Monday, October 5, 2009

popwreckoning updates

popwreckoning updates

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Remix Monday: Friendly Fires “Paris”

Posted: 05 Oct 2009 03:16 PM PDT

is a pop trio from the UK and one of my favorite bands of the year. They've been making quite a name for themselves and were one of the nominated for this year's Mercury Prize. I haven't listened to their entire album in whole, but I keep running across its songs on different occasions and find myself loving them. I think I've covered the whole album by now and nothing on it disappoints me. They also make really fun and creative music videos, which all contain some pretty wild and funky dance moves by lead singer Ed McFarlane, which he alone could only pull off so that they don't look lame, but instead rather impressive. _MG_7507

. – “Paris”
“Paris” was the second single released from their album and a track that really started to get them noticed. It features backing vocals from Au Revoir Simone during the chorus, which to me is the best part of the song. I say so because the vocals are matched with Ed McFarlane's words, which are sung so high they express a youthful yearning for something out of reach, both combining for a stargazing chorus. Musically it's quick with soft percussion featuring cowbells and an immensely depressed synthesizer for an organ feel.

.Aeroplane Remix
I like this mix a lot more than the original. It starts off with moody synthesizers with every press on the keyboard an isolated note. The track employs some mixed cool and refreshing musical 'ah's' that are more windy than wordy. It also isolates the best part of the song, Au Revoir Simone's vocals. In fact, McFarlane's vocals are absent, which isn't really a loss, just because the female vocals make it an intimate song. The mix also takes the cowbells from the original and amplifies them with a slight electronic touch that bounce and prance across the song for a glockenspiel effect. It's really just a pretty mix.

.Arto Mwambe Remix
A little rougher take on the song but still creative and good nonetheless. The Arto mix takes the soft, shoe gazey feel of the original and breathes a little more of a dance club vibe. We have some heavier dance beats, a touch of trance synths, and the lyrics come off more like rap than singing. This mix gets a little repetitive at times because it fails to diversify itself, but it really locks you in a trance if you're on the dancefloor taking some medication you shouldn't be taking.

.Justus Kohncke Remix
I have to say I really like this mix. It's the most re-worked of them all with a long instrumental intro that keeps the soft, intimate mood of the track. It breaks in with the vocals, which are heavier, coming across more direct to the listener. It then features a multitude of sounds that keep churning in a light trance/electro vibe.

: website | myspace | review | remix monday: “skeleton boy” | @ black cat | @ Dot to Dot Festival | interview with pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3 | @ Lollapalooza 2009 | @ le poisson rouge | @ music hall of williamsburg

Photo by: Bethany Smith

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Preview: Riot Fest, Chicago IL

Posted: 05 Oct 2009 10:30 AM PDT

Riot Fest, a huge punk festival, is entering its 5th year in Chicago. CHICAGO_POSTER_FINAL

The festival started in founder Mike Petryshyn’s basement and has since grown into one of the largest punk festivals spanning several Chicago venues. This festival is the embodiment of the punk DIY spirit.

This year’s bands include Alkaline Trio, , Screeching Weasel, Dead Milkmen, and more.

The festival runs Oct. 7-11 and tickets are still available.

Riot Fest: website | schedule

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Interview with: A.A. Bondy

Posted: 05 Oct 2009 09:00 AM PDT

Alabama folk singer A.A. Bondy recently released his second solo aa bondyalbum When the Devil’s Loose this past September and has spent much of his time extensively touring and hitting the festival circuit.

Our writer Marc Z. Grub caught up with Bondy on the phone to ask him a few questions.

.Listen to Marc’s full interview with A.A. Bondy.

A.A. Bondy: myspace

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Amanda Palmer November Tour Dates

Posted: 05 Oct 2009 07:00 AM PDT

Punk cabaret artist is hitting the road for an East Coast November tour. dscn0665

has a new DVD, book and bizarre perfume line to help compliment her latest album: Who Killed ?

Nervous Cabaret will open and perform as ’s back up band.

Following this tour, will go to Australia to work on her project with the and perfect the album release of the “joyfully tragic” tale of Evelyn Evelyn.

Tour dates:
Nov. 11 – Higher Ground / South Burlington, VT
Nov. 12 – Port City Music Hall / Portland, ME
Nov. 13 – Pearl Street / Northampton, MA
Nov. 14 – Music Hall of Williamsburg / New York, NY
Nov. 18 – Theatre of Living Arts /Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 19 – State Theatre / Falls Church, VA
Nov. 20 – Carrboro Arts Center / Carrboro, NC
Nov. 22 – Bijou Theatre / Knoxville, TN

: website | myspace | @ highline ballroom | Who Killed ? review

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at 6:28 PM