Friday, August 29, 2008

This Week's Mix

I had a real problem trying to organize this mix, as it is all over the place. I didn't even realize how many remixes I had, until I looked at the final version. Anyway, enjoy your weekly variety and have a great holiday.

TK Webb And The Visions - Teen Is Still Shaking
Sam Champion - Be Mine Everyone
Liz Durrett - Wild As Them
Psychic Powers - Running
Ed Laurie - Albert
Lucy Schwartz - I Don't Know A Thing
American Analog Set - Postman (Styrofoam Remix)
Trifonic - Broken (Specter Mix)
Ladytron - Ghosts (Blestenation Mix)
Common Market - The Crucible (ft. Geo from Blue Scholars)

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The Area Weekend

It's the unofficial last weekend of summer. Those of you that are not heading towards the coast, have a few options available. There are mostly local acts playing local venues, with a couple big name shows thrown in for good measure.


Austin is representing this weekend at Towson University, when What Made Milwaukee Famous takes the stage. They are on tour in support of their new album What Doesn't Kill Us and I definitely recommend it. Those of you in Philly can catch them at the Khyber on the 4th, with Wild Sweet Orange.

mp3: What Made Milwaukee Famous - Resistance St.
mp3: Wild Sweet Orange - Ten Dead Dogs

Ben Lee has been making music for half his life. I remember listening to him back in high school and that's a long time ago. Pick up his new album Ripe and get to the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis. You can get some podcasts of Ben Lee at his website.

Here's the rest of the weekend:

Philly band Relay is heading to the Velvet Lounge for a DC show then returns home Saturday to Johnny Brenda's, joined by Violens and Ape School and featuring a DJ set by Pink Skull.

mp3: Relay - Driver
mp3: Violens - Violent Sensation Descends
mp3: Ape School - No Shame

Friday

If you like ambient and electronica, head to the North Star Friday for an all Philly area line up featuring Cloud Minder, Quintero, In Secrecy and Sounds From Atlantis.

mp3: Cloud Minder - Casimir Effect
mp3: Sounds From Atlantis - 0505

Saturday

The Red & The Black is hosting Prabir & The Substitutes. They are joined by Red Racer, Tereu Tereu and Wakey!Wakey!. I highly recommend this show.

Over at the Black Cat, our friends Bellman Barker have their first headlining show there and are supported by locals Andy Zipf and Cobra Collective.

mp3: Prabir & The Substitutes - Oh Marie
mp3: Tereu Tereu - Don't Be Sore, Farmer John
mp3: Wakey! Wakey! - Get Away
mp3: Bellman Barker - Charles Kil
mp3: Cobra Collective - Young Serbia (live)

Sunday

The Ottobar is hosting the final show of one of the first bands we made contact with here at IA, Two If By Sea. Sending them off is The Oranges Band. Get out there and give them your love, they deserve it.

Across the Potomac at IOTA, Pash is playing with Poor But Sexy and Club Scout.

mp3: Two If By Sea - Transmission (Joy Division Cover)
mp3: The Oranges Band - If These Stars Are Struck
mp3: Pash - Palindrome

Monday

Most bands must know it is a holiday, because there are slim pickings. So grab a burger from the grill and head to IOTA for the Federal Reserve Presents to end your holiday weekend right.

Sunset Photo credit: Joe

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Thursday, August 28, 2008

Roomtone CD Release


Originally born in Eastern Europe, growing up in Alabama and then relocating to Philly in 2003, Alexander Yaker started writing songs while a member of local band Grammar Debate!. The result became Roomtone. With a new CD releasing tomorrow night at Johnny Brendas, Roomtone will capture your attention with rich harmonies and musical prowess on a multitude of instruments.

Joining the party is an all local line up. Our friends Jukebox the Ghost are pulling opening duty. Get there early so you can catch some of their new material and old favorites. Closing out the night is the pure indie-pop of Future Tips.

mp3: Roomtone - Here's Where the Story Ends (Sundays cover)
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Victoria
mp3: Future Tips - Chins Up

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

A Legitimate Affair

credit

Brooklyn power popsters, The XYZ Affair, are pretty close to the front of the line that’s always forming for those artists hoping to become the next thing to invade my brain. As soon as I’ve over Kevin Devine, these guys are up. Truthfully, it’s their video for "Evening Life" that propelled them to the front of the class. The four-part, clear-as-day harmonies, indie guitars and amateur dance moves won me over instantly. Check out the video below.




mp3: All My Friends

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Narco-Terrorists? WTF?

Photo from Myspace

I have to repost this. This was forwarded from the management team of Austin's The Boxing Lesson. Having spent some time with the band when I lived in Austin, I find this completely unfounded and insane:

The Boxing Lesson are Narco-terrorists? Free Jake Mitchell.

Austin,TX (August 20, 2008) You know The Boxing Lesson aren't ones to keep their mouths shut, after several interviews and appearances since the release of their full length LP Wild Streaks & Windy Days. The real truth of the matter is that The Boxing Lesson have kept one of the most important parts of their story a secret. It is with much sadness we make this announcement, but it's time the public knows what is going on.

Jake Mitchell, drummer for The Boxing Lesson and most importantly, a dear friend, will be put in Federal jail at the beginning of Sept for some marijuana growing charges. What makes this story unique and what has enraged every single one of our close friends, is that Jake has been branded by our government as a Terrorist under the Patriot Act. In fact, they have thrown the Narco-Terrorist tag on him. What this does legally for a defendant is mind blowing in terms of the new laws waged against them. If you are branded a terrorist, your wife doesn't get spousal protections and will go to jail. If you are branded a terrorist, each party involved in the crime gets full responsibility for the scope of the crime. Then there are strict sentencing minimums. And remember, we are talking about marijuana here.

It is obvious from anyone who has ever met, hung out with and gotten to know Jake Mitchell, that he is anything but a terrorist. This incorrect and unfair branding on our own US citizen and friend, Jake Mitchell, is a disgrace and this has caused untypical hardships on his life. He has sold his house, lost his cars, and his freedom. We are asking our friends in the media, in bands, in t-shirt screen shops and really, anyone who can help, to send the message of his story to the public eye. We know there was a crime involved but branding him a terrorist has set unfair sentencing guidelines on a person who is anything but a terrorist.

We are accepting PayPal donations to help Jake's mounting legal bills at : freejakemitchell@gmail.com

Jake Mitchell is available for interviews before jail or in jail and has a lot to say right now about the music biz, The Boxing Lesson, the system, playing drums, recording, Fecal Shock, Austin bands, marijuana laws, and life in general. Final performances from Jake Mitchell until he gets out will be next week in Austin,TX!

August 27, 2008 @ Emo's Lounge 101x Homegrown Live show w/ Frontier Brothers
August 28, 2008 @ Carousel Lounge (Monkey Wrench Benefit)

Come out and celebrate life with Jake, before our government intervenes. Fans of The Boxing Lesson have no fear, you can keep hearing your favorite songs live. Keeping the seat warm for Jake Mitchell behind the drums will be Kevin Sparks, a veteran of the Austin music scene, who has played with many bands, including Bad Motivators, Say Hello to the Angels and Megatron Triggerdick. Until next time, we'll see you on the Dark Side of the Moog.

Cheers,

Ryan Cano, Owner
The Loyalty Firm
Management & Publicity
Austin,TX
www.myspace.com/loyaltyfirm


mp3: Dark Side of the Moog

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Friday, August 22, 2008

This Week's Mix

Getting settled down here in Blacksburg once again. Here is some music to take you into the weekend. Enjoy!

Cory Chisel - Home In The Woods
Wolf Parade - Call It A Ritual
These United States - West Won
Hazelwood Motel - Break Myself In Two
Leila - Mettle
Midlake - Roscoe
Fleet Foxes - Quiet Houses
The Little Ones - Morning Tide
The New School - My Hood
Echo Bloom - The English Teacher

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The Area Weekend

Summer is winding down, kids are going back to school and bands are finishing their summer tours or starting fall ones. This weekend is very front heavy with a lot of action on Friday then tapering down to a single show on Sunday. Most are one city shows so be sure to check out who is where.


The 80's are making a huge comeback. So many artists and groups that thrived in the early MTV era are going out on reunion tours after years of not performing. Following that trend in Billy Idol. There is something about his hits from that time that I have to listen to when they come on the radio. I never bought one of his albums but I know every word of "Rebel Yell", "White Wedding" and "Dancing With Myself". Billy has just released a retrospective, Idolize Yourself, that features all the hits and two new tracks. You can catch him perform all your favorites this Friday at Pier Six in Baltimore then over at the House of Blues in Atlantic City Saturday.

Friday

Speaking of '80s revival, British popsters Squeeze are touring. After a Thursday in DC, they are heading up to the Philly 'burbs and playing the historic Keswick Theater in Glenside. Opening is The Spring Standards (formerly Old Springs Pike) from New York, who have just released a new EP, No One Will Know.

mp3: Squeeze - Black Coffee In Bed (live)
mp3: The Spring Standards - Your Lie

Still following the '80s vibe, our favorite (and only) Smith's tribute band is calling it quits. Girlfriend in a Coma is playing their final Baltimore show Friday night at the Ottobar. This is your last chance, unless you head to Charlottesville September 6th for the band's final show, to catch one of the best tribute bands in the country. It is spot on. We will miss these guys.

mp3: Girlfriend in a Coma - This Charming Man

Another local band is hanging it up. DC's Telograph is having their farewell show at the 9:30 Club supporting No Second Troy and joined by another local favorite Exit Clov.

mp3: Telograph - Eye For an Eye
mp3: Exit Clov - MK Ultra

Subpop artist Oxford Collapse is on the front leg of a fall tour, playing Talking Head in Baltimore. They are joined by Love as Laughter and locals Impossible Hair. Don't worry those of you in DC and Philly, the second leg brings them back through at the end of September.

mp3: Oxford Collapse - Please Visit Your National Parks
mp3: Impossible Hair - My Little Brother

New Orleans songstress Theresa Andersson is taking on Towson at The Recher on Friday then is joined Saturday at DC9 by The Spring Standards fresh off their opening for Squeeze.

