Music Monday: Quarter Century

Today on this sunny 26th day of May in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Eight, I turn 25 years old. What an occasion. I've never been one for much external emotion on my Birthday, I've only ever really written anything down a couple of times, but I've always felt the need to reflect on this day. I never reflect at the New Year. It doesn't make sense. Why would I reflect on an odd day in my personal history? It only seems right to reflect on the most personally historic day of your life. And what is more personally historic to you than the day you were born. It keeps things even and symmetrical, and Lord knows I love me a bit of symmetry. So here today as I sit and think about the past 25 years, I thought I'd treat myself and you to something special. A little aural treat that is comprised of exactly the type of stimulus my ears love on such a personally special day. There are a lot of bits here that make me happy, so hopefully they'll make you happy as well. And remember to wish John Wayne, Miles Davis, Levon Helm and Luca Toni a happy one as well.

Music Monday: Quarter Century

1. Jean Constantin - Prologue and The Police Van -- from the film The 400 Blows. One of my favorite film scores of all time for one of my favorite film director's most personal film. You may have heard this playing right before the emotional climax in last year's The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, but what you may not have known is that it was first from François Truffaut's masterpiece. One of my favorite birthdays thus far was when I spent my 23rd in Monaco, enjoying the ocean, the beach, the food, the people, the culture (and forming an exclusive Oceanographic Society). It was a joyfully relaxing day and this track perfectly encapsulates every emotion I felt on that very emotional day. Constantin captured the tender playfulness and heavy emotion of what it is like to age physically yet remain young at heart, a trait that I hope to carry on with me throughout the rest of my time.

2. Mellow - Instant Love -- from the 2001 release Another Mellow Spring. I first heard Mellow when they soundtracked what is one of my favorite films of all time, CQ (which I'll be posting about in the near future). Since that day, they have managed to become one of those bands that remains in the back of my mind for whenever I head into a record shop, so that I may remember their names in my quest to acquire every bit of audio recording they put their name to. This album is just as its and their name implies, just nice and mellow. It is one of the sweetest songs I've ever heard and continues to imbue in my life nothing but happiness.

3. Seu Jorge - Tive Razao -- from the 2004 album Cru. You probably better know Seu Jorge as Pelé dos Santos, the red-beanied, Bowie-covering, weapons expert, Brazilian aboard Steve Zissou's ship. Or you may know him as Knockout Ned from the disturbingly brilliant City of God. Either way, you should also know him as an unbelievably talented solo musician. He is one of the pioneers in the renewal of samba as a commercially and critically acclaimed movement in Brazil. This album is great, though I hear his first (titled Samba Esporte Fino or Carolina) is supposed to be great. I think you can find that on iTunes.

4. The Mountaineers - UK Theatre -- from the 2003 album Messy Century. I mentioned in one of my last Music Mondays that this song was one of my all time favorites and that I would soon include it. Well why not on my birthday list? I don't know why I find this song to be one of my favorites. I randomly found it about two or three months before I first visited the UK, and while I was there it became my theme for walking around London, to and from my classes, out and about. I must've listened to this song on repeat a hundred times, and it has yet to get old. That's how I know it'll stay a favorite.

5. Jean Constantin - Trinity and Finale -- again, from The 400 Blows. I can't say enough about this score, so I figured I'd round it out with a perfect ending. Truffaut and Constantin just hit it completely right with their collaboration and it's something that I'll never forget no matter how many birthdays go by.

An Eventful Week No Doubt

There are moments in everyone's life where it turns out there are no words to sum up what you're feeling, just words to describe what that feeling is like.

This is one of those times. Well, technically this is two of those times.

Dan snapped this one from the pit. Great job Dan.

Radiohead.

Three friends and I had the distinct pleasure of standing mere feet away from five of the greatest musicians of our time that collectively make up the English group Radiohead.

I was smiling the entire time I was in the pit, looking back and sharing glowing stares of disbelief at the fact that Radiohead was right there in front of us. Right there in front of us playing music. Radiohead is one of those (very) few bands that have continued to astound with each new release and nowhere is this more clearly stated than right in your face, live. Lighting packages aside, the show was phenomenal. Colin Greenwood makes you smile with his giddy jumping and his brother Johnny is just downright capable. More than capable really. I'd say he actually verges on tear-inducing. And what a joy it is to see Thom Yorke completely embracing the status of a front man, completely comfortable now (seemingly) with taking the reigns and guiding the beastly stallion that is Radiohead through an entire show. He just looks happy now. The Boomers had the Beatles and the Stones, we've got Radiohead.


Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

I wanted so desperately to like this movie. Imagine my surprise then when I came out of it absolutely loving it. This isn't because I am a complete fanboy, although that really helps, but it is because while it sometimes doesn't look completely like an Indiana Jones movie, it feels like one right from the start. Harrison is back. He's no longer phoning in performances in third rate buddy cop flicks and terrible romantic dramas. He is Indiana Jones. Good grief I feel like I am in 5th grade again. The movie is everything you want it to be, funny, exciting, action packed and filled with sci-fi fun. It is sentimental when it needs to be and it is frightening when it needs to be.

You might hear terrible things about this movie, but I think that the reason you might is because the people saying these terrible things aren't looking at this movie for what it is. Indiana Jones movies aren't supposed to be based in a complete reality. The Ark of the Covenant being found to melt faces off? The Kali Ma ripping still beating hearts out of still breathing human sacrifices? The impostor Holy Grail speeding up the aging process resulting in a corpse drying more and more by the second? NONE OF THIS STUFF REALLY HAPPENS. Somewhere along the line people must have started thinking these movies were supposed to be Schlinder's List because Spielberg was at the helm.

And Shia LaBeouf. As much as I don't want to give this guy a chance sometimes (mostly because he's just getting some amazing roles and I get snobbishly cynical about films) he keeps on delivering exactly what he needs to. The kid's got talent.

There are so many things in this film that will appease the fanboys like me, inside jokes, nods, whatever you want to call them. But there are also genuine moments that will make you smile no matter how old, young, jaded, or fresh you are in this world. It's got a serious heart and a charm that has had me hook, line and sinker since I was a kid.

Show me a world without an enjoyment of Indiana Jones and I'll show you a world I don't want to live in.

Music Monday: In A Very Simple Way

Yeah, yeah. Sure, sure. It's Thursday. I know, but that's nitpicking isn't it?

This week's (and for all you know the next couple of weeks) comes from the past month of furiously trying to seek out new music, which is such a damn time consuming chore. The result is some new stuff, some slightly old stuff (by a month or so) but overall a great companion to the oncoming beauty of summer.

Music Monday: In A Very Simple Way

1. Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today -- off the upcoming All We Could Do Was Sing. I heard this song on a Cornerstone Promotions sampler I got at SXSW. A little research tells me (and subsequently you) that this is about the third incarnation of this song... and it is so stinking catchy that I once spent an entire 30 minute car ride with it on repeat. In one month is has yet to get old. That speaks volumes for it's crafting. Port O'Brien is from out West (let's generally say NorCal), and have a release called The Wind and The Swell which I have not heard, but soon will (you should go ahead and go for it, too). All We Could Do Was Sing is out May 13th and is their first studio album. Something to look forward to in May (besides Iron Man, Indiana Jones and My Birthday).

2. Ruby Suns - Kenya Dig It? -- off recent release Sea Lion. Up for not only song of the year for me, but also title of the year. I recently had the pleasure of seeing them live twice, once at SXSW then on a tour they were supporting. As you can tell from the title, they are quirky and charming, and watching them live you find it hard not to fall for both characteristics. Not to mention they're a three piece! What sound they manage to create! Lead man Ryan McPhun is the genious that creates most of the tunes, Amee Robinson wears sparkly dresses and Imogen Taylor has an awesome name (and plays the flute). They're all multi-instrumentalists and they're all enviable in their own way. The whole album is pleasant on the ears, and hailing from New Zealand, they've managed to combine every possible sound you can imagine to create what I will forever hope the tiny nation sounds like. (note: if in fact, NZ does sound like Ruby Suns I want to live there)

3. Rademacher - If You Got Some Magic -- off of their first full length, Stunts. I heard this randomly somewhere, I don't even remember where, but it caught my ear and managed to stick around for the ensuing month and a half until I finally gathered the consciousness to look them up and find the track. I can't speak for the full album (soon I will though, you can order it here), but this song sounds about as timeless as a trip to the Grand Canyon (which hopefully stays timeless). They hail from Fresno, CA and have produced some EPs before Stunts (all by themselves). As soon as I get the full length in the mail, I'll let you know. Unless of course you want to go ahead and see for yourself (again, here).

4. The Boticellis - Up Against The Glass -- off of the upcoming Home Movies (I think). I know absolutely nothing about this band other than that they're from California. They sound like they're from England, and I love that. I also love this song, can't. stop. listening.

5. Fanfarlo - Fire Escape -- off of a single called Fire Escape/We Live By The Lake. These guys should become massive amongst the Arcade Fire-loving individuals in the States. I saw them at SXSW and, besides having a very cute violinist, they were almost too talented. They're from the UK and play tight, sophisticated pop. It's all happy. I almost can't say much more. Here's a little acoustic performance they did for the Tripwire during SXSW:



6. White Shoes & The Couples Company - Brother John -- off their self-titled album out on Minty Fresh. This band was THE surprise for me at this year's SXSW. I know they are a little gimmicky, what with the heavy 70's Indonesian film/lounge influence, but listen to this and tell me that it ain't catchy and fun to listen to. Seeing them live, which is a treat here in the States (they hardly ever come over as they're from Jakarta), is something else; and drummer John Navid is a freaking madman on those jazzy drums of his. Not to mention the overall sexiness of lead singer Aprilla Apsari. There are many tracks on the album worthy of your time this summer, while in the tropics, on the lake, at the local swimming hole, or just driving with the top down. You'll be smiling that's for sure.



Ahh, that felt good.

Right In The Hole

Screw the Masters this weekend, here's the all-time best hole-in-one courtesy of my friend Dan.



Job well done, Dan.

Everybody Seems To Think I'm Lazy...

... I don't mind, I think they're crazy.


Two new reviews for things you should check out at your earliest convenience.

1. Joy Division - dir. Grant Gee -- the review pretty much speaks for itself. The film was amazing, and I wasn't really that much of a Joy Division fan before going to see it. It's just a genuinely great story to be told. I've heard rumors of it being packaged with the DVD release of the biopic on Ian Curtis, Control. Not sure though. Either way, check it out.

2. Bright Blue Dream - by {{{Sunset}}} -- I've already written a bit about the album on here, but here's a full review I wrote this week. It's a great piece of work and I think you should probably listen to it all the way through this weekend. {{{Sunset}}} @ The Tripwire.

* * *

Also, I'll get to another music playlist next week. Got some pretty good tunes in the ol' quiver just waiting to pierce your heart.

I've Got Nothing To Say But It's O.K.

Today is marks a heartbreaking day in music history. 38 years ago today The Beatles officially announced their break up. Sure each had their own successes with solo careers (personally I think George did it best), but no one ever quite reached that fevered success that all four collectively did in their mere ten years of existence.

The Beatles are a lot of things to a lot of people. I wasn't alive during their time, but they were what got me into music. I taught myself how to play guitar from their songs, I met the first person I ever loved while on a Beatles pilgrimage, and I've reconnected with people I was once friends with and made whole new friends through their beautiful melodies. They are my favorite band of all time, and I've spent many a day trying to learn exactly what they did every hour of every day they were together, hoping to somehow channel that into my own life. They've guided my creativity for years. Thank you Ringo, George, Paul & John.

I can't remember what book it was in, I think it was High Fidelity, that stated most clearly what The Beatles are to a lot of people. They are a constant, and despite the individuality and ownership within the band, the fans now own them. No matter what happens, you can always go home and be with The Beatles. No matter what anyone takes away from me, they'll never take The Beatles, they are mine. And they're yours, too. So take the time today to give at least one full album a listen. And remember to Smile. Wait, that would be The Beach Boys... how about - And remember to Love? Why don't you just Smile AND Love.

Gordon Street? Ah yes, Gordon Street.

I once knew a girl who lived on Gordon Street, a long time ago when I was a young man. Not a day passes I don't think of her and the promise that I made which I will always keep. That one perfect day on Gordon Street. That's uh, five blocks up, two over.

Oh, how unfortunate it is that Charlton Heston has died. He was an actor that was true to himself, and gave us as the audience one of the most distinctive voices of all time. I've not seen anywhere near his entire body of work, 126 performances in both television and film, but from what I have seen has always made a lasting impression on me.

Growing up Catholic, going to Catholic schools, The Ten Commandments was required annual viewing, and despite what you may think about a bunch of Elementary school kids watching a film that's nearly three hours long, we all loved it. Heston's booming voice and lion's mane of a 'do in that film gave me the feeling that Moses could pretty much take on anyone or anything that came his way.

Of course the other film to be named here is Planet of the Apes. Of all his films this one was truly the one that got me geeked. Of course many will say that, and it's not like I'm a total nerd over the series, I've only seen the first two, but I think the circumstances in which you see certain films influences how you will react to the medium for the rest of your life. Planet of the Apes was one of those films that I saw as a kid really late one weekend night. You know those nights where you would just stay up and have the TV running while you continued to play with your Lego's, building a vast empire of red and yellow and green bricks. It'd be midnight and you'd be so tired because you never stay up that late. Then just as your interest in designing the space fleet for your moonbase begins to wane, on comes something that just pulls you in. Heston in space, crash landing in the middle of a desert, finding dead bodies. Oh yeah, and Apes that can talk. Damn dirty ones at that.

For a kid of 10 or 11, that is absolutely amazing, and I think because of that I have always had a certain predisposition to sci-fi. I still haven't become a sci-fi series reading, Star Trek quoting, card-carrying nerd about the genre, but damn if I don't get a kick out of most everything that comes my way. I'll always thank Chuck Heston and Planet of the Apes for that.

Of course there's many others to name. Ben-Hur was tremendous, Touch of Evil (the first "film school" film of Heston's I saw), The Omega Man, Soylent Green. Should I go on? It feels like I should, but there are so many. I would love to mention his cameo in Wayne's World 2. I know it's not Shakespeare or anything, but it definitely ranks up there in the top 5 film cameos of all time for me (a close 3rd to Bruce Willis in Loaded Weapon 1, with Peter O'Toole's cameo in the first Casino Royale beating the lot). Well that's the rambling for today. Just sad that Heston's gone now, up to that big maaaaaadhouse in the sky.

A Post of Laughter and Forgetting

So I've been just busy enough lately to not want to even log in here and complete a post with no links or pictures or video. There's been some events going on that's made me quite excited though, so let's at least get to those.

Stuff:

Went to AFI Dallas to check out a doc on Joy Division. I wrote a review of it for The Tripwire, it hasn't been posted yet, so if it does, I'll link to it. If it doesn't, I'll post it here. It was awesome.

Music:

{{{Sunset}}} - from the former bassist of Sound Team, Bill Baird. The new album released last week, Bright Blue Dream. It really stinking good. It also turns out to be one of those albums thats very influencial on your life. In the way that it makes you want to also create.

Which leads me to this...

My band.

There's a tentative title to it... Chris and Doug. That's mostly a joke, but it's the best thing we've got right now, and we needed a name so... there it is. Chris and Doug.

So far we've got three songs recorded as demos. Two of them are posted on a MySpace page, which you can find if you want. I don't want to link to it until we've gotten some better takes done. But the good news is, the bandmate, Dan, just got a job in Austin, so he'll be moving down here in the next couple of weeks. So there will be some serious happenings in the next month or so. Get ready. Well don't get too ready, because we don't want you to be an inappropriate amount of ready for when the time comes to actually show you the songs, for they may not require you to be quite THAT ready. So maybe just look forward to it a little. Sort of like a nice surprise that might spring up on you like a beautiful day. Not that we really sound like a beautiful day. That would be nice. I would say we probably sound like rambling. Rambling Pop Music. Neurotic Rambling Pop. Neurotically Unsure but Rambling Pop Music. That'll do for now. Thanks everyone.

Proper Journalism

Finally one of the pieces I did about last week's SXSW has been completed and posted, well it's really the only thing I did on my own. There were a lot of bands to cover, and about three people actually trying to cover them amidst the chaos, me being one of them.

So first off, here's my interview with the coolest band to fly under the radar last year, Alamo Race Track (posted today on The Tripwire). I met them at a Seattle's Best Coffee shop that turned out to be closed on a Saturday (whaa?). Despite that tragic misstep on my part, they were some of the coolest guys and were great about letting me interview them. I want to move to Holland.

On The Steps Of A Closed Coffee Shop with Alamo Race Track

Next, here's some links to what all went down at the Levis/FADER Fort that I worked at ...

Tripwire Acoustic Sessions - This will keep getting updated as the weeks go on, we had a boatload of artists come in and record stripped down versions of their best tracks. It was awesome.
Photo Recap #1 - Some photos taken throughout the days, photos taken by myself, Chip Adams and Erin Chandler.
The Stills @ The Fort - A piece I wrote and photos I took from The Stills' set ... I can't wait for their new album this summer.
Langhorne Slim @ The Fort - Another piece on the band, Langhorne Slim, great hippy, folk-rock.
Lou Reed Tribute Gallery - There was a massive tribute to the work of Lou Reed at the Fort this year. I was lucky enough to be front and center to snap pics of the two hour ordeal. This is just a smattering, I am trying to get ahold of the rest of them that I took. I was a foot away from the man himself! Not to mention Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth, people) took a stage dive right ontop of me and my camera (ouch).
Photo Recap of day two - Snapped a few from Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong.
Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong - More info in a piece about them.
Photo Recap of day one - Snapped a few from the Chikita Violenta set.
Chikita Violenta - More info in a piece about them.

So I think that's about it really... there's much more that went on at the Fort than what I've linked to... for more of it check this update page out. It was pretty insane.

The Queen of Shiva wore falsies.

Looks Like There's A Storm A-Brewin'

Hey everone, my good friend Quinn has a blog now... I never thought I'd see the day.

I've known Quinn since my Sophomore year in High School, the guy is a whirling ball of crazy. And if you don't watch out, he'll Batman yer ass for sure!

Quinn works for C3 Presents, they are probably the best concert promotions/artist management/all around music afficianados in the biz, winning concert promoter of the year awards left and right. That said, he's got some awesome access to bands and locales and has decided to use that to give us all random interviews with some pretty cool people (he's already sat down with Mason Jennings and What Made Milwaukee Famous @ SXSW, as well as a little snippet of The Black Keys live).

Here's a little intro into what and who Quinnstorm is all about ... then head on over to Quinnstorm yourself.

I am trying my best to get everything together to give you all a little recap of SXSW from myself. A lot was seen and a lot was taken care of and a lot was photographed. Gimme A Break.

Who, and Why Would Anyone Do That... Ever?

Last night I had the great opportunity to get a further glimpse into the inspirational and maddening genius of Gogol Bordello front man, Eugene Hütz. Thanks in large part to The Alamo Drafthouse, a buddy of mine and I headed to the Ritz Downtown to check out this week's installment of "Music Mondays" (okay so I may have inadvertently lifted that title) - The Pied Piper of Hützovina.

The film is a documentary by Czech filmmaker Pavla Fleischer (cine./assistant dir. on the apparently haunting doc Blues by the Beach) and follows what started out as a project to reunite her and Hütz and to rekindle a flame that once burned between them. After actually reuniting it was painfully apparent that this was not the film that would be made. Instead, Hütz's vision took to the forefront as he guided Fleischer on a trip through the slums of East Europe/Siberia. Hütz's goal - reunite with his own heritage via Gypsy music.

Having lived in a small part of Kiev for the beginning of his life and them emigrating to the United States, it was great fun and very touching to see him head back home and try to find where he came from. Along the way he meets his hero (Sasha Kolpakov), is told by a very influential Romany Gypsy artist that his music is destructive, and attempts to connect the dots between different clans of Gypsies while experiencing their culture firsthand through music, using the time to cultivate his own understanding of the culture and how it relates to his art.

It was insightful and, like I said, inspirational. Hütz is very comfortable in front of the camera (if you'll remember his debut in Everything Is Illuminated) and he's very funny.

Hütz was even there to introduce the film to us all (Gogol was playing a show down the street at Stubbs later that night), and to hear what he had to say firsthand about the film was great. Unfortunately, Fleischer I don't think was there, but to see Eugene firsthand in his random neo-gypsy duds was perfect enough for us all.

I'd love to recommend this film to anyone who enjoys music and the idea of reconnecting with something you've only a vague notion of, to anyone who feels a slight connection to another part of the world and has always had the indescribable urge to flesh out exactly why.

The Pied Piper of Hützovina is out now on DVD. You can buy or rent it from the site.

Oh, My Stars and Garters!

I was checking my regular websites this morning when I came upon a perfect piece of info for a Monday morning (besides Music Mondays, of course). Ain't It Cool News tells us that... There's a Ricky Gervais film in the works... Written and directed by him with Matt Robinson.

This is great news. The premise will undoubtedly follow in line with Gervais' past satirical work (especially of note, that last episode of Extras... amazing).

Basic premise: It is a world where lying has never happened, everyone in the history of time has told the truth and has no concept of what a lie is... until Gervais accidentally invents it.

Going to be Gold.

Here's Gervais' new blog for the film, This Side of the Truth. Follow it.

Hitting the Fan

This week is about to get crazy. My normal work schedule is fairly laid back, nothing too stressful, which is what I really love about it. Not to toot my own horn here (gross?) but I am consistently one of the most laid back people I know. Nothing really ruffles my feathers. This is a trait I like. It does get a little drab sometimes though, which is why I love to have a few times out of the year when I put myself in stressful situations, partly to keep my senses up and partly to see how well I handle it. That time of the year has once again come and it's time to test my stress reflexes at this year's SXSW Music Fest.

There's plenty of resources to fill you in on what exactly the SXSW experience is, so I'll let you help yourself on your own time if you don't know anything about it. What I will say is this, it's going to be a lot of music crammed into four days and my ears will be subjected to some great stuff, and some very bad stuff. I will look upon it all with wide eyes as urban hipsters with skinny jeans intermingle with industry hobknobbers and famous musicians. Last year was awesome as I met Aziz Ansari, the guys from Youth Group, a couple of the comedians that used to be bit players on Conan, Har Mar Superstar, the guys from White Rabbits, Brian Posehn, and others, not to mention all the hottie band chicks everywhere (I'm looking at you The Pipettes).

This year will no doubt be as entertaining as I help cover the event going down at the FADER/Levi's party (called The Fort). If you're around, and I know you, let me know and I'll try to help you get in. Here's the recently released schedule of events... courtesy of The Tripwire.

WEDNESDAY 03.12.08
1:30 - 1:55 - The Mae Shi
2:15 - 2:40 - The Whip
3:00 - 3:25 - Jeremy Jay
3:45 - 4:10 - The Kills
4:30 - 4:55 - The Ruby Suns
LEVI'S 501 HAPPY HOUR
5:15 - 5:40 - Chikita Violenta
6:00 - 6:25 - Does It Offend You, Yeah?
6:45 - 7:15 - Yacht
DJS: Price Klasson, Rezound and Pandemoniom Jones (Caps n' Jones)

THURSDAY 03.13.08
1:30 - 1:45 - Ben's Brother (acoustic)
2:00 - 2:25 - The Ting Tings
2:45 - 3:10 - Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong
3:30 - 3:55 - Grand Ole Party
4:15 - 4:40 - Birdmonster
LEVI'S 501 HAPPY HOUR
5:00 - 5:25 - Saul Williams
5:45 - 7:00 - Lou Reed Tribute (feat. What Laura Says Thinks, And Feels, Paper Route, Oh No! Oh My!, Ezra Furman, Joseph Arthur, Dr. Dog, Mark Zokelek, Yo La Tengo, My Morning Jacket, Moby, Thurston Moore & The New Wave Bandits)
7:30 - 8:30 - N.E.R.D.
DJS: Queen Majesty, Tittsworth and Dave Nada and the Fluo Kids

FRIDAY 03.14.08 (Curated by thetripwire.com)
1:00 - 1:25 - The Knux
1:45 - 2:10 - The Fashion
2:30 - 2:55 - The Lemonheads
3:15 - 3:40 - These New Puritans
4:00 - 4:25 - Langhorne Slim
4:45 - 5:10 - Fanfarlo
RAY BAN HAPPY HOUR W/ PUNK IS DEAD BOOK SIGNING
5:30 - 5:55 - Working For A Nuclear Free City
6:15 - 6:40 - The Stills
7:00 - 7:30 - Duffy
DJS: Fourcolourzack and Pretty Titty, Ghislain Porier, Disjokke and Bjorn Torske

SATURDAY 03.15.08
1:30 - 1:55 - Dri
2:15 - 2:40 - David Banner
3:00 - 3:25 - Lykke Li
3:45 - 4:10 - Hood Headlinaz
4:30 - 4:55 - Telepathe
LEVI'S 501 HAPPY HOUR
5:15 - 5:40 - BLK JKS
6:00 - 6:25 - Santogold
6:45 - 7:15 - Spankrock
7:35 - 8:20 - 2 Live Crew
DJS: Bloody Beetroots and the Fools Gold DJs, A-Track, LA Riots, Nick Catchdubs, Jokers of the Scene & Friends


Damn that's a lot of stuff. I also just found out that I'll get a chance to interview my favorite band from '07... Alamo Race Track. I've featured them on a couple Music Mondays. They're from Amsterdam and never come to the States. I'm getting giddy. Alright, now on to preparation. Adieu.

Black Cab Sessions

Damn these guys have a good idea. I've checked their site out a few times. They've got some good artists and interesting takes on some songs you know and love. The St. Vincent take on "Dig A Pony" is gorgeous. And The Tripwire has pointed out that Austin's beloved Spoon have recently filmed a take on their sublime, "I Summon You."

I've always gotten a weird vibe from front man Britt Daniel, I've seen him around clubs in town a lot and he's always seemed like one of the creepiest people, chilling out in the shadows of bars, smoking a cigarette, dressed in black and watching crowds of people. I said hi to him once and he sort of curled his upper lip as if some odious stench were singeing his nose hairs. But you have to hand it to him this... he writes some catchy tunes. Really catchy. Almost too catchy. He's like a modern day Buddy Holly.

Anywho, here's the Black Cab Sessions: Chapter 31: Spoon

F-MINUS

About a year and a half ago I began to read the newspaper again. Well not so much read the paper as do the crossword every morning. This has resulted in a new appreciation for the comics section (where the crossword lives in the The Statesman). Among the favorites are Non Sequitur and Bizarro, but one that always catches my eye (well it is directly under the crossword) is F-MINUS. Creator Tony Carrillo is rarely off in his ability to give me a great chuckle in the morning and I'd like to share one of my recent favorites with you from a few days ago... Feb. 27th to be exact. For all the writers out there who, like me, make too much use of the comma....

[insert chuckle here]

NEWS: Irish Christians Dislike What I Have To Say

**UPDATE**
We've all had a good chat and a laugh about this. Supersimbo made more clear his position and point with his post. I'd like to say that there were never any hard feelings coming from either of us just for clarification, and some of his commenters made great points, most notably the person who states that I didn't use the term "shit" in correct context. I didn't, and oh how I laugh at my stupidity. It's all been chuckled off. I love the internet.

*original post follows*

Writing for an online music magazine is a great source of pleasure for me. It gives me the opportunity to speak my mind about something that is a big source of joy in my life. Rarely do I get very emotional about things, I am a laid back guy that is mostly okay with everything that goes on around me. Music and Film are two of the things however that really give me something to get excited about (however lame and apathetic to important global crisis that may make me sound).

I have never pretended to be an authority on anything that I write about, but I hope that my eagerness and love for what I do put into words shows through and that people at least take what I have to say on said subjects with a little bit of seriousness.

With this said,

I checked my email early this afternoon to find that something I'd written actually made its way all the way across the pond to Northern Ireland, in print no less. This is a pretty big thing for me, as nothing I've written has really garnered much attention outside a close circle of people I know.

You see, every now and then, much like with critic's blurbs about films, a quick little quote will make its way onto an advertisement for a band's upcoming album. You'll see these in magazines or on the sides of your webpages.. the little square or rectangular adverts that say, "The Skinny Jeans Band: Their new self-titled release drops on May 13th." Or something like that... then there'll be the quote, "'It's the best thing since pitted olives' - Hip Music Monthly" You must know what I'm talking about.

Well this has finally happened to me, and it has fulfilled my desires of becoming a reputable journalist. Or at least the first step to that desire.

If I had a copy of the ad in question I would show it (I've been scouring the city for a physical copy all afternoon, might have to order it off the net). It is for the artist, Ferraby Lionheart, a man I have actually featured in one or two of my Music Mondays.

Here is the original review I wrote for The Tripwire.

Pretty damn good review if I do say so myself.

The problem arises here, or rather earlier this month (February) when the ad for Ferraby Lionheart's album graced the pages of RELEVANT, a Christian Pop Culture magazine. One of it's readers had a big problem with what I had to say about the album, and with the fact that it showed up in his magazine...

Here's the fan's enthused blog post.

"amongst 'most christians' and amongst most customers i see, it is definitely NOT acceptable! So is it ok? I reckon there definitely are other ways for the Tripwire to 'put it'........don't you?"

Apparently, supersimbo and the other 15 or so commenters are up in arms over the fact that not only did I use the term "shit" in my review, but also that their beloved Christian Magazine ran the ad.

I realize a few of the people I know who read my blog are Christians, and I have no problem with that, in fact, it's part of the reason I love you. I just wanted to bring this up because I thought it amusing. Think what you want. I've just had a VERY good laugh at this whole thing.

note: I am not mentioned supersimbo's blog, or the magazine ad. It simply quotes, "The Tripwire." But it is my review they are referencing.

Music Monday: Cloudless

Figure it's about time for another Music Monday... and why not actually have it come out on a Monday? It's all the more fun that way.

Big things have been afoot (and will be in the next month) here in Austin. Last week's debate was a pretty big talking point amongst nearly everyone here in town. My roommate's little brother actually had a front row seat after winning a ticket in the student lottery (1/100 chances, not bad), and another friend spent about 20 minutes waxing poetic with Chelsea Clinton at Guero's later that night (about hair no less - they've got the same type apparently). But that's neither here nor there in relation to this edition of Music Monday. I just thought you might like a little update from your friendly blue dot in Texas.

There was a post a couple weeks ago that was nothing but an exclamation about how absolutely beautiful it has been here lately, so this week's playlist is just a good summation of the vibrations felt as the the sun roof rolls back and you're able to smell the fresh water emanating throughout my fair city. This is why we put up with 100+ heat in the summer...

Music Monday: Cloudless

1. The Mountaineers - I Gotta Sing -- From the album Messy Century. The Mountaineers are a Welsh group that has just not had any luck commercially despite releasing critically solid records. I myself picked this album up out of the "trash bin" at my college radio station. After hearing one track I decided to keep it and a month later when I made my first trek to the UK, this album accompanied me and now represents the Scottish Highlands and sunny days. This is their only full length, they've got a few EP's that have received on par reviews, but after being dropped by their label in 03/04 due to restructuring they've been on a permanent hiatus. There is rumor of new material, but I think it's just fanboys like myself hoping that they'll release something more to bide our appetites. This is a great album on the whole, and it contains one of my favorite songs of all time - UK Theatre - to be utilized in a Music Monday playlist in the near future to be sure.

2. The Smiths - The Boy With The Thorn In His Side -- from The Queen Is Dead. Oh Moz, oh Marr, you'll never reunite despite however much we hope. Enough has surely been said about The Smiths. I have only become a fan within the past year or so, but that's not to say I haven't just taken ahold with a clenched jaw. Morrissey definitely has a penchant for slightly morbid, somber lyrics, but coupled with Marr's uplifting arrangements these songs sound eerily uplifting. This is an eyes-closed-face-up-basking-in-the-sun track for this Spring.

3. The Thrills - Restaurant -- from Teenager. I said I'd make use of this album months ago, yet I never did, until now. The Thrills, despite however much they may or may not try, will never cease to be a band that makes music for the summer. They didn't help matters from the beginning by coming out with a sound that was nothing but The Beach Boys. Their second release, Let's Bottle Bohemia, was a little darker and harder, but still... think of the Beach Boys with a slight attitude. Now on Teenager they've seemed to have accepted who they are, they are comfortable with that and have opened up the sound they so instinctively (and near perfectly) arrange. Utter Happiness.

4. Coconut Records - Summer Day -- from Nighttiming. Jason Schwartzman and Zooey Deschanel. Coconut Records is his solo moniker and she's helping on a few tracks. It's sweet and it's simple. She's got an amazingly soft voice that works perfectly. He sounds like he's still in Phantom Planet, but hey when he was in Phantom Planet, they weren't too bad. Pop, but not bad, perfect for a.... Summer Day.

5. Albert Hammond, Jr. - Well... All Right -- this is from an odd little B-side record I picked up somewhere, I have no idea where though. It's easy and melodic, and very apparent where a lot of that early Strokes sound came from (they've evolved a bit). I love The Strokes, therefore I love Hammond's work. His, Yours To Keep, was another great Spring/Summer album and I hear he's got another one on the way, since The Strokes seem to be on a permanent hiatus themselves (goddamn hip people).

Thus concludes Cloudless. Have a great time with this one, that what it's purpose is. Roll down your windows and breathe in that fresh air... if you've got it. I apologize if you don't have amazing weather right now... just imagine if you did though. Don't worry, Global Warming will hit soon enough and we'll all have a permanent summer to enjoy. YAY!

I Don't Know, I'm Making This Up As I Go

Um my favorite film of all time is about to get a third sequel. I am beside myself, and both of us are geeking out pretty hard.

[the pic will send you to the NEW TRAILER]

It's cool, I know you're skeptical. Watch the trailer. It looks like way too much fun.

I Gotta Sing

News Flash: It's Inexplicably Gorgeous Outside.


Go Check It Out For Yourself.
(Why Can't I Stop Capitalizing Words?)

Shit Just Got Real

The mayhem has begun, Lost season 4 is upon us. This is at the same time amazing and terrible news for I feel myself being sucked in already. The season premiere tonight was great and watching it for the first time on an HD television set was pretty fantastic.

I must apologize to friends and family, to anyone that looks forward with any sort of interest into anything that I do. The apologies will come in advance of a period of time when all of my creative efforts will undoubtedly suffer a massive debt while most of my brain is being used to focus on this new season. I apologize because it's just TV. I apologize because it's going to start getting beautiful outside. I apologize because I can't stop watching it once I've begun. This is something that I have brought upon myself through a healthy process of binge-watching past season DVDs, so I have no excuse.

My name is Kyle, and I am addicted to Lost.

image courtesy of lostcrazy.net