You’ve been warned, and here it starts to arrive. The Black Angels have their newest work Phosphene Dream in the pipe and ready for release on 9.14, and single number 2 has just surfaced. I promise you, it might take you back a bit with it’s 60’s garage rock almost upbeat feel. Times they are a changing.

MP3> The Black Angels ‘Telephone’

So, it snuck up on me a bit, but the 2009 edition of ACL Festival is not far away my friends. This year has been a record year for the festival, selling out of 3-day passes almost 2 months quicker than any past years, and achieving a complete sell-out a month before the festival. To what do we attribute this success? I lean to believe it has to do with a little band named Pearl Jam, who still have maintained a rabid following all these years, a bit to my surprise, but I’m sure that The Dave Matthews Band had a hand in achieving the record sell-out as well. Just seeing the name Dave Matthews on my blog, feels wrong.

So, as the next few weeks creep along, I’ll be talking about the bands that I think should be on your list of bands to check out. You know it’s getting to be that time of year, when the frequency of the question “so, who are you excited about seeing @ ACL?” increases daily. To be quite honest, I haven’t put a whole lot of effort into the thought process, as the months pass leading up to the event, are spotted with dropouts and add-ons, disappointing some. The cancellation of Sonic Youth, would be one specific case that I’m completely down about. Does the addition of Dirty Projectors or the Yeah Yeah Yeahs soften the blow? Not really. It’s Sonic fuckin Youth! I don’t care how old they are, they still rule, and always will.

Before I get into specific bands a preview at a quick glance:

Indie Hipster bands that will draw massive crowds and will be the talk of the blogs:

• Phoenix, Fri 4:30 on AMD West: They are French, they been plugging along for a few years now, and seem to have found the audience finally. A blind booking for SNL put them on the map instantly. More on these guys soon enough.
• Grizzy Bear, Sat 3:00 on Dell: Does anything really need to be said about these guys now that hasn’t been said. Get there early and beat Jay Z to the front of the stage.
  
• Passion Pit, Sun 5:00 on XBox360: Their performance last year still has fans reminiscing. I honestly don’t know much about these guys, but on first listen, I might just keep it that way.
• Dirty Projectors, Sun 5:00 on Dell: Ooooh, hipster kids will wish human cloning was legal right about then. Hell, some of them might even give it a try.
  
• Girl Talk, Sun 7:00 on XBox360: From uptown suit to downtown DJ. It’s a guy with some computer equipment and a turntable I’m guessing. What does a DJ do on a big stage towards the end of a festival for thousands of people? Dan Auerbach fear not.

WTF?, Why?, and Who (made this decision)

• Prescott Curlywolf, Fri 11:45 on XBox360: Are there any bloggers in town that even remember who this band is, and when they were somewhat popular in Austin? Doubt it, as the band saw their peak sometime in the mid-late 90’s. I can think of at least half-a-dozen currently active Austin bands that could fill this spot. Are they about to make some huge comeback? Doubt it.
• Poi Dog Pondering, Fri 3:15 on Wildflower Center: Hmmmmm. I didn’t really realize that they were still kicking it around. Another band that seemed to find it popularity at it’s peak, quite a few years ago.
  
• Reckless Kelly, Fri 7:15 on Austin Ventures: I’ll give it to them for maintaining some form of popularity, but they play after Robin Hitchcock? Is there some redneck revolution occurring that I’m not aware of?
• The Scabs, Sat 7:15 on Austin Ventures: Maybe there is a theme here? Austin bands headline Austin Ventures stage? I can understand that. But the Scabs? I get it! You sing dirty songs to chics who like to dance to your music, and make their boyfriends uncomfortable or possibly horny?

No surprises here:

Kings of Leon (festival whores), Yeah Yeah Yeahs (soon to be festival whores), Ghostland Observatory (got to stick with what works), Arctic Monkeys (most boring festival band next to Vampire Weekend), The Dead Weather (being Jack White guarantees your spot on a main stage at a festival).

Now, it sounds like I’m full of piss and vinegar, but not the case. I’ll have a ton of great things to talk about in regards to 2009 ACL Festival coming in the next few weeks. I can’t wait to sink my bare feet into that luscious looking grass. Who wants to join me? We can have a grass party.

stay tuned…………..

