Archive for August, 2008
Invasion are a self-described ‘pysch-thrash disco-doom’ band from London. That description seems apt enough for me after listening to lead single ‘Moongazer’. In fact, there’s enough metal in there to probably satisfy kids like Kip too!
The band members are Marek (Guitar), Chan (Vocals/Keys) and Zel (Drums). So an often unseen ratio favoring the ladies over the fellas. And hey, if that formula is contributing to their unique output, we need to apply it to bands more often. It’s kind of like Nirvana meets Klaxons meets Kudu. They recently recorded their debut with none other than Simian Mobile Disco’s James Shaw, with a release date set for January. We’ll be keeping our eyes open for that one.
- Sean
Benji Hughes has been haunting my hard drive for a while now, and for some reason I just could not seem to muster any meaningful words about him. Not because he isn’t good - he is. My mind had just developed some kind of mental permafrost that prevented me from having interesting thoughts.
It hasn’t really thawed, but I just couldn’t continue to relegate the guy to the dungeons of my J drive.
Benji is one of those artists that looks like he should sound one way, but ends up being something completely different all together. I mean, he looks like a cross between Rick Rubin and Devendra Banhart, so my preconceptions went into play almost immediately.
But Benji doesn’t sound like a hip-hop producing mogul, nor does he resemble a folk-rock icon. What he does sound like varies from song to song, but it rides a fine line between full-on, joyful pop a la The Flaming Lips/Walter Meego and the early shambolic vibe of Beck. The lyrics aren’t exactly clouded in shadow - not with songs like ‘I Went With Some Friends To See The Flaming Lips’ or ‘Why Do These Parties Always End The Same Way?’ - but they aren’t mindless observations, either. They’re more like witty narrations of nights gone askew, and rarely (if ever) are they not fun.
Benji’s debut album was released on 7/22 on New West Records, so go find it and provide him the funds to have more adventures with which to tickle our musical funny bone.
MP3: Benji Hughes - I Went With Some Friends To See The Flaming Lips
MP3: Benji Hughes - Why Do These Parties Always End The Same Way?
- Sean
Now you’ve got some visuals to go along with that catchy little tune.
MP3: The Faint - The Geeks Were Right
- Sean
This week it’s going to be a fairly major post as I think I have unearthed some real gems from around cyberspace. Don’t know about you guys, but some weeks I’m really open to new stuff! Other times I just want to curl up with some Arcade Fire or something I’m comfortable with like a favourite sweater. This week I’m excited about Hydro Festival and feeling like a kid in a sweet shop.
Scott Kirkpatrick fronted band Chemic have been busy making a mark in Louisville and the Midwest playing constantly with small shows and big (Mark Kozelek, The Six Parts Seven, Phantom Family Halo) and we are soon about to start recording the new record next month. For the rest of the year are going to be playing mostly out-of-town (except for some special local shows) in order to expand and reach regionally and they already have a slew of dates throughout the Midwest. Last year they released ‘Fever on the Forest Floor’. The record was then picked up by Crossroads of America Records and later on they even ended up on the Louisville is For Lovers CDs with Bonnie “Prince” Billy, My Morning Jacket, Dave Pajo (Slint, Papa M), Wax Fang and more. There is something that just grabs me about these guys can’t nail it down but I’m enjoying it anyway!
http://www.myspace.com/chemictheband
Belfast’s Tom Mc Shane - I’m going to have no problem telling you why I was drawn to him. Let’s start with the vocal delivery - it draws you into the great haunting guitar. There is just enough going on but not too much so that you are distracted from the great lyrics. The tracks with a full band are nearly as good, and he is a true talent. I found myself wanting more!
MP3: Tom McShane - The Open Letter
http://www.myspace.com/tommcshane
Young Sensations are an interesting choice for me, probably more radio-friendly than I would generally go for. Some have found shades of Arcade Fire, though for me they kinda resemble the type of thing I could jump around my kitchen to after a few beers. That’s by no means a bad thing, they make good music, great harmonies and feature some nifty guitar work.
MP3: Young Sensations - Happiness
www.myspace.com/weareallyoungsensations
Hey this last band are very very freshly squeezed - so much in fact that I’m spitting out the pips. That does not mean they can’t be good, agreed? The Passengers have no idea how to do PR which I found endearing. There is very little I can therefore tell you except that I listened and listened, and decided I bloody well liked it! Enough said I think!!
MP3: The Passengers - Get Out Of My Head
http://www.myspace.com/thepassengersms
Next week I will probably go back to reverb and feedback but for now enjoy the sounds of summer!!!
- Mark
Our pal Hugh Frost a.k.a. Sportsday Megaphone has been a busy bee since we last caught up with him back in December. He’d recently remixed tracks by Malcolm Middleton, Rumble Strips and The Envelopes, and was hard at work on original material.
Looks like he’s kept at it from the looks of this recent missive that arrived in my inbox: “The debut Sportsday Megaphone album has gone off to be glued together in a factory somewhere…”. He’s also come back with a new video for the single ‘I Think It’s Love’, as well as a few new remix treats from GoodBooks and Rock Sellout favorite Nic Nell.
MP3: GoodBooks - Less and Less (SPMP Remix)
MP3: Nic Nell - Body Fat (SPMP Remix)
- Sean
The Outside Lands Festival wasn’t only about the music (it was called a Music & Arts festival, after all). The show boasted a number of interactive attractions in addition to all the local vendors as well as being a ‘green’ event, with several recycling stations scattered throughout the grounds.
Within the Eco Lands was the Panhandle Stage, powered entirely by solar energy. The stage played host to Liars, Rogue Wave, The Walkmen & more over the 3-day event. There was also a Farmer’s Market, with organic, locally-grown food. There were educational exhibits available on reducing carbon footprints and how to make your home ‘energy smart’, in addition to opportunities to recycle your old cell phone for various prizes courtesy of CollectiveGood.
The folks over at Xlr8tr TV recently sat down with Hercules and Love Affair frontman Andy Butler for a little Q&A on his life growing up in Denver as well as getting together with his bandmates to take over the modern dance world. I thought I’d share it with all you H&LA fans (of which I am one, thank you very much).
MP3: Hercules and Love Affair - This Is My Love
- Sean
Day 2 of my San Francisco adventure started out with a massive headache. A literal one, in this case. But after a trip to the Farmer’s Market and a fabulous cup of Blue Bottle coffee as well as the best darn Buffalo Burger I’ve ever had (possibly the only one I’ve ever had), I was ready to live again. My number 1 pal decided to skip Day 2 though, as all that crowding during Radiohead’s set had put her off festivals (at least for the time being).
I decided since Day 1 was spent essentially camping out for Radiohead, I’d spend a bit more of Day 2 checking out the ‘attractions’ at the festival as well as checking out some of the less crowded stages. According to someone at the box office, Day 2 had around 15,000 fewer attendees, which I buy because it was so much easier to navigate the festival grounds and to get into the concessions.
If you’re a Vancouver local (or not!), I encourage you to go to the outdoor concert - Stanley Park Singing Exhibition!
I’m looking forward to Neko Case & the New Pornographers as well as trying to catch Stevie Jackson (of Belle & Sebastian).
You can purchase tickets here.
-Gina Argentina
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