iTunes: Free Tuesday
Once again, it's Tuesday and 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.
US Music
US: Sarah Johns, He Hates Me
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. The past couple of years have likely been a bit of whirlwind for Sarah Johns. She signed her first major label contract last year and made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry earlier this spring. "He Hates Me" is a severe case of unrequited love put to a hard country twang with Johns' authoritative croon coasting over the top.
US: Alejandra Alberti, Quiero
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. There has been plenty of attention towards Alejandra Alberti lately. The Miami-based pop vocalist has been nominated for the Best New Artist category in the 8th Annual Latin GRAMMY® awards. "Quiero" explains why. It's a bit of acoustic pop sunshine with a touch of danceable rhythm and a rock backbeat.
US: meiko, How Lucky We Are
Our Discovery Download puts the focus on a different genre each week, offering up a free track we think is worth your attention. Meiko's self-titled debut has all of the markings a singer/songwriter starlet (version 2.0). Her gentle folk and pop tunes are like scaled-down expressions of love and its many complications. Her music is warm and organic, but it has an atmosphere you'd expect in the electronic chill room. "How Lucky We Are" is a lackadaisical love song that pines for that one special day, the one that hasn't happened yet.
International Music
Australia: The Scare, Eighty Eight
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Originally from Queensland but now based in the U.K., the Scare have had an incredible and varied 2007. They've appeared at the Reading and Leeds Festivals, have had the NME gushing with praise for their blood-curdling trash rock and have opened for Silverchair and Powderfinger. October marks the release of the Scare's debut album, Chivalry. "Eighty Eight" is a garage rock freakout that rants and raves over a pummeling rhythm section and razor-tipped guitars. Prepare yourself.
New Zealand: The Scare, Eighty Eight
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Originally from Queensland but now based in the U.K., the Scare have had an incredible and varied 2007. They've appeared at the Reading and Leeds Festivals, have had the NME gushing with praise for their blood-curdling trash rock and have opened for Silverchair and Powderfinger. October marks the release of the Scare's debut album, Chivalry. "Eighty Eight" is a garage rock freakout that rants and raves over a pummeling rhythm section and razor-tipped guitars. Prepare yourself.
Canada: Jesca Hoop, Summertime
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Jesca Hoop is a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles (and former nanny for Tom Waits), but to give her a label that simply says "singer/songwriter" does her a huge disservice. "Summertime" is a completely bewildering pop song that flutters up in the heavens with little trills and vocal tics and then comes crashing down to earth with a hyper-percussive drumbeat. More impressionistic than emotionally exact, "Summertime" is a great journey through the senses.
France: Jean Racine by Faisons l'amour (Version maxi)
Né en Afrique, Jean Racine nous captive en chantant ses origines. Magnétique comme un Keziah Jones, envoûtant comme un Ismaël Lo, Jean Racine est aussi un enfant du rock et de la chanson. Il soigne sa mélancolie sur des ambiances funk solaires, puise dans le style afro beat du légendaire Fela Kuti ou les classiques de la Motown. Son premier album, Ivre du son, s'annonce déjà comme l'une des bonnes surprises de l'année. En voici un extrait.Si vous aimez ce morceau, obtenez l'album ici.
UK: Simian Mobile Disco, Sleep Deprivation
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Unless your name ends with Gibb, it's not too often that a rock band can reinvent itself (successfully) as a dance act. But Simian Mobile Disco (formerly Simian) has done just that. Known for its minimal, ecstatic remixes for Klaxons, CSS, Rapture, and Air, the group has finally released its full-length debut. "Sleep Depriviation" is the storming, pulsating intro track.
US and UK Video
Still no UK freebies. TUAW holds out hope and cheers on "Same Difference", you wacky UK retro kids!
US: Life Is Wild, Pilot
Katie Clarke may never forgive her veterinarian father for dragging their entire blended family out of New York City to spend a year living in a broken-down lodge called "The Blue Antelope" on a game reserve deep inside South Africa. In fact, the one area of agreement among Katie, her 11-year-old brother, their rebellious teenage stepbrother, and seven-year-old stepsister is that Danny has lost his mind.
US: The Search for the Next Elvira, The Odd-itions from Hell
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, is on the hunt for some fresh blood. On Fox Reality Channel's newest gore-iginal reality competition, 13 contestants are dying to become her next handmaiden of the dark. During this four-part series, contestants will compete to see if they can look the part and present the same wit and poise as the real Elvira. The winner will get to assist Elvira with all her horror hostess duties. Serving as judges will be two talented Elvira look-a-likes, Christian Greenia and Patterson Lundquist, as well as Kane Hodder from the Friday the 13th franchise, and Academy Award®-winning make-up effects artist Rick Baker.