Release of the Week: Delta Spirit - Ode To Sunshine

I have been getting a few complaint that it is hard to keep up with my music... and rightly so, I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it most of the time. So I have decided to include this weekly post that highlights one of the albums that came out that week. If you don't follow any of the other post, try to keep up on this one. If you'd like consider all the other post suggestions, where as this one is a MUST!

I'm going to recommend this one: Delta Spirit - Ode To Sunshine. The Album was actually independently released last December but is just now getting a proper national release, with new art and a bonus track. Ode To Sunshine is crafted out of the same stuff the Beach Boys made Pet Sounds and the Beatles made Magic Mystery Tour with a twist of soul! To categorize these guys under indie would be much to narrow, you'd need to include Americana, Soul and Blues as all these elements are present on this album.

Maybe there is something in the water in San Diego these days that produces bands like the Cold War Kids and Delta Spirit, whatever the case, I hope it doesn't change. Two bands bringing the abstract soul back into indie music!

Perhaps Delta Spirit encompasses what Craig Finn meant when he said, "Our songs are sing along songs".

Delta Spirit will be in Tucson with Dr. Dog on September 16th!

Cold War Kids sophomore album, Loyalty, comes out September 23rd!

Street Scene - San Diego

I just bought tickets to Street Scene music festival in San Diego. I really wanted to go to Austin City Limits the last weekend in September, but it wasn't looking like I was going to make it. Luckily, a friend of mine turned me onto this festival. For the price, $95, this is really one of the best line ups you can ask for.


"To celebrate its history and future, Street Scene is preparing to be better than ever with an all-ages celebration set in the streets of East Village and adjacent to Petco Park.

The location offers an unprecedented level of ease in parking and Trolley access, while centralizing the festivities in an uninterrupted venue at the heart of downtown. This setting enhances the feeling that Street Scene is San Diego's ultimate summer block party." - Street Scene


As the festival gets closer I'm sure I will post more about it. If anyone is interested in coming let me know, I'm not sure where we will be staying, maybe a park somewhere of something like that, but its going to be a great time!

Phoenix Concerts 8/25 - 9/1

Antidote @ The Modified (Monday Aug 25th d at 8p)
Dreadful Children, Prostetics, Whats Left
This is some pretty in your face punk, so if that's not really your thing, you might want to head over to the Trunk space for something a little more mellow.

Novi Split @ Trunk Space (Monday Aug 25th, d at 7p)
Swallowing Stones and Andrew Jackson Jihad
This is an interesting mix of music, Novi Split is a little indie pop, Swallowing Stones is a little psychedelic and AJJ is bluegrass punk.

What Laura Says @ Rhythm Room (Wed Aug 27th, d at 7p, $8)
Matthew Reveles and Black Carl
The remastered CD release party! Don't miss this one because 10 months from now What Laura Says will be touring some where in Europe and you'll wonder how you ever missed them when they were in your home town.

Pretty & Nice @ The Modified (Wed Aug 27th, d at 8p, $8)
I'm a little dissapointed this is the same night as What Laura Says release party, but if you have seem What Laura Says a thousand times, head to the Modified and check these guys out.

The Gunshy @ Trunk Space (Thurs Aug 28th, d at 7p)
Andrew Jackson Jihad
I am really exited about this show, the gunshy are a little Tom Waits and Mighty Mighty Bosstones with an acoustic twist.

Brobecks @ The Modified (Friday Aug 29th, $10)
Tugboat, So and So, Saith
I'm a little more exited about the opening acts... particularly Tugboat interests me.

The Liars Handshake @ Yucca Tap Room (Saturday Aug 30th, d at 8p)
Babaluca, DJ Epidemic and Against the Giant
For some reason Phoenix puts out some strange punk like bluegrass... this is just one of them.

Current Obsessions...

These are some songs I'm having a hard time not listening too ALL THE TIME! Most of these albums are great too, particularly Midlake, Kings of Leon, Death Cab for Cutie and The Mumlers... most of the others I've mentioned a time or two before so I'll try not to beat a dead horse.

Midlake - Roscoe
"Whenever I was a child I wondered what if my name had changed into something more productive like Roscoe, been born in 1891."

The New Amsterdams - Turn Out the Lights
"I know that it burns like poison in the pill. Sing me to sleep, echoes in the hills. You can't hear a word, You can't hear my broken will."

Kings of Leon - Kings of the Rodeo
"Me and your cold, Driving in the snow, let the good times roll, let the good times roll. Cowgirl king of the rodeo, let the good times roll, let the good times roll."

MGMT - Kids
"The memories fade like looking through a fogged mirror. Decision to decisions are made and not bought, but I thought this wouldn’t hurt a lot. I guess not."

Death Cab for Cutie - Bixby Canyon Bridge
"And then it started getting dark and I trudged back to where the car was parked. No closer to any kind of truth as I must assume was the case with you."

Al Green - Have you been making out OK
"have you been making out ok"

Dr. Dog - The Breeze
"Are there dark parts to your mind? Hidden secrets left behind? Where no one ever goes but everybody knows. It's all right!"

Jukebox the Ghost - Good Day/Hold It In
"I think that I would like to invite everyone I’ve known, dead and alive, to a street where we can be totally free.And they will come in droves, wearing their hearts on their sleeves, but oh, how good it felt to have them worn just like they should."
"Life is 'Oh my God, if I tell him, he'll tell her, and then she will know I like her!'"

Mates of States - These Days (Jackson Browne)
"Don't confront me with my failures, I had not forgotten them"

The Mumlers - Whale Song
"but I can never stay forever, Angel and I don't say this to try to make you cry, but there are somethings your just can't change and a whale on a beach must die."

American Teen (soundtrack)
"This years Juno"

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

There are those bands that you wonder if they weren’t meant for different eras. For example, I always felt Bruce Springsteen’s peak was about 10 to 15 years later then he should have been. Nick Drake might have fit better right now; in the quiet is the new loud genre. I listen to The Hold Steady and think if Boys and Girls in American or Stay Positive would have come out in 92 or 93 they would have been wildly popular and Craig Finn and the boy would be filthy rich…the draw back would be having to see them on an arena tours with the Goo Goo Dolls and Collective Soul.

Stay Positive is the perfect follow up to what must have been an impossible album to follow, Boys and Girls in America. The Hold Steady is not trying to equal BGiA, they are just subtly saying, “Hey, we’re here to stay”. The first time I really listened to Stay Positive was at work; in my cubical, with my white shirt and tie; I was feeling the forlornness that accompanies mediocrity and the sadness one feels when they realize their place in life. Something about Franz Nicolay pounding out chords on a piano while Craig Finn weaved words around heart breaking stories, lifted my heart to a new sphere.

If you're looking for The Boss and the E Street gang they are here... Iggy Pop, check (Me and my friends are like the drums on “Lust for Life” We pound it out on floor toms Our psalms are sing-along songs). Straight edgers, yep its there too (7 Seconds). Led Zeppelin, um... yeah! (Joke about Jamaica). There are not many scene bands that Craig Finn doesn't reference or just name drop on this record.

Stay Positive also takes some progressive steps for the band, using instruments like; harpsichords, mandolins, even theremin. They exploring different sounds however song structures are true to the likes of Bob Mould.

However, with all the pop cultural references and band comparisons there is still a place for Stay Positive at the top of The Hold Steady's progression. Sure there are a couple of songs that might have been better left in the studio but as Craig told the Guardian, “I think it’s more of a challenge for us to make a more consistent, less rambling rock record. Boys and Girls was a step towards that, and Stay Positive is more fully realised,” he goes on to say that they have satisfied fans over the years by satisfying themself.

Perhaps the concluding words of the title track sum up this album... cause its one thing to start it with a positive jam and its another thing to see it all through. Staying Positive is seeing it all through!

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly...

I wish I could review every band I think deserves it, unfortunately there just isn't enough time in my life for that. So I have decided to include this list: The Next Semi Popular Thing... (don't forget the ellipse). I'm not sure how often I will do this, it depends on how much I'm following new music and how much time I have. My goal is to do it once every two weeks... I am more then happy to take suggestions.



Death Vessel
Genre: Acoustic/Freak Folk
Rhode Island
Why? His latest album has already recieved positive critical merit and it just came out. He's been touring like crazy and even had a little stint with Jose Gonzales. Subpop is really pushing this album and so something must be telling them it going to be big.



Jukebox the Ghost
Genre: Nintendo Pop
Washington DC
Why? People are already comparing these guys to the likes of Tokyo Police Club, Ra Ra Riot and other nintendo pop groups. Their debut album is a great album, a little undirected but still really good. They also get compared to Bens Fold Five a lot, and I would agree on that level more then Tokyo Police Club and Ra Ra Riot.



Best Friends Forever
Genre: Indie Pop/Progressive
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Why? Brilliant pop song writing, incessant touring and they are currently being pushed pretty heavily by one of the biggest underground/indie promoters in the Brooklyn/Williamsburge area, Todd P, he's notorious for finding hot bands and grooming them for lack of a better word (Animal Collective, MGMT, Yeasayer).



The Dutchess and The Duke
Genre: Soul/Acoustic
Seattle, Washington
Why? A duo can be a hard sell sometimes. Duos like She and Him (Zooey Deschanel & M Ward) barely survive off the heels of their solo careers. But The Dutchess and Dutch are going to remind people of early Velvet Underground and they are going to like it!



What Laura Says Thinks and Feels
Genre: Roots/Indie
Phoenix, Arizona
Why? Sure they are from Phoenix and I've taken a little bit of a liking to these guys, BUT, they have amazing talent and musicianary. They have the organic sound that has made, Band of Horses and Fleet Foxes so popular. Weather you like it or not, these guys are going somewhere.

Noah and the Whale
Genre: Folk Rock
London, England
Why? They are on a major label for one thing. Their music has been featured on some commercials (Volkswagen). I don't think I need to explain why British Pop become popular in america.

The So So Glos
Genre: New Wave/Punk
Brooklyn, New York
Why? Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Brooklyn... how many more bands can you handle. I suppose as long the townies keep supporting local venues, heroin and the bands the music will just keep pilling in! These guys are great... really!

Fun
Genre: Indie/Pop
Brooklyn, New York
Why? Well as much as I hate reading Nate Ruess self indulging emails and as disappointed as I was when I heard the Format split, I have to admit, Nate knows how to write a song and mostly he knows how to surround himself with fantasitc musicians (Anathallo). Apparently, Fun already has a tour planned opening for Jack's Mannequin.

Phoenix Concerts 8/18 - 8/25

Another small week, its okay though, rest up for September!

Matt Pryor of The New Amersterdams and The Get Up Kids - The Modified (Wed. Aug 20th, $12)
Matt Pryor has more projects then he knows what to do with... he is bringing two with him to The Modified on Wed, himself and his little kids sing-along-song group, The Terrible Twos. The family oriented group goes on at 6:00p and his portion starts at 8:00p.

The Airborne Toxic Event - Tempe Market Place (Thur, Aug 21, Free)
What Laura Says Thinks and Feels um... I don't really have much of an opinion on The Airborne Toxic Event, but go and see What Laura Says Thinks and Feels! I'm not going to stick around for the main act.

Dr. Dog - Fate

I have a busy life, at least I've been told I do. Lets see, I work 40 hours a week for the Man (Fox News), perform and teach improv comedy 15 to 20 hours a week and go to an obscene number of concerts (3 to 4 a week)... and try to post on this blog 5 times a week; so yeah, I'm pretty freaking busy. I never gave it much thought until my therapist suggested that I might be covering up something with my "mad" life; what I'm covering up, I've yet to discover. But my therapist is usually pretty right so sometime I'll have to get around to that... but for now, I'm just to busy.

So when Scott McMicken's itchy voice sings; "Are you moving much too fast? And the good times that just don't last. If you're always on the go. Make an angel in the snow. And freeze" I find something I can relate to on more then one level. By the time the back up vocals are dancing over the melody of the song, a coy smile has materializing on my face that won't leave for 45 min. Dr Dog's Fate is a simple complexity, the sounds and melodies are ordinary, the beats sound like something straight off an Otis Redding or Al Green record and the organ might as well be Billy Preston, yet throw them all together and you have something that is so beautiful its hard to even rap your mind around it.

You're going to listen to the guitar riffs and distortion and wonder where you've heard that sound before; let me save you the frustration of trying to figure it out; The White Album, Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I find myself having a hard time deciding which voice I like best; Scott McMicken's slightly nasally addictive voice or Toby Leaman's passionate soulful voice. I'm glad I don't have to choice as they are equally present on Fate.

Now that I have discussed all the elements that are present on this album, lets take a moment to take our hats off to the geniuses that put it all together on one album. I am a huge fan of two different types of improvisation, Jazz and Comedy. In both of these art forms one of the goals is balance, balance is needed in order to knock it the hell off course with a hot solo or a unexpected connection. Fate offers a complete balance of sounds but don't get comfortable, there are suprises in every song, beat and tone.

I won't go on becuase I dont want to ruin anything for you. Here is The Breeze for your enjoyment. There are dozens of ways to get this album; may I suggest a couple of local alternatives. Stinkweeds, Zia Record, Hoodlums - ASU.

Two Nights of The Octopus Project

About 4 years ago I ran across an instrumental band named The Octopus Project, I listened to some of their stuff briefly and decided that it might just be a little too “out there” for me… and because I thought this I determined that I needed to buy the CD, so I did. Identification Parade was a coy album to say the least, with songs like Rorol, Crying at the Aquarium and Porno Disaster and instrumentation ranging from the Theremin to the Glockenspiel (“you’ll play the Glockenspiel and I’ll play the Drums”… 10 dollars to whom ever can guess that song reference) and everything in between. When One Ten Hundred Thousand Million came out, I bought it and listened with a bit more affection then I did Identification Parade. And finally, last October; Hello, Avalanche was released and I was finally ready.

That was a long lead in: here you go.

Monday, Mindi Peterson and I headed over to the Rhythm Room to see The Octopus Project for the first time. (First time, because last year I didn’t go for some lame excuse, like I was getting back together with a girl that I had been on break with for 2 weeks… not that but something lame like that) The Rhythm room is a nice little place, dark, compact and wide. The crowd was split into two sections, 21+ and underage. Once the band got their piles of equipment set up, the Christmas lights and ghost costumes on the speakers, they had a very modest introduction and then off went the show. An orgy of sound exploded into the crowd and the varies spectators began to express themselves in varying ways according to their diverse desires. I began to dance as the music moved me… two people in front of me was Grey Shirt the obvious alpha-dancer in the room, to my left was Gimp Leg and directly in front of me was Lame Butte Green Shirt and The Photographer. The Photographer was intent on catching the perfect shot of the band and therefore was not dancing and his friend, Lame Butte Green Shirt, was matching his energy or rather lack of. Soon Gimp Leg, grabbed my shoulder in the mists of my movement and commented that he would have me cut off one of Lame Butte Green Shirt or The Photographers legs so the he could dance the dance that his heart yearned for. All the while Grey Shirt was totally engrossed in the music and I could feel his energy, even through Lame Butte and The Photographer. Then I saw my opportunity and slid up next to Grey Shirt... Ah then I could really dance in an uninhibited spastic manner. There we were, Grey Shirt and I... leading the crowd, taunting them. Before we knew it the set neared an end and with a raging furry they ended with one of favorite songs truck.

The next night, I did it all over again. Leaving for Tucson at 8pm... and returning right after the concert.

Okay, so it is obvious that I live to elaborate, but to be honest this band puts on one of the best shows I have seen. if you get a chance spend the $10 it cost to go see them! Seriously Incredible!
This is the show I missed last year, for some unexplainable reason. Blogger wont let me show the Youtube Video here, but here is the link! Please notice the sweet video in the back ground! and Josh flying back and forth across the stage!
Truck at the Modified
This is a great video of them in Seattle, It shows Yvonne playing the Theremin!
The Octopus Project

Stinkweeds Run

I ran by Stinkweeds at lunch today and picked up a couple of pre-releases and some stuff Lindsey recommended. Once I start reviewing them and putting them up on http://www.stinkweeds.com/, I'll post them here too.

Here is the list:

Brendan Canning - Something For All Of Us...

Dr. Dog - Fate

Earlimart - Hymn and Her

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

The Dutchess & the Duke - She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke

So I'm passing on some recommendations to you... I listened to each of them at work and they are all recommend worthy. Enjoy!

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

In northern Wisconsin where lakes are freckled across the countryside and the shores are massed with trees thick as the souls that reside there. There is something so calm in this place that it quiets the human spirit to the point where you can hear its silent hum. To be able to capture that sound is probably what musician search for their whole life.

It has been over a decade since I spent any amount of time in northern Wisconsin and even then, I’m not sure you can count a weekend at a lake cabin any type of experience that allowed me to capsulate my inner voice. However, I have listened to Bon Ivers’, For Emma, Forever Ago. I don’t know if this is what he hears in the quiet hum of his life, but it is pretty close to mine. Sure, sure their have been albums that say just what I feel sometimes… or albums that have been able to put down on paper what I have been trying to say. But as far as complete sound, For Emma, Forever Ago is that silent hum with in me, at least at this point in my life.

The circumstances surrounding the recording of this album are partially what make it so close to home for me and also are what make it such a strong influence on the ‘organic’ side/scene of music. Weather or not you buy into that scene; please take the time to listen to this album…

Bon Iver is the stage/band name for Justin Vernon and means, good winter, as it should.

Phoenix Concerts 8/11 - 8/18

Its going to be a quiet week on the concert front:

The Octopus Project: The Rhythm Room ($10, 8p)
WHOA! See you there!

Andrew Jackson’s Jihad – The Trunk Space, Tonight (Mon, Aug 11th, $6 doors at 8p)
They are opening for a prog/grunge group, Oscar’s Mad.

Lady J: Chars (Thurs, Aug 14th,no cover charge, two drink minimum, 10p - 1a)
Okay, Lady J performs every thursday at Chars, but will the passing of Isaac Hayes yesterday I am putting this on the concert list. Lady J and her band do strickly Soul and Funk, so in tribute to one bad Mother, Isaac Hayes, go see a little Funk and Soul!

What Laura Says Thinks and Feels; Hotel San Carlos (Fri. Aug 15th, Free)
I really like these guys. Their remastered EP is being rereleased on the 19th of this month and I think its a pretty good sign that things are going well for them. I have also seen little buzz on the blog network with some of my favorite music blogs, What To Wear During An Orange Alert. This isn't the best place to see them, but I neglected to mention they were playing last saturday at the Modified, please forgive me. But it is free!

Thats really all I have! Please let me know of any shows you think I should put up here.

Sigur Ros - Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust

(Yes these people are naked on the actual album cover)

Today is Sunday, I try my hardest to listen to nonsecular music on this so call day of rest (having been in meetings since 10am this morning I'm not sure if that is the case). However, on some Sundays, this one in particular, I find the calm mood in need of a little more then Janice Kapp Perry. And certainly the only circumstance in existence that calls for a Michael McLain song is an execution. So on this Sunday I've decided on Sigur Ros' latest album, Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust (With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly), and have concluded once again that it is possible one of the best Sunday listening albums out there.

The album was released on June 23rd 2008 in the US... and has received very positive critical review. Having been a fan of the band for a couple of years now, this album is a welcome surprise in the progressive sound of the group. And its happy. I've wanted to review the album critically for a while and so this Sunday has given me a great opportunity.

The explosion of the opening song (Gobbledigook) is so exiting I find myself moving to the edge of my seat in anticipation of what will come next. The layered melodies that flow over top of each other like water over the rocks in a river, while on the shores the drummers pound out a responsive message. There is a seamless transition into the next song (Inní mér syngur vitleysingur) and from there the album just flows on to the sea. The album has such an exuberant feel to it. Each song breaths more and more life into the human spirit growing and building towards something great and finally reaches it at a crescendo with one min left in Ára bátur, your heart feels like it will over flow and gush out Icelandic beauty everywhere. From there the albums just softly glide away...

