The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper: Line Out: On Tour

The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper: Line Out: On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/blogs/lineout/ Seattle's #1 Weekly Newspaper. Covering Seattle news, politics, music, film, and arts; plus movie times, club calendars, restaurant listings, forums, blogs, and Savage Love. en-us Copyright 2013 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. editor@thestranger.com (The Stranger Editor) webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:00:01 -0700 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:45:00 -0700 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss King Khan & the Shrines - "Born to Die" http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/17/king-khan-and-the-shrines-born-to-die http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/17/king-khan-and-the-shrines-born-to-die Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:312px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/8fa7/1371481031-king_khan.jpg" alt="king_khan.jpg" title="" width="300" height="198" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Merge Records</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div> Only a month after <strong>Merge</strong> announced that they had signed the band, <strong>King Khan & the Shrines</strong> have released their first single for the label, and it's pretty great. And it isn't exactly spare or simple. On the contrary, they called on a bunch of horn and string players* to pull this thing off. According to Khan, the self-proclaimed "Beetlejuice of rock 'n' roll," it's "an apocalyptic ode to the heinous war machine that to this day ruins our lives." And yet, "Born to Die" is anything but a bummer. </p> <p><small>* On top of the trumpet and saxophone players that are a regular part of the group. </small> </p> <p><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F95409544"></iframe></p> <p><small><em>Merge releases</em> Idle No More <em>on Sept 3. King Khan & the Shrines play <a href="http://neumos.com/event/king-khan-and-the-shrines-10-16/">Neumos</a> on Oct 16 ($15 adv, 21+).</em></small></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/17/king-khan-and-the-shrines-born-to-die#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=17044017&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Song On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/17/king-khan-and-the-shrines-born-to-die?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=17044017&id=comments 0 King Khan & the Shrines - "Born to Die" Merge Records Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:17:06 -0700 The Stranger John Grant: The Greatest Motherfucker You're Ever Gonna Meet http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/12/john-grant-the-greatest-motherfucker-youre-ever-gonna-meet http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/12/john-grant-the-greatest-motherfucker-youre-ever-gonna-meet Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:262px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/9478/1370748426-johncafe2.jpg" alt="Bella Union-Partisan" title="Bella Union-Partisan" width="250" height="375" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Bella Union-Partisan</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div> <strong>John Grant</strong><br /><em>Pale Green Ghosts</em><br />(Bella Union-Partisan Records)<br /> <br /><em>I am the greatest motherfucker you're ever gonna meet / from the top of my head down to the tips of the toes on my feet / So, go ahead and love me while it's still a crime / but don't forget you could be laughing 65% more of the time.</em><br />—John Grant, "GMF"<br /> <br />Recorded in Reykjavík with GusGus's Biggi Veira, former Czars front man and Midlake sideman John Grant's <em><strong>Pale Green Ghosts</strong></em> is one of the year's most surprising records—it's also one of the best. </p> <p>I could tell from the first few electronic pulses that I would like it, but in truth, I'd already read a few things about the album—the <a href="http://othermusic.com/2013may23update.html">Other Music</a> summary, the <a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18070-john-grant-pale-green-ghosts/">Pitchfork</a> review—so I had some idea as to what to expect: a gut-wrenchingly confessional song cycle with none of the reedy singing that makes so many coffeehouse troubadours so un-listenable. <br /> <br />And that's because this isn't a folk record and Grant's rich baritone voice is hardly reedy. Nor does he <strong>over-enunciate</strong> every word, a musical-theater trope drives me around the bend. No, this is dance music. And fuck-you music. But the beats never overwhelm the lyrics, and <strong>he barely raises his beautiful voice</strong>, which just makes his statements sting all the more, i.e. "You think I hate myself, but it's you I hate." That's right: his sophomore release recounts a breakup. It's also his first full-length since revealing his HIV+ status. Suffice to say: anger fuels this art.</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ekFWPsXXcg0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>At times, Grant reminds me of everyone from <strong>Scott Walker</strong> and <strong>David Bowie</strong> to <strong>the Hidden Cameras</strong>—even a little <strong>Elton John</strong>—but summarizing his music by way of influences obscures the intense originality that shines through (though the closing track, "Glacier," evokes Bowie's piano-drenched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fHoMw8tCzo">"Lady Grinning Soul"</a> in a rather wonderful way). Other references are more explicit, since he specifically cites <strong>Ernest Borgnine</strong>, <strong>Woody Allen</strong>, <strong>Jane Eyre</strong>, and "Richard Burton's corpse."</p> <p>His backup singer is also a powerful presence in her own right. Sometimes she echoes what he says, sometimes she responds to it, and the equally iconoclastic <strong>Sinéad O'Connor</strong>, who's turned into an internet punching bag of late, has never sounded better (for my money, her presence on this record marks one of the most surprising things about it). Interestingly, the five tracks on which she appears arrive at the album's midpoint—its white-hot molten core, you might say. </p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><object width="466" height="138"><param name="movie" value="http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/external/player.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="FlashVars" value="config_settings_displayMode=audio&config_settings_skin=silver&playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebbc%2Eco%2Euk%2F6music%2Femp%2Fxml%2Fnews%2Faudio%2Fjohngrant%2Exml&config_settings_showFooter=true&"></param><embed src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/external/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="466" height="138" FlashVars="config_settings_displayMode=audio&config_settings_skin=silver&playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebbc%2Eco%2Euk%2F6music%2Femp%2Fxml%2Fnews%2Faudio%2Fjohngrant%2Exml&config_settings_showFooter=true&"></embed></object></div><br /> <br />Aside from the voice, the lyrics, and the Eno-inspired washes of synth, Grant incorporates bass, drums, piano, saxophone, and strings. I'm sure there are guitars in the mix, but they defer to every other instrument, which is refreshing, simply because confessional songwriting and balefully plucked guitar can get old. <br /> <br />While the haunting title refers to the Colorado trees Grant would pass on his way to the only gay dance bar in town, <em><strong>Pale Green Ghosts</strong></em> is also a very funny album—at least to those who share his dark, self-lacerating sense of humor, and anyone who can joke about their battles with alcoholism, depression, and one-night stands is all right by me. At the very least: it's the opposite of denial. <br /> <br />It's been awhile since I've heard a dance record with this much heart. Or a singer-songwriter record with this much soul. And although it will surely piss off those who believe that profanity is the realm of the stupid and the ignorant, the smart, sophisticated Grant also <strong>swears like a motherfucker</strong>. And makes it feel like a kiss. </p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ux1fglC0aT0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div><br /> <br /><div style="text-align:center;">Pale Green Ghosts <em>is out now on Partisan. Grant plays <a href="http://thebarboza.com/event/john-grant-6-20/">Barboza</a> on June 20.</em></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/12/john-grant-the-greatest-motherfucker-youre-ever-gonna-meet#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16981445&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> New Releases Very Great Album On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/12/john-grant-the-greatest-motherfucker-youre-ever-gonna-meet?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16981445&id=comments 4 John Grant: The Greatest Motherfucker You're Ever Gonna Meet Bella Union-Partisan Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:36:33 -0700 The Stranger Parquet Courts and Lil Bub: On the Road to Win Your Heart http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/11/parquet-courts-and-lil-bub-on-the-road-to-win-your-heart http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/11/parquet-courts-and-lil-bub-on-the-road-to-win-your-heart Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:312px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/bcf0/1370804165-parquet_courts.jpg" alt="parquet_courts.jpg" title="" width="300" height="213" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div> I'm always sad when I miss the chance to see a dynamic band play a tiny club. You've either got to catch them before they hit it big, hope they stay small (which isn't exactly fair to the band members), or work a schedule that's more flexible than mine. </p> <p>In other words, I wish I'd gotten the opportunity to see <strong>Parquet Courts</strong> at Capitol Hill's Cairo in January, as that isn't likely to happen again (and I'm just as bummed to have missed Blank Realm at the same small venue this weekend).</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lsygwAVtwd0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>Sometimes, though, I luck out. As much as I enjoyed <strong>METZ</strong> at Neumos last month, I enjoyed them even more at Barboza last fall—and that isn't likely to happen again either. But I'm still glad <strong>Sub Pop</strong> just added them to the <a href="http://silverjubilee.subpop.com/info">Silver Jubilee</a> lineup, because they bring it live, and more people deserve to see them in action.</p> <p>I hope I can say the same of <strong>Parquet Courts</strong> when they play Neumos this Thursday. I'm a big believer in <em><strong>Light Up Gold</strong></em>, which I wrote about in <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/07/there-are-still-careers-in-combat-my-son">this post</a>, and I look forward to hearing them bring that material to life (for what it's worth, I did catch the KEXP stream of <a href="http://kexp.org/live/liveperformance.aspx?rId=34397">their SXSW set</a>, and they sounded great). </p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:487px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/b856/1370849755-lil_bub_friendz.jpg" alt="Still from Lil Bub & Friendz" title="Still from Lil Bub & Friendz" width="475" height="267" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Vice Media </li><li class="imageCaption">Still from <em>Lil Bub & Friendz</em> (dir. Juliette Eisner and Andy Capper)</li></ul></div></p> <p>For those who can't get enough of the Brooklyn quartet, they've now got their own tour documentary, which you can watch <a href="http://noisey.vice.com/noisey-specials/parquet-courts-light-up-gold-road-trip-full-documentary">here</a>. And to hear three new songs—"Dear Ramona," "Got Me Wondering Now," and "The More I Use It, the More It Works"—the session they recorded for NPR's World Cafe lives at <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/06/05/188978580/parquet-courts-on-world-cafe?sc=tw&cc=share">this link</a> (I found the host's shambling delivery irritating, but the new material sounds good). </p> <p>Coincidentally, director <strong>Andy Capper</strong> also worked on the Vice Media documentary <em><strong>Lil Bub & Friendz</strong></em>, which I caught this weekend at SIFF. As a work of cultural anthropology, i.e. an examination of the internet cat phenomenon, the 65-minute film barely scratches the surface—pun intended—but as a touching portrait of an Indianapolis studio owner and his special needs tabby, it gets the job done.</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Yx6cY84XmwU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p><em>Parquet Courts play <a href="http://neumos.com/event/parquet-courts-6-13/">Neumos</a> with Naomi Punk on June 13 ($12 adv). According to <a href="http://lilbub.com/">Lil Bub's site</a>, "BUB still doesn't know what's happening with the film outside of festival screenings. VICE is working on distribution and it will be available somehow, somewhere, and sometime. That's all she knows, it's out of her paws!"</em></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/11/parquet-courts-and-lil-bub-on-the-road-to-win-your-heart#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16986124&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Sub Pop / Hardly Art Cats SIFF On Tour Film http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/11/parquet-courts-and-lil-bub-on-the-road-to-win-your-heart?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16986124&id=comments 0 Parquet Courts and Lil Bub: On the Road to Win Your Heart K.C. Fennessy Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:09:13 -0700 The Stranger Black Moth Super Rainbow Live on KEXP http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/20/black-moth-super-rainbow-live-on-kexp http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/20/black-moth-super-rainbow-live-on-kexp Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:312px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/76e1/1369066106-black_moth.jpg" alt="black_moth.jpg" title="" width="300" height="222" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption">The Black Moth aesthetic: cute and creepy</li></ul></div> Main man Tom "Tobacco" Fec and his merry band of musicians play KEXP 90.3 FM at 11:00am <strong>today</strong> (Pacific Standard Time). If you miss their on-air performance, the station maintains an invaluable archive at kexp.org/live (recent guests include Kurt Vile, Os Mutantes, and Colleen Green). </p> <p>I'm curious to hear what the glammed-up material from <em><a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/18/black-moth-and-the-return-of-the-rad-cult">Cobra Juicy</a></em> sounds like without the safety net of the studio. <strong>Black Moth Super Rainbow</strong> plays <a href="http://neumos.com/event/black-moth-super-rainbow-5-20/">Neumos</a> tonight with the Hood Internet and Oscillator Bug. $15 adv, 8pm, 21+</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/20/black-moth-super-rainbow-live-on-kexp#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16821346&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/20/black-moth-super-rainbow-live-on-kexp?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16821346&id=comments 0 Black Moth Super Rainbow Live on KEXP K.C. Fennessy Mon, 20 May 2013 09:45:34 -0700 The Stranger Shannon & the Clams' Newish* Single "Into a Dream" Is Dreamy http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/20/shannon-and-the-clams-newish-single-into-a-dream-is-dreamy http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/20/shannon-and-the-clams-newish-single-into-a-dream-is-dreamy Kathy Fennessy <p>The Oakland trio (vocalist-bassist Shannon Shaw, guitarist Cody Blanchard, and drummer Ian Amberson) have outdone themselves with this finger-snapping, Technicolor torch song that re-imagines Roy Orbison as a Shangri-Las singer. </p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yFGQgL_Z4tg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p><em>Stream the whole thing at the <a href="http://www.avclub.com/articles/listen-to-dreams-in-the-rat-house-the-new-record-f,97713/">AV Club</a> through tomorrow. You can also watch a short documentary <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaCkuogTL6c&feature=share&list=PL80B252794383E5CA">here</a>. Hardly Art releases</em> Dreams in the Rat House <em>on May 21. Then, on June 7, Shannon & the Clams play the Tractor Tavern with Mikal Cronin.</em></p> <p><small>* "Into a Dream" hit my inbox on May 1, but I didn't get the chance to listen until yesterday.</small></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/20/shannon-and-the-clams-newish-single-into-a-dream-is-dreamy#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16816580&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> New Releases Sub Pop / Hardly Art Song On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/20/shannon-and-the-clams-newish-single-into-a-dream-is-dreamy?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16816580&id=comments 0 Mon, 20 May 2013 09:13:55 -0700 The Stranger Psych-Glam Band the Burnt Ones' "Web" and You'll Never Walk Alone http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/07/psych-glam-band-the-burnt-ones-web-and-youl-never-walk-alone http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/07/psych-glam-band-the-burnt-ones-web-and-youl-never-walk-alone Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:262px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/777a/1367956166-burnt_ones.jpg" alt="burnt_ones.jpg" title="" width="250" height="250" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Burger Records</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div> Psych-glam Bay Area outfit <strong>the Burnt Ones</strong> have released a video for the song "Web" off their new record, <em>You'll Never Walk Alone</em>, which I wrote about <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/12/the-burnt-ones-are-on-your-side">here</a>. </p> <p>Though I referred to them as a trio, because that's what all available information indicated—profiles, promo portraits, press releases, etc.—four people appear in this clip, so I think there's something they're not telling us, though bands are known to call on auxiliary members from time to time. </p> <p>In any case, the thing was shot on video, which reminds me of last year's scrappy horror anthology <em><a href="http://siffblog2.blogspot.com/2012/06/blurry-pictures-of-dynamic-directors-pt.html">V/H/S</a></em>, except it isn't scary, though the glowing neon images provide the perfect fit for their fuzzy <strong>T. Rex</strong>-meets-<strong>Pink Floyd</strong> maelstrom (and look for <a href="http://www.siff.net/festival-2013/vhs2"><em>V/H/S/2</em></a> at this year's Seattle International Film Festival). </p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WiJOMsDoZbY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p><em>Burger Records releases</em> You'll Never Walk Alone <em>on May 14. Stream it now at <a href="http://adhoc.fm/post/burnt-ones-youll-never-walk-alone/">Ad Hoc</a>. They'll also be playing Chop Suey with Pony Time on June 17 ($7 adv, 21+).</em></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/07/psych-glam-band-the-burnt-ones-web-and-youl-never-walk-alone#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16696546&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour Video http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/05/07/psych-glam-band-the-burnt-ones-web-and-youl-never-walk-alone?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16696546&id=comments 0 Psych-Glam Band the Burnt Ones' "Web" and <i>You'll Never Walk Alone</i> Burger Records Tue, 07 May 2013 13:54:09 -0700 The Stranger And the Best Band Press Photo of the Week Goes To... http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/26/and-the-best-band-press-photo-of-the-week-goes-to http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/26/and-the-best-band-press-photo-of-the-week-goes-to Bree McKenna <p>...CHASTITY BELT!!!<br /><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/4bdf/1367002692-chastity_group_lay_01b.jpg" alt="CHASTITY_GROUP_LAY_01B.jpg" title="" width="500" height="636" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Sarah Creighton</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div><br />My favorite band photographer <a href="http://phosphenestudios.carbonmade.com/about">Sarah Creighton </a> tooled together a steak chastity belt and took a series of these Virgin Suicides-with-a-twist photos after a conversation where the band was joking about making it a habit of <strong>throwing raw meat</strong> at apathetic crowds. It makes for some striking feminist imagery, and I gotta give props to <strong>Chastity Belt </strong>for having the guts to not take the same stupid "band lined up in front of a brick wall" press photo... it also made me think of what <strong>Everett True</strong> from Collapse Board just said about the <a href="http://www.collapseboard.com/everett-true/song-of-the-day/song-of-the-day-572-hot-fruit/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CollapseBoard+%28Collapse+Board%29">new Hot Fruit video </a>this week, "I love women who produce art for themselves and don’t ask for your approval. Women can be brave and rude and intelligent. Women can make you uncomfortable and they can set their own terms."</p> <p><strong>Chastity Belt </strong>play tonight with <strong>Street Gnar</strong>, Massenger and the Memories (all three are <strong>Burger Records </strong>bands) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/226006404208435/?ref=ts&fref=ts">tonight at the Rendezvous</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/massengerband?ref=ts&fref=ts">Massenger </a>(who share a drummer with La Sera ) make delightfully perfect pop songs and are not to be missed. <br /><iframe width="400" height="100" style="position: relative; display: block; width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/track=624201777/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0"><a href="http://massenger.bandcamp.com/track/power-to-the-ppl-2">Power to the PPL by MASSENGER</a></iframe></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/26/and-the-best-band-press-photo-of-the-week-goes-to#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16598181&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour Photo 206 http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/26/and-the-best-band-press-photo-of-the-week-goes-to?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16598181&id=comments 8 And the Best Band Press Photo of the Week Goes To... Sarah Creighton Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:56:09 -0700 The Stranger New Helado Negro Video: "Relatives" http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/22/new-helado-negro-video-relatives http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/22/new-helado-negro-video-relatives Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:312px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/c99a/1366649361-helado_negro.jpg" alt="helado_negro.jpg" title="" width="300" height="180" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Asthmatic Kitty</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div> <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/11/helado-negro-calm-cool-and-collected">Helado Negro</a> (Roberto Lange) has just issued a video for "Relatives," the most bass-<br />intensive cut off <em>Invisible Life</em>. </p> <p>I'm not sure exactly what it all means, but Lange is a visual artist, so I'd imagine he was involved somehow in director Zircon Prince's multimedia conception. It doesn't all work, especially that blurry pan towards the end, but I like the song, which benefits from Jon Philpot's <strong>José González</strong>-like vocal contribution, an airy counterpoint to Lange's more earthbound approach. </p> <p>In the press notes, Lange describes the impressionistic clip as follows:</p> <blockquote><p><small>"The video uses a lot of hard cuts with video generated by synthesizers and some from travels, late nights and early mornings. Jon from Bear in Heaven created a really amazing counterbalance to the song that acts like some residue of things in my brain—like a resonant echo that keeps repeating itself to me as I keep following."</small></p></blockquote> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/64192496" width="475" height="335" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/64192496">Helado Negro- Relatives</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/asthmatickitty">Asthmatic Kitty</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</div></p> <p><div style="text-align:center;">Invisible Life <em>is out now. Helado Negro plays <a href="http://thebarboza.com/event/javelin-5-9/">Barboza</a> with Javelin on May 9.</em></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/22/new-helado-negro-video-relatives#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16559520&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour Video http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/22/new-helado-negro-video-relatives?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16559520&id=comments 0 New Helado Negro Video: "Relatives" Asthmatic Kitty Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:21:57 -0700 The Stranger Angel Olsen's Stunning Set at Barboza http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/20/angel-olsens-stunning-set-at-barboza http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/20/angel-olsens-stunning-set-at-barboza Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:312px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/6189/1366474021-angel_olsen2.jpg" alt="angel_olsen2.jpg" title="" width="300" height="225" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div> I was afraid there wouldn't be a lot of people at Barboza last night for <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/15/angel-olsens-new-record-and-tour">Angel Olsen</a>, but that was definitely not the case. The crowd was a little sparse for <strong>Villages</strong>, but they filled the room before Olsen took the stage (I stayed in the back during Villages' set; Ross Gentry's carefully controlled brand of drone-rock was a bit sleepy for my taste). </p> <p>Olsen brought a talented three-piece with her (bass, drums, cello), and they began with "Acrobat" off <em><strong>Half Way Home</strong></em>. It was a great way to start the show. </p> <p><em>More low-light pics below (I turned off the flash to reduce the irritation factor). </em></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:487px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/997a/1366474561-angel_olsen3.jpg" alt="angel_olsen3.jpg" title="" width="475" height="366" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div></p> <p>It took me aback to see so many people out on a busy, crappy night to see this relatively low-profile performer in concert. I've never heard her on the radio, and I haven't noticed much interest from the local press, so I'd be curious as to how so many became familiar with her work. I suspect it's partly because she spent years touring with <strong>Bonny "Prince" Billie</strong>. Since Olsen left to pursue a solo career, Will Oldham has been working with <strong>Dawn McCarthy</strong> of Faun Fables. Interestingly, my friend, Steven, noted that some of Olsen's songs recalled the <strong>Everly Brothers</strong>. The latest Billy-McCarthy collaboration, <em><a href="http://www.dragcity.com/artists/dawn-mccarthy-and-bonny-billy">What the Brothers Sang</a></em>, is a collection of lesser-known Everly material. It's entirely possible that Olsen is a fan, too.</p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:487px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/images/blogimages/2013/04/20/1366486634-angel_olsen6.jpg" alt="Stewart Bronaugh on bass" title="Stewart Bronaugh on bass " width="475" height="416" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption">Stewart Bronaugh on bass </li></ul></div></p> <p>With her cat-eye eyeliner and long blonde hair, Olsen's looks echoed her music, which works off 1960s and '70s touchstones from raw-boned country to folk rock to girl-group pop, and several of the gents in the front were crushing on her big time (in person, she resembles <a href="http://ghostradio.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/aimee-teegarden-wallpaper-03.jpg">Aimee Teegarden</a> from <em>Friday Night Lights</em>). </p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:487px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/0236/1366474914-angel_olsen5.jpg" alt="angel_olsen5.jpg" title="" width="475" height="371" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div></p> <p>When she asked for beer recommendations, they burst forth with suggestions, including Bud Light's <a href="http://greatbrewers.com/sites/default/files/images/Bud%20Light%20Lime%20STRAWBERITA.preview.jpg">Straw-Ber-Rita</a>. Three of the guys were drinking the stuff out of tiny cans, and one fellow even offered her a sip, which she politely declined. During the set, I heard him say to his pal, "What a voice!" Another guy kept turning to his female companion, and saying things like, "I told you she was good!" It's clear he wanted her to share in his enthusiasm, and I have to say: <strong>Olsen was great</strong>. Her voice sounded just as stunning live as it does on record. </p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:487px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/images/blogimages/2013/04/20/1366486929-angel_olsen7.jpg" alt="Joshua Jaeger on drums" title="Joshua Jaeger on drums" width="475" height="388" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption">Joshua Jaeger on drums (not pictured: cellist Danah Olivetree)</li></ul></div></p> <p>In the live context, especially under Barboza's glowing crimson lights, Olsen gave off more of a jazzy, quasi-Lynchian vibe, which has a lot to do with drummer Joshua Jaeger, who can really swing (I ran into him as I was leaving, and told him how much I enjoyed the show). At times, he draped his drum heads with towels, but they still sounded pleasingly tinny, even though he kept trading between brushes and sticks. And he wasn't always quiet. Olsen and band could really kick up a ruckus, though she ended with two stark solo numbers. She said she was only going to play one, but the crowd insisted on another, and she granted their wish. To quote Olsen herself, it was all pretty "sick." In the best possible way. </p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:487px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/images/blogimages/2013/04/20/1366475854-angel_olsen4.jpg" alt="angel_olsen4.jpg" title="" width="475" height="370" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div></p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><em>Olsen plays again today at Sonic Boom at 3pm as part of Record Store Day.</em></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/20/angel-olsens-stunning-set-at-barboza#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16543739&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Last Night On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/20/angel-olsens-stunning-set-at-barboza?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16543739&id=comments 4 Angel Olsen's Stunning Set at Barboza K.C. Fennessy Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:26:18 -0700 The Stranger Tour Diary: Seattle's Ex-Girlfriends Go to Japan, Entry Two http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/18/tour-diary-seattles-ex-girlfriends-go-to-japan-entry-two http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/18/tour-diary-seattles-ex-girlfriends-go-to-japan-entry-two Kelly O <p><small><em>EDS NOTE: <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/16/triumphant-return-of-tour-diary-seattles-ex-girlfriends-go-to-japan-entry-one">Entry #2</a>, from Zack of the Ex-Girlfriends. You should listen to them <a href="http://ex-girlfriends.bandcamp.com/">right here</a>, <br />and then read on! —Kelly O</em></small></p> <p>"We wake up to two pugs named <strong>Dave Grohl</strong> and<strong> Chris Shiflett</strong>, taking turns sitting on our foreheads. Our first show is in Ikebukuro, at a bar called <strong>The Manhole</strong>—a tiny smoky basement bar beneath an optometrist's office. All six bands get a 20-minute sound check (that the other bands watch, dutifully) followed by a meeting that apparently happens before every show, wherein each band is introduced to <strong>everyone in a huge circle</strong>, and then they welcome us to Japan. The level of commitment here is humbling—playing a show is a seven or eight hour chunk out of the day, not the two or three hour <strong>stumble-into-the-Comet Tavern</strong> shit that we're used to. Every band we play with is incredibly polished. Before the show, we go to a bar to eat, and our waitress comes out with <strong>a live squid in a bag</strong> for our approval as she brings our drinks. We nod like we know what the fuck we're looking at, and half an hour later it comes out, sliced up and raw. Halfway through <strong>picking meat off it's back</strong>, a stray chopstick pokes the squid in the face, and Pete swears he sees it move. We ask if its still alive, and our friend Yuto says, "Just a little bit." </p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/bcd6/1366333151-pug.jpg" alt="Dave Grohl is a pug!" title="Dave Grohl is a pug!" width="500" height="396" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Ex-Girlfriends</li><li class="imageCaption">Dave Grohl is a pug!</li></ul></div></p> <p>Our show is amazing, everybody's <strong>super-enthusiastic</strong>. Afterwards we go to an after-party—called "uchiage"—that's all-you-can-drink-AND-eat for 25 bucks. They teach us how to yell <strong>"SIT ON MY FACE"</strong> in Japanese. We get tanked and video tape a urinal with a built-in video game that measures the<strong> volume of pee</strong> in the bowl."</p> <p><strong>Quote of the day</strong> "There is nothing like a bidet to wash the shame of beer shits off your ass."—<em>Mike Loftus</em></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/9738/1366333215-manhole.jpg" alt="manhole.jpg" title="" width="500" height="667" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">ex-girlfriends</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/9d11/1366333256-squid.jpg" alt="Its alive!" title="Its alive!" width="500" height="354" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">ex-girlfriends</li><li class="imageCaption">It's alive!</li></ul></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/18/tour-diary-seattles-ex-girlfriends-go-to-japan-entry-two#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16531236&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour Road Diary http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/18/tour-diary-seattles-ex-girlfriends-go-to-japan-entry-two?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16531236&id=comments 0 Tour Diary: Seattle's Ex-Girlfriends Go to Japan, Entry Two Dave Grohl is a pug! Ex-Girlfriends Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:30:48 -0700 The Stranger Triumphant Return of Tour Diary: Seattle's Ex-Girlfriends Go to Japan, Entry One http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/16/triumphant-return-of-tour-diary-seattles-ex-girlfriends-go-to-japan-entry-one http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/16/triumphant-return-of-tour-diary-seattles-ex-girlfriends-go-to-japan-entry-one Kelly O <p><small><em>EDS NOTE: Entry #1, from Mike of the Ex-Girlfriends. You should listen to them <a href="http://ex-girlfriends.bandcamp.com/">right here</a>, <br />and then read on! —Kelly O</em></small></p> <p><div class="blogImageRight" style="width:212px;"><a href="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/d2ba/1366155072-poster.jpg" class="zoomable"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/d2ba/1366155072-poster.jpg" alt="poster.jpg" title="" width="200" height="270" /></a></div>"After <strong>14 hours of flying</strong>, and countless hours spent waiting around, we finally landed in the Narita International Airport. The flight was star-studded. We took the sightings of both of <strong>Rihanna</strong> and <strong>the Pharcyde</strong> on our plane as omens of good luck. One of the dudes from Pharcyde was even nice enough to switch seats with me so that Chris and I could sit together. We took advantage of the free beer and <strong>laughed ourselves to sleep</strong> with <em>Mrs. Doubtfire</em>, <em>Beverly Hills Cop</em>, and Xanax. </p> <p>When we got to Narita, after a short wait, our friend Hiroki drove us straight to a punk show, where <strong>he fed us many Budweisers</strong>. <br />Let it be known, that we hadn't eaten in quite some time. The possibly least responsible member of our band proceeded to get smashed. Chris fell in love with a super sexy bass player, and was super pissed when we made him leave." —<em>Mike, guitar</em></p> <p><strong>Quote of the day:</strong> "The best part about people thinking you're Kurt Cobain is that when you can't get it up, you don't have to be embarrassed—you can just pin that shit on him" —<em>Chris, drums</em></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/c40d/1366155973-group.jpg" alt="(L-R) Zack Marley, Peter Christensen, Chris Byrne, Michael Loftus, and Elizabeth Marx" title="(L-R) Zack Marley, Peter Christensen, Chris Byrne, Michael Loftus, and Elizabeth Marx" width="500" height="508" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">photo by Hiroki Okano</li><li class="imageCaption">(L-R) Zack Marley, Peter Christensen, Chris Byrne, Michael Loftus, and Elizabeth Marx</li></ul></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/16/triumphant-return-of-tour-diary-seattles-ex-girlfriends-go-to-japan-entry-one#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16509231&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour Road Diary http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/16/triumphant-return-of-tour-diary-seattles-ex-girlfriends-go-to-japan-entry-one?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16509231&id=comments 0 Triumphant Return of Tour Diary: Seattle's Ex-Girlfriends Go to Japan, Entry One Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:08:09 -0700 The Stranger Chuck Ragan And The Revival Tour Roll Through Town http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/16/chuck-ragan-and-the-revival-tour-roll-through-town http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/16/chuck-ragan-and-the-revival-tour-roll-through-town Sean Jewell <p>Attention, Spring Chickens! Florida punk rocker <a href="http://chuckraganmusic.com/">Chuck Ragan</a> (<strong>Hot Water Music</strong>) will be at <strong>Silver Platters</strong> for an <a href="http://www.silverplatters.com/rel/v2_home.php?storenr=215&deptnr=11">in-store performance</a> before showing his deep-in-the-mangroves-country roots later in the evening with <a href="http://www.therevivaltourtix.com/">The Revival Tour</a> at the <strong>Tractor Tavern on Thursday</strong>. </p> <p>Joining <strong>Ragan</strong> on the Seattle stop of The Revival Tour will be longtime collaborator and local troubadour <a href="http://www.rockyvotolato.com/">Rocky Votolato</a>, along with <a href="http://fuckyeahtimmcilrath.tumblr.com/">Tim McIlrath</a> (<strong>Rise Against</strong> / <strong>The Killing Tree</strong>), <a href="http://jennyo.com/music">Jenny O</a> (who’s <a href="http://g.virbcdn.com/_f2/cdn_images/resize_1024x1365/84/ContentImage-4029-260851-Rodriguez_Jenny_O_Tour_2013_Poster_47.jpg">tour with Rodriguez is sold out</a>), and <a href="http://davehause.com/">Dave Hause</a> (<strong>The Loved Ones</strong>). </p> <p>If you’re a fan of any of the above artists, or their bands, it’d be wise to attend this show, but don’t expect your typical concert to take place. In case you aren't aware, <strong>The Revival Tour</strong> works like this: There will be an <strong>opening set</strong> featuring all members on stage at once playing songs they worked on together! Be on time for this! Afterwards, the individual songwriters take turns playing their own material with the other members of the tour serving as their backing band (this usually results in <strong>unforgettable improvisational magical moments</strong>), then after everyone gets a chance to play, <strong>the whole group will play another set together at the end</strong>. They are their own opener, support acts, and main act. </p> <p>They are a festival of their own, coming at you like a wall of wordy, painterly poets, wielding mostly stringed things which they’ll pick, pluck, strum, and bow the folk out of for you.</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sG3lt3NfqeQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/16/chuck-ragan-and-the-revival-tour-roll-through-town#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16502578&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/16/chuck-ragan-and-the-revival-tour-roll-through-town?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16502578&id=comments 0 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:33:38 -0700 The Stranger Angel Olsen's New Record and Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/15/angel-olsens-new-record-and-tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/15/angel-olsens-new-record-and-tour Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:312px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/7778/1365903181-angel_olsen.jpg" alt="Photo by Sabrina Rush" title="Photo by Sabrina Rush" width="300" height="200" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Bathetic Records</li><li class="imageCaption">Photo by Sabrina Rush</li></ul></div> <strong>Angel Olsen</strong><br /><em>Half Way Home</em><br />(Bathetic Records)</p> <p>In 2012, Chicago's <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/21/haunting-new-videos-from-angel-olsen">Angel Olsen</a> released her second full-length, <em><strong>Half Way Home</strong></em>, on Bathetic Records (JagJaguwar, home of Bon Iver and Dinosaur Jr, has since added her to their roster). It's an impressive effort from a skilled singer and songwriter. </p> <p>There's an old-timey feel to the record that shares sacred space with the early works of <strong>Marianne Faithfull</strong> and <strong>Emmylou Harris</strong>, i.e. she invests her skeletal folk with beauty and sorrow, but you've never heard a vocalist quite like Olsen, who floats freely between higher and lower registers—<strong>singing, talking, keening</strong>. One minute, she sounds like a free-spirited soprano; the next, a tormented alto. She's a showoff with the skills to back it up, but those who prefer reserve should probably look elsewhere.</p> <p>Olsen's arrangements are so stripped-down, in fact, that I found myself reflecting on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Marble_Giants">the Young Marble Giants</a>, especially during "The Sky Opened Up," even if her singing represents the opposite of Alison Stratton's restraint.* And that applies to her image-laden writing, as well, though she gets ahead of herself on "Miranda" by trying to do too much in one song (the lyrics begin with a recitation of the Miranda rights), the only disappointment on this otherwise accomplished album. </p> <p><small>* Since the 1980s, the incomparable <em>Colossal Youth</em> has held a very special place in my heart.</small></p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/48485396" width="475" height="335" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/48485396"><small>Angel Olsen - Acrobat (Official Music Video)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/toshadevapalani">Toshadeva Palani</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</small></a>.</div></p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><em>Angel Olsen plays <a href="http://thebarboza.com/event/angel-olsen-4-19/">Barboza</a> with Villages on April 19 (7pm, $10 adv, 21+); on April 20, she plays <a href="http://www.sonicboomrecords.com/">Sonic Boom</a> as part of Record Store Day (3pm, free, all ages).</em></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/15/angel-olsens-new-record-and-tour#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16492050&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> New Releases On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/15/angel-olsens-new-record-and-tour?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16492050&id=comments 0 Angel Olsen's New Record and Tour Photo by Sabrina Rush Bathetic Records Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:26:02 -0700 The Stranger On Tour: Whoah! Who Is This Dandy? http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/10/on-tour-whoah-who-is-this-dandy http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/10/on-tour-whoah-who-is-this-dandy Kelly O <p>Also: QUESTION: What kind of socks does a pirate wear?</p> <p><small> ANSWER: Arrrrrrrrrr-rgyle!</small></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:334px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/60a1/1365619686-press.jpg" alt="press.jpg" title="" width="322" height="322" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Showboxpresents.com</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/10/on-tour-whoah-who-is-this-dandy#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16462926&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/10/on-tour-whoah-who-is-this-dandy?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16462926&id=comments 5 On Tour: Whoah! Who Is This Dandy? Showbox Presents Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:44:40 -0700 The Stranger Colleen Green Makes Pure Pop for Now People http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/10/colleen-green-makes-pure-pop-for-now-people http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/10/colleen-green-makes-pure-pop-for-now-people Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:262px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/9ff1/1365438524-colleen_green.jpg" alt="Photo by Eric Penna" title="Photo by Eric Penna" width="250" height="169" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Hardly Art</li><li class="imageCaption">Photo by Eric Penna</li></ul></div> <strong>Colleen Green</strong><br /><em>Sock It to Me</em><br />(Hardly Art)</p> <p>On the basis of "<a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/24/on-her-new-single-colleen-green-has-all-the-time-in-the-world">Time in the World</a>," which plays like "Lucky Star"-era <strong>Madonna</strong> gone shoegaze, I expected good things from Colleen Green's full-length debut, and she delivered (and she really should cover "Lucky Star"). That first single sets the template as Green sings in an inviting voice over hot-rod guitars, rickety drum-machine beats, and the odd synthesizer flourish. </p> <p><em><strong>Sock It to Me</strong></em> also brings femme-fronted '90s outfits like <strong>Lush</strong> and <strong>the Breeders</strong> to mind, but that may have more to do with the way she sings than the music she makes, and I don't recall that's she's cited either of those acts as influences. Instead, she's mentioned <strong>the Descendents</strong>, who inspired the 2010 cassette <em>Milo Goes to Compton</em>, but punk doesn't come to mind when I listen to this record.</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JsgSbq9fExM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>In fact, there's nothing particularly punk about it at all, although I realize some people think of punk as an attitude or a spirit more than a style or a sound, but I mostly hear pop; not in the Top 40 sense, since the producer didn't buff everything to a high polish, but there's a buoyancy here that most punk lacks. </p> <p>The primary exceptions: "Heavy Shit," which features a faster pace and a <strong>Clash</strong>-like guitar line, even if her singing remains as smooth and steady as ever, and "Number One," which sounds like a lost <strong>Ramones</strong> track, circa "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend," so...I still hear more pop than punk, particularly since Dee Dee and the boys took so many cues from the Brill Building brain trust. And there's nothing wrong with that, so I'm sorry "pop" has developed so many negative connotations over the years—<strong><strong><em>Sock It to Me</em></strong></strong> is a great example of the form. <br /><div style="text-align:center;"><br /><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VzrDHF2lhNo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>Sock It to Me<em> is out now on Hardly Art. Stream it at <a href="http://stereogum.com/1285392/stream-colleen-green-sock-it-to-me-stereogum-premiere/album-stream/">Stereogum</a> and catch Colleen Green with White Fang at Heartland (5306 Roosevelt Way NE) on May 13.</em></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/10/colleen-green-makes-pure-pop-for-now-people#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16446124&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> New Releases Sub Pop / Hardly Art Very Great Album On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/04/10/colleen-green-makes-pure-pop-for-now-people?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16446124&id=comments 0 Colleen Green Makes Pure Pop for Now People Photo by Eric Penna Hardly Art Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:03:13 -0700 The Stranger Black Flag To Play El Corazón http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/13/black-flag-to-play-el-corazon http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/13/black-flag-to-play-el-corazon Kelly O <p><a href="http://www.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSearch.jsp?performance_id=1711641&cobrand=elcorazonseattle">Tickets just went on sale</a> for the July 19th Seattle show. I would guess this will sell the f*ck out, at a venue of this size?</p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:412px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/914f/1363204788-bars_logo.png" alt="Bars_logo.png" title="" width="400" height="215" /></div></p> <p><br /><em><a href="http://blackflagofficial.com/tour/">Full 2013 tour dates here.</a> From the press release:</em></p> <blockquote><p><strong>BLACK FLAG</strong> has reformed and is in the process of putting finishing touches on a new album with founder <strong>Greg Ginn</strong> on guitar, <strong>Ron Reyes</strong> on vocals, <strong>Gregory Moore</strong> on drums and <strong>Dale Nixon</strong> on bass.</p> <p>The one constant member throughout the history of BLACK FLAG, Ginn — named one of <em>Rolling Stone</em>'s "100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time" — defined the west coast punk sound and the DIY ethos of punk rock. Greg Ginn also currently plays with <strong>Good For You</strong> and <strong>Greg Ginn And The Royal We.</strong> </p> <p>Ron Reyes of <strong><em>Decline Of The Western Civilization</em></strong> fame was the BLACK FLAG vocalist from The Church / Jealous Again era. Reyes also currently plays guitar in <strong>Piggy</strong>.</p> <p>Gregory Moore has played with Gone and BLACK FLAG (2003) and brings his relentless and driving drum style to the band.</p> <p><strong>Notorious for not touring</strong>, Dale Nixon never-the-less played bass on the My War album and is the author of iconic BLACK FLAG bass lines such as Jealous Again, Nervous Breakdown, Six Pack, TV Party, Revenge, Gimme Gimme Gimme etc... etc... While Dale has lent his skills to the new album, he is currently contractually obligated for a stint on <strong><em>Celebrity Rehab</em></strong>. Still, as he has always done in the past, he will continue to provide insight and <strong>spiritual guidance</strong> to the current <br />bass player.</p></blockquote> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/13/black-flag-to-play-el-corazon#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16239160&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour Upcoming http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/13/black-flag-to-play-el-corazon?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16239160&id=comments 16 Black Flag To Play El Corazón Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:02:56 -0700 The Stranger MTNS: You Have the Right to Yoga, Enya, and Horse Masks http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/13/mtns-you-have-the-right-to-yoga-enya-and-horse-masks http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/13/mtns-you-have-the-right-to-yoga-enya-and-horse-masks Emily Nokes <p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/MTNSnoise">MTNS</a> are on tour right now with Oakland band<strong> Laughters</strong> (I'm green with taco/swimming hole/Lone Star jealousy!) and as usual, Arizona cops seem a little overzealous in their policing... as well as their Facebook activity.</p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;background-color:transparent; border:none;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/1c49/1363160164-31446_612181318795515_1315950120_n.jpg" alt="31446_612181318795515_1315950120_n.jpg" title="" width="500" height="349" /></div></p> <p>Yep, that's a comment from the officer that stopped them on Monday. MTNS drummer Daniel reports from the road: </p> <blockquote><p>We were on our way to New Mexico for a show at The Plant and we got pulled over for <strong>failing to wait three seconds</strong> to get in front of a semi. The cops said they could smell a vague scent of marijuana. They asked to search us and since we knew we didn't have anything, we agreed. </p> <p>They patted us down and had us stand on the side of the road for three hours where we smoked cigarettes <strong>and attempted to do yoga</strong>. They found a Horse mask, sea shells from the redwood forest, and a pyramid headdress made by our friend Adair Tudor in the van. When the cops searched my bag, they found an <strong>Enya cassette and Valentine's candy hearts</strong>. They were highly confused/amused by our choice of lifestyle, but they seemed to come to the conclusion we were harmless weirdos. </p> <p>The officer who ended up <strong>posting on our Facebook wall</strong> said (during the detainment), "I thought you guys were in a heavy band," and sang the line "come sail away." He asked how to find our band on the internet. We explained how to find us and he looked up a video of us from when we played the Crocodile (with "this is the first time the cops have ever been called to the Crocodile" as the description). He stopped watching after 30 seconds (I think seeing me in a <strong>white nightgown</strong> might have had something to do with it). </p> <p>They finished the search and let us leave with our mason jar of whiskey <strong>three hours</strong> behind schedule... so no, officer, we didn't make our New Mexico show.</p></blockquote> <p>Well, good thing you can't go to jail for a <strong>faint weed smell</strong>, even in AZ. Here's hoping better luck finds them on the rest of their tour stops! </p> <p>3/13- 3/17 Austin, TX (SXSW)<br />3/18 New Orleans, LA <br />3/20 Mississippi, MO <br />3/21 Nashville, TN @ Springwater <br />3/22 Columbia, SC @ Hunter Gatherer <br />3/24 Durham, NC @ Pinhook <br />3/26 Pittsburgh, PA @ Gooskis Bar <br />3/27 Philly, PA @ Lava Space<br />3/28 Boston, MA @ Discovery Zone <br />3/29 Brooklyn, NY @ Public Assembly Brooklyn<br />3/30 Brooklyn @ the Ho_Se <br />3/31 Brooklyn @ Silent Barn <br />4/1 Cincinnati, OH @ Rake Ends Bar <br />4/2 Cleveland @ Now That's Class!<br />4/3- Detroit @ PJ's Lager House<br />4/4- Chicago, IL <br />4/5- Milwaukee, WI<br />4/6- Iowa <br />4/7- Denver, CO<br />4/9- SLC, UT <br />4/10- Reno, NV <br />4/11- SF, CA<br />4/12- Oakland, CA<br />4/13- Portland, OR @ Multiplex <br /><strong>4/14- Seattle, WA @ Vermillion</strong></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/13/mtns-you-have-the-right-to-yoga-enya-and-horse-masks#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16229496&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour ??!! Dept. of Corrections http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/13/mtns-you-have-the-right-to-yoga-enya-and-horse-masks?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16229496&id=comments 4 MTNS: You Have the Right to Yoga, Enya, and Horse Masks Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:23:58 -0700 The Stranger Mouse on Mars, Matmos, and Horse Lords http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/23/mouse-on-mars-matmos-and-horse-lords http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/23/mouse-on-mars-matmos-and-horse-lords Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:312px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/b675/1361640456-horse_lords2.jpg" alt="horse_lords2.jpg" title="" width="300" height="251" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption">Max Eilbacher of Horse Lords</li></ul></div> After working on a deadline, putting down my cat*, and other fun stuff, I was pretty tired by the time Wednesday rolled around, so I didn't feel like working too hard to get any pictures of the evening's line-up at Neumos: <strong>Horse Lords</strong>, <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/02/matmos-gets-literal-in-new-video">Matmos</a>, and <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/11/mouse-on-mars-are-on-the-move">Mouse on Mars</a> (but I did meet my damn deadline and the check is in the mail). </p> <p>In fact, I deleted all my Matmos photographs. If I'd had the energy to tunnel to the front—a sizable audience filled the room—I might have gotten a few passable ones, but the spot I staked out near the bar provided the perfect vantage point for maximum enjoyment. Sometimes I'd rather just relax and enjoy a show than scribble on a notepad or twist myself into pretzel shapes to get a good snap. </p> <p><small>* A seventeen-year-old gentleman of Burmese extraction named Sterling Morrison (II).</small> </p> <p>Since I wasn't able to capture any decent images of Matmos, here's a new remix:</p> <p><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F79392550&show_artwork=true"></iframe></p> <p><em>More pics of Mouse on Mars and Horse Lords below.</em></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:487px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/6579/1361641551-horse_lords.jpg" alt="Horse Lords" title="Horse Lords" width="475" height="334" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption">Eilbacher, Sam Haberman, Owen Gardner, and Andrew Bernstein of Horse Lords</li></ul></div></p> <p>I'd seen Drew and Martin before when they played Seattle in support of <em><a href="http://kathleencfennessy.blogspot.com/2008/05/in-sound-from-way-out-matmos-supreme.html">Supreme Balloon</a></em>. I'm not a big Triple Door fan—too skint for that joint—but their set was great. This one was, too, and I preferred seeing them in a rock and roll context, though their endlessly eclectic mix of audio stimuli could work in most any venue (the press notes accurately promised "doom metal, country, exotica, and noise"). </p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:487px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/db2c/1361641948-mouse_on_mars3.jpg" alt="The cyber-veins of Mouse on Mars" title="The cyber-veins of Mouse on Mars" width="475" height="371" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption">The cyber-veins of Mouse on Mars</li></ul></div></p> <p>The primary difference this time came with the addition of two members from tasteful Maryland quartet <a href="http://horselords.tumblr.com/">Horse Lords</a>, who fit right in. So, on top of the synths, samplers, balloons, bowls of water, and whatever else the two were banging away on—or blowing into—they had live drums, saxophone, guitar, and melodica. On their own, the improvisational, jazz-oriented Horse Lords were great, too.</p> <p>I enjoyed <strong>Mouse on Mars</strong>' dancefloor-focused set, but if I'd had my druthers, I'd have left about three songs before they wrapped it up. By that point, I wasn't feeling it anymore. They kept the energy up from start to finish, and the crowd seemed sufficiently engaged, but the lack of live instrumentation grated after awhile. The German duo generate more than enough noise to render a full band unnecessary, but some percussive accompaniment would've gone a long way. </p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:487px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/images/blogimages/2013/02/23/1361642494-mouse_on_mars4.jpg" alt="The mad professors of Mouse on Mars" title="The mad professors of Mouse on Mars" width="475" height="350" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">K.C. Fennessy</li><li class="imageCaption">Andi Toma and Jan St. Werner of Mouse on Mars</li></ul></div></p> <p><em>Matmos's</em> The Marriage of True Minds <em>is out now on Thrill Jockey. Upcoming tour dates: Feb 24 - Public Works in San Francisco, Feb 25 - Hollywood Forever Cemetery in LA, Feb 28 - The ND in Austin, Mar 2 - Zanzabar in Louisville, and May 24 - Sonar Sao Paulo in Brazil. All dates, except Sao Paulo, with Horse Lords.</em></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/23/mouse-on-mars-matmos-and-horse-lords#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16082362&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/23/mouse-on-mars-matmos-and-horse-lords?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16082362&id=comments 0 Mouse on Mars, Matmos, and Horse Lords K.C. Fennessy Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:04:07 -0800 The Stranger Mouse on Mars Are on the Move http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/11/mouse-on-mars-are-on-the-move http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/11/mouse-on-mars-are-on-the-move Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageRight" style="width:212px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/d5c6/1360593599-mouse_on_mars2.jpg" alt="Photo by Satoshi Okamoto" title="Photo by Satoshi Okamoto" width="200" height="301" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Monkeytown Records</li><li class="imageCaption">Photo by Satoshi Okamoto</li></ul></div> <strong>Mouse on Mars</strong><br /><em>WOW</em><br />(Monkeytown)</p> <p>German duo <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/28/mouse-on-mars-they-know-your-name">Mouse on Mars</a>, Jan St. Werner and Andi Toma, released two albums in 2012, the full-length <strong><em>Parastrophics</em></strong> and the mini-album <strong><em>WOW</em></strong> (an initialization of their name turned upside down). Try as I might, I was never able to get the download of the record to play, so I decided to check out the mini-album instead. </p> <p>The press notes describe <em>WOW</em> as a "club-oriented counterpart" to <em>Parastrophics</em>, but it's not the kind of music that would inspire me to move, and that isn't meant as a diss. It's just that the tracks are too oddly-shaped to fill any dance floors I can imagine, not counting those that exist in certain science fiction scenarios.</p> <p>The 13 fizzy, buzzy selections move briskly, like the product of playful robots (I can imagine Jude Law's airbrushed <em>A.I.</em> character, <a href="http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/reiko7176/i12163919405gigolo-joe.jpg">Gigolo Joe</a>, getting down to them better than any human ever could). Snatches of sampled and processed phrases rise above the mechanical maelstrom on occasion, only to disappear as quickly as they arrived. The only words I could make out: "love sick" and "wow." </p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FtfJUfKTWKo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>A series of making-of videos on YouTube ("<em>WOW</em> Unraveled") demonstrate how MOM came up with the sounds. For "HYM," to name one, they placed a piece of paper in a speaker cabinet or amplifier to create a muffled, fluttery effect. </p> <p>I like it, but suspect that <em>Parastrophics</em> would be more to my taste. After a six-year break, the band will be touring the States this spring to support the records. Check out a preview below (I'm pleased to see live drums in the mix). </p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/43CW7BUql-Y?list=PL91F56948E2A76B64" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>WOW <em>is out now on Monkeytown. MOM are also prepping a 20th-anniversary box set for release later this year. They play <a href="http://neumos.com/event/mouse-on-mars-2-20/">Neumos</a> with Matmos on Feb 20.</em></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/11/mouse-on-mars-are-on-the-move#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15980933&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> New Releases On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/11/mouse-on-mars-are-on-the-move?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15980933&id=comments 0 Mouse on Mars Are on the Move Photo by Satoshi Okamoto Monkeytown Records Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:34:59 -0800 The Stranger Olympia's Ragana & Hot Tears, With Ire Adrift and Cloudbustrr Tonight http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/olympias-ragana-and-hot-tears-with-ire-adrift-and-cloudbustrr-tonight http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/olympias-ragana-and-hot-tears-with-ire-adrift-and-cloudbustrr-tonight Emily Nokes <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;background-color:transparent; border:none;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/347d/1357253767-543820_523091481042439_412408609_n.png" alt="543820_523091481042439_412408609_n.png" title="" width="500" height="647" /></div></p> <p>Looking for <strong>something rad</strong> to do tonight that doesn't involve a bunch of drunken pukey pants? It's January 3rd, I think most of us are! </p> <p>Brace yourself for the <strong>bewitching sludge</strong> of Olympia's <a href="http://rararagana.bandcamp.com/music">Ragana</a>, on tour with <a href="http://hottears.bandcamp.com/">Hot Tears</a> (the sweet solo project of Molly Fischer from <strong>Songs for Moms</strong>)! With Seattle's DIY sparkly softcore <a href="http://cloudbustrr.bandcamp.com/">Cloudbustrr </a> and the doomy crustings of Tacoma's <a href="http://ire-adrift.blogspot.com/">Ire Adrift</a>. This show will start on time, and you should definitely bring donation bucks for the touring bands!</p> <p><small>8pm // <a href="http://blackcoffeecoop.com/">Black Coffee Co-op</a>, 501 E. Pine</small></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/olympias-ragana-and-hot-tears-with-ire-adrift-and-cloudbustrr-tonight#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15667184&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour Tip http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/olympias-ragana-and-hot-tears-with-ire-adrift-and-cloudbustrr-tonight?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15667184&id=comments 3 Olympia's Ragana & Hot Tears, With Ire Adrift and Cloudbustrr Tonight Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:34:01 -0800 The Stranger What's The Name Of This Band? http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/whats-the-name-of-this-band http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/whats-the-name-of-this-band Kelly O <p>This band is currently on a new US tour. And, hint: it's guitarist was once in a nu metal band that shares a name with a yellow vegetable that's actually not a vegetable, but a grain. What is their name?</p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/dda3/1357247556-334851_517581514937118_1429770017_o.jpeg" alt="334851_517581514937118_1429770017_o.jpeg" title="" width="500" height="411" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Promo / New Ocean Media</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/whats-the-name-of-this-band#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15665965&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/whats-the-name-of-this-band?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15665965&id=comments 2 What's The Name Of This Band? Promo / New Ocean Media Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:20:35 -0800 The Stranger Blues Control Takes Their Show on the Road http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/18/blues-control-takes-their-show-on-the-road http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/18/blues-control-takes-their-show-on-the-road Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageLeft" style="width:262px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/252c/1355768155-blues_control.jpg" alt="blues_control.jpg" title="" width="250" height="142" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Drag City</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div> Ever since I first heard Blues Control's <em><a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/02/blues-controls-valley-tangents">Valley Tangents</a></em> way back in July, I've been looking forward to seeing the duo on stage, and now Lea Cho (keyboards) and Russ Waterhouse (guitar, synths) are finally hitting the road. For a preview of their show, here's a version of album highlight "Iron Pigs" recorded in a tiny room at Drag City's Chicago headquarters—but it still sounds big.</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5AT_WTU7sZE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>I posted the mime-tastic video for "Love's a Rondo" at <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/05/blues-control-loves-a-rondo">this link</a>, but I only just caught up with this clip, which finds the band in a more contemplative mood. </p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2SV_Nxdy2o8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p><em>Blues Control plays the Comet Tavern on Mar 2 with Dull Knife. More dates <a href="http://www.dragcity.com/news/662">here</a>.</em></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/18/blues-control-takes-their-show-on-the-road#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15553534&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/18/blues-control-takes-their-show-on-the-road?