I'm pretty bummed that I didn't snag a ticket to see M. Ward at Antone's tonight. Back when Transistor Radio came out I was going through a serious Brian Wilson phase so I had to get the album just to hear You Still Believe In Me. Then last year I re-fell in love with Mr. Ward after seeing him do an ACL after-show at La Zona Rosa. He did a few songs with David Rollins and Gillian Welch and I was absolutely blown-away. I also kicked myself for not catching She & Him during SXSW '08. I actually walked by a parking lot while they were performing and just kept walking cause that's just how things go during SXSW.
M. Ward's latest release is called Hold Time and seems to be getting mixed reviews. The critics seems a bit more satisfied with it than the fans. To be honest I'm more excited about a new She & Him album than a new M. Ward solo release. Is that mean? In a totally unrelated note I'd rather hear a new Brendan Benson release than ANOTHER Jack White band.
She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? video via YouTube
I guess it's pretty unfair to feature She & Him when it's actually an M. Ward solo gig at Antone's tonight but trust me you are going to love Ward's amazingly lyrical, effortless guitar work. To me everything he does sounds timeless, probably because so much of it is referential. I'm sure someone who is more schooled in Nashville, the Delta Blues, Americana music in general could give you all of the specifics but to me it's more of a feeling, ya know?
I'm kind of cheating with this video, but it's technically NOT She & Him it's actually from Ward's latest release, Hold Time. It's a cover of the Buddy Holly classic Rave On and just happens to feature Zooey Deschannel. What? It's not the same!
M. Ward - Rave On video via YouTube
Here's the title track from Hold Time:
M. Ward - Hold Time video via YouTube
The other band on the bill is listed as Calliope the only reference to a band by that name I found was a band that plays Renaissance festivals. Somehow I'm not convinced that is the opening act but part of me thinks it may be the case. I did find this other Calliope on MySpace and they're based in Michigan so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Brendan Benson - What I'm Looking For video via YouTube
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Glasvegas/Ida Marie Monday
I had the chance to catch Glasvegas during a SXSW day party this year. I enjoyed their music but not their attitudes. I don't like the feeling that a band could care less about the audience attending their show. I'm not talking about a band like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah who gets all nervous and can't look at the crowd. I'm talking about literally making comments in which they pretty much say I don't care that you're here. Now that that's said I will ALSO say that I enjoy listening to the latest Glasvegas album called Glasvegas and they DO play their instruments well. So, if you're planning on checking them out at Emo's tonight, you won't be disappointed, at least not by Glasvegas I have no idea what other expectations you might have before going out.
Glasvegas - Geraldine video via YouTube
Ida Marie will be the opening act for Glasvegas Monday and something tells me that pretty soon she'll be the headlining act. She seems to be in that Lily Allen zone right now, where she's not really accepted as a mainstream pop star or as a quirky, indie chanteuse. Touring with Glasvegas seems to support this theory as they have indie-cred here in the states while being full-on famous across the pond. I've heard Ida Marie's single Oh My God on a variety of radio stations. I think it has a lot of cross-over appeal. So, stay-tuned to find out where the fickle, gods of fame place her in the long-run.
Ida Marie - Oh My God video via YouTube
Just for the record, on Ida Marie's YouTube channel her style is "indie-rock" but her label type is "Major-Label". Hmmmmmmm. Something doesn't add up there. A rose by any other name would still be indie?
Ida Marie - I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked video via YouTube
Here's one more from Glasvegas and if you're interested in going to the show tonight tickets were/are still available as of the time that this post was written.
Glasvegas - Daddy's Gone video via YouTube
Glasvegas - Geraldine video via YouTube
Ida Marie will be the opening act for Glasvegas Monday and something tells me that pretty soon she'll be the headlining act. She seems to be in that Lily Allen zone right now, where she's not really accepted as a mainstream pop star or as a quirky, indie chanteuse. Touring with Glasvegas seems to support this theory as they have indie-cred here in the states while being full-on famous across the pond. I've heard Ida Marie's single Oh My God on a variety of radio stations. I think it has a lot of cross-over appeal. So, stay-tuned to find out where the fickle, gods of fame place her in the long-run.
Ida Marie - Oh My God video via YouTube
Just for the record, on Ida Marie's YouTube channel her style is "indie-rock" but her label type is "Major-Label". Hmmmmmmm. Something doesn't add up there. A rose by any other name would still be indie?
Ida Marie - I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked video via YouTube
Here's one more from Glasvegas and if you're interested in going to the show tonight tickets were/are still available as of the time that this post was written.
Glasvegas - Daddy's Gone video via YouTube