Whether by design or sheer coincidence, two seemingly unrelated Top 100 lists have popped up within the past week to forge a sort of perfect storm of pointless analysis and time-wasting critique. The lists themselves are enormously interesting and informational; it’s my own uncontrollable urge to conflate the two that presents the black hole of inanity. Vain hopes of unlocking the hidden synchronicity amongst their ordered logic consume me. Numbers swell backwards and forwards in a taunting ebb and flow. 100 to 1 and 100 to 1. What’s the connection? Your asses are mine, lists; show yourselves. Read more…
EAR FARM’s Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted whenever the mood strikes us. This time: three from Miniature Tigers. Click on the song name to listen to the song. Read more…
Yet again, KEXP has proven itself worthy of your daytime listening attention. Just a reminder to set your respective browsers or radio dials to KEXP.org or 90.3 FM (in Seattle, 91.5 FM here in NYC during select hours) to catch any or all of the following in-studio guests and performances going down throughout the week:
Balkan Beat Box - Tuesday September 16, 6:00pm
Laura Marling - Wednesday September 17, 8:00am
Okkervil River - Wednesday September 17, 4:00pm
Darker My Love - Thursday September 18, 8:00am
CSS - Thursday September 18, 12:00pm; Listen: “Rat Is Dead (Rage)”
Human Highway - Friday September 19, 8:00am
Ra Ra Riot - Friday September 19, 4:00pm; Listen: “Each Year”
Joan As Police Woman - Saturday September 20, 12:00pm
Meat Purveyors - Saturday September 20, 3:00pm; Listen: “Car Crash”
Obelus + ndCv + Caitlin Sherman - Saturday September 20, 6:00pm
The Sight Below - Saturday September 20, 8:00pm
And be sure to visit KEXP’s programming listings to get a handle on the rest of their upcoming guests strolling through between now and November. Highlights include Dr. Dog, Blitzen Trapper, Dead Confederate, Port O’Brien and…..well just go and see for yourself, there’s tons.
As always, you can scroll through all of their archives of past performances HERE.
above photo of Human Highway from Jonny Leather
XKCD is “a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language” published three times per week by Randall Munroe, a former contractor for NASA. It’s my favorite regularly updated webcomic and well worth checking out each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Today, here on EAR FARM, we’ve collected ten of our favorite xkcd comics that deal with music in one way or another. Stop. Collaborate and listen.
- 10. Keeping Time (below)
- 9. The Perfect Sound (below)
- 8. Digital Rights Management (below)
- 7. Boombox (below)
- 6. Guitar Hero (below)
- 5. Important Life Lesson (below)
- 4. With Apologies to The Who (below)
- 3. Music Knowledge (below)
- 2. Rock Band (below)
- 1. M.C. Hammer Slide (below)
A bit of sad news for us Pink Floyd fans, from Yahoo! News…
LONDON - Richard Wright, a founding member of the rock group Pink Floyd, died Monday. He was 65.
Pink Floyd’s spokesman Doug Wright, who is not related to the artist, said Wright died after a battle with cancer at his home in Britain. He says the band member’s family did not want to give more details about his death.
Wright met Pink Floyd members Roger Waters and Nick Mason in college and joined their early band, Sigma 6. Along with the late Syd Barrett, the four formed Pink Floyd in 1965.
The group’s jazz-infused rock and drug-laced multimedia “happenings” made them darlings of the London psychedelic scene, and their 1967 album, “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn,” was a hit.
In the early days of Pink Floyd, Wright, along with Barrett, was seen as the group’s dominant musical force. The London-born musician and son of a biochemist wrote songs and sang.
The band released a series of commercially and critically successful albums including 1973’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” which has sold more than 40 million copies. Wright wrote “The Great Gig In The Sky” and “Us And Them” for that album, and later worked on the group’s epic compositions such as “Atom Heart Mother,” “Echoes” and “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.”
But tensions grew between Waters, Wright and fellow band member David Gilmour. The tensions came to a head during the making of “The Wall” when Waters insisted Wright be fired. As a result, Wright was relegated to the status of session musician on the tour of “The Wall,” and did not perform on Pink Floyd’s 1983 album “The Final Cut.”
Wright formed a new band Zee with Dave Harris, from the band Fashion, and released one album, “Identity,” with Atlantic Records.
Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985 and Wright began recording with Mason and Gilmour again, releasing the albums “The Division Bell” and “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” as Pink Floyd. Wright also released the solo albums “Wet Dream” (1978) and “Broken China” (1996).
In July 2005, Wright, Waters, Mason and Gilmour reunited to perform at the “Live 8″ charity concert in London — the first time in 25 years they had been onstage together.
Wright also worked on Gilmour’s solo projects, most recently playing on the 2006 album “On An Island” and the accompanying world tour.
Listen: “The Great Gig In The Sky” by Pink Floyd
*above picture of Wright performing in 2006 from HERE
Well, it’s finally here, and it’s holed up in a dark corner of a Ukranian speakeasy in the East Village as we speak. Wait, what? That’s right, The Flaming Lips’ long-awaited (and long-delayed) outer space Christmas pageant getdown Christmas On Mars is making its New York City premiere today at the Kraine Theater within the KGB Complex (85 East Fourth Street).
But why the KGB as opposed to say, a real movie theater? It’s very simple, dear reader, and I can spell it out to you in seven words (or eight depending on how you feel about hyphens): ZETA BOOTIS MEGA SUPERSONIC SUPER-SOUND SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM! Read more…
The Rosebuds have a brand new album, titled Life Like, set to be released by Merge Records on October 7th. It’s their fourth full-length and represents a bit of a return to the organic sounds that drove 2005’s Birds Make Good Neighbors. Guest appearances on the record include Portastatic’s Matthew McCaughan, Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, and Ashley Stove’s Jim Brantley. You can hear/download the title track below and can stream the entire record on Merge’s site (link below).
Listen: “Life Like”
Stream the entire album HERE.
Pre-order Life Like HERE.
Visit The Rosebuds on MySpace.
The best words in music don’t always have to flow forth from painfully constructed song lyrics. Often enough, it’s the peripheral white noise of everyday idle chatter, catty back and forths, out-of-context quotes, musings, ramblings and ill-advised blog postings surrounding the actual music that provides the most fun and enlightenment for the armchair frontman.
Part “they actually said that?” part “wow, that’s fairly interesting” part “no shit dummy” part “Musicians: they’re just like us! (in that they also speak and write?)” and part “oh that quote must belong to Courtney Love”, we offer you a bit of a roundup of the latest words heard round the campfire over the past few days. Turn your thinking caps off… Read more…
How is it fair that in addition to preternatural good looks and universal health care, the Swedish population is also blessed with an uncanny ability to write great pop music? I’m not sure myself, but I mean come on, there’s no denying the unlimited hooks and sugary singalongs crammed throughout the back catalogs of any of these extraordinary Swedes: I’m From Barcelona, Jens Lekman, Peter Bjorn and John, The Shout Out Louds, The Cardigans, ummm, ABBA?
And though it smacks of sonic profiling, we just had a hunch that Marching Band could up the depleted stores of pop serum in EF headquarters once we realized they were from Sweden. And deliver they did. Read more…
In anticipation of The Bell House’s grand opening on September 18th (following a private opening on the 17th), I did a little reconnaissance mission this past Thursday in order to get a firsthand look. My curiosity was rewarded, because Jack (Skippy) McFadden - co-owner and booker of the Bell House (and booker at Union Hall) - graciously agreed to take me on the grand tour of the premises as the fully realized vision of the space continued to take impressive shape around us.
Armed with a camera and perhaps an inappropriate number of questions, I compiled the following picture tour to give you 20 vicarious views of Gowanus’s newest gem, The Bell House. But first, here’s what Skippy had to say in a press release circulated just hours after my visit there… Read more…
EAR FARM’s Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted whenever the mood strikes us. Today, more good stuff from the inbox! If you haven’t heard already, Secretly Canadian Records is set to release Trying Hartz (First Fruits ‘94-’04), a retrospective celebration of all things Daniel Smith (the man behind the family affair that is Danielson), on November 4th. “Animal In Every Corner” is a pretty awesome freebie from the forthcoming collection to tide you over until then.
Elsewhere, Magic Arm, aka Marc Rigelsford, aka EF Band of the Week back in early February, offers us a B-side recording of the Serge Gainsbourg classic “The Ballad of Melody Nelson”, which he had performed at a show honoring the esteemed singer and since incorporated into his repertoire. And finally, “From Stardust to Sentience” marks the first single from High Places’ new self-titled album, due out on September 23rd on Thrill Jockey Records. Read more…
Liars sure know how to put on a hell of a show, and for those who couldn’t get cozy with them in the pool early this summer (see above image) or watch them warm the stage to a boiling point as openers for Radiohead, all is not lost….
A friendly little message in our inbox has brought to our attention that Angus, Aaron, and Julian will be performing (or have already performed, we’re assuming this has already been taped) on Fuel TV’s The Daily Habit TONIGHT at 9pm! And if you miss it then, like maybe because it’s Friday evening and you’re out having fun, the show will also air at midnight and on Saturday at 2:30pm and 5:30pm. Awesome, yes? You may be wondering, “yes it is awesome, but hey, where is Fuel TV amidst the hundreds of channels I regularly ignore?” That’s simple, those in NYC beholden to Time Warner (like us) need to set their DVRs and TiVos to channel 456. Everyone else can go HERE and find exactly where Fuel TV lives in their particular television set.
Better tune in, from what we can tell it may be the only chance to see them perform live in some time, as they have no other shows scheduled at the moment. Hey, we’re not lying.
Listen: “Houseclouds” (demo, from Liars Sessions EP)
Visit Liars on MySpace.
*above image found HERE
Taking a cue from Maura once again, I’ve decided to make this week’s mix an entirely autobiographical one. There are a few self-imposed rules, just to keep things fresh and interesting. Basically, I’ve chosen one song from each year I’ve been alive; however, the songs in this mix are not allowed to have appeared on any of the albums from the previously published Countdown: My Favorite Albums From Each Year I’ve Been Alive. Also, only one song per artist here. Other than that, it’s a wide open mix that features some of my favorite songs ever… some that were favorites during the specified year… and some that hold significance for personal reasons. I’m well aware of the fact that I missed a TON of great songs, but once I found a song that was a favorite for any given year I went on to the next. If I were to actually attempt to pick a “most favorite” song for every year I’ve been alive it would take months. Years even.
Anyway: mix time. Enjoy the audio tour of the past thirty-three years…
click the arrow above to listen to this week’s mix
Join EAR FARM’s Community for a link to download the entire mix as three separate ZIPs.
EAR FARM’s Mixtape #24: Autobiographical Matt Mix
1. John Denver, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” (1975)
2. Aerosmith, “Last Child” (1976)
3. Rush, “Farewell to Kings” (1977)
4. Rolling Stones, “Miss You” (1978)
5. The Cash, “Guns of Brixton” (1979)
6. Pretenders, “Brass in Pocket” (1980)
7. Christopher Cross, “Arthur’s Theme” (1981)
8. John Mellencamp, “Jack & Diane” (1982)
9. New Order, “Age of Consent” (1983)
10. Cyndi Lauper, “She Bop” (1984)
11. Wham!, “Careless Whisper” (1985)
12. Madonna, “Open Your Heart” (1986)
13. The Smiths, “Death Of A Disco Dancer” (1987)
14. Sonic Youth, “Teen Age Riot” (1988)
15. The Stone Roses, “I Wanna Be Adored” (1989)
16. Depeche Mode, “Policy of Truth” (1990)
17. Morrissey, “Mute Witness” (1991)
18. Carter USM, “The Only Living Boy In New Cross” (1992)
19. PJ Harvey, “50ft Queenie” (1993)
20. Suede, “Killing Of A Flash Boy” (1994)
21. Pulp, “I Spy” (1995)
22. Placebo, “Come Home” (1996)
23. Portishead, “Humming” (1997)
24. Belle & Sebastian, “Sleep The Clock Around” (1998)
25. Trans Am, “Futureworld” (1999)
26. Yo La Tengo, “Cherry Chapstick” (2000)
27. The Faint, “Agenda Suicide” (2001)
28. Wilco, “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart” (2002)
29. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Y Control” (2003)
30. Jay-Z & Danger Mouse, “99 Problems” (2004)
31. Brakes, “Heard About Your Band” (2005)
32. Jarvis Cocker, “Black Magic” (2006)
33. Grizzly Bear, “He Hit Me” (2007)
34. The Dodos, “Joe’s Waltz” (2008)
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8tracks is a simple way to create and share mixtapes that we’re now using in lieu of Muxtape, we may even like it more. Check back, as we post a brand new mix each week on Friday morning. You can see all of the EAR FARM Weekly Mixes HERE.
