I haven't done a three-in-a-row in a while now. But tomorrow will be the first of three straight nights of shows for me -- Metric, Metric again, and The Boy Least Likely To (w/ Cpt. James Blunt). Fantastic? It should be. I'm especially looking forward to seeing the Unicorns offshoot, Islands. Judging from what I've heard of Return to the Sea, I think I'm going to enjoy them immensely -- perhaps even more than The Unicorns themselves.
BTW, Islands will be headlining an all-ages show at the Mesa Luna on May 9th. Cadence Weapon and Busdriver opens. Return to the Sea is officially released on April 18th.
The new Snow Patrol song "Hands Open" (off Eyes Open, out May 9th) name-drops Sufjan Stevens. Oh-kay. I like the song, but man, that's weird.
Quasi'sWhen the Going Gets Dark was released last week and I completely forgot about it. My bad. I better pick it up the next time I'm at Scratch.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
10:57 PM
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Wednesday, March 29, 2006
We Are the "C"hampion
At curling tonight, we finished off the season by winning the "C" Division, i.e. the best of the worst. No matter -- a win's a win. I played like shit tonight, but the rest of my team bailed me out. For our win, we get prizes. I hope a plaque is involved. I like plaques. Or a trophy. I like trophies.
Only about three months after its theatrical release, King Kong is available on DVD now. If you missed it the first time around, I suggest you go see it. It's really a theatre-type movie, but seeing it at home is better than not seeing it at all. The dinosaurs alone are worth the price of admission the rental.
Death Cab'sDirections, a collection of videos for every song off Plans, is on sale now at iTunes. If you missed them the first time around streaming on their website, the videos will knock you back three bucks each.
I'm considering getting a PDA. Any recommendations?
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:18 AM
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Monday, March 27, 2006
It's Raining Maria
Rainer Maria is coming to a Vancouver venue to-be-announced on May 7th. This puts my plan to see Sunset Rubdown in jeopardy -- unless both bands are on the same bill. Their other two Canadian dates are -- surprise surprise -- Toronto and Montreal, on May 15th and 16th at The Horseshoe and El Salon, respectively. Coincidentally, they'll be in Austin when I'm in Austin (April 30th). Maybe I'll see them twice in one week. FYI, Rainer Maria's Catastrophe Keeps Us Together comes out next week on April 4th.
Stereogum is having contest in which the prize is Neil Young's entire catalogue. Sweet.
Tilly and the Wall has a new website. You can choose to view it in four different themes, each representing a season. Neato. Their new record, Bottoms of Barrels, drops May 23rd.
NP: Rose Melberg - Take Some Time
posted by Hanson |
10:41 PM
|
If You Find Yourself Caught In Love
No, Carl Newman and friends didn't open for Belle & Sebastian in Vancouver on Friday night, but that didn't stop the show from being one of the best of this young year.
I started lining up in front of the Commodore at around 6:30pm, an hour and a half before doors. Surely, I thought, there'd be tonnes of B&S fan boys and girls already there, eagerly awaiting the band's second-ever Vancouver performance and first in more than four-and-a-half years. However, I had vastly overestimated the devotedness of their fan base, as only two people were in line when I got there. Maybe all the ticket went to indie-yuppies who were too cool to show up early.
Ninety minutes and a ham and eggs crepe later, we were inside. I geeked-out and ran right to the front. Amazingly, I seem to be more excited about this how than even the Jenny Lewis show a few weeks back. I mean, I like Belle & Sebastian, but to me, they're no Jenny Lewis. There was just something about the show blew my excitement meter.
The incomparable Rose Melberg opened up the show with a charming acoustic set. She had to play over a loud indie-yuppie crowd though, one that gave her none of the respect that she so richly deserved. In a red button-up sweater and plaid skirt, everything about her screamed twee. She sang and strummed her guitar quietly, playing mostly song from her new album, Cast Away the Clouds. She did drop in a few oldies, and when she did, I cheered. Loudly. Interestingly, I was able to pick up the new album at the show even though it doesn't come up for another month. I guess she didn't want to miss an opportunity to sell to 1000+ people who love pop music! I loved her set to bits, although I suspect most in the crowd weren't paying attention. Too bad for them.
Belle & Sebastian played like the rock stars that they were. I was struck by how completely not shy they were, Stuart Murdoch strolling in with confidence and even a little swagger. Just how charismatic they were completely took me off guard. I was half-expecting a bunch of quiet introverts strumming away and avoiding eye contact with the audience. Quite the contrary, Stuart slapped hands and jumped on top of speakers, strutting around on stage like nobody's business. Stevie Jackson had the awesomest dance moves, and he wasn't afraid to bust it out. No longer the media-shy band of their early days, this is a Belle & Sebastian ready to conquer the world. They ain't twee no more.
While their music is perfectly suited to a pair of headphones, it translates extremely well in a live setting too. Even the older, quieter songs were given beefy sonic makeovers. The set consisted of a mixture of old and new songs, b-sides and album tracks alike, with If You're Feeling Sinister happily overrepresented. A couple of surprises include the 6+ minute epic dancey b-side "Your Cover's Blown" and a cover of Madonna's "Borderline." Yeah, you heard me right.
I can sit here and write more about how amazing the show was, but really, I should be sleeping. Suffice it to say that the show beat even my own lofty expectations. I knew they were going to be good, but not this good. Stevie Jackson, your guitar skills have impressed me a-plenty, to say nothing of your mad dancing skills. And Stuart Murdoch, you sir are a star. It took you some time to come out of your shell, but you're an unstoppable force now.
Damn. I can't wait to see them again!
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:13 AM
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Friday, March 24, 2006
So that's why! Melissa McClelland is touring because Thumbalina's One Night Stand comes out May 23rd (Via Chart). Stranded in Suburbia came out of nowhere to be my 10th favourite record of 2004, so this time, I'm expecting a good one too.
Hot Hot Heat was ok. Annoying frat boys picked one of the least appropriate songs, the MOR radio hit "Middle of Nowhere," to get rowdy on. Seriously. WTF? Overall, I'd have to agree with Quinn from From Blown Speakers. The band seemed to have lost the pep they used to have. Could it have left with Dante DeCaro? Perhaps. All the screaming girls fondling Steven Bays was kind of creepy too. The ass pinches and near dick-grabs are things that I really didn't need to see.
Congrats to Kelowna's Kelly Scott for playing an incredible last few ends, coming back from an 8-4 deficit to beat Norway in the Women's World Curling Championship. This puts her in the 3-4 page play-off game again Andrea Schopp of Germany, whom she beat in the round robin. Three straight wins, Kelly, and I'll get my five bucks from Sarah!
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:15 AM
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Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Bits
Amy Millan has decided to forgo the Lady Lustre moniker and release her solo album under her own name. Stars-less, Honey From The Tombs is out on May 30th in Canada. Go to The 'Fork for additional details like tracklisting, etc..
Not my cup of tea, but I'll pass it along anyway. The Stroke are coming. Yay? Wednesday, May 17th at the (sucky) Plaza of Nations. Presale at Ticketmaster starts this Wednesday, March 22nd at 10am. The password is "IMPRESSIONS".
The fact that Melissa McClelland will be playing Vancouver three straight nights normally would've excited me greatly. But because she's opening for Matt Good's solo gigs at the tiny Van East Cultural Centre /and/ I only found out she's on the bill after the shows have long sold out, I'm left disappointed. Miffed. Saddened. If anybody can spare an extra ticket...
I've been on a Morrissey/Smiths kick lately. Lets just say that next time at karaoke, I'll be ready for "Everyday is Like Sunday."
NP: Belle & Sebastian - Me and The Major
posted by Hanson |
11:16 PM
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Monday, March 20, 2006
Broken Away
The strength of Kelly Clarkson'sBreakaway LP cannot be denied. In its third calendar year of release, the juggernaut is still flying high, coming in 20th on last week's Billboard Top 200 chart. And for its fifth single, it unleashed the killer "Walk Away," a tune as slick and crazy-ass-catchy as anything else we've heard from her. Talk about depth.
Think of some of the other songs usually trotted out as fifth singles. They are usually little more than dressed-up middle-tier album tracks designed to milk the cow for another bucket or two. Even the other breakout female pop album of last year, Gwen Stefani'sLove.Angel.Music.Baby, failed when it came to its fifth single. "Crash"? More like a total train wreck. It was embarrassingly bad, actually, especially compared to the orgasmic pop supernova that was "What You Waiting For?".
And my point? I don't really have one. I just felt like throwing something some props when the video for "Walk Away" came on. And besides, Neko doesn't need my help. Just about everyone who cares to know know that Fox Confessor Brings The Flood is a doozy of a record.
Watch Miss Indepedent-From-All-Other-American-Idols' video, embedded style, here:
NP: Morrissey - You Have Killed Me
posted by Hanson |
10:16 PM
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Sunday, March 19, 2006
V for Virus
I had plans for the weekend. I had plans for Friday night too. But none of it came to pass for reasons beyond my control. You see, after lunch on Friday, I started down the road of sickness. You know, it was the usual: headache, body aches, and a general sense of fatigue. These symptoms were very similar to what I experienced last October right before the Arcade Fire show -- except worse (at least on Friday afternoon/night). It might've been something I picked up during lunch -- walking in the brisk weather inadequately clothed, Quzino's, etc. -- but I can probably safely rule out the new Paper Moon as being the culprit.
Luckily, this didn't strike me a week later, because I'd really have to find somebody to savagely beat had I missed Belle & Sebastianagain. And I really don't want to savagely beat anybody. The lawsuits alone would be a nightmare...
So instead of watching a bald Natalie Portman or (replacement) skipping my curling team, I sat at home all weekend, nursing my pounding headache with Tylenol and warm water, watching curling and poker on TV all day. I even watched most of Rush Hour 2 on TBS today! And it would've been relaxing if it were for the constant headache.
I'll be back with your regularly scheduled, non-bitching blogging tomorrow.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
11:29 PM
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Friday, March 17, 2006
Out of the Box
I want to introduce you to this girl I met. Perhaps you know her too. She is one of the coolest and most knowledgeable music mavens I've ever met. Does the name Pandora ring a bell?
This chick, she's quite something. You tell her a bunch of artists and songs you like, and she'll start streaming other songs that are stylistically similar. Unlike other people who make recommendations based on what other people with similar music tastes as you enjoy listening to as well, she dissects a song's individual elements in order to make her recommendations. Vocal styles, instrumentation, key tonality, rhythms, and other more subtle features are used in the matching, and let me tell you -- she knows her shit. For instance, I didn't tell her I liked Mary Lou Lord or Nedelle, yet she told me to check both of them out. Validation!
For every song she streams, you can give her either a thumb up or thumb down. She'll refine her recommendations based on your feedback, playing more songs stylistically similar to the ones you dig and less of the ones you don't. It's like having your own personalized radio station, one that you can call up anytime and say "dude, that ruled" or "yo, that blows" -- and have it take your suggestions into account when deciding what to play next.
Pandora has and will continue to expose me to a lot of music I haven't heard before, music that'll probably like. I heart her. You can find out more details about her on website's FAQ. She might be the right girl for you too.
NP: My Morning Jacket - I Won't Cry
posted by Hanson |
12:56 AM
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Thursday, March 16, 2006
Rose Parade
Instead of The New Pornographers opening up the Belle & Sebastian show in Vancouver, we get indie-pop royalty Rose-Fucking-Melberg! Oh sweet jebus yeah! Melberg was a member of Tiger Trap, Go Sailor, and (my favourite Melbergian project) The Softies. This makes The Pornos not opening even better news. See, if both Belle & Sebastian and The New Pornographers were on the same bill, there's no way the show would be at a place as small as The Commodore. And now, we get an awesome opener in their stead. Wicked cool.
Since the demise of The Softies, Melberg has been having babies in the Okanagans. Her solo album, Cast Away the Clouds, comes out via Double Agent Records on April 25th. Go to her websiteMySpace to stream the excellent "Take Some Time" off the new record.
Wow. I'm terribly tired today. I can muster very little else other than a re-report of Swedish popsters The Concretes doing a Vancouver show on May 17th at Richard's. Via From Blown Speakers.
Well, I got this too: Magneta Lane will drop by Vancouver, opening for The Ladies and GentlemenSmall Sins at the Lamplighter on April 20th. Looks like I'll be missing this one due to Eisley. By sheer numbers, Eisley's got more hotness. And I've never seen them either, so it's an easy choice.
NP: Rose Melberg - Take Some Time
posted by Hanson |
12:14 AM
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Wednesday, March 15, 2006
I disagree with pop (all love): Adam Duritz is better than Scott Weiland.
This brought me a chuckle. I might've fallen for the trap too if I didn't have all of their albums.
NP: Morrissey - Suedehead
posted by Hanson |
12:01 AM
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Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Missing In Action
The Elected are joining Metric's latest cross-Canada tour as openers. The bad news: their first date will be Calgary on April 4th, which means the three Vancouver shows -- two of which I have tickets for -- won't feature them. Bollocks.
I'll be out of town when what's left of New Music West invades Vancouver from April 26th to 30th. And by invade, I mean a handful of relative unknown bands will play shows to small and apathetic crowds over a weekend and a bit. I mean, I'd like to see Paper Moon, Maplewood Lane, Portico, and The Stills, but compared to what it used to be like, four bands isn't too big of a deal (not when I'm missing the Death Cab for Franz Ferdinand extravaganza on the 28th). Ah well.
I did my taxes on Sunday. Yay! This is the earliest I've done them, and I'm so proud of myself for it. See -- even a constant procrastinator can change. Up next: Chinese Democracy! (I'm talking about a total upheaval of an entrenched political system in a world superpower, not the Guns N' Roses album. No, that shit will never come out.)
NP: Trespassers William - Weakening
posted by Hanson |
12:18 AM
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Monday, March 13, 2006
A Side of Scot
You know that really good side dish you get your a main course? The one you get so little of, but every tiny morsel is absolutely flavour-tastic? Inevitably, you'd want to have an entire meal that consisted of nothing but that side dish. But inevitably, you'd be disappointed, as that side dish won't taste as good when you get a huge portion. This brings me to Isobel Campbell's show on Friday night at Richard's.
Going in, I had very modest expectations. Like almost every Belle & Sebastian fan, I really enjoyed her work with the band. Songs like "Is It Wicked Not To Care" were among my favourite B&S songs, and her voice had an ethereal quality that meshes perfectly with Stuart Murdoch's oh-so-fey singing. However, I didn't really like her debut solo effort, Amorino, though I've been enjoying her new collaboration with Mark Lanegan, Ballad of Broken Seas.
While the show exceeded my expectations, it also made one thing quite clear -- Isobel is best served as a side dish. Accompanying her on stage, among others, was Eugene Kelly, the frontman for one of Kurt Cobain's favourite bands, The Vaselines. The set consisted mostly of songs from Ballad of Broken Seas, with Kelly taking over from Mark Lanegan on vocals. This meant that although the show was bill as an "Isobel Campbell" gig, Kelly played quite a central role and sang quite a bit. In fact, it was he who was in the centre of the stage, Isobel surprisingly positioned a bit off centre, to the right of Kelly.
On songs when Isobel was the lone singer, her whispery coo was drowned out by the band. It could be the sound guy, but it's likely the result of her quiet singing. That contributed to those songs not rising above merely pleasant; they were OK, but they lacked the "punch" found at, say, Jenny Lewis' performance last week. The best moments of the night were the duets -- Isobel and Eugene's voices worked nicely together. Among them was a pretty sweet cover of "Love Hurts," which I'd love a copy of.
From her new album as well as the show, it's clear that Isobel is really digging the alt country thing. She dressed it as well, wearing brown boots, denim skirt, and a big eagle belt buckle. Scottish country music. Well, if it worked for Australia, why not Scotland too?
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
1:08 AM
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Friday, March 10, 2006
Melt My Heart 2: Electric Boogaloo
So. J.Lew. Do I even have to say that the show was awesome? Despite being backed by six other musicians on stage, including the Watson Twins and her boo, Roy OrbisonJohnathan Rice, she was in complete command sans Blake, her usual partner in crime. Without interference from loud rock instruments, Jenny's voice took over, every twangy syllable from her amazing set of pipes coming through crisp and clear. The highlight for me was probably her solo rendition of "Rabbit Fur Coat," the room falling into a hush after Jenny (and then the crowd) shush it. To put it simply, it was magical. Seeking out moments like that is the precise reason why I go to so many live shows.
Opening for Jenny was Team Love label-mate Willy Mason. Nic Harcourt used to play "Oxygen" all the time on Morning Becomes Eclectic, so it was nice to finally hear that song live. I enjoyed his set overall, the electric mandolin played by his cousin adding a much-welcomed layer of twang to his already countrified folk songs.
Unfortunately, scheduled openers Vagtown 2000Whispertown 2000 wasn't able to make it to Richard's on Tuesday night. Fronted by the "Morgan" often sung about in Rilo Kiley songs (e.g. "Absence of God", "Papillon", etc.), they were apparently stuck on the road. Drat. And the stuff on their MySpacesounded promising...
As per the request left in the poop shoot, here's the setlist for the show:
Run Devil Run The Big Guns Happy You Are What You Love Melt Your Heart The Charging Sky (a new, untitled song) Paradise Rabbit Fur Coat Rise Up With Fists Jack Killed Mom Born Secular
Encore:
Sweet Valley High Theme Song (some other song, likely a Shirelles cover) Cold Jordan
Another red-head with a big voice, Neko Case, will be playing The Centre the day after Canada Day. So does that mean she's as big as Can-Con favourite Our Lady Peace now, who are doing the same venue (twice) on April 27th and 28th?
NP: Rhett Miller - Come Around
posted by Hanson |
12:15 AM
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Thursday, March 09, 2006
Small Small Show
Out of nowhere, Hot Hot Heat has announced two club dates at The Red Room on March 21st (Tuesday) and 22nd (Wednesday), the shows opened up by You Say Party! We Say Die!. Tickets are on sale now for $13 + service charges. I've picked up two tickets to the Wednesday show, and if you want to see play a reasonably small club, you should quickly follow suit. These shows will sell out -- it's just a matter of when.
The new Mates of State record is a winner. I've liked their previous work, but this one takes the cake. Bring It Back, full of peppy keys-and-drums pop songs, will be out via Barsuk on March 21st. Get it, foo.
Today Yesterday was International Women's Day. What did you play in your CD player iPod in its honour?
NP: Eagle and Talon - Dropped Down
posted by Hanson |
12:09 AM
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Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Melt My Heart
I realize I can't blog about a show on the same night that I see it. It'll just take too much time brain-dumping while everything is still fresh in my mind. Suffice it to say, Jenny Lewis made me a very happy Ho tonight. I got the awesomest setlist (complete with hearts and the name "Jennifer" written on top) as well as the bottle of water earmarked for Jenny that she never drank. But I drank it. Boy did I drink it. Hmmm. I don't know what that means. Anyway, maybe I'm do a more extensive post about the show tomorrow. Then again...
Wow. The Plaza is getting quite a few bands playing there now. Their latest coup -- Six Feet Under darling Sia with Eagle and Talon on April 8th. Thems twos are also hitting The Mod Club in Toronto on April 13th. Too bad those dates weren't switched, as I have my curling league banquet on April 8th. Decisions, decisions...
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
1:06 AM
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Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Weekend Round Up
The weekend was pretty gosh darn good. Let me count the ways, chronologically.
#1. Friday night was Controller.Controller and local heroes You Say Party! We Say Die!. Despite eating a dinner that consisted only of 2 cookies and a thing of milk, I rambunctiously yet politely shook my ass to the deafening sounds of two of Canada's best dance-dance-good-time-party-fun bands. A good show, a too-large t-shirt, and a couple of ringing ears later, the weekend was off to an auspicious start.
#2. Saturday, I slept in, watched some Jews with guns, gay cowboys, and a thugged-up Natalie Portman. The Portman thing was especially entertaining. At first, I thought it'd be some lame Lazy Sunday redux, but then she told Seth Meyers to suck her dick. Nice. The going all-out really sold it for me. And being awful cute doesn't hurt either. I've yousendit'd here.
#3. Sunday morning, BC's Kelly Scott winning her namesake tournament! Earlier, I wasn't sure who I'd be cheering for, but once no one emerged from the field, I fell back on the home province band wagon. Proving her critics wrong, Scott made her final shot, a heavy-weight in-turn hit that barely snuck past the guard to tick her opponent's shot rock. With the win, she and her rink of Renee Simons (Lead), Sasha Carter (Second), and Jeanna Schraeder (Third) will now represent Canada in two weeks at the World Championships in Grand Prairie. At that one, there's no doubt who I'm cheering for (well, unless maybe if the Johnson Sisters qualify...)
#4. Later on Sunday, I emerged as the co-winner of Carlos' Oscar pool. The pick that put me over the top -- Three 6 Mafia's "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" for Best Original Song. Oh yeah. Suck that Phil Collins! Jon Stewart did a phenomenal job, staying classy yet still being funny.
#5. When I came home, there was leftover Alaskan King Crab in the fridge for me to munch on. I thought it couldn't get any better...
And then I remembered I'm seeing Jenny Lewis on Tuesday! Oh fucks yeahs! Speaking of that, I have an extra ticket to the show now. It's sold out, so if you want to see her but don't have a ticket, give me a call or leave me a message.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:24 AM
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Friday, March 03, 2006
Bad Bad Blogs
In the interest of full disclosure, let me preface this by saying that I look forward to albums leaking online months before the release date. I also steal download music quite a bit. Still, there's something I've got to get off my chest...
Nick Sylvester is one of the few Pitchfork reviewers that I almost always agree with. In his blog post yesterday on the Village Voice website, he was spot on again. This time, he aimed squarely at the bow of blogs that do little more than post entire albums without even the slightest attempt at original commentary. The mere existence of such blogs took me by surprise; I mean, aren't blogs just an excuse for Joe Schmoes (like yours truly) to rant about any and everything? Seriously, I really don't see the purpose of blogging if I can't use it as an outlet to shoot my mouth off.
The whole deal with posting readily available albums in their entirety also irks me. (Rarities are a different story.) Here, I post a couple -- maybe three -- tracks at a time. They are meant for people to sample the artists I blog about. Ideally, if they liked what they heard, they'll go pick up an album or go see a show, which puts money in the pockets of people who make great music. The #1 reason why I blog about music is because I can't keep my opinions to myself; the #2 reason why I blog about music is to help promote artists that I like.
Now, one can argue that by posting entire albums, one is furthering reason #2. I don't happen to agree. It's true that these blogs "get the music out," but it also hurts the artists in the long run because they make music as disposable as last night's newspaper. Dig this: by making full albums available with just a few mouse clicks, it makes it way too easy. I mean, downloading music already isn't rocket surgery, but usually, you'd at least have to search for the music that you want. If I want to get Bitter Tea before the street date, I would have to make an effort by searching for it. It isn't hard, but it requires a deliberate action from me to get something that I consciously want. To have it come to me via a blog feed without me having to consciously think of getting it, well, that's just too easy. Hell, I don't even have to really want it to get it; it's just there, so why not? It cheapens the music-getting experience -- even more so than downloading via BitTorrent or Soulseek -- and it makes each piece of music that much more replaceable and disposable in this, a generation of super-sized iPods in shuffle mode.
Crazy-easy downloading also allows people to accumulate music for the sake of being cred. Downloading has already spawned the indie yuppie; crazy-easy downloading will make them multiply exponentially. Indie Yuppie A: "Have you heard the new Wolf! Wolf! Wolf! record?" Indie Yuppie B: "Yeah, I got it last night from Daily Downloadz. I'll let you know how I feel about it once Pitchfork posts its review." You don't even have to try anymore -- just download everything and you'll probably have the latest blog heroes when they start blowing up.
I love site like Fluxblog and You Ain't No Picasso because they introduce me to music, not give it away like some desperate, lonely, drunk girl at closing time. If Matt had posted the entire Eames Era catalogue, I probably would've been less inclined to order it from Insound right away. Sure, I might've tried to find their records at local record stores, but chances are, I would've probably forgotten about it after a few failed attempts. And I'm very good about buying records from artists that I like even though I have them downloaded. (That's the benefit of working for The Man.) My not having the music that I craved forced me into action, and because of that, a few dollars drifted into the pockets of some worthy individuals. Also, I had to work for it, meaning that I'll probably be less likely to just get it and forget it. To me, the music means more when I have to jump through hoops to get it, even if it just means buying it off the internet.
Good music blogs have personalities. They act as filters for those with similar tastes. Blogs that indiscriminately post entire albums don't serve that purpose -- they just seem like automatons that further piracy in the worst way. If people want to download, at least make them work for it (a little bit).
OK. I'll get off my high horse now...
NP: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rise Up With Fists
posted by Hanson |
12:06 AM
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Thursday, March 02, 2006
Tubing
YouTube is quickly becoming one of my favourite websites. If you missed the radiant Jenny Lewis's appearance on the Late Late Show last night, watch it here, thanks to Tha' Tube:
What did the five fingers say to the pretentious indie kid? *SLAP*!
Crazy April just keeps on coming: The Stills are at Richard's on April 26th. Also, Maplewood Lane are back at the gigging game, playing the Pic on March 9th. Ignore their website that says they're playing The Media Club -- it's the Pic, or so says their email list.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:33 AM
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Wednesday, March 01, 2006
There She Goes
Chartattack reports that the angelic-voiced Leigh Nash, former frontwoman for Sixpence None the Richer, will be releasing an as-yet untitled solo album later this year. She's going all Sarah McLachlan on us for this one, teaming up with Pierre Marchand to crank out songs about motherhood. Expect a lot of piano-based ballads and controlled, precise arrangements. Um, yay?
The final episodes of The West Wing will feature the return of many old favourites, including Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), Ainsley Hayes (Emily Procter), Joey Lucas (Marlee Matlin), and my favourite, Amy Gardner (Mary-Louise Parker)! This season, the Sorkin-less series as regained some of its old form, ranking as my favourite hour-long on the Big 4 this year. If they can somehow get Sorkin to write and direct the finale, it'll be a perfect ending.
Trespassers William'sHaving is in stores now! If dream-pop floats your boat, go pick it up.
