Bon Iver Show

It is a difficult task putting into words the experience I had at the Bon Iver show last night at the 930 club, but I guess I'll have to try. I knew with in 2 seconds of the opening song, Perth, that this was going to be one of the best shows I had ever seen. Instantaneously the collaboration of the now, 9 piece Bon Iver hit my ears like heroine hits the veins of a fiend. I felt as if I had been searching my entire life for something and suddenly knew that this was it.

Justin Vernon and colleagues played an hour and a half show, leaving the crowd overly satisfied but begging for more. It was exactly the experience that an artist desires to give each and every audience. By the end of the concert Bon Iver had the entire audience screaming at the top of their lungs for part of the song Wolves, just as instructed by Vernon. With the perfect mix of the untouchable album Bon Iver Bon Iver and classics from Blood Bank and For Emma, I left the venue only wishing I could be in the presence of that kind of atmosphere every time I see a live show.

This is a MUST SEE concert! Don't feel as if you won't have an amazing time because you don't know the lyrics, because I can honestly say 90% of the crowd had no idea what half of the lyrics are. The music washes over you just as a perfect drunk with your best of friends does. Vernon's vocals, dual percussion from Sean Carey and Matt McCaughan, and magical music talents of Reginald Pace (stealing the show a few times with his beat boxing and pin point timing with the chimes and triangle), create not just a concert but a life long lasting event.

With Bon Iver Bon Iver taking, not only the Indie scene, but the top 40 Billboards by storm, a Nation Tour at this caliber leaves the future for Bon Iver limitless

Here Justin plays a breathe-taking solo rendition of "Re:Stacks," that completely silenced a sold-out 930 club

Mash Up of the Week

This week I have a pretty nice mash up by Wugazi, a creation featuring Wutang Clan and Fugazi. The featured song, Sleep Rules Everything Around Me, is a perfect mix that makes listeners wish this was the original version of each song. Cecil Otter's and Swiss Andy's Wugazi record is a must hear for all 90s-00s rap and indie music fans. A beauty of a mash up.




Act now and you can get the entire album on wugazi's website for $Free.99. http://wugazi.com/

GAYNGS

CHECK THIS OUT!!!!! GAYNGS, a band with over 20 members in it, released it's first album a couple months ago. The band includes Justin Vernon, Ryan Olson, Zack Coulter, Adam Hurlburt and many more. The album, Relayted, features a truly eclectic sound. Each song mixes the talent found in all 25 artists used to produce this gem. Fans of Bon Iver will easily recognize the angelic falsettos of Justin Veron, other music enthusiasts will recognize the rapping skills of P.O.S. Using the sudden developing popularity of some select members who contributed to this album, GAYNGS will surely be blowing up in the next few months of summer.

Song of the Week: Geographer- Kites

This will be the first of many, thousands or maybe even millions, songs of the week. This week's featured song comes from Geographer, a San Francisco electro-pop indie band. Their song, Kites, has a seasoned and unique sound of electronic beats, a synthesizer, and cello. In this song the trio easily tackles the overwhelmingly difficult task of creating the perfect mix of electronic music, vocals, and lyrics. The lyrics describe front man, Mike Deni's, experience of multiple family deaths and the difficulties of dealing with and overcoming the grief. Check out this awesome song of the week...Geographer- Kites

Top 5 bands/artists everyone should know

These are 5 of the most talented bands that I don't think get enough credit for the music that they produce. I want to point out this is the top 5 bands/artist that everyone should know not love or even like. I am not so naive to think that everyone in the entire would love indie music if they just took the time to listen to it, although that should be the case. These guys and gals are just too talented for people to not know who they are, even those people who are consumed with Taylor Swift, Ke$ha, and Nickleback. Some are fairly famous in the land of indie artists, but they all display the talent of all of America's top 40 combined

1. Glen Hansard/ Swell Season/ The Frames.... Made famous by his Academy Award winning song Falling Slowly in the movie Once, starring Glen and Marketa themselves. Glen has proven himself to be one of the most passionate artists the world has seen in the past 50 years.

2. Band of Horses...This Seattle group has produced three hypnotizingly amazing albums, Everything all the time, Cease to Begin, and Infinite Arms. If there was ever a band you just sit back in awe of the adroitness found song after song Band of Horses is it.

3. Damien Jurado.... A seasoned veteran, Jurado has put out numerous albums, ep's, and singles dating back to 1995. His music relies on the unique voice and apathetic lyrics. Not much can be said about him besides listen and see!

4. Black Keys...This band everyone should know about already, but what I am more concerned about is that not many people know the depth or talent of these guys. With 6 albums, 3 EP's, and one collaboration album, The Black Keys have assembled over 90 songs and 5 hours of music. The most amazing part is their process for creating album is just jamming for hours and cutting it into make a record.

5. The xx...A young English Trio, who first came together while still in high school. Their first and only album, The xx, was named one of the top debut albums in the last decade. There minimalist sound of a bass, drum machine, guitar or key board, creates a completely new sound that pulls a listener right in. There second album is scheduled to be released some time near the end of 2011 or beginning of 2012.

Honorable Mentions:

Broken Bells

Sleigh bells

Two Door Cinema

Passion Pit

Freelance Whales

Sea of Bees

Fanfarlo

Creed

Music in June

June has been a pretty awesome month for indie music, marked by a bunch of great album releases and of course Bannaroo (which I unfortunately could not attend).

Album Releases to check out:

Bon Iver- Bon Iver...An amazing album that is taking the world by surprise! Bon Iver has put out what could possibly be the album of the year. The band has been featured on almost every late night show, on the cover of Billboards and Rolling Stones, and is touring the country this summer. This a must hear album!

Death Cab for Cutie- Codes and Keys... Death Cab's 7th full length album was released this month. It shows a much more instrumentally sound band then the past records. The album debuted at the top of the Billboards and spent most of the month in the top 5 albums of the year. Although it is not the best by this mainstreamed indie band, it is still a solid album.

Chiddy Bang- Peanut Butter and Swelly (mixtape)...The duo formally known as Chiddy Bang finally released their anticipated third mixtape. For the indie hip hop fans, this is a heavy hitting mixtape, nothing short of what was expected. Peanut Butter and Swelly starts out with one of the best songs on the entire mix "Cameras", sampling from Matt and Kim's hit song Cameras. Amamege and Beresin come at listeners with sick lyrics and beats that can only be described as "swelly as shit." The mixtape screams "Chiddy Bang is here, and her to stay."

Forster the People- Torches...Although not a June release, I thought May 23rd was close enough. Torches is one of the better full albums to come around lately. Each song from beginning to end is nothing short of sick. The elctro-indie band mixes the creativity of MGMT and the catchy lyrics of Matt and Kim. Featuring songs such as, Miss You, Helena Beat, and Warrant, Torches will undoubtedly put Foster the People on the map.

Cults- Cults...The second self-titled record on the list of June releases, Cults has the sound of past decades. The minimalist sound that relies mostly on Madeline Follin's soothing voice and lyrics. The New York band has quietly placed themselves in the top up-and-comers of the indie scene with this release. Their sound can be likened to Girls, The Antlers, and The Sleigh Bells

Givers- In Light... I recently came on to this band while listening to Sirius XMU this past week or so. The indie-pop band, hailing from Louisianan, is finding a lot of interest produced by their intoxicatingly fun song Up Up Up. Recently featured in a short video on MTV, don't be surprised if this band is soon on the Top 40 billboards. A couple other songs to check out from In Light include, Noche Nada and Saw You First...as well as every other song on the album

Chicago!

In just a couple days, Andy and I will be taking a mini-adventure to see Dispatch at Millennium Park





After the concert I think we will explore the city a little, see what the night life is in a big city like that. The next day we are planning on sight seeing, does anyone have any suggestions on places that we need to see, or places we need to go eat?

Codes and Keys

Death Cab For Cutie finally released their much anticipated album "Codes and Keys" yesterday, 8 days earlier then previously stated. Much of what I read before listening to the album, said that Death Cab was showing the maturation of a growing band. So after reading that and hearing their first single "You are a Tourist," which I was less then impressed with, I didn't really know what to expect. I was pretty excited to hear all of the new tracks last night when they were all available to the public...

Is it bad if I thought this album wasn't anything special? I don't think my previous love for Death Cab and excitement for a new album will really outweigh my disappointment. It's difficult with past albums that had singles like, "When Soul Meets Body" "Crooked Teeth" or "I Will Possess Your Heart." "You are a Tourist" just didn't cut it for me. Although it may sound like I hate this album, I still think that the music is great, it just doesn't stand up to their past work. I would relate it eating at your favorite restaurant and ordering your favorite dish. When it isn't exactly the way you like it, it isn't horrible but just doesn't live up to your expectation.

It may be that I just want the angst ridden Death Cab that produced "What Sarah Said" or "Cath." As Gibbard and band mates seek to discover new musical endeavors together, they seem to leave behind what made them Death Cab in their past albums. What seems to be a more musically focused album, the lyrics of some songs are elementary at best. Such as "Some Boys"


Some boys are filling, some boys are filling the hole
Some boys are sleeping, some boys are sleeping alone

Now, there is a good chance in the next two or three weeks after my 15th time through the album that I'll miraculously fall in love with it, just as everyone else. But until then I think this just goes on the shelf as a good album, that could have been better.

"Monday Morning" is one of the songs on the album that I do like a lot...take a listen, No matter the writing Ben Gibbard's voice is always pretty awesome.

Bon Iver, Bon Iver: Review

It is easy for any fan of Bon Iver's music to know that Justin Vernon is not only a musical genius, but a stellar writer/lyricist. While listening to the sophomore album, Bon Iver, one can't help but notice the transformation from just a delicate weeping voice heard in Emma and Blood Bank EP to a mature artistic form.

Bon Iver ditches the T-Pain Autotune (used in woods), made famous by the sampling in Kanye West's - Monster, for deeper lyrics and hypnotizing beats. In, addition songs like Himmon, TX Vernon gives listeners a taste of a more natural form of his voice instead of the ethereal voice and sound that we all fell in love with. Although, Bon Iver, doesn't come with any heavier hitters like "For Emma" or "Skinny Love" that can easily carry an entire album, the album's full moving effect is felt when listened to from beginning to end.

Vernon's talents are hitting their stride with Bon Iver. His lyrical talents tell stories of past experience in Eua Claire and beyond, while his voice lures listeners in much like a seaman to a siren. Leaving the confines of his Wisconsin cabin for Hawaii proved to be a smart move as it created an environment that will push Bon Iver's second album past the sophomore album superstitions--as well as getting the attention of other artists, like Rick Ross. Quoted in Billboard's article "Bon Iver: The Billboard Cover Story" Ross says "He's a fucking genius . . . I'd never seen nor heard of him in my life, and I looked up, and I was in a fucking 5-by-5 room with a white guy, smoking weed . . . and his voice is like something I've never heard, and he's using words that are far from common. Within 20 minutes, I realized why Kanye had him there."'


Check out "Calgary" the first released single from "Bon Iver." An entrancing melody throughout the song allows the listener to get lost in the cryptic lyrics. I could write an entire blog post just on what I think this song is really about, but I'll let you be the the judge.


Oh and I am sorry Justin for partaking in the leaked version of the album, I promise once it is available on Itunes I will buy the real version. I can't wait to see these guys in DC August 1st!

Bon Iver, Bon Iver

New Bon Iver self titled album leaked this week. Track list includes:
Perth
Minnesota, WI
Holocene
Towers
Michicant
Hinnom, TX
Wash.
Calgary
Beth/Rest

Album review will be coming soon, as soon as I listen to it a few times through. If you would like a sneak peak of the lyrics check this site out http://jagjaguwar.com/blog/2011/05/bon-iver-bon-iver-the-lyrics/

Graduation!

Finally, after 5 years of college I am officially a graduate. Its a pretty awesome thing to be able to say, but just means new responsibilities and student loans. As a whole graduation was quite the experience. Everyone woke up to what they expected to be a huge rain storm and found an amazing day outside; but I think we all knew it was too good to be true. About half way through the UNBELIEVABLY BORING commencement speech the dark clouds started rolling in. Instead of stopping the speech when he first noticed the clouds, the speaker decided to wait until it was almost pouring to say "I think I have talked too long." Yeah, I think thats a little obvious.

After an hour long relocation, the speaker was announced again. He made a nice little joke about not re-starting the original speech and just cutting it all short. Everyone cheered loudly, and then found themselves very disappointed 30 minutes later when we were still listening to the awful speech again. After that was finally finished graduation went by quickly and I was finally a graduate. Overall it was a pretty nice experience to be there with friends and family, even if it means that I will never have another day of bliss in undergraduate education.

In addition, it was brought to my attention there is a pretty sweet up and coming band called Foster the People. I think its a matter of months before these guys are going to get pretty big. They have a really nice sound, that will be enjoyed by fans of Passion Pit or MGMT. Check out this video Houdini...Oh yeah check out the dude in the audience 8 seconds in, That is the kind of mustache that I hope to have in the near future

some awesome songs

I haven't posted in awhile, which is due to the unbelievably active life that I am living at the moment. Anyways I just wanted to put some great songs that I have been listening to and I think that everyone should listen to.

First Werewolf by CocoRosie...this song is pretty sick and uber weird at times




Second Never Gonna Give You Up by The Black Keys...this is one of the best albums I have listened to in a long time. They have a great sound!



Thirdly Cloudy Shoes by Damien Jurado... Awesome acoustic version of this song. Anything on KEXP is going to blow your mind.



Fourthly... You're are the one that I want by Angus and Julia. I am a lover of a cover and this is one of the better ones I have heard.



And finally Ghosting by Freelance Whales... If you are a fan of Sufjan Stevens then you will love these guys

The Missing Jacket

The story of "The Missing Jacket" starts a few months ago while visiting my now ex-girlfriend. Being the annoyingly forgetful person I am, my jacket has been living in the back seat of a Ford POS for the past two months. With break ups comes the returning of all the possessions that have accumulated in the others rooms, cars, bathrooms, or wherever those awful things hide just so they can be found one day in order to bring back forgotten memories.

It has been around a month since all of her things have been mailed back and forgotten about, but the jacket still remains to be seen. At this point the jacket has taken on new meaning, filled with "what if's." What if she gave it to a new guy on a cold day when he forgot his jacket, and he hasn't given it back? What if she won't send it back because she is holding on to the last thing that connects us? What if I am so far out of her mind that the jacket doesn't really even matter anymore? Even with my multiple requests for it back it still has not shown up on my doorstep. Recently I toy with they idea of not even wanting it back, letting go of it and her completely. The thought of it showing up with some letter saying anything about her and her new life without me seems to really affect me. Or what if there is no letter, just a jacket. I wrote a letter, was that a bad idea? Will I look like a fool if she doesn't send one.

This all should be coming to a mute ending in the next few days. But the calls and texts that brought it all up again were far from drab for me. With little investigation or questioning I fell on the conclusion that she was away at the beach with her new guy. When lies could have been told to protect me she felt it would be a better choice to just quickly tell me it was none of my business anymore who she was with. She is right and I admitted that. But damn it, it sucks and it is all because of that stupid jacket.

While this past hour has been been a flurry of emotions, anxiety, sadness, anger, I think the most important feeling I had was revelation that it is time to get over this. Time to stop feeling sad for myself and forget about it. Statistically its practically impossible for us to find our soul mates and break ups are inevitable. So when that jacket shows up (which hopefully it does) I will open it and open a new part in my life. Maybe without someone at first but at least I'll be letting go of the last person.

The jacket can be seen here in front of Buckingham Palace, It is the black and grey checkered one to the left of Andrew Cox holding up the stuffed Ernie the Eagle

Here is also a great song I have been listening to as much as possible

Hanging With Friends

Last night I spent most of my night just hang around my friend Megan's apartment. After watching the amazing lives of those on Real World our friend Andy finally made it over and gave us some worthy entertainment. A few beers too deep, Andy has the habit of being unusually funny and blunt when he is tipsy. Our conversation varied from girls and guys, to job interviews.

Andy, Megan, and I have been pretty much best friends since 8th grade. Although we have had a our spouts of not speaking, it seems so easy for all of us to get together and still be as close as we ever have been. Its extremely refreshing to have friends that are so genuine and supportive. As I was driving home I realized that times like last night are often my favorite nights, even if they don't have some ridiculously memorable event. Nights like that make living in a lackluster town of Roanoke much more bearable, especially when two of us (Andy and I) are going through major break ups.

At this point in our three lives we all are looking to the future more and more, wondering what jobs or graduate school is going to bring us. Where we will be living or doing or who we will be seeing. Nights like last night sometimes make you remember that the present isn't always that bad.

This is our last picture ever taken of the three of us (megan and I are 18 and is 19)

First blog

This is my first blog EVER!!! I guess I will just start with a quick overview about myself....I'm a 23 year old recent graduate of Bridgewater College. I love music, art, food, great beer, going out for drinks and working out. As of now I have no idea where this blog will go or what will be the main subject, besides how awesomely boring life in Roanoke, VA is post graduation.

I was thinking that for the first blog I would just post a few bands that I have been listening to recently. For the unbelievable amount of followers I have amassed so far, bare with my technological difficulties and horrific english.

Unbunny-Winning Streak 
Lyrically Unbunny makes the listener really question if a winning streak is really worth the trouble

Phantogram- You are the Ocean 
This duo mixes awesome lyrics depicting the struggles of addiction with a hypnotizing electric feel