Deer Tick – “Baltimore Blues No. 1″ – These guys have a new album coming out, titled “More Fuel for the Fire”, suposedly dropping December 1st. This here song is featured on the album – live version though. I love it. Do you?

The Watson Twins – “Just Like Heaven” – I’m not usually a HUGE fan of covers, but like I’ve said before, when they do the song some justice, I’m all ears. Oh, yeah aaaaaand these girls got a new album coming out: Talking To You, Talking To Me, Feb. 9. Check it out.

Half-Handed Cloud – “You Wouldn’t Embarrass Me, Would You?” & “Once, Twice, Seven Times a Werewolf” – Why is HHC cool? Well, considering John Ringhofer put together a 46-song compilation of 9 years of crafty musical construciton and out-of-the-box experimentation, me thinks it’s totally worth it. Give it a whirl. If it’s not your style, then it’s not your style. But at least you know it’s out there.

“You Wouldn’t Embarrass Me, Would You?”

“Once, Twice, Seven Times A Werewolf” (start this one at 0:25:00 secs.)

Animal Collective – “What Would I Want? Sky”  and “On A Highway”- Why? … Do you even need to ask why I’m including them in this post? If you do, you need to check yourself, slap yourself in the face, drink some cold water and come back and apologize. kiddin’ … kind of. These geniuses have a new 5-tracker in stores December 15th called “Fall Be Kind” (digital release hits on November 23rd …). I’m gonna throw you some advice – whether you take it is up to you – but it could save your life. Seriously. Ok, maybe not seriously … no joke, though, get this album in your hands.  

“What Would I Want? Sky”

“On A Highway”

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band – “Albatross, Albatross, Albatross” and “Going On A Hunt” –  WHY? Ohhhhman, this band is absolutely listen-worthy. Who are these dudes?  The Seattle band consists of Benjamin Verdoes (vocals, guitar), Marshall Verdoes (drums), Traci Eggleston (percussion, keys, vocals), Matthew Dammer (synth, guitar, trumpet) and Jared Price (bass, vocals).  I read this description today of their debut self-titled album and I really really really wish I had been the one to write it … “Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band’s self-titled debut twitches and writhes with capricious tempo shifts, quiet harmonies dissolving into frantic Brain May-inspired rifs faster than you can say ‘time signature’ “. Now, press play.

***”Albatross, Albatross, Albatross”

“Going On A Hunt”

Marrisa Nadler – “River of Dirt” and “Ghosts and Lovers” – She doesn’t have a new album coming out, as far as I know … buuuuut “Little Hells” came out earlier this year and it’s pretty great. She’s got a breathy, echoing voice of smoke and sugar, sliding through and between the notes of her songs … so sweet.

“River of Dirt”

“Ghosts and Lovers”

Justin Townes Earle – “Midnight at the Movies” – Okay, people … I’m NOT a country fan really, if at all … but since this blog’s entire existance is based on the throwing of new music/artists/bands/etc. out there, I figured I’d better start being fair. Justin Townes Earle has already made his mark in country music this year with “Midnight at the Movies” earning the eighth spot on Amazon’s best country record of the year list. If you’re a country person, maybe you already know him. If not, maybe you won’t like this one. I dunno. Give it a listen and see what you think. Oh and if you care, JTE will be on tour  through March 7th. (The tour started the 16th of November).

Harper Simon – “Berkeley Girl” – I like this guy. He’s kinda country, but when I say country I really mean countraaaaaaaaaaaaaay … like a folky-folk-bluesy-harmonica-1940s-big-band-on-low-decibals-romantical-dancing-your-kitchen-type of country. This track’s off his new album, self-titled. Oh, and PS: Harper Simon’s dad is Paul Simon. I forgot to mention that.

Norah Jones – “It’s Gonna Be” and “I Wouldn’t Need You” - I’m a Norah lover. I’ll proudly admit that. Here’s why: I appreciate her love of the folky blues. You can hear the influence of that good ol’ fashioned soul music. It’s sad, sexy, angry and soft. And her voice is just …. ohmeegaawd. So good. So so so good. This entire album is amazeballs.

“It’s Gonna Be”

“I Wouldn’t Need You”

Badly Drawn Boy – “Once Around the Block” and “The Shining” – why? Well, he (Damon Gough AKA Badly Drawn Boy) has a sixth album coming out called “Is There Nothing We Can Do” and this album will also play the role of soundtrack for the film “The Fattest Man in Britain”. Look out for it. In the meantime, two of my fav BDB songs …

“Once Around the Block”

“The Shining”

Frightened Rabbit – “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” – Peoples, listen up! Frightened Rabbit’s third album “The Winter of Mixed Drinks” will be released in March 2010! I’m pretty sure this album’s going to be fantastic. I hope you enjoy their first single as much as I did when I first heard it.

The Pomegranates – “Everybody Come Outside!” – They from Cincinnati and bringin’ the goods to music. Ohhhhhh yessssss.  “Everybody Come Outside” is summer in a bottle. Seriously. I hear it and it makes me want to surf, even though I don’t know how. Or run around in my bathing suit on the beach, playing with my friends … you know, like one of those cool 1960s-ish home videos that’s chopped up into little vignettes of laughter and silliness and perfectly awesome candid shots? Yeah …

The Rapture – “Whoo! Alright Yeah … Uh Huh” – I dunno when The Rapture’s fourth album will be droppin’, but I do know this: French producer Philippe Zdar will be a creative team player on this album, taking the band into a new musical direction … I wonder what direction it’ll be? Man, I love this song, though …

Charlotte Gainsbourg feat. Beck – “Heaven Can Wait” – With a full Beck influential, the French pop princess has gone a slighty different route … folkier. indie-er. hippie-er. i like it.

Beach House – “Norway” – WHOAAAAAAAAAA! WhOa. whoa. I heard this song and that’s all I could say. It’s so excellent. Haunting with a somewhat hopeful progression and those eerie warped sirens … brilliant!

Admittedly this post is a tad early, but I’m ready to get these holidays started! I’m actually not traveling this Thanksgiving, but I figured you might be traveling … even if it’s just be from Big D to Funkytown. (That’s Dallas to Ft. Worth for you non-DFWers.)

And what does a good road trip or plane ride need besides great company? Good tunes, man. So in honor of the turkey that sacrificed himself (or tofu for all you weirdos), here’s some tryptophanic tunes. Bon Appetit!

1. Half Way Home • TV on the Radio
2. Two Weeks • Grizzly Bear
3. Shiny • The Decemberists
4. Hideaway • Karen O and the Kids
5. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want • She & Him
7. Turn a Square • The Shins
8. Albatross, Albatross, Albatross • Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
9. Lisztomania • Phoenix
10. Dashboard • Modest Mouse
11. Shampoo Suicide • Broken Social Scene

………………………………………………………………………………………

Want more mixed well? Check the archives here.

If you liked that you should also check out the Dirty Projectors video for ‘Stillness is the move’

god llamas are cool

Jamison Hanson, 4, splashes on the mainstage floor, which was soaked with rainwater at the start of day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

The second day of Bumbershoot 2009 was a lot of fun, despite the ever-looming rain. Even when the sun did come out, rain still fell off and on. Nonetheless, any chance I get to see this much good music in a single day is a treat.

From those I had seen before (Handful of Luvin, U.SE.) to those I had not (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Michael Franti and Spearhead, the second day of Bumbershoot was just a blast.

I also photographed a bunch of new-to-me bands, such as the worth-the-hype Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, and Jason Mraz, whom I had not heard outside of commercials on TV.

Handful of Luvin performs on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Taylor Gawlik, 16, Drew Estes, 16, and Cameron Dymoke, 15, were in the front row for a performance by Cold War Kids to start day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Cold War Kids perform on the Samsung Mainstage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Cold War Kids perform on the Samsung Mainstage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Benjamin Verdoes and his wife Traci Eggleston perform with the Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band on the Broad Street Stage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

A Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band crowd member tosses a tortilla onto the stage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

A Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band band member tosses a tortilla back into the crowd while performing on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

My next shoot brought me the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s performance mid-day. Man, I had never heard this band live before, and they blew me away. Their energy was infectious and the crowd dug it. They also drew them in with giant inflated eye balls. Tip to other bands: giant eye balls make for fun concert photos.

Giant inflated eye balls bounce around during a performance by Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the Samsung Mainstage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Giant inflated eye balls bounce around during a performance by Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the Samsung Mainstage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Giant inflated eye balls bounce around during a performance by Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the Samsung Mainstage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Giant inflated eye balls bounce around during a performance by Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the Samsung Mainstage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Crowd members play with balloons passed out by the U.S.E. band before their show on the Broad Street Stage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

U.S.E. performs on the Broad Street Stage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

U.S.E. performs on the Broad Street Stage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

After that I took a break and sat down for a comedy performance piece with Doug Benson. I have seen Benson before at past Bumbershoots, and he never disappoints. His act had comedians delivering their material while he interjected his own stream of thoughts. The lineup of four participating comedians was not announced ahead of time, and when Sarah Silverman and Patton Oswalt came out, it was a big surprise.

Doug Benson performs Benson Interruption with fellow comedian Tony Camin on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Comedian Sarah Silverman performs with Doug Benson in an act called The Benson Interruption on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Comedian Patton Oswalt performs with Doug Benson in an act called The Benson Interruption on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

As day turned to night, fellow SeattlePI shooter Josh Trujillo pointed out some festivalgoers playing with glowing neon hula hoops. Thanks for the tip Josh!

Michelle Purvis of My Art Maker demonstrates her rechargeable LED hula hoops outside of Key Arena near the end of day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Closing out my day were Michael Franti and Spearhead, and Jason Mraz. Enjoyed shooting both their acts — talented singers and some intriguing lighting too.

Michael Franti and Spearhead perform on the Samsung Mainstage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Michael Franti and Spearhead perform on the Samsung Mainstage on day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Jason Mraz drew a massive crowd to Memorial Stadium:

Jason Mraz and his band perform on the Samsung Mainstage to close out day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Jason Mraz and his band perform on the Samsung Mainstage to close out day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Crowd members holding signs scream as Jason Mraz and his band perform on the Samsung Mainstage to close out day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Jason Mraz and his band perform on the Samsung Mainstage to close out day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Jason Mraz and his band perform on the Samsung Mainstage to close out day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

A crowd member surfs at the start of a concert by Jason Mraz and his band on the Samsung Mainstage to close out day 2 of Bumbershoot Saturday September 6, 2009 in Seattle. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Thanks for looking! Check back tomorrow night for my photos of Day 3!

Daniel

This is a new video out with a track from the band’s self titled LP (2008)

Check out their recent daytrotter session with free mp3′s here

myspace

Whoa. Rifles, ominous lockets, over-sized seagulls and dead guys.. Makings for a good Monday, indeed.

Also, the drummer is 14. For realsies.

Please do the right thing, download: Capital Rock City #66

This crazy fun summertime is doing a number on my blog hits which I can only imagine is damaging my March to 1,000 weekly CRC downloads… that said, if you are one of the fine few finding this website when really you should be at the beach, thank you and maybe take a second to subscribe to the podcast on either iTunes or by RSS feed.

***

DJ Notes

01) The Paper Cranes – “Chivalry’s Dead”
02) Japandroids – “Crazy/Forever”
03) Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band – “Albatross, Albatross, Albatross”
04) Current Swell – “Red Shag Carpet”

No better way to get right to it, then to go to Paper Cranes female half, Miranda’s blog:

The gang of five, originating from Seattle, has come a long way from the rambunctious days of messing around with their instruments and blindly experimenting in attempts to discover their own sound. Rocky in some rounds, yes, but they are regally maturing with their Thin Lizzy similarities and while simultaneously retaining their uniqueness. The group produces alarming music. Upon listening, be prepared to sharpen up your reflexes as the striking and sudden tempos push you along their songs in a whip-like motion. The beats are impulsive and the rhythm is playful. Indeed, the songs are catchy and their performances are equally appealing. I caught up with these guys and gal on their last tour with Bishop Allen and The Miniature Tigers and they surprised the entire crowd. Like a typical band they have the usual the instruments such as guitar, drums, etc. Unlike an ordinary band, the group uses Jumbo Jingle Sticks which are used to emphasize the alarming beats. Keyboardist Traci Verdoes controls the two large sticks by violently thrusting them against the floor on every down beat, demanding your attention with the shock of each collision. A sight to see, the quintet aims to please the visual senses by covering themselves from head to toe in matching frocks defined by gold lining and floral designs. Like their sound, their history is one of a kind. You could say they are like “The Partridge Family” but with a twist. Singer/guitarist Benjamin Verdoes is happily married to Traci Verdoes, keyboardist and multi-percussion guru. Here’s the twist: the blond-haired couple have since come to adopt the drummer, 14 year-old Marshall Verdoes as their legal son, who previously was Benjamin’s adopted brother. The decision to start the group came after Benjamin promised young Marshall that they would start one, only if the youngster became competent in his drumming. Soon, Marshall became skilled and the band was born. In addition to this familial core are fellow friends: Matthew Dammer on guitar and Jared Price on bass. I thrive on bands such as this; who are musically capable and produce waves of energy on stage. Give them a try, Mt. St. Helen’s Vietnam Band is sure to tickle of your eager senses and leave you plenty satisfied.

Check out their MySpace for their music and current tour dates.

Recommended singles: “Cheer for Fate” “En Fuego” “Going On A Hunt”

Watch the video for ‘Going on a Hunt’

5.Dishy by Candypants
http://www.myspace.com/candypants

6.Nightless Night Radio Edit by Husky Rescue
http://www.myspace.com/huskyrescue

7.Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear
http://www.myspace.com/grizzlybear

8.Who’s Asking by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
http://www.myspace.com/mtsthelensvietnamband

9.In My Dreams by Counterpoise
http://www.myspace.com/originalcounterpoise

10.Almost Holding Hands by Tori Randall
http://www.myspace.com/torirandallmusic

11. Where Planets Die and Stars Collide by The Twilight Showdown
http://www.myspace.com/thetwilightshowdown

Their faux-PSA based MySpace page was up before they’d even spent time putting down tracks.  That and a 14 year old drummer (the adopted brother of the lead singer) might add up to side-show shtick if it wasn’t for the presence of the music itself.  Going all Guy Kawasaki and viral video marketing your product band to build a brand only works if you actually deliver a product, and this product is like a Snuggie made out of Sham Wow. Full of jangly guitars ( think Pinback meets the Corto Maltese) and a lo-fi, high attitude attention to rhythm come together to build a tight sonic space that accentuates the romantic narrative of the lyrics ( Put some cans on and give the love-in-springtime track ‘Cheer for Fate’ a listen).  They’re also not afraid to embrace a love of classic crock, dropping some hot Brian May riffage on songs like ‘Little Red Shoes’.  Look for their self-titled debut , out now on the up-and-coming label Dead Oceans.

They are out on tour:
 May 30 2009 The Mill Iowa City, Iowa
May 31 2009 Do Division – Empty Bottle Chicago, Illinois
Jun 2 2009 Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, Ontario
Jun 3 2009 Il Motore Montreal, Quebec
Jun 4 2009 Middle East Upstairs Cambridge, Massachusetts
Jun 6 2009 Union Hall New York, New York
Jun 7 2009 Mercury Lounge NEW YORK, New York
Jun 9 2009 M Room Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jun 10 2009 Black Cat Backstage DC, Washington DC
Jun 12 2009 Bonnaroo Music Festival! Manchester, Tennessee
Jun 13 2009 The Bottletree Birmingham, Alabama
Jun 14 2009 Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack Little Rock, Arkansas
Jun 15 2009 Mohawk Austin, Texas
Jun 17 2009 Hi Dive Denver, Colorado
Jun 23 2009 Neumos w/Cursive Seattle, Washington
Jun 24 2009 Wonder Ballroom w/Cursive Portland, Oregon
Jun 26 2009 The Boardwalk w/Cursive Orangevale, California
Jun 27 2009 Great American Music Hall w/Curisve San Francisco, California
Jun 28 2009 El Rey Theatre w/ Cursive Los Angeles, California
Jun 29 2009 The Glass House w/Cursive Pomona, California

For your itunes:

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band Dull Reason

A local band, The Wars of 1812 have been an up and coming band have started to make some noise with a top 10 album (City Pages Top 10 Local Albums of 1008) and a pretty large radio appearance on Cities 97′s Stuio C. Keep on the lookout for these guys and good things to come. If you’re interested, catch them June 21, at the Stone Arch Festival.

Andy Ulseth was the first act covered tonight. Without his normal band, it was a strictly solo act. I realize that folk-rock is not a normality of this blog, but hey, a little diversity never hurt anyone. A great talent, Andy moved smoothly through his set, and midway through invited local favorite Caroline Smith (Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps) up for a duet. I’m going to post Andy’s next show date as soon as I receive it so you all can enjoy!

I unfortunately was not able to make it for Sydney Mayser, but I have heard from peers (britrockatthetop) that she is phenomenal. I’m sure I’ll be attending one of her shows in the near future, so I’ll keep everyone posted.

[Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band at Courtyard Cafe, 4/9]

Check out photos, video and a review of what really went down after the jump. (This wasn’t an ordinary show, to say the least.)

“Thank you for being here…all three of you” were the first words out of Traci Eggleston of Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band’s mouth. And, though her math was only about six people off, her sentiment was dead on. Where…was everyone? Sure, there was an awards show and tests and life and things and the sun was down and it was a day, but less than ten people in the audience was an embarrassing situation, made immediately worse upon playing when it was obvious about how fantastic they were live.

The show, though, was short-lived. During the first song, an angry man came onstage from the back and started scolding half the band, while the other, assuming oblivious, kept on going. Soon, though, a navy polo-wearing Illini Union drone came onstage and shut the show down, forcing MSHVB to stop playing for twenty minutes while a meeting next door concluded.

Yep, you heard it — Mt. St. Helen’s Vietnam Band were too rock n’ roll for Champaign-Urbana, even with a single-digit audience count. Entering into an extended banter (as posted below in the video section), the band, dressed in matching khakis, vests and ties, began to talk about, well, whatever we wanted to talk about. Questioning the audience, chattin’ about philosophy, quizzing each other about what books we were all reading, personally getting asked if I had any questions (twice), the band could probably have made quite the Aristocrat joke, if only the intermission was spent crafting humor instead of Eggleston changing into a denim jumpsuit and a chat about drummer Marshall Verdoes’s trouble with fractions and tossing objects. (He’s in the 8th grade.)

It was, all in all, one of those shows. One of those ridiculous, bizarre, hilarious, fantastic shows. (An extravaganza, to say the least.) Make sure you don’t miss them next time around — you’ll never know what might interfere.

Video:

“Who’s Asking”

Banter

Live Vicariously:

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band on MySpace

This weekend is packed with good shows, the surest sign yet that Spring has arrived. DJ, Producer and Mad Decent labelhead Diplo will perform in Der Rathskeller tomorrow night, bringing a rare dose of electro and hip-hop inflected beats to the city. Earlier today, via his twitter page, Diplo revealed that his set would likely include an afterparty announcement. As if you needed another excuse to catch every last synth blast. Savor this one, Madison.

But first things first — tonight, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band shakes things down at Memorial Union. The Seattle band just released their debut album on Dead Oceans, cementing their ‘band to watch’ status amongst all those previously unaware. Currently in the middle of their first national tour, look to hear a lot more from/about these guys in the coming months. Seattle’s own KEXP recently interviewed the band.

Also this weekend:

>>Richard Buckner (early show) and underground legend Rodriguez (late show) play the High Noon ($10 & 15 dollars respectively, 4/10).

>>Alexi Murdoch and Dawn Landes play the Majestic ($15, 4/12).

>>Strand of Oaks plays Montmartre ($7, 4/12).

and, for the throwback:
Sleater-Kinney – You’re No Rock N Roll Fun (love the overheads)