Letters With Mixtapes.

Song a Week

2012-01-27T13:21:00.000-08:00

In short: Diane Cluck (amazing). Song-a-week subscription project (new!). Needs funding (soon). You should (you will not regret it, i am sure). Diane Cluck- My Teacher Died (Live in Olympia)

Something is Eating Me

2012-01-24T22:43:00.000-08:00

We stumbled across this wonderful songstress late at night when the lights were dim and the shadows could have been interpreted as either cordial or dismaying, dependent upon the tilt of our head or the squint of our eyes. Luckily, a push of the play button allowed Emilie Lund's childish yet refined voice to fill up the entire room with a familiar sentiment brought back from the realm of nuanced comfort. The contrast of her simple layered vocals and subtle yet perfect instrumentation carried us away to another realm and helped us to forget that we had ever been nervous of the dark. Her lovely music reminds us of the perfect combination of near-romantic feelings that can be found in the company of friends -- moments when the heart is quiet and full to the brim with a special combination that is impossible to replicate and worth holding onto. (Alexis Wolf)Emilie Lund- Something is Eating Me (off her Self-Titled EP)

Lovebot

2012-01-16T18:56:00.000-08:00

The first video from our dearest Poppet. Awesomely weird.

Lovebot: 3000 from LLAMAMAMA on Vimeo.

Poppet- Lovebot 3000

Best (?) of 2011

2011-12-29T22:37:00.000-08:00

Best of 2011? I can't totally say. In 2011, I didn't hear a lot of albums that I thought were great. I heard a lot of interesting albums and a lot of pretty good albums, but it wasn't the flood of 2010 (for me). I also wasn't up on it. I was on tour for big chunks, listening to mixtapes and audio books, hearing interesting local music around the country. I was obsessing over's Prince's catalog and collecting soul songs from bygone eras. I was working on albums, arranging compilations, and putting my friends' songs on repeat for days on end. I was going through every New Yorker Fiction Podcast, listening to Mudd Up every week. I could honestly just come up with three albums that I listened to front to back enough to know their greatness.
1. Barren Nieces- Lascivious Occupations- never would have come across this had we not been sharing a bill together in Phoenix this summer. I am baffled at why Barren Nieces isn't an indie sensation and am set on trying to help change that (so far, not much luck, but these things take time). Since I've already posted the single a time or two, here's the opening instrumental that is up for free on their Bandcamp.
Barren Nieces- Wicked Wicked Whisper
2. Jordan O' Jordan- Drawn Onward- such a good album. It's so nice to have an album that finally shows this man's genius to others without them needing to see him play live to understand. This is an earlier version of a song from the album. It's fun.
Jordan O' Jordan- Introducing the Scientific Method
3. EMA- Past Life Martyred Saint- to my dismay, Gowns called it quits a year or so ago. One night I saw that Erika from Gowns was playing in downtown Olympia in a new project called EMA, I got excited, but decided I was too tired to go out. Turns out this was a huge mistake. This album is so amazing and EMA will probably never come back Olympia. But at least I have the album.
EMA- The Grey Ship
There were a lot of albums that I came to late, or just can't totally say how much I like them because I didn't give them that test of obsessive listens. PJ Harvey- Let England Shake, Shabazz Palaces- Black Up, Bjork- Biophilia, Ducktails- III, Twilight Singers- Dynamite Steps, French Quarter- Desert Wasn't Welcome, Tom Waits- Bad as Me, and Mega Bog- Freaky Dawn come to mind.

Knowing That Feels Good

2011-12-16T18:51:00.000-08:00

Mega Bog has that magic. I can't describe what's so good about them. They just have that something special that happens sometimes. And maybe that's the best reason you should listen to them- not that many groups have that. I picked up their new-ish Freaky Dawn (quite randomly) last weekend in Seattle and it's been on repeat in my tape player. The below track is my favorite from last year's Okay Human. To me, it's one of those times that a recording captures a moment of people in a room and it feels like people in a room and you know what celebrating with other people feels like and knowing that feels good.
Mega Bog- Ocean Weeze (from Okay Human)

Someday You'll

2011-11-29T19:23:00.001-08:00

On my bike today, in this miserable Northwest weather, I liked thinking of the fans on at full blast and the babies chatting it up through this J.P. Haynie performance in Salt Lake City this summer. Straining to hear every note, sweating profusely.
J.P. Haynie- Someday You'll (Live in SLC)
J.P. Haynie- Family River (off the upcoming album, The Sand)

Something I Could Hold Onto

2011-11-22T15:42:00.001-08:00

In brief: free compilation. In detail: a few years ago (three and half, to be exact), there was nothing better to me than the music that people were making out of the Pacific Northwest. While that hasn't really changed, the degree to which it was being generally ignored by a wider audience was heart-wrenching and endlessly baffling to me. So, I got ahold of my favorite folks making music at the time and asked they be part of this compilation. I called it Well, I Don't See Why Not: A Compilation of Unsigned/Barley Signed NW Artists, got the ever-amazing Ariel Birks to do the art for it and burned (oh, how quickly times have changed!) a hundred copies. Surprisingly, it sold out really fast and I kept burning copies until one day I realized I should get somebody to professionally duplicate a bunch, then other volumes came out, it continues, life is good. Definitely never a big money maker, but always infinitely satisfying, Well, I Don't See Why Not has been the best excuse I've ever had to get my favorite artists to play me their new songs (and, often, make new songs!). So, the one that started it (and i thought would be the only one) just sold out and I decided to stop reprinting it. Now it's free. Hope you enjoy.
Twig Palace- Wicker Frames

I Thought This Would be Louder

2011-11-08T12:25:00.000-08:00

Barren Nieces is coming to the Northwest for a few shows and...why don't people know about him? A grave injustice, indeed.
Sunday, November 13th Portland @ Bahh House (w/ Emp Moe, Zena Bat, Desiree' Ale'ne Rousseau)
Monday, November 14th Olympia @ The Alamingo (w/ Poppet, Letters, and Josh Kane)
Tuesday, November 15th Seattle @ The Mystery Machine (w/ Daycare and Nod & the Hobgoblins)
Barren Nieces- I Thought This Would be Louder

Bring a Dollar With You, Baby

2011-11-02T23:22:00.000-07:00

DJ Dogwater- Splish Splash (Dogged n' Watered)
DJ Dogwater- Buggin' Out
DJ Dogwater- Cold Cold Ground

Baron Mixtape Adventures Series

2011-10-13T00:37:00.000-07:00

Digging through our household pile of music yesterday, I came across the three volumes of the Baron Mixtape Adventures Series, a free dj mixtape project I used to do a few years back. I'm guessing they came out in in the 2006-2008 period of time, but I'm not totally sure on release dates. I listened to them and rather liked them and thought posting them might motivate me to do another. The first leans more toward IDM-ish trip hop, hip hop, and smatterings of weirdness; the second volume is an all ambient mix; and the third is all mash-ups, with some of the individual mash-ups posted below.

Baron Mixtape Adventure Series Volume 1
Baron Mixtape Adventure Series Volume 2 (get ambient)
Baron Mixtape Adventure Series Volume 3
The Baron- Calle 13 vs Timbaland vs Steve Reich
The Baron- Spank Rock vs Arcane Device
The Baron- Muslimgauze vs Alan Smithee Smith
The Baron- Kool Keith vs Rakim y Ken
The Baron- Venetian Snares vs Buenas Noches
The Baron- Battles vs Jay-Z
The Baron- Eric B & Rakim vs Jean Michel Jarre
The Baron- Bjork vs Sean Paul

Checks and Balances

2011-10-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

Something hazy and good from the folks at Sub Pop. Today bringing the release of Still Corners' Creatures of an Hour album. Attention-grabbing pop music, for sure. Curious to hear more from this group.
Speaking of amazing pop music, also just picked up the new French Quarter album, Desert Wasn't Welcome and can't stop listening to it. Glad to finally have it, maybe now I can stop listening to "Checks & Balances" on their Bandcamp 10 times a day, like I have been doing for the last several weeks.
Still Corners- Into the Trees (off Creatures of an Hour)
French Quarter- Checks & Balances (off Desert Wasn't Welcome)

You're Welcome to Play

2011-10-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

Derek M. Johnson- go-to Olympia cellist, postal worker, lovable curmudgeon, experimental composer. While his work with other artists is perhaps more well-known, his own compositions should not go unnoticed. Especially when he has finally released a new album that does his talents justice. A split personality affair of digital string hardcore and modern chamber layering, I got the pleasure of seeing his album release party last week and it was one of the best ambient/experimental shows Olympia has seen in a good long time. This is a live recording on Hollow Earth Radio from the night before said event and it makes my heart crumble.
Derek M. Johnson- You're Welcome to Play (Live on Hollow Earth) (original off the excellent Self-Titled LP on Aphonia Recordings)

Luzmila

2011-10-05T20:53:00.000-07:00

I've been a big fan of the huayno genre for years now, but haven't found an artist to fully embrace. Los Errantes de Chuquibamba seem great to me, but I can see how, if I was part of the culture, I might write them off as overly accessible pop. Mostly, I listen to the intense and varied compilations out there. But DJ Rupture's recent post on Luzmila Carpio (and tons of subsequent listening to her albums) has made me see the expanse of what huayno can be. While I couldn't find links to either of these albums on her website, she does have a couple albums for sale there. She's definitely one of a kind. Many thanks to Luzmila for making such wonderful sounds and Rupture for pointing me in the right direction (as always).
Luzmila Caprio- Riqsiqakasunchik (Seremos Reconcidos) (off Cantos Quechua, Aymaras de los Andes)
Luzmila Carpio- Azucenita (off Reina de Folklore)

Those Celebrities Are Pretty Clever

2011-10-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

My recent love of Algebra Suicide has lead me to wonder how many people know about this band. After doing some Googling, I might guess that the answer is 'not many'. And I kind of think that's a shame.
The 20 songs on 1987's The Secret Like Crazy is collected from their various EP's and reminds me a wonderful lo-fi, post-punk version of Laurie Anderson.
These are two of my favorites so far. I hate linking to the media giant of Amazon, especially at a time when people are abuzz about them taking over so much- including (if we are to believe the pessimists) my trade of independent bookselling. But, Amazon's digital copy is the only way I could find that might actually benefit these musicians.
Algebra Suicide- Little Dead Bodies (off The Secret Like Crazy)
Algebra Suicide- (A Proverbial Explanation of Why) No Action is Taken (off The Secret Like Crazy)

Sandpaintings

2011-10-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

I must hand it to the Inner Islands record label. If it wasn't for their kind sending of new dreamy ambient releases, I would have probably let this blog fall to the wayside. So, thanks. Got a list of words on their way, waiting to be said, songs waiting to be heard. And what could be better as a soundtrack to waiting than this?
Stag Hare- Holy Wind (off Sandpaintings)

An Emptiness

2011-09-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

As part of the Karl Blau 24-hour song relay (where a Karl Blau song is being covered/played every minute of the day, the world over), we recorded this. It's 2:15pm here in Olympia, Wa.
Letters- An Emptiness (Karl Blau cover)

It's the Stars

2011-09-25T23:54:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of things I love and appreciate about Karl Blau- his overwhelming enthusiasm for life and for people making interesting music, his constant willingness to unapologetically try something different, and (perhaps most of all) how he has contributed a new voice to Northwest music that represents this place so well, but is entirely its own thing. It's not something that reminds one of the stereotyped K Punk aesthetic, the "Seattle sound", or the post-grunge era of NW indie superstardom, but it draws from all that and creates something new and unique that is so much about this place. And, growing up here and loving the music of this place for my whole life, that's something pretty important to me.
Now comes the time to DONATE to him and his amazing and weird record label, Kelp Lunacy Advanced Plagiarism Society. There are few musicians so worth your time or money. In short because: he is not about money. He is legitimately so incredibly dedicated to his art and his community and he only asks for money to continue making art and supporting his community. And that's truth.
Next Friday, he will be hosting a 24 hour event where a Karl Blau song will be covered, interpretated, or broadcast every minute of the day, around the world, by his legion of friends and fans. Should be pretty amazing. We'll be contributing a song (at 2:15pm) and expect it to be posted here.
While you're over at Kickstarter, pledging some funds, enjoy this beautiful celebration of life (in song form). One of my absolute favorites in the grand Blau catalog.
Karl Blau- It's the Stars (off Nature's Got Away)

Life is Full of Possibilites

2011-09-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

And guilt pop goodness. Just got this in the mail from the fine folks at Sub Pop. The song that started the insanely addictive, one-off album project, known far and wide as The Postal Service (which, as it turns out, is the second best selling album in Sub Pop history!??). If only my friends who had dance parties to Give Up every weekend in 2003 would have known about this song. The dance party would have lasted three minutes longer. And it would have been good.
Dntel- (This Is) The Dream Of Evan And Chan (ft. Ben Gibbard) (off Life is Full of Possibilities, the Dntel album being reissued on Oct. 25th on Sub Pop)

What I Know

2011-09-21T22:55:00.000-07:00

Currently listening to submissions that are filling me with the need to do a few posts (which, obviously, has been a rare occurrence over the summer months). I thought I'd first break the ice with some things I know to be true. These are three artists/albums/friends that I've been OBSESSED with of late; playing on repeat until I force myself to listen to something else just because I know it's good for me (not because it's what I want to do).
Poppet- The Crustacean (off Unitard Galaxy)
Jordan O' Jordan- Lever, Leave Here (off Drawn Onward)
Barren Nieces- Nevada (off Lascivious Occupations)

Been a while

2011-08-18T01:31:00.000-07:00

Going into a third month of summer touring and this has definitely taken a back seat. But here's just a couple I've got in the mail of late that I like and my favorite song of the past couple months...a Fats Domino classic that I heard on WFMU while on tour in New York and can't get enough of. On an unrelated note, if you're in LA, come see us tomorrow night at the Tribal Cafe, 5pm.
Daniel Martin Moore- Think Again
Routines-Young Hearts
Fats Domino- I'm Ready

Catching Up

2011-06-22T10:32:00.001-07:00

So, in the midst of this two month tour with Eleanor Murray & Co. and am most grateful to other Letters (Ms Danielle Rodeo Warhola, that is) for keeping some posts going. We've been busy. But here are some songs I've meant to post in the last few months, but haven't gotten the chance to. Most are from my inbox and I thank these lovely music makers for sending such gifts. There's also a new Letters song and a (i think) unreleased track from LWM perennial favorite, DJ Dogwater.
Hosannas- The People I Know (Christopher Francis mix) (off The People I Know)
Wet Hair- Echo Lady (off In Vogue Spirit)
Guilty Ghosts- Top Prize Fighter (off Enigma Variations)
DJ Dogwater- Spice (unreleased)
Letters- Oceanwide (off Well, I Don't See Why Not Vol 3)
William Ryan Fitch- When The Ground Is Numb (off Asthmatic Kitty Digital Sampler)

Pacific northwest political punk

2011-06-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

As I sit here in my basement room listening to Portland punk paramours Tiny Knives practice, (well, trying to tune out with headphones...It is practice after all!) I reflect on all the great punk music i've been lucky to listen to and experience at house shows across the northwest this last week.Let's reflect. You may be thinking "Hmm... letters with mixtapes? What the punk? Who is this person overtaking the blog, where's josh?" My name is Danielle Warhola and I run another blog, Resume Of Charm where most of this stuff is going to be crossposted. Josh is just sharing, and I'll be updating a lot more while he's on tour.

Sunday, we had a great basement blowout with pasta salad, a huge white strawberry whipped cream cake and an apple pie the size of a pillow. We also had Shark Pact, Members of Hail Seizures' Keyboard and drum outfit play, suitable for dancing or "shaking your butt" and bringing thoughtfully penned songs about harm reduction, service industry work, cities and wilderness. I have no clue if there is a way to obtain their 2010 tape album "Ditches" aside from a show but an address to contact them at is PO Box 913 Olympia, WA 98507

They are on Tour with the Hail Seizures, and the tour dates for that can be found here.

Two days later at the well loved portland house fucketts, was a total gem of a show - Sleep Spindle, Agatha, My Parade and Diver . My Parade; All people of colour, all political butt shaking for everyone involved. Mathy post rock drumming, power vocals, and pitchy keyboard organ sound lines. At time of publish, I don't think they have music available but at a show.

Agatha. Palatably poppy queer hardcore (that is saying a lot, because I am fucking sick of hardcore until further notice!) with incensed lyrics from a powerful frontperson (plus sick group vocs), dreaming up the drive for actual change in a kierarchal world and assessing identity. Listen to + order their EP at Rumbletowne records. (Rumbletown also has other quality bands Doomhawk, lightnin' round, Shorebirds, and Hooky that remind me of some of the greatest shows I ever experienced living in seattle. Being 19 was really, really exciting.)

They played with Sleep Spindle, Portland all girl goodness. I don't know if they have internet contact.

In the process of writing this post, I plugged the speakers into my bedroom for the first time in a year - going to go through the rumbletowne records backcatalog, turn it up and get nostalgic. Enjoy.

First post; Sharing the good with Purrbot!

2011-06-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

I have been lucky to be invited to post up here at Letters With Mixtapes - a blog i love reading and listening to. The future! First, a little sweet talk for a special artist, musician, and artist.

I received Nathan Carter's "Will you marry me?" single page folded treasure at zine symposium 2008, while in the midst of a golden lovespell with a beautiful towheaded colt with a crack in his head, where the happiness could seep out if it all became too much. These adorable letters, wondrous drawings and entries from a life were held very precious to us, and we mimicked the style for our own zine. Nathan has lots of beautiful books available on his etsy. Where this story climaxes; Nathan also makes lushly layered piano and banjo music, under the name Purrbot. Take a listen to this single "Share the good"! I can not get over his unique voice, that i will assure is even nicer in person, as a handful of folks got lucky enough to see him preform at the release release for Stumptown underground about a month back.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://purrbot.bandcamp.com/track/share-the-good"&amp;amp;amp;gt;Share the Good by Purrbot&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Let it get too close

2011-05-31T20:31:00.000-07:00

The sounds of the Northwest (so much so), before heading off for two months away from it. Input and output. Holding on. And letting go.
Kickball- Handmedowns (off Well, I Don't See Why Not Vol. 3)
World History- Forcefield (Beck Cover) (off A Tribute to One Foot in the Grave)
Well, I Don't See Why Not Vol Three by Ms Valerie Park Distro

People Like Us

2011-05-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

You know it's a good day when you wake up to a new People Like Us album. The sound collage pieces of People Like Us (AKA- Vicki Bennett) are always pleasantly weird, wandering between hilarious and dark, and at times catchy as all hell. Lines from the Wide Open Spaces album were repeated ad infinitum at 2008's Autonomous Mutant Festival and, for that, I am forever grateful to her. The new album, Welcome Abroad, was made while stuck in the U.S. after Iceland's volcanic eruption made air travel to her native Britain an impossibility. An interesting commentary on travel and home ensues.
People Like Us- The Seven Hills of Rome (off Welcome Abroad)

Slippin' Into Darkness

2011-05-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

The Northern Rail's new album came out last night and they threw a lovely release event and had us join. I was completely loving their gorgeous darkness. They seem to have played all 12 songs in order of the album, which is something I love when people do. It was also the kick-off for their first ever tour. So, if you're on the west coast of the U.S., you should probably check them. Friends like Jordan O' Jordan, Twig Palace, Maelstrom, will be playing with them at different points along the way. Should be good.
As a counterpart (and perhaps because Robbie from The Northern Rail has started playing in Letters), I thought I'd debut the song we did for the Northwest Interpretive Dance compilation coming out in June on Off Tempo Records. The comp. looks like it'll be great and has some personal favs like Karl Blau, Angelo Spencer et les Hauts Sommets, and Brianna Marela.
(photo by Alexis Wolf)
The Northern Rail- Sighs to the Devil (off Eves)
Letters- Sacred Chime in Glowing Light (off Northwest Interpretive Dance)

the 90's

2011-04-29T00:20:00.000-07:00

I was a teenager in the 1990's. Despite the acquisition of cell phones, Ipods, and whatnot, I imagine being a teenager today might be a similar experience since so much of the music I have gotten in the last week has sounded like it came out when I was 15. I could be wrong, but since music almost completely shaped my teen years, maybe I'm not totally off base.
First we start with mid-90's club music. This is great. I didn't think I'd like it, but now that indie bands make music like this, it suddenly gives the genre a little more personality than it once had. Routines is from the Netherlands.
Next is mid-90's hazy alternative rock. This is also great. But in the way that all this kind of music never stood out to me, but made me feel kind of hazy and cool. Kind of like what I imagined smoking pot might be like. Seapony is the newest addition to the wonderful line-up over at Hardly Art.
And, lastly, we have some actual 90's music. When I was around 15, I bought the CD-single for this song at the Sub Pop Megastore in Seattle. I listened to it, it's lovely acoustic version and the few other songs on the "single". "Social Medicine" I still put on every now and then. It's about getting drunk so you can talk to people, especially girls. Bakesale is getting a royal reissue treatment and probably some of the songs form the single will be on there. It will be awesome, I imagine.
Routines- Don't Analyze
Seapony- Blue Star
Sebadoh- Rebound

Presents

2011-04-25T20:18:00.000-07:00

The Inner Islands label is giving me reasons to believe in a type of ambient music that I haven't heard so well done since Eluvium's Talk Amongst the Trees; music that helps me sleep at night and believe in other-worldly things, eat foods from the earth and be good to others. It's done without pretension and that is something nice in this current musical landscape. I love performance and show, but it's nice that music is sometimes just made to offer help to a troubled world. For some this sounds like the liner notes to We Are the World, which points out that music made without pretension is usually talked about in ways that are not 'cool'. You'll find that most descriptions of Inner Islands releases follow suit on this, but hey, they're on a bigger mission here than being cool and we should be, too.
Presents, the new album from Nearone is the third most wonderful offering from Inner Islands in the last month. It was recorded on farms in New Zealand and plays us sounds still and sunny and somewhat magical.
Nearone- a long and wandering journey

tUnE-yArDs- Bizness

2011-04-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of people that make great sounding tracks, but it's pretty rare that they can recreate it live. Being an electronic music fan, I don't require it of anyone, but when it happens it's pretty amazing. And tUnE-yArDs can do it. With just herself and a bass player. When her new album, Whokill drops on Tuesday, try to imagine how this is possible. Or don't and just soak up how sonically grand it shall be, if this first single is any indication.

Shift

2011-04-08T00:27:00.001-07:00

A new track from my boy Gumar. Off a new Dropping Gems comp? Wha...more will be said once I get my hands on this.
Shift by dropping gems

Suara Naga

2011-04-06T00:36:00.000-07:00

There's a pivotal difference between Suara Naga and the first Malaikat Dan Singa album- Suara Naga doesn't require that you have seen Malaikat Dan Singa to enjoy it's full splendor. I liked the first album, but it was largely because I'd been watching the band perform those songs for half a year before it came out. This album is just as wild, but produced in a way that makes it so much more accessible. That is, as accessible as music sung in Indonesian and incorporates Tuvan throat singing can be.
This album also travels the musical genre map more explicitly, which, while making the album "weirder" in its diversity, also gives listeners a ground on which to start. Retro rock n' roll, pseudo-metal, dub, and even an indie rock/Beat Happening nod- all make it a little easier for people to get down with it. It might mean that it crosses into pure kitsch for some, but I think Mr Dionyso's intentions are on a deeper spiritual plane than the Ford Mustangs or Rock n' Roll McDonalds that some might relegate the songs here to in an attempt to understand them.
For me, this music is pure trance-inducing goodness. It's where I want to be. Some of the more pure dub-influence on here is a little weak in comparison to the rest, but my first reaction to Suara Naga puts it as the finest album Arrington de Dionyso has done to date.
Arrington de Dionyso's Malaikat Dan Singa- Aku di Penjara (off Suara Naga)

Mystery Science Theater 3000 dorks, are you feeling this?

2011-04-05T23:04:00.000-07:00

In 9th grade, DJ Dogwater let me borrow his Mystery Science Theater 3000 fan club CD. Though I lost the tape I made off it years ago, I still get those songs stuck in my head on a regular basis. A while back, I suggested a remix of the classic "Master Ninja Theme Song," not knowing what 56 seconds of hilarious brilliance would be sent my way. Thank you.
DJ Dogwater- Master Ninja Theme Song (Sweaty Mix)

Dirty and Wrong

2011-04-05T00:30:00.000-07:00

After making 2009's undisputed best album, we have barely heard a recorded peep out of Ms Christina Antipa...until now. Dirty and Wrong collects a decade of "songs left behind". It's limited edition and special and satiates those of us that need her musical transmissions to feel okay about life. And what about this beautiful, homemade video of absence in the world? Yes, this too is good.

Christina Antipa- Thunderstruck (off Dirty and Wrong: Songs Left Behind 2000-2010)

Free Magick

2011-04-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

Another from the fine folks at the Inner Islands label. This time from WYLD WYZRDZ. This floaty ambient gem is exactly what I need for spending 10 days in California helping a friend with some hard work and tough times, so I believe he might have succeeded in his mission to create "music for discovery and healing". The whole Free Magick album is just as good and a great companion piece to Gkfoes Vjgoaf's Joy of Awakening.
WYLD WYZRDZ- Forest Light

The Joy of Awakening

2011-04-02T23:41:00.000-07:00

With field recordings placed almost uncomfortably upfront, a (very unhurried) sonic whirlwind called The Joy of Awakening unfurls. An almost perfect blend of Gkfoes Vjgoaf's first two outings (Magic Days and Light Weaving, respectively), it is also completely its own.
The pulsing, chanting, 8 minute ending might be a favorite, but the banjo beauty of "In Clouds" stands out to me as a unique moment on this album. For those missing ambient bliss in their life.
Gkfoes Vjgoaf- In Clouds

Giving & Receiving

2011-03-22T20:58:00.000-07:00

A few more that I feel I need to put together for reasons unbeknownst to me.
I got a preview of the new LAKE album, due out in a couple weeks, and must say that I am a fan. While not achieving the greatness of 2009's Let's Build a Roof, it's an impressive effort. I like that LAKE is retro in a way that's not especially hip. They're doing a more indie rock interpretation of 70's soft rock and I have to appreciate that and marvel at how they live out their vision.
DJ Dogwater's newest, Back From Fighting Nazis on the Moon, has a little ditty that is ready to be put on repeat.
The Ovens tape has been slowing becoming a favorite of mine. I declare "This Disaster Was Brought to You By Heterosexuality" as its pop single.
LAKE- Roger Miller (off Giving and Receiving, coming out April 12th on K Records)
DJ Dogwater- Bumper Lullaby (off Back From Fighting Nazis on the Moon)
The Ovens- This Disaster Was Brought to You By Heterosexuality (off their Self-Titled album)

These Are Some Good Things

2011-03-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

So, my listening life has largely been populated by Prince (Prince Zine is done, btw) and Letters, since we go into Olympia's own Bellhead Studios on Sunday to record the new Letters album, All the Adventures to See Them I Will.
But these are a few that have made their way through the wall of PrinceLetters and pleased my eardrums something nice. I once saw Anni Rossi play with Polka Dot Dot Dot in the ABC House basement on a Sunday night some years ago. With just a viola, she had the whole room stunned and bursting. I'm surprised how good the solo J Mascis singles are. Some of his best songwriting. Upside Drown is Colleen Johnson's new band in Oakland. They'll be doing a west coast tour soon and will be playing here at my house on March 29th.
Anni Rossi- Land Majestic (off her soon-to-be-released album)
J Mascis- Is It Done (off Several Shades of Why)
Upside Drown- How Does He Speak (off their ep)

The Twilight Singers- Dynamite Steps

2011-03-05T12:28:00.000-08:00

I first heard the unmistakable lungs of Mr Greg Dulli in 1994 on Sub Pop's Grunge Years compilation, with the wailing three minute epic of Afghan's Whigs' "Retarded." I've been a fan ever since. Like most things melodramatic, it's sometimes a guilty pleasure for me, but his approach to creating a sonic landscape and telling a story will always intrigue me.
Feb 15th brought the release of Dynamite Steps, the new release from The Twilight Singers, his main project since leaving the Whigs. Twilight Singers has always been a little less exciting to me than the Whigs and, while this new release doesn't surpass the greatness of the Whigs, it's definitely their best so far.
The first 5 songs make me lose my mind a little. Between them there's a guest appearance by Mark Lanegan, drum machines, a wonderful intentionally flat falsetto, and the punk of the Afghan Whigs being brought in 2011. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was composed especially for me. I'm glad you got my letter, Greg.
Even though we're on their promo mailing list, we were asked to take down the newest single, so listen to the first single which we posted in October when Sub Pop sent it to us and listen to the new single on Sub Pop's website.

Holy shit

2011-03-04T14:29:00.000-08:00

Mirah, Thao, and Tune-yards. All together. Awesome? Yes, very.
Thao & Mirah- Eleven (ft. tUnE-yaRds)

Music from Saharan Cell Phones Vol 2

2011-02-24T20:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Rupture, my awareness of the second volume of Music from Saharan Cell Phones came to be. Having the first volume and knowing it to be an interesting affair, I checked his post about it to find that the second volume is phenomenal! Or, as I came to find out, Fenomenal.
From what I know of the music distribution systems in Africa today, cell phones are used as a music player, and involved in the buying and selling of songs much more than here. The compilations seem to be field recordings (more of less) of songs played off of cell phones.
There are so many great songs on here, but the two ones Rupture posted hold a place in my heart since I listened to them a dozen times or more last week.
And, hey, sorry for the long hiatus, but have mostly been listening to Prince these last couple weeks, as I finish up writing for The Prince Zine and its related reading and party.
Fenomenal- Mix
Polisario

Monsters of Meme

2011-02-15T18:09:00.001-08:00

This is my vote for album most likely to go viral in 2011. I know albums don't normally do that, but take just one listen to Monsters of Meme, Foxdye's follow-up to last year's phenomonal M4g1c47 G71mm3r1ng R41nb0w and I think you'll see what I mean.
The way that this album differs from other Foxdye albums is that she's made her hyper-random style of songcrafting a little more conceptual. In short, she's created her own memes. Instead of it just being an "all of pop culture, in a blender" sort of thing, a lot of the samples used this go around are strategically placed throughout the album and, if you embrace the joke, it's suddenly like you're part of the club. There's a particular idiomatic dialect and you know the language. In this way, the in-your-face aggression of the music is turned toward a deeper cause of unification and connection (just maybe?). And the pool of people raised in the internet-obsessed age who are looking for the combination of aggression and connection runs deep.
There are moments that defy Foxdye expectations at the end of the disc- the hauntingly sparse IDM track, "Sauerkraut," and the shimmery lushness of "Spider's Web," which is a fun peek into the other side of her music.
But the hit is, clearly, the title track. Links to this song will certainly get posted on Facebook from this moment forward into eternity and endless "LOL" comments await.
Foxdye- Monsters of Meme (Monsters of Meme comes out Feb 19th on Fkdp Records)

One I Can't Get Out of My Head

2011-02-08T19:55:00.001-08:00

It's another off Summer Soul Vol 5 (the winter edition) and makes me want to lose my mind; in a hysteric screaming and feet moving so fast you can't keep up with yourself kind of way.
Bill Wright - You Got a Spell on Me

That Skinny Motherfucker With the High Voice

2011-02-07T17:38:00.001-08:00

As some of you may know, I'm working on The Prince Zine, a zine all about the artist currently known as Prince. It's a project two years in the making and has required a lot of research and a lot of listening. It's been an on-and-off project, but this weekend I started working on it again, this time with the intentions to finish it up by the end of the month. In an article I was reading, it referenced Dump's album, That Skinny Motherfucker With the High Voice.
This an album of Prince covers. The band is led by Yo La Tengo's bass player and, somewhat surprisingly, it's really great. It's better than any of the stylized Prince tribute albums out there. There's some pretty amazing lo-fi/retro versions of Prince favorites; "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore," "Beautiful Ones," and "Dirty Mind" being three particularly well done ones in this vein. If I heard "An Honest Man" on the radio, I would have thought it to be a Flaming Lips song, it's almost dead on and, with it not being a very popular Prince song (a from-the-vault song off Crystal Ball), it could have fooled me. "Another Lonely Christmas" is the stand-out, though. Solid and heartfelt.
Dump- An Honest Man
Dump- Another Lonely Christmas

Bring the Noise

2011-01-27T19:52:00.001-08:00

Here's an assortment of live noise performances that I've witnessed and recorded (sometimes was a part of). Note, though: "noise" is used loosely. This is music that might fall under the umbrella of noise to the casual listener- drone, ambient, sound collage, dark atmospheric, etc. But perhaps wouldn't pass the test for the noise purist.
I didn't use many words to describe these sets, they hopefully speak for themselves, but links to the artists (if there is a link to make) are provided after the sets.
Maelstrom- One (Live at Alamingo) (Margaret Butler's amazing live cello looping project)

Neglect- Live in Tucson (this opened up a folk show I was playing. it was awesome. later, a deranged cat escaped and caused mayhem) (Neglect's Soundcloud)
Takhoma- Live at Alamingo (epically epic. always) (Takhoma's tape)
Tapestry- Live at the Autonomous Mutant Festival (tapes and ambient drone) (Tapestry's Space)
Foxdye- Live at Medgefest (more bubbly and floaty than noisy, but like I said, the umbrella of noise) (Foxdye Bandcamp)
Abusive Consumer- Live at Medgefest (Olympia didn't treat Abusive Consumer as good as we could have and now he's southwest bound, but here's some sounds he treated us to at the last Medgefest in Seattle)
Marlo Eggplant- Live at Medgefest (first song) (wish i would have got the whole set, it was a good one. like many noise performances, plagued by gear issues, but it didn't matter to me) (Marlo Eggplant's Space)

Letters- Live on Hollow Earth Radio (seems like ages ago now. we're about to release a noise tape on Corpus Callosum, the label the host of this radio show now helps run)
All photos by Alexis Wolf.

Summer Soul Volume Five

2011-01-24T21:02:00.001-08:00

Just finished the new Make-it-Through-Winter edition of the Summer Soul mixtape series. Think celebration through hibernation, praising the good times we've had, having a party when a bad thing comes to an end. Or creating non-religious, non-commercialized holidays; like Barbara Lynn says is something we could (just maybe) do.
Barbara Lynn- Maybe We Can Slip Away (from Summer Soul Vol 5)

~▲†▲~

2011-01-17T20:04:00.000-08:00

My friend was telling me about record shopping in San Francisco last month and, as a joke, loudly complaining about the absence of a Witch House section. It is a ridiculous thought. I mean, how would you decide how to alphabetize all these bands who have symbols for names (it's probably being done, huh?).
To me this sounds like industrial kids brought up on Brandy and Aaliyah cassettes. Which, to me, is a really good thing.
Don't ask me how to say it, or where it comes from (i was told that, perhaps, Russia), but ask me if it is good and I will say yes.
~▲†▲~- Life Keeps Going on (Briana vs ~▲†▲~) (off RMXS)
~▲†▲~- Stickweed Houses (off ~▲†▲~)

Fergus & Geronimo

2011-01-16T22:22:00.000-08:00

Kind of like a mod version of Ween, Fergus & Geronimo's album, Unlearn, is fun in a way I can't say I necessarily understand...or will bring me back to it again and again. But its coyness could certainly be an addicting quality to the right listener. If you share their music collection, you'll probably be really into what they create out of your mutual years of influence.
Fergus & Geronimo- Powerful Lovin'

La Sera- Devil's Heart Grows Gold

2011-01-10T18:14:00.000-08:00

The newest single from the upcoming La Sera album on Hardly Art. It's kinda addicting, you might need to play it on repeat three or four times.
La Sera- Devil's Heart Grows Gold (from the upcoming Self-titled debut, due Feb 15th)

Blindfolder

2011-01-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

It should be cult-ish. And now that Blindfolder has set up a Soundcloud as some kind of public home for his the sounds he makes, perhaps it will be. I could listen all day.
Blindfolder- Gong Girl
Blindfolder- Some Trust Fund

Two songs

2011-01-06T14:21:00.000-08:00

Two in the mail this morning that made me take pause from the daily chores. One is from Hardly Art saying that they released my favorite song from the Moondoggies' last album as a single today. Listen to that bassline, so good.
The other being the first single from the new Papercuts album, set to be released on Sub Pop March 1st. I haven't got much into this guy/band, but his song "Future Primitive" from a few years ago is so good I can't help but keep listening to see what he does. Dude could retire on a song like that.
The Moondoggies- What Took So Long (off Tidelands)
Papercuts- Do What You Want (off Fading Parade)

David Thomas Broughton- Live on Dublab

2011-01-04T23:53:00.000-08:00

I can't stop listening to this. It's from some years back and I don't know David Thomas Broughton's catalog all too well, but this is incredible. Performed live on the always-awesome Dublab. Their archive has an version that cuts short, so I thought it might be worth it to post the full version here. Thanks to Alexis for passing this along. Enjoy.
David Thomas Broughton- Live on Dublab

Cumulus

2010-12-29T21:48:00.000-08:00

Been meaning to say sweet nothings about this ep from Seattle's Cumulus for a bit now, but keep forgetting.
Let is just be said: goodness, a bit addicting, the feeling of nostaglia without being purposefully retro, twee too good to be twee.
The new ep can be downloaded at Bandcamp by generous donation, or for free.
Cumulus- Do You Remember

J Mascis- Not Enough

2010-12-28T17:42:00.001-08:00

A little preview from Dinosaur Jr frontman's solo album, Several Shades of Why, due out on Sub Pop on March 15th. Gotta say, better than I expected.
J Mascis- Not Enough

Best Music Writing 2010

2010-12-28T17:19:00.000-08:00

It seems that there’s always some local NW legend in the pages of De Capo’s excellent Best Music Writing collections- this year’s being no exception.
Seattle legend Chris Estey does a superb piece on Phil Ochs, an excerpt from his deranged zine, Get Well.
A long-time singer in hardcore bands and music critic (currently a regular contributor to Three Imaginary Girls, KEXP Blog, and The Stranger), Estey writes with enough heart and insanity to make any lover of counterculture literature a fan. Plus, how many 45 year olds still do zines? That’s impressive.
And, in case you get this in the next two hours and are in the Seattle area, he's doing a reading from it with Stranger writer Sean Nelson and series editor, Ann Powers. Knowing Estey, it'll definitely be a reading to remember.
7pm, Elliott Bay Book Comapny, 1521 10th Ave, free.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T16:01:00.001-08:00

Simply: free albums. Merry Christmas. Don't usually do this, but realized there were a few that I have the go ahead to do this for, so here they are. All will lead you to little pop-up windows containing zip files.
*Corespondents- Do Not Doublestack Do Not Doublestack
Dark surf meets sound collage.
*Hecka Ar- Vaux's Swifts
Spoken word ambient noise brilliance.
*Letters- A Sampler
Variations on experimental folk sounds.
*The Background Front- S/T
Trip hop-ish genre hopping.
*Foxdye- The Twelve Donks of Donksmas
Ridiculous donk Christmas album from breakcore's finest.
*VA- Breakmode DJ's Mixtape Volume One
Four mixes from what evolved into the Portland Dropping Gems label/crew.
And for today only, the entire Letters catalog.
Enjoy.
Foxdye- Donk the Halls
Corespondents- Weird, Hey
The Superions- Fruitcake (YACHT remix)

Best of 2010

2010-12-23T19:31:00.000-08:00

Best of 2010, a recap. Thanks to all who followed this countdown. I love lists a lot, but I looked at a lot of "Best of" lists this year and I've concluded that THEY ARE SO BORING! It's almost as if 25 albums came out this year and each person only had the challenge of narrowing it down to 10. Seriously. One of those 25 tops my list and two or three of them make it into my Honorable Mentions, so I guess I don't have much room to talk. Maybe my lack of gravitation towards most of these 25 albums means I don't have particularly good taste. Either way, thanks for hanging in there. Here's a list that links to all the different write-ups.
1. Joanna Newsom- Have One on Me
2. CocoRosie- Grey Oceans
3. The Books- The Way Out
4. Eleanor Murray- Oh Thunder
5. Cock and Swan- Unrecognize
6. Corespondents- Ur
7. Xiu Xiu- Dear God I Hate Myself
8. Innocence Mission- My Room in the Trees
9. O Paon- Courses
10. S.L.F.M.- Affaire

Honorable mentions must be given to:
Grass Widow- Past Time
Foxdye- M4g1c47 G71mm3r1ng R41nb0w
Horse Feathers- Thistled Spring
Kendl Winter- Apple Core
M.I.A.- Maya
Blonde Redhead- Penny Sparkle
Hosannas- Together
Moondoggies- Tidelands
Mount Kimbie- Crooks & Lovers
Holy Other- Sunshrine Mix
Kusikia- Brown Town
Salem- Holy Night

Grass Widow- Fried Egg (off Past Time)
Horse Feathers- Thistled Spring (off Thistled Spring
Kusikia- Shaker (off Brown Town)

Best of 2010 #1: Joanna Newsom- Have One on Me

2010-12-22T19:26:00.001-08:00

Best of 2010 #1!! For me, it's kind of undeniable. Some will argue and some just hate, but it would be hard for me to be convinced that there was a bigger achievement than Have One on Me. Three discs, amazing lyricism, exceptional musicality, great production, songs that are catchy yet long and without choruses, great melodies that are instantly classic without being clear rip-offs of other melodies...who else did anything close to this in 2010?
While talking about how much I liked this album this year, I got a lot of I-just-don't-like-her responses. Which I won't deny anyone from having, but I will say that I was not much of a fan before this. My interest was certainly peaked in 2002 upon hearing Walnut Whales and while "Peach, Plum, Pear" might have been one of the best produced indie songs of the decade, I haven't been particularly passionate about anything she's done up until now. Have One on Me is simply a masterpiece. There are those Joni moments where good songwriting doesn't necessarily translate into accessibility, but, you know, sometimes, fuck accessibility.
I had been wondering what the single was since it came out and, finally, through reading all these year end lists I come to find out that it's "Good Intentions Paving Company," which makes sense, but in my opinion there are so many better songs! "Baby Birch," "Go Long," and "On a Good Day" top my list.
Joanna Newsom- On A Good Day (off Have One on Me)

Best of 2010 #2: CocoRosie- Grey Oceans

2010-12-21T19:28:00.000-08:00

Best of 2010 #2. While most people seem to be able to pick their favorite CocoRosie album with ease, I have no desire to think about such a question. If we get more clues to the mystery that started with 2004's La Maison de mon Reve then I'm completely content.
Grey Oceans is the latest clue. It's glorious, it's weird (yet accessible), it's self-referential, it's almost too slick for its own good. It's not great (I don't think any of their albums are), but when it's a band that's more interesting to my ears than almost anything else, it kinda doesn't matter. Everything they touch turns gold.
CocoRosie- R.I.P. Burn Face

Best of 2010 #3: The Books- The Way Out

2010-12-20T22:47:00.000-08:00

Best of 2010 #3. Recontextualized self-help, sound collage symphonies, the warm tunnel of southern preachers, a living power that is changeless, rethinking the cowboy ballad. And so much more.
The Books- I Didn't Know That (off The Way Out)

So long, Captain Beefheart

2010-12-18T01:40:00.001-08:00

We interupt this Best of 2010 countdown to say so long to the one and only Don Van Vliet, the man once known as Captain Beefheart. It's late, so I'll just post a couple of my favorites of his and my favorite remixes and wish him well in the afterworld.
Captain Beefheart- Woe-is-a-me-bop (off Lick My Decals Off, Baby)
Captain Beefheart- Black Snake Moan II (off Grow Fins)
Mochipet- Captain Beefheart vs. Captain & Tennille (off Combat)
The Background Front- Clap to it (ft Tariq) (unreleased)

Best of 2010 #4: Eleanor Murray- Oh Thunder

2010-12-17T00:47:00.000-08:00

Best of 2010 #4. Chimes ring in the dark winter that is Oh Thunder. I think of the panting animal instincts of "Scream," the lingering tension of "Trails of Star," the flurry of drums on "Hush (Smash!)," the rebirth of the body at the first sign of spring and the resolve of "When a Heart Becomes a Heart."
Maturity for most means slowing down, settling. But here, it means letting go a little.
Eleanor Murray- Street to Ride (off Oh Thunder)

Best of 2010 #5: Cock and Swan- Unrecognize

2010-12-14T17:54:00.001-08:00

Best of 2010 #5. Talk about needing a publicist. An adorable couple makes brilliant electro-acoustic songs out of an unknown Seattle suburb using old electronics, records it all themselves and is a perfect mix of good production and lo-fi sensibilities. If the rest of the world only knew.
Cock and Swan- Holding On (off Unrecognize)

Best of 2010 #6: Corespondents- Ur

2010-12-13T20:27:00.001-08:00

Best of 2010 #6. No band does what the Corespondents do. Being ominous while being playful, employing kitsch while not being kitschy, being so accesible while still being experimental. Their first full length since the addition of Kieran Harrison-Buehlinger and their evolution from ambient band to party band, Ur is an incredibly solid album and serves as an amazing soundtrack to a great variety of situations.
I don't usually have much care for fanciful guitar work, but with the Corespondents there is no wanking, no unnecessary notes, and this impresses me. Combine this with interesting rhythms and a variety of string instruments that blend well with guitars while not being guitars and I'm sold. In my opinion, it's hard not to be.
Corespondents- Fernandez (off of Ur)

Best of 2010 #7: Xiu Xiu- Dear God, I Hate Myself

2010-12-11T20:06:00.001-08:00

Best of #7: The fact that I love when art rock goes pop pretty much assures that I will garner very few cool points in my life. Last year's Dirty Projectors album is a perfect example: take a band I liked some songs from, but were generally a little grating on my nerves, and have them make an album that's a little catchier and dancier and I'm in.
Xiu Xiu is another. Until this year's Dear God, I Hate Myself, I had thought they were pretty good, but had a hard time taking the sparse dark ballads seriously, which generally made me take the whole thing with a grain of salt.
Then, more dance beats, fewer painful ballads, and I'm singing along with songs of self-hate and violent sex with total glee. It's still over-the-top with an intensity that feels like Christian guilt and I don't blame anyone for not being into it, but I'll just say this: Dear God, I Hate Myself is on point. A near-flawless effort that leaves you wanting more and has a good mixture of styles while still being totally cohesive. If you haven't dug it before, it might convert you.
Xiu Xiu- Dear God I Hate Myself

Best of 2010 #8: Innocence Mission- My Room in the Trees

2010-12-10T21:12:00.001-08:00

As a band who's biggest success happened in 1995 on the soundtrack to a movie that most people have probably forgot about (Empire Records), you most likely won't find the Innocence Mission's new album getting a ton of press. They're not a new band and their sound definitely can't be tagged with a label that sounds cool. What they are, though, is gorgeous and a band that has honed its craft so perfectly it's astounding. A slower, more subtle effort than their 2007 masterpiece We Walked in Song, this year's My Room in the Trees still has some of the best songs of their 20 year career. ("Spring" being a song that's so special it's hard to imagine how humans created it). But, for me, this album is largely about moments. It was hard to understand at first, since their last album was one stand-out song after another, but my favorite things on this album are pieces of the whole- the harmonies on "Rhode Island," the piano/bass outro to "Gentle the Rain at Home," when the drums come in on "Mile-Marker," the first 25 seconds of "Spring," or the first 15, which would make a great loop for an ambient track. In this way, it's, strangely, a more challenging effort simply because the songs are more subtle and aren't as ready-for-mixtapes. I thought this was a bad thing when I first heard it, but now I think that maybe it's just forcing you to listen to it again and again and find more moments of simple beauty. Which is what Innocence Mission are all about.
When I listen to this, I think about the article/interview with them collected in Zine Scene by Francesa Lia Block so many years ago and love that, at one time, this was being covered in the zine community and this was so cool. Small scenes of simple moments in life, of what is good in a world that causes a lot of pain, do inspire teenage girls to take over the world. And, as important as Bikini Kill and all the other women who have made my home famous are, I think I'd rather have this be the soundtrack to the gender equality revolution.
Innocence Mission- Gentle the Rain at Home (off My Room in the Trees)

Best of 2010 #9: Ô Paon- Courses

2010-12-07T18:43:00.000-08:00

Geneviève Castrée blows minds live...and has been doing it for some time. Hypnotic low tones mix with jarring howls and unleash some pretty deep emotions from her audience. It doesn't seem to matter that most of her audiences don't speak the language (which, for some reason, is excessively important in this country, when compared to audiences in other countries), Ô Paon transcends.
The question for the last couple years has been, "when will there be an album?" Well, the album came and, while nothing can do the experience of seeing her live justice, Courses fills the void well. Pulsing and pounding, building and releasing, making nice crests and breaking, Courses is a trance state of the highest order. Sought by shamans the world over and read about in great tomes by suburban kids of North America, but rarely found. It's takes a little different mindset to go here, but it's well worth the journey.
Ô Paon- Chevaux (off Courses)

Best of 2010 #10: S.L.F.M.- Affaire

2010-12-06T21:31:00.000-08:00

That's right, we're starting to countdown the best of 2010 here at Letters With Mixtapes. And S.L.F.M.'s excellent album Affaire starts this all off today at #10. The closing song ("Dainty") alone would rank it at #14 or 15 for me, but there are 11 other songs on here! Which brings it up to #10.
I know someday S.L.F.M will probably incorporate more sounds and have longer songs and it will most likely be very good, indeed, but I will always swoon over the days when 12 songs were cranked out on a distorted ukulele in 19 minutes and I played it over and over again.
S.L.F.M.- Fancy No Pants

Screw, 10 Years Later

2010-12-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

Jace Clayton (AKA: DJ /Rupture) recently wrote a great piece in Frieze Magazine on the legacy of DJ Screw, the Houston dj who invented (or adapted, as the article theorizes) the genre Chopped and Screwed. 10 years after his legendary cough syrup overdose, his slowed down, stuttering style of dj'ing now makes its way into everything from pop hip hop to indie rock, to being a key element of the ever-evolving Witch House/Drag genre.
It has also been destroyed by some queer white kids in the pacific northwest. Tonight is the release party for the new cassette tape and "best of" collection from Foxdye & The Baron. Foxdye you probably know as an international breakcore superstar and The Baron is my alter-ego. Every year for the last three years, we've been putting out a tape of the chopped and screwed we'd like to hear. More ridiculous than gangsta, it's having fun with a genre we love the sound of, but don't often love the message of. If you're in Portland, Oregon, you should stop by.
Many apologies to DJ Screw. Hopefully you would have thought the Golden Girls theme slowed down is as hilarious as we do. RIP.
Foxdye & The Baron- Paper Screws (M.I.A. Chopped and Screwed) (off The Best (um...) of Foxed and Screwed)
Foxdye & The Baron- Thank You for Being a Friend (Golden Girls Chopped and Screwed) (off Chopped and Screwed Vol 3)

Have I Mentioned How Much I Miss This Band?

2010-11-30T17:36:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned how much I miss this band? If not: I miss this band. They were so good. It's a reunion tour I would sponsor. Their album just gets better with age, too.
Hecka Ar- OK America (off the excellent Vaux's Swifts)

Give Thanks

2010-11-25T10:47:00.000-08:00

So, turns out I'm snowed in here in Olympia and am not going anywhere for Thanksgiving. Never had this happen before. It feels a little weird.
But I woke up with this great song in my head, which also seemed appropriate for the day, so it can't be that bad. And I'm working through the new Nicole Krauss book, Great House, which is fantastic. So, could certainly be worse.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe- Precious Memories No 1 (off Complete Recorded Works Vol 1)

Teach Me

2010-11-23T22:18:00.000-08:00

Here's one from the road. A favorite of mine- a pulsing, building, slightly droning epic. Love it. Performed at the amazing A Space in Silver City, New Mexico- a giant art gallery warehouse where we were given a show last minute after our show in Albuquerque fell through the day before. The space's first ever show, a wacky assortment of local middle aged oddballs. Couldn't have asked for better friends that night. Slept on the stage we played on.
Eleanor Murray- Teach Me (Live in Silver City) (original off the excellent Little Warrior)

If I Knew the Way, I Would Take You Home

2010-11-23T15:20:00.000-08:00

Ok, one more. Pretty raw, but it's there and it's pretty darn good.
Built to Spill- Ripple (Grateful Dead Cover) (Live in Olympia)

Dream

2010-11-22T22:42:00.000-08:00

Another treat from last night's show- getting to hear Doug Martsch do a couple songs on his own.
Doug Martsch- Dream (Live in Olympia)

Halo Benders Reunion

2010-11-22T03:39:00.000-08:00

I've always regretted my chance to see the Halo Benders. I can remember it so well: 1996, Seattle, Wa, Hub Ballroom on the UW campus, Modest Mouse opening. Maybe I couldn't get a ride, maybe I got sick, maybe I was just lazy, but by the time I moved to Olympia, they had already broke up and I thought it was never to be.
But, amazingly, it happened. When I bought a ticket to see Built to Spill and the Hive Dwellers last month I thought that, perhaps, Calvin would hop on for a song and it would be a mock Halo Benders reunion, but instead Calvin and Doug were joined by original members Ralf Youtz and Wayne Flower for seven energy-packed Halo Benders classics. It was pretty exciting. While some might say Don't Touch My Bikini with a metal breakdown at the end was the highlight and others might root for the hyped up Virginia Reel Around the Fountain, I put my money on Bombshelter Pts 1 & 2 with an improvised plea to end the war in Afghanistan from Mr Calvin Johnson that is hilarious, impassioned, and a good rip on the ever-terrible Olympian newspaper.
Halo Benders- Bombshelter Pts 1 & 2 (Live in Olympia)

Poppet Does Bjork

2010-11-18T00:02:00.001-08:00

After this set I told the ever-amazing Poppet that, someday, everyone would be bootlegging her sets and putting them on the internet, just like I do now.
Sometimes people just need a good cover song to get them to pay attention and this Bjork cover mash-up should make a few people turn their ears in the Poppet direction and start the bootlegging fan club ball rolling. It's a terribly/wonderfully lo-fi recording, so apologies to any fidelity snobs and those listening on laptop speakers.
Poppet- Desired Constellation/Heirloom (Live Bjork Cover)

Horse Feathers- Drain You

2010-11-16T01:19:00.000-08:00

I really want people to stop thinking about the existence of Nirvana. They were pretty darn good, but it has passed, yet everyone wants to ride some iconic wave. I came of age in the general Seattle area when they were all the rage and those were good times, but I haven't put them on in over a decade and haven't felt at all deprived of interesting music to listen to.
That said, you heard this Horse Feathers cover of Drain You? Fuuuuck.
Horse Feathers- Drain You (Nirvana Cover) (off the Kill Rock Stars 7" of the same name)

Kickball Live in France

2010-11-15T10:40:00.001-08:00

My dearest Letter, Alexis Wolf, sent me this link to a recently-posted live performance of the one-and-only Kickball. It's from their 2007 tour of France with Clara Clara and it is ridiculously beautiful. One of my absolute favorite bands to see live. I do miss them so.
Kickball- Fight (off Everything is a Miracle Nothing is a Miracle)

St St

2010-11-08T10:40:00.000-08:00

First day off from tour in two weeks. In Tuscon, on a little mini-tour (within our larger tour) with St St (Saint Street), one-time Olympians who transplanted/replanted to the southwest last year. I've played some pretty memorable shows with them over the years with Letters, but not until watching them every night for the last week had I been so enamoured. They make gorgeous music with prophetic lyrics and I can't get enough. Their first full length is scheduled to come out in the new year and I'm currently nursing a hang over on their floor.
St St- The Less I Take, The Better

Sometimes I just get this song stuck in my head

2010-10-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

The Pica Beats- Poor Old Ra (acoustic version) (original version off the excellent, Beating Back the Claws of the Cold)

Hitting the Road With Eleanor Murray

2010-10-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

Eleanor Murray's new album, Oh Thunder, hits the streets today. You have all heard me proclaim the goodness of Eleanor Murray a time or two before on this blog, but, as of last week, my fandom unexpectedly turned into member of the band. I'll be playing bass for her band on her tour that starts tomorrow in Seattle. I'm pretty excited.
But, since I didn't play on Oh Thunder, I feel I can review it fairly and say that it is incredible. Her best yet.
The tour officially kicks off tonight in Seattle at the Bread Factory with the ridiculously brilliant Jordan O' Jordan, plus Led to Sea and Cap Lori.
Eleanor Murray- Street to Ride (off Oh Thunder)
Eleanor Murray- Today (off For Cedar)

Treepeople

2010-10-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

So, bought a ticket to the upcoming Built to Spill show and it got me inspired to make a Treepeople mix. Treepeople, being Doug Martsch's band before, and in the early days of, Built to Spill.
Their brand of post punk-y guitar rock is one of the few over-the-top guitar wankfests I can handle and I love it dearly. Reminds me of listening to the radio when I was in middle school. Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, they never had an album that truly did them justice, so I've always wanted to make a mix and now the time has come. I'm not quite done, but I'll post the track list to the comments when I am. Until then, enjoy "Neil's Down," a personal favorite. It's off Just Kidding, which is not their best, I'd recommend trying Guilt, Regret, and Embarrassment. Yeah.)
Treepeople- Neil's Down

S.L.F.M. Opens for Sonic Youth!

2010-10-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

Coming back from a tour with Boots to the Moon where they had trouble booking house shows, S.L.F.M. comes home to be the lone opening act for legends of noisy guitar rock, Sonic Youth. The good folks over at CaptNineToe sent over a video from said event and, while I thought Sonic Youth asking Grass Widow to open for them in New York was a fluke of them having an ear to the (under)ground, this proves to me that the Youth are admirably searching out great new music and aren't just playing the same old Velvet Underground records over again and again.
There's also this video of S.L.F.M. playing a birthday party.

...and a recording from a few weeks ago when she played in my basement.
S.L.F.M.- Fancy No Pants (Live at Alamingo)

Don't Tell Me Now

2010-10-12T20:12:00.001-07:00

The other day my co-worker told me she was going to see the Built to Spill/Hive Dwellers show in November at Olympia's own Capitol Theater, siting the fact that an impromptu Halo Benders reunion could occur. I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it, but the Hive Dwellers is Calvin Johnson's new band, which means Doug Martsch and Calvin will be sharing a stage and...who knows? This got us excitedly connecting on our love of the Halo Benders.
Perhaps the first band I really listened to on K, I was 14 when I mail ordered Don't Tell Me Now after hearing the song "Blank Equation" on KCMU (what later devolved into KEXP). It turns out that she had never heard Don't Tell Me Now, so that night dug out a CD I'd have had for half my life now to let her borrow it. "Might as well give it a listen," I thought. And, wow. This album holds up. I think I like it even better now that I have more to compare it to. A raw, powerful, well thought out album that has impressive moments of musical arrangement that excite me to no end and make me want to be in an indie rock band with a bunch of guitarists and make weirdly tight songs that have politcal and queer/sexually deviant undertones. Yes.
Halo Benders- Phantom Power

RIP Solomon Burke

2010-10-10T10:05:00.000-07:00

We'd like to say a farewell to the one-and-only Solomon Burke, who passed away early this morning on a plane to Amsterdam at age 70. Other than always greatly enjoying his music, I don't have a lot to say about the long-lasting, positive soul singer, so I will quote from David Wild in his tribute article in this morning's Huffington Post: "When I woke up this morning to the news of Solomon's death, I thought back immediately to the first time that I ever spoke with him. Solomon ended our conversation by saying, 'May God bless you, son,' in a way that somehow made me feel truly blessed. I know he made a lot of people all over the world feel that way too." That's kinda nice.
Fun fact: he's a father to 21 children and 90 grandchildren(!?!). Woah.
Solomon Burke- Cry to Me

The Books "The Way Out"

2010-10-09T22:19:00.000-07:00

The Books convinced me DJ/Rupture is the best dj in the world. Back in 2003, on his first Peel Session, Rupture began that epic set with The Books track, "Enjoy Your Worries, You May Never Have Them Again." Of course, at the time, I didn't know that it was a Books track. I just knew it was the most brilliant thing I'd ever heard. I imagined Rupture quickly mixing all these different records to make this anthemic collage of hopelessness vs hope. After me and my friends had listened to this mix daily for months, I mentioned to one of my friends the awe I had at his mixing abilities and he said, "oh, that's a song by this weird band, The Books. He barely manipulates that song at all." In that moment, I did not lose my faith that Rupture was the best dj in the world (one of the most admirable qualities of a dj to me is blurring the lines of what's being mixed and what's recorded as is), I just knew there was a band I needed to check out.
The thing I love about The Books is that they take this plunderphonics/sound collage/audio culture thing I love and make it really accessible. And it isn't a question about them being a pop group or anything, it's just that they do it really fucking well.
The Way Out is in a lot of ways extremely similar in tone and variety as the other Books albums. So, if you liked those, this is a clear continuation on that same theme with just further innovation on the form. The great thing about this album is that it will appeal to those who want The Books to push it a little farther into Weirdsville and those that want them to be a little more like a normal band. "I Didn't Know That," "I Am Who I Am," and, possibly, "A Cold Freezin' Night" push the envelope a little and will definitely freak some people out. "Free Translator" and "All You Need is a Wall" are two of their most beautiful songs and will surely be showing up on sweet mixtapes for years to come.
In summary: this album is great, has something for everybody, you need it playing on repeat.
The Books- Beautiful People (off The Way Out)

Witchy

2010-10-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

Been digging on the witch house of late. You know, the latest in a series of fun/ridiculous genre names to be all the rage.
Being a cool mixture of goth industrial, ambient, dubstep, and chopped and screwed- it's fun checking out all the different things people are doing under the banner of this new genre. One of my favorites so far is Holy Other, especially their Sunshrine Mix, which is a less ominous version of the genre and makes me feel really good all over and want to do good deeds for those dealing with emotional meltdowns. Strange, but true.
SUNSHRINE MIX by HOLY OTHER

Moondoggies- Tidelands

2010-10-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

After receiving this awesome new video from Seattle artist Drew Christie, I was reminded to get on with saying how good the Moondoggies new album Tidelands is.
A more introspective album than their last outing, Tidelands is lush and mature while still retaining some of the fun summer-in-the-park feel that I've always appreciated this band for. My only complaint/suggestion: full time violinist. The violin sounds so good that it makes me think that this is what this band has been missing. Both the song in the video and the single below are from Tidelands.

Moondoggies- It's a Shame, It's a Pity

I Am Secretly an Important Man

2010-10-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

I must give a big thank you to Three Imaginary Girls for tipping me off to this...There is now a documentary about Steven Jesse Bernstein! What the...? I didn't see that one coming. Called I Am Secretly an Important Man, it will be premiering in Seattle tonight (at the Moore Theatre) at 8pm.
I listened to 1992's Prison album, that he made with famed Seattle weirdo producer Steve Fisk, so many times in my teens and early 20's that SJB is a like a dear friend to me. Kind of threatening and unstable, but a friend none-the-less.
A favorite of mine was this live version of "Come Out Tonight," which had a studio version released on 1988's Sub Pop 200 compilation- a compilation that later defined grunge music for those of us unsatisfied with how the media was defining it. I can't remember where I got it now, but it's from a show where he was opening for the unstoppable Mudhoney, a fellow named Dick Luxington plays guitar and it's really noisy and wonderful.
Steven Jesse Bernstein- Come Out Tonight (ft Dick Luxington) (Live 1989 opening show for Mudhoney)

A Few That Fit

2010-10-05T22:36:00.000-07:00

Well, first off, there's one from the band formerly known as Church, now called Hosannas. They're from Portland and are pretty impressive. I've played a show or two with them and they (at least, were) pretty stunning. I didn't get the name change and then they kicked out the people I knew and became a two piece and it kind of made sense. The album they recorded as a full band sounds awesome and I've heard from the fine folks over at Fensepost that they are equally awesome as a two-piece. They're on tour building up the hype for the album. The single is highly addicting.
Hosannas- When We Were Young (off Together, coming out Nov 9th on Tree Farm)
Tu Fawning sent me a pretty awesome album a couple weeks ago and it came out today. I can't say the single does the album justice, but I will say that if you like this you'll love the album. Pretty solid stuff. Some unexpected turns on an album that I almost wrote off as another overproduced Portland band.
Tu Fawning- I Know You Now (off Hearts on Hold)
And, while not from Portland, I thought this one I just got from Hardly Art would kind of fit in this mix. The first single from La Sera (Vivian Girls, All Saints Day). Reminds me of some stuff out of the mid-90's Seattle scene. Can't quite place it, though. Kill Sybil, maybe? I guess I should just say it's its own thing and I'm glad to hear this sound happening.
La Sera- Never Come Around

Andrew Cedermark- Moon Deluxe

2010-10-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know Titus Andronicus' music and I just recently got a notion of what Underwater Peoples is, but I do know that I can't stop playing this song. Maybe not usually what I would seek out, but something about the cacophony of this track gets me. It's what I want more of in rock music: less riffing, more noise (please).
Andrew Cedermark- Moon Deluxe (off Moon Deluxe)

Fkdp

2010-10-04T16:12:00.000-07:00

Portland's Fkdp Records is a personal favorite of mine. Owned and, in large part, operated by ace dj, Fukumup, Fkdp is a label of two distinct sounds that are vastly different, but make a certain sense to me.
Fukumup told me that, at last week's Decibel Fest, he was at a workshop where they said, "your label needs to make sense. You wouldn't, for example, have a label that put out house music and ambient music." He thought this was pretty funny, since, yeah, in a way this is what Fkdp puts out. House-inspired breakcore like Shitmat, Foxdye, and Graz and dark ambient like Myello and (early, pre-band) Desolation Wilderness.
Maybe because Fukumup is a collector/archiver of every sort of recorded media under the sun, Fkdp stuff is always unique. From the flannel sleeves of the Grungecore 7" to the hand-drawn additions on Biting on Ravecore to candy bones and cupcake wrappers inside CD jewel cases, Fkdp makes sure your tangible music experience is at least a little more fun and interesting than downloading some mp3's.
Their newest release, Bootleg Babylon, just came out a couple weeks ago and it's by Seattle artist Graz. Expect a Fkdp webstore and distro full of Fkdp releases and all sorts of weird music out of Europe that can't be picked up on US shores in the not-too-distant future (any web designers out there want to help him out?).
Graz- Total Request Mashup (off Bootleg Babylon)

The Oddest Pairing

2010-10-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

So a misogynist and a feminist walk into a studio...
On this blog, I have referred to both these artists in association with guilty pleasures. So when I got this in the mail from Sub Pop, I knew that, whatever it sounded like, I must pass it along. I never would have called it, but it makes an odd kind of sense.
The Twilight Singers Ft Ani DiFranco- Blackbird and the Fox

Grass Widow- Past Time

2010-09-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

Somehow I forgot to say this, but THE NEW GRASS WIDOW ALBUM IS OUT! It's called Past Time and it's awesome. There's also a new video for the track "11 of Diamonds," which is also veryvery good.

Grass Widow- Shadow

First Day of Fall

2010-09-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

What sounds better on this first day of fall in cold Olympia, Wa than to take a bath. Which is, I guess, what my nose-blowing mind thought today, since I couldn't get this Cindy Wonderful song out of my head.

Best known as half of the unbeatable Scream Club, she's teamed up with just about everyone: Beth Ditto, Mirah, Michelle Tea, Shunda K, Zoe Boekbinder, Busdriver, Peaches, Team Gina, the list just goes on. And, since I don't have an mp3 of the wonderful song in this video, I'm going to include a collaboration we did together in The Background Front a couple years ago.
The Background Front- Yr Spell (ft Cindy Wonderful) (off the Self-Titled album)

Gkfoes Vjgoaf

2010-09-18T23:51:00.001-07:00

One of the pleasures of this tour was finally getting to see Gkfoes Vjgoaf play. When I heard his first release (Magic Days) last year, I thought he was clearly influenced by Phil Elverum's early lo-fi pop sensibilities, but this year's Light Weaving made me realize he's on a different tip altogether. Drone and ambient mix with a distinctly 60's sonic landscape.
The show we played together was moved at the last minute and everyone played short sets so we could all go to bed, but I was still able to see him show yet another side of his work. Hints of Brian Eno and Bill Laswell came through, making a layered symphony of big chords and sparse drums.
Interested to hear what will come next.
Gkfoes Vjgoaf- Heart Whispers (off Light Weaving)
Gkfoes Vjgoaf- Magic Senses (Breathe That Breath) (off Magic Days)

Blonde Redhead- Penny Sparkle

2010-09-18T17:12:00.000-07:00

The new Blonde Redhead album, Penny Sparkle is a perfect play of light airy-ness and weighted importance. A combination that gives the feel of a classic trip hop album. Which is something beautiful to me, but may turn off fans of their more rock-based work. It's a rather bold move on their part, honestly. But "Here Sometimes," the song that starts off this venture, is something completely undeniable to me. All the characteristics that have made me love Blonde Redhead over the years are there- amazing rhythmic choices, a tempered in-your-face edge, an odd catchiness that's infectious without being overtly pop- it's just the presentation has evolved. It feels like it may be a hotly debated album, maybe just like electronic music itself, but I, for one, am loving it and think you probably need to check it out.
Blonde Redhead- Here Sometimes

RIP Burn Face

2010-09-11T15:11:00.000-07:00

My favorites, CocoRosie, have released my favorite song off their new album (Grey Oceans) as a single. I couldn't be more pleased.
CocoRosie- R.I.P. Burn Face

Catching Up (Part Two)

2010-09-08T23:57:00.000-07:00

Ok, time for part two in this attempt to catch up before hitting the road and maybe not saying anything for a bit.
Seattle-ites and world travelers, World History, have just put out a much anticipated album. I just bought it the other day and haven't checked it out beyond this stunning opening track. You should all probably rush out and buy it.
World History- In the Middle of the Fall (off You Can't Stop Trying)
I've had this Dark Dark Dark song for quite some time and have been looking for the chance to point out how amazing this song is.
Dark Dark Dark- Wild Goose Chase (off Bright Bright Bright)
And, finally, I know you all like the free musics, so, hey- we just finished putting together a free 20 song Letters sampler. I try to not make this about Letters at all, but, as Diana Arens so famously said, "free things are cool."

Catching Up (Part One)

2010-09-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

With my last post, I didn't take the time to say, "hey, it's been a while." Due to getting ready for the Portland Zine Symposium and a semi-elaborate dark fairy tale themed tour, I have not been keeping up on this. And things having been building up. Here's part one in my attempt to catch up.
So, my dear friend and bandmate Alexis Wolf uncovered the Swift demo for me. An old Olympia band of amazing folks. This is my favorite.
Swift- Purple Flowers
Ms Wolf also turned me on to the poet Tom Blood, who has a great poem in Peaches & Bats #4 and releases things on Marriage Records.
Tom Blood- Pigeon
My favorite Tacoma band is Humble Cub. Their first album came out before they became an amazing 5 piece, but is still really good.
Humble Cub- Secrets of the Beach
Oreaganomics sent me a new song. I always appreciate how delightfully weird they are. Based on the popularity of the last post I did about them, they have a little following, too.
Oreagonomics- Courage
You may notice that I don't often take the musical jaunt into hardcore punk. I hear it a lot around my house and heard it a lot growing up, but I don't really seek it out. Hearing Meconium's new cd, though, does it for me in a way that most doesn't. Maybe it's because it's hard math rock more than hardcore and it fucks with my head when I listen to all the timing changes and think about Geph Shannon (If It Ain't Breakfast Don't Fix It) screaming his head off, I don't know. But it just does it.
Meconium- Hooks and Veils (off Kringla)

Rokhausen

2010-09-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

While I've been trying to get Seattle artist Rokhausen to send me some of his new tracks for some time now, I think I've waited long enough to introduce you, dear readers, to the force that is Rokhausen.
Raised on speed metal and rave music, Rokhausen is the kind of artist that can do amazing things- like get heshers to listen to electronic music or get a music critic to take songs about pizza seriously. He's that good.
So, until he sends us something new, here's something to tide you over.
Rokhausen- The Most Unwanted Remix
Rokhausen- Pizza Death (off FuneralpylonpizzadeliveryZone)
Rokhausen- Mad Max Ending and Hamburger Hellhole (off Goldfarb & Masterbathos)