speed of dark

We are thrilled to offer an autographed copy of The Graduate's debut album, Anhedonia. This CD is signed by the whole band and can be yours absolutely free.

All you have to do is comment on this post with your favorite album of 2007 (so far) and your email address (so I can contact you if you're the winner).

The deadline to enter is midnight, Friday, June 8, 2007. The winner will be contacted by email by Sunday, June 10.

Thanks and good luck!

I had the opportunity to sit down with Corey Warning, lead singer of up and coming band The Graduate before their show at the Roxy in Los Angeles this past weekend. While The Graduate are admittedly the new kids on the block, the band put up a solid albeit short performance before the more raucus and apparently more well-known bands, The New Atlantic, My American Heart, and The Audition. I spoke to the lead singers of both New Atlantic and My American Heart - both bands put on great sets and were very nice and gracious enough to spend a couple of minutes with me. However, alt-gramma and I decided after the show that we had previously had our fill of angry, head-thrashing bands (alt-gramma with Led Zepplin and her assortment of punk bands, me with Guns n Roses and Metallica). Yet The Graduate seemed a little different from the other bands on the bill - not easily defined by a particular genre, the band still has some room to grow and to find their own sound before you'll see them have top billing. Still, if you're planning on attending The Warped Tour, drop by their set and see what I mean. (Click thumbnails for larger pics)

Speed of Dark: How did you know this is what you wanted to do?

Corey Warning: This has been the only thing I've ever been remotely talented at in my entire life. It's a big lifestyle change, being on the road all the time and being away from friends and family, it's a big change. Last March, when we were in Columbus, Ohio, we played with Jack's Mannequin at a sold-out show for 2,000 people and we got on stage and we got everyone in the place's attention and I think that was the single moment where I thought, "I can do this for the rest of my life and be happy." I'll remember that night for the rest of my life.

SOD: What artist or band has been your biggest influence?

CW: I think one of the biggest influences on me has been Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie. As soon as I started getting into Death Cab, I've immediately wanted to start writing music more and open up my senses to everything. I would cite him as one of my greatest influences.

SOD: What is your earliest memory of a song that you liked?

CW: I think the first song I remember really being into was "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi. My parents have this video of me at about age two that they like to show to everyone, dancing around the living room while watching the Bon Jovi video on TV. I don't have the physical memory of this, but I've seen the video and been told about it.

SOD: What would be your dream tour?

CW: I think many of the bands that I'm really moved by, I don't think we'd have a shot at because we're not necessarily in the same genre, but maybe in the future. I've been listening to a lot of Cold War Kids and Silversun Pickups, and I'm really into Radiohead and U2.

On trying to not be labelled:
CW: What I hope to do is move past people trying to put us into a category, not necessarily creating our own genre, but we want to transcend that. This is our first record, and so it's very easy for people to say, you sound like this, you sound like that. We've been called pop rock, we've been called emo, indie rock...there was one review of our CD where we were compared as a cross between Hoobastank and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, which I think is pretty far off from what we're doing. We've been compared to U2, and I agree about the guitars, but I don't think I hold a candle to Bono. I think it's good that people are having a hard time finding what genre to put us in, because if it were easy, we wouldn't be doing our job, we wouldn't be doing anything different.

On breaking out:
CW: I don't necessarily think that this is the album that's going to break our band, because I think we have to develop our sound more, keep pushing ourselves and not trying to jump on a wave of what other people are doing. It's an easy thing to do and sometimes comfortable, but we don't want to make the same records over and over - we want to grow and evolve. It's hard not to [emulate other bands], you have to take a step back and think, it's cool, but we have to do something different.

On the band and songwriting:
CW: I write the lyrics, but the songwriting process is completely five parts. Everybody puts in an equal part to every song. We couldn't lose a member and be the same band - everyone is so focused and dedicated. We don't have the same method for writing every song, but I think our best songs come out when all five of us are sitting together in a room, throwing out ideas. One of the things we're dealing with right now is not being able to write songs since we've been on tour [for the last six months].

On touring and fans:
CW: We tour with a lot of bands that bring in a young crowd. However, I feel like the people who are seeing our show right now are not our audience yet - they are generally there to see the other bands that we're playing with. We're the new kids on the block and just starting to build a fan base for ourselves. But I think that the people who are coming back to see us are a little older - college-age or senior in high school. But I don't mind the younger people coming to see us - some of the best music I remember is from when I was young, in high school.

On a five-year plan:
CW: Hopefully we'll be releasing our second or third album. We got thrown into Anhedonia head first - it was a little overwhelming, since we had just released The Horror Show EP and three months later, we had a record deal. We had one song for the new album, "Stay the Same", and we had to come up with a whole album really quickly. We felt really dry for a while. I'm really looking forward to our next album, it should be really progressive for us. We're not the band that we want to be right now - if we were to break up right now, this isn't the record that should represent us. We know we have room to grow; we're all really young.

Thanks again to Corey and the rest of the band for taking time out to talk to us, and especially for your impromptu acoustic concert outside after the show. Check out the following show pictures and a couple of tracks from The Graduate's debut album, Anhedonia.

the graduate: anhedonia from Anhedonia [buy]
the graduate: the formula from Horror Show EP [buy]

myspace | official website | buy albums | tour schedule
other reviews: BC Music | Absolute Punk | Plug in Music | Smother.net
live video of "Anhedonia"

I'm not like John Cusack's character in High Fidelity: I don't have walls lined with LPs, all cataloged by artist, genre, and whatever. Frankly, I couldn't afford to have all the records I wanted. They take up a lot of room, and I much prefer CDs for storage efficiency. But I have carted a few large boxes of vinyls around from state to state for over 30 years now, refusing to part with them.

This past weekend, I set up the old turntable for the first time in over a year, hooked it up to the computer, and ripped tracks from vinyl for the first time ever. I have removed the hiss, pops, and clicks so the sound quality is not too bad.

Because one of the criterion I used when buying was, "I will never hear this again if I don't buy it," I have some stuff that is a bit off the beaten track. I will be the first to admit that I also have a lot of pure crap. Take for instance, two of my three Spirit LPs. Yeah, yeah--they had a hit with "I've Got a Line On You," and they were influential to the California sound. But the Best-Of stuff on iTunes really is their best stuff.

Here is one that didn't make that list that is kind of okay:

Spirit: The Great Canyon Fire from Spirit (1968)

Nevertheless, I think I may have a few pieces that are pretty damn cool, maybe even rare.

I have the first Neil Young solo LP. Actually, I stole this from the college radio station. My justification was, "No one could possibly like this as much as I do." Almost four decades later, and Young is still delivering the goodies...Maybe I was wrong, but I'm not giving it back now. The only song you might know from this album, the one that got onto the anthologies, is "The Loner." Here is one that is very reminiscent of his Buffalo Springfield work but with the addition of some soulful background vocals.

Neil Young: I've Loved Her So Long from Neil Young (1969)

Tim Hardin's beautiful "Misty Roses" has been covered (in some cases ruined) by Astrud Gilberto, Peggy Lee, Sonny Bono and others. You can read accounts of the Youngbloods performing it live, but I haven't been able to find it or this album anywhere other than my collection, so I might have a rarity here in Rock Festival, which is a live album. Neither the Youngbloods nor Jesse Colin Young apparently ever did a studio recording of the song. Their version of the old Jimmy Reed blues song "Peepin' and Hidin'"is pretty good too. (Note: This is not the Buddy Holly/Little Richard song, "Slippin' and Slidin', Peepin' and Hidin'.")

From Rock Festival (1970):
the Youngbloods: Misty Roses
the Youngbloods: Peepin' and Hidin'(Baby What You Want Me To Do)

I also have Roger McGuinn's first solo album. This one turned out to be less wonderful than I remembered, but it still has some good moments. McGuinn was particularly good at covering Bob Dylan, as you'll remember from the Byrds' versions of "Turn, Turn, Turn" and "My Back Pages." While "I'm So Restless" doesn't rank with the best examples, it's still kind of interesting. "My New Woman" is basically a Byrds song with saxophone. All the members of the Byrds play on it, and it has their signature fluid, layered harmonies, but the sax gives it a jazzy twist.

From Roger McGuinn (1973)
Roger McGuinn: I'm So Restless
Roger McGuinn: My New Woman

Yes, I have more, and I'll be exploring them in future Time Travels.

J. Tillman's latest release Cancer and Delirium offers no big breakthroughs or surprises over last year's Minor Works, which was my fourth favorite album of 2006. It does, however, continue in the same less-is-more tone that made the previous album such a standout, without any song seeming like a repeat or a another version of something he's done before.

One thing I hope never changes about Tillman's songs is that feeling that he is very, very close, whispering the words almost right in your ear. It provides a rarely-found feeling of intimacy.A definite improvement is the inclusion of a lyric sheet! And right now I wish I could find the damn thing. It has somehow managed to bail from my messy desk.

Cancer and Delirium, with a couple of notable exceptions, tends more to the lo-fi solo style of Tillman's earlier works rather than the fuller sound of some of the songs on Minor Works where members of Siberian accompanied him. I think if I were introducing someone to Tillman, I'd give them Minor Works to start with, and follow up with Cancer and Delirium.

Another reviewer wrote that this is a winter album. I think of it as a sunny afternoon album. Whatever season, these songs sound best when you can sit down, close your eyes, focus on the words and the emotions coming through them, and let them slowly warm your soul.

"Milk White Air" is as delicate as lace, and "Evans and Falls," set to simple guitar and what sounds like a child's metal xylophone, reveals depths of tenderness toward his mother: "I couldn't believe/Next thing I saw/She was outside/In only a bathrobe and scarf/My mother took sway of my heart." "If I Get to the Borderline" is no less impressive, and "Under the Sun" has a big, blue-sky feel--I just don't get what the siren is doing there.

I love how the band stays so restrained during "Ribbons of Glass" and "When I Light Your Darkened Door." They provide just the right touch of drama without destroying that intimacy that is one of Tillman's greatest strengths. Usually a wall of noise just covers up having nothing to say, which does not apply here.

The album concludes with "How Much Mystery," which is worth the price of the CDin my opinion. Just amazingly beautiful. Now, if I could only hear it live, but Tillman is again on tour in Europe. J, please come and play in the States.

Milk White Air
When I Light Your Darkened Door
Under the Sun

MySpace
Stream the album and purchase at Yer Bird Records or at Sonic Boom Records
Outside the U.S., buy at Fargo Store
Also at Fargo: double rerelease of I Will Return/Long May You Run, J. Tillman
Previous posts about J. Tillman: Letter to J. Tillman, Favorites of 2006

In 1987 or thereabouts, my sister and I were mezmerized by a black and white video on MTV that showed two spastic guys careening around, sometimes with huge pillars on their heads, not to mention the dancing heads of some old guy surrounding them. The guitar player looked like Buddy Holly, the other looked like that sad and tragic guy in black who sat in the back of your English class, except this guy was singing "dippity dog dog a ding dang dippity dippity dippity dog dog a ding dang dippity dippity dip." (Watch that video here.) This was our first introduction to "Don't Let's Start" and the wonder of They Might Be Giants, a love that I have since passed on to my son, whom we affectionately refer to on this blog as "He Might Be Giant".

John Flansburgh and John Linnell have been writing and playing music together since 1982 and show no signs of stopping. They have recorded approximately eight billion songs (a slight exaggeration) and have released many albums, most of which either I or alt-gramma own. We also used to call the Dial-a-Song and listen to the tunes found there - in the olden days, it was rarely busy (although I remember alt-gramma not being happy with the phone bill when we called it several times one summer) but it is apparently now difficult to get through.

When TMBG's latest album The Else was released on May 15, I bought it without even hearing a single track - with TMBG, you know it's going to be good. And I wasn't disappointed. I remarked to alt-gramma when I played it for her in the car that TMBG makes a good rock album - if you leave out the hilariously quirky lyrics and Linnell's kind of nasally voice. But I love TMBG, and if you've never given them a chance, The Else might be a good place to start. Some of the songs are silly (i.e., "The Cap'm", which makes me think of a scruffy Jimmy Buffett parrothead kind of guy), others are simply great rock songs (i.e., "I'm Impressed", "Take Out the Trash"). Others are history lessons, sort of...(i.e., "The Mesopotamians"). Together they are an excellent mix of what TMBG brings to the table.

For a limited time, I'll share a couple of tracks from The Else so you can hear the genius of TMBG. If you don't like them at first, listen to them a few more times - they'll grow on you. You should also visit their "artist-owned and operated" website, which is chock-full of goodies and offers a gazillion of their live shows for sale in either mp3 or FLAC. Their semi-official site offers up a free song every week for their mailing list members.

from 2007's The Else:
they might be giants: the cap'm (makes me laugh every time) [buy]
they might be giants: i'm impressed [buy]

from 2004's Indestructible Object:
they might be giants: am i awake? [buy]

from 2002's NO!:
they might be giants: no! [buy]

actual official website | semi-official website | buy all their albums

I promise we were not holding out on you - these songs recorded on May 17 at UCLA of the Ben Gibbard show were missing in action until this week. The sound is not always perfect but it is pretty good, there's some crowd noise, sometimes you hear me squealing with pure happiness. Ben was outstanding and the addition of Jenny Lewis on "Nothing Better" just added icing to the cake.

Enjoy these live tracks from the UCLA show on May 17, turn them up loud, and pretend you were there, screaming along with me and the rest of the audience. I only wish we had recorded some of the hilarious banter between the musicians and the audience. See my earlier review of the concert here.

ben gibbard: blacking out the friction [live at UCLA]
ben gibbard: you remind me of home [live at UCLA]
ben gibbard: (end of) why you'd want to live here/we will become silhouettes [live at UCLA]
ben gibbard: this is the dream of evan and chan [live at UCLA]
ben gibbard and jenny lewis: nothing better [live at UCLA]

Check out Berkeley Place for live tracks from Ben Gibbard's 05.13.07 show.

buy DCFC albums | buy Postal Service albums | buy Dntel albums | buy Jenny Lewis albums

The Muffs: Kim, Ronnie, and Roy

I have already mentioned my punk period and a couple of the bands (Homegrown, early Everclear) that I liked a lot from the early to mid 90's. Perhaps my very favorites of that time are the Muffs from Los Angeles.

I first liked punk for its raw anger, but then I discovered that it also has a great sense of humor. The Muffs' songs exemplify both of those characteristics perfectly. Kim Shattuck, singer and songwriter, can tell somebody off in no uncertain terms, yet her underlying humor and vulnerability also come through clearly.

Within the limiting genre of punk (few chords, short songs), the Muffs stand out for having decent harmonies, truly attractive, singable melodies, and understandable and well-written lyrics. The songs don't start all sounding the same, so you can play an entire album and not get bored. And Kim's hoarse roars just can't be beat.

I was able to see them in concert twice--at the Wiskey A Go Go in August 1995 with the Queers and Cub (featuring a very young Neko Case on drums) opening, and the following year at the Roxy. I can't convey very well here how fun and exciting their shows are--like riding a rollercoaster for a couple of hours. My friend and I left drained, happy, and drenched in sweat from our underwear out from being nearly as active as the band.

The Muffs have had the same lineup since their second album Blonder and Blonder, so current members are the same as I saw performing back then: Shattuck on lead guitar and vocals, Ronnie Barnett on bass, and former Redd Kross member Roy McDonald on drums. They disbanded for a couple of years, then got back together in 2004 to make another album. This speaks volumes about their friendship and compatibility.

The Muffs' first three albums are such jewels that the hardest part of this post was choosing the songs. I usually try to stick to six or fewer, but today I went a little nuts. I don't even know why I like "Oh Nina" so much, I just do. Whenever I think of the Muffs, that is the first song that pops into my head. Maybe because Nina is from Pasadena and she really doesn't have a clue. And "You and Your Parrot" ("walk around like you're demi-gods") just cracks me up. "Honeymoon" is actually quite a pretty song, so I couldn't leave it out.

From The Muffs (1993)
Big Mouth
Every Single Thing

From Blonder and Blonder (1995)
Oh Nina
I Need a Face

From Happy Birthday To Me (1997)
Honeymoon
Nothing
You and Your Parrot

Other releases: Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow (1999) and Really Really Happy (2004). In September 2005 The Muffs were featured in a series of Canadian Milk commercials that played throughout Canada. The Muffs are currently signed to independent label Five Foot Two Records.

MySpace | Website
Buy: iTunes, eMusic, Amazon.com, Five Foot Two Records

It's a little bit early in the season for most North American readers to think about a beach vacation, but the pleasure of a seaside escape from the heat will come soon. Sample these five new artists' take on today's sea and beach theme.

The Flies: Walking On the Sand
British outfit the Flies created such a summer song here, and it has this great old 60's finger-snappin' sound. Think: David Lynch movie soundtrack. Lead singer Sean Cook was formerly with Spiritualized for eight years, then with Lupine Howl for three years. Here he joins up with the Bristol-based production team, The Insects, who have worked with Goldfrapp, the Jesus and Mary Chain, and members of Cocteau Twins and Portishead. This song is from the debut Flies album entitled All Too Human which will be released in the U.K. in October 2007.

The Flies: Walking On the Sand

Website | MySpace | Label: No Carbon
Shows:
May 23 2007 - Jericho Tavern, Oxford U.K.
May 31 2007 - Moles, Bath U.K.



The Battle of Land and Sea: Saltwater Queen

The Silverlake, CA duo of Sarah O'Shura (guitar/vocals) and Joshua Canny (guitar) have crafted a gorgeous self-titled EP with a nautical theme. This self-titled release featuring hand-sewn sleeves and hand-drawn artwork is available as a pre-sale for only a couple more weeks at the link below, pending release in the fall on their new label.

