I saw the Dirty Projectors last night and am still getting my mind around how ridiculously tight they are. Dave Longstreth makes every other band in the world of indie rock look like they just aren't trying hard enough. Also got to hear some of his compositions that were commissioned for Bang On a Can at the Bang on a Can Marathon in Manhattan earlier this Summer and it was some really cool stuff. As much as I know Dave hates this comparison, I feel like he's like the Frank Zappa of our generation in regards to really bridging the gap between the modern classical and pop-music world...minus the fact that Dave also writes some pretty emotionally moving songs as well as music to geek out to. Really looking forward to hearing what musical direction he'll be taking in the future.
If you haven't heard it yet, I'd definitely recommend checking out the Dirty Projectors new album "Swing Lo Magellan". It's easily their popiest album yet - but they make it work for them. Here's the title track from it (ignore the music video - it's just something some dude posted, but this song is beautiful).
Contrary to what I previously posted about not playing any more shows with Holiday Mountain this summer, I will be playing with them for their last Boston show this Thursday, August 16th at the Institute of Contemporary Art. The show is free and goes from 6:00-8:30 PM and I'll be joining them for their second set (which will start around 7:00). In addition to it being the last Boston show, it will be the official release show of Holiday Mountain's debut album "Become Who You Are" (which you can hear here) and we will have physical copies there available for purchase. So if you're free, come on down to the docks of the ICA to check it out. Should be a good time. More info on the facebook event page.
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:
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.
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 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!)
