Digging boxes: Mike Ladman, Droga5
Crate Digging is a music discovery platform where contributors bring home and discuss two records from Concord Recorded Music’s active and historic labels.
mike ladmansenior music supervisor at Droga5discusses his two best finds.
My frontline find is “Sandy Without Rules” by Sylvan Esso
I remember the first time I heard Hi Mom on hype machine years ago when it was their only song and I’ve been a fan ever since. There is only pure Magic this occurs when Amelia’s voice is paired with Nick’s warm voice new electronic production.
at Sylvan Esso the unique sound is instantly likeable on first listen. Amelia’s engaging voice and performance is a special blend of warm richness that is both confident and vulnerable. Nick’s analog synths are futuristic and colorful warm. This pairing creates infectious furrows and melodies.
by Sylvan EssoI did not care‘ is the epitome of their sound. It’s a beautiful, seemingly stream-of-consciousness vocal performance with a nursery rhyme melody accompanied by bright bursts colorful synths. The synths continue grow and fill the space while the drums provide energy and anchor the track. I’m a sucker for group vocals and was particularly drawn to the call and answer main vocals and background vocal colors.
From a synchronization point of view, I continue to pitch their songs and instrumentals. Their music satisfies many advertising briefs looking for uplifting, energetic, cool and modern tracksbut Sylvan Esso does it in a new way.
My catalog find is Big Star’s “Disc No. 1”
It’s hard to say anything about this record or this band that hasn’t already been said much more eloquently. Although big star maybe not a common household name, their influence on rock music, songwriting and producing still have an impact on music today. If you go down the rabbit hole to see which artists have influenced your favorite artist, Big Star is most likely a favorite band from your favorite band.
This album is a good old rock and roll done as well as possible. The 12 songs of this album sound effortless and familiar, but somehow new at the same time, which is a sign of great songwriting. It’s a sound that is both immediately 70s, but never dated or ancient. In place, it’s timeless and imitated forever.
of the big star ‘Feel’ It may seem cliché to choose as the highlight, but it was the first Big Star song I heard and it immediately hooked me. Guitar, bass, drums, some brass and high vocals are standard rock ingredients I’ve heard all my life. But it was the production, structure and arrangement that was simply better than all the other iterations. It was just fine. It rocks.
In sync, we always need the classics and big star are the best classic a known sound and group that is not overused. They are iconicbut not heard enough, which makes them great as a good surprise To hear.
If you would like to know more or would like to explore more of our repertoire, please contact: tom.frank@concord.com.