AM & Shawn Lee cover Joe Jackson’s ‘Steppin’ Out’ & Announce US June Tour
AM & Shawn Lee ‘Steppin’ Out’ not the worst attempt at the Joe Jackson cover, but when One Direction cover ‘One Way Or Another’ by Blondie, I felt the same way, it does not normally always work, the music industry is not Hollywood. Still in hope that the rest of La Musique Numerique may yet indeed be something of true worth. With Guitars will bite the bullet, to get on with proceedings…
La Musique Numerique Out 5/7 via Park The Van Records,
US Tour Kicks Off in June
AM & Shawn Lee are back with their sophomore LP, La Musique Numérique (French for “digital music”): a sun-filled, space-funk masterwork that blends early digital technology with decade-blurring songwriting, transporting listeners deeper into the sonic crates from which the music was born. A follow-up to 2011’s Celestial Electric, which garnered praise from KEXP, FILTER, Under The Radar, NYLON and more, La Musique Numérique sees the duo expanding their influences while simultaneously refining their sound and tightening production. Taking fans in and out of faded memories of disco, funk, soul and reggae but never colonizing one style, La Musique Numerique will be released May 7th via Park The Van Records. The album is now available for pre-order via iTunes and Amazon.
La Musique Numérique contains an ambitious rendition of Joe Jackson’s 1982 hit “Steppin’ Out”– a version that sees the new wave classic taken deeper into the cosmos. Closing out the album with a bang, you can download the “Steppin’ Out” MP3 where it premiered with NYLON today or below. You can also check out a behind-the-scenes video of the duo discussing their cover HERE. We encourage you to post & share the MP3 & video!
Album opener “Two Times” introduces the record with a tip of the hat to Sleng Teng Riddim’s technological origin: the Casio MT-40 keyboard. What follows is a pulsating sex groove complete with unexpected synth jabs and smooth soulful vocals: a space capsule where Curtis Mayfield and Sly & Robbie play the host. “Automatic” features an irresistible chorus punctuated by a danceable beat, funky filtered bass lines, and an electric sitar intro that will have you immediately hooked, while “In The Aftermath” is a sonically rich ballad with swirling layers of vintage synth instrumentation that set an atmospheric tone, showing a softer side of the album.
It’s no secret that AM & Shawn Lee dig deep into obscure musical wells, gaining approval from other like-minded audiophile obsessives and vintage Sound Library revivalists. However, these influences aren’t simply plugged into a computer program and spit out through modern-day technology: the instruments are played, the vocals are sung, and the songs are written, giving the music a very physical process that has become apparent with the duo’s growing live fan base. Having played alongside Phoenix, AIR, Sigur Ros, and Charlotte Gainsbourg, AM & Shawn Lee will bring their infectious live show on the road this summer. Be sure to catch the band live in your city, and stayed tuned for more from the duo coming soon!
For more information on AM & Shawn Lee, give us a shout!:
AM & Shawn Lee on Tour:
Sounds of Summer Tour 2013
6/13: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios – TICKETS
6/14: Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey – TICKETS
6/16: Vancouver, BC @ The Cobalt – TICKETS
6/18: Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
6/19: Boston, MA @ Church of Boston – TICKETS
6/20: Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory – TICKETS
6/21: Chicago, IL @ Schubas – TICKETS
6/22: Rochester, NY @ Lovin’ Cup – TICKETS
6/26: San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop – TICKETS
6/27: San Jose, CA @ Pagoda
6/28: Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo – TICKETS
6/29: San Diego, CA @ The Griffin – TICKETS
www.amandshawnlee.com
www.facebook.com/amandshawnlee
www.twitter.com/amsounds
www.youtube.com/amsounds
http://www.soundcloud.com/amsounds
www.parkthevan.com