Spring Fling

Thanks to the lovely ladies who attended tonight's RC meeting. The mix (and cover) should be available shortly!

In the mean time, here's the track list for this month's mix:

1. "Another Sunny Day"
by Belle & Sebastian (from the Life Pursuit)
Member: Erin

2. "What Have I Done to Deserve This"
by the Pet Shop Boys (from Very)
Member: Jennifer

3. "Sunrise"
by Yeasayer (from All Hour Cymbals)
Member: Darcey

4. "The 59th Street Bridge Song"
by Simon & Garfunkel (from Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits"
Member: Veronica

5. "The Last of the Famous International Playboys"
by Morrissey (from World of Morrisey)
Member: Jennifer

6. "Nice Day"
by the Salteens (from Short-Term Memories)
Member: Erin

7. "Easier"
by Grizzly Bear (from Yellow House)
Member: Darcey

8. "Anyone Else But You"
by the Moldy Peaches (from Juno OST)
Member: Veronica

9. "Start Anew"
by Acid House Kings (from Mondays Are Like Tuesdays)
Member: Erin

10. "Ce Jeu"
by Yelle (from Pop-Up)
Member: Darcey

Vanilla Swingers

While their name rings oxymoronic (I imagine swingers to be more of a Rocky Road or Chocolate Fudge Ripple variety) there's nothing contradictory about Vanilla Swingers' music. Moody, electronic tracks are the backdrop for hushed boy/girl vocals telling the story of two lovers who run away to London then travel back in time. "I'll Stay Next to You" epitomizes Vanilla Swingers' cinematic themes and sound, while "Danger" sounds as if the Pet Shop Boys slowed things down to about 90 bpm and were fronted by a gorgeous, brunette chanteuse. Oh yes, despite their name Vanilla Swingers sound very brunette, the color of my desire.
I'll Stay Next to You [MP3, 12.2MB, 252kbps]

 Danger [MP3, 5.6MB, 180kbps]

www.vanillaswingers.com

www.myspace.com/vanillaswingers

Our Friend Brandy Johnson

So ya wanna be a 'Hipster'?

Electronic Shoegazin'

Danny Provencher began making music as a child secretly singing over records (something I still do, not so secretly, as a full-grown woman, often over records I only hear in my head). At some point he committed his music to record, leaving out, ironically, his vocals. The earliest recording as Under Electric Light features four synth-pop instrumentals that sound like a mix between early Depeche Mode beats awash in New Order melodies. From my not-so-scientific investigation, Provencher didn't come out of the proverbial vocal closet until about three years later. The result is a clean, dreamy, earnest style free from any bells and whistles, content on remaining inconspicuously, well, great—and entirely timeless within the window of the last four decades. "Wintertime" is nothing less than a small epic worthy of ushering out this current season, while leaving the listener wanting more: oh, play that chorus again, please! "This Moment" fills that gap by repeating its gorgeous, soaring chorus once. Oh well, I'll just have to listen to them for the fifteenth time. Pull my leg.

from After the Blue (2007)

 Wintertime [MP3, 5.9MB, 192kbps]

 This Moment [MP3, 6.3MB, 192kbps]

from UEL Concert Sampler (2004)


 International Agreement [MP3, 5.8MB, 160kbps]

from Under Electric Light single (2002)

 Drop [MP3, 3.5MB, 160kbps]

 Time [MP3, 3.4MB, 160kbps]

Spring is in the Air :: March RC meeting

Selected by popular vote, the theme for this month's RC meeting will be "Spring is in the Air."

Also, it appears that Wednesday nights seem to work for most RC members, so this month's will be held on Wednesday, March 26th at my house.

Please bring two songs, some literature/art and a food/bevy to share.

Let me know whether you'll be able to make it or not. Cheers!

Songs To Play At Your Funeral

Here it is kids, the mix you all have been waiting for. Songs to cut yourself by, oh, I mean funeral songs. Just kidding, you can download here.

Cover Art and sleeve can be downloaded here.

Oh, to be young again.

Bricolage plays the smart, snappy, pop music I enjoyed listening to as a youngster —back in my high school days and early college years. This is the sort of song I'd listen to while getting ready for a date, gelling and blow-drying my hair and dressing according to the glossy templates found in fashion magazines (not unlike the Bricolage boys themselves). The upbeat, breezy sounds signified the budding hope and possibilities every new girl, every new date, held. Currently living the myriad of possibilities one such date produced I still follow my youthful listening habits matching the music to my mood. And these days Bricolage-type moods grossly outweigh the stormy, dark, and depressing adolescent funks that often followed less successful outings with the young ladies of my youth.

Footsteps [MP3, 4.3MB, 192kbps]

www.memphis-industries.com

www.myspace.com/bricolagetheband

Women's names immortalized in songs

Early last year I was contacted by someone who was doing a piece on women's names immortalized in songs. I remembered the interview after thinking about our funeral songs since one of mine is the song I was named after.

If you haven't heard the podcast, here it is!

Bauhaus is back, weird.

For some people, the word Bauhaus will conjure German modernist art and design. For others, it will bring back memories of the early '80s and gothic rock. Twenty-five years after their last record, Bauhaus the band is releasing a new album, Go Away White.

I heard it on NPR yesterday morning. Read the complete article here.

Two New Polls :: Themes & Days

Please take a moment to vote for next month's theme. Also, if you have a suggestion for a theme, let me know and I'll add it to the poll!

Also, I've added an additional poll to find out what night of the week works best for everyone. The night with the most votes will win - at least for this month!

February's RC Meeting :: Recap

Despite the small turnout, this month's RC was truly heartfelt. While Darcey and Veronica couldn't attend, they submitted their songs pre-meeting via email. Here's what Veronica had to say about this month's theme: "I've really been looking forward to this one - the theme is SO good! Well, I've planned my funeral songs for as long as I can remember. Morbid, perhaps, but an important decision nonetheless!"

The mix will be uploaded soon. Until then, here's a list of what everyone brought:

1. "Veronica"
by Victor Yturbe
Member: Veronica

2. "Asleep"
by the Smiths
Member: Veronica

3. "La Vida Es Un Carnaval"
by Celia Cruz
Member: Veronica

4. "Kingdom Come"
by Coldplay (from X&Y)
Member: Darcey

5. "I Will Follow You Into the Darkness"
by Death Cab for Cutie (from Plans)
Member: Darcey

6. "I'll Fly Away"
by Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch (from O Brother, Where Art Thou?)
Member: Darcey

7. "Lay Me Down"
by the Frames
Member: Kate

8. "Walls"
by Tom Petty
Member: Kate

9. "Naked As We Came"
by Iron & Wine (from Our Endless Numbered Days)
Member: Erin

10. "Chelsea Hotel No. 2"
by Rufus Wainwright (from Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man)
Member: Erin

11. "Big Hard Sun"
by Indio
Member: Tim

12. "Tiny Dancer"
by Elton John (from Best of Elton John)
Member: Rosemary

13. "Mad World"
by Tears for Fears (from Tears Roll Down)
Member: Jennifer

14. "Diamond Sea"
by Sonic Youth (from Washing Machine)
Member: Tim

15. "In My Life"
by the Beatles (from Rubbersoul)
Member: Rosemary

16. "Thursday"
by Asobi Seksu (from Citrus)
Member: Jennifer

17. "Gloomy Sunday"
by Billie Holiday (from Love Me Or Leave Me)
Member: Erin

My contribution to tonight's club

I can't make Record Club tonight, so I leave you with this. Listen to the songs "Arms and Elbows" or "Rushing Red" here.

Sorry but I have to write this cover.

Mayyors

The Mayyors are a Sac group. I posted on them today, so go read. Their album comes out this month.

Kiss me, Kate

RC favorite Kate Nash is coming to America! The closest the British songstress will get to Sac is the Fillmore in San Francisco. Well, if she can make it across the pond (that's the Atlantic Ocean), I think I can make it across the Bay Bridge. Anyone interested in joining me? The show is May 13th.

Forget what she sounds like? Revist November's mix and listen to "Foundations."

February's RC Meeting

The results are in and this month's theme will be "Songs You Want Played At Your Funeral." The meeting will be held at 7pm on Thursday, February 28th at my house. Bring your two songs, some literature about your selections and a food/beverage to share with the gang. Leave a comment letting me know if you'll be able to make it! Can't wait to see you all!

Super Tuesday Theme Song?

The following is a Public Service Announcement from 3hive and Hearts of Palm UK.

Hearts of Palm UK offers a timely song this week about citizens and their right to vote, "Super Tuesday," the (un)official anthem of (obviously) Super Tuesday, the day 24 states in our blessed union hold presidential primaries. Hearts of Palm UK are not British or Northern Irish, as the name would suggest; Erika and Ambi-D are a couple of Cali girls cranking out this peculiar indie-electro-pop. I secretly hope that they follow this up with a song discussing, dissecting, and explaining the results of Super Tuesday. Maybe they can even get invited to appear on Meet the Press. Anybody got Tim Russert's email address?

Super Tuesday [MP3, 3.9MB, 160kbps]

Second Saturday Show

If you find yourself out and about this Second Saturday, swing by the SN&R and check out the art of yours truly, Jennifer Schellack, Marianne Mancina and Ajay Reed. The art will be on display through March 7th, but this Saturday (from 6-10pm) you can enjoy free treats!

New To You & Me.

Hey kids-
Here's the January RC Mix - New to You & Me.
You can also download the album cover here if you didn't see it in the earlier post.

Up to Bat

Bat For Lashes' Fur and Gold has been my go-to album during these cold, wet days. Natasha Khan's haunting vocals draw to mind the likes of Bjork, PJ Harvey and Cat Power -- which could never be a bad thing.

Get a taste of "Prescilla," visit her Web site.

Pop and Circumstance

San Francisco's Noise Pop Festival, a nearly week-long celebration of indie rock, electronica and punk music, returns this February 26 to March 2. In addition to celebrating independent music, the festival features art shows, film screenings, panel discussions and indie-designer trunk sales. This year's lineup features RC favorites like British Sea Power; the Magnetic Fields; the Walkmen; and my new favorite duo She & Him, which features M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel (hubba hubba).

Listen to She & Him's "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"

Find out more about Noise Pop XVI.

January RC Cover :: New To Me & You

Download the PDF HERE

Evangelicals

Hailing from the heart of the good ole US of A (Oklahoma), Evangelicals make music that you probably would not consider “heartland music”. The trio is that got their fair share of Flaming Lips comparisons after the release of their last album, So Gone back in 2006 has jumped labels, from Misra to Dead Oceans, and if this new song is any indication, may be jumping influences as well.

Pitchfork has already slapped a U2 tag onto them based on this tune, “Skeleton Man”, and while I can see that, if this is a U2 anthem of any sort, it would be one where Bono and the boys are on some serious drugs. The crazy background haunting of this tune comes daringly close to dominating the song, until, suddenly, the guitars take over and the mess appears to be cleaned up. The new album, The Evening Descends, came out January 22nd on Dead Oceans.

Evangelicals - Skeleton Man [MP3, 128mbp, 4.3mb]

Please listen to the entire record, streaming at MySpace -- though if you're picking and choosing, go "Midnight Vignette," "Paperback Suicide," and "Party Crashin'" to start. Love. It.

Oh, Jimmy

In November, VAB brought M.I.A.'s song "Jimmy," which is really a hyped-up version of "Disco Dancer" by Jimmy Adja. Here's the original video:

TONIGHT!! OLD IRONSIDES!

Everyone should come to Shaun's last hooraaaaaw at Old Ironsides tonight. Seriously, it will be lots of fun! Erin, Veronica & me, a party within itself...

We are going at like 9:30pm, it will fill up fast. We all know how Sac P.D. like to hassle the weak party go-er, so get there early, leave late!

Peace-

Party Girl.