Middle Distance Runner release video for new single

watch the play doh version of "the unbeliever" below




I really really like Middle Distance Runner. I stumbled upon their stuff a few months ago on the blogosphere and am just hooked. SPIN has compared them to The Strokes (which is a positive thing, people). their music is ridiculously catchy and I am bitter that they don't have any tour dates in my area as of late. they'll be at SXSW.

Mar 15 SXSW INTERACTIVE -- Social Media Club Party (Buffalo Billiards) Austin, Texas
Mar 18 SXSW "DC Does TX" Day Party (Friends Bar) Austin, Texas
Mar 21 A Blog and A Band SXSW Day Party (Club Primos) Austin, Texas
Mar 22 Vaudeville Mews Des Moines, Iowa
Mar 23 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mar 24 UR CHICAGO presents @ Bottom Lounge Chicago, Illinois
Mar 25 Magic Bag Ferndale, Michigan
Mar 26 Aquarius Dayton, Ohio
Mar 27 Thunderbird Cafe Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mar 28 IOTA Club & Cafe Arlington, Virginia
Mar 29 Pasta Primavera presents... @ Metro Gallery Baltimore, Maryland
Apr 10 The Abbey Bar @ Appalachian Brewing Company Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Apr 11 Y ROCK ON XPN AND VGP PRESENTS... @ The Fire Philadelphia
Apr 16 CLUB NME PRESENTS: MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER @ THE ANNEX NYC
Apr 18 John & Peter’s New Hope, Pennsylvania

Middle Distance Runner - The Madness [mp3]

visit them on MYSPACE

MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER ON AMAZON

The Strokes Post #14

this post hopes to serve the purpose of showcasing how they've evolved as a band, not only musically, but in perspective as well

in 2001, Albert Hammond Jr told Guitar Magazine:

"'That whole rock'n'roll thing is tired, like the lead guitarist is the one that does all the coke and Jack Daniels,' Hammond spits, possibly having imbibed some fermented liquid himself earlier on. 'And then you've got the rhythm section, where one of them is gay and the other one goes to bed early every night.'

What about the one where the guitarist makes solo album because he believes that he's the real talent in the band? 'Solo album!' chokes out Hammond, as the rest of the bus collapse in laughter at the idiocy of the suggestion. 'You know what my solo album would be like? It would sound just like The Strokes, because it would be like "Hey Julian! Do you want to sing on my album? Fab, would you play drums. Nikolai, is bass OK? Nick, how about playing some guitar? 'Cos I don't know any other musicians.

'We ain't changing right now - I'm not changing my equipment because I need every single thing and I haven't done everything yet. We won't wait five years to do the next album - I don't like playing things more than a couple of times. We're gonna keep moving, and we're gonna keep moving together."

contrary to what the 2001 Albert may have thought, they did end up releasing solo projects, and the beauty of it all is that they did indeed consult one another for help. Nick contributed to Little Joy, Julian sang on Yours to Keep, etc etc.

I love my boys.

Albert Hammond Jr- Scared [mp3]

ALBERT HAMMOND JR ON AMAZON

The Strokes Post #13 (belated, sorry)

my internet connection died in the library yesterday. it was working one minute (I did post yesterday, afterall), and then I got up to go to the bathroom, my computer fell asleep, and the ghosts of the Main Stacks disabled my wireless connection. I couldn't, for the life of me, re-enable it.

so, here it is at last, your moment of zen:

I love insitutions of higher education (aka colleges)

not only for their massive libraries,

not only for the fact that I find myself functioning on three hours of sleep and planning to stay up all night reading about virgin saints when I really don't have to, just because I am a freak of nature who happens to adore learning about seemingly useless things

but,

get this,

you can now get a Master's degree in THE BEATLES.

G-d bless the British.

The Wombats - School Uniforms [mp3]

DAMN IT TO HELL!

if you guys need a repost of mp3s, just drop me a line. I hate the damn internet police.

Stephen Colbert interviews David Byrne (of Talking Heads fame)

wow,
just wow.

Ida Maria

Ida Maria hails from Norway. She has a sort of edginess about her that isn't over the top, but just enough to grab your attention. Unfortunately, when I headed over to youtube to check out her video for "Oh My G-d", I was overwhelmed by the amount of comments left by Gossip Girl fans about, what else have you, "GG".



so, be forewarned, don't tread into comment ville unless you insist on being pummeled

Outside Lands Festival is back!

the dates have been announced

the festival will take place in SF, I'll update with band line ups as soon as I find out

The Strokes Post #12

Ize of the World.

one of the most underrated songs on the most underrated Strokes record. it's pure genius. my all time favourite Strokes song.



The Strokes - Ize of the World [mp3]

lyrics:

I think I know what you mean but watch what you say
'cause they'll be try to knock you down in some way
Sometimes it feels like the world is falling asleep
How do you wake someone up from inside a dream?

Your mind would wander and searched for its place in the night
Your body followed this feeling like following light
Once that your music was born it followed you 'round
And then it gave your activities meaning and let you be loud

You're sad but you smile
It not in your eyes
Your eyeballs won't change
It's the muscles around your eyes

An egg to fertilize
A pulse to stabilize
A body to deodorize
A life to scrutinize
A child to criticize
Young adults to modernize
Citizens to terrorize
Generations to desensitize

You're dreams are sweet and obsessed
And your overworked
You're overtaken by visions of being overlooked
How disappointed would D.(ead) I.(dealistic) D.(esperate) I.(nventor) P.(ioneer) P.(hilosophers)
Be to see such power in our hands all wasted on greed
Am I a prisoner to instincts?
Or do my thoughts just live
As free and detached
As boats to the dock?

Just like when music was born
And detached from your heart
Is your free time to free minds
Or for falling apart?

Night after night
You turn out the light
You don't fall asleep right away
"Are we... are we done?"

A desk to organize
A product to advertise
A market to monopolize
Movie stars you idolize
Leaders to scandalize
Enemies to neutralize
No time to apologize
Fury to tranquilize
Weapons to synchronize
Cities to vapori-

Art Brut- ANOTHER band I need to listen to more of...

a new mp3 has surfaced on RCRD LBL, called "Just Desserts"

I opened up my Art Brut folder and was greatly saddened to see a mere song residing there.

I GET PAID IN 3 DAYS AGH!

RCRD LBL said it best in their "bio" of Art Brut: Art Brut are an amazing rock n roll band from London, UK

that's about all you need to know.

now listen!

Art Brut - Emily Kane [mp3]

Art Brut - Just Desserts [mp3]

visit Art Brut on MYSPACE

new Death Cab for Cutie video: Grapevine Fires

watch it HERE

I need to listen to Narrow Stairs more thoroughly. I don't even remember this song. I think I heard the whole album only twice through or something. That must be remedied.

new Andrew Bird video: Fitz and Dizzyspells

Andrew Bird with Mucca Pazza - "Fitz & The Dizzyspells”


enjoy!

Albert Hammond Jr collaborated with Babyshambles?!

how did I not know about this?

I am excited to say the least.

the band is called Helsinki, headed by Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell.

this song is catchy! those guitars are so distinctly Albert. =)

I'll update soon when I acquire mp3s.

British electronica meets...Al Jazeera?

ok, now I've seen everything. I had just assumed that the worlds of pop music and my parents' news channel of choice wouldn't ever intersect.

oh, silly old naive me.

Asian Dub Foundation on MYSPACE

Muse talk about their new album

weird, just yesterday I was listening to them and thinking "damn, I could use a new Muse album"

Mr Bellamy said "a symphonic album has turned up here, like a full collaboration with an orchestra. There's definitely a few things on the album which are segueing into each other and it's all very orchestral, but that could take over the album, so it could actually be kind of classical act basically, and move away from rock all together.

We'll be knocking on Classic FM's door, you know?"

sounds good. read more on NME

The Section Quartet - Time is Running Out (Muse cover) [mp3]
this has gotten more plays than the original on my itunes, which is saying something, because the original is my favourite Muse song. this rendition is incredible. BUY THIS CD. the power of Christ compels you!

Grand Lake to play the Knockout

plus a handful of other shows

if you have inhabited the earth for a score and a year or more, catch the boys at the Knockout in the city on Sunday March 8 with Big Round and White Cloud .

and if you're stalking me, I'll make it this much easier for you: you can catch me at their Amoeba show in couple of weeks:

Mar 26 2009 7:00P
Amoeba Music Berkeley - In Store! Berkeley, California
Mar 27 2009 8:00P
Nevermint Release at LoBot! Feat. Man/Miracle & Starfucker!!! Oakland
Mar 28 2009 8:00P
The Hemlock w/ Starfucker San Francisco, California
Apr 10 2009 9:00P
The Uptown w/ Dashing Suns, Sister Grizzly & Rad Cloud Oakland, California
Apr 18 2009 8:00P
Record Store Day! SLO ARTs Center w/ Golden Animals, Dirt Dress San Luis Obispo, California
Apr 19 2009 7:00P
KCPR 91.3 - Sessions San Luis Obispo, California

Grand Lake is a rockin' band from Oakland, and I can attest to the high energy of their super fun performances.

visit them on MYSPACE and show em some love!

The Strokes Post #11

the following picture is my desktop background, but you probably didn't read this because you were too distracted by the sexiness that is Julian.



(this post is to commemorate the incredible amount of PASSION that goes into The Strokes' music, especially their live shows)

reason #3928492348 why Franz Ferdinand are cooler than you

they use human bones for percussion.

I've been meaning to post about this for ages, ever since I read it in SPIN, but I just kept forgetting. here is the passage in the interview in which Alex explains how they came about doing so:


Franz Ferdinand - No You Girls [mp3]

just for the record, "No You Girls" was totally my favourite song off of Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, even before I read that article. now, it's just that much cooler. that song is so much fun.

The Strokes Post #10

to all of the naysayers, the people lacking faith in The Strokes,

SUCK IT.

if you click on the link above, I swear it will not direct you to anything pornographic but rather to RS's smoking section, which features an article about the new record, and the fact that The Strokes have "strong ideas for ten songs"

on an unrelated note, I had NO idea that Ryan was managing School of Seven Bells. nice one, Ryan. good band, I'll post about em soon.

Arabic music!

I love that Abd Al Halim Hafiz comes after ABBA in my itunes library.

I've never posted any Arabic music on here even though I really do love the stuff. especially old Egyptian folk music like Abd Al Halim with really really long songs. in retrospect, 14 minutes is actually quite short...

let me just say that the one downside to learning languages is that you can no longer listen to music sung in that language and enjoy the sounds of the words without associations with meaning. a small downside, but I will acknowledge it nonetheless. but whatever, it's not really an issue for me, because Arabic was my first language (I didn't actually realize this fact until Professor Bishop pointed this out to me last semester).

Abd Al Halim is my mum's favourite male singer, and he rocks

maybe I'll start posting Arabic music on a weekly basis...

Abd Al Halim Hafiz - Sawah [mp3]


isn't he a cutie?

concert review: Antony and the Johnsons

Antony Hegarty and co. played at San Francisco's beautiful Nob Hill Masonic Center last Tuesday night (24 February 2009).

Antony was on the piano with a backing band composed of 2 guitars, 2 violins, a cello, a sax, and a bass guitar.



The performance was nearly flawless except for a couple of slips when Antony's voice faltered, but both times he stopped, excused himself, and began once again. His falsettos were delivered beautifully, and he thrilled the audience with his signature cover of Beyonce's "Crazy in Love".



I was quite surprised at Antony's demeanour throughout the set, which was humourous and lighthearted. I don't know very much about the musician past his music, but I had assumed that he would be solemn, because that is what his music is like. On the contrary, he managed to captivate and entertain the audience, making them laugh in between his songs, which had everyone holding their breath in awe. The lady in front of me was silently tearing up the entire time, and while I didn't have the same reaction, I had goosebumps throughout the night, especially during the gorgeous violin sections of "Kiss My Name" and the beautiful guitars in "Fistful of Love".



In short, it was a great performance true to the three well crafted records which Antony and the Johnsons have released. Most of the set list was derived from their latest, The Crying Light. I managed to record the show, and I have included mp3s below. I've listened to the entire concert 3 or 4 times since Tuesday night.

I would only recommend that you go and see Antony and the Johnsons in concert if you are VERY familiar with the music and are a devoted fan. While some bands can awe and inspire first time listeners, I feel like Antony's performance can only truly be enjoyed by people who understand his art.



set list:

1. where is my power
2. her eyes are underneath the ground
3. epilepsy is dancing
4. one dove
5. for today I am a buoy
6. kiss my name + Antony talking about his ass
7. everglade (never detox before show)
8. another world
9. shake that devil + talk about opening artist William Basinski
10. the crying light
11. crazy in love (Beyonce cover) + “Beyonce is amazing!” + “you share” sustained note
12. fistful of love
13. you are my sister
14. twilight
15. aeon

encore:
16. cripple and the starfish + makeup story
17. hope there’s someone

ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS ON AMAZON

Saturday Music Definitions: Michael

Lately, I've been listening to Franz Ferdinand like nobody's business. I've rediscovered how much I love their first two records, and have composed my ideal set list, starting with my all time favourite Franz song:

The Fallen
Ulysses
The Dark of the Matinee
Michael
Live Alone
You Could Have It So Much Better
No You Girls
Jacqueline
Darts of Pleasure
Take Me Out
Eleanor Put Your Boots on
Katherine Kiss Me

I am SO excited about seeing them in concert.

but, anyways, as I'm currently obsessed with their song "Michael", I realized that another one of my favourite songs was about a certain "Michael", and the band singing the latter song had a song about a certain "Andy" which paralleled the homoeroticism found in the Franz tune.

so, without further ado, here are the three songs:

Franz Ferdinand - Michael [mp3]

The Killers - The Ballad of Michael Valentine [mp3]

The Killers - Andy You're a Star [mp3]


how awesome is that performance?

happy listening and happy weekend!

The Strokes Post #9

I love how you can never really tell if they're on drugs or not.

according to Fab, Beck is a cannibal hahahahahahha.

record review: Dead Confederate - Wrecking Ball

Do you remember your first experiences of listening to heavy metal bands as a young teenager, and the deliciousness of that initial rebellion? It didn’t matter which band you were listening to, as long as their music was simultaneously deafening and quiet. Give me some soaring guitars and some slow vocals and I’ll be happy. Well, now that you’re all grown up, are you nostalgic for that kind of music? Because listening to Wrecking Ball is like taking a trip down memory lane. The 2008 release evokes memories of how freeing music used to be, and still is, if we allow it. Dead Confederate has been compared to Nirvana and other grunge bands of the 90’s, which is somewhat valid, but know that those comparisons are attempting to simplify a sound that is definitely not simple. Their debut record is anything but boring, even though eclecticism is not their forte. Their songs are drawn out, assuring you that each note, each lyric is deliberate and closely crafted. “The News Underneath” will fare well with Zeppelin fans and their first single “The Rat” is sure to garner people’s attention to this talented band. It sure worked for me. Damn fine record.

3.5/5

Visit the Athens, GA based band on MYSPACE for tour dates and other fun stuff.

Dead Confederate – The Rat [mp3]

Dead Confederate – The News Underneath [mp3]

Dead Confederate – Wrecking Ball [mp3]

I highly recommend that you watch the following performance, it's ace.


(I had previously posted about it HERE)

DEAD CONFEDERATE ON AMAZON

Kings of Leon already planning new "grungier" album

to be released in 2010.

NME has the dirty details.

