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Subservient Team
Regular Contributors Cory Graves [=w=]
Special Contributors Laura Sliva Wolfe McBain Cory P. Coleman -[c] Jesseca Bagherpour Morrow Mikey H. Corn Mo Todd Cochran Justin Steele Nina Chantanapumma Jamie Linver Mike Dexter Nick Payne Jennifer Hudson
I got this in the inbox a few days ago, but man I wish I had posted this sooner. The best rapper in Dallas, Anonymous????, has decided to go above and beyond the free mixtape he released a few weeks ago, and is going to start releasing B-Sides to his upcoming debut album leading up to its release in February. Although this new cut, SupaPowers, hits so much harder than anything on the mixtape, he told me recently over the phone that as good as this track is, he is saving the best stuff for the album. (Judging from the one album cut "Dance/Move" that he previewed for me last week, he is telling the truth).
What I love most about Anonymous???? is that he is always able to surprise. With each new track I hear he has a completely different style. For instance on the Inspector Gadget-esque "SupaPowers" I get a little Eminem vibe in his flow.
But Anonymous????'s greatest asset is his witty and at times deep lyricism that show maturity beyond his 19 years.
"Advice to your soldiers / Take your careers and hang it up / And I ain't talkin' how your fans do my posters"
And that's why for now Anonymous???? is Dallas' reigning rap-SupaMan.
1 - fellow noise-rock darlings Times New Viking will be opening for Deerhunter. If you can manage to get Times New Viking to open for you, you MUST be doing something right.
2- The band is still riding the big wave of their new album, Microcastle. It's received tons of praise all over the internets ((including Pitchfork's rating of a 9.2 a few weeks ago), and hearing all this great new material live will start the week off right.
3- It's at The Loft (above the Palladium) in Dallas, and I've got nothing but love for that venue. It's great for small, intimate shows, the bar crew is exceptionally friendly, and the wooden floor in front of the stage gets pretty bouncy when the crowd gets into the music. Don't worry-- it's structurally sound.
Here's a video for "Agoraphobia" off their new album:
Deerhunter/Times New Viking @ The Loft in Dallas (MAP) Doors at 8:30, $12 in advance, $15 (I think) at the door
Last night Little Joy played at The Lounge on Elm Street and Mikey and I got to hang out with Fabrizio, Binki, and Rodrigo both before and after the show (perhaps we'll further discuss these exploits at a later date). But for now, see the review we wrote for the Dallas Observer's DC9 blog here.
Just got word from my good friends over at Polyvinyl Records that they have signed the Swedish band Loney Dear. Their 2nd US release, Dear John, is due out in January, and I have heard it will be very Krafterwerk/Depeche Mode/U2-sounding (if you're in to all that). A tour is also in the works (They'll be at Hailey's in Denton Feb. 11).
Check out pre-release single Airport Surroundings below, and if you likey what you hear head over to Polyvinyl and pre-order the disc. Better yet, order it on vinyl and they will also send you a digital download code (best of both worlds!!).
I don't keep up wit fitty much, nor g-unit, nor west coast rap, nor rap.
But this new track off his upcoming album, Before I self Destruct, is hot.
Produced by everyone's favorite child support avoding, floridian house foreclosing, drug addict jew, Scott Storch. First heard it, thought it was better than it actually is.
See, I was driving, and the horny stabs sounded like a bad ass grimy sample from hell, but upon further review in a better environment, its just Scotty 2 hottie playing on keyboards. YAY!!!
Still solid, still banging, hopefully 50 drops the whole candy shop image and returns to that wreckless "I dare you to shoot me in the heart" persona we all adopted when In Da Club came out.
On the Chorus, the internets says this song chimes "I have the south war fare I'm the reason everybody here I say(Get up!)"
I'd like to think that he is saying something French instead of South WarFare (would be charming to have some dimension in mainstream rap), but I aint knowin no France talk, so i aint knowing it to be anything like a France man would say.
These hash browns are taking way too long to reheat.
What's the day after Thanksgiving good for? Some sale at the mall? A tryptophan hangover? Gimme a break.
This Black Friday is all about Zubar. We'll be dancing like Molly Ringwald all night with DJ's Sober, Nature and Select. 21+, and it's free! Check the flier above for all the info.
Don’t let pep and whimsy fool you. MountRighteous means business.
Corralling ten people—each with their own share of jobs, schoolwork and artistic side-projects—is no easy task. The members of this DFW troupe realize this, and see no choice but to operate like a fine-tuned engine. If one piston stops firing on time, the whole thing’s a mess.
When asked how exactly they manage to get the whole crew in the same place at the same time, bells player, vocalist and merch-queen Kendall Smith chimed in, “Well, our practices are really strict. We practice way more than a lot of other bands, but we have to. If we get ten people on stage who aren’t prepared, it’ll sound awful, and people won’t take us seriously. That’s why we have two practices a week: one full band, and one sectional.”
The practice has obviously paid off, as the heavenly hum surrounding the band’s name continues to grow louder and louder. In fact, the MountRighteous fan base has extended far beyond the Dallas area.
“They love us in San Marcos,” touted bass-drummer and band organizer Joey Kendall. “And almost every week we get a message on MySpace from some fan or venue around Kansas City begging us to tour there again.”
The band even bragged of a sweep through the UC-Irvine area, where among other shows, they played sets at a campus food court and a cramped house party.
“We almost broke that house,” admitted guitarist and accordionist Justin Spike.
Smith added, “There were way too many people packed in that room and jumping around. You could feel the whole floor bowing beneath you.”
MountRighteous is very dedicated to being an artistically successful band, but the path they take to reach that success is not often planned.
Spike divulged the truth: “We get a lot more credit than we deserve for a lot of things... oftentimes people think we planned it all out, but a lot on this last album just kind of fell into place.”
Take their chronic lyrical euphoria, for example. There wasn’t some behind-closed-doors cabal which decided each song’s focus should be on all things warm & fuzzy.
Smith said, “When we each go into songwriting, you have to consider ten people. You have to represent all of us.” Kendall jumped in, “Yeah, I don’t want to sing a sad song about Derek’s ex-girlfriend.”
Turns out the band quickly learned that the one thing they could all agree on and relate to was having a good time.
Guitarist Derek Terry summed it up: “I think that before the band… a lot of us were playing music, and some of us were playing something not as upbeat or happy as MountRighteous’s music. We just got kind of tired of playing sad-bastard music, and putting out those vibes and feelings. Let’s just make music we can all feel good about playing for people, and we can still do what we want with our own music.”
“…We’re not going to put a bunch of work into complaining about something, ya know, then convince the audience to complain along with us,” concluded Kendall.
Sousaphone player Mason Ponder joked, “…But we still go home and cry ourselves to sleep at night.”
Despite success both inside and outside Texas, odds are they won’t be committing themselves to a life on the American road any time soon.
“We’d love to tour every day, and play everywhere, but it’s just not possible right now,” says Smith. “We still gotta pay the bills.”
Until some record label hot-shot takes them away in a shiny new tour-bus, MountRighteous will continue to win crowds in the DFW area. Their next performance is in Dallas at Art Conspiracy 4 on December 6th. In addition to clanging her cymbals, MountRighteous percussionist Nicole Marxen will also participate in the fundraiser as one of 150 on-site artists. Marxen and the other artists will create an art piece in less than two hours, and auction them off to benefit Preservation LINK, a local arts and media non-profit. Unlike a good portion of their shows, this one will be on a stage with a PA system.
Demonstrating their venue versatility, Smith said, “We don’t dislike stages, its just we like not to rely on that… I mean, that’s the way it was in the beginning. We don’t have to have anything from anyone to play a good show.”
-Mikey
See Mount Righteous (and bid on an original painting by Nicole) with Chameleon Chamber & Aton at:
Still-President George W. Bush has just commuted the sentence of rapper/producer John Forte. He produced a bunch of stuff for the Fugees, as well as their solo projects, and even dropped a couple albums himself.
In an attempt at full-disclosure, I'll let you know that I was actually more excited about my 1 free bottle of Dr Pepper than I was about the release of Axl's version SMiLE!. So you can imagine my disappointment when I attempted all day to log on to the Dr Pepper websiteonly to be told time after time that either the server was busy or that the page could not load. I was wondering how the tiny bottling company was going to be able to afford free sodas for every American, but now it all makes sense.
On a somewhat related note, Chuck Klosterman's review of the aforementioned Chinese Democracy for the Onion A.V. Club was not only the longest album review I have ever read, it's also one of the most genius.
Dust off your glitter, and start practicing your best moves. The one-woman dance party that is Lykke Li will be stopping by Granada on February 18th. On her first and latest release, "Youth Novels," Li's whispered, hiccuping vocals are set to New Wave-influenced tunes for a sound that will delight both your ears and your feet. In short, you'll dance your ass off.
If you find yourself relentlessly humming bits to The Blue Van's new track "Silly Boy" every time you see the new Samsung phone commercial like I do then this video should help (or I suppose it may only exacerbate the problem). View at your own risk as these Danes have produced a severely catchy track.
I will have to admit that it while it was most definitely not Samsung's goal, they only made me more attached to my iPhone, as it was it's beloved (and extraordinarily helpful) Shazam application that helped me identify the song in the first place.
Found this in my inbox a couple days ago, and I really should've posted it then. Apologies!
Head over to Mad Decent and pick this up! Pay-what-you-want is becoming standard practice for a lot of musical acts, and it's typically artists/bands who have some really good shit to drop on your noggin. God love 'em!
I actually got a promo of this CD like 8 months ago at SXSW (OMG SCENE CRED!), and I can assure you it's really solid Southern Rap, with a touch of class that only Diplo can provide. Highlights include dirty south tracks with samples of Weezer's "My Name is Jonas" and George Michael's "Careless Whisper." Pay $5 or more and you get bonus tracks! Support the music and musicians you love, my friends. I can't stress this enough.
