Kicking Against the Pricks: A Journal About Music Lust

So, there's a slew of great bands finally making their way through to Florida! Ooh, I am so excited to see some awesome bands live! I need help deciding which Mark Kozelek date would be the best. I've read some other people's opinion about it so I'm not sure. Logically, the Tampa date would make sense since I wouldn't have to drive far (and I don't like driving, who does?) but the Orpheum is not the greatest venue, after all. The Social is so much more comfortable a space. Anyone have an opinion about this? I'd like to get a tix ASAP before they sell out or anything, I'm not sure how likely that is but everyone loves that Sun Kil Moon record or followed his previous band. Give me some tips, por favor. The roll call of shows I'll be at (hopefully;)

Sunday, March 19th - Von Bondies - St. Pete 
(This is a free show and I should go because it's free. I can't remember the last time I listened to them but they may be a great live band. I love free shit too.)

Monday March 20th - The Gossip - Gainesville 
(I'm finally going to see them after waiting forever for them to hit Tampa! It'll also be a mini road trip with my sister visiting from Maryland.)

Sunday, April 2nd - The Books - Orlando
(I can't believe this band is having such an extensive tour and playing for three dates in Florida. I'd never expect such a low key band to do that but I'm excited to hear what they sound like live. Their records are so well crafted that I have no idea how they'd do it live. Damn, that reminds me of the Four Tet show I missed at the Social. I was stupid to miss it.)

Sunday, April 9th - Stellastarr & Editors - St. Pete
(I haven't made up my mind about this one. Again, I haven't listened to Stellastar in so long and I haven't checked out their new album. Editors are the buzz band and I've read that they're incredible live. I'd love to hear some dramatic rock songs live but I don't like the State Theatre at all. Maybe the Social date would be better?)

Tuesday, April 25th - Bloc Party - Ft. Lauderdale 
(I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this listed online but yes, it's true, somehow somebody had the hook-up to get Bloc Party to play only one show in Florida. There's no way I could miss this! I love them. I've never driven to that area so it'll be a new challenge. It's an awful night too but I suppose I'll take the next day off to recover. I can't wait!)

Friday, May 12th - Mark Kozelek - Tampa
(I'll probably go this date now that I'm thinking about it since it's a Friday night and not a bloody Monday night like the Social date. I don't know what to expect but some really sad music to hold back the watery eyes to. Should be good! Should make up for missing M. Ward when he played the Orpheum. I still feel terrible about that every time I think about it.)

Sunday, May 21st - Pretty Girls Make Graves - Tampa
(One of my favorite bands to see live and I haven't missed any of their shows in Tampa yet! I can't wait to hear their new songs live.)




In other news, the new Make-up live release looks fucking good! I never did pick up any live releases by them before but they were supposed to be a legendary band live and I can totally tell that by the few tracks I've heard. I just wish I could have seen them before they broke up or whatever. They sound like so much fun and such a spectacle live! Have a taste here: http://dragcity.com/mp3/sn13mubotf.mp3

Current Mood: excited
Current Music: Make-Up - Born On The Floor (live)

So I'm up late into the early morning unable to stop searching for music videos I've never seen on You Tube and I come across a very rare live video of one of the best unknown bands ever, the Au Pairs! Damn, they're live performance is thrilling to see... it's gets me all worked up to dance or something! It's one of my favorite songs of theirs too, Come Again. The stage tension and interplay between the two singers is incredible! I do some more searching around on the web to see if there's anything I haven't read about the band. Lo and behold, I come across an announcement about an upcoming double cd reissue of all the Au Pairs stuff... including the hard to find Peel Sessions. I am so excited for this release due out in late April. With this release and the earlier Delta 5 compilation, this year couldn't get any better for me with all my favorite obsure bands being reissued. Damn, I feel blessed to hear and have access to some much good stuff, I am beyond content right now. 

Release info: http://www.sanctuaryrecords.co.uk/index.php?action=showproduct&productid=34422&l1=3&l2=0&l3=0&rt=CA&lastpage=

Come Again live video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lpcy4kXRttE

All this Au Pairs talk reminds me of the awesome song Autonomy Boy by the newish UK band the Long Blondes, that has a similar sound going on. It's an awesome track! 
Find it here: http://www.zshare.net/download/autonomy-boy-mp3.html

P.S. I'd kill to play the drums like Joy Division's drummer in this live video of my favorite song Transmission: http://youtube.com/watch?v=3Q6qr7DzWgE

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: Morrissey - Suedehead

So, my little chihuahua of 3 years has been missing for a little over a week now and I'm pretty heartbroken about it. PJ was my consistent companion for the first 3 years of college for me, which have been pretty tough. Anyhow, I don't know if I'll ever see him again but here's to PJ and all the endless love he gave me. His little Dogster page is here: http://www.dogster.com/?82547

My heartbreak needs a soundtrack too which is why I'm listening to these fine two albums:

 

Galaxie 500's unbelievable Peel Sessions release. It's sooo good. The perfect music for morose introspection. What a beautiful drawing of the band too! I've got a poster of the cover in my room right now, what a freak I am about this band!





Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan's surprise album together is really interesting to hear. I love the whole duet album concept and they both have such unique voices. I'm growing into it but it's definitely worth hearing. Reminds me of the duet album that Dean Wareham & Britta Phillips did together, which I really liked.

I also recently been checking YouTube and all the endless time capsule nuggets one can find on there. I got all excited and uploaded my own video to join the multitudes who have already done so. It's the one good song I shot of Broadcast live performing the song 'Black Cat' at the Black Cat Club in D.C. back in Nov. It was the best live music I've ever seen and one of the best nights ever at that. Check it: http://youtube.com/watch?v=chvYpd-Lv0U

Current Mood: 3 midterms on Thurs, yess!!!
Current Music: Belle & Sebastian - Another Sunny Day

This forthcoming doc on Harry Nilsson looks really good. I fell in love with his song from watching Midnight Cowboy and I've found other music by him, especially his beautiful song 'Without Her.' He definitely looks like a fascinating person from the trailer for the doc. There's nothing I like better than music documentaries. Scheck it out: http://www.lslproductions.com/wihn_home.html





I've been watching and hearing so much stuff from the seventies right now. I'm taking a seminar course on the seventies so it's been a trip to see all this stuff from a time before I was born. We have to choose a 70's film in particular and write a series of papers on different aspects about the film. I've had a hard time choosing from all the good shit that came out in the 70's. I wanted to do Midnight Cowboy but that was actually made on the cusp of the seventies, in 69' to be exact. It would have made the perfect film to write about, it's so loaded with imagery and meaning. Now I've actually settled on a film made in the 70's and it's a smaller, cult film called 'Two-Lane Blacktop' that I came across just in time on Sundance. It's definitely a quiet film that left a lasting impression on me. It left me with this strange mood after watching it. Reading up on it afterwards I discover the cult status that it has and other's interpretations of it. Seeing it called an existential road film really piqued my interest in it and I've really grown to love it. I suppose the difficulty of finding a copy of my own made it more exciting in a way too since dvds are collector items selling at $50 bucks and up. Even VHS copies are selling for crazy prices online. I've figured it would be best to tape that film myself off of Sundance but even that was challenging since no one has a VCR anymore so acquiring one, hooking it up, and finding a decent tape to re-record on was frustrating. All that trouble is worth it because this film subtly embodies the seventies spirit in so many ways. Now I just have to focus and write a damn good paper on it. I picked up this really interesting book called 'Lost Highways' about the history of road movies and the genre. I even accidently came upon news of an upcoming IFC documentary called 'Wanderlust' that will chronicle the history of road films and their shared charateristics. It's being filmed by the same team behind 'American Splendor' which I really liked. All these things have come together just right to make me feel really lucky to have come across 'Two-Lane Blacktop' and the mysterious aura surrounding it. I've even uncovered this indie tribute album to the film that has Cat Power, Will Oldham, and Calexico on it called 'You Can Never Go Fast Enough.' Fuck! That's way too perfect. Effing synchronicity! It's eerie how much the girl in the film resembles Chan Marshall too... I think Chan must have gotten her aesthetic from this cult actress who died by suicide. It's all so fucking interesting!!

Wanderlust: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117907914?categoryid=1238&cs=1

Tribute cd: http://www.undertheradarmag.com/webonly/albumreviews/You%20Can%20Never%20Go%20Fast%20Enough/youcannever.html





On the music front, I really, honestly, can't stop listening to songs off the Jenny Lewis album. Her voice pulls you in like few other people can. It's beautiful and you shouldn't resist it. I especially love the songs 'You are what you Love,' 'Rabbit Fur Coat,' and 'Rise up with Fists!' She's a pretty enigmatic artist, I think despite her huge popularity. 

I have to balance the softer, emotional music with something harder and upbeat of course, hence my obsession with all things Delta 5! That compilation is killer and they're too bad-ass for words!
http://www.killrockstars.com/press/415/

Current Mood: energetic
Current Music: Jose Gonzalez - Love Will Tear Us Apart

Haha, I'm in the midst of finishing a late-ass paper on Heidegger and all I can focus on is wasting away vital minutes on reading music blogs!

