by Jane Lambert

Mix: Songs About Snow and Winter

If you live in the greater North East, you know we are being attacked by snow right now. At least it is a good excuse to stay in and listen to some good music, right? The crew here at Modern Mystery has put a little mix together for your wintery snow day. We hope you enjoy it.

Matt Pond PA- Snow Day
Elk City- Cherries in the Snow
The Secret Life of Sofia- Snow Room
Elf Power- The Winter is Coming
Fleet Foxes- White Winter Hymnal
Olivia Tremor Control- Frosted Ambassador
Ben Weaver- White Snow
The Leisure Society- On the Last of the Melting Snow
Snow in Mexico- You and My Winter
Otter Petter- Winter Days
The Lisps- The Winter That I Missed
The Arcade Fire- No Winter for a Year
Harlem Shakes- Winter Water
O’Death-Crawl Through Snow (Live)

03.01.09

by Jane Lambert

Video: Death Cab for Cutie ‘Grapevine Fires’

Death Cab for Cutie have a tendency to make really great videos and their newest for ‘Grapevine Fires’ is nothing short of that. Singer/Guitarist Ben Gibbard put his own artistic touch into this video that is based on the California wildfires. Its really touching to say the least. The way the cartoon characters show such emotion is beautiful and so realistic without being cheesey. Depressing but stunning is the only way to describe it.

Watch the video for ‘Grapevine Fires’

02.27.09

by Jane Lambert

Pavement Reunite! (for about 15 minutes, literally)

I have always hoped for the day when the news would arrive that Indie Godfathers, Pavement were reuniting. I often consider going to Mark Ibold’s place of work (he works in a resturant in NYC) and trying to talk to him about ‘How we can rebuild Pavement’. Well, I ALMOST had it this time!

Pavement reunited at Bob Nastanovich’s Nashville wedding where all members were in attendence. Stephen Malkmus, Ibold, and Steve West took to the stage as Malkmus performed “Come and Get Your Love” and The O’ Jays “Love Train.” WOW. That must have been a site to see. By the end of the night the Pavement boys were onstage, not performing with each other, but just there together. I guess its been too long since they’ve played together to play actual Pavement songs. Whether or not Pavement will ever actually reunite is up in the air, but fingers crossed! Ibold we need to talk…..

A short clip of Malkmus Performing at Bob’s Wedding

An oldie but goodie Pavment video, Gold Soundz

02.25.09

by Jane Lambert

The Morning Benders Return to Daytrotter

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Today Daytrotter had an extra special treat (for us at least!). The Morning Benders have returned for a second time to provide us with 3 more Daytrotter session songs. The Morning Benders are one of those bands that everything they touch turns to gold. Chris Chu’s voice is remarkable on every occassion, especially in a Daytrotter session.

The first song the band performed was an alternate version of ‘Patient Patient’ called ‘Doctor Doctor’, which makes the song a bit darker, but nonetheless still beautiful. The second song titled ‘Worth the Fight’ was a track that was left off of ‘Talking Through Tin Cans’ because the band didn’t feel it fit well with the other songs. Maybe a studio version of the song will make it onto the new Morning Benders record. The final song the band recorded for Daytrotter is ‘Nothin’ in This World Can Stop Me Worryin’ Bout That Girl,’ a Kink’s cover which the band started playing around with the night before. This is one incredible cover, but hey, The Morning Benders are an incredible band.

Listen to The Morning Benders Daytrotter Session HERE

02.23.09

by Jane Lambert

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band New Album

It has been less than a year since Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band released their first record. Actually its only been about 6 months as of right now. We all know that Conor is one of those guys who just churn out the tunes, but I don’t think any of us were expecting a follow up release so fast. The band already displayed new songs on their last tour proving that they were still in the writing mode. Oberst and the boys will release ‘Outer South’ on May 5th on Merge Records, and yes, it has 16 tracks of new material which includes “Nikorette” which they performed on Conan. No doubt it will sound a lot like the first record, but that is what we love about it. Anything that Conor touches is pretty much gold.

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band are stopping at Coachella this spring, and have announced a few West Coast tour dates.

Thu-Apr-09 Omaha, NE Slowdown
Fri-Apr-10 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
Sat-Apr-11 Aspen, CO Belly Up
Sun-Apr-12 El Paso, TX Barnett Harley Davidson (Hands of Love & Hope Benefit)
Mon-Apr-13 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theatre
Tue-Apr-14 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
Wed-Apr-15 Pomona, CA Glass House
Fri-Apr-17 Indio, CA Coachella Music & Arts Festival
Thu-Jun-18 Telluride, CO Telluride Bluegrass Festival

Watch Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band peforming “Nikorette” on Conan.

02.19.09

by Jane Lambert

The Miniature Tigers * Mercury Lounge, NYC * 2-15-2009

This past Sunday, February 15, The Miniature Tigers dropped into the Mercury Lounge in New York City and were welcomed to a packed venue. The word about the Mini T’s is certainly spreading, and the Modern Mystery crew couldn’t be happier and more excited about this fact. The band who is currently on the road with Mr. Ben Folds, have been doing a few one off shows as headliners when they have free time on the tour.

The Miniature Tigers play like old pros. They are flawless onstage and certainly astonishing to hear. Charlie Brand’s voice is remarkable, and hits every single note, soft or loud. Darren Robinson (guitarist from the hiatus Phantom Planet) is a nice addition to the band almost like he has been playing with them from the start. Lou Kummerer was stellar on bass and tamborine duties, and drummer Rich Schaier is a total badass when it comes to drumming. He is also incredible on the keys and harmonies as well.

The band had everyone in the room dancing and I think we can all agree that The Miniature Tigers are one of the most fun bands out there. The band played some of my personal favorites such as ‘Cannibal Queen’, ‘Tell it to the Volcano’ and ‘Last Night’s Fake Blood’ which I was very excited to hear. Not only did they play a good amount of songs from ‘Tell it to the Volcano’, which came out on CD officially yesterday, but they also played a few new songs. New songs already? Yes! I can’t wait until The Miniature Tigers comes back to New York City again! Its a show you surely do not want to miss. Check them out when they come to your town. The band will be on the tour non stop until the end of March.