Cast Iron Songs

She Won't Trade It For Nothing.

2011-03-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

Friday is a funny day to resume posting but oh well, it's the day I've picked. The lapses in posts should be remedied now since the crazy events of January and February have passed. Now we're just looking forward to the warm weather! There has been an influx of great new music lately that I've come across in droves.

Today I'll make it simple for you.
Go listen to the new Keren Ann streaming on KCRW.
It's the perfect thing to listen to going into the weekend!

Enjoy your weekends!

[image via wit+delight]

I've Just Seen A Face

2011-02-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

*I've Just Seen A Face* The Beatles

Listen to the Sound

2011-02-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

I always knew these guys could harmonize amazingly, but this video shows how much their voices carry their music. Especially the lead vocals..flawless I must say..

A Local Natives Take Away Show from the city of lights..

I'll Wait For You

2011-02-10T07:45:00.000-08:00

Some thought it would never happen. Side projects set aside, The Strokes have a release date for their new album, Angles. March 22nd will end the five year wait and lead to inevitably equal parts complaint & praise from the peanut gallery. Here's what guitarist Nick Valensi has to say about the long wait..

“I feel like it’s gonna be impossible for us to make music that’ll live up five years of nothing. It’s kind of that Chinese Democracy syndrome. You take that much time off.. no matter what you do it’s not gonna be as good as people want it to be. I feel like no matter what the record is, or how hard we worked on it, or how much we like it, it’s not gonna live up to people’s expectations only because of those five years between the last one and this one.” - Nick Valensi

You can download the single here or via The Strokes site for the next day and a half.

*Under Cover of Darkness* The Strokes

Good Woman

2011-02-09T15:30:00.000-08:00

New music from Cat Power as been surfacing and it sure is pretty. Lately, I've been re-visiting You Are Free which I think is still my favorite of Ms Marshall's.

Hope she makes her way up to the Pacific Northwest soon.

[video courtesy of 24bit]

And It Made Us Feel Alike

2011-02-03T17:19:00.000-08:00

Last fall, I made mention of a screening that Vincent Moon was having here in Portland. It was a small audience of about 25 and we were privy to never before seen clips and short films he has done in addition to the Take Away Shows that we are all most familiar with.

One of the best moments that evening was a clip Vincent introduced of Efterklang performing in their native Denmark with their families. While this is only a teaser, it gives you a good idea of what to expect from the film..

There are public-private screenings being hosted worldwide so all can view the film. It's pretty amazing that only 2 days after the premiere of the film, already 400 screenings have been offered abroad. Visit "An Island" to find out where you can view the film locally. I highly suggest you do. Enjoy!

Someone's Got to Share in the Load

2011-02-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

Someone's been busy. In addition to protesting immigration laws and reuniting defunct bands, Conor has returned from the Mystic Valley and now Bright Eyes has a new album set to release on Feb 15. Hard to believe it's been about five years since the double release of "I'm Wide Awake..." and "Digital Ash..". That being said, NPR is streaming the album until it's release and giving it pretty high marks. Be your own judge..

Stream "The People's Key" here

*Shell Games* Bright Eyes

In A World of Pure Imagination

2011-01-28T12:39:00.000-08:00

The wait is over! A real hiatus from posting and a site re-vamp were needed to get castironsongs back up and on its feet. New year, new job, new music, new house.. it's all happening at once over here! So you can see where the break was a necessity.

I'm looking forward to the new tunes that this year will bring about! but i always like to revisit old tracks that i find while digging around and working on new projects. so to set the tone, here's a charming cover by ferraby lionheart...

*Pure Imagination* Ferraby Lionheart

One Day I'll Be Fine With That

2010-11-18T09:34:00.000-08:00

tiny desk concert featuring sharon van etten.
some nice moody tunes for november.

visit here to listen..

and if you like that then you should also check out her daytrotter session..

Autumn/Hiver.

2010-11-11T13:48:00.000-08:00

it's not too late for an autumn/winter playlist, right?

I've Got A Girl With A Record Machine

2010-11-10T13:38:00.000-08:00

and then there was a hiatus. without warning.
my apologies but boy was it needed. but now we're back.
along with conan and "our good friend, mister jack white.."


don't we all refer to jack that way?
i mean, i don't know about you, but i do.
here's their live performance of a 50's cover called "twenty flight rock" which can be found on the album they collaborated on while hanging out in nashville..

jack white & conan o'brien - 20 flight rock (live perf. from the conan show)

video found here at 24bit

There's Too Much Riding On That

2010-09-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

the new [suprise] album from sufjan stevens is currently streaming at npr until its release on oct 12...

