Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Your Weekly Download Lowdown
While many people know Brian Borcherdt for his work in the Polaris Prize nominated group Holy Fuck, he also has an entirely different artistic side that is equally stunning. Introspective and so very beautiful, his solo work is stuff to be treasured.
Lucky for us, Borcherdt has recently made available a number of solo recordings and at-home demos, entitled Torches (The Ward Colorado Demos). These intimate recordings have recently been released by Borcherdt and are available via the Hand Drawn Dracula label as a free digital download.
Brian Borcherdt - Torches (the Ward Colorado demos) (HDD004)
(Digital Release Date: November 17th 2009)
Side 2004/05
01. Crime Scenes
02. Worn Thin
03. Further
04. Connected/Disconnected
05. Follows
06. Vanishing Act
07. Lowhills
08. Tides
09. Torches
Side 2006
01. Preserver
02. Cold Wind Blowin'
03. Furnaces
04. Oh Oh Oh
05. Working For The Weakened
06. Steady Hands
07. Detention
08. Guide Home
Recorded in Toronto, coastal Yarmouth of Nova Scotia, and in the mountains near Ward, Colorado, Torches includes home demos and unfinished album attempts from 2004-2006. Personal and compelling material these recordings are very much worth your listening time. Highly recommended
Newcomers and fans can download the 17 tunes, written and recorded between 2004 and 2006, for free from handdrawndracula.com. Get them here.
Brian Borcherdt - While I Was Asleep from Hand Drawn Dracula on Vimeo.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
12:30 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Best New Music 2009, Brian Borcherdt, Your Weekly Download Lowdown
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
SXSW Showcasing Acts Announced
SXSW '10 has announced its first extensive list of showcasing acts. Some of the highlights on the list include: Apostle of Hustle, Deer Tick, Harlem, Hot Panda, Japandroids, the Mantles, Mountain Man, Timber Timbre, Warpaint, and over a hundred more. Check the preliminary list* below.*Information may be subject to change*
Aa (Brooklyn NY)
Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso UFO (Osaka JAPAN)
A Classic Education (Bologna ITALY)
Alpha Rev (Austin TX)
Amaral (Madrid SPAIN)
And So I Watch You From Afar (Belfast IRELAND)
Apostle of Hustle (Toronto ON)
Arms (Brooklyn NY)
Ólöf Arnalds (Reykjavik ICELAND)
Art vs Science (Surry Hills NSW)
A Shoreline Dream (Denver CO)
Nicole Atkins and The Black Sea (Asbury Park NJ)
Autumn Owls (Dublin IRELAND)
Bare Wires (Oakland CA)
Julian Berntzen (Bergen NORWAY)
Best Fwends (Austin TX)
The Black (Austin TX)
The Black Atlantic (Groningen THE NETHERLANDS)
Dan Black (Paris FRANCE)
Black Tide (Miami FL)
Bliss N Eso (Albert Park VIC)
Boom Boom Satellites (JAPAN)
The Boxer Rebellion (London UK-ENGLAND)
Break of Reality (New York NY)
B-Real of Cypress Hill (Los Angeles CA)
Broadway Calls (Rainer OR)
Broken Records (Edinburgh UK-SCOTLAND)
VV BROWN (London UK-ENGLAND)
The Brunettes (Auckland NEW ZEALAND)
Buckshot (Brooklyn NY)
Canja Rave (Porto Alegre BRAZIL)
Capsula (Bilbao SPAIN)
Carsick Cars (Beijing CHINA)
Caucus (Tokyo JAPAN)
The Chevelles (Melville WA)
Chew Lips (London UK-ENGLAND)
Suzanna Choffel (Austin TX)
Chris T-T (Brighton UK-ENGLAND)
C-Mon & Kypski (THE NETHERLANDS)
The Coathangers (Atlanta GA)
Simon Collins (Victoria BC)
The Constellations (Atlanta GA)
Contra Coup (Austin TX)
Cotton Jones (Cumberland MD)
The Crystal Method (Los Angeles CA)
David Dallas (Auckland NEW ZEALAND)
Dappled Cities (Sydney NSW)
Daveman (Berlin GERMANY)
The Daylights (Los Angeles CA)
The dB's (Chapel Hill NC)
Dead Sexy Inc (Paris FRANCE)
The Deaf (The Hague THE NETHERLANDS)
Deer Tick (Providence RI)
Delhi 2 Dublin (Vancouver BC)
Paul Dempsey (from "Something for Kate") (Melbourne NSW)
Diplomats of Solid Sound (Iowa City IA)
DJ Car Stereo (Wars) (Austin TX)
DJ Evil Dee (Brooklyn NY)
DJ Revolution (Los Angeles CA)
Daniel Francis Doyle (Austin TX)
Adiam Dymott (Goteborg SWEDEN)
The 88 (Los Angeles CA)
Electric Electric (Strasbourg FRANCE)
Val Emmich (Jersey City NJ)
Eternia (Toronto ON)
Everything Everything (Manchester UK-WALES)
Fanfarlo (London UK-ENGLAND)
Michael Feinberg (New York NY)
Fergus & Geronimo (Westway TX)
Fighting With Wire (Derry IRELAND)
FINALE (Detroit MI)
Floating Action (Asheville NC)
Francis (Borlange SWEDEN)
Robert Francis (Los Angeles CA)
Frightened Rabbit (Selkirk UK-SCOTLAND)
The Funeral Pyre (Los Angeles CA)
The Ganjas (Santiago CHILE)
Geeks (Tokyo JAPAN)
Gerald G (Austin TX)
Colin Gilmore (Austin TX)
Giulia y los Tellarini (Barcelona SPAIN)
Rosi Golan (New York NY)
Gong Myoung (Seoul KOREA)
Goober and the Peas (Detroit MI)
Good Shoes (London UK-ENGLAND)
Guitar Shorty (Harlingen TX)
Ha Ha Tonka (Springfield MO)
Halves (Dublin IRELAND)
Darren Hanlon (Sydney NSW)
Harlem (Austin TX)
Headdress (Austin TX)
Hey Colossus (London UK-ENGLAND)
Robyn Hitchcock (London CA)
Hot Panda (Edmonton AB)
The Hounds Below (Detroit MI)
I Fight Dragons (Chicago IL)
The Intelligence (Seattle WA)
Ivan & Alyosha (Seattle WA)
Japandroids (Vancouver BC)
Jazz One (Austin TX)
Stephen Jerzak (La Crosse WI)
John Dear Mowing Club (Den Haag THE NETHERLANDS)
The Jim Jones Revue (London UK-ENGLAND)
Jookabox (Indianapolis IN)
Julia Says (Sao Paulo BRAZIL)
Karnivool (Perth WA)
Kartick & Gotam (Chennai INDIA)
Kidz In Space (Auckland NEW ZEALAND)
Kidz In The Hall (Chicago IL)
Kingston (Auckland NEW ZEALAND)
Maurice Kirya (Kampala ZIMBABWE)
The Kissaway Trail (Odense DENMARK)
L.A.B. (Novo Hamburgo BRAZIL)
The Law (Dundee UK-SCOTLAND)
Vander Lee (Belo Horizonte BRAZIL)
Unni Lovlid (Oslo NORWAY)
Lowood (Stockholm SWEDEN)
Audra Mae (Los Angeles CA)
Malente (Essen GERMANY)
Natalia Mallo (Sao Paulo BRAZIL)
Mantles (San Francisco CA)
Julia Marcell (Berlin GERMANY)
Marco Polo & Torae (Brooklyn NY)
Mariachi El Bronx (Los Angeles CA)
Carolyn Mark (Victoria BC)
Maruosa (Tokyo JAPAN)
MegaRex (Sao Paulo BRAZIL)
The Middle East (Townsville QLD)
Middle Finger Salute (Blackburn UK-ENGLAND)
Miniature Tigers (Phoenix AZ)
Mixtapes & Cellmates (Stockholm SWEDEN)
Monarchs (Austin TX)
Michael Monroe (Helsinki FINLAND)
PJ Morton (Conyers GA)
Mountain Man (Bennington VT)
Movits! (Lulea SWEDEN)
Moxine (Sao Paulo BRAZIL)
Mr Sicc (Auckland NEW ZEALAND)
Mumiy Troll (Los Angeles CA)
My Dad is Dead (Chapel Hill NC)
Nailpin (Boom BELGIUM)
Nakia & His Southern Cousins (Austin TX)
NiCad (Den Haag THE NETHERLANDS)
9th Wonder (Raleigh-Durham NC)
The Novas (Dallas TX)
Jackie Oates (Exeter UK-ENGLAND)
One Night Only (Helmsley UK-ENGLAND)
1001 Nights Orchestra (Austin TX)
The Pack A.D. (Vancouver BC)
Paleo (Brooklyn NY)
Parlovr (Montreal QC)
Past Lives (Seattle WA)
The Peelies (Montreal QC)
Julie Peel (Montreal QC)
Mandi Perkins (Los Angeles CA)
Peter Wolf Crier (Minneapolis MN)
Pink Nasty (Austin TX)
Pivot (UK) (UK-ENGLAND)
P.K. 14 (Beijing CHINA)
Plants and Animals (Montreal QC)
Please The Trees (Prague CZECH REPUBLIC)
Steve Poltz (San Diego CA)
Andy Pratt (Amesbury MA)
Sean Price (Brooklyn NY)
Princeton (Eagle Rock CA)
Profetas (COLOMBIA)
Psalm One (Chicago IL)
Quantic and his Combo Barbaro (Cali COLOMBIA)
Random Axe (Brooklyn NY)
Rebelle (Den Haag THE NETHERLANDS)
Red Mass (Montreal QC)
Tommy Reilly (Glasgow UK-SCOTLAND)
Riverboat Gamblers (Austin TX)
The River Raid (Recife BRAZIL)
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson (Brooklyn NY)
Brisa Roche (Paris FRANCE)
Rock of Heltah Skeltah (Brooklyn NY)
Rogues (London UK-ENGLAND)
Ruste Juxx (Brooklyn NY)
San Saba County (Austin TX)
Scanners (London UK-ENGLAND)
Kate Schutt (Guelph ON)
Serious Sam Barrett (Leeds UK-ENGLAND)
Shit And Shine (London UK-ENGLAND)
Sixteen Deluxe (Austin TX)
Skyzoo (Brooklyn NY)
Small Black (Brooklyn NY)
Smif N Wessun (Brooklyn NY)
Smoosh (Seattle WA)
So Cow (Tuam IRELAND)
Solid Gold (Minneapolis MN)
Soulico (Tel Aviv ISRAEL)
So What (The Hague THE NETHERLANDS)
The Spring Standards (New York NY)
Sabrina Starke (Amsterdam THE NETHERLANDS)
Steel Train (Teaneck NJ)
StereoHeroes (Les Gorguettes FRANCE)
Surrounded (Malmo SWEDEN)
Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter (Seattle WA)
M. Takara 3 (Guarulhos BRAZIL)
Team Facelift (New York NY)
Thunder Power (Omaha NE)
Timber Timbre (Toronto ON)
Todd (London UK-ENGLAND)
Marques Toliver (London UK-ENGLAND)
Toolshed (London ON)
Trembling Bells (Glasgow UK-SCOTLAND)
Trespassers William (Seattle WA)
Twin Atlantic (Glasgow UK-SCOTLAND)
Two Star Symphony (Houston TX)
Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights (Dallas TX)
The Uglysuit (Oklahoma City OK)
Uncle Lucius (Austin TX)
The View (Dundee UK-SCOTLAND)
Volovan (Monterrey MEXICO)
Waco Brothers (Chicago IL)
Miho Wada (Auckland NEW ZEALAND)
Warpaint (Los Angeles CA)
Wave Machines (Liverpool UK-ENGLAND)
The Wave Pictures (London UK-ENGLAND)
We Are Scientists (New York NY)
We Are Wolves (Montreal QC)
Withered (Atlanta GA)
Wolf Gang (London UK-ENGLAND)
Woot (The Haque THE NETHERLANDS)
XV (Wichita KS)
The Yellow Dogs (Tehran IRAN)
YellowFever (Austin TX)
Zlam Dunk (San Marcos TX)
Zona Tango (Buenos Aires ARGENTINA)
*Information subject to change*
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
9:14 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Band Showcase, Best Live Music, SXSW 2010
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Golden Archipelego
The new record is the third part of a trio of acclaimed records that includes 2006’s enigmatic Palo Santo and 2008’s stellar Rook.
Here’s a trailer for the upcoming 2010 release.
Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago from KMS on Vimeo.
To coincide with the release of The Golden Archipelago, Shearwater will embark on a European tour in 2010.
Shearwater European tour (UK dates in bold):
February:
17th – Melkweg, Amsterdam
18th – Botanique, Brussels
19th – Le Nouveau Casino, Paris
20th – La Route du Rock winter edition @ L’Omnibus, Saint-Malo
21st – The Freebutt, Brighton
22nd – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
23rd – Captain’s Rest, Glasgow
25th – Scala, London
26th – 4AD, Diksmuide
27th – Knust, Hamburg
28th – Magnet, Berlin
March:
2nd – Rote Sonne, Munich
3rd – L’Usine (PTR), Geneva
4th – Nouveau Monde, Fribourg
5th – La Casa 139, Milan
7th – La (2) de Apolo, Barcelona
8th – Moby Dick, Madrid
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
9:04 PM
Links to this post
0
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Best Music 2010, Shearwater, The Golden Archipelago
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The Most Amazing Thing I’ve Heard Today
Borrowing heavily from the Smokey Robinson penned classic, “My Guy”, this atmospheric number by L.A.’s Warpaint has been stuck in my head this weekend.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
8:57 PM
Links to this post
0
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Best Music 2009, The Most Amazing Thing Ive Heard Today, Warpaint
Here Come the Waves
Interested in seeing what this project will look like. Have a look at the trailer below.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
6:25 PM
Links to this post
0
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Best Music 2009, Hazards of Love Visualized, The Decemberists
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Basia Bulat Announces Winter Canadian Tour
As previously reported, Bulat’s upcoming second release, Heart of My Own will be released via Secretly Canadian on January 26th.
An exciting performer to witness, this is one show you should not miss.
Tour dates:
12-16 Montreal, QC - Metropolis Theatre
1-16 Toronto, ON - Trinity St.Paul's United Church
2-2 Kingston, ON - Sydenham Street United Church
2-4 London, On - The Aeolian Hall
2-5 Orillia, ON - Highwayman Inn and Conference
2-6 Guelph, ON - Hillside Inside at the Sleeman Centre
2-7 Hamilton, ON - The Casbah
2-10 Halifax, NS - St. Matthews United Church
2-12 Montreal, QC - L'Astral
2-13 Ottawa, ON - First Baptish Church
2-25 Winnipeg, MB - West End Cultural Centre
2- 27 Saskatoon, SK - Amigo's
3-2 Calgary, AB - Central United Church
3-3 Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room
3-5 Vancouver, BC - St. James Hall
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
12:25 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Basia Bulat, Best Concerts 2010, Rock n roll Crushes
Velvet Underground Members Reuniting at New York Library

Brian Eno once famously observed that "everyone who bought a Velvets record went on to form a band" (or write about them). Strangely he’s probably right. In the historic ferment of pop music, the Velvet Underground were the archetypal band in the Big Apple, at precisely the right time. Their influence has been and remains huge on all forms of popular music and culture. Sadly though, it’s not very often that the three remaining members get together. Exceptional news today these legends will in fact reunite for an appearance at the New York Public Library on Tuesday December 8th, where they will discuss their careers with journalist David Fricke.
The discussion will be part of the Live from the NYPL series, and tickets are available priced at $25. Tickets can be purchased buy through the NYPL website. The discussion coincides with the publication of the photograph and artwork collection, The Velvet Underground: New York Art
For five years – 1965 to 1970 – singer-songwriter and guitarist Lou Reed, bassist and viola player John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison and drummer Maureen Tucker, with the German vocalist Nico and bassist Doug Yule (who replaced Cale in 1968), broadcast the real life of their home town – the sex, drugs and art; the furious street energies, hidden pleasures and desperate romance – in an unprecedented pop music of vivid storytelling and transgressive excitement.This is so very tempting. A once in a lifetime opportunity, anyone up for a pre-Christmas road trip?
On stage and on their four influential studio albums, the Velvets invented the many futures of rock – punk, drone, free improvisation, lyric candor – in songs and performances that made the group notorious, with the pivotal help of their early manager and mentor, Andy Warhol. Legendary status came later, after the group broke up and Reed and Cale went on to bold prolific solo careers.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
12:20 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Just What Do You Buy A Seven Year Old For Their Birthday?
So despite the lack of clowns and bouncy castles, this collection features Winter Gloves, Slim Twig and Laura Barrett among other Paper Bag artists. The covers range from Josh Reichmann's version of Bat for Lashes' "Daniel", Woodhands' rendition of Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue" and even the Acorn’s version of Gowan’s "Strange Animal".
So Happy Birthday Paper Bag Records! You’ve come a long way since that little record by Broken Social Scene, You Forgot It in People put you on the proverbial label map. Here’s to the next seven years Paper Bag!
The album is available free of charge here.
Paper Bag will officially celebrate its birthday this Friday (Nov. 20) in Toronto at the Phoenix Concert Theatre with You Say Party! We Say Die! and Little Girls.
Here's what's on The Seven Year Itch:
CFCF - "How Bizarre" (OMC)
Winter Gloves - "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Nirvana)
Woodhands - "Electric Avenue" (Eddy Grant)
Sally Shapiro - "Dying in Africa" (Nicolas Makelberge)
You Say Party! We Say Die! - "Falling Out" (Rick Agnew)
Josh Reichmann - "Daniel" (Bat For Lashes)
Laura Barrett - "Gamma Ray" (Beck)
Rock Plaza Central — "I Want You" (Bob Dylan)
The Acorn - "Strange Animal" (Gowan)
Little Girls - "Heinz" (Artery)
Slim Twig - "Behold A Lady" (Outkast)
Under Byen - "Du er min ojesten" (Peter Malberg)
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
10:30 PM
Links to this post
0
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Happy Birthday Record Label, Paper Bag Records, What No Birthday Clown
Monday, November 16, 2009
Jack White Set to Produce Wanda Jackson’s New Album
The “hardest working man” in show business, Jack White is collaborating with “hard headed woman” and “Queen of Rockabilly” Wanda Jackson.
The Oklahoman reports that Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer Jackson is set to record a new album with White at the producer’s helm. They will first record a single for digital release before completing an album.
You may recall that in 2004 White successfully collaborated with country music legend Loretta Lynn on her excellent album Van Lear Rose. The recording that may just have been the catalyst for this artistic pairing.
“They had a super album, but he didn’t have her do anything different, you know,” Jackson said of White’s work with Loretta Lynn. “She just did her little Loretta Lynn songs. But he told me he’s gonna stretch me some, so we’ll see. We’ll talk later.”Queen Wanda already has experience working with a variety of artists outside her country and rockabilly realm; in 2003, for her album Heart Trouble, she was joined by the likes of Elvis Costello, Lee Rocker and the Cramps.
A true legend, Jackson is about to draw a lot of new fans to her fold. Much like he did with Loretta Lynn; The 34-year-old White has the ability to introduce an entirely new audience of music fans to Jackson who might have not had the pleasure to hear such a talented and influential artist.
The 72-year-old Jackson, who was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, started out singing rockabilly in the 1950s on the advice of her mentor and one-time boyfriend, Elvis Presley.
Have a look if you are unfamiliar with Wanda Jackson. You will understand immediately just why this particular pairing is so inspired.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
12:30 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Inspired Musical Collaborations, Jack White, Wanda Jackson
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sure Plays a Mean Football
The Who to Play Super Bowl Halftime Show on February 7th
The highlight in the American football calendar, last year's Super Bowl attracted more than ninety million viewers in the US alone.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
9:12 PM
Links to this post
0
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Phew It Could Have Been Kiss, Super Bowl Halftime 2009, The Who
Saturday, November 14, 2009
New Beach House on the Way
The talented twosome (Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally) moved to New York for a month earlier this year to work with Chris Coady to produce their new ten-track record Teen Dreams. Coady has previously produced records for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio and Blonde Redhead. The Sub Pop debut will hit stores on January 26th 2010 and early press is indicating some bold new directions for the band.
I was first exposed to the music of Beach House via an appearance at LOLA Fest 2007 and the experience was a magnificent one. Let’s hope a tour is in the offing soon as well.
Teen Dreams Track Listing:
01. Norway
02. Silver Soul
03. Norway
04. Walk In The Park
05. Used To Be
06. Lover Of Mine
07. Better Times
08. 10 Mile Stereo
09. Real Love
10. Take Care
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
9:49 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Beach House, Best New Music 2010, Sub Pop Records
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wilco (the Haiku Contest)
I love contests. Especially contests with a slightly creative bent. Well budding poets, haikuers, rhymers and stealers Wilco (the band) have something just for you. The appropriately named Wilco Haiku Contest. For those that were sleeping during Haiku class in High School a gentle reminder
bridegrooms caress, alluring sun
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
10:26 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Rhymin and Haikuin, Wilco, Wilco Haiku Contest
Free Atlas Sound Music
My Best New Music Recommendation this week is the new Atlas Sound recording, Logos. An excellent new release that will definitely figure prominently on my year end best music list. Band frontman, the ever prolific Bradford Cox posted a free Atlas Sound virtual 7" on the Deerhunter blog comprised of a pair of songs- “Doctor” and “The Screens” for your download pleasure.
