Graham Parker – “Always Greener” / Margaret Stutt & Allen Cote – “Summerteeth” / Tallest Man On Earth – “Kids On The Run” / American Aquarium – “Coffee & Cigarettes” / John Shade – “I Fall In Love Too Easily” / John Denver – “Prisoners” / The National – “Afraid Of Everyone” / The National – “Bloodbuzz Ohio” / Damien Jurado – “Arkansas” / Horse Feathers – “Belly of June” / Jakob Dylan – “Nothing But The Whole Wide World” / Roadside Graves – “Everything” / These United States – “Get Yourself Home (In Search Of The Mistress Whose Kisses Are Famous)” / Moon Duo – “Motorcycle, I Love You”
My initiation to Group of the Altos came, as most great music recommendations do, via friend. I was at Burnhearts talking to Nick from Decibully/Headlights about taking some Milwaukee bands to SXSW. He suggested I talk to Daniel Spack about his new band. I’d known Daniel for some time, his resume runs pretty impressive as a member of both Collections of Colonies of Bees and Volcano Choir.
We’ll now rewind to last month. On a sunny Austin morning, the 11-piece Group of the Altos begin the day at my first ever SXSW showcase. Their set was one of my most favorite memories from my time in Austin. Their music was then, and remains today, a great way to start a day. It also works well in the wee hours of the morning. I had the privilege of spending some great, great times with these guys while in town and can say that their music stands up against the great people they are.
I’ve gushed too long. Please download and listen to “Begin, And Begin Again!” below which starts off their Tour EP, which I highly recommend you find a way to get your hands/ears on.
Group of the Altos have two upcoming Milwaukee shows on the horizon. They’ll be at the Borg Ward (April 23rd) and the Eagles Nest (May 2nd).
The Antlers’ Hospice was one of our top 10 albums of all last year. I finally broke my drought of seeing them live at SXSW. That was great, but the High Noon Saloon should be jam packed full of people for this show. Especially with Phantogram opening.
How to win: Drop a YouTube link in the comments section. Make us laugh, share a song, give us something bizarre. Totally your call. We’ll select our two favorites and notify them by e-mail on Saturday.
I don’t like listening to music. My travels are typically soundtracked by four-hour blocks of Coast to Coast. But obviously, nothing exists in absolutes, and I still love bands, especially when they’re my friends. I was introduced to the Black Swans a few years ago when my friend Lou went on tour with them. Since then, I’ve played many shows with them, drank brandy with them, and even slept on frontman Jerry’s infamous futon.
As our friendships intensified, I only became a bigger advocate of what they were doing. I believe that their record Change is a modern masterpiece. It’s the kind of record that rewards the listener’s commitment. This is the same for their upcoming release, Words are Stupid. A few years ago, Noel Sayre, violinist for The Black Swans, passed away. His playing was an absolute force. To me, it’s very reminiscent of how I feel about Will Oldham’s voice. Both seem to be able to move mountains with the humblest turn of phrase. Needless to say, it was hard for everybody to lose him, especially for his friend/bandmate Jerry DeCicca. Instead of retreating into expected and understandably “mournful” themes for Words, Jerry chose a different path. His approach to songwriting always reminds me of Vonnegut. They both seem to have an awareness that life is filled with absurdities. I’ve always been attracted to art that makes me confused as to whether I should laugh or cry. Words are Stupid inflicts both of those reactions.
Music reviews come from a very individual place. When I first heard this record, it was exactly what I needed. Maybe at that particular time I needed to be reminded that we’re all holding our own capsule of Ice-nine, and at any point it could drop. Then it’s all done…poof! We might as well go through the motions of life and have our own quiet laugh at how crazy, wonderful, and terrible it all is. Hi ho.
A new Damien Jurado record is always something to get excited about. Coming soon is Saint Bartlett (Secretly Canadian, 5/25) with an extensive tour to follow. If new song “Arkansas” is any indication of what the rest of this release holds, I’ll be very, very pleased.
Upcoming: Damien Jurado will play Mad Planet in Milwaukee on Tuesday, June 8th and Schubas in Chicago on Wednesday, June 9th.
Band of Horses ready their Fat Possum debut Infinite Arms on May 15th. We’re excited. I had the opportunity to hear a lot of the new material in a live setting at music festivals throughout last year. I can’t wait to hear how the recordings came out. The band recently released a video for “Compliments” on their website and below take a listen to “Laredo.”
