I didn't know it was possible. My appreciation for Grizzly Bear has doubled since I saw them last Friday (June 5th) at the Phoenix in Toronto. Here is why.
The Opening band Here We Go Magic from Brooklyn New York were damn good themselves. Normally openers for an $18 concert aren't the best. Typically some semi-okay local band good enough to pass some time. But Here We Go Magic played a really solid set, with great energy. Their songs ranged from up beat and poppy to more mellow and experimental. It was a really pleasant surprise given my past with sucky Toronto openers (a few being The Beauties at Broken Social Scene, not bad but totally not suited for the concert. Grouper at Animal Collective made people sleep, and one I still can't forget: Viva Voce from Portland Oregon because they announced who they were after EVERY SONG from The Shins 2007 concert ). Another good news item: set change didn't take too long. They were pretty dang efficient.
Grizzly Bear themselves were awesome. They played a solid set of Veckatimest and Yellow House songs mixed with a few older and rarer songs. It was such an enjoyable concert; such a relaxed atmosphere, no insecent pushing or violent crowd. It was the most beautiful concert I've ever been to, the music was such a high caliber and so dreamy. Some of my personal highlights would include: Colorado, Knife, and While you Wait for the Others. Another big highlight was a guest performace by Leslie Feist. Feist came to perfom Service Bell (off of Dark was the Night) with Grizzly Bear and also Two Weeks off of Veckatimest. I think everyone in the crowd was happy about that, but I'm sure at least half had entertained the possibility (come on, it's Toronto, anything can and will happen). I left the concert in a great mood. Really happy about the whole thing and kind of wished I knew them better when they played 2 summers ago at LOLA fest (maybe a repeat performace this summer?! Hopefully but probably not). It was simply a fantastic show.
If you haven't heard Veckatimest their latest release (came out a few weeks ago) you really ought to at LEAST check it out on their myspace and if you haven't even heard Grizzly Bear (where have you been?), same thing.
Showing posts with label feist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label feist. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
It is Saturday... (or best music for a Sunday doing work)
It is Saturday, but it feels like a Sunday. Sunday's are my least favourite day, so you can imagine I'm not super pleased (although, I guess it's what you get when you haven't had class since Wednesday night). I guess I've had my fun for the weekend, actually, I've had my fun for the rest of the semester I think. It's time to get serious, time to get work done, time to finish on a strong note. In order to do this, however, I am going to need to finish: 3 essays, 3 projects, 1 quiz, presentation, and 2 take home tests. This makes me a little nervous because there are 18 days until I am done school (yeah, for the YEAR).
I know I can get it done, I've been doing some work today, I think I've been pretty productive so far. This is partly due to the fact that I find it hard to do work with nothing else going on, but I also don't like to multi-task like CRAZY when I have this much work. I've found my best method is working, but also having some music on. Here are my 10 best artists for when you need just a little.
1. The Album Leaf- Signed to Subpop, they've got the ambient, orchestral thing nailed down. The music is beautiful, and it makes great background music.
2. Explosions in the Sky- Similar to Album Leaf (ambient, usually no lyrics), Explosions is a little more epic. Their songs are typically long, and have a bit more of an edge to them, quite a bit darker. They were also heavily influenced by Mogwai (always a good thing).
3. American Analog Set- They've got 6 albums out, and sometimes I like consistency in music when I'm working, that way you don't get distracted by changes (makes sense to me...). Though they have lyrics, their music is really mellow indie-rock, mixed with lo-fi, so it's perfect.
4. Bon Iver- Bon Iver is mellow, acoustic, and soulful. It's beautiful but can be pretty heavy. Nevertheless, it works when you want to (ahahahah.)
5. Do Make Say Think- DMST is awesome for when you need a little more upbeat music to work to that still isn't distracting. It's experimental, post-rock, infused with jazz and usually there are no lyrics. For a job well done (I need to stop).
6. Feist- Feist is great no matter what you need, mellow, upbeat, jazz, acoustic, she's done it all. I like it because of this diversity and her voice is beautiful.
7. Once Soundtrack- Once is a fantastic movie based around music (if you haven't seen it, you're missing out). It's stirringly beautiful and maybe that's why I like it when I work.
8. Iron and Wine- Sam Beam makes the most wonderful folk music today. It's acoustic, simple, and lovely.
9. Simon and Garfunkel- One word. Classic. That's really all you need to know.
10. Young Galaxy- They're fairly new, and only have one album (maybe 2009 will bring more?) but it's pretty awesome, even though it's more assertive than any other artist listed here, I still find them easy to listen to whilst writing. Maybe it's the dream-pop element, puts me in kind of a good mood.
Anyhow... that's the list. Good luck with the rest of the term everyone.
What is your favourite music to do work to?
I know I can get it done, I've been doing some work today, I think I've been pretty productive so far. This is partly due to the fact that I find it hard to do work with nothing else going on, but I also don't like to multi-task like CRAZY when I have this much work. I've found my best method is working, but also having some music on. Here are my 10 best artists for when you need just a little.
1. The Album Leaf- Signed to Subpop, they've got the ambient, orchestral thing nailed down. The music is beautiful, and it makes great background music.
2. Explosions in the Sky- Similar to Album Leaf (ambient, usually no lyrics), Explosions is a little more epic. Their songs are typically long, and have a bit more of an edge to them, quite a bit darker. They were also heavily influenced by Mogwai (always a good thing).
3. American Analog Set- They've got 6 albums out, and sometimes I like consistency in music when I'm working, that way you don't get distracted by changes (makes sense to me...). Though they have lyrics, their music is really mellow indie-rock, mixed with lo-fi, so it's perfect.
4. Bon Iver- Bon Iver is mellow, acoustic, and soulful. It's beautiful but can be pretty heavy. Nevertheless, it works when you want to (ahahahah.)
5. Do Make Say Think- DMST is awesome for when you need a little more upbeat music to work to that still isn't distracting. It's experimental, post-rock, infused with jazz and usually there are no lyrics. For a job well done (I need to stop).
6. Feist- Feist is great no matter what you need, mellow, upbeat, jazz, acoustic, she's done it all. I like it because of this diversity and her voice is beautiful.
7. Once Soundtrack- Once is a fantastic movie based around music (if you haven't seen it, you're missing out). It's stirringly beautiful and maybe that's why I like it when I work.
8. Iron and Wine- Sam Beam makes the most wonderful folk music today. It's acoustic, simple, and lovely.
9. Simon and Garfunkel- One word. Classic. That's really all you need to know.
10. Young Galaxy- They're fairly new, and only have one album (maybe 2009 will bring more?) but it's pretty awesome, even though it's more assertive than any other artist listed here, I still find them easy to listen to whilst writing. Maybe it's the dream-pop element, puts me in kind of a good mood.
Anyhow... that's the list. Good luck with the rest of the term everyone.
What is your favourite music to do work to?
Friday, March 6, 2009
Dark Was the Night
Dark Was the Night is a compilation album released on February 17, 2009. Now, I'm not usually one for compilation albums, if I like an artist I'll get the whole thing. I don't want bits and pieces, thats why I use hype machine, to see if it's worth listening to (I'll also go on friend recommendations). I have only heard a few songs off of Dark Was the Night, but I already know I have to go buy it. Why?
Well here's a little background info. Dark Was the Night was assembled by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National for the Red Hot Organization (an organization fighting HIV/AIDS through pop culture and raising awareness) so you already know it's a worthwhile cause. Furthermore, it's been two years in the making because, and here's the kicker, it features new (and a few covers) songs by (here are SOME of the artists):
Well here's a little background info. Dark Was the Night was assembled by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National for the Red Hot Organization (an organization fighting HIV/AIDS through pop culture and raising awareness) so you already know it's a worthwhile cause. Furthermore, it's been two years in the making because, and here's the kicker, it features new (and a few covers) songs by (here are SOME of the artists):
Andrew BirdAll I can say is... nothing. It is bound to be 2 cd's of gold. In particular some of these collaborations are looking pretty good, Feist alone is good, but with Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie, and The Postal Service) or Grizzly Bear, amazing. There are so many reasons to buy this album, I don't think it's avoidable.
Antony + Bryce Dessner
Arcade Fire
Beach House
Beirut
Blonde Redhead + Devastations
Bon Iver
Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)
Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues
The Decemberists
Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
Kevin Drew
Feist + Ben Gibbard
Grizzly Bear + Feist
Iron & Wine
My Brightest Diamond
My Morning Jacket
The National
The New Pornographers
Spoon
Sufjan Stevens
Yo La Tengo
Sunday, February 8, 2009
10 awesome band posters
I've been wanting for a while to write about 10 design companies (or artists) that silkscreen band posters. These are just 10 of many amazing companies, there are so many more, you just have to look. Most companies have dozens of posters (if not hundreds) and put them up for sale on the internet. The best part is they are totally affordable, most posters range from about $20 to $50. With prices like that, whats to stop you? In alphabetical (by accident) order here are 10 awesome band posters by awesome people.
FIVE
ONE
FIVE
SEVEN
EIGHT
TEN
Yo La Tengo- Hammerpress
Yo La Tengo- HammerpressSo there you have 10 awesome band poster designers (fun fact, I have the Final Fantasy poster by doublenaut) there are plenty more where those came from. One site I found a few of these from is Gigposters.com. If you didn't like anything you saw on this list, you'll definitely find something easily on there more suited to your liking.
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