Archive
Sufjan Stevens & Celldweller news
So, I’d have posted about this sooner (Monday), but I’m less enthused about it, as Sufjan Stevens is not making his way out of the East & Midwest… this were one of those times, I wish I lived in Cincinnati, as I’d hit 2-3 of these shows…
Oh, but wait, there’s a Portland date!!!
Damn… Portland, Maine… not Oregon… :(
Sufjan Stevens & Cryptacize Tourdates
(from Pollstar as of today)
- Mon 09/21/09 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
- Tue 09/22/09 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
- Wed 09/23/09 – Ithaca, NY – Castaways
- Thu 09/24/09 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
- Fri 09/25/09 – Pontiac, MI – Pike Room
- Sat 09/26/09 – Champaign, IL – High Dive
- Sun 09/27/09 – Minneapolis, MN – The 400 Bar
- Mon 09/28/09 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
- Tue 09/29/09 – Bloomington, IN – Buskirk-Chumley Theater
- Thu 10/01/09 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
- Fri 10/02/09 – Montreal, QC – Scene Cabaret
- Sat 10/03/09 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
- Sun 10/04/09 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
- Mon 10/05/09 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
- Tue 10/06/09 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall Of Williamsburg
- Wed 10/07/09 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall Of Williamsburg
So, I guess some Sufjan activity is better than no Sufjan activity. Also, over on blackbookmag, they received a pre-release copy of Sufjan’s The BQE CD/DVD package…
It’s out on October 20th. It’s not available for pre-order… yet…
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So, the other news…
Information on Celldweller‘s next album, Wish Upon a Blackstar, is being leaked purposefully by Klayton himself. Here’s the album cover for Chapter 1…
Over on Klayton’s blog, you can listen to a streaming sample of “Hit Me.” I like the cover. It kinda of reminds me of this, though…
~Dan – np: Dream Theater – Master of Puppets
Mike Bragg :: Pulled from the Ground
Yesterday, I went up with some friends (including the featured artist) to see the opening of Mike Bragg‘s Pulled from the Ground at OGLE in Portland. Fun times, too much food, great art, and voodoo donuts were had by all. If you’re up in Portland within the next two months, go check it out. It is set up with a great view from the street, too…
MIKE BRAGG
Pulled from the Ground @ Ogle
August 6th to September 26th, 2009
http://www.mikebragg.com/
http://ogleinc.com/
310 NW Broadway
Portland, OR
The images & video below are the intellectual property of Mike Bragg
and are used with promotional intent only.
(click for larger)
The performance piece / video is located at:
Mike Bragg’s Video Archive
Pulled from the Ground is a series comprised of a multi-channel video installation, a single channel video, photographs, drawings and a sound collage. Its foundation imagery centers on a collection of roots and a man’s obsession with them. The symbolization of the roots is seen throughout: they are an anchor of stability, yet at the same time, a literal reminder of the tangling snare of obsessiveness. Pulled from the Ground documents a struggle for stability against the constant flux of existence. The perception of safety and comfort derived from man’s organization and compulsory system of stability are precarious when viewed from within an exaggerated environment.
The elements of this series are designed to operate both autonomously and in conjunction with one another. The main element of the installation is the substantial, obsessive collection of roots. Displayed within the existing space or within a constructed set, the jars of roots are combined with drawings, photographs, videos and sounds to create an overwhelming, claustrophobic effect. In addition to the installation videos, there is a single channel video providing an experimental narrative echoing the themes explored in the installation.
Pulled from the Ground is adaptable to a variety of spaces. The project can be assembled as a full installation, a site specific modified version or as a single channel projection. The full installation includes three monitors situated in a room cluttered with root filled jars. The monitors loop images of pulsating and turning roots synchronized to a cacophony of sounds ranging from deep breathing to frantic mumblings. Almost every space is covered with worn photographs, tattered drawings and jars filled with roots. Other items contribute to the obsessive collection, such as microphones positioned to “capture the sounds of the roots” and a reel-to-reel recorder. A fourth monitor is tethered to the space via an extension cord, distanced somewhat from the cluttered collection and displaying an experimental narrative that documents the themes’ progression.
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And unrelated, but also dark & arty (ok, maybe Anti-Sweden could use Mike Bragg’s accompanying music to sell jeans, too)… drone metal titans Sunn O))) are now being used to sell Anti-Sweden jeans in Norway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxjGPRPODyc
Odd. I doubt we’ll ever see Sunn O))) used for commercial purposes in the U.S.A.
~Dan – np: Bill Frisell – Disfarmer
McKay, Porcupine Tree, Mulvey & Bazan news
Music news that I care about seems to be hitting often lately…
Nellie McKay‘s album that was supposed to be out “last fall,” will finally be out “this fall.” No album name, but we at least have a street date – October 13th. There’s not much more content over at the Direct Current Music website; so I hope they are right on this one… .COM, .NET, and .ORG have failed to provide any corroboration. I hope “this fall” doesn’t turn into “next fall“… yet again.
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Porcupine Tree just put their newest one, The Incident (due out 9/15 in the U.S.), up for pre-order. Much like Steven Wilson’s Insurgentes, this one has a deluxe edition that would make the Pope curse. It looks freakin’ gorgeous (and huge)…
On the pre-order page there’s a video of PT frontman Steven Wilson talking about what’s to be included. Oh, it’s a’spensive, but it makes sense if you’ve ever read this “1,000 True Fans” article by Kevin Kelly. Not to say that only the “true fans” will buy it, but, well… anyway, the article is a good read…
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One of my favorite singer-songwriters Peter Mulvey is coming through the PacNW in November. One Portland date that I may try to make, and one Eugene date that I will make. He’s also got a new one coming out (in September on Signature Sounds). It’s called Letters from a Flying Machine…
(click for larger)
Here are his 2009 tourdates (as of now):
- Mon 08/10/09 – Saugatuck, MI – Saugatuck Center For The Arts
- Wed 09/09/09 – Grand Rapids, MI – Wealthy Street Theatre
- Thu 09/10/09 – Kalamazoo, MI – The Strutt
- Fri 09/11/09 – Lansing, MI – Creole Gallery
- Sat 09/12/09 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
- Tue 09/15/09 – Buffalo, NY – 9th Ward
- Sun 09/20/09 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Caffe Lena
- Thu 09/24/09 – Cambridge, MA – Lizard Lounge
- Fri 09/25/09 – Cambridge, MA – Passim Folk Music & Cultural Center
- Sat 09/26/09 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
- Sun 09/27/09 – Norfolk, CT – Infinity Hall
- Fri 10/09/09 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater
- Sat 10/10/09 – Evanston, IL – SPACE
- Thu 10/22/09 – The Hague, Netherlands – Transvaria
- Fri 10/23/09 – Bakkeveen, Netherlands – De Slotplaats
- Sat 10/24/09 – Bemmel, Netherlands – Top
- Wed 11/04/09 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern
- Sat 11/07/09 – Portland, OR – Alberta Street Pub
- Sun 11/08/09 – Eugene, OR – Sam Bond’s Garage
- Thu 11/12/09 – Felton, CA – Don Quixote’s Int’l Music Hall
- Sat 11/14/09 – San Diego, CA – Acoustic Music San Diego
- Fri 11/20/09 – Burlington, VT – UVM Recital Hall
- Sat 11/21/09 – Framingham, MA – Amazing Things Art Center
- Tue 12/01/09 – Fairbanks, AK – College Coffeehouse
- Wed 12/02/09 – Fairbanks, AK – College Coffeehouse
- Thu 12/03/09 – Tok, AK – Fast Eddy’s
- Sat 12/05/09 – Anchorage, AK – Snow Goose Theatre
- Sun 12/06/09 – Palmer, AK – Vagabond Blues
- Tue 12/08/09 – Kodiak, AK – Golden Anchor
- Fri 12/11/09 – Denver, CO – Swallow Hill Music Association
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(photo by Ryan Russell)
no, the Office’s Jon Krasinski is not hitting the road with Mr Bazan
And as reported earlier, indie-rocker David Bazan is hitting the road with a band (but not to be mistaken as a “Pedro the Lion reunion”). Announced yesterday on db.com (but unofficially announced at the Eugene house show the other day), he’ll be in Portland in November (the day before Peter Mulvey, actually). Anyway, here are the Bazan band members and tour dates. Eric Elbogen: guitar (Say Hi), Andy Fitts: keyboards + guitar (Aqueduct), Casey Foubert: drums (Richard Swift, Sufjan Stevens), and Blake Wescott: guitar (long-time Bazan collaborator).
- 10/01 – San Francisco CA – Independent
- 10/02 – Costa Mesa CA – Detroit Bar
- 10/03 – San Diego CA – Casbah
- 10/04 – Los Angeles CA – Troubadour
- 10/05 – Tucson AZ – Solar Culture
- 10/07 – Austin TX – Mohawk
- 10/08 – Denton TX – Dan’s Silverleaf
- 10/09 – Memphis TN – Hi-Tone Café
- 10/10 – Murray KY – Lovett Auditorium / Murray State
- 10/11 – Birmingham AL – Bottletree
- 10/13 – Orlando FL – The Social
- 10/14 – Atlanta GA – Drunken Unicorn
- 10/15 – Chapel Hill NC – Cat’s Cradle
- 10/16 – Washington DC – Black Cat
- 10/17 – Philadelphia PA – Kung Fu Necktie
- 10/18 – New York NY – Bowery Ballroom
- 10/20 – Cambridge MA – TT the Bear’s +
- 10/21 – Montreal QC – Il Motore
- 10/22 – Toronto ON – Lee’s Palace
- 10/23 – Pontiac MI – Pike Room
- 10/24 – Chicago IL – TBA
- 10/25 – Champaign IL – Highdive
- 10/27 – Madison WI High – Noon Saloon
- 10/28 – Minneapolis MN – Turf Club
- 10/29 – Iowa City IA – The Picador
- 10/30 – Lawrence KS – Jackpot Saloon
- 10/31 – Omaha NE – Slowdown
- 11/01 – Denver CO – Hi Dive
- 11/02 – Salt Lake City UT – Kilby Court
- 11/05 – Vancouver BC – Media Club
- 11/06 – Portland OR – Mississippi Studios
- 11/07 – Seattle WA – Neumos
all dates with Say Hi
+ TW Walsh in Boston
Yep… this is gonna be one packed fall of music for me. Yippie!
~Dan – np: Drain STH – Freaks of Nature
Works Progress Administration (CD & Tour)
As previously reported, Glen Phillips (of Toad the Wet Sprocket) and members of Nickelcreek have a new album coming out in 2009. September 15th, to be exact. Works Progress Administration is the name of the band, and it is made up of a bunch of folky heavyweights…
WPA is:
- Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) – vocals, guitar
- Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek, Fiction Family) – guitar, vocals
- Luke Bulla (Jerry Douglas Band, Ricky Skaggs) – fiddle, vocals, guitar
- Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek) – fiddle, vocals
- Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) – piano, organ
- Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Beck) – pedal steel
- Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Randy Newman) – drums
- Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Cracker) – bass
Their tourdates have also run the gauntlet that is my September ’09 musicalendar and made it’s way into the lovely WOW Hall in Eugene, OR, on Sunday, September 27th. It’ll only be the “quartet” version of WPA, but I’m not complaining. That’s gotta have at least Glen & Sean (Watkins).
The tourdates so far: (per Pollstar)
- Sun 08/16/09 – Schwenksville, PA – Old Pool Farm
- Tue 08/18/09 – Exton, PA – Eagleview Concert Series
- Wed 08/19/09 – New York, NY – Joe’s Pub
- Thu 08/20/09 – Londonderry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
- Sun 09/06/09 – Yosemite, CA – Camp Mather
- Wed 09/16/09 – Columbia, SC – White Mule
- Thu 09/17/09 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
- Fri 09/18/09 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle
- Sun 09/20/09 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
- Fri 09/25/09 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
- Sat 09/26/09 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile Cafe
- Sun 09/27/09 – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall
- Tue 09/29/09 – Chico, CA – Manzanita Place
- Wed 09/30/09 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
- Sat 10/03/09 – Ventura, CA – The Lodge
- Mon 10/05/09 – Los Angeles, CA – Largo
- Thu 11/05/09 – New York, NY – High Line Ballroom
- Sat 11/07/09 – Pittsburgh, PA – Diesel Club Lounge
- Sun 11/08/09 – Charleston, WV – Cultural Center
- Tue 11/10/09 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage
- Wed 11/11/09 – Vienna, VA – Barns At Wolf Trap
- Thu 11/12/09 – Fairfield, CT – StageOne
- Fri 11/13/09 – Cambridge, MA – Passim Folk Music & Cultural Center
- Sat 11/14/09 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
- Sun 11/15/09 – Fall River, MA – Narrows Center For The Arts
- Tue 12/01/09 – Cedar Rapids, IA – CSPS / Legion Arts
- Wed 12/02/09 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center
- Thu 12/03/09 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
- Sat 12/05/09 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
- Sun 12/06/09 – Chicago, IL – Old Town School Of Folk Music
Go to the WPA Tour site for more details. http://wpamusic.com/ for more info.
~Dan – np: Tides From Nebula – Aura
PS- unrelated, Radiohead have a new song for download over at the W.A.S.T.E. Store. It’s called “Harry Patch (In Memory Of)” and proceeds will go to the British Legion. Go HERE to read more about it.
Seriously… new Radiohead, folks.
…
Pearl Jam’s Backspacer (artwork)
So, Pearl Jam‘s upcoming album art for Backspacer doesn’t make me wanna make some guacamole, but it is pretty cool… here are all nine (9) pieces of the Backspacer art:
Pearl Jam‘s Backspacer
(click each for larger)
There is a “find the album art on the internet” contest as a SPIN exclusive over HERE. The album comes out on September 20, 2009. No pre-order available, yet…
~Dan – np: Jon Madof’s Rashanim – The Gathering 
no free download or torrent available here. support indie music.
Medeski Martin & Wood – Radiolarians III
I saw the Radiolarians III performance in Eugene last year. It was GREAT!! Well, yesterday, MMW announced the record release on the MySpaces…
Pre-order on AmazonRestlessly inventive improvising trio Medeski Martin & Wood are set to release the third installment of The Radiolarian Series on August 4th, 2009. Recorded in December 2008, Radiolarians III perfectly sums up the themes, motifs and styles laid out in the previous two Radiolarians records.
There is an epic feel at play here, as the choruses rise and swell out of low-lying grooves and polyrhythms. Highlights include the passionate and gritty traditional “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down,” the anthemic “Undone,” and the Latin-influenced acoustic opener “Chantes Des Femmes.” Overall, Radiolarians III finds the trio doing what they do best, melding genres and improvising. What results, is maybe the strongest and most cohesive album of the entire Radiolarians Series.
Woot.
~Dan – np: John Zorn – O’o [with the Dreamers, Electric Masada, The Gift crew of musicians]
no free download or torrent here. support indie music.
Flight of the Conchords (Oct 20)
Well, after a false start (it was supposed to be released Apr 14), the 2nd album by New Zealand/HBO comedy duo Flight of Conchords is set to be released October 20th, 2009 on Sub Pop Records. The songs are from the group’s 2nd season on HBO (out on DVD August 4th).
Check out the full tracklist for I Told You I Was Freaky below:
- Hurt Feelings
- Sugalumps
- We’re Both in Love with a Sexy Lady
- I Told You I Was Freaky
- Demon Woman
- Rambling Through the Avenues of Time
- Fashion Is Danger
- Petrov, Yelyena and Me
- Too Many Dicks (On the Dance Floor)
- You Don’t Have to Be a Prostitute
- Friends
- Carol Brown
- Angels
Check out my review of their show on May 14, 2009 in Portland, OR.
~Dan – np: Dave Douglas – The Infinite
The Bad Veins – CD release, Daytrotter & WOXY sessions, U.S. Tour…
News from Cincinnati indie-rock duo Bad Veins… (1) debut CD out now, (2) WOXY in-studio session posted on Tuesday, (3) 2nd Daytrotter session posted yesterday, and (4) they’re hitting the road (including PORTLAND!!!)…
First… their long-awaited debut CD is finally out. It was released on Tuesday (7/20/09) on Dangerbird Records. It’s on iTunes, Amazon, your local indie record store, and Bad Veins’ shows.
Second… WOXY‘s great podcast… go subscribe now (iTunes / other podcatchers)!!! They have great indie rock acts (Wussy being another fave). They have a 26-minute in-studio session of Bad Veins…
http://www.woxy.com/music/loungeacts/index.php?id=399
Third… the few websites that aren’t RSS feed-able that made it to my “must check every day” list… Daytrotter is great, and they’ve hit us again with a live in the studio session with Bad Veins…
Go here for the free music:
http://tinyurl.com/badveins-daytrotter2
1) Gold and Warm 2) Afraid 3) The Ending 4) Go Home
http://www.badveins.net/
http://www.myspace.com/badveins
A bunch of interview vlogs on Uncensored Interviews
Past Daytrotter Sessions I’ve blogged about and dug (links and free music not guaranteed on these old blogs): Nellie McKay, Clare and the Reasons, My Brightest Diamond #2, Damien Jurado, Talkdemonic, Aimee Mann, Ani DiFranco, Bad Veins #1, Kaki King, Holy Fuck… and David Bazan, My Brightest Diamond, Erin McKeown.
Fourth… TOUR!!! Dates as follows (as of now per Pollstar):
- Fri 07/24/09 Cincinnati, OH – Fountain Square
- Fri 07/31/09 Chicago, IL – Abbey Pub
- Sat 08/01/09 Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot
- Sun 08/02/09 Toronto, ON – El Mocambo
- Tue 08/04/09 Danbury, CT – Heirloom Arts Theatre
- Wed 08/05/09 Philadelphia, PA – North Star Bar
- Thu 08/06/09 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
- Fri 08/07/09 Pittsburgh, PA – Garfield Artworks
- Sat 08/08/09 Newport, KY – Southgate House
- Sun 08/09/09 Iowa City, IA – The Picador
- Fri 08/28/09 Austin, TX – Emo’s Indoor Stage
- Sat 08/29/09 Dallas, TX – The Cavern
- Mon 08/31/09 Phoenix, AZ – Modified
- Tue 09/01/09 San Diego, CA – The Casbah
- Wed 09/02/09 Los Angeles, CA – Spaceland
- Thu 09/03/09 Costa Mesa, CA – Detroit Bar
- Fri 09/04/09 San Francisco, CA – Cafe Du Nord
- Sat 09/05/09 San Jose, CA – Nickel City
- Tue 09/08/09 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
- Sat 09/12/09 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
- Sun 09/13/09 Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
- Mon 09/14/09 Lawrence, KS – Replay Lounge
- Tue 09/15/09 Chicago, IL – Subterranean
I am soooooooo there.
~Dan – np: Bad Veins – WOXY sessions 7/20/09
Sufjan Stevens – The BQE (Oct 20th)
Well, ask and ye shall receive…
The BQE – out 10/20/2009
Sufjan Stevens‘ has a new project coming out, The BQE. Nope, not a state… it’s a a cinematic suite inspired by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the hula hoop. It’s due out on October 20, 2009, and will be available as a CD/DVD combo, a double gatefold vinyl with large scale booklet & black-and-white comic book, and a sold-separately color version of the comic book.
The assumed cover art (at top of blog) has a dreadful, tangled mass of a font… much like what I imagine driving on the BQE is like. :)
Sufjan performing the BQE suite at the Howard Gilman
Opera House in Brooklyn, 11/1/07 (theanimalshow)
View the cinematic trailer to the release here:
http://vimeo.com/5682252Read TONS more about The BQE over on the Asthmatic Kitty webpage:
http://asthmatickitty.com/the-bqe
I’ll post pre-order information on The BQE once it’s announced.
~Dan – np: Dave Douglas & Han Bennink – Serpentine
no free download or torrents available here
Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert
Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy released Spirit Moves earlier this year, and it is fantastic… one of the best releases of the year so far. It’s out now on Greenleaf Music (Dave’s label).
Well, yesterday (7/20), their recent Tiny Desk Concert (a great feature on NPR) was posted as streaming video and as part of the NPR: Live Concerts from All Songs Considered Podcast. From the article… Afterward, I heard a colleague who works elsewhere in the building rave, “I don’t know anything about jazz, but that was amazing!” See, the mere mention of jazz may scare off many, but when you see experts performing as ebulliently as these folks did, it’s hard to remain unmoved.
Click for Streaming on NPR’s site
Click the picture or hotlink above for streaming video on NPR’s site, or search for “NPR: Live Concerts from All Songs Considered” podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcatcher.