Elsewhere:

Nico Muhly/Doveman/Sam Amidon @ First Unitarian Church
The Hush Sound/The Cab/Steel Train/The Morning Lights @ TLA
Don Caballero/An Albatross/Ponytail @ Johnny Brendas
New Radiant Storm King/Photon Band @ Manhattan Room
The High Strung/National Eye/New Motels @ North Star

mp3: An Albatross - The Revolutionary Politics of Dance
mp3: Doveman - Sunrise Medley
mp3: National Eye - Juno3
mp3: New Motels - Modern Thinker

Saturday

It is a night of indie-pop at Johnny Brenda's with an all local line-up featuring Audible, as you may have heard on NPR and The OC, joined by Buried Beds and Missing Palmer West.

mp3: Audible - Sunday Bell
mp3: Buried Beds - Insomnia
mp3: Missing Palmer West - God Knows Im No Saint Paul

Over at The Chameleon, Lancaster's Kheris plays a home town show with Philly favorites The Swimmers.

mp3: The Swimmers - St Cecilia

Keeping with the local shows, DC's Greenland and Tiger and the Snow share a bill at the Rock & Roll Hotel.

mp3: Greenland - Forward Frame to Frame
mp3: Tiger and the Snow - Window Panes (live)

Sunday

Not much to say about Sunday night, but if you cello-based rock, then you want to head over to the Ottobar for Rasputina. Those in DC can catch them Monday at the Black Cat.

mp3: Rasputina - Cage In A Cave

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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Octopus Project Video & Music

Resonance - Issue 55 Photo by Drew Reynolds

I've said it before and I will say it again: I love Austin music. That being said, I am also not the biggest fan of electronic and synth heavy music. But there is something about the infectious indietronica that Austin's The Octopus Project perform that I so much enjoy. Well for all you OP fans out there, released a few weeks ago (I know, I'm a little late with this), are a couple new videos and a song off of a very limited release 7".

The video is for their latest single, "An Evening with Rthrtha", off of the 2007 release Hello Avalanche. The video is a stop-motion animation piece of actual pictures mixed with abstract images, created by the same guys who brought you another stop-motion video for another Austin artist Spoon and their single "You Got Yr Cherry Bomb". Scenes of Barton Springs and the band mingle with butterflies and bats and pulse seamlessly with the music. Over 5000 images create a video that at points cannot be considered stop-motion.



The 7" released by UK outfit Too Pure (who also brought you Stereolab) was limited to 500 pressings and you had to have a subscription to get it. Now you can get your hands on one of the songs. The band describes "Wet Gold" as “a lovely jaunt through an arpeggiated land of goodness.” It is right in line with what you already know of the band. The beat thumps behind synth arpeggios, muted vocals, and a melodic sound closely related to a musical saw making you sway and nod your head to the music. The video for Wet Gold is a fan creation using creatures previously seen on OP album artwork and videos. It tells a story, but the video describes it better than I ever could.

Wet Gold

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Monday, August 18, 2008

Peter Bradley Adams


Peter Bradley Adams, a co-founder of the folksy entourage eastmountainsouth, introduced his sophomore solo album, Leavetaking, on August 5th. With a Masters in composition from the University of Alabama, his classical background clearly comes through in this release, a gentler showing than his band work.

A side note to lovers: Peter wrote a song called "So Are You To Me" for his sister's wedding. He had such a demand for the sheet music for weddings, that he freely gives it out to anyone who asks via MySpace. The eastmountainsouth version of this song has sold over 17,000 downloads without any promotion or radio spins. Peter recorded his own version of the song for Leavetaking and continues to dish it out in the name of ceremony.

mp3: Always

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Saturday, August 16, 2008

The Faint - Fasciination


Call me crazy, but I think The Faint might be having a bit of fun again. After, in my opinion, an unfortunate detour to third generation sludgy goth-dom, it seems that Todd Fink and co. have rediscovered their love of synth squiggles, syncopated beats, and fat bass-lines on their latest Fasciination.

Perhaps a result of being released from their prior contract with Saddle Creek, the band sound like they have breathed a great sigh of relief. The most positive aspect of this is a re-discovery of their dance-punk roots, displayed by the snap and crackle of tracks like the "Geeks Were Right" and "Get Seduced."

At the same time, leaving your old label usually gives you a real excuse to stretch, but aside from some heavily layered production, the band doesn't seem interested in covering too much new ground, either lyrically or musically. Perhaps the mixed reviews of Wet From Birth made everyone a little gun-shy. Whatever the reason, Fasciination, although a welcome return to form, still leaves me waiting for The Faint to meet the promise they showed on Dance Macabre.

mp3: The Geeks Were Right

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Friday, August 15, 2008

This Week's Mix

I feel bad about missing last week's mix, but that's what happens when the summer is winding down and you have way more things to do than you have time. With that said, here is this week's. It is a party mix to get everyone ready to dance at Rock and Roll Hotel tonight.

Boom Bip - Girl Toy
The Octopus Project - The Adjustor
The Epochs - Opposite Sides (Hays Remix)
The Republic Tigers - Golden Sand
The Wombats - Kill The Director
Low Vs. Diamond - Heart Attack
Mint Royale - Show Me
Michael Franti & Spearhead - Light Up Ya Lighter
Phoenix Jukebox - That Purp
The Hood Internet - R. Kelly vs Jens Lekman - If I Could Rock (It Would Feel Like This)

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Your Local Weekend

Last weekends These United States and Apparitions shows were a hit. Thanks for all that came out. Not to be outdone, we here at IA have our name on another show, this time at the Rock & Roll Hotel in DC featuring The Dance Party and Via Audio and showcasing new talent from the area with Feral Kids. Also on the bill is a DJ set by our friends from Middle Distance Runner. Check out the prior post for some tunes.

Now I know everyone can't make it to our show, so if you must go elsewhere, here is what to see.

All weekend long up in the middle of Montgomery County is the annual phenomenon known as the Philly Folk Festival. If you are going for the day or camping throughout, the weekend looks a little wet, but don't let that deter you. Check out the likes of Steve Earle, Kimya Dawson, Judy Collins, Janis Ian, and Hoots and Hellmouth along with many more.

Quite a few bands are playing multiple shows this weekend.


Philly favorites Creeping Weeds are joining forces with BOAT for an East Coast tour and are kicking it off at Johnny Brendas. Creeping Weeds has a killer cover of "I'm a) Donkey For Your Love", so I am wondering if any collaboration is in store. Also getting in on the fun for this show are two other Philly bands, the perpetually performing Drink Up Buttercup and Greyhounds. The tour continues onward Saturday to The Crackhouse in Honey Brook, PA (somewhere between Coatesville and Morgantown).

mp3: Creeping Weeds - Long Way Down
mp3: BOAT - (I'm a) Donkey for Your Love
mp3: Drink Up Buttercup - Young Ladies

Texas transplant Jana Hunter is on a nation wide tour that kicked off Thursday night in DC. The Texas influences are hard to miss with slide guitar and country-infused melodies. She is on tour with Baltimore acoustic folk artist Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez who is also a member of her touring band and just released a new CD. Check them out in Philly Friday at the Manhattan Room.

mp3: Jana Hunter - Valkyries
mp3: Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez - The Letter B

Omaha's The Faint have a new album out and are going on tour in support. Catch them this Saturday at the 9:30 Club and The Troc on Sunday with Shy Child and Jaguar Love.

mp3: The Faint - Paranoiattack
mp3: Shy Child - Astronaut
mp3: Jaguar Love - Highways of Gold

Californians Bodies of Water and Port O'Brien are coming through the area this weekend, playing shows at Johnny Brendas Saturday and Black Cat Sunday. The Philly show also has one the best live acts in Papertrigger, who are putting together their first full length album.

mp3: Bodies of Water - Under the Pines
mp3: Port O'Brien - From Port
mp3: Papertrigger - Fox Hunting

Titus Andronicus, a New Jersey band with a new album The Airing of Grievances (it's a Festivus miracle!) are playing three shows throughout the region. The Rosewood Thieves are sharing the stage with them at The Red & The Black Saturday, then catch Titus at Ottobar Sunday and The Barbary Monday.

mp3: The Rosewood Thieves - Silver Gun

There are plenty of one city shows this weekend as well.

Friday

If you are heading down the Jersey Shore, Nicole Atkins will be found at the House of Blues in Atlantic City.

Saturday

Bob Dylan is also in AC at the Borgata.

Bridges and Powerlines are in my neck of the woods at Mojo 13 with Philly's Adam & Dave's Bloodline.

Boy Genius is in Philly at The Manhattan Room.

DC favorites Exit Clov are joined by Bostonians You Can Be A Wesley at IOTA.

mp3: Bridges and Powerlines - Uncalibrated Guns
mp3: Adam & Dave's Bloodline - The Lonely Pioneers
mp3: Exit Clov - Working Class Hero

Sunday

Julie Ocean is playing Galaxy Hut.

Baltimore's Squaaks are doing a local show at Fletcher's.

mp3: Julie Ocean - At The Appointed Hour
mp3: Squaaks - Be Dry My Bleeding Heart

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Aviary Ghost


As any good indie band should, Aviary Ghost began to record music in a one-room apartment during a particularly long Michigan winter. A few years later, they emerged with a thriving and complex album that is fit for anything from driving to singing along to reminiscing. Their latest record, Memory Is a Hallway, is an assorted mix of pop, folk, and even a little cabaret, giving the duo various platforms to relay their views on individual memory and how each person deals with it.

mp3: The Brain Is A House

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Pop Culture Via Audio

Here at Instrumental Analysis, we like to tackle the hard hitting questions that people are dying to know. Actually, we don't. Sometimes, it just works out that way. After they played DC this past spring, I hung out with Tom Deis, David Lizmi and Adam Sturtevant of Via Audio in the cafe of Black Cat. They weren't really interested in talking about the band, so we just had a conversation about pretty much anything but music. Since they are playing our show at Rock and Roll Hotel on Friday night, I thought that it would be a good time to finally post this. So, I am proud to present to you Via Audio and their thoughts on life, love, meatball sandwiches and Martha Plimpton.


IA - Gentlemen, who would you rather eat a falafel with, Gary Busey or Keanu Reeves?

DL - Gary Busey, because he has the potential to chew my face off and argue with me at the same time. While Keanu Reeves would just talk to me about a book and surfing or say "dude" a lot.

AS - See, here's the thing, Keanu Reeves seems to get all the credit in Point Break, because he’s able to mingle with the surfers and get into their culture. However, it was Gary Busey, forgive me Detective Pappas, who was the real master. He knew that the ex-presidents were surfers. He had this theory and he was ridiculed by the rest of the FBI, but he was right. So Gary Busey all the way. Of course, Gary Busey is a poor man's Nick Nolte.

DL - I agree. Every time I look at Gary Busey, I see him as the poor man's Nick Nolte. He was in the Buddy Holly Story, so I'll give him that much.

AS - I would also like to add that Anthony Kiedis was in Point Break and he offered a stellar performance.

TD – I’d eat a Falafel with Nick Nolte.

AS - But if you had a Falafel with Nick Nolte, he would get the falafel and he'd just say "Gawd Dammit!"

DL - He would go “Bleahagggah” and shove the falafel in his face. And he'd do it in 25 milliseconds and you wouldn't even be able to talk with him, because he would be like a Tasmanian devil. He’d shove it in his face and then spin around the room and then exit the bar.

AS - Well Gary Busey doesn't even eat falafels, he eats meatball sandwiches. [shouting] "Utah, gimme two!"

TD - Now that I think of it, I would rather eat a hamburger with David Hasselhoff. I saw a video of him eating a hamburger under a table. I would love to eat under the table with David Hasselhoff.

IA: Excellent Point. Which Celebrity Drunk do you miss more, Lindsey Lohan or David Hasselhoff?

DL - David Hasselhoff, not even a thought. It's pure intuition.

TD - David Hasselhoff.

AS - Here's a little known fact about Via Audio, I used to have a thing with Lindsey Lohan, and we used to drink a lot together and she is not a fun drunk. She would always start talking politics and she was very conservative and I just got tired of hearing about it.

IA – Lindsey Lohan is a conservative?

AS - She's so uptight.

TD - That's breaking my heart, man.

AS - She never lets loose. She never lets herself out of the dungeon. She's always like, “No, we need to think about the environment…” And I'm like Lindsey, just chill. I love you.

DL - I'm still going to say David Hasselhoff, because you can drink with him and then he pukes and then he eats his puke.

AS - And then punches whatever he puked on.

DL – Exactly! Lindsey Lohan will not do that. She'll just snort it and then talk about Barack Obama. And I don't want to hear about that right now.

AS - And Lindsey if you're listening, relax, have a good time. You're young, just let yourself be young.

TD - Lindsey, don't let them hold you back.

AS - Yeah, don't stay home looking at Obama's website all night. Go have a drink.

IA - I thought you said Lindsey was a conservative?

AS - She is.

IA - Then what's she doing on Obama's website?

AS - She's looking for criticisms. She's getting ahead of the experience. She's way ahead of the Obama experience right now.

IA - Fair Enough. Who is your favorite Goonie?

DL – [shouting] "HEY YOU GUYS!" [slight pause] Uh, I’d have to say Chunk.

AS - Okay, here is an actual truthful answer. I got to hang out with Martha Plimpton one night at the Rockwood Music Hall in New York City, so I would have to say Martha Plimpton.

IA - Nice.

DL - I would have to say the little Japanese dude is the ultimate Goonie

AS – Data?

DL – Yeah, Data.

IA - You already nominated Chunk as your favorite Goonie. So is it Chunk or Data?

DL - Let's give it to Data.

TD - I’m going to have to go with Sloth.

IA - That's good. We have some diversity of opinions here.

AS - I would like to mention that Sloth loves Chunk.


mp3: We Can Be Good

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Wire


Name 10 of the top-selling and/or hyped art-punk, post-punk, dance-punk, electro-punk, etc. artists of the last 10 years and I can guarantee you that either they or their parents wore out at least one copy of Wire's 1977 release "Pink Flag". Sure the line-up and sound of the London four-some has evolved a bit over the years, but the now 50-something (yes punks do get old) members of Wire still bring the same intensity and virulent disrespect for the powers that be, all wrapped up in a punchy, dance-punk package.

Continuing to lean heavily on an electronic-tinged sound, the band's latest, Object 47, still packs a wallop, thanks to some dirty low end rumble and mix of live and programmed beats. Standout tracks include "One of Us", "Hard Currency", and "Are You Ready?".

I'm told the tour will include a healthy mix spanning the band's 30-year catalogue. So when they hit the region this fall, find those old safety pins, and enjoy!

10/10: Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA
10/11: 9:30 Club, Washington, DC

mp3: One of Us

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Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Another Week, Another Show


While many of us are still recovering from our dual shows this past weekend, it is time to mention that we are throwing another one this week. On Friday night, we are sponsoring a show at Rock & Roll Hotel in DC. DC's The Dance Party will be joined by NYC's Via Audio. Brand new DC band, Feral Kids, will be opening the show and local favorites, Middle Distance Runner, will be returning from a long hiatus to DJ all night long. There may even be a surprise or two.

The Dance Party - A-List
Via Audio - Modern Day Saint
Feral Kids - Play It Everyday
Middle Distance Runner - Man of the People

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Ane Brun


After winning over stateside critics and fans with her US debut A Temporary Dive in 2006, Ane Brun returns to the US for a string of tour dates this fall. The singer, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist, started her indie label DetErMine Records together with The Tiny´s lead singer Ellekari Larsson in 2002, where she released her Scanadvian debut Spending Time with Morgan. In November 2005, she released Duets, an album consisting of 10 duets with 10 different artists including Teitur, Tobias Fröberg, Ron Sexsmith and Syd Matters. Ane’s fifth album and second US release, Changing of the Seasons, will be released this October and it is led by a new video for "The Treehouse Song."

Songwriters who’ve mastered the art of minimalism are not very common. Rarer still, are the people who can live up to the candor and unpredictability of Ani DiFranco or Nick Drake. However, Brun does it with ease and a massive scoop of Scandinavian surrealism. Find out for yourself in October.

10/23/08: The Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA
10/24: IOTA, Arlington, VA


The Treehouse Song

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Thursday, August 07, 2008

Revisiting Cotton Jones

Since they are playing our Anniversary show on Friday night at IOTA, I thought that I would revisit the great session that we did with The Cotton Jones Basket Ride back in June. Enjoy!



mp3: The Spinning Wheel



mp3: I Was 17 (Starflyer 59 Cover)

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Polly Scattergood


Polly Scattergood, the British 22-year-old Bjork and Tori Amos channeling sprite, has just debuted her first single “Nitrogen Pink”, on Mute Records. Almost visual, the song moves from soft to electric to uncontainable in a matter of minutes. At such a young age with a lot of apparent talent (and a great name), I’m looking forward to seeing where Polly’s career goes, especially as she’s dubbed her own universe “Polly World”, inviting everyone to come in and have a look around through a series of short films. Watch the first one below and enjoy a copy of “Nitrogen Pink”, on us.




mp3: Nitrogen Pink

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Kevine Devine Continues to Invade Brains


I’m one of those people who finds a song they love, plays it 1,000 times a day, sings it in their head instead of paying attention to whatever’s going on around them and then imagines how great it would be to see whoever sings the song, play it live in concert. Eventually I make myself sick on that song, snap back into reality, get the heck off of YouTube and travel back towards a normal, healthy life. A few months later, another song comes around and the cycle starts up again. For the past few weeks, the song has been Kevin Devine’s “Longer That I’m Out Here” from his 2003 release Make the Clocks Move. Turns out, he’s touring and my hope of fulfillment is well on its way to becoming true (squeal). The feisty, introspective Brooklyn-based lyricist comes our way in the next month in support of his new 7’’ Another Bag of Bones. Check out the video I’ve been watching, on repeat, all week, below. Then, you can enjoy a track from his Daytrotter session.

9/2/08: Ottobar, Baltimore, MD
9/3/08: The Troc, Philadelphia, PA





mp3: It's Only Your Life (Daytrotter Session)

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Wednesday, August 06, 2008

The New Frontiers


Before giving The New Frontiers a listen, I read that they were touring around covering Gillian Welch’s “Look At Miss Ohio” – a deed that could, in my opinion, either make of break them. Fortunately, they passed the task with flying colors. The New Frontiers are hitting the road on a coast-to-coast national tour in support of Mending, their debut record released earlier this year via The Millitia Group. The Dallas based quintet has already spent all of 2007 touring alongside the likes of Manchester Orchestra, Colour Revolt, the Annuals and Denison Witmer and now they’re coming our way. Check out frontman Nathan Pettijohn’s raw vocal delivery, bolstered by a quiet alt-country; a must for all Ryan Adam’s or Wilco fans.

8/14: The Ottobar, Baltimore, MD
8/17: North Star Bar, Philadelphia, PA

mp3: Man Down
mp3: Look At Miss Ohio (Gillian Welch Cover)

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New Los Campesinos! Album


Fresh off their release of Hold On Now Youngster, Los Campesinos! are releasing their second album this year. The new album will be titled We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed and will be available on October 14th. Here is what the band had to say about it:

We at Los Campesinos! are very happy to announce the release of a new record.

Coming on October 13th is We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed: ten brand new tracks recorded in Seattle from June 12-23rd with our dear friend Mr John Goodmanson (Blonde Redhead, Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill, Wedding Present, Wu Tang) and mixed immediately after at Monnow Valley in Wales.

And despite 'Hold On Now, Youngster...' being only 5 or so months old, we wanted to emphasise that this is no post-album cash in.

It's no B-Sides and rarities or "songs that weren't good enough to be on the album cobbled together with some remixes and field recordings of Cardiff's indie scene"; it's ten all-new tracks that none of you have ever heard before.

Sure, we considered re-releasing a radio-edit of 'You! Me! Dancing!' and trying to get famous and scraping another tour out of that, but our parents unanimously agreed that if we did they would never speak to us again.

Rather, we are blessed with having an incredibly supportive record label in Wichita, and they are as excited about such freedom, frivolities and spontaneity in releases as we are.

So the tracklisting looks like this:

1. Ways To Make It Through The Wall
2. Miserabilia
3. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
4. Between An Erupting Earth And An Exploding Sky
5. You'll Need Those Fingers For Crossing
6. It's Never That Easy Though, Is It? (Song For The Other Kurt)
7. The End Of The Asterisk
8. Documented Minor Emotional Breakdown # 1
9. Heart Swells/Pacific Daylight Time
10. All Your Kayfabe Friends

This now begs the question, can an artist have two albums on someone's favorite releases of the year? I guess we will have to wait for October to answer that one. In the meantime, enjoy an old favorite.

mp3: We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives

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Time to Give the Drummer Some

credit

I know that at least one of my fellow partners-in-crime here at IA didn't care too much for the track, "Last November", from Your Anchor by Lackthereof, the new project from Danny Seim, the drummer for Menomena. I'm going to disagree with him entirely.