The challenge for singer-songwriters to stand out amongst the many others, armed solely with their voice, their lyrics, and the acoustic guitar, isn’t an easy one for sure. Jessica Lea Mayfield has managed to stand out enough to catch the attention of Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) who recorded and produced her most recent release With Blasphemy So Heartfelt at his Akron based home studio. Aside from appreciating the dark moody songs, lyrically based in the affairs of the heart with the human and the celestial, an  better understanding of the person who wrote the songs, only increases the value.

Mayfield was born into a musical family and became involved the music scene, playing at the age of 8 in her families bluegrass band One Way Rider. By the age of 15 she had written and recorded her first album White Lies, which caught the attention of Auerbach. Mayfield and Auerbach spent two years working on the follow up With Blasphemy So Heartfelt, which was released in 2008. An album that some of which was written before she was old enough to vote, possibly even before she could legally drive. An album based in the sounds of folk, rock, country, with melodies and ambiance that seems to draw lyrically from a lifetime of experience, while still remaining youthful.

MP3> Jessica Lea Mayfield ‘Kiss Me Again’

Jessica has lent her voice to albums by both The Black Keys, and Dan Auerbach. She has toured with The Black Keys, Avett Brothers, Cake, Lucero, and recently performed at Bonnaroo 2009.

Jessica Lea Mayfield and her band, which consists of her brother David, play Stubbs inside on Tuesday July 21st with doors opening @ 8.

Locals Sad Accordions and Alex Dupree and the Trapdoor Band share opening duties.

Lollapalooza 2009 is a mere 1 1/2 months away, and if you have plans on heading to Chicago for this year’s event, the lineup is now live for you to start planning your 3 days. Depeche Mode vs Kings of Leon, Beastie Boys vs Tool, Janes Addiction vs Killers (wtf?). Time to start making those decisions and building your schedule with the new Facebook interface that was added this year.

Check it HERE.

Tour dates after the video.

THE DECEMBERISTS ON TOUR
May 19 – Hollywood Palladium – Los Angeles, CA
May 20 – Fox Theatre – Oakland, CA
May 21 – McDonald Theater – Eugene, OR
May 24 – Wilma Theatre – Missoula, MT
May 26 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
May 27 – Uptown Theater – Kansas City, MO
May 29 – Riverside Theater – Milwaukee, WI
May 31 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO
June 1 – Lifestyle Communities Pavilion – Columbus, OH
June 3 – Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
June 4 – Memorial Auditorium – Raleigh, NC
June 5 – The National – Richmond, VA
June 6 – Tower Theatre – Upper Darby, PA
June 9 – Bank of America Pavillion – Boston, MA
June 10 – Radio City Music Hall – New York, NY
June 11-14 – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival – Manchester, TN
July 18 – Edgefield – Troutdale, OR w/ Andrew Bird
July 19 – Edgefield – Troutdale, OR w/ Andrew Bird

Being just a few days into 2009 and 2008 quietly slipping into the past, I thought it might be worth some interest to reflect on this most recently passed year as well as look forward.

Some years are better than others when it comes to music, and 2008 just felt like a year that didn’t produce a large enough crop of innovative, new, fresh, or exciting sounds. One could argue that I’m just burned out on the scene a bit, which could be the case to a certain extent, but I think that modern music is finding itself awash in mediocre fluff that’s being sold to us as “the next great sound”. I’m not buying it. In fact, I’m running away from it as fast as I can. It’s almost starting to feel like the 80’s all over again. Hell it’s starting to look a lot like the 80’s in a way. And we all know that the 80’s wasn’t the best time for great music. It had it’s fair share, but it also had an over abundance of utter crap. I haven’t lost faith though, as I’ve been here before, and it always seems to change, and I’ll find myself once again engaged and amazed at some crop of new bands that are making music, real music. Music that is pure, artistic, and original.

And now I reflect:

Highlights:

• Dead Confederate bringing back the rock.
• My Morning Jacket @ The Parish
• Fleet Foxes dazzling me with a style of music I wouldn’t usually give much attention.
• Wilco @ Stubbs proving once again why they are such studs.
• Shearwater’s Rook. A beautiful record that I don’t listen to enough.
• Spoon @ The Parish digging deep into a collection of great song after great song.
• Rediscovering my inner stoner-rock compliments of Dead Meadow.
• Colour Revolt rocking me out all 4 times I saw them.
• Sigur Ros DVD Heima. Amazingly beautiful and inspiring.
• Deerhunter @ Emo’s.
• Monotonix @ Mohawk.
• Fun Fun Fun Fest.
• The news that the Jesus Lizard is reuniting for a 2009 tour.

Disapointments:

• An ACL Festival riddled with poor sound and mediocre performances.
• Portishead’s Third. I know a lot of people love this record, but have they not heard Dummy?
• Harp and No Depression calling it quits with the print.
• The Backyard closes it’s doors.
• The remodeled Music Hall.
• Beck @ ACL Festival.
• Music Blogs
• The direction that the modern rock scene has taken. Down, but not out.

Now this is just a quick snapshot of a multitude of memories, and I’m sure that I’ve left something slightly important out of the list.

If anyone has noticed, I haven’t been writing much lately for the blog, and there are a couple of reasons for this void.

First off, not much really happens during the holidays. Sure there are the holiday events, and the occasional touring shows, but the holidays are full of distractions. Shopping, traffic, traveling, parties, etc.

Secondly, I haven’t been moved to inspiration lately as previously mentioned. Sure, I had some great moments over the year, but overall my music experience seemed a bit lackluster. I’ve spent many an hour trying to understand my lack of interest in much that’s happening in the music scene, and I can’t definitively say that I have an answer. Of course my initial reaction is that I’m just a jaded old music snob, which is the case to a certain extent. I’ve seen and heard a lot of music in my lifetime and at some point I can’t help but to notice how much the newer music reminds me something that I’ve heard in the past. It’s true. Originality is hard to come by these days, and even if it sounds somewhat original and really good, you can usually hear a taint of influence. It’s inevitable.

Aside from the obvious, which narrows my tunnel of acceptance, I feel my lack of interest might stem from the environment itself. 2 parts to this if you may. As already stated, the music that is being suggested and promoted heavily in the media these days seems to have lost it’s edge. A lot of cotton candy bullshit with no truly creative element and no heart. In addition to this, the crop of so called “music fans” who have attached themselves to a scene or an idea of something that really only is an accessory to them. An accessory, not a passion. I don’t expect everyone to be as passionate about music as myself, but at least invest a little time into being slightly interested and/or passionate. And those who attend shows for any other reason than being interested the music.. shut the fuck up when the band is playing! If you came to socialize, go do a bump in the bathroom, text your friends, and at the least, get away from the people who are trying to enjoy the show. I know you don’t know who the band is on stage, and are only there because someone told you it was the “show” to be at, to be seen. How about be seen and not heard?

Sound a little angry? Maybe I’m frustrated a bit, but I’ve found myself longing for a time when people were passionate about the music. Passionate about the good music and understood why. A time when people actually listened to a full recording from front to back and not just the songs that they like stored away in some cutely named playlist on their iPod. A time when you went to a show, people danced, sang along, cheered, cried, and felt connected.

photo:charles peterson

With all of that being said, I’m dedicating myself to 2009 in search of a music scene that lives and breathes passion and creativity as it once did. I’m opening myself up, trying to shake the music snob, and embracing more than before. Taking more time to engage myself in the local music scene and discovering the hidden treasures that I know are out there. I hope that you do as well.

The true artists deserve better and the true fans do as well.

Looking forward to things happening with these local folks in 2009:

• Ume
• Harlem
• Monahans
• Lions
• The Black Angels
• {{{Sunset}}}
• White White Light

And of course keeping an ear out for the next crop of Austin hopefuls.

How about you?

If you have plans for this weekend’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, there are a few details that you might want to take a look at before you do. Keep in mind that there is a UT Football game taking place on Saturday, so it’s going to be a zoo anywhere near the stadium and parking is going to be limited early in the day.

Transmission has a list of things you might want to know: Fun Fun Fun Fest: Important Info

Save yourself some trouble and check it out.

We’ll see you there.

Tom Gabel, Against Me! frontman, has apparently be working on some solo material. A myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/tomgabelmusic) has popped up with two of his acoustic songs, “Graceful Concession” and “Nuclear Cowboys In An Age of Drift.” The myspace links to a studio journal he kept while recording the tracks in late August. Songs that were mentioned for a potential EP (produced by legendary producer Butch Vig) include, “100 Years Of War,” “Cowards Sing At Night,” “I Can’t See You, But I Know You’re There,” “Random Hearts,” “Harsh Realms,” and “Anna Is A Stool Pigeon” (ft. Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music), many of which he performed in Austin earlier this year when his band had a day off from Warped Tour. He will be going out on solo the Revival Tour with Ragan, Ben Nicols of Lucero, and Tim Barry of Avail, so surely these tracks will make many appearances then.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Wednesday night was the beginning of a 3 night stay @ Stubb’s for the Toadies. Until just recently, it’s been a few years since the band has offered up any new recorded material, seven years I believe to be the number. Aside from the lack of activity, the popularity of the band has maintained if not increased over those 7 years. Evidence in the form of 2 sold out nights @ Stubb’s forcing a third show to be added, should prove that the love for the Toadies holds strong. That and the latest release from the band No Deliverance debuting @ #59 on Billboard top 200 and being the #4 best selling independent record.

Starting of this three day Toadie fest, was one of Austin’s local homegrown act Lions. Lions have slowly been increasing their swagger over the last couple of years gaining popularity locally as well as nationally keeping up a constant touring schedule, which currently has them on the road for the next few weeks with the Toadies. Scoring a spot on Guitar Hero 3 with the song “Heavy Metal Lady” surely did well for the bands appeal and their street credibility as well as having songs featured later this year in the Showtime series Californication and a new FX series Sons of Anarchy.

Lions hard work and refusal to do nothing more than rock as hard as they can, while promoting and believing in themselves relentlessly have proven a succesful formula for the band.  Watching the band take the Stubbs outside stage for the first time and working the hometown into a frenzy with their no nonsense style of knock down drag out rock-n-roll, made this Austinite proud. Rock-n-roll is at it’s least popular in years in the music industry, and Lions are doing their part to keep it alive and well.  Sure, most of the fans came out this night to see the Toadies, but the ones that witnessed Lions, surely won’t forget Lions and will be there for the next time they set foot on an Austin stage.

MP3> Lions ‘Get Out Alive’

Lions

Warner Bros. Records have gone all out in promoting the new album from Rilo Kiley front-woman Jenny Lewis entitled Acid Tongue. First, you could call 888-717-2243, to hear a very low quality version of the title track “Acid Tongue” on your phone. Now, thanks to a series of videos featuring Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard, a proper version of that song and another “The Next Messiah,” have been released onto the world. First, Ben shows up at Jenny’s place to hear “Acid Tongue” carrying a numerous amount of heart balloons (with Acid Tongue written on them of course). Then Ben sits in a bathtub (with the balloons) and convinces Jenny Lewis collaborator Jonathan Rice into hearing the song again. In the latest video (below), Ben hides in a closet, scares Jenny, and “The Next Messiah” begins.

It’s some clever marketing for what should be a good album. Alt-country is not for everyone but with a guest list with names like Elvis Costello, Jonathan Rice, The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson and Zooey Deschanel, it’s worth at least one listen when it comes out September 23rd.

Tour Dates:
09-15 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theatre
09-16 Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
09-17 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre
09-18 Lawrence, KS – The Granada
09-19 Chicago, IL – Epiphany
09-20 Omaha, NE – Anchor Inn *
09-21 Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium *
09-22 Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre *
09-23 Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge *
09-24 Oxford, MS – Lyric Theatre *
09-25 Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom *
09-26 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
09-28 Austin, TX – La Zona Rosa *!
09-30 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
10-01 Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
10-02 Washington, DC – Sixth & I Synagogue
10-03 Wilmington, DE – Grand Opera House
10-04 New York, NY – Apollo Theatre
10-05 New Haven, CT – Shubert Theatre
10-08 Paris, France – Le Maronquinerie
10-09 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg
10-10 Hamburg, Germany – Knust
10-11 Berlin, Germany – Lido
10-13 Stockholm, Sweden – Kagelbanan
10-14 Copenhagen, Denmark – Vega Junior
10-16 Cologne, Germany – Gebaude 9
10-17 London, England – Koko
10-18 Glasgow, Scotland – QMU
10-19 Dublin, Ireland – Button Factory
10-25 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom *
10-26 Seattle, WA – Showbox *

* with Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
! with M. Ward

photos : valerie@fremin.net

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m getting to that point of being an old, jaded music snob. I’ve been fighting it for years, and will do my best to remain as partial as I can, but the reality is… I’ve got a few years of experience under my belt, and I’ve seen and heard a few bands in my lifetime. It’s like anything in life. The more that you experience as time passes, the more your palette changes, and matures. The point of this intro is to lay down the foundation of what I have to say about my experience with The Faint on this Monday eve in Austin, Texas.

