Vlog 1

Peachcake

 Band Members:

Stefan Pruett:	lead vocals, percussion, beats, programming
Mike McHale:	guitar, percussion, keyboards, vocals
Johnny McHone:	keyboards, synths, vocals
Michael Kraft:	crowd energizer, vocals, visuals
Dave Jackman:	beats, programming, production

Indie Label: The Planet Awesome! Subtractive

Genre: electronica, indie pop

Band website: http://www.planetawesome.org/

Myspace: http://myspace.com/peachcake

Unless you're a real Debbie Downer it's hard not to love the jangly pop melodies of Peachcake. This is a band that clearly has twee pop influence; were it a two decades back they definitely would have been a great candidate for Sarah Records. But instead of the fuzzy/poor audio quality often associated with twee pop, Peachcake is crisp and clear. I'm not even sure if they identify themselves as a twee band, because they have incorporated a lot of electronica into their work. I've noticed that some people have tagged them as “power pop”- but once a twee kid forever a twee kid and I can't help but notice their happy sound is a lot like Tullycraft or Architecture in Helsinki.

Peachcake also has really fun track titles to match their gleeful tunes. With songs like “Did I Just do that, or was it Jim Carey?” and “Are Your People Ready to Shrink Continents?!” the whole track list on their debut album What Year Will You Have the World is full of quirky song titles designed to intrigue. I'm so glad I came across Peachcake because they are great dance & cheermeup music. Cue scene of me jumping up and down in my jammies, shaking my mess of curls and boogying harder than the flyest disco queens of the 70s. Really they should hire me for a music video. I've got moves. Almost as good as Carlton and Urkel. Um...back to Peachcake. 

The band's Myspace features weekly comics drawn by keyboardist Johnny Mchone. The man has skillz. These guys are multi-talented, and multi-awesome (awesome on many levels).

Speaking of awesome, these guys are on a mission to save the world. Check out their main web site for details. Furthermore, they put on a crazy show. Think Flaming Lips meets ManMan. They describe their sound as "visual", which makes more sense when you see a clip of them performing: (Former video has been replaced with some recent great footage)

And this:

this:

a pinch of this:

and you'll get the picture after this:

Peachcake's sound is ultra catchy...the vocals are great, the lyrics indie pop perfection. My favorite track is "How to Get to the Moon and Back on Half a Tank of Gas (as told by the Great Racecar Driver)." (Now that I think of it, they really remind me of Fishboy with the super long track name thing).  They sing throughout, "I thought I knew what love was, I thought I knew, I thought I knew what love was- but then I found you," which is so utterly romantic. None of their tracks are abrasive or messy; their debut CD is a real indie pop gem. So if you want to know what undiluted FUN sounds like, check out their Myspace for some tunes and if you like what you hear, support them! Their CD is available on Itunes, Amazon, & BigCartel. 

The Gothic Archies

"I've endured struggling and thuggery, sir
Physical Ed and psychosis
Sculleries, skulls, and skullduggeries, sir
Haplessness, hype and hypnosis" ~"When you Play the Violin"/This Tragic Treasury:Songs from A Series of Unfortunate Events

The Gothic Archies Website: http://www.houseoftomorrow.com/gothicarchies.php

The first time I listened to The Gothic Archies, I thought, damn this singer sounds a helluva lot like Stephin Merritt. Then I found out he was Stephin Merritt (of The Magnetic Fields, The 6ths, and Future Bible Heroes) . I've been a big fan of Merritt's work for years now...the dark melancholia behind it, his brilliant lyrics...The Gothic Archies does not disappoint. 

How is this project different from The Magnetic Fields? Well, according to The Gothic Archies website, "What makes this band different from The Magnetic Fields is that any glimmer of hope is absolutely extinguished." Indeed, The Magnetic Fields have produced many songs such as "The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side" that have optimism despite Merritt's very low, dark voice. "Crows," off of This Tragic Treasury is oddly romantic amongst the other songs but the pace of the song remains slow and sad, as if Merritt lacks faith in the words he is singing. Nick Cave would probably jerk off to this album.

I have to say songs like "Freakshow" are very easy to relate to as I think back to middle school torments and the inherent inescapable awkwardness that marks the teenage years. 

Basically, Merritt is a genius, and I love the exaggerated nihilism that lingers behind every Gothic Archies song. He composed The Tragic Treasury specifically as soundtrack to A Series of Unfortunate Events. Merritt (in the below video interview/performance) claims that  he was on board to do it because on 69 Love Songs the author (Daniel Handler) "Mr. Snicket" played the accordion. Merritt keeps in character-playing a caricature of himself: the gloomy, fatalistic artist. 

Nora Keyes

Nora Keyes has a very ordinary, girl-next-door type of name. But her sound and quirky personality are far from ordinary. Thus far, Ms. Keyes has released one very creepy album entitled "Songs to Cry for in the Age of Nothing." The first song I heard was "Small Apart" (which is available to listen to on LastFM and her Myspace). "Small Apart" starts off and is punctuated throughout by Nora's cackling. It's a very witchy, catchy sound, but Nora's flamboyant attire and kitschy vocal techniques are not sly methods intended to distract you from her voice. In fact, Nora has a lovely singing voice, which even is evidenced in "Small Apart" (in between cackles). I was immediately reminded of Siouxsie Sioux when I saw a video of her. However, Siouxsie Sioux has a slower pace to her songs, and I believe they would be considered more exemplary of the Gothic genre.

Nora's sound is unsettling; an ideal backdrop for a haunted house, or a somber symphony for the undead. At times warbling, Nora's voice is beautiful and unique. I really can't think of anyone who sounds similar (in terms of vocals). Others who contributed to the album include:
Rebecca Lynn (violin)
Ray Day (guitar)
Creekbird (bass/drums)
Dame Darcy (auto harp/saw)

Lyrical content varies manically in Ms. Keye's Album. From insulting ("Look at You, You're Ugly) to soft and reminiscent ("Old Pal"-actually a Jimmy Rogers cover) Nora has sprawling songs and lyrics that are interesting and eclectic.
Nora was previously in a band, The Centimeters. She is currently working on an album in collaboration with Don Bolles.

Below is a live performance that I just love. Nora has a deadpan expression throughout the piece, and her cackles are fantastic. Enjoy :)

Hop Along, Queen Ansleis

Bruno, did you know that the greeks in morning would eat oranges?
They were firm believers in fruit-curing fevers
See, they believe (and I agree) that an orange warms the stomach. ~"Bruno is Orange", Freshman Year

Band Members: Frances Quinlan (acoustic guitar and vocals), Dominic Angelella (electric & slide guitar), Mark Quinlan (drums)
Record Label (Indie): Blue Moose Records/Salina's Records
Website: http://www.purevolume.com/hopalongqueenansleis/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/hopalongqueenansleis

Hop Along, Queen Ansleis started out as the sole brainchild of Frances Quinlan but eventually expanded to include Marc and Dominic. France's voice is unique and childlike-very reminiscent of Joanna Newsom with a soft likeness to Laura Veirs (in pronunciation). I absolutely love her voice, and her heartfelt lyrics. "Freshman Year" is Hop Along's latest and best album but there is rumored to be another album in the works. There is a distinctive quaint folk vibe to the band's sound, and Frances' voice works well as the band's sound is pretty stripped down and her voice is so idiosyncratic and deserving of focus. Hop Along is interesting because their songs don't strain to adhere to rhyme schemes-instead, Frances manipulates her voice to bring life to lyrics that have a delicate but unusual poetry.

