Fresh Off the Griddle - Music News

​Rocks Off Jr.'s fourth night of SXSW frolicking starting off groggily as we woke from a well-needed nap after what has seemed like a month now pounding the pavements of Austin, seeking out new ... Craig Hlavaty

​In 2008, when Jonathan Meiburg left Okkervil River to focus exclusively on Shearwater, his bird-named band, and his ornithological career studying birds, you could see that Meiburg's other Okker... Dan Oko

​ Hello HP Rocks Off! This is Nick of the Wild Moccasins sending an email about our South by experience. We are staying at Will Patterson of KVRX's apt. off the drag and he made us pancakes for... The Wild Moccasins

The Bookshelf

Seattle-born poet Joshua Marie Wilkinson's newest book of poetry, entitled Selenography, is something of a collaboration with Califone singer Tim Rutili. Wilkinson supplies the words while Rutili's polaroids accompany each poem. Wilkinson's poems read like vague sketches, and side by side with Rutili's dreamy photos, they often send the mind down strange highways. There's an organic, natural feel to the material, which forgoes any real sense of intention by opting for image-driven abstraction: "the river was/ easy incomplete but it/ took us/ like twigs/ polaroids of the papier-mache/ wolves/ you hear your name in/ the current?" The strength of Wilkinson's material lies in its malleability. Each poem will evoke something different in each reader, and Rutili's haunting images infuse more mystery rather than uncloaking any finite truths. Like a barely ajar curtain in the window of an old house, its pull is in its lack of transparency, in the stories behind its walls. -- Capt. Obvious

Buy It:
Sidebrow Books: Joshua Marie Wilkinson - Selenography

Tags: Joshua Marie Wilkinson, Selenography

On some nights you can fool yourself into forgetting that industry weeks like SXSW have shifted from being about discovery to being full-on music festivals. Yesterday was not one of those days. Aside from the always-on-point imprint True Panther Sounds’ top-to-bottom burner at Ms. Bea’s — giving us our first look at Hunx and His Punx (“aka The Punkettes”), the tabletop DJ jams of Teengirl Fantasy, and the throwback jitter pop of Magic Kids, along with those previously loved (the always excellent morning benders, glorious tropically percussive synth dance jams via Tanlines’ best set yet and the straight-up crowd surfing at Delorean’s unforgettable 2AM closer) — Thursday brought us big names you’ve known for years, here in Austin with little to prove: Liars, Broken Social Scene, Band Of Horses, and a 4AM Andrew W.K. set among them. Discovery? No. Photogenic good times? Here’s a slate of shots from photographers Ryan Muir and Graeme Flegenheimer to that point.

Oh and hey, follow along on Twitter if that’s your thing: @stereogum, @scottgum, @brandonstosuy, and I’m at @amritsingh. Hope to see some of you at Range Life? If you’re coming, here’s a PRO TIP: Get there early, Ben Gibbard has more fans than we have room. Doors at 1PM. Free vodka, food, laughs, and jams. Quite stylish.

COTV



Tags: Fang Island, Daisy

New Wax


The Tallest Man on Earth is Kristian Matsson, a Swedish songwriter who released one of 2008's unexpected folk gems with Shallow Grave. Back with a new album entitled The Wild Hunt, which is due in April on Dead Oceans, Matsson exhibits his penchant for creaky-voiced, earthy folk tunes but he offers an injection of melody that makes the new material, dare I say, catchy. While the strong yet familiar "King Of Spain" fits neatly into his back catalog, surprises, such as the piano driven closing track "Kids On The Run," show a willingness to explore new territory. In an overcrowded genre, Matsson possesses all the tools to ensure a long and acclaimed musical career. While his nasal voice may divide listeners, it's undoubtedly his own, and his lyrical content shines along with his musicianship. The Wild Hunt is one of the highlights of this early year, and it proves Mattson is willing to tinker with his already intriguing sound. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: The Tallest Man On Earth - Troubles Will Be Gone
MP3: The Tallest Man On Earth - King Of Spain

Tags: The Tallest Man On Earth, The Wild Hunt

Brandon K. Hernsberger, 3:45 p.m.: xx fans wear dark, dark sunglasses inside with Superglue attached to their eyeballs. Brandon K. Hernsberger, 3:47 p.m.: The size of this crowd is INSANE for a ... Katharine Shilcutt

A series of texts from Brandon K. Hernsberger, starting at 2:46 p.m.: Lil Wayne bumpin' the speakers. Best opener ever. Who knew Superchunk bumped to Lil Wayne? What a sight. Nobody beats Supe... Katharine Shilcutt

A review of the Dillinger Escape Plan's fourth full-length studio album, the devistating "Option Paralysis".

Video of an extended interview segment with Alex Turner and Nick O'Malley on Q TV.

Public Enemy has just announced that the group will return to Calgary this coming May 25 .

Music video for "Rapid Decompression" from the album "White Crosses".

Audio preview of tonight's Real McKenzies, Dreadnoughts & Rum Runner show at The Republik.

A short film accompaniment to "Saturday Come Slow" by Massive Attack & Damon Albarn from the album "Heligoland".

Video footage of a CBC Q TV performance of "And This is What We Call Progress" by the Besnard Lakes.

A new music video for "I'm a Vagabond" from the forthcoming American release of "Close Calls With Brick Walls/Mother of Mankind".

As the countdown toward the release of "Distant Relatives" continues, details including a tracklist, cover art, and a variety of audio & video samples have now been released.

Video of Snoop Dogg reciting the top 10 "Things that sound cool when said by Snoop Dogg" on the March 16 edition of the Late Show.

Leisure, a newish band from Boston, recently caught the attention of oh-so-hot San Francisco band Girls and will be joining Girls for the East Coast and Midwest legs of their current tour. A limited 7" will be available in mid-April, but you can download the tracks at their Bandcamp or below... MP3 : Leisure - It's Alright (On The Suez...

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