When you have a day job, there are pretty much three things that get you through the day sans killing somebody: Coffee, Cigarettes, and Podcasts. One of the best podcasts around today is RadioLab, a WNYC original. I could spend a whole post explaining the merits of the science-class-as-aural-soundscape approach that Jad Abumrad and Robert Crullwitch employ, but that’s not what this post is about. Today, on my weekly RadioLab Podcast, I was fortunate enough to hear an interview and three pieces by Zoe Keating, a master of the Cello who uses a computer program and foot pedals to loop and layer her cello parts on top of each other, creating fully formed songs with separate movements, verses and choruses.
Got some more cool pressers this week. Until we get time to feature them individually, here’s another installment of some relatively new bands you may not know too much about yet. The Young Lords formed two years ago in NYC and are probably the most famous of our group having already toured with The Virgins and Frattelis. Nonetheless we wanted to plug them since their new album Rodeo Songs comes out October 7th. Band two is even newer out of the UK and coincidentilly named Young Sensation. They’re about to embark on their first UK tour and hooked it up with their newest single. Lastly is the interestingly dynamic Vincent from South Africa. You’ll have to check it out on your own to see how you feel, but I dug it on my first listen. They’re about to drop their debut album on Blankrecords. You can see The Young Lords music video here, and check out a “making of” vid of Vincent after the jump.
If you recall (and I certainly hope you’ve been taking notes on all this) waaaay back in the dark ages of early August, I reported on the King Khan/Deerhunter/Black Kids show at McCarren Pool. I call these the dark ages because, as you can see from the following quote:
“I’ve been a fence-dweller when it comes to Deerhunter, never sure how much I dug it. Perhaps it was the glorious weather, the uninhibited fun of King Khan, and the carnival atmosphere of the day, but I dug Deerhunters’ set more than I expected to.”
My eyes had yet to be opened fully to the wonder that is Deerhunter. Looking back on it now, it’s hard to understand how I could have been so blind. But I have seen the light, and the light is their fantastic new album Microcastle, which has been released digitally via iTunes in advance of it’s fall street date.
Emily Haines is bringing back some of her solo magic with some help from James Shaw of Metric. Emily will perform three shows all in the same night at Union Pool on September 7th. Set times are 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 and we’ll feature new music from Metric and Emily’s solo stash. Haines will jam with the Tall Firs in the third show. Metric’s fourth album was recently finished and it seems as if Emily may be ready to drop her 4th solo release. Her neverending catalog of work continues to impress and her piano sets make for a mesmorizing live show. Buy presale tickets here.
The Felice Brothers continue their rise to success with a fall tour kicking off on September 4th in Burlington, Vermont. Having dominated the festival circuit this Summer, their tour takes them through over 25 states with the likes of A.A. Bondy and Deer Tick. Anyone who has seen them live is an instant believer, but for further convincing, check out this live vid from their show at Bearsville Theatre in Woodstock as well as their tour dates after the jump.
Let me ask you a question. Is there really, I mean really, a good way to end a not so good date? You go out, you have an eh time, and then you say the inevitable: “Well, had a great night. Let’s talk soon!” God, I wish I had the f’ing cojones to blurt out the ugly truth: “You’re okay. That’s all. Not doing flips over the fact that you’re a sox fan and an only child, but perhaps if you were more interesting as a person, I’d be able to overlook these slightly superficial qualities. But alas, your not. You’re quite ordinary and the sarcastic thing definitely doesn’t make you seem smart, opinionated, or funny. It makes you seem like a goddamn toddler who’s afraid of having a real conversation.”
Rhino Records is releasing a 32-track Josh Rouse anthology on September 9th. The record features songs from his seven years with the Rykodisc label before it was acquired by Warner Music in ‘06. The collection also includes seven unreleased demos and outtakes. If you’re unfamiliar, Rouse blends a Midwest song style with intelligent & harmonized lyrics. There’s a vid, album stream, and track list after the jump.
For the last two weeks, the world has sat riveted, glued to their television sets, as the nations of the earth competed against each other in events such as Swimming, Running, Throwing Things, Playin’ Some B-Ball Outside Of The School, Riding Horsies, and Throwing Other Things, Only, These Things Are Sharp. This past Sunday, China took home the gold in the Making Your Frightened Citizens Wear Funny Outfits And Dangle From Dangerously High Places event called The Closing Ceremonies. It was their crowning achievement, and, in all seriousness, it was a mind-blowing event that capped off two weeks of world records and heartbreak.
But there was another closing ceremony this weekend, one far less global and a bit less bombastic. On Sunday afternoon, The Pool Parties wrapped up three years of bringing music to the indie rock masses, free of charge. After a ticketed Sonic Youth show on August 30th, the pool will be rebuilt, filled with water, and turned over to the youth of Brooklyn, who frolic and pee in the heavily chlorinated water.
Something great just happened. As I walked home from the market with a bag of limes, I saw a broken red basket with some paper back books and some scratched up cd’s in the grass. I grabbed a disc marked in sharpie with the words: lions mix. At home I discovered that it had only one song. I think it’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. There was no band name, just the track. A new favorite mystery- I like imagining what they look like. My mind pictures an old Japanese man with his adopted daughter in a culturally decorated shanty, with a scant but ideal breakfast on the table.
I know it’s already Tuesday, but I wanted to give a warning and also apologize for not covering this sooner. Philadelphia Weekly’s Concerts in the Park series continues this Wednesday night and features indie retro/dance band Jotto and Bitter Bitter Weeks. I have not seen Jotto live yet, but they’ve been building quite the buzz of late, with their music being hailed as “some of the most interesting to come from the artists currently emerging out of the Philadelphia and Brooklyn art scenes,” by High Voltage Magazine.
