Lots of good things happen tonight
October 6, 2010
Before I talk about the nerdy television shows which will be on tonight, I must mention that Nashville rockers Heartbeater released their debut album Slow Waves yesterday. I totally forgot to mention it. Hell I’ve only heard a couple of the songs, but I know it’s an awesome record because I’ve seen them live many times, and they are just that good. The main strongpoint is the amazing chemistry between the two guitar players whose parts are almost always playing off each other and harmonizing. Check them out at heartbeater.net or their label’s bandcamp.
Now for some serious nerding-out.
- Obama finally got a clue and is having solar panels installed on the White House. It’s about fucking time!
- Tonight is the season premier of Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel. The myths their testing tonight both involve dogs, so this will surely be an adorable episode.
- Of course, directly following Mythbusters will be the 2nd episode of Phil Plait’s Bad Universe. This time he will be studying the realities of alien attacks and the overall existence of extraterrestrials, as well as the grim realities of interstellar travel. Two of my favorite things back to back=me having a nerd-out. Here’s a sneak peak at tonight’s episode:
Your chillwave name/Todd A/weekend stuff
September 24, 2010
I could sit and generate new chillwave band names all day on the Witch House//Chillwave//Name Generator. Seriously, be careful. You might not be able to stop. (Via gorilla vs. bear)
Remember waaaay back when NasvhilleZine existed and the entire Nashville indie rock scene used it as an outlet for all their secret jealousy/anger/frustration? Yeah, those were the good ole days… I got an email from Todd A, who created/killed NashvilleZine, and he’s been up to some awesome stuff out in Orange Co., California. Check out his website/band/music collaboration project the Hit On List. He writes tons and tons of songs and records video demos of them/posts them. He also makes full-on multitrack recordings, some of which you can download, remix, change, etc… all for free. It’s certainly not a new concept, but it’s one that deserves more attention than it gets. I’m glad to see it and help promote it.
Now for what’s going down show-wise in Nashville this weekend.
FRIDAY:
Tonight I recommend catching Aaron Robinson (of Imaginary Baseball League fame), with Korean Is Asian and Cassino at the Basement.
Those are all very singer/songwriter-oriented bands, so if that’s not your bag, check out the best scratch DJ in Nashville- DJ Kidsmeal, along with Creative Control, Amerigo Gazaway, and Gummy Soul at the End.
SATURDAY:
Jenny & Johnny (aka Jenny Lewis and her BF Johnny Rice) with Eternal Summers and Whispertown at Mercy Lounge. Awww how cute.
During the day you don’t want to miss Grimey’s bi-annual big ass outdoor sale. Starts at 10AM in the back parking lot and there will be tons of cheap-ass records and CD’s, as well as a killer lineup of bands playing outside including Majestico, Cy Barkley, Apache Relay, and many more.
Not gonna go into detail right now, but in addition to the Next BIG Nashville festivities next week, the notorious Tex Rambunctious has put together a couple days of bands that didn’t quite make the NBN cut and it’s called “Tex Big Nashville.” It’s monday & tuesday of next week, so more on that in monday’s blog.
Have a great weekend!
(Via Kelliente)
Weekend shows/Weezer to do Blue Album+Pinkerton tour
August 20, 2010
Things are finally starting to chill out a bit as this week draws to a close. Thankfully I’m able to squeeze in this quick listing of good shit to go see this weekend in Nashville.
FRIDAY:
Metromix is throwing a free party at the Cannery Ballroom tonight. Lucero, The Features, and Pujol are all playing, and there will be other craziness if I had to guess, because it’s co-sponsored by Lexus. Sorry kiddies, but it’s 21+.
Warpaint, Royal Bangs, and the Non-Commissioned Officers are playing at Exit/In. I’ll be there shooting Scene pics. It’s $10 and starts promptly at 9pm. Seriously, if you locals want to see the Non-Comms, get there early because they’re on first, and Exit/In has been surprisingly punctual about their start times for the past year or so.
Hey ladies, Parachute Musical is playing at 12th & Porter, along with Eastern Block and The Gills. No idea of the cover, but it’s probably $5.
SATURDAY:
Lou Barlow (bass player from Dinosaur Jr.) with Wye Oak and Young Man @ The Basement. 21+, $10. Tix are available at Grimey’s but call ahead- it may be sold out.
Speaking of Grimey’s, Tegan & Sara will be playing an in-store show at 2pm, and the first 120 people in the door will get free tickets to their show that night with Paramore, New Found Glory, and Kadawatha at Municipal Auditorium. I don’t even know why I mentioned that because I don’t think any 13-year-olds read this blog.
Random music news of the day: According to Pitchfork, Weezer may be doing an all Blue Album/Pinkerton tour in the near future. Apparently Rivers Cuomo mentioned it an interview with MTV while they were shooting the video for their new song “Memories.” At first I was really excited, but then I remembered how utterly ridiculous his stage antics were at Bonnaroo. Dear Rivers, please don’t run around the stage like a monkey on speed like you did at Bonnaroo. It’s just not “you.” It doesn’t fit the Weezer geek-pop aesthetic of those two albums. Seriously. I will probably pay money and/or travel to come see you on this tour. (If it actually happens.)
Is it thursday already?
August 19, 2010
Really? It’s fucking thursday? How the hell did it get to be thursday? I’ve been so busy this week I don’t even know what day it is anymore. So yeah, that’s why I haven’t posted in almost a week. I’m even short on time right now, so I’m just going to share a few tidbits that I came across the past couple of days, but didn’t have time to blog about.
- Next year, Neptune will complete its first full revolution around the Sun since its first actual telescopic observation in 1846. This will happen on July 12, 2011… why the big deal? Well, there was some misinformation floating around about it happening in the next few days, and I tweeted about it, so I thought I should clear that up. So on July 11, 2011, we should all have a happy new year party for Neptune! (Via Discovery News)
- As I mentioned a few weeks ago, one of my favorite geek/scientist psuedo-celebrities, Dr. Phil Plait, is about to become a bonafide celebrity when his own TV show, Phil Plait’s Bad Universe, airs on the Discovery Channel. The air date has been set, and it’s much sooner than you think- August 29th. So be sure to tune in at 10pm ET/9pm CT to see Plait take a Mythbusters-esque approach to debunking bogus claims about various ways the earth could be destroyed. It will be a 3-part series, but could be extended(Via Plait’s blog, Bad Astronomy)
- For you daily “WTF!?”, immerse yourself in this Cat Fashion show. (Via Yewknee)
I’m up to my eyeballs in all sorts of random business this week, therefore I’m going to share a few links and tidbits quickly today, and that’ll be it for this blog until early next week. Here goes:
- As predicted, the Arcade Fire’s new album The Suburbs debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts thanks to putting it onsale at Amazon for $3.99 it’s first week. I completely agree with Aaron Hartley’s sentiments on the matter.
- Remember when Nashville’s Dead had their 1-year bday bash at Exit/In and The End? Well they finally posted some photos and video footage of it. It’s fun.
- Belle & Sebastian have a new album in the works, but no word on a release date. They do, however, have a title- Belle & Sebastian Write About Love, and album art:
That’s all I got. Now I’m gonna take care of some biz-nass and I’ll see you kids next week.
Seth Graves’ THE CRUCICHIX
August 4, 2010
My bandmate and friend Seth Graves has entered the 48 Hour Film Project for several years in a row. This year was no different, but unfortunately he was unable to get it in before the 48 hour deadline. He did turn it in though, and it will still be screened and is eligible for the crowd popularity vote. It just can’t win the festival officially. Behold THE CRUCICHIX:
I’m swamped by a large project at work and dealing with a burglary of our house which occurred friday, so this will be short and sweet:
Nashville’s And The Relatives are gearing up for the release of their full-length debut album Green Machinery. I’ve known these dudes and been a fan for a good 2 years or more, and in that time they’ve really developed their own sound. You can stream the unmastered track “Hammer Down” at Future Sounds. You can also download 3 free tracks, 2 of which feature ATR Theory 8 labelmate Caitlin Rose on guest vocals, at their bandcamp. Needless to say, after hear “Hammer Down,” I’m eager to hear the rest of this album. I have a feeling it’s going to be my favorite material by them yet. Yes, they’re “good old indie rock” as FS describes, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t some of the best “good old indie rock” I’ve heard in quite a while.
Also, I would just like to comment that Arcade Fire and their management are pretty clever to offer the new album The Suburbs for sale on Amazon.com the very first day of its release. You can get it for a mere $3.99. That’s one hella good way to score higher album sales in week 1, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they end up charting in the top 5.
Make-out With Violence gets DVD release/weekend shows
July 30, 2010
Locally made/produced indie film Make-out With Violence will finally get a DVD release this fall via the distributor Factory 25. Order your copy now at their website, or at the very least put it in your netflix queue. I took some on-set still photos on one of their underwater shoot days waaaay back in 2005 and have been friends with the filmmakers ever since. This is a truly remarkable film, given the budgetary circumstances and relative inexperience of the cast. The directors were able to draw some impressive performances out of them, and the editing, lighting, and cinematography are all top-notch. Most impressive, however, is the soundtrack. Written and performed mostly by Jordan and Eric Lehning (a few songs were by a band called the Glib), the songs fit the story perfectly. The soundtrack is great just as an album by itself. If you haven’t seen the Non-Commissioned Officers (the band created to perform the songs live to raise money for the movie) yet, you are really missing out and should remedy that problem as soon as possible. Congrats on getting the DVD release, guys! PS: You can catch a special screening of the movie TONIGHT at the Belcourt Theater as part of the Halloween in July Film Festival!
Now for some stuff to do this weekend.
FRIDAY:
Max & the Wild Things CD release party @ The End, with The Roses, The Grayces, and The Pipeline. 9pm, $5
The Ettes @ 12th & Porter, with Kink Ador and Mother Father. 9pm $??
SATURDAY:
I’ll be at the Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp showcase at Siegel High School. (This year they had to move it out of MTSU’s Tucker Theater due to renovations.) Seriously, come support this awesome youth music camp, and also enter the always-awesome raffle they’ll have going at the door (this year they have a vintage Gretch guitar valued at $750). Doors open at 6 and the show starts at 7, so get there early!
SUNDAY:
Deer Tick w/ Dead Confederate and Pujol @ Exit/In. This will be a good one! 9pm, $10
Have a great weekend!
Next Big Nashville released a shitload of information over the past couple of days, including the big news everyone was waiting for: the headlining music acts. This year Jason Moon Wilkins & Co. have really upped their game with an amazing lineup of national headliners. Yeasayer, WAVVES, Ponys, The Hood Internet, David Bazan, Javelin, Peelander-Z, and many others will make this year’s NBN way bigger than ever before. This is a big step in the direction towards making NBN more of a “SXSE,” which is essentially JMW’s goal with the festival/conference. Straight from the horse’s mouth:
Yeasayer, WAVVES, Ponys, David Bazan, Javelin, The Hood Internet, Garotas Suecas, Moon Duo, The Mynabirds, Otouto, Peelander-Z, Elf Power and many more. In total, 150+ acts will play over four nights in Nashville’s premiere music venues. Nationally recognized artists will appear with a full slate of established and emerging names from Nashville and the Southeast including Madi Diaz, Kyle Andrews, Keegan DeWitt, Futurebirds, Andrew Belle, Katie Herzig, Megan McCormick, Kopecky Family Band, The Apache Relay, Mikky Ekko, The Protomen, The Non Commissioned Officers, Roman Candle, The Silver Seas and more. Record labels, organizations and brands will also present showcases, VIP events and exclusive after parties.
Checkout the official NBN summit website for more.
Nashville’s most well-known bedroom/DIY artist Kyle Andrews is about to release his new Kangaroo EP on August 31st, and has also landed the lead single “You Always Make Me Smile” in a Holiday Inn commercial. The song is the musical equivalent of a warm/fuzzy/indie-romantic comedy starring Zooey Deschanel or Ellen Page. Sunny, catchy, and very by-the-book. But hey, it’s landing him success and some sweet royalties, right? Seriously though, the dude is damn good at his niche of bedroom pop, and if that’s your thing, by all means pick this EP up when it drops. And if you’re feeling creative, you can even submit your own artwork for the single at www.youalwaysmakemesmile.com. Check out the Holiday Inn commercial below:
steve cross loves music and science 