(Photo courtesy of Tyler Hubby)
Michael Simmons is a veteran journalist who has written for the likes of MOJO, LA Weekly, The Huffington Post and Rolling Stone. Light in the Attic commissioned Simmons to write the liner notes for its latest release, Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends: The Publishing Demos 1968-72, a collection of the early demos of Kris Kristofferson. Also an accomplished musician, the Los Angeles-based Simmons is at work on a solo album - Last Call At The White Horse - that he hopes to complete by year's end. In the 1970s, Simmons fronted the band Slewfoot, whose sound his close friend Kinky Friedman called "metallic cocaine hillbilly bebop." Simmons, 55, spoke recently with Light in the Attic, and what followed was an insightful, thought-provoking conversation. The New York native talked about working on the liner notes for Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends, Kristofferson's career and legacy, and a range of other topics. Below is the first half of the two-part interview:
Light in the Attic: How did you come to work on this project?
Michael Simmons: I loved this singer named Karen Dalton. This guy Mark Linn put out an album of unreleased Karen Dalton stuff. I called him up and asked if I could get a copy. He asked if I was going to write about it, and I gave him my word that I would. I’m sure he didn’t want to waste a freebie. I ended up writing about it for my Huffington Post column. I effusively praised it, and he loved what I had written. He’s one of these cats that goes out and finds rare and unreleased recordings. One day he says to me, “Do you dig Kristofferson?” I laughed, because (Kristofferson) is one of my primary influences. He said, “Well, I’ve got these unreleased demos, and we’re going to put them out on Light in the Attic.” (Light in the Attic) had put out Rodriguez, who I really loved. And I loved these cats at Light in the Attic, because they put such care and love into their releases. Mark Linn asked if I’d write the liner notes for the Kristofferson release, and I said, “Are you shittin’ me?” And that’s how I got the job.
LITA: What about Kristofferson appeals to you? What makes him such a timeless artist?
MS: You have to understand the mindset of 1960s America. It was an Us vs. Them dynamic. On one side were the freaks, hippies, troublemakers and activists. On the other side was the rest of America. At the same time, I had gotten into hardcore country music while not shedding my hippie heart. The great thing about Kris, he was one of the first people who was authentically country, but at the same time, spoke to hippies. “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Billy Dee,” The Pilgrim” – songs like that were songs about us – my generation and my world. At the same time, it was authentic country music. He was ours. He represented our side, and he also bridged the gap. That was his initial appeal, aside from the fact that he is inarguably one of the greatest living American songwriters.
LITA: What aspects of his songwriting make his songs so relevant and appealing decades later?
MS: One, the man knows how to write a hook. Writing hooks and writing great melodies are lost arts in the 21st Century. He could write a song that would stay in your head. You couldn’t get rid of it. At the same time, his lyrics were brutally honest. They were poetry. The cat actually brought a more modern, poetic edge to country lyrics. There were other lyricists in country music you could argue wrote poetry. I would say Hank Williams was one of them, but he wrote in an older style. Kris was very modern. Those songs, especially the first batch he wrote in the ‘60s and early ‘70s, those songs are timeless. They transcend any historical period. They don’t sound dated to me. People don’t write about that stuff anymore. It’s relevant, because it hasn’t aged. And they are monumental. When you write stuff of that quality, it’s going to have legs. Kris has proven he is one of the greats of his era.
LITA: The musical landscape has obviously changed greatly since Kristofferson’s early output. A lot of his early work was political and topical. Contemporary country music is a different beast. Could he record those songs as a country artist now?
MS: (Laughs) There are two kinds of country music in the 21st Century – the shit coming out of Nashville, which is nothing more than commercial crap. It’s music designed for the lowest common denominator. Wal-Mart music. It has no depth or soul. The other kind is what they call Americana or alt-country. If Kris were young today, he would be lumped in with the alt-country crowd. He never would have had the commercial success. Today’s environment wouldn’t have nourished a cat like Kristofferson. Nobody currently working could touch his best stuff. Even he can’t (laughs). He really had that golden period in the early ‘70s.
LITA: Had you met Kristofferson prior to writing the liner notes for the Light in the Attic release?
MS: The first time I met Kristofferson, I was at his first major New York concert, at Carnegie Hall in 1970, and a friend reminded me we met Kris that night. We had somehow gotten backstage, courtesy of the very understanding usher, and we introduced ourselves to him. Later that same week, we ran into Kris on the street. He was walking down the street with a gorgeous blond. He wasn’t famous yet. I was so excited to see him. I ran up to him and said “Kris! Kris!” Here I was, this young teenage hippie, and he was startled. He hadn’t found stardom yet. I don’t think he’d ever been stopped on the street. I became friendly with him in the ‘80s, because I’d become friends with his longtime lead guitarist Stephen Bruton. Bruton became one of my best friends, and through Stephen I got to meet Kris. Over the years, I would see Kris, and hang out with him, usually backstage. So we knew each other, though not well. He’s a great guy.
LITA: Writing the liner notes, what were you trying to convey about Kris during that period of his career?
MS: What I set out to do was write liner notes (laughs). It came out naturally in the course of the research and the writing. I think where it ends up is as a tribute not only to Kris, but that era. That was an incredible era – how fertile it was, how productive it was, how romantic, and idealistic. But change is a process. One of the things you learn as you get older is that things don’t change in the way you would like them to change. Kris, though, he stuck to his guns. He’s still political. He’s still writing protest songs. He’s still writing from his heart. Honestly, he’s still writing the truth as he sees it, without any commercial concerns. That’s laudatory in this day and age.
LITA: You alluded to the idea that Kristofferson was this kind of hippie country singer. When you reflect upon that, doesn’t it seem remarkable he was able to pull that off?
MS: He was able to get away with it because his songs were so damn good. You couldn’t ignore him. I write in the liner notes that you can’t argue with sales. Not only was the cat brilliant – a true and authentic artist – he was also very commercial. He was able to pull it off. If Kris didn’t happen, he would have had to have been invented. Listen, it wasn’t that different from what cats like Gram Parsons were doing. Kris says he didn’t set out to change things consciously. Musically, he was doing what came naturally. Gram had this dream of merging country and rock. Kris, while not conscious of it, functioned in the same way. He changed the way music was. He changed the face of music. He brought literary sensibility to country music.
LITA: You mentioned Gram Parsons. Was there a common thread that linked him with Kristofferson and the other artists in the Outlaw country vein?
MS: Technically, Gram wasn’t part of the Outlaw country movement. Spiritually, he was. It’s a very specific term that refers to the people around Nashville and Austin who practiced music with a rock ‘n’ roll edge and attitude. “Outlaw” is just a commercial term used to sell that attitude. It’s accurate in that they were breaking rules. They were doing things their way. There were a lot of common threads – long hair, dope and leftist politics. But the real common threads were: think for yourself, question authority, stop letting people push you around. Or as Kris said on many occasions, “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” These cats represent the rebellious streak in the American spirit. They were saying, “Get off my ass.”
LITA: Listening to these early demos, what is the importance of these recordings?
MS: For me, personally, they remind me that my generation was onto something that hasn’t been replicated since – that sense of freedom, urgency, questioning authority, and doing what your heart tells you. These songs reinforce that. Not just on a political level, these songs work on an artistic level. The thing about Kris’ writing, he really understands the human heart. I think ultimately that’s his greatest gift. He has a lot of empathy for his fellow human beings, and he expresses this empathy in these songs. These songs are incredibly moving.
BIO
The late Karen Dalton has been the muse for countless folk rock geniuses, from Bob Dylan to Devendra Banhart, from Lucinda Williams to Joanna Newsom. Legendary singer Lacy J. Dalton actually adopted her hero’s surname as her own when she started her career in country music. Karen Dalton had that affect on people – her timeless, aching, blues-soaked, Native American spirit inspired both Dylan & The Band’s “Katie’s Been Gone” (on ’The Basement Tapes… READ MORE >
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May 11, 2010 at 06:04 PM
An Interview With Michael Simmons
(Photo courtesy of Tyler Hubby)
Michael Simmons is a veteran journalist who has written for the likes of MOJO, LA Weekly, The Huffington Post and Rolling Stone. Light in the Attic commissioned Simmons to write the liner notes for its latest release, Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends: The Publishing Demos 1968-72, a collection of the early demos of Kris Kristofferson. Also an accomplished musician, the Los Angeles-based Simmons is at work on a solo album - Last Call At The White Horse - that he hopes to complete by year's end. In the 1970s, Simmons fronted the band Slewfoot, whose sound his close friend Kinky Friedman called "metallic cocaine hillbilly bebop." Simmons, 55, spoke recently with Light in the Attic, and what followed was an insightful, thought-provoking conversation. The New York native talked about working on the liner notes for Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends, Kristofferson's career and legacy, and a range of other topics. Below is the first half of the two-part interview:
Light in the Attic: How did you come to work on this project?
Michael Simmons: I loved this singer named Karen Dalton. This guy Mark Linn put out an album of unreleased Karen Dalton stuff. I called him up and asked if I could get a copy. He asked if I was going to write about it, and I gave him my word that I would. I’m sure he didn’t want to waste a freebie. I ended up writing about it for my Huffington Post column. I effusively praised it, and he loved what I had written. He’s one of these cats that goes out and finds rare and unreleased recordings. One day he says to me, “Do you dig Kristofferson?” I laughed, because (Kristofferson) is one of my primary influences. He said, “Well, I’ve got these unreleased demos, and we’re going to put them out on Light in the Attic.” (Light in the Attic) had put out Rodriguez, who I really loved. And I loved these cats at Light in the Attic, because they put such care and love into their releases. Mark Linn asked if I’d write the liner notes for the Kristofferson release, and I said, “Are you shittin’ me?” And that’s how I got the job.
LITA: What about Kristofferson appeals to you? What makes him such a timeless artist?
MS: You have to understand the mindset of 1960s America. It was an Us vs. Them dynamic. On one side were the freaks, hippies, troublemakers and activists. On the other side was the rest of America. At the same time, I had gotten into hardcore country music while not shedding my hippie heart. The great thing about Kris, he was one of the first people who was authentically country, but at the same time, spoke to hippies. “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Billy Dee,” The Pilgrim” – songs like that were songs about us – my generation and my world. At the same time, it was authentic country music. He was ours. He represented our side, and he also bridged the gap. That was his initial appeal, aside from the fact that he is inarguably one of the greatest living American songwriters.
LITA: What aspects of his songwriting make his songs so relevant and appealing decades later?
MS: One, the man knows how to write a hook. Writing hooks and writing great melodies are lost arts in the 21st Century. He could write a song that would stay in your head. You couldn’t get rid of it. At the same time, his lyrics were brutally honest. They were poetry. The cat actually brought a more modern, poetic edge to country lyrics. There were other lyricists in country music you could argue wrote poetry. I would say Hank Williams was one of them, but he wrote in an older style. Kris was very modern. Those songs, especially the first batch he wrote in the ‘60s and early ‘70s, those songs are timeless. They transcend any historical period. They don’t sound dated to me. People don’t write about that stuff anymore. It’s relevant, because it hasn’t aged. And they are monumental. When you write stuff of that quality, it’s going to have legs. Kris has proven he is one of the greats of his era.
LITA: The musical landscape has obviously changed greatly since Kristofferson’s early output. A lot of his early work was political and topical. Contemporary country music is a different beast. Could he record those songs as a country artist now?
MS: (Laughs) There are two kinds of country music in the 21st Century – the shit coming out of Nashville, which is nothing more than commercial crap. It’s music designed for the lowest common denominator. Wal-Mart music. It has no depth or soul. The other kind is what they call Americana or alt-country. If Kris were young today, he would be lumped in with the alt-country crowd. He never would have had the commercial success. Today’s environment wouldn’t have nourished a cat like Kristofferson. Nobody currently working could touch his best stuff. Even he can’t (laughs). He really had that golden period in the early ‘70s.
LITA: Had you met Kristofferson prior to writing the liner notes for the Light in the Attic release?
MS: The first time I met Kristofferson, I was at his first major New York concert, at Carnegie Hall in 1970, and a friend reminded me we met Kris that night. We had somehow gotten backstage, courtesy of the very understanding usher, and we introduced ourselves to him. Later that same week, we ran into Kris on the street. He was walking down the street with a gorgeous blond. He wasn’t famous yet. I was so excited to see him. I ran up to him and said “Kris! Kris!” Here I was, this young teenage hippie, and he was startled. He hadn’t found stardom yet. I don’t think he’d ever been stopped on the street. I became friendly with him in the ‘80s, because I’d become friends with his longtime lead guitarist Stephen Bruton. Bruton became one of my best friends, and through Stephen I got to meet Kris. Over the years, I would see Kris, and hang out with him, usually backstage. So we knew each other, though not well. He’s a great guy.
LITA: Writing the liner notes, what were you trying to convey about Kris during that period of his career?
MS: What I set out to do was write liner notes (laughs). It came out naturally in the course of the research and the writing. I think where it ends up is as a tribute not only to Kris, but that era. That was an incredible era – how fertile it was, how productive it was, how romantic, and idealistic. But change is a process. One of the things you learn as you get older is that things don’t change in the way you would like them to change. Kris, though, he stuck to his guns. He’s still political. He’s still writing protest songs. He’s still writing from his heart. Honestly, he’s still writing the truth as he sees it, without any commercial concerns. That’s laudatory in this day and age.
LITA: You alluded to the idea that Kristofferson was this kind of hippie country singer. When you reflect upon that, doesn’t it seem remarkable he was able to pull that off?
MS: He was able to get away with it because his songs were so damn good. You couldn’t ignore him. I write in the liner notes that you can’t argue with sales. Not only was the cat brilliant – a true and authentic artist – he was also very commercial. He was able to pull it off. If Kris didn’t happen, he would have had to have been invented. Listen, it wasn’t that different from what cats like Gram Parsons were doing. Kris says he didn’t set out to change things consciously. Musically, he was doing what came naturally. Gram had this dream of merging country and rock. Kris, while not conscious of it, functioned in the same way. He changed the way music was. He changed the face of music. He brought literary sensibility to country music.
LITA: You mentioned Gram Parsons. Was there a common thread that linked him with Kristofferson and the other artists in the Outlaw country vein?
MS: Technically, Gram wasn’t part of the Outlaw country movement. Spiritually, he was. It’s a very specific term that refers to the people around Nashville and Austin who practiced music with a rock ‘n’ roll edge and attitude. “Outlaw” is just a commercial term used to sell that attitude. It’s accurate in that they were breaking rules. They were doing things their way. There were a lot of common threads – long hair, dope and leftist politics. But the real common threads were: think for yourself, question authority, stop letting people push you around. Or as Kris said on many occasions, “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” These cats represent the rebellious streak in the American spirit. They were saying, “Get off my ass.”
LITA: Listening to these early demos, what is the importance of these recordings?
MS: For me, personally, they remind me that my generation was onto something that hasn’t been replicated since – that sense of freedom, urgency, questioning authority, and doing what your heart tells you. These songs reinforce that. Not just on a political level, these songs work on an artistic level. The thing about Kris’ writing, he really understands the human heart. I think ultimately that’s his greatest gift. He has a lot of empathy for his fellow human beings, and he expresses this empathy in these songs. These songs are incredibly moving.
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December 31, 2009 at 02:58 AM
LIGHT IN THE ATTIC 3RD ANNUAL YEAR END EXTRAVAGANZA!
It's happened again, the year, slow and ponderous, has churned to an inevitable conclusion. It's been a year of vast changes in the world and right here in the underground liar of Light In The Attic. And so much change has occurred - from the death of pop stars to the election of an African-American president - we knew that our little lists couldn't do it justice. Thus, as we've done now two years running we've reached out the good folk that we love the world over and asked them for their top ten lists. And we've deemed it, again,:
We've got lists from musicians, writers, editors, bloggers, co-owners of certain record labels, Spanish music curators, and on and on and on and on ... there's a staggering pile of information below and we implore you, dig in, it'll be well worth your while.
This year we'd like to thank our main man Strath Shepard for bringing together that fantastic image above. You're a gem Strath Shepard, a goddamn holiday gem.
So please, order some pizza, cracked three or four beers and get ready ...
IT'S THE 3RD ANNUAL LIGHT IN THE ATTIC YEAR END EXTRAVAGANZA!
Our Light In The Attic Brethren: Robbie Hill, Black On White Affair, Robbie Hill’s Family Affair, Wheedle’s Groove
Favorite Things of 2009 All Time Entertainer/Performer - Michael Jackson Movie - a. Wheedle's Groove, the Movie b. The Temptations Food - Mexican Club to Perform In - The Triple Door Holiday - Christmas Music - ANYTHING by Michael Jackson Candy - Butterfingers TV Show - America's Most Wanted Stephen John Kalinich, Poet
5 Favorite Poets… Walt Whitman Rainer Maria Rilke T.S.Eliot Shakespeare Edwin Markham... 5 Favorite LA Restaurants Spago Peppones Le Votre Sante Pacific Dining Car Saketini 5 favorite Home Run Hitters Ted Kluszewski Mickey Mantle Hank Aaron Babe Ruth Willie Mays Ever Kipp, Tiny Human Publicity 1 The Sheng: It’s a bowl of flutes! 2 Chipotle peppers: Still awesome despite media oversaturation. 3 Milt Jackson: So vibey! 4 Eggs over easy 5 Pre-verbal toddler-speak: language of the nitrous-huffing wood elves. 6 Owen Roe 7 Starting your own company: terrifying, and terrifyingly gratifying. Eddie Shaw, Bass, Monks
Happy New Year, Light in the Attic. Having had my first fifteen minutes of fame and now my second fifteen minutes, to be a Monk does not feel all that bad. The group survived because the Monks are a “we” group, not an “I” group. There was no “I” until there was a “we.” Let’s face it. I’m a monk. You’re a monk. We’re all monks – just like the people monking around, above. For 2010, I am finishing a new book PASSING THROUGH MINNESODA AND OTHER ALTERED STATES (732 pages). There are a couple of chapters about the monks in it, but basically it’s about a trumpet player who thinks he’s a pigeon. Even as I do a lot of text writing, music is still the defining activity for me. I don’t like to listen to old music because the moment of its relevance is normally past. I’m always looking for the new. I’m looking for salvation. I’m looking for an answer. FAVORITES FOR 2009 Favorite places to hear new music: Austin, TX (naturally) and Buffalo, NY Favorite new groups: (changing all the time) Here’s a couple – 1. Ghostland Observatory – Two zany/weird guys prove that the smallest group possible, is not a trio. They’re way out there – probably causing a lot of people to scratch their heads and say, “Huh?” 2. Phoenix – There are a couple of different versions of them.. When they test the limits they go somewhere. 3. And there are my friends: The Nuns – Them Bird Things – Kelley Stolz – Grave Brothers Deluxe – 5,6,7,8s – Mike and The Ravens. - Nista Niji Nista – The Raincoats - I have forgotten a few, I know. Favorite older groups: 1. Nine Inch Nails – I saw Trent Reznor live in Reno. It was my favorite live performance; better than Charles Aznavour who I saw in L.A. (even through I did like his performance). Who says French Chanson singers are not interesting? NIN was over the top. “I want to Fuck You Like An Animal” made me hide underneath my seat. 2. Radiohead – Their pop music always sounds new, even as the singer often sounds like he’s whining. That’s a compliment because there is a lot to cry about. 3. Faust – Klangbad never gets old - so perhaps the context from which it came was ahead of its time. 4. Masserati – A group of guitar players who know how to arrange and play. Great guitar music. 5. Propelerhead – for hip hop, of course – as well as Chemical Brothers - and Eminem – don’t tell anyone. 6. And there are my friends: Henry Rollins – Wayne Kramer - Mark E Smith – Genesis P’Orridge - I have forgotten a few, I know. Favorite jazz: For me, jazz lasts longer than pop-rock-country-folk. At one time or another almost all the jazz musicians were my favorites. My favorites change from day to day. For today they are: 1. Flatland – interesting arrangements 2. Brad Mehldau – jazz piano – rock drums – rough on purpose. 3. Mathias Eick – German trumpet player who plays sparse long notes. On a long rough airplane ride from Warsaw to NYC, he kept me totally in one piece (meditating). Favorite Country: I haven’t been near a cow or a pig in a long time. 1. Charlie Haden’s new release, Rambling Boy - Charlie is also a great jazz bass player - best known as working with Ornette Coleman. Favorite Classical: 1. Still it’s Henryk Góki – perhaps classical music has a longer shelf life. Favorite Light in the Attic Recordings: I haven’t heard all the Light in the Attic artists. 1. Karen Dalton – LITA’s Billie Holiday. My wife listens to it constantly. 2. Wheedle’s Groove – reminds me of a group I used to work in. “Jesus Christ Pose” got my attention. 3. Black Angels – Rough, raw – in your face. I could get in a barroom fight with this music in the background. 4. Oz Mutantes – a lot different than Milton Nasciemento (one of my favorite Brazilian singer/songwriters. These songs make me think because they have so many different influences. 5. Free Design – They were too good to make it in NYC – part jazz, part Hi-Lo’s, part ABBA; good singers. Some groups sound better live. Free Design is one of them. They have great back-up musicians. One of my favorite cuts is an old Duke Ellington tune, “I Like The Sunrise.” I first heard this song, many years ago, sung by Mahalia Jackson. Yes, they are too good to be pop/rock stars. Noah Sanders, Mr. Blog, Criterion Quest
It's been a hell of a year folks. Big moves, upheavals aplenty on the emotional front, and hell, I moved in with a lady. Along the way I've listened to a whole lotta tunes, eaten a whole lotta good food, and seen a whole lotta good shit on various sized boob-tubes. It's been a challenging one, but let me agree with Matthew Sullivan when I say, one of the best. Hope it was just as hard and just as rewarding for you. Top of the Pops - 2009 1. Justin Vernon. The man does nothing wrong. Call me a softy, call me a sell-out, this man makes my heart swell and my pants short. You, you're a cold-hearted grinch. 2. San Francisco. Fuck bread bowls and rice-a-roni, this is the wackiest city in the U.S. of A. Nicknamed the "City of the Perpetual Teenager" and for all the right reasons. 3. The Sandwitches. A late entry to my playlist, but this trio manages to ride the line between 50s doo-wop, Neko Case and oh, I'll say it, Dolly Parton. Matt Sullivan poo-pooed this, but I poo-poo him. 4. Discovering the ones I previously spited. My brother used to try and push his twangy country crap on me and I rebuked him at every turn ... turns out the dirty bastard was correcto and now I'm swimming in the seas of Cohen, Waits, and Bill Callahan. Justin, you're not so much a wanker after all. 5. Garage rock's gritty revival. Perhaps I'm a little deeper 'cause of the SF scene, but Jesus I dipped myself baptismal style in to modern garage rock this year, and for every cigarette burn, I found a gem or four. Call it hipster music, I call it rock 'n' roll. 6. Upheaval - emotional, locational, whatever - it's good for the soul. 7. Alex Healy. Strath Shepard Art Director/Graphic Designer, Pacific Standard
Eirik Johnson at the Henry (up through the end of January). No Age playing a live score to L'Ours (The Bear), the 1989 film by Jean-Jacques Annaud at the Triple Door. The early-'70s d.i.y. architecture influences in this Hussein Chalayan ad campaign, the color in this Miu Miu campaign, and the vast minimalism of this Jil Sander campaign. Richard Avedon at ICP. The opening of the Highline.
Isabel Toledo at FIT. This Miranda July and Roe Ethridge photo series for Vice Magazine. RIP, Irving Penn, Dash Snow, Sam Haskins, et al. Jake One "Home" video (directed by Zia Mohajerjasbi). Lil' Bacon. Sipreano, DJ, writer, producer, Light In The Attic, beyond
1) The Sadies featuring The Mighty Pope - Wow! Late addition y'all. From the ashes of Jamaica to Toronto comes Canada's #1 soul brother with holy musical backing from cosmic country/rock/garage/R&B brothers, The Sadies. LIVE on this year's The Hour Christmas Special (CBC, airing late December 2009, check your listings for local airtimes)! More history in the making! 2) Vancouver - Returned to the coast after 3 years living in Toronto. Loving the beach (Third), ocean (Pacific), mountains (North Shore), Power River (Haslam Lake), friends (you know who you are), family (ditto), food (Chinese, Japanese mostly), and nuff music (Sports, Lightning Dust, and Pink Mountaintops all released new albums in 2009!) 3) Sweet Grass Music - Was stoked to lay down a new 2009 mix ("Sweet Grass Music") for long time homies, Sandinista/2Step from Tokyo, Japan. All-Canadian folk, rock, and psych from the archives. 4) Rodriguez in Vancouver - June saw Vancouver's first taste of Detroit-singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez at the dearly departed Richard's On Richards. Was lucky enough to play vinyl at this event (which also included a solo set from Stephen McBean's Pink Mountaintops and more than able backing from SF's The Fresh & Only's). 5) Vinyl recap - Well, my passion for vinyl has ebbed and flowed quite a bit over the past year. Blogs and Ebay have killed many musical mysteries for us. At this point, I'm looking for the unknown. All genres. Listening with open ears. Biggest find of 2009 is easily Art Snider's Corny Songs I Play On My Organ (Sound Canada). Here's to more... Matt Sullivan, Co-Owner, Light In The Attic
No question the best year of my life… Tying the knot When the economy hits bottom build a bar in your garage Leaving South By Southwest at 8 AM to visit Snow’s BBQ The year of Sixto Rodriguez – seeing the man play at the Barbican in the UK, then having the honor to tour manage the West Coast jaunt Wheedle’s Groove film wraps. Soon after wins Audience Award at Indie Memphis Film Festival A Great Day In Seattle, Garfield High School, September 27, 2009 Kris Kristofferson & Merle Haggard at The Paramount Theater, Seattle Visiting Stax Museum and meeting Stax alum Lou Bond, Deanie Parker and Al Bell, along with Communications Director Tim Sampson. 2009 Light In The Attic Road Trip – once again we embarked on a fruitful journey. 3,000 miles, 10 days, 50 record stores. Sandy, Cody, Troy & Tyson: THANK YOU! Deep Water – Film Documentary Eating the best meal of my life at Table, Asheville, NC followed by good times with the crew from Harvest Records Leonard Cohen at WAMU Theater, Seattle Big S Bar, Memphis, TN with the one and only Andria Lisle The Story of Anvil Big Star – Keep An Eye On The Sky WFMU Record Convention – every record you’ve ever wanted under one roof “Song of a Sinner” by Top Drawer from the compilation Forge Your Own Chains (Now Again) – highly recommended when cruising the Los Angeles highways. Put on repeat and float away New sounds… Bill Callahan, Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers, Soundcarriers, Naomi Shelton, The Amazing, Heartless Bastards, Fruit Bats, Animal Collective, The Fresh & Onlys, Phosphorescent, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Malakai - Snowflake 12", El Perro del Mar, Strange Boys… Best Blog – Pacific Standard Still Bill – I could sit and listen to Bill Withers talk for hours. Seeing the premiere of Twilight: New Moon in Houston, Texas with my wife, her two girlfriends, and thousands of fanatical teenagers and forty year old ladies. 8 sold-out screens in one theater all at 12:01 am. Could this be the end of the world as we know it? And working on our 2010 release schedule. Thanks for making this far and away the greatest year at Light In The Attic. All of us here at the label are incredibly grateful for your continued support! The Mighty Pope, Jamaica to Toronto
Calgary Folkfest. working and meeting great people/artists Working with Jason Wilson and friends Road trip to Montreal in the summer Hanging with the Mighty Sip CBC The Hour Discovering a new way to cook salmon Grateful for good friends and family Pat Thomas Top 5 releases of 2009: Big Star - Keep An Eye On The Sky - Rhino Neil Young - Archives (Volume 1) 1963-1972 - Warner/Reprise Rolling Stones - Get Your Ya-Ya's Out! (3 CD box & DVD) - Abkco John Martyn - Solid Air(2 CD deluxe edition) - Island McCabe & Mrs. Miller - Time For Leaving - Magnetic Sandy Wilson, Film & Television Guru, Light In The Attic I had a lot of things to be grateful for in 2009, here are a few of them in no particular order; The Monks "Boys Are Boys And Girls Are Choice" on Californication The Black Angels "Bloodhounds On My Trail" in the Harley Davidson Iron 883 commercial The Black Angels "Manipulation" in Drew Barrymore's Whip It starring Ellen Page The Black Angels "Sniper At The Gates Of Heaven" on CBS' Numb3rs Finally getting to see The Black Angels "Black Grease" in the film No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos air on PBS' Independent Lens. I'm a HUGE fan of both of those guys, and it was awesome that our music was a part of that film. The Free Design "Love You" again rocking the global ad world in 2009 with a Toyota spot that spanned the EU The Free Design "Love You", in addition to being the closing song for the WEEDS season 4 finale, also appeared on the 2009 soundtrack release along side The Soul Swingers "Brighter Tomorrow" (Wheedle's Groove). So yeah, that's two of our songs on the WEEDS soundtrack release. Damn. Patrinell Staton's"I Let A Good Man Go" (Wheedle's Groove) appeared in film Fighting starring Terrance Howard (Hustle & Flow) Sleepy Sun "Lord" (for ATP Recordings) on Showtime's Californication, also appearing on the soundtrack release. The Blakes "Don't Bother Me" appearing on 90210 The successful completion and release of 3 films that I worked on this year, True Adolescents (Mark Duplass, Melissa Leo) which premiered at SXSW this year, The Wheedle's Groove documentary that won the Audience Choice Award at the Indie Memphis premiere, and Funky Prairie Boy which is still tearing up the festival circuit. The LITA 2009 Road Trip with Black Daisy. From what I remember (i.e. whatever was filmed) we had one hell of a good time. How could you not have a good time with that crew while spreading the gospel according to LITA. Hallelujah! And last but not least, another wonderful year with my amazing girlfriend Leigh. I'm grateful for every day that she puts up with me. Thanks baby! => end transmission, Kirk out <= And the rest of you beautiful people ... John Ballon, Must Hear, liner notes writer for Betty Davis’ Nasty Gal 10. The Beatles Box 9. Barack Obama 8. The L.A. Food Truck Scene 7. Lacoste Red! Collection 6. Green Shoots In The Economy 5. 3 weeks in France 4. David Weidman's art 3. Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression by Stud Turkel 2. Elizabeth Vitanza (and her pizzas) 1. My dad, William Ballon, my he rest in peace Brian James Barr
1) My Cameras: Nikon F2 and Canon AE60. This is gonna sound dramatic, but taking pictures literally changed my way of thinking and, more so, changed the way I see everything. 2) Visiting Ernest Hemingway's Birthplace in Oak Park, Illinois: According to Hemingway himself, Oak Park was a place of "wide lawns and narrow minds." He had no great love for the Chicago suburb as he did for Paris, Key West, Venice, and Idaho, but standing there in the very room in which he was born, everything about the man made sense. 3) Bob Dylan @ WaMu Theatre 10.5.09: The man was on fucking fire this night. Hunched like a vulture over his keyboard, oggling the ladies as he traded licks with Charlie Sexton on "Lay Lady Lay", striking Bobby Darin poses during "Beyond Here Lies Nothing", and that voice...it's not about delivering words anymore, but about pure raw energy and emotion, siphoned up from his charred lungs through a rusty tailpipe of a throat. 4) Duke Ellington - Indigos: Coming home from work one night, my wife said, "Life would be so much nicer if I could walk through the door and hear this every night." From 1957, Indigos is music that lowers the blood pressure and relaxes the shoulders. And like all Ellington's work, it is smooth and utterly cool. Though not considered a high water mark in Ellington's catalog, I think that criticism is unfair and lazy. Anybody who listens to this record and comes to that conclusion must despise beauty. Indigos is as lovely as autumn leaves falling. 5) White Center and Richard Hugo: Middle of this year, I learned my wife and I live two blocks from where the writer Richard Hugo was born and raised, in the South Seattle neighborhood of White Center. Seattle loves to claim Hugo for itself, but he is a White Center boy through and through and I am very proud to live in his hometown. The house was torn down in the 80s, the New Nick is now the Triangle Tavern, the grassy boulevard on 16th Ave SW ripped out and paved over, but much of Hugo's White Center remains intact. 6) William Eggleston: I never would have considered photography had I not seen the work of Bill Eggleston. Pure fucking art, period. 7) Mushrooms: My wife brought home a pocket guidebook called All That The Rain Promises And More and a massive shroomopedia called Mushrooms Demystified. Walking in the woods became a whole different experience thanks to these books. 8) The Interrogative Mood by Padgett Powell: The most important writer in the country right now, Padgett Powell actually brings something new, awe-inspiring, and, most importantly, fun, to the stale fiction market. The Interrogative Mood is a wild ride driven by Powell's own impulses. It's a prose work of nothing but questions, each one telling multiple stories. Do you miss Tab and do you fully understand its disappearance? Do you regard yourself as a connoisseur of anything? Do you anticipate having sex again? Assuming you might have as a child, could you eat Chef Boyardee canned noodles today? Are you lazy? 9) Glacier National Park: We hiked to the tops of mountains where Bighorn sheep looked at us, blankly. We drank beer as we drove. We stood with an Australian couple peering at a mother grizzly and her cubs in the valley below. We ventured to Polebridge, the end of the line. We ate dinner alongside Blackfeet Indians. We did not see any buffalo. 10) Turning 30: For whatever reason, this one felt important-feeling in a way that I cannot quite describe but don't really need to. Bill Bentley, Sonic Boomers Best of 2009 Mayer Hawthorne, A Strange Arrangement (Stone’s Throw) Wilco, Wilco (The Album) (Nonesuch) Mulatu Astatke & the Heliocentrics, Inspiration and Information (Srut) Dawes, North Hills (ATO) Staff Benda Bilili, Tres Tres Fort (Crammed Discs) John Fogerty, The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again (Verve-Forecast) James Hand, Shadow on the Ground (Rounder) Jesse Winchester, Love’s Filling Station (Appleseed) The Avett Brothers, I And Love And You (American) Long John Hunter, Looking for a Party (Blues Express) Peter Blecha, Author, Sonic Boom Top-5 Fresh Local Artists: 1. The Fabulous Hammers: A band that has captured the old-school "Northwest Sound" with their all-original instrumental tunes. In a day & age when the sound of this region's first strains of rockin' R&B are essentially extinct on the live-music scene, this quintet suddenly appears & brings the form back to life with a vengeance. 2. Lion's Ambition: A hip-hop group whose original tunes boast endless pop hooks, & whose blend of raps & melodic vocalizing are simply magic. It was my pleasure to serve on the judging panel that awarded them top prize at last summer's exhilarating Battle of the Tech Bands event produced by the Washington Technology Industry Association. 3. Out From Underneath: Far from being just another same 'ol everyday rap-metal band, OFU brings it all to the table: pounding rhythms, punishing riffs, excellent musicianship, great vocals, & memorable melodic hooks. Did I mention scary lyrical themes? Great rock (with some addictive hip-hop inspired beats) -- & nice guys too! 4. Gameboy: I'm no hip-hop expert -- only been studying the music since I first stumbled across KNHC back in 1982 -- but I do know what I like. Met Gameboy at the U District Street Fair last May, got his brand new It's Already A Classic CD, & was immediately impressed by his pop sensabilities. You wanna hear hooks? Try spinnin'' Gameboy. In my mind, he's already a Northwest classic. 5. The Flanagan Precept: It would be forgivable to presume -- based on their name alone -- that these guys are an Irish band. However, this rock crew are a Seattle-based group whose collective musicianship, winning vocals, & superior songwriting skills should see them in the town's top ranks before, I predict, next St. Patrick's Day. Zach Cowie, DJ Turquoise Wisdom
1. california 2. fitzy's DOODcast. follow these instructions: go to your itunes at the top click ADVANCED - select subscribe to podcast - copy paste this URL and get ready to party! 3. the first showing of STAR TREK at the arclight dome in los angeles. best vibes ever. 4. selected DJ'ing highlights: the weddings of kevin & amy and ben & zooey. touring with animal collective and then the fleet foxes. every guest spot i jammed at DR WHO. the animal collective big sur after party with me, all the a/c dudes, fitzy, braddax, and cabic all throwing tunes (and getting wasted enough to play the moonshake 45 twice!). the dublab 10 closing party. hearing votel & sheep at hollywood forever. the bobb trimble show in brooklyn. 5. must plays: darrow fletcher - now's the time for love pt 2 45 philwit & pegasus - elephant song 45 chico magnetic band - my sorrow 45 affinity - s/t LP brigitte fontaine & areski - ca va faire un hit 45 u.s. warren & the genghis pea - hard headed woman 45 pentangle - i saw an angel 45 shoes - black vinyl shoes reissue LP larry sanders - child of december 45 circuit rider - s/t reissue LP raekwom - only built 4 cuban linx II LP fairfield parlor - bordeaux rose 45 forever amber - love cycle reissue LP lifetones - for a reason DIGITAL john kongos - he's gonna step on your again 45 mario ft gucci mane - break up DIGITAL cold sun - dark shadows reissue LP amon duul II - archangels thunderbird 45 jay-z - the blueprint 3 DIGITAL alasdair roberts - spoils LP elephant's memory - mongoose 45 3 hur el - hurel arsivi reissue LP the sweet - juicer 45 both the b-music/finders keepers well hung and drive in, turn on, freak out double LP's alessi bros - seabird 45 breakout - na drugim brzegu teczy LP stones throw's forge your own chains double LP anything j dilla anything brian eno anything kanye (still!) Chris Daly, Les Enfants Terribles Top Ten Lessons for New Zombies 1. Braaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiins. (Actually, that's pretty much it.) Kyla Fairchild, No Depression Favorite Albums of 2009 Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers - S/T Vandaveer - Divide and Conquer Gregory Alan Isakov - This Empty Northern Hemisphere Amanda Shires - West Cross Timbers Sam Baker - Cotton Andrew Bird - Noble Beast Built To Spill - There Is No Enemy Neko Case - Middle Cyclone Cave Singers - Welcome Joy Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk Andy Fischer, Vinyl Films Top Five U.S. Craft Beers of the year (in no particular order): Duck Duck Gooze - The Lost Abbey Brewing Company, San Marcos, CA. A Belgian-style sour, this is one of the greatest summer beers ever. Crisp, tart, refreshing and delicious. Nelson - Alpine Beer Company, Alpine, CA. They call it a Golden Rye IPA, I call it the hoppiest loaf of Rye bread you'll ever drink. Insanely great and probably my beer of the year. Theobroma - Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. I may be cheating on this selection since it may have come out in 2008, but it is by far the most complex, incredible beverage I've ever tasted. Hints of cocoa, chilies... it simply has to be tasted to be believed. Consecration - Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, CA. This Cabernet barrel-aged monstrosity is another genius addition to the Russian River slate of Belgian-style Ales, this one brewed with Currants. Complex, complicated and amazing - and for me definitely a sipping beer at 10% abv. Sculpin - Ballast Point Brewing Company, San Diego, CA. As tasty as an IPA gets, this limited edition single is happy with hops - do whatever you can to get your hands on a few of these. Matt Grady, Factory Twenty Five
Julian Cope - POSTPUNKSAMPLER...A streaming album of the month on Cope's Head Heritage site. Stone Roses 20th Anniversary Limited Collector's Edition...One of the best Box sets of all time w/Vinyl, Prints, CDs, a lemon shaped usb, and a DVD. 92nd Street Y in Tribeca...It may be a pain to get to but has turned into the film venue with the best curation in NYC. Food at the Brooklyn Flea...Papusas, Fish Tacos, Brick oven pizza (from a home made portable oven) and so much more...best food and deal in town...I've waited 45 minutes for a Papusa-and it was worth it. WFMU's Free Music Archive...So many discoveries made on this site (which did lead to many vinyl purchases) FAVORITES OF 2009 Currin Grayson, Independent Weekly The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Team Edward forever, y'all.) The bands in my particular area of North Carolina (So crazy right now, y'all.) Andrew WK (His thoughts alone are worth the soul-evaporating cost of signing up for Twitter, y'all.) Touring with The Avett Brothers for some magazine (Nicest dudes, y'all. Greatest live band at the moment, y'all?) Inauguration Day (Snow in North Carolina. No work. Outdoor hot tub party? Barry O)))bama, y'all) The prolificacy of Tiger Woods' "one-iron" (Hopefully he'll be on Season 8 of VH1's terr(ific/ible) Sex Addicts, y'all.) Big Ears (Knoxville, Tenn., experimental festival with P. Glass, Antony, Matmos, The Necks? Fuck yeah, y'all. KNOXVILLE!) Counter Culture's Ethiopia Idido Misty Valley (Blueberries-n-coffee via Ethiopia via Durham, y'all.) Barista (Revolutionary Portland coffeeshop, y'all.) Meeting Neil Young (at a gas station in Texas, y'all.) Hometapes (This label's killing it, y'all. Best SXSW party people, too.) The Jazz Loft Project (And we thought we knew jazz, y'all.) Alice (the name of my dog, the name of the remarkable finale on Sunn O)))'s new record, and the hottest Twilight character, y'all! ) Cable "Five Inches of Pain" Griffith
Top 5 Things with "5" in the Title (in no particular order): The Jackson 5 (1964 - 1976) Full Fathom Five, Jackson Pollock (1947) Take Five, Dave Brubek Quartet (1959) Slaughterhouse Five, Kurt Vonnegut (1969) Five Fingers of Death, Chang-hwa Jeong (1972) Nancy Guppy, Art Zone TOP TEN THINGS FROM 2009 Herb & Dorothy, a documentary film about a librarian and postal worker from New York who amassed a world-class art collection The awesome SuttonBeresCuller exhibit at Lawrimore Project Working with Greg Pecknold, the phenomenally talented creative director of SHOUT, on a new open for ArtZone Breaking a King Size Nestle Crunch Bar into approximately 32 equal sized pieces, placing them into a small blue bowl, and savoring each chunk while watching old episodes of Perry Mason Local actress Amy Thone in absolutely anything Eric Elbogen's new record Oohs and Aahs Attending the first annual Theatre Puget Sound Gregory Awards Serving Cafe Lago lasagne at my husbands 54th birthday party The debut of Humpday from the wonderful writer/director, Lynn Shelton The seriously talented Reggie Watts & Tommy Smith in Transition @ On the Boards Iñ, Vampi Soul
Music wise. Stuff that keeps repeated again and always. In no special order: 1- BIG STAR BOX SET . The due is paid, and the set is awesome. None can ever get tired of that stuff, listening to that thousands of times. 2- KAREN DALTON VINYL. The first album delivers so many THINGS that is priceless. You can just play that over and over and get hit harder and harder 3- FRED NEIL - ELEKTRA LP on Sundazed. Released a long time ago but still gets played over and over again. No folk revival gets any better than THIS. 4- JONATHAN RICHMAN LIVE. Nowdays hes giving much better shows than in the past 20 years. He's even playing Modern Lovers songs 5- THE RATIONALS REISSUE. One of the best groups of the 60’s finally reissued properly. All you would expect from white kids from Detroit loving the Kinks and Motown. NOW its time for a BOB SEGER plan. 6- WAU Y LOS ARGGGHS LIVE. Not so many bands deliver so mucho on stage these days. Imagine Jello Biafra fronting We The People. 7- 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS - SIGN OF THE 3 EYED MEN. The Box set 8- STRANGE BOYS LP. From Austin Texas, same as the 3 Eyed Men. Very good debut album with all the elements that a juvenile rock & roll combo must have. 9- FATAI ROLLING DOLLAR. A master of African music that must be reissued no later. 10- PLASTIC PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSE. From Prague. The definition of Underground . You got to learn the lesson. Michael Jaworski, Mt. Fuji Records
Favorite 10 records of 2009 (that I can remember, and in no particular order) The Intelligence - Fake Surfers - I really wish I could have played guitar on their fall tour. Amazing record. How does Lars do it? Future of the Left - Travels With Myself and Another - Best live band going today. Best live show of the year x 2. Great record. I miss Mclusky less now. Box Elders - Alice and Friends - One of the funnest records of the year. Great songs, super catchy rock n' roll. Pains of Being Pure at Heart - S/T - horrible live band, but this record kills me. Blissed out pop gems that are so infectious. The Dutchess and The Duke - Sunset / Sunrise - someone called them campfire punk. I just call it great folk, rock n' roll. Obits - I Blame You - I am such a sucker for Rick Froberg's songs. Great record but I still miss the Hot Snakes Reigning Sound - Love and Curses - Like a lot of folks, I couldn't wait for this one. Greg Cartwright and crew delivered again. Great rock n' roll album. Cass McCombs - Catacombs - Beautiful record that got a million spins on my turntable. Arctic Monkeys - Humbug - I never knew I liked the Arctic Monkeys. Maybe it has something to do with Josh Homme producing. Killer record. Sonic Youth - The Eternal - Arguably the most important band of my generation makes yet another classic record. Lauren, Music Snitch Favorite Albums of 2009: (No particular order) Passion Pit – Manners Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum Freelance Whales – Weathervanes Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest Say Hi – Oohs & Aahs Flaming Lips – Embryonic The Xx – Xx We All Have Hooks For Hands – Made Up Of Tiny Lights Noah and the Whale – The First Days Of Spring Favorite Artists/Bands of 2009: Sunbears, Princeton, The Middle East, Animal Collective, Micachu & The Shapes , Girls, Cold Cave, Mumford And Sons , Spiral Stairs, Lost In The Trees, The Avett Brothers, Yacht, Nurses, Dirty Projectors, Florence And The Machine, The Drums, Port O’Brien, Fever Ray, The Antlers, Sunset Rubdown, Tempo No Tempo, The Cave Singers, Winter Gloves, Electric Tickle Machine, Free Energy, Neon Indian, Banjo or Freakout, Washed Out, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Cribs, New Ruins, Matt & Kim, Cursive, Hot Panda, Memory Tapes… DaVe Lipp, Short and Sweet NYC Top Singles of 09 Solid Gold – Get Over It Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms Papercuts – Future Primitive Hockey – Too Fake Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll Yeasayer - Ambling Alp Silversun Pickups - Panic Switch St. Vincent - Actor Out Of Work Jay-Z – Empire State of Mind Franz Ferdinand – No You Girls Brent Locke, Universal Music Vegas Faves My business travels this year took me to Las Vegas 5 or 6 times (lost count…go figure). Here are the top places I enjoyed (or remembered). There is “another” list but I can’t post it in public XS Nightclub at Encore Lavo Nightclub at The Palazzo The Foundation Room at House of Blues Mandalay Bay N9NE Steakhouse at The Palms Koi Restaurant at Planet Hollywood Mon Ami Gabi Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas Pho Kim Long (Vietnamese restaurant in a strip mall away from the main strip) Mairead Case 1. The Megabus – Get most anywhere in the Midwest, for cheap. Sometimes the bus is late and sometimes you get stuck in a corner and can’t open the windows, but it’s always cheap. Why argue with cheap? 2. Seeing Your Friends Dress Up – So we used to dress all punk whatever, right? But a couple of times this year – weddings, funerals, elections, etc. – we’ve dressed for reasons other than Immediate Self-Expression. Other than Getting Laid. It’s not selling out! It’s getting better at listening and lasting and coming home. Plus it’s not like we got rid of the combat boots or anything. I’m really proud of us 3. This poem, again 4. The Public Collectors Tumblr 5. Kate Greenstreet reading her poetry – holy shit, man. If she was a band and I was sixteen, I’d wait in a block-long line and buy the t-shirt, too 6. The Martians Meet the Clock – as my sister pointed out, it would be nice if we could hide our eyeballs in our lips every time we got scared 7. At Random – There’s this bar in Milwaukee and it has mirrors and mood lighting and waitresses who say “Sweetie” and a chandelier and statues of naked people and ice cream drinks with liquor in them. Amazing! 8. Steel Shavings, a journal publishing oral histories from Calumet, IN 9. Kristine McKenna, asking Iggy Pop which songs make him cry. "Dionne Warwick's," he says. 10. John Ashbery on A Wave. Molotiu on Blogspot. Woodring on Youtube. My So Called Life on Hulu (“Life of Brian” especially). Beth Ditto and Lady Gaga, owning weird on national television. Asterios Polyp. Wave Books. The Raincoats! You. And the bells in Los Jaivas’ “Foto de la Primavera Comunion” Steven Matrick, Kepler Music 1. The Decemberists- Hazards of Love 2. God Help the Girl- God Help the Girl 3. A Place to Bury Strangers- Exploding Head 4. Sharon Van Etten- Because I Was In Love 5. Au Revoir Simone- Still Night, Still Light Michael McDonald, Music Lover, Vinyl Junkie 1. Famous as The Flying Sweet Angel of Joy LP. 2. Sensational Brown Brothers - Stand By Me: A Tribute To Mother 3. Carol Kleyn - Love Has Made Me Stronger LP 4. Guitar Ensemble - The You-N-You LP 5. Ronaye Shandler - Affinity LP 6. Ed Hartman - The River LP 7. Gabrielle - Time Journey 7" 8. Alice Baze - The Gift 7" 9. Daniel Schell & Dick Annegarn - Egmont and The ff Boom LP 10. Little Ann - Deep Shadows Jon Naito, Furloughed writer/bar stool pundit Random things I generally enjoyed about 2009 1 - Weddings. I'm not a romantic by nature, but the three weddings I attended this year were soirees of the highest caliber. A tip of the hat to each party, ace gents and fine dames all. 2 - Old Overholt. Economical and Don Draper approved. I take mine in an Old Fashioned. 3 - Mad Men. The finale was worth watching the entire season alone. Wow. 4 - Tacos El Asadero. LITA co-jefe Matt Sullivan will beg to differ, but my vote for best taco truck (it's actually a school bus painted white) in the city. 5 - The French Onion soup at Cafe Presse. Nothing hits the spot better on a fall evening in Seattle. 6 - The 69 series at Northwest Film Forum. Great idea, perfect execution. 7 - Wallace Stegner. Can't believe it took so long for me to discover him. A true Western writer (in the best sense), and criminally unappreciated. 8 - The Roanoke Tavern. For being the quintessential neighborhood bar (in the best sense), and also within two blocks of my house. 9 - Girls, Album. I don't know if this was the best record I heard all year, but I listened to it more than any other. I'm listening to it right now. 10. Kanye West. Pop stars don't act like stars anymore. Kanye, I love you for your unabashed narcissism, rampant egotism, and doing your damnedest to personally embody all the excesses and untoward behavior of pop stars past. Adam Perry, Boulder Weekly, Westword, Alibi Favorite albums of 2009: 1. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast (Deluxe Edition) 2. Alela Diane - To Be Still 3. Cotton Jones - Paranoid Cocoon 4. British Sea Power - Man of Aran 5. Flaming Lips - Embryonic 6. Heartless Bastards - The Mountain 7. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest 8. Phosphorescent - To Willie 9. Dodos - Time to Die 10. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion Megan Petty, Les Enfants Terribles 1. Alabama football: As an Alabama alum, I couldn’t be more thrilled about the season my beloved Tide has had. Undefeated and gunning for a national title (#13?), and the school’s first Heisman winner to boot (yay Mark Ingram). 2009 was a great year to be Crimson.
2. SXSW 2009: For a first-timer it was daunting, but a thrill. I loved my introduction to Austin's biggest fest, from the numerous Bang! Bang! Eche! sightings to the crazy intimate and amazing Ringo Deathstarr gig at Headhunter's, to the walking all over downtown Austin in not-yet-broken in cowboy boots. Visting Waterloo Records was an added bonus. 3. Records: Records make my list for the second year in a row. I've accumulated several hundred over the past year, and am still convinced vinyl is just better. I'm obsessively collecting Rolling Stones records, and seem to keep buying Leon Russell. Send recommendations, please. 4. Netflix: I tend to be behind the curve on things, but this year I signed up for Netflix and have been constantly glad I did so. My queue always hovers around 400 things, so I'm probably way behind the curve seeing movies, too. 5. Turning 30: It's the new 20, I hear. 6. Living on Richmond's Monument Avenue: Sure, my apartment leaks and the heat doesn't really work, and I don't have many mod cons, but living on THE poshest (and very historic) street in Richmond makes me really happy. 7. The Nine Inch Nails/Jane's Addiction Tour: Seeing both of these bands together in June (in Maryland) was so very special. Definitely one of the best shows of all of 2009. And of course, meeting one Mr. Reznor, didn't hurt either. 8. Trysts: probably shouldn't require explanation. 9. Music Trivia at Cous Cous: One of my favorite activities in Richmond happens every Tuesday night, at my favorite Richmond watering hole. Music trivia, not for the faint-of-heart (or light of knowledge) at its most unfailingly entertaining, especially when my former team, David Bowie's Nipple Antennae, was constantly emerging as champs. Chris Porter, One Reel, Bumbershoot Festival TOP 5 LIVE SHOWS IN SEATTLE Leonard Cohen - WAMU Theater (one of my Top 5 for the decade!) Raphael Saadiq - Bumbershoot Festival Paul Weller - Moore Theatre Motorhead - Showbox SoDo Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - Tractor Tavern TOP 5 CD RELEASES The Clientele - Bonfires on the Heat Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement Shawn Lee - Soul in the Hole Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - Tell 'Em What Your Name Is Various Artists "Where The Action Is! - Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968 Honorable mentions to Atlas Sound, Devendra Banhart, The Heavy, and The New Mastersounds Steve Quenell
Top 21 list of the best psyched-out, sitar-laden, organ jams and library sounds I stumbled upon in 2009: 1) Affinity "Night Flight" (1970)/Brainticket "Radagacuca" (1972)/Julian's Treatment "6th Chapter: Altarra, Princess Of The Blue Women" (1970) I'm a sucker for any psych with floating, sometimes Leslie-soaked, female vocals and these three tunes are prime examples. They're what you'd expect to hear while going down the rabbit hole. 2) Al Stewart - "Turn To Earth" (1966) Yes, THAT Al Stewart. Mr. Year-of-the-Cat started as a psychedelic goof ball. Regardless (or because of that), this Yardbirds cover eclipses the original with its haunting vocals and jazzy instrumentation. Broadcast (who I love) totally ripped this song off! 3) Annie Girardot "La femme faux cils" (1968)/Delphine "La fermeture éair" (1966)/France Gall "Laisse Tomber Les Filles" (1964) I thought I'd had my fill of the French pop ladies, but there are still a few nuggets out there that ruled my world this year. Each one of these sends me into fits of yééages. 4) Aphrodite's Child "The Four Horsemen" (1972)/"Altamont" (1972) If The Who were a Greek proto-prog band that did Kenneth Anger soundtracks? Yes! Both songs are off the album "666." Yes! 5) Roger Roger "Safari Park" (1972) Library music master "Roger Roger" wrote countless songs, background music and themes for the BBC and Chappell studio. Not all of them are great, but this sleek, dirty and downright funky song may be his finest moment. 6) David Axelrod "The Smile" (1968)/The Electric Prunes "Holy Are You" (1968) Axelrod's production always floors me and these two songs of his are at the top of this year's most-played list. 7) Ennio Morricone - "Svolta definitiva" (1970)/"Fruscio di Foglie Verdi" (1968) In my constant search for more of his work, El Maestro never ceases to astound me with his output from the 60's & 70's. "Svolta definitiva" grooves hard ala Vampyros Lesbos and "Fruscio di Foglie Verdi" with its haunting mix of Italian choir vocals atop a go-go beat shakes the senses. 8) Los Bravos - "Getting Nowhere" (1967) Los "Black Is Black" Bravos top their more famous hit with this sweet, fuzzed-out rave up. Imagine Gene Pitney doing "My Little Red Book" or just see for yourself. 9) John Cameron - "Swamp Fever" (1973) All around amazing British studio composer, arranger and musician, Cameron did it all including this brooding, flute-filled solid groover. One of the best library tracks ever written. 10) Ozdemir Erdogan Ve Orkestrasi - "Uzun Ince Bir Yoldayim" (late 60's/early 70's) If Procol Harum were Selda's back up band you'd have something closely resembling this sun-soaked, Turkish instrumental delight. Thank-you Ozdemir Erdogan Ve Orkestrasi! 11) Piero Umiliani - "Nostalgia" (1975)/"A New Experience" (late 60's/early 70's) Like fellow composer Morricone, Umiliani was also cranking out some of the sweetest soundtracks and library jams back in his day. These songs both represent what Piero did best: his own brand of hazy, mellow early 70's synth sounds. 12) Marc Moulin/Placebo - "Humpty Dumpty" (1974) Sounding like the theme to a gritty 70's crime drama, Moulin (with his band Placebo) laid down some serious Herbie Hancock-style, punchy horn/smooth rhodes jazz with this mind-blowing track. 13) Serge Gainsbourg - "La Horse" (1969 with Jean-Claude Vannier) I really can't believe how fantastic this Serge instrumental is. It starts off sounding a bit like a John Barry espionage thriller until the beat drops around the 30 second mark and then it's all over. It grooves so hard (fleshed out by a sweet bass line and Vannier's string section) and then, when you think it can't get any better, the drums break it down, followed by a moment of silence, a BANJO SOLO(!), and then it kicks right back into the original jam. My favorite song of the year. Pat Riley, Domino Records That Petrol Emotion live at The Bellhouse, Brooklyn, NY- the band rocked, jumped, wailed and thumped like it was 20 yrs ago. There was kicking of ass AND fun! Animal Collective live at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY- I got to work their merch booth with my pal Adam and give away posters to fans on a perfect summer night. Dirty Projectors live with guests The Roots and David Byrne at Bowery Ballroom, Manhattan, NY- It just felt like a special night even without the guests. Jesus Lizard live at The Fillmore at Irving Plaza, Manhattan, NY- 15 or so years since I last saw them and Yow is still in your face incredible while being quietly funny. Tour Managing Max Tundra at SXSW and meeting his Japanese superfan. He spoke to her in Japanese sending her into an ecstatic laughing fit where all she could say was "Oh, Max Tundra! Oh, Max Tundra!" then ran away. Rainbow Bridge - Big Wave Rider Atlas Sound - Walkabout Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Jay Z - Empire State of Mind The Big Pink - Dominos Stuff that I can't exclude Guest spinning with DJ Mona D on East Village Radio The Beastie Boys reissues Nirvana - Bleach reissue Stuff I came to late Q-Tip - The Renaissance Various - Born Bad Vol 1-7 Robert Wyatt - The EPs I will deeply miss Jim Carroll and Lux Interior Kevin Serra, Writer, Kevchino.com Top 13 Albums of 2009 001 | Natureboy - Natureboy Self Released 002 | Warpaint - Exquisite Corpse Self Released 003 | Masterface - Freedom Tower Self Released 004 | Real Estate - Real Estate Woodist 005 | Cass McCombs - Catacombs Domino 006 | The Antlers - Hospice French Kiss 007 | Sharon Van Etten - Because I Was In Love Language of Stone 008 | Beat The Devil - Idiot’s Guide Self Released 009 | Grizzly Bear - Vecktimest Warp 010 | Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers - A Fish Hook An Open Eye Self Released 011 | The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - S/T Slumberland 012 | Volcano Choir - Unmap Jagjaguwar 013 | Wildbird & Peacedrums - The Snake The Control Group Steven Severin, Neumos / Wake Up Productions (in no particular order) The Avett Brothers Bourbon and Ginger The Wire Matts in the Market Vacation NBA season Matthew Smith, Outrageous Cherry 1. Dennis Coffey every Wednesday night at Northern Lights Lounge in Detroit...jamming from 7 to 11 PM...four hours of funk and fuzzbox freakout. 2. Amboy Dukes reunion...4/17/09 in Detroit...Ted Nugent's feedback-drenched solos blaze like an expression of anarchistic hippie idealism that threatens to undermine Ted's weird political notions...especially on "Baby Please Don't Go"! 3. Rhys Chatham's "A Crimson Grail", performed at Lincoln Center, NYC, 8/8/09 with 200 electric guitars...an incredible experience...and Liquid Liquid was on the bill too! 4. Throbbing Gristle in Chicago 4/26/09...the "hits" set was cool, but the film/improvisation set was T.G. in full flight. 5. Flower Travellin' Band live at SXSW...the guitarist plays an instrument that looks like a giant cinnamon roll. The Soundcarriers
Records: There’s been a fare few releases, re-releases, re-visits and purchases this year, which have given The Soundcarriers camp a tilt in their kilts. Well worth mentioning include:
Pish – Inner Space LP (Akarma/Wah Wah Spain LPS061)/ Various Artists, The Sound Of Wonder (Finders Keepers FKR023LP) Martin – Sly Stone, Rock Dirge 45 (Woodstock Records WOO001) / Serge Gainsbourg, Historie De Melody Nelson LP (Light In The Attic LITA040) Leonore – Mazzy Star, Among My Swan CD (Capitol 7243 8 27224 2 7) favourite track: "Rhymes Of An Hour" Hazel – Rodriguez, Coming From Reality Fashion:
Since 1784, John Smedley have been producing the finest quality knitwear in the beautiful setting of Lea Mills, Matlock, not far from the breathtaking Peak District, Derbyshire - And in 2009 have been keeping The Soundcarriers warm in winter and cool in summer. John Smedley knitwear is truly sublime, the finest 30 gauge knit is fully-fashioned and hand-linked in the most luxurious Merino wool and Sea-Island cotton. Pish wears - Hepworth in muscovado Adam wears - Elliot in pine needle Dorian wears - Tarquin Cardigan in navy Leonore wears - Dolly in charcoal and Gabo gloves Bands: Adam - Fraser King – The Witch and Mr. Woo Nightclubs: Two fantastic nights we’d like to mention: Martin - A good few beers were sunk, and some great 45s spun at Rock’n’Roll Soul. Downstairs at the deliciously loungey club The Phoenix, Cavendish Square, just off London’s glittering Oxford St, there’s a great night happening once a month; previous guest DJs include Acid Jazz legend Eddie Piller, Jazzman Gerald, The Bees, Andy Lewis and a couple of drunk cats who go under the tag The Soundcarriers DJs. Reputed to have ‘More Soul Than A Shoe Shop’ – and endorsed by the late Arthur Lee – this is a top night! London Pride served on draught in proper mugs, too. Expect to hear: Johnny Jones & The King Casuals – ‘Purple Haze’; The Faces – ‘Stay With Me’; Pigmeat Markham – ‘Here Comes The Judge’
Pish – Raw Rockabilly, Blues Stompers, Surf Instros, Garage & Frat, New Orleans R&B and anything Titty Shaker related... all on 45. Not a compact disc insight? Then, that’ll be Nottingham’s strictly dancefloor rock ‘n roll night The Rubber Room Heavyweight collectors Martin Lawrie and Nick Smith spin the wild sounds up at The Maze, creating a soundtrack made for nipple tassels and leopard print. Books/Publications: Martin – It’s been a real honour to have been featured in some brilliant magazines this year, and none more so great than the fab and happening Shindig!. Jon ‘Mojo’ Mills and crew have a really good thing going on here. In-depth and informative articles on everything great in this musical world of ours. Highlight – Julie Driscoll feature. Fab! Leonore – Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer Adam – Black Snow by Mikhail Bulgakov Pish - Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley Novels Exhibitions/Galleries: Pish – The Museum Of Brands, Packaging and Advertising. Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London Martin – I really drew the short straw here! I couldn’t handle the 30 minute queue at The Royal Academy Of Arts, so left George to enjoy the magical delights of Anish Kapoor on his own, whilst I spent 30 minutes on the tube, and 20 mins in heavy rain to get to the Tate Modern to view Pop Life: Art In A Material World, which I’m not going to even say one word about in case I’m mistakenly accused of promoting this travesty of an exhibition. Whereas George had a time of his life! The towering pile of large chrome balls (Tall tree and the eye) reaching for the sky in the museum’s courtyard: reflecting buildings, people, sky, is breathtaking alone, and sets the standard for a fantastic exhibition of modern, ingenious and challenging sculpture.
Hazel - Passion for Fashion & Fine Textiles including an Important Audrey Hepburn Collection – Kerry Taylor Auctions - Fantastic pre-Auction viewing of Audrey Hepburn’s infamous wardrobe. Blog: Martin – Paul Smith. Love this man’s blog! It’s just hard not to feel lazy when you read how much he gets up to! Film: Adam- A Serious Man – The Coen Brothers Event:
Martin - Got to be really self-indulgent here, but the event of my year has to be my wedding to my beautiful new wife Hazel. It was an unbelievably special, emotional day. Set in the home where Hazel grew up in Braunston, a historic canal-side village, we were so touched by how many people dear to us traveled great distances to share our special day (cheers Jules for coming all the way over from Japan), eat fresh North Sea lobster, dance to some of the greatest records and drink some of the finest ale. And huge thanks to The Soundcarriers for rocking the World War II marquee! Pish - This time last year, we were still celebrating the continued success of legendary independent record store, Selectadisc, Nottingham. Sadly, but with dignity still in-tact, Selectadisc ceased trading earlier this year. Ex-staff from all over the shop’s 43 years of supplying records to the residents of Notts and further afield, came along on its last day and leant their services in what can only be described as a wake. As the shutters came down for the last time on this much loved shop, tears in many people’s eyes, the partying continued into the small hours, with many of the staff DJing their record collections purchased over the years from one of Nottingham’s institutions, Selectadisc. Much missed. Gigs/Festivals: We all had a fantastic time at the superbly organised, super friendly festival The Green Man. It was a real treat to open the main stage on the Saturday. Other highlights include: Leonore – “The Dirty Three live was one of the best things I’ve seen in years”; Joe Boyd reading and expanding on extracts from his book White Bicycles; having a ‘Gong Bath’; Beyond The Wizard’s Sleeve slick DJ set... A brilliant festival set in the beautiful Welsh Brecon Beacons
Martin - The Godfathers Of Groove, Jazz Cafe, London. Rueben Wilson, Bernard Purdie and Grant Green Jr. The line-up and title says it all. Legends! Pure Hammond and guitar groove from the originators. Witnessing Wilson’s effortless B3 style was worth the ticket price alone, whilst Purdie’s a complete all round entertainer. Just a shame Purdie’s kit has lost that baggy Blue Note sound and raspy snare – instead a bit flat and Rock School sounding. Apart from that minor gripe, a night in groove heaven. Sookie Sookie People: And finally, we’d like to mention a few names who have helped to make 2009 a year to remember in the Soundcarriers world: Dave Cooper at Melodic, Will Lawrence at In House Press, Matt Sullivan at Light In The Attic, Chris Dedrick, White Denim, Justin 'The Professor' Spear, Jon 'Mojo' Mills, George Vedmore, Jim Cooke, Jo and Danny at The Green Man, Charlotte Foy at John Smedley, Jon Matthews, Keith Haworth, and Kieron Tyler for voting Harmonium as album of the year Gabe Spierer, Beggar's Group Five things I liked this year (not the definitive year-end list, but a LITA exclusive): an album: The Horrors - Primary Colours a dog: one specific Dachshund named Dorothy a country: Brazil a rookie: Brandon Jennings (got to watch him for the first time last night on my just-purchased NBA League Pass. Milwaukee, who's psyched?) a concert: Nine Inch Nails live at Bowery Ballroom Jeff Terich Editor, Treblezine.com Top 10 events/albums/songs, etc. of 2009 1. Getting married 2. Dining on Octopus, tuna and patatas bravas at Inopia in Barcelona 3. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest 4. Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" (but not so much the rest of Blueprint 3) 5. covering Fugazi's "Waiting Room" with a tuba player for Musical Pursuit at the Whistle Stop 6. Baroness at The Casbah 7. Baroness' - Blue Record 8. Raekwon's - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II 9. 30 Rock 10. Grizzly Bear at The Belly Up, incorporating mason jars as lights into their stage setup Kieron Tyler, Writer Top Eleven Albums Of The Year The Soundcarriers - Harmonium (Melodic) 1. The Amazing – S/T (Subliminal Sounds) 2. Benjamin Biolay - La Superbe (Naï) 3. Shogun Kunitoki - Vinonaamakasio (Fonal Records) 4. Blk Jks - After Robots (Secretly Canadian) 5. Oh No Ono – Eggs (Morningside) 6. Soap & Skin - Lovetune For Vacuum (PIAS Recordings) 7. Papercuts - You Can Have What You Want (Memphis Industries) 8. Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement (Stones Throw) 9. Pierre Lapointe - Sentiments Humains (Audigram) 10. MúSing Along To Songs You Don’t Know (Morr Music) Top Eleven Reissues Of The Year 1. Various - Where The Action Is (Rhino) 2. Harmonia & Eno ’76 - Tracks and Traces reissue (Grönd) 3. Various - Clap Your Hands Stamp Your Feet (Excelsior Recordings) 4. 13th Floor Elevators - Sign Of The 3 Eyed Men (Charly) 5. The Inner Space (i.e. Can) - Agilok & Blubbo (Wah Wah) 6. Various – Saint Etienne Present Songs For The Dog & Duck (Ace) 7. The Master’s Apprentices – S/T (Aztec Music) 8. Various – Britain Learns To Rock (Fantastic Voyage) 9. Jacques Dutronc – Et Moi Et Moi Et Moi (RPM International) – I know it’s one of mine, but it’s great, so there. 10. Heldon – S/T (Wah Wah) Pari Zangeneh – The Series Of Music For Young Adults Iranian Folk Songs (Institute For The Intellectual Development Of Children And Young Adults) – ok, it’s a bootleg, but how else are you going to get an Iranian album for 1976? Greg Vandy, Host, KEXP - The Roadhouse Pickathon (in Portland): the heat! the dust! the music! Cliff Lee trade to M's: solid one-two in the rotation! Frank Fairfield LIVE In The Roadhouse: time travelin'! Mad Men: the set designs alone.... Rodriguez @ Triple Door (& party at Sully's pad): sugarman! No Depression Fest @ Marymoore Park: rapping with the stars! The Roadhouse Summer Sell-Out Radio Show: cuz it's summer and it feels good... Breaking Bad: tuco! ring! Wheedle's Groove Documentary: bold soul sister! Alela Diane: #2 album- super sweet Fire In My Bones Compilation: #1 album- old rare raw black gospel! My Wedding @ Sodo Park: featuring performances by Michael Vermillion, Mark Pickerel, Shane Tutmarc, & Zoe Muth! thank you!! Adam Voith, Billions Top 5 Cheats While Trying to Lose 25 lbs: 5: Entire package of Pinwheel Chocolate Covered Marshmallow cookies 4: Large Double Chocolate Fudge milkshake from Steak n Shake 3: Twelve 100 Calorie Packs of Chips Deluxe cookies in one less than one hour 2: Two Limited Edition Fudge Snickers candy bars in less than twenty minutes 1: Wendy's Double w/ Cheese for lunch, Steak n Shake Double w/ Cheese for dinner Geoffrey Weiss, Hollywood Records Some highlights of 2009: The Hunches - Exit Dreams. Oddly emotional, completely vicious, the Hunches were a unique band, and this swan song is worthy of the titanic legacy that will grow up around them. Cold Sun - Dark Shadows - I don't know when the fancy new version actually came out (the '80's version on Rockadelic was awesome, but this is even better), but I played it a lot in 2009, and it really is that rarest of things, a lost psychedelic masterpiece. If it had come out when it was recorded, there would be bad tribute albums to it. Get the vinyl, get the CD, download it, or sing it to yourself. Francis Harold & the Holograms - Who Said These Were Happy Times? An illustration of the subjectivity of the listening experience. I play this, and feel waves of bliss like when Loveless was new, I play it for other people and they cover their ears and run away. Folks compare FHH to other things and I just don't know what they're talking about. Lost Abbey - 10 Commandments Ale - Event Beer. If I've got one in the fridge, II look forward to opening it all day. I should also mention Golden State on Fairfax, because Jason there has real enthusiasm for what he does, and he always has great beers on tap. The Thomas Function - I love "In the Valley of Sickness." The words that come out of Josh Macero's mouth surprise me every time. Lucky Luke - Traveling for a Living- As mossy and flinty as the best UK folk, with real forward momentum. This album has been a few years coming, but when you play it it's whenever you want it to be. Harvest, Vertigo, Trailer, Transatlantic, Mexican Summer. Ed Solo- Watch Your Eyes - Maybe there is lots of electronic music this odd and immediate, if so please tell me. At my house, this is a game ender. Scrotum Poles- Auchmithie Forever - I haven't actually played the vinyl yet, but just the idea that this came out in 2009 makes me happy. And I have all the songs, and they're all great, so it's not a complete abstraction. Where the Wild Things Are - (the movie). Beautiful, odd, soulful. A great, insightful film. I don't know if it's for kids, but it's for me. John Wenzel, The Denver Post National albums: 1. Metric – Fantasies (PIAS/Metric) 2. Smug Brothers – Fortune Rumors (self-released EPs) 3. The Flaming Lips – Embryonic (Warner Bros.) 4. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (Glass Note) 5. Siriusmo – The Uninvited Guest (Monkeytown Records) 6. Tortoise – Beacons of Ancestorship (Thrill Jockey) 7. Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career (Merge) 8. Telekinesis – Telekinesis (Merge) 9. Kings of Convenience – Declaration of Dependence (Astralwerks) 10. The Mountain – Heartless Bastards (Fat Possum) Runners-up: Jawbox – For Your Own Special Sweetheart Headlights – Wildlife Boston Spaceships – Zero to 99 David Bazan – Curse Your Branches The Thermals – Now We Can See The Appleseed Cast – Sagarmatha The Cribs – Ignore the Ignorant Albums from Denver bands: 1. The Jim Jims – Bottom of the City EP 2. Everything Absent or Distorted – The Great Collapse 4. Houses - Summer EP 3. Wentworth Kersey – (O) EP 5. Bad Weather California – Young Punks 6. d. biddle – Beds and Monsters 7. Aakash Mittal – Videsh 8. Pacific Pride – Pacific Pride 9. Meese – Broadcast 10. Pretty Lights – Passing Behind Your Eyes 11. Everything Absent or Distorted – The Lucky One 12. Gregory Alan Isakov – This Empty Northern Hemisphere 13. Houses – Spring EP 14. Paper Bird – A Sky Underground 15. Churchill – Churchill Michelle Witten, Editor/producer, Wheedle’s Groove, Editor, Scout’s Honor Favorite meats I have eaten this year after 18 years of vegetarianism: 1. roasted duck with creme de foie gras 2. oxtail stew 3: lamb birra tacos 4. wild boar sloppy joe 5. uncured applewood smoked bacon Andy Zax Top 11 Experiences of 2009: Getting yelled at on the phone--twice!--by Country Joe McDonald (who later apologized) Flying 3000 miles to see Van Der Graaf Generator "Take Me Round Again" by The Fiery Furnaces Everything that has ever been--or will ever be--released on Ghost Box The Experience Music Project Pop Conference Being nominated for a Grammy The Tuscan Vegetarian sandwich at Columbine in Tribeca Stumbling across Noveller's "Brilliant Colors" on a rental car radio while driving through the middle of nowhere Tearing the shrink wrap off of a sealed original of David Axelrod's Earth Rot The ceeFrenzy iPhone app Ommegang Rouge sour ale Jonathan Zwickel, Freelance Writer Ed. Jonathan Zwickel threw together a list for you and yours this holiday season. All you need to do to download it is send an email to zwickelicous@gmail.com. Well worth the small bit of effort. We promise.
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December 07, 2009 at 03:00 PM
LIGHT IN THE ATTIC SUBSCRIPTION 2010 HAS ARRIVED!
It's nearing the end of 2009 for you, our amazing customers, and for us, Light In The Attic and that means a couple things. First, we've been downing brandy soaked egg nog like it's our job for the last six days and co-owner Matt Sullivan has already put on his "naughty" reindeer outfit more than enough times. Second, we're about ready to start signing up folk for the 2010 Light In The Attic Subscription. What might you ask is that? Starting last year we, the good folk of Light In The Attic, allowed you, again amazing customers, the opportunity to pay us a flat rate, and in return for that flat rate, you'd receive each and all of our releases, plus a slew of exclusive goodies. And oh what a package we presented: Rodriguez, Serge, The Monks, Karen Dalton, and much, much more. All of these, in your hands (plus exclusive goodies), snug and cozy, ripe to keep you warm through this daunting winter season. Now, as the holidays swoop down upon us like carrion birds of prey we present to you the Light In The Attic 2010 Subscription Service. Perhaps you're sweating bullets as we speak, wondering what to ply your family with this year. The tins of stale popcorn and two-person body condoms just didn't cut it last year and now your struggling to make amends. You folk who've already blown your Yuletide Budget on inflatable Rod Stewart dolls and life size wax sculptures, we're sorry, but for the rest of you, pockets still bulging with holiday dough, this is the gift for you. A selection of our releases (explained below) in a variety of formats (CD/LP/Digital) featuring, for you our most devoted fans a plethora of bonus exclusives (hand numbered, limited edition posters, wisps of Serge's beloved hair, etc.) all delivered prior to the release date. We've been tweaking and turning the final deets of our brand new, absolutely mind-bending new website, thus we gush with apologies for the late arrival of this, our epic subscription service. Apologies aside thought, here's a few hints on just what we're cooking up for the big 2010: Serge Gainsbourg/Jane Birkin - Je T'Aime...Moi Non Plus) Recorded as a series of duets and solo performances with lover, actress, and model Birkin, the pairs chemistry-enhanced collaboration was thrust upon the record buying public to much shock and horror, but indeed found global sales. The disc quickly shot its cigarette brandishing author and fresh-faced vocalist into the international spotlight; and although leadoff single "Je t'aime" and its seductive purrs reached top slot in the UK charts, none other than the Pope branded the tune offensive and blasphemous. Ever the conversationalist, Gainsbourg wittily replied, "we couldn’t have gotten a better PR man!" Lou Bond - S/T 1974's self-titled Lou Bond – released on the groovy yet little-known Stax imprint We Produce – was left to languish in cutout bins and vinyl graveyards across the US. Still, the soulful troubadour, acoustic guitar slung over his lanky frame, kept on trucking, rocking and rolling though life's many ups and downs. Once you hear Lou's 10-minute plus "To The Establishment," with it's hypnotic strings, rocksteady backbeat, and "tell it to the people" lyrics, you may find insight into the world in which we live. Kris Kristofferson - Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends Over 5 years in the making, and with the attention to detail and elaborate packaging the label is known for, LITA 050 is none other than the never-before-released 1968-1972 demos of Texas-born Renaissance man and maverick songwriting pioneer, Kris Kristofferson. With the outlaw Highwayman's full blessing, Light In The Attic is honored to present Kristofferson’s honest and upfront formative takes on the tunes that would eventually become part of the great American songbook. And that's just the start ... Purchase the 2010 Light In The Attic CD Subscription HERE! Purchase the 2010 Light In The Attic Vinyl Subscription HERE! Purchase the 2010 Light In The Attic Digital Subscription HERE! Full on sale details after the jump. So what are the details and how much are we charging for 'em:
8 CD'sUS Orders - $100Canada Orders - $120International Orders - $1508 LP'sUS Orders - $130Canada Orders - $150International Orders - $2005 Digital Albums$40 plus free 2010 Light In The Attic Digital CompilationThere we have it, a dump truck full of amazing releases, parachuted to your front door. Does life get any better than this? No. -
November 18, 2009 at 03:00 PM
BETTY DAVIS TEES AT AMERICAN APPAREL
Our good friends American Apparel, they who clothe the youth of today, have partnered up with Viva Radio and Anthology Recordings for what you, discerning fashonistas you, might think is pretty choice. From now until whenever, walk in to most American Apparel stores in the USA and you'll be able to purchase one of the above Betty Davis tees, screen-printed with the iconic photography of former Rolling Stone chief photographer Baron Wolman.
Along with this purchase you'll also get a digital copy of an Anthology Recording's curated compilation featuring Ms. Betty Davis herself, as well as Karen Dalton, Telegraph Avenue, Bill Quick and many more.
C'mon, you've already got thirteen American Apparel hoodies in all the colors of the rainbow, what's one more Betty Davis sportin' tee going do to your pocket book?
For girl's fitted shirts, go HERE.
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October 27, 2009 at 04:00 PM
MATT SULLIVAN SPEAKS FROM THE WFMU RECORD FAIR!
Matt Sullivan and Josh Wright (co-owners of this loverly place we call Light In The Attic) boarded a Concord made of gold this last weekend and shot over to New Yawk Citay for a little thing called the WFMU Record Fair. Matt Sullivan, good man that he is, jotted down a telling tale of his time there. Mr. Sullivan, it's so good to see you back on the printed page.
Finally coming down from a weekend high of vinyl, pizza, beer, sore feet, and Jewish delis (I vote for Katz's, Josh votes for 2nd Ave Deli). Translation: the WFMU Record Fair in New York City. Some of the world's greatest dealers, collectors, record freaks, and transvestites converge at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan for this annual event which raises money for non-commercial radio station WFMU out of Hoboken, NJ. And lots of music on the loud speaker spun by WFMU DJs as well as some live bands - from the The Trashmen to Jon Spencer's new band Heavy Trash. Oh, and cool docs being played like the Bill Withers film Still Bill. It's the best, most interesting, and all around awesome record show in the States. For three days, just about every record I've ever wanted could be found within these walls. And for the first time, Light In The Attic set up a table, selling our latest LP and CD reissues and distributed titles, and giving away loads of freebies. Before we flew out of Seattle last Thursday, local carpenter Jason Hansen built us a stand to hold our vinyl, while Drew Christie carved us the greatest Light In The Attic logo ever. Bless their souls, and a big thanks to Strath Shepard for helping to coordinate the record stand. But... we didn't bring enough wax. We learned that the world wants more Rodriguez, more Monks, more Serge, and more Karen Dalton. We will redeem ourselves next year. Promise. But about this year... the show was a blast, launching Friday afternoon (folks could throw down $25 for early entry from 4 to 7pm - and the freaks took over the asylum!), and going until Sunday evening. All this vinyl meant it was tough to not spend your kids' college fund. Met some cool people over the weekend and saw some familiar faces. Our booth was sandwiched between Wax Poetics and wicked NYC reggae store Deadly Dragon Sound System - they took lots of photos which they'll be posting on their blog in the coming days. Super kind man David Fricke picked up a couple LPs even though he wanted Monks and we were sold out. Other kind folks... The guys from ESP, a man named Phil who could have been Lenny Kaye's long lost twin, a Boston friend of the almighty Dave Perry of the Lowell Sun (the biggest Light In The Attic supporter on planet earth and just about the first guy who ever wrote us up), John Wyatt, Mr. Finewine, Rob from Numero Group, Sharan at Wax Poetics, Karen Dalton guru Nicholas Hill, Matt from Factory Twenty Five, the lovely girl who said the secret word "Bellevue" and got 20% off... Found some killer records from The Record Exchange in Salem, MA. Thank you Paul. I had no idea the Chambers Brothers ever made a record with Barbara Dane for Folkways, and had to snatch up the debut LP by the Equals. Drooled over loads of private press records, an original copy of "Power Fuerza" by the almighty Ghetto Brothers (only $1,000) from some guy that had hundreds of original African funk/soul/afrobeat LPs (dood should make a coffee table book with all those album covers). Oh, and a signed Beatles "Butcher Cover" (only $12,000). I think it was missing Lennon's signature though. Offer 'em 11k. Come on, you cheap bastards! Picked up some dreamy Brasilian wax from a couple sellers - a lovely Brasilian-NYC transplant who's name I sadly forgot, and Joel & crew from Tropicalia In Furs. Big thanks to everyone who stopped by the Light In The Attic booth. Must say, it was a bit sad when the festivities came to an end on Sunday evening - even though I felt like I just ran a marathon and needed some rest. Well, we hope to see you all again next year. If you weren't there, come on out. You won't regret it. And... go Phillies. The Big Apple rules but down with the Yanks. Earlier today I found some WIFI at Starbucks in Manhattan (are there any mom-n-pop coffee shops in mid-town Manhattan with wireless?). While I'm surfing away, who walks in, but Derek Jeter. The place erupted. The man took some photos with giddy female fans. Funny moment. GOOOO PHILLIES! We came, we saw, we conquered!
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July 09, 2009 at 09:11 AM
THE FIRST PART OF OUR ROAD-TRIP DOCUMENTARY AND A FREE DIGITAL 3-SONG ROAD TRIP EP!
In May we sent four burly men down the West Coast with a van-load of records and one goal in mind: hit every record store possible between Sea-town and San Diego. Our mission? To bring a taste of the old school way of from-the-trunk record sales to this increasingly digital world. It happened, we cheered, we cried, and then it was done. Yet, we can't let sleeping dogs lie, so we gave sweet Cody Hurd (one member of comedic super-duo Black Daisy) free reign to take the reels and reels of digital film he'd accrued over the course of this monster endeavor and turn it in to a series (a four part series that is) of behind-the-scenes videos to give you a further taste of just what occurred. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO HERE!
The first part (a delightful mash-up of the whole road-trip, a sort of three minute adrenalin shot of road trip madness) is being released today with each additional piece following over the next three weeks. AND THAT'S NOT ALL Every road trip needs a soundtrack, so we've decided to make our own personal completely free, three-song digital EP (with exclusive cover art by general artistic genius Drew Christie) to whet your own little road trip yen. DOWNLOAD IT HERE!
The EP includes these tracks: 1. Karen Dalton - Leaving For The Country 2. Rodriguez - Heikki's Suburban Bus Tour 3. Noel Ellis - Memories DOWNLOAD IT HERE! One a week, for the next four weeks!
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May 20, 2009 at 02:23 AM
KAREN DALTON'S FIRST CAPITOL RECORDS DEBUT RELEASED ON VINYL!
We just couldn't let our vinyl-only reissue of Karen Dalton's Capitol Record's debut It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best disappear amongst the madness of a Light In The Attic Road Trip. It's in stock now. All the details below: After re-releasing vaunted folk-singer Karen Dalton's sophomore LP In My Own Time in 2006, Light In The Attic Records are proud to announce a much needed official vinyl reissue of her 1969 Capitol debut. It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best is a heart wrenching and bluesy introduction to the intoxicating world of Dalton and her deep well of musical secrets. Take a load off and pull up a chair.
It's So Hard To Tell spans generations of classic American songwriting (Led Belly, Jelly Roll Morton, and Tim Hardin) and with Dalton's unsurpassed interpretive depth and emotional range, it's no surprise that artists from Fred Neil to Nick Cave have sung Dalton's praises over the years. Even the likes of Bob Dylan have fallen under her spell, recalling the singer's illuminating presence on the New York music scene during the pair's formative Greenwich Village days: "My favorite singer in the place was Karen Dalton. She had a voice like Billie Holiday's and played the guitar like Jimmy Reed." But championing endorsements aside, all you have to do is drop the needle on the grooves to understand.
World weary and filled with the blues, Dalton's tragic life story was a rocky road. While no longer with us in the physical, her growing musical presence is stronger than ever and worthy of re-examination by the converted and uninitiated alike. Selling poorly at the time of release, original vinyl copies of It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best have all but vanished while bootleg internet rips take away all the soul. With period artwork, tip-on jacket, extensive liner notes, photos, and clear audio re-mastered from the original Capitol masters, this Light In The Attic reissue is set to become the definitive analogue version of Dalton's stunning debut. Dim the lights and turn that stereo up, Karen Dalton will turn your living room into private concert, an intimate performance you will never forget.
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April 17, 2009 at 06:11 AM
RECORD STORE WEEK DAY 5 #1: RED EYE RECORDS, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
It's DAY 5 of Record Store Week, and that can only mean one thing: TOMORROW IS RECORD STORE DAY! We hope you've cleared out a little space on the wall/checking account for the massive amount of music you're bringing home tomorrow. Don't feel guilty about your incessant consumerism, IT'S RECORD STORE DAY! And to celebrate, we caught a steamer to the South Pacific and hopped of Sydney for a taste of meat pies, rugby, and a little place we like to call Red Eye Record. Friends, we implore you, speak: STORE OF THE DAY: Red Eye Records, Sydney, Australia
1. Store Description, history...etc- Established in 1981, Red Eye Records is Sydney's largest independent music retailer. Our mail order business has been very successful growing rapidly over the last ten years helping customers from all over the world find rare, out of print and unique Australian items. As well as the internet/mail order business we have three retail outlets in Sydney: SHOP 1 is a mix of new & used/cheap products (cd's, cd singles, vinyl, t-shirts, books/mags/fanzines, DVDs, posters) stocking a massive range of imports, Australian artists, alternative, oldies, electronic, soundtracks, jazz & blues etc. SHOP 2 is upstairs inside shop 1 and is stocked with all our Metal, Punk, Avant Garde & Gothic genres (CD, Vinyl, T-Shirts & DVDs). Also Horror, Cult & erotic movies. SHOP 3 is mostly used product stocking tons of vinyl and thousands of CD's, plus DVDs, singles, collectors items etc... but we also stock new releases and cheap titles. 2. What is your favorite record right now?
Right now, today, because tomorrow it will be different is the United Soul - Music with Funkadelic Yesterday it was Richard Swift's The Atlantic Ocean and the day before that Bill Callahan's Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle. 3. What is your favorite LITA release? It's a toss up between : Betty Davis - Betty Davis (if we're rockin') Karen Dalton - In My Own Time (if we're mellow) 4. Favorite record to play in the shop?
...It's not everyone's...Nomeansno's Wrong 5. What is the best in-store performance? Eddy Current Suppression Ring was excellent, the singer took full advantage of the stairs. Going back a few years though Chris Knox performed and wrote a song on the spot name checking the stores different genres. One of the lines was "rock and pop A to Z, A to Z rock and pop". At the time we had a washing wachine in store promoting the then new Sonic Youth album, he told us how he'd recently played an in store at a Laundromat. 6. Funniest story about the shop?
There was the time the store had a 2 hour black out, we all got naked and did a séce calling on the spirit of Hendrix, he appeared (a little late) and we all had a lovely time. ---
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April 15, 2009 at 02:42 AM
RECORD STORE WEEK DAY 3 #1: ROUGH TRADE, UNITED KINGDOM
We're knee deep in Record Store Week madness over here. Everything in the building has been converted to run on Record Store Day power. What does that mean? That nothing, NOTHING, is done in this office with out the benefit of some form of LP or CD. We're eating off records, Matt Sullivan has been floating on a raft made of LPs in our chilling pool, Josh Wright is wearing an outfit made entirely of reconstituted one dollar LPs he purchased last week. It's fucking Record Store Day madness, and we can only share a tiny fraction by hitting you with not just one, but TWO Stores of the Day. The first took us to the land of soot and cobblestones, for a brief peek in to one of the great record stores in the whole world, ROUGH TRADE! Take it away! STORE OF THE DAY: Rough Trade, United Kingdom
1. Store Description, history...etc- Rough Trade began trading in 1976 at 202 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill. Originally specialising in US and Jamaican imports, it soon became one of the leading outlets for the burgeoning punk scene, and subsequently a pilgrimage point for anyone buying or selling new DIY new wave music and fanzines. In 1978, Rough Trade Records was born. The first release was Paris Marquis by Metal Urbain, soon to be followed with releases by Stiff Little Fingers, Swell Maps, The Raincoats, Cabaret Voltaire. After a period of rapid growth, the shop and label businesses separated 1982. As a result, the shop moved round the corner to 130 Talbot Road and the label went on to sign some band called The Smiths. 2. What is your favorite record right now? Either TERRY LYNN - Kingston Logic or LOW ANTHEM - Oh My God Charlie Darwin 3. What is your favorite LITA release?
KAREN DALTON - In My Own Time 4. Favorite record to play in the shop? DIPLO - SANTOGOLD mix cd on Saturday afternoons 5. What is the best in-store performance?
Jeff Buckley playing just when Grace came out - or the Beastie Boys when Check Yr Head 6. Funniest story about the shop? As paraphrased from a voice mail message by the one, the only Josh Wright: I got the phone message from Rough Trade Records in the UK (in regards to a funny story from the shop). Van Morrison came into the shop once, in search of a CD (which the guy couldnt remember, sadly) that ended up not being in stock. The clerk tried suggesting some other titles for Van, when he blurted out in a not so kind manner "When I want your opinion on something, I'll ask for it......until then, keep your mouth quiet!" ---
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April 13, 2009 at 12:13 PM
RECORD STORE WEEK DAY 2: SLOW BOAT RECORDS, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
Day two has arrived, and we're sitting in a room literally sweating big shiny bullets in anticipation for this Saturday's, may we say, holiday RECORD STORE DAY! For today's Store of the, er, Day, we cobbled together a canoe, crewed it with the strappingest gentleman you've ever done see, and we set sail for the South Pacific, specifically the northern island of a little Kiwi-inhabited place called New Zealand. Maestro, take it away. STORE OF THE WEEK: Slow Boat Records, Wellington, New Zealand
Store Description, history...etc-
Slow Boat is Wellington, NZ's longest running independent record store. It was founded in 1985 by Dennis O'Brien, who still owns it to this day. The store started out in smaller premises at 191 Cuba Street, before moving to its' current location at 183 Cuba Street in the late 90's. This was before the latterday 'reinvention' of the slightly shabby, yet curiously appealing Cuba precinct, as the sex shops steadily became cafes...
We have played host to a wide array of touring celebs and music fans, including Chris Isaak, Noel Gallagher, Evan Dando, Billy Corgan, Ryan Adams, Jonny Greenwood. One of our proudest moments was selling an LP online to 'Pet Sounds' lyricist Tony Asher, who responded to our request for an autograph with a signed 'Pet Sounds' box set - signed by him and Brian Wilson!
What is your favorite record right now?
Right now the album I am playing more than any others is by a local (well, Auckland via London!) artist called Lawrence Arabia. The album is called "Chant Darling", and it is a sparkling, baroque pop gem - almost as though he is channelling Ray Davies circa 1966, and fusing it with the sunshine harmonies of the Beach Boys or the Byrds. What is your favorite LITA release?
A full blown fist fight between Karen Dalton's superb "In My Own Time" and Rodriguez' "Cold Fact"
Favorite record to play in the shop?
Mark Lanegan "I'll Take Care Of You" - a fantastic collection of folk/ country/ blues covers all delivered in his inimitable dark, velvety voice. Or Stephen Duffy's Lilac Time debut on Fontana - fey, whispery English pop perfection, and the forerunner of Belle & Sebastian. What is the best in-store performance?
The first instore we ever had was by Sub Pop signed Auckland retro-popsters The Brunettes, it was before we had the bins on wheels and I remember it mostly for what a palaver it was clearing space for them all. It was also a bright, sunshiny Saturday afternoon, and it sounded terrific.
Funniest story about the shop?
Long before I was here, Dennis and Steve were left with the late, blind blues guitarist Jeff Healey at closing time, when his minder abandoned him. They drove him to his show, where security were reluctant to tell them which hotel he was staying at. When they finally found out and dropped him there, he needed a little assistance getting the key in the door.
Neither of them took him up on his generous offer of free tickets to thank them for their kindness..
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Tomorrow: Rough Trade Records & Luna Music
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April 10, 2009 at 02:41 AM
MONKS WEEK DAY 3: MAY WE PRESENT ... MONKS TRADING CARDS
We've done a lot of release related schwag in our time, limited posters, airline trays, Lialeh condoms, Serge branding irons ... hell, we even played with creating full wax recreations of Karen Dalton, but the damn boxes just wouldn't fit in the office.
Nonetheless, we've put together something pretty amazing for our upcoming dual-release of the Monks Black Monk Time and The Early Years, MONKS TRADING CARDS. Here's the rub: if you buy the Monks' reissues (on CD or LP) we're dropping in to the world on April 14th, next Tuesday, there's the possibility that you'll receive one of these seven beautiful trading cards designed by the great Jordan Luckman. If the fear of not getting one of these amazing cards is too much for you, you can purchase the entire set for a wee ten dollars from our online store. For the true collector, you're certainly going to want to take this route. And you can purchase these cards right HERE. These aren't your glossy faced Upper Deck cards of yore, oh no, these are old school Topps and Diamond, the kind of shit you'd expect to find packaged with a hard stick of tooth-breaking gum. In short, they're beautiful and you want them.
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February 23, 2009 at 02:26 PM
STORE OF THE WEEK: SOUNDSCAPES, TORONTO, ONT
Alright, alright, stop sending hate letters to Intern Ralph demanding that we jump start the defunct Store of the Week post. It isn't Intern Ralph's fault, he's just a big sensitive man whom we've propped up in front of the gates to take the majority of your slings and arrows and we couldn't appreciate him more for it. We're frantically busy right now throwing together a slew of new releases that will, we promise, blow your mind and sometimes, just sometimes, some of our favorite columns fall to the wayside. That said, we got in contact with one of our favorite record stores from The Great White North, Soundscapes in Toronto, and badgered them in to answering a few of our favorite questions. These guys and gals have been great to us from the get-go and we couldn't be happier to shower them with a bit of praise. Take it away gentlemen: STORE OF THE WEEK: Soundscapes, Toronto, Ontario
1. Store Description, history...etc- Soundscapes opened it’s door almost 10 years ago in July 1999. I had been working as an accountant but got tired of punching the calculator, so I quit my cushy office job and decided to open a music store. Soundscapes is known for its eclectic selection of music that veers to the more overlooked and offbeat artists of the past and present. We carry all the usual genres of music but also have unique sections for Psych/Garage, Prog/Art Rock & the British Invasion. We also have one of the best selections of music books & DVDs. 2. What is your favorite record right now? My favorite record is the self-titled debut release by a band called Surf City. Last January when I was in Auckland, New Zealand, I ventured into the local record shop and asked them what the best local music was and they handed me this CD. It recalls the urgent, jangly guitar sound of the classic Flying Nun bands like The Clean.
3. What is your favorite LITA release? There are so many great releases on the label but our favorite is undoubtedly the Jamaica To Toronto series and specifically the initial Jamaica To Toronto compilation. 4. Favorite record to play in the shop? Whenever we play Karen Dalton we see customer’s jaws drop and inevitably field the question “Who is this singer?” 5. What is the best in-store performance?
So many highlights including Feist & Broken Social Scene, last March, Bon Iver performed long before his most recent success. One of our most unique in-stores was a book signing by Eddie Shaw of The Monks so we’re excited about your upcoming reissue of Black Monk Time. 6. Funniest story about the shop? Many years ago Little Steven Van Zandt of the E-Street Band stopped by and bought up half of our Psych/Garage section, much of which we later heard him play on his radio show. But the thing I remember most about his visit was the site of his plumbers crack as he was browsing for music. Yes, even rock gods are human! --- Thanks guys! Soundscapes Official Website Soundscapes on Myspace
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February 19, 2009 at 02:34 AM
NICK CAVE LOVES KAREN DALTON
Even in 2-D, Nick Cave is pretty spooky.
Yes, that Nick Cave. He of Grinderman, he of gothic soundtracks and daunting, come-hither eyebrows. Yes, that Nick Cave has gone on record with MOJO Magazine, the creme-de-la-creme of British music mags, to glowingly discuss Karen Dalton's cover of "Katie Cruel" (featured on In My Own Time) ...
...and a whole bunch of other tracks including works by Scott Walker and Johnny Lee Hooker and bunch of other notable musicians. But when we, the dewy-eyed folk of Light In The Attic go flipping through the pages of the most recent MOJO, we see one shining article blazing forth from the pages. And that's Nick Cave (NICK CAVE!) showering some love on our old pal KD.
Buy the magazine and get a disc of music that features works by a handful of other Nick Cave approved musicians.
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January 28, 2009 at 01:28 AM
IT IS UPON US: THE LIGHT IN THE ATTIC 2009 VINYL SUBSCRIPTION!
We've been tooting our own horns about our 2009 Light In The Attic Subscription Service for at least a couple months now, but, well, we've been feeling like something's been missing. We here at Light In The Attic deeply appreciate music, as we know you do as well, and we know that the only way to truly enjoy the smoothest cuts are in the smoothest format: vinyl.
Thus, for your enjoyment, may we present the first ever 2009 Light In The Attic Vinyl Subscription Service. And what, might you ask, does this daunting sounding service entail?
For the low, low price of just 100 dollars a year (for just 20 dollars per Deluxe LP or 2xLP, INCLUDING shipping & handling in North America) you, our dedicated fan, can be the owner of our first 5 vinyl releases of 2009. Vinyl Subscriptions will get these 5 titles - Serge Gainsbourg - Historie de Melody Nelson (LP) The Monks - Black Monk Time (2xLP) The Monks - The Early Years 1964-65 (2xLP) Rodriguez - Coming From Reality (LP + 7 inch) Karen Dalton - Its So Hard To Tell Whos Going To Love You The Best (LP)
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November 25, 2008 at 03:00 AM
HOLIDAY SALE FEATURED ITEM: THE LADIES OF LITA vs. VAMPI VIXENS BUNDLE!
Can this sale get any better? Can we give you even more reasons to buy our sweet merchandise for less than you pay for that cheap vodka you drink in the morning? Can we really, really, really keep nearly handing out our amazing catalog for next-to-nothing? Yes. We. Can. THIS WEEK'S FEATURED ITEM: THE LADIES OF LITA vs. VAMPI VIXENS BUNDLE!
In terms of amazing, talented, ball-busting female vocalists, Light In The Attic has, well, an overflow. Throw in the vast and unwieldy catalog of our Spanish besties Vampi Soul, and we got a tidal wave of female talent smashing onto the shores of your record collection. We worry though: does the double duo of Dalton and Davis defeat the unearthly collection of fem-tastic soul and funk singers Vampi has to offer? If put to a test would our stable of eclectic songstresses stand above the vast selections Vampi has to offer? In lieu of the proposed, and subsequently shot down, musical cage match between our favorite ladies of the last thirty or so years, we decided (for a cringe-inducing low price) you, our loyal fans, can decide for yourselves. Is it Karen Daltons rediscovered masterpiece In My Own Time that bests soul funkstress Marie Queenie Lyons to the wayside? Or does a Betty Davis two-fer of raw, raunch soul-funk just blast everyone out of the water?
The decision friends, is up to you. Ladies of L.I.T.A. VS. Vampi Vixens Bundle includes 4 CDs: * Karen Daltons reissued masterpiece In My Own Time* Betty Davis - They Say Im Different & S/T
* Marie Queenie Lyons - Soul Fever
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October 15, 2008 at 01:49 AM
KAREN DALTON IN MY OWN TIME, RE-RELEASED ON 180-GRAM VINYL
It's been some time since we've had Karen Dalton's lost folk masterpiece In My Own Time in stock on vinyl and oh how we've heard complaints from the many people still scrounging in E-Bay's dirt pile to find one. Well never call Light In The Attic an unfriendly ruler, as we've not only decided to do another, LIMITED, hand-numbered pressing of the Karen Dalton album, but we're doing it in style. The new version of the LP will contain:
* a two-song bonus 7" single featuring "Something On Your Mind" as well as an unreleased alternate mix of "Katie Cruel" * 180-gram vinyl * Audio remastered from the original tapes * Exclusive liner notes featuring Nick Cave, Lenny Kaye, and Devendra Banhart * Hand numbered, old school tip-on jacket HOT DAMN! We're excited just writing about it. Our fingers all-a-tingle, just breaking out in a little sweat looking at the huge piles of Karen Dalton LPs sitting in the corner of our office, just waiting for you bespectacled record collectors to buy the shit out of 'em. Woooooo doggie. What a day! -
August 20, 2008 at 01:14 AM
VIDEO MADNESS: HARVEY BROOKS SPEAKS ON JIM MORRISON AND THE DOORS
Harvey Brooks, famed bassist for some of the greats (Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Karen Dalton, etc.) tells his tale about his experiences with one Jim Morrison and the Doors. -
July 28, 2008 at 01:15 AM
MONDAY MORNING WITH HARVEY BROOKS
We know how you feel. It's early, it's Monday, you're back at working grinding away. You've already choked down your second cup of plasti-sealed Aramark coffee, and all you can think of is the alcohol-induced black void where your Saturday night went. Well were here to start your work week of right with the bemused ramblings of one of our favorite musicians - Harvey Brooks. Mr. Brooks produced and played bass on our very own Karen Dalton album, In My Own Time, as well as backing Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, John Cale, and many many more. He's a legend, full-to-bursting with amazing stories, and we are all lucky enough that Harvey shares them in video form through his View From The Bottom video blog. Today we've got him discussing the infamous Bob Dylan performance at Forest Hills. Enjoy: [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzf0Dj9ZVjw] -
July 25, 2008 at 02:57 AM
NEW, NON-LIGHT IN THE ATTIC, KAREN DALTON RELEASE
Everyone in the known world knows Light In The Attic loves Karen Dalton. Her haunting voice, her beautiful covers, her sordid history - we love it all. Even the reissues being released these days that we've got nothing to do with. Thus we'd like to recommend you a new collection of the works of the crazily talented Ms. Dalton entitled Green Rocky Road. These recordings, found on the same four-tracks as the recently released Cotton Eyed Joe recordings, this is Dalton at her most intimate, performing at her home for no one but her self. The album features a pretty mind-blowing cover of "Katie Cruel" and if you've been following Ms. Dalton's recent return the public conscious, then this will be a an absolutely brilliant purchase for you.
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July 08, 2008 at 03:25 AM
Harvey Brooks' Amazing Blog
Bossman Matt Sullivan is currently shirking responsibility in the sunny Southwest, and on his little journey of irresponsibility, Mr. Sullivan was lucky enough to have a private sit down session with none other than Harvey Brooks. You might know Harvey as the producer of Karen Dalton's amazing In My Own Time, but this travelling bassist was oh so much more. Brooks played on records for Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, The Doors, and the list goes on and on and on. Luckily for us, Brooks has a video blog he's been doing as of late, where he picks individual records he worked on gives his perspective on them. They're brilliant, funny, modest and packed with stories you've never heard about some of the great musicians of our day. You can watch all of them right HERE or just snag a preview below: [youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vda7n18pjvI]
Listen & Buy
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Karen Dalton
In My Own Time (CD,LP (Pre-Order),MP3)
LITA 022
Recorded over a six month period in 1970/71 at Bearsville, In My Own Time was Daltons only fully planned and realized studio album. The material was carefully selected and crafted for her by producer/musician Harvey Brooks, the Renaissance man of rock-jazz who played bass on Dylans Highway 61 Revisited and Miles Bitches Brew. It features ten songs that reflected Daltons incredible ability to break just about anybodys heart – from her spectral evocation of Joe Tates One Night of Love, to the dark tragedy of the traditional Katie Cruel.
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Karen Dalton
Karen Dalton - Limited Edition "45 (MP3)
-LITA 45-005
This limited edition seven inch single features the hauntingly beautiful “Something On Your Mind,” taken from Light In The Attic’s brand-new reissue of Dalton’s 1971 acid folk masterpiece In My Own Time. The track had a devastating effect on Nick Cave, who said, “that song really stayed with me and I must have played it a million times. It’s just the most extraordinary vocal I’ve ever heard.” As an added bonus, the flipside is a previously unreleased alternate mix of the classic traditional “Katie Cruel,” currently being covered by a number of artists, including Bert Jansch with Beth Orton and Devendra Banhart, as well as the new single from
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Karen Dalton
It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best (LP)
LITA 045
World weary and filled with the blues, Dalton’s tragic life story was a rocky road. While no longer with us in the physical, her growing musical presence is stronger than ever and worthy of re-examination by the converted and uninitiated alike. Selling poorly at the time of release, original vinyl copies of It’s So Hard To Tell Who’s Going To Love You The Best have all but vanished while bootleg internet rips take away all the soul. With period artwork, tip-on jacket, extensive liner notes, photos, and clear audio re-mastered from the original Capitol masters, this Light In The Attic reissue is set to become the definitive analogue version of Dalton’s stunning debut. Dim the lights and turn that stereo up, Karen Dalton will turn your living room into private concert, an intimate performance you will never forget.
