Neko Case Interview--Not With Me

I was talking to Kevin from Eastwood (ow, my foot!) last week and he told me that I had gotten Neko Case'snew song "People Got A Lotta Nerve" stuck in his head.  I was really happy to hear this because A) I love that song and 2) I like turning people on to music and C) Neko's new album is fantastico. 

That being said here is a really interesting interview with the Neko Case where she talks about her album.  I know, crazy, right?  Also, live on tape footage of her singing "People Got A Lotta Nerve."  I love the way she and her backup singer Kelly harmonize together, it's greatness.

"Interview"

"People Got A Lotta Nerve"

Get On The Sugarfoot, Uh! Good God!

As dynamic a performer as Black Joe Lewis is, he's not that great of a lipsyncher.  But, that's prolly for the best.  The video for "Sugarfoot," the first song off of Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! is quite good (except for Joe's lipsynching).  The whole thing has a throwback style and design that it really cool.  

You can get Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! here.

Mash-Up Monday

Today it's an attack of the one hit wonders!  Although, I do find myself still bustin' a dope rhyme to "Ice, Ice Baby," that song was and is still good.  It was Vanilla Ice himself that turned it into something douchey.  

But, match up Robbie van Winkle's dope rhyme with Carl Douglas' "Kung Fu Fighting" and you have something that is pretty enjoyable.

MP3:  Vanilla Ice vs. Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Baby

Action Painters Lay That Cable

Tomorrow, 3/31, marks the release of NYC's Action Painter's EP Lay That Cable.  The three songs will server as a sort of stop gap while we (read me) anxiously await the release of their debut album.  

The band knows how hard the economy is hitting all of us, so for a limited time they are making the EP available to download for free here.  In addition to getting their EP for free you can get a boatload of free music of there on their web site.  Check out the video for "456" from the EP as well as download the mp3 below.  Honestly, if you haven't downloaded the songs off of their web site I don't know what you're waiting for, it's all fantastically good.

MP3: Action Painters - 456

ACL 2009 Festival Rumors

It's getting close to that time of year again, can you smell it in the air?  Yep, early tickets for the 2009 Austin City Limits Festival go on sale in just over a week, April 7.  The rumors for headliners are flying around like Vin Diesel, fast and furious.

Austin 360 is reporting that Pearl Jam, Beastie Boys and Dave Matthews have "all but confirmed" as headliners this year.  If the part about PJ is true, I personally called it a few months ago.  I didn't tell anyone really, but, I figured with the re-release of Ten and a new album in the works they would prolly go down Austin way.  The gooder news is that since they might be heading to Austin they will prolly come through The D as well.

Oh, and the festival has been moved back to the first week in October, so it won't be as hot as it usually is.

Under The Cover

This cover is pretty damn interesting.  The Pearl Jam is one my favorite all-time bands and I'm pretty unimpressed with cover versions of their songs and I haven't really heard that many that are good.  So, when I saw this I just rolled my eyes because I figured it would suck too.  But, P.O.S. from the Twin City of Minneapolis puts a nice hip-hop touch on the classic PJ deep cut "Why Go?"

I have to go on record and just say that I don't actually hate this version.  I don't know that I'll be bumpin' it in my truck, but it doesn't suck.  

P.O.S. will be coming to Dallas on the Warped Tour this summer if you have a desire to see him.

MP3: P.O.S. - Savion Glover

100 Damned Guns Photos

We went to Cowtown to check out the 100 Damned Guns CD release show at Fred's Texas Cafe last night.   By the time we got there we missed AM Ramblers and the Make Believers which sucked.  I was hoping to to at least catch the ol' Ramblers, but Fred's wasn't the easiest place to find since it's on a dark street and the street sign isn't actually on the street.  So, by the time we found the place we missed everyone except for the Guns.  However, I did really digs Fred's, I'm going to have to go back and have a burger there, they looked really good.

You can check out pictures from the show here and here.  You can check us out on the Facebook or the Myspace and you can even be out friend.  If you click the badges on the right you can check out our profile.

