Do I Contradict Myself? Very Well Then, I Contradict Myself.

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I was always thinking of games I was playing...

St. Etienne, the early 90s English indie-dance act that inexplicably covered a Neil Young classic and garnered their first and only US club hit. Here's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart."

the greatest.

So last week I grumbled about pretty much everything - sucky weather, utter broke-ness, and the lack of good new jams. I was your prototypical anonymous cynic of the internets!

This week is different. It's currently 75 degrees in Oakland with fair skies, and I'm stoked on a new track. I am however, still broke, but I'm always broke. 

French swirly dream pop band M83 dropped new single "Midnight City" off the forthcoming Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. This succeeds John Hughes-movie- soundtrack-inspired LP Saturdays=Youth, which was a damn near perfect record for ME. I mean, c'mon, an atmospheric synth-pop record inspired by moments like Ferris and Sloane bidding goodbye after a long, radical day to Dream Academy's "The Edge of Forever"? 

Saturdays=Youth was a record tailor-made for this kid who thought Shermer, Illinois was real way before Jay and Silent Bob.

New single "Midnight City" doesn't sound far off, era-wise. There's a huge sax solo at the end. I've heard this so many times before (Psychedelic Furs' "Heartbreak Beat") but with that, it hits every note of nostalgia without sounding old. 

The double(!) record comes out October 18 on Mute, followed by a gig at SF's Independent on November 10. 

To Coachella, or Not to Coachella.

.Coachella's 2011 lineup was announced this week, and I see the reunited Death From Above 1979 (omg) is on the bill for Sunday. I also see Arcade Fire headlining Saturday(the weakest day admit it). These two bands alone makes me consider the $269 price tag. Then again, the other artists I'm excited about - Cut Copy, Sleigh Bells, The Presets, and Yelle - I'd much rather see in a club. The desert sun is discouraging. I feel parched already just thinking about it. In years past, the annual Coachella weekend in April has proved to be a great time to catch headliners and others here in the Bay, albeit in more comfortable and less expensive fashion.  Alas, I'm catching Cut Copy April 16th at SF's Regency Ballroom, the Saturday of the festival. Which btw, I'm extremely excited about, since their leaked new album Zonoscope (out February 8th) is sooo doin' it for me. Listen to the opening track "Need You Now" on the tube. There's a rumor Daft Punk may storm Kanye's Sunday night headlining slot. Although nothing will compete with their Alive 2007 stop at the Berkeley Greek Theater (MOST AMAZING SHOW EXPERIENCE EVER) it may be the icing on the cake for what could be a musically fantastic weekend. I brought up Daft Punk in the first place because a couple ladies who call themselves Pink Is Punk remixed "Derezzed" and it's really effing good. It's better and more satisfying than the original and that's what we like to hear. Ladies outdoin' robots.  Ok ok, perhaps persuasion and some high SPF will coax me into a trip to Indio. We'll see.

In other news: Beth Ditto, singer of The Gossip just released a four song EP, teaming up with Simian Mobile Disco for a sassy dance floor jaunt that doesn't sound unlike the dancier moments of The Gossip's recent record Music For Men, which despite being produced by Rick Rubin, was actually pretty dancey. Simian's presence is obvious, with their vintage sounding, yet super clean synths. Lovin' the lead track "Open Heart Surgery." She won't be at Coachella this year. Oh snap!

p.s. i like this. A LOT: The Drums - Me & the Moon (Clock Opera Mix)

Brooklyn sends love to stereo-land with synth-pop duo Class Actress dropping the new track "Keep You," streaming above.

It's a heads-up for the full length Rapproacher, out October 18 on Carpark.

Elizabeth Harper and band mate Scott Rosenthal will join Washed Out next Saturday, July 9 at the Great American Music Hall in SF.