New News and New Songs From Tegan and Sara

According to their website, Tegan and Sara’s newest album, Sainthood, is set to go on pre-sale today (album release 10/27).  With the album pre-sale, fans can also purchase three books chronicling the lives of the Indie rock darlings over a good portion of their tour in support of The Con and while they worked on Sainthood.  The books, titled On, In, and At, will also feature writing from openers such as Dallas Green, Northern State and An Horse, and photographs from Lindsey Byrnes and Ryan Russell.

The band premiered six songs from Sainthood last week at the Rifflandia Festival.  It sounds like Sainthood is set to be their best album yet!

Alligator

The Ocean

On Directing

The Cure

Red Belt

Hell

I do believe you can find the youtuber who posted these vids at http://twitter.com/wojo4hitz. Thank her for her awesome videography.

Posted by Garvey

For The Record

Just as an FYI since they’re using my email rather than the comments section, I am getting TOTALLY RAILED by my friends for having the audacity to bash the great Ani DiFranco.  I mean, I didn’t even really bash her.  I could have delved much deeper, but I held back specifically for my friends.  It’s okay, they are entitled to their opinions and I do respect their opinions.  This does, however, prove my prior post about how I have completely different taste than most of my friends which was being disputed yesterday by my better half.  That, btw, has earned me no sex for a good… I don’t know how long.

What I have learned from this – some of my friends actually DO read my blog (sometimes).  My better half actually does read my blog (occasionally).  Aaaaaand it’s a good idea to never ever blog about your better half.  Ever.  Especially when you have a better half who is so amazing, intelligent, and utterly beautiful.

LOVE, GARVEY

Ani DiFranco @ The Vic 9.23.09

Last night I saw Ani DiFranco at The Vic on her very own birthday. Unfortunately, she did not, as I had hoped she would, change my mind about her music. I’m just not into it. All of her songs sound the same and I don’t understand why someone with a clearly beautiful voice would choose to rarely use it and instead speak through half of her songs and sing/play off-tune for the rest. The best thing I’ve got from last night’s show is that Ani has these jiggly little legs that move her about in a fashion of dance that was both weird and endearing to me. That’s about it.

Per a couple of Twitter requests that I received yesterday, here’s last night’s set list to the best of my friends’ ability. Apparently there were a few new songs that they didn’t know, so they guessed for you.

Ani DiFranco’s Sort-Of Set List 9.23.09 @ The Vic Chicago

Anticipate
Happy Birthday (crowd to Ani )***editor’s note, this smiley emoticon is courtesy my friend, not earbudz, we would like to formally give an eyeroll.
Dilate
H20
Fuel
New…Trial of Living?
New… Obama song? Yes We Can?
Smiling Underneath
Sunday Morning
Red Letter Year
New…
Two Little Girls
New… Wired To Me?
Cover-Which Side Are You On?
New… If You’re Not Getting Happier As You Get Older… You’re f*cking Up
Untouchable Face
Shameless

Encore:
Evolve
Overlap

Posted by Garvey

How Important Is Musical Taste?

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about my personal taste in music and how it is so completely different from that of my better half and most of my friends. The catalyst to my brooding is that over the next three nights, I’ll be attending three shows, one of which I’m into. Tomorrow I’m going to see Ani DiFranco at The Vic, Thursday is Joshua Radin at House of Blues, and Friday is Brandi Carlile at House of Blues (I know I should just set up a tent at HOB). I love Brandi. How can you not? The chick has pipes! Radin I’m not too familiar with, but his style of music falls into that which bores me and makes me fall asleep. For that show, however, I’m at least getting some good time in with a good friend who I haven’t had lots of time with lately. Ani… now this is the show that mainly got me thinking. I just do not like   Ani DiFranco’s music. It’s sooo….. I don’t even know. It all sounds the same to me. And that same-sound is a sound that completely grates on my ears and nerves. I know what you’re thinking – Garvey, you’re going to get your gay card revoked. Don’t worry, my friends have had my name on the revocation list for years and it has yet to happen. Apparently I’m so gay that I can continue my dislike for such musicians as Ani, Ferrick and the Indigo Girls (gasp!) and still retain my black platinum gay card.

