4.29.2007
[Fancey]
"Carry me through the window. I wanna get out."

Admittedly, things here at Both Sides have died a bit during the past few days, but on the upside, the likes of Fancey is here to resuscitate us back into order. Fancey is led by Todd Fancey, a fellow that just so happens to be also affiliated with the New Pornographers, and like all other side projects, Fancey carries a lot of love. Now while other groups may mooch off the many, Fancey boldly heralds about having "something for some people." And why not just go ahead and proclaim that? With a setup like that, it's hard not to be overwhelmed when you realize you account for that "some people." Before you go about feeling special though, it honestly has to be said that, quite in fact, Fancey has something for a lot of people. If anything's encapsulated in the tunage of Fancey, it's summer. Not current summers, but past - the good summers, the memories of summers. Coming at you like some peace-bearing flower child of the 70s, Fancey slaps a love tambourine of harmonizing vocals and sunshine keys. Some serious handclapping is in order, but sadly that's one thing Fancey has yet to deliver. Regardless, Fancy strikes a chord with what I'm gonna call from here on out, sunshine music. Fancey's self-titled debut was released in 2004 on March Records, and it's follow-up Schmancey (clever, clever) is set for release sometime this year...

From Fancey (all songs are right click - save as):
Carry Me
Strayed Out
Rock and Roll Rhythm

Learn about shows, including one in Vancouver on May 11, at the Fancey site.
Be his friend!

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Otherwheres - My bandwidth exceeded, so some files won't be available for download again until around this Saturday...

Otherwheres - YANP Matt has some Bishop Allen love going on - new song, good news...

Otherwheres - Other Matt over at Skatterbrain has turned into your one stop guide for NYC's PopFest...

Otherwheres - Covert Curiosity fills my handclapping needs with one entertaining mix that includes a great demo of Spoon's Jonathon Fisk...
4.25.2007
YACHT

Sorry, I lied. It's been two days since I said, "I will post on Yacht tomorrow." Please forgive me.

Anyway, YACHT's been a really recent interest of mine. I still don't completely understand what YACHT is. I know it's the one-man band of Jona Bechtolt and I know he remixes and collaborates with a shitload of artists. A few examples include Architecture in Helsinki, Panther, Bobby Birdman, and, most recently, The Blow. But whether he's a straight remixer like Girl Talk or a wizard-like producer like Timbaland, it's hard to say. Feel free to enlighten me on the biography of the wonder that is YACHT.

I can say the music is interesting as fuck, though. Very compelling. Obviously a technological mastermind, Jona slices, dices and layers random noises and sounds to create compositions of consideration, if not merit. With the myriad of noises he has going on in his songs, it is a wonder that the tracks end up being so balanced. Acoustic sound is always complemented with electric bleeps and bloops. Vocal verses are offset by long instrumental breaks. Twisting harmonies and melodies are curbed by a wholly rhythmic segment. The resulting sound is fresh, highly complex, and exciting to listen to.

YACHT is currently touring with Tussle and Architecture in Helsinki (separately). Catch him if you can.

Upcoming Shows

May 11 Mission Creek Music Festival San Francisco, CA
May 12
Anticon Art Show Los Angeles, CA
May 15 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
May 16 Hi Dive Denver, CO
May 17
Jackpot Saloon Lawrence, KS
May 18 Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center St. Louis, MO
May 19 Rubber Gloves Denton, TX
May 21 The Proletariat Dallas, TX
May 22
Emo's Austin, TX w/ Tussle
May 24 Modified Arts Phoenix, AZ w/ Tussle
May 25 Che Cafe San Diego, CA w/ Tussle
May 27 The Echo Silver Lake, CA w/ Tussle
May 28 Delta of Venus Davis, CA w/ Tussle
Jun 2 Holocene Portland, OR w/ Tussle
Jun 13 Neumo's Seattle, WA w/ Architecture in Helsinki
Jun 14 Richards on Richards Vancouver, Alberta w/ Architecture in Helsinki
Jun 15 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR w/ Architecture in Helsinki
Jun 16 Bimbo's 365 Club San Francisco, CA w/ Architecture in Helsinki
Jun 18 Glasshouse Pomona, CA w/ Architecture in Helsinki
Jun 19 Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA w/ Architecture in Helsinki
Jul 2 O-Nest Tokyo, Japan
Jul 3 Club24 Yokohama, Japan
Jul 4 KD Japon Nagoya, Japan
Jul 5 Triton Cafe Kobe, Japan
Jul 6 TBA Okoyama, Japan
Jul 7 Urbanguild Kyoto, Japan
Jul 8 Socila Kanazawa, Japan

mp3 See a Penny (Pick it Up)
mp3 Sometimes I Doubt Your Commitment to Sparkle Motion


4.23.2007
[Okkervil River Live @ Hogg Auditorium]
With my last concert being way back in March, my recent Okkervil experience was definitely a great pick-me-up from my concert stagnance as of late. I think when any of your favorite bands announces a show that'll include the performance of "brand new songs, old favorites, very rare tracks, and probably some stuff we've never done before that we'll never likely do again", you're slightly more tempted to go, and go I did. Okkervil River took to the stage at the slightly hallowed halls of Hogg Auditorium, a building that's seen beter days and has since been host to, among other things, testing for University of Texas students. The bad vibes of numerous failures, however, hardly withstood the good vibrations of one great performance. One top of delivering what they promised in a setlist that included A King and Queen, So Come Back, Black Sheep Boy and a Fugs cover of I Want To Know, Okkervil performed alongside a full string and horn section. That's right, a string and horn section. It had been a while since the boys of Okkervil River had played a proper Austin show, and to make up for it they wanted to do something "a little special." Performing as a 21-piece is something that's more than just a little special. Performing as a 21-piece downright spoiled us.

There's always something to be said about the sophistication of a performance when 8 seats on stage are occupied by various stringed instruments, but I never found myself thinking their presence was out of place alongside the raggedy nature of Okkervil River. In fact, if I remember correctly, at the beginning of it all, vocal Will Sheff, bottle of water in hand, asked if it was too classy of a performance for him to work the bottlecap in the air trick. He ended up popping that bottlecap before he even finished the question. Clearly it was rhetorical, and if such an act didn't remind you that this is gonna be just as fun-casual as any other show, the screams of "Fuck yeah!" and "I love you" sure put you back in that mindset. The entire thing was amazing - the sound was more than ideal, you knew the band definitely loved being up there, and I don't remember having 2 hours pass as quickly as it did that night. I'm pretty sure everyone around me thought the same. At the conclusion of their set, and correct me if you were there, a standing ovation lasting anywhere between 2-4 minutes ensued. Clearly, an encore had to answer, and the band returned to stage for four more songs with one Will Sheff asking if they'd never merited a standing ovation before only because up till now they'd never had an actual sitting audience. Brilliant.
Various Songs From Okkervil River (all songs are right click - save as):
Black
For Real
No Key, No Plan

The band's generous enough to put up more mp3s at their site
.
Be their friend!

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Otherwheres - Matt over at Skatterbrain has news about the 2007 NYC Popfest...

Otherwheres - Other Matt over at YANP has a list of some new Sunset Rubdown songs...

Otherwheres - And finally, years ago Dodge of MOKB was listening to...Paula Abdul?
4.21.2007
Amy Winehouse

When I first lay eyes on Amy Winehouse, I immediately thought: prostitute. For good reason, too. I mean, just look at her. She seriously looks like a hooker. But what sets this hooker apart from all the other harlots in the Red Light District is her unmistakable talent. Not at sex, but at singing. Amy Winehouse can really, really sing. Which makes me love her and feel sorry for calling her a prostitute. I'm sorry, Amy. I meant it at the time, but I take it back. I'm sure you don't sell your body on the streets even though you look it.

She has a surprisingly low voice, full of soul and attitude. You can put her in jazz, soul, R&B, blues, whatever the hell you want, but no matter what category you put her in, she's going to stand out. I was so so close to comparing her to Joss Stone for a second, like the evil, slutty, alcoholic version of Joss Stone, until it hit me that I was being retarded and that the two crooners sound nothing alike, even though they're both from the UK. One one hand, you have lovable Joss who covers White Stripes songs and shows up on Gap commercials barefoot. On the other hand, which is two arms lengths away from the other hand, you have Amy Winehouse, a performer who vomits in the middle of her set because of her mass consumption of alcohol prior to going onstage. But who do I enjoy listening to more? The drunk. She's more fun, unique, and fabulous. Cleavage, tattoos, and all.

mp3 Back to Black
mp3 Rehab

4.19.2007
[Albert Hammond, Jr.]
"You're pretty. Won't you play with me? This time I'll be nice."

It seems it's time for Both Sides to revert back to it's rock days before we get cast into a mold of rap, and while Alina hits back with the electronic outfit that is Electric President, I'm going to usher in my return with the likes of Albert Hammond, Jr. If that sounds any at all familiar, credit may or may not be due to his affiliation with the Strokes, but despite having that to namedrop, Hammond's solo project is much, much more than some side project. Hammond's album Yours To Keep has been daydreamed for years, and his love for the album really shows in the disc. Of course, being something that's been daydreamed for as long as it has, it's only fitting that it keep that sense of whimsy. Out of the stack of cds I had to go through the other day, Yours To Keep was, well, a keeper. Immediately it set itself apart with the starting track of Cartoon Music for Superheroes. With lullaby keys a'ringin and a sleepy guitar, I was sold with Yours To Keep for it's innocence and overall daydream state. You know that feeling you get whenever you remember something from your childhood? How in summer there was always a breeze to keep the sun from getting too hot and the grass was just as soft as your bed? Well kids, Hammond managed to bottle that up and slap it on a disc. So go on, reminisce...

From Yours To Keep (all songs are right click - save as):
Bright Young Thing
In Transit
Everyone Gets A Star

With only a myspace to share I say - be his friend!

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Otherwheres - So if you haven't noticed, my photobucket accounts exceeded. They'll be back up and running in a few days, so until then, cope with the slight weirdness...

Otherwheres - Now usually I complain about YANP Matt getting to Spoon (and related) things before I do, but this time Connor at IGIF has me one over. Bridge the distance over at IGIF...

Otherwheres - If you're gonna be in Austin and it's immediate beyond on the 21st, be sure to check out Draft Sessions. Learn more over at Party Ends!...
4.17.2007
Electric President
I'll put a frame up for this later... maybe...

Alright our blog has been a little rap-heavy the past couple posts, so I thought this would be a good time to bring up an awesome electronica band I've been listening to, Electric President. By the looks of it, a lot of you, as in the general public, have been listening to them as well. I think "The O.C." played "Insomnia" before ending their show and I've seen them pop up from time to time in various different blogs. All for good reason too. Electric President, a duo from Jacksonville, Florida is a damn good band. Their complex, yet subtle songs put a lot more indie back into the electronica genre. Now that a lot more indie bands are experimenting with electronica sound, it's refreshing to see an electronica band do the exact opposite. Their self-titled album is actually much more instrumental-based, which follows the instrumental band streak I've been on.

Vocals are reminiscent of Placebo, for sure. A little high, nasal, and adolescent, it's fun to listen to and impossible to imitate. I should have a contest or something asking for mp3s of you guys imitating various singers and have some huge awesome prize. ... Would you guys even do that. Let me know. That sounds fun.

As always, mp3s are posted below. "Ten Thousand Lines" is my favorite of the three and therefore is a must download.
Happy Listening!

4.14.2007
[From: Brad; To: You]
Today, I made a park. Today I rolled down a hill. Today, I got my ass handed to me in checkers. Tomorrow, I will post...
4.11.2007
Rap Mix

So the column off to the right says I'm lacking any notable mixes. I will not stand for that, so I'm about to notably mix something up for you right now.

It's almost expected now that the majority of the musical blogging world will have their foundations set in indie rock. Both Sides is, the blogs we bookmark are, and if you visit any blog search engine, indie rock is most likely what you'll find most of the time. That's all great and obviously completely welcomed, but I think we can all do for a little horizon expansion here and there. So here, I bring to you my first ever rap mix.

I almost listened exclusively to R&B in elementary school (I cried when Aaliyah died). But to be perfectly honest, I didn't start listening regularly to rap and hip hop until the past couple years. I still am and always will be an indie girl at heart, but even indie is so diverse and broad that it's natural for indie listeners to enjoy a wide spectrum of genres.

Understand though that there is a definite distinction between good rap and shitty rap that should never be listened to. Just like rock, there are those rappers that get tons of air time on all your radio stations that produce garbage. Case in point: Nelly. Ja Rule. 50 Cent. Much equivalent to Simple Plan. Good Charlotte. New Found Glory. If you're fans of any of the rappers/bands I just mentioned, I mean no offense, but there's so much better music out there that will blow your mind once you lend an ear.
Here are some songs that I hope will do just that for you.

m4a Lil Wayne- Monster
m4a Lil Wayne- Georgia (Bush)
mp3 Nas- Hip Hop is Dead
mp3 Snoop Dogg- 10 Lil' Crips
mp3 Ghostface Killah- The Champ
mp3 Ghostface Killah- Shakey Dog

... and ending with a classic...
mp3 Bone Thugs n Harmony- Tha Crossroads

4.07.2007
TV On the Radio/The Noisettes... LIVE
The show last last night was amazing. I'm sure I would have enjoyed myself a lot more if I wasn't throwing up, but even while I was on the ground by everyone's legs trying to get my act together, I really really liked the show. Thanks to the security guard for letting me drink his water and not being angry with me for vomiting on his shoes.


The Noisettes opened the show with a mindblowing performance. The lead singer, Shingai Shoniwa (her name is so badass), had so much ridiculous energy. She was jumping all over the place in her bright orange hotpants, hair flying everywhere, belting out song in unbelievable pitches and tremors. Her stage presence is amazing, but her voice is even more so. She can go from seductively low and soft to piercingly shrill and high in a matter of seconds, while still holding down a solid melody. Shingai's hands down one of the most impressive front(wo)men I've seen in a long, long time.
Her bandmates were also incredible. Dan Smith, lead guitarist, had his share of sexy guitar solos that got the crowd going. The drummer, Jamie Mor
rison, was ridiculously good though. Not only was he pumped up as hell, but his beats were just insanely awesome. All the songs they played had this crazy rhythmic backbone that drove them over the edge and back again.
In short, The Noisettes were a badass good time.


Then it was time for the headlining TV On the Radio. For the first couple songs, I was really dizzy and blacking out, so my concentration was kind of affected. Then they started playing "I Was a Lover," I leaned over the railing and threw up profusely, and finally felt well enough to start enjoying the show. Lead singer, Tunde Adebimpe (yet another badass name) had better pelvic moves than Elvis. His hips just swiveled around and around, with his wrist and elbow raised, flapping any which way he fucking wanted. His voice remained relatively stable throughout the set and he was able to deliver the great falsetto he's been known for. Oh, he is also a fine whistler. Kyp Malone, the guitarist/background vocalist/bearded cutie pie, was so fucking lovable. With his tight little T-shirt and heart belt buckle, Kyp oozed endearing. The lone white band member, David Andrew Sitek was just as incredible as the rest. I've never seen anyone strum so fast -- his hand was a blur half the time. For a lot of the show, I was on the ground and didn't get to focus much on drummer, Jaleel Bunton, or bassist, Gerard Smith, but from what I could hear, they were amazing.
The closing song was "Staring at the Sun." It blew my mind, it was so good. It was the perfect ending to a not so perfect night.

Despite all that happened, this show was one of my favorites. Any performer could most definitely look to both TV On the Radio and The Noisettes for inspiration on how to deliver onstage.
As always, I've got some mp3s (not live, by the way) posted below.
Photo props to Shadid for taking the pics of TV On the Radio.

The Noisettes

mp3 Mind the Gap
mp3 Scratch Your Name

TV On the Radio

mp3
I Was A Lover
mp3 Province
mp3 Staring at the Sun


4.03.2007
Do Make Say Think

Good instrumental bands are usually hard to come by, which is why I was so happy when I came upon Do Make Say Think. A quintet from Canada, Do Make Say Think has recently released their fifth LP, You, You're a History in Rust. The album features vocals for the first time in their band history, but not those of any of the band members. Guest vocalists Tony Dekker and Akron/Family sing a few bars in each song, but the sound is still strongly based on the instruments. A definite folk feel is also prevalent in the majority of the tracks, which keeps their otherwise heavy sound afloat.
Their songs are lengthy, complex, ambient, and noisy. Spanning anywhere from four to thirteen minutes, each track is a complicated piece of work, with melody crashing into melody, builds breaking and falling from bar to bar, and the occasional human voice soaring unintelligibly over the sound. Dark and melancholy, Do Make Say Think is pensive, beautiful music.

mp3 In Mind
mp3 Her Story of Glory


--

Soyea this Thursday I'm checking out TV On the Radio at La Zona Rosa. I'll be sure to post pictures and give a little concert review when I get back.
4.01.2007
[Spoon Goes Ga Ga And Then Some]
I don't know how the hell it happened the past two times, but lately YANP Matt's beat me to the post when it comes to reporting on Spoon things. For anyone that's been keeping up, it's no news that Spoon has been road testing some of their newest songs, and it seems they finally tagged a date for the album those songs are showing up in. Everyone's favorite quartet of everchanging parts (they got a new bassist on this draw) is releasing their sixth full length, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, this summer on July 10. I can't wait until people start asking for that in stores.

- Clarification, Explanation, Justification -
Thanks to Ron down in comments and a well-timed mailout from Spoon, turns out Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is the product of "the sound of one of the first songs written for the record, The Ghost of You Lingers." All right so there's a reason to the name, and rumors of Spoon having a secret band child can die off. The email also reminded me that Spoon has some dates coming up in the NE, so if you're around there be sure to check out their site...

Various Songs from Spoon (all songs are right click - save as):
Target [Live]
Rhthm and Soul [Live]

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Tracklist:
1. Don't Make Me A Target
2. The Ghost of You Lingers
3. You Got Yr Cherry Bomb
4. Don't You Evah
5. Rhthm and Soul
6. Eddie's Ragga
7. The Underdog
8. My Little Japanese Cigarette Case
9. Finer Feelings
10. Black Like Me

Is all this set in stone? Personally, I hope not. Let's remove three Ga's and run spell check just once more before we call it a day. Though it definitely prompts an "I love ya but....", luckily, Spoon's goodness can't be crippled by a mere title. Tracks like Target and Rhthm and Soul show continued progress with pulls from the Girls Can Tell era - a very good move. If those two songs are any indication of what Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga has to offer, then I can live with that album title...

Learn more about the group at the Spoon site.
Be their friend!
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Otherwheres - Be sure to pick up Sound Advice Vol. 1: The Start of Something (despite the title you will not be hit by Voxtrot, think smaller) at Austin Sound.
Very good stuff if you're looking for lesser-known groups that call Austin home...

Otherwheres - Covert Curiousity put up two mixes, so head on over if you feel like a simmer downer or a get up get upper...

Otherwheres - Last but not least, there are loads of good stuff up for grabs over at IGIF...