Alright everyone, I know it’s been a little quiet around these parts for the last couple of days. In order to make it up to you, I figured I’d give you a sneak preview at the weekly FMF mixcast. This week’s episode is 56 minutes of music for you to check out. It doesn’t have cover artwork this time around, though I did want to post it with this awesome photo from my girl KMD. Next week there will actually be discussion and show updates throughout the show. Download it and give it to your friends if you like. Your feedback would be appreciated!
Deastro- Biophelia
Dirty Projectors- Stillness Is The Move (Missions Rework)
Floating Action- Absolute Sway
King Tuff- Sun Medallion
Surfer Blood- Take It Easy
The Sandwitches- Back To The Sea
The Flirtations- Nothing But A Heartache
No Age- Losing Feeling
The Soft Pack- Fences (Phoenix Cover)
The Mantles- Don’t Lie
The Drums- Submarine
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart- Everything With You
Washed Out- Feel It All Around (Toro Y Moi Remix)
Flying Lotus- Fall In Love (Dilla Tribute)
Best Coast- When I’m With You
Beach House- Walk In The Park
WHY? has had a huge year in 2009. This was perfectly encapsulated in my mind when I tried to catch the band’s recent show at Modified and showed up to a “sold out” sign on the door before the door had even opened. A few friends and I drove down to Tucson the next night to see them play at Club Congress. It was a great performance that included a lot of songs from the band’s latest album, Eskimo Songs. Now the band has released a music video combining the first two songs from that album that was directed by Ben Barnes.
Lymbyc Systym used to be my favorite local band. That is until the members of the band up and moved to Brooklyn and Austin. When I heard they were leaving town, I thought about all the times I missed out on seeing them play because I assumed they’d be playing local gigs forever. Now that the band has relocated, it’s a rare treat to see them play in Phoenix. The band recently toured with The Books and just released a new LP called Shutter Release on Mush Records. The album was mixed by John Congleton (Explosions In The Sky, St. Vincent, Modest Mouse, etc.) and thoroughly impressed me upon first listen. Since the show is at Sail Inn, it will be 21+ only. Sorry kiddos!
I’ve written about Kinch quite a bit on this site and consider them one of the best bands Phoenix has to offer. The band has played countless local shows, but always goes out of their way to make sure to keep each one fresh and unique. For this year’s Christmas season, the band decided to ask a few other great local acts to come together and play a party that will hopefully become an annual tradition. The bands will be playing shortened sets that are heavy on Christmas songs and collaborations. But don’t worry, the bands will be playing original work as well. And best of all, the proceeds are all going to local charities that help the homeless. Tickets are $10 and available here.
Karin Elisabeth Dreijer just released the fifth music video from her debut album under the Fever Ray moniker. “Keep The Streets Empty For Me” is beautifully shot in black and white and was directed by Jens Klevje and Fabian Svensson. Karin is an artist in every sense of the word and takes her music videos very seriously. They exist to further her vision and bring her fans deeper into her subconscious. The images from these videos have stayed with me long after viewing them and that’s a great credit to both her and the creative team behind them. Visit her website to view the other videos from the LP.
Yeasayer’s new signle “Ambling Alp” presents such a dichotomy of styles that it took me more than a few listens to wrap my mind around everything that’s going on. I’m pretty shocked by their ability to make music that is so experimental while remaining the very definition of pop music at the same time. At this point, I would actually be shocked if the band didn’t do something to shock me. So, this new music video shouldn’t be any surprise to me. However, it’s still a bit crazy to see, as this is one of the trippiest music videos I’ve ever seen a band release. Make sure you’re sitting down for this one.
The holiday season is here again! Before you stuff you face and listen to hours of family arguments tomorrow, make sure you celebrate with some friends tonight. What better way to do that then with a great show in an intimate environment. Head over to Modified tonight and check out one of my favorite new discoveries this year along with a gang of awesome local bands. Real Estate will probably be playing in a much larger venue the next time they come to town, and Modified will soon cease to exist, so come out and party!
If you’re not feeling up for a show, or just want a great movie to see after, hit your local theater and go see The Road. Cormac McCarthy’s novel is one of the most brutal and heartbreaking pieces of American literature that has ever been written. I’ve spent many nights endlessly turning the pages of this book and have been drooling over the chance to see the movie. Come on! It stars Viggo Mortensen! Plus, you could only leave the theater feeling thankful for all that you have, and that’s what the holidays are really all about. Right?
Discovering new bands that I enjoy is one of my favorite pleasures in life. What’s even more awesome is when one finds you when you aren’t even looking. I’ve got the folks over at Western Vinyl to thank for introducing me to Sleep Whale, as the label recently sent me a copy of their new album. A lot of the stuff I get sent ends up being pretty mediocre, and most of it doesn’t get posted about on this site, but I really love this band’s new album Houseboat. The album is a mix of heady and ambient instrumentals interlaced with experimental folk songs with layered vocals. It’s an album that’s meant for late winter nights alone with your headphones. Though it would go well played on a porch with some friends and conversation as well. Regardless of how you listen to it, give this one a go.
Pavement’s announcement that they would reunite for a plethora of shows sent the indie music world into hysteria earlier this year. People were so excited about it that the band’s ATP curated festival scheduled for May sold out within half an hour of going on sale. And that was well over half a year before the festival is even taking place! So, you probably aren’t going to be attending this festival unless you’re prepared to drop crazy amounts of cash on Ebay for some tickets. However, you can still drool over the lineup as 21 bands have been announced to open for the almighty Pavement at ATP in May.
ATP:
Broken Social Scene
Mission of Burma
Calexico
The Raincoats
The Fiery Furnaces
The Walkmen
Omar Souleyman + Sublime Frequencies
Atlas Sound
Grails
The Drones
Saccharine Trust
The Clean
Wooden Shjips
Sic Alps
Spiral Stairs
Blitzen Trapper
Pierced Arrows
The 3Ds
Marble Valleys
The Authorities
Wildbirds & Peacedrums
My roommate and I will travel just about anywhere to see a Daft Punk show. Luckily we wont have to leave the country this time, as the band will be stopping by Yankee Stadium in New York on tour next August. These dates were leaked by a source close to the band. Thanks to Undercover.com.au for the scoop.
July:
30 – Le Zénith, Paris, France
August:
1 – Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, Netherlands
3 – Allianz-Arena, Munich, Germany
5 – The O2, Dublin, Ireland
7 – Parc Des Sports, Nice, France
15 – Yankee Stadium, New York, NY
22 – Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia
28 – Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
September:
3 – Wembley Arena, London, UK
6 – City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, UK
