Maps & Atlases have let loose a cryptic trailer for their upcoming release Beware And Be Grateful. Not entirely sure what it means…if we’re looking at a concept album or what, but I do hope there will be more of these shorts. I’m liking the album’s crossed arrows logo, as well the snippet of new material at the end of the video sounds awesome…a fuller sound than I’m used to from the band.
Beware and Be Grateful will come out on April 17th 2012.
I get why Skrillex is derisive, but why the whole genre? Sure the most popular elements of the genre are like a bowl of Frosted Flakes and Lucky Charms over coffee but I think the core American fanbase that’s probably ruining dubstep for the world.
Either way, racist or not…Michael Richards was a great physical comedian. Right?
We can stop talking about dubstep now.
In the long ago days that we called 2006, the stars aligned, money appeared and I secured a press pass to Iceland Airwaves. I flew alone to Reykjavik and took in the festival. It’s always a well curated affair that takes over most of the small 101 district. The charm lies in the close proximity of all the venues, the beauty of the city and the kindness of the locals. The first night I met a couple who offered up great conversation and a couch to crash on, as my hotel was a bit of a hike. Had this been America, I most likely would have woken up in an ice bath without my kidneys. In addition to the main venues, there are tons of off-venue events which offer up many chances to discover and repeatedly see local Icelandic acts. The weekend contained what I still regard as one of the best shows of my life: Wolf Parade supporting Apologies To Queen Mary in a packed tiny club called Tuborg. I forgot my press pass would get me to the other side of the divider, but I contentedly enjoyed the nearly too loud set pressed against the barrier. Afterward with my ears still ringing, I took my rental bike into the dark of the suburbs along the water. The streets were desolate, yet still felt safe and I could see the northern lights faintly above the horizon. Probably one of the better evenings of my life.
The festival ended with pages of notes and even a few interviews on tape. I returned to the US to no job and little motivation to write. Quickly, I woke up to the press deadline looming above my head and no place to publish the words I had yet to write. Cutoff passed and I can only guess that my name is still on the blacklist they warned about.
I still love the festival and this 39 minute documentary is a loveletter with a great selection of interviews and performaces from the last 10 years of Airwaves. Here’s hoping that this post can work to repair the damage I did 5 years ago by not promoting the festival then. Sorry, Iceland!
Also, extra apologies to Skakkamanage and þórir from My Summer As A Salvation Soldier. I interviewed you guys because I was a fan and I’m sad I never did anything with it.
Here’s the video I shot at local record store Skifan of Skakkamanage performing “OFC’s”
Also, here’s my photoset from the trip.
While I’m not a massive fan of Joanna Newsom’s last two albums, but I have a deep affection for her debut The Milk Eyed Mender. This week’s episode of Austin City Limits features her…
Bonus video: Check out this Tom Waits Christmas gem from ACL in 1978.
Useless factoid: I accidently had a conversation with Joanna Newsom at the office, but didn’t know who I was talking to at the time. Probably for the better.
It’s nice to see a video that probably had a 3 sentence pitch and the result is just a joy to watch. The dancers seamlessly wander through a variety of styles in an effortless way that just inspires jealousy in uncoordinated folks like me. The song is equally impressive; a joyously weird stomp bolstered by a bristling chorus that just begs to be put on repeat.
‘Two Cousins’ is the lead single off Paradise, which was released on 09/16/12 via Moshi Moshi. Buy the album through iTunes.
On April 2nd 2011, LCD Soundsystem played its final show at Madison Square Garden. LCD frontman James Murphy had made the conscious decision to disband one of the most celebrated and influential bands of its generation at the peak of its popularity, ensuring that the band would go out on top with the biggest and most ambitious concert of its career. The instantly sold out, near four-hour extravaganza did just that, moving the thousands in attendance to tears of joy and grief, with NEW YORK magazine calling the event “a marvel of pure craft” and TIME magazine lamenting “we may never dance again.” SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS is both a narrative film documenting this once in a life time performance and an intimate portrait of James Murphy as he navigates the lead-up to the show, the day after, and the personal and professional ramifications of his decision.
Directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace