“Twenty Cycles To The Ground”

Per the SC Website:  To Be Released 11/2/09

Consider the collective catalogs of these two prolific masters of the new American folk songcraft: Magnolia Electric Co., Centro-matic, Songs: Ohia, South San Gabriel. Now, let’s just be honest. A little bit of artistic ego and one-upsmanship can serve a greater purpose. In this collaboration between Jason Molina and Will Johnson, each seem to hold the other’s talents to the fire and elevate both performance and creativity. In the friendly sharing of ideas, Molina and Johnson become two poets’ poets in a workshop to craft a singular, searing elegy.
Each artist’s familiar aesthetics and production styles find a new, intriguing middle ground on Molina and Johnson. Molina’s documentarian, record-the-room-as-it-is ethos finds a home in Johnson’s subtle atmospherics and production tweaks; and Molina’s powerful tenor croon finds a fitting dance partner in Johnson’s equally moving soft-gravel vox. While the individual performances from each are stunning in their own right, the musical mind meld that was captured is absolutely the occasion it should be. It was magic and, thankfully, captured for all of us to relive and enjoy.

Will Johnson approached Jason Molina at the merch table following a Magnolia Electric Co. Austin, TX show in September 2007, where they engaged in a conversation about hats — favorite types and what’s appropriate for the stage — and, of course, pumpkins. Numbers were exchanged on tattered napkins. Contact was made within a week, and a straight face agreement to co-conspire was made.

Five months later to the day, having loaded all their musical equipment into Argyle, Texas’ Echolab studio, the two were in Johnson’s truck headed for downtown Denton where they picked up the necessities of a recording session: food, beer, a BB gun and “lots of extra BBs.”

“We were basically ready,” Johnson said. “For ten days we wrote, co-wrote, workshopped, complimented, scrutinized, drank, invited friends to come play music, smoked, made lots of notes and drawings, drank a little more and shot the BB gun off the back porch when we just needed some time and space. In the throes of all this, our record was made in the late February sun.”

Tracklisting:

Twenty Cycles To The Ground
All Falls Together
All Gone, All Gone
Almost Let You In
In The Avalon/Little KIller
Don’t Take My Night From Me
Each Star Marks A Day
Lenore’s Lullaby
The Lily and the Brakeman
Now, Divide
What You Reckon, What You
Breathe
For As Long As It Will Matter
34 Blues
Wooden Heart

Magnolia Electric Co.’s Molina and Centro-matic’s Johnson Team Up

“Twenty Cycles to the Ground” is in ‘the box’ right up there ↑.

Shared via AddThis

Listen to this:

Will Johnson – “Fly, My Sweet Dove”

http://www.centro-matic.com/

I love free shit. It’s true. It’s so much cheaper than the alternative.

So, naturally, I love stumbling across sites that offer free music downloads…

I thought I’d take a moment to pause and quietly reflect upon the wonders of free shit, then share some of my findings with you, friends and neighbors…

(reverent silence in honor of free things)

I found this first site a few years back, but it’s worth mentioning now. It’s called Daytrotter.

From their website:

Daytrotter — One band a day, every day,

28 Daytrotter Session songs each week

There are so many music/entertainment websites that copy one another, scrambling so fast to “discover” or present something new to the world. And just because you get there first, it doesn’t really make you an explorer. We did poke a stars and stripes into the moon, but we could always see it. We knew it was there. It wasn’t new. We can always come along and say we did, saw, heard something first, but we’re never right. What Daytrotter is attempting to do is to not kid around with you and tell you that we found something that you never knew existed. We are going to contribute to the musical landscape, not just toss it around like a used book or a stolen pick-up line. We’re going to give you something that you truly have never heard. We are not giving you songs from someone you love’s record album, thereby stealing from someone you love. We’re giving you exclusive, re-worked, alternate versions of old songs and unreleased tracks by some of your favorite bands and by a lot of your next favorite bands.

Daytrotter Sessions

These fine people – as they’re traveling through America’s heartland – take two hours out of their travels between shows to stop in for a Daytrotter Session at The Horseshack in downtown Rock Island, Ill. The name of the city is not ironic. They use borrowed instruments, play with their touring mates, utilize an often unkempt toilet, eat some food and then cram back into their vans for the last half of the drive. What they leave behind is a pile of ashes, sometimes a forgotten stocking hat and four absolutely collectible songs that often impart on whomever listens to them the true intensity that these musicians put into their art, sometimes with more clarity than they do when they have months to tinker with overdubs and experiments. These songs are them as they are on that particular day, on that particular tour – dirty and alive. We want you to make this your new home as it is ours. We promise that you will love it here.

