Chicago sextet Suns rose from the ashes of local favorites Wax On Radio last year when singer/guitarist Mikey Russell finally nailed down a lasting lineup for his new project and hit the ground running. Confession: I always thought Wax On Radio kinda sounded like an admirable group of Sunny Day Real Estate wannabes who possessed ample chops, but didn't yet have the experience and vision to fill the shoes they were trying to woodshed their way into. Fortunately, Suns have managed to tone down the self-conscious [...]
Last night was probably one of the best nights I've had in a long while. Souterrain Transmissions arranged for me to interview Zola Jesus before her set at Nation of Shopkeepers in Leeds. You can go and read the interview here . In the meantime, here's the event in photos. (click to zoom) [...]
Villagers - Becoming a Jackal Sometimes you have to back away from the chill vibes, fuzzed out surf and coldcore to listen to something that is a little more polished. I also realize I don't need to be the guy to "break" an artist to share for yours and my own enjoyment. I am far from "breaking" Conor O'Brien's collection of musical poems called Villagers. Sure it's easy to confuse Conor O'Brien with Conor Oberst and his Bright Eyes days but I found it way easier to identify with Sea [...]
To be honest, Philip Selway never seemed too comfortable in the drummer's seat. His live technique is close to trance-like it's so off-putting, with his bright bald head aimed straight into the audience's eyes while his arms thwack at seemingly memorized kit positions. He hits the parts superbly, does the solos, occasionally brings a fill, but he just never managed to cultivate a presence on par with, well, any other given member of his main-band-which-shall-not-be-n amed. So where Yorke 's The Eraser and Jonny Greenwood 's soundtracks don't fall far from the transceiver-craniumed tree, it's [...]
History will remember Phil Selway as the little engine that could. The ballots are in, and across the board, we can agree that this beloved baldy - the driving drummer behind so many of Radiohead's most kinetic, rhythmically perfect ballads - kind of sucks at being a soulful singer-songwriter. Nonetheless, it's pretty surprising that Selway decided to take the Elliott Smith route on Familial , even if it does sound hopelessly uncomplicated and not particularly original. Selway's mostly short, sweet, mellow guitar ballads work against him just as much as his reputation. Too [...]
Midi & The Modern Dance - "Eleanor Passing" I was introduced to the band after bonding with the bassist in his dorm room over his Spinto Band poster (Midi has toured with them in the past). Split across the country while going to college, this indie-rock-pop band reunites for shows across the country, year-round. They've just released their second album, Make It Easy on Yourself . This song, however, is from their 2008/2009 album, Twilight, How Sweet You Are . From their album production, band-art, myspace, everything, Midi is very do-it-your-damn-self [...]
(photo: Nathan Burge) I never know what I'm going to get when I send an artist the QBiM Q&A. Sometimes it's a curt, one word answer to most questions, other times, I get eloquent and well-crafted replies to my mundane questions. Craig Schram of The Provincial Archive wins the prize for taking what I've often thought of as one of the sorriest excuses for an interview question in the Q&A and turns it into the launching pad for a mini school-yard drama about marking one's place in society and not [...]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =6o9dXLNuXic You'd be forgiven for not realizing that J Cole's "Who Dat" is one of the year's biggest hits. Neither New York nor Los Angeles radio plays it with any regularity. On the main Chicago rap station, it sulks near the bottom of the top 40, and judging from a cursory glance through YouTube, NBA players would prefer to spread the gospel of post-jerkin' boy band Cali Swag District . Lebron James , dig a hole. Yet in odd ashy corners of the Internet, to people whose self-worth is predicated [...]
Here I am again in the city With a fist full of dollars and baby you gotta believe: I'm back! Back in the New York groove I'm back Back in the New York groove... - Hello (1975, New York Groove) I just spent an overdue weekend out in South Hampton and who knew what a little fresh air and tennis could do so much for the spirit cause I'm back looking for the game like left something. I needed a song today that fit the fast life and pulse [...]
Whoa, did Kanye West suddenly get altogether more relevant all of a sudden..? Award for most bizarre recording of the year thus far goes to... The sound of the hip hop A-list collectively losing the plot (possibly, although almost certainly not) in front of too much Twilight. (Bon Iver) I shoot the lights out
Hide 'til it's bright out
Whoa, just another lonely night
Are you willing to sacrifice your life? (Rick Ross) Bitch I'm a monster, no good blood sucker; Fat muthafucker now look who's [...]
DOWNLOAD Tracklist: Breaks, beats and dirty basslines – plus the latest D&B exclusives. Brockie drops an Old Skool Mix ahead of Notting Hill Carnival. DJ Die & Interface – Bright Lights (feat. William Cartwright) (Lenzman Remix) [Clear Skyz] Artificial Intelligence feat Steo – Let It Be [V Records] Dave Owen & Grimm – The Way You Movin Command Strange – Close To Me Danny Wheeler feat Aina – Airforce Remix [W10] Paul SG – Organic Mode [Bassdrive Tunes] Blade – Missing Man A-Sides – [...]
Supernormal Festival - 20th - 21st August 2010 - Braziers Park, Oxfordshire Well it's Sunday afternoon and I'm sitting in A + E dosed up to the eyeballs…A band of alternating pain round my ribs keeps waving in and out like a curious eel… thankfully no fucked-up junky feels like vomitting over me... The doctor looks quizically at me when I recount the bizarrely bland circumstances… festival hey…drunk… drugs? … Nope… I'm convinced she doesn't believe me… a few health checks later and I'm moved [...]
The Rural Alberta Advantage tour Western Canada, record new album. Toronto – The Rural Albera Advantage will be embarking on a nine-date tour of Canada's West Coast (dates below) that will have them spending some extra time especially in the province that inspired their wildly successful debut album, Hometowns. The tour comes on the tail-end of a summer of heavy recording for the band. Nils, Amy and Paul have been hard at work over the summer with producer Roger Leavens (Woodhands) at Boombox Sound in Toronto on their as-yet-untitled follow-up album slated for a Canadian release in [...]
Photography by TakePicturesAndPills ... It's been a while since I last posted on TSURURADIO. The reason for this is simple: lack of inspiration. I've said this before and I will say it again. Inspiration for me is something that comes and goes, and unfortunatley I'm not able to tap into some hidden reservoir of ideas and energy. This in huge contrast to our leader Tsuru who seems to be able to write, bike, shoot, paint, sing and dance even while sleeping. What isn't exactly helping either is the ENORMOUS flood of [...]
I have to admit I love lists, as any regular reader of this blog probably knows, and the iPod playlist is the perfect place to feed both my fascination with lists and organize my music into more easily digestible chunks.p Included in my iPod playlists since my initial purchase of the then unknown Apple device back in February 2004 has been a "Top 20 Songs of the Week" which is rarely 20 songs anymore and rarely updated on any regular schedule but is basically my favorite songs at that moment in time and the first playlist I jump to when [...]
MP3: Vonnegutt - "Bright Eyes" Who would've ever expected Big Boi and Manchester Orchestra to be teaming up for anything? However, the two very different acts' respective labels (Purple Ribbon and Favorite Gentlemen) will be jointly releasing the debut EP of Atlanta's Vonnegutt on September 21. The Appetizer EP will have to tide folks over until the band put out a proper full length, Falling Up The Stairs , in 2011.
Here is the music video for Big Boi's "Follow Us" that features Vonnegutt , a band that Big Boi has sort of taken under his wing, signing them to his record label. Watch the video below: If you liked what you heard from them on "Follow Us" well you can download "Bright Eyes" from Vonnegutt's debut EP The Appetizer . [mp3]: Vonnegutt - Bright Eyes Bookmark on Delicious Digg [...]
Vonnegutt - Big Boi and Manchester Orchestra's Newest Signing Vonnegutt whets appetites with re-release of aptly titled EP, out September 21 Recent label partnerships with Big Boi's Purple Ribbon and Manchester Orchestra's favorite gentlemen Atlanta's Vonnegutt may not immediately ring a bell, but there's a good chance you've already heard them play and seen them perform. Buy CDs, MP3s, more: [...]
Sometimes you just have to assume the best, that everything's fine. Always look on the bright side of life and sh*t. Whistle whistle Mr Palin. This time the glass is half full (or three quarters). We'll see. Enjoy... STUART #154: August 2010 Salute - Dipset Forever (Nosaj Thing Remix) - Drake Kilo - Fat Joe ft. Clipse & Cam'ron Dusk - Northeast Party House USA Boys - Helath Let Em Know - Bun B Miami (Jono Ma & Franklin Furter Remix) - Foals [...]
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New Music: Dr. Dog – “Take Me Into Town”
