Sunday, October 21, 2007
Stuart MarX interview with Jeffrey Nothing of Mushroomhead to air this week on Singled Out
Stuart Marx of Monday Breakfast Serial sat down with Jeffrey Nothing of Mushroomhead before their show at the Worcester Palladium last week. The interview will premier this Thursday, October 25th on Singled Out at 8:PM Eastern Time. Jeffrey told us what's new with him, Mushroomhead and his thoughts on a possible tour with Slipknot. Tune in to Singled Out this week to hear the interview and a full hour of Mushroomhead music! Check out the embedded preview of the interview as well!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Live from CMJ: Day 2 with Thurston Moore, Xiu Xiu, A Place to Bury Strangers and more
Wow! After my first taste of CMJ yesterday, I can see why people get so excited for it each year. For those of you unfamiliar with CMJ, it's a music and film festival that takes over most of the venues in New York for a week. The adventure began at around 1 as I left the hotel to go to CMJ headquarters. Following registration, I sprinted over to the Apple Store in Soho just in time to catch Thurston Moore's set.
Thurston Moore: 2PM, Apple Store Soho, Myspace
Seeing Thurston live was quite a fortuitous event. Despite being a Sonic Youth fan since at least the beginning of high school, I have never managed to get around to seeing them live. Still, I've heard many stories about their legendary shows, and seeing Thurston play with his band gave me no doubt that these stories aren't exaggerated. Armed with only an acoustic guitar, I was expecting a stripped down performance, but Thurston dodged our expectations by filling the songs with marvelous instrumental breaks and at times, cascades of beautifully layered feedback that could only come from a member of Sonic Youth. Combine that with a very intimate performance setting at the Apple Store and the fact that Seu Jorge was standing next to me during the show and there isn't much more I could ask for.
1990's: 6:30PM, SPECTRE College Radio Party, The Village Underground, Myspace
After a brief excursion over to the CMJ Film Festival, I got ready for the night ahead of me at SPECTRE's part at the Village Underground. After a Wii Table Tennis tournament, we were treated to a special performance by the 1990's. Coming into the show with just a bit of information I'd gathered from blogs, I was hoping for the best but not really knowing what to expect, and while I wasn't completely blown away, the band were just tight enough and their use of two singers allowed them to show off their impressively catchy vocal harmonies. If you like British bands like the Libertines, I think you would probably dig these guys.
The Poison Control Center: 7:30PM, Knitting Factory Tap Bar, Myspace
Immediately after the 1990's I headed further downtown to Tribeca's Knitting Factory. I was a bit surprised to find that only about 10 other people showed up to the show, but this didn't stop the Poison Control Center from bringing the noise, funk, and good old fashioned rock and roll. These guys are a band I randomly stumbled across through listening to incoming music at WBRS, so I guess the buzz hasn't spread yet about these guys. They're a kind of Of Montreal sounding, flannel shirt wearing, high energy indie rock band, and they certainly didn't let the small crowd stand in their way of rocking the fuck out. In fact, in terms of stage presence, the Poison Control Center put on one of the better performances of the night. The consistently chose to break the fourth wall, and their guitarist and bassist performed a significant portion of the set out in the middle of the crowd, at times writhing on the floor during their fantastically appropriate guitar solos.
Xiu Xiu/Marnie Stern: 9PM, Blender Theater, Xiu Xiu Myspace, Marnie Stern Myspace
After much deliberation, I decided to head uptown to the Blender Theater to catch Marnie Stern and Xiu Xiu. I was only familiar with Marnie Stern by name, and while the description CMJ gave her was slightly misleading, I still found her set to be quite enjoyable. Fortunately, Xiu Xiu followed her up with the best set I've seen him play. He delivered a fantastic synthesis of his various styles, playing both new and old songs, and at one point he played what is either a fantastic Xiu Xiu song that I'd never heard or a somewhat mashed up cover of New Order's "Age of Consent".
