VINYL SEA PRESS

Ben Kweller // 30 April, Part I.

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:56:33 -0500

This post is the first of a three part series on a concert that took place in Salt Lake City, Utah on the evening of 30 April 2012. The concert featured Sleeper/Agent, Ben Kweller, and The Dig. Parts two and three are coming soon.

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It has been almost one month since I met Ben Kweller. You’ll have to forgive me when it comes to the timeliness of this article, but believe me when I tell you that putting my experience with him into words has been a difficult endeavor.

You see, Ben Kweller is a man who may as well define what good people in this world should be. He is positivity personified. He is the least jaded person I have ever met, despite having spent the last twelve or so years of his life touring, trying to balance his family life, and trying to further make a name for himself as a musician. I didn’t know how I could adequately convey that to you, dear readers, in a way that I felt does him justice.

I decided I’m just going to do my best.

When I see Ben for the first time, he is wrapped in sunlight. The venue is quiet and dark as night before the house lights go up and people begin filing in, but this changes when Ben comes in from his bus for the first time. Suddenly the open door is letting sunlight in and voices can be heard. Alex beckons me over to the doorway where he stands. He hugs her first — “Hey, darlin’,” he says to her with his unmistakeable voice — and then she wastes no time introducing me to him.

His hands are full, so he shrugs and ignores my outstretched hand. Instead, he flashes an apologetic smile and hugs me like I’m an old friend. He smells of pure patchouli oil — his favorite, I would come to find — and when we separate he begins to ask questions about me. Genuine, interested questions too… even though he probably doesn’t have the time to be asking them. It shocks me, I realize.

It shocks me because, while every musician I have met thus far has been unfailingly kind, it’s usually me who does all the genuine getting-to-know-you type stuff. I am a journalist, after all.

But Ben turns the tables for the first time in my career. Within the next ten hours that I spend with him, in many ways, he treats me like he has known me all his life. It’s heartwarming to be so openly accepted, and it isn’t long before I realize that he is like this about everything in life. It’s something anyone can learn from.

I begin this learning process myself just an hour after meeting him, when sound checks settled down and he accompanied Alex and I to the new City Creek mall in Salt Lake City. Alex and I were on a simple quest: We had to visit LUSH Cosmetics, the one place on the planet that sells the products we cannot live without. Ben was intrigued by the company after we gushed about all the good things it is founded on, and wanted to join us in particular so he could pick up something for Lizzy.

To reach the car we were taking to the mall, we had to pass the line of people queued up to get inside the venue. As soon as we all rounded the corner, we were met by chorus of gasps. A male voice announced Ben’s presence as though we couldn’t hear him — “Dude, dude… that’s Ben Kweller right there! That’s Ben!” — and everyone was smiling like a child with their excitement. What happened next softened my heart.

“HOLA!” Ben yells in a silly voice, reaching his hands out to everyone standing there. He is met by laughter by everyone who hears him. “Thanks so much for coming. Thank you, I appreciate you,” he genuinely repeats, his voice normal now, touching hands with every person as he passes.

We hop into the car and Ben squishes into the back seat, next to Alex, my friend Scott, and one other person. (Scott mentions to me later how humbling he thought it was that Ben wasn’t even fazed by being crammed into the small space, next to two people he didn’t even know. The way he recalls it to me makes me smile).

Our trip to LUSH had to be short because doors were opening at the venue soon, but we all found things to love. LUSH sells lots of unisex items — shampoo, shaving creams, massage bars, and so on — and Ben found items for both Lizzy and himself. Alex and I found everything we needed too, of course. My two other guests did the same.

When we arrived back at the venue, it was showtime. Ben went on last, of course, but I’ll fast forward to his set for the sake of this post.

I came in to watch his set about halfway through. Alex and I were sitting outside in the warm night air when I heard Ben begin to sing the first lines of Lizzy, and I gasped involuntarily with excitement.

“Go, go! It’s a good one,” she encourages with a smile. I leave her company — albeit reluctantly — and rush inside, already singing the words. The girl taking tickets at the door is singing too, and I quickly flash the VIP badge on my leg to her as I go. She nods and smiles at me with happiness, and for a moment we sing a line to each other before I walk down the hall to join the crowd.

I melt into the people and am mesmerized at Ben’s stage presence for the rest of his set. It’s in no way faked. He is just as genuine with his audience as he is with people he encounters in his daily life… and it’s obvious that he is just as happy to be there as they are. He tells them he loves them more than once, and you can feel it — you can feel the way he means it — and it just makes me respect him more. He goes through all of my favorites: Penny on the Train Track, Walk On Me, On My Way, Commerce, TX… the list goes on. The crowd adores him.

Finally, when even the encore ends, Ben leaves the crowd after professing his love and gratitude. He returns shortly after though, and meets every single person who has stuck around to meet him. He treats them like old friends, too, and I can’t help but smile as I witness it.

When the commotion dies down, we all go downstairs for dinner and typical tour banter — two of my favorite things. We sit around and listen to Emile Mosseri of The Dig tell joke after joke with an uncanny skill — applying voices to each character involved and all — and it has us dying with laughter after each one. Ben joins in too, telling his own fair share of jokes and evoking the same reactions. It is clear that we’re all just friends enjoying each other’s company.

But as with anything else, it eventually had to come to an end.

It’s midnight when someone comes down and reminds everyone that they’ve got a schedule to follow and places to be tomorrow, and I try my best not to be disappointed. Ben gives me a long hug goodbye and I know I’ll see him again.

On the ride home, I realize just what it is about about Ben Kweller that is so special: He has a way of making you feel special, no matter who you are or where you come from. His actions and words back up that statement your mother always told you — that you’re special, deserving, and worth it — even if you’re just the audience member who has come to see him play for a single night.

He believes in you, plain and simple, and I don’t think there is much else in this world that is better than that.

Quick Update II:

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:25:00 -0500

I know it’s been three weeks since I spent my wonderful time with Ben Kweller, Sleeper/Agent, and The Dig and that I have yet to post something about it, even now. Unlike me since I’ve usually got something written up the next day! However, this fact is occurring for a couple of reasons…

College rules/eats/overtakes my soul.
It was such an incredible experience that I’m actually having trouble putting it all into words that I feel do it adequate justice. Honest.

But please rest assured knowing that I am writing more and more to the pieces in this three part series each day and should have something posted for your reading pleasure very soon! These people really are/were spectacular and I want to be sure to do them proper justice in my pieces on them. I am thankful for your patience, my friends. :)

Quick update:

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:49:00 -0500

I will be spending the entirety of this lovely day with the dear people who make up Sleeper Agent. I will also be making new friends in Ben Kweller and his crew. Expect all sorts of stories and photos to follow! :)

OK Go released a new video on March 29th, and it is one of the...

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:39:00 -0500

OK Go released a new video on March 29th, and it is one of the few videos in their repertoire that fails to contain the band. That said, it lacks none of the utter genius and creativity that we have known their past music videos to have. It is beautiful.

In it, Moti Buchboot & Trish Sie dance the tango, covering all of the colors and shades in the color wheel in the process. They are the epitome of grace and fluid movement. As such, they are a perfect accompaniment to the song — Skyscrapers — which is from OK Go’s 2010 album Of the Blue Colour of the Sky. It’s an absolutely gorgeous song with mellow percussion, plucks, and vocals. And although both tempo and vocal volume increase periodically throughout the song, it just adds to what the song already is: Sheer beauty.

I suppose, at this point, we should expect nothing less from OK Go anyway.

Enjoy, my friends.

And a note to self? Have a future husband who can dance like this!

A Special Post On: ML Leather.

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:01:11 -0500

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I know, I know… who do I think I am, posting about a wonderful leather goods company on a music blog? It’s an outrage!

But really, the only thing that I find outrageous is the fact that I’ve never posted about this company before this moment! I support music, yes, but first and foremost… I support creativity and the arts. I think that making useful, appealing leather goods by hand absolutely falls under this category, and the folks at ML Leather really deserve some love. For this reason, I am posting about them today.

The items that ML Leather craft range anywhere from purses, bags, and backpacks to laptop cases, guitar pick holsters, lighter cases… and that’s only naming a few! You name it, and they can probably make it. Each item is made with love and care by young owner and craftsman, Cody Vance, who is supported by his soon-to-be wife Shilah and their young son River.

Things you should know about ML Leather:

Every product is handmade with love in the USA.
They are animal cruelty free.
Every product is hand stitched and bound.
They have something for everyone, at all different prices, so even the most frugal can buy some of their beautiful work!

Their products are perfect for those looking for something that is stylish, durable, detailed, and sure to be a keepsake that you pass down through the generations. Each of the items are must-haves for anyone that is steered through life by an adventurous, vagabond heart. You’ll need something that can hold up through your journeys, after all… and ML Leather is the perfect place to find it!

Go sink your teeth in, gang! I know I will be.

Happy shopping!

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ML Leather on the web.

ML Leather on Etsy.

ML Leather on Tumblr.

ML Leather on Facebook.

This past weekend I accompanied my roommates to the Holi...

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:44:27 -0500

This past weekend I accompanied my roommates to the Holi festival (aka Festival of Colors) in Spanish Fork, Utah. It was such an incredible experience for many, many reasons… and I really encourage everyone to experience it at least once in their life. There’s nothing quite like getting perfumed and colored corn starch thrown in your face… trust me! ;)

The drive to Spanish Fork is nearly five hours, so naturally, we entertained ourselves with food and music. It was all wonderful and we belted out our favorites without hesitation.

But it was on our drive home that I heard this song, called Only The Young, for the first time. I’ve been quite familiar with Brandon Flowers in the past… having been an avid fan of The Killers in my younger years. I have even enjoyed other tracks from Flamingo, but I haven’t bought the album itself for whatever reason. Stupid decision of mine, because I know it’s quite a work of art. Its reviews have been sensational.

As for this track? It’s a work of art on its own. Lyrically, instrumentally, emotionally… it swells so beautifully, building up slow then crashing down by the time we reach the chorus. It’s almost etherial at times in its electronica nature. Dream pop, if you will. I can’t get enough.

And I’m confident, my dear and sweet friends, that you won’t be able to either. Give it a listen and enjoy!

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Purchase Flamingo on iTunes.

Learn something about Brandon Flowers that you might not know.

Hello new followers! :)

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:23:57 -0500

Sure hope you won’t hesitate to say hello and give me your thoughts on what you see here.

I appreciate you reading my words!

SLEEPER/AGENT Updates!

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:17:43 -0600

Today, SLEEPER/AGENT announced that they will make their late night television debut on MARCH 22 on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Mark your calendars and be sure to watch!

I was so excited to hear this news that I screamed.. out loud, you know. In class.

Oops?

In other news, MY FUNDRAISER is still in full swing and I am still in need of your gracious donations! I have been completely grateful for the donations thus far. Please help me so that I will be able to accompany my wonderful sleeper friends on tour this fall. THERE ARE PRIZES INVOLVED! :)

Holy goodness, gang… it’s March already! Where on...

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:43:00 -0600

Holy goodness, gang… it’s March already! Where on Earth does the time go?

I suppose time flies when you’re spending it wisely, and now that I’m neck deep in my first semester of university, one could certainly say that that’s what I’m doing. Music, as it always magically does, has become a bit of an escape for me. It is also an accompaniment, with playlists constantly on repeat as I dig into my books and homework.

Lately, this song above — Love Interruption by Jack White — has been one of the more frequently heard tracks in my music library. I was 11 years old when my best friend’s dad first played The White Stripes for me, and it’s been love ever since. My admiration for Jack has only grown since then, and recently, he announced his solo career. He did so by presenting this track to the world. It’s the first single off of his new album, Blunderbuss, which will be released in full on April 23, 2012. White also just performed this song on SNL.

White’s first-ever headline shows take place this month and all are sold out, including the show in my hometown, Tulsa.

For more information, visit White’s website at www.thirdmanrecords.com.

Happy listening and happy first week of March! :)

Music video for Double Trouble by Jack & White, from their...

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:26:00 -0600

Music video for Double Trouble by Jack & White, from their first EP, Gemini.

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“Want a bite?” Brooke White asks me, holding out a spoon for me take.

She is eating a banana cream pie shake from Sammy’s, a burger joint here in town that has become a haunt of mine since I last posted about it. The shake has a real piece of pie blended into it, and I happily take the spoon from her.

Five hours ago, I didn’t know either Brooke or her bandmate Jack Matranga. Before earlier in the week, I had never heard their duo Jack & White. But now I feel like I’d be comfortable in their company for eons, and have many favorite songs from both of their EP’s.

Five minutes ago, I finally got them all to myself for the second time in the night, the venue clearing out and quieting down around us. We sit on the stage together and I can’t help but marvel at the way a room’s energy changes when the buzzing audience is gone — suddenly we are all just people. She is not Brooke White, the famous former American Idol contestant who gets recognized on the street and whose Google searches bring up everything you could ever want to know. She is just Brooke White, who is 27 weeks pregnant with a currently insatiable appetite and dead tired after her long day. He is not Jack Matranga, Brooke’s talented counterpart who has girls fawning over him and big fame in his future. He is Jack Matranga, who is currently searching in a slight panic for his lost cell phone and packing up gear in the process. And I am not Ashley-Jayne Osborn, independent music journalist who has famous people for friends and connections to Rolling Stone Magazine. Instead, I am Ashley-Jayne Osborn, hard-working and broke college student doing her best to make it in the world with happiness in her hands and some new friends by her side.

We are exactly who we should be.

It is nearly midnight, and Brooke and Jack have had some setbacks today. Their flight was delayed three hours, and as soon as they arrived here in Rexburg, they hit the ground running. They had three events to attend.

They are tired but don’t complain about it once. Rather, they are down-to-earth and radiant. They meet every fan who wants to meet them, taking photo after photo and cracking jokes in the process. Brooke is dazzling, her blonde hair framing her face in a curly mane, and her smile lighting up her whole face. Jack is silly and kind, enthusiastic when meeting each person who comes up to the table and laughing often. They absolutely adore their fans, and it’s completely obvious.

White describes her unexpected musical connection with Matranga to be so instantaneous that they clicked “just like a seatbelt”. The two formed Jack & White a year ago this month, originally getting together to collaborate on a solo album of Brooke’s, and instead discovering how well they play music as a pair. They wrote the song Feathers together (from their first EP Gemini), and fell in love with it. The rest is history.

As for their actual music? White’s smooth soprano harmonizes so richly with Matranga’s sweet tenor that they would be pleasing to listen to if they were just acappella. But couple their voices with both of their wonderful guitar parts as well as the purity of their percussion (as provided by drummer Adam), and you’ve got something truly beautiful on your hands.

They describe themselves as “Self-Everything”, because they are self-recorded, self-mixed, and self-produced. There is no middleman, no bigwig record label. It is just them, in all of their individual glory. It makes sense; especially when you factor in the fact that Matranga is a simple man, preferring to live his life with minimal belongings and maximum amounts of love.

They spent a great deal of their time tonight discussing their newest EP, Winter, whenever they could. It was just released about a month ago and I believe they’re quite right to be proud of it — it’s beautiful, catchy, and robes real-life issues within the magic of their upbeat music. Their first EP, Gemini, was released in August of 2011. It got its name because White and Matranga are both Gemini’s, and although it’s different from Winter, as one would expect… it still has the same qualities. It’s all just lovely.

They are lovely. Really, they are. I could write whole books full of the positive things that I could say about Jack & White. They have not a malicious bone in their body. They do what they do merely because they love it, and can only hope that other people love it too.

I part ways with the pair so honored and happy to have met them.

As I leave Sammy’s, I am showered in hugs and love. Jack hugs me goodbye and speaks to me as though I am now his friend for life — something he seems to naturally do with everyone, but it never wears out. Brooke hugs me tightly goodbye also, letting me know that I’ve now got friends in Los Angeles when I make it out that way. I even get a hug from percussionist Adam, who kept me company earlier in the evening and is just as kind as Jack and Brooke.

I head out into the cold night air with a warm heart, and it is this part of my profession that will never get old. To experience the generosity and genuine intent of others is refreshing every time it happens, and tonight has been no exception.

I hope that one day you, too, will have the opportunity to meet them if you haven’t already, and in the meantime, I hope you’ll listen to their music. You’re in for a treat.

For Jack & White will do nothing but add warmth to your winter and show you the good side of a Gemini.

I promise.

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Jack & White on the web.

Jack & White on Facebook.

Jack & White on iTunes.

The first time I truly understood the power that live music...

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:37:28 -0600

The first time I truly understood the power that live music could have on me, I was fourteen. My body was pressed against the front of a stage and my eyes were just about level with the feet of The Envy Corps lead vocalist, Luke Pettipoole.

It was one of the greatest nights of my life.

I’ve watched the band grow and evolve as the years as have passed, but my love for The Envy Corps has never waned. Their sound has changed a bit, yes. What once was a heartfelt and swelling indie rock has shifted over into an indie rock base with more of an electronica backing. But I still find each of their albums to be utter genius, even if I think I might always prefer their first album most.

The only time I have ever cried from the sheer emotion and beauty of a live song was when the band performed Baby Teeth that aforementioned evening. Luke’s whole being was within it, and his devotion to what he was singing was evident. That, paired with the lyrics and music, brought forth the tears with little effort. I have loved them ever since.

Their most recent album, It Culls You, was released in October of 2011. The way the band has evolved from that night I first experienced them is both admirable and rather astounding. They have pushed and pulled themselves so that they produce music that shows their growth — even their style of clothing has changed.

And yet, even with this change, they lack none of their original appeal or energy. They are still soaring, atmospheric, and bone-marrow deep in their lyrics and sound.

They have, in simple terms, come out from their gradual cocoon as a butterfly.

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The Envy Corps on the web. Check ‘em out and stream It Culls You in its entirety via the “media” page!

SLEEPER/AGENT’s truly unique music video for their song...

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:48:59 -0600

SLEEPER/AGENT’s truly unique music video for their song “Get Burned” premiered on MTVu February 8th, and I couldn’t be happier.

While I loved everything the Get It Daddy music video was, this video is just somethin’ else. Directed by Cage the Elephant frontman Matt Shultz, it’s a grungy, bizarre take on Alice in Wonderland. Tea and treats, white rabbits and fits of insanity… this video has it all. It takes you right down the rabbit hole.

Apart from this, however, it combines both a vintage and modern feel to things that I love. It also has a wonderful shock factor toward the end — and you can’t beat those, right?

Dig in, gang. It’s superb!

Last night, I happily devoted three hours of my life to a phone...

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:51:00 -0600

Last night, I happily devoted three hours of my life to a phone conversation with my dear friend, miss Alex Kandel (of SLEEPER/AGENT), and among the many things we discussed… she encouraged me to fall in love with this band featured in the video above.

Well, I did… head over heels, in fact.

They’re called GROUPLOVE, and although they say they hail from Los Angeles, their story is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. Christian Zucconi (vocals and lead guitar) met Hannah Hooper (vocals and keyboards) one night in New York City, where they had both lived for years, but had never crossed paths. Something from that night forward came alive in them, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Shortly after they met, Hooper was invited to Greece, specifically the small island of Crete, for an art residency. With little hesitation, she asked Zucconi to come with her. He wholeheartedly agreed.

While in a remote mountain town on this trip, Hooper and Zucconi met three other very important gentlemen in a clashing of fates — Andrew Wessen (guitars and vocals), Ryan Rabin (drums), and Sean Gadd (bass) — who, as I’m sure you already guessed, came together to form the rest of GROUPLOVE. When their summer in Greece came to an end, they all went back to their respective places around the globe. Hooper and Zucconi back to Brooklyn, Gadd in London, and Wessen and Rabin in L.A. After spending the past five months making glorious music together, the band worried that their musical history might fade like a sigh if they didn’t somehow come together again. So just like that, Hooper, Gadd, and Zucconi made the move to L.A. to record their very first record in Rabin’s studio.

In late 2011, the band released their official debut album, “Never Trust A Happy Song” of which the dance-worthy track above — Itchin’ On A Photograph — is included on. The band has since had Tongue Tied, track two, in the Apple iPod Touch commercial titled “Share The Fun”. And just a couple of nights ago, they were on Jimmy Kimmel. I expect we’ll be seeing a lot more of them!

I was so partial to the band just from hearing this one track last night that I promptly bought their whole album via iTunes. I plan to plow through it with joy and excitement. Give it a listen yourself and use the links below to find out how you can let GROUPLOVE further into the musicality of your life. Enjoy!

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GROUPLOVE on the web!

GROUPLOVE on Facebook!

Purchase “NEVER TRUST A HAPPY SONG” on iTunes!

Spying on SLEEPER/AGENT: Where Vinyl Sea Press Is Going This Year.

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:16:00 -0600

It’s been almost a year now since SLEEPER/AGENT first took me backstage at Cain’s Ballroom and I sat on a red couch coated in the members of Biffy Clyro’s sweat.

(Awesome, right?)

Tons of things have happened since then, of course, but my friendship with this wonderful group of people has not faded. Instead it has greatly increased.

So much so, in fact, that they have agreed to let little me tag along with them for a month or so during fall tour season! I’ll be documenting shows, tour life, and any other shenanigans we get ourselves into in an installment I’m lovingly calling “Spying on SLEEPER/AGENT”.

It won’t be as creepy as it sounds, I promise! ;)

I can’t yet tell you where, with whom (apart from SLEEPER/AGENT), nor exactly when this will all be happening… but rest assured that it’s a confirmed event, due to occur sometime between August and October. Apart from my normal style around here, posts will also take the form of video, dialogue, and anything else we come up with.

All in all, I am so pleased to share this announcement with you! I am overjoyed that I will get to spend so much time with friends who are dear to my heart, and I will keep you all thoroughly updated as news concerning my adventure comes in. I hope to finally meet some of you wonderful folks at these shows and offer you my proper thanks for your support these past two years. I can hardly wait for what this new year brings.

See you soon! :)

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P.S. — Vinyl Sea Press is going to be updated weekly with quality content from now until mid-April! (No lie! It’s for school!) Stay tuned, my fancy friends.

In case you hadn’t already noticed, Vinyl Sea Press has a...

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:53:00 -0600

In case you hadn’t already noticed, Vinyl Sea Press has a brand new look! The design is entirely original, and everything — the feathers, lace, paper, pressed flowers, and the texture in the color portion of the header (to name a few small details) — is digitally drawn and crafted from scratch by Corinne. She took my entire idea and turned it into a design beyond my wildest dreams. I can’t thank her enough!

Not to mention, the blog now has a comment feature and other small surprises.

Check everything out and give me your thoughts! :)

Scott Vance is leading me through a maze. We are weaving...

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:34:00 -0600

Scott Vance is leading me through a maze.

We are weaving through small rooms and doorways to find somewhere to sit so a mini-interview can begin. Scott and I met officially five minutes before this moment, after I had just seen he and his band — The New Electric Sound— carry out an excellent show at a venue called Sammy’s. Sammy’s is a burger joint and music venue hybrid, famous for their pie and cupcake shakes. It’s the only true music venue in my new tiny college town, and I was more than pleased to discover that the bands that play it are truly on-point. My thirst for good live music is going to be quenched while I’m here, I realized, and it was Scott’s band that made me have that realization.

Scott finally takes me into a very cold room that is storage for food and also an office. It’s bare and unkempt with a desk in one corner, but it’s away from the roar of people and has a couch. It will do just fine.

As we sit down, Scott — who is lead vocals and guitar — admits to me with a smile that this is the only time he’s truly gotten to relax all day. They traveled four hours or so from Provo, Utah to be here tonight… and I think everyone was grateful they came. His comment makes him sound like a seasoned musician to me, but all things considered, he isn’t really. He and his band have only been playing shows together since September.

This is surprising because the band truly is polished. With a groovy surfer-rock sound that is at times almost borderline Buddy Holly, they are quite unique. They still have the grit of rock and roll, with a beat that successfully made me dance, but somewhere underneath it all is swirl of 50’s influence that is sure to put them on the map. They even surprised the audience when one of their songs reached the breakdown and Scott began a fluid rap — this comes from his background in making hip-hop music. All of this together proved to me that they certainly have the potential to shake up the music world.

Not only do they sound fifties-influenced, but they look it too. Most of the members were raised first on a base of jazz, but grew to appreciate the 50’s and 60’s eras. As a result, they’re a mixture of pompadour hairdo’s and thick-rimmed glasses, cardigans over button-up shirts and sharp looking shoes. Their appearance adds to their charming personalities, and overall helps put their music into focus. It’s a good mix.

They’re a charismatic group who shine on stage, with a sound that is greater than they give themselves credit for. They’ve got humor and wit, smiles and shaking hips, and the ability to transport you to another time and place while still keeping you grounded in the present. I’m already a huge fan and absolutely look forward to them progressing. I know they are going to do just that.

Keep an eye out for them, ladies and gentlemen… and in the meantime, lend an ear. (Link below). I can guarantee they’ll get your toes tapping and make the rest of the world melt away. And with our days often full of stress and complications, could you ask for much more than that?

I don’t think so either. Dig in, friends!

The New Electric Sound is:
Scott — Lead vocals and guitar
Tom —Bass
Ben — Lead Guitar
Logan — Keys
Tony the Drummer — Drums, of course!
Eric — Trumpet
They can be found on Facebook here!

Happy New Year from Vinyl Sea Press! :)

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:56:06 -0600

Happy New Year from Vinyl Sea Press! :)

Rostam Batmanglij (of Vampire Weekend) has beautifully branched...

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:23:00 -0600

Rostam Batmanglij (of Vampire Weekend) has beautifully branched out into the world of solo music (but don’t worry — he’s still sticking with VW).

Above is his song Wood. It starts out with simple sitar, but then quickly picks up into the surprise of an utter symphony. Cello, violin, and both tribal and traditional Indian drums soon become the foundation for the song. It flows from there to a small moment of synths, and finally smooths out into Rostam’s sweet vocals. It then crescendos once more into symphonic sounds and chants, and the whole song thus comes together in an utterly delightful fashion.

The lyrics tell a summery sort of story, sleeping in sunlit grass and listening to horses as they pass. The kind of landscape and lifestyle we all dream of in a wintery time like this. Rostam easily provides one with a dream and an escape — and of course, a satisfying track sure to make your heart swell no matter the season.

Click play and enjoy.

And if this intrigues you enough, Rostam has made each track available for download here.

Audio reblogged by capecod-kwassa-kwassa. Text is original to this post.

If you happen to be too unenthused to check out my Portland...

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:47:42 -0600

If you happen to be too unenthused to check out my Portland Playlist, I’ve decided to share some of my very favorites from the list in their own individual audio posts.

This one is by Ravi Shankar & George Harrison, called Prabhujee. It’s a beautiful cry to God, whomever He or She may be to you. It beckons to this God, or Prabhujee (Master), to please come and dwell within the lonely and unfulfilled heart of its declarer. The first lines — Prabhujee Dayaa Karo / Maname Aana Baso — are repeated with fervor continuously. In English, they mean “Oh Master, show some compassion on me / Please come and dwell in my heart.”

It’s a wholly and beautifully spiritual song, whether you can understand it or not. I could listen to it for the rest of my days and hope you will at least for this moment.

Lyrics below. Enjoy!

Prabhujee Dayaa Karo,
Maname Aana Baso.

Tuma Bina Laage soonaa,
Khaali Ghatame Prema Bharo.

Tantra Mantra Poojaa Nahi Jaanu,
Mai To Kevala Tumako Hi Maanu.

Sare Jaga Me Dhundaa Tumako,
Aba To Aakara Baahan Dharo.

A cover of M. Ward’s beautiful song “Poison...

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:26:09 -0600

A cover of M. Ward’s beautiful song “Poison Cup”, as sung by myself and Ash.

From his 2006 album, Post-War.