Saturday, July 11, 2009

Snob's Music

Snob's Music

Link to Snob's Music

Windmill: new album, "Big Boom" MP3

Posted: 11 Jul 2009 11:22 AM PDT

Megan Hamilton: "See Your Midnight Breath In the Shipyard" album review

Posted: 11 Jul 2009 08:53 AM PDT

Matisyahu: new "One Day" video

Posted: 11 Jul 2009 06:55 AM PDT

Elizabeth and the Catapult: "Taller Children" album review

Posted: 11 Jul 2009 03:58 AM PDT

Whatever happened to: Fifth Column

Posted: 10 Jul 2009 10:07 PM PDT

Cyclic Defrost Magazine

Cyclic Defrost Magazine

Link to Cyclic Defrost

So Kalmery – Brakka System (Pygmalian Records/ Select Audio Visual)

Posted: 11 Jul 2009 03:56 AM PDT

Congo blues folk artist So Kalmery has a light acoustic feel to his music, a kind’ve Jack Johnson lightness, these warm subtle at times funky grooves coming from his acoustic guitar. It’s music for good times that lifts the spirits, yet also contains a strong socio political message. He sings in Swahilli and at times English in his own Brakka system, ‘Bra,’ means the first and ‘ka’ means infinity and also the mind. The approach is part musical technique, part philosophy, not sure what the additional ‘k’ is there for however. HIs music is borne out of an East African tradition linked with more current day blues, folk, reggae and pop influences. Previously he’s played with Papa Wemba, and this album is his first for seven years. On Brakka System he’s at his best on the more stripped down pieces such as Kamitik soul, where he asks ‘will we stand alone when we don’t believe we can?’ (in English), in a subtle late night acoustic ballad. His personal story though is horrific, orphaned at the age of 7 when his father was assasinated due to his close ties to the independence movement and this resulted in some displacement for the young Kalmery, traveling through Africa and ultimately Europe. It may be too easy, but you feel like you can hear the myriad of influences in the music of the well travelled Kalmery, which defies easy categorisation, yet also lacks any kind of edge.

-Bob Baker Fish

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Evan Miller – Beeswax Ephemera (Preservation)

Posted: 11 Jul 2009 05:20 AM PDT

It’s hard not to get excited from the very first moments of Iowa guitarist Evan Miller’s latest album because it suggests some kind of Midwestern spirituality, a kind of fingerpickin countrified zen. Suit of Flowers is an acoustic raga that plays out for over seven minutes alongside some enlightened peaceful vocal drones. They’re worlds that rarely meet, a kind’ve east meets very west, and this juxtaposition adds an additional layer of exoticism to an album that works on long hypnotic structures, and mesmirising webs of acoustic guitar. Whilst the remainder of the pieces are mostly solo unaccompanied guitar, you can’t shake the transcendent feel, like Suit of Flowers was placed at the beginning to explicitly send us in this direction and the rest of the pieces manage to keep us there in a much subtler fashion. I can hear links to Jim O’Rourke’s Bad Timing, particularly on The Twigs, and there’s a definite affinity with the finger picking genius of John Fahey, though Miller’s playing is incredibly distinctive and it’s a really unfair to use outside influences to describe his music. He uses delay and loops, though his playing has a rare kind of subtle grace best exhibited on the ten minute Honey Loop. In keeping with its stripped down nature it’s not a surprise to learn that this album was originally recorded on 4-track and released as a handmade tour album. It’s probably one of the most centred albums I’ve ever heard, there’s a peacefulness at its core, a relaxed timelessness that you could never hope to achieve in a studio. Then out comes another hint, a cover of I Will Turn Your Money Green from country blues legend Furry Lewis complete with vocals and the zen vocal drones which return for an expansive rock out with (gasp) electric guitars. It’s at this point you begin to realise that Miller defies easy categorisation, rather he opens up a world within his finger picking, with his acoustic plucking and as he carries you along bewitched, maybe even hypnotised and you realise that all you need to do is allow yourself to fall in, because ultimately transcendence awaits.

Bob Baker Fish

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For Danielle Baquet-Long * 1983-2009

Posted: 10 Jul 2009 07:34 PM PDT

dani

Although I only knew Dani through a back door, through the music that sounded through her and her husband, Will, my heart sank upon hearing of her death. As Celer, Will and Dani acted with fresh instinct and sincere impulse. I join others in sending my condolences to her family and friends. Her efforts will be kept close, and remembered fondly.

“It is dawn. Has this lamp, then, finished
Its task of hope, hand placed
In the clouded mirror, on the fever
Of the one who kept watch, not knowing how to die?

But it is true that he has not put it out,
It still burns for him, in spite of the sky.
The seagulls screech their soul at your frost-covered
Window, morning sleeper, boat from another river.”

- Yves Bonnefoy

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You Crazy Dreamers

You Crazy Dreamers


Cameron McGill & What Army - Warm Songs for Cold Shoulders

Posted: 10 Jul 2009 06:06 PM PDT


Let me tell you a little bit about my year, needless to say it’s been one of a lot of reflection and a relentless tug of wars between my mind and heart. I think my heart is losing the battle, but do not fear the mind is still in full operational mode.

On a recent trip to Arizona I picked up this little gem and listened to it non-stop all the way home. It’s amazing how cathartic long drives can be at times. Road trips are great when the destination is clearly define, but at times a road trip with no destination can help clear the mind.

Well enough about me, let me tell you about Cameron McGill, first of all who could resist those amazing blue eyes, wowsers! All kidding aside, he truly has a way with the written word aka lyrics. Pretty amazing if you ask me.

I can say without a doubt that this has quickly become a favorite on the old play list. It’s found a nice little home on all my long clearing of the mind road trips. It was tough trying to pick one song to post up here for you to listen and immediately fall addicted to but I have to say that “Low Ways” and “Minor Suite” are two of my favorites. I’m sure you will all run to your local indie shop or buy online as soon as you listen, you won’t be disappointed.

You can also listen to him on his MySpace page

Well off to think some more. I’ve recently taken a hiatus from FB and Twitter in hopes to get back to the simpler things in life like music.

Like Cameron says “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)”
Be well all ~ Trini

Music Is My King Size Bed

Music Is My King Size Bed


Jib Kidder - Windowdipper

Posted: 10 Jul 2009 11:35 PM PDT

I love shows like American Idol and So You Think You Dance because they constantly are turning me on to new music, and new artists. Last night on the results show, one of the contestants at the bottom (Ade) had to "dance for his life" and he did this fabulous contemporary/hip-hop routine, choreographed to this WACKY-fun song by Jib Kidder.

Now, I've never heard of Jib Kidder before but WHOA "Windowdipper" drew me in FAST, given that Ade only had a couple of minutes to impress the judges. The intro uses all of these Microsoft Windows blips and blops. I watched the video today from work on my computer and kept thinking how my computer was about to die. So trippy! The song can be found on iTunes.

Jib Kidder - All On Yall
Apparently Travis Wall, runner-up on Season Two of SYTYCD has choregraphed a routine to the same song. Pretty hot as well! I'm obsessed with this song now. OBSESSED. Jib Kidder reminds me a little bit of Girl Talk in the way that he infuses so many elements from different songs, but the guy is totally unique. It's a new kind of MASH-UP and I love, love, love it!

Check out Jib Kidder on the web: Official Label Site//MySpace//YouTube


Calvin Harris Album Artwork Revealed

Posted: 10 Jul 2009 10:11 PM PDT

Calvin Harris
Album Artwork Via Coverlandia

Love, Love, Love Calvin Harris. Ready For The Weekend, the new album from the Scottish DJ, is due out in August. Debut single "I'm Not Alone" hit # 1 on the UK Singles Charts and stayed there for 2 consecutive weeks. Nice! The follow up single, "Ready For The Weekend" features vocals by UK singer Mary Pearce and is released in the UK on August 10th, with remixes announced by Dave Spoon, High Contrast and Fake Blood. The video premiered online in June. I love this song! It's got a fantastic old-school vibe too it and Mary Pearce's vocals sound fantastic. I'd love to see a Calvin Harris set should he come do a club tour in the U.S.

Check out Calvin Harris on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//Bebo//Youtube


New Blake Lewis Album Drops in October

Posted: 10 Jul 2009 09:36 PM PDT

I adore Blake Lewis. Lewis was the beat-boxing cutie-pie who was runner-up to Season Six winner Jordin Sparks. While his debut album with Arista Records, Audio Daydream peaked at # 10 on the Billboard Charts, his singles failed to make much of an impact on the charts. "How Many Words" hit #8 on the Billboard Dance Charts with Remixes by DJ Dan and Dave Audé. His new album, Heartbreak On Vinyl is out on October 6th via Tommy Boy Entertainment. The first single will be "Sad Song" and you can have the chorus sent to your phone as a ringtone now.

Blake Lewis
I can't wait for new Blake Lewis. The guy is super talented and definitely brings something unique to the Idol alum crew. I also happen to love the new "electro-dance" sound that he's bringing to his next album. According to USA Today, Lewis is working with songwriters, producers and collaborators including S*A*M & Sluggo (Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco), Dave Audé (Pussycat Dolls, Paradiso Girls, Girlicious), Rodney Jerkins (Lady Gaga, Britney Spears), and Jean Baptiste (Will.I.Am, Black Eyed Peas) which all sounds mighty promising.

Blake Lewis
According to Blake in his e-newsletter: "The new album is coming together nicely, I just finished the photo shoot with the greatly talented Myriam Santos (google her!). We had a blast and I got to shoot in my hometown SEATTLE! I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to be working with a group of people that believe in me and support my crazy ideas!!"

Go Blake! Can't wait to hear what's next from you.

Check out Blake Lewis on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter