Hey, another schtick...
But it's not about the music... Just really wish these guys (Freelance Whales) were coming to Cleveland on their new tour. Closest they're coming is Chicago (4/4/10). Check out their new album, Weathervanes.
And by the way, by saying it's a "bummer," I'm saying you should check these guys out: http://www.myspace.com/freelancewhales
Just sayin'.
This is a fun video. I used to be a big fan of the Hidden Cameras, probably up until they cancelled their show at the Grog Shop back in 2006. But I guess it wasn't their fault. They are Canadian.
They have a new album out, but haven't given it much time yet. I should.
!! OMG, unplugged backstage: The Hidden Cameras !!
Zack from The New Gay ran into the Hidden Cameras backstage at Washington DC venue the Rock N Roll Hotel last Saturday and convinced them to perform an impromptu rendition of their 2004 anthem "Ban Marriage," in honor of the disappointing decision in Maine overturning the samesex marriage law.
[From !! omg blog !!: OMG, unplugged backstage: The Hidden Cameras]
It's Sunday morning, sunny, and I have not a thing that needs to be done... (well, nothing urgent). Sitting here and going through my music news and discovered a pretty great Swedish pop song. A fun way to start the day. The band is The Sound of Arrows and they have a kind of early Erasure sound, which is a big compliment in my book.
Gävle, Sweden (2006 – present)
The Sound of Arrows are a Swedish indie pop band. Originally formed 2006 in Gävle by Oskar Gullstrandand Stefan Storm the band moved to Stockholm. Stefan Storm had earlier been making house music while the other half of the duo, Oskar Gullstrand, used to play in an orchestra but is now working as a graphic designer and an animator. Their original intention was to record a song or two. But that changed once their first song ‘Narrow Escape’ garnered some appreciation. In 2008 they were signed to Swedish indie label Labrador Records. (from Last.FM)
The video is a little ridiculous, but worth it.
The Sound of Arrows - Into the Clouds (Music video) from The Sound of Arrows on Vimeo.
Still recovering from some St. Patrick's Day shenanigans... But that's not going to stop me from seeing a couple shows tonight.
At the Beachland is Richard Shindell w/ Chris Castle opening (7:30). I've only seen Richard Shindell as part of the Cry Cry Cry group back in the day. I haven't really been keeping up with his current music, but I'm sure he'll be great. Though I'm really going to catch up with a local favorite - Chris Castle.
From the Beachland's website:
An expatriate New Yorker now living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Richard Shindell is a meticulous craftsman of song whose six studio albums and one live recording have been revered by critics and fans alike. Innovative, original and occasionally spiritual, Shindell’s songs weave tales that interchangeably champion the downtrodden, exalt the disaffected or wax empathetic to those lost to society’s fringes. From his first record, Sparrow’s Point (1992) to the newest album Vuelta (2004), Shindell has demonstrated a penchant for songwriting at once passionate and profound. His songs are often slowly and painstakingly crafted until honed to perfection. Conversely, he is also capable of writing tunes that are simply clever and amusing.
Shindell’s songwriting is truly eclectic, ranging from lighthearted ballads and adulterous love songs, to dirges and diatribes that skillfully skewer politics, prejudice, war and religion. He has a unique ability to morph into the soul of the many and varied personalities he casts as narrators in certain songs--songs that are veritable novellas framed in haunting acoustic melodies, sometimes including cryptic, revelations through the eyes of a woman.
"After more than a decade and a half of playing music, 32-year-old Chris Castle is still a well-kept secret. Maybe it’s because the Ohio-based singer/songwriter put down his guitar for six years before re-emerging last summer to record this 11-song collection, which feels like a confession from the heart of the American Midwest." - Cleveland Magazine
Tonight is another show at the Spot on campus (CWRU). Plushgun is another Brooklyn electro-pop band, but they sound great - and the Spot hasn't let me down yet. Here's their description:
Plushgun is a project birthed in the cramped confines of Dan Ingala’s overpriced and undersized “bedroom” in New York City. While writing a song on his acoustic guitar, Dan had an idea: “what if I added some synths to this?” And synths he added, and this song is known today as “Just Impolite.” Dan incorporated the name Plushgun to this project, as in something soft, something killer. With a newly released album, Plushgun is sure to make a splash in 09.
For Fans of The Postal Service, The Magnetic Fields, and The Notwist, as well as older acts like New Order, this is not a Spot Night to be missed!
Here's a sample:
Getting up for my early morning flight to Memphis won't be easy, but it'll be worth it. ;-)
Remember I was telling you about the Team Love library... Well, true to my word, they're proving it's greatness once again. They've posted a Tilly & the Wall Remix EP, which includes the phenomenal CSS remix of The Freest Man. If you haven't signed up yet, do it!
They've also posted a pre-release of the new Popup album in it's entirety (not available until April 09).
Now here's a good idea... free & legal music as promotional material. Team Love is creating a library of free music from it's artists, which include the likes of David Dondero, Tilly & the Wall, and Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins.
INTRODUCING THE TEAM LOVE LIBRARY
POSTED ON DEC 8TH, 2008 || FILED UNDER || NEWSWHEN TEAM LOVE STARTED WE HAD THE SIMPLE AND POSSIBLY SELF-DEFEATING NOTION THAT POSTING ALL OUR ALBUMS ON THE WEBSITE AS FREE DOWNLOADS WOULD BE A GOOD DETOUR AROUND THE WRECKAGE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND A WAY TO AVOID GETTING BOGGED DOWN IN THE NUMBER ONE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AND DISTRACTION: PIRACY, ILLEGAL DOWNLOADS, P2P NETWORKS AND SO ON.
FIVE YEARS LATER AND THE DEBATE STILL DRONES IN THE BACKGROUND, AND WHILE SOME BANDS HAVE ADOPTED A MUTATED VERSION OF THE “FREE DOWNLOAD” (PAY WHAT YOU WISH, ETC), WE’VE DECIDED TO RESHAPE OUR POLICY IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND INTRODUCE THE TEAM LOVE LIBRARY. EACH MONTH (OR SO) WE’LL BE ROTATING THE LIBRARY’S SELECTIONS, FEATURING DIFFERENT TEAM LOVE ALBUMS AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT SUCH AS UNRELEASED SONGS, LIVE OR REMIXED VERSIONS OF TL FAVORITES.
THE LIBRARY WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUB [From TEAM LOVE » News » Introducing the Team Love Library]
