Posts filed under ‘Music: US Tour 2009’
The Rakes call it quits.
The Rakes have officially announced they are parting ways:
“The Rakes have always been very adamant and proud of the fact that we give 100 per cent to every gig we’ve ever played. If we can’t give it everything then we won’t do it. That was the rule we set ourselves from day one. After much deliberation we have come to the shared conclusion that we can’t give it 100 per cent any more and regret to announce that The Rakes are calling it a day.“
There goes another one.
Both their upcoming UK and US tours have been canceled, which makes not buying a ticket to their show at Subterranean in a few weeks look like a smart move on my part after all. Still, it stings. Just two weeks ago I had “The World Was a Mess But His Hair Was Perfect” stuck in my head, crazy since I hadn’t listened to it in years. But it will always be one of the greatest song titles ever and a great song. I’m partial to the 18 minute epic version, but the shorter single is good too:
Dead Man’s Bones release an album and go on tour
Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields are actors. Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields decided they wanted to make music together. Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields decided they wanted to write an album about love and the undead. Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields decided they wanted help from the Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children’s Choir. Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields released their self-titled debut album Dead Man’s Bones. And you know what? It’s pretty damn good.
Actors-turned-musicians are hit and miss, as are concept albums, so one would expect combining the two would most likely yield a steaming pile of pretentious garbage. But Dead Man’s Bones have somehow managed to make this combination work. Just in time for Halloween, the concept of their album sounds simple enough: love and death. Dead Man’s Bones sample everything from howling winds to shattering glass over ghoulish declarations of love. The small, high-pitched voices of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children’s Choir paired with Gosling’s low, Nick Cave-esque grumbles add an extra dose of eeriness to songs already morbid in their subject matter (“Buried in Water”, “Lose Your Soul”).
Though the lyrics may be dark, the albums’ overall sound isn’t necessarily all gloom and doom. “My Body’s a Zombie For You” and “Flowers Grow Out of My Grave” prove doo-wop love ballads about the undead can not only be done but they can be pretty damn touching to boot! A synthesizer graces “Pa Pa Power,” a mellower, poppy number that finds Shields taking the lead on vocals and the children sounding more confident than creepy. “Dead Man’s Bones,” the album’s title track, is Gosling and Shields’ raucous party jam. They let loose as they warn of a world surrounded by the dead: “You should know/ What’s really going down below/ Dressed in their best clothes/ There are rows and rows and rows of dead man’s bones!” Sure the anguished cries of a woman are featured midway through the track, but by the time you reach this point on the album you’re no longer phased by such grisly sounds. You’ve been desensitized and you’ve accepted their world of love, pain, zombies, and ghost children. Hell, you expect the anguished cries!
DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN Dead Man’s Bones – My Body’s a Zombie For You
BUY DEAD MAN’S BONES amazon | amazon digital | insound | insound digital
Dead Man’s Bones start their first U.S. tour today in Cambridge, MA. They made this video to remind everyone of the dates:
“>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drccx8_CIHE&feature=player_profilepage]
Most dates are sold out, but catch them if you can. Local children’s choirs will be joining them on stage in each city and “talent shows” will serve as support. I’ll be seeing them in Chicago next Wednesday. It’s gonna be good times.
Fanfarlo playing Schubas in November!
Fanfarlo are a-comin’ to Chicago, what what. They did a short tour of the coasts last month, but now they’re showing the only city in the midwest that matters* some love. Tickets are on sale now.
If you’re all “Whaaa? Who are these folks and why should I spend 10 of my hard earned dollars to see them on a cold Monday night in November?”, just watch and listen:
*in my humble opinion, of course
Noah and the Whale’s Halloween bash
I know I’ve already got some sweet Halloween plans with Peggy Sue, but I can’t help feel a bit jealous of the good times this poster promises. Toronto folks, go to this or else*.
*I don’t know what exactly I’m threatening you with, maybe “or else you’ll be missing out big time”?
Peggy Sue tour North America next month!
Yep, it’s true. Peggy Sue (aka Rosa, Katy, and Olly) are coming our way for a showcase at CMJ Music Festival but not without hitting a few towns around the U.S. and Canada with Sky Larkin first. Check it:
Oct 14 – Spaceland / Los Angeles, CA
Oct 16 – Hemlock / San Fransisco, CA
Oct 17 – Monstersorri Observatory / Seattle, WA
Oct 18 – Neptoon Records Instore / Vancouver
Oct 19 – Pub 340 / Vancouver
Oct 21 – Sidewalk Cafe / NYC, NY
Oct 23 – Team Clermont Showcase @ Lit Lounge / NYC, NY
Oct 28 – Cameron House / Toronto
Oct 30 – Painted Lady / Detroit, MI
Oct 31 – Halloween Party@ The Whistler / Chicago, IL (free, 21+ only!)
I know how I’ll be spending my Halloween this year, pre-midnight screening of The Blair Witch Project at the Musicbox of course!
If you’re not hip to Peggy Sue’s beat, stop missing out: http://www.myspace.com/peggywho
Noah and the Whale return to the US this October
As previously mentioned, Noah and the Whale’s latest album/film The First Days of Spring will get its official U.S. release on October 6th thanks to Cherrytree/Interscope. After a quick jaunt around the UK, the band will head over to our side of the Atlantic for a handful of dates in support of the album/film:
Oct 20 Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy Theatre
Oct 22 San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall
Oct 24 Seattle, WA @ Crocodile Cafe
Oct 25 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
Oct 29 Chicago, IL @ Lakeshore Theater
Oct 30 Pontiac, MI @ The Crofoot’s Pike Room
Oct 31 Toronto, Ontario @ The Horseshoe Tavern
NYC shows coming soon…
While Lakeshore Theater isn’t exactly one of my favorite places for live music (comedy shows, on the other hand, are always a good time there), NATWs younger fans will once again enjoy a good show since it’s there won’t be a buzz-killing 21+ on tickes. So get them now.
You can listen to The First Days of Spring in its entirety on Noah and the Whale’s official myspace and check for additional dates on the tour: http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale
