Tag Archives: 2016 Tune Tourney

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Edamame Makes Beats, Wins Tournaments

Most of us were more than eager to turn the calendar page to January, and bid farewell to a tumultuous 2016. But the past year had its share of high points worthy of celebration, and we still have some accolades to bestow. Idle Time closed out the year with our second annual Tune Tournament, this time bracketing songs in regions honoring four of the many musical icons who passed away over the last twelve months.

Idlers nominated sixty-four favorite songs from recent years, and after six rounds of competition involving sixty-three total matchups and over 10,000 individual votes, we have a winner. Congratulations to Chicago’s Ed Harris, aka Edamame, and Idle Time’s Tune of the Year, “Tree Shadows”!

Edamame may have entered the tourney as a sixteen-seed, but he quickly established that he was not to be taken lightly, besting Chicago’s top seed, Wilco, with a 57% share of the matchup vote. He followed up that victory with solid beatdowns over Jim O’Rourke in round 2, and Whitney in the Sweet 16 round.

“Tree Shadows” was quietly, stealthily, establishing itself as a major competitor not just in the Chicago region, but as a legitimate contender for the Tune Tournament crown. History wasn’t on his side; none of the three instrumental tracks in last year’s tournament even made it past the first round. Then again, none of those songs had a dope ass video like this guy.
Continue reading Edamame Makes Beats, Wins Tournaments →

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2016 Tune Tourney: The Championship

It almost had to come to this. San Francisco vs. Chicago for the Championship, and all associated bragging rights that accompany winning Idle Time’s 2016 Tune Tournament. Not for nothing, but Mark Melancon is a legit closer, and Aroldis is back in New York. This could go either way at this point.

In this corner, 2015 winners The Y Axes, defending their title with “Monsters,” from the recently released Umbra LP. Last year they represented the California region, and this year they proudly champion San Francisco, after a resounding 82% Final Four victory over Morly’s “Plucky,” the Minneapolis representative.

And in the other corner, newcomer Edamame brings “Tree Shadows” to the party, from this year’s Ochre release. Edamame has the honor of representing Chicago, after putting an end to Kero Kero Bonito’s Cinderella season with an 84% victory over the London leaders.

And caught smack in the middle, one of our very own Idlers, lebronald. Born and raised in San Francisco, living in and loving Chicago. What’s it going to be, bro? No one is telling you to make your vote public, but… we’re all pretty curious.

Cast your votes and spread the word, as the Championship matchup closes on Thursday, December 29 at noon. May the best triangular logo win.

Continue reading 2016 Tune Tourney: The Championship →

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2016 Tune Tourney Final Four

We’re less than a few weeks from the end of the year, and just days away from crowning the champion of this year’s Tune Tournament.

Idle Time’s faculty populated this year’s field with nominations of favorite tracks, grouped into four regions, each memorializing one of the musical icons who passed away in 2016.

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Representing San Francisco, and honoring psychedelic rock pioneer Paul Kantner, The Y Axes soared through every matchup. Last year’s champs now have “Monsters” on the verge of another trip to the finals.

But they face competition from Minneapolis native Morly, who won her Twin Cities region and earns the right to represent the hometown of the legendary Prince. “Plucky” is, and then some, trouncing every opponent thus far with at least an 80% share.

The right side of the bracket is a salute to the underdog. Claiming London, and in tribute to David Bowie, Kero Kero Bonito take their infectious “Graduation” from a 16-seed all the way to the Final Four.

They face another 16-seed from the Chicago region. Edamame honors Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White with “Tree Shadows,” the first instrumental track to earn a trip to an Idle Time tourney Final Four.

Cast your votes and spread the word, as both Final Four matchups close on Friday, December 23 at noon.

Continue reading 2016 Tune Tourney Final Four →

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2016 Tune Tourney Elite Eight: Minneapolis

Only one more matchup to go before we can establish our venerated final four for this year’s Tune Tournament. Which of these two ladies will be selected to rise atop her field of 16 and represent the Minneapolis region?

Will it be Caroline Smith, who recently debuted a new single, “Trying Not To Love You,” from a forthcoming album? Although not yet thirty, she’s already a musical veteran, and our pick for her tournament entry, “Magazine,” is one of our favorite tracks off her 2013 LP.

Or will she be upstaged by tenacious newcomer Morly, whose “Plucky,” from this year’s Something More Holy EP, has been stomping the competition, winning each of its first three matchups with at least an 80% share?

Who moves on to the Final Four? Cast your votes and spread the word, as this matchup closes on Saturday, December 17 at noon. Continue reading 2016 Tune Tourney Elite Eight: Minneapolis →

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2016 Tune Tourney Elite Eight: Chicago

Chicago is the next city up for grabs in our 2016 Tune Tournament. Unlike the previous two cities, Chicago features one underdog and one veteran going head-to-head in a match to decide who moves on to the Final Four.

Edamame defeated Whitney in another upset, whose golden days have run out. Meanwhile, windy city post-rock veterans, Tortoise, have also managed to topple hip-hop up-and-comer Joey Purp in the Sweet Sixteen. Both groups have something to prove, but only one can be victorious.

Who moves on to the Final Four? Cast your votes and spread the word, as this matchup closes on Friday, December 16 at noon. Continue reading 2016 Tune Tourney Elite Eight: Chicago →

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2016 Tune Tourney Elite Eight: London

The fourth round of the 2016 Tune Tournament moves on to London, where two underdogs have risen up to defeat their more established opponents.

The History of Apple Pie have been quiet for over two years. Are they on hiatus? Are they working on new material? No one really knows, but we do know that they’ve conquered every challenger they’ve faced thus far. Their next opponent has considerable momentum though, as Kero Kero Bonito bested James Blake in yet another stunning upset in the Sweet Sixteen. Both of these bands are on the rise, but one must fall.

Who moves on to the Final Four? Cast your votes and spread the word, as this matchup closes on Thursday, December 15 at noon. Continue reading 2016 Tune Tourney Elite Eight: London →

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2016 Tune Tourney Elite Eight: San Francisco

And then there were eight.

We’ve entered the fourth round of 2016’s Tune Tournament, which means we’re mere hours away from selecting one song to represent San Francisco, and suit up for some Final Four heroics.

45-elgLast year’s champs The Y Axes, who dominated 2015’s field with “Neon Street,” continue their quest for a repeat with “Monsters,” one of our favorite tracks from their recent Umbra LP. In one of the closest matchups yet, “Monsters” held on against “Harlem” by Cathedrals, claiming the victory with a 60% share. If you’re lucky enough to live in this area, you can show your support in person when the Axes take the stage at Neck of the Woods later this week – Thursday, December 15.

sonny-500x647The band they’re up against might be new to the tournament, but they’re by no means strangers to the San Francisco music scene. Sonny Smith is into his second decade of making music on the Edge of the World, and along with his Sunsets, and the production magic of Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs, recently released Moods Baby Moods. Their tune, “Well But Strangely Hung Man” continues to vex the competition, recently besting Thao & The Get Down Stay Down with a 58% share. Who knows? In addition to celebrating the new year, Smith may be celebrating a Tournament win when the Sunsets perform at Great American Music Hall on Friday, January 6.

Check out the updated tournament bracket here. Who moves on to the Final Four? Cast your votes and spread the word, as this matchup closes on Wednesday, December 14 at noon.

Continue reading 2016 Tune Tourney Elite Eight: San Francisco →

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2016 Tune Tourney Sweet Sixteen: Minneapolis

The Hold Steady may claim Brooklyn, but band frontman Craig Finn hails from Minneapolis, thus earning them the right to rep the Twin Cities for yet another round of 2016’s Tune Tournament. After eking out a narrow 55% victory over Sleep Study, “I Hope This Whole Thing Didn’t Frighten You” moves on to the Sweet Sixteen to do battle with Caroline Smith and “Magazine,” one of the singles off her recent Half About Being a Woman LP. If The Hold Steady pushes through this thing and ends up winning… I’m going to insist that holybee gets the entire song title stenciled onto his person.

Who moves on to the Elite Eight? Cast your votes and spread the word, as these two matchups close on Saturday, December 10 at noon. Continue reading 2016 Tune Tourney Sweet Sixteen: Minneapolis →

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2016 Tune Tourney Sweet Sixteen: Chicago

Four artists from Chicago move on from Round 2 of our Tune Tournament to do battle in the Sweet Sixteen. All four are also included in our Mixcloud Mix just for making it this far. While triumph in the Windy City was a breeze for some, others missed their chance at victory. Here are the results of Round 2.

Edamame trounced Jim O’Rourke by a 4-1 margin, while Whitney was golden against Twin Peaks. Which group will move on in Matchup 1 of the Sweet Sixteen? Meanwhile, Tortoise stomped Andrew Bird, who just didn’t have the legs to beat the veteran Post-Rock outfit. Now they face off against Joey Purp, who narrowly defeated Chance The Rapper in Chicago’s biggest upset of Round 2.

Who moves on to the Elite Eight? Cast your votes and spread the word, as these eight matchups close on Saturday, December 10 at noon.

Matchup 1: Edamame – “Tree Shadows” vs. Whitney – “Golden Days”




Continue reading 2016 Tune Tourney Sweet Sixteen: Chicago →

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2016 Tune Tourney Sweet Sixteen: London

The four Londonites who survived Round 2 of our Tune Tournament now get the chance to face off. However, just for making it this far, each of these four artists are being rewarded with an appearance on our Sweet Sixteen Mixcloud, a prestigious honor to be sure. But let’s get down to the music shall we?

Kero Kero Bonito continues to upset, beating Jungle, whose luck apparently ran out. But can they graduate to a higher grade against the timely James Blake, who defeated Underworld in a triumph of youth over experience? Meanwhile, La Roux failed to dial in a victory against Factory Floor, who now do battle against the pallbearers of Burial, shoegaze outfit The History of Apple Pie.

Who moves on to the Elite Eight? Cast your votes and spread the word, as these matchups close on Thursday, December 8 at noon.

Matchup 1: Kero Kero Bonito – “Graduation” vs. James Blake – “My Willing Heart”



Continue reading 2016 Tune Tourney Sweet Sixteen: London →