Arcade Fire have released the documentary film Miroir Noir online Tuesday, December 16.
Madison, WI. Beautiful town. Great college atmosphere. But, not necessarily the first place my mind goes when I think of indie rock. Fried cheese ends. Yes. Beer. Absolutely. Scalloped potatoes with ham. You bet. But I never really thought a band as great as Pale Young Gentlemen would make their home there.
Impossibly upbeat, Nashville's Parachute Musical make some of the most entertaining, high energy piano based pop in the country. Not since The Muppets parody of Dr. John has there been such charming interplay between melody and manic muscial mayhem. Parachute Musical represents pop craftsmanship at it's finest. Most of 2008, they have been on tour promoting their release Everything Is Working Out Fine in Some Town. We caught up with them while they were resting up for their Winter tour and asked them a few questions!
Viva: What was the first album you bought as a kid?
Josh Foster: Al Green - Greatest Hits
Tom Gilbert: Kris Kross - Totally Krossed Out
Ben Jacoby: La Bumba / MJ's Thriller
Viva: What other band names did you seriously consider before going with Parachute Musical?
Josh Foster: "Mathias Ringstrom"
Viva: Who has the worst van etiquette on tour?
Josh Foster: We're all pretty good... But if naked hairy men offend you then I'd say Ben. He gets down to his man panties and sleeps on the first bench seat. But he cleans regularly so it's all good. Tom has shitting problems on the road and gets pretty backed up. His gas in the van can be pretty outrageous.
Tom Gilbert:Depends on who has and who hasn't been eating Taco Bell
Ben Jacoby: Depends on the amount of cameras verse cigarettes
Viva: Aside from your home city, where's your favorite place to play?
Josh Foster: I really liked playing the 40 watt club in Athens GA. We played there with Modern Skirts and it was awesome. I also really like Headliners in Columbia SC.
Tom Gilbert: Nashville and D.C. are kind of both home cities, and are equally awesome. Other than that, I like Athens, GA
Ben Jacoby: Coastal bat mitzvahs
Viva: A wise man told me never trust a keyboard player. Is this true?
Josh Foster: Fuck yeah... turn your back for one second and the next thing you know I'm peeing on your leg.
Tom Gilbert:If he uses the "choir" sound on his keyboard then you can trust him
Ben Jacoby: They've got more buttons, so I guess so
Viva: Who's in heavy rotation on your iPod?
Josh Foster: Cold War Kids... SIKE!
Tom Gilbert: My iPod is broken and I haven't been able to update it since 2004. So whatever the hit music of 2004 was- The first Maroon 5 cd , Kelly Clarkson, that Eminem "Lose Yourself!" song, JoJo, Usher "Confessions Pt II"
Viva: What was the worst fight over nothing that you got into with each other after being road weary and exhausted?
Josh Foster: Ben eating my fuckin' chips. But I got him.... tore one of that bastards eyes out. Ben Jacoby: After the road is one of the most peacefully times, as everyone just goes to bed
Live Video of of Vacuum!
If you haven't checked out Headlights, I strongly urge you to do so! On December 9th, Polyvinyl is releasing a remix album that covers tracks from both Headlights albums - Kill Them With Kindness & Some Racing, Some Stopping.
Despite what you may think to the contrary, Nate Mitchell and Becky Brooks of Cars Can Be Blue are not possessed by horny little demons hell bent on making sodomy and bitterness an every day part of the indie rock dialect. Rather, they are veteran road warriors who sacrifice so much of their lives to bring joy and happiness into the hearts of every audience they meet. Their latest album Doubly Unbeatable is full of catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and tackles some highly amusing subject matter that few other bands could even begin to approach with such honesty and humility. There is such heart and sincerity behind all of their music that they completely transcend the realm of indie rock labels and have created a genre that is entirely their own.
This week, Portland's amazing duo TalkDemonic debuted the first video from their Eyes At Half Mast album (released Sept 2008). Directed by Orie Weeks, the "Duality of Deathening" video is a remarkably sweet look at a robot learning what it means to be human. It's a great companion piece to a fantastic album. Watch the video below and take a minute to listen to a couple of songs from the record. TalkDemonic is a special band. They deserve a more than few moments of your time.
Usually I am not drawn in by all instrumental music, but there is something about the quiet beauty of Arliss Parker's Handome Like A Lion that speaks to me. This six song EP got it's start in 2006 when Chris Parker moved from Colorado to New York, converted an abandoned dark room into a recording studio, and started laying down tracks with his guitar. The tracks evolved into lovely, rich layers of toy pianos, synth sounds, and appropriately simple beats. I don't think I have the words to properly explain the contemplative tone of the music. Listen to the tracks "She Smiles While She Sleeps" and "Our Favorite Films" in the player below and see if you don't find yourself lost in thought, wondering how your life got so off track, why you aren't the person you always wanted to be, and what you can do to make your future better.
I must admit, I have an affinity for Scottish bands. The Magnificents make some of the most enjoyable, fun electro-pop I have heard in awhile. Year of the Explorers is the bands second full length release and is chock full of tales of stolen synthesizers, trans-Euro espressways, and left handed guitars. Some of my favorite tracks include "Get It Boy" and "Tiger Choir." Check out the videos below. The Magnificents certainly live up to their name.
If you haven't discovered School of Seven Bells yet, Alpinisms is a great place to start! 12 great tracks comprise this album, some of which cover previous releases, so that people who haven't caught on yet can catch up! The band is comprised of Benjamin Curtis and twin sisters Claudia and Alejandra Deheza. Together, they make some of the most lovely, sophisticated, dreamy pop ever conceived. So far my favorite tracks on the album include "Half Asleep" and "Chain." Check these guys out soon!
Look Mexico is capping off a busy 2008 with a new vinyl release Gasp Asp. Fans have two great choices for obtaining this release. They can download the digital version which includes 4 songs released by Lujo Records. Or, they can get the special edition collectors vinyl 3 song 7" being put out in November on the Tiny Engines label. Personally, I'd take the vinyl almost every time! Check out the track "You're Not Afraid of the Dark, Are You?"
Grampall Jookabox is a total nutjob...and I mean this as a compliment of the highest degree. The songs on his second release Ropechain are a chaotic delight. The sounds are infused with 60s garage, mid-90s skronk, 70s funk, and just some really amazing fucked up shit that I ain't never heard before. Take a second and play the "The Girl Ain't Preggers" video game, just try not to land on any babies! Highly entertaining stuff. Grampall Jookabox deserves a few moments of your time and attention.
