Today's Quick Mention: Hope this
doesn't scare you off, but from now until 3/29 this
site will be entirely SXSW-related. Previews,
reviews, pictures, video - we'll have it all
(there will even be a mini-break).
You should come back and check some (or all) of it
out. It'll be fun. I promise.
Not only did I miss the boat on some good music from
Mimicking Birds last year, but I also whiffed on all
the cool stuff they had going on ... like being
handpicked for glory by Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock,
who took them on tour and produced their debut.
Awesome, right? The Portland-based trio's self
titled album can be had now on Brock's Glacial Pace
Recordings. Enjoy.
:Mimicking
Birds - Burning Stars:
"I'll keep an eye on you if you keep one on me" I
listened to this a couple of times before actually reading
the press release that came with it, so I was sort of under
the impression that it was an Isaac Brock side project.
That's how similar the famed Modest Mouse frontman and
singer/songwriter Nate Lacey sound (to me, anyway).
Now, that's not necessarily a bad thing. It just sort
of made me chuckle since the band's name has the word
"mimicking" in it. Anyhow, this is good. Trust
me.
Today's Quick Mention: The nice people
over at They Shoot Music Don't They sent over a link
yesterday that points to a couple of videos
featuring Thao With The Get Down Stay Down
performing in a bathroom. Odd, sure, but you
should check it out. Do so
here.
It's hard to believe that Here We Go Magic already
have a follow-up to the album that I was first
impressed with at last year's SXSW. But, they
do, and despite being a little blown away by the
quick passing of time, I'm anxious to get my hands
on it. Look for the always great Secretly
Canadian to release Pigeons on June 8.
Enjoy.
:Here
We Go Magic - Collector:
I really love this song. It's kind of weird, but not
in the way that you would normally think. There's just
something about its sound, which is very nicely layered with
a whimsical touch and quick paced everything, but still
somehow feels rather relaxing to listen to. Grab
headphones for this. Also, make sure to put their show
with White Rabbits on April 14 at The Independent on your
calendar.
I heard once that in forming the Hold Steady, Craig Finn and
Galen Polivka were watching The Band's Last Waltz
wondering why there weren't more bands doing the whole
"Band" thing. Well, The Hold Steady aren't exactly doing
the whole "Band" thing, namely because they've got their own
"Best Bar Band in America" thing (which sells a ton of
records). But there's a new band in Austin who seems to at
least know what Robbie Robertson had in mind: The
Happen-Ins.
Now before we go any further, let me warn you: the
Happen-Ins aren't up to anything new. In fact, you might be
better off hitting the "well caked in dust" rack over at
Antone's. Are they redefining Austin music? No.
But when the music's this much fun in its unashamed revival
of rock her, who really gives a damn anyway? Says fellow
Austin Sound writer (and friend of the show) Marc Perlman in
his
review
of their new album, "The band has crafted an album that is
perfectly suited for late night whiskey and beer binges,
early morning bloody marys, back yard barbecuing or cross
country drives at sunsets." Essentially, this is the
band for those of you who though about giving up drinking
beer during the week for Lent but ended up going through a
case of Lone Star by Wednesday because "Who would cook 25
pancakes for dinner without having a few beers before,
during and after?" (yours truly).
The Happen-Ins are for those of us who like good music.
Where other "revival" bands fall flat on their own stale
pseudo-covers, the Happen-Ins drive forward with a sense of
energy and joy. Like a chef (or in my case Pancake-Chef) who
continues to prepare a recipe, passed down from generations
back, with all the same care and devotion its original
creator did, the Happen-Ins standout against a backdrop of
the revivalist equivalent of Sonic drive-thrus as far as the
eye can see.
Their album comes out on vinyl on March 12. You can (read:should)
buy it, it's at Waterloo.
Sorry, no jazz this week, I haven't bought any new albums
recently (but will be doing so soon). I'm headed to Paris
next week though, so this video seemed a fitting
replacement:
John Michael Cassetta keeps his own blog, Big
Diction, and writes for the local website Austin
Sound. Comments, complaints, and solicitations
may be directed
here.
Today's Quick Mention: Now that John
Hughes has had a very worthy tribute at the Academy
Awards, the folks out in Hollywood are on the hunt
for his last unpublished script. Can't they
just let the guy go? This reeks of a poor
attempt to cash in on his death.
I've been in the midst
of staring at artists and times for the last couple
of days, so it was a nice change of pace when I
found out yesterday that The Bird And The Bee had
put together an album of Hall And Oates covers.
