Monday, August 20, 2012

School Of Seven Bells @ The Hoxton, Toronto (May 2, 2012)

School Of Seven Bells: photo by Michael Ligon
  School Of Seven Bells: photo by Michael Ligon

Several weeks back during Hot Docs (which I was hitting pretty hardcore), I'd also realized that two shows which I'd purchased advance tickets for were taking place during the same week, the first being by New York City group School Of Seven Bells at The Hoxton. The first and only time I'd seen the band live was in October 2010 in their hometown of New York City during the CMJ festival for a headlining bill at Santos Party House. Their set of rhythmic, shoegaze-y, dream-pop was fantastic and the hometown crowd was really enamored with them. That was my last night of CMJ during that year and it was a great way to end the festival. Fast-forward about a year and a half, and here the band were in Toronto promoting their recently released third full-length entitled Ghostory.

With founding member vocalist/keyboardist Claudia Deheza having left the band in 2010, members guitarist Benjamin Curtis and and singer Alejandra Deheza performed as a trio with a drummer during CMJ that year. But as apparent this time around, a fourth member on keyboards and background vocals had been added back into the fold, with the added background vocals melding seamlessly with Alejandra's dreamy vocals. What started out in some ways as a bit mundane, soon picked up steam. I'd only had the pleasure previously of hearing their second album Disconnect From Desire so hearing songs like the ethereal, dream-pop of "Windstorm" were real treats. A respectable-sized crowd was on hand, although not as large as one would hope, but one gets the impression that the band's popularity in Toronto is strictly within cult status. On the contrary, I was thinking the band were more popular than they are, but then in conversation with Chromewaves who was also in attendance, he revealed that the last show he attended back in September 2010 at The Mod Club was quite under-attended. Running through a set and encore in about an hour and change, it was a good set overall. It kind of felt in some ways like the band was running through the motions, but I guess it's a bit discouraging when they still can't fill venues in Toronto.

Chromewaves also has a review of the show.

Photos: School Of Seven Bells @ The Hoxton, Toronto (May 2, 2012)
MySpace: School Of Seven Bells

Source: http://mligon08.blogspot.com/2012/05/school-of-seven-bells-hoxton-toronto.html

Imogen Heap The Unicorns MGMT Two Door Cinema Club

Scottmania, Part Four


We have arrived at Scott Walker's fourth solo album and the final solo album for a long time to feature original material by Scott himself. Many people consider Scott 4 his absolute masterpiece which is of course open to debate. I like to think about Scott 1?4 as equals. Even though there weren't that many Scott Walker compositions on Scott 1 and 2, the cover songs reflect Scott's personality in some way and when they don't, they are at least extremely well-rendered by Scott. Scott 4 is 100 % Scott Walker-written material (credited to Engel, as it is his real name).

Whereas Scott 3 was quite slow and often in 3/4, Scott 4 has perhaps a better balance of slow and mid-tempo songs. Still, Scott 4 is not really a super high-energy album of rock & roll but compared to Scott 3 it has a faster average tempo. Scott 4 is also the most pop-oriented solo album Scott has ever created. There is no sign of the crooner music style and the arrangements have elements of folk, and of course baroque pop.

The World's Strongest Man is, for a change, a song the lyrics of which are quite easy to understand. Even though you probably thought Scott's vocals couldn't get any more tender and emotional, they actually do just that on this album. One of Scott's biggest accomplisments regarding this album is, in fact, his vocals that seem to have improved from perfection...

To me, Boy Child is definitely one of the most memorable songs here. First of all, there is a strong connection to You Still Believe in Me. There are a couple of things that connect these songs, one of them being the comforting mood. Scott's performance has a hypnotizing effect. Angels of Ashes has a pretty similar effect, although I still feel the need to complain a bit about the melody sounding too much like Goin' Back.

Scott even gives us an anti-war protest song, Hero of the War, which is an extremely well-written song, The lyrical content comes across quite heavy but Scott makes it all very light to listen with his rendition. Could this be one of the reasons why he later decided to "become" a tenor (instead of baritone that he really is) ? his serious songs have a soothing effect even when he intends to cause restlessness?

The Seventh Seal, a song about Ingmar Begman's film of the same title may be the structurally simplest of all these ten songs. Despite having only one part, the song evolves a great deal on the way. The Seventh Seal and The Old Man's Back Again (Dedicated To The Neo-Stalinist Regime) both have some quite impressive choir vocals. These vocals give both the songs a touch of unease even though Scott again channels some really easy-going and careless vibes. What a curious contradiction, you could say!

Rhymes of Goodbye is the final song and I think it is my #1 favorite from Scott. I actually like the song so much that I could call it some kind of a guilty pleasure... Except that I don't really feel guilty about it. But there are times when I listen to it over and over and over... Rhymes of Goodbye has quite a strong folk rock vibe. In fact, Duchess is a quite similar song but I am not quite as much fond of it. Still, don't ignore Duchess, it is lovely.

And there we have it: Scott 1, 2, 3 and 4. Fortunately, this is most definitely not the end of Scott Walker's fantastic pop music. Scottmania will continue.

Music from Scott 4 (YouTube):

Source: http://thoughtsonmelody.blogspot.com/2012/07/scottmania-part-four.html

Fountains of Wayne Go Sailor The Weepies Mirah

The Killers Cover Oasis' 'Don't Look Back In Anger' At The V Festival

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LatestOasisAndBeadyEyeNewsWithStopcryingyourheartoutcom/~3/bVIxU_9jmCI/the-killers-cover-oasis-dont-look-back.html

Sambassadeur Lights Ida Maria The Shins

New Nickelback Video!

Nickelback has a brand-new video for the song "Trying Not to Love You," and it's...atypical. Watch it now above!


"Trying Not to Love You" comes from the band's latest album, Here and Now, which is available everywhere; grab a copy from the Roadrunner webstore!

Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/nickelback-video-20120817

The Sneetches Sambassadeur Lights Ida Maria

Nick Carter Green - ADD (single)

Nick Carter Green ? ADD (single)
2012, Zuma Records
Nick Carter Green is an R&B/hip-hop artist from Chicago whose first release, XIX, received solid feedback locally and regionally.  Nick is currently working on a new album to be entitled X: The Breaking.  The first single from this new project is ?ADD? a highly rhythmic and repetitive track that seeks to capture the frenetic mindset of the condition.  The song is built on a pervasive dance beat and a repetitive chorus that is almost anathema to the idea that drives the song.  There?s an irresistible catchiness to the exercise however, and you can feel your toes and hips wanting to move around like a physical draw.  Nick Carter Green raps and rhymes his way through the verses, and shows a splendidly sharp lyrical sense and even hints of a mischievous humor.  This is a likely hit in the dance clubs, and might even well-crafted for a situational song placement in a movie.  ?ADD? holds great promise for the rest of what X: The Breaking might bring.
Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)
Learn more about Nick Carter Green at www.nickcartergreen.com or www.facebook.com/nickcartergreen. 

Source: http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2012/08/nick-carter-green-add-single.html

April March Kerli Interpol The Helio Sequence

Perfect Pop Song (Part 23)

My wife and I were lamenting the loss of music videos the other day. With MTV and VH1 no longer featuring music, videos are now almost exclusively an on-line phenomenon. This is a shame since you might miss out on videos that are unique and interesting. Here is one I missed that would have been a huge hit if they still played them on TV. One top of that, DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE'S 'Underneath the Sycamores" is a great pop song:


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/sQBf/~3/K5hTj0W-e08/perfect-pop-song-part-23.html

Gentleman Reg Suburban Kids With Biblical Names Milton and the Devils Party teamAWESOME!

RhoDeo 1221 Aetix


Hello, Aetix again, Goth had to start somewhere that a band with an artrock name- Bauhaus became its progenitors was perhaps a fluke,  their remarkable debut single was an hommage to the Hollywood king of the undead..Bela Lugosi, 9 minutes of creepy horror on vinyl set them on a path they probaly never intended in a sense Bla Lugasi haunted them throughout their existance.

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Bauhaus formed in 1978 in Northampton, England. Guitarist/vocalist Daniel Ash, bassist/vocalist David J (born David Jay Haskins), and drummer Kevin Haskins had played together as a trio called the Craze before forming Bauhaus with vocalist Peter Murphy. Originally, the band was called Bauhaus 1919 after the German art movement; by 1979, they had dropped the 1919 from their name.

In August of 1979, the group released their debut single, "Bela Lugosi's Dead," on the independent record label Small Wonder Records. Although it did not make the pop charts, it became the de facto goth rock anthem, staying in the U.K. independent charts for years. Three months later, the group signed with Beggars Banquet's subsidiary label, 4AD. The group's second single, "Dark Entries," was released in January 1980. Following their first European tour, Bauhaus released their third single, "Terror Couple Kill Colonel," in the summer of that year, which became a hit on the indie charts.

After touring America for the first time in September, the group released a version of T. Rex's "Telegram Sam." In October, they released their debut album, In the Flat Field, which reached number one on the independent charts In October 81.
Few debut albums ever arrived so nearly perfectly formed; that In the Flat Field practically single-handedly invented what remains for many as the stereotype of goth music -- wracked, at times spindly vocals about despair and desolation of many kinds, sung over mysterious and moody music -- demonstrates the sui generis power of both the band and its work. This said, perhaps the best thing about the album isn't what it's supposed to sound like, but what it actually does -- an awesomely powerful, glam-inspired rock band firing on all fours, capable of restraint and complete overdrive both, fronted by a charismatic, storming frontman. In the Flat Field propelled Bauhaus' career with a near-perfect bang.

They released their second album, Mask, which revealed a more ambitious musical direction; the new direction, which featured elements of metal and electronic sonic textures, made the music more accessible without abandoning the dark, foreboding core of their music. Mask was a commercial success. Fall 82, the group had a hit with their version of David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust." The success of the single propelled their third album, The Sky's Gone Out on the album charts.

