Forms Of Procrastination

New Life for Edith Piaf

2011-09-11T21:13:00.001-04:00

One fateful Friday (this last one), a dear friend of mine held a very important fundraiser for the homeless. This fundraiser was held at an art gallery. Upon exploring the space, I came across an interactive exhibit surely commenting on the demise of physical audio storage media, in which obserers were meant to pick a record from a large stack to smash with a hammer. I nervously went through the stack, coming across fantastic records such as Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and a couple of Edith Piaf records. Speaking with a woman who donated a number of her albums to the artist for the exhibit, she sighed and said that none of them were worth anything, but if I was dying for one and actually had a player, I could take one. Edith's sound, I thought, was absolutely made for the warmth of a record player. I put the other good albums on the bottom f the stack in hopes that those in attendance would not get that far, and then I snuck Edith out in a friend's friend's vinyl-sized bag, and took her out with me for the night. We went to the wonderful James Vincent McMorrow show at Bowery Ballroom, then out dancing, then home.

Tonight I hooked up the player my brother left for me. I've never set up a player in my life, but was determined to have an evening with my new friend. Oh, the beauty that is this evening! To think that this lovely album was on it's way to never be heard again! Now that I'm finally experiencig it, I'm devastated that other albums met their end that night. I should have done more...Smuggled more! But I'm so satisfied that this album can go on to do that which it was meant for: to bring pleasure and comfort and utmost coziness to the ears of others throughout time. She will last as long as her grooves can hold, and let me tell you...there is no sign of an end for this lady!

Lucky Across the Seas

2011-02-23T23:08:00.003-05:00

New Zealand, Australia, and Europe have it good these next few months. With the exception of the popular US music festivals, many of my favorite musicians are touring overseas. Hey Sufjan, Mumford, Stith, Tallest Man, Wildbirds & Peacedrums, etcetera etcetera etcetera: how about hitting NYC again? I guarantee you good crowds!

Mumford Magic

2010-11-17T01:06:00.000-05:00

I, my friends, am on a concert high for the first time since my last Elvis Perkins concert (and I have been to quite a few concerts since then, let me tell you). My day (yesterday) started with a near-overdose (if such a thing is even possible) of Mumford and Sons on ipod repeat. My friend and I had been looking forward to a live show of this band, as we considered it evident from their album that they would be awe-inspiring live. And so they were.

King Charles opened with pants much too tight, but music that was clearly worthy of the first opening spot of our beloved M&S.

Then came Cadillac Sky, a band of big-boned, incredibly bearded men from the middle-of-nowhere states + Texas. Marcus of M&S came out to drum-assist for a song, getting the crowd ready for what was to come.

And then Mumford and Sons took the stage. The began the night with "Sigh No More," the perfect opener to their album (which, by the way, is the best-arranged album since Modest Mouse's Good News For People Who Love Bad News).

Of course the fact that they have been touring for 2 years worried some that the show might not be as amazing as I was expecting. However, other than a few fleetingly pooped looks from Marcus Mumford following certain strenuous blow-out songs, it seemed clear that they were honored to be there and happy for the love they were feeling from the crowd.

I can't go into any more detail than this as I need my sleep for work tomorrow, but I will attempt to edit with more detail (and concert photos!) when I have a bit more time. As I plan to indulge in the details later, I thought I'd share with you one of Mumford and Songs old compositions, which was neither performed at the concert, nor was it on their last (and first) album. New fans should not miss out on this just because it pre-dates their appearance on the charts:

Mother Don't Worry...

2010-08-27T23:44:00.000-04:00

While the softer album version of this song, "Upwards Over the Mountain," is beautiful and much more in the style of Iron & Wine as we know him, this live recording (which, you should not worry, is excellent quality), is a crisp take on the song. And it truly shows what Samuel Beam can really do with his voice...Niiiiice.

Enjoy!

I'd Be OK with Being Kicked in the Face by One of These.

2010-06-05T15:47:00.000-04:00

audiobullys - only man from EL NINO on Vimeo.

EPID Live Again!

2010-04-27T23:11:00.002-04:00

Ready yourselves for concert photos & regalement. Sufficeth to say, for the time being, that Elvis Perkins in Dearland puts on a damn good show, with brass marching through the audience, feet stomping, a very hoppy percussionist, swaying & rock-n-rolling bromances, and the lovely & intense vocal stylings of the talented Mr. Perkins.

"I'll Be Arriving" stole the show both nights, although the emotion behind Perkins' "Ash Wednesday" (a song about the loss of his parents), was definitely one that should not be dismissed (particularly at the Friday night show).

As I told Kinsey, the EPID drummer, I hate it when they leave. My soul, and excuse my emotional investment, reacts to their music as it would a Lost Love.

And man, oh man, it truly is better to have loved.

And in this case, I do believe I will continue doing so for evermore.

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes

2010-04-27T23:04:00.004-04:00

Yeah, I know...I'm a bit late on this one. These guys have been playing many of the top US music festivals this year. I was introduced to their goodness by a friend, and they fit right in with my heavy indie folk obsession (you can see the attraction once you understand my obsession with Elvis Perkins in Dearland, who, btw, I just saw at NYC's The Bell House back to back on 4/23 & 4/24).

They have a good bit of variation in regards to their style. Check out their album From Below to see for yourself.

Here are a few samples of their wonderful sounds:

"40 Day Dream"

"Jade"

"Kisses Over Babylon"

Video Game Reminiscent

2010-03-29T14:03:00.006-04:00

I've had Vampire Weekend's "Horchata"---off their most recent album, Contra---stuck in my head since yesterday. After verse 1, however, I completely lose the tune to the subconscious takeover of Super Mario 3's Underground theme. Listen to "Horchata," and at 0:21 you'll see why. Now I'm working in Garageband to produce a mashup. Having never used the program before, it's taking a lot longer than I'd like, but I'll get through it. I'm always mashing up songs in my head, or with my roomie (we have completely different repertoires, so when one of us starts singing a tune, the other will join in with a similar but completely different song). I hope to produce a great number of mashups for FoP posting in the future, so I figure this is a good time to start.

There's another song that takes me back to my days of Super Nintendo funtimes, and that's Omarion's "Ice Box." Have a quick listen to the intro:

Sound familiar? Try this on for size (it gets really obvious at 0:59):

Yes, that's Donkey Kong Country's Underwater theme, "Aquatic Ambience," by David Wise & Robin Beanland.

Please post comments if you have more!

Snack Your Eyes 2

2010-03-12T22:22:00.001-05:00

Romantic dreams via stop-motion genius:

Oren Lavie's "Her Morning Elegance"

Snack Your Eyes

2010-03-11T18:04:00.004-05:00

I stumbled across this video on an art blog, and I fell in love. The band, Hold Your Horses, is one I hadn't heard of before, so I can't comment on their repertoire quite yet. This song, "70 Million," has nothing spectacularly new in the sound. Still, it is upbeat & enjoyable, as is the video. Vibrant with color, and humorous in its portrayals of these known pieces, the video, by L'Ogre Productions, is wonderful eye-candy:

If you need help placing some of the pieces featured in the video, see here!

Spring is Coming 2!

2010-03-10T23:58:00.000-05:00

Louis follow up:

Say Israel Kamakawiwo'ole 3 times fast. It's too much fun. As is this song. Kamakawiwo'ole has an equally heart-warming, sunshiny sound to put a rainbow in the sky and a smile on your face. And there is ukelele.

Spring is coming!

2010-03-10T23:51:00.001-05:00

And I say to myself...

Louis Armstrong is the greatest. Ey Satchmo! Get in my pocket. The man warms my soul through my eardrums. I'm really saying "I love you."

Perkins on Tour Again!

2010-03-01T16:32:00.002-05:00

Elvis perkins in Dearland made me nervous at their Music Hall of Williamsburg show in December when Perkins said it was their last show of the tour, and they weren't sure when they'd be going on tour again. It was a major relief when I received an email with a handful of Spring dates. Perkins (sans Dearland) is joining Norah Jones on tour! The man is shooting upward at an alarming pace that concerns my wallet. Last summer I saw him with Dearland for $3. Last year the band went for ~$15. Soon tickets with Perkins' name on it will be going for $30-40. I'm calling it, so keep an eye out. You'll be able to tell how far they've come by the increase of stage size and location next time they play Bonnaroo or the Newport Folk Fest, etc.

The rest of Perkins' spring dates WILL include his Dearland mates (whose instrumentation and general energy adds a great epic-osity to Perkins' already mind-blowing goodness). In addition to two NYC dates for the entirety that is EPID, the band will also be playing the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival weekend. The festival's lineup is comprised of an insanely massive list of great talent that includes Simon & Garfunkel.... Enough said.

