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B3SCI on VML 2:1 (ft. interview w/ The War on Drugs)

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Our first mix of 2012 hit VML yesterday! The show features some choice jams plus a phone-in with Adam Granduciel from The War on Drugs who chatted with Chris Gedos about writing, the band, Zeppelin, and more. Get it below:

TRACK LIST

Intro
Fast Years – Young Heart
mic up: Yuna – Live Your Life
Schoolboy Q – Hands On The Wheel (feat. A$ap Rocky) [edit] mic up: Bruce Rave with Rave’s Fave of the Week
The 2 Bears – Work
The War On Drugs – Brothers
mic up: Chris Gedos phone-in interview with Adam from The War On Drugs
The War On Drugs – Baby Missiles
The Record Company – Born Unnamed

Release date: Feb 10, 2012

Check more b3sci on Virgin Mobile Live, Fridays and Saturdays 12pm pac/ 3pm east. 2:1 on Soundcloud.

Click for b3radio archives.

reviewed by
02-11-12

Review: Laneway Festival, Melbourne AU, 02/03/18

View from up the hill. Laneway-Melbourne takes place at the Footscray Community Arts Centre, on the banks of the Maribymong River with downtown Melbourne across the way. It’s highly accessible via public transportation. Photo: Andy Hazel

At a time when so many of the largest festivals have become all things to all people, Australia’s Laneway Festival continues to shun the mainstream in order to present fans with stellar lineups of artists much more on the edge. Typical Laneway crowds might be 15,000 and this traveling extravaganza hit six locations around Australia plus Singapore. I had my second Laneway experience in Melbourne on Feb 3. As with any similar event, one must choose when there are 40 different bands on 5 stages. Here are my highlights in the order I saw them.

It was my second time seeing London’s melodic, punkish Dream Wife. They were good last May at The Great Escape in Brighton, UK and they’re really good now. Their self-titled album has dropped here in the US. Melbourne’s own Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever showed why they’ve been snagged for this years Coachella and Primavera festivals. They blasted a large throng with their propulsive set that reminds of The Strokes and Parquet Courts, among others. I’ve been hearing great things about Sylvan Esso live and they delivered. With their big sound, one might be surprised to see they’re actually a two-piece. They had their crowd shaking their bodies. I’d seen Wolf Alice twice before, both times at B3Sci SXSW parties. They went from good to very good and now this is a band that is arena-ready. Look out for them as a significant headliner if their next album is another winner, and kudos to Mike and Troy at B3Sci on their foresight. I’m not much of a hip-hop guy but Anderson Paak was someone I really wanted to see based on live stuff I’d seen online. What a set! It varied from his straight-ahead hip-hop to his retro r&b to disco. Easily the most excited and largest crowd, and Anderson even played some drums. Mac Demarco added to the mayhem when he jumped onstage to do a handstand. This was the evening I got to finally cross Father John Misty off my bucket list. His powerful set was exactly as expected. Biggest surprise for me was Odesza, who played with far more drive and stage visuals than I anticipated. They even brought out a drum line a couple times, which people buzzed about for days afterwards. Pond played their usual high-energy show and showed us some excellent new tunes. Closing the main stage was The War on Drugs who justified that position with their ace and tight musicianship.
Among the people I was sorry to miss due to inevitable festival conflicts: The UK band Shame who I heard put on a strong early afternoon performance. I’ve played them on my radio show along with Aussies The Babe Rainbow who also have a good reputation for their live show and I hated missing both. I’ve seen the massively talented Moses Sumney a couple times in LA and missed him here. Moses is another veteran of a B3Sci SXSW party where it was obvious a few years ago that he was on the cusp of a major ascension. Mac Demarco played three years ago when I was also on hand, and he was a top highlight. I unfortunately had to miss him this time around.
I can’t recommend this festival enough for anyone having the chance to catch up with it next year. Laneway management, the PR people, and the staff on the ground are all top notch. Then there’s this lineup. Nowadays it’s rare to find such a stellar group with an indie focus, all playing in one day.


Anderson Paak played a set that transcended the hip-hop genre and was real hard not to love. Photo: Andy Hazel.

Hear Bruce Rave’s weekly new indie jams on three stations, with show announcements on his Go Deep With Bruce Rave facebook page. Archived shows available on the KX 93.5 site, where you can also subscribe to receiving the weekly two-hour version as an iTunes podcast at no charge.

Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist

reviewed by
02-13-18

B3SCI Best of 2014: Top 40 Songs

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Thanks for reading in 2014. See you in the new year.

jackwhitelazaretto

40. Jack White – Lazaretto

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39. FKA Twigs – Two Weeks

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38. Temples – A Question Isn’t Answered

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37. Misun – Eli Eli

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36. Alvvays – Archie, Marry Me

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35. George Maple – Talk Talk

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34. The Orwells – Who Needs You

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33. TĀLĀ – Serbia

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32. Nick Hakim – Pour Another

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31. Majid Jordan – A Place Like This

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30. Hoodlem – Old Friend

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29. Talos – Tethered Bones

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28. Cathedrals – Want My Love

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27. Yumi Zouma – The Brae

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26. Saint Pepsi – Fiona Coyne

kateboyselfcontrol

25. Kate Boy – Self Control

zhufaded

24. Zhu – Faded

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23. Made In Heights – Murakami

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22. Aquilo – I Gave It All

junglebusyearnin

21. Jungle – Busy Earnin’

samsmithstaywithme

20. Sam Smith – Stay With Me

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19. Hozier – Take Me To Church

altjhungerofthepine

18. Alt J – Hunger of the Pine

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17. The War On Drugs – Red Eyes

futureislands

16. Future Islands – Seasons

benkhanyouth

15. Ben Khan – Youth

ushergoodkisser

14. Usher – Good Kisser

miguelsimplethings

13. Miguel – Simplethings

siachandelier

12. Sia – Chandelier

teishibassically

11. Tei Shi – Bassically

marianhillgotit

10. Marian Hill – Got It

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09. Beyonce – 7/11

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08. Run The Jewels – Close Your Eyes

katyperrydarkhorse

07. Katy Perry – Dark Horse

tinashe2on

06. Tinashe – 2 On

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05. Rae Sremmurd – No Flex Zone

arianagrandeproblem

04. Ariana Grande – Problem

kieszahideaway

03. Kiesza – Hideaway

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02. Lana Del Rey – West Coast

honnewarmonacoldnight

01. Honne – Warm On A Cold Night

reviewed by
12-27-14

Giveaway: TBD Fest, Oct. 3-5, Sacramento CA w/ Blondie, Justice & Moby

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The 2014 edition of Sacramento’s TBD Fest goes live October 3rd through the 5th. Artists at TBD this year include headliners Blondie, Justice, Moby & Empire of the Sun and B3 favorites like The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile, and Goldroom. The three day festival also includes an excellent selection of cuisine from some of SAC’s best restaurants. To mark the festival’s imminent arrival in Northern California, B3 has a pair of weekend fest passes to giveaway; as well as the premiere of a cool new mixtape featuring festival artists from another B3SCI fave and a TBD Fest performing artist, Teen Daze. To win passes to the festival, hit our email by Friday September 19th @ Noon PDT HERE with the subject line “I WANT TO GO TO TBD FEST” and we’ll select soon after one lucky winner! For more info on TBD Fest in Sacramento including how and where you can purchase tickets, head to the festival’s official site, here.

tbdfestlineup

TBD Fest california (Official)

reviewed by
09-15-14

Nightlands – So Far So Long

War on Drugs member Dave Hartley readies the release of his second solo LP Oak Island with new single “So Far So Long”. The breezy track adeptly straddles multiple spheres of influence including 60’s pop, Brazilian music, and more modern indie rock.

Nightlands – So Far So Long

Nightlands (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
10-11-12

SXSW WRAP: 2012

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B3SCI took to the streets of Austin in March for the 25th annual South by Southwest. We braved/raged through the musical flurry of performances, ridiculous entourages, grid-locked streets, fantastic rumors and more while covering some of the world’s top breaking talent. Below are some choice highlights from our experience (during festival highlights here), including our most recent Virgin Mobile Live broadcast featuring tunes from festival acts as well interviews with Fast Years, Tashaki Miyaki, PAPA and Saint Motel tracked on the streets of SX.


Full set list here.

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WEDNESDAY March 14, 2012
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Roll the Tanks @ RED 7

Millennial music-host royalty Carson Daly kicked off Wednesday evening at his Last Call showcase with punked-out pop rockers Roll the Tanks. After a flattering introduction from Daly himself, Roll the Tanks and their Never Mind the Bollocks-informed post 90s-fueled power-pop set a familiar tone. Some songs had a definite Weezer-type approach, in a cheeky sort of way, and when combined with the energy of decades worth of nostalgic punk, and for that the band made some new fans. Sans some technical difficulties, the band powered through a well versed set of savvy- for-commercial-voltage rock music.

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SOFI @ Parish

SOFI is a contemporary pop artist. A type that might foreshadow a new wave of SXSW popular artists. Sophie brought her brand of Lady Gaga electro-heavy pop to Parish on 6th street with a strut. It was a spectacle of dancers, poles, lights, a mic, and some backing tracks. That about covers it, a few timely electro pop songs and a hot stage show that clearly attracted some die-hard fans. The bass-driven atmosphere worked so well that I wondered about the possible scheduling conflicts with the Winter Music Confrence just a Gulf of Mexico away.

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The Knocks @ Parish

The Knocks knocked it. The NYC duo finessed their gadgetry with a heaviness and energy that translated directly into a hall of moving bodies, a/k/a a serious party. In today’s Sea of electronic noise these dudes can mix in something like the B-52s with a freshness that doesn’t sound self conscious. The Knocks’ show works because of the duo’s dynamic urgency in performance.

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Friends @ Hype Hotel

Take a quick glimpse at Friends. If your hipster radar isn’t freaking out at this band then get it’s battery checked. When Friends rhythmic and tropically based glam-pop grace the stage you should be ready to see a fashion show along with your concert. Not unlike everything that is endearing about novelty disco, the band’s minimal sound is an urban jungle. Lead vocalist Samantha Urbani jumps into the crowd like it’s her loft party. Once this band dials in there’s no stopping the impending Studio 54. Friends’ catalogue can be spotty at times but they do have some songs that stick; like it’s that sort of abstract, new wave-flavored stick that can only come from deep record collection gold like the Thompson Twins.

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POND @ Hype Hotel

Pond fucking rock. I walked into the band’s first set of SXSW and was shocked at what I saw; definitely something to see. The Perth band (worth noting, come from some Tame Impala blood) are one of the most charismatic bands I’ve seen in a minute. From fixing his hair on stage, the swinging of microphones, the sneering, the dinosaur-raptor like convulsions… front dude Nick Allbrook has a strong comfortability on stage to say the least. A sort of stage presence that walks the line of over-the-top and sheer genius. Pond’s sound encompasses a striking blend in qualities of classic rock. When the band’s ambitiousness and stoner, punk, and classic rock influiences congregate, the resulting product is a high level brand of rock and roll. POND leave an impression, enough of one that lead us to three more gigs throughout SXSW this year. More to come.

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Gary Clark Jr. @ La Zona Rosa

What kind of artist is Gary Clark Jr.? Is he a AAA radio staple still looking for that crossover hit? Is he the blues guy on your favorite festival circuit? or his he that guy that you and your dad can both rock out to? (Clapton fans were looking at you.) He’s probably a little bit of all the above. Gary Clark Jr. has the talent regardless of any label to be slapped on him. . His more popular songs like “Don’t Owe You a Thang” and “Bright Lights” stole the set at a song level but it was the sheer charisma of young G.C. that stole the show. Take Gary Clark featured on a guitar solo, take him featured as a vocalist.. our word, take him anyway that you can get him.

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THURSDAY March 15, 2012
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Lee Fields and The Expressions @ Hype Hotel

In the everdeep sea of soul pop legends, Lee Fields is a pearl. Coming to and from in a career of ups and downs, twists and turns, this man is still at his best. Dressed from what seems a Ross’ out of rural Nebraska, Little J.B. adeptly worked his crowds. He’s a pro. “I still got it” he sings from “…the new CD” (Faithful Man – get it) and he’s not kidding. Fields’ band, The Expression add an energy that other artists Field’s age wouldn’t be able to keep up with. Late in the set, ‘On a whim’ Fields directed his faithful band into an unrehearsed performance of their new song “Hanging On” from ‘the new CD’ (Faithful Man – get it). While getting down to the funky soul tones of Lee Fields, it was pretty hard to not notice that the dude loves singing to the ladies. Lee closed the set with “Faithful Man” which is the title track from the the CD. After letting fly his blood curdling screams of infidelity, Fields came back for a rare mid-day SXSW encore by audience demand.

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BRETON @ Latitude 30

BRETON performed their first set on US soil at Lat 30 during SXSW, the perfect venue for those ‘different’ sounding brits (to of course American ears), and as expected, were greeted with mixed reactions (playing both for and against their favor depending on how you like to look at it). The projects team delivered a set of electro pop that’s all their own. There’s a youthful energy in the band’s near Vans-tour style presence. With a new skool approach to pop instrumentation, Breton are likely to introduce electronic music to a few youngins or two. With BRETON’s remix work already catching fire, this band seems to have the right formula as was further evident in what we heard original material-wise.

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Love Language @ Cheer up Charlie’s

In scurrying to make an interview we missed a set from Moonlight Bride but in the process we were pleased to stumble on a great set from Merge Recordings act Love Language. The band’s soothing middle of the road pop rock brought me back to the days of bands like The Stills. Love Language seemed to play because they live for it.

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Alabama Shakes @ Hype Hotel

Athens, AL based four piece Alabama Shakes were definitely a band to see on most everyones list during SXSW. The good news is that the band played like 8-10 sets so that you couldn’t miss them. Regardless, frontgal Brittany Howard puts it all out on the table. Even after all the hype, all the Lefsetz, all the usual ‘ha-bub’, you still can’t take your eyes and ears off of Alabama Shakes. This is a band clearly eager to explore the depths of their musical creativity. With newer songs in the dylan’esque transition Beatles style and less of the swamp tinted pentatonic rock (which many have come to love from them), Alabama Shakes still at their heart have a soulful swagger. They are aiming for the top, which is what separates them from much of the hype. A career is about longevity. For now, Alabama Shakes are destined for festival billing but whether or not Alabama Shakes will deliver further (say an iconic album for the books) remains to be seen. Only the strong survive.

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Tashaki Miyaki @ Cheer Up Charlie’s

Tashaki Miyaki are a band with little to be known about. IS there something wrong with a band wanting the music to be what everything is all about? Isn’t that the way it should be? Adding a bass player helps with the live show of some generous covers appreciation. The band’s downtempo sound (which might sound familiar to some) is a signature stamp. Songwise – Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, The Everly Brothers… the singing-drummer duo has an appreciation for the singles era. An era where an artist’s tastes could be appreciated in a less time intensive fashion. Kinda ironic how the attention spans of music fans in the 50’s have never rang more true today. Tashaki Miyaki’s shoe gaze and wash of Lucy’s vocal coos and Rocky’s fuzzed guitar is a winner combination for us. Lucy sings and plays like its all she knows, beautiful consonant octaves at the third or fifth.

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Dirty Beaches @ Cheer up Charlie’s

The shameless and expressive musical rantings of Dirty Beaches. I don’t know how Alex Zhang Hungtai can replicate the emotions performance after performance that he pours into each of his live shows, but I am always grateful for the chance to experience it. There is difficulty in always finding the pocket dealing with a more abstract/impulsive sound palette; but this dude is dialed in.

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Colleen Green @ Vegas Hotel

Colleen Green makes timeless strung out chic pop. The simplicity of her songs is a heavy contrast to the reflective themes that she conjures up in powerful doses. The short set of tracks was rocked at a full capacity; a bit of her pedal, a bit of Happy birfday Jeff! and a bit of moody power chord pop; perfect for this off beaten path Hotel Vegas venue.

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Kendrick Lamar @ Stage on 6th

K Dot had control of the house from moment one as he rolled through an energetic albeit brief set, comprised mainly of highlights from his much lauded Section.80 mixtape. There was a heaviness and rasp in Lamar’s voice that revealed a bit of fatigue (The guy has been literally all over Austin the past few days) but there was no let up in performance quality as the L.A. rapper 100% knocked it out.

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Nicolas Jaar @ Central Presbyterian Church

22 year-old American-Chilean musician Nicolas Jaar kept the lights down low for his headlining slot at Central Presbyterian Church for Pitchfork’s party. Reading the room, the trio brought experimental electronic jazzish composition to a packed room of enthusiasts looking for an intimate experience outside of the chaos down on 6th street. Saxophone, laptops, strings, drums, no instrumental territory was off limits. Atmospheric in all of it’s aspects, lush, strings, electro, world beats, Jaar’s music generates a big sound both controlled and intellectual.

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FRIDAY March 16, 2012
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Ed Sheeran @ Cedar Street

Ed Sheeran kicked off Friday morning SXSW 2k12 with something fierce. Armed with only his guitar, the UK dude tore it up at the Filter mag party.

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Tristen @ Cedar Street Courtyard

It was at the same venue that I ran into Tristen last year at SXSW. How could those hauntingly beautiful tones not draw us back in? Her’s is a brand of poetic folk rock that touches every music lover’s inner country music. Tristen’s voice, in performance, floats as if were made for neo-trad pop. Tristen are a band comfortable in their own skin. Big.

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U.S. Royalty @ VML House

Good old classic rock that’s not afraid to let its roots shine through. When shredding and belting vox out like American Royalty, we mean US Royalty… we mean dubbaya.

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PAPA @ Cheer Up Charlie’s

PAPA sound great. PAPA were tight, in the pocket, on their soul. And for their fourth show of the day the band were dialed in to the frequency of the circus of Austin around them. Mid-set frontman Darren Weiss even did handstands. (seriously is was pretty fucking hilarious). He said, “it does taste like chicken” and proceeded to lay down more of the soul-informed rock vibes from the band’s A Good Woman Is Hard to Find EP, and also offering some hints towards what to expect from a forthcoming new album release.

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HAIM @ VML House

HAIM drew second looks at the Virgin Mobile Live house early Friday evening. The 3:1 lady lead collective sounded big. Crossover type big. Like advert campaign big. It will be interesting to see how and if this group will develop. It wasn’t that any of the musicianship on display was anything that would blow your mind, it was more the profound feel the band convey that drew us in. We will be watching what happens next with HAIM in 2012.

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DJ Jacques Green took to the decks for those lucky enough to catch a glimpse between all the action of band’s outside.

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Fast Years @ Fire House

Fast Years are like the Motley Crew of jangle pop. Four cool looking dudes with a great feel for pop-informed rock music. While the fog machine (and LASERS) inside the Fire House was a bit over the top (almost choked then blinded us to death), the band still seemed to manage it. It was guitarist Mikah’s birthday and it was clear the partying on stage during set was no doubt part of the day’s celebration. With a nice collection of songs in the can, the group can look forward to hitting the road and honing their set for the masses.

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Willy Mason @ St. David’s Church

Willy Mason is a good answer to AAA rock-leaning fans of artists like Noel Gallagher. Mason’s a sure bet expert collection of folk and classic rock songwriting was on display throughout the entire performance; each song telling a better tale than the last. Mason rocked the church with his fantastic band and his make-shift 19th century player-kick drum; a novelty on site but it actually added a musical depth to the mix.

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Daughter @ St. Davids Church

Another band with a lot of hype leading in to SXSW were Daughter. Daughter have a uniquely intimate style to their songwriting. Lead singer Elen Tonra brings you into her vulnerable world with lyrics sung like they can only be said through song. Guitarist Igor Haefeli put on display one of the most beautiful/tasteful exhibitions of guitar work I’ve seen in years with such a mature sense of instinct and control. Should Daughter continue down a road of great songship, legions of fans await.

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Michael Kiwanuka @ St. David’s Church

Michael Kiwanuka brings gospel-informed writing back to the mainstream of crossover songwriter pop. Like Jack Johnson, Michael Kiwanuka can pick up a guitar and potently tell a quiet story to masses of media-bombarded music consumers. Presences like his make for timeless moments and hit records. Kiwanuka is a budding talent with likely incredible things on his horizon.

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Dinosaur JR. @ Fender Party

Strolling back to my hotel room Friday night, I heard a gnarly version of The Cure’s “Friday I’m In Love” echo through the streets. Fuck it I’m at SXSW. I followed my ears and (surprise!) I found Dinosaur Jr. rocking the 80’s classic. Not much to say about Dinosaur Jr. except it’s the only thing that could have picked me up at 2am. The trio play like they just discovered rocking out with each other in their garage yesterday.
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SATURDAY March 16, 2012
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The War on Drugs @ Mohawk

I ran into Michael Kiwanuka watching The War on Drugs. He seemed captivated by the band. Can you blame him? The War on Drugs are easily one of the next great American folk rock legacies. Frontman Adam Grundencial delivers dylan’esque rambles with brilliance. Guitar riffs played an important role in the songs as well; vocal and instrumental melodies met with a rootsful backing.

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POND @ Maggie Mae’s

By the time we caught our third set of Pond I was convinced to have some conclusion. Especially after catching a second set in a venue better suited to host MMA on Pay-Per-View, and awful sound. Frontman Nick Allbrook took to the crowd in an early St. Patties Day jabber something like, “Busting is it? We’re Pond from Brixton. I’m Irish…” as they slammed into their blues rock, Led Zeppelin like wall of sound. The upstair patio at Maggie Mae’s took notice. Pond had the right amount of tameness this time, like their appearance at Hype Hotel two days earlier, and about 40% more tame than the ‘cage-match’ show the day before. With each set tactically different than the last, and this one being 20 some minutes in length, Pond held a captive audience. The band brought the pace back for “Broke My Cool”, a classic rock like ballad that showcased Allbrook’s voice more so than his personality; at moments Jagger-like in its’ tone-deffness. Perth’s Pond, have character. Some of the most character I’ve seen in a rock band in a minute. Add the Tame Impala backstory and a hearty new album, and we’ve got a band that might have us at fan status.

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Bob Mould @ Mohawk

Bob Mould tore in to a complete performance of Sugar’s Copper Blue at the MOG party at Mohawk. Again he proved the album’s a classic, Sugar was epic, he’s a genius. Mould’s attitude and deamenor simply reads something like ‘fuck it’. The trio on stage killed the songs like they just wrote them yesterday. There’s something to admire about musicians that never loose the sight for and passion in their roots.

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Clock Opera @ Hype Hotel

Clock Opera are a good reference point for contemporary indie pop rock bands. The five piece out of London put on a solid set of, mostly air-tight, rhythmically driven songs, and dis-enfrachised lyrics with non-traditional melodies and structures that you can’t get out of your head. Plus the band occasionally rock out on household kitchen ware! The crowd partied at the Nialler 9 showcase with an uptempo set of Clock Opera songs from their previous EP’s as well as their forthcoming Ways to Forget debut LP release.

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Ceremony @ Red 7

This was a punk rock show. Posers take note. Provocatively genuine microphone gestures, moshers who mosh like it’s a profession, shit breaking on stage. The Bay area band ripped through an arsenal of material including cuts from their latest Matador release, Zoo. See this band but stand in the back.

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Odonis Odonis @ Red 7

O^2 bring out the inner garage rock in everyone. The muddied abrasive, but still melodic, guitars frame songs with lyrics that live forever (when audible.. which is kind of the point). In fact it inspired me so much that I was compelled to buy one of the band’s cassette tapes (yes, that’s right a cassette tape). This Toronto trio will rip your head off it you’re not ready for them. The music, as energetic as it was loud, was played HARD with a washy mix of heavily fuzzed guitars. The band’s song structure is simple and on the punkier side of garage music. “Handlebars” stood out as a favorite with it’s British-y sneer and kowabunga cool vibes.

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Forest Fire @ Red 7

Forest Fire are a band waiting for that big moment. With an almost Monkees quirkiness to them, the band must be on deck for the next Austin Powers movie. Plus lead singer Mark Thresher clearly knows a good parka when he sees one (James Brown would probably give it an 8.5)! Following the stage after Ceremony could not have been a good feeling for this band who might as well had been playing hippy rock in a field of daffodils. Still good pop is good pop music, and where stage experience lacked the, band made up for in melody and pure song.

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The Velvet Teen @ Red 7

After what seemed a soundtrack from hell, the Velvet Teen launched into their much anticipated set. The jagged chords of “Radiapathy” would soon lead the crowd’s delight. A new track presumably from their forthcoming 6 years in waiting LP was mainly rhythmic and had no guitar. In fine Velvet Teen fashion, a departure from anything expected next out of the band. Judah Nagler got the crowd into it “come on Austin”! but there wasn’t much selling needed to be done.

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Django Django @ Latitude 30

One of the most hyped acts at SXSW this year seemed to be Django Django. Lat 30 was packed to catch a glimpse of these popular new wave revivalists. The London collective rocked a new school DEVO type vibe. And like DEVO, in our opinion, DD either strike out or hit a homerun with what they are doing. Django Django are the type of band that relies on a penchant for strong tunes and consistency and have a successful career waiting where a boppy aesthetic makes for pleasant listening. It will be interesting to follow what 2012 (and potential music licensing, these are tunes that scream advert placement) will have in store for them.

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D/R/U/G/S @ Latitude 30

The Manchester based beatsmith D/R/U/G/S filled in for Maverick Sabre who unfortunately couldn’t make it to Austin. While musically a major departure from the originally scheduled act, D/R/U/G/S took the stage, cast on left-arm and ready to deliver an electro induced set of dancey mayhem. Synced with his custom visuals, the DJ rocked through a set of intricate sound layers and manipulation. The music was great and his freshly minted remix on Lana Del Rey’s “Blue Jeans” stood a set highlight

reviewed by
04-09-12

B3SCI’S SXSW PREVIEW 2012

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Hey family. It’s that special time of the year again when the glitterati of the music industry descend on ATX to slap each other fives, layer their forearms in VIP wrist bands, and hopefully catch some cool bands. Planning for SXSW can be a daunting ask. The sheer number of bands, shows, parties, etc is ginormous. SXSW planning fatigue is real but b3sci is here to help! We’re setting you up with all our picks for can’t miss sets (our Top 5 for each nighttime hour of the festival) and showcases (our 3 faves for each night). Lego!

TUESDAY

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Kendrick Lamar takes the 1100 Warehouse stage at 1 AM on Tuesday.

Showcases where you want to be:
1) Pitchfork @ Mohawk (& Patio): Schoolboy Q, Shlohmo, Star Slinger, Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, Tycho
2) Warner Bros. @ La Zona Rosa: Flux Pavilion, Santigold, Theophilus London, Neon Hitch
3) Stone’s Throw @ Swan Dive: The Stepkids, MED, Strong Arm Steady

Can’t miss sets:
8:00-8:59 PM:
1) Shlohmo @ Mohawk (Pitchfork) (8:30)
2) Neon Hitch @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
3) Boy Friend @ Swan Dive (Yours Truly)

9:00-9:59 PM:
1) Star Slinger @ Mohawk Patio (Pitchfork)
2) Theophilus London @ La Zona Rosa (Warner) (9:30)
3) Capital Cities @ Buffalo Billiards

10:00-10:59 PM:
1) The Stepkids @ Elysium (Stone’s Throw) (10:30)
2) Santigold @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
3) Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire (Pitchfork)

11:00-11:59 PM:
1) Electric Wire Hustle @ Swan Dive (Yours Truly)
2) Beach Fossils @ Club 606 (Root Music) (11:30)
3) Tycho @ Mohawk (Pitchfork) (11:30)

12:00-12:59 AM:
1) Schoolboy Q @ Mohawk Patio (Pitchfork)
2) Caveman @ Bat Bar (Campfire Trails)
3) Flux Pavilion @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)

1:00-1:59 AM:
1) Kendrick Lamar @ 1100 Warehouse (XXL Mag)
2) Saint Motel @ Treasure Island
3) Built to Spill @ The Belmont (Space Ducks)

WEDNESDAY

sharonvanetten2
NPR’s Wednesday night showcase features a 9 PM performance from Sharon Van Etten.

Showcases where you want to be:
1) NPR @ Stubb’s: Sharon Van Etten, Fiona Apple, Alabama Shakes
2) Last Call w/ Carson Daly @ Red 7 Patio: Cults, Tennis, Lee Fields & The Expressions
3) Innovative Leisure @ 512: Hanni El Khatib, Nick Waterhouse, Allah-Las

Can’t miss sets:
7:00-7:59 PM:
1) Fiona Apple @ Stubb’s (NPR)
2) CFCF @ Barbarella (Dummy XO)

8:00-8:59 PM:
1) Fidlar @ The Main (Vans)
2) Mux Mool @ Club de Ville (Ghostly)
3) Anoraak @ Mohawk Patio (The Agency)

9:00-9:59 PM:
1) Sharon Van Etten @ Stubb’s (NPR)
2) Big K.R.I.T. @ Antone’s (Pandora)
3) Tristen @ Central Presbyterian
4) Ed Sheeran @ La Zona Rosa (Warner) (9:30)
5) Mansions on the Moon @ Velveeta Room

10:00-10:59 PM
1) Miguel @ The Belmont (SOB)
2) Kimbra @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
3) Tennis @ Red 7 Patio (Carson Daly)
4) The Wedding Present @ Swan Dive (Suicide Squeeze)
5) Mannie Fresh @ Hotel Vegas Patio (10:30)

11:00-11:59 PM:
1) Alabama Shakes @ Stubb’s (NPR)
2) Lee Fields & The Expressions @ Red 7 Patio (Carson Daly)
3) Juvenile @ Hotel Vegas Patio
4) xxxy @ Barcelona (Halo Cyan)
5) Bahamas @ St. David’s Bethell Hall (Brushfire) (11:30)

12:00-12:59 AM:
1) Miike Snow @ Hype Hotel (Hype Machine)
2) Gary Clark Jr. @ La Zona Rosa (Warner) (12:30)
3) 2 Chainz @ The Belmont (SOB)
4) Nick Waterhouse @ 512 (Innovative Leisure)
5) The Pierces @ The Studio (HGTV)

1:00-1:59 AM:
1) Kasabian @ 1100 Warehouse (101x)
2) Purity Ring @ Chevrolet Sound Garage
3) We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Easy Tiger Patio (Scottish)
4) The Drums @ Stage on Sixth (Frenchkiss)
5) Hanni El Khatib @ 512 (Innovative Leisure)

THURSDAY

jamc
The newly reunited Jesus and Mary Chain play The Belmont at midnight Thursday.

Showcases where you want to be:
1) Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar/Dead Oceans @ Mohawk (& Patio): Sharon Van Etten, The War on Drugs, Nite Jewel, Gardens & Villa, Bear in Heaven, Gauntlet Hair
2) Music Matters @ Stage on Sixth (& Patio): Nneka, Miguel, Marsha Ambrosius, Big Sean, Stalley, Kendrick Lamar, Machine Gun Kelly, Smoke DZA, Big K.R.I.T.
3) Pitchfork @ Central Presbyterian: Nicolas Jaar, Grimes, Purity Ring, Charli XCX, Fiona Apple

Can’t miss sets:
8:00-8:59 PM:
1) Body Language @ The Madison (Bond)
2) Shigeto @ Barcelona (Surefire)
3) Stalley @ Stage on Sixth Patio (Music Matters) (8:30)
4) Family of the Year @ Maggie Mae’s Rooftop (Chop Shop)
5) The Chevin @ Latitude 30 (The Agency)
Prev. Mentioned: Electric Wire Hustle @ Driskll Victorian Room (StyleX), Fiona Apple @ Central Presbyterian (Pitchfork)

9:00-9:59 PM
1) Benjamin Francis Leftwich @ Latitude 30 (The Agency)
2) Gardens & Villa @ Mohawk Patio (Secretly Canadian) (9:30)
3) Charli XCX @ Central Presbyterian (Pitchfork) (9:30)
4) White Arrows @ Stubb’s (Spinner) (9:30)
5) Penguin Prison @ Lustre Pearl (Dickies)
Prev. Mentioned: Kendrick Lamar @ Stage on Sixth Patio (Music Matters)

10:00-10:59 PM:
1) Nneka @ Stage on Sixth (Music Matters)
2) Howler @ Bar 96 (Converse)
3) Girls @ Stubb’s (Spinner)
4) Robert Glasper @ Elephant Room
5) Curren$y @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
Prev. Mentioned: Lee Fields @ ND (Windish), Purity Ring @ Central Presbyterian (Pitchfork) (10:30), Saint Motel @ Stubb’s (Spinner) (10:30)

11:00-11:59 PM:
1) The War on Drugs @ Mohawk Patio (Secretly Canadian) (11:30)
2) Meek Mill, Stalley & Wale @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
3) Colleen Green @ Hotel Vegas (Hardly Art)
4) Class Actress @ 512 Rooftop (Carpark)
5) Grimes @ Central Presbyterian (Pitchfork) (11:30)
Prev. Mentioned: Big K.R.I.T. @ Stage on Sixth Patio (Music Matters), CFCF @ The Madison (Bond), Miguel @ Stage on Sixth (Music Matters), Mux Mool @ Barcelona (Surefire), Nick Waterhouse @ ND (Windish), Schoolboy Q @ Clive Bar (S.O. Terik), Tennis @ Club de Ville (Paradigm)

12:00-12:59 AM:
1) The Jesus and Mary Chain @ The Belmont
2) Nicolas Jaar @ Central Presbyterian (Pitchfork) (12:30)
3) The Temper Trap @ Stubb’s (Spinner)
4) Dev @ Chevrolet Sound Garage (12:30)
5) Seapony @ Hotel Vegas (Hardly Art)
Prev. Mentioned: Hanni El Khatib @ ND (Windish), Miike Snow @ Lustre Pearl (Dickies), Sharon Van Etten @ Mohawk Patio (Secretly Canadian) (12:30)

1:00-1:59 AM:
1) T.I. @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
2) The Peach Kings @ Club 606 (The Roxy)
3) Oneohtrix Point Never @ Red 7 (Mexican Summer)
4) Niki & The Dove @ Driskill Victorian Room (StyleX)
5) Nite Jewel @ Mohawk (Secretly Canadian)

FRIDAY

kiwanuka3
Michael Kiwanuka will perform a set at St. David’s Sanctuary at Midnight on Friday night.

Showcases where you want to be:
1) KCRW @ The Parish: The Temper Trap, Crystal Fighters, Clock Opera, Alice Russell & Quantic
2) NME @ Latitude 30: Howler, Big Deal, Kindness, Chad Valley, Tashaki Miyaki
3) Biz 3 @ 1100 Warehouse: Skrillex, El-P, Hanni El Khatib, Nick Waterhouse

Can’t miss sets:
8:00-8:59 PM:
1) Alice Russell & Quantic @ The Parish (KCRW) (8:30)
2) 1,2,3 @ ND (Windish)
3) Tashaki Miyaki @ Latitude 30 (NME)
Prev. Mentioned: Ed Sheeran @ Stubb’s (Time Out), Nick Waterhouse @ 1100 Warehouse (Biz 3) (8:30), Tycho @ Clive Bar (S.O. Terik) (8:30)

9:00-9:59 PM:
1) AraabMUZIK @ Mohawk Patio (AM Only)
2) JMSN @ Club 606 (IAMSOUND)
3) Clock Opera @ The Parish (KCRW)
4) D/R/U/G/S @ The Madison
5) The Mynabirds @ Lamberts (Saddle Creek)
Prev. Mentioned: Hanni El Khatib @ 1100 Warehouse (Biz 3)

10:00-10:59 PM:
1) El-P @ 1100 Warehouse (Biz 3) (10:30)
2) Crystal Fighters @ The Parish (KCRW) (10:30)
3) Kindness @ Latitude 30 (NME)
4) The Big Pink @ Lustre Pearl (Dickies)
5) Karen Elson @ Stage on Sixth (Third Man)
Prev. Mentioned: Caveman @ Hype Hotel (IGIF), Nite Jewel @ Barbarella Patio (Wax Poetics), Star Slinger @ MACC (Pan Americana)

11:00-11:59 PM:
1) Thundercat @ Beauty Bar Backyard (Madison House)
2) St. Lucia @ Karma Lounge (Neon Gold)
3) Jack White @ Stage on Sixth (Third Man) (11:30)
4) Talib Kweli @ La Zona Rosa (Blacksmith) (11:30)
5) White Rabbits @ Hype Hotel (IGIF)
Prev Mentioned: Saint Motel @ Empire Automotive, Grimes @ Clive Bar (S.O. Terik)

12:00-12:59 AM:
1) Michael Kiwanuka @ St. David’s Sanctuary (Communion) (12:30)
2) Sepalcure @ The Madison
3) Cults @ ND (Windish)
4) YACHT @ Clive Bar (S.O. Terik) (12:30)
5) Daedelus @ Barbarella (Ninja Tune)
Prev Mentioned: Alabama Shakes @ Easy Tiger Patio (Girls Rock Camp), The Drums @ Stubb’s (Time Out), Howler @ Latitude 30 (NME), The Temper Trap @ The Parish (KCRW), The Pierces @ Stubb’s (Time Out)

1:00-1:59 AM:
1) Skrillex @ 1100 Warehouse (Biz 3)
2) Cloud Nothings @ ND (Windish)
3) PAPA @ Club 606 (IAMSOUND)
4) Girl in a Coma @ Easy Tiger Patio (Girls Rock Camp)
5) Laidback Luke @ Mohawk Patio (AM Only)
Prev. Mentioned: Alice Russell & Quantic @ Barbarella Patio (Wax Poetics), Dev @ Haven (Moodswing 360), xxxy @ Barcelona (Surefire)

SATURDAY

sbtrkt3
UK producer SBTRKT closes out the SBTURKS showcase at the Madison at 1 AM on Saturday night.

Showcases where you want to be:
1) Flowerbooking & FatCat @ Red 7 (& Patio): The Velvet Teen, Odonis Odonis, Ceremony, Breton, The Twilight Sad, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Star Slinger
2) Warp Records & Brainfeeder @ Empire Automotive & Club 606: Starkey, TOKiMONSTA, Daedelus, Hudson Mohawke & Lunice (TNGHT)
3) Huw Stephens @ Latitude 30: Toddla T, Slow Club, Maverick Sabre, Django Django, Clock Opera

Can’t miss sets:
8:00 PM – 8:59 PM:
1) Ceremony @ Red 7 Patio (FatCat)
2) Odonis Odonis @ Red 7 (FatCat) (8:30)
3) Savoir Adore @ Swan Dive (Red Ryder)
Prev Mentioned: Michael Kiwanuka @ Stubb’s

9:00-9:59 PM:
1) A$AP Rocky @ The Madison (SBTURKS)
2) The Velvet Teen @ Red 7 (FatCat) (9:30)
3) Blouse @ Frank (The Great Escape)
4) Charlene Soraia @ Frank (The Great Escape)
5) Madi Diaz @ St. David’s Bethell Hall (Hotel Cafe) (9:30)
Prev. Mentioned: Alice Russel & Quantic @ Stage on Sixth Patio (Nat Geo), Clock Opera @ Latitude 30 (Huw Stephens)

10:00-10:59 PM:
1) Breton @ Red 7 (FatCat)
2) Fanfarlo @ Hype Hotel (Hype Machine)
3) The Belle Brigade @ Clive Bar
4) Blackbird Blackbird @ Malverde (Bond)
5) Starkey @ Empire Automotive (Brainfeeder)

11:00-11:59 PM:
1) Maverick Sabre @ Latitude 30 (Huw Stephens)
2) TOKiMONSTA @ Empire Automotive (Brainfeeder)
3) Best Coast @ Hype Hotel (Hype Machine)
4) White Denim @ Jacked Stage (Doritos)
5) Gemini @ Beauty Bar (UKF) (11:30)
Prev. Mentioned: Nneka @ Stage on Sixth (Nat Geo)

12:00-12:59 AM:
1) The Heavy @ Stage on Sixth (Nat Geo) (12:30)
2) Dom Kennedy @ Scoot Inn (Thrasher) (12:30)
3) Jacques Greene @ Barcelona (XLR8R) (12:30)
4) Jimmy Cliff @ Stage on Sixth (Nat Geo) (12:30)
5) Hatcham Social @ 512 Rooftop
Prev. Mentioned: Anoraak @ Malverde (Bond), Daedelus @ Empire Automotive (Brainfeeder), We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Red 7 (FatCat)

1:00-1:59 AM:
1) SBTRKT @ The Madison (SBTURKS)
2) Slim Thug @ Barbarella Patio (Texas Showdown) (1:30)
3) Braid @ Dirty Dog
4) Hudson Mohawke & Lunice @ Empire Automotive (Brainfeeder)
5) XV @ Hype Hotel (Hype Machine)
Prev. Mentioned: Beach Fossils @ The Parish (Captured Tracks), Star Slinger @ Red 7 (FatCat)

reviewed by
03-10-12

B3SCI TOP 50 ALBUMS OF 2011

pullmantop50albums

Although we’ve come to the end of the road, still Adele we can’t let you go. We’ve reached 2011’s closing hour and now it is time: b3sci presents it’s Top 50 Albums of 2011. No one’s even come close to having the year Adele’s had. The most albums sold in a single year since 2004, two of the biggest singles of the year, etc, a truly international breakthrough both commercially and critically on a level we haven’t seen in a long time. Adele, our girl, the crown is yours. 21 is b3sci’s Album of the year.

So where the fuck is Adele on many of these respected-indie-press-dude best of lists? That period between Nov 2010 when “Rolling in the Deep” first broke and the lead up to the album’s release in late January, Adele ruled the blogosphere, the fold was united. Then “RITD” got overplayed to the point of absurdity, your mom bought the record, probably your grandma bought it too; those bros that listen to Foo Fighters and Deadmau5 started bumping “Someone Like You” out their trunk. Soon, the “wrong people” liked 21 and Adele’s brief moment atop the indiesphere was over. Right.

