Queen Kwong is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and award winning cat handler (sort of) Carré Callaway. Discovered at age 17 by Trent Reznor, she was invited to support NIN on its sold-out With Teeth tour, and four years later, Callaway once again opened for the band's final tour, Wave Goodbye.


What began as a curious 4-track analog cassette recorded in Carré’s living room soon grew to become Queen Kwong, a full rock band that can be heard (primarily) at venues across Los Angeles. Presently, QK is in the last stages of finishing her debut, full-length record, which will be available this winter.

Queen Kwong sounds like the whispery child of Shirley Manson, strung out over the infamous buzz of Kris Novaselic's bass lines, and that makes this beast all sorts of excityed about what's left unheard from the magnetic musician.

Much like I Blame Coco (whom we recently featured/introduced), Queen Kwong ushers in a fresh new sound: young gals ready to bring back an updated take on riot grrls who rock and rage with extremely excellent results.

mp3: Queen Kwong - Pet

Having a famous parent always helps in the music business, right? Coco Sumner, she the offspring of Sting, easily sneaks out of her father's shadow, however, and creates a mix of ska, rock and punk under the name I Blame Coco. At just 18 years of age, IBC is one act to definitely keep on your radar for 2010.


With a husky, and at times, genderlessly gorgeous voice, Coco is an exciting and fresh artist who leaps over the line of what the current state of music coming out of the UK is. With a large emphasis on the electropop gals, she shakes up the scene by making rock that refuses to quit.

Most recently, she hooked up with Robyn for upcoming single, Caesar*. The Swede provides vocals on the chorus. In addition to the platinum pixie, Coco has also enlisted fellow Scandinavian dudes, Teddybears, to aid in production of her debut album.

Also, in doing a little twitter stalking, I've found that a video for Caesar is currently being filmed. Listen to a clip of the song below.

mp3: I Blame Coco (featuring Robyn) - Caesar (snippet)

*In other outlets, the song has been titled Caesar Will Fall. Will update as soon as more information is verified.

Pop, rock and electronica...all thrown together to collectively amount to one of the most overlooked and easily digestible albums of the year. That, in a few words, sums up the rise of Norway's Donkeyboy.


The Donkeyboy quintet is fronted by brothers Cato and Kent, who write and share lead vocal duties on almost all of the band's fresh, melody driven and 80s-inspired songs. The siblings are joined by Thomas, Peter and Alexander, who take care of drums, guitar and bass duties. Formed in 2005 the band are now ready, willing and more than able to scale the heights of the international pop world.

Releasing their debut single, Ambitions, in March of this year, followed by first album, Caught in a Life, last month, the lads quickly have secured a loving spot in the land of Beastonia.

Second single, Sometimes, is equally refreshing and catchy. So much so, that fellow Norwegians, a-ha, have asked the band to support them on the UK/Oslo leg of their Foot of the Mountain tour later this month.

mp3: Donkeyboy - Sometimes
mp3: Donkeyboy - Ambitions

Ok, so this post title might come off as outdated if you've been hot on Zambri for the past few months, much as we have. So in digging through my archives, I was appalled that I had yet to actually write anything about the pairing of NYC sisters, Jessica and Cristi Jo. Hence, their introduction...


Zambri caused quite a stir late last month with handful of dates during CMJ. Being hailed as everything from a mix of Bjork to Bat For Lashes, doused with Siouxsie and New Order influences, the sisters make an immediate impact with their poignant lyrics, perfectly crafted and experimentally relevant poprock.

The duo, along with supporting cast Chris, Andy and Carrie, released their Bang for Changes EP early last month (buy it here); a collection of seven songs ranging from ethereal noise to dreamy pop and everything in between. I'd guarantee you'll fall head over heels for the song w/Somebody within the first 30 seconds...and it only gets better from there.

Best news of all? Zambri plays tomorrow night at Sputnik. Check details here.

mp3: Zambri - wSomebody
mp3: Zambri - Easier (Does it Offend You Yeah Remix)

Sweden, the unofficial headquarters of epic-creative-pop, seems an inevitable launching pad for Versant. Led by Carah Faye, former frontwoman of yes, those Shiny Toy Guns, the band synthesizes the melodicism of a true pop siren with up-to-the-minute textures that can ignite both dance floors and dirty rock clubs.