Murphy contracted pneumonia at the beginning of 1983, which prevented him from participating in the recording sessions for Bauhaus' fourth album, Burning From the Inside. Consequently, the record featured substantial contributions from Ash and J, who both pursued more personal and atmospheric directions. After Murphy recovered, the band toured Japan and then returned to the U.K. to promote the summer release of Burning From the Inside. The album was another hit, yet in July, Bauhaus split up.

After Bauhaus' breakup, Murphy formed Dali's Car with Japan's Mick Karn and then pursued a solo career. Ash continued with Tones on Tail, a project he began in 1981; Kevin Haskins also joined the band after Bauhaus' split. J made some solo records and joined the Jazz Butcher briefly. Ash, Haskins, and J formed Love and Rockets in 1985 after a proposed Bauhaus reunion fell apart because Peter Murphy wasn't interested in the project. More than a decade later, however, with the careers of both Love and Rockets and Peter Murphy at a standstill, Bauhaus re-formed for several live dates in Los Angeles, mounting a full-blown tour in 1998; the two-disc Gotham documented the reunited group's performance at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom.

Bauhaus reunited again in 2005, they embarked on a full tour beginning in North America and Mexico in the Autumn of 2005 and ending in Europe in February 2006. In May 2006 the band toured with Nine Inch Nails on the summer leg of their tour. ?Go Away White? was recorded in 18 days at Zircon Skye in Ojai, with singer Peter Murphy, bassist David J, guitarist Daniel Ash, and drummer Kevin Haskins playing together as a band in one room, taking first takes as final cuts. So, a new record but apparently a final one, the band having decided to release it as a posthumous swan song....no news since.

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On Mask the members of Bauhaus consciously stretched themselves into newer areas of music and performance, resulting in an album that was arguably even better than the band's almost flawless debut. More familiar sides of the band were apparent from the get-go; opening number "Hair of the Dog," one of the band's best songs, starts with a double-tracked squalling guitar solo before turning into a stomping, surging flow, carefully paced by sudden silences and equally sudden returns to the music, while Murphy details cases of mental addictions in pithy phrases. The energy wasn't all just explosive angst and despair, though; the one-two punches of "Kick in the Eye" and "In Fear of Fear" have as much hip-shaking groove and upbeat swing to them as portentous gloom. Elsewhere, numerous flashes of the band's quirky sense of humor make an appearance; perhaps most amusing is the dry spoken-word lyric beginning "Of Lillies and Remains," as David J details a goofily grotesque situation as much Edward Gorey as Edgar Allen Poe. Add to that three of the most dramatic things the band ever recorded -- the charging, keyboard-accompanied "The Passion of Lovers," the slow, dark fairy-tale-gone-wrong "Hollow Hills," and the wracked, trudging title track, and the end result was a perfect trouncing of the sophomore-slump myth.


Bauhaus ? Mask ( flac 357mb)

01 Hair Of The Dog 2:43
02 The Passion Of Lovers 3:53
03 Of Lillies And Remains 3:18
04 Hollow Hills 2:29
05 Dancing 4:47
06 Kick In The Eye 2 3:39
07 In Fear Of Fear 2:58
08 Muscle In Plastic 2:51
09 The Man With The X-Ray Eyes 3:05
10 Mask 4:36
11 In Fear Of Dub 2:55
12 Ear Wax 3:15
13 Harry 2:47
14 1. David Jay 2. Peter Murphy 3.Kevin Haskins 4. Daniel Ash 6:37
15 Satori 4:36

Bauhaus ? Mask ( ogg 131mb)

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More fragmented in origin than it might appear on first glance. The Sky's Gone Out was caught between the expectations of an audience now thoroughly embracing the incipient goth genre, with all the built-in limitations such expectations often provide, and a band which wanted to please them while still following its own muse. On balance it's quite a fine album, but unlike Mask it misses the infusion of a more positive energy, and simply doesn't gel as perfectly, more notable for individual songs than as a whole., ultimately making The Sky's Gone Out feel more like a compilation than anything else. Piece by piece, though, the songs still often showed Bauhaus in excelsis. Ash's elegant, haunting acoustic guitar work received two great showcases -- "Silent Hedges," adding a more familiar electric explosion to a fine Murphy performance detailing a desperate mental collapse, and "All We Ever Wanted Was Everything," a sympathetic, nostalgic reflection on dreams of the past, again matched by a perfectly balanced Murphy vocal. Other standouts include the brooding lope of "Swing the Heartache," with a skeletal rhythm matched against some of Ash's best guitar work, and "Spirit," a live standout inspired by the performance vibe the band received from its fans.


Bauhaus - The Sky's Gone Out ( flac 376mb)

01 Third Uncle 5:17
02 Silent Hedges 3:11
03 In The Night 3:07
04 Swing The Heartache 5:52
05 Spirit 5:29
06 The Three Shadows Part 1 4:23
07 The Three Shadows Part 2 3:10
08 The Three Shadows Part 3 1:36
09 All We Ever Wanted Was Everything 3:51
10 Exquisite Corpse 5:39
11 Ziggy Stardust 3:13
12 Party Of The First Part 5:26
13 Spirit 3:45
14 Watch That Grandad Go 5:40

Bauhaus - The Sky's Gone Out  ( ogg 142mb)

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Whether it was the immediacy of recording or some other unexplainable element, Bauhaus always thrived when doing British radio appearances, with no less than five of the 18 tracks collected here seeing official release by the band on singles or albums during its first lifetime. That one of these was Bauhaus' biggest-ever British hit, the completely and perfectly over-the-top rendition of Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust," is further testimony to the band's success at the Beeb. The five show appearances here, including both John Peel sessions and guest spots with other DJs, make for an excellent sampling of the band in many different guises, from obscure rarities to redone versions of some of Bauhaus' most successful songs. The first six tracks cover In the Flat Field-era material, including a slightly more laid-back version of T. Rex's "Telegram Sam" and an energetic thrash through "A God in an Alcove," as well as the powerful take of "Double Dare" which was used to begin Field. The midsection covers a lot of ground, from the familiar takes on "Ziggy" and Eno's "Third Uncle" used on singles and albums to the quirky, film-dialogue-sampling drama of "Party of the First Part," not to mention an otherwise unavailable song, the funky, percussion-heavy "Poison Pen," never successfully recorded by the band elsewhere. Another rarity pops up among the final tracks -- of all things, the Strangeloves' legendary Nuggets-compiled garage-rocker "Night Time," given a great bouncy reading here. Add to that some sharp takes on the lengthy title track and "She's in Parties," not to mention a version of "The Three Shadows Pt. 2" that's notably more successful than the recording on The Sky's Gone Out, and Swing is an unparalleled success, a collection that will interest and satisfy newcomers as much as longtime band fanatics.



Bauhaus - Swing The Heartache (The BBC Sessions) (flac 452mb)

01 A God In An Alcove 4:08
02 Telegram Sam 2:25
03 Double Dare 4:54
04 The Spy In The Cab 4:08
05 In The Flat Field 2:46
06 St. Vitus Dance 2:27
07 In Fear Of Fear 2:46
08 Poison Pen 3:10
09 Party Of The First Part 5:25
10 Departure 4:54
11 The Three Shadows (Part 2) 2:57
12 Silent Hedges 3:07
13 Swing The Heartache 5:13
14 Third Uncle 5:16
15 Ziggy Stardust 3:12
16 Terror Couple Kill Colonel 3:37
17 Night Time 3:11
18 She's In Parties 3:41

Bauhaus - Swing The Heartache (The BBC Sessions) (ogg 170mb)

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elsewhere earlier

Bauhaus - In The Flat Field Extended (80 ^ 96mb)
Bauhaus - In The Flat Field Extended 2 (80 ^ 87mb)

Bauhaus - Burning From The Inside (80 ^ 96mb)

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Source: http://rho-xs.blogspot.com/2012/05/rhodeo-1221-aetix.html

The Wombats Emily Haines Kent My Teenage Stride

Artist of the Week: Joy Ike

Pennsylvania based singer-songwriter Joy Ike has been making a name for herself. After releasing her second album independently, she won an opening slot performing at this summer's reinstated Lilith Fair through a fan voted contest on OurStage. Since then, she has continued her grassroots approach to music to stay true to her values.

With vocals that recall popular singer-songwriters Sara Bareilles and Regina Spektor, Ike's soulful singing style and breathtaking piano accompaniment impress. What is most striking of Ike is that she embodies a timeless and familiar quality. Songs like opening track, "Sweeter" draw the listener in with her upbeat singing style while the nearly one minute piano intro on "Give Me Truth" relaxes.

Beautiful title track, "Rumors" leaves an impact on the listener with Ike's slow and powerful vocals accompanied by the light strokes of the piano and fitting string features. Despite the impressive music, it is Ike's hopeful and introspective lyrics that allow her to stand out from popular singer-songwriters.

In fact, in an interview with OurStage.com, she touched upon the importance of creating memorable music.

"What a person says reflects who they are. I want to make music that's purposeful and I want to create music that people can hold onto for a long time."

With a release as strong as Rumors, Ike is well on her way.

For more on Joy Ike, be sure to visit her on MySpace and watch the interview below. You can download her track, "Sweeter" here.




Source: http://yousingiwrite.blogspot.com/2010/09/artist-of-week-joy-ike.html

The Grenadiers Grizzly Bear (band) Tegan and Sara Monkey Swallows the Universe

Sunday, August 19, 2012

NXNE Picks (June 15, 2012)

Widowspeak
  Widowspeak (via)

One day of NXNE down for me and tonight for all intensive purposes may be my last official night of the festival - I'm going to the Radiohead show on Saturday night so NXNE festivities that day are pretty much a washout, although I may try to catch a late-night NXNE set or two, and Sunday night is Father's Day and I will most likely have some plans that day with family but I may perhaps check out the Ghostface Killah / Raekwon show at Yonge Dundas Square later that night. That said here's my picks for today where you might find me (or where you should be):

2-10 pm ----- NXNEXPERIMENT II - billed as the ultimate daytime party of the summer, it'll take place at 214 August Avenue in Kensington Market in some back alley, but with the festival buzz of acts like The Men, Doldrums and Mac Demarco as part of this bill, this one's sure to be busy. It's $10 at the door. Check the link for complete details.

