Our Annual Orgy of Self-Congratulation, Grandstanding & Overconsumption : Matador Artists & Staff Select Their 2015 Favorites
(above : 2nd annual Tidal board of directors meetings addresses burning issue #1 : failure to manipulate Matablog Year-End results. Guy in the helmet has a solution but nobody can hear him thru that thing)
Around this time every year, your
For some historical perspective, here’s last year’s selections. Questions or comments about our predictable tastes and/or inexplicable omissions are welcome (but probably not appreciated). And without further ado, let the coronations of Kendrick Lamar, Dick DIver and "The Leftovers" begin :
Erika M. Anderson, EMA
EMA 2015 TOPS
Fostering a kitten with a huge bolt coming out of his leg to fix a broken bone. He looked super cyberpunk and his name was Warboy.
Fronting a cover band for my dad’s 60th birthday party and having my mom sing back up.
Doing Virtual Reality / hybrid musical performances at both the Barbican and PS1 MoMA.
Performing at the New Museum as part of Deep Lab.
Interviewing William Gibson.
Getting really stoned on legal weed and watching “Green Inferno” followed by a “Best Of Leprechaun” montage on YouTube.
Books —
“In Preparation For The Next Life” by Atticus Lish
“White Girls” by Hilton Als
Music —
Force Publique — “Bloom”
Nicki Minaj — “Pinkprint”
Film—
Heaven Knows What
Green Inferno
TV --
South Park Season 19
Anthony Anzaldo, Ceremony
5 Records
-Tony Molina bedroom demos
-Best Coast - California Nights
-The Weeknd - Beauty Behind The Madness
-Loma Prieta - Self Portrait
-Marilyn Manson - The Pale Emperor
5 Shows
-Lights Out, September 25 at The Metro Oakland, CA
-Culture Club, July 25 at The Greek Theatre Berkeley, CA
-Noel Gallagher, May 18 Warfield SF, CA
-Jesus And Mary Chain, May 16 Warfield SF, CA
-The Chameleons, September 21 at The Elbow Room SF, CA
Jehnny Beth, Savages
Best record : Kendrick Lamar - To pimp a butterfly
Best film: Mommy with Anna Dorval by Xavier Dolan
Best exhibition: 'Recording In progress' PJ Harvey at Somerset House recording her new album in front of an audience
Best TV series: Veep (with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on HBO)
Best cartoon: The Regular Show on Cartoon Network
Best book: I'll never write my memories by Grace Jones
Best gig: Nick Cave and the bad Seeds in Paris, Le Grand Rex
Best radio show: The Alligator hour by Joshua Homme on Beat 1
Best Jewel maker: Jennifer Tull Westberg
Best clothes designer: Minimarket (Swedish brand)
Best shoe maker: KMB (handmade in Spain)
Best moment: learning to ride a motorcycle!
Ross Farrar, Ceremony
Radical Opening Bands of Tour
1) Perverts Again: Cleveland. Yes, so good. The front man had a really cool marching thing he was doing throughout the set, and the music was simple, primitive and catchy–sort of reminded me of The UV Race–most interesting / radical band of tour.
2) Night Club: Atlanta. I loved this band, very lonely sounding, very sparse, very dark. For lovers of Slint.
3) Perverted Justice: Montreal. This band tripped me out in a very good way. Old and new friends were formed that night. I've never seen anything like their setup. Five people formed a horizontal line behind Josie, lead vocalist. Starting from far right: Christine on vocals and synth, an electronic drummer next to her, another synth player next to him, and another dude next to him, but I forget what he played exactly. Each of them looked different. Cartoons playing instruments. They also covered GG–Don’t Talk to Me. Fantastic.
4) Mushmind: Tampa. Chaotic at times, but also a bit funky. Time Square was said to be a scary, grimy place in the 70's. This music could be an interesting soundtrack to that time in history. For more inquiry look for the track "Substance Control."
5) Brother Beast: NC. Vengeance against society. They are putting out a record called "Pregnant God" which I believe will be their last. Phenomenal drumming. Watch out.
6) Olivia Neutron-John: DC. Whoa. Beautiful music that conjured the new wave, the groove wave, the darker waves and the water waves all together–forming a synthetic punk version of rainbow light.
7) False Punk: Orlando. Rippers who are ripe on the scene, filled with angst, and look cool on stage. A lot of punks don’t think about how they look on stage, and that’s cool, but these guys look good. Members of Gross, who also played the show, and who also played with us the previous year. Good dudes, good tunes.
8 ) Triage: Toronto. This band really ripped. Female fronted thrash punk metal. The kind of shit you listen to driving fast through the night in New Jersey, flashing by nuclear waste dumps where Toxic Avenger was inspired.
9) VCR: Toronto. Second band in Toronto. Danger House vibes. Young kids with bad attitudes who like to play fast and freaky. Greg from S.H.I.T put out their EP, and had some funny shit to say. The singer and I spoke a bit while doing merch. Two quotes: "We're playing with Sheer Mag soon" which he was very excited about, and "We played this show to get money for tour." Best quote of tour yet so far.
10) Hide: Chicago. Extremely powerful Goth beautification. The sound was huge. The people were huger.
Samuel Fogarino, Interpol
Live:
Robert Plant - Lollapalooza, Buenos Aires
Robert Plant/Jack White - The Lemon Song - Lollapalooza, Buenos Aires
Shellac - Primavera, Barcelona
Run The Jewels - NME Awards, London
Failure - Irving Plaza, NYC
Swervedriver - The 40 Watt, Athens, GA
*Sparks/Franz Ferdinand - At some festival somewhere in Italy
*Cypress Hill - At some festival somewhere in South America
Health - They opened for Interpol on a US leg of the El Pintor tour, and destroyed it nightly.
*Sleaford Mods - At some festival in the UK or EU....
*The lines that divide and define have long since faded. I could simply reference the many tour books or the webnet for specific dates/places, but so could you.
Random:
Daniel Kessler's Milan: A Night Of Food & Drink
Interpol's live configuration hit the streets of Milan for drinks, dinner, dessert, at DK's fav haunts. I may possess the Italian surname, but Kessler will always be the Don of Milan in our camp.
Film:
Creep
Cruel And Unusual
Goodnight Mommy
Thurston Moore
1. Boredoms epic colour-coordinated drum circle of program Barbican London
2. Deb Googe & Aaron Dilloway duo noise gig at Hanson Records, Oberlin Ohio
3. The acknowledgement of transgender roles in society via bathroom signage, runway models, political prisoners et al. Cheers Chelsea Manning, Rhyannon Styles....
4. Sun Ra ephemera exhibit curated by John Corbett at contemporary art museum Nottingham UK.
5. Sonic City Festival in Belgium same week as Paris attacks (whilst other gigs were cancelled and promoters were "re-thinking" an appropriate evening out during this crises;) Sonic City festival maintained calm and celebrated free jazz/first-thought-best-thought/understanding with an unsurpassed and universal line-up of musicians from around the globe coming together for the solace that comes natural to this Independent music scene.
6. Final full year of US President Obama, savouring the last moments of clarity from the anti-gun, pro-socialised medicine Grammy Award winning Prez and fingers crossed for the future of his policies staying in place.
7. Blek Metal fest in Bergen Norway with a focus on legends and newcomers alike along with tattoo impresarios and an exhibit of Gaahl's strange-mind paintings.
8. I wasn't there, but I heard it and felt it: Hong Kong student protesters all over social media. Go, you beauties!
9. Tour in New Zealand & OZ this month, with unforgettable visits to M?ori dances and the rest a new collection of recordings of Aboriginal music. Listening to the soul of both of these nations and their respect to the Land. Also seeing their hemisphere of stars at the Meredith Festival in rural Victoria I realise how small we all are in this vast universe.
10. Duo with Jack Callahan at Shredded Fleshtival 2015. Noise never lies/dies.
Bill Nace, Body/Head, Open Mouth Records
Jake Meginsky Vandals LP (open mouth records) Halloween Dj set and live at Pencil Factory Northampton MA
Coathangers @ Sled Island Fest
Gashrat live @ Elevens Florence MA
Myriam Gendron and Ruth Garbus live @ Montague Bookmill Montague MA
Fountainsun LP on Gnome Life
David Rees paper airplane making workshop with James Tenney blasting in background MassMoca North Adams MA
NAS performing Illmatic at Sugar Mountain Festival Melbourne Australia
Xylouris White Melbourne Australia
Laying eyes on all of the original art/pages for Charles Burns Black Hole
Gwen Welliver "What a Horse" at La MaMa
Ksiezyc LP Reissue on Penultimate Press
Silk Purse live @ Max Fish
Bob Nastanovich, Pavement
I had a quiet year and didn't get around as I probably should have done But, Des Moines is happening and I was fortunate enough to stumble upon the following excellent things:
(Not in any particular order)
1. Schwervon! --Great Kansas City two piece rock band.
2. Shovels and Rope --Great Charleston, SC two piece rock band.
3. The Local Pig and Pigwich--Top butcher shop/sandwich builders in KC.
4. Easy Fruit
5. Karen Meat and The Computer
6. Ramona and The Slimdudes
7. Odd Pets
8. Tires
(.4 through .8 --Good tuneage that the cool kids of Des Moines are churning out.)
9. The Other Brothers
10. Dosh --Moniker employed by Minnesota's Martin Dosh for his mesmerizing one man act.
(EDITOR'S NOTE : Mr. Nastanovich is available for DJ bookings)
Andy Nelson, Ceremony
Albums
Dawn Of Humans - Slurping At The Cosmos Spine
Dick Diver - Melbourne, Florida
Floating Points - Elaenia
Future - 56 Nights
Lower Dens - Escape From Evil
L.O.T.I.O.N. - Digital Control And Man's Obsolescence
Max Richter - SLEEP
The Necks - Vertigo
Sneaks - Gymnastics
William Basinski - Cascade
Singles
C.C.T.V. - self-titled
Galcher Lustwerk - Parlay
Jack J - Thirstin'
Kassem Mosse / Simone White - Three Versions
Lime Crush - self-titled
Rat Columns - Fooling Around
S.H.I.T. - Feeding Time
Sheer Mag - II
Terry - Talk About Terry
Vexx - Give And Take
Reissues
Agnostic Front - No One Rules
Family - Casete
Man Is The Bastard - The Lost M.I.T.B. Sessions
Mariah - ??????? / Utakata No Hibi
Oppenheimer Analysis - New Mexico
Rose McDowall - Cut With The Cake Knife
Shackleton - Archive Series: #1
Shinichi Atobe - Ship-Scope
Uranium Club - Human Exploration
Velvet Underground - The Complete Matrix Tapes
Carl Newman, The New Pornographers
Albums:
Protomartyr - The Agent Intellect (+Under Color Of Official Right, belatedly)
Katie Von Schleicher - Bleaksploitation
The Butterscotch Cathedral - The Butterscotch Cathedral
Car Seat Headrest - Teens Of Style
Primitive Parts - Primitive Parts
Destroyer - Poison Season
Thee Oh Sees - Mutilator Defeated At Last
Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear
Miguel - Wildheart
Tame Impala - Currents
TV:
With Bob And David, Difficult People, The Leftovers, Fargo, Les Revenants, The Last Man On Earth, Nathan For You, Drunk History, Silicon Valley
Books: (I know, a couple are from 2014, but close enough)
A Brief History Of Seven Killings by Marlon James
The Book Of Strange New Things by Michel Faber
Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins
You Too Can Have A Body Like Mine by Alexandra Kleeman
Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson
Robo-Sauce by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri
Lego:
Death Star Troopers - a budget priced Star Wars set with 4 minifigures and a bad-ass laser cannon that feels more integral and well-designed than other small builds.
Black Manta Deep Sea Strike - a sleeper set from DC Comics that has had enduring appeal in this house. 2 undersea vehicles and what seems to be Aquaman's house (?). Don't count out the robo-shark (exclusive to this set)! Scuba Batman a great addition to our 4 other Batmans.
Lego City Deep Sea Explorers Starter Set - Have to give some love to the unlicensed product. A great cheap ($10) entry point to a world that becomes immediately way more expensive. See what happens when the shark takes on robo-shark from Black Manta Deep Sea Strike!
Hulk Lab Smash - featuring Hulk, Falcon, Modok
Lee Tesche, Algiers
Top 5 staff 2015, in order
1. Patrick
2. Blue
3. Natalie
4. Rian
5. Lombardi
Honourable mention: Robby
Jean-Philippe Aline, Beggars France
favorite city
Paris (75011)
favorite videos
JMSN - Addicted
Kendrick Lamar - Alright
Justin Bieber - Sorry
Tinashe - All hands on deck
favorite gigs
JMSN - Boule Noire
SAVAGES - La Route du Rock / La Maroquinerie
SUFJAN STEVENS - Le Grand Rex
BONNIE BANANE - Le Point FMR
favorite albums
KENDRICK LAMAR - To Pimp A Butterfly
PNL - Le Monde Chico
MADONNA - Rebel Heart
CARLA MORRISON - amor supremo
BOMBA ESTERO - amanecer
BJORK - Vulnicura
ALABAMA SHAKES - Sound & Color
LANA DEL REY - Honeymoon
LA PRIEST -Inji
JULIETA VENEGAS - Algo Sucede
SUFJAN STEVENS - Carrie & Lowell
NATALIE PRASS - Natalie Prass
IBEYI - Ibeyi
US GIRLS - Half Free
favorite restaurants
Tannat - Paris
Soon - Paris
Les Enfants Rouges - Paris
Longman & Eagle - Chicago
Dean Bein, True Panther Sounds
Albums
Abra - Roses XOXO (Awful)
Arca - Mutant (Mute)
Beach House - Thank Your Lucky Stars (Sub Pop)
Bing & Ruth - City Lake (RVNG, Intl.)
