Tuesday, May 25, 2010

May = Great Album Releases!


May 3rd

This highly anticipated album by the huge Canadian group (seriously - there's a bunch of 'em!) has some of their best work. 



Start With: 
1. World Sick
6. Art House Director



Check out my good friend Nick interview two members of BSS after their show at Wanderlust 2009 for his online indie radio show Off Air - Smart Rock Radio:




May 4th
A.C. Newman has once again brought together a talented set of collaborators (Neko Case, St. Vincent, Beirut's Zach Condon, & Okkervil River's Will Sheff) for this latest album.


Start With: 

2. Crash Years
3. Your Hands (Together)
6. My Shepherd





Oh man, AND I get to see them at this year's Sasquatch! Music Festival!




May 11th

Sleigh Bells
Treats - Mom & Pop Music

I just finally purchased this surprising and shockingly kick-ass album by noise-pop duo Derek E. Miller and Alexis Krauss. 


Start With:

1. Tell 'Em 
3. Riot Rhythm
4. Infinity Guitars
11. Treats

That's a good chunk of the album - yeah, they are that good! Loud, clever, and SUPER fun!


May 18th
Band of Horses
Infinite Arms - Columbia

Sure, this is their third album, but its their first release on a major label. This country rock indie band started in Seattle back in 2004, and most recently opened for Pearl Jam.

Start With:

3. Laredo
5. On My Way Back Home
11. NW Apt.

Some are calling this their best release to date!


The Black Keys
Brothers - Nonesuch

Since they formed in 2001, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have released nine amazing blues-rock albums.

Start With:

1. Everlasting Light
3. Tighten Up
11. The Go Getter

Auerbach also collaborated with several hip hop artists in January on the critically acclaimed project BlakRoc.




I don't know where to begin...
This is by far one my favorite albums of all time. It transcends genre and seriously entertains.

Start With: 
Who am I kidding? Listen to the entire album from start to finish!


It also includes great collaborations with artists like Kevin Barnes (of Montreal), Big Boi, and Saul Williams. 



As you may recall from my last post, I almost missed the opportunity to see this great band live (at Sasquatch). After listening to this album, I gotta say I would have made a BIG mistake.

Start With:

1. Dance Yrself Clean
2. Drunk Girls
4. All I Want




Next time...I'll be in Washington for Sasquatch!
Check back in for daily posts during the festival...
And for Facebook updates, and Live Tweets too!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Best Morning Ever


So I got up this morning, had a few sips of coffee while I scanned through the twittery events that occurred during my slumber and by jove, look what happened . . . !

Yep, The . . . THE Flaming Lips are now following Paduta - Fresh Music Every Day on Twitter! And even if it was an accident, like Wayne sneezed and accidentally hit the "Follow" button with his crazy giant hand, only later to realize his gross error in judgment and immediately deletes us from his list - for now, I am going to bask in the warm glow of the sunshine that is now following Paduta.

Hmmm, what is the best Flaming Lips lyric to end this post? Any ideas Padutans? I'm kind of feeling . . . 

" . . . Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah!" 

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Austin City Limits Line Up Announced



[okay. yesterday.]

But I have an excuse for why I haven’t talked about it yet. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around why Muse got higher billing than Flaming Lips.

I won’t rant too much about it. I mean, come on. No matter how disappointed I might be with a few of the choices, ACL's 2010 line up is pretty gosh darn amazing!

So I’m going to wrap up my astonishment in one point, ignoring Flaming Lips' prolific album catalog compared to Muse's pithy 5,  and leave it at that:     
                                                                                    


Showmanship

Who puts on a better show? Here’s a video clue:

“Do You Realize” from UFOs at the Zoo (2007)

Or . . .

“Time is Running Out” from Live at Wembley Stadium (2007)

Final Summation

Let’s see . . . both bands had an album released in 2009 [Muse had Resistance and Flaming Lips Embryonic]. Both bands have a large fan base, have had successful careers, and are all over the festival circuit.

I guess it’s just a matter of taste. I may not particularly enjoy Muse, but somebody else out there might really be excited about their place in the ACL Line Up. Besides at Paduta we support ALL music! Kudos to them! Namaste, even!

Honestly, I shouldn’t be surprised that the festival that made the Eagles the headliner would also put Muse ahead of the Flaming Lips.
                                                                                
The Dude, however, would not be pleased.

Next time Meg lists some of her favorite sites,
and joins a 12-Step program for Twitter addiction,
oh, and continues to freak out over the awesomeness
who is Janelle Monae 

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Paduta Is Business Trippin' - Part 3!

Well we’ve come to the end of my three part installment featuring the artists on my schedule for the 2010 Sasquatch! Festival. The first two days look pretty awesome: Local Natives, Caribou, Patton Oswalt, Pavement?!?
But, before I continue with Monday’s line up, I should take a moment from this excitement to let you all know there has been a change in my Saturday schedule. Much to the chagrin of a close friend of mine, I was seeing Girls instead of LCD Soundsystem. Apparently I’d be missing out on quite the show. And, to be honest, I didn’t believe him until I saw this . . .


Sorry Girls. I will have to see you some other time. Nick – thanks for the tip!

Monday May 31st


12:55 PM (MAIN Stage)

Mayer HawthorneStones Throw Records artist and multi-instrumentalist cites Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, and Isaac Hayes as just a few of his influences. Upon first hearing his music, Peanut Butter Wolf asked if he re-edited old soul/funk songs from the late 60s to early 70s and was surprised to hear that they were new songs performed and arranged entirely by Hawthorne.



2:00 PM (YETI Stage)


Phantogram – Electro rock duo from Saratoga Springs, Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel have known each other since junior high. After college they teamed up to write music as the band Charlie Everywhere (they changed their name to “Phantogram” after signing with BBE). Barthel describes their sound as “Serge Gainsbourg, sampling, and Detroit hip-hop.”




3:15 PM (RUMP Stage)
Bobcat Goldthwait – His voice is legendary. You’ve heard it at least once before. Personally I first remember hearing him as the voice of the sock puppet in the movie “Freaked” (1993). Just check out his filmography! He is bizarre, hilarious, and I can’t wait to finally see him live.


4:10 PM (MAIN Stage)
Passion Pit – Electropop band from Cambridge, Mass became practically an overnight sensation in the indie music world after the release of their first full length album Manners (2009). Their song “Sleepyhead” was featured in an ad for the Palm Pixi. I’m anxious to hear “The Reeling."


5:10 PM (YETI Stage)


Japandroids - Brian King and David Prowse are just about the nicest Canadian garage rockers you'll ever meet. For a band of just two gentlemen, these guys put on an energetic and loud show! Watch them perform “The Boys are Leaving Town” from the Cavern in Dallas:






6:15 PM (YETI Stage)
No Age – Here is another indie rock duo who knows how to make noise. Randy Randall and Dean Allen Spunt are part of the Los Angeles noise rock scene along with HEALTH and Mika Miko. Their DIY ethic infused with 1980s underground punk influences has gained their band and the venue they began performing at, The Smell, national attention.


8:20 PM (BIG Stage)
The New Pornographers – AC Newman knows how to put together a band. Neko Case, St. Vincent, Will Sheff (Okkervil River) are just a few of the notable indie artists featured in his band. Their newest album Together (2010) was recorded all over Canada and the United States and features probably one of my favorite songs of the year “My Shepherd” with Neko Case.



9:30 PM (MAIN Stage)
Ween – Dean and Gene Ween have been recording since 1984 when a demon-god Boognish appeared to them in their dreams and inspired them to make music. And their music is as creative, bizarre and imaginative as their origin story. They are at times irreverent, but more importantly they are funny, intelligent, and amazing musicians.







*NOTE* I plan to do live tweeting from the festival, and will also be updating Paduta’s Facebook with pictures from the event. So even if you can’t go, it’ll be like you’re right there with me the whole weekend!


Next time . . . Meg talks about the ACL line up
and tries to figure out what is so great about Muse.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Paduta Is Business Trippin' - Part 2!

The Sasquatch Music Festival is in almost two weeks! From May 29th through the 31st I’ll be braving the elements at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington (no really, George, Washington) in order to see some of the best and newest indie comics, bands, and performers.

In celebration of Paduta’s first trip to a major festival and because I can’t wait (!!!), for three days I’m featuring the artists on my schedule with mini-bios, pics, and links to great sites.


On to Day Two!





Sunday May 30th


12:05 PM (MAIN Stage)
Caribou – I am looking forward to seeing this band (or this guy, rather) the most. Dan Snaiths began making music after he stole a sampler from his high school music department in Ontario, Canada. His music has evolved over the years (from DJing to three piece band), and his most recent release Swim (2010) on Merge Records features by far my favorite songs of the new millennium: “Odessa.”




1:30 PM (BIG Stage)

Local Natives – A fairly new indie rock/folk band on Frenchkiss Records emerging from Silver Lake, Los Angeles (a.k.a. Hipster Mecca), I heard about these guys from a friend who saw them at Coachella. And after watching this band perform their track “Wide Eyes” whilst riding a merry-go-round in France with La Blogothèque you could say I was très hooked.


3:10 PM (YETI Stage)


tUnE-yArDs – New Englander Merrill Garbus, recorded her album BiRd-BrAiNs (2009) using nothing but a digital recorder and mixing software. Her DIY ethic combined with reggae, folk, lo-fi rock, and blues makes her truly one of a kind.
5:35 PM (MAIN Stage)

Tegan and Sara – These twin sisters from Alberta, Canada began writing and performing together in high school. Their music has both a pop-sensibility and intense emotive quality. Not only that, but I’ve heard they put on a high-energy live show, and have great senses of humor.



7:00 PM (BIG Stage)

Girls – Christopher Owens and JR White (a.k.a. Girls) infuse their brand of indie rock with 50s surf pop [a la Brian Wilson] with painful emotionally charged lyrics laced the free-spiritedness of San Francisco. Their track “Lust for Life” and its NSFW video were the talk of all the major indie music blogs and sites.

8:30 PM (MAIN Stage)


Pavement
– I feel like I need a grand swell of music to introduce this band. Indie legend and Stockton natives, Pavement, broke up in 1999 – long before I had ever even heard “Cut Your Hair.”

 

Lead singer Stephen Malkmus went on to have a reasonably successful solo career (and also with his band the Jicks – the only way I’ve been able to see ¼ of the original band). And when they announced Pavement's plan to reunite in 2009, audiophiles everywhere went nuts! It is probably safe to say that the Sasquatch! Festival is sold out because of them. 




Next time . . . Day Three,
and Meg wonders how many ounces of
5-Hour Energy she is legally allowed
to bring on a plane.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Paduta Is Business Trippin'

Paduta - Fresh Music Every Day is going to the Sasquatch! Music Festival!

Now I've been talking about it on Paduta's Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter pages (by the way thanks to all of you Padutans out there who have already "Liked," "Befriended" and "Followed" us).

The new scoop however is that with the help of the Sasquatch! Festival for iPhone app, I put together my personal schedule!

I'm so excited that for the next three days I'm going to post a detailed list of artists on my schedule including pictures, links, and a little background information.

And away we go . . .

Saturday May 29th
1:10 PM (MAIN Stage)

Brother Ali - Born Jason Newman in Minnesota with a rare genetic defect called Albinism, this American Hip Hop artist continues to defy convention and definition. His name, Ali, was given to him when he converted to Islam. He has released six albums and his latest Us (2009) received massive critical acclaim and was mentioned on multiple "Best of 2009" lists.
3:15 PM (RUMP Stage)

Garfunkel & Oates – a.k.a. Riki Lindhome (the tall one) and Kate Micucci (the one from the future) became a comedy-folk duo after they met up at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. Their song “Sex with Ducks” a parody of the so -called reasoning behind anti same-sex marriage campaigns gave them national attention through Huffington Post and the O’Reilly Factor.
4:30 PM (RUMP Stage)

