Orouni - "The Perfume Conspiracy (feat. Mina Tindle)"

Orouni has been a reader of StG for years, but has waited until now to tell us about his musical project. It's a shame it's taken so long, or it's just our lucky day, or it's got a found-a-penny timing to it that's just right for the music. The way I like this is the same way I like overhearing something confessional I wasn't supposed to, or someone wearing a costume while taking public transit, or doing something really corny like looking for shapes in the clouds. It's a brief and simple beauty that's more tied to imagining than experiencing. It's more tied to an idea of Paris than to Paris, if I may be so bold. [site]

The Pica Beats - "Right With the Down Crowd"

The best things about early Figurines, Midlake, even Interpol, the easy inviting air of The Pica Beats make them hard to resist, despite any trying you might want to do. They're not concerned with anything other than that simple beat, tapping along like mainstream radio's weathered and constant heart, and with their music music music. [site]

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so, it has come to our attention that we have won Best Weblog About Music in the 2008 Bloggies. This is completely surprising, given that we were up against some of the biggest, but it just means that you weren't kidding during that funding drive this weekend: you really are the greatest, most integral and grinningly supportive readership that exists. So with a half-handshake, a slight curtsey, a smirking bow, and misty misty eyes, thank you.