W♥M (Archive)

Frame The City - The Troubles In Our Eyes

Frame the City: Tumble

The end of June brings us to the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, with the solstice on the 21st marking the longest day of sunshine. It's the start of grilling season and road trips for many.  It also brings us a new EP recording, The Troubles In Our Eyes, from Nate Moceri as Frame the City. It was released a few days ago, on the 28th.

I wanted to take a moment to thank Nate for his patience; the whole month of June (not just the end) meant a move into a house for the very first time for me and my family. I also reviewed his last EP, We Were Wolves , and found him to be quite personable and laid-back. I live in the Pacific Northwest, yet not in Portland, where he resides; but there was absolutely no hipster pretense when I told him where I live. "You're in the northwest and that's all that matters." Thanks again, Nate; I'm sorry this didn't come sooner.

The Troubles In Our Eyes continues with the electronic, dream-like quality established in We Were Wolves and Someday we will all be the same, but with greater rock and dubstep influences. Listening to the EP, I could imagine dancing to the music a bit more, and I'll say it might be the perfect background music for a small party or gathering. As Nate has composed incidental music for MTV in the past, I wouldn't be too surprised if the tracks were used for just that-- accompanying music for another television show.

The EP is available on iTunes and Amazon. If you can't make it out to Portland or even the sleepy southeast corner of Washington state (just up the border 3 hours east) where I live, pick up a copy and partake of some of that laid-back, easier pace we enjoy here.

 06/30/2011 15:00:02 ♥ jaklumen (/jaklumen) ♥ framethecity.com ♥ myspace.com

Cover Lover: Totally 80s

DUNCAN SHEIK
duncansheik.com

You all remember Duncan Sheik, he found massive success with his single "Barely Breathing" from his self-titled debut album from Atlantic Records. He won a Grammy for "Best Male Vocal Performance, Pop", you know, no big deal.

So it's been a while, but Duncan Sheik returns to pop music, and it's obvious that Sheik wears his influences on his sleeve with his all covers album, Covers 80s (released earlier this month via Sneaky Records). I can only imagine that Sheik is a bit of an anglophile, considering the artists covered here: The Cure, The Smiths, Howard Jones, Love & Rockets, Tears for Fears, Japan, Talk Talk, Blue Nile, The Psychedelic Furs, Depeche Mode, Thompson Twins, New Order. No Cyndi Lauper, no Madonna, no cheesy Def Leppard.

I can tell that Sheik loves these songs, it really shows in his covers, and especially the song choices. The Smiths' "William, It Was Really Nothing" isn't one of their more popular songs, and even the almost-random The Blue Nile (from Glasgow) song, "Stay" doesn't quite belong, but he loves it enough to include it on the album. The pronunciation is a little off on the Smiths cover, it sounds like Duncan is saying "Willie-um", which may be a disservice to one Steven Patrick Morrissey.

If you like 80s synth, which many of these artists are, especially Depeche Mode, Howard Jones, and Japan, you may be disappointed that the synthesizers are nowhere to be found on Duncan Sheik's covers... which are more low-key. This is a good thing, in my opinion. Sheik is trying to put his own spin on these songs, and like or hate it, I feel it's the right course.

Other notable mentions is that Holly Brook and Rachael Yamagata appears on the record. I am assuming that is Yamagata singing with Sheik on "Shout" and Brook on "Hold Me Now", which is my favorite cover on the album.

Covers 80s, the seventh studio album by Duncan Sheik is out now.

THE ASTEROIDS GALAXY TOUR
theasteroidsgalaxytour.com

Yeah, you know the story. I think these guys are great, calling them top for 2008, and to this day, I sometime hear "Around the Bend" at clubs - which is pretty amazing how far the band's come.

I finally got a copy of The Golden Age EP for review. Guess what? The Asteroids Galaxy Tour covered "Safety Dance", what perfect timing since I just saw Men Without Hats (they are still alive and breathing). The Asteroids Galaxy Tour's version has a bit more horns and that unique Danish vocals from Mette Lindberg. Their version doesn't take into account the extended remix, but that's just fine, it's a perfect pop song.

As for the rest of the EP, lots of horns, giving it a more 70s flavor to it. It is obvious to me that these songs are meant for the dance floor, especially for "Fantasy Friend Forever" and "Safety Dance" cover ("because if your friends don't dance...") If you don't believe me, listen for yourself on their soundcloud set. If video's your poison, their 2+ million youtube video is 70s spectacular: one-eyed villain, kungfu and a spy flutist (yes, it's also a Heineken commercial).