While the troupe was deciding to split time between Vänersborg of that rad country, and Newbury Park, CA, Versant began to draw from real-life experiences to reveal their difficult, but ultimately transcendent, lessons.

While playing a small handful of dates over yonder, their stateside arrival will be featured as a highly anticipated showcase at SXSW. Prior to the March fest, Versant will drop their self-titled debut on February 17, 2010.

We've got three demos to share with you and want to know what you think about this talented band. If you are/were a fan of Shiny Toy Guns, you'll most certainly love the sounds that this 5-piece puts together. I've got my favorite from the available songs below (if you know me well enough, it'll be easy to rell which I lean towards)...but I'll weigh in on that at a later date. Enjoy!

mp3: Versant - Quick Escapes (Demo)
mp3: Versant - Out of Touch (Demo)
mp3: Versant - Push Away (Demo)

MNDR, pronounced man dar, hails from Brooklyn through Los Angeles via San Francisco, but the BK should be proud to call her as it's own, considering she's the kind of musician who can take the bare minimum and achieve maximum radness.


According to the industrially ghettotech minded gal, MNDR, aka Amanda Warner, is a "cassette tape player, midi mapping work days, nightime beat maker, nord modular defier, 909 to the 303 and a casual beverage admirer". Heavily influenced by IDM, MNDR embraces her "nerdcore" while maintaining a synth-driven musical style that is easily integratable onto any house party playlist.

So how did we get blessed with the beats of this blonde-haired beast? MNDR hit us, and hit HARD, at The Fader Fort over at the Ace Hotel. Wrapping up a gnarly CMJ week, this was the perfect medicine, in that it made us dance even MORE, shaking the cobwebs off our weary bones.


MNDR has toured with and opened for groups including The Shins, Har Mar Superstar and Deerhoof among many others. She's most recently designed and programmed Yeah Yeah Yeah's touring keyboard rig. All this while currenly being in the studio completing her first full-length album with producer Peter Wade.

Video of MNDR getting chatty with The Fader is below.

Check out the demo of my, and soon to be your favorite MNDR track, C.L.U.B. You can buy the C.L.U.B. single on iTunes. And bonus! MNDR plays Cameo on Tuesday! So if you're not going to Flo (see below post), then come kick it with MNDR!



mp3: MNDR - C.L.U.B (Demo)

In case you've been living under a massive rock, then you don't know CMJ is this week. You're probably also unaware that we're throwing a huge party, that has free beer, and more importantly, super killer bands. One said set belongs to VOICEsVOICEs, a terrifcally talented duo from Los Angeles.


Don't know who's behind the beats and bellows of the band? Check out what Nico and Jenean have to weigh in on, from day jobs to dream bills.

SB: Who is/are VOICEsVOICEs and how did you come to the point where you decided "this is what we want to do"?

Jenean: After a few shows it was affirmed for me. Then ambition took over and we just went for it.

Nico: I knew from the time I was fifteen. Actually...the first time I saw you drum, Jenean.

SB: Did you have musical roots growing up?

Nico: Indeed, I did. Yes. No...Yes.

Jenean: I'm wondering what "roots" means. My mom and dad were both musicians... they listened to everything from trippy hippie music, Rock, Punk, Death Metal...

Nico: Yeah, mine are Hip Hop, Jazz, Classic Rock.

SB: Do you have any dayjobs and/or sideprojects, hobbies, etc...?

Jenean: Yes, unfortunately.

Nico: I paint. Jenean does multimedia art... graphic design, video...

Jenean: We have more hobbies than we have the time to do. Our hobbies take a backseat to our day jobs.

SB: What is your songwriting process like?

Jenean: Oh Jesus.

Nico: Process, what's that?

Jenean: We haven't had a chance to write much...

Nico: Yeah, we don't have time to have a process...

Jenean: The music just happened.

Nico: We had shows booked before we had a song.

Jenean: ...and we had a month to write all the songs on our EP. ...Our song writing process essentially is being under pressure.

SB: What are your ultimate goals with your music career? Is longevity or massive appeal a bigger attractor for you?

Nico: Longevity...we want this to be our job. I mean, we want it to be fun and inspiring, but this is what we want to do.

Jenean: Yeah in that sense, as massive as it can be without it being commercialized. As high as we can be within the counter culture.

