Shamir

Nineteen year old Las Vegas native Shamir Bailey has been raking in the accolades as of late. His debut EP for Brooklyn-based newcomers GODMODE, Northtown, a release that blends just the right amount of Sin City’s sleaze and glamour with sultry, late-night grooves, was our first introduction to his free spirited, forward-thinking pop. He’s since signed with XL Recordings, released the dangerously infectious “On The Regular” and been named one of 2015’s hottest prospects. With his Subbacultcha!/NL debut slated for this coming Wednesday, 3 December, we figured we’d challenge him to a Kill Your Darlings playlist – 10 of his favourite B-sides, bootlegs, demos and singles that never made it onto an official release.

 

1. Tegan and Sara – Burn Your Life Down (Demo)

 

“This is probably the only demo from the con that I love more than the album version”

 

//www.youtube.com/embed/dqdeD_LOYd0

 

2. Vivian Girls – My Love Will Follow Me

 

“This is one of my favorite Vivian girls song but it never made it on an album. This has such a great melody and harmonies”

 

//www.youtube.com/embed/NcNKa8EA9cA

 

3. Deers – Trippy Gum

 

“This is definitely my favorite Deers song! I love how fun and carefree they are!”

 

//www.youtube.com/embed/fFX7Sr-yqIs

 

4. Japanther – Claudia’s Critical (Turntable Version)

 

“This is an alternate version of ‘Critical’ by Japanther on their Dump the Body in Ricki Lake album. ‘Critical’ is actually my favourite song in existence, no other song has topped it yet for me and I love both versions”

 

//www.youtube.com/embed/MCfW3tGwqOA

 

5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Art Star

 

“This is from their first 7″ and I really wish they re recorded this song to be on an album, I love it so much and think its so funny, Karen O is just so awesome.”

 

//www.youtube.com/embed/4PBl2qsYtDo

 

6. Flyleaf – Breathe Today

 

“I love flyleaf and their first album so much! But I must say the demo of breathe today is better than the official album version.”

 

//www.youtube.com/embed/VgZzW_V9Zwk

 

7. Mac DeMarco – Harrison Ford Escort

 

“Everyone knows I’m obsessed with Mac DeMarco and if I’m in a dilemma I just ask myself, ‘What would Mac do?’ I love this demo cause it’s roughly an instrumental of ‘Freaking out the Neighbourhood” which is my favourite song from 2.”

 

//www.youtube.com/embed/wMG0IwcKaTk

 

8. Fugazi – Furniture Demo

 

“This was definitely my favourite Fugazi song and the demo is just as great!” – FYI, Furniture starts at 6:18.

 

//www.youtube.com/embed/pdtFderNS9k

 

9. PJ Harvey – Easy

 

“I mean its fucking PJ and a 4 track! What more do I need to say?”

 

//www.youtube.com/embed/RhaqK9NdKEY

 

10. The Slits – Newtown (John Peel Session)

 

“I love the John Peel Session The Slits did cause they just came through barely knowing how to play their instruments and just fucking killed it, it was so primal and punk and real and I love them for it.”

 

//www.youtube.com/embed/zQLotWx2jVI

 

Shamir plays OT301, Amsterdam along with fellow GODMODE starlets Soft Lit and Fitness on 3 December. The show is free for Subbacultcha! members.