Tag: Penguin Prison

Categories
Music Remixes

Maroon 5 – Love Somebody (Penguin Prison Remix)

Oh, Maroon 5. Here’s the thing, I used to love them so much, back when I was like 14…I think I was 14. And it wasn’t because I was 14, so much as they were actually a fantastic band. I trust my 14 year old judgment a lot. Because you have to, even if you regret certain discoveries, you were developing a taste in your earlier years, and any music aficionado nowadays has to relish in their earlier years. Regardless of what you think about the bands that you loved back then, today, you deserve credit because if you call yourself a music aficionado, you probably know what you’re talking about. You sought out different music, tasted different flavors, and discovered which musical outfit suited you best. And that’s bold when you’re a teenager. It’s really easy to just give in and listen to what’s on the radio. I think what set me apart as a music nerd was my obsession with a song that would eventually lead to my obsession with the band. I did a lot of exploring if I fell in love with one song. A lot of people are like this, they find one song by a new band and have to hear everything that band has ever produced. This is what happened with me when I first listened to Maroon 5.

Maroon 5 in their earlier years of work produced music that I followed avidly. I was happy to come across this remix; while it didn’t remind me of their earlier work, it didn’t necessarily remind me of their present day work either. It was spun out in a totally different direction, that is in turn adorable and fun. Despite what friends might say about Maroon 5, I stand by my previous comments about their earlier music. That discovery happened for me at a pivotal point in my musical life, and credit must be given for that reason. And I do have to admit that they make music that is really fun to remix, as it seems their music has just enough bounce as it is to match a dance beat. This song brings me back to the happiness and emotions that I felt when I used to listen to Songs About Jane in the most nostalgic and present way. Penguin Prison brings no surprises with the tunes here, as I’ve come to expect great remixes from this tastemaker.

Enjoy!

Maroon 5 – Love Somebody (Penguin Prison Remix)

 

 

Categories
Music Remixes

Churchill – Change (Penguin Prison Remix)

It’s not summer yet, but thank goodness we have music that can take us to a summery place. I don’t know why this song does that for me, but I’ll try to explain. First, Penguin Prison has a way of channeling ocean vibes. Does that sound funny? It is kind of funny I guess, I think I mean that there’s a swiftness to what he does to music. EMPT loves Penguin Prison so it comes as no surprise to you guys that I take pleasure in praising the man behind the music, otherwise known as Chris Glover. There’s also a casual quality to this song that made it easy to overlook when I first downloaded it. Not because it was boring at all, but because it wasn’t invasive and demanding. It’s one of those songs that requires some time and an open ear. Plus, the female vocals are really something else that make me swoon.

The chorus has something that I really like. It’s a certain urgency to it, which can probably be attributed to the combination of notes that make it minor. I don’t know how to explain urgency without making a literary reference, or in my case, a writing reference. I’m in the middle of writing my thesis, so my mind is constantly asking, “What’s at stake? Where is the urgency?” so excuse me for a minute while I indulge in this geeky literary comparison. When a piece has something at stake, there’s an urgency to the subject matter, which makes the story that much more important. If a song has that same quality, it might sound something like this one. And the fact that the chorus repeats, “You want me to change, change, change, you want me to change,” only further adds to that notion.

It’s a stretch. I hope you guys followed that. Sorry for the nerd-talk. On a less complicated, more straightforward note, I love the subject matter of this song. It’s something that we all run away from — change. I mean, despite the fact that we’re constantly in a state of flux, our minds somehow like to convince us that our situation will always stay the same, and the second it is threatened or actually changed, we go into completely panic mode. I hate that so much. I wish it wasn’t the case. I especially hate it because I’m dealing with it so much not only day in and day out with my life, but with the people that I encounter every day who ask me what I’m going to do with my life after graduating from college. I keep telling them that I’m stoked and that I’ll probably become a citizen of the world, just to screw with their heads. It’s so weird because everyone who asks that question knows that they went through the same point in their life, the point where the room for change was in their hands and they had every right to choose whatever direction they wanted to go in.

I could go on and on about this, but I will refrain. Change is beautiful and crucial all at once. Welcome it as you may welcome this song.

Churchill – Change (Penguin Prison Remix)

Categories
Classics Music Video

EMPT Classic: Penguin Prison – Don’t Fuck With My Money (Official Video)

This only seemed fitting considering the way our world is being run as we speak, all the chaos and conspiracies…or are they?  Ha, I really don’t know nor do I like to stress myself out about politics, but man no one is going to play games with ‘my money’!

Here is a nice relevant classic throwback for you all to get your brains swimming outside the box..enjoy!

Original post November 23rd, 2011

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This is still one of my favorite songs from 2011 and the theme is more relevant to the current state of affairs than most people know. I’m not really into politics as you’ve probably noticed by now, there are so many layers of power and everything is so cloudy that unless you’re hip to what’s really going on you’re pretty much just talking about nothing. However, given all the movements popping up around the country and the fact that I love this song so much I had to give my two cents about this stuff. I won’t get into a lecture about what’s really going on because we have Google but make sure to educate yourself on who prints the cash in the US. Don’t get distracted by all the nonsense and complicated explanations on TV, it’s 99% diversion, it all starts and ends with the folks who make the paper. When you understand that you’ll understand what “don’t f&%k with my money” really means, enjoy.

Categories
Music Remixes

Lana Del Rey – Blue Velvet (Penguin Prison Remix)

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The original Clovers version penned by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris was covered by greats of the like of Tony Bennett and Bobby Vinton, both being chart toppers in the 50s. And I think that’s what makes LDR quite the bold and daring one to pick a song like this to cover herself. That said, as good as her cover is so is the video that came out with it. A branded content piece of audiovisual short film in the post-war americana style of David Lynch’s film of the same name. I think it was a very good execution by H&M to promote their brand.

Every once in a long while I stumble upon a song that has ‘stopping power’. This is my latest find. From the moment that sick bass line comes in to the way Mr Chris Glover aka Penguin Prison cuts and loops LDR’s vocals this song takes on a life of its own. The star in this rendition is no longer the beautiful lyrics written by Mr Wayne and Mr Morris. It’s about a sick tune we all want to dance to. Almost a minute and fourty seconds into the song you’ll find yourself clapping and dancing in your seat. And that’s one of the interesting parts of this remix, it’s a journey with ups and downs. With parts where it releases itself from it’s dancing constraints and then back at it like it owns your speakers and the dancefloor. This song is best served in a loud volume, be it on your in-ears or in a rich sound system.

If you listen to the original and then you listen to this remix, the former feels almost like a lullaby in front of this. I feel.

Lana Del Rey – Blue Velvet (Penguin Prison Remix)

 

Categories
Music Remixes

RAC – Hollywood [feat. Penguin Prison] (Escort Remix)

The grooves! The grooves of it all! This jam is everything to me right now as I finalize my luggage for my trip this afternoon. Sometimes you need a little dance music to amp up your mood just a little bit – like a night cap…only it’s daytime…a day cap, maybe? Anyway, this track has me feelin all kinds of good. Escort has added this pinch of late 80’s vibes that have me imagining myself dancing around my apartment in underwear and a dress shirt Risky Business style. The horns are infectious and pulse through your bones. Mix in a groovy piano bit and smooth bass line and you’ve got yourself a 3 and a half minute joyous, let-it-all-hang-out party.

While the original version of this track is great, I’m really digging this remix because of how shameless it is in making noise. Yes, it’s a bit loud and a tad over the top, but that’s the whole point. Why create a dance tune that’s reserved? If you want your listeners to dance and let go, you make music that sounds like letting go. This track practically forces you to throw your hands up saying “Screw it I just want to dance.” The time for being reserved is over- it’s Saturday after all. If your week has been anything like mine, this weekend is a major blessing. So turn this track way up and live a little. You and I both deserve it.

RAC – Hollywood [feat. Penguin Prison] (Escort Remix)

Categories
Music

Imagine Dragons – It’s Time (Penguin Prison Remix)

This track is such a great easy listen, what I mean by that it’s up tempo, but chilled out and has some great lyrics that anyone could relate too.  I like a track like this where I don’t have to think it at all and I can digest every piece of it so well.  Also kind of some cool info that I found out, Imagine Dragons happen to be from Vegas, I don’t think I know any cool bands that have come out of there.  When you think of Vegas you think flashy entertainment, gambling, strip clubs and lots of drugs, so now I have a better taste in my mouth about Vegas knowing that such a dope band came out of there, I love being surprised.  These lyrics are great because I believe they are about something that you love and your not willing to let go of or change, and this doesn’t have to be a person, but just somewhere that you feel made you who you are, were you feel comfortable, and fame or people or the world changing every second is going to change who you are or your love for what makes you the person you are.  These guys definitely have a love for where they came from, I totally feel that because I grew up in Seattle and it definitely made me who I am, and I am always showing love to my roots!

So this is what you meant
When you said that you were spent?
And now its time to build from the bottom of the pit right to the top
Don’t hold back
Packing my bags and giving the Academy a rain check

I don’t ever wanna let you down
I don’t ever wanna leave this town
‘Cause after all this city never sleeps at night
It’s time to begin, isn’t it?
I get a little bit bigger but then I’ll admit
I’m just the same as I was
Now don’t you understand?
I’m never changing who I am…”

I wanted to give you folks something easy and fun to listen to, a feel good if you know what I mean, and slap on a Penguin Prison Remix, I mean this is where its at, I can never turn down a Penguin Prison Remix, they know how to put the perfect twist and a whole lot of love in to every track they tackle.  Have a great weekend, enjoy!

Imagine Dragon – It’s Time (Penguin Prison Remix)

 

Categories
Music

Penguin Prison – Something I’m Not

Last week RAC released a track featuring Penguin Prisons lead man Chris Glover. I didn’t connect with and that’s why you don’t see it here but in the listening process good ol’ iTunes shuffle led me to an overlooked favorite, Penguin Prison’s Something I’m Not. A good friend of mine once told me that great music has a way of both surprising and delighting us. The way this song develops, the lyrics, Chris’ performance and the vibe is all that and a bag of chips, enjoy.

Penguin Prison – Something I’m Not

Categories
Music

Miike Snow – Paddling Out (Penguin Prison Remix)

I’ve been rocking with the new Miike Snow album but for some reason haven’t felt compelled to post anything. Then this morning Penguin Prison sent me their remix of Paddling Out and well that’s a different story. Penguin Prison brings the song about surfing to the dance floor with their beloved brand of disco-infused synth stabs, a pulsing bass line and a high energy arrangement made for movement. All I can think of while listening to this song is getting to the beach, gotta get there asap, enjoy.

Miike Snow – Paddling Out (Penguin Prison Remix)

Categories
Music

Penguin Prison – Multimillionaire (Shook Remix)

These days it doesn’t seem to be about the game anymore, people are too obsessed with all the material things they will get out of the game. I am not just talking about Football and Basketball and all the crap that has been going on with the lockouts, thank goodness that’s all over.  I am talking about every game, game meaning what it is we love to do whether it be a professional sport or entertainment.  We have to remember why it is we are doing it and not get so wrapped up in all the material aspects of it.  Ya its great to make money and have everything, but if its making you forget the importance of your game then its not worth it!

Penguin Prison always has a way of putting things into perspective in a way that makes you feel good, plus ever since I got to see them perform I saw just from the body language how much they feel and love what they are doing..

I’m livin’ like a Muti-Millionaire, I cant explain it…“

I like to feel like I am already living the dream, I feel like you  have to be able to do that before you really reach the goal line.  So on that note its Football Sunday and I need to go watch the Green Bay Packers kick some ass!  Press play on this baby and don’t forget what it is you are living for…Enjoy.

Penguin Prison – Multimillionaire (Shook Remix)

Categories
Music

Penguin Prison – Don’t Fuck With My Money (Official Video)

This is still one of my favorite songs from 2011 and the theme is more relevant to the current state of affairs than most people know. I’m not really into politics as you’ve probably noticed by now, there are so many layers of power and everything is so cloudy that unless you’re hip to what’s really going on you’re pretty much just talking about nothing. However, given all the movements popping up around the country and the fact that I love this song so much I had to give my two cents about this stuff. I won’t get into a lecture about what’s really going on because we have Google but make sure to educate yourself on who prints the cash in the US. Don’t get distracted by all the nonsense and complicated explanations on TV, it’s 99% diversion, it all starts and ends with the folks who make the paper. When you understand that you’ll understand what “don’t f&%k with my money” really means, enjoy.