Archive for February, 2006
jamie on February 28th, 2006
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I know it’s late, but in case anybody didn’t already know- The Subways are playing the Loft on Wednsday night- and if you sign up for a 99x freeloader card (or already have one- you lamer), you can get tickets for $.99 - well, that PLUS the ticket alternative fees at least it’s not Ticketmaster).
It’s bound ot be a great show, even worth all the spam that 99x will no doubt send you- here’s a tip: use a fake email address.
Show is all ages. |
| Ah….Charlotte Cooper… |
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| Oh, and if you really wanted it, there’s behind-the-sceens video from the band’s appearance on The O.C.
The Subways (U.S. / Warner site) |
jamie on February 28th, 2006
It’s been a very busy couple of weeks for me, so I’m trying to get blog entries in when I can, but there’s just never enough time- thus, this is late from Friday:
I got an email today [Friday] from an old friend from college whose band decided to hang it up two years ago. His bio says: “Kevin Shima began writing songs at the age of 14, and produced over 150 songs (singing and performing all instruments alone) before graduating from high school…”- and I’ve been listening to him since he started college, where he eventually helped found the aforementioned band, Homunculus. Today’s [Friday again] email anounced the upcoming playing schedule for Kevin’s new outfit Fokushima. There are some demo songs available on the new site, and from what I’ve heard, I’m really going to like the new album (due out soon). He’s been working with local artist/producer Clay Cook to complete the album in Cook’s Atlanta studio. Good to see Kevin back with new material.
Kevin Shima - Daily Grind
Fokushima - Keep It Simple
Fokushima - Dear Tokyo
jamie on February 27th, 2006
Just logged in to Myspace this morning, and noticed KT Tunstall on the front page as a ‘Featured Artist’. I’m really thrilled to see one of my favorite artists getting so much attention stateside.
KT Tunstall is playing the Loft on March 11 - get tickets
HERE
jamie on February 24th, 2006
Yes, I know it’s been almost an entire week with no posts, but I’ve been busy- first off, I’m moving my blog ot my website, SquirrelFood.net (if you’re reading this on squirrelfood.net, then you’ve already found it. It took me a minute to get all the entries form the MySpace blog transfered into the SuirelFood blog, and get the SquirrelFood blog all set up the way I want it. It still doens’t have a proper banner at the top…I’m still trying to come up with something appropriate there (feel free to send me your suggestions). I’ll probably replicate my posts from SquirrelFood to MySpace for a while, but eventually, I’m going to discontinue MySpace. The reason is that MySpace really sucks as a blog engine. The MySpace RSS feed is limited (so that you can’t read a full blog entry from the RSS feed, and have to log in and be bombarded by their stupid ads), where as the new RSS feed is full-on with images and everything. Just put http://www.squirrelfood.net/rss2.xml in your favorite newsfeed reader (I use Opera, which is also my default browser). Also, MySpace doesn’t allow javascript or other ‘cool’ web tech because they’re lame, so look for new fun features in my blog (yeah, right). Moving on…
I went out last weekend (big surprise there, huh?), and saw Bain Mattox (buy it here) and Bob Schneider on Saturday night. I have to admin that I enjoyed Bain more than Schneider. Schneider is a terrific, dynamic performer- and easily works the audience into the palm of his hand- but his I found myself getting bored amidst the slew of sex-obsessed funky alt-country songs coming from the general direction of the stage. Not to mention the guy makes less sence than Dave Matthews when he decides to stop singing and start chatting up the audience. Not that it wasn’t a good show- his band is absolutely amazing. I think it was the ego that got in the way of a realy terrific show from mr. Bob.
Bob Schneider - I’m Good Now
Anyways, getting back to Bain- Bain Mattox (and his band) put on such an amazing live show. Mattox up front not only sings with amazing clarity, but also picks up a variety of instruments (banjo, accordian, mandolin, and guitar). The band are exceptionally tight, playing a well-blended brand of midwest acoustic meets power-pop that wins new fans over consistantly, and brings old fans back to shows over and over. After winning the Open Mic Madness in 2002, Bain Mattox has been given titles such as “Best Singer-Songwriter” and “Best Front-Man” here in the ATL. Mattox and band are still unsigned.
Bain Mattox - Fine Line
Bain Mattox - Prizefighter
bain Mattox - Slowpoke
Also, I’ve been listening to a lot of Mark Ronson lately. Ronson is a British-born, New York-based DJ who’s on the top of the “hot list” these days- spinning at start-studded parties for the likes of Puf-er-P. Did- er, that Sean Combs guy (whatever he goes by now). Ronson has produced the likes of Rhymefest and Nikka Costa, and has produced a solo album with guests like Jack White, Rivers Cuomo, Q-Tip and Mos Def. His upcoming project is a cover album, appropriately titled Version, on which he has taken various rock tracks, and re-recorded them using DJ beats and funk horns and unlikely vocalists. The result is surprisingly cool. The first single, Radiohead’s Just, features Phantom Planet’s Alex Greenwald on vocals. It’s been spinning on Radio1 for weeks now, but last Friday I came across a podcast on East Village Radio (where Ronson does a regular show), broadcast shortly after Ronson had finished mixing the album where he plays several tracks from the album. Even though he cuts in on each track regularly to prevent bootlegging- I’ve been listening to these tracks all week. They’re just that good. Even the cover of Toxic (Brittney Spears), featuring Michael Tighe of The A.M. One of the things that really makes these tracks shine is the horns of the Dap Kings, giving the tracks a definite old-school funk feel.
Mark Ronson - Just
Mark Ronson - Ooh Wee (ft. Ghostface and Nate Dogg)
Mark Ronson - The Authentic Show on East Village Radio (2/17/2006)
jamie on February 17th, 2006
vs.
So I posted the Arctic Monkeys doing Girls Aloud's Love Machine last week- just moments ago, I heard Scott Mills play SugaBabes' cover of I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor it's not as good as the 'Monkeys cover (in fact, it's pretty awful), but fair play!
– EDITED –
Thanks to Kimmi at Grom Project (myspace) for finding the errors in my HTML!
jamie on February 16th, 2006
The Streets released the first single to the upcoming album The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living early this week. I’m a huge fan of The Streets (a.k.a. Mike Sinner)- his last album A Grand Don’t Come For Free was absolutely brilliant.
I’ve been so absorbed in a new work project all week that I neglected to post this new single, or anything else I’ve learned about the album. While I was snoozing, Fluxblog beat me to posting the single, and now Stereogum has the full album tracklisting. I’m just so behind…
The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living
1. Pranging Out
2. War Of The Sexes
3. The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living
4. All Goes Out the Window
5. Memento Mori
6. Can’t Con An Honest John
7. When You Wasn’t Famous
8. Never Went To Church
9. Hotel Expressionism
10. Two Nations
11. Fake Streets Hats
-Due out in April
The Streets - When You Wasn’t Famous
The Streets (ft. Kano & Lady Sovereign) - Fit But You Know It (remix)
The Mitchell Brothers (ft. Kano & Mike SKinner)- Routine Check
- The Mitchells are on Skinner’s new label The Beats
jamie on February 14th, 2006
Maybe I’ve become a bitter old man, but this Valentine’s Holiday is just bullshit. So, in the spirit of bullshit, enjoy this themed playlist:
Love Stinks - J. Geils Band
I think this is always going to be the number one song played on Feb. 14th. Classic.
Song For The Dumped - Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds always puts such raw emotion into everything he does, so it’s no surprise that this one really rocks.
Love Is Hell - Ryan Adams
I’m actualy not such a fan of this track, but the title was so appropriate, so what the hell…
Love Is Only A Feeling - The Darkness
A great song from before they started to suck.
Through With You - Maroon 5
Ya know, I really like Maroon 5, I was really into their album before it became the most overplayed thing in the past two years- when will they do something new? The original album version was the best (not the re-released, re-mixed for the masses version), but I seem to have lost it, so enjoy the live version (recorded Friday the 13th no less).
Sexed Up - Robbie Williams
The least obvious on my playlist, but it’s really all about breaking up.
Never Wanna F’n See You Again (Explicit) - Rich Hardesty
Bloomington, IN artsts are not all this bitter- or bad, but the song’s catchy (and a part of my college history) so it’s on the list. I hear Rich Hardesty is still big in Jamaica.
Jen Doesn’t Like Me Anymore - Less Than Jake
My favorite song on the list, and probably the shortest (lyrically):
Jen thinks it isn’t fair that I don’t really care
If she likes me or not
And Jen doesn’t like to settle
Until she makes me feel like Howie Reynolds
She thinks that I’m all that I’ve got
No Jen doesn’t like me anymore
Jen doesn’t like to go to the shows,
She doesn’t like my whoa - whoa’s.
Jen doesn’t like me anymore.
jamie on February 14th, 2006
First off, the weekend:
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Eller played an incredible show at CJ’s Landing in Buckhead on Friday. Jonathan and Deke put on an amazing show- sitting there listening I could easily imagine that sound in front of much larger audiences. The songs coming from these guys are just amazing! |
| Eller - Arizona |
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Second, yes, my beloved Chelsea lost to some rag-tag team on Saturday (all those footiie non-fans: this was like David killing Goliath, only except that Goliath is really cool here). If I were a betting man, I’d put heavy odds on the fact that they’ll not lose another match in this season. Champions are still champions- 20-2-3 or 21-1-3, it’s still 12 points ahead of the rest of the league. |
Back to music…
Today is Tuesday, but th enew release calendar is (again) really light. Of note, two US releases of albums already out in the UK:
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Babyshambles - Down In Albion
Babyshambles is the post-Libertines project of terrifically ugly and drug-adicted Pete Doherty. Recent media frenzy over Doherty’s former girlfriend Kate Moss’ are about the only reason this album was ever on the radar. |
F**k Forever
La Belle et Las Bête |
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The Subways - Young For Eternity
Subways’ Bassist Charlotte Cooper was my pic for Stereogum’s hottest indie rock chick of 2005 (she ranked high in the results, but lost out to Jenny Lewis (you decide, below). Besides having a hot bass player, the trio boast an amazing energy that won them their first big break on the Glostonbury unsigned performers stage in 2004. The Subways’ Rock & Roll Queen was included on one fo the O.C. Mix releases, giving them that all-important teenage crowd introduction to the US. |
Oh Yeah
Rock & Roll Queen
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away |
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| Charlotte Cooper (The Subways) |
Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley) |
jamie on February 10th, 2006
The Brit Awards are next week- this is the UK version of our Grammys, only the artists and songs in the runnings aren’t 18 months past their prime. Some of the nominees for “Breakout Artist” this year are my favorite acts of the past year, including James Blunt, The Magic Numbers, and KT Tunstall and and BBC Radio 1’s Jo Whiley has had many of them in to the studios this week to play live on-air. A tradition on the Live Lounge segment is for musical guest to perform a cover song- often with surprising results. Thanks to the BBC’s liberal policy of providing internet streams, I have a collection of the performances for you here today (not CD-quality, but worth the listen).
jamie on February 8th, 2006
Music For Kids That Can’t Read Good celebrates it’s 100th post by going from Buddy Holly to Sufjan Sevens (six degrees of Kevin Bacon style) using cover songs. Starting with Buddy Holly doing his orignal Everyday, MFKTRG goes to The Beatles’ cover of Buddy Holly’s That’ll Be The Day, then to Martha And The Vandellas’ cover of The Beatles’ Something. It continues like that through 16 different tracks, ending at Sufjan Stevens’ cover of R.E.M.’s The One I love. Check it out HERE…its worth it.
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