Hometown Hero Kurt Vile.

So Nataly and I are a little sadistic (as you know) and we sent out our brand spankin new writer, Dan Newman to a show at The Barbary. A show of two bands he had never heard of in his entire life. A hardcore show none the less. We told him to cover the show, get an interview and take some photos. What better way to get the young ones started? He did it all. Yay Dan!

When I showed up to see Kurt Vile and Fucked Up at The Barbary, I didn’t know what to expect. I was approached by HEFF and jumped at the opportunity. This was my first assignment and I was a bit nervous. I slowly filtered into the club along with the crowd from the sidewalk. I made nervous chatter with a random person in front of me, trying desperately not to look as if I just heard the names “Kurt Vile” and “Fucked Up” yesterday. I sat shyly in the back, doodling in my notebook, waiting for the show to start or for the oddly uncomfortable bench I was sitting on to swallow me whole. However, before that could happen, Kurt began tuning his guitars and I pushed my way front and center to get a better look.

You know how some people seem to have an aura around them? Kurt Vile is one of those people. Although not much taller than me, he seemed to loom like a giant over the crowd, his face rarely peeking out from a thick, messy mane of hair. A gruff, throaty voice checked the mic a few times, not quite content with the echo and reverb. Suddenly satisfied, Kurt began finger-picking his twelve string guitar, and his raspy voice cut through the notes like a ray of sun through fog; in this case audible but lingering. Sadly, I never got a chance to obtain a set list, so I can’t share with you what song he opened with, or closed with, but I can tell you that for about an hour, Kurt Vile wore his heart on his sleeve and shared it with a lackadaisical but interested crowd. His songs were drenched in a bucket of blues, poured into our ears and hung out to dry before our eyes. Everyone seemed to be enjoying it, but there wasn’t much movement, which was to be expected based on the mellow, almost melancholy, mood. The untrained eye would wonder if the audience was bored, but it was quite the contrary. I was lucky enough at the end of his performance to steal a quick picture of that ever-elusive face, which seems always to be hidden behind that lion mane of brown hair.

After Kurt left the audience mellowed and happily sedated, Fucked Up dosed us with some musical-cocaine. I had prepared myself to be dodging fists and reckless moshers, and was wondering how I was going to constantly be on my guard while absorbing the show at the same time. All of that prepping was in vain, though. I didn’t have to dodge a single fist or reckless mosher. Actually, I can sum up the entire Fucked Up set in one word… Unity. The crowd and the band were united, and it was beautiful. Damian Abraham, the lead singer, interacted with the crowd, cracked jokes and barreled through the crowd during one song. He was eager to share a story before each song, which gave me the nostalgic tingling of hairs standing up on my arms. This was music with purpose, these were audio samples of their every day struggles, not just songs thrown together in a few days for a label contract or some cliché emotional bandwagon. There were so many sing-alongs (they just never get old,) that I lost count, at least one per song. Damian was kind enough to tell the crowd the lyrics beforehand so they could participate if they didn’t know them (like me.) He even ended up on the bar for part of the set. A highlight of the performance was the crowd participation during “Crusades”. My camera phone sucks in the dark, but Damian was a great sport and took a picture with me. One lyric kept returning to me during the show, from “Pit of Equality” by Ten Yard Fight: “WE’RE ALL FRIENDS IN THE PIT TONIGHT”.

I was also fortunate enough to get five minutes with Kurt, despite the fact that the bar opened and I didn’t have an ID. I figured my baby face was going to be a problem, but the door guy was real cool about letting me stick around for a few minutes even though he clearly wanted me to go for fear of his job. Thanks, Kurt, and thank you random-door-guy.

Philadelphia sounds excited to have you back in town. How do you feel to be back?

I feel good…I’ve been on tour this time around with just my buddy Rob, who’s keeping me company. We were born on the same day, and we’re both kind of…wild people…so we’re a little tired. It’s good to be back, even just for a day.But yeah its nice to come home in the middle of the tour as opposed to coming home at the end. Today I slept until about 4, we played Baltimore last night and I just drove straight home, man. Woke up in my own bed.

Nice, that must have felt good.

Yup, felt real good.

I read that you were recently signed to Matador records, which was your first choice anyway. What are your new goals?

My goals I guess are relatively the same. I got all the business out of the way, at least for now, so it’s just keep moving forward and putting stuff out. You know we’re about to start on a new record, just keep doing it you know?

What direction do you see your new music going? Psyche stuff like “Blackberry Song”, or more rocking like “Monkey”?

Yeah, I mean there’s always pyschedelic undertones. I don’t see it going too far-out. Yeah, if you like “Blackberry Song”, going in that acoustic direction for the next record, sort of. You know, flesh it out a little, bring in the band. For the next record I don’t really have any like “Freak Trains” or “Hunchbacks”. Just kind of the prettier stuff, I’m going to see how far we can take that for the next record, you know? Just flesh out the pretty shit. Start with the acoustic shit and just take it out there.

Did you ever find that Neil Young album you’ve been coveting?

Yeah I did! I got three copies of that thanks to that interview, but nobody ever got me The Seeds record though. I’m waiting for somebody to find me the Seeds’ “Web of Sound”.

Maybe someone will read this and hook you up with it.

Yeah hopefully, but so far, no dice.

Can you describe the process of writing on the road as opposed to home?

Well, you’d imagine, and I’d imagine, that before I got so busy, that you write as you go…but maybe in Europe, or in a real nice place, and your feeling inspired, you’ll write a little bit. But usually the writing happens once you get home, and you let the set grow as you go on tour. But you know, they are both essential to inspiration. What I’ve found as that, especially lately, on tour you’re busy with a lot of things, and then when you get home, time is still…you start strumming out new tunes and stuff like that.

Which came first, the guitar or the lyric?

Uh that varies. I get that a lot, it varies. I guess a lot of times with guitar your just strumming, and some weird shit will just come out, one line and you just work around it. But other times, at least when I used to work a day job, I’d think up these weird lyrics. So really it depends. Or you’ll listen to a song on the radio and think of certain lyrics that are kinda far out, and you put it in a song you’ve been working on. But really, it varies.

Well I appreciate you taking the time out to talk with me…is there anyone you’d like to give a shout out to?

Sure, its no problem. Uh yeah, I’d like to give a shout out to Fucked Up, who’s standing right next to me.

BY DANIEL NEWMAN

The Drums: It’s Never Too Late For Summertime!

This might not be new news to you but The Brooklyn/ Florida based band, The Drums are great. I realize I am almost an entire year late but it is never too late to enjoy the simple, frank, sunny sounds of The Drums.

The summer of 2009 was one filled with great music. But most of the sunny beach sounds were coming from lo-fi, chill wave, hazy bands. The Drums are far from falling into that category. Yes, they are indie like all the other summery bands of 2009 but they are successful not for their cryptic lyrics, or overly synthesized tracks but for their minimalistic nature.

Whistling, clapping, drums, guitar, and yes, some synth are the genetic make up for the infectiously catchy tunes. It is impossible to dislike these songs. You don’t have to think about the deeper meaning of the lyrics, they are what they say they are. You don’t have to decipher the melody, it’s right in front of your face, and you don’t have to wonder what the foreign sounds are, basic instruments are their tools, no spoons here. Even the most cynical, philosophical of us need a sugary, sunny break and The Drums provides us with a super fun one.

The Drums’ members are Jonathan Pierce, Jacob Graham, Adam Kessler and Connor Hanwick. Together these dudes make songs that bring the sun, speak to the beach, and remind you of young love. “Saddest Summer” despite the unhappy lyrics disperses a cheerful and poppy melody. I can’t help but jump and bop my head from side to side while listening. With the exception of “Down By the Water” all seven songs on the EP Summertime! have prime head bop-ability. “Down By the Water” offers a softer, sweeter sandy, sunscreen-lathered ballad.

Summertime! was released last year but the sound it brings is timeless. The beach, sun and kissing will always be around and so will the pleasure I get from listening to this album. Although the songs are best when set to warm temps and water, they can be enjoyed in blizzards as well. So, even if it’s old news to you dig up your The Drums EP and give it a listen.

