Call it crazy, but we’re convinced one of the biggest joys in life and music is a good remix or cover. Why? Because it means a musician loves a song so much that they’re willing to publicly re-interpret it. To celebrate how special that is we’re taking a look at some of the best new remixes and covers to come out of Australia and beyond. Check out this week’s picks.
Feist & Timbre Timbre Cover Peter Gabriel’s ‘Don’t Give Up’
As part of an amazing-sounding and soon to be released Peter Gabriel tribute album, the always incredible Leslie Feist has tackled one of Gabriel’s most iconic tunes and not only done it justice, but given it a new-found relevance among today’s music lovers. Other artists to feature on the tribute record are Bon Iver, Brian Eno, and Arcade Fire, who took on ‘Game Without Frontiers’ which you can listen to here.
Xiu Xiu Cover Nina Simone’s ‘Don’t Smoke In Bed’
Something must be in the air because it seems to be the season of tribute albums and we can think of few more deserving than Nina Simone. The tribute, appropriately titles Nina is out December 2nd and includes 11 renditions by the Jamie Stewart fronted Xiu Xiu. According to Consequence Of Sound the idea came about because of “a conversation band leader Jamie Stewart had with Swans’ own Michael Gira.” The acidy, sorrow-laden rendition is stunning.
Oneohtrix Point Never Remixes Nine Inch Nails’ “Find My Way”
Released as part of a deluxe edition of Nine Inch Nails’ much loved new record Hesitation Marks the Oneohtrix rendition is spacey and gives the prog-rockers tune a new perspective.. Trent Reznor’s vocals aren’t toyed with at all, yet the remix offers a starkly different take than the heavier original. Point Never’s new record R Plus Seven is set for release later this month and you can stream it here.
Eddie Vedder & Neil Finn Cover Hunter & Collectors’ ‘Talking To A Stranger’
We reported last month that an all-star cast of musicians had been gathered to pay tribute to influential Australian band Hunters & Collectors including the likes of Abbe May, The Panics, Alpine and even a remix by The Avalanches. One of the only international artists to be featured is Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder who has proclaimed his love of the Aussie band in the past having covered this very tune live on many occasions. Check out his chilled out rendition with Neil Finn.
Indian Summer Remix Safia’s ‘Listen To Soul, Listen To Blues’
The original single features the gorgeous RnB falsetto of Safia member Ben Woolner-Kirkham in front of a slow, patient piano build before the track explodes into a distorted synth frenzy while Indian Summer’s remix adds a dance element to the song we didn’t even realised it needed. Taken from a soon to be released rexmix package of Safia’s work which will feature Spenda C, Akouo, Leaderboy, and Pigeon, this is one sure to get a lot of plays.
