If you missed yesterday’s INSANELY FANTASTIC live Belle & Sebastian concert webcast from Glasgow, well, what were you THINKING? Watching the band burn through classics and new favorites, my inner 15-year-old-self nearly went into convulsions (ask my coworkers, it was embarrassing).
Though you may have erred horribly and missed the show, ’tis the holiday season, and in the spirit of giving (and forgiving) our friends at NPR have archived the entire show, in audio and video. Hallelujah.
The show was something really special – watch it with someone you love, and have a safe and happy holiday season.
Embracing the spirit of the festive season, Esben and the Witch have merrily handed over a free-download to the Drowned in Sound website, which is available for download here. Fellow Brits Worried About Satan remixed ‘Skeleton Swoon’ which originally featured on the very first Demo/EP which the band self released last year. Daniel from the band also passed on these words about the remix:
“It was not really too much of a decision asking worriedaboutsatan to do a remix, I bought Arrivals when it came out and the atmospherics and pacing were just beautiful and the job they have done on this remix is wonderful, I think they managed to make it sound even more macabre. We were fortunate enough to have them play with us in London recently and not only were they lovely gents but they were absolutely captivating. I imagine this wont be the last time our paths cross creatively (or at least we hope not).”
A.C. Newman has composed and performed the theme song for the new NBC primetime series Perfect Couples. It’s a pretty genius song too – at least the 19 seconds we can hear. Click on the above link for the trailer. Preview aired yesterday; show premieres January as part of NBC’s three-hour Thursday comedy block, leading into “The Office.”
Fans of modern American troubadour Kurt Vile (and we hope that’s a category that includes each and every one of you) aren’t getting a chance to catch their breath this week. Hot on the heels of yesterday’s announcement of Mr. Vile’s forthcoming opus, Smoke Ring For My Halo, comes the news that Kurt will be appearing tonight on Tom Scharpling’s The Best Show On WFMU. Given the Best Show’s well-known connection to Kurt’s hometown of Philadelphia, we can only imagine what will transpire on this broadcast.
On top of that, Andrew Earles of Earles & Jensen fame will also be in the studio with Tom to discuss his recently published book on the legendary Husker Du.
This explosion of star power starts tonight at 9:00PM EST and goes all the way til midnight, so there’s plenty of time for you to tune in at 91.1FM or wfmu.org.
We’re expecting classic tunes, long-lost favorites, suprises and superjams from the recent Write About Love (buy the album)…Break out the eggnog, this is going to be great.
Some 17 months ago, a particularly hyperbole-crazed record company functionary gushed about this imprint’s signing of “one of the more important figures in American music circa 2009″, certainly the sort of poisoned chalice a young musician would have as much trouble living down as the subject of Jon Landau’s 1974 claim in The Real Paper, “I have seen rock’n'roll future.”
We of course know that in the latter instance, Landau was referring to Paul Williams, and in the former, I was writing about Philadelphia’s Kurt Vile. Through a succession of releases for Matador, Woodsist, Gulcher, Richie and Mexican Summer (not to mention constant touring, both as a headliner an in support of a dizzying range of artists including Ariel Pink, Sonic Youth, Fucked Up, Big Star, The National, Dinosaur Jr.and others) Kurt has quickly established himself as the troubadour du jour for an increasingly large number of clued-in persons. Though initially praised in some corners for having “absorbed a lifetime’s worth of FM rock”, Kurt’s music has developed into something less genre/period-specific yet far more focused & powerful. On March 8, we’ll be unveiling the next stage in that development with the LP/CD/digital album, ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ ; recorded by John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.) throughout 2010 at various studios in NYC, Hoboken and Philadelphia, the 2nd Kurt Vile full-length for Matador is easily his most ambitious work to date. Assisted by a cast including but not limited to the Violators, ‘Smoke Ring’ doesn’t merely showcase Kurt’s versatility (keep in mind, this is a guy who was once compared to Leonard Cohen, Psychic TV, Tom Petty and Animal Collective — in the same review), but truly ties otherwise disparate elements together in a way that hopefully causes everyone to seriously re-evaluate the very nature of what they consider to be a classic album.
