Epitonic Newsletter: Vol. 4, No. 13 'Odds & Ends'
04/05/02
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This week we bring you some random news and notes from around the
world of music. Savor 'em as you digest this week's playlist, which
features some great new stuff plus a handful of oldies-but-goodies.
If you live in Southern California, don't miss the 6th Annual
Audiotistic Future Sound Festival in San Bernadino on Saturday,
April 13. The day-long event will include some of the best hip hop
and turntablism around on one giant outdoor stage, plus three more
smaller indoor stages offering the finest in house, techno, and
drum and bass. The festival's big names include Outkast, The Roots,
Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Blackalicious, Q-Bert and Money Mark, Ed Rush,
DJ Dan, King Britt, Donald Glaude, Roy Davis Jr., DJ Heather, and lots more.
Info and tickets: http://www.audiotistic.com
The venerable Seattle indie label Sub Pop is an honest-to-gosh
teenager! They're turning 14 this month. Celebrate with them by
purchasing some of their fine schwag.
Sub Pop store: http://www.subpop.com/scripts/main/catalog.php.
In honor of yet another Dead Kennedys lawsuit and the release of a
new Jello Biafra spoken word CD titled The Big Ka-Boom, Part One,
Alternative Tentacles has declared April Jello Biafra month. They
insist that this is not an April Fools joke.
Buy the Jello CD here.
As many of you already know, Unwound has officially decided to call
it quits, playing their final few shows last month. However, don't expect their release rate to slow anytime
soon; the group has plans to put out collections of live tracks,
demos, and unreleased material on Kill Rock Stars. A tour video
is also in the works.
KRS says goodbye: http://www.killrockstars.com
In more breakup news, Megadeth has also elected to call it a day, since the great
Dave Mustaine can no longer play the guitar, thanks to a serious nerve injury.
And, finally...: The literary foundation Exoterica is putting on an
intriguing event in the Bronx on June 8 called "WORD: The Jay Liveson
Memorial Poetry and Music Festival," which explores the intersection
between music and poetry. The day will feature "musicians" considered
to "poets" of their field and "poets" considered "musicians" of theirs.
Guest artists will include U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins, reggae
great Big Youth, poet Victor Hernandez Cruz, basketball diarist/rock
star Jim Carroll, and proto-punk legend Richard Hell.
Tickets and info: http://www.exoterica.org
Hey, whattay'all think of this newsier version of Epitonic New Music Newsletter?
We might do some more of these. Share your thoughts with the editors.
"That You Know"
by
Paula Frazer
Paula Frazer no longer records under the name Tarnation, but she continues to craft the same incomparably engaging and gorgeous country-flavored rock music. Her songwriting captures the essence of an endless, timeless, mythological America, while simultaneously striking a remarkably intimate and personal tone.
"Two Stones in My Pocket"
by
Neil Halstead
Onetime Slowdive and current Mojave 3 frontman Neil Halstead continues his love affair with classicist folk with wispy and gorgeous solo work that recalls Nick Drake and Bert Jansch.
"Whenever We're Together"
by
Allen Clapp
Head Orange Peel Allen Clapp sets out on his own to capture the magic of the soft rock superheroes of the '70s, creating an odd and enticing blend of baroque pop and soft soul that tickles the ears most pleasurably.
"A Statue on Easter Island"
by
Vitesse
Vitesse is a stylishly melancholy Chicago-based duo with a deep-rooted nostalgia for the halcyon days of early '80s synth-pop. Cool and lovely minimalist electronic pop.
"Another Blue Frisbee"
by
Aspera
Aspera is in fact, a revamped version of the Philadelphia shoegazing indie rock group Aspera Ad Astra, minus their old lead singer. The group still makes dreamy pop, but it feels considerably more orchestral, percussive, and neo-psychedelic these days.
"Malvado I"
by
Del Rey
Del Rey's a young Chicago-based instrumental post-rock quartet with a strong sense of jazz dynamics, a taste for understated electronics, and a fondness for the drums.
"It's Too Late (Live)"
by
Jim Carroll
Over the last three decades, Jim Carroll has been a fixture in American literature, music, and culture, and the passing of time has rendered the post-Beat, post-punk icon no less passionate and his work no less powerful.
"December"
by
Unwound
Unwound is one of indie rock's most important bands ever. Taking up where SST-era Sonic Youth left off, Unwound maintains a punk rock stance in conquering and controlling noise rock.
"Five Minutes"
by
Buffalo Daughter
This vibrant and fresh Tokyo trio has been reinventing music for close to a decade, shaping colorful rock chimeras out of a reverence for '70s gonzo electronics, lots of feisty garage rock energy, a fascination for modern club and hip hop beats, and plenty more. There's lots of cultural appropriation here, but it comes in the service of a new and compelling musical vision.
"Galicia (Zero dB Remix)"
by
Truby Trio
If you're looking for jazz-based music with a modern flavor, you've come to the right place. Trüby Trio serve up only the finest organic/electronic funk for Germany's Compost imprint, among others.
"My Time"
by
Kaskade
San Francisco beat junkie Ryan Raddon produces warm late night house a la Mood II Swing, Masters at Work, and Milton Jackson. His tracks combine the depth of the San Francisco's sound with the soul of Chicago's.
"Move Somethin'"
by
Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek
Further reports from the spiritual and intellectual journey back to Africa aboard Black Star's liner. Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek present the next segment of their conscious rap documentary.
"Cuando (King Britt Dub Mix)"
by
Si*Se
Si*Se blend drum and bass, hip hop, and Latin jazz to create a highly original and hugely infectious hybrid. David Byrne was swift to sign them to his burgeoning Luaka Bop label.
"Sonny"
by
Roy Davis Jr.
With so many anthems to his name -- "Gabriel," "Rise From Your Grave," and "Inside Out" (as Phuture), to name but a few -- it should come as no surprise that Roy Davis Jr. is widely regarded as the godfather of soulful house music.
