music induced euphoria: 2010-02-21

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Saturday Music Definitions: Trip

British Sea Power - A Trip Out [mp3]

Eric Reed - Finale (Last Trip) [mp3]

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Road Trippin' [mp3]

Iggy & The Stooges - Death Trip [mp3]

The Flaming Lips - Ego Tripping At The Gates Of Hell [mp3]

The Strokes Post #370

I'm so glad I had the chance to snap a photo of this before it got erased.

NYC's The Postelles are one hell of a great pop-rock group. they'll help you travel a few decades in time...back to better place of doo-wop and malt shoppes. and yet, they still retain an edginess about them that is very thoroughly modern.

I had the opportunity to ask Daniel (vox) and John (bass) some questions, so read on below

Listening to the album, my first question is, when did y’all get back from your tropical vacation that obviously inspired all of these sunny songs?
Daniel: Last week and we are still sunburnt! We like pop influenced rock n' roll, but not all the lyrics are as "sunny" as the music, but we definitely like getting people to dance with upbeat music.

The production quality on these tracks is fucking great—which is a nice breather from the lo-fi trend that is going on right now. I know that Albert Hammond Jr produced “123 Stop”. Did he work on the whole album or just that single? How did you guys meet him in the first place?
Daniel: Thanks so much, [I] appreciate that you noticed that. We met Albert a few years back when he came to see us play at a small cafe in New York City. He produced four songs on the album and one song that will be exclusive to our EP, called "Looking Glass". He is really a master of producing a fresh live sound in the studio and we were really proud of what we developed in the studio.

What was the first song you guys wrote as a group?
Daniel: The first song we had was "White Night", which is fitting because it is the name of our EP

What is your favourite thing about NYC?
Daniel: It is impossible to pick one favorite thing about the city. The beautiful part about New York is that everyday you find something new and different, it's the best city in the world!

“ 'yes, I want you and I need you 'is what you had always said, but the grass is always greener…on another’s bed”.
The lyrics in “Boy’s Best Friend” reminded me so much of my Proust professor at university and how he insisted that lesbianism scared the shit out of Marcel because, as a gay man, he could never imagine himself in that role. Do you guys wish you were lesbians?
Daniel: I wouldn't say no.

Which current bands do you admire?
Daniel: We really like the Wombats and the Kooks and [I] personally love that song "Lust for Life" by Girls.

What has been the most receptive showcasing gig you guys have done so far (the likes of SXSW etc)?
Daniel: Surprisingly, our show at Iceland Airwaves was really fun and a lot of kids showed up. A few even knew the words which I thought was amazing considering we were in Iceland! I'm not quite sure if it constitutes as a showcase, but it was a great time and we hope to go back.

All of your songs are short and sweet, catchy punches of guitar-pop glory. Are you guys hiding a 14 minute prog rock solo in your basement? More importantly, when will that gem be unearthed?
Daniel: That gem will never be unearthed! I think maybe a few years from now we could have a "Stairway to Heaven" unleashed upon the music world, but I wouldn't bet on it.

It’s hard to be sad (or sit still) while listening to these songs. What music do you put on when you’re feeling gloomy?
Daniel: That makes me very happy that you say that. I usually listen to Marvin Gaye "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" or Rolling Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Those songs steer me in the right direction.

I know a lot of people might want to write your music off as derivative, but I think you guys have a fresh sound. Musical overlap is bound to occur throughout the years, but attitude is what counts. What do you think will really set you guys apart in the time to come?
John: Thanks for the kind words. I think we have an approach to songwriting that is rare these days. We think a lot about song construction. Every note needs to be in just the right place or we don't feel good about releasing something.

On “Hey Little Sister”, you sing “Misery loves company when your company’s a drink.” Which drinks are your friends?
John: All of us enjoy sampling local beers from the cool places we get to visit, but root beer will always be a friend to me.

What inspired the reggae type sounds on the album (like on “Whisper, Whisper”)?
John: Listening to reggae. Especially when bands like The Clash incorporate it in their music.

What is your favourite way to consume music? Do you guys collect records? I would have a hard time believing that you didn’t, with these sweet, retro sounds all over the album.
John: Absolutely correct. We've all raided our parents' vinyl collections many times. Of course we all have ipods, but nothing beats relaxing to vinyl.

Which songs do you guys like playing the most? Which songs get audiences the most pumped?
John: Personally I really enjoy playing "Can't Stand Still." The crowd seems to really enjoy that one.

If you weren’t musicians, what would you do with your time?
John: Work in a record store. Write books about music.

The White Night EP drops next week, when can the public expect a release date for your fantastic full length record?
John: We're still ironing out a few details, but it's coming soon I promise.

White Night will be available on Tuesday, 2nd March

The Postelles - Can't Stand Still [mp3]

visit the band on MYSPACE or on their OFFICIAL SITE

band of the week + concert review: Free Energy

Last night, Free Energy brought something to the Popscene’s stage that very few indie bands nowadays can brag about…deliciously decipherable guitars, high jumps, and 70’s swagger out the wazoo. Opening up for Dan Black (whom I shall sum up as the head scratching combination of Coldplay and rap wrapped up in self indulgence and stage makeup), the Philly band quickly gained the audience’s approval—much to my delight.

Free Energy, which, according to their lead singer Paul, was named after the song ‘cause it stuck well, are well ahead of the game—even if only musically. I have no doubt that people will soon catch on to this insanely catchy band, as James Murphey has already done by producing their forthcoming March 6th debut, Stuck on Nothing.

Their set was overflowing with high energy and guitar feel-goodery, the band’s chemistry was perfect. Knock you off your ass with a punch in the face perfection. Paul Sprangers (vox) and Scott Wells (guitar) used to play in the now-defunct Hockey Night, but they regrouped as the force that is Free Energy, recruiting a couple of friends to play drums (Nick Shuminsky) and guitar (Geoff Bucknum), with Scott’s younger brother Evan on bass.

I had a nice chat with Scott after the band’s set and he told me that he enjoyed playing the Popscene a lot more than their Rickshaw Stop show on the 24th, mainly because the Noisepop people were being all stressed out etc etc. I was surprised to hear that he has recently been binging on U2, especially War and Joshua Tree. He blames Brian Eno’s flawless production for his fixation on the latter album.

When I asked him what the band listened to while writing songs for Stuck on Nothing, he replied with the more logical answer of “Thin Lizzy”.
Thank goodness for small favours.

Set list:
Hope Child
Bang Pop
All I Know
Dream City
Something in Common
Stuck on Nothing
Free Energy

Free Energy - Something in Common [mp3, highly recommended!]

Free Energy - Dark Trance [mp3]

The Strokes Post #369

ah, Berkeley. je t'adore.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Classic Track Thursday

Television - Marquee Moon [mp3]

this song is eternal. let it envelop your being.

The Strokes Post #368

The Strokes Post #367

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck: The RS Interview

although I am not a huge fan of Clapton, Jeff Beck really gets my juices flowing. and I have to say, for the first time in a long time, my free RS subscription has not disappointed me. the whole issue is full of good shit, including a review of the Broken Bells album. I would recommend checking it out, and I've uploaded the cover story for your convenience

Adam Green to play Cafe Du Nord! twice!

I was thinking about how much I want to see Adam live, so I checked his tour dates on MYSPACE and saw that he had posted two CDN shows for San Francisco. I held my breath as I went to cafedunord.com, seeing as how most shows there are 21+, but it seems as though the first night is all ages! THANKS ADAM! see you guys there. I would go both nights, but my damn birthday won't come soon enough.

the shows are on April 6th and 7th. and from the description, it looks like Noah Georgeson and Greg Rogrove will be there too. excellentttttttttt.

you can buy tickets HERE

The Dead Trees are opening =) they opened for Little Joy and are quite excellent if I do say so myself

Adam Green - Cigarette Burns Forever [mp3]

The Dead Trees- Shelter [mp3]

The Strokes Post #366

cheers to Warren Fu and to Shayan too.
hey, that rhymes!

Monday, February 22, 2010

FUCK YOU PHOENIX.

I HATE HOW PERFECT ALL OF YOUR SONGS ARE, MR. MARS. JUST TAKE YOUR GLORIOUS BAND AND GO BACK TO FRANCE AND NEVER COME BACK, YOU MAKE EVERYTHING ELSE SEEM SO MUNDANE IN COMPARISON. FRANKLY, I'VE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH YOU.

Phoenix - Victim of the Crime [mp3]

the "rage" in this post was inspired by the fact that I'm listening to Alphabetical and being reminded that I cannot find ONE Phoenix song on ANY of their albums that even irks me just a little bit. fucking aye, where has this band been all of my life?!

The Strokes Post #365 (ONE YEAR!)

wow, I can't believe it's been a WHOLE YEAR since I started doing daily Strokes posts! I started them just a couple of days after The Strokes returned to studio last February, and hopefully we will have a new album by the end of the summer.

anyhow, here's your fix of the day

there's a pretty badly constructed article (full of errors, but I'll let you find them, they're hilarious) about Julian HERE, but it's worth a read 'cause of Julian's words of wisdom

for example:

“On the one side, the goal was to take the music of bands like the Velvet Underground or Guided By Voices and make it mainstream, make the edgy cool weirdness into pop. That was the fantasy. But what actually happened is that we became indie superstars... But me and my big mouth sometimes have to admit we haven’t quite achieved the fantasy goal, as cool as the Velvet Underground but as big as the Rolling Stones.”

and the article's ending, about greed, it just hit me like a ton of bricks. he amazes me more and more every day.

"Long Island Blues" is being featured on a Haiti benefit CD which will be available through American Eagle Outfitters. I know, ew, but still, 100% proceeds to charity, plus it was compiled by Filter, which is a damn cool magazine. plus, you can buy it online and avoid the store all together.

Julian added another NYC show,

24th March @ Irving Plaza, and tickets will be available on Friday

finally, I'm listening to Minor Love again and I think it would be brilliant if Jules got Adam Green to support his remaining tour dates.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

book review: Yvonne Prinz - The Vinyl Princess

Following a 16 year old semi-reclusian vinyl junkie named Allie, The Vinyl Princess perfectly encapsulates the diminishing appreciation for musical integrity, specifically in the LP form. Raised by a freethinking Berkeley scholar mother, Allie is more conscious to the world around her than her peers, and, being the daughter of a drummer, she also has a deep respect and love for the musical greats, across all genres.

The book records her new and exciting journey into the world of music blogging; she begins to give her two cents on thevinylprincess.com and in a fanzine with the same name while she works full-time at her favourite store, Bob & Bob’s Records (named for Marley and Dylan, modeled after Amoeba Records, which the author co-founded).

Her insight about the joys of vinyl is incredibly accurate, and every time she puts on another record, you’ll feel a lovely shiver of understanding. The story, however, is not one dimensional, and is not fixated on her job (with its quirky workers and customers) or even her blog, but rather expands into the vivid streets of Telegraph, shenanigans with best friends, and the universal longing for similar souls in this dreary world.

Best of all, the book is really funny…and not just grin-inducing funny, either—but laugh out loud, often to tears, funny. A great read, and I am quite proud of the fact that I own almost every LP that she mentions in the book.

Let the Revolution begin.

Highly Recommended.

Buy it on AMAZON

Ryan Adams - Come Pick Me Up (vinyl rip) [mp3]
this particular track is from the Rescue Blues 7", but the original song can be found on Heartbreaker, which is mentioned in the book.