DUTC#5 February 5, 2023

This week, I am focusing on two very different groups that do a great deal of covers. To that end, in the coming months each of these will be “featured” with some select songs that I feel are done very well. What I particularly like about these two are that they definitely make the songs their own, but in very unique ways. Postmodern Jukebox’s videos are very staged and stylized, with many of them featuring guest singers and accompanying musicians playing a host of different instruments. Walk off the Earth’s uniqueness is definitely one-of-a-kind! Weird and magical instruments and instrument usage, amazing harmonies, and every video bursting with personality. The three songs chosen for this week are: “Girls Like You,” by Maroon 5, “Hey Ya,” by Outkast, and “I Knew You Were Trouble,” by Taylor Swift. Can you think of a more disparate group of songs?

Maroon 5

Maroon 5 is an American “pop” rock band based in Los Angeles CA, fronted by lead vocalist, Adam Levine. There have been several different lineups over the years since releasing their debut album in 2002. They were first known as Kara’s Flowers when they formed in 1994 with original members Levine, Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden, and Ryan Dusick while they were still in high school. The song “Girls Like You” is from their album “Red Pill Blues,” released in 2017. Maroon 5 “Girls Like You Feat. Cardo B – official music video Oct.16, 2018

Walk off the Earth

Walk off the Earth is a Canadian indie “pop” band from Burlington, Ontario. They are known for their quirky music videos of both covers and originals using a wide variety of instruments, some of which I have never seen before! The videos are produced by band member and multi-instrumentalist Gianni “Luminati” Nicassio, although all members both current and past, I would say, are multi-instrumentalists! Maroon 5 cover of “Girl Like You” by “Walk off the Earth” July 10, 2018.

Outkast

Outkast was an American hip hop duo formed in 1992 in Atlanta, Georgia by rappers André “3000” Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton. They formed while they were still in high school in 1994. They had moderate success, but then hit it big with their 2003 release of the double album “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below,” their only album to debut at No.1 on the “Billboard 200.” The album featured two number one singles, “Hey Ya,” and “The Way You Move.” The album won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Outkast – “Hey Ya!” Official HD Video, Oct.25, 2009

Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ)

Postmodern Jukebox, widely known as PMJ, is a rotating musical collective founded by arranger and pianist Scott Bradlee in 2011.  They are widely known for reworking popular modern music into different “vintage” genres, especially swing and jazz. Although the videos were originally casually staged in Bradlee’s living room, the sets and the staging became more elaborate over time. Since their beginnings as a small group in a basement in Queen’s NY, PMJ has gone on to feature 70 different performers and have toured six continents! Outkast cover of “Hey Ya” by “Postmodern Jukebox featuring Sara Niemietz Sept.24 2015

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is an American singer-songwriter. Her songs span multiple genres, and her songwriting, often inspired by her personal life, has received critical praise. She was born in 1989 in West Reading, Pennsylvania, but moved to Nashville at 14 to become a country artist. Her 2006 debut Album made her the first female country singer to write or co-write an entire, U.S. platinum-certified album. “I Knew You Were Trouble” is from the 2012 album “Red.” Taylor Swift – “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Live AMA 2012

PMJ – See above. – Postmodern Jukebox (Feat. Tia Simone) – 2019 – “I Knew You Were Trouble” (Motown Style cover.

Walk Off the Earth – See above. Walk Off The Earth – “I Knew You Were Trouble” – Acapella cover 2013.

Until next time…

Los Angeles 2023