Listening: May 08

Above? Lyrics from Vampire Weekend's "Walcott." So cheeky.

I finally set aside In Rainbows because a healthy music diet should have a steady flow of new dishes.

Also, it was time to update the sidebar of my home page with recent favorites (a last.fm list isn't enough as I don't use iTunes that much).

I figured an archive of these selections might be nice to capture in an entry. So here goes:

	Madonna "Hard Candy" — A guilty pleasure. Madonna's latest strays away from fame angst and religion mumbling (largely), moving directly on to the dance floor. I thought Justin Timberlake's last album was one of the best of the year, so his presence here is quite welcome (no matter how calculated.) At times songs feel like old-Prince, old-Madonna, 70's disco (is that cowbell?) and something else. An appearance by Kanye just adds to the sweet ride. FAVORITE TRACKS: HEARTBEAT, MILES AWAY, BEAT GOES ON, DANCE 2NIGHT, VOICES
	Vampire Weekend — Some albums take a while to really sink into the brain. This is not one of those albums. The hooks sink in immediately. It's poppy, bright and brings some different instrumentation to the traditional indie-rock mix. I have no idea what these vampire kids are talking about in their lyrics (and I'm still not sure how they feel about the bears in Provincetown), but they usually rhyme and that's enough for me. FAVORITE TRACKS: CAPE COD KWASSA KWASSA, OXFORD COMMA, I STAND CORRECTED
	Bon Iver "For Emma, Forever Ago" — To balance out all the sunny stuff, I like to have a little mellow available. When the view out the window is overcast, this is currently what I'm playing. Mind you, it works on a sunny days to boot—adding a bit of urgency the day's soundtrack. FAVORITE TRACKS: RE: STACKS, FLUME, SKINNY LOVE, LUMP SUM
	The Breeders "Mountain Battles" — You're thinking, oh Chris, you've been brainwashed by listening to this album over and over (while editing the release party video). You may be right, but it still occupies a slot in my CD player and I give it a spin, often. Every single track has a decided vibe, with little details that creep out of the corners and tease playfully. It's always genuine, and a little weird in the good way. FAVORITE TRACKS: NIGHT OF JOY, WE'RE GONNA RISE, GERMAN STUDIES, ISTANBUL, WALK IT OFF, REGALAME ESTA NOCHE, NO WAY, MOUNTAIN BATTLES

Related: I'm looking forward to heading back to St. Louis this weekend, to catch The Breeders on tour.

Also enjoying these albums: Goldfrapp "Seventh Tree", The Black Keys "Attack & Release", Coconut Records "Nighttiming" - next on the list, delve into Portishead's "3".

Home button

An extra thrown in a package from record label Hometapes

I make light of my studiomate's obsession with vinyl, but when something like Brad Laner's "Neighbor Singing" shows up at the door with an album cover complete with Josh Keyes creations, I am smitten.

A couple photos here and here.

In other news, Tom filed away all the CDs and records in the office proper, and this makes me ecstatic.

Compounded with a successful tackling of an overflowing closet this weekend, I think the tide of spring is washing over me.

Current music: The Icicles "La Ti Da"

MusicNOW Festival '08

Memorial Hall — stage set with an installation by Karl Jensen

The MusicNow festival ended on Saturday night with performances by Grizzly Bear and Andrew Bird.

The former I'd heard about when Erik interviewed them for Bears Gone Wild. He told me I should bring down some bubba shirts for the fellas, so that's exactly what I did. Friendly guys those Grizzly Bears, accepting the bag of shirts graciously before putting on a sweet show. And by sweet I mean awesome, with unusual instrumentation and great harmonies. A little melancholy, a little fuzzy, and all totally enthralling.

Mental note: send out a camo tee to their sound dude.

Closing out the event was Andrew Bird and call me silly, but I was a virgin to his music prior to this evening. I am correcting this oversight by delving into his catalogue after experiencing a decided and significant "whoa" by his performance. A multi-instrumentalist who builds his song onstage with such a demeanor that you believe every word from his lips and pluck of his violin. That is, if you were one who might not believe violins before.

My words no good, here's a video of Imitosis on a French television program.

And alas, there are lots more photos, but I've got to hit the pavement and then follow-up on emails, do my taxes, and (insert the avalanche of Monday).

Current music: Andrew Bird "Imitosis"

The Breeders: record release party

At a Dayton V.F.W.

I've been pretty excited about this for a while and the day is finally here. The official word:

"To celebrate the imminent arrival of their new album, The Breeders would like to invite you to their official record release event. Join Kim, Kelley and the band to listen to a vinyl test pressing of the Mountain Battles album in its entirety."

So what's this have to do with me, aside from being a fan that's looking forward to the new album?

Well, I've been helping the band get their website online, taking photos over the past few months, and wielded a video-camera alongside Mando (bassist) to capture this release party.

If you've got a chunk of time to spare, you can hear the whole new album and watch it all go down.

I recommend headphones:

[ CHECK IT OUT ]

Kelley

(and me... there... in the window!)

Busy gal, this Kelley Deal.

She's got a book droppin' in 08, and maybe a new album too—but don't ask me for details, I know nothing.

What she doesn't have is very many photos of herself making music, so we spent a few hours snapping some shots this evening.

I need to study that Strobist 'blog more and learn about using flash off camera. Overall though, I think we got some goof stuff tonight, and either way, it was fun tryin.

Previously

Current music: The Breeders "Forced To Drive (Loho Version)"

Dan’s faculty recital

Performing Vignettes for Trumpet and Percussion by James M. Stevenson III

Drove up from Farm Day, threw on some pants and got to Dan's recital just in time.

The months of preparation paid off and we were treated to a great performance, and no, I'm not biased.

I have to say, I welled up a little seeing the last piece played out with Dan and his bestest friend “Brown”
on percussion. They've known each other since doing a tour in Italy and haven't stopped gabbing since. In fact, I think she's his #1 on speed dial. I'd be jealous if she wasn't so groovy.

When they came out for their bow (photo), I was flush with joy.

A reception followed where we packed 40 colleagues, family and friends into our apartment. So packed it was hard to get from one side of the room to another. Mental note: next party, organize a drink station and put a ladle in the mulled cider.

Big shout out thanks to my mom for coming, helping me get the food out, and for this recipe:

PUMPKIN DIP (so easy, I couldn't mess it up)

Current music: Vignettes for Trumpet and Percussion (#3) Eric Berlin And Eduardo Leandro

The National: Madison Theater - Covington, KY

Another solid show [ bigger, sharper picture ]

Haven't been out to many rock concerts this year. I'm not counting the American Idol tour.

Always try and catch The National when they roll through town. They've got music making down pat.

Stopped by my mom's on the way back up north.

Apple season has begun and she'd already been to our favorite orchard. A big bag full of delicious fruit and some cider was ready for pickup. (thanks ma)

This means autumn is here, but it wasn't the apples that tipped me off... It was when Frisch's Big Boy puts out the signs for Pumpkin Pie a couple weeks back. Like clockwork, and as reliable as Halloween candy taking over the seasonal aisle.

Current music: The National "Brainy"

The National: Shake It Records

fresh from their performance at Dustaroo

I like Last.fm because I don't have to do anything. It simply collects data from iTunes and publishes it to their slow performing site (now owned by CBS). What this webservice doesn't capture is the music that I play in my car.

That short list would have The National's Boxer lodged firmly in the CD player ever since its release. Solid album through and through, fuzzy emotions, and perfect as some say with a tall glass of lemonade (shot of whiskey optional).

Super happy to catch them two times on Friday. The first, a small acoustic set at Shake It, and again as full band at the 20th Century Theatre.

There's a few pictures here: Recent photos tagged "The National"

Previously: At the Comet 3/14/04, At WOXY 3/16/05

Current music: The National "Gospel"

The Young Republic

Nate Underkufler warming up in the hallway outside the lounge

Started today with a little diversion down at WOXY and ended up taking pictures of The Young Republic (again!). Good to hear some live music and see the crew there, albeit it way too short.

Been working round the clock, cramming so I can take a few days off this holiday weekend. No plans set but I hope it involves no browser compatibility issues.

I'll spare the details and provide some links:

• MP3: Girl in a Tree (acoustic)
• More music and info on The Young Republic's site.
• Grab the single Blue Skies over on WOXY's 'blog.
• All the photos from the Lounge Act today.
• Bonus image: A special message from the ladies restroom.

O Fortuna

Schuster Center [ + blurry zoom ]

Dan got me in to see the last Dayton Philharmonic performance of the season. The latter half being Carmina Burana, a favorite of mine since singing it with the May Festival Youth Chorus back when I didn't have any hair on my chest.

I tried not to mouth the words and look a fool, but my toes were tapping along for sure. Such a spirited piece.

Afterward, a gathering of the brass section over a spread worthy of royalty, and drinks under the stars. When I say royalty I mean grilled brats and burgers, cheese and fruit, and chocolate cake heavy with frosting. Heaven.

I'm reminded not much beats the smell of a fire. Can't wait for camping.

Oh the deer heads? An interior view from the from the hosts' abode.

Current music: "Tanz"

Current earworm: Meatballs soundtrack - 1979

and a dandelion

Are you ready for the summer?
Are you ready for the sunshine?
Are you ready for some friends (?) and bees (beads?),
the apple trees,
and a whole lot of fooling around?

Are you ready for the summer?
Are you ready for the good times?
Are you ready for the birds and bees,
the apple trees,
and a whole lot of fooling around?

Are you ready for the summer?
Are you ready for the good times?
Are you ready some lovin' fun,
in the sun?
Cause the summer is waiting for you.

Current music: The Camp North Star Kids Chorus "Are You Ready for the Summer?" [mp3]

Leave Spoons at Home

2006 year end

My friend loves music.

In fact, the first time I met him years ago, we spent a good portion of lunch just jabbering about bands and shows. We still dish music and noise, and his influence should be evident in the tracks I note with recent journal entries. My taste is awful, but I have a few handfuls of excellent sources to keep me from of spinning grunge and shoegazer stuff from the 90’s.

So I look forward to his yearly mix of favorites with Pavlovian drool — lots for the music, but extra for the packaging.

I still listen to the double disc set from 2004 (and 2005, but I haven't made a page for that yet).

This year he got inspiration for the artwork from his grandmother's couch, using it as a texture on the outside and the CDs themselves.

Super purdy.

Now to wear out the CDs and tear out the shopping list.

Packaging + Track List

Current music: Kimya Dawson "12/26"

trumpet city

Behind the red couch on a snow day [ + zoom out ]

Ice spittle hit the windows for hours yesterday. Sounded like a rainstick with no end.

Good day for grilled cheese and soup.

Dan has a super important interview this week. So instead of practicing in his studio, he came out to the living room and performed his entire recital sans accompaniment.

So while I worked through emails and HTML, I got a free concert.

An audio clip [ MP3 3.5 MB ] Hummel Trumpet Concerto

--

Snow came overnight and added a few inches to the ground, and we don't have sleds.

Current music: Dan practicing recital "Hummel Trumpet Concerto"

poo

the last 6 photos from my mobile phone

It's hard to sum up the sprawl of poo that was today.

Let's just say I have a new cruddy mobile phone to replace a broken one, but the good news is that I did not extend my contract. I also saved the last 6 photos, pictured above, but if you'd like a better look...

I used to post these mobile photos here, but somehow I mucked up some phone settings and I gave up trying to figure it out.

Also, I'm driving a rental Corolla with kidney-punching lumbar support while I try and figure out how to get my ride to a dealership for evaluation. Something to do with oil not getting to the engine... It's an aging '98 Passat with 140K, but I love it.

The good part of all this? I been trying for a while to find appropriate background music when I write in the ol' journal. Generally based on a theme that sums up the day, it offers an approach to an out of control digital music collection—unearthing long forgotten, or never heard tune-age.

Tonight I've been enjoying:

Ween “Don't Shit Where You Eat”
Modest Mouse “Shit Luck”
Eels “Old Shit/New Shit”
Quasi “Hot Shit”
Bug Guts “Beanstalk to Shittsville”
!!! “Shit Scheisse Merde, Pt 1 & 2”

So yeah, creating playlists based on word = fun. Really.

On a related note, I started feeding last.fm a while ago and it keeps track of this stuff.. I find the site sort've slow and confusing sometimes, but like all this, it might be nice in old age to sift back through the days and data slong gone by. Shitty or not.

Current music: Headphones "Shit Talker"

10/10 10:10

bringing WOXY back

Yay.

WOXY officially rocks again.

Better stream quality, totally free, and lots of good stuff in the works.

DJ Princess

behind the microphone [ +zoom ]

I went down to the radio station to take a few shots yesterday, and Babs was on duty. Even as the station gets ready to power-down and go off "air" this week, she still asks, "So what music have you been listening to lately?"

These people rock to their core.

She's heading off to Minnesota Public Radio to lend her sultry voice to The Current, so that's cool. (story here)

I hope to report future bright stories from these fine folks.

Until then, there are t-shirts .

A Trip to Motown

with the Cincinnati Pops

Dan performed with the Pops last night at Riverbend - the place I used to work when I was old enough to pour beer. It was a fine summer job, especially whenever Jimmy Buffet came through town and super-drunk folks wearing zany hats would tip well.

Enough about that, the Pops concert was great. And though I'm not sure how "A Trip to Motown" would include two selections from Flashdance, I can't complain hearing “What a Feeling” fully orchestrated. Irene Cara would be pleased. (The other selection was Love Them which the Pops have previously recorded. If you have iTunes, here's a sample)

Music of Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, and a new arrangement of "Birdland" rounded out the first half before The Contours took over the second.

Weather was unexpectedly good, I fear this implies more summer heat is on the way.

my first mash-up

Caption unavailable

I attempted listening to the #1 song in iTunes and was transported back to a time when MTV played videos. I lament this often because I think music videos were important to my development. I suppose I should stop beating this topic because kids raised on My Super Sweet 16 will likely turn out totally fine.

Anyway, my first mashup is a little over 2 minutes long, which clocks in about 1 minute longer than it needs to be. Though the technology makes mash-ups easy, it was hard to make all the audio blends totally seamless.

Hear it is:

Promiscuous Opposites (Paula Abdul + Nelly Furtato featuring Timberlands) MP3
(right click to save)

Desdemona Festival

Sawyer Point Park, Cincinnati

This marks the first year for the indie rock festival organized by Nick Spencer - a strong proponent of advancing Cincinnati as not only a destination, but a place to live.

And though Pitchfork said of the fest, "good luck with that" - the clouds parted ways of impending storm, and luck was indeed had.

I went down last night to find easy parking and a small but good sized crowd, excellent burgers, and short beer lines.

Caught a bit of Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, Northern State, The High and Low, and Apples in Stereo. For complete coverage, I can't recommend highly enough Good Hodgkins who came down to report from Cleveland (and takes EXCELLENT photos).

WOXY was there as well, my hub for information, general dish, food recommendations, and overall good time.

Then there was the highlight: as I was off to the right of the stage snapping photos, I get approached by a fellow Croc wearer, "Are you Chris Glass?" At this point my brows likely twisted into that look indicating memory access.

Turns out she knows me from the journal (a former Cincinnatian), just moved from Germany to San Diego, and is a fellow blogger and Flickr(er). We've crossed paths virtually a few times, but meeting someone in real life tends to help cement a connection (but in Kell's words: not in a Kathy Bates / Misery kind of way).

If the New York trip wasn't already a great reminder, this was another experience where I am glad to be online, in the company of good people.

Tonight: a bit more of Desdemona, then an unlikely music pairing with Pollard and Pearl Jam at the arena next door.

Jason Lytle

I just wanna elevate myself

Tonight, a benefit concert—the Emmett Art Show, benefitting a child that had a complicated entrance into the world.

Judging from the amount of support from artists and musicians, he's got a bunch of folks rooting for his well being. Among them, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, capping off an evening with a great art auction and a handful of local bands.

I'm still reeling a wee bit from seeing the lead singer from one of my favorite (now defunct) bands performing material in an intimate venue.

Good cause.
Good evening.

the devil’s interval

diabolus in musica

The weekend was full of interesting things. One tidbit in particular came by sitting down at a piano and learning about a tritone—a type of chord with a strange history:

In the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church banned an interval that we would today write as the notes C and F#, which is called a tritone. In those times, musical instruments were tuned differently than they are today, and our modern instruments can't reproduce this interval exactly... To hear it, or something very close to it, sing the first two notes of Leonard Bernstein's song "Maria" from West Side Story. (source)

Speaking of church, I also attended my first first communion this weekend, but details will have to wait until the work whistle blows.

