W♥M (Archive)

The Dodos at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (03/23/11)

The Dodos at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (03/23/11)

Philadelphia's Reading Rainbow and The Dodos played Cedar Cultural Center on March 23^rd. Obviously the former band stole their name from LeVar Burton's* PBS programming of the same name. They're a couple (Sara & Rob), who harmonizes a lot on their indiepop songs. I didn't know any of their songs, but their last two were the best of their brief set (apparently they were brand new and not released on 7" yet).

The Dodos came on stage around 9pm to a healthy room of young people, mostly college students and high schoolers. The youngest I saw at the show was a ten year old boy, who told me he heard of the Dodos from a "longboard" skate video.

The first time I heard about The Dodos, it was because Brody loved them so much that he chose their song "Fables", as song of the week. I couldn't really make out what about the Dodos that Brody loves so much, perhaps it's the weird rhythm and layers of music?

I got the impression that the Dodos were mainly two people, Meric Long and Logan Kroeber, but when they were on stage, they also had a third rhythm guitar player. I thought I read that the third player was a xylophone player - which is wrong apparently. Seeing them play for about two hours, I can tell you that they're a bit like a Pitchfork band. A little experimental, odd choices in song structures, unconventional vocals, loops, and distortion.

The Dodos ended their set with "The Season", from Visiter, an obvious fan favorite, as you hear all the cheering and clapping throughout the song.

PS Apologies for the crappy cell phone photo, it was all that I had on me.

The Dodos' new album is called No Color, and it was released a few weeks ago, and it's basically the reason why they're on tour. If you are mildly interested in checking them out, you might try and get free tickets by commenting on their FB. Full tour details below:

03-24 Fargo, ND - Aquarium 03-25 Winnipeg, MB - West End 03-26 Saskatoon, SK - Amigo’s 03-28 Calgary, AB - Republik 03-29 Edmonton, AB - Starlite 03-31 Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw 04-01 Victoria, BC - Sugar 04-02 Bellingham, WA - Wild Buffalo 04-04 Seattle, WA - Neumo's 04-05 Portland, OR - Doug Fir 04-07 San Francisco, CA - Filmore 04-08 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theater 04-09 San Diego, CA - Casbah 04-27 Spain, Donostia - Gazteszena 04-28 Spain, Vigo - University 04-29 Spain, Madrid - El Sol 04-30 Spain, Barcelona - Plaça de la Odissea 05-02 Grenoble, France - Le Ciel 05-03 Milan, Italy - Salumeria Della Musica		05-04 Rome, Italy - Circolo Degli Artisti 05-05 Ravenna, Italy - Bronson 05-06 Aarau, Switzerland - Kiff 05-07 Munich, Germany - 59-1 05-09 Berlin, Germany - Magnet 05-10 Hamburg, Germany - Prinzenbar 05-11 Cologne, Germany - Blue Shell 05-12 Nijmegen, Holland - Doornroosje 05-13 Amsterdam, Holland - Melkweg 05-14 Brussels, Belgium - Botanique Festival 05-16 Vendome, France - La Chapelle Vendome 05-17 Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie 05-18 Paris, France - Divan du Monde 05-19 London, UK - Scala 05-20 Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute 05-21 Glasgow, UK – Arches 06-15 Montreal, QC - Le Tulipe 06-16 Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre

* Offtopic, but did you know Levar does some backup singing on Brent Spiner's album, Ol' Yellow Eyes Is Back? It's pretty awesome, but you don't have to take my word for it.

vu () ♥ dodosmusic.net ♥ rreadingrrainbow.blogspot.com

Louis Katz

Comedian Louis Katz's new digital-only album, If These Balls Could Talk, was just released a few weeks ago on Comedy Central Record. The comedy album is pretty dirty and raunchy and generally not recommended for the easily offended. Katz's material is mostly about taboo subjects like sex: from mohawk butt hair, "street chocolates", and pornography.

The way I see it, he's like awesome dude friend you hang out with, he'll never marry and he tells thing like it is. For instance, his joke about why Americans are so fat: "I've got a theory, maybe it's because a burger costs $2 and a salad costs $12.99!" He goes on and talk about taking out a loan to eat salad, which "tastes like dry air". Yeah, I agree!

I like Katz when he's not dirty, but then again, you know what you're in for when the title of the album is called If These Balls Could Talk.

If These Balls Could Talk can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon, or perhaps you can pick up a copy when you see him live:

March 23, 2011 - Rubber Bullets, 87 Ludlow, LES, NYC
March 27, 2011 - Round table of gentleman
March 30, 2011 - Session 73, NY 8:30 pm
March 30, 2011 - Mezzo, Astoria, NY 9:30 pm
April 1, 2011 Lefty's Tavern, Barnegat, NJ
April 1, 2011 Lefty's Tavern, Barnegat, NJ 10:00 pm
April 6, 2011 The Gutter, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 8:20 pm
April 6, 2011 Mezzo, Astoria, NY 9:30 pm
April 7, 2011 Baltimore Comedy Factory 8:00 pm
April 8, 2011 Baltimore Comedy Factory 7:30 pm
April 9, 2011 Baltimore Comedy Factory 7:00 pm

vu () ♥ www.louiskatzcomedy.com

W♥M105: News of the Week

W♥M105 (27min: archive/podomatic/mypodcast)

Cristina and Vu talks news, despite just recovering from illness (illnesses?). There's just something about the start of a new season that does this to us. Next week we're doing the cover lover show - but this will take some multiple editing with multiple people - so send me your cover songs and if you want, I will call and have you included in the show.

Topics as follows:

BEADY EYE
Since Noel Gallagher left Oasis in late 2009, the rest of the band sort of just continued on as brother Liam eloquently puts it, “business as fookin’ usual”, writing new material under the guise of Beady Eye. A name I absolutely hate. I read somewhere that they sounded like “Oasis back to its roots” and I can tell you after listening to the album Different Gear, Still Speeding: it’s not to its original roots, but rather just a continuation of where Oasis left off. What I liked about it is that there are songs that tries to do something different (for instance, Oasis would’ve never had girl back up singers or fast-paced piano playing), but they still sound pretty much like “new” Oasis. Still, it should be interesting to see them live, how they match up to their former band - I suspect it’ll be pretty much exactly live minus Noel Gallagher.

MIKE STARR
Mike Starr, ex-Alice in Chains, passed away March 8th. He was the bassist up until Dirt (1993), and was displaced by another Mike (Inez) bassist. It would seem that he was a meth addict, having been arrested earlier last month for possessing controlled substances. I am coming under the conclusion that he died of a drug-related incident, but I haven’t seen any confirmation. On a related topic, singer Layne Staley died of a drug overdose in 2002.

SXSW 2011
SXSW just ended. The massive music+interactive+movies festival drew over 2,000 plus bands in the area. This year is supposed to be the “biggest yet’, and Dan was reporting LIVE from his iPhone by sending in pictures with brief commentaries to each band. He was really impressed by Carl Broemel from My Morning Jacket. He said he actually saw him by accident because he and his wife was getting brownies at St. David’s Bethell Hall and heard the music.

Song of the week is Carl Broemel's "Heaven Knows", which is available as a free download on his website.

BONUS:
Dexter explained and a bit about Wayne and the Flaming Lips.

Subscription Options
Subscribe on iTunes
Subscribe via RSS
Add to Google
Add to Yahoo
____
Archive of this show at archive.org. More information on mypodcast.com

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

SXSW 2011: Saturday

Dan continues to send in his SXSW coverage: LIVE. I will be updating as soon as I get them throughout the day.

See photos and brief commentary on part one: SXSW 2011: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Carl Broemel
carlbroemel.com

This is Carl Broemel from My Morning Jacket. We got to this show by accident. We went to the venue to use the bathroom and get some brownies. It was at St. David’s Bethell Hall; they do brownies right.

Show had already started and I was intrigued by the music. Great guitars and pedal steal coming out from the speakers. Turned out it was a trio: guitar, bass and piano. One song sounded like Harry Nilson. Carl referred to it as soft rock and it was only his 7th solo show.

He then went on to play one solo with lots of loops from his guitar and pedal steal.

He closed with "Lollipop" acoustic; "lollipop, lollipop o lollipop lollipop...."

I was impressed enough to by the LP; yep vinyl!

Josh T Pearson joshtpearson.co.uk Josh has gotten tremendous press with his new release. Mojo is very much trying to help get the word out. He is originally from Texas and has been in Paris for the last 10 years. He plays a flamenco strumming style of guitar for songs that have very deep personal meaning. He has a great Texas voice and really draws you into the lyrics. Amazing version of "Rivers of Babylon".		Sharon Van Etten sharonvanetten.com Played to a standing room only show at Central Presbyterian Church. Band sounded great as a three piece. Material coming from the new release which has gotten a lot of air play locally. I really like her choruses. They have great hooks.

Luke Rathborne

Download "I Can Be One" from lukerathborne.com

I read that Luke Rathborne's debut album, After Dark, was released sometime in 2007, but I couldn't find anything about the product, under music, on his website. I guess what's important to him right now is the double EP release of Dog Years and I Can Be One, which was released on March 8^th via Dilettantes Records.

If there were conscious differences between the two EPs, I would say that it seems to me that I Can Be One tend to have more pianos and violins, over the "plugged" Dog Years (with the exception of the acoustic "Tie Your Hands Down"). But to be honest, you couldn't own one without the other, these two EPs were meant to be as a set. The Yin and the Yang, as it were.

Like most singer/songwriter, I feel that Rathborne is telling little stories with his songs, whether noticing a car running in "Motor City" or trying to get that drug "sensation" in "Dog Years". It didn't surprise me to see that he has a poetry book, I can easily see poems from his descriptive lyrics.

Although you can buy the MP3s for about $8 for all the tracks, I suggest you head over to the label and get the double 180g vinyl and L.A. Poetry Book for an extra $7.

vu () ♥ lukerathborne.com

SXSW 2011: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

Bangles: Eternal Flame

South by Southwest, aka SXSW, is the annual film, interactive, and music festival that takes place in Austin, Texas. It would seem that this year (2011) is at its biggest, with reports coming at 17,000 registered visitors (grown from last year's 14,000).

The key word is registered, I suspect Austin draws at least three or four times that number. I have been listening to the "tech" part of the SXSW reports and it just sounds like it's become one giant party... and not so much the tech-thing. Some celebrities were spotted there, in particular, Felicia Day.

The music part of SXSW officially started late yesterday and will end this Sunday. Over 2,000 bands are officially registered to play, but obviously there are a ton of unofficial ones as well. If you walk down the street, some bands are playing in the streets.

Dan, man on the scene, was kind enough to send in his report:

So far we have seen Jamie Woon, Kid Canaveral, Withered Hand, OMD, Dry the Rivet, Bangles and I'm sitting at the new ACL Theater to see Bob Geldof.

Wednesday: Jamie Woon at the British Music Welcome Event. He is a techno soul singer. Not bad. Lacks in the melody.		Thursday: Bangles. Event name was Daisy Rock Maurice's Small Town Sound. One hour set with all the hits and a cover of the Nazz's "Open My Eyes" (Todd Rundgren's first band). They sounded great. The harmonies are still there.
Friday: Here is Yuck at the Pitchfork Show. Great indie sound for most songs. They had to ruin it with a 5 min feedback frenzy. Always lose interest in that type of song. Been done too many times already.		Friday: Edwyn Collins. Great set. I think it has to go down as most inspirational set I will see. I would know if I could do it myself. But played new, old, etc. Also let his son sing on one of the songs. Closed with "A Girl Like You".

Going for Gold II: The SXSW Edition

We Were The States: Gold

Be sure to check out Going for Gold.

WE WERE THE STATES
wewerethestates.com

The last time we saw We Were The States, Andrew mentioned that they were doing SXSW and that sounded like The Hives and The Vines, which is not in bad company at all. Well, since then, the band's released their sophomore album last November called Rasa, available on Chicken Ranch Records. The free song they're offering is called "Gold".

Also, guess what? They're doing SXSW again with the following dates:

Thursday, March 17 at 4PM @ 604 E. 6th St.
Friday, March 18 at 1240PM @ The Eastern
Saturday, March 19 at 10PM @ Headhunters

Their latest single is called "Hot Waves", and the video for it shows the band doing late-night acoustic, walking about Nashville.

GOLD MOTEL
goldmotel.com

I caught Gold Motel last year, when they were just starting up, the big buzz was that it was headed by Hush Sound's Greta Salpeter. Although I thought Hush Sound broke up, apparently, according to the Wikipedia, they're on hiatus.

From my recollection, Salpeter was really in charge on stage. I mean she's certainly no stranger when it comes to playing to a crowd. See for yourself as they perform The Supremes song, "You Can't Hurry Love". I actually don't have their debut album, Summer House, but expect it to sound like they're influenced by Motown Records, based on that cover song.

Yep, as expected, they're turning up on their first ever SXSW gig to play Billboard Showcase and CNN Party! Exciting:

3/16 - 8:00pm – Billboard Showcase @ Buffalo Billiards
3/16 - 11:45pm – CNN party @ Max’s Wine Dive
3/18 - 11:30am - Sonicbids Party @ Maggie Mae’s
3/18 – 6:00pm - Swing House/D'Addario party @ Rusty Spur's

FOOL'S GOLD RECORD
foolsgoldrecs.com

I Heart Comix' Franki Chan and Fool's Gold is having a "Past Yo Bedtime" party this week. Wish I was in Austin, you know?

Can't say I know too much about underground comics, but I can tell you that Fool's Gold Records is based out of New York and have signed such dancey artists like Kid Sister and Chromeo (who we have mentioned in the past).

I guess, there's really not much to add, except you have to RSVP for all the juicy details regarding location and full lineup. Since I'm not attending, I couldn't tell you who's playing (obviously you should check some of Fool's Gold's artists to get an idea).

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Oh my Darlings

Darlings: Big Girl

What's in a name ? See also Kosha, Kasha, and Ke$ha and White.

DARLINGS
darlingsnyc.tumblr.com

Darlings are a noisy lo-fi garagey band from New York, and they have a new EP called Warma, which came out today, March 15^th, via Famous Class Records. The label was kind enough to send me a review copy of the EP, which I actually really enjoy. They remind me of when Weezer was good, but with a touch of Superdrag. They also seem to have a girl in the band, as most, if not all, of the songs on the EP features her doing backup vocals.

Warma also contain their catchy "Big Girl", which was available as a rare 7".

If you can't get enough of the band, the song "Spit It Out" is available as a free download at the vowels-hating website, rcrdlbl.

Some upcoming release party and live shows below:

Mar 15 - Kim's Video & Music - New York, NY
Mar 25 - 286 Kent - Brooklyn, NY
Apr 12 - Glasslands w/ Surf City

Those Darlins: Screws Get Loose

THOSE DARLINS
thosedarlins.com

It looks like those dirty girls are constantly on tour! It's really a mystery how they managed to fork out another album! The album is called Screws Get Loose and they're so excited about it, they want you to get a copy of the title track, "Screws Get Loose" from their website. I did get a chance to listen to it - it's good, I think it has something to do with drinking and trying to stand upright. Update: After listening to it a few more times, it seems to be about an airplane at the start and then something about abusing substances - "they don't just hand that stuff out!". Too funny.

The good news is that they're returning to Minneapolis, it's really become a favorite spot for them, I reckon. And you know I'll be there, and apology to the failed Australian coverage. Maybe next time I will add it to Sally's calendar.

Trivia: You know the saying, "you can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose... well Those Darlins just disproved that with their cover artwork.

03/17 @ Swan Dive- Austin, TX 03/22 @ The Loft - Atlanta, GA + 03/24 @ Black Cat - Washington DC + 03/25 @ Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY + 03/26 @ Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY + 03/27 @ Middle East Downstairs-Cambridge, MA+ 03/29 @ Firehouse 13 - Providence, RI 03/30 @ Bar Nightclub - New Haven, CT 03/31 @ Golden West Cafe - Baltimore, MD 04/01 @ Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH + 04/02 @ Double Door – Chicago, IL + 04/03 @ Cedar Cultural Center–Minneapolis, MN+ 04/04 @ The Waiting Room - Omaha, NE + 04/06 @ Bluebird Theatre - Denver, CO + 04/07 @ The Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, NV +		04/08 @ The Neurolux - Boise, ID + 04/09 @ The Crocodile - Seattle, WA + 04/10 @ Dante's Portland, OR + 04/13 @ The Independent - San Francisco, CA + 04/14 @ Rio Theatre - Santa Cruz, CA + 04/16 @ The Mercury Lounge - Goleta, CA 04/17 @ Alex's Bar- Long Beach, CA 04/18 @ Soda Bar - San Diego, CA 04/19 @ The Satellite- Los Angeles, CA 04/20 @ The Congress Club- Tucson, AZ 04/23 @ The Mohawk - Austin, TX 05/05 @ JJ's Bohemia - Chattanooga, TN 05/06 @ JJ's Bohemia - Chattanooga, TN 06/02 @ Wakarusa – Ozark, AR 06/04 or 5 @ Free Press Fest – Houston, TX + w/Black Joe Lewis

SARAH DARLING
sarahdarling.com

Sarah Darling is a pop singer/songwriter, currently signed to Black River Entertainment. You may have heard of her from the Wayne Newton's show "The Entertainer" as one of the top three finalist.

Well, her second album, Angels & Devils just dropped last month (February 15^th), and features the lead single "Something to Do With Your Hands" (backed with a cover of U2's "With or Without You"). I did get a chance to listen to the radio edit of the single, and it sounds very pop to me, with just a tiny hint of country twang and weeping violins.

Last Tuesday (March 8^th), Sarah Darling, along with India.Arie, Michael Franti and Crystal Bowersox, kicked off the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day at the CARE's Conference and International Women's Day Celebration in Washington, D.C. Below is a photograph provided by CARE:

From Left to Right: Performers Sarah Darling, India.Arie, Michael Franti, Crystal Bowersox and Idan Raichel.

Finally, let's not forget the live shows. Details below:

March 29, 2011 12th & Porter Nashville, TN 9:00PM
April 12, 2011 Highline Ballroom New York, NY
April 19, 2011 Citi Field New York, NY 7:00pm
April 20, 2011 Matty T's Roadhouse Long Island, NY 8pm
April 21, 2011 Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, TN 8pm
July 02, 2011 Turner Field Atlanta, GA

 

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

REVIEW: Belle & Sebastian - Metro Theatre (March 9th) and Sydney Opera House (March 10th)

 

It’s been a long time, in my opinion, since Belle and Sebastian visited Sydney; five years to be exact. So now it’s March 2011 and the glaswegian band have just performed two shows in Sydney accompanied by Sydney locals, Bridezilla. Show #1 (March 9th) was at the Metro Theatre. For an early starting show, the venue was packed early, the interesting sounds of Bridezilla didn’t turn the crowds away.

To my knowledge Bridezilla have been out of the picture for quite some time, the last release I can recall was in 2009, which I was quite impressed by. If you’ve not seen Bridezilla, they are a five-piece comprising of three timid-looking young ladies, a young fellow on drums and the amazing, but contrasting Holiday Sidewinder who really can belt it out vocally up front. Speaking musically, Bridezilla are quite a the opposite of Belle and Sebastian, disjointed and tumultuous... I’ve never quite seen a saxophone played so violently.

 
Accompanied by a four-piece string section (as well as the core members with their multi-instrumental talents) Belle and Sebastian filled the best part of two hours with that sweet Scottish pop that we love them for, mixed in with Stuart’s endearing banter. I thought they’d play a large proportion of their new album, Write About Love, but no.... the night was filled with songs old and new. Some gems that i thought I’d never hear live. Like Dylan in the Movies, The Boy with the Arab Strap, I Didn’t See It Coming, Dog On Wheels, Lord Anthony (including mascara).... a Belle and Sebastian long-time fan’s dream come true.


As I'm greedy, I also managed to catch Belle and Sebastian at their show the following night. Now this night was a little more fancy; a little less denim shorts; and a little more tight all round (musically, i mean). March 10th was the night Belle and Sebastian played the Sydney Opera House. My biggest fear was that i was going to hear the same two-hours worth of songs played note for note. Again I was surprised... an almost completely different set list of performed for the sold out show. Fox in the Snow, Wrong Girl, Judy and the Dream of Horses, Piazza, New York Catcher... I could go on.

It’ll be a sad day when I'm disappointed by these guys. I don't believe it'll ever happen.

Sally
[email protected]

 

WIN WIN WIN: JJJ Hottest 100 Volume 18

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool... Sia... The Wombats... Boy & Bear... Washington... Two Door Cinema Club... Kanye West Featuring Pusha T... Gypsy & The Cat... The National... Florence + The Machine & Dizzee Rascal... Yeasayer... Sparkadia... Crystal Castles (featuring Robert Smith)... Darwin Deez... Arcade Fire... Drapht... The Naked And Famous... Gorillaz (featuring Daley)... The Jezabels... Hot Chip... The John Steel Singers... Angus & Julia Stone

You like?

This year an incredible 155,222 voters from 152 countries registered 1.26 million votes in JJJ's annual survey to find the hottest songs of 2010. Add to that 3,526 Hottest 100 parties held by listeners across Australia and internationally - making 2010's poll their biggest to date. 

What immediately stands out in this year's Hottest 100 results is that 50% of the chart is comprised of Australian songs. Seeing local talent like Little Red, Birds of Tokyo, Washington, Boy & Bear, Art Vs. Science, Tame Impala, Cloud Control, Sia, The Jezabels, Drapht, Bag Raiders, Children Collide, Bliss N Eso, Gypsy & The Cat feature so prominently in this year's Hottest 100 is a fantastic feeling.

See the full Hottest 100 list here. 

So to celebrate the release of this year's double CD of awesomeness....... weheartmusic have a few copies to give away. Do you want one?

All you need to do is send an email to [email protected] (just make it obvious that you really want one) and the three people who are most obviously in need of a copy of Volume 18 of Triple J's Hottest 100 will get one!

Otherwise... you'll just have to go to the shop and buy it.... or download it from the comfy chair of your choosing.

(Competition closes March 25th... winners will be notified by email)

Sally 

[email protected]