Wednesday, March 31, 2010

My Favorite Monsters Of Folk Song: "Dear God"


I love this meditation on faith, with its questions and affirmations. Conflicted and very human. And the video, directed by Laurie Faggioni, has that home-made cosmic feel to match.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Blitzen Trapper Coming To Off Broadway In June

Well, I may have to see if I can just live at Off Broadway this june. or maybe they will allow me to do odd jobs around the place to help pay for all the shows I'll be seeing there?

You'll first find me there on June 15, to see Mumford & Sons. I've already posted about them here, but you can also read about them on Paste's site, if you want to find out more about this up-and-coming band.

And then, six days later I will be back to see Blitzen Trapper, on Monday, june 21. I can not resist. The last time they were in town, November of 2008, I caught them at Vintage Vinyl, before they played an opening slot for Stephen Malkmus at the Pageant, and wished I could have caught them later, but commitments called. They were wonderful, even in the low-key record store setting. Their new album will be out on June 8 on Sub Pop, and you can download a free MP3 by going to their official site.

And then another six days later, just long enough time to re-charge the mind and wallet, I will be back to see Black Joe Lewis on Sunday, the 27th.

I eagerly await who I should be seeing there on July 3, six days after that concert. I'm thinking it will be good, no matter who is there...

Thursday, March 25, 2010

A Remembrance Of Alex Chilton

By now most of us are aware that Alex Chilton passed away recently. I didn't post anything about it, I'm not well-versed in his life, or music to add anything that others have already said. He certainly was an icon in the indie world, although most people on the street probably didn't recognize the name.

I came across this short eulogy given by Tennessee representative Steve Cohen and thought it was a fairly eloquent send-off to the man, and wanted to share it with you:

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Which Acts Had The Biggest Buzz At SXSW?

Before I get into this, it is important to note that "biggest buzz" does not always indicate "best act", but it is a good way to check out what may be some Next Big Thing. The first information shared here indicates who had the biggest spike in social media buzz during the fest: Fang Island.
And here's the top ten:
1). Fang Island
2). Neon Trees
3). XV
4). Oddisee
5). Jonna Lee
6). Matthew Mayfield
7). Evergreen Terrace
8). The Antlers
9). Phantogram
10). GZA


And the band that had the most fans overall, the number one act is NeverShoutNever, an indie/emo act with a new album out, and a pretty good video. Here's the top ten from this group:
1). NeverShoutNever
2). The xx
3). Wale
4). Broken Bells
5). Sum 41
6). Blair
7). The Temper Trap
8). Miike Snow
9). Local Natives
10). We are Scientists


Yoy can read more about the social media buzz here, if you are interested.

Black Cab Sessions: Laura Marling At SXSW

I'm posting this for two very good reasons:
1. It's a good song, especially if you let her get warmed up and a little into the song. Her voice becomes stronger and clearer each minute.
2. It was fun to see glimpses of Austin in the background, and made me a bit wistful. Too bad they didn't try to drive down 6th or Red River. But I'm sure those streets were closed off, full of reveling pedestrians.

The song, Rambling Man, is from her upcoming release I Speak Because I Can:

laura marling from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Holy Cow! HUM Are Coming To STL!!!!!!


Click here for all the info! Old Rock House! Saturday! May 22! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES ! (I'm excited).

Monday, March 15, 2010

Dave Grohl Really Really Likes Coffee

FRESH POT!
Thanks to Mark for the tip. Here's the proof:

Sunday, March 14, 2010

I Can Not resist: Lady Gaga Video: Telephone

This is by far the strangest mainstream video I have seen. Say what you will about Gaga, but she has a unique vision to what she does, and it is all on display in this video:

Part Tarantino, part bad prison movie, this is all strange. And did you notice all the product placements? And how do you get the smoking cigarette sunglasses?

Free Music Sunday


Praise the Lord, here's some links to free music:
Urban Outfitters will be at SXSW and has a twenty-five song sampler of the bands that will be playing at their day parties here.

NPR will also be at SXSW, and they have a free sampler of the bands they will be showcasing there.

Now, go start downloading, and enjoy!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Of Montreal, Yo Gabba Gabba Help You Feel Better

Of Montreal stopped by kids show Yo Gabba Gabba to perform "Bananas Rice Applesauce Toast", telling kids how they can feel better if they are sick. Here they are now!

And here's Anthony Bourdain as a doctor, to add to the craziness:

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

SXSW, SXSW, SXSW: BAH HUMBUG!

Dear South By Southwest, I don't hate you; really I don't. It's just that we won't be seeing each other this year, and, well, it's bumming me out. Remember all the good times we've had together? The beautiful weather, wonderful BBQ, and the music? Sweet sweet music wherever I went, bands that came to the States just for this, never to be seen again (Hi Scroobius Pip!) playing their hearts out.

I promise you that I'll try to see you next year.

Dear Reader, are you going to see the lovely SXSW this year? Well, I don't hate you either. But I do feel like kicking you in the nuts just to make me feel better. I'm just kidding! Here are some day party posters, all gathered up for you. Some have great design, some not so much. But there sure is a lot of bands there. And it's the tip of the iceberg.




















Who knows, maybe I'll even plan out a fake itinerary, just to torture myself. Have fun out there, and remember to drink plenty of water, and don't throw your pepperonis on the street on Red River. It's gross when you realize what the stains are/what you are walking in...

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Mumford and Sons On Letterman

I had been hearing rumblings of this band, but until recently had no music to connect them with. They sound pretty good:

They'll be coming to St. Louis on June 15, a Tuesday, at Off Broadway. Might be worth checking out.

Here's more North American dates:
Thu 05/13/10
Montreal, QC Just For Laughs Cabaret
Fri 05/14/10
Cambridge, MA Middle East Downstairs
Sun 05/16/10
Philadelphia, PA Theatre Of The Living Arts
Tue 05/18/10
New York, NY Webster Hall
Thu 05/20/10
Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Fri 05/21/10
Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
Sat 05/22/10
Columbus, OH Wexner Center For The Arts
Mon 05/24/10
Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
Tue 05/25/10
Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater

Appearing at "Sasquatch! Music Festival"
Sat 05/29/10
Quincy, WA Gorge Amphitheatre

Sun 05/30/10
Vancouver, BC 560 Club
Mon 05/31/10
Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
Wed 06/02/10
San Francisco, CA Slim's
Thu 06/03/10
San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
Fri 06/04/10
Los Angeles, CA Music Box @ Fonda
Mon 06/07/10
Phoenix, AZ The Rhythm Room
Wed 06/09/10
Austin, TX Antone's
Thu 06/10/10
Dallas, TX House Of Blues

Appearing at "Bonnaroo Music Festival"
Sat 06/12/10
Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Music Festival

Mon 06/14/10
Bloomington, IN Bluebird Nightclub
Tue 06/15/10
St. Louis, MO Off Broadway Nightclub
Wed 06/16/10
Kansas City, MO The Record Bar

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Black Joe Lewis Postpones Off Broadway Show

Well, it is a bummer, but due to a death of one of the band's family members, the Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears show that was scheduled for Saturday was postponed until June. Toronto, Columbus, Chicage, and Lawrence, KS shows are also postponed.

Jeff, you have more time to recover from your surgery. If you are not better by June, then there is something really wrong with you.

Here they are performing on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson to hold us over: