Your Power over Charity

Do you believe in something?  Good, all of us should.  Believe strongly in either The Women's Funding Network or Street Kids International?  Then go to Pepsi Refresh's SXSW Challenge at Spin.com to vote for which organization you think should receive a $100,000 grant.  It doesn't cost you anything, and hopefully the other side gets a bit as well, so go on over and vote.  What's it gonna hurt?  Personally, I'm voting for Street Kids International, just because it sponsors boys and girls, but the choice is up to you.  Go on, it's easy.  The little circle to enter your vote might be just a tad small, but you can manage.  You're a resourceful human being with the perception of a fox!  Or you've got glasses, but the result is the same!  You found that button and you voted, damn it, for the sake of other human beings everywhere.

Well done.

FREE SHOW - A Live Album Recording!

It's that time of year, big bands take their winter hiatus and the show scene slows to a crawl.  So thank goodness for the next big show to hit the Rendezvous Jewelbox Theater in Belltown, a triple-bill featuring Golden Paperclip, Jack Ruby, and The Magic Bachs on Wednesday, February 24th at 10 PM.  What's even better?  They'll be recording it live for an upcoming double-album, so you can bet it's going to be packed!

From Golden Paperclip, you can expect some guitar driven spacey goodness, mixed in with a bit of progressive folk swoon.

Jack Ruby will be bringing party rock and roll to a new level with reggae undertones and one hell of an energetic show, sure to rip you out of your seat and onto the dance floor.

And finally, The Magic Bachs are far from baroque, combining the talents of members of both Golden Paperclip and Jack Ruby to create a new, adventurous sound, while updating several classic rock hits that will have the whole room in fits of nostalgic ecstacy.

So be sure to request Thursday off, because we're going to pump Hump Day full of rock!

Happy Fourth!

Enjoy your weekend as I'm enjoying mine? If you're not, you're sure to be once you check out KEXP's 4th of July video roundup. It's a great collection of music videos specifically designed for this wonderful holiday. If you're not from the United States, I apologize, but music is without national boundaries, so enjoy nonetheless :-)

John Stewart Interviews Musicologist Oliver Sacks

Music nerds, hitherto watch and enjoy. John Stewart interviewed Dr. Oliver Sacks recently, and he's a fascinating character. He will be appearing on the PBS show Nova: Musical Minds, which you can watch on the link provided, but it's only available until July 7th, so watch fast or you might miss it. But first, watch John Stewart's interview right now:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Oliver Sacks
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Jason Jones in Iran

Microsoft, Real, and Yahoo Sued by Music Labels

Labels are still tenaciously holding on to a business model of failure by suing three of the major companies trying to keep them alive. Microsoft, RealNetworks, and Yahoo were all named in the suit and are being asked to take down all songs, plus a hefty $150,000 per infringement, according to the complaint. The music of Aretha Franklin, the Carpenters, Grand Funk Railroad and Emmylou Harris are all listed as casualties of this latest round of posturing by the labels.

Just give it up already, for your own good. You're embarassing yourselves. [The Seattle Times]

Torturous Music (Literally)

The folks over at mental_floss have gone out of their way to figure out the songs used by miscellaneous law enforcement and military agencies in the act of torture. Remember, repetition is what makes it torture, but these songs by themselves are certainly as close as you can get.

1. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A.
Used by the U.S. Military in Guantanamo Bay

2. Christina Aguilera - Dirrty
Used by the U.S. Military in Guantanamo Bay

3. Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Were Made for Walking
Used by the F.B.I. in 1993 cult shutdown

4. AC/DC - Shoot to Thrill, Hell's Bells (and every other...)
Used by the U.S. Military in Iraq with long range acoustic devices (sound lasers)

5. Barry Manilow's catalogue
Used by Australian town Christchurch vs. young punks

6. Barney the Dinosaur - I Love You
Used by the U.S. Military in Guantanamo Bay

If ever there was anything to convince me to stay away from Gitmo, you know, besides the torture and squalid living conditions, the soundtrack would do it. I hear enough AC/DC on KZOK, I can't imagine hearing it while sleeping on a concrete floor.

