Daily Jam - Veridis Quo

A little bit of a play on words, Daft Punk’s “Veridis Quo,” from the 2001 album Discovery, comes from the Latin phrase “Quo Vadis?” which roughly translates to “Where are you going?” or “What is your purpose?” Christian lore posits that Saint Peter asked this of Jesus, upon meeting the risen Christ whilst fleeing a likely crucifixion in Rome. Jesus then responded that he was going back into Rome to be crucified again, giving Peter the courage to stay with his ministry before his eventual martyrdom. In a non-religious sense, the phrase could be taken to mean that you simply need to do what is right. Follow your heart. Be a good person. Be true to yourself. Maintain your own integrity.

“Veridis Quo” also phonetically sounds like “very disco,” an apt summation of the artists’ sound, and a phrase that when swapped, spells out the name of the album the song is derived from.

Cool, huh?

All manner of wordplay aside, this instrumental track from the French duo has always been a go to jam of mine for road travel. There is something almost infinitely sad or melancholy about it, despite its thumping 4-beat and wholly hummable melody. And it perfectly suits and soundtracks the passing hills and valleys and trees, a world moving by through my window. It scores my path through townships and cityscapes alike, hazy day trips and neon-tinted night drives. It’s like watching life from afar, all the while you keep moving forward.

Or maybe it’s just something your body can slinkily shake to, a sultry selection of wistful synth-pop. It’s a lovely and catching piece of work nonetheless, and I find my head eternally bobbing to its synthetic, pulsing groove.

Very disco indeed.

Check it out below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - Contact

It's weird that "Random Access Memories" is nine years old, right?  I mean, it doesn't feel like it was that long ago.  And yet, here we are.  Anyway, here's Daft Punk and that album's closing track "Contact," our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - Da Funk

They may be no more, but Daft Punk still regularly pops up in my rotation.  Here's the first song i ever heard by them, "Da Funk," our Daily Jam.

Daft Punk Split Up

Last week was something different here in Texas, and it's going to make my work week something different now.  Busy, busy, busy.  Anyway, i had to go down to the office today, and upon my return i find out that Daft Punk are splitting up.  I didn't want to hear that today.  Anyway, i've been a fan since first hearing "Da Funk" back in high school, so i'm going to miss these French robots.  To play them out, here's "Touch" featuring the legendary Paul Williams.

Daily Jam - Instant Crush

It's really weird that Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories" is over six years old.  It's one of those records that i was listening to incessantly when my first son was born (along with Deafheaven's "Sunbather"), and so it has a special place in my heart.  But it's getting older, and so am i.  Here's the Julian Casablancas assisted "Instant Crush," our Daily Jam.

Daftside (Daft Punk remixed by Darkside)

This is getting posted everywhere, but it's pretty awesome, so here ya go.  Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington's Darkside project have remixed Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories" album in its entirety...and it's pretty bizarre, groovy, and excellent.  Listen to the whole thing below.

Daft Punk - Horizon

Yesterday at the record store, i had a choice between the new Daft Punk record or the recent reissue of Vangelis' soundtrack to "Blade Runner."  I chose "Blade Runner," and i stand by my choice, but i might be regretting it if our American version of "Random Access Memories" included the Japanese version only bonus jam "Horizon."  It's marvelous.  Listen below.

Daft Punk

Something would be wrong with me if i didn't post about Daft Punk's upcoming triumphant return.  So, without further ado, take a listen to the official version of "Get Lucky" featuring Pharrell and Nile Rodgers and look for "Random Access Memories" later in May.  It's funky and smooth.  Aw yeah.