Anji Bee's Blog, page 9

Chillcast Presents: Lovely Ladies On Mixcloud

I thought I’d share my short-lived female-oriented music podcast, Lovely Ladies, with the Mixcloud audience. It’s been many years since these shows were available online. One of the nice things about this show is that I didn’t do any brand sponsorship or run Podshow ads. Another nice thing is that I recorded DJ voiceovers with info about the music as well as my thoughts/feelings about the artists.

This first episode originally aired on Podshow back on Feb 11, 2007. Here was the show description:

The debut episode of my new show celebrating the female voice in music! From pop and rock, to jazz and soul, to electronica and world music, I’ve scoured the Internet to bring you a magical mix of Podsafe music featuring female vocals.

Podsafe is an old term referring to music one was given permission to play, whether directly from the artist or from a site with blanket permissions from artists or labels, such as Promonet.

I kinda miss doing these radio-style shows!

Reviews from 2007 included the comments:

You have got to be the busiest woman in podcasting right now. If not, then you’re certainly in the running. Consider me a faithful listener to this show. Great first episode. keep ’em comin’… – DJ Macedonia of BSOTS

Dig the new show. So many great songs. You are catching up with Mr. Laporte with so many podcasts! – War-N of Hungry Lucy

I produced 1o episodes, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for more from the archives over at www.mixcloud.com/anjibee

The theme song is an early version of my song, “Heartstrings,” which was a collaboration with Beauty’s Confusion. It was finally officially released on my latest Lovespirals album, ‘Life Goes On.’ There was also a single released ahead of the album:

Heartstrings [Single] by Lovespirals

Chillin with Lovespirals #85: Fleetwood Mac Concert Review

Anji and Ryan return after an extended hiatus to a long form commentary show! We won’t call it a “podcast” per se, because it was initially filmed in video format, then bounced down to audio for Mixcloud. But Lovespirals are picking up the numbering of the show where they left off in 2011, at number 85. The musical duo sat down to discuss a recent Fleetwood Mac concert at The Forum, including some background on this podcast, the couple’s previous history with the venue and band, and commentary on the music and relationships of Fleetwood Mac and how they’ve affected and influenced Lovespirals. Featuring some audio from the concert as the duo give a song by song breakdown of the show setlist, it’s a good listen for fans of either band, and a great listen if you’re into both! Take your choice of video format on YouTube or streaming audio on Mixcloud down below. Please follow us to be alerted for future episodes, too!

Chillcast #477 – Like I Used To [Mixcloud]

I’m back after a long hiatus with a very special 90 min mix done old school with actual radio voiceovers between every few tracks. I know some of you will be thrilled to hear the return of “the sexiest voice in podcasting” and others of you will complain that I “ruined” a perfectly good mixtape. I know I can’t please everyone. But, by all means, leave a comment to let me know which side you’re on!

Today’s mix was begun a few months back, so there’s some slightly older 2018 tracks plus several brand new singles I added in this week to keep it fresh. It runs the gamut between underground talent and megastars. I don’t really care, as long as it’s got that certain sexy chill thing I like. Lots of female vocals this time out, including ya girl, coz I got a new Lovespirals album out right now. Hey, have a great holiday season. You can look back through my older episodes for some fun Christmas mixes. I ain’t doing one this year! xo

 

Playlist:

Finland – SwuM.

Do You. – Sofasound

When You’re Around – Late June

Not Thinking ‘Bout You – Ruel

Fall For Your Type – Sad Savior

February 3rd – Jorja Smith

Stay the Night – The Internet

Against Me – H.E.R.

Lonely (ft. ESTA) – Hablot Brown

So Badly – JMSN

Life Goes On – Lovespirals

This Way – Khalid X H.E.R.

Slowly – falcxne

Misery – Kerri

Falling Down – Lil Peep & XXXTENTACTION

Winner’s Table – Yung Pinch

Like A Rockstar – Chase Atlantic

Fingers – ZAYN

GTFO – Mariah Carey

Like I Used To – Tinashe

Ready 4 Whatever (2.0) – Mya

11 Hours – Wet

Midsummer Madness (BEAUZ Flip) – 88Rising

On Second Thought – Gill Chang

Talk To Me – Cosmo’s Midnight

IDWK – DVBBS & Blackbear

New Lovespirals Album Out Now

5 years in the making, Lovespirals‘ 5th full-length outing, ‘Life Goes On,’ explores themes of love, loss, and the pains of the passage of time. Now 51, band founder, Ryan Lum reflects, “My gear was pretty primitive when I first started making music in 1990. After all these years, I wanted to see if I could create an album as sonically masterful as some of my favorite albums from back then, particularly those of the Cocteau Twins.”

Lum’s music has long been linked to the mysterious Scottish trio, particularly when his band was known as Love Spirals Downwards, before the turn of the millennium, when he bonded with vocalist/lyricist Anji Bee over the then-new British trip-hop and jungle scene, especially moodier artists like Massive Attack, Portishead, and LTJ Bukem’s Good Looking Records crew.

Though Lovespirals were born out of beat production and DJ culture, the duo’s love for the brooding guitar and string machine of The Cure or the hazy shoegazer meets Americana sound of Slowdive/Mojave 3 and Mazzy Star — and even classic rock acts of their youth like Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd — never waned, and Lum was still a guitarist at his core.

“Ryan’s an emotive guitarist, so many of my lyrics were conceived while listening to him play, just allowing my mind to verbalize how his melodies made me feel. I don’t have the classical ‘Heavenly Voices’ style that epitomized his early work; I’d say I bring a more earthy element to the songs,” confides Bee, who in the interim between Lovespirals LPs released a solo album co-produced by Lum, centered on her more popular online musical collaborations including the title track, “Love Me Leave Me .”

Closing in on two decades together, there’s understandably a good deal of highs and lows to pull from lyrically, as well as musically. While early album single, “Heartstrings” — a poppy upbeat retro trip-hop tune punctuated by bluesy electric guitar — celebrates the exhilaration of creative fusion, the darkly atmospheric “Will It Ever Be The Same” speaks to the anxiety of growing apart and losing connection. The mysterious and sensual Twins-esque “Are You Lonely” paints a portrait of desire in the digital age, with the sense of hope and futility as inextricably linked as binary code. The beautifully devastating ethereal rock of “Dark Night Of The Soul” bemoans the complete loss of self during a difficult life transition, while “It’s Alright” merely shrugs its shoulders over the daily grind, elevating complacency to mantric anthem with it’s soaring guitar and vocal work. As Bee succinctly muses in the masterfully soulful and melancholic title track, “Life goes on.”

A lot has happened in the 8 years since ‘Future Past,’ most notably the creation of the duo’s YouTube channel, Happy Healthy Vegan. With a 200K plus subscriber base, the show has brought awareness to the band’s other passion, Veganism, while also creating a new fanbase for their music. While these new listeners are largely unaware of Lum’s earlier band incarnation, his history with Projekt Records, or his struggles with pre-digital musical technology, but they’re sure to be as enchanted as those who’ve followed the band’s triple decade spanning evolution only to see it cycle back around to it’s dreamiest, darkest, most ethereal guitar and voice centered style. As Lum points out, “I could have never made an album as sonically sublime as this back in the day. As to how it compares to Cocteau Twins, I’ll have to leave that up to the listener.”

STREAM VIA SPOTIFY, APPLE,  OR AMAZON

Life Goes On by Lovespirals

New Spud Fit Vegan Cookbook features Anji Bee

I am one of 80 contributors to the brand new Spud Fit book featuring over 100 potato-based recipes from some of the biggest names in the plant based world, including chefs, doctors, athletes, vegan advocates and health advocates including our faves Dr. Michael Greger MD Neal Barnard, M.D. , and Joel Kahn.

We met Andrew aka Spud Fit, shortly after he completed his year-long challenge of eating only potatoes to lose over 100 pounds. You’ll hear much more about his story in this book, including all of his tips and tricks plus the science behind the benefits of potatoes — and a whole food plant based diet — for good health and fighting our biggest chronic diseases.

This guide/cookbook is due out any day now, but you can pre-order it now via my affiliate link and you’ll get a special discount price (until mid-September).

I will get a percentage of sales when you use my link, so thank you in advance!

Chillcast #476: Swang (Streaming on Mixcloud)

I had so much fun putting this set together today. Found some great new stuff on Soundcloud to fill in around a few tracks I had from elsewhere and I really love the more lo-fi direction it went in. There’s a charming nostalgic feel to a number of these tracks, which helps balance out the macho bravado of some cuts, and the futuristic edge of others. I honestly feel like this is one of the most old-school Chillcast mixes I’ve assembled in awhile. I hope you feel it, too. Lemme know if you do in the comments section — don’t be stingy with that love! XO

Chillcast #475: On My Mind (Streaming via Mixcloud)

It’s been too long, Chillcast Fam! Finally found the time and inspo to download some new tracks for ya’ll. I’ve got a sweet mix of bootleg remixes and originals including some big name and big hits, as well as as some newer talents on the comeup. As always, it starts moody and slow then builds up steam, rolling in various genres. Enjoy the summery late night vibes.

BTW, forgive me, but I have not put together a Soundcloud Playlist of this set yet. I’m just lucky to have found time to do this DJ mix for ya. I had to support my boys, Chase Atlantic, with this new single and their spot on the Vans Warped Tour!

Anji Bee Releases New Life Bandcamp Exclusive

Digging into the vaults again for an Anji Bee classic!

This sultry trip hop track sprung from an online collaboration with Finnish duo, Moosefrog. Anji discovered Moosefrog while researching music her podcast, The Chillcast with Anji Bee. Impressed by their collection of freely downloadable instrumentals, she offered to contribute to their next album.

Their first collaboration, “En la Oscuridad,” won 2nd place in the Listening Music category at Icons 2007 just 2 weeks after it’s creation! The second, “New Life,” was featured in the trailer of snowboarding film, ‘Whatever.’ Both tracks were included on Moosefrog’s 2007 EP, ‘Adrift,’ released by the Creative Commons netlabel, lo-kiwi. When lo-kiwi folded in 2009, it was picked up by another netlabel, CatNap. At present time, the EP does not seem to be available.

Continuing in the Creative Commons spirit, Anji decided to make her vocals for “New Life” available on the CCMixter site. She re-recorded a simplified vocal line for ease of remixing and uploaded the file in 2009. A dozen or so mixes were created by users of the site, including a 2012 remix by Berlin artist, Godzilla. In 2015, Slovakian artist, Higher & Above, created another fun mix with a totally different feel.

Rounding out this set is the original demo of “New Life” that Anji sent back to Moosefrog after adding her vocals to their instrumental track. This previous unreleased gem gives you a rare peek into how Anji works on Internet based collaborations.

 

New Life (Single) by Anji Bee

ORIGINAL EP REVIEWS: 

“Moosefrog, a Finnish duo on the Netlabel lo-kiwi have released an absolute gem under Creative Commons license. Wonderful electronic sounds, the perfect use of a guitar, great vocals and of course the sophisticated beats are reminiscent of the trip-hop wedding in the Nineties with artists such as Portishead, Waldek, Tosca, Thievery Corporation or Fila Brazilla. For the wonderful titles “En la Oscuridad” and “New Life”, the two Finns have engaged Anji Bee, who provides goosebumps with her extraordinary voice. I find it hard to believe that such high-quality production is free for private listening pleasure.”

– Peter Withoutfield, BlogRebellen (2007)

 

“‘Adrift’ sounds unmistakeably like a throwback to the trip-hop era of the mid to late 90s, although its clear that Moosefrog have updated the template and the sound for the 21st century! If you liked Morcheeba, Thievery Corporation or other acts in that oeuvre, you’d definitely enjoy this album! This stylish album has a alluring, sensual, yet dark and brooding quality to it. Maybe not as dark as Portishead but not as cheery as Hooverphonic were in their later days. The highlights include Anji Bee’s vocals on two of the tracks on this release. Anji (from the band Love Spirals Downwards) reminds me of Sade’s sultry voice. In fact ex-MTV VJ and well known podcasting personality Adam Curry calls it “the sexiest voice in podcasting”. Yes thats right, Anji does podcasts as well! Definitely a release for all those skeptics who still think that the netlabel scene isn’t producing quality.”

– Ikram, GratisVibes (2007)

 

“Moosefrog’s third EP, ‘Adrift,’ takes you into the depths of dark trip-hop. [This 2007] EP is darker and more complex than all previous Moosefrog ventures to date. Two tracks feature sweet and beautiful vocals by Anji Bee – almost stealing the whole show. Give ‘Adrift’ a listen, or two – or three – It’s worth it!”

– Komár of KomCzech (2010)

Chillcast #474 – Wasted Times (Stream via Mixcloud)

A week late, but worth the wait! This whole First Friday thing doesn’t seem to be sticking at all. Oh well. Anyway, anytime is a good time to chill the f out with some wavy new music! I can’t lie, I’ve been trippin lately, so it was good therapy diving into SoundCloud for some bootlegs, covers, and originals. Then I checked freelegalmusic.com for a few pop hip hop & rnb tracks to round out the set. I hope you feel my vibez – and if you do, please leave me a comment. Share the mix with someone else so they can catch the wave, too!

Check my SoundCloud playlist for whichever free downloads are available:

https://soundcloud.com/anjibee/sets/chillcast-474-wasted-times

Destiny by Anji Bee + Grooveblaster Music Video

Retro beat maestro, The Grooveblaster, and soulful songstress, Anji Bee, have created a number of laid back collaborations over the past decade, but “Destiny” is perhaps their best yet. Though originally released in mid 2016 as a digital single, this is the first time it’s been released on YouTube. It’s high time this beautiful chill out song had an equally gorgeous video. Get ready to swing into spring with this flowery lyric video shot and edited by Ms Bee, herself!

Buy the “Destiny” single on Bandcamp or iTunes.