7:30 pm & 8:30 pm ----- With not much else I really want to be doing around this time, I may just hang around Yonge Dundas Square and soak up the sounds of synth-y Arts & Crafts indie supergroup Eight and A Half and jammy rock trio Plants and Animals. Of course, there's the free schwag, ice cream samples, and Monster energy drinks to take advantage of down there too.

9 pm ----- So far the only act I've chosen for this time slot is dark-pop London duo 2:54. Does their video for their song "Scarlet" tempt you? Whether I make it for this all depends if I stick around for Plants and Animals at Yonge Dundas Square or come up with a totally different option.

10 pm ----- As I've already caught Hooded Fang's set at the Horseshoe yesterday, I'll be skipping their set at the Silver Dollar tonight. In brief, I'll say they've progressed from their sunny, pop leanings, towards an almost punkier direction. I like it. My only other choice for this time slot is Oxford, Mississippi heavy guitar / drums duo Bass Drum Of Death [which may be the best band name I've heard in a long time] who'll be rocking out down at Wrongbar. Oh, God that would mean a commute clear across town. I may need to find another option.

11 pm ----- I think the electro-RnB of Brooklyn outfit, Friends, who are playing Lee's Palace should be fun. Other options include the garage-goth outfit The Black Belles who'll be playing their second and final set of the festival at the Horseshoe Tavern.

Midnight ----- I've not heard a lick of their music but breaking news reveals that Yamantaka // Sonic Titan have been shortlisted for this year's Polaris Music Prize. Which I would imagine make getting into their set at The Garrison tonight near impossible. The joined forces of Andre Williams and The Sadies looks tempting but I'd imagined that be hard to get into as well. Bleached who'll be playing the second of their 3-night sting at the Silver Dollar may be where I end up or perhaps it'll be The Men at Wrongbar.

1 am ----- The hazey pop of New York Band Widowspeak was something I'd enjoyed when I caught them at the CMJ Music Marathon last year. They'll be playing The Garrison tonight and it would be nice to revisit them. My other option currently on the table is a forgotten but were never gone 90's act called Smoking Popes who are best known for their 1995 song "Need You Around". Yes this is a purely nostalgic option.

Source: http://mligon08.blogspot.com/2012/06/nxne-picks-june-15-2012.html

Passion Pit Kings of Leon Language of Flowers Starflyer 59

On This Day In Oasis History...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LatestOasisAndBeadyEyeNewsWithStopcryingyourheartoutcom/~3/eHV_ox1GClM/on-this-day-in-oasis-history_18.html

The Rain The Rocketboys Bryan Scary Uffie

THE WILD SWANS on Eat Bulaga!!

Well, can't get enough of that Nostalgic Concert by THE WILD SWANS here in Philippines? Definitely, It was one of the most memorable New Wave Concert I ever watched here in MANILA!! I have already watched a couple of these New Wave 80s concerts here in MANILA before and THE WILD SWANS Concert will be marked as One of the BEST or if not, It's THE VERY BEST indeed!! Even though there was a typhoon, their concert really made a blast like a typhoon too so THANK YOU to those people who brought them here in the Philippines where the term NEW WAVE Genre is very unique and different in terms of definition comparing from other countries around the globe. I'm featuring right now here in my little blog "The Doctor Is In", the Legendary band's performance on the Philippine Legendary Noon Time Show "EAT BULAGA" last SEPTEMBER 28, 2011. What's very interesting here was EAT BULAGA Host Julia Clarete's comments on the band and on Echo And The Bunnymen. Wheeew!! Nice One Miss Julia!! Rock On Girl!! PAUL SIMPSON also introduced his Band Line up which for me is as Legendary as this Liverpool band. Btw, EAT BULAGA just recently launched their COFFEE TABLE BOOK which featured the Three Decades of the Show. The Mastermind of this extraordinary book is Joey De Leon. THANK YOU THE WILD SWANS for a GREAT PERFORMANCE!!


Here's the VIDEO CLIP of THE WILD SWANS
on EAT BULAGA singing "BRINGING HOME THE ASHES":




EAT BULAGA!!!!!
....THE WILD SWANS!!!!
-DR. STIRRING RHOD

Source: http://docmuzic.blogspot.com/2011/10/wild-swans-on-eat-bulaga.html

Sleepy Township The Organ Rilo Kiley Ugly Casanova

Wildy's World Auctions (American Cancer Society)

Greetings fellow travelers!

Yes, there are more reviews coming.  I?ve been a bit slow on that front of late as I have been putting much of my spare time into fundraising for the American Cancer Society?s Relay for Life!  I have about 60 or so reviews in the can, most of them handwritten; all just waiting for me to find time to type them out.

Yes.

