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(04/19/11 4:01am)
Chairs. This is the first thing I remember when walking into the Marquee Theater last Friday night. Four rows of them set up neatly 50 yards from the stage, some of them filled, some of them not. This was the first time I had never seen such a phenomenon at the Marquee, and it was even more obvious to the naked eye before the room filled with eager concert-goers. “Is it for those who are handicapped?” I thought to myself. “That’s kind of a neat idea." Then I took a good hard look at the people actually sitting in them, and they weren’t handicapped at all (except for perhaps their dancing abilities). Just a bunch of non-dancers who were too cool to stand with the rest of us near the stage, or attempt to boogie to the music. Even when the room was filled with people, I think they still remained sitting! Mind-boggling, to say the least.
(04/17/11 4:01am)
So when you hear the words "down under," what are the first things that come to mind? Australia right? Well I’m thinking of another location a little closer to home. This week, hailing from Brazil, is the ever eccentric CSS. The dance outfit who hails from Sao Paolo (the name is an abbreviation for Cansei de Ser Sexy, which means “got tired of being sexy” in Portuguese) whose fast paced and witty songs make you want to dance, comes to Scottsdale this Tuesday. Singing half in English, half in Portuguese, the quirky blend combines to make lovely indie pop that will have you singing along in Portuguese (even if you have no idea what they are saying). My first pick for them:
(04/12/11 4:01am)
Though most of the outrage of the general public was aimed at Arcade Fire for being the unknown to come in and sweep away the Grammy from other well-known popstars, another group could be tried for the same “crime." Which group is guilty? Why the Black Keys of course! With their spunky rhythms filled with blues and golden guitar riffs, their tunes are beloved by many an indie music lover. Lucky for some Arizonans, this great tutelage of musical awesomeness will be performed at the Mesa Amphitheater this Thursday.
(04/10/11 2:12pm)
Two months ago, the Internet was racked with emotional out cries of “who is Arcade Fire?” This week, the Valley gets to find out the answer to that query at the Comerica Theater. Arcade Fire, whose recent Grammy-win whipped the masses into a confused tailspin, has been making music for years. With their large sound (due in part to the numerous members in their ensemble), they have inspired and made great music that sticks with many a music lovers. From “Funeral” to “Neon Bible” to the latest and biggest U.S. mainstream release, "The Suburbs:" The truth stands that Arcade Fire loves to weave intricate pictures with their poignant lyrics and beautiful harmonies. Though their newest release has garnered them the most attention, my first pick for them is an oldie from one of their first full-length releases “Funeral:"
(04/05/11 4:01am)
It’s finally here. No, not the scorching heat or the high concentration of allergy-inducing pollen. Nope. People, it's festival season! We’re at that miraculous time of year where certain cities in America host the best and largest music festivals. Sasquatch, Bonnaroo, and Coachella: These are some of the heavy hitters. Each line-up showcases a different offering of musical goodness that will no doubt draw thousands upon thousands to each event. Festivals in themselves are magical entities. The entire atmosphere is devoted to trying to enjoy the music and the people that are participating. The heat, the fun, and the great stories made to be recounted later, all work to make a festival a memorable experience. So I thought why not make a mix to commemorate festival season? A little slice of what’s to come. Also, an opportunity for those of us who are lacking in the funds department to get a slice of the fun. For those more fortunate, this is simply a warm-up. Either way, enjoy!
(04/03/11 1:44pm)
I love names that leave nothing for speculation. For example: British Sea Power. The first thought: is this band British? And the delightful answer to that question is yes. Hailing from ye olde Brighton, England, British Sea Powers indie pop persona of energy and catchy riffs make them a delightful international sensation. With their newest release "Valhalla Dancehall" hitting stores this past January, their fresh on everyone's radar. Definitely a contender with some of the other more well known indie acts today, British Sea Power has stellar sound that brings their own creativity to the mix. Though they've been around for several years, their sound shows no signs of getting old anytime soon. This next track is one of my favorites, though it is from their 2008 release "Do You Like Rock Music":
(03/29/11 4:01am)
As I strolled into the Rhythm Room at a little after 8 p.m., I was surprised to find that so many had already shown up for the Miniature Tigers/Pepper Rabbit show. The crowd was rapidly forming, and though their last show was a sold-out affair, it was still nice to see that so many had made the journey to Indian School Road and 10th Street this lovely Thursday evening. A crowd of mostly college-age hipsters and music lovers, it was obvious that everyone held an eager anticipation for this evening’s show. First band to open was the local and delightful sound from ROAR.
(03/27/11 4:01am)
My heart thudded painfully in my chest when I heard those dreaded few words. Those two words had destroyed my dreams for making this the first year I would attend the auspicious event known as the Coachella Music Festival.
(03/22/11 1:40pm)
You know those days when it feels like you can’t concentrate on one solitary item at a time? Your mind jumps from project to project, event to event, in a fraction of a second? While this may only happen when the pressure comes to a breaking point, for the mind of Gregg Michael Gillis this is the key to his brilliance. As the brain behind Girl Talk, his wicked mashups of everything from hip-hop to '90s pop music create a rhythm of their own. When the music first plays through the speakers, the confection of chaos that ensues almost makes you want to turn it off. But don’t! As the music starts to play, your ears start to put those spastic sounds into a unique dance beat that you can’t wait to shake your booty to. With short samples from a multitude of artists, Gillis puts it together for something new entirely. His newest release “Feed The Animals” shows his style of party music in his usual fashionable chaos.
(03/08/11 5:01am)
The birds are singing, the sky is blue, and all you can think about are the exciting things you plan to do while on the miraculous hiatus known as spring break. As the weather warms up, the tendency to relax and do nothing wars with the necessity to actually get assignments and homework completed. Fortunately, while either lounging in front of the pool, or in front of a computer screen there’s always sure to be some musical numbers wafting in the background. There are a ton of songs perfect for either activity, but here are some of my picks inspired by the madness of the month of March. Enjoy!
(03/06/11 5:01am)
This week’s live music pick heads in straight from the heart of New York. It’s Hoodie Allen! This New York-based hip-hop artist is definitely not afraid to march to his own beat. With his unique samples (from bands like Marina & The Diamonds and Death Cab For Cutie) and his quirky lyrics, this artist delightfully stands out in a crowd. His music has an old school twinge to it which brings its listener back to the olden days of rapping. Which is nice because auto-tune gets really old after a while… Hoodie is definitely the exception and doesn’t have to rely on clichéd lyrics to create a catchy and interesting song. The best part about Hoodie? He offers most of his music as free downloads, showing that he really wants to spread his love of music to as many as he can. Excellent, right? The albums are mostly mixtapes, including a terrific EP entitled Bagels & Beats, which I just can’t get enough of. My first pick for Hoodie Allen is a smoothly produced track called “Back to the 50's”, off the Bagels & Beats EP:
(03/01/11 5:01am)
The Internet was set ablaze with fury and outrage. Expletives were being spewed at an alarming frequency. Was this some new legislation on immigration or marriage? Or some protest for a war? No, not at all. This energy was being tunneled into one almighty question: Who the F*&%K is Arcade Fire?????
(02/27/11 7:38pm)
What’s in a name? Well something big in the case of my indie pick for this week. Young The Giant (YTG), a California-based indie rock quintet, will be gracing the stage at our very own Rhythm Room in Phoenix later this week. What makes these guys so special? Well, with a stellar vocalist (Sameer Gadhia) whose chill inducing falsetto can hit many a melodious note, and a solid instrumental backing, these guys have all the key ingredients for a wonderfully vivid sound. I discovered YTG early last year while searching the web for some other musical ensemble. This search brought me to a fantastic website called www.biguglyyellowcouch.com which showcases a variety of indie acts performing acoustically, and lo and behold YTG was on there. With a rich sound and rich vocals, YTG creates vivid depictions of love and self-scrutinization that have the listener waiting in anticipation for that next note or hook. YTG released their self-titled full length debut this past October, and have since played gigs like Jimmy Kimmel Live and toured with several acts including Steel Train and Minus The Bear. Though originally named the Jakes, after a quick switcheroo of some members the guys had their rebirth as Young The Giant. This rebirth spawned a wonderfully enticing collection of new songs that I can’t get enough of. My picks for them?
(02/22/11 5:01am)
The crowd is cheering. “One more song! One more song!” is the rhythmic chant echoing throughout the densely packed audience. A few minutes pass and the crowd begins to wonder if their pleas will go unanswered.
(02/20/11 5:01am)
Love is in the air. Or wait, maybe that was last week on Feb. 14—a day for chocolate, cards, and beautifully wrapped presents? Oh, and your signficant other. But don’t fret, love is still in the neighborhood, only this time it's in the form of a band. Which band? The Love Language, of course! The trials and tribulations of frontman Stuart McLamb explicated through heartfelt songs about love’s high and lows. There’s no sappy nostalgia or over dramatic love metaphors that have a man singing so hard that he’s sure to rupture a disc. No, these are just raw lyrics that beautifully tell the complicated story that love develops. With surging drum rhythms and lo-fi guitar solos, The Love Language gives a catchy beat that only leaves you humming along. Some of their standout tunes?
(02/15/11 5:01am)
The music creshendo to an overwhelming volume, and your heart pounds in rhythm to the beat of the drum as the hero/heroine of the movie is running for their lives from the relentless assassin/killer/ or advisor. Or maybe a heartbreaking scene is unfolding in front of your eyes and the protagonist has to make the hard choices that can’t help but pull on your heartstrinkgs. The song explains more than dialogue ever could. The soundtrack of a movie is as essential to the plot unfolding as the script. The music can speak volumes in places where too much dialogue could just pull away from the visual cues that tell the story and trigger the emotion. So what makes a music soundtrack tick? Well usually there is a key scene, chase, kiss or equally dramatic circumstance involved and the music makes it all the more poignant. Sometimes a great soundtrack is more memorable than the movie itself, and it stays with you. Here’s five picks of some stellar soundtracks and the movies that have forever forged them in my memory:
(02/13/11 5:01am)
Music is the language of the soul. No, it’s not the title of some New Age self-help book, or yet another "Chicken Soup for the Soul" concoction.
(02/08/11 5:01am)
It’s that time of year again. No, not taxes. Something much more upbeat. And musical. And free. It’s Devilpalooza 2011! The lovely free concert that graces our campus once a year on the SRC fields, complete with entertainment and good music (and a ferris wheel!). This year’s line-up promises to be a good one: Motion City Soundtrack, fun., and The Maine. At least one thing these three groups hold in common? The fact that each band has an uplifting sound that’s sure to produce some smiles (or at least a slight head nod).
(02/06/11 5:01am)
At first my aim was to make a January mix of great tunes for your willing ears. Then I realized: It’s February already! What does February mean? The over-commercialized holiday of Valentine’s Day! Now while I am a firm believer that certain parts of Valentine’s Day promote shameless consumerism (ahem), I do believe that love is something to be celebrated. Be it friendly, romantic, or familial, the bonds that tie us to the people we care about make us who we are. So a music mix in its honor seemed more than fitting. Though this mix focuses on the romantic perspective, love is beautiful no matter what. So listen to this mix if you have that significant other that makes your world (and heart) explode into new meaning, or even if your single, let the music take you away to what could be.
(02/01/11 5:01am)
The sun’s tumultuous rays stream from the noon-day sky. The small grassy area partitioned off for the musical extravaganza about to ensue is packed densely with 100,000 sweaty and dehydrated concert-goers. Even though you’ve been standing for hours, you feel energized with the building excitement that precedes each act, preparing for the inevitable big-time headliners still hours away. An outside music festival is an experience in its own category, and each experience is never quite the same. Dreams of fulfilling my music festival fantasies danced in my head as I prepared to buy tickets for one such event. I had just filled out my credit card information, and was getting ready to click the place order button when something stopped me.