Björk - Vulnicura (1 Little Indian)
Bryson Tiller - Trapsoul (RCA)
D'angelo - Black Messiah (RCA)
DJ Richard - Grind (Dial)
Earl Sweatshirt - I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside (Columbia)
Eartheater- RIP Chrysalis (Hausu Mountain Records)
Floating Points - Elaenia (Pluto)
Freddie Gibbs - Shadow of a Doubt (ESGN)
Future - DS2 (Freebands)
Jack Ü - Jack Ü (Mad Decent)
Jamie XX - In Colour (XL Recordings)
JME - Integrity (BBK)
Julia Holter - Have You in My Wilderness (Domino)
Julio Bashmore - Knockin' Boots (Broadwalk)
JT The Goon - King Triton (Oil Gang)
Kamasi Washington - The Epic (Brainfeeder)
Kuedo - Assertion Of A Surrounding Presence (KNIVES)
Levon Vincent - Levon vincent (Novel Sound)
London O'Connor - O?
Mariah - Utakata No Hibi (Palto Flats)
Mas Ysa- Seraph (Downtown)
M.E.S.H. - Piteous Gate (PAN)
more eaze - Accidental Prizes
Prequel Tapes - Inner Systems (R’Coupd)
Rabit - Communion (Tri Angle)
Tame Impala - Currents (Modular/Interscope)
The Internet - Ego Death (Columbia)
Various Artists Gqom Oh! The Sound of Durban Vol.1 (PAN)
Young Thug - Barter 6 (300)
Loosies/Footlongs/EPs
Dark0 - Solace (Rinse)
Elf Kid- Golden Boy EP
Galcher Lustwerk - Parlay (Lustwerk Music)
Jack J - Thirstin' (Future Times)
Kamixlo - Demonico EP (PAN)
Kowton Glock & Roll (Whites)
Lechuga Zafiro - Aequs Nyama (Salviatek)
Nao -February 15 EP (Little Tokyo)
Nidia Minaj - Danger (Principe)
New the Pharaoh - Big Tymin
Playboi Carti - Broke Boi
Section Boyz - Lock Arff
Stormzy - everything
Tate Kobang - Bank Rolls Remix (300)
Mixtapes
Bankroll Fresh - Bankroll Fresh
Bricc Baby Shitro - Nasty Dealer
Future- 56 Nights
J HUS – The 15th Day
Lil Herb - G Herbo
Lil Simz - Age 101 : Drop 4
Lil Uzi Vert - Luv Is Rage
Wiki - Lil Me
MPA Wicced - In The Mean Time
PNL - Que La Famile
Shy Glitzy - For Trappers Only
Various Artists - N.A.A.F.I Pirata 2 (N.A.A.F.I.)
Young M.A. - Sleepwalkin'
Young Thug - Slime Season
Adam Bohl, Matador Direct
As is becoming tradition, i've waited until the last minute to try to assemble my year end list. Instead of looking back at the whole year i've decided i'll just look at the records covering my desk. Here are a few i've happened to enjoy playing over the last few weeks.
Peacers - S/T
Jeffrey Cowell - Lucky Strikes And Liquid Gold
Shannon And The Clams - Gone by Dawn
Kelley Stoltz - In Triangle Time
The Intelligence - Future Vintage
Fuzz - II
Ork Records boxset
To make up for my half-assed list I would like to bless everyone with this amazing jam I recently discovered on Youtube. You're welcome.
Stephen Burhans, Matador Direct
New Releases:
1. Dean McPhee - Fatima's Hand LP (Hood Faire)
2. Ultimate Painting - Green Lanes LP (Trouble In Mind)
3. Meg Baird - Don't Weigh Down The Light LP (Drag City)
4. Daniel Bachman - River LP (Three Lobed)
5. Masami Kawaguchi - The Mad Guitar LP (Black Petal)
6. Mdou Moctar - Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai O.S.T. LP (Sahel Sounds)
7. Flying Saucer Attack - Instrumentals 2015 2xLP (Drag City)
8. Dick Diver - Melbourne, Florida LP (Trouble In Mind)
9. The Mantles - All Odds End LP (Slumberland)
Three way tie for 10th place. Obnox - Boogalou Reed LP (12XU)
Obnox - Know America LP
(Never/Ever)
Obnox - Wiglet LP (Ever/Never)
Reissues:
1. Clay Allison - Live At The Electric Banana LP (Boot) *This may have
been a 2014 release
2. Dredd Foole - In Quest Of Tense LP (Feeding Tube)
3. David Westlake - Play Dusty For Me LP (Captured Tracks)
4. Daniel Bachman - Miscellaneous Ephemera and Other Bullshit LP (Feeding Tube)
5. Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments - Straight To Video LP (Straight To Video)
6. Les Rallizes Dénudés - Live! '77 2xLP (Victory UK) *No relation to
the Chicago label
7. Tommy McCook - The Sannic Sounds of Tommy McCook LP (Dub Store Japan)
8. Dusty Rhodes - Dusty On The Stick CS (American Dream Tapes)
9. Lilys - Eccsame The Photon Band LP (Frontier)
10. Ork Records 4xLP Box (Numero)
Steve Cross, Remote Control
20 Things I Enjoyed This Year
Angharad Drake – Majesty
The Apartments – No Song, No Spell, No Madrigal
Bill Fay - Who Is the Sender?
Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series Vol. 12: The Cutting Edge 1965–1966 Collector's Edition
Chris & Cosey – Trance
Cockney Rebel – Cavaliers
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
Emmanuelle Parrenin – Maison Rose
Heroin In Tahiti – Sun and Violence
Hot Chocolate - Put Your Love In Me
Iggy Pop - Don’t Look Down
Jackson C Frank – Kimbie
James Ferraro - Skid Row
John Carpenter - Lost Themes Remixed
Known Ocean – Known Ocean
Kurt Vile - b'ieve i'm goin (deep) down…
Mbongwana Star – Kala
Natalie Prass - Natalie Prass
The Orbweavers - Poison Garden
The Paradise Motel – Aeroplanes
Rian Fossett, Matador Records
Music -
Jenny Hval - Apocalypse, Girl
Floating Points - Elaenia
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
Mbongwana Star - From Kinshasa
Fluoride - Material
Deaf Wish - Pain
Salad Boys - Metalmania
The Weather Station - Loyalty
Dungen -Allas Sak
Royal Headache - High
Movies -
Mustang, Victoria
Books -
M Train, My Struggle (Book2), 10:04
TV -
Mr. Robot, The Affair, Death Parade
Al Harmon, Beggars Group
Albums
Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
Jamie xx – In Colour
Adele - 25 - I bought the Target Exclusive CD with the bonus tracks. I can’t recall the last time I purchased an actual cd. So glad the Beggars’ office MACs still have a slot for cds. (no shade) Also it was the first time that I have ever been in a Target store. And get this! I play the album a lot but never listen to the bonus tracks.
Hamilton: An American Musical – Lin Manuel Miranda (and cast)
Janet Jackson - Unbreakable – Total fan bias here. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for the win again!
Individual Tracks
Missy Elliot – “WTF (Where They From)”
Kirk Franklin - “When” featuring Kim Burrell and Lalah Hathaway from Losing My Religion
Dr. Dre featuring Anderson.Paak “Animals” from Compton
Jill Scott – “Jahraymecofasola” from Woman
Lapsley – “Falling Short” from Understudy (EP)
Lianne La Havas – “Good Goodbye” from Blood
Concert
Stevie Wonder – “Songs In the Key of Life Tour” – November 24, 2015. – Amazing! Incredible! Diverse crowd of all ages jamming and singing along. And Stevie played for 4 hours and his voice is still golden.
Other random thoughts:
Wimbledon 2015. Finally made it to the All England Club. WOW! Just WOW! Bonus: Serena won (and I saw her first round match!)
Jessica Jones and Daredevil (Netflix) - Not a huge comic book fan but I am loving these Marvel Shows on Netflix.
The Wiz Live didn’t suck.
And the NY Mets made it the World Series.
Matt Harmon, Beggars Group
Destroyer - Poison Season (Merge)
Rat Columns - Fooling Around (Blackest Ever Black)
Royal Headache - High (What’s Your Rupture)M.E.S.H. - Piteous Gate (Pan)
Josh Abrams - Magnetoception (Eremite)
Byron Westbrook - Precipice (Root Strata)
Mikal Cronin - MCIII (Merge)
Dan Melchior / Russell Walker - In Durham LP (Kill Shaman Records)
Anna Caraagnano & Donato Dozzy - Sintetizzatrice (Spectrum Spools)
Helen - The Original Faces (Kranky)
Julia Holter - Have You In My Wilderness (Domino)
Natural Information Society & Bitchin’ Bajas - Autoimaginary Drag City)
Metabolismus und Fifty Fifty - A Circle Inside a Square Inside… (Black Sweat Records)
Ellen Fullman - The Long String Instrument (Superior Viaduct) re-issue
A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (Legacy) 25th Anniversary
Sun City Girls - Torch of the Mystics (Abduction) LP reissue
Stars of the Lid - The tired sounds of… (Kranky) LP reissue
Natalie Judge, Matador Records
Top 10 Instagram accounts for 2015
1. earlboykins
2. al_english (#goodmorningbam)
3. chrissimpsonsartist
4. snoopygrams
5. gifs
6. baloublue
7. fatherjohnmisty
8. miguel
9. goatsofanarchy
10. ziggylepiggy
Blue Kirkhope, Matador Records
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2015
Travelling on a Megabus from London to Glasgow and receiving a phone call from none other than Natalie Judge offering me the role at Matador. Best Megabus journey EVER.
Visiting America for the first time - NYC for CMJ. So much fun with the most amazing people.
Meeting Henry Rollins.
Going home to Scotland for my 23rd birthday and exploring the Isle of Skye.
Drinking lots of whisky.
Discovering this video of David Bowie and Mick Jagger (extremely late to the party I know)
SHOWS OF 2015
Nick Cave @ Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Suicide @ The Barbican
Deerhunter @ Shepherd’s Bush
Philip Glass @ The Barbican
Le Guess Who Festival in Utrecht (best festival ever just FYI)
Built To Spill @ Bi Nuu in Berlin
ALBUMS OF 2015 (in alphabetical order)
Algiers - Algiers
Empress Of - Me
Girls Names - Arms Around a Vision
Jenny Hval - Apocalypse, girl
Julia Holter - Have You In My Wilderness
Kurt Vile - b'lieve i'm goin down
Marching Church - This World Is Not Enough
Miguel - Wildheart
Nils Frahm - Solo
Ought - Sun Coming Down
Protomartyr – The Agent Intellect
The Soft Moon - Deeper
Viet Cong - Viet Cong
Widowspeak - All Yours
Young Fathers - White Men Are Black Men Too
TRACKS OF 2015
David Bowie - Blackstar
Ought - Beautiful Blue Sky
Deerhunter - Snakeskin
ANIMAL(S) OF 2015
This lizard playing leaf guitar.
Sonya Kolowrat, Beggars Group
My best "stuff" of 2015
-seeing Low Cut Connie cover Harry Nilsson at SXSW
-diving deep into Harry Nilsson
Down Down The Deep River
-Seeing FKA Twigs in Sunset Park and then schooling myself about the amazing word of ball culture/finally watched Paris is Burning
-Documentary: Deli Man
-Kirin J. Callinan's instagram
-Seeing Warpaint in Toronto and catching up with many friends, some I hadn't seen in years
-Capri Social Club
-going back in time and seeing Billy Idol + Culture Club this year
-Tracy Helsing, Rich Roll, Mishka Shubaly - people that inspired me this year
-Prurient at Output
-Superiority Burger
Shira Knishkowy, Matador Records
albums i loved this year and listened to a lot, in no particular order, aside from being alphabetical:
beach slang - the things we do to find people who feel like us
dave rawlings machine - nashville obsolete
dungen - allas sak
floating points - elaenia
hop along - painted shut
kacey musgraves - pageant material
lower dens - escape from evil
jamie xx - in colour
jim o’rourke - simple songs
moon duo - shadow of the sun
royal headache - high
ryan adams - 1989
sleater kinney - no cities to love
sannhet - revisionist
the internet - ego death
the very best - makes a king
Charlie Masure, Beggars France
1. Romare - Projections (Ninja Tune)
2. Algiers - Algiers (Matador)
3. Ivy Lab - 20/20 (20/20 LDN)
4. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly (Top Dog Entertainment / Interscope)
5. Glenn Astro - Throwback (Tartelet Records)
6. Contact Field Orchestra - Volume 2 (Hit+Run)
7. Chassol - Big Sun (Tricatel)
8. Kahn.Commodo.Gantz - Volume 1 (Deep Medi Musik)
9. Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color (Rough Trade)
