Floating Away

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Band names are as important to the band as their sound.  I guess classic ideas, like naming yourself after an animal or common noun is going out of style.  Bands are choosing to go the long name route.  It seems bands like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, I Love You But I Have Chosen Darkness and What Made Milwaukee Famous are naming themselves after full sentences. 

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin fits in this category as well.  I first heard of them through catbirdseat as SSLYBY was the first release on his own label: Catbird Records.  These guys, from Springfield, Missouri are the real deal.  Great catchy songs that remind me of the Decemberists with some Weezer thrown in. 

They are making a small west coast trip and playing three shows in LA.  Hopefully you all can go to one of these shows. I know I am going to try to.

Sunday 4/16: Ground Zero @ USC w/ Division Day
Monday 4/17: Spaceland w/ Army Navy
Tuesday 4/18: Tangier w/ Biirdie

Here is some SSLYBY music to keep you satisfied:

From the Catbird Records EP:
MP3: Tin Floor 51 - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
MP3: Go Upstairs - Someone Still Loves You Borist Yeltsin
MP3: Lower the Gas Prices, Howard Johnson - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

From the album, Broom:
MP3: House Fire - Someone Still Loves You Borist Yeltsin

A bust of a night

So, last night I was hoping to stop by Sea Level Records on the way home from work to catch an instore from Mark Kozelek, only to find out that he wasn't showing.  Then, I knew that Birdmonster was playing at Silverlake Lounge for free, so as I looking for parking, I called Silverlake Lounge.  "Birdmonster cancelled on us."

This was on their website:

Monday April 10th, 2006 6:00PM
For reasons unbeknownst to birdmonster, we're scheduled to play in LA tonight. This, sadly, is impossible, because I'm writing this at 3 pm in San Francisco. Unless you have a souped-up Delorean. If you do, please email us.

Apologies for any confusion this cause or any plans this soured. We'll be there again soon, however.

I went on home and watched 24. Things could be worse.

Thier new album is out today and you can buy it on their website.  Until then, listen to these tracks and wait until May 12th when they play the Knitting Factory.

MP3: Resurrection Song - Birdmonster
MP3: Ice Age - Birdmonster

The Boy Least Likely To, The Eames Era, Monsters are Waiting at Spaceland | Pics

We spent Saturday night at Spaceland watching a night of fun indie rock.  The Boy Least Likely To brought in a packed crowd for their last stop on their US tour.  They were opening up for James Blunt on their tour, but lucky for us, played a headlining gig in LA before heading home to London.

The show was a lot of fun, full of great instruments, hand claps, audience sing alongs, foot stomps and six part harmonizing.  They pretty much played the entire album and closed with great live versions of "Fur Soft as Fur", "I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star" and then the amazing "Be Gentle With Me".

They really put on a great show.  It is basically impossible to NOT clap along and bob your head as you listen to these songs.  The songs are great on the album, but really come alive when played lived.  They really do throw The Best Party Ever.

We got there early to check out the two opening bands: Baton Rouge's The Eames Era and local band Monsters Are Waiting.  I was hoping to fall in love with The Eames Era, because everything I had heard I really liked, but their live show needs some more fine tuning.  Lead singer, Ashlin Phillips does a good job of keeping the crowd interested with her dance moves, but sometimes looks like what would happen if little orphan annie grew up and started her own indie rock band.

I liked Monsters are Waiting way more than the Eames Era.  We were pretty far in the back when they played, so I didn't get any good pictures. I thought they were pretty impressive, but I wanted a longer set.  I am looking forward to hearing more from these guys.  They are playing a record release party at the Troubadour on June 6th.

MP3: Don't Go - Monsters Are Waiting

More pictures of The Boy Least Likely To below . . .

8 Things You Should Know . . .

1. Tickets are still available for both nights of Built to Spill at the Troubadour.  Just so readers understand, a shitty band like Rise Against sold out 5 nights at the Troubadour and Built to Spill tickets are just sitting around.  I got my tickets for the Thursday show in the mail yesterday.

2. Talkdemonic is now opening up for Quasi at Spaceland on Wednesday, April 26th. If you missed these guys open up for the National, dont miss this opportunity.  They won't dissapoint.

3. Due to work and my laziness, I have still not seen the Cold War Kids but I was super excited to see that their label, Monarchy Music Corp redid their website and you are now able to get their EPs delivered to your door. Shipping is a bit much, but I ordered mine anyways.

4. The Eels are doing two small warm up shows at the Roxy.  Pre-teen rockstars Smoosh open.

5. Speaking of the Roxy, has anyone seen Hedwig and the Angry Inch there? I liked the movie, but have never seen a stage version.  I am not that keen on spending $35 to find out if the stage version is good.   It is playing a couple more nights in April. 

6. Local rock stars Division Day are going on a short west coast tour with Birdmonster.  They start their tour at a place called The Kazem in Brentwood.  Birdmonster is playing Monday night at Silverlake Lounge and then return to play the Knitting Factory on May 12th. 

7. losanjealous is giving away tickets to see Brian Jonestown Massacre.  If you have no idea who this band is, put Dig! on your netflix queue right away. One of my favorite music documentaries.  Also, I think chone is looking for some more netflix friends. Email us if you are interested.

8. On Sunday, May 7th, the Echo is hosting a book sale and a wine tasting benefit for the Edendale Public Library. Tickets are $25 and they claim to have "Special Guests". Any ideas on who is coming?

Guillemots : From the Cliffs

As I mentioned earlier, I have become a huge fan of Guillemots.  They are a strange bizarre London group who are redefining what Brits should be listening right now.  (Good riddance Arctic Monkeys)

I picked up their EP after the SXSW buzz and their appearance at the Hotel Cafe and immediately fell in love with it.  It is full of horns and bizarre sounds that one minute make you feel like you are on a rollercoaster and the next make you feel like they are serenading you on your front porch. 

The stand out track of them all is "Trains to Brazil".  This is, so far, my favorite song of 06.  As Stuart Berman of Pitchfork writes: 

"it's the sound of dreary, grey skies starting to bleed light, its Motown momentum undercut by a sobering bridge-- "Be thankful you're here/ Because it could be you tomorrow or next year"-- before blindsiding you with a brass-blasted chorus that'll make you see stars."

Derek at Good Weather For Airstrikes takes it a step further and gives a great indepth analysis of the song and its meaning.

The rest of the EP doesn't disappoint. "Who Left the Lights Off Baby" is made to make you move and dance.  My only real complaint is the length of the EP- I would love a full album from these guys.

The Guillemots have just announced a May tour and will be back in town at the Roxy on May 11th, which sadly is the day I was planning on seeing Aloha, Crystal Skulls and The Helio Sequence. Ah, decisions decisions.

MP3: Trains to Brazil - Guillemots
MP3: Who Left the Lights Off Baby - Guillemots 

Whistle While You Work

I can't whistle.  I have tried and tried again, but each time it ends awkardly as I curl my lips and and blow air out of my mouth. I have always loved trying to hum along to songs with whistling solos in it.  The favorite of my youth was "Patience" by Guns n' Roses. 

Yesterday morning, on KCRW, I heard the ultimate whistle hum-along. It is called "Whistler's Delight" by DJ Riko and I don't know why I have never heard this song before.  Basically, it is a huge mash-up of 22 songs with whistling in it.  The song is really incredible as often times the whistles come together perfectly and you really can't even notice you are listening to a new song. 

As I was driving, I was keeping a running list of the songs.  I don't remember all, but here are some that are sampled:

• "Winds of Change" by Scorpions
• "Patience" by Guns n' Roses
• "Walk Like An Egyptian" by The Bangles
• "Harlem Globetrotters Theme"
• "Golden Years" by David Bowie
• "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" by Monty Python

I  know I am forgetting more, but have a listen for yourself and see if you can pick out all of the songs mentioned.

MP3: Whistler's Delight - DJ Riko

Also, the real reason the song got my attention is that DJ Riko samples Bubb Rubb in the first 2 seconds.  That is pure genius.  If you don't know what I am talking about, watch this video immediately. You will not be dissapointed. Thanks to Adam for showing this to me. 

Own Your Own Town

In 2002, Bridgeville, CA made history as the first town sold on Ebay.  Apparently, after some renovation, the town is back on sale at Ebay starting today with an opening bid of $1.75 million.

What do you get for that price, you ask?  Let's break it down:

• 83 acres
• a vacant machine shop and cafe
• your own zip code
• your own post office (running for 136 years)
• 8 houses

So, what do you do once you own the town? Apparently it's not the thriving place it once was.  The realtor gives you lots of suggestions. 

