Gowns are more than just clothes

The other day, while browsing Stereogum, I stumbled upon a lovely little band called Gowns. Raw and intensely emotional, their sound reminds me of a few of Akron/Family's calmer, lower key songs. I suppose they could be lumped into the freak-folk category, but they're an easier listen than most artists of this genre (see: Danielson). Their songs incorporate acoustic guitar, a capella harmonies/lyrics, and lots of piano feedback. Right down my alley.

Anyways, here’s a bit more about the band. Originally composed of 3 people (lead singer/guitarist Erika Anderson, drummer Corey Fogel, and synth man Ezra Buchla), Gowns recently added drummer Jacob Huele and bassist Aaron Davis to their ensemble. Although the group originally formed in 2004, they only just released their first full-length album, Red State,in 2007. Recorded in homes, basements, and rooms between Los Angeles and South Dakota, it chronicles the life of the band in flyover zones.

Let me go over a few of the standout tracks on Red State. Rope is almost a whisper of a song, and captures the thoughts of someone whose world is falling apart. White Like Heaven gives you a pessimistic punch in the heart, with lyrics like "I saw thirty seconds turn into 10,000 years, and it was horrible" detailing the darker side of life. Another favourite, Clawless, is a hauntingly beautiful a capella track which begins with a single voice then transitions into a series of harmonies.

This band doesn't even need instruments.

A few tracks for your listening enjoyment:
Gowns- Rope (Demo)
Gowns- Feathers

& more on their myspace

They know they’re right

I was checking out the SXSW line-up the other day, cursing the US for being so big and Texas for being so far. And greasy. Actually, there are plenty more very valid reasons why I’m not at this “superbowl of music”. Like, uh, work. So to feel better, I was listening to some of the showcased bands when I came across Bo Pepper.

This British quartet is composed of Nick Cartwheel on the guitar, Will E. Nailor on bass, Jonny Dangerous (like that’s really your name) on the drums and a mysterious female vocalist labelled simply “singer”. Actually my sleuthing helped me discover that this elusive “singer” is in fact Alexis Strum, a 28 year-old singer -songwriter from Chingford, Essex with her own solo stuff going on.

All in all, Bo Pepper is a little bit Metric, a little bit Yeah Yeah Yeahs... very much following a vein of ladies fronting all-man rock ensembles. It’s danceable and fun, albeit sometimes a little vapid in the lyrics department (I could do you like no other, I could be your girl. I could make you beg and suffer, I should be your girl... ok, Ashlee Simpson).

But that’s all forgiven once you see their kitschy stop-motion animation video for Blinkandyou’llmissit! And any band that uses a sock puppet as their main promotional tool gets my respect.

Buses is a fantastic track and has been picked up by XFM DJ Eddy Temple Morris to appear on the album, "UK: ONE the New Music Collection- Coca-Cola Soundwave”. For Kicks is also really fun, layering hand clapping (always a good time) with an energetic beat and playful guitar strumming, the kind of song The Strokes would be jealous they didn’t release first.

Check this out if you’re not convinced:

I have a thing for Pete Doherty.

For some reason, his dirty, strung-out, drug-puppy look is just... hot. I totally get you Kate Moss. Well, no, not at all, but the Pete stuff, I dig.

This is not an album review, or any kind of relevant post, really, but I am home from work because i am sick, I have a fever, and my effing stove decided to electrocute me. So please bear with my rant.

Anyhoo, I read an article about old Petey a while ago, and the guy is seriously effed.

The journalist is with him over the span of a few days, and during interviews Pete goes on and on about how good he feels and how rehab has made him so much better, lalala... Then bam, a picture of him surfaces in the tabloids of him shooting up 3 days earlier. Ooopsies.

Hey, but it’s ok, he just turned 28, which apparently (to him) disqualifies him from going the way of the famous 27-drug-glamour-drama rockstar demise. Sorry Heath, you just chose the wrong craft.

So what I am getting at is: Babyshambles – Shotter’s Nation. Listen to it.

Lost Art of Murder just popped up on my play list, and it’s an amazing track. It’s about the gambles he takes in life, and pulling his act together. Either that or he’s playing a really intense board game (Trouble, maybe?).

Babyshambles - Lost Art of Murder

Welcome to Toronto!

So, so tired.

One of the (many) perks of relocating to the big city was that I would get to go to as many shows as my little heart desired. You know, at least once a week or so, I thought. Little did I know, my first week here would coincide with Canadian Music Week. Phew. Even with my “i-work-early-and-it’s-a-new-job-so-i’m-going-to-be-a-grandma” attitude, I still managed to catch about a dozen bands in the span of four days.

To summarize this event, CMW presents 500 artists spread out across 40 venues, starting on Wednesday up to Sunday. Yes. Needless to say, Monday was brutal – I showed up to work late with a nasty cold. I think I ate 4 oranges at my desk today. The big ones. But I digress.

Some CMW highs:

Karkwa – This Québécois band blows me away every time. Even the people around me who had no idea what the band was singing about were completely entranced. With a new album due out April 1^st, their set mixed old songs with some amazing new material. Please give them a listen, I promise they are lovely.

The Acorn – Amazing set at the Horseshoe, made us Ottawaiians proud. Ottawans? Ottawanians? (According to my spellcheck, it’s Ottomans. Obviously.) Still haven’t figured out what a “morning-after burrito” is, but this topic seemed to preoccupy the band quite a bit. Doesn’t Ottawa prefer morning-after shawarma?

White Cowbell Oklahoma – Probably the most terrifying live show I have EVER seen. Big burly bearded boys (men, in fact, but I wanted to complete the alliteration) and sweaty, heavy rock. There were half naked ladies wearing devil horns dancing on the speakers, pyrotechnics (still at the Horseshoe) and a CHAINSAW. Yes – they sawed a Tweetie Bird piñata in two and then used the power tool to project toilet paper into the audience.

Some CMW lows:

Your wrist band does NOT guarantee you access. And this lovely week also turned out to be one of the biggest snow storms of the year. READ: lots of waiting outside in the cold cold snow. And being turned away from the RZA show on Sunday night. Jerks.

Special mention goes out to Ottawa’s Fucked Corpse, who we stumbled upon while trying to find shelter from the cold. They were randomly playing at the XPACE gallery on my street, so we stopped in for a few Grolsch and some sweet art. They weren’t part of CMW, but I think they should have been.

Next time.

xo.

heartbreakers.

the number of bands that have broken my heart out number boys by approximately one million to none. i know bands don’t last forever. they break up. artists “grow,” move on to other things, new things, and occasionally better things.

i’m not quite over the loss of Acceptance, and i doubt that i ever will be. but there are other ex-bands which I am willing to talk about. time heals some wounds.

Northstar were one of my late 90’s emo-indie rock staples. between "Is This Thing Loaded," and "Pollyanna," they had a pretty good run.

they have long since disbanded, but Nicolas Torres along with Tyler Odem moved on to a different and wonderful project. Cassino is quite the departure from their upbeat-emo past. (hello oxymoron.) the genuine acoustic/folk sound executed by this band provides a seemless guide for Nic’s distinct vocals. From harmonicas to trumpets, there is use of instrumental technicality throughout this album that shows maturity. the piano in "The Old Year," seems to drive the song against the vocals in an awkward but beautiful way. "Sounds of Salvation," indeed.

it is rare that i find myself happy over a disbandment, but i sincerely hope Cassino stick around long enough to make a sophomore effort. it is because of bands not boys that i always have ice-cream in the freezer and a box of tissues near by. there need to be more post-break-up projects like this one if I’m ever going to completely buy into all that ‘everything happens for a reason” b.s…

The Old Year - Cassino
Rigged and Ready - Northstar

Socalled is hip hop. Socalled is Jewish hip hop. Socalled is wicked.

Socalled, is a.k.a. Josh Dolgin. the Canadian/Ottawa native is literally and figuratively marching to the beat of his own drums. eclectic is the most ideal word to describe his music. he is not just mixing religion into sound, but various languages and history as well. miles away from being the Jewish kid told to sing songs about some dude named ‘Jesus’ in choir. he has since crafted a genre for himself that he believes in. a range of collaborations include Wu Tang's Killah Priest, and Matisyahu. rooted in old Yiddish melodies, the messages he sends have purpose: giving his religions history a present voice. thoughtfully accomplished, and beyond the reasoning for the sound, the music rocks. yes, i said Jewish hip hop rocks.

give Ghettoblaster a listen. it is Socalled's 2007 release, decidedly more mainstream than the first LP, The Socalled Seder. but both are worth a listen. below is the video for “You are never alone.” it is a good song, a well done video, and a little on the creepy side. the opening lyric of “and frankly there is nothing so unusual about being a Jewish cowboy,” is a loaded statement. one brushstroke on the canvas Socalled is attempting to paint. get thinking friends.

You Are Not Alone (YouTube Video) - Socalled

You Are Not Alone - Socalled

(Rock The) Belz - Socalled

The 10 Plagues - Socalled

Why Bonnaroo is better than Coachella : 2008 Edition

1. Pearl Jam is playing Bonnaroo. Jack Johnson is playing Coachella.
2. Willie Nelson is playing Bonnaroo. Jack Johnson is playing Coachella.
3. Driving to Tennessee is feasible and affordable. Driving to California is not.
4. David Cross will be at Bonnaroo. Jack Johnson will be at Coachella.
5. Kanye West will blow your mind at Bonnaroo. Jack Johnson will not blow your mind at Coachella.
6. Fine, Jack Johnson is playing Bonnaroo, too. See reasons 1-4 for why it doesn't matter.
   

In conclusion, I'm not going to Coachella. But check out the lineups for yourself and decide.

COMING SOON TO A MUSIC BLOG NEAR YOU:

After Indio, is Coachella headed east this year? If so, keep your eyes peeled for the lineup.

Hopefully it doesn't include Jack Johnson.