Atlas Sound- Bedroom Databank Vol. 1

Bradford Cox knows a thing or two about time management. Not two months after the release of Deerhunter's latest full length album Halcyon Digest he's back in action with a fresh new Atlas Sound release entitled Bedroom Databank Vol. 1. The majority of this eleven track volume was recorded in Bradford's home this November 15-22.

click here to download Bedroom Databank Vol. 1 for free!!!
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iron + wine

It’s been a throwback kind of week here in New Orleans: two bands of my lonely indie boyhood dreams playing consecutive days in one weekend! On Saturday night Sam Beam and company played a sold out show at the House of Blues. One can only hope that after building anticipation for over 6 years to see a band, it will actually be enough to justify all the time spent waiting. This was certainly the case, as Iron + Wine did not disappoint.

The evening began with a short sample of Iron + Wine at it’s very core, as the simple solo vehicle for the creative folk genius of Sam Beam. Beam, dressed in a black suit and sporting his usual bushy beard, opened with a predominantly a cappella rendition of The Shepherd’s Dog’s closing track, “Flightless Bird, American Mouth;” his gentle vocals filled the fairly large concert hall as the audience listened in a reverent silence that spoke for the holiness of his music.

After performing “Up Over the Mountain” from his first full length, The Creek Drank the Cradle, Beam invited the supporting members of his band, which was 7 strong at it’s largest, onto stage. As the set progressed, the band did a wonderful job of playing a diverse list of songs from each album and the next high point came with the performance of “Woman King” from the 2005 EP that shares the same title. During this piece, as well as others, Beam’s supporting guitarist implemented the use of an electric banjo that attributed to much of the song’s overall splendor.

In closing, the band performed a shadowy, drawn-out version of Wolves, that built incessantly into a roaring guitar solo before being cut off without notice, to slowly but tenderly dissipate. It wasn’t long however until they were back for an encore to play an obvious crowd favorite, “Boy with a Coin,” from the latest full-length album.

When all is said and done, this was an extremely impressive show. In the anticipation of seeing a folk band like this, that is known at times for it’s manifestation of beauty within simplicity, one never knows exactly what to expect. During this performance however, less was not necessarily more, and it was my sentiment that Beam and his band did a wonderful job of not only playing a diverse set list, but also of adapting his deeply emotional folk songs to an intelligent live performance.

-Article by Justen Cheney -Photos by Josh Brasted

For more pictures from the show,

check out Joshua's Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brasted/

STARSSSS****

This evening at the Republic our friends at Winter Circle are putting on a lovely show. With the release of their beautiful new album The Five Ghosts I think we are in for a treat. In case you still haven't heard anything from the album, have a listen below. Should make for a relaxing end to the weekend.



Review + Photos by Josh after the show. Check back soon!

P.S. Iron and Wine update coming in the next few days as well.

God I love flute... BONOBO LIVE!

Here in New Orleans we lack a lot of basic things that most cities have: decently paved roads, city wide recycling, and adequate public transportation. To make up for it... we have lots of booze and music! After being gone for a year, it was nice to see so many new places hosting musical acts. One of the more suprising venues on that list has to be The Republic in the CBD.

When the Republic opened it was my place to go dance; because New Orleans doesn't seem to have too many night clubs dedicated to that purpose, it soon became a lot of peoples place to dance and the uniqueness of the parties quickly faded. However, things have lately seemed to turn around. Between Mumford and Sons, Beats Antique, STARS this evening, and most importantly for this review, Bonobo, the Republic has been successfully drawing a diverse crowd once again. In fact, I have spent more time seeing music in the Republic this year than New Orleans's legendary Tipitina's.



