video: Fleet Foxes

"Over Near Tennessee"

Two of my favorite songs of 2k8. Casey adds some melodica to Blue Ridge Mountains, a perfect, almost Parisian, touch to the Appalachain hymn. Once again, go see le Fleet Foxes ASAP.

we saw: Fleet Foxes at Grand Ballroom

"When I First Came To Town They Called Me The Roving Jewels"
(Photo by Play Vicious)
As expected, last nights Fleet Foxes show at the Grand Ballroom was another blessing. No surprise, considering every time we've seen them, with exception of Pitchfork Fest, they've been absolutely magical. Last night's set wasn't too different from what I've seen in the past, but it did feature a healthy Robin, a first for us New Yorkers, and a standing Robin taboot. Highlights of the evening were Robin's solo, totally unplugged versions of traditional standard "Katie Cruel", a personal favorite, and "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song." They also unleashed a not-quite-finished new song, "Silver City", which they've been playing on the road, and features Robin on electric guitar. And, of course, "Mykonos" continues to define itself as the definition of new American gospel folk, a made up genre that perfectly suits le Fleet Foxes. If our prior posts on the wonders of the Fleet Foxes didn't make you immediately buy tickets to their next show, please do yourself a favor and make it happen. You will not be disappointed.

Setlist:Sun Giant->Sun Rises->Drops in the River, English House, White Winter Hymnal, Ragged Wood, Your Protector, Crayon Angels (Judee Sill Cover) {Robin solo}, Oliver James{Robin solo}, Quiet Houses, He Doesn't Know Why, Mykonos,

Encore: Katie Cruel (Traditional) {Robin unplugged, solo}, Tiger Mountain Peasant Song {Robin unplugged, solo}, Silver City(new song), Blue Ridge Mountains

Fleet Foxes- Silver City (Live at the El Rey Theatre) (new song)
Fleet Foxes- Katie Cruel (Nashville Sessions)
Fleet Foxes- Mykonos (BBC Sessions)

Pitchfork Day 2: Fleet Foxes

"What A Life I Lead"
(This Great Photo was taken by Kristiecat)
After Caribou it was time to get down on another set of Fleet Foxes. After seeing them in two small (Bowery Ballroom and Union Hall, respectively) venues, I figured this afternoon slot on the main stage at a sort-of large festival wouldn't be the Foxes best. I wasn't wrong, but I wasn't right either. After a few sketchy tech problems that made it sound like Fuck Buttons were playing alongside them, the Foxes settled into their unique brand of baroque sylvan pop. Harmonies were high and tight, which Dizzee Rascal's crew didn't appreciate (they were heckling from their trailer). While the band doesn't play potent festi rock, as say Boris or !!!, the swelling audience didn't seem to have a problem getting entranced by the Northwestern boys with the pipes of gold. Be sure to catch them at an intimate club show while you still can.

we saw: Fleet Foxes at Union Hall

"I'm Alive and Well"
Photo by Kyle Dean Reinford

Waking up at 4:30 a.m. occasionally has its advantages. Case in point, yesterday when I awoke to find that the Fleet Foxes announced a second show for this evening at Union Hall. While reports of Robin's health from last night weren't exactly positive, I was optimistic because when I saw them make their NYC debut in March, Robin was also under the weather. (Although that time it seemed to be the fluctuating weather, not the perils of the road.) Regardless, the late show at Union Hall tonight was a special affair. Robin definitely wasn't 100%, but the dude gave his God's honest all and everyone in the room was thankful. Not only were they thankful, but I have to give mad props to Brooklyn, as the audience at the late show was one of the most respectful, utterly entranced audiences I've had the pleasure to have been apart of in along time. (Probably since the last time I saw Fleet Foxes, or Joanna Newsome.)

Not gonna lie, even in a shitty situation the Fleet Foxes sound amazing. Their form is timeless, not some passing neon fad or Hype Machine fueled future top 40 act. "Blue Ridge Mountains", as expected, was an evening highlight, but I think the moment of most utter transcendence came during "Mykonos", where Josh Tillman's percussion lent a dark force to the best song on the Sun Giant EP. I heard someone mention that Tillman takes "Mykonos" to almost religious levels, and I can't do anything but agree.

While the entire band was on extra point tonight (due to Robin Pecknold's illness), it was Pecknold himself who stole the show. No doubt he could've sat the show out, hell if I were him I would've cancelled it, or not even scheduled it. But even under the weather, Pecknold delivered a bold, wholehearted and genuine performance that both enraptured the audience and wrapped them in warm blankets. I only wish I'd given Robin a proper bear hug after the show to prove how much his performance meant to the entire crowd. Like the show in March, he repeatedly thanked the crowd in the most humble, Northwestern way possible. Needless to say, I had to thank him back and I'm pretty sure everyone at Union Hall tonight would've done the same. That said, the band admitted that the early show was, well, shit. And it didn't help that folks in the front row scribbling notes (Tillman joked about his performance receiving a 7.2). Regardless, the Late night crowd was so attentive, I almost forgot I was in a packed room full of awe-struck compadres, which is probably the greatest compliment I could ever give band. I literally lost myself, in place and time, in the Union Hall basement tonight. It was beautiful, in the realest way possible. God bless the Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes- White Winter Hymnal

Fleet Foxes "Tiger Mountain Song" Live in London

sunday morning music: Fleet Foxes

"What a life I lead in the Spring"

This week's sunday(er, monday) morning music comes from from Xachu'bsh, Washington based Fleet Foxes. Yes, we were drooling over them a month ago when we saw them deliver the gospel at the Bowery Ballroom. This Daytrotter session, while not entirely representative of the choral wonder displayed at the Bowery, is none the less, a wholehearted gift from the Foxes. If you haven't yet fallen in love with these guys, do yourself a favor and jump on the band wagon. Highly recommended for fans of The Band, My Morning Jacket, CSNY and the woods.

Fleet Foxes- Sun It Rises
Fleet Foxes- White Winter Hymnal
Fleet Foxes- Sun Giant

we saw: Fleet Foxes and Blitzen Trapper

"Turn the white snow red as strawberries in the summertime"

(Photo by JuicyGoo)
We knew last night's Fleet Foxes show was going to be amazing, and now we can confirm... utterly amazing. While lead singer/songwriter Robin Pecknold prefaced their set by letting the crowd know he had the flu and had puked right before hitting the stage, his sore throat and headache didn't seem to affect his vocal, which was spot on all evening. We're also happy to report that the bands majestic harmonies are as eerily dreamy as they are on record. Cathartic and wonderstruck, like a magical revelation through a dream.

The show kicked off with the gorgeous acapella "Sun Giant" and within seconds all questions regarding Robin's voice were gone. The crowd was silent. Eyes were wide open like children on a snow day. "Sun Giant", the opening track on the recently released EP of the same name, segued perfectly into "Sun it Rises", the opener on the bands leaked, and soon to be released (June 3) eponymous full length debut. Other highlights included an utterly pristine version of "Oliver James", a heart wrenching cover of "Katie Cruel" (video which we posted yesterday), a fan requested "Blue Ridge Mountains" and the pastoral insta-classic "White Winter Hymnal."

After a set that felt like being baptized in fresh mountain water, it's safe to say that Fleet Foxes blend of high lonesome balladry and CSNY harmonies is going to be pointing alot of kids to the forest. Like Justin, we agree that Fleet Foxes remind us of the criminally under rated, and often forgotten, David Crosby record If I Could Only Remember My Name, as well as After The Gold Rush era Neil Young.

All in all, we were blown away. Like, totally blown away. The band seemed to feel the same way, amazed at the sincere and righteous reaction from the glowing New York crowd. Not to mention, all the singing along.

After the show we got a chance to catch up with lead Fox Robin Pecknold, who had just turned 22 at midnight and was drinking Emergen-C to heal his aching flue. While we can't stress enough how impeccable Pecknold and Co. sound live, we really hope he gets back to a 100% so crowds in the rest of the country get to bask in the light of his warm voice. We also caight up with multi instrumentalist and co-harmonizer Casey Wescott who let us know that the vinyl release of Fleet Foxes will include the Sun Giant EP. That makes 2xLP's we couldn't be more excited to hear on the ole phonograph.

Oh yeah, Blitzen Trapper played too. They rocked out the title track from last year's Wild Mountain Nation, as well as the albums "Country Caravan", "Devils A-Go-Go" and "Sci-Fi Kid." They were pretty darn good, but, unfortunately, couldn't compare to the Fleet Foxes, who were utterly jaw dropping. I've often heard that the Who refused to go on after Hendrix at Monterey Pop, fearing that he would suck all the wind from the audience. Honestly, I'd hate to be in any band that has to play after Fleet Foxes. It's just not fair.

Fleet Foxes- Oliver James
Blitzen Trapper- Stolen Shoes (Daytrotter Session)