Saturday, June 30, 2007
In just one week, a one-of-a-kind global concert will take place. Using the easily memorable date of 7/7/07, founder Kevin Wall, Al Gore and many other sponsors will host this seven-continent event.
In theory, this idea runs circles around even the largest festival we've seen, but unfortunately, the only way to enjoy the magnitude of talent is to plant yourself in front of your computer or television. Not quite the message of pro-activity that this eco-eye-opener means to send.
The list of entertainers scheduled to perform throughout the world is impressive no matter what your usual musical palette. There's Lenny Kravitz in Rio, Shakira in Hamburg, Keith Urban and Bon Jovi in New York, Angelique Kidjo in Johannesburg, Linkin Park in Tokyo...the list goes on and on.
Whether you believe in the plight to identify and ease the "climate crisis" or not, the worldwide show is worth at least some of your time. NBC affiliates nationwide will be broadcasting the event live, as will MSN.com.
Posted by
Tara on 06/30 at 09:55 PM
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The name itself makes me squirm, mostly because I'm the most papercut-riddled person in Austin I'm pretty sure. Currently I'm nursing two and I'm not exaggerating. How does that happen when I work on a laptop 24/7 from home?
Anyway, who knows where the name came from--maybe he's the most papercut-riddled person in San Francisco. Regardless, it hooked me into listening to the Papercuts', aka Jason Quever, latest project entitled "Can't Go Back." Tracks like "John Brown," thick with guitar, and "Poor and Free," with organ heavy throughout, showcase Quever's calming, steady voice amid astute musical composition.
The Papercuts are relatively under the radar still, despite the success of 2004's "Mockingbird," which remained on CMJ's Top 200 for several months. Be one of the cool kids; listen to the new album.
I have a thing for women with ethereal vocals, probably because I can't even attempt such sweet, girly sounds with the voice I was given. Gentle front lady of Lavender Diamond, Becky Stark, encompasses all that I wish I'd been born with—soft and breathy with an unbelievably effortless delivery. Just listen to "Oh No" from the group's latest Matador Records' release, "Imagine Our Love." It's one of those songs that I belt out while driving (alone of course!) with the windows down, breeze blowing through my hair. I'm not deterred by the fact that it's a sad, lovelorn tune that's probably really depressing if you stop to think about it; all I hear is her velvety smooth voice.
The L.A.-based Stark and company have a good thing going right now, in large part because they've worked their butts off. An eye-opening performance at 2006's SXSW, as well as other industry hotspots that year put Lavender Diamond on many labels' watch lists for awhile before Matador offered them a record deal while touring with the Decemberists. Now, with "Imagine Our Love" having just dropped a little over a month ago, Lavender Diamond are in the midst of touring along the West Coast with label mates The New Pornographers.
Is this chill driving music for you too? Take a gander at snippets of this new album here or visit their MySpace page where you can sample entire tracks.
mp3: "Open Your Heart" from "Imagine Our Love"
mp3: "You Broke My Heart" from "The Calvary of Light" EP
Posted by
Tara on 06/30 at 11:51 AM
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Saturday, June 30, 2007
At least that's what his website says. It also says he can pick me, and you for that matter, up with one hand and that he's been 27 years old for ten years now. Even if you don't dig his music, his website is freaking hilarious. His name is Billy Harvey, and he's been around Austin for awhile now. His style is not one that's predictable or consistent throughout his songs, but that's what makes him fun. Listen to "Soft Blade," with its spoken-word feel reminiscent of a softer, gravel-free Tom Waits attached to a melancholy Hawaiian-style slide guitar or lap steel, or "Kaleidoscope Gun," whose intro immediately brings Beck to mind.
Continue reading "Billy Harvey is Scared of Fire"
Ex-Phish frontman Trey Anastasio has both happy and sad news to deliver as of late.
Let's do the good first - his next album is almost here. "The Horseshoe Curve" will be released on his own Rubber Jungle Records on both CD and limited edition vinyl July 24.
Continue reading "News for Anastasio"
Posted by
Tara on 06/30 at 09:23 AM
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Friday, June 29, 2007
I just got the sad news—the first band I ever actively saw live (my actual first concert was Conway Twitty and the Mandrell Sisters, but it wasn't by choice) is disbanding. Granted, they've been together for a crazy length of time - like 14 years or so - but I always expected them to be around. Mainly just because I liked them. I know, that's so selfish.
Continue reading "Adieu Carolines Spine"
I've always imagined that growing up in a small town leads to forced creativity, a nothing-else-to-do kind of mentality. Having been raised in a medium-sized city in the upper right corner of Oklahoma, I found escape in crafts that weren't music-related - mostly writing and painting - only because I have no rhythm and absolutely no voice.
Continue reading "Band to Watch: Tammany Hall Machine"
Mash-ups have caught my attention over the last few months, particularly ones that smoothly and artfully incorporate some old-school songs with current favorites.
Austin duo Car Stereo (Wars) rock; their SXSW set this year was a nonstop mixfest with random inserts of Tripping Daisy's "I Got a Girl," Kris Kross' "Warm It Up," Spoon's "I Turn My Camera On," and Neneh Cherry's 1989 classic "Buffalo Stance."
Continue reading "Memorable Mash-Ups"
Posted by
Dodge on 06/29 at 07:49 AM
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Posted by
Dodge on 06/29 at 07:46 AM
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Thursday, June 28, 2007
Posted by
Aquarium Drunkard on 06/28 at 11:29 PM
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This Sunday, July 1, would have been Princess Diana's 46th birthday. It's hard to believe it's already been ten years since her grisly accident, and even harder to believe that she was only 36 when she passed.
Described as a way to commemorate her death by celebrating her life, Concert for Diana has been pondered, planned and prepared for by her two now-adult sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Continue reading "Concert for Diana - In Memory"
Posted by
Tara on 06/28 at 09:00 PM
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
For once, I was on to an emerging band before a bunch of my peers. I can't tell you how fulfilling that is, particularly considering the #1 question I get from strangers when they find out I write for liveDaily is, "Oh, who are your favorite artists?" and I ALWAYS blank out. For some that might be an easy question, but not for me.
I'm sure there are several out there who heard of these sexy, quirky musicians well before I did, and to you I say congrats. In the meantime, I'll tell those less fortunate about the Brazilian Girls and why they should get on the fan band wagon now before it's passe.
Continue reading "Brazilian Girls hawk Blackberry"
Posted by
Tara on 06/27 at 11:18 PM
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