Mar 20 Chicago Theatre w/Norah Jones Chicago, IL (Elvis solo)
April 23 Bell House w/Dawn Landes Brooklyn, NY
April 24 Bell House w/TBD Brooklyn, NY
April 30 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival NO, LA
Ticket Link: http://www.nojazzfest.com/tickets/
May 06 Saenger Theatre w/Norah Jones Mobile, AL (Elvis solo)
May 08 Orpheum Theatre w/Norah Jones Memphis, TN (Elvis solo)
May 09 Alabama Theatre w/Norah Jones Birmingham, AL (Elvis solo)
May 11 Thomas Wolfe Aud w/Norah Jones Asheville, NC (Elvis solo)
May 12 Ovens Auditorium w/Norah Jones Charlotte, NC (Elvis solo)

Wildbirds & Peacedrums LIVE

2010-03-01T00:33:00.025-05:00

I saw the Swedish duo live Friday night at the intimate Bowery venue, Mercury Lounge.

The show was opened by the Loom, an enjoyable crew that sounded like a mix between the night's headliner and Beirut (at least when it comes to the trumpet's definition in their tuneage). I can see how their stuff could be really great, altho the sound levels were poorly mixed at the show, and there appeared an occasional dissonance from some of the instrumentation as well. Regardless, they're definitely worth a listen.

As for the main attraction: Mariam Wallentin's voice does things that Mariah Carey probably wished she could do when she was at her vocal best (you may think I exaggerate, or you may think "apples and oranges," but I certainly prefer one to the other). Her sometimes smoky, sometimes smooth, always incredibly-ranged voice-box jumps around like an absurdly graceful jackrabbit, simultaneously sabotaging you emotionally with unexpectedly long and wonderfully placed pauses. Same goes for Wallentin's husband and drummer bandmate, Andreas Werliin. His rhythms violated all kinds of expectations, calming at one moment, and exploding the next, suddenly changing tempo while the audience wonders how the couple could collaborate on such avante-gardely timed music. Their internal clocks must have been linked like those interactive Tamagotchi Connection pets, reading the sheet music in the other's souls, following some soundless metronome connecting their hearts. Ok, too much, I know. But I couldn't get over it. How did they know when to play off of each other in such a destructured song? Miriam probably just told Andreas to wait a long time in silence before coming back in, but I like the tamagotchi idea better (for a number of reasons, including my romantic soul as well as my "you know you grew up in the 90s when..." nostalgia. It's Aaaaaaall Thaaat!).

And I must mention the instrumentation. Other than Miriam's vocals & the vocal fx put on it, the harmonica is the only non-percussive instrument on the stage, making a single appearance the entire night. Granted there are some pre-recorded backing tracks, but there is an unbelievable excellence in the barely-melodic (when at all) instrumentation of this music still refreshing your soul, sending out calming energy. What a paradox: the stage being wholly comprised of percussion, and the breaks and changes in tempo promising theorists that the music will be incapable of being followed. It should induce anxiety, but instead the notes of the steel drum pair with the brushing of the snare to take you to a dreamy rainforest in which you can hear the music of giant raindrops softly bursting on leaves and branches, high and low, washing away your troubles and revealing the beauty of the world in its most natural state. Both heavy and uplifting, it washes away any negative auras as a heavy rain, theoretically bleak, washes away the dirt and disgust, leaving rainbows and fresh smells and the sparkle of morning dew.

Ok, enough romanticism. I know this post got a little out of hand, but now that I've calmed down, please take me seriously when I say it really would benefit you to catch them live.

They Say It's Your Birthday!

2010-02-26T01:26:00.003-05:00

Happy belated (by 1 1/2 hours) birthday to my favourite Beatle, the late, great George Harrison.

Harrison brought the Indian music influence to the band (after falling in love with the sitar) and greatly increased Americans' awareness of Indian culture in the 60s (attn: Hare Krishna Movement). Acknowledged as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Harrison added the "Ah, look at all the lonely people" to "Eleanor Rigby." Where would that song be without that line?? He penned the beautiful Beatles tunes: "Here Comes the Sun," "Something," "I, Me, Mine," and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," to name a few. Old George's awesomeness didn't stop there. In the 1980s he participated in the forming of the supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys. His bandmates included Jeff Lyne (of Electric Light Orchestra), Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan. Yes, when I say "supergroup" I mean "SUPERGROUP!!!"

