local: Julianna Barwick

"Come Around"

Some of the most beautiful new music I've heard this year comes from Julianna Barwick. The Brooklyn based sound collage artist's take on loop based ambiance feels like it was birthed during a year long dream. It is devoid of space and time, and exists in the invisible ether surrounding us. It is both timeless and space-age. Mournful and uplifting, like the dawning of a new day. While it was her remix of Radiohead's "Reckoner" that initially drew me to her, it's her phenomenal Daytrotter session that got me hooked (not a surprise). Highly rec'd seeing Julianna 12/6 at the Cake Shop, where you can pick up a copy of her 13-track, 23 minute record Sanguine. For a taste of Julianna's dreams, check out this set from Greenpoint's Cafe Grumpy, courtesy of Sing Like Buildings.


Julianna Barwick- first song
Julianna Barwick- fifth song

Bobkast #17: After Hours

"Everything In Its Right Place"
(Photo by Thomas Hawk)
Saturday nights inevitably end in someone's living room, fresh beers in hand and pizza boxes, with only a few dusty crumbs inside, strewn across coffee tables.

The process begins around two, sometimes earlier, when one feels the itch to 'get the hell out of where ever they are', but doesn't want to end their night with an Irish exit from some god foresaken bar.

Idea! Rally likeminded troops and soldier on toward the closest corner store and the Pizza place (or Diner). Beer in one hand, 'za in the other, the herd moves toward a nearby apartment. They huddle around a dirty coffee table, TV on in the corner, some detective noir on mute. Smokes are smoked, 'za crushed, as brew soothes pizza burnt mouthes (or sits in the open bottle until said apt owner picks it up in the morning, sighs, and pours it down the drain).

Of course, there are tunes, perfect tunes that seem to breathe from barely lit walls. And dancing, on coffee tables, until legs get jello-y and eyes heavy, and the couch calls your name. You sit. Bite off a piece of half-chewed, totally burnt crust, wash it down with a lukewarm, soon-to-be-wounded soldier. You slowly drift off into the ether.

Bobkast #17: After Hours
Amadou & Miriam- Sebali
Cut Copy- Midnight Runner
Outkast- Spottieottiedopaliscious
Radiohead- Everything In Its Right Place
The Duke Spirit- A Message to Pretty (Cousin Cole's Compakt Mix)
Lindstrom & Prins Thomas- Feel AM
M83- Kim & Jessie (Montage remix)
Memory Cassette- Asleep At A Party
Spiritualized- Harmony 6
TV On The Radio- Family Tree
Koushik- Nothing's The Same
M83- Midnight Souls Still Remain

Download Bobkast #17: After Hours (PC: right click + save; Mac: apple+option)

viddyo: "All I Need"

"Waiting in the wings / I'm an animal"

Radiohead's "All I Need" provides the soundtrack to some amazing footage from the 1996 French film Microcosmos. Lovingly stitched together by J. Tyler Helms, to simply call this mix of audio/visual wizardy "synergistic" would be a gross understatement. Says Mr. Helms: "The sensual pace and delicate melody of the song reminded me of a world much smaller than ours, with all the love and violence we experience." Indeed. Looking forward to watching Microcosmos by itself after being inspired by this incredible video.

All Points West: Saturday

"All I Need"
(Photo by Jonny Leather)
If things hadn't gotten so down right dirty at the Hercules & Love Affair show, post-Radiohead on Friday, we probably could've made it to Liberty State Park a little earlier. But who wants to go to a clean disco show? Not I. And so was the case Saturday when we arrived at APW at the tail end of Metric's set on the Main ("Blue Comet") Stage. While Emily Haines was looking sexy as ever, the day didn't truly start for us until Animal Collective took over Jersey City. AC threw a monkey wrench into the very "accessible" All Points West lineup, which consisted of a lot of ear friendly acts more likely to win over new fans than scare the be-jesus out of them. But, hey, that's why Animal Collective rules. As expected the band stuck to the general set they've been bringing all summer, including Panda Bear's "Comfy in Nautica", the explosive "Fireworks -> Essplode", the philosophical psyche piece "House (Material Things)" and the new jam (gem) "Brother Sport." Needless to say, AC brought it hard and left us hard of hearing, literally. AC's set was so bombastic that the Geologist was literally moving the earth with gutteral bass and punishing %&^$% (unknown sound). It literally took Hunter and I a good twenty minutes and a nice jaunt around the park to fully regain our hearing...only to get our ears pooped on by Kings of Leon.

