Artist of the Day

Emily Haines of Metric.
Here's a single from Fantasies, released earlier this month. Tour Dates

I think honesty is the best things about art.

it's Nudie country music day!

Nudie Cohn was born in 1902, as Nuta Kotlyarenko, in Kiev and immigrated to the states and eventually NYC ~ via California and Minnesota ~ where he and his wife designed, crafted and sold G-String's to fancy ladies of Times Square, taking sole responsiblity for the first whale-tail sightings in America. A legend is born.

Returning to LA in the late 40's, Nudie roped 'ol Tex Williams into buying him a sewing machine, which was the traditional first anniversary present for manly marriages in California at the time. Nudie then set up shop designing and selling Hollywood western wear ~ as featured in photo above ~ until his death in 1984. He donned eccentricities on his feet as well, wearing two different boots to remind himself that he was color blind for most of his life and what did he care.

So began Nudie's Rodeo Tailors of North Hollywood. Nudie's original use of extensive rhinestones on his garments would forever enshrine him in the sparkly acrylic accouterment hall of fame. Unfortunately for him, his SP.A.A.H.O.F. induction ceremony was posthumously held. He would have loved it.

However, while alive, he outfitted some of the biggest names in country and western entertainment and a single suit would fetch upwards of $20,000. The gold lame number worn by Elvis on his 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't be Wrong album, which was mysteriously produced sans rhinestones... personally, I see room for more decadence. Nope? Well, it's one of his more famous concoctions.

From the 1950's to the mid 70's Nudie also donated time and money to the less fortunate of the greater LA area. He would drive to slums and ghettos in his self designed cars ~ he also worked with GM at the time designing and customizing many a moto ~ and hand out dollar bills with a sticker of himself over Washington's famous profile.

These autos were fashioned with silver-dollar-studded dashboards, pistol doorhandles, longhorn steer horns on the hood and were equipped with hand tooled leather saddles for the young cowpokes to ride on. Nader would have frowned.

Nudie's protege and former son-in-law, Manuel Cuevas designed the suits for The Beatles’ Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, Johnny Cash’s black suits, and the roses and skeletons logo for The Grateful Dead. Manuel worked with Nudie for fourteen years in LA. He's since moved to Nashville, continuing to outfit the country folk, opened Manuel's Exclusive Clothier's and apparently attends the tents in Bryant Park. Here he is:

A wee bit hobbitty... a long way from 'ol Nudie. I'll take the Nudie suit anyday. Any. Day.

Oh. That's him with Gram Parsons of The Flying Burrito Brothers. Enjoy.

Cartoon of the Day

The Real Tuesday Weld - Bathtime in Clerkenwell | Music Videos | SPIKE.com

looks like, sounds like, smells like. It is. Summer.

Suck it winter. Today, we frolick.

Yes, yes. Surf City sound like Animal Collective. This track's from the New Zealander's EP released late last summer. No US tour dates released for '09... stay tuned.

breakfast!

This has become my morning soundtrack... I am axing/sawing/chopping/industrializing as I wake up! Bad in theory and actual tree/bird walloping. Grood for a five minute mechanized mashup. Thanks, Al!.. and Coldcut... and Hexstatic. This track was the third in the Natural Rhythms Trilogy from 1997. Check it, Timber:



Part I: Frog Jam. Part II: Natural Rhythm


There's always music in the air in the north country.

Video of the Day

The Love Language. I saw this band at The Bell House in Brooklyn on Friday night. Here is a vid of their soundcheck that night ~ shot by my buddy Stuart ~ song, Lalita. Some say that this is the best pop song in the world right now. Soooo have a listen and decide for yourself.

The frontman Stu McLamb recorded their debut, eponymous album all by hisself at his parents house in North Carolina. Then he needed a band to tour with so he gathered an eight piece and hit the road. Starting at SXSW last month, this was the last leg of the tour. The highlights: 1) great stage presence, they had two keyboardists bookending the stage. 2) it very well may be the best pop song in the world. 3) the drummer was wild like a Muppet. You know the one.

worst name ever. not worst music.

Seriously? This is pretty rididculous. I will attempt to uncover some storyline or illuminating history of name origin. It better be good...

It also reminds me of my old friend here. HeeBeeGeeBee.

All episodes are recommended.

How Frightly

This is a band that I thoroughly enjoy. Their last album ~ Fort Nightly ~ is one of those that you can just push play. There isn't a bad track on it. New album ~ It's Frightening ~ is due out May 19th and the tour starts in NY on May 21st. Do yourself a favor and see them live if they are in a town near you.

White Rabbits: new track, Percussion Gun

Is it too late for a new album title, though? It's frighteningly close to this Scottish troupe:

Frightened Rabbits. People will be confused.

Song of the Day

Soul Coughing. Have a listen.

Being a live recording, the audience plays its part to an aggitating degree. Fortunately, Mike Doughty phlems it up enough to overpower the bastards; with the help of screaming instrumentation of course.

Less likely to be masked ~ without an extensive Chicagoland and nationwide campaign, including millions of additional dollars ~ is the namesake of Chicago's famous Sears Tower. The naming rights, which have been vacant since 2003, have been purchased by the London based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. Effective June 2009.

To which I say, "Whatchu talkin' bout redcoats?"

Tis' the Season

I personally don't do festivals*. But people also don't eat mac n' cheese everynight. So who's right here?

The stages are everywhere and the people are even more everywhere. Here's what is coming your way ~ or places you're making your way to.

*I'm just one of those people who would make a big deal trying to get to all the stages I want to see, and make it other peoples fault when I don't get there. Thus ruining the time at the festival for all those involved. Me. And do they even have elephant ears at these things?

Sasquatch!: May 23rd - May 25th [memorial day wkend], Seattle

Saturday: nearly everyone is a headliner but don't miss Shearwater. although if you're in Seattle chances are you've already seen them at some rad intimate venue ~ they no stranger to these parts. and Passion Pit will be a delight ~ my buddy produced their new album, so buy a T-shirt.

Sunday: i've heard that Of Montreal puts on one hell of a show. i have never seen them live, and really haven't listened since the Sunlantic Twins album, but it may be worth missing an old standby to take a peep. see the Dodos if you haven't before and M83 can't be missed.

Monday: if you can only go one day, go Monday and see everything. seriously.

Bonneroo: June 11th - 14th

you're in Tennessee... go see The Boss and The Del McCoury Band.

All Points West: July 31st - Aug 2 : New Jersey!

this is rather modest compared to the other juggernauts. Shouldn't be difficult to see everything, or at least parts of everything, you want to see. my high school heartstrings yearn for some TOOL, goddammit. i seek that.

but everyday has some gems that shalln't* be missed. Friday: Fleet Foxes, The National, Vampire Weekend, Shearwater - you should totally get ROOk, shearwater album, if you don't have it. it good. Saturday: Chairlift, Ting Tings, and White Rabbits ~ new album May 19th ~ Sunday: Silversun Pickups, new album Swoon released April 14th. Akron/Family, new album Set 'em Wild, Set 'em Free out may 5th. GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY. everytime.

*I could very well be attending a or multiple day(s) at this one. If the ferry doesn't sink...

Lollapalooza: Aug 7th - 9th, Chicago

Depeche Mode. Wrong. new album ~ Sounds of the Universe ~ released April 20th. huh. okay.

Chance of Snow? Likely.

Miike Snow are Andrew Wyatt, Christian Karlsson, and Pontus Winnberg from Stockholm. Named after Japanese film director Takeshi Miike, who's had a windstorm of films shot under his gaze, these guys will be releasing their first full length on June 19th. I think it's eponymous.

I'd start with the track Animal, a few times over, then Burial. Then have at the many many many many remixes you will find out there. I'm sure DJ Medhi's got his hands in soumthing with this trio. Enjoy.

Next in NYC: May 19th @ Santos
May 24th @ Studio B

Song of the Day

Gui Boratto: No Turning Back

This seems like a soundtrack to the mind and all things neurological. Here's an interview about how to super-pump your grey matter. Modafinatious! But if the dronings-on of NPR puts you on your pillow, read the article here instead.

Passion Pit? Yes, please.

New album MANNERS comes out May 19th.

Live in NYC: June 19th and 20th, both already sold out. But come on, you know you can get tickets if you really want them. And you do.

Getting Naked with Matt and Kim

New album, GRAND.



Back in NYC: July 9th @ Pier 54 (scheduled)

I just saw them in March for the release and kick off for this album. These two get-the-fuck after it. And their rabid fans are very impressively active at their shows. Insane sums it up. But the energy conjured by these two is hardly containable on an album or otherwise coming out your speakers. See them live ~ even from afar ~ at least once. They recorded this latest album at Matt's parents house in Vermont. Oh! And in case you've never... help yourself to seconds.

FM Belfast

FM Belfast: Par Avion from Torfi Frans Olafsson on Vimeo.

More things Iceland to come... I just found this video and thought the style really captured a live FM Belfast experience. Way to edit Torfi Frans!