In honour (thank Britain!) of our beloved George, I give Harrison, along with the rest of the Fab Four, singing himself a birthday song:

And "Within or Without You," a song that represents a major influence on Harrison, which majorly influenced (in a beautiful, evolutionary way) the US through Harrison (get your sitar on, man!):

And I just can't leave of one of my favorite Beatles songs, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps:"

Happy birthday, Harrison. Thanks for the music.

Notables:

2010-02-24T00:53:00.005-05:00

1. Jason Schwartman is amazing. Great actor & writer, as well as a great musician. Some were aware of his role as drummer in the band Phantom Planet, but his new solo project, Coconut Records, is a definite winner. In addition to the most excellent track, "West Coast" (as can be heard in the following video endorsing an excellent project called "Opening Ceremony" that you should look into):

non plus one final from Tracy ANTONOPOULOS on Vimeo.

he also wrote the theme song for his HBO series, "Bored to Death." My lack of HBO has prevented me from watching the show, but the theme song is excellent!

2. I just learned (ridiculously late), that Johnny Marr, the guitarist of the Smiths, joined Modest Mouse in 2006, guitaring it up on the album "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank," and touring with the band through 07. Go Marr! I love consistent awesomeness. He's currently the guitarist in the new band, the Cribs. I caught a couple tracks, which weren't bad. Still I have yet to form a strong opinion. It's nearing my bedtime, so the time is limited and the attention waning.

3. Jimmy Page (of Led Zeppelin), Jack White (of the White Stripes) and the Edge (of U2) have gotten together on a music documentary. I'm excited. To the Edge-haters out there, give the thing a chance. I can't imagine how this much greatness can end badly!

Wildbirds & Peacedrums

2010-01-14T11:27:00.004-05:00

I've been in need of some playlist refreshment from over-saturating myself with good stuff. Not to mention I need to recharge myself in the way that only an excellent concert can do. So I went to Bowery Presents website, picked out the bands with upcoming shows and interesting names, and gave them a listen to plug myself in. Enter Wildbirds & Peacedrums. The name of this Swedish duet alone is music to my ears. It calls to mind images of brightly sunlit dark green forests, colorful feathers, and heavy percussive puncuation. An excellent juxtaposition of polar opposites, heavy and light, dark and bright, that blend perfectly without losing any of its flavor. This is not a melting pot, nor is it oil & water. It's chocolate covered pretzels...perfectly complimentary to bring out the best in what wouldn't exist without the other. Yes, it's wonderfully fantastical. I am correct, sir! The singer has a Feist-y thing going on (especially in the second of the tunes I posted), but somehow she makes it interesting. Maybe it's the backdrop upon which she sings her melodies, or the quirks she throws in just when you think she's too close to coffeehouse acoustic. Eitherway, it makes me want to Billy-Elliot in a less graceful, but much more fun, fashion. Have a listen or two:

Bluesy Native American chanting & drumming wonder:

This is the semi-watered down version, but it's still good.

The great thing about "My Heart" is this: all the recordings are practically the same, no matter which you choose to listen to, but still somehow they have enough variation so that if you listen to one, it's more pop, another is jazzier, and yet another is heavier blues. Whatever your mood, there's a version of the same song to please you. Unless you're looking for death metal. I don't think they swing that way, sorry.

ENJOY!

Sufjan Stevens & DM Stith

2009-11-09T14:36:00.009-05:00

Since moving to NYC, I've been to a couple of Sufjan Stevens concerts & events, including the screening of his film, The BQE. The screening was opened by MC Sufjan Stevens, DM Stith (an artist from Stevens' label, Asthmatic Kitty), and Osso, a string quartet that played orchestral variations of Stevens' album, Enjoy Your Rabbit.

First I want to note that the currently unreleased songs Stevens played at the concerts I attended, one at Bower Ballroom on October 4, and the other at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 6, are completely amazing. Sufjan doesn't disappoint. Here is one example...imagine this one live, with the piano filling the room, completely enveloping you. I'm sorry I can't let you feel the actual feeling, but it was heavy:

"Barn Owl, Night Killer"

Maybe I'll discuss these shows in detail on another occasion, but for now I want to move on to Steven's label-buddy, DM Stith. He's absolutely amazing. His often dark style may be a lot to handle at times, but they are entirely beautiful. His soft-flowing yet wide-ranging melodic vocals, earthy acoustics and production, all married together perfectly, giving his music great depth and his audience a great many pleasant surprises. Sith somehow gives even his darkest, heaviest songs a heavenly sound that might leave a listener uplifted and downtrodden at the same time, certainly perplexed. Here are a few that I've been listening to on repeat:

"Pity Dance"

"Around the Lion Legs" (one of his lighter songs)

"Thanksgiving Moon"

I would also really recommend listening to Stith's "Fire of Birds." I know that's a lot of recommendations, but understand that you can't go wrong with Stith.

"The Question" by Elvis Perkins, All Night Without Love EP

2009-09-06T11:35:00.000-04:00

What do you do when someone you love, w/o question or warning, is swallowed by a bird, who is swallowed by a mountain or swallowed by a dream come true? Unlucky children is the question of my life, the riddle of my body, the air I breathe.

New York, New York!

2009-09-04T18:37:00.004-04:00

Today's tunes of the day are classics. Forgive me if you're not a fan of Mr. Sinatra, ol' blue eyes, but you have to give him some props, for as clean-cut as his corrupted form of jazz was, it did and still can make for good entertainment. As for Billy, forget about it...it's just so good. I'm moving to NY to start my career in the music industry (not the devil-machine, but the artist promotion world that makes good music known...just what I try to do here, except hopefully I'll have more reach than I do now...hopefully to REAL people), so here are a couple of songs in honor of this big step of my life, and the music I can't wait to experience!

"New York, New York" Frank Sinatra

"New York State of Mind" Billy Joel

I'm almost officially a New Yorker! Music industry & concert expenses, here I come! Sing me a song, Bowery man, I'm in the mood for a cool melody every night of the week, and I want it sung to me live, under the stars or the bright stage lights.... I want my organs to dance and be made to feel almost uncomfortable, but still good, via the sonic glory that is the vibrations of bass. Yes, there is a dance party. All the time.

Elvis Perkins' FALL TOUR DATES

2009-08-13T13:56:00.004-04:00

Elvis Perkins in Dearland is going on tour for the release of the new Doomsday EP. I STRONGLY SUGGEST you catch one of these dates as Perkins is rising fast. I saw him with his band about 4 months ago at Brattle Theater, capacity 235. He then played both the Newport Folk Festival and Bonnaroo. Now he's playing at the Bowery Ballroom and the Music Hall of Williamsburg, each one a 550-capacity venue whose rosters have included the likes of the great Sufjan Stevens! There's a date here for everyone, so don't miss experiencing this wonderful music in its live excellence (and trust me, they are excellent live!):

9/2 - Elvis Perkins (Solo) at Housing Works - New York, NY (Yellow Bird Projects Presents)
9/3 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR
9/5 - Bumbershoot Festival - Seattle, WA
10/02 - The Casbah - San Diego, CA
10/03 - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA
11/04 - Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival - San Francisco, CA
10/31 - Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble - Woodstock, NY
11/1 - Mountain Stage - Charleston, WV
11/3 - The Southern - Charlottesville, VA
11/4 - Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall - Asheville, NC
11/5 - The Earl - Atlanta, GA
11/6 - Cafe 11 - St. Augustine, FL
11/7 - The Social - Orlando, FL
11/9 - Club Downunder - Tallahassee, FL
11/10 - Bottletree - Birmingham, AL
11/11 - The Parish - New Orleans, LA
11/12 - Walters On Washington - Houston, TX
11/13 - The Parish - Austin, TX
11/14 - House of Blues - Cambridge Room - Dallas, TX
11/16 - Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack - Little Rock, AR
11/17 - TBD - Nashville, TN
11/18 - TBD
11/19 - TBD
11/20 - Gargoyle Club - St. Louis, MO
11/21 - TBD - Chicago, IL
11/30 - Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
12/01 - The Hi Hat - Providence, RI
12/02 - Rock and Roll Hotel - Washington, DC
12/03 - First Unitarian Church - Philadelphia, PA
12/04 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
12/05 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY

10/02 - with Cave Singers
10/03 - with Other Lives
11/03 - 11/21 with A.A. Bondy
11/30 - 12/4 with Bowerbirds

I've Gotta Get Out of This Place

2009-06-18T21:15:00.006-04:00

Unemployment and a month (going on 2) stuck in a small condo with my parents in a place so un-me (and so far from anyone else I know) as Miami Beach is leading me deeper and deeper into a most unfavorable state. Not that I don't love them, but I need a break, or at least something to occupy my time.

