It is early afternoon at the Flamingo Cantina in Austin, and already the temperature inside is reaching steambath proportions. On stage, The Pipettes are visibly feeling the heat – Riot Becki’s glasses won’t stop sliding down her nose, and The Cassettes (the all-male backing quartet) appear to be regretting their wardrobe choice (yellow wool sweater vests atop long-sleeved dress shirts).
The Matches
Taking the best elements from rock, pop, electronica, and anything else you’ve ever heard with melody and a sense of schizophrenia, The Matches are at the forefront of a unique sound that most thought was impossible during this stagnant era of musical creation.
In Rotation: June 19, 2007
Tomahawk have fantastically fused Native American songs with rock on their new album, Anonymous, which has garnered much attention in the ALARM office.
Awake Zion (DVD)
After watching Monica Haim’s documentary Awake Zion, a question bounced around in my head like a dub track echo effect: Why don’t more countries have a Minister of Culture? As Haim’s movie so adroitly points out, culture- in this case, music – brings people together like nothing else known to humankind.
Pirate Radio USA (DVD)
Those interested in fighting for their right to microbroadcast over the radio airwaves should take some pointers from Frank Luntz.
Tomahawk: Anonymous
The third album from Tomahawk – the super-group featuring vocalist Mike Patton (Fantômas, Mr. Bungle, Faith No More), guitarist Duane Denison (U.S.S.A., The Jesus Lizard), and drummer John Stanier (Battles, Helmet) – gives apt reference to its name and its creators.
Mundane Journeys
Pick up the phone. Dial (415) 364-1465. Wait for instructions. “Walk, bike, or take public transit to the northeast corner of Liberty Street and Dolores. Listen to the sound of the first tree along Liberty Street. Stand here for a bit and think about rattlesnakes.”
Got it? Now do it. Sound mundane? It’s supposed to be.
American Illustration 25
Five judges review 6,500 illustration entries to choose the 322 “most striking pictures of the year” in the twenty-fifth edition of American Illustration. This collection, coveted by student and professional illustrators around the globe, marks 25 years of highlighting significant illustration and includes a history of the past issues on trading cards inserted in the back of the book.
My Compliment, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love
My Compliment, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love, a Kara Walker retrospective, presents her better known work (narrative scenes made with cut black paper on a white background) along with collages, ink drawings, paintings, and sketches.
Pretty in Punk
Did you covet the hat with the sewn-in mohawk worn by Depeche Mode’s Martin L. Gore? Well, now you can make your own.
Russian Circles to Pen Album, Unite with Tool for UK Dates
Chicago’s own Russian Circles, whose melodic yet crushing brand of instrumental rock has drawn praise from many sources, will finally have their 2006 album Enter released in the United Kingdom. And to celebrate that release, the quickly ascending group will be performing twice in London and once in Manchester in late August with high-profile prog rockers Tool.
Sabian Announces Dream Spot Winner
After receiving the majority of more than 50,000 fan votes, Bombay Doors has won Sabian‘s inaugural Dream Spot Contest and subsequently a spot on the Vans Warped Tour.