Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Beirut, Zach Condon
Have we all forgotten about Beirut? It's been a while since Zach Condon has released anything, but I still have high faith in him. He's a musical prodigy and I'm looking forward to seeing him again August 2 at the Phoenix. They've very wonderfully made a second show at the same venue rather than upgrading to a larger one.
I have these moments when I listen to Beirut where I have to remind myself how young Condon is. When he released Gulag Orkester he was only twenty!!
And twenty one with the release of the very gorgeous The Flying Cup Club:
I have these moments when I listen to Beirut where I have to remind myself how young Condon is. When he released Gulag Orkester he was only twenty!!
And twenty one with the release of the very gorgeous The Flying Cup Club:
Sondre Lerche
I first dipped into Sondre Lerche about seven years ago when I was leaving through the clearance stock at the old record store I used to work at. The Don`t Be Shallow EP was only five dollars, a total steal!
I picked it up initially because I thought he was a total babe!
Well, nearly seven years later, I have had each and every one of his releases and have had the pleasure of seeing him three times. He`s playing a gig in Toronto on Tuesday and I can`t seem to shake the excitement. It`s going to be an awesome show, his first full-band performance in Toronto since 2007. He`s great on his own, but the full-band sound is absolutely untouchable.
Lerche keeps releasing albums and I can`t keep up. It`s technically only his sixth full-length release, but if you consider all of the other albums he`s dropped with EPs, he`s probably closer to something like ten.
I am absolutely in love with his new album`s front. My normal instinct with a new album is to hate it, especially if i`m going to have to see them in two days (and they`ll play new stuff galore). But I`m totally feeling this new album, I think this show is going to be pretty spectacular.
He`s also started his own record label called Mona Records, after his wife model, Mona Fastvold.
... I just stumbled upon a new Air Canada commerical on YouTube, ads galore now and Sondre Lerche was used. They pulled a song off of his much underrated album Duper Sessions.
I picked it up initially because I thought he was a total babe!
Well, nearly seven years later, I have had each and every one of his releases and have had the pleasure of seeing him three times. He`s playing a gig in Toronto on Tuesday and I can`t seem to shake the excitement. It`s going to be an awesome show, his first full-band performance in Toronto since 2007. He`s great on his own, but the full-band sound is absolutely untouchable.
Lerche keeps releasing albums and I can`t keep up. It`s technically only his sixth full-length release, but if you consider all of the other albums he`s dropped with EPs, he`s probably closer to something like ten.
I am absolutely in love with his new album`s front. My normal instinct with a new album is to hate it, especially if i`m going to have to see them in two days (and they`ll play new stuff galore). But I`m totally feeling this new album, I think this show is going to be pretty spectacular.
He`s also started his own record label called Mona Records, after his wife model, Mona Fastvold.
... I just stumbled upon a new Air Canada commerical on YouTube, ads galore now and Sondre Lerche was used. They pulled a song off of his much underrated album Duper Sessions.
Coachella 2011: aftermath twenty, Ratatat
Ratatat is an electronic duo from Brooklyn. Comprised by a guitar player Mark Stroud and bassist and keyboardist Evan Mast.
I only had a few moments to see these guys between acts, but I was totally blown away. I heard them a bunch when I worked at the record store, a co-worker really liked them, so consequently, I was subject to the album Classics.
Real fun to watch this video, because when I watched this gig from the back of the tent, I couldn`t really see what was going on. This was my first time seeing these guys live, and I had no idea that that`s all there was going on. It`s sort of hard for me to appreciate a couple of guys noodling to a recording, but it looks like a lot of fun.
Coachella 2011 performance:
Professionally shot:
Studio:
I only had a few moments to see these guys between acts, but I was totally blown away. I heard them a bunch when I worked at the record store, a co-worker really liked them, so consequently, I was subject to the album Classics.
Real fun to watch this video, because when I watched this gig from the back of the tent, I couldn`t really see what was going on. This was my first time seeing these guys live, and I had no idea that that`s all there was going on. It`s sort of hard for me to appreciate a couple of guys noodling to a recording, but it looks like a lot of fun.
Coachella 2011 performance:
Professionally shot:
Studio:
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Woody Allen `Midnight In Paris`
I`m pretty thrilled to see Woody Allen`s new film Midnight In Paris. Beyond the fact that it takes place in Paris, France, I`d just like to point out how creative Woody Allen really is. He has an almost French imaginitive feel when it comes to his writing and direction.
In the last few years, I`ve really taken to French New Wave cinema, real-life films with big imagination and happy excitement. There`s something really lovely about all the old Truffaut and Godard films that have no colour, but are so full of life. Which makes Pierrot le fou all the more exciting, because it had colour.
I just watched the François Ozon film Potiche, or The Trophy Wife. A relatively light film that stars French classic vedettes - Catherine Denueve and Gerard Despardieu. By it`s finish, I couldn`t help but think about how different French cinema is from North American. North American film is so predictable and simple minded. The French have fun, they accentuate the oddities and complexities of life in a way that North American film could never do.
My word on Woody was that he, a New York native, does push the envelope significantly. His films often harp on people`s flaws, he essentially magnifies human flaws. For that, I really love all that Allen does - people are imperfect and make poor choices. I may be so bold to argue that North American film portrays a false ``perfect`` image of people. Don`t get me wrong, Allen casts the prettiest of pretty people in his films, but they all have their flaws.
I`m really looking forward to seeing his new film `Midnight In Paris.` Beyond the all-star cast, I look forward to seeing a non-New York Woody Allen film. I swear, I can`t keep up with this man, he`s on a one a year cycle. Film factory.
Also, a cute thing to point out is that on the Woody Allen filmography page, there are three boxes that serve to filter out what his role in the films listed have been. Writer, Director and Actor, the majority he has done all three, Allen truly is an auteur.
It`s also sort of interesting to note, his most recent films he hasn`t acted in. I guess being in your seventies has it`s downfalls...
In the last few years, I`ve really taken to French New Wave cinema, real-life films with big imagination and happy excitement. There`s something really lovely about all the old Truffaut and Godard films that have no colour, but are so full of life. Which makes Pierrot le fou all the more exciting, because it had colour.
I just watched the François Ozon film Potiche, or The Trophy Wife. A relatively light film that stars French classic vedettes - Catherine Denueve and Gerard Despardieu. By it`s finish, I couldn`t help but think about how different French cinema is from North American. North American film is so predictable and simple minded. The French have fun, they accentuate the oddities and complexities of life in a way that North American film could never do.
My word on Woody was that he, a New York native, does push the envelope significantly. His films often harp on people`s flaws, he essentially magnifies human flaws. For that, I really love all that Allen does - people are imperfect and make poor choices. I may be so bold to argue that North American film portrays a false ``perfect`` image of people. Don`t get me wrong, Allen casts the prettiest of pretty people in his films, but they all have their flaws.
I`m really looking forward to seeing his new film `Midnight In Paris.` Beyond the all-star cast, I look forward to seeing a non-New York Woody Allen film. I swear, I can`t keep up with this man, he`s on a one a year cycle. Film factory.
Also, a cute thing to point out is that on the Woody Allen filmography page, there are three boxes that serve to filter out what his role in the films listed have been. Writer, Director and Actor, the majority he has done all three, Allen truly is an auteur.
It`s also sort of interesting to note, his most recent films he hasn`t acted in. I guess being in your seventies has it`s downfalls...
Friday, May 27, 2011
Monthly Mix, May 2011
Dear dedicated readers (all five of you),
This marks my first official month making mix CDs for those who want to hear something lovely. I will make them as the month ends, as it will reflect what I've got my hands and ears on in the last month or so.
It's been raining a ton here in Toronto, my best friend in the whole wide world pointed out that out of twenty six days, it had rained something like eighteen days. For all this glum, weather I'm feeling pretty good. Spirits are high, as are the song selections of the album.
I'm feeling pretty sixties. My go to music has been all things from the past. This mix is just that sprinkled with a bit of here and now. The most significant, influential purchase of the last month or so has to be the Numero Uno released compilation Eccentric Soul: The Prix Label. Released three or four years ago, this album has got some serious life to it with the release of the Derek Cinefrance film Blue Valentine. Ryan Gosling handpicked the Penny and the Quarters song "You and Me" as he and Michelle Williams' character's song in the film. A song that Numero Uno is quite actively trying to find the original artists of to present them with the newly earned royalties. Very unfortunately, Penny and the Quarters have not been found!
If you'd like to receive a copy of the May mix, please email me your mailing address (how ironic!) and I will be sure to send you a lil something in the mail. I can be reached at kimberley.stemshorn@gmail.com
Get excited, this one's gonna be good.
This marks my first official month making mix CDs for those who want to hear something lovely. I will make them as the month ends, as it will reflect what I've got my hands and ears on in the last month or so.
It's been raining a ton here in Toronto, my best friend in the whole wide world pointed out that out of twenty six days, it had rained something like eighteen days. For all this glum, weather I'm feeling pretty good. Spirits are high, as are the song selections of the album.
I'm feeling pretty sixties. My go to music has been all things from the past. This mix is just that sprinkled with a bit of here and now. The most significant, influential purchase of the last month or so has to be the Numero Uno released compilation Eccentric Soul: The Prix Label. Released three or four years ago, this album has got some serious life to it with the release of the Derek Cinefrance film Blue Valentine. Ryan Gosling handpicked the Penny and the Quarters song "You and Me" as he and Michelle Williams' character's song in the film. A song that Numero Uno is quite actively trying to find the original artists of to present them with the newly earned royalties. Very unfortunately, Penny and the Quarters have not been found!
If you'd like to receive a copy of the May mix, please email me your mailing address (how ironic!) and I will be sure to send you a lil something in the mail. I can be reached at kimberley.stemshorn@gmail.com
Get excited, this one's gonna be good.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Fiona Apple 'Extraordinary Machine'
Time travel back five years to 2005, Fiona Apple's beautiful, offbeat masterpiece Extraordinary Machine was released. This was another record store record, I only knew it because it was played over and over to the point where I just bought the damn thing.
Goes to show you can force yourself to like things.
But really, in all honesty, you probably like or at very least remember Fiona Apple's seductive song "Criminal" which sort of served as her one break the seal hit. I was around eight years old when it was released, Fiona was only nineteen years old! It's pretty remarkable that a young thing could produce such a sophisticated, mature album.
It's really funny how you remember these old music videos from a child's perspective and them come to revisit them years later. Although the music video is near obsolete, I still love it, it serves as a complete companion for the song itself. I need that extended listen.
Nostalgia aside, listen to Extraordinary Machine. It's totally wacky, in true Fiona Apple style.
Goes to show you can force yourself to like things.
But really, in all honesty, you probably like or at very least remember Fiona Apple's seductive song "Criminal" which sort of served as her one break the seal hit. I was around eight years old when it was released, Fiona was only nineteen years old! It's pretty remarkable that a young thing could produce such a sophisticated, mature album.
It's really funny how you remember these old music videos from a child's perspective and them come to revisit them years later. Although the music video is near obsolete, I still love it, it serves as a complete companion for the song itself. I need that extended listen.
Nostalgia aside, listen to Extraordinary Machine. It's totally wacky, in true Fiona Apple style.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
"America" Simon and Garfunkel
Does it get any better than the song "America"? The intro is absolutely stunning, it bleeds real well from the tune before on the album. Can't really replicate that on here, but you should go out and buy a copy of Bookends because it's just that good. It's a cheap find too!
Monday, May 23, 2011
"Ballad of Sir Frank Crisp" George Harrison, How I Met Your Mother
I haven't fully emerged myself into Harrison's All Things Must Pass. I'd say I've put a fabulous effort into the first disc, but it's the second one I've really overlooked (along with Disc Two of The Beatles).
But it was in watching How I Met Your Mother's most recent episode "Challenge Accepted" that got me really onto the song "Ballad of Sir Frank Crisp" that boasts the lyrics "Let it roll" prominently throughout the song.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
"Daydreaming" Dark Dark Dark on Bandstand Busking, Le cargo
Not sure if this spoils the song or not. On the upside, two new guerrilla-style video making groups.
On Bandstand Busking (They really need the piano!):
Le cargo (ah, piano. A little better):
Original:
On Bandstand Busking (They really need the piano!):
Le cargo (ah, piano. A little better):
Original:
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Fine Canadian Forces 'Hebrew Lessons'
I always feel behind the pack when it comes to local Toronto music. What really kept me going before was attending concerts early for the openers and checking out the listening stations at record shops.
Marking a change in time (and location,) I've grown accustom to finding new gems on blogs. In this case, it was finding something I probably should've know about sooner. An acquaintance of mine, a music student from school, is in a band called Fine Canadian Forces.
They just printed a pile of records and I stumbled upon their music on the artist's blog that designed and printed them - Deadweight. It was sort of an a-ha moment when I was checking out the members of the band expecting to find someone relatively famous, instead I found a lost acquaintance.
How Fun,
Check out and purchase their music here.
Marking a change in time (and location,) I've grown accustom to finding new gems on blogs. In this case, it was finding something I probably should've know about sooner. An acquaintance of mine, a music student from school, is in a band called Fine Canadian Forces.
They just printed a pile of records and I stumbled upon their music on the artist's blog that designed and printed them - Deadweight. It was sort of an a-ha moment when I was checking out the members of the band expecting to find someone relatively famous, instead I found a lost acquaintance.
How Fun,
Check out and purchase their music here.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Jamie Hince, The Kills
I have yet to hear anything of The Kills, but I'm really loving Kate Moss' boyfriend Jamie Hince. Beautiful late thirty-something man. Fabulous style.
Now, to get to the Kills.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Rekindling love with Camera Obscura's 'My Maudlin Career'
Two years ago, my love affair with Camera Obscura began, just dynamite.
I had the pleasure of seeing them two times, once at the tiny, intimate Lee's Palace - both gigs after the release of their masterpiece My Maudlin Career. I had the urge to listen to a tune off of the album and I think I inadvertently triggered a rekindled love affair.
So, maybe I can big time share this love with you.
As requested, I've started to post actual playlists for easy listening.
"If the blood pumping through my veins would freeze, like a river in Toronto then I'd be pleased. You said it made you feel warm inside"
I had the pleasure of seeing them two times, once at the tiny, intimate Lee's Palace - both gigs after the release of their masterpiece My Maudlin Career. I had the urge to listen to a tune off of the album and I think I inadvertently triggered a rekindled love affair.
So, maybe I can big time share this love with you.
As requested, I've started to post actual playlists for easy listening.
"If the blood pumping through my veins would freeze, like a river in Toronto then I'd be pleased. You said it made you feel warm inside"
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Death Cab For Cutie 'A Movie Script Ending' EP
The Photo Album is tied for my favourite Death Cab For Cutie album. Perhaps because it's just under the radar, it just may be my favourite.
I just stumbled upon this on the www. I've never seen it physically, it just may be my new Interstate 8. I have a serious case of the wants.
For Alex: An Okkervil River Education
"Westfall" was their set closer. I remember googling the lyrics "Evil Don't Look Like Anything" after hearing that song for the first time live. I was so excited and sad that I didn't know it.
En Espanol:
"For Real" has to be one of my favourite songs of this band. Will Scheff apparently wrote the lyrics of this song playing around to see how many times he could say the word "real." Success!
"Song For Our So-Called Friends" is a gorgeous song. This was the only song I really wanted to hear at the last gig that wasn't played. This is also from Black Sheep Boy.
"All The Latest Toughs" was the first Okkervil River song I fell in love with. I use to borrow CDs from the record store and browse at them during breaks without actually buying them. I remember listening to this in the food court on an MP3 player while browsing the lyric book that came with the CD.
THE BRIDGE:
"And I don' tknow what else you want here played, cant think what lines you'd like me to sing or say. Not sure waht subjects you want mentioned, just pause and add your own intentions, just pause and your own, let's pause and add our own intentions right here ______."
AND THAT'S HOW IT'S WRITTEN IN THE LINERS. AMAZING. It's the part I just wanna dance in, no lyrics. Unfortunately, when they play it live he sort of talks that bit rather than singing it.
If you buy this CD make sure you get the Appendix, or bonus CD with it. Artwork is painfully unattractive, but so amazing. Done by artist, Will Schaff (not to be confused with Scheff). Schaff also did their art work for I Am Very Far.
A live video of it:
"Unless It Kicks" has an incredible amount of edge to it. I love the punch this song packs.
En Espanol:
"For Real" has to be one of my favourite songs of this band. Will Scheff apparently wrote the lyrics of this song playing around to see how many times he could say the word "real." Success!
"Song For Our So-Called Friends" is a gorgeous song. This was the only song I really wanted to hear at the last gig that wasn't played. This is also from Black Sheep Boy.
"All The Latest Toughs" was the first Okkervil River song I fell in love with. I use to borrow CDs from the record store and browse at them during breaks without actually buying them. I remember listening to this in the food court on an MP3 player while browsing the lyric book that came with the CD.
THE BRIDGE:
"And I don' tknow what else you want here played, cant think what lines you'd like me to sing or say. Not sure waht subjects you want mentioned, just pause and add your own intentions, just pause and your own, let's pause and add our own intentions right here ______."
AND THAT'S HOW IT'S WRITTEN IN THE LINERS. AMAZING. It's the part I just wanna dance in, no lyrics. Unfortunately, when they play it live he sort of talks that bit rather than singing it.
If you buy this CD make sure you get the Appendix, or bonus CD with it. Artwork is painfully unattractive, but so amazing. Done by artist, Will Schaff (not to be confused with Scheff). Schaff also did their art work for I Am Very Far.
A live video of it:
"Unless It Kicks" has an incredible amount of edge to it. I love the punch this song packs.
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE AT THE PHOENIX
... and I'm missing it.
So in honour of the show I wish I was at tonight, I just did a little feature of one song of each of their seven albums released (and unreleased). Death Cab are an amazing consistent band that I am perpetually amazed by.
Something About Airplanes
We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes
The Photo Album
Transatlanticism
Plans
Narrow Stairs
Keys and Codes
So in honour of the show I wish I was at tonight, I just did a little feature of one song of each of their seven albums released (and unreleased). Death Cab are an amazing consistent band that I am perpetually amazed by.
Something About Airplanes
We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes
The Photo Album
Transatlanticism
Plans
Narrow Stairs
Keys and Codes
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Okkervil River 'I Am Very Far'
I pre-ordered the new Okkervil album about a month ago after reading about all the nifty add-ons that one could buy. I only got conned into buying the lyric book, which looks nice, but is kind of redundant as the lyrics are beautifully printed within the album sleeve. Furthermore, the book is all out of order making it hard to navigate along with the tunes.
I was hesitant to agree with the text included on the plastic wrap of the album. It read:
I Am Very Far is a startling break form anything Okkervil River has done before: an album that plays not only as a lush, seamless epic, but also as the most deeply personal effort of their career.
Okkervil River have been a band near and dear for the last three years. It started with a light prod from an ex, but it grew to a full on love affair with the gorgeous roller coaster album Black Sheep Boy. Three albums later we stand in front of their first album in two years titled I Am Very Far. This album is absolutely flawless, it doesn't have tracks that stand out as the previous albums so subtly push through, it has tunes that flourish and dazzle. The adjectives "lush" and "seamless" are terrific ways of describing this album as the songs are very intricate and they intertwine pretty effortlessly. This is probably what happens when you've been around as long as Okkervil River have.
I think this album does a far better job of blending together tunes than their previous release The Stand-Ins. Really in listening to The Stand-Ins, I felt like I was getting ripped off because there were three instrumental tracks that left the album with six or seven songs only. I Am Very Far has a long stretch of tunes, closing in at thirteen marathon tunes. Definitely not too much of a good thing, just enough.
I would add that this album is absolutely sophisticated, they've definitely matured a great deal as a band without losing their poppy sound. Lively acoustic guitars aren't far - the tune "Rider" will be a live show crowd pleaser, but beyond just a guitar it has a great host of lush build-ups that make it significantly more fresh, more musically respectable.
This band'll never let me down.
John Vanderslice at the Drake Underground; Tuesday May 10, 2011
I've wanted to see John Vanderslice for a couple of years now. I just had a good feeling about this Gainesville, Florida native, now residing in San Francisco. Vanderslice is no spring chicken, he's four years past forty now and has released an album for pretty much every year since 2000. Absolutely impressive.
Those were my initial impressions of Vanderslice before a week prior to today.
Vanderslice is a music enthusiast to say the very least. From the get go, before downloading, YouTube and Facebook, he had the whole internet sharing thing down. He was one of the first music bloggers, MP3 bloggers. Pushing boundaries, releasing material of other artists that hadn't even reached record store shelves yet.
I got to show about half an hour into Vanderslice's set. I was absolutely surprised by how few people there were at the show. You'd think with how frequently he tours and hits up Toronto, his fan base would be a bit bigger. Nope, that was not the case. Vanderslice said in an interview that his growing fan base has increased because of his extensive touring and whisperings in the blogosphere. Nod.
It was only Vanderslice and a drummer on stage, nothing absolutely outstanding, but they made good with the very minimal hands they had on board. I was very impressed by how the drummer was able to keep an entire percussion sound going, bass lines included with some kind of keyboard to his right. The sound was a little lacking up they managed to recreate shaky versions of the album recordings.
About five songs in he announced this was the last song he'd play on stage and with the point of a finger to the crowd he announced he'd play the rest on the floor. Showcases a few notable tunes off of Emerald City, both he and the drummer played "Time To Go" and "White Dove" with some serious earnest energy. They played two or three more with a boom box (with mega bass) to accompany. Apparently, the recordings were of The Magik*Magik Orchestra, also the band t-shirt that Vanderslice was wearing.
He played a great plugged-in stage version of "Kookaburra." He very sweetly introduced the tune by claiming that he and the drummer had practiced the tune for like ten hours to get it to sound good with just two players. It sounded perfect.
recorded:
Vanderslice's passion and love for music really oozes out in his sincerity towards both music and the industry. He doesn't seem to be one to get caught in all the mess of record labels and mega tours. I really urge you to check out interviews with Vanderslice, they're really insightful bits.
Here are a few quotes I dwindled out of various interviews:
"post plastic disc phase"
Vanderslice on the controversy and happenings of the blog age:
"the thing that matters about mp3 blogs is that not only are you reading are you reading a recommendation from a credible, and completely passionate person, but the music is right there, the link is right there. when you read something in old media, how many reviews are they running of bands you've never heard of. YEah Maybe it's robert cristau, maybe tjat means something to you. It's not like these these magazines are just packed to brim with writers that are even on your radar. If you go to big hearted boy or brookyln vegan, it's only identifiable aesthetic and you over time, a lot of these blogs are very well written. You read gorilla vs bear, these guys are very interesting people and you start to figure out what they're into, what they're not into, you adjust. For me, it's just MP3 blogs, we're gonna send the record out to magazines, but I don't think that's very important."
"Print ads are for the industry to talk to itself, it's for the ego of the artist"
Those were my initial impressions of Vanderslice before a week prior to today.
Vanderslice is a music enthusiast to say the very least. From the get go, before downloading, YouTube and Facebook, he had the whole internet sharing thing down. He was one of the first music bloggers, MP3 bloggers. Pushing boundaries, releasing material of other artists that hadn't even reached record store shelves yet.
I got to show about half an hour into Vanderslice's set. I was absolutely surprised by how few people there were at the show. You'd think with how frequently he tours and hits up Toronto, his fan base would be a bit bigger. Nope, that was not the case. Vanderslice said in an interview that his growing fan base has increased because of his extensive touring and whisperings in the blogosphere. Nod.
It was only Vanderslice and a drummer on stage, nothing absolutely outstanding, but they made good with the very minimal hands they had on board. I was very impressed by how the drummer was able to keep an entire percussion sound going, bass lines included with some kind of keyboard to his right. The sound was a little lacking up they managed to recreate shaky versions of the album recordings.
About five songs in he announced this was the last song he'd play on stage and with the point of a finger to the crowd he announced he'd play the rest on the floor. Showcases a few notable tunes off of Emerald City, both he and the drummer played "Time To Go" and "White Dove" with some serious earnest energy. They played two or three more with a boom box (with mega bass) to accompany. Apparently, the recordings were of The Magik*Magik Orchestra, also the band t-shirt that Vanderslice was wearing.
He played a great plugged-in stage version of "Kookaburra." He very sweetly introduced the tune by claiming that he and the drummer had practiced the tune for like ten hours to get it to sound good with just two players. It sounded perfect.
recorded:
Vanderslice's passion and love for music really oozes out in his sincerity towards both music and the industry. He doesn't seem to be one to get caught in all the mess of record labels and mega tours. I really urge you to check out interviews with Vanderslice, they're really insightful bits.
Here are a few quotes I dwindled out of various interviews:
"post plastic disc phase"
Vanderslice on the controversy and happenings of the blog age:
"the thing that matters about mp3 blogs is that not only are you reading are you reading a recommendation from a credible, and completely passionate person, but the music is right there, the link is right there. when you read something in old media, how many reviews are they running of bands you've never heard of. YEah Maybe it's robert cristau, maybe tjat means something to you. It's not like these these magazines are just packed to brim with writers that are even on your radar. If you go to big hearted boy or brookyln vegan, it's only identifiable aesthetic and you over time, a lot of these blogs are very well written. You read gorilla vs bear, these guys are very interesting people and you start to figure out what they're into, what they're not into, you adjust. For me, it's just MP3 blogs, we're gonna send the record out to magazines, but I don't think that's very important."
"Print ads are for the industry to talk to itself, it's for the ego of the artist"
Blossom Dearie "Tea For Two"
Meet Blossom Dearie, the perfect rainy day music. 1958! Can you believe it? Pretty ironically the album these tunes are on is called Once Upon A Summertime, still rainy day music in my books.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Elliott Smith 'Elliott Smith'
I've spent such a long time loving newer, fuller Elliott Smith albums, I completely ignored his self-titled disc.
And I have to say, I've seriously been missing out.
I am in absolute love with Elliott Smith's naked album Elliott Smith. They somehow sound very lush with very little. 1995 never sounded so good.
And I have to say, I've seriously been missing out.
I am in absolute love with Elliott Smith's naked album Elliott Smith. They somehow sound very lush with very little. 1995 never sounded so good.
Fiona Apple meets Zach Galifianakis in "Not About Love"
I stole this off my friend's bit on the brilliant Green Light Go Publicity website. A great Michigan-based company that focuses on promoting bands, giving them a much needed boost.
Get excited for this video because it's quite possibly one of the most outrageous things I've seen in a while. I really adore Zach Galifianakis, he's just probably one of the most charming, uncharming looking men you'll ever come across.
Get excited for this video because it's quite possibly one of the most outrageous things I've seen in a while. I really adore Zach Galifianakis, he's just probably one of the most charming, uncharming looking men you'll ever come across.
Coachella 2011: aftermath nineteen, Snaps by Pitchfork Photographers
Gosh, great photos come easy to some people. These are some ridiculously gorgeous snaps of artists I had the pleasure of seeing at Coachella this year.
The National at dusk, the perfect California shot:
I got to Best Coast's set all sweaty and slightly worn out, but it turned out to be an absolutely lovely set, a hard decision between Dhani Harrison's band A Fistful of Mercy and Best Coast. Managed to see both with a bit more Best than Fists. Bethany Cosentino looked pretty damn cute with her perfect summer outfit.
I'm a straight woman, but at Warpaint's set I felt unbelievably attracted to all the band members. They are five smoking hot babes who know how to rock out.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Kristian Matsson is one of the most gorgeous men in the entire world. The California colours of this photo are just absolutely breathtaking. If only every man was as good looking as the Tallest Man on Earth!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
"Fools Rush In" She and Him
"Fools Rush In" a lush, attractive version performed by She & Him.
I had the urge to listen to this song last night and I got on a supreme She & Him kick.
I had the urge to listen to this song last night and I got on a supreme She & Him kick.
She & Him at Coachella 2010
It's been just about a month since I was in California roasting away in the Coachella Valley and I still feel a high from all the great music I was around.
I wish She & Him played it this year - they would've been an absolutely astounding show to have caught. Fortunately, serious fans recorded their entire gig:
"People come, People go. Sometimes without goodbye, sometimes without hello."
Shitty quality, but M. Ward is rocking out like it's nobody's business:
I wish She & Him played it this year - they would've been an absolutely astounding show to have caught. Fortunately, serious fans recorded their entire gig:
"People come, People go. Sometimes without goodbye, sometimes without hello."
Shitty quality, but M. Ward is rocking out like it's nobody's business:
She & Him at the LA Times Food and Wine Festival
I stumbled upon these fabulous videos on YouTube yesterday. They're all HD and they sound pretty good.
She & Him charming me, as always. AND WHAT A GORGEOUS LENGTHY SET.
"Wouldn't It Be Nice," one of the most beautiful, delicate tunes. I wish music was still this classy.
Sporting some M. Ward tunes -
She & Him charming me, as always. AND WHAT A GORGEOUS LENGTHY SET.
"Wouldn't It Be Nice," one of the most beautiful, delicate tunes. I wish music was still this classy.
Sporting some M. Ward tunes -
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
"Spanish Sahara" Foals
This performance was absolutely tight. This band is my new obsessions, again months and months late!!!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Feist "Let It Die"
This clip was drawn from a session done in France. It's absolutely stunning, I actually felt the urge to listen to this version over any others today. It's just so lovely!
She apparently coined the name "Let It Die" because her Mom used to tell her to just "Let stuff go." She commented that her beautiful album Let It Die - "It's a timeline that follows a new love to its end. You have to go through all the stages."
I will forever and ever have fond memories of this album as a time when I first started getting into music.
John Vanderslice on NPR
Seeing John Vanderslice tomorrow. This'll be a relatively blind show but I've been meaning to see him for what feels like a lifetime.
In a review by NME in May 2009, Laura Snapes said, "Not since Bon Iver's 'For Emma, Forever Ago' has there been such an accomplished album of torch songs...if you can spend a little time with 'Romanian Names' and not feel duly captivated by its sun-kissed longing, West Coast harmonies and occasional krautrock minimalism, your heart's probably made of stone."
In a review by NME in May 2009, Laura Snapes said, "Not since Bon Iver's 'For Emma, Forever Ago' has there been such an accomplished album of torch songs...if you can spend a little time with 'Romanian Names' and not feel duly captivated by its sun-kissed longing, West Coast harmonies and occasional krautrock minimalism, your heart's probably made of stone."
- This whole set is a great makeout session.
- This song is a great makeout session.
Hot Docs 2011
Only made it out to three documentaries this year.
The National Parks Project
Blood in the Mobile
Lymelight
All really great. I had a funny talk with my cousin, he said that he didn't want to watch a film that looked sad or depressing. I found this kind of funny because a lot of the documentaries I have seen in the past have been really depressing.
Tough truth and we don't want to see it.
Wish I got out to see more, but line-ups were absolutely foul.
You can check out The National Parks Project online and in the next month you can actually watch them. Seeing them live all in one mash was really hard to take in. Little bits would be best.
The National Parks Project
Blood in the Mobile
Lymelight
All really great. I had a funny talk with my cousin, he said that he didn't want to watch a film that looked sad or depressing. I found this kind of funny because a lot of the documentaries I have seen in the past have been really depressing.
Tough truth and we don't want to see it.
Wish I got out to see more, but line-ups were absolutely foul.
You can check out The National Parks Project online and in the next month you can actually watch them. Seeing them live all in one mash was really hard to take in. Little bits would be best.
Coachella 2011: aftermath eighteen; Jimmy Eat World
I love Jimmy Eat World. I don't care about the horrible pop-rock, emo reputation they adopted in the early '00s. Forever and ever I will really adore this band for everything they put out.
For one thing, Jimmy Eat World are incredibly consistent. Their music is absolutely flawless, whether your listening to something as early as Clarity or as recent as Invented.
This was my second time seeing them live within the last year. I have to say, I am still pretty impressed by this band. Their sound is as clean as it is recorded in the studio.
My biggest let down was the fact that they didn't play "Clarity" - a song that's been my favourite since high school. They definitely play it live, I just haven't been so lucky as to have seen them play it.
They did their usual closer bit with "The Middle" and "Sweetness." People really rose up to the occasion, excited. I stuck back but it was nice just to take it all in. I met a really cool festival-goer Dad that went with his son. He was Australian and one of the most interesting people I met the whole trip. He really made my day.
Good people are hard to find.
For good measure and hope they'll play it next time I see them:
For one thing, Jimmy Eat World are incredibly consistent. Their music is absolutely flawless, whether your listening to something as early as Clarity or as recent as Invented.
This was my second time seeing them live within the last year. I have to say, I am still pretty impressed by this band. Their sound is as clean as it is recorded in the studio.
My biggest let down was the fact that they didn't play "Clarity" - a song that's been my favourite since high school. They definitely play it live, I just haven't been so lucky as to have seen them play it.
They did their usual closer bit with "The Middle" and "Sweetness." People really rose up to the occasion, excited. I stuck back but it was nice just to take it all in. I met a really cool festival-goer Dad that went with his son. He was Australian and one of the most interesting people I met the whole trip. He really made my day.
Good people are hard to find.
For good measure and hope they'll play it next time I see them:
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Tame Impala at the Phoenix; Monday May 2, 2011
I have made friends with a few Australians in the last year or so and it's so funny to hear what these two people have to say about music. They both have great music taste.
My friend Natalie is from Perth and she's completely tired of Tame Impala. She's seen them buckets of times in Perth, where both she and the band are from. To Natalie, Tame Impala are yesterday's news.
To North America, I'd say they're pretty fresh. I can't really think of a band that sounds like Tame Impala. They're just so slick. They're live show was no different, except maybe up a notch. They managed to stitch songs together seamlessly, very smooth transitions.
I appreciate the John Lennon-like vocals that lead singer Kevin Parker sports. Sounded effortlessly perfect live.
They covered "Angel" by Massive Attack:
Original:
YouTube comment:
"This song makes me want the great sex I'm not having." 1 month ago 207
Absolutely brilliant show, i'd see them again in a heartbeat even if Natalie crapped on it a bit more.
My friend Natalie is from Perth and she's completely tired of Tame Impala. She's seen them buckets of times in Perth, where both she and the band are from. To Natalie, Tame Impala are yesterday's news.
To North America, I'd say they're pretty fresh. I can't really think of a band that sounds like Tame Impala. They're just so slick. They're live show was no different, except maybe up a notch. They managed to stitch songs together seamlessly, very smooth transitions.
I appreciate the John Lennon-like vocals that lead singer Kevin Parker sports. Sounded effortlessly perfect live.
They covered "Angel" by Massive Attack:
Original:
YouTube comment:
"This song makes me want the great sex I'm not having." 1 month ago 207
Absolutely brilliant show, i'd see them again in a heartbeat even if Natalie crapped on it a bit more.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
"Spanish Sahara" Foals
This is your gateway song into loving Foals. It's a long burning song but it's worth every second! I'm a big fan:
Chris is amazing.
Chris is amazing.
Coachella 2011: aftermath seventeen; The Tallest Man on Earth and Foals
My second time seeing The Tallest Man on Earth was no different than my first, with the exception of him blowing up one hundred fold. Kristan Mattson is probably one of the most charming men in the world - even though he writes tunes about killing all the prospective men in the apple of his eye's life just to have her to himself. Mattson is absolutely gorgeous and captivates the entire crowd with just his guitar.
I unfortunately seem to be the one exception to this captivation.
He both sounds and looks fantastic but I find myself getting slightly bored at his gigs. Fortunately, he played my favourite tune "The Gardener" in the first half of his set, so I was able to catch that. I would've like to have caught him play "Pistol Dreams" for that lovely intro he plays in his live show.
But I feel completely satisfied with this NPR Tiny Desk Session -
I moved on quickly to the opposite show the next stage over with Foals. I found myself satisfied by everything Kristian Matsson couldn't give me - energy and intensity.
I just recently found out about Foals from a friend who better guided my ears. I first listened to Antidotes without much love for it but he directed me to the album Total Life Forever justifying it's superiority with the claim that the lead singer learned how to sing for this record. A scary comment because it makes me think of all the studio work that could have been done to fix him up good, but much to my surprise he held his own in the live gig.
This band's presence on stage was absolutely stunning, everyone down to the drummer was full of energy. This band really seemed whole to me.
I just missed them play in Toronto because I was stuck and work (and tickets were sold out)!!
I just read a comment on this YouTube video, absolutely hilarious:
I unfortunately seem to be the one exception to this captivation.
He both sounds and looks fantastic but I find myself getting slightly bored at his gigs. Fortunately, he played my favourite tune "The Gardener" in the first half of his set, so I was able to catch that. I would've like to have caught him play "Pistol Dreams" for that lovely intro he plays in his live show.
But I feel completely satisfied with this NPR Tiny Desk Session -
I moved on quickly to the opposite show the next stage over with Foals. I found myself satisfied by everything Kristian Matsson couldn't give me - energy and intensity.
I just recently found out about Foals from a friend who better guided my ears. I first listened to Antidotes without much love for it but he directed me to the album Total Life Forever justifying it's superiority with the claim that the lead singer learned how to sing for this record. A scary comment because it makes me think of all the studio work that could have been done to fix him up good, but much to my surprise he held his own in the live gig.
This band's presence on stage was absolutely stunning, everyone down to the drummer was full of energy. This band really seemed whole to me.
I just missed them play in Toronto because I was stuck and work (and tickets were sold out)!!
I just read a comment on this YouTube video, absolutely hilarious:
For all of you ignorant people out there who think they have tempo issues...DUH! it is called MATH ROCK!!
Math Rock: It is characterized by complex, atypical rhythmic structures (including irregular stopping and starting), angular melodies, and dissonant chords.
Thank you very much now we can all go back to our lives.
1 month ago 57
Julie Doiron at the Horseshoe Tavern; Thursday May 5, 2011
What to say about Julie Doiron?
She's probably one of the sweetest people you will ever get to see live. Seeing one of her shows entails an incredible amount of honest stream of consciousness on her part. She just oozes sincerity, it's unfortunate but people seem to take it as airiness. Fair enough, much of what she says is not much at all, but if you take it for that you can probably enjoy it much more.
Thankfully this show was a little different from her others. She for once did not start with "The Wrong Guy," but with a song I wasn't actually familiar with. She rather finished her set with "The Wrong Guy" and introduced it as the song she said she'd never play again.
She didn't play much off of any albums in particular although it seems I Woke Myself Up has taken precedence over her other albums in the last few shows. Again, I was let down for the third time to not hear "Dark Horse."
She played this gig with her brilliant accompaniment guitarist and drummer - William Kidman. They did their usual bit of "Reasons to Quit." But this time around she touched on her encounters with Phosphorescent at Coachella in the past. She apparently forgot that she had met him and embarrassed herself in front of him. She very shyly told the crowd. Phosphorescent introduced the song "Reasons to Quit" to Julie, I think it was originally done by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard before that.
I was really shocked by their cover of Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me." Rich Terfry, the voice behind CBC Radio 2 Drive claimed that "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" is the most covered song. Well, I think "Bring It On Home" would give him a run for his money. Doiron's cover was not unlike any other one I had heard before, but it was nice to hear it with a different voice, I'm sad to say I'm growing a wee bit tired of my two favourite versions of the tune (She & Him, The Zombies).
The one I immediately had the need to listen to:
She's apparently done it before:
The Zombies (medley of "You Really Got A Hold On Me" and "Bring It On Home"):
She & Him:
Original:
Julie made a big deal about how she was playing it for her Mom and that if anyone was putting it on YouTube she shouted out to her Mom. Cute.
She also said her Mom made the dress she wore that evening when she was eighteen:
She's probably one of the sweetest people you will ever get to see live. Seeing one of her shows entails an incredible amount of honest stream of consciousness on her part. She just oozes sincerity, it's unfortunate but people seem to take it as airiness. Fair enough, much of what she says is not much at all, but if you take it for that you can probably enjoy it much more.
Thankfully this show was a little different from her others. She for once did not start with "The Wrong Guy," but with a song I wasn't actually familiar with. She rather finished her set with "The Wrong Guy" and introduced it as the song she said she'd never play again.
She didn't play much off of any albums in particular although it seems I Woke Myself Up has taken precedence over her other albums in the last few shows. Again, I was let down for the third time to not hear "Dark Horse."
She played this gig with her brilliant accompaniment guitarist and drummer - William Kidman. They did their usual bit of "Reasons to Quit." But this time around she touched on her encounters with Phosphorescent at Coachella in the past. She apparently forgot that she had met him and embarrassed herself in front of him. She very shyly told the crowd. Phosphorescent introduced the song "Reasons to Quit" to Julie, I think it was originally done by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard before that.
I was really shocked by their cover of Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me." Rich Terfry, the voice behind CBC Radio 2 Drive claimed that "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" is the most covered song. Well, I think "Bring It On Home" would give him a run for his money. Doiron's cover was not unlike any other one I had heard before, but it was nice to hear it with a different voice, I'm sad to say I'm growing a wee bit tired of my two favourite versions of the tune (She & Him, The Zombies).
The one I immediately had the need to listen to:
She's apparently done it before:
The Zombies (medley of "You Really Got A Hold On Me" and "Bring It On Home"):
She & Him:
Original:
Julie made a big deal about how she was playing it for her Mom and that if anyone was putting it on YouTube she shouted out to her Mom. Cute.
She also said her Mom made the dress she wore that evening when she was eighteen:
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Weeds
After months and months of my uncle asking if I've seen the television show Weeds, I finally broke down and watched it. It's a real clever show with a fantastic music selection to follow. I'm going to write a bit on the theme song "Little Boxes" when I get around to finding videos I can actually post on here.
But here's the really lovely Sufjan Stevens song "All The Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands"
But here's the really lovely Sufjan Stevens song "All The Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands"
Blossom Dearie "Tea For Two"
"Tea For Two" appears on the 1959 album Once Upon A Summertime. It's the perfect rainy day music.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
"Billie Holiday" by Warpaint
I can't stop singing the infectious chorus bit of this song that just spells "Billie Holiday."
When I heard Warpaint sing this song live, I felt both completely enchanted and confused as to what they were spelling. I found out today what they were spelling!
They even nod the old Mary Wells tune "My Guy."
When I heard Warpaint sing this song live, I felt both completely enchanted and confused as to what they were spelling. I found out today what they were spelling!
They even nod the old Mary Wells tune "My Guy."
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