I got the following email from NOLA's own 60's-inspired indie pop band Generationals this morning:
Hi everyone, Our new LPActor-Casteris now available (links below), so we thought we would drop a line. Ted and I spent most of last year working on this record and we're very proud of it. I think it's the best thing we've done yet. (Here's a video of us actually working on it in the studio inDClast summer, seems so long ago:
A few months ago we started a videocollaboration with our friend Albert Birney who directed the video for "Ten-Twenty-Ten," the firstsingle fromActor-Caster. We love this video, Albert did a fantastic job and we hope you like it too.
I had dirty dreams last night. This track compliments them nicely. The name of this tune is "Find Me," and features some lady called Anneka. The artist is a new bassy electronic producer called Goldrush from L.A. Beyond that I know very little. It has this glitchy, bass thing I seem to love here and there. Simply beautiful. Crank your sub. Thanks to my great buddy Sloane for sending this over. Lots of love.
I was lucky enough this morning to wake up to the exciting news that one of my favorite bands' sophomore effort, Helplessness Blues, had leaked. Within a few minutes I was able to get a good internet grip on the album and listen to it from beginning to end.
The album opens with the honest and beautifully clear voice of Pecknold posing this question: "So, now I am older than my mother and father when they had their daughter. Now what does that say about me?" Pecknold has gotten a bit older since Fleet Foxes first hit the scene and it's clear that he's spent a good deal of time thinking about life. An attitude of existentially drenched reflection persists throughout the entire album, and is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The sound may be somewhat different, but the reason I love this band remains the same; I know I'm not alone in my self-scrutiny, and that makes me a little more comfortable in my own skin. Hell, I'll even go out on a limb and say it makes me happy to question my own existence incessantly.
If you have the means to do so, get your hands on a copy of this album immediately (and buy it, of course, when it drops officially on May 3rd), and if you aren't, prepare yourself mentally for one of 2011's very best.
If you haven't already heard this track, be ashamed of yourself.
This one really resonates with me. I proudly call Memphis, Tennessee home, and The National are my favorite band --- put those two things together and it makes me one very happy guy. And that's exactly what legendary Stax recording artist Booker T. Jones has done. For his forthcoming album The Road From Memphis (Out May 10 via Anti-), Jones has recruited The National's lead singer Matt Berninger along with Sharon Jones, Jim James (of My Morning Jacket), Lou Reed, and The Roots. The result is sure to be a glorious amalgamation of old school soul and the best of today's indie scene. Matt Berninger's baritone has never sounded so soulful, and it harmonizes perfectly with the croon of modern day diva Sharon Jones. Good ol' Pitchfork has the stream of the album cut "Representing Memphis" here.
Also check out Booker T. playing with The Roots here on "Everything Is Everything:"
This past Tuesday, Snoop Doggy Dogg graced Tulane with his presence in McAlister Auditorium. I'd seen Snoop once before, and while I usually try to avoid concerts of stars as large as Snoop, his show was worth making an exception for. The man knows how to entertain. He’s done music, TV, movies, commercials, and even a “Girls Gone Wild” DVD (which he signed my copy of!). Years of experience in the entertainment business have clearly paid off, as he was able to keep the crowd energy at a ten all night.
Snoop played a great mix of his tracks, both new and old. It’s amazing how many Snoop songs I know without realizing it. He's been around for so long and produced so many great tracks that his music has wormed its way into our collective unconsciousness. I found myself singing along to almost every track without even thinking about it, and so did most of the crowd. Mystikal made a surprise guest appearance and performed a couple of ditties including “Shake Ya Ass” with Snoop. Ace! I could go on forever about how great the show was, but that's not the point of this article. Something happened at the show that put a massive damper on my evening. I can’t stop thinking about it and I have to get it out somehow.
After an incredible display of booty shaking by one lucky fan, Snoop began playing “Sensual Seduction” and a pack of about thirty Tulane girls joined him onstage. They lined up towards the back, in front of the band, and began to… move their knees. What in the world?!!?!?!?!?
Call me crazy, but if you are invited on stage with Snoop Dogg, DANCE!!! I’m talking drop it like it’s hot. Hotter than hot. Hands on the ground, butts in the air. Hump the floor. Whatever, just do SOMETHING rather than act like it’s a Tuesday night at the dumb Boot. Some girls didn’t even move at all until one of Snoop’s boys told them to dance. I could not believe my eyes. It was so pathetic.
I want to extend my apologies to all Tulane girls. I have been a semi-fan of you all for years now, but after last night, I am saddened. All your reputations were tarnished Tuesday evening whether you could help it or not. This is a day that will live in infamy.
I leave you all with one piece of advice. College is about loving oneself and being comfortable to really show the world who you are. Grab life by the balls. If you are given an opportunity like dancing for Snoop, embrace it to the fullest. Drop the insecurities. No one cares, and no wants to be a part of them. Confidence in everything you do will get you ahead in life. Until next time…. SnnnnOooooOOOOOOooOOoOooPPP!!.
*Note: This article was also published in the Tulane Hullabaloo. Check it out here!
Snoop Dogg's 11th (!) studio album Doggumentary will be released on March 29. Check out one of the tracks from the awesomely-titled LP below:
The Parish has done an excellent job recently of really helping me get into an appropriate summer mood (as if the weather wasn't enough). The small upstairs concert hall at the House of Blues has been host to many impressive acts like Tennis, Holiday Shores, and Surfer Blood in the past two weeks alone.
Last Wednesday a surprising crowd came out to see Florida beach indie-rockers Holiday Shores and Surfer Blood do what they do best. As a huge fan of Holiday Shores' debut record, Columbus'd the Whim, it was much to my chagrin to hear only two songs from the 2009 gem. But even in the shadow disappointment, I was thoroughly impressed with the bands overall delivery. Many of the Shores tracks, performed live, are given liberties by the band to develop and evolve, allowing them to become entities of their own and go places that may not be experienced otherwise. Though this tended to account for a playlist composed of many longer pieces, an atmosphere of depth and timelessness, reminiscent of the Doors, was achieved.
The energetic and talented musicians that make up Surfer Blood were nothing short of extraordinary. When a band drenches their music in as much reverb as these guys do, it's always hard to know what you should expect live. But rest assured hipsters, my skepticism has been put to bed and I'm a believer; the delivery of their music live, along with their onstage antics, is impeccable. The setlist, as expected, was made up predominantly of hit tracks from their acclaimed 2010 debut release, Astro Coast. However, the set was also littered with several new tracks that makes giddy as a little girl to get my hands on their forthcoming EP, I'm Not Ready. The future is bright for these young men; put on your sunglasses.
*Disclaimer: I couldn't help but throw in this sweet picture of me getting down onstage with Surfer Blood. Thanks for the photo, Josh.
