It’s our weekly Twitter #MusicMonday recap of the brand new tracks from last week that the folks in the press offices want you to be hearing. We post, you download.
Earlier this week I heard the news that long time Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord had passed away. It’s been over forty summers since Purple released “Smoke on the Water.” The song literally bred guitar players for two generations. Let’s face it, these heavy cats cast a darker shade over what were previously summers of love.
Purple was the sound of teen delinquency—a sometimes violent mix of J.R.R. Tolkien, acid, pills, and weed. These blokes, with their heavy riffs and black jeans, unknowingly created a soundtrack that paved the way for punk.
Speaking of paving the way for punk, last night while cutting this week’s show, I read about the closing of Bleecker Bob’s Record Store. I sat stunned watching the 30 minute documentary online. What can I say about one of the very places where I literally discovered rock ‘n roll?
I guess what it boils down to is music culture. It really is an end of one era and a beginning of another. Personally, I’m gonna enjoy both—and that’s what this week’s hour of music is about.
One sarcastic “Bob employee” asked when was the last time you bought a record there at Bob’s? Well, it’s been over 20 years, but I do have a Clash poster on my wall I bought from Bob in 1977. It’s one of my cherished possessions.
The annual Pitchfork Music Festival is an indie music summer festival organized by Pitchfork Media. Along with three days of music, spanning from rock and electronic pop to rap, the festival also hosts Flat Stock, an extensive and affordable poster sale, and two tents of vendors (mostly vinyl). The 2012 festival was held from July 13th to the 15th in Chicago’s Union Park, and was interesting, to say the least, given that it was either enjoyed in rain or ridiculous heat.
Friday admittedly started off a little rough; there was a phenomenal line-up of bands to look forward to, but there was also a phenomenal downpour in the early afternoon. I was apprehensive about how the following three days would go if the first was a bust, but Pitchfork went on rain-or-shine (mostly rain) and impressed me regardless. The first day was a good introduction to the festival, featuring a variety of genres and good shows, and, for me, very few scheduling conflicts.
TIM HECKER (kind of) and JAPANDROIDS | Arriving at the Blue Stage to catch Japandroids, we weasled our way into the crowd a bit and waited for them to begin. A man was on stage playing music off his laptop, and it wasn’t until he walked off that I realized it was not an act to fill time during set up, but a performance. No one could have said it better than the gentleman behind me: “I like Tim Hecker when I’m listening to him alone in a dark room, but just not here.”
Japandroids, though, were quite a contrast to Tim Hecker’s set. Due to the weather, the stage was running a bit behind, and you could sense anticipation building. Regardless of the delay, the crowd erupted as the two-person outfit took the stage and played a very energetic live show; jumping, moshing, and shouting lyrics immediately ensued. The two worked well on stage, each feeding off the others’ raw energy, adding drum fills, and improvising as necessary. Seeing as it was just one guitarist, he had a very full sound, playing through numerous amps. Pitchfork’s decision to put them on the smaller Blue Stage was questionable, but they drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, and then (here comes an understatement) rocked it.
As we asked this past June when we had some tickets to give away to see Mr. K—are you guys following TVD’s Idelic Hour, our weekly podcast series which arrives at the tail end of every week? Host Jon Sidel was onto Michael Kiwanuka well over a year ago. In fact, MK held the Idelic Single of the Week spot.
It’s sweet acoustic soul/R&B with spirit and swagger with a voice of conviction. But you needn’t believe me. John Mayer recently noted on his Tumblr, “Just saw [Michael Kiwanuka] play a song called “I’m Getting Ready” on David Letterman tonight. I was dumbfounded. What a voice. What a song. What a vibe. What a soul…”
To suitably convince you, we’ve got the 7″ single from his debut LP, Home Again, released only this week, to put in the hands of one of you.
Hey Weekend Warriors, are you ready to take the next two days off? Too bad! This weekend has a hefty list of great shows that have as much in common with each other as good music and Chad Kroeger.
The welcomed amount of variety is ushered in by an indie name that’s currently cultivating massive amounts of street cred, some crazy guitar work from an awesome singer-songwriter, and some of the most hard ass gangsta shit you done ever heard. Strap on your scuba gear, and let’s get deep!
Friday (7/20) brings indie upstart He’s My Brother She’s My Sister to The Hi-Tone Cafe. The “folk” music featured harkens back to music of yesteryear, yet still wears a fresh coat of modern sounds. Golden Animals is also billed. The dynamite duo (turned fourtet for performance) fills out the evening’s sound, guaranteeing you a great show of some modern takes on the very broadly defined genre of “folk.”
Looking for some live music in Chicago this weekend? We’ve got you covered. Check out this weekend’s featured show along with a more extensive weekend list below!
Chicago’s own orchestral-pop eight piece, Panoramic & True, is releasing Wonderlust, the follow-up to their self-titled debut, 7/24 on Raymond Roussel Records. Singer/Songwriter, John Lennox, uses his five years of experience writing for a string quartet to create the 14 incredible orchestral rock tracks. Check out the Wonderlust track, “Product On,” below.
Panoramic & True will be celebrating the release of Wonderlust tonight, 7/20, with a headlining show at The Hideout – 1354 W Wabansia. The 21+ show kicks off at 10:00 PM, and P&T will be joined by Reds and Blue and Arc in Round. Pick up your tickets online or at the door for just $8.
This weekend’s big ticket isn’t until its end, but D.C.’s Friday and Saturday music offerings aren’t too shabby.
Buzz band Lower Dens stop by the Rock & Roll Hotel, Friday, 7/20, currently on tour to promote their latest album Nootropics. The psychedelic, ambient folk quartet are bringing along No Joy and Alan Resnic to open. If you fancy dancing, there’s always options in D.C., like DC9’s weekly Liberation Dance Party. Taking the reins this week is Black Light Dinner Party.
Saturday, 7/21, there are two opportunities to support local D.C. artists with album release parties. Brandon Butler, a folk singer with a hint of coutnry and reformed ‘90s emo frontman, is celebrating the release of his third solo album, HENO at the Black Cat. The Beanstalk Library will also be performing an acoustic set. The Red Palace is hosting Deleted Scenes’ album release for Park the Van.
Two free shows on Friday night (if you schedule it right you can do both), a chance to buy some records, and a big anniversary celebration on Saturday night. Here’s what’s happening this weekend.
Improvisation Jazz legend David Murray has been in town all week as the guest instructor at the Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp. Tonight he performs with Kidd Jordan, the camp’s director, and the student orchestra. The show is free and open to the public and it’s in one of the best sounding rooms in the city. Head to Loyola University’s Roussel Hall at 8 PM.
Tipitina’s continues the Free Fridays series with the Honey Island Swamp Band. Dave Jordan opens the show with his band. Jordan has been on the scene for years, he was the bassist and songwriter in Juice, but lately he has been showcasing his own roots rock/Americana sound instead of the funk that Juice was known for. It should be a great time.
It was the Trouser Press era, my reading companion up the NJ coastline.
The Transit train would creak and moan into Penn Station, a dash over to Astor Place for an Echo or Tears For Fears-inspired haircut, then the balance of the afternoon would be spent at Bleecker Bob’s willingly parting with any funds found from odd jobs and what have you. The records were that important.
Capital New York, whose mini documentary we’re sharing above, reports that Bleecker Bob’s is on the way out—priced out—by their landlord, noting the store “will stay open until the landlord has found a new tenant.”
Visitation begins today at the Charbonnet-Labat Funeral Home, which is located in the historic Tremé neighborhood at 1615 St. Phillip Street and N. Claiborne Avenue just two blocks from where the iconic musician was born. The hours are from 10 AM until 5 PM. The family has requested NO CAMERAS IN THE FUNERAL HOME. The funeral plan also requested that no one wear black to the visitation of the funeral service. This is a celebration of a life well lived, not a time for mourning.
Updated: Tickets are still available to see Hot Chip, and there is a “Shut Up” discount offer through the Shut Up and Play the Hits documentary. The password is playhits.—Ed.
Face it, it is hard going to bed on Sunday knowing that the repetitive drone of yet another work day is right around the corner, and this feeling is only amplified during the summer months. Luckily, TVD is here to help you make the most of your weekend before you go back to the week’s routine.
London electronica group Hot Chip is touring in support of their new album In Our Heads and bringing their addictive dance beats to the Merriweather Post Pavilion this Sunday, July 22nd. We are giving away a pair of tickets to the show just because we love you.
While it seems like many electronic groups today are trying to savagely bass-pound you to death, Hot Chip‘s hypnotic sound invokes an ambiance of subtle sophistication. Their gentle and melodic vocals, playful percussion, and infectious bass shocks your body into movement while a gaping smile spreads across your face. The best kind of happy pill.
We get a number of tasty videos sent our way daily, but fewer come more catchier and honestly have us pining away for our lunch break than NYC’s The Sanctuaries’ “Judgin’ You is Easy” which we’re delighted to double debut today—both track and video.
The band’s David Stern has the backstory, straight out of The Joy of Cooking.
“The idea for a cooking series came to me partially out of desperation. I had my friend’s camera, but no real ideas. I also knew that anything I could come up with on a grander scale would require three things I simply do not have: time, money, personnel.
So, the only concept I could come up with—and I’ve always been a huge fan of cooking shows—that required practically none of those three necessities was to have my mom guide the viewer through some of her classic recipes. She comes to most of our New York shows, so this was a good opportunity to animate our de facto “mascot.”
It turned out to be a fun-to-make, entertaining set of videos that highlights a personal side of the band.”
The Sanctuaries’ Not Guilty EP lands on store shelves on August 28.
On July 10th the great British improviser Lol Coxhill passed away at seventy-nine years of age. One of the most prolific and persevering of the generation of UK players informed by the strides of the American avant-garde, he was not only a cornerstone of England’s experimental jazz scene but also one of the top ten human beings to ever blow into a soprano saxophone. But as his 1970 debut double album Ear of the Beholder shows, he was as difficult to encapsulate as his music was rewarding.
As the sad fact of Coxhill’s death hit the web, the lore behind this truly sui generis musician began flying through the circuits with increasing frequency; how he backed up Rufus Thomas doing “Walking the Dog” on Ready Steady Go, how he jammed with Hendrix, how he served in Kevin Ayers’ post-Soft Machine band The Whole World, how he recorded with unruly punks The Damned on their somewhat neglected second LP Music For Pleasure, how he released a record with wildcard ex-Mott the Hoople member Morgan Fisher, and how along with such august figures as the late guitarist Derek Bailey, saxophonist Evan Parker, and drummer Tony Oxley, he grew into one of the grand men of avant-Brit jazz.
And that status isn’t a bit surprising given that he’s credited with appearing on well over two hundred albums, roughly half with his name emblazoned somewhere on the cover. For a chap with that many recordings under his belt, Coxhill always came off as essentially unfazed by the labyrinthine trail they left behind, often registering as self-deprecating and at times even questioning in a manner that was undeniably British and absolutely working class.
In fact, the story goes that the very opportunity for Coxhill to make this still rather startling inaugural 2LP effort came about due to the late UK broadcasting legend and record collecting manic John Peel catching the horn man busking in Piccadilly Circus. Yes, Ear of the Beholder was issued on Peel’s short lived if deeply fascinating Dandelion Records, the only double set in the label’s discography, a roster that includes entries from such worthwhile names as Bridget St. John, Stackwaddy, Burnin Red Ivanhoe, Kevin Coyne, and the Kim Fowley-produced sole comeback album from rockabilly titan Gene Vincent.
Tell the truth, You’d love to seeLiars for free. And no fibbing, getting a signed copy of WIXIW would be badass.
The band whose sound is about as consistent as Lana Del Ray’s relationship with hipster blogs is coming to play the U Street Music Hall next Wednesday, July 25th, and we’ve got tickets to give away. We’ve also received a signed copy of their newest album WIXIW to deliver to a wanting fan. Equally strange Unknown Mortal Orchestra is also billed for the late July date, giving you one more reason to just go and get weird.
Liars is a three-piece suite known for exploring new territory ever since its inception. This year marks the release of their 6th album, the electronically based WIXIW (pronounced “Wish You” and not spelled out like you’d think in front of the snobby cute girl who’s wearing a Liars t-shirt). In custom Liars fashion, the album has its own aesthetic, carrying cold and dark sentiments across mechanic textures of drum machines and synthesizers.
It’s our weekly Twitter #MusicMonday recap of the brand new tracks from last week that the folks in the press offices want you to be hearing. We post, you download.
