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Tour Dates
11/14/09
Double Door Chicago, IL
Read More
11/16/09 Al’s Bar Lexington, KY 11/17/09 Cliff Bells Detroit 11/18/09 Wrongbar Toronto, ON 11/19/09 ll Motore Montreal 11/20/09 Westcott Theater Syracuse, NY 11/21/09 LPR NY, New York 11/22/09 Liv Nightclub Washington DC 11/23/09 Magnus Music LLC Charlottesville 11/24/09 Milestone Charlotte, NC 11/25/09 Local 506 Carrboro, NC 11/27/09 BottleTree Birmingham, AL 11/28/09 Spanish Moon Baton Rouge, LA 11/29/09 House Of Blues Dallas, TX 11/30/09 Emos Jr Austin, TX 12/02/09 Rhythm Room Phoenix 12/03/09 Casbah San Diego, CA 12/04/09 El Rey LA, CA 12/07/09 Rythm Factory London 12/08/09 HiFi Club Leeds 12/09/09 Jam Brighton 12/17/09 Palác Akropolis Prague |
Such a nice night for mid-November at the 400 Bar. Athletes in Slacks (myspace) warmed up the crowd with their laidback loungey harmonizing sound that only two keyboarders and a guitarist can produce. The band claims all their songs are about love, except later on their hour-long set, they introduced a song about hating two guys from New York. They did finish strong with a cover of INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart", and that's what really matter.
The first time I heard about Swedish band Little Dragon, was in January. Ceji was really into them. Since we generally like Swedish bands here, I did try and keep up with their whereabouts. As it turns out, they're in the middle of their tour through the US to promote their sophomore album, Machine Dreams. Although the band's been here already, they confessed last night that this was their first time in Minneapolis.
They didn't do Ceji's favorite "Recommendation" song, but I though hands-down their best song played was "After The Rain", complete with an amazing ending.
From what I heard from their live set, their new songs seems to drifts from the R&B and Jazz influence to more electro and beats. I think the combination works well for them, especially since I like their big beats/electronica sound.
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I've been to a lot of shows lately, and I can tell you that this was one of the best shows yet. They're heading their way to the East Coast, so definitely check them out. If they're not heading through your city, you should check out Machine Dreams, out now on Peacefrog Records.
) ♥ little-dragon.se ♥ myspace.com/yourlittledragon - 09:07 Reading: AK 100: 25 Films by Akira Kurosawa (DVD Boxset) - The Criterion Collection www.criterion.com/boxsets/678 #
- 09:11 SXSW 2010 badge prices change tomorrow sxsw.com/attend #
- 13:24 Looking at: Metal Gear Rex Figure: Big, Shiny, Enormous bit.ly/2ye6S #
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19 Nov - The Step Inn Fortitude Valley, Queensland w Mexico City & Sue Ray
27 Nov - The Tote Melbourne, Victoria. w James McCann’s Dirty Skirt Band, Black Pony Express & Little John.
An honourable mention also has to go to Jamie Hutchings. I'm sure he's being playing shows in some form or another since before the dawn of time. Always enjoyable.... and, it seems, about to embark on a tour of europe, so if you're over that way, be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled. Or maybe just look at his website for tour dates (might be easier).
20 Nov 2009 - MUM at World Bar, Kings Cross, Sydney, 21 Nov 2009 - The Clubhouse (formerly Empire Corner Bar), Fortitude Valley
First, I want to state that I have this lofty goal to eliminate my credit card dependency. However, my compulsion to support certain 'why-are-these-people-still-under-the-radar?' musicians @ established music venues makes it quite difficult.
Tuesday night when I saw Ari Hest play at the Hotel Cafe I knew the online ticket purchase was worth it-- as are all my purchases, of course. The opener from Ireland, Declan O'Rourke, told the audience that this was his first time playing (or first tour playing?) in America. He had a great sound and one novelty song stands out. It's about an old black crow and it was highly entertaining because there was a fun song introduction and then part of the chorus was him cawing. Not counting that particular song, to me, live, his style was like an Irish version of Ari's so it shouldn't be too surprising if he gains a large following here fairly quickly.
"I can make you move against your will. Don’t it make you sad to lose control?" Broken Voices by Ari Hest
Ari was fantastic with his band, and played a bunch of songs from his early material and CD The Break In, plus newer songs from his project, 52, which included my favorite song, Broken Voices. At some point Amy Kuney came up to sing Cranberry Lake which she co-wrote and sang in a duet with Ari. That was great because I've been wanting to see her live for a while now too.
Ari's vocal ability is amazing. His tone ranges in his songs from baritone to falsetto with impressively flawless lung control. It bowls me over me every time I see him live.
I ran into @KristinJuel during the evening which is always refreshing. Sitting with her I discovered my new favorite bass player, Rob Calder, who has an interesting way of dancing to the beat while he plays. Very entertaining to watch!
The only downer of the night is that there's a rule that non-flash photography is allowed in Hotel Cafe, but video recording is not. Kristin got busted for taking video with her digi cam at some point. That was too bad but at least they didn't confiscate her camera. She had also taken a bunch of still photos. Overall, it was a good night for live music.
"You're the song that I sing that I don't need to practice." from In the Creases by Amber Rubarth.
Tomorrow is Amber Rubarth's show @ The Mint-- http://themintla.com is their site. I refuse to hyperlink to it because it has music that auto-plays and defaults to the loudest volume setting. Way to facilitate an obnoxious user experience.
I love Amber's lyrical ambition and like Ari, she is now based in NY so I try to see her whenever she's playing here. Can't wait to hear her new songs and old ones again that I like. A lot.
- 10:56 Watching: YouTube - Fun Fun Fun Fest 2009 Epic Trailer bit.ly/2AdhDh #
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This year's gift to Madonna Fan Club members is
From Madonna's site: "This high quality lithograph features 22 photos taken from the Celebration video’s original film and put together as a photographer’s contact sheet."I can't wait! I still haven't framed the other lithograph I got through ICON (Madonna's Fan Club).
Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY
Tuesday, November 17, Forro In The Dark is based in New York, but they tap into their Brazilian roots to create hip-swiveling grooves. Their fans include KCRW favorites like David Byrne and Bebel Gilberto-- you’ll hear why on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Thursday, November 19, As a young woman, Rosanne Cash told her father Johnny she wanted to play country music. He put together a list of 100 essential songs for her to listen to and, years later, she’s put together an album highlighting her favorites. Hear it live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Tuesday, November 24, We first met Lissie at KCRW in 2007, when she came in to sing backup for Jesca Hoop. Now, she's opening for Ray LaMontagne and has just released a terrific debut EP. Hear her new songs live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Wednesday, November 25, Tune in for a special pre-Thanksgiving visit from UK production and remix team Simian Mobile Disco. They'll deliver fresh tracks from their sophomore release when they join Morning Becomes Eclectic live at 11:15am.
KCRW.COM PRESENTS
Tues, November 24, ROYKSOPP at WEBSTER HALL in NEW YORK.
Fri, December 11, FIERY FURNACES at THE MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG in NEW YORK CITY.
KCRW PRESENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Thursday, November 12, ORGONE AT ZANZIBAR.
Thursday, November 12, BURAKA SOM SISTEMA AT THE MAYAN.
Fri, November 13, BOMBA ESTEREO AT THE ECHO.
Sat, November 14, JENNY LEWIS & FRIENDS AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Wed, November 18, SWELL SEASON AT THE WILTERN.
Wed, November 18, ROYKSOPP AT CLUB NOKIA.
Wed, November 18, FORRO IN THE DARK at THE SOHO in Santa Barbara.
Thursday, November 19, FORRO IN THE DARK AT THE MINT.
Sat, November 21, FRIENDLY FIRES WITH THE XX AT THE MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA.
Fri, November 20, FAT FREDDY’S DROP AT THE ROXY. Jeremy Sole will host and deejay the evening.
Sat, November 21, BEN GIBBARD & FRIENDS AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Sat, November 21, PETER BJORN AND JOHN with FOOL'S GOLD AND EL PERRO DEL MAR AT CLUB NOKIA.
Mon, November 23, EL PERRO DEL MAR AT THE HOTEL CAFÉ.
Tues, November 24, LISSIE at THE BOOTLEG THEATRE.
Tues, November 24, CAFÉ TACUBA AT CLUB NOKIA.
Fri, November 27, JULIAN CASABLANCAS AT THE PALACE THEATRE.
Fri, December 4, FINK AT SPACELAND.
Sat, December 5, SARA WATKINS AND TOM BROSSEAU AT LARGO AT THE CORONET.
Fri, December 11, BAND OF SKULLS AT THE TROUBADOUR.
Sat, December 12, BRETT DENNEN AT THE WILTERN.
Sat, December 12, JOHN DOE with JILL SOBULE AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Wed, December 16, ZERO 7 AT THE ORPHEUM.
Fri, December 18 and Sat, December 19, OZOMATLI AT CLUB NOKIA.
Fri, January 8, SONIC YOUTH AT THE FOX THEATRE IN POMONA.
Sat, January 9, SONIC YOUTH AT THE WILTERN.
Fri, March 12, BRANDI CARLILE AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES (ANAHEIM).
KCRW DJ Mario Cotto (Sat, 8-10p) has a way of describing bands that is unlike anyone else I’ve ever met. We recently had an email discussion about Washed Out -- a band that made a splash at CMJ, but who had been on our airwaves for sometime thanks to Mario. Here’s his description, which of course he didn’t expect me to publish since it was just a discussion between two music geeks: “It's rad. It's all gauzy, hazy lo-fi disco. Like 10cc nightdrivin' a Ferrari to Studio 54 on ecstacy. “ (In case you don’t remember, 10cc are the UK band responsible for this hit)
Mario continues… “It seems there's this whole lo-fi psychedelic loop sound that's taking over -- bands like Washed Out, Memory Tapes, Toro y Moi, Kurt Vile, Atlas Sound. And of course, Former Ghosts...but they're doing more of a cold-wavey romantic synthpop thing.”
So there it is...a short list of bands to check out over the weekend!
RR