A South Florida homage to the The Sopranos.
Because every family needs an intro theme....
Friday, July 23, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
West Palm's Surfer Blood Heads Out To World's Festivals
The lo-fi, indie-pop group will soon head north to NYC to begins its six-week sprint around the globe playing mid-afternoon sets at all the best festivals. West Palm's Surfer Blood is hitting the big time.
Most often compared to Weezer, Pavement and Japandroids, Surfer Blood cranks out a laid-back, guitar-driven rock that employs liberal use of reverb in its lo-fi production. Formed just over a year ago, the band's first single, "Swim," drove the blogs crazy last fall. Their initial album Astro Coast is classic indie pop and was well received - an 8.2 and Best New Music tag from Pitchfork.
The band starts its festival run at NYC's Siren Festival and then onto Chicago for the Pitchfork Festival. After stops in Australia and Japan, the Florida Boys hit the European summer music festivals before closing out August at the UK's Reading and Leeds festivals.
Unless you caught Surfer Blood's raucous show at Lake Worth's Propaganda club last week, it will be awhile before the boys head back into to town. Until then, oh the sights they will see.
“Swim” by Surfer Blood (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)
Friday, June 25, 2010
South Florida Concert Update: The Black Keys Thunder Into Town, Kevin Barnes visits Lake Worth
Friday night, September 17th, at the Cruzan Amphitheater will feature some of the best rock out there, anywhere. The Akron-based The Black Keys - singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney on drums - will be joining After Hours favorites, The Whigs and Kings of Leon. The prospect of this show may be the only way to survive this too unbelievably hot summer.
In the meantime, I'll keep listening to their breakthrough album, Brothers. Muscle Shoals, where the album was recorded, has left its patented swamp feel to this outstanding recording. If my iPod had grooves, I would have worn them out with this album.
Lake Worth is looking to jump start the area concert business with its own festival - the First Annual Lake Worth It festival. To be held in Bryant Park, Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes will headline a bevy of bands including local guitar hero, John Ralston. Buying now instead at the gates for the August 7th festival will save you a sawbuck.
Also, Billy Corgan and his whoever he is hanging with has sold out the Revolution. Fanboys can still try StubHub. Vampire Weekend returns to the Fillmore in Miami Beach on October 13 - a safe distance after hurricane season. Tickets on sale today for the general admission show.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Weird Cover Wednesday: Something About You
This is not just a cover, it is a reclamation project.
Cary Brothers' sweet duet with Dutch-through-LA singer Laura Jensen of Level 42's "Something About You" is a revelation. The familiarity of the song is not readily apparent. The stripped-down cover brings this tune up from the saccharine depths 80s English pop to become a simple gem.
Brothers, who is probably best known for his contribution to the Garden State soundtrack. included this tune on his enjoyable second album, Under Control, which was released this spring. Fortunately, there is not a synth to found during the entire 3:46.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Five Video Friday: My Favorite Music Videos
Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground- White Stripes
The White Stripes always blow people away with their music videos with director Michel Gondry at the helm. But this simple video often gets overlooked in favor of Fell In Love With A Girl or Hardest Button to Button. But it's simplicity doesn't stop it from being one of the best videos I've seen.
Around The World- Daft Punk
By all accounts what should have been a boring music video not only manages to entrance you with the well choreographed dance that if you look deeper actually has a cool surprise for you.
Going On- Gnarls Barkley
Going on takes choreographed dancing to the streets and makes it belong. With tight editing so every bounce, sway and gesture is in time to the beat it's hard not to dance along with this video. I must have watched it a hundred times and I still don't get tired of it.
Eighth Wonder- Lemon Demon
Come on, you knew he would show up. My favorite band and my favorite director Neil Cicierega does what may be the simplest music video I've seen. By taking one frame for each beat he makes a trip through the a forest of lyrics, mongooses and shacks seem like a grand adventure.
Keep Fishin'- Weezer
What can I say, I'm a sucker for both the Muppets and Weezer. With classic
Muppets feel, this video made me flashback to childhood.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Weird Cover Wednesday: Ben Lee does 'Ben Lee'
Back in 2001, Indiana punksters, The Ataris, unleashed a caustic chorus about Australian former pop punker and current singer/songwriter Ben Lee with "Ben Lee". Very blunt and to the point, The Ataris let loose by proclaiming, "To me you're some just some ugly prick who got lucky/ cause he knew the Beastie Boys and I can't stand it." They also riff on Lee's dating of Claire Danes and his general good fortune, whether deserved or not.
What makes this special is when the victim of the call-out covers the taunt. Very cheeky - Ben Lee covering "Ben Lee."
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
South Florida Concert Update: U2 Bails, Sleigh Bells Head South
Bono's mysterious back injury has postponed U2's North America tour, including its July 9th stop in Miami, and put a large hole in the summer concert plans for the SoFla faithful.
However, there are several new concerts that will go a long way in filling that musical void. Although these shows won't feature stadium-size stages, they will allow a closer look at some of the best up-and-coming bands around.
The biggest excitement is reserved for blog darlings, Sleigh Bells. The Brooklyn duo's fuzz guitar/pop vocals combination has the hipsters drooling over themselves. They may just be right. See them July 8th at West Palm's Respectable Street.
July 9 - U2 (Sun Life Stadium) (Tix) (CANCELLED)
ROADTRIP SPECIALS
Taking the long trip out west under the Roadtrip Specials for the week as two of the major summer festivals announced bands this week.
August 14-15 - Outside Lands Festival at Golden Gate Park in San Fran. Kings of Leon, The Strokes, My Morning Jacket, Social Distortion & Al Green headline the two-day fest. (Tix)
September 4-6 - Bumbershoot! Great festival in Seattle, featuring Bob Dylan, Weezer, Hole, Neko Case, Jenny Lewis, The Whigs and just about everyone else. (Tix)
Friday, May 28, 2010
Video Friday - Finding Your Focus
The Greek goddess of victory, Nike, and her corporate namesake has smiled down once again on a fat Dutch progressive rock flautist.
Nearly forty years after Providence smiled down on Thijs van Leer to make his wild, wonderful, yodelling guitar
jam a worldwide hit, it is starting all over again.
Thanks to this shoe video for the 2010 World Cup (and
its 10 million views and counting), the Netherlands-
based Focus is once again heading back to the world
charts. It does help when the incredibly slick
commercial debuts in 32 countries.
For me, listening to Focus' "Hocus Pocus" reminds me
of when I started really listening to music for the first
time. Just an eight-year-old listening to the FM radio
late at night like I was caught behind enemy lines,
listening for news from the front.
Plus I liked the yodeling part.
“Hocus Pocus” by Focus (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Weird Cover Wednesday: The Gourds- Gin and Juice
Acoustic covers of rap songs are comedic gold. It's a proven fact. So when country band The Gourds tunes up their banjos and drops some rhymes courtesy of Snoop Do-double g, magic is made. So roll down the window of your Ford truck, spill some Jack D for your homeboys on the ranch and ride off into the sunset on some funky beats.
“Gin and Juice” by The Gourds (mp3) (iTunes) (Amazon)
Friday, May 21, 2010
Five Video Friday
Under Ice
This excellent mashup of Under Pressure and Ice Ice Baby was inevitable. Plus it's laid over my tow favorite anime, so it's all good.
The Cat Piano
This animated short, told in an almost beatnik poem gives off the feel of a wonderful blues song.
The Story of Othello (As Told By Rappers)
Othello is brought to the streets in this hilarious video directed by Mega64's Derrick Acosta (who has a new DVD coming out next week).
Running With Chicken
Funny folk group Garfunkle and Oates, tell you how to cheer up.
TMBG- Till My Head Falls Off
One of the best live versions of a song I've heard. It rocks so hard Flans breaks his strings.
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