Seattle's musical grab-bag of a festival known as Bumbershoot is coming up September 5-7, and I'll be headed back this year to check out the activities. Unbeknownst to most of the festival-goers, Bumbershoot is an arts festival as opposed to a strictly music festival, and has a wide variety of options outside of the live music. I had a pretty fun time at Bumbershoot 2008 , but I was on a bit of a must-see-everything rampage throughout the festival. While I have a handful of musical acts I really don't want to miss, I'm going to try [...]
Those in the know know that I love the Old 97's-however I've never been the biggest fan of vocalist Rhett Miller 's solo work. As I've said before Miller needs his bandmates as much as they need him. Obviously the Old 97's wouldn't be the same band without his vocals and sardonic wordplay. Likewise, when Miller ventures out on his own-as he has on three records (four if you count his pre-97's release Mythologies )-he loses some of that twang and grit. Yes, the point is to not sound like the [...]
Old 97s frontman Rhett Miller was in a CNN segment this morning. Embedded video from CNN Video Subscribe in a reader
Seven years ago today I married my beautiful wife Amy on a sunny day in St. Marys, PA. Seems like we were just kids back then. Even though we were [Totally] in love, it's sometimes hard to believe that she went for it when I popped the [Question] considering I think it was a [Pretty Pathetic] attempt. Still, we had been a couple since 1998 and I hadn't actually been [Chasing Amy] for many years. Anyhow, on our wedding day, when I saw that [Punk Rock Girl] [...]
I'm only employed three days a week at the moment, but I've been picking up quite a lot of relief teaching on my days off (ha!) and tomorrow I get to go to on an excursion down to the big smoke. It'll be a great day but it comes at a cost unfortunately - a cost to my beauty sleep. I'll be up at sparrows, around 5.30am, stumbling to the bathroom and searching for my face - think of me, won't you? Early Morning - The Old 97's [...]
I love the din of a crowd before a show, when the music is at the perfect volume and you get lost in the cacophony of the ebb and flow of a room full of buzzing conversations - not making out a single word, just riding the wave of anticipation. It's a humid night at Headliners, and it is reassuring to see Louisville turn out to support touring music during the summer. The first act up is Old 97's Murry Hammond on acoustic guitar and harmonium, bringing a down-home style straight from [...]
In addition to Outside Lands and Treasure Island Music Festival, San Francisco has a chance to cash in on the 'grass' part of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival October 2-4. The free event, which celebrates its ninth birthday this year, boasts some impressive heavyweights and newcomers on multiple stages, ranging from Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett to Neko Case, Okkervil River, Old 97's, Dr. Dog, and Tom Morello. It's also worth noting that MC Hammer is also slated to perform, as is actor Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers. STEVE MARTIN, YOU GUYS. HE WAS IN "FATHER OF [...]
[Folks, today is 07/08/09, and maybe a numerologist could explain it to me, but I remember have a distinctly crappy 06/07/08 and 05/06/07. So I might not get out of bed today, even to wish Beck a happy 39th birthday.] The acclaimed Brooklyn avant-pop group Dirty Projectors hit town tonight behind their new release "Bitte Orca," which has an eccentric beauty to go along with its rather stubborn penchant for outsmarting itself. The sextet visits the Troubadour, supported by What's Up [Download: "Harper" ]. ... [...]
Rhett Miller and the Old 97's have probably seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night on several occasions, and they return to earth when whim and inspiration combine to release albums of distinct and considered country-style rock 'n' roll. Miller—who is opening for his own band with a set from his new solo album—speaks now about writing a song while little children shriek all around him. This interview by Thomas McMahon.
MP3: Old 97's - I Will Remain MP3: Old 97's - Color Of A Lonely Heart Is Blue The Old 97's played a sold out show at the Recher this past Saturday night. This show was a special night for those fans of Old 97's because on this tour, Rhett Miller and Murry Hammond (both members of Old 97's) opened with solo acoustic performances. The Recher filled early with fans eager to hear the openers as well as [...]
I seem to have fallen a little bit behind on the blogging duties. My apologies; it's been a hectic and tiring week. But good news is I have next week off for vacation, relaxation, and warm weather. What more could a person ask for? Live Forever by Oasis from Definitely Maybe Pulling Teeth by Of The Red Sea from Verona Nobody Knows You by Office from Mecca For Real by Okkervil River from [...]
![The Weekend Fundown [Major Phun Holy Crap Edition]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1805918_lg.jpg)
TGIF!!!! For Realzzzzzzzz. Tons of shows/events this weekend. Git er done FRIDAY: The Extraordinaires + Buffalo Stance @ FUC Metric @ The Troc Ha Ha Tonka @ North Star Bar Little Joy @ The Khyber Grandchildren @ Danger Danger Gallery Harlem Shakes + Free Energy @ Kungfu Necktie Cotton Jones + The Antlers @ The M Room [might have to peek in there for a sec] Major Lazer @ Electric Factory [ew] Elvis Perkins @ JB's SATURDAY: [...]
In honor of Rhett Miller's solo album dropping earlier this week, I wanted to take a moment and look back. Way back. To my Texas high-school days. For those not up on Texas based awesomeness, Rhett Miller, Murray Hammond, et al comprise Dallas-based "alt-country" band, Old 97's, so titled from Johnny Cash's "Wreck of the Old 97." The albums "Fight Songs," "Wreck Your Life," and "Too Far To Care" got me through some tough times in my Dallas county high school and my early college days. Back then I don't think they were as well [...]
Rhett Miller Rhett Miller Rhett Miller's solo albums are the vehicle for his pop side, leaving the alt-country to his band project, the Old 97's . It lets him create artier, lyrical tunes about [...]
There was a guy who worked with my wife some years ago, he liked to throw parties at his house but he never could choose the right "party" music (in my opinion). In the process of helping this hapless host discover his true party animal - Linda Ronstadt was a revelation to him - we both stumbled upon the Old 97s. Not quite country-rock, not quite power pop, not quite anything, the Dallas band seemed to fulfill a lot of requirements for party background noise. The frontman of this erstwhile quintet was, and still is, Rhett Miller, a [...]
So, this is the end. I leave you with a high top fade, an old Coogi sweater, and some impeccable harmonies. And, if you'll follow me after the jump one more time, I'll leave with you my goodbyes. You hit play before you started reading this, right? DO IT. Ok, now pretend Coach Taylor is reading you these words. Folks, it has [...]
The Old 97's: Four Leaf Clover [ purchase ] The Old 97's feat. Exene Cervenka: Four Leaf Clover [ purchase ] "Four Leaf Clover" is the perfect example of how the right guest can enhance a track and really turn it into something special. The song first appeared on The Old 97's 1994 debut Hitchhike to Rhome . It was a decent enough song at the time with a rolling drum beat and bit of a harder edge than the rest of [...]
One of the best shows on television by far is 30 Rock . It's definitely come a long way since its awkward first season to upstage The Office on a regular basis. Last night's star-studded bit for Jack's newfound father who needs a kidney is just more proof why few shows - if any - can top 30 Rock these days. Dealbreaker. If you can't decipher all of the musicians in the clip, here is a list of everyone involved: Elvis [...]
The cover of Miller's upcoming solo disc. There's a lot of interesting things you can learn while following Rhett Miller on his Twitter account. For instance, a few weeks back, Miller said it was like... Continue reading "Rhett Miller Prepares To Not Watch Himself On 30 Rock On Thursday Night..." >
Sometimes indie-rock gets a little much. Too much synth, too much reverb, too much everything. That's when you need those fall-back records; something that you can listen to that reminds you of nothing modern at all. These two country records have recently brought me through the times that I couldn't stand one more goddamn noise punk record. One album was made a long time ago, and the other was shockingly made this year. See the records after the jump. Murry Hammond [...]
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