So, let’s see here … we have another promising Scottish band on FatCat Records, home of The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit. Yeah, I think I can get behind this. Much as I wanted to hate the name, it’s kinda clever. But what came first? The band name or this Threadless T-shirt? We Were Promised … Continue reading We Were Promised Jetpacks: Quiet Little Voices
I’ve gone on and on and on already about Neko Case’s new one, Middle Cyclone. So why stop now? Neko took her act to The Interface over at Spinner for an interview and a few songs. Below is the first single, People Got a Lotta Nerve. And I don’t mean to offend, but does Neko … Continue reading Neko Case performs on The Interface
This Last year, I asked a few Phoenix-area musicians/people of interest for their year-end, best-of lists for 2008: albums, songs, whatever. This installment comes from friend/former co-worker/music lover Nick Piecoro, who covers the Arizona Diamondbacks for The Arizona Republic. Since I’m not a musician, I’m guessing I fall into the “people of interest†category only … Continue reading Guest list: Nick Piecoro (The Arizona Republic)
This year, I’ve asked a few Phoenix-area musicians/people of interest for their year-end, best-of lists: albums, songs, whatever. This installment comes from Jim Adkins, frontman for Jimmy Eat World, one of this state’s greatest music success stories. The band, working on its follow-up to 2007’s Chase This Light, will embark in early 2009 on the … Continue reading Guest list: Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World
This year, I’ve asked a few Phoenix-area musicians/people of interest for their year-end, best-of lists: albums, songs, whatever. It’s only natural I start with Brendan Murphy, singer/guitarist for Source Victoria. And, oh, yeah, he’s my brother, and he’s probably had as much influence on my music tastes as anyone. Go to sourcevictoria.net to download a … Continue reading Guest list: Brendan Murphy of Source Victoria
“How can it be bullshit to state a personal preference?†– Rob Gordon, High Fidelity For the second year in a row, I was asked for a top 10 list that will be included in the annual booklet that local record shop Stinkweeds puts out (get the 2007 edition here). Again, it’s difficult to quantify … Continue reading Favorite albums of 2008
I didn’t want to let myself pick two songs for favorite song of the year. Frankly, it’s a cop-out. Ties are for the weak, like in soccer. Nobody loses! Everybody wins! Lame. But then I was thinking about these two tracks, the two children I was forced to choose between: One Day Like This by … Continue reading Favorite song(s) of 2008
Just a quickie here as we soak in the awesomeness that was Thursday night’s Frightened Rabbit show. 9th Wonder, who a few months ago with Murs came out with Sweet Lord, remixed the Cool Kids’ Delivery Man (via Green Label Sound). Remember: The Cool Kids open for Q-Tip on Nov. 17 at Marquee Theatre. The … Continue reading The Cool Kids: Delivery Man (9th Wonder remix)
The 35th installment of I Used to Love H.E.R., a series in which artists/bloggers/writers discuss their most essential or favorite hip-hop albums and songs, comes from Dan Workman of Toronto-based indie-rock outfit Ten Kens. The band’s self-titled debut is out now on Fat Cat Records (home to SMS favorite Frightened Rabbit). Ten Kens | Your … Continue reading I Used to Love H.E.R.: Dan Workman (Ten Kens)
On the heels of that last Frightened Rabbit post, let’s keep the Scottish theme rolling. Travis has released a second video (here’s the first) for the band’s upcoming album, Ode to J. Smith. (If you recall, this is the song that got me in a little bit of hot water.) According to Travis’ YouTube page, … Continue reading Travis: J. Smith (video)