These two bands have been on my computer for a lengthy time now but I’ve neglected to write about them… until now. That might sound ominous but that is not my intention because the music has a sweet sound my friends. Thus, if you have the post-summer blues that were worse at 10 but still suck at 25 then this post might actually be useful. For instance, the bar exam stole my soul this summer but here I am wiping the dust off my auditory senses. This is off the subject yet still important, I deleted my facebook and it may have been the greatest thing I have ever done. Alright, back on point, the band and album titles are as follows:
1) Say Hi - The Wishes and the Glitch
2) The Russian Futurists - Me, Myself, & Rye
Now that we got that settled here is why I dig these two bands. Say Hi has a past album that is entirely about vampires. You know what that means don’t you? That means every album they will ever make will be awesome. The Russian Futurists are just plain addicting. The album is good start to finish and has a wide array of sounds that any decent sound system will pick up. Shitake, another thing, NFL season is about to start, heck yes. So many f-bombs to drop and money to blow, I am very excited. I also wish someone would just hand me some type of schedule to the Olympics… I have no idea what is going on. Lastly, I hope you can stay on task better than I and check out these bands so Godspeed to you all.
I am loving Montreal right now more than ever. Between (Audio Muffin covered) Wolf Parade’s new album At Mount Zoomer - 2008 and now IslandsArm’s Way released on May 20, 2008 on ANTI, I am considering quitting my high paid job at the Muffin and becoming an A&R rep in this French Canadian Province. Following up their 2006 debut album, Return to the Sea, and the departure of their drummer and band co-founder, Jamie Thompson, Arm’s Way was just what the band needed.
The Chow Brothers (Alex and Sebastian) of Islands light the violins on fire. The instrumental incorporation of violins, cellos an even harps truly demonstrate the ever-changing dynamics of Indie rock music. The refined inclusion of these instruments rings true with some of my favorite Indie bands; Arcade Fire (another Montreal product), Ra Ra Riot and Islands, adding new dynamics to their sound.
Lead singer, Nick Thorburn a.k.a Nick Diamonds has expanded his musical range and talents among several side-projects which are noteworthy. My favourite (note the Canadian spelling) being Human Highway which is a duo with Jim Guthrie, former Islands touring guitarist and fellow Canadian.
Now on a European tour and up for two XM Verge Awards, Best Artist of 2008 and Best Album 2008, the band is making global headway.
Even though the Denver music scene was able to fill America’s drury need for another David Gray, there is far more depth to the rock scene at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Though The Audio Muffin tends to be a California bias, we could not ignore what we were hearing about a high-energy band called The Knew who have been turning heads in the Mile High City. Here at The Audio Muffin, we used our high-powered music industry status to acquire Holladay (2007) and Boom Bust (2008), The Knew’s self-released EP’s and musical collection to date. After perpetual and boundless dancing, foot tapping and clapping in our LA office for hours on end, The Audio Muffin staff decided there was only one thing to be done - track down The Knew, tie them up and force them to give us an interview.
The Knew is a four man ensemble of sheer energy. Their capacity for vigorous enthusiasm on stage has drummed up some very favorable reviews from local newspapers, magazines, radio stations and websites.
The Denver Post remarked, “…The Knew plays to spastic crowds of friends and strangers all losing themselves in the groove, the beat, the cut. The band quietly became one of the most exciting live acts in the state.”
As The Knew (Jacob, Tyler, Tim and Patrick) continue to put on electric shows and release solid EP’s with the help of Hot IQs bassist, Bryan Feuchtinger in production, they will continue to justify their increasing hype. Thus, The Audio Muffin staff loaded into our luxurious van and set path for the Rocky Mountains to track down The Knew and to prove that John Denver was not “full of shit.”
Upon arrival, we found these rock stars on the rise in true form. Drinking beers and champagne in full business suits while comfortably seated in the scolding waters of a jacuzzi in the middle of a hot Colorado summer’s day. Luckily, the band was willing to hang out with us for a bit, so we left the rope in the van.
Audio Muffin : What do you guys enjoy the most about being in a band? Is it all the money and fine suits?
The Knew : Music can change moods completely or just allow you to indulge the one you’re in. Being able to possibly do that for someone (or even just for one’s self) is a very good reason to be in a band and to make music.
Audio Muffin : You recently had an album release party at Hi-Dive for your second EP - Boom Bust (2008) - How did it go? Were your fans stoked on the new material?
The Knew : It was a fun time. Most people seemed to be moving pretty steadily to the songs so we believe they thought them to be catchy at first listen. Hopefully the more people listen to the cd, they’ll also enjoy and dive into some of the lyrics and eventually get certain parts burned into their brains.
Audio Muffin : What is next for The Knew? After this jacuzzi party that is? Can we be looking for you in California anytime soon?
The Knew : Playing for strangers is the best. We love playing in Denver, but also would love it to play in any town that will have us. When you’re a pretty unknown band, trying to win over a crowd in a new town is the best part of hitting the road.
Audio Muffin : Do you have a band mascot? Or possibly a favorite band drink? The Audio Muffin has cool and edgy puppies that wear sunglasses and we like fuzzy navels, just for example, even though we are not a band, nevermind…
The Knew : Dillingers are always nice (Double Whiskey & Coke…no ice). Other than that, Modelos and Magnums work great. Band Mascot would have to be something furry and not ironic to really get us going.
Audio Muffin : What do you like best about the Denver music scene?
The Knew : We like that there’s no real identity as far as what music is expected to come out of it. It’s still fairly green in regards to cranking out nationally recognized bands. In recent past, there’s been piano pop, acoustic/experimental indie rock and, recently, an artsy rap group. We’d fit in nice as being yet another sound to come out of Denver.
Audio Muffin : Which member of The Knew would your female fans say looks best in a suit?
The Knew : I’ll tell you who is in a four-way tie for looking best OUT of a suit….
Kind of a perplexing title right? Well prepare to be perplexed…
Wild Sweet Orange is the band and Ten Dead Dogs is the song that I’ve been singing in my car lately; and you will rarely find me singing in my car. But sometimes with a song like this, you gotta turn up the volume (to drown out your own wretched voice of course) and just belt it out!
Before I continue though, I must admit when I first listened to this album, I was positive that I had heard the song somewhere before. And not that I watch Grey’s Anatomy or shows like that, but if this song happened to be featured on some less than manly broadcast - please don’t think any less of me for it.
Once you get past the soothing melodies and catchy acoustic guitar, you’ll start to hear the lyrics. And the lyrics are what really took this band from a good listen to a muffin worthy topic. I’ll leave you with a couple of lines from the songs I am posting. (Note that you won’t be perplexed until you listen to the songs and this band is Bootsy approved)
I saw ten dead dogs,
On the side of the road,
Driving late last night to your apartment.
And I though it was an omen,
So I headed on back home then,
Walked in circles around my room.
And they say blah blah blah blah,
And they say blah blah blah.
They give us truth deceiving,
I don’t think that’s truth at all.
I hope you are enjoying your weekend. I thought Marching Band would be a good inclusion to your festivities. They are a Swedish group who craft upbeat melodies and catchy guitar/keyboard riffs. Their whole album follows this really great mellow vibe. Nothing amazing going on here, but a good record to put on as your cruising down to the beach…which I am.
But not the usual beach, today I will be going to Ventura (aka my hometown). If you don’t know what Ventura is I will quote a 20/20 special I saw one time (which I think was about a murder, but thats not important). The host of the show described us as, “A sleepy seaside community.” Ventura is in Southern California for the record.
Oh wait, I have Kevin Costner in the title of this post, what is going on? Kevbo (as some of my friends call him) is performing a free concert with his rock group. Yeah, that’s right, Costner has a rock group, that of course he is the singer in. I’m so excited about going to this I didn’t even bother to look up the name of the band.
This is part of a premiere for Swing Vote, which I fucking can’t wait to see!!!
But seriously folks, enjoy your weekend and I’ll snag you an autograph; cover of Waterworld or A League of Their Own? Wait, that last one was Tom Hanks? I thought Kevbo had the market cornered on cheesy baseball sports movies!
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Audio Muffin : You recently had an album release party at Hi-Dive for your second EP - Boom Bust (2008) - How did it go? Were your fans stoked on the new material?
Kind of a perplexing title right? Well prepare to be perplexed…
I hope you are enjoying your weekend. I thought 