I'm glad I checked out the latest Stereogum post on the new DFA79' remix album cause' that led to finding this sweet vintage clip of the Buzzcocks back in 80'! Fucking awesome! It's 'What Do I Get?' no less! I can't believe how long ago this was... four years before I was born.

Fuck, there's nothing like vintage punk footage to get me over-excited. Heidegger had some good ideas but he has nothing on the fucking Buzzcocks!

Watch it here: http://www.kinodv.net/movies/moviepages/BuzzcocksWhatDoIGet.html

(Haha, just noticed the guy holding his ears at the end of the clip, why was he doing that at a Buzzcocks show?!)

I found the clip while following Stereogum's link to another clip by the classic Boston punk band La Peste. I've never heard of them before but now I'll have to look into them. They played with Mission of Burma so they have to have been awesome. DFA79' covered one of their songs on the new remix album which is why the band was mentioned in the post. Fuck, do I just love discovering shit like this online... it's great. That orginial La Peste track just has to be on my next mix now!

Fabulous Stereogum post: http://www.stereogum.com/archives/002103.html

Current Mood: rushed
Current Music: La Peste - Better Off Dead

Hmm, it's quite strange but DFA79' have a streaming performance from their date at the Voodoo Music Experience on VH1, of all places. Man, I guess the band's is truly on this whole other level now after this tour with NIN... I still think that their sound is better suited and loved in small clubs than in huge arenas. I don't know where the band will go from here but I hear their next album will be some crazy concept like 3 different versions of the album all released at the same time. I can't even fathom what all that will sound like. I know there are plenty of people that just plain dislike this band or don't get their appeal, I can't really explain it either, but I know that ever since I first heard the track 'Dead Womb' on the semi-obscure CBCRadio3 site about a year ago, I've been fascinated by their sound. They have really blown up in a year's time but I wish them all the best... they are still some humble guys with amazing drumming and bass playing abilities. I know there are a ton of other bands out there to love right now but DFA are still on the top of my list. Watch a full performance of the band and try not to get distracted by the ten people in the audience...

http://www.vh1.com/shows/concerts/voodoo_fest_2005/

There are like a billion UK bands to check out all the time including now and right now the Rakes are at the top of my list to hear further... I'm liking what I hear so far but it's all in the same vein as Futureheads and Maximo Park, which is not bad at all. The producer of all those bands, Paul Epworth, does the Rakes album too so I like that. Epworth also does those excellent Phones remixes that always sound awesome to me. I don't think this post-punk/disco-punk revival will die down but I still cannot stop listening! Here's the fabulous Phones remix of the awesome Rakes track 'Retreat' from their EP.

http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2Q9FH2LAGUP310UJF0HOK0Z08M

Epworth's personal website with loads of interesting info:

http://www.paulepworth.com/

Current Mood: hungry
Current Music: Rakes - We are all animals

It was a cold, rainy, and dreary day yesterday and I happened to get this album by Arthur Russell in the mail that I had bought a while back based on the amazing reviews that I had read seemingly everywhere. The final straw was reading a list of top albums of 2004 by Mr. Andrew Bird and seeing this 'World of Echo' listed on there. I had also heard some painfully short samples of some tracks online which definitely piqued my interest. Needless to say, it was the perfect strange and soothing soundtrack to a dark day and even darker night. The sound on this record really does envelope you and the sound of his voice is eerie and alluring. I am so glad that I took the chance and bought this album that originally came out almost two decades ago (almost as old as I am!) but that still sounds amazing so many years later. Here's a good story on the artist behind this album:

http://www.slate.com/id/2096948/

(The recent daylight savings time switch has got me all fucked up too... the dark comes quicker and eerier and my sleeping pattern is off. I feel strange, aloof, and distant, and this album was perfect for this moody period...)

Oh yeah, the band that I will never tire of writing about, Broadcast just had a live session with the mighty KEXP radio in Seattle a few days back and the results of it can be heard online. They sound fucking great! I am now even more estactic to see them live next Saturday at the Black Cat in D.C. Man, I can't wait to hear all the songs I've only heard isolated in my bedroom live and booming. I will attempt not to get lost in the noise but I really doubt it. They're such an incredible band....

To listen to the sesssion, visit this link: http://www.kexp.org/streamarchive/streamarchive.asp

Select Oct. 30 as the start date and 1:00 PM as the start time, et voila, the Broadcast live session will be up as soon as that dance track is over! They sound soooo great!

Hmm, lastly, I finally got the Art Brut full length yesterday and it's great! I love the frontman's shouted "vocals" and crazy lyrics. Favorite track so far is 'My Little Brother' along with the other excellent tracks 'Bang Bang...' and 'Good Weekend.'

Current Mood: stressed
Current Music: Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock & Roll (excellent album!)

As taken from my blog on Myspace once again... I just like the format better sometimes, honestly!

"Woah, I am so blown away right now at how cool the band was in person and also taken aback by how few people showed up! What the hell people? This band is unbelievable and you missed a chance to meet them in person and get free merch like I did!

I was trying hard to keep the rock star awe down but it was so hard when one of your favorite bands is standing literally steps away from you! It was kind of odd to hang out in the store while they played music since you weren't really there to buy music but to see them! I wanted the new Boards of Canada but they were sold out of that.

Anyhow, I got to talk to Jesse, the bassist, about random things including his East Indian heritage and the Florida heat. I didn't want to be one of the those people that talk the ears off of bands but nobody else even noticed him! He was so nice and let me take a picture of him and he even hooked me up with a t-shirt and a signed poster.

I would have loved to talk some more with Sebastien, the drummer but he was out of reach. I didn't want to weird them out but I wanted to say 'I love you guys!' I still can't believe how few people came to see them! There were so few and most others were there doing their regular shopping; too bad for them that they didn't realize what an awesome band was in their midst!

Now I am even more excited to see them play live in Orlando this Wed! I was elated to find out that they had their own show booked in Orlando and that I wouldn't have to pay a lot of money to see their show tonight with NIN and Queens of the Stone Age. At the Forum too, eww!

I am such a happy band fan/music nerd right now, it's crazy!

I was so caught up with hanging out with the band at Vinyl Fever that I almost forgot about pledging some money for Wmnf's marathon today. I was able to pledge lots of money just in time during the Saturday Asylum show to have a guest spot on it soon. Yeah, I'm very excited to play some of my favorites for all of the Bay area! I'm going to start creating my playlist for the guest show starting right now! It's gonna be great and all you friends out there should listen when it happens!

Okay, I got all my excitement and love out on here. Now I feel a little more relaxed but I am still crazy in love with Death From Above 1979, possibly the coolest band I've ever met. I can't wait to rock out at their live show!"

Haha, I was sooo happy yesterday!

(I'll have some images from the instore on here shortly.)

Current Mood: rushed

I've had tomorrow's date on my mental calandar for about two months now (I think...) and now it's here! DFA1979's free instore at Vinyl Fever! I have no idea what they'll play since it's a 'dj-set' but I'm showing up for whatever the hell they do while trying hard not to stare too much at the drummer. ;) Who else is going?

(This is all depending that the hurricane doesn't crash the party of course...)

THIS Saturday, October 22nd, 2pm: DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979 DJ SET We will be relinquishing the use of our sound system to the drum and bass duo prior to their Ice Palace gig with Queens Of The Stone Age and Nine Inch Nails. Assuming Wilma doesn't interfere (As long as they don't cancel the gig at the Forum, they will be here, too)

Current Mood: okay
Current Music: The Rosebuds - Leaves Do Fall

I have so much great, new music to hear right now to help distract me from the fatal monster hurling itself towards my hometown right now. Beautiful music makes any situation better.

Explosions in the Sky have a new album that is a rerelease of their very first album. It's called 'How Strange Innocence' and the free download offered on the label's site is stunning. It's called 'Look Into the Air' and it has the band's signature sound, and it's beautiful. They really are one of the most unique bands out there right now.

Download here: http://www.temporaryresidence.com/mp3s/explosions_lookinto.mp3

http://www.temporaryresidence.com/descriptions/trr85.php

Local shoegaze and dream pop heroes the Vera Violets have a new album out soon and they have four new songs offered on their Myspace page. They're such lovely songs! My new friend Nikki is in the band and she lends her awesome vocals to two songs, 'When Yes Means No' and 'Nothing's Adding Up.' This music and band are the greatest thing around these parts and everyone needs to hear them. There was also a Spacemen 3 cover that the band posted recently too and that one was so rocking and amazing! I love this band!

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theveraviolets

Spacemen cover: www.hellospaceman.com/sm3covers

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: Vera Violets - Stars

I am NOT optimistic in the least.

Current Mood: worried
Current Music: Gang of Four - I Love A Man In A Uniform (YYY's remix)

I've been catching up on some music blog reading after several weeks of being unable to and I found the following new compilation mentioned. It's called 'GRLZ - Women ahead of their time' and it has all these tracks by female fronted bands of the post-punk era. It's sounds so FUCKING awesome! I love that period of music as it is and then the feminist concept of focusing on women is just awesome beyond words. I am very excited to hear it! The import price is not cheap but I know it's worth the money to hear and read all about these fantastic women/music.

