Mar/100
Event : The Melanaster Band with Mobley and If You Wannas! 03.13.10 Asheville NC
Saturday, March 13th, join The Melanaster Band, If You Wannas, and Austin-based rockers Mobley for what promises to be an unforgettable night of killer music. I’ll let these bands speak for themselves (press below), but suffice to say we’re very excited to be sharing the stage with these two crews.
Essential info : Club 828 at 64 N Carter St, 9PM | $8. Facebook Event.
Special note : Mobley features a remarkably creative interactive music video on their website. Check it out!
MOBLEY
Originally founded in North Carolina by lead singer and songwriter Anthony Watkins II and later joined by bassist Tim Shelburne Jr., Mobley took its current shape during the summer of 2008. A cross-country move and 7 months of practice and preparation later, they’re hard at work trying to prove themselves as one of Austin’s most promising young bands.The songs draw from a wealth of influences, often tied together with only as much thread as is necessary for coherence. What results is a repetoire that, by virtue of its diversity, truly transports the listener. Nowhere is this fact more clear than when you see the band live. It’s a set comprised of contrasting moods and moments: an anthemic blitz of guitars and wired synths; a falsetto croon slinking out over drum-bass groove straight out of ‘73; a music box lullaby bursting into chamber pop or keening alt-country or glitzy dance rock. All of these sounds are complimented by a stunning video/light component and performed by musicians that command the stage with a presence that belies their youth and a vigor that proves it.
Infectiously energetic, meticulous in their passion, and unmistakably honest, Mobley has crafted a distinctive brand of indie rock that is smart, catchy, and melodic. Give them a listen… you’re likely to agree.
IF YOU WANNAS
When listening to the If You Wannas, the most immediately noticeable thing isn’t what they do well, but how they manage to click all cylinders at once. This band is a tight rock ‘n’ roll machine which takes its nods from both Fugazi and My Morning Jacket, the rhythm section of Trevor Stoia and Jacob Baumann create a level of tension and terseness that simultaneously grates against and gels with guitarists Ryan Cox and Gavin Conner’s laconic country infused strum and whine. It’s a cacophony that you can sing and dance along with, and it’s all by design.“We go for hooks,” says Cox. “I try to write what I would want to listen to, and that’s a three-minute-long song. We want people to go home and remember something on the way home.”
Feb/100
Selected : Grizzy Bear – “Ready, Able” (Music Video)
This is one of those music videos that makes you experience the song in an entirely new way. Transportive, fantastic, beautiful. Video directed by Allison Shulnik.
Feb/100
Event : Mr. Invisible at the Black Flower (Raleigh NC)
Real quick bump: Mr. Invisible will take the stage at the Black Flower in Raleigh this Friday, February 12th with Big Hop. According to the Facebook event page : ” …the bar specials will make you hate the next morning, though your wallet will be thanking you.” Sounds like a winner!
Feb/100
Event : The Melanaster Band In Charlotte (Just Announced!)
Thursday, February 18th the Melanaster Band will take its underwater vibes to Marley’s native hometown of Charlotte, NC.
We’re very excited to finally bring the show to the people that have supported the Melanaster project from the start. We’ll be joined by Do It To Julia and Swift Science.
Feb/100
Selected : Beach House – “Norway” (Live)
Beach House now has the distinction of being the only “Selected” feature artist to appear twice on the blog. The first post appeared about half a year ago.
I’m so happy for all of their current success, and their new album, Teen Dream, is stunning. Highly, highly recommended. The CD comes with a companion DVD of music videos + goodies, so make sure to get physical (like Olivia).
Rumor has it that they will be gracing Asheville with a performance at the Grey Eagle on April 30th. I’ll see you there!
Feb/100
Review : Melanaster Band @ the Emerald Lounge
A lovely review of the Melanaster Band’s September show at the Emerald Lounge appears in Lydia See’s blog. Check out the review, sure, but stick around for her excellent photography and musings on the Asheville music scene. PS she also has a brand-new photojournal here.
Three jellyfish. Scrim by Jennifer Bruce (pictured)
Jan/100
Ephemera – Fever Ray Acceptance Speech
Fever Ray’s acceptance speech at Sweden’s P3 Guld 2010.
Jan/101
Event : Melanaster at the Rocket Club in Asheville
On Friday, January 22nd, Melanaster will rock Asheville’s Rocket Club with Open Windows and Do It To Julia. Show starts at 9PM with Julia, $7. Facebook Event.
This is a fantastic bill, and made more special by the fact that we’ll also be celebrating:
• JAG and Gabe’s birthday
and
• Lydia’s going-away party
Join us on the west side to defrost, have a drink, and tell the people you love them. Map.
Jan/100
Ephemera : NPR on the Loudness Wars
NPR has done a great job of summarizing the loudness wars in this article. The infographic [.pdf] is beautiful, even if it documents the degradation of audio quality over the last thirty years.
The backlash against excessive compression and loudness has already begun (see: fans petition remastering of Metallica’s Death Magnetic). Hopefully in time we can bring back some dynamics to recorded music.
Jan/101
New Release : Marley Carroll – The Remixes
The Remixes is finally here. This long-awaited EP features six glitchy reimaginings by Marley Carroll and gorgeous high-res album artwork by Johan Stenbeck.
The album is available for free download. Just enter your email address in the form above; the download will start immediately.
If you enjoy The Remixes, please consider making a donation!
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