Last night’s opening song was “A Field of Birds”, an original theme song The Tallest Man on Earth recorded for the Yellow Bird Project.

Photo by Chris La Putt.
If I weren’t in a hurry I’d tell you all about the show!

Download “A Field of Birds“

Kristian Matsson, who goes by the name The Tallest Man on Earth, knows what to expect from New York. Last night he played Highline Ballroom for the first time, a higher capacity venue than Bowery Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg, and sold it out in advance.  This was an all-age show, which meant an avalanche of super excited young fans (“I don’t think you should go to school tomorrow”, said one little thing to the other after the show ended). The fans sang in the words that Kristian left out (“in your eyes babe”, “leather”). Someone yelled out something in Swedish, and Krisitian claimed the translation was “you fucking pussy”. He mocked the girl who yelled, “Say something in Swedish”. He addressed the impracticality of too many requests: “That Jackson Browne Cover”, “I Fall to Pieces”. “How can I sing them all?” is what he said, “We’ll be here all night”.

But there are assumptions that need addressing. The two girls who came in late frolicking and planted themselves in front of other people, blocking their view and giggling with joy: probably in late 20’s, early 30’s; the guy behind me who had obviously downloaded the leaked version of the new album, because how else did he learn every word and every inflection to the new songs in just 7 days?: probably in mid-late 20’s, early 30’s. Also, lots of guys. I don’t mean gays. Lots of guys contorting their faces into serious emotional expressions as if this were a Tori Amos show. This is a very good thing for Krisitan Matsson, who got “You’re so sexy!” from a guy. He replied, “Yeah that’s what I do”.

Lots of people talk about how Kristian has a great stage presence. But the truth is, he just has amazing songs. They were written with a certain performance value coded in, at which point the deal was sealed; there’s no way it was going to be boring live. My sister pointed out, though, that Krisitan roams the stage as if he were a wild horse plotting to escape confinement. His friend had drawn a horse He’s got a new tattoo of a horse (by the way) on the inside of his forearm. He referred to it as “horsie”, and said it was keeping him company on stage.

Songs played from The Wild Hunt were (that I’m listing using my poor memory): “The Wild Hunt”, “Thousand Ways” (love!), “Troubles Will Be Gone”, “Burden of Tomorrow”, “Love is All”, “King of Spain” and “You’re Going Back” (he didn’t play “A Lion’s Heart”); from Shallow Grave: “The Gardener”, “Pistol Dreams”, “I Won’t Be Found”, “Where Do the Bluebirds Fly”, and, what he called a song special to New York, “This Wind” (double love!); he said goodbye with a new song, “Like the Wheel”.

I was glad to see Nurses. I’ve enjoyed their quirky songs for a while, and they sounded great last night. They blogged on April 16:

tallest man on earth tour = best vibes

got a few minutes in a mofe shop, got a few words to say! 2 shows into the tour with the tallest man on earth, and we’re all smiles. kristian (sp?) aka the tallest man on earth is as nice as he is talented, and i’m really looking forward to this next month! kristian is already making 99 percent of the girls in the room swoon, blush, and fall apart, and performing the heckoutta real good folk songs.

this rules!

Download “King of Spain” by The Tallest Man on Earth
Download “The Wild Hunt (Live at Bowery Ballroom)” by The Tallest Man on Earth
Download lots of other Tallest Man goodies on this site.
Download Technicolor by Nurses

PS: Contest to win The Wild Hunt vinyl is closed and I will contact the winner directly winner has been contacted.

Not only is Tune Yards selling Bell House out these days, Merrill Garbus’ adoring fans knew all the words and sang along without being asked. The performance was superb; there were a few new songs.

This being her first headlining show in New York, she noted the newness of knowing that everyone present was there to specifically see her; and it was great to see the recent addition of a bass guitarist to what had previously been a solo stage act—not that she needed the extra help.

If you haven’t watched my Secret Garden session with Tune Yards, watch it here.

Look out for Ana Lola Roman! She’s like the punk-rock*, real life version of Uma Thurman’s character in Pulp Fiction. She even dances like her. It was a little difficult to get a good sense of the overall aesthetic from her set at Don Pedro’s last night (presented by Impose Magazine’s Test Patterns series); lots of texture was coming from pre-recorded sound bytes off her laptop, she was playing her synth, and she had a drummer. Noticeable right away, though, is that she’s very much a performer, doesn’t care too much about her tight pants hanging too low, and has an incredible voice. Being the simpleton that I am, I’d really like her to sing with just a good old piano at some point; her voice shouldn’t have to  hide underneath all that other noise, but then she’s the real life version of Uma Thurman’s character in Pulp Fiction, so I’m sure she enjoys the chaos.

*I use this term to loosely define a lifestyle.

Download Untitled, Track 2 (off Naturally More Molatov)
by Ana Lola Roman (via Impose, with permission)

Two toddlers dance to the Beets at Brooklyn Museum

When I first saw The Beets in Austin, Texas, it was hard to tell if I liked them. Maybe it’s the extensive touring that has followed since, or just better PA systems, or even a clearer state of mind on my part, but I’ve grown to like them quite a bit.

Their album is called Spit in the Face of People Who Don’t Want to Be Cool, an apt command in the present’s muddle of music culture, especially in a place like New York City. In fact, the message on the packaging is worth noting: “The Million Dollar Man” threatens singer Juan about not signing to The Millionaire Records, and the text below reads, “A collection of one million songs about money, power and regret”; on the front, “A collection of 12 songs about being cool”. Those 12 tunes are all great lazy, lo-fi, catchy, moving about leisurely because their own wholesomeness produces plenty of direction, motion and speed to keep them all going, giving in only to friction and gravity, which brings them to a satisfying end.

They played with Crystal Stilts and Grass Widow past Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum, though I didn’t get to stick around for the last two. I made an attempt to listen as if (given the context that this was not their normal audience) I was listening to them for the first time, and from that viewpoint, it seemed like the music scene was in a good shape. Continue for all the pictures.

Download “Happy But On My Way” by The Beets

The Beets perform at Brooklyn Museum

A woman smiles while watching The Beets play

The reflection on the glass looked as if The Beets were playing outside

Passersby look in to see The Beets play at the Brooklyn Museum

Juan, singer of The Beets, prefers to wear shades indoors

Juan, singer of The Beets, perfers to wear shades indoors

The Beets play at Brooklyn Museum

Jose, bassist of The Beets, at Brooklyn Museum

The drummer of The Beets at Brooklyn Museum

Ducktape sticker says "The Beets" on an amp

The Beets perform at Brooklyn Museum

Setlist of the Beets performance at Brooklyn Museum

November 7, 2009
Brooklyn Museum,
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

I went to see the 27-min Rolling Stones documentary, Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out, last night and I absolutely loved it! If I understood correctly, the show filmed is the first time “the best band in the world” played “the best venue in the world” (Madison Square Garden), in 1969. At the very least, the footage of a shy Jimi Hendrix backstage and of a peppy Janis Joplin dancing at the sidelines made my day. But it’s really the clips of the first two songs, “Prodigal Son” and “You Gotta Move” that are stellar—stripped down, Mick Jagger sitting on a stool, accompanied only by Keith Richards on an acoustic guitar. Filmmaker Albert Maysles was present to introduce the film, though it would’ve been more fun if he was open for Q&A instead.

The box set includes a DVD of this short documentary, but if you’d rather not shell out $60 (or $42.99 on Amazon), IFC is still screening it three more times over the next three days.

The weather was on board for most of the day, but thunder and lightning eventually rolled on, and Trail of Dead’s set got canceled for safety reasons.

Health

The memorable cello refrains that haunt most Dark Dark Dark songs were noticeably absent last night, as cellist Jonathan Kaiser wasn’t around, but there was plenty of heartbreak in the whimpers of Walt McClements’ trumpet, the wails of the clarinet, the sullenness of the piano, the bowed sounds of Todd Chandler’s upright bass, and Nona Marie’s able voice. To perk things up, there were, as always, the accordion and Marshall LaCount’s banjo. It was an intimate “Hooves on the Turf presents” show at the small space at Sycamore, and they played for about an hour. They play Le Poisson Rouge tonight at 9!

Posted below are “Silver Spade”, a combo of “Say the Word” and “Make Time”, and a cover of “Wild Goose Chase” by Elephant Micah from last night’s show. Despite massive difference in personalities, and because of the addition of piano, you might just really dig these songs if you’re a fan of Regina Spektor.

Download “Silver Spade (live at Sycamore)”
Download “Say the Word / Make Time (live at Sycamore)
Download “Wild Goose Chase (live at Sycamore)”

Set list / All the Things / The Hand / Robert / Bright Bright / Junk Bones / Silver Spade / Trouble / Something For / Say the Word / Make Time / Wild Goose Chase (Elephant Micah cover)

Sycamore,
Ditmas Park, Brooklyn
July 9, 2009

In case you missed it, read about this performance here.

I was psyched to learn yesterday that The Tallest Man on Earth has run out of his last vinyl press of Shallow Grave (which included a 4-track 7″ of his self-titled EP). Well done, fans! I’m super thrilled because I remember holding my copy when I bought it and thinking, this is the one vinyl I’m most glad to own; my idea of a perfect record, with foot taps and all; if I were to use one word, it’d be “courage”. Think about it. A man from Sweden writing folky songs in English, with nothing but a guitar, and sometimes a banjo, finishing them up in a home-recorded style, and putting out a US-release on a small run of vinyl. It’s kind of an F.U. to the state of the music industry, if you ask me.

Mexican Summer is repressing a run of a 1000, and it will be in white this time, though it won’t come with the 7″.

Anyway, here’s the full audio from Kristian’s (always-awesome) set at Brooklyn Vegan’s Northside Festival showcase on June 12, 2009, at Music Hall of Williamsburg, except there wasn’t anything festival-like about it, really, but I’m sure you’ve heard that from 10,000 other people already. Feel free to download it and rejoice in the unpaid goodness, but seeing that there is little we can do to affect our culture and society other than BUYING, just remember to buy awesome records on vinyl, especially Kristian’s. Buy t-shirts, too. And buy those beautiful prints he has for sale sometimes. Just makes sure he never goes out of business and that he’s never pressured to resort to unbecoming industry practices

Alright then, that’s enough rallying-up for today. Please link to this page if sharing this download link (don’t be a jerk).

Download (from Media Fire) – Live at MHOW, June 12, 2009.