camp out :: an horse

I have a new musical love, the band An Horse from Australia. They are both rather attractive people. For those of you in the Twin Cities, March 3rd at the 7th street Entry is where you should be to listen to them in person. Which I would highly recommend, and I really hope I can be there as well. I haven't ever seen them, because they haven't toured in the US yet. But, if you watch them on youtube or look at their myspace, you can see that they often wear flannel shirts, so that's cool and extremely adorable. Did I mention they're from Australia and thus have wonderful Australian accents?

Enough caffeinated silliness. An Horse sounds kinda like Tegan and Sara, and actually have toured with Tegan and Sara. An Horse is the duo Kate Cooper and Damon Fox. Kate rocks out on the guitar and Damon plays the drums. Kate tends to provide lead vocals and Damon backs her up. The video I'm including is an acoustic version of their song Camp Out. It's from their debut album "Rearrange Beds" which comes out on March 17th. If you just can't wait, it's already on iTunes. You should go to their myspace and listen to their other stuff as well. As a bonus video, the bottom most video in this post is an interview of An Horse by Sara Quin.

The Meaning of 8 :: Cloud Cult

To celebrate the last day of 2008, I would like to segue into the new year, by starting off January's Song of the Day theme: Local Artists! I know a bunch of us have already posted on Cloud Cult (ahem: Brenda, Dylan, Myself, Kelsey, etc...)...But - They really are freakin awesome :) and so is The Meaning of 8. This is most definitely an album that I never get tired of listening to, and I think that is mostly due to the fact that there are so many layers to Cloud Cult. This album is also a go-to album for any mood I may be in because the end result is always the same - I feel extremely happy and hopeful and instantly better when I listen to it. I've been lucky enough to see them play live a couple of times already this year, and I really encourage all of you to check them out when they come to/near your town.

Until then, you should have a little listen - if you have those big head phones that cover your ears and can find a comfortable place to sit/lay down that faces a window you can look out of while listening to them, I would suggest it. It will change the way you hear music.

Some of my favorite tracks from this album include: Chemicals Collide, Take Your Medicine, Chain Reaction, Purpose, and Thanks.
No more jabbing! time to listen! :)

The end.
Love,
Meggo.



The Meaning of 8

Album of the Year :: The Good Life

This week I decided I'd post an extremely well executed concept album, "Album of the Year," by The Good Life. The record chronicles the rise and fall of a relationship, with each track representing a month.

The first title track starts in April and summarizes the entire story of a man and his bartending girlfriend. The next two tracks, "Night and Day" and "Under a Honeymoon" outline the beginning of their relationship. "You're No Fool" is about other people speculating on whether or not the guy is cheating on his girlfriend. "Notes in His Pocket" is about supposed instances of his infidelity. Neither song outright states that he cheated, but hint pretty heavily. The next tracks, "You're Not You " and "October Leaves" are about the dissatisfaction both feel in the relationship. "Lovers Need Lawyers" is the man defending his actions to the woman. "Inmates" is sung mainly from the woman's perspective and chronicles the end of their relationship, ending with the woman dumping the man. The next track, "Needy," is from the perspective of the man, he whines about why the woman left him. "A New Friend" is from the man's perspective about how his ex is seeing someone new. The final track, "Two Years This Month," talks about how the guy hasn't talked to his ex-girlfriend in two years.

Musically, the album falls pretty squarely under the rubric of indie-rock. While the record is really excellent all together, not all of tracks can stand alone. Notable tracks that I listen to outside of the context of the album are the title track, "Under a Honeymoon," "Lovers Need Lawyers," and occasionally "Night and Day" and "Needy."

If you've got some spare time, specifically 53 minutes and 22 seconds consecutively, I highly recommend sitting down and listening through "Album of the Year."If you're one of the people that knows me in real life, I can lend you a copy. Or you can listen online below. Thank goodness for Imeem.

Sprung :: David Brusie

Let's talk new. Let's talk local. Let's talk Minneapolis musician David Brusie and his new album Flyover State. And in doing so, let's plug his CD release show Friday night (TOMORROW!!!) at The Beat in Minneapolis. And if we're going to bring that up, let's make sure to point out that none other than much-blogged-about Jayber Crow is also sharing the bill!

I have known Brusie for a couple of years through, uh, our adult person jobs that pay the bills. But I didn't know until recently that he has been performing in the Twin Cities for a few years now, as a musician and with theater-comedy troupe Brave New Workshop. Admittedly, despite my curiousity and best intentions, I hadn't checked out his new album Flyover State until last weekend. After I did, I kicked myself that I hadn't done it earlier, especially after my mournful post last week about the lack of inspiring music coming my way.

A little pop, a little rock, a little folk, and awfully catchy, Flyover State is a solid piece of work. The album boasts an impressive 13 tracks, drawing from a range of influences. Brusie's lyrics are interesting, some pensive, some funny. This album is easy to listen to, but also engaging - this is more than just another indie pop rock background filler album. I'm looking forward to see what Brusie does in the upcoming year.

So, without further adieu, today's song o' the day is "Sprung", the opening track from Flyover State. Well produced and complete with hand claps and catchy rifts, it is effervescent and brings a smile to my face.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN ON DAVID'S MYSPACE!

Lyrics - David Brusie, "Sprung"
The hours, the waking hours for the walking wounded
Dead flowers underfoot with sunlight overhead
It's all beginning
And this time I'm here

This time it's all been sprung
From what's been punctured
This time it's all been done
And it all looks so vaguely familiar
And I missed you when I was gone
I walked away the moment I saw me
But I missed you when I was gone

Goodnight to all the demons and restrictors
And now good morning to those who watched me fade
The air's returning
To forgotten lungs

This time it's all been sprung
From what's been punctured
This time it's all been done
And the second hand reverses from curses
And I missed you when I was gone
You may have missed me, I was under the surface
But I missed you when I was gone

You're fast asleep, I'm wide awake
You're slow to rise, I'm fast to break
The days are short, the nights are long
And I missed you when I was gone
You're fast asleep, I'm wide awake
You're slow to rise, I'm fast to break
The days are short, the nights are long
And I missed you when I was gone

Want to hear more? Head on over to The Beat tomorrow night for a great night of locally grown music! As a bonus, if you are already a Jayber Crow fan, tomorrow is a rare opportunity to see a local show. Sure, you could go see Jayber Crow with Cloud Cult the next night at St. John's, but why not see them here in Minneapolis instead? If you don't know Jayber Crow yet, look them up starting with this very blog, because you are in for a real treat.


David Brusie Flyover State Release Show
Friday, October 17, 2008
with special guests Jayber Crow and Anthony Newes
The Beat
1414 W 28th St, Mpls
$6 admission

Be there or be square, folks.
XOXO
Kim

Bohemian Like You :: The Dandy Warhols

This is kind of an oldie but a goodie. Ok so it's really not that old, it was released in 2000. I remember hearing it on the Six Feet Under soundtrack, which has plenty of other delightful tracks by other musicians. In addition, the song was featured in the film Igby Goes Down. I'll be honest, part of the reason I noticed the song in the first place was the band name, The Dandy Warhols. Maybe it's just me, but that sounds really gay-vague. Anyways.

The general musical style I would classify as indie rock, there are some guitar riffs that remind me of the Rolling Stones, but it's certainly not arena rock or 70s classic rock.

The music video is the uncensored version and there's some full frontal nudity of the dude variety and there's also a nude woman. So be careful. Also, the music video has the words along the bottom, so I didn't feel the need to post the lyrics.

Heretics :: Andrew Bird

Sorry this post is a little late, my house doesn't have internet so I need to go to the coffee shop down the road to use the international network of computers.
I'm all moved in to my LVC house, and tomorrow is my first day of work. The past few days have mainly consisted of me going out in the morning, getting lost or semi-lost and finding my way home then unpacking or cleaning. In addition, I've been having conversations and getting to know my housemates further. Today when I was cooking dinner this tune came on the radio and I was a little disappointed in myself for not hearing it sooner.

So enjoy the marvelous Andrew Bird in the song Heretics from the 2007 album Armchair Apocrypha. As a slight side note, I found the song played on the radio at quite an appropriate time, we were just discussing religious beliefs and how to negotiate the fact that we've got a mixture of christian, spiritual and non-spiritual individuals in our house. Something to listen for that I really enjoy is the slight Chinese folk aesthetic of the violin/strings in the intro and chorus.



Bored holes through our tongues, so sing a song about it
Held our breath for too long till we're half sick about it
Tell us what we did wrong and you can blame us for it
Turn a clamp on our thumbs, we'll sew a doll about it
And tell us all about it
We'll sew a doll about it

How about some credit now
Where credit is due
For the damage that we've done
We have brought upon ourselves and others
With a slow and vicious gun
And although pratfalls can be fun
Encores can be fatal

And then I hear you say
Thank God it's fatal
Thank God it's fatal
Not shy
Not shy of fatal
Not shy of fatal
Thank God
Thank God it's fatal
Thank God it's fatal
Not shy
Not shy of fatal
Not shy of fatal

Wait just a second now
It's not all that bad
Are we not having fun
You make your mountains of handkerchiefs
Where the mascara always runs
So be careful when you're done
You're bound to get post-natal
What did I just hear you say?

Thank God it's fatal
No, we don't want to hear the sound of a door
No, we don't want to hear the sound of a door
And we don't want to read the signs that you bore
You know the kind of sign you hang on a door
Saying, "We'll be back. What a crack."
Now don't you think we might have heard that before?
Now don't you think we might have heard that before?

Bored holes through our tongues, so sing a song about it
Held our breath for too long till we're half sick about it
Tell us what we did wrong and you can blame us for it
Turn a clamp on our thumbs, we'll sew a doll about it

Ed is a Portal :: Akron/Family

Greetings, Kim here. I didn't get the blog up in 24 hours, and I know it isn't my day. But I needed to share this song, Thursday or not!