• a private or corporate retreat
• a riverfront resort
• a university campus
• a movie set
• a RV park

So, I guess it begs the questions, what would you do with you own town?

UCLA v Florida Preview

As everyone knows, UCLA is playing for the NCAA championship tonight at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.  Tip off is at 6:21 on CBS, but UCLA officials and LAPD are worrying about what happens if the bruins win?

According to the Daily Bruin, there will be no tolerance for "'behavior such as throwing beer bottles, jumping on cars and public intoxication,' said Sgt. Peter Harris of LAPD."

What about burning couches? Will that be allowed?

In other news, if you happen to have a Bruin Card lying around, you can watch the game tonight at Pauley Pavillion. Could be fun, but only if you sneak in your own wings.

Border Film Project

"To simplify the complexities of immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border, and to show the realities on the ground. To date, we have received more than 1,500 photographs and more continue to arrive everyday. The pictures speak for themselves. They capture the humanity present on both sides of the border. They tell stories that no news piece or policy debate or academic study could convey. They are non-partisan and inclusive." - Border Film Project

Saturday on CNN, I watched the story about the Border Film Project.  As a photographer, I thought it was one of the smartest ideas I had seen in a long time.  Here is what happens, the lovely people at Border Film Project mail a package that consists of a disposable camera, a Wal-Mart gift card, a self addressed stamped envelope and instructions on how to mail the package (with pictures of what a US drop box looks like).  The packages go to undocumented migrants looking to cross the border and the Minutemen who are trying to stop them at the border. (The Minutemen are rewareded with a Shell Gas gift card).

The photographs speak for themselves. They are real. They show the harsh conditions that immigrants face when crossing the border and bring us closer to what the Minutemen do all day and night as they wait for some action.

With all the talk of immigration these days, I think this project really drives home both sides of the issue:  what people will do to be in this country and to what extent others are willing to stop them.  I really think this is a great project and I encourage you to donate some money to buy some cameras.  One camera package only costs $10.

April Concert Calendar

Just perusing the web today, I realized that there are a lot of great shows coming to town this month, here are the highlights:

TONIGHT - The Bad Plus @ Catalina Bar and Grill
TONIGHT - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Silversun Pickups @ Spaceland
TONIGHT - Sia @ Troubadour
4/3 - New York Dolls, Army Navy @ Spaceland
4/3 - Sia @ Troubadour
4/4 - Persephone's Bees @ Viper Room
4/4 - Two Gallants, Cold War Kids @ Troubadour
4/4 - Van Hunt @ Roxy
4/6 - Edith Frost @ Spaceland
4/8 - The Boy Least Likely To, The Eames Era @ Spaceland
4/8 - Elbow @ Avalon
4/8 - Sondre Lerche, Peter Walker @ Troubadour
4/9 - Sondre Lerche, Peter Walker @ Troubadour
4/10 - Mark Kozalek, Zak Sally (of Low) @ Sea Level Records
4/10 - Army Navy, Youth Group @ Spaceland
4/10 - Birdmonster @ Silverlake Lounge
4/12 - Fruit Bats @ Troubadour
4/15 - The Books, Clogs @ Knitting Factory
4/15 - Gravy Train @ The Echo
4/17 - Army Navy, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin @ Spaceland
4/18 - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin @ Silverlake Lounge
4/19 - Josh Rouse @ Henry Fonda Musicbox
4/21 - Brian Jonestown Massacre @ Little Radio Warehouse
4/21 - Dinosaur Jr @ Troubadour
4/22 - Brian Jonestown Massacre @ Little Radio Warehouse
4/22 - Dinosaur Jr @ Troubadour
4/24 - Army Navy, Youth Group @ Spaceland
4/26 - Quasi @ Spaceland
4/27 - Koufax @ The Echo

Visiting Arists MP3 Vault:
MP3: Sia - Breathe Me
MP3: Cold War Kids - Tell Me in The Morning
MP3: Two Gallants - Las Cruces Jail
MP3: Edith Frost - The Very Earth (live on KVRX)
MP3: The Eames Era - Go To Sleep
MP3: Peter Walker - 39 Stars
MP3: Fruit Bats - Lives of Crime
MP3: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - House