It’s true. I go to shows like it’s my job and buy more music than most women in their late-thirties. Though not a gambler, I’d be willing to put money on it. I’ve been told more than once by the grad students in my department that they’re surprised at my age. My favorite exclamation to date is an MFA’s muffled “HOLY SHIT” followed by a dropped coffee cup after explaining my 36th birthday celebration (to someone) within his earshot. Although being mistaken as much younger than I am is flattering, sometimes talking about my hobbies – passions that are misconstrued as “only for the young folk” – leads some to believe that I am not only much younger than I am but also not a professional. This can result in being taken not-so-seriously, which is terribly frustrating.
Despite my fringe-dweller persona (and my obvious flair for the dramatic), I can hold my own in a conference room, complete an astronomical number of simultaneous tasks in my office in a timely fashion while having Stone Roses and Sigur Rós badges adorning my messenger bag (amazing!). Recently, to make matters even more interesting, I’ve fallen into the abyss that is the World of Comics and Graphic Novels and (wait for it) mentioned it to a few of my colleagues. I should probably just run away and join a traveling circus.
My little sister always read comics. As a child she had Spiderman and Smurf(y) bed sheets. While in art school she created an installation consisting of a gigantic wood frame découpaged with detached X-Men pages (I think there might have been twinkle lights involved as well) and, in a studio class, crafted a stupendous chair inspired by Tim Burton that was so tall and other-worldly it could barely fit in my parent’s dining room. Today, a successful career woman and artist in her early thirties, she has drawn strips for city papers, illustrated children’s books, album covers and apparel for some amazing musicians. Am I a proud big sister? You bet I am.
My boyfriend, a lovely amalgam of electrical engineer and music nerd with an insane ear for seamless mixing, spent his childhood reading comics (and books) in the treetops of Bavaria. He’s passed along his passion to his nieces and nephews and by some trickle-down/osmosis-like phenomenon I have been swept up in the storm as well. It was just this year then, as the planets aligned perfectly amid a final cajoling from a colleague that we went to our first Comic Con. Oh. My. Goodness.
Jesca Hoop is supporting Eels at Terminal 5 in NYC on September 25 (this Saturday!) and we have TWO free tickets to give away to a lucky winner — drop us a comment on this post with anything at all (hopefully something interesting…) and we’ll pick a winner at random by Friday. Make sure you fill out the comment form with an accurate email address so we can send the winner all pertinent information.
My first impression of Justin Jones is that he – like this concert review – is the guy who shows up late to the party. Jones, a Virginia/D.C. singer-songwriter who is the first signed to 9:30 Records, a new label launched by 9:30 Club co-owner Seth Hurwitz, casually walked on stage to tune his guitar and begin his RSVP and VIP-only record release party on Thursday 45 minutes after the 8 p.m. set time. I shouldn’t have been surprised. The alt-country everyman has taken his time, spending much of the past decade recording music and touring small venues with his backing band, The Driving Rain, before releasing The Little Fox EP. I also should have expected Jones’s patience in allowing soulful and gritty tracks like “The Gutter” to develop. Much of Jones’s rustic Americana delves into introspective moments, but his experience has clearly helped him refine his skill in songwriting and give every song a purpose.
By the end of Jones’s release party set, I was becoming a believer. It may have been alt-country rocker moments in “Razor Blades” that had the consistently chattering crowd’s attention or Jones’s welcome-addition-to-the-party, witty comic relief (“This is the perfect city for terrorist jokes”). Or maybe it was watching from 10 feet away the folk underdog close his eyes, strum away, and dig deep for every bit of soul song after song. There were certainly lulls in the set, but even the borderline indulgent moments felt authentic and meaningful. Jones might not be in a hurry for success, but with consistent performances and releases, it might be coming his way.
It’s been a while since I’ve thrown some warm Americana your way – you know, the type that’s meant for a chimney fire or out on the porch staring into nature’s abyss as the temperature cools off. Don’t tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about – it may seem overly cliché, but, like, where/when else is it best to listen to this type of music? Raspy vocals, acoustic guitar, all that jazz. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy being comforted by music, and Joshua LeMasters does exactly that on his new album Cold Houses (produced by TW Walsh of Pedro the Lion, The Soft Drugs). Check out the title track below.
The wait for Mondo Amore, the second full length LP for Nicole Atkins & The Black Sea due Jan. 25, just got a little easier. Today, the band released a free download (update: now apparently with a redeem code now no redeem code necessary) of “Vultures,” one of my personal favorites since its live debut in mid-2008. The track is the first officially released with the Black Sea and shares a 7″ with “Vitamin C,” a cover of German experimental group Can. Having been re-worked live a few times, “Vultures” ultimately doesn’t stray far from the orchestral pop noir of Atkins’s 2007 major label debut, Neptune City. Simple but grooving bass and a chorus of “Nah nah nah nah”s and “Ohh”s drive this memorable singalong (I dare you not to!), which climaxes in Atkins belting, “Take all they can get until your dirt and bones!”
You can download the track at the band’s recently revamped website.
Ever wonder what the band Women would sound like…as a different band? Me neither, but now we don’t have to! Church Of The Very Bright Lights, out of Calgary, is James Cullen, backed by Chris Reimer on drums and Matt Flegel (of Women) on bass.
Church Of The Very Bright Lights recently finished up a new album, titled Gang Crimes, that Cullen is releasing entirely for free download. Gang Crimes was actually sent over to us by Kris Ellestad, formerly featured in one of our artist profiles way back when. Ellestad is a recording engineer by day, and recorded/produced Gang Crimes. Calgary musicians, unite!
What’s interesting here, though, is that Ellestad is of the acoustic/classical strain and recorded the album as such, even though electric guitar is used most of the time. The effect is a rich, experimental sound, making for some of the more unique music I’ve listened to in quite some time.
The phenomenon of young artists getting more air time is nothing new. But rarely do we stumble upon a teenager who evokes such raw emotion as Sarah McIntosh (aka The Good Natured), a 19-year-old Brit. She’ll be releasing her second single, “My Animal”, November 1 via KIDS, and is teasing/pleasing us with the b-side in “Prisoner”, available for free download.
“Prisoner”‘s penetration begins immediately, with a sharp, pounding beat and unnerving vocals. The song is not for the weak of heart, seeping deep into our flesh and making us want to crawl out of our skin. It’s a cry of and for courage and liberation, yet the undertone suggests an acute desire for help.
Welcome eskimeaux, aka Gabby Smith, to our lineup of new, mysteryacts. Her email contained a link to her album, I Am A Spiral, and basically nothing else. Seriously. I could have explored more in depth and provided you with some background, but oftentimes intrigue catches our ears the most.
The music has a Dorothy in Kansas magical feel to it. Ukulele and hushed vocals take the reigns on nearly every song, as Smith effortlessly lulls us into her fantastical (yet profoundly sad) world.
Feel like Déjà vu? Well don’t worry…it kind of is. I posted a track by the catchy Brit studs (and lady) Kurran And The Wolfnotes less than a month ago, and now they’re back with more in “Here To Fill You In”. It doesn’t get quite as loud or uproarious as “Your Four Limbs”, but it proves Kurran And The Wolfnotes’ consistency – Karbel’s unmistakable croon shines from the beginning. Are we on to something here with a new band eager to work their way up the indie ladder? I think so.
I fully moved into my new apartment in NYC, football season started, the hurricane that was, wasn’t, and we all remembered September 11. A busy week, yes, but the blogging must go on. Because I say so. [Photo via]
*Pick of the Week* A Heart Is A Spade: “Azure Ray Prize Pack” Is there really another option for a Pick of the Week? Matt’s new blog after the whole TMS debacle and an AZURE FREAKIN RAY prize pack.
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