Sarah Jaffe | Clementine | Video

Sarah Jaffe | Creep

Prolly one of the best musical moments of my life when Sarah Jaffe got the crowd to sing along with her as she covered Radiohead's "Creep."

Sarah Jaffe | Tickets

It's probably safe to say that Sarah Jaffe has become somewhat of a sensation around DFWd. She's a gifted songwriter penning songs that cut straight to the heart of emotion and a voice that makes you feel like you're living what she's singing. And it probably won't be long before people are saying "remember when Sarah Jaffe lived in Denton?"

That being said, I have two pair of tickets to give away for her show Saturday at the Granada. If you don't get the tickets, you should go anyway, it's only $10 freaking dollars!

So, email me at bonafidedarling(at)gmail(dot)com with "Black Hoax Lie" in the subject line and you get them.

Sarah Jaffe | KUT Session

Growing local musical luminary Sarah Jaffe recently did a session for KUT in Austin, which just happened to be posted today. Check it out, here and listen to a new arrangement of "Clementine."

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

Sarah Jaffe Premier | Watch Me Fall Apart

We're pretty excited to exclusively premier a track from Sarah Jaffe's new album Suburban Nature. We're pretty big fans of hers and we absolutely love this track. Sure, there are more than a few really good songs Jaffe's debut LP, but, this song that comes next-to-last on the track listing is probably the best song on her album. It's one that could actually become a big hit if it found it's way to the radio.

All that being said, check out "Watch Me Fall Apart" below.

Sarah Jaffe | Two Intangibles Can’t Be Had (Working for a Nuclear Free City Remix)

Sarah Jaffe is getting some fresh pub from a very unlikely source, Filter magazine. The electronica 'zine premiered the Working For A Nuclear Free City remix of "Two Intangibles Can't Be Had." The song isn't anything new, it's been featured on her Myspace page for quite while now. But, it's seeing the light of day thanks to he upcoming debut LP release.

MP3: Sarah Jaffe - Two Intangible Can't Be Had (Working For A Nuclear Free City Remix)

About Last Night... NX35 Night Two

Last night was a complete luck out on great shows. I was there to cover Sarah Jaffe's set for DC-9 and ended up catching three phenomenal sets: Odyssey (formerly This Old House), Trespassers William and, of course Sarah Jaffe.

I won't really get into Jaffe's set, because you can read about that here, other than to say it was sweet to see Jaffe get so moved by the admiration coming from the crowd. A few different times it seemed as though she was fighting back tears because she was so moved.

Odyssey's set was nothing short of stunning. You could say it was ambient folk, or at least I thought that's what I thought I was getting into with them. But, it was more along the lines of "y'all-gaze." The band rambled through several new numbers that would probably make Jesus And Mary Chain green with envy. If you don't have these guys on your local music radar, you should get them on toot-sweet.

Trespassers William was completely new to me, never heard of them and wasn't sure if I would even like them. Well, the first word sung from Anna-Lynn Williams had my jaw dropped. It set was something similar to Mazzy Star, only if Hope Sandoval had a pure singing voice. It was hypnotic for their entire set.

MP3: Odyssey - At Risk
MP3: Trespassers William - Sparrow

Sarah Jaffe | Vulnerable

Sarah Jaffe's sophomore album, Suburban Nature, is set to come out this May on Kirkland Records. The Denton chanteuse builds on her debut effort Even Born Again with a sound a little fuller and richer than her debut EP. The constant is her songwriting and her desperately emotive voice.

The girl is coming up the ranks with a recent European tour with Midlake and will be opening up for ex-pat Norah Jones on several dates as she strolls through the Southwest.

But, let us introduce you to her single "Vulnerable," one of Suburban Nature's best. Her album won't be out until May, but, this gem and the remix of "Two Intangibles Can't Be Had" are available now for download on iTunes.

Gutterth Compilation 2

It's hard to explain to someone who lives outside of the DFWd area exactly how great the music scene is around here... particularly in Denton. Now the explaining can get a little bit of help with the Gutterth Compilation 2.

It features tons of local artists like our SubEx buddy Cory Graves band Mount Righteous, a favorite of ours Sarah Jaffe, RTB2, Ryan Thomas Becker, Shiny Around The Edges and literally dozens more.

Doug Burr's bring-you-to-tears excellence of "Mirror Ball" is an instant goldmine find for me. But, I've got to give it up that my favorite Jaffe song "Black Hoax Lie" is featured on the comp as well. Good choice fellas.

You can download the sprawling two album set right here... tomorrow. However, if you would like a hard copy of the compilation you can get it at Good Records.

MP3: Doug Burr - Mirror Ball
MP3: Sarah Jaffe - Black Hoax Lie

Sarah Jaffe Documentary...Sort Of

A couple of high school students (Grace Vroom & Holly Fetter) shot a short documentary type piece of Sarah Jaffe. The most important thing you will learn about Ms. Jaffe...she got mic skillz (with a "z"). (Unfair Park)

Sarah Jaffe/MATAS at Good Records

Yesterday I met up with the gorgeous Cindy Chaffin of Life Outside The Bubble and caught the in-store appreance of "Yeah, They Local" vet Sarah Jaffe and Matthew and The Arrogant Sea at Good Records.

First off, Sarah Jaffe is just as amazing live as she is on record.  She was accompanied on stage with fellow Denton musician Robert Gomez.  What was most impressive to me about Jaffe is how effortlessly she sings.  Like Alison Krauss, Sarah seems to belt out every note from one song to the next easily as if that's what her voice was created to do.  It was funny, she was in the middle of a song and the phone rang at the front counter, and without missing a beat Sarah added "You better get that" with a sly smile.  Amazing voice and she's a really great talent.

MP3:  Sarah Jaffe - Perfect Plan (Live)

It was a treat to see the main attraction of the afternoon (no, not the free beer), Matthew and The Arrogant Sea.  They have been compared to the Flaming Lips, and lyrically, the comparision isn't far off base.  When you sing lines like "My best friends are aliens" you run the chance of disaffecting listeners, just like the Flaming Lips.  ("She Don't Use Jelly" anyone?)  But, if you listen for just the music that's where MATAS really shine.  And when you have seven peeps in your band you're sure as hell going to make one hell of a noise.  Listening to MATAS is completely different from comparing record to live performance.  That's like comparing Crocs to Penny Loafers.  Live, MATAS are full of energy, loud and electric.  On record, the energy is there the music is more acoustic and folky.

But, all in all it was a great day to see the local kids get they show on.  Oh, and I may have a little surprise coming up for you soon regarding Matthew and The Arrogant Sea.

MP3:  Matthew and The Arrogant Sea - Mock Orgami

Yeah, They Local

It's no secret that Denton is the newest musical hot bed in the country and has been for a while now.  You have local giants Cento-Matic and Midlake coming out of Lil' D, blog darlings Ghosthustler and Robert Gomez...now you can add Sarah Jaffe to that list.

Her music is often described as folk, but, that's not necessarily the case.  Yeah, it's acoustic loveliness in every sense of the word, but not the type of folk one would expect from the bands associated with the genre.  Her music is more personal in nature than the elder statesmen of that genre; not the typical "Teach Your Children" harmonies of CS&N, "Union Made" of Pete Seeger or even the pastoral musings of Fleet Foxes' "Winter White Hymnal."

She's gotten a lot of local press and music nominations; NPR recently selected her tune "Even Born Again" as their song of the day and even written up in the New York Times. 

You wouldn't break her music out to liven up a dinner party, but, you would definitely break her out to say "fuckin' listen to this!"  Check out her Myspace page, listen to the defiant ferocity of "Under," it will hit you in the head like a freight train.  Oh, and the remix of "Two Intangibles."  That one is destined to be used in a pivotal scene in at least one movie.  

She will be touring with Rhett Miller in September and then hit up Dan's Silverleaf.  

MP3:  Sarah Jaffe - Even Born Again

Tour dates:

9/17/08 San Antonio @ Sam’s Burger Joint (w/ Rhett Miller)
9/18/08 Austin @ Threadgills (w/ Rhett Miller)
9/19/08 Dallas @ House of Blues/Cambridge Room (w/ Rhett Miller)
9/20/08 Denton @ Dan’s Silverleaf

2008 Dallas Observer Music Awards

This is the 20th anniversary of the Dallas Observer Music Awards. A few of my favorite bands are up for some awards this year.

Dove Hunter is up for Best Band, Best Song and Best Indie Act.
100 Damned Guns is up for Best Country/Roots Act.
The Granada is up for Best Venue. However, I can't believe that The Cavern or The Loft aren't up for this award as well.
CD World and Good Records are up for Best Record Store. I honestly love both of them.
Sarah Jaffe is up for Best Solo Act.
Bridges and Blinking Lights are nominated for Best Indie Act.
Mom are up for Best Electronic/Experimental Act.

MP3: 100 Damned Guns - Skies Are Never Gray
MP3: Dove Hunter - Cyclone Stare
MP3: Sarah Jaffe - Even Born Again
MP3: Bridges and Blinking Lights - Half Way Home
MP3: Mom - Skipping Stones

The DOMA 2008 Showcase will be on July 19. However, I'm not sure of the venue yet. I'll let you know when I find out.

Grand Archives Sunday! Sunday! SUNDAY!

The Seatlle Sub Pop-pers will be playing and early show, 630p, at The Cavern this Sunday. Denton's Sara Jaffe will be the first act, followed by the lovely Sera Cahoone. It should be a good one, their debut album is awesome.

MP3: Grand Archives - Sleepdriving
MP3: Sera Cahoone - Only as The Day is Long
MP3: Sarah Jaffe - Even Born Again

Grand Archives

I have finally been able to listen to the new Grand Archives album and I’m way beyond impressed. The opening track “Torn Blue Foam Couch” is phenomenal. I know Mat Brooks was in Band of Horses for a short time, but, they really don’t really sound exactly like BoH, more of they have similarities. Brooks and Ben Bridwell, of BoH, have vocal similarities. But, I think Brooks has the better pipes of the two. And they aren’t completely drenched in reverb.

“Setting Sun” has the southern rock tendencies you would associate with BoH and its pulled off very nicely. “Sleep Driving” is probably my favorite track on the album. It reminds me of a indie version of “Mama I’m Coming Home” by Oswald Osbourne. I’m not sure why, but it does.

They will be playing a show with the wonderful Sera Cahoone and Denton’s own Sarah Jaffe at The Cavern on 6/22. You can get your tickets here.

Grand Archives - Torn Blue Foam Couch (mp3)

Grand Archives - Sleepdriving (mp3)

Sera Cahoone - Only as The Day is Long (mp3)

Sarah Jaffe - Even Born Again (mp3)