Going back to school with North Elementary

Chapel Hill band North Elementary brings the kind of music you can't help but like. The intricities of their sound is something to behold. I like what I hear and already have certain favorites.
The band just released Not For Everyone, Just For You, an incredible collection of amazing sounds.

Tour dates are in the works for April and May including New York, Nashville, Atlanta, Birmingham and Wilmington, NC. Hopefull, they will make a stop in Richmond, VA soon.

Decade Styling
Golden Tigers
from Not For Everyone, Just For You (buy)

Your new band

What's your band name? Find out here.

1 - Go to Wikipedia and hit “random”
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations"
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop (or similar) to put it all together.

5 - Post it so the world can see it.

I did it twice and came up with these:

Girona - Indecent to Object


Academic Acceleration - there is only opportunity

Getting to know you...

A Free Man started this interview experiment where he got bloggers to interview and be interviewed as well.

Here is Courtney interviewing me:

1) Are you in a band? What instrument(s) do you play?

No, I am not in a band. I constantly wish I was though and always fantasize about playing in a show in front of everyone I know. I played piano when I was younger and can play a little guitar but I have no patience to keep up with it. However, I am quite proficient at the air guitar.

2) If you could trade lives with any musician in history, whose life would you want to live and why?

There are so many but I think I'm going to go with John Lennon because of his iconic status. Everything that man did in music was amazing and to experience it through his eyes would be a treat.

3) An evil leprechaun has decided you must start a tribute band. (Why an evil leprechaun? I have no idea. Just play along.) Whose music would you cover, and what would be the name of your tribute band?

I've been asked this question before (although without the part about the evil leprechaun). I would be in a matt pond PA tribute band called cat pond PA, named after a pond I used to live near where there were a million stray cats.

4) You have been stranded on a desert island that is magically equipped with a killer sound system. You have only ten albums to listen to until you are rescued, which may be never. What albums will you choose?

This way way too hard a question, but I managed to narrow it down.
Aimee Mann - Lost in Space
All-American Rejects - Move Along
Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
Passenger - Wicked Man's Rest
Greg Laswell - Three Flights From Alto Nido
Mae - The Everglow
Pete Yorn - Musicforthemorningafter
Queen - Greatest Hits
Safetysuit - Life Left To Go
The Tories - The Upside of Down

5) In your opinion, what is the worst band of all time? What is it about that band that offends you so?

I wouldn't say that there's a "worst band of all time," but I think Fall Out Boy comes pretty damn close. There's just something about them I don't like.

6) When you’re in a bad mood, what kind of music cheers you up?

Depends on the reason for the bad mood. If it's relationship-related, usually sad, depressing, slow music. If it's because someone pissed me off, then it's angry mad rock all the way.

7) What is your greatest musical guilty pleasure?

Not gonna lie... I'm really digging Kelly Clarkson right now. Don't judge.

8) What is your most embarrassing celebrity crush?
Not embarrassing per se, but I love Natalie Portman.

9) You have set up two friends on a blind date, and you really want them to hit it off. Being the good friend that you are, you’ve volunteered to create a playlist for the evening. What songs do you choose to create the ultimate romantic atmosphere?

First, I would do extensive background research of the type of music each person likes. And I wouldn't have set them up on a blind date without making sure their musical tastes were somewhat similar. Each of their favorite songs would be on there so at any point in the evening, someone could say 'Oh, I love this song" and start a conversation on it.

10) Quote a song lyric that sums up your philosophy of life.

"Though I know I'll never lose affection / For people and things that went before / I know I'll often stop and think about them / In my life I love you more" - The Beatles, "In My Life"

Now, go over to Carrie's blog, Reconstructing Fossils, to read my interview with her.

Okay, so this is random....

From Billboard:

Former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, Hanson's Taylor Hanson and Fountains Of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger have formed a new band, Tinted Windows.

The group has recorded its debut album at Stratosphere Sound Studios in New York, which Schlesinger and Iha co-own with Ivy’s Andy Chase. The set is expected this spring on a label to be announced. Tinted Windows will play its first major show at Billboard’s South by Southwest showcase, to be held March 20 at Pangaea in Austin, Texas.

I tell James of Appetite for Distraction and this was his response:

It COULD be ok
Hanson was very talented
This is our generation's Damn Yankees
But let me just say this, I hope there aren't any fights at SXSW
because Tinted Windows will lose
I don't care if they were involved or not, they'll still lose

I look forward to seeing what happens with this project.

Mae at the Canal Club, 2/18/09

Last night, Mae performed an incredible show at the Canal Club with openers Conditions, Against Grace, The Bigger Lights and We the Living (all of whom were very good).

It was a benefit for Invisible Children, which raises awareness to the war in Northern Uganda where children are being sent to fight.

Mae took the stage and set things off right with their newest song "The House That Fire Built," which is one of 12 new songs they are releasing this year at whatismae.com. The set then went into Mae's repertoire of jaw-dropping, body-moving songs that covered all their albums. The set kept me entertained from the first note until the final explosive "Someone Else's Arms."

The setlist (hopefully I have this correct):
The House That Fire Built
Futuro
Brink of Disaster
Suspension
All Deliberate Speed
Embers and Envelopes
Skyline Drive
This is the Countdown
Soundtrack for Our Movie
Summertime
Just Let Go
Someone Else's Arms

Encore: Tisbury Lane

Finn Daniel doing some good

UK artist Finn Daniel's songs are defeinitely the kind that get you into the music and help you relax. There's a calming effect to his voice and after a long day, this is the type of music you want to listen to.

Most of 2008 saw Finn painstakingly putting his EP together and getting it out to the public. If it's as good as the song below, I think I'll be in for a pleasant surprise.

If I Got Good from Settle (buy)

Mae - tomorrow night at the Canal Club

I am extremely stoked to see Mae perform tomorrow night. I've been a fan of their for years but never got the chance to see them live. And to top it off my friend's band Against Grace is opening for them, so it should be a phenomenal show.

In other Mae news, the boys are working on a new album by making a new song each month for an entire year. Fans can download each track by donating money to humanitarian projects. February's song is a nice little number called "Boomerang." Listen to it at whatismae.com.

I'm not gonna write you a love song

So, yes, it's Valentine's Day. While I'm usually very bitter on this day for being without a Valentine, this year is actually different. This year, I actually have a Valentine -- although I will not see said Valentine because of work obligations, but whatever.

I put together this list over here for my real life job and I figured I'd let the blog readers get in on it too. Here is a list of sappy and upbeat Valentine's Day songs put into a heart-shaped mixtape.

Patty Griffin - Heavenly Day
Barefoot Confessor - He Doesn't Love You
Greg Laswell - Embrace Me
Passenger - Walk You Home
Natalie Walker - With You
Yellowcard - Oh My Love
The Presets - This Boy's in Love
James Carrington - Ache
At the Stars - When Words Won't Come
Findlay Brown - All That I Have

Last call for contest entries

I'm drawing names for the Eleni Mandell contest. One lucky reader will win a copy of her newest album Artifical Fire. If you want to add your name to the mix, leave a comment below.

The Republic Tigers announce US Tour with Travis

Oh, you don't know HOW excited I am for this. April 23 can't come soon enough.

TOUR ITINERARY—ALL DATES SUPPORTING TRAVIS EXCEPT *

March 21	Austin, TX	Maggie Mae’s* (SXSW showcase)
April 4	Vancouver, BC	Commodore Ballroom
April 5	Seattle, WA	Showbox Theater
April 7	Berkeley, CA	Zellerbach Auditorium
April 9	Anaheim, CA	House of Blues
April 10	Los Angeles, CA	Henry Fonda Theatre
April 11	Los Angeles, CA	Henry Fonda Theatre
April 12	Las Vegas, NV	House of Blues
April 14	Salt Lake City, UT	The Depot
April 15	Englewood, CO	Gothic Theatre
April 17	Minneapolis, MN	Fine Line Music Café
April 18	Chicago, IL	Vic Theatre
April 20	Cleveland, OH	House of Blues
April 21	Toronto, ON	The Sound Academy
April 23	Washington, DC	9:30 Club
April 24	Philadelphia, PA	Theater of Living Arts
April 25	New York, NY	Webster Hall
April 26	Boston, MA	House of Blues

Guggenheim Grotto gets me grooving

Irish artists The Guggenheim Grotto have me in a good mood lately. Their happy sounds are enough to get me energetic and ready to take on the day. Take a listen. I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Fee Da Da Dee from Happy the Man (buy)

A listen to Eleni Mandell + a contest

Beautiful singer/songwriter Eleni Mandell has been in my ears lately with her seductive vocals and her dark, yet inspiring musical arrangements. I like what i hear in her music. It's different yet familiar at the same time. I'm trying to put my finger on what it is exactly. Until then, I'll continue to listen.

Artificial Fire from her latest release Artificial Fire, out Feb. 17.

CONTEST TIME

Because I'm so nice (and because I have an extra copy of the album), I'm giving away a copy of Eleni Mandell's Artifical Fire to one lucky reader. To enter, all you have to do is add a comment below. Tell me what you like about the site or suggestions, any artists I've introduced you to, or even a favorite post you like. Make sure you put a way for me to contact you as well. After 1 week, I will draw names from a hat and pick one winner.

Against Grace at the Canal Club, 2/4/09

I decided last minute to go see Richmond rockers Against Grace play last night at the Canal Club. As usual, they put on a great show. And as often as I go to their shows and write about them, it gets harder to tell you lovely readers why they are so good. But the fact that I keep seeing them and writing about them should tell you something. If you ever are in the Richmond area and have a chance to see these guys, do so.

To top off the night, I talked with Tyler Bland, lead guitarist for the band, who informed me that in two weeks the band will be opening for Mae. I am beyond excited right now.

Anybody know of some good house music?

I pride myself on being able to make a good mixtape. So much in fact that when I make one, I spent a lot of time and effort making it perfect for the recipient. It matches their style and taste with something familiar while also introducing them to something new. I make something you would want to listen to.

But now I've hit a roadblock. A friend heard about my talent making mixes and asked for one. So I asked him what kind of music he was into. He tells me house music -- a style I don't listen to all that much. So I'm asking you out there for any kind of help. Do you know of any good house music that I could include on the CD? Something worth listening to that both of us would enjoy.

Many thanks to any who can help.

New Offspring video - Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?

It's no secret that So-Cal punk band The Offspring have mellowed out some in the past few years. They can definitely still rock out when they need to but they are also pushing the boundaries of their sound and experimenting in new ways.

It's evident in their newest single "Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?" which is actually one of my favorite songs off Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace. The song is a far cry from their days of singing about getting drunk and fighting the system. It's still good though.

But Dexter Holland's hair looks weird... Just saying.