From the chart attached — from VerySmallArray.com , a wonderful little site of charts and graphics and things by Dorothy Gambrell, creator of my favorite web comic, Cat and Girl — it's clear that instrumental music is not very popular right now. If that wasn't painfully obvious, though, I'm not sure what was. Sadly, not much post-rock hits the #1 spot on the charts, much to my bemusement. I'd rather like the music I enjoy to be enjoyed by many, many people! Godspeed You! Black Emperor - "Dead Flag Blues (Intro)" | download [...]
What role do politics play in your music? Not a very large one ... if I ever write topical songs, they're usually about social or environmental issues as opposed to political ones, and even with those issues I don't really write about the political sides. What role do you think music should play in politics? I think that should be up to the musicians. If someone wants to make political music, they should. I think songwriters should write about whatever they are passionate about. [...]
The Stiletto Formal performed at The Grind Coffee House last night, supported by Kinch; both bands are from Phoenix, Ariz. Photos below and after the jump. The Stiletto Formal [...]
The Dead Science Villainaire Constellation, 2008 It's clear from the first moment of a harp playing and the subsequent segue into eclectic bouts of staccato guitar and complex rhythmic patterns: Villainaire , a record that experiments with jazz-inflected progressive rock and is strewn with elements of post-punk and indie rock, is not an album that is easy to digest, instead taking thought and time to process into actual understanding. The Dead Science - "Make Mine Marvel" | download [...]
Jordan Olsen, guitarist with The Gorgeous Hussies, discusses his perspective of music and politics. This is the first in a series of interviews with musicians discussing political perspectives. What role do politics play in your music? On the whole I don't think mainstream politics, per se, play a significant role in how I write and perform music. There hasn't been an issue I've been so passionate about that I'd be willing to use my music to preach about it. That's just not my style. However, I [...]
Emiliana Torrini Me and Armini Rough Trade, September 9, 2008 On its face, Me and Armini could be just like a number of female-fronted pop records; Emiliana Torrini has a simultaneously marketable and enjoyable vocal style that wouldn't bring any surprises if it reached mainstream success. Me and Armini , though, is much more than a simple throw-away pop release, and Torrini's silky vocals are only the tip of a musical iceberg. Emiliana Torrini - "Me [...]
Emiliani Torrini Me and Armini Rough Trade, September 9, 2008 On its face, Me and Armini could be just like a number of female-fronted pop records; Emiliana Torrini has a simultaneously marketable and enjoyable vocal style that wouldn't bring any surprises if it reached mainstream success. Me and Armini , though, is much more than a simple throw-away pop release, and Torrini's silky vocals are only the tip of a musical iceberg. Emiliani Torrini - "Me [...]
The Gorgeous Hussies, the band we've featured a few times in the last week here on MusicGeek.org, performed at The Grind Coffee House last night. Below are a few photos; more will be added in short time. The Hussies performed with their usual flair and style, despite an audience that was essentially non-existent — an unfortunate turn of events, considering that this group performs with unmistakable energy at all times. [...]
Salt Lake City-based "groove rock" group The Gorgeous Hussies performed in the Living Room at Southern Utah University today, appearing in promotion of their concert tonight at The Grind Coffee House. Tickets are $5 to see the group, or $8 to see both the group and the Off the Cuff performance that follows. Photos, obviously, are below. Someday, they might go into the gallery... once I get it working again. Thanks for your patience, MusicGeeks! [...]
Neon Trees, a Provo-based electronic-infused indie rock, performed at The Grind Coffee House in Cedar City, Utah, tonight; the band performed with locals The Robot's Guide to Living and Salt Lake City group Location Location. For photos, check out the updated MusicGeek.org Gallery . For more photos, read after the jump. [...]
Daniel Lorca, bassist for indie rockers Nada Surf, announced today via the band's MySpace that he will be unable to perform with the band for two weeks following a knee injury, citing a risk of permanent injury. Nada Surf, he says, has only had to cancel two shows in over 14 years, so it is with some relief he announced Ozma's Jose Galvez will be performing alongside the other two members. It does mean Lorca will miss the band's performance at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colo. Listen below to a track from Nada Surf's [...]
The Gorgeous Hussies, a fun-filled Salt Lake City-based power pop band with more than a modicum of jazz and funk influence, will be performing in both St. George and Cedar City, Utah. Their live performances are a thing to behold, with performances sometimes including a fusion-esque performance of "Wanna Be," the hit from England-based recording group The Spice Girls. The band will be performing at the St. George Street Fair on Thursday, Aug. 28, at The Grind Coffee House in Cedar City on Aug. 29, and at the Brian Head Resort on Aug. 30 Check out [...]
Though the ad was released a few months ago, I've just now seen it: The Moldy Peaches have, apparently, allowed a re-write of their strangely popular and irreverent "Anyone Else But You" to appear in a commercial for a Bahama Resort: Atlantis. This, on its own, is odd. What's even odder is looking up from my desk at the CNN-tuned television in the newsroom and discovering that the song I recognized almost immediately wasn't quite the song I expected. No, it was a strange re-write, the lyrics to which I've now forgotten, and The Moldy Peaches... approved it? [...]
Let's get one thing straight. I love Broken Social Scene with a passion I reserve mostly for things other than music — you know, food, water, the like — and a chance to see them perform a mere four(!) hours away, in Salt Lake City, Utah was something I didn't care to pass up. After learning of the concert via an IRC friend (I call this Music Geek for a reason, after all) I set out to find a way, rain or shine, money or, well, broke. Read after the jump for video of [...]
Today I walked into Bookmans (a local used book store and internet cafe) today, which is a pretty regular occurrence, and I was greeted by something a little irregular. A world band called Wine and Alchemy had invaded dressed as Gypsies. As the acoustic guitar and accordion harmonized, their vocalist and belly dancer flitted around the cafe. They played a variety of Greek, Armenian, "Gypsy", Flamenco, and Middle Eastern styles while here, and they did it really quite well. They hail from San Antonio, and brought some delightful gypsy fun to the mountains of Flagstaff. You can find some tracks [...]
Parenthetical Girls Entanglements Tomlab, 2008 Parenthetical Girls - "A Song For Ellie Greenwich" | download [See post to listen to audio] From the first seconds of Parenthetical Girls' third release, it's clear that Entanglements isn't going to be one of those albums that starts with a track that doesn't fit the rest of the record. The over-the-top, theatrical approach taken with "Four Words" marks the band's theatrical approach as they provide an endearing twist on indie pop. [...]
I must admit that I am biased towards this movie, I have a big crush on Michelle Monaghan. That being said, this is your standard romantic comedy. A guy drunkenly gets into bed with the wrong girl in college, they end up forming a friendship. Ten years later the girl goes to Europe for six weeks, during that time the guy realizes how much he loves her, she comes back engaged to be married to an Irishman. The guy of course accepts her request to be the maid of honor. The usual shenanigans take place over the next few weeks, [...]
The Sasquatch Gang is a comedy akin to Napoleon Dynamite in that it is quirky and awkward. The execution of such a comedy can be challenging, this group pulls it off well. The cast, composed mainly of unknown actors, does an excellent job selling their respective characters. The way the story is told is interesting, it unfolds somewhat like a comic book being told from the perspective of many characters. Each chapter is one character's view of roughly the same time line. Justin Long is terrific as the prototypical redneck American with a wicked mullet drinking PBR [...]
Salme Dahlstrom The Acid Cowgirl Audio Trade Kontainer Music, 2008 Salme Dahlstrom - "Superstar Crash" | download [See post to listen to audio] Electronically oriented pop music hits all the right spots for some people: Salme Dahlstrom, for those people, can't be hitting too far off those. The Acid Cowgirl Audio Trade is full of interesting synthetic textures and sounds, but at some points, it lacks a bit of that important impact. Other times, though, Dahlstrom demonstrates a nice understanding [...]
Primer is an interesting independent film with a strange and hard to follow plot. After watching the first 10 minutes or so I found myself somewhat bored yet I couldn't look away. There are very strange time-travel themes in the plot with many a paradox. Even now, after watching the entire film, I don't completely understand everything that happened. I found the movie enjoyable because it made me think. At the same time I was left feeling unfulfilled at the ending. Without giving away too much of the plot I will try to outline things. Four friends help each other [...]
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[LISTEN] Gotye (Passion Pit Remix)
Big Boi & Theophilus London (feat. TRE LUCE) - 'She Said OK'
