Scratch n' Dent : An Essay on Indie Rock Guitars

Over the past few years I've noticed an increasing trend towards uniformity in the gear of Indie bands across the nation. One would assume, given the understood indifferent disposition of those who claim the scene as their own, that this trend was by mistake, but whose to say.

First let's start with guitars: The foundation of any respectable Indie Rock band.
Before we do anything we must chose a model! Acceptable models include Fender's Telecaster, Stratocaster (sometimes), Jaguar, and Jazzmaster models; the older the better, Epiphone or Gibson Hollowbodies, SG's, and some Les Paul's (note: some!). Older models like Fender's Starcaster, the Fender XII or Gibson' Melody Maker are welcome and encouraged, not to mention sure to earn bonus points for vintage irony with their oddly shaped headstocks and light body weights. Old department store models from the 60's are the Holy Grail of Scene points: these include, but are not limited to, Kay, Airline, Harmony, and Danelectro guitars.

Next, we move to the finish: this is important! Have you ever noticed the only finishes considered acceptable in Indie rock are Black, an occasional Sunburst, and members of the Natural/Blonde family (Blonde, Honey Blonde, Natural, Vintage Blonde, and Fender's Arctic and Olympic White are included here). Do you know what separates you from being praised or mocked for your guitar in the Indie world? The finish.

If I come on stage with an Arctic White Telecaster (72's are especially sought-after in the Indie realm) I am assumed to be a skilled and tasteful guitarist. If I come on stage with an Electron Blue model, I am assumed to be a talentless wanker. If I come out with, say, a vintage Black Les Paul with a startlingly large tremelo, ala Neil Young's, I'm considered to be a guitar expert, waiting to bust out big 60's psych rock solos. If I come out with the same guitar in Gibson's "Pour some sugar on me flamed bourbon maple swirl mahogany-top?" Total wanker. Perhaps I bought a black Gretsch Tennessee Rose? I am now an alt-country God, making Whiskeytown look like a talentless bar band & Uncle Tupelo seem like a bunch of kids in a basement. If I buy that same guitar in Gretsch's "Banner sample Acryclic Gold Sparkle?" Talentless and tasteless.

What am I supposed to play my guitar through? I'm glad you asked! Orange amps are okay for some, other boutique models such as Dr. Z are largely acceptable. However, your best first investment would be a Fender Blues JR. or Deville. If you can find the blonde tweed models, you're in luck! Bonus points! Even better than these starter kit models though, are old Gibson's, Silvertone's, and vintage Fender Amps. Vox's tube models are also a good choice, though a bit pricier (good for those of you on a trust fund). All amps are to be "distressed," (fig. A) that is; the grille is tearing, a speaker as a hum, someone else's name painted and subsequently scratched off the side, and generally anything else which can be done to make your amp look like you found it in a Williamsburg alley.

On to the clincher: effects pedal: if it's not hanging on to dear life don't bother. You'll need something like a vinatge Tubescreamer, Rat (especially good: used by everyone from Thom Yorke to Sonic Youth), Turbodistortion (japanese only please), or Big Muff. If you cannot find a used model, please use the same method of "distressing" found in figure A). For delay (you'll need lots of it for those noise solos): analog is king. Ibanez's Ad9, or any vintage DOD delay (preferably with a ground problem, which will create an awful hum) are best. If these cannot be found, a very old and discolored Boss DD6 will suffice. For Compression/Sustain the name of the game is awful. Anything old and bad, preferably a bright color and with a goofy name. These are not so much to compress and/or sustain your signal as much as they are to make people think you're a tone expert and this obscure and impossible to find pedal is the only thing that you'll let touch your tone.

Below are some examples of perfect Indie Rock set-ups for you to study:
J. Mascis (Dinosaur JR)
Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)
Sonic Youth
Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo)
Stephen Malkmus (Pavement, Solo)
Damon Gough (Badly Drawn Boy)
Dave Van Boehlen (The Promise Ring)
Bryan Maryansky (Jets to Brazil)
Frank Black (Pixies)

A Conversation with Miles Kurosky of Beulah

Miles Kurosky used to be in a band. That band was called Beulah, and they made several of my favorite records ever in their all too brief life. Spanning only six years, Beulah quickly evolved from Miles and multi-instrumentalist Bill Swan recording songs to a tape machine in a San Francisco living room to a six-member band, recording sun-soaked epics with as many as twenty-five players, and achieving success in The U.S., Europe, & Japan. It's hard to imagine that an Indie Rock band doing as well as Beulah were in 2003 wouldn't have been a household name in the age of mp3-blogger dominated music press, but it's no fun living in the past. People are still discovering and falling in love with Beulah, from Michael Cera to the girl next door. Miles finds that mind-boggling.

[mp3] Beulah - Score From Augusta
[mp3] Beulah - A Good Man is Easy To Kill
[mp3] Beulah - Me & Jesus Don't Talk Anymore
--

HTFAF (Caleb) : You had some surgery this summer, right? How are you feeling?

Miles Kurosky : Yeah, unfortunately I had two kidney surgeries. I’m doing alright now, but I have an intestinal disease that’s been diagnosed as the root of all this evil, so I need to keep that in check. However, I must say, what pains me more are the medical bills!

HTFAF (Caleb) : There have been small updates, which don't reveal much about the status of your solo record posted on the Beulah site over the past year. How far along are you with that, now?

Miles Kurosky : It’s hard for me to believe, but I think I might actually be finished. I just need to get it mastered. If I don’t stop recording I fear this may go on forever.

HTFAF (Caleb) : Are any of the Beulah guys involved? Any other familiar names?

Miles Kurosky : Almost all the Beulah's showed up for an hour or two. Even Swannie [multi-instrumentalist and co-founder Bill Swan] came in a month ago to listen to the mixes and give his two cents. I’m happy to say that his opinion actually added up to two cents, and I feel richer for it. I’m guessing by “familiar names” you mean high profile or slightly famous indie rockers, yes? I’m afraid the advertisements for this record won’t read “featuring so and so from Indie Band X, Y, or Z.” I just didn’t think that “a name” would actually make the record sound better. It would be for looks and marketing only, and that really doesn't interest me.

HTFAF (Caleb) : Is the sound of the record somewhat comparable to Beulah, or would you call it a bit of a departure?

Miles Kurosky : I’d say both. I’ll never be able to escape [sounding like] Beulah, but at the same time it has been 5 years since our last record so…

HTFAF (Caleb) : Do you think you'll keep making solo records in the future, or will this be more of a one-off venture?

Miles Kurosky : I don’t know. I guess it depends on the day and my mood. My girlfriend gets really angry with me if I say I don’t want to make music anymore. She always says “you can’t quit.” I usually counter with “but dental insurance would be nice.”

HTFAF (Caleb) : What are the chances of you doing a bit of touring to support the record?

Miles Kurosky : I’d say overcast with a chance of showers...or is it sunshine? I don’t know, maybe, but I think I need to get a little healthier before I spend a month in a van eating shitty food and getting no sleep. However, I must say, I kinda miss Cracker Barrel’s pot roast, fried okra, and of course, their buckeyes. (Please note: I don’t actually endorse eating at Cracker Barrel unless your other choices are Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Stuckey’s, Hardee’s, Denny’s, and bunch of other shit-holes I can’t remember. If you live in a proper city with proper food, then it should be avoided.)

HTFAF (Caleb) : I read an interview with you where you said you were bringing in some jazz musicians to play on this record. How did that come about? Are you a Jazz guy, or did it just work out that the horn players you needed play jazz?

Miles Kurosky : Eli Crews, who engineered the majority of the record, hangs out with that crowd. So most of them were his friends. It’s not like the players were required to have jazz pedigrees, and in fact, the record is not very jazzy at all. I just wanted the best players that we could get, so it just kinda worked out that way.

HTFAF (Caleb) : So is their a set backing band, or just various players?

Miles Kurosky : Well, Eli [Crews] played at least one instrument on every song. Besides his contributions there are 25 or 30 different musicians on the record. That said, I guess it’s just me with a bunch of ringers.

HTFAF (Caleb) : People are still discovering Beulah for the first time from their friends, mp3 blogs, soundtracks, etc. Is it weird for you that a chapter of your life which ended five years ago is so alive and well?

Miles Kurosky : It’s really weird, I’m very surprised by it. There’s still so much interest in the band that it sometimes feels like we didn’t break up.

HTFAF (Caleb) : Michael Cera is a big fan of yours and even used the Beulah song, Don't Forget to Breathe to soundtrack Clark & Michael, his web-tv show. Did it strike you as weird that someone who was a year or two away from having a driver's license when Yoko was released was asking to use one of your songs?

Miles Kurosky : Well, first of all, I was honored by the request and extremely happy that our song could be included in a show that’s actually good. When he sent me the link for “Clark and Michael” I immediately knew that it was something we had to be associated with. It’s amazing that the show isn’t on television. In response to the question…no, not really ‘cause most of the aforementioned new fans have been college kids or younger. Since we haven’t made a record or toured in 5 years, they must really be doing their homework.

HTFAF (Caleb) : So, you still hear from alot of people who are just learning about you guys?

Miles Kurosky : All the time, and It’s mind boggling.

HTFAF (Caleb) : How have you been keeping busy post-Beulah? Did you have to get a 9-5?

Miles Kurosky : I’ve written some songs for commercials and a couple of Indie Films. I also did a soundtrack for a cartoon. Fortunately, I never had to get a “real” job, and God willing I never will. However, for a couple years I didn’t do much at all, I was always at Kaiser rehabbing my shoulder with my physical therapist…or seeing some urologist, nephrologist or gastroenterologist about my innards. Basically I spent a lot of time at the doctor getting poked with needles.

HTFAF (Caleb) : Do you feel like the accounts of Beulah's break up are over-exaggerated? A lot of people assume that you all hate each other now, which I would guess is probably not the case.

Miles Kurosky : Well, I guess some of it’s true and some of it’s myth. Relationships are complicated, each guy is really different from one another, you know? Personally, I have a good relationship with all the boys, I always have. I love them all like brothers, I mean, sure we all fought with each other, but it was always sibling-like in nature. There was never any hatred involved, and each punch was always quickly followed by an apology.

HTFAF (Caleb) : Have you been keeping up with Indie music since you go out of that scene? Any bands that have come along that you've been impressed with?

Miles Kurosky : I should probably be posing that question to you. Every now and again I’ll check out my girlfriend’s iTunes and I realize how oblivious I am to new music. Unfortunately, I don’t own a stereo. I’ve been meaning to get one for the past 7 years, but I do have a CD player in my car and I hear new music when my girlfriend leaves a cd in the stereo, but unfortunately they’re rarely labeled. Personally, I just learned how to burn a CD on my computer two weeks ago...I didn't even know it was possible. Anyway, back to your question: [I've been listening to] Beyonce, Jose Gonzalez, Okkervil River, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West and Iron and Wine.

HTFAF (Caleb) : How many songs would you say you've written since Beulah broke up? Do you wake up every morning and go somewhere to write or do you just go with something when it comes to you?

Miles Kurosky : I haven’t written that many really. I never set out to write a song unless I’ve been hired to write one for a movie or commercial. To be more specific, I don’t ever sit down with the intention of writing an album, it’s far more serendipitous. I’ll write a song, and then another, and eventually I’ll have enough for a record. What’s the process you ask? I just pick up a guitar, play some chords and voila, Oprah speaks to me.

HTFAF (Caleb) : Do you read any webzines or blogs?

Miles Kurosky : Nope. It just takes so much work, plus there’s always the chance that I’ll accidentally read that someone hates me or my music. Ignorance is…well, not blissful, just less painful. Hell, sometimes I don’t even log on to the web because I get sucked into Solitaire. I'm easily sidetracked. Maybe if there wasn’t so much porn and sports on the web I could check out more webzines...Go Warriors!

HTFAF (Caleb) : Do you ever miss being in a band, being on tour, etc, or is it a relief to be able to play music whenever you feel like it without any 15 passenger vans, riders, or show advancing to do?

Miles Kurosky : It was certainly a relief back in 2004. I was very tired of being in a band back then, but I don’t feel that way now. At the same time, I don’t really miss it either. The only thing I miss is the camaraderie, when a retired football player talks about missing the locker room more than the playing field, I know exactly what he’s talking about.

HTFAF (Caleb) : What is your fondest memory or proudest moment with Beulah

Miles Kurosky : Never getting a speeding ticket on tour.

HTFAF (Caleb) : Is there any certain show Beulah played which sticks out in your mind? Be it good or bad.

Miles Kurosky : Well, like most bands a bad show meant low attendance, a fight backstage, or having a difficult time playing because the mushrooms were starting to kick in. Although, Ben Gibbard from Death Cab says we were good on psychedelics. That said, the worst show in my opinion was Lausanne, Switzerland. The promoter tried to skip out without paying us. Apparently he set up an early show at a record store without our knowledge. Needless to say we didn’t show up. Hence, he thought he didn’t have to pay us for the proper gig because we only fulfilled “half” of our obligation. Unfortunately we had to chase him down the street, surround him and demand our money. t got kinda ugly, but since it was 8 against 1 we got the dough. It was such a sad and demoralizing moment at the end of a good tour. At least the town was beautiful.

Caleb (HTFAF) : Have you played any shows since the split?

Miles Kurosky : Does singing in the shower count as a “show?” I charge admission.

Caleb (HTFAF) : Do you think you'll always make music for a living in some capacity?

Miles Kurosky : Maybe, but it doesn’t really matter to me. I like the unexpected nature of life, I like the fact that one doesn’t have to die in order to be reincarnated, you know?

--

Buy Beulah Records & Merch from Miles (and help pay those medical bills)

Beulah's final fall tour was chronicled in a documentary entitled, A Good Band Is Easy to Kill, you can buy it here.

Beulah - KCRW In-Studio : 9.25.01

When I listen to Beulah records, the world is okay. Every time a Beulah record is over though, I want to cry. Not just because of how great the past 45 minutes of my life were, because Beulah did the worst thing that has ever happened to Indie Rock and broke up. Yes, I know the stories of the band often hating each other, being general assholes at times, and all that. No, I could not care any less! God rest your souls, boys.

You can still buy records and shirts from Miles, the man with the guitar pictured above, who is supposedly putting out a solo record at some point here.

Enjoy your Sunday.

[mp3] Beulah - Intro
[mp3] Beulah - Battle Cry of the West
[mp3] Beulah - Emma Blowgun's Last Stand
[mp3] Beulah - Night is the Day Turned Inside Out
[mp3] Beulah - Interview
[mp3] Beulah - If We Can Land a Man on the Mood, Surely I can Win Your Heart
[mp3] Beulah - Popular Mechanics for Lovers

Unwed Sailor Release Little Wars, Announce Tour

Unwed Sailor have been tearing up the post-rock since before Explosions in the Sky could drive. If you don't know them, you need to, and what better time than now. Fresh on the heels of releasing their marvelous new LP, Little Wars, (Burnt Toast Vinyl) the band is touring a large chunk of these United States with Owen & Ryan Lindsey. Dates, and mp3's from Little Wars wait below.

UNWED SAILOR 2008 TOUR

28 March : Detroit, MI. The Magic Stick w/ Owen
29 March : Cleveland, OH. The Grog Shop w/ Owen, Anathallo, and Paper Rivals
30 March : Muncie, IN. The Launching Pad w/ Throw Me the Statue
31 March : Cedarville, OH. House Show w/ Ryan Lindsey
2 April : Norfolk, VA. The Tap House w/ Ryan Lindsey
3 April : New York, NY. The Knitting Factory w/ Owen and Brooke Waggoner
4 April : Boston, MA. Boston University w/ Owen
5 April : Harrisonburg, VA. James Madison University w/ Owen, Aloha, The Forms
6 April : Philadelphia, PA. First Unitarian w/ Owen and Brooke Waggoner
7 April : Pittsburgh, PA. Garfield Artworks w/ Owen
8 April : Canton, OH. Edgewood Community Center w/ Ryan Lindsey
9 April : Dayton, OH. The Nite Owl w/ Ryan Lindsey
10 April : Grand Rapids, MI. The DAAC w/ Ryan Lindsey
11 April : Chicago, IL. The Beat Kitchen w/ Ryan Lindsey
12 April : Urbana, IL. Courtyard Cafe w/ Ryan Lindsey
13 April : St. Louis, MO. The Bluebird w/ Ryan Lindsey
14 April : Springfield, MO. The Outland Ballroom w/ Ryan Lindsey
16 April : Austin, TX. Emo's w/ Ryan Lindsey
17 April : Dallas, TX. The Prophet Bar w/ Ryan Lindsey
18 April : Houston, TX. Walters on Washington w/ Ryan Lindsey

[mp3] Unwed Sailor - Little Wars
[mp3] Unwed Sailor - Aurora

Buy Little Wars.

The Random Soundtrack to your gloomy & sleep-deprived morning

I woke up grumpy this morning. I fell asleep with the clock saying 5:11 and woke up with it saying 7:41. Sick, and terrible, and disgusting in every way. To top that off it looks like it's 7:30 at night outside. The sun isn't hiding behind clouds, it didn't even wake up I don't think. It's dark, and I'm in no mood for, well really anything.

Do you know what is really well-suited for this day, though? Rufus Wainwright! I turned on the shuffle an got lucky, it was totally what I wanted to hear, I just didn't know that yet. The Chris Garneau track has a similar vibe and the other two are for people that want to be happy. Me, I want to soak in my cranky misery, thanks.

[mp3] Rufus Wainwright - Leaving for Paris no. 2
[mp3] Chris Garneau - First Place
[mp3] MGMT - Electric Feel
[mp3] Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Sunshins, Clouds, & Everything Proud

I couldn't be more behind on my scene dj/dance acts

Seriously, not if i tried, where did they all come from? But I do really, really, really enjoy this remix of The Little One's fantastic Lovers Who Uncover by Crystal Castles. I don't know anything about Crystal Castles, but it's a good thing they own these really cool synths that make songs you already liked sound cooler at 2:00 am!

[mp3] The Little Ones / Crystal Castles - Lovers Who Uncover (Remix)

The Wars of 1812 - "Status Quo Ante Bellum"

Back in December, I told you about the now broken up Amble Down Records artist Fine. I still love that album a lot so when I got Status Quo Ante Bellum from Amble Down I had high hopes.

I listened to this record today driving around with the windows down and it's well suited for that. Forget You Madly is a road-trip song if ever I heard one, Nothing to Do has the sort of lazy rhythm and personal quality that made me love Page France, and New York City could easily soundtrack a reflective Grey's Anatomy montage (in a good way). The song I really loved though was Radios Unsigned. It's a really awesome bit of Yankee Hotel Pop full of droning guitar, prodding piano, blistering solos, and a melody that could easily sell Volkswagens.

If you're in the mood for something nice to soundtrack the early days of warm weather, you've found it. Status Quo Ante Bellum is the sort of thing that will renew your faith in bands you've never heard of. Heck, most everything from Amble Down will it seems. Pick some up.

[mp3] The Wars of 1812 - Radios Unsigned

Exclusive unreleased SSLYBY track via Rawkblog

The good dudes at Le Rawkblog turned three and they celebrated with an exclusive and never released Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin track, and then asked you to donate some scratch to pay for hosting. They deserve it, totally one of the good guys, so go get the track and throw five bucks their way.

Get the song, donate the scrilla

The Raconteurs & Pete Townshed? Yes, please.

I'm not sure how, but somehow of all of Pete Townshed's "Attic Jams," The Raconteurs contribution was the only one to slip under my radar. I was in the mood and digging around for something good to post in celebration of their lovely new record (available now), and since Web Sheriff has been patrolling for any album content (clearly that makes fans want to buy records) I needed something different.

It's pretty great, this one. I mean, Pete Townshed slipped up on the reuinted Who album, it was bad. But this one is just the good old days, sans the rest of the Who + The 'Teurs. Jack sounds good singing classic rock (naturally), and Benson sounds nice singing anything.

[mp3] The Raconteurs & Pete Townshed- The Seeker (The Who)

Bon Iver Backstage Session mp3's now available

Originally, we told you that we couldn't give you the mp3's for the Bon Iver Backstage Session. For whatever reason, Jagjaguwar decided to give us the green light to post the mp3's which we were originally barred from posting. Thanks to the kind folks at J.J. for the clearance. Now enjoy the mp3's!

[mp3] Bon Iver - Creature Fear (Live - Backstage Session)
[mp3] Bon Iver - Flume (Live - Backstage Session)

Buy Bon Iver's wonderful LP, For Emma, Forever Ago (from which both of these tracks are culled), at Jagjaguwar.

New Live Death Cab - "Cath"

Earlier this week we were treated to the second look at Death Cab's new LP (May 13 - Atlantic) thanks to a live acoustic session on BBC6. The song, at least in this stripped down form, is a relatively folky number about a girl of all things (People seem to like writing songs about them). I like it! No four minute intro here, just a pretty straight forward, and just plain pretty song about love, and girls, and all that stuff you kids are into nowadays.

It's one of the new songs Gibbard was playing on tour last summer, though if my memory serves me correctly he was playing it on piano back then.

[mp3] Death Cab for Cutie - Cath (Live - Acoustic)

Pre-order Narrow Stairs.

John Vanderslice : Hard to Find a Friend's Backstage Sessions

If you'd have asked me at 8:00 pm last night if the planned Backstage Session with John Vanderslice was going to go down, I'd have told you without a doubt, "No." John didn't realize how early he was playing, and he's too kind to monopolize the backstage area, so to avoid inconveniencing Malkmus & The Jicks we set up shop in the back billiard room/secondary bar of the Mercy Lounge / Cannery Ballroom. As if that wasn't enough, it seemed a few select members of the staff (specifically a cranky & rude doorman) didn't want things to go down as planned, but John would not be stopped. With the clock ticking down until his set time, John chose to forgo eating dinner to play some songs for us in a pool hall with his absurdly talented violin player/backup vocalist Daniel Hart. He really is the nicest guy in Indie Rock.

Please, buy a record & see a show!


STREAM THE HD VERSION HERE! (Latest version of flash required)

[mp3] John Vanderslice - White Dove (Live - Backstage Sessions)
[mp4] John Vanderslice - White Dove (Live - Backstage Sessions - video)

STREAM THE HD VERSION HERE! (Latest version of flash required)

[mp3] John Vanderslice - Numbered Lithograph (Live - Backstage Session)
[mp4] John Vanderslice - Numbered Lithograph (Live - Backstage Sessions - video)

Watch more Backstage Sessions here.

Want to stay up on your sessions? Press Ctrl+D or Apple+D to bookmark the site, or just subscribe to our RSS feed by clicking that little orange button in the URL bar of your browser.

What to Buy : March 25, 2008

In what will be a regular feature around these parts, I will now recommend some smart ways to spend your music budget this week on new releases. The nice part: we're not paid by any corporate slime to do this so if there's nothing worth buying, I'll just tell you to spend it on sandwiches or something. Here we go!

The Raconteurs - Consolers of The Lonely
Following the Radiohead model, sort of, The Raconteurs announced their album was coming out today - last Tuesday. This plan was somewhat foiled unlike Radiohead though, when the geniuses at iTunes leaked the album by placing it for sale earlier this week. Still, go to your local indie record store and pick it up (CD/Vinyl), or just buy it at insound.

[mp3] The Racounters - Broken Boy Soldier

The Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy (Reissue)
If you don't have this one, you're an idiot, but that can easily be changed! You can find the cheaply priced remastered & reissued version in the new release section tomorrow. Find out where all of your favorite bands drew inspiration from. Yes, I remember the j-a-m-c. Buy it!

New Pornographers Ticket Giveaway

New Pornographers + Okkervil River. April 18th. Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, tn. I'll be there, and you've a chance to as well. Simply:

Email : hardtofindafriend@gmail.com
W/ the subject line : New Pornos Giveaway
Please include : Your name, address and your favorite song from any NP record.

Additionally, if you'd like to be part of the Beggars/Matador street team in Nashville, they're looking for a few good dudes and gals to help spread the word. Sounds like one of the more rewarding street teams, and certainly a great roster. If any local readers would like to be a part of that, send an email to the above address with the subject "street team" and I'll pass along your info to the fine folks. I'll let them take it from here:

"The street team gig is pretty cool. Our members put posters and flyers up around town highlighting upcoming shows and new releases. In return, they gain free music & access into our shows. Plus we run contests, giveaway autographed items to them from our artists, etc."

[mp3] New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour

Word!

She & Him (M. Ward+Zooey Deschanel) : Volume One

Okay, when I first heard about the grammatically challenged project that is She & Him, I completely and totally lost it. M. Ward, according to my Last.Fm is the artist I listen to more than anyone else, and Zooey Deschanel is, according to anyone who knows me, a point of relentless obsession.

Fast forward to now: the record is out, the press shots are available, the tour is rumored, and things are in full swing. I love this record, more than I've loved something in quite some time. The songs are literally from another time, sure people throw around the "70's am pop" and "Golden-era pop" labels a lot but this is the real deal. The songs would fit easily on time life collection of Sounds of the Fifties without being noticed.

My only regret: where'd Matt go? The project was billed as a collaboration, and frankly that may be a little misleading. M's vocals are few and far between, keeping himself busy playing and helping produce the effort. Don't get me wrong, that's fine! Zooey is a really great songwriter and has a wonderfully pleasing voice, but I definitely wouldn't mind hearing a little bit more of the cigarettes & whiskey timbre of Mr. Matt Ward's golden vocal chords. Overall I give it an awesome out of five stars.

[mp3] She & Him - I Was Made for You

Buy She & Him: Volume One now.

Destroyer : Trouble In Dreams

Let's get this out of the way right off the bat. If you've never liked Destroyer you won't like this record. If you've liked Destroyer, you'll freaking love this record. Dan Bejar, responsible songwriter for so many good New Porno's jams, and accomplished solo artist (est 1995) simply knows how to write awesome pop songs, and this has never been more evident than on his new release Trouble In Dreams.

Trademark theatrical vocals are now backed by Bejar's most memorable musical compositions yet. Circling piano lines, pounding thuds of floor tom, lala's, and the biggest lead guitar line you could get away with on an indie rock song set the stage for a wonderful time on Dark Leaves From a Thread. It's without doubt my favorite track from the record so I decided to feature it. This one's great for the lovely spring weather we're having in Tennessee right now.

Enjoy.

[mp3] Destroyer - Dark Leaves From a Thread

Buy Trouble in Dreams now at insound.

Fleet Foxes : Hard to Find a Friend's Backstage Sessions

Hard to Find a Friend Presents : The Backstage Sessions

Featuring : Fleet Foxes
Exit / In : Nashville, TN

When Fleet Foxes started White Winter Hymnal on Wednesday night, the cheers of the crowd caused a reaction not often seen by frontmen on the face of Robin Pecknold. He laughed - uncontrollably, and commented on how "completely crazy" it was that people in Nashville knew their songs when they'd never been on tour before. He started again, met with cheers once more, and had to repeat the whole cycle of shock, laughter, and apologies. This would happen a total of four times before the band could start the pitch-perfect harmonies which are the song's calling card. Two songs later, the band ended their set to overwhelming pleas to "keep playing," "play one more," and "please come back soon!"

I found a huge grin on my face watching these events unfold. I've had some early form of the band's demos for their upcoming LP Ragged Wood (Sub Pop) in my possession since June, and have listened religiously ever since. I didn't even expect to get to even see the Seattleites anytime soon, nonetheless with a hundred or so other rabid fans, and it made me happy to be where I was. I have a feeling the next time Fleet Foxes comes my way they'll be bringing with them a good deal of notoriety, and I sure hope I'm right.

Before all this happened, however, Robin sat down with us in the tiny second green room at the Exit/In to talk about Nashville, Bon Iver, and guitar strings, and play three songs for your aural and visual pleasure. Enjoy, and please be sure to pick up Fleet Foxes newly released Sun Giant EP at insound.

Editor's note: PLEASE click the links to watch the HD versions. I guess Vimeo doesn't allow hd embedding, and the difference in quality is a marked one. It's hard work putting these things together and I wish for you to enjoy them in the best quality possible.

STREAM THE HD VERSION HERE!

[mp3] Fleet Foxes - Katie Cruel (Live - Backstage Session)
[mp4] Fleet Foxes - Katie Cruel (Live - Backstage Session - HD Video)


STREAM THE HD VERSION HERE!

[mp3] Fleet Foxes - Oliver James (Live - Backstage Session)
[mp4] Fleet Foxes - Oliver James (Live - Backstage Session - HD Video)


STREAM THE HD VERSION HERE!

[mp3] Fleet Foxes - Innocent Son (Live - Backstage Session)
[mp4] Fleet Foxes - Innocent Son (Live - Backstage Session - HD Video)


Watch more Backstage Sessions Here.

Wait, you're really surprised Michael Stipe is gay?

So a few days ago Stereogum breaks how REM frontman Michael Stipe is officially gay....and people freak out sort of. Really? I mean, in the history of secretly gay gay people, Michael Stipe is the most obvious there is. That's not even to speak of the fact that one stereogum commenter pointed out that he actually officially came out in 2001.

FURTHERMORE, none of this should matter. Gay or not, Stipe is still making pretty great music, and you can buy his band's new record on April 1. So stop being surprised at something you should've already known and go look for a leak of Accelerate

I can't confirm, but I heard Elton John MIGHT be gay too.

No seriously, Death Cab is going to possess your freaking heart!

I mean, you're welcome to try to keep it for your own, but it's pointless. Ben Gibbard it going to take your freaking precious heart ad he's going to make it his. He's not renting it or checking it out, he's not just going to take it home and play with it for a while then give it back, it won't simply be in his hands for a few hours, he is going to absolutely claim ownership of it.

Apparently he's chose to do it with a wonderful 4 minute noise solo which leads in to the rest of an eight-and-a-half minute single! That's like, as close to punk rock as you can come, right? As I understand it, there's no radio edit either. I think that's really awesome.

Walla hits a grand slam behind the boards here too. Noise solos, weird panned and stacked vocal delays, and a vocal treatment that sounds like it went down live.

Have your heart possessed on May 13th by Atlantic Records, when Narrow Stairs descends on the earth.

Death Cab for Cutie will possess your money!

Days are just drops in the river

Tonight Jeff, Ethan, & I will brave the thunderstorms and possible tornadoes to go record and then watch Fleet Foxes play music. We're pretty psyched, understandably, as I've been spinning the Sun Giant EP and what I have of their full length for several months religiously. When you like a band that's just getting started who live in Seattle it's rare you get to see them in Nashville, so thanks to Blitzen Trapper for taking them on tour I guess!

If you haven't bought Sun Giant yet......you better.

Do it here.

[mp3] Fleet Foxes - Drops in the River

Too little, too late

The world of ironic covers is a tricky one. Sure, they're funny, and memorable when you see them live, but that's about it. Very few actually have any sticking power with me, a few exceptions being SSLYBY doing "Crazy", Ted Leo doing "Since U Been Gone", and now this. Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear (in the blue up there) sings the JOJO, er....classic, Too Little Too Late!

This is in a league of it's own. It's not done as a joke at all, it's done by someone who saw a great song in the over-glossy and annoying shell of a tween pop song and brought the beauty out in a quite real way. Beautiful.

[mp3] Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear - Too Little, Too Late

Buy Grizzly Bear music.

Street Horrrsing

I love bands that are fully committed to staying out of major publications, mtv, and the like. Not because they are heroes of holier-than-thou indie elitism, simply because I can rest assured they're totally in it for the right reasons.

Such is the case with, uh.....F**k Buttons, the wonderful UK duo who makes intensely fierce instrumental psych-jams that sound like a cross between a LOST score, the amazonian rain forest, and a really awesome nightmare. As intense as that sounds, I promise it's nowhere near the blissful freak-out you experience when listening to this record at ear-blistering volumes in the dark.

Do it. Now.


Buy the record at insound.

Backstage Sessions : Now in HD!

Yes friends, that's right! All Backstage Sessions from here on out shall be shot in glorious high definition! Vimeo, unlike Youtube, offers HD streaming, meaning you'll be able to watch the sessions in full screen HD video comparable to that of a DVD.

You can see some footage of what our new camera can do here.

Back to the future,
Caleb

Bon Iver : Hard To Find a Friend's Backstage Sessions

Hard to Find a Friend Presents : The Backstage Sessions
Featuring : Bon Iver
Exit / In : Nashville, TN

I wasn't sure how Bon Iver's wonderful new record, For Emma, Forever Ago (Jagjaguwar), would translate to a live setting. The record is intimate, sure, but it's also filled with intricate layers of huge harmonies and has an incredible sense of dynamics that I was nervous would be ill-represented by a three-man band. Luckily, my fears were completely unfounded, the show was amazing. But before all that went down, we had the pleasure of hanging out and recording a few songs backstage for your eyes and ears.

For Emma, Forever Ago is available now via Jagjaguwar. It can, and should be, purchased here.

A note from the editor: The friendly folks at Jagjaguwar have requested we not make any of these files available for download, rather only for stream. This, of course makes us a bit sad since that is sort of our ethos for Backstage Sessions: listen, enjoy, stick A/V on device, listen and watch over and over again, but we are happy to comply with their wishes, and ask you do to. That is to say, please don't make mp3's to redistribute of these performances.
There are no plans for any future sessions to be stream-only, but if the copyright owner says so, we gotta do it! Thank you for reading, and thank you to Jagujaguwar for letting us do this!

Stream the Audio

Stream the Video

HTFAF's Totally Awesome "Spring is Here" Mixtape

I walked out the door today to sunny skies and a temperature in the mid-seventies. I couldn't be happier! One quick trip to the record store and a Grilled Chicken sandwich later I'm here transcribing the Spring playlist I made for the car. It is, as evidenced by it's name, totally awesome.


REMOVED

Buy ALL of these records at insound.

Bright Eyes : A Simpler Time

"Now I'm on a plane, off singin' my songs again, but please don't think ill of it, because it's the reason I exist," sings a young Conor Oberst on Entry Way Song, a poorly recorded mournful acoustic ballad. There was a day when I would've listened and grown so bored, but not anymore. See, Casadaga was my least favorite record Conor Oberst has ever made, and probably ever will make. It was too easy! Where was the positively unbearable pain that haunted you into our hearts, Conor?

So this is a celebration of the often bad, always poorly recorded, but inexplicably great songs Conor used to churn out with the help of Mike Mogis, Andy Lemaster, and all the closeted skeletons he could dig up.

[mp3] Bright Eyes - I Won't Ever Be Happy Again
[mp3] Bright Eyes - Soon You'll Be Leaving Your Man
[mp3] Bright Eyes - Pioneer's Park
[mp3] Bright Eyes - Entry Way Song
[mp3] Bright Eyes - Drunk Kid Catholic

Buy Bright Eyes records.

Radiohead, Announce the Rest of Your Tour Already!

So Radiohead reveals a bunch of dates and says the rest are "coming soon" leaving you with a list of cities but no dates or venues or prices or anything. It's been a lot longer than would fall accurately under "soon," and I'm getting impatient.

I plan on attending the Chicago show one way or another, even if it means selling some possessions should the On-Sale dates fall on bad financial days for me. Of course, we don't know when that is yet, but you can keep checking (like me) right here. In the meantime here are two live tracks so we can play pretend and a nsfw titled b-side for the heck of it!

[mp3] Radiohead - In My Mind (Acoustic - Live)

Buy Radiohead records.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin + Via Audio Tour!

Seriously: if you only go to one show this spring: make it Radiohead. If you go to two, make it one of these! The band who made my favorite record of last year (the latter) and the band who made my favorite album of this year (the former) are going on tour! What good did I do to deserve this? I'll see you at the Atlanta and Memphis dates, kiddos.

Below are two early version's of tracks from the forthcoming SSLYBY LP, Pershing (Polyvinyl - April 8)

[mp3] Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Dead Right (Live on WRUR)
[mp3] Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Boring Fountain (Early Demo)

The Dates
04-12 Columbia, MO - The Blue Note *
04-15 Indianapolis, IN - Locals Only *
04-16 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle *
04-18 Toronto, Ontario - El Mocambo *
04-19 Montreal, Quebec - TBA *
04-20 Allston, MA - Great Scott *
04-21 Brooklyn, NY - Union Hall *
04-22 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge *
04-23 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's *
04-24 Washington, DC - Black Cat Backstage *
04-26 Charleston, SC - The Map Room *
04-27 Atlanta, GA - The Earl *
04-29 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone Cafe *

Buy Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin & Via Audio records at insound, yo!

Vampire Weekend's SNL Performance's

Bummer! I was really psyched to see it, but when the dust settled, a bit underwhelming. I mean, the guys were given a prime opportunity to play the most energetic and awesome two song set of their life, and the whole thing felt really non-nonchalant.

Then there was song choice. m79 is my least favorite track on the record! Don't get me wrong I still love the record and VW themselves, but I guess I was hoping for something a bit more grandiose?

[mp3] Vampire Weekend - M79

Happy Birthday to me

It's my birthday no time to blog. I am going to see, and record a Backstage Session with, Bon Iver. More on that soon.

[mp3] Bright Eyes - Happy Birthday to Me

Hard to Find a Friend's 10 Bands Not to Miss at SXSW

I considered very strongly going to this year's SXSW. Unfortunately, in the end, by the time I would've had the funds to go it would have been much too late to book a reasonably priced flight+hotel. This will not stop me from telling you who are going what to see though! It's a public service, friends, my civic duty if you will.

I will not focus on things you already know - bands you've likely heard of - so if you're wondering why I don't suggest seeing R.E.M. at midnight, simply know it's because you shouldn't need help deciding to see those!

Ten Bands you shouldn't miss:

The Cotton Jones Basket Ride:
Who? - Michael Nau, the frontman of Page France & Peace on Earth contributor.
When! Where? - March 12, Soho Lounge - 8:50 PM
[mp3] The Cotton Jones Basket Ride - To Death With You

Throw Me The Statue
Who? - These guys. Seattle Bedroom Pop masters.
When! Where? - Mar 13, Mohawk - 8:00 PM
[mp3] Throw Me The Statue - About to Walk

Via Audio
Who? The people who made my favorite record of last year. Also Peace on Earth contributors.
When! Where? Mar 13, Habana Annex (SXSW Official Showcase) - 11:45 + 5 other shows (see here)
[mp3] Via Audio - Modern Day Saint

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Who? - Makers of my favorite record of this year, Pershing (Polyvinyl - 4/8).
When! Where? Mar 14, Volume - 3:00 pm (Paste Showcase) + 4 other shows (see here)
[mp3] Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Think I Wanna Die

Fleet Foxes
Who? Your new favorite band. Seriously. And participants in a soon-coming Backstage Session
When! Where? - Mar 14, Emo's - 3:30 PM (Pitchfork Showcase)
[mp3] Fleet Foxes - English House

Quiet Company
Who? Austin locals, makers of pleasing piano-pop, and yes, Peace on Earth contributors.
When! Where? - Mar 12, The Light Bar - 2:00 PM
[stream] Quiet Company - And Then Came....

Centro-matic
Who? The best live band in America.
When! Where? One show only - March 12, Brazo's - 1:00 AM (Misra Showcase)
[mp3] Centro-matic - Calling Thermatico

Earlimart
Who? - Proud owners of a beautiful and understated melodic pop empire.
When! Where? Mar 12, Austin Convention Center (Bat Stage) - 7:00 PM
[Stream] Earlimart - Bloody Nose

Anathallo
Who? The original Indie Rock marching band.
When! Where? Mar 12, Mohawk - 12:45 PM (Gothamist Party)
[mp3] Anathallo - Hanasakajiji (Great Wind, More Ash)

White Rabbits
Who? Awesome band from Brooklyn, touring with Spoon.
When! Where? Mar 15, Club De Ville - 3:00 PM (Hot Freaks Party)
[mp3] White Rabbits - The Plot

WINNER: Costa+Rice Giveaway

The Winner of two tickets to Saturday's Johnathan Rice + Matt Costa show at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville is: Taylor Hackbarth (seriously awesome last name). Check your email, Taylor!

Thanks to Tristen at Filter PR for hooking us up!

A word on my absense, or, where have you gone?

I can explain, really! I have not blogged in one week for I was on a very unexpected week long trip to Syracuse, NY to see some family. My grandfather died rather unexpectedly last Friday and my entire family packed it in a van to go up there last minute for the services and to spend time with the fam.

Anyways, I'm back now, that's what's important, so come back expecting normal activity, friends.

[mp3] Chris Walla - Too Gone