Info here: http://www.crippled.com/index.php?cat=news&id=48&sessid=10000

Speaking of Delta 5, I just read a news story (coincidentally) today on Pitchfork about how Kill Rock Stars will be releasing a collection of the band's work and I am soo excited for that! The few singles I've heard by them are some of my favorite and I want to hear what else they did. Shit, I would love to start a band inspired by bands like Delta 5! It's my dream of the moment!

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/05-10/10.shtml#delta5

(Man, this Four Tet album is making me so drowsy!! I just want to take a nap after hearing the last track. I just got this album 'Pause' and it's as good as the rest of his work.)

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: Four Tet - Pause

Man, this news is completely new to me! I don't know if it's been posted about on the usual music blogs but I didn't read anything about this until today while browsing the oh-so-helpful upcoming release page at Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/music/upcomingreleases.shtml 

(A whole slew of anticipated new albums are on their way including my personal picks from: Calla, Wolf Parade, Broken Social Scene, Franz, Ladytron, Metric, The Clientele, Explosions in the Sky, Gang of Four, Boards of Canada, Sun Kil Moon, etc. Damn! A virtual list of some of most favorite bands! This release schedule is making me sweat!)

I've been disdainful of Modest Mouse ever since their last album blew up and you couldn't go anywhere without hearing a track from that album which, in my opinion, kind of wrecks the personal experience you have listening to music when it's played endlessly. Anyhow, I am happy to hear that Mark and his Sun Kil Moon band will be covering classic MM songs for this new album called 'Tiny Cities.' Those older MM songs are still very much loved by me and I want to see what the outcome will sound like. After all, Sun Kil Moon's album is a classic with some of the loveliest, melancholic music this music nerd has ever heard.

I'm excited, yes, indeed.

(Hah, I guess P-fork reported on this a while back but I was probably to busy to read anything online that week. Here's the story: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/05-09/07.shtml )

Here's more info from Billboard.com:

Kozelek's New Album Muse: Modest Mouse

In other news.... the new Broadcast album 'Tender Buttons' is so great and already imprinted within my brain after countless playbacks. Some of the new album tracks are already classic band material for me like: Black Cat, Tears in the Typing Pool, and Michael. Only people who've had their favorite band put out a new album that delivers in every way could possibly understand how I feel right now! I'm in sonic heaven with this album! I can't even believe how excited I am to see them live in Nov. in D.C. It's going to be so fucking awesome!!

Here's something from Trish, herself, about the lyrics to the buzzing, favorite song 'America's Boy":

Current Mood: stressed
Current Music: Bloc Party - Silent Alarm remixed (gracias Cindy!)

Hot damn, I sure am excited about this remix album of Silent Alarm! I know Bloc Party are all over the damn place right now but my love for them has not ceased. The line-up of remixers is practically my personal list of favorite bands as it is! Bless Bloc Party for being one sweet, hip band. I can't even imagine what their next album will sound like or whether it will be able to succeed on the greatness of the first one. Vinyl Fever should have this in stock right now, right?

AMG Review: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A2le67uw040jh

Current Mood: exhausted
Current Music: Seefeel - Quique (oooh...)

I usually don't use my LJ to post news like this but I just had to in order to show the images from this unbelievable news story. People make me sick when I hear about things like this happening. I absolutely hate when I hear about mass hysteria over buying something; what the fuck is wrong with people? Just fucking ridiculous. Hah, imagine getting a serious injury or a broken limb because you were trying to buy something. It doesn't makes sense. Anyhow, here's the story in all it's perverse glory.

Cheap laptops provoke Mac mayhem

A sale of second-hand Apple laptops costing only $50 have caused a near riot in Virginia in the US. More than 5,500 people queued for a chance to buy one of the 1,000 laptops and stampeded when the sale of the computers started. In the crush 17 people were injured and four needed hospital treatment. The four-year-old iBooks were being sold off cheap because Henrico County switched to Dell from Apple to supply laptops for its schools. Riot gear People began queuing at the Richmond International Raceway in Henrico County, Virginia shortly after midnight for the start of the 16 August sale. The sale was due to begin at 9am local time, but as the queue grew to almost a kilometre in length, organisers brought forward the start time by two hours. When the gates opened, a stampede started as people raced to be at the head of the queue for the cheap iBooks. In the crush, people were trampled on, a chair was thrown, an elderly man was pushed to the ground, a baby's buggy was crushed and one desperate buyer tried to drive his car through the crowd. Eyewitnesses described the scene as "terrifying" and "total, total chaos". Despite a heavy police presence, there were no arrests. "It's rather strange that we would have such a tremendous response for the purchase of a laptop computer, and laptop computers that probably have less-than- desirable attributes," said Paul Proto, director of general services for Henrico County commenting on the sale of the four-year-old machines. County officials said they would review events and see what could be done differently for future sales. Unofficial estimates said more than 12,000 people attended the sale.

