Focal Point : Micachu & The Shapes

This month Psychic Tuesday focuses on one of my personal favorite newer bands, the truly uniquely playful sounds of the British band Micachu & The Shapes. 

 Mica Levi (aka Micachu) describes the music she performs (with Raisa Khan on keyboards and Marc Pell on drums) as "pop", without many of pop's defining characteristics (obvious choruses and accessible lyrics). She often uses unorthodox instruments, many of which are homemade. These include a modified guitar played with a hammer action, called a 'chu', and a bowed instrument fashioned from a CD rack. This multitude of objects, varying from broken bottles to a vacuum cleaner, help Mica achieve her distinctive and unique sound.

I remember the first time I experienced Micachu (back in 2009) ... I watched the video for "Lips" (included below) from her fantastic debut album, "Jewellery" and didn't know WHAT to think of it at the time ... except that I wanted to hear MORE MORE MORE!!! She has an excellent new album out now called "Never" ... go and get yourself a copy!

As always, ENJOY!

You can download the Micachu mix RIGHT HERE.



Check it out!
There is a video for EVERY SINGLE SONG on Micachu's new album! Wow! You can view all of them RIGHT HERE.


Here are some other choice videos by Micachu & the Shapes

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>>>>some random news<<<<

1st up, I directed a video for my band Nowhere Squares and you can view it below!
It's from our forthcoming album called "Lets Not" and the digital release is Tuesday Dec. 4th!!!
It'll also be physically released (on cassette!) on Happenin Records in early January 2013!









In other news, Roy Burns posted this incredible collection of storm battered photos-turned-art (due to Hurricane Sandy) ... View them HERE. Thanks, Roy!

Also, take in this excellent sound collage (commemorating BBC's 90th anniversary) from musician Damon Albarn HERE... Wowzers!

And (as previously reported) my friend Colin, also known as Ant'lrd just released his 1st amazing full-length album. You can check it out HERE and watch the 1st video from it below!

ant'lrd "cantaloupe visions" from ratigan on Vimeo.

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 >>>>>>>VIDEOS ARE NOW<<<<<<<

Hey look! Below we have an all female singer fest!!!

1stly,  check out Björk's totally surreal new video

2ndly, it's Purity Ring being  all creepy and dreamlike!

3rdly, an intense  micromovie of a video from Beach House

4thly, some darkly beautiful stuff from Nite Jewel

And 5thly, a full performance on KEXP (from earlier in the year) by Grimes!

>>>Time for some Laugh Out Loud Desserts!<<<

Haha! It's the very gay 1st episode of Hunx's TV show "Hollywood Nailz"!

Seth Persons posted this total gem of a video about a possessed TOASTER!
Cheers, Seth!

Scott & Charlene's Wedding have created a truly ridiculous video ...
I dare you to sit through the whole thing!

And finally, Elise sent me this wonderful collage nugget ...
Danke, E!!!