The Battle of Land and Sea: Saltwater Queen

MySpace | Label: Notenuf Records | Lyrics | Buy by June 1



I Am the Lost Sea: Warmer Weather

Prolific singer-songwriter Sean Atkins has recently added band members Zach White and Luke Bartolomeo and a drummer to his previously solo Pittsburgh, PA outfit I Am the Lost Sea, so expect a fuller sound to emerge from his gentle, spare, acoustic ballads. I smell potential on this sea breeze.

I Am the Lost Sea: Warmer Weather

MySpace | MySpace #2 | Label: Unsigned, and this makes Sean sad | Downloads at Pure Volume | Album download
Shows:
May 23 2007 - Sphinx Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA


Birds Fled From Me: Staring At the Sea

Speaking of potential, I firmly believe that one day Rachel Williams, a gifted songwriter from Santa Cruz, CA, with a fantastic set of pipes, is going to be a familiar name. Remember that I was the one who told you so.

Birds Fled From Me is her solo project, but she is also working with Max Golding (of Max Fielding?) on an album for their project Too Dark For a Picture and frequently performs with fellow Twin Peaks junkie Raya (of the Druids) in Bedroom Eyes.

Birds Fled From Me: Staring At the Sea

More downloads available:
Birds Fled From Me: MySpace | Too Dark For a Picture: MySpace | Maxwell Lewis?: MySpace
Label: Unsigned! Get on it!

The Burnin' Sands: Beach Avenue

I don't know where the burning sands are in Alberta, Canada, but the Burnin' Sands found them--is this another sign of global warming? They have modeled their sound after the southern California surfin' safari instrumentals of the early 60's: the Ventures, Dick Dale, the Pyramids, etc. Come on, Gidget and Moondoogie, grab your boards and race those polar bears to the waves! Lots of shows coming up in June for you north North Americans.

The Burnin' Sands: Beach Avenue

MySpace | Website | Label: Unsigned
Shows:
Jun 1 2007 - Rancho Relaxo, Toronto, Ontario
Jun 2 2007 - The Cadillac Lounge, Toronto, Ontario
Jun 7 2007 - Le Telephone Rouge, Sherbrooke, Quebec
Jun 8 2007 - Le Cafe du Clocher, Alma, Quebec
Jun 9 2007 - Cafe Campus, Montreal, Quebec
Jun 10 2007 - L' Escogriffe, Montreal, Quebec
Jun 12 2007 - The Velvet Elvis, Oshawa, Ontario
Jun 14 2007 - The Zoo Bar, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Jun 16 2007 - The Gaslight, Regina, Saskatchewan
Jun 22 2007 - Broken City, Calgary, Alberta
Jun 30 2007 - Rendezvous Pub, Edmonton, Alberta

On Thursday, Johnathan Rice and David Bazan opened for Ben Gibbard at the lovely Royce Hall at the University of California, Los Angeles. Neither of us were familiar with Johnathan Rice, and I didn't realize at first that David Bazan was the lead singer of Pedro the Lion, a band I like a lot but actually don't know much about. As soon as Bazan opened his mouth, however, I knew immediately who he was. Our pictures didn't come out so well - the hall monitors were out in full force and we had to be discreet. All of the live songs available below were from the May 19 DC 9:30 Club show (except the two songs recorded live from the show we attended at UCLA).

Johnathan Rice was a skinny young lad who hid behind his long blond hair, but interacted with the audience in such a sweet and endearing way that alt-gramma and I were instantly charmed. Since I am not familiar with his music, I did not get his set list, although he said that his first song was "about the good life in Los Angeles" and that his second song was "about the bad life in Los Angeles". The only song I am sure of is "We're All Stuck Out in the Desert" because he taught us the happy chorus and had us sing along. Upon returning home, however, I learned that Rice played Roy Orbison in the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line, and is currently dating indie bombshell Jenny Lewis, who made a special appearance during his set and again later in the evening.

johnathan rice: it couldn't be me [live acoustic]
johnathan rice: middle of the road [live acoustic]

official website | myspace | buy 2007 tour EP from iTunes | buy albums

Next up was David Bazan, current lead singer of Headphones (with Frank Lenz, of Starflyer 59) and formerly the lead singer of Pedro the Lion, which broke up in early 2006. Bazan opened with an excellent cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and nearly brought down the house later in his set with a cover of Radiohead's "Let Down", which alt-gramma noted was almost as good as Radiohead themselves. I knew all of the PtL songs Bazan performed, and we picked up a copy of his Fewer Moving Parts EP, which will be re-released on Barsuk Records on May 22.

David Bazan Setlist:
1 hallelujah [cohen cover
2 cold beer and cigarrettes
3 shit talker
4 i do [PtL]
5 man in me [bob dylan cover]
6 of minor prophets and their prostitute wives [PtL]
7 fewer broken pieces [acoustic]
8 transcontinental [live acoustic] [PtL]
9 let down [live acoustic radiohead cover]
10 the longer i lay here [PtL]
11 bands with managers [live @ UCLA] [PtL]

official website | myspace | buy albums

Ben Gibbard hit the stage just before 10:30 to thunderous applause. Most of his songs turned into huge sing-a-longs, even when he played more obscure songs that the casual listener probably wouldn't know. Gibbard was in fine form, bantering with the audience when people shouted out song requests and professions of love. The last time I saw him, at the Wiltern in 2005, he seemed tired and withdrawn; this time he was energetic and funny, engaging the audience and putting a great deal of power into his music. At the end of the night, he was joined by Jenny Lewis, Jimmy Tamborello, Bazan, and Rice on "Such Great Heights".

Ben Gibbard Setlist:
1 steadier footing
2 why you'd want to live here
3 we will become silhouettes [live acoustic] [postal service]
4 photobooth
5 title and registration
6 crooked teeth
7 you remind me of home [gibbard & andrew kenny]
8 this is the dream of evan and chan [postal service]
9 soul meets body
10 passenger seat [live] [possibly my fave]
11 up the junction [squeeze cover]
12 lack of color
13 405
14 your heart is an empty room
15 brand new colony [postal service]
16 i will follow you into the dark
ENCORE
17 sound of settling
18 blacking out the friction
19all apologies [live nirvana cover]
20 nothing better [postal service w/ jenny lewis]
21 such great heights [live @ UCLA] [postal service w/ jenny lewis, johnathan rice, jimmy tamborello, and david bazan]

dcfc official website | postal service website | ben gibbard MOG | buy albums

What I wouldn't give to work in a music store again. I worked in one in high school, and I loved it. I learned so much about different kinds of music, and I like to think I'd be more on the ball about new good music than I am now. However, I do get a lot of insight from my fellow bloggers, and just a few of the sites that I visit for new and upcoming music are listed here, below the Finally Friday covers and live tracks.

spoon: my mathmatical mind [live]
spoon: decora [yo la tengo cover]
radiohead: you [live]
my morning jacket: careless whisper [live george michael cover]
the decemberists: engine driver [live on KEXP]
death cab for cutie: this temporary life [live 2004]

• indiechristoph has a new track by Kings of Leon and some songs by Film School.


• Aquarium Drunkard presents a live Bonnie "Prince" Billy show, a highly recommended Monkees song, and a contest.


• Berkeley Place lists the top 10 ladies of indie rock and has some Grateful Dead covers.


• Can You See the Sunset has solo Jeff Tweedy and songs by Fields.


• I Guess I'm Floating has a new Spoon song and an Art Brut poster contest.


• The Yellow Stereo has Feist and the Daily Graboid, including songs from new releases by Wilco, Great Northern, and Rufus Wainwright.


• Mars Needs Guitars showcases shoegaze and songs about being a Libra.


• The Rawking Refuses to Stop displays pictures of and songs by The National and live Ben Gibbard (who we saw last night at UCLA - look for a review Saturday).


• Muzzle of Bees has the lowdown on the Summer Concert Festival highlights.


• Shameless Complacency has some Wilco b-sides.


• And don't forget about our contest to win a neat set of shot glasses, a hat, and guitar picks free!

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!

In my digital music collection, there are about six artists that represent a very large percentage of my entire catalog of songs, and Elliott Smith is one of them. Elliott was a hugely prolific singer/songwriter, who not only released five full-length studio albums during his lifetime (and now two released posthumously), but also toured constantly, allowing a variety of live recordings to become available, and reworked his songs frequently, playing them acoustically or otherwise varying them from the album version, not to mention his work with Heatmiser. As a result, there is so much music out there for fans to collect and enjoy.

Although I was late to discover Smith's music, and I never got to see him play live, I have since amassed a large collection of his covers, rarities, and live performances, not to mention his studio albums. It was obvious, then, that I would pick up the second of his posthumous releases, New Moon, which was released May 8. It is a collection of previously unavailable songs, different versions, and other rarities; all but three of the songs on the double album have never before been released. One of the songs, "New Disaster", was actually a combination of two separate takes. Most of these songs, the liner notes claim, "could easily have been included on [Smith's] albums of 1995 or 1997."

The music is undoubtedly lovely and over all, it's a nice collection of Smith's unreleased music. A couple of the songs seem like a rough first draft that still needed some tweaks and corrections. Some of the songs were later reworked, reworded, and re-recorded into new songs and released on an album and some were played live. Others, though, didn't see the light of day until they were taken from their original cassette tape recordings for this album. It is interesting to delve into the back of Smith's musical closet, pull out these items, and put them on display - and must have been quite a chore. There are some standout tracks; "High Times" on disc 1, originally recorded in 1995, is definitely one of them. "Georgia, Georgia", the lead off track on disc two, is another, and was considered as a track on Smith's Either/Or album.

If you are an Elliott Smith fan, this album is highly recommended and necessary to round out your collection. Although, if you are a fan, you probably already have it. If not, buy Smith's back catalogue and listen intensely until you want to own everything Smith released, and then buy this album. Enjoy a couple of my favorite tracks from New Moon, and a couple of other favorite tracks for good measure.

from New Moon (2007):
elliott smith: high times
elliott smith: georgia, georgia
elliott smith: seen how things are hard

from From a Basement on the Hill (2004):
elliott smith: twilight (possibly my all-time fave)

from Figure 8 (2000):
elliott smith: pretty mary k
(there is an alt version found on New Moon)

from XO (1998):
elliott smith: everybody cares, everybody understands

from Either/Or (1997):
elliott smith: between the bars (another possible all-time fave)

from Elliott Smith (1995):
elliott smith: coming up roses [live 1998]

buy elliott smith albums | buy New Moon
sweet adeline (fansite) | find more at hypemachine

Don't forget to enter our contest: click here for more information!

Yesterday City-State of Washington, D.C. released their first full-length CD, Monument, the follow-up to last year's EP Wolves + 4, and a work that better showcases their strengths. The attention to production on this CD has taken the band a major leap toward a cleaner, more refined sound. City-State seems to be more focused and have a more unified sound than previously, while not losing the beautiful melodies that made the EP so promising.

Instrumentally City-State is similar to Coldplay and Interpol (as in "C'Mere" and "Untitled"), but in both comparisons I much prefer Jim Anderson's earnest, echo-y vocals to Chris Martin's thin, reedy whines or Paul Banks's sharp, forced barks. My only (small) complaint is that I would like to hear Jim's lyrics more clearly, but I understand the mystique that is generated by having them be a little lost in the mix.

The seven new songs are all characterized by rich layered guitars of Forrest Yingling on lead, Anderson on rhythm, and Daryl Marco on bass, and firmly anchored by John Malhinha on drums and percussion. Yingling is a new addition since the first album and definitely an asset.

"Great Lakes" starts off with some plinky keys and later includes strings that build to a climactic ending with peals of Yingling's guitar. A repeated feature in several of the songs is cascading waterfalls of descending notes that will carry you away. The best example of that is "This Place," which starts off with those rippling notes and also includes string accompaniment, but both MP3s below also have it as well as the lovely "Arlanda Terminal." "Idea" features lots of Marco's fuzzy, overdriven bass. Each track is a fully-developed and satisfying facet that builds to a work of haunting beauty.

Along with the new songs, the CD contains two remixes of three songs from last year's EP, which is a nice touch. "You Wait/Wolves" remix is a collaboration with A Study in Her, a Philadelphia outfit. For an example of the sizzle that results, check Zipper Girl (ASiH remix, 2006).

From Monument:
Mary
The Dakota

MySpace | Website | Label: Liberty Fuse
Buy: Amazon.com | EMusic | iTunes

Scheduled shows:
June 2 - the Khyber (Philadelphia, PA)
June 16 - Galaxy Hut (Arlington VA)
July 28 - The Red & The Black (Washington DC)

Don't miss out on our VH-1 Awards contest! Just leave a comment.

I grew up listening to classic rock music, either through one of my parents, especially my Dad, or through my sister, who spent a very annoying time obsessed with Pink Floyd. As a result, I still like classic rock quite a bit and there are a few songs that I swear I knew the lyrics to at birth. There are songs that I don't know who sings them or what they are called, but when they come on the radio, I know every word and every chord change.

Starting May 17 through May 23, VH1 is hosting Rock Honors Week in Los Angeles, culminating in an awards ceremony honoring classic rock legends ZZ Top, Ozzy Ozbourne, Genesis, and Heart in Las Vegas on May 24. Check out some of the featured events associated with Rock Honors Week:

THURSDAY,MAY 17
Rock 'n' Roll Bingo
Join rock legend Wayne Kramer of the MC5 as he hosts Crane's Hollywood Tavern's monthly Rock 'n' Roll Bingo Night. It's just $5 per bingocard for a chance to win concert tickets, record store gift certificates and much more. All proceeds will go to LifeLab, a community dedicated to helping young adult cancer survivors restart their lives. Then, stick around after bingo for special surprise performances.
Crane's Hollywood Tavern | 1611 N. El Centro Avenue, Hollywood
323-302-2695 | 6.30pm | website

Zero 1 featuring lead singer Hal Sparks
Kick off Rock Honors Week at the Hard Rock Cafe with a special performance by LA based power trio, Zero 1. Featuring lead singer Hal Sparks (Talk Soup, Queer as Folk, VH1 I Love the 80's, Dude Where's My Car?), special effects make-up artist Robert Hall on bass, and Miles Loretta on drums. Raffle to benefit VH1 Save the Music with prize pack valued at $1000, as well as other cool Rock Honors prizing.
Hard Rock Cafe | 1000 Universal Studios Boulevard
818-622-ROCK | 8 pm, $10 | website

Whitestarr at the Roxy
The Roxy | 9009 Sunset Blvd.
310-278-9457 | 8pm | $12/$14 | website

FRIDAY,MAY 18
Art Exhibition Opening: Robert Knight
Celebrate rock 'n' roll with a silent auction of photostaken by Robert Knight and signed by Rock Honors honorees Genesis, Heart, Ozzy Osbourne and ZZ Top. All proceeds go to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. Also enjoy artwork by rock legends like Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane, Ringo Starr, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and more.
Gallery 319 | 319 Wilshire Blvd. | 6pm - 9pm
RSVP to 310-899-1499 | website

SATURDAY,MAY 19
Air Guitar Contest at Bally's
Bally Total Fitness | 1628 N. El Centro Ave.
323-461-0227 | 1pm - 2.30pm | website

Art Exhibition Opening: Steve Joester
British-born rock photographer and mixed media artist Steve Joester premieres his work in L.A. for the first time at Mr. Musichead RockArt Gallery, which also exhibits work from more than 50 internationally known artists and an amazing collection of rock poster art. Raffle to win official VH1 save the Music Gift Bag, valued at $1000.
Mr. Musichead RockArt Gallery | 7517 W. Sunset Blvd.
323-876-0042 | 7pm-10pm | website

Burlesque Show: IvanKane's Royal Jelly
Forty Deuce | 5574 Melrose Ave.
323-465-4242 | 9.30pm | website

MONDAY,MAY 21
Music: Metal Skool at Key Club
Metal Skool tributes the 2007 VH1 Rock Honors honorees, Genesis, Heart, Ozzy Osbourne, and ZZ Top.
Key Club | 9039 Sunset Blvd., W. Hollywood
323-465-4222 | 8.30pm | website

ONGOING ALL WEEK
VH1 Rock Honors Guitars
VH1 Save The Music, Gibson Musical Instruments and Guitar Center host an exhibition of customized VH1 RockHonors guitars signed by this year's Rock Honors honorees.
Guitar Center | 7425 Sunset Blvd.
323-874-1060 | Mon-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-8pm | website

In celebration of this event, I have for you a great prize package courtesy of VH1 and Filter Magazine. This prize package includes all of the following: a shot glass set, Rock Honors hat, and guitar picks! Check out the shot glass set! All you have to do to win is leave a comment to this post by midnight, Monday, May 21, with your favorite classic rock song and your email address (so I can contact you). The winner will be picked randomly from all entries and will be contacted via email by Wednesday, May 23. Thanks and good luck!


ozzy ozbourne (with black sabbath): paranoid
phil collins (formerly of genesis): in the air tonight
peter gabriel (formerly of genesis): shock the monkey
zz top: la grange

buy ozzy | buy genesis | buy heart | buy zz top
Rock Honors Award Show website

Near the end of last year I sent lists of my 2006 favorite songs upon request to several blogs (click the category link below to see my choices), not thinking that anything more would come of it, however one of those submissions has turned into a blogger awards event.

Your own Alt-Gramma was among over 35 music bloggers who submitted nominees in 14 different categories of Best Artist, Best Song, and Best Album. This is how my list of favorites became part of the nomination process for the Music Blogger Awards (MuBA for short).

Now the public gets to vote for the winners. Notice the blinking banner in the sidebar at the right (thanks, Indie Mom). Click there or here to go to the link for list of nominees that were gathered. You can also submit your own choice in each category.

EMusic has picked up the sponsorship for MuBA, so I need to do a little plug on their behalf. I don't mind because I have an EMusic subscription myself, and I often provide an EMusic link with an artist review. That's for YOUR convenience, not because I get anything for it. I think EMusic is an economical way to legally download music in MP3 format and know that the artist gets a cut, and when you collect as much music as I do, economics is important.

When you submit your votes, you'll get an opportunity to subscribe to Emusic and download an exclusive MuBA playlist, featuring tracks and artists from the MuBA nominee list. I am told that you'll get 40 free downloads instead of the usual 25 with a new subscription. I have also been informed that if you try out Emusic for a couple of weeks and don't like it, you can cancel your membership and keep the downloads.

If you're feeling a bit chicken about this and want to see an overview of the categories and nominations, check out the list at The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown blog.

Voting will end on June 15th, 2007, so don't wait too long. You are not required to join EMusic to vote, so do it just for fun, and let's see what happens. Vote link.

Here is what I did get out of this: all MuBA contributors were able to sumbit a playlist to EMusic that can be downloaded by EMusic subscribers. Here is the address for those bloggers and playlists: MuBA playlists, and here my personal selections: Speed of Dark playlist.

Some Speed of Dark 2006 favorites that made the final MuBA nominations for 2006:

TV On the Radio: Hours from Return to Cookie Mountain

Thom Yorke: Cymbal Rush from The Eraser (this version was performed live on KCRW)

We Are Scientists: Textbook from With Love and Squalor

Beirut: The Canals of Our City from Gulag Orkestar

Sunset Rubdown: They Took a Vote and Said No from Shut Up I Am Dreaming

All photos except the above are thumbnails that link to larger versions

Joe Arthur's second night at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles Wednesday was slow to get started. I looked around and saw that even though it was after 10:30 and more people had arrived after the Stars of Track and Field set, the room was not full. In spite of writing and recording top-notch material for ten years, Arthur is still too little-known.

Although not new to touring, until recently he was a solo performer aided on stage by electronic looping techniques. As of last year he has a band, the Lonely Astronauts, and he has chosen some quality musicians to be in it: Kraig Jarret Johnson on keyboard and guitars (Golden Smog, The Jayhawks), Jennifer Turner on guitar (Fur Slide, Natalie Merchant), Greg Wieczorek (AKA Gee Whiz) on drums (Twilight Singers, The Honorary Title), and Sibyl Buck on bass (Champion Of Sound, Milk 4 Cats).

He seems completely at ease on stage with them, and all you have to do is look at the photos to see that they thoroughly enjoy being there. Both Turner and Johnson provide strong backing vocals, and Arthur still does those tricks with electronics too. The sound in this show was impeccable.

The set kicked off with "Cocaine Feet", "Diamond Ring", and "Spaceman" from the latest album, Let's Just Be, recorded this year with the band. In fact most of the show was made up of songs from this album and its predecessor, 2006's Nuclear Daydream. "Take Me Home" began with a long intro then segued into "Too Much To Hide," with Turner's harmonies smoothing Arthurs ragged growls. After ten songs, they left the stage briefly.

The break allowed the techs recording the performance to take a master CD to the merch area for duplicating and get a new one in place for the second half of the show. As usual with Arthur's shows, you can purchase a copy of the concert you heard after the show. I wish more bands did that!

Arthur started off the second half solo, with a gorgeous version of "Honey and the Moon," probably his best-known song and certainly one of his most beautiful. I turned to Indie Mom and said, "This made everything (Ticketmaster's "convenience" fees, the long drive, the traffic, the late performance) worth it."

But it was the next song that knocked our socks off. This was "Prison" from the 1999 EP Vacancy, and it gave us a taste of how he used to accomplish his full layered sound live without a band--by quickly recording a series of loops to accompany himself. It also showcased just how incredible the scope and range of his voice is. It was absolutely stunning to witness.

The band then returned for "In the Sun" and played five more songs, including one that may be a new song for the next album, slated to be released later this year.

All in all this was a very satisfying concert. Arthur's body language and stage presence convey all the confidence, strut, and swagger of Mick Jagger without the affectation or preciousness. He doesn't just stand on the stage and play--this is a man who knows how to ENTERTAIN an audience. He engages you completely as a part of his own experience of the evening. The fact that you get to take "your" concert home emphasizes his intention to share himself with you. I swear I can hear myself laugh when he introduces the band at the beginning of "Prison."

Although I had not been as impressed with Let's Just Be as with previous albums, seeing how much of himself Arthur pours into the songs while performing them live makes them a hundred times more appealing. He does not perform his songs by rote from the CD versions, either. They are all reworked and rearranged, making each one familiar yet unique and fresh.

Joe Arthur and the Lonely Astronauts get an A+ from me--this was everything I could wish for from a concert. Check the tour schedule, and if they're appearing near you, try to go. I will share here a couple of songs from "my" concert, but only for a few days out of respect for this artist. Joe Arthur is not owned by some big record label. What he has done as far as publishing and promoting his music, he has done pretty much by himself. My advice is to buy a ticket and get a concert CD of your own.

Live at the Roxy Theater:
Chicago
Honey and the Moon
Prison

Click image for full size:

Left: Close-up of Arthur's jacket, showing the designs he has drawn on it. Middle: Turner and Arthur. Right: Kraig on "I Will Carry."



Left: Jen Turner harmonizes. Middle: Sybil Buck--look at that grin! Right: Gee Whiz!


Left: Kraig Jarret Johnson. Middle: Jen Turner's face paint. Right: Sybil in a potato-sack dress. Girls, get yourselves some clothes!

Website | MySpace |BUY
Lyrics | Previous post on Speed of Dark

Scheduled shows:
May 12 2007 - The Parish, Austin, TX
May 13 2007 - The Engine Room, Houston, TX
May 14 2007 - One Eyed Jack's, New Orleans, LA
May 16 2007 - Zydeco, Birmingham, AL
May 17 2007 - Smith's Olde bar, Atlanta, GA
May 18 2007 - 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
May 19 2007 - Exit/In, Nashville, TN
May 20 2007 - Lime Spider, Akron, OH
May 21 2007 - Nightclub 9:30, Washington DC
May 23 2007 - Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
May 25 2007 - The Mod Club, Toronto, Ont
Mid-September: Austin City Limits, Austin TX

The picture above depicts what I was through much of my early life: in trouble. Thanks Mom...now I understand everything. I love you!

elliott smith: needle in the hay [live 1996]
elliott smith: pretty (ugly before) [live 2000]
the mountain goats: no children [live 2006]
the good, the bad, & the queen: the bunting song [live 2006]
black rebel motorcycle club: hardest button to button [live 2003 white stripes cover]

• You Ain't No Picasso has the mindbogglingly outstanding Austin City Limits lineup, which has me wondering how the hell I can get to Austin this September.


• The Yellow Stereo's Daily Graboid feature has a track from the recently released Elliott Smith disc, as well as tracks from Mice Parade, Travis, and Great Lake Swimmers.


• The Late Greats ranks the top 84 Wilco songs of all time, which I feel doesn't give "Passenger Side" or "Kamera" enough credit. But, as I learned at work this week, no matter what you do, someone's always going to complain about it. Nice list, Duke!


• So Much Silence shows off the tracklisting of the upcoming UNKLE album and 15 glorious reasons for loving John Vanderslice, and pizza.


• A new addition to my blogroll, Shameless Complacency features a track by track review of Bjork's new album Volta, plus one of my favorite pics of Thom Yorke and a great deal of Arcade Fire b-sides and rarities. Great blog!


• Rewritable Content shows off their myspace and have a review of Xiu Xiu and Sunset Rubdown at the Troubadour, plus live tracks from both bands.


• Mars Needs Guitars is a great friend of ours, and I'd like to send him a hug.

And that's it for today...have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to tell your mom you love her!

Wednesday night, alt-gramma and I ventured out to see Stars of Track and Field opening for Joseph Arthur at the Roxy. I'm reviewing the SOTAF show; you'll get the lowdown on the Joseph Arthur set tomorrow from alt-gramma. Stars of Track and Field are a three-piece from Portland, Oregon, and take their name from one of my favorite Belle and Sebastian songs. Their third album, Centuries Before Love and War was released in January, featuring the fantastic "Movies of Antarctica" and alt-gramma's favorite "Say Hello". The band lists influences such as early Pink Floyd, Aphex Twin, and My Bloody Valentine, and are often compared favorably to Radiohead, Coldplay, and Echo and the Bunnymen. Lead singer/guitarist/keyboardist Kevin Calaba has a lovely voice, and I really enjoyed watching guitarist Jason Bell writhing around while making his guitar wail, and seeing drummer Daniel Orvik play the hell out of those drums.

At any show in L.A., most people arrive five minutes before the headlining act hits the stage, so I wasn't surprised that the place was nearly empty at 9:00 pm, when SOTAF were supposed to go on. So maybe that's why the band didn't start to play until about 9:45 pm. Most of the audience had come to see Joseph Arthur and didn't appear familiar with SOTAF, so I felt kind of lonely grooving by myself right in the front. When they did play, it was excellent - but too short. I felt like the band was rushed and they left me wanting to hear more. I think that musically, their sound was fantastic.


stars of track and field: movies of antarctica
stars of track and field: centuries
stars of track and field: with you

official website | myspace | buy the albums | find more on hype machine

* - w/ Joseph Arthur
** - w/ Shiny Toy Guns

May 11 House of Blues * - Dallas, TX
May 12 The Parish * - Austin, TX
May 13 Engine Room * - Houston, TX
May 14 One Eyed Jack's * - New Orleans, LA
May 16 Zydeco * - Birmingham, AL
May 17 Smithe's Olde Bar * - Atlanta, GA
May 18 40 Watt Club * - Athens, GA
May 21 9:30 Club * - Washington DC
May 23 Bowery Ballroom * - NY
May 25 The Mod Club Theatre * - Toronto
May 27 Gorge Amphitheatre Quincy, WA
May 29 Culture Room ** - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
May 30 Jack Rabbits ** - Jacksonville, FL
May 31 American Legion Hall ** - Pensacola, FL
Jun 1 Beta Bar ** - Tallahassee, FL
Jun 3 House of Blues ** - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Jun 4 House of Blues ** - Myrtle Beach, SC
Jun 17 Magic Stick ** - Detroit, MI
Jun 21 The Mod Club Theatre ** - Toronto
Jun 22 Sonar Lounge ** - Baltimore, MA
Jun 23 Webster Theatre ** - Hartford, CT
Jun 25 Highline Ballroom ** - NY
Jun 26 Diesel ** - Pittsburgh, PA
Jun 27 The Intersection ** - Grand Rapids, MI

One last thing - Joseph Arthur hands-down rocked. I really enjoyed his show, except for one thing. I could deal with the drunk guy jumping around, bumping into me, and shouting unintelligible things at the band - it was obvious he was having a great time. I could even forgive the band for starting so late - they played an awesome show, jam packed with songs and excellent performances. But the videographer that was so fucking rude I could not forgive. There were four videographers there, and all but one staked his place in front of the stage prior to the show. The one nearest to us waited until after the show started, then pushed me out of the way where I had been standing for over three hours (no kidding) to see the band play. He was rude, stepped on my feet, and pushed me, and when I finally said something, we got into...a verbal altercation. No need to be an asshat, dude...I respect that you're doing something for the band but there's no need to fuck up my experience. I didn't see the other videographers behaving that way, and I moved right out of the way for the very nice photographers. Okay, rant over.

Check this video out for SOTAF performing at SXSW - virtually identical to the show we saw Wednesday, except I think they rocked harder at the Roxy (click on the "playlist" button to choose different tracks):