Teenagers, just starting out. But dang you can really see [hear] some potential there. Some sassy well-done originals. Some great covers. (They killed on Joan Jett.) I’m excited to see where they go from here.
The lead singer is my friend’s niece. The dude who mixes their stuff is my other friend’s brother. Obviously I would probably not have heard of them otherwise. But I brought people to the show who didn’t have those connections and they saw the potential as well!
Of course if you’ve listened to his albums, you know this dude is multi-talented, can swing from style to style, can sing in various ranges, etc., etc…but hearing him live STILL blew my mind.
He made every song sound fresh and new, but not in that “I must sing this so it sounds nothing like it does on the album” way that some groups seem so intent on live. More in a “this song is a platform for me to show you a new creation” way.
All by himself up on stage but he filled the room with sound like he was a 10-piece band. So awesome.
They must’ve been listening to a lot of Prince before they wrote/recorded this. Sexy/funky.
The best movie I saw in August was a tie between District 9 (fantastic!) and Inglourious Basterds (exhilarating!).
The best book I read in August was White Time by Margo Lanagan, followed closely by a pair of wolf books by Patricia Briggs. Wow, those are two authors I just love. You may note there are a few reads on that list from August that I’m just not even bothering to write up, mostly continuations of trade paperback mystery series. Bygones. A girl’s gotta get caught up somehow.
The best gig I went to in August was The Knux‘ set at Lollapalooza. But, as with the rest of the year, there just hasn’t been any real competition in this category. I read a LOT this year but I did not go to many shows.
My favorite tunes in August were… Damien Rice, apparently. I was mostly running around doing stuff like a crazy lady in August and not doing much listening.
I realize I am ridiculously behind but for some inexplicable reason I am determined to catch Snip up to speed rather than just skipping ahead. And hey look, another month where I barely bought any tunes! WEIRD!
Absolutely Love & Adore:
Damien Rice “Live at Fingerprints: Warts and All” – This dude really needs to put out an album of fresh material (he talks on here about how he thought he might never finish another record…Nooooooooooo). But these are nice arrangements and I could (do) listen to his previous stuff all the time. I just want MORE. 😉
Favorite Singles (not on any of the above albums):
Not really for me / but maybe for you!:
Horehound “Dead Weather” – I am a fan of almost everything Jack White does, and I bet this band is awesome live, but I just can’t get into this album.
Shamefully have either not listened to at all, or not all the way through, or so few times that I can’t legitimately offer an opinion:
I downloaded the free Nylon Magazine August mix…but I’ve never listened to it. Whoops.
As has become my custom, I only go to the least crowded day now that it doesn’t change venues (and as a result, in my opinion, gets more and more attendees). And then I had to cancel going to Monolith (my preferred festival) due to school work. It was not a great summer of live shows for me (just as it wasn’t a great year for music overall chez Duff).
The Knux – These guys were so great, really the highlight of the day (and since they were the first band, I saw, it is definitely a little bit downhill from there). It wasn’t raining that hard yet, they were UP, UP, UP energy wise and I loved it. I just wish they had played “Daddy’s Little Girl.”
White Lies – I hadn’t planned to check these guys out but turned out they were on the field I needed to meet up with people at so I did. And I liked what I heard!
Bon Iver – I’ve seen him/them four times now and there isn’t that much variation in their show. I just kinda listened in the background; I don’t think an outdoor venue is the greatest for them (and nothing will probably ever beat when I saw them at the Lakeshore Theater, a TINY spot right around the corner from my house).
Ben Folds and Fleet Foxes – I don’t really remember what I thought of these sets. I know, WHY am I writing this up in January when it was in August. I know.
Of Montreal – These guys just put on such a SHOW, whether you are a fan or not. Always something to see.
Depeche Mode – Totally disappointing. They played only a VERY FEW songs from the albums I love. I didn’t love this set.
Is Rachael Yamagata part of Company of Thieves? This really sounds like her.
“Young Forever” by Jay-Z and Mr. Hudson (of Mr. Hudson & the Library who you may remember I LOVE a LOT)
Technically Mr. Hudson’s part is a cover of “Forever Young” intermixed with some Jay-Z rap. Love the background music. Love!!
“I Won’t Be Found” – The Tallest Man on Earth
Hear it here in its original and daytrotter versions (the daytrotter is the one I put on repeat). (Found via this post on Fuel/Friends, my all-time favorite music blog.)
The best movie I saw in July was Hurt Locker. I’ve seen it three times so far. I would love to see it again.
The best book I read in July was “The Death of Sweet Mister” by Daniel Woodrell. It really took my breath away.
The best gig I went to in July was EMPTY ORCHESTRA. They are great and I highly recommend you buy tickets if they come through your town.
My favorite tunes in July were (you guessed it) all from Empty Orchestra. And Ryan Auffenberg singing “Sellout” live. I would like to see him live.