Here's what left of their galaxy tour on Earth:

7/01 – Poland, Open’er Festival
7/10 – Hungary, Balaton Sound Festival
9/23 – Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Rock in Rio

What Difference Does It Make

STRANDED HORSE
theestrandedhorse.com

I love covers and I love the Smiths, and if my math is right, I should love all Smiths covers. That isn't always the case, especially when I heard Emily Browning's "Sing Me To Sleep" on the awful, awful, awful Sucker Punch movie. The song is about suicide, hearing it as a pop song is just.... but anyway, Stranded Horse's cover of "What Difference Does It Make" is actually pretty good. If you listen to it (available as a free download at soundcloud.com), it's basically deconstructed to just singer Yann Tambour's vocals and plucky kora acoustics. It has a very medieval/madrigal feel to whole thing.

Stranded Horse is not actually not a brand new band, it's just shorten from his ex-band, "Thee, Stranded Horse", and just to give you a little background on Tambour, he is French, but based on the Smiths cover and And The Shoreline It Withdrew In Anger, his English is impeccable. His latest album, Humbling Tides was written and recorded in Bristol, UK, but he is returning and touring to France this Fall:

sept, 10 • Bordeaux • Festival Ouvre la Voix
oct, 01 • Bruxelles (b) • Festival 'Comme à la maison'
nov. 03 • Pau • la Centrifugeuse
nov. 04 • Bayonne • le Microscope
nov. 08 • Clermont Ferrand • l'hôtel des vils
nov. 09 • Allonnes (72) • la péniche w/ Arlt
nov. 17 • Martigues • Scène Nationale, Théâtre des Salins w/ Piers Faccini
nov. 18 • Katowice (p) • Festival 'Ar Cameralis'
nov. 24 • Paris • la maroquinerie w/ Arlt

LOVEDRUG
www.lovedrugmusic.com

These guys, I only know because I liked their cover artwork. They make attractive CDs.

Their best of album, strangely titled Best of I AM LOVEDRUG is not really a best of Lovedrug, but a best of covers by "I Am Lovedrug". I know, it's confusing.

You can see the songs covered for yourself at freefallmediagroup.net, the album is available now (June 28th). You can download their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" for free via their Facebook-thingy.

They didn't list the artists, but here's what I've compiled:

Only Shallow (My Bloody Valentine)
Dreams (Fleetwood Mac)
Hysteria (Def Leppard)
Me and My Arrow (Harry Nilsson)
Talk To Me (Stevie Nicks)
Plug In Baby (Muse)
Zombie (Cranberries)
Pure Imagination (Willy Wonka)
Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)
God of Wine feat. Kevin Cadogan (Third Eye Blind)
Endless Day (The Kinks)

 

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

 

Salinthia wrote:

It's called 'Best of I AM LOVEDRUG' b/c all the recordings are from fans pledging for cover songs as part of their PledgeMusic campaign which was called I AM LOVEDRUG (www.IamLovedrug.com).

Posted Tuesday, 05 July 2011 at 01:05 PM

JAZZ NOTE #15 – HIGHLIGHT A TOWN (PART I)

When TV Creator, David Simon, chose to set his new HBO series in post-Katrina New Orleans, critics wondered if he was going to bring the same Dickensian scope he brilliantly illuminated in The Wire.  The short answer is no.

The Wire showed how  institutions become dysfunctional by following Baltimore’s low-level drug dealers, city cops as well as district attorneys, sleazy lawyers, beleaguered educators and county officials who seem more concerned rewarding constituents than solving the city’s mounting problems.  Simon’s Treme (a neighborhood in New Orleans) stays on the ground level by following people who are trying their best to put their lives and town back together. 

There is a bar owner who needs a new roof and a Mardi Gras Indian Chief trying to get his tribe back.  There is a restaurant owner wondering if she can hold on until the S.B.A. loan comes through and an unemployed D.J. wondering where he will find his next paycheck.  There is a civil rights lawyer who tirelessly searches for a prisoner lost in the shuffle and a Tulane English professor who turns his frustrations into profane rants on You Tube. 

What Treme shares with The Wire is an authentic feel for a city.  But where Lester Freeman of The Wire once said, “All the pieces matter,” Treme is not concerned with solving the puzzle.  Why set a police drama in New Orleans with such great music on every corner?  The characters and their travails may provide a bridge from episode to episode.  But make no mistake, the musicians are what make this show.

A typical episode runs 60 minutes.  If Treme was on NBC, you would be guaranteed 20 minutes of commercials.  Since it is on HBO, commercials are turned into music.  R&B, Dixieland, funk, jazz, second line, funeral marches, street musicians, Cajun, Zydeco, when the musicians play a song, they play the whole song.  No twenty seconds and cut to commercial.  This is the Big Easy and the joyful spirit of New Orleans is fully highlighted.

 My favorite character is an underemployed trombonist, Antoine Batiste, played by New Orleans native, Wendell Pierce.   The way he drifts through the town and interacts with actual musicians is the best part of the show.

There he is playing with trumpeter, Kermit Ruffins, in a smoky low-lit bar.

There he is playing at a strip club while catching the act.

There he is playing in a big band for a wedding party, trying to stay awake while they plow through Ellington’s “Take the A Train” or as he whispers to a fellow trombonist, “Take the Z Train.”

There he is half-inebriated singing with a pair of street musicians.

There he is on the phone trying to get a touring gig with Dr. John.

There he is in baggage claim at Louis Armstrong Airport, playing for visitors from Tulsa and Cincinnati.

There he is doing a funeral march.

There he is working the Second Line.

After he takes some time off to visit his kids in Baton Rouge, Batiste climbs into a bus headed back to his hometown. 

A little old lady sitting next to him asks if his trip to New Orleans is for business or pleasure.

Batiste leans back and smiles, “Pleasure, always for pleasure.”

 

Dave

Zaz

Tour Dates 07/30/11 Rockwood Musichall (NYC - FREE) 07/31/11 City Winery (NYC) 08/01/11 Cooper Square Hotel (NYC - FREE) 08/02/11 Barnes & Noble (Union Square - FREE) More French Singers Zazie As stated on the CD insert, It was written by Dominique Dalcan, who's released a number of pop albums under his own name and a couple of Downtempo ones as Snooze. French pop star Zazie contributed the vocals.

Isabelle Geffroy is better known by her nickname, Zaz. Her self-titled debut album, released in France in May 2010, was a big hit for her, especially for her single "Je Veux" (I Want). Having just listened to the album, I can see why the French, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany audiences all fell in love with her, her voice is not the typical sexy French candy-coated pop singers. It sounds classic, like French 1930s-era.

Her journey started when entered and won the 3rd annual Tremplin Génération France Bleu/Réservoir contest, which #1 recording French artist Raphaël wrote three songs for her. The three songs ("La Fée", "Port Coton", "Éblouie par la nuit") all appeared on her debut album. While this is a boon to Zaz, and fans alike, but, personally, I found his style of writing to be too slow and sad for my taste. Maybe it's because I don't understand the language to really appreciate the Raphaël songs.

The songs I liked were "Ni Oui Ni Non" (Yes or No) for its shoutback chorus and "Prends Garde à Ta Langue" (Mind Your Tongue) for the upbeat swing-style music.

Well, the good news is that the US is finally getting her album, to be out exclusively at Barnes & Noble bookstores this July 5th, via SonyMusic Independent Network and Play On Records. This album is recommended if you like a bit of easy-going, scat-Jazz, and don't mind hearing French. None of the songs are in English, which is fine, I rather not hear clumsy English translations, but it is a bit of a barrier for American audiences. If you're still on the fence, head over to zazofficial.com and download "La Fée (unplugged)" for free.

vu () ♥ zazofficial.com

He is We at The Triple Rock, Minneapolis (06/27/11)

He is We Setlist Tour Dates 06/28/11 St. Louis, MO @ Firebird ^ 06/29/11 Milwaukee, WI @ SUMMERFEST 06/30/11 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean ^ 07/01/11 Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson^ 07/02/11 Pontiac, MI @ The Eagle Theatre ^ 07/03/11 Columbus, OH @ The Basement ^ 07/05/11 Toronto, ON @ El Mocambo ^ 07/06/11 New York, NY @ Webster Hall ^ 07/07/11 Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East ^ 07/08/11 Teaneck, NJ @ Mexicali Live ^ 07/09/11 West Chester, PA @ The Note ^ 07/10/11 Vienna, VA @ Jammin' Java ^ 07/12/11 Nashville, TN @ 12th & Porter ^ 07/13/11 Fayette, AR @ George's Majestic^ 07/28/11 Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues * 07/29/11 Austin, TX @ Stubb's * 07/30/11 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live * 08/01/11 Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater * 08/02/11 San Diego, CA @ Epicenter * 08/03/11 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction * ^ w/ Ocean Grove and Andrew Allen * w/ Ocean Grove and More Amore

I haven't seen so many teenage girls, since I saw Thao & Mirah, so I can tell you that He is We has a very loyal following with girls ages 12-21. That's not a knock, I think it's great, especially because somehow these girls identify with what singer Rachel Taylor writes about.

More on this later, starting off this all-ages show at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis, was local Dan Rodriguez by himself, who seemed quite pleased with the huge turnout (especially showing up early to see the opener).

From Canada, Andrew Allen wasn't a solo artist, as his name suggests, he actually had help with the drums (I think I caught his name was Nate). He definitely wears his influences on his sleeve, slipping in Feist's "1 2 3 4" at the end of "Sooner" and a cover of Sublime's "What I Got".

Ocean Grove is from California, and they had a different tone and harder rock sound than the previous bands. Highlight of their set was a cover of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep". This is an excellent song to begin with, can't really see it covered by guys - but they were pulling it off on stage. Songs on the setlist, in order were: "I Want You in Love", "The Best", "Away", "Still Breathing", "Rolling in the Deep", "Dreamdate", "You're So Cool", "Say Goodbye", and "Our House".

He is We at Triple Rock, Minneapolis (06/27/11)

He is We had tour staffs/roadies! We're not just talking one guy, we're talking about a group of them that tune the guitar, setup lamps, does all the soundcheck - this is really unheard of for a smaller-sized venue. Most of the headliner bands I see usually haul and tune their own instruments, I guess I was just surprise at the whole professional thing.

Please refer to the photo of the setlist, they pretty much stuck to it. The intro song was "(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight" by Cutting Crew.

Anyroad, almost all of the songs, all of the audience were singing along to, it's obvious that they all own and love the album, My Forever. Highlight of the show was "Radio", which apparently, as told by a story by "outcast" Rachel, that she wrote the song when she was fifteen.

During "All About Us", she realized that the entire audience were women, so she asked the three guys in the audience to please help sing the boys part, which Trevor and the keyboardist, well, they pretty much had to sing alone.

Encore includes one song, "Everything You Do", featuring the catchy chorus of "upside down, off the ground is what you do".

He is We's "All About You" tour ends in early August, so boys, you know where to go to scout for girls. He is We's My Forever is out now.

He is We's Rachel Taylor at Triple Rock, Minneapolis (06/27/11)

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

Free EPs

Kidcity: Bloody Face

The price is right: FREE. Check back this week for my free roundup of Free to Play online games, if you're into that sort of thing. In the meantime, here are some free EPs that's come into my inbox:

>>>
KIDCITY
kkidcityy.com

I was just in Toronto for NXNE and it's too bad that KIDCITY (Kelly Ann and Caleb) weren't one of the bands registered, because I liked what I heard. It's kind mellow electro pop songs.

Between the two tracks that I previewed, "Blackened" and "Bloody Face", the former is more melodic. Although, personally, I thought "Bloody Face" is the better of the two tracks. I'm including the song here.

Download the six-track EP at kkidcityy.com

THE LAUREATES
laureatesmusic.com

Free download of their album, Spells at candydinner.com, tomorrow (June 28th). It's also there that you can order the vinyl ($12).

If you can't wait, their 2010 EP, No Kontrol (although if you download it, the cover artwork still shows "No Control"), is available for free at freemusicarchive.org.

The Laureates is basically Chad Preston, who got some of his buddies to form a band to play his songs. The result is a pretty lo-fi/garagey sound, reminds me of Bob Mould's early Sugar work, lots of guitars and fuzz and low-sounding vocals.

YAWN
yawntheband.com

Sally's mentioned YAWN before and thought they were "some sort of horrendous metal band", only to quickly call them simply as cute and indie pop.

Well, the latest YAWN news is that their debut LP will be called Open Season and will be out on August 30th via FeelTrip/Englophile Records. They're also set to announce a fall tour date around the same time, and I suspect they'll be up in Minneapolis - since the band is from Chicago.

Free download of the self-titled EP at their official website, yawntheband.com.

OUTASIGHT
iamoutasight.com

Outasight, as his name suggest, this is hip-hop dude from New York. You can grab his EP, Figure 8, on his website iamoutasight.com.

While this sort of hip-hop thing is not really my cup of tea, I did like that he didn't use autotune in his song (or at least I didn't detect such things). Kind of reminds me of The Lonely Island, but not comedic. Favorite song from the five-track EP was "Maybe Next Time", only because it's the most "rock" song.

Tour dates below:

7/11-Boston, MA
7/12-New York, NY
7/13-Chicopee, MA
7/22-Yuma, AZ
7/24-Los Angeles, CA
9/23-Oxford, MS

ALSO, don't forget that Spin Magazine offers free songs via iTunes. This month (June) is almost over, so head over to Spin Magazine to download (expires June 30th). The latest (July) playlist includes Swedish band Little Dragon as well as Iowa's Poison Control Center.

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

Funsy

Tour Dates 07/15/11 London, UK @ Koko 07/16/11Southwold, UK @ Latitude Festival 07/28/11 Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club 07/29/11 Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Waterfront 07/30/11 Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony 09/08/11 New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place 09/09/11 Great Barrington, MA @ Mahaiwe Theatre 09/10/11 Concord, NH @ Capitol Center for the Arts 09/11/11 Norwich, VT @ Open Air Theatre 09/13/11 Ithaca, NY @ State Theatre 09/14/11 Pittsburgh, PA @ Byham Theatre 09/15/11 Rochester, NY @ Harro Ballroom 09/16/11 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom 09/17/11 Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre 09/18/11 Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection 09/20/11 Cincinnati, OH @ Southgate House 09/21/11 Louisville, KY @ WFPK Presents 09/22/11 Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue 09/23/11 Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre 09/24/11 St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant 09/25/11 Tulsa, OK @ Cain's Ballroom 09/27/11 Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom 09/28/11 Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel 09/29/11 Richmond, VA @ The National 09/30/11 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts 10/01/11 Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance 10/28/11 Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre 10/29/11 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue 10/30/11 Iowa City, IA @ Englert Theatre 11/01/11 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown 11/02/11 Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club 11/03/11 Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theatre 11/04/11 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot 11/05/11 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory 11/06/11 Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory 11/08/11 Vancouver, BC @ Venue 11/09/11 Seattle, WA@ Showbox SoDo 11/10/11 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom 11/11/11 Arcata, CA @ Van Duzer Theatre 11/12/11 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore 11/13/11 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore 11/16/11 Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues 11/17/11 San Diego, CA @ Belly Up 11/26/11 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
www.theymightbegiants.com

Yeah, I know their album isn't out for another month, but I'm so excited that John and John are back. I've been a fan since that "brand new album, from 1990", Flood.

They Might Be Giants is one of those bands that I've followed throughout the years, although I have to confess, I wasn't so into their simpler kids albums (No!, Here Come the ABCs, Here Come the 123s, Here Comes Science) or their more experimental side (The Else). In many ways, I feel that their forthcoming album, Join Us, is a return to "classic" TMBG.

"Can't Keep Johnny Down" is the lead single from Join Us, although a catchy and easy-to-follow number, I find that Flansburgh on vocals is extra nasally on this song. Especially when he stretches out his lyrics. It does bring me back to "The Statue Got Me High" though. In similar cases, I think their new songs reminds me of their earlier songs. Maybe it's just me, but "Judy Is Your Viet Nam" made of think of "Twisting", while "Cloisonné" free-jazzy track reminded me of "She Was a Hotel Detective", and "The Lady and the Tiger" with its funk made me think if Beck had covered TMBG's version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". You aren't going to get these song references unless you've been listening to old TMBG, but let's just say that if you're a fan of their old songs, you'll love these new songs. It's not like you know how Weezer just tries and re-release The Blue Album over and over again, but never quite getting it right? TMBG gets the formula right, their songs are smart, funny, and quirky... just how I like them. This is the TMBG that I've been waiting for, thank you John & John.

A couple of announcements before I leave. TMBG is having a contest to make their video for "Can't Keep Johnny Down", see Cat Linnell talk about it here: youtube.

Videos are to be uploaded to YouTube and posted on the official TMBG Facebook page. All videos linked there will be voted on by the Facebook friends of TMBG, but the winner will be judged by Judge John Hodgman and Hodgman alone. Submission deadline is July 15th.

- Winner will receive $1000 bucks and a pizza from the pizzeria of their choice. The video will be posted on tmbg's you tube channel as well as posted on TMBG’s podcast -- so lots of people will celebrate your efforts.

- Select runners up will also receive the pizza of their choice

They Might Be Giants new album, Join Us, is the recording that their fans have been waiting 20 years for! Impossibly catchy, sometimes strange and always original the album is a stunning return to form. On Join Us we find the Brooklyn originals have returned to rock and to their singular sensibility that made them an instant phenomenon in the world of alternative rock. Join Us will be released in all digital and physical outlets July 19, 2011 through Idlewild/Rounder Records.

They are closing out their Summer tour (missed them in Toronto), but returning in September, which hopefully, I'll catch them in Minneapolis in October. Can't wait to see how their new songs will be played out live. Join Us, again, will be out July 19th, 2011, on Idlewild/Rounder Records.

KURT METZGER
myspace.com/kurtmetzger

Kurt Metzger is probably most famous for his voice role of Randall the zombie on "Ugly Americans", and if you don't have Comedy Central, you've probably never heard of him either.

Well, his stand-up album, Talks to Young People About Sex is coming out this week (June 28th). The hour show was taped at Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia, and although usually soundboard recordings sounds good, I found the recording quality not as good as other stand-up albums (perhaps it's the way Metzger talks or that I hear the audience too loudly).

The first thing that hit me was that some of these jokes seems really dated, especially about the BP oil spill and Tiger Woods' infidelities. Maybe it was funny then, it should be funny now? In five years from now, will "young people" know about Tiger Woods? I'll give him "Jersey Shores", that's pretty recent and recyclable guidos are funny.

Anyway, what I do like about Metzger is that, as the title suggests, the album centers around sex, but he's not raunchy. He even makes rape and fisting funny, and that's hard to do.

During his stand-up he reveals that he used to be a Christian minister, so suddenly, I realized why Metzger doesn't use excessive profanity... but at the same time, I thought he was holding back all these sex jokes all this time.

Talks to Young People About Sex will be out this Tuesday on Comedy Central Records. You can hear previews on the widget (sorry iPad users).

THE SHOW IS THE RAINBOW
myspace.com/theshowistherainbow

I missed The Show is the Rainbow when they came through town (Minneapolis), so I've decided to give their album a review. The Show is the Rainbow is basically Darren Keen, and his album Tickled Pink was just released on limited edition 12" vinyl and digitally last week (June 21st) via Illegal Art Records. The cover artwork, by artist Jimmy Lee, is so not-safe-for-work that I'm including a censored artwork on this article.

As expected, the audio is kind of lo-fi and DIY, which usually means that this kind of music is probably best as a live performance (where I can see the energy bursting on stage vs recorded in a studio somewhere).

"Banjo Solo" and "Don't Vote" are the stand-out tracks for me. The latter is a little more upbeat and features a weird mix of hip-hop/rap and electro with warpy effects, while the former is a weird instrumental track - but it's good. You can hear more of his songs at soundcloud.com.

Like I said, he's probably really fun live, so here's the rest of his tour dates:

June 15 | New Orleans, LA | Siberia June 19 | Phoenix, AZ | Trunkspace June 21 | Los Angeles, CA | Good Hurt June 22 | San Diego, CA | Bar Pink June 24 | San Fransisco, CA | Hemlock Tavern June 27 | Portland, OR | Someday Lounge June 28 | Portland, OR | Ash St. Saloon		June 29 | Seattle, WA | Sunset Tavern July 3 | Boise, ID | Bar-B-Q July 4 | Salt Lake City, UT | Bar-B-Q July 7 | Denver, CO | Rhinoceropolis July 8 | Denver, CO | 3 Kings Tavern Sept. 6-30 | New Zealand Oct 2011-Feb 2012 | TBA

"WEIRD AL" YANKOVIC
www.weirdal.com

I've been a fan of "Weird Al" for a long time. A friend of mine got his debut album in high school and we were passing it around. I remember my favorite song wasn't even a parody, it was "Mr. Frump in the Iron Lung".

After he shaved his mustache and got rid of his glasses, I guess I stopped following him, although I have always thought his song parodies were funny and clever.

So Weird Al's 13th studio album, Alpocalypse, came out last week (June 21st), and is enjoying a nice boost of publicity, thanks to his six million+ views (another 6 million on youtube) to his music video for "Performed This Way" (parody of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way"). You know what's funny is that I haven't heard Lady Gaga's version and after hearing Weird Al's spoof, I think I get the gist of the song.

Weird Al, in keeping with the times, parodies songs that I don't listen to ("You Belong with Me" by Taylor Swift, "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus, etc). That's awesome that Al, in his 50s, still knows (and enjoy?) pop music.

Alpocalypse will probably do really well in sales, again, thanks to the Gaga's legion of fans, but considering that I'm not one of them, I'll have to skip the album. Sorry Al, we still love you though.

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

The 90s won't leave me alone

THAT DOG
annawaronker.com

In a recent discussion of Steven McDonald's appearance at NXNE, we were remembering Anna Waronker is married to him. If you know your 90s indie bands, you'll remember that Waronker, along with Rachel and her twin sister Petra, were in a band called That Dog (who had that "Minneapolis" song that we Minnesotans love).

I just found out, but That Dog have reunited to play one gig at The Troubadour on August 26^th:

That Dog REUNION show
Troubadour, Los Angeles
Fri, August 26, 2011 8:00 pm
$15.00 - $18.00
This event is all ages

I did read that the show is almost sold out, so you better get your tickets now if you want to see them. It's really a shame that I don't live in California anymore, but I would love to attend this event.

SALLIE FORD & THE SOUND OUTSIDE
sallieford.com

Speaking of Minneapolis, Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside are coming to Minneapolis to play at the Cedar Cultural Center. If any bands are playing at that venue, I automatically say "yes" to covering it. The Cedar is one of my favorite places to see music.

Reading about her, it sounds like her music is both "classic" and "modern", so expect to hear jazz/blueish sound mixed with rock. Should be fun. She's playing with Jolie Holland, you may remember her from another 90s band, The Be Good Tanyas (and, yes, they covered a Prince song, "When Doves Cry").

Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside's latest release is called Dirty Radio and is out now on Partisan Records. Tour dates listed below.

6/25 - Thomas, WV @ Mountain State Brewing 6/28 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom 6/30 – Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt 7/1 – Erie, PA @ The Crooked 7/2 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place 7/5 - Cambridge, MA @ Club Passim* 7/6 - Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall* 7/7 – Portland, ME @ The Space* 7/8 - Montreal, QC Canada @ Le Cabaret du Mile End* 7/9 - Toronto, ON Canada @ Horeseshoe Tavern* 7/11 - Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark* 7/12 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall* 7/14 - Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Centre*		7/16 - Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar* 7/20 - Dallas, TX @ Kessler Theater* 7/21 - Austin, TX @ Lambert's* 7/22 – Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's* 7/23 - New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina's* 7/25 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar* 7/26 - Orlando, FL @ The Social* 7/31 – Holyoke, MA @ Mountain Park 8/2 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin' Java 8/3 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live 8/27 - Eugene, OR @ Eugene Celebration * with Jolie Holland

SQUAREPUSHER
squarepusher.net

Remember Squarepusher? Yes, that electro d&b guy from the mid-90s, Tom Jenkinson, is recently in the news.

He's on the spotlight for The Creators Project, an ongoing program that focus on artists working through technology. Here's the description of the Squarepusher episode:

In this behind-the-scenes video, Squarepusher talks about his 15-plus year music career. From how he brings his solo studio composition to a live setting, to insights about future collaborations with director Chris Cunningham, whom he collaborated with on his infamous "Come on My Selector" video and the LED mask he used for his “Megazine” video. He also goes in depth about his "hard headed" nature and, even though his collaborations have yielded amazing results, he would screen out suggestions from everyone and compose, record and engineer himself make his sound completely his own.

Gomez: Just As Lost As You

GOMEZ
gomeztheband.com

Gomez's seventh album, Whatever's On Your Mind, came out last Tuesday (June 21st). Don't have a copy, but you can download a freebie song at Spin.com. Having already seen the band live last year, I can tell you the boys knows and loves their guitars (over nine guitars are on stage!)

They are returning to Minneapolis at Basilica Block Party, which I am not attending, but I have someone on the ground to cover this event for me. I may be in St Paul for this night anyway.

Yep, more tour dates:

July 8 Kansas City, MO @ Crossroads
July 9 Minneapolis, MN @ Basilica Block Party
July 10 Chicago, IL @ DMB Caravan
July 12 Boston, MA @ The Paradise
July 14 New York, NY @ Terminal 5
July 15 Philadelphia, PA @ TLA
July 16 Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Blues Fest – LeBreton Flats Park
July 17 Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix
July 18 Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
July 20 Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre Outside*
July 21 Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore*
July 22 Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle*
July 23 Glen Allen, VA @ Innsbruck After Dark*
September 16 Austin City Limits Festival
September 29 Saratoga, California @ Mountain Winery #

* with John Butler Trio
# with Devotchka

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

NXNE: Saturday (06/18/11)

Saturday was absolutely the best of the NXNE week.

Kaya Fraser at Harbour Parklands, Toronto (06/18/11)

Spent daytime taking the King's streetcar down to Queen's Quay. By the way, how can a street be both called Queen's Quay and Harbour Front Road? Very confusing, Canada.

Accidentally found where Harbour Parklands was, which is right near the gates to take the Island ferry. Kaya Fraser was playing acoustic. Unfortunately, we were just passing through, we didn't stay too long.

There were already a few people in line for the Bruise Cruise at the dock. The queue was confusing, there was already a RSVP and a non-RSVP line, but they also wanted us in boys-girls lines. All liquids and foods were asked to be dumped before entering the ship.

Jesuslesfilles Uncle Bad Touch Young Governor

The music cruise was sponsored by M for Montreal and Brooklyn Vegan. I found out that the Brooklyn Vegan dude couldn't make it because of an expired passport. I guess it's pretty easy to let that sort of thing lapse, especially if you don't travel outside the US.

The show started a little after the boat left harbor. As you can see from the lineup, the bands are more on the punk-ish variety.

I saw all the bands, starting with Jesuslesfilles. They were giving away free cassettes (yes, cassettes are the new vinyl).

Uncle Bad Touch was a trio, which had both Kathryn and Mikey sharing the singing duties. They were pretty garagey and noisy, which is odd for for a boat ride, I guess. Young Governor's Ben Cook had the right idea, he was dressed for the part: hawaiian shirt, skinny legs, sunglasses. He looked like Tom Cruise and Michael J Fox. I liked them, seems to have a lot of stage presence.

Ty Segall was the headliner, who came on stage with double sunglasses. Prior to playing "Annette's Got the Hits", Ty was asking for "Steve". Turns out, bassist Steve McDonald is from Redd Kross, a band that we covered heavily at KFSR 90.7FM when I was still DJing. That's actually an indication of how long Redd Kross has been around. Anyway, apparently Ty Segall was a huge Redd Kross fan, so this was a dream come true for him.

It was a three hour's tour, but Ty and the gang were still playing and human surfing when the boat dock. What a nice place to see them, especially considering that a fan told me that the night before, their NXNE showcase was packed from ear to ear, and you know how I dislike seeing sold-out shows.

Ty Segall (left) with guest bassist Steve McDonald (right) at Bruise Cruise, Toronto (06/18/11)

We got back and headed over to see Men Without Hats and Devo at Yonge/Dundas (which I've detailed here). Devo's set ran well past 10pm, which meant that I've just missed Smoke Fairies. That's fine, that gave me enough time take it easy on the way to Comfort Zone on Spadina to see Peelander-Z.

Neon Windbreaker

Comfort Zone was easily the worst of the venue at NXNE that I've been to. It's a dirty, pitch black basement basically. It's perfect for low-fi or punk bands, which was what Neon Windbreaker were. They spent as much time on stage as they singing in the audience. They had a local following, which is easy to see why because of their high energy and loud performance. Only thirty minutes before they called it quits.

Meanwhile, there was a band that played while the main stage was being setup. I wish I caught their name, but they were a trio, and they played the same set of songs prior to both Neon Windbreaker and Peelander-Z.

Peelander-Z at Comfort Zone, Toronto (06/18/11)

Peelander-Black was nowhere to be seen, I am assuming he doesn't have the proper paperwork to enter the country. Cristina and my suspicions that he's still a Japanese citizen comes to mind. Either that, or they've sacked him, which I hope wasn't the case.

Talked briefly to Peelander-Red prior to their show, asked them about their 5 O'Clock show (which we couldn't make it because of being stuck on a boat) and he said it was a great show. They had children in the audience, which I think their music and show is perfect for them.

Anyway, I've seen Peelander-Z a few times now, so this was a typical show for them. Red does the usual crowd surf (failed on first attempt!), but because we were in a basement, he was playing neck to feet to the ceiling! Talk about raise the roof.

Audience participation was required, of course, and if you've seen their show, you know that this method is used to distract us while the giant squid and jump rope and human bowling are played out. Lots of fun.

Because of the festival shows, this was one of their shorter set. Don't know their new songs, but "So Many Mike", "Mad Tiger", "Taco Taco Taco", "Ice Cream", "Ninja High School", and "S.T.E.A.K." were played.

One thing I should mention is that the Toronto audience were younger, and they sure slam dance/mosh violently to Peelander-Z songs! Seriously, kids, take it easy! The poor security guard, he couldn't do anything.

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

NXNE: Friday (06/17/11)

JOURNEY OF A DREAM
journeyofadreammovie.com

Friday started off with a film, Journey of a Dream, at the Toronto Underground Cinema. I wanted to check out a movie, first of all, to see what the theater looked like, and second, wanted to rest my weary feet (which has been walking for miles and miles). I do like attending these films at festivals because often time, the director and/or movie makers involved, does a Q&A after the show (if you listen to Cristina and I talk about movies, you'll remember hearing me talking about all these directors that I've had the pleasure of seeing at these special screenings).

Just so you know, the director Shenpenn Khymsar was in attendance for this screening. He answered a few questions, and mentioned that there was also a second evening showing, which was sold-out (he seems really happy about that). Between you and me, I would rather attend the less crowded showing, which meant a more intimate one-on-one with the director.

The film had trouble focusing on its subject. Was it trying to be a vanity/personal story about Khysmar ? Was it trying to be a political "Free Tibet" film? Was it trying to document the Darjeeling music scene? Was it about his band, Avatara? There was even some point that had Lamb of God? What were they even doing in the film ?

Personally, I would've liked the film to be about Darjeeling music, I'm fascinated about before the internet and their interpretation of foreign (American) music. They can even parallel it to the Beatles and Rolling Stones, who took American rock music and turned it into their own version. Despite my complaints, it was a decent directorial debut.

Shenpenn Khymsar (right) with film editor Eliot Piltz (left)

We had some time to kill, so instead of taking the very late street car down College, we decided to just walk the way. Glad to have made that choice because we ended up walking through "A Taste of Italy". The name is misleading, there are a wide variety of food and music (not just Italian). The whole street was blocked off, so it was a nice walk. Loads of people came out. Before I knew it, we were already standing at the edge of The Mod Club.

THE MOST SERENE REPUBLIC
www.themostserenerepublic.com

Since I've already mentioned Art Brut's show, which was heaps of fun, I will talk about The Most Serene Republic, who played before Art Brut. They are from Milton, Ontario, and I was rather impressed with their nine-band members on stage! Complete with a horns section.

Although I've never heard of them, they seem to be well-loved by the locals. I suppose it's no surprise because they are signed to Arts & Crafts Records (who also signed my beloved Stars band).

They also seem to have been around a while, someone in the audience requested a song "from 2006", only to have them respond by saying they have a song "from 2003".

Wish I had more to say about them, see their setlist for more details on what songs were played.

The Most Serene Republic at Mod Club Theatre, Toronto (06/17/11)

Went over to Yonge/Dundas after Art Brut, only to discover that there was a billion people in the area to see Stars. You could not even see the stage! I had to watch them on a screen, and was really disappointed for not able to have caught them. They ended their set with "Calendar Girl".

So instead, we went over to Dum Dum Girls, another disappointment as it was completely packed and sold out. I'm gutted that they covered the Smiths' "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" at the show. Considering that they are from the States, and I'll catch them next time.

JO WILLIAMSON
www.jowilliamson.com

So we left early and ended up on the East side of town at C'est What to see Jo Williamson. I should mention that the last few days, I've been running into Jo. No, I'm not stalking her... although, I will confess, she does have that certain Louise Wener look to her.

The venue was deceivingly larger than it looks on the outside. At first you think it's just a little cafe, but there are hidden lower levels. It was still the smallest venue I've been to at NXNE, but it was nice and quiet.

Jo had some trouble with the mic loops (the stage right mic was the recording one), but she eventually got it going for "Zeus". When it was done correctly, it sounded pretty interesting, I don't know how she gets the loops to sync up, but it does.

Jo's album, Be the Man, is out now. Purchasing details and listening option available at bandcamp.com (free download of title track too!).

Jo Williamson at C'est What, Toronto (06/17/11)

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