You know that catchy Passion Pit song “Sleepyhead” that we all know and love so much? Well, if not, it’s below. But here is a pretty awesome video cover of the song by the band Run Toto Run. I love weird shit like this.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiON4tt5ZEo[/youtube]
Manners (2009):
Passion Pit’s debut, Manners, just released on Frenchkiss records. Feature coming soon! (hint: it’s good, buy it).
While I don’t consider myself an active listener of “World” music, one of my new favorite musicians has made me realize that I really need to explore this genre more. His name is Mamer and he is from Xinjiang, China.
Mamer’s reinterprets ancient Kazak folk songs with a modernized alt-country aesthetic, using instruments such as an open-tuned acoustic guitar, dombra, sherter (plucked lute), Jew’s harp, and dabel drum. He searches for inspiration from the old and new, saying “I always stay awhile with the old people in the mountains, learning their songs and traditions. Without this a whole way of life will be lost to the young generation. I want to breathe new life into the poems and songs I grew up with.”
Some contributing musicians on his debut release, Eagle, include French composer Hector Zazou, a throat singer named Ilichi, Bela Fleck, and Mamer’s former band IZ. Fleck and Mamer play dual banjos on “Celebration,” and it’s pretty amazing.
I can’t recommend this album enough. It’s soothing to the ears, original, and overall, just one of the most enjoyable albums I’ve listened to recently. Mamer sings in the Kazakh language, so there is absolutely no way one who doesn’t speak the Kazakh language will know what he is saying (unless you hire a costly translator, which IÂ strongly considered doing, but ultimately decided against).
Eagle (2009):
Myspace | Amazon |iTunes| Real World Records (label & more bio info)
Eagle does not release in the UK until May 15th, but you can Pre-order from Real World Records (link above).
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJCxzSzvHKM[/youtube]
Thanks for reminding me about this gem, Monique!
“If they only knew he was a 9/11 hero…”
“They do.”
Springtime appropriate:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAO4EVMlpwM[/youtube]
(picture credit: The Yellow Stereo)
Not only was Where the Wild Things Are one of my very favorite books growing up, it was also my breakout role as an actor when I was a little boy. No joke, my day care put on the play. I think I was only three, but I kicked-ass from what I remember.
The trailer just premiered today on Ellen, and looks amazing–I can’t wait for this movie to hit theaters in October.
Spike Jonze directed (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich, various music projects). The great music in the background is a new version of Arcade Fire’s song “Wake Up.”
White Sessions:
Get excited!
Hey everyone. Just wanted to quickly share some sweeeeet music with y’all.
I don’t really watch anime, but in terms of soundtracks, some of the most thoughtful arranging and composition can be heard in shows like Cowboy Bebop, for example. A friend of mine recently gave me the soundtrack to Samurai Champloo, a ShinichirÅ Watanabe creation. It features work by producers, musicians and artists: Nujabes, Fat Jon, MINMI, Force Of Nature, Tsutchie. It’s amazing. Once again, I don’t know much about the show, but the use of sampling, sequencing and fusion makes for an unbelievably smooth, Eastern-influenced compilation spanning four discs and 79 tracks–if you like what you hear, you will not be disappointed. It is a tasteful balance of trip-hop beats, jazz and the underground Japanese hip-hop movement that feels new and comfortable all at once. For your weekend chillout:
MP3: Samurai Champloo OST – “Aurarian Dance”
MP3: Samurai Champloo OST – “Dead Session”
MP3: Samurai Champloo OST – “Sanctuary Ship”
MP3: Samurai Champloo OST – “Sneak Chamber”
REMIX!
MP3: Nujabes – “Aurarian Dance!” (Tae K Remix)
And just because it’s only appropriate to mashup a perfectly beautiful beat with Jay-Z:
MP3: Nujabes & Jay-Z – “Aurarian Encore” (Tae K Mashup)
Samurai Champloo OST: Amazon
Opening Credits: I need to watch this show, don’t I.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OuRajFzMYI[/youtube]
As a dedication to yesterday’s Oscars, I thought I’d help spread this video of Elliott Smith performing “Miss Misery” at the 1997 Academy Awards. As many would agree, it’s one of the most beautifully written songs ever created, and it lost “Original Song” to James Horner’s “My Heart Will Go On” (Will Jennings provided the lyrics famously sung by Celine Dion).
You can listen to the two songs, and decide for yourself, but as far as I’m concerned this award was stolen from Smith. I was going to make a lame, tasteless joke about how “My Heart Will Go On” should have gone down like the Titanic, but it’s probably too soon. Besides, I like to keep it on the safe side and follow the century rule (slavery, ha!), so be expecting many Titanic jokes on Indie Muse in 2012.
But in all seriousness, RIP Elliott. You’ve changed a lot of lives for the better.
Song Version:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbQ4sFGmANk&fmt=6[/youtube]
Full “Academy Award” Version:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYxl4HT2pIo[/youtube]
New Moon (2007):
(mp3) Elliott Smith – Miss Misery (Early Version)
Titanic (1997):
(mp3) James Horner – My Heart Will Go On (instrumental)
Over winter break, I got a chance to give a visit to a few local record stores and a few in Milwaukee as well. On a freezing night, inside of one of the last open shops on Brady St., a not-so-shabby local chain, I fished out The Gas Station Soundtrack by Farms in Trouble. In a plastic sleeve, pressed firmly in the fold of a rectangle of cardboard–the diagram of a patchwork quilt screened on its front–was a disc that the clerk assured me was “dirty.” I don’t think I realized what he meant until later. I gave him $6, the cost of the album. It sat for a few weeks with all the other albums I collected over the break.
This 27-track epic is the product of Zack Pieper and Riles Walsh (of The Candliers), Milwaukee’s own, better known as Farms in Trouble in their 10-piece format. Totaling in at 42 minutes, this album is genius. It’s also, admittedly, dirty. For several reasons. I’ve just finished listening to it, and aside from the fact that my head is still spinning from the manic joy of the whole thing, its texture is also a force to be reckoned with. It’s not lo-fi, it’s not proper, it’s not simple and it’s certainly not a demo. It’s… dirty. No single song breaks the 3-minute mark, but if you weren’t following along, you’d swear there was a long one in there, for sure. Each track lends itself to the next in some way, sometimes chordally, or lyrically, but more often with a particular juxtaposition that makes it rough and crude without losing its charm and brilliance.
As I looked back at the album art, I saw the patchwork drawing. A collection of grids, dotted lines, arrows and what I think are pieces of a city map, the album truly does resemble a patchwork collage. The Gas Station Soundtrack is homegrown. It is rough on the edges and jagged in the seams. There is absolutely no way I could describe this album with a few songs, so I’ve picked some momentary favorites.
MP3: Farms in Trouble – “Pleasure Dome”
MP3: Farms in Trouble – “Like A Needle In Heaven”
MP3: Farms in Trouble – “My Beautiful Baby Born Inside Out”
MP3: Farms in Trouble – “Many Boss Levels”
Support Farms in Trouble: Activities Recordings | MySpace
Here’s a video for “Empty Arrows and Exit Signs” (Track 3)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfqrejOD3Po[/youtube]
A friend of mine was talking about Guided By Voices recently, and I can’t help respect the elements of their early style that reflect in the ambitions of Farms in Trouble. Later I came to realize that Zack Pieper actually lists Robert Pollard as one of his influences.
I just wanted to give a heads up that French composer Yann Tiersen is going on tour. He composed two of my favorite movies, Amélie & Good Bye Lenin!, and is supposed to be an incredible live performer.
He isn’t touring that many cities in the states (New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, San Francisco, and LA) so if you have the opportunity to see him, don’t pass it up!
If you are curious what to expect out of a Yann Tiersen show, Brooklyn Vegan brought this MusicOMH review to my attention:
He began his set on grand piano – and his piano pieces are rarely other than delightful. What wasn’t obvious from listening to his albums was instantly so here – it isn’t someone playing melodica or accordion with him as he tinkles the ivories. Oh no. He plays both instruments at the same time.
After each track, rapturous applause greeted him as he shifted between piano, melodica, accordion, violin, viola, bass, guitar and even vocals. A rare chance was afforded to the audience to hear a solo viola piece, Qu’En Reste-t-il? from L’Absente, in which at any moment sparks could have flown from the instrument as Yann fiddled for all he was worth. Here was a man making electricity spark from an acoustic instrument before our very eyes. His playing was enough to make members of his audience weep at its beauty.
