Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Stream David Byrne and Brian Eno's new album

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today,is out today and what better way to combat piracy than by letting the album stream on your website. The 11 songs are the first collaboration between Eno and Byrne in 30 yrs. I love how simplistic the album is and the fact that I'm listening to it now instead of tomorrow or ten minutes from now.





The artists are also encouraging everyone to listen and share...so embed the player on your site, and send it to as many people as possible.




[via CNET]

Gavin Castelton?

The name Gavin Castleton is new to me...the fact that he's a part of Rhode Island band, Ebu Gogo, is still news to me but at least I can draw some sort of familiarity to his name.

I don't really attempt to post about an artist or band that I don't know well (if only through the latest release), but I was informed today that Gavin's latest record could be one of the best this year...

...Pushing forward.

Mr. Castleton, while not having any of the new album's songs available does have a very interesting blog. And while I wish you (and I) could hear these new songs lets just spend some time getting to know him.



Below is a video he posted yesterday.

(if I had $50 million I'd consider buy this guys stuff)


The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.



Monday, August 18, 2008

Pop Tarts Suck Toasted 4th Anniversary Party!


(ignore the spelling error)


So in an amazing feat...Staten Island stronghold blog, Pop Tarts Suck Toasted is celebrating its 4th anniversary next Saturday at Matchless. Old skool DJ duo Rachael and Nora K will be teaming up one nigh only to woman the decks during the interim, while we're treated to some great live music. PTST always puts on a good show, and just because he's going away to pre-school this fall doesn't mean there's going to be any less devotion from him.

Metronomy @ Union Hall

So I'm going to make this quick. I saw this band, Metronomy, who I've only heard through remixes they've done of other artists. My friend talked up their album and told me I should rush down to Union Hall to see them (its was around 10:30pm when he called and they were going on at 12:00am).

Now I'm not big on gimmicks or stage dressings or props, but Metronomy really didn't need the tap lights and matching t-shirts. The full length, Nights Out, that I got to hear clips of briefly before I ran out the door to catch train barely got me ready for the amazing-ly fun and light hearted show.

Good times were had by all and now the boys are back in the UK (their travel visas ran out August 2nd). I hoping that they make it back sooner than later, but until then enjoy some remixes by the band and of the band.



Metronomy - Heartbreaker (Diskjokke remix) (zShare)

Monday, August 11, 2008

MGMT / Black Moth Super Rainbow / The Ting Tings @ McCarren Pool


With something like 90% chance of thunder storms and an ominously black sky the Sunday of MGMT's pool party seemed like its was going to be a total wash. Even with all the negative energy swirling around, that didn't stop what seemed to be the entire NYC 'hipster' community from showing up and standing patiently in a line that was being rumored to run all the way down to the water front. I showed up early and still waited almost a hour to get inside. As I stood in line I kept getting reports that the sky was beginning to open up and many a friend canceled their plans to stand in line in the rain.

Upon entering the pool I gazed around at the not so packed (yet) grounds. London's The Ting Tings were already on stage getting ready to go on.





As the first act of the day you don't really get as excited as you would for the other bands. As the only band I hadn't seen yet and add to that the praise and exposure that they were receiving over the past few months (go ahead call me neglectful for not getting on the bandwagon sooner), I was very excited...at least intrigued to see The Ting Tings play.


Exhilarating is the only way I can think to describe the band. Everything about them, the sound, their stage presence etc. Felt completely organic. When a band truly appears to enjoy the music and the performance they're putting on its almost as big a selling point as a band putting on the show of the year. The Ting Tings' show was all that and more.






Black Moth Super Rainbow, up next, is one of those bands that I enjoy on record but the last time I saw them I can't say that I was that entranced by them. This time was slightly different. They seemed to be more in sync with each other and added a little more showmanship to the show. I still say that I'd prefer to listen to them in my dimly lit parlor but I'll concede to them living up to the day.





Oh how does it come to this. I too was blindsided by MGMT's rise to fame...it seems that just the other day, The Management, were the blog band du jour. Now they're causing mass hysterics and lines that could put a *insert classic rock band name here* reunion to shame. And all the hype is not with out warrant. Oracular Spectacular, is a jolly ball of good times, and when you think you're tired of that check out some remixes they did of other artists or viceversa and you're back at it finding nuances in the music and choice of styles all over again.






Live the band embraces the free love jam flows while sticking to the straight forward style of indie rock that has got them where they are. They're tight they're entertaining... ... ...What can you say about them that hasn't already been said? Goldwasser and VanWyngarden have created a big sloppy mess and everyone will trail along behind and try and pick up the left overs.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Ennui New Record



After what feels like forever....Pittsburgh, PA band Ennui has finished their new record, the 12 song "The Myth in Which We Live", is out on August 19th. You can pre-order the album by sending $10 to their paypal account.


Check out two new songs up on their myspace and get excited.

Tracklist
1.Prelude
2.Try, Try, Try
3.Lil Radio
4.Cocaine Blues
5.Met Him Pike Hoses
6.You Gave Me Hell
7.Sundried
8.We'll Live Forever 'neath the Rolling Hills
9.In the Dark
10.White, Illuminate!
11.Colors and Shapes
12.Grey Rainbow


Wednesday, August 6, 2008

M.I.A. Uses Questionable Lyrics and Artwork?

(via Billboard )


Ceylon Records' artist Delon, well known in the Sri Lanka for his human rights work, has made a remix of M.I.A.'s song, "Paper Planes".


The remix itself isn't the focus of attention, its how its presented. Delon, uses the backing tracks from Paper Planes and pairs it up with photo clips of M.I.A. and Sri Lankan "terrorist" group LTTE victims and soldiers. Delon claims that M.I.A. supports the afore mentiond group through her music and visually through her albums, clothing and set design. (The tiger seen on many a M.I.A merchandise is the symbol of the LTTE.) What's happening over in Sri Lanka is what I would call a zero sum gain. The LTTE, called terrorist by some and freedom fighters by others has been waging guerilla warfare against the government for almost a quater of a century. Specifically in Tamil populated cities, [LTTE] citing injustice for the Tamil People by the Sri Lanken government. Its sort of like Darfur in many ways but remember its been going on for much longer and dare I say much more violent?


I'm not here to point fingers at anyone...I just thought that it was an interesting piece of news...


You can watch the Delon video here


and there is a very informative video about Sri Lanka on Google below...It's insane all this shit isn't it?

Pictures from the Ghostland Observatory show...

I tried writing the last few post while I was traveling, so there were no pictures...here are a few shots that I got...


The Jealous Girlfriends


Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Bushwick Film Festival

*ADDRESS HAS BEEN CHANGED*

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7968/stripesunsetnewlocationpk8.jpg



http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/9809/stripesunsetsmid8.jpg

Monday, August 4, 2008

Ghostland Observatory / The Jealous Girlfriends (27 July 2008)

Last weekend kicked off on Saturday night at Prospect Park Bandshell where Austin, TX duo Ghostland Obsevratory set up to blow the leaves off the trees.

Openers, Brooklyn's own The Jealous Girlfriends, seemed to be swallowed up in the moment. Switching from straight rock n roll induced frenzies to a pop style that I can only think to call "alternative". Slowly but surely they won over the crowd and in turn became more comfortable making the show that much better.

The big deal for everyone though was Ghostland Observatory. For such a small group, their lives shows have become legendary. Lasers, smoke machines, strobe lights..and even with all this excess going on around they still know how to work the crowd better than some of the most seasoned veterans.

The night was nothing new for Ghostland. Loud screaming fans, dancincing...girls exposing their breast...just another night on tour I'd guess. I for one love the band and the majority of thes songs on all their records. So it was nice that they played a large assorment of songs. But what I can only take so much of is being crushed by 500 sweaty people as everyone tries and move from one end of the stage to the other. To get the "whole experience". About 2/3rds through the set I moved away from the front of the stage took a sip of water and watched them finish out the set in the cool summer night. It was definitely one of the better performances of the summer so far.



I'll post pictures soon...

Just When You Thought Indie-Dance Was Dead...Free Blood




Brooklyn underground indie dance-pop duo, Free Blood, are set to release their debut album,
The Singles, on the new joint imprint between Rong Music and DFA Records.

The two members consiting of former !!! member John Pugh and fashion designer Madeline Davy (Octopi NYC) formed in 2003. Inspired, not only by the indie dance scene of the day but the emerging art and fashion coming from the other side of the East River.

The Singles (6 original tracks and 5 remixes), is due out in the US November 4th. Until then go check out their myspace for tracks from the record.
Tracklisting:
1. Never Hear Surf Music Again
2. Quick and Painful
3. Grumpy
4. Royal Family
5. Parangatang
6. Weekend Condition
7. Never Hear Surf Music Again (Barfly Mix)
8. Weekend Condition (Scotty Coats and Wes The Mes Mix)
9. Royal Family (Brothers Mix)
10. Grumpy (Greg Wilson Mix)
11. Parangatang (Tim Love Lee Mix)

Friday, August 1, 2008

New Tracks from Young Widows

http://a332.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/23/l_bfd24ee9345e2e795a7935bead291d7b.jpg

Young Widows, have posted two new songs "Old Skin" and "The Heat Is Here" from their upcoming LP, Old Wounds, on their myspace. The album is due September 9th on Temporary Residence.



Liars / Fuck Buttons / Team Robespierre @ McCarren Pool (20 July 2008)

This is from a couple weeks ago, I'm just getting around to it now...


After Siren Fest, Brian Wilson and Deerhoof, I had one more show to take go to...and what better way to end the weekend/start the week then by heading down to another one of JellyNYC's Pool Parties at McCarren Pool?



The day started out strong with Brooklynites
Team Robespierre kicking off the show. I heard a lot of good things about them through various friends and media sources but then I over heard Matt (from Matt & Kim) give these guys some much deserved praise before he himself went up center stage to watch. It is any wonder that he would so vocally endorse Team Robespierre. They justfinshed the F Yeah tour together and I'm sure that they saw enough of each other to form a decent opinion.

Team Robespierre definite lived up to the hype of the day. Their set was short and explosive. Burn through song after song and trying their best to not to come apart at the seams as the crowd danced and they themselves ran back and forth across the stage singing and dancing and having a genuinely good time.


Following Team Robespierre was Bristol duo, Fuck Buttons, who little over 24 hours before performed at this years Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. Fuck Buttons were another band being hyped by friends and many other places. They're an electronics group that use some of my favorite childhood toys (gameboy, Fischer-Price tape recorder, etc) to make sounds that can only be described as unique. It was hot and getting crowded but Fuck Buttons blew me away. Its rare that such a simplistic set-up gets such great results. I'm gad I caught them finally and will be on the look out when they return to the city.





Last up was Liars. I don't even want to begin to profess my love for this band. Even through all the changes in the band, line up and sound, I've been a devoted follower. The setup has changed but the energy and over the top delivery is still there. Front man Angus preened to the crowd the way that only a true rock star could. Hamming it up, dancing point dramatically towards the sky and then the crowd. Making the set memorable to say the least. This is not to say that the other members of Liars were not equally as integral to the sound and show. Mr. Gross' drumming was all at once powerful, dynamic and still had the free flow no emotion percussive sound that makes Liars the band they are and with the sequencing and synths of guitarist Aaron Hemphill providing the bases, and providing backing and on again off again lead vocals, Liars tore up the stage and took the day's top perfomance.


There are more photos over
here of all of the bands.