I can’t claim to be a big fan of the band, but will admit that my interest in the band was stirred about 4 years ago compliments of a favorite online station. I give kudos to this station for introducing me to great music on a regular basis. If you don’t know what station I speak of, then you’ll have to keep reading to find out, as I speak highly of them on a regular basis. That aside, The Faint had produced a couple of songs that I enjoyed and that reminded me of a time when my interest was more focused on the music that was more beat/electronica based and a lifestyle more fitting. A time when you might find me obsessed with bands like Depeche Mode, Front 242, Nitzer Ebb, and My Life With Thrill Kill Kult, amongst others. I found it a current reminder of a time when I was a different person, and the music scene was a different scene.

Curiosity peaked, and not ever seen the band before, I opted for a Monday venture with The Faint @ LaZona Rosa. I’ve spent some time with the latest release from the band, and to be quite honest, it’s not doing much for me. It’s been 4 years since the band has put out an album. Things change, and people change, with time.

I have a couple of quick observations based on the first 15 minutes that I was in the venue.

1) There are a lot of couples at this show. Not just a guy and a girl together, but obviously together. Is there something about The Faint’s music that relates to good sex? Is it great f*** music? If it is, I’m buying a t-shirt at the minimum.

2) There are quite a few people who seem really eXcited to be here. Really eXcited! Maybe that has something to do with number 1?

Now I understand why those days are in the past. I’m just too old for that shit.

Aside from the environment that was a stark reminder of a former self, I was impressed with the intensity of the fans love for the band.  The band has a following, a solid following of fans who are into the band and what they do, and as the set started with ‘Agenda Suicide’, I was that fan for a moment. The song was tight, the light show dazzled, and the screaming, dancing fans made it feel like 1988 was alive and well in 2008. And, just like any high you achieve, you come down, and the down arrived as the band completed stirring the audience into a frenzy for the first three songs, which included a personal fave ‘Take Me To The Hospital’, to lead into the new material. Not to knock the new material anymore than already mentioned, but the songs just didn’t seem to deliver the driving punch of beat laden, bass heavy dance rock than what was just delivered from the band moments before. The true fans stayed true through the newer material and the band dropped the occasional older song in the set to keep up the pace established at the beginning of the set.

I wasn’t really expecting much from this show, but what I did experience reminds of why I’m such a fan/geek about music in the first place. I go to shows for a couple of reasons these days. I go see bands that I’m a huge fan of, to have that experience of feeling connected and unified with a group of people unified and moved by the words and sounds produced by a group on stage. I also find myself attending shows purely to witness the exact experience while looking in from the outside. Watching a group connect with an audience on a level that resembles a religious experience, is pretty cool, even if I’m not a fan of the music. I’ve become a music voyeur of sorts.

Would I go see The Faint again? Yes. Whether or not I think that the new material is as good as the previous work, isn’t relevant. What matters is that the band has managed to achieve what thousands of bands could only dream of doing if even for one day. They’ve tapped into some human emotion or psyche that fans relate to on a level that envokes a sort of rapture. Or maybe it’s just good music to f*** to?

The Faint ‘Agenda Suicide’

Words by: michaelE

more photos

On last week’s All Things Considered on NPR, the program caught up with Spencer Elden (now 17), the boy in the iconic album cover of Nirvana’s Nevermind. Apparently now he’s just a “straight up” California kid, who hates high school and plays Rock Band. The only difference between him and a typical teenager is that he owns a platinum record and his penis has been seen by millions of people. Check out the interesting interview HERE.

