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(10/10/11 4:01am)
Tomorrow night feels like it’s posed to ignite a serious case of déjà vu. Back in the olden part of this year’s April, CSS was all set to perform at the Venue of Scottsdale, and then due to mysterious reasons (perhaps a little too much fun at Coachella?) the show was postponed until this Tuesday. But maybe it was a blessing in disguise? This week they bring with them the rambunctious group of JD Samson’s MEN. With a lovely synth pop consistency reminiscent of an ‘80s themed spandex night but complete with poignant lyrics for accompaniment, this is sure to be an entertaining performance. Spawning from the magnificence of Le Tigre’s brainchild, this group’s noble ideals about being yourself shine through their musical disposition. Gaining some more credibility with their most recent release “Talk About Body” in early part of this year, they are touring to promote their eclectic delivery and exposition of music. Not to mention that it will be taking place in the brand spanking new Crescent Ballroom downtown. New place with a new band to perform alongside? Yes, whatever CSS reasons might have been for cancelling, they have returned to the valley with a vengeance. In my overt excitement for both bands performance, I figure since I already raised my CSS flag in April; it was time for MEN to take their comeuppance.
(10/06/11 4:01am)
In honor of my birthday being yesterday, I decided to compile a list of some of the more engaging birthday songs out there. Through my long and arduous journey through countless songs, I was able to ascertain that most birthday songs are either about sex or getting your heart broken. Cheerful sentiments, I say! Regardless of the genre, birthdays always seemed to invoke that bittersweet nostalgia of the year that has gone past so quickly, and those pensive thoughts of what the future will hold. For me this year was not as bittersweet, rather it left me with a great feeling of accomplishment for the new experiences, new friends, and new accomplishments I’ve endured these twelve months. That being said, I tried to keep happier songs on the list, though there are a few classics you just cannot escape.
(10/03/11 4:01am)
A beautiful lake and beautiful music, what more could you ask for? Well taking place this upcoming weekend, Oct. 7-9, is Arizona’s own Apache Lake Music Festival. With over 30 local acts and camping galore, this is shaping up to be one hell of a weekend getaway from the city. For only 30 dollars you can sit back and relax and enjoy both the scenery and sounds as you get a delightful helping of the hearty music scene that AZ has to offer. Bands including Snakes!Snakes!Snakes! (a richly structured indie pop rock outfit that makes some simply wonderful music), Dry River Yacht Club (see my previous Live and Otherwise post), Mergence (who have tones reminiscent of The Black Keys, but have their own special brand of soul that cannot be confused or misappropriated) and over 28 other bands trying to get there name out there and have a good time.
(09/29/11 4:01am)
For years the one thing on my mind was getting out of Arizona. I detested everything about it — the heat, the desert landscape, the public transportation etc. Then one day, I realized how much it had grown on me — the climate, the different places the valley offered for entertainment, and even some of the great food places that can’t be found elsewhere. The valley had become my home; it had integrated itself into my daily life. So naturally in the celebration of my home state, I wanted to showcase some of the best musicians the valley has to offer. There are tons of them! But for the blog’s sake here are three artists that are definitely worth a listen:
(09/26/11 4:01am)
This week seems to be packed with great shows for any music lover. No matter what genre gets you wired, there’s a vibrant variety being served this fine week. First up, tonight’s a road trip night. Start the week with a little neon. Maybe throw an Indian into the mix. Or just check out the wonderful blissed out bedroom synth pop that is Neon Indian. With is luscious beats and rhythms, Neon Indian’s Alan Palermo delights listeners far and wide. Having literally just dropped an album (came out September 13th) his musical confection makes its way on over to Tucson’s Club Congress this fine evening. Definitely worth the hour and some change drive, with tickets at only $14 and an early showtime, it will get the week off to a bright start. My pick from him:
(09/22/11 4:01am)
The performance of a live music ensemble requires more than just the raw talent of the performers. The venue plays a large and distinct role in the way a show will play out. Even if the musician has a rich and invigorating sound, bad acoustics or technical difficulties can wear thin on a concert goer’s conscience. A recent show at the Venue of Scottsdale definitely taught me that a badly placed tiled column can put a downer on your evening’s festivities. So what are some of the best venues in the valley that usually encourage enjoyable concerts?
(09/19/11 4:01am)
Guitars for charity. More specifically guitar art for charity.
(09/15/11 4:01am)
You’re out on a date with an amazing person. They’re funny, charming, and all around impossible to dislike. You’re pretty sure this person ranks in the top ten of your past history of dating.
(09/12/11 9:11pm)
Au Gratis. A beautiful Latin phrase that expresses a sentiment that makes my heart sing with a deep-seated happiness. Who ever thought diamonds were supposed to be the greatest treasure clearly never had the simple joy of getting something for free. The elation intermingled with an enormous self satisfaction. It’s the best. So what does this have to do with a music blog? Well it turns out there are many legal ways to discover new music for those too financially challenged for iTunes or Amazon mp3. These websites are great archives of new music, and an awesome way to listen to new releases from your favorite artists.
(09/08/11 1:09pm)
I usually enjoy being surprised. Whether it’s in a movie theater perched at the edge of my seat due to a respectably thrilling horror flick, or being pleasantly surprised that the bus has arrived on time, it’s quite the splendid web of emotion. As long as there’s no negative aftertaste to the catalyst of my surprise, I am generally a very happy camper.
(09/05/11 4:01am)
The keys of a piano are always enticing. The way their chords pierce through the silence and harmonize to form a luscious cloud of noise and reverence. Slowly and steadily the phrases they create form a picture that can engage an audience without words or dialogue. When there are words, the piano can complement the lyrics and make a statement that much more eloquent. When a band utilizes this most precious tool to their advantage it can convey an entirely new message to their sound and lyrics. This week’s Live and Otherwise pick goes to California’s Cold War Kids (CWK). With a deeper melodic sound and rich vocals, these guys have concocted a smooth dosing of indie rock harmony. Out on the road promoting their most recent record, “Mine is Yours,” CWK makes it to the Valley this week to make their splendid sound heard amongst the desert heat. The many catchy riffs that CWK brings across so well are sure to be as gripping as their recorded material, which spans a number of EP’s and three full length releases. Lead singer Nathan Willett’s voice will undoubtedly be as smooth on stage as off. Cold War Kids will be at the Marquee Theater in Tempe tomorrow night. Tickets are $18. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
(09/01/11 4:01am)
A devilish smile, large eyes filled with wonder, mischief, and a bit of bright eyed insanity. Throw in large ears and a rather spherical head… Who is this debonair figure sparking your intense curiosity and your need to dance like a crazy person? After 2.5 hours of movin’ and groovin’ at the hands of the famous maestro known as Deadmau5 (pronounced dead mouse), he’s the only one that comes to mind.
(08/29/11 4:01am)
Nostalgia: that revered emotion that can be triggered by the smallest of trinkets or devices. Nostaligia’s greatest gift can sometime result from a song not heard in years, those first notes and chords taking you away to that far away land of memory and experience.
(08/25/11 4:01am)
This week’s Thursday “Live and Otherwise” words of wisdom were supposed to be concerned with taking the car out on the open road and enjoying a relatively inexpensive music festival/street fair called Sunset Junction, located a mere six hours away in the California metropolis of Los Angeles.
(08/22/11 4:01am)
So what’s the perfect remedy to get psyched up to pour through textbooks and countless assignments? Why a pump-yourself-up playlist of course! This one in particular is filled with some fresh artists that may be just what you need. These are beginning of the year picks to induce a more pleasant study hour and create a less tension filled arena for homework. Or a nice mix to just dance in your living room to. I leave that choice up to you.
(08/18/11 4:01am)
It has begun. That exhilarating rush that comes from an intoxicating combination of financial aid refunds co-mingled with the mild apprehension that everything you learned last semester has somehow leaked out of your head. Between the many road trips and nights spent partying into the wee hours of the morning, synapses might have gotten rusty. Even if you’ve spent most of the summer with the Netflix home webpage fixed in front of those ever attentive eyes, the fact remains that school has arrived, whether our brains are ready to be receptive to new information or not.
(05/03/11 12:42pm)
Imagine a grown man (scruffy facial hair included) dressed in a furry white sheep’s costume. Now imagine said sheep man with a cigarette set between his lips and a bottle of alcohol to drink his sorrows away. Now I know what you’re thinking. No, this isn’t some satire aimed at the Lamb Chop puppet of our childhood yesteryear. This is in fact the premise of a music video from this week’s live music pick. This week, Alaska’s Portugal. The Man makes its way to the valley complete with a lot of soul and a bit of progressive indie rock. Their infusion of soulful vocals and rich instrumentals for support, offer a unique helping of sincere lyrics which can paint a lovely picture (no sheep men included-though sheep-man did have character!). Their new release “In The Mountain In The Cloud” is due out July 19, and their tour is definitely sure to entertain. My first pick comes from the “The Satanic Satanist” release of 2009:
(05/01/11 2:18pm)
Remember that Mitsubishi commercial from a number of years ago (circa 2001), where there were two guys and a woman driving in an eclipse and she was performing all of these crazy arm-dance moves? Then there was this catchy song playing as she engaged in this behavior? Well turns out that corporate advertising actually used a talented ensemble this time (believe me, back then good jingles weren’t as frequent): Dirty Vegas. The UK house-electronica group is blessing us Arizonans with their funky fresh presence this week at the Rhythm Room. After reaching considerable mainstream attention with “Days Go By” (the aforementioned car dance song), two albums and a subsequent break up followed. Well, good for us they decided to get back together and release “Electric Love” on April 26. My picks for them:
(04/26/11 12:57pm)
It’s that wonderful time of year again. You know the one I’m talking about, don’t you? Where finals and projects start piling up, slowly deteriorating your once agile mind into a squishy blob of mush? An enriching time where all-nighters take the place of actual rest, and work is done in the wee hours of the night. So what usually keeps those heavy-lidded eyes from closing? Caffeine, of course. But also another key element: music. iTunes libraries which blast constantly through your ears to focus the mind at the task at hand. So I’ve taken it upon myself the lowly burden of making a short list of some artists that are bound to make homework more interesting. Or at least tolerable.
(04/24/11 1:34pm)
This week’s music pick is rolling into town with a bang. Literally because “bang” is a term in their band name. All bad jokes aside (ahem) there is decent sounds to be heard this week. Hailing from the bustling metropolis of Knoxville, TN, the indie experimental trio brings their spunky rock to the Valley’s own Rhythm Room. While having garnered some exposure over seas, Royal Bangs comes complete with a new album to promote. The buzz these guys have been getting is more than acceptable, and having recently played on Letterman, they are poised to attract the attention of a wider audience. With their gritty percussion, and slinky rhythms, these guys are sure to please at least someone in that crowd. So if you're in the mood for danceable experimental indie rock (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) head on yonder to the Rhythm Room next Sunday night and experience what you’ve been missing. Songs you should know: