Category Archives: general

Telekinesis: Country Lane (video)

November 8, 2011 Kevin Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe, but the time for year-end list making is upon us (unless, like me, you sort of, um, just didn’t make one last year). In some ways, these lists feel a lot like the NCAA Tournament – we’re swayed by what’s fresh in our minds. Who has been most impressive most recently? Albums in the first quarter tend to be forgotten as we fawn over the next Greatest Album of This Week.

I hope that line of thinking doesn’t keep Telekinesis’ 12 Desperate Straight Lines from garnering much-deserved attention.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence then that a new video for the song “Country Lane” arrived on Monday, serving as a conveniently timed reminder of Michael Benjamin Lerner’s power-pop prowess. Using clips from the road and scrapbook-inspired animation, the video looks more like a tour documentary showing just how glamorous life as an indie rock star can be.

arizona, general

New Source Victoria: Nobody Knows But Me

November 3, 2011 Kevin 1 Comment

We heard the first bit of the new Source Victoria album in July with a three-song EP for the single “Once I’m Dead” (available at Bandcamp). Now with CDs for Slow Luck in hand, burning a hole in the cardboard box they were shipped in, the band is offering a listen of another new track, “Nobody Knows But Me,” at its website (and below).

It can also be said that the album release show will be on Nov. 25 â€“ that’s Black Friday â€“ at the shiny new Crescent Ballroom in downtown Phoenix with openers Jeff Bufano and Chris Corak (of Reubens Accomplice) and Colorstore. The album artwork was done by Sam Means (formerly of the Format), who is also among the handful of musical contributors that includes Jon Rauhouse (pedal-steel ace and member of Neko Case’s band), Lisa Loeb (yep), Jamal Ruhe (vocals and mastering) and more.

So far as I know, Slow Luck will be available for purchase at most of the major digital retailers (iTunes, Amazon, etc.) and streaming at the usual spots (Spotify, Rhapsody, etc.).

Alas, those are sort of the nuts and bolts of the album. And even though I’ve had it in hand digitally for some time (and now in physical form) and seen the songs live countless times, I’m still digesting it all. Writing anything about your brother’s band is sort of a daunting proposition â€“ not to mention one that will sound totally biased. Nevertheless, I’m hoping to have more as the album release show approaches (maybe even an awkward Q&A with my own brother??).

For now, though, check out “Nobody Knows But Me”:

arizona, general, hip-hop

602’sdays benefit for Mr. Puma: Nov. 1 at Bikini Lounge

October 31, 2011 Kevin Leave a comment

I’ve spent time waxing nostalgic on this site about the Bombshelter DJs, the three-man collective (Z-Trip, Radar and Emile) that I was fortunate enough to see perform regularly in the Tempe/Phoenix area during the mid to late ’90s. They are, without a doubt, some of my fondest live music memories. Those guys were open-minded and forward-thinking, proving you didn’t have to be one one coast or the other to start â€“ and sustain â€“ a movement.

But the weekly gigs and one-off shows weren’t just about turntablism. There were b-boys (props to the Furious Styles Crew) and live art (usually courtesy of Jim Mahfood), but the glue to it all was Mr. Puma, the unflappable emcee with a kind smile and killer verse.

Big-name guests came and went at the various Bombshelter nights, but for me, just a college kid and aspiring newspaper reporter/writer who devoured all things hip-hop, guys like Puma made a huge impression â€“ not only on me, but on the scene he represents.

Without sounding overly dramatic about it, it’s time for the scene to pick up one of its own. I’ve been able to reconnect with Puma via Facebook, where he’s opened up his fight with cancer. Phoenix’s Djentrification is dedicating his 602’sdays night at Bikini Lounge to help raise money to defray Puma’s medical costs. I messaged Puma, asking him if he’d mind if I posted about what he’s going through, and he was (as expected) in good spirits and very forthright about his condition. With his permission, here’s what he said: “I found out that I had a retroperitoneal seminoma tumor, the size of a softball, surrounding my aorta, renal and messanteric arteries, about 9 weeks ago. I have been in chemotherapy for six weeks, have another six to go.”

Guests on Tuesday include M2, Robby Rob, Tricky T, Smite, Rani G and more.

Puma’s been working on a new two-man project called The Gentlemen Ether, which, from the small bit I’ve heard, pushes far beyond the constraints of traditional hip-hop (but that doesn’t surprise me because he’s always shown an eclectic ear for music). Check out the Gentlemen Ether’s “Whoompsh” below, and do what you can to show up to the Bikini Lounge on Tuesday or at least help spread the word.

general

New Nada Surf: When I Was Young

October 28, 2011 Kevin 3 Comments

At 44, Matthew Caws isn’t exactly old. But with a career that’s spanned 15 years (and counting) since the release of Nada Surf’s first album, the band’s frontman is feeling reflective on “When I Was Young,” the lead single from the forthcoming album The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy (due Jan. 24 on Barsuk).

The man who sarcastically offered advice on the politics of teenage popularity â€“ still a great song â€“ is now taking inventory on life in his 40s. Thankfully, Nada Surf has aged gracefully.

“When I Was Young” finds Caws embracing the moment, the sort of earnest writing that took the band from the awkward teen years of “Popular” into more refined territory: “When I was young / I didn’t know if I was better off asleep or up / Now I’ve grown up / I wonder what was that world I was dreaming of.”

Stars is Nada Surf’s seventh album and first of new material since 2008’s Lucky.

Nada Surf | When I Was Young

general, hip-hop, video

DJ Shadow: Border Crossing (video)

October 18, 2011 Kevin Leave a comment

“Border Crossing” â€“ off his new album The Less You Know, The Better â€“ is DJ Shadow’s entry into the immigration debate, with Arizona’s controversial SB 1070 law the obvious inspiration.

The song’s aggro metal riff certainly suggests Rage Against the Machine-like political fury, but the sepia-toned, seizure-inducing visuals complete the picture for the instrumental’s theme.

I definitely applaud DJ Shadow for taking a stand (Sheriff Joe Arpaio should be tied to a chair and forced to watch this video on loop). That said, I don’t see Shadow’s name on the list of Sound Strike artists boycotting Arizona, so I certainly hope he’d feel compelled to come to our state to perform and help educate the masses.

general

Incoming: Wilco, Jan. 21 at Gammage

October 13, 2011 Kevin 1 Comment

This show announcement has awoken me from my recent blog hibernation: According to a Facebook post from the band’s official HQ, Wilco is playing Gammage Auditorium in Tempe on Jan. 21. And that’s an official screengrab of said post.

What you probably already know is that Wilco’s new album, The Whole Love, came out last month, one of the many albums piling up that are demanding my attention.

I have zero ticket information, but I can only assume this is a Stateside Presents show. More info as it comes. Full list of dates at the band’s website, too.

general

New Phantogram: Don’t Move

October 5, 2011 Kevin 2 Comments

Lest too much time lapse between album releases, electronic-pop duo Phantogram (whose debut, Eyelid Movies, came out in early 2010) will release a “mini-LP” next month. Nightlife is due out Nov. 1 on Barsuk Records.

The label unleashed the first track of what appears to be a six-song collection â€“ a handy companion to the fall tour (which stops in Phoenix on Nov. 5) and something to bridge the gap until the next album is released.

Josh Carter (vocals/guitar) says Nightlife serves as “kind of an extension” to Eyelid Movies, and Don’t Move certainly retains that album’s feel with its synth/horn stabs punctuating another of the group’s hip-hop-inspired beats.

Phantogram | Don’t Move

general

People Under the Stairs: Highlighter

October 3, 2011 Kevin 1 Comment

I’m in the process of purchasing/downloading my copy of Highlighter, the new album from L.A. hip-hop duo People Under the Stairs.

I’m a big fan of Thes One and Double K for numerous reasons, and the video above is just another. Their laid-back brand of California cool has just always struck a chord with me. And, to be honest, I haven’t heard a lick of Highlighter yet; hell, I had no idea the release of a new album â€“ their eighth â€“ was imminent. It’s a good idea to pay attention to my email every now and again.

Anyway, check the video of Thes One discussing the digital transformation of the new album, which the group claims to be the first ever commercially released in the Fraunhofer 24-bit HD-AAC. In other words: It’s gonna sound pretty awesome. I wouldn’t doubt it coming from a guy who restores vintage stand-up arcade games. The gearheads out there will probably find this somewhat fascinating, but it’s easy enough for the casual fan to follow along.

And here’s a brief video trailer/teaser about the making of Highlighter:

general, video

Elbow on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

September 22, 2011 Kevin Leave a comment

Elbow brought “Lippy Kids” to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday, further deepening my regret that I won’t be able to see the band in Los Angeles on Oct. 1. How flawless is Guy Garvey’s voice here?

Garvey also chats behind the scenes about the song and New York City here and performed “The River” as a web exclusive:

general, video