Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Brandi Carlile coming to Bayfield, every other city under the sun...


Brandi Carlile Tour Update
We've rescheduled the recently postponed European/UK/Ireland tour for late October/early November. The only show that is not being rescheduled is Aberdeen, Scotland at Lemon Tree. Refunds for Aberdeen are available at point of ticket purchase. Sorry Aberdeen fans! A date to reschedule just did not work...our apologies.

The rest of the rescheduled dates are listed below. Your original tickets are valid for the rescheduled concerts, including in Glasgow, Paris and Berlin where Brandi is playing in a different venue.

Thank you for your understanding.

European Tour Dates:
April 30, 2010 - Aberdeen, United Kingdom: Lemon Tree - CANCELLED
October 19, 2010 - Birmingham, United Kingdom: Glee Club (rescheduled From April 27th)
October 20, 2010 - Gateshead, United Kingdom: Sage Theater (rescheduled From May 2nd)
October 21, 2010 - London, United Kingdom: Koko (rescheduled From April 26th)
October 22, 2010 - Manchester, United Kingdom: Club Academy (rescheduled From April 28th)
October 24, 2010 - Glasgow, United Kingdom: Classic Grand (rescheduled From April 29th)
October 25, 2010 - Belfast, Ireland: Spring & Airbrake (rescheduled From April 22nd)
October 26, 2010 - Dublin, Ireland: Academy (rescheduled From April 23rd)
October 27, 2010 - Cardiff, United Kingdom: Glee Club (rescheduled From May 3rd)
October 29, 2010 - Paris, France: Divan Du Monde (rescheduled From May 4th)
October 31, 2010 - Amsterdam, Netherlands: Melkweg Sugar Factory (rescheduled From May 6th)
November 1, 2010 - Berlin, Germany: Magnet Club (rescheduled From May 7th)
November 2, 2010 - Copenhagen, Denmark: Vega (rescheduled From May 9th)
November 3, 2010 - Oslo, Norway: John Dee (rescheduled From May 10th)
November 4, 2010 - Stockholm, Sweden: Debaser (rescheduled From May 11th)
November 6, 2010 - Cologne, Germany: Underground (rescheduled From May 13th)
November 7, 2010 - Vienna, Austria: Szene Wien (rescheduled From May 15th)
November 8, 2010 - Zurich, Switzerland: Harterei Club (rescheduled From May 16th)
November 9, 2010 - Solothurn, Switzerland: Kofmehl (rescheduled From May 17th)
November 10, 2010 - Milan, Italy: La Salumeria Della Musica (rescheduled From May 18th)

U.S. Tour Dates:
June 3, 2010 - Atlantic City, NJ: House Of Blues
June 4, 2010 - Charlottesville, VA: Jefferson Theater
June 5, 2010 - Norfolk, VA: The Norva
June 6, 2010 - Richmond, VA: The National
June 8, 2010 - Jacksonville, FL: The Florida Theatre
June 9, 2010 - Charleston, SC: Music Farm
June 11, 2010 - Greenville, SC: The Handlebar
June 12, 2010 - Manchester, TN: Bonnaroo Music Festival
June 13, 2010 - Memphis, TN: Minglewood Hall
June 15, 2010 - Lexington, KY: Kentucky Theatre
June 16, 2010 - Nashville, TN: Music City Roots At Loveless Barn
June 20, 2010 - Telluride, CO: Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 21, 2010 - Boise, ID: Idaho Botanical Garden (co-headlining W/ Jewel)
June 24, 2010 - Petaluma, CA: Mystic Theatre (rescheduled From March 13) - SOLD OUT
June 25, 2010 - Petaluma, CA: Mystic Theatre
June 26, 2010 - Saratoga, CA: Mountain Winery
June 27, 2010 - Jacksonville, OR: Britt Pavilion
July 7, 2010 - San Diego, CA: Lilith Fair
July 10, 2010 - Los Angeles, CA: Lilith Fair
July 11, 2010 - Salt Lake City, UT: Red Butte Gardens
July 15, 2010 - Fairbanks, AK: The Blue Loon
July 16, 2010 - Anchorage, AK: Discovery Theatre
July 23, 2010 - Fishers, IN: Connor Prairie w/ Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
July 24, 2010 - Fishers, IN: Connor Prairie w/ Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
July 25, 2010 - Kent, OH: Kent Stage
July 28, 2010 - Rutland, VT: Paramount Theatre
July 29, 2010 - Morristown, NJ: Mayo Center for the Performing Arts
July 30, 2010 - Hampton Beach, NH: Hampton Beach Casino
July 31, 2010 - Newport, RI: Newport Folk Festival
August 1, 2010 - Westhampton Beach, NY: Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
August 5, 2010 - Missoula, MT: The Wilma Theatre
August 12, 2010 - Birmingham, AL: Lilith Fair
August 16, 2010 - Dallas, TX: Lilith Fair
August 21, 2010 - Bayfield, WI: Big Top Chautauqua
August 22, 2010 - Fish Creek, WI: Door Community Auditorium
August 24, 2010 - Interlochen, MI: Interlochen Center For The Arts
August 25, 2010 - Grand Rapids, MI: Frederik Meijer Gardens And Sculpture
October 16, 2010 - Cedar Falls, IA: Gallagher Bluedorn - Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony
November 13, 2010 - Denver, CO: Boettcher Concert Hall W/ Colorado Symphony
~Information courtesy Brandi Carlile's people

