Alright, I know a lot of you are reading this and thinking, "Yan Tiersen, I've never heard of him, why should I care?" Well, firstly you're reading a music blog, which means you are inherently adventurous with your musical tastes. For that reason alone you should consider seeing Yann Tiersen at Emo's tonight. Secondly, it's Friday night if you go downtown it's going to be a total clustercuss. The streets will be teaming with testosterone monkeys who wreak of Axe body spray and their orange spray-tanned hangers-on. Parking will be wretched and you'll have to hear over-loud dub-step throbbing out of every doorway. Also, you may not realize it but you probably already know and enjoy Yann Tiersen's music, he scored the film Amelie. This year he released a solo record called Skyline which is filled with beauty and melancholy. The album is largely instrumental with vocals that are more like instruments adding another texture to the soundscape. Obviously, the album sounds very cinematic and the live performance promises to be very moving. The long and short of it is, even if you don't know who Yann Tiersen is, you should go tonight because I think you'll like it. Also, if you act fast you can get tickets 2 for the price of 1 so you and a friend can go splitsies.
Yann Tiersen - Another Shore video via YouTube
The doors for tonight's show open at 9pm and support act Piano Chat should start by 10pm. Expect Yann Tiersen to take to the stage about 11pm.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Spiritualized at Emo's Tonight
Back in 1997 when Radiohead were touring in support of OK Computer they chose Spiritualized to be their support act. Spiritualized had just released their, now classic album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space. It was filled with songs that mixed elements of shoegaze with elements of American gospel. Even today, 15 years after that album's release the tracks still sound fresh, innovative and like nothing else that has even been released. So, now it's 2012 and Spiritualized have released their 7th record, Sweet Heart Sweet Light. In interviews, Spirtualized's Jason Pierce has said that the recording and production of the lastest record was largely influenced by the performances of Ladies and Gentlemen... in full at 2007's All Tomorrow's Parties Festival. In many ways the record is a return to form, with sounds that move more toward pop than anything the band has released in the past. Obviously, when a band's first single is over 8 minutes they still haven't full embraced the pop aesthetic so if you are a fan of the musical meditations of Spiritualized's previous releases don't worry.
Spiritualized - Hey Jane video via YouTube
Tonight, you have the rare opportunity to see Spiritualized perform live at Emo's. The band doesn't play U.S. shows very often so even if you just consider yourself a casual fan it's worth the cost of the ticket to head over to E. Riverside tonight. Also, for those of you who collect vinyl bring a little extra cash because chances are you'll be able to grab the latest LP at the merch booth a week before you can buy it in stores. From what I've seen online the packaging is beautiful and the album is pressed on white vinyl.