EAR FARM's Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week, three tracks from the band Throw Me The Statue.
Listen:
"Lolita"
“Yucatan Gold"
"Conquering Kids"
31 July 2007
Three for Free - Throw Me The Statue
Today's NEW releases
This week, I deem these releases worth considering:
30 July 2007
snip·pets
OK! magazine editor-in-chief: Day with Britney Spears was 'shock'
Led Zeppelin Readies Fall Reissue Bonanza
Ozzy Osbourne treated in hospital
Stylus: 50 Greatest Rock Drummers
RollingStone: 20 Best Live Bands Playing Right Now
University of Colorado at Denver's Advocate lists their top 5 music blogs (and in the process shows they have no idea what a "blog" actually is)
Recent Morrissey concert reviews: NY Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, phillyburbs.com, Village Voice
27 July 2007
Bat For Lashes
Bat For Lashes is the work of British singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist Natasha Khan and the project has won her many celebrity musician fans (such as Bjork, Brett Anderson, Devendra Banhart, Jarvis Cocker and Thom Yorke) as well as a nomination for this year's Mercury Prize (for her soon-to-be released in the US album Fur and Gold - can't wait for Tuesday).
There's a good reason for all of this heaping praise - her music is out of this world. Or, from another world. They are songs full of haunting sexual imagery highlighted by gorgeous ethereal vocals. "Horse & I" pulls together sparse harpsichord and theremin work with results that fall someplace in between Cat Power and Bjork. "What's A Girl To Do?" is a combination of Erotica era Madonna, Portishead, and soundtracks to countless David Lynch films. In other words, this music is just what I needed and I'm fairly upset that I wasn't able to catch her recent show at the Knitting Factory. Add to all of this the fact that the US release of Fur and Gold is set to include a cover version of Bruce Springsteen's “I’m On Fire” and you can see (perhaps) why I'm so excited for this record to finally be released here in the States.
Listen:
"Horse & I"
"What's A Girl To Do?"
Watch:
"Prescilla"
"What's A Girl To Do"
Visit Bat For Lashes on MySpace.
*image from the Bat For Lashes artwork page HERE.
26 July 2007
8+
"Flood" by Boris which clocks in at 14:42
From time to time EAR FARM enjoys featuring guest posts in the long-running 8+ feature. To that end, I'd like to once again invite any and all of you to get in touch if you're interested in writing your own 8+ to be featured here (see previous 8+ guest posts HERE). The only guidelines: you must write about a song longer than eight minutes and the song you're writing about can not be a recording of a live performance. Other than that, it's a wide open format where anything goes.
This week I'm happy to welcome a guest post from my friend Taylor. Her blog T-Sides is a site you've no doubt seen linked to before on EAR FARM and I'm pleased to have her be a part of the 8+ canon with a post about the song "Flood" by Boris.
As the only child of a widow, I had to accompany my mother everywhere. Beginning at a very young age, I spent a lot of time in cars, which resulted in a love for staring out of windows and a knack for noticing detail. One of my favorite things to watch was turn signals, particularly when we were stopped at lights. If you've ever been bored and stared out the window at a series of blinking turn signal lights, no doubt you've noticed the timing. They start out of sync, fall in a pattern together - then lose it - then regroup, ad infinitum.Buy Flood HERE on Amazon.
This is the musical version of that - two guitar lines instead of two blinking lights. Even though the pattern lasts for nearly 15 minutes, it never gets boring, because you keep wondering... will they meet up again? what's that noise? I'm sure there's some sort of scientific/mathematic explanation for all of this, but why ruin the mystery?
EAR FARM's 8+ is a weekly feature that showcases songs longer than 8 minutes. In the recent past these songs were featured on EF's 8+:
Vieux Farka Touré - "Diabaté"
Morrissey - "Southpaw"
Mastodon - "Hearts Alive"
Frog Eyes - "Bushels"
Slint - "Washer"
Martin Eagle Trio - "The Hipster"
Battles - "Rainbow"
Nirvana - "Scentless Apprentice"
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's 8+ click HERE.
OPP
Aquarium Drunkard: Pink Floyd - Live @ Pompeii 1971 (Echoes)
Catbirdseat: Paper Thin Walls bought by Getty Images
Crackers United has some nice pics from Siren '07
Earvolution: The Ten Best Bands That Never Existed
Fluxblog: Early Impressions Of The Fiery Furnaces' Widow City
Gridskipper offers an incomplete look at New York Record Stores for Vinyl Zealots (yeah, incomplete)
I Hate Peas points us to a PC Easy Bake Oven
Limewire blog: Gnarls Barkley’s Cee-Lo Goes Crazy on Rare Hendrix Tracks
Motel de Moka: Doppelleben
Productshop: White Stripes Live at MSG - The Verdict? (NYCTaper has the show to download in lossless format)
Thepunkguy: Some Grizzly Bear B-Sides
25 July 2007
Frauke - "Canadian Girlfriend"
Checking back in with Frauke (first featured on EAR FARM back in mid-April) reveals them to be one hot band of yeti hunters. They've just recently played a Hot Rocks show, are set to play Cake Shop in the near future (see below), and have written what could very well be the Summer jam of 2007. I decided to get back in touch with Frauke for another interview via IM...
EAR FARM:
hello Frauke
Frauke:
hello matt. how are you doings?
EAR FARM:
i am wishing to discuss with you this new song i have been listening to
Frauke:
yes? what song is that?
EAR FARM:
it is titled "Canadian Girlfriend" - there is a rumor going around that this song was written, performed, and recorded by Frauke, Frauke, and Frauke. can you confirm this?
Frauke:
yes this is true. Frauke, Frauke and I will be held accountable for it. have you been singing it in the shower? again?
EAR FARM:
i would like to be able to tell all of the Frauke members that this - why yes I have, how are you aware of what i sing in the shower?
Frauke:
i had install small camera - originally only to monitor cat
EAR FARM:
i see. well, to continue the thought - this song is already about to be called THE summer jam of 2007 by websites as far and wide as Ear Farm and Earfarm and EAR FARM. when the Fraukes three were making this song, did any of you have an idea that it would reach such great heights? and - would you say that the reason that such esteemed publications as Ear Farm, Earfarm, and EAR FARM have fallen in love with the song is because those in charge of said famous publications can completely relate to the lyrics? AND - in conclusion, have you written this song about MY LIFE?! is that what the camera was really for?
Frauke:
well i will tell you, while we are indeed afraid of heights above 30feet, frauke insisted that he had a canadian girlfriend that all the world should know about. i heard from a friend of a friend that perhaps another friend also had a canadian girlfriend so perhaps it is something common among peoples to have girlfriends from canada. are there loose women there? why are they so popular? I guess i am not suprised that you maybe know some canadian women. as a german girl -- i didnt realize canada was so exotic to the american boys until frauke and frauke explained it to me. i think canada is like a sexy librarian type.
EAR FARM:
yes, it is a foreign land and as such is the case that means there are many exotic librarians, foods, and films which are born there.
Frauke:
yes. tell me - what is an exotic canadian food? i am not knowing of these things
EAR FARM:
well, there is Molson Golden... which is a kind of pot pie i believe.
Frauke:
it sounds crusty and golden and delicious. when do we get back to you in the shower?
EAR FARM:
okay, we can return to that now. so there i was, in the shower with my canadian girlfriend...
Frauke:
oh no! dont say it is so - you are making frauke blush!
EAR FARM:
and i realized, hey - that song that Frauke sent me would go well with this real life scenario. so i sang her the song and she loved it and declared it THE summer jam of 2007. given that Canadian women are as smart as they are trendy and loose i believed her.
Frauke:
sexy librarian (i.e: canadian) types are also clearly very smart, even the imaginary ones
EAR FARM:
that's what i said! but nevermind that. what's it like to have a garage full of clydesdales?
Frauke:
funny you should say that because having a garage full of clydesdales, as you put it, is very much like the feeling we get from having written a catchy song. well to be more specific, it is more like the feeling that any moment the clydesdales will go into a full on rage, tear down the garage, and rampage a small village. nobody will get hurt (of course) but the anticipation of the clydesdales having stompeded is very much like writing a song.
Listen:
"Canadian Girlfriend"
Visit Frauke on MySpace.
See Frauke live @ Cake Shop on the 6th of August with Gabby Glaser and the Great Ones (ex Lucious Jaskson), and Ninety Nine (ex Sleater Kinney).
Two Gallants announce Fall tour, third full length album set to be released 25 September
In September of this year Saddle Creek will release the third Two Gallants full-length album titled Two Gallants. It follows The Scenery of Farewell acoustic EP and will be accompanied by a full tour of the US. Tracklisting, tour dates, and MP3 from The Scenery of Farewell below.
Two Gallants tracklisting:
1) The Deader
2) Miss Meri
3) The Hand That Held Me Down
4) Trembling of the Rose
5) Reflections of the Marionette
6) Ribbons Round My Tongue
7) Despite What You've Been Told
8) Fly Low Carrion Crow
9) My Baby's Gone
Two Gallants Fall 2007 tour:
SUN 9/16/2007 San Francisco CA
Treasure Island Festival
MON 9/17/2007 Portland OR
Berabti's Pan
TUE 9/18/2007 Vancouver BC
Media Club
WED 9/19/2007 Seattle WA
The Crocodile
THU 9/20/2007 Boise ID
Neurolux
FRI 9/21/2007 Salt Lake City
Kilby Court
SAT 9/22/2007 Denver CO
Hi-Dive
SUN 9/23/2007 Rapid City SD
The Imperial Inn
MON 9/24/2007 Fargo ND
Aquarium
WED 9/26/2007 Minneapolis MN
Turf Club
THU 9/27/2007 Iowa City IA
The Picador
SAT 9/29/2007 Chicago IL
Schubas (early All Ages)
Schubas (late 21+)
SUN 9/30/2007 Cleveland OH
Grog Shop
TUE 10/2/2007 New York NY
Gramercy Theatre
THU 10/4/2007 Philadelphia PA
First Unitarian
FRI 10/5/2007 Boston MA
Middle East Downstairs
SAT 10/6/2007 Baltimore MD
Sonar
SUN 10/7/2007 Washington DC
Rock and Roll Hotel
MON 10/8/2007 Chapel Hill NC
Local 506
TUE 10/9/2007 Atlanta GA
Drunken Unicorn
FRI 10/12/2007 Baumont TX
Votex
SAT 10/13/2007 Austin TX
Mohawk
MON 10/15/2007 Tucson AZ
Solar Culture
WED 10/17/2007 San Diego CA
The Casbah
THU 10/18/2007 Los Angeles CA
El Rey
Listen:
"Seems Like Home To Me"
Visit Two Gallants on MySpace.
24 July 2007
Three for Free - The Velocet, Kiss Kiss, Sleep Station
EAR FARM's Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week, three tracks from artists on Eyeball Records. Click on the artist name to go to their site, click on the song name to listen to the song.
Listen:
The Velocet - "Chinatown"
Kiss Kiss - “Machines"
Sleep Station - "Caroline, London 1940"
Today's NEW releases
This week:
- Bishop Allen - The Broken String
- Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton - What Is Free to a Good Home
- John Vanderslice - Emerald City
- Johnny Cash - The Great Lost Performances
- Prince - Planet Earth
- Sebadoh - The Freed Man (reissue)
- Slayer - Christ Illusion
- Tegan & Sara - The Con
- Various Artists - The Simpsons Movie [SOUNDTRACK]
23 July 2007
Annuals, Band of Horses @ McCarren Pool - 22 July 2007
Annuals (above) rocked Brooklyn yesterday with their set at McCarren Pool. They've continued to grow together nicely since the last time I saw them as they seem to have an even finer sense of how to really work those yo-yo moments so prevalent in many of their songs. They did Raleigh proud. Shoot.
Listen:
"Brother"
"Dry Clothes"
See more pictures of Annuals (from this show and others) HERE.
Band of Horses (above) didn't hate me yesterday, and I didn't hate them either. No, in fact I loved them. They played the songs from Everything All The Time that I expected them to play (and they were all excellent) but what really stood out for me were the new songs from the upcoming album. Anyone know what that final song they played was? (update: apparently it was a Ron Wood solo song(?!) - anyone know the name of it?) It was awesome.
Listen:
"Funeral"
"Bass Song"
See more pictures of Band of Horses (from this show) HERE.
snip·pets
Wired: How to Launch an MP3 Blog
Robert Smith: Don't Hold Breath For Simpson Collaboration
Sumner, Morris Say New Order Still Exists
Prince CD giveaway angers industry
Minneapolis Star Tribune profiles local music bloggers
Top 100 cover songs of all time
NYTimes on Siren
20 July 2007
The Ting Tings
Some times, there are things like The Ting Tings. Things you just know will find an audience, no matter what. Things you just know will be bumpin' in DJ booths in no time, if not already. Things bound to become popular because their mere existence almost defines popular. You know what I mean. Toni Basil "you take me by the heart when you take me by the hand" things. Well, The Ting Tings are an example of these kinds of things.
I first found out about The Ting Tings by seeing a post about them over on Hear No Evil just the other day. I'd never even heard of them but the song I was hearing on MySpace clicked with me right away. Turns out they're not well known in the US yet, or even in their home (UK) if we're being totally honest - though they just rocked Glastonbury and have a billion UK dates lined up for the near future, they're still a band learning just who they are. Regardless, the wheels of popularity push forward and The Ting Tings are currently experiencing the starts of one of those good old fashioned British meteoric rises to fame. Wait and see. We'll be hearing songs by The Ting Tings in commercials for iPhones before you know it.
Not your run of the mill male/female duo, The Ting Tings sound much more like Gwen Stefani mixed with M.I.A. and CSS than they do The White Stripes, or Matt and Kim. This is a good thing, in case you didn't know. Good because you, like me, find yourself (strangely) needing more pop-dance-cheer grooves like "Hollaback Girl" and less sticky Icky Thump'n hump. You're looking for that special something in a song that makes you love it immediately, even at the cost of being sick of it nearly as immediately. Right? Like when your feet start to move, hips shaking, without you really telling them to - it's the music. The beats. The delivery of the vocals. You can't help but move to it. You want more music like that. Then four days later you're sick of it. But you still want to hear it so badly for those four days that you listen over and over and over again until the song gets "Hey Ya'd" right off of your iPod altogether. "Hey Ya'd"? Yeah. Or like what happened with Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy". Or any of a number of popular summer jams... Not saying we're looking at this year's #1 hotness, but The Ting Tings are a band with the potential to create many infectiously memorable songs as they grow into their songwriting. In fact, I think they already have. As of today at this moment right now, I love them.
Listen:
"That's Not My Name"
Watch:
"That's Not My Name" live @ Islington Mill - 9 June 2007
Live in the UK? See The Ting Tings live.
Visit The Ting Tings on MySpace and have a listen to "Great DJ".
Top ten things to do in New York tonight
Quite honestly, there's a staggering number of very good live music options happening in the city tonight. Here are ten things that involve music that you might want to consider doing (in no particular order, other than the numbers here - but they don't really mean that much):
10. see Girls Against Boys @ Bowery Ballroom
9. go see one of EF's favorite NYC bands Cheyenne (and others) @ Cake Shop
8. catch Neko Case @ Central Park SummerStage
7. see Cursive and the always excellent Daylight's For The Birds @ Maxwell's
6. go see Bishop Allen for free @ South Street Seaport
5. check out Locksley @ The Annex
4. shoegaze along with The Sky Drops and others @ Union Hall
3. fall head over heels in love with the music of Bell (and many others) @ Rockwood Music Hall
2. get yer Hot Rocks off with Frauke, Americans UK, The Art Of Shooting, and Gold Streets @ The Delancey
1. music nerd out to Battles (and others) @ Studio B
What other options are there for tonight?
19 July 2007
8+
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"Diabaté" by Vieux Farka Touré which clocks in at 9:17
If you follow "world music" or African music at all, or if you happen to pay attention when certain albums get a ton of great reviews, then the names posted above should not be all that unfamiliar to you. The name of the song posted here is in reference to one Toumani Diabaté, a legendary Malian kora player who was mentored by the late Ali Farka Touré and has worked with western artists such as Taj Mahal and Bjork. Vieux Farka Touré is Ali's son and has just released his own well received album this year as he makes a move to continue the great legacy which his late father left behind. This song, and the picture posted here, are both all about the same thing. Namely, the 21-string harp-lute known as the kora, Diabaté's mastery of said instrument, and a student and son coming together to honor Ali Farka Touré.
From wikipedia:
"A kora is built from a large calabash cut in half and covered with cow skin to make a resonator, and has a notched bridge like a lute or guitar. The sound of a kora resembles that of a harp, though when played in the traditional style, it bears a closer resemblance to flamenco guitar techniques. The player uses only the thumb and index finger of both hands to pluck the strings in polyrhythmic patterns (using the remaining fingers to hold the sticks either side of the strings and secure the instrument). Ostinato riffs ("Kumbeng") and improvised solo runs ("Biriminting") are played at the same time by skilled players."If, after reading this, you find yourself thirsty for the sounds of a master musician displaying his skills on a kora, then consider yourself in just the right place. The song "Diabaté" is a meditation, perhaps even an intended tribute to Touré's father, and it plays out as a lyrical master-class in fingerpicking, technique, and texture. I'd imagine it's quite a pleasure to see the man play a kora in person.
In fact, Toumani Diabaté just played a show in Manhattan last night, with another in Brooklyn today that's either still going on or just ending as I type. Brooklyn Vegan has more about last night's show, including a fine picture of Toumani explaining what a kora is to the crowd.
*above photo from HERE
Buy Vieux Farka Touré HERE on Amazon, HERE on iTunes, or HERE on eMusic.
EAR FARM's 8+ is a weekly feature that showcases songs longer than 8 minutes. In the recent past these songs were featured on EF's 8+:
Morrissey - "Southpaw"
Mastodon - "Hearts Alive"
Frog Eyes - "Bushels"
Slint - "Washer"
Martin Eagle Trio - "The Hipster"
Battles - "Rainbow"
Nirvana - "Scentless Apprentice"
Jesu - "Weightless and Horizontal"
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's 8+ click HERE.