This tune was brought to me by the beloved Pandora. Part of my job at the photo studio I work at is operating the Pandora playlist, attempting to please a group of 30 people with very very very divergent musical tastes. I was out walking around the studio one afternoon, asking people work-related questions, and got totally sucked in to this killer tune blaring over the speakers. We had been trapped in an afternoon of repetitive 80s hair bands and Dave Matthews. So, needless to say, I freaked, and ran to the computer to see who was responsible for such a kick as song. Turned out to be Akron/Family, I band I had heard of, but had never consciously heard.

This song provided the conversion experience, and I am now an Akron/Family fan. I can't wait to hear more of their music. Quirky, a little dark, mysterious lyrics, a little psychadelic, and rooted in lots of things...must hear more and learn more about this group of gentlemen from NYC! But here's a primer.

Listen and love it:


Lyrics:
Ed is a portal
Ed is a portal
And damned if we don't try

To sort of relinquish the reigns our
Brains their mass has gravity
Pulls us into and away from
Portals such as Fractal Ed's
Mysterioso displacement
Porportioned anti subtle bubble
Gun unarmed the torsos run but they
Cannot grasp, they're brainless foot fast

Past and present
Large and lovely
Static quagmire
Lonely loco
Taco truck of
Mind space plosives

Pliable and potable
Refillable reusable

Ed is a portal
Ed is a portal
And damned if we don't try

Now don't start that shit
That pit-er-pat bit bout
Shamanistic shaker spells and
Alpha beta grammar slides
Water belly floppy drivin
Stoneless skippin' Brother John the
Headless one bathes Baby J the
Chosen one a portal dripped down
From the sun, portals dripping

Liquidating
Hydrogen
Ballooning relief
(The) mountains are steep and

Our feet are wet
But then not yet

Our bellies changin' like
Leaves arranged and
Sent to loved ones
Once marked they've begun
To delineate and define space
Gracious gracefully we face up
To leaking sons and
Laser beam guns but

(Primordial mantelope)

Primordial man, the antelope hunter
Made his weapons out of sticks
Thinking drinking from the sun
Her moonbeams birth mercurial babies
Antelopes run free and the sea it returns me

To all of the places that I have known

Now that my body's grown the lonely heart poetry
Droning in hearts becomes songs that all objects
Sing to each other like friends telling stories

It's all the same story
And Ed is a portal

The immorals gently awaken
All possibilities open
Unto one another
And brothers and sisters begin
To see truly through strata


Look for another tune on Thursday, all things willing.

XOXOX
Kim

Yes, that was an extra kiss for all of you.

Go On, Say It :: Blind Pilot

Today's song is from the fairly new band Blind Pilot. They are Oregon based acoustic rock band that has a really solid album called "3 Rounds and a Sound." I love the simplicity that characterizes the album. This song, "Go On, Say It" kind of reminds me of the Beatles, circa Rubber Soul, but that might just be because I've been listening to the Beatles a lot with the kid I babysit for. On this track, the string arrangement behind the vocals holds the song together perfectly so enjoy that.

I really haven't found out much more about them online than their myspace page and a band website that was down. I couldn't even find lyrics to their songs, which is ok though. Either way, I've been listening to "3 Rounds and a Sound" almost constantly the past few days and if you're looking for an excellent acoustic indie-rock album, this whole album is worth a listen.

There's some weird static-like stuff before the drum part comes in.. makes a lot more sense in album context. So just wait it out.

Never Knew Your Love :: Tina Schlieske

This week's guest blogger is Kelsey...

"Tina sounds like the unholy love child of Janis Joplin, Joan Osborne, and the goddess of Southern Baptist Soul. Goes with: Saturday-night sinning and Sunday-morning spirit-cleansing." J.C. - Bitch Magazine

When PRIDE weekend kicked off this last Friday here in Minneapolis, I had no idea what I was in for. I decided on a whim to go to the Uptown Block Party, where Tina Schlieske was headlining. WOW, WOW, WOW! I didn’t know anything about her before I arrived, but I was in love by the time I left! She is a queer female singer/songwriter/activist with a huge diva voice and a rockin’ performance style. I could not sit still through the entire set! I jumped/danced/yelled/spun around in the street until I was exhausted and dizzy, but I still couldn’t get enough of her soulful voice and bluesy musical stylings.

Right then and there, I decided that I needed to blog about her, and the more I found out about her, the more amazed I became. She grew up here in Minneapolis, where she taught herself to the play the guitar and started her first band, Tina and the B-Sides, while still in High School. She and the B-Sides stayed together for 10 years, during which time Tina started her own record label called Movement Records. (Now here is where I got really excited…) In 2001, music legend and fellow Austinite Stevie Ray Vaughn (!!!!) approached Tina to be the new lead singer/rhythm guitarist for his band, Double Trouble. (I know you’re excited, too. Don’t try to hide it.) Eventually, though, she decided to leave the band in order to create her new, solo debut album, “Slow Burn,” here in her native Minnesota.

Unfortunately, I could not find any song lyrics for her, but I did find this great video of her performing at 1^st Ave. It’s a promo video, so it’s not one continuous song, but instead a great sampling of some new songs, some stuff she did with the B-Sides, and some stuff from her new solo album. All in all, she is an amazing performer, who marries my love for my two homelands (Austin, TX and Minneapolis, MN), and y’all should check her out!

Here's a good place to find her, and a promotional video...

And, since I’m just this sentimental (it is pride after all), this is a recording of her song “Never Knew Love,” dedicated to Meggo…

Options :: Pedro the Lion

Pedro the Lion (aka David Bazan and a shifting crew of other musicians) tends towards kind of dark, first person narrative songs. The songs typically are about relationships, though there are some Pedro songs written about more political topics. When I say the songs are about relationships, I mean they're usually about shitty relationships, adultery/cheating, the difficult aspects of relationships, or the end of relationships. So you know, really uplifting stuff.

Part of what I enjoy about Pedro the Lion actually has nothing to do with the lyrics, David Bazan's voice is soothing to me, and I like the indie-rock sensibility of the music. On a lyrical front, David Bazan writes lyrics that are pointed without being overly dramatic or beating you over the head with metaphors. The songs will often use a slight bit of sarcasm or self-deprecation when tackling difficult topics. I also enjoy the fact that Pedro the Lion songs take on topics that a lot of bands, especially bands with dudes, won't touch. The bonus song at the bottom of the post, "when they really get to know you they will run" is a good example of this.

Apologies, I could only find a live recording of the song. It's not a bad recording, it's just slightly different than the version off the album "Control," and the vocals could be turned up just a touch. Anyways. Enjoy!


We were walking, holding hands,
with our bare feet in the sand
and the seagulls overhead
when I broke the spell and said
"I could never divorce you without a good reason
and though I may never have to,
it's good to have options
But for now, oh, I need you
But for now, oh, I need you
But for now, oh, I need you

But it was only in my head
because no one ever says
what they really mean to say
when there's so much at stake
So I told her I loved her and she told me she loved me
and I mostly believed her and she mostly believed me


And as a bonus prize, here's the song "when they really get to know you they will run" because I couldn't decide whether to blog about "options" or this song!

Polarbears :: Kickball

today's song was the result of a random surfing experience on myspace. i don't even know how it happened, but i'm sure glad it did! this group is out of the upper northwest and they sure do know how to rock it! Kickball is made up of a lady drummer, and two guys on guitars. they make me want to get up and dance around and jam out in general!

this song is called polarbears and was the first song of theirs that i listened to. they sort of remind me a little bit of Thao with the Get Down Stay Down...a little bit.

i couldn't find the lyrics to this song anywhere, but that doesn't matter because you'll hopefully really like them right off the bat too!

so, here you go. enjoy.
the end.
<3,
meggo

Coleen :: The Heavy

Guest Blogger::Krista

The Heavy are a band from the UK which have just released their first full-length album, called Great Vengeance and Furious Fire, in the US in early April. Today I'm writing about "Coleen," my favorite so far and what I'm already calling my song of the summer.

Whenever I hear the intro, I have this Pavlovian response to just crank the volume. The horns over a simple rock groove on the drums makes for a perfect tease before lead singer Swaby comes in with his ultra-smooth singing about getting involved with fancy material girls; they might be dead-sexy, and the whole affair has this kind of mythic, unbelievable quality to it because you can't really believe your good luck that you actually got to have sex with such a fox. But then you realize you're spending tons of money to try and keep them mildly interested in you, and in the end all you're left with is a bruised heart and a huge credit card bill.

I can't find the lyrics online, so I kind of made my best guess on a few of them here just so you get the gist of it:

And she won't give it up
Until you give her just about enough
Those girls are so dangerous
It's enough to make a lover broke

Chorus:
Now do you want that love?
Do you need that love?
It's gonna make you cry
It's gonna make you burn

It's not that I particularly identify with the lyrics. I can't say I've had this experience of being sucked dry and dumped by an ultra hot lady, but the words just kind of add to what I'm really digging here. The chorus is where the drums really kick in and turn the sly tease I mentioned before into a completely dirty tramp of a song.

This is the part that I love: the sleazy crunch of the rock/funk jam makes me feel delightfully dangerous, like a total predator who could get a tattoo, smoke cigarettes, prey on confused straight girls, steal a car--maybe even go commando for a day. For three minutes while listening to this song, I am a bad motherfucker.

The band hasn't released a video, but there's a handful of unofficial ones on YouTube put together by fans. I chose this one for the blog because the dancing kind of correlates to the down-and-dirty vibe the song has:

Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/theheavy73

The Story of the Grandson of Jesus :: Cloud Cult

[following brenda's lead on blogging about the performers who will be at Rock The Garden, sponsored by the Walker Art Center and Minnesota Public Radio's 89.3 The Current....sorry Dylan....]

ok...so i know that we've had more than a few posts about Cloud Cult, but i'm tellin ya. they're phenomenal!!! plus, i got to see them perform LIVE in DC this past weekend and i'm still on a high. i've always been a fan of live music because there's something special in going to see an artist/group share their art with you...especially when that layout is in a small, intimate setting...surrounded by other people who share your love of that particular artist/group.

Cloud Cult takes musical communion to a new level and it was almost overwhelming at times - not in a bad way...just in a way that sort of encompasses you...trust me, it's surprisingly uplifting :) they not only utilize the traditional forms of instruments (guitar, bass, drums, vocals, keyboard), but they throw in a cello, a violin, a trombone, video, live painting, and a passion for living green...all of the people in the group really know how to jam and you can see how into it they are! it's both hilarious and amazing...simultaneously!!!

(they move around so much that it's hard to take a good picture of them too...)

plus, if you're lucky (and have some extra money lying around) you can bid in a silent auction for some sweet art! this particular painting was made by Connie Minowa during the concert i went to...i made a bid, but there were other people who really wanted it more...and had the cash to do it (but i'm proud to say i played my part in making sure they dished out more, because it was really worth more than what anyone ended up paying for it...)


Cloud Cult's music goes beyond catchy lyrics and licks...it really is personal...not just for them, but for the listener. craig minowa has this ability to write songs that not only tell a great story, but have a moral/life lesson. i've taken to Cloud Cult's music a lot in the last two months, and it's come in handy as the spring is always a time where the crap from the winter gets cleared away and creates new room for things to grow.

this particular song i enjoy very much because it's one of those songs that you can't help but move to, plus, when you get to see their shows, you get to sing, dance and shout along! the attached video hopefully provides an example of this. however, the visual quality isn't that great...BUT, the audio is probably one of the best i've heard for what's one youtube and taken by someone in the crowd :) but, just in case you'd rather hear the recorded version, i've posted that as well :)

enjoy.
the end.
<3,
meggo.




The Story of the Grandson of Jesus::Cloud Cult

today is a good day to flex the muscles of the weary
a miracle is a miracle even when it's ordinary
we will walk on the water even though it seems scary
if someone will show us the way

i shook hands with the man who honestly thinks he's
the grandson of Jesus with the penchant for pinches
he served us communion of cola and twinkies
guess everyone has their own view

he stood on his soap box and told us a parable
of a man with eyeglasses so small they're unwearable
and the moral of the story is it all looks terrible
depending on what you look through, what you look through

he said "do unto yourself as you do unto your neighbor,
it's not an eye for an eye, it's a favor for a favor
and it's okay if this world had a billion saviors
'cause there's so many things to be saved

take my words with a boulder of salt
or blame it on your devil
always the scapegoats fault
we all point fingers when it comes to a halt
can somebody show us the way, show us the way?"

All Over Again :: Locksley

My posting for this week again forces me to acknowledge (or perhaps publicly embrace?) my extreme nerdy-ness. I first encountered this band in fall, when I attended an (ahem...) Hanson concert. I had just moved to Columbus, Ohio and Hanson was on tour, making stops in Ohio. I was debating whether or not I should go (as I mentioned in an earlier post about Hanson's song "Great Divide," coming out of the closet about these types of things can be a big decision...) when a fellow Lutheran Volunteer Corps alum from D.C. told me that Hanson's opening band on tour, Lockslyy, were friends of hers from high school. I felt that it was fate, bought my ticket, and headed over to the Newport Music Hall. I feel that opening acts are often hit or miss, and sometimes easily forgettable, since the audience is usually just holding its breath, waiting for the main event. However, I thoroughly enjoyed Locksley's music and was genuinely sad to see their set end. Their music is reminiscent of 1960s era pop rock, perhaps best described the way they explain it on their Myspace page, "Beatles mixed with Modern Garage Rock." At any rate, being a sucker for good vocal harmonies and catchy melodies, I love it. I'm posting the following song because I find the video rather hilarious, but I would highly recommend checking out other songs from their "Don't Make Me Wait" album, including the title track and songs called "Let Me Know" and "She Does." They've got a bunch up on their Myspace, myspace.com/locksley, so be sure to give them a listen! They also have a brand new album called "Garage Sale," songs from which are also on their Myspace page.

Here's "All Over Again" - enjoy!


"All Over Again"
You all say the things you mean, so you can see I've had enough of you.
Well you want everything to seem like everything's alright but that's not true.
So my friend, is this the end of everything you thought that you would be?
Oh all you love has come and gone, and now I know exactly what to do.
You're gonna gonna gonna,
Have to start all over again.
Well if you wanna see this thing through,
To the end.
You need to need to need to,
Find a friendly hand.
You're gonna gonna gonna,
Have to start all over again.
What do you think hiding all your feelings deep inside will get you through?
The time has come to snap my thumb behind the place you're hiding your feelings.
You are just the sum of things, you feel it, all the memories you keep.
Well you are young and dumb but there's still time to get that heart up off your sleeve.
You're gonna gonna gonna,
Have to start all over again.
Well if you wanna see this thing through,
To the end.
You need to need to need to,
Find a friendly hand.
You're gonna gonna gonna,
Have to start all over again.
Start over again X2
Start over again (start all over again) X3
Start over again (start. all. over)

