From their stocking stuffer idea, Slim & Slender (EP):

Listen to more at their Myspace page, here.

Hand screenprinted, 4-color tour poster for The Spinto Band,. Click here for more information!

Hey hey! Brand new poster finally released and out there for you! It’s my fall 2009 tour poster for The Spinto Band, with Generationals & Pepi Ginsberg’s Park The Van “Family Values” fall super tour.

Hooooraay! I love ‘em. Bright, fun, hard workin’ and rad. 3 super sounds in one show poster.

This poster is my all hand screenprinted tour poster for some super bands (check them out and see if I’m lying.)

What you see here is a 4-color poster with magenta, sunny orange and black inks. Size: 16w x 22h inches. Edition of 145, though I have only 30 for sale and the rest were sold on tour with the band. Paper: acid-free & archival Cougar 100 lb White, cover weight.

Now available for purchase at my website HERE!

Here’s a couple photos of the print being built:

1st color down

2nd color, transparent magenta, lets the orange under layer show through and it makes a nice ruby red where they overlap.

And, some more good old fashioned hand printing process photos are here on my Flickr page too.

When I think of Delaware, I think of a beautifully manicured college campus in the northeast somewhere, complete with ivy-coated brick buildings, pretentious coffee shops and an easy going, all be it progressive, student population.  For all I know, the entire state is like a sprawling, commonwealth version of Williams.

A ridiculous day dream I know, but the endearing charm of The First State’s own Spinto Band, who come to Garfield Artworks this Saturday along with Generationals and Pepi Ginsberg, has me recalling the most romantic days of my undergraduate experience. With Their latest release Slim and Slender, a four song EP out this past October, the Spintos continue their staggeringly consistent streak of three flexible indie pop releases over the past three years.  On Slim and Slender, the group practically radiates the amber aura of a magic hour bon fire with three kegs to kick.

Jackhammer stumbles through the door like a nubile young co-ed looking to hand a freshly sharpened bouquet of no.2 pencils over to his first crush of the semester. “Something says she wants you,” lead singer Nick Krill insists as the sunny, but frayed, guitars splash down, “she hangs on every word.”  The track is nostalgic but up beat, pulling on those ripe heartstrings that some how avoided callousing over years of disappointment.

And that’s where the charm of the Spinto Band lies : reminding us that once upon a time we were all dumb, unseasoned romantic messes, excitedly searching for the next great saga of our life.  Even Keep Them Alive, a song which I think is about masterminding the perfect murder like one masterminds a game of hide and seek, skips and slaps like the most playful version of ourselves we forget we possess.

Even if you aren’t quite ready for that level of self examination, the music is damn fun and catchy as well. If you do happen to make your way up to Garfield Saturday night, try not to get caught up in memory of broken trysts from semesters past.

The Spinto Band – Jackhammer

The Spinto Band – Keep Them Alive

The Spinto Band



Generationals


view the full set on FLICKR

Generationals played a fun-filled set comprised mostly of material from their debut Con Law (which you might remember I raved about a while ago?), but sprinkled in a couple new tunes here and there. They’re just as much fun live as they are on record and you really can’t help but have a huge smile on your face the whole time they’re playing. It had been quite a while since I’d seen The Spinto Band live, but as soon as they took the stage and that drum beat intro to “Brown Boxes” started it felt like old times. Though they’ve gone and traded in their signature kazoos for a clarinet, the spaztic dance moves, stellar harmonizing, and cheesy jokes we all know and love were present and in full force. Some things just never change. Thank goodness.

Don’t forget, you can still download some Spinto songs on my covers post. Highly recommend gangsta-fied “Oh Mandy,” which I knew they wouldn’t play live but my little heart couldn’t help but hope.

A while ago my brother made me listen to some cover song that he promised I would “love” since I was a fan of the original. Yeah, he was wrong.

Covers are tricky business, aren’t they? Bands either cover songs for fun or as a joke (i.e. most of the Live Lounge session tracks) or they seriously commit and take it very seriously. The latter is when things get risky because when the final product sucks there’s really no excuse.

So in the spirit of Halloween and pretending to be someone or something you’re not, here are some cover songs that I personally love and you might enjoy, maybe. I tried to show some self-restraint and only post ten songs. It was tough, there’s probably going to be a part 2:

Florence and the Machine – “Postcards From Italy” (Beirut)
I think it’s impossible for me to talk about Florence and the Machine without mentioning this song. She’s no stranger to covers (from “Girl with One Eye” by Ludes to Lightspeed Champion’s “Galaxy of the Lost Florences” to “Flakes” by Mystery Jets), but her voice is perfectly suited for this song and it absolutely shines. Girl’s got some crazy chords.

Jamie T – “A New England” (Billy Bragg)
Billy Bragg is Billy fucking Bragg, I know. “A New England” is one of his most recognized songs, I know. But Jamie T manages to deliver it beautifully. But maybe I’m just biased since I’ve seen him perform it live and it sends chills down your spine, seriously.

Kid Harpoon – “Keep The Car Running” (Arcade Fire)
I think it’s safe to say that one of Kid Harpoon’s most beloved songs by fans is his version of Leonard Cohen’s “First We Take Manhattan”. Sweet baby jesus, it’s good. But as you can see, it’s not the song I chose to share. Mr. Harpoon (Mr. Hull, if you want to be legit) is kind of a genius in the art of cover songs. So much so, that last year he took requests straight from his fans and recorded five pretty unique covers. Why did he do all this? Because he’s awesome, that’s why. They were all good (search ‘kid harpoon covers week’ on YouTube and listen for yourself), but his take on Arcade Fire’s “Keep the Car Running” is hands down my favorite because he managed to take that other-worldly, majestic sound that’s signature to Arcade Fire, strip it down to nothing but an acoustic guitar IN HIS SHOWER, and somehow keep that beautiful majestic feeling. So great.

Jeremy Warmsley – “Non, Rien de Rien” (Edith Piaf)
Jeremy Warmsley is also very good at choosing just the right songs to cover, therefore making it difficult to narrow down to just one choice. Here he is singing in French with only a xylophone as accompaniment. Did I mention he’s singing in French? Because he is singing in French.

Mystery Jets – “Pioneers” (Bloc Party)
GENERAL RULE OF THUMB: Always be weary of being covered by Mystery Jets because the chances of their version outshining your original is 99.9%. It’s just kind of a fact. Choosing one song was near impossible, but I can’t even find words to describe what I feel when I listen to this song so I knew it was the one that needed sharing. I’ve never been a fan of Bloc Party. It’s not like I hate them, their music just never made me feel anything. While I understand that it might be unfair, maybe even ridiculously biased, to say Mystery Jets’ version is superior to the original because both bands have very different musical styles, I think it’s safe to say one version definitely tugs at your heartstrings in a way the other just can’t. (For comparison purposes, Bloc Party “Pioneers”)

The Maccabees – “Boom Boom Pow” (Black Eyed Peas)
The Black Eyed Peas really hit a new level on the ‘WTF is this shit?’ scale with “Boom Boom Pow.” They truly outdid themselves and proved to us all that yes they could produce something more annoying and idiotic than “My Humps”. Luckily, The Maccabees have a sense of humor and had some fun with the song on Jo Whiley’s Live Lounge. My favorite part of listening to “Boom Boom Pow” is hearing Orlando trying to hold back laughs as he sings lines like “I’m so 3008 you’re so 2000 and late, I got that boom boom boom.” Good times.

The Holloways – “The Sweet Escape” (Gwen Stefani)
This is another Live Lounge gem. As most people know, I love No Doubt. And yeah, I totally love Gwen Stefani. But while I was all over her first solo album, I had to draw the line at solo album #2 after I heard her first single and saw her album cover and almost vomitted. I can proudly sing along to all of Love. Angel. Music. Baby. and thanks to this cover by The Holloways I can sing along to “The Sweet Escape”. Hell, most of the time I forget it’s even a Gwen Stefani song.

Franz Ferdinand – “All My Friends” (LCD Soundsystem)
I was very close to choosing Franz Ferdinand’s cover of Stefani’s “What You Waiting For?” but figured maybe that was too much Stefani and one too many Live Lounge performances, so instead here you have an LCD Soundsystem cover. I love this song because while it remains true to the original, they’ve injected that beautiful Franz Ferdinand quality that just makes you want to get up and dance. Alex Kapranos’ voice doesn’t hurt either. Mmyeah.

The Spinto Band – “Shortnin’ Bread” (Paul Chaplain and a ton of other people)
Oh, Spinto Band. What to choose, what to choose? From ELO to Seal to The Motors, these boys know how to do a damn good cover. It was a toughie, but this is a good one simply for the fact the choice to perform this song during a radio show seems so random yet the song is incredibly recognizable AND it features handclaps. You know I’m a sucker for handclaps. BONUS: Oh Mandy (Throw Some D’s breakdown) – Deep down, this is what I really wanted to share but I don’t think it technically constitutes a “cover” since 99.9999% of the song is a Spinto Band original and only 20 seconds are devoted to a Rich Boy/gangsta breakdown. BUT BUT BUT it is one of the greatest things ever. Seriously, after you’ve heard it this way + seen it live, there’s no going back to the original. Then again, maybe that’s just me. Really, this isn’t even my favorite version but it is the best sound quality version I own, so listen to it!!

Whirlwind Heat – “Another One Bites the Dust” (Queen)
I love Whirlwind Heat. Seriously, I LOVE Whirlwind Heat. You should too if you know what’s up. This cover is fun, a little bit crazy, and a whole lot of hot. Swanson’s vocals are spaztic as ever. Listen for the breathing, people. Gene pool style.

The Spinto Band is certainly one of our favorite bands around here! The group just released the new video for “Jackhammer” off of the Slim and Slender EP (Park the Van), this week. The Spintos always have a knack for making creative and beautiful looking videos and this one is no different. The overall vibe of the video reminds us a bit of one that would be made for Nice and Nicely Done but more advanced. This is one of the most brilliant videos we’ve seen in quite sometime (but maybe that’s because The Spinto Band themselves are so brilliant!). Also be sure to check out the remainder of tour dates for the band, listed below!

Watch The Spinto Band’s “Jackhammer”

Spinto Band Tour Dates
10.31.09
Lafayette/Atmosphere
11.01.09
Birmingham/Bottletree Cafe
11.02.09
Nashville/ The Basement
11.03.09
Bloomington/The Bishop
11.04.09
Chicago/Schubas
11.05.09
Urbana/Illini Courtyard Cafe
11.06.09
Pontiac/Pike Room @ Crofoot
11.07.09
Pittsburgh/Garfield Artworks

Last week at CMJ, we had the honor of filming some of our favorite bands as well as a few up and comers. A Modern Mystery favorite around here is of course, The Spinto Band. We had the honor of filming the group outside on the streets of Park Slope, Brooklyn during CMJ last week the night of their Park the Van showcase. Not one, but two performances, the band performed the classic “Oh Mandy” as well as a new, unreleased tune for Halloween called “Won’t You Buy a Pumpkin?”. This is certainly a few videos you won’t want to miss out on!!! Super thanks to The Spinto Band for filming with us!

The Spinto Band “Won’t You Buy a Pumpkin?”

The Spinto Band “Oh Mandy”

More Pictures from the Filming After the JUMP

For Day 4 of CMJ 2009, it was a messy rainy night in Park Slope, Brooklyn. That’s where the SPINTO BAND was headling the PARK THE VAN records CMJ showcase. Even though they have alot of gear for five band members, they started right on time for their 12:30am slot on the bill.

If you ever seen one of their shows, or heard the song “Brown Boxes” you know that some of the band members use home made kazoos’s to start the song.. Tonight, guitarist Jon Eaton started the show’s set with a Clairnet for “Brown Boxes”. Pretty fun..and I think it worked well..even if kazoo’s sound cooler. I think this might have been my 5th of 6th time seeing the Spinto Band, and they always rock right from the start.

The band broke into old favorites like ” Mountains” “Direct to Helmet” “Did I Tell You”  and then rocked out newer ones from Moonwink ” Later on” , “Needlepoint” and the really fun “Summer Grof” which was an ODE to comic Janeane Garofalo.Then Tom Hughes joked with the audience and  started their cover of “Brazil” which is on their new digital / vinyl only release called Slim and Slender (Park the Van).

You could tell there was alot of energy from the crowd..there were people there for  CMJ just attending the conference…fans of the band, people just hanging out on a friday night..and even older fans & friends from PA and Delaware who were chanting “Tower Hill” during the show. Tower Hill is a private HS in Delaware where some of the boys started the band. The band worked on another new song from their ep ” JackHammer” and rocked out some older tunes like their classic hit “Oh Mandy.” The Spinto Band never disappoint. If you ever get a chance to see them, or if they come to your town, go see them live!

- Joe Madonna

CHECK OUT MORE SPINTO BAND CMJ PICTURES AFTER THE JUMP!

We’ve been working feverishly to get all of our CMJ stuff done. Check back later today was we start to post a ton of photos, reviews, interviews and very special sidewalk performance videos from bands like The Spinto Band and Robbers on High Street! Be on the lookout! We have it covered!

don’t forget, folks, last chance to register is october 18th! click here for info…

check out the most recent list of bands…is this not a huge mindfuck??

The Lights Out – A Million Years – Acrylics – Adam and Dave’s Bloodline – Adam Matta – Adam Tensta – Adventure – Alex Gopher – Alexandra Hope – All Day Holiday – Aloha – Amber Rubarth – Amy Kuney – An Albatross – Anamanaguchi – The Antlers – April Smith and the Great Picture Show – Atlas Sound – Bear Hands – Beat Radio – BELL – Benjamin Wagner – Benji Cossa – Bermuda – Big Takeover – Birds of Avalon – Black Hollies – Black Taxi – Blacklist – Blood Warrior – Bloodsugars – Body Language – Bonerama – Break Science feat. Adam Deitch – Brit and the Calvary – Broadcast – Brother Josephus & the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra – The Budos Band – Cale Parks – Calypso – Casino vs Japan – Choir of Young Believers – Chris Barron & Friends – Chris Kasper – Christopher Denny – Clare and the Reasons – Claymation Velociraptor – Clinton Curtis – Cobra Skulls – Corridor – Crystal Antlers – Cymbals Eat Guitars – Dada Life – Danger – Dan Torres – Dang-It Bobby’s – Daniel Pujol – Dark Meat – Dark Room Notes – Darshan – Darwin Deez – Das Racist – Deer Tick – Denney and the Jets – Dent May – The Depreciation Guild – DeScribe – Diane Birch – Dick Prall – The Dig – Dinowalrus – Disciplines – Diwon – Dizzy Gillespie™ Alumni All-Stars – DJ Jonathan Toubin – DJ Odd Nosdam – Dolorean – Drawlings – Dred Scott Trio – Drink Up Buttercup – Drug Rug – Dum Dum Girls – ear pwr – ECHOecho – Electro Morocco – EOTO – Eprhyme – Ethan Lipton – Every Avenue – Excepter – Eyehategod – Felix Cartel – Fervor – Fieros – Fionn O Lochlainn – First Aid Kit – Flexions – Floating Action – Flying Machines – Fool’s Gold – Foreign Echange – Frat Dad – Free Energy – French Horn Rebellion LIVE – French Miami – FUCT – The Fumes – Furcast – Generationals – Gentleman Reg – Gigi Fouquet – Goat Whore – Golden Boots – Golden Triangle – Grammar Debate – Great Republic of Rough and Ready – Greg Davis – Guyora Kats – Hank and Cupcakes – Harlem – Headlights – Heath Brandon – Heavy Cream – Heavy Weather – Hecuba – Helado Negro – Hesta Prynn – Hey Champ DJ – Higgins – The High Strung – Higher Giant – The Hi-Risers – Hockey – Holiday Shores – Hollerado – Hollis Brown – Holy Sons – Home and Garden – Hospital Bombers – Hot Panda – HotChaCha – Ian Axel – Ian Thomas – Immaculate Machine – Inlets – Ivan “Funkboy” Bodley – Ivana XL – J. Dash – Jaguar Club – James Husband – James Maddock – Janel and Anthony – Japandroids – Javelin – JBM – J.D. Souther – Jeff Taylor – JEFF The Brotherhood – Jess King – Joey Cape (Lagwagon) and Jon Snodgrass (Drag The River) – Jonny Hirsch – Josh Mease – Julius C – Jupiter One – Kaiser Cartel – K-Holes – Kosha Dillz – Kria Brekkan – LA Riots – La Strada – Las Rubias Del Norte – Laura Marling – Laura Warshauer – Lemon Bell – Leslie Mendelson – Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez – Lia Ices – Like Bells – Lisa Bianco – Local Natives – Lost In The Trees – Lovvers – Lynch (ft. Jim Loughlin of moe.) – Marcus Johnson – Margaret Cho – Marianna Falusi – Math the Band – Mere – Michael Daves – Michal Towber – Mickey Factz – Midnight Juggernauts – The Mieka Canon – Mighty Five DJ – Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – The Minutes – Miz Metro – Modern Science – Modern Skirts – The Moi Non Plus – Mon Khmer – Montag – The Moore Brothers – Mr. Move – Múm – Mumford & Sons – Mutlu – Mystery of Two – The Naked Hearts – Nate Campany – Nathan Corsi Band – Natural Child – The Neanderthals – New Villager – Ninjasonik – NLX – Obits – The Octagon – Owen – The Pack A.D. – Paleo – Papa – The Paparazzi – Patrick Watson – Pela – Pepi Ginsberg – Pete & J – Pig Destroyer – Pill Wonder – Pissed Jeans – Pitbull – Pocketknife – The Polyamorous Affair – Portugal. The Man – Princeton – Puba – Ravens & Chimes – Red Wire Black Wire – Richard Julian – Right On Dynamite – Rings – Rob Roy – Rumspringa – Saul Williams – Savoir Adore – School of Seven Bells – Screaming Females – Sean Bones – Selmanaires – Shaky Hands – Shayna Zaid and The Catch – Shout Out Out Out Out – Signer – Silver Starling – Sin Fang Bous – Sissy Wish – Sister Hazel – Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds – Slow Club – So Many Wizards – So So Glos – Social Hero – Sonya Kitchell – Souljah – Space Capone – Speech Debelle – The Spinto Band – Squaaks – The Stalkers – The Star Department – Stationary Set – Still Flyin’ – Still Life Still – Strong Intention – Subplots – Suckers – Sugar & Gold – Super Extra Bonus Party – Superdrag – Superhuman Happiness – The Surrender – Sxip Shirey – Takka Takka – Tall Tall Trees – Taylor Barton with GE Smith – Teenage Bottlerocket – Telepathe – The Temper Trap – Terry Poison – Tickley Feather – Timber Timbre – The Title Tracks – The Toby Lightman – Tommie Sunshine – Toro y Moi – The Trashmen – Trouble Andrew –True Womanhood – Twi The Humble Feather – Two Man Gentlemen Band – The Uglysuit – U-God – Underwater People – Unnatural Helpers – The Unsacred Hearts – UUVVWWZ – Val Emmich – Vega – Vertical Horizon – Very Best – Via Tania – VIKING – Wallpaper – Warpaint – We Are Country Mice – We Are Enfant Terrible – We Are The World – We Should Be Dead – The Wheel – White Tie Affair – Wild Light – Wild Yaks – Wiyos – The xx – Y-Love – Yes Giantess – Zac Brown Band – Zaza – Zeus – Zs – Z-Trip – Zuri Star – ZzZ

My sisters have always listened to music that was in style at the time (though they both had their particular genres) and which I mostly hated. However, it was through this that I decided to find my own style. Sometimes I wonder what my sisters and I would sound like if we had formed a musical group. We’re not a musical family but with our different and at times conflicting tastes it may have given us an advantage; we could’ve defied some genres, experimented with techniques. Or, most likely, we would’ve sounded dreadful. Really dreadful. Here is a list of some siblings who collaborate as musicians (either in groups or duos) and who, in my opinion, got it right. Click on band’s name for more info.

The Spinto Band

Members: Jon Eaton, Nick Krill, Sam and Thomas Hughes, Jeffrey and Joey Hobson
Origins: Delaware, USA
Album/s:  The Analog Chronicles (1998); Digital Summer (1999); Roosevelt (2000); Mersey & Reno (2001); Nice and Nicely Done (2005); Moonwink (2008)

Named after Nick Krill’s grandfather (guitar player Roy Spinto), The Spinto Band is an Indie rock group hailing from Delaware. They’ve been at it for over a decade now having released Analog Chronicles in 1998, and have toured with many big named bands such as Arctic Monkeys, Mystery Jets, The Kooks and The Strokes amongst others. Their song Oh Mandy has also been used in the 2005 film Four Eyed Monsters. Here are their individual roles in the band: Jon Eaton – guitar; Nick Krill – vocals, guitar; Thomas Hughes – vocals, bass; Jeffrey Hobson – drums; Sam Hughes – keyboards, vocals; Joey Hobson – guitar, vocals. I first saw them in Later with Jools and I really liked their style. They have a very upbeat (and offbeat) sound to their songs, the videos are quirky and colourful. And yes, I am aware the video below is in black and white. Still, the quirkiness is there.

~~~

The Pierces

Members: Catherine and Allison Pierce
Origins: Alabama, USA
Album/s: The Pierces (2000); Light of the Moon (2005); Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge (2007)

Alabama duo The Pierces have an interesting beginning. Born to self-described hippie parents, the two were surrounded by music and art since they were kids. They were home schooled  and were encouraged to perform at parties and the like. They officially came into the music industry while they were attending Auburn University. A friend of them send a tape to a Nashville record company, which eventually resulted in their debut album in 2000. The album wasn’t as successful as it could have been due to “no label support” as stated by Allmusic.  In 2007 the sisters went for it and had fun with their third album, Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge. The songs Secret and Three Wishes have been featured in Gossip Girl, which is where I first found out about them. Their Indie pop/alternative style is fun to listen to. At first, they may sound like another pop duo but the two complement each other nicely.

~~~

Where’s Jerome

Members:  Jeremy Smith, Alexandra Sebastian, Todd Cetin
Origins: Sydney, Australia
Album/s: Dreamboat (EP, 2008); Where’s Jerome? (2009)

Where’s Jerome is one of Sydney’s newest great bands. Jeremy Smith comes from the band Altona, while his sister Alexandra hails from Midnight Hysteria. They are joined by Smith’s best friend, Todd Cetin. The trio are the “beginners” of this list but are by no means lacking in experience. Their self-titled debut album is a collection of strong vocals, playful keyboards and almost hypnotic drums. The songs are catchy and stay with you for days (when I first heard Sneakers I could not get it out of my head! It was great). I have recently been writing some freelance music reviews for Scene Magazine, which is how I found out about Where’s Jerome. They are currently doing some touring in the New South Wales/Victoria area but will surely tour Brisbane and the rest of Australia soon. And I’m definitely going to be there to see them.

~~~

Angus and Julia Stone

Members: Angus and Julia Stone
Origins: Sydney, Australia
Album/s: A Book Like This (2007); EPs include: Hollywood (2008); Chocolates and Cigarettes (2006); Heart Full of Wine (2007); The Beast (2007); Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) (2009)

Angus and Julia Stone are a Sydney duo whose voices are so distinct from one another. He has a young, smooth and warm tone while her vocals sound aged and fractured. That may sound insulting to Julia but it’s actually a very, very good thing. It gives them a beautifully distinct sound. They take turns at being the lead vocalist, which works quite well; I love the contrast in their albums. Their lyrics are also well-crafted and wonderfully sung. There’s an art form in the way they package and advertise themselves too. You only have to look at their album covers or music videos to see that they are very expressive. I first encountered a poster of them that promoted a concert they were about to do in Brisbane. I didn’t know who they were or what they sounded like but I loved the poster (their portrait in particular). I walked past it often and one day I stole it from the message board and then looked up their music. I was very pleasantly surprised. It was hard to choose one YouTube video for this because they both have such great voices. However, I have chosen Just A Boy because it’s one of my favourite A&J Stone tracks. And because of Angus.

Click here for Wasted led by Julia’s vocals.

~~~

Tegan and Sara

Members: Tegan and Sara Quin
Origins: Alberta, Canada
Album/s: Under Feet Like Ours (1999); This Business of Art (2000); If It Was You (2002); So Jealous (2004); The Con (2007); Sainthood (2009); EPs: I’ll Take the Blame (2007); Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) (2008)

Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin pretty much encapsulates everything about this topic for me. They are identical twins with a very strong musicality. They are also the ones I’ve known the longest in this list. This Canadian Indie rock/pop duo have been in the music scene for some time and have established quite a fanbase. They began by using their school’s recording studio (my school built an entire music building but we didn’t have a recording studio!) to record two demos, and in 1998 they won the Garage Warz Battle of the Bands held in their hometown of Calgary; they competed under the name of Sara and Tegan because that was the name their mother had registered the two. After establishing a name for themselves they toured extensively and produced several albums. There’s a childish tone in their vocals but that doesn’t hide the lyrical and musical prowess they hold. Their songs are catchy and mostly upbeat. I found out about them when I saw their music video Walking With A Ghost on ‘Rage‘ in 2006. Their newest album Sainthood will be available from October 27th 2009.

YouTube – The Con Music Video
Uploaded by tegan-andsara – Watch more music videos, in HD!

here’s a little mini-podcast. I know it’s fall and not February, but I think fall is a season of love. after all, everyone goes back to school and picks up little schoolgirl/boy crushes on classmates or professors anyway.

so this mix runs the range of love-related emotions from defiance to wistful pining. this also started as a retro mix so it’s a little Motown-y.

and you will notice that “Summer Grof” has made a second appearance but the vacation mini-mix has vanished off zshare and it’s the end of summer and I think it’s relevant. so there. tracklist after the jump.

download the little love mix here.

Little Love Mix:

1. Summer Grof – the Spinto Band

2. Beautiful & Very Smart – Harlem

3. Something in the Way – Best Coast

4. I Can Be Cool – Bob & Gene

5. What Does It take? – Pillow Talk

The blog’s back in full swing. A majority of the links have been fixed. I’ll get around to the rest at some point.

Now.

This band is not new but just the same, you have to listen to them if you haven’t already. They are called The Spinto Band. They’re out of Wilmington, Delaware and are one of the greatest bands on earth. If you ever get the chance to watch them play, please do so. A good time is guaranteed.

They have an EP set to be released on Park The Van this October called “Slim & Slender”. Half of the four-song EP can currently be heard on their MySpace.

However, this song is off of the 7″ single for “Vivian, Don’t” off of their latest album, “Moonwink”, which was released last year. It’s a cover of late-60s rock and roll group Tommy James and the Shondells’ classic song, “I Think We’re Alone Now”. I’ve been playing it nonstop for about an hour.

The Spinto Band – I Think We’re Alone Now

Website
MySpace
Purchase Moonwink

I used to love The Spinto Band. they were the soundtrack to my final year of college, and I waited and waited and wiated for them to make it big. Which they never did, unfortunately. However, they’re still going at it, and though their 2008 album may have passed me by, I was still interested to learn from NME.com (searching for news of Oasis pulling out of V, by the way. not because I like Oasis, just because I like reading about other people’s sorrow and I have friends at the festival) that The Spinto Band are releasing a new EP, with another album on the way. Here’s what the NME had to say;

The Spinto Band have announced a string of US tour dates as well as streaming two new songs
on the run up to their upcoming EP release.

Titled ‘Slim And Slender’ the 4 track EP will be released towards the end of their tour on October 6.
Coming out on 10” vinyl and digital download those who want a preview of the EP, can head over to the band’s Myspace where they have just uploaded two songs titled ‘Jackhammer’ and ‘Brazil‘.

The band, are due to follow up from their 2008 album ‘Moonwink’ some time in 2010, with the ‘Slim And Slender’ EP acting as a sneak peak on what to expect from their next album.

Till then you can catch them live on the following dates:

Philadelphia, PA – Adrienne Theatre (September 16)
West Chester, PA – Myrick Conservation Centre (19)
Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s (October 21)
Cambridge, MA – TT the Bear’s (22)
Washington D.C, WA- Rock ’N Roll Hotel (24)
Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 (25)
Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle Tavern (27)
Atlanta, GA – The Earl (28)
Nashville, TN – The Basement (November 2)
Bloomington, IN – The Bishop (3)
Chicago, IL – Schuba’s (4)
Urbana, IL – Illini Union Courtyard Cafe (5)
Pontiac, MN – The Pike Room at Crofoot (6)
Pittsburgh, PA – Garfield Artworks (7)

And if you’re interested, here’s one of the songs I’ve managed to get ahold of from the new EP. Not a patch on Oh Mandy, but I suppose nothing ever could be when I’m wearing rosetinted glasses.

The Spinto Band – Jackhammer mediafire download

It was truly a treat this weekend to attend the New York City show of the Spinto Band who was doing a 4 date mini tour, also know to their fans as ‘The Freakend’. Along for the ride were The Swims, And The Moneynotes, and Big Bang TV. A killer lineup.

I’ve been to a few Spinto shows in my day and the level of energy onstage is always incredible, but on Friday at the Mercury Lounge, the band brought it up to a whole new level. We’re talking astonishing. This had to be the best show I have attended in the past five years, or quite frankily, possibly ever. The room was packed with people ready to dance and it was at least 85 degrees in there. So warm the band was sweating before they got onto the stage.

The Spintos ripped through about 16 songs and somehow brought the energy up with every song. They even invited three fans onstage to dance to ‘Oh Mandy’ which was by far one of the coolest things I’ve seen. Nick Krill and Tom Hughes always deliver on the vocals and the combination of the two fit perfectly back and fourth on stage. The rest of the Spintos, Jon Eaton, Joey Hobson, Jeff Hobson and Sam Hughes hold it all down, never missing a note. From the sounds of ‘Later On’  to ‘Direct to Helmet’ this was surely a night to remember. Hopefully there will be another Freakend in the near future.

The Setlist:
Cat’s Pajamas (listed as ‘Cat’s Shams’)
Brown Boxes
Summer Grof
Vivian, Don’t
Mountains
They All Laughed
Later On
Brazil
Direct to Helmet
The Black Flag (listed as ‘Blag Flak’)
Japan is an Island
Oh Mandy
Pumpkins and Paisley
Late
Encore Included:
Needlepoint and don’t quote me on this, but I believe Crack the Whip. They were not written on the setlist as the band discussed the encore songs on the side of the stage.

TONS OF MORE PHOTOS AFTER THE JUMP

WATCH LIVE VIDEOS FROM THE MERCURY SHOW

‘OH MANDY’

‘LATER ON’

‘BRAZIL’ (CLIP)

NOTE: The Big Red Apple is now TheBigRedApple.net

To view this post at its new location click HERE!

There are so many amazing events happening this weekend that my google calendar looks like a piece of psychedelic art! Sadly you can never do everything but here are my suggestions!

First off, don’t forget to check my previous post for great events taking place tonight!

Tomorrow night you’re going to have to make some tough choices; there are eight events I feel compelled to post.

First, Gemini and Scorpio are hosting a Nouvelle Époque Cabaret-Salon at The Players Club:

The legendary Players, boasting such luminary members as Mark Twain, Eugene O’Neill and Ernest Hemingway, is a members-only social club founded by the famed 19th century Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth. The Players’ landmarked home is a magnificent Victorian mansion with a wrought-iron balcony overlooking Gramercy Park.

JC Hopkins’ Biggish Band plays rollicking hard bop swing all night featuring guest vocalists tap-dancing sensation DeWitt Fleming Jr, velvet-voiced Jolie Holland, and Tony-nominated downtown icon Justin Bond, in addition to JC’s resident front-woman Queen Esther. The always-surprising Julie Atlas Muz (Miss Exotic World 2006), the jaw-droppingly stylish MsTickle, and hilariously naughty Trixie Little & Evil Hate Monkey perform feats of burlesque to live accompaniment by the band all night. In band breaks, 1920s tap sensation The Minsky Sisters amuse and titillate you.

The dress code calls for top hats and opera gloves… All this and I get to play dress-up? Sign me (and Cinderella) up!

For a slightly more actively artistic salon experience pick up a ticket to the exclusive Draw-a-Thon event happening in Michael Alan’s private studio. The drawing will actually be taking place on the roof of the studio in Williamsburg; the models will be posing as animals against the backdrop of the sun setting over Manhattan- sounds inspiring!

There are five great concerts Friday night, ranging from highbrow to hipster. The first, the Philharmonic Concert in Central Park, I’ve already mentioned. The Metropolitan Opera is performing their final outdoor recital in Crotona Park in the Bronx. This one should be much less crowded than the Summerstage shows so if you’re up for the trek I’m sure it will be worthwhile.

For a more contemporary outdoor concert experience check out Robert Cray and The Sweet Divines at the Prospect Park Bandshell. Check out these ladies:

If you want to stay indoors you can head over to Mercury Lounge to rock out with The Spinto Band. I wrote about them some time ago; I’ve had some of their songs in my subway playlists since then and I’ve definitely become quite fond of them.

You also have another chance to see Black Taxi! I saw them perform at Pianos a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been meaning to post a full review of their amazing performance- I promise I’ll get that to you soon but for now let me just say I am certain their show at Le Poisson Rouge will be a blast!

Last but not least, I am very excited to announce that there will be a GIANT GAME OF CAPTURE THE FLAG taking place Friday night. Newmindspace has organized this carefully structured game in Williamsburg- play nice!

On Saturday pull yourself together (I know, Friday is going to be intense but you can do it!) and get out to Coney Island for the annual Siren Music Festival! This year performers include Monotonix, Micachu & The Shapes and Spank Rock (to name but a few). After the shows there’s a hot afterparty at The Music Hall of Williamsburg (where there will be even more shows!). Check out the awesome drawing that adorns the press releases:

If you missed out on François Truffaut’s New Wave masterpiece The 400 Blows last week you have another chance to see it on Saturday, this time as part of the ongoing French New Wave Essentials series at the Museum of Arts and Design.

On Sunday Dare Dukes is playing at the Rockwood Music Hall. Listening to him croon lovely urban folk songs should be an excellent way to wind down the weekend.

There are two exciting outdoor film screenings to consider attending Monday evening. Harold and Maude is showing in Bryant Park:

Teenager Bud Cort and sexagenarian Ruth Gordon both like to go to funerals of people they don’t know, and meet to embark on one of cinema’s great relationships. Audacious and heartbreaking, Hal Ashby’s superb black comedy also features a perfect soundtrack by Cat Stevens.

And downtown, on The Elevated Acre, you can see West Side Story.

Natalie Wood as Maria in West Side Story

Enjoy and stay tuned for additions!

I’m leaving for vacation tomorrow but I thought I would leave a little gift while I’m gone: a mini-mixtape. it’s only five songs but they are all quite good and nicely vacation-themed. download it at zshare with the link below. tracklist is after the jump.

UPDATE 09/06/09: this podcast has mysteriously vanished from zshare. if you would like a copy, let me know in the comments, otherwise I won’t waste my time uploading it again.

Vacation Mini Mix

Vacation Mini Mix tracklist:

1. Lying in the Sun – Koushik

2. Beach Comber – Real Estate

3. Already Warm – the Mayfair Set

4.Vacation – Beach Fossils

5. Summer Grof – the Spinto Band

and as always, all songs come from other blogs or free sources. complaints can be directed to ksglasscock@yahoo.com and compliments are welcome in the comments section. enjoy!

Ah yes its already the 4th of July tomorrow and let the picnics  begin. The crew here at Modern Mystery put together a mix for your ‘Indie-pendance’ day. Whether you are heading to the beach, barbecuing some hamburgers or getting drunk by your pool, we hope you listen to it on your celebration. We tried to keep the songs ’summer’ feeling. That makes sense, doesn’t it?

Animal Collective-Summertime Clothes (Dam-Funk Remix)
The Phenomenal Handclap Band- 15 to 20
Empire of the Sun- We Are the People (The Golden Filter Remix)
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart-Young Adult Friction
Passion Pit- Moth’s Wings
Sunset Rubdown-Idiot Heart
Little Joy- No One’s Better Sake
Yacht-Summer Song
Wavves-Gun in the Sun
Pepi Ginsberg (Featuring The Spinto Band)- In My Bones
Los Campesinos!- How I Taught Myself to Scream
Takka Takka- The Takers
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin- Think I Wanna Die
MGMT- Time to Pretend

The Spinto Band es una banda de Delaware,Estados Unidos formada en el año 1997,y su musica es indie pop alegre por momentos twee y algo de pop barroco,una de las primeras bandas con este estilo que hoy en dia esta tan de moda,sobre todo en canada,ellos cuando comenzaron formaron su propio sello discografico con el cual desde 1997 hasta el 2004 lanzaron 4 discos de larga duracion,luego en 2005 desidiaron estar con una verdadera compania con la cual sacaron su disco¨Nice And Nicely Done¨que hoy en dia es considerado su album debut ya que los otros son practicamente imposibles de conseguir ya que solo salieron a la venta de manera independiente.Luego en el año 2008 lanzaron¨moonwink¨su sexto considerado segundo album el cual desepsiono a la mayoria(no me incluyo)ya que luego de¨oh Mandy¨(uno de los singles de nice and nicely done)se armo una esfera alrededor de la banda como que eran unas de las mejores bandas y jamas fue asi,luego moonwink para mi es un buen album que esta a la altura de su antesesor y no me desepsiono por que yo jamas pense que spinto band era una banda fabulosa por ese single sino que siempre pense que eran buenos por todas sus canciones,asi que espero que a ustedes tambien les guste…

THE SPINTO BAND – NICE AND NICELY DONE(2005)

THE SPINTO BAND – MOONWINK(2008)

COMENTAR NO CUESTA NADA MAS QUE TIEMPO!!!!COMENTEN!!!!!!!!!!

“Trying to find the perfect match between pretentious and pop” goes the lyric from the Los Campesinos! song “It Started with a Mixx” – clearly a sentiment understandable to those of you who have ever taken to the task of creating a mix tape, CD (or flash drive?) or a friend, loved one or potential boot-knockin’ buddy. But is it really worth all the fuss? Does a carefully, artfully and intuitively compiled mix truly create something larger than the sum of its parts? After a recent glut of mix CD creations, with many more on the way, I had to wonder why it’d become such a personal obsession of mine.

"Encoded title doesn't give away as much as it should."

The mixtape, described by author Geoffrey O’Brien as “the most widely practiced American art form” is far from a modern invention, as it turns out. That said, the ease of digital sharing has certainly made it a whole lot easier to mass distribute faux-personalized compilations of tunes. The original mixtapes weren’t actually homemade as they are today, but were instead bootleg 8 track tapes often sold at flea markets or truck stops. In the ’80s, cassettes became popular as their quality increased and voila! Soon, teenage lovers and tech-savvy 20- and 30-somethings were communicating their feelings and thoughts by using other peoples’ feelings and thoughts. And yes, it is just as tricky as it sounds to have that work out.

Personally, I’ve been creating mixes for friends, lovers and whoever will listen for well over a decade now. They’ve ranged from the casual (“I just threw a bunch of songs on a disc to listen to in the car on the way to -road trip destination here-“) to the thinly-veiled flirtatious (“These 19 songs represent the 19 that come as close as physically possible to saying ‘I want in your pants’ without actually saying it”) to the esoteric (“This CD represents the progression of a modern relationship between a man and a woman; the songs are in conversation with each other – alternating between partners – and coalesce in heartbreak and eventual acceptance”).

They say hello, they say I miss you, they say I want you. Or, it could say “I searched for every possible name of a color on my iTunes playlist and these are the best that I got!” (No, it was not all Joni Mitchell covers.) No matter what the message, it’s the process of creation and sharing that becomes ultimately enjoyable to me, as the maker. It’s a joy that I hope is matched by the listener’s experience.

So, I ask you, why do you create mixes? Do you recall the best mix you’ve ever received? What about the strangest? What is the favorite mix you’ve created?

Coming soon to a meaningful mix CD being converted to your laptop's library?

And finally, the question of the hour, what’s the secret to a “perfectly matched” mix? Because, despite all the years of practice.. I still truly have no idea. Is it all about a seamless build to a lavish finish? Is it about juxtaposing the unusual with the familiar? What about a mid-mix instrumental break? Can ABBA (Flower power/’Fernando’ ABBA not wedding anthem/’Dancing Queen’ ABBA) still be enjoyed ironically, or are Swedish disco acts passe?

UNPRETENTIOUS (BUT STILL “ARTFULLY THOUGHT-PROVOKING”), POPPY (BUT NOT TOO POPPY) JUNE JAMZ

Download: Jarvis Cocker ‘Fuckingsong’ (mp3)
Download: Patrick Wolf ‘Hard Times’ (Jack Beats Remix) (mp3)
Download: School of Seven Bells ‘Half Asleep’ (mp3)
Download: Marina & the Diamond ‘Obsessions’ (mp3)
Download: Dragonette ‘Marvellous’ (mp3)
Download: The Spinto Band ‘Summer Grof’ (mp3)
Download: Shugo Tokumaru ‘Rum Hee’ (mp3)
Download: Passion Pit ‘The Reeling’ (Miike Snow Remix) (mp3)

I’ve been listening to this band for quite some time and this song just has some sort of magical relaxation powers when listened to during a nice evening drive. Tonight I assisted my photographer friend while she worked a party. Fun times, we were fed, drunk uncles, bitchy aunts, hot cousins , the works. And the road home couldn’t have been more relieving. I haven’t stood for that long since my days at Best Buy…shivers roll down my spine.

At any rate, The Spinto Band, hailing from Wilmington, Delaware, is one of those bands with a hand in the pop pool yet the rest of their body in song-writing masterdom.

Today’s selection, Late, comes from their 2005 release, Nice and Nicely Done. It’s a great song meant for aftermaths.

As always, if you like the music, take some time to buy the album and support the band.

Late
Website
Purchase

enjoy.