So sessentially, every day a band stops by and leaves a live recording in their wake. Some bands are emerging, some obscure, others still are already drinking from the cup of fame. While the majority of bands lean towards the indie-rock side of things, a side I’m less partial to personally, they welcome and host a veritable cornucopia of bands and styles…everything from  the dark, angry Gothic-Americana sound of New York’s O’ Death to William Elliott Whitmore. Of Montreal, Bon Iver, Death Cab for Cutie, Centro-matic, Juliana Hatfield, Ani Difranco, Spoon (I could go on forever)…there’s something for everyone, even an angry old  preacher like me.

Their session archives date back to 2006–there are 575 artists currently available for FREE downoad.

Strawfoot has every inention of dropping by the Daytrotter studio once we finish recording our upcoming LP, tentatively titled How We Prospered.

The other site that’s chok-full-o’music is one of my favorite record labels of all time:

Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles Records.

Their mp3 section is 25 pages long with free songs from pretty much every artist they’ve ever worked with. The label is home to some of my favorite bands (Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, Woodbox Gang, Munly) but more than anything, it’s a label for every type of punk out there. There’s also some great spoken word available from Jello and folks like (and including) Noam Chomsky…I even found Michael Frante’s earlier, angier, pre-Spearhead project, the Beatnigs…

So go forth and download freely, and for once, with a clear consicence.

Centro-matic is playing at Off Broadway on tomorrow night with Monahans and Theodore. Centro-matic hits St. Louis fairly frequently and always puts on a good show (see my pictures of a 2006 show at Off Broadway here). This show’s on a Saturday night, so you don’t have an excuse not to go.

MP3: Centro-matic – Triggers and Trash Heaps
MP3: Centro-matic – Flashes and Cables
MP3: Centro-matic – Argonne Limit Co.
MP3: Centro-matic – To Unleash The Horses Now
MP3: Centro-matic – Most Everyone Will Find
MP3: Centro-matic – Huge In Every City
MP3: Centro-matic – D. Boon-free (A Ninth Grade Crime)

Centro-matic – “Triggers and Trash Heaps”:

We’re two days from having Texas-based ambient indie group Centro-Matic rolls through Springfield to play the latest Gallery Sounds concert at Randy Bacon Photography Studio & Gallery with Monahans and J.R. Top of Sweetwater Abilene, and now comes some fascinating news that could impact one lucky fan in the crowd. We’ll tell you about it after the break.

Check out this tidbit, straight from the Gallery Sounds website:

PRIZE #1
Will Johnson House Show: He’ll come to your house and play a show for you and up to 20 friends. We’ll figure out a mutually agreeable date sometime in 2009 for this to happen.

PRIZE #2
“Centro-matic For Life”: Every Centro-matic, South San Gabriel and Will Johnson album past and future and two free tickets to any show anytime for life! (does not apply for festivals where we don’t control the ticketing).

The only place to sign up for either (or both) prizes is at Centro-Matic shows, so Springfield’s chance to get involved will be this Friday night. You can pick up your tickets by clicking here.

The Crash That Took Me is main support for Centro-matic this Thursday at the Granda Theater. Monahans kicks it all off at 8pm.

It’s almost as if this week is critically acclaimed local act week, what with the pAper chAse, and Centro-matic headlining shows at the Granada this week, throw in the rather large touring acts that are playing the early part of the week, add the usual set of mid size touring bands making stops, and we’ve got another pretty interesting week ahead.

Monday

Of course Paul Slavens is at Dan’s, but one of the central plot points of P.C.U. is playing at the HOB, and if you can stomach a bunch of “that guys” then you should totally make it to this show.

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic- Atomic Dog

Tuesday

Flight of the Conchords is riding a 2 year long wave of success, what with an acclaimed album, and two seasons on HBO to pump up their standing in the eyes of a wide array of Americans. Their clever music tends to be well grounded in the musical tropes they parody, and their musicianship allows them to take risks, that although they don’t always pay off,  almost always allow for at least a passing smirk. The downside is that you’ve most likely seen the act if you’ve seen any of their videos/tv show/late night appearances, oh and their responsible for various assholes yelling “It’s business time!”

FOTC- Hurt Feelings

I’m sort of disappointed that Snoop is playing the night after George Clinton, and not doing a co headlining tour with him. Listen, we all love Snoop, but I can’t help but feel that once he left gangsta rap he should have stuck to g-funk, instead of throwing his laconic rhymes into every passing trend.

Dr. Dre & Snoop Doggy Dog- Nothin but a G thang

Wednesday

This weeks Detour features North Carolina’s Arizona (that was fun to type) who have a mild amount of well deserved critical heat. They’re music is layered with southern guitar licks, and artistic flair, that can at times be detrimental to the overall product, but never to the point it becomes grating. You should make it a point to catch this show.

Arizona- Colors

Thursday

I would assume the Centro-matic, The Crash That Took Me show will be packed with members from various local bands, in the know old school hipsters, and a metric ton of loyal fans. Also, I’m sure it’s going to have somewhere around 20,00 word written about, so my paltry effort would be inconsequential.

Centro-matic- I, the kite

Mount Righteous, and Parata are at RGRS, which is a decent option if you’re not willing to go anywhere near the police state that can be Lower Greenville.

Friday

Honestly, I can’t find something going on that has me excited.

Saturday

We all agree Lucky Louie was brilliant, right? Good  then, go catch Louis C.K. at Lakewood if you can.

Lucero is at Lola’s with Black Joe Lewis, who is from some accounts in line for several best of list come late December. Zanzibar Snails are having their cd/dvd release party over at Good Records.

the pAper chAse is one of those bands that becomes semi well known around the country, while becoming extremely influential in the town they hail from, and anyone who has spent an extended period of time in DDFW knows this  to be true. Recently a friend of mine referred to them as a “Musician’s band” referring to their densely layered orchestrations, and sometimes off putting lyrical subject matter. I’d have to agree, the number of projects John Congelton has been apart of in the past few years is daunting, and a testament to his ability to craft fantastic music.

the pAper chAse- We know where you sleep

Sunday

Go see Star Trek.

Queens Club

The Gallery Sounds concert series at Randy Bacon Photography Studio & Gallery has awakened from its slumber, and new shows are on the horizon. As we’ve mentioned in an earlier post, Texas ambient-rock group Centro-Matic is coming to town with Monahans May 8. We can now also confirm that the opening act is Sweetwater Abilene. Tickets are $8 in advance and you can get them here. 

Additionally, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Cloud City and Kansas City electro-rock group Queens Club are booked for May 2, and you can buy tickets by clicking here.

Centro-Matic

It’s been quiet on the Gallery Sounds front since the NeverShoutNever/Do Tell & The Rumors/Carter Hulsey show on Valentine’s Day, but while there may be plenty to concentrate on with a new recording studio inside of the Monarch Art Factory on College Street the Randy Bacon Gallery isn’t dormant. The latest confirmed show, not listed yet on the Gallery Sounds website, is that of Texas indie-rock group Centro-Matic. The opening act is scheduled to be Austin-based melodic “landscape rock” group Monahans, named for the sand hills that form in West Texas. No word yet on ticket cost, but we’ll get it to you as soon as we have it.

Well kids its been an pretty damn great month so far in the DFW area what with NX35, diy X diy, SXSFLESH, and SXSW spill over all happening in the last two weeks. This week really isn’t much of a drop off, check it out under the cut.

Wednesday

has Bs Art Fusion going down at RGRS, this month’s music is provided by DJ G doing his Left of the dial set, Scott Danbom from CENTRO-MATIC, and members of The Gazellles. Oh and “live models”

Thursday

Delmore Pilcrow is at J&J’s and The Cavern has Wu-tang’s Bronze Nazareth I’m doubting there’s alot of cross over fans between the two.

Friday

is Fort Worth night with MATAS playing a free show with RTB2 and Eaton Lake Tonics at the Fairmount. You can also catch Chameleon Chamber Group at Lola’s.

Saturday

Florene is at Annex House with The Angelus. AM Ramblers and The Make Believers are at Fred’s in Fort worth. It’s Black Tie Dynasty’s Final Show at the Granada Theater. Warren Jackson Hearne and the Merrie Murdre of Gloomadeers are at Hailey’s. The Theater Fire and Eyes, Wings and Many Other Things are at Lee Harvey’s. And finally there’s a OMG SUPER SECRET SHOW  in Denton.

Sunday

is a day of rest this week.

This may be the longest yet. In fact holy fuck I can’t believe I did this as a combo.

Day:

Saturday

Denton County Civic Center

Redefining the Music Industry Through Social Media 2p.m.
: Myspace + your band = Fans…well maybe 6 years ago, but that isn’t to say that this panel is pointless. You have to agree that the technology advances of the last 10+ years has changed everything, hell when I was 12 it took something like 3 hours to download a song, now I can get full albums on my g1 in about 10 minutes.

The Fine Arts Theater

A Conversation about Jazz with Harvey Pekar 3 p.m.
: This guy is going to be talking about jazz.

Night:

Andy’s Bar and Grill

Saturday

Riverboat Gamblers, Sweedish Teens, Last of the Interceptors, The Uptown Bums
: I’m not trying to be a dick, but at what point do you grow out of the pseudo-punk phase?

Sunday

Bart Davenport, the Botticellis, Sugar & Gold
: This is actually impressive for Andy’s. Actually how the fuck did Andy’s get this show? Anyway, Davenport is pop in away that girls like, while…well actually all three of these bands are like that, and that is in no way an insult. Defiantly a show worth checking out.

banter

Saturday

The Angelus, Nervous Curtains, The Low Anthem, Parata
: Providence’s The Low Anthem has been picking up steam as one of the upward motion independent bands out there, recently making it on to Rolling Stones’ blog, and being name dropped on NPR multiple times. As for the actual music they jump around from dirt crusted Americana jams to laid back melodic pieces that remind me of The Mendoza Line. Nervous Curtains features Sean Kirkpatrick, and anyone from the area knows what influences he brings with him. While Parata shares some of those interest their pop sensibility keeps them from becoming anything close to a rehash, band leader TJ Smith’s vision has the band genre hopping in ways that rarely fail to impress.

Sunday

Shiny Around the Edges, Electric Toy Danger, Fishboy
: I’m gonna sum this up by saying that by the end of this show on Sunday it will have been a hell of a 4 days for banter.

The Boiler Room

Saturday

Young Mammals, Kaboom, The Fieros, The Boom Boom Box, Record Hop
: During last years Record Store  Day at Good Records while Record Hop played i made the comment that I would kill to see them play with Houston’s The Dimes, well a name change and almost a year later I get my wish. This show will not  be safe for the faint of heart all these bands like to see how far they can push themselves sonically while staying tight as a group. Expect to be taken aback by it all.

Sunday

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, The Drams, The Killhawks
: Clyne is opening for Kid Rock later this year, take that as you want.

Dan’s Silverleaf

Saturday

The Silver Arrows, Tame..Tame and Quiet, Zest of Yore, Ella Minnow
: You know it’s kind of a bitch having to come up with something new and original to say about fairly popular bands local, and national. How the fuck does weshotjr do it?

Sunday

Casiotone for the painfully alone, Laura Gibson, Sleep Whale, Moth Fight
: anybody that accuses CFTPA of being twee is an asshole who doesn’t actually listen to lyrics. The genius of something about the mash up of upbeat keys mixed with downing lyrics kinda does it for me. I’m interested to see Moth Fight the music I’ve gleaned from around the net has a feel of Los Campasinos! with an airy tinge. Do we know why Mom became Sleep Whale yet?

Hailey’s

Saturday

Sarah Jaffe, bosque brown, Matthew and the Arrogant Sea, The Chameleon Chamber Group
: The sad thing is there is really nothing new to say about these bands, which is sad because they deserve the press they get, and I feel so late to game with all of them. The DBP remix Matas has on their myspace right now is my favourite song of the year so far.

Sunday

Monotonix, The Show is Rainbow, beep beep, Sybris
: From what I hear Monotonix gives ManMan a run in the most energetic live band on the planet category, which makes sense if you’ve ever heard any of their classic rock tinged neck breaking music.

Hydrant Cafe

I’m tired of coming up with new Hydrant jokes, so let’s just move on.

J&J’s

Saturday

Pinebox Serenade, The Hudsons, A.M. ramblers, Dan Montgomery
: Last show of the fest for J&J’s and other then the A.M. Ramblers it does nothing for me, but hey they’re good.

RGRS

Saturday

Stumptone, Febrifuge, The odd Primes, History at our disposal
: I was going to make a crack about this being the requisite North Texas Space Rock show, but I felt like an ass for even thinking it. Stumptone is layered with nuanced echos, and fades, while Ferifuge is one of the best lyricist in the area. The odd Primes and HAOD are both respectable additions to this show.

Sunday

Lydia, PlayRadioPlay, Black Gold, All Get Out
: I think Andy;s and RGRS got their shows mixed up.

And, that’s it kids this has been kind of a beating putting together, but hopefully it sways you to check out at least some of the shows that are going on, and hopefully we can do the whole thing all over again next year.

]]> http://daybowbow.net/2009/03/11/rundown-nx35-friday/ Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:04:37 +0000 Jaime-Paul http://daybowbow.net/2009/03/11/rundown-nx35-friday/

This is also going to be long.

Friday 3-13

Day:

Denton County Civic Center

Bringing the Weird 2p.m.
: Paul Slavens & Jeffery Barnes discuss being weird. Wanye Conye is pissed he wasn’t invited

The Internet Thinks Your Scene Sucks 4 p.m.
: Ex-Dallas Observer music editor Sam Machkovech is going to talk about how people on the internet are bitchy or something along those lines? (If I make a bitchy comment about this is that meta?)

Night:

Andy’s Bar and Grill

opaque, Katsuk, The Mad Scientists, Leatherwood, Hello Lover
: n
One that fills, as:
a. Something added to augment weight or size or fill space.
b. A composition, especially a semisolid that hardens on drying, used to fill pores, cracks, or holes in wood, plaster, or other construction     surfaces before finishing.
c. Tobacco used to form the body of a cigar.
d. A short item used to fill space in a publication.
e. Something, such as a news item, public-service message, or music, used to fill time in a radio or television presentation.
f. A sheaf of loose papers used to fill a notebook or binder.
g. Architecture An element, such as a plate, used to fill the space between two supporting members.

banter

Telegraph Canyon, Dust Congress, Clint Niosi, The Naptime Shake
:I may have been kind of an asshole about country, and roots based music yesterday, but the fact is I love those genres when done right, and these bands all do it right. Dust Congress has been getting alot of rightly deserved press as of late, and one listen to their music indicates why, sparse remorseful lyrics over intricate melodies provide you with something akin to escapism. Telegraph Canyon evokes memories of a midnight run drive I45 bright beautiful loneliness.

The Boiler Room

Brave Combo, Little Jack Melody, Like Trains & Taxis, La Guerrilla
: Either your going for Brave combo or you’re not going.

Dan’s Silverleaf

Cento-matic, Robert Gomez, Doug Burr, RTB2
: Four of the areas most well known/talked about/revered acts together and the price is 8 bucks to get in? You’re an idiot if you pass this up.

Hailey’s

The Timeline Post, True Window, Tomorrowpeople, Grassfight
: I think it’s really cute when bands try to sound like Muse.

Hydrant Cafe

The Heartstring Stranglers, Mathias Isassi, Will Frenkel
: I kinda enjoy playing the “What acoustic singer songwriter will be playing at Hydrant!” game.

J&J’s

Dirtfoot, Warrene Jackson Hearne, Starhead
: Warren Jackson Hearne sits somewhere between Tom Waits & Manu Chao which means he’s kinda awesome. I got nothing against Dirtfoot, I’m just not a fan of “roots/folk” blending that seems to be all the rage with the “deep” guys that hang out R bar.

RGRS

Possessed by Paul James, The Theater Fire, New Science Projects, Delmore Pilcrow
: The Theater Fire’s name has always bothered me, they had to have know about that other band with The and Fire in the name right? Also, it bothers me that the guy from New Science Projects keeps getting away with walking around in black face.

This is going to be long.

Thursday 3-12

Day:

Denton County Civic Center

Indie Rock and Urban Redevelopment: How to Connect the Dots 2 p.m.
: I got nothing for this.

Night:

Andy’s Bar and Grill

The Spectacle, The Grey Company, Dead Twins and We Are Villains
: Not my cup of tea, but odds are these semi-straightforward Rock bands go over well with the Andy’s crowd. Check the flyer.

banter

the Orbans, Kody Jackson and The Hope Trust
:Still not my cup of tea, but banter is one hell of a place to get a beer, and the shows there just get better as the week goes on.

The Boiler Room

Skibunny (DJ Set), Gun Gun, The Cocky Americans, Darcy
: The highlight here is definitely Gun Gun, their weird blend of pop and diy aesthetic gives them something these other straight forward “indie” acts lack. Darcy has a flyer but it’s got a bunch of bands that arn’t playing the show, so I’m not posting.

Dan’s Silverleaf

James McMurtry, The Heelers, Claire Small
: Take a grizzeled singer songwriter, a alt country group, and a girl singer songwriter with a airy voice and a country tinge wash, rinse, repeat.

Hailey’s

Boyfriends Inc., Vortexas, The Neighborhood Allstars
: HOLY SHIT HIP HOP!!!!! Calm down it’s not any good.

Hydrant Cafe

The Baptist Generals, Spooky Folk, Mike Miller
: No alcohol + Guys playing acoustic guitars = Really if one of your friends suggest going to this you might want to rethink who your friends are.

J&J’s

The Slow Burners, Daniel Folmer, American Wearwolf Academy, Sabra Laval
: Easily this is highlight of the night. I’m not much for AWA, but Folmer, The Slow Burners and Laval all have things I really like about them. Folmer’s music is lo-fi as fuck and I love it the dirty basement is the perfect place to catch him. The Slow Burners are all accomplished musicians, who bring something legit to their shows, I’m iffy on some of their lyrics, but the melodies  are top notch. Laval > Small. check the flyer.

RGRS

Ham1, Bridges and Blinking Lights, The Diamond Center, Madeline
: The diamond Center sounds like a grown up Ringo Deathstarr, everybody else sounds like an episode of Grey’s Anatomy (rim shot)

]]> http://winslowlab.wordpress.com/2009/03/07/biography/ Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:08:34 +0000 winslowlab http://winslowlab.wordpress.com/2009/03/07/biography/

Born in Bilbao (Basque Country) in 1976, Ainara LeGardon was vocalist and guitarist of the Spanish rock band Onion from 1994 to 2003. With Onion, she released three records and saw her songs being included in several acclaimed films such as the worldwide known “Abre Los Ojos” (“Open Your Eyes”) by Alejandro Amenábar.

In 2003, Ainara started her own label, Winslow Lab, and co-founded Famelia (RIP): a Madrid-based association of self-released bands, indie labels and a recording studio. During 4 years, Famelia supportted the independent scene by putting on shows and tours, distributing numerous artists and contributing to seminars on the music industry and the “DIY” philosophy.

Ainara´s songs have been included in more than a dozen compilations, including “Borderdreams, La Ruta del Americana” (Dock, 2004), a double CD in which she is the only non-American musician among artists such as Townes van Zandt, Jay Farrar, Mark Eitzel, Friends of Dean Martinez,Centro-Matic, 16 Horsepower, etc…  

ABOUT HER TWO SOLO RECORDS: 

“In the mirror”, considered one of 2003..s best albums by the Spanish media, was Ainara LeGardon..s solo debut, featuring Chris Eckman (The Walkabouts) on production duties and, among other guest musicians, Joe Skyward (Posies, Sunny Day Real Estate, The Walkabouts) on bass. It was released in Spain by Winslow Lab and distributed by Dock. Summer of 2004 saw the re-release of this record focused on the international market.

After extensive touring all over Spain (where she opened for Thalia Zedek, Tara Jane O´Neil, Dayna Kurtz, Chris Eckman and Karate), and also in France, Germany (supporting The Walkabouts), Belgium and Holland, her second album, “Each day a lie”, was released in April 2005.

Also produced by Chris Eckman, it was recorded at Estudio Brazil in Madrid (Feb-March 2005). Guest musicians include several artists from the Spanish independent scene, and Al DeLoner from the acclaimed Norwegian band Midnight Choir.

The record was received with excellent reviews by musical magazines all over Europe (Rock de Lux, Mondo Sonoro, Muzikalia, Bad Magazine, Undertoner, Fomp, Bokson, etc…), as well as the most known Spanish diaries (El País, El Mundo, La Vanguardia, etc…).

Ainara toured all over Spain, and she opened for Bonnie ”Prince” Billy & Matt Sweeney and Giant Sand.

In March 2006, Ainara played five shows in NYC, including a performance at CBGB..s and a showcase at Vox Pop with guitarist Jason Victor (Steve Wynn & The Miracle Three, Willard Grant Conspiracy). That year she also played two of the most important festivals in Spain: Primavera Sound and Benicassim International Festival.

In December 2007 she toured Italy.

In 2009 she opened for Geoff Farina and Damien Jurado.

 Her new album, entitled “Forgive me if I don´t come home to sleep tonight”, will be out on Nov 13th.

Nacida en 1976 en Bilbao, fue vocalista y guitarrista de Onion desde 1994 hasta la disolución del grupo en el 2003. Con él llegó a publicar tres álbumes e incluir sus canciones en numerosas obras cinematográficas, entre las que destaca el largometraje “Abre los ojos” de Alejandro Amenábar (1997).

En el 2003 crea su propia compañía discográfica, Winslow Lab, y, junto a otros músicos independientes, funda Famelia (DEP): un colectivo de artistas autoeditados, compañías independientes y un estudio de grabación, con sede en Madrid.

A lo largo de estos años, las canciones de Ainara han sido incluidas en más de una docena de recopilatorios, incluyendo “Borderdreams, La Ruta del Americana” (Dock, 2004), un doble CD en el que es la única intérprete no americana entre artistas de la talla de Townes van Zandt, Jay Farrar, Mark Eitzel, Friends of Dean Martinez, Centro-Matic, 16 Horsepower, etc…

Más recientemente se ha publicado el quinto volumen del recopilatorio estadounidense “Ball of Wax”. Una vez más, Ainara LeGardon es la única artista no americana incluida en una compilación editada en Estados Unidos.

ACERCA DE SUS DISCOS EN SOLITARIO:

“In the mirror” -considerado uno de los mejores álbumes del 2003 según los medios especializados- supuso el debut en solitario de Ainara LeGardon, con la presencia de Chris Eckman (The Walkabouts, Chris & Carla) a la producción, Joe Skyward (Posies, Sunny Day Real Estate, The Walkabouts) al bajo, Carlos Torero (Ex Radio Futura) a la batería y percusión, y Hannot Mintegia, Gaizka Insunza y Ager Insunza (Audience, Young Talent Show) a las guitarras, piano, violín y lap steel respectivamente, además de otros músicos invitados.

El disco fue editado por Winslow Lab y distribuido en España por Dock. La segunda edición del álbum, tras agotarse la primera tirada en verano del 2004, se enfocó principalmente al mercado internacional.

La gira de presentación de “In the mirror” se extendió desde mayo del 2003 prácticamente de manera continua no sólo por nuestro país (donde Ainara LeGardon compartió escenario con Thalia Zedek, Tara Jane O´Neil, Dayna Kurtz, Chris Eckman y Karate), sino también por Francia, Alemania (como artista invitada de The Walkabouts), Bélgica y Holanda.

“Each day a lie”, su segundo álbum, también producido por Chris Eckman y grabado en el Estudio Brazil de Madrid, fue editado nuevamente por Winslow Lab en abril del 2005. Entre los músicos invitados repitieron Carlos Torero a la batería, Hannot Mintegia a la guitarra acústica y Ager Insunza al violín y lap steel. Se incorporaron al proyecto David Jiménez (ex A Room With A View) al bajo, Iosu López a la viola y el noruego Al DeLoner (Midnight Choir) a la guitarra, armónica, piano y armonio.

“Each day a lie” fue recibido con excelentes críticas por medios especializados de toda Europa (Rock de Lux, Mondosonoro, Muzikalia, Bad Magazine, Undertoner, Fomp, Munnezza, Bokson, etc…), así como por los diarios más importantes del estado (El País, El Mundo, La Vanguardia, etc…).

La primera parte de la gira consistió en 30 fechas por España, destacando como artista invitada en los conciertos de Bonnie `Prince´ Billy & Matt Sweeney y Giant Sand.

En marzo del 2006, Ainara LeGardon visitó por primera vez Estados Unidos, ofreciendo conciertos en algunos de los clubes más míticos de Nueva York, como el ya desaparecido CBGB´s. A raíz de esta visita, al aluvión de buenas críticas se han empezado a sumar las de la prensa underground estadounidense.

En esta nueva temporada Ainara ha paseado su música por festivales tan importantes como el Primavera Sound o el Festival Internacional de Benicassim, siendo la primera vez que un artista autoeditado consigue estar presente en ambos eventos el mismo año.

Sus dos discos, “In the mirror” y “Each day a lie” acaban de ser publicados en Escandinavia e Italia. Desde hace ya tiempo, sus trabajos se pueden encontrar en Alemania, Bélgica, Luxemburgo, Holanda, Canadá y Estados Unidos. Esta ampliación en la distribución internacional de Winslow Lab, gracias al apoyo de Dock, ha hecho que la primera edición de “Each day a lie” (tal y como sucediera con la 1ª tirada de “In the mirror”) se agotara en el 2007.

A finales de ese mismo año, Ainara ofreció una gira de 7 conciertos en Italia.

En el 2009 compartió escenario con Geoff Farina y Damien Jurado.

Actualmente se encuentra inmersa en la promoción y conciertos de su nuevo disco, “Forgive me if don´t come home to sleep tonight”.

DISCOGRAFÍA

Forgive me if don´t come home to sleep tonight, CD, Winslow Lab. 2009 .

Each Day a Lie, CD, Winslow Lab. 2005. 

In the mirror, CD, Winslow Lab. 2003. 

COLABORACIONES

Coros en el tema “Disasters” de Songstore, incluido en “Permanent victim syndrome”, Dronetools/Foëhn 2007. 

Voces en el disco “#3” de The Linn Youki Project, BCore 2006. 

Voces en el disco “Egometrie” de doss, Humo Items/BCore 2006. 

Voces en el disco “Las leyes del equilibrio” de Julio de la Rosa, Everlasting 2005. Ainara LeGardon (a la guitarra y voz)  también acompañó en directo a Julio de la Rosa en varios conciertos de presentación de dicho disco.

Voces en el disco  “After the wild rush… waiting” de doss, Humo Items 2003. 

Coros en el tema “Fragmentos” de doss, incluido en “Después de nunca. Revisiones”, Compañía de Sueños Ilimitada 2003.

El tejano de Texas Will Johnson tiene dos grupos, Centro-matic y South San Gabriel, y solía sacar discos con cada uno. Centro-matic y South San Gabriel, sin embargo, no solo “comparten” a Will sino a todos los miembros. Así que, en un ataque de sentido común, el bueno de Johnson pensó que para qué iba a editar dos discos distintos y empaquetó su nuevo material de las dos versiones de la misma banda en el único Dual Hawks. Como South Sab Gabriel, la cara reposada e intimista, tocaron en el FIB, y como Centro-matic, la más rockera, tenían que venir en el malogrado Rockdelux Music Weekend. Pero a falta de pan buenas son tortas y a falta de concierto los menos exigentes se pueden conformar, de momento, con el vídeo oficial del tema que abre el lado Centro-Matic de Dual Hawks, ‘The Rat Patrol and DJs’. Véanlo dentro.

Una de los mejores temas del Dual Hawks, gran disco doble (Centro-Matic/South San Gabriel). Disco, por cierto, presentado este año en la sala El Sol junto al grandísimo Eef Barzelay en un concierto que disfruté como un enano.

El video tampoco es nada del otro mundo, pero la canción mola mucho.

Abajo os dejo la letra y una foto que les hice.

Strangled by the cellophane in the story of her life
She got theirs and they got mine
Eighteen tubes of butane running corporation fairs
It’s discount-like and out of time

And when the blacktop and the buildings start to move

Stocked headshots of cold snakes caught in golden days delight
A coliseum parking fight!
Not another FM trap for you
Still so graceless

Interviews: Artist Frank Stella and Musician Peter Holmström (The Dandy Warhols). Topics: Proton Accelerators, Cuddle Parties, French Orgasms, Major MP3 Recorder Mishap, Understanding BBC Accents and Ladder Accidents. Playlist: Little Death, The Los Dos Bros, Fleet Foxes (Daytrotter session), The Standard and The Dandy Warhols.

Preview: “How do you instigate a cuddle party? Do you have to wait for everyone to get there or is everyone just laying there on the floor when you arrive…do you just jump in like it’s a pile of leaves?”

Play Now: http://www.usedwigs.com/pod/podcast52.mp3

Subscribe: iTunes

Related Links:

• Frank Stella
• Proton Accelerator
• “Weird Science”
• Cuddle Parties
• Flying Fish Beer
• Daytrotter
• Faeries
• Orphan Works
• “Veronica Mars”
• Santana Shreds
• Ladder Accidents
• Springsteen Rehearses Dances Moves… Brutal Dance Moves…
• Half Acre Day
• The Editors
• “Dig!”
• “Gavin & Stacey”
• Centro-matic on Dattrotter
• Amy Grimm

I came across Centro-Matic’s Distance And Clime like so many records before it and since– through my friend Barrett. When I worked at the record shop, Barrett came in almost every single day to hang out, sell records and occasionally buy something. His passion and knowledge for music was only matched by his disposition for being broke, so my record collection benefited greatly from his frequent used CD sales.

I came to appreciate Distance And Clime even more when Barrett and I went to see Centro-Matic at 12th & Porter in February of 2004. It’s definitely their best record. Songs like “The Connection Is Not So Civilized” and “To Unleash The Horses Now”quickly made their way to several mix tapes (all right, mix cds, but that just doesn’t sound as good) and subsequent iTunes playlists.

Listen for yourself:

See also: ATYSOBPDAITCYSW: Superdrag – Regretfully Yours