Tabarly Soundtrack (2008):
(mp3) Yann Tiersen – Au Dessous Du Volcan
Amélie Soundtrack (2001):
(mp3) Yann Tiersen – Comtine D’un Autre Ete: L’apres Midi
(mp3) Yann Tiersen – Pas Si Simple
(mp3) Yann Tiersen – La Valse D’Amelie (orchestra version)
Good Bye Lenin! Soundtrack(2004):
(mp3) Yann Tiersen – Summer 78 (instrumental)
(mp3) Yann Tiersen – Mother’s Journey
(mp3) Yann Tiersen – Lara’s Castle
Site | iTunes | Amazon | Myspace
click to see dates…
Yann Tiersen – 2009 Tour Dates
Apr 15 РMaison Fran̤aise WASHINGTON
Apr 16 – Irving Plaza NEW YORK
Apr 17 – Club Soda MONTREAL
Apr 18 – Club Soda MONTREAL
Apr 19 – Mod Club Theatre TORONTO
Apr 21 – Logan Theatre CHICAGO
Apr 22 – Triple Rock Social MINNEAPOLIS
Apr 24 – Blue Bird DENVER
Apr 25 – Urban Lounge SALT LAKE CITY
Apr 27 – Richards VANCOUVER
Apr 28 – Neumo’s SEATTLE
Apr 29 – Wonder Ballroom PORTLAND
May 1 – Great American SAN FRANCISCO
May 2 – El Rey LOS ANGELES
May 8 – Queens Hall EDINBURG
May 9 – ABC 1 GLASGOW
May 10 – Duchess YORK
May 11 – Academy II BIRMINGHAM
May 13 – Junction CAMBRIDGE
May 14 – Electric Ballroom LONDON
May 15 – ATP fest “The Breeders” MINEHEAD
May 17 – Pheonix EXETER
May 18 – Komedia BATH
May 19 – Concorde II BRIGHTON
Jul 4 – Centro de artes e do espectaculos FIGUEIRA DA FOZ
Jul 5 – Casa das artes VILA NOVA DE FAMALICAO
Jul 6 – Centro cultural de Belem LISBOA
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8lPEgqE16o&e[/youtube]
If you are a fan of She & Him, Forest City Lovers, or Regina Spektor, be sure to check out Seattle based singer/songwriter Shenandoah Davis. Although her minimalist lo-fi sound isn’t for everyone, I am a big fan of her piano compositions and, for the most part, really enjoy her classical vocals. Her voice will definitely draw some comparisons to Joanna Newsom, but in my opinion, Davis’ vocals are much more pleasant.
The title track “We; Camera,” along with “These Rocks,” “Hobos and Bulls,” “Take Ourselves Out,” and “Up&Over” are my favorite tracks on her 2008 debut album. These songs carry a vintage sound, as if they came straight out of the early 1900s. This, aligned with Davis’ confident voice, makes for a really unique treat (not to mention that she incorporates the vibraphone & accordion). We; Camera is also a concise album, with most tracks coming in under three minutes long.
As her biography states, Shenandoah Davis started teaching herself piano at the age of three and continued her classical studies up until college, where she decided to audition as a classical voice major despite having no prior vocal training. Studying classical voice, piano, jazz guitar and harp during college, she became frustrated with the ‘tunnel vision’ and politics of academia and, swearing off classical music after completing her degree, she began composing on her own. In the winter of 2006, a series of “travels and tribulations” led her to Seattle, where she currently resides. In January of last year, Davis released a 7 track EP, entitled Milagros, and her full-length debut released last July. She also plays accordion, piano and vibraphone with Grand Hallway, accordion and wurli with Jack Wilson and the Wife Stealers, and a as-of-now-only-recording project with secret other people called hello, broken arrow. She’s playing some shows in Seattle, so if you live there, check her Myspace for dates.
We; Camera (2008):
(mp3) Shenandoah Davis -Â We; Camera
(mp3) Shenandoah Davis – These Rocks
(mp3) Shenandoah Davis- Up & Over (I really like this composition)
Here is a really creative and quirky music video for “We; Camera.” Directed by Clyde Peterson. I like this a lot.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVmJbv3oUy8[/youtube]
On Tuesday, I saw Swedish band Loney Dear open for Andrew Bird, and must say, I almost enjoyed their set more than Mr. Bird’s. . . which is saying a lot, given Bird is one of my very favorite musicians. I’ve been listening to their music for a few years now, but Tuesday night’s live performance gave me a whole new appreciation.
The best part of the set was when lead singer Emil Svanängen asked the crowd to sing along on “I Am John.” It was really beautiful. You can listen to the set on NPR (“I am John” is 20 minutes in), but the recording quality doesn’t really pay justice to the performance. Svanängen is a really personable guy too, and strikes a perfect balance between being confident (talking a lot to the crowd), and bashful, which can be verified by anyone who saw him putting on a band-aid after his minor guitar string accident. He also called the Black Cat (venue) the “very black cat,” and the 9:30 club balcony “shelves,” which I thought was pretty funny.
The band has a new album that came out January 27th called Dear John. I prefer the lighter tone of their 2007 debut album, Loney, Noir, but Dear John still has some solid songs on it.
Loney Dear is from Jonkoping, Sweden, and its primary member, Emil Svanängen, first began making homemade recordings of delicate, folkish indie pop in the early 2000s. As Loney, Dear (the band has since deleted the comma from its name), Svanängen self-released three homemade CD-Rs through his website: River Fontana Redux, Citadel Band, and Sologne. As buzz developed through MP3 blogs and other new media manifestations, Sub Pop offered Svanängen a contract in 2006. The first proper Loney Dear album, Loney, Noir, was released in early 2007.
Dear John (2009):
Loney Dear – Airport Surroundings
Loney, Noir (2007):
Loney Dear – I Will Call You Lover Again
Sologne (2006):
Loney Dear – I Fought The Battle Of Trinidad & Tobago
site | amazon | itunes |Â myspace
Tour dates & “Airport Surroundings” video after the break.