For the members of Chicago’s Head of Femur, they have spent their young existence as a band playing the role of bride’s maids rather than as brides. For the time being, however, it’s not such a bad thing. Since playing their first show in 2001, they have opened up for some of the biggest names in indie, putting this young band in front of sellout crowds in Chicago’s most respectable venues. While consistently not being the main draw may frustrate some musicians, they seem to have no problem opening up for some of the biggest acts in college rock today, like Bright Eyes, Wilco, and Deerhoof (to name a few). Such exposure has revered Head of Femur as a premiere Chicago staple, but don’t think for a second that they are letting it get to their heads. “Getting to play for bands we love and respect is such an honor,” guitarist Matt Elsener says, “We are just glad to be a part of it all.” However, it is important to mention that Head of Femur sort of started by accident, spawning from the boredom that ensued while waiting for their friends’ tours to end.
“We were getting set to reform (Pablos Triangle) and the two guys who were already established musicians (in Chicago) were on tour with there bands,” lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Focht says, “so while we were waiting for them to get back from tour we started writing songs in the interim. We started playing shows and it’s been going from there.”
With a positive outlook on their current endeavors comes a surprisingly easy operation for a band that can tour with up to eight members. Borrowing musicians from other projects (like members of Bobby Conn and the Flying Luttenbachers) while on breaks from their respective tours has been the protocol for creating a traveling show of their own. As a testament to their textured and innovate style, there is no shortage of established instrumentalists jumping at the chance to play with them. It also doesn’t hurt when their second record, Hysterical Stars, is aptly described as “brimming with good humour and invention (NME)” and “Ultimately brilliant” (Venus).
“We’ve never had a tour not happen due to people’s inability to make it. I guess we’re lucky.” Somehow, we think it boils down to a little more than luck. They seem quite content sitting in the pews for now, but with a stellar sophomore effort Head of Femur will be throwing a bouquet of their own in no time.
Top 5 80’s theme songs
1. Taxi
2. M*A*S*H
3. Gimme a Break
4. Family Ties
5. A-Team
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Hold Steady (Interview)
To be honest, I was quite nervous to sit down with Craig Finn, the frontman of New York by-way-of Minnesota’s The Hold Steady. Not only had I never heard a single song he has written, but I didn’t know a thing about him or his band. Then a bomb dropped; critics were drooling over these guys (in fact, they have the 21st most critically acclaimed album of the year according to www.metacritic.com) so I naturally assumed that they were as egomaniacal as another band I interviewed that day whose name I will omit for legal reasons. As I frantically ran up to journalists and fans alike, scrambling for any information they would give me, I realized my impending doom: This guy was going to see right through me, give me bullshit answers for about seven minutes, and leave me scrambling for material to use.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. Instead, I was introduced to a sincere, soft spoken man, who seemed unfazed by unrelenting hype, like being the first band to grace the cover of New York’s Village Voice in 15 years (May, 2005). The Machine sat down with Finn to discuss the underrated Minneapolis music scene, avoiding the proverbial sophomore slump, and his beef with the Mall of America.
Machine: How does a band with such a unique sound thrive in a place like Minneapolis?
Finn: Minneapolis is very interesting because 20 years ago The Replacements and Husker Du really made a lot of noise and a lot of people got a sense of civic pride of having these local live bands getting covered and getting critically acclaimed on the coasts. I think its become a very vibrant music scene and even-dare I say-square people go out and see local music and its almost like a sport team the way people follow the bands. It’s a music scene unlike any other I’ve seen before. Hip hop bands play with hardcore bands that open for singer/songwriters.
The Machine: So when did you move to New York?
Finn: I moved to New York in 2000 which has definitely been good for my career, but going back to Minneapolis it is certainly a great place to build a following. We still have our biggest shows there.
Machine: You just came out with your sophomore effort. How do you follow up a debut record (Almost Killed Me) that was so loved by fans and critically acclaimed?
Finn: Our first album was a little off the cuff. It was recorded in two 3-day sessions. It started out as demos and finished out into a record. We had 12 songs, cut out two, arranged the remaining songs, and called it a record. With Separation Sunday as the band jelled and played more shows, we were excited to make a more deliberate record. We spent a month on it.
The Machine: It must be easier to put a record all together at once.
Finn: Yeah, I got to spend more time on the lyrics, too. The first record I was kind of getting on the mic and talking shit. The second one I really thought about what I wanted to say. We really wanted to make an album rather than a collection of 10 songs.
The Machine: What’s your take on the industry, with iPods and everything, making the album almost a thing of the past?
Finn: I think people consume music quicker now. Because of the internet, it’s more disposable. I think artists might have to think about coming out with a record now in sort of the New World Order. Bands like The Beatles and The (Rolling) Stones were putting out albums once a year; sometimes quicker. Musicians may need to go back to that in order to keep up and stay on top.
Top 5 most annoying things with the Mall of America.
There used to be this cereal bar and the cool thing is you could get your picture taken and put on a Wheaties box. Les Savy Fav did one and a couple other bands I know. And they closed it down. So that was annoying; that The Hold Steady never got to get a Wheaties box.
There’s a radio ad for this restaurant, and they never said it is in the Mall of America, they just say its on the upper east side, not the upper east side of the Mall of America.
Glamour Shots. My wife had never seen it before and said “What is this place? They dress you up like a hooker and take your picture?”
The roller coast in Camp Snoopy is pretty weak. A kid died in Camp Snoopy in a gang fight. Thugged out Minnesotian gangsters hanging out at the Mall of America.
The smell of Cinnabon and those Carmel Corn places. I can smell it on me a day after I leave the mall.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. Instead, I was introduced to a sincere, soft spoken man, who seemed unfazed by unrelenting hype, like being the first band to grace the cover of New York’s Village Voice in 15 years (May, 2005). The Machine sat down with Finn to discuss the underrated Minneapolis music scene, avoiding the proverbial sophomore slump, and his beef with the Mall of America.
Machine: How does a band with such a unique sound thrive in a place like Minneapolis?
Finn: Minneapolis is very interesting because 20 years ago The Replacements and Husker Du really made a lot of noise and a lot of people got a sense of civic pride of having these local live bands getting covered and getting critically acclaimed on the coasts. I think its become a very vibrant music scene and even-dare I say-square people go out and see local music and its almost like a sport team the way people follow the bands. It’s a music scene unlike any other I’ve seen before. Hip hop bands play with hardcore bands that open for singer/songwriters.
The Machine: So when did you move to New York?
Finn: I moved to New York in 2000 which has definitely been good for my career, but going back to Minneapolis it is certainly a great place to build a following. We still have our biggest shows there.
Machine: You just came out with your sophomore effort. How do you follow up a debut record (Almost Killed Me) that was so loved by fans and critically acclaimed?
Finn: Our first album was a little off the cuff. It was recorded in two 3-day sessions. It started out as demos and finished out into a record. We had 12 songs, cut out two, arranged the remaining songs, and called it a record. With Separation Sunday as the band jelled and played more shows, we were excited to make a more deliberate record. We spent a month on it.
The Machine: It must be easier to put a record all together at once.
Finn: Yeah, I got to spend more time on the lyrics, too. The first record I was kind of getting on the mic and talking shit. The second one I really thought about what I wanted to say. We really wanted to make an album rather than a collection of 10 songs.
The Machine: What’s your take on the industry, with iPods and everything, making the album almost a thing of the past?
Finn: I think people consume music quicker now. Because of the internet, it’s more disposable. I think artists might have to think about coming out with a record now in sort of the New World Order. Bands like The Beatles and The (Rolling) Stones were putting out albums once a year; sometimes quicker. Musicians may need to go back to that in order to keep up and stay on top.
Top 5 most annoying things with the Mall of America.
There used to be this cereal bar and the cool thing is you could get your picture taken and put on a Wheaties box. Les Savy Fav did one and a couple other bands I know. And they closed it down. So that was annoying; that The Hold Steady never got to get a Wheaties box.
There’s a radio ad for this restaurant, and they never said it is in the Mall of America, they just say its on the upper east side, not the upper east side of the Mall of America.
Glamour Shots. My wife had never seen it before and said “What is this place? They dress you up like a hooker and take your picture?”
The roller coast in Camp Snoopy is pretty weak. A kid died in Camp Snoopy in a gang fight. Thugged out Minnesotian gangsters hanging out at the Mall of America.
The smell of Cinnabon and those Carmel Corn places. I can smell it on me a day after I leave the mall.
The National Guard, a non-fiction short story
Before I was able to point out Fallujah on a map, we would play a game in the cafeteria line to kill time using plastic forks. The object of the game was to attach as many forks to the person directly in front of you before they realized it. Similar to the childhood board game called Operation, it took a steady hand with an enormous amount of poise. Underclassmen would walk down the lunch room isle way completely oblivious to the dozens of students staring and pointing as well as the half dozen plastic appendages hanging from them. It was the type of game that got exponentially better every time you played it.
The key target points included the edge of the uniformed red, white, or black collar, belt loops, and the rim of the khaki pocket. Amateurs would go for the backpack, which was clearly frowned upon because it was not sensitive to touch and, therefore, dismissible.
I can’t quite recall what was being served that day, but I’m sure it wasn’t a hamburger because it was early in the week and hamburgers were only served on Thursday. As I walked to my regular table, I noticed a young man sitting alone with an array of brochures laid out in front of him. His fantastic posture, sharp haircut, and dry-cleaned uniform impressed me, but his expression was one of a person contemplating suicide. I could tell that he was well aware of how pointless his job he had been assigned to was. Recruiting is a crucial part of the armed services, but not to a small Catholic school where 90% of the student body went on to a two year community college at a minimum, and the rest had made up their mind long before cafeteria visits on whether or not they were to join the armed forces.
Maybe I went and talked to him because I saw the utter boredom and despair in his eyes, or maybe it was because I did not want to partake in the current conversation at my regular table, which was how much each of us was bench pressing that particular week. Either way, I walked up to him and let out a blatant lie.
“I’m thinking about joining the National Guard.”
It was as if he was the Tin Man and I had moved him to the front of the donor’s list. His eyes were bright and he was ready and willing to give the pitch his commanding officer had made him repeat so many times over. He told me all about how I would get thousands of dollars for college in only one weekend a month and two weeks a year. He told me how my girlfriend would love my new body after I graduated from basic training. He told me how my parents would appreciate the character building I would receive. And being a lost 17 year old at the time, with no money for college, love handles, and more than a few disciplinary problems with my parents, I convinced myself that it might not be a bad thing to consider.
Then he dropped a bomb on me (figuratively, of course). He told me that I was being recruited to be a helicopter pilot. I immediately pictured myself with the jumpsuit and Aviator sunglasses, picking up injured soldiers who had thought that their country had forgotten about them and were just about to give up hope before I showed up. I thought of little native children in Africa seeing a flying craft for the first time and chasing after it with hopes of getting ride. It was such a glamorous thought! I would be a super hero.
When I came home and told my parents that I was considering it, their words and demeanor told two different stories. My mother was clearly bothered by it, but her comments and questions remained logical.
“We support your decision whichever way you choose, Dan. But we have a few concerns. What if they make you leave college if there is a natural disaster? What if war breaks out?”
“War? Come on, mom. We are in a time of peace, and I don’t see that changing in the next five years.”
My friend, Amanda, had a brother in the National Guard, so she told me to come by her house and speak to him. “I was never a bad kid in high school, but I goofed off a lot. It taught me discipline,” he assured me as he was weighing marijuana on a scale. “Does this bother you?” I shook my head. Then, he walked up to his closet and pulled out a dry cleaner bag. As he unzipped the plastic, I caught a glimpse of his graduation uniform. Full of shiny medals and patches with gold buttons down the front, I couldn’t help but picture myself wearing it with my chest puffed out saluting a flag. I was almost sold.
The next day during lunch, I walked up to the representative for a follow-up question.
“So what happens if war breaks out?”
He responded confidently, “It is the National Guard, Dan. We GUARD the NATION. We are the last line of defense.”
That answer was sufficient enough for me. If war breaks, let the marines handle it while I clean a tank in rural Iowa, collecting a fat check. There is no doubt in my mind that I would have gone through with it if my parents hadn’t dropped so many blatant hints. So, I decided not to join the National Guard.
Allow me to fast forward to September of my senior year, while sitting in Mr. Laake’s second period economics class. My friend, TJ, had first period P.E. and told us that he heard a plane had crashed into a building in New York. Of course we didn’t believe him, but our teacher said if we had time at the end of class we would turn on the TV and see if it was true.
As the minutes ticked down to the bell, Mr. Laake wrapped up his speech on supply and demand early enough for us to turn on The Today Show. It was just after the second tower got hit. The guys in the class, including myself, laughed in awe. We “oohed” and “aaahhed” because it was not real to us. No one attacks the United States. It was a hoax. It was a movie.
The impending days, weeks, and even months were nothing less than eerie. Patriotism was strong, but suspicion and fear was stronger. Even after the flags went back into storage closets and the phrase “United We Stand” had its letters rearranged on marquees to advertise restaurant specials, Americans still have a wistful look in their eye when someone mentions September 11th.
When the war in Iraq broke out two Marches later, I got wind that the first soldier from my area was killed in Iraq. He was in the National Guard. I began to think about how maybe he just wanted to get some money for college or get built for his girlfriend or get disciplined for his parents. I’m sure he got the pitch and saw the glamour of it just like I did. I’m sure he was lied to just like I was; because when war breaks, there is no last line of defense.
The key target points included the edge of the uniformed red, white, or black collar, belt loops, and the rim of the khaki pocket. Amateurs would go for the backpack, which was clearly frowned upon because it was not sensitive to touch and, therefore, dismissible.
I can’t quite recall what was being served that day, but I’m sure it wasn’t a hamburger because it was early in the week and hamburgers were only served on Thursday. As I walked to my regular table, I noticed a young man sitting alone with an array of brochures laid out in front of him. His fantastic posture, sharp haircut, and dry-cleaned uniform impressed me, but his expression was one of a person contemplating suicide. I could tell that he was well aware of how pointless his job he had been assigned to was. Recruiting is a crucial part of the armed services, but not to a small Catholic school where 90% of the student body went on to a two year community college at a minimum, and the rest had made up their mind long before cafeteria visits on whether or not they were to join the armed forces.
Maybe I went and talked to him because I saw the utter boredom and despair in his eyes, or maybe it was because I did not want to partake in the current conversation at my regular table, which was how much each of us was bench pressing that particular week. Either way, I walked up to him and let out a blatant lie.
“I’m thinking about joining the National Guard.”
It was as if he was the Tin Man and I had moved him to the front of the donor’s list. His eyes were bright and he was ready and willing to give the pitch his commanding officer had made him repeat so many times over. He told me all about how I would get thousands of dollars for college in only one weekend a month and two weeks a year. He told me how my girlfriend would love my new body after I graduated from basic training. He told me how my parents would appreciate the character building I would receive. And being a lost 17 year old at the time, with no money for college, love handles, and more than a few disciplinary problems with my parents, I convinced myself that it might not be a bad thing to consider.
Then he dropped a bomb on me (figuratively, of course). He told me that I was being recruited to be a helicopter pilot. I immediately pictured myself with the jumpsuit and Aviator sunglasses, picking up injured soldiers who had thought that their country had forgotten about them and were just about to give up hope before I showed up. I thought of little native children in Africa seeing a flying craft for the first time and chasing after it with hopes of getting ride. It was such a glamorous thought! I would be a super hero.
When I came home and told my parents that I was considering it, their words and demeanor told two different stories. My mother was clearly bothered by it, but her comments and questions remained logical.
“We support your decision whichever way you choose, Dan. But we have a few concerns. What if they make you leave college if there is a natural disaster? What if war breaks out?”
“War? Come on, mom. We are in a time of peace, and I don’t see that changing in the next five years.”
My friend, Amanda, had a brother in the National Guard, so she told me to come by her house and speak to him. “I was never a bad kid in high school, but I goofed off a lot. It taught me discipline,” he assured me as he was weighing marijuana on a scale. “Does this bother you?” I shook my head. Then, he walked up to his closet and pulled out a dry cleaner bag. As he unzipped the plastic, I caught a glimpse of his graduation uniform. Full of shiny medals and patches with gold buttons down the front, I couldn’t help but picture myself wearing it with my chest puffed out saluting a flag. I was almost sold.
The next day during lunch, I walked up to the representative for a follow-up question.
“So what happens if war breaks out?”
He responded confidently, “It is the National Guard, Dan. We GUARD the NATION. We are the last line of defense.”
That answer was sufficient enough for me. If war breaks, let the marines handle it while I clean a tank in rural Iowa, collecting a fat check. There is no doubt in my mind that I would have gone through with it if my parents hadn’t dropped so many blatant hints. So, I decided not to join the National Guard.
Allow me to fast forward to September of my senior year, while sitting in Mr. Laake’s second period economics class. My friend, TJ, had first period P.E. and told us that he heard a plane had crashed into a building in New York. Of course we didn’t believe him, but our teacher said if we had time at the end of class we would turn on the TV and see if it was true.
As the minutes ticked down to the bell, Mr. Laake wrapped up his speech on supply and demand early enough for us to turn on The Today Show. It was just after the second tower got hit. The guys in the class, including myself, laughed in awe. We “oohed” and “aaahhed” because it was not real to us. No one attacks the United States. It was a hoax. It was a movie.
The impending days, weeks, and even months were nothing less than eerie. Patriotism was strong, but suspicion and fear was stronger. Even after the flags went back into storage closets and the phrase “United We Stand” had its letters rearranged on marquees to advertise restaurant specials, Americans still have a wistful look in their eye when someone mentions September 11th.
When the war in Iraq broke out two Marches later, I got wind that the first soldier from my area was killed in Iraq. He was in the National Guard. I began to think about how maybe he just wanted to get some money for college or get built for his girlfriend or get disciplined for his parents. I’m sure he got the pitch and saw the glamour of it just like I did. I’m sure he was lied to just like I was; because when war breaks, there is no last line of defense.
Some Need Drugs To Make Believe
For many Chicagoans (and others who called themselves as such for a few days), November eighth through the thirteenth was something special. For six days in a row, Flower Booking gave eager fans charging to the Metro over 20 amazing bands that had little in common other than a chance to share their art with an enthusiastic and captive audience.
The bands ranged from popular radio favorites (Jimmy Eat World) to hometown heroes (Local H). There were several bands on their way up (Cougars, These Arms are Snakes) and others dusting off their instruments for all their loyal fans (Sweep the Leg Johnny). However, no two bands created wider smiles than The Promise Ring and Smoking Popes who decided to give one more go at it for all of those that thought reunion shows were more of a false hope than a realistic expectation. For six days, every band was humbled and vocally honored to be a part of Flower 15, Flower Booking’s fifteen year anniversary celebration.
Well—everyone except Make Believe.
Okay, okay. It would be wrong of me to group the entire band as party spoilers, so I will be more specific: ¼ of Make Believe, or Tim Kinsellas.
I was lucky enough to catch Mr. Kinsellas towards the latter half of his band’s set. His third to last song had received little applause along with the not-so-rare unoriginal sophomoric heckler who was under the wrong impression that his fellow audience members even find him the least bit entertaining.
Then, the fun started.
“We have 15 minutes to play two songs which will only take six minutes, so I have nine minutes to talk.” Tim sounded a little incoherent with an inconsistent sense of balance to boot, but none of the 1200 in attendance was ready for the ensuing minutes.
“Does anyone know what Jesus is?”
The hecklers divided like cells, mixing boo’s with taunts.
“Jesus isn’t a noun. Jesus is an idea… I feel like I am facing a mob.”
In the midst of his continuous rant on trying to get the crowd to yell for Jesus or Barabbas while making very little sense in between, it was clear that he was losing a grip on things. Although I’m forced to speculate, Tim Kinsellas embodied that of a poster child for why one should not take mind-altering drugs.
The other members of Make Believe started playing their next song, trying to salvage the show and their band’s reputation. However, their faithful front man kept yelling at them to stop so he could continue his rant. At that point I thought someone would step in, whether it is a friend of the band’s or someone from Flower Booking or even the Metro staff. Then, a man walked on stage. Finally, I thought to myself, we can move on from this.
Instead, it was someone with a digital camera in hand, abusing his all access pass and capturing the disaster as it happened. Kinsellas turned around and got close to him, but the mysterious photographer didn’t move like a young boy poking an animal in a cage.
The final song couldn’t have lasted any longer. In 3 minutes, Kinsellas was able to flick off his own drummer who wouldn’t stop playing, throw a sign at the crowd, and display various other hand gestures reserved for 15 year old boys and Andrew Dice Clay.
When the circus concluded, the crowd cheered louder than I think Make Believe has ever received, despite the fact that it was ill-intended. Finally, when The Promise Ring entered, the crowd was focused on the headliners. Heads bounced and swayed like they had been waiting to do since the band parted ways.
At that time, I began to feel sorry for Mr. Kinsellas. I began to think that maybe in real life he was a decent guy who went overboard with his chemical cocktail.
He then came out for a curtain call.
Midway through The Promise Ring’s set, he appeared on stage and hesitantly walked up to a vacant microphone looking for even more attention. The Promise Ring stayed extremely classy, laughing it off and refusing to react to a man with a broken ego. Still, that is when I lost all sympathy for him. It became crystal clear that he had no shame; no ounce of decency or respect for all those who came to pay homage for a great band.
So, Mr. Kinsellas, thanks for attempting to ruin an otherwise magical week in the name of your narcissistic tendencies.
The bands ranged from popular radio favorites (Jimmy Eat World) to hometown heroes (Local H). There were several bands on their way up (Cougars, These Arms are Snakes) and others dusting off their instruments for all their loyal fans (Sweep the Leg Johnny). However, no two bands created wider smiles than The Promise Ring and Smoking Popes who decided to give one more go at it for all of those that thought reunion shows were more of a false hope than a realistic expectation. For six days, every band was humbled and vocally honored to be a part of Flower 15, Flower Booking’s fifteen year anniversary celebration.
Well—everyone except Make Believe.
Okay, okay. It would be wrong of me to group the entire band as party spoilers, so I will be more specific: ¼ of Make Believe, or Tim Kinsellas.
I was lucky enough to catch Mr. Kinsellas towards the latter half of his band’s set. His third to last song had received little applause along with the not-so-rare unoriginal sophomoric heckler who was under the wrong impression that his fellow audience members even find him the least bit entertaining.
Then, the fun started.
“We have 15 minutes to play two songs which will only take six minutes, so I have nine minutes to talk.” Tim sounded a little incoherent with an inconsistent sense of balance to boot, but none of the 1200 in attendance was ready for the ensuing minutes.
“Does anyone know what Jesus is?”
The hecklers divided like cells, mixing boo’s with taunts.
“Jesus isn’t a noun. Jesus is an idea… I feel like I am facing a mob.”
In the midst of his continuous rant on trying to get the crowd to yell for Jesus or Barabbas while making very little sense in between, it was clear that he was losing a grip on things. Although I’m forced to speculate, Tim Kinsellas embodied that of a poster child for why one should not take mind-altering drugs.
The other members of Make Believe started playing their next song, trying to salvage the show and their band’s reputation. However, their faithful front man kept yelling at them to stop so he could continue his rant. At that point I thought someone would step in, whether it is a friend of the band’s or someone from Flower Booking or even the Metro staff. Then, a man walked on stage. Finally, I thought to myself, we can move on from this.
Instead, it was someone with a digital camera in hand, abusing his all access pass and capturing the disaster as it happened. Kinsellas turned around and got close to him, but the mysterious photographer didn’t move like a young boy poking an animal in a cage.
The final song couldn’t have lasted any longer. In 3 minutes, Kinsellas was able to flick off his own drummer who wouldn’t stop playing, throw a sign at the crowd, and display various other hand gestures reserved for 15 year old boys and Andrew Dice Clay.
When the circus concluded, the crowd cheered louder than I think Make Believe has ever received, despite the fact that it was ill-intended. Finally, when The Promise Ring entered, the crowd was focused on the headliners. Heads bounced and swayed like they had been waiting to do since the band parted ways.
At that time, I began to feel sorry for Mr. Kinsellas. I began to think that maybe in real life he was a decent guy who went overboard with his chemical cocktail.
He then came out for a curtain call.
Midway through The Promise Ring’s set, he appeared on stage and hesitantly walked up to a vacant microphone looking for even more attention. The Promise Ring stayed extremely classy, laughing it off and refusing to react to a man with a broken ego. Still, that is when I lost all sympathy for him. It became crystal clear that he had no shame; no ounce of decency or respect for all those who came to pay homage for a great band.
So, Mr. Kinsellas, thanks for attempting to ruin an otherwise magical week in the name of your narcissistic tendencies.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
best of 2007 (Harp)
1 OKKERVIL RIVER, The Stage Names(JAGJAGUWAR)
2 BAND OF HORSES, Cease To Begin (SUB POP)
3 IRON & WINE, The Shepherd's Dog (SUB POP)
4 FUTURE CLOUDS & RADAR, Future Clouds & Radar (STAR APPLE KINGDOM)
5 FEIST, The Reminder (CHERRY TREE/INTERSCOPE)
6 SPOON, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (MERGE)
7 RADIOHEAD, In Rainbows (SELF-RELEASED)
8 ARCADE FIRE, Neon Bible (Merge)
9 NEIL YOUNG, Chrome Dreams II (REPRISE)
10 JASON ISBELL, Sirens of the Ditch (NEW WEST)
11 WHITE STRIPES, Icky Thump (THIRD MAN/WARNER BROS.)
12 DEVENDRA BANHART, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon (XL)
13 AVETT BROTHERS, Emotionalism (RAMSEUR)
Ween made their cover, but not the actual list. Ween are playing two shows at Terminal 5 this weekend. Get Ween Christmas song in my 2007 holiday mix.
Paste also has Avett Brothers high up on their list. Stylus seem to be the only ones MADLY in love with Miranda Lambert so far (Paste has her at 18) (and J likes her a lot). Nic Harcourt's list is still way different than everyone's. The rest of Harp Magazine's list is below....
SILVER SPRING, M.D.: En route is the December 2007 issue of Harp, about to enter its seventh year of publication. Set to hit newsstands December 11, the new issue will zero in on the 50 best CDs of 2007 in the magazine’s annual year-end round-up. Voted Number One album of the year by the Harp staff and writers: Okkervil River’s The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar).
Receiving the news from Harp, Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff said, “I’m very flattered and somewhat shocked. I’ve been doing this for so long and remember moments where nobody would write about us at all. It feels like people are actually appreciating us to elevate [the record] like this.”
Following close behind Okkervil River are ’07 releases from Band Of Horses, Iron and Wine, Future Clouds & Radar, Feist, Spoon, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Neil Young and Jason Isbell, occupying the 2 through 10 spots, respectively. Also dotting the Top 50 are the White Stripes, Devendra Banhart, Manu Chao, the Avett Brothers, M.I.A., Steve Earle, Robert Wyatt, Bettye LaVette, Explosions in the Sky, Mavis Staples and Tunng— all proof of Harp’s commitment to broad-reaching coverage of musical disciplines of all stripes. The complete list can be viewed below.
14 > THE SHINS
WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY (SUB POP)
15 > THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
CHALLENGERS (MATADOR)
16 > WILCO
SKY BLUE SKY (NONESUCH)
17 > THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE QUEEN
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE QUEEN (VIRGIN)
18 > GEORGIE JAMES
PLACES (SADDLE CREEK)
19 > BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
MAGIC (COLUMBIA)
20 > RILO KILEY
UNDER THE BLACKLIGHT (BRUTE/WARNER)
21 > THE NATIONAL
BOXER (Beggars)
22 > TED LEO & THE PHARMACISTS
LIVING WITH THE LIVING (TOUCH & GO)
23 > BILL CALLAHAN
WOKE ON A WHALE HEART (DRAG CITY)
24 > M.I.A.
KALA (INTERSCOPE)
25 > JESSE SYKES AND THE SWEET HEREAFTER
LIKE, LOVE, LUST AND THE OPEN HALLS OF THE SOUL (BARSUK)
26 > STEVE EARLE
WASHINGTON SQUARE SERENADE (NEW WEST)
27 > OF MONTREAL
HISSING FAUNA, ARE YOU THE DESTROYER? (POLYVINYL)
28 > GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS
THIS IS SOMEWHERE (HOLLYWOOD)
29 > KINGS OF LEON
BECAUSE OF THE TIMES (RCA)
30 > GRINDERMAN
GRINDERMAN (ANTI-)
31 > ROBERT WYATT
COMICOPERA (DOMINO)
32 > BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE PRESENTS: KEVIN DREW
SPIRIT IF… (ARTS & CRAFTS)
33 > ST. VINCENT
MARRY ME (BEGGARS BANQUET)
34 > RYAN ADAMS
EASY TIGER (LOST HIGHWAY)
35 > ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
STRAWBERRY JAM (DOMINO)
36 > BRIGHT EYES
CASSADEGA (SADDLE CREEK)
37 > RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
RELEASE THE STARS (GEFFEN)
38 > ELENI MANDELL
MIRACLE OF FIVE (ZEDTONE)
39 > PATTY GRIFFIN
CHILDREN RUNNING THROUGH (ATO)
40 > IAN HUNTER
SHRUNKEN HEADS (YEP ROC)
41 > DR. DOG
WE ALL BELONG (PARK THE VAN)
42 > MAVIS STAPLES
WE’LL NEVER TURN BACK (ANTI-)
43 > EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY
ALL OF A SUDDEN I MISS EVERYONE (TEMPORARY RESIDENCE)
44 > BEIRUT
THE FLYING CLUB CUP (BA DA BING!)
45 > BETTYE LAVETTE
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (ANTI-)
46 > MANU CHAO
LA RADIOLINA (NACIONAL)
47 > YEASAYER
ALL HOUR CYMBALS (WE ARE FREE)
48 > OAKLEY HALL
I’LL FOLLOW YOU (MERGE)
49 > SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS
100 DAYS, 100 NIGHTS (DAPTONE)
50 > TUNNG
GOOD ARROWS (THRILL JOCKEY)
DEBUT/NEW ARTIST:
FUTURE CLOUDS & RADAR
FUTURE CLOUDS & RADAR (STAR APPLE KINGDOM)
REISSUE:
SONIC YOUTH
DAYDREAM NATION DELUXE EDITION (GEFFEN/UME)
DVD:
YOU’RE GONNA MISS ME: A FILM ABOUT ROKY ERICKSON (PALM PICTURES)
BOOK:
THE REPLACEMENTS: ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING, BY JIM WALSH (VOYAGEUR PRESS)
TOUR:
THE ARCADE FIRE
2 BAND OF HORSES, Cease To Begin (SUB POP)
3 IRON & WINE, The Shepherd's Dog (SUB POP)
4 FUTURE CLOUDS & RADAR, Future Clouds & Radar (STAR APPLE KINGDOM)
5 FEIST, The Reminder (CHERRY TREE/INTERSCOPE)
6 SPOON, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (MERGE)
7 RADIOHEAD, In Rainbows (SELF-RELEASED)
8 ARCADE FIRE, Neon Bible (Merge)
9 NEIL YOUNG, Chrome Dreams II (REPRISE)
10 JASON ISBELL, Sirens of the Ditch (NEW WEST)
11 WHITE STRIPES, Icky Thump (THIRD MAN/WARNER BROS.)
12 DEVENDRA BANHART, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon (XL)
13 AVETT BROTHERS, Emotionalism (RAMSEUR)
Ween made their cover, but not the actual list. Ween are playing two shows at Terminal 5 this weekend. Get Ween Christmas song in my 2007 holiday mix.
Paste also has Avett Brothers high up on their list. Stylus seem to be the only ones MADLY in love with Miranda Lambert so far (Paste has her at 18) (and J likes her a lot). Nic Harcourt's list is still way different than everyone's. The rest of Harp Magazine's list is below....
SILVER SPRING, M.D.: En route is the December 2007 issue of Harp, about to enter its seventh year of publication. Set to hit newsstands December 11, the new issue will zero in on the 50 best CDs of 2007 in the magazine’s annual year-end round-up. Voted Number One album of the year by the Harp staff and writers: Okkervil River’s The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar).
Receiving the news from Harp, Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff said, “I’m very flattered and somewhat shocked. I’ve been doing this for so long and remember moments where nobody would write about us at all. It feels like people are actually appreciating us to elevate [the record] like this.”
Following close behind Okkervil River are ’07 releases from Band Of Horses, Iron and Wine, Future Clouds & Radar, Feist, Spoon, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Neil Young and Jason Isbell, occupying the 2 through 10 spots, respectively. Also dotting the Top 50 are the White Stripes, Devendra Banhart, Manu Chao, the Avett Brothers, M.I.A., Steve Earle, Robert Wyatt, Bettye LaVette, Explosions in the Sky, Mavis Staples and Tunng— all proof of Harp’s commitment to broad-reaching coverage of musical disciplines of all stripes. The complete list can be viewed below.
14 > THE SHINS
WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY (SUB POP)
15 > THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
CHALLENGERS (MATADOR)
16 > WILCO
SKY BLUE SKY (NONESUCH)
17 > THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE QUEEN
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE QUEEN (VIRGIN)
18 > GEORGIE JAMES
PLACES (SADDLE CREEK)
19 > BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
MAGIC (COLUMBIA)
20 > RILO KILEY
UNDER THE BLACKLIGHT (BRUTE/WARNER)
21 > THE NATIONAL
BOXER (Beggars)
22 > TED LEO & THE PHARMACISTS
LIVING WITH THE LIVING (TOUCH & GO)
23 > BILL CALLAHAN
WOKE ON A WHALE HEART (DRAG CITY)
24 > M.I.A.
KALA (INTERSCOPE)
25 > JESSE SYKES AND THE SWEET HEREAFTER
LIKE, LOVE, LUST AND THE OPEN HALLS OF THE SOUL (BARSUK)
26 > STEVE EARLE
WASHINGTON SQUARE SERENADE (NEW WEST)
27 > OF MONTREAL
HISSING FAUNA, ARE YOU THE DESTROYER? (POLYVINYL)
28 > GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS
THIS IS SOMEWHERE (HOLLYWOOD)
29 > KINGS OF LEON
BECAUSE OF THE TIMES (RCA)
30 > GRINDERMAN
GRINDERMAN (ANTI-)
31 > ROBERT WYATT
COMICOPERA (DOMINO)
32 > BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE PRESENTS: KEVIN DREW
SPIRIT IF… (ARTS & CRAFTS)
33 > ST. VINCENT
MARRY ME (BEGGARS BANQUET)
34 > RYAN ADAMS
EASY TIGER (LOST HIGHWAY)
35 > ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
STRAWBERRY JAM (DOMINO)
36 > BRIGHT EYES
CASSADEGA (SADDLE CREEK)
37 > RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
RELEASE THE STARS (GEFFEN)
38 > ELENI MANDELL
MIRACLE OF FIVE (ZEDTONE)
39 > PATTY GRIFFIN
CHILDREN RUNNING THROUGH (ATO)
40 > IAN HUNTER
SHRUNKEN HEADS (YEP ROC)
41 > DR. DOG
WE ALL BELONG (PARK THE VAN)
42 > MAVIS STAPLES
WE’LL NEVER TURN BACK (ANTI-)
43 > EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY
ALL OF A SUDDEN I MISS EVERYONE (TEMPORARY RESIDENCE)
44 > BEIRUT
THE FLYING CLUB CUP (BA DA BING!)
45 > BETTYE LAVETTE
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (ANTI-)
46 > MANU CHAO
LA RADIOLINA (NACIONAL)
47 > YEASAYER
ALL HOUR CYMBALS (WE ARE FREE)
48 > OAKLEY HALL
I’LL FOLLOW YOU (MERGE)
49 > SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS
100 DAYS, 100 NIGHTS (DAPTONE)
50 > TUNNG
GOOD ARROWS (THRILL JOCKEY)
DEBUT/NEW ARTIST:
FUTURE CLOUDS & RADAR
FUTURE CLOUDS & RADAR (STAR APPLE KINGDOM)
REISSUE:
SONIC YOUTH
DAYDREAM NATION DELUXE EDITION (GEFFEN/UME)
DVD:
YOU’RE GONNA MISS ME: A FILM ABOUT ROKY ERICKSON (PALM PICTURES)
BOOK:
THE REPLACEMENTS: ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING, BY JIM WALSH (VOYAGEUR PRESS)
TOUR:
THE ARCADE FIRE
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
I should start a site about how I hate critics.
This ass monkey from cokemachineglow.com (think wannabe pitchfork with half the taste and twice the pretention) reviewed Good Charlotte's new album just so he could slam it (20% out of 100%) and actually formed this sentence:
This cruise ship siphoning of “Lust for Life” is a gross piss take as it is, all adenoidal rapaciousness and enfeebled amp sterility.
I'll take pedantic dumbshit for 1000, Alex.
Hey buddy, thanks for letting us know that Good Charlotte blows...I needed you, and not a 12 year old girl who can recognize how bad they are, to tell me that.
This cruise ship siphoning of “Lust for Life” is a gross piss take as it is, all adenoidal rapaciousness and enfeebled amp sterility.
I'll take pedantic dumbshit for 1000, Alex.
Hey buddy, thanks for letting us know that Good Charlotte blows...I needed you, and not a 12 year old girl who can recognize how bad they are, to tell me that.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Soon to be known: Foreign Born
I was sneaking through Myspace when I found this band. By the number of hits on their website, it looks like they are virtually new and unknown, but very good. "Union Hall" is has a great droning vocal melody that will run on a wheel in your head. As far as influences I hear Interpol (guitar) and The Walkmen (vocals). Tell me what you think.
Here is a link to their Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/foreignborn
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Is it official this time?
Supposedly this is THE LINE-UP for Bonaroo 2007. I bolded the ones I am looking forward to (if I can make it). Thanks to livemusicblog.com for the info!
Lineup:
The Police (i'm skeptical about how good they will be)
Tool
Widespread Panic
The White Stripes
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Wilco
The Flaming Lips
Manu Chao
The String Cheese Incident
Franz Ferdinand
Bob Weir & Ratdog
Damien Rice
Ween (if I could double bold this, I would)
Gov’t Mule
Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers
The Decemberists
Kings of Leon
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Wolfmother
Regina Spektor
Galactic
The Black Keys
DJ Shadow
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Spoon
Keller Williams (WMD’s)
Sasha & John Digweed
STS9
Old Crow Medicine Show
The Hold Steady
North Mississippi Allstars
Fountains Of Wayne
Hot Tuna
Feist
Hot Chip
Lily Allen
John Butler Trio
Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys
Aesop Rock
The Richard Thompson Band
Dierks Bentley
Xavier Rudd
Gogol Bordelo (Supposedly they are AMAZING live)
Junior Brown
Tortoise
T-Bone Burnett
Mavis Staples
Clutch
Cold War Kids
Dr. Dog
Paolo Nutini
Brazilian Girls
RX Bandits (Are these guys still together?)
The Nightwatchman
The Slip
Girl Talk
Railroad Earth
Martha Wainwright
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Annuals
Tea Leaf Green
Sam Roberts Band
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Charlie Louvin
Sonya Kitchell
Mute Math
Apollo Sunshine
Uncle Earl
James Blood Ulmer
The National
The Little Ones
Ryan Shaw
Comedians:
Lewis Black & Friends
Dave Attell
David Cross
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
#14 Andrew Morgan (interview)
Location: Somerville, MA/Chicago
Genre: Indie/Pop
Label: Broken Horse (UK), Sonic Boom Recordings (US)
Track to hear: Morpheus Calls
Status: Working on Three Months In Cook County, no release date at this time
link: http://www.myspace.com/morganandrew
On the road to success there are always speed bumps slowing us down. Unfortunately for Andrew Morgan, he is driving through a mall parking lot. What started with an epic debut album that was grossly underappreciated led to a slew of setbacks and struggles to release a follow up, causing Morgan to be the poster child for Murphy’s Law.
A large reason why his first record, entitled Misadventures in Radiology, did not get the attention it deserved is because Morgan was unable to support it fully by playing live after his vocal chords started to swell shut. When the pain persisted, he soon realized that the problem was not his roommate’s cat; rather, it was the artificial sweetener he was adding to his coffee every morning that was causing the reaction.
“Bizarrly, Splenda was the culprit,” Morgan told me via Myspace, “(I) nearly had to have surgery on my vocal cords after losing my voice for three months.” It is a shame, too, considering that his voice is the perfect compliment to his music. You see, Morgan does not write songs. He composes them. Clearly capable of arranging lofty string arrangements and ambitious build-ups, he keeps his voice at a hush; keeping the focus on the journey his music takes you with his understated vocals as firm support. Morgan hints at his influences such as Brian Wilson and Elliott Smith (who helped him record Misadventures) without imitating them, riding a thin line of appreciation without bastardizing their works; as so many bands nowadays do. His seamless execution leaves his music comforting at moments and chilling at others.
Morgan is still in the process of working on his second album, titled Three Months In Cook County. The project has been halted twice due to lack of funds, as well as other challenges.
“I parted ways with my longtime pianist and violinist,” he added, “Making this record has been really hard.” On top of everything he has had to endure, getting his masters completed from Harvard Divinity School does not speed the record-making process up.
“It's been enlightening, but then half the time I regret (getting my masters).”
No matter how long the wait could be, I am sure I'm not the only one who is willing to be patient for this one.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
#13 Mystery Jets (interview)
From: United Kingdom
Genre: Fast, energetic Brit Pop
# of members- 5
Fun fact- Members Henry and Blaine are actually father and son. He must be the coolest dad ever.
track to hear- You Can't Fool Me Dennis
Link. www.myspace.com/mysteryjets
Let’s face it; it takes more than talent to make it in music these days. The Internet Generation has the attention span of a goldfish, with more than a million bands worldwide offering free music streams at the touch of a button. This serves as both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, the possibility for exposure is limitless. A band from the Western Hemisphere could build a solid fan base with a country from the East without ever touring or even getting an album distributed there. On the other, how does a band not only gain a following but also maintain it, when the open borders of music causes a brutal mess of artists vying for your attention?
The answer seems simple enough, but few bands are willing or conscientious enough to bring it back to the good ole’ grassroots motto: win one fan at a time. Luckily for this guy (located in Iowa, mind you), the Mystery Jets have perfected this philosophy and are ready to get to know you on a more personal level.
“I’d say our attitude to fans and the non-exclusivity between us and people who are into us, is really just a form of respect for the people who’ve allowed us to get to where we are,” William Rees (lead guitarist) told me via Myspace. This is heavily apparent through their Myspace page, where they have held video and Christmas card contests, ask for people’s opinion on their favorite books and offer enough ring tones and banners to help spread the Mystery Jets gospel. With enough content to keep one interested and coming back, it is no wonder that a band without a big radio song or a top ten hit has had their profile viewed nearly 200,000 times.
However, don’t think they are just glued to their laptops. It is more of a two-pronged attack, having estimated touring the width and length of England a dozen times in the last four years. “It’s a great change, suddenly having an audience and feeling like every song you write will be listened to and considered.”
One of their more prominent fans has taken notice. Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke named the band’s debut album, Making Dens, his favorite of 2006. So, just like the engine they are using to fuel their success, the possibilities are limitless. Having already toured Japan and planning a U.S. tour for early May, I would be less than floored if they eclipsed America’s favorite exports such as Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand and became our new favorite foreign fixation.
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