Posts Tagged ‘john vanderslice’
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
25. Caspian – Tertia
Opening with a whisper and ending with a snarlingly epic conclusion. Perhaps the theme of the album is an ideal reflection of Caspian themselves, a band that insists on finding its own way and settles for nothing less than instrumental perfection.
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] Caspian – Of Foam and Wave from Tertia (2009)
24. Atlas Sound – Logos
As usual Bradford Cox connects to the very heart of the melancholy and joyous side of music. Logos in my opinion is better than anything he’s ever done. I know how bold that is, but I love this 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] Atlas Sound – Walkabout (w/ Noah Lennox) from Logos (2009)
23. P.O.S. – Never Better
A lyrical mastermind and a thought-provokingly amazing songwriter. This is punk music for the hip-hop soul and done so cleverly with the help of the Rhymesayers. Songs like Low Light Low Life and Goodbye are alone worth purchasing this album.
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] P.O.S. – Goodbye from Never Better (2009)
22. The Antlers – Hospice
The amount of emotion poured into Hospice is unrelenting. Having already heard Bear early in the year, I had to find out what the rest of the album sounded like. Bear ended up being re-translated for me once I had heard the whole album through. Like reading one middle chapter of a book and then going and reading the whole thing in order. Hospice is a gorgeous and delicate record and a sneak attack on the listener’s emotions.
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 Antlers – Bear from Hospice (2009)
21. John Vanderslice – Romanian Names
His craft in songwriting and artful hi-fi production are well represented in Romanian Names. I’m pretty sure the world will end if this man makes one bad record. Keep saving the world my friend!
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] John Vanderslice – Fetal Horses from Romanian Names (2009)
20. Doom – Born Like This
The grittiness is back. Lyrically brilliant and an all out blast to listen to, plus any record with a sample of Charles Bukowski is automatically awesome to me.
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.
DOOM – Ballskin from Born Like This (2009)
19. Sleep Whale – House Boat
As a sucker for ambient music and electro-acoustic soundscapes, Sleep Whale’s House Boat is my year’s MVP. A friend of mine said they reminded him of The Album Leaf, I responded with, “No, these guys are better.”
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] Sleep Whale – Cotton Curls from Houseboat (2009)
18. Jónsi & Alex – Riceboy Sleeps
Drenched in alien-like soundscapes and complex acoustics, “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson (Sigur Rós) and Alex Somers (Parachutes) made the world of ambient music shake with Riceboy Sleeps. The album’s ethereal movements and angelic atmosphere made listening an almost supernatural experience.
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] Jónsi & Alex - Boy 1904 from Riceboy Sleeps (2009)
17. Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
This is a more fragile record than people give it credit for. Songs like Moon and Moon and Glass are worth cuddling up with a pair of headphones and letting Natasha Khan’s soothing voice 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.
Bat For Lashes – Glass from Two Suns (2009)
16. Mos Def – The Ecstatic
Probably his best record to date. He’s been batting 1000 this year and this is no exception. Enlisting Madlib, Chad Hugo, and Georgia Anne to help produce this record was the obvious reason this record turned out so well, but Mos Def still has that lyrical flow everyone knows and loves.
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.
Mos Def – Twilight Speedball from The Ecstatic (2009)
15. Division Day – Visitation
Visitation is a work of structured and dark industrial beauty. Infused with haunting melodies, complex arrangements, vibrant sonic palettes, and infectious rhythms; this eleven-song LP will undoubtedly both challenge and pleasurably reward anyone not familiar with D-Day.
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] Division Day – Devil Light from Visitation (2009)
14. St. Vincent – Actor
The amount of talent Annie Clark exudes on Actor is undeniably amazing. Her beautiful voice melds perfectly with her intricate guitar work and the grand orchestrations make Actor quite possibly her best work so far.
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] St. Vincent – Actor Out Of Work from Actor (2009)
13. Fever Ray – Fever Ray
The atmosphere that lurks in this album is the definition of ‘heavy’ music. Not heavy as in metal, just weighted and dark. You are instantly transported and free to let your imagination run a muck.
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.
Fever Ray – When I Grow Up from Fever Ray (2009)
12. Clues – Clues
Punch me if you want but I wasn’t too impressed with Island’s new album, Vapours. However, Alden Penner’s (along with Brendan Reed and Bethany Or) Clues pretty much made up for the disappointment of both Vapours and probably never getting another Unicorns record. Penner’s voice carries the listener off on an epically fun voyage. It’s like a Pixar movie as a record; accessible, joyous, and overwhelmingly creative.