Recommended.
Download here.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
7:02 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Atlas Sound, Best Music 2009, Free Downloads
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I Only Understand Realism
Good news for fans of grumpy baritone singers and or the Magnetic Fields today as the follow-up to their 2008 (pseudo Reid Bros. album) Distortion has just been announced. Details are sketchy but the new record is called Realism and it is out January 26th on Nonesuch. This time featuring a hootenanny, a polka and more wonderful Stephen Merritt lyrical ephemera. Mmmmmagnetic Fields. I think the winter of 2010 just got a little less sucky.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
12:30 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Best New Music 2010, Magentic Fields, They Call Me Dr Grumpypants
Monday, November 9, 2009
Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus
Where it gets really great though is just where the money will be going from this worthy seasonal enterprise.
Front man Damian Abraham explains in New York Magazine:
We’re doing it for a few different organizations, like Justice for the Missing, that are affiliated with the 500 missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada. That number is an old official statistic that the government uses, but the number is probably closer to 3,000. It’s not like cancer or AIDS. Those are worthy causes but they have big fund-raising machines. This is an undocumented, underreported crime that’s been going on for years. And while this is for Canadian organizations, the same sort of thing is going on at the U.S.-Mexico border, with Mexican women going missing, and in Australia, with aboriginal women there.Take that Bono! Imagine what they could have done with a $100 000 prize.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
7:45 AM
Links to this post
2
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: But Is it Mom Friendly, Do They Know Its Christmas, Fucked Up
Sunday, November 8, 2009
The Most Amazing Thing I’ve Seen Today Part XVII
If you read this blog you know I have written extensively about Grizzly Bear’s stunning 2009 release, Veckatimest. Lucky for us the band has explored a number of innovative endeavours to promote said recording milestone. With this one, artist Allison Schulnik creates a blurry rainbow-dripped claymation landscape for their sublime, "Ready, Able." Possessing an intensely ethereal beauty this, dear reader is the most amazing thing I’ve seen today.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
9:59 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Grizzly Bear, Ready Able, The Most Amazing Thing Ive Seen Today
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Into the White and Nerdy
Mild hyperbole aside, Yankovic will appear with the band at the Dec. 8th show in support of Winston's Village at the Echoplex in Los Angeles. It's part of a two-night event that's intended to raise funds for the organization, which supports the family of Winston Bertrand. (He's a nine-month-old baby with lymphatic and venous malformations.)
Pixies frontman Black Francis will be hosting the event, and will also perform over the course of the evening, appearing solo, with wife Violet Clark – Grand Duchy and of course, with members of the Pixies, with (Red Hot, New Yorker) Flea filling in for Kim Deal. (He better be wearing sweat pants). Members of Love and Rockets and She Wants Revenge are also scheduled to perform, while the second night will feature comedy by Tim and Eric, Bob Odenkirk, and Pixies drummer David Lovering. (Let’s hope he brings his magic kit!) Black Francis is also scheduled to perform on the second night.
Road trip to L.A. Jack? We can take turns at the wheel. This might just be the father son outing of the year!
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
7:45 AM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Bridging the Cultural Gap, Good Causes, Pixies Weird Al collaboration
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Your Weekly Download Lowdown - Antlers
Hospice, the superb release from Brooklyn, NY trio The Antlers, will be hard to top when I set out to compile my favourite records from 2009. The album’s profoundly emotional themes make for a powerful listening experience. The album is built around a central narrative about a man losing a loved one to cancer and despite its evocative, even difficult subject matter I find I am drawn to listening to it time and time again. The set is both completely heartrending and very compelling. Be assured you won’t forget this one soon.If you like that, go buy the record. You won’t be disappointed but maybe a little sad. Highly recommended.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
9:52 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Antlers, Daytrotter Sessions, Your Weekly Download Lowdown
Just How Many Copies of the White Album Does One Person Need?
News today that following the wildly successful debut in September of the Beatles digitally remastered catalogue on CD, Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music have announced the worldwide release of a limited edition Beatles Stereo USB device on December 8th.
This unique, apple-shaped USB drive is loaded with the remastered audio for The Beatles' 14 stereo titles, as well as all of the remastered CDs' visual elements, including 13 mini-documentary films about the studio albums, replicated original UK art, rare photos and expanded liner notes. A specially designed Flash interface has been installed, and the 16GB USB's audio and visual contents will be provided in FLAC 44.1 Khz 24 bit and MP3 320 Kbps formats, fully compatible with PC and Mac.
Anyone want to buy my Rubber Soul eight track?
Release Date 12/9/09
Albums:
Please Please Me
With The Beatles
A Hard Day's Night
Beatles For Sale
Help!
Rubber Soul
Revolver
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Magical Mystery Tour
Yellow Submarine
The White Album
Abbey Road
Let It Be
Past Masters
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
12:40 PM
Links to this post
2
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Digital Beatles, Give Mp3s a Chance, WWJT What Would John Think
PLAYLIST 28 - I Want Wind To Blow
As if following some great cosmic schedule the winds of November have roared to life around here over the past few days. Great swirls of golden leaves lining the streets now. The lonesome bending trees the visible witnesses to its breathy dominion. The autumn wind is not just another weather element but more a haughty breathing entity. Winter’s gasping icy resurrection maybe? Messy hair and cold pinched cheeks, little reminders to all of us that change is afoot.
So welcome, winds of November- a playlist to mark your arrival.
Song of the Little Wind - Veda Hille
Dancin' In The Wind - Jenn Grant
I Want Wind to Blow - The Microphones
Roll With the Wind - Pavement
Freedom Wind - The Explorer's Club
Hickory Wind [Alternate “Nashville” Version - Take 8] - The Byrds
Invisible Wind - Arnie Love and the Lovettes
Idiot Wind - Bob Dylan
Westwind - Nina Simone
Come Wind Come Rain - Vashti Bunyan
A Lot of Wind - The Fall
The Wind Cries Mary - Robyn Hitchcock
Listening Wind - Talking Heads
I Talk To the Wind - King Crimson
Winds Of St. Anne - Evangelista
Windfall - Cass McCombs
The Wind and The Dove - Bill Callahan
Wind Speaks - Mount Eerie
Wind Driving Dogs - Chad VanGaalen
A Bad Wind - Pissed Jeans
Strangers in the Wind - Cut Copy
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
7:40 AM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Autumn Musings, PLAYLIST, The Winds of November
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Iggy Pop Reveals Stooges Comeback for 2010
Never to early to start planning for the summer concert season now is it?
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
11:58 PM
Links to this post
0
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Iggy Pop, Stooges Reunion 2010
Monday, November 2, 2009
How You Found Me – Part Three
Apparently at least one Everything is Pop reader wants to know. (Curiously, that would make two of us.)
How You Found Me – The Top Ten (More or Less) Best Keyword Search Results
1 0.58% if my head was made of veal
A philosophical question only Bruce McCulloch can answer.
1 0.58% Wanna Mote
Not sure if this is a reader request or the hot new English pop sensation.
1 0.58% whats the song from the nude hotel scene the darjeeling limited
Song? There was a song?
1 0.58% wher can I buy blublockers in ontario
Perhaps in the same place as a new "e" key for your keyboard.
1 0.58% olenka and lovers in ottawa
I’ll take “Things That Sound Dirty But Aren’t” for 300 Alex.
1 0.58% who said some pursue happiness others create it?
Not happiness… The quote was actually ‘a penis.” ( Just sayin’)
1 0.58% thom yorke horses london ontario
Thom Yorke horses? That’s just silly. Everyone knows there are only Thom Yorke unicorns.
1 0.58% how to get a ghost pop on webkinz
Ghost vending machine?
1 0.58% higher "olenka krakus"
No, it’s “HIRE” Olenka Krakus. She does have the best band in London, Ontario after all.
1 0.58% pop them up high pop pop pop
Do you people just type anything into Google or what?
1 0.58% "Steven’s Cat is Sick"
No, say it isn’t so. Steven’s cat is normally so healthy.
1 0.58% spanking-on-jeans.blogspot.com
Note to self: Potential blog post title. (My numbers will go through the roof.)
1 0.58% iggy pop on jeanne beker
Now, that would be a fashionable look.
1 0.58% pop-pop-pop-pop.blogspot.com
Dad? Dad? I told you. It’s everythingispop.blogspot.com
Back to your original programming tomorrow.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
9:04 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Google Love, Googletastic, How You Found Me, I Left Out All the Lesbian Queries
The Coolest Musical City On the Planet - Part Deux
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Calgary, might just be the coolest musical city on the planet. And it's not just the unseasonable temperatures that make it so. Chad Van Gaalen, Women, Tegan and Sara- The list is seemingly endless. One of my personal musical favourites though, is the orchestral pop stylings of Woodpigeon. Word today that their full-length follow-up to 2008’s very excellent Treasury Library Canada is ready for release. The record is called Die Stadt Muzikanten and will be released via the always fine Boompa Records on January 12th. …the fifteen tracks on Die Stadt Muzikanten move and contort like a film soundtrack. Lush, grand moments complement Mark’s signature cinematic “pretty-pretty-pop” sound.
12. The Street Noise Gives You Away
A Moment's Peace for Mary Christa O'Keefe from Beau Lark on Vimeo.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
12:04 PM
Links to this post
2
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Saturday, October 31, 2009
I Love the Smell of Albums in the Morning
The new album release calendar is beginning to fill up and I thought it might be nice to share a little bit of the associated excitement with all of you. First up is Brooklyn’s finest- the National who have indicated their follow up to Boxer will be available in early 2010. Rumours are also swirling that a Sufjan Stevens/Dessner brothers (The National) Christmas EP might just see the light of day soon too.
Further, one of indie rock’s more consistently great bands Spoon has just announced a release date for their new album. The band's seventh LP, Transference, is due out January 26th in North America via Merge and January 25th in Europe via Anti-.
The record features eleven songs produced by the band, including recent single "Got Nuffin", not to mention tracks called "I Saw the Light" and "Out Go the Lights".
Peruse the track listing below:
Forthcoming New Releases of Note
January 12:
January 19:
January 26:
January TBA:
January 26:
February 9:
February 16:
February TBA:
Midlake – Courage Of Others
March TBA:
2010 TBA:
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
10:17 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Mmmm New Records, Spoon, the National, Upcoming Releases 2010
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Working Full Time
Constantines Celebrate 10th Anniversary
Constantines are celebrating their ten year anniversary with a handful of shows (in addition to the previously announced two-night stand at Lee's Palace in Toronto.) The tour now includes stops in a handful of cities in Southern Ontario including London and Guelph, where the magic all began. As well, support for the two Toronto shows has now been confirmed: Attack In Black will open the December 11th show, with New York's Oneida and Toronto's own Metz joining the big soiree the following night.Dec. 11 & 12 Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
Dec. 13 Guelph, ON @ E-Bar
Dec. 15 Waterloo, ON @ Starlight Room
Dec. 16 Peterborough, ON @ The Montreal House
Dec. 18 London, ON @ Call The Office
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
7:30 AM
Links to this post
0
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: But Will There Be Cake, Constantines, Second Hardest Working Band in Show Business
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Your Download Lowdown Volume VXII
If you have read this blog for any length of time you will know that I am all about free and legal downloads - Even more, when they are great full length albums. So dear readers from now until midnight on Saturday October 31, 2009, you can download the entire breakthrough, critically acclaimed, self-titled album Timber Timbre for free at http://www.timbertimbre.com/.
