Folk roundup

Here are a few folksy songs from two bands with kind of darkly-Americana themed names that found their way into my inbox recently that I have been enjoying. The first is a rather hipstery music video (read: full of polaroid pictures, scruffy facial hair, and plaid shirts) by Keane side-project Mt. Desolation.



The second is a song by Midwest Dilemma, from Nebraska who kind of remind me of one of my other favorite Midwestern folk bands, Frontier Ruckus, but without a saw and harmonica. This song is "Great Depression," something that is unfortunately quite relevant and relatable to us now. In fact, I really like their album name and think it is quite zeitgeisty* for our current cultural climate: Timelines & Tragedies. And the more I listen to this song, the more and more I enjoy it and notice the rich instrumentation. Loving the tuba in particular.

Great Depression [mp3] - ( Amazon / iTunes )

*Yes, I know "zeitgeisty" isn't a real word.

Lelia Broussard

Indie-Pop songwriter Leila Broussard is about to release her third full-length, Masquerade, on November 2nd. Working with Producer Dan Romer (Ingrid Michaelson, Jenny Owens Youngs) gives rise to top-notch driving folk/pop gems amicable to the masses, but if you listen to some of her slower songs you'll find that the girl has some serious pipes. Check here for Leila's upcoming tour dates and preorder the album here.

Satellite [mp3]

Internation Finds: Izabo

Izabo is from Tel Aviv, and will be making their US debut at CMJ this year. Their songs are catchy and danceable. If you like bands like the Ting Tings, The Bravery, Hot Hot Heat, etc, you are sure to like these guys. Below is a new music video that, though it's kinda cute, looks a little bit like a giant iPhone commercial...

Yard Dogs Road Show & Lady Rizo at Highline Ballroom

Last night I saw the Yard Dogs Road Show at Highline Ballroom. The Yard Dogs describe themselves as "a hobo cabaret, a living patchwork of vaudeville and rock and roll." They put on a hell of a show, filled with wild costumed characters, a trio of lovely burlesque dancers, elaborate props and feats of daring.

While made up of talented singers and musicians, their songs are really inextricable from the performances, so the video above is definitely the best introduction – and a strong incentive to catch one of the remaining shows on their fall tour:

Sept 28 / Lexington, KY / Buster's Billiards and Backroom
Sept 29 / Nashville, TN / Exit/In
Sept 30 / Knoxville, TN / Bijou Theatre
Oct 1 / Asheville, NC / Orange Peel
Oct 2 / Charlotte, NC / Neighborhood Theatre
Oct 3 / Atlanta, GA / Masquerade
Oct 6 / New Orleans, LA / Republic New Orleans
Oct 8 / Denver, CO / Ogden Theatre
Oct 31 / Petulama, CA / Mystic Theatre
Nov 4 / Bend, OR / Domino Room
Nov 5 / Eugene, OR / WOW Hall
Nov 6 / Portland, OR / Wonder Ballroom
Nov 7 / Seattle, WA / Triple Door
Nov 26 / San Francisco, CA / The Independent
Nov 27 / San Francisco, CA / The Independent

The opening act was Lady Rizo, a local "comedienne and chanteuse" who performs popular songs in a cabaret/burlesque style. She has a serious voice, is backed by a serious band, and is also seriously funny. Once again, the visual is necessary to the experience, so I recommend her renditions of "Halo" and "Blame It On the Alcohol", courtesy of YouTube.

Lady Rizo has a monthly residency at Joe's Pub and is also playing the Highline again in late October accompanied by her burlesque troupe, the Assettes:

Oct 9 / Click and Drag 3.2: Age of Aquarius / Santos Party House
Oct 22 / Joe's Pub
Oct 30 / Highline Ballroom (with the Assettes)
Nov 19 / Joe's Pub

Brit & The Cavalry

Brit & The Cavalry are a Brooklyn-based indie band about to release their second EP Hiker on October 12th. The band formed when Brit put forth her debut EP Chapter One and came to the realization that performing live would be a bit tricky without more hands, so the Calvary swooped in and saved the day. With the addition of some strings, some brass, guitars and drums, the group have put forth a work of palatial orchestrated pop-rock that pulls you in with its confidence and intrigues you with its diversity. The taster below, "Hiker," is obviously a rock number with a melodious hook, but get the album and find the Californian-chill plucked string pop track "The Sun," or the slow jam "The Great Forest Divide" that isn't quite rock, isn't quite folk. If you're in the NYC area, Brit & The Cavalry are holding their record release show Friday, October 15th at 9pm at Pianos. Check them out.

Hiker [mp3]

Win free Sharon Jones tickets, plus a chance to meet her at the show!

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings launched a Twitter contest today for fans to win tickets to any show on the band’s current US tour. The ticket winner will also get to meet and take his/her picture with Sharon at the show, and have it posted on the band’s official website! Check out the band’s website for tour dates, more info and the Tweet button which you’ll need to click on to enter the contest.

I Learned the Hard Way [mp3] - ( Amazon / iTunes )

CMJ 2010 Line-up

CMJ has announced 99% of their music line-up (they're still booking a few bands) and once again it looks like this highly anticipated event will live up to its reputation. The festival runs from October 20 - October 23, with 5 different venues and 7 shows. Some of the bands I'm excited to see: Swingset Committee, Bear Hands, Brahms, Anni Rossi, and Arpline.


For those of you who are not familiar with CMJ, it is not just about the music. The film component is still tba, but some of the panels look interesting (like "Hey Mr. DJ, Put A Record On…A Real One"). The fest is also introducing CMJ Play for the first time this year, a one day event that is a "cross-pollination of the vibrant cultural forces between music and gaming." This makes me immediately think of the 8-bit band Fang Island. Perhaps an appearance will be in store? 


With general admission badges at a whopping $495 and student badges at $295, I have one word for you: Volunteer! 

Ok Go Does It Again

Ok Go has released another one-take music video for their song "White Knuckles," but this time they incorporate animals. It's fantastic.

Dr. Dog - "Shadow People" Video

Check out Dr. Dog's new video for their song "Shadow People." I love this song, and I think they did a really nice job with the video. It's kind of adorable/heart-warming.

Elizabeth & The Catapult New Release The Other Side of Zero

The Other Side of Zero is the follow-up to Elizabeth & The Catapult's debut album Taller Children and set to hit stores October 25th. "If I had to compare our albums," says Elizabeth Ziman, "I'd say Taller Children has the sarcastic lightness of a Woody Allen film, and the new record's more like Kubrick or Lynch- a little darker, a little more tongue-in-cheek."

The first noticeable aspect is that unlike Taller Children, this new album doesn't seem to have any stand-out pop tracks that scream "radio play." Taller Children had the fun, catchy, hook-laden earworms of "Taller Children," "Momma's Boy" and "Race You" primed to get stuck in your head, but The Other Size of Zero lacks this air of simplicity. This isn't a compilation of simple fun indie pop songs - this album has mature sturdy tracks, more complex in construction and meaning. That's not to say the album isn't radio-friendly, on the contrary, many tracks could be easily singled. At the moment, the swaggering "The Horse & The Missing Cart" is the single on the airwaves, but "(Time) We All Fall Down," "You & Me," and "Julian, Darling" would equally suit. But it's not the same sort of pop single sound we've heard before. These tracks are more enigmatic, rhythmic and unnerving.

There are tracks I simply did not expect from usually upbeat Elizabeth & The Catapult. Much of the album incorporates slower Rufus Wainwright-esque ballads, like "Open Book," "The Other Size of Zero," and the excellent snide melancholy "Thank You For Nothing," where Elizabeth sings, "Thank you loving me, thank you for leaving/ Thank you for promising and then promptly forgetting." This is a far cry from Taller Children's "Race You." It seems we've fast-forward from the giggles and fun of a budding relationship and gone straight to the cold and hurtful breakup process. The remarkably beautiful closer "Do Not Hang Your Head," sounds like a lost song from Sarah McLachlan's Afterglow album with spacious resonating vocals, pensive reverberating piano and a message of rebirth.

The stark difference between this album and their peppy debut works in Elizabeth & the Catapult's favor and signifies growth. It's greatest trait is that even the upbeat songs come across as somewhat distressing and regretful - "Thank goodness for that," Elizabeth says, "Ultimately that's the only way I'd feel comfortable singing them." The Other Size of Zero is chock-full of interesting pieces, sometimes obviously choleric or solemn and other times veiling its note of distaste, but each and every track has weight, purpose and, most importantly, meaning.

Standout tracks: Thank You For Nothing, Julian Darling, Open Book, The Horse & The Missing Cart, Do Not Hang Your Head

Previously: GFP interviews Elizabeth

Pygmalion Festival 2010

If you live near the Chicago area, or even better, two hours south in Champaign-Urbana, you best get your tickets for the Pygmalion Festival, beginning September 22nd. We love the Pygmalion because it's like Coachella and SXSW combined - there's big named bands and there's emerging artists, all in the same place. Check out the festival's schedule here and buy your passes here.

The Line Up:
of Montreal * Janelle Monae * Built to Spill * Roky Erickson w/Okkervil River * Caribou * Ted Leo & The Pharmacists * Cut Chemist * Cap’n Jazz * Surfer Blood * Plastician * Holy Fuck * +/- (Plus Minus) * Those Darlins * Fang Island * Cults * Owen * Colour Revolt * David Dondero * Candy Claws * Turbo Fruits * Light Pollution * Butterfly Bones * The Chain Gang of 1974 * Common Loon * Community College * Darren Hanlon * Deathtram * Dirty Feathers * DJ Belly * DJ Mertz * DJ Solo * Drink Up Buttercup * The Duke of Uke & His Novelty Orchestra * Famicom * Elsinore * Gold Motel * Grandkids * Jared Bartman * Jimmy Gnecco * Lookbook * Nameloc * New Ruins * The Poison Control Center * Pomegranates * Revolt Revolt * Royal Bangs * Santah * So Long Forgotten * Take Care * Unwed Sailor * The Viper & His Famous Orchestra * Why I Like Robins * Withershins * World’s First Flying Machine

Ellie Goulding Set To Release US Debut EP

You may remember her as one of artists we told you to watch for in 2010 after falling in love at first listen, and turns out, 23 year-old UK singer Ellie Goulding has indeed done quite well for herself this year. Goulding's full length release Lights went to #1 on the UK chart in March of 2010 and she won the 3rd annual Brit's Critics Choice Award, the same award that went to Adele and Florence and the Machine in years past. Now Ellie is releasing her debut EP An Introduction To Ellie Goulding stateside on September 21st, with plans for a special US full length release of Lights to come in 2011. If you haven't heard of her yet, give a listen to the track below, and if you don't find yourself completely sold, give a listen to my favorite track.

Wish I Stayed [mp3]

New releases: Of Montreal & Beats Antique

Of Montreal and I more or less amicably parted ways a few albums back. I feel like they've gotten a lot less dynamic and interesting as the music's become more overwhelmingly electronic and the lyrics more introspective and overtly perversely sexual. But Kevin Barnes is undoubtedly a bit of a genius, and I can't help but appreciate his songwriting and bouncy, overloaded, off-the-wall style. The band is served very well this time (as anyone would be) by some studio assistance from Jon Brion. Sonically, those overloaded elements are arranged more successfully so that they don't hinder the overall experience of the song. I find the album's highlights to be the tracks featuring Janelle Monáe ("Our Riotous Defects" and "Enemy Gene") and Solange Knowles ("Sex Karma"). The closing track, "You Do Mutilate?", is also fairly epic and gloriously weird, but I recommend getting there via the rest of the album. I'm offering "Like a Tourist", a crunchy number that features some of the discofied Of Montreal basslines and guitar riffs I've always loved.

Of Montreal - Like a Tourist [mp3] (Polyvinyl)

They've also embarked on what is likely to be a pretty interesting tour with Ms. Monáe, whose performance will apparently be integrated with that of the band. I'm considering checking out the show in NYC on Saturday night.

Sept 14 / Washington, DC / 9:30 Club
Sept 15 / Philadelphia, PA / Electric Factory
Sept 16 / Boston, MA / House of Blues
Sept 17 / New York, NY / Terminal 5
Sept 18 / New York, NY / Terminal 5
Sept 19 / Buffalo, NY / Town Ballroom
Sept 20 / Royal Oak, MI / Royal Oak Music Theatre
Sept 21 / Covington, KY / Madison Theater
Sept 22 / Urbana, IL / Pygmalion Music Festival @ Canopy Club
Sept 23 / Minneapolis, MN / First Avenue
Sept 24 / Milwaukee, WI / Pabst Theater

Beats Antique definitely knows how to strike a harmonic balance between acoustic instruments and electronics, and I think their new album is their best yet. It's not a bold new direction by any means, but more cohesive, energetic and fun. Like the Of Montreal record, it makes good and sparing use of featured artists: "Rising Tide" featuring Lynx is, to a certain extent, a bona fide traditional pop song, and a very good one at that; and "There Ya Go" features some sweet harmonica work from none other than John Popper. Nominal album closer "Merry Go Round" also has a straighter hip-hop vibe than usual, which is a welcome development. But I've chosen to include "Daze" below, which is a more traditional, instrumental and completely solid Beats Antique track.

Beats Antique - Daze [mp3] (CD Baby)

A couple of sidenotes:

(1) This Sunday I watched the MTV Video Music Awards live, in its entirety, for the first time in many years. I was painfully regretting that decision until the last five minutes, when Aziz Ansari introduced Kanye West's performance of "Runaway". It might have been the contrast with the endless, soulless spectacle that preceded it, but I just think this is the greatest thing ever. Let's have a toast for the douchebags.

(2) Puppet Playlist is "a bi-monthly evening of puppetry and music by some of New York's most interesting puppeteers and singer-songwriters." I've never witnessed this before, but if you're in the area, this week seems like a good time to check it out, since they're taking on Stop Making Sense by the Talking Heads. There are three performances, two tomorrow (Wednesday) evening and one on Thursday evening, followed by a bit of an afterparty at a bar around the corner.

Puppet Playlist #8: Talking Heads
The Tank
354 W 45th St, btwn 8th & 9th Ave
$7 advance / $8 at the door

Wed, Sept 15 @ 7:30pm & 9:30pm
Thu, Sept 16 @ 7:30pm

Callers

As much as I want to grasp tightly onto summer, I've noticed that it is starting to get darker earlier as the days go on. This can only call for bluesy/post-punk music; the kind that's chilling and has no remorse. Like Caller's "You Are an Arc," off of their sophomore album Life of Love.  Sarah Lucas of the Brooklyn trio  belts with a St. Vincent-esque crooning staccato that makes your blood rush. If you like what you hear, check out their upcoming gigs in Brooklyn.  

You Are an Arc - [mp3]

9/19 @ Littlefield (with Charlie Looker)

9/26 @ Zebulon (with Highlife)

How Retro

First I want to apologize for not writing in a while (both to my readers and to my other writers), and for the fact that over the next few weeks, there may not be posts every day as I am in the process of moving, which I'm sure most of you know is very time-consuming.

Anyway, today I'm posting two songs that, upon first listen, I initially thought were "oldies," because of their retro song but then quickly realized they were very current. I also have to say, for someone like me who doesn't always love the style of oldies, I really like these songs.

The first one has kind of an early '60s sound to me, with simple drums, metallic guitars, spacious vocals and Beach Boy-esque harmonies.

Witchcraft [mp3] - Matt Costa ( Amazon / iTunes )

The second song has more of a classic rock sound, with laid-back rambling/rolling verses, relaxed vocals, and then the quintessential hair-metal-esque guitar interludes, plus high-pitched male back up vocals, all of which combine to make me want to get out a lighter and sway it back and forth in the air.

Rather Be With You [mp3] - Yukon Blonde ( Amazon / iTunes )

Arcade Fire Breaks New Barriers

In August 1981, Video killed the radio star on MTV. In August 2010, Arcade Fire radicalized the Video on the internet. The Wilderness Downtown - created by Chris Milk- is an interactive film that features their song "We Used to Wait." It is by far the most innovative form of experiencing music that we have seen in at least the past decade. Built in HTML5 and employing Google Chrome, The Wilderness Downtown evolves with user-based content that you determine before the video starts. You simply enter your hometown into their search bar and then watch as the video unravels.

The film focuses on a mysterious man running through the streets in search for clarity. This is a fairly reoccurring concept in music videos. The catch - and the novelty of it - is that these streets are moving images of your hometown. The organic flow of the video is bolstered by striking silhouettes of birds flying over the real-world images. As the video progresses, you are asked to write a letter to your past self. This too transforms, as your words branch out like trees and the silhouetted birds jump across the screen to carry the letter away.

What else is there to say about this music video?  It is both thrilling and cathartic to be a part of the creative process. And Arcade Fire's sweet harmonies and punctuated rhythms fully enhance the experience. While there is room for improvement in the technology, I'm excited to see how this type of video will progress within the year. 
 

Enjoy the experience of  The Wilderness Downtown
Purchase Arcade Fire's latest album: The Suburbs

Devo to Get Innovative at Moogfest

Moogfest announced today that Devo will win the Moog Innovation award this year at their upcoming festival at the end of October. "Moogfest is about celebrating the marriage of technology and art, fearlessly embracing the future while respecting the genre-definers of the past... [This award] celebrates artists that helped to catapult pop music into the future and commemorate those artists that boldly burst through established norms to pave the way forward... Devo are a perfect representation of innovative sound-sculpting and genre-defying electronic music. Like Bob Moog, Devo enthusiastically charted their own course and thus dramatically affected pop culture because of it." 

In addition to headlining the first night of the festival, the band is set to receive an elusive, "very special synthesizer" (one can only hope that it's an original from The Doors). In honor of the special award, enjoy watching Devo explain the wonders of the lazer disk. 

Willow Smith's First Single - Whip My Hair

Apparently Will Smith's 9 year old daughter Willow is giving music a go.

Mp3 Roundup

Yes Yes Yes - Elsinore [mp3] (iTunes) (site) Upbeat indie-pop from Champaign, IL's Ryan Groff who aspires to channel the work of Ben Gibbard and Sufjan Stevens.

Try To Understand - The Gay Blades [mp3] (site) The first single from the their upcoming album Savages, out October 5th. The type of elated pop-rock that infuse brass in the mix.

Framebreaker - Return to Mono [mp3] (site) The San Francisco electro rock trio leaked this track from their upcoming full length Framebreaker, a post-rock manifesto with muggy female vocals, electronic landscapes and grooving crunchy beats.

2 Weak - K. Flay [mp3] (site) This new female rapper samples Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks" and I'm not upset about it. Starting in October, she'll be touring with Passion Pit and Down With Webster.

I Cannot Be Saved- Tara Simmons [mp3] (iTunes) (site) From her EP of the same name, Tara delivers gently sweet pop with soft electronics that soothe and produce a sunny finish.

Labor Day Holiday

Sorry guys, the cast here at GFP have been enjoying the last gasp of summer and attending Minnesota State Fairs. We'll be back to our regular programming shortly.