I give you the Animals (a hit during the Vietnam War...thank you for adding this song to my repertory, "Popular Music of the Vietnam War" capstone paper! That was a good decision on my part):

And:

Directions

2009-06-13T01:45:00.003-04:00

Every time my navigation says "turn slightly right," Queen ensues:

- "I'm Going Slightly Mad," album: Innuendo

Which reminds me: I love Sirius satellite radio for the Classic Vinyl station, but they are seriouously lacking in the Mercury/May dept. Let's trade some Bob Seger or Jimmy Buffet out for one of the greatest bands of all time. What do you say?

In further news, it's been about 14 days since I've utilized my iPod. I MUST BE going slightly mad!

These directions are given to me upon my return from Scuba-ing in Key Largo. Which means my head then begins playing The Beach Boys' "Kokomo:"

"Key Largo, Montego, baby why don't we go..."

And yes, this is the muppet version. Why? B/c they introduced me to this greatness when I was a wee little girl. It's absolute brilliance both ways.

Send my regards from Kihei

2009-06-03T03:05:00.003-04:00

I've been spending the last 3 days scuba diving and surfing in Kihei. This, of course, means that I've had Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World." And yes, it is a wonderful world I'm livin' in (ignore this: feline feminine fantastical women...).

If you haven't heard this yet, prepare yourself for a much better life to come.

Yesterday's Artist

2009-05-22T12:30:00.004-04:00

When I say "yesterday's artist," I mean it literally. Both songs of the day for my yesterday are by The Dears, making the band "Yesterday's Artist." Both songs are off of the band's 2006 album, Gang of Losers.

"You and I are a Gang of Losers"

"Ballad of Humankindness"

SPOILER ALERT:
If you're wondering what songs you're hearing in the second verse of "Ballad," the line "No one should have to live all of their life on their own" is straight out of the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby," while the line "I turn on the news and there’s always some dude..." is, if I'm not mistaken, has Wheatus' "Teenage Dirtbag" written all over it. I know it might have been bothering some of you imaginary readers out there, as it was bothering me until it clicked. I thought I'd save you the trouble of agonizing over it if agonizing's not your thing.

WHAAAAAT

2009-05-20T15:17:00.002-04:00

Pink Floyd's excellent tune, "Have A Cigar," covered by Foo Fighters with BRIAN HAROLD MAY, the unmatcheable guitarist from the most excellent band, Queen, who is my favorite guitarist of all time. Enjoy the power of his guitaring. This cover is a force.

The Acoustical Brilliance of Shell Crumbs

2009-05-20T13:22:00.003-04:00

Thanks to SoulPancake.com for the enlightenment in regards to the following:

Diego Stocco - Music From Sand from Diego Stocco on Vimeo.

Elvis Perkins Once Again

2009-05-19T19:50:00.006-04:00

It's time have yet another session of homage-payment to the one and only Elvis Perkins. Here are two absolutely necessary tracks from his solo album, Ash Wednesday:

"Moon Woman II"

"It's Only Me"

Every song on this album is great, just like every other song Elvis Perkins has written, but the studio version of "It's Only Me" is worth a listen, as the entire album is worth a purchase.

Perkins is the first artist in a long time that I've been so into. I refuse to listen to his music on anything less than Apple Lossless CD import quality, & only thru my Bose headphones if it's coursing thru from my ipod. As little of the quality as possible should be lost when listening to his stuff, because his music is 100% haunting in its beauty, and not a microscopic measurement of his music's depth should be dampened.

If you can catch Perkins in Dearland live, it's awe-inspiring.

I know it sounds creepy, or at the very least unhealthily OCD, but trust me it's healthy, and when you hear "While You Were Sleeping" high quality, you might cry and wonder why you've gone so long without such goodnessforyoursoul. It's a total relaxer, soul-refresher. Elvis Perkins (in Dearland) is the sonic equivalent of a fresh breeze, quenching the once-antsy thirst of your mind.

Too much? I'm sorry...don't be frightened.

Soundtrack for your studious enjoyment:

2009-05-07T18:27:00.006-04:00

By 9 am tomorrow, I will be B.A. certifiable. It wasn't easy. I've been running on nap-juices after having pulled 3 allnighters in a row, with little sleep per night before that. I can't tell you how many double shot espressos, red bulls, and other proven-useless goodies I've done in the past week. That's right folks, according to some studies, if I hadn't taken naps, I would have been the mental kind of certifiable. After a night of mild hallucinatons and repeated 1/2 second noddings over my books, I turned on some techno to keep myself awake. It worked like a charm. I am SURE that some of you, my imaginary readers, are or will be soon going through finals periods of your own, so I thought I would provide you with 2 pieces of music to help you get through it:

The Stay-Awake song:
Here's a techno piece. It's "No Static" by Bottin. I'd never listened to techno before, but a tecno-geek / study-buddy of mine was playing some stuff and I found the urgency of the beats he was playing to push me along. From my limited experience w techno I've come to the conclusion that a lot of it is about different textures, and it's much harder to know what to expect w a techno song outside of the beat itself, because the sounds and ornamentation is always changing. The consistent surprise will hopefully keep your brain working just enough for you to stay awake without getting distracted by lyrical music...Another friend and I were talking about the following theory: it's possible that while listening to lyrical music your ability to write is diminished because the language part of your brain is also working on the lyrics. This piece, "No Static" by Bottin is meant to be your lead in to techno world for studying purposes. Careful tho, some techno is too trancey, so if you play the wrong song you might end up zoning into nothingness, which is the opposite of what you need.

The take-a-break-and-relax piece that will inevitably be relevant to your tired situation:
This one's a surprise. Or it would be if it didn't say what song it was on the embedded youtube vid down there. Listen to it on your break...it's a lovely, calming piece that is also amusing in its relevance.

Happy slightly belated, Pete!

2009-05-04T02:13:00.007-04:00

The wonderful activist, folk revivalist, and (of course) 1996 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee (see his HoF profile here: http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/pete-seeger) Pete Seeger, was 90 years old yesterday (b. May 3, 1919). Unfortunately I had to miss his birthday party in Madison Square Garden because, ironically, I'm writing a term paper on the music of the Vietnam War, which of course has quite a bit of Seeger in it. Thus I must wish Seeger a happy birthday from my on-campus suite just 22 hours before this paper is due (and, not to belittle the importance of this post, that's where the procrastination comes in).

In honor of this great musician, who inspired the likes of Bob Dylan, as well as the rest of the Vietnam War protest music, I'm enlightening you, my imaginary (& apparently Seeger-unawares) audience, of his ohsogoodness, that makes my life ohsonice, and was created to make everyone's lives ohsonice&peaceful&loving&beautiful.

"Where Have All the Flowers Gone," written by Seeger & Joe Hickerson

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Here's Seeger's birtday invite, including the amazing birthday lineup which makes me want to weep bitterly, thank you very much Peace & Justice major final term paper (from: http://www.seeger90.com/)

"You are cordially invited

The Clearwater Concert:
Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders

A benefit concert in celebration of

Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009, 5:00 p.m.
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com.

Tickets range in price from $19.19 (the year Pete was born) to $250,
with the majority of seats at $90 to honor Pete's 90th birthday.

Every ticket purchased includes a one-year membership to Clearwater (new members only).

Featuring....
Pete Seeger
Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine)
Bruce Springsteen
Tyler Ramsey (Band of Horses)
Dave Matthews
Warren Haynes
John Mellencamp
Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet
Ani DiFranco
Bernice Johnson Reagon
Arlo Guthrie
Dar Williams
Béla Fleck
Eric Weissberg
Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses)
Guy Davis
Ben Harper
Jay Ungar & Molly Mason
Billy Bragg
John Hall
Bill Nershi (String Cheese Incident)
Kate & Anna McGarrigle
Bruce Cockburn
Larry Long
Del McCoury
Martha Wainwright
Emmylou Harris
Mike & Ruthy Merenda
Joan Baez
NYC Labor Chorus
Keller Williams
Ruby Dee
Kris Kristofferson
Scarlett Lee Moore
Michael Franti
Tao Rodriguez-Seeger
Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)
Teddy Thompson
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Tom Chapin
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Tom Paxton
Richie Havens
Tommy Sands with Moya & Fionan
Roger McGuinn
Tony Trischka
Steve Earle
Toshi Reagon
Taj Mahal

And the Native American Indian Cultural Alliance...
Bill Miller
Margo Thunderbird
Casper Lomadawa
Oren Lyons
David Amram
R. Carlos Nakai
Eddie Benton
Tiokasin Ghosthorse
Joseph Firecrow
Vernon Masayesva
Joanne Shenandoah
Victorio Roland Mousaa

All proceeds to benefit the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater (www.clearwater.org),
a non-profit organization created to defend and restore the Hudson River."

Ouchies, that hurt BIGS.

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And here's a link to the post-party article in some publication I hadn't heard of. I post this link mainly because of a most excellent Seeger quote midway down the page:

"Springsteen said that he never saw Seeger more happy than at Obama's inauguration, noting that Seeger saw Obama's ascendancy as proof that he, Seeger, had 'outlived the bastards.'"

YES.

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/03/pete_seegers_90_birthday_concert_and_president_oba/

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So happy 90th, Pete. You have no idea how sad I am to have missed it. I'll see you next year, at your 91st!

Are you moving much too fast?

2009-05-03T00:04:00.003-04:00

We need a breeze to blow us all away.

"The Breeze"by Dr. Dog

Sacred Harp goodness

2009-05-01T22:54:00.003-04:00

"The Traveler, 108b" - Sacred Harp singing by Cordelia's Dad.

Sacred harp singing is completely awesome live. I know b/c I saw the Interstate Sacred Harp Singers opened for Elvis Perkins in Dearland at Brattle Theater. You should definitely check it out live if you get the chance, b/c it's definitely something else, and completely different than when you hear a recording. DO IT.

You were wearing quite a number at the martian petting zoo eating purple colored peanuts from a hippo sized balloon

2009-04-29T15:07:00.003-04:00

Hippo-sized balloon.

So very good squared. The refreshing tune is paired with hilariously ridiculous lyrics that paint the most entertaining spacey picture. There our singer is, "sitting on an orbit floating off in space" when the "pretty purple top-hat" of the one who we can only assume is his love-interest, hits him in the face. It's okay though, because he has a crush on her and pays quite a bit of attention to her (we might even call it stalking) when he sees her at the martian petting zoo. Ultimately, however, the love is reciprocated. They are joined at the hip, holding hands and staring at submarines, and then taking each others hands (it is unclear whether or not they had let go previously) and crossing the sea (a dangerous feat when attempted alone). "Aaaaaahhhhh a-a-a-a-a-a-aaaaaa-aaaaahhhhh."

PS- I severely doubt that this is the legit vid for the song, but it's entertaining nonetheless.

Elvis Perkins in Dearland

2009-04-23T02:04:00.005-04:00

This post is all about my favorite artist/band of the year, the little-known and should-be-widely-known (for the benefit of music appreciators everywhere) Elvis Perkins (in or out of Dearland), who is certainly in my top 10 favorite artists of all time. I'm not going to break down their music for you...it's late, so I'll save that for another day.

I'm going to give you a link to the vid for my favorite song, "While You Were Sleeping," but just know that this is not the best version. I can't find my favorite version anywhere online...I downloaded it from their myspace or something over the summer & it's no longer there, but this is the closest version I could find (live on Letterman...GO PERKINS IN DEARLAND!). It's still beautiful, but when you ask yourself, "OH! Can it get ANY BETTER THAN THIS?!?!?!?!???????!!!!!!" that the answer surprisingly is "yes. Elvis Perkins in Dearland can make the most amazing things happen."

And my 2nd favorite song, which actually has more general appeal:

ENJOY. May they move you in the way that they've moved me. Refresh the soul!

50 Ways...

2009-04-22T01:03:00.001-04:00

...To Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon

...To Make A Record - Kid Cudi

Best surprise ever? Paul Simon's pre-recorded vocal appearance @ 1:46.

Kudi's got good taste, my friends.

Hhhhhhh

2009-04-20T04:41:00.001-04:00

The first 0:40 of Cat Power's "In This Hole."

Flight of the Concords' "Business Time" just came on my iPod (song shuffle), and I must say I never thought I could be so strongly opposed to this hilarious tune until I felt the pain induced by the 24 seconds prior to my hitting the "next" button.

Do you ever worry that if you listen to a song at the wrong time you'll never be able to appreciate it fully again?

I do.

Inaniel, miel leilani

2009-04-16T19:30:00.001-04:00

"Inaniel" - Devendra Banhart

Don't listen to this song if you're blue. I find it very refreshing, but it definitely has all the attributes of a beautiful downer.

Songs of the day:

2009-04-15T03:43:00.001-04:00

Randomly stuck in my head all day:

"After the Curtain" - Beirut.

I just keep hearing "left rigt, le-e-e-eft riii-iiight. Left right, le-e-e-eft right."

Re-discovered & brilliant:

"Where Do You Go to, My Lovely" - Peter Sarstedt

A most excellent tune from Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited. Listen to it first while watching the film. It's a great song, but it's so much better with Anderson visuals. And, of course, the film is brilliant.