Tomorrow night, I'm sure you'll be all tuckered out from a long week of drinking, Q-Tip, drinking, Mount Righteous, drinking, oh, and uh, work... but c'mon! It's Friday! Put some meaning into TGIF and get your ass to The Lounge on Elm to check out some of the best DJs in town. It's gonna be mostly house and electronic, but with Prince William on the ticket I can't imagine a set without a little hip-hop peppered in there. It starts at 10pm, but you know how these things are... don't show up 'til 1130 or midnight.
Sure Danielson are the headliner's tonight at the Granada, but it's opening act (and Grapevine's own) Mount Righteous that I am most stoked to see. This will be my first time to see the hendectet (that's 11 players for you non-Latin speakers) live -and I can't wait, as I anticipate their infectious joy will be just what the doctor ordered after last night's Q-Tip show.
And because you know their disc When the Music Starts will be a must-have after you see their live show, you may as well do yourself a favor and get it now.
If this were any other Wednesday night I would probably have been watching reruns of The Office and heading off to bed at 10PM, but it's not every day that a hip hop legend rolls through your town. Q-Tip was at House of Blues last night along with hip duos The Cool Kids and The Knux as part of the 2K Sports Bounce Tour. (More photos of the event here)
I am a little disappointed that I didn't make it in to the HOB until the waning moments of the Knux's set, but after chatting with Lance Lester perhaps I shouldn't be. Apparently the crowd wasn't sure exactly who they were (how can you blame them when The Knux didn't even warrant space on the show'sflyer) and their efforts at call-and-response fell flat.
This, however, was not a problem from Chicago's own Cool Kids. Whether it was Mikey's (the blogger, not the Cool Kid) obvious favorite, Mikey Rocks, or mine, Gold and a Pager, the DJ would periodically cut the music to let the raucous crowd scream out the hook. By the end of the first song they had us eating out of their hands. After seeing them rip apart the Granada a couple months ago, I wouldn't have expected anything less from them. Between tracks the duo regaled us with amusing stories, exchanged witty banter, and even compared audience-members' sneakers (Chuck was exceedingly impressed with a pair of custom Nike's worn by a guy in the front row). And while I typically find this type of intersong-chatter exceptionally annoying, the Cool Kids were just too damn endearing. Fun fact: The Cool Kids keep an iguana named Raekwon the Chef on their tour bus -the real Raekwon wasn't particularly impressed by this.
As cool as The Cool Kids were, they were no match for what the Abstract Poet was about to deliver. After a quick sound bite from Barack Obama, Q emerged and effortlessly brought the energy in the room to a level I've never seen at the HOB before (despite a somewhat weak attendance). We started the night by pouring a sip of our beers out for J Dilla (although I might have been the only one who did it literally).
And if the benchmark of each performance were call-and-responses Q-Tip wins, hands down. DJ Scratch never had to stop the music and we could still all be heard over the blistering subs. Abstract even let an audience member take an entire verse on the Tribe classic Check the Rhime -and it was dead on.
I wasn't sure if Q would bring the live band with him on a cold Wednesday night in Dallas, but he didn't disappoint. The whole shindig was killer and totally worth the hangover I'm nursing today at work. Q-Tip persistently proved to us why he is still the man, reminded us about what hip-hop was like before Jake-the-Jeweler and Versace got involved, and why there's still hope for the rest of the genre.
=w=
Random note: It was a bit of a miracle I even got to go to the show, one that involved driving from Euless to Oak Lawn in under 30 minutes (during rush hour no less!) to snag the tix.
Random note #2: The Cool Kids low-end was thumping so hard I saw 3 liquor bottles fall of the shelf behind the bar and explode (true fact).
Random note #3: I ended up with 5 copies of NBA 2K9 that got tossed into the crowd, 1 2K9 soundtrack, and 1 XL shirt that I abandoned after realizing it was a 2K9 shirt and not a Q-Tip shirt (also b/c I am not an XL)
Random note #4: Before the show I was trying out the new grilled menu at Long John Silvers when I witnessed the employees order a pizza (pics below) which makes you feel really good about what you are eating -or maybe stuff like this just happens all the time?
Lots of interesting tidbits in the new Rolling Stone. First of all my interest is definitely piqued by the new "Led Zeppelin" project. When the group got together and started rehearsing for the AhmetErtegün tribute concert in late 2007 I was more than thrilled at the prospects of them touring. Plant had just finished up a critically-acclaimed album with Alison Kraus, Bonham's son apparently had spent the last 27 years cataloging Zeppelin performances and ostensibly was more familiar with Zep's material than the band itself. According to Rolling Stone articles in late 2007, the band had been rehearsing for months and was sharper than ever.
The tribute show came and went, Plant toured with Kraus to support their disc and repeatedly publicly stated he didn't wish to rehash old material, that he wanted his career to move forward, and that he had no intentions of reuniting with Zeppelin for a tour.
It turns out that the remaining members of Zeppelin have continued rehearsing and have now even begun auditioning singers. The band reassures fans in the RS article that they do not plan on being a Zeppelin cover band, but they do plan on touring and possibly recording an album of new material. Among those who have auditions are Steven Tyler, Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge), and I have even heard whispers of Chris Cornell. Not sure if he'd be interested, but I know he's a huge fan of Led Zeppelin, he definitely has the chops for it, and judging from the Zeppelin covers I heard him do at the House of Blues last year he would totally be a perfect fit. And there's also the outside chance that he'll need to do something outrageously cool to makeup for what die-hard Cornell fans are calling his shark-jumpage when his Scream album comes out.
Speaking of brilliant singers, this leads perfectly into the RS cover story on the 100 greatest singers. There were some heavy hitters at the top for sure (Aretha was #1) and definitely some picks out of left-field (Bob Dylan?). Although any list of singers where Lennon is higher than McCartney, Plant isn't in the top 10, Jeff Buckley barely cracks the top 40, and Cornell is left off entirely can't be completely trusted. One of the biggest crimes on the list is #52 Brian Wilson who's voice they call "...a mix of rock and roll and heartfelt prayer" (puh-lease). Brian's voice has mutated over the years from one of competent-but-lovable-dufus, to borderline mentally challenged.
Which really brings me to the point I've been trying to make all along. I cleaned out my car this week and found Brian Wilson's most recent album That Lucky Old Sun. (Not to be confused with Kenny Chesney's piece of garbage released under the same name). The album has been in my car ever since I first bought it 3 months ago and it never made it into my house or iPod. While the songs were good, although sometimes cheesy, the lyricism suffered without the help of Van Dyke Parks (Wilson's longtime collaborator) and Wilson's voice sounded so overproduced that it was almost not human. I'm considering the fact that it's still in my car a sign from my subconscious that I don't really want to own the album after all, but at the same time it's too good to just throw away. I've tried giving it to 4 different friends (who all accept it and then leave it in my car -probably on purpose). That's why I am going to mail the disc to the first person who emails me their name and address. No strings attached.
There's not much I will be able to say about hip-hop legend Q-Tip that hasn't been said a million times before in a million other places. He won't have trouble selling any tickets to House of Blues tonight (even if it IS a Wednesday). Supporting act Cool Kids have already ripped this town apart less than 3 months ago, and openers The Knux were recently given Rolling Stone's famed 'Buy This Now' honor. If you haven't seen the video for their nerd-rap single Cappuccino, do yourself a favor and check it out below. If you've procrastinated this long don't worry, tickets are still available (for how much longer?) HERE.
I’m really sorry, readers. I feel compelled to commit a breach in album-review etiquette. Under normal circumstances, I should start with a little info about the band and their new album. Then I’d throw some flighty adjectives around about the orchestration of three or four of their songs. At some point I’d probably discuss the emotions evoked by the album upon the listener. THEN I’d give you my final summation.
Screw that. Here it is: this album is Fucking Amazing. Capital ‘F’, capital ‘A’. Before I go on (buy the record here) …NOW.
You haven’t heard of ‘em, and now’s the time to fix that. The Mojomatics are based in Venice (yes, THAT Venice). They released their 2nd full-length album, Don’t Pretend That You Know Me, back in September of this year. What blows me away (even more than the album itself) is they haven’t received the trans-Atlantic press coverage they really deserve, if this is the typical end-product they offer.
Honestly, after seeing the unfortunate name of the band, I almost tossed the album out. But I’m a sucker for aesthetics, and paired with the album was a YouTube link to the official video for their single “Wait a While.” About 6 notes into the song, I was sold. And believe me, those 6 notes came fast. Get this—the entire song clocks in at 1:53. Guitar and vocalist MojoMatt shifts his minor-chords into 5th gear, while drummer DavMatic is certainly getting his Lira’s worth out of that snare head. Or do they use Euros now? Whatever.
I literally broke a sweat listening to “Wait a While.” I played it 6 times in a row. Of course, I decided to forgo the band’s cheesy moniker and give the whole album a listen. Make that three listens. Of the 12-song tracklist, nary a song disappoints. Most songs share the let’s-get-the-fuck-out-of-here pace of “Wait a While,” including “You Are Not Me (Fortunately).” This track plays like a salute to fallen British pop heroes, with plenty of middle-finger to go around. A similar feel permeates throughout the opening track, “Miss Me When I’m Gone,” and is smeared with an infectious layer harmonica. “Stars Above” dumbfounds me; how exactly did two Italian gentlemen become masters of that alt-country twang? The forsaken backbeat, the galloping drums… makes me feel like one of the Duke Boys running from Boss Hogg.
The Mojomatics tinker in about a dozen different genres, often combining them in the same song. Maybe that’s their marketing downfall: how exactly do you classify these guys? Compare them to whomever you want, but it won’t fit. It’s like the Easter Bunny took every style of music I love—garage, bluegrass, soul, punk and alt-country, etc.—and crammed them into two fine-tailored suits.
Let's start with the basics, tell us alil about yourself, how you got into music, where you are from, all the fun stuff.
Well, about me.... I live in Santa Cruz, CA, a gorgeous little beach town small redwood mountains meet the pacific ocean. I moved here for college in 1996, after growing up in Washington D.C. At UC Santa Cruz I got my degree in classical guitar, and after teaching music for a couple years I went back to school at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Once I was done, I high-tailed it back to California (I was getting tired of surfing in 40 degree water in Maine and New Hampshire). Once back in California in 2005 (San Fran at that point) I started working as a staff engineer, producer and studio musician at WaveGroup, a recording studio. Since then, I have been really busy making music for video games, documentaries, and recently a film (called Wrestling Mongolia). WaveGroup is the studio responsible for making all of the cover songs for the Guitar Hero series, so if you have ever played guitar hero, you've heard my guitar playing, my bass playing, and my singing on dozens of songs. Over the last fews years at WaveGroup, I was chipping away at my solo album, which I finally released last March, and since then I have been just trying to get my music out there however I can. Besides pushing my music into video games, college radio, music publications and independent films, I have also been working on two new albums recently - one of the acoustic stuff, one of the funk-your-pants-into a bunch stuff.
Besides your vocals and lyrics, what other contributions did you have to the album?
The album is mostly me on guitar, bass, keys, drums, programming, accordion, spoon, and of course layer upon layer of my vocals. I had some help from some great musicians though - Scott Dugdale played some wonderful keyboards on a couple songs, Sam Ospovat played drums on a couple songs, and my brother Ben Gallant played harmonica, as well as helped out with the writing and production process.
You have a lucid combination of funk and folk in your music, I imagine you have some wide ranging influences, who gets the creative juices going the most for you?
If there is one thing people say to me after hearing my album, its usually something commenting on the wide ranges of styles represented from song to song. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing, I think that is just a product of me getting inspiration from so many different kinds of music. I've played in everything from a hard rock band, to a acoustic duo, to a Latin folkloric ensemble, to a 8 piece funk band with horns, so my history of performing and writing has really run the gamut. In terms of what blows my socks off and tickles my butt-cheeks, I'd say some of my biggest influences include: Beck, M Ward, Bob Dylan, Prince, Wilco, Jackson Browne, The Beatles, James Browne, Tower of Power, The Pixies, Jeff Buckley, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Brothers Johnson, and various 80's hair bands that covered my walls when I was 10. What's in my CD player now? Alexi Murdoch, M Ward, Sean Hayes, The Eels, and Beck.
I discovered you on the game "Tap Tap Revenge" on the iPhone, how did that opportunity come about?
Well, having played on/written music for Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Samba De Amigo, Karaoke Revolution, and Dance Dance Revolution, it seemed like Tap Tap was the next logical step in the rhythm game ladder. It has been really fun watching Tap Tap go from a little i phone app to a 2.5 million user game. I get myspace messages, etc from people in Japan, Europe, Australia, etc, because of that game. That has been very fun and satisfying.
I have to admit, I have listened to "Turn Yourself Around" an unhealthy amount of times. The hook is delicious as hell. It grooves very similar to Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up", was that by coincidence or a nod to the Motown legend?
Haha, I love the idea of "unhealthy" amounts of listens. I wonder what kind of bodily damage a funk song can cause? Well, it certainly was no intentional nod to Marvin Gaye's classic, but I am always one to praise that guy. I love the feeling that I get when I hear "Got to Give It Up" - it always make me feel like I am at party where the cocktails are amazing and everyone's hair is big and perfect. I hope "Turn Yourself Around" gives the same kind of feeling.
What is that song about? I can't quite decipher all the lyrics (could you include those). I have a few guesses:
1. A friend has gotten himself too involved in selling Amway products (or cocaine), and is pushing the marketing scam so hard on his friends and family that they have now become frustrated and upset with his poor life choices.
2. A vindictive girlfriend buoyed with childish tendencies who responds to only negative behavior.
3. George Bush
The song is about George Bush's vindictive girlfriend who went deep into selling Amway products and almost didn't make it out. You nailed it. No, the song is about someone close to me who was on their way to screwing up their life with drugs. Thankfully, since I wrote that song, that person is doing much better.
(Anyway I could get the a capella to that song?)
As in a recording of just the vocals? Maybe... but it might give away all my secrets. I will tell you that there are about 32 of me singing the chorus, in 4 part harmony across 3 octaves....
What was the inspiration behind "Goodbye Railroad"?
I got the inspiration walking over railroad tracks. On the way to my favorite surf spot in Santa Cruz, you have to cross railroad tracks as you walk to the beach. One day I crossed them and remembered a couple friends that I used to cross those tracks with, but I don't anymore, just because they have moved elsewhere, we've drifted apart, or simply life happened and our paths weren't aligned anymore. Mostly the song is meditation on the fact that some friends in your life will come and go, and this makes me feel both sad and accepting. It also makes me feel love and thankfulness for the times I have had with friends that may never come again.
Guitar of choice...
Good question. I was asked this recently for a guitar magazine article, and the answer was simple: whatever works, or whatever is closest. I'm not much of a gear geek, but i will tell you my most used guitars are my Fender Strats, and my Martin Acoustic. I've been playing a lot of banjo recently too. The bass that was used for the bass line that you could "eat of off" for "Turn Yourself Around" is my Lakland bass. It looks nice.
Do you ever perform live?
I haven't in a couple years, because I have been dong so much recording. When I was in Boston, I was playing live all the time, but that last few years have been much more about writing and recording. That said, I am ready to hit the stage again. I'm starting to think about a mini-California tour.