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] Clues – Haarp from Clues (2009)
11. Andrew Bird – Noble Beast
It was almost like he took a step back from his past records and took a different approach on this album. For the better of course, but the songs sound more rich with landscape and heavy on layers. That signature prose and instrumental genius exists, making Noble Beast one of the more fun folkish 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] Andrew Bird – Oh No from Noble Beast (2009)
10. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
They are quickly becoming one of my favorite bands. Not only because of their performance with Björk but because of their uncategorizeable style on Bitte Orca. Their complex arrangements of harmonies and jazzy melodies make this record a pleasure never to be guilty over. My only complaint; too short.
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] Dirty Projectors – No Intention from Bitte Orca (2009)
9. Mew – No More Stories Are Told Today I’m Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories The World Is Grey I’m Tired Let’s Wash Away
Despite having one of the worst albums covers this side of a community college photoshop submission (something they’re kind of famous for), No More Stories is an dark and epic giganotosaurus of a record. Some call them progressive rock from another planet, I agree…except for the prog-rock part.
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.
Mew – Beach from No More Stories Are Told Today I’m Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories The World Is Grey I’m Tired Let’s Wash Away (2009)
8. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
As a casual fan of Animal Collective, I approached this album like I approach all AniCol records, an open mind. Well, my mind was properly blown thank you very much. This album will forever be known as their most important record of not only their career but in independent music in general.
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.
Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes from Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)
7. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
It’s extremely difficult to make pop music art again. Last year MGMT almost made it but their record fizzled out midway. No band this year could match the sheer catchiness and addictive rhythms of Phoenix. No wonder commercials and radio have been jumping at the chance to play their music.
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] Phoenix – 1901 from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)
6. The Flaming Lips – Embryonic
Booming with fuzzed up entertainment and free minded lyrics. This is evidence that there is always room for growth in a band that has already perfected it’s craft.
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 Flaming Lips – The Sparrow Looks Up At The Machine from Embryonic (2009)
5. BlakRoc – BlakRoc
When some one says ‘rap-rock’ I want to punch a puppy…just want to get that out there. But when I heard BlakRoc, I heard the roots of two genres meshing together and creating something that probably should have been done a long time ago. Mixing the Black Keys with the likes of Q-Tip, Raekwon, RZA, Pharoahe Monch, etc; you get a potent mix that requires the listener to crank the volume.
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.
BlakRoc – Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo) (feat. Jim Jones & Mos Def) from Blakroc (2009)
4. Fanfarlo – Reservoir
Criminally underrated and perhaps annoyingly overhyped. Either way it’s undeniable that the humble Fanfarlo entered this year with one of the most heartwarming and lovable records. I see bright lights in their future, catch them while you can.
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] Fanfarlo – Luna from Reservoir (2009)
3. Jeremy Enigk – Ok Bear
While not exactly another Sunny Day Real Estate album, Jeremy Enigk’s Ok Bear is a grower, and boy does it grow on you. Covering all aspects of his music that I love and even touching on new ground, Enigk made the long drives to work that much more beautiful.
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] Jeremy Enigk – Mind Idea from Ok Bear (2009)
2. Portugal. The Man – The Satanic Satanist
They have been perfecting their brand of progressive beach rock for years and finally have made the record that truly embodies the real talent that is Portugal. The Man. Bonus points for the fantastic album art. Well done men.
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] Portugal. The Man – People Say from The Satanic Satanist (2009)
1. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
It didn’t take long for me to love every inch of this album and have it grow into one of my favorites of all time. The very genius of this record is the gentle journey that it takes you on. You are instantly transported and forced to pay attention like a book you can’t put down. A smart and aurally perfect record on every level.
