I recently finished up the very awesome 50 Documentaries to See Before You Die on Current TV, hosted by Super Size Me director Morgan Spurlock, but apparently the documentarian is keeping busy. He’s got an interview series on Hulu titled A Day In the Life, and one of his subjects is Greg Gillis, better known as the mashup master Girl Talk. Watch the episode above and remind yourself that you’re well past due for another GT show filled with boozing and booty-shaking.
Today is Labor Day and I’m a week into school, so for me, and many others, summer 2011 is over and done with, even though my thermometer and the official calendar would disagree. Last night it cooled down here in Austin to “West Texas evening” degrees, which is good enough for me to declare that autumn approacheth, though it’s probably going to take its sweet time getting here. Anywho, as is the case this time every year, I have compiled a short list of my “songs of the summer.” Some people like lazy-time summers filled with laid-back tunes and relaxing choruses. Me, I’m more of a “let’s dance all season long” kind of guy, and this selection reflects that. What are your favorite songs from the past 3-4 months? What were you rocking while dehydrating?
Every Saturday, I post a 15-20 minute podcast featuring some tracks I’ve been jamming the previous week, as well as some commentary and random musings from yours truly. Enjoy!
Tracklist:
Wavves – I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl
Nurses – Trying To Reach You
Elite Gymnastics – O m a m o r i
HEALTH – Goth Star (Pictureplane cover)
A friend of mine and I were discussing the awesome awesome lineup for Fun Fun Fun Fest this year, and yesterday, they announced their schedule for our viewing pleasure. Â My friend was excited, but admitted he knew only a few bands. Â Where, he wondered aloud, could he find a comprehensive rundown of each band, a sampling of their musical chops, so he could further educate himself before the finest weekend of his year? Â I assume the Fun Fun Fun website has such a playlist, and they do, and it’s cool, but I wanted to make my own. Â So every Friday, from now until the fest (that’s nine weeks), I will be posting a playlist for your educational purposes for each stage and day, excluding the Yellow stage, which is mostly comedy.
This week’s playlist covers the bands playing on the Orange (Indie) stage on Friday – Boxer Rebellion, Cloud Nothings, Ocote Soul Sounds, The Thermals, Heartless Bastards, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Okkervil River, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Passion Pit.
While The Thermals rank high on my anticipation list, I am most excited to see a repeat viewing of the high-energy Cloud Nothings, whose SXSW sets knocked me on my ass with rapid-fire tempo and singalong refrains.
I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but there’s this little festival that happens every November in grand ol’ Austin. The natives have named it Fun Fun Fun Fest, and musical acts from all over travel to partake in this color-coordinated gathering. Today, the humble, bearded folks at Transmission gifted us with a schedule of what to expect as far as conflicts go. I am very pleased with the results overall, minus a few tough decisions, but, of course, that is my opinion.
I’m not thrilled about Passion Pit vs. Public Enemy, but I’ll probably go with the latter because I’ve seen the Pit numerous times already. Friday also includes a tough choice between Black Joe Lewis (who I’m leaning toward) vs. Thee Oh Sees. I recommend both shows, and if Yacht (who is on the Blue stage at that time) plays older stuff, I would recommend that one too.
Saturday’s a little easier, I’m torn between Major Lazer and Spoon, and Lykke Li and Neon Indian (gonna wait to hear his new album before I make that decision.) Sunday is the hardest for me; Hum, Black Lips, and Diplo all at the same time? Rough stuff, but Hum will probably win out.
They haven’t announced the set times yet, but I imagine it will be an hour per band or so. Â And I don’t imagine they’ll mix up the order much…seems practical right now as far as early day/evening/headliners, unless they absolutely have to. Â Fingers crossed. Â What are your major conflicts? Any at all? Have you bought your tickets yet? Why haven’t you? Will you bring sunscreen in case I forget? Can we watch Cold Cave together? Will you go out with me? Discuss!
The-Dream was supposed to have an album coming out soon, but Def Jam, for whatever reason record labels do things like this, decided to delay it until the “fourth quarter.” In the meantime, Dream (using his real name Terius Nash) has given us a free new album available for download on his website. The album’s called 1977, and it features guest appearances from Big Sean and Pharrell. The-Dream seems to think cease-and-desist letters are headed his way, but I’m pretty sure that’s bogus – he’s been promoting the album for weeks, and it’s been up since midnight, so….
In case you weren’t aware, I’m a huge M83 fan – Saturdays=Youth is easily one of my favorite albums of all time, so naturally the fact that the follow-up, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, drops October 18th has me all sorts of stoked. So anytime something M83-related happens, expect me to post about it with childish glee. Today, for example, M83 leaked another stellar track from the upcoming album, this one featuring the great Zola Jesus. Listen below and get pumped for Fun Fun Fun Fest and what is sure to be one of the best albums of the year.
The self-titled debut from Unknown Mortal Orchestra (album art above) is a lo-fi psychedelic pop adventure from start to finish, and it’s easily one of the finest surprises of the year. New Zealand-born Ruban Nielson acts as a clever liaison between Ariel Pink tape-hiss, Zappa eccentricities, Tame Impala space-outs, and the ever-popular indie dance vibe akin to first-album MGMT.
This is a smooth transition to autumn – a soundtrack upbeat enough to get that final dance in before the temp drops and the relaxed atmosphere returns. The Portland band utilizes the sample-based trend and electronic percussion, incorporates the recently hyped garage sound, and taps into some genuine stoner haze. Living in Austin, and hearing constantly how similar the two towns are, I can imagine an ATX band churning out something similar. It’s perfect for the environment of a hipster haven – a society encouraging creation, diversity, and sheer weirdness. So if you don’t dig Unknown Mortal Orchestra, never fear; there’s probably room for you in Dallas.