(Photos by Self-TitledMag)



(Photo by Jonny Leather)
After washing the urine and feces from our ear canals it was time to get serious. Night 2 of Radiohead. Night 1 was, well, everything you'd expect from one of the most talented bands in the world. Night 2 did not disappoint, with Thom and Co. ripping apart classics like "Planet Telex" and "Fake Plastic Trees", while also slaying "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" and "Weird Fishes/Arpeggio." There is something to be said about the goosebump inducing power of 40,000 strong singing "the beat goes round and round" in sync with Mr. Yorke. I'm not sure what that something is, but when I figure it out, I will cry, and then do my best to communicate it. Oh yeah, they ended the show with "Idioteque"... Shazam. The only bummer about Radiohead's set Saturday night was that I knew I wouldn't be seeing them Sunday. Oh well, guess I have an excuse to head to Japan in a few months.

"Idioteque" @ All Points West 8/9/08

All Points West: Friday

"It is now the witching hour..."

You know the difference between Radiohead and other bands equally long in the tooth? Radiohead can still bring it. More specifically though, what other band has been around so long and can play every song but one off their new (7th) studio album, and not just get away with it, but fucking rock it? Well that's exactly what happened Friday night at conveniently located All Points West Festival. And you know how eco-friendly cars are great for the environment, but kind of suck? Well Radiohead's lighting system uses solar charged batteries that use 1/4 the amps of similar systems (the better to reduce their carbon footprint, my dear), and it was still the best light show I've ever seen. Clearly these guys have a few things figured out.

Another reason why this show was unbelievable? Setlist highlights were not what I would have guessed (and I saw them just 2 months ago), even with typical standouts "Idioteque" and "There There" on the bill. "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" got the whole crowd bouncing, glitchy Hail to the Thief track "The Gloaming", which has been refitted with jumpy new drum and bass sections, surprised the hell out of everyone (see the shitty vid below, but you get the idea), and "You and Whose Army?" was accompanied by some black and white camera right in Thom Yorke's face (better than it sounds). And yes, okay, Idioteque was fucking sweet.
"Lucky" @ All Points West 8/8/08






....Aaaaand did I mention Grizzly Bear and Andrew Bird? Both wowed in different ways... while Grizzly Bear were more of the "That band sounds really great" variety, Andrew Bird was more a "Holy shit that guy's talent is goddamn intimidating". Both played some songs off their recent albums (Yellow House and Armchair Apochrypha, respectively), as well as excellent new stuff slated for release later this year. Of course I'm referring to everyone's new favorite Grizz song "Two Weeks", which you can watch below. No Doveman with the arpeggios on this one, but it's fantastic all the same...


Extremely awesome photo of Thom by baonguyen.

we saw: Radiohead

"I'm not here, this isn't happening..."

There is pretty much only one band that I would drive 7 hours and spend $200 to see... Neutral Milk Hotel. But until THAT happens, I'll make due with Radiohead. They rocked the shit out of Hotlanta last Thursday night, with a Kid A/In Rainbows heavy set that made it all worth while. But be forewarned: for those of you who plan on catching them later on this tour, they start early... like nine o'clock early. With tickets saying doors opened at 8, we arrived at 9:15, fully expecting to catch the last half of Liars' opening set before the paranoid brits did their thing. We were wrong, and now I may never see "There There" live. Still, with two (!) encores, it's clear that Thom and co. are doing this tour the right way, and giving the fans their money's worth. Peep the setlist to get an idea of what they've got road-ready:

1. All I Need
2. There There
3. Lucky
4. 15 Step
5. Where I End and You Begin (and we show up late)
6. Nude
7. Pyramid Song
8. Optimistic
9. Wierd Fishes/ Arpeggi
10. National Anthem
11. Idioteque
12. You and Whose Army?
13. Reckoner
14. Everything In Its Right Place
15. Bangers and Mash
16. Bodysnatchers
17. Videotape

First Encore
18. The Gloaming
19. Talk Show Host
20. Just
21. Faust Arp
22. How To Disappear Completely

Second Encore
23. Paranoid Android
24. House of Cards

here's what "There There" might look like live...

remixed: Radiohead

"A handshake of carbon monoxide"

Before Radiohead hooked fans up with the tracks to make their own remixes, producers had to take it upon themselves. Such is the case with Panzah Zandahz, the beat constructor who does an excellent job tweaking exquisitely arranged, multifaceted "rock" songs and transforming them into stoney downtempo killers well suited for late night blunt cruises, or early morning fornication. From what I understand, Charles found this at Charleston's 525. He thought it looked odd and sweet, albeit expensive (especially for a CD-R). We'll I'm certainly glad he shelled out the loot that fateful afternoon because Radiohead: Me and This Army is well worth the purchase. Nice score, Chuck. Panzah post apocalyptic Radiohead Panzah get a facelift from hip hop mad housers MF DOOM, Ghostface, Gift of Gab and Mr. Lif. While their lyrical contributions are welcome, they pale in comparison to subtle tweaks Zandahz works in and around Radiohead classics.

Radiohead- No Surprises (none at all really) {reconstructed by Panzah Zandahz}
Radiohead- Daytona 500 (panzah zandahz iron lung remix featuring Ghostface)

Sunday Brunch: Muxtape

Missing XL-II's like whoa

Dura sent me a link to Muxtape the other morning. It's pretty sweet, so I figured we'd make an inaugural mux. Think of it as a belated St. Patrick's day present, from us to you. No theme here, just a few randoms I've been enjoying and threw together. Expect this to change over the coming weeks. Without further adieu, our first muxtape.

Hello Blue Roses- My Shadow Falls
Dr. Dog- Heart it Races (Architecture in Helsinki cover)
Ra Ra Riot- St. Peter's Day Festival (Daytrotter session)
Peter and the Wolf- Better Days
The War on Drugs- Buenos Aires Beach
Sera Cahoone- Only as Long as the Day
Radiohead- Unravel
Mindbenders- Groovy Kind of Love
Silver Jews- Black and Brown Blues
Arthur Russell- A Little Lost
Fleet Foxes- He Doesn't Know Why
Port O'Brien- I Woke Up Today

Make your own Muxtape here

under the covers: Marissa Nadler

"I Met You In The Belly of a Whale"

In the 19th century, an entire generation of kids in rural farm towns across America were raised on opium infused elixirs; cough syrups sold to their mothers by traveling salesmen and mail order catalogs. Imagine what it'd be like to walk a mile in those kids shoes; mind aimlessly wandering, constant out of focus/blurry vision, and that God foresaken opium itch. Must've been tough.

Marissa Nadler's Espers infused trance-folk is the musical equivalent to the ethereal opiate state. She loves covers and, coincidently, we love her covers. When she does her thing with Leonard Cohen and Neil Young (twice) numbers, you almost forget that you're listening to someone else's song (from a long time ago). Down below you'll find a video of Marissa covering one of my all time favorite Radiohead songs, "No Surprises." In other Nadler news, Peacefrog just released Marissa's majestic Song III: Bird On The Water on limited edition vinyl (500 to be exact). Don't sleep on that shit. Also be sure to keep an eye out for a new record from Marissa in 2008.

Marissa Nadler- Cortez the Killer (Neil Young)
Marissa Nadler- Clairaudients (Bright Eyes)
Marissa Nadler- Expecting to Fly (Neil Young)
Marissa Nadler- For the Good Times (Kris Kristoferson)
Marissa Nadler- Famous Blue Raincoat (Leonard Cohen)

Marissa Nadler covering Radiohead's "No Surprises"

go now: There Will Be Blood

"Oil!"

I had given Johnny Greenwood's score to There Will Be Blood a few digital spins and knew it was good, but it wasn't until tonight when I saw the film that it truly hit me. While the movie left 2/3 of the Bobka speechless, literally, Greenwood's score had us sneering some sinister "I've struck it big and will destroy anyone or anything that gets in my way" smile all the way back to Jersey. Entertainment Weekly recently had an interview with the film's director, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Greenwood, where Anderson noted that "The whole opening 20 minutes was meant to be silent." Without Greenwood's unsettling, often nihilistic, string arrangements the opening scenes of this incredible film would be lost in a haze of dirty desert sage. With the score you are transported into the menacing mind of a broke down prospector traversing the wicked desert in search of the unattainable American dream, to strike it rich.

Fans of Radiohead and Anderson's work (Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love) may want to check out the above mentioned interview HERE. I know it's not playing in many theaters yet but if you are in the New York area you can catch a showing at the AMC Loews Lincoln Square or at the BAM theater in Brooklyn. Buy the Soundtrack HERE. If you haven't seen it yet, the theatrical trailer is below. No doubt about it, if this film doesn't win best score, best picture, best actor (Daniel Day- Lewis), best supporting actor (Paul Dano) and best screen adaptation than something is seriously wrong with the world.




There Will Be Blood

The Bobkast #6: Gray Skies, Sinking Suns

With winter comes snow and trees

Despite Global Warming's best efforts, Winter is officially upon us, and this latest installment of The Bobkast was made with the transition of the seasons in mind. And here's another "Inconvenient Truth": you will likely enjoy this mix, despite knowing little about (or being aesthetically opposed to) 'electronic' music. The tracks featured have a somewhat chilly vibe, but still provide enough warmth to get you tappin' your frozen toes and humming along to the melodies, as they come together to create a sound that can best be described as "indie-electronica." So bundle up tight, put on some warm headphones, and pray for a snow day.

Boards Of Canada- Olson
Mobius Band- The Loving Sounds of Static (Junior Boys Remix)
Matthew Dear's Big Hands- Deserter (live)
Matthew Dear- Don And Sherri (Hot Chip Version)
Hot Chip- The Warning
Aphex Twin- Fingerbib
Four Tet- And Then Patterns
Boards Of Canada- Roygbiv
Radiohead- Reckoner
Amon Tobin- Stoney Street
Prefuse 73- Uprock And Invigorate
Mobius Band- 2 Kinds of Light
The Slip- Mr. Meowskers (live)

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PS- Lichtenstein painted the piece above.