Download Beirut’s KEXP SXSW session (from NPR)
(Pictured: Iceland’s Múm)
Yes, in other Wordless Music news, I am psyched for its second season that begins in September. Beirut will play three nights, though dates are yet to be confirmed- or if they have been, they haven’t been announced yet. The season will also feature Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead in addition to Múm, Do Make Say Think, Max Richter, Bing & Ruth, Valgeir Sigurdsson, Nico Muhly, etc.
Nick Zammuto and Paul de Jong
The Books played at New York Society of Ethical Culture as part of the Wordless Music Series. The set was similar to the one at Webster Hall (read my review), with the noteworthy exception of a new song. In “8 Frames,” the 8-beat or 4-beat loops in the video that accompanies it serve as the rhythm.
“That Right Ain’t Shit”
[virb http://www.virb.com/external/video/9650/fg1Kh1c91iAqCu2ilL4fcRq6Sp4A4jE]
(More photos and videos after the jump)
Continue Reading »
[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/xThvUBbIkY/aus=false/]
Get a new needle and buy one today! So says Sounds Familyre, whose website is sporting a brand new green look. They are re-issuing Sufjan Stevens’ Seven Swans (2004) on 140g vinyl for $15. This will include a 7″ with two songs from the Swans sessions not available in any other format, and the LP cover in matte. Hurray for matte, that’s what we say, and hurray for heavy vinyl. Why I’ll be getting it: “In the Devil’s Territory.” Listen and go buy.
Download “So Post All ‘Em” (from forthcoming I Believe in You. Your Magic Is Real.)
or listen
[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/tkNgYKoxgq/aus=false]
And this is happening too, yes it is! YACHT’s coming back to New York w/ LCD Soundsystem. Studio B on May 12 and Webster Hall on May 14. The terrible news is that if you don’t already have tickets, both shows are sold out online. There might be some for Studio B at the door.
Full list of shows after the jump:
Continue Reading »
[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/MvhsTkRCxq/aus=false/]
Yes, it is happening: Not only are Apostle of Hustle coming to town, they’re coming for 5 dates including one at Summerstage. Tickets aren’t on sale yet.
June 11- Mercury Lounge
June 17 – Union Hall, Brooklyn
June 18 – Mercury Lounge
June 24 – Central Park Summerstage
June 25 – Mercury Lounge
The National Anthem of Nowhere is a pretty good album, but I’ve also been really enjoying their Stars mix of “One More Night.” But for now here’s the opening track “My Sword Hand’s Anger,” a nice Apostle-flavored bite.
Download “Towards the Bare Hill” (from Under Giant Trees EP)
or listen first:
[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/Cp6CnncRKU/aus=false/]
Much like the sound of Mum, Efterklang’s “Towards the Bare Hill” is filled with forlorn percussive enchantments accompanied by moody accordian moans. Unlike Mum, however, the chorus here is a booming masculine one, like that of sailors. Meanwhile, 1-20 of their numbered 1200 vinyl copies of Under the Trees were stolen during production, so they are offering 10 remaining ones of personal copies on ebay. These will be labeled by the following Danish letters: d, i, j, q, u, w, x, z, ø and å, and proceeds will be put towards a fund to purchase a piece of an untouched rainforest in order to preserve it. The EP comes out in the US on May 7.
[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/5mvqR8tnCO/aus=false/]
Paris Is Burning EP
Released: 2006
This week was filled with quality new songs, but the one I played the most is an older one, though newly acquired. As previously mentioned, St. Vincent merch table was selling her EP Paris Is Burning for $5, and though the second track “What Me Worry” is a fine tune with jazzy singing, and the third, a cover of Nico’s “These Days”, is just as excellent, the title track is alone worth 5 bucks. Written by Annie, it is by itself evidence of her exciting talent. It gives me goosebumps.
“Paris Is Burning” begins with foreboding French horns that would go nicely with a murder scene in a black and white movie. And the kind of tension that would go along with such a scene is sustained throughout the song. Picking words from the lyrics itself, especially in the light of the waltz rhythm introduced in the second half, “Paris Is Burning” is somewhat of a “black waltz.” The lyrics are simple enough, but poignant and well-arranged, and Annie’s got a way of adding eeriness when she sings them. The first few words, sung slowly over acoustic guitar:
I write to give word the war is over
Send my cinders home to mother
They gave me a medal for my valor
Leaden [?] trumpet spit
The soot [?] of power
(Review continues after the jump)
Continue Reading »
The video is not necessarily worth raving about, but: it’s Beirut, and “Elephant Gun” is a gorgeous song, so I’ll be watching it every now and then (disclaimer: I’m not sure if songs, especially the great ones, should have a music video at all, even though they make such a great channel for first-rate video work, which I’m a fan of). Though not an exceptional video, however, the set looks pretty, and there’s a sense of sadness in it (isn’t there?). I’m thinking of Zach Condon reading Borges. Somehow there seems to be a connection. The choice of colors I like too. And the elephant tusk “mask” I would buy one for myself, because it looks kind of neat, but I’m suspcious about whether its inclusion in the video is the best choice. But, to give you real information, Alma Har’el, who directed this one, is also working on one for “Postcards.” In spite of my confusion over how I feel about music videos for bands I really really love, I say to that upcoming video: Wheee! and Hurray!
[virb http://www.virb.com/external/video/9346/aRciVudTDcYOn4EaSCCbgf0vBz40qj3H]
Previously:
Download “You Never Got Me Right” (live at Bowery Ballroom, originally from Until Death Comes)
or listen first:
[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/jux0GNJ-mN/aus=false/]
Sweden’s Frida Hyvonen’s got a bold personality and a defiant voice to match. She toured with Denmark’s Under Byen and stopped by at Bowery Ballroom in March. There she played a solid solo set, asking the audience to buy her a glass of white wine and promising to buy one for whoever volunteered later. “You Never Got Me Right,” a personal favorite of mine from the album, gives an example of her smart lyrics and angsty folk sound. In “Cricket” I’ve left a little bit of the amusing conversation in the beginning. It’ll fill you in on the musical Pudel, and on how Frida feels about some Poodle owners.
More music + downloads (after the jump):
Continue Reading »
Download “So Post All ‘Em” (from forthcoming I Believe in You. Your Magic Is Real.)
or listen
[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/tkNgYKoxgq/aus=false]
The album will come out on Marriage Records, on the same day I’ll be seeing Beirut at Bowery (May 8). This would be even more exciting if YACHT’s expanded tour included a New York date, but it does not. It does include, though, a May 5 release party on an actual yacht. Folks will board Crystal Dolphin at 6pm sharp in Oregon and dock at The Oregon Museum of Science & Industry for continued partying. Marriage Records says they’ll announce details for a contest to win 5 spots on the Crystal soon. If you plan to attend, you’ll need these.
But I’m happy to announce one of my favorites on the upcoming album is now available for happy downloading.
hooves on the turf is a mostly-music blog based out of brooklyn. i can be reached at hoovesontheturf [at] gmail [dot] com - please send me your lovely music as an attached mp3 or an mp3 link. if i like what you send, i'll be sure to ask for more.