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] Grizzly Bear – Cheerleader from Veckatimest (2009)
Tags: 2009, andrew bird, Animal Collective, Atlas Sound, Bat For Lashes, best of 2009, BlakRoc, Caspian, Clues, Dirty Projectors, division day, DOOM, Fanfarlo, favorite record of 2009, Fever Ray, Grizzly Bear, Jeremy Enigk, john vanderslice, jonsi & alex, mew, Mos Def, p.o.s., Phoenix, Portugal. The Man, records of 2009, Sleep Whale, St. Vincent, The Antlers, the Flaming Lips
Posted in Favorites of 2009, Music | 7 Comments »
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
It seems like a pretty sweet line-up, in fact, it’s near perfect. I’m having a pretty hard time trying to figure out who I should see (wait until SXSW…ugh!). I’m happy to see our friends The Limousines on there, John Vanderslice, Mark Kozelek, and Atlas Sound have me pretty much sold right now. Plus double Magnetic Fields shows. One at Oakland’s Fox Theater and another at the Herbst Theater. Here’s the full list of performers;
Magnetic Fields
Rogue Wave
Harlem
Japanese Motors
Foreign Born
Free Energy
Scout Niblett
Zee Avi
Wallpaper
The Limousines
Four Tet
Nathan Fake
Atlas Sound
John Vanderslice
We Were Promised Jet Packs
The Lonely Forest
Bear Hands
Mark Kozelek “A Solo Acoustic Performance, from the Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon”
The Soundtrack of Our Lives
Nico Vega
There’s supposed to be a few more announced so stay tuned for that. Click here for the full schedule including badge tickets, venues, Happy Hour at Benders, and eventually the film schedule.
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.
Foreign Born – Early Warnings from Person to Person (2009)
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.
Bear Hands – Long Lean Queen from Bear Hands EP (2007)
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.
Rogue Wave – California from Descended Like Vultures (2005)
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.
Sun Kil Moon – Carry Me Ohio from Ghosts Of The Great Highway (2003)
Tags: Atlas Sound, Bear Hands, Foreign Born, Four Tet, Free Energy, from the Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon", Harlem, Japanese Motors, john vanderslice, Magnetic Fields, Mark Kozelek "A Solo Acoustic Performance, Nathan Fake, Nico Vega, Noise Pop 2010, Scout Niblett, The Limousines, The Lonely Forest, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, wallpaper., We Were Promised Jet Packs, ZEE AVI
Posted in Concerts, Music | 1 Comment »
Monday, August 31st, 2009
The final day of Outside Lands Festival was a very foggy and chilly day in Golden Gate Park. I got a bit of joy seeing these LA hipster brats in their designer t-shirts freezing their asses off.
I made it in time to see Australia’s Lenka play a few songs including her single The Show as well as a brand new tune. She was having a good time despite the tiny crowd she generated. Plus she was cute as all hell. When an audience member asked her when the new album was going to be out she responded, “Fuck if I know, next year maybe?” Adorable. [Lenka Kuestionnaire]
I strolled up the John Vanderslice stage a bit confused. There had to be about 15 people in the crowd and he was going to perform in the next five minutes. Here was this talented singer-songwriter and creator of one of the best albums of the year, Romanian Names, and no one was here to appreciate it.
Gradually people started to trickle in and he eventually generated a sizable crowd. And for good reason, he brought his usual sweet and goofy personality mixed with his vulnerable and moving songs. This was a treat for anyone there to witness it. Playing plenty off his extensive catalog and a few gems off his new record including my favorite, Tremble And Tear. An impressive performance from this criminally underrated artist.
John Vanderslice – 
Fetal Horses from Romanian Names (2009)
My real test was to figure out whether I was stoked enough to see Dead Weather and Band of Horses or Modest Mouse, M.I.A., and Tenacious D. For some people this would be an easy choice, however for me I was torn. I figured I would catch Dead Weather and Band of Horses on their next tour and see Modest Mouse for the first time, see M.I.A. again, and witness the rockin’ that is Tenacious D. So I trekked over to my least favorite stage, the Lands End (Main) stage. The Lands End stage reminds me what I don’t like about festivals; the smell (you know what I’m talking about, that mix of BO, bad medicinal pot, and greasy fair food), loud ignorant people, and being compact with people I otherwise would never converse with. Well here’s a short list of characters I ran into while I was waiting for the Lands End acts.
- The Guys Fascinated and Obsessed With The Beach Balls
- The Two Valley Girls From Hollywood That Had Nothing Interesting To Say For 45 Minutes Straight But “OMG Why Is She (M.I.A.) Taking So Long?”
- The Guys Who REALLY Wanted To Be Seen On The Jumbo-Tron
- The Dude Who Smoked (I’m Not Exaggerating) 20 Blunts. “Dude….I’m so high..I….I can’t walk.”
Moving on. I’m a casual fan of Modest Mouse (I own The Moon and Antarctica and Good News For People Who Love Bad News, that’s it), but what I got was a decent performance filled with a few familiar tunes and some not so much. I have no idea whether tonight’s audience favored newer or older material. A nice thing happen though, Float On wasn’t played. Thank you Modest Mouse for building a genuine setlist for all of us and not randomly throwing a radio single in there. Bravo.