I liked Only By The Night but really wish they would return to form. Their debut is gold. Let's hope this will be a great comeback album, to truly satisfy us Youth and Young Manhood fans.

tour dates can be found on their WEBSITE

Kings of Leon - Use Somebody (live on SNL) [mp3]

Neko Case - don't bother

Last week, I came across an interview with Neko Case when reading the new issue of SPIN. It was a touching piece, showing how much she's had to overcome to get where she is now, with fame from The New Pornographers and all.

I put it in the back of my head to look up her music. Then I forgot about the matter until I was cleaning out my inbox, and I came across my Paste newsletter, featuring her on the cover. I headed to hype machine and looked her up. After the first song ("I'm an Animal"), I stuck it out for the next, "Don't Forget Me", which only affirmed that she sounds like a poor man's Jenny Lewis. I couldn't even get through listening to the third song, "Prison Girls" before angrily closing the browser in disgust.

Sadly enough, not all side/solo projects go well. Steer clear of this mess.

just look what she's done to Bob Dylan:

Neko Case - Buckets of Rain (Bob Dylan cover) [mp3]

pitiful, just pitiful.

The Libertines will be back next year!

let me just say that Carl Barat and Pete Doherty are two of my favourite musicians ever. thank goodness for this news.

head on over to NME to read the article

The Libertines - Can't Stand Me Now [mp3]

Pete Doherty is known to say hilariously awesome things like "I've been trying to get inside the minds of cats, but they just piss on the carpet. They don't care."

The Strokes Post #8

Julian "explaining" the lyric "don't be a coconut, G-d is trying to talk to you"
hahahah classic.

Band of the Week: Cold War Kids

with a debut album that shook the world in 2006 (Robbers & Cowards), this Fullerton, CA based band quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

I had heard from various people that I'd love them, and once, I was waiting in line to have my records rung up and I saw Robbers & Cowards on the display shelf. never having heard them, I invested 12 bucks in a new copy of their CD. best decision on a whim I've ever made. I love that album to death.

their second record Loyalty to Loyalty dropped last year and recieved mixed reviews, but it definitely didn't show signs of sophomore slump. I reviewed it, but that post got deleted and I hadn't backed it up. the verDict was positive though.

Cold War Kids make music that is simultaneously thrashing and pretty, and I hear they're pretty rad in concert too. I'll find out in April.

tour dates:

Miami, FL Bicentennial Park – Langerado (March 7)
San Diego, CA 4th & B Concert Theatre^ (26)
Los Angeles, CA Orpheum Theatre^ (27)
Boston, MA Wilbur Theatre* (April 2)
New York, NY Terminal 5* (3)
Rochester, NY Water Street Music Hall* (4)
Denver, CO Gothic Theatre^ (20)
Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom^ (21)
Seattle, WA The Showbox at The Market^ (22)
Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge^ (23)
San Francisco, CA The Fillmore^ (28)

Cold War Kids - G-d, Make up Your Mind [mp3]
from Robbers & Cowards

Cold War Kids - Every Man I Fall For [mp3]
from Loyalty to Loyalty

visit the boys on MYSPACE

COLD WAR KIDS ON AMAZON

Music Induced Euphoria turns ONE today!

it's been a year since I started this blog. well, a year and a few hours, as I opened my account at 3 in the morning in the midst of writer's block (I was writing a paper on Chaucer's Wife of Bath and her hypocricy).

anyhow, I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of the people who read this blog, faithfully or sporadically. I really appreciate it.

I'm open to any suggestions to improve the ol' blog. do you guys want me to start doing anything I'm not doing already? and no, I don't mean being a trapeze artist.

The Strokes Post #7

I watched this early on in my Strokes obsession. it made me realize immediately how amazing they are live. I can watch it over and over and over again and never bore of it.

Audrye Sessions on tour with Manchester Orchestra

4/21 Nashville, TN - Exit In
4/22 Athens, GA - 40 Watt
4/23 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
4/24 Richmond, VA - The National
4/25 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
4/26 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
4/29 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
4/30 Cambridge, MA - Middle East
5/01 Rochester, NY - Water Street
5/02 Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small' s
5/03 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
5/05 Pontiac, MI - Eagle Theatre
5/06 Columbus, OH - Skully's
5/07 Covington, KY - Mad Hatter
5/08 Chicago, IL - Subterranean
5/09 Minneapolis, MN - Station 4
5/12 Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre
5/13 Salt Lake City, UT - Avalon
5/15 Seattle, WA - El Corazon
5/16 Vancouver, BC - Biltmore
5/17 Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
5/21 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
5/22 San Diego, CA - Voodoo Stage @ HOB
5/23 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress
5/24 Tempe, AZ - Clubhouse
5/26 Austin, TX - Emo's
5/27 Dallas, TX - The Loft
5/28 Houston, TX - Walter's
5/29 New Orleans, LA - Spanish Moon
5/30 Oxford, MS - Proud Larry's
5/31 Atlanta, GA - Bottletree
6/02 St. Petersburg, FL - State Theatre
6/03 Orlando, FL - The Social
6/04 Orlando, FL - The Social

AUDRYE SESSIONS ON AMAZON

The Strokes Post #6

their cover of Mercy Mercy Me (a collaboration with Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and Josh Homme of QOTSA). Julian's voice is mesmerizing, as usual. need I say more?

The Strokes - Mercy Mercy Me (Marvin Gaye cover) [mp3]

Patti Smith - Horses

ah, glorious.

I've heard LOADS about this album but only just bought it a couple of weeks ago from half price books (for like 2 bucks!) I JUST got around to spinning it this morning. and it has affirmed for me, yet again, that vinyl is the ultimate way to experience music.

I mean, don't get me wrong, as a music lover, I appreciate the convenience of cds and mp3s, but I usually will proceed to meticulously listening to records. most people don't. my theory is, this is why most people don't listen to good music anymore.

Patti Smith - Gloria [mp3]
now you've had a taste, go forth, follow my example and listen to Horses in its entirety! you won't be sorry.

The Strokes Post #5

yeah, it's annoying that they mixed up their names but it's hilarious how Fab has the uncanny ability to make everyone in the room want his babies.

MUST WATCH VIDEO: Franz Ferdinand - Darts of Pleasure

incredible. youtube directed me there after I watched "The Fallen" (my absolute favourite Franz Ferdinand song) of the same show (a reaaally good live version of that song, which is rare):

Deerhunter to play FREE all ages SECRET SHOW on WEDNESDAY night

with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart at RICKSHAW STOP in San Francisco (it's on Fell and Van Ness). great venue.

it's first come, first served

I'll be at GAMH seeing Stephen Malkmus but if you go, let me know how it went!

The Strokes Post #4

Nick's fantastic guitar solo in "Alone, Together" which makes me melt every single time I hear it

the following perfomance is especially orgasmic:



2:38-3:14

wow.

interview: The Dashing Suns

who? The Dashing Suns
what? an awesome band you should listen to
where? they are based in Oakland, CA
when? December 7th 2007 - present
why? because their music rocks

The Dashing Suns' self titled EP is great. Do you remember when critics insisted that The Strokes sounded like The Velvet Underground, The Clash and Television but you weren't completely convinced because to you, they just sounded like The Strokes? Well if were disheartened in the least that The Strokes didn't satisfy your expectations for an excellent mesh of those awesome bands, look no further than The Dashing Suns. "I Wanna Run" is sung much in the same vein as "Marquee Moon" by Television with a steady drum beat and great guitars to match. "Just A Moment" sounds like the song that new band The Soft Pack have been trying to write. In short, it's a great EP and makes me hopeful for a full length release.

According to Jeffrey, "We're going on a tour soon to SXSW from March 16th to 22nd. It will be our first tour and we are all very excited. We've also a song in a commercial that's going to come out sometime after."

You guys sound like a band straight out of the early seventies/late sixties. are you trying to bring back that sound or did it just happen that the songs you wrote ended up sounding like that?

We are influenced by many bands. We're not trying to bring back any "sound" we just want to play what we like to hear. We all were in high school during the 90's so bands like Nirvana, The Breeders, Red Kross, Weezer, Sonic Youth, Pavement, etc. were what we grew up listening to. Now we probably listen more to what they probably listened to like the Vaselines, Swell Maps and stuff like that.

If you could describe your music as an animal/natural phenomenon, what would you deem it?

We are like that video game Altered Beast. A praire dog that may have ingested an entire bottle of coolant.

Mick Jagger: genius or arsehole?

Matt: Both...no, he's not a genius fuck Mick Jagger.
David: Neither.
Jeff: He is very smart.
Kevin: Yes!

The state of mainstream music right now is dismal. Long gone are the days when Led Zeppelin and The Doors dominated the radio. What band(s) do you wish kids nowadays listened to?

Firstly, The Dashing Suns. Besides that Television Personalities, My Bloody Valentine, The Clean, Wire, Buzzer, Vivian Girls, Deer Hunter and The Ramones.

The Dashing Suns are distinctly American. What I mean isn't that you guys sound like Springsteen or Johnny Cash but that you take after the Ramones rather than the Sex Pistols. There's always been the American/British struggle for the rock crown. Are you guys vying to be a part of that?

We are not into rivalries, we are in it for ourselves.

You guys are based in Oakland. Did you all grow up in the bay area? Any crazy stories (like a bassist from Auckland or something of that nature?)

None of us grew up here. Kevin is a southern fried cracker, Matt is a kiwi, David is tequila, and Jeff is miracle whip. We have many funny stories, you should come to one of our shows and take part in becoming part of one.

If you could open up for any band, past or present, which would you choose?

Jesus' second coming. 2012.

What song do you (collectively as a band or you individually) love playing the most?

"I Really Like You". We will record it soon and everyone will be really happy.

Are any of you guys classically trained? Any music theory background? Or do you guys just play in the key of rock?

We just [play] poorly.

What are your road trip tunes?

We listen Wire, The Clean and My Bloody Valentine, Magazine, The Sound, Deer Hunter, Watch Children and many other songs that are too embarrassing to state.

The Dashing Suns- Your Line [mp3]

The Dashing Suns - Out of Your Head [mp3]

visit them on MYSPACE

catch em in concert:

Feb 25 2009 8:00P
El Rio, with Sister Grizzly, and Wild Things San Francisco, California

Mar 16 2009 9:00P
Bordello Los Angeles, California

Mar 17 2009 9:00P
The Ruby Room Phoenix, Arizona

Mar 21 2009 8:00P
SXSW Halcyon Lounge - ReadyMade Magazine Party Austin, Texas

Mar 23 2009 2:00P
Tylers Austin, Texas

Mar 28 2009 9:00P
Warehouse Party w/ The Have Mercys Oakland, California

Apr 5 2009 9:00P
The Uptown. Slash 30th Anniversary Party! Oakland, California

Apr 10 2009 8:00P
The Uptown w/Grand Lake Oakland, California

The Strokes Post #3

"I know you hate to be impressed with someone else (other than yourself).
But you know, trying to hold back on being an asshole helps."

-Fear of Sleep

Sunday Morning Covers

now I can't decide which of the following two I like the best. at first, I greatly preferred The Morning Benders' rendition of The Submarines' song, but the cover of "Waiting for a War" is really growing on me. regardless, I think the idea of two bands covering each other is adorable.

The Submarines - Waiting for a War (The Morning Benders cover) [mp3]

The Morning Benders - 1940 (The Submarines cover) [mp3]

----
Radiohead- Unravel (Bjork Cover) [mp3]

Elliott Smith - When I Paint My Masterpiece (Bob Dylan cover) [mp3]
not the best sound quality but it's Elliott Smith, so who cares?

Michael Buble - What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong cover) [mp3]

Dead Confederate - Theresa's Sound (Sonic Youth cover) [mp3]

Editors - Road to Nowhere (Talking Heads cover) [mp3, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!]

Kevin Barnes (of Montreal) - I Will (The Beatles cover) [mp3]

BONUS:
The Beatles Ain't She Sweet (Ben Bernie cover, originally composed by Yellen/Ager) [mp3]

The White Stripes played Conan last night

they played a unique version of "We Are Going To Be Friends" (of Napolean Dynamite fame)



not as loud or rock'n'roll-ish as most of their live performances, but still awesome.

The Strokes Post #2

an excerpt from their self made documentary In Transit. haha oh Julian.

Saturday Music Definitons: Fish

my roommate recently bought a fish and called it Fishbert. this post is dedicated to all those awesome fish out there, and the musicians who sing about them

Radiohead - Weird Fishes/Arpeggi [mp3]
best track on In Rainbows, in my opinion

Weezer - Keep Fishing [mp3]
this is one of my favourite Weezer songs ever. I was obsessed with it in high school

Louis Armstrong - Gone Fishin' [mp3]
oh that voice.

Sublime - Badfish [mp3]
why doesn't anyone talk about Sublime anymore? they are so very culturally relevant, and will always be.

Band of the Week + concert review: Andrew Bird

When I took a class on Social Factors in Design (with Professor Galen Cranz, the best thing ever to happen to Berkeley's College of Environmental Design), I learned that you can really tell a lot about a place by the people who occupy the space.

This was very pronounced Thursday night (19 February 2009) at the Fillmore, when Andrew Bird played the first of his two sold out shows in San Francisco.

Before the show started, I busted out The Guermantes Way, and got a good 40 pages read. When I sat down, I realized that the girl behind me was also reading. And the group to my right were having a conversation that included someone exclaiming "and I couldn't do that to the library's copy!"

Yeah, we're a literary group.

The show commenced with a set from Emil Svanängen, under the pseudonym Loney Dear (much in the vein of "Dashboard Confessional" as another name for Chris Carrabba, which later evolved into a band).



The band gained more of the audience's attention with each consecutive song. Emil got the audience to sing along with one of the songs, acting as the conductor with universal hand signals. I love that music can transcend all linguistic barriers (although he did sing in English). The Stockholm native sounded a bit like Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody, although his music had a much wider range, including some electronica provided by a somewhat androgynous looking keyboardist whom I finally decided was a dude.



visit Loney Dear on MYSPACE, they're playing a handful of more shows with Mr. Bird, and then will proceed to continue the tour on their own.

AH, now I can move on to the main attraction. The ever effervescent Andrew Bird, multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire.



Each description I've ever read about this guy is always fixated with his "shyness", but I didn't get that at all during the set. He was grinning and thoroughly enjoying himself throughout the set, which commenced with "Master Sigh" (off of the bonus disc of Noble Beast), and Andrew throwing his shoes off.



He quickly got comfortable and played a mix of songs primarily from his newest record but the encore gave fans a treat with "Why" (off of the live record Fingerlings) and "Don't Be Scared", off of his first solo record, Weather Systems.



Andrew enthusiastically fluctuated between his violin (which he played both with a bow and as percussion with his fingers), his guitar (often tweaked with the help of his loop pedals) and a glockenspiel (a percussion instrument similar to a xylophone, but with a different range). The sound was extraordinarily powerful, even for his music. The intricate complexity of his songwriting really shined in the live rendition of the songs. I never knew anyone could whistle so loud. It was incredible.

My only complaint was that the reverb kind of overpowered his voice for the songs not found on Noble Beast, as if he didn't bother focusing on elocution with the songs which he expects his fans to know by now. Nonetheless, each song was done beautifully and I was still dumbstruck the next day, especially by "Effigy", which was wonderfully reinvented during the set. He explained that the lyric "like the words of a man who's spent a little too much time alone" is about "that guy sits alone at the end of the bar whom we secretly fear that we'll become...you know, write one too many sci-fi novels...". Whew, that's a relief, I thought he was talking about himself when I first heard it.



Andrew Bird is known for his improvisation skills and his unique shows; each set is distinct, with slight tweaks in the songs and various substitutions with musical instruments. He also tours with a monkey and an elaborate gramophone, which spins during his higher energy songs.



If you have the chance to see this guy live, please do it. He's bridging the gap between classical and rock/pop music. He's been a classically trained violinist since he was four, he studied music at Northwestern's prestigious music program and and he only just learned how to play guitar a few years ago (he taught himself). I adore this man.

Andrew Bird - Effigy [mp3]
off of Noble Beast

Andrew Bird - Don't Be Scared [mp3]
off of Weather Systems

Andrew Bird - Opposite Day [mp3]
off of Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs
(that album was my first taste of Andrew Bird. genius stuff)

Set List:

The Strokes Posts

the title has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
I'm at work right now, cataloguing books and watching Strokes videos on Youtube. A week and a half ago, my favourite five people in the whole world (Julian Casablancas, Nikolai Fraiture, Fabrizio Moretti, Albert Hammond Jr and Nick Valensi) got back together to brainstorm new songs. An idea just came to me:

from this day forward, until their fourth record is released, I will post daily something Strokes-related. maybe by that time, you dear readers will begin to understand my obsession with greatest band ever.

so, here you go:



yes, that is a cigarette in the lead singer's hand. don't you wish you could have thought of it first?

Delta Spirit on Daytrotter!

this is their third session on the awesome site!

Daytrotter = genius
Delta Spirit = genius-er
you reading this instead of listening to Delta Spirit's new Daytrotter session = the antithesis of genius.

Kings of Leon tix go on sale Sunday

just a reminder for all you SF folks who are planning to attend the Thursday, May 21 Kings of Leon/Walkmen show at the Bill Graham Civic,

tickets go on sale Sunday at 10AM

buy them at Live Nation

why I love Pete Doherty

he does crazy things like getting chased by kebab shop owners

also, he makes great music and is super hot in that junkie way

Babyshambles - Fuck Forever [mp3]

that is all. now I can die a happy and fulfilled blogger, you all know my deepest sentiments for this man

hahaha <3

Audrye Sessions featured on Rolling Stone

my favourite local band is finally getting some recognition!

awesome, awesome band.

they just released their debut album on Tuesday, pick it up at your local indie record shop!

they're playing a show at Bottom of the Hill tonight, and I would totally go but I am going to see Andrew Bird instead. a girl has her priorities, after all. but they are playing a free set at Amoeba Berkeley on Friday at 6PM and I will most definitely be there.

visit them on MYSPACE

Audrye Sessions - Turn Me Off [mp3]

Audrye Sessions - Waltz #2 (Elliott Smith cover) [mp3]

concert review: Joshua Radin @ GAMH, SF (17 February 2009)

Tuesday night’s concert at Great American Music Hall was defined by a couple of things. First, and most notably, superb vocals all across each of the three singer’s sets. And secondly, the acknowledgement of the bitterness which remains after relationships go bad, and nothing is left but sad memories to inspire sadder songs.



Jesse Harris opened the night, and his music was the most upbeat of the three. I actually got there a bit late, so I didn’t get to hear his whole set, but what I did hear, I enjoyed. He was on the banjo, with only drums to accompany him. His performance was so striking that everyone got upset when he left the stage, obviously eager for more. Jesse also played guitar during Joshua’s set. His claim to fame? Try a couple of Bright Eyes appearances (I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning and Motion Sickness), and a Grammy for his songwriting and guitar contribution on Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why".
The guy knows his music.

Visit him on MYSPACE



Next on was Meiko, who, sadly enough, was not as musically endowed as her predecessor. While I absolutely adored her voice, which kind of reminded me of a less squeaky E.G. Daily, this woman absolutely desecrated the instrument that was previously known as the guitar.



Meiko started a trend which Joshua later continued, that of telling pretty intricate stories before singing almost each one of her songs. “Real Real Sweet” was directed towards a jealous ex girlfriend of a friend of hers who ruined their friendship, thinking that Meiko was fooling around with the guy. She wanted to “mess with her head”. The evening was full of spite and bitterness, or, as Joshua deemed it, “salty songs”.

visit Meiko on MYSPACE

Joshua Radin was absolutely stunning. Each of his songs were rendered perfectly, I was quite surprised that he did just as well with his faster, electric songs as he did with his more signature slow sad ballads. New song “She’s So Right” was inspired by his love for Tom Petty, specifically the four hour documentary Runnin’ Down a Dream, which he admitted to watching “at least seven times on this tour”. He declared that it is required viewing for any music fan and also said that he really wanted a WWTPD wrist band (for What Would Tom Petty Do). I’d probably don one myself.





His attitude ranged from humourous (he called the audience his myspace friends) to brutally honest. He admitted to “falling for the sad ones”, which obviously left an impression on him. He repeatedly apologized, determined that the audience know that he wasn’t trying to be deliberately callous. His nervous spurts of honesty were refreshing, musicians rarely ever bear themselves on stage anymore. He did it both when he explained his songs and when he actually sang them. While his body language was quite stiff and reserved, his voice had the exact opposite effect: it opened his insides for everyone to see, unabashed and tragically beautiful.



When Meiko came on stage again to join Joshua for a song (“Today”), she paled in comparison. Joshua has it all: talent, a great ear, a powerful singing voice, and the ability to captivate a full venue for his entire set to the extent that it was, indeed, as he deemed it, “pin drop quiet”.