As already mentioned, last Wednesday Bonobo (live set) came to impress. I had only heard good things, and since I could not afford the $50 price tag on a ticket in London, I was ecstatic to finally see them. As they took the stage I took note of the six man band led by a flute! The energy built in the crowd as they began their second song "Kong," an obvious favorite. Quickly moving on, Bonobo introduced the vocalist, Andrea Tryanna, who's voice brought tears to my eyes. This blend of music that I would typically only expect to hear from a laptop producer was incredible in the context of a live performance with real vocals.
The set flowed seamlessly and the crowd really seemed to get loose, especially when the last song, "Kiara," hit it's first note. The short set flew by, but I loved it nonetheless. Those who were lucky enough to catch them on their last pass through Nola expressed a desire for more intimacy, but bands change; especially with the coming of popularity. For those who missed this show, get on the train soon because I sense very good things to come for these guys.

-Article by Aaron Saltzman -Photos by Josh Brasted

For more pictures from the show,

check out Joshua's Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brasted/

Animals and Monsters

We railed the last of it, exchanged my luxury shades for his authentic backpack, and left for the train station.

Time for us was a pile of antiquated bricks; he dropped me off with our goodbyes swift and without remorse; pallid remarks, lackluster jokes, nasty thoughtways were slapped on as shoddy mortar. He could get good coke though, and I owe it to him that that was and will be the only time I transact with Hispanic gangsters on fast motorcycles.

Up then down. The ticket lady covered in sweat decamped this feeling of relief, informed me maximum capacity of said train had been reached. She told me it’s better to book ahead online than pay upfront, and she made it sound like my cash was losing value as we spoke. I asked her if it was and she said she wasn’t sure what I meant.

It was 2:30. The next train was tomorrow morning at 10:20. I knew I wouldn’t call Alex. He had nothing more to offer. I had entirely bested the situation. Just before we left he'd gone to the bathroom, and the thief in me had managed to cram his dad's neat old-fashioned briefcase and third edition of Jude the Obscure inside my newly acquired backpack. No, I would not return. So I walked upstairs into the street's sunlight, wishing I had my sunglasses, but assured myself the times felt a backpack more necessary. I started imagining Dora the Explorer snorting lines off intimate body parts, and was on my way.

First things are always first. I had $40 and some change along with a bit of pot, but no papers. Sifting through the city's framework, I’d wandered into the gay district, welcomed on all sides by colorful eccentric sex shops. I kept my virtue in tact, eventually finding a tobacconist. I took the tattered briefcase out, submerged the papers and pot underneath the ocean of jargony scribblings, and was on my way. The briefcase was so I could feel okay in public places. It was questionless that it served as the ultimate defense against any accusation of impropriety. I'd shaken hands with my new role for the day: Knight #1 in ragamuffin armor.

And then I met the test of putting this theory into practice. This grey man with crooked nose, spatulate beard, and a rusted bike stopped me in my tracks to state, “Important business.” He sounded deliberately factual, though the words gargled when spoken. His voice was that of a crocodile with a mouthful of raspberries. At once I was fascinated, and instantly agreed, and asked if he’d like to join me on this important business of mine.

Playlist Three!! Bitches.

--Graphic design by Euan Patrick Wallace

Cults- Go Outside
Big History- Every Bone
Blackbird Blackbird- Happy High
Avey Tare- Laughing Hieroglyphic
Jai Paul- BTSTU
Foster the People- Pumped Up Kicks
John Roberts- August
The Black Heart Procession- Devotion
Azari & III- Into The Night
Girls- Carolina

Check them all out and download what you want (right click + "save as"). Enjoy!

P.S. Check out the track by the up and coming New Orleans act Big History.
P.P.S. Don't drink the water.

Love,
art/official

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long gay hair

though this is jacked straight from our music blogging superiors, pitchfork, sometimes stories like these are just too good to pass up. we are all blessed with yet another reason to love the weirdo weed punk rocker nathan williams of wavves. check out what he had to say after getting arrested in germany for being caught with a bag of weed at a roadside check. and buy a wavves kitty-cat grinder people; they're sporty!

Click here to read the article