Happy Hollows Haunt The Rock Scene

I am a major sucker for bad-ass chicks with guitars. Happy Hollows, a three piece LA band, just happens to have one. Sarah Negahdari has an airy, haunting voice. It reminds me of being cozy in an oversized flannel, listening to Belly in the 1990’s. Similarly to Tanya Donelly, Negahdari’s voice transforms from an angel one minute to a melodic banshee the next. While Negahdari sings her heart out in their full-length album Spells, she rips you from track to track with some pro guitar sounds.

At times the tracks on Spells are noisy. You have to brace for a choppy voyage with Happy Hollows. The song “Tambourine” turns form Deerhoof to 7 Year Bitch, in a matter of minutes. But if you’re up for the ride it’s a trip worth taking.

Their catchiest tune “High Wire” has already made it to your TV selling you Samsung cell phones. If you have read me before you know how much that gives me a stomachache, but I’m willing to forgive because “High Wire” is the star of the album. “We Will Find You” adds a girly touch, cute and creepy, it fits Negahdari’s voice perfectly. Another standout track “Death to Vivek Kemp” could just as well be a completely stripped down Karen O hidden track. Spells as a whole has a very naked quality to it. There is no glam or pretensions.

Tracks like “Delorean” and “A Man, A Plan, A Canal” cut the album up, adding a different feel with bassist Charlie Mahoney taking led vocals. It makes for an interesting bump in the road, but the album could live with out it.

Currently, Happy Hollows are the talk of the town in L.A. As painful as it can be for West coast rockers to test the East coast waters, I think we can make room for some California sounds that don’t evoke sunsets, surfboards and hallucinogens.

What you really take away from this album is that their live performance could make or break them. Rumors have it that seeing Happy Hollows live is the real payoff. It’s said that Negahdari, Mahoney and drummer Chris Hernandez refuse to take it down a notch while on stage. I’m dying to see for myself. A tough,wispy, rocker chick with guitar in hand, shoving her songs around the stage with two talented men behind her is the stuff dreams are made of (my dreams at least.)

Happy Hollows takes the stage at North Star Bar March 4.

The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth: Surfer Blood Saves The Day.

I, as a dedicated and honest journalist (okay, okay blogger), feel as though I should uncover the truth behind the nasty, rotten, smelly rumors that other, less honest and dedicated music bloggers have been spreading. I feel as though I am responsible for the information that is being given to my readers. It must be truthful! So, I am here to put you at ease.

It is NOT the end of the barely evolved, beachy, sunny, fun-times, indie rock genre that has currently taken over the industry. I am thinking of Girls, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Maps and Atlases, Micachu and The Shapes. I have read countless posts saying goodbye to this fist pumping music, that the genre is on its way out and I scream it aint so.

My proof? Surfer Blood’s Astro Coast. This album will keep the indie beach party alive! Although Surfer Blood is not a seasoned band, their music is wise. The tracks on Astro Coast are not necessarily intricate and complex but have a supremely enjoyable simplicity to them; I think there is something to be said for the smart, undemanding chords of the guitar on Astro Coast as well as the dominant hooks. They make it so easy to tap your feet and sing along to. And that is what music is all about in the end.

This is not to say that their music is not intentional. It is. The Florida based, Surfer Blood has the ability to shove this genre of music forward for another long while. Their music is not overly poppy, and conveys thoughtful composition, a perfect balance.

The third track on the album, “Take It Easy” with its simple lyrics, steady beat and African rhythms reminds me of a grittier, cooler Vampire Weekend. “Twin Peaks”, one of my favorite tracks on the album evokes late 90’s catchy rock but has its own contemporary, indie flare with distorted voices, horns and cowbells. And don’t forget their hit single, “Swim”, an epic, indie classic. Every college kid I know was playing this song in their dorm rooms while jumping and thinking about their future.  Okay, you caught me. I don’t actually know any college kids but I am sure this is accurate regardless.

And being accurate and trustworthy is what we here at Hipsters Eat For Free are all about. So, take my word, and don’t preemptively say farewell to the catchy, lo-fi, indie fun-rock just yet. Surfer Blood is here to save the day!

