A little bit of winter in the middle of summer

Bon Iver is hitting the road in the US this summer after returning from a run of dates in Europe, starting off in Minnesota in June. He is touring with the likes of Bowerbirds, Wilco and one of my favorites, AA Bondy. Unfortunately he is NOT playing with AA Bondy at the two New York dates (which go on sale tomorrow at Noon) but you can catch AA on July 10th, also at Bowery Ballroom. As previously mentioned he is a Felice Brother of sorts and well, one of our loves.
********BON IVER TOUR DATES*********
21-ROCK THE GARDEN @ WALKER ART CENTER w/The New Pornographers-Minneapolis, Minnesota
*******JULY*******
20-PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL-Chicago, Illinois
*21-CROFOOT BALLROOM w/Bowerbirds-Detroit, Michigan
*22-LEE’S PALACE w/Bowerbirds-Toronto, Ontario
*23-CABARET MUSIC HALL w/Bowerbirds-Montreal, Quebec
*25-SPACE GALLERY w/Bowerbirds-Portland, Maine
*26-MUSEUM OF FINE ART w/Bowerbirds-Boston, Massachusetts
*27-THE CAPE CINEMA w/Bowerbirds-Dennis, Massachusetts
*29-BOWERY BALLROOM w/Bowerbirds-New York, New York (TICKETS ON SALE TOMORROW AT NOON)
*30-MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG w/Bowerbirds-Brooklyn, New York
*31-FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH w/Bowerbirds-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
******AUGUST******
*1-THE BLACK CAT w/Bowerbirds-Washington DC
*2-REX THEATRE w/Bowerbirds-Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
*3-WEXNER CENTER w/Bowerbirds-Columbus, Ohio
+4-THE LAWN AT WHITE RIVER w/Wilco-Indianapolis, Indiana
+6-FLORDIA THEATRE w/Wilco-Jacksonville, Florida
+7-NORTH CHARLESTON PERFORMI w/Wilco-Charleston, South Carolina
+8-KOKA BOOTH AMPHITHEATRE w/Wilco-Cary, North Carolina
#10-PILOT LIGHT w/AA Bondy-Knoxville, Tennessee
#11-EXIT/IN w/AA Bondy-Nashville, Tennessee
#12-WALDRON ARTS CENTER w/AA Bondy-Bloomington, Indiana
#14-PABST THEATER w/AA Bondy-Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#15-FIRST AVENUE w/AA Bondy-Minneapolis, Minnesota
24-OUTSIDE LANDS FESTIVAL-San Francisco, California
#25-THE TROUBADOUR w/AA Bondy-Los Angeles, California
*Dates with Bowerbirds
+Dates with Wilco
#Dates with AA Bondy
Bon Iver-Flume (Live on NPR).mp3
Bon Iver-Lump Sum (Live on NPR).mp3
Bon Iver Tags
AA Bondy Tags

Poor Emma, we feel bad for you, 'YES WE DID' and other happenings of '08: TOP ALBUMS OF THE YEAR (for me and eric)

First and foremost every good music listener has someone that they share everything with because loving something as much as i love music is never truly complete unless you share it with those who are always there for you. Most of my past music education over the few years has stemmed from Eric's knowledge of The Grateful Dead, The Band, Antony and the Johnsons, Bonnie Prince Billy and many more and this year I was finally able to give a little bit back. Along with his top picks he listed his top 11 shows of the year as well. Since we spent most of the year collectively ohhhh'ing and ahhhhh'ing over Bon Iver we once mentioned in passing conversation how we felt bad for poor Emma. As the rest of the world was delighting over sickening love songs by Mr. Emma, she was out there knowing all of this was written about her. And so, Emma this is for you. Here's to a happy and healthy 2009!!!

*****************Top Ten Albums of 2008 for Mr. Eric*****************

1.Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago
2. The Felice Brothers-The Felice Brothers
3.Lykke Li-Youth Novels
4.Cat Power-Jukebox
5. The Black Keys-Attack and Release
6. The Tallest Man on Earth-Shallow Graves
7. Small Sur-We Live In Houses Made of Wood
8. The Rosewood Thieves-Rise and Shine
9. Horse Feathers-House With No Home
10. Bob Dylan-Tell Tale Signs

+1 Bonnie 'Prince' Billy–Lie Down in the Light

******Top Ten Concerts********

1.Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble, Levon Helm Studios, September 6, 2008
2.Bon Iver, Bowery Ballroom, July 29, 2008
3.Radiohead, All Points West Festival, August 8, 2008
4.The Felice Brothers / AA Bondy, The Bearsville Theatre, April 26, 2008
5.The Black Crowes (Acoustic), Town Hall, November 3
6.Horse Feathers / The Rosewood Thieves / Small Sur, Union Hall, November 21, 2008
7.Adele, Joe's Pub, March 17, 2008
8. Bob Dylan, The Prospect Park Bandshell, August 12, 2008
9.The Cave Singers, The Mercury Lounge, May 6, 2008
10.Rodriguez, Joe's Pub, September 3, 2008

+1 The Raconteurs, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 4, 2008

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


******2008, thank you, from shelves of vinyl*******

1. The Black Keys-Attack and Release
2. Dr. Dog-Fate
3. Bon Iver-For Emma, Forever Ago
4. Lykke Li-Youth Novel
5. Hercules and Love Affair-Hercules and Love Affair
6. Helio Sequence-Keep Your Eyes Ahead
7. Ra Ra Riot-Rhumb Line
8. Tobacco-Fucked Up Friends
9. Elliott Brood-Mountain Meadow
10.Fleet Foxes-Fleet Foxes

11. Friendly Fires-Friendly Fires
12. Crystal Castles-Crystal Castles
13. Tallest Man on Earth-Shallow Grave
14. El Guincho-Alegranza!
15. Starfucker-Starfucker
16. Moondoggies-Don't Be A Stranger
17. Noah and the Whale-Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
18.School of Seven Bells-Alpinisms

School of Seven Bells-Half Asleep.mp3
Moondoggies-Long Time Coming.mp3
Dr. Dog-From.mp3
Fleet Foxes-Meadowlarks.mp3
El Guincho-Costa Paraiso.mp3
Friendly Fires- Jump In The Pool.mp3

Oh, well I know you soak your feathers baby upon the ghosts along my trail

One of my favorite things about a guitar is in the right hands it can be used to make sounds so trickling sweet and innocent that they can transport you to a completely different state of mind, even when you are stuck in the middle of a city where fresh air and wind are stifled and stolen by a moving mass of strangers daily. Sometimes you can tune all of that out and remember wide open spaces and the most native and natural of all human experiences such as a the first time you were trapped in a rainstorm or that first walk you took away from your first love. Such innocent snapshots of memories might be so sacred that you never share them and instead tuck them under the layers of your skin and clothing for safe keeping. Tallest Man On Earth is set to make New York audiences' blood flow thicker and faster this week with three upcoming shows opening for the mellifluous Bon Iver. Admitting to being exhausted and jet-lagged from his voyage from Sweden Kristian Matsson aka Tallest Man On Earth stalked about the Mercury Lounge stage ambling and side stepping but never once taking his eyes off of the prize...which could be you, my dear reader. He is steady in his delivery and calm in his study and has the ability to completely captivate everyone who is willing to listen. Unlike Bon Iver when Kirstian strums a sad song you still feel light at heart due to his fragile presence and joyful energy. He seemed as though he was without a care in world as his audience sweat in the closely packed and dimly lit venue, hoping to hear more stories from this man of Nordic land. The comparisons to Dylan are of course kept in the back of one's mind but it is because of the similarity of grace and adept ability that flows so naturally from his fingertips and lips. Ending the set with a two song encore that included a bleeding and broody version of a White Stripes song, Death Letter I was left as happy as can be and eager for Thursday nights' show. For those of you heading out to see Bon Iver and Tallest Man at the Town Hall and Williamsburg Music Hall shows later on this week, don't get there a second late. You will kick yourself later.
*Tallest Man On Earth in Australia singing my favorite of all his songs, Where Do My Bluebird Fly

The Tallest Man on Earth: Where Do My Bluebird Fly from shoottheplayer on Vimeo.
Tallest Man on Earth-Pistol Dreams.mp3
Tallest Man On Earth-I Won't Be Found.mp3
The Tallest Man On Earth-Over The Hills.mp3
*Bon Iver Tags/Tallest Man On Earth Tags/White Stripes Tags

To end the longest of days

Ever since i was little i have sought and taken complete comfort in words. Snuggling into them like crinkled covers or the lap of my Gran there are books, poems, letters, films and of course songs that i have re-visited and lavished more attention upon than some of my actual relationships. This confession might seem sad to some, but i think it has worked out well for me in the long run and those who i am fortunate enough to have love me in my life swallow this aspect about me like a well dosed grain of salt and accept me for the awkward being i truly am. When faced with new encounters, jobs, interviews, or random daily happenings i often am found standing politely yet silently in the nearest nook i can find and more often than not daydreaming about the latest tune i am rolling around in my head. Recently i was lucky enough to spend a brief but brilliant amount of time with someone who i feel has changed my life in ways that only a special few could ever do. Coinciding with this radiance i came into understanding about Bon Iver. I have been listening to him since October and of course was a fan early on of the hauntingly sparse 'Skinny Love' but it is only recently that i subsided to the simple beauty of his album entitled - For Emma, Forever Ago. Half jokingly half out of seriousness i texted one of my nearest and dearest whilst waiting under an umbrella in the rain for a late dining companion exclaiming, 'someone needs to take my bon iver away from me!'...because my addiction had reached certain levels where i felt it was/is becoming unhealthy. And so, with this, i provide you the mp3 of his live performance during SXSW...via KEXP and NPR. If you do not immediately embrace it for its elegance and grace then try and imagine saying goodbye to someone you do not even know how to describe in words let alone emotion how much you are even going to begin to miss them...
Bon Iver Live @ KEXP/NPR/SxSw.mp3
Bon Iver Tags

For all your lies you're still very loveable

Again...but this time around he plays the two songs that absolutely pierce straight through me. Enjoy.

#93.2 - BON IVER - Flume
Uploaded by lablogotheque

#93.3 - BON IVER - For Emma, Forever Ago
Uploaded by lablogotheque

FLEET FOXES NEXT s'il tu plait! You can watch his other episodes here.
Bon Iver Tags

Cooollll Knowledge

Although the album artwork for this upcoming collaboration reminds me of the M.Night Shyamalan film The Village I am still excited for this release. Justin Vernon is taking a page out of Jack White's book and doing what any mega talent likes to do these days...create a super group to tour with in between singing his loverly Bon Iver songs that make us melt with heartbreak. Volcano Choir is a combination of Bon Iver and Collections of Colonies of Bees. The LP, Unmap will be released on September 22nd via one of my favorite labels, Jagjaguwar.

The only other fun things I have to share about this much anticipated slice of heaven is the tracklisting:

1. Husks and Shells
2. Seeplymouth
3. Island, IS
4. Dote
5. And Gather
6. Mbira in the Morass
7. Cool Knowledge
8. Still
9. Youlogy
Bon Iver Tags

Okkervil River Stand-In Sessions

Maybe it is just within my group of friends but I feel like people do not give Okkervil River enough credit. My affection was borne during my time spent with Down the River of Golden Dreams, an album that changed the inner pace of music I was listening to at the time and forced me to step outside of my comfort zone. It was not only Will Sheff's trembling voice, or the fact that the band coined it's name after a short story by one of my favorite authors, or that I have a secret desire to one day live in Austin, which the band calls home-but these factors did help my admiration to grow. With each project since that first listen-(Black Sheep Boy,The Stage Names, The Stand Ins) along with Sheff's and Meiburgs' side project, Shearwater they have consistently created lush lyrically laden records that over flow with sentiment and intimacy. I am not the only one who seems to have noticed. Recently Bon Iver and David Vandervelde have covered songs by my beloved River folk. Of course since it is Bon Iver (covering Blue Tulip) and David (taking a turn at Singer Songwriter) they sound striking and eerie at the same time, each in their own delicate way.




