shit was good June 11, 2008

Photos: Wildbirds & Peacedrums played w/ Sharon Van Etten and Adem


Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 6 or above) is required to play this audio clip. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download Doubt / Hope” | Sweden’s Wildbirds & Peacedrums proceeds its stage activities by unclothing its music of whatever coat, and letting it dance in its bare glory with tortured singing over telling drums. If the percussion is the peace drums, the singing here is the wild bird without a doubt. Except, the percussion here has nothing to do with peace - it goes right into rolling the drama out of each calamity. The blues in the band’s music is how the blues must’ve been in its beginnings: a metaphysical crisis sprung not just from any heartache, but the acceptance of living and its myriad of gems, despite the inevitable downfalls it must put you through, which by the way is what they mean by “selling the soul to the devil”. Unfortunately, “I Can’t Tell in His Eyes” (posted above) isn’t the best example, despite the great lyrics, but that’s what’s available for free right now.

More photos, and the amazing Sharon Van Etten, after the jump.

bookish love June 6, 2008

Salman Rushdie read at Barnes & Noble

The book jacket of his newest, The Enchantress of Florence, describes Salman Rushdie as “one of the world’s most important living writers”. When these words were used to introduce him yesterday, the grinning author shook with the whole of his laughing belly. Though known to be “arrogant”, a word often used interchangeably with “outspoken”, he’s had a jovial air about him every time I’ve seen him (having just finished reading Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, I’m reminded of Behemoth the cat). I’ve also heard the phrase “show off” when his work is spoken of unfavorably, but I really think he writes glorious books only because he can hardly contain himself.

Continued, and photos after the jump.

lost in brooklyn June 5, 2008

IKEA, Brooklyn: June 18

Details are up on the IKEA site

Obama June 4, 2008

Oh, Bama! Making Strides

Buy this print

Obama, Clinton and What Has Been Achieved

The longest, most demographically-difficult and highest-turnout campaign ever for the presidential nomination of an American political party was settled Tuesday night when Barack Obama — the son of an African immigrant and a daughter of rural Kansas — secured sufficient delegate support to assure that he will be selected as the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.

Carter tells Barack Obama not to pick Hillary Clinton

“I think it would be the worst mistake that could be made,” said Carter. “That would just accumulate the negative aspects of both candidates.”

Barack Obama claims the Democratic nomination, but Hillary Clinton has not yet conceded

Strangely, Mrs Clinton said she would make no decision on Tuesday. It is anyway out of her hands. As the polls closed in the two western states, superdelegates announced their support for Mr Obama in droves, giving him well over a majority of all delegates.


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.