Broken Bells - 02/19/2010

On Friday morning Broken Bells broke the news of playing their very first live show that evening at the Fold In Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles. 150 of us we're lucky enough to score tickets to the intimate first performance of the anticipated collaboration of James Mercer (the Shins) and Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley). And boy, was it intimate. Their album isn't out for another week but of course most fans already knew the tracks they were playing. Even Mercer jokingly commented about it and with the audience nervously laughing he begun the next song by letting us know, "Ah, it's okay" and finally a smile!
Understandably they seemed a bit nervous for the first few songs, but towards the end they loosened up and realized the good time they (& the audience!) were having. Brian (Danger Mouse) stationed himself on the drums for most songs, but occasionally jumped over to the bass, guitar, synth AND keyboards. When Mercer happens to sing, you feel like you are the only person in the room.. uh, or that could just be me, ha. The backup vocals coming from the 4(!) other band members definitely intensified the lyrical performance. Members included Nate and Nik from Conor Oberst's Mystic Valley and Jonathan and Dan, former members of Hella. All six of them on stage sets the bar high for their live sound, memorably Citizen sticks out with its wide sound of guitars and keys. For an encore Brian and Mercer joined the stage by themselves to cover a beautiful song from the band, Neutral Milk Hotel. And for the closer, the whole band reunited to lead the crowd in a great rendition of Cinder and Smoke. For such a powerful and fulfilling first show there are only endless possibilities coming ahead for Broken Bells. Soon enough, we'll see the great potential the band as a whole has with their ability to fill a room of their deep and breathtaking sound.

Setlist:
The High Road
Vaporize
Your Head Is on Fire
The Ghost Inside
Sailing to Nowhere
Trap Doors
Citizen
October
Mongrel Heart
The Mall and the Misery
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Crimson & Clover

World Sick - Broken Social Scene

FINALLY! New Broken Social Scene, it's only been a whole 5 years since their last album. Yeah, they have had multiple solo projects going on, but we all miss that sweet BSS sound. For the new album, Forgiveness Rock Record they've skinnied the group down, but have an overload of guest appearances from Feist, Pavement(!), Metric, the Sea and Cake & more! Check out the new track at their myspace
Or download:

BTW: how sick is that album art?

BONNAROO LINEUP

I'm a big music festival goer.
And I mean, big. I have been to all kinds, and still have a lot more to attend. But my ultimate #1 will always be Bonnaroo. And yes, I do believe that Coachella 2010 looks amazing. I should be heading there since I am a California native. But something isn't really pulling me to Indio this year.
So instead, I'm considering to save my money for June and head 2,080 miles to Manchester, TN and bask in the glory that is the ultimate of music festivals. Larger time slots, ins and outs, open camping, no beer gardens, more likely to have musical collaborations... and those are just the beginning of why everything Bonnaroo makes me a really really happy person.

The lineup is being announced an act every 6 minutes on the Bonnaroo myspace. So far, it's pretty good but I am sure there will be some surprises.

RumoredConfirmed: Daryl Hall & Chromeo, psh I am already sold!

The Avett Brothers - The Flaming Lips w/ Stardeath And White Dwarfs perform "Dark Side of the Moon" - Weezer : Medeski Marth & Wood - John Fogerty - Cross Canadian Ragweed - Ingrid Michaelson - Phoenix - The XX - Regina Spektor - Mayer Hawthorne and the County - Wale - Steve Marthin & the Steep Canyon Rangers - Norah Jones - Bassnectar - OK GO - Monte Montgomery - Jay-Z - Punch Brothers - Thievery Corporation - Gwar - She & Him - Jimmy Cliff - Tokyo Police Club - Kid Cudi - Japandroids - Dr. Dog - Baaba Maal - Neon Indian - Zac Brown Band - The National - John Prine - Dave Matthews Band - Dave Rawlings Machine - Local Natives - Dropkick Murphys - Manchester Orchestra - Jeff Beck - Jay Electronica - The Postelles - Carolina Chocolate Drops - Rebelution - Damian Marley & Nas - Needtobreathe - Tenacious D - The Black Keys - Jamey Johnson - They Might Be Giants - The Entrance Band - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Clutch - Tori Amos - The Melvins - The Dodos - Kings of Leon - The Dead Weather - Rise Against - Deadmau5 - Martin Sexton - Blitzen Trapper - The Gaslight Anthem - Mumford & Sons - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue - Baroness - Julia Nunes - Here We Go Magic - Tinariwen - The Disco Biscuits - Diane Birch - Lucero - Isis - Miranda Lambert - Kris Kristofferson - LCD Soundsystem - Brandi Carlie - B.O.B. - Daryl Hall & Chromeo - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes - Blues Traveler - The Temper Trap - Michael Franti & Spearhead - Dan Deacon Ensemble - Les Claypool - Miike Snow - Against Me - Calexico - Hot Rize - Stevie Wonder

hype it up!

The latest adds to my hypemachine dashboard.
1-LBCK-Have to rep kids from my hometown. It's a motivating song if you just downed a cup of coffee and need to do something productive (say like, unpack your new room that's been a mess for a good week now? nah.). Yeah, it's a go getter.
2-I know, everyone is tired of MGMT, but Electric Feel will always be a special one (hello, best coachella dance off song 2008!). It's pretty they way Cleast Eatwood (tehee) covers it.
3-Because two of my best friends might love this remix more than their siblings. Just maybe....

Commercials!

Best part of super bowl for me?
Hearing Grizzly Bear in a car commercial.
The car commercials always get the best songs..


Also, did you see the NFl tribute one?
Arcade Fire! Seems like Wake Up is the perfect
song for those emotionally driven moments.

First Train Home - Imogen Heap

Imogen Heap is back, and boy it is worth the wait.
Check out her video for First Train Home..



If you haven't got her album yet, get it now.
Or listen to a few tracks here.
Bad Body Double has a huge
soft spot in my little heart.

The High Road - Broken Bells

The first video from the highly anticipated musical collaboration of Danger Mouse and James Mercer (front man of The Shins for those of you stuck in a hole), Broken Bells. It's shot by director Sophie Muller and features DM and JM wandering on a highway near a troubled town. It has some beautiful shots...
check it out!

The High Road

Broken Bells | MySpace Music Videos