Old Crow Coming Back To The Granada

Finally, Old Crow Medicine Show is coming back to Dallas.  I knew they would be coming to town sooner or later to promote their latest album Tennessee Pusher, I just didn't think it would take this long.  The best part is they're coming back to the Granada.  I saw them there a few years ago and it was hands down the best show I've been too.

MP3:  Old Crow Medicine Show - Soul Rebel (Bob Marley Cover)

Tour dates:

5/6/09 Dallas, TX @ The Granada Theater

This is part of their performance of "Wagon Wheel" from the Granada the last time they were there.

Santigold Comes To The D

It didn't take very long for my wish that she comes to town to come true.  My wife turned me onto Santigold about three months ago and I love her album.  Her debut fluidly moves from indie pop to dub to reggae and I loves it.  I just hope that since the Dallas stop is near the end of her tour it will still be a good show.  I love this time of year, all the show dates start rolling in and my summer starts to look better and better.

Tour dates:
3/27/09 Miami, FL @ Ultra Music Festival
3/28/09 Mammoth, CA @ Roxy's Chicken Jam
5/21/09 San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
5/22/09 Sacramento, CA @ Empire
5/24/09 Eugene, OR @ Cuthbert Amphitheatre
5/25/09 George, WA @ Sasquatch! Festival
5/28/09 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
5/29/09 Des Moines, IA @ People's Court
5/31/09 Baltimore, MD @ Ram's Head Live
6/01/09 Boston, MA @ House of Blues
6/03/09 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
6/04/09 Motreal, QB @ Metropolis
6/06/09 Philadelphia, PA @ The Roots Picnic
6/07/09 Norfolk, VI @ The Norva
6/09/09 New York, NY @ Terminal 5
6/10/09 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
6/12/09 Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo
6/13/09 St. Louis, MO @ Bacardi B Live
6/15/09 Austin, TX @ Stubb's (outside)
6/17/09 Houston, TX @ House of Blues
6/18/09 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
6/21/09 Hollywood, CA @ Hollywood Bowl :: KCRW World Festival Series

100 Damned Guns Album Release Saturday

Ft. Worth's finest Honky Tonk heroes are celebrating the release of their new album Musica de Tormento this Saturday at Fred's Texas Cafe in Ft. Worth.  If you remember we hipped you to three new songs of theirs a while back.  So, seeing as my plans to go out of town this weekend have been scrapped, I believe I will be heading to Cowtown for the show.  Denton's AM Ramblers and the Make Believers will be playing as well.

MP3:  100 Damned Guns - Ol' Barbed Wire

MP3:  100 Damned Guns - Broken Bottle Blues

Great Lake Swimmers "Pulling On A Line" Vidie

With all the references to nature on the new Great Lake Swimmers album this video fits right in.  Out in the woods, wings made of broken limbs, smoke and lamps(!).  If I haven't convinced you already, Lost Channels is a fantastic album.

MP3: Great Lake Swimmers - Pulling On A Line

New Neko Case Video

Neko's vidie for "People Got A Lotta Nerve" is out and follows in lock-step with the animal theme.  To be more precise, it's more like a children's book for playing with animals.  Oh, and the Killer Whale eats her at the end.

Mash-Up Monday

Sometimes there are songs that, to me, are so classic no one needs to cover them or remix them because they are classic.  For me one of those songs is "Downtown" by Petula Clark, I've loved that songs since I was a young un.  All of that being said, it's part of todays Mash-Up Monday.  

This weeks mash is with another one of my favorite songs "Murder on The Dancefloor" by Sophie Ellis Bextor.  While you shouldn't really mess with a classic, this one is a good mix of the two songs.

MP3:  Petula Clark vs. Sophie Elix Bextor - Downtown Murder

School of Seven Bells SXSW Interview

Yep, I missed South By Southwest this year too.  I've never actually been, but, I can't wait until I have the opportunity to roam the streets of Austin, fighting against sweaty people to get to a show on time...it would be an adventure.

So, while I missed out on the festivities I also missed out on seeing Camera Obscura and School of Seven Bells.  But, Pampelmoose has an interview with the NYC via Tejas (kinda) band.  

After watching this I'm not too sure that Claudia and Alejandra Deheza are exactly identical twins.  Being an identical twin myself I'm usually pretty fascinated by twin girls.  So, that being said, the one on the left has been added to my crush list.

MP3:  School of Seven Bells - Half Asleep

NIN/JA Tour Sampler

Trent Reznor is a master marketer for the new millennium.  He did all the free flash drive stuff a few years ago, gave away albums and continues to do so.  For the upcoming tour with Jane's Addiction and Street Sweeper he has put up this tour sampler for free.  

Of course you have to fill something out, but, it's prolly worth it because he's always giving away free shit.

Track listing:

Jane's Addiction - Chip Away

Nine Inch Nails - Not So Pretty Now

Street Sweeper - Clap For The Killer

Jane's Addiction - Whores

Nine Inch Nails - Non-Entity

Street Sweeper - The Oath

Aloha Mr. Band

It's about that time, Texas Summer.  I know it's only March, but I think we all know it's only like two weeks away.  That being said, lemme introduce some Summer listening:  Operation Aloha.

The band is comprised of members of Gomez, Maroon 5, Phantom Planet, Kahn Brothers and All Spots To Black, in all it's made up of 14 members.  Each one of them dedicated a month to hanging with each other in Maui, living in tree houses and playing and recording each other.  The result was definitely inspired by their surroundings, mellowed-out, summer lovin' beach sounds.

MP3:  Operation Aloha - Failure

Stone Roses Reunion?

My dreams of a Stone Roses reunion may come true!  Maybe.  According to Spin.com Ian Brown has finally agreed to reunite with the rest of the Roses for some summer tour dates in the UK and a US date...possibly Coachella.  If it's true this is as big or bigger than a Smiths reunion...at least for me.

So, now that my heart has skipped several beats I will gladly take donations that will go towards a Coachella trip.

MP3:  Ian Brown - Gettin' High

More New Camara Obscura

There have been a couple of albums I've been anxiously awaiting this year.  With Neko Case's album already out (it's fantastic) there is one more I can't wait for--Camera Obscura's My Maudlin Career.  The latest single I've heard is "French Navy."  It's whetting my appetite for the new album, I can't wait.

MP3:  Camera Obscura - French Navy

Mash-Up Monday

Apparently Crunk isn't dead--at least not today, anyway.  This has to be the oddest pairing I've heard in a mash-up:  Lil' Jon and The Romantics.  You remember the Romantics, don't you?  Yeah, they're the one hit wonders who had the song "What I Like About You."  Remember?  Right.

MP3:  Lil' Jon vs. The Romantics - What I Like About Crunk

Read Me There Too...

Hello, my beautiful babies.  Lame, I know.  But, I just wanted to let you know today marks my first contribution to the Best of Texas blog The Squawker...as a contributing writer.  I'll be doing a weekly thing there so come over and check it out...here.

Under The Cover

There somethin' about Wayne that really has a hold on me.  I think it's his eccentricity that does it for me.  That plus good music and the fact he still lives in The City.  He and his nephew's band, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, have covered Madonna's "Borderline" for Warner Bros. 50th anniversary covers compilation Covered, A Revolution in Sound.  

I know what you're thinking, it's going to be some weird Flaming Lips version of her song.  Well, that's not far off.  However, the Lips (and Stardeath...) put their own stamp on it an turned it into their song.  I think even Mr. Blue would love it, as long as they don't cover "Papa Don't Preach."

MP3:  The Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs - Borderline

First Best Song of The Year

No jive, this is the first great song I've heard this year.  It's a big ball of power-pop love, with catchy hooks and snotty lyrics, the Oohlas have crafted a perfect indie pop song for the 2009.  They blend their bleek outlook of a consumer-driven, fall in line with everybody else mentality with catchy hooks and even better vocals into a beautiful anthem.  It's the greatest song about $30,000 millionaires to date.

The song is on their Chinchilla EP which you can get here.

MP3:  Oohlas - Lemmings Anthems

Mother/Father, I Want To...

Labels can always be deceiving, and the past couple of bands that have labeled themselves with the "psychedelic" monitor have thrown me off.  Nashville's Mother/Father, to me, are far from psychedelic, man.

They have a sound that combines subtle Interpolian dark New Wavey-ness with a distinctly pop savvy of Tears For Fears.  They don't sound like the typical band you would expect to come out of the home of Music Row.  

MP3:  Mother/Father - Light Thieves

MP3:  Phoenix - 1901 (Mother/Father Remix)

Recession Proof Concert--Free Tickets!

Anya Marina, former actress turned singer slash songwriter will perform at The Prophet Bar next Monday, 3/16, with Greg Laswell.  I know money is tight right now, we all have to tighten up those purse strings.  But, if you want to go to the show for free email me with "As seen on TV" in the subject and you get free tickets to the show. 

*Congrats to our winner, you gots two tickets!

*

MP3: Anya Marina - Move You

Finally, New Silversun Pickups

Our good friends over at Ultra 8201 hipped us to the new Silversun Pickups song "Panic Switch" from their forthcoming album Swoon.  They've said in interviews they wanted to be challenging on their new record, but the only think challenging about this is the first part of the song.  But, I'm really diggin' it and can't wait for the album to come out.  It's a little different from their previous work on Carnavas but familiar enough not alienate fans.

The Bosque At The Good Records

I went to the Bosque Brown's in-store appearance at Good Records yesterday and...it's was greatness.  I was in awe of Mara Lee Miller's voice is in a live setting, it sound just as great or better as it does on their record.  She and her sister/keyboard player sound wonderful when they harmonize.  

It was great to hear "Train Song" live, it's my favorite song on the record, I thought it sounded better live than on the CD.  But, their whole performance was great.

you can see the our pics from the show here.

MP3:  Bosque Brown - Went Walking

Kool Keith at The Loft

Last night was a fantastic show at The Loft.  Kool Keith brought the funk and the noize.  You can read my review for DC9 at Night here.  And, you can check out pictures from the show at our Myspace page here!

MP3:  Dr. Octagon - Earth People

Check Us Out!

Hello, all!  We are now on the Myspace, so please run to your computers and add us to your cyber-friend list!  We're going to have pics from shows and what not.  And if/when something really noteworthy comes up we will keep you up-to-date there as well as here. 

www.myspace.com/bonafidedarling, it's where the fun is at!

What I'm Seeing, What I'm Missing

Tonight I'm reviewing Kool Keith's Dr. Octagon vs. Dr. Dooom show for DC9 at Night.  So, that means I'm going to miss the Eastwood acoustico show at Opening Bell the Lakewood Bar & Grill.  But, just because I'm not going just doesn't mean you shouldn't go.

MP3: Dr. Octagon - Earth People

MP3: Eastwood - Right Place, Wrong Time

Tomorrow I'm going to catch the Bosque Brown in-store at Good Records.  I love the Good Records and their in-store shows.  And, this will be the first chance I get to see them/her, so gotta do it.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to see Elkhart, Dove Hunter, What Made Milwaukee Famous, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears or Telegraph Canyon tomorrow night at the House of Snooze.  Damn birthday parties!

But, that should be a great show, $10 for ten bands...can't beat that with a stick.

MP3: Bosque Brown - Went Walking

MP3: Elkhart - Tune Out

MP3: Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - Bitch, I Love You

MP3: Telegraph Canyon - El Capitan

MP3: Dove Hunter - Cyclone Stare

MP3: What Made Milwaukee Famous - Resistance St.

In My Other Lives...

When I think of Stillwater, OK a few things come to mind:  a second tier state university ( SUCK IT POKES!), Red Dirt music and the crappiness that is All American Rejects.  

However, what I would never think of in a million years is a piano laden, classical music inspired indie band.  But, that's exactly what they have turned out with the band Other Lives.  The band is definitely a band whose sound is best described as mood music.  On a sunny Spring-like day like today the sounds don't feel right on my ears.  It makes me wish it were cold and rainy outside today.  With that being said, their music is absolutely fantastic, but it's better suited for certain moods.

Take a listen to "Black Tables" from their eponymous debut.

MP3:  Other Lives - Black Tables

It's The Re-Up

I've had a few requests to repost the theme song to Damages, "When I Am Through With You."  So, I'mma gonna do it.

The show is getting good as it gets closer to the end of its too short season.  Could Patty be getting her just desserts?  On this show, it's somewhere near impossible to know exactly who to trust--love it!  And what has happened to William Hurts character, where has he gone?  I love how effin' creepy Darrell Hammond's character is.

MP3:  VLA - When I Am Through With You

Old Is Always New Again

For those of you who think that music will never be as good as it was when you were younger--you're wrong.  Why?  Because there are no original ideas or sounds when it comes to almost anything creative.  The idea may be new-ish, rarely 100% new.  That being said, ladies and gentlemen...The Pain of Being Pure at Heart.  Their self-titled album reminds me of listening to The Edge back when it was good.  Spike was on early Sunday mornings, Josh and Kevin did the Adventure Club...and I was hearing songs and styles of music I was totally unfamiliar with and loved every minute of it.

Their sound is the sound of early 80's alternative, which was the old indie.  Noisy, yet melodic, they are like Jesus and Mary Chain's American cousins during their "Head On" period.  If you're going to SXSW you can check them out at several shows.

MP3:  The Pain of Being Pure at Heart - Everything With You

3/18/09 4:35pm Red 7 - Terrorbird/Force Field Austin, TX
3/18/09 8:30pm Ms Bea's - Todd P + NY Noise Austin, TX
3/19/09 1:00pm Radio Room - Brooklyn Vegan Party Austin, TX
3/19/09 3:45pm Malverde - Iamsound + Sup Magazine Party Austin, TX
3/19/09 10:00pm Opal Divine's - Green Label Sound Showcase Austin, TX
3/20/09 2:00pm Emo's Main Room - Pitchfork Party Austin, TX
3/20/09 3:45pm Fader Fort Austin, TX
3/20/09 6:30pm South Salina Street - After The Jump Party Austin, TX
3/20/09 11:00pm Emo's Jr. - Slumberland + Cake Shop Showcase Austin, TX
3/21/09 1:00pm Waterloo Records Instore Austin, TX

Musical Obsession

A couple of weeks ago when I told you about The Old Lonesome Sound compilation I didn't count on this particular song having such an impact on my ears and heart.  Adam Arcuragi's take on "Ain't No Grave" is fantastic.  I've been listening to this song at least once a day since then.  It's interesting how he sounds like an old, grizzled bluesman--but in reality he's a crazy-ass Southern white boy.  All this goes into why I like the song:  it's new, but it sounds vintage and sounds like a freight train barrelling down on you.

MP3:  Adam Arcuragi - Ain't No Grave

Morning Elephant In The Afternoon

I'm not really sure how to categorize Morning Elephant, but the bands own label of "melodramatic popular song/soul/ambient" isn't far off.  Their sound meanders throught Blue-Eyed Soul, Ambient, Jazz and even ventures into a little Trip-Hop.  Singer Manya Repnikova has a great voice, and really fits what ever vibe the song is--great Sunday morning, early evening listening.  The jazzy, lover friendly "REM Sleep" is a great instrumental track, jazzy hi-hats, noodling guitar work, great instrumentation all around.

But, a favorite of mine that I've been going back to is "I Howl at Tha Moon."  It reminds me of a a more loved-up Portishead.  Their cover of  The Eurythmics "I Need U/I Need a Man" is dripping with enough soul to give Jill Scott a run for her money.

MP3:  Morning Elephant - I Howl At Tha Moon

Mash-Up Monday

Dave Wrangler did a pretty good job mashin' one up two of my favoritest jams for this one.  He combined the Pharcyde's "Passin' Me By" with Ghostland Observatory's "Midnight Voyage."

MP3:  Pharcyde vs. Ghostland Observatory - Passin' By Midnight

Kinda Useless Remix

There aren't a whole lot of artists I think don't really need the remix treatment for their songs and Kings of Leon are one of them.  Mark Ronson, the man responsible Amy Winehouse, has remixed "Pistol of Fire" for some unknown reason.  The songs isn't horrible, but, totally un-needed.  It totally takes the energy out of the song and replaces it with faux-vintage R&B horns.  But, the guitar sound he has in there is really cool.  But, have a listen for yourself.

MP3:  Kings of Leon - Pistol of Fire (Mark Ronson Remix)