Find A Way :: Smoosh

this post isn't gonna be a fancy as all the rest b/c i finally got my thesis edits back and now i gotta get my butt in gear! yikes! so, here goes:

i was first introduced to Smoosh about a year ago by my friend, Lindsay. Smoosh is comprised of two bopper sisters: Asya (16) and Chloe (14). but, they started their band (appropriately named Smoosh), when Asya was 12 and Chloe was 10. what makes these musical prodigies so cool is that, not only are they super talented, but they're also super successful! they've already toured nationally and internationally as well as headlined for major bands like Death Cab for Cutie (who's drummer trained them both, Pearl Jam, Sleater-Kinney (hott!!!), Jimmy Eat World, The Presidents of the United States of America, and Nada Surf among others...

in other words, these girls \--/ ROCK \--/!!!!

the following song of theirs is the first one i heard and i hope you all enjoy! the first video is the one their dad made for their song, and the second is a live performance on the jimmy kimmel show!





Find A Way::Smoosh

And your finding
And you know what to say
When you're fine,
You're fine,
You're trying
And you know what to say
When you're fine
And you find me
And you know what to say
When you're fine
And your finding
And you know what to say when you're fine

You gotta figure yourself out
You got too much on your hands
Now take a rest now you can't handle it all
Gotta give yourself time now
Give yourself time now
Yeah Yeah

Find a way
Figures you out,
Find yourself
Trying again,
Calm yourself
Figures me out
Try again, trying again

And you're finding
And you know what to say
When you're fine,you're fine
And you're trying
And you know what to say
When you're fine
And you're trying
And you know what to say when you're fine,
You're fine,
And you're trying
And you know what to say when your fine

You gotta figure yourself out
You got too much on your hands
Now take a rest now you can't handle it all
Gotta give yourself time now
Give yourself time now
Yeah Yeah

Find a way,
It figures you out,
find yourself as you figure

Stay Don't Go :: Spoon

Spoon is one of those bands that I find to be a little hit-or-miss. I really enjoy some of their songs, like this one. I think it's because they have really strong, driving bass lines. Or it could be that I am imagining playing Guitar Hero to this song. I dunno. But I like it.

Keep Believing The Things That You Tell Yourself
Everyone Needs Something They Can Tell Themselves
To Hold On To Cause After All Of It’s Said And Done

Confession Is Stay Don’t Go
Ooh It Is
Ooh Now Stay Don’t Go

At Times You Find That The Truth Is The Best Way Out
Sometimes Telling The Truth Is The Best Way Out
And It’s The Wrong Words That Make You Prick Up Your Ears
When Later Alone

Confession Is Stay Don’t Go
Ooh It Is
Ooh Now Stay Don’t Go

Top 20 New-To-Me Artists of 2008

this blog is the top 20 new-to-me artists of 2008 (thus far), for me ...many of these artists aren't exactly 'new', but they've become new to me and i want to share them with all y'all! i put it in alphabetical order b/c i really couldn't decide how to rank them b/c they're all pretty different/unique and cross genres a lot...so here goes:
(side note: this photo is of me and my roommate...and when we start our own band, this picture will be our album cover...)

1. Adrianne


this woman rocks. her music is what i would classify as acoustic lesbionic folk rock. i dig her voice and her songs are always jam packed with emotion. she also has this sweet youtube page where she showcases her new music (a lot of which is collaborated with members from the group Girlyman). Click HERE to check them out!

2. The Bird and The Bee


the first lady/dude duo of this list, the bird and the bee will make you wanna jam out...with your clam out...or rock out with your cock out - whichever works best for you. they are indie-unique and will make you appreciate their alternative nerdiness ;)

3. Brandi Carlile


i want to have brandi carlile's babies. i've seen her live twice now...and i really can't wait to do her...i mean it...again. never have i ever witnessed an artist utilize her voice to evoke gut wrenching emotion like brandi. plus, she really just knows how to give her songs that extra kick...some spice...a left hook...a curveball...you know what i mean? she's amazing.

4. The Brunettes


the second lady/dude indie duo on my list, the brunettes bring a sort of euro-chic touch to their songs. if you're looking for a group that is as eclectic as itunes music store, check them out HERE.

5. The Cliks


i first came across this group when i was watching the L word a couple seasons back...but became reintroduced to them when my friend Dylan told me to check them out earlier this past fall. this group is canadian and queer. 'nuff said.

6. Cloud Cult


cloud cult rocks. plain and simple. if you're looking to find some music and lyrics to match your heart, go for this group. there are so many things that make this group super cool and one of them is their commitment to indie music. despite multiple major label offers, they've stuck to their beliefs and their non-profit label is also an environmental one as well! PLUS, they also have added former bassist of Tapes 'n Tapes (who will be mentioned later), Shawn Neary!

7. Ingrid Michaelson


for all you grey's anatomy fans, you will probably recognize ingrid, since four of her songs have been featured on the late night hospital intern drama. or, if you are an avid watcher of old navy commercials (specifically the fair isle sweater ads)...if you're feelin a little emo but not really feelin dude emo music, ingrid is your woman.

8. Jenny Owen Youngs


this woman is musical genius. LOVE her. not only does she write really witty and snarky songs, she has done some AMAZING covers of Nelly's 'Hot in Herrre', a hot rendition of the Postal Service's 'The District Sleeps Alone Tonight', a pretty hot version of Kelly Clarkson's lesbionic break-up song 'Since U Been Gone', a sultry and yet hilarious cover of Boys II Men's 'I'll Make Love to You', and finally, a cover medley that highlights Kelis' 'Milkshake', Pocahontas' 'Colors of the Wind', Missy Elliott's 'Work It', and finally Jay Z's '99 Problems'.

9. Joshua James


nothin says emo like a boy from lincoln, nebraska with a guitar and some nerdy glasses and sweet t-shirts. but in all seriousness, joshua james is really talented. beautifully talented...and beautiful. he is a very beautiful male musician. coming from a lezbian, this is saying a lot. he's my new favorite dude.

10. Joshua Radin


along the lines of ingrid michaelson comes joshua radin. joshua has also had songs featured on grey's anatomy, but it is through his connections with good friend/actor/director, zach braff, that much of his music has been featured on other tv shows/movies (scrubs,the last kiss). but regardless of who he knows and where you've heard him, he is very talented. and the way he harmonizes with girlfriend schuyler fisk is just plain beautiful.

11. Kimya Dawson


what i love about kimya dawson is that her songs and her voice sound like that a snarky, sassy, super smart 20-something would write...her sing-songy lyrical stylings turn me on. she makes you feel like you're not the only one who feels 'that' way. most favorite lyric of her's:
having been fucked is no excuse for being fucked up.

12. Maneli Jamal


it's not often that i listen to music that has no words, but it's also more rare for me to be moved by music with no words...maneli jamal is probably the most talented guitarist that i will ever hear in my lifetime. he has a way of bringing out feelings and sensations without having to speak a word...his guitar speaks for him and it's simply one of the most beautiful things your ears will ever come across...regardless of what type/genre of music you dig. he's also quite the artist!

13. Meiko


so, apparently i have a thing for artists who've been featured on the tv show, grey's anatomy. whatever. i can't help it if i dig chill folk/alternative/indie/emo music. and how can you blame me once you get a hold of meiko for yourself? seriously folks...there's something super sexy AND fierce about someone who can reach the top 35 AND hold the #1 folk album for over a month on itunes - and that's without being signed onto a major record label! she's sort of a big deal, so you should look out for her and prepare to enjoy yourself :)

14. Muse


my roommate introduced me to muse and i am eternally grateful. they freakin rock! they make me want to be able to jam out on the bass guitar like they do. i envy their musical stylings. plus, they are featured on Guitar Hero, which, for anyone who knows me, means eternal greatness!!!

15. Paramore


ok...here's a group that seriously kicks ass. AND they do it w/a female lead singer. they make avril lavine look worse than britney spears. (no offense avril/britney fans...sort of...) what i like best about this group is the fact that they totally rock and they're all under the age of 24...actually, they range from ages 17 to 24!!! INSANE. they make emo/rock pop sound meaningful while leaving the bitchy, bratty whining on the curb. plus, lead singer Hayley Williams is pretty cute to boot.

16. Sia


what can i say about Sia...she's weird. she's Aussie. but she's that good kind of weird...refreshing weird...quirky weird...she's the type of artist that makes you feel like she would be a lot of fun for people with ADD/ADHD. she's got a great voice and a hyper-active imagination. if you haven't heard of her, or if you've only heard her hit song "Breathe Me" (which was featured on the last episode of the show Six Feet Under), you need to hear more of her!

17. Sick of Sarah


this 4 woman band out of minneapolis, mn is fierce. if you're looking for female fronted indie rock bands, this is one you should most definitely add to your itunes playlist. SoS is fresh, innovative, and they make you wanna blast their songs with the windows down!! keep an eye out for this group...i have a feeling they're about to explode and become real big in the near future.

18. The Sounds


are you a fan of Blondie, or The Cars? if so, you will love The Sounds...they're Swedish...but way better than IKEA. and they'll compliment your music library better than a poang chair could ever compliment your reading room.

19. Tapes 'n Tapes


what is so cool about this group made of insanely smart kids from MN (they're insanely smart b/c they all graduated from Carleton College)? the fact that they got huge due to underground, indie music bloggers from around the world. if you're into music that incorporates intelligent lyrical and compositional formations, as well as euphonium, beer bottles and spoons (among other things), then you're really gonna dig this group.

20. Thao with The Get Down Stay Down


and last but not least, thao with the get down stay down. this group ROCKS! \--/ \--/ (for those of you non-dorks out there in cyber-blog space, that is totally the symbol for ROCK...you know...that thing you do with your hands when you fold in all but your pinky and pointer finger...that is followed simultaneously with some head bangin.) this is the kind of group that i would totally want to become a groupie for and just follow their tours across the country jamming out at concerts. i don't know much about them, as i've only been listening to their stuff on their myspace site for about a week now, but they seriously ROCK y'all...
---

2080 :: Yeasayer

I saw Yeasayer a couple weeks ago opening for MGMT. I only knew a few songs from each band, but the show was sold out, and I fell into a ticket. How could I say no?













