocious Mopes
[2006] Impeccable Blahs	[2007] The Wishes and the Glitch	[2009] Oohs & Aahs

Say Hi To Your Mom, or currently now known as simply Say Hi, is a lo-fi indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. They have been quietly and consistently releasing their charming little music since 2002 with equally clever titles (and not to mention multiple syllables) and lo-fi cover artwork (all pastel colors with black and white drawings).

They've been pretty constant because the music and direction are from mostly one person: Eric Ellbogen. He writes and records his music, usually at home on his mac. Well their latest album is called Oohs & Aahs and it was just released last Tuesday, March 3^rd, through Barsuk Records.

I managed to listen to the album three times, as I'm writing this, so it's a really short, but sweet, album. Sweet songs includes organ-sounding "Audrey" and "The Stars Just Blink For Us". Ellbogen's vocals reminds me of lazy-man Strokes singer, Julian Casablancas, on these songs.

"November Was White, December Was Grey" was the lead single/song that they released in anticipation to this album, which had great a right-only speaker guitar playing, but forgettable. His singing on this one had a lot of breathing too, which I didn't really enjoy. If you don't believe me, you can download the song yourself via Spin.com. The only good news is that Winter is almost gone here... and yes, I'll feel a lot better once Winter's gone.

My favorite songs on the album are the upbeat ones. Particularly "Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh" and "One, Two ... One". These songs are the songs I can't explain why I like, but I can just play them over and over again and not get bored.

On "One, Two", the low quality guitar and percussions makes it very simple to dance and groove to.

Plus clapping is always a bonus!

Overall, these songs are short pop songs, with analog/mono homemade sound quality - that's endearing and personal. They are setting out on tour to promote this album for 2009, so be sure to check them out if they're touring your area. I may try and catch them at SXSW, but since they're returning to Minneapolis in April, it will be no big deal if I miss them in all the SXSW madness.

You can buy all of Say Hi's records via our favorite record label or online at amazon.

03/04/2009 22:20:04 ♥ vu () ♥ www.ilikesayhi.com ♥ myspace.com/sayhitoyourmom ♥ barsuk.com

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

W♥M Podcast #20: Home Taping is Killing Music

nobody@vox.com(W♥M) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:59:36 -0500

08/24/2008 18:55:38 ♥ written by vu ()

NEVER GET OUT OF THIS

Spin - Not In Love

WOW, another epic podcast, with co-hosts Derek & Soup. Although this episode is more topics-centric (RIAA, MP3s, and state of music), I think the next podcast will be half-topic and half casual.

Download this episode (41 min)

Some topics we touched on:

RIAA vs Muxtape, CDs are too expensive, music blogs, internet radio royalties going up twice as much as traditional radio, taping off the radio, whatever happened to recording hunting?, Taping Kills Music, concerts, what we're listening to...

Music used:

♥ David Yazbek - Introduction (davidyazbek.com)
♥ Weird Al - Don't Download This Song (weirdal.com)
♥ Hellsongs - Breaking the Law (hellsongs.com)
♥ Le Tigre - Get off the Internet (letigreworld.com)
♥ S*M*A*S*H - Take Your Breath Away ( myspace.com/llyc)
♥ Spin - Not In Love (spinrocks.com)
♥ Ladyscraper - Gangbanger (hellsongs.com)
♥ Ironlung - Liar (myspace.com/lifeironlungdeath)
♥ Jeff Hanson - I Don't Quite Remember (jeffhanson.net)
♥ P. Hux - Wear My Ring (parthenonhuxley.com)
♥ Elastica - Operate (live)
♥ AIDS Wolf - Down, Holy Ground (myspace.com/aidswolf)

If you want to join us on the podcast, send me an email - I will need your telephone number or Skype username.

Links: weheartmusic.com weheartmusic.mypodcast.com

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Attack of the EPs, Part 4

nobody@vox.com(W♥M) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:02:59 -0500

08/07/2008 08:57:18 ♥ written by vu ()

Matthew Perryman Jones - Don't Fall In Love

Matthew Perryman Jones

http://sites.goog...

Matthew Perryman Jones gives away first album in prep for new release Swallow the Sea (8/19)

One thing before we begin on another very diverse set of 6-EP pack: you can download Matthew Perryman Jones's first album for free or a mere $1 via noisetrade.com. I will admit that I could not get noisetrade to work (it was only offering Kate York and I could not browse through their artist), but maybe you'll have better luck.

Noisetrade looks interesting, you can pay $1 or tell three of your friend for a free download. It's a great idea, and I've been trying to saying for a while now: make download free or cheap and it will encourage people from seeing you on tour and/or buy merchandise from you.

This promotion is due to his upcoming album, Swallow the Sea to be released on Thirty Tigers on August 19^th. You can even preview Swallow the Sea album on breakingoutthewindows.com, although it does require you to register.

Also, for more downloads, check out free downloads on site.w♥m.

FALLOUT 3
fallout.bethsoft.com ♥ gamestop.com

The Ink Spots - I Don't Want To Set The World On fire

I'm a longtime Fallout fan, and I recently put down some preorder money for the Deluxe Edition because Gamestop was offering a free 5-track CD.

The Fallout 3 Soundtrack features their theme song of The Ink Spots' "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire".

I might try and dig up the first two Fallout games and replay them in anticipation to the third game, revisit the classic Louis Armstrong's "A Kiss To Build A Dream On" as that was heavily used in the second game.

Anyway, if you were intending on getting Fallout 3, you might want to get a bonus EP out of by going to Gamestop.

PS, my character of choice was a sharpshooter with lots of strength to wear the Brotherhood of Steel's armor and to shoot those heavy guns.

MtO
mr-mto.com ♥ myspace.com

MTO - Bring It On Now (Hatchmatik Remix)

I had a pretty hard time locating mister MtO, as there is a rapper crew from California, also called MTO. This MtO is a DJ from Paris, France.

This latest release is Bring it On Now, a three-track EP with three different version of the same song. At first listen, all three sounds basically the same, but the Remote mix seems to be slowed down a bit (this is evident on the vocals "bring it on now").

I thought the Original mix is pretty accessible/poppy, complete with backup "oy" sound. It ends up that Hatchmatik stood out here, I think mostly because I like the clapping used on the mix.

Like all remix/DJ releases, I think that the real talent is actually live mixing and I don't know if that translate well on a recorded medium. If you're a fan trance and beats, definitely give this a spin, you can get the record from Coco Machete Records.

MIDDLE CLASS RUT
reverbnation.com/middleclassrut ♥ myspace.com

Middle Class Rut-New Low

The "MC" in MC Rut does not stand for Master of Ceremony, but "Middle Class". Another misconception you might have is that this "EP" contains nine songs (officially 8 songs, but there is a not-so-hidden 9^th called "Start To Run"), clocking over 40 minutes - longer than many punk albums I own!

Apparently this band consists of only two members, guitarist Zack Lopez and drummer Sean Stockham, both of whom were on a major label band called Leisure when they were only in their teens.

By default, I usually think the first song on a single or EP is the most important, but I'll have to say that I will pass that up for "New Low" - which contains a catchy line "I got a new low, all fifty-two cards in a row".

Middle Class Rut is playing one show at the end of the month (August 31^st) with The Force at Anaheim, California. Be sure to pick up their latest EP, MC Rut EP from their myspace.

THE JEFF MICHAEL BAND
thejeffmichaelband.com ♥ myspace.com

The Jeff Michael Band - When Will I See You Again

Despite what you may think, I actually really like Country music, and the Jeff Michael Band does have a little bit of a country twang to them. Check out "When Will I See You Again", their lead song on The Other Side EP.

Although it looks like he does have a full band backing up mister Michael, you never really see them in photographs on his myspace or official website. All the photos shows off a handsome Jeff Michael.

The Other Side is the second EP from this talented young musician, whose influences includes classics like The Beatles (especially on "Let Her Go") to John Mayer, but I do get a sense of a little Dylan (on "Enjoy the Ride").

He's playing one date (Sep 24^th) at the M Bar in Hollywood, California. Be sure to grab his latest EP at CD Baby.

ETERNAL DESCENT
eternaldescent.com ♥ myspace.com

Eternal Descent - Phantom

We previously mentioned Eternal Descent before, and I said they reminded me of Evanescence.

As a cover lover, when I got their latest EP, The Phantom of the Opera, I instantly needed to hear their cover version of this Andrew Lloyd Webber classic. Wow, it didn't disappoint me, this song is an industrial metal with a "duet" of a demonic-sounding Phantom.

The b-sides consists of only two mostly-instrumental songs "Legends" and "Fallen", both are good, but I felt was overshadowed by the first track, "Phantom". I think they were really designed as background music, as you're reading the comic book (you can see a preview of it on their myspace, I couldn't find any details on how to actually get a copy of the book).

With Losing Faith, I previously mentioned looks kind of anime, but this new cover art by Jason Metcalf feels more superhero. The art reminds me of Michael Turner, who unexpectedly died this year.

Anyway, you can pick up the latest EP from cdbaby, be sure to read about Losing Faith.

SPiN
spinrocks.com ♥ myspace.com

Spin - Not In Love

This is SPiN, a Philadelphia band with their 2007 EP called, er, what else? EP.

In a recent discussion with cranky, she pointed out that Music Exchange was cross-promoting Philadelphia and Minneapolis bands. This is kind of interesting, because previously, I wouldn't associate these two cities together, you know?

Plague with a common moniker, searching for SPiN's website was really hard. I eventually found it, but if I had trouble... then there's a problem for fans to find you.

Apparently the band is sponsored by their drink of choice, Jagermeister, an interesting choice, since I get the impression that they sponsor more harder music such as Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica. If you listen to them, they sound more like powerpop/rock.

Check out their burst of energy song, "Not In Love". You know, the more I hear "I'm not in love, I'm not in love, no no, not in love with you", the more I get the feeling that he's actually in love with her. Still the chorus is pretty catchy.

Be sure to check out these live dates:

08/23/08

08/28/08