13 posts tagged “sxsw”

SXSW: SUMMARY
You know, the festival is only four days, but it really seem like weeks.

While having every band in the world merge at one place might sound like a great idea... sometime their appearance conflicts with other artists that you also want to see. So one of the biggest problem I had was sacrificing who to see.

Music happens from daylight (probably closer to 10am start) until two in the morning, or even later.

I usually started my day around 8am, working out my schedule for the day. Sometime it's logistics, sometime it's time-issues, but usually I have a full day's worth of stuff to do. I don't follow my schedule to a T, but there are certain items that I absolutely cannot miss (scheduled interviews takes priority over shows).

IMIW09	Shay in the Blackwatch Studios	Camera Obscura - Setlist (3-19-09)
The May Fire - Set List (3-18-09)	Proclaimers - Set List (3-19-09)	Glasvegas - Set List, La Zona Rosa, Austin TX (3-20-09) - From Bob
Late of the Pier - Set List, Austin TX (3-21-2009)	Crimea - Set List, Austin TX (3-21-09)	Superdrag - Setlist, Guero's (3-19-09)
Wave Machines - Friends, Austin, TX (3-18-09)	Jay Jay Pistolet - Friends, Austin TX (3-18-09)	May Fire - Havana, Austin, TX (3-18-09)
Meiko - Cedar Door, Austin TX (3-19-2009)	Superdrag - Guero's (3-20-09)	Primal Scream - Austin, TX - Photo from Bob
Ed Harcourt - Cedar Door, Austin TX (3-19-2009)	Kate Tucker - Cedar Door, Austin TX (3-19-2009)	Diane Birch - The Garden Party, Austin TX (3-21-09)
The Gin Riots - Rio, Austin TX (3-21-2009)	Goldielocks - Rio, Austin, TX (3-21-2009)	Crimea - Austin TX (3-21-2009)
Babies Loves Jeremy Jay - Austin, TX (3-21-09)	Jeremy Jay - Club de Ville Austin, TX (3-21-09) 1 comment	Melissa Auf De Maur - The Garden Party, Austin TX (3-21-09)
Camera Obscura - La Zona Rosa, Austin TX (3-20-09)	Solid Gold - Beauty Bar, Austin TX (3-20-09)	Laura Marling - The Garden Party, Austin TX (3-21-09)
Ed Harcourt - Until Tomorrow Then 1 comment	Cedar Avenue - Running Home 2 comments	Los Fancy Free - JAJAJA 1 comment
The May Fire - Under The Wave 3 comments	Solid Gold - Get Over It 2 comments	Kate Tucker & The Sons of Sweden - Saturday Night 1 comment
Meiko - Piano Song 1 comment	I Am Incinerator 5 comments	The Asteroids Galaxy Tour - The Sun Ain't Shining No More 2 comments
Glasvegas - Geraldine	Camera Obscura - Eighties Fan (original version)	The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) 8 comments
Primal Scream - Suicide Sally & Johnny Guitar 2 comments	Jeremy Jay - While the City Sleeps	Laura Marling - Ghosts 3 comments
Late of the Pier-Space and the Woods [Cenzo Townshend Mix] 1 comment	The Crimea - Jellyfish 3 comments	Camera Obscura - Hands Up Baby 2 comments
Ed Harcourt - Until Tomorrow Then	Crimea - Jellyfish 1 comment	The Proclaimers - 500 Miles

WHAT WORKED
- Offline gmail. This worked! I read/did most emails offline and when I was connected, all emails were sent, marked as read, etc.
- iPod Touch, worked like a charm. I was able to grab onto various (free) wifi to receive emails or websurf (maps), etc.
- Austin Convention Center's SXSW wifi stayed up most 99% of the time. Wonderful!
- Cash (ATM) availability
- Blocking off 6th street for pedestrians

WHAT SUCKED
- AT&T Network, apparently everyone in Austin had an iPhone
- Walking......
- Sony Memory Stick not supported on my laptop
- Bands playing 30 minutes or less
- Badges are ridiculously expensive ($600-$700). I think they should make it more affordable, especially since most places don't bother to check for a badge and/or were free. If there was a cover charge, it is usually under $10.

I guess my problems are not really that bad.

DAY ZERO (Tuesday)
Travelling… nothing too exciting. My least favorite state was the one with the road tolls (I think this was in Oklahoma). We did stop in Oklahoma City to see Blackwatch Studios (myspace). We got to hear a few songs from Minneapolis' Cedar Avenue (official/myspace) band from their forth-coming long playing record. The few songs we heard were incomplete, but it sounds really layered with a variety of tracks.

By the way, if the name Cedar Avenue sounds familiar to you, it is because Kristin reviewed their debut album a while back.

DAY ONE (Wednesday)
Getting my barring was hard. I didn't know where any of the streets were. So when people text me: come over to (name of venue), I replied and ask what the cross streets were. Since walking around was my main means of transportation, I ended up crossing out outlier venues immediately.

Wednesday was evening-only, so I mostly went to see some British acts over at Friend's. These guys were all from the London area, with the exception of Liverpool's Wave Machines (official/myspace). These guys creeped me out with their masks that they wore on stage - however, due to heat and comfortableness, they took them off half way into their short set. Also caught a bit of Jay Jay Pistolet (myspace), whose singing voice is very peculiar... it's like he sounds like he's sing out the side of his mouth.

When Mumford & Sons (myspace) took the stage, it was very, very, very crowded. The audience loved them and it's apparent that these guys are going to blow up this year.

The Havana Bar had some Spanish showcase, featuring mostly Mexican bands such as Songs For Eleonor (myspace), Satin Dolls (official), Cosmopolitan (myspace), and Los Fancy Free (myspace). With the exception of The May Fire (official/myspace) and Spain's Capsula (official). We like Spanish acts, so be sure to read more Mexican Summer and my coverage of Los Fancy Free.

DAY TWO (Thursday)
I think this was the big press day, I got to meet & greet Victoria who setup the interview with Solid Gold (myspace). She was kind enough to have me in the Myspace Music event, featuring some artists that I really enjoy: Kate Tucker, Meiko and Ed Harcourt.

To kick off the party was The Real You (myspace), a power-pop band from Seattle, Washington. According to their biography, they've been on constant tour since forming in early 2007 - so I'm sure you'll run into this young band eventually.

I haven't been keeping up with Kate Tucker (official/myspace), but apparently her latest project is with a band called The Honeydove (myspace) - who debuted at SXSW! Unfortunately, I had prior commitments, but I would've liked to have seen her new band play at the Beauty Bar.

Anyway, the nicest bit about her set was that she wanted everyone at the event to get a copy of her last album, "I want to give you my music!"

So if you weren't at the event, you missed out. Hey, maybe you can stop in and say hi to her in Washington:

04/05/09 Sunset Seattle, WA
05/21/09 Chop Suey as honeydove Seattle, WA

Read more Kate Tucker & The Sons of Sweden on W♥M.

Meiko (official/myspace) had a guest trumpet player on for most of her set (she requested him on for the rest of show because I guess she felt more comfortable with having someone else with her). She actually started her set with "Piano Song", which ironically just her and her guitar... She made some funny comments, such as "I've never played to a bunch of porta potties before".

You get the impression that she was happy to be there, and maybe it's yellow-iest dress combined with her orange/red dyed hair, but she looks gorgeous.

Ed Harcourt (official/myspace) was very engaging…. During "Until Tomorrow Then", he got down to the audience and walked around, singing and putting his hands around people while everyone was filming and taking pictures. Enclosed is a video evidence.

Harcourt is releasing a new six-track EP called Russian Roulette out on May 5^th, but SXSW audience were privy to some of his new songs courtesy of Dovecote Records and Directv. Pay close attention to "Caterpillar", as this is a personal song about his newborn daughter being placed in an incubator as they helpless sit and wait.

Went to an open-door new talent showcase, this was not an official sanctioned SXSW event (you'll find that there are many, many unofficial events), so I don't have a listing of who played at what time. They were all giving away their CDs, but I couldn't bother to pick them up (this would require me to carry around stuff, and I didn't have a hand bag ready). Reminder for next year: bring a man purse.

Also went over to check The Elevaters (myspace) and Rumspringa (myspace) at the Hi-Lo venue. While Elevaters were fun and energetic, it seems the drums/guitar duo of Rumspringa had a lot of problems with their equipment. They had to cut their southern-sounding melodic set short after four (?) songs, quote from the singer, "my shit ain't working."

DAY THREE (Friday)
The busy day. Walked all over town basically. My only out-of-the-way venue was at 3 o'clock to see Superdrag (official/myspace) at Guero's, which I thought was far walking there. I ran into one of our RV family, who we'll call Rose because she looks like a pint-sized Pippettes, complete with dress and all. We walked back across the river so I can make it to my Asteroids Galaxy Tour (official/myspace) interview (this was delayed because of some miscommunication).

Afterward, headed over to Beauty Bar to see Solid Gold play, mustache and all. I can tell the audience was having a good time, especially the girl at the backstage.

Then snuck over to see this punk(ish) band that MTV was covering. I didn't catch their name, but it sounded something like Dirty____ Something. The singer had bleach blonde hair and eye shadows.... and likes to walk around with no shirts on.

Evening was spent mostly at the Scotland show: We Were Promised Jet Packs (myspace), Dananananaykroyd (official/myspace), Camera Obscura (official/myspace), The Proclaimers (official/myspace), Glasvegas (official/myspace), Primal Scream (official/myspace). I was in-out so I did end up missing Glasvegas & Primal Scream, but thanks to Bob for sending in some pictures.

DAY FOUR (Saturday)
Saw a few bands in the daytime at the Press Here Garden Party at the French Legation Museum across the Freeway (this is actually closer than it sounds). The walk there was interesting, and I discovered a no-seating Wendy's on the right side of 7th Street. Yep, I ended up having dinner there since they were making these chicken things that's not available in Minnesota.

I got to the Garden just in time to see Jeremy Jay (myspace), and enjoyed the most of the day with The Soft Pack (myspace) and Diane Birch* (myspace) before heading over to 900 Red River to see Jeremy Jay again.

Listened to Camera Obscura afterwards with those Peelander-Z, as I previously mentioned.

Headed back to the Garden to see Melissa Auf De Maur (official/myspace), who started her set with three cover songs: Nancy Sinatra's "Bang Bang", Danzig's "Devil's Plaything", and The Smiths "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before". Although the first two went off pretty well, she totally messed up on "Stop Me" - which is understandable because that song has a lot of Morrissey's lyrics and also they had only practiced it the night before in their hotel room.

It wasn't long before people started filling up the seats at the Garden to see Laura Marling (official/myspace). She was joined on stage by Marcus Mumford, I think. He played percussions and sang backup, although I have to say that Marling would've done just fine with her lovely voice and acoustic guitar.

Saw Late of the Pier at the Bat Bar later that night. Since it was being broadcast live on Directv, I think the pressure got to the band and it was just embarrassing to watch. Towards the end, they seem to not be so nervous, and the (rather long) setlist ended with men in death masks coming on stage to carry the band offstage. I don't have Directv, is there a way for non-subscribers to watch this?

Honey Ryder (myspace) was really happy to be Austin, I think this was their first ever US appearance or something. I believe also that their name came from a James Bond girl ? I don't know much about them, but they seem to have a wider audience and following in the UK, where their single "Fly Away" entered the UK Top 40 at #31.

GoldieLocks (myspace) is 75% English and 25% Swedish from Croydon (South London). She raps to DJ Sports (?), who is wearing this Skeletor T-shirt. After the show, she wanted to give everyone in attendance her EP, which actually went pretty fast. As I previously mentioned, keep an eye on this one.

There's no denying that The Gin Riots (myspace) have quite a few hardcore fans here, as evident by a bunch of Gin Riots T-Shirt in the audience.

It's been a few years since The Crimea (official/myspace) toured in the US, so I was happy to be there for them on their second and last SXSW appearance. They were the last band on my list, so it was kind of a relief when it was all over.

And as corrected by superfan Christopher, Tara Blaise shared the stage to sing backup for the band.... Highlight of the show was then Davey Macmanus stepped down and sang in the center of the audience.

* A note on Birch is that she has these incredible legs, but too bad they were well-hidden behind her piano on stage.

SXSW UPDATE, DAY FOUR
I think part of the fun (at least for me) was meeting so many people with the same like-minded attitude towards music. I've become somewhat of a card collector, swapping info and what we do regarding music etc. Hopefully, next year, if we're still doing the same thing, I would like to meetup with them again at shows and hangouts.

Mostly Saturday was spent in a few places as I didn't want to walk anywhere. I had only planned on attending the Garden Party from Press Here in the daytime and at night, head over to the LondonMusic spotlight at the Rio (primarily for The Crimea). Obviously things didn't work out that way, I ended up seeing Jeremy Jay at the Garden and then sort of just followed them to their next gig over at 900 Red River Street (it's about four blocks). Saw JJ again and found out that the reason why didn't play certain songs, like "Alpharhythem" was because their new drummer didn't know it).

Also stood next to Peelander-Z, who are apparently so distinct looking and famous that every minute people were coming up and taking pictures with them.

Saw Late of the Pier accidentally at their video-filming concert at the Bat Bar. It was a very professional setup, however, playing live proved disastrous for the band. First of all, none of the audience knew who they were, and secondly, they had equipment failures during live recording. Needless to say, it was embarrassing.

So, look for me in a video, I am in front, green shirt, glasses, sweaty...

Then headed over to check out the all-London band showcase at the Rio. Most interest of the bunch seems to be Goldielocks who is a young woman and her DJ, doing British rap-style music. She had a stage presence, look for her to be bigger in the future.

The last show on my list was Crimea, who came on at 1.15am (I knew this because I was really really really tired). They had a girl singer, which surprised me, because I didn't think they had a woman in the band.

Everyone who went to the show got a free copy of Davey Macmanus's album called Listen to Seashells; They Know Everything.

Here is their setlist:

THE CRIMEA 3/22 Grace Loop Jelly Fish Lover Only Living B&G Shredder Alison Movie Psycos Lottery Winners on Acid

--

W♥M wrote: Mar 22, 2009 at 5:06 PM

Vu - updated the post with a more recent track, off a seashells demo. And no, they don't really have a girl in the band, davey just uses loads for the vocals. The one you saw was Tara Egan-Langley aka Tara Blaise, they've also had Regina Spektor, Tywanna Jo Baskette and Davey's superstar Radio 1 DJ sister Annie Mac record loads of tracks with them, along with plenty I forget.

- Christopher

SXSW UPDATE, DAY THREE
My busiest day, bruised feet and all.

Today's schedule doesn't really start until noon, so I have a few minutes to rest. There are a lot of Minnesotans here, as I ran into the Duke of Dark accidentally. I'm glad to see familiar faces, but what are the chance, you know?

Anyway, I thought you guys might be interested in seeing some of the setlists that I managed to grab. As I previously mentioned, setlists are quite short - kept under 30 minutes with few exceptions. Audience attendance and participation are all really, really good. Even for unknown bands, they can draw a crowd - which is just perfect for bands looking for an audience to play to.

MAY FIRE 3/18 Mad The List No Clone Sinking Late Wave Make it Tight Unicorn Red Eye

SUPERDRAG 3/20 (pending, I have the paper in my other bag. They ended their set with "Aspartame")

CAMERA OBSCURA 3/20 Money in the Sun (?) Sweetest You Told A Lie French Navy Let's Get Out of this Country Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken Razzle Dazzle

THE PROCLAIMERS 3/20 In Recognition Letter From America What Makes You Cry? Throw the "R" Away Sing All Our Cares Role Model Leight 17 (Kings of Leon Cover) 500 Miles (Not on Setlist)

I stayed for most of the Scotland showcase, which had bundled a bunch of great bands together - including Camera Obscura, Glasvegas, Proclaimers, and Primal Scream.

I had to miss some bands because of prior commitment, but usually when I skip bands, it's because I've already seen them at one point in their career.

Camera Obscura did half their set with new songs, which I feel if you've got a limited setlist, you should concentrate on old songs people love. The problem is that no one's heard the new material and listening to it for the first time, in a live setting - you will miss out on lyrics or melodies, just because of the sound distortion and distractions... still the new song (esp the first song) had upbeat melodies.

Proclaimers had a pretty long set, and surprisingly effective with just one acoustic guitar. They were supposed to get off the stage after their set time, but they threw in "500 Miles" for good measure. And the audience went absolutely NUTS. It was a sight to see!

Over 1,000 people attended the Scottish show, so I am sure next year they are going to book an even larger event.

That's all for now.

PS, Since this will be my last update until I'm home, my schedule today (Saturday), looks pretty light. I have to attend a special party from noon to 7pm, and my evening looks pretty light. I think Crimea comes on at midnight-ish at the Rio, so I may just be there the whole night to check out the other bands on that showcase. It's not so much that I'm lazy (well I am), but I can't really walk around that much anymore! As for the party at the Garden, I think it's open bar with Jeremy Jay and Laura Marling playing, so I can cross them off my "to see" list finally!

QUICK SXSW UPDATE, DAY TWO
Have been feeling not the best the last few days due to the fact that I'm only getting a few hours of real sleep (so I'm waking up exhausted/yet unable to go back to sleep).