Yeasayer is a Brooklyn-based band that is still pretty fresh to the national scene. They had amazing energy, and really jammed out. The lead singer was freaking with the mic and gesturing wildly, almost revivalist style. It was pretty great. As a side note, they provided excellent indie-style visual stimulation - there was a side ponytail, braided pigtails, moustaches, an a-shirt (a.k.a. wife-beater), a various patterns of layered plaid and check, a yellow hood, sunglasses for a brief period of time, a crustacean forearm tattoo, and a well-worn graphic tee. Terribly stylish. They also like Sriracha (note the green capped jar in image). Men of my own heart.

Anyhow, right now I am way into this song. They describe their sound as "middle eastern-psych-pop-snap-gospel". As much as I don't want to say it, there is something about this band that reminds me of the jam-drum bands I listened to in a previous life...like, uh, Rusted Root. Yeasayer uses a lot of percussive, earthy rhythms, ambient sounds, world music harmonies, and and there is something just slightly new-agey about the lyrics. I kind of feel like I should be at a big hippie festival that has been displaced to a hip club, and instead of patchwork pants, all the kids are wearing expensive boutique denim. I told an enthusiastic, watered down version of this to frontman Chris Keating (he's the one chopping the zucchini). We were standing next to each other in the back while MGMT played. I couldn't help the opportunity to chat him up; I'm not sure what he honestly thought about my assessment, other than saying he'd never been to any of those festivals. He was gracious and introduced himself; if anything, hopefully it gave him a laugh.

Give it a listen! The song starts with a non-optimistic view of the future, celebrates the beauty of the current moment, and then pushes for communal farming with enthusiastic "yeah!"s yelled in unison. Take it as literally or as figuratively as you want...



Lyrics:
I can't sleep when I think about the times we're living in,
I can't sleep when I think about the future I was born into,
Outsiders dressed up like Sunday morning,
With no Berlin wall what the hell you gonna do.

(Chorus:)
It's a New Year,
I'm glad to be here
It's a fresh spring,
So let's sing.

In 2080
I'll surely be dead
So don't look ahead,
Never look ahead

It's a New Year,
I'm glad to be here
It's the first spring,
So let's sing.

And the moon shines bright
On the water tonight
So we won't drown
In the summer sound.

If you find me I'll be sitting by the water fountain,
Picket signs, letdowns, meltdown it's Monday morning
But it's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It's alright,
Cause in no time, They'll be gone I guess I'll still be standing here.

(Chorus)

(Bridge:)
Yeah Yeah we can all grab at the chance and be handsome farmers,
Yeah you can have twenty one sons and be blood when they marry my daughters,
And the pain that we left at the station will stay in a jar behind us.
We can pickle the pain into blue ribbon winners at county contests.

(Chorus)

(Bridge)

Veni Vidi Vici :: The Black Lips

Mirror mirror on the wall
Who's the greatest of them all
My man, Muhammad, Boy Jesus too
Who's Messiah be good for you

Cause I came I saw
I conquered all
All ya'll, all ya'll, all ya'll

People look towards Mecca's way
Sistine Cahpel people pray
It don't matter what you do
Holy World War will come for you

Knife :: Grizzly Bear

Keeping on the "bear" theme I started last week with Panda Bear, I have selected a Grizzly Bear tune for today: "Knife". Roar!

The twist?

Today we have one song, four ways: one original, one upbeat electropop cover, one experimentally ambient cover, and one hip hop infused remix.

I love finding/seeing/hearing/experiencing reinterpretations of things I dig. Appropriation, darling! We all do it, and when done cleverly, it can be fun and exciting. It can also be horrifying. But these reinterpretations all made me really pleased.

Let's start at the beginning. Grizzly Bear is a band out of Brooklyn. Although they've been around for years, I was just formally introduced to them a few months ago. This song is off their album Yellow House (2006), passed to me by my dear friend Amy. I already knew "Knife"; it is kind of an ubiquitous track. But listening to it on the album, it struck me differently and has become one of my current favorites. Then, I came across the cover by CSS. Turns out that this cover is featured on Grizzly Bear's EP Friend (2007), along with another one by Atlas Sound. Two solid, band approved covers? Holy buckets. Then, I came across a remix by Girl Talk. Oh, Girl Talk! Girl Talk rocks me...and so does this remix.

Okay, without further adieu, let the journey begin! Though I'm tempted to indulge myself, I'm going to save you a lengthy analysis of each one. Explore the similarities, intersections, and digressions for yourself, and enjoy the trip.

Lyrics:
i want you to know
when i look in your eyes
with every blow
comes another lie

you think its alright
you think its alright
you think its alright
you think its alright

can't you feel the knife?
can't you feel the knife?
can't you feel the knife?
can't you feel the knife?

The original by Grizzly Bear:

_

The cover by CSS:

_

The cover by Atlas Sound (I can't really get enough of this one):

_

The kickin' Girl Talk remix (love it! brilliant!):

_

How much fun was that?

Sunshine, ponies, and lollipops,
Kim