that moment when the soul stirrers lift out into the interpolation of “motherless child”…. just perfect.
Sam Cooke & the Soul Stirrers - Jesus, Wash Away My Troubles
here at b3sci, we love chicago and quite right we also love rock and roll, and third we love to get down. so using that scale lets see how the yolks stack up… the yolks are a three piece band from chicago (+1). the yolks play some great fuckin’ rock and roll (+2). and “wandering” is just one of the many tunes on the band’s self-titled LP we can seriously get down to . (+3)
rating: 8.5
Kellen & Me: “Joann’s Great Big Noose” (exclusive download!)
Kellen & Me: “Serenity Song” (exclusive download!)
if you’ve frequented Chicago’s local songwriter venues, you might have been fortunate enough to catch one of the scenes newest best kept secrets… experimental folk songsmith Kellen & Me. amidst preparation of his first full length album, b3science caught up with the multi-tasking instrumentalist between sets, night jobs and excessive pondering for a brief Q&A.
b3sci: so you’re a one man band?
kellen: yeah, i use a loop pedal for spontaneous rhythms and abstract elements, but i do so that the focus isn’t on the pedal- it’s more on the song and the melodies.
b3sci: do you prefer flying solo, or do you one day wish to rock a band?
kellen: at first i thought having a band was the ultimate goal, but what i was looking for wasn’t coming, so i said fuck it, it’s not gonna stop me. in the future a band could be great, but only the right band will do.
b3sci: have to ask. what’s you favorite dental instrument?
kellen: umm, gotta go with the mirror.
b3sci: the big one or little one?
kellen: the little one they go in your mouth with. i wish i had one of those… i think spys use them to look around corners.
b3sci: while were on the subject, who’s your favorite globalist front group?
kellen: you mean like the free masons? yeah them. really anybody that uses symbolic imagery. you know the whole marketing of symbolic things using subconcious imagery. i actually grew up in a town with a whole bunch of masons. their were a bunch of temples with no windows and stuff. they were always kind of interesting to me.
… they never let me in, but i did meet a mason when i was pruning apple trees in wisconsin. he’d told me they’d been watching me ever since i was a young child. he was a very serious man. i didn’t believe him, but it peaked my curiosity.
b3sci: haha do you think their watching you right now?
kellen: it’s flattering, i wouldn’t mind if they were. i could definitely use their support.
b3sci: how did you make that incredible video for “Batteries and Frequencies”
Kellen: i stumbled on this technique when i was in high school and just kind of started messing with it.. you plug a video camera directly into the audio video output of a television, and then shine the camera into the television. you’ll get all sorts of images from the light feeding back depending on how you hold the camera. you’ll get all of these free association kind of images.
b3sci: what are you looking to accomplish with your music
kellen: i’m playing music to make some sort of interpretation of my own inner world and to bring it out into reality, and hopefully people will want to listen to it.
b3sci: when can we expect a record?
kellen: yeah i’ve been working on new songs. i have a batch of stuff and hope to have a full albums worth of new material out soon.
b3sci: looking forward to it. thanks for chatting
kellen: thanks for having me, bye.
get music from kellen & me here. and check out his video for “Batteries and Frequencies” below..
As Tall As Lions - “Circles (Live In NY)”
As Tall As Lions - “Song For Luna”
the more i hear “Circles” (studio version here) the more it grows on me. ATAL third LP you can’t take it with you will be released on August 18. when they played Reggies in Chicago last year, we spoke about the new record as they were in the process of choosing a producer. they explained it was a tough choice because their songwriting process is an intricate one involving every member of the band. that, and the fact they were looking forward to exploring new rhythmic ideas, or better put… someone that gets “it” = right chemistry = right producer. i was the lucky LAST person allowed in the door at LA’s sold out Troubadour gig in February. they debuted some of the songs, and there were some great things taking shape. we’ll see. good things come to those who wait..
“Song For Luna” is a favorite off their last and self-titled sophomore ‘06 LP..
rating: 8.7
Portugal. The Man - “People Say”
a few from their fourth coming album The Satanic Satanist due July 21st. portugal. the man are a particularly prolific and consistent band.. four albums in four years is definitely an accomplishment, especially considering they’re all pretty dec. only US dates are lolla and outside lands this summer, stoked to hear the new stuff live. “what a lovely day yeah we won the war, we may have lost a million people but we got a million more… it’ll be alright… all the people they’ll see” you know, just telling it like it is..
rating: 8.2
chicago dream-pop outfit speck mountain put on for their city with “angela”, lifted from the “some sweet relief” LP out now on carrot top records. she got a friend, she got a friend, he ain’t who he say he is, he ain’t who he say he is.
rating: 6.8
Justin Townes Earle - Midnight At The Movies
the more i listen the more i dig it. typically i hear ballads and instantly think lame. but this song, for a lack of better words, keeps it real. it’s honest and there’s nothing… lyric, vocal, instrumentation, arrangements, whatever that doesn’t feel genuine. Justin and chicago staple bloodshot records couldn’t be a better match..
rating:7.5
The Giving Tree Band - Which One (exclusive download!)
The Giving Tree Band - Eventually (exclusive download!)
The Giving Tree Band are a Chicago based bluegrass group well deserving of their growing attention amongst bluegrass and indie folk enthusiasts. Not only do they write great songs, they have a particular eco-friendly dedication. For example, The Giving Tree Band recorded their new album Great Possessions in a solar powered studio, using recycled instruments, wearing clothing made out of recycled materials, with only bikes for transportation, and are releasing the album on CD’s made out of recycled materials… Blahblahblahscience got the chance to catch up with Giving Tree’ banjo player Todd Fink to chat music, lifestyle and of course science fiction:
b3sci: Todd - what’s your favorite sci-fi flick?
Todd: The original Star Wars Trilogy. I love the Force, Light Sabers and lifestyle of the Jedi. In fact I seek to become one after my time in the band… you know, bands are basically the closest thing we have to the Jedi nowadays..
b3sci: If the way of the Jedi is the ideal lifestyle, then how would you describe the way of The Giving Tree Band?
Todd: Our band offers people a way to live. All the greats… The Dead, Sex Pistols, Ramones… the genre of music doesn’t matter, they all offered a lifestyle. The Giving Tree Band seeks to inspire and educate the public and artists about a healthy lifestyle, but with a business sensibility. Every single person is unique and has their own unique qualities… which can be connected on a variety of different levels.
b3sci: epic!
Todd: Really, we just seek to remind people what they know about themselves and what they aspire to be.
b3sci: so why then is music your inspiration?
Todd: I feel like playing music was inherited. My father played the piano and my mother is a HUGE concert fan. In fact I was named after Todd Rundgren, it seemed to just become natural that I play.
b3sci: So who musically inspires you?
Todd: I have been inspired by British jazz guitarist John McLaughlin, in particularly by his attitude and lifestyle. He stood up and said no to alcohol and drugs and is the only one from that Miles Davis Bitches Brew era still performing. Music was his drug. I am also inspired by Stravinsky, especially the way he was able to break his day up into specific times and dedicate them to music. Inspiration today? Artists like Fleet Foxes come to mind, with less of an influence but more of an appreciation for what they do musically… the rock and roll with folk elements.
b3sci: Todd, The Giving Tree Band are kickin. Thanks man!
Todd: Peace!
Great Possessions is due out August 18, 2009. Get Giving Tree Band music here. Learn more and listen more here.
