Archive
Favorite Albums & Concerts of 2016
- Car Seat Headrest – Teens of Denial (lo-fi indie rock) fave song: “Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” (#6)
- Glen Phillips (of Toad the Wet Sprocket) – Swallowed by the New (singer-songwriter) fave song: “Criminal Career” (#3)
- Sia – This Is Acting (pop) fave song: “Alive” (#2)
- Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool (rock) fave song: “Ful Stop” (#5)
- Wussy – Forever Sounds (lo-fi indie rock) fave song: “Dropping Houses” (#1)
- Holy Fuck – CONGRATS (groove electronic) fave song: “Tom Tom” (#2)
- Elliott Smith – Heaven Adores You (indie rock) fave song: “Plainclothes Man” (#6)
- Steve Taylor & the Danielson Foil – WOW to the Deadness -EP- coffin (indie rock) fave song: “Wow to the Deadness” (#1)
- Circle of Dust – Machines of Our Disgrace (hard industrial) fave song: “Machines of Our Disgrace” (#2)
- Lily & Madeleine – Keep It Together (singer-songwriter duo) fave song: “For the Weak” (#2)
- Charlie Hunter, Bobby Previte, and more – Everybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth (jazz) fave song: “No Money, No Honey” (#7)
- Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom – Otis Was a Polar Bear (jazz) fave song: “Fuster” (#1)
- David Bazan (of Pedro the Lion) – Blanco (indie rock) fave song: “Little Landslide” (#7)
- Anna Tivel – Heroes Waking Up (singer-songwriter) fave song: “Black Balloon” (#2)
- The Jelly Jam –
ProphetProfit (prog rock) fave song: “Care” (#1) - Dave Douglas’ High Risk – Dark Territory (jazz with electronics) fave song: “Celine” (#1)
- Amendola vs. Blades – Greatest Hits (jazz) fave song: “Lima Bean” (#1)
- Damien Jurado – Visions of Us on the Land (indie rock) fave song: “Exit 353” (#11)
- Greydon Square – Omniverse : Type 3 : Aum Niverse (rap/hip hop) fave song: “Defiant” (#5)
- Elysian Fields – Ghosts of No (sultry indie rock) fave song: “Shadows of the Living Light” (#11)
- Steven Wilson (of Porcupine Tree) – 4 ½ -EP- (prog rock) fave song: “My Book of Regrets” (#1)
- Opeth – Sorceress (prog metal) fave song: “Will o’ the Wisp” (#4)
- Scandroid – Scandroid (keyboard electronic) fave song: “Aphelion” (#3)
- The Claypool-Lennon Delirium – Monolith of Phobos (weird rock) fave song: “Cricket and the Genie, Movement I: The Delirium” (#2)
- Kaada & Patton – Bacteria Cult (ambient experimental) fave song: “Immodium” (#7)
- {8 Apr} Peter Mulvey w/ Anna Tivel :: Alberta Rose Theatre :: Portland, OR
- {22 Apr} Sufjan Stevens, BØRNS, Parov Stelar, LCD Soundsystem & more :: Coachella 2016 :: Indio, CA
- {23 Apr} CHVRCHES, Guns N’ Roses, Gary Clark Jr., Ice Cube, GoGo Penguin & more :: Coachella 2016 :: Indio, CA
- {24 Apr} Sia, Kamasi Washington, Wolf Alice, Joywave & more :: Coachella 2016 :: Indio, CA
- {16 Jun} Holy Fuck :: Doug Fir Lounge :: Portland, OR
- {25 Jun} Flight of the Conchords with Eugene Mirman :: Keller Auditorium :: Portland, OR
- {28 Jul} Ozomatli :: HiFi Music Hall :: Eugene, OR
- {29 Jul} Weird Al Yankovic :: Cuthbert Amphitheater :: Eugene, OR
- {13 Aug} Buster Keaton’s The General film with live score by Mark Orton, Carla Kihlstedt, Matthias Bossi, Todd Sickafoose :: Bohemia Park :: Cottage Grove, OR
- {29 Oct} Failure presents Fantastic Planet’s 20th Anniversary :: Star Theater :: Portland, OR
- {9 Nov} Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket :: Alberta Rose Theatre :: Portland, OR
- {17 Nov} Car Seat Headrest :: The WOW Hall :: Eugene, OR
ha’fway 2016
Happy 240th birthday, United States!
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Ah, the annual halfway through the year music recap where I never post an end of year recap. *eyeroll* Eh… I don’t blog much anymore… regardless, here goes for my Top 10 of 2016 so far…
Artist – Album (style)
- Sia – This Is Acting (pop)
- Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool (rock)
- Wussy – Forever Sounds (indie rock)
- Holy Fuck – CONGRATS (live electronic)
- Elliott Smith – Heaven Adores You (soundtrack) (indie rock)
- Steve Taylor & the Danielson Foil – WOW to the Deadness -EP- (indie rock)
- David Bazan – Blanco (indie rock)
- Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom – Otis Was a Polar Bear (jazz)
- The Claypool-Lennon Delirium – Monolith of Phobos (rock)
- Damien Jurado – Visions of Us on the Land (indie rock)
What’s still to come in 2016…
Chevelle, Peter Mulvey (it’s in the can), Alex Somers’ score for Captain Fantastic, John Zorn (about every month), TOOL (music done, lyrics nearing completion?), Sigur Rós (maybe 2017), Charlie Hunter, and based on kickstarters/pledgemusic that I’ve supported: Jeremy Enigk of Sunny Day Real Estate, Derek Webb‘s Mockingbird Remixed and Fleming & John, plus much more, I’m sure.
Will I continue with blogs in the future? I don’t know. :P
Dan – np: Auragami – Formation (single)
Holy F*ck – live on Q
Canadian live electronic/groove artists Holy Fuck hit Studio Q with Jian Ghomeshi a few months ago. It was a fave of mine on the Q podcast. Well, now the video for the session is online… “Red Lights“…
And “Latin America“…
~Dan – np: Marc Ribot – Shoestring Symphonettes 
* Favorite Instrumental Albums of 2010 *
Disclaimer: No, I haven’t heard all 8,000+albums released this year. I’ve heard about 120 of them, which makes me at least 98.5% likely to be wrong. I make no claims to objectivity. These albums are my favorites from 2010. You might think that the one you’ve heard that I haven’t heard is the best album of 2010. And you might be right. And, I while I generally agree with John Roderick about Year-End Lists, I still find it quite fun to compile my own.
As I start this post, I will say that this is all very subjective and really put together for my own purposes. I’ll also state that, yes, some of the music below does have some vocals (i.e.- the Beats Antique & Tin Hat CDs). For the most part, it’s sequestered to a track or two on a long CD of mostly instrumental goodness. My list, my rules, and/or my breaking of the rules. With that being said, all of the artists below tend to be in the jazz and instrumental frame of reference anyway.
As said before… I’ve been buying less music… or, at least a lot less mainstream (major label) music. This is also my third year now that I bought more instrumental CDs than vocal CDs. I think as I get older, I am drawn more towards jazz and other instrumental forms of expression. Hopefully my spilling out of music that I like finds interest with someone else. But if not, thanks for stopping by… check out the artists’ webpages, SpaceBook & MyFace pages, yadda yadda yadda. A lot of these also made it on to my 2010 Mix CD.
OK, now on to the best of what’s hit my ears this year…
Honorable Mentions: The Album Leaf‘s A Chorus of Storytellers, For a Minor Reflection‘s Höldum Í Átt Að Óreiðu, Yuka Honda‘s Heart Chamber Phantoms, Medeski Martin & Wood‘s The Stone Issue Four (great NFP/charity live release), and Jamie Saft‘s A Bag of Shells…
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 Boy Eats Drum Machine – 20 Beats (self) :: OK, due to its title, 20 Beats had to come in at #20, right? Regardless of wherever it hit, it’s a great album. I first saw Boy Eats Drum Machine (aka Jon Ragel) open for That1Guy in Eugene. I loved his turntablism, his sax playing, and his trippy sounds. He’s a Portlander, too; so I’ve had a chance to see him twice this year. Hopefully more in the near future…     |
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 John Zorn – Filmworks XXIV: The Nobel Peace Prize / In Search of the Miraculous / Interzone (Tzadik) :: John Zorn put out a ton of stuff in 2010. Some of it didn’t make this list. Some of it was great (these 3), and some of it was stupendous (some others higher up on the list). Filmworks XXIV is a more genteel offering.  It is performed by the Rob Burger trio (and it’s a film score… duh). In Search of the Miraculous is in Zorn’s spiritual / “magick” subcategory (which has been hit or miss to me). This album seems like a souped-up Rob Burger/Alhambra piano combo. Quite delightful. Interzone is a return to Zorn’s “filecard” system and a tribute to William Burroughs.  Some people on the Zornlist have raved about it… I find it good, but not amazing. Too much filler in the long-tracks… moments of brilliance, but also moments of meh-ness. I’d rank it definitely better than “for the completist,” but lower than “legendary.” All in all… solid experimental record. The players are the usual fantastic Tzadik studio players: Medeski, Baptista, Dunn, Mori, Ribot, Wollesen and Zorn. |
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 Mostly Other People Do the Killing – Forty Fort (Hot Cup) :: So, I’m a fan of composer Moppa Elliott and trumpet player Peter Evans. Peter’s solo show in Eugene a couple of years ago was an avant-garde delight. MOPDTK is a little more straight forward than Peter’s solo stuff. It’s a fun jazz group… very similar in feel and youthful, party jazz energy as Reptet (up in Seattle). This is their second album that I’ve heard but their fourth released. My favorite tracks are “Nanticoke Coke” and the title track “Forty Fort.” I’m looking forward to more from this killer band ensemble. |
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 Masada String Trio plays John Zorn’s Masada Book Two, Volume 16: Haborym (Tzadik) :: Greg Cohen, Mark Feldman, and Erik Friedlander are fantastic players, and their contribution to the Masada Book Two series is an essential release. One of the best of the series, and the Trio’s first studio recording in five years (last one was 2005’s Azazel #5). Masada Book Two Sidenote: Cohen was actually in the original Masada quartet, but all of the members of the String Trio have also shown up on other MBT releases – Cohen (Astaroth #1, Lucifer #10, Stolas #12 and Baal #15), Friedlander (Volac #8, #10 and the upcoming Caym #17), and Feldman (Malphas #3 & #10). |
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 John Zorn – The Goddess (Tzadik) :: The Goddess is a continuation of In Search of the Miraculous, but I fancy it far more. It is also a souped-up Rob Burger/Alhambra piano combo, quite lyrical and melodic. As the title suggests, it is dedicated to the feminine. It also features some harp work from Carol Emanuel – who unbeknownst to me until now has been on quite a bit of Zorn’s releases. |
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 Derek Webb – Feedback (INO) :: From my original writeup: Feedback is a self-proclaimed “worship album.” I also love the general aesthetics of it. It’s definitely got some electronic elements, but it has a more sweeping feel as well. Some of it feels like a mix of a happier ambiance of Amiina/Sigur Rós meets an acoustic-electronic bridge in a Sufjan Stevens song meets a gentle Ric Hordinski lyrical guitar solo (I am in a Monk mood). It’s a great quality instrumental album from a man who I loved via his witty voice from the get go. It’s nice to see him expand outside his comfort zone. As an atheist, I take it as a conduit into introspection and the worship of the divine as I see it – music. |
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 Secret Chiefs 3 – Satellite Supersonic Vol 1 (Web of Mimicry) :: A new format release of the 7″ vinyl singles that SC3 put out in the Spring of 2007. Nothing majorly new, but still nice to have in this format. Secret Chiefs 3 fans are still waiting on Book of Souls, the follow-up to 2004’s Book of Horizons. Who knows if we’ll ever get it… but this compilation is a great “tweener” – especially if you weren’t able to get the limited 7″ vinyls or didn’t have a record player. |
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 John Zorn’s Moonchild Trio (with Marc Ribot) – Ipsissimus (Tzadik) :: The Moonchild Trio is one of the more experimental / scary groups. It’s a highly composed, but seemingly improvisational group made up of Mike Patton on voice (not lyrical), Trevor Dunn on bass, and Joey Baron on drums. Ipsissimus is the fifth in the series, and includes Marc Ribot’s guitar and John Zorn’s sax for more than just one tune (like on The Crucible). This release is not for the faint of heart. Purely energetic, glossolaliac noise metal. |
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 AutorYno – Pastrami Bagel Social Club (Tzadik) :: I am fans of some of the other Jewish rock acts on John Zorn’s Tzadik label: like Eyal Maoz’s Edom, Jon Madof’s Rashanim, and Yoshie Fruchter’s Pitom. The description for this AutorYno debut from Tzadik was “a wild klezmer/rock fusion by this crazed band of Paris-born punk rockers… AutorYno hits with a hardedged sound and an exciting musical imagination. Full of youthful energy, massive guitar and centered by a powerful beat, they present eleven instrumentals that combine the power of rock with a taste of Jewish tradition.” Regardless of Tzadik’s usual/expected hyperbole, I couldn’t not get it. I’m glad I did. Utterly fantastic klez-jazz-rock blend. |
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 Tin Hat – Foreign Legion (BAG) :: The Bay Area acoustic group is no longer a trio. They are currently made up of Carla Kihlstedt on violin & voice, Mark Orton on guitar & dobro, Ben Goldberg on clarinets, Rob Reich on accordion & piano, and Zeena Parkins on harp. It also features Willie Nelson on guest vocals on a track. The album is part European explorer, part cinematic, part chamber group, part tango. I generally by anything Carla Kihlstedt is involved in. So far, I haven’t been steered wrong… |
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 Beats Antique – Blind Threshold (self) :: I got to see Zoe Jakes of Beats Antique twice this year… once with Beats Antique during Eugene Celebration, and once with the Indigo Bellydance troupe as part of their Le Serpent Rouge tour. She had a knee in a brace during Eugene Celebration; so she lended her stage presence to additional percussion instead of dance – which was unfortunate. Beats Antique is a bellydance-friendly, electronic and live instrument band from the Bay Area. Elements of Balkan music and tribal-fusion dance music. “Egyptic” is indicative of their infectuous sound. |
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 Anakronic Electro Orkestra – Speak With Ghosts (Balagan Box) :: One of my favorite EPs of 2009 was Anakronic Electro Orkestra’s The Yiddish Part. My only complaint with the EP? It was too short. Well, in mid-November 2010, unbeknown to me at the time, they came out with their debut full-length Speak With Ghosts. AEO hail from Toulouse, France, and crank out a mighty fine mixture of drum & bass mixed with Eastern European-fused klezmer. This album is a 40+ minute shuffle through a modern klezmer forest – including one song featuring David Krakaeur (another favorite musician of mine). I think AEO is also great for fans of Beats Antique and Balkan Beat Box. |
