Pavement

In the spirit of my arcade fire post, I also want to talk about pavement. Folks often talk about who started this little indy pop genre of tunes, or who contributed the most to the genre etc. I've heard various bands being thrown about, but I can't think of one that helped put indie on the map more than pavement has. They are as lo-fi as it gets, and they just ended a ten year hiatus. Meaning they are going to play concerts this summer, tickets to which are most definitely going to sell out. Go to pitchfork maybe...

listen||pavement. slanted and enchanted. summer babe (winter version).

Funeral

Everyone has a list of bands they want (need) to see live. I remember watching the arcade fire playing at coachella music festival from 2006 or so. These guys know how to truly light up the stage. Coachella is going on right now, and the lineup looks as good as ever. I recently read an article in the chicago tribune rumoring the arcade fire for lollapalooza. Now I don't want to say that if they play it would be the best performance of the weekend (totally would be) but if theses guys are at the top of your list...go.

listen||the arcade fire. funeral. rebellion (lies).

The Dude

As most of us have noticed, Jeff Bridges won best actor of his role in Crazy Heart. Still no lebowski though.

listen||bob dylan. new morning. the man in me.

Grizzly Bear/Man

This guys name is Casey Anderson, and his best friend is a grizzly bear named Brutus. Anderson rescued Brutus as a cub and raised him on his ranch in Montana. Brutus has grown to view Casey as his best buddy, pretty weird. More pictures here.

listen||modest mouse. the lonesome crowded west. teeth like gods shoeshine.

Spring Time

This week was real busy, but real pretty. Hopefully the nice weather sticks around here in Urbana.

listen||pavement. crooked rain, crooked rain. gold soundz.

Izzy

Pauvre pup got sad cause she wasn't in the last post.

listen||phosphorescent. pride. wolves.

Little Animals

Nothings quite as cute as a little animal. Check some out here.

listen||the walkmen. you & me. four provinces.

Dusk at Cubist Castle

The first album by notable lo-fi indy rock band The Olivia Tremor Control, Dusk at Cubist Castle, laid the groundwork for the remarkable stream of music that came from the Elephant 6 Recording Company in the mid to late 90's. Elephant 6 was a Georgia based recording collective of friends who formed bands such as: Neutral Milk Hotel, The Apples in Stereo, Circulatory System, and Of Montreal. Olivia Tremor Control officially disbanded in 2000, yet played a string of concerts in 2005 and 2008. Let's hope they get back together soon.

listen||the olivia tremor control. dusk at cubist castle. opera house.

The High Line

The High Line is a mile and a half long park built on a preexisting elevated train track on the lower west side of Manhattan. Imagine a green roof on the El. Weird. Officially called a "greenway," this sort of park has already been built in France. There's a proposal for one in Chicago. Adds a bit o' fresh air.

listen||blitzen trapper. furr. furr.