London Calling Amsterdam

London Calling is a biannual music festival held at Amsterdam's Paradiso that features up and coming acts from the UK. This April 30th to May 2nd, the event will celebrate their 16th year. Relatively well-established people like Erol Alkan and Little Boots will perform alongside actual up and coming bands like Micachu and Two Door Cinema Club.

I would recommend this festival anyone who lives off the Hype Machine. That means everyone. Here's a sampler of some personal favourites attending...

If you wish it was 2001 so you could immerse yourself in Strokes-esque music all over again, your prayers have been answered.

The Airbourne Toxic Event "Does This Mean You're Moving On?" [Mediafire]

Probably the next wave of new rave, whatever that may mean. Who cares, they just sound nice.

The Big Pink "Too Young to Love" [Mediafire]

Self-described as "The Stone Roses meet Spaceman 3, who sound like Devo." Also known as "shoegazer-space-rock for the Red Bull generation." Huh? Just listen.

Maps "Back + Forth" [Mediafire]

Just one of the many breathtaking Erol Alkan productions. See him live! He kills it every time.

Interpol "Mammoth (Erol Alkan Remix)" [Mediafire]

Health = Die Slow

The latest from Health is incredible. The intensity kills me. Can't wait to hear Market Yourself for Blood in all its glory. 

Health "Die Slow" [Mediafire]

In the meantime, the band is currently touring Europe; check dates here. To be honest, I wasn't particularly impressed when I saw them live last year with Crystal Castles. Perhaps they've brushed up on their live set. There's only one way to find out I suppose.

BONUS: Vintage Health.

Health "Triceratops (CFCF Remix)" [Mediafire]

Cheeky Patrick

Patrick Wolf has selected "Vulture" as the first single for his upcoming album, Bachelor. (Wasn't it originally titled Battle? No matter.) He's released an... interesting video for it. But the album release date has been pushed back several times now. It's now set for June 1. According to the NME, he's looking for The Cheeky Girls as collaborators for said album. Um... what? Wolf's thinking about having a "Transylvanian-themed section" on the record.

First off, that would be a such weird collaboration, but whatever he does will be amazing so I'm not worried. Second, I don't know much about the recording arts, but... is there much time to think about an entire section of the record with the release in 6-7 weeks? Maybe this is all normal and just seems strange because we often aren't exposed to the album recording process.

Patrick Wolf "Paris" [YSI]

I was going to check out Rotterdam's Motel Mozaique, but a much better offer came along. Namely, Paris. Have a fucking kick-ass holy week.

Flight of the Conchords "Foux du Fa Fa" [Mediafire] [MP3] [Vid]

We can work it out. We can work it out.

The Shoes are probably one of the most creative remixers out there. I love how they add their own quirky flair to each of their productions. That is, the use of speech synthesizers. Their latest is Esser's new single "Work It Out." Some people may say The Shoes used the exact same formula for Primary 1's "Hold Me Down" released last year. I say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Esser "Work It Out (The Shoes Remix)" [Mediafire]

Esser's extensive UK tour begins on the 16th. MySpace for dates.

Before that starts up though, if you're lucky enough to be in London, the launch party for the latest Shoes + Primary 1 single is happening on April 11.

I love a good sabre-toothed tiger illustration.