Music and stuff

back from the dead, reporting from Cancun

2011-08-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

hey lovers.

It is Wednesday night. 1230am in Mexico.
I spent the day in Isla Mujeres with a nice man from Argentina. Wonderful photographer.
http://maxicabrini.blogspot.com/

I have been reading 'A Literate Passion' - letters between Henry Miller and Anais Nin (one of my favorite writers)
Of course one presumes this book only contains letters of romantic bliss or tumult... however, let the pages surprise you with their criticism and input and emotional gravity of knowing someone. Of believing in an artist. Being passionate about somebody without gaining anything because the unconditional respect is there. That is all.

Now music.
I have been touring nonstop since september. June was my first month "off"... however, in the time between, I have been spending it in the studio with Aaron Dessner, finishing our new record. I am happy to say, tracking is finished, mixing is almost complete, and we will have the record DONE in September, which (hopefully) means a February release. So get ready for new songs and a worldwide tour 2012.

Here are a few bands I can't stop listening to.
To be brief, short list of bands:
Bon Iver
The National
The War on Drugs
Wye Oak
Carter Tanton
Marissa Nadler
Pure X
The Antlers
Beirut
She Keeps Bees
Veronica Falls
Gardens & Villa
Austra
Noveller
Arp

Honestly, there is too much to say, but that is a beginning.

Here are a couple videos to sustain you.

Carter Tanton 'Murderous Joy'

Pure X 'Surface'

I am feeling more zen than ever.

Much love.

x

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." -- Anais Nin

I am Back!

2011-04-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! I am back in Brooklyn again. Just got back from an awesome tour with my band (Doug Keith, Ben Lord, thank you for kicking so much ass!) We toured with The National, who took amazing care of us in Europe, and as soon as we hit stateside, we did some US dates dpwn to SXSW with Ava Luna and afterwards, did a bulk of the dates with Little Scream (from Canada), who are such amazing people and musicians. You must check them out. Here is a new video of theirs.

I have been listening to a lot of John Cale, PJ Harvey, Kurt Vile, Callers, Wye Oak, Lower Dens, Simon Joyner, Pontiak, Small Black, and Low. It's such an amazing year for releases already. Here is a new video from Low. They are heroes of mine.

Okay, that's all for now. Off to enjoy this beautiful day. I am dog sitting in the West Village and I am going to walk around!

Gate - A Republic of Sadness

2010-07-21T16:09:00.001-07:00

Michael Morley of The Dead C is about to release his first solo record in over ten years.
Heavy beats, dirty guitar loops, and often indecipherable vocals, as if his lips are on the mic.
Painful, apocalyptic, yet light hearted New Zealand noise in a trance mood.

This album is amazing and will be in my constant rotation.

A vinyl only release of 1000 copies.
Strike while the iron is hot.
GO TO BA DA BING RECORDS WEBSITE AND ORDER NOW.

Lie down on the floor with us.

Listen to more Gate HERE.

WOOM

2010-05-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a new band that Ba Da Bing Records is putting out this summer.
Really excited for it!

YOU CAN LISTEN TO MORE WOOM AND SEE TOUR DATES HERE!

WOOM is playing two shows while passing through NYC...

5/18 @ Cake Shop w/ These are Powers ny, ny
5/19 @ Death by Audio brooklyn, ny

enjoy!

Shearwater / Wye Oak / Hospital Ships TOUR

2010-04-20T23:19:00.000-07:00

So I am about to embark on my first tour - WITHOUT having to play a single show!
I am lucky enough to get to tour manage Shearwater for their west coast dates.
I've got to say - I couldn't be more excited.

Their new album, The Golden Archipelago came out recently - and it's been on CONSTANT rotation in my car - wherever I drive. Whenever I give someone a ride, it's always playing. One of the best epic albums to come out in ages, in my opinion. (this is coming from a Talk Talk, OMD, Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac fan though... ) So now maybe you can see where I'm coming from.

Here are the upcoming dates:

* 04/22/10 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room
* 04/23/10 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress
* 04/24/10 – Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
* 04/25/10 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
* 04/27/10 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
* 04/28/10 – Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore
* 04/29/10 – Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
* 04/30/10 – Pullman, WA @ The Belltower
* 05/01/10 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux
* 05/02/10 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room
* 05/04/10 – Denver, CO @ The Walnut Room
* 05/05/10 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
* 05/07/10 – Austin, TX @ The Parish

And here is a video they did recently.

Feel free to email me about any details.
sharon.badabing@gmail.com

CHRIS KNOX BENEFIT SHOW - MAY 6th at Le Poisson Rouge

2010-03-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

CHRIS KNOX BENEFIT SHOW – MAY 6TH AT LE POISSON ROUGE

On Thursday, May 6th, 2010, Le Poisson Rouge, Wordless Music and WFMU will be hosting a benefit for New Zealand musician Chris Knox, who suffered a series of life-altering strokes last year. The show comes on the heels of Merge Records’ release of Stroke, a double album compilation of artists covering Knox songs with the proceeds going to benefit him and his family. All money raised for this event, save for circa $2,500 base costs to cover direct club expenses, is going straight to the Knox family.

Chris Knox’s presence and influence on New Zealand music can only properly be compared to the relationship between Caetano Veloso and Brazil, and Ali Farka Touré in Mali. He started as one of the first and most highly regarded Kiwi punk rock musicians in the late seventies, and went on to be known for his work as a comic artist, television host, film reviewer and music producer for releases on the illustrious Flying Nun roster. His work as Tall Dwarfs (with Alec Bathgate) and as a solo artist has influenced musicians far beyond his country’s borders, as evidenced by the lineup for this show.

Artists, all of whom will be performing shorter than typical sets, at Le Poisson Rouge include Yo La Tengo, Portastatic, Kyp Malone (TV On The Radio), Claudia Gonson (The Magnetic Fields), comedian John Mulaney and Sharon Van Etten. Additionally, New Zealand will be represented by one of the only bands who can be considered a rival to Knox’s influence, The Clean, solo sets by Clean members Robert Scott and David Kilgour, as well as Dimmer, whose leader Shayne Carter is best known on these shores from his years of fronting the seminal Straitjacket Fits. In addition, we are pleased to announce the night will include a very short acoustic set by Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel, his first public performance in over a decade. The event will be partially recorded to broadcast on WFMU at a later date, as well as on New Zealand community radio stations like Radio 1 in Dunedin.

Tickets will be made available via Kickstarter.com next Tuesday, March 30th. Kickstarter is a great new website where people can directly support projects they love. All tickets purchased will be for the person who bought the ticket – i.e. there will be no way to scalp. If a ticket buyer is purchasing the tickets for somebody else, they will be required to provide the name of that person upon purchasing to secure the spot. We will be holding a separate fundraiser on Kickstarter to cover transport costs for the artists; people who donate will receive the Stroke 2xCD comp. Keep watch on Kickstarter for information like ticket price (they won’t be cheap – it’s a benefit!) and other salient details. There will be no guest lists whatsoever. I will be buying a ticket, and so will you if you plan to attend.

In addition to the music, New Zealand goodies will be on hand thanks to contributions from various organizations. For instance, we’re going to have meat pies from Dub Pies in Park Slope!

For more information, please contact Ben Goldberg, ben@badabingrecords.com, 917-922-9035

Picastro, Scout Niblett, and Center Divider Tonight @ Union Pool 3/12

2010-03-12T07:36:00.000-08:00

Picastro

My friend Liz is in town from Toronto playing as Picastro tonight in Brooklyn at Union Pool.

SO excited to see the show. Scout Niblett is amazing and so is Center Divider!

“Picastro mine music from the most extreme intersection of beauty and melancholy.” -Pitchfork

“experimental and darkly lovely in equal measure.” -PopMatters

Lost in the Shuffle

2010-01-29T11:01:00.000-08:00

So I just got back from tour! It was really great. Got to play with Peter Wolf Crier, who is an AMAZING band from Minneapolis. You must check out. On top of it, they are super funny and sweet and laughed at my puns.

Along the way out to the midwest, I had my ipod on shuffle... and I realized that I didn't know I had half of the music on there that I did. After retrieving it from a friend that had it for about 6 months, I noticed just how much music people have given me... I came across songs I didn't even know I had and/or forgot about completely... and I added my favorites to my "on the go" mix.

So.... Here is my playlist from my tour with Bowerbirds... and the songs that got lost in the shuffle... (bad pun, i know...)

I am part of the ipod generation.
Somewhat reluctantly... I admit.

How to Actively Support the Music you Love – By Brian McTear, Weathervane Music

2009-12-07T09:33:00.000-08:00

[THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON THE FUTURE OF MUSIC COALITION’S WEBSITE. THANKS TO KRISTIN THOMSON AND CASEY RAE-HUNTER FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT SUCH IMPORTANT THINGS!]

THANK YOU KISH FOR BRINGING THIS TO MY ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!

Today’s post is by Brian McTear, co-founder of Philadelphia’s Weathervane Music Organization– a nonprofit community that works with independent musicians to support and advance their careers. Weathervane’s efforts revolve around a program called the Weathervane Music Project Series: a curated series of audio and video recordings featuring the artists, their music and artfully produced video of the actual recording sessions.

When some people think about the lives of musicians, they may still imagine wild parties and fancy sports cars. There may be a party from time to time, but for most musicians, pursuing their art isn’t exactly the fast track to a life of luxury. With the traditional music industry in a state of what could safely be called disarray, there isn’t a ready-made recipe for sustainable careers. The good news is that people still put their hearts and souls into making music, and there are still plenty of fans out there that want to support creators. But what’s the best way to do so?

With so many things in flux, it’s not always easy to know which method of fan support will have the biggest impact. That’s why we figured it might be useful to take a look at some of the ways you can support your favorite artists and how it can positively impact those musicians’ bottom lines — directly or indirectly.

1. Go see your favorite bands play live. In the music industry, an artist is rarely handed money directly. In pretty much every other situation, a band gets its cut of revenues only after everyone else in line is paid. (And that can be a long line!) But when it comes to playing live, most get paid right when the night is over. Because of this I say that if you are friends with a band and they offer to put you on their guest list, you should… Decline! Pay instead! You will show your class in spades.
2. When you go see shows, buy hard copies of your favorite bands’ music. Most smaller signed artists get “tour support” from their record label in the form of free records to sell at shows. Buying a CD from the band means they can buy gas to get them to the next gig. Conversely, if they don’t sell them, all they’re really doing is wasting gas driving them around the country. So if you are offered a free CD or vinyl LP (because naturally they want you to hear their music, right?), opt to pay for it. You are doing the right thing, and saving them from themselves.
3. Buy your favorite bands’ merchandise. Very often, artists pay for their t-shirts themselves, or even MAKE them with their own hands. This means that they did, in fact, shell out the money for materials, and possibly someone else’s labor if they used a printer. Help them break even, or maybe even turn a profit! This is another rare opportunity in the scheme of things for the musicians to be first in line. Help them out!
4. Purchase downloads legitimately. Purchasing digital downloads from services like iTunes, Amazon, eMusic or Rhapsody also puts money in artists’ pockets. When it comes to digital downloads, there’s a wide spectrum of rates, and some artists profit more than others. Although there’s a common assumption that artists only make pennies on their iTunes or Rhapsody sales, this depends entirely on the label/distribution situation. The more independent an artist is — and certainly if the artist is unsigned and they self-released using Tune-Core (a service that doesn’t take a cut of the sales) the greater the percentage they stand to make from the download.
5. Use a legitimate streaming service such as Rhapsody, Napster, Pandora or Spotify (not yet available in the US). If you require an unfathomably large collection of music, this is the way to go. Not only are they safe for your computer, but since these services are properly licensed, the songwriter, publisher, performer and copyright owner (usually a record label) get paid for each stream of their song. It’s currently a small amount, but if you play it again and again, it adds up! Beyond payment, there are many valuable statistics and web metrics an artist can access when you use these services. This way, they know where people are digging their stuff and can plan their tours and releases accordingly.
6. Contribute to Band Fundraisers – Gone are the days of record advances, at least for new artists. Unfortunately, this is how they paid to record and to go on tour. Now, many artists are using fundraising sites such as Kickstarter.com to raise money in advance of these activities. Enjoy the opportunity to support the music you love before it even gets made! Another huge class act!
7. Subscribe to artists’ fan clubs. By doing so, you not only get first access to news and tour dates, you also help to legitimize and support one of the smartest, most industrious things an artist can do for their career.
8. Join a band’s email list. By simply becoming a fan on their Facebook Fan Page, or their Myspace Page, the artist doesn’t have your data, Facebook and Myspace do! If for some reason they lose their account with either, they lose you and you lose them. It’s a simple process, and most artists know not to email you constantly!
9. Support nonprofits that support musicians. I can truly say that far too few musicians are participating in conversations about where this industry is going. The inevitable result will be that musicians, again, end up at the far end of the line. Organizations such as (..ahem….) Future of Music Coalition, Weathervane Music and others are staffed by people who are dedicated to making sure that artists can achieve sustainable and lucrative careers in music.
10. Stop using Torrent sites. Go back and buy the records of the artists you fell in love with by using Torrent sites. The simple act of paying for the music that you love will surely buy back your ticket to heaven. And of course, we don’t even need to go into the dangers of downloading from Torrent sites, anyway.

Brian McTear is a musician, producer, recording engineer and the owner of Miner Street Recordings, the Philadelphia recording studio revered by independent musicians around the country. In the 13 years that McTear has worked in Philadelphia, he has produced over 100 records, has played a large part in the resurgence and success of the independent music community in Philadelphia, and the national and international success of several recording artists. McTear writes songs and sings in the band Bitter bitter weeks, and plays guitar with The Novenas.

More Music for You to Love

2009-11-23T21:01:00.000-08:00

Betting on the Mouse

From Denmark. A more ballsy, psychedelic Cat Power. An honest blues to it.
Super dark guitar and pounding pianos. Minimal epic aching ballads.
Lights off, candles lit.

My jam is called Random Picking. You can hear it here.

http://www.myspace.com/bettingonthemouse

Spider + Octopus

A great duo from Pensacola.
Reminds me of the first time I heard Kyle Field recordings or early Julie Doiron.
Kind of bounces all over the place. From straight folk to dirty to ambient.
The feeling I got when I sat on my friend Michael Landon's front porch in Austin, Tx. Relaxed, simple, honest...

Umbrella Antennae is my favorite track. You can hear it here.

http://www.myspace.com/spideroctopus

MrMilk

Beautiful sad minimal folk from Italy. Bedroom sounding recordings. Intimate and confessional. Shy, but direct. Soft and personal.

http://www.myspace.com/mistermilk

Flower of Flesh and Blood

Fronted by Sean Kennerly, who is in another Brooklyn band called The Fakers.
Flower of Flesh and Blood is a super slow heavy goth shoe gazer meltdown.
I won't say anymore. Just listen.

http://www.myspace.com/floweroffleshandbloodband

New Music Discoveries (thank you, myspace)

2009-10-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

Already Gravity

– self described “music from the future” reminds me of early Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Very experimental shoegazer electronic from Brooklyn.

http://www.myspace.com/alreadygravity

Magic & Fur

– new glam from London with an early U2 twist. (I don’t mean for that to sound bad…)
get free mp3 here --->DOWNLOAD HERE

http://www.myspace.com/magicandfur

Peter Winslow

– from Paris, France. A dancy, heavy synth, alien-pop band. I can’t help but like it. Sorry folks. It’s so damn catchy. Think : Daft Punk, Air, good 80s dance.

http://www.myspace.com/peteoblio

Pre Dawn Mural

– Think : Grizzly Bear, Air, The Occasion, The Walkmen… This dreamy indie-pop-synth band from Ontario is a new favorite of mine.

http://www.myspace.com/predawnmurals

when the clouds…

- from Salerno, Italy. Very pretty, instrumental dreamscapes… Epically theatrical, like a soundtrack to a movie directed by PT Anderson.

http://www.myspace.com/whentheclouds

New Favorite

2009-09-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

Speck Mountain
Summer Above

This Chicago based band is amazing.
I was lucky enough to play with them at Monkeytown in Brooklyn.
They were on a great compilation called Bearded Ladies.

And then we got to reunite in Illinois.
Fun times were had.

I highly recommend their track, Midnight Sun.
Gets me every time.
You can listen here.

New Obsessions in Beautiful Music Tiny Vipers and Natureboy

2009-08-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

Tiny Vipers
(seattle)

So I couldn't sleep one night (which is pretty normal for me...) and I was searching for some new music to help me relax. I was on the Pitchfork music player and seemed to only come across poppy, disco core, thrashy, punky music - which is fine. All time and place, I realize... however, in the midst of my search, beautiful picked acoustic guitar with natural reverb on perfect repetitions with a seemingly simple vocal melody, powerful lyrics of longing, and to an incredible halfwaythroughthesong lift - a very unconventional chorus. An accent I can't put a finger on and an inflection of someone I immediately wanted to meet again.

Jesy Fortino's new album, Life on Earth, (out now on Sub Pop) is truly one of the most beautiful albums I have ever heard - among my favorites: Antony and the Johnson's, Meg Baird, Sibylle Baier, Vashti Bunyan, and Low.

Listen to the song 'Dreamer'. It won't let you down.

Tiny Vipers - Dreamer from LaundroMatinee on Vimeo.

Natureboy
(Brooklyn)

Natureboy, the musical project of Sara Kermanshahi, has been leaving local music fans in a state of aural bliss for the past few months. From a slew of packed Brooklyn loft shows to an intimate candle-lit performance at Bushwick’s Eastern District during the neighborhood arts festival, Natureboy’s fragile-yet-powerful folk and pop songs have transfixed everyone. Each song is a bittersweet slice of longing, laced with Sara’s ethereal and wholly unique vocal delivery (it’s hard to think of another artist who sounds quite like her), and the atmospheric instrumentation of her backing band (Cedar Apffel and Rory O'Conner). A recently recorded self-titled album is available on iTunes and you can head to the Myspace and give a listen to the poignant slow build of “Famous Sons” or the melancholic “Heart to Fool.” If you like what you hear make sure to check out a show—the visceral live experience of Natureboy will only make you appreciate the music even more. --Bill Dvorak

Listen Here to be Blown Away

Ben Goldberg & Nicole Roeder = Funny People

2009-08-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

My boss, Ben, and his girlfriend, Nicole, are delirious from moving.
Apparently their comic sensibilities are improving in spite of it all...
Who knew?!

AND
---

DEAD OCEANS TO RELEASE EVERY RECORD IN 2010

Austin-based label Dead Oceans announced plans to release every record that will be put out in 2010. "We have been headed in this direction for awhile, so we're pleased to finally announce plans to be the label behind every single new recording you hear next year," label head Phil Waldorf said, reading from a prepared statement. The label, known for such a diverse group of bands such as Bishop Allen, The Evangelicals, Bowerbirds, and John Vanderslice, revealed plans for five LPs by Robert Pollard, somewhere between three and twelve albums by Wooden Wand (with and without Vanishing Voice), as well as a solo record by every member of Polyphonic Spree and Broken Social Scene.

NEW DECEMBERISTS' THEME RECORD: LISTENING TO A DECEMBERISTS RECORD

While The Decemberists have tackled such themes as 1825 Russian uprisings and angry rakes, the band has never gotten so intimate as they will with their next album. The upcoming record, "Looking at an Unmoving Picture" will chronicle the attempt by a music fan to listen to their entire record. "While we've always been proud of our songs sounding twice as long as they actually are and covering themes and topics that have nothing to do with actual people's lives, we've never fully committed to the idea," said leader Colin Meloy. "Finally, we will be able to express the challenge and frustration of trying to listen to a record of ours from start to finish. And we will set it to music." As of time this article has gone to press, nobody could be reached to indicate how a Decemberists record ends, hence were unavailable for comment.

(LIVE SHOW REVIEW)

CAT POWER NOW JUST MAKIN' SHIT UP

Chan Marshall, she of the irrepressable and inimitable Cat Power, appeared onstage draped in black, because she refused to let the lighting guy shine a spotlight on her. Upon picking up her guitar, she proceeded to mumble something as she did something akin to what sounds like tuning. It was soon apparent she was singing a Chinese food takeout menu from memory. By the time she belted out "General Cho's Chicken, seven-ninety-five," the crowd was hushed in amazement and rapture. For an encore, she went through a list of ingredients that either make up Bisquick or possibly combine to make Altoids.

THE BLACK KIDS ANNOUNCE BEING "SO OVER" THE BLACK KIDS

The Black Kids, indie rock darlings of 2007, are "so over" themselves. "We liked the first song on our first EP that we self-released after recording it in our basement right after learning how to play our instruments," said bass player Owen Holmes, "but after that, once we got actually signed, practiced and worked insanely hard to make a credible and worthwhile release, we realized that we actually now suck." Holmes credits Pitchfork, Stereogum and the comments section of Brooklyn Vegan for bringing this fact to their attention.

BON IVER CANNOT PRONOUNCE "BON IVER"

Deep in the woods of Wisconsin, a lone bearded man pauses from his morning task of splitting wood to answer a few questions from an intrepid reporter. "Sheeooooot!" Justin Vernon exclaimed, wiping an oily rag over his sweaty forehead, "I din't know that name would be stickin' and all!" Vernon, who has been honored as the latest talented indie rock troubadour by thousands of blogs and comment boards, calls out to his dog, named "Dog", to settle down as he rolls himself a cigarette. "I done write the name of the band on my arm just likes I planned on. My name was all gonna be 'Bone Ivory' ya know, but then I wiped my sweat and the words got all jumbled up. Now I got to say I am in a band that I don't even know what how to say the name of!" At that point, Vernon watched Dog chase a varmint up a tree, then went back to his wood choppin'.

UPDATE: STILL NO GOSSIP ABOUT THE GOSSIP

After repeated attempts to become the belles of the TMZ ball, no celebrity reporting agency has said a word about singer Beth Ditto or her colleagues in The Gossip.

WILCO TO BE RENAMED "NPR'S FAVORITE BAND"

Having taken a name over ten years ago that means nothing, Jeff Tweedy has decided to call his group what they've been unofficially referred to as for years now. "NPR loves us," Tweedy said. "Whether it's a review on All Things Considered, a guest spot on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, a reference to us on This American Life, or an in-depth interview on Fresh Air, we are mentioned at least twice a day by National Public Radio." He added this is something they could have done years ago, but were waiting to see if satellite radio would be as interested in them.

MELTDOWN REPORT 1:

WAVVES APOLOGIZES FOR "MONITORS MELTDOWN"

Nathan Williams, lead singer of the out-of-control, anarchic Wavves, is at it again. At a show last night during the Sasquatch Festival, Williams said, and these are his exact words, "Can I please get some more guitars in my monitors?" Was he high? Was he drunk? It's hard to know for sure, but his complete disrespect for the people working the stage as well as those who paid good money to see him did not go unnoticed. This leads one to wonder where all the civility and politeness of punk rock has gone.

MELTDOWN REPORT 2:

MOUNTAIN GOATS: JOHN DARNIELLE DOES NOT TALK BETWEEN SONGS

I'm writing this only minutes after just seeing John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats walk offstage at Berbati's Pan in Portland, and the audience is mystified. Darnielle had a complete breakdown tonight. It became clear after the band finished the first song, Going to Georgia. While everyone settled in, preparing for a ten-minute-plus monologue regarding a random topic like Scandinavian Black Metal, or the history of the use of forks as utensils, or habits of 15th Century Apache tribes, the audience was shocked when all they got was a quick countdown and the band began the next song. Darnielle stood onstage looking out at the crowd as if he had nothing more to say other than singing the arcane-to-intimate lyrics of his verbose songs. Some dude next to me immediately started booing while the repeated chant of "Ramble!" took hold when Darnielle launched straight into the next song without even making one reference to his fascination with Shaker furniture.

VIVIAN GIRLS PLAYING ANYWHERE THIS FALL

Be careful setting foot outside of your apartments this fall, because you just may step on a Vivian Girl. After a successful series of shows in basements, bodegas, haunted ballrooms, Brooklyn, bases on baseball diamonds and in baby clothing shops, the trio have decided to expand their reach and play wherever the fuck anybody will have them. An investigation of their performance rider reveals only one requirement: "Band's stage must be on level ground that is not currently flooded nor in the midst of an earthquake." Reached for comment, singer/guitarist Cassie Ramone said, "Wait, you mean actual clubs would be willing to book us? Motherfucker!"

VAMPIRE WEEKEND SIGN ENDORSEMENT DEAL WITH IZOD IN 1986

After a nail-biting few moments where Professor Kazzum pulled back on the large lever and sparks of blue and red light began shooting all over the basement, the band Vampire Weekend were transported back to 1986, where they arrived just in time to sign a career-long endorsement deal with clothing manufacturer, Izod. "We were sure Izod would be into our style," singer Ezra Koenig proclaimed, "Only we hadn't existed at the time they were really popular. That's why we searched out Professor Kazzum." Kazzum, who is reportedly receiving points on the deal, made a few faces in poor imitation of Christopher Lloyd, then ran away after dropping a smoke bomb on the floor.

INVESTIGATION: FREAK FOLK JUST FOLK

An ongoing two-year investigation through hundreds of documents and scores of CD-Rs has revealed that the music currently known as "freak folk" can also be classified as just "folk." Studies of memes, rhythms, progressions and chords by groups such as Espers, Vetiver, Devendra Banhardt, Six Organs of Admittance, Born Heller and The Entrance Band indicate there's really no difference between what they're doing and the music of Incredible String Band, Nick Drake, Holy Modal Rounders, Pentangle and Renaissance, all of whom have always just been considered "folk music" with no further adjective necessary. In response to this news, Banhardt immediately dressed up like a rainbow trout and began leapfrogging parking meters.