10. STUFF. - STUFF. (Buteo Buteo)
Emmaline McCourt, Matador Records
Ten Eleven Great Albums of 2015
1. Royal Headache - High (What’s Your Rupture?)
2. Jamie xx - In Colour (Young Turks)
3. Protomartyr - The Agent Intellect (Hardly Art)
4. Gun Outfit - Dream All Over (Paradise of Bachelors)
5. S. Araw “Trio” XI - Gazebo Effect (Drag City)
6. Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Style (Matador)
7. Black Time - Aerial Gobs of Love (Forbjudna Ljud)
8. Baba Commandant and the Mandigo Band - Juguya (Sublime Frequencies)
9. Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell (Asthmatic Kitty)
10. Thee Arcadians - We Have Come For Your Parents (Feeding Tube)
11. Personable - New Lines (Peak Oil)
Five Comically Tragic Moments of 2015
1. The Chipotle E-Coli Outbreak
2. Losing my Dick Diver pin at a Majical Cloudz show
3. The great Pitchfork record fair flood
4. Deciding to name my bowling team Dolphin Pizza Gutz
5. Doing my taxes the day my wisdom teeth were removed
Five Memorable Show Experiences of 2015
1. Road tripping to Boston to see my friends Boom Said Thunder and Ghost Box Orchestra play with Major Stars at the Middle East Upstairs
2. (Most likely) being the youngest person in attendance for Lilys at Baby’s All Right
3. Complete playing Hoogie-Boogie Land before my very eyes at Union Pool
4. Those few months I pretty much only saw Australian bands (The Cannanes, Deaf Wish, Courtney Barnett…to name only a few)
5. Running into my high school physics teacher at The Ex and Ken Vandermark show at Bell House
And finally...Top Three Moments Celebrating Other People’s Life Events in 2015
1. Being a Groomsmaid in my roommates’ wedding...
2. Watching a couple people I went to college with become priests…
3. Catching this bouquet…
Hana Mogulescu, Beggars Group
Julia Holter - Have You In My Wilderness
Natalie Prass - S/T
Jamie xx - In Colour
#DrakeAlwaysOnBeat
D’Angelo - Black Messiah
Justin Bieber - “What Do You Mean?" (s/o to Matt Harmon)
Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell
Lower Dens - Escape From Evil
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love
Christine & The Queens - “Jonathan" (feat. Perfume Genuis)
Kurt Vile - b’lieve i’m going down…
Bjork - Vulnicura
Ryan Adams - 1989
Robby Morris, Matador Records
dick diver,
floating points,
nicolas jaar,
oneohtrix point never,
ought,
royal headache,
kamasi washington,
the weather station
Angelica Pasquini, Beggars Group
Top 10 Anonymous Complaints & Questions of 2015:
10. “Ugh…. Why is the maintenance guy is always cleaning the bathroom when I have to use it?”
9. “Do you have any other kinds of candy? I don’t like this kind.”
8. “Can you stop buying this candy? I eat it too much.” (same person as #9)
7. “What should I have for lunch?” *gets a suggestion* “Mmm…No….”
6. “Ugh…Wow…This driver is an idiot. I have to walk around the corner to get to the (free) Uber.”
5. “Could you look up what kind of pen this is and order it? *hands over a pen*
4. “Where can I find an ATM?”
3. “It’s really dark above my desk. Thanks.”
2. “What is my password?”
1. “Is this PR consulting?”
Gonzalo Schiafinno, Everlasting Popstock
Albums
SEASICK STEVE - Sonic Soul Surfer
COURTNEY BARNETT - Sometimes I Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit
HOUNDMOUTH - Little Neon Light
ALABAMA SHAKES - Sound And Color
JIM O’ROURKE - Simple Songs
BILL FAY - Who Is The Sender
MIKAL CRONIN - MCIII
FAITH NO MORE - Sol Invictus
CHRISTOPHER OWENS - Chriss Baby Forever
RICKIE LEE JONES - The Other Side Of Desire
RYLEY WALKER - Primrose Green
MARK LANEGAN - Houston: Publishing Demos 2002
KURT VILE - B’lieve I’m Goin’ Down
JOSEPH ARTHUR - Days Of Surrender
KEITH RICHARDS - Crosseyed Heart
TEN COMMANDOS - Ten Commandos
JOSH RITTER - Sermon On The Rocks
Albums From Spain
KIKE SUAREZ Y LA DESBANDADA - Sueño A La Vista
GUADALUPE PLATA - Guadalupe Plata (2015)
CHRISTINA ROSENVIGE - Lo Nuestro
CRUDO PIMENTO - Fania Helvete
To Discover
MONOCERO - https://soundcloud.com/monocero
DOBLE CAPA
Reissues
ROLLING STONES - Sticky Fingers
MARK LANEGAN - One Way Street (Box Set)
VELVET UNDERGROUND - Loaded
BOOK
Catálogo Irracional - Ignacio Juliá (Best book ever written about Lou Reed)
Gabe Spierer, Beggars Group
These are my favorite records of 2015, in no particular order except to say that Dick Diver made (by far) my favorite record of the year:
Dick Diver - Melbourne, Florida
Jim O’Rourke - Simple Songs
The Weeknd - Beauty Behind The Madness
Future - DS2
Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell
Dr. Dre - Compton
Mikal Cronin - MCIII
Claire Taylor, Beggars Group
Albums:
Meg Baird - Don’t Weigh Down the Light
Dungen - Allas Sak
Chris Forsyth / Koen Holtkamp - The Island
Moon Duo - Shadow of the Sun
Jim O’Rourke - Simple Songs
Ty Segal - Ty Rex
Ryley Walker - Primrose Green
TV:
Bloodline
BoJack Horseman
The Great British Baking Show
The Leftovers
Mr. Robot
Peaky Blinders
Show Me A Hero
Silicon Valley
Veep
Patrick Amory, Matador Records
Greatest 1980s Hardcore Songs:
10. The F.U.'s - C.E.T.A. Suckers
9. Raw Power - Don't Let Me See It
8. The Middle Class - Out Of Vogue (even though it's from 1979)
7. Negative FX - Might Makes Right fragment
6. Discharge - Doomsday
5. Sorry - cover of Minor Threat Filler from last show cassette
4. The Fix - No Idols
3. Angry Samoans - Steak Knife
2. SS Decontrol - Nothing Done
1. Government Issue - Blending In
Gerard Cosloy, Matador Records
Sleaford Mods - Key Markets (Harbinger Sounds)
75 Dollar Bill - Wooden Bag (Other Music)
Golden Pelicans - Oldest Ride, Longest Line (Total Punk)
Dick Diver - Melbourne, Florida (Trouble In Mind)
Obnox - Wiglet (Ever/Never)
Life Stinks - You’ll Never Make It (S-S)
Institute - Catharsis (Sacred Bones)
Joan Shelley - Over & Even (No Quarter)
Spray Paint - Punters On A Barge (Homeless)
Ultimate Painting - Green Lanes (Trouble In Mind)
Stickmen With Ray Guns - Grave City (End Of An Ear)
Salad Boys - Metalmania (Trouble In Mind)
Video - The Entertainers (Third Man)
Thee Speaking Canaries - Platter Base Must Be Constructed of Moon Rock (Chunklet)
Scharpling & Wurster - The Best Of The Best Show (Numero)
Protomartyr - The Agent Intellect (Hardly Art)
Waxahatchee - Ivy Trip (Merge)
Destruction Unit - Negative Feedback Resistor (Sacred Bones)
The Lloyd Pack - A Tribute (Amish)
Mint Mile - In Season & Ripe (Comedy Minus One)
Icepick -Amaranh (Astral Spirits/Monofonus Press)
Power - Electric Glitter Boogie (Cool Death)
Diãt - Positive Energy (Iron Lung)
Motherfucker - Confetti (Sick Room)
Anthony Pasquarosa - Morning Meditations (Vin Du Select Qualitite)
The Barreracudas - Can Do Easy (Oops Baby)
Black Time - Aerial Gobs Of Love (Förbjudna Ljud)
V/A - We're Loud (90's Cassette Punk Unknowns) (Slovenly/Black Gladiator)
7"'s
Black Panties - "Prophet Of Hate" b/w "Violence" (Total Punk)
Girls Pissing On Girls Pissing - "Nine Of Swords" b/w "Ng." (Crane Fortune)
Savoy Motel - "Souvenir Shop Rock" b/w "Hot One" (Official Memorabilia)
Mystic Inane - "Eggs Onna Plate" 7" (Lumpy)
Dan Melchoir & Russell Walker - "Sad Son-In-Law" b/w "I Could Sit Here Forever" (Kill Shaman)
Uranium Orchard - "Unchurched Shitheads" (Cold Vomit)
tapes
ISS - s/t (Loki)
Rik & The Pigs - s/t (Lumpy)
Homostupids - sleepy time music man tape (Outsider Tapes)
live : Flesh Eaters, Great American Music Hall, January,
Deaf Wish, Trailer Space, Austin, October
Golden Pelicans, Will's Pub, Orlando, March,
Xylouris White, Bowery Ballroom, February
Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, over and over again, various Austin locations
Wrekmeister Harmonies, The Owl, Chicago, April
Sissy Spacek, Elk's Lodge, Cambridge, July
Mordecai, Ace Of Cups, Columbus, July
Big Zit, Mohawk, Austin, June
Watery Love, Rickshaw Stop, SF, July
Musk, Hi Tone, Memphis, September
The Grifters, Beerland, Austin, November
big screen : "The Entertainment", "The Overnighters"|
small screen : "Rick & Morty", "The Leftovers", "Nathan For You"
book : Richard Price - "The Whites" (Holt & Company)
2016 look out below dept : Lung Letters (Austin), Borzoi (Austin), Wet Ones (K.C.), Slimy Member (Dallas), Dalton Castle (Catalina Island)
Sorry, Our Psychic Quit In 1995
Date: June 22, 2012 4:39:48 AM EDTDear (NAME REDACTED)
I don't speak very well english, because I'm french, but I'll try.
I have a problem with old albums of the matador's group between 1996 and 2005.
Is a psychic at matador in this years ?
I found my life in a lot of albums, like belle and sebastian, you, and others groups.
The more big problem is the group "Fuck" band, where all the CD's "Pardon my french" turn around my private life.
Is there a psychic who help you to do your album at Matador betwenn 1996 and 2005.
Do you know a psychic who could do that ?
Thanks.
(NAME REDACTED)
Staff photos from Matador at 21
Some photos from the people who make it all happen here... click on the photos for full-size images.This is the full Matador and Beggars staff (minus a casualty or two):
BACK ROW: Amy Morgan (just the hair), Julia Willinger, Jeremy Kirkland, Sonya Kolowrat, Michaella Solar-March, Hector Montes, Adam Carroll, Dan Gallo, Blake Thomas, Paul Redding, Gerard Cosloy, Jeremy P. Goldstein, Dave Martin, Stuart Davie, Claire Taylor, Chris Lombardi.
MIDDLE ROW: Lisa Gottheil, Gabe Spierer, Natalie Judge, Brigitte Green, Patrick Amory, Miwa Okumura, Rusty Clarke, Catherine Herrick
FRONT ROW: Mike Venutolo-Mantovani, Todd Netter, Matt Harmon, Nils Bernstein, Steve Glauber, Adam Bohl
And here are the Matador label people specifically:
RobbyMorris, Natalie Judge, Chris Lombardi (in background - Silver Fox), Nils Bernstein, Martin Mills, Patrick Amory, Gerard Cosloy, Stuart Davie.
(NOT SHOWN: Dean Bein)
All photos by the great Reuben Cox.
Matador At 21 : The Lost Weekend - AUTOPSY TIME
That didn't turn out so badly, did it? From our perspective the paying customers and bands at last weekend's Matador 21 celebrations at The Palms (NOT SHOWN ABOVE, sheesh!) had a great time. So did we --- ridiculously so. I think I can speak on behalf of Chris, Patrick and Martin when I say the 72 whirlwind was equal parts humbling, gratifying and inspiring --- the overwhelming majority of performances were scorchers (feel free to rate 'em yourself in the comments area) and we couldn't have been more psyched to be surrounded by such a crazy bunch of friends, old and new, from around the world. That so many of you went to such lengths to attend this event is not something we're gonna forget for a very long time.
We've got a mountain of people to thank and if I've left anyone out, please take it easy on me BECAUSE MY HEAD STILL HURTS FROM SUNDAY. To our co-promoter, FYF Fest (Sean Carlson, Phil Hoelting, Mariko Jones) gracias for believing this could actually work. To our hosts, The Palms Resort & Casino, you couldn't have been more gracious or helpful (especially when you removed the "PRIME RIB SPECIAL" text and replaced it with "MATADOR 21 : SOLD OUT" on the marquee). Though the auspices of MySpace Music, millions of viewers around the globe were able to see Mitch Mitchell nearly get his lights punched out some amazing shows. Altamont - thanks for the cool tote bags (and for not cursing us, with, y'know, Altamont-esque vibes) , Incase, thanks for the iPhone cases. Sailor Jerry, Miller and Black Star --- despite nearly killing a few of us, we're thanking you as well.
