Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Beck Record Club | Never Tear Us Apart

My personal opinion of Beck has been tarnished for a while ever since I read Wayne Coyne's account of their tour serving as Mr. Hansen's opening act and backing band. He said that all Beck cared about was being cool and that he's basically a weirdo.

And, I've found most of his Record Club material to be pretty lack luster.

But, I do enjoy version of "Never Tear Us Apart" from his latest installment. Having St. Vincent on vocals was a stroke of genius.

MP3: Beck's Record Club - Never Tear Us Apart

Memphis Jug Band | Cocaine Habit Blues

Before hippies and flip-flop wearing frat boys were going bonkers over Old Crow Medicine Show's version of "Cocaine Habit Blues" (it talks about drugs, y'all!) the songs was already 80 years old.

Of course Old Crow did the song justice with their version of it, but, there isn't anything quite like hearing a jug being blown on for the bass lines.

MP3: Memphis Jug Band - Cocaine Habit Blues

Tommy Sparks | She's Got Me Dancing

Just because the camp is on par with the awesomeness...

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Designed To Rock | Gavin Mulloy

You may or may not recognize our latest subject of "Designed To Rock." But, if you pay attention to the local music scene you will definitely recognize the name: Gavin Mulloy, he of multiple "Poster of The Week" winning selections.

We had the opportunity to pick his brainy-brain a little bit. Make sure to check out his work linked throughout the interview.

Bona Fide Darling: How did you get started doing gig posters? Who was the first band you worked with?

Gavin Mulloy: My friends were in bands that were playing regularly and they kept having gigs. I kept seeing posters for other bands and just started doing one.


The first REAL gig poster I did was for the Cocky Americans at the Cavern. I don't feel comfortable with some of my decisions regarding the fonts now but think it came out OK. The inspiration came from a Richard Gere quote that the Guitarist in Cocky Americans had as his quote on Myspace at the time. Yes, you read that correctly, Richard Gere as muse.


BFD: What drew you to being a designer?

GM: I became a designer because my roomie at the time (early 2000's) started a website. We reviewed CD's and interviewed bands and eventually put out a monthly eZine. It was fun but at the start it looked like we made it in MS Word. We started getting interviews with people like David Cross and Flava Flav, so the site needed to look professional. So basically being ashamed of how it looked pushed me to design. Which is weird if you've seen my wardrobe.

BFD: What is typically your approach to designing a poster for a band; their sound, lyrics or just a vibe you get?

GM: I try and start from scratch each time. I sometime blare a song over and over and make that the inspiration....but I also use what I know of the people in the band to influence my design. Sometimes I just start in a style I haven't explored and adapt it around the band.

BFD: Do you ever get tired of winning the Observer's "Poster of The Week?"

GM: Yes. It's exhausting. People I don't know coming up to me in the streets. The new home security system I had installed.

No, it's great and has done nothing but bring me more business that I can handle. Plus it's always god to win something, right?

BFD: Who has been the hardest band to work with on a design?

GM: Bands have been a piece of cake. Never had a problem....except rush orders. Only had to start from scratch once.

Individual promoters can be another story. Especially when they art direct. Stick to the...whatever it is you do.

BFD: How much, if any, input do you give the band?

GM: I always ask a band for ideas when we first make contact. I'm making something for them. That always needs to be remembered. If I asked a band to write a song for me, paid them, then I'd expect their input. Most of the time after 2 posters I have an idea what they want. For bigger shows, I welcome bands ideas.

BFD: What is your design process like?

GM: Whiskey, Old yearbooks, Tears, Repeat. Then, I usually try and gestate a theme or look away from the computer. Unfortunately, I draw like Verbal Kint, so sketching is rudimentary at best and most ideas just live in my head. I really love fonts and have probably spent half my life looking for the perfect one for the design.

BFD: What other designers are you inspired by?

GM: Everyone. I mean everyone that posts on Gigposters.com. Others: Signalnoise, Abduzeedo's Daily Inspiration Post, fffound.com, some new stuff from Modern Anthem, Todd Slater, Sagemeister (more outlook than asthetic), FarmBarn, Wierhouse, Jordan Gray....more that I'm blanking on now...The best thing about the internet is the inspiration is endless. I occasionally get lost in a complete strangers Flickr or deviantArt gallery for hours.

