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:

RATATAT, Ghostface Killah, Nina B

New York’s DJ Lexey has assembled a playlist of some of the hottest free tracks on ARTISTdirect.com.

You can download any of the tracks and start mixing them with our free trial of the Cimio DJ software. The list of tracks runs the gamut from electronic to pop to hip hop, and it’s bound to yield some killer mixes.

Download the below tracks from DJ Lexey’s playlist and download Cimio now to start DJing!

DJ Lexey’s Playlist:

1. RATATAT — “Mirando”

2. POS — “Goodbye”

3. Nina B — “In My Own Lane”

4. Air France — “Collapsing At Your Doorstep”

5. Ghostface Killah — “Charlie Brown (DJ Mehdi Remix)”

6. Lykke Li — “Little Bit (Aether Remix)”

7. Islands — “Creeper”

8. Autumns — “Killer In Drag (Le Petit Mort Mix)”

9. Hot Chip — “One Pure Thought (Supermayer Remix)”

10. Metric — “Help I’m Alive (The Twelves Remix)”

11. Lady Sovereign — “I Got You Dancing”

12. Pnau — “Embrace (Feat. Lady Hawke) (Fred Falke & Miami Horror Remix)”

13. Brazilian Girls — “Good Time (Diplo Remix)”

14. Ursula 1000 — “Zombies (DJ Ayres Remix)”

15. MSTRKRFT — “Bounce (Feat. Nore) (Felix Cartal Remix)”

—Rick Florino
09.08.09

A Taste:

Beach Boys, Justice, The Animals, Ratatat

Cobra Starship’s dance-y pop rock never fails to “Make them good girls go bad!”

On their latest album Hot Mess, the merchants of pop dance ecstasy light up one infectious anthem after another. They’ve got the groove to make any dance floor go off, and they’ve got enough melody to make you hum all day. It’s quite the combination, and the perfect mess of melody and mischief.

Guitarist Ryland Blackinton has a very diverse taste in tunes. He opened up his iTunes and gave ARTISTdirect.com an exclusive look at what he’s spinning. Check out Ryland’s playlist below and pick up Hot Mess now!

Ryland Blackinton’s Playlist:

1. The Creation — “Painter Man”

2. The Animals — “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”Classic Animals. This is also one of my favorite videos from the 60’s. Eric Burdon walks around so nonchalantly while he lip syncs.

3. Ratatat — “Mumtaz Khan”

Ratatat’s newest album, LP3, really blew my mind. They started using a lot of Middle Eastern percussion and this song, in particular, has one of the best baroque guitar riffs I’ve ever heard. Seeing them live is psychotic.

4. The Beach Boys — “In My Room”

Brian Wilson perfectly encapsulates the sense of security one feels in his respective bedroom. This song also has some of the most beautiful four-part harmonies they’ve ever done. The album art [for Endless Summer] is crazy too. It features strung out mountain man drawings of them hiding in the grass. Way far out.

5. Patrick Cleandenim — “Motorik”

Patrick just recently released Orange Moonbeam Floorshow in the States, and it’s the best dance album to come out in a while. He used to make this really Bacharach-y piano pop music, and I fully back his movement into electronic dance music.

6. Crystal Stilts — “Prysmatic Room”

Like hearing a song you’ve loved in the past, the Stilts have an amazing nostalgic quality. I remember the early demos had so much reverb it sounded like the music was drowning. I can’t put it on without listening to the entire record.

7. Dinosaur Jr. — “In A Jar”

8. Justice — “Planesphere Part II”

Insanely dark and classical…Even more impressive that it was madeexclusively for Dior Homme.

9. Breakbot

This guy just got signed to Ed Banger records and basically every remix he’s ever done is better than the original. Hopefully we’ll be seeing an album of his soon!

10. Talking Heads — “Naive Melody”

Perfect song. David Byrne once said, “The better the singer, the harderit is to believe them.” It’s true, though not a pitch perfect performance, you get every word of the song. I also love that weird little warbly synth sound. The live version on “Stop Making Sense” will make a Talking Heads fan out of anyone.

—Rick Florino
08.31.09