Design and Life Issue

I have Viva la Vida!!

Lemme know if ya want it. I send you the link.

The April RC Cover

Sorry guys about the delay! Thanks to Vero, the April Mix is available for download. The long awaited cover is here for you too! Hooray!

Soundtrack of our lives :: April RC mix

Download here.

Yahoo!

Pork & Beans!

This Weezer video kills me!

Sub Pop scores again :: Fleet Foxes

I discovered this Shins-esque (albeit more mellow) band this morning, and really enjoy the tune that Sub Pop released as a free download. I'll definitely be checking them out. The Seattle-based band is slated to play the Bottom of the Hill later this month.

Here's the link to the download:
"White Winter Hymnal"

Morton Valence

I don't know much about this British band, but what I've heard (and seen) so far I really like. The band is also offering fans a chance to invest in their next album. It's really quite interesting. Here's what they have to say about it on their MySpace page:

"We are financing our album by selling shares of it to individual investors. In return, not only will an investor own a percentage of our album and reap the financial rewards of any success, but significantly too, they will be a part of a pioneering new spirit in a revitalised music industry.

For the first time since the inception of recorded music the pendulum of power has swung away from faceless corporations and towards the people who matter the most in the industry, the fans and artists.

This is not only something we fully intend to celebrate, but something we also intend to fully exploit.

We are offering anyone who likes our music a chance to celebrate with us by giving you the opportunity of owning a percentage of our next album."

Here's the video for their song "Chandelier." Enjoy!

On a side note, they have a song called "Veronica's Blades" and one called "Bob and Veronica Crickets."

He says, she says

I recently picked up a promotional copy of husband-and-wife duo Mates of State's latest album, Re-Arrange Us, and was pleasantly surprised by it. I haven't listened to any of their stuff in years, but their cover of "California" that Rosemary brought to RC peaked my interest in them again. I highly recommend giving the new album a listen.

THE Jam of Summer 2008

In case you are wondering, I predict this will be THE jam of the summer, and you heard it here first:



Apparently, this is very popular in New Zealand right now, and I'm guessing it will make it's way here next. If it doesn't, it SHOULD. This is hysterical and a great dance tune.
"Gay Bar" by Electric Six

Remaining cover songs from last time!

OK, folks, here's what was missing off of Erin's list:

Coldplay - "Lips Like Sugar" by Echo and the Bunnymen
Unknown - "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper
Beachwood Sparks - "By Your Side" by Sade
Squarepusher - "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division
Yes - "America" by Paul Simon
Cat Power - "I Can't Get No (Satisfaction)" by the Rolling Stones
The Flaming Lips - "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
Death Cab for Cutie - "All is Full of Love" by Bjork
Luna - "Bonnie & Clyde" by ?
Cibo Matto - "Aguas de Marco" by Astrid Gilberto
Orchestra Baobab - "El Sol Te Llama" by ?

P.S. I have a GOOD one I'm bringing this time.

Cover Your Ass!

I had someone request a list of the cover songs that we brought last time we did this theme. I went to pull the playlist off my laptop and discovered that all my RC playlists were missing! This is horrible. I'm not sure why or how they got deleted, but there you have it. So, I'm going to need the help of my fellow RC members. I've included the songs that I can remember, but can someone post the set list in the comments field or create a new post? Thanks!

Here's what I remember:
Faith No More - "Easy" by Lionel Richie
Ted Leo - "Since You've Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson/"Maps" by the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - "Mandy" by Barry Manilow
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel
Scissor Sisters - "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd
Le Tigre - "I'm So Excited" by the Pointer Sisters
Stereo Total - "Push It" by Salt N Peppa
Cowboy Junkies - "Sweet Jane" by Lou Reed
Iron & Wine - "Such Great Heights" by Postal Service
Jack Black - "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
Travis - "Hit Me Baby One More Time" by Brittney Spears
Yo La Tengo - "Little Honda" by the Beach Boys
Ryan Adams - "Wonderwall" by Oasis

Treasure Trove

My friend Joe gave me a heads up about the Treasure Island Music Festival coming up in mid-September, specifically the 20th & 21st. The two-day festival takes place on, ready for it?...Treasure Island! The line-up includes Vampire Weekend, Tegan & Sarah, Goldfrapp, Justice, Hot Chip, CSS and more! Tickets go on sale May 30th, and cost $65 for a single day or $115 for both days. Click here to find out more.

Coldplay brings the heat this July!

Last time Coldplay came to Arco Arena, I was sitting about 10 rows from the stage...and I didn't pay a dime! I swear Chris Martin looked right into my eyes. Sigh. Alas, the days of press passes are gone -- unless I write a freelance piece for SN&R. I'm not sure that I'm willing to fork over money to see them play this July (7/21), but I might be persuaded. Anyone planning on going? Vero?