I hope someone covers Love to A Monster next...

Lover, now that you've left me, I'm glad you're unlovely.
Because if you could take all the heat in your heart and just hang it from you,
I wouldn't be able to bear the way you cannot love me.
It's much easier of me make a monster out of you.

And so here I go, substituting the glow from your temples,
all our sighs and our trembles, and each last letter sent you
from the cheap little pen of this weak little man
- the one singing - out his jangling, ringing
and hopefully stinging attack upon you.

Okkervil River-Love To A Monster.mp3
Okkervil River-Lost Coastlines.mp3
Okkervil River-Pop Lie.mp3
Okkervil River-For Real.mp3
Okkervil River-Do What You Gotta Do.mp3
Okkervil River Tags/Bon Iver Tags/David Vandervelde Tags

My Old Kentucky Blog kills the video star

Bon Iver~Flume (Live in-studio at MOKB/WEEM) from LaundroMatinee on Vimeo.
I have been incredibly behind and am playing catch up but things I have loved will hopefully be making their way onto this site however slowly and late they may be. One of them is My Old Kentucky Blog launching their new video site which features incredibly intimate and one of a kind in studio sessions with some my most beloved people to tour this year. Visit LaundroMatinnee to check out Dr. Dog, Bon Iver, The Rosebuds and many more as they stop by and play a few tunes and share some insight into their tours, music and daily lives.
Dr. Dog-The Breeze.mp3
*My Old Kentucky Blog Tags/Dr. Dog Tags/Bon Iver Tags

Sold my cold knot

Usually when i post about Daytrotter in studio sessions i just toss the link onto my blog, invite you- my dearest readers to stop by and check out the songs and that is about it. However, when Bon Iver stops by anywhere it is always a big deal for me. I read each and every uttered statement that pours from his mouth and devour the opening paragraphs leading into his beautiful songs. His album has touched me deeply unlike any other album of it's ilk in quite some time. Of all the live shows i have heard from him this one is definitely my favorite. You can hear the creaking of the chair as he adjusts his crouching position and lovingly strums his bruised guitar. It is simplistic and striking. His is music that weeps and sways. The opening statements that drift into THIS particular session is just as poignant and unabashedly honest as the songs Bon Iver himself shares with us.

Enough has been made out of the cool side of the pillow. Enough with it. It’s just an unused side, nothing more and nothing less. A pillow with potential. It’s just lying there, naked by the headboard. Plenty has been made about the empty warmth of the bed too. The side of the bed, previously occupied, just recently deserted for a different bed. It’s never meant a better bed, necessarily, just a different one, one with different sheets and blankets, different pillows for sure and without question, a different person to share it with. Plenty has been made out of how that warm, oblong shape of space that we can run our hands over and get burnt by the touch is like an obscenity to behold, to have to behold. There’s no way around it. It’s not the same as the warm spot that gets left in the mornings, when the alarm clocks beckon our better half away to an appointment or a job. This is the permanent kind of heat loss. It’s there and then it’s gone like a vapor, the scent of those limp, resting limbs and necks still reeks like betrayal and love, more love, no – more betrayal. … the rest of the story and the songs you can check out here.

If these two got together

I think everyone in the indie/rock/music community would be a happy little Bon Iver/Lykke Li-lover. At least I would be.

As if you need anymore convincing of why you should show up to see the KEXP live in studio sessions during the week of CMJ (Monday, October 20th through Friday, October 24th) look no further. Lykke Li is scheduled for a spot on Tuesday, October 21st and she will be stellar. You can check out the rest of the lineup which includes some of my favorites like the Voom Blooms, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Friendly Fires, Hercules and the Love Affair, Deerhoof...seriously, they are FREE kids. FREE. Sign up
HERE.
Lykke Li Tags/Bon Iver Tags/KEXP Tags

I won't drag my feet in whatever dirt you track in

I am incredibly superstitious. Always have been. I loathed that story about stepping on cracks and breaking my mother's back when I was little. It terrified me. I never pick up pennies that are tails-side down on the pavement. I avoid walking under ladders (for two reasons...that is just not safe!). I throw salt over my shoulder when it spills on the table. For as long as I can remember when my mom left for work in the morning I would wave goodbye from the window until I couldn't see her car, otherwise I would worry she wouldn't make it home. When my dad traveled on trips the last thing I always made sure I said was I love you. I don't write about boys when I have crushes in my journal...whenever I do and I am happy things head straight to the trash bin. Once when I was walking home while living in Avignon a black cat crossed my path and I literally gasped out loud causing my french family to give me the hairy eyeball. I can't help it. I am beginning to think March is my unlucky month. Just like Cesar bad things befall me during this transition from winter to spring. Last year my boss at the time called me in for a meeting and told me he didn't like my taste in music or my attitude. At the time I was supposed to be at SXSW but had passed up the opportunity to go because I did not want to miss work and spending time with that lovely boss of mine. I remember sitting at my desk listening to Justin Vernon crooning live Bon Iver songs over the airways and straight into my heart and had to bite my lip as hard as possible to stop me from getting up and throwing a chair at my presiding officer due to his lack of intelligence and TASTE. "Where is Bon Iver now", is a something I would love to ask him if we ever crossed paths. Maybe I am his black cat. Things work in this way, especially in New York City. People have different ways of understanding the music business and I have come to understand that it is because no matter why you entered into the arena you end up making it by on your instincts. Music is an instinctual behavior. You either like something and the way it sounds to your own ears, or you don't. You can learn to appreciate an artist, yes. But like them and choose to listen to them on your own time...now that takes a little bit of work and love. But I digress. Again this year I was supposed to go to SXSW and I didn't...for the same reasons as last. Friday I walked into work and was released from my job. My music venue could not afford me anymore and will be booking through outside promoters only now. I did not cry. I cursed March.

And so today I am back talking to my computer and drinking my green tea from the comforts of my little apartment. I can do things like jump around to the Clash and play the latest Silversun Pickups songs as loud as I want to. I don't have to answer to anyone for the moment and until next week I won't be full on freaking out about the R word I don't like to mention. For now I am continent. Which makes it the absolute perfect time to share the latest songbird to soothe my nerves, Alela Diane. She has been floating around the scene for a bit now and was recently signed to Rough Trade records and will remind you a bit of her label mates Basia Bulat and Emilaina Torrini. Her LP To Be Still was released in February and she has recorded a session with Daytrotter that is stunning. To Be Still is the first song by Alela that grabbed my ear immediately. Her lyrics are honest and intense. Although she is a beautiful feminine creature she does not hide behind the pain of loss or loneliness. Instead she steps over the boundaries of fear and fragility and tells you, her listener, exactly how it is going to be.

No I won't drag my feet in whatever dirt you track in
Will you look at me when your face shows the lines of years
While you've been away
I have needed your strong hands

Alela Diane-To Be Still.mp3
Alela Diane-White As Diamonds.mp3

If you are lucky enough to be down in Austin please visit her and support her live:

Mars-19~2:30 PM-SXSW-French Legation Museum-Austin, Texas
4:45 PM-SXSW-Lamberts-Austin, Texas

Mars-20~3:30 PM-SXSW-The Mowhawk-Austin, Texas
10:00 PM-SXSW-Garden Hotel, Black Cab Showcase-Austin, Texas

Mars-21~3:45 PM-SXSW-The Mean Eayed Cat-Mojo BBQ-Austin, Texas

Songs I annoyed my co-workers with this year

Today is not only the day of posting my end of the year lists, it is also my last day at a company where i learned so many important life lessons- one of which is how to blast KEXP as loud as possible and how to break people down enough to the point where they love what you do. Hey- it is New York, tough love is how we roll here. Plus, change is good!

1.LCD Soundsystem-Someone Great.mp3

the rest i cannot possibly rank...so here it goes:

White Stripes-Little Cream Soda.mp3
Yeasayer-Final Path.mp3
Band of Horses-No Ones Gonna Love You.mp3
Justice-D.A.N.C.E..mp3
Digitalism-Pogo.mp3
Tegan and Sara-Nineteen.mp3
!!!-Heart Of Hearts.mp3
The Thermals-A Pillar Of Salt.mp3
Burial-Archangel.mp3
Blitzen Trapper-Wild Mountain Nation.mp3
Bon Iver-Skinny Love.mp3
Arctic Monkeys-505.mp3
Arcade Fire-Neon Bible.mp3
The National-Slow Show.mp3
F&M-Collarbone.mp3
Feist-I Feel It All.mp3
Flight of the Conchords-Hiphopopotamus Vs. The Rhymenoceros.mp3
Great Lake Swimmers-I am Part of a Large Family.mp3
M.I.A.-Paper Planes.mp3
MGMT-Electric Feel.mp3
Mexican Institute of Sound-El Microfono.mp3

so many others I could/should list...but i am running out the door so i am leaving you with my theme song...
CSS-Music Is My Hot Hot Sex.mp3

Happy Valentine's Day

Dr.Dog-Heart It Races.mp3
Band of Horses-No One's Gonna Love You.mp3
Oasis-Wonderwall.mp3
Bon Iver-Skinny Love.mp3
Daft Punk-Digital Love.mp3
Sam Cooke-You Send Me.mp3
Spoon (covering Sam Cooke) Bring it on Home to Me.mp3
Madeleine Peyroux-Give Your Mama One Smile.mp3
Kate Nash-Nicest Thing.mp3
Flaming Lips-Do You Realize.mp3
Simian Mobile Disco-Love.mp3
Nina Simone-My Baby Just Cares For Me.mp3 (my absolute FAVORITE Nina Song ever)
Mazzy Star-Fade.mp3

in 2009 we get new YEASAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Yeasayer this past Saturday at Williamsburg Music Hall
I could not be awaiting an album with more anticipation than the new Yeasayer album. This past weekend I saw them at Williamsburg Music Hall in front of a sold out hometown audience almost exactly a year to the date from their sold out show at the Mercury Lounge. I was so in love with them back then that it is hard for me to break it down into exactly what has changed in the band or how it makes me feel but i know it is all a very good thing. They have taken their already beautiful songs and strong sets and taken to another level of being so smooth and seamless you would have thought they have about four or five albums and tours of experience behind them. Their show on Saturday found them as tight as I have ever seen them after fourteen months of various cities and venues. The intros into their songs were the longest they have ever lavished upon my ears and they seemed so happy to be home that their overwhelming joy was immediately contagious and spread across the crowd graciously gathered awaiting their every strum of their guitars and beat of their drums, bongos, cymbals, keyboard strokes...etc. It is going to be highly enjoyable to see where their next album takes them and I cannot wait for more tour dates to be announced once they have given themselves a bit of a rest. They are one of my favorite bands on the scene and for all of those people who say there is nothing like old music and records and there are no good bands I just cannot even listen to them whine anymore. With bands like Panda Bear, Yeasayer, Cat Power, The National, Magnetic Fields, Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Dodos, Arctic Monkeys, LCD Soundsystem, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Hot Chip there is more talent than you can spend time listening to and I could not be happier for feeling this way every day.

Yeasayer Tags