I'm off to the home of SXWS -- Austin, TX -- tomorrow. I'll be gone until next Wednesday. If I find a computer there, I might try to blog. But given my track record when it comes to out-of-town blogging, don't hold your breathe :-)
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:36 AM
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Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Greedy Me
My two-show-hopping experience tonight was semi-successful. I caught stellastarr*'s fine set at Richard's, though my pictures of Amanda Tannen (aka The Hottest Bassist in Music Evarrrr) didn't turn out too well. And by the time I got to Ladytron, half their set was over, my lateness causing me to miss personal favourites like "Playgirl," "Blue Jeans," and "Evil." The good thing about that is, I got home relatively early, which is nice since I've been running extremely low on sleep lately, even by my standard. And I got to see two bands that I like despite their playing different venues on the same night! If I had the energy, I'd talk about how the crowds at the two shows were massively different. But I don't, so I won't -- at least not now...
Something I learnt from watching late-night TV while munching on fruit: Alexis Bledel loves Wendy's 99-cent chicken nuggets.
There a presale for the Bright Eyes show at the Malkin Bowl on June 4th. It starts Wednesday, April 26th at the House of Blues website and Ticketbastard at 10:00am. Password? There doesn't seem to be one. If there is, I'll post it when I find out.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
1:31 AM
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Saturday, April 22, 2006
Weekly Barsuk Update
Looks like Asya and Chloe of Smoosh are expanding their sound. Well, in small increments anyway. Barsuk has posted "Find A Way", a track from their upcoming album, Free to Stay, and the intro is barely recognizable. But once Asya starts singing, it becomes the familiar pre-teen girl-pop that Smoosh is known for. Free to Stay will be out on June 20th, via Barsuk, of course.
Speaking of Barusk, I went and saw Mate of State tonight at The Plaza. Good band at a sucky venue. You win some, you lose some, I guess. Local favourites The Salteens opened the show, complete with a full horn section. It's like adding bacon to a good veggie burger -- making something good even good-er. Mmmmm. Bacon...
Oh, and why not triple-up the Barsuk content: I'll be seeing Rocky Votolato tomorrow night. Yay! I love seeing bands/artists that I like but have never seen before.
NP: Smoosh - Find A Way
posted by Hanson |
12:15 AM
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Friday, April 21, 2006
Marvelous Things
I must be the only person in Vancouver over the age of 18 who digs Eisley enough to go see them play live. At the Croatian Cultural Centre tonight, the aforementioned Texas popsters played to around 80-90 people, most of whom are probably grade 12 provincial exam virgins. I swear, if the mean age of the crowd was over 16, you have the permission to slap me. For once, an all-ages crowd was rather subdued, even Eisley's most catchy tunes eliciting only a gentle sway. Were they polite or were they just not that into it? Loud cheers greeted most album tracks, but more than a few people walked from the front to the back as the band got deeper into their set.
The sound at the venue was ridiculously bad. But then again, what's new? It was echo-y as hell -- as always -- which made it difficult to hear the vocals clearly, they being arguably my favourite part of Eisely's music. Still, the band soldiered through, and despite guitarist Chauntelle's headache, they played a nice set that featured most of my favourites from Room Noises. The renditions of "Golly Sandra," "Telescope Eyes," "Memories", and the set closer, "Trolley Wood" were pleasant enough given the conditions. And yes, the DuPree sisters are as cute in person as they are in press photos -- especially Sherri, pictured above. Now, if I could only see them in a more intimate venue with better sound. Too bad I missed them when they opened for Snow Patrol at Richard's a couple years ago!
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:38 AM
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Thursday, April 20, 2006
Gigs of Gigs
Triple header alert! Eisley tomorrow, Mates of State on Friday, and Rocky Votolato on Saturday. I get two days off, then it's the crazy-ass two-shows-in-one-night dealie -- first stellastarr*, then Ladytron. Phew. I'll be alone at Eisley and Rocky, so if you wanna keep me company, I wouldn't say no. Hell, I'll even buy you a drink. Or two. (Yes, in my old age, I've lost patience for going to shows solo.)
