Holland’s newest album, The Living and the Dead, offers a laid-back Americana folk feel, providing a nice contrast to the blues and jazz approach on her last album, Spring Time Can Kill You.
BPM Counter: Weekly Electronic Picks
Chris Fortier contacted me a few months ago to let me know about a series of EPs that he and Australia’s EQ Records (home of the Balance series) were releasing this year based on his 2007 album As Long As The Moment Exists. I liked that album, but I also found some tracks a little too proggy for my tastes and I felt that especially these tracks were in dire need of remixing to help correct what I considered missteps.
Riot Fest 2008 Preview
Chicago turns into a punk rock haven this weekend for the 4th year in a row with the return of Riot Fest. 40+ bands will be playing throughout the weekend at the Double Door, House of Blues, the Cobra Lounge, and an all ages show Sunday at The Congress Theater. The line-up is filled with a diverse mix including the reunion of ALL. Also on the list are Jay Reatard, Horrorpops, Paint it Black, and Reagan Youth among others.
Weekly News Roundup
Incomparable shape-shifting vocalist Mike Patton (left), a man of many collaborations, adds a pair of interesting musical threesomes to his résumé; dirge metallers Pelican get robbed in Rome; Dub Trio and Squarepusher announce separate European tour dates.
What We’re Doing This Weekend
Our plans for this weekend include Nora O’Connor (shown left), Riot Fest, Dan Deacon, Religulous, the Millennium Chamber Players, and…a 100-foot mystical dragon?
Ezra Furman & the Harpoons: Inside the Human Body
Ezra Furman gleefully exclaims, “I wrote this song in a paper bag,” as his band’s second album, Inside the Human Body, explodes with opening track “We Should Fight.” Familiarity and freshness eek from the speakers in a way that only American rock ‘n’ roll can.
The music, a straightforward ’50s-era near-doo-wop bounce, is a perfect vehicle for Furman’s vulnerable, on-key wailing. Anything else would an unfortunate distraction.
Interview: Calexico Discusses Beautiful New LP Carried to Dust
It has been eleven years since the first Calexico record was released, and despite the lengthy experience of founders Joey Burns and John Convertino, many of the same methods of producing the group’s records took shape in its latest LP, Carried to Dust (Touch and Go).
Weekly Burlesque: Interview with Kitten on the Keys
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kitten on the Keys at Tease-O-Rama and Exotic World many times, and she is one of the most endearing people on the scene. She’s fierce and funny, and has incredible glamour and style. I’m performing with her this coming weekend at Tease-o-Rama, and I can’t wait!
The Top 10 Cover Songs by The Bad Plus
Hard-hitting jazz trio The Bad Plus knows how to pen pieces of proprietary gold. But its three members are also known for their genre-leaping renditions of rock songs, propelled by the chops of pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson, and drummer David King. Here are the group’s ten best covers.
Toronto’s Stars Brighten Up The Avalon in Los Angeles
See? Indie rock musicians are just like you and I! They, too, get bummed out. They, too, have to cope with an economic crunch. They, too, crank up the melodica to drown out life’s sorrows.
France’s First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Covers The Moldy Peaches
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy the singer-songwriter, former model, and third wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, recently covered “Anyone Else But You” by the Moldy Peaches (watch the video below).
Pop Montreal Weekend Preview
Spread over five days and dozens of venues, the Pop Montreal music and art festival continues this weekend with seemingly limitless options. If you caught its first two days of great shows and need more, here are our picks for the weekend.