Music Fest Northwest

For those who somehow don't know already, Musicfest Northwest is coming to Portland, OR September 16-19 (don't let the outdated picture fool you), and at only $60 per wristband for all 4 days, it's shaping up to be the biggest value of the summer. Headlining acts Sunny Day Real Estate (!), Explosions in the Sky, and Girl Talk ought to suffice to insure your $60 good times. Tickets are available from TicketsWest and local venues.

Heroin and Your Veins

Janne Pertulla is in the spotlight today as we feature his instrumental band, Heroin and Your Veins. His music is the sort of gloomy, goth-rock you'd expect from Tampere, Finland, with a twinge of surf-rock mixed in. Especially listen to The Trigger, the video for which was released yesterday and is found directly below. Be warned, if you can't handle post-death life, you might be a little grossed out.



Another track of his that caught my ear was the sublime The Lady, which reminds me of an old Pink Floyd track, with its fading drums and synth riffs. The video for that I'm not going to embed, but it can be found here. All of his music can be described as "night music," with its mellow melodies and subtle rhythms swirling in a mass of effects and trippisms. His touring band only goes around Finland at the moment, so don't expect to see him live anytime soon, but download his available tracks from the mp3 section of his site or buy his latest album, Nausea - you won't be disappointed.

US Air Guitar Championships 2009

That's right, the United States Air Guitar Championships. I really dropped the ball on this one, admittedly. I wanted more than anything to bring as many people out and to compete in the championships, but alas, the 'ships have come and gone from Seattle already, on June 24th. I'm sure El Corazon was pure insanity.

But at any rate, the US Finals are drawing nearer every day. They will be held on August 7th in Washington DC at the 9:30 Club, and I'll be sure to post the winner here as soon as results come down. But until then, enjoy this video of last year's highlights.



Protip: Skip the beginning.

The Future of the Record Player

How freaking cool is that? You'd never guess it, but that is a record player called the "Void". The little red sphere is what actually plays back the music - that little ball contains a needle, amplifier, and speaker, and has actually existed for a while in the form of an unfortunately named product, the Vinyl Killer, available from Japan for 9800 Yen, or about 100 USD (120 with shipping). As you can see, the only ones available at that site are car shaped and pretty stupid looking, but applied like Rhia Jeong has here, using an electromagnetic hovering system with adjustable height via touch controls, it becomes a beautiful, high-tech record player. I can't imagine the sound is very good, but pop a little wifi chip in there with a teensy analog to digital converter, and you've got a completely wireless record player you could connect to the finest amplifiers and speakers available. The following is a video showing just how good it can possibly sound as of now - the same general product as the red ball is shown, except in gold VW Van form.

My dreams aren't quite a reality, as yet. But when they are, and when it becomes available at a novelty gifts and/or stereo store near you, I'll be sure to let you know. In the mean time, however, if someone can make something like this, I will pay you handsomely for a baker's dozen.

EDIT: After doing a teensy bit of investigative journalism, I've surmised that the original name for this record player was the "High" LP Player, but the name was later changed to "Void." I do wonder why...?

Nintendo Rockers: I Fight Dragons

Chicago band I Fight Dragons is pioneering new ground in the NES-Rock genre, recently discovered by some intrepid nerds who figured out that you can take old Nintendo cartridges and systems and convert the sounds they make into great music. And just because they're Chicago's greatest NES-Rock band, they've made their entire new EP available for download if you sign up for their mailing list at their site. It's a no-brainer, as you get free music in exchange for a little info on a great band. (Plus, you can unsubscribe whenever.)

They've attained quite a following in their hometown, and with good reason. With gems like this cover of a gaming soundtrack classic any true geek will recognize and instantly love, you can rest assured that their shows elicit the sort of excitement of beating some rpg you've battled for hours channeled into musical energy. Listen to it and prepare to be blown away.

New Names: Manchester Orchestra

It is my duty to feature new artists which you've probably never heard. Of course, if you're more clever than I, you will inevitably already have heard of some artists which I feature. This may be one of those cases. Manchester Orchestra's reputation is growing faster than people like me seem to take notice, as they were recently featured on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Now, I'm not one to watch every episode of late night shows, although it's entirely possible, and quite possibly unhealthy, with sites like Hulu polluting the minds of our youth. Not to say I didn't give him a chance, but I had to unsubscribe when I realized I was watching 3 hours of late night television a day.

But if he continues plucking up solid rock and roll artists like this, I may just reconsider my subscription. Manchester Orchestra manages to pull off a distinctly raw sound while incorporating tastefully every element a respectable modern band should have, synthesizers included. And judging by their live performance on Jimmy Fallon a couple weeks ago, which you can watch here, they put on a hell of a show. They'll be swinging through the northwest briefly this summer, hitting Hillsboro and Eugene, OR, and Vancouver, BC for 4 shows total with a two-night stand in Vancouver.

Firmly cementing their position as a multi-media band, they've produced a series of videos set to their latest album, Mean Everything To Nothing, available at the album's official site in playlist form. They've finished 9 of a total 11 tracks on the album thus far, and all are quite fitting supplements to an already fantastic album.

It's not hard to hear their album without buying it, as they have made it all readily available through a variety of means strewn across the internet, but if you do buy one album solely from my review, I would strongly suggest you purchase it, as internet audio simply does not do this band justice. Their producers, Joe Chiccarelli of The Shins, My Morning Jacket, and The Raconteurs fame, along with Dan Hannon have created a rich sound with only the 5 members playing simultaneously, a truly impressive feat for any live recording band. Their lineup is as follows:

Andy Hull – Vocals, Guitar
Jonathan Corley – Bass
Jeremiah Edmond – Drums
Chris Freeman – Keyboards, Vocals
Robert McDowell - Guitar

Manchester Orchestra - I've Got Friends

Michael Jackson Dead at 50

The world is one flambuoyant pop star shorter today, as we see the death of possibly the most iconic of all pop stars, Michael Jackson. He passed after suffering a heart attack in his Los Angeles home.

Let this be a time not of TMZ footage and memories of legal battles past, but of remembering a musician who brought an all-time classic into our collective culture. I am referring, of course, to the Thriller dance.

Michael was held in the public light for over 40 years, a prime example of what happens to a child when he becomes fabulously famous and wealthy at a very young age. He has been with us for generations, prevailing over the pop scene with his every release, no matter how critically recieved. His influence stretches not only across time, but continents - every man, woman, and child in the civilized world knows who he was.

He has been unavoidable and irreplacable - he truly was the biggest man in pop history, and he will be missed.

Real Quick

I know, I haven't been posting as much as usual. Please, stop the e-mails. The reason is that I've been working hard practicing for Monday, on which some friends and I will be performing a set of classic rock covers. Everyone is invited to come, we will be at Bridle Trails New York Pizza in Kirkland starting around 7. Stop by, order some beers and some pizza and stay a while. I know for a fact that every one of us has been working very hard to get these songs down, and I'm sure you'll enjoy the end result. Here's a little sample of our playlist to slake your thirst!

The Doors - Break On Through

The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash

New Names: Flight Crash Companion

After hearing a song of his on The Sixty One, I am inclined to share with you Evan Cooney, a.k.a. Flight Crash Companion. Head over to his page and check him out. According to his biography:

"Flight Crash Companion is a 'bedroom band' consisting of one core member, Evan Cooney (that's me). I write and record all the music, run the websites, and do the promotion. The operation takes place in whatever New York apartment I happen to be living in. The sound reflects a broad taste in music. Sometimes it's down-tempo melancholy lo-fi folk, sometimes it's loud and aggressive electro rock."

Listen to this fantastic cover of Pink Floyd's Welcome to the Machine: