Last night I went over to the 331 Club in NE to catch the Henhouse Prowlers and it was totally awesome. I'm a big fan of bluegrass, but other than a song I had to re-mix for my final project in Audio Production II and The Iron Horse, I haven't listened to it much.
These guys were really amazing. Awesome harmonies (crowding around the 1 mic, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" style) awesome banjo and mandolin solos and catchy songs. I really enjoyed them and apparently the 331 Club has bluegrass every Wednesday, so I'll definitely be back.
This was a pretty lame write-up, but I'm freakin tired. I just wanted to let you know about a rad bluegrass band (2 if you count Iron Horse) and mention the 331 Club, which I'm thinking about turning into my Cheers. They will all known my name.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
1999 and the promise ring
In 9th grade, I received a mix CD from a boy that I had a huge crush on. He was super cool, too intelligent for his age and liked good music, while I wore socks with skirts and was getting over my 8th grade N*Sync phase by immersing myself in the "rock" scene with Nickelback, Korn and 311.
It was such a great mix CD and I wish I could remember more about the collection of songs, but there is one song that has always stuck out in my mind. It was upbeat and catchy, but not bubblegum catchy like what I was hearing on the radio at the time. No particular section or instrument stood out and grabbed the attention of my catchy bone, it was more like a stew that had been simmered for a few hours. All the flavors had come together perfectly to make something that was incredibly delicious. It always reminded me of a song that would be played in a movie when the main character realized they had made a huge mistake and starting running/biking/swimming/scootering towards the airport to tell the person of their dreams, that they are completely and ridiculously in love with them.
For some reason, I never thought to look this song up on the internet to see what it was called or even who the artist was. I guess it was because I never really listened to music at near a computer and I just never remembered on my own when I was at a computer. I usually only listened to music on the bus or at track meets on my 10 second anti-skip portable cd player (anti-skip my butt, by the way). I could never asked my crush what song it was, because I would look like an ignorant fool.
Jump ahead to 2006. I'm out in Denver interning at Suburban Home Records and I was surrounded by new music, new opinions and new resources to help me find new music. A lot of 'new' going on. In the hallway there was a huge bookcase filled with CD's ranging from Awesome Snakes to Hot Snakes, from Hot Water Music to Hot Hot Heat to Reverend Horton Heat. Everyday I would grab a CD or two and bring them home, put them on my iPod and bring them back. One day I saw the Promise Ring's Very Emergency and I remembered hearing a lot of good noise about the Promise Ring, so I took it and burned it and brought it back the next day. Although this was a great way to get new music, my ears became a little oversaturated. If I really want to appreciate new music, I can't listen to more than 3-5 new albums per week, but I was on overload at about 5-9 albums per week. This resulted in several albums that were barely listened to/ listened to once but not really heard/ never listened to. I listened to a smidge bit of Very Emergency, but mainly in the background at work.
A little while later, I was listening to my iPod on shuffle while riding the bus down the 16th St Mall and the song came on. THE SONG. I was blown away, I couldn't believe it! I recognized it right away; the catchy chorus about waiting in the deep south, the "ooo's" backup vocals, and something about houses learning to fly... it was unbelievable.
The Deep South by The Promise Ring is a fantastic song. Whenever I listen to it, it ends up stuck in my head all day and I'm totally cool with that. The whole album is great and so is The Promise Ring...too bad it took me so long to find out.
It was such a great mix CD and I wish I could remember more about the collection of songs, but there is one song that has always stuck out in my mind. It was upbeat and catchy, but not bubblegum catchy like what I was hearing on the radio at the time. No particular section or instrument stood out and grabbed the attention of my catchy bone, it was more like a stew that had been simmered for a few hours. All the flavors had come together perfectly to make something that was incredibly delicious. It always reminded me of a song that would be played in a movie when the main character realized they had made a huge mistake and starting running/biking/swimming/scootering towards the airport to tell the person of their dreams, that they are completely and ridiculously in love with them.
For some reason, I never thought to look this song up on the internet to see what it was called or even who the artist was. I guess it was because I never really listened to music at near a computer and I just never remembered on my own when I was at a computer. I usually only listened to music on the bus or at track meets on my 10 second anti-skip portable cd player (anti-skip my butt, by the way). I could never asked my crush what song it was, because I would look like an ignorant fool.
Jump ahead to 2006. I'm out in Denver interning at Suburban Home Records and I was surrounded by new music, new opinions and new resources to help me find new music. A lot of 'new' going on. In the hallway there was a huge bookcase filled with CD's ranging from Awesome Snakes to Hot Snakes, from Hot Water Music to Hot Hot Heat to Reverend Horton Heat. Everyday I would grab a CD or two and bring them home, put them on my iPod and bring them back. One day I saw the Promise Ring's Very Emergency and I remembered hearing a lot of good noise about the Promise Ring, so I took it and burned it and brought it back the next day. Although this was a great way to get new music, my ears became a little oversaturated. If I really want to appreciate new music, I can't listen to more than 3-5 new albums per week, but I was on overload at about 5-9 albums per week. This resulted in several albums that were barely listened to/ listened to once but not really heard/ never listened to. I listened to a smidge bit of Very Emergency, but mainly in the background at work.
A little while later, I was listening to my iPod on shuffle while riding the bus down the 16th St Mall and the song came on. THE SONG. I was blown away, I couldn't believe it! I recognized it right away; the catchy chorus about waiting in the deep south, the "ooo's" backup vocals, and something about houses learning to fly... it was unbelievable.
The Deep South by The Promise Ring is a fantastic song. Whenever I listen to it, it ends up stuck in my head all day and I'm totally cool with that. The whole album is great and so is The Promise Ring...too bad it took me so long to find out.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
albums i have recently acquired
Jon Snodgrass - Visitor's Band - Folky Americana, badassy-ness. This is the perfect music to play when you wanna bring everyone together, like a BBQ or a family reunion. If for some reason someone sucks at life and doesn't like, you can always tune them out and focus on the music. It's very good, I celebrate Suburan Home's entire catalog.
Noisettes - What's The Time, Mr. Wolf? - I saw them at a free show at the Varsity, so I spent my money on booze. Even if I was completely sober, I would have thoroughly enjoyed this show. The lead singer is gorgeous and she has the most amazing voice and I am completely jealous. It was such a fun show, but after listening to a few songs on the album, I'm afraid their sound might not translate well into a recording. It's still fun, dancy music, but it falls a little flat compared to their live show.
Kings of Leon - Youth & Young Manhood - I have three other albums from them, but I think this may be their first one. So far, it's a little more rock and raw than their newer stuff, but I really like it. It's a little more complex and heavier, which may not appeal to the masses like their new album does, but it really makes you pay attention to the music.
KoKo Taylor - What It Takes: The Chess Years - The Queen of the Blues. I first heard KoKo Taylor on Elwood's Blues Hour on Sunday night. She passed away on July 3rd and he was replaying an interview he had with her a year before. Her voice is hauntingly powerful. I think everyone needs some knowledge of the blues, but I understand how one could be intimidated by the task of diving into the genre of blues. There are so many different styles like, Kansas Blues, Delta Blues (good for sitting on your porch drinking a lynchburg lemonade) Country Blues and so and on and so on. I personally like Chicago Blues the best and I think KoKo Taylor is a great person to start with if you want a memorable introduction to the Blues.
Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps - Backyard Tent Set - Awesome local band. I saw them play at Mill City Live and it was really surprising. I was actually there working for City Pages, so I wasn't expecting to be entertained, but I really like their style. Caroline's voice is so pretty and delicate and the band is a very talented and entertaining group that featured several multi-instrumentalists. I was so caught up with them that I ran to the closest ATM so I could buy their album and I really like it. If you're in Minneapolis and have the chance to see them, I would spend up to $20 if they were headlining.
Portugal the Man - Satanic Satanist (deluxe edition) - Fucking Killer Sweetness is what this album should be called. I need to listen to it more to give a worthy opinion, but I know that I love it.
I can't talk much more, I have to get ready for a hot date, but I just thought I'd let you know what's up in my listening world.
Noisettes - What's The Time, Mr. Wolf? - I saw them at a free show at the Varsity, so I spent my money on booze. Even if I was completely sober, I would have thoroughly enjoyed this show. The lead singer is gorgeous and she has the most amazing voice and I am completely jealous. It was such a fun show, but after listening to a few songs on the album, I'm afraid their sound might not translate well into a recording. It's still fun, dancy music, but it falls a little flat compared to their live show.
Kings of Leon - Youth & Young Manhood - I have three other albums from them, but I think this may be their first one. So far, it's a little more rock and raw than their newer stuff, but I really like it. It's a little more complex and heavier, which may not appeal to the masses like their new album does, but it really makes you pay attention to the music.
KoKo Taylor - What It Takes: The Chess Years - The Queen of the Blues. I first heard KoKo Taylor on Elwood's Blues Hour on Sunday night. She passed away on July 3rd and he was replaying an interview he had with her a year before. Her voice is hauntingly powerful. I think everyone needs some knowledge of the blues, but I understand how one could be intimidated by the task of diving into the genre of blues. There are so many different styles like, Kansas Blues, Delta Blues (good for sitting on your porch drinking a lynchburg lemonade) Country Blues and so and on and so on. I personally like Chicago Blues the best and I think KoKo Taylor is a great person to start with if you want a memorable introduction to the Blues.
Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps - Backyard Tent Set - Awesome local band. I saw them play at Mill City Live and it was really surprising. I was actually there working for City Pages, so I wasn't expecting to be entertained, but I really like their style. Caroline's voice is so pretty and delicate and the band is a very talented and entertaining group that featured several multi-instrumentalists. I was so caught up with them that I ran to the closest ATM so I could buy their album and I really like it. If you're in Minneapolis and have the chance to see them, I would spend up to $20 if they were headlining.
Portugal the Man - Satanic Satanist (deluxe edition) - Fucking Killer Sweetness is what this album should be called. I need to listen to it more to give a worthy opinion, but I know that I love it.
I can't talk much more, I have to get ready for a hot date, but I just thought I'd let you know what's up in my listening world.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
jon snodrass
I'm listening to Jon Snograss' solo effort Visitor's Band and so far, I'm a big fan. I especially like track 3, featuring Two Cow Garage.
I've always been a fan of Drag The River and Jon's voice, so me enjoying this album doesn't really require a stretch of the imagination.
I'm looking forward to listening to this one again on the bus ride home today and I will give it a more detailed review.
Go to Suburbanhomerecords.com to order this album, or do I what I did and go all out and get the package deal. For $30, you receive the album on CD and Vinyl, a T-Shirt, poster and pint glass. Best deal you'll find these days.
Be sure to check out Jon Snodgrass on tour with Two Cow Garage and Austin Lucas. For my fellow Minneapolisians they'll be at the Triple Rock on Sunday August 24th.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
it may be girly, but....
I kind of already know the song I want to dance to at my wedding. So I may not have a fiance or even a boyfriend, but ever since I heard this song, I just knew.
You're All I Need To Get By by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell is the most amazingly romantic song I've ever heard. The best part is that it doesn't sound overly cheesy or lame like that one Aerosmith song.
This song is about two people just wanting to tell eachother how much they love eachother and how much that other person has made a positive impact on their life. Example:
"Darling in you I found,
Strength where I was torn down,
Don't know what's in store but together we can open any door,
Just to do what's good for you and inspire you a little higher,
I know you can make a man out of a soul that didn't have a goal"
Holy crap man. If that doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will.
So even if you're not getting married right now or anytime in the future, listen to this song with that special someone and I assure you it will remind you why you are the most awesome when you're together.
Even if you're alone, this song is so much fun to listen to. First of all, Gaye and Terrell created and still own the duet. The Motown sound (even though this is a little more soulful) is one of the best and I can listen to this song over and over again. It's just fun; so be cool, pretend like it's 1968, kick your feet up and fix yourself up a cocktail. It's all good.
This song is about two people just wanting to tell eachother how much they love eachother and how much that other person has made a positive impact on their life. Example:
"Darling in you I found,
Strength where I was torn down,
Don't know what's in store but together we can open any door,
Just to do what's good for you and inspire you a little higher,
I know you can make a man out of a soul that didn't have a goal"
Holy crap man. If that doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will.
So even if you're not getting married right now or anytime in the future, listen to this song with that special someone and I assure you it will remind you why you are the most awesome when you're together.
Even if you're alone, this song is so much fun to listen to. First of all, Gaye and Terrell created and still own the duet. The Motown sound (even though this is a little more soulful) is one of the best and I can listen to this song over and over again. It's just fun; so be cool, pretend like it's 1968, kick your feet up and fix yourself up a cocktail. It's all good.
noah and the whale
I was re-introduced to Noah and the Whale today, and it was fantastic.
I went to Macy's on my break and ordered a chicken salad panini with white cheddar cheese and ate it on Nicollet Mall while listening to "Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down"
First of all, the sandwich was delicious. Second, I really like this album. I saw them at the entry a few months ago and they sounded just as goof (if not better) in person. The only negative thing I have to say about this album is that it’s not loud enough to drown out the annoying people walking around on the mall.
Give a Little Love has a consistently epic drum sound, almost like the drummer was sitting at the top of the mountain, with one huge drum and a mallet just giving everyone down below a beat to live by. This is accompanied by an equally epic horn section that really makes its true appearance near the end of the song. The combination of the two puts me in a state of euphoria, a special place where I don’t realize I'm air-conducting (which is exactly like real conducting, but without the conductees) in the middle of downtown Minneapolis.
Rocks and daggers starts off like a pretty run-of-the-mill happy, up beat song, but the violin and understated drums brings a sense of depth that is easy to overlook. There are also some female vocals on this song, and whoever she is, she blows me away. She has such an innocent, delicate yet experienced voice and it is the perfect compliment to the singer's more raw, simple (but not in a bad way) deep, yet boyish, voice. The last minute slows down, the violin is shaking with anticipation in the background, the singer is by himself, then the girl joins, then the drums come in and the whole time the violin is getting more powerful and it ends with the girl, the violin, the drums and horns singing the part over and over. It is lovely. Whenever I listen to it, it feels like everyday is that perfect sunny, crisp, fall day and I can't help but smile.
It was probably the best 30 minute break of the week.
I went to Macy's on my break and ordered a chicken salad panini with white cheddar cheese and ate it on Nicollet Mall while listening to "Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down"
First of all, the sandwich was delicious. Second, I really like this album. I saw them at the entry a few months ago and they sounded just as goof (if not better) in person. The only negative thing I have to say about this album is that it’s not loud enough to drown out the annoying people walking around on the mall.
Give a Little Love has a consistently epic drum sound, almost like the drummer was sitting at the top of the mountain, with one huge drum and a mallet just giving everyone down below a beat to live by. This is accompanied by an equally epic horn section that really makes its true appearance near the end of the song. The combination of the two puts me in a state of euphoria, a special place where I don’t realize I'm air-conducting (which is exactly like real conducting, but without the conductees) in the middle of downtown Minneapolis.
Rocks and daggers starts off like a pretty run-of-the-mill happy, up beat song, but the violin and understated drums brings a sense of depth that is easy to overlook. There are also some female vocals on this song, and whoever she is, she blows me away. She has such an innocent, delicate yet experienced voice and it is the perfect compliment to the singer's more raw, simple (but not in a bad way) deep, yet boyish, voice. The last minute slows down, the violin is shaking with anticipation in the background, the singer is by himself, then the girl joins, then the drums come in and the whole time the violin is getting more powerful and it ends with the girl, the violin, the drums and horns singing the part over and over. It is lovely. Whenever I listen to it, it feels like everyday is that perfect sunny, crisp, fall day and I can't help but smile.
It was probably the best 30 minute break of the week.
Monday, August 10, 2009
rx bandits, as tall as lions at station 4, 8/9
Totally sweet.
As Tall As Lions opened the show and I was really stoked to see them. They had so much energy and an extremely solid sound (which is hard to do at S4). The thing that I remember the most is their outfits. Nothing crazy or outlandish, just really warm looking. Station 4 heats up quicker than a horny 15 year old boy looking at a picture of Megan Fox, and these guys were wearing long sleeve shirts and jeans, one was ever wearing a blazer. Freakin A man, I was sweating my metaphorical balls off in shorts and a t and the only energy I was exerting was lifting the glass of whiskey to my mouth. But the outfits were not so distracting that I couldn't completely enjoy myself. The trumpet added an inexplicable amount of depth to their sound that made them stand apart from a lot of other bands I've seen lately (other than Kay Kay who also has a trumpet. Also saw them at S4. Also hot) I just really enjoy the sounds of horns, it kinda reminds me of the funk brothers.
RX Bandits were next and they blew me away. So much energy as well. One of the guitar players was sweating so much, I thought his guitar was gonna slide right off of him. But enough about how stupidly hot it was at S4. I remember loving these guys in high school, but for some reason (maybe over saturation in musical options or changing tastes) I kind of stopped listening to them. That has changed because of this show. They had the perfect mix of early 00's punkish rockish kinda music, with just enough reggae that you don't get pissed.
I did not stay for dredg, because I have a preconceived notion that they suck.
The crowd was pretty cool, the bartenders were nice as usual. There were two girls there with high heels/boots and short skirts and cleavage baring shirts, which annoyed me right away. I just can't comprehend wearing heels to a show, unless it's Beyonce (which isn't a concert, apparently, it's a fashion show). Anyways, I'm pretty sure they hooked up (and who knows what hooked up means anymore? please don't take it there) with the singer and bass player from As Tall As Lions. They pretty much skipped the whole show to sit with those guys by their van. I only know this because I usually get a mad case of ADHD when I go to a show and walk all over the place all the time. To each their own.
Very solid show, I really enjoyed it, except for heat.
As Tall As Lions opened the show and I was really stoked to see them. They had so much energy and an extremely solid sound (which is hard to do at S4). The thing that I remember the most is their outfits. Nothing crazy or outlandish, just really warm looking. Station 4 heats up quicker than a horny 15 year old boy looking at a picture of Megan Fox, and these guys were wearing long sleeve shirts and jeans, one was ever wearing a blazer. Freakin A man, I was sweating my metaphorical balls off in shorts and a t and the only energy I was exerting was lifting the glass of whiskey to my mouth. But the outfits were not so distracting that I couldn't completely enjoy myself. The trumpet added an inexplicable amount of depth to their sound that made them stand apart from a lot of other bands I've seen lately (other than Kay Kay who also has a trumpet. Also saw them at S4. Also hot) I just really enjoy the sounds of horns, it kinda reminds me of the funk brothers.
RX Bandits were next and they blew me away. So much energy as well. One of the guitar players was sweating so much, I thought his guitar was gonna slide right off of him. But enough about how stupidly hot it was at S4. I remember loving these guys in high school, but for some reason (maybe over saturation in musical options or changing tastes) I kind of stopped listening to them. That has changed because of this show. They had the perfect mix of early 00's punkish rockish kinda music, with just enough reggae that you don't get pissed.
I did not stay for dredg, because I have a preconceived notion that they suck.
The crowd was pretty cool, the bartenders were nice as usual. There were two girls there with high heels/boots and short skirts and cleavage baring shirts, which annoyed me right away. I just can't comprehend wearing heels to a show, unless it's Beyonce (which isn't a concert, apparently, it's a fashion show). Anyways, I'm pretty sure they hooked up (and who knows what hooked up means anymore? please don't take it there) with the singer and bass player from As Tall As Lions. They pretty much skipped the whole show to sit with those guys by their van. I only know this because I usually get a mad case of ADHD when I go to a show and walk all over the place all the time. To each their own.
Very solid show, I really enjoyed it, except for heat.
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