As much as many of us would rather not admit it, the music business is, indeed a business. [sigh]

In recognition of this unfortunate truth, a pair of Milwaukee lawyers are offering a free seminar to help musicians.

On Feb. 20, 2008, the Creative Legal Collective present Music (is a) Business: Copyright and other Legal Strategies for Musicians.

The seminar will address “the basics of business entity formation, trademark and copyright for musicians. The seminar aims to shed some light on several key issues facing musicians today and suggest a course of action for anyone thinking about pursuing a music career. If you are a seasoned musician or just starting out, please join us at The Alchemist Theater in Bay View for this informative and valuable presentation.”

(side note: The Alchemist Theater is a great new addition to the arts community of Milwaukee. I hope they’ll expand their lineup and use the theater as a small music venue as well.)

The lineup for the evening:
I. 7:00—7:30 Business Entity Basics
II. 7:35—8:00 Band Names and Trademark
III. 8:00—8:30 BREAK
IV. 8:30—9:30 Copyright: Protecting Your Song

No reservations are needed but the Alchemist only seats 51. You can also reserve your seat in advance for $2.50 on the Alchemist Theater’s website. The fee gets you a free soft drink or domestic beer.

(travis)

Milwaukee based Collections of Colonies of Bees will release their new album, Birds, on January 22, 2008 on Table of the Elements. The disc is only four tracks long, lasting 37 minutes. I would listen for twice that time, but I’ll take quality over quantity any day. The band blends traditional folk sounds with electronic elements. Their songs remind us that there is something underneath the layers of pop, production, lyrics, and sentimentalism that constitute most music. They don’t need vocals or traditional song structures to make interesting, engaging and energetic music.

They join Bon Iver and Conrad Plymouth at Mad Planet in Milwaukee on Saturday, January 19th and are playing the Starlight Cinema in Madison during a screening of Ira Cohen’s 1968 film Invasion of Thunderbolt Pagoda on Thursday, February 7th.

‘Post-rock’ fans rejoice!

(see also, Explosions in the Sky, The American Dollar, This Will Destroy You, 65daysofstatic…)

Myspace: Collections of Colonies of Bees
MP3: Collections of Colonies of Bees – Flocks III

(travis)

Since its release last Tuesday, José Gonazález‘s newest release – In Our Nature - has been playing constantly around the house. In Our Nature does not stray far from his excellent debut – Veneer. The focus of both albums is the interplay between José’s soft, rich voice and his delicate, talented acoustic guitar work.

Keeping with tradition, he provides a great cover – Massive Attack’s “Teardrop” – but his original work is incredibly strong on the album. He can hang on a lyric and focus all of your attention on his words, such as the last line of “Fold”

“Please don’t let me down this time, I’ve come a long way to just fold back into line.”

At other times, his vocal line is almost a chant. For example, the title track opens with him repeating, again and again, “It’s in our nature…” The repetition allows you to break beyond the lyrics and focus on the subtle differences in his tone.

If you missed him play on the Terrace last spring, you can catch him as part of NPR’s Live Concert Series – José González in Concert.

MoB: 5 Questions w/ José Gonazález
Myspace: José Gonazález
Buy: Insound

(travis)

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone opened the show on Wednesday with an early set at the High Noon Saloon. The earliness of the show (who expects a show listed at 8:00 to start at 8:00?) meant that I only caught the second half of CFTPA’s set. My tardiness was unfortunate because the half that I caught was great. For anyone who may catch the rest of the tour, I recommend arriving on time.

Thankfully, I caught the entirety of David Bazan‘s set.

He’s the former frontman for Pedro the Lion and the Headphones. His set sampled from his recent solo EP, Fewer Moving Parts, as well as his extensive back catalog.

He discussed his monthly health insurance payment as well as his upcoming album – Black Cloud – which will be released this spring on Barsuk. It will have a full band sound with Bazan playing all the instruments. He’ll tour this spring with a backing band. He played a few songs he will include on Black Cloud, including “Please Baby Please” – a surprisingly fun song about love lost laid over a rambling guitar line.

He closed his set with a humble but powerful version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Terrific. He described it as a “guilty pleasure.” Then he returned with a cup of whiskey for a three-song encore – all Pedro the Lion songs. Appropriate.

Good night, good show, worth catching.

Myspace: David Bazan
Myspace: CFTPA

(travis)

Repost & A Remider: WSUM will host the Snake On The Lake Fest on Saturday, September 8th. Compiling a very impressive list of bands that will perform at the at the Memorial Union Terrace. If that wasn’t enough there will be special DJ sets between bands. See you in the crowd and stay tuned!

The Ponys 10:45 PM-Midnight
Leslie Hall 9:15-10:15 PM
The 1900s 8:00-8:45 PM
Pale Young Gentlemen 6:45-7:30 PM
Maps & Atlases 5:30-6:15 PM
Stink Tank, DLO 4:15-5:00 PM
German Art Students 3:00-3:45 PM

Myspace: The Ponys
Myspace: Leslie Hall
Myspace: The 1900s
Myspace: Pale Young Gentlemen
Myspace: Maps & Atlases
Myspace: Stink Tank
Myspace: DLO
Myspace: German Art Students

Related: Stereogum: Band To Watch: The 1900s

(travis)

As Ryan hinted at in his review of Iron & Wine‘s recent performance at Pitchfork, The Shepherd’s Dog is on constant MoB rotation. Sam Beam’s catalog is already full of albums that I’ve worn through. Also, we are referring to him now as “the bearded one.” If you aren’t familiar with him, you can read our earlier raves.

The Shepherd’s Dog is easily the largest, widest album yet. He gives a nod to his earlier work and pushes his sound in innovative new directions. For fans of the sickeningly sweet and brilliant “Trapeze Swinger” (featured on the “In Good Company” soundtrack) there is “Flightless Bird, American Mouth.” “Resurrection Fern” would have fit perfectly on Our Endless Numbered Days and “White Tooth Man” could have been lifted from Woman King.

He also pushes in new directions. For example, there is the almost-tropical “Lovesong of the Buzzard.” While it’s my least favorite track on the album, it’s also proof that he’s new exploring new sounds and pushing against what’s comfortable. It’s good news for all of us that he’s continuing to stretch and experiment. “Boy with a Coin” and “The Devil Never Sleeps” are two standout tracks that already have me excited to hear the next album.

Simply put, The Shepherd’s Dog is essential. It’s out Sept. 25 on Sub Pop.

Oh, and the cover art is exceptional. See above.

Myspace: Iron & Wine

(travis)