Current Mood: slept well for once, yay!
Current Music: Brian Eno - Another Green World

Two of my favorite music blogs (Fluxblog + 20 Jazz Funk Greats) posted brand new Broadcast songs from the upcoming album Tender Buttons some time ago. The mp3 links to download them are still active so I recommend downloading them right now before they go dead! Oh man, the tracks are classic Broadcast and you will fall in love with them instantly. Why aren't they playing already at local indie nights at clubs in the Bay Area, yet? Somebody needs to soon! I totally need my own forum to play music around these parts that no else is playing... people need to hear this unheard music! My rant is now over. Listen to the soothing music now.

(Download the Annie track at Fluxblog too! It's damn catchy and addictive!)

"Goodbye Girls"

http://www.fluxblog.org/2005/07/youre-in-sleepless-dream-annie-and.html

"I Found the F"

http://20jazzfunkgreats.blogspot.com/2005/07/transmission.html

"Refreshment!"

My latest mix of great music! Take a look or give me a shout out if you'd like a copy and I'll totally send you one free of charge! It's all about sharing the love of music.

http://www.artofthemix.org/FindAMix/getcontents.asp?strMixID=94169

As the title of this post indicates, I'm in an utter Smiths mood. You know what I'm talking about. Those feelings of loneliness. That feeling of regret and wistfulness. All those dour emotions, right? Yeah, well that's what I feel like right now. I know I'm in a certain mood when all I want to hear is The Smiths "I Know It's Over" over, over, over...again (as the lyrics say.) It's one of the most melancholic songs ever and I want to find it in my stack of music and throw it on RIGHT NOW. The Smiths are for all the lonely people out there like me.

Lastly, Sleater-Kinney's song "Jumpers" is so amazingly great and perfect. It's sooo good. I'm just stunned by it's beauty. It's playing over and over again right now as I write. I don't have their new/last album yet but I'm thinking I need it soon. Rock on S-K!

Alright.

Another short term goal accomplished.

Hah.

(Q. Who is Harvey Pekar?)

(A. The epitome of the universal and individual human soujourn we all take on this lonely planet.)

Current Mood: lonely
Current Music: Sleater-Kinney - Jumpers (wow!)

I just made a new mix in honor of my trip to Chicago this weekend for the big music fest. I can't wait to see Broken Social Scene, DFA, Andrew Bird, and Four Tet live! I get to see other loved bands like Les Sav Fav and TAN! once again. Even further, I get to see new bands live like Deerhoof, Dungen, and Xiu Xiu. I hope the Pitchfork hipsters are friendly and don't bite! ;) I plan on hitting up the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum nearby and finding some excellent Chicago pizza while I'm there. Oooh, I hope to find some fine band merchandise for sale too! I'll hopefully get some great pictures to post here later. Check out my Intonation mix at this link and keep reading for more music news!

http://www.artofthemix.org/FindAMix/getcontents.asp?strMixID=93948

New Colder album, Heat!

Colder have a new album in Europe which has yet to see a US release date. I'm salivating to have a listen to the entire thing! I've been listening to 3 tracks from the album for a month now that I found online. That album cover stylistically looks like the opposite of the last album Again. I suppose I'll look to Ebay for an early copy of it since good music takes forever to reach the U.S. I have the 3 tracks available here to listen and cherish. Amazing music here folks!

Downtown: http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=14L81EDFJFTBK2IAPW0YAEYNGV

To the Music: http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2ZA9WB0S1F9ZS1RHH3G1674C5P

Wrong Baby: http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1Z551GF835FX81VXF678V52FWF

More info on new album here: http://www.modularpeople.com/03/colder/colder.htm

New Broadcast album + tour dates annouced!

Wow. I was pleasantly surprised to see a new story about the upcoming new Broadcast album on Pitchfork. I can't wait to hear it! I'm quite sure now that all my favorite bands are putting out new material this year. It's crazy trying to keep up! Looking at Broadcast's tour schedule for this fall, I wasn't surprised to see Florida not listed. Atlanta is there though and I'm totally set on making it to that one! I had to miss the Spoon/Clientele show there a while ago and I'm not letting it happen again. I'm going to start planning right now to be there. I want to experience Broadcast in all their glory live! Yay! An mp3 link is below for anyone who has not had the pleasure of hearing this incredible band for themselves.

I'm going to be there!:  11-14 Atlanta, GA - The Earl

Pitchfork story with all the info!: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/05-07/11.shtml#broadcast

Unchanging Window- Chord Simple: http://s38.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0FMZSUZOWTPBS1276H2AWAXNAY

New albums I like from the Concretes, Xiu Xiu, & Prefuse 73!

The Concretes have a beautiful Rolling Stones cover on their new one! It was posted on an excellent music blog some time ago and I haven't stopped listening to it yet! It has their signature warm and morose sound all over it. Take a listen if you haven't yet.

Miss You: http://s38.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0ERGRKNFLNO1X0GGSQULNU4ZQL

The new Xiu Xiu album sounds as moody and tragic as ever. The few tracks I've heard sound so alluring and intriguing too. This an mp3 from the Kill Rock Stars site.

Bog People: http://www.killrockstars.com/bands/xiuxiu/audio/BogPeople.mp3

I have never had the chance to hear anything by Prefuse 73 before until now! I'm excited to hear all of the album ever since I found out the Books were on it collaborating. I love the Books! The Warp site has full samples of the tracks so I know I'm going to like this. I'm so turned on by the album even more so because I found out that one of the sisters from the band On!Air!Library! is on the last track of this release. Apparently, she was also on the last Prefuse 73 album which I'm checking out because of the OAL connection. I think I also saw Broadcast listed as a collaborator on one track which really makes me want to hear it! The Prefuse site also notes that On!Air!Library! has disbanded which makes me sad. I badly wanted to see them live but alas that is the nature of indie bands' short lived existences. I was even outbid this past week on their rare self released first ep on Ebay. I was bummed about that too. Oh well. I hope to hear more great stuff from the members of the band; especially the amazing twin sisters!

Prefuse/Books album samples: http://www.warprecords.com/?mart=WAP189

R.I.P. O!A!L! :(

I should talk about how I first heard of OAL. Well, I heard one entrancing song of theirs about a year ago on one of the best local sources of new music in Tampa: the Saturday Asylum radio program on WMNF! I always hear something new and wonderful every Saturday. The host has an incredible music taste and I'm always taking note of new bands. I heard another mindblowing new song by an unknown band this past Saturday! It was exactly the type of song that makes me fall for a band like how it happened with OAL. It took some searching to figure out who it was after hearing it though because the name sounded strange on air and the host didn't put up the full playlist either... so I was stuck. But that song stayed with me though... that melody and sound! Well, I finally found out who it was and even an mp3 of the beautiful song. I was elated! Just download the following and sit back and enjoy the experience. Here's Odawas with this amazing track: 

If It Smells Like A Rain Cloud: http://www.scjag.com/mp3/jag/ifitsmells.mp3

Band info here: http://www.jagjaguwar.com/catalog/jag86.htm

Saturday Asylum info: http://www.wmnf.org/programming/daily.php?ShowId=262

Made In Sheffield film

This music documentary has been on my radar ever since I read about it. It sounds like a very cool film to see especially since all these bands are featured in it like Pulp and Human League. I must watch this! I want to see how all this electronic pop music started and the people behind it. Maybe it will energize me to make some of my own noise like 24 Hour Party People? Unfortunately, the Buzzcocks created one of the best and most original sounds ever that I won't be able to emulate that. They're so amazing! I'm watching this film through Netflix as soon as I can afford it. Plexifilm is putting this film out and they put out all these other sweet music dvds including Galaxie 500. Check out their site and write the films on your shortlist to watch!

Film site: http://www.plexifilm.com/sheffield.html

NIN + DFA 1979 live in Tampa!

I found out about this tour a while ago and I still can't believe it! I've given up on NIN a long time ago when I gave all my albums away to a charity drive and decided to explore new music. I know the new NIN album has been out for a few months now and I haven't heard much from it. Now I find out that my favorite band will be opening for this huge show in a huge arena for NIN! I don't even know whether I should consider going. I really don't want to see DFA 1979 with that many people in that giant venue. It's like when Sleater-Kinney opened for Pearl Jam at the same venue some time ago. There's was no way I could see S-K for that cost and place. Queens of the Stone Age is also opening which intrigues me further despite not having heard one note of their new album. Hmm, I'm stumped. I hate arena concerts but maybe I should go for nostalgia. I'm lucky I get to see DFA in a smaller space this weekend than leaving it to this huge show. Matters get even more confusing since I downloaded the DFA remix of NIN's 'The Hand That Feeds.' I like it so much. It really is a great remix with an awesome groove. Tickets for this NIN spectacular go on sale this Sat. It remains to be seen if I'll pony up the money to be there... the suspense is killing me!  ;) The DFA remix is offered below for your possible pleasure:

Ticketmonster info: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D003AE783963D49?artistid=735762&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

The Hand That Feeds (DFA remix): http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0OX3Q48HLOPNY21FYYJA2728H4

Brand new tracks from favs like Goldfrapp, Ladytron, Metric, & Adult.