Los Campesinos! Still Annoyed and Articulate

Los Campesinos! release their third album, Romance is Boring. In fact it may be, but this album is not. The six-piece indie-pop band from Wales proves that it’s been growing up, and not in the bad “mom jeans way,” but in the “starting to master their talent way.” The production value this time around is noticeably pumped up making the slightly off-kilter sound easier to trust. Do not fret, the 15-track album still has Los Campesinos! fingerprints smudged all over. It is still stuffed to the brim with whiney back-alley-honesty through Gareth Campesinos! incredibly, wordy, english-major-gone-awol lyrics. Lyrics that live only to ponder, lousy sex, drinking induced vomiting, corpses, godlessness and soccer. Only a writer like Gareth could take themes that tend to induce images of, sweaty, half drunk 20-somethings, scratching their balls and spin it into beautifully unpredictable sentences that make you want to study their structure.

Some songs are melodic and sing-a-long approved like, “The Sea is a Good Place to Think About the Future.” Others like, “Medias Res,” are glorious noise taking you out of your comfort zone and forcing you to contemplate such things as death and vomit from vodka.

If you like feeling smart and well read while rocking the hell out to your indie-pop picks, then adding Romance is Boring to the line-up is a must.

A Family To Think About

So, I am aware that CD reviews are usually about albums that have recently been released. But I am going to break some rules here, be a real rebel, flip the bird to conventionalism and share with you an album that came out in May 2009 but is worth the mention. Family by Think About Life is one of this year’s most fun and easy-going albums.

The giddy feeling I get when I listen to the tracks on this album is absurd. I am not claiming that this album is deep or philosophical but it is nearly impossible to not enjoy the beats. It makes me want to dance around like an ass in my room. And I do. I hold nothing back. Family is a vital part of my morning work out. And it should be part of yours too. Yes, hipsters can work out.

Think About Life is yet another great band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Montreal seems to be popping out great music like the Octo-Mom pops out kids. They say the first child is never as cute as the rest and the same is true for Think About Life’s first album. Their self-titled, debut was released in 2006; It had all it’s toes and fingers but was not cute at all. Thankfully, Family, their sophomore album is adorable.

The ten tracks on Family are each as equally poppy and danceable. That was clearly Think About Life’s goal while making the album, to get the hipsters shaking their hips. All of the tracks involve soulful vocals, catchy synth melodies, randomly creative samples and the occasional chipmunk voice distortion. The first two tracks on the album, “Johanna” and “Havin’ My Baby,” begin with beats and samples that sound like they belong in one of Kanye’s epic songs. Thankfully for us, those beats take on their own style and morph into bopping, grooving, and sugary songs.

Lets be clear here. Family is not an album that is going down in history, just like the rest of the dancey hipster pop. But since we are in an era of fun, meaningless, drunken, sweaty, music, Family will take it’s place and bring booty shakin’ wherever it is played. And where it is played, I will be there shakin’ my booty.

The Segregation of Shit and Beauty

Why is it that corporate America is tarnishing the one precious gem I have left in my life, good music. We all have those guiltypleasures like reality T.V, top 40 songs or deep fried Oreos. But keeping them segregated from the true beauty was key. Now that key has been melted down and turned into a bullet. A bullet, which penetrates my heart and renders me limp, dead. Okay, I am being a little dramatic here but it does really piss me off when great bands agree to sell their songs to products or do a cameo on a shitty TV show.

I understand that musicians need funds in order to live and continue making music they love and we enjoy. However, there has to be a better way to do that than making Outback Steakhouse commercials. That’s right Outback Steakhouse. A few years ago Of Montreal sold a song of theirs to Outback Steakhouse. Oh just wait, it gets worse. Not only did they give it to Outback but they rerecorded it with new lyrics about Outback Steakhouse. OUCH. That is just one example of the betrayal bands I like have forced me to endure.

Here are some more examples of the most upsetting betrayals that have fallen upon me: Passion Pit’s “Sleepyhead”, my second favorite song on the album, Manners, has been used for the new Palm Smart Phone. Not so smart Passion Pit! Kings of Leon’s “Red Morning Light” is being used in a Ford commercial. What do hookers have to do with Fords? Matt and Kim’s “Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare” was used to promote the show Community, funny show though. Santogold’s “Lights Out” is used in a Bud Light commercial. Drink until you pass out? Is that the message here?

In most cases when songs are used to promote evil American capitalism, they are misinterpreted. Bands don’t often write songs with cell phones, cars, insurance and cleaning products in mind. Their lyrics are not about side effects, leather interiors and the efficiency of germ killing. The way I see it using great songs for commercials is not only bad for the band but it deprives the impoverished jingle writer of his career.

I guess if I were forced to sell out I would do it by selling a song to a product rather than doing a cameo on a show. I would not want to show my face to America as I sold my soul to the devil for cash. Now I have ranted and bitched about corporate and capitalistic America but like I said we all have our guilty pleasures and mine is Gossip Girl. The show is for me what a smooth, snow white, line of coke is for a junkie and I can’t get enough! The fact that they have used songs from Peter Bjorn and John, Ladyhawke, Little Ones, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Elliot Smith, The Virgins, The Kooks, MGMT, Cloud Cult, The Submarines, The Duke Spirit, Mates of State, The National, Cold War Kids and Anya Marina is soul crushing enough but when bands are in the plot line all hope is lost. Tokyo Police Club on Desperate Housewives? They used to be cool. No Doubt on Gossip Girl, is that really necessary?

So, if you are in a band I like, please for lil ol’ me, don’t give your songs to bleach, hairspray, alcohol and don’t appear on shitty television shows. Let me enjoy my deep fried Oreos and Gossip Girl separately from my Passion Pit.

“If You’re Right, You’ll Agree:” A Few Fashion Tips.

Ok Hipsters its time to have a talk. The whole point and saving grace of being a “hipster” is that you have good taste in alternative art. You are supposed to be naturally drawn to what is a-typical. You are supposed to have an eye for things that may not be obviously appealing to others. You find beauty in unlikely places. This of course should include style and fashion. Now, I am not the fashion police by any means whatsoever. I have made my mistakes, by the dozens. Just ask Nataly, she has an opinion on just about everything I’ve ever worn (although most of the time she is wrong.) However, lately I have noticed that in “the scene,” some of you are making some pretty bad choices and they’re spreading  faster than the swine flu.  Some of the accoutrements that I have seen out and about just look fucking dumb.

Now there are some pieces that others out there may have a problem with. A lot of people bitch about Skinny Jeans. That’s just silly. Skinny Jeans are hot. What looks hotter than jeans that are painted on to your ass? Nothing. Another favorite to complain about among the haters, are high wasted skirts. Please, its adorable, girly and retro. Go for it. I say yes. See, I am not a hater. I’m just trying to stop you from looking like a total idiot.

If you really know what you are doing and feel you can pull of the feathers-in-hair thing, keep them to a minimum, one or two at the most. Also it would be preferable if the feathers you chose were actually pleasant looking and not like they came from a crow with Avian Flu.

Now a case where less isn’t more: Mens shirts as dresses. If you do this right, it’s a go. However, a lot of you out there apparently don’t own mirrors because, you are wearing shirts so short that, I can see your bloomers. I know that a lot of you think the shorter the dress the sexier, right? But can’t you see, if your wearing a shirt that is not covering your ass, then you simply look like you forgot your pants. Do you really want to be walking around in a shirt and shoes? This looks like your drunk or stupid.

Last but definitely not least, why are you guys trying to kill flannel?  Flannel has had its place in alternative culture for decades. From hippies to grungies, flannel is part of our roots, it’s deep with history. Now every time I go to Kung Fu or Johnny Brenda’s it looks like Paul Bunyan threw-up in there. Perhaps we could have like a raffle system to determine who can wear flannel on what day? Maybe it’s too late for flannel. Maybe we just can’t wear it for a while. Should we do it cold-turkey? I don’t know, I am open to suggestions. For now I know I can’t go near the stuff without feeling like I’m putting on a uniform.

That’s all I got for now. Ok that’s not true, there is more. But I will stop here to make sure that you really let these suggestions sink in. Think about our reputation. Popular culture hates us. I’m cool with that, because mostly it’s just envy. Who doesn’t like being envied. But lets not give them fuel for the fire. Going out with a birds nest on our heads is never gonna work in our favor.

The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir: I like almost all of it so much.

Most of The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir’s new album … and the Horse You Rode In On, is a wonderfully hilarious tribute to the 80’s British post-punk scene. The first eight tracks had me laughing, rocking-out and writing a fabulous review in my head. If you love The Cure and The Clash (and who doesn’t?), you will totally dig where this album is headed. Songs like “One Night Stand,” could have come directly from London Calling. Scotland’s lead singer Elia Einhorn croons with the same, dark, drippy, painful style of Robert Smith, but the lyrics are worlds away. They are not complicated or deep, just blunt, honest immature and funny. Lyrics like, “I hope that you catch syphilis and die alone” and “Thoughts of him on top, then you on top refuse stop,” make you laugh, especially when they are sung so beautifully with throaty soul, coming straight from the gut. However, all of a sudden the album takes a strange turn.

The track. “Sixteen Is To Young,” is a beautiful “slow song” sung by Mary Ralph with a perfectly pretty voice. You are forced to take it seriously. I really enjoyed the track. I found the unexpected change in sound and tone refreshing and imagined that we would return to the punkier sound that had come before. But the next song was very similar, a duet this time. In fact the next three tracks also veered off the original path that I had been so looking forward to traveling. Now don’t start angrily commenting yet. I am all for variety on an album. The more a band can do, the more moods and emotions it can pull from you the better. But you can’t deny that a huge part of creating a successful album is taking all the wonderful sounds you have created and working them into a cohesive piece. Take the above mentioned London Calling; that is an epic album. It combines, rock, pop, blues, punk and even reggae. The difference is you never forget that you are listening to The Clash. It’s a story. You cant wait to hear what happens next. I would have enjoyed every single song on …and the Horse You Rode In On, had they been on different albums.

…and the Horse You Rode In On, regains its composure in the last three songs. I liked the beginning and end so much that I can forgive the mushy center. It is worth the trip. However, a truly great album should never force you to take the good with the bad.

**** The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir were involved in a serious car accident on September 24th on their way to play a show. We wish them a full recovery and hope that they are able to get back to doing what they do. For more information on the accident and what you can do to help click here.

Man Man: Ridding the World of Fascism

If you have never heard of Man Man you are certainly no friend of mine. It may also mean you are not from Philadelphia, like bad music, are a fascist, or hate fun. There seems to be two extremes when it comes to Man Man’s music. You either love it until it becomes a creepy obsession, possibly involving a shrine in your closet or you hate it and it gives you nightmares. If you are the latter, you are most likely a fascist.

The music of Man Man is unlike anything out there today and is saturated with creativity, imagery, talent, feathers and amazing musicality. The songs range from catchy and dancey to aggressively tragic. The eclectic sound of all three albums, The Man in the Blue Turban With a Face, Six Demon Bag, and Rabbit Habits, never gets stale and isn’t overdone.

The songs are a perfect mixture of drums, piano, saxophone, synthesizer, sousaphone, flute, xylophone, plastic toy horns, wind toys, spoons on metal and the unforgettable, raspy, vocal stylings of Honus Honus (Ryan Kattner). Regardless of the fact that none of the members of Man Man have formal training in any of the many instruments they play, each song resembles a well choreographed, well rehearsed, perfected ballet. It is not by chance that the sousaphone and the plastic toy horns play harmoniously while the piano and vocals seem to be battling. Both the musicality and the performance aspect of their shows reflect organized chaos. Chaotic and yet consistently awesome!

Seeing them live is like having the best sex you’ve ever had. They even skip the ceremonious foreplay and jump right into an hour long climax, no boring small talk, no lame little jokes, no breaking the ice etc… Their set never stops so as not to break the momentum. In the end both you and them are sweaty, exhausted and satisfied.  For those of you who enjoy the foreplay and slow, tender, love making, try Jason Mraz.

Man Man would not be the world-improving force that it is today without the flawless drumming of Pow Pow (Christopher Powell) and the scratchy, Brillo pad vocals of Honus Honus.  They set up their instruments so that the drums and Honus’ piano and microphone are  side by side and downstage center.  This provides the audience with a real show.  Honus and Pow often gaze at each other for cues and have certain choreographed movements that go with the particular song they are playing.  Your eyes never get bored watching while Honus perches on his stool, in a glitter dress and flaunts his legs, meanwhile Pow Pow pours water on his drums to make a splashing effect when he plays.

After one Man Man show your fascist tendencies will melt away and the liberty loving you, will shine through.  They call me boy crazy but I can seriously never get enough Man Man.  If you like a great show, flawless music, America, fun and freedom, than go see Man Man the next time you get a chance.

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