TODD P'S MOUSTACHE NOW BOOKING SHOWS

At an obscure rooftop in Bushwick on Sunday, renegade show booker Todd P surrendered to his moustache, who wrestled aside Todd P's mouth and announced plans to start booking shows. "I like Todd's shows and all, but they strike me as a little too 'corporate,'" claimed the thin and finely combed whiskers, perched delicately over Todd P's upper lip. "My shows are going to be more loose and for those true fans who can find them." The moustache immediately had to leave after commenting, as it had five shows starting up in the next hour. Todd P's moustache's shows, all to be listed at toddpsmoustachenyc.com, will occur at Todd P shows, but have detailed directions in order to find, often requiring interested fans to search out corners of rooms in condemned buildings, lifting dirty rugs and mattresses, and opening rusty iron basement doors while bands like Ducktails, Kurt Vile and Silk Flowers play in the vicinity. Since the announcement, rumors have begun to circulate about even more obscure shows booked by Todd P's sweaters.

MERRIAM WEBSTER TO SUE WAVVES, MIIKE SNOW, LOVVERS, WOODEN SHJIPS, ET AL

Merriam-Webster, long considered the authority on proper spelling and grammar usage, announced a lawsuit against a number of bands who they claim in a statement released to the press, that "consciously and with malicious intent abuse the English language." "We let it slide with The Beatles, because at least that was a pun," said Merriam Webster lawyer, "Pretty" Bruce Hackbottom, "but Jesus, what the living fuck, right?" The Academy of American Poets is expected to file a similar lawsuit today against bands with gramatically abusive phrase names like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Here We Go Magic, and the most malicious offender, ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead.

THE MUSLIMS NOW THE SOFT PACK

After courting some controversy that they have always argued misrepresents the band and their music, The Muslims have renamed themselves The Soft Pack. No further misunderstandings will occur hence.

JEFF MANGUM APOLOGIZES FOR INFLUENCING PAST DECADE OF MUSIC

A pained and confused Jeff Mangum made a straightforward and abject apology today for any influence he's had on music created in the past decade. "Look," he said, his eyes red and watery, "I was just playing some songs with my friends, and I had no intention of it having any lasting effect." He went to explain that after examining today's bands who claim him as a large reason they make music, " I just want to tell all music fans out there that I'm extremely sorry and deeply regret having ever recorded anything." After that statement, Mangum turned around and was instantly handed fifteen CD-Rs by loyal fans.

Music Discoveries at Odd Hours

2009-08-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

So I couldn't sleep so I thought I would write about a couple bands I heard recently that I really like.

TELECOPY

A Brooklyn based band led by Brent Bechtel.

I can't figure out how to upload songs yet... but if you go to their myspace page listen to Hundred Flowers. It's my favorite song. Dirty drums, screamy vocals, minimal - vocal, guitar, drums.

Here are some upcoming shows.

Bullette

Bullette's "The Secrets" was reviewed in ORIGIVATION magazine by Kevin Keating:

"Monika Bullette's debut album, The Secrets , may be the best album you haven't heard. Terribly imaginative and completely novel, The Secrets is an indie orgasm - honest, intelligent, at once melodic and experimental, and utterly fearless. And, unlike most indie music, Bullette is actually indie-pendent, written, performed, produced and engineered all by herself (with a little help from collaborator Hangnail Phillips). Don't be fooled, though, by the singer/songwriter label - Bullette is a singer/songwriter like Elvis Costello is a punk rock band. Seriously, now, kids, this entire album is available FOR FREE on her website. Just try it. It costs you nothing, and even if you're not crazy about the album, I'm sure you'll agree that she is a genuine artist - unrelenting and unpretentious."

Jeffrey Davison - Living Room Music Series

2009-07-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Jeffrey Davison of WFMU. He and his wife, Suzanne, came to the Hooves on the Turf showcase for the Northside Music Festival at Trophy Bar. (THAT was a mouthful)
After they introduced themselves after the show, they offered me over any time to listen to records. (I had sent a homemade cd years ago and we had some email correspondence about folk singers I should be listening to...) He took the summer off from WFMU and now has some time on his hands... so he offered to play me some music he thought I would enjoy...
SO I am going to try and start a new music series called the Living Room. Record nights with people I admire. And this is my first attempt, here with WFMU dj, Jeffrey Davison. THIS IS A LINK WHERE YOU CAN STREAM HIS PAST SHOWS

FOLK(ish) NIGHT PLAYLIST
------------
1. Dave Evans ~ The Words In Between (The Village Thing)

more info
2. Steve Noonan

more info
3. Bruce Cockburn

more info
4. Shelagh McDonald ~ Stargazer

more info
5. Christy Moore ~ Prosperous

more info
6. Dayle Stanley ~ After the Snow

There isn't much on her... She was from the Cambridge music scene in the Massachusetts. Coined her own term for her style of singing, called Tremolando - a crazy flutter of the tongue that makes her sound as if she is singing under water. Pretty amazing.
7. The Pentangle ~ The Pentangle

more info
8. Didi Favreau ~ Rebirth of Wonder

more info
9. Tamia

a little more info
10. Patti Waters ~ Sings (ESP Disk)

more info
11. Fraser & DeBolt

more info
12. Loren Mazzacane & Kath Bloom ~ Sing the Children Over (Little Bud See Music)

more info
13. Robbie Basho (Takoma)

more info
14. Leo Kottke ~ Circle Round the Sun (Oblivion)

more info
15. Dave Ray ~ Snaker's Here (Elektra)

more info
16. Memphis Minnie ~ I Ain't No Bad Girl

more info
17. Pat Conte ~ Gravest Hits Recordings

more info
18. Dock Boggs

more info
19. John Houx

This is a current nyc based artist.
more info
20. Ola Belle Reed & Family (Rounder Records)

more info
21. Greg Brown
Beautiful album of music set to William Blake's writing...

more info
22. Iron & Wine/Calexico ~ Dead Man's Will

more info
23. The Copper Family
This is a family with an 800 yr tradition of singing!!!

more info
24. Hamish Moore ~ Callanish High Over Bunachton
This was Jeffrey & Suzanne's wedding song...
more info
25. Nic Jones ~ The Noah's Arc Trap (Logo Records)

more info
26. Michael Chapman ~ Rainmaker

more info
27. Michael Hurley ~ Blueberry Wine

more info
28. Susan Pillsbury ~ (Sweet Fortune Records)

lesser-known singer..great song...

29. Suni McGrath ~ Cornflower Suite (Adelphi)
more info

Galaxie 500 Reissues / Damon & Naomi - The Sub Pop Years

2009-07-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here is what I think you should know....

* New Damon & Naomi release! The Sup Pop Years chronicles the best
of our favorite duo's years with the legendary Pac-West grunge mongers

* Galaxie 500 reissues! All three records have been remastered and
will be released on vinyl for the first time in 20 years.
Additionally, new mp3 versions will be released with bonus tracks!
You can buy them at the...

* New Galaxie 500 webstore! www.fierybreeze.com will be the home
of all these wonderful re-releases, as well as videos and the ORIGINAL
tshirt design

* Fourth of July mp3 giveaway and Song to the Siren video widgets!
We'll be giving out the HTML code to anyone who wants to post 'em...
just in time for your bbq playlist

* New Damon & Naomi DVD! "1001 Nights", from new DVD label, Factory
25 (http://www.factorytwentyfive.com)... full contents below!

* Exact Change 20th Anniversary! Damon & Naomi's publishing house
celebrated it's anniversary in style, with an amazing night of
performances and readings. In case you missed it
(http://issueprojectroom.org/2009/05/04/exact-change-20th-anniversary).

Questions?
Send them my way.
I have more info and bios and promos I would love for anyone to have.

sharon.badabing@gmail.com

March 2009

2009-03-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long. I have been a busy lady this year. I went on tour with Noa Babayof and Festival in the summer and went to St. John with my family over the holiday and I recorded a couple songs for a 7" I am releasing on Heron Recordings based out of the UK and preparing myself to release my first official album on Language of Stone. The release is set for May 26, 2009!!!
Go to http://languageofstone.com for more information on that.

I also recorded a song with Mike Skinner for a compilation that Cosmos Recordings is putting out.

As for shows I am playing 2 shows with Beirut on April 10th @ the Electric Factory in Philadelphia and April 11th @ the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue in Washington, DC... pretty exciting stuff.

Here is a list of bands that I have been listening to:

Glass Ghost
Treasure
This frontier needs Heroes
Hello Lovers
Spider
Skogar
Movie Star Junkies

More news to come!!!