My birthday bash/3rd BFF tonight!
November 20, 2009
Only one thing worth mentioning today:
Come to the 3rd BFF tonight at Mad Donna’s! It’s doubling as my birthday bash (yes, I’ve been alive 28 years), and our special guest DJ is Makeup & Vanity Set (aka Matt Pusti, aka one of my all-time favorite electronic music artists). This is definitely one you don’t want to miss! Fan Fiction has returned to the lineup and will kick things off, with me (Burgers) in the middle, and MAVS closing things out. We’ll be going till last call so if you’re going to the Mountain Goats show, by all means, make BFF your official afterparty!
As it was last month, it’s FREE if you’re 21+, and $3 if you’re 18-20. Please do come.
WRVU benefit tonight/Gwar artwork
November 19, 2009
In case you’ve been under a rock lately, or are just utterly unfamiliar with Vanderbilt’s student radio station WRVU, there’s been a bit of a shitstorm recently regarding a new rule put in place by their governing body. In short, the board of directors for Vanderbilt Student Communications (which is a separate corporate entity from Vanderbilt) voted to cap the number of community DJs. Community DJs are ones who are not Vanderbilt students, faculty, staff, or alumni. Simply read some of the comments at the Nashville Cream post if you’re unfamiliar. I simply do not have enough knowledge of the situation to form a firm opinion, but I am pretty disgusted at how nasty some of the comments on that post were. It’s horrible that members of our local music scene resorted to name-calling and personal attacks, though I do understand where their anger comes from. Personally, the most I can opine on the matter is to say that the number limit should not be on the overall number of community DJs, but rather the number of shows/time slots given to community DJs. Also, as a former DJ at 88.3 WMTS (MTSU’s student station) which had no community DJs at all, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to limit the amount of community DJ involvement. I’ve always thought that our local music scene/community was lucky to have college radio station that allowed non Vanderbilt-affiliated people to host shows. However, given the very different student demographic and level of interest in the two stations, it’s difficult to make a comparison. But, it’s also obvious that WRVU wouldn’t be half as good as it is without the community DJs. They really add a lot to the programming, especially the diversity. But I happen to know many DJs who are current or former students and they have great taste in music, and also come out to support the local music scene, contrary to what many Cream commenters seem to think. I must digress before this post turns into a novel… the main purpose here is to make sure that you know about tonight’s WRVU benefit show at the End, featuring my new band POWERBRRRD, Vermicious K’nids, Westfolk, and Cheer Up Charlie Daniels. The show also serves as CUCD’s vinyl release show. Please do come out for the sheer sake of supporting the bands, if nothing else. Boycotting the show as some have suggested is childish and disrespectful to the bands. And honestly, the people behind the community DJ cap decision could probably care less if you boycott the benefit show. Furthermore, it will only deepen the divide that has developed between the local rock community and WRVU. So please do come out and support the bands at the very least.
And now to lighten your mood, go read Hipster Runoff’s musings about what it would be like working for Twitter. Then look at this stunningly beautiful and inspiring artwork for the new Gwar album Lust in Space. (Via Brooklyn Vegan)
Bizarre balloon-rocket moon mission/Gibson gets raided by the Feds
November 18, 2009
Two cool things come your way via Universe Today today:
Apparently a Romanian group is competing for the Google Lunar X-prize with a bizarre balloon-rocket combination. They have a nice animation video in the post that explains the design far better than I could with word, so just check it out for yourself. I never thought I’d see helium balloons involved in a project where getting to the moon is the final goal… It’s one of those things that’s mind-numbingly simple and you say “why did no one think of this before?”
Also from UT is this cool HD video of Space Shuttle Atlantis blasting off on Monday. The shuttle docked today with the ISS.
