Yes, it's Veterans Day, a "bank holiday", as the brits like to say; like so many other bloggers, I should be posting songs on the topic. But a recent bout of the dreaded H1N1 flu has left me late for end-of-term grading, perhaps one of the biggest sins a teacher can commit. As such, instead of taking advantage of the fine fall day outside, I find myself hunkered down over the dining room table, slowly making my way through a huge pile of previously-unseen papers and midterm exams. The post below was originally [...]
The essential second (or third) Big Star purchase It's hard to imagine anyone issuing a Big Star release that's a more perfect introduction to the band than the two-fer of #1 Record and Radio City . You could include their third album , dig in the archives for alternate versions and live tracks, stretch through their reunion music, add pre- and post-Big Star releases, and solo work for context, and you could write lavish liner notes to explain and contextualize their ill-fated story. But as an introduction, every [...]
Inevitably, a love of coverage leads to a constant, ever-vigilant search for thoughtful, well-crafted reinterpretation. I spend hours each week mining full albums for the hidden cover song, and scanning MySpace and email inbox for the promotional, the one-off acoustic in-studio radio track, and the otherwise unreleased singleton, and the endless discovery is eminently worth the pursuit. But there's no question that tribute albums are the cover lover's bread and butter. I gather these things in like truffles, and hold a special place for them in my heart and in my [...]
You still have all day today to listen to last week's show - at least until tonight's airs! So in case you missed last week's Halloween covers show, go ahead and: Stream the October 26 edition of Out the Other Here's the playlist, so you can follow along at home - with a few bonus mp3s of some of my favorite tracks I played during the show. 1. Candi Staton - Stand By Your Man (Tammy Wynette cover) ( Stand By Your Man ) 2. Andrew Bird - Think About [...]
This week's featured venue is all about acoustic/folk music. If you're a musician that is just starting out, however, it may be difficult to book a show here. But, they do allow new artists that aren't well-known open for certain shows. So, if you're going to be in the area, or live near by, check out their booking policy: http://pfmsconcerts.org/bookin g.php It looks like a neat, intimate and comfortable place with 250 seats, great acoustics and no matter where you sit you have a good view of the stage. [...]
This is good singer-songwriter fare that's well worth seeking out (and a pretty easy find too). Loudon Wainwright III had been kicking around for some time, releasing a few critically acclaimed folk albums throughout the early 70s. Attempted Mustache (his 4th LP) is one of Loudon's finest efforts, a loose, low key affair with brutally honest lyrics and even a few shambolic, drunken performances that are highly entertaining. So while the playing and atmosphere is relaxed, this LP features some of Loudon's best loved songs, a few that rank as true classics. Columbia released [...]
Here are the Wisconsin and Chicago shows we recommend you take in this week. Check them out below and let us know which ones you'll be attending or ones you think should really make our list . This week's recommended new releases include offerings from Devendra Banhart , R.E.M. , and Tegan and Sara . Upcoming Wisconsin Shows: 10/27 - David Bazan + Say Hi - High Noon [...]
Another solid week of shows coming up in Chicago this week. Sadly, though, most of the best shows are bunched up at the start of the week, meaning there aren't too many interesting shows I can take my younger brother to when he's in town this weekend. I'm sure we'll find something to do, though - this ain't DC. (Snap!) As always, my picks in bold . Sunday, 10/25 Beat Kitchen (early - 12pm): Shana Sings (special Halloween show) Beat Kitchen (7pm): [...]
The music industry is driven by the desire to make money . A decade ago, the most universal of the American music companies (including Universal itself) were controlled by the likes of Seagram . Today, the honor goes to Vivendi . Perhaps Monsanto will be in control tomorrow. "How does a music company become more profitable?" This is the question that those that have the pocket change ask themselves occasionally. The answer is usually somewhere along the lowest common denominator. What do people already like? [...]
Rufus Wainwright è già al lavoro per A Not So Silent Night il suo concerto di Natale. Ospiti confermati quest'anno sono Boy George, Ed Harcourt and Guy Garvey degli Elbow. La sede è la prestigiosissima Royal Albert Hall e Wainwright ha dichiarato di volerla trattare come una specie di 'salotto': un posto dove salire e scendere dal palco per esibirsi insieme a amici e parenti. Non a caso si parla di famiglie e parenti: oltre a quelle degli ospiti, è nuovamente prevista anche la presenza di Martha Wainwright, musicista e sorella del cantautore e, soprattutto, [...]
This week's episode of Later...with Jools Holland features Smokey Robinson, The Dead Weather, Bassekou Kouyate, Miike Snow and Basement Jaxx. Basement Jaxx are joined by Yoko Ono, who will also perform without the band. This week I will just focus on one of those guests. Yoko Ono is an artist and musician, who got her start in music when she hooked up with a singer named John Lennon. Lennon was a member of a band from the sixties called The Beatles and Ono's relationship with Lennon was seen by many as a major reason for that group's untimely [...]
In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book. Good things do come in small packages, and in the case of Emma Straub's slim novella Fly-Over State , so do great things. Straub's unique narrative voice is keen and nuanced, and after having read this book (plus every short story of hers I could find), I can safely predict she is a writer to watch with a strong literary future. Dan Chaon wrote of the book: [...]
At Clash Music , Fanfarlo's Simon Balthazar lists the "top ten tracks to stalk around a Norwegian forest to." PopMatters profiles singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III . NME writers name the best lyricist writing music today. Paste interviews John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats about the band's new album, The Life [...]
The Independent lists the 25 best music websites. McSweeney's previews issue 33 of McSweeney's Quarterly , the newspaper issue. Issue 33 of McSweeney's Quarterly will be a one-time-only, Sunday-edition sized newspaper—the San Francisco Panorama. It'll have news (actual news, tied to the day it comes out) and sports and arts coverage, and comics (sixteen pages of glorious, full-color comics, from Chris Ware and Dan Clowes and Art Spiegelman and many others besides) and [...]
Loudon Wainwright III has recently undertaken the ambitious task of writing songs that possibly an American folk hero named Charlie Poole might have given voice to had he not sabotaged his own career trajectory. Both Charlie Poole (the famed American banjo player and noted song interpreter) and Loudon Wainwright III enjoyed considerable acclaim after the release of a novelty song, both were born in North Carolina, and both performed deeply personal songs in signature acoustic styles throughout their careers. The only difference is that Loudon Wainwright III composed his own songs and Charlie Poole did not. Yet Wainwright III's [...]
Thursday, October 8, 2009 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band at Giants Stadium Bob Mould at Irving Plaza Asylum Street Spankers at Highline Ballroom Os Mutantes at Webster Hall Billy Talent, Poison The Well and AM Taxi at Gramercy Theatre Bravery at Terminal 5 Erin McCarley at Bowery Balllroom Po' Girl [...]
Shelley Short is not someone to doubt. The mesmerizing chanteuse, who has toured with notable artists such as M. Ward and Loudon Wainwright III, is readying her second LP, A Cave, A Canoo (out next Tuesday on Hush). The album is highly influenced by Short's tales of growing up in Portland, Ore. The lack of [...]
Wow, it's already October. I guess time flies when you're having fun or something like that. On Friday I'm torn about the Dinosaur Jr show at the Middle East for a little Pioneer Valley rock or Jay Retard at Harpers or Jetset and Highland Moore at the Plough, too many choices. Saturday has another good night of music with Ra Ra Riot at the Paradise (I love their Rhumb Line cd but have never seen them live yet), a great local line up at TTs with Sidewalk Driver, The Motion Sick, Aloud and John Powhida's International Airport and yet another [...]
Brent at work (at Pop Montreal) ( run comrade ) Pop Montreal kicked off last night (9/30). It's not too late to drop everything and take a car over the border. I haven't been in a few years, but non-stop show hopping in a great foreign (but so close) city was a great experience. Plus, if you get there by tonight (10/1), you can check out the BrooklynVegan showcase featuring Micachu & The Shapes, Clues & Slim Twig ! Other highlights of tonight include [...]
Rufus Wainwright @ City Winery in March ( more by Jacob Blickenstaff ) Famed Actor, Writer and Dramatist Charles Busch will serve as Host of A Place at the Table , a benefit evening set for Monday, October 5th, at The Chelsea Art Museum (556 West 22nd Street). The 2nd annual fall event will benefit New York's Ali Forney Center...Grammy nominated singer and songwriter Rufus Wainwright will give a special solo performance. A Place at the Table will feature a cocktail reception with food [...]
‘09 Been Kind
Vampire Weekend - Cousins
WKND PLYLST!! This has nothing to do with NEW MOON!
remixed: the beach boys, lady gaga, duck sauce, ellie goulding, shakira, la roux, madonna, & more!!!