The band hails from Philadelphia and is currently on tour.
Below is a list of upcoming shows (taken from the bands myspace XD)

Mar 11 2010 8:00P	Meat Town USA	New Brunswick, New Jersey
Mar 12 2010 8:00P	The Hexagon w/ Dangerous Ponies, Lithuania, and Secret Mountains	Baltimore, Maryland
Mar 13 2010 8:00P	The Dull House w/ Dangerous Ponies, Lithuania, P.S. Eliot, and one more T.B.A	Richmond, Virginia
Mar 14 2010 8:00P	Cookie LaRue w/ Dangerous Ponies and Lithuania	Asheville, North Carolina
Mar 15 2010 8:00P	WonderRoot w/ Dangerous Ponies, Lithuania, and the Long Shadows	Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 16 2010 8:00P	The Farside w/ Dangerous Ponies and Lithuania	Tallahassee, Florida
Mar 17 2010 8:00P	Miss Fort Knocks House w/ Dangerous Ponies and Lithuania	New Orleans, Louisiana
Mar 18 2010 8:00P	TBA **SXSW**	Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2010 8:00P	TBA **SXSW**	Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2010 8:00P	TBA **SXSW**	Austin, Texas
Mar 21 2010 8:00P	TBA tour w/ Lithuania!	Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Mar 22 2010 8:00P	Magic City Wholesale w/ Lithuania	Birmingham, Alabama
Mar 23 2010 8:00P	TBA tour w/ Lithuania!	Nashville, Tennessee
Mar 24 2010 8:00P	Club Cool w/ Lithuania and more TBA	Bloomington, Indiana
Mar 25 2010 8:00P	TBA tour w/ Lithuania!	Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 26 2010 8:00P	TBA tour w/ Lithuania!	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mar 27 2010 8:00P	The Terrordome w/ Lithuania	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mar 28 2010 8:00P	TBA tour w/ Lithuania!	Brooklyn, New York

Unfortunately the band doesn't seem to have any music videos out yet. They're still pretty obscure (with a little over 2000 listeners on LastFM which I usually use as a barometer). But with this band's talent and lyrical prose, I don't doubt that Hop Along will be getting more and more fans as they continue to tour and people are exposed to their sound. If I can, I will be going to the March 28th show but as it is I'm already seeing Tally Hall in early March and tomorrow I buy my ticket to see Joanna Newsom once it goes on sale. Both shows are on Thursday and I have class til 630 but with great music comes great sacrifice (lol Idk how much of a sacrifice missing psych lab is though). Anyway, I notice that Hop Along is playing Brooklyn on a Sunday which I appreciate...if  I can scrounge the money to go see them I will make the effort to go out and show my support. But keep a lookout for show reviews in March, and give a listen to Hop Along...especially if you're a fan of Joanna Newsom/Neutral Milk Hotel...I think if you like those artists you would appreciate this band. 

Nero's Day at Disneyland

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/nerosdayatdisneland
Band Members: Brock Bousfield, Shon Koperweis

While perusing the /mu/chan forums, I came across a band with a name that caught my eye. I have a natural tendency to be averse to "glitch" bands, but upon hearing this band my attention was immediately ensnared. "From Rotting Fantasylands" starts off like a typical glitch album but quickly it is evident with the use of strange, reversed tribal vocals, haunting choir music, and the chaos of sound that Nero's Day at Disneyland are more than a simple run of the mill electronica band (and perhaps I need to listen to more glitch and re-evaluate my opinions!). Furthermore, each song is distinctly unique from one another. (A problem I have noted within certain glitch bands is that the beeps and bloops, if the artist is not talented, offer an impression of redundancy). But the eclectic techniques Brock and Shon employ really take the genre to another level. "No Money Down, Low Monthly Payments" really encapsulates the album's name; it sounds like a tinkling dream place succumbing to screeching "technical difficulties," phantoms, eerie spooks that slink around merry-go-rounds and bring true horror to the haunted houses. Overall the album as a whole was a pleasure to listen to. My favorite tracks were "Stretched Linen over Contorted Bodies" (which features incredibly quick beats and intense progressions) and "Eulogy for Nick Galvas," which sounds like what would happen if a robot had a bad acid trip.

Overall this whole album is nightmarish (in a great way). It would make a great soundtrack for a b horror movie about killer robots. Two thumbs up, this album gets the Bumblebee sting of approval

Saltillo

“True I'm nervous, but why do you think I'm mad?” (“Blood and Milk,” Ganglion)

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/saltillo

Artist Website: http://www.kyan.com/saltillo/

Last.fm: http://www.last.fm/music/Saltillo (has many full tracks)
Saltillo is Menton James Matthews III. A multi-talented instrumentalist, Matthews (also a member of Sunday Munich) is capable of playing the cello, guitar, viola, violin, piano, drums, bass, and many electronics. 

The first song I heard by Saltillo was "A Hair on the Head of John the Baptist." While a lengthy song (7:34), I was captivated the whole track. I played it while filling in at my school's radio station and received a succession of calls asking who the artist for the song was. While the song is doubtlessly a gem, Ganglion offers many other tracks that are note-worthy in the trip-hop genre. "Giving in" features breathy female vocals, exemplative of the genre, and there are several other tracks with female vocals as well. 

Matthew's work is unique because it isn't predictable or boring. He incorporates many samples in his songs, which he artfully arranges into the rest of the song; the samples never seem jarring or out of place but smoothly plucked and placed to create whatever atmosphere Matthews has dreamed up...”A Simple Test” in particular has a creepy vibe, with references to the devil, evil, killing. It still fits neatly in the trip-hop genre, because of the techniques Matthews chooses to employ, but the superb instrumentals that wind around samples are like trippy tendrils of ivy...the music is always in motion, never repetitive without reason, and each crescendo is a thrill.

The music, created by one man's mind, seems to have a mind of it's own. Each instrument follows it's own path, and sometimes the paths collide to create fantastic melodies that all the while are cognizant of the samples they must weave around, to complement (and not overpower). The music, while thoughtfully mapped out, offers the illusion that it is on a complex journey of finding itself and it's sound.

I definitely recommend that you listen to Ganglion. While Saltillo already has somewhat of a following online, I don't think that enough people have been exposed to Matthew's music, and it is for this reason that I feature him on this blog. If I had to compare Saltillo to another artist I would say the music is akin to Velvet Acid Christ. On morphine. 

The above painting and the (self) portrait were both works of art created by Matthews. 

Chavela Vargas

The time has come for another post on a classic but oft unappreciated artist-the magnificent Chavela Vargas!!

Official Website: http://www.chavelavargas.com.mx/


Born in Costa Rica but raised in Mexico, Ms. Vargas is known not only as a unique singer, but also as a Revolutionary. Vargas' sexuality is not a question as in her youth she would wear men's clothing, drink like a fish, smoke cigars regularly, carry a gun-and, because she openly admitted to being a lesbian at the age of 81. She was born on April 17, 1919, and specialized in the traditional Mexican genre rancheras. Popular in the '50s and '60s, Vargas traveled and performed frequently in Mexico, the United States, Spain, and France. With the aid of Jose Alfredo Jimenez, she released her first album in 1961 at the age of 42.

Chavela (a nickname for Isabella) was known to travel amongst the intellectual and artistic circles of the time, and she was acquainted with Juan Rulfo, Dolores Omedo, Diego Rivera, and Frido Kahlo-whom she was rumored to have had an affair with, in her youth.

Chavela Vargas' music is most identifiable by her gravelly, emotional voice. Sometimes as quiet as a rough whisper, at other times raised in triumphant shout, Vargas possesses the ability to capture attention with the underlying and ever-present passion that marks every song. Often her voice will verge on the crest of a heart-wrenching half-sob, and while I do not speak or understand Spanish, I understand the pain and emotion in Vargas' voice.

To date, Chavela has released over eighty albums. She partially retired in the '70s due to her battle with alcoholism, but returned and performed in 1991 in "El Habito" (in Mexico City). She performed again in 2003 in Carnegie Hall.

Listen to her music and be entranced. Allow yourself to leave your body and follow her voice down a dirt road in romantic yet tragic Mexico. Feel the warm air caress your face. Feel the pain of the world, and meet the paradox with humility. The voice of Chavela Vargas is ancient, wise, damning-hear it, feel it, repent.

This'll Kill Ya!

(The above picture does not accurately represent current band members)

Band Members:
matt roren - vocals
john deep dish lisa - vocals, toy piano
ian denning - guitar, organ
sean corkery - bass
rob tavalero - accordion
sean ganzer - violin,mandolin, banjo, guitar
mike tambo tamborrino - drums


Myspace:  http://www.myspace.com/thisllkillya


This'll Kill Ya! is a fun punk band with the eclectic style of Gogol Bordello and a slew of awesome/uncommon instruments including mandolin, accordion, and toy piano! Their sound is catchy and tight (which sets them apart from your typical Long Island punk band). Matt Roren's rough voice (akin to Shane MacGowan's) is a pleasant contrast to the swell of instruments that blends behind him in a well-orchestrated phantasmagorical lullaby. The band's sound is reminiscent of folk punk bands like Against Me!, or Defiance, Ohio. This'll Kill Ya! has a professional sound, but they are currently unsigned. Amongst the band's influences are The Pogues, Arcade Fire, Elvis Costello and...Ice Cube. I'm not sure about Ice Cube but listen to any of the songs available on the band's Myspace and you will surely notice a strong Celtic Influence. It is refreshing to hear a punk band that draws from a wealth of influences and who don't fall victim to sloppy guitar and cliched lyrics. 


 


"When Love Goes Up in Flames" is perhaps the band's catchiest song. It's a great song because it showcases each of the band member's particular abilities, and the guitar riffs are catchy...overall it is a great song to dance to. 

In terms of lyrical content, This'll Kill Ya! doesn't strive for poetic profundity-tunes like "Gingivitis Blues" will attest to that.  But "Gingivitis Blues" is entertaining and humorous; and in the realm of contemporary punk rock awash with bands bitching about the government and blah blah blah, it's really nice to listen to a band like This'll Kill Ya, who in the face of everything, are a reminder that it's important to never take yourself too seriously. And besides, dental hygiene IS still an issue these days!

Who should listen to this band: Anyone who likes a fun band that has a lot of energy, passion, and a kick-ass sound!
Who shouldn't: Morrisey loving, bleeding heart sad folk :( ...or maybe they should, to lighten up ^_^

Tally Hall

Members:

ROB CANTOR (Yellow)- Guitar and Vocals
ROSS FEDERMAN (Grey)-Drums
JOE HAWLEY (Red)- Guitar and Vocals
ANDREW HOROWITZ (Green)-Keyboard and Vocals
ZUBIN SEDGHI (Blue)- Bass

Yeah, those colors refer to the colors of their ties ^^

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/tallyhall

Official Web site: www.tallyhall.com : Highly recommend visiting their web site as it has a TON of stuff on it

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TallyHall

Record Label: Atlantic

Buy their CD here, or through itunes (it's worth it!)

******

Several of my friends had recommended Tally Hall to me, so I decided to check them out. The first song I chose to listen to was a cover of Biz Markie's "Just a Friend." From then on, as fate would have it, I was hooked. I have always felt that there is no point in covering a song if you don't put your own personal spin on it and make it your own. The same rule applies to film-there are brilliant films that have no REASON to be remade, but people go ahead and re-make them anyway, and very rarely do the new films surpass the Hollywood classics. (If Breakfast at Tiffany's were to be re-made I would be devastated). But I digress. My point is that Tally Hall made "Just a Friend" into their own...it starts with the lyrics being spoken before the singer unabashedly and enthusiastically indulges in the rap with beat boxing accompaniment. The chorus, unlike Markie's version, is in tune (no hate Biz I love you on Yo Gabba Gabba! bro) and the band uses kitschy techniques like sound clips to supplement the song and vocals blend to add an indie rock vibe to it without forgetting the song's hip-hop's roots. And it is inarguable that Tally Hall has rhythm..."Welcome to Tally Hall" in particular will attest to this. There is a definite Beastie Boy's influence in Tally Hall's work but their music is stellar because they don't confine themselves just to hip-hop. Like a spastic neon singing groovin whirlwind of funk, when you listen to Tally Hall you are literally listening to FUN. They're a gem because they create great music without taking themselves too seriously. Their new album, Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum by alliterative title alone is indicative of the band's whimsy. 

