Macbook in repair = no posting today :(

For the third time in 6 months my poor macbook needs surgery. This time it’s the superdrive, which has caused the stack of promos in my “need to listen” pile to grow egregiously large!

I’ll see you tommorow? Good, I thought so.

-Caleb

Hard to Find a Friend’s Backstage Sessions : Ingrid Michaelson (Part 1/2)

Ingrid Michaelson

Exit/In
Nashville, tn
June 9, 2008

Usually we have Backstage Sessions up in a matter of days after they’re filmed. This go around some issues with the original footage caused a big delay (over two weeks!) I’m happy to report that we’re on our way to getting everything done and worked out though, and part 1 of the session is available for you now, today. Part two will follow shortly.

Ingrid Michaelson and her band were troopers! It’s HOT at the Exit/In in the summer (no A/C in the backstage area) and they were patient enough to play two songs for us in the sweltering heat without complaining. We also learned they have a career in stand-up comedy if this music thing doesn’t work out, (they’re seriously funny girls and a guy). If you haven’t yet purchased Ingrid’s latest effort, Girls & Boys, which has taken her to just about every press outlet imaginable, I encourage you to do so right now. Luckily for you, Ingrid & CO. are still on the road with a series of headlining dates, several festival treks, and even a few dates supprting Dave Matthews Band. See which show is closest to you here.

Stream the HD version here!

[mp3] Ingrid Michaelson – Far Away (Live – Backstage Session)

Wolf Parade – "At Mount Zoomer" Analysis

I bought Wolf Parade’s debut LP Apologies to the Queen Mary on a whim on New Year’s Eve 2005, a few months after it was released. That would turn out to be my favorite musical purchase of the year, as narrowly as it slipped in there, and I’ve been waiting for the follow up ever since. After three years of side projects, it’s finally here, I’ve finally spent some time with it, and I can finally say it’s one of the most solid Sophomoric efforts by a band I have heard in a long, long time.

At Mount Zoomer greets you with Soldier’s Grin and it’s sugary, razor thin, bubbly synths. It’s an instant promise of pop perfection from a band who knows how to make pop sound really dirty. You’ll notice the LP clocks in at only 8 tracks, at a lean 35 minutes. As much as this will leave you wanting more, it won’t make you feel cheated when you hear California Dreamer’s fantastic refrain and Fine Young Cannibals six-and-a-half minutes of synth-noir, reverb-laden hooks, and Spoon-esque guitar crunches. Call it a Ritual is kind of this record’s version of I’ll Believe in Anything, in a non-repetitive sort of way.

If you’re a Wolf Parade fan, you’re going to like this record, and you’re going to like this record a lot. No question about that. Does it beat Apologies to the Queen Mary? No, but that shouldn’t be to much of a shock considering that record is largely revered as one of the foremost Indie Rock albums of the first decade of the new millenium, and rightfully so. The only complaint I can find in this thing is that perhaps a bit fo the chemistry is lost. I don’t know how to explain it, but maybe in all of the many side-projects, tours, and day to day lives of the members of Wolf Parade a little bit of that raw energy that made Mary so exciting to listen to time and time again was lost, or just played down a bit. Either way, more than deserving of your ten bucks.

[mp3] Wolf Parade – Soldier’s Grin

Stars announce North American Fall Tour

Montreal’s favourite sons & daughters, Stars, have announced some live dates for those of you lucky enough to live near one of the following cities; have fun! I’m not so fortunate this go ’round, but there’s always next time.

Stars 2008 Tour Dates
6/25/08 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Accelerator Festival
6/27/08 – Utrecht, Netherlands @ Tivoli De Helling
6/28/08 – Cergy Pontoise, France @ Furia Sound Festival
6/29/08 – Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Festival
7/5/08 – Vieux-Quebec, PQ @ Festival D’ete de Quebec
7/8/08 – Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Bluesfest
8/24/08 – San Francisco, CA @ Outlands Festival
9/16/08 – Boston, MA @ Wilbur
9/17/08 – Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street
9/19/08 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
9/20/08 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
9/24/08 – Chicago, IL @ The Riviera
9/25/08 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pagaent
9/26/08 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada
9/28/08 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
10/1/08 – Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon
10/2/08 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
10/4/08 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Rio Theatre
10/6/08 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
10/8/08 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
10/9/08 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox

[mp3] Stars – Take me to the Riot

Barack Obama’s iPod = So cool

The Democratic nominee for the Presidency of the United States of America sat down with Rolling Stone to talk music and named a few favorites like Dylan, Springsteen (both Obama supporters), The Stones, Elton John, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Coltrane, and Miles. Seriously, could you score any more cool points?

In other news John McCain is said to be an Abba fan, and apparently his daughter has a pretty “hip” music blog

[mp3] Bob Dylan – Maggie’s Farm (Live Alternate Version)

Conor Oberst Announces Solo record, Band, & World Tour

So, I have this idea for a practical joke to pull on the world. We announce that Conor is making a new record, a solo record, but there’s still a big band of co-conspirators who have their own projects, exactly like Bright Eyes, but we have him put it out on a new label and bill it as a totally new act!

Okay, so maybe it’s not quite so obvious, but really what’s the point here? Conor writes some great songs, and maybe this isn’t one of them (“Home sick as an astronaut” in the middle of a narrative about being a ramblin’ man) but I’m sure the record will be full of really great stuff. My question is, why is it filled out by a new band? This kind of feels like Cassadaga light to me. There’s a great moment around 3:20 that feels like the best parts of all fast Bright Eyes songs; a triple stacatto of crunchy guitars, drums, barroom piano, and Conor at his wobbliest. Then it goes away, and you start to wonder why.

Alright, so what’s the difference? New band, save for Trumpeteer, Ivory tickler, and arranger Nate Walcott. Meaning, in short, no Mike Mogis. Maybe you don’t really understand the weight of a person like Mike Mogis, but Bright Eyes sans the Mogis to me is terribly unexciting, to be bluntly honest. Who is in the band? Plenty of talented people like Alabama soul/rocker Taylor Hollingsworth, the very talented California folkie Nik Freitas, long-time Bright Eyes drummer Jason Boesel (again with the Bright eyes holdovers), the aforementioned Nate Walcott, and Macey Taylor on bass.

I guess we’ll all know soon enough how well this goes, because Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band is touring the whole entire world and playing super intimate venues. Here’s to hoping the rest of the record is a bit more of a departure from that other band Conor is in.

Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band 2008 Tour Dates

7/17 – Studo SP, Sao Paulo, Brazil (tickets onsale at venue only)
7/18 – Cine Arte Normandie, Santiago, Chile – Buy Tickets
7/19 – La Trastienda, Buenos Aires, Argentina – Buy Tickets
7/25 Billings, MT Bones Brewing – Buy Tickets
7/27 Calgary, AB Calgary Folk Festival – Buy Tickets
7/29 Vancouver, BC Richards on Richards – Buy Tickets
7/30 Seattle, WA Neumo’s – Buy Tickets
7/31 Bend, OR Midtown Ballroom – Buy Tickets

8/01 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill
8/02 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill
8/03 Santa Cruz, CA Rio Theatre
8/05 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour – Buy Tickets
8/08 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge – Buy Tickets
8/09 Carrboro, NC Cats Cradle – Buy Tickets
8/10 Norfolk, VA Norva – Buy Tickets
8/11 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero – Buy Tickets
8/12 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom – Buy Tickets
8/17 Saratoga, NY Saratoga Music Festival – Buy Tickets
8/22 Leeds, UK – Leeds Festival – Buy Tickets
8/24 Reading, UK – Reading Festival – Buy Tickets
8/26 Portsmouth – Wedgewood Rooms
8/27 London – Electric Ballroom
8/28 Manchester – Academy 2
8/29 Inveraray Castle, Scotland – Hydro Connect Music Festival – Buy Tickets
8/30 in Belfast, Spring & Airbrake
8/31 County Laois, Ireland – Stradbally Hall / Electric Picnic – Buy Tickets

9/2 Amsterdam – Melkweg
9/3 Brussels – Botanique
9/4 Luxembourg – Den Atelier
9/5 Zurich – Rote Fabrik
9/7 Munich – Backstage Werk
9/8 Zagreb – Studenski
9/9 Vienna – Arena
9/10 Prague – Roxy
9/11 Berlin – Columbia Club
9/12 Cologne – Gloria
9/13 Paris – Nouveau Casino

9/14 Larmer Tree Gardens, North Dorset – End of the Road Festival – Buy Tickets
9/25 Tulsa, TX Cain’s Ballroom
9/20 Omaha, NE Anchor Inn – Buy Tickets
9/21 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium w/ Jenny Lewis
9/23 Fayetteville, AR George’s Majestic Lounge w/ Jenny Lewis – Buy Tickets
9/24 Oxford, MS The Lyric w/ Jenny Lewis
9/25 Tulsa, TX Cain’s Ballroom w/ Jenny Lewis – Buy Tickets
9/27 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits – Buy Tickets

10/02 Melbourne, AUS The Palace
10/03 Brisbane, AUS Tivoli
10/04 Sydney, AUS Enmore
10/05 Sydney, AUS Great Escape – Buy Tickets

[mp3] Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band – Danny Callahan
[mp3] Nik Freitas – Sun Down

Paste Names Coolest Record Stores in America

Paste Magazine has named their “17 Coolest Record Stores in The Us” and the list is pretty solid. Included in their is our very own Grimey’s! I’ve told you over and over again how I think we have the greatest record store in the world in Grimey’s and this only furthers my point. Ironically I don’t agree at all with the other Nashville establishment, Ernest Tubb Records, being included. It’s very touristy which is reflected both in price and establishment, so take it from me. Next time you’re in Nashville, Grimey’s is the place to be. Seriously. Free in-stores with free beer, one of the best venues in Nashville underneath, and the best selection i’ve ever seen in cd, vinyl, dvd, etc.

We love you, Grimeys!

[mp3] Elliott Smith – Let’s Turn the Record Over

45 Days until I see Radiohead

That’s right folks, in forty-five days I will be darkening the door of one Verizon Wireless Music Center to embark upon a magical physical, mental, and dare I say spiritual journey: I will see Radiohead play music for thousands of people. Words don’t really explain the excitement I feel deep down when I look at this ticket, I’m like a kid on Christmas, I literally can’t help but smile.
How many of you have already seen them on this tour? Was it amazing as I’m thinking it will be? Any surprises in the setlist? Or No Surprises! Har-har-har-har.

[mp3] Radiohead – Bangers & Mash
[mp3] Radiohead – The National Anthem

Sigur Ros Announces North American Tour

While this is excellent news for a lot of you, it’s very sad news for me, as Sigur Ros will not be coming back to Nashville this go around. It makes me want to shed a single tear. They’re not really even coming close, I mean Chicago is 7 hours away and only a 70 dollar plane ticket each way, I’m beginning to think it’s worth it.

Sigur Ros 2008 North American Tour Dates
09/17 – New York, NY @ The United Palace
09/18 – New York, NY @ The United Palace
09/19 – Boston, MA @ Bank Of America Pavilion
09/20 – Montreal @ Quai Jacques Cartier
09/22 – Toronto, Massey Hall
09/23 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore
09/24 – Chicago, IL @ The Chicago Theatre
09/25 – Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre
09/27 – Denver, CO @ Morrison Red Rocks Amphitheatre
09/28 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Saltair
09/30 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
10/01 – San Diego, CA @ Copley Symphony Hall
10/02 – Los Angeles, CA The Greek Theatre
10/03 – Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre
10/05 – Seattle, WA @ Benaroya Hall
10/06 – Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Theatre
10/07 – Vancouver, The Chan Centre

[mp3] Sigur Ros – Svefn G Englar

Buy Sigur Ros records at insound.

Pygmalion Festival Announces Lineup

The Pygmalion Festival, which takes place every September in the twin cities of Champaign-Urbana, IL, has announced this year’s lineup and I must say, pretty impressive stuff. I’m planning on being there, for sure. As you may have read my trip to Pygmalion last year was spoiled by a little scheduling snafu, but if the terms of conditions this year stated I had to come dressed like a dinosaur I’d probably stick it out to see this year’s spectacular so lineup. Including but not limited to Yo La Tengo, Shearwater, Dan Deacon, Black Mountain, High Places, Times New Viking, Evangelicals, The War on Drugs, Headlights, Asobi Seksu, The Cotton Jones Basket Ride, Wye Oak, Pattern is Movement, & more. All this and it only runs you fifty bucks. I know gas is a little high this year, but if you’re in or around the midwest (I’m about 5 hours away when speeding) you should try it. Champaign is a nice town.

See the entire lineup at this year’s freshly launched website.

[mp3] Yo La Tengo – We’re an American Band
[mp3] Shearwater – Century Eyes
[mp3] Dan Deacon – Crystal Cat