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Live Review: Pitchfork Music Festival

Brenna Ehrlich :: Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 1:45 pm

Every year the Pitchfork Music Festival is the same. The musically hungry masses flock to that glorified football field in the wilds of Chicago in search of the same thing: something new. Yes, something amid the white-washed indie haze that sparkles – that worms its way into your cranium and croons on repeat all the way back to New York, or New Orleans, or New Wherever-the-Fuck Midwest Land, U.S.A.

This year, the sentiment was no different. Although this humble reviewer was not able to take in every act that P’Fork had to offer- three stages, alluringly arrayed gig poster booths, and smothering heat will do that to ya- I was able to gauge more than the general lay of the proverbial land. Amid the performances by Big Boi, Raekwon, Wolf Parade (seriously, Pitchfork? Wolf Parade?), and veterans like the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Pavement, I was able to ascertain two themes: beachy, sleepy indie fuzz, and, well, weird electro shit. Here’s a breakdown of both: MORE »

Foul Play in Rap Video Featuring Chicken Restaurant

Brenna Ehrlich :: Monday, November 23rd, 2009 4:20 pm

Apparently, there was much to-do last week after rapper Clipse’s new video hit MTV. A New York fried chicken joint named Obama Fried Chicken was featured in the video, but the name was blurred out on network television. While many thought the censorship was spurred by the rather racy name of the eatery, the real reason behind the blur was that the owner of Obama’s wouldn’t sign the location agreement unless the film crew paid him $3,000. Now, if only they had blurred out the glaring grammar mistake (“Nugget’s”)… Check out both videos after the jump.

Today In Music

Brenna Ehrlich :: Monday, November 23rd, 2009 3:50 pm

For some reason I thought he’s be into dancier stuff: The Presidential iPod

Out of the woods and onto the runway?: Let The Joanna Newsom 2010 Rumor Mill Begins

You hearing this, Edward Droste?: The Justin Bieber Example: Use Twitter or Incite a Riot and Get Arrested (via The Daily What)

Guys like crazy chicks. We get it: 15 (Female) Literary Characters We’d Totally Sleep With

Seriously? There’s no nap couch?: The Pop-Up Cardboard Office

Edward Droste Leaves Twitter, World Dies Just a Little Bit More

Brenna Ehrlich :: Monday, November 23rd, 2009 2:20 pm

That saddest of days has finally come: Edward Droste, of indie darling band Grizzly Bear, has left us all in the dark, reaching out with weak hands toward where the illumination he oft dispensed once streamed. No, he didn’t break up the band-Droste quit Twitter. One cannot even take a trip down memory lane by reading his old Tweets, because he has totally erased his account. Those of you who followed the musician will recall that his bio once read: “I will do this until I inevitably say something I regret and erase the profile.” Which leaves us with the overwhelming question: What was the regret-worthy sentiment that caused E.D. to beat his hasty retreat from the digital realm?

BNE Will Be Here, Soon

Brenna Ehrlich :: Monday, November 23rd, 2009 1:20 pm

Ever since the “BNE Was Here” stickers started cropping up in my Brooklyn neighborhood, I’ve been intrigued by the elusive artist-partly because I think it’s an awesome campaign, and partly because those are my initials. (Side note: I tried to write a story about the dude way back in May and contacted an artist who was supposed to know BNE with an interview request. For some reason, I was called “racist” and “patronizing” for becoming interested in the stickers because they bore my initials. Yeah, no, that didn’t make any sense to me either.) Anyway, BNE has become an international mystery-his stickers have appeared everywhere from Tokyo to San Francisco, where there is $2,500 reward being offered for the artist’s capture. Now, he’s making like a traditional artist and having a show. The place is still TBA, but the date and time are Thursday December 10, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. B there.

If You’re Feelin’ Sinister: Goodnight Moon Reimagined

Brenna Ehrlich :: Monday, November 23rd, 2009 1:00 pm

Check out this sweet retelling of classic kid’s book, Goodnight Moon in which the “Moon” in question is Keith. Check out the vid after jump. Warning-it gets kinda boring toward the end and may induce nightmares.
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Dukes of Stratosphear Release Awesome Box Set

Brenna Ehrlich :: Friday, November 20th, 2009 4:26 pm

The Dukes of Stratosphear-from the folks that brought you XTC-are releasing an extremely exciting collection of discs on November 30th. The announcement on their Web site may be the most whimsical/slightly disturbing product description yet-which is why I’m just gonna paste it after the jump. Click to read and listen to the Dukes’ trippy tunes.

Today In Music

Brenna Ehrlich :: Friday, November 20th, 2009 3:20 pm

Single serving blog of the day: Clients From Hell

Oh, man, attempt a weak smile, sad boys-previously unseen Neutral Milk Hotel videos: Live in 1998

Kids surf in sewer water, America gags: This is Disgusting, You Should Watch it of the Day

Bringing ironic facial hair to new heights: Half-Bearded Man Arrested

The Academy digs (Lazarus, digs!) Nick Cave (I could give a shit about U2): U2, Nick Cave (But Not Anvil) Among Oscar Hopefuls

Morrissey Tells Nonsensical Jokes, Tells Fan to Fuck Himself

Brenna Ehrlich :: Friday, November 20th, 2009 1:45 pm

Yeah, um, that’s basically the gist. While the warbly voiced crooner was rocking out in Hamburg on Tuesday he made a joke. A bad joke. A joke that actually really isn’t a joke at all: Something along the lines of, “Hamburgers should be called Hamburgists.” Apparently, an audience member who never learned that most basic of kindergarten lessons, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” piped up and yelled at the singer: “Fuck you.” Morrissey acted accordingly-he threw the dude out and told him to fuck himself. Morrissey seems to be getting a lot of flack from fans as of late-someone even threw a plastic bottle at his head during a recent show in Liverpool. Which begs the question: Why the hell are you going to Morrissey shows, oh angry fans, if you’re just gonna throw shit and yell? I mean, if you’re going to angrily attack a singer, at least pick on someone with thicker skin than poor, sensitive Morrissey-you know, like any other musician on the planet. Watch M flip his shit after the jump.

All I Want For Christmas is DEVO

Brenna Ehrlich :: Thursday, November 19th, 2009 4:40 pm

Comin’ at ya, the perfect present for your slightly weird (but awesome!) Uncle Hank or your brother, Trey, who just discovered rock ‘n roll: the expanded Ultra Devo-lux, Limited Edition four-disc set. Pretty lofty sounding, huh? The huge-ass package, crammed with posters and CDs and whatnot, will be available online only this holiday season at www.clubdevo.com. Check out the complete track listing after the jump.

Friends Forever! Until I Unfriend the Shit Out of You

Brenna Ehrlich :: Thursday, November 19th, 2009 3:25 pm

So a few days ago it was reported that “unfriend” is the word of the year, according to the New Oxford American Dictionary. The designation of such an honor can only mean one thing: We’re all becoming assholes.

The Decemberists Make a Movie

Brenna Ehrlich :: Thursday, November 19th, 2009 2:00 pm

Say what you will about the Decemberists-love ‘em, hate ‘em, enjoy ‘em but sometimes feel slightly overwhelmed by the twee factor-they put on an awesome fucking show. I mean, plywood whales, audience interaction-it’s like going to the Mystic Seaport-on acid. Anyway, the poppy troubadours have finally broken into yet another frontier of musical storytelling: the animated film. Their flick, Here Come the Waves: The Hazards of Love Visualized, premiered at an L.A. show in October, and will become readily available on iTunes on December 1st. Judging by the trailer (located after the jump) I’m expecting a cross between The Wall, Pearl Jam’s video for “Do the Evolution” and The Last Unicorn. Jump and check it.

Tom Waits, Bein’ Awesome, Blastin’ Off With N.A.S.A.

Brenna Ehrlich :: Thursday, November 19th, 2009 1:25 pm

I really dig dudes with classically horrible voices. This is an attraction that probably requires some sort of counseling, but, in the meantime, I am very much so enjoying this new video from N.A.S.A., short for “North America South America” (a music collaboration project assembled by Squeak E. Clean [a.k.a. Sam Spiegel, Spike Jonze's brother] and DJ Zegon [Ze Gonzales], professional skateboarder). Their new video, a duet featuring Tom Waits and Kool Keith, is enough to satisfy my weird-voiced dude cravings for an entire week. Check it out after the jump.

King Khan & BBQ Show to Go On

Brenna Ehrlich :: Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 4:55 pm

So yesterday we reported that garage rocker King Khan (of King Kahn & BBQ Show fame) and his manager Kristin Klein were arrested Thursday for alleged possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms. The duo missed a couple of shows, but they’re back on track for an L.A. appearance tonight. Last night, the musicians issued a statement about the arrest. Check it out after the jump.

Vinyl is Making a Comeback

Brenna Ehrlich :: Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 3:20 pm

Finally, some sweet retribution for all you music snobs out there who have long proclaimed: “Psssh, screw CDs-that album sounds way better on vinyl.” Apparently, Nielsen SoundScan figures show that 1.4 million LPs were sold in the U.S. last year-which is almost double the number of records sold in ’07. Meanwhile, CDs are going the way of the laser disc. What can this mean? Well, I suspect that people are turning to the Internet for their immediate musical needs, and picking up vinyl out of sentimental attachment to a particular musician. A record is a luxury item, if you really think about it-until they invent a portable music player that can spin vinyl. But that would be a bitch to lug around on the train. Hit us up on Twitter and let us know what records you have your eye on as of late: @deathandtaxes