*too much* sufjan stevens

what do you think of it?

Nothing's Gonna Change My World

2010-09-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

in the past year i have discovered that a startling number of my friends do not like the beatles or find them boring. shocking, i know.

especially for someone like myself who grew up listening to their songbooks and counting them as one of the first band obsessions i ever had. to many, the beatles are one of your first musical loves. how could they not be? they will always be a force that defined rock and roll for generations of musicians to follow. this is not grandiose music jabber either. it's just the truth.

so for those of you who prefer the joe cocker version of "with a little help from my friends" over the beatles version (yes, they sang it first), here is a phosphorescent cover of "across the universe".  just trying to win you over one more time...

*across the universe* phosphorescent

[btw: all the songs featured on this blog via divshare are downloadable. just a little tip to help build up your music library.]

With The Eyes Still Focused

2010-09-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

if you haven't, please do.
listen. love.

i recently saw an amazing take away show video that vincent moon did with efterklang in their native denmark. my intention was to post it here but it hasn't actually been released yet as it is part of a special project moon is doing. all i can say is that the band members all have their parents playing instruments with them..it's great.

so in the meantime, we have this performance.
go see them if you ever get the chance..

*i was playing drums* efterklang

paper soul

2010-09-16T17:27:00.000-07:00

hello fall.

*fireplace* lost in the trees

we'll have a fine time

2010-09-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

breath of fresh air!
it has far been too long blonde redhead..

penny sparkle streaming now at kcrw...
available for purchase this tuesday!

*not getting there* blonde redhead

i've been dreaming of a town

2010-09-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

here's a new tune from mt. desolation. the group boasts members of keane, the killers, mumford & sons, and the long winters.

*departure* mt. desolation

it's funny when people start making comments about this trend of "supergroups" popping up left and right as if it were a new thing. it existed long before monsters of folk came about...crosby, stills, nash & young or the traveling wilburys ring a bell for anyone?

if it means more good music for me, i'm not complaining!

its the new american way

2010-08-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

after a wonderfully full weekend of dylan and take away shows, it all got topped off by getting engaged! while there are a ton of things going on in my life there are also lots of music bits to catch you up on...

..and here's a new-ish tune to start your tuesday with!

*big wave* jenny + johnny

réveille mon âme...

2010-08-26T09:40:00.001-07:00

there are a few things that i feature repeatedly on cast iron songs: dylan, sixties rock, and la blogotheque videos.

its fairly obvious that some of these things are simply my constants in an ever changing music environment. that's why i was so excited to hear that vincent moon, the guy behind the camera, of la blogotheque is making his first visit to portland this week to screen some of his films! la blogotheque friday night, dylan concert saturday night...this weekend is shaping up to be a great one!

here's an amazing one he did with mumford & sons (who are also blowing up it seems!)...

the screening will be at grand detour in se pdx at 8pm.

this summer i did the backstroke

2010-08-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

an oldie but a goodie.
this is not only one of my favorite songs of all time,
but also one of my favorite summer tunes.

*the swimming song* loudon wainwright

i'm enjoying this hot portland weather for as long as possible!

[cinque terre photo from here ]

let it seperate you from yourself

2010-08-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

the miniature tigers had the unfortunate luck of having their debut release fortress come out around the same time as arcade fire's latest offering. poor cats. the good news is that the tigers are generating a good sized buzz of their own despite the glaring suburb-sized press of the aforementioned band.

listen and decide for yourself.

[image: grasses and rushes by patrick winfield. check him out here]
widget courtesy of CoS

don't despair/ don't you dare

2010-08-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

i literally stumbled across this new music by accident today...
while doing a quick once over of npr i noticed this first listen album preview from bon iver drummer, s. carey.

it sounds like the kind of record you want to be listening to in the last days of summer and first days of fall..

*in the dirt* s. carey

the debut solo record all we grow is out next tuesday, aug 24th but can be streamed at npr until then.

*and for all you portland folks, he is on tour now opening for the tallest man on earth. they'll be at the doug fir sept 10th*

oh what a lovely day

2010-08-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

neo-soul and foot-stomping funk.
it all started with a vintage organ.

now fitz & the tantrums are one of the latest additions to the dangerbird roster. not an expected addition to the indie rock label but it would have been hard to see this one coming. once you hear their unique sounds it's no question about why they've gained the attention they have...and all this has just from one debut EP!

more on their story and their debut full-length here.

*breakin' the chains of love* fitz + the tantrums

pickin' up the pieces out august 24th on dangerbird records.

all year long we wait for sun

2010-08-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

by now we've all heard kid cudi's 'pursuit of happiness' whether we realize it or not. it's everywhere. but what about this collab he did with best coast and rostam from vampire weekend...

..with one month left of summer, i figured this was a good way to start out the week. enjoy!

here's the audio to download..

*all summer* kid cudi, best coast, rostam of vampire weekend

i go uptown/ on a quiet day

2010-08-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

i recently came across the music of brooklyn band beach fossils..

ryan adams (who has 4 upcoming releases of his own! retirement smeh-tirement) describes the self-titled beach fossils release as sounding like "jesus and mary chain if they were from a happier, sweeter planet". me being the jamc fan i am listened right away and have been loving this record ever since. perfect summer jams.

*daydream* beach fossils

check these guys out while they are still playing tiny clubs!

where i keep my memories

2010-08-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

it's no secret that i love every song that lissie creates and/or covers. she doesn't hide behind any image or stage persona but rather presents her music raw and simple. there is no masking the killer voice this girl possesses.

well, her debut album, catching a tiger is out now in the uk and drops in the states later this month. the full length has new tunes like 'in sleep' and 'bully' (both can be streamed on her site) and classic covers like hank williams 'wedding bells'.

lissie - in sleep (live) via soundcloud

this is one that everyone should be paying attention to.
even david lynch is giving the girl her due credit!

all the kids have always known

2010-08-03T10:30:00.001-07:00

tuesday means new records. and on this particular tuesday lots of very happy fans will be picking up the new arcade fire album the suburbs..

if for some reason you are undecided about the album and its 8 different (but not really all that different as seen here) covers you can stream the album for a limited time at npr.

here are a couple new tunes to whet your appetite...

*ready to start* arcade fire

*we used to wait* arcade fire

one love/ carries on

2010-08-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

back in the saddle after a lovely vacation in california.

let's get the ball rolling with a old tune by edward sharpe..

*carries on* edward sharpe & the magnetic zeros

when i wake up in a thousand years

2010-07-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

ra ra riot was one of my favorite shows of last summer..

..full of energy, youth, and talent.

so it's a more than welcome sound to hear their new single 'boy' off their upcoming album the orchard. more album details and a free download at their website.

*boy* ra ra riot

sounds like summer..

so composed. so refined.

2010-07-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

i've been hearing murmurs of a solo project from adam stephens for some time now and finally there is proof that it is indeed more than just a rumor..

the two gallants frontman will be releasing his solo debut We Live On Cliffs on Sept 28th of this year. it features the musical talents of my morning jacket, whiskeytown, and blood brothers members respectively.

*the cities that you've burned* adam haworth stephens

stephens' writings and talents as a musician have steadily grown on me and now are something i have come to truly enjoy. i was once strongly encouraged by a close friend of stephens to check out his music, saying it was some of "the most beautiful stuff he'd ever heard." it's not uncommon for musicians to pat other musicians on the back and compliment their offerings but in this case it was an obvious due admiration for another's art.

i hope you all take time to check this one out in the fall.

[more album details at 24bit]

i'm the bigger man here/ it's true

2010-07-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

let's close out the week with a new tune from the walkmen.

i seem to have a love/dislike attitude towards these guys. the first time i saw them at coachella i was smitten. the next time i saw them in portland, i was bored. every so often i'll turn on their pussycats album and remember a few gems i really love. if their new album follows in the footsteps of this single i'm bettin' it'll be a good one. i hope so anyways..

have a lazy weekend...

*stranded*

dreamin my yesterdays and tomorrows

2010-07-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

a lovely tune from vetiver and the fruit bats..

sorry for the lapse in posts, i'm 'bout to go on vacation to good ol' cali..

why don't you make up your mind?

2010-07-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

summer has hit portland in full force! finally.

aussie outfit tame impala have been getting quite the growing buzz surrounding their album innerspeaker and all of its psych-60s glory. worth checking out sooner than later...

*make up your mind* tame impala

in the bedroom singing radio songs

2010-07-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

i was able to get out of the hustle of the city and have a proper holiday this weekend.

so needed. so nice.

expo 86 is out by the way. go pick up a copy!

*little golden age* wolf parade

dreamed i was a wheel/ sailed the silver eyes of morning

2010-06-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

here's some more lo-fi americana for ya'll..

their new record, tall hours in the glowstream, comes out late august..
but for now they've given us this single to tide us over..

*glorylight and christie* cotton jones

these things burn like fire

2010-06-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

today's track is from athens, georgia's own FUTUREBIRDS.

download their ep over at bandcamp (via aquarium drunkard) to tide you over until their EP is released next month.

*megachills*

a guarantee and not a promise

2010-06-25T10:04:00.000-07:00

an oldie, but a goodie.

If it's the beaches/ If it's the beaches' sands you want/ Then you will have them/ If it's the mountains' bending rivers/ Then you will have them/ If it's the wish to run away/ Then I will grant it/ Take whatever you think of While I go gas up the truck/ Pack the old love letters up/ We will read them when we forget why we left here..

*if it's the beaches* the avett brothers

she could keep flying

2010-06-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

f.i.n.a.l.l.y.

new blonde redhead out this september.

the album is called penny sparkle.

*here sometimes*

i know what i am..

2010-06-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

..they know what they are/ so let me be..

way to make it worth gettin' up so early team usa!

*i know what i am* band of skulls

nothing but the whole wide world to gain

2010-06-22T12:31:00.000-07:00

*nothing but the whole wide world* jakob dylan

there's a really great tiny desk session with jakob and neko on npr.
watch it here.

these are the arms you fell into

2010-06-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

"..this is a hammer/this is a hymn/ this is a match/ to a ball of lies.."

*i can see the pines are dancing* a.a. bondy

baby, i'm yours

2010-06-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

this breakbot video is composed of over 2,ooo watercolor images. beautifully done.

[by irina dakeva for wizz]

stay stay stay, if that's what you want

2010-06-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

new cee-lo track for the eclipse soundtrack.
it also has tracks by the black keys, vampire weekend, and a collab by beck and bat for lashes. listen to the entire album at consequence of sound.

*what part of forever* cee-lo green

[image: "Scout" by Richard Phillips]

well if you're not there it's still so beautiful

2010-06-15T15:04:00.000-07:00

if there is ever one reason alone to go to shows its to be able to catch a band exactly when they are hitting their stride. at the beginning of their moment. since you never really know when that is going to be, you have to dig deep and take chances that the show you pick - the band you've heard buzz about - will be at that moment.

delta spirit is having their moment.

i had the chance to see them last week at doug fir and it was the most fun i've had at show in a very long time. people were paying attention and singing along and dancing their hearts out. and even if the crowd didn't respond as enthusiastically as they did, the delta spirit boys would've put every ounce of soul into their performance regardless.

that's just the kind of band they are.
so now would be the moment to go check them out.

*salt in the wound*

*st. francis*

also take some time to look into the romany rye - their opening act for this tour. he'll be having his moment someday too.

go on, i'm not listening..

2010-06-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

finally some solid sun and park time this weekend!

on sunday there were about a hundred little kids at the park and the adults that were supervising them gave them each a green balloon. all at once they let go of every green balloon and it looked like that. i'm not really sure why they did it and if they know how bad that is for the environment.

it still looked pretty though which was probably what they were aiming for.

found this song on a random mix called prism that i downloaded on friday..

*listening* everybody yay

you can try and tell me i'm not good enough/
to chase my dreams/
go on, i'm not listening..

your direction is nowhere but here

2010-06-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

i love this video.

“Your Direction” a single off Chief’s ‘Night & Day’ EP. Chief’s debut album Modern Rituals will see daylight in August via Domino Records. This video compiled by Charles Russell of underdeveloped 16mm FILM he found in his grandparents garage. It is an intimate look inside his family history from the Rockwellian 50’s to the turbulence of the Vietnam War. It relates to “Direction” as the people of America were “trying to find their direction along with the entire country.”

[via from go to whoa ]

delta spirit and the romany rye show tonight!

and he said don't think less of me..

2010-06-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

first aid kit is a folk duo of two sisters from sweden.
their harmonies are nothing short of stunning and perfect..

*i met up with the king*

*ghost town*

the album is called "the big black and the blue"
and its available here

in the morning when we wake

2010-06-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

*northern lights* bowerbirds

And I don't need you to catch my wanderin' mind/
And I don't expect a southern girl to know the northern lights

...

oh they were millions/ we were just one

2010-05-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

*old man chicago* alberta cross

leave the rest at arms length

2010-05-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

sometimes, when something is undeniably good

you can't but help to be a broken record about it..

i finally saw frightened rabbit last week when they came thru pdx.
after waiting so very long to see them, i wasn't disappointed one bit.

they also stopped by OPB for a in-studio performance you should check out..

[to watch, click on the image to go to OPB's site ]

row the boat into the bay/and say you've lost your compass

2010-05-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

somehow i missed hearing about bombadil in recent years
but i'm glad i didn't miss them altogether...

last year's release, "tarpits in canyonlands", is completely quirky and totally enjoyable record if you like things off-beat and inventive. i suggest you go buy it for cheap on lala before they close up shop.

so many different lives/
 so many different ways to hide/
 but if you  open your shutters/
 you might find the joy that only lives outside

 so  many ways to dance/
 so many different meanings for glance/
 but you  only get a few if you keep staring at your shoes/
 you will miss every  single chance 

*so many ways to die*

*honeymoon*

i felt a love/ it was just as wild

2010-05-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

these images by brion nuda rosch remind me of the old travel postcards you find in antique malls. somehow i'm always prone to buy one..

new music by Portland-based band Congratulations
(formerly Eskimo & Sons)...

*juice and syrup*

so i took what i wanted/ and put it out of my reach

2010-05-19T17:06:00.000-07:00

i know i keep going back to this song like an old favorite sweater,
but it is just that good to me...

i wonder how people will look back on this band in thirty or forty years.
will there be fond memories like i have right now
for the folk anthems of the 60s and 70s?

woke like a tree full of bees

2010-05-18T16:13:00.000-07:00

portland's been having an identity crisis,
givin' us weather that reminds me of the South..

all that's missing is the lightining storm.

*sodom, south georgia* iron + wine

if you could reinvent my name

2010-05-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

tallest man on earth.
high line park, nyc.

just don't mention dylan.

[and if you haven't seen his performance at the west village's music inn, you really should!]

little vision come shake me up

2010-05-10T14:21:00.000-07:00

boekner & krug. unstoppable duo.

june will be a good month..

*ghost pressure* wolf parade

*what did my lover say (it always had)* wolf parade

i'm a shake you off though

2010-05-06T21:25:00.000-07:00

i had forgotten about this one.
if a song was ever described as haunting, it'd be this one..

*werewolf* cocorosie

when i'm with you

2010-05-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

lo-fi best coast tune + french film from the 60s =

it makes me wish that i could still find that video of "the red balloon" that someone paired with a grizzly bear song.
copyrights are so lame sometimes..

happy cinco de mayo!

the kids don't stand a chance

2010-04-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

i don't know.
i like this today, i might not tomorrow.
this was always my favorite VW song so why not right?

*the kids* b.o.b [vampire wknd cover]

is it all worth it in the end my friend

2010-04-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

currently on repeat: treetop flyers - bury the past ep

named after a stephen stills song,
these guys had me hooked on the first song i heard..

*the mountain*

it's music like this that sounds like a continuation of the folk music tradition of story-telling. it all seems to blend together into one large story. i've been listening to this david crosby record all weekend and then hearing this..it just seems like they are carrying on some sort of proverbial music torch..

*is it all worth it?"

as far as i know you can only buy the ep online but i guarantee its worth it!

when you've seen the very best/ the rest can hardly play

2010-04-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

he sat in the audience for johnny cash's san quentin performances.
he train hopped from oregon to california.
and what did he learn from that?

"take enough money to ride the bus."

merle haggard's latest is streaming at npr. 
do yourself a favor and listen.


*i've seen it go away*

louder than bombs

2010-04-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

yes please. let's go here..

*ask* the smiths

and every day, i waited for you

2010-04-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

"We only write about two feelings: one is the first day of summer when you and all of your friends are standing on the edge of a cliff watching the sun set and being overcome with all of your hopes and dreams at once. The other is when you're walking alone in the rain and realize you will be alone forever."

oh talk don't change a thing

2010-04-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

bless this mess/
we tried our best/
that's all that we can do..

and this fable world's comin’ down hard/
the wall's comin’ down hard/
on all our homes/
so hold a hand for cover/
hold a hand for cover from harm..

talk don't change a thing/
oh, it's fading fader..

..words don't sink it swims

*fader* the temper trap

you can go your own way

2010-04-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

either the sun comes out when i play fleetwood mac
or i just get strange inclinations to listen to 'rumours' on sunny spring days.

i'm not complaining either way.
it's like how somber folk music is for the fall..
spring is for sixties and seventies rock..

or just for always.

*go your own way*

time won't save our souls

2010-04-12T22:57:00.000-07:00

it's been awhile since i've listened to this album but i put on BRMC's "Howl" today and just could not turn it off..

hank williams all morning/ brmc all afternoon.

*still suspicion holds you tight* brmc

she got soul.

2010-04-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

feel better gee. wish i was there.

*bluebird* buffalo springfield

carry these stories from north to south

2010-04-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

if you don't already know lissie's music this will be an awfully strange introduction. she has a voice that's reminiscent of stevie nicks and her music is all folk soul and fantastic, but this..
this is just monday fun...

here's a sample of her own music too sans lady gaga

*old mississippi*

you can judge the whole world/on the sparkle that you think it lacks

2010-03-31T11:58:00.001-07:00

..you can stare into the abyss but its staring right back.

*when my time comes* dawes

this is small town music/ this is big town music

2010-03-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

i was first introduced to hockey about a year and a half ago when they recorded some songs at the studio i used to work at.  i think i might just like this song because of the john hughes-ness of the video mixed with the fireworks at the end.
i love fireworks.

i know some of you opinion-minded friends of mine will have something to say, so don't hesitate this time to tell me what you think about it..

2010-03-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

the wait will be worth it

2010-03-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

*airplanes* local natives

i can't decide whether i love this song more because of the fact it's a good song or because the singer supposedly wrote it for his grandfather who had passed away.
i think both are good reasons.
it makes me grateful for the time i had with my grandma,
and that could be the first time a rock song has done that..

set the sails/ i feel the winds a'stirring

2010-03-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

i heard the low anthem play a live studio set on kcrw's morning becomes eclectic yesterday and was utterly blown away. maybe i'm late on the draw with these guys but they are fantastic and have a true modern folk sound which at some moments sounds strangely like cat stevens (for me, this is not a bad thing). not to mention thoughtful lyrics and creative cover song choices. watch this video and then go take a listen to the live set here.

and then probably go buy the album.
it's called 'oh my god, charlie darwin'

everybody's hustlin' just to have a little scene

2010-03-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

queen jane approximately.

seriously good mix.

click on the images to get there.

heaven knows, it's got to be this time

2010-03-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

is it really only wednesday?

these have been on repeat bc its that kind of week:

i don't know much about this first band..

*the green room* the tins
..except they are from brooklyn (shocking).

&

joy division's version of ceremony..

..which i heard was the last song ian curtis wrote before he died and the first song new order released upon being renamed..

what would you do if i sang out of tune?

2010-03-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

i thought this could set a good tone for the week...

it makes me happy for so many reasons..
and not only just because it reminds me of home.

the good old days/the honest man

2010-03-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

sometimes i deliberately decide to not listen to new records that are being thrust at you as if they're the next savior of music. call it stubborn, call it dismissive..it happens. but occasionally, i'll put aside my prejudgements and often i'm surprised to find i actually like some of the songs that all the hype was about (some, not all).

that happened with another pop culture something recently..i finally gave some time to watching episodes of friday night lights. i'd been hearing about it for so long, and now i am fully on the fnl bandwagon.
it gets you hook, line, and sinker - sort of like the new frightened rabbit record.

so this is the friday confessional:
- friday night lights - addicting. so much more than just football.
- frightened rabbit - everything i hoped the new record would be.
-sorry for so many b&w pictures lately.
(i'm a sucker for them. i'll refrain..until i get that roll from nyc developed..)

two songs for your listening pleasure.
my favorite track off the new FR

*foot shooter*

the most fitting song from the FNL soundtrack

*devil town* bright eyes

i'm in love/ what's that song?

2010-03-17T22:41:00.000-07:00

in memoriam.

paul westerburg had some great things to say about chilton and this story at pitchfork is a really great one.
there are a lot of tributes to come i'm sure..

in the meantime, one of my favorites..

*alex chilton* the replacements

children by the million sing for alex chilton when he comes 'round/
they sing "i'm in love. what's that song?/
i'm love with that song"

the horses are coming so you better run

2010-03-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

hello sunshine..

*dog days are over* florence + the machine
[currently on heavy rotation ]

sending messages with a mirror

2010-03-11T10:24:00.000-08:00

"one can have, it turns out, affection for the war years.." -steve martin

*me and jane doe* charlotte gainsbourg

trick pony

2010-03-08T11:10:00.000-08:00

best and worst things about yesterday's oscar ceremony..

best:

steve martin and alec baldwin as hosts
the john hughes tribute
those tom ford suits
jeff bridges' win and how he kept saying 'man' in his speech
katherine bigelow

worst:

no stand out speeches
slightly disappointing fashion choices for the ladies [only s.bullock and carey mulligan really looked the part of winners]
the fact i now have to bite my tongue and go see the blind side

all joking aside, i still feel that more people should go see 'an education' and 'crazy heart' (and 'the young victoria' for that matter). those were two of the best films i've seen recently for stellar performances and pitch perfect stories.
'a single man' - not to be confused with 'a serious man' - was an impressive debut from tom ford. for those of us that are familiar with him as a designer, you can see how much his discerning eye and impeccable style shaped the vision of this film. every still shot could stand alone as a knockout photograph. not to overlook colin firth's performance...but seriously tom ford, keep doing movies!

enough for now, i'll leave you with the latest from charlotte gainsbourg..

*trick pony*

words of prophets are written on the subway walls

2010-03-05T16:31:00.000-08:00

it's oscar weekend!!

i was watching the graduate the other day and just keep thinking about how perfect this song was for the opening of the film..maybe it has something to do with the whole arriving at LAX moment, but..

*sound of silence*

don't you agree?

[cross your fingers that avatar doesn't win everything..]

don't i know you better than the rest

2010-03-03T14:36:00.000-08:00

*zebra* beach house

but i'm just free dancing

2010-03-01T11:59:00.001-08:00

loving the new devendra banhart album.
this song is guilty of being stuck in my head all weekend..

*16th & Valencia Roxy Music*

we get covered with dirt and rainbows

2010-02-26T00:35:00.000-08:00

On a day a lot like this I was wandering, I was amiss

And the memories came back to me/
They were bent, and they were broken and they were funny/
I was younger, so much more innocent I did not question what anything meant..

There's a river, so we go where it goes/
We get covered with dirt and rainbows/
We're giving it up again/ We're giving it up again

And if you go, I'll go, and we'll go together/
And they went out looking for a new kind of love/
Like a child, we get hungry and restless and wicked and wild...

*new kind of love* plants and animals

new plants & animals album out in april..new single for download here.

true love cast out evil

2010-02-22T11:27:00.000-08:00

roky erickson teams up with okkervil river for his new album..
first one in 14 yrs. it's never too late..

*goodbye sweet dreams*

this wouldn't have been a far-fetched idea for another song for the crazy heart soundtrack...

but if the change remains/ to see those better days

2010-02-19T16:47:00.000-08:00

..and try something new. maybe something you're scared of?

..the assurance of things hoped for/
the conviction of things not seen..

at the very least, enjoy the weekend.

*giving up the gun* vampire weekend

don't look away when there's nothing there

2010-02-18T12:40:00.000-08:00

this has never been a place to write out straight thoughts.
any thoughts usually end up rather cryptic and something only i understand. i typically default to creating the feeling with a image and a song.

i woke up to a link a friend had sent with the new FR album attached. hello new day!
that brought me to this middle ground: the xx...

*basic space*

the good thing about having so much "free time" to work on a story/script is that i have just that, time.
the bad thing is that it gives me more time to be critical of it. heavy and light. i'll learn..

swim until you can't see land

2010-02-11T18:32:00.000-08:00

mere days until the new frightened rabbit record. seriously, it's been a long enough wait already. i revisited some old music the last few days when i had the ipod on random shuffle. it played both these songs and got me thinking about the new music to come from both these artists...

*music now* frightened rabbit

*silently* blonde redhead

there comes a time when patience runs out my friends. especially when you are sequestered indoors to avoid the gray rain outside. i believe it is known as hibernating. thank God for some sun today.

send food and coffee. and the new FR record if you have any grace whatsoever.

sinking ships don't lie

2010-02-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

not too long ago i wrote about this band of street musicians i discovered at a completely random party i went to in l.a...they're part new orleans jazz band, part street-busking gypsy set, brothers from nashville.

and while it's hard to experience their music via video - trust me, it really is an experience, not just a listening party - i had to give you something. i present to you, the blasting company...

the above video is actually in portland at mississippi studios.
the below video is their common hiding place - los angeles sidewalks.

if this doesn't get your foot tapping, i'm not sure what will..

stick up for yourself son

2010-02-09T10:09:00.000-08:00

these shots by ryan mcginley are stunning.

the models are actual members of the 2010 olympic team

..and they are dressed in the most ridiculously delicate clothing from Rodarte.

the overall effect is pretty awe-inspiring...

more here...

*madder red* yeasayer (new record out today)

we took our souls and we flew away

2010-02-08T12:35:00.000-08:00

"I said I love. That is the promise. Now, I have to sacrifice myself so that through me the word 'love' means something. As a reward, at the end of of this long undertaking, I will end up being he who loves. That is, I will merit the name I gave myself. A man, nothing but a man, no better than any other, but no other better than he."
_Jean-Luc Godard_

*comes a time* neil young

any way you run

2010-02-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

love lou.

short film for vanessa bruno..

i know my call despite my faults

2010-01-25T10:30:00.000-08:00

this is what my saturday night looked like: started out in an beautiful old theater with the ah-mazing chamber orchestra and stunning mandolin concerto by chris thile. ended at a strange house party boasting an insane group of musicians that sounded like someone had picked up a new orleans jazz band and dropped them smack in the middle of echo park. they blew me away..

and speaking of being blown away, i cannot stop listening to mumford and sons.

*the cave*

seriously, i lack the discipline to quit playing their music.
i don't think i've been this enamoured with a newer band since frightened rabbit.

*white blank page* bbc radio 1 session

they are gut-wrenchingly good songs..

good luck getting these out of your head.

i know you know

2010-01-20T21:32:00.000-08:00

sometimes i'll go thru dry spells with music where i won't really seek out anything new.
i'll listen to my constant go-to's and not much else..

LA has seen the opposite of dry spells over the last few days - it's been pouring down buckets. so while some people have been completely incapable of driving in the rain and others are on an odd coastal torando watch, i've been sequestering myself indoors watching movies and trying to find something new to keep my attention. today i went to go see an afternoon showing of "the young victoria" (really well done, by the way) and one of the previews was for a concert with world renowned mandolin player, chris thile. i'm hoping to catch the show he's doing this weekend with the LA chamber orchestra and this 20-something juilliard prodigy, nico muhly. but in the meantime, i'm quite entertained by his latest band, the punch brothers...

this is what happens if you start playing mandolin at age 5.

chairs to sit and sidewalks to walk on

2010-01-13T12:51:00.000-08:00

vampire weekend volume two.
you can listen to their second album "contra" over at npr.com ...
then go buy it because those prepsters did a pretty good job!

and they are giving away one of their songs too..

enjoy!

an always within never

2010-01-08T13:58:00.000-08:00

"So here is my profound thought for the day: this is the first time I have met someone who seeks out people and who sees beyond. That may seem trivial but I think it is profound all the same. We never look beyond our assumptions and, what's worse, we have given up trying to meet others; we just meet ourselves. We don't recognize each other because other people have become our permanent mirrors. If we actually realized this, if we were to become aware of the fact that we are only ever looking at ourselves in the other person, that we are alone in the wilderness, we would go crazy."

_Paloma Josse in "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery_

i picked up this book because of two reasons: one, i like books that are set in Paris; and two, because i heard that this was the book that Sofia Coppola is adapting for her next film. despite a slower start, it turns into one of the most charming and gratifying books i've read in awhile. if the film turns out half as good as this brillantly heartbreaking story is, it will still be a film worth your while.

*the giantess* bombay bicycle club

i had the blues but i shook them loose

2010-01-07T11:18:00.000-08:00

this is what it looks like when the bombay bicycle club meets photos by rune guneriussen

*always like this* bombay bicycle club

you were born to play that part..

2010-01-04T18:04:00.000-08:00

welcome to another new year!

i don't think it'd be right to start the new year out on any other foot but this one..

*tangled up in blue* dylan

he had this to say about the time/space, story-telling nature of this song:

"..you've got yesterday, today and tomorrow all in the same room, and there's very little you can't imagine not happening.." -b.d.

it's all happening, indeed.

and we'll take a cup o' kindness yet..

2009-12-31T10:47:00.000-08:00

happy new year to you all!

[henri cartier-bresson 1959]

*auld lang syne* the cast