Archive for February, 2010
Creating Beats with Krista Loewen of You Say Party! We Say Die!
Vancouver’s ownYou Say Party! We Say Die! has certainly been gaining attention ever since their first release, Hit the Floor (Sound Document) graced audience’s ears in 2005. The band has been on the rise from day one and recently released their newest and third record titled XXXX (Paper Bag Records). This has proven to be a charming album filled with infectious vocals, and dance beats that will only leave you wanting more. We had the chance to talk to keyboardist Krista Loewen who just got back from playing her first Olympics show. Here’s what she had to say….
Modern Mystery: From the start, the band has gained a good deal of attention. Did you ever think you would take off as quickly as you did?
Krista Loewen: It took us all by surprise quite a bit. The reason for starting the band was finding something to do in a boring suburb. Our goal was to get a show in Vancouver. We thank and praise our fans all the time.
MM: You’re about to head out on a lengthy tour. What is your favorite part about being on the road? Are you excited to get out there?
Loewen: I’m looking forward to coming back to the states. It’s been several years since we’ve been there. I do enjoy it and I love spending time with the band, enjoying their company. You wouldn’t think we’d enjoy each other’s company after being in a van for so long. Also meeting people and our fans while on the road is the best!
MM: What’s your favorite city to play a show in?
Loewen: I have a lot of favorite cities, I can’t just pick one. I cant have a favorite if it’s several, right?! In Canada I like Winnipeg, Montreal, and Halifax a lot. In the states I don’t have enough of a reference since it’s been several years since we’ve been there. We didn’t spend much time in the first place. I want to spend more time in nyc. The first time we played there we in and out for the show. We didn’t get a chance to look around.
MM: What is the main inspiration behind the songs on XXXX?Loewen: The five of us coming to a new place in our friendship, and our love for our music after running ourself ragged. Mostly the renewed love of those two things.
MM: Do you find it hard to bring to the stage what you created in the studio?
Loewen: In some elements, yes. There’s certain types of gear you can’t take on stage. I can’t bring my Hammond organ on tour. It’s too big. There’s certain elements in the studio that we find it hard to do live. We don’t make the live show like the recording, we make it a different experience. We’re a different kind of animal than we are on the albuim . We embrace it and go with it.
MM: What is your favorite song to play live and why?
Loewen: It’s consistently changing especially when you’re on tour every night. ”There Is Love (Within My Heart)” is my favorite right now. We’ve been starting our set with that song and it puts me in the perfect headspace to play. It’s a g ood starting song. It’s also the first song on the new record.
MM: When you’re not touring and recording, what do you spend your time doing?
Loewen: Working! Especially when we’re not on the road. I live in a house with a bunch of other women in Vancouver. It’s a whole house, with five of us living there with a bunch of animals. I like to hang out in the beach in Vancouver, and I like to garden. I’m not sure what to do for work when I come back. I just quit my job to go on tour. Luckily we’re on the road for a while!
MM: How did you get involved with playing the Olympic shows?
Loewen: We actually did one this morning! We played this morning at the ladies ski event at Cypress Mountain between the finals. Its been interesting! A lot of local bands were asked to take parts in the events. They have quite an extensive, cultural side Olympics. It’s a big CanCon festival.
MM: How have fans embraced the songs on the new record? What has their overall reaction been?
Loewen: Overall the reaction is pretty positive. There’s always going to be people who like the older stuff better. It’s been a pretty well received album. We definetly get a lot of good feedback from a lot of our fans.
MM: How does the songwriting process occur for the band?
It’s fairly collaborative. It usually happens when someone develops a song on their own and it evolves in the group. Sometimes someone comes in with a whole thing and tells us what to play. We spend a lot of hours down in the jam space. We have a rehearsal space/mini storage in downtown Vancouver.
MM: Who inspired you to play music?
Loewen: It goes back to when I’m younger and I was really inspired by Blondie, The Go-Gos, and Joan Jett. I got into a lot of those bands in high school. Especially Debbie and Joan Jett…I loved them to pieces when I was 16 and 17years old. I still do but not in the same way.
MM: Are the The Smoking Spokes still around? If not, do you plan on ever reuniting them?
Loewen: Stephen actually posted on our Twitter yesterday something about going out for a bike ride and that “The Smoking Spokes Ride Again!” We had some fun times with it. Its another thing we did to get away from being bored in the suburbs. We actually talked about getting a bike rack on the back of the van, but 6 or7 bikes wouldn’t really work.
