Songs for today, November 23, 2008

* each song is linked to a video

I'll Believe in Anything - Wolf Parade

Murder in the City - The Avett Brothers

The Wrote and the Writ - Johnny Flynn

Tickle me Pink - Johnny Flynn

One Man's Shame - William Elliot Whitmore

Dry - William Elliot Whitmore

Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons

White Blank Page - Mumford and Sons

Endurance

The process of creating a photograph: I admire those spontanious shots - but I think that if I would take the time to learn more about the technical side of photography I would enjoy it much more. I have only skimmed the surface...

Yeasayer / Vincent Moon

Yeasayer. An experimental band from Brooklyn. They describe themselves as "ENYA with BOUNCE." haha.

Favorite Song:
Sunrise

I like to frequent Vincent Moon's website La Blogotheque. This guy films musicians walking down the street, in a pub, apartment, staircase, roof... rather than on stage or on set. He is an amazing filmmaker. I could go on and on.

I'm trying to put words to why I enjoy his videos so immensely.
I think it is first the improvisational aspect - the walking down the street, background noises of other peoples voices, cars, city comotion. Then it is the color of his film. His color pallet is warm with deep yellows and reds. Then I like the contrast - the darks are especially dark and the lights are especially light - its dramatic. Then I like the ARTISTS: Beirut, Chris Garneau, Yeasayer, Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, Jose Gonzalez. Check out it out: La Blogotheque

I stumbled upon a video he did of Yeasayer, a band I had not heard of before I saw this clip. You have to wait for a minute before the music starts - but be patient! This is one of those rare moments of improvisational beauty.

Enjoy!!!

Vacancies

Alexi Murdoch

Alexi Murdoch put out a CD a couple years back called Time Without Consequence. I heard about him through my Dad - he had made me a mixed CD with Orange Sky on it.

I fell in love with the sound and then googled him and found a studio session recorded on Nic Harcourt's Morning Becomes Eclectic. In the interview Nic explains how he came out one night to a music gig and Alexi was opening for some other band and he really liked Alexi's music and invited him to the Studio. After that there was a buzz and his songs were on TV shows and movies. (Garden State, OC)

I am not sure how long Alexi had been making his way around the local music scene in LA but I am really glad Nic helped put his music out there. The studio session is really beautiful and Alexi seems like a really great guy. He decided to produce his CD independently rather than signing to a label because he thought that the producers were missing the point - Alexi wanted something more organic and authentic rather than polished up by some big label. So, that's the route he took... and I am really glad he did.

Listen to him when you need to breathe,
when you need to stop and rest...
listen to him all the time.
It's good medicine.

I saw him in concert at Schubas Tavern in Chicago - really great show! Schubas is a very intimate setting and Alexi really got along with the crowd.

Just wanted to share it with everyone because I enjoy it so much.




All My Days ...


He is on tour now with Alanis Morissette.

Laura Marling

Laura Marling, as I mentioned in both previous posts, is on tour through the US with Johnny Flynn and Mumford and Sons. I think she is only 18 years old. Despite her age, her song writing and voice are incredibly mature. She was a bit shy but stoic on stage and gave a beautiful performance. I'll have to forgive her for not playing my favorite song "Failure."

I think it is the simplicity of her voice and the power of it that sets her apart from her contemporaries.

Here she performance "Ghosts" ... and a few other songs.

Mumford and Sons

So the story goes... I went to the Bottom Lounge in Chicago last weekend because I was so excited to see Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling perform. Both artists are new to the folk scene and from London (therefore, less likely to pass through Chicago any time again soon - so I could not miss them this time)

My friend and I took a look at the line up once we got there. Mumford and Sons were playing first and we had never heard of them. Well - they really out did themselves.

They are less well known not because of any deficiency in talent, rather, it's because they just started playing together in December of 2007. Marcus the lead singer plays in Laura's band. He has unique vocals - very rough, and reminds me a bit of Colin from the Decemberists in that the character of his voice has something mythical, raw and haunting about it. In addition to Marcus' skill at playing the guitar, drums, and sing at the same time the rest of the band is incredible and does not take a back seat . I'm not sure of their names but the banjo player, guy on the keyboard, and bass player really rock it out and have great vocals. Anyway, they are a bunch of fun to see live. And I am sure they have a very bright future.

Their EP can be downloaded for free at www.rawrip.com and my favorite song... not on their EP is called

Little Lion Man (download)

Here is their performance at the Bottom Lounge...

Johnny Flynn

I heard a recorded studio session of Johnny Flynn the other day on NPR. It was really a tremendous performance. He has a very interesting voice - baritone, soulful. And together with the lyrics and instruments everything went together so well. My favorite of his songs is the Wrote and the Writ.

"Don't say in a letter what you can't in my ear."
- Johnny Flynn



He is on tour through the US with Laura Marling and Mumford and Sons. Really it is not something you want to miss!

winter doesn't quit

March 14.
Winter in Chicago is coming to an end. I think my angry fits of waiting for the bus, and cursing the wind because I can no longer feel my fingers or my toes will subside soon.

April 12.
It snowed today. So much for winter being over.

merry-go-round

Round the Merry-Go-Round stop for nothing. Oh look, Sally holds a shiny red balloon. Did you see it? No? Well, next time around you will. It is pretty out today, It is pretty out today. It is pretty out today. That boy is eating cotton candy. I am getting nauseous.

to hide

The woman sat on her couch and watched TV from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm - minutes before her husband came home from work. She walked to her car and realized that because it had been raining her husband would notice that the spot under her car was dry. She thought how when she saw him later that night he would ask her watch she did all day and she would not be able to say "Running errands, dear." The hose was coiled up beside the house. She turned the faucet on. The dry spot beneath her car was never there and neither was she.

Aching

It is because of the hopeless circles I seem to turn that I do not want seen.

Song
Joe Purdy - Can't Get It Right Today

frothing milk, my new obsession

Yes, this is a milk frother.  It is my newest discovery.  I like to sit and watch my milk swirl around and magically triple in size as my frother does it's job. I am wildly amused.