iTunes: Free Wednesday
Once again, TUAW is pleased to present you with a selection of free songs and videos from around the world. Many of these iTMS items won't be free for long, so grab your copies before the week is up. And don't forget: If you want to buy these on your iPhone or iPod touch, make sure to sign into your account in iTunes before you sync.
Follow the jump to find this week's list of iTunes freebies.
US Items
US: Karina, Can't Find The Words - Single of the Week
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band who's on the cusp of success and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Working in front one of the all-time great crate-digger beats, Karina makes it easy to fall for her thoughtful, boom-bastic pop. Karina is a pianist/songwriter/teenager whose debut, First Love was produced by Tricky Stewart and The-Dream and has already gained a little bit of love thanks to the single "Sixteen @ War."
US: Rebelution, Safe and Sound - Discovery Download
Our Discovery Download puts the focus on a different genre each week, offering up a free track we think is worth your attention. Picture Sublime jamming with Jack Johnson on Don Carlos' back porch - that's Rebelution. The three-year old band from Santa Barbara, California, uses reggae as its base element then adds colorful rock and hip-hop embellishment. "Safe and Sound" epitomizes Rebelution's sunny "California Reggae" vibe that propelled its debut album, Courage to Grow to prominence on iTunes.
US: Don Tetto, No Estaba Acostumbrado - Canción de la Semana
This Colombian quartet come out of the gates running - hitting hard with their pure punk energy and lyrical insights that look more to the brighter side of life than downtrodden tales from the barrio. The thundering, mile-a-minute drums showcase the group's love of modern punk-pop, but you can also hear a love of the big "chunka-chunka" metal guitars of heroes like Metallica. "No Estaba Acostumbrado" is taken from the band's debut, Lo Que No Sabías. Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band who's on the cusp of success and bring it to you, for free, as our Canción de la Semana.
US: Psychic Kids, Psychic Kids, Season 1
They fear their own powers and feel isolated from their peers. Children with psychic abilities often live with an incredible secret, trapped in a world few others understand. Many times, their mysterious paranormal powers leave them with no place to turn . . . until now. Psychic/medium Chip Coffey and clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Miller come to the aid of these extraordinary kids, ages 10-17, and show the children that they are not alone. Follow the experts - and the young psychics they aid - as they compare notes, discuss long held-in feelings, and with guidance, bravely seek out the spirits they dread.
US: Fat Guy Stuck In Internet, Fat Guy Stuck In Internet, Season 1
The debut season pits egotistical computer programmer Ken Gemberling and his friends against some of the most nefarious villains in cyberspace: the barbaric Sata Raid, the foppish Maze Master, the off-putting Kazaa, and the mustachioed bounty hunter Chains.
US: She's Got the Look, She's Got the Look, Season 1
Ten women over age 35 contend to be the next great supermodel. While living together in a New York City loft, they compete on the runway and in photo shoots. These women have experience and depth. They have stories to tell. Bahia, 37, was raised in a conservative Muslim family and is finally embracing her beauty. Celeste, 50, once walked the runways in Europe. Hope, 35, is a mom of three who never gave up her dream of modeling. Karin, 40, is a striking Swede who was once shy and awkward. Kathy, 39, gave up her modeling career to stay home with her kids. Melissa, 38, says she looks better now than ever before. Paula, 37, put herself through college on a sports scholarship. Roxanne, 40, is a redheaded, spiritual beauty. Sharon is a recently widowed 63-year-old stunner. Tanya, 45, overcame a difficult childhood and is committed to her family and community. Only one will win a contract with Wilhelmina Models, Inc. and a photo spread in SELF magazine.
International Music
Australia: Laura Marling, Ghosts - Single of the Week
Hearing Laura Marling sing, it is hard to believe how young she is - just 18 years old. Having been compared to her folk heroes Joni Mitchell and Carole King, as well as Kate Bush, her deft, cool phrasing is suggestive of someone who has a story to tell, and knows how to tell it. Similarly, Marling's lyrics run deep: there is love and romance (of course), but Marling also explores loss, grief, and mental illness with startling insight, as evidenced in the dark, urgent loveliness of 'Ghosts.' Her debut album, Alas I Cannot Swim, has set critics and fans across the world whispering her praises.
New Zealand: Laura Marling, Ghosts - Single of the Week
Hearing Laura Marling sing, it is hard to believe how young she is - just 18 years old. Having been compared to her folk heroes Joni Mitchell and Carole King, as well as Kate Bush, her deft, cool phrasing is suggestive of someone who has a story to tell, and knows how to tell it. Similarly, Marling's lyrics run deep: there is love and romance (of course), but Marling also explores loss, grief, and mental illness with startling insight, as evidenced in the dark, urgent loveliness of 'Ghosts.' Her debut album, Alas I Cannot Swim, has set critics and fans across the world whispering her praises.
Canada: Martha Wainwright, I Wish I Were - Single of the Week
The second album from Martha Wainwright is on here and we couldn't be more excited. If you have yet to be exposed to Wainwright's versatile folk-pop and amazingly expressive vocals, then you're missing one of the key elements of the Wainwright musical dynasty (think Rufus, Loudon, and mother Kate McGarrigle). This new song, "I Wish I Were" uses a folk framework to hang her vulnerable sentiments before unveiling an ambitious vocal epic. She may sing "I wish I was a singer", but this tune, a stunning performance of honesty and skill, confirms that that she has that covered a thousand times over. Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band who's on the cusp of success and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week.
Nederland: DeVotchKa, Along the Way - Single Van de Week
Luisteren naar DeVotchKa is als opgeslokt worden door een kermisachtige kakofonie, met wereldse instrumenten zoals sousafoon, tuba, bouzouki en theremin. Nick Urata is het 'mondstuk' van deze Amerikaanse 4-persoonsformatie en voegt een exotisch element toe aan het geheel. Hij is de bezielende leider, wiens optimistische crescendo's en uitzinnige trilstem de Spaansachtige arrangementen van "Along the Way" complementeren.
UK: Cathy Davey, Sing For Your Supper - Single of the Week
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band who's on the cusp of success and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Irish singer-songwriter Cathy Davey has put out two albums of unique and mercurial pop music. "Sing For Your Supper" is from her second album, Tales of Silversleeve. It's an interesting track that takes a seemingly pat phrase ("sing for your supper") and turns it into a passionate, lyrically vivid and nearly mystical incantation. Her voice has a light, airy quality evocative of a wood nymph who grew up on indie rock.
France: Born Ruffians, Badonkadonkey - Single de la semaine
Nouvelle signature du label Warp, Born Ruffians est un jeune trio pop rock de Toronto. Avec une moyenne d'âge de 22 ans seulement, Luke Lalonde, Mitch DeRosier et Steve Hamelin redonnent du goût à la pop ! Red, Yellow & Blue, voila les 3 couleurs qu'ils ont choisi pour habiller ce premier album produit par Rusty Santos, à qui l'on doit notamment les récents albums d'Animal Collective et de Panda Bear. Nouvelle signature du label Warp, Born Ruffians est un jeune trio pop rock de Toronto. Avec une moyenne d'âge de 22 ans seulement, Luke Lalonde, Mitch DeRosier et Steve Hamelin redonnent du goût à la pop !
Japan: Nneka, Heartbeat - 今週のシングル
ブレイク直前、注目の新進アーティストをご紹介するこのページ。今週は、"ドイツの Lauryn Hill" と呼ばれる R&B シンガーソングライター、Nneka(ネカ)。ナイジェリアで幼少を過ごし、教会の聖歌隊で歌に目覚めた彼女。その後ドイツのハンブルグに移住して本格的な音楽活動を開始した。数多くのプロダクションでバックシンガーとして経験を積んだ美声は、Erykah Badu や Macy Gray のファンならきっと気に入るはず。ヨーロッパではすでに大注目の Nneka、2nd アルバム"No Longer at Ease" から"Heartbeat"をフリーダウンロード!