Check out the offical new video for “There is XXXX (Within My Heart”
You Say Party! We Say Die! Tour Dates
24-Feb – Cypress Mountain, British Columbia – Olympic Show
27-Feb – Surrey, British Columbia – Olympic 2010 Celebration Site/Holland Park (w/ Tokyo Police Club)
09-Mar – Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
10-Mar – Portland, OR – Doug Fir
12-Mar – San Fran, CA – Bottom Of the Hill
13-Mar – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
15-Mar – Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
17-Mar – Austin, TX – Canadian Blast Party @ SXSW
17-Mar – Austin, TX – Pure Volume Showcase @ SXSW
18-Mar – Austin, TX – Casablanca Publishing / Maggie Mae’s @ SXSW
18-Mar – Austin, TX – Paper Bag Records Party / Speakeasy @ SXSW
19-Mar – Austin, TX – Consequence of Sound Party / Black Sheep Lodge @ SXSW
19-Mar – Austin, TX – Lose Control 2010 Party / Vice @ SXSW
21-Mar – Memphis, TN – Hi Tone
22-Mar – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
23-Mar – Charlotte, NC – Snug Harbor
24-Mar – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
26-Mar – New York, NY – Knitting Factory
27-Mar – Boston, MA – TT The Bears
29-Mar – New York, NY – Piano’s
30-Mar – Detroit, MI – Pike Room
31-Mar – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
February 25, 2010 at 1:15 am Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Vampire Weekend to Play NYC in September!
This afternoon it was just announced that indie’s wiz kids, Vampire Weekend, are slated to play a show at the famed Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The band will take to the stage at this very special performance on September 15th. The guys have been gaining much acclaim with their newest release Contra and are getting bigger by the second. If you missed Vampire Weekend during their three nights of shows last month, be sure to snag your tickets this time around.
The presale for Amercian Express cardholders starts tomorrow, Wednesday, at noon. General sale for the show starts Friday at noon. The tickets run at $39.50, but for anyone who has ever seen Vampire Weekend live knows you’ll get every penny’s worth.
February 23, 2010 at 10:00 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Rufus Wainwright Announces New Album
It’s been nearly three years since Canadian piano pop Godfather, Rufus Wainwright, put out his last record Release the Stars. Now, Wainwright is back in full form and prepared to put out his sixth studio album titled All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu. Though not much has leaked from the album, we do know there will be twelve new tracks in store for us. Wainwright has also released the cover art for the record, which is the closeup of someone’s eye. Perhaps his own. One thing we know for sure is that this album will blow you out of the water. His records always due. Lulu is out in the U.S. on April 20th.
February 23, 2010 at 9:01 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Secondhand Sunday: The Raveonettes “Attack of the Ghost Riders”
Today’s Secondhand Sunday is truly a blast from the past for me. Take a peak at one of the first videos by the dark folks in The Raveonettes titled “Attack of the Ghost Riders.” When I worked in a record store when the EP for Whip It On
first came out, it was all the rage. Haunting, thrilling, brilliant, all in the key of Bb minor. It still sends chills down my spine. Check it out!
February 22, 2010 at 12:16 am Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Listen to the New Single “Excuses” by The Morning Benders!
Earlier this we showed you the new video by The Morning Benders, called “Excuses,” off of their upcoming record, Big Echo (Roughtrade) due out March 9th. Today the band put up on their website the new song to download. The studio version of the track is even more beautiful than the one in the video. The Morning Benders have always been a great band, and it’s nice to see they are finally gaining some recognition. Stream “Excuses” on Modern Mystery below!
Morning Benders Excuses by melissa-2
February 19, 2010 at 9:54 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Sound Through Sight Benefit Show Tomorrow Night!
Our friends at Sound Through Sight are putting on one hell-of-a-show tomorrow, Friday night at Newsonic Loft in Brooklyn, NY. The concert will be a benefit to get their new book up and running. Titled Sound Through Sight: A Gonzo Road Trip To Understand Music In 2010, the project run by writer Tom Williams, photographer Sarah Mulligan and filmaker Rahawa Haile will document the group on a four week long roadtrip across North America and Mexico next month talking to bands large and small, venue owners, record store clerks, label managers, and music fans of all types to gain their insight on the state of music. This is certainly going to be an amazing project to see come to fruitation.
This is where you the fans come in. Help out Sound Through Sight by donating HERE or checking out the even tomorrow night. Details are below!
Sound Through Sight Benefit Show
Newsonic Loft
76 Rutledge Street
South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
Doors 9pm
$7
*Cheap Drinks or BYOB*
10pm – Common Prayer – the fantastic new project from Jason Russo, the lead man of Hopewell and former touring member of Mercury Rev.
11pm – mynameisjohnmichael – from New Orleans, Metro named mnijm one of the top 5 bands of CMJ last year (along with the xx and Surfer Blood!)
12am – Miracles of Modern Science – named by Spin Magazine as one of the Top 25 Bands to Watch at CMJ 2009.
12:45 – Dynasty Electric – recently signed to Damon Dash’s Blu Rock label
February 18, 2010 at 9:00 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Cap’n Jazz Reunite!
Of all the bands we never thought would reunite, Cap’n Jazz was pretty high up on the list. Now the wait is over. On June 15th, Jade Tree Records will release Analphabetapolothology, for the first time on vinyl. The original release on CD was put out ten years ago, and the demand for the anthology to be out on vinyl was something fans were strongly behind. The band’s members have always stayed in the spotlight with being in groups like Joan of Arc, Owen and The Promise Ring just to name a few.
The vinyl version will be quite different and updated, and will also include a few songs not available on the CD. There will also be never before seen photos, show fliers, and new liner notes by Tim Kinsella.
If this deal could possibly get sweeter, Cap’n Jazz played an amazing one time only short surprise show in January, and seem to have rekindled the flame. The band is officially reuniting and their first show of the year is set to take place at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago on July 17th. More tourdates will be announced in the weeks to come.
Cap n Jazz-Messy Life by modernmysteryblog
Analphabetapolothology Track Listing:
1. Little League
2. Oh Messy Life
3. Puddle Splashers
4. Flashpoint: Catheter
5. In the Clear
6. Yes, I Am Talking To You
7. Basils Kite
8. Bluegrassish
9. Planet Shhh
10. The Sands Have Turned Purple
11. Precious
12. Que Suerte!
13. Take On Me
14. Tokyo
15. Ooh Do I Love You
16. Hey Ma, Do I Hafta Choke On These
17. Forget Who We Are
18. Olerud
19. We Are Scientists!
20. Sea Tea
21. Troubled By Insects
22. Rocky Rococo
23. AOK
24. Sergio Valente
Bonus Downloads:
25. In the Clear
26. Soria
27. No Use For A Piano Player When You Got A Player Piano
28. Scary Kids Scaring Kids
29. Bluegrass
30. Winter Wonderland
31. Geheim
32. Easy Driver
33. Theme to 90210
34. Ooh Do I love You
February 17, 2010 at 8:27 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
The Morning Benders Release Friend Filled Video for “Excuses”
The Morning Benders have certainly come up in the world. You don’t have to search hard on Modern Mystery to find out that we’ve loved this band since day one. I personally recall listening to the band for the first time when one of their first videos for “Waiting for a War,” came onto the scene from their debut album Talking Through Tin Cans (+1 Music) in 2008. For most people, the guys have been a bit off the radar until recently. Now they seem to be exploding everywhere we look. Their newest record titled Big Echo (Rough Trade) will be out on March 9th and is produced by no other than Grizzly Bear’s own Chris Taylor.
The Morning Benders just put out an amazing performance video of their new song ” Excuses,” which singer Chris Chu performed at CMJ during his very intimate Lit Lounge performance with a bunch of very talented teenagers. In the video for “Excuses” the band was joined with the help of various people and friends (spot Chris from Girls? or the sensational John Vanderslice?) along with the Echo Chamber Orchestra. The Morning Benders are about to become your new favorite band, if they aren’t already. Check out the video and tour dates below including shows with Surfer Blood and The Miniature Tigers!
The Morning Benders on Tour
02/25 – New York, New York @ Housing Works (Hype Machine CD Swap)
02/27 – Brooklyn, New York @ Market Hotel #
03/10 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania @ Johnny Brendas
03/11 – Washington DC @ Black Cat
03/12 – Chapel Hill, North Carolina @ Local 506
03/13 – Atlanta, Georgia @ Drunken Unicorn
03/15 – Birmingham, Alabama @ The Bottletree
03/17 – Austin, Texas (SXSW)
03/23 – Phoenix, Arizona @ Rhythm Room
03/25 – Los Angeles, California @ The Troubador
03/26 – San Diego, California @ The Casbah
03/27 – Costa Mesa, California @ Detroit Bar
03/28 – Santa Barbara, California @ Muddy Waters
03/30 – San Francisco, California @ The Independent
04/01 – Portland, Oregon @ Holocene
04/02 – Seattle, Washington @ Crocodile Cafe
04/03 – Vancouver, British Columbia @ Media Club
04/05 – Provo, Utah @ Club Velour
04/07 – Denver, Colorado @ Hi-Dive
04/09 – Des Moines, Iowa @ The Vaudeville Mews
04/10 – Ames, Iowa @ The Maintenance Shop
04/11 – Rock Island, Illinois @ Huckleberry’s Pizza (Daytrotter Presents)
04/12 – Chicago, Illinois @ Schubas
04/14 – Toronto, Ontario @ The Drake Hotel
04/15 – Montreal, Quebec @ La Sala Rossa
04/16 – Winooski, Vermont @ The Monkey House
04/17 – Boston, Massachusetts @ TT The Bear’s
04/22 – New York, New York @ Mercury Lounge
# w/ Surfer Blood
February 16, 2010 at 6:56 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Bonnaroo Announces 2010 Lineup
The moment you were sitting on the edge of your seat for is finally here. Bonnaroo has finally announced their 2010 lineup! The festival which takes place in Manchester, Tennessee from June 10th-13th, is filled to the rafters with stellar acts, and if you can believe it, there are more to be announced. The artists are quite diverse this year, more than ever. From Japandroids to Norah Jones, The Avett Brothers to Gwar. Oh and did we mention the Flaming Lips are playing Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon? This is going to be one Bonnaroo to remember. Check out the list of artists so far listed below!
February 11, 2010 at 11:13 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
JELLY Pool Parties are BACK!
Just when we thought they were gone for good, this week Senator Charles E. Schumer announced the plans to allow the JELLY Pool Parties to continue at the East River State Park. Schumer, who is originally from Brooklyn, attended a few of the shows last summer and was taken by the quality of acts, enthusiasm, and the massive crowd attendance. So far eight shows are scheduled to take place in the summer of 2010, though no artists have been confirmed yet. Schumer has been one of the most vocal advocates to save the summer shows. The following press release has stated:
“Summer in Brooklyn without the free JELLY Pool Parties simply would not have been the same and I am beyond thrilled to see that they will return in 2010,” Schumer said. “I have truly been inspired and energized by the enthusiasm behind these outstanding concerts and am proud to have worked so hard on behalf of concert-goers everywhere to see that they return. I’d like to thank OSA, NYS Parks, NYC Parks, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Assemblyman Joe Lentol, Senator Daniel Squadron and Councilman Stephen Levin for working so hard to see that the Pool Parties return in 2010. I can’t wait to ride my bike this summer to the East River State Park to rock out at these concerts once again.”
We’ll meet you by the pool this summer!
February 10, 2010 at 11:08 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
MGMT to Release “Congratulations”
It’s been over two years since glam band MGMT released their first record, and now they are finally set to return. The band will put out their second LP titled Congratulations (Columbia), on April 13th. This was certainly a best kept secret for a while and the official news only leaked out early this week. The album is all set to be released with only nine songs that are said to flow together perfectly (take a look at some of the oddball names below).
“It’s Working,” “Song for Dan Treacy,” “Someone’s Missing,” “Flash Delirium,” “I Found a Whistle,” “Siberian Breaks,” “Brian Eno,” “Lady Dada’s Nightmare,” and “Congratulations.”
This time around the duo of Andrew Vanwyngarden and Ben Goldwasser are were joined in the studio by their live backing band, fully rounding out the sound. Congratulations was produced by MGMT and Sonic Boom from Spacemen 3. This will certainly be a make or break record for the band, but we think they’ll do just fine. Check back to in the near future for MGMT updates and tour dates!
February 10, 2010 at 4:55 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
Secondhand Sunday: French Kicks “So Far We Are”
This Secondhand Sunday goes out to The French Kicks. I’ve been craving new music by them lately. I once met the band in my college days when I interned at a pretty rad TV show. I compared scarves with the Stumpf boys that day. Here’s an oldie but a goodie, “So Far We Are.”I’ll let the video speak for itself. The will always be one of the coolest bands around. For sure.
Melissa Nastasi
Eric Phipps
Jen Verzosa
tatyahna
theloudfeelings
danielleque
liv hauck
jdtorres
Joe Madonna
Sedera Ranaivoarinosy
cwaleko
navalmin
John Grimley
micheleyamamoto
wesleyambrecht
fearofdrowning
viktorsha
aitorzabalegui
tonyachin
laurenschwartzberg
merbster
N.Sanchez
leduffy
kenami
ivynoellew
iamrickylewis
travestyofthecondition
mcirigliano2
Gustave
kellykettering
firstrays1
justgentile
pbozic
nmcollins
summer826
Jordannahe
tunmer
sifreelanceguy
cristobalsaez
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benjammin
Zach Yanowitz
ijorissen
gabe563
cst2
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