A Taste:

MGMT, RATATAT, Lykke Li, Animal Collective

Kid Cudi just wants to rock.

Cleveland’s “lonely stoner” loves a good rock song—indie or otherwise. His playlist is practically a who’s who of popular and up-and-coming bands. It’s way more Pitchfork than Vibe, but it’s just another Kid Cudi curveball. He’s one of the best new rappers on the scene, and he’s constantly rocking out. It’s all part of this space man’s legend though.

Kid Cudi shared his playlist with ARTISTdirect.com editor Rick Florino in this exclusive feature. Check it out below!

Kid Cudi’s Playlist:

1. Kid Cudi — Man On the Moon: The End of Day

Damn, I really can’t stop listening to my own album to be honest [Laughs]. I really made this album for me first, and I hope that other people like it.

2. MGMT

I’m always into MGMT.

3. Lykke Li

I’m always listening to Lykke Li.

4. RATATAT

RATATAT is still on my playlist of course.

5. Animal Collective

I’m very selective about what I get into. Animal Collective, I just got familiar with them a couple months ago, and I’ve been jamming to them. I’ve got my ear to the streets.

6. Kings of Leon

I like Kings of Leon. They’re awesome! Their album is dope because I like the single but there are other songs that are just as good on the album, than just the single. I love constantly discovering new artists, getting their album and realizing they have more shit to offer.

—Rick Florino
09.20.09

A Taste:

Glasvegas, MGMT, The Stills

Kings of Leon don’t mess around. On their latest album, Only By the Night, these four southern boys churn out straightforward rock n’ roll. With undeniable anthems like “Sex Is On Fire,” they pay homage to the classics, but they venture into new territory through moody and massive sonic textures on the likes of “Use Somebody” and “Closer.” The hypnotic flourishes arise from Matthew Followill’s guitar playing. He doesn’t simply play; he paints aural landscapes, blending bluesy licks with a heightened sensitivity for ambiance.

It’s no surprise that Matthew’s playlist is all over the map. He opened up his iTunes for us in this exclusive feature and gave us a look at what he’s spinning. Check out his playlist below!

Matthew Followill’s Playlist:

1. White Lies — To Lose My Life

“I just downloaded their album, and I really like it.”

2. Glasvegas — Glasvegas

“If you haven’t checked out Glasvegas, you should! They’re really good.”

3. MGMT — Oracular Spectacular

“The MGMT record is a little older now but that one’s good. We’ve been listening to it forever.”

4. The Whigs

“The Whigs are simply awesome!”

5. The Stills

“I’m always listening to The Stills.”

—Rick Florino
05.11.09

A Taste:

MGMT, Lil Wayne, Lykke Li

Amanda Crew confronts true evil in The Haunting In Connecticut. The Lions Gate creep show is easily the scariest film to hit theaters this year, and none of that terror was lost on the actress. However, she had the perfect cure for on-set jitters—her iPod.

“This is my feel good playlist,” she laughs. “It’s my mix for when you’re freaked out because you’re filming a scary movie and you have to be crying and screaming all day!”

So what tunes got Amanda through her trip to Hell?

She cooked up quite an eclectic sonic platter to say the least. The girl’s got taste! Check out her playlist below and don’t forget to catch this year’s most fantastic nightmare, The Haunting In Connecticut due in theaters next Friday.

Amanda Crew’s Playlist:

1. MGMT — “Electric Feel”

“This song makes me want to put on a pair of roller skates for some reason.”

2. Shiny Toy Guns — “Don’t Cry Out”

“[Co-star] Kyle Gallner introduced me to this band. They were playing a show in Winnipeg when we were filming, and I became addicted to them.”

3. Postal Service — “Such Great Heights”

“Greatest lyrics ever!”

4. Kings of Leon

“I can’t choose just one song; so check out their entire album Only By the Night. It makes me want to be a rock star.”

5. Lykke Li — “I’m Good, I’m Gone”

“You can’t listen to this song and not get up and dance.”

6. Stars — “Soft Revolution”

“All of their songs are amazing, but this makes my heart smile.”

7. TV Heart Attack — “Hypnotic Eyes”

“They’re a Vancouver band that can always make you get up and dance.”

8. Daniel Wesley — “Sing + Dance”

“We filmed The Haunting in Winnipeg where it was freezing cold. This song made me feel like I was on the beach.”

9. The Dance Party — “Ultra Radical”

“This song will blow your mind on the dance floor.”

10. Lil Wayne — Tha Carter III

“Anyone who knows me might be surprised to see this on my playlist, but a great friend of mine who worked on The Haunting introduced me to Weezy’s latest album, and I’ve been forever changed.”

11. Metric — “Empty”

“Awesome song…Eerie opening which turns into a fiery rock song.”

12. Bright Eyes — “Poison Oak”

“This track doesn’t make you happy, but it will definitely make you feel.”

—Rick Florino
03.20.09

A Taste:

TV On the Radio, Explosions in the Sky, MGMT

Madina Lake create infectious alt rock with a personal twist. Bassist Matthew Leone opened up his iTunes and gave us an exclusive look inside. You might be surprised by some of his selections.

Discover what Matthew is spinning below and check out Madina Lake’s latest studio album, Attics to Eden, due out in stores everywhere on April 28th, 2009.

Matthew Leone’s Playlist:

1. TV On the Radio

2. Explosions in the Sky

3. Armor for Sleep — “Hold the Door”

4. MGMT — “Kids”

5. Anberlin

6. Murder By Death

7. One Day as a Lion

8. Portishead

9. Thrice – “Come All You Weary”

10. Airborne Toxic Event

—Rick Florino
03.05.09