The show rocked on and the crowd sang along compellingly. Lead vocalist/guitarist Isaac Brock was short on banter which was also nice for a guy that is famously shitfaced during each show. Modest Mouse songs start (or end) like a lullaby at times but explode with precise time signatures and loud choruses, which was all on display today on this cloudy afternoon in San Francisco.
Modest Mouse – Heart Cooks Brain from Lonesome Crowded West (1997)
This was my second time seeing M.I.A. The first time was a week after Kala was released. Her shows are typically very energetic and this was no exception. The difference from this show and my first M.I.A. concert was the crowd’s energy, which was close to nothing. It didn’t make much sense. She had these twin albino crunk dancers going apeshit, two more hype dancers, she jumped into the crowd several times, they even tossed out a few dozen annoying plastic horns for the crowd to play with. Still, no dancing, no arm waving, just a few head nods. Keep in mind I was directly up front and I was squashed with Tenacious D fans who were vaguely familiar with anything from M.I.A. So I assume it was different at other parts of the crowd, but where I was standing, they were dead.
I however was having a blast with these random strangers I had just met. Dancing and singing along like I usually do. It was hard to keep any level of enthusiasm with the crowd at such a boorish energy level. I still don’t understand it. Anyway, she played a new song which I’ll post in the coming week. I forget the title but it sounds like Tricky crossed with …well, M.I.A.Very experimental and loud. I liked it.
All in all, she rocked, as usual. It’s just a pity the crowd sucked ass.
M.I.A. – MIA from Piracy Funds Terrorism, Volume 1 (2004)
It was time for The Beastie Boys’ replacement, Tenacious D. I would have preferred The Beastie Boys but I figured seeing the D wasn’t too bad of a trade off. After listening to their first full length album and watching a borrowed copy of The Pick of Destiny, I was hyped up enough to see the epic rocking that is Tenacious D.
It was a blast! They’re not a full fledged rock show though. They are more of a combination comedy act with skits, battles against the devil and something called The Metal, and a lot of dueling acoustic guitars and balls out rockin’ the fuck out.
It was very entertaining to say the least. You had to kind of let yourself except that this was more of a ’show’ than a rock concert and once you did that, you were having fun.
Playing classics like Fuck Her Gently (haha, classic…), Wonderboy, and Tribute were great to watch along with some Pick of Destiny songs, and a handful of Who covers during the encore. Not a bad way to end the night and these exhausting but overly satisfying festival.
Tenacious D – Kielbasa from Tenacious D (2001)
Outside Lands Overall Conclusion? While an epically embarrassing line-up and an audience of people who embrace shitting music, my journey through the festival was 90% a success.Lets rank my top 5 moments…
- The Mars Volta. They know how to put on a fucking show. Just an amazing thing to witness.
- Q-Tip. Playing Tribe Called Quest songs alone was great but his stage presence was amazing. A born performer.
- Portugal. The Man. They need to be experienced live. The band plays like they’ve been doing this for decades.
- Pearl Jam. You can tell that this is a band that has the art of performing live down to a science. Fantastic.
- John Vanderslice. It was great not only to hear him play new favorites, but old favorites as well…all the while outside in the foggy San Francisco afternoon. Gorgeous.
I had a great time and may go again next year if all goes well. See you then!
Tags: john vanderslice, LENKA, M.I.A., Modest Mouse, Outside Lands Music Festival, San Francisco's Outside Lands Festival, Tenacious D, The Beastie Boys
Posted in Concerts, Music | 8 Comments »
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)
Tags: Akron/Family, Alpha Blondy, As Tall As Lions, ATMOSPHERE, Autolux, BAND OF HORSES, Bat For Lashes, BETTYE LAVETTE, Big Light, BLACK EYED PEAS, BLIND PILOT, Boy in Static, BRETT DENNEN, BUILT TO SPILL, Cage The Elephant, CALEXICO, Conor Oberst, Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band, Darondo, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, Deerhunter, DENGUE FEVER, Eric McFadden Trio, EXTRA GOLDEN, Fruit Bats, Groundation, HEARTLESS BASTARDS, INCUBUS, Infantree, J. Tillman, JASON MRAZ, JJ GREY & MOFRO, john vanderslice, KINKY, LENKA, LILA DOWNS, Loop!Station, Los Campesinos!, Lucinda Williams, M.I.A., Mastodon, Matt & Kim, MIDNITE, Modest Mouse, Nino Moschella, OS MUTANTES, PEARL JAM, Portugal. The Man, Q-Tip, Raphael Saadiq, Reggie Watts, ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND, Rosin Coven, Ryan Bingham, Sambada, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, Street Sweeper Social Club, Tea Leaf Green, Tenacious D, The Avett Brothers, The Dead Weather, THE DIRTBOMBS, THE DUKE SPIRIT, The Mars Volta, The Matches, The Morning Benders, The National, The Working Title, THIEVERY CORPORATION, TOM JONES, TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE, tv on the radio, Vau De Vire and madd vibe orchestra., WEEN, WEST INDIAN GIRL, Yard Dogs Road Show, ZEE AVI
Posted in Music, This Week In Bay Area Live Shows | No Comments »
Saturday, April 18th, 2009
Happy Record Store Day! So what’s going on in your neighborhood? Here in the bay we’ve got Amoeba Records hosting Kylee of Loquat at 2pm, Kelley Stoltz at 3pm, John Vanderslice’s DJ Set at 4pm, and Aesop Rock’s DJ set at 5pm. Up at the Rasputin Berkley, Silversun Pickups play at 4pm and Mr. Loveless play Rasputin Concord at 5pm.
Oh and here’s my favorite quote on Record Store Day by Gavin Hayes of dredg, “Record stores are cultural gathering places where people go to share a common interest…their love for music. They are nostalgia and hot summer days. Record stores are ditching class to buy a record the day it comes out. They are Amoeba, Rasputin, and Aquarius and the distinct smell of the old records in the basement of the local mom and pop store. The record store is Run DMC on cassette tape. They are Iron Maiden posters, metal t-shirts and the magazine rack. The record store is a yellow and red Tower Records bag littered with CD labels. They are the listening stations, in store performances/signings, and staff recommendations. They are the used and local section and the free publications and zines at the front door. They are distributors of a product made up of dreams, effort, and heart that have the capability to change lives and outlooks, determine individuality, and divide or unite.”
Oh and this one by Patton Oswalt, “The idea of, ‘The journey is the destination’ is put into action by browsing in an indie record store. Besides, a human being is a much better guide than a ‘More Like This’ link on the internet.”
John Vanderslice – My Old Flame
If you have noticed that some of our mp3 have mysteriously disappeared…you can take it up with the hosting site Boxstr. We are currently using Box.net from this moment on until they figure things out.
Feel free to follow us at Kata Rokkar. We’re kind of new at this so…tweet?
A handful of exciting releases this past Tuesday.We’ve got The Boy Least Likely To’s The Law Of The Playground, Ida Maria’s Fortress Round My Heart, Metric’s Fantasies, Papercuts’ You Can Have What You Want, Silversun Pickups’ Swoon, and Medeski Martin & Wood’s Radiolarians II. I highly recommend the new Metric and Papercuts albums. In fact, I’ve really been digging Papercuts with their Dinosaur Jr meets Notwist sound. Plus they’re local, so that’s a plus.
Metric – Help I’m Alive (The Twelves Remix)
Silversun Pickups – Panic Switch (Chin and Troublemaker Remix)
Papercuts – Future Primitive
Atmospheric rock band
Water & Bodies (ex-
Kaddisfly) have released some new tunes and they seem to be finding their niche. I hear potential, but these tracks still need to grow on me. We’ll see…
Jeremy Enigk has released yet another song entitled
Life’s Too Short from his upcoming album,
OK Bear on his myspace page. The vocals are similar to
Return Of The Frog Queen but the song is way heavier than anything off Frog Queen. I am loving this direction he’s going in. May 12th Baby!
As previously posted on
Stranger Dance; local venues like Bottom of the Hill, Great American Music Hall, Slim’s and Café du Nord might have to be forced to shut down unless they can meet the ABC’s requirement stating that half of their sales come from food. However, according to this recent article at
SFgate, it seems as though there will be some peace and understanding among the ABC and San Francisco business owners. Including talks of a new type of license. This is very good news for the Bay Area concert goer, so we’ll see what happens over the next few weeks.
Tags: aesop rock, Boxstr, dredg, Jeremy Enigk, john vanderslice, Kelley Stoltz, Kylee, loquat, Metric, Mr. Loveless, Papercuts, patton oswalt, Record Store Day, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, twitter, Water & Bodies
Posted in Kata's Weekend Showcase, Music, News | No Comments »
Monday, April 13th, 2009
PEARL JAM • DAVE MATTHEWS BAND • BEASTIE BOYS
INCUBUS • BLACK EYED PEAS • M.I.A. • JASON MRAZ • WEEN
THE MARS VOLTA • THIEVERY CORPORATION • MODEST MOUSE
BAND OF HORSES • TV ON THE RADIO • THE DEAD WEATHER • ATMOSPHERE
TOM JONES • SILVERSUN PICKUPS • ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND
THE NATIONAL • Q-TIP • BRETT DENNEN • BUILT TO SPILL • MASTODON
RAPHAEL SAADIQ • CALEXICO • OS MUTANTES • MIDNITE • JJ GREY & MOFRO
KINKY • DEERHUNTER • LILA DOWNS • TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE
THE DODOS • BETTYE LAVETTE • DENGUE FEVER • HEARTLESS BASTARDS
THE DIRTBOMBS • LENKA • AKRON/FAMILY • JOHN VANDERSLICE
MATT & KIM • PORTUGAL. THE MAN • THE MORNING BENDERS
THE DUKE SPIRIT • ZEE AVI • BLIND PILOT • SAMBADA
RYAN BINGHAM • WEST INDIAN GIRL • EXTRA GOLDEN
There you have it folks; one of the (many) reasons I love living near San Francisco. This is a quite an amazing line-up if you ask me. I’m actually very glad I decided not to go to Coachella this year.
I have never seen any of the headliners live, so I am most definitely excited about Pearl Jam and The Beastie Boys. Dave Matthews Band seems to be the “Jack Johnson” of the line-up to cater to the backwards ballcap bro-crowd.
I was always a fan of Incubus (a shock, I know) until they abandoned their trademark sound with A Crow Left of the Murder. Since then it’s been downhill for the band. So am I excited to see them?…kind of. But I doubt I’ll hear anything from S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
As for Black Eyed Peas and Jason Mraz, that will most likely land on “Dave Matthews Day” which will be my cue to wander around Golden Gate Park and Twitter the weird shit I see.
This will be my 2nd time seeing M.I.A. and TV on the Radio, both of which put on amazing live shows.
Indie-rock heroes Modest Mouse and Ween should be entertaining I guess. I got into both of them kind of late so I’ll be happy with whatever they decide to play.
I’ll finally get to see The National and Mastodon perform live. Both bands always seem to come to town on days I already have plans or have to work. Hopefully we won’t have any scheduling conflicts.
The hip-hop side of the festival is kind of weak. I’m no fan of Atmosphere but I am really looking forward to Q-Tip’s set. He’s only made my favorite hip-hop record of last year.
There’s some odd choices…like…uhh…Tom Jones? Jack White’s Dead Weather seems to be a band that will be forgotten about this time next year. The random toss of Thievery Corporation in the line-up seems kind of bizarre. I don’t see any other trip-hop acts in the line-up so I don’t know why they agreed to perform this year (why not Treasure Island Festival?).
The bottom of the list looks very promising with Portugal The Man, Akron/Family, The Dodos, John Vanderslice, and Heartless Bastards. Plus I’m sure I’ll discover some new acts that I’ve never heard of along the way.
All in all, it seems promising for a festival that is a 20 minute drive from my place. It gets kind of “Bro-chella” around the top, but I like what I see so far.
Anyone have any thoughts?
John Vanderslice – Trance Manual
Portugal. The Man – Out and In and In and Out
Band of Horses – Is There A Ghost
Tags: Akron/Family, ATMOSPHERE, BAND OF HORSES, BEASTIE BOYS, BETTYE LAVETTE, BLACK EYED PEAS, BLIND PILOT, BRETT DENNEN, BUILT TO SPILL, CALEXICO, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, Deerhunter, DENGUE FEVER, EXTRA GOLDEN, HEARTLESS BASTARDS, INCUBUS, JASON MRAZ, JJ GREY & MOFRO, john vanderslice, KINKY, LENKA, LILA DOWNS, M.I.A., Mastodon, Matt & Kim, MIDNITE, Modest Mouse, OS MUTANTES, PEARL JAM, Portugal. The Man, Q-Tip, Raphael Saadiq, ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND, SAMBADA RYAN BINGHAM, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, The Dead Weather, THE DIRTBOMBS, The Dodos, THE DUKE SPIRIT, The Mars Volta, The Morning Benders, The National, THIEVERY CORPORATION, TOM JONES, TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE, tv on the radio, WEEN, WEST INDIAN GIRL, ZEE AVI
Posted in Concerts, Music, News | 1 Comment »