But right now Wildy?s World is engaged in an exciting project!  We reached out over the past couple of months to the artists we?ve worked with over the past several years, and many have been gracious enough to offer their time and talent for song auctions on eBay (seller ID wildysworld).  The idea is simple:  The highest bidder from the auction gets to fill out a short survey telling the artist what they would like their song to be about.  The artist then takes that information and interprets it how they will.  The winner will then receive a recording of the song via email. 
The recording is expected to be a demo ? clean but not necessarily the finished product you might hear on an album.  Some artists are going further than this based on the time and resources available to them.

Even some of the artists who do not have time to engage in the songwriting project are contributing.  One artist is donating a cover song ? winner gets to pick the song, any song, and the artist will interpret it.  Still others have donated or promised to donate signed items, rare CDs, artwork, etc.  I?ve even added a few signed items I?ve personally received over the past four or so years to the mix.

As of this morning there are seven auctions live on eBay, and I would highly encourage you to check them out!  All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society through my Relay For Life Team, the Cave Crashers.  And even if you don?t want to participate in the auction, but want to make a donation on my behalf, you can do so through my personal Relay for Life page here.
Here are the auctions currently live.  All are for original songs written by the artist named:

Kati Mac (NYC)    - Ends today

John Mueller (Buddy Holly of Winter Dance Party) ? End 6/9/12

Benjamin Russell (Canada) ? Ends 6/10/12

Andy Hawk (Hamilton, VA) ? Ends 6/11/12

The Spanish Channel (Brooklyn) ? Ends 6/12/12

Missed You At The Show (Manchester, UK) ? Ends 6/13/12

The Blisterz (Albany, NY) ? Ends 6/14/12

The following auctions are forthcoming, with the start date listed.  All auctions are for original songs to be written, unless otherwise specified.

BFF (6/8/12)
Jodi Shaw (6/9/12)
Skyler (6/10/12)
Zak Smith Band (6/11/12)
KeyDragon (6/12/12)
The Amplifires (6/13/12)
The Modern Airline (6/14/12)
Randy Stern  (6/15/12)
Joshua Jesty  (6/16/12)
Deborah Crooks (6/17/12)
Mar Harmon of Music With Mar (6/18/12)
Jerry Falzone (6/19/12)
Brian Pounds (6/20/12)
Styx ? Signed Electric Guitar (6/21/12)
The Energy Commission (6/22/12)
Jeneen Terrana (6/23/12)
Halie Loren ? Cover song (6/24/12)
Aurical (6/25/12)
John Byrne (6/26/12)
Ron Hawkins of Lowest Of The Low ? An original oil painting of Bjork (6/27/12)
Joel Dobbins (6/28/12)
Trout Fishing In America ? Signed T-Shirts (6/29/12)
Amanda Belardinelli (6/30/12)
These Curious Thoughts (7/1/12)
Crown Point Band (7/2/12)
Steve Haggard (7/3/12)
Kaitlin McGaw (7/4/12)
Shane Lamb (7/5/12)
Amos Lee ? Signed, rare CD (7/6/12)
James Scott Fant ? 7/7/12
Beth Whitney ? 7/8/12
Pat Flanakin ? 7/9/12
Brother Joscephus ? 7/16/12
Phoebe Leg�re ? 7/18/12


As you can tell, we still have some dates to fill between 7/10 and 7/17/12.  If you would like to participate in an auction, please contact me at wildysworld@gmail.com.  I also have some items to be scheduled, including signed items from Val Emmich, Kristoffer Ragnstam, Lee Alexander (promised), Marian Call (promised), John Mueller and Stars Go Dim.

Bid early, bid often, and tell everyone you know.  Once again, all proceeds will go the American Cancer Society, so it?s all for a good cause! 

Source: http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2012/06/wildys-world-auctions.html

The Love Language Hayden Holy Fuck Pigeon Detectives

M83 get amibtious about dreams

Ambition is a tricky wicket. We want our musicians to extend themselves beyond their boundaries and explore new sounds. But we also want them to replicate the songs that made us first fall in love with them. We want new music from them on a regular basis but not at the expense of the ability to digest it and appreciate it. RYAN ADAMS and PRINCE have often been accused of musical megalomania by release a ton of stuff without any real regard to the overall quality. GUNS N' ROSES effectively ended their career by releasing a double album when one at a time would have sufficed. THE STONE ROSES couldn't seem to get their shit together to release a second record for over a decade, and when they did the wait made it a disappointment. It's a hard thing to time your ambition just right.

M83 have accomplished such a rare feat. Three years after their last record, the band (essentially one member at this point, Frenchman Anthony Gonzalez), has released a magnum opus entitled "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming". The double record contains 22 songs of sheer brilliance. Culling from the past catalogue of sounds from their early shoegazer material through their most recent forays into 80's synth pop, M83 have recreated and updated their sound at the same time.

Opening with the epic "Intro", it is clear that Gonzalez has opened up the effects panels on his guitar, which frames quest Zola Jesus' vocals nicely. From there the record soars through the anthemic "Midnight City" and "Reunion". "Wait" has a sleep acoustic feel, which is new for M83. "Claudia Lewis" has a retro HOWARD JONES feel to it (don't laugh it's really good). Their are instrumental interludes that serve as resting stops along the journey. Gonzalez has said that the bulk of the record has to do with dreams or a dreaming state. "Soon, My Friend", another acoustic number, is very much a lullaby to a child. M83 have started to fiddle with more straight ahead songs on recent records, but here the size of the record makes that harder to do. There are a lot of short bursts of musical ideas that aren't really fleshed out, and are not meant to be. It's as if you are inside someones dreams as they come and go.

"My Tears Are Becoming A Sea" opens the second disc with a crescendo of drums and strings like your soaring over mountains and out to the ocean. "New Map" roars the record back to life with the more traditional M83 sound. "OK Pal" readdresses the 80's sound of their last record, feeling like something left off a John Hughes soundtrack. "Year One, One UFO" revisits the use of pre-recorded interviews to add to the texture of the song that was so prevalent on the band's early work. By the time you reach the instrumental "Outro", you are ready to wake up, not from exhaustion but from a feeling you have seen all their is and you are ready to tell your friends.

The record could have been trimmed a bit, but I think it would have sacrificed the artist's intent to deliver on his own ambition. I can't imagine where he goes form here, but if his next journey is as good as this one, we are in for a real experience.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/sQBf/~3/GcBbrj8RDRY/m83-get-amibtious-about-dreams.html

Ladyhawke Maow The Love Language Hayden

Moments With David Choi In Singapore

During our band's gig over the weekend in the Lion City for Baybeats, we caught up with the most chased after man by tons of females in the Republic!



With the man himself - David Choi


"girls, don't jealous, k?" =p

 

Having the privilege of staying in the same place, we met at the hotel lobby just before dinner time and being the very humble and down to earth man that he is, David spent some time with us for our picture sessions.

















Our starstruck moments



If you haven't already checked out his music, here's one of my favorites:


Source: http://baldwinchua.blogspot.com/2010/08/moments-with-david-choi-in-singapore.html

Jordan Andrew Jefferson The Ocean Blue The Like my little airport

THE WILD SWANS LIVE in the PHILIPPINES!!

This is it!! THE WILD SWANS LIVE in the PHILIPPINES on SEPTEMBER 30 at the GRAND BALLROOM HOTEL, CEBU CITY and OCTOBER 1, 2011 at 1 ESPLANADE MALL OF ASIA, PASAY CITY!!

-DR. STIRRING RHOD


Source: http://docmuzic.blogspot.com/2011/08/wild-swans-live-in-philippines.html

Mazzy Star The Margarets The Promise Ring Rose Melberg

Too Phat Medley by Joe Flizzow at Acoustic Nights

Here's the opening song at my session for Joe Flizzow during the Acoustic Nights show at KL Pac a few weeks ago.

It's a compilation of songs from the Too Phat era, which in my opinion, still the best hip-hop group even till today!




Anticipate the release of the full show on Astro and DVD!

Source: http://baldwinchua.blogspot.com/2011/05/too-phat-medley-by-joe-flizzow-at.html

Mother Mother Scouting for Girls The Tartans Neutral Milk Hotel

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Chicago Theatre Off Book: Aug. 17, 2012 Ed.

Source: http://chicagoindieradio.org/chirplog/2682/chicago-theatre-off-book-aug-17-2012-ed

Starlight Mints Lois The Little Ones Islands

Noel Gallagher Talks About His All Time Manchester City XI On 'The Fantasy Football Club' Tonight

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LatestOasisAndBeadyEyeNewsWithStopcryingyourheartoutcom/~3/l_Fr7PyKvHA/noel-gallagher-talks-about-his-all-time.html

Emily Haines Kent My Teenage Stride Ingrid Michaelson

New 60s Favorites, Part Two

Red with purple flashes. That is how guitarist Eddie Phillips has described the Creation's music. The Creation are my latest 60s favorite number two. This band came from the UK and was founded in 1966. The Creation were a short-lived band but achieved quite a lot during their short period of existing as a band. These achievements were not chart-topping hits but insteadmany excellent mod, garage and psychedelic rock songs that are still living pieces ofsome of the most energetic British music of the era.

Originally I decided to check out this band due to its alleged influence on power popmusic. I had these two compilations, Complete Collection, Vol. 1: Making Time and Vol. 2: Biff Bang Pow, in my possession for some time before the time was right to discover the wonders they contained. These CDs include all music by the band made in the 60s with some different mixes and versions.

I was fascinated by Nightmares from the very beginning. That song is a good example of the certain kind of dark mood that is sometimes present in the Creation's music. I don't know exactly what made it a bit difficult to hear the beauty of this music... Listening to it more was surely the thing that made it open up to me. There is after all a lot to process: a lot of harmonic sound, lots of great songs, lots of different influences.

I have been listening to the first CD more and come to appreciate the stuff very, very much. Everything is solid, well-written and has a pleasant, somewhat heavy garage sound. The combination of melodic British beat music tradition is mixed with rhythm and blues and often psychedelic elements resulting in really impressive, soulful, catchy and memorable music. The mysterious psychedelic feel is also quite enjoyable and there are excellent vocal harmonies.. Check out Making Time, Tom Tom, How Does It Feel to Feel, If I Stay Too Long, All That I Am, the successful single Painter Man, or any other song for the matter! This really is pure kick-ass rocking 60s magic.

The closest counterparts to the Creation are obviously the Who, and perhaps the Kinks. Listening to the Creation can actually momentarily make you feel like you're listening to the Who. The sound can be very similar to the early Who. I think I'll need to dig deeper into this mod music, as well as freakbeat.. and garage.

Source: http://thoughtsonmelody.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-60s-favorites-part-two_30.html

The Wedding Present Hello Operator McCarthy Gentleman Reg

Win Tickets To See Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds And Kasabian In Dublin

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LatestOasisAndBeadyEyeNewsWithStopcryingyourheartoutcom/~3/7vL07eMYaNI/win-tickets-to-see-noel-gallaghers-high.html

The Mood Statistics Starlight Mints Lois

Tom Scott - Huntington Beach USA 1979

This is Tom Scott live at The Golden Bear, Huntington Beach, CA, USA back in 1979. These are the notes in full that came with the recording (grateful thanks to the person who penned them) - This recording comes from the archives of the Golden Bear night club in Huntingon Beach, California. At the time, the Golden Bear was the oldest running night club in America open since the mid 1920's. Eventually earthquake building codes made it too expensive to upgrade, and it was eventually torn down.  Everybody from Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Doors have played at the Golden Bear.

I was a frequent patron of the Golden Bear, and I recorded many shows at the venue.  Eventually I became friends with the sound board guy, and we began trading some tapes.  This recording is one of those tapes. Like many of the Golden Bear tapes, this one isn't a complete show.  After 47 minutes, it cuts off. Since the Golden Bear usually ran 60-70 minute sets, it's very likely that the last 15-20 minutes are missing.The concert was recorded from the sound board on the house cassette deck in mono.


Tom Scott's professional career began as a teenager, as leader of a jazz ensemble Neoteric Trio, and then as a "first-call" (i.e. high-demand) session musician. He has dozens of solo recordings for which he collected thirteen Grammy nominations (three of which he won). He also has numerous film and television scoring credits, including composing and conducting the score for the movie 'Conquest of the Planet of the Apes'. He has also appeared on records by such diverse artists as George Harrison, The Grateful Dead, Paul McCartney, Steppenwolf, Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Joni Mitchell, Blondie, Eddie Money, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, The Blues Brothers, Quincy Jones, Carole King, Olivia Newton-John and Frank Sinatra.

Source: Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good mono mp3@320kbps. 

Genre: West coast jazz, jazz fusion.

Set: Majority of set. 

Set List:

01 Car Wars
02 Dirty Old Man
03 Band Introductions
04 Street Beat
05 Shadows
06 Introducing ''Hittin' on Six''
07 Hittin' on Six
08 Heading Home

Line Up:

Tom Scott: Saxophones
Carlos Rios: Guitar
David Garfield: Keyboards
Neil Stubenhaus: Bass
Vinny Colaiuta: Drums

Web: Official HERE.

(download link in comments below).

Source: http://www.beehivecandy.com/2012/03/tom-scott-huntington-beach-usa-1979.html

Iron & Wine Thomas Tantrum Memphis Los Planetas

Perfect Pop Song (Part 20)

SCHOOL OF FISH made two really good records. Then they broke up and lead singer JOSH CLAYTON-FELT made a solo record before he passed away. I will always have a fond place in my heart for these guys. Here is their first single and their biggest hit, "Three Strange Days".

Enjoy!!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/sQBf/~3/F54lpjV342o/perfect-pop-song-part-20.html

The Sneetches Sambassadeur Lights Ida Maria

Hello Australia - Part 1

Melbourne City

Was on a vacation Down Under during the CNY holidays. This post will be the first of a few on my break in Australia.




Getting around the city is easy. Just spot these signages around the city and hop onto the tourist shuttle where its free and takes one around tourist spots




Melbourne's Central Business District 





The century old St. Paul's Cathedral, right in the heart of the city. 
You definitely wouldn't miss it's grand stature as it's located just opposite Flinders St station.





Just a slight walk down the same road, you'll come to Hosier Lane
A lane dedicated to the people with creative juices for Graffiti





Walking around the city during the Chinese New Year festivities, we bumped into 'Choy San Yeh' and his followers



....who looks like he's in great need for a diet!




It is also in Melbourne that you actually find people QUEUING to get into Tiffany & Co.




One of the main attractions in Melbourne City is the Eureka Skydeck.

Having the observatory deck located at over 88-storeys high, one would get a fantastic view of the city from here
















Got ourselves the Sun & Stars passes, we went up there twice!

The city definitely looks much more brilliant at night being illuminated.


































Sliding back to reality....



In the next post... we shall visit some interesting places around the state of Victoria

Stay tuned!

Source: http://baldwinchua.blogspot.com/2011/02/hello-australia-part-1.html

Primal Scream Ladybug Transistor Brooke White The Mood