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It’s too dang nice to be cooped up inside staring at a computer monitor
By Greg Swan, on March 31st, 2010%
But you are, aren’t you? It’s tragic. Your childhood self would be ashamed of you.
I have the perfect solution. I just discovered a soundtrack for daydreaming.
It’s San Fran’s Stripmall Architecture with their special brand of hypnotic dream pop out of L.A.
Here’s “Pripyat”
Stripmall Architecture – Pripyat by CrashAvenue
Stripmall Architecture release their next album, Feathersongs for Factory Girls, on April 20. I buzzed through the rest of the album, recommended if you dig Lykke Li, Azure Ray, Sterolab, Emily Haines.
Now quit slacking off and get back . . . → Read More: It’s too dang nice to be cooped up inside staring at a computer monitor
By Greg Swan, on March 31st, 2010%
Check out the new music video for the remix of Zoo Animal‘s “Sailor,” which can be found on a new EP of remixes recently released by the band.
ZOO ANIMAL – “Sailor” (remix) from Northern Outpost on Vimeo.
Northern Outpost collaborated with local director Jeremey Catterton (Lamb Lays With Lion) for the video. The remix is by Mark McGee of To Kill a . . . → Read More: New Zoo Animal remix video
Making Movies makes Midwestern Bi-lingual Magic
By Greg Swan, on March 30th, 2010%
Bi-lingual Kansas City quartet Making Movies are sharing the second single off their debut In Deo Speramu. I really dig the Latin influence on this one — especially for a group out of KC.
Making Movies : “La Marcha” (mp3)
Making Movies – “La Marcha”En Tu Ciudad . . . → Read More: Making Movies makes Midwestern Bi-lingual Magic
Rock and Roll: a cosmic language
By Greg Swan, on March 29th, 2010%
. . . → Read More: Rock and Roll: a cosmic language
Michael Buble didn't kill me last night
By Greg Swan, on March 29th, 2010%
Approximately 13,000 folks packed into Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul last night to see Michael Buble, the 34 year-old crooner known for his voice, boyish looks and distinct ability to make my wife glaze over like I never existed.
No, I’m serious, here. We made fun of the cougars, at first. And by cougars, I mean at least 10,000 women at 55+ wearing stiletto heels, leather jackets and with young fellas in tow. We made fun of how they cooed at the opening act and screamed at every Buble eyebrow lift. How they laughed at his jokes. How they took flash . . . → Read More: Michael Buble didn't kill me last night
By Greg Swan, on March 29th, 2010%
I popped in the The Very Special World of Joseph Larkin comedy album the other morning on the way to work and found myself sitting in the parking ramp having what NPR calls a “driveway moment” – but not because it was funny. Not at all.
The first cut on the album was an unreal bomb. It was simply an embarrassing set and I’m thinking, why did this guy lead his album with a tragic set on the first track? Maybe he’ll get better as you get into the album?
The second track, he starts out, “I bombed pretty bad last time I . . . → Read More: The Very Special World of Joseph Larkin is…special
MySpace still king for bands? Does your band use Facebook?
By Greg Swan, on March 27th, 2010%
On my State of Music Blogs panel at SXSW last week, I made mention that upwards of 90 percent of bands I come across use their MySpace page as a marketing vehicle, and it’s often the first place I look for hometown, streams and upcoming tour dates. And that’s not to mention that MySpace usually ranks in the top three search engine results for the average band.
Although Facebook is my primary go-to social network, why haven’t bands adopted it as quickly as the average socnet user?
For starters, I really dislike Facebook’s technical offerings for bands. The music tools are not intuitive, . . . → Read More: MySpace still king for bands? Does your band use Facebook?
By Greg Swan, on March 26th, 2010%
Minneapolis electronic duo, The New Monarchs, will celebrate the release of their new EP today. Electrocaching is one of my favorite local releases of the year.
Here are two mp3s off the EP:
The New Monarchs : “Electrocaching” (mp3)
The New Monarchs : “Tangent” (mp3)
This week I had the chance to chat with the band about the new album, the CD release gig, and my favorite topic of the month: music blogs…
Who are The New Monarchs?
Sean Hogan and Taylor Nelson.
How would you describe your sound?
Sean: We have all the components of a traditional band, drums, bass, guitar, keys – only the drums and bass . . . → Read More: Interview with The New Monarchs, EP release gig tonight
By Greg Swan, on March 25th, 2010%
Did you hear about the Devo panel at SXSW? They’ve decided to market themselves just like you would beer or tissues. And the marketing push starts…now.
Check out this letter I just got from the “COO of Devo”
Friends,
The response to our SXSW panel has been overwhelming and we thank all of you for your continued support. Representatives from our musical division, the band Devo, as well as our corporate partners, used the occasion to present the ongoing mission and plan for the future in an open forum where the public was given the opportunity to respond. And while, unfortunately, important business commitments . . . → Read More: Devo's doing more focus groups
By Greg Swan, on March 25th, 2010%
I’m on Minnesota Public Radio’s Art Hounds today talking about Black Rebel Motorcycle Club:
Music blogger and Perfect Porridge founder Greg Swan has watched Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s music change from Zeppelin-esque psychedelic blues rock into folksy Americana, and then back again to bluesy garage rock. BRMC’s latest CD, “Beat the Devil’s Tattoo,” is an amalgamation of all those influences and more. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club takes the stage at First Avenue on Satuday, March 27th.
Listen here . . . → Read More: Greg on MPR talking about Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
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