If you’ve never been to the Middle East in Cambridge, MA, it’s an absolute must. I had the privilege of squeezing into the Middle East Upstairs, which was about the size of my apartment’s living room, to see Stars of Track and Field open for Lights.
Who are you mystery man? Your music is wonderful.
There was also an opening one-man act before Stars of Track and Field; I walked in about half way through his set. His friend was kind enough to give me his name, but I can’t remember. I’m sorry, mystery noise man, but I really, really enjoyed your music. Standing on stage, he seemed incredibly serious in his dressy black duds and straight face, but once he got his fingers on the synth and his mouth on that mic, it was wonderful. Think Shiny Toy Guns with more of an M83 vibe. Once I find his name (I will find his name, please help me out), I’ll link you.
Kevin Calaba, vocals and guitar
Then Stars of Track and Field took the stage. I mean that in the most comprehensive way possible. This trio from Portland totally dominated the stage with their humble-yet-inherently-cool-because-we’re-musicians presence with their big rock feel and Kevin Calaba’s crystal clear vocals. Their sound draws traces from U2, Coldplay, My Bloody Valentine, the Silversun Pickups and at one point, I scribbled “Switchfoot matured and made good” on my notepad. It’s rock with a little ambience, just enough to make it full and interesting – nothing overdone, nothing burdened with too much effort.
Jason Bell, guitar and vocals.
Most of their set consisted of songs from their September release A Time For Lions, and after a little research I’ve found that this album is very different from their first, Centuries Before Love and War. As a forever fan of Brand New, I am all about genre-jumping between albums.
The mellow Centuries Before Love and War has a more electronic element reminiscent of the Postal Service, check out this popular track ‘Say Hello:’
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So why the switch to a more mainstream sound? In an interview with Billboard, Kevin Calaba explained,
I want to grab them by the head and shake them. I don’t want to be background music.
It seems to be working since the fans, new and old, are responding real well to A Time for Lions. I mean, what better way to shake people than change up your sound? Here’s a comment from Spinner.com:
I’ve been a HUGE fan of Stars of Track and Field since the release of ‘Centuries Before Love and War.’ This new single is fantastic … they maintain their unique sound, but have stretched into a new realm. I’m going to spend the next two months counting down the days til I can make ‘A Time for Lions’ all mine! – erickasunhine33
The tracks are great, but I seriously recommend seeing them live to get the full experience!
Atlas Sound aka Deerhunter's Bradford Cox
Keeping it short and sweet here.
I just really like this track off of Atlas Sound’s Logos released earlier this month. Atlas Sound is the name of Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox’s solo project.
Spin magazine described ‘Walkabout’ as the following:
Bradford Cox’s blissed-out fantasy of an Animal Collective song playing on a merry-go-round at Panama City Bead in 1966
Pretty accurate, I’d say. It goes really well with rainy Sundays and the-end-of-fall time. Have a go:
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In unrelated news, Rolling Stone gave 4 stars to ‘Party in the U.S.A.’ by Miley Cyrus while Grizzly Bear’s ‘While You Wait for the Others’ received 3. I’m a little beyond bothered.
What to you get when you take Conor Oberst, M. Ward, Jim James and Mike Mogis?
Oh for Christ’s sake, you must be living under a rock if you didn’t know that the answer is Monsters of Folk!
How to describe this collaboration… Monsters of Folk is a glorified sort of hillbilly rock that leaves room for a little class and a lot bite (I mean, they are monsters after all). Since Tuesday, the debut of their self-titled album, I’ve been listening to this collection of 15 tracks on repeat to get a good, firm grasp on my opinions. They don’t seem to mess around with the music, so I won’t mess around with the review. But so far, I’m really liking it. The songs take you to other worlds. On my way back from Coolidge Corner last night, I pumped up ‘The Right Place’ in my earphones, and when I closed my eyes I saw people ho-downing in the grass at sundown.
A more formal review to follow, I promise.
But anyways, if you missed it last night or want to watch it again, check out their performance on Conan O’Brien:
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It beats me how it happened, but America has developed this ridiculous propensity for blood-sucking entertainment.
Without decent explanation, I can’t bring myself to see the Twilight movie nor do I want to read the books. But the soundtrack for New Moon (the next movie of the Twilight trilogy) has just been finalized, and the track list has really got my interest.
It features brand new singles from big names like Lykke Li and one-of-a kind duets from not only Bon Iver and St. Vincent but also a [what I'm predicting to be genius] collaboration between Grizzly Bear and Beach House.
Take a peek, or a good look if you’re so inclined:
01 Death Cab for Cutie: “Meet Me on the Equinox”
02 Band of Skulls: “Friends”
03 Thom Yorke: “Hearing Damage”
04 Lykke Li: “Possibility”
05 The Killers: “A White Demon Love Song”
06 Anya Marina: “Satellite Heart”
07 Muse: “I Belong to You (New Moon Remix)”
08 Bon Iver and St. Vincent: “Rosyln”
09 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: “Done All Wrong”
10 Hurricane Bells: “Monsters”
11 Sea Wolf: “The Violet Hour”
12 OK Go: “Shooting the Moon”
13 Grizzly Bear: “Slow Life” [ft. Beach House's Victoria Legrand]
14 Editors: “No Sound But the Wind”
15 Alexandre Desplat: “New Moon (The Meadow)”
Look for its release on October 20th.
New Moon hits the theaters November 20th.
A new situation can really shut me up sometimes. I remember sitting in a circle of 10 or so staff members as the newly selected Promotions Director of Syracuse University’s radio station WERW 1570 AM. Being one of two freshmen among upperclassmen experts, I thought, What the hell am I doing here? It was petrifying. Come to find out, joining this radio station was life altering in the best way. It was hard to leave it behind when I transferred to Boston College. Had I stayed, I would’ve subbed in for John Dwyer as Production Director while he studied abroad in China. I was so psyched to land that position, but that what-the-hell-am-I-doing-here feeling? Back in full strength.
John is two years older than me, and at the time, that was two years more experience in the radio biz. He was a deliberate guy — reserved in manner, in control, and smart with his actions. Not to mention, he was infinitely cooler than me with his impressive collection of kicks, his weekend getaways to Boston to hit up Bodega, and this cool little website he was running on the side.
Well, I never had to fill John’s shoes (thank the Lord, I think he has a lot), but a year later and this cool little website on the side has exploded into a buzz worthy enterprise. Though it has got some growing left, SwaggerDap is out of its diapers and playing with the big boys. I recently caught up with John, and here’s what he had to say. [read more…]
