Murder By Death was kind enough to stop for a chat before their set in Louisville. Topics of discussion included the new ear X-tacy location, vinyl, touring, and of course whiskey. Cheers!
When I heard that Beach House was playing in Nashville, there was no question in my mind that I was going to make the drive. Better yet, Washed Out was slotted to open. We made the drive down, hit a few record shops (Why is it that Nashville has a better Will Oldham, Palace, BPB selection than here?), then headed over the the Mercy Lounge for the show. If you haven’t been there, it is the smaller sister venue to the Cannery Ballroom. I’d say there is room for a couple hundred people there. Picture half of Headliner’s. Apparently there was some big country show in the Ballroom, so Beach House ended up in the smaller venue and the show sold out weeks before the date. I feel bad for those folks who wanted tickets, but selfishly, I enjoyed the small feel of the show.
Washed Out opened and other than hearing a few track from an EP which I really enjoyed and reading all of the buzz, I had never seen a picture of the live show. I did know that the sound is often hard to reproduce live. The sound stems from the ever-growing chillwave revolution and, turns out Washed Out is one guy, Ernest Greene. He was into it, but the crowd really wasn’t. The main problem is with that type of music, you don’t know whether to dance, sway, jump, reflect or maintain a steady nod while sipping a beer. No knocks on the show and I still love the music, this is just something to keep in mind when selecting live shows.
I was there for Beach House. Teen Dream is my favorite album so far in 2010 and I can’t imagine an album surpassing it (not even my favorite band, The National). Beach House is a dynamic trio, each with enough talent to put us all to shame. The album, from start to finish, just keeps digging and digging on you and forces you to listen. The melody isn’t necessarily catchy in the “you’ll be humming this one tomorrow” sense of the word, but it does had a tendency to put you in a bit of a trance. What really gets me is the vocals of front-woman Victoria Legrand. They are husky and deep, but still feminine without rough edges. Guitarist, Alex Scally’s vocals were more present on previous albums, but Legrand takes center stage with Teen Dream (and I’m not saying the other two albums aren’t great, but the change was refreshing). Please, please, please listen to this album immediately.
So needless to say, I had high expectations going into the show. The sound translated easily to the small venue because it filled the room, bouncing off the walls and commanding attention (unfortunately, as in every venue there are a few people too drunk to have their attention commanded and I always end up next to them). They played every song from Teen Dream and four from other albums. As someone completely obsessed with the new album, I was ecstatic to be able to have a visual queue for every song on their new album (the music video DVD for each song that came with the album was pretty lame, so I needed a replacement). Unlike some shows, I didn’t move from one spot for the entire set. No breaks for fresh air, no beer line, no bathroom, no conversations with old friends. I didn’t want to miss a drop. My brother was right up front and grabbed some pics and we both grabbed a video (“Lover of Mine” and “Zebra”), so hopefully you can get some idea about the show, but I highly recommend you live it for yourself. Pitchfork Fest in Chicago anyone?!?!
After the show, we stuck around and I had the band sign my copy of Teen Dream for posterity. In nervous small talk, I told Victoria that I drove down from Louisville and said something about the Derby that was coming up that Saturday. Little did I know that this would prompt her to write “Drive safely please” and then draw a horse (or zebra) in honor of the Derby. Other than Titus Andronicus’ beaver drawing and explicit filled thank you, I would say this might be the most unique and strange signature I have in the collection. I’ll take it!
On a final note, I also found out that Beach House is a fan of Louisville’s Sapat!!! There was also a reference to Will Oldham, but who wouldn’t? Chalk it up ladies and gents. That one made my day.
Featuring former Elliott front man Chris Higdon and ex members of hardcore/punk standouts Mouthpiece, Stay Gold and the Enkindels, Frontier(s) Debut 7″ “The Plains” manages to seamlessly bridge the gap between the melodic ethereal indie rock of Higdon’s Elliott era material and the blistering hardcore punk of the other members’ earlier efforts. Side A track “The Plains” channels enough hardcore angst and Husker Du style buzzsaw guitar to make even the most jaded scenester flip their wig, while the B side “Radiomine” features pounding rhythms and a swirling wall of sound that land the listener somewhere smack in the middle of post punk England and Washington D.C.’s Revolution Summer. Limited to 1000 (100 Green, 300 White, 600 Black) copies, the first press of Frontier(s) debut 7″ “The Plains” comes packaged in a tri-fold letter press cover and includes a free download card.
We here at Backseat have not been shy about showing our love for local musician extraordinaire Cheyenne Marie Mize. Her new EP, Before Lately was a “Local Listen” back in March and now we are excited to announce that she has signed with sonaBLAST! Records and will be having a formal CD release show at Glassworks on June 4th (details below). Word from the social networking buzz is that Before Lately may make an appearance on vinyl as well! Regardless of format, we’ve been waiting for a solo release from CMM for what seems like forever. It was well worth the wait and we are looking forward to seeing all the well deserved success that follows.
Friday June 4th, 2010
Cheyenne Marie Mize with Joan Shelley
Glassworks Rooftop
815 W Market Street
Louisville, Kentucky
$6 ADV/ $8 DOS / 21+ / 9p
If you absolutely can’t wait until June 4th to see Cheyenne, then head to Skull Alley with us on May 10th. She’ll be playing there with a great band, Horse Feathers. Details HERE.
More Cheyenne Marie Mize Details below the break… (more…)
Over the course of just a few years, Colorado native JOSEPHINE FOSTER has captivated audiences & critics alike through a magnetic patchwork of recordings ranging from broken spirited balladry as one half of Born Heller, fiery psych rock gestalt with her rock outfit The Supposed to the voice of an outsider folk siren. The one constant is the utterly overwhelming strength and seductive unease of her voice & the bravery of an iconoclastic spirit. “You might call Ms. Foster’s eerie warbling old-fashioned, except that is evokes a scrambled past that exists only in her own vision: mountain songs that never were, spaced-out hybrids that never will be.” —New York Times.
CATHERINE IRWIN has called Louisville, Kentucky home, or at least her home base, all her life. She began performing by playing guitar in punk bands “and not caring a bit about country music,” she says. Still, the seed for her band Freakwater was inside her: “Most of the country music I heard on radio, I hated. But I loved the Carter Family, the way they would approach songs about death and dying or being saved and rejoicing the same way. That kind of music seems to age better. I can’t see myself playing punk anymore, but this kind of music I can see playing the rest of my life” (Chicago Tribune). Her songs are just packed with sapience, despondency, and wry wit, though you don’t have to look past “Louisville Lip” or “Dirty Little Snowman” to see she’s one of America’s greatest living songwriters. Even so, she remains humble, even self-depreciating: “If I had a master plan, it’d be trying to get people used to the idea of frumpy middle-aged losers singing music” (Boston Phoenix). She will be joined at this show by fantastic Louisville guitarist Michael O’Bannon, formerly of Blinders, Antman, and current member of 1069.
STATE CHAMPION started in 2006 as a moniker for the early acoustic experiments of Ryan Davis. It has since evolved into a rock n’ roll band with a Chevy van and a vinyl record. Having created a sound that is a product of its upbringing, with Sweetheart of the Rodeo on the radio, Bleach idle in the tape deck, and a Smog song stuck in its head, Davis & Co. drive through forty minutes of sincerely howled, sloppily executed, stripped down garage-country on their full-length debut, Stale Champagne (released this year on Sophomore Lounge Records). “The band is an under-the-radar phenomenon in the making, the classic style of quality band that Louisville overlooks… The tone is just right for this type of subtle rock. A bit earnest, a bit funny, a bit smart.” – Joseph Lord, Velocity Weekly.
We are big fans of rooftop shows at Glassworks and this one looks like a real treat. Louisville is for lovers is releasing albums from The Mack and Saredren Wells. The Saredren Wells debut ”Memories are hunting horns” vinyl LP w/download coupon is available now for pre-order at louisvilleisforlovers.com (limited edition of 500. $10 +s&h). The Mack “Lazy Bones” LP (seven studio recordings and 9 live tracks from the Louisville is for lovers 2008 showcase) is available for digital download for only $6.99 on May 11th.
All the way back on March 12 Titus Andronicus played the best in-store I’ve ever seen at ear X-tacy. Those who were there were treated to an insanely good time, and those same people should have all been there at Skull Alley on Wednesday night. If you weren’t there, then you definitely missed out on the best Skull Alley show so far this year.
First up for the night were State Champion from Louisville/Chicago, and they didn’t disappoint in the least. State Champion are vocals/guitars Ryan Davis, Aaron Osbourne on the drums, Mikie Poland slappin’ da’ bass man, and Sabrina Rush killing it on the violin. Louisville, I don’t know how you have kept these guys (and gal) hidden from me, but you must stop that immediately. As soon as their set ended we at Backseat Sandbar bought their superbly packaged vinyl (clear vinyl, mind you), it was that good. We will definitely be at their next show ’round these parts. Be sure to check out the video of them below the break to know what you will be in store for at their next show, because you will not want to miss it.
Spider Bags from straight outta Chapel Hill, NC were up next with their slick and cool sounds. I had heard their name from some buzz around their sets at SXSW, and deservedly so, it was a non-stop show when they hit the stage. People were still mulling around outside when Spider Bags went into their first jam, and everyone promptly entered the showroom as soon as the guitar started wailing. Even State Champion and a few members of Titus Andronicus grabbed some spots up front early to enjoy the set. Check out a few videos below the break to get a taste of them.
Then it was time for Titus Andronicus to hit the stage. People were already crowding around the stage to grab the best spot while the band were still setting up and sound checking. You could just tell this was going to be great (SPOLIER ALERT- it was great). Before blasting into their first song of the night, A More Perfect Union, Patrick said, “I hope that we meet all of your expectations.” They most certainly exceeded all expectations that could have possibly been set by anyone in attendance. Right from the first note people were singing along and moving around on the floor. Singing along and moving around?! In Louisville?! That’s right, people were actually into it. I know I was digging it a lot right from the start, and if I knew the words I would have screamed right along with them. Titus Andronicus involved the crowd into the show too. At one point a man in the audience yelled out, “The Merrimack was a better boat!” to which Patrick responded with a comment about the Monitor being far superior, calling it a marvel in nautical engineering. I can’t even pretend to know any insightful information on this subject, but it was great banter.
However, the highlight for the night had to have been when they invited Leo, the harmonica guy, up on stage to play a song with them. Right before their set, I saw Patrick outside with a few gentlemen playing their harmonica and ukulele to him. Before announcing the song, Patrick asked Dan from Spider Bags to come up and play with them, then he scouted out the harmonica man by asking, “Where’s that guy who was playing the harmonica outside before, where’s he at? You were playing a G major harmonica before, that’s the key this song is in, why don’t you come up here and play?” How cool is that. Even better, he did very well at playing the song with them. Great job! A video of that is right below these words. You can’t miss it.
TA finished up the rest of their amazing 80+ minute set late into the night. Work? School? It didn’t matter what anyone had going on the next day, Skull Alley was where everyone needed to be. After they finished up we got a chance to talk to them for a bit, and they couldn’t have been nicer. Vinyl signing was a must, as well as a little bit of Seinfeld talk. Patrick told me his favourite episode is “The Keys” in case you were wondering (you were wondering, weren’t you). Such nice people, such a great set, and such a great night. Foursquare should have made them mayor of Skull Alley. Thank you Titus Andronicus, come back anytime.
More pics and tons of videos below the break… (more…)
If you are from Louisville, you know Wax Fang. Soon, everyone will know them. In full costume, they covered Prince’s Purple Rain in its entirety and proved more entertaining than the fireworks show itself. But, let’s start from the start because it was a long day.
After waking up at 8am to wait in line at ear x-tacy for Record Store Day and a full day of vinyl hunting, I headed downtown to “Go Crazy at Thunder” at The Louisville Ballet Center. I forgot to “dress to impress” and wore jeans, but oh well. Louisville’s The Pass started playing as soon as I arrived and I was excited because I was told I would hear some new tracks from their upcoming debut LP release. One of those tracks, “Criminal” is some of the best stuff I’ve heard them play and it just so happened that I got it all on video (check it out below). Their EP has been getting a lot of buzz and our friends at Pretty Much Amazing called their song “Crosswalk Stereo” one of the best so far in 2010 (edging out The National’s “Bloodbuzz Ohio” by a couple spots). You can download “Crosswalk Stereo” at the link above. Needless to say we are big fans, and you should check’em out ASAP.
After a few beverages and a helping of the buffet for a base, I got to see Lexington’s Chico Fellini for the first time. I wont go into it, but I had wanted to see them at the Pour Haus a while back and didn’t because of a sound problem. Well, they were worth the wait. They provided the crowd with a stylish blend of high intensity lounge rock. It was dramatic and over-the-top, but not in a way that it lost its appeal. A nice surprise and a great way to set up the fireworks show.
Fireworks. You probably saw them.
Okay. What happened next will be hard to put in words. My focus was on Wax Fang’s staple theremin, front and center on stage, then the band walked out in full garb. Wigs, frills, glam, gloves, and fake mustache (wait I think that was real). The highlights had to be “Take Me With U” (video below), “Computer Blue” (video below), “When Doves Cry” and, of course, a smashing finale with “Purple Rain.” Everything was spot on and I don’t mean just the tunes and the vocals. Scott Carney embodied Prince’s personality and flamboyance. It was truly a spectacle. You hear people talk around town about the talent of Wax Fang as musicians, but I don’t think I truly understood how good they were until Saturday. So I liked the show, if you couldn’t guess.
[NOTE: IF YOU MISSED IT, THERE WILL BE AN ENCORE AT THE ZANZABAR NEXT WEEK TONIGHT (4/20)!!! JUST $7. DOORS AT 8. MUSIC AT 9:30. I'LL BE THERE FOR TAKE TWO!!!]
[UPDATE: According to Facebook, "Wax Fang : Oh, snap! Prince lost his voice. Purple Rain at Z BAR to be rescheduled for sometime next week. Stay tuned. Spread the word." Kinda reminds me of Wax Fang's free Nachbar show back in September that was canceled for the same reason. I guess I can wait until next week, but I hope it isn't on Wednesday because Beach House is playing in Nashville.]
[UPDATE: The show will be on Tuesday, April 27, 2010. See you there!]
Bigger than the show is the realization that Wax Fang will be the next big band to come out of Louisville and we will be happy to call them ours. They recently signed withAbsolutely Kosher Records out in California and in May they are going to re-release La La Land digitally, on CD and for the first time ON VINLY!!! On top of that, they were hand selected to play Pavement’s All Tomorrow’s Parties in the UK (also in May). I see them riding this wave right on to everyone’s iPod (and record player). I can’t think of another band more deserving of the success.
Record Store Day is April 17, 2010. It is also know as our favorite day of the year. Some people like Christmas or their birthday best, but I’ll take Record Store Day over any day of the year. Tons of bands/labels release limited edition vinyl that just makes your mouth water. I’ve already browsed the list of Record Store Day releases and I’m already making a game plan for getting my hands on each of my favorites. I’m planning on buying the following:
Album Leaf- There is a Wind 12″ vinyl
Beach House- Zebra 12″ vinyl
Beastie Boys- Surprise 12″ vinyl
Fela Kuti 10″ EP
Flaming Lips- Dark Side of the Moon 12″ Sea Foam Green Vinyl
Mississippi John Hurt – Today 12″ Vinyl
Modest Mouse- The Moon and Antartica Double LP, 180 gram
Monsters of Folk – S/T Double LP on Clear Blue Vinyl
Neko Case- Middle Cyclone 12″ Clear Vinyl
Tom Waits- Mule Variations w/ exclusive Jim Jarmush photo of Tom Waits
White Rabbits/Antlers- Live from Daytrotter 7″
Anyway, go support ear x-tacy and Underground Sounds and get your hands on some of the best vinyl releases of the year.
We are excited to announce our new joint release with Rinehart Records, Saredren Wells debut LP “Memories Are Hunting Horns” due out May 11th! This limited edition of 500 vinyl LP comes with a 4 postcard set and a coupon for a free Download, and can be pre-ordered right here right now! listen to the title track here.
To Celebrate this release, Saredren Wells is holding an in-store performance at Ear X-tacy Records this Saturday March 27th at 2 pm. to help get people out to support Ear X-Tacy, we are giving away a sampler CD with 2 songs from the new LP FREE, and all back issues of LOUISVILLE IS FOR LOVERS compilations will be only $7.99 the entire day! so please come out and hear Saredren Wells, and complete your collection of LOUISVILLE IS FOR LOVERS!
Louisville, Kentucky trio Wax Fang are on a roll. Pavement has invited them to play the All Tomorrows Parties festival in the UK in May. In addition to both BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens and the NME each hosting Wax Fang at one of their famed club nights in London, Wax Fang’s UK tour will also see them record a BBC session at the legendary Maida Vale studio. Add to that some recent successful shows at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, two more festival appearances and another dozen UK dates and things are getting busy for Wax Fang.
Wax Fang has also penned a record deal with Absolutely Kosher Records. The Bay Area label, now in its twelfth year of business, will re-release the band’s full length La La Land on CD, digitally and for the first time, on vinyl LP in gorgeous gatefold on May 10, 2010 in the UK and on May 11, 2010 in the U.S. The next 12 months will see an all new release cycle featuring an upcoming EP on a label to be announced, and another forthcoming full length on Absolutely Kosher Records. Singer/guitarist Scott Carney, drummer Kevin Ratterman and bassist Jacob Heustis are currently in their Louisville studio working on both forthcoming records.
La La Land is one of those great unsung records that just won’t go away. It’s been launched twice by the band (the second time after formal distribution was secured) and achieved accolades from Spin, the BBC, the Onion A.V. Club, FADER & URB. The group’s anthemic art rock earned them the notices of Spoon and fellow Louisvillians My Morning Jacket, both of whom invited the band to support them. More UK dates to be announced soon.
TOUR SCHEDULE
USA:
4/2/2010 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
4/9/2010 – Lexington, KY @ Buster’s
4/10/2010 – Louisville, KY @ Vernon Club
UK:
5/11/2010 – London, UK @ The Social – Huw Stephens’ Introducing
5/13/2010 -Brighton, UK @ The Great Escape Festival
Check out this video of Cheyenne Marie Mize, Kevin Ratterman, and Ben Sollee performing at Cheer Up Charlie’s at this year’s SXSW. Beautiful. No other intro needed.
If you like what you hear, check out our review of CMM’s new album, Before Lately, HERE (you can stream it there too). Physical copies are available at ear x-tacy and I hear that it may be released on vinyl!!!
There is an upcoming fundraiser (to be held at UofL’s Red Barn) for Kosair Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The people with the U of L Honors Society Council are the hearts behind this project. The fund-raiser will be a huge book & media sale April 7 – 11 at The Red Barn. Most items will be priced at $2 or less. So far, they’ve received over 25,000 donations (over 10,000 vinyl items–LPs & 45rpm singles dating back to the last 1950s–and over 10,000 books). They also have lots of CDs, DVDs, video games, and other stuff. There’s going to be a preview night on April 7 from 6-8 pm. Admission is $10 that night, but those individuals will get first pick at the items in the sale. Regular sale hours, free admission, are April 8 – 11, 9 am – 7:30 pm. Parking can be difficult for non-UofL people, so there is a ton of info about parking on our their: http://uoflhsc.com/bams.php.
There will also be a daily drawings for gift certificates and items from local businesses.
What to help out any more? Dust off that old record you think someone else might enjoy more than you and donate it. You can
contact Luke Buckman at luke.buckman@louisville.edu or Greg Shaw at geshaw01@louisville.edu and they will be happy to take donations (any books, music, or movies..or even money if you are so inclined). Or items can be dropped off at any of these locations through April 2:
Eyedia, Inc., 1631 North Mellwood Ave., Louisville, KY
The Etscorn Honors Center (located in Threlkeld Hall), University of Louisville Belknap Campus
Ekstrom Library Reference Desk, University of Louisville Belknap Campus
The School of Music Library or Main Office, University of Louisville, Belknap Campus
Kornhauser Library Circulation Desk, University of Louisville, Health Sciences Campus
Kosair Children’s Hospital, Volunteer Office
We’ll be there on the 7th flipping through the stacks. Mark your calendar. We hope to see you there!!
As you probably know by now, we are vinyl fanatics here at B.S. If you are too, here is an opportunity for you to get Sade’s new album on vinyl. Just comment below and let us know which vinyl you own is your favorite. I know it is like picking a favorite child, but mine is probably The National’s Cherry Tree EP on clear cherry red vinyl. The album releases on March 23rd, so I’ll announce a winner on the 20th. Good luck.
VINYL FORMAT. Epic Records is pleased to announce the release of Soldier of Love, the highly anticipated new body of work from Sade. Soldier of Love is Sade’s first official studio album since the multi-platinum release of Lovers Rock in 2000. That’s a long time Sade, where have you been?! Writing sweet lovejamz, I guess.
“Soldier of Love” is based entirely around a single staggering groove, a wounded stride anchored simply by a regular kick drum and delayed snare. Around this motif, and its unrelenting-yet-damaged steps, a song is gradually carved: a sensuous sculpture that refuses to congeal, an effect not unlike making out an uncertain shape by touch in total darkness…. – Pitchfork.
