9/30/2009
Jay Who?-High School
Jay Who?-High School
you can download the mixtape here
Where The Wild Things Are
I'm not the only one who is excited about this film, weloveyouso.com is a blog whose whole focus is everything related to the film, which is where I found out what I'm gonna be wearing for most of this fall.
Anyways, these screen shots are just beautiful. I'm excited.
And here's the trailer....
Giant Girl Doll
9/29/2009
Mixtape Volume 7
Thursday (The Twelves Remis)- Asobi Seksu
Shelia-Atlas Sound
Departure-Crystal Stilts
A Forest-The Cure
Lucky Boy (Outlines Remix)-DJ Medhi
Business Casual-The Foxglove Hunt
As Above, So Below (Justice Remix)-The Klaxons
Redoakway-Lotus Plaza
Bizarre Love Triangle-New Order
Perfect Kiss-New Order
The Rip-Portishead
You'll See it-Washed Out
The Rocky Mountains-Wendy Carlos
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The Man from UNKLE
James Lavelle is a music producer from across the pond that is responsible for giving us DJ Shadow’s album “Entroducing” with his little label Mo Wax Records. The label also produced such records as Dr. Octagon's 1996 record Dr. Octagonecoloyst. The project that absolutely blew my mind was Unkle’s Psyence Fiction. One of my favorite tracks being the one he did with Richard Aschcroft from The Verve, the ending to this day gives me goose bumps.
UNKLE - Lonely Soul
He has collaborated with many well known artists including Thom Yorke, Autolux, Mike D, Massive Attack, Josh Homme and the list goes on and on. James’s wife Lorna Lavelle and someone named Blonde have a documentary called “The Man from UNKLE” in pre production and some footage has been released. It covers James Lavelle and his interesting life that he has led and the amazing musical projects he has been behind. The trailer is just a taste and leaves me wanting more
9/28/2009
Phoenix in Central Park
I found a clip on the youtube....you can see a bunch of them if you click here.
9/23/2009
Harry Nilsson-Pussy Cats
The legend behind it goes as such: Lennon and Yoko Ono were not getting along, so he and his assistant (with whom he would have an affair) packed up for Los Angelos, where he contacted his friend, singer-songwriter Harry Nilson to produce Nilsson's next album.
To ensure that everyone involved made it to the studion on time, the musicians (including Ringo Starr and Keith Moon) all holed up in the same house. This apparently only served to create a chaotic atmosphere of drinking, drugging, and fighting. Lennon and Nilsson were kicked out of the Troubadour club on the sunset strip twice for fighting while recording, and Nilsson injured his vocal chords, making his throat raspier then usual for this . However they were able to finish the album through all of the setbacks, and produced Pussy Cats.
Among music fanatics the album is legendary, and has been inspirational to countless musicians including The Walkmen who covered the whole thing note for note right after recording 100 Miles Off , so it was obviously an inspiration to them, which explains to me why 100 Miles Off is the only bad album in their discography. Listen to the unhinged and funky "All my life", with its repentant lyrics about drinking, and the pleading screech of "Many Rivers I've Crossed" to experience the flavor of two talented musicians totally losing their shit. Beautiful.
Harry Nilsson-All My Life
Harry Nilsson-Many Rivers to Cross (Jimmy Cliff Cover)
The Walkmen: DC Homecoming
The Walkmen-On the Water
They are traveling with a horns section, one of whom Hamilton introduced to the crowd as his wife Anna. This addition of sound made certain songs richer. On stage Leithauser is calm and confident, and you can tell these boys have spent some time on the circuit before, because their live performance is tight. Paul Maroon's chops on guitar were spell binding, and the tunes set a mood as opposed to really rocking out. The Walkmen are a class act, be sure to check them out.
The Walkmen-In the New Year
9/22/2009
Chad VanGaalen-Did You Find Peace?
Chad VanGaalen, is one of those musicians who manages to put out albums with some varied styles yet still sound cohesive in the end. One thing that ties his music together is his distinctive damaged upper case warble, similar to Neil Young's lungs. This is an outtake from his 2008's Soft Airplane release. He is a true DIU artist, and even does the art for his covers, one of which is pictured above. I read somewhere that he was once a profesional skateboarder, I cant confirm that; and besides, what is a professional skateboarder exactly anyhow? Anyhow here is B-side to Soft Airplane, its a simple guitar and voice composition, but should show you why to check out more of his music.
Chad VanGaalen-Did You Find Peace?
You can download this song and the rest of the free ep of B-sides he released here
Oh yeah, one last thing...this is a video for the song Molten Light off of Soft Airplane which Chad directed.
9/21/2009
Devandra Banhart-Baby
9/20/2009
Lucero: Darken My Door
Darken My Door from Lucero on Vimeo.
9/18/2009
The Never Home-Live! EP
The greatest thing to ever come out of Union City, New Jersey....Here's the latest from the boys, recorded live from the soundboard at Arlene's Grocery, and mastered by guitarist Rene Martinez. Next up, the 169 bar, and then Shorefest at Washington College. Contact me to book them for your next wedding.
Julian Casablancas-11th Dimension
Finally we have a fucking song, which debuted on the myspace page yesterday. It completely lives up to the hype. I didn't expect it to sound like the strokes, and didnt want it to either. In an interview Casablancas said he was going to do things that he couldnt do with the Strokes on this album, and clearly hes going for it. For one, this song has a bassline that's way too funky for a Strokes album; the drumming is almost tribal, and the song is based around a hyped up organ riff. The 80s vibe is heavy on this one, and it's cool; cuz you can dance to it.
Julian Casablancas-11th Dimension
Suckers: It Gets Your Body Moving
Suckers - It Gets Your Body Moving
9/17/2009
Balmorhea: All Is Wild, All Is Silent
Austin natives Balmorhea have released a complex, classically inspired, and very moving new album. The band has added a few more members and now have six members playing guitar, banjo, piano, violin, cello, drums and upright bass. The album's name, “All Is wild, All Is Silent” was inspired by the writings of early Texas settler William B. Dewess; and there is something about the music that conjures up images of an old American West and the vast landscapes depicted on the cover art. The drastic twists and turns of “Harm and Boon” , leading from the melancholy to the intense, mimic some of the classical greats such as Ludwig Van Beethoven himself. The song brings you on a musical journey and with strictly instruments evokes tremendous emotion. “November 1, 1832” is an eerie and lonely song.
Snoop Dogg-Fallin' Asleep on Death Row
Snoop Doggy Dogg-Fallin Asleep on Death Row
BlackRoc-Hoochie Coo
Rap-Rock Crossovers have been happening since Run DMC teamed up with Aerosmith for 'Walk this Way'. We can blame the desire to blend these musical art forms for Cypress Hill's "Skull and Bones" album, Limp Bizkit, BodyCount, amongst countless others. The trend continues however, and thus we now have Blackroc, a project spearheaded by Dame Dash and featuring the Black Keys performing with various rappers. This first track off of the album features Jim Jones and Mos Def. It almost makes sense. Jones hopped on MGMT's hit 'Electric Feel' to add 16 bar verses for an unofficial remix last year; and Mos Def did put out the iffy "New Danger" album, which was a disorganized mish-mash of rock and rap stylings. What doesn't make sense is that the Black Keys are involved, their muddy minimalist blues rock doesn't owe anything to Hip Hop; but suprisingly, this seems to work.
Blackroc-Hoochie Coo
9/15/2009
Cass McCombs-Executioners Song (Video)
This song is about being an executioner, and yet, he sings about it like it was just any old profession, which gives him "purpose" and gives him happiness. The song is written as a love song to an unnamed lover: "I love you, and I love my job". It's an incredibly strange and unsettling sentiment.
Arcade Fire-My Body is a Cage (Unofficial Video)
In watching this video before seeing the movie, you will have spoiled the experience of seeing one of the best revenge stories in cinema play out. If you have seen the film already, then this video is essential viewing as it plays like a highlight reel of essential plot points of the film, with a soundtrack which transcribes the violence and tension of the film's visuals into something completely different.
Timber Timbre-Demon Host
Timbre Timber-Demon Host
Here's a video for a Timber Timbre track I found on their website; it's overly simple but it visually captures the group's grainy aesthetic perfectly.
9/12/2009
AA Bondy: Live at the Rock and Roll Hotel
A.A. Bondy has created two albums of folk songs that are achingly good, his songs reflect an older matured artist. His tunes are heartbreaking but within each one a small ray of light shines through. He is currently touring for “When the Devil’s Loose,” his second album which has been receiving critical acclaim.
He hit the stage accompanied by a bassist and a drummer who also played the steel pedal guitar at the Rock and Roll Hotel on Thursday night. The song “Slow Parade” has a soft warm start with lyrics about the sea “talking sweet to me” and it builds with an distorted guitar becoming angrier and darker as he speaks of waves crashing around him.
He switched back and forth between a wide body electric guitar and an acoustic which made for a nice dichotomy of sounds. The biblical imagery he incorporates into his lyrics makes his songs sound like they were from an earlier era. His raspy and imperfect vocals add an authenticity, creating a sound which is truly his own.
Between songs Bondy told stories, which gave his performance an added value. At one point, He spoke of an experience he had in Alabama walking his mother’s dog:
“I was out walking my mom’s dog and some other dog that had escaped from its electrically protected home tore my mom’s dog eye right out of its socket. She is ok though, I saw her and the eye was all sewed up. It was like out of a Fellini movie.”
He also told weird stories from the road:
“I was leaving Chicago and was under on over pass that was under another overpass and I saw a homeless man with a shopping cart full of his stuff. He was talking to a female cop. Then I noticed the female cop…well… she had an axe. AMERICA!.”
Bondy is a giant in the alt country music scene right now. It's easy to see why, with his poignant lyrics and a showmanship. He gives hope that folk music in all its glory still has artists out there who are keeping it alive and well.
After the show, Bondy came over and sold his own cds and tee shirts at his merchandise table. He talked with his fans, gave autographs and thanked everyone who came to the show directly. I spoke briefly with him about living in Brooklyn, but he proudly stated he spends most of his time in Alabama, where he is originally from. He said he liked working with Fat Possum Records and is hopeful about the future. I also asked about his name, wondering what A.A. stood for. He told me that it stands for August Arthur, the name given to him at birth.
AA Bondy - When the Devils Loose
AA Bondy - Slow Parade
9/11/2009
Mixtape Vol. 6
Myintntrotoletyouknow-OutKast
Underground-Necro
Get Money-Junior M.A.F.I.A
Good Life (Silk Remix)-Kanye West
Killa Cam-Cam'ron
Let Me Ride-Dr.Dre
Mathematics-Mos Def
Fallin'-Teenage Fan Club (featuring De La Soul)
Foolin' Around-Rhymefest
Do you Believe-Beatnuts
Coolie High (Remix)-Camp Lo
4th Chamber-GZA
Holy Matrimony (Letter to Firm)-Foxy Brown
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Ludwig Van Beethoven-Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, II. Allegretto
The second movement of Beethoven's seventh symphony is an aural assault from a madman who was losing the one thing he held most dear, his hearing. He wages a war against his pain, his anger, and his sorrow with an army of shivering violins, a squadron of mournful woodwinds, and tumbling drums that beat somewhere on the horizon. Its beautiful, its powerful, and its tragic that the man who created this masterpiece, couldn't enjoy listening to it.
Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, II. Allegretto.mp3
9/10/2009
Theo Watson: Contemporary British Artist
Spinning vinyl ipod app from Theo Watson on Vimeo.
Take a look around his website. He is also a collaborator for the Graffiti Research Project which lets people use a laser pen to write on buildings. Watch the video below.9/09/2009
Never Home at Arlene's Grocery this Friday
9/06/2009
Black Joe Lewis & the Honey Bears: Bitch I Love You
Black Joe Lewis picked up a Guitar at the pawn shop he worked at in Austin TX and shortly after gained notoriety at local open mic nights for his stage antics. He would often throw himself to his knees “Hendrix style.” He formed a seven piece band complete with a horns section and recorded with Jimmy Eno from Spoon. Eno said because of their raw live talent
“We were able to do about 75 percent of the album live, and that’s something you very, very rarely do.”
Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears are creating a sound reminiscent of James Brown and Howlin Wolf but have put a new raunchy edge to it that makes it their own. In the song “Bitch I Love You" you will see Black Joe's humor and honesty that is evident in his music.
9/04/2009
Real Estate
9/02/2009
Shooting Gallery: Blue Basement
Shooting Gallery-Blue Basement
Download
If you're in New York City this coming Monday, you should come check them out as they rock the floor of Webster Hall. There's no cover, and there'll be a $20 all you can drink special. PBRs and bottom shelf whiskey all night long! See the flyer below for more info.
Junior Kimbraugh: Meet Me in the City
Fun Fact: Besides playing the blues like none other, Junior also ran this fine establishment (pictured below) called Juniors Juke Joint, which was apparently quite a popular spot before it burned to the ground.
Junior Kimbraugh-Meet me in the City
RL Burnside: American Bluesman Remembered
Burnside made his living as a sharecropper and a fisherman in the rural hills of Mississippi for most of his life, professions fitting for a bluesman such as himself. He moved to Chicago in the 1950’s to look for opportunity and there his father, brother, and uncle were murdered. His music would later reflect upon these terrible tragedies that occurred in his songs "R.L.'s Story"and “Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down.”
In 1959 Burnside moved back to Mississipi to work as a tractor driver, and he himself was convicted of murder, spending only six months in jail for the crime. Burnside later said "I didn't mean to kill nobody ... I just meant to shoot the sonofabitch in the head. Him dying was between him and the Lord."
Burnside fathered 13 children many of whom continued on his tradition of playing the blues. Cedric Burnside tours with Kenny Brown and most recently with Steve 'Lightnin' Malcolm as part of the 'Juke Joint Duo', while his son Duwayne Burnside has played guitar with the North Mississippi All-stars. In 2004, the Burnside sons opened Burnside Blues Cafe, located 30 miles southeast of Memphis at the intersection of U.S. Highway 78 and Mississippi Highway 7 in Holly Springs, Mississippi.
After struggling with the bottle for years, Burnide sobered up, however health complications sidelined him from performing and recording in his twilight years. On September 1, 2005 at the age of 78 Burnside died in Memphis, Tennessee at the St. Francis Hospital surrounded by his family.
R.L Burnside-Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down
R.L Burnside-Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues
9/01/2009
Dr. Dre- Poor Young Dave (featuring Snoop Dogg)
Dr. Dre- Poor Young Dave (featuring Snoop Dogg)
Download
You can find the remastered and expanded The Chronic on itunes.
Sebastien Tellier-Roche (Video)
Clearly Tellier doesnt take himself too seriously, this video is far too over the top to assume otherwise. However dont let his campy nature fool you. The man is an accomplished musician. I watched him perform at Le Poisson Rouge in the West Village last March, and his talent blew me away. He came out onstage, wearing his white suit, sweating profusely, and holding a flying V guitar which he proceeded to shred mercilessly for a five minute face melter guitar solo. That was the first thing he did when he got onstage. He switched off between the guitar and a giant piano a few times, and one of the highlights for me was when he pointed the mic at his crotch and declared that "Zis next song is about my misexuality" in a heavy french accent. It made everyone uncomfortable. It was one of the best concerts I've seen this year. You can cop this song off my first mixtape (scroll way the fuck down if you wanna find it.