“Silverfuck” by Smashing Pumpkins which clocks in at 8:43.
They say conflict and tension yield beauty and artistic breakthroughs. Witness the tired cliché of the “tortured” or “suffering” artist or, when there are multiple cooks in the kitchen, the time-honored soundbite somewhere along the lines of “we were either going to make our masterpiece or break up in the process!”
This last utterance was more or less the statement once made by Billy Corgan when discussing Siamese Dream (or as allmusic remembered it - Corgan growled at the time that if the album didn’t achieve breakthrough success, he would end the band). But really, how would he have known about any tension or strife that was in the band during these sessions? He was a man possessed, completely preoccupied with systematically recording and re-recording every part of every song by himself while the others were pretty much barricaded outside the studio. So as D’Arcy and James Iha struggled to heal the open wound of their failed relationship and Jimmy Chamberlain became increasingly caught up in intravenous drug use, Corgan merrily plowed along with comrade-in-overdubbery Butch Vig in building the biggest wall of sound this side of Phil Spector. I mean, he probably would not have even heard the approaching sirens (think Billy circa the “Today” video all alone with huge headphones on, oblivious to the world) had Chamberlain nodded off mid-fix in the studio bathroom and D’Arcy found him on the floor before placing a frantic call to the paramedics. Read more…
Raleigh’s third annual Raleigh Wide Open is a 36 hour free festival that is set to celebrate the opening of the new Raleigh Convention Center with appearances from bands such as Soul Asylum, Chuck Berry, and Arrested Development. This excites who exactly? Not that I don’t adore Chuck Berry but shouldn’t these things be about fresh and exciting music?
Well, if you’re in Raleigh this weekend and looking for great music at an all-day (free) outdoor festival then you’re in luck, just steer clear of that main stage. For the good shit, head over to the first annual Cherry Bounce Festival that is taking place in conjunction with Raleigh Wide Open at the intersection of Fayetteville and Hargett streets. The lineup beats the other two stages by a landslide.
Friday, September 5
12:00 - Big Mama E & The Cool
1:30 - The Solos Unit
3:00 - Lonnie Walker
4:15 - Dawn Chorus (MP3: “I’m Cured!”)
5:30 - The Bleeding Hearts (MP3: “Status Symbol”)
6:30 - Dex Romweber Duo
8:00 - Annuals (MP3: “Sore”)
Saturday, September 5
12:15 - The Moaners
1:30 - Red Collar
2:45 - Brother Reade
4:00 - The T’s
5:15 - Freebase 808
7:00 - The Urban Sophisticates
8:00 - Islands (MP3: “The Arm”)
The Cherry Bounce Alternative Music Festival is named in honor of a cocktail that very well may be the reason there is a Raleigh. Cherry Bounce is a mash of cherries, sugar and whiskey or brandy. It became legendary in 1792 when a commission of nine men appointed by the General Assembly went in search of a site to serve as North Carolina’s permanent capital. Col. Joel Lane, a Revolutionary War veteran and gregarious tavern and inn keeper, had the men staying at his inn and managed to convince the officials that his parcel of 1,000 acres was the perfect location for the state capital. Many claimed that the commissioners were influenced by Col. Lane’s libation, the Cherry Bounce, which he liberally shared and of which they had become quite fond.