Below is one of their takes. You'll be able to
get Interpreting The Masters Volume 1: A Tribute
To Daryl Hall And John Oates on March 23.
Enjoy.
:The
Bird And The Bee - Private Eyes (Hall And Oates Cover):
What's there to really say about this? Inara George
and Greg Kurstin clearly have a great appreciation for the
famed 80s duo, and they do nothing to this song that your
parents wouldn't approve of. On a related note, anyone
ever amazed at how some of these super synth-filled tracks
hold up? I guess "catchy" just transcends time and
trends.
Today's Quick Mention: I've put
together a schedule of films and artist showcases
for SXSW over at Sched.org. If you want you
can take a look
here.
Feel free to recommend an artist/film if you feel as
though I've missed something that might be awesome.
Parties will be added in the next couple of days.
Sorry for no content on Friday and Saturday.
As I mentioned last week, I had a funeral and a
wedding to attend. Weird, right? Anyhow,
here's an EP to start the week with. Enjoy.
:Minus
The Bear - My Time:
I know these guys flashed some Top 40 pop leanings on half
of last year's digital single, but I never thought it would
go this far. I mean, this is borderline cheesy.
"I've got your nights/I've got your days/I've got you on my
time" Really!? Still, as usual with them, the
song is as well crafted as can be. It's just more of a
guilty pleasure thing now. Dangerbird Records will
release Omni on May 4.
:Damien
Jurado - Arkansas:
It's non-stop with this guy. He and his brother just
put out a vinyl-only full length as Hoquiam and now he has a
new LP to go along with the slew of solo releases that he's
been streaming out since the late 90s. This song, to
me anyway, is a little more whimsical than what he usually
does. Look for Saint Bartlett on Secretly
Canadian in late May.
:Cults
- Go Outside:
No one seems to have any real information about this duo, so
I won't be going about this like I do. Just know that
the song is the kind of easily accessible pop that only
comes along every so often, and you should definitely grab a
nice pair of headphones and a window to stare out of while
you listen. Supposedly, the Cults will put out a 7" in
December.
:Freelance
Whales - Generate 2nd Floor:
I just starting listening to this band, but I'm already
excited to try and check them out at SXSW. There's
just something very warm and endearing about their sound.
Their debut is titled Weathervanes and it's due out
on May 30 via Frenchkiss Records. Also, if you're not
coming to SXSW, they're out touring around the country with
the SOTO-super-approved Cymbals Eat Guitars.
:Dum
Dum Girls - Heart Of Stone (Raveonettes Cover):
Nothing is ever as perfectly hazy and cool as the
Raveonettes, but the Dum Dum Girls do a good job here of
giving it a shot without seeming as though they're trying
too hard. You should like this. On a related
note, this reminds me to inquire about Dee Dee's other band,
Grand Ole Party. Anyone know if they're for sure
broken up?
Today's Quick Mention: Somehow or
another life has twisted things around and put me in
a position where I have to attend a funeral tomorrow
and a wedding on Saturday. I'll see if I end
up with enough time to get the usual content up on both
days, but don't be surprised if it doesn't happen.
Sorry, friends.
Not sure how it ended up in
my head this way, but I totally thought that Titus
Andronicus was some sort of electronic band.
They're not. At all. Thanks for telling
me. Anyhow, before they arrive for SXSW I need
to pick up their older stuff and The Monitor,
which is the new LP that's due on March 9 via XL
Recordings. I suggest you follow suit.
Enjoy.
:Titus
Andronicus - A More Perfect Union:
I tend to shrug my shoulders at the length of a song, but
there are times where something will drag on simply because
it can. This, even though it's a fairly simple indie
rock tune (think a less pop Desaparecidos), actually manages
to avoid that throughout its seven minute runtime. So
what keeps you tuned in? The lyrics that come with
Patrick Stickles' inspired vocals. The whole thing is
just one great line after another. Can't wait to hear
this live.
Crooks is Josh Mazour on guitar and
vocals, Rob Bacak on drums, and Sam Alberts playing
everything else (trumpet, guitar, banjo, etc.). I first saw
them at the Mohawk’s inside stage early last year. I
actually don’t even remember which band I originally went to
see. The only thing I recall is Crooks stealing the
show.
Normally, I'm not even a huge fan of country music unless
it's Western Swing or Outlaw County, both of which are
obviously pretty specific genres. Crooks, fortunately
for me, essentially falls into the latter category.
They incorporate a little of what I call Forest Rock (others
may call it indie folk) along with some blues and a slew of
other things that make them a true Texas band. Also,
and this may be the best part, Crooks are probably the only
band you’ll find on Red River playing any sort of variation
of outlaw country.
The song
that got me hooked on Crooks was My First, which has
a steady strum reminiscent of He War by Cat Power.
What really makes it work though is the trumpet. I
love how it soars throughout and gives the song a dramatic
quality. Listen to it and you can just picture a
saloon, whisky, and a good old fashioned bar fight.
Or, if you're feeling dangerous, an old Western town where
two gun slingers are in the middle of a Mexican standoff.
By the way, I read this was the first song that they wrote
as a band. When a song like that is your starting
point, you know you’ve got something special. Hank
Williams and Johnny Cash would be proud.
Catch Crooks this Sunday at the Mohawk as they complete
their west coast tour with Western Ghost House (Woodsboss is
also on the bill). If you miss that show you can also
catch them as they play with The Golden Boys at Stubb’s Jr.
as part the WOXY Local Residency Series.
Dan Corbin also writes for a blog called DC Rock
Club. If you would like to contact him in
regards to his writings here at Side One: Track One
then please do so
here.
Today's Quick Mention: I don't understand
how Pavement can book a zillion dates on their
reunion tour and totally miss Texas along the way.
Don't they understand I just want to see them live
at least once in my life? Here's hoping they
somehow end up on the ACL lineup.
I don't
believe Kate Nash's upcoming full length was even on
my radar before I stumbled across a new track from
her yesterday, but now that I'm aware of the album
my curiosity is getting the best of me and I'm
anxious to hear what else she's crafted for it.
The currently untitled effort (my vote is for just
calling it Side One: Track One) is due out on April
20. Enjoy.
:Kate
Nash - Doo Wah Doo:
I didn't at all see it coming, but it would appear that the
retro pop act to watch out for in 2010 is not actually the
Pipettes, but Kate Nash. Who knew!? I had
totally convinced myself that she would be the "songbird
accompanied by a piano" type for all eternity, and yet here
she is taking a chance and hitting out of the park.
Way to be, Kate.
Today's Quick Mention: One of my
biggest guilty pleasures, Robyn, is apparently
planning on putting out three albums this year (one
in the spring, one in the summer and one in the
winter). Awesome. Now I just need
someone to send me those early as early as possible.
Admittedly, Matthew Houck is usually too much of a threat to
instantly put me in a coma with his work as
Phosphorescent, so unless it's something upbeat (and
it never is) I usually don't pay too much attention
to it. But, with that being said, he seems to
have lightened up on his new LP. Hear the
first single below and then look out for Here's
To Taking It Easy on May 11 via Dead Oceans.
Enjoy.
:Phosphorescent
- It's Hard To Be Humble (When You're From Alabama):
It would appear that adding an actual band (Matthew used to
write/record all the parts) and wanting to pay homage to
"heavy hitters like
early 70’s Rolling Stones, Bobby Charles and Dylan’s Street Legal" are the main reasons you and I aren't fast
asleep right now. I'm OK with that. Now excuse
me, I'm going to hang out on a porch somewhere and wait for
more of the same great stuff.
:SOTO
- Episode 117:
This week has my latest favorite album and music from The
New Pornographers, Virgin Of The Birds, Bettie Serveert, The
Light Footwork, White Hinterland, Hoquiam and Red Sparrowes. Enjoy.
If you
would like to subscribe to this podcast in iTunes then you
can do so
here.
Today's Quick Mention: Noah may be taking a
small break from his weekly film guide in an attempt
to re-tool it, but that doesn't mean there's a
shortage of content over in the
Film
section. Definitely do yourself a favor and
check out what you should expect in regards to The Ghost Writer and
The Crazies.
Speaking of going back and changing things up, We
Were Promised Jetpacks have done just that with a
couple of tracks from last year's stellar These
Four Walls. But wait! That's not
all. There's a few new tunes as well.
Below you'll find one. The others are on The Last Place You'll Look, which will be
released by FatCat Records on March 9 (just in time
for SXSW). Enjoy.
:We
Were Promised Jetpacks - A Far Cry:
The new songs on the EP are meant to compliment the "highest
peaks and quietest plateaux" of These Four Walls, so
don't hit play with the hope that you'll be treated to a
different side of the band. You won't. Can't say
that will be much of a concern for many of you though, as
their moody indie rock ways should be far from tiresome at
this point.
We Were Promised Jetpacks - Roll Up Your Sleeves
- John Laird -
Unless otherwise expressly stated, all text in this blog and
any related pages, including the blog's archives, is
licensed by John Laird under a
Creative Commons License.
