The Run Down - Thursday February 21, 2008

It's Thursday! And what a fine Thursday it is. There are two super fantastic shows tonight to our south. At the Black Cat in DC, Atlas Sound, White Rainbows, and Valet perform. If you really want to get fancy (not fancy at all, but it sounds good), go check out Evangelicals, Headlights, and We Were Pirates at IOTA in Virginia. There's even more tomorrow, but first, concentrate on today.

mp3: Atlas Sound - Without Headlights --> website --> buy
mp3: Valet - Kehaar --> website --> buy
mp3: Evangelicals - Skeleton Man --> website --> buy
mp3: Headlights - TV --> website --> buy
mp3: We Were Pirates - The Wolf --> website --> buy

In The Kitchen With Bellman Barker Part 1

You all know that we here at Pasta Primavera are big fans of DC's Bellman Barker. They roped us in with their beautifully crafted indie pop gems and then blew us away with their live show. So it should come to no ones surprise that they are the first band to be featured in our "In The Kitchen" interview segment. I know I know. NOT ANOTHER BORING INTERVIEW! Well don't worry. It's not. You may not know it, but Bellman Barker are masters of communication (similar to masters of the universe, but much cooler). They harness the ability to send movies, images, text, and witty remarks directly through the cosmos and into your brain!!!! And I just thought they were a great band, but I soon found out they were much more when I sat down with Aaron, Thomas, Steve and the gang...

PP: Who the heck are you guys anyway?
BB:


PP: What is the inspiration for that crazy band name?
BB:


PP: Why don't you have more cowbell?
BB:


PP: Oookaaaay...what is the best band you ever played with?
BB:


PP: Makes sense. What is the worst band you ever played with?
BB: ICP

PP: Do you now? Is your drummer deaf?
BB:

PP: What is the best concert you've ever attended?
BB:

PP: You were at that show? Wow. So tell me what bands are the most over-rated?
BB:


PP: Duh. What bands are the most under - rated?
BB:


PP: Describe your perfect day in 3 activities or less.
BB: Wake up, drink an orange julius while listening to Tatu, fall asleep.

PP: Orange Julius isn't an activity...it's a WAY OF LIFE. What venue/festival would be your dream gig?
BB:


PP: Keep on dreaming. Dang it! What the hell is wrong with this country?
BB:

PP: Word to that. Poker or spades?
BB: Hearts. Duh.

PP: I said poker or spades! No...wait... The Simpsons or South Park?
BB: South Park is pedestrian.

PP: Red wine or white wine?
BB: A good bordeaux.

PP: What's the best band you are listening to that no one knows about?
BB: We were listening to the Monks the other day--that was good.

PP: I'll say it here first. That's the hair style of the future!!!!

That's just a taste of our first meeting. Part two they delve into the realm of Lost Boys, Billy Idol...and other things.

mp3: Bellman Barker - Molly Maroon --> website -> buy

The Run Down - Wednesday February 20, 2008

First off, before you go see any live music tonight, be sure to catch the lunar eclipse. Sometimes nature has the best performances. After that head on down to the Ottobar to check out Akrobatik with Snapz, Make Shift Deluxe, and T.M.F.. Akrobatik is a great MC with a flow and mentality similar to KRS One (though still worlds apart) and should provide a great show. If hip hop and Baltimore aren't in your sights, maybe Black Mountain and Bon Iver will do the trick in Philly at Johnny Brenda's. Or if you really want some indie head over to The Fire to see the ever changing sound of Tiger Saw along with Boatload of Madmen, Joshua Park, Anna Vogelzang, and Nu Cultures. First things first though, make sure you look up.

mp3: Black Mountian - Angels --> website --> buy
mp3: Bon Iver - For Emma --> website --> buy
mp3: Tiger Saw - Tigers On Fire --> website --> buy
mp3: Akrobatik - Time --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Tuesday February 19, 2008

Do you like beautifully crafted soulful folk songs? Yeah? Do you like expansive dirty soulful rock music? Double yeah? Then what are you waiting for??? Get on down to the Rock and Roll Hotel in DC tonight to see Black Mountain and Bon Iver. There's no excuse for you to miss it.

mp3: Black Mountain - Evil Ways --> website --> buy
mp3: Bon Iver - Flume --> website --> buy

Toofer Toosday - The Honeydrips & Eugene Francis Jnr

The Honeydrips is the musical pseudonym for Swedish singer/song writer Mikael Carlsson. Last year he released a fairly sweet album on Sincerely Yours called Here Comes The Future. On this album Carlsson swims between atmospheric acoustic heart songs, pop sweepers, and electropop movers. When I first ran through the album, I felt a little uneasy from the sound and tempo changes. After the third or fourth time, I found myself settling in to Carlsson's unique voice and style of song writing. I also found that the broad spectrum of the album brought a surprising freshness to further listens. The Honeydrips play the Black Cat on April 2nd with fellow Swede Jens Lekman. This is a show everyone should attend (and probably already are planning on attending).

mp3: The Honeydrips - Trying Something New --> website --> buy
mp3: The Honeydrips - (Lack of) Love Will Tear Us Apart

I wondered why I seemed to be so entranced with Eugene Francis Jnr's music. I really did. Now I come to find his birthday is on March 8th, the day before mine. I guess my inner piscean heard the connection. It heard the basement electronic loops layered with simple yet tantalizing pop melodies. You may have heard him opening for Tegan and Sarah recently, but my guess is you'll be hearing much more from this Welsh singer/songwriter. His album The Golden Beatle is set to release on April 28th on Legion.

mp3: Eugene Francis Jnr - Poor Me --> website --> buy

Random Randomness For A Random World

Ida, my my cosmic autumn rebellion rebellion time time keeps on slipping slipping through the sensors.

image via blu

The Run Down - Sunday February 17, 2008

Nothing like a good ole laaaaazzzyy Sunday. If you do happen to make it out of the house today, there are a couple of supremely good shows. The first being at a new venue in Alexandria, VA called the Lab. It's a all ages benefit show for Cal Robbins and features performances by Tereu Tereu, Bellman Barker, and Jawbox (On Cello). If you like electro pop travel on up to Philly to catch Freezepop, Boy In Static, and The Model at the North Star Bar. Or you can just relax on this mellow Sunday with some music.

mp3: Freezepop - Chess King --> website --> buy
mp3: Boy In Static - Skull (Sebadoh Cover) --> website --> buy
mp3: Tereu Tereu - Don't Be Sore, Farmer John --> website
mp3: Bellman Barker - Charles Kil --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Saturday February 16, 2008

Well if you live in or are traveling to Philadelphia tonight you will have a multitude of great shows to choose from. At Johnny Brenda's you can catch some great indie hip hop with Food For Animals, Mi Ami, and Pissed Jeans. If that doesn't satisfy your hip hop quota then, swing over to the Tritone to see the Alien Architect. If you like indie rock, I mean really good indie rock, the North Star has you covered with Drug Rug, The Bye Byes, Ezra Furman & The Harpoons, and Movable Type. Finally the Fire has the last day of the Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival and it has a super sweet line up. Illinois, Drink Up Buttercup, Cheers Elephant, Peasant, Crooked Looks, East Hundred, and Creaky Boards will all be performing,

mp3: Food For Animals - Swampy Sumer Jam --> website --> buy
mp3: The Alien Architect - Extracting Easthetics --> website
mp3: Drug Rug - Tiny People --> website --> buy
mp3: The Bye Byes - Leftover Lois --> website
mp3: Ezra Furman - Moses --> website --> buy
mp3: Illinois - Headphones --> website --> buy
mp3: Drink Up Buttercup - Seasickness Pills --> website
mp3: Cheers Elephant - Wide Eyed --> website
mp3: Peasant - The Wind --> website --> buy
mp3: Creaky Boards - Brooklyn (Will You Love Me Forever? Will You Kill Me Now?) --> website --> buy

Friday (I'm A Remix)

So here we are again. Friday. Do you ever have one of those up and down rollercoaster can't predict what will happen the next second kind of weeks? Well that's what I'm having this week. Looks like it's all going to work out in the end though. For a minute there, I was happy, then bummed, then stressed, and ultimately happy again. And of course there's these....

mp3: Annie - Happy Without You (Sebastian Remix)
mp3: John Vanderslice - Speed Lab (Chris Walla Rob0t Mix)
mp3: M.I.A./Diplo - Sunshowers (Diplo Mix)
mp3: Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor (Jesse Rose Remix)

image via blu

The Run Down - Friday February 15, 2008

There's not too many shows today, but the quality of the shows is awesome. First off, if you missed the Black Cat show a while back, you have another chance tonight to catch Yeasayer, MGMT, and the opener Fang Island at Johnny Brenda's. Of course if you don't have tickets, you're out of luck...sold out. Here in Baltimore, The Red Vines are having their CD release party (see our review here of the album) at the Golden West Cafe in Hampden along with Caleb Stine and the Brakemen and Small Sur. That should be pretty sweet. That's it!

mp3: MGMT - Boogie Down --> website --> buy
mp3: Yeasayer - Forgiveness --> website --> buy
mp3: Fang Island - The Landing --> website --> buy
mp3: The Red Vines - Puncturing Staples --> website --> buy
mp3: Caleb Stine and the Brakemen - Come Back Home --> website --> buy
mp3: Small Sur - Second Chances --> website

Want More? Private Eleanor.

Today, being the infamous V-Day, should be the day to sit down, light a fire (or a candle), find a companion, and listen to Private Eleanor (if you don't have a companion, that's okay too. Celebrate yourself!). A local band, Private Eleanor, has played around town for many years, so much so that they recently went on an indefinite hiatus. Though I am completely heartbroken that there aren't any imminent shows lined up for them (except for an intimate show on Feb. 25th @ the Galaxy Hut in VA), I am still comforted by the wonderful sound of their last album, Sweethearting. Released in 2007 on the Beechfields (Among Wolves, The Red Vines) label, Sweethearting accomplishes what many pop bands fail to. Many pop bands focus on the melody and arrangements (which are important) so much that their lyrics and meaning become transparent. Private Eleanor overcome that hurdle blending savvy folk pop melodies with genuine lyrics and heartfelt performances. They astutely combine the catchiness of bands like Imperial Teen with the tempestuous flavoring of Elliot Smith. Truly a gem of 2007. Support this band and pray this hiatus doesn't carry over too long.

mp3: Private Eleanor - A Better Way To Run --> website --> buy($5!!!!)
mp3: Private Eleanor - Enter Early And Often

The Run Down - Thursday February 14, 2008

Before I run down the list of ridiculously good Philly shows, I must mention a fine Valentine's Day show right here in Baltimore. The Lo-Fi Social Club is dimming the lights and lighting candles for Famous Lovers and the Soundscapes. Find someone and go to that show. If you're in Philly, you can't complain about the shortage of shows for the next couple of days. Today is no different. Johnny Brenda's has A Sunny Day In Glasgow, Remote Islands, and The Offering. North Star has Small Town Fires, Sounds Under Radio, Hey Angel, and The Armchairs. Finally the epic Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival continues at the Fire with a folkish night of These United States, Wes Matthews and the New Way Down, Extraordinaires, Birdie Busch, Hezekiah Jones, Bee Team, and Sister Three. Go. Love. Listen.

mp3: A Sunny Day In Glasgow - No. 6 Von Karman Street --> website --> buy
mp3: Remote Islands - Philadelphia --> website --> buy
mp3: Small Town Fires - The Abdomen Drum --> website --> buy
mp3: Famous Lovers - John Batt --> website --> buy
mp3: The Soundscapes - Here's When --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - Slow Crows Over --> website --> buy
mp3: Hezekiah Jones - Albert Hash --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Wednesday February 13, 2008

The Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival continues at The Fire in Philly. Today's line up includes Papertrigger, Victor Victor Band, Seizure 17, Infinien, Consider The Source, Neighbors On The Moon, We Are Castles, Surgeon, and Nu Cultures. If you're a bit further south, DC also has a slam bang show for you in Famous Lovers, The Soundscapes, Tiger and The Snow, and The Milwaukees at the Red and the Black. Alllllright...

mp3: Famous Lovers - John Batt --> website --> buy
mp3: The Soundscapes - Here's When --> website --> buy
mp3: Papertrigger --> We Are Nations Now! --> website --> buy

AmpLive Is Alive and Well!!

Okay so many of you have probably heard some of AmpLive's Radiohead remixes a few months ago. You may not know he was trying to release an album of these remixes. Well long story short, he forgot to clear it with Radiohead and the label, there was some cease and desists issued, and we all thought it was dead in the water. Nope. Rainydayz Remixes is out now and it's completely free for download. I was pretty fond of the earlier remixes of Weird Fishes and Nude, but when I looked at the tracklisting for this 8 song album and saw Video Tapez and Del The Funky Homosapien paired together, I just about lost my mind. With good cause too. That track is the BEE'S KNEES!!!! Find out for yourself.

mp3: AmpLive - Video Tapez (ft. Del The Funky Homosapien) --> website --> download the free album

A Dose of The LK

The LK are from Sweden. Their full name is actually The Love Of Kevin, Colour, Chaos And The Sound Of K, but I guess The LK is easier to remember. This duo is comprised of Lindefelt and Fredrik has a new album, Vs The Snow, set up to be released on March 4 on The Kora Records. They'll have a US tour to follow including dates in DC and SXSW. That's the facts. Now here's the scoop. If there was ever an example of perfect electro-noise-pop, then The LK is it. Some could say they resemble a European version of the Postal Service, but there are notable differences. The Postal Service's sound evolved from fragmented electronic sounds combined with Gibbard's hushed melodramatic vocals. The LK is textured, smooth, almost hip-hop/dance floor driven beats with Lindefelt's catchy new wave vocals bouncing all over them. What usually kills albums like these is the repetitive nature of them, but Vs The Snow changes speeds, emotions, and sounds often enough to keep me submerge in their groove. After the first listen, I found pressing play again and again. The LK are complex enough to satisfy my mind and poppy enough to satisfy my ears.

mp3: The LK - Eurovision --> website --> buy
mp3: The LK - Blakboy Vs. The Snow

Radiohead announce some US tour dates / Venues

As expected, some of the dates and venues for the US tour have been announced.

Specifics are HERE.

There will be a pre-sale through W.A.S.T.E. this Thursday at an undetermined time.

The Run Down - Tuesday February 12, 2008

First off, if you missed the Liars show in Philly (which you had to because it was canceled), then your in luck because they play again tonight at the 9:30 club in DC. Or you might want to stay put in Philly because the Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival is in full swing at The Fire. Tonights line up includes Cowmuddy, Devin Greenwood, The Spinning Leaves, Chase Pagan, Papertrees, and April Smith and The Great Picture Show.

mp3: Cowmuddy - Fire Warms Everyone --> website --> buy
mp3: Devin Greenwood - This Over Here --> website --> buy
mp3: The Spinning Leaves - Transistor Radio --> website
mp3: Liars - The Other Side Of Mt. Heart Attack --> website --> buy

Toofer Toosday - An American Chinese & The Republic Tigers

It's not too often you come across a band that has such a solidified identity and image so early on. An American Chinese not only has a unique sound, they also have a defined visual representation throughout their website, posters, and promos. I guess I could equate it to how I felt when I first discovered Fishboy's website and music. Why is this important? Well for me it shows they're serious for one. It also shows that they aren't just looking to play pretty songs for us to sing a long. They have a purpose and an emotion to put forth. Anyway. I thought I'd mention that before explaining that their EP, Panic Pilgrim, that I received recently is simply fantastic. The seven piece from Philadelphia blends a fun poppy sound that can be large and introspective like the Arcade Fire or small and personal like the Violent Femmes. These guys and gals have officially put themselves on the list for bands to watch. Apparently they're at work on a full length, and you can find them playing a variety of shows in the PA area. We'll keep you posted.

mp3: An American Chinese - Blaine Wiggins Failed Musician --> website --> buy
mp3: An American Chinese - No No Like That

I received another EP recently that also blew me away. It was from The Republic Tigers, a five piece out of Kansas City. This band might be in for something big. The EP was released on Chop Shop in December of 2007 and there is an album in the works for this year. They remind me of everything I love about the Shins while blending a unique, almost ambient quality to their melodies. I can always tell a great EP when I find myself eagerly wanting more after it ends. That was the case for this disc. I was pretty much sold when the thumping drum line surprisingly kicked in on the third track 'The Drums' (fitting, I guess). The list of bands to watch grows even larger with the addition of The Republic Tigers. If you're heading to SXSW this year, make this band a priority to see.

mp3: The Republic Tigers - Buildings and Mountains --> website --> buy
mp3: The Republic Tigers - The Drums

Radiohead US tour dates likely announced Tuesday, February 12

Ah, rumors. They just make my day some days. Especially when they involve the best band in the world. At Ease is reporting that the dates and venues for Radiohead's US tour will be announced Tuesday.

Florida fans can already begin making plans for May 5th at the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach and can start recruiting friends to help buy tickets this Saturday at 10:00am when they go on sale on ticketbastards... err, I mean ticketmaster. Prices are reasonable to, ranging from $32 to $55.

What a summer it will be.

Random Randomness For A Random World

The good life life and life only only cause you're young young men dead dead melodies.

image via wooster collective