Setlist (17:54)
- “Spirit Moves” (Douglas)
- “This Love Affair” (Wainwright)
- “Twilight of the Dogs” (Douglas)
Personnel
- Dave Douglas, trumpet
- Luis Bonilla, trombone
- Vincent Chancey, French horn
- Marcus Rojas, tuba
- Nasheet Waits, drums
~Dan – np: Jónsi & Alex – Riceboy Sleeps
I’m mad at Bumbershoot’s schedulers
Bumber-shoot, indeed.
Sunday (9/6) at Bumbershoot… Holy Fuck, David Cross, Patton Oswalt, Michael Franti, and Jason Mraz are all playing. I would like to see all of them (in the order shown above). BUT… they’re all playing at roughly the same time. Balzac! If I caught all of Holy Fuck’s hour set (which I would be required to, due to the awesomeness that is Holy Fuck), I’d probably catch 15 minutes of Franti, 30 minutes of Cross, none of Oswalt, and about an hour of Mraz (but he’s the low man on the totem pole for me anyway).
Meh… the main draw for me is HF, David Cross & Patton Oswalt. I don’t think I can justify a $35+fee ticket and 6 hours of driving for HF and 30 minutes of David Cross. Oh well…
Anyway, check out the lineup over at bumbershoot.org. Maybe it works out better for you…
~Dan – np: MC Frontalot – Final Boss
two videos… Flaregun & Chali 2Na
Two cool videos, for different reasons… first up, from a friend in Cincinnati, Ryan Adcock. He’s got a new band with Craig Dockery called Flaregun. The debut album, Ten Sundays, has a couple of songs that are a bit Jebus-y for my tastes (especially compared to Ryan’s earlier work), but the album as a whole is really good. This debut video for the song “I Seek You” is pretty cool…
Flaregun’s Ten Sundays album can be had at CDBaby (or locally in Cincinnati).
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Next up, totally different style coming at you from Chali 2Na from Jurassic 5. It’s his lead-off single (“Lock S**t Down” with Talib Kweli) from his debut solo album, Fish Outta Water. I always loved Chali’s baritone, quick delivery. Some of the effects in this video are a little cheesy, but overall, it’s a pretty damn fun video…
Fish Outta Water is out now…
~Dan – np: Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy – On Stage: 6/19/09 (late set)
upcoming David Bazan & a Sufjan senior project
Pedro the Lion’s David Bazan is finally releasing his full-length debut. It’s not his first release under his own name. He had an EP out in 2006 (Fewer Moving Parts) and has released a few iTunes EPs/singles and some 7″ vinyl releases since Pedro the Lion’s last “band” record, Achilles Heel (in 2004). David’s album comes out September 1st (on Barsuk Records CD/LP/mp3)… it’s called Curse Your Branches…
1. Hard To Be
2. Bless This Mess
3. Please, Baby, Please
4. Curse Your Branches
5. Harmless Sparks
6. When We Fell
7. Lost My Shape
8. Bearing Witness
9. Heavy Breath
10. In Stitches
Keep your peepers here or on davidbazan.com for info as it shows up.
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Also, as reported on All Good Naysayers, student Jax de León did a senior graphic design project on Sufjan Stevens‘ 2005 album, Come On Feel the Illinoise, called Illinois: Visualizing Music.
Check out more about Illinois: Visualizing Music (link).
Speaking of Sufjan, Asthmatic Kitty is trying to call Osso’s upcoming album a Sufjan Stevens’ release. Ha!!! We’re on to you guys… come on, when is Suffie’s real next album coming out!? :)
OK, I know… Osso’s Run Rabbit Run album is a “real” album… and it’s gonna be rad as hell… but you know what I meant.
~Dan – np: Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy – On Stage: 6/18/09 (early set)
RAZR13 & dUg Pinnick
King’s X frontman Doug “dUg” Pinnick recently provided vocals for Texas metal band RAZR 13.
RAZR13 is a modern metal band based in Austin, Texas, featuring guitarist Big Bald Mike, bassist Ryan 13, and drummer JRAB. King’s X fans should recognize all three, as Big Bald Mike oftens provides security at KX show, Ryan 13 is dUg’s bass tech, and JRAB is Jerry Gaskill’s longtime drum tech and current road manager.
The band’s been recording their debut album (Reflections) in Austin with producer Paul Soroski (Podunk) over the past few years. dUg heard the tracks and jumped on board to provide vocals, and the result is a modern metal project unlike anything you’ve ever heard from dUg before!
Reflections will be released via Austin-based label Rock Army Records this summer. No firm release date yet, but it will be available on CD and as a digital download.
Check out two songs “4th of July” and “Reflections” at Rock Army Records.
Add RAZR 13 as a friend on MySpace to find out more when the time comes.
~Dan – np: Do Make Say Think – You, You’re a History in Rust
Could it happen?
Could a live album make my favorite’s list by year’s end?
Well, I just pre-ordered the latest Live from Nowhere offering (#4 to be exact) from Cincinnati band, Over the Rhine. It’s a double-disc recording of most of the Dec 2008 Taft Reunion concert with founding guitarist Ric Hordinski and founding drummer Brian Kelley joining the still-in-the-band wife-and-husband team of Karin Bergquist (vocals / guitar / etc) and Linford Detweiler (keyboards / bass / etc). Ric left in 1996/97 (I don’t know when exactly as he was gone before I got into them and their Wiki page is weak*), and Brian left at the end of 1998 (IIRC). I saw OTR with Brian, but never with Ric (though I’ve seen Ric plenty of times with his band Monk & solo).
