Category Archives: general

general, hip-hop

N.A.S.A.: Samba Soul (feat. Del and DJ Q-Bert)

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The more I look at the guest list on this N.A.S.A. album The Spirit of Apollo, the more I look forward to its release on Feb. 17 on Anti-. This might be Handsome Boy Modeling School on steroids.

Given the A-list appeal of the album, it’s hard to not want to pick off individual songs, though I’m sure they take greater meaning in the context of the full album (ain’t that always the case?). Still, Samba Soul brings the funk as Del paces the track with his even-tempered flow, giving way to some delicious Q-Bert cuts. I’m listening quietly on headphones – it is past midnight and some people sleep around here – and I think they’re hiding the full potential of the bass. This track is getting cranked on full stereo at the first opportunity. (Side note: I love that N.A.S.A. segues into N.W.A. in my iTunes library.)

Related:
N.A.S.A.: Money (video)

general, hip-hop

Incoming: DJ Z-Trip, Feb. 18

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You can’t say DJ Z-Trip will ever forget his roots. Case in point: He’s returning to Phoenix to play at Bar Smith on Feb. 18 for the birthday bash of Tricky-T, a local DJ that Z-Trip also brought out on tour a couple years ago.

Tickets for the event are $10 and can be picked up here.

As usual, Z-Trip is keeping busy. His most recent projects include his Obama mixes and a guest spot on the new N.A.S.A. album.

[ZIP]: DJ Z-Trip | Victory Lap: The Obama Mix (Pt. 2)

Related:
DJ Z-Trip at Unconventional ’08
DJ Z-Trip and Aceyalone: Automatic at It (video)
Mama Said Knock You Out (DJ Z-Trip remix)
Z-Trip offers Lounge Act remix for download

general, video

John Vanderslice/Magik*Magik Orchestra Rehearsal

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For those of us that can’t make John Vanderslice’s 10th anniversary celebration of Tiny Telephone, for which he’ll be performing with a 30-piece orchestra, he was kind enough to post a YouTube video to Facebook of rehearsal. It’s just one song — Fiend in a Cloud, the first track off the epic The Life and Death of an American Fourtracker — but it’s a nice peek into what to expect for the show, which is tonight. Here’s hoping the event is recorded to video and/or audio.

Related:
John Vanderslice: Time Travel is Lonely (with Spoon)

general, video

Incoming: Modest Mouse, Feb. 25

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I’m guessing this one will sell out quickly. Stateside Presents is bringing Modest Mouse to play Marquee Theatre in Tempe on Feb. 25. Tickets ($35) are on sale today.

The band sold out the 5,000-capacity Mesa Amphitheatre in May 2007, and Marquee is probably half that size. So if you wanna go, buy tickets now.

According to Brooklyn Vegan, the band will be playing with Jim Fairchild (late of Grandaddy) while Johnny Marr is recording with the Cribs.

Mimicking Birds open the show.

general, video

Yeasayer: Tightrope (live on The Current)

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I’ve spent the past few days with my digital promo copy of Dark Was the Night, the 31-song benefit compilation curated/produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of the National that is due out on 4AD on Feb. 17.

The compilation is an extraordinary feat just from a logistical standpoint. The roster of musicians they’ve gathered for this is astounding: The New Pornographers, Feist, Bon Iver, Andrew Bird, Ben Gibbard, Sufjan Stevens and on and on. (See the tracklisting here.)

But one of my favorite tracks so far comes from Yeasayer, a band that, quite honestly, raised my level of indifference amid all the buzz. Yet, based on my iTunes library’s play count, I’ve listened to Tightrope far more than the compilation’s other tracks (except for the National’s So Far Around the Bend).

What attracts me to Tightrope more than anything on All Hour Cymbals I haven’t quite figured out yet. (OK, I love 2080, but who didn’t?) It’s a song the band has been playing live for the past year, and the studio version – with its infectious world-inspired rhythms – is outstanding.

Here’s a video of Yeasayer performing the song for Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current in October. … Crap. I probably need to revisit All Hour Cymbals, huh?

general, hip-hop

Incoming: Busdriver, Feb. 5

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In one of the stranger concert promotion hoaxes I’ve seen/read about, the guys at the Blunt Club canceled what turned out to be a phantom Killah Priest/Luckyiam show on Feb. 5 after it was discovered there were “rogue agents” taking offers for a tour that never existed.

Thankfully, the Blunt Club crew is well-connected and moved quickly for a more-than-worthy replacement with Busdriver, who released the mind-bending, tongue-twisting RoadKillOvercoat in 2007 on Anti.

I’m already attempting to line up an interview with the man born Regan Farquhar. I hope it happens because there’s one thing I’ve always wanted to know: How do you discover you can rap like that? And at what age? I’m also intrigued by the mechanics of his writing and production. How do you create beats for a guy that spits rhymes at a pace double that of your average MC?

Anyway, Busdriver and Flying Lotus hooked up recently for an Obama inaugural tribute song called Will He, a real think piece among some of the pie-in-the-sky tributes we’ve heard of late.

Related:
Busdriver + Antimc: Pennyaire
Pigeon John/Busdriver, Chaser’s, 10/8/06

general, live

Obi Best, Towncraft and more, Modified, 1/22/08

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Note: This is the first in what I hope will be regular contributions from Jason Woodbury, a local musician (Hands on Fire and Cardiac Party) who has graciously accepted an offer to profile bands/musicians from our fine city/state. Please welcome him aboard.

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Dakota Jeane

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Obi Best

I was fortunate enough to catch the live debut of Shane Kennedy’s Towncraft at Modified last Thursday, supporting Social Science recording artist Obi Best, along with locals
Gita and Dakota Jeane. Gita played a set of pleasant, polite indie folk, while Dakota Jeane, of socialist agit-folk duo Dakota & the Black River Bandit, performed songs from her recently released solo EP My Bell Jar. Her presentation revealed that she’s still finding her footing as a solo artist, but her charm smoothed over any instrumental gaffs. Headliner Obi Best, featuring Alex Lilly of The Bird and the Bee, accompanied by members of Beck and Jenny Lewis’ touring band, played their erudite pop to a devoted crowd. While I stupidly and ignorantly wrote them off as twee pop after precious little research, I was incredibly into their set, especially when Lilly set aside the guitar for a self described “keyboard purse” and the songs took on a demure Stereolab like quality.

It was Towncraft I was most excited about, based on the strength of the members other projects, such as the majority of the group acting as songwriter Daryl Scariot’s accompaniment in Turn Back O’ Man, violinist Megyn’s work with Dry River Yacht Club, upright bassist Dario Miranda’s jazz combo Black Bear Ensemble (who played a phenomenal set down the street at the Lost Leaf after the show) and lap steel player Matt Wisner’s alt-country group Tierra Del Fuego. With the bar set high, Towncraft didn’t disappoint. The instrumental sound of the Dirty 3 might be an easy reference point, but with guitar work heavy on feedback and baring an unmistakable Thurston Moore via John Fahey feel (guitarist Brent Miles was indeed sporting a Sonic Youth shirt), the spaghetti western idea makes for a good starting point, but the sound moves into areas far more spacious, ominous and majestic than a “recommended if you like” tag allows. A Phoenix band to keep a watchful eye on.

(YouTube video courtesy of SilverPlatter; photos courtesy Christian Johnson. For more photos of this show, click here.)

general, year end

Guest list: Nick Piecoro (The Arizona Republic)

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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 because Kevin was interested in having at least one person parrot his picks. He turned to the right guy.

Top five albums

1. Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Fight

It kicks off with The Modern Leper, my favorite kind of indie rock song – anthemic and always building, getting better and better until the final seconds. Yes, it’s a sensitive breakup album, but it’s more than that. It has a song in which frontman Scott Hutchison begs for sex (The Twist), one in which he admonishes the fruitlessness of the anonymous variety (Keep Yourself Warm), and another (My Backwards Walk) where he can’t seem to extricate himself from a relationship (“My clothes won’t let me close the door, these trousers seem to love your floor” “You’re the shit and I’m knee-deep in it”). Yet, somehow, in the end, it leaves you feeling hopeful.

2. Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid

Love the way singer Guy Garvey makes the commonplace unique: “We took the town to town last night, we kissed like we invented it,” or, when speaking of the lure of the local watering hole, “There’s a hole in my neighborhood down which of late I cannot help but fall.”

3. Department of Eagles – In Ear Park

Daniel Rossen’s side project might be even better than his main band, Grizzly Bear. Still, it’s very Grizzly Bearish. Meandering and atmospheric, it tends to grow on you with each listen.

4. Vampire Weekend – self-titled

Justify it if you must by saying you dig its afro-ness, its worldliness, its learnedness, but come on. It’s fun and catchy and pop at its finest.

5. Okkervil River – The Stand Ins

Admittedly, it is (if we can borrow from Squid and the Whale) minor-Sheff, but we love it still.

************

Five more

• Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours

MGMT meets LCD meets The Avalanches and all combine to make an ’80s pop album.

• Fleet Foxes – self-titled

I really like it, but apparently just not as much as everyone else.

• MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

Four kick-ass songs, led by The Youth, but not enough after that.

• Atlas Sound – Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel

I can occasionally be a sucker for dream pop.

• Fuck Buttons – Street Horrrsing

Weird but good. Tribal, noisy, at times a little terrifying, but, for whatever reason, good.

************

Of course, I expect the list to evolve as I discover things I missed. That in mind: Here are three great 2007 albums that I didn’t start listening to until 2008.

1. Broken Social Scene Presents, Kevin Drew – Spirit If…

Dear Canada, Thank you for BSS. Sincerely, Nick.

2. Handsome Furs – Plague Park

P.S., Thanks also for Dan Boeckner, whom I had incorrectly pegged as the clear weak link in Wolf Parade but now view as very nearly Spencer Krug’s equal.

3. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – Soundtrack, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

So beautiful. (And: The movie is also worth it.)

************

11 songs

1. No One Does It Like You by Department of Eagles. It’s four minutes of hand-clappy, catchy, doo-woppy greatness that never gets old, no matter how many times someone might hit repeat on your car stereo.

2. Lost Coastlines by Okkervil River. At 2 minutes, 43 seconds in, you get to the start of probably my favorite minute in music this year.

3. The Youth by MGMT. This is a dreamy and sort of psychedelic hippie-like tune that always always always gets stuck in my head.

4. My Backwards Walk by Frightened Rabbit. Heartfelt, sad and beautiful.

5. Starlings by Elbow. “You are the only thing in any room you’re ever in.”

6. Black River Killer by Blitzen Trapper. It’s like they said, ‘I know! Let’s turn Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian into a Tom Petty song!’ (Side note: Probably my second favorite song about murder, ranking behind Okkervil River’s Westfall.)

7. M79 by Vampire Weekend. I listened to this song while on the M79 over the summer. Yeah, I’m a dork. The song appears to name-drop an obscure minor leaguer(!).

8. Fools by The Dodos. Love the clattering, clanking, frenetic beat.

9. The Grey Estates by Wolf Parade. According to my iPod, I listened to this song 21 times from May through the end of July.

10. 2080 by Yeasayer. The echo-y chants are wonderful.

11. Sweet Love For Planet Earth by Fuck Buttons. This is not for everyone.

Related:
Favorite albums of 2008
Favorite song(s) of 2008
Guest list: Snow Songs
Guest list: Jason Woodbury (Cardiac Party/Hands on Fire)
Guest list: Zachary James Dodds
Guest list: Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World
Guest list: Brian Coughlin of Kinch
Guest list: Charlie Brand of Miniature Tigers
Guest list: Jay Wiggins (aka DJ Funkfinger)
Guest list: Brendan Murphy of Source Victoria

general, hip-hop

Cadence Weapon: Separation Anxiety
(pay what you want)

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Cadence Weapon (aka Rollie Pemberton) has gone and pulled a Radiohead. In a Facebook blast, Cadence announced he’s offering Separation Anxiety, a collection of remixes, collaborations and new tracks, on the pay-what-you-wish scale.

He also says he’s working on two – TWO! – new albums. I loved Afterparty Babies (still do, as a matter of fact), so this is some exciting news.

His note in full:

i make a lot of music. so much in fact, i have trouble releasing it all. the first thing i ever officially released was a patchwork CD-R of random bootleg remixes, verses, unfinished songs and instrumentals called cadence weapon is the black hand near the end of 2004. i had a girlfriend type person spraypaint all the CD decals and i did the official kinkos move for the cover art and tracklisting. now that other people have the internet and use it for hacking music, it’s made releasing music on it a more plausible idea. i wanted to do kind of a new version of the black hand mixtape.

as a result, i am putting this thing out with a pay-what-you-want prompt thing in case you actually like my music (unlikely) and want to pay for it. but you don’t have to pay. please let anybody know who might be interested in grabbing it

it has nevine on the cover!

i am also working on two new albums at the moment. one is called roquentin and it’s about abrupt shifts, hope, humanity, death and bands that take too long to soundcheck. and the other one is with a rapper called subtitle from LA, we’re called fall fashion. the album is mainly about getting fly.

You can pay (or not) for Separation Anxiety at Cadence Weapon’s Web site. (The download comes wtih album art and tracklisting; the mp3s are 320 kbps, but the tags are kind of a mess.) If you’re wondering, I paid $5, mostly because I was interested more in the new tracks than the remixes and such. Below is one of those songs, Roll With the Winners.

arizona, general

Wednesday night: Miniature Tigers in Tempe

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It seems pretty clear that Phoenix’s Miniature Tigers are on the verge of a big year.

Aside from the physical release of the excellent Tell it to the Volcano (out now digitally) on Feb. 17, the band recently was picked up for an East Coast/Midwest tour with Ben Folds. Pretty heady stuff — and well-deserved. After the Ben Folds tour, the Mini Tigers will hook up with another Valley band, Dear and the Headlights, for some dates out West. And they’ll be doing all this with a new member — guitarist Darren Robinson, late of Phantom Planet.

So if you live in the Valley area, you’d do well to check the band out Wednesday night at Yucca Tap Room, where they played in October for a show I put on with Birdmonster. Though the crowd skewed pretty young when I saw Miniature Tigers at Modified a couple weeks ago, I have a feeling they’ll be fine at the 21-and-over Yucca.

Related:
Guest list: Charlie Brand of Miniature Tigers
Miniature Tigers: Cannibal Queen (video)