11 November 2010

art/official Very Proudly Presents: Loren Murrell!!

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Twenty-four year old singer and songwriter Loren Murrell is an old soul in a young man's body; he is blessed with a genuine talent for crafting honest and earnest folk tunes, has a passion for the finer things in life like homemade cornbread (minus the sugar), and has been over the hills and through the woods to reach where he his today.

When his first band, in his home state of Michigan, kicked him out for pursuing a solo career independently and began performing all of the songs he had written, he quit both of his jobs, sold everything he owned, bought an acoustic guitar for $60 from a fan in a bar, and headed south. He made it down to Tampa, FL by hitch hiking and selling 500-600 albums in malls across the states.

Murrell's heartfelt relationship with New Orleans began after he fell in love with an elf (one of Santa's little helpers) he had met at the mall in Tampa, FL. After she expressed interest in moving to New Orleans, Murrell accompanied her here in December of 2007 and has been gracing the humble people in our city with his music ever since.

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So, when will you stop moving for women? (apparently this wasn't the first time):
"Ever since I got down here. I love New Orleans because it answers the call to all parts of one's heart.  If you're desperate, if you're dwelling, if you're undecided, as long as you put out good vibes to the city it will deliver what you put into it.  I've seen it eat people up and spit them out.  I've seen beautiful people flourish, but whichever way you go it has a niche for anybody including singer-songwriters of which I previously did not think had."

What did your parents think about all of this stuff when it was happening? The quitting your jobs, hitch hiking southwards, etc. to pursue a career in music...
"They are and always have been super supportive of my goals both now and in the future of being a professional musician. During the time period of my migration to the south I made sure to call home and talk to them every day."

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What are your plans for the future?
"I have plans to start a new band with Micah (Silent Cinema, Empress Hotel) in which we will both kind of share the spotlight and alternate between the position of lead vocalist. Micah really wants to get this band going but it won't be mine, it will be both of ours. In November I have plans to start recording a new album composed entirely of my own original music. It's going to have a mellow feel with a lot of strings and horns, but no drums. I'm going to concentrate particularly on things like intelligent placement."


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Who taught you how to make your cornbread?
(Points to himself). "I'm a professional baker. I did that for several years and was even offered an apprenticeship at two different bakeries. It was a hard offer to turn down, but I knew that the whole process would take several years and that running a shop would be a complete full time job. In the end I really just wanted to focus on my music more than anything else and running a bakers shop would severely interfere with that."


 
Loren murrell from Deltree on Vimeo.


Watch a sixteen minute live set by Loren professionally filmed by CLICKING HERE.

Loren has been kind enough to give us two songs to give away for free! Feel free to stream them, and if you like them right click + "save as" to put them on your computer.
Aaron's Anthem
A Grand Adventure

--To try Loren's famous cornbread come to The Circle Bar every Sunday from 7-10 pm. Loren plays along side Micah McKee offering an amazing three hours of music each week. There is even free dinner! Also be sure to check out his myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lorenmurrell

*Purchase his album I Dream of Feudalism: CLICK HERE. I could not find a link to download his other album Therapy Through Baking so if you want it you'll just have to go see him live!


-Article by Justen Cheney
-Photos by Josh Brasted
 -Compiled by Aaron Saltzman
For more gig photos,
check out Joshua's Flickr.

Making Out With Randoms --

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti


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As mentioned in the Deerhunter review, Fun Fun Fun Fest took place last weekend in Austin. So Monday night not only did we get the Deerhunter/Deakin show, but a wonderful appearance by OS Mutantes and Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti. After Deerhunter I was able to make it for Ariel Pink.

Any performance that starts with the lead singer jumping into the crowd to make out with anyone in sight is bound to be interesting. In an of Montreal-esque fashion, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti fashioned face paint and an array of psychedelic outfits including Ariel Pink in an old woman's blouse and clogs.

It was nice to see a major influence of chill-wave artists such as Neon-Indian, Small Black, Toro y Moi perform live. I had heard negative reviews of the live shows, but I much thoroughly it. For the most part the band was tight, though it did seem at times that Ariel Pink was wasted drunk.

The highlight of the show was "Frightnight (nevermore)" into "Round and Round." Unfortunately this also ended the what seemed like a very short set. As the audience (small because most left when OS Mutantes concluded) applauded for an encore, the curtain on the stage closed. I was left feeling slighty bitter towards Ariel Pink as I found it a bit rude, but putting his character aside, the show proved to be a very enjoyable little dance party.


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In case you still haven't heard Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffitti (as the show was pretty empty) give it a listen!
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: Round and Round
-Article by Aaron Saltzman
-Photos by Josh Brasted
For more pictures from the show,
check out Joshua's Flickr.

quack

There are a lot of good vibes coming from the Garden State these days: Real Estate and Julian Lynch are just a few to name. Having said so it's obvious that Matthew Mondanile's (Real Estate's guitarist) solo work, which he releases under the moniker Ducktails, is just as awesome and laid back. His next album, Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics, is due out soon but I am unable to pinpoint the exact date. At any rate, here's a little taste test; it's called "Dorm Room." Enjoy.

10 November 2010

awesome possum -- tennis

Fat Possum is really impressing me these days.
The Cape Dory LP drops next January. Check out this cover! (looks familiar)

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Bradford Cox Has a Silly Haircut / Deakin

Last night (11/8) at the House of Blues we got to enjoy two talented artists passing through on their way from Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, TX


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Although he’s been on hiatus from Animal Collective for a while, Deakin hasn’t lost his touch. His solo work is mysterious and dark. In a live setting, he works with a mic, a guitar, a knob-covered table, and another dude banging on an electronic drum pad. The experience is very atmospheric and drone-based, with Deakin’s recognizable voice shining through the noise. You can definitely hear the Animal Collective in there, but it’s overbearing, and Deakin definitely offers a different experience. With former bandmate Panda Bear continuously putting off the release of his next album, and other AnCo cohort Avey Tare having just put out a record, Deakin’s shining moment might be forthcoming. Plus, his noise folk set the scene perfectly for headliners, Deerhunter.



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Deerhunter play blissfully fuzzed-out, cathartically unsettling songs that make your head bop. From the get go of opening song “Desire Lines” the concert was a hazy roller coaster ride of beautifully wrought fuzzy pop tunes. The setlist was pretty focused on their acclaimed new album, Halcyon Digest, released in September, but there were also plenty of songs from their equally awesome previous albums, like 2008’s Microcastle. Deerhunter has an interesting stage presence; frontman Bradford Cox is a slightly menacing, but sympathetic character whose gangly outward appearance is humanized through his darkly touching lyrics.  The rest of the band just look like a bunch of ordinary guys up there, pounding out great songs, but there’s also a distinct air of professionalism. Along with that comes Cox’s quirky sense of humor and charming manner. Deerhunter remains at the forefront of guitar-driven indie rock, and continues to pioneer their genre into exciting new places. They have proved their longevity and staying power over the years, and on Monday night, New Orleans was lucky enough to get a taste of it.


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--Photos and article by Connor Crawford

09 November 2010

Sphere!!--- DJ Shadow---

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After a long weekend of tireless promotion for our party on Friday, I passed out on my bed early on Sunday. Unfortunately I missed DJ Shadow gracing us with his superb turntable-ism. According to photographic evidence by our beloved Josh Brasted... it was unreal!

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photos by: Joshua Brasted
-Aaron
For more pictures from the show,
check out Joshua's Flickr.

Well I hope to see you all Friday!!!

08 November 2010

Miss Joanna Newsom!

I am very excited for winding down after our party on Friday with a Joanna Newsom show at Tipitina's this Saturday. If the show I saw her play in London says anything, we are all in for a treat! Hope to see you all at both events this weekend!!

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