dance hall hips: be heard, not scene.

2007-10-10T21:04:00.000-07:00

I Moved!

Change your Dance Hall Hips links to

http://dancehallhips.wordpress.com

To keep up with all the emails and promotional albums, Dance Hall Hips will be gaining new writers in the month to come. Due to this, I will be switching over to Wordpress. Other than that, nothing will change...in a bad way.

2007-10-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

My Data BusT

I've been hosting my mp3's on a site called Mydatabus. Today they decided to email me informing me my free account is no longer available because they're getting rid of all the non-pay accounts. Basically, they're deleting my account if I'm unwilling to pay. Another case of money gettin' the best of someone. I'll try and scrounge some money up. I'm just hoping I can host direct downloads if I pay so that they'll start showing up on HypeMachine again. I'll keep you updated. For now, I can't upload any new files. Enjoy...not having anything new.
-DHH

2007-09-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

No New Surprises

Letter from Jonny Greenwood via Dead Air Space:

Hello everyone.

Well, the new album is finished, and it's coming out in 10 days;

We've called it In Rainbows.

Love from us all.
Jonny

ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS?!

In Rainbows will be released on October 10th as a digital download and on December 3rd for the special edition extended "discbox." Here's the tracklist:

1. 15 Step
2. Bodysnatchers
3. Nude
4. Weird Fishes / Arpeggi
5. All I Need
6. Faust Arp
7. Reckoner
8. House of Cards
9. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
10. Videotape

You can allegedly download the above tracks for FREE (or choose how much you want to pay/donate).

Althought we've all been waiting for this for years, this release came out of nowhere. WOW!!!

2007-09-29T00:25:00.000-07:00

The Warlocks

The Warlocks - "Zombies Like Lovers"
Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

Warlock. Sound like a D&D character? Probably. Perhaps a nerd's dream Halloween costume? Definitely. Actually, the Warlocks are amazing pseudo/semi/sort of/kind of/maybe offspring of the Brian Jonestown Massacre. They're a great jam band, usually in the vain of the Velvet Underground, but with their latest release Heavy Deavy Skull Lover, they've moved closer to the Jesus & Mary Chain, and a whole lot of My Bloody Valentine is in there too. This track in particular also has a taste of early ...And You Will Know. Check out the song "Zombies Like Lovers", and be sure to pick up the album when it drops on October 23rd.

2007-09-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

Remix & Mashup

Just found a great remix and an even better mash-up, both involving the Shins.

The Shins - "Australia (Peter Bjorn & John Remix)"

The Shins vs. Rich Boy - "Throw Some Seas"

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-This is amazing...Enough said.

2007-09-26T13:26:00.000-07:00

Mixes Ain't Sh*T: Vol. 4

I'm playing major catch up with emails and promotion. What's the best way to expose a ton of artists in a small amount of time? Another mix. These are my favorite tracks I have recieved the past month:

Mixes Ain't Sh*t: Vol. 4

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2007-09-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

Halo 3 Launch Party

Although the Halo 3 launch party was an hour's drive from school, a few friends and I decided to go. It was only one of four locations in the United States to be doing an event of this stature. We got there roughly 5:30pm even though things didn't kick off until 9pm, just to be on the safe side. We were about 30 people back in a line that was estimated at up to 1,200 people (I believe I read) by the end of the night. It was a lot more fun than expected to say the least. I was interviewed by local radiostations and newspapers, and even by G4, the videogame channel. I got a ton a free stuff: t-shirts, a calender, a book, posters, a hat, and an inflatable chair (with speakers for an mp3 player!) to name a few. There were also some local celebs I had the pleasure of meeting. You may have heard of them: Hall of Famer Warren Moon, and Bill...Freakin'...Gates. It's probably safe to say I will never shake the hand of someone more famous than he. At the end of the night I met a ton of people from Bungie, the company who is responsible for all three Halo's. I'll work on getting some of my own photos up. For the time being I've posted a few I've found floating around the internet. I'll also work on finding any G4 video clips I might be in.

Bill Gates gamin' it up

2007-09-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

The Beatles & My First Born

First off, saw Across the Universe last night; huge disappointment. Great, great idea...executed poorly. The main actor's voice was terrific but I just had to cringe at some of the other renditions. Bono's take on "I Am The Walrus" was pretty cool, though. I wasn't really diggin' the whole Janis Joplin-esque character (who butchered "Helter Skelter"), besides her 'harder' takes on some songs like "Why Don't We Do It In The Road". Watching this brought me back a longing I've had for some time. One I would give up my first born son for. Or atleast a body part of some kind. That being a hard rock Beatles album, in the style of "Helter Skelter" "I Want You", "Revolution" etc. It is a reoccuring fantasy that this album is locked up somewhere waiting to see the light of day. I suppose if we're talking first born I better ask for a double-album. Let's call it The Black Album, shall we?

2007-09-20T18:43:00.000-07:00

Cry Me An Okkervil River

Okkervil River has been a personal favorite for a while, but at the same time a band I never had huge obsessive periods with. What I do know is their song "Ends With A Fall" is probably the best break-up song ever ("When we met I should have said 'you're like a sister to me' "). I just snagged a copy of their newest album, The Stage Names, and am really diggin it. Their songwriting is just as solid as ever. My favorite song at this point is "Love to A Monster". There's certainly some 'screw you' themes going on:

"I hope you get angry and hurt,
and have the hardest of landings.
And I hope your new man thinks of me,
when he sees what a number I did on you"

or how about this:

"Turn my eyes
to the blonde in the bleachers.
She's a lovely young creature.
I think she's seeking adventure.
I think she's ready to see that the world isn't so sweet or so tender.
I won't break her, just bend her, and make her into my new ringer for you."

Basically this song makes you want to break up with someone just so the song will be that much more intense.

Okkervil River - "Love to A Monster"
Buy it Here

BONUS:
Will Sheff - "Love to A Monster" (Solo Show)

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One Last thing...

2007-09-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

Freedom of Speech & Politics Don't Mix

If you haven't heard this already, I'll fill you in. At the University of Florida a student asked John Kerry three questions at a public forum, the third of which was concerning his involvement with the Skull & Bones. At that moment he was arrested. Where was he again? America? What's the first ammendment? Because of the unlawfulness of the arrest the student resisted which lead to even more inappropriate police behavior: tasering the student. If you watch the videos, you can see the student was kind of being, well, a bitch, after being arrested. He clearly was making the point that he was arrested for no reason, but he should have been more vocal about the violation of his rights as an American citizen and less...whiney. Here's a few videos of the incident.

This one's choppy but shows all the questions being asked:

This one shows the aftermath clearer. It's unfortunate to see students clapping as a person's rights are taken away, instead of standing up and saying something. The student was originally being charged with "trying to start a riot". Apparently, questioning the integrity of an elected official is illegal now.

2007-09-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

About A Trailer

Here's the trailer for the new Nirvana/Kurt Cobain pseudo-documentary. The trailer features some amazing shots in and around the Seattle area with a Kurdt interview dubbed over it and a Ben Gibbard composition to boot. Not quite sure if the entire movie consists of artsy shots and audio interviews. If so, count me out.

2007-09-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

New Found Hatred

I'm not gonna lie, I was a big New Found Glory fan back in the middle school days, before they "sold out" (note: all Drive Thru Records bands were destined to go that direction); after they dropped the "A" from their name. With each release and with each handfull of years absent of a new release, I liked them less and less. With their new covers album, a second installed in their From the Screen to Your Stereo series, I have absolutely lost all respect. It's not that they are doing anything different. It's that they actually redoing songs that were already good. Sure, redoing "My Heart Will Go On" was cute, but redoing Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe" could make anyone throw up. More butcherings include personal favorites like the Cardigans "Lovefool" (eek), the Goo Goo Doll's "Iris" (are you kidding me?!), and Tears of Fears "Head Over Heels". I think there are some redeeming qualities to this if you have the right mindset, and I'm a little afraid with more listens I might like it more, but I just can't see the "Iris" lyrics having the utterly heartbreaking effect it originally did. I will admit I like "Promise" featuring Dashboard's own Chris Carrabba. It takes me back to the Drive-Thru days. Regardless, give it a listen. I'm not a fan, but maybe you'll be.

Listen to the entire album on New Found Glory's myspace.

2007-09-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

The Consensus is In

The VMA's really freakin' sucked. I've seen nearly a decade and a half of them, and it was embarassing. The most redeeming quality was Kanye's spot on performances of his new songs...seriously. While looking for his VMA performance (all VMA content keeps getting shut down), I found Kanye's new video for "Good Life". It's certainly not your typical rap video:

Click to play video

2007-09-10T18:49:00.000-07:00

Kickin' it ~~Old~~ At School

I'm officially back in school on my way to become a bigger, brighter, and better journalist. After a week of settling in, I haven't checked my email one bit, nor done any posts of any sort. Also, since I've moved back to school I need to let you know of my change of address, which i will in a mass email. I enjoy getting your albums. I'm writing a music column for my school's paper and plan on ~~whoring~~ searching for other mediums/entities to work for as well, which means for you more avenues for which i can promote you (artists/labels/etc). Thanks for the patience. And, oh yeah, scew Fifty. Buy Kanye West's Graduation tomorrow!

2007-09-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

DeVotchKa - "How It Ends"
Live@Bumbershoot 2007

I was absolutely blown away by this performance on Saturday.

2007-09-02T01:46:00.001-07:00

Bumbershoot: Day One

The 'Day One" may be a little deceitful, considering I don't plan on going to day two or three for financial reasons. Regardless, Day One at Bumbershoot was better than I originally expected. I could go on, but to put a trite saying to use, "a picture is worth a thousand words".

Magnolia Electric Co

St. Vincent

The Shins

Yeah...I spose you could say it was packed.

Menomena

Rosie Thomas

Burt Jansch

DeVotchka

Blogged with Flock

2007-08-31T09:54:00.000-07:00

Feist on Letterman

Heard about this but forgot to put up the video until now. Feist performed live with members of Broken Social Scene, Grizzly Bear, The National, The New Pornographers, and Mates of State. Oh, and for those who are about to jump at my throat for going back on my convictions, you must have missed when I outed myself as a Feist fan a month or so back. Enjoy.

2007-08-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

There is a Ghost!

Found it! Better version of Band of Horses' new single.

Band of Horses - "Is There a Ghost"

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2007-08-30T23:35:00.000-07:00

Augie March

I'm gonna be honest. I've gotten pretty lazy at review/promoting albums. I've got a ton stacked up and I've been lovin' and listen', I just haven't taken the time to upload 'em and figure out what to say. So, now that my summer winding to a close, I figure I should get a move on. I recently received the new Augie March album, Moo You Bloody Choir, in the mail. To make a long story short, they are simply a very solid band. Their craftsmanship is wonderful, their arrangements are applaudible, and the mastering and mixing is impeccable. Listen away!

Augie March - "The Cold Acre"

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2007-08-30T23:15:00.000-07:00

Big Surprises

If you're a DHH reader, you probably know I'm a huge Iron & Wine fan. I just came across a few great bootlegs. First is his set from Messiah College; the second from the Pitchfork Music Festival.

-Iron&Wine - "Resurrection Fern (Live@Messiah College)"
*Haven't found the entire Messiah bootleg yet, so if you have any idea where to find it, lemme know.

-Iron&Wine - "Love Song of the Buzzard (Live@Messiah College)"
*I like this way better than the studio version. You agree?

-Iron&Wine - "No Surprises (Live@Pitchfork)" (Radiohead Cover)
*The quality's pretty crappy, but seriously, Sam Beam doin' Radiohead. Awesome!

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2007-08-29T11:45:00.001-07:00

Band of Horses - "Is There a Ghost"

If the long list of albums proving this is an amazing year for music wasn't enough, Band of Horses has Cease to Begin coming out, 10/9. They've got a new track streaming and downloadable on their myspace. I'd host the mp3 myself but the bitrate is awful and I'll wait until I find a better copy. Here's the cover:

2007-08-26T23:25:00.000-07:00

New Kanye West Track Snippets

I'll be honest, as a person Kanye kind of rubs me the wrong way, but as a musician I enjoy what he has to offer. His samples are always pretty great, like Otis Redding on "Gone" and Ella Fitzgerald on "Addiction". "Stronger" is not the music wittiest of moves, but it works...although it seems more like a cool mash-up. Regardless, the album should be good, with Jon Brion helpin' out, plus some good cameos. It drops on 9/11.

2007-08-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

How Mainstream Are You?

Came across a website thanks to Burning Oak that figures out how mainstream your musical tastes are based off the music you listen to. Sort of an amusing idea, but ultimately I see it as a not so bold move by music snob wannabes. If you truly had an ear and love for music, you'd be able to find the talent in all types of music, including mainstream and...gasp!...pop. There's only so much garage band albums with bad mastering and garbled vocals one can handle, it's just a matter of when you can face the...music. One of the very best points I've heard in reference to anyone hating the concept of mainstream media was roughly along the lines of "most of the greatest musical artists to date were signed to major labels. Look at the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Stones, Dylan, etc etc etc." As much as I want to praise this falsely valid website, I'll have to shoot it down. Plus, Radiohead's "mainstreamness" is 103%. I'm scared to see what someone like Justin Timberlake gets. Here's my results:

Check out the website regardless. And while you're at it, add me, iwontletgo, on Last.FM

2007-08-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

Mixes Ain't Sh*t Vol. 3

You know the drill. A lot of tracks piled up in the inbox and on the desktop. Threw 'em all the good ones together to make a mix. Also, I've been getting a lot of CD's lately, so if you haven't seen anything written up about 'em, don't worry. They're just mingling with the other CD's in my car for a few more listens ie: I keep forgetting to take them out for some uploads and write-ups. Forgive me. Here's the latest mix.

1) The Octopus Project - "I Saw the Bright Shinies"
2) Chico Fellini - "Bridges"
3) Dragons Of Zynth - "Get Off"
4) HEALTH - "Crimewave"
5) Clare & the Reasons - "Pluto"
6) Eulogies - "One Man"
7) The Toxic Avenger - "Stage Divin"
8) The Real Tuesday Weld - "Last Words"
9) Bakers Arms Dozen - "My Architect's Lists"
10) Pieta Brown - "Are You Free?"
11) Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - "100 Days, 100 Nights"
12) Pash - "ABCD"

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2007-08-19T00:40:00.001-07:00

Black Light Me

Rilo Kiley's got their latest album, Under The Blacklight, streaming on Myspace. I suggest you check it out. It's definitely a more produced, studio-fied Rilo Kiley, but in this case, that's not a problem at all. What I've heard thus far is a nice change of pace. Sometimes a major label switch can be beneficial beyond the pocketbook. Oh wait, artists make like 9 cents a CD regardless.

2007-08-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

I'm the Happiest WoMan Among All WoMen

Found out Joanna Newsom is coming to good ol' Seattle October 29th. Tickets went on sale at 10am and who was there to snatch 'em up? Good ol' Hips, that's who. Did I mention she's playing with a 29 piece/person orchestra? Could this be the best concert I've ever attended? It's possible. Needless to say, I'm excited. To celebrate I've provided you with a full Joanna concert for your listening pleasure. The recording quality is superb.

Joanna Newsom Live @ Bottletree, 11-25-06

1. Bridges and Balloons

2. The Book of Right On

3. Traditional Scottish Song

4. Emily

5. Monkey and Bear

6. Sawdust and Diamonds

7. Only Skin

8. Cosmia

9. Sadie

10. Peach, Plum, Pear

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2007-08-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

Walk Hard

I've been waiting for a trailer of Judd Apatow's newest installment, and I've found it. It's called Walk Hard. It's essentially a parody of Walk the Line. Paul Rudd as John Lennon is worth the $8 alone. Oh, and if you haven't been counting down the days all summer like I have, Superbad comes out tomorrow. SEE IT!

2007-08-16T15:14:00.001-07:00

Devendra Banhart - "Seahorse" Video

Shortly after some scouring I found a video accompanying Devendra's new track "Seahorse". The video is footage shot around DB's home/recording studio while making music, goofing off, and hanging out with the likes of Gael Garcia Bernal. Oh, and if this track is any indication, this album's gonna be... OFF DA HOOK!

2007-08-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

Covered in Guilt

There's a new covers compilation due out September 4th called Guilt by Association where a slough (or is it slew) of lovable indie artists cover their favorite guilty pleasures. The first is Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" covered by Petra Hayden who's worked with/been in the likes of That Dog, The Decemberists, the Rentals, Jimmy Eat World, Weezer...etc. The second is Devendra Banhart's cover of Oasis's "Don't Look Back In Anger". Speaking of Devendra, I'm dieing to hear his new album. Guess it's time to scour the blogs for loose mp3's.

Petra Hayden - "Don't Stop Believing"

Devendra Banhart - "Don't Look Back in Anger"

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Pre-order the album here.

2007-08-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Instant Replay: M.I.A.

I've been giving that M.I.A. album a few more listens, 'bumping it' (if you will) in my car, and came to love another song I just had to share with you. It's called "Paper Planes" and is a preverse combination of "Pass the Dutchie" and "Mr. Boombastic" with 50 Cent's beloved gunshot FX. A little bit gangsta, a lotta bit dub.

M.I.A. - "Paper Planes"

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And as mentioned before, make sure to support M.I.A. by pre-ordering Kala

2007-08-14T21:33:00.001-07:00

It's Pronounced "Yens"

To say the least, Jens Lekman's Night Falls Over Kortedala is a great surprise. Jens is definitely an artist who harbors a number of unique qualities you can't find in many other modern day musicians. These special Lekman qualities are streamlined in his latest effort. Night Falls is a great blend of 70's Soul/R&B (and all of its glitz, glam, and brass), the Smiths, and some damn good dance beats. Here's a bluntly titled, personal favorite:

Jens Lekman - "I'm Leaving You Because I Don't Love You"

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2007-08-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

Boy, Oh Boyz

After first listen I can safely say M.I.A.'s Kala is a tough competitor for one of the best albums of 2007. Essentially, its an auditory orgy of creativity, innovation, culture, influence, and instrumentation choreographed to an expansive catalog of ridiculous beats. The Rolling Stone seems to be impressed to say the least, giving it a near 'Classic' rating. You can stream her entire album here on Myspace.

M.I.A. - "Boyz"

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Support the Artist!
Preorder Kala on Amazon
Purchase "Boys" on iTunes

2007-08-09T23:49:00.000-07:00

Miracle Fortress

Every 4-6 months I amass a large collection of music on my computer for which I've been too lazy to take the time to critique aka delete. Today, when typing my final paper for a summer school class (yes, I am that cool) I decided to do some sifting and came across Miracle Fortress's 2007 release Five Roses. It's an album I've liked from the very second I heard it. It's definitely got some Brian Wilson influences caked about the edges, as well as some Brian Eno immitation as well. All in all it's a great summer listen, and regardless of influences it sounds like 100% original, innovative music. It's like a watered down but beefed up and streamlined (if that makes sense) Panda Bear...but even better than that. Way better. I'm loving it and you should too! Make it your summer album....NOW!!!

And yes, I'm fully aware of my cheesy-ness.

Miracle Fortress - "Have You Seen in Your Dreams"

Miracle Fortress - "Maybe Lately"
Pretty sure this one rips off the melody of the Beach Boys "Don't Worry Baby" but because he pulls it off I'll look the other way.

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2007-08-05T22:39:00.001-07:00

Untitled JJ Abrams Project

Just found out there's a new JJ Abram movie coming out 01/18/08 which is at this point Untitled by proof of its preview. I'm not quite sure if you are aware, but I live for Lost, so I'm pretty much pooping my pants over this movie:

2007-08-03T16:29:00.000-07:00

Collective Thoughts

I've never been a big Animal Collective fan, and by that I mean not much at all. I got the new album, Strawberry Jam earlier this summer but failed to listen to it up until now. Their track "For Reverend Green" is mind-blowing. AC's newest stuff is a lot more tolerable/likeable if you were never into their older...um...zanier stuff.

Animal Collective - "For Reverend Green"

*Links Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

Support Animal Collective, order Strawberry Jam here.

2007-07-30T18:14:00.001-07:00

Score!

Just found out Broken Social Scene has done an "original score" for the movie The Tracey Fragments. Haven't been able to find much out about the movie, and it isn't really being screened anywhere, as of yet. I'm dieing to get my hands on the soundtrack though. Hopefully it isn't like Half Nelson and just compiles old BSS tracks...granted that worked out pretty cool too. The best thing I've got for you is the trailer to the movie. It looks pretty whack, and definitely "indie film" esque. Oh yeah, and it stars Ellen Page of Hard Candy fame.

And for your enjoyment, a Broken Social Scene track NOT featured in The Tracey Fragments featuring the vocals of Metric's own Emily Haines. It's off the Beehives EP.

Broken Social Scene - "Backyards"

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And since I'm going Broken Social Scene/embedded video crazy, I might as well post the band's performance of "Fire Eye'd Boy" on David Letterman. I don't think I've ever seen that many people successfully playing all together at one time, period, let alone sounding that good.

2007-07-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

"Back Out On The..." Video

Found a new video for Kevin Drew's track "Back Out On The..." off his new album "Spirit If..." due out in September.

Here's the story behind it:

"This song was recorded with Joules Scott Key of Metric and Bang Lime on drums and J Mascis and Kevin Drew on guitar and vocals. The video happened last minute after a Dinosaur Jr show in Toronto where J, Lou and Murph all came to the shoot to hang out. John Caffery from KIDS ON TV was hired to come and dance his ASS off and a spontaneous party was put into effect.

There were seven mirrors, one disco ball, four lights, one bottle of rum, three bottles of tequila, 62 beers, four crew and 17 people.

It got put together on the day of the shoot and became the party of the year. It cost three thousand dollars to make...

It was priceless."

2007-07-30T16:37:00.001-07:00

Mixes Ain't Sh*t Vol. 2

I saved up a lot of various mp3's from an even more various bunch of messages. Here's the result:

1. Aaron Schroeder - "What We Don't Know"
2. Les Savy Fav - "What Would Wolves Do"
3. Taxi Taxi - "Family Doctor"
4. Junius - "At the Age of Decay"
5. Intensive Care - "Break Me Up Machine"
6. Scientific Lifestyle - "Flight 273"
7. The Deadly Syndrome - "Eucalyptus"
8. Sea Wolf - "You're A Wolf"
9. Eugene Francis Jnr - "Kites"
10. Afuche - "Gasparnoe"

11. House & Parish - "Pristine Fields"
12. Kinetic Stereokids - "Have A Nice Day"

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2007-07-30T00:30:00.000-07:00

Kevin Drew;
-OR-
Is "TBTF" T.M.I.?

Found out Kevin Drew's got an album out called "Spirit If..." . Not being a huge fanatic in terms of memorizing the ten billion members' names of Broken Social Scene, I wasn't quick to realize what was on the market. Luckily, the "Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew" headline on Myspace tipped me off. His 'space has got three songs to check out. Here's one of 'em. It's called "TBTF" which is an acronym for "Too Beautiful to Fuck". To cut to the chase, in the chorus Drew sings "You are too beautiful to fuck". Is that too much? Or is that something so wonderfully honest it should be embraced. I think I'll go with a little of both. Regardless, I love what I've heard thus far from Drew's collaborations, so I'll make a grand assumption this CD is fantastic. I'm in the works of landing a copy, so I'll keep you updated once I do. For now, enjoy:

Kevin Drew - "TBTF"

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2007-07-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

Capitol Hill Block Party: A Day in Review

Finally, I was ready to be on top of my game as a blogger, camera ready and low and behold I leave it in my car which was in a poorly chosen parking spot blocks and blocks away. To make a long story (ok, it's probably not long at all), I didn't go back to get it. To compensate I've simply taken some pics from a few other websites.

The Blood Brothers were really good. They started right around the time I showed up. They've become quite a staple Seattle band and it amazes me how I've failed to see them up until yesterday. Needless to say I was pleased, and forgot how talented they were in regards to tempo changes, riffs, drumbeats, etc etc etc. To someone new (to the band), it'll sound like messy garbage, when really it's pretty intricate and well laid out. Their set was a great blend of their last three albums, with a lot more keys/synth thrown in. I saw them chillin' later that evening, but again, no camera.

The Blue Scholars were alright; kind of caught them in the background while socializing. Again, staple Seattle group, never seen 'em, regardless of the fact they play probably every weekend somewhere or another around here. Why were the just alright? Their main problem was playing outside. Hip-hop just flat out sounds better indoors. That pretty much sums that up.

The Trucks were definitely a nice surprise. By the end of the night, I was a little tired and ready to see Girl Talk, who was really the only person I came to see, but The Trucks were great. Dancey, synthy, girly, fun fun fun. All I can really do is tell you to check out their Myspace for some tracks. Unfortunately their studio stuff doesn't do their live show justice.

Girl Talk was everything he was cracked up to be. Unfortunately I was a little tired, so after a good 45 minutes, I grew weary of dancing and was ready to go home. Now a true hipster probably wouldn't admit leaving early from a Girl Talk show, but I did. Granted it was 1:15 and I read security guards started kicking people off the stage around 1:20. I saw him, he was awesome, enough said. His shows seem to be getting better and better in terms of mash-up ideas. He threw in some Peter Bjorn & John, as well as Grizzly Bear, both of whom he's remixed. I can't even recall all the great samples Mr. Gillis threw out last night, but it was pleasing. Even White Zombie.

All in all, I kind of regret not showing to Seattle around 10pm just to get a good spot for Girl Talk and catching the Trucks as a result, as opposed to 6ish, but whatever. It was fun. I do regret missing Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, who are amazing from what I've heard. And by that I mean both word of mouth and what I've listened to. Plus, some (maybe all) of the members are still in high school, which is some real talent. Besides that, it never ceases to amaze me how many people I end up running into at these things. It probably wasn't as good as last year considering I saw Jason Molina, the Black Angels, and the Murder City Devils reunion show, but this year was still worth way over the $15 bucks it cost to get in.

Oh, and by the way, why the heck was Silversun Pickups advertised way more than Girl Talk? I've listened to their stuff and have been under-impressed. Another indie overhyping of a mediocre band. I didn't even bother seeing them.

Speaking of overhyping, I think it's time I come clean. That Feist CD I shot down actually did grow on me...which is hard to admit. Unfortunately my friends played it to death, as did Starbucks which I frequented daily in my unemployed months of the summer.

But seriously, Silversun Pickups: No Thank You.

2007-07-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

Capitol Hill Block Party Prefunk

Girl Talk's playing and I couldn't be more excited. I missed him multiple times at SXSW. To prepare myself I Youtube'd him and found an hour long video of a New Years Eve concert he did last December. It's awesome:

2007-07-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

Capitol Hill Block Party Recap

Getting excited about Capitol Hill Block Party tomorrow so I thought I'd post a few videos from last year to recap how gosh darn good it was. This year I'll be missing Saturday ie: The Cribs, Spoon, and Aesop Rock, but I'll live. Here's a quick recap:

The Black Angels

The Murder City Devils (Reunion Show!)

If you are interested in going, check out the official site to see the full lineup, buy tickets, etc. If you're going, maybe I'll see you there, granted I really don't know what any of you bloggers looks like, save Perez Hilton:

2007-07-25T17:45:00.001-07:00

Better Late Then Never

Finally got all my SXSW pics up. It's a long post. Here goes. Oh, and by the way, I think all the pictures are hyperlinked back to flickr. I hate that but I'm too tired to edit them all out. By too tired I mean I'll probably end up doing it later tonight:

The Willowz

Tokyo Police Club

The Rosebuds

The Rapture

The Pipettes

The Good The Bad and the Queen

The Dears

The Bravery

The Black Angels

Sage Francis

RJD2

Perry Ferrel and the Satellite Party

Page France

Fujiya & Miyagi

Daniel Johnston

Bloc Party

You are the bluest light (Sorry, I had to).

Badly Drawn Boy

Architecture in Helsinki

Apostle of Hustle

Andrew Bird

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2007-07-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

The Greatest (Combination)

I've apparently been living under a rock because I just found out Chan Marshall is starring in Wong Kar-wai's (one of my favorite directors) films called My Blueberry Nights with Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Norah Jones, and Rachel Weisz. Check it out here.

Here's the trailer:

Also, turns out there's a new Wes Anderson movie coming out (yeah, like I said, a rock). There's a preview for that here. Apparently I need to get with it.

2007-07-24T13:40:00.001-07:00

Joanna Newsom/Bill Callahan

I just found this video and thought it was, well, something else (again, for the lack of a non-senior citizen comment). I'd say I was caught off guard by her personality, but it's exactly the way I pictured her. I am dieing to go see her. The closest I've come is her playing piano for her boyfriend Bill Callahan at SXSW. And before you go and watch the video of him, take a minute to ponder the fact this man has dated both Joanna Newsom and Chan Marshall. I want you to ponder, stew, meditate, etc over this, why? Because I do . . .daily.

If only...

Bill Callahan feat. Joanna Newsom - "Rock Bottom Riser"
Live at SXSW '07

2007-07-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

The Klaxons Cover Justin

No need for introduction:

The Klaxons - "My Love (live)"

*Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

In Other news:

I don't know about you, but my Last.FM account has been screwy and hasn't been "scrobbling" my music! On both of my computers! What gives! I think it's the petty things in life such as this that keep us, or at least myself, going.

2007-07-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

Debbie Harry - "Two Times Blue"

You know Debbie Harry. Yeah, that Debbie Harry. She was in that one band that got kinda big. Yeah, Blondie or something. She's got a new single out and new album on its way. So check yo'self before you wreck yo'self:

Debbie Harry - "Two Times Blue"

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2007-07-22T16:15:00.001-07:00

Jarvis Cocker - "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time"

On my search for new (to me) music, I came across an album I somehow neglected when it first came out: Jarvis Cocker's Jarvis. Being a semi, but not avid Pulp-fan, I let it slide past the horizon. Once through I loved what I heard. Jarvis is a great lyricist and a brilliant songwriter overall (if Pulp wasn't enough of an indicator). The track "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time" has been on repeat over on this end of the computer.

Jarvis Cocker - "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time"

*Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

2007-07-22T15:44:00.000-07:00

Mirah - "La Familia (Remix)"

I'm a big fan of most of the stuff that comes out of KRecords, so when I snagged a copy of Mirah's remix CD entitled Joyride:Remixes, I was smitten. In some ways the remixes make Mirah music more accessible than she already was; they sort of take off the KRecs twist that some people can't get into. This song is a prime example. What I love about this one is it could easily be a radio hit, up there with the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, and Ashlee Simpson. Seriously. Don't believe me? Give it a listen.

Mirah - "La Familia (Remix)"

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2007-07-21T21:41:00.001-07:00

The Lucksmiths - "Great Lengths"

I've been doing a full fledged search for new (to me) music. During this search I discovered The Lucksmiths. To put it simply, they're a modern day Smiths blended with Belle & Sebastian, with a few other subtle 80's influences in there too. Basically I'm in love, and more specifically I'm in love with their song "Great Lengths" of the 2005 album Warmer Corners. It's got some charming lyrics to say the least:

"Remember that we were poor
Though so young as not to notice
We could ill-afford to paint the town
You had your father’s charm
And thus your mother’s Volvo
It wasn’t long before you drove me home"

The Lucksmiths - "Great Lengths"

*Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

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2007-07-20T00:24:00.000-07:00

Mind Blowing

I thought it'd be fun to list the Top 10 albums I've heard in the last 10 years that have absolutely blown my mind. Not necessarily my favorite, not even albums that are good after a few listens. Just albums that were doing things others weren't or still don't or all in all were just doing better things than others in the same genres. No MP3's here, but it might be a fun read and hopefully you'll agree on some. Here goes, in no order:

Joanna Newsom - Ys

It took me literally years to get into her and her voice. Milk Eyed Mender just wasn't my thing but when I heard Ys, at first listen, I was blown away, and continue to be blown away at every listen. The strings are phenomenal thanks to the help of the legendary Van Dyke Parks. "Only Skin" is easily my favorite with a subtle cameo from boyfriend Bill Callahan at the end.

Radiohead - Kid A/Amnesiac

These came out roughly the same time, give or take 6 or 8 months (look it up I dare you). Since their close proximity I always tend to group these two together. Kid A is arguably the more solid of the two, from start to finish. "How to Disappear Completely" is heartbreaking, as lyrically simple as it may be. "National Anthem" is epic. "Life in a Glass House" is modern music reaching its full potential. The "Pyramid Song" on Amnesiac always gets me, too.

The Mars Volta - Demos/De-Loused in the Comatorium

Being the music geek that I am I had a handfull of Mars Volta demos before their first release. That alone was enough. They were doing things every other band was not. When Deloused came out and everything was set in stone, it was just too much to handle, in a good way of course. Oh yeah, there was that whole Flea and John Frusciante help that should be mentioned.

Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights

Again, a band who was doing something others weren't. What blows my mind about this band is that they're so new and yet they've influenced countless bands, from no-name garage teens to people like Cloud Cult, The Editors, Secret Machines, etc etc etc. Beyond that, the album is a good listen, with both short and sweet hits to longer, layered, dreamlike jams.

The Stokes - Is This It

This is a classic example of a band I completely wrote off because of their trendy factor, especially because they were the leaders in that whole "The" band craze. Once I finally gave it a listen I was hooked. Its simplicity makes it so loveable and so easy to get into, and every track is entirely too fun. Musically it didn't blow my mind, but that fact something so simple can be so good is, well, overwhelming, and in turn, mind blowing. I'll look past the fact "Last Night" is a blatant rip-off of Petty's "American Girl"

The White Stripes - White Blood Cells

Another "The" band. This one has true talent. "Fell in Love With a Girl" is epic, to say the least. A lot of fun songs, and a great mix of rock and folk. Jack White has an amazing way of writing simple but classic songs "You're Pretty Good Looking (For A Girl)". Their simplicity again is charming, but their rawness is the kicker. They take every one of their influences and sell it like it's brand new, to the point where you believe them.

The Black Angels - Passover

I got into the Black Angels in the wake of my relived Velvet Underground obsession and in the midst of my Brian Jonestown Massacre craze...which was perfect timing. I saw them live before I ever heard their CD which was the best way to go about it. I caught them once more at SXSW and somehow they were even better. They were deafeningly loud and yet I still wanted them to turn it up. Their hard psychadelic music makes me wonder how hard a guitar can get. This band teeters on the limits, atleast when in person. This album, unlike many albums from many bands, is a great example of how the band is live. The recording captures the intensities of the music. This album gets played at full blast when I'm alone in my car, to say the least.

Nirvana - In Utero

Again, another album that so raw and hard it blew my mind. On the brink of ripping off Frank Black due to his Pixies obsession, Kurt Cobain does his own take on what the Pixies did best: caring about sounding like they don't care at all. Songs like "Tourettes" among others are insane, while hits like "Heart-Shaped Box" "Dumb" and "All Apologies" are easily some of the band's best work.

Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Listen to "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" and it should be enough. I bought this CD the same time I bought their DVD about their struggles with making the album, which just helped permeate the band's greatness. "Jesus, Etc" is superb and "Radio Cure" is both astonishing and somehow heartbreaking.

Modest Mouse - This is a Long Drive For Someone With Nothing to Think About

This is Modest Mouse's first ("real") album. FIRST. And it starts off with Dramamine. DRAMAMINE. Their first full-length begins with one of their best songs to date, easily their most memorable/famous (in Indie terms)/'epic'/etc. Again, I found the charm in its rawness; the fact that it sounds like it came out of a neighbors garage. Oh wait, it did. "Tundra/Desert" is mindblowing in and of itself, not to mention there's "Talking Shit About a Pretty Sunset" another classic Brock ditty. My favorite, for some reason is "Make Everyone Happy/Mechanical Birds" because towards the end the guitar just goes nuts, and the sound of an old phone (the one you use that whirly thing to dial) that plays in "Dramamine" is replayed. "She Ionizes & Atomizes" is pretty darn good too.

2007-07-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Menomena

I'm well aware I'm about 9 months behind on posting about this band, but Menomena's latest release on Barsuk it's one of my favorites this year, simply because it's pretty original, with piano, awesome drums beats, blaring guitar, organ, etc. Plus, they know how to pull off being completely loud in some tracks, and appropriately mellow in others. The songwriting is top-notch, for lack of a better non-senior citizen comment. I skipped out on seeing them at SXSW, having never heard them, and having been turned off by the overwhelming blogger community obsession. Apparently I've gotten to the music snob point where I have to be better than most bloggers, whom are presumably about 6 months ahead of everyone else to begin with. Oh well. Maybe I'll start giving in to some blogging trends (at least listening to them). Anyways, there were so many tracks I want to put, but here's what I narrowed it down to:

Menomena - "The Pelican"
-Grand example of the 'Cool drum beats and blaring guitar". Also, the singer kind of sounds like the guy from Bloc Party (who's name escapes me momentarily)

Menomena - "Rotten Hell"
-If I compiled a soundtrack, this would be on it

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2007-07-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

It's Hard to Find A Good Blog

It's few and far between I find a blog I'm truly satisfied with/give a shout-out about, but I'm always happy with what It's Hard to Find A Friend puts out. Certainly a lot of my tastes spot on. Check it out here. Sorry, two posts - no tracks. I've got some comin'.

2007-07-18T00:41:00.001-07:00

Rilo Kiley - "Under the Blacklight" LP

I just received a press release about the new Rilo Kiley Under the Blacklight. Hopefully this'll...shed some light on anything you don't know about the album thus far. Oh yeah, and there's some pretty awesome new promo pics too:

Rilo Kiley have built an illustrious career on creating masterful, deeply engrossing albums, the songs balancing an intimate confessional side with a kind of cavalier joie de vive and an increasingly affectionate nod to their Southern Californian musical heritage. The band’s last record, 2004’s More Adventurous, prompted Elvis Costello to praise the “best lyric writing that I've heard in many a day”, Coldplay to invite them on their 2005 arena tour and a plethora of critics to vote them into their annual “best of” lists. Lead singer and songwriter Jenny Lewis’ dexterity for lush power pop, soulful synths and weepy country ballads has won the band a large and dedicated fan base, bolstered by the blistering live shows which match Lewis’ astonishing charisma with singer/guitarist Blake Sennett’s shimmering guitar and the exemplary drum and bass partnership of Jason Boesel and Pierre de Reeder.

Under The Blacklight, their fourth album and their first for Warner Bros, was recorded in Los Angeles in fall/winter 2006 and winter 2007, and is Rilo Kiley at their most robust and dazzling. It comes after an 18 month hiatus during with Sennett released a second album with The Elected, Boesel recorded with Bright Eyes and Lewis released her debut solo album. Lewis, having spent all of 2006 promoting the southern soul-influenced Rabbit Fur Coat, returns to her rock roots with obvious relish; the delicate acoustic harmonies of her solo sojourn have given way to deliciously full-bodied vocals and exuberant songs complemented by rich guitar sounds and opulent production.

On Under The Blacklight, Lewis is fiery and unrestrained, no more so than on “The Moneymaker”. With the blood of Fleetwood Mac, early Heart and The Rolling Stones’ 1978 dancefloor masterpiece “Miss You” pumping through its veins, Under The Blacklight is a gloriously decadent-sounding album, smooth dance beats balanced by the underlying lyrical motifs of the seedier side of Los Angeles life; the characters in the songs embroiled in everything from drunken one night stands to the sex industry. The album’s lyrical theme is of the darker side of life as revealed by a nightclub blacklight, each song’s character sharpened to a precise focus by Lewis’ unique, undeniable approach. Lewis’ penchant for 60’s country music is also represented; “15”, a twisted love story of misplaced ardor, gives us the unique idea of what Bobbie Gentry might have had to say if internet dating had existed in her time. Elsewhere, Sennett dazzles with the sneaking 70’s soul of “Dreamworld”, a song so rich with gold dust that it’s liable to take you back to the days of high school mix tapes, while “Breakin’ Up” is perhaps the perfect encapsulation of what Rilo Kiley is: the song craft of Sennett and the serrated edge of Lewis' lyrics - deceptively catchy and upbeat, the song celebrates leaving a jilted lover in the dust. From opening track “Silver Lining” to closer “Give A Little Love” Lewis’ stunning vocals gives credence to the recent Laura Nyro comparisons bestowed on her by the press. In many ways Under The Blacklight is a classic Californian love child and Rilo Kiley its ardent and vivacious young parents.

Under The Blacklight’s producers are Rilo Kiley & Jason Lader (Vietnam, Jay-Z) and Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Fiona Apple). It’s released in August 21^st, 2007 on Warner Bros Records.

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2007-07-16T21:08:00.001-07:00

Talk to Me Girl

I'm gonna be quite honest, I was swept up momentarily by the Night Ripper hype surrounding Girl Talk, but the love faded. It's a little choppy and was harder to dance than intended. Unfortunately, due to this, I sort of wrote good ol' Gregg Gillis off. I came across a live set he did at Seattle's own Chop Suey and my love for him has be reignited. His set exhibits much more danceable mashups with a lot more reliable and a lot more constant beats. It seems like he's trying harder to do his job than trying to blend everything under the sun, with indie-cred included. When he has good ideas, he commits to them, unlike Night Ripper where I felt his good ideas (which were great...I mean the album is legendary in terms of mashups /mixes/ party-starters) were dropped mid-swing for something else. No offense intended. I appreciate what this guy does and has done for the music world. Here's my favorite parts of the set. Find the rest here.

Girl Talk - "Six"

Girl Talk - "Twelve"
-Blending "Tiny Dancer" with Notorious B.I.G. = Pure Genius

Girl Talk - "Thirteen"

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PS:

He's closing Capitol Hill Block Party this year. And if you live in Seattle (or wouldn't mind driving to Seattle) I suggest shelling out the $15 odd bucks each day to see:

Silversun Pickups
Blue Scholars
The Blood Brothers
Matt & Kim
The Saturday Knights
Kane Hodder
Speaker Speaker
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head
Girl Talk
The Trucks
Viva Voce
Spoon
Against Me!
Aesop Rock
John Vanderslice
Cribs
Mirah
Boat
Fleet Foxes

...amongst others

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2007-07-16T14:34:00.001-07:00

Clark & Michael

My friend showed me this internet show called Clark & Michael, starring Michael Cera AKA George Michael of Arrested Development fame and his buddy Clark Duke. It's halarious to say the least. So far, eight episodes have been released on their site. I believe there's going to be ten in all. There's some Arrested Development/Judd Apatow buddies peppered throughout these. Here's the first episode:

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2007-07-15T02:46:00.001-07:00

Never Let Down

Apparently Stereogum compiled a Radiohead cover album in tribute to the 10th Anniversary (somehow that makes me feel old) of Ok Computer. I took a huge liking to two of the tracks.

Dave Bazan's Black Cloud - "Let Down"
-Not quite sure what the 'Black Cloud' thing is about but this cover is amazing. Pedro the Lion did a cover of this a few years back for a Tour EP. This is certainly better. WOW!

John Vanderslice - "Karma Police"
-Pretty gutsy to cover this modern day classic.

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2007-07-15T02:18:00.001-07:00

Rilo Kiley - "The Moneymaker"

Apparently there's a new Rilo Kiley album coming out. I was unaware. I stumbled across their latest single, "The Moneymaker" and was pleasantly surprised. It's very Yeah Yeah Yeah's circa Show Your Bones, more specifically "Phenomena". Dunno whether or not the rest of the album yields more Karen O copies, but I'm won't complain either way. According to Wikipedia, the album was produced by Mike Elizondo who's worked with Dr. Dre and is responsible for hits like "In Da Club" and "The Real Slim Shady" among others. Hey, Fall Out Boy got Babyface and they pumped out "This Ain't A Scene". I think this who rap-rock producer crossover is smarter than people think.

Rilo Kiley - "The Moneymaker"

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And oh yeah, Jenny Lewis looks pretty smokin' (yes, I said smokin') in the single's video:

2007-07-15T02:02:00.001-07:00

It Ain't Me, Babe

Cate Blanchett plays Bob Dylan in upcoming movie I'm Not There. In this scene David Cross is also featured, playing author Allen Ginsberg.

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2007-07-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

Fensepost.com

Just thought you guys (and gals) should know I've begun writing for a site called Fensepost. It's a music review site, run by a guy I met down at SXSW who is involved with Free Yr Radio and shares a few mutual friends with me. Oh yeah, he also helped me land a VIP pass to the Pipettes/Rapture show at La Zona Rosa.

2007-07-14T20:14:00.001-07:00

Myspace

I made a Myspace for Dance Hall Hips a while back but haven't really done anything with it. I've linked it up on the sidebar in hopes readers, bands, labels, and bloggers will add me. Myspace will be another venue for communication, and I know it's a huge place of promotion. I look forward to interacting and hearing new music. Thanks!
-DHH

2007-07-14T19:46:00.001-07:00

Mixtapes & Cellmates

I've been hearing about this band for a few months now and finally checked them out. I was intrigued by their name being a fan of Rocky Votolato, more specifically his song "Mixtapes/Cellmates". I'll make the assumption there's a connection between the two. Here's a listen:

Mixtapes & Cellmates - "Cynical Boys"

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2007-07-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

Superdrag Returns!

From Press Release: ORIGINAL SUPERDRAG LINEUP REUNITES FOR SELECT US DATES

Knoxville, TN – Superdrag will be back on tour this Fall, with all four original members. Last seen onstage together more than 8 years ago, the original line-up of John Davis (guitar, vocals), Don Coffey Jr (drums), Brandon Fisher (guitar) and Tom Pappas (bass) have 6 performances scheduled for 2007.

Though Superdrag may be best-known for their 1996 major-label debut Regretfully Yours and the hit single "Sucked Out" that helped launch the band towards international success, the follow-up Head Trip In Every Key, issued in 1998, was widely regarded as the band's creative peak. Amidst label woes and line-up changes, namely the departures of founding members Pappas and Fisher, the band would issue their third and fourth full-lengths In The Valley Of Dying Stars and Last Call For Vitriol to universal critical accolades, and expand their hard-won fan base through incessant touring, with the help of bassist Sam Powers and guitarist Mic Harrison. Many of Superdrag's latter-day fans have never had an opportunity to see the original line-up onstage together…until now!

Superdrag - "True Believer (Demo)"

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10.05.07 City Hall Nashville TN
10.13.07 Metro Chicago IL
10.20.07 Barley's Tap Room Knoxville TN
11.02.07 The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza New York NY
11.03.07 Paradise Rock Club Boston MA
11.08.07 Nightclub 9:30 Washington DC

2007-07-13T00:39:00.000-07:00

Ben Gibbard - "Indian Summer"

New track from Ben Gibbard off the Nirvana/Kurt Cobain documentary About a Son.

UPDATE:

~~Ben Gibbard - "Indian Summer"~~
-Taken down by Barksuk's polite request.

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2007-07-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Chris Bathgate

To me, folk music is timeless. What was recorded 75 years ago could sound like something recorded today, and vice versa. Chris Bathgate helps out in the 'vice-versa' department, with his Mason Jennings-esque appeal, without all the Mason Jennings hype.

Chris Bathgate - "A Flash of Light Followed By"
Chris Bathgate - "Every Wall You Own"

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2007-07-04T23:57:00.001-07:00

In Our Bedroom After the War

Stars has a new album coming out in August for which I'm excited about. They're definitely a band I'm quite fond of but at the same time I somehow forget all about them time and time again. I love the album title of this upcoming September release. If you haven't given 'em a chance, heres your...um...chance.

Stars - "The Night Starts Here"
-off In Our Bedroom After the War

Bonus:
Final Fantasy - "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead"

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2007-07-04T23:25:00.001-07:00

Not Even (In) Jail

P. Hilton is out of jail. Here's a small tribute:

Elliott Smith - "Between the Bars" -DHH Favorite
Interpol - "Not Even Jail"
The Postal Service - "This Place is a Prison"
Ryan Adams - "Prison Letters/Oh, Charles (Live)"
Iron&Wine/Calexico - "Prison on Route 41"

2007-07-04T17:25:00.000-07:00

People Noise

This five-piece Kentucky band known as People Noise is fronted by former VHS or Beta guitarist Zeke Buck, and includes ex-Boom Bip Member Matt Johnson; for live shows the duo is accompanied Rahman McGuinnis on guitar, Woody Woodmansee on keyboards, and Sam Marino on bass. Buck was a member of VHS or Beta for ten years, touring with the likes of Duran Duran, while Buck shared the bill with LCD Soundsystem, Yo La Tengo, Pinback and Matt Pond PA. Their latest releases is said to be similiar to the works of Interpol, Spiritualized, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Check out their Myspace here. People Noise's debut album Ordinary Ghosts was released on June 12th.

People Noise - "A Million Lives"
People Noise - "The Killing Fields"

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Upcoming Tour Dates:
07/03 Athens, GA Tasty World
07/04 Chapel Hill, NC Blend Nightclub & Lounge
07/05 Atlanta, GA The ISP Space
07/06 Tampa, FL New World Brewery
07/07 Orlando, FL The Back Booth
07/09 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
07/10 Tallahassee, FL The Beta Bar
07/11 Deland, FL Cafe Davinci
07/12 Delray Beach, FL City Limits
07/13 Miami, FL Churchill's Pub
07/14 Gainesville, FL The Atlantic
07/15 New Orleans, LA House of Blues (The Parish)

Stream the entire album here!

2007-07-03T00:03:00.001-07:00

Umbrella Gets Covered

Rihanna's "Umbrella" can be a guilty pleasure, whether you'd like to admit that or not. Regardless, I was sent a great cover of it by Scott Simons and I'm really lovin' it!

Scott Simons - "Umbrella (Rihanna Cover)"

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2007-07-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

Mixes Ain't Sh*t: Official DHH Mix #1

I've been doin' my best to keep up with all your e-mails, and have been struggling to promote all the music I've received. In response to this I've compiled a mix of all the stuff I've been diggin' lately. Thanks! (PS: I've finally landed a summer job so I'll treat you to a better way to host mp3's in the weeks/months to follow).

1.Surrounded - "Safe Tomorrow Sun"
2.Black Moth Super Rainbow - "Sun Lips"
3.Transfer - "You Are the Wolf"
4.Peel - "Oxford"
5.Sam Champion - "Like A Secret"
6.Southerly - "Soldiers"
7.Copperpot - "Come Back Home"
8.Butane Variations - Angels
9.Zookeeper - "Tax Collector"
10.The Clutters - "Temperature"
11.S.E.L.F. - "Primitive Feedback"
12.Pelle Carlberg - "Clever Girls Like Clever Boys Much More Than Clever Boys Like Clever Girls"
13.Rose Kemp - "Violence"
14.They Shoot Horses Don't They - "A Place Called LA"
15.The Special Pillow - "Your Dead City"

*Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

ALSO, Transfer's playing a KEXP benefit this Saturday!

July 7th @ The High Dive KEXP benefit concert
513 N 36th Seattle, WA 98103
206.632.0212 www.highdiveseattle.com
KEXP BENEFIT FOR SHORELINE SOLAR PROJECT
Charge: $6 adv/$8 door; Doors 6 pm

BANDS: Das Llamas, Say Hi To Your Mom, Transfer (on @10 pm), Joy Wants Eternity

2007-06-28T17:27:00.001-07:00

Ben Gibbard: Live at the Showbox 5/20/07

Finally, I've come across the Ben Gibbard solo I attended in Seattle (his first of two shows) a few months back. A lot of the tracks are a little disheartening, as the crowd's voices drown out Ben to his own songs. Sort of makes me long for the times when people loved the Postal Service but didn't know who Death Cab For Cutie or Ben Gibbard was. Throughout the concert I almost forgot I wasn't at a Dashboard Confessional concert (granted I have been to a few way back when). There were a few young girls standing in front of me and I took notice of the age range Ben now reaches. Turns out those girls were none other than Smoosh. Regardless of teetering (or maybe wallowing) in commercial stardom I still love gettin' a Gibbard fix; the Squeeze cover is a nice change of pace from his normal cover routine of throwing down a few simple chords and never straying vocally from the originals (and I mean that in the kindest way possible). Here goes it (thanks to ÜberDrivel for the tracks!):

01. To Sing For You (Donovan Cover - Brand New Colony
02. Title and Registration
03. Crooked Teeth
04. You Remind Me of Home
05. Photobooth
06. Why You'd Want To Live Here
07. We Will Become Silhouettes
08. Soul Meets Body
09. Passenger Seat
10. Up The Junction (Squeeze Cover) -DHH Favorite
11. Your Heart Is An Empty Room -DHH Favorite
12. 405
13. A Lack of Color
14. Recycled Air
15. I Will Follow You Into The Dark
16. Harvest Moon (Neil Young Cover)
17. Blacking Out the Friction
18. All Apologies (Nirvana Cover)
19. The Sound of Settling
20. Nothing Better*
21. Such Great Heights**

*featuring Jenny Lewis
**featuring Jenny Lewis, Dave Bazan (of Pedro the Lion), and Jonathan Rice

PS:

Here's a site I came across with some great pics from the tour

2007-06-27T00:27:00.000-07:00

Bryan Scary

Yeah, it's been way to freakin' long since my last post. I've let the emails rack up and I'm sifting through 'em. One artist I've grown to like is Bryan Scary. On his latest effort, The Shredding Tears, Scary plays every instrument, save drums, which is provided by Apollo Sunshine's own Jeremy Black.

Bryan Scary - "Des Demonas"

Bryan Scary - "Misery Love"

buy Bryan Scary's The Shredding Tears on Amazon.com

2007-06-13T00:41:00.000-07:00

Mix

I thought I saved a draft of this post but I guess not. All apologies for the lack of updates. I've been enjoying summer with very (very) minimal internet use. Granted I do still watch a fair amount of television as the day winds to a close. I have had a chance to slightly catch up on emails and I've compiled somewhat of a mix of stuff I've liked thus far:

White Rabbits - "The Plot"
The High Strung - "What a Meddler"
Oxide & Neutrino - "What R U"
Sufjan Stevens - "Pittsfield"
Okkervil River - "Our Life is Not a Movie Or Maybe"
Kanye West - "Young Folks"
Joan the Policewoman - "Eternal Flame"
Copy - "Closet Face"
Hot Rod Circuit - "Camo"
Bitter Bitter Weeks - "Water in the Basement"

2007-06-03T18:24:00.000-07:00

The Thanks They Get

Is it just me, or is anyone else getting sick of the pretentious indie bashings of the new Wilco CD Sky Blue Sky? No, it's not Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Get over it. If you spent half as much time obsessing over the newest indie trends (and non-trendy bands which in turn makes them trendy) as you did listening to classic rock and anything that influence everything you listen to, then you might start understanding why you're only making yourself foolish by tearing down one of the year's best albums. If Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was a haircut it'd be the shaggy hipster 'I'm trying with all my energy to look like I'm not trying at all' cut; Sky Blue Sky is the clean and short 'I've got a job interview tomorrow because I've grown up and realized what the real world entails' cut. "Impossible Germany" is an indescribable step forward for indie rock and proof a modern band doesn't have to bastardize it's influences to reproduce them. Sky Blue Sky is my favorite album of the year thus far. I'd say 'if you don't agree with me, write a blog post of your own' but I'm sure you've already taken time months ago to trash Wilco's latest efforts without even giving the album a second listen. Or worse, streaming one of their tracks off Myspace. Or worse yet, reading the Pitchfork review and pretending to listen to it (and then pretending to form your own opinion). Get over yourselves Pitchfork. I stopped reading you a long time ago.

For your listening pleasure, a very appropriately titled Sky Blue Sky b-side:

Wilco - "The Thanks I Get"

*Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

2007-05-28T00:17:00.001-07:00

Playing Catch-Up

I'm done talkin' trash for a while. Thought I'd share with you some stuff I've built up in my inbox lately:

Shitdisco - "OK"

No Second Troy - "Into Your Sun"

The Teeth - "Ball of the Dead Rat"

*Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

As always, if you're a promoter or band looking to get promoted, drop me a line.

2007-05-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

Too Feisty for Me

I've done my rant about Amy Winehouse, and got that off my chest. Now let's focus on something more controversial in this day and indie age. Feist. I don't like her music. I don't get what the big deal is. Yeah, "Mushaboom" was cutesy. The Ben Gibbard remix was even better. I truly believe Broken Social Scene was the backbone of her musicianship, whether it be their co-writing or the all around music accompaniment. Her version of "Lover's Spit" is brilliantly beautiful...so...what happened from there? After a few listens, I realized how bare the album is, as if she were to have recorded her part, then ran off to her BSS friends to add to it, and then realized "Ooooh, it's a solo album". Quit with the cutesy lyrics and stripped down instrumentals Leslie; jump back on the piano and start listening to Norah Jones or something.

Broken Social Scene - "Lover's Spit (Leslie Feist Version)"

*Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

2007-05-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

Change of Address

Hey guys, I've changed my email to manage my blog a little easier. It's in my profile, so if I'm on your mailing lists, change my contact info. I've also changed mailing addresses, so contact me if you need that information as well.

2007-05-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

Too Much Wine(house)

If I never, EVER hear about Amy Winehouse again, I'd be a lot happier. Yesterday I uttered the phrase "if I ever see or hear the name Amy Winehouse again, shoot me". After that I saw her name three more times, while reading the latest issue of Rolling Stone. Can't you spot a trend from a mile away? Am I the only one? I will never listen to her music solely based on the fact I am sick of hearing about her, and that, my friends, is an inarguable personal opinion.

2007-05-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

Nothing Better

So, I got to see Ben Gibbard once again, as well as see Dave Bazan for the 7th time (not as many times for Gibbard). After a lost ticket fiasco, I made my way to the Showbox, skipping that Jonathan Rice character, and caught the last half of Bazan set when he played the heartbreaking "Priests & Paramedics" and Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". Ben came on, had some great covers (Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" and Squeeze "Up the Junction"). Played a ton of new Death Cab which seemed to be pleasing to the crowd but nothing off Facts or Airplanes. I would've died had he played "Epilogue" but don't get me started on that song cuz I've spoken for hours upon hours on that song with people. He played a bunch of Postal Service songs which was great, including a suprise appearance by Rilo Kiley's own Jenny Lewis (which was probably a better surprise than the whole Bill Callahan/Joanna Newsom business). She sang "Nothing Better" and "Such Great Heights" with him. Overall the show wasn't a tear jerker like the last time I saw him a few years back, but it was still amazing. What I find halarious is t-shirts he's selling that simply say Ben Gibbard, as if he was some solo artist. That has to be a joke. A joke worth falling for. Here's some videos (YES, I KNOW! I PROMISE NO MORE VIDEOS. TODAY'S MY LAST DAY TO DEAL WITH FINALS!!!). I can't take credit for them though:

Ben Gibbard & Jenny Lewis - "Nothing Better"

Ben Gibbard - "Passenger Seat"

Ben Gibbard, Jenny Lewis, Dave Bazan, & ...Jonathan Rice - "Such Great Heights"

Sorry, I don't have any mp3's of this show yet. Keyword yet. I will viciously be searching blogs, message boards, directories etc for the next couple weeks. Until then, enjoy the videos. Thanks again, Ben!

2007-05-15T12:27:00.000-07:00

Sufjan Stevens:
Live at the Crystal Ballroom-Revisited

cellphone photography at its finest

After a number of requests, and a little bit of guilt piled up, I've decided to re-upload the Sufjan Steven's Crystal Ballroom show. I was recently told about a site called DivShare which should help out with my bandwidth on this one. Enjoy!

This doesn't actually list everything played

1)Intro
2)Sister
3)The Transfiguration
4)The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders
5)Casimir Pulaski Day
6)Dear Mr. Supercomputer
7)Intro Story
8)The Predatory Wasp Of The Palisades Is Out To Get Us!
9)John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
10)Speaking
11)A Good Man is Hard to Find
12)Speaking
13)Majesty Snowbird
14)Speaking
15)Jacksonville
16)Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head!
17)To Be Alone With You
18)The Man Of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts
19)Speaking
20)Chicago
21)Encore Break
22)They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!!! Ahhhhh!!!

2007-05-15T00:19:00.000-07:00

BEST NEWS EVER!!!

Turns out my blog was mentioned on Best Week Ever's website!!!
check it out.

2007-05-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hold Your Horses

I've got a week of school to go, which means cram time, which means no real focus on the blog-world and expanding my musical library. To say the least, I've built up a huuuuuuge pile of emails I still need to go through, as well as requests for the Sufjan show I had posted a while back. I'll get to everything once school is done and I have free time. Keep sendin' emails. I'll be moving out of my dorm/apt, so my address will change shortly. If you're a promoter I've been in contact with, I'll update you with the changes. I plan on doing a major blog promotion this summer and get in contact with a number of labels. Free music for me, free promotion for them. Everyone wins, thus the magic of blogging. Thanks!

-DHH

2007-05-11T01:01:00.001-07:00

New Gibbard Songs!
I know I posted Ben Gibbard's new track he's been playing live (Casino Blues) but he's also been playing a few more I found videos of:

"Cath"

"Thin Ice"

This one's amazing.

2007-05-10T03:51:00.001-07:00

Death Cab For Cutie; or An Obsession Continues

After browsing through It's Hard to Find a Friend, a blog I've come to enjoy more and more, I discovered not only a new track Ben Gibbard is playing live (which I'm seeing soon!) but also a version of Pedro the Lion's "Slow and Steady Win the Race" featuring Ben Gibbard (play this at my funeral, seriously). I just wanna know how the hell he dug that one up. I'm so excited for them both I'm about to throw up. You think you know my obsession, but you have no idea.

Ben Gibbard - "Casino Blues"

Pedro the Lion (feat. Ben Gibbard) - "Slow and Steady Wins the Race"

Also, If you haven't already, check out my Cash Money Bros post, because honestly, that stuff is extremely hard to find.

2007-05-10T02:03:00.000-07:00

My Sweet Elliott

There's a new Elliott Smith album out entitled New Moon. It's a bunch of demos and tracks that didn't make his more stripped down albums. Most of it has surfaced as the Basement Tapes (or whatever they were called), but this is all mastered and probably worth the $___ it costs. In all honesty, I think Jon Brion did wonders to Smith's music (XO, Figure 8, and Basement... are personal favs), hence part of the reason these sound so stripped down. Regardless, Smith was a great songwriter, always heartbreaking to say the least, and unfortunately, almost always a downer. I remember the day he died, I came to school after a few tears were shed and told some people, only to have people say "Elliott Who?". That being said, I came across a live recording of Elliott singing George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord". If you're not familiar with Harrison's work, get familiar. He's released my most favorite post-beatles material, and that says a lot. Also, after my copyright run-in, I thought I'd play it safe and run a live track (although that new Interpol track is just dieing to be posted by me).

Elliott Smith - "My Sweet Lord (Live)"

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oh, also, the Austin City Limits Festival released it's line-up. Might have to save up to go to that:

Austin City Limits Festival 2007 Lineup
Bob Dylan
Björk
The White Stripes
The Killers
Wilco
Arcade Fire
Muse
Queens of the Stone Age
Bloc Party
Arctic Monkeys
My Morning Jacket
Damien Rice
Devotchka
Spoon
The Decemberists
LCD Soundsystem
M.I.A.
Ben Kweller
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Andrew Bird
Midlake
Pete Yom
Peter Bjorn and John...

among others.

2007-05-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

Artist Infringement

I got the head's up about posting a track I shouldn't have from CocoRosie via Websheriff. If there are any other artists/representatives/labels that do not want a track up, please email me. If you have simply commented on older posts, I might not see them. Sometimes there's a gray area with music blogging, and I don't want to fall out of the gray area into black. I've loved music my entire life, so the last thing I'd want to do is make a band feel like I was screwing them over. I use my blog as a way to support and promote, not to take away. If you feel my promotional efforts are outshadowed by legal issues, then I am more than willing to take anything down. To say the least, let me know if I'm doing something wrong, when I'm doing it wrong, and keep me inline, which in turn will keep me online. Thanks.
-DHH

2007-05-01T19:53:00.000-07:00

Bjork Gets a Spanking

I'm not gonna lie, I like the Spank Rock's version of Bjork's new single "Earth Intruders" more than the original. That being said, here's a slice of hot goodness:

Bjork - "Earth Intruders (Spank Rock Remix)"

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2007-04-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

Three Weeks Left

I haven't been blogging a ton. Surprise. I've got three weeks left of school and I've got a ton to do. I'm getting stressed just thinking about it. Through the stressing, the procrastinating, the BSing, and the studying, I've come across some good musical finds for the time being:

Bill Callahan - "Diamond Dancer"

I had the pleasure of seeing Bill at SXSW, while he was accompanied by his g/f...Joanna Newsom on piano. Unfortunately I was worn thin by weeks end from all the shows, lack of sleep, walking, etc...so I did doze off a time or two, which in some ways was an amazing experience. I go to bed every night listening to music. How many times do you do it to the actual person? I've been falling asleep to this CD now, so it's like I'm working backwards.

Sea Wolf - "Sea Monuments"

Got this in the mail; the cover seemed intriguing and most of the time, covers are what helps me sort the mail. The artist's new EP, Get in the River Before it Runs too Low, is a nice find. This track in particular is very very New Order-y, but the rest of the album is all over the map...in a good way.

~~CocoRosie - "Animals"~~
*link removed upon request

Not quite sure how I got into CocoRosie. 90% of the people I show them to think they're awful. More for me I guess. This is off their brand new album The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn.

*Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

2007-04-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

Flightless Bird, American Mouth

"Flightless Bird, American Mouth" is easily my favorite new Iron&Wine track, but I just realized I didn't have it linked up right on my site until today, which is heartbreaking. So, if you're a regular reader and haven't heard the song, download it. It's very Sam Beam-y and is very ....um...good.

Iron&Wine - "Flightless Bird, American Mouth (02/08/07)

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Also, If anyone gets/has bootlegs of other recent shows, let me know. I'd be excited to hear multiple recordings of Beam's new stuff.

2007-04-24T09:25:00.001-07:00

Wilco

Basically, Sky Blue Sky is amazing; hands down one of the best albums released this year. In all honesty, I don't really need to rep it more than it already has been repped, but I noticed "Side with the Seeds" isn't really getting circulation online. The track has easily the best guitar solo in the album. I was blown away that a new band could sound so old. Oh, by the way, that song "White Light" Wilco has made available via their website/myspace is arguably the worst song on the album. Why pick that song?!

Wilco - "Side with the Seeds"

BONUS: Jeff Tweedy - "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart"

Support the Artist: Preorder Sky Blue Sky on Amazon.com

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2007-04-23T19:33:00.001-07:00

Everyone Goes Crazy Over Such and Such and Such

Today at the station we got the new Modest Mouse 7" featuring 'Fire It Up' and the supposedly vinyl only 'King Rat' (Brock said something along the lines of 'Fuck iTunes' in a recent Spin article). I was excited to get it but disheartened knowing I don't have the technology nor the money for the technology to rip vinyl onto my computer. Luckily someone has done this task for me. It's quite an interesting track. I'm loving We Were Dead the more and more I listen to it. I suggest those who are skeptical to keep up the listening.

Modest Mouse - "King Rat"

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2007-04-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

Smile

Remember Grandaddy? Me neither. Kidding. They broke up, did that whole thing, and singer Jim Fairchild has got his own little shtick out called All Smiles. There's a few guest appearances from members of Sleater-Kinney, Modest Mouse, Menomena, and more. I read somewhere about 8-track recordings in rooms of houses...but who doesn't do that these days? Check it.

All Smiles - Moth in a Cloud of Smoke

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Support the Artist : Preorder Ten Readings of a Warning here

2007-04-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

Rufus Wainwright

I've always been a big Rufus fan, but at some point I just flat out burnt myself out on him. I wasn't too excited about the release of his new album, but after hearing this track I got in the mail, I'm overjoyed of his forthcoming album.

Oh yeah, he's patriotic, too: "I'm so tired of you, America "

Rufus Wainwright - "Going to a Town"

*Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

Support the Artist: Preorder Release the Stars here.

2007-04-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

I'm Lovin' It

I briefly read about this mash-up, but struggled to find it until now. It's allegedly by an artist/DJ named Malcom McLaren. It's a mix of Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together" and Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart". It's no Girl Talk...but hell, I'm sick of hearing about Girl Talk anyway.

Malcom McLaren - "Love Will Keep Us Together/Tear Us Apart"

*Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

Oh, and payday's comin' up so there'll be a boost in bandwidth soon.

2007-04-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

Cold War Kids

Like many overly-hyped blog saturated bands, I steered clear of the Cold War Kids. A few days ago I sucked in my pride and burned (gasp!) myself a copy of the album and have been loving it ever since. Maybe it was a grand combination of windows down, stereo up, and that rare Pacific Northwest sun that did the trick, but I'm lovin' it all. One song, "Saint John" completely left my jaw dropped. Like stripped down Stones meshed with the raw, unfettered brilliance of the White Stripes:

Cold War Kids - "Saint John"

*Link Removed to Save Bandwidth for New Site

Visit CWK's homepage.
Buy Robbers and Cowards here at Amazon.com

2007-04-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

Bumbershoot (Sort Of) Announces Line-Up

September 1st-3rd will (hopefully) show stage to a ton(?) of great bands at Seattle's Bumbershoot. I've only gone once so far, and the lines were awful. I'm hoping to fall across money to get a Gold Pass or something, but that isn't likely. Here's a few of the (good) bands playing so far:

The Shins / Wu-Tang Clan / DeVotchKa / Devendra Banhart / Magnolia Electric Company / Lupe Fiasco

To say the least the line-up is lacking.
Then again, Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothin' to mess with.

2007-04-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

DHH Interviews Dr. Dog

Dr. Dog's 2007 release We All Belong has been one of my most favorite albums of the year. It was my great pleasure to snag an interview with 'em:

If you had to choose, what is your most favorite piece of music you’ve written?

Awwwwww man. Do i have to choose?! My oldest song is a successful family man and my youngest boy is making some real waves in the halls of the ivory tower. We all have a sense of favoritism but in some cases that is just plain old evil.

What is your favorite piece of music someone else has wrote?

At the moment "Sawdust and Diamonds" by Joanna Newsom. In the past "You Were Always On My Mind" by Willy Nelson. In the future, "I Am A Computer Man" by Scott Mcmicken.

Is there any place you feel more productive as a musician? (where and why?)

Dr. dog studio is like a kids dream. A fort that is only missing one thing: a half pipe. I really like the night time and a piano seems to have an overwhelming effect on my time. When it comes down to it any place that i can justify calling home becomes so comfortable that i can forget all the things I need to forget in order to be productive. Those places are, sadly, Few and far between.

Both lyrically and musically, how do you think your music compares to your earlier work?

From where i stand the old days and the new are virtually identical. Lyrically I'm still trying to say the same thing I've always tried to say and musically I seem to want things to become more and more simple, ever after. The more obvious variations in our music have alot to do with what ever contraption happens to present itself at any given moment, be it polaroid or head cleaner.

Describe a time you heard your music played in an unexpected place (store/restaurant/movie/etc)?

The time: described as often. the place: never ever expected. the point: hearing yourself in foreign settings (meaning public domain) feels a lot like walking around with food on your teeth and not realizing it.

What period of time, album, or maybe even just song do you think you’ve made that turned out to be most personal? Why do you think that is?

By virtue of the fact that i once wrote a song about and for a person that I immediately knew should not be heard by the very subject of the song makes me think that on that one i got dangerously personal. That song is called 'I Hope There's Love"

When was the last time you wrote a song? Can you describe the situation?

I'm working on a song at the moment called "Environmentally Friendly Saturn". My hope with this one is that it completely changes reality as we know it........ just kidding. On the road its hard to find a place to consider home therefore its hard to write.. before I split for tour I found a song in my living room hidden in a purple piano. As of late the songs seems sort of unrecognizable, I'm sure this has a lot to do with factors entirely unmusical. to be more direct the last song i wrote was my first ever song of hate. It's about smoking cigarettes and in it I feel like i succeeded in making my relationship with smoking loving enough to consider giving it up.

What artists and albums have you been listening to lately? What do you like about them?

The Teeth. Thats about it and Joanna Newsom. And as with most things i like i have absolutely no idea what it is that makes it appealing. In general i have observed that the things i have found to be of quality display a certain amount of commitment.. a built in permanence. Responsibility. Was it Madonna or Jim James who said "you must express yourself?" I can't remember. The proof and the pudding. What seems to matter most is whether or not a person actually enjoys what it is they choose to make. thanks for the interview.. got you last!

Dr. Dog - "My Old Ways"

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2007-04-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

More.

I have been told of a great solo show of Ben Gibbard's. I've heard a lot of the tracks off of it, but the one's I haven't were great! Older songs like "No Joy in Mudville" (my favorite DCFC song!), as well as "Line of Best Fit", among others. Also, I came across a live, acoustic version of "We Looked Like Giants". I'm dieing to hear the rest of this show (Chicago 08/15/03), so if anyone has it, hit me up.

Ben Gibbard - "No Joy in Mudville (01/19/01)"
Ben Gibbard - "Line of Best Fit (01/19/01)"
Ben Gibbard - "We Looked Like Giants (08/15/03)"

NOTE: Apologies again about the bandwidth. I'm on a spartan college budget but I'll do my best to get things going soon. All I ask is be understanding for the time being. Worst comes to worst go here and stream tracks I've posted by clicking 'listen' next to the song titles. Enjoy!

2007-04-04T21:53:00.000-07:00

Ben There, Done That

By now you've caught on to my obsession with the one and only Ben Gibbard. Well, his solo show is still one and a half months away and I'm dieing. In response to this need for live Gibbard, I went searching around the internet, looking for old bootlegs...you know...the ones where people aren't outsinging the band to great hits like "I Will Follow You Into The Dark". I found a few Seattle shows back in 2000 and 2001. Beyond that, I came across the Postal Service's KCRW Session from a few years back which was amazing. Perhaps better than (gasp) the album itself. To top it off, I just came across an Amy Millan Cover of "I Will Follow You Into the Dark". It's very country-ish.

Death Cab For Cutie - "Styrofoam Plates (06/16/01)"
-Listen for the "This is the first time we've played this one". What a find!

The Postal Service - "Brand New Colony (Live on KCRW)"
The Postal Service - "Such Great Heights (Live on KCRW)"
-I love the Jenny Lewis vocals that are much more apparent.

Amy Millan-"I'll Follow You Into The Dark (Live)"

2007-04-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

E-Mailbox: Mason Proper/Hooray for Earth

I've been going through my growing email pile and I liked these:

Mason Proper - "100 Years"
Mason Proper - "Carousel Carousel"
read more about Mason proper here.

Hooray for Earth - "So Happy"
Hooray for Earth - "Simple Plan"
visit Hooray for Earth's site here.

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