Covering the crossroads of music and film.
Entries tagged “Indie Music”
Rebecca Schiffman
By Brandon Kim on 07/09/2009
Filed under: Revolutions Per Minute
I recently attended a show for a band that was being sponsored by a well known studio/distribution company. They were well practiced, had a decent but formulaic pop radio sound, and that grey-toned American Apparel blousey cardigan look. They were so groomed and trend conscious that, far from standing out they were actually completely forgettable. The crowd was an odd mix of kids, old guys in suits, and those thick-necked striped shirt wearing club guys that certain Manhattanites describe as Bridge and Tunnel but everyone knows you only see those guys in the city so Manhattan owns them as far... MORE »
-
- Comment
Major Lazer
By Brandon Kim on 06/17/2009
Filed under: Revolutions Per Minute
I left the country for the millennial New Years Eve with my 2 roommates at the time, and headed for the cliff side Caribbean town of Negril, Jamaica. (We didn't believe in the Y2K end of the world scenario, only the psychos who we thought would be murdering people in the streets because they believed it). We awoke each morning to the caress of sea breeze through open windows and hiked down a mountain road to buy healthy breakfasts of little tropical bananas and fried ackee fruit, true wonder foods. We met locals and explored jungle paths with them, spelunked... MORE »
Sunset Rubdown and Guy Fantastico
By Brandon Kim on 06/11/2009
Filed under: Revolutions Per Minute
Sunset Rubdown began as Spencer Krug's solo project but is a full fledged band now with a third record out June 23rd entitled, Dragonslayer. If that name escapes you, Krug is in Swan Lake and more notoriously, Wolf Parade. (Left: Sunset Rubdown living the good life in Canada) It could use a touch more Princess Elspeth and maybe a virgin offering in white, but I find it to be rewarding upon deeper listening. I know many, especially loving minions of Wolf Parade will find Dragonslayer immediately enchanting. I'm not sure when Guy Fantastico stole my post 2am street name, but... MORE »
Hecuba: Suffering
By Brandon Kim on 06/03/2009
Filed under: Revolutions Per Minute
Jon Beasley and Isabelle Albuquerque met while filming a sci-fi picture of Beasley's and started making music together. The result is the band Hecuba, and it turns out the LA duo have a talent for popping out moody electronic doo-wop dittys. (Left: album art from Hecuba's debt full length album, Paradise, on Manimal) The album is called Paradise and the track "Suffering" has the staring role. Beasley co-directs the video with Isaiah Seret (who's videos include Devendra Banhart's "At The Hop") which plays out like a dream Donna Hayward might have of Kenneth Anger, grease and polyamorous heartache. Sweaty garage... MORE »
Radio, what kind are you?
By Brandon Kim on 05/29/2009
Filed under: Revolutions Per Minute
Never been a huge music radio fan. Fond memories exist from childhood car trips and the pale amber glow that emanated from my brother's stereo receiver at night. But where there was once diversity there has long been conformity, and too many product jingles. Played with satellite radio a bit, but unless I buy a car again I don't have much use for it. My intentional radio listening has increased to daily levels again but it's all on the web. Actually, I'm kind of a public radio junky. Specifically WNYC. It's their pledge drive by the way, I wish you'd... MORE »
The Dø
By Brandon Kim on 05/26/2009
Filed under: The Intersection
This European duo might not normally get my attention but they met working on a French film soundtrack in 2004, and after a few more collaborations decided to form The Do together. They're also absurdly attractive. In the interest of pointing out synchronicity whenever it occurs, no matter how minor, the film they met on was "Empire of the Wolves," by director Chris Nahon who I was just reading about (regarding his new film "Blood: The Last Vampire") when this Paris/Helsinki twosome came across my desk. Maybe we'll all meet in a bar in Morocco in 5 years and fall... MORE »
Timo Ellis!
By Brandon Kim on 05/21/2009
Filed under: Revolutions Per Minute
A man with a twinkle in his eye and the hair of a comic book hero walked into the cafe as I sipped a double espresso with the thickest crema you ever saw. Is that Timo Ellis? I met the NY multi-instrumentalist (Cibo Matto, Sean Lennon collaborator, front man of NY band The Netherlands, and a bunch of other wild stuff) one magic night in Manhattan a couple years ago. One of those party crashing, quasi private bar hopping, celebrity hang out nights where you get into places you'll never see the inside of again. It was like an 80's... MORE »
Multiple threats: Leah Hayes
By Brandon Kim on 05/18/2009
Filed under: Revolutions Per Minute
I discovered the many talents of Leah Hayes one after the other, by accident or happenstance, or because I live in Brooklyn. Maybe it was witchery. But last Fall/late summer it began and hasn't stopped. First, and I don't recall how, I came across her band Scary Mansion. Contrary to my initial impression of the name, which immediately conjured the best time of my life at Disney's Haunted Mansion, the band's sound is a matured haunting. Beautiful but grave, Leah Hayes delivers stark vocals on the verge of breaking over organs, guitars, drums, in the room with the locked door... MORE »
Indie Ear Crossword Puzzle #3
By Jim Shearer on 01/29/2009
Filed under: HODGEPODGEContinue reading for ANSWERS... MORE »
So Much For That Idea
By Jim Shearer on 01/09/2009
Filed under: NEWSIn 2007, THE Led Zeppelin got together to play a one-off reunion show at London's O2 Arena. Obviously, John Bonham wasn't behind the drums, but his son, Jason, took the throne, providing monsterous beats for three Gods of Rock: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones. The show went so well, there was serious talk of the band staying together and even going out on a full-fledged reunion tour. (I had friends ready to mortgage their house just to witness this live.) Last year, Robert Plant said he was out, but Led Zeppelin management marched on and said... MORE »
Categories
Blogroll
- Dlisted - Celebrity blowout.
- Born To Be Nervous - Music, art, genius.
- Hammer to Nail - Ambitious film.
- Cinema Echo Chamber - A place for spirited cinephiles.
- The Beat - Comics culture.
Recent Comments
- “It definitely was not David Carradine: 1. If Carradine had been with Carly Simon he would have come ...”
- Amoreena on "You're So Vain," Carly Simon finally reveals who! - 11/06/2009
- “I found this movie to be exceptional. MJs attention to detail, nuance and subtleties gave insight to...”
- dar on This is it, Michael Jackson - 10/30/2009
- “Loved your reference to the MRI sounds and love this new artist or new to me.”
- diane redman on Intersection: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Beck - 11/02/2009
- “Yes, forgot about their earlier tour - not to mention something called television. As I said the day...”
- Brandon Kim on Paul McCartney Thanksgiving - 11/13/2009
- “Ghetto style Good...”
- Dans Kursu on IT'S LIKE THAT: Grammy's Highs & Lows - 02/09/2009