Clogs + The Books

at the Contemporary Arts Center

MusicNow Festival, 2006

The installation of Karl Jensen's large paper lanterns and backdrop to the stage was mesmerizing. Cutouts of intricate detail and symmetry with light pouring from behind lent a cool vibe to the joint—like some fantastic nightclub of the future, but with really uncomfortable seating. Oh yeah, I'm focusing on the positive.

Clogs opened. Their instrumentation of guitar, bassoon, viola and changing percussion churned out quiet, contemplative pieces. Vocals would seep in here and there, more as instrument than lyric. Lantern, the title track of their latest album and inspiration for decor, closed their set with a bit of upbeat but wistful melancholy.

Short intermission where I got to hang with friends including Garrison, and then it was back inside for a most extraordinary experience that is The Books performing live.

Their set list was a numeric chapter listing on a DVD projected on to a screen.

I'm guessing that the beats and sound clips were contained on the DVD, with the two members of the band providing vocals, guitar and cello on the spot.

A hodgepodge of videos in the background reminded me of Vinnie's x-mas mixes. Weird and wonderful stuff, chopped up and twisted around to create something new.

Totally. Awesome.

And completely unlike the photos that came from my camera.

Gabrieli Festival

Springfield, OH

Sunday afforded a rare glimpse of Dan (pictured above) conducting rather than playing music for an audience. This marked the 25th year for the Gabrieli Festival, a brass choir invitational, held on the campus of Wittenberg University.

Groups from area colleges performed, with a combination of all the "choirs" playing together at the end. Pretty powerful stuff as trumpets, trombones, tubas and (french) horns surrounded the chapel (even up in the balcony) to play a work form the namesake of the festival. (more info on Giovanni Gabreili)

An excellent Sunday.

A student changes back into “normal” clothes after the performance

Editors

Acoustic set

Editors, warming up in the WOXY Lounge.

Charlotte Martin

Live in the WOXY Lounge

A fine spring day here in Cincinnati, with a pleasant surprise of taking photos of Charlotte Martin this afternoon. I usually have no idea what I'm in for, but this gal was super duper sweet, her socks don't match, she loves Kate Bush and sounds a bit like Tori Amos.

Brightened the day all the more.

And she has a winning smile - more photos up on Flickr

(and if you're in St. Louis, Phoenix or San Francisco - she's headed your way)

Bob Mould

Performing solo at the Southgate House

It was a stormy night and instead of staying in to watch movies, I got a wild hair to run down to the Southgate House and see if there were still tickets available for Bob Mould.

I was pleasantly surprised to find it was a no smoking show, with tables set up in a civilized manner on the main floor. Lightning flashed through the colored glass block windows, setting a nice vibe for the evening.

Local fella (Scott Cunningham ) going by the moniker Wake the Bear opened the evening with an acoustic set. Earnest and charming.

A Rolling Rock after he unplugged, Bob came onstage apologizing for vocal distress caused by Atlanta pollen, then jumped right into Wishing Well from Workbook. Allergies or not, he sounded great, pulling tunes from across his catalogue and making me recollect times I'd long forgotten. A time when Rolling Stone's college charts were my only connection to the world of music, and I'd zone out in headphones and pour over tiny lyrics in cassette covers.

Midway through the set, he switched to electric guitar and broke into Circles from his latest album.

I made the right choice not staying home.

5 photos from the show

Defying Gravity

Elphaba

Went to see Wicked tonight through a lucky turn of events.

Been familiarizing myself with the music for the past week or so, and what fun it was to see all the pieces fall in place with the dialog between the songs.

The leads were great, the costumes fun in Dr. Seussian way, and the sets did their job. Aside from a somewhat wonky angle of the stage, a giddy thumbs up all around.

I like this show a lot. Mainly for the notion of taking an old familiar story and twisting it deliciously into something with greater meaning. And as much as I thought things would fall neatly into good and bad, I don't think it's a spoiler by saying they didn't.

Adverts:

What’s up with WOXY?

This is going to be a little longer post than usual

The short version: There was a prom-themed party at Alchemize this weekend to support WOXY. I didn't know what to expect, but when I saw the wonderfully hand painted backdrop for photos I got a little excited. In short order a fella arrived with lighting rigs, a laptop, camera, and printer.

I sat behind the scenes taking advantage of the great light as he snapped photos of lots of folks in hip prom regalia.

A live band poured through covers of songs that fit the flavor of the station, setting the backdrop for an excellent evening.

More Photos here

Support WOXY? You might be wondering. What's that all about?

Continue reading "What’s up with WOXY?"

Sigur Rós

Live at the Taft Theatre

The quartet Amina opened the show tonight, building loops of strings, percussion and other oddities—a saw, a music box, and a laptop to name a few.

My friend joked they were checking their email, but humor took a back seat as we zoned out and let the music carry us through landscapes of sound.

The respectful silence of the crowd during the quiet bits suggested everyone was enjoying the ride.

This set the tone for the headliner, Sigur Rós, emerging behind a veil with simple lights casting exaggerated shadows. Which was fitting as their sound seemed much bigger than the handful of folks making it.

Half the fun was watching how they made their music. A bow on electric guitar, drumming on the bass, Amina providing a backdrop of strings, tied together with vocals that allow thinking about everything and nothing.

A perfect interlude for dramatic weather.

Robert Pollard

Sober at the Southgate House

My journal is starting to loop. Or skip.

I can say, however, I didn't lose my camera this time at a GBV (related) event.

...

The show was good. Lots of material from the new album... I think...

I'm not one of those pale rabid fans that creep out from behind their bootlegs every time Mr. Pollard comes through town to pound their fist in the air, shout slurred lyrics, litter the floor with crushed PBR cans, and wet their jeans.

I kid.

But don't get me wrong, it was good. The new band was tight, sound levels didn't blow out my ear drums, and the synth was a nice touch.

And personally, I like Nintendo and PBR.

Lounging

One of my favorite shots, from Aberdeen City

I'm still trying to catch up from Thanksgiving. Heck, I'm still trying to catch up from early fall... One of my duties slipped through the cracks—posting Lounge Act photos from the radio station.

I am now caught up and all the sets are posted up on WOXY's Flickr Account.

Top row from left:
Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, Sam Champion, The Virgins, The Great Shakes
Bottom Row from left:
The Carter Administration, The National, World Leader Pretend, The Long Winters

podcasts and donuts

I had a jelly filled one

A morning Lounge Act at the radio station merited snacks other than the usual carrots and salami rolls with cream cheese. The above image was swiped from the box of Dunkin Donuts, reminding everyone that the holidays fast approach.

In related news, lots of the performances are now being made available via podcast.

Get 'em while they're hot ( iTunes Music Store link )

thriller, live!

Darkness falls across the Bluegrass State

Every Halloween in Lexington, KY, they block off the streets and recreate Michael Jackson's Thriller video.

Really.

How many times did I hope for that video to come on MTV with none of my family around so I could attempt those dance moves? These moves that were impossible for my 11 year old brain. If I had that red leather jacket, I'm sure I could have done them perfectly.

The drive to Lexington was effortless and beautiful. The crowd was large and the dancers seemed to skip a few parts.

Was it perfect? Heck no.
Was it awesome? You betcha.

Thrilling adverts! :

7 songs

De Novo Dahl a while back at WOXY

I was issued a tag to fess up to 7 songs I am currently listening to. It took some time, but here they are:

(Links are to artist sites, not MP3s. Because I'm lame like that)

De Novo Dahl : Be Your Man - It's hard to pick just one track from their double album Cats/Kittens (one disc is a remix of the other). They're all over the place, superfun live, and they wear outfits. I really enjoy listening to them.

Grandaddy : F**k the Valley Fudge - This isn't the best Grandaddy song ever, but it is what I'm listening to at the moment. Not many songs drop rhymes like Applebees and Chuck E. Cheese. And the lawnmower at the end: pure love for a white noise addict.

Adrian Belew : One of Those Days - I just got a copy of the acoustic version of this song, a song that always reminds me of summer. It pleases me like the sound of lawnmowers I'm not manning, and burning grass scented candles.

Sia : Breathe Me (Four Tet remix) - I've already admitted how much the last episode of 6 ft under moved me. This song stuck and I have to thank Harmonica Lewinsky for the remix.

Dirty on Purpose : All New Friends - Like much of my music these days, this stems from the radio station. Another fun one holding over from the sunshine season. It will likely be replaced by another one of their songs in the shuffle: Mind Blindness, to go with the change in season.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah : Over And Over Again (Lost And Found) - We needed something to fill the gaping void that was Talking Heads in the music landscape. Thems tough shoes to fill with just one album under the belt, but it's the David Byrne vocal similarities that influence my declaration. And it's fun to hear that Bear Gone Wild say their name by clapping loudly, then whooping, "Yeah!"

Oh, and this last group will be performing in the lounge tomorrow before opening for The National at the Southgate House.

Dagnabbit, that's just 6 songs. All that linking was hard. Maybe I'll append later.

Off the chain

A rant

It began to sink in last night, when I was watching the MTV Video Music Awards... A show I don't invest too much into, but I had a tinge of hope that something amusing or remotely interesting would happen.

It didn't. I turned it off after Eric Roberts talked about heck-knows-what and I realized I hadn't seen any of the horrible videos nominated.

Tonight I was flipping through the channels and everything just seemed played out.
Lip-synched.
Scripted.
False.
Pimped beyond recognition.

A long time ago, it was MTV that was a big part of my desire to get cable. And now, some decades later, I think it's the reason why I want to get rid of it.

I blame a good chunk of today's offerings on The Real World, and the foray into reality that oddly enough, I cannot relate to. The subsequent infusion of has-been stars cannot elevate this to entertainment. No amount play on the industry or the eating of caterpillar guts is going to make me want to tune in.

Add to this mix the shallowness of fame and the manipulation of media (Hi Paris, I'm sad I know your name), and it's about time I think about getting rid of all these channels. These are feeds I really wouldn't subscribe to...

Perhaps this is some in-between season disdain. Maybe I'm still sad Six Feet Under is over (and it is likely a show that is better in my mind than it actually was).

I dunno.

I still want my high-speed internet, I think.

Glazing over

Strummers

Often I lament not being able to play an instrument.

I was in choir through high school (no jazz hands, thank you very much) which gave me the insight to read music, but that's the extent of my musical ability.

Well, my mom had a dulcimer I picked at during my youth, and we had one of those double-tiered organs with the bossa nova buttons. At my most engaged I was picking out songs from the Liberace and Anne Murray songbooks with one finger.

Today, I met up with a friend at the guitar store and I was sort've bowled over. So many tuners, cords, amps, and other paraphernalia—with prices that ranged from reasonable to (insert jawdrop). Maybe it's best that not everywhere is a candy store and practicing restraint is entirely possible.

Pete Yorn

In the lounge

Epitome of down to earth fella. Put on a real nice set yesterday.

He's workin on another album and is touring to test some of the new material.

More Photos

The Cloud Room

Live in the Lounge

I'm tuckered. Real quick though, The Cloud Room stopped by woxy this afternoon. Nice fellas who put on an excellent set.

More photos...

Gorillaz

In the words of Mike the DJ, "They're much smaller in real life"

“Live” in the lounge.
S'more photos...

Architecture in Helsinki

Architecture in Helsinki : Indie Pop :: Katamari Darmacy : Videogames
Southgate House - Newport, KY

A gig.
A whole gig.
Of photos.
Most of which are blurry, or dark, or blurry AND dark. There's about 500, I'll sort through those later.

Anywho, the show (and the lounge act earlier in the day) was superfun. It was a bit sad to see such a small crowd out, but I suppose they have a niche audience or the area kids have gone home from college.

The 8 members swapped instruments on most songs, with a "we enjoying ourselves" vibe.

Oh, and they're vandals.

Lounge Acts

The Wrens

The Wrens came through the studio yesterday and put on an excellent set. An amicable bunch, they made the whole photo-taking process very easy. I did promise to photoshop Brad Pitt's body on them, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.

I spent a good part of the evening going through photos from May to get caught up on all the woxy.com outstanding shoots, including: Brendan Benson, Psychodots, Cartel, and more of The Wrens...

I don't get down to snap every band that comes through, but it's always nice when I do. Good bunch of folks and always good music. Lots of upcoming acts coming up. I'll try to give some ample warning before they happen.

Rilo Kiley

at the Southgate House

I missed the DJ set from Rilo Kiley at the studio today, and have decided to get one of those emergency car kits that have jumper cables and flares. I did however, make it to see them perform across the river this evening.

I'd be lying if I said I knew their music really well, but that's the fun of going to see a live performance—there's always a layer of personality and sound that doesn't come across through headphones.

I did try and get acquainted by streaming tunes from their website before heading out. Much of it was familiar from songs on compilations and the radio station.

I believe at one point I said to a friend that the lead singer was Sissy Spacek for the new millennium—but that was mostly due to the slight twang and cavernous voice. More haunting that one would expect to find in a rock band. Categorization fails.

Summary: Packed venue, great show. I missed the boat by not digging this band before.

Music

Blame the Cosmonaut

1. Total amount of music files on your computer?
A good chunk. More on an external drive.

2. The last cd(s) you bought acquired... (I'm gearing up for record store spree, I promise)
- The Eels "Blinking Lights..."
- Nikka Costa "Can'tneverdidnothin'"
- Architecture In Helsinki "In Case We Die"
- Spoon "Gimmee Fiction"
- Headphones Self titled
- Fiona Apple "Extraordinary Machine" (bless her heart)
(also, Tarwater, The Mountain Goats and Mike Doughty)

3. What was the last song you listened to before reading this message?
"Be Good To Them Always" The Books

4. Write down five songs you often listen to or mean a lot to you you've played more than once recently?
"Mad World" Gary Jules (a cover of a Tears for Fears song that gets under my skin in a nice sad way)
"Air" The Owls (not Owls)
"Of Angels and Angels" The Decemberists (I can sing along to them with my nose stuffed up)
"Earthquake Weather" Beck (from his new disc)
"Live Like You Were Dying" Tim McGraw (shut up)

5. What new music are you really excited for in the coming year so far?
Stephen Malkmus, Flaming Lips, Weezer (guarded expectation, edit: I only like one song), Gorillaz (ditto), Royksopp, Bob Mould, Kate Bush, Death Cab..., Grandaddy, Primal Scream (maybe)... (These taken from the most excellent upcoming releases page on Metacritic)

6. Which five people are you going to pass this baton to and why?
Wasn't it painful enough just to read this?

I'd be curious about the perspectives of some folks that don't "blog" much:
Tommy D (master compiler),
Reenies Dad (his last mix from many months ago is still in my car)

7. What I'd like to buy when I go to the record store (I made this one up)
Decemberists "Picaresque"
Lou Barlow "Emoh"
Beck "Guero"
The National "Alligator"

Borrowing

Note to self: do not use Sharpie without glasses

A friend came over and we spent a good part of the night talking about everything from politics to music over some (good) cheap wine. I burned an already 'borrowed' copy of the Decemberists new disc and marked off the calendar for their stop in town.

Now I need to follow through and pick up the actual CD, or perhaps they get more kickback on t-shirts at concerts? Hmm, not sure. Regardless, their latest album, "Picaresque" has been one of the bright spots this year, and even though there are all these great music festivals, I'm looking mighty forward just to see them on their own.

Planting One Seed at a Time

Tom’s 2004 Compilation

My friend’s yearly mixes have taken on epic proportions. His labor of love takes months of honing as he perfects the flow and develops stunning packages. This year, a few of us turned an evening of picking up the CDs into a mini-release party catered by Chipotle.

Fun details include sunflower seeds in the spine of the jewelboxing, and an actual coupon for the independent record store here in town to encourage folks to go out and buy what they like.

It's not necessarily music that came out in 2004, but it's stuff that caught Tom’s ear and made an impression. I'm still not through it, yet I'm already finding myself humming new tunes I didn't know before.

The complete track list...

The Fiery Furnaces

Live in the woxy.com lounge

Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger, the brother and sister duo that is The Fiery Furnaces performed at the radio station this afternoon.

A loose set with a few giggles thrown in, they were just as entertaining answering questions from the DJ in-between songs.

In other news, the weather is bordering on perfect.

Superwolf

Bonnie “Prince” Billy (note the audience member in the righthand corner)

I remember the day distinctly when I saw this album at the record store up the street and bought it without any hesitation, unheard.

Turns out it was pretty dang good in the most mellow and quiet of ways.

Fast forward a few years and that fella with the beard joined up with a guitarist from Zwan (not quite the worst band ever) and made Superwolf. I'd link to a site but I can only seem to find paltry pages on the label's online sprawl... (Where did I recently read that artist websites are the new album covers that we spend our time gazing through...)

Anyways, they performed at the smoke filled Southgate House in Kentucky last night and were true to the sound on their record. However, the whole staging and vibe seemed off in a some inexplicable way. Although I love the venue, I think they require something more comfortable. Outside? On a porch with beer stocked coolers? I dunno.

Maybe I'm remiss that I haven't seen Mr. Billy performing his subtle solo material.

Regardless, his voice was a fine thing to hear live and the karaoke afterward made me feel my entertainment dollar was well spent.

Ben Lee

At Top Cats

Ben Lee performed at the radio station in the afternoon, but I had to miss it. Luckily, I got to catch some of his performance at Top Cats later that night and take some photos.

I'll be honest. I don't know his music.

I can say though, he's got some incredibly vibrant energy about him. My friend recalled the interview he had earlier in the day at the studio. Something about his new album, and how it reflected this vibe. He realized he had a choice, and he wanted to make make happy music; see people smile.

Now all these words are a twice removed game of telephone, but I can still dig it.

The Kills

Outside the studio

Lunchtime at the radio station to squeeze off some photos of The Kills.

S'always odd having a band come in and set up quick-like — hardly affords any time to warm up and get comfortable with all the variables of a live set.

The two members of the group were almost like ghosts walking in daylight, with lead singer VV gravitating toward Buster the part-time studio dog (who lends a nice humane touch to the place) and everyone else plugging things in or looking for coffee.

Once they went on air though, the vibe cranked up several notches. I'm not sure on all the technical feats, but this band of two sounded like a band of more. It was pretty damn incredible with everyone tapping their feet or nodding their head in time to the big sound.

After that, there were grins all around.

I tend to take lots of the photos behind the glass of the studio 'cause I dislike being all up in someone's face, especially if they're likely just up for the day. But there are more photos posted up on woxy's flickr account. Images are a bit more processed than usual.

They've a video on their site you can sample. If you dig em, I'd check em out live.

Continue reading "The Kills"

Microsoft + Personality?

I'm shocked

And pleased...

The National: WOXY Lounge Act

Lead singer Matt Berninger

While readying myself for sleep, listening to Brodie's latest Freaky Folk compilation, I realized I hadn't posted about The National's visit to the woxy studio this week.

A laid back time, with a little small talk flipping through the premiere issue of Make magazine (gridded design goodness), I tried to be unobtrusive snapping photos.

Most of the shots are jittery, and I'm thinking a bounce flash might be prudent in extremely low light situations.

A few members of the band were just in for a brief DJ set before a gig in Louisville. They are gearing up for a tour and the release of their next full length album Alligator, mid April. I'm looking forward to it.

Looking back through my journal entries, I realized it was the same day last year that I heard them perform up the street for the first time.

A Total Eclipse of the Cover Song

Bonnie Tyler fans rejoice

A music video that is very powerful.
Very moving.

via Buffoonery

Dirty on Purpose

Playing in the woxy.com lounge

I read somewhere recently about the death of band logos which I believe was inspired by the link going around for Downloadable Band Fonts. I'm happy to report that band logos are still alive and kicking as seen by the sample to the right. This snake adorns some of the amps and a shirt which I must have from the band that played in the studio this afternoon. They make all their own graphics.

If you're reading, members of Dirty on Purpose, I want one badly. I'm an XL.

I posted more photos up on flickr, but had to give this one special attention.

Rock is still alive.

Pinpoint

Better than a graph chart

This is a good example where a hunk of data on a computer screen has nothing on physical representation: a map of listeners who wrote in to woxy.com. Sure it's not specific, but it's fun to look at.

This was of course, before a survey was added to the site this week, which has amazingly yielded a good chunk of data.

// Pimp hat on
If you listen, you should take a moment to fill it out. If you don't listen and you like alternative rock and sometimes wonder what to play next, tune in.
Pimp hat off //

I spent the late afternoon snapping photos of Sunday Runners at the station before wandering around the city enjoying the light; without the aide of saffron-colored fabric illuminating my path.

It's still cold as a witch's tit* here—but we've had blue skies.

I hear that Colorado and Wyoming have approximately 300 days of blue sky each year**. Though I don't think I could stomach the traffic of Denver, I wonder how this continual presence of hue would effect my mental outlook.

And then I think of the Erma Bombeck*** book, "The Grass is Always Greener of the Septic Tank" which I've never read.

* whatever that means
** I've no "facts" to back this up
*** rest her soul

All references lack credibility. Such is blogging.

Wilco

At the Taft Theater, Cincinnati Ohio

Tonight I was able to catch Wilco on their tour supporting some album I don't have. I take that back, I'm not sure why they're touring, but it might have something to do with their rabid fans.

A sold out show comprised of an odd mix of pre-Dead / post-Phish folk turned out with their nifty corduroy blazers and pretty scarves. Bearded men and earthy chicks mingled with frat boys and glammed up girls—way too showered to be considered classic hippies.

I have most of their work but dropped off with "A Ghost is Born", so there weren't many expectations.

It was a great show.

Aside from a few stock Getty looped video backgrounds—attention video artisans, the mirror effect is a cheap shot at interesting—they sounded great and have inspired me to dig back through their catalogue.

It was a loud crowd with lots of yelling, a few lighters lit and an exceptionally buoyant voice in the audience that screamed, "Turn up your guitar! I can't hear the solos."

To which Jeff Tweedy came back, "I can't see you, but I imagine you have hair down to here..." reaching around to his lower back. "I bet you have on a Kansas t-shirt, acid washed denim jeans, and white Reeboks." He walks back to a monitor and fiddles with his guitar a moment before returning to the mic, "And I bet you have a fanny pack."

He later apologized for the fanny pack remark, but before and after the band went through the paces of a sprawling set of their alt-county/melancholy/rocking repertoire.

The only downfall might have been my desire to sue the Taft Theater for the scoliosis I felt after contorting myself into their compact seats up in the balcony, surely made at a time in America’s brief history when folks were smaller. Even standing felt cramped.

Pedro the Lion

Dave Bazan fronts the band and apparently a guy on soundboard has seen the video from The Ring

The concert tonight was the great I thought. Not so much for the music—that was good, but to just see the band flushing out their personalities, that was nice.

The lead singer entertained questions from the crowd between songs, avoiding requests. He started rambling about why he has no favorites he's written, as performing them live varies their vibe. One night Bands With Managers is great, the next night it "fucking sucks."

He also revealed that he has no favorite breakfast food, though his wife does. She rang his mobile between songs but he just missed the call. I can forgive if a band has phones, but when audience members spend too much time text messaging, I get a bit irked.

Not as irked though as when someone yells out, "I voted for Bush" when the lead singer took a moment to encourage Ohio voters to question electronic polling.

Frickin’ moron. And here I thought people that voted for Bush never said it publicly.

Low

Performing in the lounge this afternoon

It was nice to go back to WOXY for a lounge act this afternoon. Low is in town and brought their family and a few friends along with their music to the studio late this afternoon.

There were kids and animals running around—vegetables, dip, fruit roll up things, and juice boxes in the fridge.

They will be performing with Pedro the Lion this evening at the Southgate House in Newport Kentucky. Should be a good show.

More photos from the afternoon. Some taken by the bassist’s daughter, I believe.

What the world, needs now...

...is another picture of an iPod shuffle

A few quick thoughts on this latest MP3 player from Apple, as I got to play with one the other night. I didn't know any of the music it was shuffling through, and I liked that.

Sometimes it's easy to 'borrow' music from friends, one can amass quite a bit of stuff to sift through before deciding what to buy.

I'm no longer that 15 year old staring at the linear notes for hours. There's a lot to process it seems. More than ever? I'm not sure on that. But I do think it's almost too easy these days. Too easy to skip around and not ever really know what's playing.

I mentioned this in a comment at one point, but the Shuffle seems to mirror the way I enjoy music (while set to Play in Order mode). I like to have a handful of albums in the 6 CD changer, and use the forward button to skip through tracks.

If the Shuffle had a skip album button, or something more random like an 8-track player to advance you around the gig, that'd be nice. But overall, this thing is sweet.

With Napster pulling crap like this marketing, I feel pretty good that Apple is in no immediate threat of losing their current lead in digital music. The Shuffle just makes an already solid line-up even better.

Adjusting applause

Wind Symphony

Leaving my house for the first time yesterday evening I was surprised to see snow coming down heavily. There was a free concert up the street from me at the College-Conservatory of Music.

I like classical music, just not all of the presentation of it. I want to clap between movements, but that's wrong. The piece must be completed in its entirety.

The dead time while folks are cleaning out their spit valves and shuffling music is a disturbing silence. I cringe having to be absolutely quiet.

But the show was good. Entertaining even, as I sat there thinking, hmmm, what kind of scene in a movie would this fit? Something heavy, murderous and moody I thought. The last pieces were harder to characterize... A hint of Danny Elfman or Frank Zappa which kept the small audience on their toes.

Afterward I met up with some of the musicians at the Bamboo Club down on the river for a few cocktails and jazz. The small ensemble kept my leg shaking and hands tapping along. I knew it was perfectly courteous to clap after solos.

Unrelated note: Just when I think I'm getting to be able to predict how this new temporary camera will take photos, it surprises me. I have to bracket much more than ever, making about 15 shots for every one that will turn out. It's been interesting.

Oh my chicken soup with ramble

Yeehaw for scanners, but I’m going to need to get some fresh pens

I've almost depleted the stockpile from the heavy snow—it’s down to canned goods now.

Yesterday, I broke out the Chicken Soup with (wild) Rice which seemed appropriate for a chilly (albeit rainy) day. As I stirred the pot, I drifted back to when I was a kid, scrutinizing Maurice Sendak's Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months while singing along with Carole King on the record player.

You can't shake these things.

So I stir, and hum along to myself, remembering how much I loved Sendak's style, and how a recent conversation with a friend prompted me to consider helping her illustrate a children's book. With my chops rusty from the other day, one thing led to another and I started to think about drawing—a skill I feel that anyone can learn.

I started by tracing, then emulating. The classes of my youth, where craft won over composition. On to college where I feel I really learned how to see for the first time and translate it through my fingers.

That memory alone could occupy an entry all unto itself where I thank a professor from Ohio State by the name of Mike Arrigo. (Thank you Google)

Anyways, all these things swirling around as the soup heats and smells like metal.

All this stuff, linked to this very moment.

Baffling really. And nonsensical at the same time.

The soup was fine. Not much to write about, and the crackers were sort of stale (even though my brother taped the package closed — who else would do that?)

Save for the Zestas, the other thoughts, those made for a nice lunch hour.

SPECIAL BONUS: A clip of Carole King singing the song.