Regarding the Feds’ raid of Gibson HQ yesterday: (FYI- it wasn’t the FBI, it was the Fish & Wildlife Agency that raided them…)
Via Hartley
Holly House tracks/Heypenny on Nashville music scene/Weezer review
November 3, 2009
Image Via Here On The Road
The small but very active local music collective known as Holly House recently participated in a project with American Songwriter Magazine called “On My Deathbed.” The gear contest asks a band or artist to pick the last song they’d want to hear if they were on their deathbed. Morbid, I know… but the results are pretty phenomenal. Each band/artist learned the song they chose and recorded them in Eli Beaird’s basement in a 7 hour session. Please head over the HH website and grab these free tracks. You won’t regret it. And The Relatives did Townes Van Zandt’s Be Here to Love Me, Caitlin Rose did Jimmie Davis’ You Are My Sunshine, Shoot The Mountain did Neutral Milk Hotel’s In An Aeroplane Over The Sea, Eureka Gold did The Kinks’ I Go to Sleep, and Tristen did Skeeter Davis’ On and On and On.
If you know me, then you know that Weezer basically saved my life as a teenager. I learned to play guitar by learning most of Blue and Pinkerton. Nerds everywhere owe their recent rise in popularity to Rivers Cuomo. Everyone also knows that everything they’ve done since Pinkerton has been an uncontrollable downward spiral. Amidst the ridiculous album cover and the even more ridiculous collaborations, their new album Raditude has some respectable songs in its tracklist. If Weezer lost 100 points with me over the past 4 albums, they’ve gained about 10 of them back with this album…. perhaps it’s the fact that they utilized the skills of a few outside songwriters. Oddly enough, the lead single (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To is actually my favorite track. I found the A.V. Club’s review to agree almost 100% with my sentiments about the album.
You’ve probably already read about Heypenny’s Q&A session with the UK music magazine Q at the Nashville Cream by now (if not, check it out now), but I just want to point out how awesome it is that they talked so highly of our non-country music scene. Ben Elkins really went out of his way to cram as much praise as he could into the space he had, and I think that’s totally rad. I’ll be totally honest, they aren’t my favorite local band, but they’re damn good at what they do and they’re also damn good at being a positive force in a scene that can sometimes seem so snarky and apathetic that it may just self-implode. When I read stuff like this, I’m re-assured that’s never going to happen.
Features “Thursday” Lake Fever Session/new De Novo Dahl
November 2, 2009
It’s been FOREVER since we heard any activity from Nashville’s art-core pop-gasm quintet De Novo Dahl, and for good reason. They were simply burned out from all the stressful touring and getting dropped from their unlikely label, Roadrunner. The loss of label support was no fault of theirs, however. From my understanding it was due to changes in personnel at the label, and the person who supported them/signed them was no longer there. No matter what happened then, I’m glad to see that Joel has kept the project alive and is bringing DND out of hibernation to release a new album in 2010 on Theory 8. Three new tracks have surfaced on their new Bandcamp page, and I suggest you go grab them now. The material is much more laid-back than anything they’ve done to date, and that’s not a bad thing. It will only cost you an email address.
In other new music news, Spoon has an album due out this coming January. It includes the track “Got Nuffin” which appeared on an EP earlier this year. Let’s hope they can keep with their record of churning out quality music album-after-album. (Via You Ain’t No Picasso)
I’ll leave you with this video gem from my good friends at Lake Fever Productions. This is the previously unreleased extra from the Lake Fever Session that The Features did a month or so ago, and features a gaggle of random fans and musicians from other Nashville bands. This is the classic Features show-closer and it will never, ever get old. Watch below and also visit Lake Fever Sessions to see the rest of the Features’ session.
WOTT podcast/weekend stuff
October 30, 2009
First and foremost, I must plug my band’s show at the 5 Spot tonight. I know, there’s a lot of shit going on tonight… but we (as in all the bands playing) promise to make your attendance worthwhile. First of all, check out Patrick Rodgers’ description of Heartbeater in his critic’s pick this week. If that isn’t good enough for you, then let me personally attest to the awesomeness of Bad Cop. These dudes have a youthful stage energy that matches their raw, explosive brand of garage-punk quite well. The frontman is obviously channeling some Iggy Pop, and in a really REALLY good way. Hammertorch was originally also on this bill, but had to drop off at the last minute. So come on down to the 5 Spot tonight!