Or failing that, the sort of album you’ll be playing very loud in the car. Or first thing in the morning. Or perhaps at 3am. We could call it a record for every mood but you might be far moodier than any of us and that wouldn’t be fair.
‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ :
A side:
Baby’s Arms
Jesus Fever
Puppet To The Man
On Tour
Society Is My Friend
B side:
Runner Ups
In My Time
Peeping Tomboy
Smoke Ring For My Halo
Ghost Town
In the very near future, we’ll be making another preview MP3 from ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ available, but until then, you’ll have to be satisfied with the titular track from the recently released 7″ EP, “In My Time”. We’re planning a special, limited edition version of the ‘Smoke Ring’ LP but need to keep the details to ourselves for the time being, but expect a formal announcement soon, along with information about Kurt’s 2011 live activity.
This is one of the best infomercials I’ve ever seen. Stick with it – their product range is wide and deep.
(Also, you now all know what to get me for Christmas.)
If you liked that one, you might also enjoy the commercial below for a tilting wet grinder (industrial size). I mainly found it interesting for the insanely weird background music.
We are so pleased to announce that this coming Tuesday December 21 at 9PM GMT/4PM EST, NPR and The Guardian will partner with Matador, Rough Trade and, of course, Belle & Sebastian to bring you a live concert, in it’s entirety, from the legendary Barrowland in the band’s hometown of Glasgow.
Belle & Sebastian. Live from Glasgow. Oh my God, Merry Christmas!!!!!
The live concert webcast, which promises to include long-lost fan favorites, hits from this year’s Write About Love (buy the album) and all manner of festive fun, will be found at www.npr.org/BelleHoliday and www.theguardian.co.uk, as well as on NPR’s mobile site (http://m.npr.org/) for viewing on your iPhone, Android and iPad.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift, a belated Hanukkah present or you’re just intent on hoarding cool stuff/mementos from 2010′s most impressive concert series, the following offer from our friends Yo La Tengo is not to be missed.
On Friday at midnight PST (Friday 3 am EST), yolatengo.com will be offering four of the mix cd’s sold exclusively at the 2010 Maxwell’s Hanukkah shows, one night apiece -Georgia’s (sold 12/7 ), James’ (sold 12/5 ), Ira’s (sold 12/6 ) and Joe Puleo’s (sold 12/8). This offer will end at midnight PST on Saturday (3 am EST).
All cd’s will be $10 each ppd in the USA (surcharge for elsewhere). Additionally, there’s an optional overnight gift-giver’s delight service for the low, low surcharge of $7. Other than the surcharges, all money (in other words $10 per cd) will be donated to the charities from this year’s Hanukkah shows, which can be found here: (If you’re scoring at home, we’re absorbing the cost of blank cd’s, mailers, US first-class postage, and on-line merchant fees.)
Today, Oxfam and The New Pornographers have announced a partnership to help maintain awareness for the ever-developing struggle in the Gulf Coast region following April’s devastating oil spill and ensuing ecological crisis.
As part of their efforts to keep the plight of the Gulf Coast at the forefront of social consciousness heading into a new year, The New Pornographers and Oxfam have created a uniquely awesome music video for the NPs tune “Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk”, that tells the story of the aftermath of the Gulf Coast oil spill in Louisiana and Oxfam’s advocacy efforts on behalf of communities that rely on the coast for their livelihoods. Check it out and SHARE IT, please:
As we close out another calendar year, The New Pornographers and Oxfam respectfully remind you that the Gulf Coast oil spill was not a “2010 issue”, but remains the devastatingly persistent plight of a region, and truly an entire nation. For continued support of Oxfam’s efforts in the Gulf, check back here regularly.
There’s no shortage of publications, blogs, label websites, etc., running their own screwy lists of 2010′s top recordings, events, etc. How is Matador’s annual entry any different? Well for starters, our lists are much longer. Thanks for indulging us this year, folks. The Best Of The Bests Ofs, right after THIS : (more…)
Just some recent cooking… have not had time for regular food posts.
Ruth Rogers’s spaghetti carbonara, from the River Cafe Cookbook, with the addition of fresh spring peas (this was from last May). I recommend the combination.
Madhur Jaffrey’s recipe for Keralan shrimp with coconut from the sadly out of print A Taste Of India, which covers India’s regional cooking. This is the first time making it that I was able to find a critical ingredient, kodampoli or “fish tamarind.”
It is a dried fruit from southwest coastal India and imparts a complex sour flavor – a more interesting one than regular tamarind.
I served the shrimp with another Keralan dish, a pachadi made with spinach and yogurt. Like many dishes from Kerala, this one plays bitter and spicy chile flavors off the creamy saltiness of the yogurt. It’s a great combination.
Tripe florentine. The recipe comes from Marcella Hazan with some alterations, and is not for the faint of heart. That said, it’s nothing compared to the famous Julia Child episode where she makes tripes à la mode de Caen and has several entire beef stomachs on display to explain exactly what’s going on.
Another Hazan, this one much simpler: spaghetti with tomatoes and tuna. It was summer and I dressed it up with some fresh basil from the garden.
Bourbon Red heritage turkey for Thanksgiving. I did a combination of a dry brine and a very fast roast in a convection oven. Onions and apples inside for moisture, paprika, salt and pepper on the outside, and massive amounts of butter.
Spinach, mushroom and cheese omelet. The recipe is from Miriam Ungerer’s Good Cheap Food, and is all about French technique, which she sets apart from the usual American version with its much browner, dryer outside. Obviously I didn’t completely succeed in avoiding brown. Lots and lots of shaking the pan.
Another one from Ungerer, which she calls poached chicken à la creme but which seems to me like classic American comfort food. Essentially you poach a chicken with its giblets plus vegetables, garlic and herbs until it’s falling apart (much like preparing chicken for tamales), and then use the resulting stock, along reserved fat, heavy cream, lemon juice, sherry and mushrooms to make a luscious sauce. The addition of the peas was my idea.
This is a daunting Persian dish from Najmieh Batmanglij’s New Food Of Life called gormeh sabzi. There are several variations in terms of the meat, but the key ingredients are an enormous amount of fresh herbs (parsley, coriander and chives) which you fry down in oil, and a quantity of dried limes plus fresh lime juice. The dried limes are wonderfully sour and pungent and the aroma of the frying herbs is overwhelming. We made this one with boneless leg of lamb, but it can also be made with lamb shanks, chicken or just kidney beans.
Another Persian dish, this is a variation on rice tahdig where the bottom of the rice pot is lined with potato to form a crust of its own. It’s a nice change from regular tahdig.
Seriously. Who the fuck remembers “E.T.”? A couple of years ago, I talked the owners of a local tavern into letting me screen Mark Lester’s mindblowing “Class Of 1984″ as part of a makeshift birthday party/film festival. “Who doesn’t want to see Michael J. Fox get stabbed?” I asked, though as it turned out, attention spans amongst my friends were running low, the volume on the bar’s TV was lower, or perhaps Michael J. Fox wasn’t stabbed nearly enough times. Either way, this film remains an all-time favorite of mine, and if it couldn’t be part of a holiday tradition for me, perhaps it will become one for you.
There’s much to recommend about “Class Of 1984″ ; the ferocious, self-righteous over-acting of Perry King as concerned educator Andrew Norris ; Timothy Van Patten (son of dog-food magnate Dick, “Salami” from the equally brilliant “The White Shadow” and in more recent years, a key, behind-the-scenes contributor to “The Wire” and “Boardwalk Empire”) as faux-punk gangleader Stegman ; Roddy McDowell as an increasingly cynical science teacher who ultimately turns a gun on his teenage tormentors ; a musical cameo from Teenage Head, essentially giving away the film’s Toronto location. But why listen to me? If I celebrated Xmas and/or hadn’t already purchased a copy, I’d be asking Satan Santa for the newly published “Destroy All Movies!” (Fantagraphics Books), in which the amazing tome’s co-author, Zack Carlson, hails “Class Of 1984″ as “just a perfect exploitation movie.”
“Originally slapped with an X rating, it’s relentlessly seedy, overflowing with assault, suicide, racism, grimy sex, drug use and crime crime crime, all of which is perpetrated by minors! Exaggerated or not, the gang practically wrote the textbook for countless delinquent groups that would terrorize big-screen high schools through the 80′s and beyond. There’s a consistent, pervasive air of innocent helplessness and leather-clad heartlessness that makes this movie the flat-out best in its genre.”
I don’t really know what it means to be in love, and as they say, write what you know. Since I am to write about love, I will focus on something I love to have and am very well acquainted with: Crushes.
These are pictures of the three-ring binder I had in 7th grade. I saw “Speed” in the summer of 1994 just after graduating from elementary school, and became absolutely smitten with Keanu Reeves. I spent that summer daydreaming about how I was going to marry Keanu when I was 24 (only after I had retired from modeling, of course). Did you know that Keanu was born in Beirut, Lebanon and that the name means “cool breeze over the mountain” in Hawaiian (thanks for the education, Bop Magazine!)? Anyway, I thought about the trips my future husband and I would take, made sketches of the types of dresses I planned to don at future red carpet events, and imagined how great it would someday be to hobnob with celebrities like Sandra Bullock, Jeff Daniels and Dennis Hopper (12 year-old me imagined the cast of “Speed” to be the best of friends, I would later become aware of things like press junkets).
This intense “love” lasted a grand total of 6 months, until a viewing of “Newsies” ushered in a new era where Christian Bale reigned supreme over my 13 year-old heart. Well, along with Ethan Hawke, Brad Pitt, Brad Renfo (RIP) and Jared Leto, who were also, like, really, really cute and stuff.
1996 (age 14) was the year I had my first boyfriend, kiss, drink, joint etc. and things like celebrity crushes temporarily fell by the wayside. I watched “Dazed and Confused” all the time, read Siddhartha, and made my dad stand in line to get me tickets to see the Sex Pistols during their Filthy Lucre reunion tour, cus I was, like, into punk rock and stuff, but like, had to rehearse for my 8th grade graduation, right, and I was, like, afraid it would sell out if I went after school. It was all very Lindsay Weir in “Freaks and Geeks,” I even started wearing an army jacket and had the same haircut!
Ah, speaking of “Freaks and Geeks,” my current celebrity crush is James Franco. Actually… strike the first statement of this blog post from the record – I added “Eat Pray Love” to my Netflix queue. That’s LOVE.
Bob Nastanovich photographed by Fiona, used without permission (sorry!)
Aside from his usual role being an all-round nice guy and multi-talented musician with Pavement, many do not know that Mr. Nastanovich is also an accomplished DJ and musical connoisseur. He will be putting this knowledge and his adept mixing techniques to the test this weekend in London. DJing alongside Jon McArthur, Bob will be playing some records from 8-11pm this Sunday, December 12th, at one of Matador UK’s favourite drinking establishments, The Mucky Pup, in Islington. Described on their myspace page as “The Best Pub On Queen’s Head Street” (it’s the only pub on Queen’s Head Street), I can attest to the fact that The Pup is fully qualified at housing people who like good music, good people and good ale.
The Mucky Pup, 39 Queen’s Head Street (off Essex Rd)
Islington London N1 8NQ
Tel: 0207 226 2572
Before I start I should acknowledge that my photo heavy and link-tastic post is directly inspired from noted blogger Ira Kaplan.
I was originally going to write about one of my true loves: record stores. I met my wife in a record store and my life still revolves around them, but this year there was a bigger theme than records in my life.
Going places and being with the people you love.
My wife’s family is from Butler, PA and we spent two weeks there this summer doing a whole lot of nothing. It was great. We went to a Bluesox game, we went to the drive in (Photo from noted Bulter native CongoEels flickr.) We went to Moraine state park to ride bikes, swim and have a picnic. It all ruled.
Some other places I went:
Columbus, Ohio. I finally saw the Gibson Bros and it was fantastic.
The Adirondacks
I love a good wedding and this was one of the best in recent memory, must have something to do with the day. The whole weekend was all so beautiful. We went swimming in this lake.
It was cold and awesome.
Scituate, MA
I grew up nowhere near the ocean so a clambake was nothing more than an Elvis joke. In real life it is so much more
The Lost Weekend
I’d never been to Las Vegas, I’m far to scared to actually gamble (too many records I want to buy with that money.) Everything related to the weekend wasz fantastic, but I never expected to be so taken with the surroundings.
My final trip of the year is going to be the best one yet, but it is supposed to be a surprise so if you see my parents don’t tell them.
Click above to watch the first proper video for Perfume Genius, for the song “Lookout, Lookout” (via Pitchfork). Directed by Patrick Sher and shot in Portland.
Perfume Genius has also just announced one more NYC show before the end of the year, supporting Light Asylum at a secret space in Bushwick next Wednesday, December 15. The $28 tickets include free hors d’oeuvres and three free drinks. Go to envelopefamily to buy tickets; location information will be included with purchase confirmation.
For those of you who missed it, yesterday we re-released the Learning album in a special slipcase edition with new artwork and three new tracks. You can buy it from us:
I suddenly became very aware of my surroundings. My favorite white strapless dress with the lace overlay suddenly started to itch and I was overwhelmed with this feeling of insecurity. Should I have worn this dress and not the purple A line with the big bow? My hair has completely fallen from dancing and is now getting in my face. My foot is slipping out of my kitten heels every step we take. I died them bright white to match my favorite dress, which I’m now seriously reconsidering. I think my stockings are starting to fall.
I felt his hand brush against my arm as it slowly made it’s way in to my hand. I was relieved to feel it was moist, he must be nervous too. He stopped. Turned to face me. I could feel his eyes on me. I was too scared to look at him. The carpet was a dark green with a pretty flower pattern. How long can I avoid his eyes? Is the carpet really that entertaining? If I look at him will he read my thoughts? Will he know everything I’m thinking. He’ll know how I feel about him. Then everyone will know. He moved closer to me. He smelled sweet. There was a faint smell of the cologne he had put on earlier that night, mixed with the chocolate cake they served for dessert and the clean smell of fabric softener. His hand tightened around mine and I knew. It was time to face my fate. I looked up from the floor and caught his gaze. He smiled. It was that same smile that brought me away to this hallway, away from my parents, away from my friends, and away from the party. It was that smile that made me question myself, intensely wish he’d like me and daydream about this very moment. He started to lean towards me. I watched him close his eyes. I did the same. I felt his warm breath get closer and his lips gently rest upon mine. It was over in moments. It went so quickly. So perfectly. I wish I hadn’t been so scared. Why was I so scared?
I followed him back in to the banquet hall, giddy and slightly embarrassed. They all knew. They had to know. I was lost, completely in love. Thankfully, we managed to make it back in time for UB40s “Red, Red Wine.” The night was nearing to an end. Just thinking about waiting to see him again at school on Monday already seemed like an eternity.
My mom called my name and instantly I snapped out of my daze.
It was so many years ago now but I remember it like it was yesterday. My first kiss. It was the beginning of my first love. Everything was so innocent. We had no idea about consequence, about pain, about a heart broken! I just loved for the sake of loving and it was incredible.
“On January 15th, 2011, Shearwater will present The Island Arc, the trilogy of albums that includes 2006′s Palo Santo, 2008′s Rook, and 2010′s The Golden Archipelago, in a single, complete performance at the beautiful Central Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas.
This will be a one-time-only event – we’ve never performed these thematically-linked albums in order, and probably never will again. We’ve also never played some of the songs live at all. We’ll be joined by old and new friends for this show, and we promise a really special evening for everyone.
The Island Arc isn’t a farewell show, not by a long shot, but it does feel like a bookend. It’s a way for us to look back and to clear the way for what’s next – which, whatever it is, is going to be quite different from these records.
We begin recording a new album in early 2011. “ - Jonathan Meiburg
As mentioned earlier today by Jeremy, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists are playing NYC’s Terminal 5 tonight in support of pals and labelmates The New Pornographers. In a little more than a month’s time, however, Ted will be hitting the road all by his lonesome, playing songs from 2010′s ‘The Brutalist Bricks’ as well as previous albums, probably some covers and….hey, wait a minute. Where, precisely do we get off, projecting what Ted’s repertoire is likely to be? Sure, it’s an educated guess, but if my years in this racket have taught me anything, there’s no sure things in the entertainment business. Except Susan Boyle.
1/21, Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall (tickets)
1/22, Hamden, CT – The Space (tickets)
1/23, Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie (tickets)
1/25, Scranton, PA – The Vintage Theater (tickets)
1/26, Pittsburgh, PA – Andy Warhol Museum (tickets)
1/27, Cleveland, OH – B-Side Liquor Lounge (tickets)
1/29, Madison, WI – Der Rathskeller @ Univ of Wisc
1/30, Iowa City, IA – Gabe’s (tickets)
2/1, Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern (tickets)
2/2, St. Louis, MO – Off Broadway (tickets)
2/3, Nashville, TN – The End (tickets)
2/4, Atlanta, GA – Drunken Unicorn (tickets)
2/5, Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 (tickets)
2/23, Riverside, CA – The Barn @ UC Riverside (tickets)
2/24, San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill (Noise Pop Festival)
2/25, Seattle, WA – U of Washington (tickets)
2/26, Portland, OR – BackSpace Cafe (tickets)
Like most people here, I pondered what to write about love. In the end I decided to write about my mum and some of her lovers…
My mum, Liz, grew up in a crowded family (nine brothers and sisters), She was adventurous and funny and did crazy things, like legally changing her name to ‘Countess DeVitoria’ because she wanted to have a ‘title’. She loved cigarettes, strong instant coffee, alcohol, Patsy Cline, Country & Western nights, adult education, dogs, leather pants, drama (as in life, not theatre) and of course…men.
Growing up my mum had a quite a few boyfriends, some memorable, some not, some I didn’t know about until years later, like Lou Adler (yes the Lou Adler), and one which wasn’t her boyfriend even though she thought he was at the time but really he was her rich, gay friend. I was quite young and only remember that he had a white car (apparently a Jaguar) with a white leather interior and a white CAR PHONE!! At the time (1977) this was some Space Age/James Bond kind of stuff. He was always super nice to my mum and she thought he was just being polite, but really he was gay.
Ian was her young fisherman boyfriend, I remember him mainly because he looked like Gary Glitter. They would spend most Saturday afternoons in bed, which I didn’t get at all. I couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t want to be outside.
Once Ian took us all fishing. We sailed in his little boat from Porthleven to Mullion and back again. The return journey was really scary, not because the boat was practically vertical and none of us could swim (except Ian), but because my mum couldn’t light her cigarette due to the waves crashing over us and she was absolutely furious (she kept trying though). Ian wanted to marry my mum, but his family disapproved because of the age difference so they split up.
My mum moved to London and started dating Leon. I don’t remember too much about Leon except he was a jeweler and there was a squirrel in his back garden that we could hand-feed. He gave my mum lots of gold jewelry; later in life she advised me to “make sure to always get gold jewelry from your boyfriends, Helen”. Maybe that’s why I remember Leon. He wanted to marry her, but his mum said no due to religious differences.
She met Mr. Davidson (I never knew his first name) on the subway platform and he asked her on a date. He was much older and a widower. We all went to live in his enormous Elizabethan house outside of London. It was really amazing and the garden was huge, surrounded by a big wall. It was really beautiful. Mr. Davidson wanted to marry my mum. She loved him, but thought he was a little too old, also he wasn’t so keen on children (!!) and my sister and I were at that age where we had to fight about everything. Finally they broke up, he gave my mum an awesome car and we drove away. Six years later he died.
Len was my favorite of my mums’ boyfriends. He was an American with big shaggy hair, t-shirt and flared jeans. They met in a bookstore because she thought he was an employee but he wasn’t and instead asked her on a date. I never knew what he did for a living, but my mum once told me that when they would go to the American Embassy everyone would salute him. He introduced my sister and I to tortilla chips and the word ‘candy’. He didn’t want to marry my mum, and she was cool with that, she just really loved him.
Len asked my mum if she wanted to go on a motorbike trip with him across the Middle East. It was going to be a long trip and my mum really wanted to go. She asked my Grandma if she would look after me and my sister but, she said no, not because she didn’t want to look after us, but because being an Irish Catholic meant most things were pretty sinful and my mum on a motorbike with a single man in the Middle East was certainly up there on the ‘Sin Scale’. My mum didn’t go and they split up but remained friends for the rest of her life.
Eventually my mum became the housekeeper of an old dairy farmer called John and ended up marrying him. She stayed with John on and off until she died, occasionally leaving him for some lover or another, but she always ended up back there. They were companions of a sort.
It was kind of surreal living on the farm, not just because of the bright purple painted 300 year old beams or the purple and white wallpaper with flowers that were at least a foot across adorning my bedroom or the crazy twin sister who would come and visit, unknowingly chop down a tree in the orchard then come in for a cup of tea. Needless to say my mum was a frequent topic of conversation/gossip in the village and that’s all I’ll say.
I could not conceive of how much I would miss my mum, miss talking to her, miss telling her I love her, miss her craziness… My mum was a real character, one you could never forget, especially mine and my sisters boyfriends who she would warn to treat us well otherwise she would come back and haunt them after she was dead…current suitors beware…
By Jeremy P. Goldstein on Monday, December 6th, 2010
Indeed, tonight, there will be a super-concert at Terminal 5 in New York City as The New Pornographers will join forces with Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, in what can only be described as the Justice League of Awesome, and take the city by storm. To warm up their golden throats and shreddy fingers, the New Pornos will also perform live in a scant few hours on WNYC’s Soundcheck. Listen live on the web at 2PM EST or tune your car radio dial to 93.9FM and 820AM to hear the session in all its stereophonic glory.
I love my parents. We have a pretty tight family, my two brothers and them. Grandma is in the mix too of course. My folks used to drive 3 hours just to have lunch with me when I was in school, then drive the 3 back. Now they fly three hours out to new york for the weekend every other month or so. That’s some love. Mom cries when I or my brothers are upset and every single phone conversation with my dad ends with, “Love ya man, don’t die.” I’m very lucky and don’t take it for granted. The times I have with my brothers are hard to beat, nearly impossible. love those dudes. Linds and I have something amazing. I’ve loved her since I met her…well, as much you can be in love in fourth grade. I remember the day we met vividly, I was amazed at how small her little fingers were. I asked her out in fifth grade, she said no. I got her though, I love her. I love my friends, old and new. Don’t really have any foes…what for? I think I’ll reserve love for just family and friends. A dog or two might inch their way in too later down the line. I can’t bring myself to accept ‘love’ of an insanely good basketball team (beak ‘em) or ‘love’ of a tasty medium rare cheeseburger w/ cheddar, caramelized onion, lettuce and delicious sauces or ‘love’ of the rare front to back great record to be equal to that of my family. I hope, if i do have little blakes, that i can show them the same love, affection and dedication my parents have showed me every day of my life. It is all that matters.
Yo La Tengo’s (usually) annual 8 night Hanukkah stand to benefit various charities kicked off at Maxwell’s last night ; while Ira recaps the evening with considerable aplomb, I can tell you my cellular telephone device was BLOWING UP (as the hip people like to say) with news of various star turns from M. Ward, Todd Barry, Nash Kato and most surprisingly, Elvis Aaron Presley, whom I though was banned from the venue. We’re only a few hours away from Night Two and I’ve been asked to remind you there’s special t-shirts for these events on sale at the club (leftovers via Kung Fu or yolatengo.com? that depends if there’s any leftover). I’ve not seen ‘em yet, but a tee from the past is shown above. All of the shows are totally sold out so please don’t ask us to weasel you in because refusal often offends. You have no idea how many years I’ve waited to use the phrase “refusal often offends”.
Just in time for the holidays, we’re reissuing the devastating debut album from Seattle’s Perfume Genius, aka Mike Hadreas, in a new slipcase edition. If you missed ‘Learning’ when it came out last June, now is your chance to explore the most critically acclaimed album Matador released this year. Get one for yourself, then get another for your loved one.
The new version of the CD comes in a cardboard slipcase with new artwork (above), along with a coupon entitling you to downloads of three new tracks: “Dreeem,” “Your Drum” and “Divine Faxes.” The new version of the LP is stickered with information about the new tracks, which have been added to the standard download coupon inside.
Perfume Genius will be playing one more show this year, in Seattle this Saturday December 4, at the Healthy Times Fun Club.
The first proper video for Perfume Genius, “Lookout Lookout,” directed by Patrick Sher, will premiere next week. Keep your eye on this space for further information.
By Jeremy P. Goldstein on Thursday, December 2nd, 2010
I’ve mixed feelings about being on the tail end of the Write About Love timeline. On one hand, I theoretically had extra time to get my act together and pen something poetic, prosaic, or purposeful; on the other hand, I now need attempt to live up to some of the wondrous wordsmithery of my colleagues. Obviously, I didn’t take advantage of the former, and as regards the latter, I clearly don’t have the literary chops to match the outstanding opening salvo of Nils Bernstein, Dean Bein’s worship of wax (and perhaps ode to newly-found freedom), the familial fondness of Matt Harmon, Patrick Amory’s soul-baring recollections, or even somehow find a way to pair the seemingly disparate concepts of love and the Zip Code Rapists like my partner-in-radio-crime, Hector Montes. What could I do to standout, to not just wade in the quagmire of common composition? As I listened to the Belle and Sebastian catalog on shuffle for inspiration, “I’m A Cuckoo” and its mention of Harajuku slammed my brain out of neutral and in a rare moment of mental acuity, I had my answer: haiku. What follows is my attempt to showcase some of what I love in a mere 17 syllables per paean.
Jennifer, my wife,
brilliant, patient, gorgeous, kind.
my rock and best friend
At an early age,
sitting, reading gatefold art.
Addicted for life.
Premier League leaders.
Oh, Manchester United.
Please don’t choke this year
Fresh fish, crazy rolls
Kamakura for sushi
Bay Area choice
Same town rules drinks, too:
both Rosenblum, Hangar One
Alameda-made
A’s, Niners, Spurs, Sharks
each season, heartbreak ensues
though, support I do.
Of my culled music
The Stone Roses’ first record
remains atop heap
London in the fog
pub, gigs, football, culture, food.
Best city on Earth.
In San Diego
El Zarape is a must.
Combo number three
Bad drafts, injuries
fantasy sports, you kill me.
Yet, I play each year.
Friends and family
Time fleeting, miles apart
Still, I miss you all.
Next week sees The New Pornographers jetting over for their last shows of 2010 with a headline show at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on Thursday, 9th December, before heading down to play The ATP Bowlie weekender on the 10th. Tickets are still available for the London show and can be bought from here.
Earlier this year Pitchfork filmed Glasser playing at CMJ as part of their #Offline festival, resulting in the above video. What you might notice is the option of choosing your camera angle, as there were 6 in the room you can select to watch each one individually, or all of them together (as seen above), allowing you to play director of the performance.
They run through the songs ‘Tremel’, ‘Home’ and ‘Mirrorage’, all taken from this years debut album Ring. You can head over to Pitchfork to see the videos now.
After taking a well-deserved break from touring over the new year, Glasser will head back to Europe for their most extensive tour there yet.
January 2011
27th – Botanique/Witloofbar, Brussels, Belgium
28th – Merleyn, Nijmegen, Netherlands
29th – Upstairs @ The Paradiso, Amsterdam, Nertherlands
