Shabazz Palaces

Went to go see Shabazz Palaces on Monday and I am at a loss of words to describe it - but easily one of the best hip-hop show I've ever been to.   

Their "Black Up" has been a key part of my summer soundtrack so far.  Here's a stream of the full album if you feel like checking it out.  

Or if you feel like checking out what their live set is like here's a really good video of their performance at KEXP:

"Searching for the Source"

So earlier this week my hard drive went corrupt and I thought I lost everything on it (including all the work for the EP).  I am extremely thankful to be able to say that everything on it was able to be backed up and is safe.  But in the few days that I was thinking that everything I had worked on was lost (after a good amount of freaking out) I kind of felt like I had a new start on the album and gained a better sense of what I want to do with it.  I've been working really hard on it the past few days, made some changes of plans to make more time to record, and I'm really excited about how it's coming so far.  

I was debating if I should or shouldn't post any more tunes from the album before it's done since I feel like the individual tracks are not giving an accurate preview of what the album as a whole will be anymore...but then I was thinking...fuck it, whoever wants to listen in as I'm figuring out what I'm doing is more than welcome to. That being said, just keep in mind that I'll be changing stuff with all these songs from it and some songs might make more sense in context.   Anyway, here's another track from it:

"Time Travel is Dangerous"

So four years ago I wrote and recorded a song called "Time Travel is Dangerous" and this recording was a 15 minute song (divided into three parts).  This is that same song revamped, rerecorded, and in under 2 minutes for the upcoming EP.  

"i'm back in time

rewriting history

it seemed like a good idea at the time

because your not here" 

Upcoming Shows Summer 2012

Although I don't have any shows scheduled that I'm playing this summer yet, I am starting to work on a live solo set.  I haven't played a solo show in over 6 years, so I'm still in the process of figuring out how I want to do it.  Being in the early stages of this has been a little overwhelming since there are so many possibilities and directions it could go in - but at the same time it's been very exciting.  It feels like a very fresh new start.  I'm hoping that I'll be able to put something together for an EP release show at the end of the Summer.  

I'll definitely post about it when that gets closer, but in the meantime if you're looking to see some great live music in the Bostonish area - here's some shows that I'm either planning on going to or hoping to make it to:

July 1st - Moonface (Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade & Sunset Rubdown) - TT the Bear's

July 1st - Julia Easterlin - Church

July 14th - The Grownup Noise - The Lizard Lounge  (unfortunately I'll be out of town this week - but these guys are really awesome and totally worth checking out!) 

July 21st - Allston DIY Fest - Ringer Park - Free

July 23rd - Shabazz Palaces - Middle East

July 24th - Mighty Tiny - TT the Bear's

July 27th - Wilco - Fort Adams Newport

July 28th-29th- Newport Folk Festival 

August 4th-5th- Newport Jazz Festival

August 16th - Holiday Mountain - Institute of Contemporary Art - Free

August 19th - Dirty Projectors - Paradise Rock Club

September 13th - Bon Iver - Bank of America Pavilion 

September 22- Grizzly Bear - Orpheum 

I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch - but definitely a great summer for live music.

I'll be posting some more short tunes in the near future!