more pitchfork stuff

so my friend's band got mentioned on pitchfork yesterday. They're called Black Before Red. I think their album is going to be pretty great, I haven't heard the whole thing yet.

here it is

New Acorn Track

The Flood Pt. 1 via Pitchfork!

linklinklinklnklinkkkkkk

Pitchfork Festival

yup, I went. Here's my shorty review if you want it.

Day 1
ehn. I've never been into Slint and the sound was a little troublesome, so I couldn't get into the great, highly anticipated reunion. so I went to the craft tent. Gza was fun, but by the time Sonic Youth came on I was drunk and surly. I just couldn't really get into this first night. It wasn't Sonic Youth's fault - I take the full curmudgeon blame. So I made my friends leave early to go to see Yo Majesty at a small dance club, and that was fucking awwwwwesome.

Day 2
A slow start due to a hang-over, sore dancing feet, and lady problems, and I stupidly wore jeans (even though the weather was overall quite pleasant). Califone was good, naturally, and the second band of the day, so that was a good start. Battles and Mastodon were also really great, but I stayed out of the crowds like an old person. Fujiya & Miyagi, Dan Deacon, and especially Girl Talk were all supposed to have killed, but I didn't see them. I did venture up close for Clipse, and that was pretty damn fun. I also saw a little of Cat Power. Her voice sounded beautiful, her band was incredible, and it was nice to see her as a real stage performer and not depressed and hiding. But I didn't feel that engaged. It would have been nicer in a smaller setting. I stayed for 1.5 of Yoko's songs to say that I've seen her. yep.

Day 3
The best day! I wasn't sick, I wasn't drunk (read: surly), I was well rested, and I had a full day of bands I wanted to see. I started with the Ponys and Brightblack Morning Light. The first were fun rock n roll from Chicago, and the second are primarily a couple I knew once upon a time ago in Birmingham. They play a kind of hippie porno jazz, and it's very good. Kinda got me hot. Both of these bands were plagued with some sound problems though, so that kind of stunk. Next I saw Nomo, an afro-funk band of mainly white kids from Michigan and they were surprisingly good. Tight, sharp, and fun. Lots of horn.

Next I went and found a spot under the trees for the old-timer triumvirate: The Sea and Cake, Stephen Malkmus, and the New Pornographers. The best in my opinion was Malkmus, who mainly played solo on an acoustic until he was joined by Bob Nastanovich on drums for the last few songs. You guys would have jizzed so hard.

I saw a little of Jamie Lidell and Of Montreal from across the field. I don't get Lidell at all. It was just him singing on top of prerecorded tracks. You think he could have hired a couple of live musicians for the show. I have some old prejudices towards Of Montreal. Their theatrics were silly and distracting, but they got one of the best reactions of the weekend. I'm officially old.

The best act for me was the last. By far, by far, my favorite was De La Soul. After a day of hanging back, I pushed my was up front and was able to secure a spot on the far left, maybe 3 people back. I was soooo good, guys. They played songs I forgot I knew, and I I had no choice but to shake it through the entire set. Those guys were funny, engaging, tight, and energetic, and the beats killed. They even brought out Prince Paul to dj a song.

Here's a picture I yanked off flickr with an approximation of my position.


So in conclusion:
1. It seems like I liked the hip hop acts the most.
2. I wish there had been more females in the bands. I know Cat Power and Yoko were two of the big headliners, but overall it was a little too heavy with dudes. But that's to be expected, I suppose.
3. This festival, though, is really a good one. The prices are extremely fair (no Ticketmaster!). They have free water available and sell bottle of SmartWater for only a buck. The food and beer is good and relatively cheap. And the crowds seem to be generally tolerable. In fact, I read in the paper here that the organizers could have sold more tickets to reach park capacity but they held back to ensure a more comfortable experience. Wasn't that sweet?!

hey deuce

so i never contribute here anymore but i went to this "secret" decemberists show the other day and I wrote a little review of it. it was a fun show. hope everyone is well. later.

I'M BACK BITCHES

i had a great week. weather was nice. hiking. antiquing. lots of pancakes w/ maple syrup. so much green. the maine coastline is spectacular. enjoyed some great food. had a room right on the beach. windows down sleeping with the tide. amazing. you guys need to step up on the blogging whilst i'm gone. geez. lo. weez. built to spill coming to phx in sep. go red sox.

wow

you may have seen the video posted on pitchfork, but here is the mp3. regardless of what you think of animal collective, you should listen to this one. this is the song of the year

animal collective - fireworks