The last Friday of 2011. And so begins a slow walk to the end of another year. Ambushed by Christmas (my own fault, of course: same date every year, nothing to be scared of), tending sick animals and children, reigning in the oldies while fighting the desire to sleep spontaneously with bouts of manic activity that appeared to achieve very little, I am reminded that the best things in life are three. When I was a (lot) younger, and Martin O'Neill was no more than a twinkle in my footballing eye, and I still got a [...]
Our trip down to Portland in early September for Music Fest Northwest was admittedly just as much a trip for the record stores as it was for the live music. They are all over. Mississippi Records in North Portland's Mississippi district was probably the most interesting place to us with a varied selection that doesn't [...]
Tweet This is the first single from the album " The World Is Just A Place To Fill Up The Night" which was just released from former Dutchess and the Duke member Jesse Lortz. Connect with Case Studies - Facebook / Blogspot
After some time wallowing in his own mire, the creative genius behind defunct stone-folkers The Dutchess and The Duke is at it again. That's right, Jesse "The Duke" Lortz is back in our empty lives and he's got a new wine-swillin', livin' room lady singin' guitar project he wants us to REVEL in! Case Studies is the name (how nerdly!), and it sounds NOTHING like a person writing in all CAPS and with several exclamation points would lead you to believe! In FACT, it's rather melancholy. Deception! [...]
We resume our reposts of the Blogophilia series this week with volumes 8 and 8.5. Why 8 and 8.5? Well, I mixed these at the same time, and the tracks came from the same collection of songs I reviewed. Calling one 8 and the other 9 didn't feel right. We've also had a 12.5, and recently a 26.5 for the same reason. Like volume 7, these two mixes really capture the summer spirit. Volume 8.5 has a throw in from an "oldie but goodie." Enjoy... Blogophilia Volume 8 [...]
First, I'll go on record as someone who has eagerly devoured all past material of The Dutchess & The Duke. Since 2009's Pitchfork Festival, I've been closely following all material, and this all sort of swan dived after a fairly drunken (while still endearing) show the duo put on in Cleveland. It didn't surprise me to see Lortz eventually moving off into his own thing. All of that said, let's face it, D&D harnessed at least a sliver of its intrigue with the off-kilter use of contradictory gimmick, particularly the upbeat southern-fried anthems that came off playfully morose. [...]
There's been a lot of people getting really excited about Case Studies , the new project from former Dutchess and the Duke member Jesse Lortz. His first record under the moniker, The World is Just a Shape to Fill the Night , will be out August 16th via Sacred Bones . This track below is just another in the slew of tracks floating around the Internet promoting Jesse's new band. I like the playfulness in Jesse's songwriting, or at least its straight-ahead approach to writing lyrics. Good [...]
It sure didn't take long before it became hopelessly cliched . You know, the whole "artist casts off bonds of civilization to venture into the middle of nowhere and construct paean to exes" schtick? Sure, it's been done really well a couple of times, but I hope you enjoyed For Emma, Forever Ago , because we'll be paying for it for at least the next decade. Fortunately, we may get a few more good albums out of this otherwise deplorable trend. Or at least one more, from Case Studies [...]
Once upon a time there was a band named The Dutchess & The Duke. They were a lovely band and they made lovely music, but then the fall of 2010 rolled around and a horrible thing happened. The band broke up and the people cried. However, they did not cry long for a wise man came to tell them that Jesse Lortz, a member in that band, would continue making music on his home. It was a compromise, but
Jesse Lortz, ex-the Dutchess & The Duke, has a solo album out next month via Sacred Bones. The World Is Just a Shape to Fill the Night collects old recordings and demos with new tracks (recorded in February in a cabin in Sequim, WA). It was recorded by Greg Ashley (Gris Gris). Cristal Stilts's Keegan Cooke helped out on drums and guitar. Lortz offers a bit of background and some details about his vision for the project: Read More...
We all mourned the loss of The Dutchess and The Duke. I wore black for a week and spent too much money on an elaborate funeral procession that ended with me throwing the ashes of a burnt D & D record in to an open sewage grate. The grieving has come to an end though, [...]
Long did I champion the work of the Dutchess and the Duke , but as they've gone away, at least for the time being, I've been anxiously awaiting the release of Case Studies , the project of former D&D frontman, Jesse, which I caught wind of via our friend Toby over at Finest Kiss . Case Studies will be releasing The World is Just a Shape to Fill the Night via Sacred Bones on August 16th. Listening to this, [...]
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Despite releasing an album back in 2009, Those Darlins are still a band that has been flying under the radar. However, I don't see them staying in that predicament for long after this work catches fire. If the album art wasn't enough of a clue, the instant you press play on this album, it's clear that this is a playful, blunt, edgy and full out rock and roll fest. "Screws Get Loose," the title and opening track is probably the best [...]
The Dutchess & The Duke released their sophomore album Sunset/Sunrise in 2009 but I just started listening to it this week and really liked the way their voices harmonize. They remind me a bit of Cotton Jones. Give it a listen. Buy it on Amazon . Living This Life Hands
If Jersey Shore reruns don't tickle your fancy, then spend your weekend watching our new online video channel, Cluster 1 . Here are some current highlights: - Our host with the most, Mr. Sami Jarroush, offers a Cluster 1 News Update , featuring stories on the passing of Broadcast singer Trish Keenan, Panda Bear's new album, the possible return of Rothbury, and more. - Cluster 1 premieres a brand new clip from Cheap Time's Jeffery Novak . - Also check [...]
Here at MM we share, chat, argue, bury and praise music on a pretty regular basis…like daily. So throughout the year, the Mackerel crew (Mrs Mackerel, Barry-Sean, Christy-Popper, Dr Roddy, Polly Pocket, Starbar, MM and others) keep their own ever-changing top tens ready for publication at the climax of the festive season. So last, but very much not least, is the lovely (though flu-stricken) Mrs Mackerel and her choices for 2010. We all sweat a little over our top tens and I don't know why really. This is just what I think, you will undoubtedly think [...]
There is no denying: The Dutchess and The Duke are going to be dearly missed. But if the above is what fills the void and if "The Eagle and the Serpent" (and the magnificent My Silver Hand available on their Facebook) are the type of songs Jesse Lortz keeps writing as Case Studies, we [...]
Recently honored on the Chicago Tribune Top 2010 albums from Chicago indies list, vocalist Jeanine O'Toole of the 1900s checks in with her favorite musical memories from the past year.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend, because we sure did. Kristin and I were lucky enough to get out and visit family in Seattle, which was of course, a blast. We enjoyed some delicious smoked turkey, watched a bit of football, explored various parts of downtown and West Seattle. One of the many highlights of the weekend was on Friday night when we were able to attend The Dutchess & The Duke's final show with an incredibly generous aunt and uncle. It was unlike any show I've seen before, and one I won't likely forget for [...]
It was a warm, clear night outside in Manhattan, but huddled in a small windowless back room, staring at a stage, I could well have been at home in Rain City. The music added to this feeling; after one song my Seattle-based companion turned to me and said, "That's my kind of music, that's Pacific [...]
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