Where’s that deliciously pouty, funky sound coming from? South London? NYC? Try Lawrence, Kansas. (Hey, they’re entitled to deliciously pouty, funky music, too, you know.) These tracks are from Conner’s forthcoming album Hello Graphic Missile which is due out June 6. June 6?? But I want it NOW…
Woody Whatever
Athens, Ohio’s Erik Schmall has been recording frayed, cuddly lo-fi at a blistering pace. He’s already released over 100 songs since he first started in 2001, at age 17. Like many prolific bedroom songwriters, or any prolific songwriter for that matter, not every track will blow you away. But these ones here do, and I’m sure I’ve overlooked a few. If you’re looking for a good place to get started, hop (Happy Easter!) over to the lovely blog/netlabel Beat the Indie Drum to download Woody Whatever’s Big One Shout Out EP that just came out in March 2006.
Eiffel Tower
Nevermind the snappy drums. Ignore the catchy licks. Pay no attention to fuzzy hooks. Tight harmonies? What tight harmonies? See, Eiffel Tower have got something hidden underneath all that. Songwriting. That unique ability to craft a pop, or rock, song, a talent that mainman Benjamin Wheelocks has been honing and developing since he started writing songs at age 6. Okay, you can now go back to the snappy drums, catchy licks, etc., etc., like you could even ignore them in the first place.
The National
Here’s how out of it I am (and not even because of our new month-old kid) — it took a couple of burned CDs from Katherine delivered in a Ziploc to clue me in to The National. All the while, I thought it was just the CBC’s nightly news program hosted by the stately, handsomely balding Peter Mansbridge. Instead, we’re talking a brooding, dark, intensely rocking band with heavy duty coverage from CMJ, BillBoard, Rolling Stone, The Chicago Tribune, Pitchfork and a bunch of other media sources I never have time to read. For those who are as clueless as me, try “Murder Me Rachael” for starters, though you might have to listen to it twenty times before moving on to the next track. Don’t worry; it stays good. Thanks, Kath!
The End of the World
Fate just won’t cooperate with me. Several weeks ago, I was thilled to discover that Dirty on Purpose and The End of the World were playing at the Young Avenue Deli in Memphis. My joy was shortlived as I realized that I was scheduled to be in France that day. The next twist: my trip was postponed two weeks ago, freeing up March 20th so I could go see the show. But as the day arrived, this lousy sinus infection I’ve got struck me down, and I fell asleep rather early last night and missed the show. So I listened to said bands today to try to make me feel better, yet it only made me wish that I could have heard the live version of “This Little Theater.” Now who can name the movie this was in?
The Duke Spirit
We’ve been on something of a pop kick the last few days, so I thought it’s about time to bring the ear-ringing rock. Speaking of tinnitus, my ears have been going at it 24/7 for like the last month. Too much loud music obviously. There’s been a lot of talk about the link between iPods and hearing loss (duh), but I listen to my iPod in the car primarily. Still, I listen way too loud. It’s like hot sauce or chocolate. Can’t get enough. More, more, more. Gotta have it loud. The Duke Spirit certainly won’t be helping the situation anytime soon. These Brits bring it! They’re loud even at a volume level of two. And when Leila sings “I need those eyes and I need those bones” on Flood-produced “Win Your Love,” well, love hasn’t rung in my ears like this since PJ Harvey told me to look at her child-bearing hips and ruby red ruby lips.
Joseph Arthur
Hello friends. A week ago tonight, my family welcomed 19-inch, 7.4 lb. Peter Joseph into the world, so I’ll be taking a few weeks off working through an SAT prep regimen with the new guy. Respect to admin for giving me some FMLA time (it’s healthy!), and thanks to my pal Tim Ortopan for being 3hive’s first guest deejay.
I am excited to be the first outsider allowed to post on 3hive, and I’m thrilled to be posting Joseph Arthur, who has been one of my favorite artists for the last few years. I received his album Come to Where I’m From for my 18th birthday in a record store grab bag, and it instantly became one of my most prized albums. The fact that no one I knew had heard of Joseph Arthur only added to the illusion that he was singing his songs of sadness and heartbreak just for me. In this context, he has seen me through first dates and break ups without ever asking for anything in return. I think that recommending him to you is the least I can for all the help he has given me. Arthur has had a few ups and downs in his career but the Ohio native has made some of the best music of the last few years. Download the live tracks here as an introduction to his work. I hope you like them; if not the 3hive guys may never invite me back.
Katie the Pest
Lo-fi bitrates for this wonderful, lo-fi shoegazey duo that takes me back to L.A.’s Paisley Underground days—a gritty version of The Bangles or Opal. The stand out track here is “Sober.” It’s, as they sing in the song, “unstoppable.” You’ll end up listening to it twenty times in a row. It’s maddeningly addicting. Thanks to Whitney B for reminding me about Katie The Pest. She can’t stop listening either and is mad at us for making her spend so much money on records. We’re not sorry.
I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness
There was a time (before MP3s or listening stations) when I’d buy records based solely on the name of the band. Don’t laugh, it’s how I ended up discovering Echo and the Bunnymen and Siouxsie and the Banshees before they became ’80s household names. It’s the name that drew me to I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness which, with their shadowy, elastic heartbreakers, could have been shelved alsongside Bunnymen and Banshees back in the day. Only they’re of this decade and from Austin, Texas (with ties to Windsor for the Derby). Britt Daniel of Spoon produced their debut EP and his taut and tuneful sensibilities shone through (see “Your Worst Is the Best”). Their new LP, Fear Is on Our Side, was produced by Paul Barker (of Ministry and related side projects) who made the dark corners darker (see “According to Plan”). Either way, it’s good stuff and gives you the opportunity to invite this exchange: “Who is this?” “I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness.” “That’s nice, but who is this?”
The Stills
Perhaps the name is a subliminal bit of wishful thinking, because these Montreal, uh, rockers? new wavers? Franco-popsters? never seem to stay still for too long. But the great part is that none of their many aural wardrobe changes sound contrived because they’re not mimicking styles; they’re bringing their own sound to bear on what’s out there. Their latest, “In the Beginning,” is a southern rock anthem. “Retour A Vega” is wistful even though I only understand every third word. And “Still in Love Song” is full of intelligent teen angst. So if you’re having trouble deciding what kind of mood you’re in, don’t bother with the shuffle on your iPod. Just load in the Stills and let them do the shuffling for you.