Iron and Wine

NEW IRON & WINE COMING OUT SOON! SO EXCITED... Ironically for something so slow.

Hayden

I love Hayden's 'Elk Lake Serenade' for its music and artwork. It's definitely my favourite by him.

AND it's so cheap in stores! God I miss working in a record store... One day again soon!

Pitchfork

This was the first time in AGES, by ages I mean three months or so, that i've checked pitchfork. Amazing.

Gossip Girl, Black Keys and Others

Spotted,

Black Keys on Gossip Girl.



Eminem and Rihanna on Gossip Girl.

This video is hilarious.



OK between you and me, I really like this song... Still.

Soundtracks of 'Life As We Know It' and 'Nowhere Boy'

I have a huge affinity for the sixties, a beautiful decade of classy clothing and fantastic music. I can't get enough of it.

I adore films that take me there. I couldn't help but get the feel from time piece films - 'Nowhere Boy' gave me a good authentic feel of that. The film had a rich soundtrack to boot - featuring great skiffle band tunes of the Quarrymen, Lennon's first band. I suppose to catch you up to speed, the film is about John Lennon's youth before the Beatles.

There was this great moment where his Aunt Mimi, portrayed by Kristin Scott Thomas said to him very reluctantly: "You're going to Hamburg with your new band..." She didn't even say the new band's name, it didn't need to be said, without a doubt she was referring to the Beatles.

I can't wait to sink my teeth into some brilliant Beatles/Quarrymen tunes that I have no clue about.

The other film I saw today was Life As We Know it. The musical moment that really stuck out to me was the use of the song "Creep." It however wasn't credited as a song used because both Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel's characters sang the words to the baby in the film - "I'm a creep/i'm a weirdo/ so what am I doing here, I don't belong here." It would have really hit home well with me if the actual song was played throughout the credits. Sadly, it wasn't.

"Beach Comber" Real Estate on How I Met Your Mother

The third episode of the sixth season of How I Met Your Mother showcases the tune "Beach Comber" by Real Estate.

I just purchased the album. It's terrific, although my favourite song is definitely "Beach Comber" no questions...!

Rod Stewart "Some Guys Have All The Luck"

"Some Guys Have All The Luck"

Neil Halstead and 'Please Give'

BAND OF HORSES

I'm hurting here! I really want to see Band of Horses and Johnny and Jenny.

I feel a little down. One guess what i'm listening to righhht now.

pretty much

"Music, not sex, got me aroused.” -- Marvin Gaye

"Portions for Foxes" Rilo Kiley

Dusted off the first season of Grey's Anatomy to watch the very first episode. How exciting is it that "Portions for Foxes" was featured as the first tune of the show.

It's such a great luxury to be able to see the same band twice in one year!

Eight Days, Five Concerts

It has been quite the week! I didn't get around to writing any of my thoughts down because I barely had time to sit in front of my computer to do so.

Here's a list of concerts that I had the pleasure of seeing:

Tuesday October 12 at the Local
James Clark Institute

Thursday October 14 at the Garrison
The Dears

Friday October 15 at the El Mocambo
First Aid Kit

Sunday October 17 at the Kool Haus
Jimmy Eat World

Tuesday October 19 at the Opera House
Deerhunter

I'll try and write a few comments on the ones I missed in a few. My goal today is to get cheap tickets for the Band of Horses/Johnny and Jenny gig tonight!

Wants

This is totally up there with Modest Mouse's Interstate 8 as a CD I really want but can never find.

The Doves' EP Here It Comes.

Tom's suggest

http://hypem.com/track/1230568/Hauschka+-+Alexanderplatz

I AM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW...

Apparently, one of my favourite directors Martin Scorsese is making a BBC Documentary about George Harrison titled Living in the Material World: George Harrison.

Harrison's wife, Olivia Harrison, was approached by many to make a film on her late husband but it was Scorsese that won her over. She has even signed on to produce the film.

According to Scorsese, he was attraced to the project because "That subject matter has never left me...The more you're in the material world, the more there is a tendency for a search for serenity and a need to not be distracted by physical elements that are around you. His music is very important to me, so I was interested in the journey that he took as an artist. The film is an exploration. We don't know. We're just feeling our way through."

"I'll See You In My Dreams"

The tune "I'll See You In My Dreams" was originally published in 1924 and recorded by Isham Jones and the Ray Miller Orchestra, spending many weeks in the number one spot.

I heard it for the first time tonight as performed by Joe Brown on the Concert For George DVD. The version was very delicately done by Joe Brown and company at the Concert For George gig. I haven't heard anything so pretty in quite some time. The only thing I could get my hands on was this recorded version of the tune:

I would be really happy having this song played at my wake. It's just one of those good natured, sad songs.

I have to stop listening to music now. I am actually getting way too inspired and excited by it all...

Billy Preston

sIt's completely heartbreaking to get really into an artist just to find out that they're already dead.

Billy Preston (1946-2006) will be my next album purchase for certian! Keep posted.

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

On George's epic tune "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." This just gets me going:

The band recorded the song several times, including a version with a backward guitar solo (as Harrison had done for "I'm Only Sleeping" on Revolve]), but Harrison was not satisfied. On 6 September 1968, during a ride from Surrey into London, Harrison asked Eric Clapton to add a lead guitar solo to the song. Clapton was reluctant—he said, "Nobody ever plays on the Beatles' records"—but Harrison convinced him and Clapton's solo was recorded that evening. Harrison later said that in addition to his solo, Clapton's presence had another effect on the band: "It made them all try a bit harder; they were all on their best behaviour.

Concert For George performance for the song:

PATTIE BOYD

Move over Pamela de Barres, Pattie Boyd is queen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattie_Boyd

This wikipedia note is a must read. I can't believe I missed her photography show at the Great Hall... gah.

George Harrison and Elliott Smith

This marks four hundred and one posts! And it's just a small taste of the music that trickles through my ears.

I've been loving everything George Harrison lately. This go 'round I've dipped into the live concert in memory of Harrison titled, Concert For George. It's basically a group of incredible musicians mashed together to remember the Beatle. My two favourites follow. I really love "Isn't It A Pity" because of a behind the scenes video I watched where Eric Clapton went into the George tunes he really loved.

Note the powerful ending with a hidden Beatle song.



I just love Paul's rendition of "Something," Clapton's leap into the song is absolutely wonderful too!

On a more contemporary note - I've rediscovered Elliott Smith. It's so funny because I sort of just stopped listening to him in the latter half of the summer. It wasn't even intentional, it just happened. I was running today and I had the big urge to listen to the tune "Colour Bars" for the driving feeling it has. I immediately remembered why I always loved running to 'Figure 8'. So Patrick? Are you reading this? It's all about 'Figure 8.' There is no better Elliott Smith album than 'Figure 8.'I can't seem to track down a good clip of the song so you're just going to have to buy the album!

The James Clark Institute and Folk Punk at the Local; Tuesday October 12, 2010

James Clark is an incredibly hardworking artist. He's far more experienced than one would believe by just looking at him. I really appreciated the thought put into an incredibly bare set with only two guitars, an electric and an acoustic. I couldn't help but think how Clark would've sound if he had just played an electric with his vocals. I tend to like the very bare sound that artists have when they play alone - Feist often plays in this style.

Both Clark and his guitarist are great musicians that have clearly played together before.

I really love revue gigs, or rather titled at this show as a shared set. You never tire from the musicians and if you feel so, you can take comfort in knowing the end is near. It's the perfect sampler of music for a rather uninterested pub crowd.

I didn't enjoy the second act too much, a solo performer under the name Folk Punk. He only served to prime me up for James Clark's sets.

Handle with Care

Music in September, a month late

For the month of September I was caught in a complete whirlwind with the film festival. I managed to see a whopping 26 films in just nine days. I also managed to see 2 quality Toronto bands in those nine days as well and I thought i'd just leave a note or two about those gigs.

First off, I saw Zeus and Jamie Lidell on Tuesday September 14 at Lee's. I had solely been interested in this gig because Zeus was on the bill. Zeus completely shook my mates and I at their last gig at the Mod Club. They were so together and radiating with energy, I couldn't help myself to drop the twenty bucks to see them once again. This time I found myself pretty let down by everything. It seemed the gig was a little last minute or very little thought was put into it - perhaps because they were the openers. They had a very tiny place to actually play - very little movement at all. They played all the usual suspect songs drawing from most of their album 'Say Us.' The only song I would've like to have heard was the Neil Quin song "Heavy On Me."

I had a really terrific moment where I knew they were going to launch into "Greater Times on the Wayside" followed by "River By the Garden." There's something wonderful about feeling completely at home with a band and being familiar with their material to feel what's next.

Jamie Lidell was a complete surprise. A complete party. The venue managed to fill up good as the gig was last minute changed from the Opera House to Lee's, a big step down. Mind you, if this change hadn't happened I would not've opted to see this gig. Lidell is a huge ball of energy. He reminded me a bunch of Eli 'Paperboy' Reed for his white guy soul, few host the energy and charisma that Lidell has in his live gig. To this day I still haven't gotten around to his recorded stuff because of the bad reviews a pal had said prior to his appearance on stage. He seems like an artist I could have a ball seeing but find completely cheesy recorded. Regardless, I'd see Lidell again if it was at a smaller venue. We nipped out about half way through his energetic set. prematurely scooted out.

The second gig I made it out to that week was The Darcys at the Drake; Friday September 17. Thankfully this was an early gig. They were playing for one of the many TIFF after parties. This one was to have Caribou DJ a set after his gig at the Phoenix. I only had the time to see the Darcys for Caribou was going on at 12am. The Darcys were incredible, I can't stress how great this band's live show is. They are hands down my favourite unsigned Toronto band to see. I can't say enough good things about them. This has to be my third or fourth time seeing them this year and I've found myself to grow closer to their songs from just seeing their live gigs. The Darcys' greatest weakness is not releasing any of their newer material, with only two new Darcys songs up for grabs.

They've left us with only those two songs and a live video from a late summer gig at the Whippersnapper. Both completely worth checking out:

LNB Episode 11: The Darcys from Late Night in the Bedroom on Vimeo.

Songs can be downloaded for free off their website.

If you need anymore incentive, their new material was produced by the brilliant frontman of The Dears Murray Lightburn. Who I will have the absolute pleasure of seeing this Thursday at the Garrison. I felt really good hearing that the Dears would be showcasing their new material in a three show residency at the Garrison, my friend looked at it as a bad thing, that the band couldn't properly sell out one show at a bigger venue. He saw it as more work and time for the sake of a smaller venue. The last time I saw this band it was at one of two shows at the beautiful Music Gallery, or more properly put a small church. The pews were removed and it was a real rock show. The intimacy made the show a more memorable worthwhile experience that I anticipate will be duplicated at their Garrison gigs this upcoming week. I'm stoked.

The Walkmen with AA Bondy at the Phoenix; Saturday October 9, 2010

This is my third time seeing the Walkmen and what's most impressive about that is they were in the span of about loosely two years - spread out in three. Enough space to forget how much you loved them so and never feel like they've given too much.

Speaking of the concept of minimalism, the band's forte is definitely somewhere in their ability to maximise a very minimal group. Each memeber is incredibly tight and well played. Most obvious is the lead singer's ability to completely fill the room with his booming voice. Very unsuspecting for his tiny frame and charming good looks. A new pal turned over to me and said - "it's pretty amazing that that voice came from that man." I agreed. The thing about the vocals is that they are really like very few - scratchy and coarse but a little schmulzy at times. The two acts that kind of share similar styles are the Strokes and the Killers, two bands I don't love.

The aspect that became very apparent from this live show was the heightened use of piano. They have an extra player on stage to cover synth and piano. He was always there before - but for some reason he really jumped out. The new album really showcases bigger piano bits.

Seeing this band also serves as a huge reminder of how incredible the guitar work is. With only one sometimes two guitar players - the sound is very clear and full sounding. I am always amazed that the riff in "Canadian Girl" is soley done on the guitar. Upon first hearing and falling in love with the song, I was so certain that the main riff was all piano work. This band doesn't have plain old chords but rather they have busy noodles that really serve to give the song greater complexity.

This go 'round I was really charmed by the drummer. Heavy hits and great charisma, even from the back he really revealed his presence. There's something really lovely about seeing a live band, it really gives the listener a greater understanding of how it's all put together.

I am not the biggest Walkmen fan but something keeps me coming back for this band. The first gig I really wasn't sure. I bought the tickets on a limb not really knowing. Fully based on a friend's recommendation. Very shortly after I fell in love with the artwork fro
the album 'You & Me' and shortly after that the song "Canadian Girl." Now, beyond all that it has become the band's energy that keeps me interested. The Walkmen by no means have a pretty sound, which makes it incredibly difficult to accessibly enjoy their tunes. I think it's their energy and polished sound that keeps people engaged. Their sound is angsty without being angry. The band have really mastered a sound that no other band has and that's why people love 'em.

A note on AA Bondy -

AA Bondy is well-loved in Toronto for his return plays in the city. He was recently here past for North By North East. I first checked him out on YouTube a little earlier today. He's folky with a lot of the emotion of a bluesy singer. Most of the videos were of him alone and I really couldn't help but think of a brilliant artist in saw three years ago at the Cameron House called the Phonogarde. His live show had two other players sporting a bass guitar, drums and the occasional lap steel. AA Bondy has an impeccably controlled sound despite the tendancy to stray into foggy distortions and other tricks that I have no idea how to articulate.

The other opener that I missed most of was Blood Feathers who had a terrific dialogue between guitars and the sax. Missed most of their set and really wasn't feeling them on YouTube.

Great show, and for the sake of the Eye Weekly writer I met and conversed with. I give this gig a 4 star review. Easily one of the better shows of the year, pity it was at the crummy Phoenix. They just keep playing to bigger crowds each time they come by.

Elliott Smith

I haven't touched Elliott Smith since August 10, 2010.

It felt good to throw on 'XO' today. Happy as a clam.

Grizzly Bear

'Yellow House' > 'Vekatimest'

Calexico

Thursday needs satisfied. Took all of three or four songs.

I'm currently all over the brilliance that is Calexico. I use to think that the Iron & Wine split EP with Calexico was all Iron & Wine, but really it was as much Calexico as it was Iron. There is no "I told you so" here, but rather a beautiful realisation of how incredible Calexico really are.

The big challenge will be sinking my teeth into their HUGE selection of music.

THURSDAY

I've been dying to listen to Thursday's 'War All The Time' for quite some time now. Finally dug it out of my garage to give it a spin. I really need this one on vinyl.

I can't believe how amazing this album is seven years later even.

Vetiver

Hello old friend!

This band will make you remember summer as if it was 25 degrees out again.