August 21, 2007

"Bed Clothes, Why Am I In Bed Clothes?"

So about 2 weeks ago (I know, I know, I've been slackin) I went to a show every night, and it was amazing. Great Northern was Monday, and I've all ready blogged on them, but I've skipped out on talking about the other peps I saw that week. Time to correct that:

2 weeks ago Bishop Allen and Page France decided to pay a visit to our smokin little town. Now, I don't claim to understand why people like Page France, but by golly they had a lot of fans there. Up to this point I'd only heard their Daytrotter session, so I wasn't really all that well versed in their tunes, though I had heard that they were building quite a fan base. Needless to say, I was curious as to how they would rock us that night. They took the stage, and proceeded to marvelously half-swoon me. That is to say: I was disappointed. Maybe it was caused by the ear plugs and, consequently, me not being able to feel the music, but, to JJ and I, every song seemed to sound the same. Around this time I recalled that I wasn't that impressed with the Daytrotter session. There was 1 highlight though: I do rather enjoy their song Antarctica. So there you have it. I recommend going to their Daytrotter session and downloading Antarctica. Because I can't break this habit, I will also host some of their other tunes, which, really, I have no real affinity towards (but hey, maybe you will. God knows their fans have to come from someplace):

Page France - Northern Light
Page France - Bridge
Page France - So Sweetly Around Me

Have you heard Bishop Allen's new album yet? In a way, even before it was released (or, for some people, leaked), you could very easily answer "yes" to that question. That is because Bishop Allen's new album is essentially a "best of" of the 12 EP's they released (once a month) last year. It's a best of with a twist, however, because the songs are now heavily produced. Oooooh, scary word, I know, but in this case, it's a good thing. The damn thing sounds beautiful, and it's a contender for the "top 10 albums of 07" list that I, and every other music blogger, am compiling. Seriously people, this album, in a nice world where general populations are intelligent, could rocket Bishop Allen into the public eye. Not saying I think that's going to happen, but I'd go as far to say it's a pop sensation, as well as an indie triumph. So, with all that said, I think it stands to reason that I would be a bit ... excited to see my boys and girl in Bishop Allen. Sweet and salty Jesus did they not disappoint. See them people ... and learn to love again:

Bishop Allen - Rain
Bishop Allen - Like Castanets
Bishop Allen - Click, Click, Click, Click
Bishop Allen - Bishop Allen Drive (cutest song ever. I was sad they didn't play it)
Bishop Allen - Charm School

Their Daytrotter session is, of course, highly recommended.

Next blog: 3oH!3, Captain Ahab, Mr. Pacman, Milton Melvin Croissant III, Yourchestra, High Places

August 7, 2007

"Sometimes I Get Drunk And I Scream and I Scream And You Breathe, So I Breathe"

Does anyone know how horrendously difficult it is to type without the use of your middle finger? It's hella hard ... well ... okay it's hard at first, but you get better at it. Anyway... First, this short bit:
I've run into this awesome new band (super super new) called The Nextdoor Neighbors out of what appears to be Olympia, WA. Basically I know nothing more than what their myspace says, as I am not a resident of Olympia. What I can tell from their music and myspace is that these two girls are as fun loving as they are talented (that means I think they're probably really fun loving). Anyway, check them out at their myspace.

(EDIT: Now the songs work! so d/l to your hearts desire)

The Nextdoor Neighbors - Atomic Fabric

Now on with the show:
Tonight Megan (my co-worker) joined me at the Hi-Dive (the first of many shows there this week) after we closed up shop. Who was playing, ask you? Why it was none other than Le Boom, The Comas, and Great Northern!

Megan and I got there rather late (seeming how we both worked the closing shift), so we only got there in time to see Great Northern, but it was hella worth it. But so this blog feels more complete, here are some tunes by The Comas:

The Comas - Invisible Drugs
The Comas - Red Microphone (RAC Remix)
The Comas - All Over The School

Great Northern had one of a most enchanting stage presence, casting a wintery spell on what remained of the night's 21+ crowd. Red and white Christmas lights snaked around keyboards and drums, illuminating the set with their faint glow, giving the band members an almost "camp-councilor-telling-a-ghost-story" style look. Invoking an almost My Bloody Valentine-style wall of sound, they lifted the audience dreamily into their arms, and serenaded us with a lullaby so touching it shook our souls. ... Okay ... that's a bit dramatic ... but it was damn good whatever it was. If you haven't heard their new album yet, then you should basically just give up on trying to stay in touch with good music. If you're not ready to give up so easily, here's a sampler:

Great Northern - Just a Dream
Great Northern - A Sun a Sound
Great Northern - Low Is a Height

Cause=Time is bound to have pictures from the show, so check his stuff out.

Great show. Tonight: Bishop Allen!

August 4, 2007

I Wish Technology Did Everything I Wanted It To And Never Broke ... Ever

Hey, I just thought I'd mention that Mydatabus, the website I upload my mp3's too, is kinda crapping out on me tonight, so if you want to d/l a song, just wait until tomorrow, and it'll prolly be working. if it's not, I'll figure out what's going on, and find a way around it/fix it/give up and just use something else ;)

August 3, 2007

"You Are So Not Delta."

In case you guys didn't know, We Need Girlfriends has another episode out (It's basically the best one yet):



Featuring music by Denver's own The Pirate Signal.

August 2, 2007

"This is What They Make You Take The Medication For"

New Aesop Rock album to feature John Darnielle (of The Mountain Goats of course). Guess who's happy :)

Aesop Rock (feat. John Darnielle) - Coffee

What's with John and colt 45's?

"So If Your Love Won't Go, and Your Rivers Don't Flow..."

T'other night I decided to whisk myself away down to one of the local pub/venues by the name of Hi-Dive so see the demi-legend that is Aqueduct.

Opening first was a bunch of guys going by the name of Blitzen Trapper. Imagine if CCR and Bob Dylan were to start a band, and then Vietnam were to cover them. That's what came to (my) mind when I saw them. Love their stuff. (truthfully, they were my favorite act of the night).

Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation
Blitzen Trapper - Summer Town
Blitzen Trapper - The All-Girl Team
Blitzen Trapper - Country Caravan

Next would have been the dynamic duo Smoosh, but Asya and Chloe decided to let their little sister, Maia, play bass (she is, apparently, now an official member of Smoosh). The first thing that comes to mind when I think of this band is this heavy metal cover band that I saw a few weeks ago. This heavy metal cover band was made up of 11-14 year olds. They were good, but, really, only because I just couldn't bring myself to take them seriously, and think anything other than "wow, these kids are good ... for kids." Smoosh is good ... regardless of their age (i.e. they've moved beyond being the novelty act that the 12 year old metal band is). I cannot wait to see what they do in the future, be it with each other, solo projects, or other bands, these girls are going to be astonishing.

Smoosh - Find A Way
Smoosh - This Is Not What We've Become
Smoosh - Pygmy Motorcycle

On next was Aqueduct, the band. As soon as they started I began to appreciate the fact that it was no longer a one man band, because these guys destroyed. Now, I'm not gonna say it was the loudest show I'd ever been to at the Hi-Dive (that'd be the Thermals), but it was damn close. they rocked the indie pop so hard you could have had trouble discerning that it was, in fact, indie pop. Anyway, here's some tunes:

Aqueduct - Growing Up With GNR
Aqueduct - As You Wish
Aqueduct - Just The Way I Are

July 27, 2007

I swear I'll be back on top of this "blog" thing in like a week. By-the-by, the new Sum 41 album is pretty bad, save for like 2 songs. Come on guys, the era is dead, move on. I mean, I probably would have liked it more if it didn't, at times, sound like a half-hearted rip off of not only their own material, but American Idiot. I would like to admit that, when they do start to get a lot of shit for being Canadian and talking shit about GWB, I think they have a right to complain about him, because his actions do effect the world (*shrudder*), and everyone has a say in how they feel about that.

July 22, 2007

"I Drink Only That Which Makes Me Thirsty"

(That is a picture by a girl named Thao Nguyen, but not the same Thao that I'll be highlighting today)

A couple things have been going down in the world of Thao Nguyen (for refresher course in Thao Nguyen, see this older blog). She's gathered up some peps she now likes to call her band (they go by the awesome name The Get Down Stay Down), she's been signed to Kill Rock Stars, and she's been writing a new album. As some of you might know, I'm a huge fan of Thao, and am desperately awaiting her new release. Until then, however, I'll just have to bide my time listening to newly recorded Radio Shows featuring Thao and the Get Down Stay Down:

Band: Thao Nguyen & The Get Down Stay Down
Date: 2007-07-14
Venue: KPFK Studios (Aziatik Rhythmz Show) Los Angeles, CA

Interview
Big Kid Table
Interview
Feet Asleep
Interview
Tallymarks
Interview
Fear and Convenience (fade out)

July 17, 2007

"Leave All The Secrets Under the Bed"

Laura, a fellow blogger, recently been turned on to a little band that happens to have a cult following much like similar bands such as DMB, Ben Folds, and O.A.R.. That band is Guster.
Much like their genre compatriots, Guster has always had a lax taping policy, which has, in turn, has been a large part of their success as a band. That said, the largest part of their success is the fact that, on top of being genuinely good guys (an assumption drawn from interviews and live banter), they are great musicians.

This, in my opinion, is aided by their reluctance to "jam" out for 12 minutes at a time, something similar acts can't claim. That may sound like an odd statement, but if there's one thing you'll learn about me is, sometimes, I simply don't want to hear the same damn riffs for half an epoch. This is probably why I don't much like The Grateful Dead. Seriously guys, take a second, relax, and move on.

Sorry. Tangent. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Guster's fans have, because of their band's lax taping policy, become fairly good at bootlegging live sets. I mean, I'd go so far as to say some of the recordings I've run across of these guys are the best quality recordings I've ever heard. Listen for yourself, here are two great sets:

Band: Guster
Date: 2003-06-20 (first day of their tour after the release of Keep It Together)
Venue: Woodstock Playhouse, Woodstock, NY

Demons
What You Wish For
Two Points For Honesty
Careful
Amsterdam (hilarious banter after song)
Mona Lisa
Barrel Of A Gun
All The Way Up To Heaven
Ramona
(Nothing But) Flowers (Talking Heads Cover)
Keep It Together
Homecoming King
Either Way
Airport Song (This set was the first time I ever really gave Guster a shot. I listened to all the songs leading up to this one, and they were all good, but for some reason when this song came up, I instantly thought "WOw ... Guster is good.")
I Spy
Fa Fa
Diane
Happier
Jesus On The Radio (Completely Acoustic [no PA system used])

Band: Guster
Date: 2003-07-02
Venue: The Odeon, Cleveland, OH

Intro
Demons
Barrel Of A Gun
Ramon
Amsterdam
Diane
Two Points For Honesty
I Spy
Come Downstairs & Say Hello
What You Wish For
Airport Song
Happier
Red Oyster Cult
Keep It Together
"Cleveland story"
Center Of Attention
Fa Fa
Parachute
(Nothing But) Flowers (Talking Heads Cover)
Jesus On The Radio (Acoustic)

July 15, 2007

Dormancy

I love finding Postsecrets that I agree with almost as much as finding ones I don't agree with at all. Sorry about the lack of postings, something outside the blog-o-sphere has caught my attention, and it's not letting go (but, then again, neither am I). Expect a large 2 live set post in less than 5 days ":)

July 8, 2007

Boing, Boom Tschak

77Boadrum youtube stuff (if you look, there's about a billion videos, so here's a small taste):

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:

July 7, 2007

"Aaaaciiiiiiiiiid ... Pooooliceeeeeeh"

Okay, so if you didn't all ready know about this, then I'm sorry to inform you that you've probably missed your chance to get on a plane and fly out to see 77Boadrum. If you have no idea what that is, check out the site, otherwise, here's the Boredoms and a Boredom sideproject dropping some knowledge on yo assz:

Boredoms - Uoredoms
Boredoms - Super You
Boredoms - (spiral)

OOIOO - 5002
OOIOO - On An Ocean Amp
OOIOO - 1000 Frogs And 3 Sun In A House

July 3, 2007

"And Though You Are Not On The Right, Are You All Right There On The Left?"

There is one mind-numbing question that racks my mind every time I hear a song by the White Stripes, and that question is "Why are these two so popular?" Now hear me out. I love the White Stripes, probably more than most people (but that's the egotistical-indie-kid in me speaking [i.e. "I appreciate the White Stripes on a whole 'nother level" type things], which, even though I know about, is still hard to suppress sometimes). But, seriously, why is it that these two are so devilishly popular amongst the non-indie among us? While listening to this live set, I finally answered that question for myself: "these two bring the rock, so unadulteratedly, spontaneously, and lovingly that humans, by definition, cannot help but sway ... nay ... bound back and forth in an attempt to absorb as much of the brought rock as they can.

We, folks, are Sphelar solar cells, and the Stripes are the sun. Soak it up:

(This live set is, unfortunately, incomplete in my heart. I wish they would have played my 2 favorite tracks off the new album. Because they did not, I will host them here for those of you still undecided about our boy and girl in red and white:

The White Stripes - Rag & Bone
The White Stripes - Bone Broke )

Band: The White Stripes
Date: 2007-06-14
Venue: the O2 Wireless Festival, London

Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground/When I Hear My Name
Hotel Yorba
Icky Thump
I'm Slowly Turning Into You (3rd favorite off Icky Thump)
I Think I Smell A Rat
I'm A Martyr For My Love For You
Death Letter/Motherless Children
In The Cold Cold Night
Jolene (another stellar performance of this song. Jack's voice is so pained. It sounds like it's falling down a flight of stairs. For another [really, better,] performance of this song, check out this older blog)
Cannon/John The Revelator/Astro/Ball & Biscuit
Blue Orchid
The Denial Twist/Wasting My Time
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
We're Going To Be Friends
Seven Nation Army

June 30, 2007

"My Body Is a Cage, That Keeps Me From Dancing With The One I Love"/"I Hear Everybody That You Know Is More Relevant Than Everybody That I Know."

(Photo by Elizabeth Weinberg)

So the Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem have been confirmed to play a Red Rocks show seriously 2 days after the Monolith Music Fest. That is going to be one hell of an extended weekend. Do I even need to say I've all ready got tickets? Anyway, because of this incredible development, I will now host a live set by each of these groups.

The Arcade Fire have somehow become living legends. I don't know if it's because they rarely play shows (anymore), or that when they do play, it's in venues that hold about 30 people, or, simply, because their music is radically spectacular. My money's on the latter.

If you don't know about them yet, you've all ready missed out. Here's a refresher course for those of you not willing to accept that you've missed out. But now, onward and upward. Here is a fairly recent live set from our Neon Bible-toting boys and girls in black, white and red all over:

Band: The Arcade Fire
Date:2007-01-20
Venue: The St. Michael's Church (Secret Gig), Montreal, Canada

(btw, I'm using mediafire for the time being, so left click of the files, the d/l from that page :) )

Intro
Black Mirror
Keep the Car Running
No Cars Go (Neon Bible Version)
Black Wave/Bad Vibrations
My Body is a Cage
Ocean of Noise
Rebellion
Banter
Intervention
(Anti-Christ Television Blues)
The Well and the Lighthouse
Haiti
Power Out


This live set is actually the first thing I ever heard by LCD Soundsystem, and was, thusly, rather disappointed with the group's studio recordings. There is so much energy and life in this recording that it feels as though LCD Soundsystem is playing at my house ... my house. This is what I consider the "best of" by LCD, even if it doesn't have their best studio stuff. Whatev, you get what I'm saying, enough jibber-jabber, on with the you know:



Band: LCD Soundsystem
Date: 2005-09-04
Venue: Electric Picnic, Stradbally, Co. Laois, Ireland

Beat Connection
On Repeat
Daft Punk Is Playing At My House
Tribulations
Movement
Losing My Edge
Yeah

June 28, 2007

"Let's Trade Skins, I'm Rippling In This Skin That I'm In"

That is a map that my buddy Tom Wallingford made of all the artists on anticon. records, just to clear up any confusion. I recommend clicking on the image to see it at it's full power (mostly because when scaled down, you can't see a damn thing). Anyway, that was related to the last blog, now, on to the new one:

Mmmm, that sad, soothing, gorgeous Great Lake Swimmers sound, I can hardly get enough.

I saw Great Lake Swimmers last week at the local pool (i.e. the Hi-Dive [which, is actually not a pool at all]), and I might just have to say that I had a damn good time. Opening for them was a dude named Jason, who, to my knowledge, has not released any form of his music, or really even named his project. This, however, doesn't mean he wasn't a splendid opener. His music reminded me of the saddest of sad Radiohead songs drawn out to the point of no return. This boy could wail from a soul more troubled than good ol' Thom. I wish I would have found out more about this guy, but, alas. No worries though, a talent like this is sure to surface again.

After Jason finished up (in place of Porlolo I might add [I was rather looking forward to seeing Porlolo again]), Horse Feathers formed on stage and proceeded to woo the audience. 3 members were they, and quite the power trio they were. Justin taking up the mic and his guitar, Peter his violin, banjo, mandolin, saw, and make-shift drum set, and Heather her cello and celeste. The general arrangements sounded like, well, just that (classical arrangements that is) (thanks mostly to the violin and the cello). Then the three hunkered down and got all sorts of folky on us, which was welcomed by the friendly crowd. Lots of spunk, energy, and fun ... Horse Feathers ... what more can I say?

The 4 memebers of Great Lake Swimmers gracefully scurried their way onto the stage, and into our hearts (man that was cheesy). Really I can't say much more about them than that, and, of course, what their music says about them. So, listen up:

Band: Great Lake Swimmers
Date: 2005-09-08
Venue: Schubas, Chicago, Illinois

Moving, Shaking

Merge, A Vessel, A Harbour
The Man With No Skin
Let's Trade Skins (my 2nd favorite)
I Will Never See The Sun
Various Stages
Moving Pictures Silent Films
Innocent When You Dream (Tow Waits Cover) (1st favorite)

June 26, 2007

"Without a Universal Law There Is No Gravity"


That video above was made by Ravi Zupa. The song was Rubber Traits by Why?.

I recently ran into a guy (Ravi Zupa) who was wearing an anticon. shirt, so I told him it was awesome, because, well, it was. He went on to inform me that he makes music videos for them (or, at least, has made at least 6 videos for a few of the artists signed to anticon.) [check his other stuff out either at his website, or on his (presumably) youtube account. it's well worth it]. This comes at a pretty pertinent time for me, as I've recently been getting really into the anticon. artists again.

The anticon. artists are, really, just one big orgy of musicians who constantly collaborate. My theory is that they simply like to title things, so they create as many side projects as possible so they can. I don't even want to attempt to help people understand the web they've woven. Check out the Wiki for that. For some awesome music by a few of my favorite anticon. artists:

cLOUDEAD - Dead Dogs Two (W/ Josiah)
Why? - Crushed Bones
Sage Francis - Clickety Clack
13 & God - Soft Atlas
Odd Nosdam - 11th Ave. Freakout Pt 2
Themselves - Terror Fabulous
Subtle - The Mercury Craze
Sole - year of the $exxx $ymbol
Deep Puddle Dynamics - June 26th, 1998
Passage - Creature in the Classroom
Jel - WMD
alias - Life of a Soldja (featuring Duck)
Pedestrian - Arrest the President
Dosh - Everybody Cheer Up Song
Buck 65 - Sore (Vocal Remix)
Atmosphere - Give Me

JUICE, Doseone, and Eminem rap battle (Turn the Volume down around 1:17 and turn it back up around 1:22 ... trust me):

June 19, 2007

Exclusive Interview: 'We Need Girlfriends' Creators

Quite possibly the best thing to happen to the internet, RagTag Films, has offered your humble blogger an interview (via internet [because they live in NY, and I in CO]) regarding the best damn TV show not on TV, We Need Girlfriends (see the bottom of this blog for videos) We Need Girlfriends follows three best friends, fresh from college, entering into a whole new learning environment: dating in the city, after college, in the YouTube/Myspace era. Sound familiar? It ought to. It's pretty much the most relevant comedy today. They're 8 episodes in, with a few holiday specials, and going strong. I had a few concerns and questions, so I figured I'd just ask :). These guys were super awesome to offer the interview in the first place, and they got back to me really quick, so, without further ado, here it is:

LUKE HUNTER: Steven, Brian, and Angel, how are you prepared to respond to the possible drop in viewers after an excessive period of seeing the characters go through multiple attempts at courting and dating which ends in failure? It's just my assumption that this is where the show is going, but I may be entirely wrong. If that isn't the plan, are you clever folks willing to divulge any information on the fates of the poor boys? Will they ever find "the one?" :)

STEVEN TSAPELAS: Geez, do you know something we don't? I'm honestly not anticipating a drop in viewers. And actually with each subsequent episode, the hits on our website get larger and larger, so I hope that trend continues. I think the audience genuinely likes the characters and that they are willing to stick with them through their trials and tribulations because A) they're funny guys and B) we're rooting for them. Through the course of the series, there will be ups and downs, the characters will fail and occasionally succeed. However, they can't have too much success because then the show wouldn't be "We Need Girlfriends" it would be "We Have Girlfriends," and where's the fun in that?

BRIAN AMYOT: I agree with Steven, I don’t anticipate a drop in viewers for very similar reasons. I think people have become invested in these characters and they want to watch them, whether they succeed or fail, or both. I also find much of the failure very funny, and I hope the audience does. I tune into “The Office” every week knowing that Michael Scott will do something stupid, I’m not expecting him to get any smarter. Also, I think people will enjoy the way the series progresses, we have a lot more in store for these characters and its going to be exciting to see where life leads them.

ANGEL ACEVEDO: I agree with Brian who agrees with Steven. Obviously the show is about guys looking for new girlfriends, that's the drive of the show, that's their goal. And if they reach their goal there wouldn't be a show. So we have to cleverly write stories that see the characters closely reaching their goal of finding new girlfriends. But to keep the excitement and fun of the show, we can't make it too easy for them. It would be like if in LOST they got off the island the first season.

S: In the way of spoilers, I will say this: In Episode 9, someone will finally have sex. I'm not saying who.

LH: Steven, as the writer, I'm curious about how much of this show is based on real-life events and people. How much of this show comes from personal experience, and how much is pure fiction?

S: The three characters are based on us and our personality traits. Some of the the things they do are from our lives. For instance, we spend a lot of time on MySpace, we play psych out rules during game night, and we've been using the term "squirrel" and "scamming on squirrel" for years. Obviously, things are mashed together and dramatized, but I think the real core of the show is things we find funny about each other. The point is to make each other laugh while being honest about ourselves and our lives.

LH: Brian and Angel, what equipment and programs you guys use to shoot and edit? Who mixes the music, and, for that matter, who is in charge of tracking down the tunes you guys use?

B: We shoot on MiniDV on the Panasonic DVX100A. We edit on a PC using Avid Xpress Pro. I typically have edited the sound/music for every episode, I do the mix on Avid. All three of us have tracked down the music. MySpace has been instrumental (no pun intended) in finding music. We posted a bulletin on MySpace as well as other sites for people to submit music. We received many submissions, and as the show got viewed more, more people submitted because they want their music featured. It has been beneficial for both sides because we get great music in our show, and the musicians get more exposure. Steve, Angel, and I will sort through our submissions and search for new artists to find what will work best for the show.

LH: Steven, Brian, and Angel, I'm sure that what everyone really, truly wants to know ... is whose team are you on?

S: Team Ragtag!

B: TEAM WNG!

A: Team Rod!

Thanks guy, you rock :).

Episode 9 is out on July 1st. Personally, I couldn't be more excited. If you're interested in watching this show, head on over to their website, their myspace, or their YouTube account. To save a little time, here are trailers for the first and second half of their ... "season" I suppose:

Trailer for Episodes 2-6:


Trailer for Episodes 7-10: