Laibach - The Sound Of Music

I'm just going to go ahead and not categorize Laibach. A few years ago, prior to their visit to North Korea (the first Western band to ever do so), John Oliver described them mostly as a pro-fascist rock band. But I've also read comments about how it may also be an absurdist take. There was (recently?) a documentary about their visit to NK and this album was also inspired from their performance there. Apparently, The Sound Of Music is used there to teach English so Laibach had ended up performing a good number of covers.

I'm utterly opposed ideologically to fascism and supporting North Korea in any way allows them to continue their government's oppressive control of the people there. But I have to recognize the cultural significance of this music video. And, damn, do I feel fraught with all these complex feelings of anxiety and hopelessness for all those children in the music video. I feel so powerless to do anything from behind this stupid laptop screen. But, at the very least, maybe maintain support for our democratic institutions on my side ... something that's been in serious decline recently.

Fuck, dude.

"The Sound Of Music" by Laibach from their 2018 album The Sound Of Music

Leikeli47 - Hoyt And Schermerhorn

Heard this on some randomly selected Spotify playlist ... Leikeli47 wears a mask and hasn't revealed too many details about herself. She's really down to earth apparently though. Song's very honest. Looking forward to the rest of the album (which is mostly rap).

"Hoyt And Schermerhorn" by Leikeli47 from her 2018 album Acrylic

Sorry Girls - Waking Up

Another great song from Arbutus Records. Sorry Girls is Heather Foster Kirkpatrick and Dylan Konrad Obront from Montreal.

"Waking Up" by Sorry Girls from their 2018 release Easier

NO, THEY'RE PLAYING IN TOWN WHEN I'M WORKING. WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN EVERY GORRAM TIME. NEED SWITCH.

BC Camplight - You Should Have Gone To School

Wow, Felix, you are not a good influence. I don't remember this side of you from your 90's incarnation.

(In case you wonder, BC Camplight is not affiliated with the province of British Columbia.)

"You Should Have Gone To School" by BC Camplight from his 2015 album How To Die In The North

Austin Weber - Mamma Mia

An earnest cover of Mamma Mia with a fun 8-bit vibe. He was supposed to go to Japan with his then-girlfriend but was dumped shortly before the trip ... so ... as anyone would ... he went to Japan with his dad, whom helped him make this video of him singing throughout Japan. It's been on my Spotify list for a while. Apparently, it's rare that Abba actually allows covers to stay up ... glad they decided to make this an exception.

"Mamma Mia" by Austin Weber