With it's semi-martial drum beat and soaring chorus, I kind of dig the track. Sure, it sounds reminiscent of the Menomena sound, but I certainly don't see that as a bad thing. Plus, you've got to give Seim some love. I mean, Menomena's breakthrough album relied heavily on some kick ass drum programing, didn't it? Being the drummer of that band has to involve a lot of needling from your fellow band mates. "What's that, Danny? Not sure if you can make it to band practice tomorrow? That's fine; I can bring my Speak & Spell."

I kid because I love. I saw Menomena about a year ago at the Rock 'N Roll Hotel. Everyone put on a great show. Even Danny.

mp3: Last November

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Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Jukebox The Ghost Goes on Tour


Local indie rockers and all round good-natured guys in Jukebox the Ghost have been laying low for most of July, demoing some new tunes and working on a video for their song "Victoria". But the good news is that they’re heading out on a tour this fall with Say Hi (formerly Say Hi to Your Mom) and playing a few dates with Princeton and Pattern is Movement. They'll even be making the long awaited excursion west. Locally, we'll be able to see them a lot too.

08/11: Washington, DC, Fort Reno
08/28: Philadelphia, PA, Johnny Brenda's
09/04: Philadelphia, PA, St Joseph's University
10/03: Philadelphia, PA, Johnny Brenda's
10/04: Washington, DC, Black Cat

mp3: Victoria

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Nicotine-Infused, Chocolate Flavored Crack - Part Duex


I am currently taking a giant red marker off of my desk and circling August 19th in my day planner. I am also setting various cell phone and Microsoft Outlook alarms to go off every hour, on the hour, on Tuesday, August 19th. All of this because the life changing, world-spinning Youth Novels by none other than my obsession, love and all around best friend, Lykke Li hits America hard. Chalked full of eccentric pop and being remixed by e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e. (CSS, Black Kids), Youth Novels makes me continuously glad to be living in a world where there’s plenty of room for feminine Swedish pop and poetic debauchery to exist in one songwriter. She comes to DC in October and I’ll be lobbying for a party bus to the show right down to the last second. Check out the amazing video for “I’m Good, I’m Gone" and an mp3, below.

10/19 Washington, DC Black Cat




mp3: Dance Dance Dance

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Monday, August 04, 2008

Kings of Leon

The Family Followill is back with a new release, Only By The Night, dropping on September 23rd. I plan on spending that day recovering from my annual birthday hangover by calling in sick, sucking down large quantities of coffee and Alleve, and making sense of what could be a new twist in the Kings of Leon sound.

Judging by the first track, Sex on Fire, gone is much of the tent-revival rawness and twang of prior releases, but in their place, KOL have found room for other sounds such as swooping synthesizers, clean yet insistent bass lines, and dare I say, an almost post-punk riff here and there? I may play this song into oblivion until I get my hands on the LP.

Can't make much sense of the video - I think an exorcism may be involved; but these guys are probably capable of making anything look cool.

Sex On Fire

Anniversary Shows

Since I really haven't said much about these shows, here is a little reminder about our 2 night Anniverary party this weekend...


This year, we will be doing a 2 years, 2 bands, 2 nights concept. The brief details are as follows:

August 8 & 9
IOTA

Both Nights:
These United States
The Apparitions (Mark from Vandaveer)

The Openers:
Friday - The Cotton Jones Basket Ride (Michael from Page France)
Saturday - Bellman Barker

These United States - Burn This Bridge
The Apparitions - God Monkey Robot
The Cotton Jones Basket Ride - The Spinning Wheel (Naked in Virginia Session)
Bellman Barker - Two Bees

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Sunday, August 03, 2008

This Week's Mix - Anniversary Style

Since this week's mix coincides with our site's anniversary, I thought that it would be appropriate to make a mix of some bands that have helped keep us in business over the years.

The Vita Ruins - Godspeed To That Polytheist
The Jaguar Club - The Sirens
Bound Stems - Taking Tips From The Gallery Gang
Jukebox the Ghost - Victoria
Telograph - The Fever
AVEC - Ageyeva
Papertrigger - We Are Nations Now!
These United States - The Business
Middle Distance Runner - With Swords
Thrushes - Flying

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Friday, August 01, 2008

IA Anniversary Present: These United States


There has been no lack of mutual man love between DC's These United States and IA over the past couple of years. If the constant shout outs to each other didn't convince you of that, I think us having a 2 night Anniversary Party with them next weekend, should be all of the proof that you'll ever need.

For this feature that we've been doing all day, Jesse sent over a special one off track that him and Tom recorded for Peppermill Records' 52 Weeks project last year.

Enjoy "A Day To Float The Bahnar Boat" and be sure to come check them out on August 8 and 9 at IOTA in Arlington, VA.

mp3: A Day To Float The Bahnar Boat

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IA Anniversary Present: The April Skies


As much as Two if by Sea's original recording from early 2002 can be considered a relic, Hershey, PA's The April Skies have allowed us to share a true classic. For those of you who are not familiar with the band, they began in south central PA back in the late '80s and were a pretty big buzz band in the early '90s. This was a time when bands like The Ocean Blue and Live were not just bands that The Skies shared their local scene with, but they were bonafide major national bands. MTV still played videos, bands that are considered indie by today's standards were labeled alternative, and hardly anybody had the internet or e-mail. Bands made fans the old fashioned way, by word of mouth and playing their asses off.

The April Skies have reconfigured and changed their sound quite a bit since those days, but they are still going strong after almost 20 years and have recently shared the stage with bands like The Hold Steady, Le Loup, The Shackeltons, Plants & Animals and Middle Distance Runner. They even have a new album just about ready for the fall. For now, let's revisit a simpler time. When instead of being well into their 30's and juggling day jobs and families, they were a young and hungry band that was barely out high school and ready to take on the world. Enjoy the long forgotten "Someone Said" from 1992. Well, after you are done laughing at that recently uncovered picture from the same era. Ah, the early '90s.

mp3: Someone Said

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IA Anniversary Present: The Vita Ruins


The Vita Ruins have definitely been one of my favorite DC bands over the past 2 years. Last year, they recorded some demos in advance of the album that they are currently recording. One song that came out of it was "Sequestered Human." While much more mellow than we are used to from them, it works on a rather intimate level.

They will be taking some time off to reconfigure the band and get their first full length completed, but you will be hearing from them again, in the not so distant future.

mp3: Sequestered Human (demo)

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IA Anniversary Present: Young Coyotes


Earlier this summer, Denver's Young Coyotes sent over their demos. A couple of us instantly became fans and I'll personally go as far as saying that they are the most promising new band I have heard in a very long time.

To show their appreciation for our support, Zach sent me an exclusive track that they just recorded for their forthcoming debut. I was pretty excited by the earlier demos, but this definitely confirms it.

mp3: Hell Is...

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IA Anniversary Present: Tereu Tereu


We've formed a pretty good relationship with up and coming Fredericksburg, VA band Tereu Tereu and even collaborate with Adam on the Naked in Virginia sessions. The band is currently hard at work on their next record. While they are known for their unique brand of pop, they have sent me over something a little different. It's an experimental track from lead singer, Ryan Little. Enjoy.

mp3: Completely Fine

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IA Anniversary Present: Two if by Sea


Sadly, Baltimore's Two if by Sea is no more. That said, they did give us 7 years and in the indie music world, that is a lifetime. Before they give their final bow at Baltimore's Ottobar on August 31, they have decided to revisit the past. In honor of our Anniversary and their farewell, David sent over a true relic. This is a cover they recorded of Joy Division's "Transmission," back when they were still finding their voice as a band. In David's own words:

"This was pretty early for us. It was the first thing we ever recorded (on eight-track, one-inch tape), back in March 2002. Our first demo. I know that we had a lot of comparisons, but to put things into perspective, we hadn't even heard of Interpol or anything like it when we were doing this. I think Turn On The Bright Lights came out later that year.

It sounds so primitive compared to our last run at things, but I think it kind of captures that moment when we were all in our early 20's and still wide-eyed and not completely jaded with music."


mp3: Transmission (Joy Division Cover)

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IA Anniversary Present: Bridges and Powerlines


NYC's Bridges and Powerlines first contacted me in late 2006. I've kept in touch with Keith quite a bit since then and even had them at one of my shows last fall. When he heard that we were celebrating 2 years, Keith sent over a cover they just finished recording of Fugazi's "Song #1". It will be on a charity Fugazi tribute album, this fall. You can also catch them on the road in the coming months, including a few confirmed stops in the region.

8/16: Mojo 13, Wilmington, DE
9/25: Velvet Lounge, Washington, DC
9/27: The Third Floor, Fredericksburg, VA


mp3: Song #1 (Fugazi Cover)

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IA Anniversary Present: The Dance Party


The Dance Party have always added a retro '80s glow to DC. Never ones to hide from a party, they sent us a brand new remix of "A List" that was done by Le Loup's Robert Sahm. Check them out in 2 weeks, when we throw down with them at Rock and Roll Hotel in DC.

mp3: A List (Ambiance Remix)

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Ia Anniversary Present: FFHH


Baltimore's FFHH have been with us since the beginning. When I didn't know where to begin with the local scene, they were there for me and we did a lot of things together over the first year of this site. For the couple of you who have read IA since the beginning, you may remember this relic. Anyway... knowing how much I love The Cure, they recorded an exclusive cover of "Play For Today" for me. Thanks, guys!

mp3: Play For Today (The Cure Cover)

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Wow

It's hard to believe that I launched this site 2 years ago today. On that first day, it was just me, sitting in my home office and writing about a band that I grew up on. I had no expectations, no grand plans... I just loved music, wanted to hear more and wanted to write about it. I never expected to have 8 writers working on IA and I definitely didn't think that anybody would actually read this thing. So, thank you.

We got all sentimental and retrospective last year. This year, a bunch of bands sent us (and are still sending us) some exclusive tracks and we'll post them throughout the day and possibly into the weekend. Some of them are pretty decent experiments and some of them are ridiculously good. I'll let you decide.

To enhance the celebration and bring it straight to you, we also have 3 shows lined up for the next 2 weeks. I will write more about them a little bit later.

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