Mr. Smalls show featuring No Age, Dan Deacon, and Deerhunter. Need I say more? I haven't been this pumped for a show, in a long long time. Considering they're doing collaborations, it will be really something see. Haven't updated this in months, so I figured I'd start again with something epic. Yeah show review after, until now see some live work by the artists.
No Age
Deerhunter
Dan Deacon
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Welcome Back
So it has been awhile since I updated this, spring break, the weather, shows, can you blame me? Anyways I figured I'd come back in with style, and talk about the free Black Moth Super Rainbow Show, which took place for free at Carnegie Mellon University last night. The day was perfect too for an outside show, with the weather being around 90 degrees the whole time. Not to mention that the CMU campus lawn, is a great place to hold a show. There was quite a good turn out for the band as well, even though the show, didn't get to crazy until Black Moth came on around 10ish.
First off was Tusk Lord, seemingly a local college kid band. They played a garage rock style, comparable to an early Pavement. Since they played with chill, guitar and drums, and had mostly lazy vocals. Tusk Lord would only play for about, 20 minutes though, jamming with about three songs. Overall they were not bad, but it seemed as though they could've worked on the volume levels before they started playing. You could barely hear the singer, or the guitar, and at times the music seemed completely out of sync. Regardless not bad and they left in a comedic fashion as well, with a simple "Were done!".
Tusk Lord
Second up was, Harangue also from Pittsburgh. They play a style of music that concentrates a lot on keyboard, and an upbeat tempo. I have seen them open before at Garfield Artworks, and I was excited to see them again. The only bad thing was, they played all songs I had heard the time they opened before. So while I was hoping to hear a bit more of what they had to offer, I got nothing new and was a bit disinterested. The crowd at this point was still also not too into it, sitting back and talking still. Than finally Black Moth came out, to put an end to all that.
Black Moth Super Rainbow
So Black Moth Super Rainbow, comes out, sets up, and immediately everyone rushes the stage. They open with a psychedelic jammer, and everyones pumped. At this point I am standing in a large crowd of people, and I'm about five feet away from one of the amps. Black Moth uses really heavy synth, so to put it simply my ears were getting fucking blasted. This only made the experience better though, because the music was so good, loud, and the crowd was just dancing away. It did get a bit hot, that being the only drawback on the night I believe. Than again what do you expect when a bunch of hipsters are dancing right near you, in 90 degree weather. Overall they played long, well, and loud, and you can't ask anymore of a band. The highlight of the night is when they began to play Sun Lips, and the crowd reacted by just freaking out. It was an awesome scene, and I'm sure the band was stoked to see the turn out. So on that note I'm out, if you still haven't listened to Black Moth, check them out, song below. Enjoy! later.
(thanks to jes)
First off was Tusk Lord, seemingly a local college kid band. They played a garage rock style, comparable to an early Pavement. Since they played with chill, guitar and drums, and had mostly lazy vocals. Tusk Lord would only play for about, 20 minutes though, jamming with about three songs. Overall they were not bad, but it seemed as though they could've worked on the volume levels before they started playing. You could barely hear the singer, or the guitar, and at times the music seemed completely out of sync. Regardless not bad and they left in a comedic fashion as well, with a simple "Were done!".
Tusk Lord
Second up was, Harangue also from Pittsburgh. They play a style of music that concentrates a lot on keyboard, and an upbeat tempo. I have seen them open before at Garfield Artworks, and I was excited to see them again. The only bad thing was, they played all songs I had heard the time they opened before. So while I was hoping to hear a bit more of what they had to offer, I got nothing new and was a bit disinterested. The crowd at this point was still also not too into it, sitting back and talking still. Than finally Black Moth came out, to put an end to all that.
Black Moth Super Rainbow
So Black Moth Super Rainbow, comes out, sets up, and immediately everyone rushes the stage. They open with a psychedelic jammer, and everyones pumped. At this point I am standing in a large crowd of people, and I'm about five feet away from one of the amps. Black Moth uses really heavy synth, so to put it simply my ears were getting fucking blasted. This only made the experience better though, because the music was so good, loud, and the crowd was just dancing away. It did get a bit hot, that being the only drawback on the night I believe. Than again what do you expect when a bunch of hipsters are dancing right near you, in 90 degree weather. Overall they played long, well, and loud, and you can't ask anymore of a band. The highlight of the night is when they began to play Sun Lips, and the crowd reacted by just freaking out. It was an awesome scene, and I'm sure the band was stoked to see the turn out. So on that note I'm out, if you still haven't listened to Black Moth, check them out, song below. Enjoy! later.
(thanks to jes)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Its been awhile
cLOUDDEAD
So I will discuss one of my favorites, cLOUDDEAD. If you haven't heard of these guys they came about in, 1999. cLOUDDEAD, plays a very distinct style of hip hop, which became an original sound. A good way to describe the band is indie hip hop, or rap. It mixes odd synth beats, singing of abnormal lyrics, strange voice samples, or most of the time rapping, with each artist bringing their own unique sound. They brought a sound that had never been heard before, and that is what brought most people to listen. With now indie well knowns, Yoni Wolf, Doseone, and Odd Nosdam. Yoni Wolf and Doseone, brought the vocals, while Nosdam kept the spot on sounds going. The band at this point has broken up, but Yoni, and Dose also had side projects that have stayed together. With Yoni front manning more poppy Why? which started back in 97, and Dose manning Subtle starting in 2001. The artists still remained on Anticon, which has much of this experimental hip hop still coming out to this day. Take a listen to the opener off Ten (2004), Dead Dogs Two, and see what you think. Enjoy.
So I will discuss one of my favorites, cLOUDDEAD. If you haven't heard of these guys they came about in, 1999. cLOUDDEAD, plays a very distinct style of hip hop, which became an original sound. A good way to describe the band is indie hip hop, or rap. It mixes odd synth beats, singing of abnormal lyrics, strange voice samples, or most of the time rapping, with each artist bringing their own unique sound. They brought a sound that had never been heard before, and that is what brought most people to listen. With now indie well knowns, Yoni Wolf, Doseone, and Odd Nosdam. Yoni Wolf and Doseone, brought the vocals, while Nosdam kept the spot on sounds going. The band at this point has broken up, but Yoni, and Dose also had side projects that have stayed together. With Yoni front manning more poppy Why? which started back in 97, and Dose manning Subtle starting in 2001. The artists still remained on Anticon, which has much of this experimental hip hop still coming out to this day. Take a listen to the opener off Ten (2004), Dead Dogs Two, and see what you think. Enjoy.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Clues
The Unicorns
Clues is the new band by indie rocker, Alden Penner. If you have no idea of who that is, he was for awhile a bit of the star, in the lo-fi genre of music. This all started back in late 2000, with up and comers from up north (Canada), The Unicorns. They captured the scene for awhile, with their poppy sound, but odd and dark lyrical writing. The band consisted simply of three members, Nick Thorburn, Alden Penner, and Jamie Thompson, who were all differently musically talented. Penner brought his odd lyrics/sound, Nick added a poppy element to this darkness, while Jamie kept the percussion persistent. Not long though, they began to fight, and would display it with their own songs, which was made obvious on their well known album, Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone. Evident with lyrics on the song aptly named, Child Star, which seems to accuratly describe those who are young stars act, mostly for how bitchy the song ends, with Nick and Alden going back and forth with, "I hate you", "I hate you too".
Alden Penner
While many probably thought this was mere joking, they were doing anything but, shortly after they released that album in 2003, they split up. This didn't stop the three from making music, with Nick almost immediately, making Islands, which was oh so poppy, who made a very strong debut with the album, Return To the Sea in 2006. Jamie played with Islands, for awhile but would end up leaving, but Nick continues to produce music with the band. Now onto the more interesting story, with Alden Penner. He would eventually fall out of any news, after The Unicorns breakup, until recently. It was announced that Alden, would debut with a new project, called Clues at a festival in Montreal. They were a big hit at the festival, bringing music somewhat similar to The Unicorns, but was a bit different. Clues, is releasing an album supposedly in May of this year, which also includes a member of the Arcade Fire. The album is self titled, and will let you jam out, to your favorite odd sounding, weird lyric, songs, with eleven original tracks.
Clues- Self Titled
Below are two early releases of songs, Remember the Severed Head, and Perfect Fit. If your a Unicorns fan, this should come as no real surprise, sound wise from Alden. Listen to the tracks, see what you think, and as always enjoy.
Clues- Remember Severed Head
Silverlake Steps - Clues - "Remember Severed Head" from We Listen on Vimeo.
Clues- Perfect Fit
Silverlake Steps - Clues - "Perfect Fit" from We Listen on Vimeo.
Clues is the new band by indie rocker, Alden Penner. If you have no idea of who that is, he was for awhile a bit of the star, in the lo-fi genre of music. This all started back in late 2000, with up and comers from up north (Canada), The Unicorns. They captured the scene for awhile, with their poppy sound, but odd and dark lyrical writing. The band consisted simply of three members, Nick Thorburn, Alden Penner, and Jamie Thompson, who were all differently musically talented. Penner brought his odd lyrics/sound, Nick added a poppy element to this darkness, while Jamie kept the percussion persistent. Not long though, they began to fight, and would display it with their own songs, which was made obvious on their well known album, Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone. Evident with lyrics on the song aptly named, Child Star, which seems to accuratly describe those who are young stars act, mostly for how bitchy the song ends, with Nick and Alden going back and forth with, "I hate you", "I hate you too".
Alden Penner
While many probably thought this was mere joking, they were doing anything but, shortly after they released that album in 2003, they split up. This didn't stop the three from making music, with Nick almost immediately, making Islands, which was oh so poppy, who made a very strong debut with the album, Return To the Sea in 2006. Jamie played with Islands, for awhile but would end up leaving, but Nick continues to produce music with the band. Now onto the more interesting story, with Alden Penner. He would eventually fall out of any news, after The Unicorns breakup, until recently. It was announced that Alden, would debut with a new project, called Clues at a festival in Montreal. They were a big hit at the festival, bringing music somewhat similar to The Unicorns, but was a bit different. Clues, is releasing an album supposedly in May of this year, which also includes a member of the Arcade Fire. The album is self titled, and will let you jam out, to your favorite odd sounding, weird lyric, songs, with eleven original tracks.
Clues- Self Titled
Below are two early releases of songs, Remember the Severed Head, and Perfect Fit. If your a Unicorns fan, this should come as no real surprise, sound wise from Alden. Listen to the tracks, see what you think, and as always enjoy.
Clues- Remember Severed Head
Silverlake Steps - Clues - "Remember Severed Head" from We Listen on Vimeo.
Clues- Perfect Fit
Silverlake Steps - Clues - "Perfect Fit" from We Listen on Vimeo.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Depression Session
Elliott Smith
Surprisingly enough, I have never written anything about one of my favorite artists, Elliott Smith. If you don't know Elliott, he mostly played an acoustic style of music, with very deep, depressing, lyrics which many could relate to. He wrote what obviously he was feeling at the time, or what he was doing in his suicidal life. Elliott also was no amateur at the guitar, with his playing matching his singing, and being just as intricate as his lyrics. Even though, it is tough to just pick one song to share, take a listen to All Cleaned Out, from the album New Moon, which was a collection of songs written that were never released, because of Smith's death. The song is not hard to understand, with lyrics "Here comes your pride and joy, the comic little drunk you call your boy, makin everybody smile", but jumps to what is seemingly the harsh reality being, "Who takes your pretty plan, and then becomes a disappearing man, after a little while". Smith in his lyrics, comments regularly about his own lifestyle, which was what many would refer to as, Rock and Roll. Elliott was known for his heavy drug and alcohol use, mixed with his own depression, and even though he would attempt to clean up, it would eventually lead to his own suicide. Smith could be talking about his own cleaning out, with all the times he attempted to get clean, and his writing "I saw you with your make up runnin down, now whats that all about?", seems to show possibly a girlfriend/lover, showing her happiness for his getting clean. Interestingly enough though, the song includes chords, that are so upbeat that the song could be misconstrued. I believe the song shows with the bright guitar a positive outlook, while the lyrics tell another story, what an interesting mix of vocals, and instrumentation. So give this song a listen, and enjoy.
Surprisingly enough, I have never written anything about one of my favorite artists, Elliott Smith. If you don't know Elliott, he mostly played an acoustic style of music, with very deep, depressing, lyrics which many could relate to. He wrote what obviously he was feeling at the time, or what he was doing in his suicidal life. Elliott also was no amateur at the guitar, with his playing matching his singing, and being just as intricate as his lyrics. Even though, it is tough to just pick one song to share, take a listen to All Cleaned Out, from the album New Moon, which was a collection of songs written that were never released, because of Smith's death. The song is not hard to understand, with lyrics "Here comes your pride and joy, the comic little drunk you call your boy, makin everybody smile", but jumps to what is seemingly the harsh reality being, "Who takes your pretty plan, and then becomes a disappearing man, after a little while". Smith in his lyrics, comments regularly about his own lifestyle, which was what many would refer to as, Rock and Roll. Elliott was known for his heavy drug and alcohol use, mixed with his own depression, and even though he would attempt to clean up, it would eventually lead to his own suicide. Smith could be talking about his own cleaning out, with all the times he attempted to get clean, and his writing "I saw you with your make up runnin down, now whats that all about?", seems to show possibly a girlfriend/lover, showing her happiness for his getting clean. Interestingly enough though, the song includes chords, that are so upbeat that the song could be misconstrued. I believe the song shows with the bright guitar a positive outlook, while the lyrics tell another story, what an interesting mix of vocals, and instrumentation. So give this song a listen, and enjoy.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The fall of contemporary music
Is shit such as this, actually becoming popular.
Lady Sovereign
So heres the plan, lets take a talentless, 23 year old, London girl, make her act tough, add cool beat, and let her repeat hooks. I am sure you have heard of this mockery of music before, Lady Sovereign. She blew up from her hook hit in 2006, Love Me or Hate Me, which boasts lyrics "Yeah, it's officially the biggest midget in the game", "I dunno, make way for S-O-V", and "If you hate me than, Fuck You". Have you ever heard anything this uncreative before? I doubt that you have. This is what makes me sick of artists such as Lady, they sing a catchy hook, get an ear pleasing beat, and nothing else. With her new song below Pennies, she opens with crude, but mind you extremely clever, "Yeah Fudda Muckers", and then surprisingly, a catchy beat starts. After some more lyrics that are only there for abhorrence, not just because they're completely terrible, but another reason is the fact that her voice is horrid. A thick english accent, barely recognizable speech, and downright stupid lines, mark the song. The chorus is a hook once again, that being "How many pennies have you gotten for me", or something very close to it (once again note the impossible to understand rapping). So once again this song lacks anything, that would add to music, really all it does it play on idiocy. Don't be surprised if this reaches MTV, the radio, and then you'll be hearing everyone singing the catchy hook. Lady Sovereign than cashes in, does the same thing the next year, it gets eaten up, and once again she cashes in. It shows how easy it is to play the music market, because people love anything with a catchy hook, and beat, it just needs to lack the best thing there could be in a song, creativity. So after this rant, have a listen to the single Pennies below, you should understand. Normally I would end with enjoy (Breck), but this song is nothing more than an added blemish on music today.
Lady Sovereign- Pennies
Lady Sovereign
So heres the plan, lets take a talentless, 23 year old, London girl, make her act tough, add cool beat, and let her repeat hooks. I am sure you have heard of this mockery of music before, Lady Sovereign. She blew up from her hook hit in 2006, Love Me or Hate Me, which boasts lyrics "Yeah, it's officially the biggest midget in the game", "I dunno, make way for S-O-V", and "If you hate me than, Fuck You". Have you ever heard anything this uncreative before? I doubt that you have. This is what makes me sick of artists such as Lady, they sing a catchy hook, get an ear pleasing beat, and nothing else. With her new song below Pennies, she opens with crude, but mind you extremely clever, "Yeah Fudda Muckers", and then surprisingly, a catchy beat starts. After some more lyrics that are only there for abhorrence, not just because they're completely terrible, but another reason is the fact that her voice is horrid. A thick english accent, barely recognizable speech, and downright stupid lines, mark the song. The chorus is a hook once again, that being "How many pennies have you gotten for me", or something very close to it (once again note the impossible to understand rapping). So once again this song lacks anything, that would add to music, really all it does it play on idiocy. Don't be surprised if this reaches MTV, the radio, and then you'll be hearing everyone singing the catchy hook. Lady Sovereign than cashes in, does the same thing the next year, it gets eaten up, and once again she cashes in. It shows how easy it is to play the music market, because people love anything with a catchy hook, and beat, it just needs to lack the best thing there could be in a song, creativity. So after this rant, have a listen to the single Pennies below, you should understand. Normally I would end with enjoy (Breck), but this song is nothing more than an added blemish on music today.
Lady Sovereign- Pennies
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