Finally, here some of the latest tracks I've heard thanks to music blogs by some beloved electro artists.

The Goldfrapp song is not as amazing as I'd like it to be but it has a great beat. The 70's art rock inspired video is sexy and hilarious too!

Goldfrapp - Ooh La La: http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1B7E3T11YNF3M1VH2MAI1VDVQ2

Video & Album info: http://www.goldfrapp.co.uk/supernature/

The Ladytron song is great too! Definitely a new sound for them though with a big beat pushing the song along. Check it out:

Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch: http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3H73DSBWNZA2L0XMJO29PGXX7B

Edit: Forgot to mention the rare new Metric song I found online. I love this song! The vocals are really amazing. These Broken Social women sure can sing! This is off a rare early release by these dance floor favs. Check it out:

Metric - Hardwire: http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2WC05HDDJCFDJ1TA9B2ZZ47CIV

Lastly, this track from the latest Adult. release is so awesome! I love it. I've been hearing it pretty much non-stop now. I think I read someone describe it online as a "gothed out B52's" or something like that and I just had to hear it. It's the perfect dance song in my opinion and it will make you jerk your body. Awesomeness!

Adult. - Hold Your Breath: http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1X7ADR9RQZPNU3GE5FY3UYYADY

Edit: I forgot to mention the new video I saw online today for the excellent Of Montreal song 'Wraith Pinned to the Mist' It's cute and weird, much like the band themselves!

Of Montreal video: http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/media/of_montreal_wraith.mov

---- FIN ----

Current Mood: I need to pack now!
Current Music: Dios Malos - Asshole

Woah, Bloc Party finally made it onto NPR.... that's unbelievable! I don't mind their huge exposure, I just hope they don't lose their indie spirit while they're flying so high. I also hope they become more than just background music for some people. Okay, enough with the waterworks. Listen to NPR online tonight for a live broadcast of their concert. Details below:

Also- hear BLOC PARTY live in concert in Washington DC NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO (NPR) on Thursday (June 16).

Schedule (times approximate)
9:30 PM ET - Interview with Bloc Party
10:00 PM ET - Bloc Party Perform

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4698503

You can also apparently download the performance later if you don't catch it live... cool!

Current Mood: I hate bank fees!
Current Music: Four Tet - And Then Patterns

My hectic schedule and underwhelming level of motivation is the reason why I'm just getting around to posting pictures from my Philly/Go4 trip. Oh fucking well! I'm feeling sleepy right now so let's get started with the narrative of the trip through pictures!

The venue, Theatre of the Living Arts. Reminded me of the State Theatre in St. Pete, which I don't really like.

Saw this flyer on the window of a thrift shop while walking around. I love Electrelane so much! I would have given anything to stay in Philly longer to catch them live! Philly people are so lucky! There was also an awesome record shop called Repo Records that had a fabulous wall of records including Go4's Entertainment!

Saw this funny bumper sticker on the back of a truck. I just had to take a picture of it!

The gloriously mixed crowd at the sold out show! I wonder if these people know that they've been captured forever in my camera! Hah.

Jon King takes the stage in strong form! He had a lot of Ian Curtis-esque stage moves that made my mouth drop!

Andy Gill was awesome! He let the fans take his guitar and pull some strings. Sounded like crap but it was exciting. He would later smash up that same guitar.

King did a lot of messianic gestures like this. I'm sure he didn't mean to...heh.

King and bassist Dave Allen in the back. Allen was wearing a Menomena t-shirt; cool!

King and Gill in action!

Andy Gill in the dark.

Andy Gill: one angry guitar hero!

The band as seen from the back of the venue. I'm up front somewhere!

Well, that's it! I have more pictures but they're not worth showing! The show was fabulous and one I'll never forget. I only hope future shows live up to the level of this one. There was truly a DEATH DISCO vibe in the whole place which was unbelievable! I've never seen fans so into the music and I loved it! I love you Gang of Four!!

Other facts: Favorite songs played: Anthrax, Damaged Goods, To Hell With Poverty! Number of encores: 3! Number of times played To Hell With Poverty!: 2!

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: Silver Apples - A Pox On You

 Somebody was nice enough to send me an mp3 of DFA 1979's Luno cover! Yes! Now I don't have to buy the single and have to pay for shipping from the UK. Yeah, I would really would do that to get a copy... Here's a link to download the mp3; it's worth the download!

http://s38.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=137B7L0XYOWPT107XU54LI90DI

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: Adult. - Hold Your Breath (!!)