Archive for July, 2011

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Two Matchsticks

The Wooden Birds and Heartbeat Hotel at The Drake Underground in Toronto

Photo By Frank YangFrank YangYou might not have guessed it to listen to their records, as laid-back and fuzzy blanket-like as they were, but the American Analog Set were an amazing live act. Not through on-stage antics or pyrotechnics or the like, but by how unbelievably tight they were as a unit. The sound of Andrew Kenny’s soft voice and echoing guitar overtop the bed of vibraphone and Farfisa was the very definition of hypnotic and each of the two Toronto shows I saw prior to their disbanding in 2006 were magical. So given that Kenny’s new outfit The Wooden Birds shares many stylistic attributes with AmAnSet, it wasn’t unreasonable to hope that their first visit in support of their new record Two Matchsticks last night at The Drake would recreate some of that magic.

Support for the evening came from locals Heartbeat Hotel, whose psych-pop-laden Fetus Dreams I’d recommended picking up (for free) and who’d made a decent live impression back in December. They’d played out a fair bit since then, though, and some growth was to be expected. Even so, I didn’t expect that the echoey, slow burn that opened their set would be more the rule than the exception. The freewheeling sonic experimentation that marked Fetus Dreams seems to have been reined in, or the approach of flinging everything against the wall has served its purpose and they’ve now identified what stuck and what works; either way, Heartbeat Hotel circa Summer 2011 is a much more controlled, groove-oriented entity, yet still capable of getting noisy when needed. They’ve learned a lesson in musical economics that some bands take albums to master, if ever, and though it’d be nice if some of the energy of the LP could find its way back into their sound, based on the new material showcased – due for release in EP or album form this Fall – they’ll do well on the exam.

Even before The Wooden Birds played a note, it was pretty clear that this wasn’t going to be American Analog Set unplugged. For starters, Leslie Sisson was handling the acoustic guitar duties I’d assumed were Andrew Kenny’s on record, Kenny had no six-string of any kind, instead holding down the low end with a Thunderbird bass and whereas on the recordings electric guitar was used for texture or the occasional lead, the two electric setup implied that live, it would be decidedly otherwise. And indeed, it didn’t take very long to understand and appreciate that The Wooden Birds were no extension of anyone’s old band, but their own thing entirely; whereas AmAnSet shows were like exercises in hypnosis, this performance was wide-eyed and fully awake.

As the band showcased material from Two Matchsticks and its predecessor Magnolia, I couldn’t help think how someone for whom their first impression of the band was this show might find those decidedly mellower-sounding records. Because the live presentation of The Wooden Birds was definitely a much louder and more sprightly and widescreen-sounding affair. Tempos were stepped up appreciably, and rhythms given an almost country-western shuffle which would prove especially complimentary to the subtle twang of Sisson’s vocals. Those vocals were more than complimentary to Kenny’s voice – they sounded as lovely together as any two voices could – and for an hour or so, they led the band through a set of splendid pop. And for the AmAnSet fans in the audience – which I would assume to be most of them – they did Toronto the pleasure of honouring a request made the last time AmAnSet was in town, which is to say half a decade ago, and offered a reading of “Aaron & Maria” which they segued into a cover of Jackson Browne’s “Somebody’s Baby”. I went into this show hoping to relive a little AmAnSet magic but The Wooden Birds would have none of that; as stated they’ve got their own thing going on and that thing is simply lovely. If they’re coming through your town on their way back down to Austin, do go see them.

The Fort Worth Weekly and Sloucher have interviews with Andrew Kenny. There’s also a writeup and recording of much of the show over at Hater High.

Photos: The Wooden Birds, Heartbeat Hotel @ The Drake Underground – July 10, 2011
MP3: The Wooden Birds – “Two Matchsticks”
MP3: The Wooden Birds – “False Alarm”
MP3: Heartbeat Hotel – “Fins Of A Shark”
MP3: Heartbeat Hotel – “Walls Of Dry Clouds”
MP3: Heartbeat Hotel – “The Hello Barrel”
Video: The Wooden Birds – “Two Matchsticks”
Video: The Wooden Birds – “Hometown Fantasy”
Video: Heartbeat Hotel – “Windowsill #1”

Though just announced as support for The Vaccines show at The Phoenix on September 27, Young Buffalo will do a little advance work with a free show at The Horseshoe on July 26.

MP3: Young Buffalo – “Only We Can Keep You From Harm”
MP3: Young Buffalo – “Anthems For A 17-Year Old Girl”

On the NXNE schedule in June for like a nanosecond, Massachusetts’ Dom will be in town for real for a show at The Garrison on August 9, the same day their new Family Of Love EP is released.

MP3: Dom – “Living In America”

Marnie Stern and No Joy team up for a show at Wrongbar on September 23. The Riverfront Times has an interview with Ms Stern.

MP3: Marnie Stern – “Transparency Is The New Mystery”
MP3: No Joy – “Hawaii”

Suuns have slated a show at The Garrison for October 2 and there’s a new video session up over at For No One.

MP3: Suuns – “Up Past The Nursery”

Shonen Knife will be at The Horseshoe on October 20 to kick of a 30th anniversary tour and next week’s release of their new record Osaka Ramones, a Ramones tribute record. Tickets for the show are $14.50 in advance, full dates at Exclaim.

Video: Shonen Knife – “Ramones Forever” (live)

Spinner has the first sample of the first Ivy album in six years, All Hours due out September 20, and it seems that in the time away they’ve discovered their inner discotheque. They wear it well.

MP3: Ivy – “Distant Lights”

USA Today profiles The Head & The Heart.

Spin checks in with Stephen Malkmus about his new solo record Mirror Traffic, due out August 23. He and his Jicks play The Phoenix on September 21.

NBC San Diego, The Georgia Straight and San Diego City Beat chat with The Rosebuds, in town on August 9 at The Sound Academy opening up for Bon Iver.

Stereogum talks to the director of Handsome Furs’ racy new video. They’re at The Horseshoe on August 1 and 2.

Video: Handsome Furs – “What About Us”

Spin gets a guided tour of Fucked Up frontman Damian Abraham’s domicile. Their next date is August 9 at the Air Canada Centre with Foo Fighters.

Sax-toting Polaris shortlister Colin Stetson has an interview in The Globe & Mail and a session up at Daytrotter. He plays The Drake Underground on August 26.

Loud & Quiet talks to Timber Timbre.

Southern Souls has posted a video session with Jenn Grant.

The Wilderness Of Manitoba are featured in an interview and video session with The Alternate Side.

The documentary film which led to a rather nasty exchange between filmmaker Vincent Moon and Arcade Fire management – Miroir Noir: Neon Bible Archives – will be getting a screening at the TIFF Lightbox on Wednesday evening at 7:30PM as part of Images Festival. Probably safe to say neither filmmaker nor subjects will be in attendance.

Trailer: Miroir Noir: Neon Bible Archives

Sunday, July 10th, 2011

"Two-Headed Boy"

Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold covers Neutral Milk Hotel

Photo By Frank YangFrank Yang2009 was a pretty good year for Seattle’s Fleet Foxes, with their self-titled debut, released the previous Summer, having topped numerous year-end lists worldwide and made the Portland-based folk-rock band one of the hottest things going, touring constantly to adoring crowds in sold-out theatres and concert halls.

Amidst it all, almost two years ago today, frontman Robin Pecknold found the time to step out on his own for a solo club show at Neumo’s in Seattle as part of a benefit for The VERA Project. One of many covers that he included in his set was a rousing rendition of Neutral Milk Hotel’s “Two-Headed Boy”, accompanied on drums by Fleet Foxes drummer J Tillman for some extra oomph and done well enough that you’ll forgive his forgetting the words in the middle there.

Fleet Foxes will be at Massey Hall this Thursday, July 14, in support of their new album Helplessness Blues. Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum has finally returned to active duty and will play two sold-out shows at Trinity-St. Paul’s on August 12 and 13 as the kick-off to a Summer/Fall tour.

The Guardian has a feature piece on Fleet Foxes.

MP3: Robin Pecknold – “Two-Headed Boy” (live at Neumo’s, Seattle – July 11, 2011)
Video: Robin Pecknold – “Two-Headed Boy” (live at Neumo’s, Seattle – July 11, 2011)
Video: Neutral Milk Hotel – “Two-Headed Boy” (live at The Knitting Factory, New York – March 7, 1996)

Saturday, July 9th, 2011

CONTEST – Death Cab For Cutie @ The Molson Amphitheatre – July 29, 2011

Photo By Ryan RussellRyan RussellWho: Death Cab For Cutie
What: Bellingham, Washington’s favourite sons, indie rock archetypes gone major league, the band fronted by that guy who just barely got to Zooey Deschanel before you did – you know, DEATH CAB.
Why: There was no way their super – well, relatively – intimate club show at The Phoenix back in May just ahead of the release of Codes & Keys was going to satisfy fan demand, and so now they’re back at the sixteen-times bigger Amphitheatre. Hey, remember when they played a half-empty Horseshoe? No? I DO.
When: Friday, July 29, 2011
Where: The Molson Canadian Amphitheatre in Toronto (all-ages)
Who else: Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit will try to win over the Death Cab fans with their anthemic folk-rock. At least the ones who show up early.
How: Tickets for the show range from $33.50 to $53.50 plus fees, but courtesy of Collective Concerts, I’ve got two pairs of tickets to give away to the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see Death Cab” in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body, and have those in to me before midnight, July 17. These are actual tickets that will need to be dispatched, but I figure 12 days should be enough to get them where they need to go.
What else: DIY and Billboard have interviews with the band.

MP3: Death Cab For Cutie – “Title And Registration”
MP3: Death Cab For Cutie – “A Movie Script Ending”
Video: Death Cab For Cutie – “You Are A Tourist”

Saturday, July 9th, 2011

CONTEST – Sappyfest Six: With Or Without You – July 29-31, 2011

Photo via FacebookFacebook
What: Sappyfest
What?: A Maritime institution – at least for the last six years – wherein some of Canada’s (and occasionally non-Canadian) best indie acts descend upon the town of Sackville, New Brunswick, and generally make things musically awesome for a weekend.
When: July 29 to 31, 2011
Where: Sackville, New Brunswick
Who: The lineup is perennially strong and this year’s is no exception – in attendance will be Owen Pallett, The Acorn, Chad VanGaalen, Hooded Fang, Julie Doiron, Little Scream, The Sadies and many more.
How: Festival passes are $50-$60 per day or $99 for the weekend, but courtesy of Pigeon Row, I’ve got a pair of weekend passes to give away. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to go to Sappyfest” in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body. Contest closes at midnight, July 16.
What else: There’s a sampler of Sappyfest artists available for free over at Zunior; use coupon code “sap2011x3d” to get the goods.

Saturday, July 9th, 2011

CONTEST – Twin Sister @ The El Mocambo – July 19, 2011

Photo via DominoDominoWho: Twin Sister
What: New York (of course) dream-pop outfit who’ve been catching ears and turning heads for a little while; some of those ears and heads belonged to folks at Domino Records, who gave them a record deal.
Why: Their debut full-length In Heaven isn’t due out until September 27 but the disco-y first single “Bad Street” is out on 10″ on July 19 with a couple of b-sides to whet appetites and give them something to sell on tour.
When: Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Where: The El Mocambo in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Openers still TBA
How: Tickets for the show are $10 in advance, but courtesy of Domino Records I have a pair of passes to the show to give away as well as a copy of the “Bad Street” 10″. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want a Twin Sister” in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body, and have that in to me before midnight, July 14.
What else: NJ Underground has an interview with the band.

MP3: Twin Sister – “Bad Street”
MP3: Twin Sister – “Dry Hump”
MP3: Twin Sister – “Ginger”
MP3: Twin Sister – “Nectarine”
MP3: Twin Sister – “I Want A House”