Tuesday, April 13, 2010

the high road is hard to find

I need this book in my life. I also need a handful of the posters on my walls, lovingly framed, for my viewing pleasure. Frankly, this is how I wish all music artwork was done: simple but creative. Of course the ones I want the most are sold out. But if you're a fan of music artwork and have $24.95 to spare, it's well worth the modest price and each copy is signed, so it wouldn't be your average coffee table book.










Currently listening to Broken Bells and The Morning Benders, wishing I had bought tickets to their sold out show at The Music Box on May 19. Instead, I think I'll find myself at The Fold in Bootleg for the Horse Feathers show. I should probably buy those tickets now. I'd hate to miss them too.

Friday, April 9, 2010

somewhere someone's listening to the sound of a record spinning

This is going to be a quick and dirty music rec dump of rather random proportions.

Freelance Whales has a new video for "Generator ^ Second Floor." I've yet to view it because I can't for the life of me get my damn flash player to function correctly on my work PC, but I'm sure it's fantastic and should be viewed by all. Fingers are crossed I don't run into the same flash player issues on my home PC or Adobe and I are going to have words. (ETA: Adobe Flash Player and I are on good terms again and I finally got to watch the video. It's delightfully odd and conceptual - exactly what I'd expect from my favorite little hipsterish band. I've fallen in love with them time and time again after viewing vids of them performing on subway platforms in Brooklyn, so to not see them in their natural habitat felt slightly strange, but it is what it is. I'd take bands live and pretense free over a shiny video any day of the week, be it Freelance Whales or anyone else.)

Speaking of Freelance Whales, they are opening for Shout Out Louds at a pair of shows at the El Rey Theatre on May 20 & 21. Friday's show is already sold out and I'm now trying to nail down tickets for the Thursday show. If you're a fan and haven't already secured your entrance to one or both of the shows, you might want to do that now.

Stereogum (my absolute fave corner of the internet right now) premiered The Hold Steady's "Barely Breathing," which I really dig. Give it a listen.

Two new music finds of this week (or really, the last two days, but one is actually more like a month but I'm only just now listening to the album):

First up, The Daylights -

Rogue Machine (Don't Say That You Want Me) from The Daylights on Vimeo.


I've only just found them, but I really like what I've heard so far and I'm a sucker for a good music video that is all performance with the only gimmick being moody rock 'n' roll lighting. I also like that fact that electric guitars are involved. Seems like an odd thing to be happy about, but with all the folk I've been listening to lately, I'd begun to miss their sound and driving force. But I digress. The Daylights are playing the Troubadour on May 15 and I may or may not be contemplating wrangling someone into going to the show with me. Friends of mine, that was a not so subtle *hinthintnudgenudge* if you couldn't tell.

And the rec I stand behind tenfold: Sarah Jaffe -

A friend of mine recommended Sarah at least a month ago and with the influx of new music I've been shuffling through these last few weeks she somehow slipped through the cracks and it wasn't until two days ago that I gave her album, "Suburban Nature," a proper listen and I'm in love. I've had a little time to look at youtube vids and mini write-ups on a couple not so terribly reputable music sites and honestly, there's not a whole lot out there on her, which is surprising. But I don't think that will be the case for too much longer.

Folk's presence in the music scene continues to build with each day and every new and road weary musician/band that is finally finding steady ground to stand on and I think she'll soon find her footing. Sarah's music has been described as sweet, but I'm not sure I'd say that's true or does it any kind of justice. She's folk, yes, and she certainly knows her way around a melody, but it doesn't read as sweet. There aren't rainbows and puppies and cupcakes here. What there is is a certain weight, even dare I say, edge to the tracks. I'm also in the midst of fangirling over her lyrics. So if you stumble upon one of those reviews that claim Sarah Jaffe is some meek little songstress, don't be turned away or fooled. This Texan is more than meets the eye.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

this god forsaken town's in a mess



Because my time is still not my own and I've yet to do exactly what I came here to do (rant and rave about my favorite music), I implore you to take a few minutes and watch this video of Bobby Long at Bamboozle Left from two weeks ago performing "Penance Fire Blues & In My Time Of Dyin'." My dear friend Abi took the video and there were a couple of times when she and I exchanged looks with our friends Jo and Helena while he was playing, in complete awe of what we were witnessing. I know, I know, how dramatic, but we've had the good fortune of seeing him live a handful of times over the last year and this was by far his most spirited performance to date.

I have much to say about him as an musician and subsequently the scene that surrounds him, but that's for the post to come. Right now, it's really just about this song, this performance. It sold me and I was already a fan. That in itself should say a lot.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

My time management skills have been nonexistent the last two weeks. There's this little thing called a full time job I have that has been monopolizing my time and unfortunately, no matter how much I wish it, the time I do spend online doing my favorite things (like finding new and promising bands/musicians) doesn't pay the bills. Right about now, though, I'm beginning to think that I chose the wrong major and spent five years of my life pursuing a career that no longer holds the interest or excitement it did when I didn't know any better.

It seems I've suffering from "if you only knew then what you know now" syndrome. It's incurable and might be catching, so if you are content with your current lot in life and can't handle a healthy dose of snark, you might want to keep your distance. Misery loves company, right?

Lucky for me, and those I interface with on a daily basis, I have my music. Lots and lots of music to quell the inner storm, the perpetual existential crisis that continues to swell with each passing year, though not for a lack of trying.

My days of relatively ignorant bliss are behind me and I move forward embracing what I know, and what I don't know but wish to learn, all the while creating a running soundtrack to help get me through the days and if I'm lucky, bring a shred of perspective to keep me grounded.

So now it does truly begin. I'm currently working on a rant/review of one of my favorite new musicians that I'm having a bit of time wrapping my head around, but am determined to make happen as time permits.

In the meantime, and in lieu of a real recommendation, here's what been on heavy rotation for the last few weeks: Freelance Whales and Mumford & Sons. These days, give me a band with a bango or accordion or glockenspiel (or if you're really going for broke, a double bass) and I'm there. But more than the slightly quirky mix of instruments and respectively, a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly new, you've got a lot of heart...and soul. Two things is short order in the world at large, let alone in the music scene. So give them both a listen; you just might find something you didn't even know you were looking for.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

so it begins

"'Have you got any soul?' a woman asks the next afternoon. That depends, I feel like saying; some days yes, some days no. A few days ago I was right out; now I’ve got loads, too much, more than I can handle. I wish I could spread it a bit more evenly, I want to tell her, get a better balance, but I can’t seem to get it sorted. I can see she wouldn’t be interested in my internal stock control problems though, so I simply point to where I keep the soul I have, right by the exit, just next to the blues."

-High Fidelity by Nick Hornby