VIDEO : Lee Ranaldo - "Angles"
If you've yet to check out Lee Ranaldo's 'Between The Times & The Tides', you're running the considerable risk of missing the boat on one of 2012's most thrilling rock albums. I mean, we'd usually encourage you to take risks in your personal life, but that's why there are pursuits such as
"Angles" is the second video from "Between The Times & The Tides" ; it premiered earlier today via New York Magazine, and here's some notes from director (and longtime collaborator) Leah Singer.
This song felt very 'New York' to me. Time moves at a different pace here, fast and slow all at once. In the video you see a girl running aimlessly yet urgently through the streets. The song implies that relationships move at their own pace too, watching time pass but always meeting back up, coming full circle with someone. The swinging guitar pays homage to Lee's experimental work and Z Behl, the girl, has been a friend since she was a child. Josh and Brett from Red Bucket Films lend a hand. They worked with our kids on the feature film 'Daddy Longlegs'. So it was a bit of a family affair.
Leah Singer, director
3.26.12 NYC
Lee Ranaldo tour dates
4/7 Mexico City, MEX Indie-O Fest 2012 (with Thurston Moore, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Wild Flag, Youth Lagoon, City and Colour and Antoine Reverb)
(all US dates below supporting M. Ward except those marked*)
5/5 Portland, ME - State Theatre – on sale now
5/6 Burlington, VT - Higher Ground – on sale now
5/7 New Haven, CT - Toads Place – on sale now
5/8 Boston, MA - House Of Blues – on sale
5/11 New York, NY - Webster Hall
5/12 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer – on sale now
5/13 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club – on sale now
5/15 Durham, NC - Duke Performances
5/16 Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theatre – on sale now
5/17 Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre – on sale now
5/18 Nashville TN - Mercy Lounge*
5/19 Louisville KY - Zanzabar*
5/20 Nelsonville OH - Nelsonville Music Festival*
5/22 Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
May
31 Barcelona - Primavera - http://www.primaverasound.com/
June
2 Dudingen - Kilbi - http://www.badbonn.ch/
3 Paris - La Maroquinerie - www.avosbillets.com
4 Antwerp - Trix - www.trixonline.be
6 London - Scala - http://www.atpfestival.com/events/leeranaldoscala.php
7 Leeds - Brudenell - http://www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk
9 Porto - Primavera - http://www.primaverasound.com/
Lee Ranaldo - "Off The Wall" (mp3)
'Between The Times & The Tides' is available NOW the Matador Store.
Interpol: David Lynch "Movie Night", April 5th at IFC Center NYC
We're pleased to announce the New York City cinema debut of "I Touch A Red Button Man", the David Lynch-directed short film set to Interpol's "Lights" (from 2010's self-titled album).As part of IFC Center's "Movie Night" series, April 5th will see a screening of the short film alongside the Interpol-selected David Lynch classic film "Wild At Heart".
The evening will feature an introduction and Q&A with Interpol's Sam Fogarino. Purchase tickets now.
Get To Know Your Local Indie Retailer Vol. 8 - Permanent Records
There's the prevailing myth which inspired this epic web-series that record stores everywhere are in deep shit. For some reason, people seem to believe that there isn't a single traditional record store out there who is prospering, or even growing. Well you and I know that's not true and we have people like Liz Tooley and Lance Barresi to help us prove it. Their Permanent Records has been a staple on the Windy City scene for the last six years and recently they decided to grow their brand to the west coast, giving Los Angelenos the option of yet another amazing record store. But they'll tell you all about that.1. Tell us briefly about your store.
We opened Permanent Records in Chicago in October of 2006 in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood of Chicago. After working for/managing record stores collectively for nearly 20 years, we decided to start our own, with an all-killer no-filler policy and an emphasis on the things we liked most, namely rare vintage vinyl and obscure, limited independent releases. Shortly thereafter, we started our own label and opened a webstore. We've released records by bands from all over the globe, including artists such as Moon Duo, Cave, Cheveu, Purling Hiss, Puffy Areolas, Brain Idea, King Blood, and dozens more. After 5 years of success and countless in-store performances by incredible bands, we opened our second location in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, Californ-I-A. Killing (AKA selling records) is our business and business is good. Haha!
2. What got you into the independent record store business?
We eat, drink, breathe, and sleep music every day and have ever since we can remember. We've worked in various industries, doing a variety of work, and the only thing we've ever done that felt supremely rewarding was working in a record store. Even though the hours are long, the paycheck feeble, and health insurance is essentially unfathomable, we'd still prefer to work in this industry than do just about anything else. Anyone who's ever worked in a record store knows what we're talking about, but only a handful of us are able handle the dedication and hard work it takes to open their own shop. We have that drive and we work VERY hard to keep ourselves knowledgeable in this field, so we do this...EVERY...SINGLE...DAY!
