I may be in the minority, but I like Cocteau Twins last album best. Big lush production, gorgeous arrangements. As to which is their “best” album artistically and/or technically, well, I’ll leave that to Robin and the crew to decide. I’m sure they each have their faves. As to why I love “Milk & Kisses” best, I can’t really say. Its not that my favorite twins song is on the album, I just like the flow of the whole thing together, the relative up-beatness of it, the way the vocals are really upfront in the mix, the clean production sound, and I suppose most of all, the attached memories. I think of sunny road trips and summer afternoons when I hear “Milk & Kisses” rather than dark night clubs and high-keyed goth kids. Heh!
Lovespirals 2008 Bio for Loverush Digital
Had to write a condensed bio for the upcoming remix collaboration with Damien.S on Loverush Digital. Compared to some of the other talents on the label we seem pretty small time! Folks like Kirsty Hawkshaw have such impressive bios, I am just in awe…
2008 marks the 10 year anniversary of the creative union of musician/producer, Ryan Lum, and vocalist/lyricist, Anji Bee — known to the world collectively as Lovespirals. What better way to celebrate than with a clutch of amazing remixes of their single, “This Truth,” about that decade long coupling? As eternal as Lovespirals may seem to their hardcore fanbase– those who faithfully follow the band’s podcast and blog, particularly those who fell in love with the music via Anji’s electronica and worldbeat podcast and vidcast, The Chillcast — they have a secret past… The band originally began in 1991 as the darlings of the darkwave scene on Projekt Records, under the extended name of Love Spirals Downwards. By 1998, Ryan had evolved his previously more acoustic based sound into a genre bending electronica one – and was rewarded by having popular prime time show, Dawson’s Creek, feature the track “Psyche” on a season premier episode that is still in worldwide rotation. Lovespirals have followed up on that success with numerous TV and cable placements on programs including Oprah, Martha, What Perez Sez, Mind of Mencia, Gastineau Girls, and many more for MTV, VH1, E!, Logo, and others. Lovespirals currently have 3 full length albums and several digital EPs plus numerous compilation appearances. Anji has also appeared on a number of collaborations including one with Machineries of Heaven for the Need For Speed game franchise. Recent work includes tracks with up and coming downtempo artists Moosefrog and The Grooveblaster, as well as a new track in development with Damien.S.
Chillin' with Lovespirals #58
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Download Chillin’ with Lovespirals #58 MP3
Lovespirals announce their brand new digital-only release, This Truth EP, now on iTunes+, Amazon, and Last.FM. The duo discuss their halt on recording, potentially playing live with Shine and Mr. Meeble, the iTunes 8 Genius function, Anji being “obsessive compulsive” with playlists, Pandora‘s troubles with the Copyright Royalty Board, Blip.FM and it’s similarities to Twitter, being #1 on Below Zero, their Drunk Rockers pix, an encounter with Long Beach City Mayor, Bob Foster, and their thoughts on the recent death of Pink Floyd keyboardist and founding member, Richard Wright. The show closes out with Lovespirals’ cover of Pink Floyd’s 1969 song, “Cymbaline.” You can grab this recording free from the NPF tribute CD: None of Us is Pink. You can buy the original version of the song from the lovely More soundtrack album. BTW, it was mentioned that “Great Gig in the Sky” was originally conceived for the Zabriskie Point Soundtrack, but it turns out that it was actually “Us and Them” Anji was thinking of — another amazing song from Dark Side of the Moon. Read the WikiPedia article on Zabriskie Point film.
Download remixes for podcast or radio at Lovespirals’ Podsafe Music Network Remix Page.
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Lovespirals 'This Truth EP' on sale at iTunes & Amazon
Lovespirals recently collaborated with loop producers, Peace Love Productions, on what turned out to be a very fruitful remix competition. As part of the contest, the band decided to release a digital “EP” of some of their favorite productions. The 9 unique remixes of this 2nd single from Lovespirals’ 3rd album, Long Way From Home, hail from an international group of producers who have all put their own unique stamp on this slightly retro-soul inflected tune. From sultry downtempo to upbeat trance, each mix puts a different twist on Anji Bee’s heartfelt, soulful vocals. Many of the mixes cleverly include Ryan Lum’s bluesy electric guitar leads, as well, lending an intriguing counterpoint to the mostly dance oriented mixes. Remixers include the contest winner, Pomatic, and runner-up, Kambronn, plus The Grooveblaster (whom Anji has just collaborated with on his upcoming 2nd album), hEADaCHE, Lthrboots, TT&Yosh, donOesterby, and very special remix by fellow Projekt artist, Soul Whirling Somewhere. Rounding out the EP is the original mix of “This Truth.” The album is available now on iTunes + and Amazon Digital, as well as eMusic, Rhapsody, Amie Street, and Napster. Check out the full EP and download 1 free track from Last.FM.