I could go on and on about this album... but will stop here. Please find this album! I have purposely not uploaded a song because this is an album you need to experience as an album. Find it and on a Sunday morning, when the sun is peicing the horizon and a new breath is filling your heart, put it on and With a Buzz in your Ears you will Play on Endlessly.

Sigur Ros will be in town at the Marguee Theater in Tempe on September 30th, get tickets soon they are selling out like mad!

Weezer + Tokyo Police Club =

Today I was ecstatically telling a fellow musicetarian about the up coming Tokyo Police Club tour and their plans to visit Phoenix at the Brickhouse, a modestly sized rustic venue in down town phoenix. So exited was I that she come from Tucson to Phoenix to see this show that I started to look up the exact date on the internet and what to my horrified eyes should appear but tours dates supporting Weezer playing arena shows here and there! Apparently, they had changed their tour in order to support Weezer.

The first time I saw Weezer was in 1995 off the Pinkerton tour, their first reunion tour. I was modestly impressed with their show... but even at 15 I knew there was more to a performance then snobbishly regurgitating ones song catalog. I've seen them a number of times since and have been similarly impressed/not impressed at all. Now on their fifth reunion tour and about 13 years later they are still trying to do the same thing. On the other hand, I've seen Tokyo Police Club a couple of times, everytime at small venues and always a different show.

Please don't get me wrong, Weezer will always have a place in my heart. The first time I heard, Undone (the sweater song), has to be one of the top 20 musical moments of my life. This is my membership card for the weezer fan club that I joined in 1995... for those of you who know that was back when Mykel and Carli were running the club.

Truth is I don't want to have to see Tokyo Police Club in an arena or have to battle the crowds of late twenty year old going through some past life revival and young teenie boppers who think that they have discovered something new and fresh in Weezer.

So to finish the equation: Weezer + Tokyo Police Club = Over Priced Arena Show

The Roadside Graves

Most music is meant to conjure up a deep emotion presents with oneself. This is why musicians write music and why we listen to it. If when Marvin Gaye sang, 'Let's Get It On', you didn't feel some emotional arousal to his words, the beat or the melody, why on earth would you continue to listen to it. A beautiful thing is being able to recognize what emotional expression a song or band plants in you. The Roadside Graves, are somewhere between the sorrow expressed saying goodbye to an aspect of your life that you love but know can't last and the excitement you feel staring down a dimly lit road just after learning it yours. Those quiet moments when all the madness in your life is focused on that road and the hopeful unknown that it holds.

Last year they released an EP - What Happened to Him Could Happen to Anyone, as well as a full length - No One Will Know Where You've Been. I've uploaded one of their songs, West Coast, for you to check out. You'll have to work a little hard for the rest of their music but I recommend, Jesus Is a Friend of the Family. Check them out.

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

Ra Ra Riot is one of my favorite finds this last year. I was looking up some benefit shows that Tokyo Police Club and Vampire Weekend where doing in the Boston area, hoping I might catch one while I was over there visiting my sister. Unfortunately, the dates didn't match but I did run across a benefit show for a man named John Ryan Pike... to make what could be a long and boring post into a short and educational one, I'll skip the semantics. I came across Ra Ra Riot, who's drummer (John Ryan Pike) had just died. I read into the band and bought their EP - Self Titled sole on the fact that Tokyo Police Club and Vampire Weekend were both playing a benefit for the band. (sometime you have the take a chance!) Well it paid off, Ra Ra Riot quickly got top play on my ipod and I began following the band, saw them in May at The Modified with The Little Ones and patiently waited for their LP.
Well the date is coming quickly, The Rhumb Line... Ra Ra Riots debut album will be released August 19th under Barsuk Records. Although the track list hasn't been released, 4 reworked songs from their self-titled EP are on the new album (a bit disappointing), but non the less exiting to see these guys get some recognition. I'll be sure to post a review once I get my hands on the record.

Phoenix Concerts 8/4 - 8/11

I'm going to try to make a list of concerts for the coming week either Sunday or Monday morning every week. I'll try to give you a little more of a heads up for shows you will need to get tickets to, but for now this should be good.

In Chronological order:

Titus Andronicus - The Modified (Tues, Aug 5th, ?$, doors @ 7p)
This really has potential to be a great show! They'll be supported by:
Uggamugga, Hooves, Somersault

Best Friends Forever - The Trunk Space (Wed, Aug 6th, ?$, doors @ 7p)
They'll be supported by a couple of worthy acts: The Doctor Bird, Uggamugga, Defenders of the Galaxy

Andrew Jackson Jihad - The Trunk Space (Thurs, Aug 7th, ?$, doors @ 7p)
I'm not sure how AJJ got slated with the groups they are with, but here is the rancid list: Babies (Flagstaff), Bossk, Neighborhood Stars. AJJ will be somewhere in the middle of that mess.

Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers - Marguee (Fri & Sat, Aug 8th & 9th, 25$ adv, doors 630p) I hesitated in posting this show... mostly because there is nothing new here, I love the Peacemakers and their performance tenacity, but it has been a long time since they were on the cutting edge of the indie music scene. But I think they are fine with that. However, weather your an Arizona native or a transplant, it is a requirement to see Roger and the boys at least once.

Joshua James - Rhythm Room (Sun, Aug 10th, 8$ adv 10$ d, doors @ 730p)
These lovely lads will be there with Josh: Cory Chisel, Vine Land
Don't miss Josh if you don't have too, he is a fantastic musician and person.

The Octopus Project - Rhythm Room (Mon, Aug 11th, 10$)
I'm going to venture to say that this will be one best shows of the summer. Last November TOP was here and I missed the show for some silly reason like I was getting back together with an ex girl friend that would only break up with me again 2 weeks later, not that, but something like that. Anyway, the show was voted best show of the year at The Modified.
Accompanying them at the show will be Diagonals. YEAH for the Austin TX Scene

There you go! I'll be at most of these shows this week in case anyone is looking for someone to go with. I'll be posting about Ra Ra Riots forth coming album today!

Music, Music, Music

I am a little obsessed with music... okay a big obsessed with music. I suppose it all started at 12 when my parents bought me a little CD player for Christmas and in an effort to curb my musical taste to a safer side, they bought me a Golden Oldies CD... among the songs on this CD were, Soul Man, Huckleberry Hill and other classic hits from the 50s and 60s. But one song stuck out that my parents didn't for see, My Ding-A-Ling by Chuck Berry. Much to my parents chagrin, My Ding-A-Ling soon became the anthem of my youth and even today 16 years later, my parents would cringe at its lyrics. The rest is history...

Which brings me to the present. If you know me, you know that I am a bit of a music snob. I don't listen to the radio, don't buy Cd's at Walmart, Target or Best Buy, I have a hard time seeing a band at a venue that fits more then 100 people (and I go to A LOT of shows) and can tell you the names and discography of most of the fathers of jazz... and if you think early jazz history is irrelevant in talking about modern/indie music, you're probably reading the wrong blog.

Here is a list of things you can expect from this blog:

1. Album Reviews - I already review music for a local phoenix indie music store's website, stinkweeds. So I will hopefully be putting more of an effort into this blog, which will also fuel more reviews for Stinkweeds. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, spend money at local record stores.
2. Concert Calender - I'm a little tired of going to great shows by myself! I mean literally I get to the show and like 5 people at there. In most cities groups are selling out large venues and phoenix can't fill a small art gallery space. I won't list every show that comes to phoenix, but the ones I think are worth seeing.
3. Rants on general Music trends - Wonder what kind of music is coming out of Minnesota these days? Didn't know Minnesota had one of the most progressive indie scenes in the country? Wonder where the hell all this DIY music is coming from... and what does DIY mean any way? Hopefully, I'll be able to shed some light on these types of things...
4. Music Music Music - Really, I'm just going to talk about all kinds of music. Mostly new, but occasionally I might need to rant about Scott Joplin, Counting Crows or some other small trifle that falls onto my ears.

So stay tuned...