3. Who are some of your favorite contemporary stores?
We do EVERYTHING we can to make our own store our favorite store. No joke! But other inspirational stores include Apop in Saint Louis, MO, the Love Garden in Lawrence, KS, and Aquarius in San Francisco, CA. These are wonderful stores with excellent selections.
4. How have things been going from a business perspective?
It's going well at both locations. Surprising, considering the state of the music industry and current economic conditions. We're never gonna get rich doing this, but we knew that going in. We love it anyway!
5. What do you think spells the survival for an independent record store today?
Taste, knowledge, and friendliness are key for us. All of the people behind the counter must have all of these traits. Everyone at Permanent does. You have to know what's what, what's good, and what sucks. You can't run a shotgun shack these days and you can't get away with lying to people for very long. Record store supporters are some of the most savvy and interesting people in the world. You can't fool them into buying crap these days, which is great for us 'cuz nothing bums us out more than crappy music. We handpick most of the records we sell and we know who will like them and who won't. We present these records accordingly. This mentality translates to all aspects of our business from in-store performances to new releases - from Permanent t-shirts to used cassettes.
6. What are some of the coolest things labels have done with you? Instores? Promotions? Sales?
We've hosted hundreds of incredible in-store performances. Nobunny pranced around our shop and climbed on the bins in his tighty whities. Kurt Vile performed a solo acoustic set at Noon on New Year's Day. Ty Segall has blown not one, but two PA systems in our store. Times New Viking and Clockcleaner filled our infantile Chicago store with more people than we ever thought possible. We've been graced by the presence of legends such as Meat Puppets, Kid Congo, Paul Collins, Axemen, Scream, and more. Future legends such as Francis Harold and the Holograms, Puffy Areolas, Smith Westerns, Woods, Vivian Girls, Bitchin Bajas, Zola Jesus, Pop. 1280, Royal Baths, Night Beats, Milk Music, Apache Dropout, The Men, Liminanas, Circle Pit, Kitchen's Floor, Human Eye, Mikal Cronin, Obits, Umberto, Sex Church, Pink Reason, Purling Hiss...
7. Why do we need record stores?
Where else can you hear the hottest new jams, go on a treasure hunt, shoot the shit with knowledgeable weirdos, and party all in the same place?
Also, shopping for records online is fucking boring.
8. What kind of taco is your favorite?
The pink ones.
9. Who are your top 3 favorite bands right now?
Top 3? Ha! How about top 30? Who can pick a top 3 favorite bands right now and/or pick a favorite record of all time?! It's like picking a favorite star from the sky. Space is deep, man.
10. What is your favorite thing about your store? And you can’t say the customers.
Our favorite thing about our store is our stock. At any given time, we have access to more excellent records that we could listen to in a lifetime. We're vinyl rich! And there's always new stuff flowing through the doors. Our store is a river and we're on the best float trip EVER!
11.Tell us about the used and collectible action you have going on over there?
Everything we get goes in the store before it goes online and our walls are constantly filled with a variety of rare and collectible LPs and the wall overflows into the bins. There's a wall of rare singles as well and both are ever-changing. We're a store, not a museum. C'mon by and have a look for yourself. Savvy shoppers also know that many of the common new items we carry are certain to become future rarities, sometimes immediately.
12. What are your goals for the future of your store? Long term and short.
We've been doing this for ourselves for 5 years. If you asked us 5 years ago if we'd have a second location in LA, we would've laughed in disbelief. So answering the long term question is tough. We'll definitely continue to do what's gotten us this far and adapt with the times. Look for more label releases, more weekly email updates, more podcasts, more in-stores, a more user friendly webstore, as well as a constant flow of quality new and used items at both shops. Also, first record store in outer space?
Three Wrongs....
Make a right, right?
Matador, Spotify and you.
Yes, we made a Spotify app and quite like it. Check it out for yourself here.
With releases, tour dates and then some.
While we're talking about Spotify, have you checked out the Lee Jams playlist at Spotify?
The playlist is comprised of Lee's best songs from Sonic Youth (as chosen by the Sonic Youth message board) as well a few instant-classics from the just-released Between The Times And The Tides.
I've been listening to it all afternoon, my ears are bleeding and I couldn't be happier.
So check it out and lets us know what you think!
Singles Going Home Alone, sign up before it's gone
As you may or may not know, we've lined up amazing, collectible, colored vinyl from Stephen Malkmus & Jicks, L.A. Guns, OBN III's, The Men, Wounded Lion & Jesu as part of Matador's Singles Going Home Alone 7" club.. and we're telling you... we're coming up with something equally as awesome for #6. When join, you'll get all that plus special surprises that we're not announcing yet AND a 10% discount on all Matador Store orders for club members. To make this all the more exciting, subscriptions are going fast, so order now before it's too late!
SHGA #1 - January
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks: "Wheels On Fire" b/w L.A. Guns: "Gorgeous Georgie"
black vinyl
SGHA #2 - March
OBN III's: Blood On Yer Face b/w Being Honest
blue vinyl
SHGA #3 - May
The Men: Jennifer b/w New Pop
red vinyl
SHGA #4 - July
Wounded Lion: Walrus b/w Massive Place (Sic Alps)
yellow vinyl
SHGA #5 - Steptember
COVER ART COMING SOON
Jesu: TBA
SHGA #6 - November
TBA
+ more surprises
Kurt Vile And The Violators Live Dates
Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter
Kurt Vile And The Violators are hitting the US soil once again with some March shows kicking off today at Rams Head Live in Baltimore. And if you can't catch them in March, the band's back on the road in May/June including stops at Sasaquatch (May 26) and Bonnaroo (June 10).
Worldwide Vileation...
Thursday, March 22 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live (with Supreme Dicks and Sore Eros) - Tickets
Friday, March 23 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter (with Supreme Dicks and Sore Eros) - Tickets
Saturday, March 24 - Durham, NC - Duke Coffeehouse (with Supreme Dicks)
Sunday, March 25 - Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle (with Supreme Dicks and Sore Eros) - Tickets
Saturday, April 07 - Mexico City, Mexico - Indie O Fest 2012
Monday, April 09 - Buenos Aires, AR - Niceto Club (with Thurston Moore)
Tuesday, April 10 - Buenos Aires, AR - Niceto Club (with Thurston Moore)
Wednesday, April 11 - Porto, Alergre, BR - Opiniao Bar (with Thurston Moore)
Thursday, April 12 - Sao Paolo, BR - Cine Joia (with Thurston Moore)
Friday, April 13 - Rio de Janeiro, BR - Circo Voador (with Thurston Moore)
Sunday, April 15 - Santiago, Chile - Teatro Oriente (with Thurston Moore)
Thursday, May 17 - Lancaster, PA - Chameleon Club (with Black Bananas) - Tickets
Friday, May 18 - Nelsonville, OH - Nelsonville Music Festival - Tickets
Saturday, May 19 - Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig (with Black Bananas) - Tickets
Sunday, May 20 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall (with Black Bananas) - Tickets
Monday, May 21 - Madison, WI - High Noon (with Black Bananas) - Tickets
Tuesday, May 22 - Minneapolis, MN - 400 Bar (with Black Bananas) - Tickets
Wednesday, May 23 - Fargo, ND - Aquarium (with Black Bananas) - Tickets
Friday, May 25 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore - Tickets
Saturday, May 26 - George, WA - Sasquatch Festival - Tickets
Sunday, May 27 - Portland, OR - Star Theater (with Black Bananas) - Tickets
Wednesday, May 30 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore (with Black Bananas) - Tickets
Sunday, June 10 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival - Tickets
Friday, June 22 - Scheessel, Germany - Hurricane Festival
Saturday, June 23 - Neuhausen Ob Eck, Germany - Southside Festival
Tuesday, June 26 - Stockholm, Sweden - WWDIS Summer Festival
Wednesday, June 27 - Borlange, Sweden - Peace And Love Festival
Sunday, July 08 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
Thursday, July 12 - Benicàssim, Spain - Benicàssim Festival
Friday, August 03 - Katowice, Poland - OFF Festival
Pick up Smoke Ring For My Halo on the Matador Store
Kurt Vile on Facebook
www.kurtvile.com
Perfume Genius On Tour
Photo Credit: Greg Harris / Interview Magazine
In support of the recently released gem, Put Your Back N 2 It, today marks the start of a 4 week long Perfume Genius tour kicking off at the Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco and winding all across the States and Canada. Dates and ticket info below. Get Em While U Can.
And to those of you in Austin and Durham you can get a double-shot of PG at the upcoming End Of An Ear + Bull City Records in-stores. Both in-stores begin at 6PM and are free/all ages.
Wed 3/21 - Cafe Du Nord - San Francisco, CA - Tickets
Thu 3/22 - Bootleg Theater - Los Angeles, CA - Tickets
Fri, 3/23 - Casbah - San Diego, CA - Tickets
Sat 3/24 - Solar Culture - Tucson, AZ (no advance tickets)
Mon, 3/26 - Dan's Silverleaf - Denton, TX - Tickets
Tue, 3/27 - Lambert's - Austin, TX - Tickets (End of An Ear in-store at 6PM)
Fri, 3/29 - The Earl - Atlanta, GA - Tickets
Fri, 3/30 - The Garage at Motorco - Durham, NC - Tickets (Bull City Records in-store at 6PM)
Sat, 3/31 - IOTA Club & Cafe - Arlington, VA - Ticket Info
Mon, 4/2 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA - Tickets
Tue, 4/3 - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY - SOLD OUT
Thu, 4/5 - Glasslands Gallery - Brooklyn, NY - SOLD OUT
Fri, 4/6 - Iron Horse Music Hall - Northampton, MA - Tickets
Sat, 4/7 - Le Divan Orange - Montreal, QC - Tickets
Sun, 4/8 - The Drake Hotel - Toronto, ON - Tickets
Tue, 4/10 - Schubas - Chicago, IL - Tickets
Wed, 4/11 - Cedar Cultural Centre - Minneapolis, MN - Tickets
Fri, 4/13 - Hi Dive - Denver, CO - Tickets
Sat, 4/14 - Kilby Court - Salt Lake City, UT - Tickets
Tue, 4/17 - Mississippi Studios - Portland, OR - Tickets
Wed, 4/18 - The Biltmore Cabaret - Vancouver, BC - Tickets
Thu, 4/19 - The Crocodile - Seattle, WA - Tickets
Watch the La Blogotheque Take Away Show
Pick up Put Your Back N 2 It on the Matador Store
Perfume Genius on Facebook
matadorrecords.com/perfume_genius
Tanlines - "All Of Me" video, directed by Julian Barratt of The Mighty Boosh, debuts with Adult Swim
Today public radio stars Tanlines give us the second video from their just-released album Mixed Emotions (buy it here). The video was directed by Julian Barratt of The Mighty Boosh (full credits below), and is brought to us by the fine folks at Adult Swim. This video is awesome:The video, which marks the music video directorial debut of UK comedy legend Julian Barratt of The Mighty Boosh and was produced by Framestore, will be Tanlines’ second video off of the album (and the first not in 360 degrees). The collaboration between Barratt and the band was a combination of brazen wishful thinking and good luck. Tanlines, who are influenced by Barratt, toyed with the possibility of listing the Mighty Boosh as a creative partner in their liner notes. Word reached Barratt, who after listening to an early version of the album realized “All of Me” served as a perfect musical counterpoint to some of the imagery he was interested in exploring, and an opportunity to experiment making music videos. So shockingly, he dove in.
Barratt says, “At the time I wrote the treatment, I was watching a particular film by Fabrice Du Welz called ‘The Ordeal’ which is a really good, strange, macabre film with some really interesting movement and dance bits in that…I’m always trying to do anything between comedy and horror. Because you have such a strong flavor with Tanlines’ music, it’s quite fun to offset that with bleak imagery.”
The video stars the band performing on an old-timey late-night television show to an elderly crowd jiltedly moving together, doing something just short of dancing. It is mysterious, funny, macabre and a definite must-see.
Adult Swim is also presenting a behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of the "All Of Me" video, starring Mr. Barratt (short film directed by Matthew Bowron, edited by Richard Carter):
Tanlines hit the road in a few weeks:
4/11/12 Washington, DC @ DC9
4/12/12 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
4/13/12 Philadelphia, PA @ Making Time @ Voyeur
4/14/12 Middleton, CT @ Wesleyan University
4/16/12 Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
4/17/12 Toronto, ON @ Wrong Bar
4/18/12 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
4/19/12 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
4/20/12 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
4/23/12 Vancouver, BC @ Fortune Sound Club
4/24/12 Seattle, WA @ Barboza
4/25/12 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
4/27/12 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
4/29/12 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
4/30/12 Los Angeles, CA @ Echo
Video credits:
CREW
Director - Julian Barratt
Director of Photography - Erik Wilson
1st Assistant Director - Will Jasper
Executive Producer - Derrin Schlesinger, Simon Whalley, Phil Canning
Producer - Danielle Hardy
Production Assistant - Selena Stokes
Choreographer - Florence Peake
Gaffer - Andy Lowe
Electrician - Chris Stones
Electrician - Gareth Brough
Electrician Assistant - Greg King
Camera Assistant - Robbie Chapman
Art Director - Lucie Red
Stylist - Mischa Notcutt
Hair & Make Up Designer - Christine Cant
Make Up Artist - Nina Pratley
Make Up Artist - Liberty Haynes
Runner - Joe Williams
Runner - Sam Cunniffe
Art Director Assistant - Hela Dondertman
Art Director Assistant - Posy Dixon
Stylist Assistant - Tova Hasselblad
Stylist Assistant - Rosie McGuinness
Make Up Assistant - Polly Mossman
Make Up Assistant - Kylie McDonald
Colourist - Edwin Metternich
VFX Artist - Tim Greenwood
CAST
Booth Man - Stephen Evans
Delivery Man - Eric MacLennan
Dancers - Michelle Archer, David Bailey, David Burton, Ann Elsey, Imola Gaspa, Philip Harvey, Gordon Kenny, Lucien Morgan, Jennifer Munby, Barry Newton, Peter Nolan, Leslie Palmer, Sue Parker-Nutley, Jane Phillips, Jennifer Richards, Frank Scantori, Bobby Stevenson, Peter Thomas
East London Consumers Encouraged To Walk All Over Kurt Vile
from the floor of Rough Trade East, snapshots courtesy Natalie Judge.
Lee Ranaldo: new record out today, on WFMU at 4PM EDT, Other Music instore at 9PM
Today is a busy day for Lee Ranaldo fans: not only is his Matador debut, Between The Times And The Tides out today in finer record stores and digital retailers, but there are two opportunities to sample the live Lee experience.
Tune in to WFMU for Brian Turner's show (3pm to 6pm) for a scorcher of a live set and a slightly less scorching interview with the man himself, starting around 4pm EDT. WFMU is 91.1FM on your radio, or you can listen online at wfmu.org.
Later tonight, NYC's Other Music will be hosting a free, all ages instore at 9PM EDT. We strongly suggest you get there early; you're not the only one who's psyched about the opportunity to see a living legend in such an intimate venue.
Don't forget, starting today you can buy Lee's album from all kinds of places, including right here.
Ceremony "Adult" Video Premiere
Today Spin premieres the new video for Ceremony's affecting "Adult," off their album "Zoo." Directed by BRV BLK BRD, aka Adrien Colón, the video explores the song's theme of retaining the passions and vitality of youth amid the orthodoxy of adulthood.For a look at the band themselves from last week's SXSW shows (where Stereogum voted them "Best Haircut"), check out the vivid photographic documentation from some of our favorite sites:
[caption id="attachment_17365" align="alignleft" width="537" caption="photo: Aaron Richter/Self-Titled Magazine"]
[/caption] NPR
SELF-TITLED
SPIN
PREFIX
CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND
EMUSIC
STEREOGUM
REVERB
FRONTIER PSYCHIATRIST
[caption id="attachment_17373" align="alignleft" width="537" caption="photo: Rebecca Smyne/Spin"]
[/caption]Tuesday, March 20 - London, UK - Rough Trade East 6:30 PM - FREE
Tuesday, March 20 – London, UK – XOYO?
Wednesday, March 21 – Bristol, UK – Fleece?
Thursday, March 22 – Nottingham, UK – Rock City Basement?
Friday, March 23 – Manchester, UK – Moho
?Saturday, March 24 – Leeds, UK – Santiagos
Friday, April 6 – Branx – Portland, OR w/ Milk Music?
Saturday, April 7 – Vera Project – Seattle, WA w/ Milk Music?
Friday, April 13 – Subterranean – Chicago, IL w/ Raw Nerve?
Saturday, April 14 – Borg Ward – Milwaukee, WI w/ Get Rad?
Friday, April 20 – Democracy Center – Cambridge, MA w/ Night Birds?
Saturday, April 21 – The Barbary – Philadelphia, PA w/ TBD?
Sunday, April 22 – RAS Hall – DC – w/ Night Birds?
Monday, April 23 – Terminal 5 – NYC - w/ Refused?
Monday, April 23 – Mercury Lounge – NYC (midnight)
Sunday, May 27 – The New Parish – Oakland, CA (with Big Kids, Gun Outfit & more)?
Monday, May 28 – Velevet Jones – Santa Barbara, CA?
Tuesday, May 29 – Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ?
Thursday, May 31 – Conservatory – Oklahoma City, OK
Chaos in Tejas:?
Friday, June1 – Austin, TX – The Beauty Ballroom w/ No Age & Screaming Females?
Sunday, June 3 – Austin, TX – The Mohawk w/ Moss Icon & Iceage
Getting To Know Your Local Indie Retailer - International edition, vol #2. (First print) - Banquet Records
I'm stepping in for another international edition of Mike V's excellent "Getting To Know Your Indie Retailer" column, with some words from Jon Tolley from Banquet Records in Kingston-upon-Thames, London.The shop's slogan is "More than your local record shop" and they live up to that in many ways. Last year they put on over 200 shows and instores - a number that would put many a promoter to shame, aside from that there's the 3 weekly club nights they also hold, their ever-expanding mailorder business and they even sponsor their local football team.
Aptly timed with the Ceremony show they're putting on TONIGHT, learn a little more about their story below:
1. Tell us briefly about your store.
As well documented, we were formed out of the ashes of the retail arm of Beggars Banquet. They decided they no longer wanted the retail arm of what they do. The shop (there was only one left) got given to the then boss, but after numerous failings we were about to go bust when Mike and I bought the business from the then boss. It became Banquet as we know it today 7 years ago.
We try to be more than your local record shop, with the over the counter business of the shop being about a quarter of what Banquet Records does. The other parts being mail orders, shows and clubs, and our label.
2. What got you into the independent record store business?
Some 15 years ago I saw that the then Beggars Banquet was a the heart of a bustling music community. I started working here part time, then full time, then managing, then owning. It was never a life plan to own a record shop, it was way more organic.
3. Who are some of your favorite contemporary stores?
Are we talking record stores or stores? Record stores, I like what Spillers, Rise and The Rock Box do. Otherwise there’s a lot of parallels between us and skate stores, so I’ve a lot of time for Slam City and Reskue, for example, and proper DIY businesses in Kingston like Natterjacks and The Fighting Cocks.
4. How have things been going from a business perspective?
We’ve never been busier. It’s a nightmare sometimes. You have to work harder to make the same amount of money, and you’re never ‘away’ from work. But then, in some ways, you’re never at ‘work’. Wouldn’t change it at all.
5. What do you think spells the survival for an independent record store today?
It seems that you have to do way more than just be a shop The stores that seem to be doing that seem to be doing alright. So that might be a coffee shop, being a distro, putting on gigs or whatever. Its all valid, and its all added value for the customer. Cant wait for the VAT loopholes to be closed allowing us to compete with play.com and amazon.com but I’m sure there’ll find a way around it. Having said that the biggest problem we have is high street rent and rates.
6. What are some of the coolest thing labels have done with you? Instores? Promotions? Sales?
There’s been loads. We do loads of great shows many of which are tied in with album releases, so stuff like Vampire Weekend, The Mystery Jets and even Rizzle Kicks playing for us have been great! Some of our rogue gigs and instores have been super fun. The 8AM Frank Turner instore will always be remembered. We’ve had some UK exclusives on some releases from some of our fave ever bands. That’s fun.
7. Why do we need record stores?
Music communities need music stores. So many great gigs and great music scenes happen in part because of the central place in the music community to help their growth. Opinion, care, knowledge, quality control, economies of scale, choice are all intrinsically tied in to an indie store. Be it a record shop, a hardware shop or a skate shop.
8. What kind of taco is your favourite?
I love a chomp.
9. Who are your top 3 favorite bands right now?
The Mezingers, The Wonder Years, Spycatcher.
10. What is your favorite thing about your store? And you can’t say the customers. That’s like saying Einstein or Ghandi when asked “If you could meet one person, living or dead…”
Just being that close to so many great bands, great music and great gigs. It’s a buzz.
11. What are your goals for the future of your store? Long term and short.
Just wanna keep doing what we’re doing really. We have plans for a festival in June, the labels picking up, and we do loadsa shows (last year we did over 200) but we are and always will be a record shop, and that’s the thing we always wanna look after most.
Ceremony on WNYU's Crucial Chaos tonight at 9:00PM EDT
(Flyer by Aldona Watts. Click here for a neat animated/audio version by Noah Venezia.)
Normally I'd expand upon the subject line but really the only thing you need to know that's not on the above flyer is that you can listen online at wnyu.org.
Hopefully those of you who are in Austin already know that you can and should see Ceremony at the following shows:
Friday, March 16, Brooklyn Vegan / Power of the Riff / Thrasher / Converse “Death Match”, Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th St. , 2pm (free)
Saturday, March 17, Mess With Texas, outside stage, 1105 E. 5th St., 2:45pm (free)
Saturday, March 17, Flower Booking Presents at Red 7, 611 E. 7th St., 8pm (official SXSW showcase, badges and wristbands get priority)
If you're stuck in whatever crummy burg you call home, though, tune in to Crucial Chaos tonight and get a taste of what you're missing.
Lee Ranaldo - seeing the sights of Europe (not Austin)
So whilst
So Mr Lee Ranaldo is heading over to Europe in May, we already told you about the London and Primavera Sound shows, but he's wisely filled in the rest of the dates around the continent, plus there's still dates in Holland, Denmark and Germany yet to be confirmed.
Those of you in the US still have shows throughout May and a NYC in-store. Everyone everywhere can also enjoy the wonders of Lee's new album right now.
May
31 Barcelona - Primavera - http://www.primaverasound.com/
June
2 Dudingen - Kilbi - http://www.badbonn.ch/
3 Paris - La Maroquinerie - www.avosbillets.com
4 Antwerp - Trix - www.trixonline.be
6 London - Scala - http://www.atpfestival.com/events/leeranaldoscala.php
7 Leeds - Brudenell - http://www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk
9 Porto - Primavera - http://www.primaverasound.com/
Keep an eye on the blog the rest of this week for more thrilling non-sxsw stories.
Matador & True Panther Sounds In Austin, TX This Week
Notice how careful I was not to use the trademarked brand-name, S---- By S--------? That's because the several of the events below require neither a badge nor a wristband to attend. We've helpfully pointed out the exceptions, however. As always, we're thrilled to bits to taking part, even in the tiniest of ways, in this great annual rock biz circle jerk (that sometimes features former members of the Circle Jerks) and on behalf of my fellow Austin residents, I'd like to welcome you to America's
This doesn't mean, however, you can come over to my house.
CEREMONY :
Friday, March 16, Brooklyn Vegan / Power of the Riff / Thrasher / Converse "Death Match", Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th St. , 2pm (free)
Saturday, March 17, Mess With Texas, outside stage, 1105 E. 5th St., 2:45pm (free)
Saturday, March 17, Flower Booking Presents at Red 7, 611 E. 7th St., 8pm*
THE YOUNG :
Monday, March 12, The Mohawk (inside stage), 10:20pm, (free)
Wednesday, March 14, Bar 96, 96 Rainey Street, 10pm* (with Screaming Females, Titus Andronicus)
Thursday, March 15, Mess With Texas, 1105 E. 5th St., 1pm (with The Men, Cults)
Thursday, March 15, Brooklyn Vegan Presents at Hotel Vegas, 1500 E. 6th St., 4pm (free)
Saturday, March 17, Red Eyed Fly, 715 Red River, 2pm (free) (with Bleached)
Saturday March 17, Pure Volume House at Roy's, 340 E. 2nd St., 4:15pm (with Cymbals Eat Guitars) (free)
GIRLS :
Thursday, March 15, Mess With Texas, 1100 E. 5th St., 3pm (free)
Thursday, March 15, High Road Booking Presents at Stubb's, 801 Red River, 10pm*
TANLINES :
Friday, March 16, Rhapsody Party, Club DeVille, 900 Red River 1:4pm (with Washed Out, Zola Jesus) (free)
Friday, March 16, Windish Agency Presents at ND Studios, 501 North IH-35, 8pm *
Saturday, March 17, Mess With Texas, 1105 E. 5th St., 4pm (free)
* - official SXSW event : badges and wristbands get first shot. Venue might elect to sell tickets if they're not at capacity.
LEMONADE :
Chole
Chole from Maya Kaimal's book Curried Favors: Family Recipes from South India. Chole is actually a Punjabi dish, so I was immediately interested (i.e., why would a northern dish be in a southern cookbook?)I had soaked garbanzos (chickpeas) from Rancho Gordo ready to go, so this was extremely straightforward. I highly recommend it - totally delicious. The dish calls for lemon but I only had lime.
Even more CEREMONY dates (SXSW, UK, US & BEYOND)
Ceremony have been playing some amazing shows upon the release of their brand new album 'Zoo' and there's no signs of their stopping. We're happy to announce a slew of new North America dates (& hint at even more to come). Check em out below as well as some videos that'll whet your palate for the shows (and the limited green vinyl sitting on Ceremony's merch tables!)
-Fri, March16
Brooklyn Vegan / Power of the Riff / Thrasher / Converse "Death Match"
Location: Scoot Inn (1308 E. 4th St. @ Navasota)
Ceremony Set Time: 2pm
Also On Bill: Trash Talk, OFF!, High On Fire
-Sat, March 17 -
MWTX
Location: MWTX Lot, Outside Stage (1101 E. 5th St.)
Ceremony Set Time: 2:45pm (Ceremony closes the outside stage)
Also On MWTX Outside Stage: FIDLAR, Electric Guest, Crystal Antlers
-Sat, March 17 -
Flowerbooking Showcase
Location: Red 7 (Outside) (611 E. 7th)
Ceremony Set Time: 8pm
Also On Bill: Breton, Forest Fire, The Twilight Sad, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Star Slinger
Monday, March 19 – Kingston, UK – Fighting Cocks
Tuesday, March 20 – London, UK – XOYO
Wednesday, March 21 – Bristol, UK – Fleece
Thursday, March 22 – Nottingham, UK – Rock City Basement
Friday, March 23 – Manchester, UK – Moho
Saturday, March 24 – Leeds, UK – Santiagos (venue changed)
-Friday, April 6 - Branx - Portland, OR w/ Milk Music
-Saturday, April 7 - Vera Project - Seattle, WA w/ Milk Music
-Friday, April 13 - Subterranean - Chicago, IL w/ Raw Nerve
-Saturday, April 14 - Borg Ward - Milwaukee, WI w/ Get Rad
-Friday, April 20 - Democracy Center - Cambridge, MA w/ Night Birds
-Saturday, April 21 - The Barbary - Philadelphia, PA w/ TBD
-Sunday, April 22 - RAS Hall - DC - w/ Night Birds
-Monday, April 23 - Terminal 5 - NYC - w/ Refused
-Monday, April 23 - Mercury Lounge - NYC (midnight)
- Sunday, May 27 - The New Parish - Oakland, CA (with Big Kids, Gun Outfit & more)
- Monday, May 28 - Velevet Jones - Santa Barbara, CA
- Tuesday, May 29 - Rhythm Room - Phoenix, AZ
- Thursday, May 31 - Conservatory - Oklahoma City, OK
Chaos in Tejas:
-Friday, June1 - Austin, TX - The Beauty Ballroom w/ No Age & Screaming Females
-Sunday, June 3 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk w/ Moss Icon & Iceage
"Hysteria"
*WATCH MORE VIDEOS BELOW THE JUMP*
"World Blue"
"Citizen"
"Open Head"
photo poached from mattgill's flickr
Rolling Stone and Drowned In Sound are streaming Lee Ranaldo's "Between The Times And The Tides"
In advance of the March 19(UK)/20(US) release of Lee Ranaldo's Between The Times And The Tides (that's a week people, pre-order now), Rolling Stone
And don't forget, Lee is playing a free instore at Other Music on the 20th to celebrate his album's release:
BBQ chicken Isan-style and green curry of meatballs with yellow squash
Tonight I made a Thai meal - Isan BBQ chicken and green curry with meatballs and squash. Served with jasmine rice and nam pla prik.
The Isan-style barbecued chicken recipe comes from Victor Sodsook's True Thai, which is however a book I wouldn't recommend. This dish is tasty though.
The chicken thighs marinate in a puree of cilantro, black pepper, garlic, ginger and oil:
Dipping sauce for the chicken: white vinegar boiled down with sugar and salt, then mixed with Chinese chili-garlic sauce. It's quite thick and viscous:
And here is the finished BBQ chicken Isan-style. Really the chicken should be done on the grill - I roasted and broiled it:
Part of the prep for the green curry. This is Su-mei Yu's recipe, which is thicker, sweeter and more complex than David Thompson's versions. In particular, the paste is complicated, incorporating a great deal of roasted dry spices (cumin, caraway, white peppercorns and coriander seeds), a puree of jalapenos for color, along with the usual array of bird chiles, garlic, salt, coriander root, kaffir lime zest, galangal, lemongrass, shallots and shrimp paste (which I roasted first). Here from left: galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime zest:
The chiles going into the wetgrinder (the paste at this point already includes garlic, salt, coriander root and the dry spices):
The finished green curry paste:
The ingredients for the meatballs: ground beef, minced yellow corn, chile water squeezed from the jalapeno puree, and salt:
The remaining chile water is added to the curry for color - in Thailand, they use the minced leaves of the chile plant:
Thai basil from the otherwise awesome Kalustyan's (where they incorrectly mark and market it as holy basil). Thai basil is what's called for in green curry, but the incorrect name on the package still irritates me.
The kaffir limes (normally used for only for their zest and their leaves) were unusual in having plenty of juice in them - so I added some (after carefully tasting it - it's extremely sour), and adjusted the flavors accordingly:
The final green curry, including the yellow squash, kaffir lime leaves, halved green chiles, fish sauce, white sugar, some more chile water, and of course coconut cream and coconut milk along with the Thai basil, the meatballs and the curry paste:
Free Digital Single From The Young
As subscribers to the Matador mailing list are already aware, prior to the May release of The Young's 'Dub Egg', we're giving away a digital single of the album version of "Don't Hustle For Love", along with a digital version of the non-album track, "Why Feel Spooky". You can preorder 'Dub Egg' on CD or limited edition white vinyl here at a special early discount. If you're unlucky enough to be in Austin next week, The Young are playing TOO MANY TIMES.
The Young
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