Patton Oswalt – Yes, he’s Remy the Rat, but more importantly this alternative comedian is as funny as he is intelligent and insightful. His act questions religion (“Sky Cake”), perception, and the frailties of the human mind. Oswalt makes me laugh, but he also makes me think – the sign of a real comedic genius.
6:45 PM (YETI Stage)

WHY? – This indie/folk/new wave/hip hop trio from Cincinnati have released four albums since 2003 on Anticon Records. Their latest entitled Eskimo Snow was described by band founder, Jonathon Wolf, as the “least hip hop out of anything I’ve ever been involved with.” Their music is diverse and charming and should make for a great show!

8:40 PM (RUMP Stage)

Dãm-Funk – Los Angeles’ own “Ambassador of Boogie” comes to Sasquatch to promote his debut album Toeachizown – an exploration of groove and funk similar to greats like Prince, Slave, and Aurra. His modern sound attracted the attention of fellow DJ and Stones Throw Records artist Peanut Butter Wolf, helping Dãm-Funk gain national attention.

. . . And if I’m not TOO sleepy by the end of Day One . . .


11:30 PM (LATE Stage)

Deadmau5 – Like fellow indie icon Girl Talk, Deadmau5 is NOT a DJ. Instead, 28 year old Joel Zimmerman, makes his very own dance music LIVE using nothing but the technology on his computer. He has had a number of dance hits, including “Faxing Berlin.” He calls it a “technological orgy” – I call it an “I May Need An Espresso Orgy Just to Make It Through His Show”, uh . . . orgy.




Next time . . . the bands of Day Two,
and I shop at REI for proper "Gorge" attire. 

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Introducing . . . Paduta!


What the Heck is a Paduta?
We're a website that helps indie artists and bands gain exposure, while also giving listeners the opportunity to leave feedback, read reviews, and purchase the tracks they like. Think Lala before A) they get shut down officially on May 31st (R.I.P. Lala) and with B) unsigned musicians.

What sets Paduta apart from the rest of the internet music websites is that ours is simple to use, not to mention we feature a brand New Song Every Day. As a plus for active users, on the day of that song's release, listeners (or "Padutans" as I like to call them) can buy it at a discounted price, $0.50 - that's HALF of what iTunes charges per track. The hottest tracks of the month will be featured again and can be downloaded at a sale price of $0.79.



Oh, and I almost forgot. All songs are FREE to listen to and not just a 30 second sample . . . the whole song!

By featuring unsigned bands and vocalists, as well as artists signed with smaller labels not affiliated with the Big Four (EMI, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group) we are helping audiophiles everywhere find new music infused with the highly admired DIY (do-it-yourself) spirit of the indie music industry.

Take for example this singer/songwriter:


Femke Weidema was born in Holland but moved to the States to attend the Berklee College of Music and is now working hard to establish a career in Los Angeles. She also created a campaign to write one new song inspired by stories from her fans, and to post them on YouTube every week.

These are the kinds of artists Paduta loves! And these artists come from all genres. Our job is to bring them to you, giving you the opportunity not just to listen but to interact; to write what you think about them, and then to offer you these tracks at discounted prices!

Forging Ahead!
In the next few months, we will be working hard to make sure that Paduta is easy to use, appealing, and that we offer a huge library of diverse music to all of you. With that said, there is still a lot of work to do and not all of the features may be up to par just yet, but we will keep you informed of any site updates!

Keep in mind, we LOVE feedback. Let us know what works for you, and what doesn't. Until we are fully operational, leave comments so you can be a part of making Paduta - Fresh Music Every Day bigger and better!

And stay updated by Following Us (sounds creepy, but we'd appreciate it if you did), becoming a Facebook Padutan or being our very special MySpace Friend. Help us get the word out that a new site is on its way and it supports the "little guys" out there in the music industry - the ones that write and record because they love it and believe in what they do!

Thanks For Reading!

Meg@Paduta

Next Time . . . Meg tries to decide who to see at Sasquatch 
and plots a trip to Iceland to win the heart of Jónsi