18 July 2007
After The Jump Fest Initial Line-Up Announcement
[AFTER THE JUMP FEST]
AUGUST 25, 2007
STUDIO B (259 BANKER STREET)
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
RIOT IN BELGIUM * SOULICO * THE VIRGINS * LES SANS CULOTTES * RA RA RIOT * LOCKSLEY * APACHE BEAT *
GOES CUBE * JUKEBOX THE GHOST * BLING KONG * FINGER ON THE PULSE (DJ SET) *
DAVID BRUNO (SLAP YOU IN PUBLIC) (DJ SET)
*MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY*
FREE DAY SHOW (OUTSIDE STUDIO B)
NIGHT SHOW TICKETS ON SALE SOON
NIGHT SHOW TICKETS ON SALE SOON
ORGANIZED BY:
themusicslut . batteringroom . disconap . earfarm . ryspace . irockiroll . musicsnobbery . merryswankster . softcommunication . theunderratedblog . sitdownstandup . productshopnyc .watercoolergossip . bumpershine . themodernage . yetidontdance . slapyouinpublic . subinev . punkphoto . poptartssucktoasted .stereoactivenyc . fingeronthepulse
All proceeds from the festival will help fund grants written by New York music teachers for their classroom via the Bloggers Choose chapter of DonorsChoose.org. Please join us in making a great day of music and a significant contribution to music education in our city.
WEBSITES:
Slint @ Webster Hall - 17 July 2007
Slint performed the entirety of their classic album Spiderland (plus a couple more songs after they played the album) last night at Webster Hall here in New York City. 
Frankly, they blew me away with how perfectly they recreated the album live on stage. 
Given the nature of the music on Spiderland, the way the band performed, and the way the audience politely (and intently) listened and applauded, the show almost felt like it was at Carnegie, not Webster, Hall.
Each and every nuance of sound and mood was present and conveyed as well as I ever would have dreamed. I'm not kidding. It was easily one of my top shows so far this year, and if they hadn't cancelled the originally scheduled show for tonight I'd be going to see them do it all over again this evening.
See more pictures of Slint (from this show) HERE.
Read a recent 8+ about Slint's song "Washer" HERE.
17 July 2007
Three for Free - Iron and Wine, Tiny Vipers, Low
EAR FARM's Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week, three tracks from artists on Sub Pop Records. All three songs should go very well with chilling out on a warm summer night - grab yourself an iced tea, download these three tracks, and enjoy. Click on the artist name to go to their site, click on the song name to listen to the song.
Listen:
Iron and Wine - "Boy With A Coin"
Tiny Vipers - “On This Side"
Low - “Murderer"
Bowerbirds to tour with The Mountain Goats
Pitchfork says that Bowerbirds are set to tour in September/October with The Mountain Goats. Yay? You betcha. Check out dates and a couple of MP3s below.
The Mountain Goats/Bowerbirds - 2007 Tour Dates:
20 Sept - Washington, DC @ The Black Cat
21 Sept - Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
22 Sept - Philadelphia, PA @ Northstar Bar
24 Sept - Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Icon
25 Sept - Toronto, Ontario @ Lee's Palace
27 Sept - Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theatre
29 Sept - Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street
30 Sept - Boston, MA @ Middle East Underground
01 Oct - New York, NY @ The Bowery Ballroom
02 Oct - Brooklyn, NY @ Studio B
Listen:
Bowerbirds - "Dark Horse"
The Mountain Goats - "Raid On Entebbe"
16 July 2007
snip·pets
Stylus: Top Ten Vocal Sound Effects
Rough Trade aims to change the way that music is sold
Rapper Remy Ma Arraigned In NYC Shooting
Bret Michaels is the new Flavor Flav, but where are his big-haired cohorts?
PJ Harvey unveils White Chalk Tracklisting
The Cure ready double-disc of new material slated for October
Manson To Begin Shooting Carroll Film In Late Fall
NY Times on Guitar Hero nights in bars across the country
12 July 2007
8+
"Southpaw" by Morrissey which clocks in at 10:01
Dear Steven,
Do you hear that sound Morrissey? The sound I just linked to there. Yeah, that one. No, you have to go to that link and then press play within the link. Oh come on, I know you can do it. Just move the cursor to the little button that looks like an arrow and click that. UGH. Make sure the volume on your computer is turned up and then do it again. Got it? Okay good. YEAH. So, THAT sound. Hear it? The sound of sizzling meat. Disgusting right? Well that's the sound of me breaking up with you. Finally.
Look, it can't be like you weren't expecting it at this point. I mean, look at what I've given to you over the years and then compare that with what you've given me. No seriously. How have I loved you?
Let's count the ways:
And how have you loved me? When you announced recently that you were canceling part of the 2007 tour because of illness, I saw the writing on the wall. I knew what was next, still I clinged. I'd been through this before, back in the beginning, but this was different. Right? I mean, that was Chapel Hill, NC and this was New York City. And surely you'd matured since those days anyway, right? No way you'd cancel this show, right? I knew it was over, still I clinged. Then came the news: "due to illness, the Morrissey concert performance originally scheduled for Saturday, June 30, 2007 at Madison Square Garden has been rescheduled". And then, a week later, the nail in the coffin of my hopes to see my dear old Morrissey: "the Morrissey concert originally scheduled for June 30, 2007 at Madison Square Garden, which had previously been postponed due to illness, has been cancelled." Seriously? After all I've done for you? Fine then. It's so over.I've owned every album The Smiths released, and every album you've released as Morrissey - including some hastily put together greatest hits collections, just because I'm a completist - on each and every format they were released (yes, I even have things like that French-only release of The Loop). That means vinyl LP, cassette, CD, and even a few digital downloads to replace scratched CDs. Check your wallet - you're welcome. The same is true of singles put out by both The Smiths and Morrissey - and I even own most of these on both 7" and 12" and have cassingles as well. Cha-ching. I've got any and all official DVD and VHS releases. And I've bought (at least) Hulmerist and The Complete Picture multiple times. Sure, you could say that I paid part of the mortgage on that L.A. house you used to own. I've long known every lyric you've sung and sold, including some not meant to ever see the light of day and some I wish hadn't. This fey bookish music nerddom used to allow me to have online conversations with others like me using only your lyrics. What? Cut me some slack Jack. It was 1994, I didn't know what the world wide web was meant for, and I was just happy to find others like me out there. The very first time I attempted to see you in concert (Chapel Hill, 1991) you cancelled shortly before the show. I had 5th row seats. I had to wait seven years for you to come back to North Carolina; and when you did, you asked "where am I again?" on stage. I let it all slide. Since then I've paid a ridiculous amount of money to see your live show nine other times. You're welcome. In 1998 I formed and performed in a Smiths cover band. Not sure that this really was of any direct benefit to you, but I just thought I should mention it. I mean, hey, at one time I'd have said without question that I was the best Morrissey wannabe vocalist out there. Guess I emulated your arrogance too... In 2000 I made a pilgrimage to Manchester to see your hometown with my own eyes. To be frank, I liked seeing the Factory records related sites more than the Morrissey ones. I know I never mentioned it until now, but it's true. Twice I've given up eating meat, for years at a time. Sure, this has less to do with you than it does my own personal beliefs, but that's not the point. Oh, and I've owned an uncountable number of Morrissey and Smiths t-shirts, posters, and other assorted paraphernalia. And I used to dress like you and wear my hair like you and tell everyone who liked good music that they should listen to The Smiths. The Smiths has been announced as "my favorite band" anytime someone has asked during the past seventeen years. For the better part of, nay for the entirety of, the '90s I was a walking talking Morrissey and Smiths advert. You see how "legendary" you've become since I first started listening to your music?? Again, you're welcome. More than once I've attended "birthday" parties for you and celebrated the 22nd of May as special day. Even though I didn't really care for your most recent record, and even though I was sure at the time that the venue was too large and you'd not fill it up very well, I bought extremely expensive tickets to see you at Madison Square Garden. It's how things have always worked between us. I see any Morrissey or Smiths related (purchasable) item and I buy it. As soon as is possible, the day it goes on sale. Well Mister - this ends now. How soon is now? NOW now.
You still hold a greedy grace and I, I don't know where else I can go. We tried, we failed. We tried and we failed. We tried and we failed, we tried and we failed, we tried... GOD. Look at me. I swore I wouldn't let it come to me quoting you to tell you how the way you once felt now describes how I feel. I promised myself! Keep it together, keep it together, keepittogether, keepittogether. Deep breath. Okay. Right. I'm done with you. That's all, bye.
Regretfully Yours,
Matt
Oh and PS - I ate a cheeseburger today. Deal with it.
*cover art from HERE
Buy Southpaw Grammar HERE on Amazon.
EAR FARM's 8+ is a weekly feature that showcases songs longer than 8 minutes. In the recent past these songs were featured on EF's 8+:
Mastodon - "Hearts Alive"
Frog Eyes - "Bushels"
Slint - "Washer"
Martin Eagle Trio - "The Hipster"
Battles - "Rainbow"
Nirvana - "Scentless Apprentice"
Jesu - "Weightless and Horizontal"
Nuh Uh - "This Is Embarrassing"
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's 8+ click HERE.
Save Internet Radio: Court Denies Emergency Stay For Webcasters
This is really unfortunate news. If you're reading this, you need to stand up, speak up, and get involved if you want internet radio to survive. Dozens of webcasters, from EAR FARM favorites WOXY to Soma.FM and on and on, will collapse under the weight of the Copyright Royalty Board's royalty rate hikes. Your silence now will lead to even more silence when net radio disappears into rate-hike extinction. Please read the following and do something. You have the power.
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED FOR THURSDAY, JULY 12TH Greetings, Time and options are running out for Internet Radio. Late this afternoon, the court DENIED the emergency stay sought on behalf of webcasters, millions of listeners and the artists and music they support.UPDATE (7:45pm): SoundExchange will not enforce the new royalty rates. Read more HERE.
UNLESS CONGRESS ACTS BY JULY 15th, the new ruinous royalty rates will be going into effect on Sunday, threatening the future of all internet radio. We are appealing to the millions of Internet radio listeners out there, the webcasters they support and the artists and labels we treasure to rise up and make your voices heard again before this vibrant medium is silenced. Even if you have already called, we need you to call again. The situation is grave, but that makes the message all the simpler and more serious.
PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES RIGHT AWAY and urge them to support the Internet Equality Act. Go HERE to find the phone numbers of your Senators and Representative. If they've already co-sponsored, thank them and tell them to fight to bring the bill to the floor for an immediate vote. If the line is busy, please call back. Call until you know your voice has been heard.
Your voices are what have gotten us this far - Congress has listened. Now, they are our only hope. We are outmatched by lobbying power and money but we are NOT outmatched by facts and passion and the power of our voices. Again, please go HERE to find the necessary phone numbers and make the call today.
Thank you,
The SaveNetRadio Campaign
11 July 2007
Spoon live @ Virgin Megastore - 10 July 2007, live TONIGHT at Rockefeller Park
I saw Spoon last night at Virgin Megastore Union Square - believe it or not it was my first time seeing the band. They were as excellent as I expected. My only complaint was that I'd have liked the overall sound to have been louder, but then it still beat the heck out of most in-store performances I've seen in my time.
The band is set to play the River to River show tonight at Rockefeller Park and then to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman later this evening.
Here's an update about the show tonight, and (of course) a song for your listening pleasure:
The set time for tonight's River to River show at Rockefeller Park has been changed due to weather...Listen:
NEW SET TIMES:
6:15 - Coin Under Tongue (on MySpace)
7:00 - Spoon
(supposedly this is real time, so get there early!)
Spoon - "The Underdog"
10 July 2007
Three for Free - White Rabbits, The Occasion, Shy Child
EAR FARM's Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week, three tracks from artists on Say Hey Records. Click on the artist name to go to their site, click on the song name to listen to the song.
Listen:
White Rabbits - "The Plot"
Listen:
The Occasion - “All Over Idaho"
Listen:
Shy Child - “Summer"
2007 Siren Festival schedule announced
The 2007 Siren Festival set times/official schedule has been announced. While it's certainly not the most outstanding lineup that's been featured at Siren, it's not as bad as when it was first announced.
Here's what I'm thinking: White Rabbits then Dr. Dog then seek out some food and very large beers and then Matt and Kim, M.I.A., and then home. Actually, I'm thinking of not going at all this year. But if I do, that'll be my plan. You?
Contrast Podcast #67
Just so you wonderful readers of EAR FARM don't forget, there's an excellent weekly podcast put together by my friend Tim called Contrast Podcast. You should already be listening each week; however, if you're not, consider this a reminder. Head on over to check out this week's podcast where you can hear a hand picked selection of tunes that relate in some way to 1967, and be sure to check back in each week with Contrast Podcast for lots of group podcasting fun.
Go check out Contrast Podcast #67.
You can download Contrast Podcast #67 HERE.
Today's NEW releases
This week:
What have I missed? What's better - the new Spoon, or the new Interpol?
09 July 2007
Neon Lights presents @ Union Hall - 6 July 2007
The Neon Lights crew put together a fun couple of shows this past weekend at Union Hall. I didn't make it to the Saturday night show but Friday night was all like this - HOLLER. That's right ya'll. It was all HOLLA HOLLA get lots of great bands and tons of fun for your TEN DOLLA. Check out some pictures if you don't believe the hype. And you can also read more about the cookies/Mancino portion of the show over on 423smith HERE.
El Jezel
Visit El Jezel on MySpace, see more pictures of El Jezel from this show HERE.
Mancino
Visit Mancino on MySpace, see more pictures of Mancino, from this show and others, HERE.
Thrushes
Visit Thrushes on MySpace, see more pictures of Thrushes from this show HERE.
De Novo Dahl
Visit De Novo Dahl on MySpace, see more pictures of De Novo Dahl from this show HERE.
snip·pets
The Police, West, Mayer Close Out Live Earth New York
Live Earth London Wraps With Madonna Spectacular
Crowded House Stars As Live Earth Begins In Sydney
Live Earth Rio Draws Biggest Crowd In The Series
Stone, Maal Stand Out At Live Earth Johannesburg
Shakira, Yusuf Islam Power Live Earth Hamburg
Linkin Park, Local Stars Kickstart Live Earth Japan
Soggy Weather Can't Sink Live Earth Shanghai
NPR - Live Earth: The Music and the Message
Blender's 100 Days That Changed Music
iPhone: The Musical
Summer songs mean good times, good feelings
05 July 2007
8+ rewind
I was lucky enough to be given today and tomorrow off from work. As a result, I'm not going to spend this time writing anything new for EAR FARM. No, there won't even be a new 8+ this week. Instead, I'd like to take a quick look back at some of my most favorite 8+ posts, as well as those written by other people. Hopefully this is a great way for you to read some 8+ posts from the past you may have missed and/or for you to let me know what have been some of your favorites. Things will return to normal next week. As for this week, if you'd like to dance and drink and have party-party fun times in Brooklyn with DJ Earfarm, come out to the Neon Lights show tomorrow night at Union Hall where I'll be squaring off in a DJ battle against Danny from The Big Sleep.
EAR FARM's 8+ Greatest Hits:
Gioachino Rossini - "La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie)"
Clan of Xymox - "A Day (Remix)"
Pulp - "Seductive Barry"
Pelican - "March to the Sea"
Morrissey - "Southpaw"
Slint - "Washer"
Jesu - "Weightless and Horizontal"
Aphex Twin - "Ziggomatic V17"
Explosions In The Sky - "It's Natural To Be Afraid"
The Velvet Underground - "The Gift"
Joanna Newsom - "Monkey & Bear"
Depeche Mode - "Never Let Me Down Again" (Split Mix)
Alex Skolnick Trio - "War Pigs"
The Human League - "Morale... / You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"
Suicide - “Frankie Teardrop"
Grateful Dead - “Terrapin Station"
Deodato - “Also Sprach Zarathustra"
Suede - “The Asphalt World"
Rush - “2112"
Bob Marley & The Wailers - “Exodus” (1984 12" Mix)
Aarktica - “Song For A Free Williamsburg”
Newcleus - “Jam On It”
DJ Shadow - "Napalm Brain/Scatter Brain"
George Michael - "I Want Your Sex, Pts. 1 &2"
New Order - "Temptation"
EAR FARM's 8+ posts written by guest writers:
The Fiery Furnaces - “Inspector Blancheflower”
Tori Amos - "Yes, Anastasia"
Boduf Songs - “Bell for Harness”
Boris - "Flood"
Guns N' Roses - "Locomotive"
Guns N' Roses - "Estranged"
Guns N' Roses - "Coma"
Guns N' Roses - "November Rain"
Red House Painters - “River"
Bark Psychosis - “All Different Things"
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - “Cowgirl in the Sand”
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - "1% Of One"
Yo La Tengo - "Let's Be Still"
To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's 8+ click HERE.
OPP
An Aquarium Drunkard - Off The Record :: Josh Rouse
Bradley's Almanac has Sebadoh live in Boston
CYCTSFTS: Uncle's Primordial Soup (vol. 4)
Pop Tarts Suck Toasted: Best of '07...so far
NYCTaper: Fiery Furnaces - June 30, 2007 (lossless download)
Stereogum has video of Rock Band for XBox (this could be the greatest party game - nay, video game - EVER!)
03 July 2007
Three for Free - Rilo Kiley, Death Cab For Cutie, John Vanderslice
EAR FARM's Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week, three "old" tracks (from 2001) from our friends at Barsuk Records. Click on the artist name to go to their site, click on the song name to listen to the song.
Listen:
Rilo Kiley - "Science vs. Romance"
Listen:
Death Cab For Cutie - “A Movie Script Ending"
Listen:
John Vanderslice - “Time Travel Is Lonely"
LOLMETAL
By now, we all know and love lolcats right? Well, for those of you as overtly Headbanger's Ball-y as myself, we now have LOLMETAL (and some damn fine reader Submissions)...I bet there's more out there, yeah?
The New Pornographers & Midlake at Battery Park - 4th of July TICKETS
All reserved tickets to the July 4th concert featuring The New Pornographers with Midlake at Battery Park that have not already been picked up have been released.
The good news is there is a second (and third, just for one lucky EF reader - see below) chance to get tickets: any remaining tickets (and supply is limited) will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9 am on July 4th in Battery Park near Castle Clinton. Click HERE for a map with the exact location.
--
Also - I have ONE pair of FREE tickets to the show tomorrow that I'd like to GIVE AWAY to the THIRD person to email me. You can find my email address in the View my complete profile link on the side there. Make the subject TICKETS. You'll have to pick them up from me in the East Village tomorrow.
Today's NEW releases
Not a whole lot of good newness this week to celebrate America's birthday:
02 July 2007
snip·pets
PJ Harvey Goes Into The 'White' On New Album
Universal Snubs Two-Year iTunes Deal
The internet is hurting CD sales. Can record shops fight back?
Jamming at the Speed of Light
R.E.M. Debuts Guitar-Heavy New Tracks In Dublin
5 Reasons the iPhone Might Suck
Band of Horses Prep New Album
Sonic Youth and Starbucks Team Up
British band turns to Internet to raise funds
New Tool album sooner rather than later
Rock's Voices Of Protest Finally Wake Up - And It's About Time
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