*– Hey, Bruce, if you read this, the OTR Wiki could use a Bruce’ing up... especially on the early era.
With the new release (expected out in August), you get an immediate download. I’m on track 6 of disc 1 now, and I love it. It makes me wish I could have afforded to go to the actual show back in December.
Anyway, here’s the artwork & tracklist (95 minutes total):
(click for larger)
Disc 1
Eyes Wide Open
How Does it Feel (To Be On My Mind)?
HDIF Reprise
Within Without
Like a Radio
Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander
June
Circle of Quiet
Daddy Untwisted
Disc 2
Paul & Virginia
Poughkeepsie **
Faithfully Dangerous
A Gospel Number
All I Need is Everything
If I’m Drowning
Encores: I Painted My Name ***
Latter Days
**– Songs missing per the reported setlist… Mary’s Waltz & Silent Night were after Poughkeepsie
***– Encores per the reported setlist… E1: My Love is a Fever / I Painted My Name; E2: Happy With Myself? / Latter Days / What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding?
You can pre-order Live from Nowhere IV now from Port Merchandise.
Though I’m usually pacifistic…
~Dan – np: Over the Rhine – Live from Nowhere 4
Ani DiFranco Tour 2009
I found out about Ani DiFranco‘s Portland show earlier this afternoon (while on a random web search)… now I’m not going, as she’ll be in Eugene… yay!
I assume this means new album in fall/winter?
Oh, of course it does…it’s been 288 days since her last one (the excellent Red Letter Year), and she averages one approximately every 282 days. Oh shoot, she’s behind schedule. Maybe she’s been feeling ill lately, and couldn’t get this album out in time. ;)
Speaking of Red Letter Year… it’s now out on vinyl. Nice double-gatefold with an extended version of “Emancipated Minor” remixed by Mike Napolitano. Get it here.
Opener for dates Oct 10th-27th is Anais Mitchell.
Ani DiFranco Fall 2009 Tour Dates (so far)
- Sep 11 2009 – Kalamazoo State Theatre – Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Sep 12 2009 – Krannert Center Guitar Festival – Urbana, Illinois
- Sep 13 2009 – Paramount Theatre – Aurora, Illinois
- Sep 15 2009 – Mayo Civic Center-Presentation Hall – Rochester, Minnesota
- Sep 16 2009 – DECC Auditorium – Duluth, Minnesota
- Sep 18 2009 – Fargo Theatre – Fargo, North Dakota
- Sep 19 2009 – Burton Cummings Theatre – Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Sep 20 2009 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Sep 22 2009 – Riverside Ballroom – Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Sep 23 2009 – The Vic Theatre – Chicago, Illinois
- Sep 25 2009 – Michigan Theater – Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Oct 10 2009 – Lobero Theatre – Santa Barbara, California
- Oct 11 2009 – Grove of Anaheim – Anaheim, California
- Oct 13 2009 – Rio Theatre – Santa Cruz, California
- Oct 14 2009 – Tower Theatre – Fresno, California
- Oct 20 2009 – Arcata Community Center – Arcata, California
- Oct 21 2009 – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, Oregon
- Oct 23 2009 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, Oregon
- Oct 24 2009 – Moore Theatre – Seattle, Washington
- Oct 25 2009 – PAC Concert Hall – Bellingham, Washington
- Oct 27 2009 – Centre for the Performing Arts – Vancouver, British Columbia
- Nov 15 2009 – Calvin Theatre – Northampton, Massachusetts
- Nov 17 2009 – The Egg – Albany, New York
- Nov 20 2009 – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Nov 21 2009 – The Town Hall – New York, New York
Oh, pre-sale ticket passwords are on the RBR Tour website.
~Dan – np: The Dillinger Escape Plan w/ Mike Patton – Irony is a Dead Scene -EP-
Madavor Media Acquires JazzTimes
yay!
JazzTimes resurrected
Official Press Release
With the mainstream media swamped with stories of print magazines folding, the story of the re-launch of JazzTimes magazine under new ownership by Madavor Media is a positive tale of determination and vision. On July 10, 2009, Madavor Media, a market-leading enthusiast publishing and trade-show group based in Boston, acquired the JazzTimes brand and effective immediately will resume publishing the influential music magazine and its Web site jazztimes.com.
JazzTimes was founded in 1970 by Washington, D.C.-based record-store owner Ira Sabin, who started the publication as a newsletter for his store, eventually changing its name from Radio Free Jazz to JazzTimes. The list of contributors to the magazine during its nearly 40-year history reads like a Who’s Who of modern jazz journalism-including Leonard Feather, Stanley Dance, Martin Williams, Ira Gitler, Dan Morgenstern, Stanley Crouch, Nat Hentoff, Gary Giddins, Amiri Baraka, Harvey Pekar, Nate Chinen and Ashley Kahn. The publication has won numerous awards for its content and design, and the All-Music Guide has called JazzTimes “arguably the number-one jazz magazine in the world.”
“We are honored to have the opportunity to expand our portfolio with this remarkable and respected publication,” says Jeffrey C. Wolk, chairman and CEO of Madavor Media. “Because of our experience and industry partnerships, we are well-positioned to serve jazz enthusiasts and to build on the impressive business started by Ira Sabin.”
“As an established, quality-directed, enthusiast consumer media company, we feel that Madavor Media is the perfect choice as the new steward of the JazzTimes brand. Madavor Media is a successful, growing publisher with the resources and efficiencies that will enable our 39-year-old franchise to provide expanded services to our dedicated readers and advertising clients alike”, says JazzTimes publisher and CEO Glenn Sabin.
“In each issue of JazzTimes, we will continue to deliver the news and information that readers and advertisers expect from the world’s leading jazz publication,” says Madavor Media’s VP/Group Publisher Susan Fitzgerald. “With our experience in circulation, distribution, production, and promotion, Madavor plans to take the JazzTimes brand to new heights.”
Current Editor-in-Chief Lee Mergner and Managing Editor Evan Haga will remain with the publication to maintain continuity and connection within the jazz community. “For Evan and I, this is a great opportunity to reinvent the magazine in the face of so many interesting challenges,” says Mergner. “And we look forward to the synergy with the other titles in the Madavor stable of publications.” Jeff Sabin and Eric Adams will continue as the magazine’s advertising-account representatives.
The next issue will feature a cover story on saxophonist Joe Lovano, as well as a piece by investigative reporter Marc Hopkins on the effect of the current economic climate on jazz festivals. The first issue bearing the real imprint of Madavor will be the September issue, which spotlights jazz guitar including stories on John Scofield, Nels Cline and George Benson, plus lots more. JazzTimes also publishes an annual Jazz Education Guide, filled with valuable information and material for students, parents, and educators.
Madavor Media publishes other titles and manages trade shows that are number one in their respective fields in the sports and enthusiast markets. Through its print and digital magazines, trade shows, websites, e-mail newsletters, and other partnerships across the publishing industry, Madavor offers unique ways to communicate with passionate consumers who are eager to learn more about products and events that support their interests.
The rumors of its demise was greatly exaggerated.
~Dan – np: Múm – Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy
Osso::Rabbit
So, back in 2007, I had the pleasure of seeing the just-named Osso String Quartet‘s worldwide premiere of Sufjan Stevens‘ electronic album Enjoy Your Rabbit songs arranged for strings. That show at the MusicNow Festival 2007 (full festival review) was utterly fantastic. Since that time, the band has been busy, including being the backing band for My Brightest Diamond‘s wonderful A Thousand Shark’s Teeth album.
Two and a half years will have passed since the worldwide stringed Rabbit debut to finally see the release of Osso’s full length debut… Run Rabbit Run, out October 6th:
- Year of the Ox (arr. Michael Atkinson)
- Enjoy Your Rabbit (arr. Michael Atkinson)
- Year of the Monkey (arr. Michael Atkinson)
- Year of the Tiger (arr. Rob Moose)
- Year of the Dragon (arr. Nico Muhly)
- Year of the Snake (arr. Olivier Manchon)
- Year of the Horse (arr. Rob Moose)
- Year of the Sheep (arr. Maxim Moston)
- Year of the Rat (arr. Olivier Manchon)
- Year of the Rooster (arr. Gabriel Kahane)
- Year of the Dog (arr. Rob Moose)
- Year of the Boar (arr. Michael Atkinson)
- Year of Our Lord (arr. Michael Atkinson)
Pre-order not available, yet. More info here: http://asthmatickitty.com/run-rabbit-run
~Dan – np: Dengue Fever – Escape from Dragon House
PS- Sigur Ros’s Jonsi & Alex’s Riceboy Sleeps debut has the deluxe edition officially on pre-order on their webpage (see here for more info).
No free download or torrents available here.
JFJO hates me. Placebo loves me.
I’m either out of town, in town at another show, out of town at another show, or barricaded out of a show whenever Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey comes to town. Anyway, JFJO is back in Eugene on 9/18, and I’ll be up at Sunny Day Real Estate in Portland. Oh well, I guess I shouldn’t complain… JFJO comes through twice a year it seems… I’ll try again next time… :rolleyes: Tour dates below…
The Michael Jackson “memorial” service was yesterday (even though he is not dead)… JFJO & Friends did their own takes on some MJ on NYE 2008 and posted them to their website last week. You can download their live takes of “Billy Jean” and “Thriller” via the links (links from a recent JFJO email). Vocally, the MJ cover tunes… are… um… are they drunk? Anyway… they’re free.
JFJO Summer/Fall 2009 tour:
- Aug 8 | Cain’s Ballroom | Tulsa, OK (ABOT Awards)
- July 10 | The Lizard Lounge | Boston, MA
- July 11 | The Lizard Lounge | Boston, MA
- July 14 | The Iron Horse | Northampton, MA
- July 17 | Downright Music & Arts | Collinsville, CT
- July 18 | Joe’s Pub | New York, NY
- Sept 2 | The Deli | Norman, OK
- Sept 3 | Granada Theater | Dallas, TX
- Sept 4 | The Parish | Austin, TX
- Sept 5 | Arts Festival Oklahoma | Oklahoma City, OK
- Sept 8 | Winston’s | San Diego, CA
- Sept 9 | Catalina Jazz Club | Los Angeles, CA
- Sept 10 | Kuumbwa Jazz Center | Santa Cruz, CA
- Sept 11 | Cafe du Nord | San Francisco, CA
- Sept 12 | TBA | Humboldt, CA
- Sept 17 | The Dojo | Ashland, OR
- Sept 18 | Jo Federigo’s | Eugene, OR
- Sept 19 | Jimmy Mak’s | Portland, OR
- Sept 20 | High Dive | Seattle, WA
- Sept 25 | The Marquee | Tulsa, OK
- Oct 22 | The Encore | Stevens Point, WI
- Oct 23 | Cranky Pats | Neenah, WI
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UPDATE (8/17): Placebo have canceled/postponed their North American tour due to Brian collapsing during a show in Japan.
Placebo is hitting Portland on their upcoming tour in support of Battle for the Sun. I shall be going. I last saw them in Cleveland (it was a miserable drive from Cincinnati and back in the same night, but a great show nonetheless). More Placebo 2009 dates as follows:
- Sep 12th 2009 – Roseland Theatre, Portland OR
- Sep 13th 2009 – The Show Box at Market, Seattle WA
- Sep 14th 2009 – Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver BC
- Sep 16th 2009 – Murray Theatre, Murray UT
- Sep 17th 2009 – House Of Blues, Las Vega NV
- Sep 20th 2009 – Club Nokia Live, Los Angeles CA
- Sep 21st 2009 – SOMA, San Diego CA
- Sep 23rd 2009 – Gothic Theatre, Denver CO
- Sep 25th 2009 – La Zona Rosa, Austin TX
- Sep 26th 2009 – House Of Blues, Dallas TX
- Sep 27th 2009 – Beaumont Club, Kansas City MO
- Oct 2nd 2009 – House Of Blues, Chicago IL
- Oct 3rd 2009 – Newport Music Hall, Columbus OH
- Oct 4th 2009 – Sonar, Baltimore MD
- Oct 6th 2009 – Sound Academy, Toronto ON
- Oct 7th 2009 – Metropolis, Montreal QU
- Oct 10th 2009 – Northern Lights, Clifton Park NY
- Oct 11th 2009 – Terminal 5, New York City NY
~Dan – np: Deliverance – Camelot-in-Smithereens
Fiona Apple & Múm
Two unrelated music news items worthy of note…
Fiona Apple is back in the studio for the first time in three years. As SPIN reports, Fiona will contribute two new recordings to The Best Is Yet to Come, a forthcoming compilation honoring Cy Coleman, a composer whose most famous material was performed by Frank Sinatra. On the collection, Apple performs Coleman’s “Why Try to Change Me Now” and “I Walk a Little Faster,” which was popularized by Tony Bennett. Patty Griffin, Nikka Costa, Jill Sobule, and Missy Higgins are among the other artists who honor Coleman’s musical legacy on the album. No release date set, from what I can tell.
Here’s an audio YouTube of Fiona’s “Why Try to Change Me Now”…
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Icelandic band Múm (pronounced “moom”) is releasing another album and is touring the U.S. I received my ticket to the Portland show (Nov 4th) in the mail today. I figured it was related to an album, but hadn’t heard that until today (over on the BrooklynVegan blog). Musically, Múm are akin to Sigur Rós meets Frog Pocket. And for those not in the know about Frog Pocket… well, the prior sentence meant that Múm are like a glitchy-electronic Sigur Rós.
Honestly, I hadn’t looked, but I now find out that Múm’s new album (Sing Along to Songs You Don’t Know) is due out in August 2009, but it has already been leaked. Oh, internets, when you you ever learn that in order for the arts to continue and flourish, you should pay for it!
Anyway, Múm’s 2009 tour dates are as follows:
- Jul 08 TEATRI DI VITA Bologna #
- Jul 11 Loop festival afterparty at Digital Brighton #
- Jul 12 Loop festival Brighton
- Jul 13 TabarnacleLondon
- Aug 14 SUMMER SUNDAE festival Leicester
- Aug 15 Studio 24 Edinburgh
- Aug 17 National museum of Wales Cardiff, Wales
- Aug 18 Norwich art center Norwhich
- Aug 27 Atomic CafeMunich (DE)
- Aug 28 Beatpol Dresden (DE)
- Sep 05 Lido Berlin (DE)
- Sep 06 Knust Hamburg (DE)
- Sep 07 Gebaeude 9 Cologne (DE)
- Oct 21 the Somerville Theatre Somerville, Massachusetts
- Oct 22 First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Oct 23 Black Cat Washington DC, Washington DC
- Oct 24 Le Poisson Rouge NY, New York
- Oct 26 Le National Montreal, Quebec
- Oct 27 Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto, Ontario
- Oct 28 Logan Square Auditorium Chicago, Illinois
- Oct 29 McGuire Theater Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Nov 01 Marquee Room Calgary, Alberta
- Nov 02 Richards on Richards Vancouver, British Columbia
- Nov 03 Showbox at the Market Seattle, Washington
- Nov 04 Aladdin Theater Portland, Oregon
- Nov 05 The Independent San Francisco, California
- Nov 06 El Rey Theatre Los Angeles, California
- Nov 07 Yost Theatre Santa Ana, California
# múm DJ set
~Dan – np: Davka – Davka Live
-Eyvind Kang
-Frank Zappa
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