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 Loose Grip – Looking Glass (Fabrikant) :: Loose Grip is a fantastic Edinburgh-based jazz quartet led by drummer Chris Wallace. This guitar and tenor sax infused contemporary jazz band is great for fans of Chris Potter and Joe Lovano on the sax angle, great for fans of the guitar jazz like John Scofield, etc. It’s a well made record, and clearly stands out amongst the many jazz records that came out this year. |
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 John Zorn’s The Dreamers play Masada Book Two, Volume 14: Ipos (Tzadik) :: Let’s just put this out there now… with thirteen albums and a DVD out in 2010, John Zorn might seem to have more misses than hits. Well, I don’t think there’s been a more consistent set of songs than his Masada songs, and there hasn’t been a more consistently great series than the Masada Book Two series (Zorn’s Masada songs covered by others). The Dreamers is a supergroup, too: Marc Ribot, Joey Baron, Cyro Baptista, Kenny Wollesen, Trevor Dunn and Jamie Saft – pillars in the adventurous, downtown NYC scene. |
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 Charlie Hunter – Gentlemen, I Neglect to Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid (Spire Artist) :: One of the most amazing things from this past year was watching Charlie play live (twice). His seeming ease at which he plays bass and guitar on one instrument is stunning (and curse-worthy for the guitar aficionado in the crowd). If you weren’t watching the stage, you’d easily be fooled that it was a quartet and not a trio. It’s quite an amazing thing to see and hear. He’s so unassuming about it, too… a showman without the show-off attitude. Gentlemen came out in early 2010, and is a great melodic romp. For prior fans of Charlie, you won’t be disappointed. For people who aren’t yet fans… you will be. |
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 Dave Douglas & Keystone – Spark of Being (boxset) (Greenleaf) :: Dave and his fusion group Keystone were busy with this 3-CD boxset. All three releases were inspired by Douglas’ recent collaboration with experimental filmmaker Bill Morrison on the new multi-media project Spark of Being. The first release is the soundtrack to the film. Two additional releases, Expand and Burst, feature Douglas and Keystone exploring and interpreting the themes of the film. Expand was also available on vinyl (a first for Dave’s Greenleaf label). |
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 Dave Holland – Pathways (Dare2) :: I got into Dave Holland around the same time as a lot of other jazz. I got into jazz through the backdoor (John Zorn) and then slowly moved into the more straight ahead jazz. I think I can officially blame Ken Laster and his In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond podcast for playing a lot of Dave Holland. Anyway, shortly after hearing Holland, I picked up Extended Play: Live at Birdland and Critical Mass. Both are great, but the latter is quite fetching. Pathways is a superb combo and features some amazing playing by some other favorites of mine: saxophonist Chris Potter and drummer Nate Smith. Outside of Joey Baron (Masada, etc), I think Nate Smith is one of the most entertaining drummers to see play. I love how Dave Holland surrounds himiself with amazing players. Great band, great record! |
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 Holy Fuck – Latin (Young Turks) ::  Despite what you think of their choice of band name, these Toronto band continue to put out great, groove-infused live electronic music that is both experimental and a poppy-force in the indie rock movement. Latin, their third full length album, grabbed me immediately when it came out this past May… and it’s #1 with a bullet as far as instrumental albums go in 2010. To top it off, they swung through Oregon twice this year (both excellent shows), and they put out quite possibly the cutest video for the raddest song (“Red Lights” – click the kitty to the right). The video now has over 1,000,000 views on the YouTubes. Only 900,000 views are from me. |
Where do I get most of these jazz and other instrumental releases? My #1 favorite source for jazz is Downtown Music Gallery in New York. Manny and Bruce and their great staff are superb… and being the official distributor for John Zorn’s Tzadik doesn’t hurt my affection for them. I usually do a monthly Tzadik order (if the releases strike my fancy), and they have a ton of other non-Tzadik jazz and avant-garde releases as well.
And, no, I’m not affiliated, I don’t get a commission, and beyond my initial “big tax refund / gotta get caught up on Zorn order of 2005,” I haven’t gotten a discount with DMG. I just love and support what they do.
Enjoy the New Years weekend!! Be safe! See you in 2011.
My Other Favorites of 2010 Recaps:
- Fave Concerts & Photos of ‘10 are recapped *HERE*
- Fave EPs/Vinyl/Live/DVDs/more of ‘10 are recapped *HERE*
- Fave Vocal Albums of ‘10 are recapped *HERE*
- Old Years: Best of the Decade (1-10, 11-20, 21-25), 2009I, 2009V, 2009ep, 2009C, 2008I, 2008V, 2008ep, 2008C, 2007V, 2007I, 2007C, 2006, 2005
~Dan – np: Kevin Moore – Shine
* Favorite EPs / Vinyl / Live Albums & more of 2010 *
This is sort of a precursor to my “official” Favorites of 2010 blogs. Up later this week, I’ll post my favorite vocal and favorite instrumental albums of 2010. Anyway, on with the music pimping…
Favorite EPs of 2010
- Holy Fuck – +Ghost (bonus disc with Latin)
- Auragami – Resistance (thanks, Michael)
- Sufjan Stevens – All Delighted People
- Owen Pallett – Demo (with Shara Worden – FREE)
- Haftor Medbøe Group – Box of Monkeys (technically 2009, but I got it late)
Favorite Vinyl-only Release of 2010
- My Brightest Diamond & Dayna Kurtz – Gone Away / Postcards from Downtown 7″
- Erik Friedlander – Alchemy 10″
- Isis / Melvins split 12″
- Damien & Drake Jurado – Hoquiam 12″
- John Zorn’s The Dreamers – The Gentle Side 12″
fave non-vinyl-only issue: Mike Patton‘s Mondo Cane 12″ (is luscious)
Favorite DVDs of 2010 (I didn’t really get any outside of music-related and an old H.Potter)
- Porcupine Tree – Anesthetize: Live in Tilburg
- Steven Wilson – Insurgentes
- Jónsi – Go Quiet & Go Live
- John Zorn & Richard Foreman – Astronome: A Night at the Opera
Favorite Internet Only Releases of 2010
- Kembwe – Kembwe
- Derek Webb – Democracy Vol 1 (monthly series)
- My Terrible Friend EP (a folky Pomplamoose spin-off)
- Celldweller – Wish Upon a Blackstar (a few chapters)
- Puya – Areyto EP
- Ty Tabor – Trip Magnet & Jelly Jam‘s Additives
- Asthmatic Kitty‘s Library Catalog Music Series (I think they also put some of these out as vinyl)
- Glen Phillips – Tornillo
- Kevin Moore – Shine (late, late 2010 – CD in early 2011)
- Rafter – Animal Feelings (maybe it came out on CD, too?)
Favorite Live Albums of 2010
- King’s X – Live Love in London
- Jónsi – Go Live
- Redbird (Peter Mulvey / Jeffrey Foucault / Kris Delmhorst / David “Goody” Goodrich) – Live at Café Carpe 2008 & 2009
Favorite Podcasts in 2010 (they’re free, yo! Search for them on iTunes)
- George Hrab – Geologic Podcast
- Keith Olbermann’s Countdown on MSNBC
- The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC
- Bill Maher‘s New Rules
- The Adam Carolla Podcast
- Kevin Smith & Scott Mosier – SModcast
- Kevin Smith & Ralph Garman – Hollywood Babble On
- Starfucking with Kevin Smith (OK, not free – proceeds for charity, though)
- SMoviemakers with Kevin Smith
- The Skeptics Guide to the Universe
Best Cover Art & Packaging in 2010 (all vinyl, but the CDs were cool, too)
- Mike Patton – Mondo Cane
- Jónsi – Go
- John Zorn’s The Dreamers – Gentle Side (vinyl, designed by Chippy)
Favorite Local Releases in 2010 (PacNW represent)
- Kembwe – Kembwe (Ashland-based ambient, vocal alchemy)
- I suck… that’s all the local-ish stuff I got this year…
Best Re-issues in 2010
- Carissa’s Wierd‘s first three albums (Ugly But Honest / You Should Be Home Here / Songs About Leaving)
- Mr. Bungle – California (on vinyl)
- Frank Zappa – Greasy Love Songs (deluxe re-issue of Cruisin’ with Rueben & the Jets)
- Elliott Smith – An Introduction to… (career spanning compilation)
Best Not-for-Profit Release in 2010
- Medeski Martin & Wood – The Stone Issue Four (for The Stone NYC)
Worst Music News in 2010 (for me)
- Cincinnati rock band Noctaluca broke up. Here’s hoping Jason Ludwig goes on to do some more interesting stuff.
- Faith No More‘s reunion tour didn’t hit the U.S. proper. Argh.
Best Late-Getter in 2010 (something that came out before 2010)
- Abagail’s Ghost – d_letion (from 2009)
- Fever Ray – Fever Ray (also from 2009)
Best Musical Novelty / Ingenuity
- Tristan Perich – 1-Bit Symphony
Best Music Videos
- Holy Fuck “Red Lights”
- Turf Fienz “Rain Dance”
- Cee-Lo Green “Fuck You” (original)
- The Gregory Brothers & Antoine Dodson “The Bed Intruder”
So, yeah, this was the catch-all post… check back later this week for the more traditional year end wrap-up festivities…
My Other Favorites of 2010 Recaps:
- Fave Concerts & Photos of ‘10 are recapped *HERE*
- Fave Vocal Albums ‘10 are coming soon
- Fave Instrumental of ‘10 are coming soon
- Old Years: Best of the Decade (1-10, 11-20, 21-25), 2009I, 2009V, 2009ep, 2009C, 2008I, 2008V, 2008ep, 2008C, 2007V, 2007I, 2007C, 2006, 2005
~Dan – np: Anakronic Electro Orkestra – Speak With Ghosts
Favorite Concerts of 2010
Well, this year’s concert seasons were especially good to me… 365 days, 79 shows, 149 artists, many long nights driving home, and a lot of photos…
My favorite concerts of 2010:
- Sufjan Stevens :: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall :: Portland, OR {29 Oct} [review with photos] – completely stunning show
- Toad the Wet Sprocket :: Crystal Ballroom :: Portland, OR {28 Jul} [review with photos] – I am a slave to Glen & Co’s alt-pop
- Jon Þor “Jónsi” Birgisson (of Sigur Rós) :: Roseland Theater :: Portland, OR {13 Apr} [review with photos] – stupendous stage show
- Nellie McKay :: Berbati’s Pan :: Portland, OR {31 Mar} [review with photos] – missed her Eugene show while at Sufjan, I heard that show was also “the bomb”
- Dream Theater :: Roseland Theater :: Portland, OR {21 Jun} [review with photos] – made more special after Mike Portnoy left the band this fall
- Tegan and Sara :: Keller Auditorium :: Portland, OR {8 Apr} [review with photos] – first time seeing them, not too be missed
- Holy Fuck (twice) :: Mississippi Studios & Holocene :: Portland, OR {6 Jun & 14 Oct} [reviews with photos #1 & #2] – one of the most consistently great live acts, Holocene show was better, but Mississippi was also rad…
- Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa :: McDonald Theatre :: Eugene, OR {12 Jun} [review with photos] – keeping the FZ torch alive!
- Dave Douglas’ Brass Ecstasy :: PDX Jazz Fest / Crystal Ballroom :: Portland, OR {28 Feb} [review with photos] – honestly, all of these Top 15 could be #1 in a slow concert year
- Over the Rhine (twice) :: WOW Hall & Aladdin Theater :: Eugene & Portland, OR {15 & 17 Nov} [reviews with photos #1 & #2] – twice after three years of OTR drought for me
- Charlie Hunter Trio (twice) :: WOW Hall & Sam Bond’s Garage :: Eugene, OR {18 May & 16 Dec} [reviews with photos #1 & #2] – Charlie has a pact with the devil… he’s too good…
- Peter Mulvey & Jeffrey Foucault (twice) :: The Woods & Sam Bond’s Garage :: Portland & Eugene, OR {22 & 24 Oct} [reviews with photos #1 & #2] – both brilliant storytellers before VH1 made it a show
- Susan Enan :: House Show :: Eugene, OR {15 Jul} [review with photos] – at our house… super fun & intimate
- Damien Jurado :: Mississippi Studios :: Portland, OR {27 Feb} [review] – I didn’t know more than half of the songs, but it didn’t matter
- Medeski Martin & Wood :: McDonald Theatre :: Eugene, OR {25 Feb} [review with photos] – jazz dance party!
Runners-Up: Bill Frisell Trio at The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, Fishtank Ensemble at a Eugene House Show, Pink Martini at The Hult Center / Oregon Bach Festival, Trio Subtonic & the Dead Kenny G’s at Mt. Tabor Theater, The Weepies at Aladdin Theater. Even after honorable mentions, I cut some GREAT ones… 2010 was a great year.
My favorite concert photos of 2010: (in chronological order)
(all images are free to use under a creative commons designation, simply identify Daniel Temmesfeld with a photo credit and link to jazzsick.wordpress.com, or items noted with emobiephotography.com is photo credit Margaret O’Brien)
Past Favorite Concerts Lists:
Favorite music of 2010 will be coming soon… EPs/DVDs/etc, vocal albums, instrumental albums, artists of the decade…
~Dan – np: nine inch nails – broken
2010 mix
Time for this years mix CD… check out 2009’s over here. No major theme this time like prior mixes… the only rule I placed before myself was that everything is current (i.e.- released in 2010).
The following songs were put on the mix CD from lossless sources where possible and for promotional purposes only (read: free direct market advertising to people who decidedly love music). Most of the artists on this compilation are independent (put out the music themselves) or signed to smaller, independent labels. If you like what you hear, check out their music / support them with your wallet if you are able. The artists’ Webpage, MyFace & Spacebook (whether official or not), and Amazon links are available for each song below. I’ve also included concert review links if I’ve seen the artist recently.
If you want one of these mix CDs, message me (see my “About” page).
PDF front liner is available HERE (designed to print double-sided).
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01 Mike Patton “Il Cielo In Una Stanza” from Mondo Cane
Mike Patton of Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk, Fantômas, et cetera is known for more boisterous, left of center fare. With Mondo Cane, he classes up the joint that is Ipecac Records. Mondo Cane, named after the film, is Mike’s homage to 50s Italian pop songs. He croons some classic Italian songs with the backing of the Orchestra Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini conducted by Aldo Sisillo. The artwork, in both CD digipack and vinyl, is stupendous. This is a magnificent record – both aurally and visually. It’ll rank near the top of my upcoming year-end lists…
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02 Charlotte Gainsbourg & Beck “IRM” from IRM
IRM came out in late November 2009 – which was after I had done last year’s mix; so I’m sneaking it into this year’s mix. Beck collaborated with singer/actress Charlotte on the whole album (outside of one song). It’s a nice poppy-electronic mix… some French tunes as well (her father is French musical legend Serge Gainsbourg). The album and track were inspired by her head trauma in 2007 (“IRM” is the French acronym synonymous with what we call an “MRI machine” in the US). My favorite part may be that the IRM delivers rhythmic support to the track.
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03 Ellery “Pieces (live)” original from This Isn’t Over Yet
This version is from Ellery’s live album that preceded their wonderful 2nd studio album that hit this year. Ellery is one of my favorite things in Cincinnati… I miss being able to see them multiple times a year (sad face). Husband/wife duo of Justin & Tasha Golden craft singer-songwriter pop songs… usually layered nicely on their albums with the help of producer, knob-twiddler Ric Hordinski (of Over the Rhine fame). This album is with Malcolm Burn at the helm (Daniel Lanois / Bob Dylan / Iggy Pop / Kaki King / Emmylou Harris / etc).
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04 Comic Wow “Nice Chaps” from Library Catalog Music Series: Music for Mysteries of Mind Space and Time
Asthmatic Kitty’s Library Catalog Music Series (LCMS) is much more hit than miss. There have been a couple albums that didn’t interest me for multiple listens, but Comic Wow’s settled nicely from the get go. LCMS (as a series) is made up of instrumental albums designed for possible use in films and television, background sounds for home or office. Per the P.R., “Comic Wow are sonic illustrators, alchemists, designers, dilettantes’, poets, teachers, Socialists, and outdoorsmen whose advocacy of affordable colored cod pieces helped influence the look of thirty-third century America.” Whatever you call it, I like it.
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05 Holy Fuck “Red Lights” from Latin
Despite what you think of their choice of band name, these Toronto band continue to put out great, groove-infused live electronic music that is both experimental and a poppy-force in the indie rock movement. Latin, their third full length album, grabbed me immediately when it came out this past May… and it’s #1 with a bullet as far as instrumental albums go in 2010. To top it off, they swung through Oregon twice this year (both excellent shows), and they put out quite possibly the cutest video for the raddest song (“Red Lights” – click the kitty to the right). The video now has over 1,000,000 views on the YouTubes. Only 900,000 views are from me.
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06 Damien Jurado “Beacon Hill” from Saint Bartlett
I got into Damien Jurado via the Seattle-based melancholy, indie singer-songwriter scene (i.e.- Pedro the Lion / David Bazan). While similar in general geography and friendship, Damien strikes me as more of a pure “songwriter” when compared to David’s social critique set to music. Saint Bartlett fits well into Damien’s oeuvre. At a show this past February (6 months before the album came out), I hardly knew any of the songs but felt as though I did. That’s a testament to his craft.
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07 Jeanne Cherhal “Certains Animaux” from Charade
I first heard Jeanne Cherhal when we picked up her second album (Douze fois par an) when in Toulouse, France, for my MBA program in 2004. Only available in France, I’ve managed to get her albums via Amazon.fr (good thing the buttons are in roughly the same spot). I still don’t know what she’s saying, but I dig her style.
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08 Nellie McKay “The Portal” from Home Sweet Mobile Home
Nellie McKay’s move to Verve (instead of Sony) has been good for her. They seem to give her free reign to put out Doris Day cover albums one year and an album of originals the next. HSMH is a return to the quirky, diverse collection of songs that drove me to fall in love with her. “The Portal” is one of the mellower tunes from the album… the rest of the album is full of Nellie’s modern piano jazz-pop, ukulele ditties, and even a pro-animal reggae tune. The album has grown on me nicely, and I’m looking forward to more Nellie in the near future. She seems to be in a period of prolificity as of late. This is greatly welcomed.
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09 Puscifer “The Humbling River (Duet Mix)” from C is for… EP
When Tool / A Perfect Circle frontman Maynard James Keenan isn’t rocking with those bands (both had touring activity this year), he’s usually tending to his grapes or noodling around on some mildly offensive, but well-crafted music with his other side-project Puscifer. The C is for… EP actually came out last year, but since it was digital only at that stage and since the 2010 CD & vinyl releases contained a touch of new material – it fits the criteria for this year’s compilation. He also put out new mixes / remixes for the Blood Into Wine documentary (about the Arizona wine scene). That record is called Sounds Into Blood Into Wine. As I type this, I actually got a call from my local Eugene Oregon wine/beer shop (16tons). They have my Caduceus/Merkin order in stock… so, coincidentally, I’ll be dropping some major coin on some of Maynard’s wine very shortly… glug glug.
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10 Haftor Medbøe Group “Pneumatic” from A Box of Monkeys EP
This is another record that came out in late 2009… but I got it in 2010 and iTunes recognized it as 2010 (plus it was too late to be stricken from the CD mix rolls, as I liked it too much). The track faatures some nice guitar-based jazz, and the EP also features some songs with vocals that aren’t too unlike Björk or Under Byen (also known as “a-OK with me”). It’s a delightful EP that put Haftor on my radar… for good.
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11 Sufjan Stevens “Futile Devices” from The Age of Adz
The first Sufjan track that made its way onto this 2010 compilation comes from his second release from 2010. The Age of Adz is a odd musical assembly. At first I didn’t know what to think of it, then I started to like it, and then after seeing him live – I truly loved the album. This song is actually one of the songs that I fell in love with right away. For those not familiar with Sufjan, this track fits better with some of his earlier work and not so much with Adz as a whole. But I think if you have an open mind and a desire to explore, you may very well fall in love with this record as well.
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12 AutorYno “Overture Automatique” from Pastrami Bagel Social Club
I am fans of some of the other Jewish rock acts on John Zorn’s Tzadik label: like Eyal Maoz’s Edom, Jon Madof’s Rashanim, and Yoshie Fruchter’s Pitom. The description for this AutorYno debut from Tzadik was “a wild klezmer/rock fusion by this crazed band of Paris-born punk rockers… AutorYno hits with a hardedged sound and an exciting musical imagination. Full of youthful energy, massive guitar and centered by a powerful beat, they present eleven instrumentals that combine the power of rock with a taste of Jewish tradition.” Regardless of Tzadik’s usual/expected hyperbole, I couldn’t not get it. I’m glad I did, and I will say that it will rank high amongst my instrumental finds in 2010.
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13 Glen Phillips “The Innocent” from Tornillo
The voice of Toad the Wet Sprocket has been putting out some fantastic albums since his first solo album (2000’s Abulum). Tornillo was recorded in 2003 with David Garza, but was shelved / lost. Many of the songs were re-recorded and put out on 2005’s Winter Pays For Summer (a favorite of mine). Regardless of some of the songs making their way out to the fans, there are still some never-before-released gems on here. Glen put it out about a month ago via his bandcamp page. $7. A total steal.
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14 Beats Antique “Egyptic” from Blind Threshold
I got to see Zoe Jakes of Beats Antique twice this year… once with Beats Antique during Eugene Celebration, and once with the Indigo Bellydance troupe as part of their Le Serpent Rouge tour. She had a knee in a brace during Eugene Celebration; so she lended her stage presence to additional percussion instead of dance – which was unfortunate. Beats Antique is a bellydance-friendly, electronic and live instrument band from the Bay Area. Elements of Balkan music and tribal-fusion dance music. “Egyptic” is indicative of their infectuous sound.
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15 The Weepies “Empty Your Hands” from Be My Thrill
Syrupy singer-songwriter pop is not my bailiwick, but I do find myself drawn to it on occasion. I guess even my CD collection needs a “rom-com” soundtrack every now and again. The Weepies write well-crafted songs about love and life. It’s hard to say anything bad about them.
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16 Jónsi “Kolniður” from Go
Sigur Rós-frontman’s debut solo album was going to be an acoustic affair, and then it turned into a lushly produced, Rós-ian opus with a multimedia firestorm of a tour (two U.S. legs with stunning stage design by 59 Productions). Jónsi is superbly brilliant and and ambivalently hyper-sensitively shy individual (ex. his abrupt cancelation of in-store performance tour) and boisterous-acting performer (ex. his magnificent stageshow). This album makes me excited for more solo work in the future, but I hope his day job with Sigur Rós is not on hold for too much longer.
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17 George Hrab “Hai Yookito ‘Ya” from Trebuchet
George Hrab creates one of my favorite podcasts ever… the Geologic Podcast. It’s not about geology. It’s about science, skepticism, and his general life as a musician from Bethlehem, PA. He is both humorous and intelligent, and he puts out great albums as well. Trebuchet is his 6th studio album, and it features some great instrumental songs as well as some witty numbers fitting his skeptical, atheistic viewpoint. One of my favorite songs on it is “A Small Comfort,” which is about the death of his dog Oscar. I’d put it on a mix CD, but it honestly makes me cry everytime I hear it. I also give George some kudos for kicking off his album with the Christopher Hitchens’ inspired “God Is Not Great” (an atheist pop song). Bravo!
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18 Kaki King “Falling Day” from Junior
Kaki King is a guitar phenom, and this is her second album in a row that seems to be moving more towards turning into a more vocal, indie rock songstress. It’s still full of her amazing guitarwork, but brings in a whistful lyricism. I’m still getting used to her “vocal legs,” but I like what I hear so far.
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19 John Zorn’s The Dreamers “Hashul” from Masada Book Two: Book of Angels, Vol. 14 (Ipos)
Let’s just put this out there now… with thirteen albums and a DVD out in 2010, John Zorn might seem to have more misses than hits. Well, I don’t think there’s been a more consistent set of songs than his Masada songs, and there hasn’t been a more consistently great series than the Masada Book Two series (Zorn’s Masada songs covered by others). The Dreamers is a supergroup, too: Marc Ribot, Joey Baron, Cyro Baptista, Kenny Wollesen, Trevor Dunn and Jamie Saft – pillars in the adventurous, downtown NYC scene.
