Wednesday, September 30, 2009

New Grouper: "Hold The Way" & "Vessel"

I raved about the band/her quite a few months ago. Dragging A Dead Dear Up A Hill is one of my favorite releases of '09. Check out two new tracks OVER AT THE MYSPACE. They follow in the same wake of beautiful devastation as the rest of Grouper's output.

The xx Do Jools Holland: "Islands"

Such a great song.

Fantastic Mr. Fox Trailer #2

First trailer had me worried. This trailer has me excited.

Volcano Choir Video: "Island, IS"

Some songs and videos are just meant for each other.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Some really classic pics of the Boss during the '75 Born To Run Tour OVER HERE.
Be on the lookout for these interesting pairings.

Broken Bells = James Mercer (of the Shins) + DangerMouse (of everything else)

(Unnamed) = Thom Yorke (Radiohead) + Nigel Godrich (Radiohead producer) + Joey Waronker (Beck/R.E.M. drummer) + Flea (RHCP bassist).

Dirty Projectors do new song "When The World Comes To An End" on Fallon

Monday, September 28, 2009

Sorry, gang. The posts will be a little light this week between work and concerts (Grizzly Bear/Beach House tonight, Passion Pit on Wednesday, and Wilco in IC on Thursday). I'll update when I can. Miss y'all.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Phoenix Cover Album In The Works?


Or, more specifically, a Phoenix album that's filled with songs of other bands covering Phoenix songs (a la Stars' Do You Trust Your Friends?)? This tweet I saw leads me to believe that that is the case. Makes me psyched to an unbelievable level.


Friday, September 25, 2009

Peace Out

'Bout to be roadtrippin' w/ my two favorite allies (Fang and Lauren [+Koa]). Hope they've got snacks and supplies. We're headed to the great state of Iowa and the pretty decent city of Des Moines for big Tim's wedding. No weekend posts.

miss y'all
<3 y'all
h8 y'all

Kings of Convenience : Boat Behind

I'm in love with this video. Makes me yearn for the days when it cost less than 20 bucks (vs. todays 50) to fill up a tank and you could just take off on the open road.

New Sufjan Stevens Song Live: "There's Too Much Love"

It's different and it's good. My biggest concern is that I can't really find any state connection in the lyrics or title, which leads me to believe that Sufjan's next big release is not going to be something that brings him closer to completing his 50-state project. Sad face.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Arctic Monkeys Do "Cornerstone" on Ferguson

Jeremy Enigk :: Mind Idea

I really love the piano in this.

Kurt Vile & the Violators Do "Hunchback" Live

I just love this guy so much. Super psyched to see him rock my face in Chicago on Oct. 13 at the Empty Bottle.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Not sure why, but I'm finding this pretty disturbing.

Born Ruffians Working on New Album

From what I've gathered, Born Ruffians are well into the recording process for their follow-up to the super-excellent (and way too overlooked) Red, Yellow and Blue. Below is a video of them working on some stuff. At about the 2.30 mark, you can hear pretty much an entire new (and entirely awesome) song.

NOVELS - Big Run (Chapter 3 of 5) from Wade Vroom on Vimeo.


And, for the highly observant ones out there, that is Graham Wright of Tokyo Police Club making a xylophone appearance.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Monday, September 21, 2009

Can't decide if I like this one or the original better.

Good news for Hendrix fans.
Just read a PHENOMENAL little write up on the progression of "indie" music and how it has played out (or is currently playing out) in popular culture. READ IT HERE.

My favorite part of the whole article (emphasis added):

We probably shouldn't be surprised that somewhere in this process, "indie" completed its trip from being the province of freaks and geeks to something with cachet-- something that appeals to people's sense of themselves as discerning. Something that is, in some quarters, enough of a staple of "cool" that people begin to feel oppressed by it, to the point where some people's defense of liking it is no longer a defense against being weird, but a defense against being trendy.

"Twilight: New Moon" Soundtrack Looks...Great?

Everything has gone all topsy-turvy on me. This New Moon soundtrack looks like it could have some really stellar tracks on it (I'm especially interested in hearing the Bon Iver/St. Vincent collab). And, if I'm really being honest with myself, the trailer makes the movie look not all that bad. Werewolves versus vampires is to 2009 what aliens versus predators was to 2004.

The New Moon OST tracklist below.

death cab for cutie :: meet me on the equinox
band of skulls :: friends
thom yorke :: hearing damage
lykke li :: possibility
the killers :: a white demon love song
anya marina :: satellite heart
muse :: i belong to you (new moon remix)
bon iver & st. vincent :: rosyln
black rebel motorcycle club :: done all wrong
hurricane bells :: monsters
sea wolf :: the violet hour
ok go :: shooting the moon
grizzly bear :: slow life
editors :: no sound but the wind
alexandre desplat :: new moon (the meadow)

New Devendra Banhart :: "Baby"

The first song (a shuffley Little Joy-esque number) from Devendra's major label debut (out Oct. 27) is up for streaming AT HIS MYSPACE.
Carrie Brownstein has a really insightful and excellent take on Pearl Jam's collaboration with Target for the release of their latest full-length, Backspacer (which is out now!). You can read it OVER HERE.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Joe Strummer on Bruce Springsteen. Awesome.

I love this short little on the spot interview with Mick Jagger circa 1965. He's just so cool. And I love Mick's response to the interviewer's haircut question, especially in the last half second of the clip when Mick blows his cigarette smoke right in his face. Classic Jagger. Mick was the true definition of a "rock star" (before the title lost all meaning when a million college kids started saying "party like a rock star").
I don't know who Harald Bjork is, but he seems like someone to watch out for.

Amazon Daily Deal: Monsters of Folk

The folk supergroup's (Conor Oberst, Jim James, M.Ward) debut album available today for just $3.99. SNATCHES.

The xx

Feel like I'm getting rusty in my old age. In my younger watchdog days, a new band couldn't record a demo without me catching wind about it. Now I feel like I'm constantly late to the party (i.e. Taken By Trees, the Antlers, etc.). Feel free to add the xx to my list. The xx are a group of four twenty year-olds from the UK making minimalist electroish feeling (I say "feeling" because the band, for the most part, works with traditional instruments but constructs songs in such a way as to give an electronic feel) pop with boy-girl trade-off vocals. Really beautiful stuff. Sounds a bit like a depressed Submarines. So worth checking out. If you like one song, you'll like their whole album (self-titled debut out in stores now). Check the song below, and if you dig, head over to hype machine and stream their other stuff ("Islands" is another really great one). The album is perfect for a long solo drive on a crisp and grey autumn day.

Friday, September 18, 2009

New Miike Snow Video :: "Black & Blue"

Electro-dance-rockers (?) Miike Snow are back with yet another video from their self-titled debut, which has a seemingly endless supply of singles.

Making You A Better You...

How to Sample Wine Without Looking like a Clown from Kathryn Borel on Vimeo.

For the fellaz...


Hey guyz, looking for a super cheap new suit to wear to non-work related functions (i.e. weddings, New Years parties, cougar-hunting, etc.)? Check out this cheap Cheap Monday slim fitting suit. May not be for all body types, but if you can pull it off, it would be an excellent and inexpensive alternative to the boxy baggy mess of a suit you wear to work/court. The kind that can actually be paired up with thin ties. CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

I Hope This Meme Never Dies

Antlers Do Interface :: "Atrophy"

Everything about this song is just painfully beautiful. The guitar effects, the melody, the vocals, the lyrics, the slow and aching build. It sounds like your saddest moment or your darkest hour, just seconds before everything turns around.
Lightning Storm Time-Lapse

Showdown with Zeus -- a lightning storm timelapse from Lucasberg (Joey) on Vimeo.

The Walkmen Coming To Chicago

The Walkmen are playing at Schuba's in Chicago on November 11. Tix on sale tomorrow. Y'all should get your tix ASAP.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Heading To Ra Ra Riot!

About to head to downtown Chicago to get my socks rocked off by these guys and gals. So pumped! Show review (and pics, if they come out) tomorrow.

Impress your friends with this nifty trick at the next wedding you attend. If you don't have any friends, make some with this nifty trick at the next wedding you attend.

What Was Willie Like As A Child...

New Glasvegas Video :: "It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry"

Phoenix Do Conan :: "1901"

Not much left to be said about this band. So great on record. So great live. Go see them if you get the chance. Be ready to dance.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Dream Big, Y'all

Makes me wanna go out there and do something worth doing.

Watch "Bored To Death" Episode 1

HBO's new "noir-otic comedy" starring (man-crush for life) Jason Schwarzman (as well as Zach Galifianakis and Ted Danson) as a struggling drug-abusing writer who lost his love and starts shelling himself out as a private detective. The intro song sounds like a Coconut Records song. Kewl.


You can also see him looking real slick wearing Band of Outsiders.

Complete Stream: Volcano Choir's "Unmap"

You can head over to NPR and listen to Volcano Choir's (Justin Vernon [of Bon Iver]'s side project) beautiful new album Unmap. The music is nothing like Bon Iver. Quite a bit more experimental, even borderline ambient at times. But beautiful nonetheless.

New Editors Song/Video: "Papillon"

I'm not sure what to say on this one. Don't get me wrong, the song isn't necessarily bad, just not what I had hoped. I love love loved their last album, but it seems the band is going the way of Bloc Party and venturing further and further into synth/dance territory.

As always, I can never fault a band for trying to push their music into new territory, but I sort of wish it was different territory.

Amazon Daily Deal: Kid Cudi's "Man on the Moon: The End of Day"

Kid Cudi's excellent new album for only $3.99. GRAB IT HERE.

Vampire Weekend Announce Second Album Deets


release date :: 1.12.10

tracklisting

01 Horchata
02 White Sky
03 Holiday
04 California English
05 Taxi Cab
06 Run
07 Cousins
08 Giving Up the Gun
09 Diplomat's Son
10 I Think Ur a Contra

Monday, September 14, 2009

The Tallest Man On Earth does NPR's Tiny Desk Concert

So great.

RIP Patrick Swayze


New TOMS Shoes Style


TOMS shoes (the company that gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair bought) is debuting a new oxford/plimsoll-type style of shoe called "the Cordones." Looks pretty slick. Digging the laceless.


Kid Cudi on Letterman: Pursuit of Happiness (ft. Ratatat)

This sounded and looked so great. Cudi could/should/will be HUGE someday (hopefully soon).

Rufus, the white blur of fur.

Friday, September 11, 2009

This short film is excellent. Inspiring, even. I might even have to break out the JW tonight.

New Thao Nguyen

thao and the get down stay down :: know better learn faster”

Obsessed: Taken By Trees' "East of Eden"

This album just came out this past Tuesday, but that makes it about 2 years old in blogyears, so I feel like I'm a little late to the party. But its sooo good, y'allz. Grab this number down below, close your eyes, and let it take you to some sandy, sunny, far off place.


Just an fyi: the singer/mastermind behind Taken By Trees is responsible for the fem vox on Peter Bjorn and Johns breakthrough (and still excellent) single "Young Folks."
Get the new Jay-Z for just under four bucks over at Amazon.

New Grizzly Bear Video: "While You Wait For The Others"

This was directed by Fleet Foxes lead singer Robin Pecknold's brother, Sean.

Thursday, September 10, 2009


Seattle Rock Icons Pt. II :: Kurt Cobain

The legendary Kurt Cobain. I don't know what I could possibly say. A fan of Nirvana since middle school (when Nevermind was an ESSENTIAL part of every suburban kids limited CD collection), it wasn't until just last fall when I became absolutely infatuated with Kurt and Nirvana. Needless to say, when I went to Seattle I wanted to soak in as much Cobain/Nirvana-related stuff as possible. At first, I tried to focus on mostly the positive stuff, like going to the venue where the band performed their first show ever or the original Sub Pop headquarters, but to no avail (the former has become an emo hair salon, the latter an inconspicuous office building). So I resorted to checking out the more morbid attractions, namely, the site of Kurt Cobain's death. Don't want to get too much into the details of that event, but right outside Kurt's former gated estate, there are two benches, covered in fan-graffiti (some heartfelt and moving, some really hurtful stuff about Courtney, and everything in between) and little gifts, like cigarettes and guitar pics. It was really an emotional an awe-inspiring experience. Amazing that in four short years one man could connect with the angst of so many kids and leave an impression that's lasted for two decades and shows no sign of stopping.

New Kurt Vile: "He's Alright"

Off the forthcoming Childish Prodigy. Dude's on fire.

Free Pashy Pit Show @ Empty Bottle

Sign up for Empty Bottles mailing list (HERE) or check 93XRT (HERE) for deets. If you haven't seen them live before, they're definitely worth the effort.

This really sums up the attitude I need to have right now...

New La Roux Video: I'm Not Your Toy

Jens Lekman to appear on "Whip It" soundtrack

Am I lame for wanting to see THIS MOVIE? If so, I don't care. I think it looks good. Plus, it has a ton of actors/actresses I like (Ellen Page, Kristen Wiig, Juliette Lewis, Alia Shawkat, one of the Wilsons). And double plus, the soundtrack has got Jens Lekman, who had this to say about the whole experience

"There's a few of my songs in Drew Barrymore's directorial debut "Whip it". Drew was really nice, she flew me out to LA, we had a cup of coffee and she showed me some clips from the movie. Usually I say no to film synchs because you just get a short synopsis from someone's agent's agent, and I always feel awkward my song will end up in the wrong context. You know, I write my songs for specific people, I find it hard to find them applied to someone elses story. But Drew listened to my concerns and we discussed the scenes she had in mind.
At some point our conversation drifted away and I think we were talking about monkeys, and it just struck me right there and then how surreal my life has become. And how absurd it is when anyone expects any kind of real compensation in this business. Compensation for what ? I've been touring on and off like crazy, I've put so much work into recording and writing. And in the end what I make my money from is talking to Drew Barrymore about monkeys...

The soundtrack is compiled by Randall Poster, who put together the soundtracks for the Wes Andersson movies among others. His soundtracks are like amazing little jukeboxes of random goodies. I haven't seen the movie but it seems to be falling smoothly into the category of American movies about teenage love and alternative sports. From Breaking Away to Bring It On."
Brand new Smith Westerns joint ("Imagine, pt. 3") can be found over at THEIR MYSPACE. Although this song isn't on the band's debut album that's out right now, I highly recommend getting said album. It is soo great. Plus, they're Chicagoans. Support local music and whatnot.

EDIT: now w/ mp3 via p4k

Part of Sufjan's BQE thing. Just beautiful.

Interlude I—Dream Sequence in Subi Circumnavigation from Asthmatic Kitty on Vimeo.

Beach House sign to Sub Pop, set to release third album in early 2010.

18 Years Ago...

18 years ago today Nirvana played MTV's 1992 VMA (via p4k).

Sky From Below, Above and In Between

from the ground, somewhere in iowa
from the mountains, somewhere in Colorado
from the sky, somewhere over Washington

Wednesday, September 9, 2009


the ORIGINAL Starbucks
I used to have a little digital camera that about the size of a credit card, and maybe only as thick as three or four credit cards together. Needless to say, I carried it around with me everywhere, and took lots of pictures. The little bugger put up with considerable abuse for at least three years. Unfortunately, the lil' guy finally gave up on me, on the third day of Lollapalooza '08 (during Iron & Wine's set). Bummerville, needless to say.

Lately, however, I've been finding that the iphone takes some pretty dang good pictures, and what with me having just discovered a new (and pretty sweet) camera application, I have a feeling I'll be posting a ton more pictures. Hope y'all enjoy.
Quality commercials from America's most timeless brand.



Italian Food Flag

Food In Real Life

GREAT SITE.

New Los Campesinos! Song/Video: "The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future"

The song...


The video...

The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future from Los Campesinos! on Vimeo.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Trailer :: Brief Interview With Hideous Men

Looks like it could be good. Plus, Will Arnette.

What A Kewt Kat!

Snookers!!

Pashy Pit Do "Sleepyhead" in Juan's Basement

Between Two Fern w/ Zach Galifianakis: Charlize Theron



Awkward as always, but Charlize sort of steals the show on this one. Well done.

New Kurt Vile: "Hunchback"

I haven't advertised it too much, but I must say that Kurt Vile is fast becoming one of my favorite musicians. Between Constant Hitmaker, God Is Saying This To You, and The Hunchback EP, the man can do no wrong. And from what I've heard of the new material, it looks like I'm in for a real treat. Vile's upcoming Matador debut, Childish Prodigy, opens with this dark and intense number. And, in keeping with the rest of his output, the song is excellent. The album is in stores on October 6, and the man is in Chicago on October 13 (I already got my ticket).

Monday, September 7, 2009

Jimi Hendrix's Grave/Memorial

The memorial site. Each of the three pillars holding up the dome have a different picture of Jimi/segment of Jimi's lyrics.

Column 1.
Column 2.

Column 3.
The lyrics to "Voodoo Chile" in Hendrix's handwriting.
The ever present flowers, letters, lighters, guitar pics, and gifts.
Reads: 'James M. "Jimi" Hendrix :: 1942-1970'

Read about Jimi's extremely interesting and too short life HERE, including some conspiracy theories.

Seattle Trip

I took a trip to Seattle very recently, and saw some pretty sweet stuff, much of which fell into the category of "musical interest." I'll be sporadically posting a bunch of pics I took. Hope you enjoy them.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Kanye backs up Brown Bear's tastes. CHECK IT.

New Horrors Video: "Who Can Say"

I'm super obsessed with this song right now. This whole album, in fact. But especially this song. It feels a little like if Morrissey and Julian Cassablancas had a baby, and that baby fronted the Strokes if the Strokes were a My Bloody Valentine cover band. This is off of the British band's latest album, Primary Colours. I hadn't really given the band too much of a chance on their first album, because the focus seemed to be too much on the hair and the makeup and the goth thing. But they came out guns blazing on this new one and turned a lot of heads. Definitely worth checking out.

New Kid Cudi ft. MGMT & Ratatat

Ratatat has left its stink all over this Kid Cudi track. So flippin great. And MGMT add some nice harmonies to the blissed out chorus. Would have been a really stellar summer jam. LISTEN HERE.

Curveball In Yo Face

I bet there a lot of peeps out there that peg me for some kind of indie music snob. I'm not. Or at least I don't think I am. There are actually quite a few radio-friendly pop acts and songs that I can get behind really easily and really proudly. This new David Gray song is one of 'em.

Friday, September 4, 2009


These kicks are sick.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

SPIN Magazine Interviews Charlie Day From "Always Sunny"


READ IT HERE.

Finally!!

It's been way too long since I've last had a video of an animal doing something kewt.

If this puppy's a-rockin', don't come a-knockin'. Am I right?

3EB Do "Bonfire" on Conan

The band sounds spot-on. Nice harmonies and super-solid drumming. Great song. But, in what's becoming an unfortunate trend, the mixing is a little off, the vocals a little low.

Is it just me, or is that drummer a real kewty?

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Hey Iowa: Get Your S*@# Together

This is some pretty sad and messed up stuff. Educate yourself.

Chicago Named Most Stressful U.S. City By Forbes

HERE
“There’s stuff that sounds like Radiohead. There’s stuff that sounds like Thin Lizzy. There’s stuff that sounds like The Band. We’re pretty much to the point now where…we can be experimental and try stuff we would’ve been scared to death to try on the first couple of records. Now we find ourselves being a little more adventurous,”

- KOL's Nathan Followill on the Kings' new material.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

So Your Cat Wants A Massage?

Simon & Garfunkel say a lot about life...and about cat massage.

another new jam by washed out!

Stream the Entire New Jay-Z Album

Stream Jigga's The Blueprint 3 in its entirety over HERE.

More Afro-Pop Done By White Guys: Fool's Gold

There has been an influx of this type of afro-inspired indie pop as of late, but its tough to blame those making it when it is just so damn catchy. Listen to the infectious "Nadine" over at Fool's Gold's myspace HERE.

NOTE: if the band's sound seems vaguely familiar, its because the band shares some members with Foreign Born.

3EB In Yo Face

Brown Bear favorites Third Eye Blind just released another new (and solid) album (snag it here) and will be playing on Conan tomorrow (Wednesday). Tune in and check em out. I'll post the video on Thursday.