Thanks for reading this year, y’all. We’ve got some big plans for 2012. Stay tuned. Much love.

adele-211
01. Adele – 21 (Buy It) (Read)

the-weeknd-house-of-balloons
02. The Weeknd – House of Balloons (Buy It) (Read)

drake-take-care
03. Drake – Take Care (Buy It) (Read)

james-blake-james-blake
04. James Blake – James Blake (Buy It) (Read)

kendrick-lamar-section-80
05. Kendrick Lamar – Section.80 (Buy It) (Read)

gil-scott-heron-and-jamie-xx-were-new-here
06. Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx – We’re New Here (Buy It) (Read)

wu-lyf-go-tell-fire-to-the-mountain
07. WU LYF – Go Tell Fire on the Mountain (Buy It) (Read)

jay-z-kanye-west-watch-the-throne
08. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne (Buy It) (Read)

the-horrors-skying
09. The Horrors – Skying (Buy It) (Read)

m83-hurry-up-were-dreaming
10. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Buy It) (Read)

wye-oak-civilian
11. Wye Oak – Civilian (Buy It) (Read)

girls-father-son-holy-ghost
12. Girls – Father Son, Holy Ghost (Buy It) (Read)

real-estate-days
13. Real Estate – Days (Buy It) (Read)

aap-rocky-live-love-aap
14. A$AP Rocky – Live Love A$AP (Buy It) (Read)

sepalcure-sepalcure
15. Sepalcure – Sepalcure (Buy It) (Read)

pj-harvey-let-england-shake
16. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake (Buy It) (Read)

the-war-on-drugs-slave-ambient
17. The War on Drugs – Slave Ambient (Buy It) (Read)

charles-bradley-no-time-for-dreaming
18. Charles Bradley – No Time For Dreaming (Buy It) (Read)

metronomy-the-english-riviera
19. Metronomy – The English Riviera (Buy It) (Read)

sbtrkt-sbtrkt
20. SBTRKT – SBTRKT (Buy It) (Read)

oneohtrix-point-never-replica
21. Oneohtrix Point Never – Replica (Buy It) (Read)

the-vaccines-what-did-you-expect-from-the-vaccines
22. The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From the Vaccines (Buy It) (Read)

destroyer-kaputt
23. Destroyer – Kaputt (Buy It) (Read)

the-antlers-burst-apart
24. The Antlers – Burst Apart (Buy It) (Read)

tune-yards-whokill
25. tUnE-yArDs – w h o k i l l (Buy It) (Read)

beyonce-4
26. Beyonce – 4 (Buy It) (Read)

wild-flag-wild-flag
27. Wild Flag – Wild Flag (Buy It) (Read)

noel-gallaghers-high-flying-birds-noel-gallaghers-high-flying-birds
28. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (Buy It) (Read)

big-krit-return-of-4eva
29. Big K.R.I.T. – Return of 4eva (Buy It) (Read)

clams-casino-instrumentals
30. Clams Casino – Instrumentals (Buy It) (Read)

gillian-welch-the-harrow-and-the-harvest
31. Gillian Welch – The Harrow and the Harvest (Buy It) (Read)

low-roar-low-roar
32. Low Roar – Low Roar (Buy It) (Read)

araabmuzik-electronic-dream
33. AraabMUZIK – Electronic Dream (Buy It) (Read)

active-child-you-are-all-that-i-see
34. Active Child – You Are All I See (Buy It) (Read)

fleet-foxes-helplessness-blues
35. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues (Buy It) (Read)

raphael-saadiq-stone-rollin
36. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’ (Buy It) (Read)

cults-cults
37. Cults – Cults (Buy It) (Read)

radiohead-the-king-of-limbs
38. Radiohead – The King of Limbs (Buy It) (Read)

florence-the-machine-ceremonials
39. Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials (Buy It) (Read)

alex-clare-the-lateness-of-the-hour
40. Alex Clare – The Lateness of the Hour (Buy It) (Read)

nicolas-jaar-space-is-only-noise
41. Nicolas Jaar – Space Is Only Noise (Buy It) (Read)

jhene-aiko-sailing-souls
42. Jhene Aiko – Sailing Soul(s) (Buy It) (Read)

the-stepkids-the-stepkids
43. The Stepkids – The Stepkids (Buy It) (Read)

freddie-gibbs-cold-day-in-hell
44. Freddie Gibbs – Cold Day in Hell (Buy It) (Read)

gardens-villa-gardens-villa
45. Gardens & Villa – Gardens & Villa (Buy It) (Read)

laura-marling-a-creature-i-dont-know
46. Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know (Buy It) (Read)

kurt-vile-smoke-ring-for-my-halo
47. Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring For My Halo (Buy It) (Read)

foster-the-people-torches1
48. Foster the People – Torches (Buy It) (Read)

explosions-in-the-sky-take-care-take-care-take-care
49. Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care (Buy It) (Read)

friendly-fires-pala
50. Friendly Fires – Pala (Buy It) (Read)

reviewed by
12-27-11

B3SCI STAFF PICKS: Top 10 Albums of 2011

b3scistafftop10s

2011, it’s been real! To kick off our b3sci 2011 year end coverage, we start with Top 10 albums lists from each of b3science’s seven contributors. (We’ll detail our overall site picks in the next few days). 2011.

troyalbums

Troy:

01. Drake – Take Care
02. The Weeknd – House of Balloons
03. M83 – Hurry Up We’re Dreaming
04. Metronomy – The English Riviera
05. A$AP Rocky – Live Love A$AP
06. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
07. James Blake – James Blake
08. Kendrick Lamar – Section.80
09. SBTRKT – SBTRKT
10. Active Child – You Are All I See

mikealbums

Mike:

01. WU LYF – Go Tell Fire to the Mountain
02. The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From…
03. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne
04. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
05. Low Roar – Low Roar
06. The Weeknd – House of Balloons
07. Wye Oak – Civilian
08. Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
09. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
10. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’

chrisalbums

Chris:

01. WU LYF – Go Tell Fire To The Mountain
02. Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost
03. Giraffage – Comfort
04. The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From..
05. Washed Out – Within and Without
06. James Blake – James Blake
07. The War On Drugs – Slave Ambient
08. The Postelles – The Postelles
09. Harrison Hudson – American Thunder
10. Caveman – CoCo Beware

trevalbums

Trevor:

01. James Blake – James Blake
02. A$AP Rocky – Live Love A$AP
03. Wale – Ambition
04. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’
05. Harrison Hudson – American Thunder
06. Fiore – Fiore
07. Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm
08. M83 – Hurry Up We’re Dreaming
09. Mike Higbee – Secret Life
10. Chris Wollard & The Ship Thieves – Chris Wollard & The Ship Thieves

erinalbums

Erin:

Let’s be honest. I probably didn’t listen to ten complete LPs this year that I would somehow deem “best” – it just isn’t in me anymore, maybe. I did, however, have enough musical bests paired with actual full records I loved to complete a top ten. Let’s review my 2011 faves: there are ten, they are not ranked.

tUnE – yArDs, W H O K I L L (4AD)
If someone forced me to name my best record of the year, I’d bet this would be it. While I’ll never get over the late 90s stylization of her musical pseudonym, Merrill Garbus made songs that said things I wanted to hear couched in melodies and harmonies that push me from Africa to doo-wop to “America.” There is true joy in the music she makes, even if she’s talking about eating disorders or inner-city violence. High up on the “things I danced to alone in my room” list of this year.

turntable.fm/Spotify
While I’d consider turntable.fm mostly dead in my day to day life, it ruled my world for a few weeks over the summer. I heard more great stuff I know I would’ve never come upon on my own, but I guarantee you it wasn’t in dubstep rooms. I spent time chatting and playing jams with friends I wouldn’t see for months. Turntable gave me all of the plus factors of a 1996 chatroom backed with a way better soundtrack than I would’ve had then. Spotify swooped in a few weeks later, and now I find myself listening to nearly anything I want at any time while creating playlists with friends throughout the day. Not as immediate as turntable, but somehow less of a time suck. I don’t love the ads, but I know I can get rid of them if I want.

PJ Harvey, Let England Shake (Island/Vagrant)
Overwrought concept albums can be a drag. (Confessional: I am a long-time PJ Harvey fan, guilty of knowing all of the words to “Rid of Me” by heart at a very young age.) If someone had told me a concept album by Harvey about England, bloodshed and warfare would be one of my favorite releases this year, I might have been a bit perplexed. The melodies, language, and instrumentation around this record, however, do more to transport listeners rather than alienate them. “Inaccessible” is a word often used to describe records, and I could see how some of Harvey’s records may be that way. This, however, works magic.

Jay-Z & Kanye West, “Why I Love You” (Roc-A-Fella/Roc Nation/Def Jam)
I know this record is on everyone else’s list, and that’s fine, but only one of its tracks got repeat plays with me. The production on Watch The Throne is amazing, I can’t deny it, but nearly nothing about that record sticks for me. I revisited it months after it leaked and I still couldn’t get into it as a whole. Jay-Z and Kanye West are two of my all-time favorites and I thought this record would be my dream. It wasn’t. “Why I Love You”, though, is a jam. Great sample, great chorus, okay-enough rapping.

Iceage, New Brigade (What’s Your Rupture?)
There will never be a time in life that I don’t like channeling my inner teenage dude. I know he’s there, just waiting for me to listen to the Stooges for another few hours or cackle while watching episodes of Beavis & Butt-head. 24-ish minutes of gothy punk energy (the longest track at 3:08), Iceage are my Ramones for 2011.

Drake, Take Care (Young Money/Cash Money)
I can’t stop playing this record. Merrill Garbus and Drake might have to duke it out. I thought Thank Me Later was lackluster – too much bravado and cameo, not enough actual persona. With Take Care, though, I feel like Drake is getting back to a place where he’s comfortable: an introspective, lonely look in the mirror at fame and alienation from where he thought he was a few years ago to now. On hip-hop records I’m usually disappointed if they’re not full of bangers but this one tempers enough production with the same amount of restraint.

Willie Mae Rock Camp & Kelly Clarkson, “Since U Been Gone” (RCA)
Over the summer, I volunteered for the first time at Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls in Brooklyn. I spent an exhausting and fulfilling week making sure a bunch of 8 & 9 year olds made it to their instrument class, ate their lunches, and sort-of listened during workshops about the blues, gender, and other topics regarding women in music. Every counselor had her musical kryptonite and everyone very quickly found out Kelly’s jam was mine. I danced & sang to it all week when it played during various end-of-day dance parties, and one of the campers and I shared it as our best memory of the week from songwriting class. At the showcase wrapping up camp, the volunteer band played it as their song for soundcheck. I belted it just as I had every other day.

Party of Helicopters at Death By Audio, Williamsburg, February 13, 2011
I got my knees slammed into the stage all night long at this show, with terrible bruises to show the next day, but it was well worth it. They are my favorite band from my most formative years, the one whose album art my body will carry to my grave; every opportunity to relive that time while seeing them live is worth it. Even though they’ll never play “A New Kind of Power” for me no matter how many times I request it, I don’t care. I love them. Forever.

Björk, Biophilia (One Little Indian/Polydor)
There was a time growing up that I spent most hours lying on the floor in my room listening to records. Bjork was always a part of this ritual, and listening to this record sends me back to that time in my life (I am full of memories this year). “Crystalline” is a perfect hybrid of Telegram-style remixes and Vespertine vocals. “Cosmogony” hearkens back to the antics of Medulla. Everything is nostalgic, but everything is new. The David Attenborough-narrated companion iPhone app is an excellent companion if you can’t make up your own visuals in your mind.

Sharon Van Etten, “Serpents” (Jagjaguwar)
Seeing her play this live last Tuesday only further got me stoked for her record next year. Her voice is the most haunting to me, and this is that quality at its finest. Percussion and expansion of her sound into what it is on this track alone (I hear you, Aaron Dessner) bode well for the rest of Tramp. Can’t wait.

brucealbums

Bruce:

01. The Kills – Blood Pressures
02. Elbow – Build A Rocket Boys
03. The Airborne Toxic Event – All At Once
04. The Vaccines – What Did You Expect…
05. Foster The People – Torches
06. TV on the Radio – Nine Types of Light
07. The Black Keys – El Camino
08. Sleeper Agent – Celabrasion
09. The Rapture – In The Grace Of Your Love
10. The Wombats – This Modern Glitch

11. Honorable mention to My Morning Jacket and Teddybears

elliottalbums

Elliott:

01. Alex Clare – The Lateness of the Hour
02. Nero – Welcome Reality
03. Thievery Corporation – Culture of Fear
04. SBTRKT – SBTRKT
05. Tyler, the Creator – Goblin
06. Bassnectar – Divergent Spectrum
07. Dave Nada – Blow Your Head Presents: Moombahton
08. James Blake – James Blake
09. M83 – Hurry up, We’re Dreaming
10. Crookers – Dr. Gonzo

reviewed by
12-21-11

LIVE SHOW REVIEW: The National / Sharon Van Etten @ Beacon Theatre, New York 12/13/11

Contributed by Erin Routson

national

vanetten

Out of the week-long residency the National spent at the Beacon, this was the show I most wanted to be present for, in order to see Sharon Van Etten. (And, crossing my fingers that they’d bring her out to do “Think You Can Wait.”) Earlier in the day I tweeted about the over/under on me crying during the show, knowing that I was going to see two acts I really love by myself, a perfect set-up for tears.

I got to the Beacon early, even though it was assigned seating. The crowd was totally not what I expected, so many couples and so many pairs of bros. I don’t know what it is about the National; I have a very specific view of who I think listens to them, people who shop for well-tailored clothes, people whose interests tip toward the literary, people who find themselves unsatisfied with their white-collar jobs and drown it all in small-batch bourbon. I guess I’m wrong about that, or I guess that is a very small sect of an audience that, like I said, is full of bros.

There’s nothing wrong with bros, I guess, as long as they’re not committing sexual assault or objectifying me at a bar. Maybe I am a bro – two of the things I love the most are the NBA and this band. More or less, I was just surprised how many would come out of the woodwork to see a band that has less in common with OAR and more in common with T.S. Eliot, at least in my mind.

Sharon Van Etten took the stage to a not-full crowd (bros aren’t down with Sharon, yet) and opened with “Love More”; whoever bet that I would cry was right within a few minutes. At this point the people in the seats next to me hadn’t arrived, so I was free to let it all out to a woman’s voice that I find truly haunting and amazing. I’m a sucker for voices. Time and Temperature, Elephant Micah: their voices are two of my favorites and SVE is right up there with them. Moving through “One Day”, “Save Yourself” to “Don’t Do It”, what I’d consider one of the saddest songs ever written, the backing band laid the perfect groundwork for her powerful yet plaintive voice.

From there she shredded through “Peace Signs” and then into new material, Aaron Dessner joining her for an apprehensive and incisive version of “Serpents”, which definitely has a sound that borders on what the National do with their own work on High Violet. While its clear that performing still makes SVE a little nervous between songs as she awkwardly banters, she has no trouble fully immersing herself in performing her work. She knows how to feel what she is doing and it is one of the things that make her songs so easy to fall into. Those who got to the show too late to see this honestly missed something that I imagine will grow and only get better.

By the time the National’s pre-show music was going full-tilt, all of the bros and their girlfriends had arrived. I knew that any crying I would do publicly was over; I also knew that there are really only a handful of their songs that would get it out of me and most are never done live. The pictured screen went up during “Wild Boys” and for some reason I was convinced that it was the music they would take the stage to which I found really endearing. It wasn’t. Something else started up after it. Eventually the Ohio-bred gentlemen took the stage and opened up with “Start A War.”

The set was heavy on High Violet material, but “Boxer,” “Alligator,” “Cherry Tree” and new songs were all represented. For quite a few of the songs, Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) took the stage to sing vocals and play some guitar. Friends who had attended Monday’s show with the War on Drugs said that wasn’t the case for them: Tuesday night bonus! While I’d love to outline each individual song, that would take forever; it was a long set, but one I could’ve stayed hours for.

“Bloodbuzz Ohio” is not my favorite off of High Violet, but it seems to be like “Float On” for Modest Mouse: it gets everyone going when it’s done live. The momentum of the song lends itself to live performance, and the bros do love a singalong. A difference between this and the last time I saw them was the projection screen and intense lighting that accompanied each song. They’ve also gone the route of video of the band from the stage, something that reminded me of what Radiohead began doing at their shows a few years ago.

Matt Berninger’s voice is why I got into the National in the first place. Years ago a friend and I were discussing music and I mentioned that I like “weird” voices, and he insisted I listen to Boxer. I’ve been hooked ever since. (Though Tom Waits has never melted my icy heart.) One thing I will never get used to, though, no matter how many times I see this band, is Berninger’s proclivity to bark some of his lyrics. It started in “Squalor Victoria” and of course carried through to “Mr. November.” Hearing it, to me, hurts, like a pack of Dobermans piercing your eardrums when provoked.

As I dreamed, Sharon Van Etten came out to do “Think You Can Wait”, but it wasn’t as powerful as I thought it would be for me live. Maybe it’s one that just belongs on my headphones late at night. “Anyone’s Ghost” ended up being the most memorable to me all night, which is one that had fallen off the radar for me; “Afraid of Everyone” and “Lemonworld” were in much heavier rotation when I was listening to High Violet non-stop. A pleasant, sad, neurotic surprise, nonetheless.

The encore consisted of the SVE performance, “Fake Empire” (live horns will never cease to bring a smile to my face), “Terrible Love” with Annie Clark, and an acoustic singalong version of “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks” for which everyone, SVE and Annie Clark included, took the stage. Hearing the whole crowd join in to sing was a weird, wonderful summer camp moment, even in the fake-cold of December that was outside the walls. The melancholy of a song I’d never hesitate to call a soul-destroyer was broken up by some random dude entering early with his cry of “CHANDELIERS!”, sending everyone in the crowd into a short burst of giggling.

Bro vibes aside, the National’s lyrics end up sounding like an uneasy, dark reinterpretation of “Once In a Lifetime” paired with anxiety-threaded, pounding-like-a-nervous-heart instrumentation. I feel too close to what they are revealing, sometimes. I feel like they’re blowing my cover by broadcasting thoughts I have about achievement, love, and being from where I am. Maybe that bro was right to break up the tension and sadness of the encore with his outburst. Maybe it’s true – you have to laugh so you don’t cry.

reviewed by
12-18-11

Interview w/ The 1975

With their signature blend of R&B fused guitar pop, it’s no secret that this Manchester based collective are causing a stir of excitement in the indie rock world. Title track and new single, “Sex”, from their upcoming EP release, has been in rotation here and across the blogosophere for the last year or so in it’s demo form; with the official single version recently debuted by famed BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe. More so, the rest of the band’s new Sex EP is equally infectious, with highlights including mid-tempo grooves on “Undo” and the melodic climax of “You”. The Sex EP sees release on November 19th, it is the second installment of the band’s current three EP release cycle, culminating to the band’s debut album with release expected sometime in 2013. Check out our Q&A with the band below.

B3SCI: How did The 1975 form and come to be, and for how long has the band been playing together as a whole?

The 1975: We met at school. We kinda started out of boredom. There was no real scene in our town at that time and we were all looking for some way of expressing ourselves I suppose. Some woman called Sheila started this run of gigs for underage kids (I think she was like a hippy council worker) and they soon turned into a riot. We would go and play there, doing covers of punk songs and ghostbusters etc. It was so drunken and personal. After doing that for a while we wrote a song and thought ‘Let’s just do this! This is well better than going to school or work. So we went under loads of names, made loads of different music and now we’re here – as The 1975.

B3SCI: Manchester has a legendary history of influential bands, was there anything in particular about this history that was influential to The 1975 in it’s formative years?

The 1975: Not really no. We met at school around Manchester – but I was born in London and George in Brussels etc. so our personal affiliation with Manchester and our understanding of it’s tribalist attitude towards music came quite late on. I grew up on R&B and Soul for example, as opposed to New Order. But as a city, it is the setting to all of our music in my head. It was the girls and endless gigs and general vibe of the place that bled into our music.

B3SCI: In the new video for your single “Sex”, your rehearsal space is dressed everywhere with iconic posters of artists. Did you guys play any role in the selection of what we see?

The 1975: Yes, all of it. That’s our rehearsal room and has been forever. We’ve never left it. We just thought it would be cool to shoot it in that room because it is essentially a visual representation of what we’re about. It wasn’t a contrived idea – just thought it would be real.

B3SCI: Some lyrical topics from The 1975 seem to explore concepts of new experience and discovery, yet the name of the band itself, and even musically, the band seems to hint towards a maturity beyond its years. What does the concept of time mean to The 1975?

The 1975: I think people are obsessed with time. That sounds a bit under revised – but what I’m talking about is our obsession with decades. We like everything to fit into our predetermined timeline of what we know and expect. It makes things easier to digest and helps us see cultural movements as ‘that time’. This can breed a lot of predictable art though – be it music or whatever. So our band take the attitude of ‘all bets are off’. That’s why we never really take contemporary music into consideration. Not to say we don’t listen to it, of course we do, we just don’t worry about ‘what’s going on’. I reckon timeless music is created by people that aren’t thinking about time.

B3SCI: The band is in the process of releasing a series of three EPs leading up to the release of your debut album in 2013. Is there a story behind these initial releases, or a story that you are trying to tell with them?

The 1975: I wouldn’t say that there is a narrative running from the first e.p. through to the last. But there is a definite theme. Sex, Love, Drugs and Fear I suppose. The songs on Sex are all about passing moments. Moments that we don’t analyse at the time – only to understand them retrospectively. Where as Facedown has a more assertive attitude. I think that’s what separates those two records. For the third, we’re not quite finished.

B3SCI: Is there a story or reason that the band has decided to collaborate with producer Mike Crossey on the forthcoming full-length album?

The 1975: He got in touch with us and said he really wanted to do our album. We were initially a bit apprehensive because we had always said that we were going to produce our debut album – same as we did with the E.p.’s. But we went over to Liverpool to meet him and shook hands on the whole thing that day. It was very easy. We are now in the studio with Mike as a co-producer and it seems to be going well. Very, very well.

B3SCI: Both your new Sex EP and it’s predecessor Facedown EP explore ambient rock concepts. Is there a philosophy or perspective that The 1975 has about ambient composition? Are there any particulars about ambient or atmospheric music that the band find inspiring?

The 1975: I suppose it was Sigur Ros who first really blew me away. I remember hearing their first album and then totally emerging myself in all things Eno. Ambient music really speaks to me. I think it’s because I first fell in love with music through film at a very early age – John Hughes movies etc. Ambient music at it’s best commands you how to feel without the use of words – I think that’s really powerful. More powerful in fact.

B3SCI: The band seems to have a strong affinity for a great pop melody. To you guys, what makes for a great pop song?

The 1975: Well that is something we’re really trying to explore at the moment. Sometimes you release a piece of music, or maybe play it to a friend, with the opinion that is really left field or something you’ve created with no intention of it being accepted as a ‘big’ song . And then it is. I used to think it was just all about structure and chords, but it’s really not. A good pop song is about how it makes you feel at face value – on the first listen. If it doesn’t take you some where immediately – through its message or instrumentation or whatever it is – it will simply be lost on you.

B3SCI: What artists or influences do you have which fans might find as a surprise? Any guilty pleasures you’d like to share?

The 1975: Well my iTunes at the moment is pretty much mid 90’s R&B. D’angelo, Boyz II Men, TLC, Brian Mcknight etc. But I’m not guilty for any of that. We find it hard to dislike music because it’s soppy or not perceived as ‘cool’. If you’re a good song writer you can find influence in any type of music whether it’s cool or not. But to be fair, Dixie Chicks just came on as I was saying that. I do feel a bit guilty about that.

B3SCI: If The 1975 could tour with any band, who would it be? (PS…you can hop into our B3SCI time machine if you like for any artist past, present, or future..)

The 1975: It would be : Michael Jackson – History Tour 1996. I was at that show in Wembley. I would have been about 7 years old. It was one of the most memorable and important experiences I think I’ve ever had. Seeing him perform catalysed a real drive within me from an early age. So that show would be awesome to fly back to and be part of. But also Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense Tour. Just cos they’re the fucking coolest. And David Byrne with that huge lamp was genius.

B3SCI: When will we finally get to see The 1975 performing in the US?

The 1975: Next year, if everything goes according to plan. We’re looking to get out there for SXSW. We might stick around and play some shows. We can’t wait actually.

B3SCI: What else should fans expect to hear from The 1975 in the year to come? Any surprises that you can share with us?

The 1975: If i knew, I would tell you. But I’m locked away in the studio. All I do know is that there is going to be A LOT of shows. And an album. A big album.

The 1975 england (Facebook) (Pre-Order Sex EP)

reviewed by
10-15-12

An L.A. Ramble for Levon Helm this Tuesday at The Mint

Come celebrate the life and music of the late Levon Helm this Tuesday at The Mint in Los Angeles. The night will begin with a dinner and rare screening of the Levon Documentary: Ain’t In It for My Health which has been making it’s tour around recent film festival circuits. Per the Los Angeles Film Festival:

Starting with the image of a tour bus warming its engine in the stillness of an empty lot, this haunting, personal portrait of music legend Levon Helm evokes the mood of a lifetime spent on the road. Jacob Hatley’s extraordinarily intimate documentary finds Helm, a founding member of The Band, at home in Woodstock in the midst of creating his first studio album in 25 years. The ultimate survivor, he’s overcome drugs, bankruptcy, the bitter breakup of The Band and a bout of throat cancer -but then, as the rueful title indicates, he wasn’t in it for his health.

Following the documentary The Dead Ships, The Dustbowl Revival, The Muddy Reds, John Wayne Bro, The Driftwood Singers and some special guests will be collaborating and jamming out some of Levon Helm’s best known songs. This is an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the life and work of Levon Helm that you can’t see anywhere else.

All proceeds from the night’s event go to Rocking Out Cancer.

The Mint california (Event Info) (21 & over)

reviewed by
05-14-12