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20 Sufjan Stevens “The Owl and the Tanager” from All Delighted People EP
This is my favorite song from Sufjan’s 50+ minute “EP” from earlier this year. Beautiful and haunting, and again, not as characteristic of the rest of the EP, which seems more experimental and adventurous compared to “Owl” or his older material. Originally only released online via bandcamp, the EP saw physical form (CD & vinyl) earlier this month. I’m looking forward to spinning the vinyl when it hits my front porch.
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Let me know what you think…
unfortunately missing (due to space or flow limitations, or that I simply didn’t get them in the mail yet): Kevin Moore’s Shine, Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger (Sean Lennon & Charlotte Kemp Muhl)’s Acoustic Sessions, Mogwai’s Special Moves/Burning, Zero 7’s Record… and John Zorn’s Moonchild Trio Ipsissimus, because I didn’t want to scare you. Oh well, those may make it on my “favorite albums” of 2010 list.
~Dan – np: Radiohead – 101010 (aka OK Computer & In Rainbows cross-fade mix)
for more on the Radiohead cross-fade mix, check out Puddlegum
there are no torrents, free mp3 or other downloads available
new HF song @ Debaser Slussen
New Holy Fuck song premiered at their Debaser Slussen gig in Stockholm, Sweden:
They follow it up with “P.I.G.S.“…
~Dan – np: Dr Dre – Detox
HF’s Cats Watching Cats (*VOTE*)
Canadian live electronic gurus Holy Fuck had a contest… photograph your cat watching their wicked-good video for “Red Lights.” Well, the semi-finalists are in and it’s up to YOU to vote on your favorite (HF’s Facebook photo album link). There are some cute ones over there. Deadline for votes is Friday, November 19th.
My favorite photo didn’t make the cut… mainly due to the breedist folks over at “HFHQ”. ;)
OK, Turtle (my 5-year old pekinese poodle) didn’t technically fit the bill for “cats watching cats.” Maybe next time…
~Dan np: Over the Rhine – The Long Surrender
REVIEW: Holy F*ck & Indian Jewelry @ Holocene (Portland, OR – 10/14/10)
FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM
First off… if you haven’t seen the adorable and infectious new music video for Holy Fuck‘s “Red Lights,” you need to go check it out now. OK, now that you’re back, on to the review…
This was the first time to the Holocene for me. It’s a nice venue, trendy looking bar, good beer on tap (Double Mountain IRA for me). They had a few side rooms with colorful lights, practically unusable mirrors in the bathroom, and odd fabric or paper christmas tree looking things in the performance area. In other words, everything that makes Portland its quirky, trendy self.
I got there near the middle of the first opener’s set. Clipd Beaks, from Oakland, were good from what I heard. Fuzzy rock with somewhat melodic vocals, use of trumpet, but primarily traditional rock sounds coming forth. I didn’t get any usable photos from their set as the lights were in force, yet.
Next up was Indian Jewelry, a four-piece from Houston, put out a 40 minute blast of tom percussion, dirty guitars and keyboards. They were a little warbly, drone-y in spots, and switched off between male and female vocalists. I enjoyed them, but I couldn’t really “re-sing” any of their songs… nice and percussive, genre-less but not aimless. I can see them working way better live than on record, but then again, I’ve been wrong about that before. Anyway, I’d recommend checking them out if they swing by your neck of the woods… cracked cymbals and all.
Holy Fuck started setting up immediately after Indian Jewelry’s set ended. They went on right around 11:30 and played a full hour, with encore. Not dissimilar from their Mississippi Studios show from earlier in the year… lots of tunes from Latin – which I am legally required to state in every mention of its name… it’s the best album of 2010 so far. Great groove-based live/organic electronic.
There were a few absent fab live tunes (Royal Gregory, Super Inuit, Milkshake), and I think I’m going crazy, as now I’m doubting my own note-taking… did they end with Lovely Allen? Or was it Safari? Or am I going crazy? Anyway… they played Red Lights, which smoked! I love Punchy’s bass on that track…
Setlist: about an hour
- 1MD
- Super Inuit
- Foxy
- Jungles
- Red Lights
- Lucky
- Stay Lit
- Silva & Grimes
- Stilettos
- Encore: The Pulse
- Lovely Allen (I should know this with confidence, but my brain fell apart)
italics – unsure of in the setlist, any help is appreciated
Great show as usual from Holy Fuck. But… severe lack of dancing again… or at least in comparison to the grooves. This seems to happen (i.e.- not happen) in Portland; so I don’t blame the band at all. They should swing down to Eugene next time… we’ll show ’em how to party! Pretty please!
many more photos below
The Appropriate Linkage:
- Holy Fuck’s Site
- Holy Fuck on MySpace
- My Prior HF Reviews~
- Mississippi Studios in Portland (June 2010)
- Doug Fir Lounge in Portland (June 2009)
- Southgate House in Cincinnati (April 2007)
- Great Recent HF Videos / Outside Links~
- Indian Jewelry’s Site
- Indian Jewelry on MySpace
- Clipd Beaks on MySpace
- Holocene Portland
Check out more tour dates below.
~Dan – np: Metallica – S&M
HOLY FUCK & INDIAN JEWELRY PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution
(click for larger)
Holy Fuck Fall 2010 Tour:
08-28 Leeds, England – Leeds Festival
08-29 Reading, England – Reading Festival
09-08 Louisville, KY – Zanzabar
09-09 Birmingham, AL- Bottletree
09-10 New Orleans, LA – Howlin’ Wolf
09-11 Austin, TX – The Mohawk
09-12 Houston, TX – Walter’s on Washington
09-13 Mobile, AL – Alabama Music Box
09-14 Athens, GA – New Earth Music Hall
09-15 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
09-17 Washington, DC – Black Cat
09-18 New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge
09-19 Boston, MA – Paradise
09-20 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
09-21 Buffalo, NY – Soundlab
09-22 Pittsburgh, PA – Brillobox
09-23 Cincinnati, OH – Midpoint Music Festival
09-24 Urbana, IL – Pygmalion Music Festival
09-25 Cleveland Heights, OH – Grog Shop
09-26 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick (Fucking Awesome Fest)
09-27 London, Ontario – London Music Hall
09-28 Hamilton, Ontario – Studio Theatre
09-29 Toronto, Ontario – Phoenix Theatre
09-30 Montreal, Quebec – Espace Dell’Arte
10-02 Ottawa, Ontario – Capital Music Hall
10-03 Guelph, Ontario – Vinyl
10-05 Winnipeg, Manitoba – Pyramid Cabaret
10-06 Saskatoon, Saskatchewa – Louis Pub
10-07 Toronto, Ontario – Republik
10-08-09 Edmonton, Alberta – Pawn Shop
10-11 Victoria, British Columbia – Element Nightclub
10-12 Vancouver, British Columbia – The Rickshaw Theatre
10-13 Seattle, WA – Neumos
10-14 Portland, OR – Holocene
10-16 San Francisco, CA – Treasure Island Music Festival
10-17 Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
10-18 Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
10-20 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
10-21 Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
10-22 St. Louis, MO – Firebird
10-23 Indianapolis, IN – Radio Radio
Holy F*ck – Red Lights (official video)
Holy Fuck‘s new video for “Red Lights” (their 2nd single from this year’s Latin) is adorable and dance-worthy…
Director: Brian Borcherdt & Michael LeBlanc
Production Co.: Slowlover Films
Executive Producer: Michael LeBlanc
DOP: Michael LeBlanc
Editor: Phil Prates
LATIN is one of my favorites this year. Go check it out on the Amazons.
Holy Fuck. Inspired by Kittens.
I’ll be seeing HF tonight at the Holocene in Portland, Oregon. Review with photos to be posted on Friday.
~Dan – np: Metallica – Ride the Lightning
Holy F*ck “Stay Lit” (Bishop Morroco remix) download
As reported by Fader…
Bishop Morocco just put out a remix of Holy Fuck‘s “Stay Lit” (an excellent track from HF’s Latin out earlier this year). The remix can be downloaded here: http://thefader.cachefly.net/holy-fuck-bishop-morocco.mp3
Bishop Morocco will be touring with HF later this year. Their full-length album and EP are available here:
~Dan – np: Ben Folds & Nick Hornby – Lonely Avenue
Holy Fuck’s Sept/Oct 2010 Tour
They’re at it again… never letting up, the live-groove-electronic foursome of Holy Fuck is most likely coming to your town (unless you unfortunately live in somewhere in Nowheresville). You should do whatever you can to make it there! You won’t be dissappointed…
http://holyfuckmusic.com/tour/
Holy Fuck’s 2010 Fall Tour
- 8 Sep Zanzabar Louisville, KY
- 9 Sep Bottletree Birmingham, AL
- 10 Sep BOMB Festival at Howlin’ Wolf New Orleans, LA
- 11 Sep Mohawk Austin, TX
- 12 Sep Walter’s Houston, TX
- 13 Sep Alabama Music Box Mobile, AL
- 14 Sep New Earth Music Hall Athens, GA
- 15 Sep Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC
- 17 Sep Black Cat Washington, DC
- 18 Sep (Le) Poisson Rouge New York, NY
- 19 Sep Paradise Boston, MA
- 20 Sep Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, PA
- 21 Sep Soundlab Buffalo, NY
- 22 Sep Brillobox Pittsburgh, PA
- 23 Sep Midpoint Music Festival Cincinnati, OH
- 24 Sep Pygmalion Music Festival Champaign, IL
- 25 Sep Grog Shop Cleveland, OH
- 26 Sep The Magic Stick Detroit, MI
- 27 Sep London Music Hall London, ON
- 28 Sep The Studio at Hamilton Place Hamilton, ON
- 29 Sep The Phoenix Toronto, ON
- 30 Sep POP Montreal at Espace Dell’Arte Montreal, QC
- 1 Oct Red Dog Tavern Peterborough, ON
- 2 Oct Capital Music Hall Ottawa, ON
- 3 Oct Little Montreal Sudbury, ON
- 5 Oct The Pyramid Winnipeg, MB
- 6 Oct Louis’ Pub Saskatoon, SK
- 7 Oct Republik Calgary, AB
- 8 Oct Pawn Shop Edmonton, AB
- 9 Oct Pawn Shop Edmonton, AB
- 11 Oct Element Victoria, BC
- 12 Oct Rickshaw Theatre Vancouver, BC
- 13 Oct Neumo’s Seattle, WA
- 14 Oct Holocene Portland, OR
- 16 Oct Teasure Island Music Festival San Francisco, CA
- 17 Oct Echoplex Los Angeles, CA
- 18 Oct Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ
- 20 Oct Larimer Lounge Denver, CO
- 21 Oct Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ
- 22 Oct Firebird St. Louis, MO
- 23 Oct Radio Radio Indianapolis, IN
I’ll be at the Portland gig, fo’ sho’…
~Dan – np: Portland Cello Project – Daytrotter Session 2010
Jónsi’s Animal Arithmetic (video)
In lead up to his upcoming Fall tour, Jónsi just put out the official music video for “Animal Arithmetic” (from GO). As is common with Jónsi, this video has great aesthetics, quite beautifully shot…
I’m looking forward to seeing him again, this time in Las Vegas. Here are the Oct/Nov 2010 dates again, for those who missed the initial post…
| 15 october | 4th and b | san diego, california |
| 17 october | the wiltern | los angeles, california |
| 19 october | fox theater | oakland, california |
| 21 october | house of blues | las vegas, nevada |
| 22 october | the complex | salt lake city, utah |
| 23 october | the marquee | tempe, arizona |
| 25 october | verizon theatre | grand prairie, texas |
| 26 october | austin music hall | austin, texas |
| 27 october | verizon music theater | houston, texas |
| 29 october | voodoo festival | new orleans, louisiana |
| 30 october | moogfest | asheville, north carolina |
| 31 october | the tabernacle | atlanta, georgia |
| 2 november | the pageant | st. louis, missouri |
| 3 november | vic theatre | chicago, illinois |
| 5 november | the fillmore | detroit, michigan |
| 6 november | newport music hall | columbus, ohio |
| 8 november | 9:30 club | washington, d.c. |
| 10 november | hammerstein ballroom | new york city, ny |
~Dan – np: Charlotte Martin – On Your Shore
Holy Fuck nerd out about their gear
Canadian live-electronic groovesters Holy Fuck recently did a great little three-parter for Dickie’s Sounds where they totally geek out about their gear. Music nerds, watch now!!
Matt about his drums…
Brian and his keyboards, film reel, etc…
Graham on his keyboards and V-Tech…
No fourth part with Matt McQ’s bass… alas, maybe another time. For those not in the know about Holy Fuck… they’ve put out one of the best albums this year – LATIN. Go get it… you won’t be disappointed.
~Dan – np: Illy B (Billy Martin of Medeski Martin & Wood) – Drop the Needle
ha’fway 2010
Happy 234th birthday, United States!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
So, here are my faves of the first half of 2010… it’s all bound to switch around by year’s end:
Artist – Album (label)
- Holy Fuck – Latin (Young Turks)
- Jónsi – Go (XL)
- Mike Patton – Mondo Cane (Ipecac)
- Ellery – This Isn’t Over Yet (Set Adrift)
- Charlie Hunter – Gentlemen, I Neglected To Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid (Spire Artist Media)
- George Hrab – Trebuchet (Geologic)
- Damien Jurado – Saint Bartlett (Secretly Canadian)
- AutorYno – Pastrami Bagel Social Club (Tzadik)
- Clogs (with Shara Worden & Sufjan Stevens) – The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton (Brassland)
- Tin Hat – Foreign Legion (BAG Production)
- The Dreamers play John Zorn‘s Masada Book Two: Ipos, Book of Angels, Vol. 14 (Tzadik)
- Charlotte Gainsbourg & Beck – IRM (Elektra)
- Kaki King – Junior (Rounder)
- Jeanne Cherhal – Charade (Barclay)
- Loose Grip – Looking Glass (Fabrikant)
I didn’t get a few that already came out this year (yet)… the new Chali 2Na, David Cross, Hiromi, Johnny Cash, Beak>, et cetera; but they may make it to the list at the end of the year.
The 2nd half of 2010 promises to bring some potential great ones, too… a few more from John Zorn, Nellie McKay (in the fall), Over the Rhine‘s new one (or maybe that’s early 2011), Zero 7‘s new one, Secret Chiefs 3 Book of Souls (maybe), a new Sufjan Stevens (just speculating, I know he’s working on one), Ani DiFranco always has something coming out, Dave Douglas’ Spark of Being (Trilogy), probably something from one of Mike Patton‘s other bands, and I’m sure another dozen or more that I’ll dig from Tzadik.
Favorite concerts of 2010 (so far):
- Dave Douglas’ Brass Ecstasy – PDX Jazz Fest, Portland, Feb 28th
- Tegan & Sara – Keller Auditorium, Portland, Apr 8th
- Jónsi – Roseland Theater, Portland, Apr 13th
- Kaki King – CD World, Eugene, May 16th
- Holy Fuck – Mississippi Studios, Portland, June 6th
- Zappa Plays Zappa – McDonald Theatre, Eugene, June 12th
- Pink Martini – Oregon Bach Festival, Eugene, June 26th(click pictures below for review links)
~Dan – np: Melvins – The Bride Screamed Murder
REVIEW: Holy Fuck @ Mississippi Studios (Portland, OR – 6/6/10)
FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM
“Analog electronica at its finest.”