Transmission's Graham Williams and Johnny Sarkis performed tireless troubleshooting duties just hours after opening a new venue in Austin, TX. David Scheid became "THE FIXER" in ways that had no impact on Sunday's NFL schedule, but heroically assisted our efforts over the weekend in ways we can barely quantify. I've already thanked Nils Bernstein, Gabe Spierer and Adam Farrell privately, so I'll not embarrass them by citing their brilliant work in this public space. Winston Case's excursions into the Matador video vaults might've exposed him to asbestos, bed bugs and VIDEO MADNESS, but such sacrifices kept us entertained between bands. Archivist Jesper Eklow and former design geniuses, Mark Ohe and Frank Longo, helped assemble many of the fantastic materials that were on dazzling display over the course of the weekend. We thank Zia Records and Origami Records for setting up show in the lobby, and patiently answering my inquiry about that "fuck you" song I've heard so much about (weirdly, that record wasn't for sale).
Our masters of ceremonies for the weekend were thrown to the lions and somehow emerged unscathed ; Jeffrey Jensen, Bob Nastanovich, Tom Scharpling and Jon Wurster, thank you so much for sparing all 2300 ticket holders the "humor" of Jay Mohr. On the DJ front, we commend Mike Haliechuk, James McNew, Dean Bein, Rusty Clarke and Dave Martin for supplying excellent pre-recorded entertainment. Karaoke Underground made their Las Vegas debut late Saturday and Sunday nights and with assistance from such members of the Matador roster as Ted Leo, Sandy Miranda, Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley, showed the Matador at 21 attendees what Austin residents have known for ages (ie. K.U.'s shows-are-tops, so thanks, Kaleb & Hannah).
An attempt to do something on this scale wasn't gonna be without hiccups --- or wild coughing spasms. But by the time Guided By Voices had concluded their 30 song set early Monday morning, we felt like The Lost Weekend was everything we'd hoped for and a little bit more. You might feel otherwise, and perhaps someday there will be an open forum of some sort where you can freely express your dissent. Until that day arrives, however, everyone who wasn't there will just have to trust me when I say Matador At 21 Was A Blast (and now I need a cold washcloth). To the people who care so much about our artists and label, thank you for sharing it with us.
REVISED SCHEDULE : Matador At 21 : The Lost Weekend In Las Vegas, The Palms
First off, if these changes have left anyone disappointed or inconvenienced, we're truly sorry. I've been watching videos of the guys in the BP commercials all week trying to strike the right tone for this post, and wouldn't you know it, MY VIDEO CAMERA IS BROKEN. Bullet dodged.
On the bright side, hey, DEAD MEADOW are playing. The opening VIP gala is still happening at 4pm Friday in the Hardwood Suite with dj sets by Ted Leo and myself. Same room becomes a VIP lounge Friday and Saturday nights, plus late night dj action on Friday (James McNew, Dean Bein) and Saturday (Dave Martin, Robby Morris). Here's the live entertainment schedule of events. Much like real life, everything is subject to change.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1st
THE PEARL
Pavement: 12:00am – 1:00am
Sonic Youth: 10:40pm – 11:30am
Fucked Up: 9:35pm – 10:15pm
Chavez: 8:30pm – 9:10pm
Guitar Wolf: 7:30pm – 8:10pm
Doors: 7:00pm
MC : Jeff Jensen
LATE NIGHT PARTY IN PALMS BALLROOM (LIMITED CAPACITY)
Fucked Up Vs. Ted Leo and The Pharmacists: 1:30am – 2:30am
(One stage. Two bands. At once. They're supposed to take turns, song by song...but who knows?)
Doors: 1:00am
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2nd
THE PEARL
Belle & Sebastian: 11:45pm – 1:00am
Spoon: 10:25pm – 11:15pm
Superchunk: 9:20pm – 10:00pm
Cat Power: 8:15pm – 8:55pm
Perfume Genius: 7:55pm – 8:15pm
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: 6:50pm – 7:30pm
Come: 5:45pm – 6:25pm
Girls: 4:40pm – 5:20pm
Doors 4:00pm
MC : Bob Nastanovich
MATINEE IN THE PALMS BALLROOM (LIMITED CAPACITY)
Dead Meadow: 2:30pm – 3:15pm
Harlem: 1:30pm – 2:05pm
Doors: 1:00pm
LATE NIGHT PARTY IN PALMS BALLROOM (LIMITED CAPACITY)
Cold Cave: 2:25am - 3:15am
Esben and The Witch: 1:30am – 2:00am
Doors: 1:00am
KARAOKE UNDERGROUND AT LITTLE BUDDHA:
STARTS AT 1:30am
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3rd
THE PEARL
Guided By Voices: 11:30pm – 1:00am
Yo La Tengo: 10:10pm – 11:05pm
Liz Phair: 9:50pm – 10:10pm
The New Pornographers: 8:40pm – 9:25pm
Ted Leo and The Pharmacists: 7:35pm – 8:15pm
Shearwater: 6:30pm – 7:10pm
Doors: 6:00pm
MC's : Tom Scharpling & Jon Wurster
MATINEE IN THE PALMS BALLROOM
The Clean: 4:30pm – 5:15pm
Times New Viking: 3:30pm – 4:05pm
Kurt Vile: 2:30pm – 3:05pm
Doors: 2:00pm
General questions : [email protected]
This event is sponsored by MySpace Music, Altamont, Incase, Sailor Jerry and Yowie.
Mission of Burma air their not so Dirty Laundry
While in Los Angeles during their November tour, Mission of Burma, or at least 3/4s of Burma, were able to air their dirty laundry from the comfort of the Echo's artist green room. Admittedly Burma's dirty laundry is lacking of any major dirt as the band opted to praise Matador honchos Gerard Cosloy and Patrick Amory, name check fellow label mates, Yo La Tengo and Sonic Youth, and thank Burma fans who have supported them for decades, instead of airing any grievances or talking any smack. But these days there is too much negativity anyway, so we were pleased just to watch them tell their story.
A nice backstage conversation, courtesy of Dirty Laundry TV, which shows just how nice these guys really are. If you're in Boston or New York in January then stop by the following shows to see just how good these guys really are!
Fri, 1/15 - Boston - Paradise
Sat, 1/16 - Boston - Paradise
Fri, 1/29 - New York - Bowery Ballroom
Sat, 1/30 - New York - Bowery Ballroom
Wear the Good-Cause Hat: Anna Ives vs. Cancer
Anna Ives is the very young, very adorable daughter of Zac and Amy Ives. Zac is co-owner of Goner Records, the singer for Final Solutions, and a flat-out great guy. The Goner Records BBS is currently holding an auction while Zac, Amy, and Anna are in Boston, where the latter is receiving specialized radiation treatment. The auction is to help offset the Ives' mounting hospital bills. I'm here to encourage Matablog readers to either bid on some of the great finds that have made it to the block, and to offer their own donated items for auction. All of the needed information, including Anna's story, can be found HERE.
The auction can be found HERE.
Read the Memphis Commercial Appeal story about Anna...
Additional questions not answered by those links can be directed to Eric Friedl: [email protected]
Thanks!
Jennifer O'Connor in Omaha - Antiquariam Records
Today is the first day of my 10 date midwest run with Son Ambulance. Right now I'm sitting at The Old Mattress Factory or The Matt Bar and Grill as it says on my pint glass - eating some fish tacos and looking at 13 different large screen TVs showing baseball and golf.This afternoon I visited Antiquarium Records. I got a used copy of Grizzly Bear's Yellow House on CD for $4 and I spoke with Chelsea.
JO'C: How long have you been working here?
Chelsea: About 3 months.
JO'C: What did you have for lunch today?
Chelsea: A bagel.
JO'C: What's your favorite place to eat in Omaha?
Chelsea: Amsterdam Falafel & Kebab on 50th Street.
JO'C: That's the 2nd time I've gotten a falafel joint recommendation in my 3 times asking this question of record store employees. Hmm....
What's your favorite local band?
Chelsea: Box Elders (Jeremiah of Box Elders was hanging out behind the counter with his geetar).
JO'C: What's your favorite record of 2008 so far?
Chelsea: Times New Viking!
JO'C: Yes, I've heard of them somewhere. No, I'm kidding - I love their record too. To continue the Matador theme we have going here, what is your favorite Matador band of all time?
Chelsea: Pavement!
JO'C: Good choice.
Anything else you'd like to add for the Matablog readers?
Chelsea: Keep buying records and going to record stores!
JO'C: Wise words.
I would like to note that this was a charming store with very nice people and lots of vinyl! When I told Chelsea I was on Matador and what I was there to do, she remarked that she wasn't cool enough for Matador - that I should wait for the owner to come back because he was cooler. I just want Chelsea and everyone else to know...that they ARE cool enough for Matador. Matador loves you. And so do I.
xox
JO'C
PS. I'll be doing some myspace blogging about the shows and such on my, uh, myspace page.
Matador's Final News Update of '07 + Staff & Artist Top Tens
(Matador's annual Xmas party for Soon-To-Be-Abandoned Kids was once again, a huge hit)
Ok, the climatic update has just been posted and while most of it is most assuredly old-fuckin'-news for regular readers of the Matablog, we have, however, managed to collect year-end Top Top Tens (12's? 15's?) from an All-Star cast including Stuart Braithwaite, James McNew, Roger Miller, Jennifer O'Connor, Howard Draper, Luke Horton, Times New Viking and other close pals of The Record Co. Enjoy...and if you're not checking your computer again until January 2, the staff, management and ownership of Matador wish you a very, very happy December 21st!
Shat In The (Linkin Park's) Van!!
No square inch of scenery left to chew, no square inch of Shatner's ass to kiss, and no clips of the interview on YouTube yet, but one can enjoy Mike Patton exploring everything that happened in music between The Infectious Grooves and Linkin Park!SXSW: In Their Own Words
While you might be sick of us gushing about that well-on-its-way to being legendary "Shearwater at Central Prez" concert down in Austin, Howard and Jonathan have posted some personal accounts on the blog scribed by our favorite Brooklyn via Austin gentleladies.
Howard and Jonathan: Baby grands, track bike handlebars, churches and cake
(note: regarding karaoke, what happens in N. Austin stays in N. Austin)
Cat Power at the Brits
This was the scene on Wednesday night at the glittering Brit Awards, the UK's equivalent of the Grammys. Cat Power was given the accolade of being nominated as Best International Female and both Chan Marshall and co-emperor of Matador Records Chris Lombardi are seen taking it all in. Held at Earls Court (surely the worlds biggest hanger?) home to the Ideal Home Show and various superstar triumphs and disasters over the years, thousands of media industry types and even more pop loving civilians witnessed a roll call of the great and the good (it says here). OK it wasn't the "carnival of mayhem" Russell Brand promised us and we all secretly wished for but there was enough going on to keep us amused and appalled all night. Compere Mr Brand's opening salvo at David Cameron raised him a notch or two to my mind and although he managed the usual percentage of own goal jokes ("Queens vagina" anyone ? I mean anyone?) he carried off the night with ease.Unfortunately Cat Power didn't walk away with the award she so justly deserved but since when has true and authentic quality, style and genuine talent won out against production teams, song doctors and corporate back scratching at such events. (OK a couple of times). But we weren't the only ones that wuz robbed Justin Timberlake over Bob Dylan, don't get me started.
Rumours of strange fluctuations in the telephone voting I am sure are just that. Of course Orson deserved that award - fair and square. And to my mind their acceptance speech was one of the low highlights of the evening that makes the Brits such a memorable entertainment in the pop firmament.
The Arctic Monkeys didn't accept their awards in person but their filmed acceptance speeches first dressed as characters from the Wizard of Oz (great cowardly lion by the way) and then as the Village People really did show their humorous side.
I also learnt that British people LOVE Take That. I mean everybody or at least 99% of them and the other 1% are probably in comas. They have obviously transcended every hurdle to become the sort of icon that is unimpeachable (at least until the next tabloid revelation - build em up and shoot them down).
And we finished up with only one staff member missing in action the next day.
Pavement Fan Of The Month : Ms. Loretta Scars
What's better than a Grammy, what could a be a more heart wrenching tribute than a Lifetime Achievement Award? Better than having the Key to the City? A Holiday named after you? A full page Obituary in the New York Times. Forget about a tattoo with your favorite band's logo on your arm. How about changing your name to to a song from one your favorite bands! I'm not talking about just your first name, hell there's plenty of GLORIA's or SARA's or Maybelline's out there, but how about BOTH first and last names? Now, sure there's gotta be a Captain Jack somewhere down in the Florida Keys, But that's not what we're talking about! While we haven't had a chance to enjoy your "slow love" tributes to the band on the Sliver Screen we trust they are as charming as you seem to be.Cheers Loretta, for being Pavement's Fan of the Month.