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

sys71 :: THESE PEEPS MARSHMALLOW CHICKS MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I'M ON THIS MIX TAPE


Submitted for the approval of the Mix Tape Appreciation Society, I humbly present ... "These Peeps Marshmallow Chicks Make Me Feel Like I'm on This Mix Tape":










1. Liz Phair - "Chopsticks"

For fans of sellouts (before the big payout), story-songs and sexually explicit imagery.

2. The Features - "Drawing Board"
For fans of bombastic pop anthems, good times and unabashed sugar highs.

3. Sublime - "Same in the End"
For fans of ... really, it's 2010 and you still don't know what Sublime sounds like?

Is it just me, or this version not that different from the "Boyz" M.I.A. released on her own? Perhaps it's just been too long since I've heard the original.

The next Kanye West? Let's hope so; I miss the expectation-free musical stylings found on 2004's monumental "The College Dropout."

6. Drew Danburry - "Optimus Prime is Dead"
... and this former Danburrys member lets us know in an inoffensive, slightly barbershop-quartet way.

7. The Impossibles - "So Much"
One of the most exciting ska-punk songs ever recorded. Ever.

Long live the Impossibles!

8. Bear in Heaven - "Wholehearted Mess"
Old-school Modest Mouse meets IDM. (Hear that, Danecdote?) Very cool.

An uncanny musical performance.

... Just download it already!

10. The Devil Makes Three - "All Hail"
So good it was featured as one of my Songs of the Week on the Budgeteer's website.

11. Trampled by Turtles - "Sounds Like a Movie"
Fiery bluegrass action straight outta Duluth, "Minnesnowta." Written by the group's banjo guru, Dave Carroll (also of Two Many Banjos fame).

12. Murray Head - "One Night in Bangkok"
My lady and I stumbled upon this nearly-lost '80s gem while jamming to some late-night Sirius satellite radio action on Highway 61. It is well worth seeking out if you adore synth-heavy anthems as much as I do.

13. Lifter Puller - "Touch My Stuff"
My not-so-humble introduction to one of the greatest bands of all time.

14. fun. - "All the Pretty Girls" (Live at Fingerprints)
Released in celebration of this year's recent Record Store Day, the acoustically inclined "Live at Fingerprints" EP from this offshoot of the Format is truly a must-have gem.

And how did you spend the '90s?

16. David Bazan - "How I Remember" (Live at Electrical Audio)
Another Record Store Day release. I love it!

For fans of the Very Best (see above), the bedroom composers behind the Russian Futurists and I, Colossus and Norman Cook's thoroughly enjoyable set of collaborations as the Brighton Port Authority.

18. Zeus - "Marching Through Your Head"
Thoroughly enjoyable indie rock.


Zeus "Marching Through Your Head" from Alan Poon on Vimeo.

19. Everclear - "Here Comes the Darkness"
If only all contemporary adult ballads sounded this polished....

20. Greg Laswell - "Around the Bend" [FREE MP3]
Enjoy!

  

    

    

    

    

    

  


21. Nada Surf - "Question" (Moody Blues cover)
I know it'll never be cool to admit this, but I absolutely love the Moody Blues' original. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Nada Surf!

22. Mad Trucker Gone Mad - "Boxa Wine"
Even before I found out how incredibly entertaining this Madison psychobilly group's frontman is (read my interview with Del Monte Carlo), I found this track to be a rollicking good time.

23. Clem Snide - "Walmart Parking Lot"
Like a good novelist, Eef Barzelay finds meaning in everything everywhere.

24. Equal Xchange feat. Kathy McTavish - "All on You"
Twin Ports hip-hop + cellodreams' principal player = one outstanding collaboration! Now, for a brief history on this track, read "Equal Xchange's Rain Elfvin Shares the Love."



Thus concludes your seventy-first dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul." I hope you enjoyed yourself!

God save the Whigs!


Buy this big ol' slab of post-ironic wonder HERE.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Danger Mouse/Sparklehorse project gets proper release in wake of Mark Linkous' death

Dark Night Of The Soul is an album by audio auteur Danger Mouse and the already much-missed Sparklehorse.  The record sees the pair joined by the following remarkable roll call of guests: The Flaming Lips, Gruff Rhys, Jason Lytle, Julian Casablancas, Black Francis, Iggy Pop, David Lynch, James Mercer, Nina Persson, Suzanne Vega and Vic Chesnutt.

Rumours of this mysterious collaborative project began to circulate in early 2009 sparking widespread anticipation and excitement. However, whilst Dark Night Of The Soulsuccessfully manifested itself as both a limited edition art book with enclosed blank CDR and an audio-visual gallery installation, its music was never officially made available. Now, following months of talks, Danger Mouse and EMI are excited and proud to announce that Dark Night Of The Soul will be released worldwide in July.

Whilst this beautiful, haunting record being made widely and legitimately available is undoubtedly a cause for celebration, the news is shadowed by sadness following the recent passing of Mark Linkous, who released and performed under the Sparklehorse pseudonym. Dark Night Of The Soul will now stand as a de facto tribute to this well-loved, stunningly talented yet often-overlooked artist and has received the blessing of Mark's family who have issued the following statement: "Mark felt that it was an honor to be able to collaborate with so many of the artists on this record. His time and dedication to this project was immense and his hopes for its release are finally being realized. We are glad that people will now be able to hear these songs and know the beautiful gift that Mark shared with all of us through his music."

Danger Mouse adds: "I told Mark that we'd worked things out with EMI back in January and he was very happy that the album was finally going to be released this year. Mark meant a great deal to a lot of people and I'm grateful to have made music with him and to be a part of his legacy."

Dark Night Of The Soul is also dedicated to the memory of Vic Chesnutt.

In addition to featuring on two songs, David Lynch has created a series of original photographs for Dark Night Of The Soul adding a spectacular visual dimension that will be incorporated in to the artwork for this already unparalleled project.  

Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse's Dark Night Of The Soul will be released on 12th July in the UK through Parlophone/EMI and on 13th July in the US via EMI's Capitol Records.

www.dnots.com

Taylor Hawkins promotes new album with ... virtual 8-track player?!

Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders will not only be commemorating the April 20 release of sophomore album Red Light Fever (Shanabelle/RCA) with a show at L.A.'s Troubadour and an April 22 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live-the band is also celebrating online, with the unveiling of the world's first digital 8-track player. Beginning today, visitors to http://8track.taylorhawkins.com/can preview excerpts of tracks from the brand new record in full vintage 8-track quality.

With stops scheduled in Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, Boston, Toronto, Baltimore, New York and Philadelphia, the Red Light Fever tour will feature Hawkins on vocals and a variety of instruments, joined by veteran Coattail Riders Chris Chaney (bass), Gannin Arnold (guitar), Nate Wood (guitar), as well as Foo Fighters touring percussionist Drew Hester. The Coattail Riders coterie will unveil the first ever live interpretations of the brand new Red Light Fever material as well as tracks from the band's eponymous 2006 debut album.

The genesis of Red Light Fever can be traced back to an early 2009 break from the Foo Fighters' grueling touring schedule that freed up time for Hawkins to begin demoing tracks for a second Coattail Riders record. However, Hawkins' providing drums and vocals on all tracks among other instruments soon became the only thing Red Light Fever would have in common with its homespun predecessor. The record snowballed into full on sessions at the Foo Fighters' state of the art 606 studio complex, with Hawkins was joined by Chaney, Arnold, Wood, and a stellar supporting cast including Elliot Easton of the Cars, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, and last but by no means least, Hawkins' bandmate Dave Grohl.

Red Light Fever could be considered a labor of love - if the sheer joy exuded in every note, influence and nuance of every song didn't make the entire affair seem so effortless. Hawkins' increasingly accomplished vocals and world renowned drumming skills recall and pay tribute to Hawkins' vast spectrum of classic rock heroes - from the vintage 70s glam stomp of "Way Down," the hard rock rave up "Not Bad Luck," a nod to Beatlesque balladry in the form of "Hell To Pay," and many more. Virtually every track evokes memories of the respective heydays of the Chinn-Chapman hit factory, The Move, Sweet, and even a little 10cc for good measure - all imbued with Hawkins' unmistakable musical personality.

See below for a complete list of confirmed dates. For further information, specific on sale info, new dates, etc., check back at:

http://www.taylorhawkins.com/
http://www.myspace.com/taylorhawkinsandthecoattailriders
http://twitter.com/taylorhawkins
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taylor-Hawkins/194341547384

TAYLOR HAWKINS & THE COATTAIL RIDERS ON TOUR

April 20th            Los Angeles / Troubadour
April 22nd           Jimmy Kimmel Live
April 24th            Santa Barbara / Velvet Jones
April 25th            Las Vegas / Wasted Space @ the Hard Rock Hotel
May 2nd              Boston / Great Scott
May 3rd               Toronto / Horseshoe Tavern
May 4th               Baltimore / Sonar Small Room
May 6th               New York / Gramercy Theatre
May 7th               Philadelphia / The Note

Mates of State and Free Energy coming to a town near you, like Minneapolis!

Free Download of "Laura" Now Available at MatesofState.com
 
Mates of State has confirmed the completion the lineup and itinerary of the Summer Crushes tour, a multi-artist traveling spectacle to take place this June through July. The Summer Crushes tour will coincide with the release of Crushes (The Covers Mixtape), an album consisting of covers of songs by some of the Mates' personal favorites by artists ranging from Nick Cave to Death Cab For Cutie to Girls, whose "Laura" is now available in its Mates reinterpretation as a free download atMatesofState.com.
 
Crushes... is the first full album recorded and produced by Mates Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner themselves, with a mixing assist from longtime collaborator Peter Katis (The National, Swell Season, Interpol, etc.). Arguably their most vibrant effort to date, every one of Crushes' ten tracks is equal measures bold choice and affectionate celebration. The Mars Volta's brooding psychedelic epic "Son et Lumiere" segues seamlessly into an ever breezier re-interpretation of Belle & Sebastian's "Sleep the Clock Around," while Tom Waits' "Long Way Home" is transformed from a sparse ode to tough luck love into an adrenalized anthem, and so forth.
 
The Summer Crushes tour will bring a similar twist to the Mates of State live experience, as the band's signature ebullient and uplifting performances will be supported on this one time only occasion by multimedia guests ranging from the unapologetic Philadelphia dance-rock of Free Energy to the humor of Todd Barry (Flight of the Conchords, Lucky Louie, Bored to Death) and comedian Nick Thune (Comedy Central Presents, Knocked Up). The Summer Crushes tour will see the Mates presiding over and holding together this unique roadshow, transforming familiar venues they've previously headlined into venues for a virtual traveling variety show featuring live magic, sword swallowers, contortionists, human blockheads and more. In addition, Mates' own Jason Hammel will serve as the tour's resident DJ.

For further information, see the itinerary below and/or contact Amy Grote at nasty little man t 212 343 0740 e amy@nastylittleman.com

Mates of State
SUMMER CRUSHES TOUR

6/15 Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse * #
6/16 Rochester, NY @ Water Street * #
6/17 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church % #
6/18 Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Small's * #
6/19 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop * #
6/21 Cincinnati, OH @ 20th Century * #
6/22 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall * #
6/23 Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar *
6/24 Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar *
6/25 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown *
6/26 Denver, CO @ Bluebird *
6/28 Salt Lake City, UT @ In the Venue *
6/30 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall * ^
7/1 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall * ^
7/2 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo * ^
7/3 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo * ^
7/4 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress *
7/6 Lubbock, TX @ Jake's *
7/7 Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre *
7/8 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live *
7/9 Baton Rouge @ Spanish Moon *
7/10 Birmingham @ Workplay *
7/12 Athens, GA @ 40 Watt * ^
7/13 Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel * ^
7/14 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar * ^
7/15 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall ^
7/16 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom ^
=====================================
* w/ Free Energy
# w/ Todd Barry
^ w/ Nick Thune
% w/ Suckers

Sunday, April 18, 2010

sys70 :: I KNOW MY FIRST NAME IS MATTHEW


Submitted for the approval of the Mix Tape Appreciation Society, I humbly present ... "I Know My First Name is Matthew":






1. Future Antiques - "Relapse" [LISTEN HERE]

Rift Magazine said: "I surprised myself a bit, halfway into the second song of this CD, I really started digging it. Something about the counter melodies spinning in the background which really stand out and make the music really interesting." So I said: "I'll do Rift one better -- at the beginning of the FIRST song, 'Relapse,' I realized this was an album I'd immediately want to go tell everyone about."

2. Beck - "Bonfire Blondes"
I love Beck, I really do, but why did he keep his best material off  "Modern Guilt"?

3. The Impossibles - "Widowmaker" ("Back for the Attack" EP vers.)
I love this lyric: "My heart was in the right place / At the wrong time again." (Download a free MP3 of this song's original version here.)

4. System of a Down - "This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm on This Song"
... And this Ian's Pizza makes me feel like I own the Midwest/shouldn't regret anything that happened on State Street!

I don't mind M.I.A. leaning on high-priced studio trickery from time to time, but it's quite interesting to hear her talents in front of a more-organic wall of sound.

6. Ray the Wolf - "Superior Crimes"
This enthralling/wholly unnerving track from Equal Xchange's Rain Elfvin (aka "Ray the Wolf") features a number of Superior-originating crimes, including, most notoriously, the guy who had sex with a dead deer. ("Yikes!" is right....)

"So Beak and I are working like crazy. Been that way, and we’re not gonna stop," Sims writes on Doomtree.net. "So here’s a little manifesto track for you, just a little snack until we serve up our record. You might recognize the beat."

While I missed their recent performance in Duluth, I still consider these ex-Format guys to be some of my favorite musicians on the planet. And this live track, from a Record Store Day release, is utterly beautiful.

9. Deaf School - "What a Way to End it All"
Their fellow Liverpudlians in the Beatles never approached the usually taboo subject of suicide so cheerfully, now did they?

10. Ween - "The F----- Jam"
Because sometimes that's just how you feel. (This song is actually an instrumental, by the way.)

11. Lifter Puller - "The Candy Machine and My Girlfriend"
Can you imagine a world without Craig Finn's story-songs? Not rad at all.

12. The Young Fresh Fellows - "Mad John's Escape" (Donovan cover)
I've known about these guys for ages (primarily because of Scott McCaughey's connections to R.E.M. and the Minus 5), but this single track is making me question myself: Why don't I own more Young Fresh Fellows records?

13. Leo Sayer - "Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance)"
Knowing how much I adore the Scissor Sisters, this song being featured here was really quite inevitable.

Back together for Homegrown, and it's gonna feel so good!

15. Rilo Kiley - "Portions for Foxes"
Wow, holy crap, I never realized Rilo Kiley's lead singer was the same Jenny Lewis who starred opposite Fred Savage in "The Wizard." Totally random.

I know it goes without saying, but ... David Bazan, you're the man. (p.s. Did anyone else pick up a copy of "Live at Electrical Audio" on Record Store Day? Good stuff.)

17. Big Star - "The India Song"
My cheeks are red for how belated this has become, but it's sincere to the fullest extent: Alex Chilton forever changed my outlook on life when I was introduced to the sounds of Big Star in high school by my friend Briana (of Best Friends Forever fame). Rest in peace, William Alexander.

18. Brett Dennen - "Closer to You"
This guy's going to be playing Red Rocks soon with Spearhead = I want to go to there. (I found this image on Brett's blog. What a fancy approach to the fabled set list!)


19. The Mages - "Don't Let that Hammer Fall on Me"
If you like what you hear (and I'm sure you will), this Minneapolis outfit will be playing a free show July 23 at Fitger's Brewhouse.

20. Pete Bernhard - "Warning"
Having already professed my love for the Devil Makes Three in one of the Budgeteer's "Song of the Week" features (I fell in love after they opened up for Trampled by Turtles at Madison's High Noon Saloon), I thought I'd shine the spotlight on the group's extremely talented frontman, whose solo hit featured here is simply unbeatable.

21. Rooney - "I Don't Wanna Lose You" [FREE MP3]
Enjoy!


22. Mates of State - "Laura" (Girls cover) [FREE MP3]
This one too!







  

    

    

    

    

    

  


In case you're unfamiliar with Doomtree's Dessa, she is the epitome of the "you've got the voice of an angel" come-on.

24. The Replacements - "Back to Back"
From the album that inspired this and the 3,000 other "Don't Tell a Soul" mix tapes of mine.

Thus concludes your seventieth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul."










WANT TO MAKE THE NEXT AWESOME MIX TAPE?




Send me your track

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Mates of State covers Death Cab, Fleetwood Mac, others on 'Crushes'

Free Download of "Laura" Now Available atMatesofState.com

Mates of State confirms the completion and track listing of Crushes (The Covers Mixtape), a covers album to be released this summer and consisting of the following songs by some of the Mates' personal favorites:
 
1. Laura (Girls)
2. Son et Lumiere (The Mars Volta)
3. Sleep the Clock Around (Belle & Sebastian)
4. Technicolor Girls (Death Cab for Cutie)
5. Long Way Home (Tom Waits)
6. Love Letter (Nick Cave)
7. Second Hand News (Fleetwood Mac)
8. 17 Pink Sugar Elephants (Vashti Bunyan)
9. Roller Coaster Ride (Dear Nora)
10. True Love Will Find You in the End (Daniel Johnston)
 
Crushes... is the first full length recorded and produced by Mates Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner themselves, with a mixing assist from longtime collaborator Peter Katis (The National, Swell Season, Interpol, etc.). Arguably their most vibrant effort to date, Crushes... has been preceded by a free download of the album opening version of Girls' "Laura," currently available at matesofstate.com. Every one of the album's ten tracks is equal measures bold choice and affectionate celebration. The Mars Volta's brooding psychedelic epic "Son et Lumieire" segues seamlessly into an ever breezier re-interpretation of Belle & Sebastian's "Sleep the Clock Around," while Tom Waits' "Long Way Home" is transformed from a sparse ode to tough luck love into an adrenalized anthem, and so forth.
 
Commenting on the inspiration behind the genesis of Crushes..., the Mates said, "We've been talking about doing a covers record for a long time.  We'd hear a great song at 2 AM while driving the straight line from one part of Texas to the next, and all we'd want to do is play that song as if we had written it.  There are so many artists we considered, some for the mere fact that they wrote a perfect song, some for nostalgia's sake, some because more people need to hear them, some for the challenge, and some to shed a whole different light on a song: Our light... make it a duet, more optimistic or maybe less traditional."
 
The completion of Crushes... also had the unexpected after-effect of jumpstarting the creation of the next Mates of State record: "When we were finished, we couldn't wait to write our own songs again.... We hadn't counted on this covers project making us approach our own songs in these new ways.  Too often in the past, we'd get stuck writing in a certain structure.  In dissecting these songs, taking out the biggest creative component--actually writing the song--we were more thoughtful of other musical aspects.  We considered design, tones, patterns or lack of patterns, the beauty of simplicity and simply put, different artistic impressions of music.  And then most of the time we'd come to the conclusion that you just can't analyze and you can't deny a good song, it's just magic... In a sense, these other great bands made us a better band."

~Information courtesy Nasty Little Man

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

sys69 :: THE MUSTER OF THE LAST WATCH


Submitted for the approval of the Mix Tape Appreciation Society, I humbly present ... "The Muster of the Last Watch":




1. Free Energy - "Free Energy"
Because in the latest issue of Rolling Stone, a member of Free Energy asserts that they're kindred spirits to Alex Chilton re: Big Star's magnificent power pop sound. I can hear that, but even more immediately I also sense the vibe of fellow Big Star disciple Brendan Benson (The Mood Elevator, The Raconteurs) in this highly contagious track.

2. The Ataris - "The Cheyenne Line"
Because back when I was living in Denver's smallest suburb (the teenie Federal Heights), I would occasionally escape to Cheyenne. I can't say for sure that this song is actually about Wyoming's blissful capital city, but it evokes the same feelings. And I'm the one with the keyboard, so I can say whatever I want! ha ha

3. The Lonely Forest - "We Sing in Time"
Because if Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla says a group is good, it is. Thanks for introducing this fantastic group to the masses, C.W.

4. Fugazi - "Waiting Room"
Because I recently heard it in the standup-comedy documentary "Selling Laughs" (which features my boy Andy Beningo). And because it's a great song, of course.

5. Backyard Tire Fire - "Good to Be"
Because when I was blessed with the opportunity to interview Cracker's Johnny Hickman, this is one of the things he told me: "I’ve been listening lately to a band called Backyard Tire Fire, which I really, really like. They opened some shows for us, and I’m still crazy about their record 'Vagabonds & Hooligans.'"


Again, when one of your favorite musicians tells you they're into a certain band, you check said band out.

6. Bonedome - "Better"
Because high-octane rock 'n' roll (that you actually want to listen to again) is hard to come by these days.

7. T.L. Barrett - "Like a Ship"
Because getting down with Jesus and his disciples is akin to spiritual money in the bank.

Am I right?!

8. The Budos Band - "Chicago Falcon" [FREE MP3]
Because the best part of murky '70s films was always the music.

9. Atmosphere - "Watch Out" [FREE MP3]
Because Slug will always be the king: "If you don't like the sound, f--- you / I'm just trying to put it down for my hometown."

MPLS... MPLS... MPLS...

10. Rusko - "Da Cali Anthem" [FREE MP3]
Because this "bass-heavy track, which samples 2Pac and Dr. Dre’s 'California Love,' just screams to be included on your next party-starting mix tape — especially if you’re a fan of Rusko’s Mad Decent labelmates Major Lazer, Diplo or Crookers." (Yes, I'm totally OK with ripping myself off from time to time.)

11. Happy Birthday - "Subliminal Message" [FREE MP3]
Because it was featured in my fourth Song of the Week featurette for the Budgeteer. (Follow the link to see why it was picked!)

12. Archeology - "Memorial"
Because I've already expressed my love for Archeology's "White Walls" this week, and I wouldn't want to include too many of my Song of the Week selections on this here mix tape, now would I?

13. INXS - "Not Enough Time"
Because Michael Hutchence and crew never "lost it" -- despite "Welcome to Wherever You Are" receiving a two-star review in Rolling Stone when it was released in '92....

14. Phoenix - "Girlfriend" [Live in Sydney] [FREE MP3]
Because vocalist Thomas Mars urges his group's Aussie fans to strike up a dance party before they jump into this terrific single, and dance parties are cool.

15. Tokyo Police Club - "Breakneck Speed" [FREE MP3]
Because of all the obnoxiously buzzed-about bands, this TPC (not to be confused with the Plastic Constellations) actually lives up to the hype.

16. Lifter Puller - "4 Dix" [FREE MP3]
Because it's Craig Finn's favorite LFTR PLLR song. And, as the now-Hold Steady frontman told Cloak and Dagger, "the one that goes the furthest in telling people that if they party too much, they die."

17. Orangutang - "Best of Enemies" [Live on WMBR]
Because I didn't know anything about this Toadies-esque group, so I turned to Google and found this gem from a Jae-Ha Kim article in the Chicago Sun-Times (circa 1993): "When a Boston newspaper nominated Orangutang for best local heavy metal band, the group didn't expect to win, and it didn't. There was a good reason, too: They don't play heavy metal music. (Of course that didn't stop Jethro Tull from beating out Metallica at the Grammys. But that's another story altogether.)"

18. Theft by Swindle - "NEON!" [FREE MP3]
Because frontman Tony Rubin is the young whippersnapper behind AM rubin -- with his "pop," Mark Rubin, of course -- and Pacific Phonograph Co. And he's got a sense of humor: He told me this early demo was recorded live in an "underground laboratory in Upper Smithville."

<a href="http://theftbyswindle.bandcamp.com/track/neon">NEON! by Theft by Swindle</a>

19. Marc Robillard - "So Much More" [FREE MP3]
Because this song was used in a SunChips commercial, and I have fond memories of munching down on Harvest Cheddars with my buddy Andrew. (To wash it down? OK Soda. Oh, yeah!)

20. Cheap Trick - "Reach Out"
Is this really "Heavy Metal"? Not quite, but a must-have non-album track for all your Cheap Trick diehards out there.

Just me? Oh well....

21. OK Go - "I Want You So Bad I Can't Breathe"
Because even though they've turned their backs on pure pop bliss (thanks, Dave Fridmann...), I'll never forget Denver.

22. Acumen Nation - "Never the Bride"
Because it sounds like something me and my buddy Matt of Skillsaw Symphony would've been into in high school. (Think KMFDM meets Static-X.)

BONUS VIDEO TRACK: She & Him's "In the Sun"
Because M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel know how to party:


She & Him - In The Sun from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Thus concludes your sixty-ninth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul." I hope you enjoyed yourself immensely.



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