Cadence Weapon: 11PM, Galapagos, Williamsburg, Myspace
Near the end of Xiu Xiu's set, I figured it was time to leave the trendy Manhattan scene that was beginning to wind down for the night and head over to Williamsburg, Brooklyn where I knew they'd keep the party going well into the morning. At the time, it was my understanding that Cadence Weapon would be playing at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, but as I was walking over there, I heard what I knew was either Cadence Weapon or my new favorite MC coming out of the Galapagos Art Space. I still can't get over how lucky I was to stumble across this little shows, since Cadence Weapon put on another of his always legendary performances.
A Place to Bury Strangers/Foals: 12:30AM, Music Hall of Williamsburg, APTBS Myspace, Foals Myspace
While the venue was slightly under-attended, this did nothing to stop the show from being by far, the best of the night. The first band to play were a British band called Foals. At the time, they were completely unknown to me, other than having an acquaintance I made over lunch recommend them to me, but I'm so so sooooo glad I made it out to see them. They started off their set with a series of wonderful vocal harmonies sung in what sounded like an African language of some sort or a very elaborate take on gibberish set to math-rock instrumentals. Soon this gave way to similar math-rock guitar parts set to dancey house beats laid down in bizarre time signatures by their amazing drummer. Listening to them on myspace after the show, it's clear that Foals are a band to be seen live, but they still sound pretty good on recordings. I HIGHLY recommend checking Foals out if you're at all into dance rock like The Rapture of math rock like Battles of Don Caballero.
Finally, the last band of the night, one of my main reasons for coming out to Williamsburg, was A Place To Bury Strangers, and let me tell you this: THESE GUYS ARE FUCKING LOUD! They're playing at Chum's at Brandeis next month, so definitely check them out, but be sure to bring earplugs. They put on a mostly exciting set with a very fitting light show and all kinds of guitar noise and effects. It seemed that most of the melody for the songs came from the Bass player while the guitarist mostly made atonal noise, but somehow it all came together well and created a nice, slightly danceable, slightly shoegazey, very noisy sound. If last night was indicative of a pattern, it seems that may be that Brooklyn is the place to be at CMJ.
Thurston Moore: 2PM, Apple Store Soho, Myspace
Seeing Thurston live was quite a fortuitous event. Despite being a Sonic Youth fan since at least the beginning of high school, I have never managed to get around to seeing them live. Still, I've heard many stories about their legendary shows, and seeing Thurston play with his band gave me no doubt that these stories aren't exaggerated. Armed with only an acoustic guitar, I was expecting a stripped down performance, but Thurston dodged our expectations by filling the songs with marvelous instrumental breaks and at times, cascades of beautifully layered feedback that could only come from a member of Sonic Youth. Combine that with a very intimate performance setting at the Apple Store and the fact that Seu Jorge was standing next to me during the show and there isn't much more I could ask for.
1990's: 6:30PM, SPECTRE College Radio Party, The Village Underground, Myspace
After a brief excursion over to the CMJ Film Festival, I got ready for the night ahead of me at SPECTRE's part at the Village Underground. After a Wii Table Tennis tournament, we were treated to a special performance by the 1990's. Coming into the show with just a bit of information I'd gathered from blogs, I was hoping for the best but not really knowing what to expect, and while I wasn't completely blown away, the band were just tight enough and their use of two singers allowed them to show off their impressively catchy vocal harmonies. If you like British bands like the Libertines, I think you would probably dig these guys.
The Poison Control Center: 7:30PM, Knitting Factory Tap Bar, Myspace
Immediately after the 1990's I headed further downtown to Tribeca's Knitting Factory. I was a bit surprised to find that only about 10 other people showed up to the show, but this didn't stop the Poison Control Center from bringing the noise, funk, and good old fashioned rock and roll. These guys are a band I randomly stumbled across through listening to incoming music at WBRS, so I guess the buzz hasn't spread yet about these guys. They're a kind of Of Montreal sounding, flannel shirt wearing, high energy indie rock band, and they certainly didn't let the small crowd stand in their way of rocking the fuck out. In fact, in terms of stage presence, the Poison Control Center put on one of the better performances of the night. The consistently chose to break the fourth wall, and their guitarist and bassist performed a significant portion of the set out in the middle of the crowd, at times writhing on the floor during their fantastically appropriate guitar solos.
Xiu Xiu/Marnie Stern: 9PM, Blender Theater, Xiu Xiu Myspace, Marnie Stern Myspace
After much deliberation, I decided to head uptown to the Blender Theater to catch Marnie Stern and Xiu Xiu. I was only familiar with Marnie Stern by name, and while the description CMJ gave her was slightly misleading, I still found her set to be quite enjoyable. Fortunately, Xiu Xiu followed her up with the best set I've seen him play. He delivered a fantastic synthesis of his various styles, playing both new and old songs, and at one point he played what is either a fantastic Xiu Xiu song that I'd never heard or a somewhat mashed up cover of New Order's "Age of Consent".
Cadence Weapon: 11PM, Galapagos, Williamsburg, Myspace
Near the end of Xiu Xiu's set, I figured it was time to leave the trendy Manhattan scene that was beginning to wind down for the night and head over to Williamsburg, Brooklyn where I knew they'd keep the party going well into the morning. At the time, it was my understanding that Cadence Weapon would be playing at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, but as I was walking over there, I heard what I knew was either Cadence Weapon or my new favorite MC coming out of the Galapagos Art Space. I still can't get over how lucky I was to stumble across this little shows, since Cadence Weapon put on another of his always legendary performances.
A Place to Bury Strangers/Foals: 12:30AM, Music Hall of Williamsburg, APTBS Myspace, Foals Myspace
While the venue was slightly under-attended, this did nothing to stop the show from being by far, the best of the night. The first band to play were a British band called Foals. At the time, they were completely unknown to me, other than having an acquaintance I made over lunch recommend them to me, but I'm so so sooooo glad I made it out to see them. They started off their set with a series of wonderful vocal harmonies sung in what sounded like an African language of some sort or a very elaborate take on gibberish set to math-rock instrumentals. Soon this gave way to similar math-rock guitar parts set to dancey house beats laid down in bizarre time signatures by their amazing drummer. Listening to them on myspace after the show, it's clear that Foals are a band to be seen live, but they still sound pretty good on recordings. I HIGHLY recommend checking Foals out if you're at all into dance rock like The Rapture of math rock like Battles of Don Caballero.
Finally, the last band of the night, one of my main reasons for coming out to Williamsburg, was A Place To Bury Strangers, and let me tell you this: THESE GUYS ARE FUCKING LOUD! They're playing at Chum's at Brandeis next month, so definitely check them out, but be sure to bring earplugs. They put on a mostly exciting set with a very fitting light show and all kinds of guitar noise and effects. It seemed that most of the melody for the songs came from the Bass player while the guitarist mostly made atonal noise, but somehow it all came together well and created a nice, slightly danceable, slightly shoegazey, very noisy sound. If last night was indicative of a pattern, it seems that may be that Brooklyn is the place to be at CMJ.
Live from CMJ: Day 2 with Thurston Moore, Xiu Xiu, A Place to Bury Strangers and more
Wow! After my first taste of CMJ yesterday, I can see why people get so excited for it each year. For those of you unfamiliar with CMJ, it's a music and film festival that takes over most of the venues in New York for a week. The adventure began at around 1 as I left the hotel to go to CMJ headquarters. Following registration, I sprinted over to the Apple Store in Soho just in time to catch Thurston Moore's set.
Thurston Moore: 2PM, Apple Store Soho
Seeing Thurston live was quite a fortuitous event. Despite being a Sonic Youth fan since at least the beginning of high school, I have never managed to get around to seeing them live. Still, I've heard many stories about their legendary shows, and seeing Thurston play with his band gave me no doubt that these stories aren't exaggerated. Armed with only an acoustic guitar, I was expecting a stripped down performance, but Thurston dodged our expectations by filling the songs with marvelous instrumental breaks and at times, cascades of beautifully layered feedback that could only come from a member of Sonic Youth. Combine that with a very intimate performance setting at the Apple Store and the fact that Seu Jorge was standing next to me during the show and there isn't much more I could ask for.
1990's: 6:30PM, SPECTRE College Radio Party, The Village Underground
After a brief excursion over to the CMJ Film Festival, I got ready for the night ahead of me at SPECTRE's part at the Village Underground. After a Wii Table Tennis tournament, we were treated to a special performance by the 1990's. Coming into the show with just a bit of information I'd gathered from blogs, I was hoping for the best but not really knowing what to expect, and while I wasn't completely blown away, the band were just tight enough and their use of two singers allowed them to show off their impressively catchy vocal harmonies. If you like British bands like the Libertines, I think you would probably dig these guys.
Thurston Moore: 2PM, Apple Store Soho
Seeing Thurston live was quite a fortuitous event. Despite being a Sonic Youth fan since at least the beginning of high school, I have never managed to get around to seeing them live. Still, I've heard many stories about their legendary shows, and seeing Thurston play with his band gave me no doubt that these stories aren't exaggerated. Armed with only an acoustic guitar, I was expecting a stripped down performance, but Thurston dodged our expectations by filling the songs with marvelous instrumental breaks and at times, cascades of beautifully layered feedback that could only come from a member of Sonic Youth. Combine that with a very intimate performance setting at the Apple Store and the fact that Seu Jorge was standing next to me during the show and there isn't much more I could ask for.
1990's: 6:30PM, SPECTRE College Radio Party, The Village Underground
After a brief excursion over to the CMJ Film Festival, I got ready for the night ahead of me at SPECTRE's part at the Village Underground. After a Wii Table Tennis tournament, we were treated to a special performance by the 1990's. Coming into the show with just a bit of information I'd gathered from blogs, I was hoping for the best but not really knowing what to expect, and while I wasn't completely blown away, the band were just tight enough and their use of two singers allowed them to show off their impressively catchy vocal harmonies. If you like British bands like the Libertines, I think you would probably dig these guys.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Concert Review Catch-Up: Ulrich Schnauss, Cinematic Orchestra
Ulrich Schnauss: 9/23 at MFA Boston
Review By Jeremy Karp
Stepping into this show, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was mildly familiar with Schnauss' style, and in the last week, I'd begun to digest his newest album "Goodbye". However, as always when I see electronic musicians live, I wonder about the value of live performances outside the realm of live instrumentation. Once at the show, it seemed to me that Ulrich overcomes this obstacle by making his live show have more in common with many performance art pieces than a typical concert. He was situated in the corner with a laptop and some other electronic gadgets, while the main focus of the show was on a film which was clearly set to the music. This created a relaxing and fitting (for an art museum with a sizable modern art collection) environment, which greatly exemplified the strong points of Schnauss' sound.
Cinematic Orchestra: 9/25 at The Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
Review By Jeremy Karp
I should start off this review by noting that I went into this show with incredibly high expectations for the band. In the week preceding the concert, I had rediscovered their newest gem, "Ma Fleur", and had listened to it nearly nonstop. The album succeeds by combining beautiful soundscapes and stunning vocal performances against a Pink Floyd-tinged jazzy backdrop. However, live, the band places themselves firmly within the confines of a jazz group. Unfortunately, I thought this decision ultimately hindered the band live. While, at times, the beautiful, dreamy atmospheres that I fell in love with on the album were still present, these moments of greatness were often far apart, and much of the time in between was filled with overindulgent solos. Some of the audience was quick to cheer on the band's instrumental jams, but it was clear that others were experiencing the same disappointment I was. Overall, I'm reluctant to straight up recommend Cinematic Orchestra's live show, but if you can tolerate a number of smooth jazz-esque instrumental interludes to get to the sonic climaxes felt on the album, you won't be disappointed.
Review By Jeremy Karp
Stepping into this show, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was mildly familiar with Schnauss' style, and in the last week, I'd begun to digest his newest album "Goodbye". However, as always when I see electronic musicians live, I wonder about the value of live performances outside the realm of live instrumentation. Once at the show, it seemed to me that Ulrich overcomes this obstacle by making his live show have more in common with many performance art pieces than a typical concert. He was situated in the corner with a laptop and some other electronic gadgets, while the main focus of the show was on a film which was clearly set to the music. This created a relaxing and fitting (for an art museum with a sizable modern art collection) environment, which greatly exemplified the strong points of Schnauss' sound.
Cinematic Orchestra: 9/25 at The Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
Review By Jeremy Karp
I should start off this review by noting that I went into this show with incredibly high expectations for the band. In the week preceding the concert, I had rediscovered their newest gem, "Ma Fleur", and had listened to it nearly nonstop. The album succeeds by combining beautiful soundscapes and stunning vocal performances against a Pink Floyd-tinged jazzy backdrop. However, live, the band places themselves firmly within the confines of a jazz group. Unfortunately, I thought this decision ultimately hindered the band live. While, at times, the beautiful, dreamy atmospheres that I fell in love with on the album were still present, these moments of greatness were often far apart, and much of the time in between was filled with overindulgent solos. Some of the audience was quick to cheer on the band's instrumental jams, but it was clear that others were experiencing the same disappointment I was. Overall, I'm reluctant to straight up recommend Cinematic Orchestra's live show, but if you can tolerate a number of smooth jazz-esque instrumental interludes to get to the sonic climaxes felt on the album, you won't be disappointed.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Album Reviews: Balkan Beat Box, Ibrahim Ferrer, WZT Heart
Balkan Beat Box - Nu Med
Article by Julian Glucroft
On the cover of "Nu-Med" the latest album of Balkan Beat Box there is a picture of a pile of instruments stuck to one another. This image properly represents this outstanding demonstration of musical invention. Balkan Beat Box is a band from New York with origins in Israel, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. This album is a melting pot of sounds, influences, and instrumentation. Despite the diversity of the album, there seems to be one constant, which is the penetrating groove of each song forcing you to bob your head or stomp your feet. The saxophone has a vital role creating a gypsy/Balkan/klezmer feel. Many songs are instrumental and even when there are vocals; they act as instruments in their presence. Vocals vary from a hip-hop/reggaeton style on "Digital Monkey" to African chants on Joro Boro to Arab Singing on tracks like Habibi Min Zaman. Balkan Beat Box's second album is ear-grabbing and transcends all conceivable musical categories. Note: Balkan Beat Box performed at Spring Fest in 2005.
Ibrahim Ferrer - Mi
Sueno
Article by Julian Glucroft
If you loved Buena Vista Social club, then you will certainly be fond of Ibrahim Ferrer's new album, "Mi Sueno" (Nonesuch). Ferrer's voice is soft and sensual, as well as it is intense evoking a romantic suffering. The uniqueness and depth of his voice is at the forefront of every song. The pianist, Orlando Cachaito Lopez, leads most songs with Bossa-nova influenced rhythms and smooth-jazzy melodies. Most songs rely on a rudimentary combination of piano, bass, drums, and voice to create a soft and irresistible texture. The lyrics (translated in English) are profound and go beyond romantic clichés. Track 10 is a powerful ballad accompanied by the singer Omara Portuondo (also featured on Buena Vista Club albums). Overall, this a great a CD from a veteran of Cuban music who really has nothing left to prove.
WZT Heart - "Threads Rope Spell Making Your Bones"
Article by Zev Rowlett
The WZT Heart's new LP "Threads Rope Spell Making Your Bones" (improve electro psych-rock) starts off slowly with the very ambient tracks "Hassier" and "Lava Nile". The latter features the NBC news themesong, but didn't do much for me otherwise. But track 3, "Jeep Uzi", starts off a series of more intense tracks featuring heavier rhythms and creative use of cymbals over more typical ambient sound. Check out "Jeep Uzi" (3) for a more melodic piece or "Viszula" (6) for good bass and a great ambient experience. Slimpocket's new single, "Got Something to Say", puts a great selection of guitar and vocal melodies into the new local reggae scene. It's edgy and emotional while completely cool and laid back. Slimpocket is informed with a smart message. Please play this track! TX/RX puts emotional vocal melodies with bouncy basslines into solid hard rock on their LP "transmit/receive". Rhythmically intense and lyrically haunting, this new album will get listeners to check out the website wondering "who was that?" Try the opening tack "inside outside" for something edgy or the hidden bonus track 13 for a laid back feel.
Article by Julian Glucroft
On the cover of "Nu-Med" the latest album of Balkan Beat Box there is a picture of a pile of instruments stuck to one another. This image properly represents this outstanding demonstration of musical invention. Balkan Beat Box is a band from New York with origins in Israel, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. This album is a melting pot of sounds, influences, and instrumentation. Despite the diversity of the album, there seems to be one constant, which is the penetrating groove of each song forcing you to bob your head or stomp your feet. The saxophone has a vital role creating a gypsy/Balkan/klezmer feel. Many songs are instrumental and even when there are vocals; they act as instruments in their presence. Vocals vary from a hip-hop/reggaeton style on "Digital Monkey" to African chants on Joro Boro to Arab Singing on tracks like Habibi Min Zaman. Balkan Beat Box's second album is ear-grabbing and transcends all conceivable musical categories. Note: Balkan Beat Box performed at Spring Fest in 2005.
Ibrahim Ferrer - Mi
Sueno Article by Julian Glucroft
If you loved Buena Vista Social club, then you will certainly be fond of Ibrahim Ferrer's new album, "Mi Sueno" (Nonesuch). Ferrer's voice is soft and sensual, as well as it is intense evoking a romantic suffering. The uniqueness and depth of his voice is at the forefront of every song. The pianist, Orlando Cachaito Lopez, leads most songs with Bossa-nova influenced rhythms and smooth-jazzy melodies. Most songs rely on a rudimentary combination of piano, bass, drums, and voice to create a soft and irresistible texture. The lyrics (translated in English) are profound and go beyond romantic clichés. Track 10 is a powerful ballad accompanied by the singer Omara Portuondo (also featured on Buena Vista Club albums). Overall, this a great a CD from a veteran of Cuban music who really has nothing left to prove.
WZT Heart - "Threads Rope Spell Making Your Bones"
Article by Zev RowlettThe WZT Heart's new LP "Threads Rope Spell Making Your Bones" (improve electro psych-rock) starts off slowly with the very ambient tracks "Hassier" and "Lava Nile". The latter features the NBC news themesong, but didn't do much for me otherwise. But track 3, "Jeep Uzi", starts off a series of more intense tracks featuring heavier rhythms and creative use of cymbals over more typical ambient sound. Check out "Jeep Uzi" (3) for a more melodic piece or "Viszula" (6) for good bass and a great ambient experience. Slimpocket's new single, "Got Something to Say", puts a great selection of guitar and vocal melodies into the new local reggae scene. It's edgy and emotional while completely cool and laid back. Slimpocket is informed with a smart message. Please play this track! TX/RX puts emotional vocal melodies with bouncy basslines into solid hard rock on their LP "transmit/receive". Rhythmically intense and lyrically haunting, this new album will get listeners to check out the website wondering "who was that?" Try the opening tack "inside outside" for something edgy or the hidden bonus track 13 for a laid back feel.
