Hola, como estas? Muy Bien.
No, my Spanish is actually not that great. But I did my best. I may have told a few people that they smell like cheese by accident when looking for the Plaza Meyor but in the end, everyone was quite understanding. And no words can express the gratitude that Amanda and I have towards our two tour guides, Taiki and Jose. If you need a tour guide, let me know. Taiki is fluent in 10 languages and can take the best pictures. Ha.
I’ve been slow going on the review front but I’ve been in the works on a new article for the city based website, Ajisignal.com. My first article for this site was for the Providence, RI native, Deer Tick. This time around we decided to take on a more seasoned artist. No, we’re not talking about gray haired and aging indie rockers such as Dinosaur Jr., but rather a Boston based, former Seattle transplant, Tim Walsh (aka TW Walsh), and his new band, The Soft Drugs.
So keep your eyes on Ajisignal.com over the next couple days. Or, you can keep your eyes posted here as I will most likely be posting when it goes up on their site.
Finally, I want to share with you the U.S. tour dates for M83. I haven’t talked about his new album much but I’m really excited for it because every review and bio of the recording fits right in line with my love for the 80’s. M83 (real name: Anthony Gonzalez), has come out saying that the main influences behind “Saturdays = Youth” are the many 80’s based bands and movies that helped develop him into the artist he is today. From bands such as Tears for Fears and Cocteau Twins as well as the movies of John Hughes; Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink to just name a few.
For the album, Jose brought along producers Ken Thomas (Sigur Ros, Sugarcubes, Cocteau Twins, Suede, Clinic) and Ewan Pearson (Tracey Thorn, Ladytron and The Rapture).
On the road Jose is bringing along the following band members - Loic Maurin on Drums, Pierre-Marie Maulini on bass and guitar and featured album vocalist Morgan Kibby (of LA-based band The Romanovs) on vocals and keyboards. Jose will be playing vocals, guitar and keyboard.
The album is due April 15th on Mute and the single, “Colours”, is being released on February 26th and includes an exclusive remix by Jori Hulkkonen. Stream the song on their Myspace page or stream it via WMP or RealPlayer.
M83 on Myspace (HERE)
M83’s official website (HERE)
“Saturdays = Youth” tracklist:
You, Appearing
Kim & Jessie
Skin Of The Night
Graveyard Girl
Couleurs
Up!
We Own The Sky
Highway Of Endless Dreams
Too Late
Dark Moves Of Love
Midnight Souls Still Remain
U.S. Tour Dates:
Tue 5/20 - Los Angeles @ Echoplex
Wed 5/21 - San Francisco @ Great American Music Hall
Fri 5/23 - Portland, OR@ Doug Fir Lounge
Sat 5/24 - Vancouver @ Richards on Richards
Sun 5/25 - Seattle @ Neumos
Wed 5/28 - Minneapolis @ Triple Rock Club
Thu 5/29 - Chicago @ Empty Bottle
Fri 5/30 - Toronto @ The Mod Club
Sat 5/31 - Montreal @ Cabaret Music Hall
Mon 6/2 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
Tue 6/3 - Brooklyn @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Wed 6/4 - NYC @ Bowery Ballroom
Fri 6/6 - Philadelphia @ First Unitarian Church
Sat 6/7 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Chip break, Spain, 80’s
So I’ve been on a business trip in Las Vegas this past week and I’m about to head out to Spain on Tuesday for a little vacation with Amanda. Pretty pumped for Spain. So with all this travel that obviously means that my posting is going to suffer.
First, let me just say that Hot Chip will be absent from the square as I have been overloading on them as of late. But if you know me, you know how passionate I can get about a single band, especially a band that moves me as much as Hot Chip does during their live shows. We do have some pictures from this past show in New York City that I will post but I won’t be giving any indepth review of that show.
My only thoughts about the show were that I had fun and I was very drunk. Started with the libations around 12 as I met the rents at JG Melons, had a drink at Sptizer’s near the Cake Shop where we attempted to see the free Teenagers show, and then kept the drinking going until the show at Highline at 9:30. Putting aside my toxic level, I will say that it wasn’t my favorite Chip show. They seemed a bit off. However, even an off night for Hot Chip is still a night of fun and dance. Just like the ‘Fork review said, even though this wasn’t their break out performance, they’re still a dominate force.
Recent Inbox
This 80’s radio / remix blog contacted me and if you’re a child of the 80’s like I, then you must check out this site and download some of their mixes. Most of them are of the female 80’s artists such as Madonna and Olivia Newton-John, but they have some great 80’s resources and stuff that makes for great late night dance parties.
Visit Retro Remixes: http://retro-remixes.blogspot.com/
Another rock n roll revival band that I’m sure you heard of (if you live in NYC) that made it in my inbox is The Teenage Prayers. At first, I’m not totally vibing the lead singer’s, Tim Adams, approach to the whinny, off key rock vocal style. However, a Philly soul rock legend, Solomon Burke, sees something in these fellas to the point where he produced their first EP, Ten Songs. And on their follow up album, Everyone Thinks You’re the Best, the founder of the Dream Syndicate, Steve Wynn, steps up to produce. So while they’re not standing out as this overly impressive rock revival band that some other folks are saying, they definitely seem worth more of a listen.
Visit The Teenage Prayers online - (Myspace) (Official website)
Watch the video for “Is this as Good As it Gets” - (YouTube)
Download MP3’s - (HYPE MACHINE)
They play in Boston on the 15th of February at the Lizard Lounge with The Great Bandini.
They have a whole bunch of dates in March as well:
2.15.08 - Lizard Lounge, Cambridge, MA
2.19.08 - Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
3.06.08 - Club Cafe, Pittsburgh PA
3.07.08 - Canal Street Tavern, Dayton OH
3.08.08 - Northside Tavern, Cincinnati OH
3.11.08 - House of Blues - Cambridge Room, Dallas TX
3.12.08 - SXSW – Austin, TX
3.13.08 - SXSW – Austin, TX
3.14.08 - SXSW – Austin, TX
3.15.08 - SXSW – Austin, TX
3.16.08 - Circle Bar, New Orleans LA
3.19.08 - Star Bar, Atlanta GA – w/ The Hymns, Deer Tick
3.20.08 - The Milestone, Charlotte NC - w/ The Hymns, Deer Tick
3.21.08 - Slim’s Downtown, Raleigh NC - w/ Hymns, Deer Tick
3.22.08 - The Lo-Fi Social Club, Baltimore MD
3.28.08 - TT the Bear’s, Boston MA - w/ The Shods
3.29.08 - Sound Fix, Brooklyn, NY
So until next time, I leave you with this Solomon Burke classic, “Cry To Me”, which was featured in the 80’s classic, Dirty Dancing. If your not one who can stomach sensual scenes, you may want to skip this video.
