Showing posts with label Bat for Lashes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bat for Lashes. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Bat For Lashes/ACL Aftershowthoughts

The Bat For Lashes show at the Parish room is happening tomorrow night. It's sold-out but I thought I'd mention it anyway, since it sort of crept up on me. I had a mini-panic attack when I couldn't find my ticket, which was purchased before Bloggy HQ moved to South Austin. Turns out it was under my cat! Not really, but if I'm looking for the remote that's a pretty good guess.

I told someone at work that I thought Bat For Lashes' music was like a soundtrack to its own movie. They were busy working. Did I mention I randomly shouted this? Sometimes I just need to share things with people even if they have no idea what I'm talking about, ya know?


Bat For Lashes - Horse and I (acoustic) video via YouTube

Non-Bat For Lashes banter below the break.

It wasn't too many posts back that I was himming/hawing re: ACL Fest after-shows. Well, dear reader, today they announced said after-shows in an officially "pre-sale" announcement kind of way. It's difficult to type right now because I'm busy patting myself on the back about my correct guesses. However, I am also punching myself in the crotch because Phoenix is NOT playing an ACL Fest after-show. I have not given up on them yet though, there is always a chance they could play at Waterloo? Or maybe some kid's house party? Maybe? Holler at Bloggy Phoenix we'll find you a spot to play your instruments.


Phoenix - Armistice (Live Acoustic) video via YouTube

Did you know Phoenix used to be the touring band for Air? I effing love Air! The band AND the entity. Stereogum is actually a reference to the song Radio #1 by Air probably from their worst album but also their most "indie/alt/underground/betterthanwhateversongsoralbumsthatyouknowhaveorhavelistenedtobyair". Air will NOT be at ACL Fest this year, but that would be cool and handy since Phoenix is gonna be there.


Air - Kelly Watch the Stars ft. Phoenix video via YouTube

While, I am going off an tangents and such I'd like to OFFICIALLY NOMINATE Cornelius for the Beastie Boys unfortunately-vacant ACLslot. Make it happen internets!

Free Mp3 courtesy of Matador Records, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Cornelius - Point of View Point


Cornelius - Drop video via YouTube

When I used to do radio in college, I played this next song in a set of lost Beatles songs that the Beatles never did.


Cornelius - Chapter 8: Seashore and Horizon video via YouTube

Read more!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Dirty Projectors Concert Review

I don't have any fancy pictures from the Dirty Projectors show last night at Red 7 but I do have my memories damn it! You may remember I was a bit concerned that the sound would suck ass at Red 7 and I'm very happy to report that it was actually mixed beautifully. The dude in the sounds cage of doom was even wearing noise-canceling headphones, which seems like...DUH, but I feel like I have never seen that before. Greg Ginn was in attendance, for those who don't know, he's a founding member of Black Flag and now he lives somewhere in the Taylor, TX region. Dave Longstreth jammed with Ginn during the opening slot and I must say it was pretty excruciating. But imagine you're a blues-rock style musician and you're trying to jam with Dave Longstreth, dude plays some really fucked up phrases and rhythms. It sounded messy, unfocused and almost completely unsyncopated/out of sync.

The Dirty Projectors themselves, while still noodly and weird were amazing, as expected. I saw them at a Pitchfork day party during SXSW, they only played for 35 minutes and I was immediatly in love. Seeing a full set with songs from three + records was very nice. Ginn was invited back on stage to perform a few Black Flag songs and that went much better than the opening "jam". It's hard to pick out specific highlights because so much of the set was a highlight for me. It was really nice to hear Rise Above as well as Knotty Pine, which was a great closing number. I'd say Cannibal Resource or Temecula were the songs that most captured the crowd's energy. So many familiar Austin characters in the crowd last night, including Austin's own Octopus Project.


Dirty Projectors - Cannibal Resource video via YouTube

Finally summary after the jump...

My final summation of the show, I would say out of 5 stars I would give the venue it self 3.75 stars, the sound/sound mixing 4 stars and the performance 4.25 stars. I'm discounting stars on the performance for subjecting us to that God-awful opening jam. I didn't mention before that after the opening jam someone very clearly yelled, "Play Dirty Projectors!"


Dirty Projectors - Stillness is the Move video via YouTube

Dave chuckled and turned to the mic saying, "We'll be back in a few minutes to play Dirty Projectors". The venue loses points simply because it's a dive and I'm not going to give a walled in parking lot 5 stars. I think it would be bad ass if they built a deck above the bar outside and made it a VIP area. More venues need some form of tiered viewing area. I'm 6'2" so I can pretty much always see but I always feel bad for the all of the tiny hipsters who spend most of the show trying to catch a glimpse of the artist on stage. The Mohawk has many tiers but at a sold-out show I'd say less than half the people in attendance can clearly see the stage. Seeing wouldn't be a big deal if people could STFU long enough for everyone to hear the performance. Last night wasn't too bad as far as the chatty-Cathy's go but every time I see a show at Stubb's I want to smash people's heads. Why pay $30+ to talk over the performance, especially when you're just talking about the dumbest shit on Earth anyway. If it's THAT important text each other!

Don't forget people the next really buzzy, don't miss show, that WILL sell-out is Bat For Lashes at the Parish next month look at the previous posts for a ticket link. I want to see you all there...weeping like little babies.

Read more!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Shhhhh B4L in August

Let's keep this on the low people, Bat For Lashes is playing the Parish Room in August and if you want to go, you better get your ticket now. Ironically, the show is sponsored by local "modern-rock" station 101X the irony being that 101X rarely, if ever, plays Bat for Lashes. Mainly because these days "modern rock" radio consists of mostly Candlebox, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots and other 15-20 year old tracks mixed in there with some mall-punk for the tweens. I feel sad for radio these days, but they don't seem to be trying very hard to stay relevant. Do you ever listen to your local radio stations anymore?


Bat for Lashes - Pearl's Dream video via YouTube


I predict lots of googly-eyed indie-rockers at this show. The recent St. Vincent show at the Mohawk was full of love-stricken youngsters in American Apparel. There's something about Natasha Khan (B4L) that's so mesmerizing, I'm sure she will put everyone at the Parish into some sort of Stevie Nicks voodoo-trance. I'm excited about the trance.


Bat For Lashes - Daniel video via YouTube

Hopefully, you've already heard Daniel before, that's sort of the U.S. "breakout" "hit". However, the first Bat for Lashes album, Fur and Gold earned the performer a Mercury Prize nomination for best album.


Bat for Lashes - Horse and I video via YouTube

I have to link you to this last video because it's anti-embedding but I love it. It's sort of an homage, shall we say, to Donnie Darko.



Read more!