You are currently browsing the monthly archive for August 2009.
Ok, i’m conflicted. I think what Girl Talk represents- the future of music, say some, its demise, say others- is interesting and worthy of analysis. (Also, the GT album is “pay what you want,” also a worthy convo topic). But do people actually like the music?? I mean, Greg Gillis is talented, very talented. He has a great ear and knows how to structure songs and to make people dance, which are all good things. But what he does to me, and i believe many others, is sad and hard to get over. When he starts playing a funky De La Soul or Tony! Toni! Tone! (heh heh) break, I want to hear that shit! I don’t want it to fade into some other bit from another undoubtedly great song, even a mix messes with it. (Hey yous with the opposing opinions, I want to hear from you!) This is my opinion, and i’m sticking with it.
We all know how it is- you walk into a club, a bar, a party and a song that just makes you want to move is playing. It feels great. And this feeling is EVEN BETTER when nostalgia is part of the mix, which is often the case with Girl Talk samples. Nostalgia is one of the most powerful mind trips- it can make you cry, laugh, whatever. To have that nostalgia brought to a grinding halt by mashing it up is potentially really dangerous. I could freak out!
So, should I go on Sunday?? (He does strip down often, and it will be hot….)
Girl Talk plays for free at the Jelly NYC Williamsburg Waterfront “Pool Party” on Sunday afternoon.
Girl Talk: Bounce That
Girl Talk: Bounce That
“The film itself is under a court order which forbids it from being shown unless the director is physically present.” (Wikipedia)
Needless to say, this won’t be up for very long, so if you’re a Rolling Stones fan, better watch it quick!!
I LOVE the Rolling Stones. I love their rock and roll, fuck it all attitude, the sweet and winsome moments in their songs, the timbre of Mick Jagger’s voice and, of course, Keith Richards’ gentle yet fierce strum. “Cocksucker Blues” was filmed during the time the Stones were touring behind my favorite album, “Exile on Main Street.” The version you’re going to see streamed is very crappy, hard to hear, and with fuzzy footage. But it’s still possible to feel like you’re there, doing coke with Mick.
Be careful, those of you that are prone to gasping- there’s one scene where Mick puts his hand down his pants- and things visibly grow. (There’s also an in-flight orgy scene, which I missed, I better go back and look for it….)
Seeing this makes it especially hard to believe that the Stones are still around AND still performing. It’s incredible, in fact.
UPDATE: Cool post on Dangerous Minds about “Dan the Record Man,” a downtown fixture in the 80s who sold records on Canal Street.
Tobacco, (pictured above at last year’s CMJ showcase at Cake Shop) from Black Moth Super Rainbow, has given HEALTH’s new track “Die Slow” the remix treatment. It sounds absolutely and completely different.
The song is dreamy, as opposed to abrasive. It’s psychedelic, rather than destructive. It’s still dance-y and beat-tastic. When songs work in both dreamy bedroom situations and backroom party scenarios, well, that’s a coup.
Thanks Gimme Tinnitus
Tobacco: Die Slow (remix)
Tobacco: Die Slow (remix)
With all this talk of The Antlers, I remembered the other Antlers band, (who is better in my opinion), Crystal Antlers. These guys hail from Long Beach, California and play a fun brand of prog pop punk, as if that particular alliteration means anything. It’s the kind of music fit for a crazy house party, (see pic above). The band put out their debut full-length, Tentacles, in April on Touch and Go. Get the mp3, “Tentacles” below.
They’re currently on a European tour, playing some dates with HEALTH and/or Deerhunter, and will be back in LA for the F Yeah Fest, which is called the FYF Fest this year.
These Antlers are also my great LA friend Dan’s favorite band. So they are definitely worth a listen.
Crystal Antlers: Tentacles
Crystal Antlers: Tentacles
I hate being dumped. Supposedly she will play a make-up show at the same venue, Glasslands, in November when the DP’s are in town. I’m sad and looking for more info as we speak.
Until late fall then, hearts.
I really can’t believe it. Doesn’t she know it’s hot and stinky here? Doesn’t she realize the comforts of life elsewhere just don’t exist here? I guess she’s a musician though, and there are a lot here. According to Monitor Mix she’s moving to “New York City.” Does that mean Brooklyn?? I am going to find you, Carrie Brownstein, and you are going to be my best friend. No, i’m kidding. But this is good news- she can really wail. As my friend said, she can solo and move around the stage at the same time, which is really hard to do.
Concerts are being held everywhere these days- in warehouses, backyards, alleyways, inside mazes inside clubs… In what may be the best venue ever- the fucking Red Woods of Big Sur- Kemado Records and Mexican Summer are putting on a show on August 29. The Party in the Pines is already sold out. If I lived in California (one day, it’ll happen, one day) I would be all over this shit. Even VietNam, my favorite band from 2007, is apparently reunited for the show. (More to come on this!!)
What a warm explosion! And it even sounds pretty good on this fucking hot ass day! Sunbears is from Jacksonville, Florida, which has got to be a very strange place. It’s not where I think most good bands come from, but you know what, you never know what’s going to happen in this bizarre world we live in.
This song, “I’m Alive,” has some questionable bits, and the singer’s voice is a little Death Cab, but for some reason I can’t stop listening. It makes me laugh. Maybe it’s the warm sounds, the catchy keyboard chorus, or the Modest Mouse influenced sequences. Whatever is going on here, I like it.
Let’s trip it down to Florida! These guys are having fun, I think.
My friend said it sounds like Spaceballs. Take that as you will…
Sunbears: I’m Alive
Sunbears: I’m Alive
tUnE-yArDs make it hard for people to ID them. What a pain in the ass it is to type that shit. But it’s worth it. This band, going on a big tour and opening for Dirty Projectors for a bunch of European dates, are blowing up. And they deserve the attention. Just check out this song, “Sunlight.” It’s so strange I can hardly describe it. It starts with drums, and then a sort of monotone voice comes in… “I could be the sunlight in your eyes, couldn’t I?” Yeah! It feels like it!
Double tracked guitars make the song shiny (like sunlight?) and the repetitive bass line keeps you on the ground. Even more crazy sounds and beats (one of which sounds like a muted dark barking) complete the song. Echo affects added to the vocals give it a powerful punch at the end.
tUnE-yArDs has a limited edition version of her upcoming album BiRd-BrAiNs, out today. The album officially comes out on Nov. 17.
tUnE-yArDs: Sunlight
UnE-yArDs: Sunlight
TONIGHT
The Breeders, Whispertown 2000 at Bowery Ballroom, 8ish (also Wednesday)
Lemonade, Cale Parks, Dinowalrus, Tenngirl Fantasy at Santos Party House, 9ish
WEDNESDAY
Chris Brokaw at Issue Project Room, 8
Islands, Das Racist at the Bell House, 7:30 ALL AGES
Tearist, No Bra at Bruar Falls, 8ish
THURSDAY
Black Dice, Landed, Chinese Stars at Santos Party House, 8ish
Nebula, The Entrance Band, PIGS at Europa, 7ish (also at Santos on Saturday)
FRIDAY
The Antlers Album Release at Mercury Lounge, 9ish
Tanlines, Teengirl Fantasy, Sewn Leather at Monster Island Basement, 8ish
SATURDAY
Team Robespierre, the Death Set, Ninjasonik, So So Glos, Best Fwends and more at Broadway Backyard, starts at NOON
The Drums at Tribeca Grand Hotel, 10
SUNDAY
Girl Talk, Max Tundra at the Williamsburg Waterfront, 4ish
