That Bon Iver can sure make me blush! At a recent show at Lee’s Place in Toronto he closed out the night with a cover of Sarah Siskind’s “Lovin’s For Fools” and damn if it doesn’t echo a little similarity/sound to the late great Jeff Buckley too! Take a listen:

Bon Iver - “Lovin’s For Fools” (Sarah Siskind cover)

Bon Iver + AA Bondy perform Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater on Thursday, August 14th for a $10 show. See you there.

Myspace: Bon Iver
Myspace: Sarah Siskind

“When I started, I moved down to this place called Crystal Beach, Texas where you need to take a ferry from Galveston across the bay to get to this little peninsula on the Gulf of Mexico,” recalls Carll. “It’s this isolated coastal community with a wild assortment of people either hiding out, hanging on or getting lost– a lot of drugs and drinking, a fair amount of violence, but at the same time a lot of really interesting people with great stories to tell. Folks in the bars there weren’t necessarily interested in what I had to say as a songwriter– they wanted to hear David Allan Coe and Merle Haggard, and other stuff they knew. So that’s what I did six nights a week for four years. I haven’t run into tougher crowds since. It was an initiation into becoming a performer.” — Hayes Carll

Over the weekend my good friend Mullins shared with me Hayes Carll’s Trouble In Mind, and I’m thankful. A Texan, equal parts country and troubadour, a wonderful discovery that’s lead to repeated listens. He’s paid his dues and earned himself a Lost Highway record deal.

Hayes Carll - “It’s a Shame”

Hayes Carll plays Cafe Montmartre in Madison on Sunday, November 2nd. Tickets are $10 and worth every cent.

Myspace: Hayes Carll

Find MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Don’t forget to stop by Strictly Discs tonight to be some of the very first ears to hear Of Montreal’s Skeletal Lamping. We’ll be pressing play at 7PM and will have some cool giveaways as well.

Skeletal Lamping will see its official release on October 7th via Polyvinyl.

Myspace: Of Montreal

Welcome to the latest installation of the 5 Questions with MoB feature–this time around I caught up with the cool cats of Gentleman Auction House, and instead of the standard 5 Q&A routine, we scored big with 5 Q’s and 35 A’s! Well, I guess that’s how this collaborative septet of indie pop rockers roll, with everyone contributing to the bigger picture . . .

Could you lend some information on the recording process of The Book of Matches EP? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned towards future recording sessions?

STEPHEN: Think about how much time it’ll take 7 people to record 12 songs.

RYAN: As for the recording process, I’ll try to avoid adding to the deluge of information you’re sure to get. I’ll say that we recorded at Inner Ear Studios in Washington D.C. and it was mixed and mastered at Silver Sonya Studios, also in Washington, D.C. We worked with the lovely Devin Ocampo, and Chad Clark, who did a stellar job. They deserve recognition for their excellent work.

STEVE: The first three songs on the EP are from the session we did at Silver Sonya Studios in D.C., the first two of which will be on Alphabet Graveyard. We weren’t even planning on putting an EP out until the AG release was pushed back and we felt like we needed something new to sell on tour. We spent a weekend scrambling to finish “Sunken Land”, which was a bare-bones demo that Eric had started, and “Parting Shot”, which we had started during the TRWHD sessions back in ‘06. In the end we were really happy with how the disc turned out as a whole, being as it was such a last-minute idea. I also don’t really feel like there’s a significantly discernible disconnect in the production value between the Silver Sonya tracks and the ones we did ourselves, which is encouraging not only in the sense that the flow of the record isn’t interrupted, but that it also serves as an inspiration for us to view self-recording as a viable option again for future projects.

KILEY: I think with 7 of us in the band, its important for each of us to know what we are all playing in any song before we go in the studio and find out something doesn’t work.

ERIC E: Every recording project teaches you something, either through your successes or failures. I will forever amplify keyboards from here on out, despite how much quicker and “cleaner” it might be to plug right in. No more of that business. Also, pad thai is essential.

MIKE: I think that we all learned a lot through the recording process for TBOM/AG. As a whole it was an expensive yet essential way for us to find out what we could accomplish as a band if you removed all of the “microscopes” that a band uses when recording itself. We learned a lot about our roles in not only each individual song but also in the band as a whole, and at least to me, that education was invaluable.

ERIC H: This does not answer the question, but NPR did a report on this “avant-garde” clothier earlier today, and it would have been great to have been wearing this line in D.C. You can now look trendy AND be safe at the same time.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING THE INTERVIEW –> (more…)

Crosby, Stills & Nash follow The Avett Brothers as the most recent group to enlist legendary producer Rick Rubin’s touch. Today, Billboard.com reports that Crosby, Stills & Nash will record an entire album of only cover songs with “recording to start in early 2009 for a release later in the year.” More info here.

Reminder: David Crosby and Graham Nash perform a very intimate/special show at Milwaukee’s Riverside Theatre on Monday, November 3rd.

Discuss: What are some of your favorite CSNY releases? How about favorites from less membered incarnations? Favorite solo releases from Crosby, Stills, Nash? What records (by any artist) has Rubin made great, which ones has he ruined?

Find MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Many were looking forward to Alejandro Escovedo unleashing his Real Animal at this weekend’s Madison Roots Festival. Sadly, due to medical restrictions, Alejandro had to withdraw from his performance. We wish him a speedy recovery and since we’re on the subject, Alejandro’s got the video blog thing going. Check it out.

Thanks to Steve for the info!

Myspace: Alejandro Escovedo
MP3: Alejandro Escovedo - “Always A Friend”

It’s been some time since we checked in with MoB favs The Rosebuds. They were instrumental in our musical enjoyment last year, giving us our favorite live show of the year and the beautiful Night of the Furies, which made our top 5 albums of 2007.

Today comes the wonderful news that The Rosbuds will release their new album Life Like on October 7th via Merge Records. According the the announcement, the record marks a “return to more acoustic territory” and will include assistance from Portastatic’s Matthew McCaughan and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. Excited? Very!

Previously: 5 Questions with The Rosebuds

Myspace: The Rosebuds
MP3: The Rosebuds - “Get Up Get Out”

Tour announcements steadily fill up our inbox. We are doing our best to keep you up-to-date on concert announcements in Wisconsin…but what about those bands whose tour buses pass through our state without stopping to taste the cheese or slam a PBR? With each tour announcement we hold our breath, click and then….*sigh* when we have to drive out of state to catch a number of great bands.

If you’ve had the privilege of seeing Jamie Lidell live, you’d understand what a letdown it is that he’s not playing a Wisconsin date on his recently announced tour. While Jim and Multiply do Lidell justice in capturing his strengths, nothing comes close to seeing the man live.

Chicago readers can catch Jamie Lidell this weekend at Lollapalooza and again on Wednesday, October 8th at the Metro.

Myspace: Jamie Lidell

Find MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

I guess I’m a Fite fanatic. . . As all you lovely MoB readers can tell by now, I’ve caught up with Tim a few times within the past few months in promotion of his most recent release, Fair Ain’t Fair. Since we had such a jolly time chatting the last time around, we had to exchange the actual interview questions via the world wide web. If you’d like to see this fine fellow live, you can catch him at the Hideout Block Party on the weekend of Sept. 20-21.

So since I already drilled you for MOB’s 5 questions feature last month, I felt I had to dig up a little more dirt on the mystery of Mr. Tim Fite. Here’s what I found. A) your last name is not indeed, Fite. It’s Sullivan, but Fite is pretty hardcore nonetheless, where did this alias stem from? Got any more secret identities up your sleeve you wish you would have gone with?

A long long time ago I was in a duo called mudfite. I was Tim Fite and my partner in crime was Keith Mud. Together we were mudfite! We were pretty hardcore. Any other secret identities must remain a secret. I have some not so secret identities, like George Lomanski, Karla Prostancia, and Marcus Luck-Plevin.

I thought you looked familiar when I saw you play CMJ back in 05 but I couldn’t quite pin down the resemblance at first, but low and behold, you are little T. Your track with One Track Mike, “Shaniqua” which I read was not your desired first single, was blasting all over MTV back in my freshman year of college. Do you ever run into many Little T fans that remember you from those days? Whatever happened to One Track Mike, you two still in touch?

I seem to have misplaced the part of my mind that was dedicated to that portion of time. When folks mention it, I feel a disembodied sadness.

I read that your first album was partially recorded in a dorm room and your grandparents’ basement; when you last answered my silly little questions you mentioned recording in a high school. What other unusual locations serve as your base of creation? What’s your preferred studio environment comparable to?

I have also recorded in a big red barn, a small metal teapot, and a condemned water closet. AND - Once me and Rob and Justin set the sky on fire, and recorded that. It was loud, and we almost died, but it was worth it. My preferred studio environment is at home in my underwear.

Forgive me for basing some of my research off the same MTV/VH1 online article I dug up, but you’ve been rapping since 6th grade? Do you still have any of your early original material? I imagine you as the illest MC on the playground. If my research proved false, what is your earliest memory of getting involved with music?

My earliest memory of getting involved with music is singing as a child. I have always loved to sing. Rapping happened later, but the more I think about it, that is still singing. A song of six pence - pocket full of rye.

You’re so over the board when it comes to experimenting in various genres, you’re folk, hip hop country blues and then you’ll swap into crazy screaming shrieks. Where and who gets you get inspired? Who would you cite as some of your major musical influences?

There are more sounds than anyone knows what to do with. I think sometimes this limitlessness can be daunting for music makers, and we stick to recreating the music that we most like to listen to. The true challenge is learning how to forget those influences and accept sound for sound and silence for silence. Then it is simply a matter of showing up to work everyday.

I also read you were a fan of Public Enemy. . . who will be playing Pitchfork tomorrow evening (Questions submitted prior to Pfork), any chance of sticking around for that or back to the grindstone with the lovely Watson twins?

Sadly, I can not stay and see Chuck, Flav, Griff, Terminator X, and the S1Ws do their thing. I have to go to St. Paul.

What’s it been like touring with the Watson twins? What have been some of your major tour highlights throughout the past year? How often would you say you’re on the road? I’ve seen you three times now in the past 4 months alone!

Touring with the Watson Twins has been splendid. The ladies and their bandmates have a gentle thoughtful kindness to them that shines through not only in the music, but in the way they treat the world around them. It is an honor to share the stage and the road with such talented goodhearted people.

I love your style. What goes through your head when it comes to fashion? You’re very bib overall chic.

In general, I prefer function.

What does your family think of your music?

I think they think it’s a nice place to visit.

Where do you call home? How often are you there?

I call Brooklyn, NY home, and I am there as often as I can be (much to the chagrin of my roommate, the gentleman with itchy legs).

What inspired you to record Over the Counterculture, and then give it away. . . for free online? You got a lot of critical appraise for that album, were you ever tempted to release it commercially? Why didn’t you?

I needed to make OTCC to get all my yuck out before making “fair ain’t fair.” I gave it away, because you can’t sell freedom.

If you found out your life story was to be made into a movie tomorrow, who would make the cut for the soundtrack?

Devin the Dude, Body Count, and Hawksley Workman.

Your co-hort in crime, dr. leisure . . . how did your two paths cross? How long have you two been beating out the sweet jams together now? How would you describe your relationship?

Dr. Leisure and I crossed paths on the day I was born. We have been singing officially together for 3.5 years, but unofficially we have been singing forever. We are singing brothers.

Your live shows boast a pretty colorful visual performance, almost as if your music is the soundtrack to the art show. I know the last time we did the Q&A thing you said that the two different art forms are supportive to one another, but how much time do you devote to your art? Those videos of you are pretty crazy, who gets the lucky job of videoing the schizo fite performers? Do you dabble in videography as well?

I wish I had more time to draw and paint. Those are my favorites. I am planning on spending some extra hours behind pen and brush. I am not a videographer, although I have been known to mess with the camera once in a while. Ryan Foregger is my video specialist. When I need something exceptional, I turn to him.

Explain the whole “Gentleman with the itchy legs” to me, you mentioned he’s your roommate?

He is my roommate. He is also my creative collaborator on many stories. When he is not too busy folding his rags, he likes to use them to breath ether. He is generally pretty grumpy.

Who are your top 3 currently most listened to musical artists?

Hawksley Workman, Lil’ Wayne, and The Apaches

Who would be your dream tourmate(s)?

Dr. Leisure, J-Ride, Shank, Porto, Jesse, Ryan, Mai, Lisa, Ashley, and Maria.

3 words to describe yourself . . .

Rock, paper, scissors.

Can you dwell on the storybook download project we chatted about to our readers?

This is the instant library project. I have drawn a rather extensive set of small storybooks that will be available for download on my website. People will be able to download, and print out one page pdf’s of these stories, then, after a few folds and one cut with the scissors, the one page print out transforms into a charming little book. If folks print and fold all the stories, they will be the possessor of their very own instant library.

Myspace: Tim Fite

A couple times a year I dust off my DVD copy of Wilco’s I Am Trying To Break Your Heart. The scene below features the since removed Jay Bennett at the piano and Jeff Tweedy gently strumming an acoustic, navigating an initial take on “Cars Can’t Escape,” a known beauty to anyone who’s crossed paths with it. I can’t wait to see these guys this weekend in their hometown at Lollapalooza.

Wilco - “Cars Can’t Escape”

Myspace: Wilco