Category Archives: Uncategorized

09.17.08
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Mason Proper “Olly Oxen Free” (Will Kill You?)

I’ve become quite amused by the band Mason Proper lately. I must admit I enjoy watching the video for ‘Friendship’ more than most people should. Jonathan Visger pulls off a very Stephen Malkmus-Jarvis Cocker-Thespian style in the video as well. The band’s second album “Olly Oxen Free” is out September 23rd, and its a pretty safe bet to say its going to be beyond brilliant.

While on the Mason Proper site this morning, I also came across this funny little reading about the new record. Its ‘Survival Tips’ for the new record.

Just a reminder that next Tuesday, our second album “Olly Oxen Free” will be released to the wild, and it will be confused, hungry, and dangerous. If you encounter one, please remember these helpful survival tips:

1. Please do not make “Olly Oxen Free” noises or imitate an “Olly Oxen Free.” It will attack and kill you.

2. Do not pretend you are already dead or asleep. It will attack and kill you. An exception can be made if you are good enough at playing dead that you can appear to be only a skeleton. The “Olly Oxen Free” is not a bone-gnawer, so if you appear not to be made of meat and squishy things, it will pay you no mind.

3. Do not throw sticks or stones at the “Olly Oxen Free.” It will NOT break it’s bones. It will throw them back, only more accurately and with more force. ***NOTE*** It should go without saying, but please also remember that words can never hurt it. You are better off going with the sticks or stones.

4. Do not run, swim, fly, or teleport away. It can run, swim, fly, or teleport towards you faster than you can run, swim, fly, or teleport away.

5. Do not try to reason with the “Olly Oxen Free.” It is unreasonable. Also, do not try to offer it gifts or food. It is non-materialistic, with the slight exception being made for it’s strong interest in your meat or squishy things.

6. The best thing you can do if you are unlucky enough to encounter an “Olly Oxen Free” in the wild is to purchase it immediately, before it has a chance to pick up your smell and get it’s stomach enzymes churning.

7. The thing you can do that is better than the best thing you can do, is to:
PREORDER OLLY OXEN FREE FROM INSOUND.

You will receive a tame “Olly Oxen Free” in the mail, and any you encounter in the wild are much less likely to attack you if you are accompanied by it. You will also receive a limited-edition DVD of the “Shorthand EP,” which you can only get by preordering. Although the DVD will not help you in an encounter with an “Olly Oxen Free,” if you seek training you will be able to throw it at any rabid moths that may swoop down on you in the night, and drive them off.

-Forest Safety Commission

Genius! Check out Mason Proper on Myspace www.myspace.com/masonproper   and at www.masonproper.com

09.16.08
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Its Autumn, Its Matt Pond PA

 

There is something that happens to me when the cool air becomes breezy, it gets dark out so early, and the leaves start to fall from the tree. Everything seems to change, and the only soundtrack to that change is Matt Pond PA. Every Autumn I fall a little more in love with Matt Pond PA.

Right now I am listening to “Last Light,”  and “Emblems” on repeat and memorizing every little note, every little guitar strum. It makes me feel warm and comforted. Something everyone needs. If you’ve never checked out Matt Pond PA before, I urge you too. You don’t know what you’re missing out on.

Check out Matt Pond PA on Myspace www.myspace.com/mattpondpa  
And at their website www.mattpondpa.com   

Oddly enough, I first started listening to Matt Pond PA about 4 years ago, when a friend of mine was throwing out a mix cd that someone had made for them. I saw the band’s name on the back and snagged it. The first song I ever heard by them, and by far perhaps still my favorite is “Lookout (Closet)”. It still sounds haunting to me. Matt Pond’s voice is one of my favorite sounds.

Watch “Closet (Lookout)” from “Emblems”

09.16.08
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Thao With the Get Down Stay Down

I first came across Thao With the Get Down Stay Down in early spring opening for Rilo Kiley. Having no idea who Thao Nguyen was, I was a bit skeptical. To my surprise this girl and her eclectic backing band totally blew me away. Thao plays a bluesy kind of indie rock with a voice that is half crooner half riot grrl. This girl has so much energy especially when she performs live, I’m not sure how she’s not exploded yet. Thao With the Get Down Stay Down are performing all across the country for the remainder of the year.

Be sure to check out their tourdates at www.myspace.com/thaomusic

09.15.08
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Hollerado “Americanarama”

Hollerado is quickly becoming one of my favorite new bands. Hailing from Canada, the indie rock 4 piece just sucks you in by the first listen. “Americanarama,” is already on my year end “Top 10 Songs” list for 2008. I just found out last week that they will be opening for The Stills in New York City next weekend. I can’t wait to see them live. It looks like it will be a treat for sure. Be sure to check out their Myspace for upcoming tourdates. You won’t want to miss these guys! www.myspace.com/hollerado

Hollerado is currrently working on their first LP, but you can check out their website www.hollerado.com to purchase their ‘Demos in a Bag’ series.

Also check out their video for “Americanarama’ here. Yes, that is Kids in the Hall’s Dave Foley starring in it. Your eyes do not decieve you.

09.14.08
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The Little Ones “Morning Tide”

I never though the day would come when California’s own The Little Ones would finally put out their debut album.  The record titled “Morning Tide”  (due out October 7th) has been in anticipation for quite awhile, since its been nearly two years since their first EP “Sing Song Sing” was put out in 2006.

For those of you who don’t recall The Little Ones, they are one of the finest indie pop bands around. Mixing a little bit of 60’s retro into their sound, the band writes flawless pop songs. The Little Ones have already kicked off their European tour, and will be doing later dates this fall opening for The Walkmen. After that they are expected to do their own headlining tour, which I’m very happy about. They are playing New York as headliners on October 16th at the Mercury Lounge.

The Little Ones on Myspace www.myspace.com/wearethelittleones

Watch the new video for the single “Ordinary Song”
 

09.13.08
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Jenny Lewis “Acid Tongue”

I’m not always a huge fan of female vocalists. It takes a lot for me to really get into them. This is not the case with Jenny Lewis. The Rilo Kiley frontwoman is due to release her second solo record “Acid Tongue” on September 23rd. “Acid Tongue” sounds different from “Rabbit Fur Coat”  from the start.

First of all, and most noticably, it does not involve The Watson Twins. While including them on the first release made quite an impression from a musical stand point, it seems that Acid Tongue”  is going to be just as phenomenal. To go out completly on a limb here,  as I listen to her on a cloudly Saturday morning, she reminds me very much of a female Ryan Adams right now. This is a compliment. It strikes me as a very raw, very alt-country record. I can only imagine that these songs will be even more beautiful live as they are on the record. Jenny is doing an extensive U.S. tour this fall including some show dates with Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band.

Listen to the full stream of Jenny Lewis’ Acid Tongue”  at www.Myspace.com/JennyLewisMusic