Posts Tagged ‘J. Tillman’

Be Well, Steven – A Mixtape

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

photo by steven robbins

photo by steven robbins

In case some of you don’t know, my brother has recently joined the Coast Guard and gotten stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. While your immediate reaction may be, “Holy Cow! That is awesome!”; since Steve has been stationed in Hawaii, he has bought a broken moped, had surgery on his big toe, and he is away from family. To be fair, he’s exploring a place that everyone that isn’t there, wishes they were. So to keep him company and in hopes it will make him feel better, I’ve made a little mixtape with music he loves. Feel free to download this theme to his private adventure.

___

  1. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

    Crosby, Stills & Nash – Blackbird (Beatles Cover)

  2. Elvis Costello – Blame It on Cain
  3. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

    Vetiver – Through The Front Door

  4. Bibio – Lovers’ Carvings
  5. The Books – Tokyo
  6. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

    Volcano Choir – Island, IS

  7. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

    The Mountain Goats – This Year

  8. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Carries On
  9. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

    The Decemberists – Apology Song

  10. The Swell Season – The Rain
  11. Neil Young – Birds
  12. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

    White Antelope – Silver Dagger

  13. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

    Horse Feathers – Heathen’s Kiss

  14. Bonnie “Prince” Billy – A Minor Place
  15. Simon & Garfunkel – The Only Living Boy in New York
  16. J. Tillman – Firstborn
  17. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

    Damien Jurado – I Am Still Here

  18. Jeremy Enigk – Sant Feliu De Guixols
  19. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

    eluvium – Reciting The Airships

Full Download Here

Kata Rokkar’s Pictures of 2009

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

The Flaming Lips at Treasure Island Music Festival 2009

The Flaming Lips at Treasure Island Music Festival 2009

J. Tillman at Cafe Du Nord

J. Tillman at Cafe Du Nord

The Raveonettes at Bimbos 365

The Raveonettes at Bimbo's 365

The Mae Shi at House of Nostromos

The Mae Shi at House of Nostromos

theSTART at The Bottom of the Hill

theSTART at The Bottom of the Hill

Triclops! at The Bottom of the Hill

Triclops! at The Bottom of the Hill

Dan Deacon at The Great American Music Hall

Dan Deacon at The Great American Music Hall

Cymbals Eat Guitars at The Great American Music Hall

Cymbals Eat Guitars at The Great American Music Hall

Q-Tip at Outside Lands Music Festival 2009

Q-Tip at Outside Lands Music Festival 2009

Fanfarlo at Popscene

Fanfarlo at Popscene

The Walkmen at Treasure Island Music Festival 2009

The Walkmen at Treasure Island Music Festival 2009

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down at Treasure Island Music Festval 2009

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down at Treasure Island Music Festval 2009

Lenka at Outside Lands Music Festival 2009

Lenka at Outside Lands Music Festival 2009

Passion Pit at Treasure Island Music Festival 2009

Passion Pit at Treasure Island Music Festival 2009

Sleepy Sun at The Independent

Sleepy Sun at The Independent

Tenacious D at Outside Lands Music Festival 2009

Tenacious D at Outside Lands Music Festival 2009

The Limousines at Treasure Island Music Festival 2009

The Limousines at Treasure Island Music Festival 2009

Band of Skulls at Bimbos 365

Band of Skulls at Bimbo's 365

Kata Rokkar’s Albums of 2009: #50 – #26

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

There’s a distinct difference between ‘best albums of the year’ and ‘favorite albums of the year.’ Who am I to say what is the ‘best’ album? What makes an album better than the other? You’ve probably already figured out that I’m trying to say that music taste is subjective. The past 12 months have probably been one of the better years in music in a while. There were albums that defined genres (Merriweather Post Pavilion), albums that reinvented the bands sound (The Hazards of Love), albums that majorly disappointed (Mama, I’m Swollen), and albums that became a sign of what’s to come with ‘popular’ music (Twilight New Moon: Soundtrack).It’s time to break down the albums that rocked me this fine year.

Click on the album art to purchase the album:

50. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz!

They have redeemed themselves and returned with a more fun vibe that we all knew was coming.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Dull Life from It’s Blitz! (2009)

49. J. Tillman – Vacilando Territory Blues

The sounds of a wet and foggy forest were perfectly captured and projected with J. Tillman’s most vulnerable record to date. Country-side driving will never be the same.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] J. Tillman – Vessels from Vacilando Territory Blues (2009)

48. Band of Skulls – Baby Darling Doll Face Honey

I found myself rocking pretty hard in the car alone to this amazing rock and roll record. Oozing sexuality and a pent-up frustration to destroy. One the most fun records of the year.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] Band of Skulls – Blood from Baby Darling Doll Face Honey (2009)

47. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone

http://www.amazon.com/Middle-Cyclone-Neko-Case/dp/B001MWGZDG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260855897&sr=8-1

Besides having one of the most bad-ass covers of all time, Neko Case created a hurricane of an album that will carry you away in her embrace. Let her take you.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Neko Case – This Tornado Loves You from Middle Cyclone (2009)

46. The Mars Volta – Octahedron

Could it be that I have a hard-on for The Mars Volta? Probably. But after a handful of songs and records that made me wonder what the fuck they were doing, finally The Mars Volta mixes their bizarre nature and progressive sound and makes something substantial. A grower, but boy does it grow into something amazing.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Mars Volta - Teflon from Octahedron (2009)

45. Iron & Wine – Around the Well

Sure most of these songs were recorded years ago, but this compilation from Sam Beam were meant to be released this way. It flows just like a normal Iron & Wine album should…subtle and sweet.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] Iron & Wine – Waitin’ for a Superman from Around the Well Disc 1 (2009)

44. Passion Pit – Manners

BOOM! This album made remixers piss themselves in delight and put Boston back on the map as one of the premiere spots for good music that gets you moving.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Passion Pit – Moth’s Wings from Manners (2009)

43. Foreign Born – Person To Person

If my drive along the Northern Pacific Coastline had an official soundtrack, Person To Person would be it. The harmonies and swirling guitars along with the Walkmen-like vocals and lyrics is just a taste of what this brilliant album has to offer.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] Foreign Born – Early Warnings from Person to Person (2009)

42. Raekwon – Only Built For Cuban Linx, Pt. II

Turn it up and make the world know that we all need is more Wu. Flows like this haven’t been heard in years, it’s been a long time coming.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Raekwon – New Wu Ft Ghostface Method Man from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx PT II (2009)

41. The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love

I hated this record to no end when I first heard it. I missed my Decemberists. It was only after a few more full listens that I realized that they belong to no one and that this may be the Decemberists that was meant to be. You know what? I’m fine with that.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] The Decemberists - The Rake’s Song from The Hazards of Love (2009)

40. Message to Bears – Departures

Multi-instrumentalist Jerome Alexander’s Departures is a series of bittersweet articulations that seem suspended somewhere between a certain dreamy sense of wonder and awe and a heavy melancholia. It’s a haunting piece of work. Listen carefully.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] Message to Bears – At the Top of This Hill from Departures (2009)

39. Akron/Family – Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free

This actually might be their best and most accessible record to date. The experimental folk group brought in all the stops and made the feel-good record of the year.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] Akron/Family – River from Set’em Wild, Set’em Free (2009)

38. Russian Circles – Geneva

Someone told me, “You won’t see it coming, this record melts your face and freaks you out all within an hour.” He couldn’t be more right. It goes from hauntingly intense to magnificent beauty to uncharted territory for a group known to shred your ears to pieces.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] Russian Circles – Malko from Geneva (2009)

37. Wilco – Wilco (The Album)

A charming record that may not get the appreciation it deserves. The songwriting is as solid as it usually is from Tweedy and the tongue-in-check manner of delivery remains intact. This was just their ‘entertainment’ record and boy did they hit their mark.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Wilco – Deeper Down from Wilco (The Album) (2009)

36. Dan Deacon – Bromst

A strobe light of colors and manic sound that solidifies Dan Deacon as the king of spastic, high energy dance music. Hidden in this insane finger-painting of a record gone mad, is a layered and perfected album. All hail the king!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Dan Deacon – Woof Woof from Bromst (2009)

35. Cymbals Eat Guitars – Why There Are Mountains

Oh yes, I was so happy to hear that beautiful 90s alt-punk throwback sound. If they had come out a decade an a half earlier, they would be know as genre defining geniuses. However, they are stuck here in the 21st century and forced to remind us that simple and loud music used to be enough for us. [See early Modest Mouse / Diary-era Sunny Day Real Estate]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Cymbals Eat Guitars – And the Hazy Sea from Why There Are Mountains (2009)

34. The Swell Season – Strict Joy

I was afraid they were going to piss this album away into Once Part II. Phhhh, I should have known better, These people know what they’re doing. Strict Joy is just as touching as their last, but in a different sense.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Swell Season – The Rain from Strict Joy (2009)

33. Irepress – Sol Eye Sea I

Okay, bizarre artwork aside [four armed purple ping-pong monster?], this record is the shit. Heavy and drastically unique, Sol Eye Sea I is a brutal rocket launch on the senses. Pushing and pulling with pure metal complexity. So awesome.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] Irepress – Rhintu from Sol Eye Sea I (2009)

32. The xx – XX

Probably the one of the most overhyped records of the year. Although, this is all for good reason. The intro to the record is actually my favorite of all time. Yes, of all time. The chill atmosphere with male/female vocals in this R&B / new wave manner caught me off guard. Thank God for that.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] The XX – Crystalised from XX (2009)

31. Why? – Eskimo Snow

Yoni Wolf goes Americana psych-folk? Sure! Why not? Everything this guy touches is gold anyway. Each song is a detailed story that doesn’t leave the listener one bit disappointed. While not a good ‘entry’ album, Eskimo Snow might be Yoni’s greatest songwriting achievement.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] Why? – This Blackest Purse from Eskimo Snow (2009)

30. dredg – The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion

Fans of the band were divided and I’m still not totally sure what happened with this album. However, dredg is undeniably comfortable with this new direction they’re heading toward. I had to step back a few times and realize that one needs to let go in order to enjoy this album. PPD is a long, intricate and personal record; listen carefully.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

dredg – Pariah from The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion (2009)

29. Volcano Choir – Unmap

I did not see this coming from Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. Layered with painstaking detail and emotional prowess, Unmap may be too much for some people. For me, it was just right.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] Volcano Choir – Island, IS from Unmap (2009)

28. Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue

I love how colorful and blinding this album gets at times. I am immediately reminded of Boards of Canada, but more upbeat and cartoonish. I thought I knew this record before I wore some nice headphones…boy was I wrong.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Bibio – Fire Ant from Ambivalence Avenue (2009)

27. Noah And The Whale – The First Days Of Spring

I usually dislike ‘break-up’ records when I’m no longer going through times like that. But this is beyond your normal story of woe-is-me heartbreak sob story. This an entertaining story that forces the listener to care about the ‘character’ involved in this story. The lush percussion, carefully picked guitars, and string arrangements briskly guide the listener to feel loneliness, hope, and rebirth. An amazing achievement of a record.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[mp3] Noah And The Whale – Blue Skies from The First Days Of Spring (2009)

26. Various Artists – Dark Was The Night

Dark Was The Night, the best indie music compilation ever, was produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National and founder of the Red Hot Organization John Carlin. 31 exclusive tracks graces this record from Bon Iver to Spoon, Sufjan Stevens to Arcade Fire. In addition, the double cd/triple viny helped benefit the Red Hot Organization – an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Grizzly Bear and Feist – Service Bell from Dark Was The Night (Disc 1) (2009)

CLICK HERE FOR #1 – #25

This Week In Bay Area Live Shows: August 23rd – 29th (Outside Lands Week!)

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

BIG week in the Bay. With several Outside Lands After-parties and the festival itself, there is no shortage of things to do here. Also a  visit from Ted Leo, a record release party, and a country music legend stops by an unlikely venue.

Tonight we have The Matches playing the final date off their tour with Judgement Day and Dizzy Balloon at the Fillmore, Six Organs of Admittance and Master Musicians of Bukkake rock The Independent, Fleet Foxes drummer and creator of one of the best albums of 2009, J. Tillman stops by Café du Nord, Jay Reatard does a set at Berkeley’s Amoeba Records at 6pm.

Monday, Ted Leo and The Pharmacists hit up the Bottom of the Hill instead of Treasure Island which they originally intended.

Tuesday features Fruit Bats riding on their new record with Death Vessel at The Independent. The Ruminant Band is a beautiful record full of sweet harmonies and lovely song-writing. Pick it up when you get a chance. Also the amazing Ramona Falls play Café du Nord.

Wednesday will find me at The Fillmore watching dredg, Rx Bandits and As Tall as Lions. All of which have released some pretty impressive albums this year. Also going on is The Dodos and Spencey Dude & the Doodles playing the Rickshaw Stop to kick off Outside Lands fever. Oh yeah and it’s sold out. Bummer.

More Outside Landish shows on Thursday; Akron/Family and Howlin’ Rain crash the Rickshaw Stop and Holy Fuck plays The Independent. In addition, we have The Famous‘ Record Release Party at Café du Nord with 20 Minute Loop and Billy & Dolly.

If you’re not going to Outside Lands this weekend, we have the Outside Lands Afterparty with San Francisco local acts Goodbye Nautilus, The Working Title and Wave Array at Café du Nord.

On Saturday we have hip-hoppers Blue Sky Black Death, Boy in Static and Boy Eats Drum Machine at the Bottom of the Hill, Calexico at The Independent, The Pretenders and Cat Power at Mountain Winery in Saratoga, and country legend David Allan Coe at Petaluma’s Phoenix Theater.

Being joked as this year’s ‘Bro-chella’, Outside Lands Festival has many unimpressive acts but a lot of overlooked impressive acts. This year’s line-up includes; Incubus, Modest Mouse, Pearl Jam, Black Eyed Peas, Thievery Corporation, Tenacious D, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band, TV on the Radio, The Mars Volta, M.I.A., Band of Horses, The National, Built to Spill, Bat for Lashes, Calexico, Tom Jones, Mastodon, Silversun Pickups, Los Campesinos!, Ween, Atmosphere, Brett Dennen, Deerhunter, Lucinda Williams, Os Mutantes, Q-Tip, John Vanderslice, Conor Oberst, Akron/Family, Portugal. The Man, Cage the Elephant, Alpha Blondy, Raphael Saadiq, Groundation, Kinky, Lenka, The Duke Spirit, Matt & Kim, Lila Downs, Autolux, The Avett Brothers, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Dengue Fever, The Dirtbombs, The Dead Weather, Heartless Bastards, Midnite, Blind Pilot, Bettye LaVette, Tea Leaf Green, The Morning Benders, West Indian Girl, Darondo, Ryan Bingham, Zee Avi, Street Sweeper Social Club, Rosin Coven, Extra Golden, JJ Grey & Mofro, Nino Moschella, Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band, Sambada, Reggie Watts, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Big Light, Eric McFadden Trio, Loop!Station, Yard Dogs Road Show, Infantree, Vau De Vire and madd vibe orchestra. A lot to digest. Well I’ll be doing my best to report on everything I see every night when I return from the festival. Photos, mp3s, and everything else I did last year (if you caught that, if not, whatever).

This week is Outside Lands Week here at Kata Rokkar. So we’ll have Kuestionnaires with OLF bands and reports on local acts making their festival debuts. Hope to see you out there!

The Working Title The Crash from About-Face (2006)

Boy in Static Young San Francisco from Young San Francisco (2009)

Fruit Bats The Ruminant Band from The Ruminant Band (2009)

As Tall As Lions Sleepyhead (Acoustic Version) from You Can’t Take It With You (Bonus Track) (2009)

J. Tillman Steel on Steel from Vacilando Territory Blues (2009)

Ramona Falls I Say Fever from Intuit (2009)

Kata’s Half-Assed Guide to SXSW 2009

Friday, March 13th, 2009

I won’t be going, but if I was, these would be my highlights. Now I know it will be impossible to see all of these bands/artists, I know how SXSW works. However, the SXSW website has a plethora of free songs for you to sample to assist you in your decision. If you are not going, go ahead and download them anyway; there’s obviously a reason why these bands were picked to showcase their music this year.

Click to Download Abe Vigoda – Don’t Lie

Click to Download AIDS Wolf – Tied-Up In Paper

Click to Download Black Lips – O Katrina!

Click to Download Boats – 500%

Click to Download Cage – Shoot Frank

Click to Download Cut Off Your Hands – Turn Cold

Click to Download

dredg – The Papal Insignia

Click to Download Doomtree – FLEX

Click to Download Fair to Midland – Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes

Click to Download The Felice Brothers – Frankie’s Gun

Click to Download Sage Francis – Conspiracy to Riot

Click to Download Eugene Francis Jnr & The Juniors – Beginners

Click to Download Laura Gibson – Spirited

Click to Download Hamell On Trial – When You’re Young

Click to Download Lisa Hannigan – Lille

Click to Download HEALTH – Crimewave

Click to Download Hot Lava – Apple+Option+Fire

Click to Download Junk Science – Hey (the sequel)

Click to Download Kraak & Smaak – Squeeze Me

Click to Download Kylesa – Said And Done

Click to Download The Mother Hips – Mission in Vain

Click to Download Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head – Slow Motion Tag Team

Click to Download Or, the Whale – Call and Response

Click to Download Amanda Palmer – Leeds United

Click to Download Passion Pit – Sleepyhead

Click to Download Port O’Brien – I Woke Up Today

Click to Download Rademacher – Believer

Click to Download Radioclit – Kamphopo

Click to Download Say Hi – Northwestern Girls

Click to Download Scissors for Lefty – Ornamental

Click to Download Langhorne Slim – Restless

Click to Download Takka Takka – Everybody Say

Click to Download Themselves – Dark Sky Demo

Click to Download J. Tillman – Steel On Steel

Click to Download Trainwreck Riders – Through Unto The End

Click to Download White Lies – Death

Click to Download Wildchild – Whenimondamic

Click to Download Yak Ballz – Dirt Empire

Click to Download Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer – Death or Radio