Pascal Pinon//New Beginning

CoCoRosie Jr. : Monday Mail
What is Monday Mail?

This sweet, simple song kinda stole my heart. It seems particularly appropriate for me as I stumble around trying to find my footing in this new, weird world that is Southern California.

Brooke from Big Hassle says:

Age is just a number? Well, not in this case: listening to Pascal Pinon, the band's eponymous debut album, the fact that you're dealing with a bunch of 16-year-old teenage girls is way too evident. Yet, the songs presented by Icelandic twin sisters Jófrídur and Ásthildur and their band mates Halla and Kristín are certainly not limited to the natural parameters of adolescence.

Instead, Pascal Pinon manage to turn such limitations (not enough money for better mics; lack of experience) into their very advantage, keeping their tracks short and crisp, and avoiding both the cheap slickness of campfire romanticism and the supposedly fresh edge of the next teenage hype. Pascal Pinon are all about creating a connection, the smallest possible distance between their own feelings (they're teenagers after all) and the listeners. On their MySpace, it says"Sounds like: a whisper in your ear" for a reason.

Their s/t debut both in English and Icelandic, was independently released in Iceland and earned them a nomination for "Newcomer of the Year" at last year's Icelandic Music Awards. It is set to be released by Morr Music on December 3rd (naturally it was their parents who signed the contract) and the girls are already busy learning new instruments and working on their sophomore LP.

Call it Nude Folk, New Romanticism or The New Shy - what matters is that Pascal Pinon, though no longer the "gang of 14-year-olds" they were when they recorded this album, are just getting started.

Maybe it's because Pascal Pinon reminds me of the kind of stuff I liked to do when I was 16. Maybe it's because being catapulted into a new life with very little grounding makes me feel like a confused youth. Maybe it's just because it's a touching sentiment. Whatever the case may be, from Iceland to another sunny day in LA to you, consider a fresh start:



New Beginning.mp3

Things I may not understand
Are slightly getting out of hand.
I don't know anything at all.
It seems that I'm about to make
An overwhelming huge mistake,
With everyone disagreeing.

Jes Kramer//We Will Be Warm

So we didn't exactly "meet" yet: Local Music Friday
What's up with Local Music Fridays?

Isn't it basically so weird that the internet lets you return to random conversations, times and people by just saving and hosting EVERYTHING? A simple Gmail search brings back the heat of your first correspondences with with a certain ex, that dispute with your landlord or an email you wrote to your best friend about some cool new band you found. It doesn't matter when these things were sent. They're all there and fully keywordable.

Sadly, as we all know, Myspace is no Gmail. As a result, I'm not able to go back in time to see the first exchange I had with Grand Rapids pop whiz Jes Kramer (wow, two GR bands in a local music row!), although I can guess that it was probably around the year 2005 and that it was probably about a show. I'm not quite sure how I stumbled upon Jes's music, but I immediately felt a lot of affinity for her unique brand of lo-fi pop.

Jes and I have never played a show together, although I know we were supposed to at least a few times. Something always went wrong. Well, that's about to end next week as Palmyra and Jes play together in Grand Rapids at The DAAC.

Until then (and also until this odd winter-to-spring transition weather settles down), please enjoy this charming track.



We Will Be Warm.mp3

My head's in knots with Einstein quotes
And thoughts of weather patterns,
The terror of experimenting on the things that matter.

The Octagon//Suicide Kings

Octagonal Trio, Monday Mail!
What is Monday Mail?

Good morning. Before we kick of the week with our regularly scheduled Monday Mail, I would like to remind you that today is the last day to nominate OSS (and all your other favorite blogs like Meals for Moderns, Brokelyn, Breeder's Digest, Daily Beatz and How Fucking Romantic) for Bloggies! Not to proverbially toot our own horns too much, but may I remind you that last year we almost won one of these things? If you enjoy OSS every day, every week or every once in a while, give us a shout-out and show us some love. We’d do that for you!

Meanwhile, Josh from Fanatic says:

The Octagon’s Will Glass and Zachary Mexico met as kids in boarding school when Glass made fun of Mexico’s Green Day t-shirt. The guys huddled together in dorm rooms, late at night, drinking from warm 40’s of St. Ides and handles of Captain Morgan, listening to Motown, Astral Weeks, Guided by Voices, Dead Kennedys, and The Grateful Dead. Eventually landing in NYC, Glass and Mexico met up with bass player The Bunny, forming The Octagon and touring behind two albums.
Other pursuits came calling and Mexico relocated to China - where he still spends part of the year - to write his first book, “China Underground” (Soft Skull Press, 2009) which became a bestseller in Singapore. Glass went on the road as the touring drummer for Dirty Projectors and The Bunny languished in Williamsburg, spending his days begging for money outside the Bedford Avenue L stop to support his gourmet sandwich habit.

And then, in the dark winter days of February 2009, the members of The Octagon found themselves back together and working on a new batch of songs in their dimly lit practice space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Led by the lo-fi recording expertise of Glass, the band spent three days laying down thirty tunes to analog cassette tape on two Tascam four-track recorders. The result is Warm Love and Cool Dreams Forever, an album full of Mexico’s warm Fender Mustang, Bunny’s full bass tones, and the clean and crisp jazz-inflected drumming of Glass.

The songs are concise bursts of energy – short and to the point -- showing off the band’s gift for penning simple, catchy melodies mixed with sonic and structural experimentation. It’s a cool enough sound to be represented on a boarding school kid’s t-shirt... and catchy enough for another one to make fun of him for.

Josh kinda said it all, huh? This song is awesome and the sound reminds me of a dirtier, lazier Strokes, when The Strokes were brand new. LoFi in that old school way. Strong melody. Good lyrics. I’m sold.

Also, I should add that as a kid, we played a few different variations of schoolyard handball. Weirdly, the names of these two varieties (always involving the school’s brick wall and a neon yellow/green tennis ball) were “Suicide” and “Kings.” Coincidence? I think not.

Catch The Octagon on 1/22 at Bruar Falls for their album release. They're also on an American tour right now AS WE SPEAK!



Suicide Kings.mp3

From New York to Chicago,
You’re the first one to be alone.
You’re the first one to turn me on.

Knight School//Pregnant Again

I wear my sunglasses at knight on Local Music Fridays.
Tell me...what is this Local Music Fridays?

We got to play with these guys last summer for the Northside Festival at Public Assembly (where my friend Tim is Djing tonight, coincedentally). I don't think I got to talk to them much, but their show was super fun.

I've got mixed feelings about this “fuzz on everything” trend that seems to somehow still be the hip thing to do. I don't think that fuzzing the hell out of something makes it instantly good. That said, sometimes it is good. Knight School has a retro punk sound with a just hint of pop. They really get it right and pull it off.

If you're in NYC, catch them in exactly a week at Silent Barn. If you're elsewhere, check out this compilation because our friends City Center are also on it.

Finally, I would like to mention that I think "Pregnant Again" is a really good name for a song.



Pregnant Again.mp3

Listen to more Knight School.

Low//Sunflower

Sometimes the things you remember are really odd. For example, I remember that I bought this album (Low’s Things We Lost in the Fire) in 2001 shortly after moving to Ann Arbor, at Matt Braddish’s amazing record store (that I would come to work at in a few years), Underground Sounds. I was there with Ali (who would work at Underground--when it really WAS underground--first and actually help me get the job) and maybe one other person? Liz B.? Ali and I had had recently had a long conversation about Low and how seeing them live had changed her life. She showed me her ticket from the show, which was hand-designed and printed. I can still kind of remember how it looked. I was intrigued and decided to pick up this album, along with Get Lost by The Magnetic Fields (that one came on a year-old tip from a friend’s cousin).

I remember that when I got back to East Quad, I immediately put on the Fields disc and freaked out about it, particularly the opening track, “You and Me and the Moon.” I ran down the hallway to Liz’s room, where many friends were gathered, and insisted that they all “LISTEN TO THIS LIKE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OH MY GOD IT’S SO GOOD.” We blasted it and danced.

Conversely, I can’t remember when I first listened to my other purchase from that day, but certainly when I did, I did not run out and demand to share it with everyone I knew. Low is a sad, troubled band that produces introspective, honest and haunting music best enjoyed in the company of oneself and one’s headphones. As the end of the summer turned to the dead of the winter, my life proceeded to descend into the gray haze of Michigan cold, much-too-drunken evenings and lesbian drama. Sweeping and dramatic, these songs were a lovely soundtrack to events that now appear to be some petty pratfalls of youth (but were then heavy, heartbreaking, tortured times…you get the picture).

I hadn’t thought of this band for a while, but David Martin happened to play this song (with the lovely harmonies and percussion contributions of The VE family) as a cover at The 50 last weekend. It made me want to break out this album again and appreciate that time period from a new vantage point. After all, the leaves are falling and the temperature is dropping. Luckily, I haven’t had a winter quite like that one in a great deal time.



Sunflower.mp3

When they found your body,
Giant Xs on your eyes.
With your half of the ransom,
You bought some sweet, sweet, sweet
Sweet sunflowers
And gave them to the night.

Bruce Springsteen//Johnny 99

When I was writing about Kurt Vile yesterday, I went to link to my Bruce Springsteen post...and then realized I didn't have a Bruce Springsteen post. WHAT?! How could this be true!? I'm from Jersey; I love Bruce Springsteen. It's, like, in my DNA.

Actually, maybe that's not exactly true because one of my best high school-era friends, Paige, didn't like The Boss. She didn't like him so much that she threatened to make a tee-shirt with the words "Not My Boss" set underneath a screen-printed picture of The Boss. How rude. Still, that's a funny idea for a tee-shirt. She never made it, but if she had, I would have worn it. Maybe I would have X'ed out the word "Not" with a sharpie, because that was how I rolled at the time--altering tee-shirts with scissors, sharpies and patches. Punk! And because that dude IS my Boss. Duh.

Nebraska is one of my favorite albums OF ALL TIME. It's moody and gritty and lofi and lonely. It was recorded on a four-track, meant initially to be demos for the next album with The E Street Band, but Springsteen was hellaciously depressed when he wrote it, so it just sounded weird and wrong with the band. It was decided that the album would be realized as it was...and each song is its own brilliant and dark portrait of America.

This song is especially relevant right now. It's about recession, poverty and what it does to people in America. Johnny lost his job at the auto plant (in Mahwah!) and ends up robbing a store and shooting a dude in process. Not to say that Johnny was in the right, but society also plays a role.

Well, new numbers are pointing to the fact that the recession might be over. I hope that's true, but it's not to say that plenty of Americans aren't already in some pretty desperate situations. I know there's been a lot of shitty violence in my hood lately. Fingers crossed that everyone can hold out until the positive change actually starts to get down to the ground level. This song is all about the stress of this situation--feeling powerless and trapped, on the wrong side of that great big beautiful American dream.



Johnny 99.mp3

Now judge, I had debts no honest man could pay.
The bank was holdin' my mortgage and they were gonna take my house away.
Now I ain't sayin' that makes me an innocent man,
But it was more than all this that put that gun in my hand.

Kurt Vile//Freeway

Kurt Vile, besides being recently signed to Matador and being really good at playing in awesomely named bands (when he plays with his backing band he becomes Kurt Vile and the Violators and he also plays in The War on Drugs), sounds something like one part lofi Springsteen circa Nebraska, one part Dylan and one part post-modern noisetime. Constant Hitmaker, which I've been listening to on repeat for a few weeks now, is a delightfully gritty compendium of songs, true the album's title.

Angelina gave me this to me on vinyl for my birthday this summer. Sadly, I only just got a working record player back in my life about a month ago, so I just got to start listening to it and it is a bit of an instant classic.

This morning I put it on while A. and I had breakfast (does it count as breakfast if you're eating it at 12:45pm?). It was delightful. I also have been walking around with the lines of this in my head for weeks now.

Unrelated: Kurt Vile is also from Philly, which is also where my parents are from. Though I care little for baseball, I am rooting for the team of my ancestral home to kick the ass of the team of my current home, because it just feels right. Y'all feel me?



Freeway.mp3

Got a freeway in mind.
Let go of my head.
Walk down my line.
Better be sure you'll be dead.
I got a trumpet,
I know where to dump it.
I'm glad that you came
If the sound is the same.

Atlas Sound//Walkabout

What did you want to be when you grew up? Coincidentally, this is a question I recently pondered while biking around Prospect Park on a gorgeous fall day last week. My early childhood answer alternated between “a fireman” and “a saxophone player.” I actually think this says a lot about me, but I’m not going to go into that right now.

I am slightly anti-CMJ, but still SO EXCITED to see Atlas Sound and Broadcast tonight at Le Poisson Rouge (sadly sold out). I’ve been quite into Deerhunter for a little while now, but decided to beef up on my Atlas Sound in preparation for tonight. Been listening to logos (which features Panda Bear on this track and Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier on another) on repeat now all morning. It’s so good!

Bradford Cox might be one of the only true geniuses that I can see in music today. He’s got this incredible sense of melody and finds ways to recontextualize often simple lyrics, forcing the listener to re-examine meaning. Combining these major skills with a killer aesthetic for sound and a clawing, desperate, haunting, emotive and honest voice, well, each tune seems to emerge an instant classic. I actually hear real songwriting skill here, complete with hooks that beg you to return over and over again, like the best REM or JV albums.



Walkabout.mp3

What did you want to see?
What did you want to be when you grew up?

Feel free to answer. I’m curious. I’d like to know.

Miguel de Braganza//Study for Potato Gun

Exprmntl Mndy//////Monday Mail
What is Monday Mail?

Miguel de Braganza just wrote in to say hi following the death of Michael Jackson a few months ago. He also sent me a link to his myspace, which included some delightfully weird, pretty, analogy stuff, in addition to a long intense biography (feel free to read it (or check his dates--NYers can catch him on Aug. 30 at Arlene's) on your own time). Miguel explains, of this tune:

Potato Gun is an original that I made for a sound exhibition at The Museum of Fine Arts here in Boston.

You know what this reminds me of? Elephant Six—that’s what. Specifically, Olivia Tremor Control. I admire the way the music shifts, very experimentally, while also retaining melody. There’s a whole slew of influences here (folk, noisepop, dirgey lofi), ripped apart and recombined to form something new. Not only is this enjoyable to listen to, it also takes you on a strange journey.

Furthermore, to tie into Friday’s post, we can all thank Mr. Paul for all the amazing multi-track technology that lets us record these complex and layered soundscapes. Seriously. Thank you.



Study for Potato Gun.mp3

You’ll always travel a lonesome road.

The Idles//You'd Forget

LoFi MoFi: Monday Mail
What is Monday Mail?

Last week, I got an email from Kellen about a new label called Acousticlaw:

we recently launched acoustaclaw records to help spread the word on the music being made by some of our friends here in washington, dc. we are very happy to be kicking things off with 4 excellent albums from the idles, quidnunk and the idles/quidnunk collaboration mystery squid and hope you'll give them a listen and consider sharing them with your readers. some comparables might be artists such as the silver jews, smog and ariel pink.

each of these 4 albums can be downloaded in their entirety for absolutely nothing, so feel free to post whatever/as much as you like..

Smog? Silver Jews? Go on, I’m listening. Everything’s free? This label is called Acousticlaw? What could be bad about this?

Especially like this because it sounds very 90s indie to me, and that is a sound I wholeheartedly enjoy!

One little tip for those starting fledgling labels: links to myspace pages help a lot.

Note: not to be confused with the UK Idles.



You’d Forget.mp3

All you do is hang out at KFC now.

Smog//Hit the Ground Running

My number one regret from Northside was not getting to see Bill Callahan, who, according to Ethan, “played all the hits!” Man, too bad. I will definitely catch him next time he’s in town.

I really like the album Knock Knock because Callahan used a small children’s choir on many of these songs. I am a sucker for kids voices in grown-up melancholy indie rocks songs. Like the kids sing at the end of Yeasayer’s dark anthem “2010”. Or better yet, like Yo La Tengo’s own children singing in their cover of Sun Ra’s “Nuclear War”. There’s nothing better than hearing a kid yell something like, “it’s a motherfucker! Don’t ya know? When they push that button, your ass gotta go!”

I think this is a good song for today. I officially submitted my letter of resignation at work in order to pursue various creative endeavors…in the middle of a giant recession. I’m three parts excited and one part horrified—it’s scary! Still, I think it’s the right thing to do. I have to leave this country, though there are some nice folk here. All I know to do is hit the ground running.

Subject change: I remember when I found this album on vinyl. Ali and I traveled long and far on the CTA to get to that killer record shop in Hyde Park. Huh. I’m going to Chicago in a few days…maybe we can go back?! That place rules.

ALSO, in record store news, the wonderful Insound (where I briefly interned) is having a blowout warehouse sale today. If you're in NYC and you love music, worth checking out. Here's the info.

Also also , did you guys know that Bill Callahan was born in Maryland? That’s the best thing to happen to Maryland since The Wire…or actually…wait…that’s the other way around.



Hit the Ground Running.mp3

I couldn’t memorize a century of slang
Or learn to tell the same story again and again and again.
Oh,
I had to leave the country,
Though there was some nice folk there,
And now I don’t know where I’m going.
All I know is, I’ll hit the ground running.

ESG//You're No Good

Remember it’s Chain Reaction Week!
Yesterday’s last word was: You.

ESG, which, without much explanation stands for Emerald, Sapphire and Gold, was a much-sampled no-wave/post-punk band from the South Bronx consisting mostly of the Scroggins sisters and occasionally of some of their friends.

Actually, Update: Trusty old All Music Guide explains the name:

The four Scroggins sisters -- Deborah (bass, vocals), Marie (congas, vocals), Renee (vocals, guitar), and Valerie (drums) -- formed a group with the support of their mother, who bought instruments to keep her daughters busy and away from trouble; at the time, each sibling was teenaged. Basing their sound on a mutual love for James Brown, Motown, and Latin music, the sisters went through a number of name changes before finally settling on ESG. "E" stood for emerald, Valerie's birthstone; "S" stood for sapphire, Renee's birthstone; and as for "G," well, neither Deborah nor Marie had a birthstone beginning with that letter, but they did want their records to go gold. After permanently adding non-relative Tito Libran to the lineup as a conga player (some male members came and went prior to this), ESG was officially born.

I think it must be cool to be a much-sampled no-wave band. You don’t get to say that every day. “Hi. My name’s Gina. I’m in an oft-sampled now-defunct (maybe) no-wave band. Yeah, you probably already heard some of my stuff in your favorite hip-hop hits. Yes, I said, ‘no-wave.’ Yeah, I meant that.”

There’s a reason everybody likes to sample ESG and that’s because they’re AWESOME. Started in the late 70s/early 80s, the sound has a lot of weird stuff going. Analog quality, rattle-y weirdly-rhythm-ed drum lines and heavy bass characterize the sound, in addition to a unique genre mix of funk, R+B and avant garde (not so unlike the man I saw last night, although a lot more low-energy).

There’s also this very funny story, via Wikipedia:

On May 9, 2007, ESG drummer Valerie Scroggins was indicted by a Brooklyn grand jury on charges of taking more than $13,000 in workers' compensation payments. Scroggins, then working as a bus driver for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York), told them that she suffered a shoulder injury in September 2006. In November 2006, Scroggins went on tour with ESG, where an MTA investigator filmed her playing "drums for an hour or more and on every song the band played, doing things very similar to actions she told her employers she could not perform," according to the Brooklyn DA's press release. Scroggins asserts that her injury is legitimate and that she could not safely drive a bus.

Maybe not the smartest thing to do on her part, but doesn’t this make you hate the MTA just a little bit more (I didn’t know this feeling was possible!)!?How many “investigators” are they paying to spy on former no-wave band members, instead of just running the fucking G train? The MTA, you’re no good.



You’re No Good.mp3

But you’re no good.
You’re no good.
You are no good.
You’re no good.


Chain Reaction is also an album by Canadian singer Luba, a song by Diana Ross, covered by Steps and a 1970s band.

Grizzly Bear//Two Weeks

Grizzly Bear finally released their much-anticipated new album, Veckatimest, last week. Of course, everyone’s been losing their shit about this one, and my first few listens support the fact that the praise and attention is not unfounded.

Hilariously, Other Music pointed out in their last newsletter that the first few hits in Google for “Grizzly Bear” are for the band—and not for ACTUAL grizzly bears…you know…the SPECIES. Indeed, the band’s official page, Wikipedia entry and myspace came up first for me. Although, a search does return this ultra-cute picture (see: Animal Band Names Trend)!!!. AWWWWWW.

Some facts/thoughts on Veckatimest:
1. It’s named after a small island in Massachusetts, but was recorded in the Catskills (unlike Yellow House, which was actually recorded in…a Yellow House).
2. Nico Muhly, of classical fame, was involved.
3. Also involved, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus
4. Am I the only one who thinks the band’s vocals sound way different on this recording?

While this song was the one that initially hooked me most, I’m really enjoying listening to the whole album on my iPod while walking around the neighborhood. It’s pretty and lush, like previous Grizzly works. Also like prior albums, it takes a few listens to get into. It feels like sinking slowly into a big plush couch, letting all the subtle production choices, builds and instrumentation overtake you.



Two Weeks.mp3

Save up all the days,
A routine malaise.
Just like yesterday,
I told you I would stay.

Would you always?
Maybe sometimes?
Make it easy.
Take your time.

Deleted Scenes//Fake IDs

I’m having a moody Monday. How about you?
What is Monday Mail?

So, Dave at Fanatic says:

Washington, DC-based band Deleted Scenes recently released its debut album Birdseed Shirt to much critical praise. Notably, the album recently received an 8.0 rating from tastemaking culture website, Pitchfork Media. The band is currently walking through that opened door by shining a brighter light on its album – one that reveals a record with a style that has already been referred to to as “an acid-trip that is absolutely habit forming” (Madison Isthmus)…

I’m not sure how much anybody really cares about Pitchfork these days. Actually, does anybody even read Pitchfork? If you read Pitchfork, raise your digital hand.

Regardless, I like this song a lot. It’s got pretty sounds. And I’m feeling a little sad today. I spent yesterday evening and this morning listening to Cat Power, Elliott Smith and Chris Garneau, to give you an idea. If you’re feeling like me, this should compliment your case of the Mondays nicely.

Also, I would like to mention, I’ve never owned a fake ID. Phew. I'm really glad I got that off my chest.



Fake IDs.mp3

Dave says Deleted Scenes play Pianos tonight (although, theres’s strangely no mention of this on their myspace).

Grizzly Bear//Easier

I think Grizzly Bear was initially an Ali find. She told me I would love them and she was right.

This band’s sound is so pretty and fuzzy (not unlike an American Analog Set or a Beach House). The texture adds much feeling to the already flowing and sentimentally-heavy songwriting.

I was recently reminded of this album last week while on tour. We were driving through naturally pristine New Hampshire on a truly gorgeous sun-soaked day. I was trying to come up with the perfect thing to blast through the (somewhat broken) Volvo speakers and Yellow House came to mind. The warm lofi sound quality combined with the easy lifts and falls were just right for the winding roads, sparkling lakes and fresh spring afternoon. The band recorded this collection in Ed Droste's mother's house (hence the title) in Brooklyn and the home-recording only enriches the feeling you get from listening. Of course, this album would also be perfect for a cold day sitting by a bright rich fire.

Throwing this on the car stereo sparked a conversation between Karl and I about collaborative songwriting.
“I don’t know how to write songs like this,” he said.
I agreed.
I think it might have something to do with a lot of people in a room with lots of ideas, none of them too concrete. Maybe we could all take a lesson from GB about relaxing in regards to our creativity.



Easier.mp3

Lucky for us, Grizzly Bear’s next full length, Veckatimest, comes out May 26 on Warp Records.


I still care for you.

CocoRosie//Terrible Angels

I’ll be perfectly candid about this: I think CocoRosie is a kind of a sham. Most of the time, it just seems like they got really high, covered their faces in glitter and pushed some buttons on a those electronic toys that make animal sounds while strumming acoustic guitar and whispering inane nonsense about Santa Claus and other miscellany. Caveat: I’m down for the freak folk thing in fits and spurts, which probably has something to do with why I feel this way.

Anyway, all trash talk aside, I really do like the lofi weirdness and the bizarre lyrics of this song. It also sounds different in a way in which I can find some value.

A the height of its popularity (circa 2005) amongst a certain group of friends, it would come on a lot at low key hang out sessions.
Ryan always used to say, “IS every angel terrible? DO I welcome them?”
It does make you wonder…



Terrible Angels.mp3

They got angelic tendencies,
Like some boys tend to act like queens.

Beach House//Gila

I missed a chance to see Beach House with my friend Ethan a few years ago and I still kick myself for it. I’m not sure when I’ll have the chance to see them again, but whenever that chance comes up (unclear from their site), I’ll definitely be taking it.

I’m a big fan of Devotion for its soundsets, which are at once lush and stark. So damn pretty, and just a little sad, I’m not sure you could really justify listening to Beach House in an actual beach house, unless it was a grey winter’s day on a northern coast, and you were planning on cozying up and zoning out to the distant sounds of waves crashing .



Gila.mp3

Hoping for the last ship to arrive,
I’ve been blessed with a kingdom, half-mine.

Melting Moments//Saw You at the Party

[Local! Music! Friday!]
Tell me...what is this Local Music Fridays?

In honor of my Ann Arbor visit, I thought I would feature one of my favorite A2 local bands today. Melting Moments is Anna Vitale, Best Poet in Ann Arbor 2004? and Jason Voss, We’re Twins founder. Both Anna and Jason are also involved in WCBN, one of my favorite radio stations ever.

Melting Moments is a really fun band to see live. Anna’s awesome lyrics and fun casio beats paired with Jason’s tough indie guitar riffs always make their shows raucous dance parties. This song brings back many fond Totally Awesome House and Black Elk memories:



Saw You at the Party.mp3

Open the door for me because I’ve lost all my arms.

Go ahead and dance around; it’s Friday.

Devendra Banhart//Michigan State

Hey all you OSS readers, a little business before we start the week:

1. Ed Park, author of the book Personal Days and of Believer fame, gave us a shout out in his blog. Very cool. Thanks, Ed!
2. I’m going to be taking a few days off at the end of this week/beginning of next to attend a wedding and see some friends in the glorious state of Michigan. That said, no need to worry, as I will still be delivering the usual songs-to-days ratio for the week.

With all this in mind, I’m going to get a little theme-y in honor of that great mitten-shaped water winter wonderland that I used to call home. That’s right, friends: it’s Michigan Week. Lucky for you, this means you get a week packed with upper Midwestern creative inspiration combined with fun facts about that ever-pleasant peninsula! Let the games begin!

What could be a better track to kick it off with than Michigan State by Devendra Banhart?

I remember when I first heard this song. I had just moved in with Ali at Debs Co.op (named after labor leader Eugene V. Debs, of course) on East University in Ann Arbor. This was our first off-campus summer living situation—a big red house with 22 other college-age individuals and graffiti all over the walls left over from a previous tenant’s acid trip. Still, I was living with my best friend, my rent was cheap (under 400 dollar/month!), my extremely part time job covered all expenses+, my girlfriend’s house was a quick bike ride away and all my friends were “just hangin’ out” drinking cheap beer on porches all over town. Oh, the beauty of the simple Midwestern summer…

Ali and I made a joint mix tape that summer, mostly off of our combined record collection. This song made it on for a few reasons: 1. It’s awesome. 2. We were listening to it multiple times every day because this weird poem-to-music-on-a-broken-four-track jam spoke to our daily existence—lazy partying in the summer heat, pretty trips to pickerel lake and a whole lotta Michigan, Michigan State.



Michigan State.mp3

I don’t know much of what freak folk icon Devendra Banhart is up to these days, besides this crazy CELEBRITY GOSSIP!



Michigan Fun Fact #1:
In Michigan, people call liquor stores party stores. Use in a sentence: "I'm crusin' by the party store to pick up a few kegs for tonight's blow out." Seriously, Michigan, I love you, but WTF is up with that?


Oh, Michigan, Michigan State,
How I'd love to live in you.

Lispector//Girls & Boys Make Songs

[Local! Music! Friday!]
Tell me...what is this Local Music Fridays?

I remember this burned disc getting passed all around Ann Arbor this one summer (was it 2005?). I have a feeling that Jason Voss/We’re Twins/WCBN had something to do with this phenomenon. Someone would say, “have you heard of this band Lispector? No? Let me make you a copy.” My boyfriend got a copy from someone he worked with at PFC. The album, Human Problems and How to Solve Them, was really good. It's all quirky, textured sequencer stuff with beautiful vocals and fun lyrics (there is an awesome song about the ice cream man, which I would highly endorse). Needless to say, I immediately made a tape of it so I could listen to it in my car.

Fast forward to myspace’splosion and I started corresponding with Lispector (Julie) regarding music stuff. Julie lives in France, but we got the opportunity to hang out a bit in person and play a very enjoyable show together in NYC last summer.

Thus, I send you off into your weekend with this charming track from HPAHTSOT:



Girls & Boys Make Songs.mp3

Lispector just released a new album called Guide to Personal Happiness. You can hear more Lispector here.