Nashville shows & Musical suggestions

Today I've been uploading some new stuff to the Itunes I got off a friend a few weeks ago. Pretty much classic stuff: the Beatles, Zeppelin, Television, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.; along with some newer stuff like the Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins wonderfulness that is "Rabbit Fur Coat" & The National's earlier work, before "Boxer" hit quietly huge.

1)

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As far as concerts that are coming up, a few months down the road:
- Gracing the presence of Music City in the near future is She and Him, the project of M. Ward & Zooey Deschanel that I'm sure everyone is aware of [and possibly sick of hearing about]. They'll be at the Mercy Lounge on July 30, with tickets already on sale [more info on their myspace with links to ticket sales via the event info]. I'm not too sure how I feel about the project, to tell the truth. I've dug a track or two but don't know how the whole record will sit with me, whenever I get some time to hunt it down and give it a spin. So far I'm thinking I'd rather just hang out with Zooey around town and do some shopping at somewhere like Local Honey. You know that's the kinda place she'd dig. And I'd probably quote "Almost Famous" a few times, then I'd reference J.D. Salinger's "Franny and Zooey" some. And that is why I won't be shopping with Zooey Deschanel...




[At Grimey's, oh snap. taken by Mike Withers]

- Dr. Dog is playing at 3rd & Lindsley on September 7th. There isn't anything on the venue's site yet, only the even listed on the band's myspace, along with the note it is an all ages show and pricing it at $10. Once these tickets go on sale, snatch them up. I know it'll go fast.

If you can't wait to check out the Dr. Dog live show experience, they will be performing at Forecastle Festival in Lousiville, KY, July 27th [alongside one of my favorites, Catfish Haven!] The Forecastle site says tickets for that Sunday only are $18/$21, along with Murfreesboro's All We Seabees having a set that somewhat overlaps Catfish. Looks like something that would be worth checking out...

[Thx to HT for the Nashville heads up!]


2) Now for those tunes to check out...


[taken by Laura Goodwin]

-Kyle Andrews writes awesome pop songs. I first ran into his tunes on the mixed cd set that changed my listening ears, 3 years ago. At that point he had moved away from Nashville, leaving me as though I had missed out on my good opportunity to see him play live. As fate would have it, he moved back to town probably around a year ago. This guy plays around town quite a bit, two shows coming up soon even [one June 6th and the other July 26th, some touring inbetween] and I have still yet to see his live show! I am purposing that come this fall the issue of somehow always missing the shows is gone.

You can find this fella also on facebook, where he has up a few new tracks for your listening pleasure, both quite enjoyable. Basically, if you want to know much I dig his guy's work, my top songs on itunes says it all: the track "Sushi" tops out all time listens at 37, followed by the next song having 30. So yeah, I dig the tunes.





- I'm not sure why I'm jumping onto what these folks are putting out there, but I'm on it- Good Night & Good Morning travel the same circles as some of the folks I'm diggin these days from the midwest, but they have a twist: a harp. So far they're mainly sticking to the midwest/north for shows but I've already let them know that Murfreesboro would be a great place to see them bust it out at a house show [think Baby Teeth Thieves with the quiter vocals similar to Dustin Gamble].


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As I posted the other day, the new Okkervil River record comes out September 9th and the tour dates for immediately after the release have been posted. Imagine how much shock I was [not] in when I saw Nashville not on the list, but I think a trip to Athens, GA might be in the cards to see the boys live again. If not, it'll probably be February [if I was guessing] that they come to Music City again. If you'd be interested in a road trip, let me know between now and October. The more the merrier.
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The Features & some awesome opportunities

The Features

(taken by Tom Burns, via the band's myspace)

I will freely admit these days the bulk of tunes I listen to these days can easily be grouped as "pop music". Give me a band with a good hook or groove in their tunes and I'm hooked.

The Features are one of these bands that easily won me over. Besides the fact they are Murfreesboro based (tough this has been debated) and that does make me a little bit biased, their albums and live show are some of my favorites- ever.

Even though I entered into the realm of the Features fandom well after the release of "Exhibit A" and missed the first chunk of their career (stories of the Red Rose and something to do with Hawaiian shirts, etc. are mythically passed around), I can still appreciate the old songs too.

I know the love/hate argument is a strong one with the Features. You either love the guys or can't stand the poppiness- half of my Boro friends don't even dig the synthy goodness. One of them even suggested that either you love the Features or Kings Of Leon. I would like to actually dispel this theory and go on record saying that I do indeed love them both. Granted the Features hold a special place in my heart solely because I've been into them for so long (not to say I wouldn't love to see KOL live and party with the band. Yes, please).

The band has recently posted some songs on their myspace page from the forthcoming record, "Some Kind of Salvation" that I can't seem to find a release date for, though I know atleast one person who has an advanced copy. From what's been posted on their page, the record sounds more mature than the previous records, not quite as poppy and outwardly synthy, but still with the Features edge that everyone's dug on the past releases. Of course, as it is a little more mature than the previous releases that gives me great hope for the entire record; good artists usually don't usually sound the exact same on each progressive record.




The boys have a show on June 7th at Mercy Lounge with Pico Vs. Island Trees and The Selmanaires, where you can the new songs live and in person.

Last fall when I saw the boys they busted out a few new tracks, specifically "the Gates of Hell", which was on their myspace but has been replaced by three newer tracks. Even thought it was a little slower and calmer than the older material, you could still enjoy bobbing around to it, hence passing the test.

Regardless, if you can, check out the coming up show, enjoy the perfect sounds for some booty shaking and enjoy the nite- the real world can wait a few hours.

Here's some of the Hawaiian shirts for reading thru all of this......

[Part 4/6- "Thursday"]
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YCAC is an amazing organization in Murfreesboro [the folks who are incharge of Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp]. They worked their tales off trying to become a non-profit organizations and now that they are they've moved into a building on the square in town and are holding all ages shows and workshops to create many different things. This weekend there's a FREE workshop on making recycled art. If you're 12-17 or know some 12-17 year olds, check out the below on getting involved in the free workshop and check out their site for even more workshops to create things from totebags, tshirt alterations and more!

Upcoming Classes:
All classes will be at the Tall Grass Dance Studio 25 N Public Square

on the Murfreesboro Downtown Square.

Recycled Art Workshop:

Sign up at the DOOR!
Make sure a parent is present to pay and sign forms!

FREE!!!

Ages 12-17

May 31st, Saturday

1pm-3pm

Have you ever had some wrapping paper you just couldn't part with or bottle caps you thought might be nice to keep? Turn your "junk" and other discarded materials into art in this Recycled Art Workshop.

All supplies are included except any scraps you just can't part with.



Instructor:
Brittani Irvin is currently pursuing her Art Education degree from Middle Tennessee State University. She has studied on exchange in Ontario Canada. And served as Co-President for the student chapter of the Tennessee Art Education Association. Her serious love for the community and the arts has lead her to work with the Youth Culture and Arts Center, and she is extremely excited to be a part of it!

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Ran into this article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press today [of which I am an alumni of the teen reporters, circa 2000-2005]. It's really awesome to see the venues here in town that have folks that have worked really hard behind the scenes get some recognition and share with the world the awesomeness of what they've been up to. Plus it's a great primer for my 33 day countdown to turning 21 and finally getting into some rock shows.

A few things

So I'm stuck at the house, very little to do this afternoon/evening, besides clean.

I think I'll blog a little first then go into my movie nite/junk food binge...

1) As noted yesterday, Athens Pop Fest line up was announced today. Murfreesboroians (made that term up, thank you), The Velcro Stars are taking part again this year. For all kinds of info, check out you ain't no picasso's announcement.

2) In the same vein as festivals, Bonnaroo has released the times for the shows during this year's festival. Personally, I am trying not to care since I am not going and will be working my butt off that week at work instead (my choice, of course, but it still kinda stings a little to hear about how long the Sigur Ros set will be and I don't even know who will be playing around the Avett Brothers).

3) Found a great video via popcandy, via NY Magazine of yet another great Zach Galifianakis skit, this time bringing Michael Showalter into the mix. I don't think these guys will ever cease to be entertaining...

And that's all until I find more interesting things the world should have shared with them...

Random bits from the blogs

Ran across a bit of different news from all over the blogs today- figured it'd be good to put them in one compiled spot....so check it...


1) Daniel Johnston is playing Nashville on June 25th at Cannery Ballroom. $20 via online purchase.

If I jumped into some of his stuff, besides the song he does with Okkervil River, I'd be there but we'll see...

2)Speaking of Okkervil River, caught on Pitchfork today the new OR record is coming out in September.


On September 9, Jagjaguwar will issue The Stand Ins, the fifth full-length album from Austin, Texas' Okkervil River. The set is described as a sequel to last year's exquisite The Stage Names LP...

I'm thinking it's a pretty quick follow up to "Stage Names" but, then again, it took me about 6 months or so after it was released to fully jump on board. Crossing my fingers already this sets into motion a tour soon enough after Sept. 9th and there's another show (headlining this time) in Nashville.


3)Also read today that the line up for Athens Popfest is being released tomorrow (Friday). I've never been to the event but know it has to be solid, given the bands that have played it in the past (Of Montreal & Murfreesboro locals, The Velcro Stars). In related festival news, Next Big Nashville will be taking place September 10-14th in Music City and the folks are accepting applications thru this site until June 5th.

I'll def. vouch for the festival as one of the raddest things I have gotten to experience. Last year I only has the joy of making one nite of the eevnt but that's not to say I was not wanting to go back for more (you can get a wristband that is good for the whole thing). This year is going to rock even more, seeing as I can get into all of the different venues throughout town, seeing as I'll be 21. Sweet. I'll ramble on incessantly about NBN as it gets closer. I promise.

4) Evidentally Matt Pelham of the Features played a small, solo gig last week up at the 5 Spot, along with the Chattanooga band Coral Castles. Check out The Spin for a review of the show.

(photo by my friend Steve Cross. It's probably one of my faves he's taken. Ever.)

5) My interview with Tony Stone from 102.9 the Buzz is posted on nashvillerock.net now. Check it out, on the main page. There's another one going up in a few days, too. Woohoo.

6) American Idol winner...eh...who cares.


I'm gonna hit the sack with this gross allergy headache. Thanks for checking out the blog & have a great one, folks.

A few thougths and some updateage

I caught the last five minutes of tonite's episode of "Gossip Girl". All I gathered was it is a show about snobs and the boys have nice clothes. Case in point:




I'm also watching the season finale of "One Tree Hill" just because. Gavin Degraw was in the opening sequence, singing. Yes, please. The line "stop hiding your heart" was just used. I'm entertained. How does a show go from high school to 24? Yeah. No thanks.

Moving on to some music ramblings...


- got my new issue of Nylon in the mail today. It's the "music issue" that they paired up with myspace to put out.

Lots of artists are mentioned (including my new favorite chick from Wales, Duffy- more about her record later on in this post) and it even spotlights good ole' Music City. I was prety impressed to see mentions of a few different venues. Of course, they left out my favorite dive ever, The End, but I think whence 21 occurs for me, the 5 Spot is going to be one that I enjoy.

Anyways, pick up the new issue of the magazine when it hits newstands if you want to see it (the issue with scarlett johanssn on the cover)....I'll probably want to say something about my Teen Vogue I also got today, but alas I have yet to look at it at all.

-I feel the need to share a bit of internet wonderfulness that I have found as of late. I am on flickr way too much these days and found the electronic duo of Jona and Claire and the photographs of their adventures around the world, spreading their danceable beats. The "Daily YACHT" videos are admittedly one of the first things I look for on Flickr and I do have a tendency to leave comments and questions (which they usually answer on the next day's video). Sunday's was pretty rad, all the way from Stockholm, on a boat. If you watch it, I promise it makes more sense...



- I'm getting into pop music. Bad. It all started with this warming trend called global warming induced summer. Throw in some Miley Cyrus and Robyn and, well, it's just impossible. I have to say there's nothing better than jumping in the car, windows down, singing along to songs you almost feel bad about jamming out to. Almost.
Here's a list of what's been playing really loud:
- "Cobrastyle" - Robyn
- "See You Again" - Miley Cyrus (I have likened this one to crack is so catchy)
- "Mercy"- Duffy
- "Shake It" - Metro Station

It's not top 40 pop or anything but I've come around to the group Stars, finally. At first they seemed kinda boring but then I ran into the track "Take Me to the Riot" on muxtape and it won't get out of my head, in a good way (oh they did play Nashville a month or two back. I was a little slow on this one, as my usual luck).

-To expound on the poppy goodness, I picked up the Duffy record, "Rockferry" last week on its release date. It was a little slow to get into, looking for a few tracks that are more upbeat, as the single is, but between listening to a few songs on the playlist at work and wanting to be like her when I watch the video for "Mercy", I put down $7.99 for the record at the big boy box store.

I'm digging on it more this week and suggest it for anyone that digs older pop, 60's style. I will be yet another person to compare her to Amy Winehouse, but only in the event that she's the closest comparison I can find as of now.
Sorry, Duffy (comments on the comparison are included in the interview in this month's Nylon, fyi).

- Along with the Duffy release day, last Tuesday was also the highly anticipated (I guess) release from Death Cab For Cutie, "Narrow Stairs". After seeing the full 8 minute video for "I Will Possess Your Heart" once, the song had won me over and I had to pick up the record.

I'm liking it more than the last record ("Plans"), seeing as it's more upbeat in areas and gives more to move along to. Of course, the stand out for me is still the single, particularly the first five minutes. I do indeed love Ben Gibbard and his vocals and words (and those total nerd chic glasses), but the way the instrumental builds- I wish it'd never end.

If you're looking for a recommendation or not, here it is: I listened to the record, literally, atleast 6 times all the way through the first day I had it. Go buy it if you have liked any of their stuff. Ever.

-I did an interview for nashvillerock.net with Spat! Records guy, AJ. The label has a ton of releases from punk/metal bands in Nashville and AJ seems like a pretty rad guy, really passionate about what they're doing over there. So yeah...check out the interview and let me know what you think!

- Left Can Dance is back June 21. I won't be there. Kinda wish I could be. Shake it a little for me, Nashville.



SOUTHERN GIRLS ROCK AND ROLL CAMP IS COMING SOON!!!!

(my coffee mug like this broke. feel free to buy me another one. or any of the other years.)

If you like to rock and chill with some rad girls [and guys, counselor wise], check out their site and see what you think about the whole deal. Last year it was the best week of my life, honestly.

It's ok, clear off that schedule for the week of July 14th and change some lives thru rock and roll! If you know any lovely ladies ages 10- 18 that like to rock, let them and their folks/friends/whatever know about this amazing opportunity to build self esteem, make new friends and learn new skills in music and other arts (songwriting, DIY arts and crafts, photography, etc.).


Thanks for sticking it out thru this whole phase of random yet related thoughts. Have a good one, folks!