Today's schedule looks like a lot of fun: two interviews (Asteroid Galaxy Tour and Honey Claws - yes, again!).

Since my legs & feet haven't had this kind of usage in a long time, it was hurting pretty bad yesterday (especially with trying to make it to too many places). So I thought it would be a good idea to just settled into one place and just check out random bands while waiting for other things.

Highlight of the day was interviewing Solid Gold, yes, they are from Minneapolis and, yes, I am living in Minneapolis. Why did it take SXSW to get us together? No idea. Obviously, more write ups will have to be done after SXSW, but quickly, I just wanted to let you know these guys are really down to earth and have great sense of humor. When asked what song (of theirs) we can play out to the interview, they all agreed on George Michael's "Freedom '90". Of course.

Much more on them later.

Gigwise, saw too many bands to mention. Ed Harcourt did a fantastic set, among one of the many highlights. Also managed to meet a few PR reps, so it's great to put a face to a name.

I seriously can't believe I have two more days of this. Saturday's schedule looks too insane to mention. Yikes.

So, off to grab breakfast and then to another long day ahead of me. Seriously, I think I am going to sleep for three days when I get back home.

QUICK SXSW UPDATE, FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Words cannot really describe how insane it is down here at SXSW. It makes me really envious that we don't have something like this closer to Minneapolis, or just have something like this happen annually at all major cities....

First off, I have been to "festivals" and these closed venues are lame. You see bands on main stage that are only inches because you're so far away from the action and there are a bunch of hippy-type people in front of you anyway. Plus because you're closed off from civilization, they can charge you $10 for a bottle of water and you basically have to pay for it.

What I like about SXSW is that between 5^th and 6^th street, that there are literally 300 music "venues". If venues is not your thing, just walking down the very crowded street, you will randomly see bands. Street food is usually hotdogs-variety, which is quick and easy. I think I liked the name of one of the street vendor, it's called "Best Wurst". Get it ? Loling.

By the way, this is just a place holder as I'm mobile and don't really have all the necessary media(s). Typical Sony Memory sticks will not actually work on any media reader. I hate you sony!!

I am also microblogg/updating via the twitter, so for those who can't wait to see the latest 140 characters!

Just quickie: saw a lot of bands, but they usually only play for short 30 minute sets (it normally takes them 20-30 mins to set up too, so there is a cycle of new bands constantly every hour on the hour). If you don't like a set of bands, just move on to the next bar/venue/street performers. I did quick interviews with The May Fire. I've seen them before, but the setting at the Havana bar last night had great attendance and the atmosphere rocked. Too bad they only had two shows schedule, most of the band are spending their time until Sunday (I think I heard Caty had to head back home).

Also, I totally missed interviewing Meiko because of unforeseeable circumstances beyond my control. I felt really bad about that one because I was certain I was going to be able to make the 7:30 appointment, only to actually arrive late at 8. I was actually pretty bummed about this because I ended up reading some fascinating articles on her on the drive down here and wanted to bring up of it in the interview.  (Since I am taping the interviews, I was planning on putting them in the podcasts/incorporating them in longer-form upcoming articles).

So huge apology, but I am hoping to catch her play tonight and do a writeup on it later to make up for this. Will keep you updated.

I will at SXSW09 from March 17^th to March 22^nd so I will have sporadic internet access, if any.  Please consider getting in contact with me if you want to hang out.

Also, don't expect any updates from me, until maybe March 24^th or so.  I am certain I will be seeing loads of bands, but there are only a few on my preliminary list: SUPERDRAG, THE COATHANGERS, THE DRONES, LAURA MARLING, HONEY CLAWS, ASTEROID GALAXY TOUR and THE CRIMEA.

I will try and do some random interviews!  Fun fun fun.

Here are some SXSW Schedule, check out my map.

SUPERDRAG
CRIMEA

COATHANGERS

HONEY CLAWS

THE ASTEROIDS GALAXY TOUR
RANDOM
Moshi Moshi VS Anorak London SXSW party
Saturday 21st March @ Lamberts
401 W 2nd St, Austin, Texas 78701

SATURDAY MARCH 21st The Garden Party proudly presents:

NEW BANDS I WANT TO CHECK OUT:

Carrie Rodriguez is a singer/songwriter, currently based out of New York. Her father, David Rodriguez, is also a singer/songwriter, having long relocated in the Netherlands in the mid-90s, where it seems he's still producing music.

Anyway, she first came on the music scene via 2001's SXSW*, where Chip Taylor met Carrie Rodriguez and was impressed with her that he asked her to tour with him in Europe. Since then, together, they released three albums and one EP.

By 2006, Rodriguez went solo and released Seven Angels on a Bicycle, with the help of Taylor (who co-wrote and had a major influence on the first album). With She Ain't Me, released late last year on the Manhattan Records (who I also just recently found out makes most of their music available on the BMG Music Club), Taylor is absent, but replacing him are quite a few different co-writers: ex-Jayhawks Gary Louris, folk singer Mary Gauthier, Leslie Nail, Jim Boquist, producer Malcolm Burn (who won a Juno award for producer of the year for Emmylou Harris' "Here I Am"), among others.

Listening to She Ain't Me, I was immediately taken to the title track ("She Ain't Me"). I marked it as a five-star track on iTunes and it became an instant repeat track for me. I feel that the song has a country folk influence, but the melodies sounds more like a great radio pop song. The singer warns the listener that this new woman might be perfect, but she simply cannot replace the singer (because she simply isn't her.)

The most surprisingly thing I found about the song, having looked up the song credit as co-written by "D.Wilson", which I have concluded it is non other than Dan Wilson - who you may all remember as being the lead singer from Minneapolis' Semisonic.**

I also enjoyed "El Salvador", which is a long-distance (love?) song. If it's not love, it's definitely about missing someone... apparently that person is in El Salvador. The song is surprisingly optimistic in tone as well, despite all the waiting and wishing she could swim across the ocean.

Rodriguez's fiddles, which is what she is known for, only appeared on a few of the songs (the rest, she settled on playing tenor guitar). The most noticeable fiddle song is "Absence", which sounds like a southern bluegrass song and reminds me a lot of Bobbie Gentry.  Compared to her first solo album, the majority of banjo & fiddles gave Seven Angels on a Bicycle more of a bluegrass feel to it.

If you love folk, pop, and a little bluegrass, you should want to check out Carrie Rodriguez. Judging from her major promotional tour, I think you will be hearing from her soon - if not already.

* I am happy to report that Rodriguez is returning back to SXSW in a few short weeks.
** From a Minneapolis point of view, she'll be appearing on KARE TV and on Cities97, as well as playing at the Varsity, the same night (April 8^th). I would not be surprise if Wilson shows up at the Varsity show - so be on the lookout.

Tiny Erika Wennerstrom’s voice doesn’t fit quite right, and that’s okay.  Her odd-sounding, throaty growl would seem satirical, funny even (like a sketch comedy actress imitating Janis Joplin), if not for the sheer bravado and the forceful delivery.  In a business where authenticity is hard to come by, it’s refreshing to hear a female vocalist who doesn’t shy from inelegance.  Sometimes she warbles a bit too heady and the note goes somewhere ugly; but that’s the beauty—it’s anti-pretty like it’s no big deal.

The Heartless Bastards officially came together in 2003, playing their first live show in Cincinnati.  The original lineup disbanded before signing with Fat Possum Records in 2004; currently, the band consists of Wennerstrom, previous drummer Dave Colvin, and bassist Jesse Ebaugh.  With comparisons to the Black Keys and favorable mentions from alt-country heavyweights like Lucinda Williams, the Bastards have fixed their roots in the often underappreciated (and awkwardly phrased) contemporary blues rock ambit.

The Mountain, the Heartless Bastards’ third release, plays like a humble confession of sorts—moody reflections of a seriously worn-in life, without the irritating after-school special ending (you know, the “drugs taught me that I have to learn to love myself” message).  While there’s no hollow optimism, the album doesn’t feel bleak, simply honest; in “Be So Happy” Wennerstrom waxes hopeful (“Gonna keep on going / I don’t want to stand still”) and yet later rationalizes that “lately I’m feeling so alone / I have packed up my bags and I left my home / Now everything’s changed and I’m feeling alone / I got no one to blame ‘cause I had to go” (“Had to Go”).  It’s an album of conflicts, and perhaps fittingly, there’s a strange disconnect that happens after repeat listens—a sense that Wennerstrom hasn’t quite decided where to reach (this uncertainty is engaging on an intellectual level, but makes for a jarring listen).

The Mountain is now available.  The Heartless Bastards are currently on tour (they’ll be playing SXSW in the early part of spring).  For a list of dates, visit their Myspace (official website is “under construction”).

 05/11/2008 01:48:18  ♥ written by vu ()