Set List:

Free of me
Sky
Winter
No envy
Vegetable car
One of those days
Growing up
We are ok
The Fear You Won’t Fall
Today
She’s So Right
What if you
Rather be with you
Closer
Bring It On Home To Me (Sam Cooke cover)

I highly recommend that you catch him in concert, he reminded me of how powerful a song can be without punching you in an angry rock’n’roll frenzy. His intricate simplicity combines the best of Elliott Smith and Jason Mraz. His live sound far surpassed any of his studio stuff. I had a spectacular time.

Feb 20 Downtown Brew San Luis Obispo, California
Feb 21 Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, California
Feb 23 Belly Up Aspen, Colorado
Feb 25 Black Sheep Colorado Springs, Colorado
Feb 27 Bottleneck Lawrence, Kansas
Feb 28 Fine Line Music Cafe - SOLD OUT Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mar 2 Pabst Theatre Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mar 3 Park West Chicago, Illinois
Mar 4 20th Century Theatre Cincinnati, Ohio
Mar 6 Kent Stage Kent, Ohio
Mar 7 Headliners Louisville, Kentucky
Mar 8 Exit/In Nashville, Tennessee
Mar 11 El Mocambo - SOLD OUT Toronto
Mar 15 Sugar Club Dublin
Mar 17 o2 Academy 2 Liverpool
Mar 18 o2 Academy 3 Birmingham
Mar 19 Shepherds Bush Empire London
Mar 20 King Tut’s Glasgow
Mar 22 Sentier des Halles Paris
Mar 23 Studio 672 Cologne
Mar 24 59:1 Munich
Mar 25 Lido Berlin
Mar 27 Prinzebar Hamburg
Mar 29 Debaser DFB Stockholm

don't miss the White Stripes on Conan!

the duo will reunite this Friday, 11:30 PM on NBC.

The White Stripes - Blue Orchid [mp3]

The White Stripes - Candy Cane Children [mp3]
because I love Christmas music.

this will probably be my last blog post for a few days, until I finish volume III of In Search of Lost Time. have a nice week everyone!

music > sex?

the majority of British youth seem to think so

according to the study that NME did,

"Around 1,000 people aged 15-24 filled in the survey, with 60 per cent of those who took part saying that they would prefer to go without sex for a week than without listening to music."

I would probably have to agree.

CSS - Music is My Hot Hot Sex [mp3]

the new Beirut double EP drops today

read the review of March of the Zapotec/Holland that I wrote a few weeks back HERE

I'll reiterate: this is nowhere as good as Gulag Orkestar or The Flying Club Cup but really, Zach Condon is incapable of producing anything less than brilliant, even when he's dabbling in a genre so obviously not suited for him (electronica)

Beirut - My Night With The Prostitute From Marseille [mp3]
from Holland

BONUS:
Beirut - Scenic World [mp3]
earlier version, from the Lon Gisland EP. glorious.

Foo Fighters: planning a new album?!

I thought everyone had decided that the LONG BREAK that Grohl said that they needed was a euphemism for "we're done"!

it's barely been a year and a half, and they're back?!

this is fucking awesome.

according to their drummer Taylor Hawkins (via SPIN via NME),

"We've gotten together and minced ideas already...just basic ideas and we'll probably do that over the next year until we have a log of ideas… I'd say maybe by summer we'll get in the studio and start getting serious about a record."

note to self: spend less time reading blogs and more time with actual music publications. I can't believe I let that slip by me for four days. sheesh.

Foo Fighters - Come Back [mp3]
from One By One
I loove old Foo.

AN ENTIRE UNRELEASED ELLIOTT SMITH ALBUM HAS LEAKED!

wow.


so Valentines Day wasn't the worst day of the year after all. Elliott managed to salvage it.

the album is composed of unfinished songs and some earlier versions of songs that actually made it onto From A Basement On The Hill

I've been listening to it all morning, it's breathtaking.

here are my favourite tracks,

Elliott Smith - Abused (instrumental) [mp3]

Elliott Smith - Let's Get Lost [mp3]
I love this one. ah, who am I kidding, I love ALL of Elliott's songs.

Elliott Smith - Suicide Machine (new song!!) [mp3]

Elliott Smith - Pretty (Ugly Before) [mp3]
this one is probably my absolute favourite of the bunch.

and a ZIP FILE (do it!)

many thanks to Rawkblog for posting!

no doubt about it, Elliott Smith was one of the world's most talented musicians. he will always be missed and loved and I am very very grateful that these things keep popping up posthumously. they're a nice reminder that Elliott's music will ALWAYS be with us.

Sunday Morning Covers

Franz Ferdinand - All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem cover) [mp3]

Deertick - Still Crazy After All These Years (Paul Simon Cover) [mp3]


Bon Iver - The Park (Feist Cover) [mp3]
breathtaking.

Wilco - Peace Love And Understanding (Elvis Costello cover) [mp3]

Elvis Costello - Beautiful (Christina Aguilera cover) [mp3]
Mr. Costello is a sav.

Whiskeytown - Dreams (Fleetwood Mac cover) [mp3]
this is Ryan Adam's old band

Maroon 5 - If I Fell (Beatles cover) [mp3]

BONUS:

Elliott Smith - I'll Be Back (Beatles cover) [mp3 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!]
BRAND SPANKIN' NEW!
see my next post for the source of this amazing-ness

BONUSx2:

The Beatles - Boys (The Shirelles cover) [mp3]
originally written by Luther Dixon and Wes Farrell; another notch in the Beatles Bonus series