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I need some organizational skills thrown my way or perhaps I should go back on Adderall (yeah, speed).
I had to bury my iPOD at wounded knee. I resuscitated it from a random rain storm that snuck up on me while I was going on a walkabout. Then, it gave up and stopped fighting for me, victim to old age in apple years being one of the few second generations left. It was a sad day for me and my journeys, but I'm sure a new one will be in my future. I don't want to be a fickle listener and forget the old iPOD who was a loyal friend, so I blame my generation because everyone else does. I will give it a proper resting spot in some art.
The music I couldn't go over while I was gone:
Sin Fang Bous, Clangour - If Sufjan Stevens was born in a Swedish electronic carnival, this might be what it sounds like.
The Mae Shi, Hllyh - I dislike that this cd is all about saving ourselves before the g-o-d comes down, but the music is freaking catchy as hell that I can completely ignore the message of the lyrics. Run for Your Graves is an amazing song, but it may not save me from burnishing in hell.
Thievery Corporation, Radio Retaliation - Even my new Brazilian friends were addicted to this mix of atmospheric world music with an electronic bent.
Heartless Bastards, The Mountain - I know I'm from Cincinnati and Erika used to serve me and my friends beer at Northside Tavern, but this is a great cd. A return to their first album's sound and they stopped trying so hard. Its like Lucinda Williams went garage rock.
She Keeps Bees, Nests - Even when the lead singer is just singing acapella on Bones are Tired it makes me feel flooded by emotions.
Cold War Kids, Loyalty to Loyalty - Don't know why this got under my skin so much but I have been going back to the album since it's been out. Its totally been haunting my subconscious mind. I wake up singing lyrics.
Bats for Lashes, Two Suns - She's a more palatable Bjork with a more haunting flavor.
Neko Case, Middle Cyclone - Need I say more? She never disappoints me.
Of Montreal, Skeletal Lamping - But of course. I saw them when I was in Brisbane with their crazy new dancers and just saw them in Cincy this past week. Fuzzy warm weirdness all around.
Fever Ray - If you love the Knife as much as I do, then you will like the sister from the Knife's other project. Its like the next step after the Knife's Silent Shout album descended you into the netherworld of distorted voices and soothing electronic beats.
Anywho, I'm getting bored with myself as usual. I will hopefully post some pictures of my excursion and maybe tell you about some new notable Australian music if I find a free moment that has been devoid in my life since I have returned. Otherwise, I'm sure I have funny stories of my time there and possibly seeing a flying object with a pulsating light in the middle of the night after a fire alarm, but I'm trying to stay in the moment for the moment. But you can ask me questions and bother me away. I'm trying to procrastinate the work away anyways.
https://www.yousendit.com/download/U0d4
Download here:
https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.p
i have also been working on a new project that i may or may not be able to tell about. i think my graffiti past might come back to haunt me. you know the habit that almost got me deported from some eastern european countries (no wonder i have started running again so the po po can't catch me on foot). i am however close with all members of the group and support their randy going-ons. but check out the group i am not *wink* *wink* a part of. http://piratesoftheearthole.blogspot.co
the other project i can more or less mention is a musical one. no one is surprised that my love of music is turning into something other than an annoyance for my friends. i am working with adam claxon on turning one of my verse stories into musical movements. we rented a shack of a cabin at hueston woods and got a great start but no sleep (nothing like watching the sun rise with a cool conversation). i got some great samples collected from various wildlife, thunderstorms and smore party kicked off by the drinking of dirt. we even got lost in the woods and was led out by the screen from adam's macbook. he then preceded to tell me that he had a deja vu about the experience which entailed a zombie running out of the darkness after us. if only my life were that cool. last weekend, i went to indiana and worked some more on the project. he was excited by my new xylophone set and at my urging he figured out how to play "don't go chasing waterfalls" by tlc. he made me promise that i'd learn the rap part for it. ah, the things i'll do for a laugh. for this project/band which is now called, a modest proposal, i received an artist in residency in australia complete with a grant to work on the artistic aspects of the project. expect me to get out of this country at the beginning of next year for that or run off to canada if that douchebag called mccain is elected president. i will cry like the little bitch i can be if obama is not elected president.
for more info on modest proposal, we will be posting our progress over here: http://amodestproposalband.blogspot.c
or that stupid myspace world:
http://www.myspace.com/amodestproposalb
Coachella was amazing because of one band, who made their first US appearance in around a decade. They are also a band near and dear to my heart because they are one of my favorite bands ever. Download the live version of their performance and you be the judge of how much I wet my pants: http://www.sendspace.com/file/l9eqd
As to exorcise this fabulous demon that grew inside me once I stepped on the Empire Polo Field, I'm going to go through my Coachella round-up and hope that I will stop suffering from this insane withdrawal. It seems I may need to break it up into three parts going through each day as I may be a long winded music talk box....
Friday, April 25th
American Bang - Crunchy Dirty South Rock meets Hillbilly Hipsters. Not sure how I feel about the music, but appreciated the lead singer's tight american flag pants. What better way to celebrate America than to show your junk in stars and stripes?
Rogue Wave - I was ready to dismiss this band as a run of the mill indie rock band that will ride off into obscurity until they all started jamming out on various drums, then they totally won me over.
LuckyIAm - Great indie hip hop mixed with a hilarious sense of humor. He even did a sweet song about missing his daughter while touring.
Les Savy Fav - My critique of this only biased by the craziness of the singer and my initial reaction of what the fuck is going on. He stripped down to just short, package-hugging, red shorts (tight, bulge enhancing pants seemed to be a theme with hipster men and the whole David Bowie androgyny). However, he was a pot-bellied balding man with a long beard running around screaming. Normally this could be fun, but I'm still scratching my head and running my fingers through my imaginary long beard, saying do I just not get it?
Black Kids - Steve was absolutely amped to see them. He has a four song EP that we listened to on the way from Los Angeles to Indio. I was indifferent to it, but as soon as they started playing the songs, I knew the lyrics right away and that has to say something about how catching this new wave revival group is. They were like the Cure on happy pills plus two back-up female vocalists. They had a ton of energy onstage and kept you smiling. What more can you ask for?
Architecture in Helsinki - First of all, I love this wacky Australian group and I was hoping to one day to see them. They didn't disappoint me at all. They were one of the those groups that I had a lot of people onstage (I think someone needs to name that type of indie music where you have more than eight people onstage) trading instruments between songs. They were equal parts They Might Be Giants mixed with sax sounds from The Zutons mixed with helium, which creates giggly pop music with a twist. Didn't want to leave the party, but my love for Kim Deal tore me away from the remaining fifteen minutes of their set.
The Breeders - I absolutely love the Mountain Battles album. It was a return to form and an extension of the Pixies era. I was one of those people fighting for Pixies tickets as I love Kim Deal and think she is totally an underrated force in the influence of modern bands and the post-punk aesthetic. When I heard the Breeders were getting back together, my mind was a flush, so I had high expectations of their set. With that said, they started off roughly as the band was navigating through new territory and some rough terrain. They felt more at home with the newer songs and a little trepidacious about playing older classics. The newer stuff sounded great including a Beatles cover of "Happiness is a Warm Gun," but their was some struggle with the older material including a false start of one song. I still loved it and ate up every word Kim Deal sung and spoke including the bickering with her sister Kelly.
Vampire Weekend - Their album is such a breath of fresh of air and makes the perfect light, summer music. The lyrics don't have much substance but are completely infectious. Come on, who cannot resist the charm of "Oxford Comma"? Of course, the stage was crowded with people trying to get a glimpse of this over-blogged about band. Unfortunately, they sounded good, but they don't have the chemistry and energy of a well seasoned band yet. I hope by the end of the tour, they find that little spark they are missing to make them a great band. Time will tell.
Tegan and Sara - They are always a cute and entertaining band every time I see them. They make you feel like it is your friends onstage telling stories and playing you some of their heart wrenching songs about love lost, floundering, and found. Best of all, they make you feel good being you. I have had to defend my liking them so many times to my music snob friends, so I just have this to say, I know they make simple pop songs, but they never pretend to be anything they are not. How many bands can say that?
The National - I remember being happy seeing their new album, Boxer, being featured in the record store in Helsinki, Finland, because members of that band are from the Cincinnati area. I didn't really love their last album, but when I picked up the Boxer I finally understood what their music was missing. With the addition of a horn section, it takes their music to a whole other level of great indie rock. The song, "Fake Empire" epitomizes everything I have wanted to say about the general American populace especially the line "We are half awake in a fake empire." Seeing it live was insanely amazing and turned me into a rabid National fan. It has elements of Interpol, the Shins, and the Clientele.
The Raconteurs - Didn't know what to expect, as I enjoyed their first album for a couple months and then it got lost on my play list. I briefly listened to their new album and didn't feel moved enough to purchase it. With that said, Jack White and company totally rocked out with their blues twinged rock and roll. I loved how they jammed out on "My Blue Vein" and turned it into a beautiful elongated blues song. I am no longer skeptical of Jack White's side project. You have a fan in me.
The Swell Season - If you haven't seen the movie Once, then you at least know about the subtle love story told through the music created by a man and enhanced by a woman or if you don't know, now you do because you are reading this. I didn't love the movie, but quickly ran out to buy the soundtrack once the ending credits started rolling. I was so happy when "Falling Slowly" won the Academy Award for best song, in the midst of much Steven Sondheim drivel, but I wasn't so sure how the quiet piano, cello, and acoustic guitar sound would translate onstage. I was blown away. The songs held even more emotion live and tugged on your heart strings. Then, they did amazing acoustic covers of the Pixies "Cactus" and Kraftwerk's "Model." I hope to see more to come of this collaboration between the Frame's Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
Datarock - A band that has a lot in common with Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem and the whole electro-clash rock and roll thing. This Norwegian band demanded your attention as they rocked out onstage in matching red track suits and galloped across stage playing their instruments. They had so much energy that the crowd was just eating it up by busting a move and seemed as disappointed as I did as their set came to a close. They ended it all with the unexpected Dirty Dancing song, I've Had the Time of my Life, and I believed they had the time of their life.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - I already knew what to expect. I knew she was going to blow people's minds and steal the show with her funk-soul voice and non-stop dancing. She brought the energy and more, but of course, The Dap Kings led the way with their refined musicianship. Although she is an older women, I believe on stage she is absolutely exudes a strong female sexuality and made everyone in the room desire her or want to be as strong as her, myself included.
Black Lips - I have heard so much about their insane onstage antics (peeing onstage) that I was expecting something more from them. Or maybe I was just totally spoiled by the other bands that day. They were good though, but they didn't attract me enough to stay through the whole.
Jack Johnson - I'm totally not a fan at all, but I was at least curious to see him as everyone was rattling on about how he killed Coachella by playing there. His folk music is simple, yet melodic. It translated well live and I realized I know a few songs of his through some sort of osmosis. He wasn't bad at all and hopefully his performance shut up the cynics. Hey, I might even check out his music.
As there are real pirates being captured in Somalia (see here: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gKQ6
I was lost once again to this blog via a retinal detachment from wrestling with a polar bear for a rather realistic looking fishing lure or getting into a fight at the Spoon (Walkmen and White Rabbit opened) concert because I don't like new cd as much as I love Girls Can Tell and Gimme Fiction or the more realistic situation of a soccer ball hitting me upside the head in coed indoor soccer. You believe whichever story you would like. After a week post emergency surgery pain meds induced zombie state, I am back with a scary red eye that is gaining me street cred for toughness and a real reason to wear a pirate patch on a daily basis. Pictures will be forthcoming.
Tomorrow is Record Store Day as a way to celebrate independent record stores across the country, so go to a record store to buy something new or get something great recommended to you. As much as I'm guilty of harboring and sharing millions of music downloads, I still like to buy tangible things like the cd and/or vinyl of great albums so I can get the album art and better sound quality for my listening pleasure. Buy local people. I will be making a Shake It run tomorrow and as much as my wallet will suffer, my life will be enriched. There is a great New York Times article about one indie record store. Check it out: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/nyreg
Next week, I'm excited about the arrival of the new Weepies album and finally Portishead's first album in ten years, Third. I already have an early release and it is worth buying on tuesday if you like the morose trip-hop musical stylings of Beth Gibbons. Oh, and I totally dig the new Breeders album. Loved it so much better than Title TK. If you liked Last Splash, its like an extension of that. Also, if you are looking for something different, I would check out Man Man's new album Rabbit Habits. I could keep mentioning more music, but I will bore you and me. I will post some more things next week once I get my act together and have less of a blurry pirate eye.
So, I meant to post some things for April Fool's Day, so let's pretend it is on the 2nd. Besides in my world, April Fool's would be on the 2nd. From wired.com:
Top 10 Creationist Discoveries of All Time
10. T. rex ate coconuts
According to experts at the Creation Museum, our favorite predatory dinosaur would have fit right in at Whole Foods.
9. The Earth is only six thousand years old
Carbon-13 and potassium argon dating are myths created by the devil to cast doubt on the existence of God.
8. Stem Cells are evil
Curing terrible diseases is not worth the trouble of sacrificing some abandoned eggs from the deep freeze at a fertility clinic.
7. NASCAR is the official sport of the spiritually enlightened
Some forms of entertainment were meant for the pure of heart.
6. Guns were created by God to kill deer
It is our responsibility as humans to encroach on their habitats by building track homes and then blow the sweet crap out of them so that they don't starve to death in the winter.
5. Liberals are evil
Even though most of the truly bizarre sex scandals have involved republicans, and democrats prefer to have affairs with women of legal age, left-wing politicians are morally more morally bankrupt than their conservative counterparts.
4. Civil Liberties are for sissies
Under the benevolent Bush II theocracy, we don't need privacy. Like the Pope, he is in direct contact with God, so we can feel secure knowing that every one of his decisions will be fair.
3. President Bush can look directly into our souls.
Bush II looked directly the soul of Russian President Vladimir Putin and saw that he is a good man!
2. Iraq had ties to Al-Qaeda, was enriching Uranium, and all that jazz.
By bombing Iraq back into the stone age, then occupying it, we have protected our country from terrorism. Who cares if we destroyed our economy while in the process? Dubai is certainly not complaining.
1. Evolution is a myth.
Just ask Ben Stein, evil academics suppress any luminary who dares to question the mounds of evidence that life evolved gradually. Get your facts straight. It took seven days to make the earth.
APRIL FOOLS!
Everyone knows that creationists don't do real research, they just make stuff up!
I must confess I keep picking music to post based upon what I think my brother will like. That is not the best way to recommend music to friends or acquaintances, but sending music to my brother is the main connection I have to him. Let's face it. We are different people. We desire different things. I'm incredibly proud of him and I know without a doubt he will be successful at anything he does. With that said, he's a numbers person while I like to shower myself in the various shades of gray that the art world brings. But we both enjoy music. He prefers more mellow things, while I'm going through a pseudo-punk electronic phase. We can find common ground in the folk stuff. Here is the best example of that in Basia Bulat. I believe she is another Canadian import who was well talked about in Austin at the SXSW showcase last week. Enjoy some songs from her. Birds of Paradise and In the Night are my favs.
http://download.yousendit.com/EBDBA8286
I have started into spring cleaning in the hopes I can stop drowning myself in all my disappointment for the current blah of my life. I feel refreshed and hopeful. Ready to donate seven garbage full of clothes and whatever else I find along the way to people who need it instead of drowning in my material excess. The soundtrack to this event is The Avett Brothers, Emotionalism album. It doesn't sound that hopeful on the surface with the lead song of Die, Die, Die, but I find comfort in it. Hope you do too as we enjoy the arrival of spring. http://download.yousendit.com/804B14B45
Ok, sorry I have been long gone from this wee little blog. I have been in San Fran visiting my brother and taking in the Noise Pop festivities. It was a great time and wish I didn't have to come home to Cincinnati where I was awaited by a snow and rain mix. On friday night, we saw the Rosebuds at the Mezzanine. The first band that opened for them, Foxtail Somersault, are going to be a great band to look out for in a year or two when they have matured as a band. The female lead singer commanded your attention onstage, however, the rhythm guitarist didn't do too much for me. He was the weakest link. Onto the Rosebuds. They have been a band I have wanted to see for atleast a year or two as I really love their last album and they did not disappoint. It was worth waiting for almost midnight for them to hit the stage and get you dancing. It also inspired me to go to Amoeba records and purchase their first two cds.
The next show we went to was the sold out She & Him show at the beautiful Great American Music Hall. One of the openers was Adam Stephens (of Two Gallants). I really enjoyed his Elliot Smith style music especially the song where he had a female cellist perform with him. I am going to try to acquire some of his music and perhaps I will share it if it is as good as I expect it to be. Then, I experienced the world premiere of She & Him which is Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward and I was blown away. Her voice is so amazing that almost doesn't need to be miked. M.Ward whose album, Post War, is in regular rotation on my iPOD was the perfect accompaniment to her voice. He almost took the backseat to her and let her shine. They played some covers including Magic Trick, but mostly original work. Go get their cd when it comes out on the 18th.
Here is a link to download the Noise Pop 2008 Compilation that contains some good music from bands that I didn't talk about, but played at the festival. http://download.yousendit.com/CE24DDCA6
March 23 -STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS @ Southgate House
March 27-STARS @ The Vogue in Indianapolis
March 28-THE WEAKERTHANS @ Mad Hatter
April 4-DIRTY PROJECTORS @ Music Now Festival
April 5-ANDREW BIRD & GRIZZLY BEAR @ Music Now Festival
April 9-MATT POND PA @ 20th Century
April 15- MIKE DOUGHTY'S BAND @ Southgate House
May 9-TEGAN AND SARA@ Bogarts
May 16-AVETT BROTHERS @ Southgate House
May 22-DEVOTCHKA @ Southgate House
