Festival Itinerary: Pitchfork Music Festival
Festival lineups can be intimidating. Let us recommend Sleigh Bells for your schedule.
I never really have conversations with any of the waiters or waitresses that wait on me, but maybe I should start. That is, after all, how Sleigh Bells was started. Derek Miller was working at a Brazilian restaurant. Miller, in passing, said he was looking for a female vocalist and (now) lead singer Alexis Krauss’ mother volunteered her daughter immediately. Krauss is a former member of a teen group called Rubyblue as a youngin. I’ve never heard of them either. Miller a former guitarist for Poison The Well
Sleigh Bells signed to M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T. records and have performed at CMJ, Coachella and are heading to the Pitchfork Music Festival this weekend in a can’t miss set. Sleigh Bells are known for their raucous live performances, and the crowd can do nothing but feed off the craziness. As if the crowd would need help, though; as Sleigh Bells’ music alone is enough to get my grandpa up and moving.
Are they hip-hop? Are they hardcore? Why am I dancing to this song that sort of sounds like metal? These are the questions you will find yourself asking when you take in Sleigh Bells’ set. My advice is don’t question what they are doing – just know that it’s really special. Sleigh Bells will be releasing their debut album, Treats, later this month.
Sleigh Bells plays Sunday on the Balance stage.
Posted by Wes Soltis on Jul 13, 2010 @ 7:07 am
Crate Digging 101 Lesson 3: In Search Of The Classics
Some slightly more obscure classics are offered up to really beef up your record collection.
When the subject of “All Time Classic Albums” comes up, The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper and Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On are usually the most often reverently mentioned. I personally would agree with Pet Sounds and What’s Going On, but I’m not sure that Sgt Pepper is even the best album by The Beatles...
Posted by Prof Louzlounge on Jul 12, 2010 @ 7:07 am
Festival Itinerary: Pitchfork Music Festival
Festival lineups can be intimidating. Let us recommend Sonny and the Sunsets for your schedule.
Front man Sonny Smith is a native of San Francisco, but it wasn’t the rich counter-culture of the city by the bay that jumpstarted Sonny’s music career. It was, instead, the small town of Gunnison, Colorado that sparked Sonny’s musical career as a professional musician. Coupled with Sonny’s residence, Gunnison is also the town used in one of the Alien vs Predator movies. Impress your friends with that one.
Gunnison was abandoned for Denver and Denver was short lived for Costa Rica. It was in Costa Rica where Sonny started writing songs and short stories while working for an organic farm. In 1996 Sonny moved back to San Francisco and released albums throughout the early 2000s, which saw him tour with Neko Case.
Now Sonny has his Sunsets (members of Thee Oh Seas, the Fresh & Onlys and Citay), a new release that is critically acclaimed in Tomorrow Is Alright and a new deal with Fat Possum Records.
Tomorrow is Alright is a folk album that was presumably written while sitting in the sun. Influenced by 60’s pop – Sonny brings a sense of humor to a somewhat poignant album. But don’t let the lightheartedness turn you off (“Lovin’ on an Older Gal” talks about sex with an older woman) – as some of Sonny’s songwriting is heavy, focusing on the life and times and how quickly it passes. Have a listen to “Too Young To Burn” below.
Sonny & the Sunsets will be playing at 1:55 on Saturday at the Balance Stage.
Posted by Wes Soltis on Jul 06, 2010 @ 7:07 am
Crate Digger 101 Lesson 2: Jazz Record Labels
Get to know some of the prominent labels to look for when you are crate digging.
Listen up Crate Diggers! The lesson for today is about knowing your record labels. When you start thumbing through the flip bins at the vinyl emporium of your choice, knowing what to expect from a record label may help you decide between the “Not sure” and “Gotta have” LPs.
Here’s a brief lesson to get you started. We will go more in depth in the future on particular labels, but this primer will get you started in the right direction...
Posted by Prof Louzlounge on Jul 05, 2010 @ 7:07 am
Remixin': Social Studies, One AM Radio, and 'Time Bandit'
One AM Radio remixes Social Studies' 'Time Bandit'
San Fransciso-based group Social Studies are busy finishing their forthcoming album Wind Up Wooden Heart later this month. While we wait with eager anticipation, the band had One AM Radio remix one of Wind Up Wooden Heart's tracks “Time Bandit.” Social Studies and the One AM Radio may produce different music but aren't that far apart. Both band left their cold hometowns for sunny California. Natalia Rogovin and Michael Jirkovsky met in Santa Cruz after moving from Oregon and Illinois respectively, while the One AM Radio left their frigid New England roots for Los Angeles. This common thread binds the two bands together, making the remix of Social Studies' “Time Bandit” a mix of imagery-driven beats and indie pop melodies. Social Studies' Wind Up Wooden Heart comes out July 27 on Antenna Farm Records. Listen to “Time Bandit” below, or download it through Filter Magazine's website.
Posted by Amy Dittmeier on Jul 01, 2010 @ 12:12 pm