Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Ich bin krank

Today I am sick. Regardless, I have heard some great things lately that I wanted to turn you onto.

First is 13 Ghosts, a band from Birmingham, Alabama with a penchant for lyrically dark songs that are thrust into your ears on the sturdy wings of cathartic instrumentation. RIYL: Blitzen Trapper, Neil Young, Bright Eyes, Band of Horses.
13 Ghosts--Various Songs--Myspace

"Whip Poor Will"


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Next is Eden Express, a Memphis-based Tropicalia/Folk trio which just released their debut, que Amors Que, on Holy Mountain. This warm, slinky fare is perfect for a poolside tequila or an early morning beach romp. Or perhaps a sunrise stroll down a cobblestone street, your brain swimming backstroke while the salty breeze whispers against your face. Regardless, listen to these tracks and you'll feel better than you did before.

Eden Express--Various Songs--Myspace

Thursday, September 18, 2008

New Dead Confederate Demo, "Mob Scene"


God, I feel like this is a Dead Confederate blog. It's a good thing they have their own blog now. Here's a recent post featuring a new demo that bassist Brantley Senn wrote, titled "Mob Scene.


From deadconfederate.typepad.com:

I wrote and recorded a new tune today at home. It's kind of ridiculous. I'm really not sure yet if it's good or rubbish. But it WAS a lot of fun making. I'm releasing my inner Beck.

Anyway, here it is, in all it's glory. Free. Exclusive. Mp3.

Download - Mob Scene.mp3 (192 kbs)

Mob Scene (Lyrics)
Hail hail, God's dead, I'm wet
Soaked in a Roman bath of gold and green
Back back, hard stares, envy
Gotta get clean I got my maker to meet
Down down, hard ground, mob scene
The Proles in the gallery are letting off steam
Back back, handshakes, crooked smiles
Had enough of hangin' round just so you can take what's mine

Did I mention that it's ridiculously short?
-B

Sounds like Brantley has been listening to some TVOTR. Still an interesting track with some killer lyrics.

Dead Confederate myspace

Title Tickler?!?!?!?



My brother, Mac, has a new blog, TitleTickler.com, dedicated to the Georgia Bulldogs' march to the BCS Championship. Check it out. His coffee-fueled postings read like meth-ridden, avant-garde literature. The site is not only piss-your-pants hilarious for that reason, but also because he posts numerous pictures of mustaches--most of which are of his--being grown during this football season. The Dawgs are undefeated so far. My Tarheels are as well, perhaps due to the fact that I have a mustache of my own.


Here's hopin' that the Heels and the Dawgs can keep their streaks alive this weekend!


And here's a Band of Horses cover of "The End's Not Near" by The New Year. TNY has a self titled new record out. Pick it up, here.

"The End's Not Near"(by The New Year)--Band of Horses

Ben Bridwell is a self-proclaimed Bulldog fan. Makes brother Mac and I even bigger fans of the band.
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Oh, almost forgot. you might recognize Parker Gispert, front man of the Whigs, in that picture with Mac. Well I got this little update from him last night.

Yoohoo FOLKS,

The Whigs will bring in the new year by joining forces with Band of Horses December 30th and 31st at Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse. These shows are already on-sale and are close to selling out so purchase your tickets today if you want to assure yourself a spot. Also, the Whigs will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Wednesday October 29th so set your tape machines / DVR / Tivo, etc. Finally, the Whigs have new T-shirts for their fall tour. Check them out HERE. ROCK!!!!!!!!


So that looks pretty swell if you ask me. That's all for now. Take 'er easy.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Monday, Monday, Monday

First, I rediscovered on of my favorite artists/bands in the past week. That artist is Josh T. Pearson, a Pentecostal grizzly who used to sing and play in Lift to Experience. That Denton, Texas-based outfit influenced Explosions in the Sky. Check out a video of him singing "The Clash." I saw this song live last spring in Amsterdam.

Here is a video of LTE performing "These Are the Days," from The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads.



You should buy this album today. If you aren't convinced, listen to what my buddy Jon, a booking agent, said about the record in a note to our friend, Lowry, a Yale Law student.
"not christian rock. will blow your fucking mind. suicide and my bloody valentine
meet townes van zandt on 9/11. listen to the whole thing in one sitting."

I couldn't say it any better myself. Also, Jon fell asleep listening to the record the other and woke up with his headphone cords wrapped around his neck. So be careful, this thing has serious power.

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OK people, the day is near. Tomorrow, Dead Confederate releases Wrecking Ball. Here is their new video for lead single, "The Rat," directed by stop-motion artist Pamela Littky. She has also directed videos for Tom Waits and the Raconteurs.



And a live video of "It Was A Rose," from the dingy depths of the Cave in Chapel Hill.






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A little humor to lighten the mood on this muggy Monday.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Morning

Greetings, somewhat of a news feed this morning.

First, a gritty video from All the Saints' show at the Death by Audio space in Brooklyn, featuring four new songs, including "Percival," "Daughters," "Untitled (Listen Boy)," and "Half Red Half Way."


all the saints live at death by audio (brooklyn) august 2nd, 2008 from acid marshmallow IV on Vimeo.

Also, check out my brother's blog, titletickler.com. He's been bloggin' a lot more than I have lately. I reckon I need to pick it up.

Here is a video of My Morning Jacket playing Evil Urges' "Touch Me, Pt. 2" on the Black Cab Sessions. It's just Jim and Carl, but it's still very, very awesome.



Next, I have finally found my favorite band in Chapel Hill, Americans in France. Some serious indie/punk dynamics from this trio. Missed them on Saturday night at Nightlight, but certainly won't make that mistake again.

9/9- at the Cradle, the Whigs are opening for Tokyo Police Club. Not the biggest fan of the headliner, but I know the opener always brings the rawk.

9/16-Wrecking Ball, the full length debut from Dead Confederate comes out. Check out American Songwriter's interview with lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Hardy Morris, here. In addition to touring with Heartless Bastards and Catfish Haven this fall, DC will play on October 10th on the Conan O'Brien Show.

Dead Confederate is also streaming new tracks from their album on their myspace. Check out "Yer Circus," which leads me to imagine a UFO fleet coasting above a dried-out cornfield.

Another thing, I am now a DJ on WXYC, UNC-Chapel Hill's radio station. My set is from 6-8 on Thursday Mornings. Stream it live here.


Oh, and finally. This.