shoes are for work

festival time again

2010-04-19T10:20:00.003-06:00

Welcome to Festival City! This time Tom and Will take you on a brief peak of what's in store for Norman Music Festival 3...

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast~Episode 26

To subscribe in iTunes - click the "Advanced" menu then choose "Subscribe to Podcast" in the dialogue box type "http://shoesareforwork.libsyn.com/rss"

tracklist:

EDAN - "Rock and Roll" feat. Dagha
THE SWORD - "To Take the Black"
GRUPO FANTASMA - "El Sabio Soy Yo"
ELECTRIC SIX - "Gay Bar"
THOSE DARLINS- "Red Light Love"
RAINBOWS ARE FREE - "Slow Train"
SHITTY/AWESOME - "Shreds"
INDIAN JEWELRY - "lesser snake"
STUFFIES - "No One's Gonna Miss You"
EAGLE CLAW - "Helm"
UNWED SAILOR - "Copper Islands"
DIRTY PROJECTORS - "Cannibal Resource"

we've got quarters

2010-03-18T12:26:00.003-06:00

This Prius just keeps going...

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast~Episode 25

To subscribe in iTunes - click the "Advanced" menu then choose "Subscribe to Podcast" in the dialogue box type "http://shoesareforwork.libsyn.com/rss"

tracklist:

XIU XIU - "Dear God, I Hate Myself"

SHITTY/AWESOME - "Shreds"

STUDENT FILM - "Guilty Of Equivocation"

PENNY HILL - "Waiting"

BROKEN BELLS - "The Ghost Inside"

LIARS - "Scissor"

MASSIVE ATTACK - "Pray For Rain"

GOLDEN TRIANGLE - "I Want To Know"

LET'S WRESTLE - "We Are The Men You'll Grow To Love Soon"

LAWRENCE ARABIA - "Apple Pie Bed"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - "Girls FM"

TED LEO & THE PHARMACISTS - "Even Heroes Have To Die"

WHITE HINTERLAND - "Icarus"

JOANNA NEWSOM - "Does Not Suffice"

dear god i hate myself

2010-03-11T09:00:00.005-06:00

The triple bill at the Opolis last night was 2/3 fantastic. Opener, Atlanta "sound artist & filmaker" Noveller, set an almost eerie mood with swirling, cavernous guitar loops. To get an idea of what I'm not describing adequately think Earth (only less heavy) mixed with the experimentation of Durutti Column.

Her beautiful mood was nearly obliterated by by power punk trio, Girl In A Coma. As much as I want to like this band, I just don't and why they were on this bill is totally beyond me.

Jamie Stewart and Angela Seo, Xiu Xiu, saved the night with the first desperate whispers of their opening song, a tale of incest and rape. The show built to a crescendo of painful hope and shame with tracks from older albums and a nice smattering f songs off of Dear God, I Hate Myself. I took some pictures, but found it hard to do anything but become totally absorbed in the angst pouring off the stage.

mp3 shoebox

Noveller~Brilliant Colors (via Stereogum)

Xiu Xiu ~ Dear God, I Hate Myself (via Salad Days)

it's all an illusion

2010-02-17T18:24:00.003-06:00

I'm rededicating myself to the non-podcast portion of this site. You may not give a shit, but I'm putting it out there as another piece of evidence for you to hang over my head when judging me for my failures.

So here's how it will begin: show updates resume this weekend. I'll be going out to The Magic Kids [Goner, True Panther, Matador] show at the Opolis and snappin' a few dandy pics. You should go, or rot in hell, your choice.

mp3 shoebox

The Magic Kids - Hey Boys

mental image of something unpleasant

2010-02-07T16:24:00.002-06:00

After a long hiatus we've returned with one of the longest shows we've ever done. Lot's of recent releases here to hear.

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast~Episode 24

To subscribe in iTunes - click the "Advanced" menu then choose "Subscribe to Podcast" in the dialogue box type "http://shoesareforwork.libsyn.com/rss"

tracklist:

GENTLE GHOST - "Monarch Pass"

FEEL SPECTRES - "Let's Blow Up The Moon"

CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG - "Greenwich Mean Time"

YEASAYER - "Ambling Alp"

MALACHAI - "Snowflake"

MIDLAKE - "Acts Of Man"

CLIPD BEAKS - "Home"

SOFT PACK - "Answer To Yourself"

FUCKED UP - "Neat Parts"

SPOON - "Written In Reverse"

JOAN OF ARC - "Friend In Common" w/ Euphone

TORO Y MOI - "Blessa"

RED KRAYOLA - "Portrait of Wile E Coyote"

+++GATEWAY DRUGS+++

Best of last year

BLANK DOGS - "No Compass"

COLD CAVE - "Life Magazine"

TAPE - "Fingers"

JULIAN LYNCH - "Seeds"

booooo2

2009-10-18T15:13:00.003-06:00

Trick or Treat? You decide; we took a break from talking this episode to bring you more than an hour of great music. Some of it's local, some of it's spooky, some of it is just plain fun. Shamon.

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast~Episode 23

To subscribe in iTunes - click the "Advanced" menu then choose "Subscribe to Podcast" in the dialogue box type "http://shoesareforwork.libsyn.com/rss"

tracklist:
BETTY DAVIS - Talkin Trash
HUNX & HIS PUNX - You Don't Like Rock & Roll
KURT VILE - Freak Train
WHY? - This Blackest Purse
A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS - In Your Heart
MISSION OF BURMA - 1,2,3, Partyy!
BUILT TO SPILL - Pat
THE SOUND - The Fire
MILES BENJAMIN ANTHONY ROBINSON - The Sound
ISLANDS - Vapours
ANTI-POP CONSORTIUM - Volcano
THAO WITH THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN - Know Better Learn Faster
FLAMING LIPS - Worm Mountain
EARLY BEAT - Lightning Bug
RUM FELLOWS - Bully In The Alley
MEAN SPIRITS - Lon Chaney
HOPE SANDOVAL & THE WARM INVENTIONS - Blanchard
DEAD MAN'S BONES - My Body's a Zombie For You

nice legs

2009-09-07T12:52:00.003-06:00

This episode is pretty large. Lots of new releases and some great gateway music. With summer winding down, looks like we may be able to be a little more frequent. Hope you enjoy.

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast~Episode 22

To subscribe in iTunes - click the "Advanced" menu then choose "Subscribe to Podcast" in the dialogue box type "http://shoesareforwork.libsyn.com/rss"

tracklist:
OS MUTANTES - Teclar
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM - Round Again
DAVID BAZAN - Bless This Mess
IMOGENE HEAP - First Train Home
SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE - Bar-Nasha
ARCTIC MONKEYS - Crying Lightning
PISSED JEANS - Dream Smotherer
EL PASO HOT BUTTON - Runner
MT. EERIE - Stone's Ode
REIGNING SOUND - Debris
VIVIAN GIRLS - Can't Get Over You
FLAMING LIPS -Kuhndalini Express
KITTY, DAISY, & LEWIS - Mean Son Of a Gun

!!!GATEWAY DRUGS!!!
DEAD KENNEDYS - Terminal Preppie/Moral Majority
BEDHEAD - Crushing
music under talking - Inglorious Basterds OST

hot in herrre

2009-08-09T16:41:00.003-06:00

It's summer and things slowed down, but Tom & Will have managed to piece together a few new releases for your hot night listening.

mp3 shoebox
SAFW~Podcast Episode 21

To subscribe in iTunes - click the "Advanced" menu then choose "Subscribe to Podcast" in the dialogue box type "http://shoesareforwork.libsyn.com/rss"

tracklist:
STARLIGHT MINTS - Paralyzed
COLD CAVE - The Trees Grew And Emotions Died
FRUIT BATS - My Unusual Friend
JULIAN PLENTI - Games For Days
DRUG RUG - Never Tell
JAY REATARD - It Ain't Gonna Save Me
NURSES - Caterpillar Playground
HATCHAM SOCIAL - Crocodile
GANGLIANS - Valient Brave
TINY VIPERS - Dreamer
TY SEGALL - Standing At The Station
AMANDA BLANK - Make Up

!!!GATEWAY DRUGS!!!
Prince - Sister
Nar - Cool District

yeah yeah

2009-06-28T09:43:00.003-06:00

Despite the relentlessness of Jazz In June and the onslaught of dead celebrities, Tom, Will, and Travis have put together another episode of recent releases.

To subscribe in iTunes - click the "Advanced" menu then choose "Subscribe to Podcast" in the dialogue box type "http://shoesareforwork.libsyn.com/rss"

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast~Episode 20

Tracklist:
SUNSET RUBDOWN - Idiot Heart
LIECHTENSTEIN - All At Once
WILCO (the band) - Wilco (The Song)
REGINA SPEKTOR - Laughing With
TORTOISE - Prepare Your Coffin
BUSDRIVER - Me-Time (With Pulmonary Palimpsets)
DIRTY PROJECTORS - Stillness Is The Move
DINOSAUR JR. - Over It
SONIC YOUTH - Sacred Trickster
GOD HELP THE GIRL - Come Monday Night

++!!GATEWAY DRUGS!!++
DOSH - Naoise
Yé-yé GIRLS - FRANCOISE HARDY - Tous Les Garçons Et Les Filles

with background noise from CHUCK, THE SECRET STARS, THE FIELD

campers

2009-06-04T08:06:00.002-06:00

It was time for a field trip. Will, Tom, and Travis take it outdoors for this episode. To subscribe in iTunes - click the "Advanced" menu then choose "Subscribe to Podcast" in the dialogue box type "http://shoesareforwork.libsyn.com/rss"

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SAFW Podcast~Episode19

GRIZZLY BEAR - Cheerleader
TYVEK - Hey Una
BLANK DOGS - Blue Light
THE INTELLIGENCE - Thank You God For Fixing The Tape Machine
THE WARLOCKS - Red Camera
CLUES - Perfect Fit
BLACK MOTH SUPER RAINBOW - Born On A Day the Sun Didn't Rise
STARDEATH & WHITE DWARFS - Age Of The Freak
POINT JUNCTION, WA - Sick On Sugar
NAOMI SHELTON & THE GOSPEL QUEENS - What Have You Done?
PISCES - Dear One
SIR RICHARD BISHOP - Kaddak El Mayass
IGGY POP - I Want To go To The Beach
LOXSLY - Battalions
playing in the background during talking because it's so fucking long
SUNNO))) - Alice

liars

2009-06-04T08:03:00.002-06:00

Tom, Will, And Travis are back with some bombastic half truths and hyperbolic narratives.

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast~Episode 18

tracklist:
MEAT PUPPETS - Rotten Shame
JARVIS COCKER - I Never Said I Was Deep
JEFFREY LEWIS & THE JUNKYARD - To Be Objectified
BRICOLAGE - Bayonets
VASELINES - You Think You're A Man
THE WOODEN BIRDS - False Alarm
PASSION PIT - Little Secrets
JABEE - Little Earth feat. L.E.G.A.C.Y and Ob-one
I AND I- The Top
SAMANTHA CRAIN & THE MIDNIGHT SHIVERS - Long Division
JORGE BEN - Ponta De Lança Africano (Umbabarauma)
JOHN VANDERSLICE - Fetal Horses

++GATEWAY DRUGS++
PULP - Do You Remember The First Time?
UNWOUND - Petals Like Bricks
WIPERS - Over The Edge

this is sooo creepy

2009-05-01T17:42:00.002-06:00

The new SAFW podcast is up and ready for download. Travis, Tom, & Will get a special surprise visitor & play new tracks from recent album releases!
You can avoid downloading manually by going to the Advanced menu in you iTunes and choosing "Subscribe to Podcast". Type (or cut and paste) http://shoesareforwork.libsyn.com/rss in the little ol' box and it'll all be automatic from here on out.

Tracklist:
PEACHES -Serpentine
AKRON/FAMILY - Creatures
ST. VINCENT - The Strangers
GREAT NORTHERN - Fingers
SILVERSUN PICKUPS - Panic Switch
MICACHU - Just In Case
ART BRUT - Slap Dash For No Cash
MIKA MIKO - Sex Jazz
THEE OH SEES - Enemy Destruct
WOODEN SHJIPS - For So Long
PINK MOUNTAINTOPS - While We Were Dreaming
JOKER'S DAUGHTER - Under The Influence Of Jaffa Cakes
CAMERA OBSCURA - French Navy

!!GATEWAY DRUGS!!
THE REPLACEMENTS - Kiss Me On The Bus
THEE OH SEES - If I Had A Reason

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast ~ Episode 17

sweet sixteen norman music festival edition

2009-04-06T10:39:00.003-06:00

It took some work, but Will and Tom have put together a podcast of select artists from the 2nd Norman Music Festival line-up. With more than five stages and 70+ acts, this is going to blow away last year's party on Main Street. Plan on making a day of it April 25th.

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SAFW Podcast~Episode 16 Norman Music Festival Edition

tracklist:
EL PASO HOT BUTTON - Strobelight Honey
STUDENT FILM - Ye Tremble, Carcass?
MAN MAN - Ballad Of Butter Beans
STARLIGHT MINTS- Popsicle
OF MONTREAL - Beware Our Nubile Miscreants
STARDEATH & WHITE DWARFS - Chemical
UGLYSUIT -...And We Became Sunshine
BILLY JOE SHAVER - Thunderbird
LOCUST AVENUE - Frenzy
RAINBOWS ARE FREE - Crystal Ball
SUGAR & GOLD - Sex in the City
DORIAN SMALL - Newlyweds
TEA LEAF GREEN - Red Ribbons
EARLY BEAT - Back & Forth
CROCODILE - We Speak For Everyone

this stuff is horrible

2009-04-02T18:36:00.002-06:00

Here it is, seems like forever since we recorded last. Episode 15 is chock full of music we don't like. Not really, there's a lot of good stuff packed into this one.

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast~Episode 15

psst...tracklist in comments

denopolis

2009-03-16T07:22:00.003-06:00

Efterklang are joined by Human Highway (w/ Nick from Islands) in a Danish invasion of the Opolis tonight as they make their way to SXSW with some 1200 other bands. I expect that there will be upwards of 7-8 people on stage as Efterklang, who make their home in Copenhagen, bring their unique mix of Sigur Ros (was that too easy?) and Arcade Fire to Opolis's smallish room. This will definitely be something to see and remember and one hell of a nice kick off to your Spring Break week. Get there early - you don't want to miss Human Highway!

mp3 shoebox
Efterklang~Mirador
Efterklang~Cutting Ice To Snow
Efterklang~Towards The Bare Hill
Efterklang~Monopolist
Human Highway~The Sound

fun with furrys

2009-03-09T09:00:00.002-06:00

Portland sextet, Blitzen Trapper, make a return visit to the Opolis tonight. Their latest album Furr has been a huge success what with its catchy tunes and all.
Also playing tonight is psych folky singer songwriter, Alela Diane. Her latest album, To Be Still, was just released on Rough Trade. We played a song from the album on podcast Episode 13 or you can take a listen below.
I can't think of any reason you shouldn't be there tonight, so go already. You may want to pick up advance tickets for this one - check Guestroom Norman early today (they may be gone already).

mp3 shoebox
Blitzen Trapper~Gold For Bread
Blitzen Trapper~Furr
Alela Diane~White As Diamonds

your socks are slipping

2009-03-08T21:23:00.004-06:00

Ahhhh - Episode 14 of the SAFW Podcast is now living. Take a listen then buy some music. I dare you.

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast~Episode 14

tracklist in comments.

told you i was going to do show previews

2009-02-27T09:07:00.005-06:00

photo by xian pitt

Tomorrow's a big day, well night anyway. It's the first Starlight Mints show that I can remember in a while. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for their upcoming tour to support the new album (now being wrapped up) and their big stage show at the Norman Music Festival in April. There's a new direction in the new songs for the Starlight Mints and I can't wait to hear these songs live at the Opolis.
Opening the night is Crocodile, one of my favorite local bands. They've started to get some recognition beyond Oklahoma and are playing a showcase at SXSW next month. The family ties trio are also working on recording a new album as the follow-up to their well recieved EP, The Great Depression.
Tickets for the show are availible at Guestroom Norman (no surcharge) and OKCTickets.com (ridiculous surcharge).

mp3 shoebox
Crocodile ~ August Is Over
Starlight Mints ~Pumpkin
Starlight Mints ~ Inside Of Me
*sorry kids, you have to go to the show to hear the new ones!

deathisode 13

2009-02-23T15:30:00.003-06:00

Episode 13 of the podcast is live and we got a special friend with us this time!
Tracklist:
Dark Was The Night/The National - So Far Around the Bend
Morrissey - I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
...And You Will Know us By the Trail Of Dead - Isis Unveiled
Alela Diane - White Diamonds
Vetiver - Everyday
Asobi Seksu - Me & Mary
Black Lips - Short Fuse
Psapp - The Monster Song
Sholi - Tourniquet
Mi Ami - New Guitar
Odd Nosdam - Fly Mode
Abe Vigoda - Don't Lie
Iran - I Can See the Future

GATEWAY DRUGS!
Sheffield synth pop
Cabaret Voltaire - Kino

Touch & Go is closing!
Jesus Lizard - Thumbscrews

RIP Lux Interior
The Cramps - Green Fuzz

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast ~ Episode 13

it's been 10 years since this podcast was this good

2009-02-11T09:57:00.003-06:00

Look kids! It's Episode 12 of the SAFW podcast!

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SAFW Podcast ~ Episode 12
tracklist in comments

keep it smooth

2009-01-19T10:53:00.003-06:00

Here comes Episode 11 of the podcast. Keep the fire; keep it smooth. Here are a few new releases from the last week or so and an introduction to a very special man.
Tracklist is in comments.

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast - Episode 11

Episode 10

2008-12-29T10:16:00.004-06:00

It's about bleedin' time. A new episode of the podcast is now up. Number ten - packed with best of the year goodness!

Tracklist in comments.

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast ~ Episode 10

doing it anyway, you bastards

2008-11-21T19:50:00.003-06:00

There's a new podcast ready for your lovin'.

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast ~ Episode 9

tracklist in the comments

DCMA wiped me out!

2008-11-07T17:07:00.002-06:00

Hey there. Apparently, I don't have permission to play things on the podcast that are sent to me with the express intention that I share them. Thus, to cover their own asses, blogger has removed the post from this site that had the last podcast (episode8) on it.
If you want a link to the podcast, hit me up in an email and it shall be yours.
This really pisses me off. More so because I haven't been told what track was the cause of the alleged offense, only that something was and now the post is gone. You can't see it. I can't see it.
If you are the jerks who think I don;t have the permission you or your representation gave me - email me and I will fix it. It says so right over there in the space under the picture of shoes. Email me and I will remove whatever you want without asking any questions or argument.

btw, I suspect it was bloc party.

again

2008-11-05T10:08:00.000-06:00

AMERICA AGAIN.

Let America Be America Again

by Langston Hughes

Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.

(There's never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")

Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek—
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of owning everything for one's own greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.
I am the worker sold to the machine.
I am the Negro, servant to you all.
I am the people, humble, hungry, mean—
Hungry yet today despite the dream.
Beaten yet today—O, Pioneers!
I am the man who never got ahead,
The poorest worker bartered through the years.

Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream
In the Old World while still a serf of kings,
Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true,
That even yet its mighty daring sings
In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned
That's made America the land it has become.
O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas
In search of what I meant to be my home—
For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore,
And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea,
And torn from Black Africa's strand I came
To build a "homeland of the free."

The free?

Who said the free? Not me?
Surely not me? The millions on relief today?
The millions shot down when we strike?
The millions who have nothing for our pay?
For all the dreams we've dreamed
And all the songs we've sung
And all the hopes we've held
And all the flags we've hung,
The millions who have nothing for our pay—
Except the dream that's almost dead today.

O, let America be America again—
The land that never has been yet—
And yet must be—the land where every man is free.
The land that's mine—the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME—
Who made America,
Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,
Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,
Must bring back our mighty dream again.

Sure, call me any ugly name you choose—
The steel of freedom does not stain.
From those who live like leeches on the people's lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!

O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath—
America will be!

Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain—
All, all the stretch of these great green states—
And make America again!

capital vice 7

2008-10-31T06:48:00.003-06:00

Looky there (p.76 or so)! We got mentioned twice in the new issue of Oklahoma Magazine. I am forced to admit, despite my snarky attitude and my general disdain for that publication, I kinda dig the local acknowledgment and it's good to see the larger piece on Ryan and the work he does with Oklahoma Rock.com.

Back to matters at hand...
Tonight, in a room sure to be crowed with ironic and witty-esque costumes, Magnolia Electric Co. plays the Opolis. This is the second night of Hallopolis, the first was last night and my review for that show which featured local heroes, Evangelicals, doesn't exist because I was kept away by evil forces. Allergies. Bad, bad allergies.
Magnolia Electric Co. is fronted by one Jason Molina. Molina seems to always be touring and is one of the most prolific songwriters I know. Evidence of such can be found in last year's Sojourner Box Set which contains four complete albums from which he wittled 2006's Fading Trails release. He also has a collaborative project with Will Johnson (Centro-Matic) scheduled for release early next year as well as post-tour recording for a new Magnolia Electric Co.. This guy never stops. Magnolia has a powerful Neil Young vibe driven by Molina's soulful voice and guitar work alternating between crunchy and delicate. Tonight is guaranteed to be a spectacular evening...see you at the Opolis.

mp3 shoebox
Magnolia Electric Co.~The Dark Don't Hide It
Magnolia Electric Co.~Lonesome Valley
Magnolia Electric Co.~Doing Something Wrong
Magnolia Electric Co.~Farewell Transmission

flatliners

2008-10-28T08:44:00.002-06:00

It's official, Wired has declared that blogs are dead. In order to bring myself into compliance, I am killing off Shoes Are For Work. Sort of.
We (I) will now narrow our (my) focus, only posting local show recaps or previews and podcast updates. The music that is usually here will now only be found in those two contexts. Look for a new format and logo/banner to accompany this new focus as well. You know how the death card in a tarot deck isn't all bad? Well, this'll be like that.
mp3 shoebox
Bloc Party - Trojan Horse

first of several changes

2008-10-24T06:49:00.002-06:00

It's been two weeks and we're back with a nice dose of healing for your ails. Not only that, but we've added a new segment! Change is everywhere.
This episode's tracks:
Deerhoof - Offend Maggie
Japanese Motors - Better Trends
Jay Reatard - Always Wanting More
Giant Sand - Belly Full Of Fire"
I'm From Barcelona - Ophelia
Tobacco - Dirt (ft. Aesop Rock)
The Dears - Money Babies
Sebastian Grainger - Who Do We Care For?
Jolie Holland - Mexico City
Of Montreal - Id Engager
Pit Er Pat - Evacuation Days
Parts & Labor - Nowheres Nigh
White Hinterland - Chant De Grillon
++Gateway Drugs++
Buzzcocks - What Do I Get
Kind Of Like Spitting - When I'm Gone

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast~Episode 7
Sebastian Grainger~American Names
Electric Six~Formula 409
Secret Machines~Atomic Heels
BMSR~Happy Melted City

garden party

2008-10-07T08:43:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow the Opolis presents mr. Gnome and locals, Junebug Spade. mr. Gnome jumped into the #1 blogged about band with their release of "Pirates" from their latest album and have an intriguing mix of Pelican, PJ Harvey, and Blonde Redhead in their sound. I think you need to check this show...

Guitarist/vocalist Nicole Barille and drummer Sam Meister began experimenting a few years ago with a sound based on minimalist instrumentation and the rigid dichotomy of soft vs. loud and masculine vs. feminine. Within a year, the two released their first EP, Echoes On The Ground, and were touring the regional circuit. Their second EP, self-titled (Mr. Gnome), was released in November of 2006 and the two, having hooked up with Lost Barrio Artists, a booking agency based out of Tucson, AZ now found themselves touring nationally. After completing their first two national tours, Barille and Meister found it hard to go back to the daily grind and felt an immediate urgency to continue traveling the countryside.

With the road calling, Barille and Meister ditched their belongings in a storage space and temporarily parted ways with the Midwest. mr. Gnome, an officially homeless band, began touring the United States, living out of a van and sleeping on random couches for the second part of 2007. With a handful of new material in their set list, the two used practice spots along the way to complete the writing of their new creation and by the force of their journey, discovered both Larry Crane’s Jackpot Studios (Elliott Smith, Cat Power, The Shins, The Decemberists) in Portland, Oregon and Craig Schumacher’s Wavelab Studios (Calexico, DeVotchka, Neko Case, Animal Collective) in Tucson, Arizona where they recorded their first full-length album with engineers Kendra Lynn, and Chris Schultz. mr. Gnome headed back to Cleveland to put the finishing touches on their album at Ante Up Audio (Bone Thugs N’ Harmony, Tori Amos, Guided By Voices) working with Michael Seifert. The album was then mixed at Butch Vig’s Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin by Beau Sorenson (Death Cab For Cutie).

mp3 shoebox
mr. Gnome ~ Pirates
mr. Gnome ~ Rabbit
mr. Gnome ~ Night Of The Crickets
viddy:

can't get it right

2008-10-06T07:43:00.002-06:00

Hey look! It's a new post. This one is for the podcast. I had some bandwidth trouble a week or so ago and have been too lazy to make things happen on this page. As some sort of poorly conceived consolation, I offer Episode 6 of the SAFW Podcast.
Tom and I have a boatload of new releases in this episode.

tracklist:
TV On The Radio - Dancing Choose (Prefuse73 remix)
Jobriath - I'm A Man
Cold War Kids - Something Is Not Right With Me
Pica Beats - Hope, was Not A Smith Family Tradition
Yelle - Je Veux Te Voir
Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue
Emiliana Torriini - Big Jumps
Dungen - Finns Det Nagon Mojlighet
Joseph Arthur & The Lonely Astronauts - Faith
Dear And The Headlights - I'm Not Crying, You're Not Crying, Are You?
Mogwai - Batcat
Polysics - イロトカゲ
Vivian Girls - Such A Joke
Fucked Up - Crooked Head
Department Of Eagles - No One Does It
Women - Black Rice
Margot & The Nuclear So And So's - Holy Cow!

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast~Episode 6
Dungen ~ Set Att Se
Beaujolais ~ Friday The Thirteenth: The Loft
Western States Motel ~ Oh World
Mercury Rev ~ Senses On Fire
Koushik ~ Lying In The Sun 2

deli parsons tribute tonight

2008-09-19T09:35:00.000-06:00

a stark and beautiful place to kill yourself with drugs and drink
Joshua Tree California © Rick Chapman 1999

This is gonna come off all wrong, but I really don't care at this point...
Tonight at the Deli, some of the areas best musicians are gathering to celebrate the music of Gram Parsons. Parsons, argued by some to be one of the most important players in the creation and popularization of country rock (or what has become alt-country), died as a result of his body's rejection of copious amounts of drugs on this date in 1973 just after finishing the recording of Grievous Angel. I can't stand most of anything he did. That being said, his biography is pretty impressive (up until the death part) and has been done by others you can find in a quick Google click. I won't do that part here. I think it would be too smart-assed in tone anyway for too many fans.
Instead, I started thinking about what the me of today would have been listening to in 1973 had I not been only two years old. A little wiki walk told me very quickly. Among the other albums released that year were some of the most innovative and long lasting records in my collection. David Bowie collapsed in NYC, said good-bye to Ziggy in London, and shuttled in Aladdin Sane. In the US, Iggy and the Stooges unleashed Raw Power. Fripp & Eno brought on (No Pussyfooting). Cale gave us Paris 1919. T. Rex rolled out Tanx. Nico sang The End while Reed (someone bit him on the add in March of that year) moved in with Berlin. Stevie Wonder showed us Innervisions and Neu! clanged out Neu!2. All that and Kiss formed too!

mp3 shoebox
Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris~Love Hurts
David Bowie~Drive-In Saturday
Stevie Wonder~Living For The City (live at the Hollywood Bowl?)
Roxy Music~Do The Strand
Neu!~Super
Iggy & The Stooges~Gimme Danger

it's dark in here

2008-09-16T07:36:00.002-06:00

Hands down, one of my favorite albums this year is 2 from Darker My Love. It's choc full of fuzzy psychedelia washed out by the sun that reminds me of the best mix of Suede, Silversun Pickups, and The Stone Roses. I'm kinda bummed that their tour with the Dandy Warhols (who now have decided to completely suck) only brings them as close as Lawrence, but they have created a tourzine blog that might help, if only ever so slightly, make up for it.
US Tour Dates
w/ The Dandy Warhols
9/12 Chicago, IL - Vic Theater
9/13 Toronto, ON - Kool Haus
9/14 Montreal, QC - Club Soda
9/16 Boston, MA - Wilbur Theatre
9/17 New York, NY - Terminal 5
9/20 Philadelphia, PA - TLA
9/22 Washington, DC - 930 Club
9/23 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse!
9/26 Lawrence, KS - Liberty Hall
9/27 Denver, CO - Gothic Theater
9/28 Aspen, CO - Belly Up

mp3 shoebox
Darker My Love~Northern Soul
Darker My Love~Two Ways Out

big dog, little dog

2008-09-15T11:12:00.003-06:00

Daizey - the big one

Pippi, the small one

I have two dogs. One is big, the other little. They are amazing opposites of one another; as a matter of fact, that they are dogs is where the similarities end. Big dog barks at squirrles; little dog runs and hides from the barking. Little dog could care less when we're eating; big dog would pull up a chair if we let her. Big dog is afraid of flies; little dog is chasing one around the house right now. I love my dogs.

mp3 shoebox
El Perro Del Mar ~ Dog
Depeche Mode ~ Fly On the Windscreen
The Cramps ~ Human Fly

pirate

2008-08-23T06:04:00.005-06:00

I am not above stealing (at least today).
I was putting something like this together and then I saw Ryan did it first, drat. Repost from OklahomaRock.com:

Guestroom Records turns 5 this weekend!

Buy some records, buy some t-shirts and enjoy the sounds of Rainbows are Free, Evangelicals, Early Beat, Toil & Trouble, Locust Avenue, Ghost of Monkshood & Crocodile.

DOWNLOADS:
Crocodile - “August is Over”
Early Beat - “Maybe I Love You”
Evangelicals - “Skeleton Man”
Ghost of Monkshood - “Moon Signs”
Locust Avenue - “Diamond Planet”
Rainbows Are Free - “Are You Dead?”
Toil & Trouble - “When They Found My Father”

funfunfun

2008-08-22T07:13:00.003-06:00

Just yesterday, the second hottest MILF I know told me about this year's line-up for Austin's Funfunfun Festival. I have to admit that I've kinda sworn off of festivals, but I am also a fan of moral relativism (STAGE 3 - Holy shit!) .....

Stage 1:

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
The National
Atmosphere
Minus The Bear
St. Vincent
Trail of Dead
Deerhoof
Rival Schools
Islands
The Annuals
Bishop Allen
Centro-matic
Sleepercar
Frightened Rabbit
Spinto Band
Parts and Labor
Colourmusic
Experimental Dental School
27
Till We're Blue or Destroy
Paul Green's School of Rock...and more!

Stage 2:

Shearwater
Tim Fite
Magnetic Morning (Adam Franklin of Swervedriver & Sam Fogarino of Interpol)
Kevin Seconds (of 7 Seconds)
The Revival Tour w/:
Chuck Ragan (of Hot Water Music)
Tom Gabel (of Against Me!)
Ben Nichols (of Lucero)
Tim Barry (of Avail)
The Tim and Eric Awesome Show
The Cynics
Ugly Beats
El Paso Hot Button
Walter Schreifels (of Quicksand, Rival Schools, GB, YOT)
Coldtowne Comedy Hour
Pepi Ginsberg
Altercation Punk Rock Comedy Hour
Matt Bearden
Chris Fairbanks
Frank Smith....and more!

Stage 3:

Bad Brains
ALL
Dead Milkmen
Flipper
Adolescents
Integrity
Bouncing Souls
Swingin Utters
DOA
Cro-mags (jam)
Scared of Chaka (Dave from The Shins)
Young Widows
Leftover Crack
Trash Talk
World Burns to Death
Krumbums
Mammoth Grinder
Cute Lepers
Bitter End
High Tension Wires
Born to Lose

Stage 4:

Clipse
Z-trip
Dan Deacon
Grupo Fantasma
Kool Keith/Dr. Octagon
Dengue Fever
Brownout
Franki Chan
Toxic Avenger
Hawnay Troof
Starlynx & Bigface
Yacht
Richard Henry....and more!

Tickets go on sale Friday, August 22nd (TODAY) through Front Gate Tickets.

know your icon

2008-08-20T07:04:00.002-06:00

I don't know - it's just funny.
http://thewebsiteisdown.com/

i can't decide

2008-08-20T06:29:00.003-06:00

There are plenty of you out there who dig Lykke Li so this is for you. I honestly can't decide what I think of this project, but what does that matter? Nothing, I'm sure. My nine year old daughter likes it. I guess I do to; I just don't know if I will in three months. Her new album, Youth Novels, came out yesterday and, if hype is any predictor, it will be huge.
There's also a tour starting up:
08.25.08 - Los Angeles, CA - Hotel Café (SOLD OUT)
08.28.08 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge (SOLD OUT)
10.19.08 - Washington, DC - Black Cat
10.20.08 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
10.23.08 - Boston, MA - Paradise
10.24.08 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club
10.25.08 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
10.28.08 - Vancouver, BC - Richards on Richards
10.29.08 - Seattle, WA - Neumo's
10.30.08 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
11.01.08 - San Francisco, CA - Independent
11.03.08 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey

mp3 shoebox
Lykke Li~Little Bit (Loving Hand Remix)

bring out your dead

2008-08-19T06:27:00.003-06:00

this is what i'm bringing

They were just here last Friday, but if you're like me you don't have the time or money to worry about showing up early for a Trent Reznor egofest in hopes of hearing them live with diminished sound and lights. Tonight, A Place To Bury Strangers makes their third OKC metro appearance in the last six months. This go 'round they'll be at the Opolis with opening act, El Paso Hot Button. You will only like this show if you like music; otherwise, you should just stay home.

mp3 shoebox
A Place To Bury Strangers~I Know I'll See You
El Paso Hot Button~James Ames Dame

don't really know why it took me so long to get back

2008-08-18T08:05:00.004-06:00

photo stolen from flickr

But here I am. It's like I'm gung-ho for a week or so and then I peter out. Like you even care.....
I've decided, after taking a 20 year hiatus, to begin running again. Somehow, I realized that simply wishing away my gut was only making it get bigger. So a little help from the fine folks at Runner's World, and I was off this morning in a foggy haze of drizzle and Jay. Some post-run conclusions: I need new shoes & Jay Reatard is perfect as a running partner.

mp3 shoebox
Jay Reatard - In Heaven (I didn't run with this one, but it's fun anyway)
Jay Reatard - See Saw

how positive are you

2008-07-31T06:43:00.003-06:00

new review from our friend The Observer:
There’s gonna come a time when you’re gonna have to listen to whoever is going to get you the highest, and since their 2004 debut Almost Killed Me, for many that’s meant listening to The Hold Steady. Stay Positive marks the band’s fourth full-length release, and with it they continue to impress. Expanding on their already substantial library of literary references, including lyrics from their own catalogue, its becoming obvious that Craig Finn will never run out of subject material to write about, nor will he ever rest with his continuing ability to turn a single night’s happenings into an epic narrative.

I must admit, however, that this album took a little getting used to on the first couple of listens. The band appears to be making the move from hook-driven structures overlaid with Finn’s seemingly sporadic bursts of story-telling to a more conventional cadence. Finns lyrics are beginning to find themselves more self-contained within each line as Tad Kubler’s guitar acts more as a device of depth and sincerity rather than an in-your-face mean of attack.

Perhaps the most discernable difference in The Hold Steady’s formula is evident on two of the albums tracks; the presence of Franz Nicolay’s keyboards takes on the new roll of providing over-the-top synth lines as the lead instead of the previously prevalent piano and organ. “One for the Cutters” is a shining example of Nicolay’s new sound, reminiscent of an late 80’s video game theme (I don’t really remember what Castlevania sounded like, but that’s the image that comes to mind). The synth line provides the backbone for one of Finn’s expertly constructed stories of a party gone wrong, with the subject witnessing a knife fight involving her crush, and ultimately trying to provide an alibi attesting his innocence. The song leaves you pondering “When a townie falls in the forest can anyone hear it?”

Stay Positive’s title track is an anthem to all that The Hold Steady stands for: kids going to shows, staying positive (I bet you didn’t see that one coming), and talking about “the scene.” This is achieved by making numerous references to their own career through phrases from past songs like “Positive Jam” from Almost Killed Me, “Hornets! Hornets!” off of 2005’s Separation Sunday, and “Massive Nights” from their last release, 2006’s Boys and Girls in America.

“Lord I’m Discouraged” introduces a southern-rock epic style to the band’s repertoire (a track that would have been better served by The Drive-By Truckers’ Patterson Hood than “Navy Sheets” where he does appear). Nevertheless, the song is a powerful example of The Hold Steady’s ability to deliver simply moving work. The lyrics are full of loss and hopelessness, which are fortified by a phenomenal guitar solo by Kubler that seems to mourn along side Finns words.

The Hold Steady managed to produce another great album with Stay Positive. It is full of stylistic evolution, while at the same time holding on to the band’s gritty bar-rock roots. With all it has to offer, it will without a doubt keep their fans coming back for more while earning some new ones along the way.

mp3 shoebox

Hold Steady~Sequestered In Memphis
Hold Steady~Slapped Actress

Newly added tour dates:
08-01 San Diego, CA - Casbah
08-02 Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre %
08-05 Dallas, TX - The Loft %
08-06 Austin, TX - The Parish %
08-07 Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's %
08-08 Oxford, MS - Proud Larry's %
08-09 Athens, GA - 40 Watt %
08-10 Charleston, SC - The Pourhouse %
08-12 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle %
08-13 Norfolk, VA - The Norva %
08-14 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club %
08-16 Chelmsford, England - Hylands Park (V Festival)
08-17 Staffordshire, England - Weston Park (V Festival)
09-29 Oxford, England - Academy
09-30 Manchester, England - Manchester University
10-01 Glasgow, Scotland - ABC
10-02 Wolverhampton, England - Wulfrun Hall
10-04 Bristol, England - Anson Rooms
10-05 Nottingham, England - Rock City
10-06 Portsmouth, England - Pyramids
10-08 London, England - Roundhouse
10-09 Paris, France - Nouveau Casino
10-11 Hamburg, Germany - Knust
10-12 Cologne, Germany - Luxor
10-13 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
10-15 Oslo, Norway - Rockerfeller
10-16 Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Slussen
10-17 Goteborg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
10-19 Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega
10-20 Berlin, Germany - Columbia Club
10-21 Vienna, Austria - WUK
10-22 Munich, Germany - Ampere

% with the Loved Ones

film's rolling

2008-07-24T15:15:00.003-06:00

This may be late notice for some, but it's still worth you knowing about:

Dreamer Concepts Studio & Foundation (DCSF), located at 324 East Main Street, is hosting the first of 4 films; Libby, Montana in the 2008 Summer Film in the Alley series this Thursday, July 24th. DCSF has chosen works by Doug Hawes-Davis. DCSF is honored to present the Oklahoma premieres of works by this award winning documentary filmmaker because of his remarkable artistic contributions in both the for-profit and non-profit arenas. Doug Hawes-Davis founded the internationally-recognized Big Sky Documentary Film Festival and co-founded High Plains Films. Over the past 13 years this "do it all yourself" filmmaker has collaborated on more than twenty documentaries. His documentaries have been screened around the world and have won more than 40 awards. Challenging in both form and content; his work is intended to provide insight into the relationship between human society and the natural world.

Libby, Montana will begin around 8:30pm/dusk in the alley behind DCSF. Admission is $5. Please bring a lawn chair because seating is not provided.

A little about the film:
A small rural town in Montana is besieged with one of the largest health crises in U.S. history. The town scrambles to treat hundreds that are sick and dying from asbestos contamination, and the residents are left to wonder: How did this happen in modern America?

So there you go - see the movie and then make your way over to the Deli to catch the Ethereals and Locust Avenue.

mp3 shoebox
Locust Avenue~Skeletons

podcast with some music and everything

2008-07-24T10:34:00.002-06:00

Ahhhh - half the year has gone by so Tom and Will Guestroom have decided to share a few songs from a few of the best albums thus far this year. It's in the 3rd Episode of the SAFW podcast.

Replacements-I Will Dare

Tom's block
Abe Vigoda- The garden
Grouper-Heavy Water I'd Rather Be Sleeping
James Blackshaw-Infinite Circle

Will's block
Black Angels-Doves
The Last Shadow Puppets-Only The Truth
She & Him-I Was Made For You

Tom's 2nd block
Bananas-Gentrification For Dummies
Mt. Eerie-Don't Smoke
Rameses III-Origins III

Will's 2nd block
Shearwater-Leviathan Bound
Morrissey-All You Need Is Me
Evangelicals-Paperback Suicide

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast ~ Episode 3

if you only knew

2008-07-23T07:09:00.004-06:00

After having released Jeff Hanson’s universally acclaimed debut Son, and his similarly embraced self-titled second album, Kill Rock Stars is proud to be a part of this talented singer-songwriter’s latest effort in a musical career spanning more than a decade. Jeff Hanson will be releasing his third LP, Madam Owl, for the now legendary label August 19th, 2008.

This record, like its two predecessors, contains a set of pop-music symphonies, every one of which feels like it could be the record’s single. Not that this album marks a radical departure from the Jeff Hanson of his previous two records – the essential elements are all still here. As nobody sings quite like Jeff Hanson, Billboard proposes “Hanson's reedy voice pairs gorgeously with his simple, poignant arrangements and even makes the most morose moments affecting.” Along with his remarkable voice is another quality for which Jeff has earned a reputation: consistency. The bare acoustic prettiness of his debut Son and the handcrafted pop-cleverness of Jeff Hanson have been developed here even further. On Madam Owl (the name comes from an unused potential song title), a bent towards the baroque allows Jeff’s voice to find its harmonious place in an ensemble of timeless instruments rather than fill the role of the instruments themselves.

Now at 30, Jeff is able to demonstrate the calm and assured self-possession of a true veteran. Jeff Hanson’s Madam Owl is now available for pre-order from Kill Rock Stars, every order also comes with a free album poster.

mp3 shoebox
Jeff Hanson~If Only I Knew

only two months later

2008-06-25T09:52:00.002-06:00

After working out a few technical issues and throwing away an entire initial recording, Will and Tom are back with a new podcast episode. This time we have a few mid-summer releases, some show updates, and some breaking news (at least at the time of recording).

Sigur Rós-Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur
The Anniversary-I Believe That The End Of The Reign Of Terror Is Soon Near
Jay Reatard-Tiny Little Nome
Nurse With Wound-Ketamineaphonia
The Watson Twins-How Am I To Be
The Wombats-Let's Dance To Joy Division
Earlimart-Song For
Albert Hammond Jr-Bargain Of A Century
Ratatat-Mirando
The Saturday Knights-Dog Park

mp3 shoebox
SAFW Podcast - Episode 2

oceans will rise

2008-06-02T06:44:00.004-06:00

from release...
Arts & Crafts released the details of The Stills forthcoming album. Oceans Will Rise, the band's third album and first for Arts & Crafts, is set for official release throughout North America August 19, 2008. Recorded and produced once again by Gus Van Go with Werner F, Oceans Will Rise marks not so much a departure for the band as a bold new musical stride forward, meshing together and elaborating distinct sounds of their previous two records. "We’ve never felt such a raw energy of inspiration before," commented Tim Fletcher, "We’ve never felt more driven collectively as a band as we do right now and I think you can feel that throughout the album."

The Stills played four well-received shows at this year’s SXSW Music Festival and continue to preview material with more dates (albeit in Canada) this June:
June 10 - Ottawa, ON @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
June 11 - Toronto, ON @ The Mod Club (NXNE)
June 28 - Beauce, QC @ Woodstock en Beauce

Artwork for the album was completed by the New York City based visual artist, Gordon Hull, from the acclaimed company, Surface 2 Air. Gordon has contributed works for the band’s previously released albums and continues with this photograph of his work, a gold-leafed human skull. "It reminds me of ‘Pulp Fiction’ and that briefcase," says Dave Hamelin "The skull seems like something that could have been in that case, what everybody wanted. It doesn’t seem like the typical symbol of death – it’s more like a symbol of life."

Oceans Will Rise is The Stills’ next great chapter. The band is excited to share the new album and the material live. "The Stills are back, back, back," declared the NME.

mp3 shoebox
The Stills~Being Here
The Stills~Rooibos / Palm Wine Drinkard

Oceans Will Rise track listing:
Don’t Talk Down
Snow In California
Snakecharming The Masses
Being Here
Everything I Build
Panic
Eastern Europe
Hands On Fire
Dinosaurs
I’m With You
Rooibos / Palm Wine Drinkard
Statue Of Sirens

drip drip drip drip

2008-05-28T08:33:00.002-06:00

Not too long ago We Are Free sent out the Yeasayer album and now they are set to release Ponytail's debut record, Ice Cream Spiritual. With layered gang-ish vocals and party jangled music, this Baltimore foursome have an explosive summer sound that is ripe for the picking.

mp3 shoebox
Ponytail~Celebrate the Body Electric (It Came From An Angel)

hit it and quit it

2008-05-28T07:07:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, Illegal Art celebrated the release of the first and only definitive Steinski collection, What Does It All Mean?: 1983-2006 Retrospective. 14 retrospective tracks on disc one, and the 28-track “Nothing To Fear” on disc two. The second disc (along with “The Lessons”) is perhaps the most obvious precursor to Girl Talk’s Night Ripper and was described by Salon as “The closest thing to a [mashup] masterpiece the genre has yet produced.” Packaging includes a 20-page booklet featuring liner notes by Hua Hsu (The Wire, New York Times, Village Voice, Slate, etc.) and Steinski himself.

Steinski’s What Does It All Mean?: 1983-2006 Retrospective will be streaming in its entirety this week at AOL Spinner. Paper Thin Walls will also be streaming the retrospective, and will offer a special presentation as Paper Thin Walls’ own Christopher Weingarten has had the opportunity to sit down with the mash-up legend himself for an interview and track-by-track overview of the release at Paper Thin Walls’ “Listening Party.” Get familiar with a legend and listen to the album.

mp3 shoebox
Steinski~The Payoff Mix
Steinski~Lesson Two (James Brown Mix)
Steinski~Lesson Three (History of Hip- Hop)

m.o.s. def

2008-05-24T07:34:00.006-06:00

photo by Crackerfarm

The new Mates Of State album came out this week, much to the chagrin (that's right chagrin) of the idiots over at dickfork, and the Connecticut duo got it right this time.

The follow up to 2006's Bring It Back finds the husband-and-wife duo of Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel moving beyond the traditional organ sound of past records, and adding organic pianos, synths, and a whole new world of instrumentation to the fold. The result is the band's most impressive, varied set of songs to date.

Though conceived (no pun intended) as a duo, Mates Of State have never failed to generate a trademark wall of sound built on dozens of varied voicings of keys, drums, and alternately lushly layered and playfully dueling vocals. On Re-Arrange Us they move beyond these boundaries (their traditional organ sound is a distant memory, replaced with organic piano and synth sounds) with additional instrumentation-not to mention a quantum leap in song craft apparent on instantly indelible gems like "Now," "Jigsaw" and "Get Better." Throughout Re-Arrange Us, Kori's piano and the emergence of both Mates' lead vocals from their trademark harmonizing signal the next stage of Mates Of State's evolution.

mp3 shoebox
Mates Of State~My Only Offer

when you know - you know

2008-05-14T07:42:00.003-06:00

thanks to indie surfer for the heads up on this one...
The two members of The Sweet Serenades, Martin and Mathias, found each other for the first time in May 1991. They were both wearing the same CCCP-cap (a hip thing among pre teens in northern Sweden at the time) and riding similar BMX-bicycles. Ever since then they’ve been inseparable.

The Sweet Serenades was officially formed in Stockholm, Sweden 2002. The sound is mainly influenced by great songs, broken hearts, sexual frustration and musical acts as Tom Waits, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Arcade Fire, The Strokes, ACDC, Eddie Meduza, ABBA, The Technicolors, The Perishers, The Shins and many more. They call it Jungle Rock. Or Testosterone Pop.

So far the band has performed around 50 shows and recorded 2 EPs.

Now what?
At the moment they're working on the debut album to be released in 2008 on Leon Records.

mp3 shoebox
The Sweet Serenades - Coming Closer
The Sweet Serenades - I Can Never Die
The Sweet Serenades - First Taste Of Trouble

you sick bastard

2008-05-13T06:49:00.003-06:00

I have to disclose that when I heard Mickey from El Paso Hot Button wanted to give me a copy of his new split with Attractive and Popular to review I got more excited than I do about most offers to snag a review copy of an album. With each project he takes on EPHB is doing just what an artist should do. Each EPHB album has taken Mickey's familiar schtick and added a new layer of excitement to a formula that, let's face it, could get real tired real fast. The opening eponymous track could easily be a lost track from Tones On Tail and leads into Hot As Fuck, an instant EPHB classic. The frenetic pace we love from the live performances reaches a peak on Tampered With..., a heavy hitting,bare boned pounder that begs to be played at max volume. The EPHB passion continues on Meathunter full of screams, slides and (I swear I saw it) sweat pulsing out of your speakers.
As if the initial EPHB assault wasn't enough, Attractive and Popular step up with Sleep In, maintaining the high volume rythm attack begun on the flip and somehow trying to convince us that they are tired despite the almost barely controlled chaos of their opening track. The next track Dead Dear leaves me with nothing to say except, I think I love this band. On first listen, I found myself going back to this track over and over again. Attractive and Popular bring more sick and fever through the end of the album with the distorted vocal tracks of Hypochondriac Attack somehow luring you closer, just close enough to breathe in a little of the putrid air so you can taste the ill. This virus dies quick though, as we are left after only 24 minutes to collect our belongings and return to the swelter of our own life in hell and clean up the sick from our jungle fever. Jungle Fever/Live From Hell is easily my favorite EPHB album and may have earned a place as one of my top ten this year.
El Paso Hot Button and Attractive and Popular celebrate the release of this phenomenal album this Saturday at the Conservatory. Wearing camouflage will get you in for 5 dollars, otherwise you're looking at 7 bones. It'll be worth getting there early to see Sunshine Bear, John Bourke (Trash Yourself), and The Neighborhood.

mp3 shoebox
El Paso Hot Button~Hot As Fuck
Attractive and Popular~Dead Dear
The Neighborhood~Hot Water

are you still hungover

2008-04-30T08:11:00.003-06:00

photo by Xian Pitt

It took me a few days to get back to normal after the Norman Music Festival. By all accounts the festival was a success. Despite what may have been a total of 11-13,000 people coming through the James Garner Corridor Saturday between noon and midnite, there were no arrests and no reports of violence - except for one really drunk dude with a poster tube who was looking for a fight near the end of the festival.
Rumor has it that planners have already begun thinking about next year and it promises to be even better and the headliners - well, the headliners will be beyond anything a free festival in this state has ever seen or dreamed. Personally, I need to take it a little easier on the bevy next year and maybe try to catch more of the music.

these got me through...
mp3 shoebox
The Dandy Warhols~Cool Scene
My Morning Jacket~Evil Urges
James Brown~Mother Popcorn
Cut Copy~Far Away

and there's this somewhat heavy-handed, but well intentioned festival reaction as well:

Did you have a good time? I know that you did. This festival was one of the best things to ever happen in Norman. I want to make sure that everyone realizes that MOST of the bands who played that day are LOCAL BANDS who play shows around here all the time.

And, sure, the band that you saw and loved at the festival might not be playing again next weekend. But, take a look at their friend list. They've probably got some other great local bands that you've never heard in their friend list.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE use this good experience at the festival as a catalyst for becoming involved in your local music scene. There are so many great bands around here. The only thing that can slow down a growing scene like this is if people don't go out and support them.

If you spent half as much time on the internet searching for good local bands as you do shopping or searching for porn, you'd probably find some bands that make you even more happy than those two things do.

The biggest problem with the local music scene right now, is that so many people don't know how great it is.

TELL THEM!!!
Get involved. Make your own scene.

no use getting fatalistic

2008-04-24T08:45:00.003-06:00

Well, it had to happen sometime.

The premier episode of the Shoes Are For Work podcast is all about the Norman Music Festival. We'll see you on Main Street in Norman 26 April 2008!

Debris-Female Tracks
Chainsaw Kittens-Mother (of the Ancient Birth)
The Polyphonic Spree-The Fragile Army
British Sea Power-Waving Flags
Octopus Project-Truck
Anvil Salute-Abduction
Klipspringer-Put It Out
Evangelicals-Stoned Again
Cheyenne-The Whale
Starkweather Boys-Straight Razor Baby

also there are these from the other day...
mp3 shoebox
Polyphonic Spree~Soldier Girl
Chainsaw Kittens~Silver Millionaire
British Sea Power~Waving Flags
Octopus Project~I Saw The Bright Shinies
Evangelicals~Skeleton Man
Colourmusic~Circles
Cheyenne~The Whale
Anvil Salute~Plushies Unite

trust me i know how lazy this is

2008-04-22T08:14:00.005-06:00

those legs must be 4 ft long

I just really wanted to make sure I shared this release with you:

The Last Shadow Puppets are Miles Kane (from The Rascals) and Alex Turner (you may know him from Arctic Monkeys). Firm friends ever since Arctic Monkeys toured with Kane’s previous group, The Little Flames, the pair were so inspired by listening to the likes of Scott Walker, early Bowie and David Axelrod, that they hatched a plan.
The result, The Age Of The Understatement, is an album of 12 full-blooded songs, bold and brassy, full of drama, wit and melody, that source the past but avoid falling into pastiche. Both Miles and Alex are 22 and this is a youthful record, full of life and the sheer pleasure of music making.

The album was recorded at Black Box Studios near Nantes, France in two weeks during the summer of 2007, James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco) manning both the producer's chair AND the drummer's stool. The band then approached Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy to arrange and conduct the orchestration of the tracks, which were recorded by the 22-piece London Metropolitan Orchestra at British Grove studios in London over Christmas.

The Age Of The Understatement is out in North America on May 6th on Domino.

mp3 shoebox
Last Shadow Puppets~Age Of Understatement
Last Shadow Puppets~My Mistakes Were Made For You

i've done this once already - get with it

2008-04-22T07:35:00.004-06:00

It's countdown time - at least for the coordinators of the 1st Annual Norman Music Festival (which I am now officially referring to as Maverik). This Saturday 26 April! Upwards of 30 bands playing on/at something like 4 or 5 venues. Pedestrian traffic only on the Garner Corridor Arts District. Free beer. No, not really. Food and drink vendors - including 6 dollar vegetarian Frito Chili Pie, drink and a rice crispy treat at the Opolis. Band merch at Guestroom. All in all, I'm not real sure how you can live anywhere near Norman town and not spend your day at the festival. It's free for cryin' out loud.
See you at Maverik!

mp3 shoebox
Polyphonic Spree~Soldier Girl
Chainsaw Kittens~Silver Millionaire
British Sea Power~Waving Flags
Octopus Project~I Saw The Bright Shinies
Evangelicals~Skeleton Man
Colourmusic~Circles
Cheyenne~The Whale
Anvil Salute~Plushies Unite

Here's the lineup
* indicates highly recommended viewing
**indicates miss this and die viewing

West Main Stage Schedule
(located on Main and Jones)
10pm The Polyphonic Spree
8pm Chainsaw Kittens (reunion)
6:30pm British Sea Power
*5:15pm The Octopus Project
*4pm Evangelicals
*3pm Colourmusic
2pm The Neighborhood
12:45pm Umbrellas
*Noon Dorian Small

East Stage Schedule
(located at Main and Porter)
9pm (change pending)
6:30pm The John Arnold Band
**5pm The Starkweather Boys
4pm Taddy Porter
*3pm Cheyenne
*2pm Ryan Lindsey
1pm Tall Cotton String Band
*Noon Ghost of Monkshood

The Sooner Theatre Stage
(located on the corner of Main and Jones)
7pm Born A Number
6pm Citizen 5
*5pm Klipspringer
4pm Gravity Propulsion System
3pm Debris (reunion)
2pm Terry “Buffalo” Ware and The Shambles
1pm Refuje
Noon The Wickers (reunion)
11am Students from McMichael School of Music
Stage hosted by Hoff the Monkey and Galvin & Wilson

MAINSITE Contemporary Art Gallery
6pm White Walls series by John Mooneyham
*5pm Anvil Salute

Dreamer Concepts Studio & Foundation
will host up to six bands throughout the day including:
Gregg Standridge
Supreme U-gene
*Ivan Peña
Resident Funk
Mama Sweet (acoustic)
Camille Harp

Blue Fish Companion XXI
*Official after-party @ The Opolis
Begins as soon as the NMF Main Stage shuts down.
Mama Sweet
DJ Bronzai

not nineteen forever

2008-04-22T07:08:00.005-06:00

It's true. Loves fade, passions die, new loves appear, new obsessions arise. Where does it all go? Gravity is a cruel force. I'm so old. You're only young once. Live for today. Carpe Diem. Blah blah blah. Dial a cliche.

mp3 shoebox
Courteeners~Not Nineteen Forever
Tegan and Sara~Nineteen
++bonus++ some songs from when I was nineteen
Depeche Mode~Enjoy The Silence
The Sunday~Here's Where the Story Ends
They Might Be Giants~Sapphire Bullets Of Love

guestroom luvs yr gutz

2008-04-17T11:51:00.005-06:00

How I forgot to post this earlier, I don't know....

Record Store Day info! Saturday April 19th!!!

Hey everyone. We at Guestroom Records are excited to talk about the first ever Record Store Day national holiday! This Saturday, April 19th, we'll be giving away free stuff in the store until it runs out and we're also having sales at both stores! This isn't the typical four or five copies of something cool, we were sent hundreds and hundreds of things to give away to anyone who likes supporting independent record stores! Here's a quick but in no way complete rundown of what we've got:

Matador, Sub Pop, Universal, Interscope and Scion sampler CDs and some LPs too (the vinyl on those might end up being worth something, they're Record Store Day specific!)
Destroyer/Wye Oak split 7"s from Merge
3-D Glasses to view the new Bjork video
Stickers, Postcards, Posters, Bags, Buttons from lots of people.

That's what I can remember right now, but it's a ton. Everything will be available at both stores until it all runs out.

In addition, several labels have released some pretty cool records to help celibrate RSD. These are records that will only be available at participating indie record stores. Here's what I know we have coming in:

Vampire Weekend - A Punk 7"
Stephen Malkmus - Cold Son 10"
Breeders 7"
Joseph Russell 12"
Black Keys 7"
Death Cab for Cutie 7"
R.E.M. 7"
Built to Spill 7"

there might be more, depends on when the trucks show up...

Also, Josh Jones of the Evangelicals will be stopping by Guestroom Norman to play some songs. We're all pretty huge fans of the band and especially the new album (easily one of the 3 best albums that will/has come out in 2008!!!) Don't know exactly what time that's happening, middle of the afternoon would be my guess right now.

That's a ton of info so far, right? We're not done. In addition to everything mentioned here already, we're also having storewide sales at both locations! Everything is 10% off, Guestroom Records American Apparel t-shirts will be a ridiculously low $5 and if you buy $100 worth of stuff you get one free.

That's a bunch of info! Spread the info around to your friends, we want to make this initial Record Store Day a big success!

xoxoxo
Guestroom Records
T, J, T, W, M, E, K, J

125 E. Main St.
Norman 405-701-5974

3701 N. Western Ave
OKC 405-601-3859

mp3 shoebox
The National~Guest Room
Evangelicals~Midnight Vingnette

wet zoo

2008-04-17T11:22:00.003-06:00

Photo Credit: Autumn de Wilde

The Annuals have a split (sort of) EP that was released earlier this month with Sunfold in the share. The tricky part of the EP is that Sunfold is basically the same band only with Kenny Florence handling a larger portion of the songwriting and most of the rest of the Annuals acting as backing musicians. On first listen I took this as a short Annuals album. Fortunately, we get a proper album from the Annuals later this year. Until that day, we get Wet Zoo, an earthy, beautiful amuse busche. Hardly the meal we need, but enough to get us ready for the full deal.

mp3 shoebox
Annuals~Sore

WET ZOO EP Tracklisting:
-Annuals-
1. Sore
2. Around Your Neck
3. Just Stay In
-Sunfold-
4. Between The Worlds
5. Watering Pail

foals antidotes

2008-04-17T07:33:00.002-06:00

this just in from our new partner, TheObserver...
Though they may hail from a flat in Oxford, the sound of Foals’ debut album, Antidotes, is anything but. With driving soundscapes consisting of everything from pulsing bass lines to rich textures of delayed guitar and echoed vocals, Antidotes spans the spectrum of modern rock genres to achieve a comprehensive, all be it confusing, blend of flavors. The lyrical format is, for the most part, incredibly punctuated, offering quick bursts of space-filling afterthoughts that while adding prevalent layers, don’t seem to say much. This is, however, completely redeemed by the substantial quality of constant progression within each song structure. “Heavy Water” flows virtually seamlessly between a simple vehicle for four repeated lines to an interplay of pounding drums, atmospheric synth swells, and nervous guitar accents. The song then becomes lost within its own rhythm and beauty before ultimately concluding in a brass-driven, upbeat breakdown, proving that Foals can do more than produce long winded post-punk revivalism.

While the argument can be made that certain tracks from Antidotes, such as “Cassius” and “Tron”, wouldn’t find themselves in culture shock following a move to Silent Alarm, Foals still manages to introduce some new concepts into their own unification of post-punk experimentalism and new-wave pop fundamentalism. “Two Steps Twice” finds a well-calculated groove exemplifying the band’s ability to draw focus to the comfort of a regular vocal pattern and steady beat in the midst of an almost dissonant array of delayed guitar conversations. “Electric Balloons” steps out of the scarcity box by consistently presenting itself in a straightforward fashion with little digression from its main theme, while still exhibiting just enough individualism to validate continuing curiosity.

As this debut album shows such an attitude of modernism, Antidotes easily carries with it the potential of being the beginning of something great. With just a little less focus on the cumbersome one-liners, and the expansion on delicate song structures, Foals has the ability to mature into a staple of the aforementioned revival genre.

mp3 shoebox
Foals~Balloons

semi-retarded males

2008-04-16T14:38:00.004-06:00

Sometimes I put off talking/writing about bands because I don't like them and don't want to be cruel to someone who spent a good deal of time and effort (and most likely money) to share something they created. Other times I just lose track of what I've listened to and written about and what I haven't. Still other times, I just lose track altogether. In the case of a faulty chromosome it's the later. I'd worry about telling you what they sound like except they've done that for me

"for neophobes and/or the musically nescient, a faulty chromosome (sort of) sounds like: the feelies + new order + half japanese + pavement + my bloody valentine + shaggs + yo la tengo + pere ubu + sebadoh + belle & sebastian + suicide. sort of.
they are the quiet kid who hides in the library at lunch time drawing pictures in textbook margins...structured, but sloppy. sincere, yet so confused, a faulty chromosome are no more than semi-retarded males in their mid-20's so severely disappointed with the world they are stuck in that making joyful music about their frustration is the only way they know how to cope. at worst, enjoyable noise. at best, a charming mess (i guess?)."

And really, that leaves me with very little else to say, except that this is one I wish I'd shared sooner. You owe it to yourself to experience these Texans in your own way.

mp3 shoebox
a faulty chromosome~Them Pleasures of The Flesh
a faulty chromosome~Jackie O.

imaginary biographies

2008-04-15T06:12:00.004-06:00

I'm not sure of the reason, but the last few days have been filled with female, singer-songwriter types here at Shoes Are For Work Headquarters. Fitting that bill this morning is Leerone.

She was featured in a recent Billboard NOW HEAR THIS section on up-and-coming artists to watch. Her new record, IMAGINARY BIOGRAPHIES, produced by Christopher Fudurich (Jimmy Eat World, Nada Surf, Matthew Sweet,Fishbone) was released just last month. KCRW's played "To Fill A Void," to early rave reviews - citing her inward-looking original songs, expressive performances and powerful appropriations of influences ranging from Bessie Smith and Carole King, to Nina Simone, Tom Waits and PJ Harvey. -modified press release

mp3 shoebox
Leerone~To Fill A Void

fractured life

2008-04-15T05:54:00.006-06:00

Epic in the same vein that Coldplay or Muse seem to be and ready made for some arena somewhere, here's Air Traffic. Their album Fractured Life was released to the masses via Astralwerks 5 February.

It takes a particular sort of outsider mentality to create music of such rare accuracy and honesty. And, sure enough, Fractured Life is emphatically not the sound of a scene. Air Traffic are from nowhere, man. As far as they relate to any other bands you might have listened to recently, they are a shining example of the West by South West maverick tendency. Just as the small UK towns of Abingdon begat Radiohead and Teignmouth reared Muse, so Air Traffic are an unlikely product of Bournemouth, a Wessex border town on the British Costa Geriatrica with no rock heritage whatsoever. As the group's singer and main songwriter Chris Wall puts it; "There are no music venues, and absolutely no pressure to sound like anyone else. So you have the potential to develop your own style."

Wall's style was fed initially by his Celtic roots. Both his parents are Irish born and bred, and his uncle, Jimmy McCarthy, who still lives in Cork, is a well known folk singer. "When I was 6, I so wanted to be him," Wall recalls. He was a precociously musical child - learning the piano and guitar by ear and playing flute and saxophone in the Southern Youth Orchestra - but he had no musical ambition. "I preferred to hang out on the beach and surf. I never went to gigs, or bought much music."

Wall got inveigled into a band after his first public performance in 2003 at a school concert. His solo rendition of "Go To Sleep" by Radiohead attracted the attention of drummer David Jordan and guitarist Tom Pritchard. Air Traffic duly began as a sideline to A levels and only got serious during Wall's gap year travels in 2005 when, out of nostalgic curiosity, he downloaded some of his band's early songs while holed up in a surf town on the coast of Queensland, Australia. It was a defining moment. "I was listening to "Charlotte" as if I'd never heard it before and Dave and I hadn't written it. And I realized it was a special song."

Once the decision to re-engage had been made - and a new bassist Jim Maddock recruited - Air Traffic travelled very far, very fast. It all happened during the academic year when they were up in London, ostensibly studying, in reality, investing their student loans in rehearsal and recording time. Within months an Air Traffic demo provoked a major label bidding war. Many of the songs on Fractured Life, like "Never Even Told Me Her Name," describe the feelings of breathless anticipation the band registered once the four 21 year olds sensed their career taking off. Another of the songs charting the band's ascent was "Shooting Star," a sublime melody poised on the edge of a maelstrom of rock and roll theatrics. As the industry attention became more intense, Wall and Jordan penned "I Can't Understand."

After the band were signed to Astralwerks/EMI, Air Traffic set up in Rockfield Studios to begin working on their their new album. Soon after, news arrived of a fatal car crash in Canada which killed a close of friend of Wall's girlfriend. "I never really knew her, but I could feel my girlfriend's grief, and the sense of helplessness was overwhelming". This swiftly inspired the album's most poignant and beautiful moment, the aching piano ballad, "Empty Space." The 2 month Rockfield experience was, overall, cathartic. "It made us focus on what we do, and also appreciate how different we are from other bands." That emergent self-realization is unforgettably expressed in "No More Running Away," a heaven-bound anthemic chant earthed throughout by tribal drum. That sense of empowering otherness found voice in the album's title track, the last song to be written and, like "Empty Space," a haunting testimony to Wall's growing confidence as a chronicler of complicated emotions.

The challenge now is to communicate them to a world which knows of Air Traffic only as the authors of the riotous indie anthem, "Charlotte," and the rollicking "Just Abuse Me." "People who come to watch us play really participate now. They're all shouting and singing along. It's up to us to take our audience somewhere else."

mp3 shoebox
Air Traffic~Come On

riot on your hands

2008-04-09T09:53:00.002-06:00

at the Bowery - photo by Josh Miller

Among the three bands playing Opolis tonight are Syracuse sextet, Ra Ra Riot.

The band had an incredibly successful 2007 releasing their self-titled, debut ep in July throughout North America and Europe, touring with such artists as Tokyo Police Club, The Editors, Art Brut, albeit with the tragic loss of their dear friend and drummer John Pike in June. The band and Pike’s family put on a benefit concert last month in Boston to celebrate John’s life and music at the famed Middle East club; “Friends of John” included performances by Ra Ra Riot, Tokyo Police Club and Vampire Weekend. All proceeds from the sold out event went to the John Ryan Pike Memorial Foundation, started to provide locations in which underpriveledged children can go to learn and play musical instruments, hoping to eventually provide recording studios for the same purpose (www.myspace.com/johnryanpike)

Ra Ra Riot, who formed in January 2006, quickly caught the ear of the industry and the tastemakers like NME after their many stellar performances at the 2006 CMJ Music Marathon and SXSW 2007. The NME honored them as one of the Top 5 and Top 10 bands that played those festivals respectively. The band was featured in such U.S. publications as Rolling Stone and Nylon.

The band spent November and December in the studio with producer Ryan Hadlock (The Gossip, Blonde Redhead, Stephen Malkmus) recording their debut full-length (release TBD).

mp3 shoebox
Ra Ra Riot~Dying Is Fine

flying solo

2008-04-08T06:30:00.003-06:00

It's been a while since there was a release week like this one. Among the new releases this week are two solo projects from a couple of gentlemen who are also part of very good bands in their own right. Colin Meloy has been out and about during breaks from the Decemberists touring and recording schedule playing smallish rooms and covering other bands and singing the songs he wrote for the Decemerists as solo folk infused pieces. During his last tour he recorded a few of these shows and this week releases Colin Meloy Sings Live for those of us who couldn't make it to a show. There isn't much new on this 17 song album, nit that that is a bad thing. However, I found myself tiring of the same jokes I heard him say during Decemberist shows; and the alternating whininess of his voice and those anecdotes was, well, boring after the first ten songs. Still this is nice if for nothing more than the chance to hear new takes on old favorites.
In the also ran category we have a new entry from Peter Morén (the Peter in Peter, Bjorn and John). Here too, I was just tired of The Last Tycoon about halfway through. Rather than take us in a less obvious place, Morén further strips down the already bare-ish sound of PB&J so that we get a watery folk album with few surprises. Having seen a set from him at SXSW I expected to enjoy this album more than I did. In retrospect the songs I liked most from that show though were just him singing one-man versions of Peter, Bjorn and John songs. Eh.

mp3 shoebox
Colin Meloy~We Both Go Down Together
Peter Morén~Social Competence

one more for today

2008-04-04T11:05:00.002-06:00

One of the last bands we saw during our trip to SXSW was Jay Reatard. He's got a series of 7" being released in anticipation of a new album. Each 7" will be released in successively smaller quantities and some, but not all, of the tracks will end up on the album later this year. I am a fairly new fan of Jay Reatard, but now I really can't get enough. He and his Memphisian compatriots have masterfully recreated the pop thrill of the Buzzcocks and breathed new Wipers-like life into their fuzzy 3 minute format. I'm looking forward to more...

mp3 shoebox
Jay Reatard~See Saw

zero frontier boundaries

2008-04-04T09:35:00.004-06:00

Mainsite on Main Street in Norman has built a reputation on exhibiting contemporary artists who are recognized both regionally and nationally. Tonight/today marks the opening of a show from three artists completing their MFA theses. You should make a point to stop in and see what they have to offer. Here's what they have to say for themselves:

Brad Stevens
Artist Statement, Zero Consciousness
Zero Consciousness is my response to the hyper-sensationalized images of pop culture, which are juxtaposed with social and political issues in contemporary American media. These media sources create a disarray of images from pop culture, social and political issues inadvertently creating a fractured collage of images and stories for their viewers to digest. Images that I am using in this work are those that have recently been portrayed on American media sources within the last few years; world issues that directly and indirectly affect the United States, the world of Hollywood stars, body image, and the most recent commodity that everyone must not live without.
Carrie Fudickar
Artist Statement, Fiberglass Frontier
Fiberglass Frontier explores the phenomena of simulated history within American theme parks. Simulation has become a popular entertainment venue as well as an accepted exhibition tool for museums and historical sites. The existence of themed restaurants, shopping centers, and housing developments is now so commonplace it has become easy to overlook. The theme park is the most exaggerated of these spaces. It deliberately obscures itself from the outside world, discouraging comparison to reality. Further, it promotes its own legitimacy by fusing real histories into its artificial environment. The myth town of the American theme park is set perpetually in the late 19th century, intrinsically linked to the Gilded Age’s exuberant optimism, expansion, and industrial growth. This project documents seven major theme parks, cataloguing how history, myth, and entertainment coexist within the gates of the fiberglass frontier.
Shane Brown
Artist Statement, Boundary
Boundary is a continuation of an ever-expanding photographic record of the people and the natural and cultural landscape of Oklahoma. This particular body of work, rather than being expository as with other photographic groups within the larger framework that I have created, is at first unexplained—seemingly simple pairings of anonymous landscapes. The requirement that the viewer engage in exploration of the location of the scene to gain explanation ensures that the observer will discover that they are indeed viewing both sides of one of the many boundaries that exist within Oklahoma. These borders may exist between historical territories, such as “No Man’s Land” (present day Beaver County and the easternmost county in the Oklahoma Panhandle), and the Cherokee Outlet (a swath of land stretching across northern Oklahoma, comprised of many counties and Indian Territories and is also a territory that once belonged to the Cherokee Nation and is often confused with the Cherokee Strip...

mp3 shoebox
Ruth~Roman Photo
Mission Of Burma~This Is Not A Photograph

never really heard you laugh

2008-04-04T09:12:00.003-06:00

If you're looking for a live show tonight, your pickings are pretty slim. Probably your best bet is to go see a sibling set by Eisley at the Conservatory. There are something like 15,00 0 opening bands (so maybe it's really just three) that are kind of worth your time too. Good luck!

mp3 shoebox
Eisley~Invasion

ladytron-velocifero

2008-04-04T08:33:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago a new-ish compilation of French synth wave bands from the late 70s to the early 80s, BIPP, came in the store. No one else liked it, but everyone who listened to it decided to tell me that I needed to listen to it. They knew I would love it. They were right. It's not even so much that the songs are groundbreaking wonders. For me it was more that there are so many bands who owe so much to these early experimenters. One example is Ladytron, who are coming ou with a new album 3June on their new label, Nettwerk. Those fine folks have been good enough to share a track from the forthcoming Velocifero. They'll also be coming to the Palladium Ballroom in Dallas on 5June!

Their 4th album involves collaboration and co-production with Vicarious Bliss, signed to Ed Banger Records and Alessandro Cortini of Modwheelmood and of course part of the old “rock band configuration” of Nine Inch Nails. This was before Trent Reznor disbanded it to explore alternative methods of performance.
The album, according to the news section of their website and other sources:
“Was recorded in Studio de la grande armee, Paris”, “and Liverpool”.
“The album was then mixed and glued together in Los Angeles by the talented Mr Michael Patterson (Beck, P. Diddy)”. -Last.fm

Now that I think about it - I'll get to work on a full review of that comp for you.

mp3 shoebox
Ladytron~Black Cat
Velocifero tracklist:
01 Black Cat
02 Ghosts
03 I'm Not Scared
04 Runaway
05 Season of Illusions
06 Burning Up
07 Kletva
08 They Gave You a Heart They Gave You a Name
09 Predict the Day
10 The Lovers
11 Deep Blue
12 Tomorrow
13 Versus

shoes

2008-04-02T09:01:00.003-06:00

Alright, it's Wednesday and you know what that means - no - you don't? Well, honestly, I don't either, but what I do know is we're here and it's now. So go to the Conservatory and don't be late. Tonight the line-up starts with Magnificent Bird advances to Thao With The Get Down Stay Down and falls into Xiu Xiu. Doors are at 8pm, but if you want to head out a little early, you should definatley drop by Guestroom OKC and say "hi". I'll be there 'til closing tonight and we have just gotten in a shit-ton load of new music, paintings and buttons. Anyway, maybe if we're lucky Xiu Xiu will sing Under Pressure for us.

mp3 shoebox
Xiu Xiu~I Do What I want When I Want
Xiu Xiu~Boy Soprano
Thao WTGDSD~Beat (Health, Life and Fire)
Thao WTGDSD~Swimming Pools

you might sleep but you will never dream

2008-04-01T09:14:00.003-06:00

This guy lives in a front yard near Trophy's in ATX

I'm back!
it seems SXSW took longer to recover from than I had thought. I have a lot of things planned for the next few months so please keep coming back. We've got the Norman Music Festival, loads of CDs that I will review from the last month and coming up, and (shhhh-this one is secret) and new podcast will rise from the ashes of FCR.
I've been making connections with a lot of people I really loved to be around during HS, some 19 years or so ago, and have been feeling a little Big Chill-ish. It really is purely from MySpace and Facebook (the better of the two) that these reconnections have been possible. I know this is really sappy, but I love living right now. We are so lucky to be around at a time when hope and personal connections are beginning to change the world.
Find me.

mp3 shoebox
Vashti Bunyan~Find My Heart Again
The Smiths~ I Don't Owe You Anything
Soft Cell~Entertain Me

they's twins

2008-03-07T12:03:00.003-06:00

I just got the following in my inbox...
The Watson Twins' "Fire Songs" to be released on Vanguard Records this summer

"Our influences as singers and songwriters are the historic sounds of Vanguard Records... a label steeped in Folk, Country, Jazz and Blues. It just seemed like the perfect fit and we are so honored to be working with them on our debut full length 'Fire Songs'." -The Watson Twins

Vanguard Records, a label that in it's 50+ year history has been home to Doc Watson, Levon Helm, Mindy Smith, John Fahey and Joan Baez amongst others, has announced the signing of The Watson Twins. Identical twins Chandra and Leigh Watson, veterans of the contemporary folk rock scene in Los Angles will release "Fire Songs", their label debut full length. The twins are akin to various scenes such as indie rock, new folk, alt-country/Americana and cannot be neatly categorized into one. The Kentucky-born duo count folk, gospel, blues and country as early influences. The album was produced by Russell Pollard and J. Soda (members from various incarnations of Sebadoh, Earlimart, Everest, and Folk Implosion) and is the follow up to the Watson Twins 2006 self-released and critically acclaimed "Southern Manners" EP.

The graceful country soul and haunting vocals that the twins brought to Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twin's "Rabbit Fur Coat" was highlighted by a world tour that touched everywhere from Holland to Japan and saw them gracing the stages of various late night television shows hosted by those such as Conan O'Brien, David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Craig Kilbourn. Last year saw the Watson Twins sell out the venerable Getty Center in Los Angeles and perform at SXSW, Bumbershoot, Camper Campout and Pop Montreal festivals. Their song "Time of My Life" was featured on the ABC program Grey's Anatomy while they also created the original music for director Foria Sigismondi's film "Postmortem Bliss". "Southern Manners" showcased the Watson Twins pristine vocal harmonies against stunning reverb dirges and melodic country on a much-coveted Morning Becomes Eclectic session on KCRW as well as receiving critical acclaim from Billboard, NME, Pitchfork, Entertainment Weekly among others.

mp3 shoebox
these aren't new btw
The Watson Twins~Friend and Foe
The Watson Twins~Darlin' Song

SXSW Appearances:
Friday, March 14 9pm-Buffalo Billiards 201 East 6th Street (across from the Driskill hotel)
Saturday, March 15 4:30 pm- open party at Home Slice Pizza 1415 South Congress Open/free

Track listing for the Fire Songs LP:
1. How Am I To Be
2. Lady Love Me
3. Fall
4. Just Like Heaven
5. Map To Where You Are
6. Dig A Little Deeper
7. Sky Open Up
8. Bar Woman Blues
9. Only You
10. Old Ways
11. Waves

you say stop

2008-03-07T11:12:00.004-06:00

Tonight is going to be another in a series of great shows at the Opolis. Firstly, it's sadly time for Yacht Club! to call it quits. Word is it's nothing personal, they're just looking for something else right now. Maybe you can still be friends, yeah?
Secondly, I'm especially looking forward to hearing/seeing Crocodile. The talented trio just finished their EP, The Great Depression. This thing is fantastic, really. It's like Book of Love, The Pippettes and The Mates of State all jumped in a blender and after the synthetic blood was wiped away we were left with the purified beauty of six dancey, hooky 80s-ish pop songs. Pick this one up at the show, or if you can't make it, I have it on good authority it will be available at either Guestroom Records location after Saturday.
Thirdsies, somewhere in this mix we get to see Subatomic Pieces as well. It'll be nice to hear where the band has gone after releasing Hold Out For Science. Actually, there is a ?new? song on their myspace page you should check out.
See you tonight - oh - big news here - the Opolis is now accepting credit cards!!!!!!!

mp3 shoebox
Crocodile~We Speak For Everyone
Yacht Club!~Strangers
Yacht Club!~How To Get Away PtII

never been

2008-03-05T10:11:00.004-06:00

I don't know if it's because Maggie is from Austin, or that spring break has only recently begun to coincide with it, or that I really don't like hoards of people (probably a combo of all these and more to be truthful), but I've never been to SXSW. I remember it from tales of yore; so much so, that I feel as if I have been there every year for the last 22 or whatever. Anyway, this year - I go.
The problem is that of any music lover, how in the hell do you decide what to go to and who to see? We're talking about 1500 or so bands here. Granted, most of them suck, but still....
Thankfully, yesterday, I found out about a cool feature over at Last FM. Check out the SXSW Group page here: http://www.last.fm/group/SXSW+Music/

If you’re an avid user of Last FM, or just have a username from back when, you’ll see that you can type in your username and get your very own Band Aid — a list of all the bands you should see [plus some recommendations] based on your music taste. I tried it and its not a bad list especially when I'm looking at four packed days and nights and there are definitely people I don't want to miss.

here's a handful of what I'm talking about
mp3 shoebox
Bowerbirds~In Our Talons
The Reaction~Right Now
Be Your Own Pet~Bicycle, Bicycle, You Are My Bicycle
Centro-Matic~Triggers And Trash Heaps
Cassettes Won't Listen~Paper Float
Basia Bulat~In The Night
The Virgins~Rich Girls
Team Robespierre~88th Precinct

what do you have to say for yourself?

2008-03-05T09:09:00.004-06:00

Not much?
Well, me either, but I do have some exciting news...
In a late add (thanks to these guys) to the Opolis's ever expanding spring schedule, The Deadly Syndrome is playing tonight. This quartet hails more recently from the bright hills of LA's Silverlake neighborhood. Their album, The Ortolan (Dim Mak), was released last fall to warm reviews and subsequent exposure all over the place. They're kinda goofy, in a good sense. To get a feel for what I mean, here's what they have to say for themselves:

Part One, "The Truth"
Four young gentlemen were born to 8 parents. One from New York, One from Louisiana, and the rest from California. Through a series of fortunate events (broken bones, concussions, divorces, successful marriages, siblings, fishing trips, and dreams) the boys all found their way to Los Angeles. The California boys had already known each other from University, and moved there together. The New Yorker moved because it was time to move, and the New Orleanite moved because of the weather. Through jobs and girlfriends the fellows came to realize that they wanted to do something more with their hands, so they built bridges, verses, and pre-choruses. The four guys are now The Deadly Syndrome, where all have a hand in writing the music.

Part Two, "The Lie"
One of them is a liar.
THE END.

So - yeah - I'll see you tonight at the Opolis. Almost forgot, The Separation and Gravity Propulsion System are openers.

mp3 shoebox
The Deadly Syndrome~Winter In You

road runnin'

2008-02-25T11:20:00.004-06:00

As soon as I get done at work this evening I will be breaking speed limit laws to get to the Opolis. It's another night of fantastic music - this time with Jonathon Richman. I got to hear a preview of his new album, Because Her Beauty Is Raw And Wild, a couple of days ago and I was immediately drawn in by the rawness of the whole thing. Richman uses the sparseness of the record to bring his singing to the front of the mix and has an intensely live feeling. I guess, in retrospect, it's really not too far off of what he was doing with the Modern Lovers back in the seventies. At any rate, I'm really looking forward to tonights show - see you there.

mp3 shoebox
Modern Lovers~Roadrunner
Phranc~Gertrude Stein
David Bowie~Pablo Picasso

Richamn's album discography
The Modern Lovers
* The Modern Lovers (1976)
* The Original Modern Lovers (1981)

Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
* Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers (1976)
* Rock 'n' Roll with the Modern Lovers (1977)
* Modern Lovers 'Live' (1978)
* Back in Your Life (late 1978, or 1979)
* Jonathan Sings! (1983)
* Rockin' & Romance (1985)
* It's Time For (1986)
* Modern Lovers 88 (1988)

Jonathan Richman
* Beserkely Chartbusters (Compilation, 4 songs) (1975)
* Jonathan Richman (1989)
* Jonathan Goes Country (1990)
* Having a Party with Jonathan Richman (1991)
* I, Jonathan (1992)
* ¡Jonathan, Te Vas a Emocionar! (1994)
* You Must Ask the Heart (1995)
* Surrender to Jonathan (1996)
* I'm So Confused (1998)
* Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow (2001)
* Not So Much to Be Loved as to Love (2004)

sea lion

2008-02-22T18:07:00.004-06:00

It seems simple really, get yourself hooked up to open for a well known band and you can get signed to a larger label and play for a larger audience. That's basically what happened for New Zealanders, The Ruby Suns. After their initial, eponymous release on Lil' Chief records, Ruby Suns found themselves on tour with The Shins during the height of their hype, now, almost as if fated, they are looking at their latest offering, Sea Lion, being released by Sub Pop (the label of the former).
It's good too! Especially if your looking for something along the lines of Panda Bear or Grizzly Bear - this might need to be something you pick up for your collection. The atmospheric noises accentuating haunting harmonies and sometimes overtly poppy lyricism bring to mind Vampire Weekend if they were somehow deserving of all their hype.

mp3 shoebox
The Ruby Suns~Tane Mahuta

dirty music from athens

2008-02-15T16:49:00.003-06:00

Once touted as the "Best Unsigned Band In America" The Whigs headed into the studio with producer, Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck), and came out with Mission Control, a 37 minute extravaganza of straight up rock and roll. Think maybe Replacements or Drive-By Truckers. They're out on tour and have a slot on Conan coming up on the 20th.

mp3 shoebox
The Whigs~Right Hand On My Heart

tour dates:
02-16-08: Milwaukee, WI. @ Rave Bar w/ WAX FANG
02-22-08: Fayetteville, AR. -Majestic
02-23-08: Nashville, TN. @ Mercy Lounge w/ Spinto Band
02-26-08: Asheville, NC. @ Grey Eagle w/ Spinto Band
02-27-08: Charlotte, NC. @ Visulite Theatre w/ Spinto Band
02-28-08: Charlottesville, VA. @ TBA w/ Spinto Band
03-01-08: Lexington, KY. @ The Dame w/ WAX FANG
03-04-08: Omaha, NE. @ Waiting Room w/ Spinto Band
03-06-08: Denver, CO. @ Larimer Lounge w/ Spinto Band
03-07-08: Colorado Springs, CO. @ TBA w/ Spinto Band
03-09-08: Albuquerque, NM. @ Launchpad w/ Spinto Band
03-11-08: San Antonio, TX. @ TBA w/ Spinto Band
03-13-08: Austin, TX. @ Austin Music Hall supporting My Morning Jacket / Yo La Tengo (SXSW 08)

and here's what they looked like on Letterman not so long ago:

pop up

2008-02-15T12:03:00.002-06:00

People In Planes are a five piece from Wales who have been around in one form or another since 2000 and whose new album, Beyond The Horizon, will be coming soon on Wind-Up Records. Theirs is a big, cinematic sound almost custom made for those reality TV shots when someone is saying good-bye or moving on in some other melodramatic way. I guess that's pretty fitting given the band name. Anyway, keep on the lookout for more from this band.

mp3 shoebox
People In Planes~Pretty Buildings

old growth at the opolis

2008-02-11T10:10:00.000-06:00

Photo by Aaron Giesel

Tomorrow night is gonna be fucking great! Why??
Dead Meadow at the Opolis that's why. Their new album, Old Growth, is a bit of a change for those enamored with Feathers and the like (and who wouldn't be), but I'm really enjoying the new, more folky Dead Meadow sound. Sure, it's less heavy, but I've gotten more heavy, so it works out in my mind. Make plans for a sitter for the dogs and get out to this show tomorrow. Oh yeah, I think I heard Streets of Thieves is opening. Doors at 9 - you know the routine.

mp3 shoebox
Dead Meadow~I'm Gone
Dead Meadow~What Needs Must Be
Streets Of Thieves~Stabilize Rear Deflectors

viva el capitan

2008-02-11T09:55:00.000-06:00

via OklahomaRock.com:

Ryan Lindsey’s song “An Introspective Personality” will be featured tonight on the new CBS show “Welcome to the Captain”. The song appears on Lindsey’s 2006 album White Paper Beds and can be heard on his myspace.

Lindsey will play a handful of shows later this month in Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota and will play five shows in late March / early April with Unwed Sailor.

He's got some new shirts too that are awesome and anyone who wears them is awesome.
Here are the tour dates - I bet you can get one of those awesome shirts at one of these:

Feb 21 2008

8:00P

subterranean

chicago, Illinois

Feb 22 2008

8:00P

courtyard cafe

Urbana, Illinois

Feb 24 2008

8:00P

the maintenance shop

ames, Iowa

Feb 25 2008

8:00P

7th street entry

minneapolis, Minnesota

Mar 27 2008

8:00P

the house

dekalb, Illinois

Mar 30 2008

8:00P

the launching pad

muncie, Indiana

Apr 12 2008

8:00P

courtyard cafe

urbana, Illinois

Apr 13 2008

8:00P

the bluebird w/ unwed sailor

st. louis, Missouri

Apr 14 2008

8:00P

outland ballroom

springfield, Missouri

mp3 shoebox
Ryan Lindsey~Friend For Life

people say a lot of things

2008-02-11T08:54:00.000-06:00

This man will rock yr face off.
photo credit

I'm trying more to not say things that I don't mean. There's the typical harmless stuff like "I gotta get a call on the other line," but I'm thinking more along the lines of "I'm really digging this song." There are far too many bands out there with far to little to say that interests me. It's pretty fortunate that there aren't actually too many times I say that last one to people from around here and don't mean it.
The other day at the record store I got a call from a dude in England who is thinking of accepting a job at OU. He wanted to call and check that there was a.) a decent record store around and b.) a decent local scene. Telling him about the latter was actually pretty fun. It was made more so because of the addition of what I hope will be a yearly event, The Norman Music Festival. Despite the lame ass name, it looks to be pretty fantastic what with it being the first year and all.
Here's the deal...April 26th we're shutting off Main Street to traffic. There will be two large stages for a FREE festival/concert on the street complete with various vendors of food and trinkets. Thus far the announced line-up looks like this:
Headliner:
The Polyphonic Spree

Also confirmed for the Main Stage:
Chainsaw Kittens (re-union)
British Sea Power
The Octopus Project

Elsewhere in the festival (Second Stage):
Grupo Fantasma
Debris (re-union)
The John Arnold Band
The Starkweather Boys

So, yeah, looking pretty good so far- and I mean it. Word is that there will be loads of opportunities for local bands to play some in-store shows as well. That sure as hell beats going to see Rush at $50 for the cheap seats. Now if they could just get a better name...how 'bout the Maverick Music Festival - it is the James Garner Corridor after all.

mp3 shoebox
Polyphonic Spree~Hanging Around The Day
Chainsaw Kittens~Silver Millionaire
British Sea Power~Waving Flags
Octopus Project~I Saw The Bright Shinies Grupo Fantasma~Mentiras

you know he's a freak

2008-01-31T09:26:00.000-06:00

A freak who loves kids. For the 6th time in as many years Snoop Dogg is hosting the Snoop Bowl.

Snoop Bowl VI will feature the Snoop Dogg All-Stars, a youth football team from California coached by Snoop Dogg, against local Arizona youth football players. The game will be held the day before Super Bowl XXII, and is expected to draw many fans. Matt Leinart, Heisman Trophy Winner and Arizona Cardinals Quarterback, will be in attendance, representing his charitable foundation. The Hamilton High School band will be performing at halftime.

“For five years now we have had a great time organizing and preparing for the Snoop Bowl. It gives the kids a reason to work and play hard throughout the season, knowing that it all culminates on this day,” says Snoop Dogg. “It is about so much more than the game, the Snoop Youth Football League gives kids hope and meaning outside of just the sport.”

The Snoop Dogg All-Stars are made up of kids who participate in the Snoop Youth Football League, a football league funded by Snoop Dogg and comprised of over 3,000 kids in the Greater Los Angeles area. Snoop Dogg founded the league in 2005 in order to provide at-risk youth an affordable way to play football. Kids who participate must maintain strict academic requirements to remain eligible. Coach Snoop even provides insurance to each participant free of cost.

Tickets can be purchased starting Jan. 15 at Celebritytheatre.com; The JohnJay and Rich Radio Show (KIIS 104.7) at (877) 937-1047; or by calling Hamilton High School at (480) 883-5000.

All that and the man is still a freak....
Snoop Dogg~Sexual Seduction

its so wet

2008-01-31T08:45:00.000-06:00

photo by Wilson Tsoi

It seems like sometimes no matter what you do you end up in some puddle of one kind or another. I've been to three different cities in the span of the last 5 days; and everywhere I go it's cold; and more irritating than that, it's wet. Today, though, it didn't bother me. The rains falling hard on this humdrum town andit somehow fits better. To celebrate the mood, the bittersweet love songs on Prince's debut album, For You, fit like a hand in glove. Lucky for me I just got it in mail as my first purchase from the recently launched Amazon.com vinyl store.

mp3 shoebox
Prince ~Soft And Wet

festival city revival

2008-01-15T09:04:00.000-06:00

It's time again for a new Festival City Radio (num ber 97). It's a fairly normal episode at first, then Josh Jones from the Evangelicals drops by for a good talking to. He brought his guitar and plays a few songs from the new album for us too. This is some sweet stuff, there are even bouquets of technical difficulties and cats.

New releases for January 8 and 15:
Sia - "Soon We'll Be Found" (000)
Kate Nash - "Foundations" (5:00)
We are Wolves - "Fight and Kiss" (11:00)
Mike Ladd - "Trouble Shot" (15:00)
The Magnetic Fields - "Xavier Says" (19:00)
Michael Cera and Ellen Page (stars of the movie Juno) - "Anyone Else But You" (25:00)

Evangelicals~ Skeleton Man

morcheeba going digital

2008-01-15T08:27:00.000-06:00

Well, truth is they're going digital and then have plans for a physical release of their new album, Dive Deep, 4 February and 19 February respectively. This new album broadens Morcheeba's sound with guests from all over the place and is getting some decent preliminary praise from large media publications.

tracklist:
1.Enjoy The Ride (imeem stream)
2.Riverbed
3.Thumbnails
4.Run Honey Run
5.Gained The World
6.One Love Karma
Blue Chair
8.Au-Dela
9.Sleep On It Tonight
10.The Ledge Beyond The Edge
11.Washed Away

who's got the 7"?

2008-01-11T11:31:00.000-06:00

cover art by Matt Furie

You do if you send me an email or comment on this post in the next week with the answer to the following question:
What band originally recorded the songs on Dirty Projector's latest album?

Be sure to include some sort of contact info so I can notify you if your correct entry was chosen. In return, you'll receive a groovy 7" split from FADER/Southern Comfort featuring Dirty Projectors and White Williams.

Thanks to the people at FADER.com for making this happen for you. You can get the entire latest issue free online here.

wurd.

mp3 shoebox
FADER~Issue 51 audio mix

pony up-it's torrent time

2008-01-09T09:24:00.000-06:00

The good folks over at Saddle Creek are celebrating the new year by offering up a great sampler of songs previously unavailable for free. This years version includes songs from Maria Taylor, Bright Eyes, Two Gallants, Georgie James, The Good Life, and Art In Manila. Vive le gratis! (That's probably all wrong grammatically, eh).

tracks included:
- Art In Manila "I Thought I Was Free"
- Bright Eyes "I Must Belong Somewhere"
- Georgie James "Look Me Up"
- Maria Taylor "Clean Getaway"
- The Good Life "Keely Aimee"
- Two Gallants "Miss Meri"

mp3 shoebox
This Year's Model
The First Version from This Year
Last Year's Model

lyons own robot brothers

2008-01-08T08:56:00.000-06:00

Ahh, dance music. I'm a sucker for a good track and I get excited to hear when a group can put together a great work that is more than remixes of stuff they've already done (that's right, I'm talking to you Daft Punk). Here to fill the bill are brothers from Lyon, Spitzer. Their goal - make people dance. Their offering - Roller Coaster. This EP is chock full of robotic grooves and beats that come in and out of the mix at just the right times melding the whole thing together into a digital melange of riffs fit to pump up even the stodgiest of dance floors. Oh, France, you still know how to dance.

mp3 shoebox
Sptizer~Kaspersky

five for a fuzzy monday

2008-01-07T10:11:00.001-06:00

above by Gris Grimly

There's nothing to this, really, except that I am really digging the reverb and distortion pedals right now.

mp3 shoebox
The Raveonettes~Aly, Walk With Me
The Jesus And Mary Chain~In A Hole
The Magnetic Fields~Xavier Says
The Parson Red Heads~Crowds
A Place to Bury Strangers~to Fix The Gash In Your Head

they roll by

2008-01-04T08:44:00.000-06:00

Here's the deal, I've ridden this planet around el sol 36 times and every orbit gets better. As such, I'm celebrating with a party at Pepe Delgados on tomorrow, Saturday 5 January. The fine folks in The Rum Fellows and The Separation have agreed to play a few songs so you ought to come by for a spell. Things should start rollin' around 9-9:30-ishishish. Feel free to come by, wish me happy birthday and contribute to my tattoo funds. Anyway, here are some obvious songs about some of my favorite years or maybe they're just some of my favorite songs about obvious years - you'll never know.

mp3 shoebox
Les Miserables~En 1789
The Multiple Cat~1910
Petersburg, Liberty Theatre, 1914~Swan Lake
1917~Fiery Furnaces
Holland, 1945~Neutral Milk Hotel
Munich Air Disaster 1958~Morrissey
Mountain Trip To Japan, 1959~Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players
1963~New Order
1970's Boy~Long Tall Shorty
Seventy-four, Seventy-five~Shearwater
1980~Estelle
Sound Of The 80's~Peer Pressure
Learn To Hate In The 80's~Bobby Sox
Sexcrime(1984)~Eurythmics
Oh No!Oh My!(1994)~The Robot Ate Me
A New Years Eve 1998~Nanaco
1999~Prince

a quick afterword: since I used only the most obvious searching techniques, I wasn't able to find any songs that referred to this century - can you help me out here. Only rule: the song must refer directly to the year in the title or lyrics.

return from the grips of cold miser

2007-12-20T08:47:00.000-06:00

While we were away for awhile from the Festival City Radio studio, I made a "secret" episode (95.5) just for you. It's really cool - man, that's a stupid pun. I'm sorry.
tracklist:
Love and Rockets-Suadade
Housemartins-I Smell Winter
Mi & L'au-Philosopher
The Cure-The Upstairs Room
Mazarin-NE Winter
The National-Cold Fever Girl
Sea Wolf-The Cold, The Dark, and the Silence
Great Northern-Winter
Klaus Nomi-The Cold Song
Morrissey-Driving Your Girlfriend Home

fences

2007-12-18T09:09:00.002-06:00

image from The AGE

I don't usually use this space to write much about the state of the world outside of music and art, but today I am. Those of you who I know well know that my brother and sister-in-law are living in Kosovo right now so recent news of events there have dominated many conversations at our house. If you're ignorant like me, you probably thought that most of the troubles of that particular area were over back in the Clinton presidency. However, troubles have lingered and required a UN presence since the war ended. Recently, the mostly Albanian Kosovo has made moves toward a declaration of independence from Serbia. This has caused tremendous fear among the Serbian population in the area, especially in the city of Mitrovica (where my in-laws live) which is split among ethnic lines by a barbed wire lined bridge. Drawing support from Russian president Putin, the Serbs are set to refuse the declaration and I see nothing but escalation of tensions in the near future.
There is more in this NPR report and this article from the BBC.

mp3 shoebox
The Housemartins~Over There

2007-12-18T09:09:00.001-06:00

powers back

2007-12-18T08:43:00.000-06:00

Where've I been? Well, thanks to large frozen pieces of water, I had no power at the house for a week and then it took an extra few days for my internet tubes to get reconnected to my house. Where've you been?
The Whigs have a new release, Mission Control, coming up on ATO Records in a few weeks, 22 January to be more precise. I thought we'd start with a taste of some Athens garage pop....

mp3 shoebox
The Whigs~Like a Vibration (QT stream)

doin' crimes

2007-12-06T11:18:00.000-06:00

It's been three long years since the last full album release from San Diego quartet, Louis XIV. Catching them at ACL this year was one of my highlights of the festival (and the same can be said for about 1000 14 year old girls apparently). Slick Dogs and Ponies, the follow-up to this year's four song EP, The Distances From Everyone To You, still sends up some of the neo-glam I've come to love from these guys, but has a few new twists to the sound.

mp3 shoebox
Louis XIV~Guilt By Association

::CATCH LOUIS XIV ON TOUR::

December 15 – Rimac Arena – San Diego, CA (FM 94.9)
December 16 – The Empire – Sacramento, CA (FM 106.5)

w/ Hot Hot Heat and Editors

January 8 – Culture Room – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
January 9 – Jannus Landing – St. Petersburg, FL
January 10 – House Of Blues – Lake Buena Vista, FL
January 11 – The Roxy – Atlanta, GA
January 12 – Wildhorse – Nashville, TN
January 14 – The Norva – Norfolk, VA
January 15 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
January 17 – Terminal 5 – New York, NY
January 18 – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA
January 19 – Orpheum Theatre – Boston, MA
January 20 – Club Soda – Montreal, QUE
January 22 – Koolhaus – Toronto, ONT
January 23 – Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH
January 25 – Vic Theatre – Chicago, IL
January 26 – Majestic Theatre – Detroit, MI
January 27 – Pabst Theater – Milwaukee, WI
January 29 – Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI
January 30 – Fine Line Music Café – Minneapolis, MN
February 1 – Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
February 4 – Showbox At The Market – Seattle, WA
February 5 – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
February 6 – Roseland Theater – Portland, OR
February 8 – Warfield Theater – San Francisco, CA
February 9 – The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA
February 10 – House of Blues – Anaheim, CA
February 13 – House of Blues – San Diego, CA
February 14 – House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV

say hi to your pop

2007-12-03T09:18:00.001-06:00

Discarding the last half or so of his previous moniker, Eric Elbogen (now simply Say Hi), is set to release his fifth album, The Wishes and the Glitch. In spite of, or maybe just in contrast, to the shortened name, the songs on this release are fuller and richer than previous Say Hi To Your Mom offerings. Stand out tracks like the album lead in Northern Girls, Toil and Trouble, and Back Before We Were Brittle are indicative of the more mature content and fully developed hooks that make this album so nice. Look for some dates to support the release in 2008. If there's one thing this band does more ubiquitously than pop hooks, its tour. Oh yeah, David Bazan and John Roderick (The Long Winters) each contribute vocals on a track.

mp3 shoebox
Say Hi~Northern Girls

hey kids

2007-11-30T10:20:00.000-06:00

So I figured waiting half a month was better than just putting up stupid random posts just for the sake of posting. Tonight there is a great show that somehow slipped under my radar until a few days ago. The Mean Spirits, Electric Primadonnas, and Locust Avenue will be filling the Opolis (a simple space for shows) with their own brands of psychedelic ecstasy. I'd provide an mp3 or two for you, but these guys are all stingy arseholes. Naw, Locust Avenue doesn't have any new songs available yet and their sound has made quite a progression since the last record; I'm too lazy and cheap to buy the Electric Primadonna album; The Mean Spirits doesn't have much available as yet. However, check each band's myspace for some tunes and then pack up the car and head on down to Crawford street.

mp3 shoebox
The Beautiful South~Old Red Eyes Is Back
Bootsy Collins~Can't Stay Away

++ECKSTERA++
I just found out that there will be a couple of groovy films looping at Mainsite tonight as well as the opening reception for the emerging artist exhibit. I hear there will be drinks and hot chicks at this one. And that reminds me, at 7pm tonight Guestroom OKC is hosting a FREE screening of Heima, the new DVD from Sigur Ros. Gaw.

scandanavian building

2007-11-14T09:59:00.001-06:00

Panther

Glass Candy's Johnny

More Architecture pics here

I have seen two great shows in the last week. First the Tegan and Sara/Northern State show at the House of Blues in Dallas on Friday and then (I guess it wasn't really the weekend) Monday's Architecture in Helsinki show at the Opolis.
Panther, a two man band from Portland, started the evening off with what I think can best be described as what would happen if the Evangelicals decided to become a dance band. While it started a little rocky with a failed attempt to copy one of the prerecorded beat tracks on the duo's only live instrument (drums) they were able to pick things back up and get the sold out crowd to leave their head bopping, arms crossed stance and start dancing.
In fairness some of that dancing was led by Glass Candy's singer, Idano. The dance music continued it's crescendo as electronic , drum loving Glass Candy brought the beats. Idano did a great job of bringing the audience to their fun spot and the songs (including a cover of Kraftwerk's Computer Love), while suffering a bit of the repetition curse inherent in most dance music, where a fantastic set up for Architecture's energy.
Closing the night in fine fashion was Australian septet Architecture in Helsinki. I am so very glad that I saw them perform live. They were really tight and that is a huge feat when considering how many people there are on stage and the complexity of most of their arrangements. It's too bad that they lose most of their live show energy on their recordings. We were also able to hear some of the evidence of their influences, especially the polyrhythmic beats of the Talking Heads. All in all, this was one of the most fun shows we've seen at the Opolis in a while.

mp3 shoebox
Architecture in Helsinki~Heart It Races
Architecture in Helsinki~Do The Whirlwind
Glass Candy~Beatific
Glass Candy~Digital Versicolor

interpol on npr

2007-11-12T12:01:00.000-06:00

If you're like me - and you know you are - you can't get enough Interpol. They have a new interview and live performance on NPRs World Cafe here. Man these guys are good.

naughty three

2007-11-12T10:08:00.000-06:00

This is one of the weirdest Festival City Radio podcasts (number 93) we've done in a long time. There's all kinds of stuff going on in this one.
New releases for Nov 13, and one from Nov 6 :
Duran Duran - "Night Runner (ft. Timberlake and Timbaland)"
Malajube - "Montreal 40degrees C"
Os Mutantes - "A Minha Menina"
The Hives - "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S."
Grizzly Bear - "Alligator"
Vashti Bunyan - "Winter is Blue"
Ian Dury and the Blockheads - "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll"
Robyn Hitchcock - "Brenda's Iron Sledge/Funkytown"
Danzig - "Long Way Back From Hell"
Johnny Cash - "One"

Upcoming shows:
Trentalange - "Lonely Land"
Rum Fellows - "Little Boxes"

mp3 shoebox bonus
The City Lives~Bad Enough
The Hives~Tick Tick Boom
Prince~Tick, Tick, Bang

kris is a lady

2007-11-07T08:43:00.000-06:00

I guess I should have shared this when it was originally posted, but I've been too busy wasting my time on Facebook. It's number 92 of Festival City Radio.
New releases for yesterday, November 6:
Bob Trimble - "Night at the Asylum" (0:00)
Jeremy Jay - "Light Beam" (5:00)
Citay - "First Fantasy" (11:10)
The Drift - "For Grace and Stars" (20:00)
Bear in Heaven - "Bag of Bags" (29:00)
Sigur Rós - "Heysátan" (35:15)

Upcoming shows:
The Evens - "Mt. Pleasant Isn't" (40:30)
Magnificent Bird - "The Victorian" (45:45)
King Khan & BBQ Show - "Fish Fight" (52:20)
Old Time Relijun - "Indestructible Life!" (57:45)
Architecture in Helsinki - "Souvenirs" (1:06:00)

mp3 shoebox bonus (or 12 songs we probably should have included, but didn't because we're lazy)
60 Watt Kid~Ocsicnarf Nas
The Antlers~The Universe Is Going To Catch You
The Black Swans~Change
David Byrne~In the Future
The Drift~Invisible Cities
Clipd Beaks~Melter
Grizzly Bear~Alligator [Choir Version]
Minipop~Like I Do
White Williams~New Violence
Wild Sweet Orange~Wrestle With God
Richard Youngs~Low Bay of Sky
Zookeeper~Becoming All Things