BFD: Do you have a particular style or period of design that you are drawn to?

GM: I don't favor one style over another. Depends on the band. Really got drawn into the country poster look (which shocked the hell outta me). Just some cool Texas vibe.

BFD: What has been your favorite poster you've created so far?

GM: By far. Took me far too long to get this old image looking like I wanted it, but I like it.

BFD: How did you get hooked up with The Local Yokel Show?

GM: (plug) lokelyokelshow.com you mean? I knew Simon, Chad & Pete from the Libertine. It's really my 2nd home.
Simon figured the only way to get me out of his bars was to distract me with a podcast. My friends from Somebody's Darling went on the show and when they left, I just kinda stayed and Chad asked me keep coming on, and it just kinda worked. It's been a blast. I've gotten free concerts from Ishi, Sorta, Paul Slavens, Ryan Thomas Becker (the only man with 3 1st names I've ever trusted), The O's...and the Haiti fundraiser at the Libertine was a blast. Too bad Chad Wycleffed all the proceeds on some girl from Cedar Hill.

BFD: Is there a band you really, really, REALLY want to work with?

GM: National - TV on the Radio

Local - RTB2

Like both bands and wanna play with the letters on each. Plus, they're very visual with they're music/lyrics.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

About Last Night... The Hood Internet


Friday night was a party night at The Loft when The Hood Internet hit town. We've got some video from the show above and some pictures from the show on our Facebook page. Check out our videos, check out the pictures and become one our friends or fans and keep coming back.

At some point tomorrow, we'll have a link to our "Last Night Review" on DC9 At Night.

*You can read my review of the show here.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Elkhart | Live At Rudyards

Our good friends Elkhart have a free live record you can get from their set at Rudyard's in Houston a couple of months back which contains their excellent version of Radiohead's "House of Cards."

You can get your grubby little hands on it right here.

MP3: Elkhart - House of Cards

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Neighbors | Hooligans

Being that Noah Stitelman is the sole neighbor, and from Brooklyn, I'm surprised he didn't decide to spell it European style.

That being said he's crafted a nice little electronic indie-pop number. Lying somewhere between the horribly over-rated "chillwave" and Postal Service elements, Neighbors are set to make a name for itself.

MP3: Neighbors - Hooligans

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Minipop | Into The Night

San Francisco's Minipop (and Q&A alumni) are set to release their new EP Automatic Love on June 25th. Automatic Love sees the band continuing it's sugary-sweet blend of indie-pop goodness they employed on their first LP A New Hope.

The sacchariney sweetness of the group may lead you to stay away from the Bay Area kids. But, the solid songwriting and impressive musical chops are enough to give them substance and depth beyond the pre-fab groups made for radio play.

I go back and forth trying to decide if they fall into my guilty pleasure category: super-poppy, ballad heavy, girl lead singer. But, then I remember I love The Sundays and Mazzy Star and then I get over it. But, I digress...

You can get the album on iTunes on Friday.

MP3: Minipop - Into The Night

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Tickets | The Hood Internet

We have three pair of tickets to give away for this Friday's Hood Internet show at The Loft. If you haven't heard the Chicago mash-up masters, you better get up on 'em. Mixing hip-hop and indie rock together the duo has made quite a name for themselves the last few years.

Email us at bonafidedarling(at)gmail(dot)com with "Throw Your Hood Up" in the subject line you will get a pair of tickets.

MP3: The Hood Internet - Oh My Kids (Usher vs. Sleigh Bells)

Monday, June 21, 2010

Ishi | Pastel Lights


I've been listening to quite a bit of Ishi lately and came across this video from the good folks over at The Local Yokel Show where Ishi played live for them.

If you haven't had a chance to check them out, we've gotta lil' something for you below. Their blend of acoustic intstrumentation with electronica is pretty phenomenal. If you like Beth Orton, then you will prolly love Ishi.

MP3: Ishi - Pastel Lights

Thursday, June 17, 2010

M.I.A. x CeCe Peniston | Finally XXXO

I couldn't really let this one sit around and not say something about it. When you mash up M.I.A. with one of my all-time favorite (guilty pleasure) songs I couldn't help myself. Dave Wrangler has mashed M.I.A. with 90's dance diva Cece Peniston and to a pretty good effect. The vocals could've been pushed a little further down in the mix or the music brought up more, but, the result gets the point across.

School Of Seven Bells | Windstorm (A Place To Bury Strangers Remix)

Meh. Not as good as the first tastes of their new album. This reimagining of the song leaves a lot to be desired. But, maybe I'm missing something.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

She Sir | Boystown

Hailing from the great hot south of Texas, She Sir mix indie rock with insatiable pop sensibilities. Their music shares as much in sonic texture of early 90s Brit Pop, The La's, The Stone Roses and the like as it does with the neo-folk movement of the late 00s.

Russell Karloff's voice mixes well with his harmony partner, with a splash of reverb to top it all off.

MP3: She Sir - Boystown

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

School of Seven Bells Hit The Ro-Ad

School of Seven Bells, or SVIIB, will hit the road in support of their latest album Disconnect From Desire. They will hit up Hailey's on October 8. Don't disconnect from your desire and go out and see them...

October 8 - Hailey's - Denton, TX
October 9 - Mohawk - Austin, TX
October 10 - Warehouse Live - Houston, TX

Friday, June 11, 2010

Tickets | Passion Pit | 6.21


I have two pair of tickets to hand out for the Passion Pit show at The Loft on 6/21. Yep, two pair, kid.

Email me at bonafidedarling(at)gmail(dot)com with "Passion Pit After Dark" in the subject line and you will get yo' grubby lil' hands on one pair.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Newish Pearl Jam

Antiquiet posted a link to an unreleased track that is from either the Riot Act sessions or the Backspacer sessions. Listen to it here.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Blockhead | It's Raining Clouds

You can blame Josh Davis for inventing and perfecting trip-hop/instumental hip-hop, whatever you want to call it, with Entroducing...

Since that seminal release there have been a lot of imitators, but very nary a duplicator. There still hasn't been anyone who has come as close to perfection as DJ Shadow did on that album, but, RJD2, Cut Chemist and Pretty Lights have all had brushes with greatness in the same genre.

A few days ago I was introduced to Blockhead, a Manhattan beatmaster that makes his own form of down tempo, instrumental hip-hop. He does it without mimicking anyone else, just throwing the beats and samples into a pot and coming up with his own funked up stew.

MP3: Blockhead - It's Raining Clouds

Monday, June 7, 2010

DJ Sober + A1 | AUTOMATIC

I finally got around to checking out the AUTOMATIC mixtape Sober and A1 posted last week and it does not disappoint. It runs through more genres (or jonres as Nikki Sixx would say) than you can shake a stick at, which other than the choice cuts on it and the flawless mixing, is why I like it so much.

Get AUTOMATIC here.

Romany Rye | All The Boys

In the vein of 70's folk-rockers, Romany Rye brings his "A" game with "All The Boys." In a genre that's been pretty well packed for the last several years Rye stays true to form without too much embellishment on either the folk or rock side. Instead, they both nestle together quite nicely.

MP3: Romany Rye - All The Boys

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Tickets!

I have four pairs of tickets to give away for the Lou Barlow show with hometown opener Sarah Jaffe at The Loft on 6/15. Come and get 'em!

So, the first four peeps to email me at bonafidedarling(at)gmail(dot)com with "Going to the Lou" in the subject line get a pair.

Lou Barlow - Right

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

She & Him | Fools Rush In



She & Him recently covered Ricky Nelson's "Fools Rush In" for Levi's Pioneer Sessions. While, it would've been awesomer to cover "Lonesome Town," Zooey pretty much kills this version. She and M. Ward have a knack for covering old songs and making them seem fresh while putting their own stamp on it without ruining the whole thing.

MP3: She & Him - Fools Rush In (Ricky Nelson cover)

"It's Not Long Enough!"

Metric | Stadium Love | Video