In other Vancouver gig news: New Buffalo opens The Concretes on May 17th at Richard's. Fellow Aussie Ben Lee does the same for Sam RobertsThe Sam Roberts Band on May 25th. I'm not too upset for missing Ben for the second straight time, but I'm definitely glad that I'll get to see Sally again.
And of course, I'm super-stoked for The Friedbergers. So stoked, in fact, I might even make t-shirts.
NP: Rocky Votolato - Goldfield
posted by Hanson |
12:48 AM
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Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Vancouver Gets Hot
Screw Built to Spill -- I'm seeing me some Fiery Furnaces on June 12th! Richard's rules, the Commodore drools (well, for one night, anyway).
NP: Mates of State - Think Long
posted by Hanson |
9:55 AM
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Tuesday, April 18, 2006
"The Splendiferous Zeppelin Escapades of Filliam H. Muffman" will take Austin by storm. Bennifer II will do much better this year than Conor Oberst did year. (There are maybe five two people in the world who would understand what the fuck I'm talking about.)
I bought shorts today for the first time in about five years!
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
1:47 AM
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Monday, April 17, 2006
Road to Joy
I go away for the weekend, abusing myself on a board on the snow, and I come back to an announcement of a Bright Eyes show at the Malkin Bowl on June 5th. Nice! Gruff Rhys (without his other Super Furry Animals) is slated to open. Conor and friends will be in Victoria the day before -- a Sunday -- which is why I'm mulling over a trip to the island. If Tilly and the Wall are added to the bill, the mulling will quickly be replaced by ticket ordering. Hey, they do have a new album coming out in May, so you never know...
Speaking of Tilly, tracks from Bottom of Barrels are beginning to surface. You Ain't No Picasso links "Rainbows in the Dark" and "Bad Education", both tracks dripping with foot-stomping, Tilly-fun goodness. Download? Ah yes.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:59 AM
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Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Pretty Girls Make Records
If you couldn't tell from the one song Matador has posted, the new Pretty Girls Make Graves record, Élan Vital, is quite a departure from their previous work. In fact, if you were to have missed 2003's The New Romance completely, you'd probably think that the 2006 version of PGMG was an entirely different band from the guys that brought you Good Health back in 2002.
So what's different? How about /everything/. When I first started listening to them, their sound was propelled by pair of hard-edged jarring guitars. Andrea Zollo's singing bordered on yelling sometimes, and they were touring with punksters like Les Savy Fav. Fast forward four years. Minus a guitarist (Nathan Thelan) and plus a [cute] keyboardist/back-up vocalist (Leona Marrs), the band's sound is quite a bit more subtle, with many more instruments coming into the mix. Gone is the yelling -- Andrea's vocal techniques have matured quite a bit -- not to mention the dropping of the brash duelling guitars. They can't really be classified as a "loud" band anymore, and they're now touring with popsters likes Giant Drag.
Not that I'm complaining. I think the new album sounds great, especially after it's been spun a few times. It's great to see a band evolve that that instead of making the same record over and over again. You hear that, Chad Kroeger? I honestly don't know how well this record will be received. Rehearsing My Choir it ain't, but the change in sound is quite bold. Don't believe me? Have a listen:
In other news, Pollstar reports that Rocky Votolato will be opening the Josh Rouse gig at The Red Room on April 22nd. If that's true, I'm /so/ there, busy show week be damned!
NP: Pretty Girls Make Graves - Wildcat
posted by Hanson |
12:07 AM
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Tuesday, April 11, 2006
She's A Mountain
By my count, tonight was the ninth time I've seen Sarah Harmer live -- and the first time she didn't play "Basement Apartment," if I remember correctly. It was a nice, quiet show this evening, on a stage decorated as the set for a local production of Waiting for Godot. This time, she was backed an all-acoustic band (except for one, lightly strummed guitar) in a small theatre. The result was an intimate show that ended with a mic-less and mesmerizing version "How Deep Is Your Valley," complete with beautiful harmonizing courtesy of her band. The seats in row 1 added to the awesomeness too.
One interesting thing about the show was the lack of an opener. I can't remember the last time I've been to full-fledge ticket-and-everything show which didn't feature at least one opening band. Odd. Perhaps the person/band slated for the opening slot bailed at the last night? If that was the reason Sarah played a 2+ hour set, I should thank them.
I bought Pretty Girls Make Graves'Elan Vital for $24.99 at Scratch yesterday. The guy working there said they got it -- non-import from a Canadian distributor -- for 17 bucks. Yikes! Apparently, all Matador releases are now crazy expensive for retailers, even the non-imports. Anybody else heard this ridiculousness? Perhaps it the distributors jacked up the price -- perhaps it's Matador themselves. But whatever the reason, regularly marked-up price of $24.99 for a regular, no-frills CD will kill the independent record store.
Oh yeah. The Canucks: totally fracked. Can you say lottery pick?
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
1:51 AM
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Friday, April 07, 2006
Dance Dance Revolution
John Vanderslice was great tonight. Playing to a smallish crowd of 70-80 at The Media Club, he belted out a set of songs that spanned his catalogue. No "Coming and Going on Easy Terms" or "Promising Actress", unfortunately, but it's impossible to fit all his "hits" in due to the size of the pool of songs from which he's drawing. Vancouver, for not showing up in droves, you're a coward. "Exodus Damage" alone was worth the losing of sleep by staying out on a Thursday night. JV said he'd be back in the fall. Lets hope he doesn't turn his back on us after our poor showing tonight.
Barsuk recording artist and compelling storyteller John Vanderslice will be plying his trade at the intimate Media Club tomorrow tonight (April 6th). Great act playing a cheap show -- you can't get better than this. Doors are at 9.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:54 AM
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Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Coin-Operated Ho
Oh god. I can't believe I'm posting this -- the presale for the Panic! At the Disco show on July 27th at the Croatian Cultural Centre starts tomorrow today (Wednesday) at Ticketbastard. The password? "DISCO". Creative bunch, eh?
Why the hell am I posting this, you ask? Because The Dresden Dolls are opening up the gig! An odd pairing if there ever were one, so I'm still undecided. All ages. Yikes. At the Croatian Cultural Centre. Boo. Panic! At the Disco. Ick. That's three strikes. But it's The Dresden Dolls, goddamnit, whom I missed the last time because I was at Stars. Hmmm. Shit. Anyone want to brave the kiddies with me?
NP: Islands - Rough Gem
posted by Hanson |
12:35 AM
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Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Light Up, Light Up
Snow Patrol is coming to Vancouver on June 14th for a show at the Commodore. The presale is on right now. Although the password hasn't been widely advertised, my first guess -- "eyesopen" -- got me in. Gee, could the name of the new album also be the presale password? Hehe. They certainly don't make it difficult.
Get your tickets now. British bands always sell out the Commodore.
NP: Eisley - One Day I Slowly Floated Away
posted by Hanson |
12:13 PM
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Rant #54762 (See Rant #54761)
You know what sucks? Finding out that two of my recent purchases -- Sondre Lerche'sDuper Sessions and The Concretes'In Colour -- are both copy-protected, i.e. not rippable. Shite. And I paid money for these! What do you want me to do, EMI, download these instead so I can listen to them on my MP3 client of choice (which is iTunes, BTW)? Seriously, if I want to steal your copyrighted material, I'm only a few Soulseek searches away. But instead of rewarding me for my patronage, you shit all over me by not letting me listen to my legally-obtained music the way I want to. Thank you. That's super! Crap like this is precisely why people hate major labels. Fuck you, EMI. It's preposterous to even think that shenanigans like this is curbing piracy.
Scott Kazmir, way to go... psych! So the first firing of my young guns was a dud. Lets hope I get at least one Quality Start from these guys by the end of the week....
NP: Quasi - When the Going Gets Dark
posted by Hanson |
2:15 AM
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Monday, April 03, 2006
Play Ball
The baseball season started today, with the White Sox beating the Indians by a score of 10-4. This year, my fantasy baseball team is very much like a Fiery Furnaces album -- my drafting involved a lot of risk-taking, but if everything clicks, it could be wondrous. However, it's just as likely that everything would blow up in my face. With a young pitching staff poised to break out (or fall completely flat), a glut of unproven guys on first base, a whole lot of injury concerns, a dearth of proven power, and a lacklustre outfield, this year will be interesting if nothing else.