SB: Are you influenced by pop culture/mainstream radio? Does popular media make you decide to go one way or another with song choice, etc...?

Jenean: Absolutely.

Nico: How can you not be?

Jenean: Subliminally, yes. Deliberately, on some levels. I mean, we choose what we want to be around, but some things will inevitably influence you whether you want them to or not.

Nico: Popular media as a promotional tool is great.

SB: If you had the opportunity to play any venue, who's opening for you and where are you playing at?

Nico: Venue... I wanna play in...

Jenean: Can we get back to you when we get back from Europe?

Nico: We'd bring our friends along and have them play with us.

Jenean: Yeah, keep it in the family.

Nico: EXITMUSIC, Voice On Tape, 60-Watt Kid. But, if we were opening for anyone - PJ Harvey, Patti Smith, Bjork, Thom Yorke, Explosions in the Sky.

Jenean: Yeah, with Bjork I think I'd want to observe her and get to know her better - bring it down to a human level.

Nico: With people like PJ Harvey or Patti Smith, I'd want to learn life lessons from them.

Jenean: Yes. I think we want to learn how to deliberately let ourselves go in controlled chaos, like the people we mentioned. It's so impressive.

So yeah, we super dig the sounds stemming from VOICEsVOICEs, and we're pretty sure you will too. SEE YOU TOMORROW. Or else.

mp3: VOICEsVOICEs - Flulyk Visions (Radio Edit)

HavocNdeeD is a dubstep based production and live performance crew. It's members, OB-One and J. Paul, come from various musical backgrounds ranging from punk, industrial, drum-n-bass to hip hop & reggae. These styles helped shape their production style to create a unique sound on their own.


The Las Vegas via Phoenix based dudes first caught my attention with a super dubby and glitchily teched out mix of Major Lazer's Hold The Line. So I dug a little further and found that they've washed their spacey echoes and reverbs all over a number of songs you might not expect, including: fixes of Portishead, Craig David and Ladyhawke.

HavocNdeeD's mixes are never short on the super heavy basslines. Seriously, your speakers are going to vibrate so much that the clothes are just gonna drop off.

Give a listen for yourself.

mp3: Major Lazer (featuring Santigold and Mr. Lexx) - Hold The Line (HavocNdeeD RemiX)
mp3: Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning (HavocNdeeD RemiX)

Animalistics are a pretty green group born of the city of angels. Roommates, Robert and Graham, are barely out of their teens, but they boys are trying to "make it" in the world of all things radly electronic.



Here's the deal, straight from their "so much younger than me" mouths:

The first song is called Los Angeles. We used a popular sample which I know you've heard before, but we re-wrote a whole new song behind it. The second song is called You Ain't Really Down. We took the acapella of an old Status IV song and also wrote a new song behind it. It's pretty poppy... The last song is a Van She remix re-work of the song I Love You. We rearranged some parts and tried to give it an extra boost of energy. We hope you like our songs, and thanks for your time.

How generous AND courteous. We simply couldn't pass up the chance to give these duders' works a listen.

And the result? Well you already know we would never post a bad review here. That said...Animalistics are highly Beaston approved!

mp3: Animalistics - Los Angeles
mp3: Status IV - You Ain't Really Down (Animalistics Remix)
mp3: I Am Finn - I Love You (Van She Tech Remix Animalistics Re-Work)

First off, this Eugene, OR duo is named Baby Monster. That alone is worth rad reviews cause that, my friends, is an awesome stinking name! Secondly, they make really nifty electropop with a bit of a dark twist. That said, I'm hooked.


While Danny Sternbaum has established himself as one of the most exciting new producers, even to the point that he turned down the chance to engineer what would have been Michael Jackson’s new album, bandmate Marty Larson has played in various Oregon bands over the years, building a reputation as a phenomenally creative musician.

Together, they've created a superpowerforce of all things electro and pop and rad. Their debut single, Ultra Violence and Beethoven, will be released on November 7 through 50 Bones. In addition, they've also remixed the new Zero 7 ditty, Medicine Man. Say word!

And hey NYCers! Baby Monster are launching a mini takeover in the city at the end of the month, playing at various CMJ showcases, so you might want to check 'em out. Details here.

mp3: Baby Monster - Ultra Violence and Beethoven
mp3: Zero 7 - Medicine Man (Baby Monster Remix)

Cinemax. Sounds super technological and nerdified, right? Which is right up this Beast's alley. But the trio from Roanoke, VA are anything but dumb when it comes to creating a sound that is both unique and universally enjoyable.


If the vocals sound familiar to you, that's because they come from a Beaston fave, in KiD A! In actuality, Cinemax is the pride and joy of KiD A, Turbo P and INDIANFACE. Together they've strung together a collective sound of mall pop, new romantic lyrics, and teenage dreams. And let me tell you, it's perfection, carved out of vanilla flavored clouds and technicolor petunias.

want to know exactly what I'm babb;ing about?

Enjoy their super wonderful song, Smudged, as well as a mix of it, courtesy of Melee Beats.

mp3: Cinemax - Smudged
mp3: Cinemax - Smudged (Melee Beats Mix)

With only 80 friends, 1400 page views and 1 song, MiMó, and his enigmatic existence, are primed to take the iNet by storm. My inbox was stuffed to the gills , but a simple email stuck out, and I thought "Hey, let's give this a whirl!" And I'm pretty pumped that I went that route with my decision making.


Other than the fact that he's from Cali, and the major news that Fenech-Soler and VEGA have remixed his song, Running Out, little else is know about this...Boy? Man? Robot? Who knows?

I don't, but I'm ok with that. So long as the music sounds this fresh!

mp3: MiMó - Running Out (Fenech-Soler Remix)
mp3: MiMó - Running Out (VEGA Italo Dub Mix)

While I'm not an expert on nautical footages, I will say that the yacht boarded last night for Shiragirl's video release party was MASSIVE. And gorgeous. And really really huge. But all big boat mentions aside, Shiragirl premiered her video for Sick Day to a select group of family and friends.


Before we talk about the track...who is is this new addition to Beastonia you ask? Shiragirl is dynamically spunky, pouring forth a blend of punk rock/hip-hop that is guiltless gratifying. Having been a part of Warped Tour and opening for Joan Jett, Rancid and NOFX, it's evident that Shira has sharpened her chops and is ready for a rebellious takeover.

Debuting their video for Sick Day aboard the above mentioned seafarer, we were headed to an "undiclosed location" while Shiragirl performed a short set. It was soon clear where we were headed, as she paused before launching into the next song, and cried out...

"Hey, there's the Statue of Liberty...she's my girl!"
In true punk fashion, Sick Day lasts all of two-and-a-half minutes, goes through the signature "last verse key change" and incites raucous dancing, jumping, and smiling. The video is an homage to that "Shit, I slept through my alarm, let's party!" vibe.

mp3: Shiragirl - Sick Day

Are you ready to totally Swede-out with me? Kläder & Vapen are a super gnarly production duo from the land I love, and I'm all about helping them get some heat and hearts...so let's begin!


KOV's debut is titled, What Have I Done, and features the eclectically intrinsic vocals of countrymate, Anna Ternheim. With an affinity for that "lushy and gushy" ethereal sound, KOV and Ternheim have quickly leapfrogged so many other brilliant tracks to a "most repeated" addition in the Beast-lists.

In addition to the extended mix and David E. Sugar remix of the track, I'm obviously thrilled to hit you with the b side, Electri-Fi, and another piece of their work with the aforementioned Anna, My Heart Still Beats For You.

The latter makes me swoon. A LOT.

Purchase Kläder & Vapen's What Have I Done EP here.

mp3: Klader and Vapen (featuring Anna Ternheim) - What Have I Done (Extended Mix)
mp3: Klader and Vapen (featuring Anna Ternheim) - What Have I Done (David E. Sugar Remix)
mp3: Klader and Vapen (featuring Anna Ternheim) - My Heart Still Beats For You
mp3: Klader and Vapen - Electri-Fi

:Kinema:, yes with the pre/post colons, make super pop music. Influenced by the likes of everyone spanning Lindsey Buckingham, to Giorgio Moroder, to Ne-Yo, this trio of Brighton boys immediately caught my attention with their knack for creating quality music with a mass genre appeal.


Thrown together across an epic European road trip during the summer of 2007, Dom Ashton, Andy Nelson and Ross Flight discovered their shared love for music, laptops and famous actresses. :Kinema: developed their sound over the the past year and a half, combining elements of yacht rock, soul and contemporary pop and dance music. Think "Off The Wall-era Michael Jackson being re-imagined by a 21st century indie band".

This is the perfect culmination of well knowledged individuals combining their like-minded instincts and talents. :Kinema: are unsigned. :Kinema: need to BE signed.

Let's get on that.

mp3: Kinema - Circles
mp3: Kinema - Lets Get To It
mp3: Kinema - White Socks For Dancin (demo)

If you think the kids in the below picture look insanely young, well then, you're right. Flamboyant Bella are a UK band, all aged between 17-19, from the outskirts of London, in a town called Hitchin.


Already achieving a massive 2 million+ plays on the 'Space within the last 12 months, Flamboyant Bella have been able to sell out small capacity venues around the UK. Their first single, Get A Reaction, is a rollicking fun romp through a poptastic world. A debut album and tour are both in the works as well.

Check out the video for Get A Reaction below, and then grab 2 mixes of said song after the visuals.

Also check out rad tracks, Abbi and Touch over at their 'Space.

mp3: Flamboyant Bella - Get a Reaction (Breakdown Remix)
mp3: Flamboyant Bella - Get a Reaction (Breakdown Vocal Mix)

You all know who Bernard Sumner is, right? I mean, c'mon. Dude is not only a highly heralded singer, guitarist and keyboardist, but the Brit is BEST known as a founding member of two of the largest bands of the past 30 years: New Order and Joy Division.


In reference to the above, we got a bit of good news today that made us squeal like a little schoolgirl. Sumner, alongside fellow New Order/Joy Divison members Stephen Morris, Phil Cunningham and Jake Evans and Blur bassist Alex James, have teamed up to form a most massively rad supergroup: Bad Lieutenant.

The band's debut single, Sink or Swim, will be released on September 21, with the album, Never Cry Another Tear, to follow later this fall. This release centers around crisp, streamlined, 21st century guitar music – underscored by keyboards and occasional melodica.

They've also released a handful of tour dates across the pond. Check 'em out on the 'Space.

Stay tuned, ya heard!

mp3: Bad Lieutenant - Sink Or Swim

Wow, we are A-OK with provokings as long as it's as sexy as this! Sensual Harassment is a Brooklyn trio who utilizing sonic mind control through beat-driven psych-pop. In their debut broadcast, the boys seamlessly shape-shifts from reverb-drenched post-apocalyptic new wave to epileptic space disco.


Transmitted from their headquarters in Southside Williamsburg, the band wisely recruited Jesse Cannon (The Cure, Animal Collective and The Misfits) to help engineer the cerebral revolution.

2 new tracks for ya too! Soldier is an electrified symphony soaked in icy analog synths, while Daddy Long Legs is a cosmic dance party that combines grimy Moroder arpeggiators with a throbbing funky agression.

mp3: Sensual Harassment - Soldier
mp3: Sensual Harassment - Daddy Long Legs

Glasnost was formed out of two electronic bands that realized there was something to be said for live rock show performances. These Houston, TX kids take elements of pop bands and combine it with the energy and sound of a live rock show, forming a unique sound experience.


Hard hitting, disco infused synth pop is everything we love, especially for this gorgeous Friday! And thankfully Glasnost has the formula we crave with their track, No Survivor.

The boys are making a mini trek through their hometown, so check out the 'Space for details. And while you're there, also give an ear to Come Alone, another equally taty treat.

Glasnost released The Great Divide EP in March of this year and are currently finalizing their debut album, due out in early 2010.

mp3: Glasnost - No Survivor

Atlantic Connection is an LA-based producer who also runs the indie label group Westbay Music Group, which focuses on urban electrosoul.


AC has been producing a few particularly fresh new artists and has released 2 promo singles to set the buzz ablaze! The tracks have a ghettoglam feel that will easily appease those looking for a club hopper while still maintaining a laidback "let's roll the top down and go cruising" vibe.

Suggested listening is the beat heavy, synth laden and lyrically fiendish Big Shot, which features Julz and Tetris, 2 other LA cats. Or you can download the full promo single for Selfish, which features Jeff Rhodes, and Whisper, here and here respectively.

mp3: Atlantic Connection (featuring Julz and Tetris) - Big Shot