It's hard to pinpoint Tally Hall's sound exactly. Most of their songs tend to be characterized by energy, and the fact that they don't take themselves too seriously. ("Two Wuv" is a song about the sextasticness of Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen and how they have no chance with them). On their Myspace the three genres they list are rock, hip-hop, and classical. I don't know where they got "classical" from, but they probably chose it because "random" isn't a category. Also their songs, while silly in nature are clever and at times marked by a lovely intensity:

 "You understand
Mechanical hands
Are the ruler of everything
Ruler of everything
I'm the ruler of everything
In the end

Without looking down
Gliding around
Like a bumbling dragon I fly
Scraping my face on the sky..." (From Ruler of Everything)

Songs like that remind me of The Weakerthans meet They Might be Giants, but there is no perfect way of pigeonholing Tally Hall and I wouldn't like them if there were. 

Tally Hall is self-proclaimed wonky-rock. Which makes sense when you bridge the connection to Willy Wonka. That one took me awhile XD. I love the description, and I think it fits them perfectly. They are mad, mad men full of chocolate and delectable treats (should you play pinata with them). But do refrain from hitting them with sticks, unless of course you have their permission. And why would you want to when they are so full of awesome?

The band is based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan but they have a bunch of tour dates lined up for March-the band will be travelling all across the United States, from Massachussetts to Tennessee! I plan on catching their New York show and contacting them to see if I can't interview them on WUSB. Their new album is so full of energy, I can't imagine how awesome they would be like live! Actually I can and I'm super psyched. Thank you Jacob and April for giving me a heads up about them!

*****

This video below is much calmer than their typical sound but I just love it! 

A really trippy vid by them:

The Bastards of Fate

Doug Cheatwood-Singer
Camellia Delk-Synth
Benji Pugh-Guitar
Jason Wellz-Bass
Doug Shelor-Drums

Myspace:  http://www.myspace.com/thebastardsoffate

So there's this band, the Bastards of Fate. They've got that weiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrd sound. I wouldn't say that it verges on Noise (though at times they are very loud). There is however, a definite Patton influence to their style, which I guess you could call experimental. My first impression upon listening was thinking they were a hybrid of Melt-Banana and Fantomas. The first song I listened to I hated. Then I listened some more. "Oedipus Rex" has a haunted carnival feel to it, and is my favorite of what I've heard. I appreciate the mad oscillations in the song as it swings from sugar pop bobble head synth to early Flaming Lips-style guitar jamming with some kuh-razy vocals to make them unique. Upon further listening, "Oh the Desolation" has a very similar sound so the band appears to be striving for insanity (especially with the addition of free jazz, what sounds like a baby banging on pots and pans, and the gospel harmonics of Cheatwood himself). Some points in their songs sound like a cracked out video game, and I like that. The band is based out of Roanoke, Virginia, and have an upcoming show on January 21st (in their home town) if you feel like taking a nice walk. Or jog. As a recommendation, I would say don't listen to them if you are close-minded, and your favorite artist is Sufjan Stevens. Otherwise, enjoy the insanity. On their Myspace they claim to be on a Major label, but methinks they lie, especially since on their Facebook they list their manager as Keeklery James Furchild. Their cat. Who apparently is an asshole.

Artists of note who they have opened for include Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Captured! by Robots, and The Chinese Stars. They also toured with Joe Talcum of the Dead Milkmen (who-Sidenote! I love to pieces!).

Adieu.