Public Relations
Word on the street is that you can catch Airbag Radio's very own James Anthony on News 10 tonight at 11pm talking about blogging and the like.
Well Done...
Radiohead's Thom Yorke, crashed the Copenhagen Summit to witness the madness. Read his play-by-play here. Watch below.
DWNLD TH!S:
Portishead's got a new track out titled "Chase The Tear." Get it here. Proceeds go to Amnesty International.
Airbag Radio presents...
So This Is Christmas
That's right we've got a new mix out for the holidays and this ain't your grandma's Christmas music. Well, maybe it is, if your grandma is a total holiday hipster like us. Keep up your indie cred while still dabbling in the season's festivities with our new mix on blast. Aww yeah! Hit us up to get yers now.
Forget Santa Clause...
...cuz The Album Leaf is coming to town. Be at Harlow's Wednesday, February 3rd, for the band's first show back from recording their new album, A Chorus Of Storytellers, out February 2nd. Get a preview of what's coming in the video below.
Mixing in Iceland from TheAlbumLeaf on Vimeo.
Say It Ain't So...
Word on the street (and by street we mean internet) is that Red Hot Chili Pepper John Frusciante is no longer a Red Hot Chili Pepper. We've got our fingers crossed that this just isn't true. Although everyone in that band is amazingly talented, it's John who is the genius creative force behind the great music. Plus the last time he quit, the band totally sucked. We'll keep all y'alls posted.
Crayon Art
As we posted last week, hometown heroes, Sister Crayon, have a new single out today titled "Here We Never Die." Grab it on iTunes or get a listen over at Manimal Vinyl, the band's new record label. (Yes, that's the same label where Bat For Lashes got her start.) Also forthcoming this February is an EP of new tunes titled Enter Into Holy (or)ders, followed by a national tour, followed by a full length LP in the fall.
If your wondering who the hell Sister Crayon is, let us be the first to welcome you to Sacramento. Sister Crayon is the best band to come out of this town since Deftones first made their mark on the national scene in 1994. And these kids are no overnight sensation either. This shit's been years in the making. In fact, the first time that Sister Crayon showed up on our radar was back in the early part of the decade, when lead singer Terra Lopez was part of electronic duo Kyoto Beat Orchestra and handed out fliers for shows from behind the cash register at Dimple Records. Upon finally witnessing a live KBO show in '06, we knew that there was something special going on. Simply put, Terra killed it. All beauty. All angst. Unfortunately, the Orchestra wasn't meant to be and the pair split up shortly after self-releasing their first album. (Side Note: We are still waiting to get our ears a listen to that one.) Fast forward to 2009, a couple of musical projects later, and we find Terra still killing it and Sister Crayon set to take on the country. No doubt, by the end of 2010, Sister Crayon will be showing up on countless "best of" lists.
For those of you who will be in (Sac)town for the holidays, Sister Crayon has a show lined up at Press Club on December 28th. Be there and be prepared for a full house. Sister Crayon is set to explode.
Final Flight
News today from New Zealand's fourth most popular comedy-folk duo, Flight of the Conchords will not be returning for a third season of their popular HBO show. That's good news, because as much as we love those guys and their quirky jams, the second season was kind of a let down and we were a little worried that the third may end up being more of the same, e.g. too much Murray and Dave and not enough Bret and Jemaine. Let's hope for more brilliance from these guys in the near future. In the meantime, here's our favorite moment from season 1. Enjoy!
"Bowie's in Spayeeayeeayce!"
The video below has us very confused right now.
For those wondering, yes, apparently that is Bob Dylan and the song comes from his newest album, Christmas In The Heart. We're not going to make any excuses for our hero, rather we would like to present much needed redemption via his performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival below.
Amen!
Something's Brewing...
...over at www.jonsi.com. (And yes that's the same Jonsi of Sigur Ros fame.) Sign up and stay tuned!
And the award for blandest award show ever goes to...
...the American Music Awards. Way to go! Indulge in the mediocrity here. Spoiler alert: Michael Jackson wins everything. Not sure why, considering he didn't release any albums since 2001. We're resisting the overwhelming urge to rant and leaving that to you. Don't let us down.
The Decade, Volume '02
Here we are! Back with our journey through the 2000's. Dropping science like Einstein. This time it's the Terrible Two's, as in 2002, which weren't that terrible for us, but sure were for one Mr. Beck Hansen.
Beck - Sea Change
Four More
Sigur Ros - ( )
Earthshakingly beautiful. Only God could make music this heavenly. Are these not men?
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
A somber look at American life in the wake of a new reality. An amazing album with an equally amazing story, which can be witnessed in the documentary, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - By The Way
One-time jesters of rock embrace a new sound with poise and style.
Queens Of The Stone Age - Songs For The Deaf
Hard. Ass. Rock. Times. One. Thousand. (Doesn't hurt to have Dave Grohl guesting on drums either.)
Girls & Boys, Boys & Girls
"Fake it 'til you make it!," that's what we say. In the spirit of artistic interpretation we bring you an artistic interpretation of Animal Collective's jam of the year, "My Girls." This one is from Taken By Trees and has been appropriately retitled "My Boys." Check the vid below, yo.
Brooklyn, Stand Up...
Scene 4
Receive and you shall ask... (or is it...)...The fourth and final volume of Airbag Radio's epic seasons series is here. That's right, what all began with Good Winter is finally coming to a close. All you Air-Heads out there better comment while the getting is good. And don't worry this isn't the end of the book, just the end of a chapter. Enjoy! (With a glass of whiskey in hand.)
Spoon's back!!! (Almost.)
Spoon's forthcoming album, Transference, isn't due out until January 26th but you can get a new sneak peak here. Dig what we're hearing.
DWNLD TH!S:
"Mind Eraser, No Chaser" from previously noted Them Crooked Vultures. Look for the band's self-titled debut at your favorite local record store November 17th. Enjoy!
The Decade, Volume '01
And the hits don't stop here at Airbag Radio. This week we tackle the year that was 2001. The year that four unlikely cartoons from England burst onto the scene with a catchy little jingle known as "Clint Eastwood." That's right our pick for best album of 2001 goes to none other than Gorillaz.
All Pop, All Funk, All Brit, All Punk. Gorillaz self-titled debut defies all genres and categories and as a result can only be defined as great. The album's lead single "Clint Eastwood," featuring a ghostly Del on vocals, may in fact be the decade's best song. Masterminded by Blur's Damon Albarn, Gorillaz is as much a musical statement as an artistic one. In our world of manufactured pop icons and recycled celebrities, Gorillaz stand out as an ironic breath of fresh air. Four cartoons, a virtual band, standing head and shoulders above the "real" world. Beyond the irony, Gorillaz is pure fun. Give it a listen and you'll find yourself wishing you we're a cartoon too.
Four More
Jay-Z - The Blueprint
If Jay-Z wasn't already hip-hop's greatest rapper, he was after the Blueprint. This was the "Takeover!"
Radiohead - Amnesiac
The B-Side to the greatness that was Kid A. Amnesiac continues in the same vein with it's own unique mood.
System Of A Down - Toxicity
More metal from the early 2000's? Yes, but the difference is that these guys broke every rule you learned in your Music Composition class and still managed to take the world by surprise.
The White Stripes - White Blood Cells
Guitar + Drums = Everything You Need
The Decade, Volume '00
The end is nigh! No, not that apocalyptic, fire-and-brimstone kind of end. The end of the decade is nigh. And as the 2000's come to a close, we at Airbag Radio are taking time to reflect on the past 10 years of music and all that our ears have enjoyed. For the next 10 weeks, we'll be featuring the best album of each year of the decade. It all starts here with Y2K, the millenium kickoff.
Radiohead - Kid A
Radiohead - Kid ANot only the best album of 2000, but likely the best album of the decade. At the time, Radiohead's Kid A was seen as a drastic departure from form for the band, however in retrospect, it can be seen more as a commitment to form as Thom Yorke & Co. continually pushed the envelope and moved in new directions with each subsequent release.
Kid A simultaneously embraces and pulls away from the dawning of new era. Drenched in electronic soundscapes, Thom Yorke's voice conjures up images of an old soul wrestling with our present future, a personal life lost in the magnitude of modern life. Does that make sense? No? It might after you listen to the album, or you may draw your own conclusions. Nonetheless, Kid A will make you uncomfortable, and in that discomfort you will likely arrive at a new understanding your world.
Beyond our artsy-farsty rambling-on, the music on this album straight kills. Dense beats, lofty beats, dense piano, lofty piano, muffled vocals, muddy vocals, strained vocals, soaring vocals. A true accomplishment in sound. Get your ears around this. Highlights include: "Everything In Its Right Place," "The National Anthem," and "Idioteque."
Four More
Here are four more greats from the year that was 2000.
The Hives - Veni Vidi Vicious
This one took a couple of years to catch on, but when it did it started a fire. All Rock. All Roll. All Rock & Roll. And matching suits to boot.
Deftones - White Pony
Sacto's finest move beyond the watered down metal scene of the late 90's, unleashing Chino's ethereal vocals and the bands atmospheric capabilities. At the same time White Pony never abandons the heavy core that makes Deftones Sacto's finest.
Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP
His greatness can't be denied and this was Eminem at his peak. The world hated him and he hated the world right back.
Coldplay - Parachutes
If you're a regular here at Airbag Radio, you know how much we hate Coldplay today, but there was once a time when these now-douchebags weren't concerned with pleasing all the soccer moms of the world. Parachutes is subtle, great, and subtly great.
Fake It 'Til You Make It...
We're back from hibernation with a new semi-irregular feature called Fake It 'Til You Make It. FITYMI is a showcase of obscure and sometimes quirky cover versions of popular songs. It all starts here with a cover of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" from Pompaloose. Check the vid below.
Quite Possibly The Worst Movie Ever
A small town setting and a folksy guitar soundtrack can't save you from a cliche plot and predictable dialog.
Why is Sunshine Cleaning quite possibly the worst movie ever? It's B-Grade Hollywood junk masquerading as a hip indie drama. I wish I had three hands, so I could give it three thumbs down.
Rules of Blogging
Blogging Rule No. 3 - Never apologize for a lack of updates.
Please consider this our violation of Blogging Rule No. 3.
Thank You.
PS Listen to your favorite song. You'll be glad you did. (And so will we.)
Quote To Remember
"Radio" was a thing people used to hear new music before the internet. - Stereogum
How To Sell Out:
(video below)
Nice one, Pearl Jam. Way to show your true colors, red and white, in the shape of a bullseye. You have now lost all credibility and we will never believe another word that you say, ever.
Sigur Rós-ish
Today saw the release of a new track from techno-ite, Tiësto, titled "Kaleidoscope." Now, normally this would never be cause for celebration here in Airbag Land but this particular piece of work features none other than Mr. Sigur Rós himself, Jonsí.
For those all of you who are still scratching your head trying to figure out how to say Tiësto, never mind figure out his (supposed) significance, Tiësto is a Dutch DJ best known for his dancefloor rhythms (the kind of rhythms that inspire... well... umm... we're not sure who or what they inspire, but they definitely don't inspire us).
Fortunately, Jonsí has come to the rescue of at least one song. "Kaleidoscope," the lead single from Tiësto's forthcoming album features Jonsí on Vox over white atmospheric beats reminiscent of Jonsí's other work. Be warned though, this is Tiësto featuring Jonsí, and not vice versa, which means that braun ultimately trumps brains on this one as things escalate into a full fledged techno-fest (the kind that makes us want to finish our drink and go home). But don't let us decide for you, see for yourself. "Kaleidoscope" is available for consumption on iTunes or you can take a listen over at Pitchfork.
In case you've been living under a rock...
...here's Kanye making an ass of himself per usual.
Yeezy, "How could you be so Heartless?"
Air Mail
Great video set to Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks." Even greater when you consider it was put together by a fan. Thanks to Olga (and Alex) for the tip. Enjoy!
DWNLD TH!S:
Notorious Remix Heavyweight, Phaseone, has not only blessed the music world with a new album, but with a FREE new album.
Another Crooked Mile
Here's another sneak peak of what's to come from Them Crooked Vultures. (video below)
Caliphonic
We at Airbag Radio had the opportunity to catch Califone opening for Iron & Wine a couple of years ago at Oakland's Paramount Theatre. We must say that despite our unfamiliarity with these indie-vets at the time, the band left a real impression on our collective ears. Stretched-out acoustic rhythms spilt over walls of sonic distortion, killer! The band has a new album forthcoming, titled All My Friends Are Funeral Singers, due out October 6th. In the meantime, please enjoy the lead single, "Funeral Singers," compliments of Stereogum.
Super! Group!
(Video Below)
For those keeping score, the video above features the new supergroup Them Crooked Vultures. What's so special about these guys? Well, this may just be the best supergroup since Cream got together back in '66. How so? Here's the lineup: Dave Grohl on drums (Yes, the same Dave Grohl from Nirvana and Foo Fighters), Josh Homme on Guitar (Yes, the same Josh Homme from Queens Of The Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal), John Paul Jones on bass (Yes, the same John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin! That's right Led Zeppelin!). Wow! We're on serious overload here at Airbag HQ just trying to fathom these three giants in the same room, never mind playing together. More to come, we're sure. Stay posted.
Radiohead-Land
There's been some big news in Radiohead-Land the past couple of weeks. (Yes, Radiohead-Land is a real place and it's located smack dab between Brilliant-Town and Awesome-Ville.)
First, and foremost the world has been blessed with not one but two new singles from the band. The first of these is titled "Harry Patch (In Memory of)" and finds Thom Yorke & Co. paying tribute to the UK's last remaining WWI veteran, Harry Patch who recently passed away at the age of 111. The track features soaring vocals from Yorke accompanied by equally soaring strings arranged by Johnny Greenwood and recorded live in an abbey and is sure to throw those even mildly familiar with the band's catalogue for a loop. Read more about the single at deadairspace. Get it at waste.
Following the release of "Harry Patch," both Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood stated in separate interviews that the band would likely not be recording another full-length album in the near-future but rather would be releasing songs in the EP format. At the same time, a new track popped up online titled "These Are My Twisted Words" that was clearly a new song from Radiohead. Text included in the MP3 file quickly sparked rumors that this song may be part of a forthcoming EP titled Wall of Ice. Thus far, it looks like those rumors were false, but the band has officially released "These Are My Twisted Words" for free via their website along with some beautiful new artwork from long time collaborator, Stanley Donwood. Grab it here. You won't be disappointed.
Part III of IV
Airbag Radio's newest release is here and we've dubbed it Endless Summer. Better late than never, or better never than late? You Decide. Hit us up for your copy.
So You Think You Can Dance?
Dig the enthusiasm below! (via Lollapalooza)
Which dancer had the better moves? Let us know what you think.
Wish We Were There...
As previously noted here at Airbag Radio, the Beastie Boys have had to cancel their summer festival appearances due to MCA's bout with cancer. In their place, Jay-Z stepped in to headline the All Points West Festival out in Jersey. Hova kicked things off right with a tribute to his fellow Brooklyn MC's. The results are stunning! Check the video below.
PS MCA has recovered well from his first surgery and is currently undergoing further treatment. We'll keep you posted here. Thoughts & Prayers...
Art. Work.
Thought we'd share some killer album artwork with you from Yo La Tengo's forthcoming album, Popular Songs.
DWNLD TH!S:
In honor of the 10th Anniversary of ágætis byrjun, sigur rós are offering up a free download of an exclusive live performance of "Hafsól." Get it below.
Enjoy!
It was written...
"we do not intend to become superstars or millionaires. we are simply gonna change music forever, and the way people think about music."
- sigur ros, circa 1999
- sigur ros, circa 1999
PSA
Beastie Boy Numero Uno, MCA, aka Adam Yauch, will be taking time off to be treated for cancer of his salivary gland. Good news: It's treatable. Double Good News: It won't affect his voice. Here's the official announcement via video...
Thoughts and prayers go out.
MC Hammer, Back!
San Francisco's favorite free music fest, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass returns this year with the likes of Billy Bragg, Nick Lowe, Gillian Welch, Elvis Perkins, Okkervil River and many more, oh yeah, and MC Hammer! Guess they recruited Hammer to put the "Hardly" in "Hardly Strictly." It all goes down October 2-4. More info (and proof) at www.strictlybluegrass.com.
Check it!
Wilco and Feist got together last week to perform the duet "You & I" on The Late Show. For those who missed it, we've got the video below. If you like what you hear, be sure to check out Wilco's newest album, the appropriately titled, Wilco (The Album).
Calling All Ye Pirates!
Avast!!! There be a festival of music especially for ya swashbucklers in place called Treasure Island. So set sail for the San Francisco Bay with plans to arrive mid October, leaving yourself plenty of time for pillaging booty along the way. Bring your pegged leg and a bottle of rum and be prepared to enjoy the likes of Grizzly Bear, Beirut, The Walkmen, MGMT, Girl Talk, Passion Pit, The Decemberists, Spiral Stairs, and many more. Steer yourself thisaway for more information. Arrrgg!!!
Airbag Radio presents
...cobwebs.
songs for sunday morning,gathered together to fill the emptiness of a lonely room and the weariness of a traveled soul
Here it is! The long-awaited, highly anticipated flip-side to our critically acclaimed Economic Stimulus Package, ...cobwebs. If ESP was the party mix, consider this the music for the morning after. Also consider this our thanks for two years of support of Airbag Radio. If you'd like to get your ears around this new release hit up james@airbagradio.com. And be sure to let us know what you think. Enjoy!
Fresh Air
French electro-pop duo, Air, have a new album forthcoming titled Love 2. Check out the new track "Do The Joy" below. If you like what you hear, be sure to check out the classic classic classic album, Moon Safari.
(PS Hold your mouse over the above black space to play track.)
What Can Be Said?
Michael Jackson, gone. Simply put, there will never be another. Here's to his legacy...
300th Post
ANTHR RCRD SWP?
Dang! It must be Record Swap season, 'cuz here's another opportunity to get out of the house and get your hands on some hot wax. This weekend, Capital Public Radio will be hosting their annual used record and CD sale out at the Howe 'Bout Arden shopping center. This is a great opportunity to pick up that copy of Barbara Streisand's greatest hits that you've been looking for. It's going down on Saturday & Sunday from 10AM to 5PM. More here.
By the way, I'm totally kicking myself right now for not having thought of that awesome shopping center name first, "Howe 'Bout Arden." Genius! Get it "How About Arden?" Wow, I need to talk to the marketing whiz that came up with that one.
Hurry!
Hey all you Airbag Readers out in New York! Insound.com is hosting its first ever warehouse sale today from 5-8PM. Get out to Brooklyn to score some great deals. Hurry! More info here.
LaLaLaLaLa...LaLa..LaLa
Last time I checked, my wallet was still empty. Guess our Economic Stimulus Package didn't quite put an end to the recession. For those of you who find yourself in the same situation, we thought we'd kick down this worthwhile tip. Head over to LaLa to listen to any of there millions of tracks totally free. There is a catch, you can only listen to any song once free of charge. But, hey, it's a great way to take a listen to that Dirty Projectors album before you shell out some cold hard cash for it.
DWNLD TH!S:
The Raveonette's have been hard at work on their forthcoming album due out sometime this year. But rather than make you wait 'til who knows when, the band has decided to treat everyone with a few tasty demos from the studio. Grab 'em here. If you dig what you hear, let us know.
Solid Investment
It's 2009 and everyone's short of cash. With that in mind, we thought we'd bring you one hell of deal worth your hard earned dough. Fanfarlo's got their debut album on sale for just a dollar via the band's website. That's right, one dollar. And believe us, this one's good... real good. Don't believe us? Ask Sigur Ros.
It's Outside
For those of you willing to brave the mayhem that is San Francisco's Outside Lands Festival the day-by-day lineup has been announced. In our humble opinion, Sunday's the most stacked, mostly because of performer extraordinaire, M.I.A. In fact, we're considering making the trek just to catch her set. Don't even bother with Friday, it's got those corporate rock sellout guys. Click here for more.
RCRD SWP:
Fellow Record Enthusiasts, Here's an event that you don't want to miss. The world's greatest college radio station, KDVS, hosts their semiannual Record Swap next Saturday, June 20th at Luigi's Fun Garden in Midtown Sacramento. The event runs from 9AM to 2PM. See you there! (And don't get in the way of me and any Miles Davis records.) More info here.
DWNLD TH!S:
Zero 7 has just wrapped up work on their forthcoming album, Yeah Ghost. Grab a sneak peak here with "Everything Up (Zizou)." This one's got that classic Zero 7 vibe with a little extra punch. Enjoy! Look for the new album soon.
Terrible Two's
FYI, Airbag Radio is now two years old. Happy Birthday to us! Party favors forthcoming. Stay tuned.
Good Winter...
Bon Iver comes to Oakland's Fox Theatre, Thursday September 24th. Airbag Radio's got the presale info. Hit us up if you're interested. Can't wait!
Pearl Jam & Target - A Match Made At The Bank
Hey all you thirty-something's! Your longtime favorite anti-corporate rock & rollers, Pearl Jam, have struck a deal with none other than the very large, very corporate Target Corporation. Not only will Target be their big-box partner for the band's forthcoming album, tentatively titled, Backspacer, but the band has also filmed a television commercial soon to appear on a very corporate television network to promote the new partnership.
The band's manager says there's more to the partnership than meets the eye, and that it's just one aspect of the forthcoming release, but, come on, do you really expect me to buy that bullshit. Eddie Vedder & Co. have spent years and years whining about being on a major label. Now they're finally free to do what they want and they make a deal with Target? Wow! And on top of that the international release is being handled by Universal Music Group.
This is what happens when great bands lose perspective. Pearl Jam has lost sight of what matters these days. Hey PJ, no one cares how many albums you sell or if they can find your album on sale next to the bulk toilet paper. Fans care about good music, good concerts and sticking it to the man. By making a deal with the man, you have become the man. People can find great music and great concerts elsewhere and when it comes to sticking to the man, they can now stick it to you. Best of luck with your probably forthcoming reality TV show.
Take It Away!
For those of you who enjoyed dining with Sigur Ros and strolling with Bon Iver, we bring you another grand Take Away Show featuring Arcade Fire. (Video below.)
Discovery Channel
Recent finds worth checking out...
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz
Karen O & Co. change direction, get all electro on us and still kick everyone's ass. (Be sure to get the deluxe digipack for some acoustic cuts.)
Elvis is back with more bedroom folk and gypsy-tavern tunes.
Bob Dylan & The Band - The Basement Tapes
We've been waiting years for the remaster of these legendary sessions. Well worth it!
Comment to let us know what you've been rockin' on your turntable.
Kill Some Time...
...with this new video from everyone's favorite Biola grads, Cold War Kids. And when we say video, that's really a bit of an understatement. This one is more of an interactive experience with the band. Control each of the Kids to create your own mix of the song. Not gettin' it? That's OK, it took us a couple of minutes to figure it out also. Just click around on the colors and see what happens. Go ahead, kill some time. You'll be glad you did.
Back At It
FYI, Radiohead are back in the studio working on their followup to 2007's In Rainbows. All we know so far is that the band will be working with longtime producer Nigel Godrich and that it's going to be awesome! Oh, and Colin says "It's good to be back in the studio."
More Stimulus
Sounds like we're not the only ones kicking down some free music in hopes of providing you with your fair share of stimulus. Airbag fave, Del The Funky Homosapien is also joining in the efforts to rescue our failing economy. The Oak-town rapper has got a new album titled Funk Man (The Stimulus Package) and it's yours to enjoy here at no cost. We haven't made it through the whole thing yet, but so far, so good. We particulary dig the opening track, "Get It Right Now!" Classic Del! For those not familiar with The Funky Homosapien, be ready for some quirky west coast funk with equal parts humor and bravado.
If you like what you hear, be sure to check out Deltron 3030. Back in the early millennium, Del teamed up with ace producer, Dan The Automator and whiz turntablist Kid Koala to create this now classic concept album set in a far-out dystopian future. Computer viruses have never sounded so ill.
Quote To Remember
"A lot of bands have something to say, we have something to ask."
- Dave Sitek, TV On The Radio
Quote To Remember
"I have something to admit... I like Arcade Fire."
- Monica (Longtime President of the I Hate Arcade Fire Club)
DWNLD TH!S:
Wilco have a new album coming out June 30th titled Wilco (The Album). They also have a free download available here. This one's a timely cover of Woody Guthrie's "The Jolly Banker." Enjoy!
"Dark Was The Night" Kicks It Live
So the brains behind, Dark Was The Night (pretty much the best compilation album ever), got together to put on what sounds like the best charity benefit concert ever (Bon Iver and Feist on the same stage? At the same time? What!?!). Unfortunately, we weren't at Radio City Music Hall last night, but our friends over at stereogum made it and have the details here. Check out the video below to catch the indie rock all star jam of Pete Seeger's "This Land Is Your Land." (Pete turned 90 yesterday.)
Be sure to watch the whole vid to catch Sharon Jones stealing the show. Stellar!
Top Five:
With Coachella 2009 under our belt, the concert season is officially upon us. With that in mind, we thought we'd take a little stroll down memory lane and bring you the Top Five Concert Experiences of our musical lifetime. Here they are in no particular order:
Sigur Ros at The Greek Theatre (God, Himself, reached down to give us a glimpse of heaven here on earth.)
Radiohead at The Greek Theatre (Favorite band, favorite venue, need we say more.)
Feist at The Greek Theatre (Dark Horse of the pack, heavenly voice, beautiful artistry.)
M.I.A. at Coachella (Absolute mayhem, a moment in time never to be forgotten, still can't believe we were there.)
Rage Against The Machine at Coachella (First show back. We waited 7 years for this, it was everything and more.)
The Roots at Empire (Tightest band ever, period. No one loves music more than these cats.)
The Black Keys at The Fillmore (Drums + Guitar x Loud = WOW!)
We want to hear from you. What's the best concert experience of your life? If you're feeling up to it give us a list of five. And for those keeping score, yes, we did list more than five in our Top Five.
Where's The Passion?
Keeping in step with the electro-clash kick we've been on as of late, here's another band for you to check out, Passion Pit. Those of you who got your hands on the latest release from Airbag Manufactory, Economic Stimulus Package, will already be familiar with this band. (Their groovy party jam "Sleepyhead" was prominently featured as the second track and was a favorite of our readers.) For those of you not in the know, this band will make you move your feet. Although this summer sees the release of Passion Pit's full length debut, Manners, the band already has made quite a splash with the EP release, Chunk of Change. Check the vid below to get a taste of what's coming.
What's Good?
This week Airbag Radio recommends you pick up a Porter Records Sampler for free from our friends at Other Music.
From the horse's mouth: "Porter Records was formed for the music enthusiast who believes there is good music to be found in all genres of music. Jazz, hip hop, electronic, international, experimental and the unclassifiable all find a home on Porter Records."
Get ready for an eclectic blend of jazzy grooves and tipsy rhythms with an occasional trip to outer space, outer space, outer space, outer space...
Record Store Day...
...is this Saturday, April 18th.
"What is Record Store Day?" you ask. Once a year, independent music shops around the country unite together to celebrate one thing, independent music shops. If it sounds like their tooting their own horn, that's because they are. And why not? After all, in our culture of cheap and easy, we can be quick to lose sight of the things that matter, like local bands, local venues and local businesses.
These record stores have fought the good fight, carried the torch for independent music and will be with us through the years to come. Because of this, Record Store Day is so much more than a celebration of independent music stores. Record Store Day is a celebration of our past, present and future. It's a celebration of art and culture. It's a celebration of you and your hometown. And most of all it's a celebration of that kid that picks up a guitar, bangs out some chords, cuts a 7" single and changes your life.
So come out and play. Independent music shops everywhere are participating. Here's where to be in Sacramento:
The Beat - 1700 J Street - Website
Pearl Records - 1712 L Street - Website
R5 Records - 2500 16th Street - Website
Rare Records - 1618 Broadway - Website
Dimple Records - Multiple Locations - Website
Still need a reason to get out to Record Store Day? How 'bout the fact that these shops love music as much as you do, (and that IS saying a lot). Click here for more info. Can't wait to see you there!
Ever wonder how....
...vinyl records are made? Well, wonder no more. Click below to view a fascinating clip on the production of this new and exciting music format. (Not sure who the hosts are, but they sure enjoyed their visit to the pressing plant.)
Coming soon, How Mix CD's Are Made At Airbag Manufactory.
Outside Lands Lineup Announced
In an effort to see how many people can fit into Golden Gate Park at one time, San Francisco will again be hosting the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival. It all goes down August 28-30 and will feature the likes of the following:
Pearl Jam
Dave Matthews Band
Beastie Boys
M.I.A.
The Mars Volta
Modest Mouse
TV On The Radio
The Dead Weather (Jack White's New Band)
Atmosphere
Silversun Pickups
The National
Built To Spill
Calexico
...and many more. For a complete list click here.
Pearl Jam
Dave Matthews Band
Beastie Boys
M.I.A.
The Mars Volta
Modest Mouse
TV On The Radio
The Dead Weather (Jack White's New Band)
Atmosphere
Silversun Pickups
The National
Built To Spill
Calexico
...and many more. For a complete list click here.
Are we going? Well, based on last year's fiasco, we shouldn't even be considering it. Seriously, this was the worst planned festival I've been to. 80,000 people at the Polo Field in Golden Gate Park. Forget it! BUT, the lineup is pretty promising. And maybe the festival planners have learned a few things since last year. And it's only a couple hours drive from our Sacto HQ. So, maybe. We'll have to see who's playing when, before we make a decision. Anyone think they might be up for it?
Great Video
If you liked the Sigur Ros video we posted a couple of weeks ago, then you'll definitely want to check this one out. Equally surreal, equally moving. Enjoy!
Not To Tweet
Airbag Radio's short-lived twitter page is now closed. Thank you to all of you who followed all of our two posts with such enthusiasm. Bottom-line: There are only 24 hours in a day and we'd rather just deal with less rather than more. For those of you who missed the twideo twee twosted tweck tweelow.
Now That's What I Call A REMiX!
What's New?
One of our readers recently inquired about new up-and-coming bands worth checking out. Here's one that we think fits that category.
In Less Than 10 Words: Crazy-Ass Electronic Grooves from North of Border
In More Than 10 Words: Ok, so technically not new (their debut album is over a year old) and technically not new to us (we've been rocking to their singles for the past few months) but we just finally just picked up the full length album and must say it's pretty impressive. Lots of blips and bleeps adorned with choice samples and just the right amount of Karen O style screaming.
Check out "Crimewave" to a get a little taste of what Crystal Castles brings to the table. (PS We tried to fit this one on the Economic Stimulus Package, but it ended up on the cutting room floor. Love the song but it just didn't quite mesh with the vibe.)
Enjoy!
MORE DWNLDS!
With Budget Cuts 2009 in full effect these days, we are all about everyone's favorite 4-letter F-word... FREE. Here are a few of links to some free label samplers, compliments of our new friends over at amazon.com.
Iron & Wine, Flight Of The Conchords, Fleet Foxes, etc.
Death Cab For Cutie, Viva Voce, Mates Of State, etc.
Bon Iver, Women, Black Mountain, etc.
More here.
FYI, you have to download the Amazon MP3 Downloader. Don't worry, it's easy to use and throws your songs right into iTunes.
Enjoy! And be sure to let us know if you discover anything that strikes your fancy on these samplers.
By the way, DWNLD = Download
Wilco Return To Berkeley
Saturday, June 27th, Greek Theatre. You need to be there! Seriously, the last time these guys came around it was a Top 5 concert experience. One of the greatest live bands around. Plus a new album will be in our hands between now and then, so they'll be even more great songs to sing along to.
Pre-sale tickets are available this Thursday at 10AM. Let us know if your interested and we'll get you in on it.
Cold Words
Seriously, we couldn't care less about Coldplay. They have become more generic than a latte from Starbuck's. And, in fact, that's very reason we found it hilarious when these bland wannabe rockers dissed guitarist Joe Satriani in court, saying his music "lacks originality." (A little background, Joe is suing Chris Martin & Co. for copyright infringement.) While their statement is true (Joe Satriani is less creative than a sack of marbles), it also could be directed at right themselves. And we think that they know that. But we just wanted to share this with you. That's it for our Semi-Irregular Five Minute Hate on Coldplay.
Beatles Remastered!
Finally! After 4 years in the making, the entire Beatles catalog has been remastered for superior digital sound.
This is huge! Why you ask? Well, the Beatles albums were first released on CD back in the dark ages of digital technology (1987 to be exact). At that point, no one had really figured out how to properly convert analog recordings to digital without losing significant sound quality. The end product couldn't have been further from the original. Seriously, the Beatles CD collection sounds like the songs are being played through a megaphone. Needless to say, these recordings deserve better treatment.
Well a lot has changed since 1987. And on September 9th (09.09.09) the world will finally get to hear the Beatles on CD as they deserve to be heard. Nothing will ever match the experience of listening to these classics on vinyl but this will be pretty damn close.
Better sell those old Beatles CD's on craigslist while they are still worth something.
Get more info here.
CAN'T WAIT!!!
Beatles Reunion?
Last night, New York got to a taste of the Beatles as Sir Paul McCartney and Mr. Ringo Starr got together to perform three songs at the Change Begins Within concert at Radio City Music Hall. With John and George gone, this is the closest thing to a Beatles reunion possible. Paul's gonna be at Coachella, and we've got our fingers crossed that Ringo might make an appearance.
Coldplay To Record In Zero Gravity
Coldplay has announced plans to record in zero gravity aboard "a modified Boeing 727 aircraft, which can provide zero gravity for periods of 20-25 seconds at a time." And to go that extra mile, Chris Martin & Co. will be "wearing self-designed outfits based on early Russian cosmonaut suits." Take that, U2! More info here via Coldplay's website.
Free Album From NIN, Beats by Timbaland
Click here to get Strobelight, the latest from Nine Inch Nails. Not only is this one free, it's got production by none other than Timbaland himself. Notice a theme yet?
Bjork & Led Zeppelin, Together At Last!
SPRING PRE/VIEW:
More forthcoming releases to be on the lookout for.
Out This Week
Peter Doherty - Grace (If your thinking to yourself, "Hey, isn't that Kate Moss' crack smokin' ex-boyfriend?," then you are right.) (Oh, and apparently, the new album ain't half bad)
April 7
Beastie Boys – Check Your Head (Reissue)
April 14
Death Cab For Cutie - The Open Door EP
Silversun Pickups - Swoon
April 18 (Record Store Day)
Wilco - Ashes Of American Flags (DVD)
April 28
Bob Dylan - Together Through Life
May 5
Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band - Outer South
El Grupo Nuevo - Cryptomnesia
May 12
Passion Pit - Manners
May 26
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
June 2
Dave Matthews Band - Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King
Check here to see what else to be on the lookout for this spring. Let us know if we missed anything.
DWNLD TH!S (MORE DWNLDS? GD DMN! TH!S !S MY LCKY DAY):
Guess it's Indie Rock Week or some shit over at Amazon.com 'cuz they put together a list of the 100 best indie rock albums and they're giving away a whole bunch of free indie lable samplers. Not sure how long this is gonna last so you better go get yer FREE Indie Rock while it's still there. We highly recommend the Sup Pop Sampler as it's got some exclusive stuff from Iron & Wine and Flight Of The Conchords. Getting full yet?
Thanks to Anonymous for the tip.
Drummer Wanted
During these troubling economic times, one can be easily discouraged by all the bad news out there. Unemployment is skyrocketing, companies are downsizing. But, hey, it's not all doom and gloom. There are still a few great job opportunities out there. For example, Smashing Pumpkins are currently looking for new drummer to replace longtime Pumpkin, Jimmy Chamberlain. You can apply be sending your e-resume to pumpkinsdrummer@gmail.com. Auditions are this Friday, 10AM in Los Angeles. No joke. Better get your sticks out and start practicing!
To Tweet Or Not To Tweet?
Video Below...
P.S. Airbag Radio has a Twitter page. Should we keep it? What do you the devoted readers think?
DWNLD TH!S (THR33):
Dang, not another one! Hope you still have room on your hard drive for all the free music we're hooking you up with. This one's a Daytrotter session, featuring none other than Mr. Stephen Malkmus and The Wonderful Wandering Jicks. Get it! Your gonna love the band's take on James Gang's "Funk #49."For those not in the know, Mr. SM is the one-time ringmaster of the ever-so-famous, highly-respected, often-imitated, never-repeated, greatest band of the 90's, Pavement. And if your still scratching your head, get your hands on the band's classic debut, Slanted & Enchanted and let the life-changing begin.
Coming Soon: Why Pavement Is The Greatest Band Of The Nineties
DWNLD TH!S (TOO):
Wolfmother is back! (Albeit with just one original member.) Nonetheless, these guys know how to deliver the rock. Sign up for their email list here and hand over a fake phone number to get a hold of the band's newest and appropriately titled "Back Round."
P.S. If your looking for music to add to your workout playlist, then look no further. Wolfmother's tunes will have you doing 300 RPM on that elliptical machine.
DWNLD TH!S:
Today only! New track from Bob Dylan's upcoming album, Together Through Life. Grab "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'" right here. Get ready to groove to this one. (Even a little Santana-esque). Enjoy!
Killers x Bright Eyes = Awful
The Killers, aka our least favorite washed up has-beens next to Coldplay, have decided to bestow their blessing on one Mr. Conor Oberst. The band has recorded a cover of the Bright Eyes tune "Four Winds" and believe us it doesn't get much uglier than this. Have a listen for yourself below. But be fore-warned, you will never get the next four minutes of your life back.
Coming soon... Airbag Radio's Philosophy On Cover Songs
Coming soon... Airbag Radio's Philosophy On Cover Songs
Grizzly Bear Sighted In New York Airport
As commented by Alex, Airbag Radio did spot some indie celebs at JFK in New York. Who you ask? Grizzly Bear. And just where might they have been headed? Well turns out they were in route to play the South By Southwest Festival in Austin, TX. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance for an exclusive interview, or even a paparazzi photo, but nonetheless, it'll be a story for the grandkids. Anyone else have any run-ins with your heroes? Let us know.
By the way, Grizzly Bear's newest, Veckatimest is out in May.
New Mix From Airbag Manufactory
Airbag Radio in conjunction with the U.S. Department Of The Treasury is proud to present:
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
As long as the government is throwing some dough around, we thought we'd do the same. But instead of giving cold hard cash to CEO's and their heartless corporations, we thought we'd give you some currency that'll never lose it's value... Free Music. We put this one together with the word "stimulus" in mind. So, that said, expect something a little different than what we gave you with "Good Winter."
Unlike the government's infinitely deep pockets, we're a little strapped these days, so this one is seriously limited. Comment below or email us to get yours.
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