I get by with a little help from my friends...

Every musician has a starting point, a big break, the moment that they realize others are hearing their voice. Today, so much of the new music discovered is via the internet, mainly blogs, and it's hard to go to the record store to check out a new band because chances are they are been leaked on the internet months in advance. This system creates a constant stream of new bands/artists to listen to, enjoy, and forget. At the same time, the rapid speed of finding new music is giving so many unsigned and lesser known artists a chance to share their creations with the world.

Right now, the spotlight will be shining on someone who we believe may not be the next big thing nationwide, but someone who should be respected for playing music he believes in. Steven Perry, is a 21 year old, native Texas Hill Country resident, who has an amazing amount of musical knowledge, and has been playing for 5 years. Not only does this man like good music, but he likes sharing his discoveries with others, which is a rare. He records and writes all his own music, not looking for fame, but doing it because it is what he loves.

When asked what his influences are Steven said, "Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats), Sam Beam (Iron & Wine). Also, I was born in the South, so a lot of my music reflects my surroundings. I mean, as much as I'd like to start a synth-playing, indie-dancing garage band... it's not where my roots are. This music and writing- This is what I know."

This represents what music is. It's not a big production. It's not an image. It's guy, his guitar, and his voice. Plus, he is a friend, so listen.

Steven Perry - The Christmas Drum
Steven Perry - The Kite Song
His Myspace

it's true

Architecture In Helsinki makes a cameo on an Animal Planet commercial featuring a kitten. The music makes the cameo, not the band.
This is not the actual kitten:

off the beaten path

Blogs seem to follow the pattern of focusing on what is up and coming rather than acknowledging some of the roots and beauty in where music has been. It seems the only time the past is mentioned is when the present and future is being described:
"Splendid calls the band a "more focused" Arcade Fire or Broken Social Scene..."
In response to this trend, I'd like to give some of my treasured classics a heyday every once in awhile.

Pavement is a band that is considered by some to be one of the parental figures of the American underground as it is today. Regardless of the critical opinion, Pavement bends and breaks soundwaves to a most pleasing moment in a listening hour.

It seems that the ability to give the listener a personal connection in the waking moments of discovery is a gift that is easily lost as the musical map is increasingly charted. This is one of the reasons that recognition of past beauty should be made. This is when laying on an empty bed with headphones and eyes closed can ignite images of childhood and innocence that have never been experienced. It gives a feeling of appreciation of a life never lived, a happiness and interminable respect for memories created in song. No big hair, a shady lane, a stereo, and a date with ikea. Through Pavement's song we are given new breath.

Never de-personalize music for explanation. Don't tell me the guitar is amazing and the musicality is through the roof. Tell me that the elements combined gave birth to exploration. "I'M FLAT OUT. YOU'RE SO BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT WHEN YOU CRY. FREEZE. DON'T MOVE. YOU'VE BEEN CHOSEN AS AN EXTRA IN THE MOVIE ADAPTATION OF THE SEQUEL TO YOUR LIFE."
And you can feel your soul beating. And you know that music has power that politics never will. And love is in sound as much as it is a kiss. Thank you for baptism, Pavement.

Some Good Music

I have been really loving two new bands--one talked about a fair amount and the other not so much. Tapes 'n Tapes have kind of exploded in the blogging world. I got their cd in the mail the other day and have been pumping it non stop. Their sound is quite mature for such a new band. *Sixeyes interviewed them a while back, and you can read it here. Head to their site where you can listen to a few really good songs on their new record.

The Black Angels play self proclaimed Drone 'n Roll music inspired in part by their weird backgrounds. amazon.com wrote "Bassist Ryan was born on a cult compound, guitarist Bland is the real deal son of a Texas preacher man, organ player Raines grew up in a mortuary, and drummer Bailey and vocalist Maas believe a little girl in a red linen dress haunts the group’s home." Pretty wackey eh. They sing a lot about the Viet Nam war, which is pretty cool. Anyways, watch out for their LP coming out April 11. They will be playing with a slew of great bands at sxsw.
Head to their myspace and drone out.

Serena Maneesh

serena maneesh

makes me feel good inside. I saw little to no mention of them on the best of '05 lists plastered across the web, but I would heartily put their self titled debut among the ranks. They're another one of Norways glorious gifts to music. Who can refuse that?

it's that time of year

happy hanukkah, professor chomsky


happy kwanza, Mr. Tureaud


happy christmas, sufjan


happy solstice, freddy


happy new year, mr. clark


and happy holidays to you, mr. o'reilly

of Montreal

One thing I have not been able to get enough of this year is of Montreal...basically for their ability to make me dance whenever and wherever I am listening. The Sunlandic Twins is such a groovy album and, if I may echo the comments of Free Williamsburg, one of the most underrated albums of the year. I also really enjoy The Gay Parade. They put on a great show this summer with Tilly and the Wall, and they will be on tour again in the up coming year.
Listen. Love. Dance.

From The Sunlandic Twins:
Requiem For O.M.M.2
Wraith Pinned To The Mist (and other games)
From The Gay Parade:
Nickee Coco and the Invisible Tree

the mendoza line

"this is the perfect situation, you'll get over it in time
and if it's face that you're saving
to yourself you are unkind"

bloggers and i love the mendoza line

hello world

time is spent somewhere in between the U, the city, and the burbs. i plan on taking the city to the burbs, the burbs to the city, and the world to the U.