speed of dark

Land of Talk

I feel so lame that I have only just found out about Land of Talk--they would have been high up in my Favorites last year. Stereogum was right when he said last August that Montreal's Land of Talk and their creative center, brilliant singer-songwriter-guitarist Elizabeth Powell, are a bunch to watch.

Land of Talk have a pared-down post-grunge post-punk sound with Powell's sweet vocals slipping and sliding around on top of Chris McCarron's bass and Bucky Wheaton's percussion. Their songs hit square in the center my musical sweet spot. Powell's guitar on "Street Wheels" nearly makes me swoon, but it's ALL good.

Thankfully, although I missed the boat on their debut EP, Applause Cheer Boo Hiss, Land of Talk is supposed to release another CD of new material this year. They are currently touring with the Rosebuds, although drummer Bucky has recently left the band and has been replaced by his friend Eric.

from Applause Cheer Boo Hiss (2006)
Land of Talk: Street Wheels
Land of Talk: Magnetic Hill

Website | MySpace | Label: Dependent Music
Buy: the Rebel Group | iTunes

Shows:
May 17 2007 - Brighton Ocean Rooms (Fandango Night), Brighton UK
May 18 2007 - The Great Escape, Brighton UK
May 19 2007 - The Zap (Drowned in Sound night), Brighton UK
May 21 2007 - King Tuts, Glasgow, Scotland
May 22 2007 - Barfly, Liverpool UK
May 23 2007 - Night and Day, Manchester UK
May 24 2007 - Thekla, Bristol UK
May 25 2007 - Waterats, London UK
May 28 2007 - The Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, Ontario
May 29 2007 - Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, MI
May 30 2007 - Grog Shop, Cleveland Heights, OH
May 31 2007 - Little Brothers, Columbus, OH
Jun 1 2007 - Subterranean, Chicago, IL
Jun 2 2007 - House of Rock, Eau Claire, WI
Jun 3 2007 - 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN
Jun 4 2007 - Jackpot Saloon, Lawrence, KS
Jun 5 2007 - Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO
Jun 8 2007 - Neumos, Seattle, WA
Jun 9 2007 - Media Club, Vancouver, BC
Jun 10 2007 - Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
Jun 12 2007 - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
Jun 13 2007 - Cellar Door, Visalia, CA
Jun 14 2007 - Belly Up Tavern, Solano Beach, CA
Jun 15 2007 - Glass House, Pomona, California
Jun 16 2007 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA
Jun 17 2007 - Plush, Tuscon, AZ
Jun 19 2007 - The Cavern,Dallas, TX
Jun 20 2007 - The Parish, Austin, TX
Jun 21 2007 - Spanish Moon, Baton Rouge, LA
Jun 22 2007 - The Bottle Tree, Birmingham, AL
Jun 23 2007 - The Earl, Atlanta, GA
Jul 16 2007 - Central Park Summerstage w/Decemberists/Grizzly Bear--NYC


Joan As Police Woman

In a Time Travel Tuesday post about the Dambuilders, I mentioned that former member Joan Wasser has recorded with her own project. That project is Joan As Police Woman, and it has gained so much attention in the U.K. that new dates have had to be added to their tour.

Although the violin is not her only instrument (she also plays piano and guitar), Joan is one of few rock artists who uses the violin more like a lead guitar than as a mellowing agent behind the other instruments.
Since the demise of the Dambuilders, Joan has played with many notable performers, such as Antony and the Johnsons, and she has been part of Rufus Wainwright's backing band on tour. She has also toured with Joseph Arthur, opening for him and accompanying him on violin and vocals. She calls him an "amazing musical mind."

Ben Perowsky (drums) and Rainy Orteca (bass, vocals) make up the rest of the band. I wanted to find a picture of Joan with her fabled glitter-covered violin, but I was not able to come up with one.

Winehouse fans should listen to "Flushed Chest" at the official website or MySpace page, but my favorite is "Christobel" because it features her scratchy violin.

Joan As Police Woman: Christobel from Real Life

Website | MySpace | Lyrics
Label: Reveal Records

Slated for U.S. release June 12.
Available as import: CD Universe

Shows:
May 17 2007 - Webster Hall, New York, NY
May 18 2007 - Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
May 20 2007 - 9:30 Club, Washington DC
May 24 2007 - Brewery Centre, Kendal, UK
May 25 2007 - The Sage, Gateshead, UK
May 27 2007 - Glee Club, Birmingham, UK
May 29 2007 - Corn Exchange, Newbury, UK
May 30 2007 - Y Theatre, Leicester, UK
Jun 6 2007 - The Gramercy Theatre, New York, NY
Jun 26 2007 - Paradiso, Amsterdam
Jun 29 2007 - Rock Werchter, Werchter
Jun 30 2007 - Les Nuits de Fourviere, Lyon FR
Jul 1 2007 - Radar Live (solar beach), Istanbul
Jul 3 2007 - Theatre du Vieux St Etienne, Rennes FR
Jul 11 2007 - Shepherds Bush Empire, London, UK
Jul 15 2007 - Letterkenney - Earagail Arts Centre, Donegal UK
Jul 25 2007 - Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA
Jul 26 2007 - Middle East Upstairs, Cambridge, MA
Jul 29 2007 - Beachland Tavern, Cleveland, OH
Jul 31 2007 - Schubas, Chicago, IL
Aug 2 2007 - The Picador, Iowa City, IA


We Have Updates!

Kudos to Midnight Movies for their song "Ribbons" being KCRW's Top Tune today! Free download, today only. Act fast!

Contrast Podcast #59! Theme: Every Tom, Dick and Harry. Check it out; it's a hoot!

Alaska In Winter has been signed to Regular Beat Recording Co. (UK), and a debut album is due for release next month. Go to AiW's MySpace to listen to a single from that release called "Close Your Eyes" featuring Zach Condon (Beirut) as vocalist.

July Fourth's debut EP Curtain of Stars is available for purchase at CD Baby. Yes!