Double Rec: Herman Dune and CoCoComa
CoCoComa from Chicago
I received an email this morning from a long time PR contact. She use to be with Cornerstone way back and then moved to Vice Records for a long time where we constantly heard about this wild and crazy band called the Black Lips. The next move for her was to Pitchfork to help promote the launch of their new pitchfork.tv, which is quite fun to check out if you haven’t already. Now she’s moved on to write for one of my favorite online record labels, RCRD LBL. And thanks to her email, I would not have had the pleasure of learning about a great modern day Garage Rock band, CoCoComa.
I’ve been on a small kick for that dirty, garage rock sound as of late. It all started with the recommendation to download the Lyres self-titled album by a friend of mine. Lyres are an old Boston based garage rock band from the 70’s and that album just blows me away. (Read more here)
Christen Thomas of RCRD LBL has a write up on CoCoComa that you can read HERE.
I don’t promote too many Chicago based bands (I wish I did) so I’m happy to stumble upon this gem. Thanks Christen.
CoCoComa Links of Interest:
- Myspace
- Goner Records (their label)
- RCRD LBL Page
- eMusic subscribers, download their self-titled album HERE
- Everyone else, reach out to Amazon MP3
CoCoComa Downloads:
- “(Tryin’ to) Read my Mind” (Right click and save as)
- “Premonition” (Right click and save as)
Herman Dune
Part Paul Simon, part John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats, part Johnathan Richman of The Modern Lovers, Herman Dune is a playful presence. The Paul Simon is not in the voice but rather in the backing music. Lots of rhythms and hand clapping going on. Has a very worldly sound mixed in with the alternative, indie rock vibe. The group is made up of two gentelman, David-ivar Herman Dune (guitar and leard vocals) and Neman Herman Dune (drums and backing vocals). They use to be a trio but Andrew Herman Dune, the former third member, left the band back in 2001. Since then it’s been David and Neman, however, they always bring along friends during their tours.
Another comparison I hear is that of Dan Bejar (aka. Destoyer). Which is interesting cause I don’t get Dan for some reason. I think it may be Herman’s playfulness and story telling capabilities that draws me to his pysch-folk / world sound. This is the strongest connection I think David-ivar Herman Dune, lead vocalist of the duo (formerly a trio) has when it comes to the great Johnathan Richman. The stories, just like Richman’s, are very innocent and childlike but are all stories that even as adults we can connect with. It’s similar to a solid Pixar film such as Ratatouille. You know, those movies that while are geared towards kids, us adults still get excited to see cause the story relates to all ages.
Herman Dune relatded links:
- Myspace
- Official Website
- Buy his music
- Watch Herman on La Blogotheque
- Download their Daytrotter session
- Watch video for “I Wish That I Could See You Soon” (Think Seasame Street should be calling Herman soon)
- Download Herman’s full set at Dublab HERE
- Everloving Records (his label)
Home sick is the only time to blog
Apart from my daily tasks at work and the recent bouts of weekend get aways such as college reunions, bachelor parties and preperation for moving next month, there has been absolutely no time to write about the music that I love.
But now, due to circumstances both induced on my own over the weekend and a combo of the fluctuating heat here in New England, I’m home sick with a nasty head cold. First time I’ve stayed home from work because i was sick I think in about three years.
So what’s on my mind right now when it comes to music?
The Vinyl Phenomena
I predicted that vinyl could potentially make a come back. It’s like how in Jurassic Park where we all learn a valuable lesson, nature always finds a way to correct itself. In the case of music, the goal is to try and hear it at it’s purest form. Of course, the live show is as pure as you’re going to get. But many, including myself, feel that a perfectly kept or brand new pressed piece of plastic is the closest you can get to being in the studio with the artists. So naturally, since we’ve all been moving in the direction of the digital world, where the music has been compressed to finite amounts, causing producers to alter the levels on the final production, there is a gap wanting to be filled. While the digital world may fill our “need it now” gap, it doesn’t completely supply us with the sound perfection we music lovers search for in a record.
Due to an accident out west, the vinyl phenomena may not be a crack pot idea. Check out this article in the LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-vinyl10-2008jun10,0,3936629.story
MMJ doing NYE at MSG
While the critics may not find the latest My Morning Jacket album to be anything special, there is no question that they’re one of the best live bands around today. So when I heard they were planning a New Years Eve show at Madison Square Garden for 2008/2009 I wasn’t the least bit surprised. These guys deserve all the recognition they’ve received over the last few years. If you’re just catching wind of this southern alternative rock outfit from Kentucky, stream their latest album, Evil Urges, over at their Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/mymorningjacket.
Their latest album is a really big step in a different direction for My Morning Jacket when it comes to studio sound. They’re doing a lot more experimentation unlike their previous albums which are mainly pure reverb southern alternative rock. However, I’ve heard that their live show is still as rocking as ever.
Purhase tickets for the NYE on Friday, June 27th through Ticketmaster.
Diplo remixes “California Soul” (Marlena Shaw)
Those unfamiliar with this song need to not look any farther then their TV. If you watch a lot, you’ve probably seen the commercial for Dockers where the camera glides through the San Francisco sky line. That’s the original version of the song being played by Marlena Shaw, Blue Note Records first female artist.
In the latest Verve Remix album (volume 4), Diplo puts his own spin on the tune.
Download: “California Soul” (Diplo Remix) (right click and save)
Listen:
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Visit the Verve Remix official website: http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/
What’s summer time without Bluegrass?
For me, it’s not summer. So that’s why I’m happy I stumbled upon The Creaking Tree String Quartet.
They take Bluegrass to a new level. A lot more passion from adding traditional classical music elements and real theatrical moments. It doesn’t always work well with that rocking chair out on the porch sipping a mint julep moment but it’s sure worth a listen this summer time.
Give a listen to what I call “intellectual bluegrass” over at their myspace page: www.myspace.com/creakingtree
Visit their official website: http://www.creakingtree.com/
A nod to the Little Compton / R.I. Gang
During college I was introduced to the R.I. scene by a group of hooligans that I was fortunate or unfortunate depending on how you look at it, to be dormmates with my freshman year at UVM. Call them dysfunctional, call them irresponsible, but there is definitely musical talent in their water. Most of us Jam band kids all know one musically talented band from RI, The Slip, and due to a nod by Jim James of My Morning Jacket, so do a good portion of the indie rock scene. I also stumbled upon Deer Tick whoes tunes “Ashamed” and “Baltimore Blues No.1″ still get me going.
Now a new breed has arisen. This time, they’re not rising from their roots of R.I. but rather from the roots of the Redwoods; San Francisco.
Big Light are Fred T. (guitar, vocals), Brad (drums), Jamie(guitar, bass and vocals), Colin (keys), Dan (guitar, bass, keys and vocals), Steve (bass). They also have down their sound man, Jeremy, as a member. It’s surprising how many sound guys get over looked in the industry.
Their first single, “Hard Knocks”, off their seven song EP is available for download below or at their myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/biglightband). The song’s about a person that reminds Fred of his sister Jane and has almost a Tom Petty vibe to it. Fred is the lead vocalist in the group and he’s got a low, lazy and raspy approach to vocals. This vocal style is common among the psych-folk scene that crawls all over San Fran. The music itself is very crisp and has a nice bouncy groove to it. Great summer time tune.
Download: “Hard Knocks” (RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE)
Listen:
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Big Light are going on a West coast tour soon and will be playing with both Apollo Sunshine and Surprise Me Mr. Davis. Their EP release party will be at 12 Galaxies in San Fran on June 26th, which kicks off this tour:
High Sierra Music Festival – 7/4 thru 7/6
Spaceland, Los Angeles (opening for Surprise Me Mr. Davis) – 7/8
SoHo, Santa Barbara (opening for Surprise Me Mr. Davis) – 7/9
Moe’s Alley, Santa Cruz (opening for Surprise Me Mr. Davis) – 7/11
Cafe Du Nord, San Fran (opening for Surprise Me Mr. Davis) – 7/12
12 Galaxies w/ Charles Gonzalez & The Stereo Glitter – 7/31
12 Galaxies – 8/28
12 Galaxies – 9/25
Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead III – 10/30 thru 11/2
12 Galaxies – 11/27
M83 @ Middle East Downstairs, Boston, MA 6/2/2008
For M83 it’s always about drama. That’s one thing you can say has stayed consistent between his latest album, Saturday’s = Youth, and his past works such as Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts (Pick up M83 music from Amazon MP3). During the show last night I was curious to see how Anthony Gonzalez, main Frenchy behind the sounds of M83, would mix in his collection of sounds with the new heavy 80’s drama themed material.
To my surprise there wasn’t a very big difference between the songs, besides “Graveyard Girl” and “Kim & Jessie”. “Graveyard Girl”, for all it’s hype and single talk, it’s not one of my favorite tunes. It gets old really quickly. But “Kim & Jessie” is a classic 80’s tune that really flows. In fact, last night I was getting Don Henley flashes. I think it was “Boys of Summer”. There is a synth line that sounds like a seagull screaming that reminds me a bit of this classic Henley tune. In my book that’s not a bad thing.
I asked an M83 fan, who has been with M83 since his earlier works, what she thought of the show. For her, it was M83’s haunting presence that led her to many a nights staying up listening to the sounds, wondering where or how they were created. She feels that the new material lacks some of this haunt. However, songs like “Couleurs” and “Skin of the Night” are hard to deny.
We both agreed that the show stopper was Morgan Kibby on female vocals. She did one heck of a job with her lines. It was like I was listening to her voice on the album. Take note Ashley Simpson, to be a singer, you do actually need to sound like the same person live. Morgan’s voice is really impressive and just like Anthony said he fell in love with her voice as soon as he heard it on myspace, I’m sure show goers will have the same experience.
Another point made by my friend was that the Middle East has relatively a rough sound setup. The low ceiling ends up causing a lot of music to sound distorted. So great for heavier, more concrete sounding tunes, such as M83’s older material, but not all that great for his latest stuff. Songs like “Graveyard Girl” and “Kim & Jessie” were not as crisp as they are on the album.
But you couldn’t say “not crisp” about the overall performance of the band. Anthony and company were on point last night. That’s why I was so disappointed of the resistance to extend on a tune. The encore, “Couleurs”, was even cut in half. The whole second half of the tune, when it really gets rocking, was not explored.
In the end, I love Saturdays = Youth and since they were so on point and the vocals were perfect, this show was definitely solid and also very hot. Literally hot. I couldn’t imagine what it was like for the band. Just wish they would let go a little more when reaching some of those climatic events. But perhaps that’s my ex-jam band mind talking.
I didn’t pick up the full setlist but I found one online from another show on the 20th of May. It looks to be fairly close to what they played last night although I’m not too familiar with his older material so this may not be completely accurate. But the new material looks to all be the same.
01 – Run Into Flowers
02 – Graveyard Girl
03 – Fields, Shorelines And Hunters
04 – Moon Child
05 – We Own The Sky
06 – Gone
07 – Kim And Jessie
08 – Highway Of Endless Dreams
09 – Don’t Save Us From The Flames
10 – Skin Of The Night
11 – A Guitar And A Heart
12 – Couleurs (only played 1/2 of the song in Boston)
Remaining Shows:
6/4 NYC – Bowery Ballroom
6/6 Philadelphia – First Unitarian Church
6/7Washington, DC – Black Cat
Listen:
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/m83
Download:
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The above pictures were all taken by Vinny Barnes at the Brooklyn show last night. See more of his pics over at The Square Flickr account.
About Editor
Name: Luke "Kip" Owen
Location: Boston, MA
Contact: kippy[AT]hip2besquare[DOT]net
Twitter: twitter.com/kipdog
Youtube: youtube.com/kipdog
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