From Arts and Crafts
A long-list nominee for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize, Timber Timbre was heralded by the Canadian press since its release this summer on Arts & Crafts. Playing CMJ last week, Time Out New York wrote that Timber Timbre was "the standout act" describing their set as "powerfully dark, even eerie folk tracks (which) managed to keep the crowd positively awed.” The Village Voice called them a "uniquely creepy beauty".Timber Timbre recently wrapped up a month-long North American tour and will return to the road this week including a performance on the always great Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
4:55 PM
Links to this post
2
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Best Free Downloads, Download Lowdown, Timber Timbre
CHRW Funding Drive Now On!
CHRW FM 94.9 (Radio Western), the volunteer radio station of the University of Western Ontario in London, has begun its annual Funding Drive and they need your help. London’s BEST independent radio station wants to upgrade their remote broadcasting capabilities and your donations to achieve that would be greatly appreciated.CHRW volunteers are on the air 24 hours a day 365 days a year delivering London's most interesting programming! Rarely does a day go by that I do not hear a great up and coming band or an amazing new song. Listen here online to some of the best radio in this area.
CHRW, Radio Western’s origins date back to 1959 and have been broadcasting independently and full time since 1980. They are an integral part of our community not to mention the national university and college radio communities. I urge you to make a donation to this worthy cause. Make a pledge today. Call 519-661-3600 or drop by the station and donate in person! And for you expats and online aficionados, an even easier way is to donate online here via the station’s secure PayPal portal.
Good luck CHRW and as always, thank you for all you do!
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
7:51 AM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Best of London Ontario, CHRW 94.9 FM, CHRW Funding Drive
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Flaming Lips Dark Side
The band revealed a few details about the project on their Friday appearance of KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic. Singer Wayne Coyne confirmed that it was a collaboration with Stardeath and the White Dwarfs, an Oklahoma group that includes the frontman’s nephew, Dennis. (The band is currently accompanying the Flaming Lips on tour.)
Besides those familials, Coyne told MBE Host Anne Litt, Henry Rollins and Peaches both appear on their take on of the classsic 70's masterpiece. No firm release date for the project has been announced, however the singer has indicated it will be arriving soon.
One of my favourite KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic sessions so far this year the band debuted a live cover of Pink Floyd’s “Eclipse” on the Friday morning program. As well, a number of songs from Embryonic and a couple of nice surprises and band happenings. Some involving Wayne Coyne woodland nymph nudity….
You’ve been warned.
Have a look at the session for yourself below. Very enjoyable.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
12:37 PM
Links to this post
3
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Dark Side of the Moon Cover, KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic, The Flaming Lips, Woodland Nymph Nudity
Band Recommendation of the Week - Ume
Ume incoporate bits of Sonic Youth noise, blissful/breathy harmony, and big riffs all on one short but sweet EP, Sunshower. Check out two tracks from that EP above and a video for "The Conductor" below. Besides that EP, Ume have already have built up a considerable amount of buzz due to their raucous SXSW show:Quite honestly though Ume is one of those bands that will be exploding all over the place in a few months. Of that I am entirely confident. But don’t just take my word for it. Have a look and a listen for yourself.
10/19: Cleveland, OH @ Now That's Class
10/20: Washington DC @ The Red and Black
10/21: New York, NY @ Ace of Clubs
10/22: New York, NY @ Public Assembly
10/23: Bushwick, NY @ Lake Johnson
10/24: Montreal, Quebec @ Casa Del Popolo
10/27: St. Catherine's, Ontario @ Level 3
10/28: Waterloo, Ontario @ The Starlight
10/29: Hamilton, Ontario @ The Casbah
10/30: Sarnia, Ontario @ Adam’s Apple
11/3: Toronto, Ontario @ The Horseshoe Tavern
11/4: Detroit, MI @ PJ's Lager House
11/5: Chicago, IL @ The Bottom Lounge
11/6: Springfield, MO @ The Outland Black Box Revue
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
12:15 PM
Links to this post
2
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Best New Music 2009, Their Sunshine, Ume
Friday, October 16, 2009
Hmmm, That One Tasted Keithy
News from the NME that Pink Floyd, Blur, The Clash and Led Zeppelin are among the acts set to be featured on a new collection of Royal Mail stamps in the UK.
A set of 10 stamps featuring classic British album sleeves will enter circulation on January 7th next year, according to stamp collecting website Norvic Philatelics.
This stamp issue salutes this unique art form and celebrates some of the greatest examples, used by UK artists. This band of designers and photographers have not only reflected the visual styles of many musical cultures, but have also defined and created them, too. The stamp issue explores some of the most potent graphic images of modern times, many of which have provided a visual soundtrack to people’s lives.Albums in the collection include 'The Division Bell' by Pink Floyd, 'Parklife', 'London Calling', 'Led Zeppelin IV', 'Power, Corruption & Lies' by New Order, Primal Scream's 'Screamadelica', 'Let It Bleed' by The Rolling Stones, Coldplay's 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head', 'The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars' by David Bowie and Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'.
What? No Joy Division or the Sex Pistols? The low grumble of philatelists everywhere will be deafening.
What album cover would you like to see immortalized on a stamp?
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
7:46 AM
Links to this post
2
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Anal Bum Covers for 300 Alex, If You Can’t Lick Em, Royal Mail Classic Rock Album
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Grizzly Bear to Release Expanded Veckatimest Album
Grizzly Bear Veckatimest
07 - Ready, Able
08 - About Face
09 - Hold Still
10 - While You Wait for the Others
11 - I Live With You
12 - Foreground
Bonus CD:
01 - Southern Point (KCRW Session)
02 - All We Ask (KCMP Session)
03 - Ready, Able (KCRW Session)
04 - Foreground (Duyster Session)
05 - Two Weeks (BBC Maida Vale Session)
06 - Dory (World Café Session)
07 - While You Wait for the Others (BBC Maida Vale Session)
Last night Grizzly Bear visited Conan O’Brien on the Tonight Show in Los Angeles with their Beach House compadre Victoria Legrand for a take on their sublime "Two Weeks," Matt Popieluch from Foreign Born was also spotted playing keyboards for the band.
If you missed it, check it out below.
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
5:15 PM
Links to this post
1 Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Anything Worth Buying Once Worth Buying Twice, Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Waiting is the Hardest Part
So, not quite the prolific songsmiths their fellow 'Garden Statesmen' are, a celebratory spirit at least remains firmly in place. Word now that Hoboken’s finest will celebrate twenty years together (more or less) with a series of shows at Maxwell’s December 3rd and 4th in Hoboken, NJ. The performances coincide with bassist Kevin Whelan’s 40th birthday, in what the band is calling via their website a “20th anniversary/mirthday shindig,” Not many bands refer to their web portal as an electronic ghost town but with the Wrens it seems only fitting. Their proudly sardonic declaration “Keeping folks waiting since 1989” one of the best band taglines I have ever seen.
“Mirthday shindigs” aside, the waiting for the next record might not be going on too much longer as there has been sporadic evidence the band has convened in Whelan’s basement to record new material. The band is also promising the second set of the last show at Maxwell’s will showcase all new material. For the early show that same night, they’ll play The Meadowlands in its entirety. The show’s set-list for the first show on December 3rd will be old songs chosen by fans.
Hmmm, I think its high time I took another New York vacation…
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
4:45 PM
Links to this post
0
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Best Music Ever, Jersey's Finest, the Wrens
The King Comes to Cowtown
The fourth installment of the annual festival takes place in Calgary from June 30 to July 3 at venues throughout the city. The three musicians will play the festival and pick its lineup. More curators will be announced shortly.
Previous curators have included Wire's Colin Newman, while past performers include The Breeders, Chad van Gaalen, Anvil, Tegan And Sara, Deerhunter, The Dodos, Cat Power, Spoon and more.
Remember to mark those calendars and pack the lucky panties now (June 30-July 3, 2010)!
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
8:13 AM
Links to this post
2
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Cool as Fuck, Pack the buttless chaps, Sled Island
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Winter of My Blog Content
Hey this blog isn’t always just about promoting the goings on of Thom Yorke and his band of New Yorkers or the next big indie rock fest. No, no, no! This time out let’s focus on the hardest working band in show business. Them Wilco boys… And this one my friends is great news; Particularly if you live in the Great White North.
The road dogs (Wilco) ares still in the midst of their fall tour through the United States, with a show in Cedar Park, Texas, tomorrow night, and a breach of the 49th Parallel planned for two shows at Massey Hall in Toronto next week. The band has just announced that, come February 2010, the tables will turn for what it's calling a TransCanada tour, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, with a half dozen stops planned for south of the border.
Three of those US dates kick off the tour—in Missoula, Montana; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle, Washington—February 7 through 10. The Canadian leg is set to launch with what will truly be an auspicious beginning: a free concert in Vancouver's David Lam Park on February 13 as part of the "Live City" events celebrating the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
The pre-sale for all but the last five shows begins next Wednesday, October 14th, at 10 AM via the band's FrontGate store; the rest follow suit on October 21. You can access the pre-sale site then at wilco.frontgatetickets.com.
For more information on these dates, this month's tour, and next month's European dates, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.
WILCO'S WINTER 2010 CONCERTS
2/7 Adams Center, Univ. of Montana Missoula, MT
2/9 Arlene Schnitzer Hall Portland, OR
2/10 Paramount Theatre Seattle, WA
2/13 Live City Vancouver, David Lam Park Vancouver, BC
2/16 Southern Jubilee Auditorium Calgary, AB
2/17 TCU Place Saskatoon, SK
2/19 DECC Arena Duluth, MN
2/20 Overture Hall Madison, WI
2/21 Wharton Cobb Great Hall East Lansing, MI
2/23 Hamilton Place Theatre Hamilton, ON
2/27 Olympia de Montreal Montreal, QC
Posted by
Sean Wraight
at
12:55 PM
Links to this post
4
Comments, Bitterness and Innuendo
Labels: Best Concerts 2010, Screw the Seasonal Affective Disorder, Wilco TransCanada Tour 2010









































