Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
III - What? The fuck.
I put my entire music library on random and took some choice selections and did a youtube search. This is what I came up with:
Wow. This would be so much better if these videos were embeded.
The next morning: youtube changed their format for embedding videos and I completely over looked the changes. Here are the videos listed above:
The next morning: youtube changed their format for embedding videos and I completely over looked the changes. Here are the videos listed above:
Friday, April 8, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Pretty much...
I began posting for a new blog.
I probably won't be posting here very often. Maybe someday I'll resurrect this idea, but for now, check out SIGD. Some seriously tasty jams.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Past Vol. 1
I've been neglecting posting for far too long. My entire intent of this blog is to develop my voice through diligence and experimentation, and in doing so, share music which is meaningful to me. Also, I am open to suggestions as to how to improve the aesthetic and content, as well as my writing. Please post comments if you have them.
I am implementing a series format to my posts. It began with documenting the shows i attended/played in the Portland Music posts, and I will now give you some insight into where I come from as a musician and lover of music.
February 2000 is when I was introduced to Modest Mouse for the first time. After I heard The Lonesome Crowded West music changed forever. What appealed to me was the atmosphere that was created and the apparent emotion that was poured into crafting that record. It was also the first time that I listened to music and heard the flaws and character exhibited in an "indie" recording. From my deep seeded love of Modest Mouse came exposure to the band Built To Spill and Elliott Smith. I remember making a weekend trip to Portland with my dad in the early summer and going to Music Millenium and purchasing, at the same time, Either/Or by Elliot Smith, We Have The Facts and We're Voting Yes by Death Cab For Cutie, and Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Rós. Little did I know at that time how important that day would become.
Late in 2000 I was introduced to three bands that would have an equally important impact in shaping my music tastes and interests. those bands were: Sunny Day Real Estate, The Anniversary, and The Get Up Kids. Quite an interesting diversion from the Pacific Northwest indie rock that I was getting into at the time. On my list of top 5 albums that I will always love is SDRE's debut LP, Diary. This entire release is quintessential to the fabric of my humanity. This album taught me to love music. If you have not heard anything from this band, stop reading instantly, scroll down to the links section of this post and check them out.
Another band that I will always love is The Anniversary. This band was capable of creating some insanely catchy electro pop and infusing it with the distinct "emo/pop/punk" sound that Vagrant records helped to usher in (The Get Up Kids, Dashboard Confessional, Saves The Day, Alkaline Trio, The New Amsterdams, Hey Mercedes, Face To Face etc...). The track "Vasil and Bluey" has a chorus that will always put a smile on my face. I was devastated when they decided to stop making music together, but after later releasing a 2 disc album of B-sides and rare tracks in 2008 I feel this band ran it's course and, thankfully, didn't start to suck. I make the analogy frequently between bands and Arrested Development; they both ran their course and were perfect for what it was, without the need to "jump the shark".
And from there came my introduction to Hardcore. But let's keep that for later. Here are some phenomenal videos from all the bands mentioned.
Modest Mouse:
Built To Spill:
Sunny Day Real Estate:
The Anniversary:
And here are some download links:
Modest Mouse: Discography, The Lonesome Crowded West
Sunny Day Real Estate: Diary
Elliott Smith: Either/Or
The Anniversary: Designing A Nervous Breakdown
Death Cab For Cutie: We Have The Facts and We're Voting Yes
-Ap
I am implementing a series format to my posts. It began with documenting the shows i attended/played in the Portland Music posts, and I will now give you some insight into where I come from as a musician and lover of music.
February 2000 is when I was introduced to Modest Mouse for the first time. After I heard The Lonesome Crowded West music changed forever. What appealed to me was the atmosphere that was created and the apparent emotion that was poured into crafting that record. It was also the first time that I listened to music and heard the flaws and character exhibited in an "indie" recording. From my deep seeded love of Modest Mouse came exposure to the band Built To Spill and Elliott Smith. I remember making a weekend trip to Portland with my dad in the early summer and going to Music Millenium and purchasing, at the same time, Either/Or by Elliot Smith, We Have The Facts and We're Voting Yes by Death Cab For Cutie, and Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Rós. Little did I know at that time how important that day would become.
Late in 2000 I was introduced to three bands that would have an equally important impact in shaping my music tastes and interests. those bands were: Sunny Day Real Estate, The Anniversary, and The Get Up Kids. Quite an interesting diversion from the Pacific Northwest indie rock that I was getting into at the time. On my list of top 5 albums that I will always love is SDRE's debut LP, Diary. This entire release is quintessential to the fabric of my humanity. This album taught me to love music. If you have not heard anything from this band, stop reading instantly, scroll down to the links section of this post and check them out.
Another band that I will always love is The Anniversary. This band was capable of creating some insanely catchy electro pop and infusing it with the distinct "emo/pop/punk" sound that Vagrant records helped to usher in (The Get Up Kids, Dashboard Confessional, Saves The Day, Alkaline Trio, The New Amsterdams, Hey Mercedes, Face To Face etc...). The track "Vasil and Bluey" has a chorus that will always put a smile on my face. I was devastated when they decided to stop making music together, but after later releasing a 2 disc album of B-sides and rare tracks in 2008 I feel this band ran it's course and, thankfully, didn't start to suck. I make the analogy frequently between bands and Arrested Development; they both ran their course and were perfect for what it was, without the need to "jump the shark".
And from there came my introduction to Hardcore. But let's keep that for later. Here are some phenomenal videos from all the bands mentioned.
Modest Mouse:
Built To Spill:
Sunny Day Real Estate:
The Anniversary:
And here are some download links:
Modest Mouse: Discography, The Lonesome Crowded West
Sunny Day Real Estate: Diary
Elliott Smith: Either/Or
The Anniversary: Designing A Nervous Breakdown
Death Cab For Cutie: We Have The Facts and We're Voting Yes
-Ap
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
New Design
Pointless post, but I spent a little time updating the aesthetic to DTF. Super-mega-jumbo post coming soon with lots of goodies to keep you entertained.
-AP
-AP
Friday, February 25, 2011
Seattle
Traveling to Washington tomorrow and I've noticed myself listening to a lot of music from Seattle lately. Here are a few choice selections:
Telekinesis
Armed With Legs
This is a fairly bad quality video, but live this duo is incredible. I saw them at the Ash Street Saloon downtown back in December and they tore it up. Check out their Facebook page for better quality songs.
Rooftops
I already posted this band, but i've listened to this album almost 3 times consecutively today and just love it.
I already posted this band, but i've listened to this album almost 3 times consecutively today and just love it.
-AP
Monday, February 21, 2011
Portland music Vol. III
This last week was a very fun filled week of shows and music. It all started with my birthday on Sunday in which The Dirty Words Performed our first show at the Hawthorne Theatre. We shared the bill with our good friends, The Autonomics, as well as new Portland band, The Neverdowells. Birthday shows are always so much fun, and this was no exception. Hawthorne Theatre is outfitted with a very large stage, complete with drum riser and multiple LED lights illuminating the stage. TDW played second and after some minor technical difficulties rocked a solid set combining material that is on our upcoming sophomore album, Cain, and some brand new tracks. After that, The Neverdowells took the stage. These guys create a very layered and intricate soundscape blending mellow indie rock and folk with just enough dance and rock influence to get people moving. We look forward to sharing another bill with this talented group of guys originally from Colorado. Headlining the night was The Autonomics, who put on an amazing set as usual and it was a genuine treat to see them on such a large stage.
Wednesday marked the second show of the week. This was my first time at The Know, a punk rock dive on Alberta St, and it was a Rock and Roll show to the fullest extent. Performing that night was Dark Country and Company. Dark Country opened and they played a solid set of tracks bordering on hardcore punk, but with the attitude and riffs of west coast flavored Rock and Roll. Their stage presence was entertaining and made you feel out of place if you weren't rocking out with them. Complete with funny/awesome banter, this is a band I plan on following for a long time to come. Check out their bandcamp profile below and download their free demo. It fucking slays and will have you proclaiming "This is...Dark Country!!!" for days!
Company is a four piece rock outfit that fit in with and also complemented the set played by Dark Country. They incorporate more of a garage rock sound than that of the hardcore punk styling of DC, but they do it with and added dose of the punk rock mentality and approach to their songwriting. Check them out and keep an eye out for an upcoming release sometime in the near future.
Friday night marked another great night of live music. Two shows going on simultaneously in my neighborhood, St Johns, The Autonomics shared another bill with The Neverdowells at one of my favorite bars in North Portland, Slim's. Both bands played amazing long sets and kept everyone's interest throughout the entire evening. And, literally, right across the street was the "St. Johns Theme Song Competition". My good friends in the band Tall As Rasputin sported more members and a completely different line-up with drummer Andy taking center stage and rocking the guitar and vocals. Calling themselves Andy Bro and The Lombardians they played a heartfelt song embodying the spirit of Portland's newest up and coming neighborhood, St. Johns. Also competing that night was The Filfs. The competition went on for two nights and I am, as of yet, unsure as to the official winner of the St. Johns Theme Song Competition.
Saturday marked another show by The Dirty Words, our technical 100th gig, and we pulled out all the stops at the Twilight Cafe and Bar on SE Powell. Joining us at this gig were Seattle based Pocket Panda. Pocket Panda plays a unique blend of synth driven pop with upbeat and melodic indie rock. Featuring female vocals and an electric violin, Pocket Panda creates beautiful and layered songs and carry a baseline groovyness. Check out their debut EP through their Website or below:
And to close out the week, I attended another Pocket Panda performance (alliterations...allll right!) at the Ash Street Saloon. Arriving late, I missed the opening band, but did manage to catch all of Pocket Panda's set, which, minus the violin, proved to be more rocking than their set the previous night. The Ash St. is one of my favorite venues in Portland at the moment due to the size of their stage and the (really loud at times, I mean REALLY LOUD) awesome house sound system. It was a treat to see these guys on that level and be able to feel every hit from the kick drum in my bones. The true surprise of the evening was the headlining set from All The Apparatus. This group featured one of the best live performances I've seen in Portland to date and they incorporated up to 10 people on stage playing a range of instruments from two accordians and and electrified ukulele and cello, to a trumpet duel, trombone player, keyboardist, bass, various other percussion, and finally drums. AtA plays a very unique and danceable blend of what I would call Arcade Fire meats Gypsy folk. Check out their Facebook Profile below and see them live. You will dance harder than you thought; I did.
-AP
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