This week’s I’ve thrown myself back into a healthy schedule of live shows. Five nights, between Sunday and Friday, this week were/are being spent taking in live music. It wasn’t intentional there are just a lot of great acts coming through Philly these days and I couldn’t pass up the opportunities. Things got started Sunday when I caught The Vaselines & Jeffery Lewis in the basement of First Unitarian Church.
Warming the stage up for The Vaselines was anti-folk hero Jeffrey Lewis who brought his intelligent off kilter tunes in the finest form. Joined on stage by a drummer, violinist and bass Lewis set about creating a sonic soup that just about matched the density of his lyrics. In true anti-folk form he tackles unusual subject matter – history, daily observations, a bus ride – with a vocabulary that allows for layer upon layer of wit to create excellent music for the thinking man. Listening to his material for the first time (which a lot of Sunday night’s pieces were to me) is a bit like listening to a book on tape because there is so much packed into each one.
He was kind enough to give us two chapters in his fantastic historical recaps set to music; the fall of the Soviet Union and the French Revolution, each with their own cartoon slide show. Considering the nature of his art doesn’t aspire to perfection in execution rather effectiveness in story telling it wasn’t a surprise that the instrumentation was a little loose but the overall delivery hit the mark, in particularly his “Mosquito Rap”. It was the most appropriate opener for the act that followed.
[MP3] Walk Into The Mirror (Daytrotter Session)
I was entirely unsure of what to expect from this Scottish duo who for the last 22 years have been dormant – save for Nirvana’s occasional resurrection of Vaseline tunes- but recently decided to give the band another go. What I got was a very fun concert, nothing too heavy or ground breaking, just good humored alternative rock. They played a good mix of old and new tunes. The old tunes were very indicative of the “scene” when the group’s first album was released (1989 – they broke up the same week of the release) brash and unfiltered; not too angry and definitely not too clean. While it was interesting to hear the music played much as it would’ve been back then there was something flat about the way the guitars and vocals blended into each other that made it awkward to fully digest.
The newer material, though, was much more dynamic and, whether is was written with new technology in mind or simply fresher in their mind, was delivered with a lot more confidence. Their song “Sex With An X” had a particularly fine guitar solo that really showed off Eugene Kelly’s chops. Regardless of what happened to cause them to break up at their peak Kelly and lead vocalist Frances McKee had a very easy stage rapport which gave the whole night the feeling you were just hanging with friends. It was a great set from a band that holds an iconic spot in alternative music history. I’m glad I got a chance to see them live.
[MP3] Son of A Gun
Mt. Desolation is the side project of Keane’s Tim-Rice Oxley and Jess Quinn. Their Irish attempt on alt country sound pretty damn fantastic. What bloomed from a half drunken conversation in a Dublin pub will soon yield their self titled album on Oct. 18th. Calling on a musical brain trust that includes members of Mumford & Sons, The Killers, Noah & The Whale and The Long Winters it is sure to be an amazing album.
Freelance Whales “Hannah” from HUMBLE TV on Vimeo.
Freelance Whales have a very magical aura about them and this video for “Hannah” is a perfect demonstration of the giddy wonder their tunes evoke. The bass lines shine in this song as does the booming percussion. Do yourself a favor and listen to it on the best sound system you have access to.
[MP3]Hannah
SHARK , need I say more? Well, yes. Voyeuristic shark!
Local Natives win again.
They’re at the Troc on Oct 27th.
Below, Pretty Much Amazing and My Gold Mask weigh in on the mix:
My Gold Mask were an easy choice for PMA’s inaugural Strange Sounds mix. Their sound is simultaneously rambunctious and delicate, confrontational and submissive. It’s the same combination that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Raveonettes have made a career after. It’s a privilege to curate a mix by a young band that showcases this much potential.
We wanted a mix that had hills and valleys, and one that sort of starts “up” and ends “down”. It has some old favorites as well as more recent discoveries. Really, we just chose songs based on how they would flow into each other and our mood at that moment. If we did a mix tomorrow, it might sound totally different.
Tracklist
My Gold Mask – Bitches (The Hood Internet RMX ft. Roxy Music)
Fan Death – Reunited
Magic Wands – Black Magic
Hole – Credit In The Straight World
Biff, Bang, Pow! – If You Don’t Love Me Now You Never Ever Will
Still Corners – Endless Summer
Siouxsie And The Banshees – Arabian Knights
My Gold Mask – I Don’t Need The Reason
Curve – Horror Head
Guards – Sail It Slow (ft. CULTS)
[MP3] Hills & Valleys
Connor O’Brien aka Villagers is totally entrancing live and in this beautiful video from the State you can get a sense of that magic. As you’ll hear in the interview he is coming back to the states this month and this time he is bringing the full band. He’ll play Philly on Nov. 1 at Kung Fu Necktie and unless there is a birth or a death I expect you to be there. They’ll be hitting a number of other cities too so check the dates and find a show near you.
[MP3] Becoming A Jackal
I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely familiar with the original version of this Stardust track; but, there is something about it’s slow build and unfussy energy that appealed to me. Turns out there’s a lot of smarts behind Eat More Cake, a group that consists of multi-instrumentalists Andrew Briggs and Matt Pearn, drummer Alex Lane and DJ Owen Charles. The track maintains it’s funky smoothness for the whole ride make it an ideal bit to bookend your next dance party mix.
[MP3] Music Sounds Better With You (Eat More Cake Remix) – Stardust
To say I like Cee-Lo’s new song “F**K You” would be a ginormous understatement. The man has a magical way with words and with this offering proves he knows the art of subtly with its’s laid back beats. Then Brass Knuckles go and run it through the remix wringer and you know what? It is galactic. Listen to it and you’ll know what I mean.
[MP3] F**k You (Brass Knuckles Remix) – Cee-Lo
Ok I know I know enough with the remixes of “Home” and after this one I promise to stop. I’ll even keep this short and to the point. Party Supplies tear into the original and with some well placed power chords and merengues turn it on it’s head. You’ll love.
[MP3] Home (Party Supplies Remix) – Edward Sharpe & The Magnificent Zeros
This band will put a big fat smile on your face every time you hit play. They’ve nailed the group sing along angle nailed and catchy piano hooks to fully draw you in to their lovely lovely web. The four piece does poppy without being cloying. “Bones Attack” is a prime example of the power of their punctual percussion and strong keys. It’s sweet message rolls right along on the smoothness of the instrumentals. Their new album came out last week so you can get a full fix of their indie pop goodness.
[MP3] Bones Attack!!!
Computerization is just one guy who is making pretty fantastic electro-twee. Putting lyrics – the likes of which you’d normally hear paired with gentle guitars – against mellow synths and providing them with an electronic pulse creates an interesting sonic combo. He is still fairly fresh, although he does have two albums for download on his website, and there is room to grow into his concept that will make it more accessible. However, there is enough there to enjoy now that I’ll be keeping my ear on what he comes up with in the future.
[MP3] You’ll Be Ok
Hiding From Andy politely brought themselves to my attention a few months ago knowing I like to support local music scene. I added their new EP Street Lamp Constellations to my “new tunes” mix and kind of forgot about them. That was until last week when this really great song came on shuffle and I went to figure out who it was by. Lo-and-behold it was Hiding From Andy’s “Invitation,” a tender track with a slight country lilt. When I gave the full EP a listen and it is plays out with a similar modesty. The quartet keeps it pretty chill on Street Lamp Constellation and they do it well but I’m interested to hear if they ever pick things up a little. Regardless, you should check them out.
[MP3] Stay Close
We all have our own ways of going through the world but, well, the fella in this Junip video is unlike anyone I’ve encountered, and I’ve encountered a lot of kooks. The song has such a smooth vibe about it I just love the guys awkward presence. The Junip’s new album is pretty awesome, if you haven’t checked it out yet you’re missing out. If you need further convincing go read my review of it over at Strangers In Stereo.
[MP3] Always (Run Roc Remix)
I am in the midst of a full on Florence & The Machine obsession. I’m not usually one to loop albums but Lungs has been on pretty much constant play around TWIAPC central. She’s another singer, like Ida Maria, who’s skills I would love to posses myself. The woman knows how to create an experience but matching visuals to sound and mood (her , for example) and she does just that with this new video for “Heavy In Your Arms.” With every listen I want to see her live more and more.
[MP3] Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix)
Blackbird Blackbird – Pure (Official Music Video) from Isaac Bauman on Vimeo.
New hot band on the scene Blackbird Blackbird has put together a nice little video for their track “Pure.” Normally I’m not the biggest fan of super choppy visuals but they use it to great effect here as it plays off the song’s dream pop scape. It doesn’t get too messy and overwhelming instead it is clean and well timed. A beautiful counterpoint to this particular track’s aloft beats. I’ll be writing a bit more about Blackbird Blackbird soon, consider this just an introduction.
[MP3] Pure
Shaking Through released another fantastically curated episode of their indie artist series. This time Mark Schonenveld of YVYNYL selected Long Island buzz band Twin Sister to come down to Philly for a session at Miner Street Studios. As always Shaking Through gives us the full recap on how the new track “Meet The Frownies” came to be; from the song writing process to the equipment and technology used to create the recording. All the coverage is to be found over on the Shaking Through site. You’re going to really dig this track.
[MP3] Meet The Frownies
This Eau Claire Wisconsin band gives the midwest pop scene something to be proud of. Their new album Something Like Blood doesn’t challenge the tried and tested sound the group has established with their previous two releases (one album one EP) but it does give it a little spit a polish; as a result, there is some undeniable new sparkle in the music. The warm instrumentals don’t fall prey to excessively sparse, dry guitars or moody percussive outbreaks instead favoring solid arrangements that weave their away around you while you’re distracted by the slightly anxious but none the less intelligent lyrics. Recorded in Bon Iver’s home studio April Base in Northwest ‘Sconsin Something Like Blood bears the touch of two very talented audio engineers – Brian Moen and T.W. Walsh- who know where the group needed some prodding and filling out. The energy and talent though are entirely sourced in Meridene’s four members who sound more in sync than ever in sound and mood on this album. This one is most definitely worth your ears.
[MP3] Gone, Baby Gone
You haven’t heard quirky until you’ve listened to the Danish do quirky. Mimas’ new album Lifejacket is the supreme point of entry. There aren’t many acts that can deliver the kind of random yet delightfully witty subject matter that Mimas do without letting the kooky factor taking over. This foursome touch on the art of growing a moustache, lay off notices, guilt -amongst other things- while still executing some equally fascinating melodies. Their musical talent is clear as they are able to make even the most unusual lyrics seem ho hum. While there is certainly room to clean up some of their sound the group is off to a wildly entertaining start.
[MP3] Application
For indie bands there are a few milestones they all have their eye on when they really make the push for “quit your day job” status; first sold out show, first non-bedroom recording, first CMJ/SXSW/other festival performance etc. Being asked to do a Daytrotter is near the top of many bands lists. Appearing on the awesomely curated site is definitely a sign that you’ve solidly made an impression. Dinosaur Feathers, a group I hold near and dear, can now cross the accomplishment off their list. Their fantastic session went live yesterday and I couldn’t be happier for them.
[MP3] Fantasy Memorial