Saturday, August 30th, 2008
This may be old to some of you. But I’m busy right now and this will have to suffice until I get the computer organized. Enjoy!
Pogo - Alice
Brother Ali - Truth Is
X:144 and SPS - To Self
Maserati - The World Outside
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
Low in the Sky - New Amsterdam 1672, New York 1933
Friday, August 29th, 2008
Its looks as though one of my favorite bands of all time have been brewing up something behind the scenes. If you are unfamiliar with the band Far, you need to educate yourself by going here and buying Water & Solutions. Water & Solutions is a record that smacks you around while caressing you at the same time. Not many rock records bring on such an emotional punch like this record.
After asking lead vocalist Jonah Matranga if a reunion was in the works, he responded with, “As I’ve said over the years, whatever happens (or not), the intention will be fun and music. I have no time for anything else.
Also, I will say very little about it, whatever it is…”
Far broke up way back in 1998 and haven’t played a show together in 10 years. So stay tuned folks, this could be huge.
(if you download one song from this website, All Goes Down from Far is a must)
Far - Bury White
Far - All Goes Down (acoustic)
Thursday, August 28th, 2008
Joy Wants Eternity - From Embrace To Embrace
pg. lost - Yes I Am
Eluvium - Prelude For Time Feelers
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
My summer has been pretty busy with the new job and getting used to this strange land called California. So far I’ve met my fair share of cool and weird people. Some are both.
Anyway, here are he songs that I’ve had on repeat while cruising the Northern California shoreline.
Santogold - Get It Up (Radioclit Mix feat. M.I.A. and Gorilla Zoe)
Beck - Orphans
One Day As A Lion - Wild International
MGMT - Electric Feel (Justice Remix)
The War on Drugs - Taking the Farm
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
Well it looks as though Walter, Ian, Cache, and Sammy have all gotten together again for some sweet rock lovin’. The band known as Rival Schools has been touring Europe’s festival scene most of this summer but recently the band has been so kind as to let us Americans hear some new material as well as give a us a little west and east coast tour. I have been a huge fan of both Ian’s and Walter projects over the years and Rival Schools is by far my favorite. I was so sad that their one album (United by Fate) and E.P. (Rival Schools United by Onelinedrawing) was all that was left of a band that had so much potential. Now with their somewhat new-ish song, “Sweet” being displayed here and their impending tour dates (which is also on their myspace), I have further hope that this band is finally realizing how special they are. I hope you can see it as well.
Rival Schools - Everything Has It’s Point
Monday, August 25th, 2008
Day Three of the Outside Lands Festival involved no running around at all. I just stayed at the Twin Peaks Stage all day long to watch act after act perform wonderfully. I arrived early like I have for the rest of the days, however there seemed to be little more people than I expected this morning.
The first act of the day was ALO, or Animal Liberation Orchestra. A surfer rock band that has your typical happy-go-lucky lyrics about being true to yourself and all that sappy shit. I didn’t dig’em, but the meathead “bros” loved them to death. Surfer Rock is catnip for meatheads. They love it! Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Dispatch, G. Love, etc etc. They have a monster hard-on for surfer rock. One of the “bros” even had a t-shirt that said, “Do You Like My Pecs?” Lots of “Woos!” and “Yeahs!” coming from them. If you know what I mean.
Stars is that special kind of band. They play like a band that have been together for decades. There seems to be some sort of camaraderie when they play together. Plus Amy Millan is cute as all hell. This Canadian indie-pop band played songs from Heart, Set Yourself on Fire, and last year’s In Our Bedroom After the War. They were also chucking flowers into the crowd in between songs. It was quite a fun show.
Now, I love Andrew Bird. I love his records and his brand of jazzy neo-folk. But I had never seen him live before this day. Freakin’ Wow! This guy is talented far beyond the conventional singer-songwriter. Not only does he play nearly every instrument on stage but he can also whistle like nobodies buisness. While he plays the violin, guitar, and xylophone. If he swings by your town, don’t miss him. His records don’t do him any justice, you need to see this guy live.
Broken Social Scene was always that type of band I liked but never bothered to check out their live shows. So I figured now was my opportunity to see them in all their glory. They did not disappoint. Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning and their band of misfits look like they are having way too much fun up there. There were times where you’d have up to 15 people on stage playing trumpets, trombones, five guitars, and all sorts of percussion instruments. There aren’t that many bands like this out there.
After talking with what seemed like the biggest Wilco and Jeff Tweedy fan on the planet, I had high expectations for Wilco’s performance. Well it was nothing short of brilliant. The whole band is such a genuine and likable group of guys who are extremely talented. Mr. Tweedy’s songwriting and Nels Cline’s master guitar work made this live performance a massive highlight at this festival for me and probably everyone else lucky enough to catch the magic of Wilco.
Jack Johnson, or like my friend calls him, Jack-Off Johnson; was okay. I guess. I honestly wasn’t paying much attention except when I was on line for an Angus burger. I took the opportunity to wander around the festival grounds one last time and see the shops and artwork that people had displayed. I bought myself a neat little Obama T-shirt that say “Forward” on it. Seems appropriate. Particularly with his recent Joe Biden pick. Anyway, I listened to a few of Jack’s songs that I recognized. Then I left to hang out with my friends who lived nearby.
Well that’s it. It was definitely the best festival I’ve ever been to. However I’ve only been to a handful. I did have to miss Kaki King, Sean Hayes, Little Brother, Beck, Cool Kids, and M. Ward. But all these acts will be around here soon enough. I mean come on, I live in the Bay Area for Christ’s sake! One of the best music scenes on the planet. And this festival proved that fact.
Wilco - Jesus, Etc
Andrew Bird - First Song (Live)
Stars - The First Five Times
ALO -Lady Loop
Kata Rokkar is a place where you can download free mp3 from artists and bands that I currently love and listen to. They are only for sampling purposes and to influence you to go out and support these artists by purchasing their records and going to their concerts. If you are a record company or an artist that is displeased with a song being displayed, feel free to contact me and I will remove it ASAP. Thank you and enjoy!
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