Tilly and the Wall have landed national tours with Bright Eyes, Of Montreal and Rilo Kiley, but Thursday night finds them headlining at Emo’s in support of their new album entitled o. The five-piece band’s previous releases, Bottoms of Barrels and We Like Children, were indie pop masterpieces and their latest effort follows suit, while also highlighting the band’s enhanced sound. They’ve got lush male/female harmonies, beats that make you want to dance, and if that isn’t enough, the percussion section is a tap dancer (seriously).

Check out their foot-stomping, high energy show Thursday night at Emo’s with local Austinites Belaire and Ringo Deathstar opening. Show @ 10.

MP3> Tilly and The Wall ‘Pot Kettle Black’

• Stereogum posted on of the more amusing bits awhile back about Fred Durst. That’s right, I said Fred Durst. The guy who used to front the band Limp Bizkit, did an interview with Tom Green on Tom’s online show, and it’s both disburting and hilarious. This is Fred Durst in 2008.  Stereogum’s post is pretty amusing as well. If you want to go straight to the video: TomGreen.com
• This next little piece is going to be a bit lengthy since I can’t actually link to it anywhere on the net. It comes from one of my favorite prints currently, Death + Taxes, and it’s the magazine ending piece titled Music Doesn’t Matter Anymore. Just Ask Maxim, and here’s some bits from the article:

It’s true: Publishing is tough! So much so that staffers at monolithic corporations forget to actually listen to music before they write about it. (In case you’ve forgotten, Maxim recently reviewed the latest Nas album, N*gger, as well as the latest Black Crowes record, War Paint, without listening to either. Both records got two-and-a-half stars.)”
“Maybe judging people’s work is the future of critique. This is why we’ve reviewed the current issue of Maxim without reading it:
The “Letters to the Editor” were hilarious. Writes Tim from West Virginia, “Who decided to put Avril Lavigne on the cover of your last issue? You can’t whack it to a pixie stick. Who’s next? Oprah? Let’s get some tits back on there boys.” What Tim lacks in tact, he certainly makes up for in spirit, a quality we found throughout the rest of issue.

A bit later in the piece.

Though stoked on the content so far, we couldn’t stomach the eight-page “Celebrity Heart-2-Heart: Fred Durst meets Michael Bay” interview. Lucky for us, 16 pages of “Hometown Hotties:Amputee Addition (Non-Vets)” was right around the corner.

How I just managed to give Fred Durst two mentions in one day,much less in one year is beyond me. It wasn’t conscious, it just happened.

1.”The internet leveled the playing field for indie music.” – Big checkbooks and the marketing campaigns they buy still have the edge. The internet just opened the door for everyone. It’s what you do now that you’re in the now overcrowded room that matters.

lies (noun) - untruthful statements made to with the intention to deceive.

Last but not least, New York Magazine posted a piece in it’s entertainment column accusing the music blog site Brooklyn Vegan of a bit of camera voyeurism at live shows. I like cute indie-rock chics as much as the next guy, but butt-crack shots are a bit suspicious. You can read the full post: Brooklyn Vegan Now Just Posting Photos of Random Cute Indie Girls.

What are you reading? I want to know.
-michaelE

]]> http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/07/interesting-reads-bits-pt-2/feed/ 1 http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/06/pics-snowden-wcolour-revolt-stubbs-529/ http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/06/pics-snowden-wcolour-revolt-stubbs-529/#comments Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:12:49 +0000 michaelE http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/?p=1981

Dare I say it one more time? Colour Revolt continues to impress the hell out of me with their intense live performances, with great guitar work and sounds, and vocalist Jesse Coppenbarger intensely laying out the emotions that he’s poured into each of the songs. I can’t say enough about these guys. The live show is great, the recorded material is absolutely amazing, with Plunder, Beg, and Curse being one of my favorite recordings of the year currently.

Snowden, on the other hand, I haven’t had as much experience with. I caught them for the first time last year, while opening for Kings of Leon, and as I enjoyed the set, it was cut short, and I wasn’t enabled the full live experience. I’ve always enjoyed the band’s 2006 release Anti-Anti, and it continues to find it’s way into the shuffle from time to time. Much like Colour Revolt, I wrestle with trying to describe Snowden’s sound, as it’s extremely unique. This unique sound, a bit futuristic sounding without being completely electronic, is set to a frantic yet precise beat by drummer Chandler Rentz, while the the bass lines and guitar race to what feels is building into some explosive ending, while the ending never really arrives. Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination. A journey into a desperate and isolated landscape, while examining the emotions that still keep us human.

The selections from Anti-Anti sound better than ever, with some changes being made to the songs. New material dribbled through the set receiving a warm response, prompts anticipation of new recorded material from this fan.

While Colour Revolt continue to work the road, Snowden will apparently be working on the new material, hopefully finding a home for the songs and a release for later this year. I’ll be watching.

MP3> Snowden ‘Black Eyes’

]]> http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/06/pics-snowden-wcolour-revolt-stubbs-529/feed/ 0 http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/06/itch-pick-605-french-kicks-w-frightened-rabbit-mohawk/ http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/06/itch-pick-605-french-kicks-w-frightened-rabbit-mohawk/#comments Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:14:08 +0000 michaelE http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/?p=1984
Brooklyn band French Kicks are in town tomorrow night at the Mohawk. The band’s latest release, Swimming, their fourth, was produced and mixed entirely by the band and offers up a more melodic and “live” feel than their previous releases, especially when compared to 2002’s One Time Bells and 2004’s The Trial of the Century. The band emerged in the New York music scene around the same time as Interpol, the Strokes, and the Walkmen, and while they didn’t garner as much critical and mainstream praise as immediately as the others, their latest release has given them just that and shows the band’s ever evolving, unique sound. With catchy choruses and layers of guitars and drums upon addictive harmonies, their live show stands to be memorable.

Opening for the French Kicks is Scottish indie rockers Frightened Rabbit With honest, authentic, and almost comical lyrics like, “Jesus is just a Spanish boy’s name” and “say yes before I/you’re the shit and I’m knee-deep in it,” the band’s latest release The Midnight Organ Fight, a follow up to 2006’s Sing the Greys, became an instant favorite of mine. It’s flawlessly crafted indie guitar rock with strong drumming and passionate vocals. If you have a fancy for Twilight Sad, The Shins, or The Clean, definitely check this band out tonight. If you are dying to see them before they hit up the Mohawk Thursday night however, they are playing a FREE instore at End of an Ear (2209 S. First St) @ 6pm.

French Kicks w/ Frightened Rabbit and Zykos @ the Mohawk. Show starts @ 8.

MP3> French Kicks ‘Abandoned’

MP3> Frightened Rabbit ‘Heads Roll Off’

]]> http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/06/itch-pick-605-french-kicks-w-frightened-rabbit-mohawk/feed/ 1 http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/04/sonic-itch-review-ghostface-killah-charlie-brown-remixes/ http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/04/sonic-itch-review-ghostface-killah-charlie-brown-remixes/#comments Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:43:03 +0000 michael http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/?p=1899

Scion has decided that sustaining any type of creativity in a capitalistic society can mend idealism and reality. The youth-oriented car company, amidst one of its many creative avenues, decided it was best to hit their target audience through one of the only ways it can reach them; through music. And now, it’s Ghostface Killah and “Charlie Brown.”

The latest release from Scion Audio/Visual (their in-house record label and yes, the car company) which contain four remixes from France’s DJ Mehdi, Orgasmic and Yuksek, as well as from L.A.’s Guns N Bombs, took the stylistic sounds of Ghostface’s “Charlie Brown” from his recent Fishscale recording sessions and turned them into a solid ground for that ideal reality.

With those four mixes on one release, it was only natural to listen to them like four boys trying to capture my heart (allow me to introduce my idealism seeping through).

Leading off the album was DJ Mehdi who displayed his talents to a base-driven level, defining himself as the groovy mixer of the bunch. Although the slowest of the tracks, he completely understood the need to move by channeling the perfect tempo of funk.

Yuksek’s mix, which took the track a tad faster, knew what we wanted to hear during these moments of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. and dance music, and it’s a ton of dirty synths and hard-hitting beats.

DJ Orgasmic, also known as Orgaga, took the track in a different direction, incorporating an undeniable breakbeat and adding his own twist with a 90’s-sounding loop.

Lastly, duo Guns N Bombs added their electro flair with intelligent cuts and rising tempos, taking the track into the future and making sure we dance until we get there.

To be honest, they each stole my dance-rhythm heart.

With four remixes like this, Scion definitely has their ear tuned to the right artists. And they’re heading in the right direction because beats this hard remixing a rapper this good could only mean that the reality you hear is definitely ideal.

Check out the 12” that will be released in early May.

-Sonya

MP3> ‘Charlie Brown Remix’ Orgasmic

Scion A/V website

]]> http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/04/sonic-itch-review-ghostface-killah-charlie-brown-remixes/feed/ 0 http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/04/jim-james-defines-evil-urges/ http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/04/jim-james-defines-evil-urges/#comments Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:39:58 +0000 michaelE http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/?p=1831 Jim James and band sat down with MTV (gasp! it has happened) for chat about the upcoming release Evil Urges. For those of you who have been fortunate enough to catch any of the more recent live performances, the taste of the newer material probably has the anticipation of the new recording, soaring. MTV has their own take on Evil Urges and what you can expect as a fan and a listener, but hearing come from the man himself is much more interesting.

Evil Urges drops June 10th on ATO Records.

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

]]> http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/04/jim-james-defines-evil-urges/feed/ 0 http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/02/sxsw-itch-pick-the-black-keys/ http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/02/sxsw-itch-pick-the-black-keys/#comments Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:19:35 +0000 michael http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/?p=1651 This is my favorite part of the year where the transition between winter to spring allows room for the weather to get better and for the college basketball games to get more intense. But here in Austin it means something else; it’s almost time for South By Southwest. The list has been released and this year there are over 1,600 bands being showcased to help pack the bars, clubs, streets, bathrooms, pedi-cabs, and any other location were space is available.

And since Sonic Itch Music is well, a blog about music, we’ve decided to do our part and help you guys out a little. I’ll be featuring a band that will be performing during the festival (maybe even some who won’t) to aid that everlasting fear of which show to choose.

And we present, The Black Keys.

Being that this is the city where Stevie Ray Vaughan sharpened his skills to become one of the most influential artists to ever live, there are enormous expectations when it comes to blues music. And the blues are everywhere here, from sidewalks to Antone’s. Any given night in Austin, there are musicians singing for their Tex-mex supper, greeting us with their heart-wrenching tales of Texas blues. So, for a duo from Akron, Ohio to enter the blues arena and challenge the long-standing heavies with their immeasurable sound, completely justifies me showcasing them as the very first band I won’t miss during the festival.

For any blues fan, hearing that 12-bar blues chord progression never gets old, even with one of the oldest forms of American music. But lead vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach revives life and wisdom into his songs, even with his under-30-mind, resembling the sounds of Chess Records, circa 1951. The songs are simple yet poignant, with lyrics keeping in tune with the blues frame of mind. But Auerbach’s guitar-playing skills raise the stakes, adding more than the essential elements that the blues require. Drums, which are done by Patrick Carney, stays in sync with Auerbach’s incessant need to rock. And Auerbach’s pitch-perfect moans complete the sound, making you think he was 75 with a drinking problem.

Maybe it’s the lack of direction that the music industry has obtained or maybe it’s my need to know how the blues should sound, but whatever the reason, these guys are saving all of our heads and minds one song at a time. SRV would definitely be proud that Austin is host to this band again.

And now you can be too.

MP3> The Black Keys ‘Work Me’

Catch their show at Emo’s Main Room (603 Red River) at 1 a.m. (a perfect time for the blues) on Wednesday, March 12th.

-Sonya

]]> http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/02/sxsw-itch-pick-the-black-keys/feed/ 1 http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/02/the-color-of-sound-the-blakes/ http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/2008/02/the-color-of-sound-the-blakes/#comments Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:14:37 +0000 michaelE http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/?p=1634

Color of Sound is an interesting project which presented 5 different musicians/groups with a color, asked them to write a song with that color in mind, and then presented each color/song combination to 5 filmmakers for them to construct a video. Interesting enough? One of my new fav bands over the last year, The Blakes were asked to take part in this project, being assigned the color Blue. They wrote a catchy little song called ‘Magic’, which happens to sound a bit like this little band called The Beatles.

Also included in this project are The Raveonettes, Dntel, Marie Digby, and Swizz Beatz.

Go to Sound of Color.com and check out the songs, the videos for the songs, videos of behind the scene making of the videos, etc, etc, etc…. It’s fun stuff.

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