Hand in Hand #1 on Below Zero Radio Charts
It seems that Lovespirals’ 2005 single, “Hand in Hand,” from sophomore album, Free & Easy, has found a new audience on the Below Zero radio show. The band are currently featured on the front page of the official show site with a very nice writeup. Apparently the track has been steadily climbing their charts over the past month, since DJ Mason Rothert discovered and dusted off this “timeless gem,” as they so generously called it.
Lovespirals have quietly started their own revolution in the world of chillout and carved their own style out with their three albums. From the dreamy folk and rock sounds of Windblown Kiss (2002) to the more soulful jazz and blues of Free & Easy (2005) they come full circle with Long Way From Home, which is back to the dream pop roots.
While Anji Bee sings her sad lyrics with a voice that tucks you in at night, Ryan Lum masterfully produces melancholic music. These two have been at it for nearly a decade and their hard work is really paying off. They have worked very hard in the digital music revolution as well as podcasting with Anji Bee’s chillcast shows. Anji is known as “the sexiest voice in podcasting” and she has made everyone at Below Zero freeze over which is a good thing in the world of chill.
Lovespirals track, “Hand in Hand” from their release Free & Easy has made a comeback for us at Below Zero. When we went back and listened to this song we had to bring it out as it is a timeless gem. We are happy it reached #1 on our TOP 10 list after a four week climb.
As an interesting sidenote, “Hand in Hand” was originally recorded as an extended Jazz Step Drum n Bass track in 1999, making it the second song ever produced by Lovespirals. It was first pressed to acetate for Ryan’s DJ sets, then uploaded to mp3.com, and eventually included on the digital-only Ecstatic EP in 2001. This early mix was featured in an official Mp3.com Best Song of the Week contest and was included on the Chill Out Lounge 2 compilation alongside D&B master, LTJ Bukem. The Ecstatic EP itself was spotlighted as a Hot Pick on mp3.com (“for fans of Good Looking Records“), and listed in StarVox’s Top 10 of 2001, hailing it’s “tasty illbient and Trip Hop influenced grooves” as a “harbinger of Goth’s next Big Thing.”
You can download and compare both versions of “Hand in Hand” from Lovespirals’ Amie Street store. For CD purists, pick up a copy of Free & Easy from the band store to have it autographed by Ryan and Anji just for you!
Chillin’ with Lovespirals 57: Viva Las Vegas
Ryan and Anji are back from Vegas to tell a tale or two about their time at the New Media Expo 2008. Lovespirals also ponder attending SxSW Interactive, discuss being recording artists vs performers, share their quest for the perfect vintage diesel Mercedes leading them to JGs Mercedes, rave about the Microbaby amp, give an update on the This Truth EP, announce Mr. Meeble‘s album release show, quickly review the Etta James show at Hollywood Bowl and Vicky Christina Barcelona, brag about Anji’s photo of the Hotel San Carlos on Schmap, and play a new remix of Anji’s CC Asia Band collaboration, “Favor Tweet,” by Loveshadow called “Vipasyana (Tell Me How You Feel)” featuring Forensic (download free from ccMixter.org).
Ryan & Anji @ Coverville 500 Concert
Chillin' with Lovespirals #56: Going to NME 2008
Gmail borked today so we thought we’d get off our butts and record a podcast during the downtime! Ryan and Anji discuss last minute plans to attend PME 2008 in Vegas next weekend, helping their friend Azita to “fix” her Internet, failing a vanity search of “Anji Bee” on the new Cuil search engine, as well as respond to a clip from Tea With Hungry Lucy #120 about copying their song “Storm,” announce exciting “This Truth” remix release news, get excited about the Loverush Digital and Damien S. remix package, chat about the CABACA release and ccMixter remixes, and play the full mp3 of “Favor Tweet” by Takeru Ishikawa and Anji Bee.
MORE SHOW LINKS:
- Check out Anji’s CC Asia Band’s Spotlight on The Chillcast #122
- Remix Anji’s songs via Anji Bee’s ccMixter page
- Podcasters can grab “Storm” on Hungry Lucy’s PMN page
- Podcasters can grab “Favor Tweet” on Anji Bee’s PMN page
Sorry for the weird loud ocean sounds in the intro!
Chillin’ with Lovespirals #54: So Many Distractions
Ryan and Anji have been distracted by the new iPod 3G, checking out the music apps — like Pandora, Shazam, and Last.FM, making ringtones, and installing the podcasters iKit to make the podcast easily streamable from your iPod (or iPod Touch). Still, they’ve continued working on music and share a clip and behind the music story of their latest song in progress. The band also chat about Geoff Smith’s ringtone service, getting recognized by Brad of The National Pool in WOW, and Hungry Lucy‘s song “Storm.” BTW, in case you missed it, here is our Lovespiralsgasms set from Auralgasms Radio. They close out the show with a clip of their latest song in progress, “Rain.”
Lovespirals Spotted at Club Violaine
Joe of drunkrockers.com caught a few shots of Ryan and Anji hanging out at Club Violaine for the big 5th Year Anniversary party featuring Ryan and Rebecca Coseboom’s Los Angeles debut as Stripmall Architecture. (The duo are best known as Halou…)
It was a really great show and it was good to catch up with friends, including Eric Shied, plus formers members of The Von Trapps Nick Marshall, Rodney Rodriguez, and Matt Gleason. Rodney and Matt both played with Melodyguild for a time, and Matt is featured on the Aitu release..
You can see the full set of photos from the show in the DrunkRockers Violaine Archive.
And if you missed this show but live in the San Fran area, you can still catch the R/R Coseboom performance at the IXMAE Supper Club coming up on September 11th.
Lovespiralsgasms: Ryan & Anji Host Auralgasms Radio
In case you didn’t hear the band’s 1 hour guest spot on Auralgasms Radio last night, don’t cry! While you did miss out on a fun chat session in the Auralgasms chatroom with Lovespirals at least you can hear a pristine archival copy of the show. Ryan and Anji chat between each song, giving not only track information, but a little insight into the music and musicians involved. The show seemed to be a big hit last night, so hopefully you’ll love it, too! Almost forgot to mention, this was the world premier of the completed SWS remix of “This Truth” – and boy, is it a goodie!!!
- “Sundrenched” Lovespirals Long Way From Home (2007)
- “Motherless Child (Karmacoda Remix)” Lovespirals Motherless Child EP (2007)
- “Walk Away (Bitstream Dream Remix)” Lovespirals Walk Away EP (2004) Download Free Mp3
- “This Truth (Soul Whirling Somewhere Remix) This Truth EP (2008) — unreleased
- “Depression Glass” Love Spirals Downwards Ardor [Remastered Reissue] (2007)
- “Unraveling” Liquid State Late Bloom (2008)
- “Accomplice” Melodyguild Aitu EP (2008)
- “An Angel, Ameliorate” Falling You (feat. Suzanne Perry) Human (2006)
- “Tomorrow [Hidden Track following “Dreaming a Thousand Dreams]” Chandeen (feat. Anji Bee) Teenage Poetry (2008)
- “Lazy Love Days” Lovespirals Long Way From Home (2007)
Thanks to Mikey for setting up this fun show and to everyone who tuned in and came by to chat – especially Riki and CocteauBoy! Music provided by the Podsafe Music Network, Projekt Records, and the bands themselves.
Continue reading Lovespiralsgasms: Ryan & Anji Host Auralgasms Radio
Chillin’ with Lovespirals 53: It’s Not All Work
More Lovespirals madness including our camping recap, writing and recording new songs, our concert-filled weekend with the Outernational Tour and Melodyguild at Violaine, our Lovespiralsgasms radio show and live chat, the Lovely Ladies of Ryan Lum podcast, Lovespirals on Coverville #474 podcast, playing World of Warcraft, running into Jamie of Closedown, Anji collaborating with The Grooveblaster, and more!
Vote for Lovespirals on StereoFame Movie Soundtrack Contest
People often tell us our music would be great in a movie soundtrack. Well, here’s your chance to help us achieve that dream! Music site, StereoFame, is holding a contest for artists to have a song included on the soundtrack of the upcoming film, Like Dandelion Dust, with full screen credits plus attendance at the film’s premier here is Los Angeles. Lovespirals have been on many cable and television shows, but we have yet to make it into a Hollywood film. Maybe this could be the first? Help us reach our goal by voting for Lovespirals on the StereoFame Movie Soundtrack Contest. Simply search for “Lovespirals” in the handy contestant search tool. Voters also have a chance to win travel and hotel accommodations to attend the film premier – bonus!
Lovespirals were featured front page this week on Stereofame