One of the best bands that you may have never heard of because of a fear of the unknown and/or an aversion to George Carlin’s Seven Dirty Words is Toronto’s experimental electro-rock band Holy Fuck.
Starting off more experimental with their self-titled debut in 2005 and moving into a more groove-fueled diet of instrumental rock in 2007, Holy Fuck has been tearing up clubs around Canada, Europe, and the United States for the past few years. Their records are superb, and their live shows are even better. This show in Portland was stacked with some other electro-pop favorites…
Portland-based Fake Drugs went on a little after 9pm. They are made up of a few guys from Starfucker – Keil Corcoran and Shawn Glassford. Their sound was a nice pop electronic. Primarily rhythm guitar & live drums with primarily pre-recorded keyboards & loops. Danceable and fun… not what I expected from Starfucker gents, but a good warm up.
Another Portland band, Nice Nice had a great electro-pop sound. This two piece band was the primary tour support for Holy Fuck. Fewer guys on stage compared to Fake Drugs, but it seemed like they had more going on. The drummer played both live drums and electronic drum pads… there was a nice juxtaposition of both the organic and artificial sounds – usually intertwined with each song. The singer played keys, electronic drum pads, as well as guitar. They have a building, electronic-rock sound, much like Holy Fuck… they meshed really well, and I can see why HF brought them along.
On to Holy Fuck…
The seemingly scattered performance with keyboards, toy instruments, live drums & bass, 35mm audio strip replay, guitars, and distorted vocals ultimately leads into the music that is undeniably catchy and composed. Brian Borchedt and Graham Walsh man the up-front melodic and non-melodic drive of the band, and bassist Matt McQuaid and drummer Matt Schulz are an excellent battery to fuel the groove. They’re out supporting their latest, excellent record, LATIN. It’s out now on CD, vinyl, and download formats (click picture to the right). Personally speaking, it’s one of my favorite albums this year so far.
Holy Fuck went on at 11:25 and kicked it right off with the charged “Latin America.” The band seemed pretty charged up, especially bassist Matt McQ… who really looked to be having a blast. They plowed through an over hour set, hitting many of their new tunes, with some choice cuts from LP and the new version “Jungles” (on the +Ghost EP, based on the 2005 debut’s “Tonebank Jungle”).
Even if you aren’t a dancin’ fool… you’ll usually be turned into one at a Holy Fuck show. The very danceable set was met with a severe lack of dancing from the crowd compared to past shows I’ve witnessed. Perhaps it was a “Portland on a rainy Sunday” thing, because Holy Fuck was deep in the groove but the crowd seemed more concerned with their PBR’s. Regardless of the “dancin’ deficit,” the crowd definitely showed their appreciation for the mighty HF via hoots & hollers…
Here’s what they played as best I remembered the song names…
Setlist: ~70 mins
- Latin America
- Super Inuit
- Foxy
- Jungles
- 1MD / Red Lights
- SHT MTN
- Frenchy’s
- Stay Lit
- Lovely Allen
- The Pulse
- Stilettos
- Encore: unknown… a really dirty, fuzzed out riff
- P.I.G.S.
Brilliant show… my favorite was Red Lights, and its deep groove and killer bass. Jungles and Stay Lit were close behind. Stay Lit is probably HF’s most mellow song, and it features Brian on guitar instead of the electronics table. They ended the night with a new song (or at least new to me) featuring a really fuzzy, dirty bass followed by P.I.G.S..
many more photos below
The Appropriate Linkage:
- Holy Fuck’s Site
- Holy Fuck on MySpace
- My Prior HF Reviews~
- Doug Fir Lounge in Portland (June 2009)
- Southgate House in Cincinnati (April 2007)
- Doug Fir Lounge in Portland (June 2009)
- Great Recent HF Videos~
- Nice Nice’s Site
- Nice Nice on MySpace
- Fake Drugs on MySpace
- Mississippi Studios
Check out more tour dates below.
~Dan – np: Frank Zappa – Waka/Jawaka
HOLY FUCK, FAKE DRUGS & NICE NICE PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution
(click for larger)
Holy Fuck 2010 N.A. Tour Dates (so far)
- May 28 Le Poisson Rouge New York, New York #
- May 29 The Middle East Cambridge, Massachusetts #
- May 30 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania #
- May 31 Rock N Roll Hotel Washington, Washington DC #
- Jun 1 Grog Shop Cleveland Heights, Ohio #
- Jun 3 Turf Club Saint Paul, Minnesota #
- Jun 6 Mississippi Studios Portland, Oregon #
- Jun 8 The Independent San Francisco, California #
- Jun 10 Troubadour Los Angeles, California #
- Jul 5 Club Soda – Festival International de Jazz de Montreal Montreal, Quebec
- Jul 9 Molson Amphitheatre Toronto, Ontario ^
- Jul 30 Sappyfest Sackville, New Brunswick
# w/ Nice Nice
^ w/ Metric and Passion Pit
Holy Fuck interview on HiFi Cartel
There’s a great new Holy Fuck interview from leadman Brian Borcherdt at The HiFi Cartel…
(click picture for interview link)
Their U.S. Tour is officially underway… I’ll be seeing them in Portland (and hopefully San Francisco, too).
Holy Fuck – 2010 Tour Dates (so far)
May 28 Le Poisson Rouge New York, New York #
May 29 The Middle East Cambridge, Massachusetts #
May 30 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania #
May 31 Rock N Roll Hotel Washington, Washington DC #
Jun 1 Grog Shop Cleveland Heights, Ohio #
Jun 3 Turf Club Saint Paul, Minnesota #
Jun 6 Mississippi Studios Portland, Oregon #
Jun 8 The Independent San Francisco, California #
Jun 10 Troubadour Los Angeles, California #
Jul 5 Club Soda – Festival International de Jazz de Montreal Montreal, Quebec
Jul 9 Molson Amphitheatre Toronto, Ontario ^
Jul 30 Sappyfest Sackville, New Brunswick
# w/ Nice Nice
^ w/ Metric and Passion Pit
Check out their video for “Latin America“…
Or their bitchin’ live video from The Cake Shop (in NYC)
~Dan – np: George Cotsirilos Trio – Past Present
Holy Fuck – Live @ SXSW with Baeble Music
Excellent SXSW 2010 coverage of Holy Fuck from the Baeble Music stage (one of their many showcases)…
Get their latest record, Latin… out yesterday (May 11th, 2010) on Young Turks / XL…
~Dan – np: Holy Fuck – Latin
Tegan, Sara & Alligator Remixes
So, Tegan & Sara are releasing a remix album on March 30 (digitally) for their song “Alligator“… video below for the T&S official music video.
The lead-off track is by one of my favorite bands, Holy Fuck. Passion Pit, Doveman, and Four Tet should also prove to be interesting…
1.Alligator (Holy Fuck remix)
2.Alligator (Passion Pit remix – 80s Mixtape Jam Flex Edit)
3.Alligator (Toro y Moi remix)
4.Alligator (Vhs or Beta remix)
5.Alligator (Doveman remix)
6.Alligator (Four Tet remix)
7.Alligator (Murge remix)
8. Alligator (Ra Ra Riot remix)
9.Alligator (Automatic Panic remix)
10.Alligator (Hi-Deaf remix)
11.Alligator (Dave Sitek remix)
12.Alligator (Sara’s Original Demo Version)
Bonus Club Tracks
13.Alligator (Morgan Page remix)
14.Alligator (Kevin St. Croix remix)
15.Alligator (Mad Decent remix)
16.Alligator (Josh Harris remix)
17.Alligator (Hamel remix)
~Dan – np: Isis – In the Absence of Truth
-Eyvind Kang
-Frank Zappa
Amazon.com mp3 downloads
Creative Commons
This blog and concert photos therein are licensed under a Creative Commons License. Available with Attribution for Non-Commercial, Non-Derivative Use.
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