VAMPIRE WEEKEND/RA RA RIOT SUPERGROUP'S LP GETS DATE
By Julia Askenase on May 22, 2009 12:17 PM
from Paste Magazine
What happens when members from two of the most buzzed-about bands of '08 join forces? Apparently, quaint chamber pop + afrobeat ditties = club jamz. That's what early tracks have led us to expect from Discovery, the side project of Vampire Weekend keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot singer Wes Miles. Their fun-loving debut album, LP, will hit streets July 7, just in time to rival some our favorite songs of summer.
Despite your potential first inclinations, this electro-dance outfit doesn't appear to be The Postal Service reincarnated. Rather, it's sounds more like these guys unabashedly donned their top-siders and sweaters in the club, rubbing shoulders with Jamie Foxx and T-Pain. Granted, song titles like "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" sound a bit more charming than verses from "Blame It." (Tangential side note: Have you seen the cameos in that music video? Forest Whitaker, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Ron Howard!?)
For a sampling of what's to come, listen to "Orange Shirt" and the delectable "Osaka Loop Line" on the band's MySpace. Also, check out LP's tracklist below, complete with guest appearances from VW singer Ezra Koenig and Dirty Projector Angel Deradoorian:
1. Orange Shirt
2. Osaka Loop Line
3. Can You Discover?
4. I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (featuring Angel Deradoorian)
5. So Insane
6. Swing Tree
7. Carby (featuring Ezra Koenig)
8. I Want You Back
9. It's Not My Fault (It's My Fault)
10. Slang Tang
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Jay Bennett Found Dead
Songwriter Jay Bennett, Dead At 45
May 26, 2009
Story by: Michael Tedder
from CMJ.com
Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and former Wilco member Jay Bennett died in his sleep early Sunday morning. He was 45. Bennett is perhaps best known for his songwriting and lush, symphonic keyboard work on the Wilco albums Being There, Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. As shown in the documentary I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, Bennett left Wilco during the recording of Hotel over creative disagreements with Jeff Tweedy, the group's lead songwriter, and a few weeks before his death, Bennett sued the group for unpaid royalties from his film appearance and his album work.
Before joining Wilco, Bennett had played in the early '90s alternative pop group Titanic Love Affair, and since leaving the group, he has recorded several solo albums, including last year's Whatever Happened I Apologized, which was released as a free download. He had also done session work and production for artists such as Allison Moorer, Tim Easton, Tommy Keene, Jeff Black, Blues Traveler and Sheryl Crow.
At the time of his death, Bennett was living in Urbana, Illinois, and was set to have hip replacement surgery in the near future. His cause of death is currently unknown.
May 26, 2009
Story by: Michael Tedder
from CMJ.com
Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and former Wilco member Jay Bennett died in his sleep early Sunday morning. He was 45. Bennett is perhaps best known for his songwriting and lush, symphonic keyboard work on the Wilco albums Being There, Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. As shown in the documentary I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, Bennett left Wilco during the recording of Hotel over creative disagreements with Jeff Tweedy, the group's lead songwriter, and a few weeks before his death, Bennett sued the group for unpaid royalties from his film appearance and his album work.
Before joining Wilco, Bennett had played in the early '90s alternative pop group Titanic Love Affair, and since leaving the group, he has recorded several solo albums, including last year's Whatever Happened I Apologized, which was released as a free download. He had also done session work and production for artists such as Allison Moorer, Tim Easton, Tommy Keene, Jeff Black, Blues Traveler and Sheryl Crow.
At the time of his death, Bennett was living in Urbana, Illinois, and was set to have hip replacement surgery in the near future. His cause of death is currently unknown.
Austin Music Picks for the Week
Tuesday, May 26th:
Continental Club - Ephraim Owens Experience (Gallery); Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles (In the Club)
Elephant Room: Brannen Temple Quartet
Emo's: Outside: Winston Audio, Audrye Sessions, Fun, Manchester Orchestra; Inside: Pilot Speed, Courses & Angles, Jeff Hanson
Jovita's: Tiny Tin Hearts (6:30)
Saxon Pub: Ben Mallott, George Devore
Waterloo Records: Manchester Orchestra in-store (5:00)
Wednesday, May 27th:
Antone's: Dakah Hip-Hop Orchestra
Continental Club: Jon Dee Graham, James McMurtry
Eddie V's: Kat Edmonson
Emo's: Inside: Anya Marina, Lissy Trullie, The Virgins
Flipnotics: Matt the Electrician, Southpaw Jones
Momo's: Dan Dyer, Patrice Pike, Jarrod Dickenson
Red Fez: Atash
Waterloo Records: The Belleville Outfit in-store (5:00)
Thursday, May 28th:
Antone's: Cowboy Mouth
The Belmont: Jeff Lofton Quartet (7:00)
Carousel Lounge: Amanda Hickey (7:00)
Emo's: Gliss, The Boxing Lesson, Von Iva
Gruene Hall: Brandi Carlile w/ Gregory Alan Isakov
Lamberts: Gary Clark Jr (7:00), Greyhounds
Saxon Pub: Joel Guzman & Sarah Fox (8:00)
The Scoot Inn: Lonesome Dave Fisher, JWW & the Prospectors, Dave Insley's Careless Smokers, Arty Hill
Threadgill's World HQ: Ben Mallot, Bob Schneider's Texas Bluegrass Massacre (9:00)
Friday, May 29th:
Antone's: Lucky Tubb, Lucky Tomblin, Junior Brown
Central Market North: Seth Walker (6:30)
Palmer Events Center: Austin Symphony Orchestra w/ Cherish the Ladies (8:00)
The Scoot Inn: 29 Mules (CD release), Stonehoney
Southpark Meadows: Ginger Leigh
Saturday, May 30th:
The Amsterdam: Mandy Rowden, Jana Pochop, Susan Gibson, Elizabeth Wills
Antone's: Quiet Company, the Campaign, Deadbeat Darlings, Alpha Rev (8:00)
Eddie V's: Mark Goodwin Trio (8:00)
Hole in the Wall: Amplified Heat, Black Joe Lewis
Jovita's: Nakia & His Southern Cousins
Nomad: D Numbers
Palmer Events Center: Austin Symphony Orchestra w/ Cherish the Ladies (8:00)
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe: Rosie Flores (7:00)
Poodie's Hilltop Bar: George Kenny, Carolyn Wonderland
The Scoot Inn: The Tunnels, Teen Sensations, Blackheart Society, Experimental Aircraft
Sunday, May 31st:
Lamberts: Black, Red & Black (7:00)
Opal Divine's Penn Field: Will Taylor & Strings Attached (6:00)
Waterloo Ice House 38th Street: Jeff Lofton Quartet (11:00 am)
Continental Club - Ephraim Owens Experience (Gallery); Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles (In the Club)
Elephant Room: Brannen Temple Quartet
Emo's: Outside: Winston Audio, Audrye Sessions, Fun, Manchester Orchestra; Inside: Pilot Speed, Courses & Angles, Jeff Hanson
Jovita's: Tiny Tin Hearts (6:30)
Saxon Pub: Ben Mallott, George Devore
Waterloo Records: Manchester Orchestra in-store (5:00)
Wednesday, May 27th:
Antone's: Dakah Hip-Hop Orchestra
Continental Club: Jon Dee Graham, James McMurtry
Eddie V's: Kat Edmonson
Emo's: Inside: Anya Marina, Lissy Trullie, The Virgins
Flipnotics: Matt the Electrician, Southpaw Jones
Momo's: Dan Dyer, Patrice Pike, Jarrod Dickenson
Red Fez: Atash
Waterloo Records: The Belleville Outfit in-store (5:00)
Thursday, May 28th:
Antone's: Cowboy Mouth
The Belmont: Jeff Lofton Quartet (7:00)
Carousel Lounge: Amanda Hickey (7:00)
Emo's: Gliss, The Boxing Lesson, Von Iva
Gruene Hall: Brandi Carlile w/ Gregory Alan Isakov
Lamberts: Gary Clark Jr (7:00), Greyhounds
Saxon Pub: Joel Guzman & Sarah Fox (8:00)
The Scoot Inn: Lonesome Dave Fisher, JWW & the Prospectors, Dave Insley's Careless Smokers, Arty Hill
Threadgill's World HQ: Ben Mallot, Bob Schneider's Texas Bluegrass Massacre (9:00)
Friday, May 29th:
Antone's: Lucky Tubb, Lucky Tomblin, Junior Brown
Central Market North: Seth Walker (6:30)
Palmer Events Center: Austin Symphony Orchestra w/ Cherish the Ladies (8:00)
The Scoot Inn: 29 Mules (CD release), Stonehoney
Southpark Meadows: Ginger Leigh
Saturday, May 30th:
The Amsterdam: Mandy Rowden, Jana Pochop, Susan Gibson, Elizabeth Wills
Antone's: Quiet Company, the Campaign, Deadbeat Darlings, Alpha Rev (8:00)
Eddie V's: Mark Goodwin Trio (8:00)
Hole in the Wall: Amplified Heat, Black Joe Lewis
Jovita's: Nakia & His Southern Cousins
Nomad: D Numbers
Palmer Events Center: Austin Symphony Orchestra w/ Cherish the Ladies (8:00)
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe: Rosie Flores (7:00)
Poodie's Hilltop Bar: George Kenny, Carolyn Wonderland
The Scoot Inn: The Tunnels, Teen Sensations, Blackheart Society, Experimental Aircraft
Sunday, May 31st:
Lamberts: Black, Red & Black (7:00)
Opal Divine's Penn Field: Will Taylor & Strings Attached (6:00)
Waterloo Ice House 38th Street: Jeff Lofton Quartet (11:00 am)
Friday, May 22, 2009
Neko Case Announces Summer Tour Dates
Neko Case is touring through August with members of Calexico and Grandaddy. Unfortunately, no dates in Texas - hope you saw here when she was here in March!
Click HERE for presale tickets where available.
*Thu 5/28: ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Sunshine Theatre
*Fri 5/29: BOULDER, CO - Chautauqua Auditorium
*Sat 5/30: DENVER, CO - Ogden Theatre
*Sun 5/31: SLC, UT - Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
*Tue 6/2: TACOMA, WA - Pantages Theatre
^Wed 6/3: VANCOUVER, BC - Vogue Theatre
^Thu 6/4: SEATTLE, WA - Paramount Theatre
^Fri 6/5: PORTLAND, OR - Crystal Ballroom
Sat 6/6: PORTLAND, OR Crystal Ballroom
^Sun 6/7: EUGENE, OR - McDonald Theatre
^Tue 6/9: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Warfield Theatre
^Wed 6/10: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Warfield Theatre
^Fri 6/12: LOS ANGELES, CA - Greek Theatre
Sun 6/14: MANCHESTER, TN - Bonnaroo Music Festival
Fri 7/10: WINNIPEG, MB - Winnipeg Folk Festival
Sat 7/11: WINNIPEG, MB - Winnipeg Folk Festival
Sun 7/12: OTTAWA, ON - Cisco Systems Bluesfest
^Tue 7/14: TORONTO, ON - Massey Hall
^Thu 7/16: GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Meijer Gardens
^Fri 7/17: INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Clowes Memorial Hall
Sat 7/18: OMAHA, NE - Slowdown
^Sun 7/19: KANSAS CITY, MO - Uptown Theater
^Wed 7/22: PONTIAC, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom
^Thu 7/23: BUFFALO, NY - Lafayette Square
Fri 7/24: NORFOLK, VA - The NorVa
^Sat 7/25: NASHVILLE, TN - Ryman Auditorium
^Sun 7/26: ATLANTA, GA - Cobb Energy Performing Arts
^Tue 7/28: BALTIMORE, MD - Ram's Head Live
^Wed 7/29: PHILADELPHIA, PA - Kimmel Center - Verizon Hall
^Fri 7/31: PITTSBURGH, PA - Riverplex Amphitheatre
Sat 8/1: JERSEY CITY, NJ - All Points West Festival
Sun 8/2: NEWPORT, RI - Newport Folk Festival
Tue 8/4: PORTLAND, ME - Port City Music Hall
Wed 8/5: BURLINGTON, VT - Flynn Theatre
Sun 8/9: CHICAGO, IL - Lollapalooza
* with Joey Burns + John Convertino of Calexico
^ with Jason Lytle of Grandaddy
Click HERE for presale tickets where available.
*Thu 5/28: ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Sunshine Theatre
*Fri 5/29: BOULDER, CO - Chautauqua Auditorium
*Sat 5/30: DENVER, CO - Ogden Theatre
*Sun 5/31: SLC, UT - Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
*Tue 6/2: TACOMA, WA - Pantages Theatre
^Wed 6/3: VANCOUVER, BC - Vogue Theatre
^Thu 6/4: SEATTLE, WA - Paramount Theatre
^Fri 6/5: PORTLAND, OR - Crystal Ballroom
Sat 6/6: PORTLAND, OR Crystal Ballroom
^Sun 6/7: EUGENE, OR - McDonald Theatre
^Tue 6/9: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Warfield Theatre
^Wed 6/10: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Warfield Theatre
^Fri 6/12: LOS ANGELES, CA - Greek Theatre
Sun 6/14: MANCHESTER, TN - Bonnaroo Music Festival
Fri 7/10: WINNIPEG, MB - Winnipeg Folk Festival
Sat 7/11: WINNIPEG, MB - Winnipeg Folk Festival
Sun 7/12: OTTAWA, ON - Cisco Systems Bluesfest
^Tue 7/14: TORONTO, ON - Massey Hall
^Thu 7/16: GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Meijer Gardens
^Fri 7/17: INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Clowes Memorial Hall
Sat 7/18: OMAHA, NE - Slowdown
^Sun 7/19: KANSAS CITY, MO - Uptown Theater
^Wed 7/22: PONTIAC, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom
^Thu 7/23: BUFFALO, NY - Lafayette Square
Fri 7/24: NORFOLK, VA - The NorVa
^Sat 7/25: NASHVILLE, TN - Ryman Auditorium
^Sun 7/26: ATLANTA, GA - Cobb Energy Performing Arts
^Tue 7/28: BALTIMORE, MD - Ram's Head Live
^Wed 7/29: PHILADELPHIA, PA - Kimmel Center - Verizon Hall
^Fri 7/31: PITTSBURGH, PA - Riverplex Amphitheatre
Sat 8/1: JERSEY CITY, NJ - All Points West Festival
Sun 8/2: NEWPORT, RI - Newport Folk Festival
Tue 8/4: PORTLAND, ME - Port City Music Hall
Wed 8/5: BURLINGTON, VT - Flynn Theatre
Sun 8/9: CHICAGO, IL - Lollapalooza
* with Joey Burns + John Convertino of Calexico
^ with Jason Lytle of Grandaddy
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
May 15, 2009 1:41 PM PDT
Wilco beats leaks by streaming its own album
from CNET
by Matt Rosoff
Wilco on Wednesday began streaming its new album, "Wilco (The Album)," in its entirety from its Web site. The band began circulating the record about a month ago, and anticipated that the album would be leaked on file-sharing networks. As soon as it appeared via P2P, the band offered it up as a free stream, reasoning that hardcore fans would pre-order the new album regardless, and showing confidence that fence-sitters would find it engaging enough to buy it as well, or at least be aware that the band will probably be bringing its (amazing) live show to town later this year. Wilco also asked folks who'd downloaded the record illegally to donate to Chicago-area charity the Inspiration Corporation as penance.
Listening to the first song on the album, "Wilco (The Song)," which repeatedly mentions the band's name, I wondered how many other rock bands have name-checked themselves. (Hip-hop artists are another story--most of them do it at least once.)
Here's my quick list:
Bad Company (bonus: the song is called "Bad Company," as is the album on which it appears)
Iron Maiden (same here)
Steely Dan
The Monkees
Devo
They Might Be Giants (bonus: the song's called "They Might Be Giants," but it doesn't appear on the album of that name)
KMFDM
Metallica
Built to Spill
Big Country
Queen (sort of)
I'm sure you can think of others....
Matt Rosoff is an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, where he covers Microsoft's consumer products and corporate news. He's written about the technology industry since 1995, and reviewed the first Rio MP3 player for CNET.com in 1998. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network. Disclosure.
Wilco beats leaks by streaming its own album
from CNET
by Matt Rosoff
Wilco on Wednesday began streaming its new album, "Wilco (The Album)," in its entirety from its Web site. The band began circulating the record about a month ago, and anticipated that the album would be leaked on file-sharing networks. As soon as it appeared via P2P, the band offered it up as a free stream, reasoning that hardcore fans would pre-order the new album regardless, and showing confidence that fence-sitters would find it engaging enough to buy it as well, or at least be aware that the band will probably be bringing its (amazing) live show to town later this year. Wilco also asked folks who'd downloaded the record illegally to donate to Chicago-area charity the Inspiration Corporation as penance.
Listening to the first song on the album, "Wilco (The Song)," which repeatedly mentions the band's name, I wondered how many other rock bands have name-checked themselves. (Hip-hop artists are another story--most of them do it at least once.)
Here's my quick list:
Bad Company (bonus: the song is called "Bad Company," as is the album on which it appears)
Iron Maiden (same here)
Steely Dan
The Monkees
Devo
They Might Be Giants (bonus: the song's called "They Might Be Giants," but it doesn't appear on the album of that name)
KMFDM
Metallica
Built to Spill
Big Country
Queen (sort of)
I'm sure you can think of others....
Matt Rosoff is an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, where he covers Microsoft's consumer products and corporate news. He's written about the technology industry since 1995, and reviewed the first Rio MP3 player for CNET.com in 1998. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network. Disclosure.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
TraceInvader Picks for the Week
Austin Picks for this week: Go see some music!
Monday, May 18th:
Mings Cafe: Eldridge Goins, Brad Houser, Gary Newcomb, Tom Benton
Momo's: Kacy Crowley, Freedy Johnston
The Parish: Eulogies, Great Northern, the Dears
Saxon Pub: Matt the Electrician, Lonelyland, Ben Mallott, the Twalls
Waterloo Records in-store: Steve Earle (5pm)
Tuesday, May 19th:
Continental Club Gallery: Ephraim Owens Experience
La Zona Rosa: The Crystal Method
Lucky Lounge: DJ Rapid Ric, Boombox
Nutty Brown Cafe: Sara Hickman
Wednesday, May 20th:
Artz Rib House: Shelley King
Continental Club: Jon Dee Graham, James McMurtry
Eddie V's: Kat Edmonson (7pm)
Mohawk Inside: Paper Route, Young Love
Momo's: Molly Venter, Kalu James, Patrice Pike, Dan Dyer
Red 7: Yellow Fever, Teenage Cool Kids, Harlem, Ponytail
Red Fez: Atash
Red Shed Tavern: Kacy Crowley, Allen Daniels
Saxon Pub: Monte Montgomery, James Hyland, Steven Ray Will
Thursday, May 21st:
Beerland: Black Panda, Broken Gold, the Bellrays
The Belmont: Jeff Lofton Quartet
Broken Spoke: Jesse Dayton
Continental Club: Charlie Terrell & The Murdered Johns, Amplified Heat, Grady, Honky
Lucky Lounge: Ian McLagan & the Bump Band, OJ & the Broncos (6pm), Eagle Pritchard Murray, MC Overlord (10pm)
Momo's: Redd Volkaert, Cindy Cashdollar, Warren Hood, Wendy Colonna, Molly Venter, Dave Madden, Danny Levin, Megan Melara
Red Shed Tavern: Wendy Colonna
The Scoot Inn: Chaparral w/ Jeff Hughes, Leo Rondeau, Dave Insley's Careless Smokers, the Lonesome Heroes
Stubb's: Terri Hendrix, Lloyd Maines, Indigo Girls
T.C.'s Lounge: Leeann Atherton's Blues
Friday, May 22nd:
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Band of Heathens
The Parish: Cruiserweight, Letters to Cleo
Romeo's: Rob Greenfield & Ephraim Owens
Threadgill's World HQ: The Gourds
Saturday, May 23rd:
Carousel Lounge: The Just Desserts, Datri Bean, Luna Tart, DJ Shorty
Riley's Tavern: Earl Poole Ball & the Rockabilly Bluze
Sunday, May 24th:
Hole in the Wall: The Black Shirts, Harlem
Lamberts: Black, Red & Black (7pm)
Opal Divine's Penn Field: Will Taylor & Strings Attached Quartet (6pm)
Threadgill's World HQ: Sideshow Tramps, Hayes Carll
Waterloo Ice House 38th St: Jeff Lofton Quartet (11am)
Monday, May 18th:
Mings Cafe: Eldridge Goins, Brad Houser, Gary Newcomb, Tom Benton
Momo's: Kacy Crowley, Freedy Johnston
The Parish: Eulogies, Great Northern, the Dears
Saxon Pub: Matt the Electrician, Lonelyland, Ben Mallott, the Twalls
Waterloo Records in-store: Steve Earle (5pm)
Tuesday, May 19th:
Continental Club Gallery: Ephraim Owens Experience
La Zona Rosa: The Crystal Method
Lucky Lounge: DJ Rapid Ric, Boombox
Nutty Brown Cafe: Sara Hickman
Wednesday, May 20th:
Artz Rib House: Shelley King
Continental Club: Jon Dee Graham, James McMurtry
Eddie V's: Kat Edmonson (7pm)
Mohawk Inside: Paper Route, Young Love
Momo's: Molly Venter, Kalu James, Patrice Pike, Dan Dyer
Red 7: Yellow Fever, Teenage Cool Kids, Harlem, Ponytail
Red Fez: Atash
Red Shed Tavern: Kacy Crowley, Allen Daniels
Saxon Pub: Monte Montgomery, James Hyland, Steven Ray Will
Thursday, May 21st:
Beerland: Black Panda, Broken Gold, the Bellrays
The Belmont: Jeff Lofton Quartet
Broken Spoke: Jesse Dayton
Continental Club: Charlie Terrell & The Murdered Johns, Amplified Heat, Grady, Honky
Lucky Lounge: Ian McLagan & the Bump Band, OJ & the Broncos (6pm), Eagle Pritchard Murray, MC Overlord (10pm)
Momo's: Redd Volkaert, Cindy Cashdollar, Warren Hood, Wendy Colonna, Molly Venter, Dave Madden, Danny Levin, Megan Melara
Red Shed Tavern: Wendy Colonna
The Scoot Inn: Chaparral w/ Jeff Hughes, Leo Rondeau, Dave Insley's Careless Smokers, the Lonesome Heroes
Stubb's: Terri Hendrix, Lloyd Maines, Indigo Girls
T.C.'s Lounge: Leeann Atherton's Blues
Friday, May 22nd:
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Band of Heathens
The Parish: Cruiserweight, Letters to Cleo
Romeo's: Rob Greenfield & Ephraim Owens
Threadgill's World HQ: The Gourds
Saturday, May 23rd:
Carousel Lounge: The Just Desserts, Datri Bean, Luna Tart, DJ Shorty
Riley's Tavern: Earl Poole Ball & the Rockabilly Bluze
Sunday, May 24th:
Hole in the Wall: The Black Shirts, Harlem
Lamberts: Black, Red & Black (7pm)
Opal Divine's Penn Field: Will Taylor & Strings Attached Quartet (6pm)
Threadgill's World HQ: Sideshow Tramps, Hayes Carll
Waterloo Ice House 38th St: Jeff Lofton Quartet (11am)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Little Joy and Clues Coming to The Independent in Austin
Little Joy and Clues coming to The Independent in June. Check out one of my earlier posts for free tracks from Clues!
June 8 - Little Joy - http://myspace.com/littlejoymusic
June 10 - Clues (featuring members of Arcade Fire and Unicorns!) - http://www.cstrecords.com/releases/cst057
Check the venue website at http://austinindependent.com
Tickets on sale for both shows at http://c3presents.frontgatetickets.com
June 8 - Little Joy - http://myspace.com/littlejoymusic
June 10 - Clues (featuring members of Arcade Fire and Unicorns!) - http://www.cstrecords.com/releases/cst057
Check the venue website at http://austinindependent.com
Tickets on sale for both shows at http://c3presents.frontgatetickets.com
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
No Depression Festival Lineup Announcement
via the No Depression blog
It's our great pleasure to announce the lineup for the first ever No Depression Festival, featuring Gillian Welch, Iron & Wine, Patterson Hood & the Screwtopians, Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, a Seattle roots-music all-star revue, and Zee Avi.
Presented by Seattle Theater Group (STG), Live Nation, and the Lakeside Group, the No Depression Festival will be held Saturday, July 11, at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Wash. (just outside Seattle). Tickets will be $45 plus applicable fees. Ticket information and a full press release, including artist bios, is below:
GILLIAN WELCH, IRON & WINE TO HEADLINE FIRST-EVER
NO DEPRESSION FESTIVAL
Saturday, July 11 | Marymoor Park- Redmond, WA
All-Day Event In Seattle Area Also Features Patterson Hood & The Screwtopians, Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Seattle Roots-Music All-Star Revue, And Zee Avi
SEATTLE - Seattle Theatre Group (STG Presents), Live Nation, and The Lakeside Group present the first-ever No Depression Festival, sponsored by the pioneering and influential roots-music magazine and website. The festival will take place Saturday, July 11, 2009, at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington, just outside Seattle. The all-day event will feature Gillian Welch, Iron & Wine, Patterson Hood & The Screwtopians, Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, a Seattle roots-music all-star revue, and Zee Avi.
No Depression launched as a quarterly (and then bimonthly) magazine in Seattle in 1995, and quickly became known as the foremost journalistic authority for roots-music genres ranging from alternative-country to singer-songwriters to bluegrass to trad-leaning indie acts, and beyond. In 2008, No Depression shuttered its print publication and launched a website, NoDepression.com, which in 2009 has transitioned into a community-oriented site that will soon house an extensive archive of the former print magazine's content. In addition, No Depression has partnered with University of Texas Press to issue a series of "bookazines," the second of which hit shelves this spring (a third is due in the fall).
Tickets, $45.00 (not including applicable fees), are on sale Friday, May 15th at noon at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone 206-628-0888. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.concertsatmarymoor.com. For more information, please visit www.stgpresents.org and www.nodepression.com
About STG
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
It's our great pleasure to announce the lineup for the first ever No Depression Festival, featuring Gillian Welch, Iron & Wine, Patterson Hood & the Screwtopians, Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, a Seattle roots-music all-star revue, and Zee Avi.
Presented by Seattle Theater Group (STG), Live Nation, and the Lakeside Group, the No Depression Festival will be held Saturday, July 11, at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Wash. (just outside Seattle). Tickets will be $45 plus applicable fees. Ticket information and a full press release, including artist bios, is below:
GILLIAN WELCH, IRON & WINE TO HEADLINE FIRST-EVER
NO DEPRESSION FESTIVAL
Saturday, July 11 | Marymoor Park- Redmond, WA
All-Day Event In Seattle Area Also Features Patterson Hood & The Screwtopians, Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Seattle Roots-Music All-Star Revue, And Zee Avi
SEATTLE - Seattle Theatre Group (STG Presents), Live Nation, and The Lakeside Group present the first-ever No Depression Festival, sponsored by the pioneering and influential roots-music magazine and website. The festival will take place Saturday, July 11, 2009, at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington, just outside Seattle. The all-day event will feature Gillian Welch, Iron & Wine, Patterson Hood & The Screwtopians, Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, a Seattle roots-music all-star revue, and Zee Avi.
No Depression launched as a quarterly (and then bimonthly) magazine in Seattle in 1995, and quickly became known as the foremost journalistic authority for roots-music genres ranging from alternative-country to singer-songwriters to bluegrass to trad-leaning indie acts, and beyond. In 2008, No Depression shuttered its print publication and launched a website, NoDepression.com, which in 2009 has transitioned into a community-oriented site that will soon house an extensive archive of the former print magazine's content. In addition, No Depression has partnered with University of Texas Press to issue a series of "bookazines," the second of which hit shelves this spring (a third is due in the fall).
Tickets, $45.00 (not including applicable fees), are on sale Friday, May 15th at noon at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone 206-628-0888. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.concertsatmarymoor.com. For more information, please visit www.stgpresents.org and www.nodepression.com
About STG
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Perry Farrell Still On For Austin Despite Torn Calf Muscle
Torn Muscle Doesn’t Stop Perry Farrell
Posted on Monday May 11, 2009 at 09:01 AM
via Pollstar
Talk about starting off on the wrong foot. Perry Farrell tore a calf muscle shortly after Jane’s Addiction took the stage in Atlanta last night, but says the injury won’t disrupt the band’s touring schedule.
It happened during the first song of the band’s set at Lakewood Amphitheatre, but trooper that he is, the Lollapalooza founder went on to finish the set. Farrell was taken to Atlanta Medical Center after the show, according to a publicist.
Associated Press reports doctors told Farrell to stay off his leg for several days, but the singer says he still plans to perform Tuesday night at the band’s next gig in Austin.
Guess you could say he still has a leg to stand on.
Update! Dave Navarro Twittered from the tour bus this morning, saying Farrell is fine and the band is on the road to Austin.
--Jay Smith
Posted on Monday May 11, 2009 at 09:01 AM
via Pollstar
Talk about starting off on the wrong foot. Perry Farrell tore a calf muscle shortly after Jane’s Addiction took the stage in Atlanta last night, but says the injury won’t disrupt the band’s touring schedule.
It happened during the first song of the band’s set at Lakewood Amphitheatre, but trooper that he is, the Lollapalooza founder went on to finish the set. Farrell was taken to Atlanta Medical Center after the show, according to a publicist.
Associated Press reports doctors told Farrell to stay off his leg for several days, but the singer says he still plans to perform Tuesday night at the band’s next gig in Austin.
Guess you could say he still has a leg to stand on.
Update! Dave Navarro Twittered from the tour bus this morning, saying Farrell is fine and the band is on the road to Austin.
--Jay Smith
Sunday, May 10, 2009
War Tapes - Preview Song From New Album/Kicking Off National Tour
The L.A.-based War Tapes just released a streaming preview track off their new album, The Continental Divide, available in stores and online May 26th.
They'll be kicking off a national tour with a CD Release Party at Club Moscow in Hollywood on May 27th. Check out the schedule here:
May 27 CD RELEASE PARTY! CLUB MOSCOW - 18+ Hollywood, CA FREE W/ RSVP - wartapesRSVP@hotmail.com
May 28 CONTINENTAL ROOM Fullerton, CA
SUMMER TOUR with VNV NATION:
Jun 27 CLUB NOKIA w/ vnv nation Los Angeles, CA
Jun 29 REGENCY CENTER w/ vnv nation San Fransisco, CA
Jun 30 BERBATI’S PAN w/ vnv nation Portland, OR
Jul 1 THE SHOWBOX w/ vnv nation Seattle, WA
Jul 3 MURRAY THEATRE w/ vnv nation Salt Lake City, UT
Jul 5 GOTHIC THEATRE w/ vnv nation Englewood, CO
Jul 7 TURNER HALL w/ vnv nation Milwaukee, WI
Jul 8 STATION 4 w/ vnv nation Minneapolis, MN
Jul 10 HOUSE OF BLUES w/ vnv nation Chicago, IL
Jul 11 ST. ANDREWS HALL w/ vnv nation Detroit, MI
Jul 12 PEABODY’S w/ vnv nation Cleveland, OH
Jul 14 PHOENIX THEATRE w/ vnv nation Toronto, ON
Jul 15 LE NATIONAL w/ vnv nation Montreal, QC
Jul 17 PARADISE w/ vnv nation Boston, MA
Jul 18 NOKIA THEATRE w/ vnv nation New York, NY
Jul 19 TLA w/ vnv nation Philadelphia, PA
Jul 21 9:30 CLUB w/ vnv nation Washington DC
Jul 23 MASQUERADE w/ vnv nation Atlanta, GA
Jul 24 THE RITZ w/ vnv nation Tampa, FL
Jul 25 CULTURE ROOM w/ vnv nation Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Jul 27 GRANADA THEATRE w/ vnv nation Dallas, TX
Jul 28 WHITE RABBIT w/ vnv nation San Antonio, TX
Jul 30 MARQUEE THEATRE w/ vnv nation Tempe, AZ
No Austin dates but they'll be in Dallas and San Antonio at some great venues if Austinites care to venture out of town.
They'll be kicking off a national tour with a CD Release Party at Club Moscow in Hollywood on May 27th. Check out the schedule here:
May 27 CD RELEASE PARTY! CLUB MOSCOW - 18+ Hollywood, CA FREE W/ RSVP - wartapesRSVP@hotmail.com
May 28 CONTINENTAL ROOM Fullerton, CA
SUMMER TOUR with VNV NATION:
Jun 27 CLUB NOKIA w/ vnv nation Los Angeles, CA
Jun 29 REGENCY CENTER w/ vnv nation San Fransisco, CA
Jun 30 BERBATI’S PAN w/ vnv nation Portland, OR
Jul 1 THE SHOWBOX w/ vnv nation Seattle, WA
Jul 3 MURRAY THEATRE w/ vnv nation Salt Lake City, UT
Jul 5 GOTHIC THEATRE w/ vnv nation Englewood, CO
Jul 7 TURNER HALL w/ vnv nation Milwaukee, WI
Jul 8 STATION 4 w/ vnv nation Minneapolis, MN
Jul 10 HOUSE OF BLUES w/ vnv nation Chicago, IL
Jul 11 ST. ANDREWS HALL w/ vnv nation Detroit, MI
Jul 12 PEABODY’S w/ vnv nation Cleveland, OH
Jul 14 PHOENIX THEATRE w/ vnv nation Toronto, ON
Jul 15 LE NATIONAL w/ vnv nation Montreal, QC
Jul 17 PARADISE w/ vnv nation Boston, MA
Jul 18 NOKIA THEATRE w/ vnv nation New York, NY
Jul 19 TLA w/ vnv nation Philadelphia, PA
Jul 21 9:30 CLUB w/ vnv nation Washington DC
Jul 23 MASQUERADE w/ vnv nation Atlanta, GA
Jul 24 THE RITZ w/ vnv nation Tampa, FL
Jul 25 CULTURE ROOM w/ vnv nation Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Jul 27 GRANADA THEATRE w/ vnv nation Dallas, TX
Jul 28 WHITE RABBIT w/ vnv nation San Antonio, TX
Jul 30 MARQUEE THEATRE w/ vnv nation Tempe, AZ
No Austin dates but they'll be in Dallas and San Antonio at some great venues if Austinites care to venture out of town.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Willie Nelson's Stage Manager, Randall "Poodie" Locke, Dies in Texas
Randall “Poodie” Locke 1948- 2009
By Michael Corcoran | Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 05:03 PM
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
“There are no bad days” was the slogan Poodie Locke, Willie Nelson’s stage manager of 34 years, put on a sign outside his Poodie’s Hilltop beer joint in Spicewood. But Wednesday was a dark one for members of the extended Willie Nelson family as Locke died of an apparent heart attack at his home in Briarcliff, about 30 miles west of Austin. He was 60.
“He wasn’t feeling well and Shaye (Locke’s girlfriend) called for EMS at around two in the afternoon,” said Bryan Dixon, a manager at the Hilltop. “Poodie collapsed just as the ambulance got there, but they couldn’t revive him.” As news spread, Locke’s 133-capacity club quickly filled up with mourners.
“Willie loved Poodie’s exuberance,” said Casey Monahan of the Texas Music Office, who hung out with Locke Saturday at Nelson’s show at Carl’s Corner. “Willie’s whole thing is living in the moment and that was Poodie.”
In Willie’s band of gypsies, Locke was the ringleader who had a hug for everyone no matter how much else was going on. Everybody loved Poodie, the only roadie with his own logo and line of barbecue sauces, but there was work to be done so both of the Nelson crew buses had signs that said “Poodie’s on the other bus.”
“He was the heart and soul of the road crew,” said Joe Nick Patoski, author of the definitive Nelson biography “An Epic Life.” Although the touring life can be stressful, Poodie always had a smile because, after all, he had the best seat in the house.
“I do not recall ever seeing him any way but calm,” said lawyer Bobby Earl Smith, who met Locke as a member of Freda and the Firedogs. “All hell would be falling around him and he just kept keeping on, slow, deliberate, getting the job done.”
Locke was a gentle giant who treated everyone special, which is why it was inevitable that, in 2002, he opened Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill. It would be a place where Willie’s cronies and crew could hang out between tours, but Poodie spent many of his “off” days working on his laptop at the bar, setting up stage specifications for tours. He’d always drop everything, however, when an old friend popped in.
The Hilltop became a place where the famous, such as Willie, Merle Haggard, Garth Hudson of the Band and Big & Rich would sometimes play for hours, unannounced.
As his mother Gloria “Momma” Locke loved to say, Poodie won the Most Beautiful Baby contest in Waco when he was just a few months old. The nickname “Poodie” came from a younger sister who couldn’t pronounce “pretty” in describing her sibling.
A 12-year-old Locke met Nelson, from nearby Abbott, in Waco. Before hooking up with Willie just before “Red Headed Stranger” blew up, Locke was a roadie for B.W. Stevenson.
“Indecision may or may not be our biggest problem,” Locke quoted Willie as summing up the life of being on the road for up to 275 days a year. Although he’s met countless celebrities through the years, Poodie’s only asked for two autographs: John Wayne and Walter Cronkite.
Locke worked a Willie show at Carl’s Corner Saturday and seemed to be in good health, according to Patoski. He’s survived by his girlfriend Shaye, his sister Cindy and his mother.
You were lucky if you knew Poodie Locke, a larger-than-life folk hero who epitomized, behind the scenes, the humor and humility and edication his boss presented onstage. You can be sure there is devastation in Willie World. A member of the immediate family, Willie’s spiritual kid brother, has passed on.
There’s a little less love out on the road. But, as Poodie knew better than anyone, the road still calls.
By Michael Corcoran | Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 05:03 PM
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
“There are no bad days” was the slogan Poodie Locke, Willie Nelson’s stage manager of 34 years, put on a sign outside his Poodie’s Hilltop beer joint in Spicewood. But Wednesday was a dark one for members of the extended Willie Nelson family as Locke died of an apparent heart attack at his home in Briarcliff, about 30 miles west of Austin. He was 60.
“He wasn’t feeling well and Shaye (Locke’s girlfriend) called for EMS at around two in the afternoon,” said Bryan Dixon, a manager at the Hilltop. “Poodie collapsed just as the ambulance got there, but they couldn’t revive him.” As news spread, Locke’s 133-capacity club quickly filled up with mourners.
“Willie loved Poodie’s exuberance,” said Casey Monahan of the Texas Music Office, who hung out with Locke Saturday at Nelson’s show at Carl’s Corner. “Willie’s whole thing is living in the moment and that was Poodie.”
In Willie’s band of gypsies, Locke was the ringleader who had a hug for everyone no matter how much else was going on. Everybody loved Poodie, the only roadie with his own logo and line of barbecue sauces, but there was work to be done so both of the Nelson crew buses had signs that said “Poodie’s on the other bus.”
“He was the heart and soul of the road crew,” said Joe Nick Patoski, author of the definitive Nelson biography “An Epic Life.” Although the touring life can be stressful, Poodie always had a smile because, after all, he had the best seat in the house.
“I do not recall ever seeing him any way but calm,” said lawyer Bobby Earl Smith, who met Locke as a member of Freda and the Firedogs. “All hell would be falling around him and he just kept keeping on, slow, deliberate, getting the job done.”
Locke was a gentle giant who treated everyone special, which is why it was inevitable that, in 2002, he opened Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill. It would be a place where Willie’s cronies and crew could hang out between tours, but Poodie spent many of his “off” days working on his laptop at the bar, setting up stage specifications for tours. He’d always drop everything, however, when an old friend popped in.
The Hilltop became a place where the famous, such as Willie, Merle Haggard, Garth Hudson of the Band and Big & Rich would sometimes play for hours, unannounced.
As his mother Gloria “Momma” Locke loved to say, Poodie won the Most Beautiful Baby contest in Waco when he was just a few months old. The nickname “Poodie” came from a younger sister who couldn’t pronounce “pretty” in describing her sibling.
A 12-year-old Locke met Nelson, from nearby Abbott, in Waco. Before hooking up with Willie just before “Red Headed Stranger” blew up, Locke was a roadie for B.W. Stevenson.
“Indecision may or may not be our biggest problem,” Locke quoted Willie as summing up the life of being on the road for up to 275 days a year. Although he’s met countless celebrities through the years, Poodie’s only asked for two autographs: John Wayne and Walter Cronkite.
Locke worked a Willie show at Carl’s Corner Saturday and seemed to be in good health, according to Patoski. He’s survived by his girlfriend Shaye, his sister Cindy and his mother.
You were lucky if you knew Poodie Locke, a larger-than-life folk hero who epitomized, behind the scenes, the humor and humility and edication his boss presented onstage. You can be sure there is devastation in Willie World. A member of the immediate family, Willie’s spiritual kid brother, has passed on.
There’s a little less love out on the road. But, as Poodie knew better than anyone, the road still calls.
John Doe of X Assesses The Music Industry
May 6, 2009 1:45 PM PDT
Former punk John Doe on P2P, music labels, Radiohead
by Greg Sandoval
via cnet
There's hardly a corner of the entertainment business John Doe hasn't explored.
John Doe has gone from punk to folk, and says technology helps and hurts.
He's not one of the people who waxes on about rights and wrongs in the music and film industries without any hands-on knowledge. The band Doe formed, X, was part of the first wave of punk rock bands that stormed Los Angeles in the late 1970s. The band's 1981 "Wild Gift" was named Album of the Year by Rolling Stone and The New York Times. Doe is also an actor and has appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, including "Boogie Nights," "Roadhouse," and "CSI Miami."
Thirty years after founding X, Doe is churning out well-received country and folk albums on indie label Yep Roc Records, and has developed a love-hate relationship with technology. He appreciates how it can help simplify the recording process, but isn't a fan of the sound quality on many digital music players.
He also complains that file sharing hurts musicians. He thinks artists deserve to make a living.
Just weeks after the debut of his latest album, "Country Club," recorded with The Sadies, Doe agreed to speak with CNET News.
Q: How has technology changed the music industry?
Doe: Everything is more immediate and you can do things remotely. Anytime you can look backwards, you think everything was so naive back then. People still have vinyl. I think CDs are going to become more collectible because they hold a lot more information and they sound better than most of the files that you can get from iTunes and from people sharing stuff.
What do you think of file sharing and how do you think it impacts music?
Doe: I think that the music industry was asking for it and that's why they got smacked down. But I don't believe in music just being free because everybody deserves to make a living and it is intellectual property and you have to pay something for it. I think people that just share files and don't care and think "That's bull**** man, they're making plenty of money," never wrote a song and they never were proud of that song and feel as though they should get paid for it and things like that.
What did you mean that the music industry had it coming?
Doe: They stuck their heads in the sand. They spent too much money foolishly. A CD costs a $1 to make. Cassettes were $10 and CDs were $20...You sort of deserve it.
What do you mean music can be made remotely?
Doe: I get (drunk) and sort of put the whole process on remote...It's the drugs (laughter). I got to keep myself as heavily medicated as possible...really, The Sadies and I played a festival and we had a great time. They backed me up on a few of my songs. Kathleen Edwards was also there. I thought "Oh my god, this was a country record I could make." It wouldn't sound weak or too polished. My voice is sort of...it's a good voice but it's not a weird or distinctive voice so me with Nashville country backing would be a snooze. But me with The Sadies is exciting. A year later I went to Canada. We cranked out about 20 songs in maybe 10 days. I took files back to California, added a couple of people (to the tracks)...added some overdubs and (inaudible) mixed it in Toronto and sent me YouSendIt files, which I downloaded and then could play in Bakersfield, where I live, on my stereo through the computer.
It was a big file, just like the mix. I could play it on my stereo so I know what it sounds like and could call up and say, "Hey this is great. What if this thing here was better?" After a conversation or two, we could form four or five mixes and everybody was happy. And I didn't have to hang out in Toronto, which is a lovely city, for two weeks or 10 days while they mixed it.
And you wouldn't have been able to do that a decade ago?
Doe: Well, I guess you could have five years ago. You can do all kinds of things while they're mixing at the same time. You can go to a recording studio and sing to a track as it's being mixed across the country. There is all kinds of crazy stuff you can do. This was a poor man's version of that.
Some people argue that all music should be free and they have a right to music. Are they rationalizing or are they...
Doe: That's exactly what they're doing. I think they are foolish and young and haven't experienced what it's like to work for something and haven't suffered the pain, hardship it takes to create something. There is a really great movie that goes back to the 1970s called the "Festival Express." There was this visionary guy from Canada that took The Band and Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead and maybe Gram Parsons on a train to Canada. This is right after Woodstock. And everyone at the gates was saying "This is bull****, $10?" And they broke down the gate and everybody got in for free and they did that at every one of these shows because a precedent had been set.
This guy lost his ass. He had a vision, an incredible vision, and because people were selfish and didn't want to spend $10 and said, "The man is sticking it to us..." Yeah the record companies have been sticking it to the public for a long time but it doesn't mean that the artist shouldn't get paid.
It's just the reality and you can't bitch about it even though I am a little bit. I think file sharing is great to expose people to music but eventually you should pay for it. I do.
What do you think of the efforts by Trent Reznor and Radiohead to find a new model for the music industry?
Doe: I think they're dozens and dozens of people who are doing that on a small level and on a big level. It's catering to the super fan. All the value-added stuff is worthwhile. I don't have the discipline or the organizational skills to have my own label but I take my hat off to anyone who does. Radiohead does that. Aimee Mann does that. Dozens of punk bands do that. It's a good idea, especially if you have a fan base that's going to pay for that stuff.
Tell me about your experience with record labels?
Doe: They do serve a purpose. But they need to have business skill as well as a love of music. That's kind of rare. I'm still really happy with Yep Roc (recording label). The only thing I would change in any label is to have their accounting practices more transparent so when they send you an accounting you can actually follow it. No, labels aren't bad. But I think major labels in the past were foolish and did take advantage of their artists.
Do you think that will change?
Doe: I don't think it has, no. I think they are still trying to get the super home run, "Thriller," Britney Spears, bazillion selling records...I'm just glad I don't have to deal with that anymore.
Former punk John Doe on P2P, music labels, Radiohead
by Greg Sandoval
via cnet
There's hardly a corner of the entertainment business John Doe hasn't explored.
John Doe has gone from punk to folk, and says technology helps and hurts.
He's not one of the people who waxes on about rights and wrongs in the music and film industries without any hands-on knowledge. The band Doe formed, X, was part of the first wave of punk rock bands that stormed Los Angeles in the late 1970s. The band's 1981 "Wild Gift" was named Album of the Year by Rolling Stone and The New York Times. Doe is also an actor and has appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, including "Boogie Nights," "Roadhouse," and "CSI Miami."
Thirty years after founding X, Doe is churning out well-received country and folk albums on indie label Yep Roc Records, and has developed a love-hate relationship with technology. He appreciates how it can help simplify the recording process, but isn't a fan of the sound quality on many digital music players.
He also complains that file sharing hurts musicians. He thinks artists deserve to make a living.
Just weeks after the debut of his latest album, "Country Club," recorded with The Sadies, Doe agreed to speak with CNET News.
Q: How has technology changed the music industry?
Doe: Everything is more immediate and you can do things remotely. Anytime you can look backwards, you think everything was so naive back then. People still have vinyl. I think CDs are going to become more collectible because they hold a lot more information and they sound better than most of the files that you can get from iTunes and from people sharing stuff.
What do you think of file sharing and how do you think it impacts music?
Doe: I think that the music industry was asking for it and that's why they got smacked down. But I don't believe in music just being free because everybody deserves to make a living and it is intellectual property and you have to pay something for it. I think people that just share files and don't care and think "That's bull**** man, they're making plenty of money," never wrote a song and they never were proud of that song and feel as though they should get paid for it and things like that.
What did you mean that the music industry had it coming?
Doe: They stuck their heads in the sand. They spent too much money foolishly. A CD costs a $1 to make. Cassettes were $10 and CDs were $20...You sort of deserve it.
What do you mean music can be made remotely?
Doe: I get (drunk) and sort of put the whole process on remote...It's the drugs (laughter). I got to keep myself as heavily medicated as possible...really, The Sadies and I played a festival and we had a great time. They backed me up on a few of my songs. Kathleen Edwards was also there. I thought "Oh my god, this was a country record I could make." It wouldn't sound weak or too polished. My voice is sort of...it's a good voice but it's not a weird or distinctive voice so me with Nashville country backing would be a snooze. But me with The Sadies is exciting. A year later I went to Canada. We cranked out about 20 songs in maybe 10 days. I took files back to California, added a couple of people (to the tracks)...added some overdubs and (inaudible) mixed it in Toronto and sent me YouSendIt files, which I downloaded and then could play in Bakersfield, where I live, on my stereo through the computer.
It was a big file, just like the mix. I could play it on my stereo so I know what it sounds like and could call up and say, "Hey this is great. What if this thing here was better?" After a conversation or two, we could form four or five mixes and everybody was happy. And I didn't have to hang out in Toronto, which is a lovely city, for two weeks or 10 days while they mixed it.
And you wouldn't have been able to do that a decade ago?
Doe: Well, I guess you could have five years ago. You can do all kinds of things while they're mixing at the same time. You can go to a recording studio and sing to a track as it's being mixed across the country. There is all kinds of crazy stuff you can do. This was a poor man's version of that.
Some people argue that all music should be free and they have a right to music. Are they rationalizing or are they...
Doe: That's exactly what they're doing. I think they are foolish and young and haven't experienced what it's like to work for something and haven't suffered the pain, hardship it takes to create something. There is a really great movie that goes back to the 1970s called the "Festival Express." There was this visionary guy from Canada that took The Band and Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead and maybe Gram Parsons on a train to Canada. This is right after Woodstock. And everyone at the gates was saying "This is bull****, $10?" And they broke down the gate and everybody got in for free and they did that at every one of these shows because a precedent had been set.
This guy lost his ass. He had a vision, an incredible vision, and because people were selfish and didn't want to spend $10 and said, "The man is sticking it to us..." Yeah the record companies have been sticking it to the public for a long time but it doesn't mean that the artist shouldn't get paid.
It's just the reality and you can't bitch about it even though I am a little bit. I think file sharing is great to expose people to music but eventually you should pay for it. I do.
What do you think of the efforts by Trent Reznor and Radiohead to find a new model for the music industry?
Doe: I think they're dozens and dozens of people who are doing that on a small level and on a big level. It's catering to the super fan. All the value-added stuff is worthwhile. I don't have the discipline or the organizational skills to have my own label but I take my hat off to anyone who does. Radiohead does that. Aimee Mann does that. Dozens of punk bands do that. It's a good idea, especially if you have a fan base that's going to pay for that stuff.
Tell me about your experience with record labels?
Doe: They do serve a purpose. But they need to have business skill as well as a love of music. That's kind of rare. I'm still really happy with Yep Roc (recording label). The only thing I would change in any label is to have their accounting practices more transparent so when they send you an accounting you can actually follow it. No, labels aren't bad. But I think major labels in the past were foolish and did take advantage of their artists.
Do you think that will change?
Doe: I don't think it has, no. I think they are still trying to get the super home run, "Thriller," Britney Spears, bazillion selling records...I'm just glad I don't have to deal with that anymore.
M.I.A. Asks Oprah To Bring Attention to Sri Lankan Civil War
M.I.A. Meets Oprah, Asks Her to Bring Attention to Sri Lankan Civil War
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"SHE SQUEEEEZED MY HAND SO HARD, I WAS CONVINCED SHE CARED."
via Pitchfork
When M.I.A. nabbed a spot on this year's TIME 100 list of the most influential people on earth-- alongside people like Oprah Winfrey-- it was damn impressive. But meeting Oprah in person is on another level entirely. She's the Queen of America, people!
M.I.A. met Oprah on Tuesday night at the TIME 100 gala event at New York City's Lincoln Center. And she felt like they made a connection.
According to a post on M.I.A.'s MySpace blog:
"SHE SAID SHE LIKED MY JACKET FROM THE MAGAZINE (THE ONE MY BROTHER GOT FOR ME FROM THE SIDE OF THE STREET AT SXSW 09) SHE SQUEEEEZED MY HAND SO HARD, I WAS CONVINCED SHE CARED. MICHELLE OBAMA GAVE A SPEECH AND THERE WAS MAD SECRET SERVICE IN THE AIR SO I DIDNT GET TO THROW A PAPER PLANE AT HER SAYING 'STOP THE BOMBING OF THE TAMILS IN SRI LANKA'"
Since when was M.I.A. scared of a little secret service?
She continued, "I MET MANY MORE PEOPLE , SOME KNEW ME , SOME DIDNT ....... I WASNT SURE ABOUT MY INFLUENCE BUT........IF I DO HAVE ANY INFLUENCE, I WISH I COULD GET THE MEDIA TO SPOTLIGHT THIS:," before linking to a Channel 4 News story about the horrific conditions in Tamil refugee camps in northern Sri Lanka.
"OPRAH CAN YOU DO SOMETHING BOUT THESE CAMPS PLEEEEEEEEEEASE?"
Perhaps Oprah will consider a "special episode" with M.I.A. about the current civil war in Sri Lanka. Weird to think about, but that could actually happen at this point. I mean, they shook hands! Hard!
Posted by Ryan Dombal on May 7, 2009 at 12:15 p.m.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"SHE SQUEEEEZED MY HAND SO HARD, I WAS CONVINCED SHE CARED."
via Pitchfork
When M.I.A. nabbed a spot on this year's TIME 100 list of the most influential people on earth-- alongside people like Oprah Winfrey-- it was damn impressive. But meeting Oprah in person is on another level entirely. She's the Queen of America, people!
M.I.A. met Oprah on Tuesday night at the TIME 100 gala event at New York City's Lincoln Center. And she felt like they made a connection.
According to a post on M.I.A.'s MySpace blog:
"SHE SAID SHE LIKED MY JACKET FROM THE MAGAZINE (THE ONE MY BROTHER GOT FOR ME FROM THE SIDE OF THE STREET AT SXSW 09) SHE SQUEEEEZED MY HAND SO HARD, I WAS CONVINCED SHE CARED. MICHELLE OBAMA GAVE A SPEECH AND THERE WAS MAD SECRET SERVICE IN THE AIR SO I DIDNT GET TO THROW A PAPER PLANE AT HER SAYING 'STOP THE BOMBING OF THE TAMILS IN SRI LANKA'"
Since when was M.I.A. scared of a little secret service?
She continued, "I MET MANY MORE PEOPLE , SOME KNEW ME , SOME DIDNT ....... I WASNT SURE ABOUT MY INFLUENCE BUT........IF I DO HAVE ANY INFLUENCE, I WISH I COULD GET THE MEDIA TO SPOTLIGHT THIS:," before linking to a Channel 4 News story about the horrific conditions in Tamil refugee camps in northern Sri Lanka.
"OPRAH CAN YOU DO SOMETHING BOUT THESE CAMPS PLEEEEEEEEEEASE?"
Perhaps Oprah will consider a "special episode" with M.I.A. about the current civil war in Sri Lanka. Weird to think about, but that could actually happen at this point. I mean, they shook hands! Hard!
Posted by Ryan Dombal on May 7, 2009 at 12:15 p.m.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Wilco's Jeff Tweedy Responds to Jay Bennett Lawsuit
Wilco's Jeff Tweedy Responds to Jay Bennett Lawsuit
By Austin L. Ray on May 5, 2009 3:15 PM via PasteMagazine.com
According to a story published at ChicagoBreakingNews.com, former Wilco member Jay Bennett filed a lawsuit yesterday against bandleader Jeff Tweedy. The suit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, claims Tweedy owes Bennett "damages of at least $50,000" for his time in the band, including his less-than-favorable depiction in the 2002 Wilco documentary, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.
Bennett's lawsuit (which can be viewed in full here) states that he "is entitled to compensation for his services rendered in the form of continuing and perpetual artist royalty payments." Furthermore, the suit states that Bennett was paid for his time in Wilco, but that the "infrequent partial payments" only amounted to 15% of the band's income. Finally, Bennett's suit argues that Tweedy didn't compensate him for, or obtain the proper release for, Bennett's appearance in I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.
In an e-mail exchange with Paste, Wilco's publicist provided the following statement from Tweedy:
"I know exactly as much as everyone else does. I've read the news and I honestly have no idea what these claims are based on. It was such a long time ago. Aside from everything else, I'm being sued for not paying someone for appearing in a movie I didn't produce. Go figure. I am truly sad it has come to this. I am equally convinced, however, that I have done nothing wrong and that this will be handled fairly and swiftly."
That's all we know for now, but if any pertinent details emerge, we'll be sure to keep you posted on Wilco (The Beef).
By Austin L. Ray on May 5, 2009 3:15 PM via PasteMagazine.com
According to a story published at ChicagoBreakingNews.com, former Wilco member Jay Bennett filed a lawsuit yesterday against bandleader Jeff Tweedy. The suit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, claims Tweedy owes Bennett "damages of at least $50,000" for his time in the band, including his less-than-favorable depiction in the 2002 Wilco documentary, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.
Bennett's lawsuit (which can be viewed in full here) states that he "is entitled to compensation for his services rendered in the form of continuing and perpetual artist royalty payments." Furthermore, the suit states that Bennett was paid for his time in Wilco, but that the "infrequent partial payments" only amounted to 15% of the band's income. Finally, Bennett's suit argues that Tweedy didn't compensate him for, or obtain the proper release for, Bennett's appearance in I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.
In an e-mail exchange with Paste, Wilco's publicist provided the following statement from Tweedy:
"I know exactly as much as everyone else does. I've read the news and I honestly have no idea what these claims are based on. It was such a long time ago. Aside from everything else, I'm being sued for not paying someone for appearing in a movie I didn't produce. Go figure. I am truly sad it has come to this. I am equally convinced, however, that I have done nothing wrong and that this will be handled fairly and swiftly."
That's all we know for now, but if any pertinent details emerge, we'll be sure to keep you posted on Wilco (The Beef).
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Upcoming Suzanna Choffel shows
Check out one of my fave Austin artists in her local shows leading up to a Stubbs post-Jenny Lewis gig.
May 8th 10pm Lamberts
May 9th 2:45pm Brew B Que Fest
May 12th 7:30pm McGonigel's Mucky Duck Pub
May 22nd 9pm Jack's Backyard
May 23rd 8pm The Image Warehouse
May 24th 5pm Austin Wine Festival
June 5th 10pm Momo's
June 22nd 10:30pm Stubbs - indoors (after Jenny Lewis)
Jul 18th 6:30pm Central Market
May 8th 10pm Lamberts
May 9th 2:45pm Brew B Que Fest
May 12th 7:30pm McGonigel's Mucky Duck Pub
May 22nd 9pm Jack's Backyard
May 23rd 8pm The Image Warehouse
May 24th 5pm Austin Wine Festival
June 5th 10pm Momo's
June 22nd 10:30pm Stubbs - indoors (after Jenny Lewis)
Jul 18th 6:30pm Central Market
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