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15553534&id=comments 0 Blues Control Takes Their Show on the Road Drag City Tue, 18 Dec 2012 09:58:44 -0800 The Stranger Chelsea Wolfe Announces Tour With King Dude http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/12/chelsea-wolfe-announces-tour-with-king-dude http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/12/chelsea-wolfe-announces-tour-with-king-dude Bree McKenna <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/00f9/1355356330-cwolfe.jpg" alt="cwolfe.jpg" title="" width="500" height="500" /></div><br />I didn't know who Chelsea Wolfe was until I saw that announcement that she is <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/chelsea-wolfe/shows">going on tour with King Dude, </a>so I investigated her most current album, <em>Unknown Rooms</em>, and have had it on repeat all week... the whole record is cold and dark and perfect for keeping pace with the 3 hours of daylight I've been awake for these days. </p> <p>Apparently, the upcoming tour is going to be a stripped-down, seated affair for both<strong> King Dude</strong> and herself. That's pretty awesome, because I feel so annoyed when I see my friends in more quiet bands, playing at a bar with drunk people breaking glasess and <strong>scream-talking</strong> over someones set when they've been drinking and CAN'T CONTROL THE VOLUME OF THEIR VOICE. Singer/songwriters, solo, and acoustic acts are not exactly in their element with a crowd that's standing up and loudly intoxicating themselves. It makes me wonder if <strong>weed bars </strong>will soon pop up and take precedence over alcohol-centric clubs for acoustic acts (maybe if that day comes, drunk yell-talkers will be less the problem, maybe it will actually be the noise of <strong>bong-rips</strong> getting too loud during sets!) BUT, until that happens, you can see King Dude and Chelsea Wolfe at the <a href="http://www.thetripledoor.net/Calendar/Events/January-2013/Chelsea-Wolfe.aspx?date=2013-01-14">Triple Door on January 14th.</a></p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nzDaUrOf7WQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/12/chelsea-wolfe-announces-tour-with-king-dude#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15514468&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour Upcoming http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/12/chelsea-wolfe-announces-tour-with-king-dude?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15514468&id=comments 0 Chelsea Wolfe Announces Tour With King Dude Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:03:54 -0800 The Stranger Today's Music News: Hydra Head, Millions and Millions of Dollars, and a Broken Foot http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/30/todays-music-news-hydra-head-millions-and-millions-of-dollars-and-a-broken-foot http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/30/todays-music-news-hydra-head-millions-and-millions-of-dollars-and-a-broken-foot Pamela Sternin <p><strong>When It Rains, It Pours</strong>: Queens of the Stone Age former bassist, <a href="http://www.avclub.com/articles/troubled-former-queens-of-the-stone-age-bassist-to,89266/">Nick Oliveri</a>, lays down vocals for a new QOTSA song that is sure to be rippin'. Also more Oliveri news, Kyuss/Kyuss Lives! will now be creating music and touring under a new name, <a href="http://http://pitchfork.com/news/48768-kyusskyuss-lives-reform-as-new-band-vista-chino/">Vista Chino</a>!</p> <p><strong>Tune in, Cash Out</strong>: Dr. Dre cleans up with a landslide $110 million in income for the year, mostly due to the popularity of his headphone line, <a href="http://www.avclub.com/articles/dr-dre-made-110-million-this-year-mostly-by-sellin,89269/">Beats By Dre headphones</a>, leaving Paul McCartney, Justin Beiber, and Beyonce's millions earned look like chump change.</p> <p><strong>Calling All Hardcore Enthusiasts</strong>: <a href="http://www.punknews.org/article/49855/hydra-head-launches-hydra-health">Hydra Head</a> records is winding down which is very, very unfortunate. In hopes of generating funds and raising general excitement, look forward to repressings of choice albums along with crazy deals from the Hydra Head inventory.</p> <p><strong>I'll Race Ya</strong>: A broken foot connected to the leg of Muse's lead singer, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1698185/muse-cancel-tour-matthew-bellamy-broken-foot.jhtml">Matthew Bellamy</a> causes cancelled shows in Stockholm, Malmo, and Oslo.</p> <p><strong>Voices Carry</strong>: A Michigan teacher is back to work today after a being suspended for playing a Macklemore song, <a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/20222257/south-lyon-district-explains-why-teacher-that-played-gay-song-suspended">"Same Love"</a> for her middle school class.</p> <p><strong>Music for the Masses</strong>: What would happen if Pandora and Youtube had a baby? Get ready to be mildly blown away with <a href="http://www.metalsucks.net/2012/11/29/its-not-spotify-rdio-or-pandora-its-tubalr-the-hottest-new-music-app/">Tubalr</a> where you can customize video playlists, or just let the damn thing run wild.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/30/todays-music-news-hydra-head-millions-and-millions-of-dollars-and-a-broken-foot#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15413577&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Band Hardcore News Album Song On Tour Video http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/30/todays-music-news-hydra-head-millions-and-millions-of-dollars-and-a-broken-foot?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15413577&id=comments 0 Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:39:00 -0800 The Stranger Today's Music News: Heroin Diaries, Nirvana, and a Fiddler http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/16/todays-music-news-heroin-diaries-nirvana-and-a-fiddler http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/16/todays-music-news-heroin-diaries-nirvana-and-a-fiddler Pamela Sternin <p><strong>R.I.P.</strong>: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/arts/music/martin-fay-fiddler-with-the-chieftains-is-dead-at-76.html?adxnnl=1&ref=music&adxnnlx=1353092669-59ZKkB7XX8Vgj5b8GzarUA&_r=0">Martin Fay</a>, Fiddler for the Chieftains, has died. </p> <p><strong>Experience the Experience</strong>: A must-see <a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/musicnightlife/2019688787_hendrix16.html">Jimi Hendrix exhibit</a> opens at EMP on November 17th. Still no word on mass stratocaster burning flash mob.</p> <p><strong>Broadway Nod's Off</strong>: Nikki Sixx plans to release <a href="http://www.metalsucks.net/2012/11/16/nikki-sixxs-ther-heroin-diaries-is-coming-to-broadway/"><em>The Heroin Diaries</em></a> as a Broadway play in late 2013 or early 2014.</p> <p><strong>Free Mixtape</strong>: Geoff Rickly of Thursday has slapped together a few songs he recorded in his apartment with a few friends—download it for free <a href="http://www.punknews.org/article/49699/media-geoff-rickly-ex-thursday-releases-first-solo-mixtape">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Nirvana On Tour!</strong>: ...via winter of 1989! Bruce Pavitt regales us in tails of Nirvana and Tad's <em>Heavier Than Heaven</em> European tour in his book <a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/musicnightlife/2019692158_nirvana16.html?prmid=head_main">Experiencing Nirvana</a>. Chock-full of never-before-seen photos and more currently available as an eBook through iTunes.</p> <p><strong>Mile High Club</strong>: Rihanna seals day two of her <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1697541/rihanna-777-tour-toronto.jhtml">777 Tour</a>. Definition of 777 Tour: 200 frenzied media professionals and professional Rihanna fans + One Rihanna + the worlds lamest carbon foot print.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/16/todays-music-news-heroin-diaries-nirvana-and-a-fiddler#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15304768&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> International Death News On Tour #1 Fan http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/16/todays-music-news-heroin-diaries-nirvana-and-a-fiddler?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15304768&id=comments 0 Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:31:16 -0800 The Stranger El Ten Eleven Have Made Us a Playlist http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/09/el-ten-eleven-have-made-us-a-playlist http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/09/el-ten-eleven-have-made-us-a-playlist Trent Moorman <p>From prolonged stints in the capsule of their van, <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/sound-check/Content?oid=15205920">El Ten Eleven</a> has chosen some songs for us to listen to. Long interstate stretches mean quality van time. Quality van time means time to listen to music (and Aziz Ansari) and eat banana chips. From their choices, I've audibly fed on and gleaned Chicago's Lujo Records-released <a href="http://www.lujorecords.com/yourself-and-the-air/">Yourself and the Air</a>. See them tomorrow, Saturday with El Ten Eleven at the Crocodile.</p> <p><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/10729069?badge=0" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/10729069">Yourself and the Air- Sick Days</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2096449">pushlight media</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p><strong><em>El Ten Eleven Philip Lorge Choice Playlist</em>:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://youtu.be/kWBj7E8ywfg">Tame Impala</a> – "Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind?" - Erol Alkan Rework Edit<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/5LuCYD0KqhY">Michna</a> – "The Dust Off"<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/IWJOyE1gv-Y">El Ten Eleven</a> – "Yellow Bridges"<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/GZDl_R8Zp2E">Devo</a> – "Mongoloid" - Remastered Album Version<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/0oHnLof3cmQ">Hall & Oates</a> – "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)"</a> - 2003 Remaster<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/5zgvJxCIHBQ">Beacon</a> – "Jiggly"<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/_r1St4RX_Jw">N.W.A.</a> – "Gangsta Gangsta" - 2002 Digital Remaster<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/-Q8IxKV6ItM">Immortal Technique</a> – "Watchout" - Remix<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/KpUNA2nutbk">Louis C.K</a>. – "Cell Phones and Flying"<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/88KwxLE8SIE">Aziz Ansari</a> – MTV's Next<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/6Qc_rsUSH2Y">Yourself & The Air </a>– "Sick Days"<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/QNarykgq6o0">Roxy Music</a> – "More Than This" - 1999 Digital Remaster<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/vHv_IgOk7Ic">Local Natives</a> – "Who Knows Who Cares"<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/pSgOImxZalY">Lucius</a> – "Don't Just Sit There"<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/ID5vnu1eH6g">Simple Minds</a> – "Somebody Up There Likes You" - 2002 Remaster<br /><a href="http://youtu.be/N7XLaGvaspk">Tones On Tail</a> – "Rain"</p> <p>For those on Spotify, a link to this playlist is <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/fakerecordlabel/playlist/3tITFzJVRYw8znCyhk0FH0">HERE</a>.</p> <p><em>El Ten Eleven plays tomorrow, Saturday, Nov 10, at the Crocodile with Michna and Yourself and the Air.</em></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/09/el-ten-eleven-have-made-us-a-playlist#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15238394&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour Mix http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/09/el-ten-eleven-have-made-us-a-playlist?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15238394&id=comments 0 El Ten Eleven Have Made Us a Playlist MarkOwensPhoto.com Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:02:32 -0800 The Stranger Will Cat Power Make It To Seattle This Weekend? http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/01/will-cat-power-make-it-to-seattle-this-weekend http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/01/will-cat-power-make-it-to-seattle-this-weekend Kelly O <p>According to her official Instagram account, Chan Marshall is having some troubles on tour. She she says she's suffering from "angiodema." This is a condition that can be aggreviated by exposure to the sun.</p> <p>Seems like Seattle is the perfect place to play! We don't have any of that pesky stuff here.</p> <p><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/perpetua/cat-power-is-in-serious-trouble">Read more on Buzzfeed.</a></p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="500" height="255" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PDbPrOuXq2s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/01/will-cat-power-make-it-to-seattle-this-weekend#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15161961&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour Upcoming http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/01/will-cat-power-make-it-to-seattle-this-weekend?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15161961&id=comments 1 Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:45:28 -0700 The Stranger Crypts Southbound: Parcheesi. Pee. Strippers. http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/23/crypts-southbound-parcheesi-pee-strippers http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/23/crypts-southbound-parcheesi-pee-strippers Trent Moorman <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:462px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/4fab/1351014322-cryptstour5.jpg" alt="cryptstour5.jpg" title="" width="450" height="297" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Radjaw</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div></p> <p>If <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Crypts">Crypts</a>’ modular synth crunk-noise were a finger painting of the sky, the Seattle threesome would fuck it right in the eyeless, half-smiling yellow-orange sun. The band checked in from their confines last night at the Medford, OR Red Lion Hotel. Crypts play tonight in Sacramento at Harlow's. They'd been in Portland the previous two nights, and say they saw no strippers, and ate no steak. For Steve Snere, Bryce Brown, and Nick Bartoletti, I'm sure it's been board games of Parcheesi, the entire time. Radjaw (Gregory Smith) is tour managing, and going through video-game withdrawal. We spoke. He's terrible at Parcheesi.</p> <p><strong>How's tour?</strong></p> <p><em>Radjaw</em>: One brunch so far was shitty, one brunch was delicious. I ate a bacon-wrapped date. I drank two bloody jerks. Nick had to stop at the store to check out some synths and we checked into multiple vintage stores so Steve could get new shoes. Everyone agrees that Bryce looks like a young <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0037735/">Bea Arthur</a>. I made a picture of Steve as we listened to the debate whirling through thunderstorms on I-5 South. There was gallon of Evan Williams. Steve loves to pee in bottles. Nick ended up buying some new modules today. I have no idea what he's talking about. [Speaks to Nick.] Where did you go today?</p> <p><em>Nick</em>: To Control Voltage to pick up two new modules for his Analog Modular Synthesizer. It's a touch controller and a four-step sequencer.</p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:412px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/68b6/1351016351-cryptstour4.jpg" alt="Bea and Bryce" title="Bea and Bryce" width="400" height="300" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Radjaw</li><li class="imageCaption">Bea and Bryce</li></ul></div></p> <p><em>Radjaw</em>: What do the modules do?</p> <p><em>Nick</em>: Most of them are for video. A voltage-controlled audio and video that you use to make projections and sounds. The main intent of it was to process video signal but because it can process audio at the same time. I'm trying to make visuals with sound. I like the experimental nature of it and the controls. The live control of the machine. </p> <p><em>Radjaw</em>: How much did it cost?</p> <p><em>Nick</em>: Enough.</p> <p><em>Bryce</em>: Nick, can you roll us a joint?</p> <p><em>Nick</em>: Yes.</p> <p><em>Steve</em>: Is that being mean?</p> <p><em>Nick</em>: No.</p> <p>Crypts live, from the Medford Red Lion:</p> <p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5BgT8xBmjWI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/d8d1/1351016782-cryptstour.jpg" alt="cryptstour.jpg" title="" width="500" height="500" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Radjaw</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/23/crypts-southbound-parcheesi-pee-strippers#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15079155&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/23/crypts-southbound-parcheesi-pee-strippers?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15079155&id=comments 3 Crypts Southbound: Parcheesi. Pee. Strippers. Bea and Bryce Radjaw Tue, 23 Oct 2012 11:56:04 -0700 The Stranger Rangda's Desert Trip http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/12/rangdas-desert-trip http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/12/rangdas-desert-trip Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageRight" style="width:262px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/9a58/1350012690-rangda.jpg" alt="rangda.jpg" title="" width="250" height="118" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Drag City</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div> <strong>Rangda</strong><br /><em>Formerly Extinct</em><br />(Drag City)<br /> <br />I'm probably not the best person to write about <em><strong>Formerly Extinct</strong></em>, Rangda's follow-up to 2010's <em>False Flag</em>, as I don't have much of a history with the players: drummer Chris Corsano and guitarists Sir Richard Bishop (the Sun City Girls) and Ben Chasny (Six Organs of Admittance), though I praised Chasny's latest record <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/09/10/striking-sparks-with-ben-chasny">here</a>. If his <em>Ascent</em> was a rock affair, <em>Extinct</em> is free jazz filtered through a rock sensibility. In other words: prog.</p> <p><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F60472748&show_artwork=true"></iframe></p> <p>I gave it a try, and it isn't bad, but it isn't for me. While spinning the disc, I envisioned <strong>Ornette Coleman</strong> jamming with <strong>Calexico</strong> in Morocco. Or maybe the Southwest. There are no vocals, but rather an abundance of dusty, windswept waves of sound. An attractive image, I suppose, but I'd rather listen to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Jazz:_A_Collective_Improvisation">this</a>.</p> <p>To me, it's like Steven Soderbergh's low-budget experiments: <em>Full Frontal</em>, <em>Bubble</em>, etc. Hardly his greatest films, but I believe those opportunities to cut loose made him a better filmmaker, and I suspect that <strong>Rangda</strong> feels just as necessary to these musicians, and will surely influence whatever projects they take on next. </p> <p>The gents can play, and there's chemistry here, but it's like listening to a music lesson or a display of technical expertise (by contrast, I put on the Dirty Three's <em>Towards the Low Sun</em> afterward, and that instrumental release plays more like a fully realized album). I doubt that was their intention, and the record has been garnering <a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17166-formerly-extinct/">praise</a>, so your mileage may vary. That said, I get more pleasure from Alan Bishop's <strong>Alvarius B.</strong> persona (Alan, Richard's brother, also co-founded Sublime Frequencies). Guess I just prefer these guys in their rock garb. </p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ilI2jS2WkWc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><small>This is more my speed. And just in time for James Bond's latest big-screen adventure.</small></div></p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><em>For more on Rangda, click <a href="http://www.prefixmag.com/features/rangda/rangda-interview/40559/">here</a>.</em> Formerly Extinct <em>is out now on Drag City.</em></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/12/rangdas-desert-trip#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14966582&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> New Releases On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/12/rangdas-desert-trip?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14966582&id=comments 2 Rangda's Desert Trip Drag City Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:45:13 -0700 The Stranger Generationals - "Sale City" http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/08/generationals-sale-city http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/08/generationals-sale-city Kathy Fennessy <p><div class="blogImageRight" style="width:212px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/32f3/1349571273-generationals.jpg" alt="generationals.jpg" title="" width="200" height="133" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Force Field PR</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div></p> <p>I've listened to "Sale City," the new song from New Orleans duo <strong>Generationals</strong> (Grant Widmer and Ted Joyner) several times now, and I'm still not sure why I like it so much. I just know that I do. I think it's partly because it sounds like the singer, who recalls Split Enz' <strong>Neil Finn</strong>, is singing "fucking destiny." And I guess he is, since Amazon is listing their self-released EP, <em><strong>Lucky Numbers</strong></em>, as "explicit." Right on. (I hate it when someone appears to be swearing, but they really aren't, except for Parliament's FCC-safe "Tear the roof off the mother, sucker," because that still sounds dirty.) </p> <p>And although I try to avoid trendy jargon like chillwave and darkwave—because built-in obsolesence is a drag—"Sale City" probably qualifies as a little of both (I prefer more enduring terms like synth-pop). Bonus points for the cold ending.</p> <p><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F62340696&show_artwork=true"></iframe></p> <p>I was wondering why the song felt so familiar. Then, while walking to work this morning, it came to me: it reminds me of this chilly, robotic, synth-pop classic. </p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="475" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9JiCzXPqDis" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>Lucky Numbers<em> is out now. Generationals play the Tractor Tavern on Nov 9. </em></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/08/generationals-sale-city#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14953123&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> New Releases Song On Tour http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/08/generationals-sale-city?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14953123&id=comments 0 Generationals - "Sale City" Force Field PR Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:39:45 -0700 The Stranger