This All-Hallows Eve I will be doing the Generation Domination photobooth at the Nightmare in Music City party at Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom. It promises to be a huge party, with DJ’s not only in those two rooms, but also in 4 large tents which will be in the parking lot. The party is sponsored by Hustler Hollywood, and since Halloween has long since devolved into nothing more than an excuse for girls to dress as slutty as possible, this party is sure to please those who applaud said devolution… and also those who like to make fun of it.
We Own This Town posted a new podcast earlier this week, so if you haven’t already, go grab it now. It features unreleased tunes from Eureka Gold, Tristen, Caitlin Rose, Glossary, and many more. Also, mucho thanks to Michael for plugging my photo exhibition on there as well.
Now for something just to make you smile. The unofficial Hey Jude flow chart, via Flux-Rad:
Have a great Halloween weekend, and please be safe: use a DD, use a condom, all that…
BFF tonight/new Weezer video
October 23, 2009
Obviously my main top priority today is plugging my DJ/dance event BFF, which returns to Mad Donna’s tonight at 10pm. I’ll be spinning some hot jamz along with pals Potamus and Fats. They’re both rad DJs as well, so a good time is guaranteed. Fan Fiction is sitting this one out to celebrate his bday at another event, but he’ll be back in full force for the 3rd BFF, which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 20th (my bday!) Some please do come out to the east side tonight and dance the night away. As if Fats isn’t reason enough to get there early, I’ll also buy a drink for the person who brings the biggest “posse” and arrives before 11pm. Seriously, I will honor that! Mad Donna’s is on Woodland, just a block past five points, and it’s FREE if you’re over 21, $3 if you’re 18-20. Also, if you haven’t heard any of my mixes before, I suggest you start with the October mix I did for Justin Kase’s blog, Blogging Is Serious Business.
Weezer has a new album coming out next week, and the first single (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To also has a snazzy video which debuted yesterday at Babelgum. I’ll just link to it because I’m pretty sure it’s no embeddable on WordPress. But seriously, this is probably the best song they’ve released in several years (enough to make me buy the album… probably) and the video is actually quite entertaining. The styling is very visually pleasing, and it has a hilarious “bros before hos” storyline, not mention that it stars Odette Yustman. Check it out now. (Via Stereogum)
Now for some pure mindless entertainment. Why on Earth would you want to blow an anvil 200 feet into the air? Because it’s fucking awesome, that’s why. Meet Gay Wilkinson, world champion anvil shooter:
Have a great weekend, and hopefully I’ll see you tonight at BFF!
JEFF Nashville pics on BV/Cash Rich
October 22, 2009
Image via Brooklyn Vegan
Local Infinity Cat flagship band JEFF the Brotherhood got some blog love from Brooklyn Vegan today, and the pics are actually from a house show they played in Nashville on Oct. 13th. Turns out their photographer Paul Birman happened to be in town that day. Their new album Heavy Days is out now. They’re also playing a plethora of shows this week/weekend in NYC for the CMJ festival.
If you read this blog there’s a good chance you’ve already seen this Nashville Cream post, but I must mention the hilarity of the comments/jokes about a new restaurant called Pitchfork in Chicago. This is the restaurant’s website, so I haven’t a clue if it has anything to do with the music website we all love to hate… but it’s hilarious nonetheless. Just make sure you read the Cream comments, and props to Dave Paulson for winning best comment/zinger on Idolator.
Speaking of the Cream, they’ve teamed up with LimeWire to create a special Nashville edition of LimeWire’s “Ear To The Ground” series. It’s got all kinds of great local goodness spanning from How I Became the Bomb to Caitlin Rose to Jensen Sportag. Best of all: it’s FREE.
And The Relatives are the latest local band to join the ranks of Theory 8 Records, and their forthcoming release (apparently yet-to-be-titled) will be a joint effort between Theory 8 and yk records, one of many side projects for local web guru Yewknee. yk will be handling the artwork and packaging, while Theory 8 handles marketing and distribution. That’s a winning combination if I’ve ever seen one. Be sure to grab their last EP Animals for free at their Bandcamp. Read the official press release here.
As if his ugly tower-mansion/bar/travesty on Love Circle wasn’t bad enough, Nashville’s greatest embarrassment, John Rich, is reproducing. The kid’s name? Cash. Not that there’s anything wrong with having Cash as a first name, but his name will be Cash Rich. I feel so sorry for that child. Maybe his middle name is something he can go by and not be hated/made fun of in school. (Via Nashvillest)
Headed to Portland, OR!
October 16, 2009
Hey kids, the GF and I are headed to Portland, OR today to visit our good friend Chris Freeman and just see the city we’ve heard everyone rave about so much. We’ll be back Monday afternoon. So this will be the last post till at least Tuesday. That being said, here are some tasty tidbits for your browsing pleasure:
Be sure to check out the results of this year’s Best Of Nashville reader’s poll in the Scene. I’m just happy The Features won best local band. Over Kings of Leon. Not that I have anything against KOL, it’s just cool that the readers appreciate all The Features’ hard work for the past ~15 years.
The official Next Big Nashville photogallery is up. It includes photos by me, Jonathan Kingsbury, Dylan Reyes, Jordan Jaquess, and Bradley Butcher. You can see the full galleries for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, or you can view a more selective culling on the official NBN flickr photostream.
This may be old news to some, but Beck has started a pretty awesome new project on his website called Record Club. He’s bringing in various musicians from other bands to contribute to the recording of a full album in one day. They’re all cover albums and the musicians do not get a chance to rehearse together before the session. He also videotapes the whole thing and uploads one song per week to his website. The one currently up is Leonard Cohen’s Songs of Leonard Cohen featuring Devendra Banhart, members of MGMT, and many more. I think our own hometown hero Matt Mahaffey appears in at least 1 or 2 of the previous session videos, in which they covered The Velvet Underground’s The Velvet Underground & Nico. (Via Brooklyn Vegan)
Speaking of Matt Mahaffey, Rock Sellout did a cool interview with him last week.
Be sure to make it down to the Exit/In for Monotonix/Turbo Fruits/JEFF the Brotherhood tomorrow. Or if that’s not your thing, Drummer (side project of Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney) is playing at Mercy Lounge, along with the Royal Bangs.
But as I said we’ll be in Portland attending the Scion GarageFest, where 2 Nashville acts just happen to be playing: Cheap Time and Those Darlins.
That’s it for now folks. See you next week.
New JEFF album/next BFF/Cuddle Parties
October 13, 2009
JEFF the Brotherhood has a new album coming out today called Heavy Days. I’m gonna go buy it. You should too.
I couldn’t help but both laugh and be totally freaked out when I read about Cuddle Parties yesterday on the Tennessean website. This is simultaneously hilarious and terrifying… Adult people gathering with a group of total strangers, changing into pajamas, and laying in a big pile spooning, cuddling and massaging each other’s feet? I don’t even know what to say…. (Via Nashvillest)
The next official BFF will be going down next friday, Oct. 23rd, at Mad Donna’s again. My cohort Joseph (Fan Fiction) will unfortunately have to sit this one out because of prior birthday engagements, but I’ve recruited the help of DJ’s Potamus and Fats. Potamus has been making a name for himself opening for the likes of MSTRKRFT recently at Limelight, and Fats can be found over at the weekly Foobar event Totally DJ’s. This time around we’re instituting a miniscule $3 cover for those aged 18-20, but it’s still free for those 21+, so come out and dance next weekend! If you haven’t done so yet, please go grab my October mix for Justin Kase’s blog, Blogging Is Serious Business.
steve cross loves music and science 