So here I sit, listening to Matt and Kim, wondering how it ended up that the majority of my friends are into the same kind of music and I’m the indie/punk/rock cheese that stands alone (clearly a stinky cheese). One of my friends enjoys periodically calling me a music snob, but I don’t think that’s true. And to be honest, she’s a huge jag anyway (you’re welcome :/ ). If people come to me with new music that they want me to check out, I will give it the time of day and give it a true listen. It’s just that if it comes from most of my friends or my better half, it tends to bore me.

I like listening to music with friends and I like talking about it and going to shows. It is important for me to have people in my life with whom I share this particular interest. I grew up in a family that was really into music – particularly classic rock and Italian opera. I used to sit in our basement by myself and listen to my parents’ kick ass record collection including the likes of Elton John, The Who, and The Doors. The first tape I ever owned was a Beatles 20 best tape and I know that Luciano Pavarotti is the best tenor that has ever and will ever live. My mom used to refuse to give into us when we wanted whatever fad was popular at school (i.e. hypercolor tee shirts), but when I wanted Pearl Jam’s Ten the day it came out, she drove my little ass over to the local record store, bought it for me, and then left me alone to enjoy it for the rest of the night. I don’t necessarily expect that level of appreciation for my musical loves, but it would have been nice if, when I was trying to play the new Gossip album for my better half and friend the other day, they had made it through more than one song before asking me to turn it off so we could talk.

So, after much babbling, my point is that I wish my better half and friends liked some of the same music that I like. Or at least gave it half a chance. I don’t know, what do you think? Is this something that’s important to you? Or is it akin to caring about what your friends’ hair looks like? Actually, I also prefer my friends have good hair as well. Maybe I’m just high maintenance…

I’ll try to get reviews up for all three shows. I have hopes that either DiFranco or Radin will change my mind and turn me into a fan. If not, I’m pretty good at snark.

Posted by Garvey

Twilight New Moon Soundtrack Revealed!

Yeah, I’m a vampire nerd.

Released 3 days later than anticipated – the Twighlight New Moon movie soundtrack track listing has finally arrived! Whether or not you’re into sappy love triangles between humans, werewolves, and vampires; you’re pretty much guaranteed to be into this soundtrack. It’s full of all kinds of indie goodness. In particular, I’m looking forward to hearing the offerings from Death Cab, Band of Skulls, Lykke Li, The Killers, Bon Iver, OK Go, Grizzly Bear, and Anya Marina. Soooo, basically most of the soundtrack.

Twilight: New Moon Soundtrack:

01 Death Cab for Cutie: “Meet Me on the Equinox”
02 Band of Skulls: “Friends”
03 Thom Yorke: “Hearing Damage”
04 Lykke Li: “Possibility”
05 The Killers: “A White Demon Love Song”
06 Anya Marina: “Satellite Heart”
07 Muse: “I Belong to You (New Moon Remix)”
08 Bon Iver and St. Vincent: “Rosyln”
09 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: “Done All Wrong”
10 Hurricane Bells: “Monsters”
11 Sea Wolf: “The Violet Hour”
12 OK Go: “Shooting the Moon”
13 Grizzly Bear: “Slow Life”
14 Editors: “No Sound But the Wind”
15 Alexandre Desplat: “New Moon (The Meadow)”

Posted by Garvey

The Veronicas Cover Muse’s Uprising

I love this as much, if not more, than the original.

Posted by Garvey

I Heart Gossip

Can we all get together for coffee or something one day and talk about our deep, deep love for the Gossip?  Their new album was in my top three this summer and I have been having a pretty hardcore love affair with them (heavy petting and all) that they may, or may not know about.  Probs may not.  Anywho, I’m planning a much lengthier album review/declaration of my love, but for now I leave you with this lovely video to add a little musical sunshine to your Friday. Golden lipstick is magical, btw.

Posted by Garvey

Smashing Pumpkins To Release 44 New Songs Gratis

Billy Corgan announced yesterday on the Smashing Pumpkins’ web site that they would be releasing 44 songs for free to the public.  The songs encompass the Smashing Pumpkins latest album, ‘Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, and Corgan stated that they plan on releasing them one at a time beginning sometime around this Halloween.  All music released online will be completely free with no strings attached, but eleven “highly limited” 4-song EP’s will be released for purchase as well as an eventual box set of the entire album.

 Aside from the fact that so much free music is pretty cool, my question is, who cares?  After their last dismal album and Corgan’s antics on their last tour, even this (former) die-hard Pumpkins fan is finding it tough to get too excited.

Posted by Garvey

This Day In Musical History

On this day in 1925, legendary guitarist and blues artist B.B. King was born.  Happy birthday, Mr. King!

Posted by Garvey

An Horse @ Schuba’s 9.14.09

I’m going to start this off with a warning to you dear readers – be ready to read some gush. I don’t know what to say about last night’s An Horse show at Schuba’s that I haven’t said before about past shows. Every time I see An Horse play live, it’s exactly the same. They manage to get a HUGE sound out of two people, a guitar and a drum set. They’re tight, they exude energy, and it’s always just an awesome live show. Last night was no exception. So, rather than repeat myself or repeat other bloggers who are no doubt saying the same things about An Horse’s shows, I’m just going to say this: if you only take one piece of advice all year, take this – go see An Horse perform live. You will not regret it. It’s impossible to watch/hear them play and not want to jump around with the music. And when the song, Little Lungs, is performed, it quite literally moves me, every single time. In fact, the first time I heard that song was a live version – the album wasn’t out yet – and as soon as it ended, my best friend and I looked at each other wide eyed, and she just said, “Whoa,” and I could only nod. Every time I experience Little Lungs being performed live, I feel completely encompassed by the music and can’t think or speak for a few moments afterward; and you can tell there’s that general feeling among everyone in the room. It’s an incredible experience that I want you all to enjoy, so check out An Horse when they hit a city near you!

Okay, I’m done gushing. I promise there will be nothing but snark from here on out for the rest of the week!
 
www.anhorse.com

Sep 15 2009 8:00P	7th Street Entry	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sep 17 2009 8:00P	The Lo Pub	Winnipeg, Manitoba
Sep 19 2009 8:00P	The Palomino	Calgary, Alberta
Sep 20 2009 8:00P	Brixx Bar @ The Starlite Room	Edmonton, Alberta
Sep 23 2009 8:00P	The Biltmore	Vancouver, British Columbia
Sep 25 2009 8:00P	Rifflandia Music Festival w/ Tegan & Sara, Pink Mountaintops, Buck 65, Holy Fuck & more	Victoria, British Columbia
Sep 29 2009 8:00P	Jackpot Saloon	Lawrence, Kansas
Oct 1 2009 8:00P	The End	Nashville, Tennessee
Oct 2 2009 8:00P	The Venue w/ Silversun Pickups	Gainesville, Florida
Oct 3 2009 8:00P	Ricochet w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Fort Myers, Florida
Oct 4 2009 8:00P	Florida Theatre w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Jacksonville, Florida
Oct 5 2009 8:00P	Headliners w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Columbia, South Carolina
Oct 7 2009 8:00P	Shoreline Ballroom w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Hilton Head, South Carolina
Oct 9 2009 8:00P	House of Blues w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Oct 10 2009 8:00P	The Fillmore w/ Silversun Pickups	Charlotte, North Carolina
Oct 11 2009 8:00P	The NorVA w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Norfolk, Virginia
Oct 13 2009 8:00P	Metropolis w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Montreal, Quebec
Oct 14 2009 8:00P	Bronson Centre w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Ottawa, Ontario
Oct 15 2009 8:00P	The Sound Academy w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Toronto, Ontario
Oct 17 2009 8:00P	Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Providence, Rhode Island
Oct 18 2009 8:00P	Northern Lights w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Clifton Park, New York
Oct 20 2009 8:00P	The Webster w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Hartford, Connecticut
Oct 21 2009 8:00P	Higher Ground w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Burlington, Vermont
Oct 23 2009 8:00P	Main Street Armory w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Rochester, New York
Oct 24 2009 8:00P	Ches-A-Rena w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Oct 26 2009 8:00P	Headliners w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Toledo, Ohio
Oct 28 2009 8:00P	Exposition Gardens w/ Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant	Peoria, Illinois

 

Posted by Garvey