From the Los Camp!

My love of indie pop and boy/girl vocal harmonies will no doubt lead me to see Los Campesinos! when they come to town. The show is Wednesday, June 4th at Harlows. Tickets are $12.50 in advance. Anyone interested in joining me? Can't remember what they sound like? Visit them at their MySpace page.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

If you weren't lucky enough to catch Anton Corbijn's biopic Control or Grant Gee's documentary Joy Division, both films will be released on DVD in June. Apparently, Control picked up nine festival awards, including three at Cannes.

Don't Judge A Song By It's Cover!

May's RC meeting will be at my house on Thursday, May 29th - 7-7:30pm. Can people make it on that day? Holler back and let me know. As for the theme, looks like we're doing a "Covers" mix. We've done this in the past -- so, let's try not to have any repeats. (I can post the cover songs we included last time, if need be). Please bring a little info to share about your (2) choices! Oh, and bring a food or beverage to share! I'll probably make a big vat of Sangria - yum!

*Note: One of our visitors, xtcdukes, requests that we don't include NIN's "raping" of Joy Division's Dead Souls -- see the comment from Vern's post for more!

NIN are Radiohead wannabes

OK, snobbishness aside, I think it's great that NIN are following in the footsteps of Radiohead and releasing their album for free online. And I will admit - I once crushed pretty heavily on Trent Reznor; I once cried to "Hurt" and I once screamed "Head like a Hole" in my car on the way to school. Please don't tell.

I am pretty curious, though, that they're back, and that their album is entirely instrumental. Maybe I will download the album...

www.nin.com

BoH Bassist Plays Tonight!

Who wants to head to Davis to see Band of Horses bassist Tyler Ramsey perform? We can carpool! We can get there early and have dinner at Sophia's Thai Kitchen. Who's in?

Like sand through an hourglass, these are the soundtracks of our lives.

Words can't express what a wonderful time I had at RC this month. You guys really took the theme and ran with it -- and it was awesome! We should have the mix posted sometime over the weekend, so keep checking back -- It'll be a two-disc mix for sure! There are too many songs to list, but here are some of the artists that made an appearance on the Soundtrack of Your Lives:

Radiohead, Ryan Adams, Aimee Mann, Pulp, Erasure, Led Zepplin, Fleetwood Mac, Tori Amos, Elliott Smith, Bikini Kill, Kate Bush, Madonna, Tupac, Maxine Nightingale, Good Riddance, Bjork and more!

Saddle up, RC members

On May 3rd (at 10:30pm) Band of Horses bassist Tyler Ramsey will perform at Sophia's Thai Kitchen in Davis. What? Sophia's Thai Kitchen! Bizarre, I know, but I'm going! Ramsey is on tour supporting his debut solo effort A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea. It's the kind of acoustic Americana that makes you want to sit on the your porch drinking PBR until the sun turns the sky into a brilliant sea of orange and red.

Go forth and listen, you won't be disappointed.

www.myspace.com/tylerramseymusic

The Soundtrack of My Life :: April RC

Alright, kids! The polls are officially closed and the results are in! This month's RC meeting will be at my house on...drum roll, please...Wednesday, April 23rd!!! The theme will be "On the Soundtrack of My Life." Since this is your life's soundtrack, you'd better be prepared to explain why these songs are making the cut. Can you describe the movie scenes during which the songs would be playing? Good. We want to hear about it. Visual aids (CD sleeves, song lyrics, band photos) are always appreciated.

Give a holla and let me know if you can make it (or not). Can't wait to see you all!

Record Club Members go get your FREE records!

This Saturday (April 19), independent record stores across our fair country will celebrate Record Store Day. Merge Records has announced that it will participate in the one-day event by handing out limited edition split seven-inch records with previously unreleased tracks by Destroyer and Wye Oak.

The only way to get your paws on one of these coveted babies is to stop by a participating record store - hopefully they'll still have one for you!

According to the Merge site, local businesses like Dimple Records, Hot Dog Music and R5 Records should have the seven-inch record.

Visit www.recordstoreday.com for more details!

Spring Mix…not just for salad anymore.

To me, the best part about spring is driving around with all the windows rolled down blasting some sweet jams for the world to be inspired by. This mix was made with precisely that activity in mind, and all of these songs are definitely best enjoyed in good weather at excessive volumes, with excessive speeding optional, but recommended.

Cover sleeve can be had here.

RC March '08 :: Spring Is In The Air Mix!

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