Matador Nights » Music

Your Ashes on Wax: AndVinyly Is Putting the Fun Back in Funeral

Kate Sedgwick — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:07:17 +0000

Photo Mashup CC by Kate Sedgwick from record photo by seventime and skull photo by BenedictFrancis, also used as feature photo

Hey, it’s your funeral.

And when you consider the average cost of one these days, the price seems almost reasonable.

It’s now possible to have your ashes imbedded in a record after you die.

If you would like to be buried, there’s no reason you can’t opt to have part of your body cremated to undergo the process, according to the AndVinyly website. All I imagine you would have to do is find a mortician willing to dismember a portion of your corpse and cremate it separately. That couldn’t be much of a problem, could it?

The process is not only reserved for human beings. Be it your hamster or your schnauzer, your pet is also eligible to be memorialized forever in vinyl.

Cremation (and possibly dismemberment) costs aside, the £2000 ($3,080 US) price tag includes:

*Your ashes pressed into the vinyl surface of up to 30 records of up to 12 minutes per side (24 minutes total).

*A record cover with “standard R.I.V. artwork” (‘Rest in Vinyl’ in case you were wondering, which from the looks of things is a black cover with your name and birth and death dates on a black sleeve in Minion Pro font).

You supply the audio and the ashes, and AndVinyly does the rest.

And they offer extras in spades.

Custom Tracks

If pressing a meaningful song from your life, the revving engine of your Prius (so close to silent), or the popping of an empty disc in a room full of grieving relatives isn’t unique enough for you, you can get the electronic musicians of The House of Fix or Daftwerk to take direction from you or simply press off one of their already existing songs (which can be heard at the website if you happen to select a track that works) for a mere £500 per track.

So if you feel concerned that your wake and funeral won’t call back memories of black painted plywood, the smell of smoke and Red Bull and the sound of a strange teenager coming to stark reality from a K-hole with a series of mind melting shrieks that overpower the throbbing monotony of the bass line and your dangerously dipping ecstasy buzz, you can ensure that those in the know will be taken back with vivid clarity to those halcion days with the drop of a needle on your dead, dead body.

Portrait Painting

For the price of £3,500 ($5,402 US) per painting, you could have your portrait painted by none other than the illustrious National Portrait Gallery painter James Hague.

This, of course, does not include (if you have the foresight to have the painting done while you’re still alive) the cost of sitting for the painter (£300/$463 US per hour) or the printing of the 30 record sleeves (£500/$772US, for which they generously include the printing of the labels).

Add a Sonic Template as a Backing Track

This could be you!

Should you perhaps be unable to find a friend to run your final salutation through Garage Band to add a “sonic template” behind your recorded voice, AndVinyly will gladly mix in “predertmined backing tracks to spice up your vocal recording eg. ambient, classical, electro, haunting, celebration, reggae, rock, punk, space, 1960’s/70’s etc.” that last 3 minutes each for the entirely reasonable cost of £250 ($386 US).

Why not Make an Event out of it?

If, for any reason, you would prefer to have your funeral “event” hosted by a “team of experienced event organisers” rather than your closest family and friends who, let’s face it, will probably be too sad to spin you in style, the starting price of a so called FUNeral is £10,000 ($15,434 US).

The haunted eyes of a club kid named Neltron can come to startling life as her buzz kicks in and she gets the party started right for those you’ve left behind in a venue they have had to hunt down in a warehouse district with cryptic fliers and no listed address. By the time your mom gets there, it will all be over, a final ‘Fuck you, I’ll come home when I bloody well want to! And that’s never!’ ringing forever in her ears.

Community Connection

Vinyl isn’t the only way to go. 10 Extraordinary Burial Ceremonies From Around the World presents the Skull Burial from Kiribati, and the Predator Burial of the Maasai Tribe of East Africa.

Also on BNT: A Traveler’s Guide to the History of Death.

Favela on Blast: Diplo’s New Documentary on Baile Funk in Rio’s Slums

Matt Huntington — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:15:45 +0000

Still from the trailer for Favela on Blast

Brazil

Extreme poverty, crime, violent drug gangs and their full fledged wars with the police: all of these negative connotations often overshadow the beauty of Rio’s so called slums, the favelas.

International DJ Producer phenom Diplo has been mining the sound of favela music (baile funk) for some time now. Given the equivalent of a ‘hood pass’ into the favelas, he’s had the chance to see and experience first hand the raw energy and charisma that make the favelas like no other place in the world.

Now, backed by his label Mad Decent, he and his partner Leandro HBL are giving us that insider’s glance with their new documentary, Favela on Blast. Assured to be a colorful journey exploring the people, culture and music of Rio’s neglected neighborhoods, this documentary will have you smiling, dancing and making the 2014 World Cup just one more excuse to visit Rio.

The trailer:

You can download the movie at favelaonblast.com for $5. It comes with a PDF with photos and information about the film’s concept, synopsis and producers.

Community Connection

If you’re interested in Diplo, maybe you want to know more. If so, hop on over to An Intro to the World of Diplo right here on MatadorNights.

Check out MatadorNetwork’s Brazil Focus Page for ideas about studying , eating, martial arts and news about Brazil.

10 Deadliest Concert Disasters of the Last 50 Years

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:45:33 +0000

Crowds are unwieldy and amorphous. If you’ve ever been swept up in one, you know that to be among the press of a crowd is to physically cease to operate as an individual. It’s like being pulled by a current. You become an element of a much larger thing.

When you add the passion people have for their favorite bands to fire and intoxication, it’s surprising that more people don’t die. Individual deaths at festivals and shows from heat stroke, drug overdoses and heart attacks are sad, if not necessarily surprising. But sometimes things go horribly wrong and death is more than an isolated incident.

Here are the 10 worst concert disasters of the last 50 years:

Memorial site of the Cromañón tragedy, Buenos Aires, Argentina – Photo: Kate Sedgwick

10. A1, Deaths: 4

March 18, 2001 – Jakarta, Indonesia

A1’s scheduled appearance at a mall record store, broadcast on live television, was not interrupted by the death of four teenage girls. In fact, the boy band knew nothing of the incident until hours later.

The crowd of 1,500 in the Taman Anggrek shopping center became panicked and people began rushing for the exits. The four girls who died were crushed to death after falling amid the stampede. As a result of the incident, the band cancelled their Asian tour.

9. Altamont Free Concert, Deaths: 4

December 6, 1969 – San Francisco, CA, USA

If you watch the footage from Gimme Shelter, besides gratuitous footage of the Rolling Stones preening, you will see a chaotic situation in which nearly 300,000 people manage to survive.

Last minute venue changes made the organization of the concert at Altamont Speedway slipshod at best. Jefferson Airplane, Ike and Tina Turner, and the Flying Burrito Brothers played what was billed as being “Woodstock West”. The Grateful Dead got a load of the vibe after hearing about violence and declined to play.

The Hell’s Angels were charged with keeping the stage clear which proved to be quite a job as clothed and naked fans alike repeatedly mounted the stage. One of the bikers punched Airplane’s Marty Balin in the face during their set before the sun went down and it was announced to the crowd, which could account for crowd aggression toward the club’s motorcycles.

Hell’s Angel Sonny Barger explains the rationale for the stabbing in Gimme Shelter as a radio call-in show is replayed for The Rolling Stones by saying someone kicked their bikes.

Barger’s take on the incident can be heard in this video starting at 6:35:

What’s really surprising when watching the footage from the movie is that there were only 4 deaths – the murder, a hit and run accident that killed two, and a drowning.

There were also 4 births, so maybe things really do balance themselves out.

8. Roskilde Festival, Deaths: 9

June 30, 2000 – Roskilde, Denmark

Nine young men were killed as concertgoers rushed the stage while Pearl Jam played. According to BBC, the band was told to stop playing and once aware of the problem, asked fans to back away, but it was too late.

Original Danish news footage includes some announcements in English:

Several had fallen and the crowd pressed on, suffocating those at the bottom of the pile to death. The Cure, who was scheduled to play after Pearl Jam, did not and Pearl Jam cut their act short.

According to Wikipedia:

Pearl Jam’s song “Love Boat Captain” references the tragedy with the line “Lost nine friends we’ll never know… two years ago today.” When performed in concert, lead singer Eddie Vedder modifies the lyric to reflect the passage of time since the tragedy.

See some photos from during and after the concert at BBC.

7. The Who, Deaths: 11

December 3, 1979 – Cincinnati, OH, USA

More than 18,000 tickets were sold for this show at Cincinnati Riverfront Stadium for which there were only 25 police officers allotted for crowd control. The set was to begin at 8PM, but the doors were still closed at 7:45 when an anxious crowd, hearing The Who’s warmup and mistaking it for the opening number, surged toward the opening doors.

Original news coverage, WEBN:

General admission seating made up 80% of tickets sold which was said to be a contributing factor to the rush for entry as fans clamored for a good view of the show. As a result of the tragedy, new regulations were put into effect to keep order during large concerts that are still practiced today.

6. Mawazine Festival, Deaths: 11

May 23, 2009 – Rabat, Morocco

This nine day festival, according to several sources, was meant to promote the reputation of Morocco as a modern nation. Many international stars played the event including Stevie Wonder, Kylie Minogue, and Ennio Morricone. On the final night as the festival came to an end, after a set by Moroccan singer Abdelaziz Stati, 11 people were crushed to death.

Reuter’s video:

According to BBC, attendees blamed the tragedy on the police who closed several exits, ushering the crowds through others “that were not destined for the purpose.” The official line was that fans, too eager to leave, climbed fences, and one of them collapsed, causing the 11 deaths.

Photo Essay: Ut Av Vår Hule Music and Art Festival in Arctic Norway

Wyndham Wallace — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:48:09 +0000

Wyndham Wallace shares his visual perspective from Ut Av Vår Hule (The Out of Our Caves Festival) of music and art in the North of Norway. This year’s festival took place between July 16-18.

1. The Ut Av Vår Hule (Out Of Our Caves) festival – a showcase for up and coming Norwegian musicians and artists – takes place every second year in old marble mines outside Fauske in Northern Norway, just inside the Arctic Circle.

2. The mines were a source of Norwegian Rose dolomite marble, used in the construction of New York’s UN Building and the Japanese Emperor’s Palace.

3. Many of the caves are still accessible, though for the safety of festival goers they are officially closed off due to the water that has flooded many of them. In some, however, old mining gear is still visible, coated in marble dust.

4. Behind the main stage, vast chunks of discarded marble tumble into a striking aquamarine pool, some boulders submerged like blocks of unusually heavy ice.

5. Abandoned buildings, many still containing machinery and tools, are used as venues for other stages and by artists preparing their work, though the message – No Safety Inside – remains clear.

6. Artist Ash Kh’s (AKA Ashraf Khuffash) installation of black doors climbing a marble slurry heap was especially impressive, and not unlike a Pink Floyd album cover.

7. Amidst the marble slurry mountain other participants had installed picnic tables, buckets and spades and other beach accessories whose colours stood out against the blinding white backdrop.

8.Some of those attending were keen to experiment with alternative forms of expression, overseen closely by organisers, naturally.

9. Friday’s opening act, 2x Slagwerk (Two Drummers) performed a challenging but exciting set of experimental rhythm and dub. Like most of the musicians, they are currently unsigned and chosen by organisers wishing to provide a showcase for their work.

10. Artists had created more subtle installations amidst the algae and weeds of the the stream that ran through the festival grounds, Alpine villages and rubber duck ponds amongst them.

11. Musicians Sondre Justad and Marte Røyeng had never performed live together before. They arrived two days early and spent time in the grounds seeking inspiration for their music after other members of Justad’s band, Giraff, were unavailable to appear.

12. A snake built out of painted half-tyres emerges, blinking, out of one of the caves into the bright light.

13. Local musician Æ performed an acoustic set inside one of the derelict buildings. He lives on an island some five hours by boat from the nearby city of Bodø.

14.Northern Norwegian drinking rituals often involve good natured physical combat, and Ut Av Vår Hule is no different. This pair are scrambling amidst the dust by the bar, a tent whose legs are levelled on blocks of marble.

15.Fipp, from Bodø, were one of over twenty acts to perform for free over the weekend. Their fierce combination of post-rock and jazz, led by French Horn player Vida Engar, proved especially popular with the small but passionate crowd.

16.Thanks to Northern Norway’s midnight sun, it never gets dark during the festival, though the sun dips down below the horizon for a short hour or two, lighting up the sky different shades of pink and orange every night.

17.Ash Kh’s trail of doors provided a surreal vision that Aldous Huxley would no doubt have approved at the top of the marble slurry mountain.

18.4.30am, and the festival grounds are finally deserted by partygoers and artists, revealing a bare but stunning landscape, the main stage now abandoned like the mines themselves.

19.As dawn arrives, it’s time for the last of the festivalgoers – wrapped in blankets to shield them from the cold of the small hours – to head to bed. In the background, Fauske is preparing for a new day.

Community Connection

Connect with experts on Norway through MatadorTravel including Anne-Sophie Redisch, and find out What Not to Do In Norway on MatadorTrips.

MatadorU Travel Photography Program

MatadorU’s Travel Photography Program gives you direct feedback on your work, and lifetime access to the most supportive, dynamic, and fun community of Travel Writers, Travel Photographers, and New Media Professionals on the web.

10 Music Rebels and Their Wildest Acts

Paul Sullivan — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:26:43 +0000

Since Dionysus, music and musicians have been linked with wild behavior. Whether for a cause or conspicuously without reason, here are ten noteworthy incidents of musicians behaving strangely.

Jim Morrison Starts A Riot – Or Tries To

Morrison often showed up for recording sessions drunk and was frequently late for his live shows, but it was his attempt to incite a riot at Miami’s Dinner Key Auditorium in 1969 for which he will mostly be remembered as a hell raiser. That, and waving his genitals around on stage, an act that he was arrested for three days later.

Miami officials in the aftermath of Morrison’s attempt to incite a riot and Morrison on nudity and kids who didn’t go to the concert:

Jimi Hendrix Slaughters The Star Spangled Banner

Talking of genitals, Jimi Hendrix once had his penis encased in alabaster by groupie/artist Cynthia Albritton. More memorably he once burned his guitar on-stage at Monterey and destroyed the American national anthem live at Woodstock as a potent statement against the Vietnam war.

Hendrix sets fire to guitar:

The Star Spangled Banner as performed by Hendrix:

Iggy Pop Taunts A Biker Gang

Still crazy after all these years: losol

Having invented the stage-dive, Iggy Pop’s stage antics went on to include rolling around in broken glass, exposing himself Morrison-style and vomiting on stage.

One of his most memorable japes was baiting a local motorbike gang called the Scorpions by calling them a bunch of pussies on radio before a show – they turned up at the gig, where he continued to taunt them as they turned up at the gig, bombarding him with glass, beer jugs, bottles of urine and shovels. According to Pop, he took his licks, getting punched several times, unable to hit back before soldiering on with ‘Louie Louie’. Iggy just don’t give a fuck.

Ozzy Osbourne Eats a Dove – Then a Bat

In 1981, after signing his first solo record deal, Osbourne chomped the head off a dove during a meeting with some record-company executives in Los Angeles, spitting the head out with blood still dripping from his lips. A year later he bit the head off a bat he thought was a rubber toy while performing in Des Moines, Iowa and had to be treated for rabies.

Ozzy and His Bat:

Courtney Love Grants a Real Rock&Roll Interview

Courtney Love: rufusowliebat

In December 2002, during an interview with British rock magazine Q, Courtney enjoyed a Brazilian bikini wax in front of several journalists, poured a bottle of champagne over her head then abandoned the photo-shoot and ran down the street completely naked. If that’s not enough for you, you can read more about her wild antics on RadarOnline.

Björk Supports Freedom in Tibet & Kosovo

Not exactly a stranger to controversy, the passionate Icelandic pop queen – who once went nuts on a TV reporter at an airport – managed to rile some folk with performances of her song “Declare Independence”. In Shanghai she dedicated the song to the Tibetan freedom movement and in Tokyo to the Kosovo freedom movement. A gig in Serbia was subsequently cancelled and her website is still banned in mainland China.

Björk in Shanghai:

Led Zeppelin Do Bizarre Things With Sharks

Led Zep have sliced hotel rooms to shreds with samurai swords, flooded them with fire hoses and the jammed toilets.

Party like a wild animal, or with some dead ones:
MIHAELA DANAILA

Their most bizarre exploit was at the Edgewater hotel on Puget Sound, where John Bonham and manager Richard Cole caught several sharks from the hotel lake and purportedly stuffed bits of them into the orifices of various groupies, though Cole takes full responsibility for this now. You can read his rationale at the Wiki page linked above.

Pete Doherty Squirts His Own Blood At Camera

The Libertines and Babyshambles singer has enjoyed a fair run of exploits (including burgling the home of his bandmate Carl Barat), but perhaps his most provocative was squirting a syringe of his own blood at a television camera during a backstage interview with MTV. He apparently said: “That was a wicked shot. That’s going to make a cracking link that is.” Fellow Babyshambler Drew McConnell ended the interview immediately.

Keith Moon Kills His Chauffeur

Drum playing, woman beating, chauffeur hitting Keith Moon:
jlacpo

For his 21st birthday party in 1967, The Who’s drummer started a food fight that ended with his fleeing naked from the police and driving a Lincoln Continental into a hotel pool.

Fuelled by jealousy he also broke his wife’s nose three times. But his most outrageous incident came in 1970 when he ‘accidentally’ ran over and killed his chauffeur, Neil Boland.

Tommy Lee And That Home Made Video

Bangs like it’s going out of style: Joel Telling, wikipedia

Motley Crüe’s Tommy Lee was never exactly shy when it came to sex. From filming the exposed breasts of his female fans to celebrating his famously expansive tackle in public, his real moment in the porn spotlight came with the now-famous video that featured himself and ex-wife Pamela Anderson getting it on was leaked to the public via the internet.

Community Connection

Want to read about more strange behavior? What about the guy that handed $83,000 out to strangers in an airport? If that’s not enough for you, we also have Diego Maradona’s Most Outrageous Antics.

Champion Sounds: 50 Of The World’s Most Heavyweight Dub Albums

Paul Sullivan — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 23:51:02 +0000

Photo of Linton Kwesi Johnson: ismocritico666, Feature photo: drumecho

By Paul Sullivan & Ben Rimmer

Dub emerged from the studios of Kingston, Jamaica in the ’60s and went on to become one of the 20th century’s most influential music genres in both form and function. Its thread can be discerned in a wild number of music styles, from hip hop, disco, drum & bass, trip hop, dubstep and more. And let’s not forget – without dub, we wouldn’t have the remix!

In tribute, we’ve collected together 50 killer dub albums. Many of them are seminal, proto-dub records by JA originators like Lee Perry, King Tubby, Prince Jammy and others, but we’ve also included some classics plucked from the “dub diaspora” – the second wave of dub music that emerged in the UK with pioneers like Adrian Sherwood (On U Sound), Jah Shaka, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Mad Professor, up to modern electronica/glitch-dub practitioners like Berlin’s Stefan Betke (Pole) and Burnt Friedman.

It’s not a definitive list, just a bunch of our personal recommendations. We hope you enjoy them.

The Upsetters – Super Ape (Island, 1976)

The best of all Lee Scratch Perry’s Ape/Kung Fu inspired albums. Each riddim is absolute classic Perry and has been bitten by lots of other reggae artists.
Super Ape in A Good Shape from Super Ape:

Horace Andy – In The Light Dub (Blood & Fire, 1977)

The dub version of Horace Andy’s beautiful In the Light album was created by Prince Jammy. The meld of Andy’s distinctive high tenor over soundscapes put together by Jammy, Leroy Sibbles, and Augustus Pablo is just sublime.

Kode9 & Spaceape – Memories of the Future (Hyperdub, 2006)

Dubstep producer Kode9 (owner of the much lauded Hyperdub label) teams up with menacing vocalist The Spaceape (aka Massive Attack’s Daddy G) to unleash a shuddering bass-heavy vision.

Tappa Zukie – In Dub (Blood & Fire reissue, 1995)

Tappa Zukie released several albums of punk-influenced roots reggae before concentrating on production work. This 1979 album is a classic British release, featuring Sly and Robbie playing under Zukie’s versatile vocalising.

Lee Scratch Perry & The Upsetters – Blackboard Jungle (Upsetter, 1973)

Zany genius all the way through, from the bonkers “Black Panta” to the minatory “Drum Rock”. Full of incredible surprises.

Mad Professor – Dub Me Crazy (Ariwa, 1982)

The first and perhaps best of the Dub Me Crazy series from the leader of the 80s UK dub movement. The new digital sound and expanded layers of sound are just incredible.

Lee Perry & Mad Professor – Black Ark Experryments (Ariwa, 1995)

Mad Prof and Perry did several albums together but this one stands out. Spaced out, digital dub masterpieces featuring Perry on fine, rambling form.
Heads of Government from Black Ark Experryments:

Joe Gibbs & The Professionals – African Dub Almighty (Chapter 3) (Gibbs Record Globe, 1975)

You may recognise this music from Don Letts’ (of The Clash fame) film “Punk Rock Movie”. Produced by Errol Thompson rather than Joe Gibbs, yes, but it’s mighty Mighty all the same.

Prince Jammy – Kamikaze Dub (Trojan, 1979)

Stuffed full of Kingston’s most famous musicians, the dubs here were cut at Channel One before being mixed by Prince Jammy at King Tubby’s studio. Boom!

Burnt Friedman & The Nu Dub Players – Just Landed (~scape, 2000)

Cologne-based musician/producer Burnt Friedmann teams up with New Zealand allies the Nu Dub Players to create a fun, diverse and impressive digi dub album.

Yabby U – King Tubby’s Prophecy of Dub (Blood & Fire, 1976)

King Tubby puts 14 Yabby U cuts – “Conquering Lion”, “Jah Vengeance” and “Rock Vibration” – through the dub mangle.

Herman Chin Loy – Aquarius Dub (Aquarius, 1973)

One of the first ever dub recordings. Includes Jah Jah Dub (1), which preceded the more famous King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown version.
Jah Rock from Aquarius Dub:

Linton Kwesi Johnson – LKJ in Dub (Island, 1980)

Arguably one of the most influential UK dub albums this collaboration between dub poet Lintn Kwesi Johnson and Dennis Bovell features heavyweight smashes like “Victorious Dub” and the appositely titled “Brain Smashing Dub.”

Lee Perry – Upsetter In Dub (Heartbeat, 1997)

An excellent collection of late Randy’s and early Black Ark dub versions that includes a previously unreleased mix of the Congos classic “Solid Foundation” and rare dub mixes of Junior Murvin’s “Roots Train” and Max Romeo’s “War in a Babylon”. Solid Foundation from Upsetter in Dub:

King Tubby Meets Soul Syndicate – Freedom Sounds In Dub (Blood & Fire, 1996)

Heavy dub cuts of famous songs from the Freedom Sounds label, featuring artists like Prince Alla, Rod Taylor, Earl Zero and more. A must.

Augustus Pablo – King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown (Shanachie, 1976)

Regarded by many as one of the greatest dub albums of all time thanks to the stature of the individual talents involved and the subtle mood shifts and complex playing. Two true dub legends Augustus Pablo and King Tubby combine on this mythical record.

Lee Perry – Revolution Dub (Lagoon, 1975)

This concise take on dub from the master is super-stripped down but simply features some of the best work he ever did.

Keith Hudson – Pick a Dub (Klik/ Atra, 1974)

One of the earliest purveyors of dub, Hudson’s earthy and rhythmic style eschews sound effects. Here the bass and drum rhythms propelled by the Wailers’ rhythm section collide with spectral vocals from Horace Andy, Big Youth and Hudson. Satia from Pick a Dub:

Massive Attack v. Mad Professor – No Protection (Circa / Virgin, 1995)

The dub remix of Massive Attack’s second album Protection could have been more edgy but still stands tall as an example of dub’s power to refract other music genres.

King Tubby and Friends – Dub Like Dirt (1975-77) (Blood & Fire, 1994)

16 dubs from the vaults of veteran producer Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee, mixed by the likes of King Tubby and Prince Jammy and featuring musicians like Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare and Jackie Mittoo. Beautiful.

The Congos – Heart of the Congos (Black Art, 1977)

This is the only collaboration between Lee Perry and The Congos, but what an incredible album. Perry’s darkest production yet matched to the Congo’s spiritual / biblical imagery. A deep and fulfilling journey.
Open up the Gate from Heart of the Congos:

Scientist – Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires (Greensleeves, 1981)

The riddims for this were recorded at Channel One and mixed by Scientist at King Tubby’s studio. Several tracks from the album were featured in the soundtrack to the popular video game Grand Theft Auto III.

Augustus Pablo – East of the River Nile (Message / Shanachie, 1977)

One of the highlights of Pablo’s extensive catalog, ‘East of the River Nile’ is an all time classic from the master of the melodica.

African Head Charge – My Life in a Hole in the Ground (On-U Sound, 1981)

With a title inspired by Brian Eno and David Byrne’s ‘My Life in the Bush of Ghosts’, this is one of AHC’s more experimental and psychedelic takes on dub. Unique and worth checking.

Creation Rebel – Dub from Creation (Hitrun, 1977)

This 1977 recording was Adrians Sherwood’s first production. Mixed by Dennis Bovell it features nascent examples of the massively influential On-U Sound vision.

Aswad – A New Chapter Of Dub (Island, 1982)

This release was one of the first UK Dub releases to use tape and digital echo on a horn section and a precursor of the subsequent explosion of ‘electronic dub’.

Prince Far I – Voice of Thunder (Trojan, 1981)

Perfect title for Michael James William’s (Prince Far I’s) booming, gravelly vocals, which are mixed with hypnotic, fathoms-deep basslines.
Hold the Fort from Voice of Thunder:

Black Uhuru – The Dub Factor (Island, 1983)

An aberration for vocal group Black Uhuru, these ten riddims, laid down by Sly & Robbie for various Black Uhuru albums, were mixed to perfection by Paul “Groucho” Smykle.

Phase Selector Sound – Disassemble Dub (ROIR, 1999)

Phase Selector Sound are two former punks who create a unique dub sound that spans the classic and the modern. A tour de force.

Jah Shaka meets Mad Professor – At Ariwa Sounds (Ariwa, 1984)

This album is testament to South London’s legendary Ariwa Studios. It features five dubs from Mad Professor and five from Jah Shaka.

U-Roy – Dread in a Babylon (Virgin, 1975)

U-Roy’s Dread in Babylon ‘s eccentric vocalisations and melodic reggae-style wanderings make it an essential proto-rap record.

Scientist – Dub in the Roots Tradition (Blood and Fire)

Producer Don Mais enlists the talents of the then-17-year old Scientist to mix the dub versions for his Roots Tradition label’s B-sides. It’s a fascinating insight into the young dub maestro’s early efforts and contains some proto-dancehall riddims too. Dub Bible from Dub in the Roots Tradition:

The Skatalites Meet King Tubby – Heroes of reggae in dub (Motion, 1999)

King Tubby meets the (re-formed) Skatalites via Lee Perry with the addition of musicians like Augustus Pablo, Ras Michael, and Earl “Chinna” Smith with mesmerizing results.

Twilight Circus – In Dub Volume 1 (M Records, 1995)

Multi-instrumentalist Ryan Moore – who played bass for the Legendary Pink Dots – deploys a radical take on the Tubby/Perry blueprint with this debut – all gooey basslines and deep, pulsating textures – and no electronics.

Linton Kwesi Johnson – Forces Of Victory (Mango, 1989)

Forces of Victory was the record that confirmed LKJ as a major talent. Produced by Dennis Bovell it’s a relentlessly dramatic and intense record – and all the more memorable for it.
Want Fi Goh Rave from Forces of Victory:

Automaton – Dub Terror Exhaust (Strata, 1994)

This Bill Laswell project involves Sly Dunbar on drums (programmed), Gabe Katz (bass) and DJ Spooky on scratches. Sparse and deep with ghosts of voices and electronic bleeps it has a modern, meditative vibe.

Pole – 2 (Kiff SM/PIAS/Matador, 1999)

Stefan Betke’s follow-up to his crackly minimalist “1” is melodically and rhythmically engaging, floating through itchy static and vinyl pops. A fine introduction to glitch-dub.

King Tubby – Dub From The Roots (Moll Selekta, 2003)

This reissue features two of King Tubby’s earliest and most influential albums – Dub From the Roots and The Roots of Dub. Both produced by Bunny Lee, and both feature great mixing work by the King.
Roots of Dub from The Roots of Dub:

Prince Far I – Dub To Africa (Pressure Sounds, 1987)

Originally a limited 1979 pressing the lovely fluidity of Far I’s music, as delivered by his bass ace Flabba Holt, is here rendered with machine-like precision by Style Scott on drums. This drum and bass meeting laid the foundation for definitive‘80s reggae group Roots Radics.

Lee Perry & The Upsetters – Sound System Scratch (Pressure Sounds, 2010)

The mythical Lee Perry Holy Grail. 20 dubs from his mid-‘70s peak that were only ever pressed in tiny one-off white label ‘specials’ for the Kingston soundsystems. An essential hour.

Rhythm and Sound – See Mi Yah (Burial Mix, 2005)

Berlin based producer team Mark Ernestus and Moritz von Oswald have maintained a serious dub ethic under their R&S moniker and elsewhere. Tikiman, Rod Of Iron, Jah Cotton and Sugar Minott all deliver superb vocals over the See Mi Yah rhythm.
See Mi Yah Riddim Mix:

Yabby U Meets Deliver Me From My Enemies (Grove Music, 1977)

Originally issued on London’s Grove music in 1977, this features some weighty dubs, written to ward off the threat of Obeah magic. Get lost in tracks like “Judgement time” “Amlak” and “Pick the beam”.

Michael Campbell – African Anthem Dubwise (Cruise, 1979)

Mikey Dread’s groundbreaking masterpiece was mixed at Tubby’s studio and comes drenched in glorious sound effects.

Kit Clayton – Nek Salanet (Scape, 1999)

Clayton’s first full-length for Stefan Betke’s (aka Pole) Scape label is a masterpiece of experimental dub. Drawing on the work of Berlin’s Basic Channel and Chain Reaction crews this is dubbed out, stripped down electronic dub at its best.

Lee Perry – Black Ark In Dub (Lagoon, 1991)

Up alongside Perry’s best work this heavy dub set is full of dark and complex masterpieces. The Black Ark studio hosted Aisha Morrison dubbing his unrelenting creations. Scratch was way ahead of his time.

G Corp – Dub Plates From The Elephant House (Different Drummer, 1999)

Dense, thick grooves full of reverb and mixed with breaks and jazz from the Groove Corporation. Covers all the the dub plates.
Rock Steady from Dub Plates From the Elephant House:

Microphone Attack – Niney the Observer 1974-78 (Blood and Fire, 2003)

Niney is the producer here, with I Roy, Big Youth, Dillinger and Trinity featured as toasters. A slick album full of incredible grooves and amazing vocal performances.

Various – Raiders Of The Lost Dub (Island/Mango, 1981)

Bubbling dubs from producers Sly & Robbie of popular reggae tunes from vital artists including Black Uhuru, Burning Spear, Wailing Souls. The vocal mixes of the tunes on this album in their original form are available on Island Records.

Disrupt (2) – Foundation Bit (Werk Discs, 2007)

Disrupter Jan Gleichmar’s simple but brilliant digidub vision is presented beautifully here. A minor classic.

Forward The Bass – Dub From Randy’s 1972-1975 (Blood&Fire, 1998)

Randy’s Studio 17 was frequently used by Perry before Black Ark but is often forgotten. Chin’s son Clive produced these subtler than usual ‘70s dubs, where musicianship reigns over effects.
From Forward the Bass Dub From Randy’s:

Paul is currently writing a book about the Dub Diaspora for Reaktion. Ben Rimmer has written for music and travel publications including The Fly; AU; Jungle Drums; The British Council’s Incubator Project; and Glasswerk. He is also the press officer for the UK’s leading Brazilian record label Far Out Recordings.

Impossible Music Is Not Quite Impossible

Kate Sedgwick — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:04:06 +0000

Maral of Platic Wave by ooVoo chat from Tehran talking to Cruel Black Dove; This and all photos courtesy of the Impossible Music Sessions

At Littlefield Performance Space in Brooklyn on March 3, 2010, an audience rushed an empty stage. Though New York audiences are known more for their tendency to quietly nod their heads and avoid getting sweaty, something had broken through.

Onstage was a MacBook with an open ooVoo chat with Plastic Wave projected on a screen. Cruel Black Dove had just finished a three song set of the Iranian band’s melodic, heavily electronic music.

Session 1

Plastic Wave’s story is the stuff subversive novels are made of.

Natch and Maral of Plastic Wave on their way to having their
US visas to play SXSW denied in Dubai, 2009

Saeid Nadjafi (Natch) and Maral formed the band after meeting at “N!, the largest underground rock concert ever in Iran,” during which more than 200 audience members and musicians were arrested (including Natch and Maral who had been performing), and many were beaten and interrogated.

Though rock music is prohibited in Iran, and there are laws against females singing for audiences that include males, the female-fronted band released a self produced album [RE]action in 2008, adding guitar player Shayan Amini to the lineup.

The show at Littlefield was the debut of the Impossible Music Sessions.

Louis Chan of the Center for Inquiry’s video about the Cruel Black Dove/Plastic Wave show:

The Genesis

Where does an idea like this come from? Austin Dacey, who founded the Impossible Music Sessions laid out a number of sources during a late night call. A representative to the United Nations for the International Humanist and Ethical Union, writer and musician frustrated by his inability to see Persian bands he enjoyed, such as Take it Easy Hospital (before they were cool) and Deev, he started wondering about ways to get around political barriers of censorship that were keeping provocative music away from audiences and musicians effectively silenced.

With help from Freemuse, New York Foundation for the Arts, The Center for Inquiry, and a roster of volunteers and interns, Dacey is making Impossible Music (in his words), “not quite impossible.” They reach out to censored bands whose music strikes a chord. The music comes first. “Let me be clear,” he says. “We’re not a charity. We only feature music that stands on its own, that deserves an opportunity for recognition and a wider audience.”

The Process

Logistically, the process varies based on the nature of collaboration between the bands, the situation of the censored artists, and the music itself. While Cruel Black Dove practiced extensively to produce and rehearse Plastic Wave’s music, a process chronicled briefly in video on the Impossible Music website, accomplished hip-hop artist, and educator Hasan Salaam’s more recent performance of a single song by Baloberos Crew from Guinea Bissau in West Africa required translation from Portuguese Creole. The process took six months, and finding an American rapper who was willing and capable of representing the Guinean band was not an easy thing.

Session 2

Baloberos Crew were ‘detained and intimidated’ in 2009 for their song “Seven Minutes of Truth” which criticizes Guinea Bissau’s government and military: Guinea, where did you go wrong? The republic of Guinea is being written in bullets.

Baloberos Crew at a backyard concert in Guinea Bissau:

Hasan Salaam opened at Littlehouse on June 30th with an explanation of the collaborative process with Balaberos Crew.

Baloberos Crew: MC H, NB Show, As One, M’Bai

The rapper learned the original Portuguese chorus and rapped in English. You can listen to his version on the Impossible Music Sessions website. The evening ended with the Guinean band freestyling by live video chat.

Salaam now has plans to visit the West African nation and to continue speaking out about the political situation there. In the official press release about this project, he is quoted as saying, “I got involved in the Impossible Music Sessions because I believe in Freedom, Justice, and Equality. I believe that music should inspire that in all people around the world, and I support any artist in any genre that stands for the same basic human rights.”

Session 3

Though nothing is firm yet, there is talk of featuring Cameroonian Afro-Beat artist Lapiro de Mbanga who is serving a prison sentence of three years on trumped up charges.

The true cause of his imprisonment is widely believed to be for criticizing a bill passed by the National Assembly in Cameroon to change the country’s constitution to provide the president with “immunity from prosecution for acts as president, and to allow the president to run for unlimited re-elections,” with his song Constitution Constipée [Constipated Constitution (which can be heard at the Freemuse MySpace page)].

In this case the nature of the performance could easily change. Mbanga’s in prison, so video conferencing will likely be impossible, though he has access to a cell phone.

Lapiro de Mbanga’s ‘Lef Am So’:

The Future of Impossible Music

Dacey says Impossible Music is on the lookout for a metal band now – one that faces consequences for the perception that they are doing the devil’s work. Maybe they’ll be from Syria, Malaysia, China, Iran, or Burma. There is no shortage of countries where music is government controlled. “There are places in Northwest Pakistan where all music has been suppressed by the Taliban,” he says.

Asked if any of the Impossible Music artists have faced punishment as a result of the project, Dacey says, “Not yet.” Nor has any band approached turned down Impossible Music, but he says the project is willing to protect the anonymity of future collaborators if necessary. The hope is to host two more sessions in 2010.

For now, Salaam’s involvement with Baloberos Crew points to the possibility of lasting relationships with musicians worldwide to bring awareness to censorship and silenced bands’ messages, though they may not be reaching the intended audience yet.

Impossible Music represents a true underground. The people involved are doing it because they believe in the project. For now, performances are limited to the stage, but Dacey is open to expanding the performances to reach an online audience. It will take the right volunteers and a lot of bandwidth, but the future is wide open and all offers of assistance are welcome.

Bands and other people who wish to volunteer with the Impossible Music Sessions can contact Dacey through his webpage. To keep updated on happenings with the Impossible Music Sessions, you can connect on Facebook.

Community Connection

If this is all music to your ears, you’ll probably be interested to see the documentary Sounds Like a Revolution, about music as an instrument of change.

Were you at either of the Impossible Music Sessions? We’d love to hear what it was like first hand from a participant or audience member in the comments below.

10 Summer Music Festivals in The United States of America

Alex Nolette — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 03:10:12 +0000

Jesus Lizard at Pitchfork. Photo by matthewnorth

Alex Nolette highlights ten of America’s best summer music festivals, some well known and some not.

All Good (West Virginia)

The All Good Festival bills itself as four days of music, camping, and loving. The site is a big field at Marvin’s mountaintop in Masontown, WV. Tents, tie-died shirts, and brotherly love recommended. Further, Widespread Panic, and Umphrey’s Mcgee headline. July 8-11

Camp Bisco (Mariaville, NY)

Although the Disco Biscuits are the curators of Camp Bisco, this is not the jamband line-up one would expect. ”Wu Massacre” (Method Man, Raekwon, and Ghost Face), LCD Soundsystem, Girl Talk, Ween, and the Disco Biscuits headline three days of music that will not leave you bored.

The often muddy field at the Indian Lookout Country Club in Mariaville, NY is usually inhabited by gypsies, pot lovers, and fun loving hippies. July 15-17

Siren. abbynormy

Pitchfork (Chicago)

Pitchfork is a three day festival of tight jeans, flannel, and Ray bans. This is the Mecca for independent music. Hosted by Pitchfork Media in Union Park of West Side Chicago, the festival promises to have enough breathing room and necessities to accommodate the large crowd that will be piling-in due to low ticket prices and bands like Modest Mouse, LCD Soundsystem, Pavement, Big Boi, Beach House, and Wolf Parade. July 16 – 18

SirenFest (New York)

For the past ten years, indie rock enthusiasts have headed to Coney Island, Brooklyn to attend SirenFest. Siren is a one day free festival that is guaranteed to be a lot of fun and not lack any of the Coney Island freak show. Matt and Kim and Cymbals Eat Guitars will be playing, just to name a few. July 17

Hullabalou (Louisville)

Some of the biggest names in music are getting together to play this this three day event at Churchill Downs. The beautiful home of the Kentucky Derby will set up with five stages and an artist list that will blow your mind. Just check out the band line-up to understand how big this festival will be.

Bon Jovi, Huey Lewis and the News, Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, and Ben Folds are some of the big names you can expect. July 23-25

Lolla. Photo by mjanicki

Maha (Omaha)

Omaha’s downtown waterfront on the Missouri river makes for a beautiful backdrop for Maha. Bands like Spoon, The Faint, Superchunk, The Old 97’s, and Ben Kweller will be your soundtrack to the day. July 24

Lollapalooza (Chicago)

Prepare yourself! Originally a touring festival catering to the “Alternative Nation”, Lollapalooza is a festival that appeals to all musical elitists. It is also one of the many music festivals making a push towards going green.

Now a three day festival stationed in Grant Park, Chicago, the 2010 line-up is just as varied as it always has been. With names like Green Day, Lady Gaga, Soundgarden, Phoenix, Minus the Bear, Blues Traveler and B.O.B, the crowd will be as diverse as the bands. August 6-8

Outside Lands (San Francisco)

After only two years on the block, Outside Lands is quickly becoming the summer Coachella. Bands are jumping at the chance to play in beautiful Golden Gate Park, and the crowds are enormous.

If the weather turns out just right, OL is the perfect place to capture memorable performances from Further, Kings of Leon, The Strokes, My Morning Jacket, Phoenix, or any other band on this stellar bill. August 14-15

Bumpershoot. Photo by bandfan

ATP (Monticello, New York)

Kutsher’s Country Club in Monticello, NY is host to ATP NY’s three day indoor concert series. Performances by Sonic Youth, Explosions in the Sky, and Iggy and the Stooges playing the entire Raw Power record should leave even the most ravenous music listeners satisfied. September 3-5

Bumbershoot (Seattle)

The grandfather of the great summer festivals, Bumbershoot was started in 1971 at the Seattle Center. An all arts festival, music isn’t the only thing that bumbershoot offers. Comedy, theatre, dance, literary arts, and visual arts pack your three days with plenty to do.

With acts like Bob Dylan, Mary J. Blige, Weezer, Hole, and Drake headlining, good luck trying to pry your eyes from the stage. September 4-6

#MusicMonday – Night Ranger is the Best Band in the World

Tom Gates — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 22:37:11 +0000

Illustration by author, drawn without even having to look.

From the years 1983-1988 Matador’s Tom Gates was obsessed with one thing. Girls? Cars? Sports? Nah. It was Night Ranger.

I have made a playlist of Night Ranger’s first five albums and am rocking out in a way that will surely get me evicted from my apartment. The volume is high, and lyrics thought long-since-forgotten are howling from my mouth. There is quite a bit of air-guitar-soloing, especially during parts with eight finger-tapping, which might make any neighbor peaking thought my window think that I’m trying to conjure a spell, or possibly iron a shirt.

During my youth, this was the band for me. The one FIRST BAND that every person finds, latches onto and exhibits an unhealthy longing to be in the presence of, either at live concerts or simply cranking vinyl in a paneled, basement bedroom with a zebra-striped floor.

Every student at my school had the band they clung to – the art kids with The Smiths, the hardcore kids with Black Flag, the cheerleaders with Duran Duran and the jocks with whatever was popular that minute (I like to imagine they listened to Kenny Loggins, which is possible, and so unbelievably gay).

The current incarnation live. vcalzone

Jenny Kaye turned me onto Night Ranger via a cassette dub of their 1987 debut, Dawn Patrol. I went on to spend thousands of dollars over the years, supporting the band. Nowadays, when I hear industry types whining about kids sharing ‘unprotected’ digital music, I always go back to Jenny Kaye in my mind. If she hadn’t given me their first album for free, with track titles written in different magic marker colors and I’s topped with circles, my money would surely have gone to John Waite or Van Halen.

“Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” was Night Ranger’s first hit. It ruled my life. Whammy bar crazyness and eight finger tapping solo, all of the good stuff. A music video featured the band on a train out of control, ultimately swept away by wind powered with fans probably bought at a department store (not the most convincing storm ever filmed). I purchased it on 7”, album and cassette, having it at the ready no matter where I was. You have no idea.

I knew every band member. Drummer Kelly Keagy sometimes sang lead vocals and positioned his kit on stage left, wearing strange spandex one-piece jumpsuits cut specifically to show off both his chest and balls. Singer Jack Blades was the ringleader, clowny and impossible not to like. He’d often completely forget to play his bass, his hands gesturing wildly, then flying back to the instrument’s neck a second or two behind the current measure. Bearded keyboardist Alan “Fitz” Fitzgerald remained a mystery though his tenure with the band, becoming the man behind the curtain for Van Halen after Night Ranger. Ever wonder who is playing “Jump” while Eddie is holding his guitar? It’s Fitz.

Midnight Madness.

Night Ranger featured two guitarists, both with distinctly different styles and chops that gave me instant wood. I bought the exact guitar models that they played and spent hours in front of my television, learning their solos from Hot Licks VHS Instructional tapes. Gillis’ signature moves involved his whammy bar (with a particular ability to make the guitar sound like a woman having an orgasm), while Watson’s was technical proficiency and the ability to finger-tap in ways that dwarfed poseur metal-ers. Gillis wore tight silver pants for about 10 tours, while Watson served as the band’s chief advertiser, mostly wearing things with the classic Ranger logo (I can’t help but remember one outfit that looked like a marching band uniform, with the logo, and thinking that’s probably even too much for a marching band clarinet player to pull off.).

Midnight Madness, the group’s second release, was one of the biggest albums of the decade. Despite containing two other popular radio tracks (“You Can Still Rock In America”, “When You Close Your Eyes”), it was “Sister Christian” that made them rich and famous. If I close my eyes and think of this song, I can smell three seasons of the year and picture the faces of friends that I haven’t thought about in decades. The song stuck around and remains forever in the minds of those who made out in cars during 1984.

Now a manager of musicians, I realize that some of my early training came from simply following Night Ranger’s career from my Connecticut bedroom. I would take copies of Billboard out from the public library, just to read the band’s chart progress. I would have imaginary arguments with A&R types about single choices and would question the band’s choice of openers (I recall that Starship particularly bugged me). There were no message boards or ways to alert the band to the poor decisions that I didn’t support – it was just me circling my bedroom, talking to myself, crazy at 16.

I’d learn about merchandising, daydreaming about how many silver Night Ranger necklaces they’d sold, and where they were manufactured, and in what quantities. I was especially concerned with how stoned they might have been to agree to some of the videos they’d made, particularly “Four In The Morning”, which found them marooned in the desert with a bunch of space alien girls, eventually teleporting to a soundstage where they would perform with some of the most astonishing neon outfits ever worn in rock music (not their fault, it was 1985). Video below.

I soldiered on with the band through their follow-up albums, Big Life (tour sponsored by a shampoo) and Man in Motion. Although both did well, Night Ranger never could escape the claws of MCA Records, who knew not whether to market Night Ranger as balladeers or rockers.

This was best demonstrated when Motion was released. An ad was taken out in Billboard announcing “Night Ranger’s a Foursome and Guitars Are Back!”. The first single released was called “I Did It For Love”, a keyboard-driven ballad so terrible that I am positive every member of the band regrets having recored it – it surely had to be written under duress from the label. I screamed at my car stereo immediately following my first listen. “Don’t let them do that to you! You totally rock! Stop being wusses!”

Fitzgerald eventually left, as did Blades (who would find new success with Damn Yankees) and Watson. My interest faded as Keagy and Gillis toured a paltry offering under the moniker (more bedroom yelling), taking the brand down a notch in the process. I went to college, discovered indie rock and tucked my 80’s records into the way-back of the closet. I quietly purchased new compact disc versions of the albums as they became available, listening to them on solo car drives, when I could feel free to scream about rocking and America and rocking and America. Nobody knew.

Nobody knew, that is, until about 10 years ago, when I saw the reformed lineup play with Journey. They played as hard as they did in 1983, a band far better than the one-hit-wonder tag that has sometimes befallen them. I stood in the rain at a fairground, by myself, and acted like a total fool while they wailed. I drove home feeling deliriously happy and emailed all of my friends a giddy summary of what I’d seen. They all promptly bought compact discs of the same albums and took long drives away from their spouses and children. And rocked in America.

Last year, I ran into Jack Blades at an airport. I wasn’t sure it was him, until I saw him holding a Starbucks coffee cup marked with his name (everyone is someone at Starbucks). I’ve been around celebrity enough now that I’m usually not shaken by it, but in this case i was reduced to my teenage self – a man in his 30’s trying to spill out 25 years of internal dork-dom in one encounter.

I fumbled conversation and he took over the way all seasoned artists can, offered to shake my hand, patted me on the shoulder as we discussed just how strange Denver Airport is (fucking strange). Then, he went his way and I went mine.

And I just thought, wow, isn’t that the coolest damn thing that ever happened to me in my whole life.

Community Connection

Curious what your favorite favorite rockers look like now? Looking for the ultimate metal playlist for your iPod? Or how about some surviving your first metal festival? Or maybe even an inspiring story of a musician trying to make it. We gotcha.

Fang Island’s Most Exuberant Crowd Yet: Video

Kate Sedgwick — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:12:34 +0000

I’ve found that here in Buenos Aires, the crowds at rock shows are like nowhere I’ve ever experienced. Even so, I’ve never been among an audience with the exuberance of this one. The happy, guitar heavy sound of Fang Island’s Chompers + kindergarteners = love.

This is what music is before we learn to be cool.

Community Connection

What’s the best crowd you’ve ever been in at a concert?

The Tone Matrix: Make Beautiful Music No Matter Where in the World You Are

Kate Sedgwick — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:57:24 +0000

The Tone Matrix is way more exciting than it looks here.

André Michelle has created a tool so you can make happy little tunes anytime, anyplace with an internet connection.

If you watched that video, you can see how it works, and if you go to lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix, you can start making music in seconds.

You can check out the process behind the creation on André Michelle’s blog where he says, “Audio is the next big thing in Flash.” After playing with this gadget, I’m inclined to agree. There are other fun toys also available at aM laboratory. Enjoy!

Community Connection

What music do you listen to when you write? Tell us about it over at TheTravelersNotebook.

#MusicMonday: Talking ’bout Mein Girl – Motown in German?

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:40:54 +0000

My Girl: The Very Best of the Temptations: evanosherow

The new release Motown Around the World: The Classic Singles is a 2 disc compilation of classic Motown hits that were made to reach a European audience. They are all chart topping classics with a twist – and that twist is either Italian, German, Spanish or French.

In the 1960’s, a movement was afoot to bring rock and roll to the world. Now, whichever country we’re in, we’re never surprised to hear rock in English come through the speakers in cabs, restaurants and airport bathrooms, but it wasn’t always a given that audiences would accept music that was not in their own languages.

Producer Harry Weinger said of the recordings NPR’s All Things Considered May 29 in an interview with host Guy Raz and Otis Williams (the only surviving member of the Temptations):

“[T]hese singles were really only produced for the local market. And it was tough to find some of the masters. I mean, frankly and I’m honest in the liner notes for a few of the songs, we had to go from the original 45, the vinyl. We had to clean up the vinyl. Because the tapes would have been shipped to Germany or to Spain or to Italy, the local office there, and some of them didn’t come back.”

The interview along with samples of the songs can be streamed at NPR.com. The Supremes L’Amore Verra (You Can’t Hurry Love) is available at the page as well as the Italian version of MyGirl embedded below.

Motown Around the World includes foreign language versions of songs by the Supremes [L’Amore Verrà (You Can’t Hurry Love)], Stevie Wonder [Mi Querido Amor (My Cherie Amour)], the Temptations [Mein Girl (My Girl)], the Four Tops, Edwin Starr, Martha and the Vandellas, The Miracles, the Velvettes [Le Hoky Poky (Hoky Poky)], and Jimmy Ruffin [Se Decidi Cosi’ (What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted)], and even a couple of later hits from Jermaine Jackson and Smokey Robinson thrown in for good measure.

Community Connection

Maybe these Motown hits will help you kick start your languages studies, but if you’re looking for other practice materials online, check out 8 Free Online Resources for Learning a New Language , and be sure to peruse MatadorNetwork’s Focus Page for Language Learning.

#MusicMonday: What Bands Would Help Teams Win the World Cup?

David Miller — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 02:56:01 +0000

If you could choose any band to play before a World Cup match, who would it be?

Manu Chao. Photo by Paul Familetti

I KNEW I was going to do a World Cup Music post today.

Tom Gates suggested I do “Songs about Balls.”

I couldn’t think of enough ball-songs though. So I started thinking about certain musical experiences I’d had in different places (Brazil in particular), and wondered–could it be possible for a band to affect the outcome of a match? Has it happened in history? If so how could you verify it?

It seemed worth perusing. My only dilemma: should it be wide open full-fantasy mode: any musician alive or dead? Or should it be limited to currently active musicians? The latter makes it a lot more challenging particularly with Mexico (otherwise I would’ve gone with “El Rey” by by José Alfredo Jiménez), Argentina (“Maradona” by Rodrigo), and the US (“Star Spangled Banner” by Jimi Hendrix, although I admit that seems cliche.)

In the end I went with currently active musicians as it seems more interesting to think that these bands / situations could actually occur.

Argentina

Manu Chao / La Vida Tombola

I know Manu Chao is French, but I feel like this song played at halftime would cause the selección and crowd to go into some kind of Santo Maradona / Mano de Dios trance.

I also like how the song takes a shot at La Fifa – “el gran ladron” (the big thief) – for excluding Maradona from the 92 World Cup.

Nigeria

Femi Kuti and dancers

Lola Akinmade pointed out that having Femi Kuti play at halftime could cause severe dizzyness in opposing teams and crowds.

No matter what, Kuti and dancers would cause a massive energy and stoke-level increase in Nigeria’s team (which they could’ve used vs. Argentina) and crowd.

Scotland

Runrig & the Tartan Army / Loch Lomond, the Hampden Remix

This was Andy Hayes‘ pick.

I don’t know if Scots would play better football after hearing a melancholic song from the 1800s, but it seems possible.

Brazil

Olodum

Brazil is the only country I’ve ever been where an 18 wheeler with a samba band playing on top will roll into a small town, turn the entire place into an off the top dance party – and it all feels completely normal.

I wanted to go with something stadium-esque like Diplo, but then Michelle Schusterman suggested Olodum, a much better choice for the World Cup.

Mexico

Celso Piña

This was Sarah Menkedick’s call, and it feels solid.

With enough Cumbia power I can see Mexico going off.

Japan

Kodo drummers

Japan Taiko drumming seems like another form of music that could put people in trances.

These dudes just play so hard and with so much intensity.

U.S.

KRS-One

Who could carry it for the US? It’s hard to think about any choice not being viewed in some kind of marketing context.

Putting some old school hero in there (The Boss) doesn’t seem like it would move the youth on the team. We need someone who gets so real and next level that it feels less like a show and more like reaching some kind of transcendence.

Give Chris the World Cup mic, let him represent the US.

Community Connection

These were only 7 of 32 teams playing in this year’s world cup. What other music would help teams? Who would you pick? Please let us know in the comments.

#MusicMonday: Part Drummer, Part Acrobat, Part Magician (video)

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 31 May 2010 00:45:34 +0000

After the intro and starting about 40 seconds in, the drummer for Rick K. & the Allnighters (who book themselves as ‘America’s most exciting show band’) does some of the most entertaining drumming you’re likely to see any time soon.

Feature Photo from Rick K. & The Allnighters’ website.

Community Connection

Are you a traveling musician, too? You might be interested in 5 Things You Should Know when Traveling with Musical Instruments.

#MusicMonday: 10 Songs About Streets, Avenues & Intersections

Tom Gates — Mon, 24 May 2010 01:40:09 +0000

We gonna rock down to. Photo by thetruthabout

Eddie Grant “Electric Avenue”

If you know the song, it’s now jammed in your brain for about 24 hours. The track was written about a market street in Brixton (London). Released in 1982, the single reached #2 in both the USA and The UK.

Bob Dylan “Positively Fourth Street”

This song was not release on an album, rather as a single to bridge the gap between Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde. There is some debate but it seems most likely that the 4th Street in question is an area of Greenwich Village where Dylan once lived.

Famed music critic Dave Marsh checked the tune as “an icy hipster bitch session”.

What plagues Rhett Miller. Photo by video4net

Ramones “53rd and 3rd”

Back in the day, this would have been the place to go if you were looking for a male prostitute. The song’s geographic location pinpoints the nexus of the homosexual hooker trade in the 1970’s.

Written by Dee Dee Ramone, there has long been speculation that this track might be based on money that he earned himself on this corner. A must for Ramones fans.

Iron Maiden “22 Acacia Avenue”

“Acacia Avenue” is another way of saying “Main Street” in England – there are at least sixty Acacia Avenues in Great Britain. Maiden uses it here as a setting for the second song in their Charlotte the Harlot series. This track precedes “The Number of the Beast” on the album of the same title, one of heavy metal’s must-haves.

Counting Crows “Sullivan Street”

Male hookers here. Photo by google.

From Counting Crows’ debut, this track recounts a mopey trek home. It’s a great album track from a classic album, despite having one of the most pained high-school-student lyrics out there (“I’m almost drowning in her sea.”)

Old 97’s “Broadway”

This song is seemingly written while singer Rhett Miller was put up in a spiffy Times Square hotel room which “costs as much as my own apartment”. Taken from the album Too Far To Care, which is considered by many as an alt-rock classic.

Simon & Garfunkel “The 59th Street Bridge Song”

OK, technically it’s about a bridge but cut me some slack. “Bleeker Street” would have been too easy. Also known to many as “Feeling Groovy”, the song reminds people to “slow down, you move too fast.”

Steve Young “Seven Bridges Road”

You’ll might know this song as covered by The Eagles from their 1980 live album but it was originally recorded by Steve Young. “Seven Bridges Road” is the disputed name of the road that leads to Hank Williams’ grave. It’s been covered by both poofy-haired glam metal-ers (Firehouse) and poofy-haired country singers (Dolly Parton).

Not listed because it’s not real. Photo by loneprimate

Rolling Stones “2120 South Michigan Avenue”

This instrumental jam refers to the address of Chess Records, where the song was recorded for the band’s second EP (later to be released on their second album 12×5 in 1964).

Straylight Run “Sunrise Highway”

Officially “Your Name Here (Sunrise Highway)”, this song is one cover version away from being a smash. The singer asks you to go east on Long Island’s Sunrise Highway, then go left at Carman Avenue. Then go right at the first stoplight and, allegedly, the love of your life will be standing there waiting for you.

It would be neat to hear a hit that could have been written with Mapquest directions.

What’s your favorite location based song? Tell us in the replies.

Hear ‘n Aid: Remembering Dio’s ‘Star’-Studded Metal Benefit Track

Tom Gates — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:45:22 +0000

Photo from the back of the We’re Stars album

Dateline 1985. Rallied by Ronnie James Dio, some of heavy metal’s biggest names gathered to create the rock answer to “We Are The World”.

I’d been buying every magazine I could find, poring over the details of metal’s who’s-who charity song, which followed on the heels of “We Are The World.” Six months passed before it would air (the record labels reportedly argued about clearances) but when it did, on January 1, 1986, I had BOTH of my family’s VHS recorders recording The Making Of Stars and the world-premiere video.

I watched it no less than 62 times in 24 hours.

Written by Dio and then-bandmates Jimmy Bain and Viv Campbell, “We’re Stars” contained some decidedly Dio lines (“We can be strong. We are fire and stone. We all want to touch a rainbow.”). Whereas other charity songs focused on, you know, the problem at hand, this song’s hook centered around the participants. The chorus goes:

We’re Stars.
We’re Stars.
We’re Stars.
We’re Stars.

Nevertheless, it raised a million bucks and featured an all-star cast of the metal scene, including members of Judas Priest, Quiet Riot, Dokken, Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, Queensrÿche, Blue Öyster Cult, and Spinal Tap.

Nobody knew what they’d look like over 20 years later.

The unedited version contains perhaps the sickest guitar solo in metal history, with licks by Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, Brad Gillis, Neal Schon, Vivian Campbell and Craig Goldy (among others).

Behold.

Community Connection

More Dio? Check out Ten Metal Musts for Your iPod.

Totally bummed about Ronnie James Dio’s death? We’d love to hear how he touched your life, too.

#MusicMonday: Lena Horne Was an Inspiration and Still Is

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:49:00 +0000

Photo of Lena Horne from Till the Clouds Roll By: Wikipedia

As a child, I remember hearing my parents’ Lena Horne records. All I really knew about her was the way she sounded when she sang and the way it made me feel: dreamy, floaty, turning dust motes into magic. What I didn’t know about her could fill a book and it has. Horne died Sunday, May 9 at the age of 92.

Lena Horne singing Stormy Weather in 1943 from the movie of the same name:

I was lucky enough to catch NPR’s Fresh Air podcast of Terry Gross’s interview with Horne’s daughter Gail Lumet Buckley, author of The Hornes: An American Family.

Horne was in 22 films between 1938 and 1994. She recorded 32 records between 1942 and 2006, and won four Grammys (and was nominated for eight). There’s so much more to say about her than that, though.

Horne’s life is a fascinating look into the history of the United States through the lens of an immensely talented performer for whom a choice in movie roles or songs had weighty political implications. As the first Black movie star signed to a contract with a major studio (MGM), she was able only to play roles in which she could be replaced with a white actress in versions released in the southern United States.

From the NPR page excerpting Buckley’s interview with Terry Gross from 1986:

“She was Walter White and Paul Robeson’s test case,” explained Buckley. “She was a test case for the NAACP which had decided that they were going to change the image of Hollywood. … That made her the enemy of a lot of black actors in Hollywood, who were very upset. They said, ‘You’re trying to take work away from us. There will be no more jungle movies. There will be no more old plantation movies. What are you trying to do?’ And Paul Robeson said to her, ‘These people aren’t important. The people who matter are out there — the Pullman porters, those people. And they want to see a new image. And you have to do it.’ “

Her second marriage to MGM conductor and arranger Lennie Hayton (white) preceded the legalization of interracial marriage by three years and was a secret daughter Gail didn’t understand having to keep until Loving v. Virginia.

Lena Horne with Bill Robinson from Stormy Weather
Photo: manitou2121

From her start singing at the Cotton Club at the age of 16 to her refusal to perform for segregated audiences during WWII, as star of film, stage and nightclub, Horne was a Black star at a crucial time before and during the civil rights movement and was in the thick of politics, often to the detriment of her career.

Her family, from her dapper gambling father to her nightclub performing mother, and ‘bourgeois’ Harlem grandmother who disapproved of any job for a young lady aside from teaching all influenced young Lena Horne. The snippets of the family dynamic re-aired on Fresh Air are a fascinating glimpse into a courageous life that touched many and ultimately made the world a better place.

A 1996 PBS American Masters episode was based on Gail Lumet Buckley’s book, Lena Horne: In My Own Voice, which you can watch in its entirety at the website.

Community Connection

Did you check out PBS’s American Masters series? Catch the NPR interview of Gail Lumet Buckley or read her book? We’d love to read your thoughts below.

#MusicMonday: Four Chords Say it All

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 10 May 2010 03:02:54 +0000

Australian comedy music group Axis of Awesome proves that the same four chords in the same rhythm are the foundation for countless popular pop songs.

Community Connection

How many can you identify?

#MusicMonday: Notes on Bands and Music from Georgia

David Miller — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:09:48 +0000

Unable to afford a ticket to All Tomorrows Parties, David Miller tries consoling himself with a musical tour through his home state of Georgia.

Deerhunter. Image: the _junes’

THE FIRST MUSIC I ever felt connected to was early (“Fables of the Reconstruction” era) REM. I was in middle school.

This was in Marietta, Georgia in the mid 80s. The area still had this somewhat rural element. There were local farms and a few kids the bus would pick up from the edge of the woods. But it was all turning into suburbia, and by the time I graduated college, the place would all become one solid strip mall / subdivision.

It seems necessary to provide this context for some reason, although I’m not sure it’s relevant, just like at the time it wasn’t relevant to me that REM was from Georgia.

It’s only later, as you get into your 20s and 30s, that you start looking for connections like these, constructing mythologies around the things you did and the places you did them.

So that being said, part of me feels like collecting bands or music by geography is a total illusion. Like I could really start this article by saying “Georgia is a bigass place and ‘given’ the ‘cultural juxtapositions’ it’s ‘only natural’ that many great musicians and bands would come from here.”

But that doesn’t recognize the strange relationship I have with Georgia music, the associations between the sounds and the landscape and the hard-to-describe emotion–not quite pride but something else–when I hear, for example, Washed Out for the first time, and then learn it was recorded up in Perry, Georgia where it’s mostly peach orchards.

And it would also ignore the relatively disproportionate number of “game-changing” musicians and bands that have come from here, as opposed to say, Pennsylvania. So let’s look for patterns here:

James Brown

My friends and I really didn’t “discover” funk until college. It was part of the progression that started with Miles and Coltrane and then quickly branched into all different directions.

One day JJ brought home James Brown’s “Sex Machine” and we were like “James Brown?” and then he put it on, and when it got to the first big drum and bass breakdown (like on the video @4:30), we were like “dude . .James Fucking Brown!”

These are pivotal moments in your life and education.

Sometimes I worry that kids in their early 20s will skip over JB, thinking (as we did at the time) of bad 80s movies. If this happens, then a connection will be lost between hip hop and electronic music, and where it really came from, which was the template JB constructed, basically breaking songs into all different drum parts, even the guitars and horns section. That’s how he later described the creation of funk: that he just “heard everything as drums.”

Outkast

There’s a whole musical lineage here that runs from JB to his bass player Bootsy Collins to Parliament Funkadelic, that now continues with Outkast.

Andre 3000, Big Boi, and the whole Organized Noize crew have been producing next-level shit for over a decade now.

REM

There was always this rift between my brother and I as far as liking REM. For my bro, they just didn’t funk out, I think. There’s no swing; it’s all straight up surf beat or simple drum patterns; I get that.

For me though, REM has always been about the melodies and this kind of micro wall-of-sound effect produced between Peter Buck’s guitar and Stipe’s vocals, especially with Mills and Berry’s harmonies in the backgroud. This video from 86 captures that sound really well.

I always got into the way you could sing whatever you wanted over the early stuff. The lyrics were “yours.”

I became less a fan of REM’s sound post-Document, once the lyrics really came out in the mix. It’s not that I don’t like them anymore; it’s just that those early records seem so different than anything else anyone else was doing at the time. I wish they’d followed that musical progression, gotten more obscure and “formless” over time (something like Radiohead). Still, REM has influenced generations of bands now, including all the bands that follow in this list.

Neutral Milk Hotel

I remember taking a group of kids on a road trip to South Carolina (I was teaching at Athens Montessori Middle School) and putting on “In the Aeroplane over the Sea” in the van. Seems strange now.

This album and the band has seemed to reach a kind of indie rock mythical status, but at the time, in Athens, different members of this group, together with the rest of the Elephant 6 collective were just playing music at all different house parties and local shows with all different lineups. It seemed like they were having a lot of fun and not taking it too seriously.

Of Montreal

I remember seeing these guys at one of the Elephant 6 house party shows over Halloween (I blogged about it here.)

I wasn’t really that into their sound then, but over the years I’ve gotten to like Of Montreal more and more, particularly Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?, which has some of the most transparent and relevant lyrics of any album I’ve ever heard.

I get the feeling that their next album (recently recorded in Los Angeles) is going to have a billboard hit.

Deerhunter

I keep telling everyone I know to start listening to Deerhunter and all the band members’ related projects, including Atlas Sound (Bradford Cox) and Lotus Plaza (Lockett Pundt.)

I can’t explain why exactly, but the combination of ambient sounds and reverb, the digital delay, the way the vocals get sampled and looped live, all the distortion, the lyrics which always seem to go back to overcoming pain or damage–all of it is very healing somehow.

Conclusion

I’m not sure. I like telling people down here (Argentina) where I’m from though. I say, “Si, soy de Georgia. Tenemos buena musica.”

Community Connection

What bands / musicians have come from your home state or place? Let us know in the comments section.

#MusicMonday – An Intro to the World of Diplo

Matt Huntington — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:57:43 +0000

Photo: buffawhat

Thomas Wesley Pentz was a film student who used to skateboard, rock dread locks and work at Subway. Today he is recognized as one of digital music’s biggest pioneers. Matt Huntington takes us through his own personal Diplo journey.

Diplo, the international DJ/Producer with the moniker of a dinosaur, has a far from normal life. It didn’t take the world long to tune in to this guy from podunk, Edgewater, Florida, but for me Diplodocus’ music was a path of discovery, if you will.

The thing that really magnetized me about Arular, M.I.A.’s first album circa 2005, was the production. The beats behind her riley, rebellious vocals kind of blew my mind. I hadn’t ever really heard anything like it and I couldn’t stop listening. I remember peoples’ reactions when I would first play it for them. Some people hated it. Most loved it.

Though Diplo only touched a few of the tracks on Arular in actuality, his involvement in that album and the Piracy Funds Terrorism mixtape was enough to start turning heads. And enough for him to get romantically involved with M.I.A. for awhile…reason #37 guys wish they had his life.

Photo: caesarsbastian

The first time I heard his tracks on Arular it was kind of like a drug. So I kept looking for more and found the solo album, Florida, which actually came out the year before Arular. It was more intricate and focused than the favela and Miami bass inspired roller coaster tracks, and it showcased his chops. The track “Diplo Rhythm” (with Pantera Os Danadinhos, Sandra Melody & Vybz Cartel) has his signature flare recognized by most.

Then the singles and mash ups started popping up on iTunes in 2005, but you couldn’t find them in bulk enough to be satisfied. His 2006 remix of Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Gold Lion” was the jam of the year for all I cared. Same thing goes for “Young Folks Pussy” in 2007, though much sillier.

No one was really doing mash ups as cleanly and coolly as he was. As was the case with most of his music, I then found the Hollertronix Pre-Never Scared mix (not to be confused with the Hollertronix Never Scared mix, which is version 2.0) somewhere on the world wide web.

Made with Philly DJ and friend, Low Budget, whom he met at Temple while finishing college, it was the birth of the Hollertronix duo. You can hear his early influences in the mix. It’s as if he made it in his basement, and it’s full of dirty south raps, a bit of dancehall and other goodness reminiscent of early 2000.

Photo: rileyroxx

There are ten Hollertronix albums now, each with a set of outrageous mashups and featuring various DJs and associates. Hollertronix #10 is the first one to appear on iTunes. Most were strictly vinyl for a long time.

Diplo formed Mad Decent Records in 2006, and their mad decent radio mix #2 (free podcast) introduced me to Blaqstarr, New Orleans bounce, and the Baltimore club movement which has never calmed down. Now the label has a slew of unique artists signed, each from different corners of the world and putting out totally different sounds.

And though there was never a lull in his career, if it seemed there was at a time, the Pitchfork mixtape came out to hold me over in 2007. “I Like Turtles” is seventy minutes of pure joy, and the rest of the world had started to catch on at this point. In 2009 he released the aptly titled Decent Work For Decent Pay.

Photo: joseonederkid

No doubt he’s killing it off of Mad Decent and his world wide DJ appearances, however. His latest venture, Major Lazer, Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do, with friend and fellow production phenom, Switch, was no minor blip on the radar. Grammy nominated, ah hem.

The vault goes deeper. 2003 and 2004, the AEIOU mixtapes one and two with Triple Double are full of obscure, dusty soul and rhythm. Of course he got the invite from Fabric Live in London and blessed their 24th release in 2005.

The Santgold Top Ranking Dub Mixtape in 2007 is one of my favorites, and currently in heavy rotation is Free Gucci: The Best of the Cold War mixtape that is full of bangers.

The point of all this is that you should open up your ears and do some digging of your own…and that Subway makes winners.

Community Connection

Dig deeper for music with our picks for 50 music sites that matter. Free mixes by Ghostly Music and Atlas Sound will also do you well.

#MusicMonday: The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:16:34 +0000

Phil Spector as seen in the film. Photos in this article are stills from The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector.

Over the last couple weeks of BAFICI, I have seen upwards of 20 movies, but the one that had me digging for my pen and scratching out notes was veteran documentary filmmaker Vikram Jayanti and producer and editor Anthony Wall’s project The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector.

Interviews with the music producer were originally shot in Spector’s home for the BBC’s Arena and originally aired on BBC Two in October of 2008.

Spector is a huge subject – from his ‘wall of sound’ to his wall of ego, his self aggrandizement seems to know no bounds. Spector harbors hatred for Tony Bennett, contradicts himself without seeming to notice or care, and his impersonations of John Lennon sound like Rocky Balboa. When asked about the sadness inherent in art, Spector’s answer is about the pain of critique and devastation in lack of adoration.

Spector (right) with The Teddy Bears

Interspersed with the interview is performance film of The Crystals, The Righteous Brothers and Tina Turner while gushing praise runs at the bottom of the screen like subtitles. When the footage stops, the songs go on over trial footage of bullet trajectories, surveillance video, testifying ex-girlfriends and repeated close ups of Spector and his ever-changing hair.

The interview was shot while Spector’s first trial for the murder of Lana Clarkson (that ended in a mistrial) began. He looks limp and bedraggled and talks with the slurring speech of a stroke victim over subjects as diverse as his high school years, his father’s suicide, and his process in producing some of the best known records of the 20th Century.

He compares himself to DaVinci, Modigliani, and Duke Ellington and bitches that he was never given knighthood (I think you have to be British for that) like McCartney or an honorary degree like Bill Cosby.

It is an unsettling film as we delve into the thoughts of a man who believes he has been wronged by society. He says on more than one occasion that the press surrounding the trial is the result of negative public perception, creating several analogies he seems ill equipped to analyze and puts himself into the category of other ‘maligned’ stars such as Miles Davis and Woody Allen.

I don’t know how exactly the film reaches the crescendo that had me wriggling to get away, but The Agony and the Ecstasy is a captivating portrait of an incredibly isolated person who fails to see that there is a pinnacle of fame for a record producer – a job that is inherently behind the scenes – and a depressed and desperate old man in hot water.

If Spector isn’t laid bare in this film, let’s hope that some things will forever remain private. Seeing this on the big screen is a revelation.

Community Connection

Want to know how to make your own travel documentary? If you need motivation, have a look at Julie Schwietert’s MatadorTravel blog about God Grew Tired of Us.

If you’re a fan of the documentary genre, you’re likely to be delighted by The Recess Ends, available in its entirety on MatadorTV.

#MusicMonday: Miyavi – Japanese Virtuoso & Self-Proclaimed Samurai Guitarist

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:00:15 +0000

According to Wikipedia, Maiyavi only got serious about the guitar at the age of 15 when a soccer injury left him unable to play the sport.

Photo and Feature Photo of Miyavi
in Barcelona: alterna2

Thirteen years is enough time to build an impressive set of skills and unique sound. The 28 year old guitar player bills himself on his MySpace page as a Japanese Samurai Guitarist.

You might think he’s playing bass at first. You might be surprised that someone who cuts such a sexually ambiguous figure growls more ferociously than John Spencer. Whatever he’s doing, it’s exciting. It’s pure rock and roll that will pull you out of a funk. It’s contagious and inspired.

Appearances in the US are few and far between for the artist who has a habit of canceling when it’s time to come to America. He signed with EMI in January and kicks off the Neo Tokyo Samurai Black World Tour in San Diego in June with scheduled dates on both coasts and in Texas.

If the following videos of the androgynous Miyavi make you think of the guitar and rock in a new way, check out his Single Collection on Amazon, or iTunes’ selection including his latest release Survive.

You can catch up with Miyavi’s whereabouts and releases on his website.

Community Connection

If you’re not a guitarist but you play one on TV (or Playstation, as the case may be), check out Ian MacKenzie’s Guitar Hero on Tour: Rocking Out Through the Decades.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you’ll be well served to check out MatadorNetwork’s Japan Focus Page where you can read articles with ideas for trips, festivals, food, and things to do in the land of the rising sun.

#MusicMonday: Kesha’s Tik Tok as Dissected by GloZell

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:09:28 +0000

GloZell is onto something. Kesha’s got a problem with alcohol.

It can’t be a secret when Wikipedia states, “While in Los Angeles, Kesha had the opportunity to sing background vocals for Paris Hilton’s single, ‘Nothing in This World,’ which led to a later incident in which she vomited in Hilton’s closet.”

Even if you don’t have the faintest idea of who Kesha is (I didn’t), if you resent corporate rock, inane lyrics devoid of meaning, and cookie cutter sound, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for GloZell’s observational comedy.

Community Connection

If it’s time to do some soul searching about alcohol, why not pop over to BraveNewTraveler and read The Tie That Binds: Do We Need Alcohol to Connect on the Road?

Ruffled Feathers & Riffs: How to Disrespect a Gibson Les Paul

Natasha Young — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:43:28 +0000

Photo and Feature Photo: Mypouss

London: the undisputed world capital of rock and roll. In many ways, it’s like any gig for a new band. There’s some nervous tuning up followed by a lot of preening.

They sing. They tap their feet. The guitarist – clearly a fan of Led Zep – moodily plucks the strings of his guitar then starts beating the crap out of it with a stick. The singers show off and hardly anyone pays attention to the drummer at the back, tapping away at the cymbals.

But this isn’t any old band playing at a Camden dive venue These are birds: Zebra finches to be precise. Playing guitars. In an art gallery. It’s gloriously, wonderfully weird.

This, French artist/composer Céleste Boursier-Mougenot’s first solo art show in the UK, became an overnight sensation when it opened at the end of February and a Youtube clip is racking up the hits.

Essentially the most rock and roll aviary in the history of the world, plugged-in Gibson Les Pauls are installed around the Barbican’s Curve gallery. Upturned cymbals are used as birdbaths, feeders and water bowls while mic stands make perfect preening perches. Nesting boxes line the high walls and the floor is covered with sand and twigs. As the birds ruffle their feathers, shuffle, build nests and land on the guitars, every sound their tiny feet make is amplified through the speakers.

Whereas most bands struggle with that difficult third album, here all it takes to make an opus is a bit of hopping on a fret board, the arrival of an unwanted love rival and a ‘get off my land’ twangy skirmish on the strings.

Photo: Mypouss

The birds themselves are trained professionals that came through an agency that provides animals to the film and entertainment industries. According to gallery staff, the birds were a bit British and standoffish at first, but now they’re hanging out like friends and there’s even been some romance. Last week when an egg was laid, the gallery had to be shut down and bird experts were called in. The egg is now being looked after by a friendly finch elsewhere.

The exhibition is a joy to walk around. There’s no sense at all of being trapped, just a lovely liberating feeling of freedom as twittering birds fly past your head.

What these tiny finches couldn’t teach you about rock and roll isn’t worth knowing. Cleaning bird shit off the instruments is a regular job for gallery staff and not even The Who’s bad boy Pete Townshend was that rock and roll with a Gibson.

Céleste Boursier-Mougenot
The Curve, Barbican Art Gallery, London (tube: Barbican)
Until the 23rd May, 2010
Free Entry
Open daily 11am-8pm
Open late every Thu until 10pm

Community Connection

If you’re thinking of taking the show on the road, have a look at 5 Things You Should Know When Traveling with Musical Instruments.

More bird inspired music for you? Bird Song: Can You Hear the Melody of Nature? has birds making notes in a different way.

Ricky Martin is Gay. The Sky is Blue. Things We Knew.

Tom Gates — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:28:59 +0000

Shocker.

Photo by suit Inc

#MusicMonday: The Best Bands at Coachella You Might Not Know

Scott Shetler — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:13:59 +0000

Photo and Feature Photo: Mulling it Over

Coachella is a place for camping, partying and enjoying live music and any and every combination of the three.

The three-day music and arts festival, held April 16-18 (this time around) in the desert town of Indio, California, draws more than 150,000 visitors each year. The 2010 lineup features superstars like Jay-Z, Muse, Pavement, and Vampire Weekend.

One of the thrills of Coachella is discovering new bands you hadn’t heard of before. Many of them will be playing early in the afternoon, so don’t let your hangover keep you from catching these great lesser-known acts.

The Avett Brothers

One of the highlights of Coachella’s first day will undoubtedly be this four-man band led by siblings Seth and Scott Avett. Though the Avett Brothers prominently feature acoustic guitar, banjo, and upright bass, it would be a crime to refer to their music simply as folk or bluegrass, because it’s so much more than that.

They deliver each song with a punk rock ferocity. Acclaimed producer Rick Rubin recognized the band’s artistry and signed them to his American Recordings label, where he produced their most recent album, I and Love and You.

(Music starts at about 3:00)

P.O.S.

Jay-Z might own the headlining slot on Friday night, but earlier in the day another worthy hip hop artist takes the stage. Minneapolis rapper P.O.S. has already earned respect within the industry, having recorded with Craig Finn of The Hold Steady and Slug from Atmosphere, and he’s starting to make a name for himself among the wider music community.

P.O.S. actually began his career as a punk artist and many of his raps feature drums and guitars accentuating frenetic choruses. His newest release is Never Better.

Matt & Kim

If you find yourself groggy after partying on Saturday night, Sunday performers Matt Johnson & Kim Schifino are the perfect antidote. The duo’s spunky melodies and silly pop songs will have you jumping around in no time.

Matt & Kim’s video for “Lessons Learned” ( from their latest record Grand) made them one of the few indie bands to win an MTV Video Music Award in 2009 for Breakthrough Video in which Matt & Kim strip naked while walking through Times Square.
.

Kate Miller-Heidke

You may not recognize her name, but if you spend a lot of time online you’ve probably seen Kate Miller-Hiedke’s viral video hit, “Are You F*cking Kidding Me?” ( aka ‘The Facebook Song’, featured on Live at the Hi-Fi), a hilarious tale of getting a Facebook friend request from your heartbreaking ex years later.

Miller-Heidke has much more to offer than this novelty song. The rest of the Australian singer’s music is characterized by clever lyrics and theatrical vocals.

White Rabbits

A unique combination of piano, vocal harmonies and multiple drummers makes this Brooklyn six-piece one of the more entertaining acts anywhere. The group has two full-time drummers, and during some live performances as many as four band members bang away on the drums at the same time.

White Rabbits embrace their anonymity – they claim to be the least-known band ever to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman – but their 2009 release It’s Frightening seems about to rip a big chunk out of their obscurity.

Owen Pallett

If you’re in the mood for fist-pumping, ear-shattering hard rock, Owen Pallett is not your guy. But his intricate violin arrangements may well be one of the artistic peaks of the Coachella weekend.

Pallett, who recorded under the name Final Fantasy until the makers of the video game got on his case, creates textured songs by recording violin and keyboard solos and looping them together.

Pallett performs on Sunday, making his set a good opportunity to relax and enjoy some calm and serenity before raucous headliners Pavement and Gorillaz take the stage that night. His latest album is Heartland.

Florence and the Machine

This British group led by Florence Welch won’t be under the radar much longer. Their debut release Lungs won Best Album at the 2010 Brit Awards, the first of what may prove many awards for this talented group.

Florence has been compared to the likes of Kate Bush and Nick Cave for her moody and dramatic style. Many of her songs deal with dark topics like death and violence, but others like “You’ve Got the Love” express a more joyful outlook.

Tokyo Police Club

The Ontario band Tokyo Police Club writes peppy two-minute rock songs loaded with hand claps and group chanting. The band became darlings of the indie rock world with a 2006 16-minute EP and followed that up with the successful full-length Elephant Shell.

They’re music festival veterans, having played Lollapalooza, All Points West, and Bumbershoot. If you missed TPC’s first Coachella appearance in 2007, here’s a chance to redeem yourself.

Temper Trap

Many Americans first became aware of the Temper Trap thanks to the high-profile placement of their song “Sweet Disposition” in the film (500) Days of Summer.

The four-man Australian act teamed up with producer Jim Abbiss, who’s worked with Adele and Arctic Monkeys, to crank out atmospheric rock songs like “Science of Fear,” one of several epic tracks on their debut release Conditions.

Ra Ra Riot

Syracuse-based Ra Ra Riot hit on a successful formula by adding cello and violin to the typical indie rock blueprint. The combination of sounds makes for an entertaining live show.

Rolling Stone named Ra Ra Riot’s last full-length The Rhumb Line one of the top 50 albums of 2008, praising the record for its beautiful, sorrowful songs, many of which were written by drummer John Pike, who died before the album was recorded.

Beach House

One of the highlights of Saturday’s lineup is Baltimore duo Beach House. Alex Scally provides slow, mesmerizing instrumentation while Victoria Legrand supplies dreamy vocals which recall Nico of the Velvet Underground.

Beach House just released Teen Dream in January 2010, their third album overall and first for Sub Pop, which surprised many by cracking the top ten on Billboard’s Rock Albums chart.

Miike Snow

Miike Snow is not a dude but a three-man Swedish electropop group. Critics call Miike Snow one of the few electronic acts that sounds decidedly better live than on record. That’s a big compliment considering great songs like “Animal” from their self titled album, the synth-y pop confection that served as the band’s introduction to the world.

Coachella is the first of three major festivals Miike Snow will be hitting up this summer. Jump on board the bandwagon before your friends do!

Community Connection

If you’re headed to Coachella, you won’t be too far from Joshua Tree National Park. If you’re thinking of detoxing from all the noise and booze in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the U.S. who could blame you? Hop on over to MatadorTrips‘ California’s Most Spectacular Deserts for a preview.

MatadorNetwork’s California Focus Page gives you ideas for trips and things to do and not to do in California.

NY Audience Lets Iggy Pop Crash to the Floor at Carnegie Hall

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:59:28 +0000

Photo and Feature Photo: aleksey.const

Iggy Pop has reached true legend status. A recent Carnegie Hall audience apparently believed the geriatric punk legend capable of flight and so parted to watch him take wing at a March 1st Tibet House Benefit featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Regina Spektor, and Gogol Bordello.

Rather than rise to the rafters, he fell to the floor, a confused audience looking on as (according to Rolling Stone) “nobody caught him”.

As reported by jam.canoe.ca, Pop said of the incident, “When I landed it hurt and I made a mental note that Carnegie Hall would be a good place for my last stage dive. The audience were just like, ‘What are you doing?’”

It’s feast or famine as far as violent rock shows go these days. Your author remembers a time when a 14 year old girl could go into a gnarly pit where she had no business being and get pulled to her feet by moshers who weren’t there to see anyone stomped. In recent years, I have seen people willfully crushed and battered by punkers who’d have had the snot beaten out of them for behaving that way at a certain time.

And now we’ve reached a day when Pop’s fame has far outstretched his audience’s ability to sense that they are to put out their arms and catch the man, uselessly watching him fall to the floor.

The end of an era.

Community Connection

See Pop’s signature at Hanza Studios where The Idiot was recorded (it’s in Berlin) at Berlin 20/20: A Photo Tour of a Reunited City.

Patti Smith more your speed? Check out Tom Gates account of his Last Show as a New Yorker before his epic journey around the world.

#MusicMonday: 10 Alt Country Musts For Your iPod

Tom Gates — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 06:37:11 +0000

Photo: richardwitt74

A term more for people who need terms, Alt Country encompasses a wide and varied group of musicians who ride the line between Rock, Country, Roots, Bluegrass, Rockabilly and sometimes even punk rock (if not even just in spirit). Matador picks ten that might do your iPod well.

Uncle Tupelo “No Depression”

Most often seen as the pioneers of the movement, Uncle Tupelo’s run from 1987-1994 went largely unnoticed by the mainstream but stormed a trail for many bands, including the ones that would form out of this one’s ashes (that’d be Wilco and Son Volt).

The title track from their 1990 album No Depression also became the title for a magazine which covered the scene from the years 1995-2008.

No Depression

Whiskeytown “Houses on the Hill”

Lucinda Williams. Photo by jcbehm

Fronted by Ryan Adams, Whiskeytown made a name for themselves by playing gloriously loose and raucous shows. Always a bit of a soap opera, the band’s inner turmoil turned to electricity during gigs. “Houses on the Hill” features background vocals and violin by member Caitlin Cary, who greatly contributed to the band’s sound.

Houses On The Hill

Wilco “Passenger Side”

Hopefully by now you’re familiar with Wilco and their story. If not, grab a copy of the DVD I Am Trying To Break Your Heart and learn just how rough life can become for a rock band. “Passenger Side” is decidedly townie, a tale about mooching rides and calling shotgun.

“You’re gonna make me spill my beer, if you don’t learn how to steer.”

Passenger Side

Old 97’s “Melt Show”

Old 97’s blew down the doors when they entered the scene, bringing a more rockabilly and punk aesthetic to their shows, which often found singer Rhett Miller shaking and quaking more than Elvis. Now pushing 40, Miller still writes excellent songs and The 97’s still make music together. “Melt Show” is probably the best studio recording to ever capture their live energy.

Melt Show (LP Version)

Blue Mountain “Wink”

Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. Photo by charlie cravero

Blue Mountain’s Dog Days is one of the best records you’ve probably never heard. Founded by a husband and wife duo (she also John Stirratt from Wilco’s twin sister), the band was never able to crack the big time. This album, chocked full of Mississippi heartbreak, endures as a lost classic.

Wink (Album Version)

Son Volt “Drown”

The “other post-Tupelo band”, Son Volt continues to tour and make great music. “Drown” shows the band’s distorted side but don’t be fooled. The soft stuff is just as powerful. Mark Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard as a fan – he recently made an album and toured with SV’s main man, Jay Farrar.

Drown (LP Version)

The Jayhawks “Blue”

There was a moment where Alt Country nearly tipped into mainstream and The Jayhawks’ “Blue” was one of the songs that nearly took it around the corner.

Imagine that this song was once played on radio stations that now blare Linkin Park and System of a Down. It’s also possibly one of the sweetest songs of all time.

Blue

Lucinda Williams “Drunken Angel”

With a drawl all her own, Lucinda’s Car Wheels On A Gravel Road has sold nearly a million copies and earned her a Grammy. The whole album’s a corker.

Drunken Angel

Scud Mountain Boys “Grudge”

A band that formed sitting around a table, Scud Mountain Boys hit the nail on the head with their 1996 album Massachusetts. A song about a breakup and the stalking that follows, “Grudge” features the honest hook, “I would give anything to make it with you just one more time.”

Have you heard The Avett Brothers? Photo by elawgrrl

Grudge

The Avett Brothers “I And Love And You”

The Avett Brothers are one of many bands to take Alt Country’s torch and run with it. They’ll surely be one of 2010’s biggest breakouts, already pulling in big crowds and making them The Band To Watch at this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival.

I And Love And You (single)

Community Connection

For more “musts”, be sure to check out both our Motown and metal lists. Also not to be missed: Our picks for 50 music sites that matter.

#MusicMonday: Music for Airports, Planes, Trains, and Buses

David Miller — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:44:52 +0000

This mixtape from Modular recordings has krautrock, australian rock, fusion, street musicians, and pioneers of electronic music–all blended for movement and travel.

Image: Tony V

AUSTRALIAN record label Modular Recordings has a great website with dozens of mixtapes or “modcasts” by various artists, acts, and the producers / crew at Modular.

The one I picked for today, Dreamtime – Music For Airports, Planes, Trains and Buses has the following notes:

For the last 3 weeks I’ve been forced to float around Europe thanks to some immigration issues keeping me from my new home in London. A lot of this time has been spent shuffling between airports, planes, trains, buses, hotels, friends flats and footpaths, in Paris, Rome, Gothenburg and Stockholm.

Created with the dual purpose in mind of calming the nerves in the face of tense customs situations and equally sounding sublime while gazing out the window of a moving vessel, here’s a mix of stuff that sounded perfect at various points in time during my exile. More gentle blend than mix so to speak.

This Time Tomorrow – The Kinks
Morning Of The Earth – G Wayne Thomas
The Ballad Of El Goodo – Big Star
Diana – Skip Spence
Copenhagen – Scott Walker
No Other - Gene Clark
Spooky – Gary Walker And The Rain
Tango Whiskeyman – Can
Lullaby – Moondog
Milky Way – Weather Report
Walking In The Rain – Flash And The Pan
Be With – Koushik
Jennifer – Faust
1/1 [Excerpt] – Brian Eno

This was the first mixtape I’ve listened to in a while that wasn’t at least fifty percent beats and breaks. It felt dense and soundtrack-y

Overall I don’t know if I’d say this felt like travel music though. More like travel music for a smuggler in Key West in the 70s or something. Someone with a mustache. At least until the end where it gets to the Brian Eno: then it’s total sunrise in Patagonia or wherever you want it to be.

Still, when it comes to mixtapes, interpretations matter less than intention. They’re like hearing a place and time through someone else’s ears. Bigup modular. Thanks for producing these.

Download and enjoy.

Community Connection

Where do you find good mixtapes? Let us know in the comments.

#MusicMonday – 50 Collaborations You’ve Got to Hear

Matt Huntington — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:05:08 +0000

If you’re looking for top notch examples of what happens when artists combine talent and sounds, look no further.

Anthrax and Public Enemy

Bring The Noise
Something about being at work for way too long right now but listening to this song makes everything ok.

Jurassic 5 and Nelly Furtado

Thin Line
I like that this happened before she blew up…Canadian Maneater.

Kylie Minogue & Nick Cave

Where The Wild Roses Grow
If you’ve ever fantasized about western romance.

Kid Cudi, MGMT, Ratatat

Pursuit of Happiness
They are all on the moon.

MSTRKRFT featuring John Legend

Heartbreaker
I expected a train wreck but it’s really, really nice actually.

Santigold, Strokes, Pharrell (Converse)

My Drive Thru
I dance to this by myself. Frequently.

Dizzee Rascal + Calvin Harris

Dance Wiv Me and Holiday
If you fancy Brits.

Propeller Heads + Shirley Bassey

History Repeating
You might recognize her voice.

N.A.S.A. featuring David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge, & Z-Trip

Money DJ/producer duo, N.A.S.A., put together an entire of album of original tracks with a star studded line up. This is just a glimpse.

Massive Attack+Tracy Thorn

Protection and Better Things
You might cry.

Robert Plant and Alison Kraus

Raising Sand
It won 5 Grammys. You and your parents can agree on something to listen to.

Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Nothing Else Matters
This one made me cry.

George Michael and Aretha Franklin

Knew You Were Waiting for Me
Two queens of pop?

George Michael & Mary J Blige

As
Two queens of pop covering a king of pop (Stevie Wonder)?! Bad joke.

Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney

The Girl is Mine
“The doggone girl is mine.”

Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson

Scream
RIP MJ; Janet looks hot in the video. Wrong to say those things in the same sentence?

David Bowie and Queen

Under Pressure
Bowie’s first released collaboration, it debuted on Queen’s album and Vanilla Ice got rich off it.

David Bowie and Bing Crosby

Little Drummer Boy
What the hell did they talk about when they weren’t on set?

Mick Jagger and David Bowie

Dancing In The Street
I know what they talked about off set.

Peter Tosh and Mick Jagger

Walk And Don’t Look Back
Please check out Mick’s moves in this video.

Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg

My Medicine
These guys had plenty in common backstage too.

Beck & Charlotte Gainsbourg

Heaven Can Wait
Great artist + great artist = Great song.

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Gainsbourg

Constipation Blues
Happens to everyone.

Loretta Lynn & Jack White

Portland, Oregon
Just cool.

Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash

Girl From The North Country Fair
Nothing to say here.

Jerry Garcia and David Grisman

Shady Grove
Phenomenal album.

Jimi Hendrix and BB King

Slow Blues
Album – The Kings Jam

Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate

Kala Djula
Two African musical legends on one album, In the Heart of the Moon

Toumani Diabaté & Björk

If you find a good recording of this please post a response with it.

Otis Redding and Carla Thomas

Tramp
I’d rather be “country” than a tramp.

Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach

God Give Me Strength
You’d be surprised how many people told me about this duo.

Pete Rock & C. L. Smooth

They Reminisce Over You
T.R.O.Y.

Amy Winehouse and Ghostface

You Know I’m No Good
He is way more well behaved than her.

Mark Ronson and Santogold

Pretty Green
Ronson’s album Version is full of these.

Nickodemus and Jay Rodriguez

Funky in the Middle
Shake a leg.

Kelis featuring Andre 3000

Millionaire
I say this to mom a lot…

Major Lazer

Pon de Floor
Super producer duo Diplo and Switch = Major Lazer. Vybz Kartel gets in on this one too.

Aerosmith and Run DMC

Walk This Way
Know it. Love it.

Brand New Heavies and Guru

It’s Gettin’ Hectic
Heavy Rhyme Experience was the mid 90’s jammer.

Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks

Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around
American, feel good combo.

Beck and The Dust Brothers

Black Tambourine
Dust Brothers helped Beck craft his albums Odelay, Midnite Vultures and Guero. They can also take credit for Beastie Boys album Paul’s Boutique.

Jaylib

The Red
Madlib and J Dilla (RIP) combine as “Jaylib” to make the album “Champion of Sound.”

Madvillain

Accordion
Madlib and MF DOOM come together as “Madvillain,” album appropriately titled “Madvillainy.”

Madlib and Blue Note Records

Slims Return
Check out the video to get a glimpse of Madlib’s chops. Madlib remixes a load of classic Blue Note tunes, album titled Shades of Blue.

Dangermouse and MF Doom

The Mask
Album is called “The Mouse and The Mask”. This track is extra spicy courtesy of Ghostface.

Broken Bells

Vaporize
Dangermouse and James Mercer from The Shins create this new indie rock sound. Album out soon.

Black Keys featuring Raekwon

Stay Off The Fuckin Flowers
Damon Dash brings together the Black Keys and eleven mcs such as Mos Def, GZA and Jim Jones for project Blak Roc.

Black Lips and GZA

Stuff That Went Down at SXSW Last Year
Don’t get that last one confused with this one, because then you will just sound like a dork.

The Chemical Brothers and Fat Lip from Pharcyde

The Salmon Dance
What it do?

Cut Chemist feat. Hymnal

What’s the Altitude
Keep the beats + rhymes thing going.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

Summertime
That just happened!

Judgement Night Soundtrack

A compilation treasure chest that changed my little 6th grade life, it’s one of the first (and actually good) ventures into this rap + rock arena. Eat your heart out Linkin Park and Jay Z.

Hard to pick one track off the whole album, but Fallin’ with De La Soul and Teenage Fan Club. is definitely a fave.

Community Connection

Still on the hunt for more music? Try 30 Songs that Capture the Spirit of Travel.

#MusicMonday: Compare the White Stripes Song to U.S. Air Force Reserve Ad

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:58:49 +0000

I guess those aren’t the kind of White Stripes they mean.
Mashup photo by Kate Sedgwick and licensed CC with original photos by michael morel and Beverly & Pack

According to the BBC and nearly every other news outlet on earth to judge by a Google search, the White Stripes are “outraged” by an ad for the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

The ad featured a song which sounded too much like “Fell in Love With a Girl” to be a sound-alike and aired it during the Super Bowl. The White Stripes are using this opportunity to register an anti-war message in a public forum.

The Air Force has pulled the ad which drew parallels between several fun-looking extreme sports and part time military service which would obligate reservists to be called into active duty at any time. Those who bought the message might be expecting a weekend at the ski hill and instead find themselves embroiled in full scale war.

What many news outlets seem to be missing are audio clips for your comparing pleasure. Below, watch the Air Force Reserve ad followed by the video of the original song.

Community Connection

Want to create your own propaganda without the copyright infringement? Check out How to Get a Knockout Soundtrack for Your Travel Film on TheTravelersNotebook.

What People are Listening to in…Argentina

Eve Hyman — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:28:42 +0000

One of Argentina’s many offerings, Mataplantas.

La Nacion, Argentina’s first newspaper, starts off with Hannah Montana in its top ten, without mention of a single Argentine artist. So what new local tunes are people in Argentina listening to?

Argentina isn’t exactly unexplored territory for anything fashion, film or music related. But most of what makes its way out as an export isn’t what locals are excited about. Gotan Project and Banda de Turistas are not all the rage in Buenos Aires and no one in Argentina seems to have heard of Federico Aubele, though all three can draw a crowd in New York or Berlin.

Tonolec combines art noise, breakbeat, dubstep and native chant of the Toba people, surprising hipsters and older folks alike. A performance at the national folklorico festival shows somewhat perplexed Tobas behind the avant-garde renderings of Tonolec – the band saves the display from musicology obscurity with a splash of global cool. With Tim Burton-esque costumes and sets, a Tonolec show turns the Andes into a fairytale forest where beautiful people play indigenous drums and become one with the arboles.

Tremor and King Coya are similarly bringing Andean folk music into the new millennium with touches of dubstep and IDM.

La Mona Jimenez

King Coya is composer Gaby Kerpel, whose new album includes revamps of Colombian classics in his signature, minimalist style, inviting a new audience to enjoy South American rhythms. Tremor is a trio of live musicians that use autonomous instruments like the charango and bomba leguero alongside produced original tracks for a big sound. Their video projections are as good as their amazing sound and the entire experience turns you into an instant folklorico fan.

Dick El Demasiado y Sus Exagerados and Emir Kusturica and The No Smoking Orchestra are Euro-Buenos-Aires hybrids that maintain a local following in and around the Argentine capital.

Dick Too Much is a 50-year-old Dutchman who performs in a skeleton suit, and was a key figure in starting off the Nuevo Cumbia movement with his innovative Festicumex festival. Popular new songs include the vibrant “Hijo de Fruta,” a punchy trash cumbia set in the produce aisles of the supermarket where the artist describes a sexy, illicit watermelon – “No hay amor if it doesn’t come with sabor” is basically the chorus.

Kusturica is a Serbian concoction, its namesake isn’t actually in the band but directs the group’s videos. Like much of the rest of the world, Balkan Gypsy music has carved out its niche in Argentina. Kusturica is especially loved thanks to a series of parties the band got involved with in 2007-2008 called Bubamara, the best party this author has seen in 3 years of Buenos Aires nightlife. They’re headlining Cordoba’s annual Rock Festival this year and playing a sold-out show at Luna Park in BA.

Tremor

Mataplantas makes melodic rock and roll, the kind that Buddy Holly played but with the feel of the Flaming Lips. Four hot Argentines playing great songs of an indie persuasion and having fun onstage is a win situation. One of Mataplantas’ singers, Pablo Malaurie, is currently performing solo with his album “Festival del Beso,” a collection of ethereal, haunting, whiny pop songs that the artist plays live with toys and kooky vocal reverb for almost geisha girl effect.

El Hijo de la Cumbia, Dante and Princesa show you Argentina’s urban side with a blend of cumbia, dub, dancehall, and hip hop that keeps things interesting on the dance floor. Fidel and Alika channel their reggae favorites and deliver the country’s version of Jamaican roots music. They are big with the local youth and eclipse their pop doppelgangers Los Cafres with originality and a direct connection to the hood – dreadlocks and poplocking included.

Los Manos de Filipi are the original punk rock anarchists of Argentina. Heavy-hitting, outrageous and inspiring, Los Manos hurt you with lyrical kindness taking the proverbial piss out of politicians and popes alike. When the record industry did them dirty, Los Manos released their new record independently and the insert bore a photo rendering of their ex-A&R rep, naked on the cross.

Tonolec. Photo by Carlos Coccia

Soema Montenegro, Mariana Baraj, Lisandro Aristimuño – each of these artists honors Andean folk with modern arrangements and indie rock sensibility. Like his contemporary, Juana Molina, Aristimuño uses loops and samples to accent folk song-writing but his live shows include a dancer who beats time with her heels and a full string section. Mariana Baraj plays drums and tricks her voice out alternately into a deep moan or light whisper of the wind. She makes jazz out of traditional chant. Soema Montenegro gets fierce in her renditions of local sound and then takes on the role of French chanteuse for sweet ballads.

La Mona Jimenez and Pablo Lescano are old-school standards that stay fresh. They get plenty of play from locals in working class neighborhoods across the country.

Alika. Photo by Susana Mutti.

La Mona is known as Argentina’s James Brown with outrageous live shows that include high-energy dance and multiple costume changes. “The Monkey” Jimenez is a wild guy from Cordoba who works the crowd into a frenzy with cuarteto favorites.

Pablo Lescano is the leader of Damas Gratis and the godfather of cumbia villera, Argentina’s version of gangster rap. Like a musical Maradona, his life is rife with drugs and degradation and his fans adore him. He recently made his way to the New York Times in a video appearance with Los Fabuloso Cadillacs playing his signature porn, air-brushed keytar.

Make sure to bookmark Matador’s extensive Argentina coverage!

Community Connection

Check our 50 Music Sites That Matter for great places to find new music. Interested in music from other countries? Lend your eyeballs to what people are listening to in Chile, Brazil and Canada.

#Musicmonday: Tribute To Neil Young Set List 1/29/10

Tom Gates — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:42:41 +0000

Photo by ylefipop

Last Friday’s star-studded tribute to Neil Young became the toughest ticket in Los Angeles and a legendary night of music. Here’s who performed at the event, which raised an extraordinary amount of money for the worthy charity MusicCares.

Host: Jack Black
John Mellancamp “Down By The River”
Ozomatli “Mr. Soul”
Jackson Browne “Don’t Let It Bring You Down”
Sheryl Crow & Stephen Stills “Long May You Run”
Lady Antebellum “Only Love Can Break Your Heart”
Norah Jones “Tell Me Why”
Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin & Lucinda Williams “Comes A Time”
Wilco “Broken Arrow”
Josh Groban “Harvest Moon”
Everest “Revolution Blues”
Dierks Bentley & Booker T “Cinnamon Girl”
Ben Harper “Ohio”
Keith Urban & John Fogerty “Rockin’ In The Free World”
Elvis Costello “The Losing End”
Jason Mraz and Shawn Colvin “Lotta Love”
Dave Matthews “The Needle & The Damage Done”
Red Hot Chili Peppers “A Man Needs A Maid”
James Taylor “Heart of Gold”
Jimmy Fallon “Pants on the Ground” (spoof)
Elton John, Leon Russell, T-Bone Burnett, Neko Case & Sheryl Crow “Helpless”
Crosby, Stills & Nash “Human Highway”

Community Connection

Looking for some good tunes? Be sure to peruse our list of 50 Music Sites That Matter. We’d also like to recommend 10 Motown Musts For Your iPod, as well as a list of Ten Songs By Musicians Who Died Too Soon.

10 Black Metal Bands from the Most Unexpected Places

Mara Yu — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:57:00 +0000

Wherever there are teens with guitars, there’s bound to be metal. Black metal is its most extreme sub-genre, combining screamed vocals and incredibly fast blast beat drumming with lyrics that deal with the taboo.

When we think of black metal, we tend to think of Northern Europe and, to a lesser extent, North America. However, at this very moment, headbangers from Brazil to Kyrgyzstan are donning facepaint and rocking out to homegrown riffs.

Photo of Demonic Resurrection by Frog StarB

1. Sarcofago – Brazil
This old school band combines raw thrash and BM elements with angry lyrics in praise of Satan. Like Venom and Sodom, they were part of the first wave of black metal and influenced bands to come. Lead singer Wagner Lamounier was formerly in Sepultura.
Recommended Album: I.N.R.I. (1987)

Satanas from I.N.R.I

2. Be Persecuted – China
This female-fronted band from Jiangxi deals lyrically with suicide, depression, and nihilism. Underproduced like all depressive BM, Be Persecuted is an atmospheric metal band in the vein of Xasthur or early Burzum. Unlike most atmospheric bands, they actually have three members and perform live.
Recommended Album: I.I (2007)

3. Melechesh – Israel
Melechesh combines Sumerian myths with ethnic instruments to create an authentically Middle Eastern atmosphere in its black metal. Indeed, the band calls itself Mesopotamian Metal. The Jerusalem police and press have accused the group of cult activities. Now that’s pretty metal.
Recommended Album: Sphynx (2003) 

4. Kekal – Indonesia
Kekal started as a classic, 2nd wave styled BM band, but soon moved in a more avant-garde direction. They now combine elements of melodic, black and goth metal with their own flavor. They’ve started to incorporate jazz and blues elements, and even covered a song by A-Ha on their latest album, Audible Minority.

5. Shub Niggurath –Mexico
As the name alludes, Shub Niggurath produces a mystical, Lovecraftian brand of metal. Combining old school death and black influences, they’re a little bit Slayer, a lot of Absu, and a few zombies and monsters here and there. It’s a refreshing change from all the Satanic stuff out there.

Satanas Zombie from the record The Black Goatlike Arise

6. Taarma –Afghanistan
This one-man band from the Balochistan region, now living in Pakistan, produces sludgy, depressing, wall-of-sound atmospheric metal in the vein of Be Persecuted or Xasthur. Indeed, Black Emperor Jogezai is the only artist out there who has covered Xasthur’s work. Taarma’s lyrical themes include references not only to depression, but to his culture: “Kafan” (a song title) means shroud in Arabic. Taarma means darkness in the ancient Brahvi language.
Recommended Album: Remnants of a Tormenting Black Shadow (2007) 

7. Deiphago –Philippines
These self-styled Filipino Antichrists are certainly keeping the old school, blackened thrash spirit alive, complete with over the top anti-Christian attitudes. With ridiculous album titles like “Holocaustik Metal Sexxxecution Whoreslaughters”, they are definitely recommended.

8. Inquisition –Colombia
Inquisition is one of those bands between genres. Starting out with a thrashy, raw black metal sound and an extremely anti-Christian attitude, they have since added progressive and experimental elements to their sound. Inquisition no longer resides in the developing world: its members have since moved to Washington State, joining the USBM community there.

9. Demonic Resurrection – India
Demonic Resurrection is one of India’s most popular blackened death metal bands, having opened for international acts like Opeth. They combine keyboard-driven virtuosity with slightly Satanic, but not over the top lyrics. Technical and melodic without losing the blackened feel, this Bombay-based band is certainly one to watch in the next few years.
Recommended Album: A Darkness Descends (2005) 

10. Darkestrah – Kyrgyzstan
Darkestrah is melodic and epic, yet dark, underproduced, and atmospheric. This female-fronted pagan metal band has lyrics about shamanism and the Silk Road, as well as a song simply titled “Shaitan Akbar!” (“Lord Satan!”). The members of Darkestrah now reside in Germany, but continue to use include traditional instruments and overtone singing in their work.

Recommended Album: Epos (2007)

Inner Voice from The Great Silk Road

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:
Thinking about attending a music festival at home or abroad? Check out our recommendations about how to prepare for a summer music festival here.

Hardcore Economic Theory as Rap?

Kate Sedgwick — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:32:00 +0000

What happens when a producer from Spike TV finds himself a huge fan of an economic podcast?

A rap starring long dead economists, of course.

You can hear the whole story on NPR’s Planet Money, but this video stars Billy Scafuri and Adam Lustick as economists Fredrich Hayek as John Maynard Keynes battling for more than the right to be the best MC. The two theories presented in the video are the foundation of how most economists see economic cycles.

Community Connection

Still worried about the economy? You can find out which 5 cities are the best to live in if the economy keeps tanking on MatadorAbroad or find out how to deal with the economy through spiritual activism on BNT.

#MusicMonday – Help for Haiti: Big Music Gets in on the Act

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:32:53 +0000

Original Photo of Quincy Jones by World Economic Forum with tweaks by Kate Sedgwick and licenced CC.

Various news sources are reporting an imminent re-recording of We are the World.

Organized by Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie, artists invited to be part of the the 25th anniversary recording of the ’80’s hit include Usher, Natalie Cole and John Legend with the hopes that Grammy weekenders will stay over a day in L.A. after the award show is broadcast January 31st to bring the song back to life.

Jones produced the original version in 1985 to benefit famine relief efforts in Africa.

Last Friday’s Hope for Haiti Now telethon (which raised $58 million toward the relief effort) aired a new song featuring Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and The Edge called Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour) coordinated by producer Swiss Beatz.

You can see a higher quality video of the song at Rolling Stone and read about its production. You can buy a copy for yourself now through iTunes, along with other songs featured during the airing of the show including performances by Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, Shakira and Sting among many others.

100% of the purchase price goes toward relief efforts by reliable organizations including Oxfam, the United World Food Programme, and the Red Cross.

Community Connection

Add MatadorChange to your roster of sources to keep you informed in the latest relief efforts in Haiti and find out what you can do to help.

#MusicMonday: La Bomba de Tiempo’s Percussive Mondays in Buenos Aires

Tom Gates — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:19:34 +0000

La Bomba de Tiempo’s weekly event at Konex is still the night to beat for both tourists and locals alike.

At the moment, Monday nights are sweltering. A line stretching around the block at Buenos Aires’ Konex venue is filled with people who will do just about anything to chill out, from guzzing tall bottles of water to popping one of the tallboys that the industrious locals have begun selling. By the time the crowd enters the venue an hour later, it’s a sweaty mess of people wondering just what they might be in for.

Konex is a large courtyard surrounded by wonderful, disjointed walls, one of which is covered by a mural of people at the sea. It feels like some kind of bombed out WW2 building, a space that might feel more at home in one of Berlin’s hipper zones, perhaps Friedrichshain. It would take a satanic ritual involving a slain goat to ruin the warm, happy vibe the the place gives off.

Each Monday, crowds gather around one central area in the complex to check out Buenos Aires’ most noted percussion group. The performance takes place on an orange ladder contraption, which looks like something used to pick hard-to-reach fruit.

The first half of the show is La Bomba de Tiempo’s time to shine, first organizing a beat and then working it through its paces for about 45 minutes. The dozen or so drummers do a great job of not trollopping off into The Land Of Hippies and pull together a sound that is exciting, refreshing and seducing.

By 9pm the show is in full force. Lines for beer (one liter only) are packed. The sweet reek of weed and rolling paper permeates the perimeter. A woman with dreads dances wildly with a cigarette, dangerously close to her companions – she looks like a medusa with a nicotine habit.

Everywhere people are ‘air drumming’ and trying to find the beat, some with more success than others. Amidst the music, there is an unbelieveable amount of gossip about who in the crowd is hot, and who might take one of those sexy people home. Backpackers girls are legging up with knowing local men, an event signaling that some fireworks just might happen after the gig.

The whole thing lifts off with the arrival of the night’s guest, which changes each week. Sometimes it’s a cellist, sometimes a DJ. Usually a new conductor with switch in and it definitely feels like the energy explodes at this point. By now, most of Konex’s occupents are feeling no pain.

Hardcore dancing kicks in, as do whatever drugs have been taken. For the next hour it’s a swirl of music and euphoria, feeling nothing like the dudes who play their congas on the beach near your house.

Over the course of three hours it will feel more like you’ve been to an excellent party than a drum circle. This is not to say that the music isn’t important – it is. It’s more a testament to why people keep coming back to Konex every Monday. This might be the most fun drum circle on Earth.

Community Connection

Into percussion? Be sure to check out Be-Dom, Portugal’s Percussion-Mad Sextuplet. If you didn’t see last #MusicMonday’s 50 Music Sites That Matter then do yourself a favor and check it out – it’s the perfect one-stop for music junkies.

Artist Riders: Inside the Diva Dressing Rooms of Your Favorite Musicians

Kate Sedgwick — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:03:47 +0000

Photo and Feature Photo: noellium with tweaks by Kate Sedgwick and licensed CC.

The most famous rider of all time is a 1980’s Van Halen contract that stipulated that M&Ms must be provided but that all the brown ones must be removed and that failure to do so could result in cancellation of the contract [this among pages upon pages (53 to be precise) of requirements].

For those that don’t know, the rider (or backstage rider) is the contract signed by the promoters that hire musicians to play and includes not only the preferred snacks and meals of the talent, but specifics on required equipment, manpower, and security. Failure to meet any or all specifications without prior written permission from the band’s management may result in cancellation of the show. This is standard procedure.

Seen to be the absolute height of rock star prima donna-ism, Van Halen has revealed that the brown M&M clause was an insurance policy of sorts. If that part of the contract were overlooked, it could be assumed that parts of the rider that insured the band would be provided proper equipment that would not make them sound like ass, or at worst electrocute or smash them beneath tons of amps had also been ignored.

Still, this revelation can not explain the demands of other recording artists from the excessive to the deranged.

Snoop Dogg’s demand to have a Playstation with four controllers and “1999 sport video cartridges” provided can probably not be considered a safety issue and as years go by, it’s probably harder and harder to fill this requirement as personal assistants are likely scouring e-Bay for versions of Madden, Triple Play and NCAA College that are more that 10 years old.

The personal direction of the phrasing, “Please trust that this will be some of the most important money you spend,” sparks the imagination. What would the consequences be? Are Snoop Dogg’s lackeys too stoned to remember to pack their own video games?

This and all direct excerpts of the riders are screencaps of material at TheSmokingGun.

Well, thanks to TheSmokingGun, there is a massive collection of riders available for your inspection and amusement. They’ve even gone to the trouble of categorizing acts by genre and sussing out the funny parts, detailing them and putting red arrows next to them so you don’t have to work so hard to find the weirdness.

The rider that made me develop a crush sight unseen on Jos Grain, roadie for Iggy and The Stooges (and said to be the best rider ever by TSG) is excerpted below:

This and all direct excerpts of the riders are screencaps of material at TheSmokingGun.

Not all acts treat the rider as a platform for their roadie’s future stand-up act – in fact this appears to be the only one that does.

Check out Chuck Berry’s dead serious transportation requirements:

TRANSPORTATION (Excluding Japan and Russia): One (1) automatic, four door Mercedes Benz (the largest of the S50D, S420 or S320) with a 15.6 cubic foot trunk, available with keys to be given to Artist upon Artist’s arrival at the airport. Internal transportation compensation in the local currency, equivalent to $1 per kilometer shall be paid at the termination of each venue for mileage during each engagement.

In other words, gas money. Right?

Poor Barbara Streisand.

Original image: Alan Light with tweaks by
Kate Sedgwick and licensed CC.

Whoever’s been threatening her (unless this is completely borne of her own paranoia) is sure to be gratified to see the lengths to which she is willing to go (and put everyone around her to) to insure her own security. Can you see her as the heroine in a Lifetime movie? It might be more amusing than the role she played in Funny Girl.

SECURITY: “This tour requires metal detectors at all entrance doors, including backstage and all employee entrances. These must be actively manned throughout the entirety of show day and the performance. Also, there will need to be a thorough inspection of the facility by a police K9 prior to sound check.

At venues where our engagement is more than one day in length, an overnight contingent of guards shall be maintained from 11:00PM on the first show day continuously until 4:00PM (or otherwise directed) on the afternoon of the second show day. And so on until the finish of the engagement.”

My mom’s from Minneapolis, home of the infamous Bob Dylan. His cigarette hoarding ways were legion there where it was reported by many fellow party-goers that Dylan would bum cigarettes all night long, waiting until everyone had smoked their last before deigning to smoke from his own pack when all stores were long closed at which point he would refuse to share with anyone. The apple must not fall far from the tree. Check out these entitled (AND EMPHATIC!!!!!) requirements from Jakob Dylan.

While “absolutely no reference” may be made while promoting The Wallflower’s to “Bob Dylan’s Son,” who else but second generation, spoiled rock royalty comes on like this? Hope he gets everything he needs.

This and all direct excerpts of the riders are screencaps of material at TheSmokingGun.

Though their self indulgent rehab-rock has turned me off for quite some time, The Red Hot Chili Peppers have seemed at least to be people that would be fun to hang out with. Certain tour rider requirements have me thinking otherwise.

This and all direct excerpts of the riders are screencaps of material at TheSmokingGun.

“I can’t relax! It’s just too damn blue in here!”

The Black Crowes should have someone who’s not talking to angels write their rider contract.

This and all direct excerpts of the riders are screencaps of material at TheSmokingGun.

Which is it? New and opened or new and unopened?

These are but a few. If you’re looking for a way to kill a few hours, or a recipe for comedy gold, I recommend digging through the available contracts yourself.

Community Connection

More interested in low maintenance travel for musicians? MatadorGoods might have just what you’re looking for. Have a peek at 12 Small Instruments for Travel.

Planning on taking the act on the road? Before you do, see 5 Things You Should Know When Traveling with Musical Instruments.

#MusicMonday: 50 Music Sites That Matter

Paul Sullivan — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:02:31 +0000

Photo and Feature Photo: Yuliya Libkina

Bored with your music collection? Feeling out of the musical loop? Matador Editor-At-Large and globetrotting music journalist Paul Sullivan offers us fifty music sites that offer some of the best and most up-to-date sounds on the planet.

Whether you dig the Spice Girls, The Strokes or Stockhausen, you’re bound to find something here. If not, just try one of the streaming / aggregate sites like Spotify or We7 for even more suggestions.

20 Jazz Funk Greats

Psychedelic disco, progressive, general freaky stuff.
http://www.20jazzfunkgreats.co.uk/wordpress/

Absolute Punk

Former Blink 182 fansite now ground zero for emo, punk and indie.
http://www.absolutepunk.net

Aquarium Drunkard

Justin Gage bridges the gap between contemporary indie, vintage garage, psych, folk, country – and a bit of New Orleans funk, r&b and soul.
http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/

BBC

Every genre imaginable covered by the UK’s “Auntie Beeb”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music

Beat Electric

Specialising in boogie, rare disco, laser soul and proto house
http://beatelectric.blogspot.com/

Black Cab Sessions

A new “gig” each week – all performed in the back of a London black cab.
www.blackcabsessions.com

Black Classical

Jazz, funk and soul rarities with occasional great playlists/mixes.
http://blackclassical.wordpress.com/

Blackdown

Grime and dubstep covered in a consistently reliable fashion.
http://blackdownsoundboy.blogspot.com

Brooklyn Vegan

This NYC blog is international in scope, with news, show reviews, tour dates and MP3s.
http://www.brooklynvegan.com

City sounds

A mash-up of Flickr and SoundCloud and a device that lets users post their own songs makes for truly global listening.
www.citysounds.fm

Classical Archives

Browse by composer, performer, period, even instrument plus download MP3s and create online playlists.
http://www.classicalarchives.com

Closet Curios

Three writers covering modern composers and early electronic music.
http://closetcurios2.blogspot.com/

Cocaine Blunts

All things hip hop, from Roc Raida to Lil Wayne.
http://cocaineblunts.com

Cyclic Defrost

Electronic music, avant-rock, experimental sound art and leftfield hip hop.
http://www.cyclicdefrost.com

Daytrotter

No songs from recorded works here, but exclusive, re-worked, alternate versions of old songs and unreleased tracks by bands.
http://www.daytrotter.com

Dereks Daily 45

Think rare American and Northern Soul. Lots of it.
http://dereksdaily45.blogspot.com/

Donna Slut

Totally random, always fun. Click on some artwork and see what happens!
http://donnaslut.com/

Drowned In Sound

A revered British resource for all things indie-rock related and beyond.
http://drownedinsound.com/

FACT

Going since 2003, FACT is bursting at the seams with incredible dance music. Their free mixes are some of the best out there.
http://www.factmagazine.co.uk

Fluxblog

Matthew Perpetua has been posting MP3s nearly every day since 2002. He knows his onions.
http://www.fluxblog.org/

Freshly Served Hip Hop

Old skool, new skool, true skool. Plus mixtapes.
http://freshlyservedhiphop.com/

Good Bad Music

Interesting and obscure early punk tracks ripped from the original vinyl.
http://www.goodbadmusic.com/

Gorilla vs. Bear

Once described as “the New Yorker of hipster blogs,” these guys blog about relevant artists of the day, with no particular genre-specific focus.
http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/

Heatwave

Dedicated coverage of dancehall reggae, bashment and Caribbean rave.
http://www.theheatwave.co.uk

Hype Machine

The Hype Machine is an aggregator that keeps track of what music bloggers are writing about and handpicking the best.
www.hypem.com

I Guess I’m Floating

Highly lauded site for under-the-radar bands.
http://iguessimfloating.blogspot.com/

Last.fm

Type in your fave artist and Last.fm will stream free music by that act and others like it.
http://www.last.fm

The Love Unlimited

A collective-run site covering all things disco and house related.
http://www.theloveunlimited.com

Mapsadaisical

Experimental, electronic, avant-garde sounds.
http://mapsadaisical.wordpress.com/

MBV

Comprised of various renowned bloggers, this is the blog equivalent of a supergroup.
http://www.mbvmusic.com/

Melophobe

Boston-based site that runs great concert reviews from all over the world.
http://www.melophobe.com

Mondomix

Browse what’s happening in every corner of the planet via continent, or genre.
www.mondomix.com

Music For Robots

Minimal techno, indie rock, post-punk and hip-hop covered by a handful of contributors.
http://music.for-robots.com/

National Geographic Music

The musical branch of the lauded magazine. As global as you’d expect.
http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com

The Needle Drop

Rock, pop, electronic and experimental, with daily Youtube updates, podcasts, radio and blog posts.
http://theneedledrop.blogspot.com/

NYCTaper

Bootleg recordings of shows by the likes of Yo La Tengo and more, all posted with the artist’s permission.
http://www.nyctaper.com/

Orgy In Rhythm

Multiple bloggers writing about old and rare jazz, afro and Latin albums.
http://orgyinrhythm.blogspot.com/

Pitchfork Media

What to say? Increasingly dissed, Pitchfork still delivers on many levels.
http://www.pitchfork.com

Pretty Much Amazing

Daily mp3 updates, podcasts, mixtapes covering everything from LCD Soundsystem to Vampire Weekend.
http://prettymuchamazing.com/

Popjustice

Mostly mainstream pop, but famously tongue in cheek.
www.popjustice.com

The Quietus
Rock, pop and so much more. One of the UK’s best new music blogs.
http://www.thequietus.com

Resident Advisor

Alongside FACT, RA is one of the most reliable sources for electronic grooves.
http://www.residentadvisor.net/

Said The Gramophone

One of the world’s very first MP3blogs. Posts “really good songs” daily.
http://www.saidthegramophone.com

Slutty Fringe

Lots of hot electronic music of the dancefloor variety as well as the odd yacht rock tune.
http://sluttyfringe.wordpress.com/

Smithsonian Global Sound

A treasure trove of ethnological recordings and an incredible resource for world-music fans. Everything from Indian ragas to throat singing bands (plus or Alan Lomax’s field recordings of American folk artists).
http://www.smithsonianglobalsound.org/

Soul-Sides.com

Scads of soulful rarities and hip hop from professor and journalist Oliver Wang.
http://soul-sides.com

Spotify

Streaming access to a mindblowing amount of music, all legal and all without charge (though with ads).
http://www.spotify.com

Stereogum

Lots of news and MP3s on music of all kinds, from Phoenix to Devendra Banhart.
www.stereogum.com

We7

Nearly four million tracks. Allows you to stream, compile playlists and send recs to friends. Plus no registration!
www.we7.com

You And Me On Jamboree

Old School Jamaican Music: Ska, Rocksteady, Early Reggae, Calypso, Dub, Soul and some Roots Reggae.
http://youandmeonajamboree.blogspot.com/

Community Connection

Interested in the connection between music and travel? Hop on over to BraveNewTraveler and have a look at 8 Reasons We Love Music on the Journey.

Four Little Kids Covering Pop Songs on Youtube

Tom Gates — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:42:02 +0000

Four kids take cover the hits with charm and grace. Sort of.

If you’re not one of the ten million people who’ve watched video of a kid playing Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” then you’re missing out. It’s viral media magic.

Below is the clip in question, as well as three other kids who seem to be embarking on early singing careers. Be sure to watch the third lad’s mom scare the bejesus out of him.

Community Connection

Looking for more fun video? Be sure to check out our rundown of literal videos, as well as the unbelievable stunt clips from French prankster Remi Gaillard.

10 Australian Summer Music Festivals NOT to Miss

Juliane Huang — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:58:40 +0000

Photo by: Körschgen. While northern hemisphere folks are breaking out their winter coats, Australians are slathering on the sunscreen and joining the throngs of other music heads attending the continent’s greatest summer music festivals.

Matador gives you the quick and dirty on ten summer music festivals definitely worth checking out the next time you’re down under. A very merry summer, indeed.

1. Summadayze

Photo by: AFlickion

A massive to end all massives, Summadayze is a conglomerate of four different music festivals held all over the Australian continent.

Beginning with their new year’s eve party, Summanights, held in Sydney, the powerhouse event then holds court in Melbourne and Adelaide for simultaneous New Year’s Day celebrations that start at 9am and continue long after the sun has called it quits.

But they don’t stop there.

Summadayze winds through Perth on the 3rd, then Auckland on the 8th, concluding its tour in Gold Coast on the 9th.

With talents such as Carl Cox, Sharam (Deep Dish), Don Diablo, and The Shapeshifters contributing to the lineup, Summadayze is every raver’s candied-necklace, glow-sticked dream and enough hype to make this author to want to spend her first ten days of January in Oz.

Tickets are on sale now and vary in range (the cheapest being $99 not including booking fees or service charges) depending on the date participants choose to attend.

2. Big Day Out

Photo by: tHcnunz

From January 15th-31st, Big Day Out conquers the coastal music scene bringing in exceptional musical talents to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland, and Gold Coast and an average of over 150,000 attendees per concert.

This year, the lineup includes Muse, Lily Allen, The Decemberists, The Mars Volta, Dead Prez, Devendra Banhart, and many many more. Big Day Out is well-known for being the most popular event of the summer.

A testament to the intense popularity of this festival, 2010 tickets are pretty much all sold out. If you have one, the rest of us request photos and crazy stories. In return, we offer the warmth of concentrated jealousy.

3. V Festival (Australia)

Photo by: Bradii

A spin-off of the British V Festival, V Fest brings a host of big name acts to the four popular cities Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Gold Coast for three days every summer.

Though the festival has been canceled for 2010, news reports have been quick to assure us that the future of V Festival is secure, a fact made believable by billionaire Richard Branson footing the event’s bill.

Since its inception almost three years ago, V Festival has not enjoyed the smooth start it was hoping for amidst the heightened activity that defines Australia’s summer music festivals. Last year’s internationally popular bands couldn’t save the event from poor planning and poor weather, but if there’s one thing Branson can do, it’s business. Keep your eye on V Festival.

4. Woodford Folk Festival

Photo by: Irene Cassarino

Held on 500-acres of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland (roughly one hour north of Brisbane), Woodford Folk Festival is a music festival with an environmental bent, placing emphasis on sustainability, nature, and positive social change.

From December 27th to January 1st, the Woodford Folk Festival hosts over 2000 performers and 580 events. Concerts are not the only thing this festival offers attendees as it features street dances, film screenings, comedy performances, and, of course, environmentalism debates and talks.

Tickets are available for purchase on their website.

5. St. Kilda Festival

Photo by: Me!bourne Mermaid

The St. Kilda Festival bills itself as “one of Australia’s best known and Melbourne’s most loved events.” And why wouldn’t it be? The festival serves as a giant tribute to and showcase for Australian musical talents, from aboriginal artists to local contemporary artists.

This year, the festival begins on Saturday, February 6th and runs until Sunday, the 14th. It’s a family friendly event that offers a variety of games and activities for kids as well as over 50 bands on stage for music lovers.

6. Sensation

A music event for 40,000 plus of Melbourne’s best friends, Sensation is held at the very large and very expensive football arena, Etihad Stadium on New Year’s Eve this year.

Requisite for all attendees is all-white garb as Sensation distinguishes itself as “The Ocean of White” massive. Admittedly, the pale dress code does lend a slice of visual coolness to the giant gyrating and sweaty party. Who’s in this year?

If you can’t make the Melbourne event, not to worry, Sensation is a global music festival that works tirelessly to satisfy music heads all over the globe into somnolence. Check out their website for event dates and locations information, ticket purchase, videos, photos, and more.

7. Rainbow Serpent

Photo by: Scootie

A multi-sensory, outdoor art and music festival, the Rainbow Serpent Festival runs from Friday, January 22nd to Monday, January 25th in Western Victoria.

Like Burning Man or Bonnaroo, Rainbow Serpent Festival places heavy emphasis on community and art in addition to music, which makes it one of the can’t miss events this upcoming January.

That’s not news to the event’s fan as the festival sold out of its first round tickets within mere minutes.

8. Good Vibrations

Photo by: S Baker

Starting February 13th and running until February 21st in 2010, the Good Vibrations festival tours Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, and Gold Coast, showcasing acts ranging from Salt ‘N Pepa to The Killers.

Typically a haven for dance music fans, this year, the event is trying to draw a more diverse crowd through its eclectic lineup. Tickets cost over $100 and are usually quick to sell out as Good Vibrations is one of the billboard events among Australia’s summer music festivals.

9. Pyramid Rock

A four day, camp-out music festival, Pyramid Rock is held annually at the incredibly scenic Pyramid Rock on Phillip Island, Victoria.

This year, the Pyramid Rock festival is taking place from December 29th to January 1st. Tickets are sold as two- or three-day passes that start from morning entry and end when your energy is completely depleted.

Bands sharing the Pyramid main stage include Empire of the Sun, Architecture in Helsinki, Cat Power, Ugly Duckling, and Blue King Brown. The Pharaoh’s Annex provides the DJ and dance floor for all the dancing shoes out there.

10. Falls Festival

Photo by: Looking Glass

Taking over Lorne, Victoria every new year’s eve, Falls Festival is one of Australia’s longest running music festivals, clocking in at 16 years this coming January.

The festival runs four days, from December 29th to January 1st, with attendees usually bringing a tent and camping out on one of the nearby beach sites.

This year’s lineup includes the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Moby, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Lyrics Born, and Major Lazer.

Seen any of these festivals firsthand? Share your stories below!

#MusicMonday – Rage Against Crap Music: #1 UK Christmas Hit Group Effort Against Simon Cowell

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:51:29 +0000

Photo (and Feature Photo): cliff1066™, Remix CC by Kate Sedgwick

176,492 Facebook Group members made it possible for the 17 year old Rage Against the Machine hit “Killing in the Name” to clobber other choices for the Christmas Number One Slot in the UK. The group, run by Jon and Tracy Morter, was set up to unseat the schmaltzy picks of Simon Cowell that ooze forth from speakers all over the UK throughout the holiday season each year. The Christmas Number One is big business and a big deal in the UK.

From the RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE FOR CHRISTMAS NO.1 page:
Are you getting fed up about the possibility of ANOTHER X-Factor Christmas No.1? …us too…so we’re going to do something about it!

We are all buying a download of ‘KILLING IN THE NAME’ by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE right NOW! until the end of Saturday 19th December (23:59pm).

They succeeded. It was less about the song itself and what the song represents – the antithesis of “The X Factor” (read Britain’s American Idol) host’s powerful campaigns to exert sway in the pick for the Christmas Number One.

From the page – a celebratory message.

They had to tell participants not to download more than once and to follow industry guidelines to prevent their selection from being disqualified.

They are apparently dedicated to improving quality of life beyond the aural realm. They have also raised more than £60,000 for Shelter, a UK charity group dedicated to securing homes for the homeless and campaigning against homelessness. When they realized how much attention their page was getting they thought it would be a waste not to direct some of that attention to the greater good of humanity.

In 2008, the #1 was “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen as covered by Alexandra Burke. In 2007 it was “When You Believe” by Leon Jackson, and in 2006, it was Leone Lewis’ “A Moment Like This.” “Killing in the Name” will forever be etched on the Christmas Number One for 2009, representing the general public’s dissatisfaction with warmed over sentimental claptrap for Christmas.

Community Connection

Interested in change from the ground up? Find out 10 Ways the International Community Must Help Africa from MatadorChange.

A Death Metal Cover of Super Mario Castle Theme

Tom Gates — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:36:03 +0000

Mario kicks Bowser’s ass to the thrashiest soundtrack ever.

We stumbled up on this YouTube while perusing the excellent metal blog Metalloides. Ever-fascinated with all things Mario and Death Metal, this video falls right in our sweet spot.

The tune is covered by Vancouver’s Nylithia.

#MusicMonday – NPR Music Offers Free Downloads for Those in Search of Something New

Kate Sedgwick — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:15:50 +0000

Photo and feature photo are screencaps from the NPR website.

I love NPR and I love free and I love music, so I was delighted to discover NPR’s Music Page.

Along with the Concert Page with free concert downloads they offer the Song of the Day. I’m picky. I dislike more than I like, so it’s great to find a place where there’s a new sound and artist offered up every day to sample.

Check out Erin McKeown’s dissonant Put the Fun Back in Funeral, or OutKast’s So Fresh and Clean. The song of the day is all over the place and you’ll find something new or old that you need to listen to just when you need it.

Community Connection

Interested in How Music Connects Travelers? Check out 10 ways over on TheTravelersNotebook.

#MusicMonday: 10 Things To Know Before Your Next Rock Show

Tom Gates — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:50:25 +0000

Photo: photo by limowreck666

How does the show go on? Matador takes a peek at what goes on behind the scenes behind your favorite concerts and tours.

Auto-Tune

It can take fifty shows for a band to perfect harmonies and learn how to perform under difficult conditions. Auto-Tune is an audio processor that fixes pitch problems for singers who are incapable of singing, as well as those who just haven’t gotten their chops together. Sadly, nothing ever seems to help Stephen Jenkins of Third Eye Blind.

The Ticket Price

Moan as you might, the artist is not making nearly as much as you think, unless they’re charging Eagles prices. They are given a guaranteed lump sum but any income beyond this amount is subject to turnout (ticket sales), as well as whatever overhead is incurred for the night.

This can include the venue’s crew, the support artist’s guarantee, union fees, security and even the cost of printing backstage passes. Do you know those ads for venues in newspapers with 16 boxes promoting each show? Each band is charged back for their own little box.

Photo: mccoyspace

Catering Rider

This is a list that is sent ahead to the promoter and includes the band’s backstage wishes. Famous indulgences are too long to list but are easily perused here. Don’t let opulence requests fool you – the most popular items are often socks and underwear, of which a band can never have enough on tour.

Because these lists are sent out in advance of the dates, it is guaranteed that the artist will be sick of the catering rider by the middle of the tour, condemning the sight of 30 orange Vitamin Waters and 9 Toblerone bars.

College Shows

Do you know why your favorite band is playing community colleges in North Dakota? Because they’re bagging a pile of money. Universities have budgets for such things and artists are all-too-happy to take the check, often making triple their normal guarantee. One string of college dates can help cover the crew’s overhead for an entire year.

The Band Doesn’t Know Where They Are

No matter what the night means to you, you’re just where the bus pulled up that morning. Look closely on stage and you might catch a piece of tape with “Austin” taped to a piano, microphone or monitor. Hope for their sake that it was changed from last night.

In Ear Monitors

Bands used to hear their live mix through stage monitors (“wedges”), which pointed back at them and caused for ridiculous hearing loss. Nowadays most artists reach a point where they can afford an in-ear monitor system. A live mix is transmitted directly to the band’s ears, via a wireless system and custom-molded hearing pieces.

Most often you’ll notice a person on the side of the stage working a board – it’s their job to mix the sound just for the band. Telltale signs of technical problems include a desperate ear-picking, hilarious pantomimes and horrific pitch.

Merchandise Is Money

T-shirt sales might make an artist more money than their performance fee, depending on the venue. Buying one definitely puts money into the band’s pocket, but only after a percentage is taken by the venue (anywhere from 10 to 30 percent) and the materials are paid for.

A basic t-shirt usually costs the band around $3, unless they’re offering American Apparel, which will run at least double. The more colors on a design, the more the band paid to have it created – you’ll notice the price differences.

Photo: aubreyarenas

The Lighting Director

This is a sure-fire way to see if the band is broke or cheap. If the lights look like they’re done by a Radio Shack employee with a seizure disorder, that means that the band is using the “house” lighting tech, who probably hasn’t even heard the band’s album.

If the show looks smart and sharp, that’s because they have paid dearly to bring their own LD. This person usually spends a few days before tour, locked in a blazing-hot room full of lights, programming to a list of songs that the artist has given them in advance.

Sleep With The TM, Not the GT

Other than the promoter, the Tour Manager has supreme power. If you’re looking to flirt your way into a backstage pass, don’t waste time with a Guitar Tech, who will simply have to ask the TM for one (sorry GT’s, your secret is out). It is not recommended that you sleep with any of these people, especially because they all have girlfriends and boyfriends back home. But you’ll never know that, will you?

Photo: jeremycliff

Tour Buses Are Really Expensive

One tour bus can easily cost $75,000 for an eight-week tour, and that’s not even for a fancy one. The band also pays for things like gas, the driver’s hotels, overtime for long drives, cleaning and satellite TV. Fines can be thrown on top for things like pooping in the toilet (a huge no-no on tour). Add extra money for a “slider”, which allows for more living space in the main berth by popping the wall out another 3-4 feet, when parked.

#MusicMonday Pick: Debajo del Agua

David Miller — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:06:22 +0000

Denver based hip hop group Debajo del Agua is being recognized for their work in promoting awareness of social justice and human rights issues worldwide.

Debjao del Agua, Dia del Immigrante, Denver.

I LOVE WHEN artists that bring something real and original actually get recognized. This seems to be what’s happening, luckily with Debajo del Agua.

I started listening to Debajo in 2007, catching one of their early shows in a University of Colorado Biology building.

It was among the strangest and best shows I’ve ever been to, not just for the venue but the format, which was a combination of music workshop (demonstrating various wind, string, and percussion elements of Andean music and Afro-Latino percussion) followed by an ass-kicking performance that mixed Caribbean / African rhythms with Latin melodies and laced it all up with rapid-fire hip hop vocals in Portuguese, Spanish,and English from emcees (all brothers), Pablo, Dani, and Elias Cornejo.I don’t think a biology building has ever been rocked so hard.

What I love most about Debajo is how it’s a totally family affair. The patriarch of the band, José Cornejo ( a native of Santiago, Chile), went into exile during the Pinochet regime, eventually settling in Denver and raising his sons, as he says, “listening to songs and instruments of America south of the Rio Grande. . .mixed with the music of Víctor Jara, Violeta Parra, Mercedes Sosa, Atahualpa Yupanqui.”

Now the whole family + friends (most of whom grew up in the same neighborhood in Denver, playing on the soccer team José coached) continue the tradition of songwriting with social justice and human rights as the central message and hip hop culture as the way to deliver it.

I wrote a piece on Debajo del Agua back in 2007, and have kept up more or less ever since. I was stoked to see this week they are being awarded the 2009 Global Justice & Peace Award from the Denver Justice & Peace Committee. If you’re around the area on Dec. 5th, I definitely recommend being there.

Debajo del Agua will perform a full evening of music, plus ndividual band members will speak on issues relating to music and social justice. The ceremony begins at 7:30pm and the concert starts at 10pm.

The event will take place at the Mercury Cafe on Saturday, Dec. 5th. Bigup.

.

#MusicMonday – Put Some Dub In Your Step & Some Hyper in Your Dub

Paul Sullivan — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:41:07 +0000

Photo and Feature Photo: peletiah

This weekend I happened to be in London for the 5th anniversary of the London-based Hyperdub label.

Pioneers of the distinctly British genre Dubstep (the bass-heavy successor to the underground UK urban continuum that includes jungle, grime and garage), Hyperdub has been gorgeously unpredictable in delivering fresh, colorful takes on this most cutting edge of urban sounds, helping re-define it and bolster its reputation as a serious, anti-fad music form.

Famed for unearthing groundbreaking records by artists such as The Spaceape, Burial, Darkstar and King Midas Sound, the label is run by Kode9, aka Steve Goodman, a DJ / producer with a Ph.D in philosophy and a deep interest in (and knowledge of) sonic culture.

In fact, Goodman has gone so far as to write a book called “Sonic Warfare: Sound, Affect, and the Ecology of Fear“ (click the link for free sample chapters), which “maps a (dis)continuum of vibrational force, encompassing police and military research into acoustic means of crowd control, the corporate deployment of sonic branding, and the intense sonic encounters of sound art and music culture.”

Photo of Nocturne 4/Kode 9 & Spaceape: basic_sounds

Hyperdub parties are fairly rare and Saturday’s, which took place at Elephant & Castle’s Corsica Studios, was road-blocked from the outset. There were blistering live sets from Kode 9 and MC Spaceape (whose radical re-versioning of Prince’s Sign O’ The Times classic was the inaugural Hyperdub release), King Midas Sound (a collaboration between poet/singer Roger Robinson and The Bug) and Darkstar, plus DJ sets from Ikonika, Cooly G, LD, LV and Videeo.

The venue shook all night long with the constant barrage of deep, dirty bass and sci-fi style futurebeats, running the gamut from the wonky, glitch-filled hip hop of Michigan-born Samiyam, an iridescent set from Cooly G and some bad-bwoy grimy throwdowns from Kode9. The crowd were mixed, dedicated and friendly – a perfect night and one of the best parties I’ve attended the whole year in terms of music and vibe. It’s Monday and I swear my legs are still vibrating.

Living in techno-saturated Berlin, it’s easy to forget how edgy London can be. Hyperdub’s extravaganza was a stellar reminder that the capital still holds the title for the most forward-thinking and diverse clubland in the world. For an insight into the Hyperdub sound, check out their recent 5th anniversary compilation “Hyperdub 5,” Burial’s “Untrue” (declared one of the albums of the decade by many music sites), or King Midas Sound’s forthcoming “Waiting For You.”

You can go directly to a FACT Magazine podcast from King Midas Sound that includes a bunch of sweet reggae / lovers rock as well as tracks from Burial, Larry Heard, My Bloody Valentine, Sade and Scritti Politti. And finally, for your reading pleasure, here’s a brand new interview with the man behind the whole sonic revolution, Steve Goodman.

Go on – get dubbed up.

#MusicMonday – Ghostly Music and The New Indie Revolution

Matt Huntington — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:54:21 +0000

Michna breaks out. Photo: ffg

Giant record labels are dead. Sorry, Jay Z. Def Jam is just not that cool any more.

The big, corporate labels are dinosaur fossils (insert big high five to the internet here) in an industry that is now thriving off the entrepreneurial efforts of the artists themselves. Successful are the labels that can figure out not only how to distribute their music in new and different ways, but also brand themselves.

One of these labels is on Ghostly International. A passport for flavor, Ghostly is a creative house where art and music live under the same roof. Their makeup and roster has a more unique range of tastes than the Baskin Robbins in Bangladesh.

To get a feeling for their artists and sounds, download the mixtape collaboration,Ghostly Swim, that they did for cartoon loonies Adult Swim.

Another ingenious way to spread their sounds, Ghostly released one of the coolest (and FREE?!) iPhone apps I have seen, Discovery. Simply set your music mood on their color wheel and you’re instantly streaming a mix of their artist catalog.

If you want to dive deeper, I urge you to check out two of my current label favorites, Michna and School of Seven Bells.

Michna’s album, Magic Monday, is a tightly knit piece of instrumental and electronic beat production. Throw on your headphones, press play, and this album will take you on little trip from start to finish.

School of Seven Bells is held together by the heavenly vocals of the two, sexy Deheza sisters and clean sound design of Benjamin Curtis. They got their name from a mythical group of pick pocketing, South American orphans. Another relaxing trip for your ears and mind.

All in all, not too shabby of an output from a label founded in 1999 by a 19 year old, right? We could all learn something from Ghostly.

#MusicMonday: Discover Be-Dom, Portugal’s Percussion-Mad Sextuplet

Tom Gates — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:13:34 +0000

Be-Bom is one of the most innovative acts to come out of Portugal since that da Gama guy.

With their first DVD only out this week, Be-Dom is making a fast name for themselves in Portugal. The six members of this Porto based group mix performance art with music composed entirely on instruments made of found materials. Here’s a peek at three of their frenetic, feel-good performances.

Community Connection

Want to hear about more interesting musicians? Meet Aaron Appleton (currently on a worldwide quest to mix anthropology with world music) and Jamie Catto, one half of the ultimate world music project 1 Giant Leap.

How Big Is The Beatles’ Stick? Big Enough To Smack The Other Apple In The Face

Tom Gates — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:26:25 +0000

The Beatles’ remastered catalogue will be available on a digital USB stick just in time for Christmas.

EMI and Apple Corps Ltd have announced the upcoming release of The Beatles digital USB. The device is another strong uppercut to the other Apple, who have yet to land the band’s titles on iTunes. “[Jobs] says that a download is worth 99 cents, and we disagree,” said George Harrison’s son Dhani in an interview with Blender last Spring.

Music retailer Bluebeat has been selling $.25 Beatles track downloads but, as reported in the LA Times this week, EMI has filed copyright infringement charges against that company. It appears that they forgot to ask permission to put the tracks up.

The $279 USB is shaped in the form of an apple (shocker) and contains 14 stereo titles, as well as all of the re-mastered CDs’ visual elements, including 13 mini-documentary films about the studio albums, replicated original UK album art, rare photos and expanded liner notes.

Only 30,000 copies of the USB will be released. It drops December 8th and is available for pre-order at The Beatles’ store.

Community Connection

Have you been following us each #Musicmonday? If not, check out our recent free download picks from We Make It Good and Atlas Sound.

Faith No More Electrifies Buenos Aires after a 10 Year Hiatus

Kate Sedgwick — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:42:30 +0000

This and All Photos: Kate Sedgwick

It seemed like an acre of bodies at rest that we squeezed through to get to the other side of the stage where the “espacio fan” was.

What the Pepsi Music Festival in Buenos Aires calls “fan space” is an area in front of a stage that is at least ten feet off the ground, and what it amounts to if you’re all of five feet tall (like I am) is that you won’t be seeing much of any of the musicians you came to see below knee level.

It means their torsos will often seem to hover, cut off by the blackness of the stage. To be in the special area will mean that the little view you have will be blocked by massive cameras and their operators as they simulcast choppy close ups that pan in and out like children playing with a zoom lens for the first time.

Despite being herded into an overpriced “fan” corral, the privilege of which I paid extra for, I so thoroughly enjoyed Faith No More’s performance November 1st, 2009 that I am having trouble defining it. While I was not able to see very much of what was happening on stage, I was there more to hear the band than to see them and they delivered in a big way.

The only view I ever got of Drummer Mike Bordin
was on the big screen.

I’ve been a fan since my sophomore year of high school. At that time, FNM’s sound made me sick. It made me nervous. It touched a part of me I didn’t know I had and there seemed to be answers to mysterious questions in the dissonance, lyrics, and syncopation on Angel Dust. I hadn’t heard anything quite like them and I still haven’t. I tortured myself with that record, listening to it over and over even though it scared me, until I crawled into that sound and identified with it.

Though their style changed a lot with the two subsequent albums (King for a Day and Album of the Year) at least partially because each had a different guitarist (Trey Spruance and and Jon Hudson respectively), Faith No More sounds like no other band. Metal? Lounge? Rock? Country? Spaz core? Noise? Easy listening? Punk?

Rabid fans go insane in Buenos Aires. Shows here are just more fun.

Yes. All of the above. And though their sound is hard to pigeonhole, they are immediately recognizable in no small part due to Patton’s vocals that range from leading-man smooth to larynx shredding shrieks and barks.

Keyboardist Roddy Bottum, Singer Mike Patton and Bassist Billy Gould.

I saw them once before in 1995 on the King for a Day Tour when they made their way to Louisville, KY. That show was much smaller, I was right up front and though the venue and show were different, the truth about FNM is that the band is tight, disciplined, and incredibly skilled. At that show Patton ripped out the back of his pants when he crouched to let loose a note from the bowels of hell (or at least his own). Unfazed, the show continued with periodic flashes of the singer’s red underwear.

Patton donned a #10 soccer jersey for the encore,
drawing a parallel between himself and Argentine soccer legend
Maradona. Was it a joke? Maybe.

It broke my heart when they split up. Though I have followed solo projects by members since then, I enjoy them as a team. Seeing them play was an emotional experience for me. Even if they’re in it for the money, each of them gives themselves up to the show and the music and that’s what we’re all there for.

While being in South America often has me missing bands touring the US and Europe, this time, it’s the kids in the USA who are missing tour dates for the freshly reunited band who seems to be following Summer around the world starting in Europe and coming this way for the hot weather. Those of you reading this – if they tour the US you’d be an idiot not to go. Faith No More is as good or better than they ever were (though I have to say that I miss Jim Martin’s guitar).

If you haven’t seen a big rock show in Buenos Aires, you’re missing out. The fans here are practically rabid in their enthusiasm. No one is too cool to dance and so if you’re used to American fans who seem to want to be caught in a sexy pose if the hot guitarist happens to look their way, fans in Argentina give as much as the bands and in some cases, more.

Patton remarked on the crowd’s preference for singing the guitar and keyboard parts. We were a wall of sound that could be heard through floor monitors and amplifiers. This was a show I will not soon forget. The following are the first three numbers. Enjoy!

Community Connection

Are you a freak for Faith No More like the author? Has one of your favorite bands ever come to your neck of the woods? Do you find rock concerts in Buenos Aires to be a bit too much? Let us know about it in the comments field below.

Amazon.com Is Quietly Becoming The Best Place To Buy Cheap Digital Music

Tom Gates — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:05:24 +0000

The Gaslight Anthem’s album is a fivespot on Amazon.com.

Amazon’s digital music downloads don’t come with anything to protect filesharing. So why are record labels selling their albums here cheaper than on iTunes?

The #1 selling album on Amazon’s digital store right now is the soundtrack to a little-seen film (Away We Go ), by a too-seldom heard artist (Alexi Murdoch). So why’s it selling? At $6.99*, it’s a cheap investment for an album that currently holds a 4 ½ star rating.

The same album goes for $9.99 on iTunes.

Amazon seems to be working hard to get the price down on titles. This is encouraging for those of us who still like to purchase music but find a price point one penny shy of ten bucks to be ridiculous.

Albums currently selling well for five bills include Beastie Boys’ classic Paul’s Boutique , Owl City’s embarrassing Ocean Eyes and the indie-dad-approved Yo Gabba Gabba’s Music Is Awesome .

The disparity between pricing with iTunes is puzzling. Jay Z’s The Blueprint 3 is currently $5.00 on Amazon and $9.99 at iTunes. Same price difference for Tim McGraw, Flight Of The Conchords and Grizzly Bear.

On top of their low-price model, Amazon has been rolling out plenty of free albums over the past few months. Most of the titles are garbage, but it’s a dizzying selection of garbage nonetheless, with 144 titles at last count.

If you’re going to low-dough album, I’d suggest The Gaslight Anthem’s The ’59 Sound . Currently one of the best live acts in the world, they’re about to enter the studio to record what music-folks are whispering could be the album of 2010. At five bucks, this one’s a steal.

*This title was $1.99 when we first posted the article but jumped shortly thereafter.

#MusicMonday Trivia: Rappers’ Real Names and Musicians Under 5′3″

Paul Sullivan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:30:08 +0000

William Dreyton…or Flavor Flav? Photo: aon

Resident music trivia buff Paul Sullivan checks in with two lists, one a bit shorter than the other.

Musicians Under 5’ 3”

Dolly Parton – 4′ 11″
Petula Clark – 5′ 0″
Paul Anka – 5′ 0″
Linda Ronstadt – 5′ 2″
Stevie Nicks – 5′ 1″
Paula Abdul – 5′ 2″
Debbie Harry – 5′ 3″
Bushwick Bill – 4′ 7″
Davy Jones – 5′ 3″
Lisa Marie Presley – 5′ 3″
Paul Simon – 5′ 2″
Phife Dawg (A Tribe Called Quest) – 5′ 1″
Bette Midler – 5′ 1”

Rappers’ Real Names

Vanilla Ice – Robert Van Winkle
Snoop Doggy Dogg – Calvin Broadus
Shaggy – Orville Richard Burrell
Tupac Shakur – Lesane Crooks
Guru – Keith Elam
Queen Latifah – Dana Owens
Shabba Ranks – Rexton Rawlston Gordon
Notorious Big – Christopher Wallace
LL Cool J – James Todd Smith
Foxy Brown – Inga Marchand
Chuck D – Carlton Douglas Ridenhour
Coolio – Artis Ivey
Flavor Flav – William Dreyton
Krs One – Kris Parker
Eric B – Eric Barrier
Rakim – William Griffin
Timbaland – Tim Mosely
Missy Elliot – Melissa Elliot
Slick Rick – Ricky Walters
Redman – Reggie Noble
MC Hammer – Stanley Kirk Burrell
Ice T – Tracy Marrow
Grandmaster Flash – Joseph Sadler
Doug E Fresh – Douglas Davies

(feature photo by on naughtymerrick)

Twenty 80’s Rockers…Twenty Years Later

Tom Gates — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:49:02 +0000

Wonder where some of your 80’s rocker faves ended up? We did too. Two hours and three tallboys later, here’s who we found. Behold.

Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider. Photo: urbanmixer

Paul Stanley of KISS. Photo: beddiewedder

Ronnie James Dio. Photo: Marek Krajcer

Warrant’s Janie Lane. Photo: beddiwedder

Stephen Pearcy of RATT. Photo: Äppelmos

Tesla’s Brian Wheat and Frank Hannon. Photo: vazzz

W Axl Rose of Guns N Roses. Photo: Cuene Chiste

Night Ranger’s Jack Blades. Photo: zengrrl

Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat. Photo: bantam10

Mike Reno of Loverboy. Photo: michiee

Don Dokken. Photo: beddiwedder

Quiet Riot’s Kevin DuBrow. Photo: BradP

The Scorpions. Photo by Photo Agency

David Coverdale of Whitesnake. Photo: emalaith

Phil Collen of Def Leppard. Photo: kaleid

Lita Ford. Photo: shadowgate

Alice Cooper. Photo: denaflows

Kip Winger. Photo: Rick

Sammy Hagar and, inexplicably, David Hasselhoff. Photo: suzanneandsimon

Van Halen’s David Lee Roth. Photo: anirudhkoul

#Musicmonday: We Make It Good Mix Series (Free Download!)

Matt Huntington — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:56:16 +0000

Looking for new tunes on this monday? Check out one of the best mixtape series around. Hands down.

Curators of goodness, the We Make It Good crew, teamed up with The FADER back in spring of 2008 to birth a mixtape series called, go figure, the “We Make It Good Mix Series.” Summoning renowned DJs and artists such as Pretty Titty, XXXchange, Blaqstarr and Sinden, they’re going strong on their tenth release. Each volume has a completely unique sound and style that provides a glimpse into the different artists’ genre and tastes.

One recent volume in heavy headphone rotation that’d I’d like to highlight is byPaul Devro of Mad Decent (Diplo’s label and brainchild).

Devro gets all Houston choppy and screwy-like with such tracks as Salems ”Trapador” then seamlessly bleeds into a Skream remix of Mad Decent’s Major Lazer flagship track “Hold the Line.” There are hints of pure gangster, international dance flavor and classic, hot reggae tracks like John Holt’s “Strange Things” and one my personal favs, “Under Mi Sleng Teng” by Wayne Smith, who sounds as Jamaican as John Wayne. If John Wayne road around 24/7 with blunts in his holsters preaching Jah, or just how much he loves smoking weed.

Download HERE and full track list below.

We Make it Good Intro
Salem – Trapdoor
Major Lazer – Hold The Line (Skream Remix)
Kelis – Awww Shit
John Holt – Strange Things
Plies – All Black
Fat Pimp – Check Me Out
DJ Nate – Free
DJ Vielo – Caps Angolano
Ethiopians – He’s No Rebel
Wayne Smith – Under Mi Sleng Teng
Boddhi Satva – Punch Koko + Secret Tamil Hornz
Kyla – Do You Mind (Crazy Cousins Remix) + Screwd
Deee-Lite – Applejuice Kissing
Crookers (Phra) – E.D.S.
Kantik – Punani Bubbling
Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley
Latino Be My Baby Outro

Go to the We Make It Good site to download all ten WMIG volumes with full track listings.

We Make It Good is a self-described “group of writers, curators, dreamers, and thinkers telling stories in spectacular ways through the varied mediums of film, music, art, and experience.” Check them out on Facebook if you like.

Community Connection

Need more? Check out last week’s #musicmonday mix by Atlas Sound, or our recent rundown of 8 Musicians Who Will Make You Rethink World Music. Also peep our list (with videos) of 30 Songs That Capture The Spirit Of Travel.

#MusicMonday: Micromix by Atlas Sound

David Miller — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:53:46 +0000

Bradford Cox. Image: White Rainbow.

An Atlas Sound micromix from this summer that seems made for Fall.

I’m still tripping on this Micromix [follow link for free download] from Bradford Cox of Deerhunter.

Even though it was released this summer (and there are a few we-shall-overcome moments that seem like they could’ve only been produced in places with hot weather) the mix has this real autumn-y feel overall, introspective and rainy. But then sometimes you need minor chords.

What I love the most is the momentum that always seems to keep pushing you downstream. It starts with some kind of sweaty handclapping gospel you can visualize somewhere in South Georgia which then dissolves @3:00 to these ambient soundscapes that sound like outer space or maybe Finland.

From there it flows into Pescado Rabioso. This is the stuff my wife and her friends grew up listening to in Buenos Aires, all of them in varying degrees of love with the lead singer Spinetta.

There’s a cool chronological jump then where it goes from Spinetta’s music from the early 70s to current Buenos Aires musical innovator Juana Molina.

I don’t want to keep narrating the rest except to say it all stays tight and ‘in the pocket’ even through a bit of Neil Young and one original track from Atlas Sound, which is Bradford Cox.
Good mixes always reflect the mixer and the person he or she is mixing for, which makes me wonder who exactly “Jeff in Vancouver” is and if there is any connection to Argentina.

I think Bradford Cox is the most relevant musician in the US right now. His mixes are like extensions of the rest of his (and sometimes Deerhunter’s) tracks, many of which get released, like these micromixes, for free at their blog. The original post for this micromix is here. Enjoy.

1. Rev. Johnny L. Jones – Walk With Me / Anonymous – We Shall Overcome
2. Es – Säteet Sun Sielusta
3. Pescado Rabioso – Superchería
4. Juana Molina – Martin Fierro
5. The Particles – Apricot’s Dream
6. Neil Young – Bad Fog Of Loneliness
7. Anonymous – We Shall Overcome
8. Atlas Sound – Coffin Trick (Second Version)
9. Townes Van Zandt – Pancho & Lefty
10. Pescado Rabioso – Las Habladurías Del Mundo

Made Scarce: How Indie Rock’s Next Big Thing Became Yesterday’s News

Tom Gates — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:04:23 +0000

Photo by Timothy Mahoney.

Out this week, filmmaker Sally Irvine‘s documentary Days Like These follows the short-lived career of one of Indie Rock’s best kept secrets. We spoke with her about the film and the band’s history.

Rhode Island’s Scarce was shot out of a cannon in 1994 and became a band that every record label had to sign, only a few months after forming. They recorded a stellar debut and took to the road, following their seemingly pre-destined path to superstardom. The series of events that followed confounds anyone who’s ever been a fan.

You’ve talked to quite a few Scarce fans. Can you describe how people feel about the band and the music they’ve made? I would imagine it’s quite passionate.

Very. Somebody even said that seeing them again after all of these years was like a religious experience. I interviewed an assortment of people, including other musicians like Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses) and Joe Lally (Fugazi), all of whom said amazing things.

How did you end up choosing this as a documentary subject?

I went to see them when they played a one-off show in London late last year. Joyce gave me a copy of her book and we got talking about making a feature film out of it, which was too expensive of an idea. I’m an independent filmmaker. So I suggested that we make a documentary.

I saw the band on their way up, at the CBGB’s show that landed them a deal. Do you get the impression that, at the time, they were as surprised as anyone by all of the sudden attention?

Yes. They’d only been a band for a couple of months and they recorded The Red Sessions in a week. There was this huge, fast rise to fame.

If you listen to Deadsexy now, it might seem impossible that this is a record which could have a commercial life. But if you put it in the perspective of the time it makes sense; bands like Mudhoney were in Rolling Stone, Smashing Pumpkins had taken distortion mainstream…there was a definite feeling that even if it wasn’t Deadsexy that did it, Scarce would definitely hit it on the next album. Would you agree?

Photo: lfletcher

I would have thought so. Their music was a lot more thoughtful and intelligent than what some bands were chucking out. They always had something that was just a bit different. Even how they dressed – everyone else was in ripped jeans and here they were all dressed up. The album doesn’t sound at all dated now.

Then everything went wrong. For the uninitiated, can you encapsulate what happened to the band around 1995, right as they were about to click?

They got picked up by A&M, after being chased by 24 record labels. Everyone wanted to sign them. Then there was a big holdup of a year because Chick was previously signed to Sire and Sire Records sued him. They couldn’t play, they couldn’t tour – they were just left holding on for a year.

They finally settled for something like $90,000 and then their drummer left. They had to re-record the album with a new drummer. They went through about four or five drummers before Joe and the day after he started Chick had a brain hemmorage.

Chick and Joyce. Photo: lfletcher

He was in hospital for two or three months. They went back on the road even though Chick wasn’t in a good place – his balance was funny and he couldn’t hear properly. They were under pressure from the label. He and Joyce ended up fighting and the band just fell apart.

I’m wondering how you approached all of this in the documentary. It’s a really sad, tragic story. Was it difficult to find some kind of inspirational arc? I mean, essentially, it’s like watching a ship sink.

I was very conscious about this and I wanted to approach it objectively. The beginning is about their rise to fame, then into all of the shit that happened to them. But I have made sure that the end is pretty positive, because they’re back and people seem to be so pleased.

What do they make of all of this?

They can’t believe the reaction they’re getting. I don’t think they planned to make a comeback. They just got back together because they like playing together. They’ve been quite astonished by the reaction they’ve gotten.

Did you talk to the band about their lives post-Scarce?

Yes. Joyce and Joe played together for a little while but that didn’t work out. Chick never stopped playing. He was playing bars in Providence and toured Europe. Joyce got married, had a family and wrote the book. When I interviewed Joe, he said that he’d had a feeling that one day they’d get back together. It took ten years.

I see that there are some shows in the UK. Can you explain how you’re rolling out the movie a bit?

We’re doing four dates in the UK. Each show is a support band who are Scarce fans, then the documentary and then Scarce will do a set. We’ll then go over to The States and do a show in New York and Providence. We’re hoping to do a much bigger US tour next year.

You’ve done a documentary on a band that’s made only one album. I’m not sure that’s ever been done before.

They may only have one album but they probably have one of the greatest stories of any band. It wasn’t just one awful thing that happened to them. It was a whole series of tragedies. But they’ve still come back fighting.

Community Connection

Be sure to check out Nathan Larson of A-Camp’s Five You’ve Never , in which he manages to discuss both Burt Lancaster and falafel. Also, feel free to stroll through Berlin’s Ramones Museum and check out some of the best literal videos ever made.

Void’s War Hero is the Voice of True Evil

Sean Garrison — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:07:27 +0000

Dangerous? At one time, maybe. Scary? No. Photo: liftarn, Feature Photo: showbizsuperstar

The Misfits, for all their flexing and Jersey-boy malarky, were never scary. Dangerous people? Sure, but not scary.

They were not unknowable creatures, but simple macho dicks who wrote great songs with great hooks.

The Cramps? Give me a break. They were lightweight posers.

Black metal? Death Metal? Weak pussies who play too much D&D and run around with stupid corpse makeup on. None of these people even get close to the true Heart of Darkness.

No black leather can take you there. Pouring sheep’s blood on your head? Lame. Impotent.

You cannot walk to this place. You cannot put on a costume and use a transporter beam to get there. It is a place bathed in white light. It is not a reflective pool. It doesn’t understand irony or reveal any answers.

It contains zero doubt.

There is only one band who can take you to this place where positive and negative completely cancel each other out – where the voice of an actual demon child can be heard. Evil’s true voice is the voice of a jealous and vindictive adolescent. It is impish and filled with snot, tears and a total lack of understanding. It is the voice of a crybaby purse-snatcher who drowns mice in a pool of grape soda.

True Evil lurks in plain sight. Photo: zachflanders

When Dante walked in Hades one voice rose above all others – and it was the voice of John Wiffenbach.

The only rock band in the world that can take you there is Void.

My favorite song of the entire punk era is War Hero by the incredible ball of seething hatred that was Void. Most people don’t realize that the band actually formed in 1979, when the members were barely teenagers. They are often thought to have been influenced by The Germs, when they were actually contemporaries of Darby and Co.

Their best song is War Hero because it captures the spirit of total negation – the desire to kill and be killed. This is very, very different from the desire to dominate others or intimidate people.

War Hero captures the exact same emotional blankness that can be found in footage from the Columbine HS massacre. It is the story of the joy that is to be found in erotic and impotent revenge combined with the no-sense-makes-sense philosophy of a childish mind.

I came very close to getting to that place a few times when I was young. I am not saying that Wiffenbach and the rest of the guys in Void (John may not have written those lyrics) were these kinds of people. From all accounts they were nice guys. That is not the point.

Void’s sound exactly captures the feeling of depressive psychosis in which a feeling of joy arises from moving both toward the moment of sacrifice, as well as the moment of offering oneself up to the return fire of the faceless Enemy who can never be understood or seen clearly.

This is the sound of Hell. Not the goofy, comic-book hell of demons and lakes of virgin’s blood; it is the sound of the actual Hell that exists within the soft, white light. It is the sound of total confusion coming together to lash out without any understanding or wisdom.

Here are the lyrics to this demented American masterpiece:

Give me a gun cause I know how to shoot
Give me my grenades, and let me go soon
Don’t want to be a civilian anymore- I already got my boots
Fuck discipline, man – I just want to kill.

I want to die in a war.

My friends are all afraid of being drafted
They’re afraid to die – don’t ask me why
Gonna burn their draft cards and make their mommies cry
I want to go and fight because I want to die.

I want to die in a war.

Give me a gun cause I know how to shoot
Give me my grenades, and let me go soon
Don’t want to be a civilian anymore – I already got my boots
Fuck all this discipline, man – I just want to kill.

I want to die in a war.

Listen to War Hero at KBD Records.

Buy The Faith/Void Split LP that features War Hero here: www.dischord.com/

8 Musicians Who Will Make You Rethink World Music

ClaudioSilva — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:25:49 +0000

Sigur Ros’ Jonsi takes a bow. Photo by frinky

Traveling the world is only a set of headphones away. Claudio Silva offers us eight of the world’s most impressive artists.

Sigur Rós – “Svefn-G-Englar”

This quartet, hailing from and inspired by Iceland, is one of those bands that force us to rethink the meaning of music. Some of their songs can barely be called that, as Sigur Rós makes widespread use of sounds that we would not readily associate with music.

They are also known to use complete silence in some parts of their songs, like here in the first long moments of Svefn-G-Englar. Sigur Rós is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy them, the experience is like opening a window into another world.

Sigur Ros – Svefn – G – Englar

If you like this you might also like: Múm (“Green Grass of Tunnel”)

Teresa Salgueiro. Photo: volume12

Madredeus – “Haja O Que Houver”

A rich, melodic sound composed primarily of acoustic guitars, a cello, an accordion, and the breathtaking voice of lead singer Teresa Salgueiro, Madredeus can definitely be considered one of Portugal’s best contributions to the world of music.

The voice of Ms. Salgueiro will inspire comparisons to Portugal’s other musical heavyweight and queen of fado, Amália Rodrigues. However, Madredeus has a folksier, universal appeal to it, and will still feel relevant if listened to in the winding streets of Porto or in an art museum in Florence. Haja O Que Houver is considered by some to be the most beautiful love song sung in Portuguese.

Madredeus – Haja O Que Houver

If you like this you might also like: more Madredeus (“Guitarra”)

340ml – “Midnight”

Although they sing in English, the four band members of 340ml are Mozambicans, born and bred, and you can hear it in their music. In their youth they moved to South Africa to study and have stayed there ever since. 340ml’s groove has elements of jazz, bossa nova, samba, and marrabenta (a traditional Mozambican genre), all against a backdrop of a sick dub bass line that gives their music a raw edge and a distinct sound.

They have exploded in popularity in South Africa and rightly so. The track “Midnight” is an excellent introduction to their work and their vibe.

If you like this you might also like: Freshlyground (“Doo Bee Doo”)

Federico Aubele – “Diario de Viaje”

Federico Aubele provides the perfect soundtrack for Buenos Aires in particular and Latin America in general. It is as if he channels the sounds, ambiance, and disposition of the region.

Frederico Aubele. Photo: macskapocs

A native of Argentina, Aubele combines flawless acoustic guitars with downtempo electronia, reggae, and hip hop beats. He does, however, stay true to his roots and in many songs it is possible to hear the accordion so essential to tango. His vocals are laid back and relaxed, and in his first album his wife and equally talented singer Natalia Clavier provided a sensual Spanish vocal backdrop upon which he painted his music. “Diario de Viaje” is vintage Aubele, as it combines reggae elements, his acoustic guitar, and a distinct Argentinean longing.

Federico Aubele – Diario De Viaje

If you like this you might also like: Natalia Clavier (“Azul”)

Tcheka – “Sabu”

For all of their relative anonymity in the world stage, Cape Verde has produced some truly magnificent musicians. The Barefoot Diva herself, Cesária Évora, comes from these rocky but paradisiacal Atlantic islands off the coast of Senegal. The music of these islands is warm, full of longing and infused with soul. Tcheka embodies it perfectly. He is one of the most exciting artists to emerge from Cape Verde, and one of the only male voices singing its alluring batuque rhythm.

Besides having a stunning voice, Tcheka is also a deft guitar player and the rhythm he creates with his string instrument make for a great, calming, introspective listening experience.

Tcheka -Sabu

If you like this you might also like: Anything by Mayra Andrade and Sara Tavares

Buraka Som Sistema – “Sound of Kuduro”

Comprised of two Angolans and one Portuguese, Buraka Som Sistema is probably unlike anything you’ve ever come across. The rhythm they’ve mastered is called Kuduro, an Angolan creation that combines local kizomba and semba with frenetic electronic and house elements.

Souad Massi. Photo: pierrejean

Kuduro was made popular in the slums of Luanda and exported by the Angolan diaspora living in Lisbon. It has been around since the turn of the century but only now made popular outside Luanda and Lisbon, due in large part to the exploits of Buraka Som Sistema. What’s fascinating about kuduro is that it’s now inspiring people the world over, such as Zakee Kuduro, a Philly artist who has embraced the genre. You might just start hearing it thumping in a nightclub near you.

Buraka Som Sistema -Sound Of Kuduro

If you like this you might also like: Zakee Kuduro (“Sane Eba”)

Souad Massi – “Bel El Madhi”

Some singers are able to enchant us with nothing but their voice and their guitar – the Algerian Souad Massi is one of those singers. Singing in her native Arabic, as well as French and Spanish, she mixes Algerian rai with Spanish flamenco, Congolese high life, and French chanson. But what really sets Massi apart is her pure, clear voice.

If you like this you might also like: Beirut Biloma (“Mazaj” feat. Oumeima)

Cibelle – “Waiting”

Sultry and enthralling, Cibelle is a Brazilian singer who first became famous for participating in a certain Suba’s São Paulo Confessions CD, one that combined traditional Brazilian music with electronica. An experimental artist, she incorporates sounds of glockenspiels, bells, and other gadgets into her music, creating a unique aural landscape that’s even more pleasurable when she starts to sing.

In the end you might find yourself comparing some aspects of her music to Icelandic singers like Björk and Emiliana Torrini, but Cibelle’s fare is sexier and more subdued.

Cibelle – Waiting

If you like this you might also like: Emiliana Torrini (“Me and Armini”)

The Last Great US Music Fest of 2009 – New Orleans’ Voodoo Experience

Tom Gates — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:25:04 +0000

Justice’s amazing setup comes to Voodoo. Photo by momaraman

With festival season seemingly behind us, Voodoo Experience sneaks in a good one before the first frost hits.

There aren’t many places better to spend Halloween weekend than New Orleans, especially with this year’s lineup at Voodoo Experience.

NIN at Voodoo 2008. Photo: nineinchnails

Now in its eleventh year, the three-day festival has hosted some of the biggest names in music.

The 2009 lineup features quite a diverse pack. Eminem will make his only live appearance in this year, tacked onto a bill that also includes attractions like KISS, Lenny Kravitz, The Flaming Lips, Janes Addiction and Widespread Panic .

It’s the variation of acts that makes Voodoo so cool – you’d be hard-pressed to find a lineup as diverse as this one.

Rock is well represented, with performances by Meat Puppets, Brand New, Silversun Pickups, Wolfmother and Down. Dance fans will find a surprise in the form of a rare appearance by Fischerspooner, not to mention the inclusion of super-duper-hipsters Justice. Alt Country fans will run square into sets by Drive-by Truckers and Shooter Jennings, while a more cerebral set will be happy to catch Alejandro Escovedo and Robert Randolph.

Halloween with The Demon. Photo: mback23

Perhaps most lucky is the eclectic music fan, who can also see artist like Ween, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Gogol Bordello, Squirrel Nut Zippers and The Pogues. All of this is swirled together with New Orleans flavor, from local marching bands to classic Creole sounds.

Voodoo Experience, October 30th – November 1st, New Orleans, Louisiana.

R-A-M-O-N-E-S IN B-E-R-L-I-N

Tom Gates — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:26:42 +0000

One man’s obsession with The Ramones has spawned one of the coolest music museums in the world.

Flo Hayler decided to start a Ramones museum after receiving an ultimatum from his girlfriend – either his empire of memorabilia went or she did. Four years and 10,000 visitors later, The Ramones Museum Berlin is still going strong.

The collection of over 300 pieces runs the gamut. There are photo shrines, t-shirts, gig posters and even a pair of Johnny Ramone’s jeans. Each item is placed with care and precision – a couple of hours in this room and even a non-fan could soak up the fascinating history of one of the most simple (yet complex) bands in rock history.

Inside the museum.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated fan than Hayler, who describes himself as the “happiest guy on Earth”. Walking through the main gallery, he grins at each item, probably imagining how it came into his care. He admits that some nights he just sits in the main space and stares at the room, imagining how to improve the arrangement of its contents. A bigger fanboy there’s never been.

This is undoubtedly the reason that the museum works so well. It’s less a collection and more a shrine, a labor of love that is easily appreciated by anyone who has ever gone to the dark side of collecting, a world where a lost eBay war might end in tears and tantrums.

Ramones Museum Owner/Obsessed Fan Flo Hayler.

The space also contains Café Mania, which has ended up becoming a hangout for local scenesters. Tourists who stick around for a cup of coffee often find that they leave with more information about Berlin than any guidebook could offer. This is a place to find out every hip event in Berlin for the next month, publicized or not.

The museum also doubles as a performance space, with upcoming shows including Anti-Flag and Jay Reatard. CJ Ramone recently played a set in the space – hundreds of people waited in line for a chance to make it inside and meet a Ramone. Longtime Ramone friend and designer Arturo Vega –the man responsible for The Ramones logo – will make an appearance at the museum’s birthday on October 16th.

Ramones Museum Berlin. Krausnickstr. 23, Berlin, Germany.
www.ramonesmuseum.com

Attica! Attica! – Ditch the Van Bike Tour for Charity

Kate Sedgwick — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:07:51 +0000

Photo: bill shouldis

Attica! Attica! embarks on a fall bike tour this September that spans the East Coast for which all proceeds will go to World Bicycle Relief.

If you’re not in a town the band will be passing through, you can still donate here.

Though Attica! Attica! has a sound that runs the gamut, one consistency aside from the emotionally moving and raw vocals of Aaron Scott are lyrics geared toward exposing a greater truth, be it emotional or societal. Scott is a visionary musician with an aesthetic geared toward making a difference.

Scott won’t be going it alone on the Ditch the Van Tour. He says, “I’m the only permanent member of the band. It’s essentially a solo act where my friends join me sometimes.” Backing up his vocals, acoustic guitar, and piano playing will be Blake Jenssen, erstwhile tour manager and mechanic on acoustic guitar, and Jon Olek, also on acoustic guitar and filling in as roadie and jokester in between shows.

How to Make an Impact and Hear the Band:

Attica! Attica! on MySpace, where you can hear a couple songs for free: myspace.com/atticaattica

Attica! Attica!’s official website, where you can download the new album Napalm & Nitrogen for free: atticaattica.org

Dead Skin Dried Blood, the band’s first record available for purchase here or in iTunes:
Dead Skin Dried Blood

The Ditch the Van Tour blog for tour dates and more: ditchthevan.blogspot.com

Attica! Attica!’s World Bicycle Relief team donation page where you can donate to the cause:
grassroots.kintera.org
_______________________________________________________________

Scott’s busy schedule gearing up for the tour could easily have prevented this interview from happening, but he took some time to tell MatadorNights a little about himself, his music and the upcoming tour.

MN: Where do you live?

AS: I live in Portland, OR, USA. Portland gets a lot of attention in the American press for being the bike mecca of the United States. We’re proud of that reputation, but we also know that we have a long way to go to match the ridership and cycling infrastructure of many places in Europe, for example.

It’s also important to acknowledge that it’s fairly easy to have an impressive cycling reputation in a nation like the US where such a high percentage of the population can afford cars. A majority of Americans still disdain cycling, finding it pointless, irritating, dangerous, or too difficult.

The Ditch the Van Tour is focused just as much on advocating for cycling to an American audience as it is on providing bicycles to disaster-stricken communities.

MN: World Bicycle Relief supplies bikes for those in poverty and those affected by disaster. While many might think that bikes are frivolous, can you describe ways that they improve quality of life for people?

AS: If you have a car or live in a place with decent public transportation, then perhaps you could think a bike is frivolous. But in developing countries, a bicycle can dramatically improve a person’s life. The more mobile a person can be, the more easily that person can access education, healthcare, job opportunities, and general goods and services.

This is true anywhere in the world. And if your only transportation is walking, then a bicycle allows you to go farther, exert less effort, carry more, and save time.

If you have to travel 10 miles a day, would you rather walk for 4 hours or bike for 1 hour? And if anyone out there truly thinks that cycling is frivolous in developed countries, just look at the cloud of smog above any major city and then tell me how that’s going to go away without the help of bicycles.

MN: Your lyrics are socially conscious and and now you’re going on a benefit tour. It seems you’re into music for more than music’s sake. Would you care to elaborate on that?

AS: I like a good love song I suppose, but the music I value most explores ideas that matter on a larger scale. When I was growing up, I always had food, good healthcare, a place to sleep, and people who cared about me.

While that seemed normal at the time, I found out as a teenager that living conditions throughout the world vary dramatically. I felt somewhat guilty that the lottery of life had made my childhood so easy, but I think I was also naturally drawn to matters of human rights, for whatever reason.

Photo and Feature Photo of Aaron Scott: Ricardo Saporta

It was around this time that I started listening to punk music, and I was enthralled by both the aggression and the lyrics condemning the establishment. That seemed much more interesting to me than country musicians blindly cheerleading for the government or pop singers whining about their latest breakup.

So when I started writing music, I wrote about social justice. I can’t say that it’s part of any mission, especially since I do write some songs that are more introspective. But I’m interested in working towards social justice in all aspects of my life, so it makes sense to combine the two whenever possible.

MN: Have you heard of Blind Pilot and their bike tour?

AS: Once I committed to doing this tour and began talking about it, several people clued me in to Blind Pilot’s bike touring. A handful of performers have done something like this in the past, but it is still rare enough that many people have never heard of anything like it.

I had a chance to speak with Ryan from Blind Pilot, and his advice was to just enjoy it as much as possible and not worry too much about itinerary and promotion. Of course, this is hard for me because I like plans and I like talking about myself. And I also feel it’s important to work hard to get the word out.

The more people know about it, the more people will think about cycling’s possibilities, and the more money we will raise for World Bicycle Relief.

MN: Where did the name Attica! Attica! come from?

AS: I borrowed the name from an old 70’s protest chant. In 1971, a prison riot erupted in Attica State Penitentiary in upstate New York. There is a rich history to this story that deserves a better retelling, but here’s the brief summary:

Though the riot was spontaneous, it was somewhat in response to the particularly dehumanizing conditions for inmates at Attica. As a result of the riot, the inmates took control of a significant part of the prison and took many of the prison guards hostage.

After a four day standoff where the inmates and the state tried to reach a resolution, the state lost patience and attacked the prison yard with tear gas and guns, leaving 28 inmates and 9 hostages dead. The state then spread misinformation, blaming the hostage deaths on the inmates and bulldozing much of the evidence.

As a result, “Attica!” became a chant that was popular whenever activists witnessed an overly violent state response, such as police brutality. I thought it was a fitting name to accompany my interest in social issues, and I also liked the connection to upstate New York, where I was living at the time.

MN: Your sound varies from pop punk to emotional piano ballads, but the message seems to be about solidarity with the underdog in nearly every case.

Scott and his Bike

AS: An easy way to make a song more interesting is to give it unexpected lyrics. There aren’t many piano ballads out there that discuss creating community by causing a blackout. And I like to cover a range of topics, but the underdog is a certainly common theme for me. To be clear, the underdogs I’m singing about usually have higher stakes than just being the unlikely winner of a football match.

MN: Do you believe it’s the artist’s responsibility to raise awareness of societal problems?

AS: I don’t believe the onus is on artists anymore than it should be on any other group of people. It is everyone’s responsibility to educate ourselves about social injustice, and it is our obligation as global citizens to try to make the world around us better, whether that is locally or globally.

Music is a powerful vehicle for raising awareness of these issues, but it can also be beautiful for the sake of beauty. I’m much more interested in whether a person is trying to improve their surroundings at all than if they are specifically using music for that cause.

MN: Do your favorite bands seem to follow these lines as well?

AS: Absolutely. I loved punk music as a teenager exactly for this reason. I particularly respect artists like Midnight Oil and Billy Bragg, who have used what is essentially pop music to promote social justice. My favorite band has always been Bad Religion because of their ability to make catchy, energetic music that doesn’t sacrifice the intelligence of the message for the sake of the music.

MN: Do you have recommendations for other socially conscious bands that rock?

AS: Don’t dilute your message in an attempt to be more accessible. Your social consciousness makes you unique in a crowd of musicians who are singing about much less interesting subject matter. Bands like Rage Against the Machine and System of a Down have done very well singing about politics; you can too.

MN: Ha ha! That’s not what I meant, but I like the question you answered better than the question I meant to ask, so let’s move on.

This is a threefold do-gooder tour. You are being green by touring on bikes with awareness raising music to benefit charity. This is really inspirational. For those who are looking for inspiration in their quest to change the world for the better, what do you have to say?

Riding my bike for 10 weeks, meeting new people, singing songs around campfires, sleeping in the woods, and making a few people think along the way? Now that’s living.

AS: For me, it has been essential to find methods of working for change that I find both invigorating and effective. I used to go to huge rallies and protests and felt lost in the large crowds, then got frustrated at how the media would misportray the event, rendering the entire effort toothless.

I eventually realized that I need to have more agency in my efforts, otherwise I would just stop trying altogether. This bike tour is just the latest iteration of my personal activism, and it emerged from trying many other forms of action and finding out they were not for me. All I can say is that you don’t need the power of a million people to make a change. That said, it doesn’t hurt, either.

MN: How are you preparing for the trip? Did you have to quit your job? How else are you preparing to put your day to day life on hold?

AS: Ideally, I would’ve spent the last month riding my bike a lot. Instead, I’ve been working overtime to save money, running around like a madman to get all the gear I need, and recording my new record.

Since we’re giving all the door money to World Bicycle Relief and we won’t be able to take any merch with us, I needed another way to make money while I’m gone. My record is going to be available digitally for donation, which is something I’ve never done before. It’s unclear how many people donate in those situations, but I’d rather people hear my music for free than not hear it at all.

My job just ended because it was seasonal, and I don’t have anything lined up for when I return. Portland has the second highest unemployment rate in the US, so that’s a little scary.

But as far as putting my life on hold, I like to think that traveling like this is quite the opposite. If my life has ever been on hold, it has been during the times when I was working a job I didn’t like or I wasn’t experiencing anything new. Jobs and places to live will always be available as long as I’m willing to be patient enough to find them.

Riding my bike for 10 weeks, meeting new people, singing songs around campfires, sleeping in the woods, and making a few friends along the way? Now that’s living.

Community Connection:

Into biking? Be sure to check out our picks for The World’s 15 Most Bike Friendly Cities, as well as our recent article about what steps to take towards successful self-supported bicycle tours.

Literal Video – The Endless Charm of Stating the Obvious

Kate Sedgwick — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:39:15 +0000

The first literal video I saw was this A-Ha “Take on Me” spoof.

I couldn’t stop laughing. It touched a chord. So often you or I might sing a snippet in the spirit of the literal video, but to do it so seamlessly and for the length of the entire song, well, you have to admit that it takes talent.

Among the many YouTube users now posting their own literal videos, many mention Dusty McNeato whom they credit as being the originator of literal video. Apparently due to copyright laws, the original literal A-Ha video was taken off and in its absence others stepped into its place, including a Dutch version of the same video.

A quick search of Dusty McNeato reveals his personal website and YouTube Channel.

The following are some recent gems of the genre.

It’s easy to hate Total Eclipse of the Heart, the tune that’s mocked at least once a night at any Karaoke throughout the U.S. You’ve been overexposed and are now suffering from Eclipse poisoning. Never fear. Get your mock on with this critical and observational jewel of snark and goofiness.

I added this one simply because, though the singing is far from convincing, the lyrics are true to the form and though I think we’ve all been Rick-Rolled, I don’t know that more than a handful of us have been literally Rick-Rolled. Perhaps Rick-Rolling has had its day, but if you want to surprise someone with some Rick, I think this is the way it must be done hence forth.

Ten Metal Musts For Your iPod

Tom Gates — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:44:15 +0000

Make some horns, everyone. This is not a list of Aquanet bands…it’s a proper metal list, prepared only for the iPod of those about to rock.

Metallica – “Battery”

This is the mighty Metallica before they pussed out, complete with one of their best and should-be-patented intros. Injury awaits anyone who can bang their head along to one of the best riffs ever put on tape (at about 1:10). This song turns humans into animals.

Metallica – Battery MP3

Judas Priest – “Electric Eye”

A Priest song where Halford isn’t secretly talking about S&M, dudes or…dudes. During the 80’s, about a million kids with oddly shaped Ibanez guitars tried to learn this riff, then cried when they couldn’t make their fingers move fast enough and pinch a harmonic at the same time.

Judas Priest – Electric Eye MP3

Iron Maiden – “The Number Of The Beast”

I was drunk in cab in Buenos Aires when this last came on. The driver eyed me in the mirror as he goosed the volume a bit, testing me. His hands tapped the wheel in time with the opening riff. I mumbled along with the first verse, enough to make his eyes dart into the mirror again and check my phrasing. He completed a few lines lines under his breath, at which point we came to the chorus and both started screaming.

Your mom is so pissed. Photo: cadwallader

You’ve never seen anything like it. Two men in a cab barreling through La Boca, shifting between first and fifth gear (it’s Buenos Aires), windows down, wailing about sixes, beasts and Hell.

Drug dealers ran screaming. Priests genuflected. Mothers scooped up their children, fearful that the demon-car would abduct their spawn and indoctrinate them into this sick cult.

Go ahead. Listen to it. See if it doesn’t do the same to you.

Iron Maiden – The Number Of The Beast (Live) MP3

Pantera – “Primal Concrete Sledge”

How Pantera went from a wimpy hair-metal band to something this sinister, heavy and incredible always puzzled me. Many tracks on Cowboys From Hell haven’t held up over the years (“Cowboys From Hell”…are you scared?) but this one has. Bigtime heaviness and a double-kick combine to blow out your woofers.

Pantera – Primal Concrete Sledge MP3

Black Sabbath – “Paranoid”

This song is 38 years old. No kidding. Recorded in 1970, “Paranoid” was a last-minute track added to Black Sabbath’s second album. It was intended simply as filler, to hold together the album that also contained classics like “War Pigs” and “Iron Man”. Classic.

Black Sabbath – Paranoid MP3

Suicidal Tendencies – Institutionalized

Oh, how we all wanted to say these lyrics as fast as Mike Muir did. And oh, how we all got sent to the same therapist that he did.

It’s a really weird thing, when a catch phrase takes hold of a subculture that hasn’t busted yet. That’s what happened with this song. From skate parks to detention rooms, everyone was offering the same line to their friends, who smiled because they knew where it came from. Anyone who didn’t know was a poseur or a dick. It hardly seems like the rally call for a generation raging against Reagan and teachers and Ritalin, but it was.

“All I want is a Pepsi, and she wouldn’t give it to me. Just a Pepsi.”

Suicidal Tendencies – Institutionalized MP3

Dio – Rainbow In The Dark

Look, it’s a great song. But this is really just a fantastic opportunity to point out that Dio is a complete mental patient.

Ronnie James Dio is the original JK Rowling, seemingly able to sing only about dragons, witches, mysticism and anything…mwah-ha-ha. The man regularly dresses in medieval garb, speaks with a Shakespearean accent and performs with so many erratic hand gestures that it could easily be assumed he has Parkinson’s Disease. Just watch the video.

Which is exactly why we love him.

Dio – Rainbow In the Dark MP3

Motorhead – “Ace Of Spades”

It’s one of those songs that everybody should have. Just broke up with your girlfriend? “Ace Of Spades”. Hate your father? “Ace of Spades”. Feel like doing meth for the first time? “Ace of Spades”. It’s a catch-all for the moments in life when you simply need to throw and break things.

Motorhead – Ace of Spades MP3

Motorhead’s Lemmy turned 63 this year. Photo: bundabergtim

Megadeth – “Peace Sells”

Anyone over 30 will remember the bass riff from this song, which doubled as the theme for MTV News. The track features Dave Mustaine at his snarly-est, bitching and growling his way through every word. It harkens back to a time when Megadeth had something to prove, constantly trying to sneak out of the shadow of Mustaine’s former band.

Megadeth – Peace Sells MP3

Slayer – “Angel Of Death”

This band was just plain scary when they started releasing music. I spent the better part of my first Slayer concert pinned under a soundboard at L’Amour in Brooklyn, trying to make my way out from underneath 500 pairs of Doc Martins, all of which seemed to be intent on kicking me in the face. The only thing I could see through feet were the two flashing upside-down crosses on stage.

“Angel Of Death” chronicles the life of Josef Mangele, the infamous Nazi doctor who conducted grizzly experiments on humans during WWII. As controversial as the song was, bear in mind it was also used in Gremlins 2.

Slayer – Angel Of Death MP3

Say What Now?

Looking for more metal? Be sure to check out our article about the Black Metal scene that’s coming out of developing countries, as well as our tips for surviving your first European metal festival.

Hey, Weren’t You In Sex Gang Children? 25 Original Names Of Bands You Know

Paul Sullivan — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:46:45 +0000

Thom Yorke of…On A Friday? Photo: tanaka

Have you ever heard “Just Can’t Get Enough” by Composition Of Sound? Of course you haven’t because they changed their name to Depeche Mode in 1980, when Dave Gahan joined the band. Paul Sullivan smacks us with a list of 25 band names that almost were (and, in many cases, should never have been).

Talking Heads – Vague Dots
Police – Strontium 90
Earth, Wind And Fire – The Salty Peppers
Culture Club – Sex Gang Children
Dire Straits – Café Racers
Beach Boys – Carl And The Passions
Abba – The Engaged Couples
Spice Girls – Touch
Bee Gees – Wee Johnnie Hayes And The Bluecats
Nirvana – Fecal Matter
U2 – Feedback
Radiohead – On A Friday
Led Zeppelin – New Yardbirds
Blondie – The Stilettos
Depeche Mode – Composition Of Sound
Kajagoogoo – Art Neauvou
The Byrds – The Beefeaters
Status Quo – The Spectres
Oasis – Rain
Queen – Smile
Simon And Garfunkel – Tom And Jerry
Motorhead – Bastard
Wham! – The Executive
Teenage Fanclub – The Boy Hairdressers
Blur – Seymour

Community Connection:

Dig music lists? Be sure to check out Ten Motown Musts and our recent article about our Favorite Music Blogs.

Ten Motown Musts For Your iPod

Tom Gates — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:30:49 +0000

Home Of The Hits: Motown. Photo: lizwade

Some of the most-loved singles of all time were recorded at Hitsville USA, a nickname given for Motown’s original office and studio, located at 2648 West Grand Blvd in Detroit. Matador offers a list of Motown songs that should make their way onto your iPod, aSap.

The Marvelettes – Please Mr. Postman

Photo (and Feature Photo): dwhartwig

This was Motown’s first #1 pop single. The Marvelettes would follow with ten more hits, becoming the girl group archetype of all time. The track features the legendary backing band The Funk Brothers (with Marvin Gaye on drums here).

“Please Mr. Postman” tells the tale of a girl waiting for a letter from her boyfriend. For those born after 1985, a letter is a physical piece of mail that is delivered directly to your house by a ‘postman’, a person who is the conduit for the delivery of this letter (sort of a human Tweet).

MP3: Please Mr. Postman

The Contours – Do You Love Me?

Originally written for The Temptations, The Contours were in the right place at the right time. As the story goes, Berry Gordy became frustrated that The Temps weren’t in the studio after he penned the track and handed it to this lucky act (they were hit-less at the time).

“Do You Love Me” took on a second life after it was featured in “Dirty Dancing” but don’t hold that against it. It’s an impossibly hooky hit.

MP3: Do You Love Me

The Supremes – You Can’t Hurry Love

That bass line. Diana Ross. The Supremes’ 7th #1 hit . It’s impossible to replicate, although Phil Collins tried in 1982 and ended up with a #1 of his own (you can still hear it on the speakers in Walmart). This single finds The Supremes at their peak, when they rivaled The Beatles in popularity.

Photo: ClevelandSGS

MP3: You Can’t Hurry Love

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave

Dress it up as a song about love but I think that it’s really a song about being horny. Martha & The Vandellas hit paydirt with this single and followed with twenty-four charting songs, including “Dancing In The Street” and “Jimmy Mack”.

MP3: Heat Wave

The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back

This song is impossible to dislike – I dare you. “I Want You Back” was the big hit from their first album, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5.

It’s argued that Ross didn’t discover the band at all, rather that Motown knew it had a fantastic marketing angle by putting it forward that she had. Indeed sweet and juicy, “Bubblegum Soul” became the internal term used for music that The Jackson 5 made.

MP3: I Want You Back

Stevie Wonder – For Once In My Life

The song, written by Motown staff writer Ron Miller, is a great example of just how valuable Motown’s in-house writers were to the company’s success.

This up-tempo version by Wonder proved to be the biggest chart success (#2) but it has also taken on my many other lives, having since been recorded by The Temptations, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennet and Frank Sinatra.

MP3: For Once In My Life

Brenda Holloway – Every Little Bit Hurts

Photo: murkredi

One hell of a breakup song. Considered by many a “lost” Motown artist, Holloway had relatively modest success beyond this single.

Favoring songs that she had written herself and living on the West Coast did not help Holloway, who many say could have been a bigger star had she not been on the label.

Many people have re-recorded this song, including a surprising take by The Clash.

MP3: Every Little Bit Hurts

The Four Tops – Reach Out, I’ll Be There

Another classic written in-house by Holland-Dozier-Holland, the team who largely defined The Motown Sound in the 1960’s.

Singer Levi Stubbs’ sing/shouting on this track is almost punk rock, given the times in which it was recorded.

You can practically see the levels ping to the right as he brings it to the chorus.

MP3: Reach Out, I’ll Be There

The Velvelettes – He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin’

The Velvelettes never made an album, instead releasing singles and never quite getting a big break. It must have been wildly frustrating to the members, who found themselves waiting in line as other Motown artists grabbed and recorded the big hits.

“He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin’” is one of the Motown greats from an act that could have had much more success, were they just a stitch luckier.

MP3: He Was Really Sayin’ Something

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – I Second That Emotion

The Miracles were Motown’s first breakout artist, which came in part because Smokey Robinson was vice-president of the company.

This song switches up many of the romantic notions of the time; it revolves around woman who strings men along and just likes a little bit of nookie now and then.

Robinson, theoretically, is there waiting if she should change her mind and want a committed relationship.

MP3: I Second That Emotion

NOTE: Your best bet for a collection of Motown’s best is the stellar boxed set Hitsville USA, Vol. 1: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971

Community Connection:

Dig music lists? Be sure to check out Ten Songs By Musicians Who Died Too Soon. Our recent article on the best music blogs will also help keep your your iPod fresh!

Seven Crazy Nights in Ibiza’s Summer Of Lust

BarryWhyte — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:07:33 +0000

Anything goes in Ibiza. Even suds. Photo: elijah

Want to lose a week of your life? Here’s a guide to seven days of debauchery that await you in Ibiza 2009, as reported by Addicted To Ibiza’s Barry Whyte.

You could say that Ibiza has a bit of a reputation for partying. The long, balmy Spanish nights seem to last forever, making it the only summer destination from which it is socially acceptable to return home without a tan. But with so many parties to go to and so many places to dance, how do you cram it all into just one week?

MONDAY

When you get off the plane, jump straight into the deep end and head for the world’s biggest nightclub to see the world’s biggest Trance DJ. Privilege hosts Tiesto and up to 10,000 partygoers every Monday night.

You don’t even need to worry about checking in at your hotel first. As I discovered last year, the coat check at the gift shop will look after your suitcase. The icing on the cake? The DJ booth floats on top of a swimming pool.

Privilege’d Party People Photo: robertocastrano

TUESDAY

Live rock music in Ibiza? Really? Isn’t this island supposed to be the spiritual home of dance music? Founded on the premise that dance kids like to rock and rock kids like to dance, Ibiza Rocks is the unexpected success story of the last few years.

Every Tuesday this year Ibiza Rocks plays host to the Ting Tings, the Klaxons and MGMT, just to name a few. Moreover, they now own their own hotel so you can host after parties worthy of rock stars.

WEDNESDAY

You’ve been on the island for two days now, so it’s probably time for a bit of a rest. Ibiza is famous for its sunsets – the best place to watch is Café Mambo on the sunset strip in San Antonio.

Not only will you have the thrill of watching the crowd cheer as night begins and the sun goes down, but often you can catch big name DJs warming up for their sets later that night – for free.

THURSDAY

Tonight, it’s time to check out the most famous club in the world: Pacha. The name is synonymous with celebrity, hedonism and glamour, and David Guetta’s Thursday night F*** me I’m Famous party is Pacha at its finest.

Letting It All Hang Out At Bora Bora. Photo: djmitchit

With the VIP, VVIP and VVVIP areas (yes, really) taking up well over two-thirds of dance floor, some question whether mere mortals are actually able to let their hair down and party. Even so, basking in Pacha’s unique vibe is a vital Ibiza experience and one you will come to love. The clincher? Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland is their resident PA this summer.

FRIDAY

It’s Friday, you’ve now been in Ibiza for five days and you’ve still not found time to dance on the beach! Make amends and head down to Bora Bora Beach Bar in Playa d’en Bossa for some cheeky afternoon sangria.

Once you’re all danced out, it’s time to check out the more civilised side of Ibiza. Jump in a cab to KM5, one of Ibiza’s many laidback countryside restaurants. Loads of people say the best thing about Ibiza is the balance between crazy nights out and beautiful places to chill. KM5 and their outdoor cocktail lounge do that job nicely.

Ibiza Rocks Hotel Photo: 2411844@N07

SATURDAY

You know you’re in Ibiza when it’s four o’clock on a Saturday afternoon and you’re dancing in an abandoned zoo surrounded by people in fancy dress. The club on everyone’s lips this summer is The Zoo Project, taking over from the much missed DC-10.

Their Saturday daytime sessions are talk of the island and attract top underground DJ talent. You’ll definitely leave with stories to tell everyone back home.

SUNDAY

Can you still change your flight? Photo: martyworld

And finally, clubbing in Ibiza is almost synonymous with Sundays at Space. Dancing on the terrace on a Sunday afternoon has become the ultimate Ibiza institution. The former 22 hour We Love Space marathon now restricts itself to a mere 14 hours due to changes in club licensing laws, but that’s not held back the stream of massive international DJs that make up the line up every week.

Truly, nothing compares to this. Just make sure your sunglasses are suitably oversized and overpriced.

That only leaves one more decision. Once the sun comes up and the music turns down at 6am, will you be running to catch your flight? Or will you be running to the nearest internet café to change your flight home?

(It’s just across the road, in case the latter takes your fancy.)

Lawn Seats Still Available! The Has-Been Tours Of The Summer

Jason Policastro — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:22:11 +0000

Def Leppard’s Joe Eliot. As important as Robert Plant? We think not. Photo: shawna_mail

Matador contributor Jason Policastro cooks up a list of summer tours by acts that refuse to go quietly into the night.

Sometimes, old rock bands are able to stay vital and relevant. Take the Rolling Stones – yes, they are a bit haggard looking, but the old bastards can still put on a great show. Or Sonic Youth, who’ve just released a new album and have remained influential for almost 30 years now, shunning convention all along the way. The following bands, not so much.

Aerosmith

This band has cancelled seven dates on their summer tour because Steven Tyler pulled a leg muscle. They’re now moving forward, but without bassist Tom Hamilton, who is recovering from “non-invasive” surgery. The good news is that guitarist Brad Whitford is back after emergency surgery, following an accident where he somehow bumped his head on his Ferrari. Seriously?

The phrase “the band is falling apart” is usually a figure of speech, but Aerosmith is actually physically disintegrating.

Aerosmith erodes. Photo: jaywestphotography

Def Leppard

Generally speaking, you might let nostalgia get the better of you on this one and say, “Oh well, let these 80’s metal dudes have their fun.” I would have agreed with you, until I read this quote from Def Leppard vocalist Joe Eliot in a 2006 Rolling Stone article:

“If we’re hair metal, so are Led Zeppelin. Warrant and Ratt were hair metal. We’re not. We were always better than that.”

Sugar Ray

After spending four years hosting gossip show Extra, lead singer Mark McGrath has apparently tired of working on douchey TV shows. His solution? A return to making douchey music. Witness Sugar Ray’s new album, Music for Cougars. I wish I was kidding.

The Dink From Sugar Ray. Photo: squirrelnut

Ozzy Osbourne

This one hurts. Ozzy was at one time one of the most badass rockers on the planet. He was the lead singer for Black Sabbath. War Pigs? C’mon man, it doesn’t get more badass than that song.

Somehow, all of this former glory makes his transformation into a feeble old man even more painful to watch. Seeing him shuffle around his mansion in slippers, appearing lost and trailed by a small army of yapping canines has completely vaporized the wild-eyed rocker image that took him decades to cultivate.

There are times when I see him onstage now, and I see the same expression on his face that I saw when volunteering at the local old folks home.

New Kids on the Block

Just when we’d rid ourselves of these smarmy monkeys, along came their more popular and insidious spawn, the Backstreet Boys and N’Sync. Somehow, we endured. Timberlake and Co. grew up, and the days of boy bands were behind us. Or so we thought. You can catch the now ironically-named “New Kids” at your local pavilion or amphitheater this summer.

Old Adults On The Block. Photo: nkotbofficial

Creed

Scott Stapp and his and the rest of the band will be back on tour starting this August, with a new album to follow. Cue insufferable rock-god poses.

Stapp is sporting a newly shaven head and will no doubt refer to this as a physical metaphor for putting the past behind him during interviews, if he hasn’t already. As long as he doesn’t get drunk, insult another band and get his ass kicked in a hotel lobby, Creed will be fine.

The thought of Scott Stapp inspiring such anger is almost funny though – it’s like getting mad at a bowl of oatmeal.

Scott Stapp. A Turn On? Photo: dinkgrave

Motley Crue

Last summer answered the dreams of garbage collectors and landscapers everywhere – Cruefest was born, offering up a summer staged by Motley Crue, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:AM and Trapt. This year brings us Crue Fest 2: The White Trash Circus (yes, this is the real name), with Godsmack, Theory of a Deadman, Drowning Pool, and Charm City Devils.

Community Connection:

Music is alive and well at Matador. Be sure to check out our tips for this summer’s BEST shows, as well as our preview of music festivals in the UK. For more about Def Leppard, check out this post by Nights co-editor Tom Gates.

Haven’t You Heard? United Breaks Guitars

Michelle Schusterman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:53:30 +0000

As someone who frequently flies with musical instruments, I cringed when I first watched singer/songwriter Dave Carroll’s video on YouTube.

The song is quite funny, but his story has me more than a little worried about my drums on my impending United flight out of Korea.

To be fair, I’ve flown United before and my instruments were very well-treated. Unfortunately, Dave wasn’t quite so lucky.

In March of 2008, Dave’s Halifax-based band Sons of Maxwell headed to Nebraska for a week-long tour. During a layover in Chicago, a passenger cried out, “My god, they’re throwing guitars out there!”

The band members crowded around the windows to witness United baggage handlers throwing their instruments with little regard for fragility.

Dave notified a flight attendant, with no result. Upon arriving in Nebraska, he discovered that his $3,500 guitar was badly damaged.

During a layover in Chicago, a passenger cried out, “My god, they’re throwing guitars out there!”

What followed was months of attempted communication on Dave’s end, and evasiveness from United that, the way he tells it, was so frustrating it’s almost funny. Dave spoke to United and Air Canada employees, who tossed blame back and forth with other employees like a game of hot potato.

A Short History of a Claim with United Airlines

He befriended a few very sympathetic agents in India.

He spoke to a confused United employee in New York who was unsure why the Chicago folks had forwarded his call to her.

He called numbers that were functional one day and mysteriously disconnected the next.

His claim was lost, then found, then lost, then found again.

He was told to bring his guitar to Chicago for inspection after he’d returned to Halifax, Canada.

After months of running into dead ends and jumping through hoops, Dave’s claim was finally denied.

His offer to settle for $1,200 in flight vouchers to cover the repair costs was rejected as well.

In his last email to the United employee who denied his claim, Dave promised to make three music videos about the experience, with the goal of hitting one million views in a year.

So far, so good. “United: Song One,” A.K.A. “United Breaks Guitars” is getting massive attention on YouTube and “United: Song Two” is due later this summer. With over 15, 000 hits for the first song in less than two days, I’d say Carroll is well on his way to reaching his goal.

Meanwhile, I’ll get back to searching high and low for as much styrofoam popcorn, bubble wrap, and duct tape as I can find for my drums and hope that the name United doesn’t really mean United against the passengers.

All photos are stills from the video.