Being from Santa Cruz, you must eat some fantastic sea food from time to time, what's your favorite dish?
Burrito. Does that come from the sea?
What's better; Salmon or Orange Roughy?
Orange Roughy, because it sounds like a smoothie.
What is a typical day for Nick like?
Wake up, drink coffee. Those two things always happen. The rest: go into my home studio, work on whatever song I'm working on (I tend to have the most inspiration for writing in the morning) for a couple hours, then either go into work at WaveGroup, or work in my home studio. After work, catch a surf at sunset, go home, feed my chickens, eat dinner with my best friend and lover (my wife), and then back into the studio or to do something fun. Beer is always fun.
Your self tittled album "Nick Gallant" is solid and refreshing, Where can your album be purchased?
Well thank you! Please don't tell anyone how much I paid you to say that. It can be purchased many places: i tunes (I suggest getting it there), amazon.com, and lots of other digital distributers. If you get it on i tunes, please write a review, I love going on there and seeing new reviews (if they are good... )
Best of luck with the album and let us know when you drop more material.
Thanks so much. Speaking of new material, I have a new single coming out on December 16th on i tunes, called "Round The Bend". This is gong to be one of the songs on my new album coming out (hopefully) this spring/early summer, and will be coming out as a single so it can appear in Tap Tap Revenge. Check it out, and thanks again Subservient Experiment. You guys win.
Of Montreal - Id Engager (live at the House of Blues 11-14-08)
When we first became fans of Of Montreal back in the Satanic Panic days we felt like we were the only people in the world so obsessed with Kevin Barnes' quirky faux-dance outfit. We were surprised the first few times we saw them live in little hole-in-the-wall venues that 300 other people shared our passion and could drink/dance as much as we could while belting out "Let's pretend we don't exist...". So you could only imagine how we felt last night at the House of Blues when we witnessed a crowd easily tripling any that we've seen at an OM show before.
And it wasn't just the size of the audience that was unsettling, it was also the makeup. Wearing hipster clothes, drinking beer, and dancing weren't as in style amongst the largely underage and fratboy-heavy crowd. Not to say there weren't moderate levels of dancing occurring, it just wasn't up to OM standards in my book.
I don't mean to slight the show in the least. Kevin Barnes was on top of his game, his vocals sounded great (as always) and the recent addition of a 6th band member made the live sound even fuller. The hired actors, extensive choreography, even wackier costume changes, ninjas, parade of animals, Buddahs, golden John McCains, and endless psychedelic video projections were a more expansive production than the band has ever attempted, and it has really paid off. I think the success of Skeletal Lamping and their current tour are a testament to that. Perhaps we were all too in awe of the spectacle to fully lose ourselves -that and the fact that a majority of the audience weren't too familiar with any material pre-Lamping or with the fact Wraith Pinned to the Mist came before the Outback jingle.
Although Kevin Barnes feels somewhat saddened by the Outback jingle, and also somewhat like a sellout, that fact pushed him to create some of his best songs and definitely the best stage act of his career. It also helped that the Outback cash helped fund the extravaganza.
Of Montreal - Instant Karma (John Lennon cover, Live at House of Blues 11-14-08)
From the Where Are They Now Department comes this, the Leo Sayer edition:
That's right, the real Leo Sayer parading around with fellow Australians The Wiggles. While it's not quite Yo Gabba Gabba fame, I would have to say Leo's STILL GOT IT. Even though he is getting up in years Leo's falsetto still sounds amazing. He really blows replacement Wiggle Jeff Moran out of the water... I mean, er, that guy in the yellow shirt. The good news though is now a whole new generation of young-uns can be encouraged to dance the night away.
In case you haven't heard, Cornell's new album Scream has been pushed back (....again) to a Feb. release. I think the delay had something to do with election day, but I'm not sure why it got pushed back so far. Listen to Chris discuss the album, among other things, with Jackie and Bender of Seattle's KISS-FM.
I've blogged about it relentlessly, and now the show is finally upon us. Of Montreal will be at the House of Blues tomorrow night (w/ Icy Demons), and I give you the Subservient Experiment guarantee that this will be THE show of the year in DFW. (Get tix here). If you have only listened to Of Montreal's records in the past, then you are missing 40-60% of what they do. For some great pictures from the current tour go HERE and/or HERE. To celebrate this, the eve of the great Of Montreal DFW takeover of 2008, I present you with a whole slew of various Of Montreal live covers and a video from their fabled Roseland Ballroom performance. Pls enjoy.
MTV Europe Awards name Rick Astley 'Best Act Ever'? WFT IS THIS? The only explanation I could think of is that the voting was done online. Read the full article here.
My buddy Lehtmojoe recently hipped me to a grimy style of electronic music called Dubstep that started emerging from London a couple of years ago, and is now slowly making it's way to the states. Download this mixup by Manchester Dubstepper Rusko, its a good to the genre and will help you get used to the heavy bass, dark moods, dissonant intervals, triplet feel, pauses, subbass lines, and sparse rhythms that it is known for.
Dkay – ‘Fire’ (Rusko’s electro remix) Rusko – ‘Period’ Rusko – ‘Breezeblock Ravers’ Unitz – ‘The Drop’ Benga – ‘Benga’s off his Head’ Rusko – ‘Get Ya Cockout’ (Princess VIP) Rusko – ‘Mr Muscle’ Rusko – ‘Moanerz’ Rusko – ‘Mo Go Gadget Rusko’ Caspa – ‘Marmite’ Rusko – ‘Jahova’ (remix) Marcus Visionary – ‘Flying dubs’ Rusko & Buraka – ‘Jumpup’ Skream – ‘Murderer’ instrumental Rusko – ‘Mr Chips’ Rusko & Lutan Fyah – ‘Soundguy is my Target’ Rusko – ‘Soundguy special’
I would like to apologize for my previous prejudiced assessment of Little Joy. While the band does contain a Fabrizio Moretti of The Strokes and Rodrigo Amarante from Los Hermanos, it would be a crime to write them off as just a Strokes/Los Hermanos hybrid, or just a silly side project. I didn't end up purchasing the rest of the disc until this Saturday afternoon, and it has gone far beyond my expectations. Little Joy is a charming collection of songs that does contain somewhat smokey-vocals that aren't completely uncharacterstic of Strokes/Los Hermanos, but they are still able to find their own sound. The mix of reggae and acoustic guitar aren't optimal for listening to in the car, but are perfect for putting on after work on one of these dusky Winter's eve's. I'm thoroughly enjoying it and highghly recommend it (even for ppl that hate Strokes/Los Hermanos).
They're currently on tour through the end of the year (They'll be at The Lounge on Elm Street on Nov. 23rd). This will be an extremely intimate setting for this band, and maybe your last chance to see musicians of this ilk up so close.
The Little Joy downloads I posted a few weeks ago have litteraly been the most popular mp3's I've ever posted, so just in cased you missed them I am posting them again.
I know that you feel the need to reinvent yourself with every album. However, this time I feel you've missed the mark. Concerning the latest single "Keeps Gettin' Better," Goldfrapp did it first and better, while your image is strongly borrowing from Lady Gaga (a contemporary, no less). With all this plagiarism, you'll never beat Britney. I'm thinking you need to make a complete 180. I hear grunge is making a comeback. I'm only looking out for you.
How could I have forgotten to mention before now that the man himself, Diplo (w/ Abe Vigoda, Boy 8 Bit, Telepathe) will be in town tomorrow over at the PalladiumThe Loft for one of the few remaining dates on his Mad Decent tour? Tickets are still $15. For those of you like me, who like to find good dance-filled shows on the weekends, this one sounds like it will not disappoint.
Diplo also just released his latest EP 'Blow Your Head', which can be purchased HERE.
I had the privileged yesterday of speaking with the best rapper in Dallas. Anonymous???? was excited about finishing his first full-length album (due out in early '09) and also about his latest mixtape "Anonymous Files Volume 1" which can be downloaded for free on his myspace page or by clicking the link at the bottom of this post. The tape was put together by DJ Smack, as you'll soon find out by listening to any track from the tape (he drops a 'best dj in the woooooooorld' at least once on every cut), a claim which he never really lives up to. But don't let him ruin it for you, the real standout here is Anonymous with his tremendous MC skills, vocal prowess, and clean rhymes. I especially appreciate anyone that can rap over Cutting Crew and make it sound fresh.
Behold 2 great videos from SNL. I personally prefer last season's video SLOTHS, but Morrow is liking GIRAFFES from the most recent episode. You be the judge.
A new day and the smoke is clearing. Our country has made history by electing it's first (half) black president -and not by a close margin (75% of "big" city dwellers voted for President-Elect Obama). But it wasn't quite a landslide, in fact if one local musician would have had his way the Dallas Stars' #10 would be trading in his captain "C" for a flag-pin. I will have to admit that would have produced the hottest first lady of all time. Either way, a change has come. Ain't that good news indeed.
If you've yet to make plans for Friday night, join me at Andy's Bar in Denton for the AM Ramblers with Drag the River and Braker Lane. It's sure to be an evening filled with badass banjos, wicked harmonies and maybe even a beer or two. Doors at 10. Cover is $6 for 21+/ $8 for under. ~Jenn
Mr Wonton 681: what do you think about bands screwing labels and being publicly traded entities? Morrow:y not Mr Wonton 681: ppl can buy stock in a band and then they own a piece of the band Mr Wonton 681: they can buy/sell/trade their shares like stock Mr Wonton 681: and when the band makes money the ppl see a return Morrow: who does it Mr Wonton 681: shareholders = free marketing/street team Mr Wonton 681: there's a company trying to start it up on the internet on a small scale and i think for non-popular bands Mr Wonton 681: but why couldn't it work for the U2's of the world Mr Wonton 681: on a much larger scale Mr Wonton 681: the investors pay for the studio time, etc. and a CEO makes sure they stay in budget Morrow: maybe too many pitfalls Morrow: drug addictions, arrests, stop working on music, become politcians Mr Wonton 681: companies go under all the time Mr Wonton 681: it would take a lot of creativity out of it tho Mr Wonton 681: not that labels don't do that anyway Morrow: It only takes one overdose to Bono to kill u2, it takes thousands of heroin overdoses to kill GM Mr Wonton 681: enron? Mr Wonton 681: .coms Mr Wonton 681: any number of things can kill a company quick Morrow: those are exceptions to the rule Mr Wonton 681: look at elvis, he's dead and his albums still are on charts Morrow: bands dont have near the longevity or profitability of a publically traded company Mr Wonton 681: they wouldn't have to Mr Wonton 681: sell and buy somebody else Mr Wonton 681: or stick w/ em and get album residuals and royalties Mr Wonton 681: there wouldn't be a ton of shares available for each band Morrow: i wouldnt invest in a band Mr Wonton 681: b/c Metallica doesn't make as much per yr as google does Mr Wonton 681: i would b/c u could do it cheaply Mr Wonton 681: and then blog about them and whatnot and have an impact on the sales Morrow: k Mr Wonton 681: when u invest in Chinese currency what impact can u personally have on if ur money goes up or down? Morrow: lol, ever shopped at wal-mart? Mr Wonton 681: I would think u would buy some Tokio Hotel Mr Wonton 681: not for free Morrow: im not seeing how that is a positive arguement Mr Wonton 681: i buy a share in The Verve b/c their last album sucked and i get it for cheap, then the new album comes out, does well, and i get a percent of album sales Mr Wonton 681: verve is happy just to exist for another album Mr Wonton 681: they may not disappear forever like they would if a label drops em Morrow:so you are saying its a good idea to keep bands together or to make money off them? Mr Wonton 681: it's a different business model Mr Wonton 681: labels may not exist in 10 yrs Mr Wonton 681: who knows what will replace them Mr Wonton 681: maybe this? Morrow: i think the bigger issue is distribution Morrow: making albums aint cost as much as back in the day Mr Wonton 681: distribution comes out of the budget Mr Wonton 681: if a band sucks too bad nobody will invest or the shares will go too low to make anything good w/ and they'll eventually go away Morrow: i dunno, have to look up case studies first Morrow: bowie has been doing that for years Morrow: but with bonds Morrow: called bowie bonds Mr Wonton 681: and that's a great idea Mr Wonton 681: i would buy one
I suppose I should talk politics with you, seeing as this is the eve of Nov. 4th, 2008.
But, I won't.
Whether you vote for red or blue, the country is still run by green.
Cash, dollar dollar bill y'all.
Big Business > Government
speaking of big business, I just done did bought myself an Apple Iphone after someone decided to steal my really crappy phone. (oh i get it now.)
and on this magical device, there is a game, akin to guitar hero, where you tap your fingers to a song, in time, and you get points, that are meaningless.
mmmmmm, yes, now thats a bassline you can eat off of. after looping this song 300 times, getting blisters on my hands from drumming (the real kind, on the actual instrument), I gets to thinking...... Why do I like this song so much.......does it sound familiar?.............I think..............but to what......
Why do the TMS head honchos insist on making the winning racers wear black cowboy hats and wielding 2 six-shooters? Don't they realize the rest of the country will think this is how all Texans dress at all times? Don't they realize how this sets us real Texans back? Don't they realize how people will develop misconceptions about Texans? I for one don't go around waving both my six-shooters above my head -practically ever. Typically I keep one in my saddlebag and the other in it's holster.
THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS GUIDE TO VOTING We got this fine bit of information from one of our socialist friends....
It’s that time--time to vote for the next president of the United States and a lot of other important political offices and ballot initiatives.
We’re already hearing about long lines, and want you to be prepared to stay in line and have your vote count. The longest waits will surely be on Election Day (Nov 4), so if you are able to vote early in your state you may avoid the worst of it. Click here to see if you qualify for early voting in your state.
If you do encounter long lines, here are some ways to have fun and ensure you can vote:
Go with friends and/or bring phones, iPods, lawn chairs, food, reading materials, proper clothing, etc.
Don’t believe the polls if they say a candidate is winning or losing. They've been wrong before.
Notify your work or school you might be delayed. Turn out will be large on both sides, and delays are already expected.
If you are a new voter or voting in a new location, verify your vote and polling station BEFORE you head to the polls -- don’t wait on line only to have a problem.
Help others stay in line too. Bring food, drink, music, reading materials to share.
Make sure to take this number with you so that if you encounter any problems, you can talk to nonpartisan election lawyers who can help: 1-866-OUR-VOTE or be sure to request a provisional ballot.
If you do run into any problems at the polls, Video The Vote and document election problems as they occur.
Posts
I got this in the inbox a few days ago, but man I wish I had posted this sooner. The best rapper in Dallas, Anonymous????, has decided to go above and beyond the free mixtape he released a few weeks ago, and is going to start releasing B-Sides to his upcoming debut album leading up to its release in February. Although this new cut, SupaPowers, hits so much harder than anything on the mixtape, he told me recently over the phone that as good as this track is, he is saving the best stuff for the album. (Judging from the one album cut "Dance/Move" that he previewed for me last week, he is telling the truth).
