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!

Tweenessential?

Soooo, NY Noise has been playing this video.


Um ~ aw, fuck. This is probably some damn indie gem already. Upcoming US tour dates? Every festival bill in 2010. It takes a little work on the listener's end, but eventually... it works.

*UPDATE*
well, with a little digging, and a little birdie, it proves true. Last month Mica(chu and the shapes) had three shows in NYC. Have to mention here that 1) Mica is a girl. 2) She has composed for the London Philharmonic. 3) Mica is not a boy. Press? New Yorker, even. Oh, bother.

Band of the Day

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

And on another note of spewing natural phenomenon, i give you an image of the bloodfalls in Antarctica. It has something to do with the iron content in a buried saltwater reserve way down below. For scale, check the tent in the lower left... someone needs a coagulate.

Dark was the Night

Here is a project ~ Dark was the Night ~ curated by the twins Aaron and Bryce Dressner from the Brooklyn based band The National. Released this past February, this is the twentieth compilation release benefiting the Red Hot Organization in its efforts to raise funds and, if humanly possible, more awareness for HIV and AIDS.

With over thirty tracks and forty artists, it's ridiculous to list or note any particular contributor involved in this project. I can tell you that they plan to stream a new song on their myspace page daily - so check in for selected tracks of your liking.

Selected artists playing live in NYC: Radio City Music Hall, May 3rd

The BPA

This is The Brighton Port Authority. More familiarly Norman Cook, AKA Fatboy Slim. A few of these tracks were released last year, but the first full length ~ I Think We Need a Bigger Boat ~ came out in January. This project features:
David Byrne
Iggy Pop
Dizzee Rascal
Martha Wainwright
Jamie T
Jack Penate
Lateef
Ashley Beedle
Emmy The Great
Simon Thornton

Fuck. That is quite a collaboration.

Here is the creepiest spawn of this project. A puppet show. Jesus.