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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

It's hard to keep out the cold when you live in a house full of holes.

Amazing music isn't really that hard to find these days, thanks to the wide variety of offerings available on the internet.  However, truly great music is still rare, and it feels wonderful to be introduced to another artist capable of producing just that.  Shugo Tokumaru's latest release Port Entropy feels like a trip through Japan in the late 80s and early 90s, with a few stops in Canada over the past decade.  Some songs evoke a feeling of such joy that you can't help but smile, while others are so beautiful you may find your breath taken away.  If you're a fan of The Beatles, The Magnetic Fields, Radiohead or Headlights (or you're just looking for something fresh,) definitely give Tokumaru a try.

Find out more here: Polyvinyl- Shugo Tokumaru

In further Polyvinyl news, the recent 7in release "I'm Giving Up on You" by Sharon van Etten is just to die for.  Pop really can be good, if the artist has talent:)  Visit Polyvinyl to find out more, and preview the song here:

"I'm Giving Up on You" via Polyvinyl on Youtube

In case you missed it, you have until Dec. 13 to comment on a Chronicle Books Hauliday post for a chance to win $500 in books- visit my list and comment to win!

Hauliday Post

Love and peace,
Reniazen

Friday, November 12, 2010

Please help me with the Haul-idays!

I know, I know. I always complain about the awful C day, but this time, it's not actually about that, it's about helping me win $500 worth of books- and if I'm picked, one lucky commenter on this here blog will get the books listed below!  So comment and enter yourself to win:)

Love and peace,
Reniazen

My list of Chronicle Books favorites I'd love to win:


The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights by Autumn de Wilde and Jim Jarmusch


Elliott Smith by Autumn de Wilde- includes live cd!


Sexy Book of Sexy Sex by Kristen Schaal


Let's Bring Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful, Curious, and Otherwise Commendable Things from Times Gone By by Leslie M. Blume


The Exquisite Book

Rift by James Jean

Anna Sui By Andrew Bolton, Jack White, Anna Sui, Steven Meisel


DC Comics: The 75th Anniversary Poster Book Quirk Books By Robert Schnakenberg, Paul Levitz


This is NPR by Cokie Roberts et al

Bangs: A Sketchbook by David Choe

Kindling by James Jean

I hope you enjoy finding out about these titles and more over at Chronicle Books.

Thanks!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Happy, Sad

Weird things are happening at fast food restaurants, at least as far as music is concerned.  One day whilst enjoying some chicken nuggets at the hot and juicy redhead, I heard Yeah Yeah Yeah's "Soft Shock" playing.  Not long ago I heard Sea Wolf in both Chick fil A and KFC/Long John's.  Then it happened.  I recognized a melody and some chords, then had my breath taken away from me when I realized it was the most horrendous cover of The Killing Moon I could ever imagine.  WHY???!!! Here is a link so you can decide for yourself: Hype Machine- the awful killing moon cover.  Pavement already kicked everyone's ass covering this song, so why ruin the Bunnymen for fans this way?  I'm not saying Mr. Laswell doesn't have a right to cover the song, just that he doesn't have the talent to do it well.

In other news, Zola Jesus has a fantastical new ep out titled Valusia which I think you should really give a listen.   The best song is definitely number 1, "Poor Animal" which has a similar sound to her previous ep, Stridulum, but expands on the the instrumentation.  Poor Animal

The War on Drugs have released Future Weather, a delightful piece that will win over fans of Tom Petty, Vetiver, maybe even Dylan.  I recommend beginning with "Brothers" a 70s rock extravaganza! Brothers

More excellent new releases include Bird By Snow, Powerdove, and Sharon Von Etten 7in series.

In books, you should definitely give Charles Burns' X'ed Out a try if you dare.  It's quite well illustrated and delves into some interesting psychological arenas, with shoutouts to Burns' biggest influence Herge (Tintin creator.)  Find out more at: Pantheon Graphic Novels.

If you are bored and looking for some movies to watch, I suggest Leaves of Grass, starring Edward Norton and Edward Norton, and Half Nelson, starring Ryan Gosling (thank you Becky:)  Both of these actors give very different performances in these films that what you may have come to expect from them, quite refreshing if you ask me.

I suppose that's all the confusion I have to offer for now.

Ta ta for now,
Reniazen

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Odds and Ends

The most amazing single to come out in a long time: Starfucker- "Julius" (right click, Save As to download)

An Introduction to... Elliott Smith is one of the most well done compilations I've come across in a long time.  Even if you've been listening to his music for some time now, you can be taken back to the first time you heard those memorable chords and vocals, softly spoken yet powerfully worded.  If you haven't ever heard any Elliott Smith, there are only a couple of essential tracks missing and I think you'll find this a great way to get started.  Find out more at fourpawsmusic.com:)

Lately I've been trying to catch up on my review music, soon we'll have The War on Drugs, Bird by Snow and Zola Jesus.  Plus, I'll give some movie and book recommendations, which I know you'll want to read.  Stay tuned.

Love and peace,
Reniazen

P.S. Sign up for Polyvinyl's awesome newsletter to get free music and discounts!  Polyvinylrecords.com

Monday, September 27, 2010

Arrested Motion Greg Simkins Art Contest for "Spider Dreaming"

In the interest of trying new things (or at least getting back to things I used to enjoy) I've entered a writing contest to win a super rad print of a painting by Greg "Craola" Simkins.  (Details here AM giveaway)

SPIDER DREAMING by Greg "Craola" Simkins

An Ode to "Spider Dreaming"

As the purple mountains' majesty 
fades into the smog,
the spider carries onward
dreaming of a world restored.
Though the wretchedness of humanity
so often makes her ill,
she goes forth bravely
carrying the hope for the future safely upon her back.

Your help in suggestions for further entries is greatly appreciated.  You can have unlimited entries, they just have to be sent in a separate email.

Thanks!

Out of the Blue and into the Black

Friends and familiars please welcome Starfucker (or for those people who've seen the latest Polyvinyl promos STRFKR) for a brief Q&A.  They are currently touring the U.S., and if you are going to be in Little Rock this Wednesday, Sept. 29th they are playing a show at Juanita's with The Octopus Project- go check it out!


Questions:


1. What influence have your travels had on your music?
Josh has recently started writing on the road while on tour, so it's had a lot of influence. Every place we go has a different feel and sets off various moods, and that comes through in the music. Especially the darker side. 



2. To whom do you look most for inspiration in life and art?
Friends are a big one, usually try to think of friends when writing and if they'd like it or not.

3. Who are some of your favorite creative minds (artists, musicians, writers, etc.)?
Alan Watts, Stevie Wonder, Longmont Potion Castile

4. Do you have a favorite venue at which you've performed?
Neumos in Seattle is amazing, they really have their shit together and are super nice. and also have a stellar VHS collection in the green room. Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco and Empty Bottle in Chicago are also both amazing, mainly because they are so nice as well.

5. Why do you think so few (talented/good) artists will play in Arkansas (I have some ideas, but I like to know what others think)?
Not quite sure? it might just be routing thing? we're playing in Little Rock this time! which is a first for us, so we're excited to see what Arkansas has to offer! we stayed in Texarkana once, it was scary...

6. How has your move to polyvinyl affected you, and do you think it's been a good move?
We feel that signing with Polyvinyl is one of the best things to happen to us. they are AMAZING! and it truly feels like the perfect fit. As a band we really hate the music business. There's a lot of people in it for the wrong reasons, and Polyvinyl are obviously in it for the right ones. they're real people that actually care about music!

To find out more about the band, and to purchase some sweet sounds, head over to POLYVINYLRECORDS.COM:)

Love and peace,
Reniazen

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

POYLYVINYL LOVE FEST

STRFKR Julius 7in
“Julius” is bouncy and full of life.  I could play this and the subsequent track “Helium Muffin” (which slows it down a notch then kicks it right back up) on repeat for days and not get weary of these infectious songs.  With amazingly alluring bass lines, trippy keyboards and fantastic layering of guitars and synth effects, you don’t want to miss this release!

XBXRX O 7in
O proves that good American punk does exist after 1979, a fact which I found to be quite a relief.  Noisy, fast-paced guitars with simple drums and raucous vocals carry this brief album to its climax.  Gritty and determined to crawl under your skin and make your ears melt, this fun little record combines some of my favorite sounds such as The Cramps, The Slits and Jay Reatard.  “Knowledge is Death” is a total knockout, bringing the beastly guitar lines crunching down hard and intensifying the drums.  If you would like to find out for yourself, please visit the link below to learn more and purchase this fine release.

Love and peace, and more to come:)
Reniazen

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Farming for Hipsters


Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby is the best thing he's written since High Fidelity.  A cult favorite making fun of hipsters and over-enthusiastic/obsessive fans loses no irony on fellow hecklers.  I enjoyed the narrative even when I was frustrated by the characters, which is a good indication of how involved you become with said characters.  Engaging, thoughtful, humorous and not at all overly heartfelt or Lifetime Movie-ish, I found this novel to be a captivating look at seemingly unrelated lives coalescing into something greater than the sum of its parts.  If you are a fan of music trivia, excellent writing, and/or subtle humor, this book will most definitely have something for you to enjoy.

For purchase info please go to: Juliet, Naked

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Funky Freshness

OF MONTREAL- FALSE PRIEST












Boisterous, rowdy, and impeccably mixed are things one might expect from the indomitable Kevin Barnes, but that doesn't make the superlatives any less true.  With a slew of magnificent musical offerings already available, the sweet beats and trippy lyrics on False Priest leave me satisfied and tempted.  The single and third track on the album, "Coquet Coquette," changes how I previously felt about dance rock and pop together, meaning this song melds them well enough for me to want more.  "You Do Mutilate" is full of awesomeness, most notably the ending monologue.  You really should hear for yourself.  False Priest does not lack the inventiveness of a solo-produced Of Montreal/Kevin Barnes album, and Mr. Brion can rest assured that he hasn't lost any fans for the band, but has quite possibly gained some more for himself.  (On a side note, I still hate Kanye West.)

Please visit POLYVINYL RECORDS for more information.

Love and peace,
Reniazen

United in Difference

Women- Public Strain promo image



Public Strain by Canadian band Women possesses distinct originality and captures the essence of music through lo-fi sonic experimentation.  Sounds similar to Warsaw, Neutral Milk Hotel, and The Unicorns can be found throughout the disc.  Track 2, "Heat Distraction," reminds me of what rock should be- simple, powerful, melodic and thoughtful.  Great guitar intros, sizzling drums, and understated, sparse vocals skillfully backed by steady bass make this a standout track.  Could this album be what Iggy Pop and Paul McCartney might have produced if they formed a band in the mid-70s?  Possibly.  Elegantly subtle, yet raw and full of energy, this album will have you gathering household objects for noise-making parties.  At times melancholy and somber, breaking into upbeat, joyful harmonies, Public Strain is indicative of what I hope is a lasting resurgence in melodic rock.

For more information please visit JAGJAGUWAR.

Love and peace,
Reniazen

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Reader and Curious Passerby Survey

Hello darlings!

It's time to gauge your level of interests in topics and formats for this lovely little blog.  I've been getting a decent amount of response, but feel that to boost interest and readership (and thereby increase available review materials), some changes may be in order.  Please take a few moments to respond to the questions below by commenting on this post.

Thank you ever so much for your continued support,

Reniazen

Survey Questions:

1.  Do you prefer shorter reviews that give an overview of an album, or longer more detailed reviews going over each song?
2.  Do you feel there has been a fair variety of bands and artists represented thus far?  Why/not?
3.  Would you like to see more pinups profiled and interviewed?
4.  Do you have any bands, artists, models, photographers or writers you would like to see featured?
5.  Do you enjoy the current format with one item per post, or would you better enjoy multiple subjects per post?
6.  Any further comments or suggestions?

Friday, August 13, 2010

Follow the Graphite and Ink

Many people have seen the wonderful covers by comic artist Alex Ross, but few have seen the beginnings of such covers.  With Rough Justice, Alex Ross and editor Chip Kidd provide a glimpse of some never before revealed sketches and roughs for many iconic covers and comic book characters.  Inside the pencil-drawn, canvas bound hardcover book you will find the beginnings of covers for JSA, Kingdom Come, and Batman RIP among others.  With an easy to follow layout, and sketchbook like design, fans and newcomers to the works of Ross will enjoy perusing this volume and learning about some proposed, but never published stories and character arcs, as well as long-loved favorites at DC- the big three.  You can find Alex Ross on Facebook and Twitter, and you can purchase the book, published by Pantheon Graphic Novels, a division of Random House, at your local bookstore, or online at:

Five stars go to this delicious book!











Love and peace,

Reniazen

Thursday, August 5, 2010

A Violent Wind From a Modern Band

The Suburbs, by Arcade Fire, is one of those rare albums that gives you goosebumps from the first time you listen to it through all subsequent listens.  I will do my best not to gush too much, but come on man, this is outrageous!  
Beginning with the title track, "The Suburbs," has a smooth rock intro; right away you're grabbed by the lyrics and movement (a la "Tunnels").  Opening the album up to a wonderful world of musical possibilities, we experience excellent timing and sensational vocals, exhibiting the band's growth since the release of their ep.  
"Ready to Start" gives plenty of evidence for Win's love of Bruce Springsteen, some qualms with immoral and religious leaders, and a bit of 90s rock influence as well.  Masterfully bridges tracks 1 and 3, while strongly standing on its own with glittery, gorgeous guitar and bass, along with lyrics such as, "I would rather be wrong, than live in the shadows of your son."  F'in A!
"Modern Man" further explores some Springsteen style music, yet is absolutely their own.  You want to pick up a guitar to play and sing along with this powerful tune.  Another shot at self-righteous, self-described "modern men" (ahem Bill O??), this track ends with a Built to Spill-inspired riff, which I adore.
Orchestral sounds pepper the opening of "Rococo," even though the band returned to their 8 piece original for this record.  This is the first "big band" track on this killer album.  Heavy bass and strings add to the ominous feeling which is reconciled with lovely keyboards and guitar moving into lighter strings.  The ups and downs in the music successfully mimic the tides of popular culture in North America. See and hear for yourself:
"Empty Room" is our first reminder of a previous time, building on the ferocity of the re-worked No Cars Go, then punching up the volume with guitar and strings, droning into super sonic happiness.  A beautiful vision of independence when conformity is still the norm, this is a quick interlude with much presence.
Hand claps and sweet vox with some more smooth guitar work open "City with no Children," an excellent showcase of this band's immense talent.  Anyone who's driven through Dallas or Houston (or Atlanta for that matter) during heavy traffic will most likely identify with this piece.  It also speaks of the evils associated with being rich and lazy, you get the sense Win fears becoming that which he despises most, and don't we all?
"Half Light I" is a light refreshment of sound quietly leaking in with beautiful vocals and guitar, increasing slowly but steadily in volume and intensity much like "How it Ends" by Devotchka.  A gorgeous song for a gorgeous record (if you guessed I kinda like this album, you're wrong.  I freakin love it!)  I'm always a fan of Arcade Fire's string arrangements, and this song has some of their best to date.
Next you get smacked in the face with the awesome "Half Light II (No Celebration)."  Think U2, War-era, only, well, better.  This tune is frightfully good and lyrically and rhythmically succeeds in caressing your ear holes with affection.  Rousing vocals, Strummer and Boeckner- esque guitar, and fabulous strings backed by heavy bass and well paced drums, this tune will turn you inside out.  Another excellent example of their sensational synthesizer skills as well.
In another nod to Arcade Fire's past, with "Suburban War" I'm reminded of the tropical storm of "Ocean of Noise," but again they've built on to the success of such a song and made another great anti-love ballad.  Keyboards and guitar carry us on this wonderful drive through economically and emotionally broken towns and give us something amazing to hold onto.  With the line "The music divides us into tribes, you choose your side and I'll choose my side;" the song explodes into an amazing drum crescendo, moving the "tribes" apart amid reminisces of an aging young man, carrying us out into the next whirlwind.
"Month of May" is the most eccentric, yet somehow still familiar song for Arcade Fire, at least on this cd.  Very evocative of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World," this song was written about tornadoes in Toronto, making you feel surrounded by the wave of mistrust in society and young people's anxiety.  A true rocker, you can't deny the band's heritage as a rock'n'roll band with this one.
Moving on to Neil Young's "Harvest Moon," we have the sweetly enchanting "Wasted Hours."  Comforting you after the turbulent ride through the storm of the previous track, you will be thankful for this song.  This is a slow piece with real musical integrity; the contrast is nothing short of masterful.  It's also slightly similar to some of the newest M. Ward, only, again, better.  (Sorry guy, you're great, but it's true.)
 Picking up the pace a bit to prepare for some more rock awesomeness, "Deep Blue" has an incredible piano arrangement mixed with higher male vocals moving into some excellent strings and guitar.  It may make you think twice about what you see on TV news (even if you're one of those people that actually watches and enjoys Fox & Friends.)
Outstanding keyboard and vox open "We Used to Wait."  Layering terrific guitar and bass with a steady beat, you're drawn in by a switch to a fantastical melody which continues to build throughout the song.  Stings enter after two verses rounding out a killer chorus and giving us one hell of a tune.  You might think track number 13 on a 16-track album would be sloppy and boring, but that couldn't be further from the truth here.
"Sprawl I" is a stunning display of Mr. Butler's vocal abilities, a track that reminds you why this band is known for subtle yet amazing arrangements and astounding musical creativity.  Somber and revealing, this seems to be about the darker side of suburban life, making you feel on edge while listening, yet at the same time you're marveling at the beauty of this brief musical expression.
My absolute favorite track is "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)."  Regine stars in this outstanding synth-rock beauty.  Reminiscent of Kate Bush (The Dreaming) and a bit Cyndi Lauper and Soft Cell, this is strong yet pretty, electronic and rocking.  You fell the pressure of stuffy, over crowded neighborhoods, but you want to dance with the keys that are just sheer genius.  Featuring even more incredibly subtle guitar and bass work, this song is one of their most focused tracks.  We get our favorite face-melting spiral into musical insanity about 3/4 of the way through this masterpiece, and Regine's voice never wavers.  I get chills every damn time!
Finally, "The Suburbs Continued" is an alluring, peaceful closer on this musical roller coaster ride through society's most popular urban areas and not so rural towns.
Once in a while, an album comes along that has been talked about and hyped up for months or years before its release, only to be a monumental disappointment.  Well, have no fear, because The Suburbs absolutely delivers.  It is so far beyond any expectations I had, I almost cried when I first heard it (embarrassing but true.)  There is divine power, emotion, breathtaking vocals and musical arrangements, and a salient depth that most bands releasing albums today seriously lack.  If you only buy one album this year, I'd ask for you to pick this one.  You will not regret it!

Love and peace,
Reniazen

P.S.  DO NOT MISS THIS- Arcade Fire live from Madison Square Garden at 9pm central time here:

Buy here:)

Friday, July 2, 2010

Read my lips

I've got some great books to recommend to my lovely follower(s).  If you have any interest in comics, may I suggest an interesting look at the uproar caused in the late forties in The Ten-cent Plague: The Great Comic Book Scare and How it Changed America by David Hadju, as well as the three volume series Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes by Michael Fleisher, featuring Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman.  For further reading on Wonder Woman and a host of other heroines and villainesses, check out DC Comics Covergirls by Louise Simonson.  If you'd rather dive into a study of graphic design, pick up Pop: How Graphic Design Shapes Popular Culture by Steven Heller, a magnificent authority on the subject of graphic design who's written hundreds of essays and even helped to found some new areas of the industry, including Design Literacy.

Find these and other fantastic titles below:
DC Comics CovergirlsPOP: How Graphic Design Shapes Popular CultureEncyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes: Batman - Volume 1 (Original Encyclopedia)Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes: Wonder Woman - Volume 2 (Original Encyclopedia)Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume 3: Superman

Did you dream of being a scorpion, a walker on the road, or a little ghost?

I have been waiting all year for this album, and even though I expect amazing things from Wolf Parade, Expo 86 delivers more than even I could have dreamed.  Opening with the killer "Cloud Shadow on the Mountain," this is not your grandpa's rock and oldies.  This is in your face, fabulous rock madness, with a touch of technical perfection and sonic enlightenment.  If you need something to wake you up, this is a great album to choose.  "Palm Road" sounds like a cross between Tom Petty and Handsome Furs (fitting since Dan Boeckner has expressed a love of the best blondie in rock), you won't find any copies here though. Next we have "What Did my Lover Say?" which was one of the first songs most people were given a taste of prior to the release of the album, and remains a strong presence, with Krug keys and lyrics, amongst a powerhouse of musical tidbits.  "Little Golden Age," and "In the Direction of the Moon" are examples of some fine-tuned guitar licks and smoothed out key changes as only Krug and Boeckner can succeed in so doing.  "Ghost Pressure" fills your blood with swirling sonic happiness and makes you feel like you're listening to the death of awful dance-rock forever.  "Pobody's Nerfect" opens with some classic punkrock chords but quickly goes into stylish key chords and light drums rolling along into a commanding combination of guitar and vocals.  "Two Men in New Tuxedos" experiments with some amazing effects and brings us a lighter side of a darker subject.  "Oh You Old Things," is decidedly enhanced by amazing synth and guitar, playing on earlier themes of Soft Cell and Talking Heads' influence.   "Yulia" brings us into the now via Clash-style vocals and driving power chords.  Last but not least, you'll hear "Cave-o-sapien," with even more stunning layers of guitar and keys, mixed with a joy and love for great music that is hard to come by these days.  These boys really know how to put together an album, after two amazing full-length records, they've outdone themselves again!  Please support the group and purchase this album:)













Love and peace,

Reniazen

Come close to me.



Zola Jesus, aka Nika Rosa Danilova, is one of the most talented musicians/composers/songwriters of our generation.  She weaves haunting melodies with strong bass and drum loops to give you a dark, beautiful, and somber ep titled Stridulum. This album is mature and full of longing, but not whiny or degrading as you might get with other 21-year old artists these days.  In a world of Youtube sensationalism and manufactured corporate pop (aka crapfest), it is refreshing to hear something so powerful and unique.  The opening song, "Night" paves the way with moments of cold certainty, appropriate given that this entire album was recorded in winter 2009.  Next we have "Trust Me" and "I Can't Stand," two tracks delivering more enchanting, albeit somewhat melancholy, lyrics and expertly-mixed keys and bass/drum loops.  The title piece is reminiscent of Kate Bush's Hounds of Love, breathtaking in its complexity and grandeur, yet subtle rather than pretentious, a great balance to say the least.  "Run Me Out" follows without mercy, booming synth chords build to a slow, steady stream of alluring vocals, which continue over a chorus of ghostly wails and tempting piano chords, fading into a wonderful soft echo of the beginning of the album.  We end our short bewitching journey with "Manifest Destiny," replete with droning bass and unyielding keys layered with forceful vocals.  As an ep, it stands on its own in a world full of meaningless singles and mindless tracks.  I'm looking forward to a full length release in 2011.

You can find more info at: Sacred Bones Records
and you can buy this fantastic morsel of musical history here:














Love and peace,

Reniazen

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Learning to Love the Modern World

After a brief interruption, I've returned to this site with a renewed sense of awe for wonderful works of art, and hope to have a chance to share some of the amazing experiences I've had over the past few weeks, in music and other forms of entertainment.  Today we are extremely lucky to get an online interview with the lovely, immensely talented Alexei Perry of Handsome Furs.  This is a band you will hear me talk about time and again, as Alexei and her husband Dan have given us some of the best music of the last decade, and I look forward to hearing more from them.  If you'd like to know more, you can contact the band on myspace here: HF Music.


 On your many adventures, where did you meet the friendliest people?
 WE'RE FORTUNATE IN THE FACT THAT THE FRIENDLIEST PEOPLE SEEM TO MAKE UP THE ENTIRETY OF THE HANDSOME FURS FAN BASE. THUS WHEREVER WE GO, WE MEET THE MOST AMAZING FOLKS. WE ARE TRULY LUCKY. SOME FAVOURITE CITIES WHERE WE HAVE MADE ENTIRE COMMUNITIES OF NEW FRIENDS ARE: BUCHAREST, BEIJING, HELSINKI, AND HONG KONG.
 Do you have any recommendations for places to visit as an independent musician?
THE CITIES I JUST MENTIONED HAVE VERY MUCH CHANGED OUR LIVES - THEY HAVE INFORMED SOME OF OUR SONG-WRITING BOTH LYRICALLY AND SONICALLY. MY SUGGESTIONS TO ALL INDEPENDENT MUSICIANS IS TO TOUR YOUR ASS OFF. VISIT PLACES THAT YOU ARE BOTH DEEPLY INTERESTED IN BUT ALSO ONES THAT YOU HAVE NEVER CONSIDERED. THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO AS AN ARTIST OF ANY KIND IS TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE IN EXCITING AND CHALLENGING WAYS. IT WILL CHANGE YOU. FOR THE BETTER

On your first and second album, your sound evolved in a very thoughtful manner. What are some reasons for these changes?
I THINK OUR SOUND CHANGED THE MORE TOURING WE DID. WE STARTED REALIZING HOW MUCH FUN WE HAD PLAYING LIVE AND, EVEN THOUGH OUR MORBID OBSESSIONS HAVE NOT CHANGED (WE ARE STILL VERY MUCH OCCUPIED BY VARIOUS DISSATISFACTIONS AND GENERAL SAD THOUGHTS!), WE REALIZED THAT THE BEST WAY TO BEAT THE BLUES WAS WITH HEAVY BEATS. BEATS ENOUGH TO DANCE AWAY THE BADNESS, EVEN IF ONLY BRIEFLY.

Do you feel that your music is most inspired by the landscape, people you meet, histories of places you've been, or a combination thereof?
CERTAINLY A COMBINATION. DAN AND I ARE PRETTY BIG GEEKS ABOUT READING ABOUT THE PLACES WE TRAVEL BECAUSE WE FEEL SO LUCKY TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO TRAVEL THESE PLACES. WE BOTH COME FROM WORKING CLASS BACK GROUNDS, HAD STRINGS OF SHITTY JOBS, SO TO BE ABLE TO GLOBE-TROT DOING THE THING WE MOST LOVE HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE - THE MOST IMPORTANT RAW MATERIAL TO THEN TURN INTO SONGS. THE PEOPLE, LANDSCAPES, ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORIES OF THE PLACES WE TRAVEL ARE FILTERED THROUGH OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF THEM IN THE MOST FRUITFUL AND BIZARRE WAYS. IF I BELIEVED IN ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF BEING A HUMAN STUCK ON THIS STRANGE PLANET, I WOULD SAY BE ARE "BLESSED" TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THIS LIFE WORK IN THIS WAY. BECAUSE I DON'T, I WILL SAY, WE ARE FORTUNATE

Who is most inspiring in your personal and/or work life?
THERE ARE JUST OODLES OF PEOPLE I FIND INSPIRING. FOR ME, WRITERS LIKE WILLIAM T. VOLLMANN, MA JIAN, YAN LIANKE, SOROKIN, MISHIMA, BULGAKOV, AND OLESHA HAVE BEEN HUGE. AND THEN MUSICIANS SUCH AS JOE STRUMMER, TINA TURNER, OTIS REDDING, DR. ALIMANTADO, AND NEIL YOUNG ARE JUST SOME OF THE BIGGIES (THEY'VE BEEN IN MY LIFE FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER). AND DIRECTORS LIKE YE LOU, ZHANG KE JIA, DAVID CRONENBERG, LYNCH AND DARIO ARGENTO

Whose work do you admire?
SEE THE ABOVE FOR JUST THE MOST AMAZING FODDER FOR YOUR BRAIN.

 Anything else you wish to share?
WELL, SO MUCH. THERE'S SO MUCH TO SAY ALL THE TIME BUT IT'S ALWAYS TRICKY TO KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. 


Thank you again for taking time to answer our questions!  We anxiously await what comes next, and wish you the best of luck in all your musical and artistic endeavors.

Love and peace,
Reniazen

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Don't call it a comeback!

My goodness what a whirlwind we've been through.  Stay tuned for some awesome updates!!!  Thank you:)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

We are the wild beast


Indian Jewelry is an extremely talented psych/electro/rock group based in Houston.  Let's get to know Tex from Indian Jewelery, shall we?

Hi, this is Tex. 
What is the art/music scene like in Houston?
Here, everything is feast or famine.  Art with a capital A has lots of money.  Music, at least our kind of music, doesn't attract that money. But a lot of our musician friends also have strong visual aesthetics.  As much as I hate to say it (I don't like to encourage the art world since it has done very little to encourage me) we all have some of that art mixing with the mercury in our blood.

How did you meet one another and did you start making music right away or was it a gradual process?

We fell in love in 1999.  After that we started working together.


Can you discuss the album art for Totaled and Free Gold (i.e. who did the art/photos, the symbology, etc.)?

Our friend Domokos Benczedi (Future Blondes/Rusted Shut) made the art for Free Gold. I think it was meant to be a sigil, a spell to take us all to Europe and to Africa. The original lettering read "EU IJ." We switched it to "FU IJ" trusting that our meaning would be clear, and subsequently went on a psychologically punishing tour of Europe. We never made it to Africa. That's what you get for messing with magic.

For Totaled, we took a different route. Erika and I came up with the idea of a photograph of us standing beside a wrecked white porsche.  
We liked the image. I don't know what it means exactly- the lie of appearances, the collapse of glamor, time's winged chariot drawing ever near....  Anyway, as soon as we had the idea we called our photographer and friend, Aaron Farley. We've been working with him off and on for five years, he photographed us in 2005 for the cover of a LA alternative magazine, and he photographed us again in 2006 for our "Invasive Exotics" publicity stills on horseback. This time, per usual, we told him what we wanted and we told him we had no money for props.  He, being resourceful, found the car within an afternoon. 

Where do you think the best music scene is right now?  Have you been there/played there?

We've been touring with this band for seven years now, so we've played in a lot of cities in the US. I don't mean to cop out, but it is always changing.  The midwest in 2004-2005 was truly jamming and exciting.  The Coasts (Pacific, Atlantic, Cook County-Lake Michigan, seldom the Gulf) always get attention, I think most of the magazines and labels are based there. Occasionally that attention is justified.  Our friends here in Houston do an awful lot of great things for almost no return. Anywhere, the work of a few tireless creative people can set an entire city reeling. 


Who is your biggest inspiration, creatively speaking?

Nicanor Parra, Willie Nelson, and my mother.


What are your touring plans for the next year?

When the whip cracks the bear in the tutu will dance.


Do you have anything else you'd like readers to know?

Get off the internet and meet your neighbors.  When you can't do that: read about some of our friends herehttp://swampbats.wordpress.com  Thanks!
Love and peace,
Reniazen

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Waves in the Dreaming

Peter Wolf Crier's Inter-Be opens warmly, bringing to mind Justin Vernon's vocals and Granddaddy's musicality on "Crutch and Cane."  This drum and guitar duo bring you lots of fuzzy, minimalist indie pop and oodles of charm.  While this might have you thinking this means they are insincere, you would be sorely mistaken.  The second track, "Hard as Nails" showcases the fine finger work Peter Pisano is capable of on guitar, and the level of intensity you can get with just two instruments and vocals.  The first standout track is number 3, "Down Down Down," beginning with M. Ward style strumming, slowly layering in light cymbal, and vocally building toward a moving crescendo of guitar and drums.  Great tune to calm you down!  "Untitled 101" and "For Now" feature excellent effects and upbeat guitar with beautifully layered piano and drums.  "You're so High" rolls on with smooth vocals, and their signature noisy but subtle mix of drum and guitar.  "Demo 01" reminds me of lazy Sunday afternoons spent listening to Trampled by Turtles.  This song makes fantastic use of palm-muting, successfully incorporating a light melody on keys and is not lacking in harmony or rhythm, but then I must admit, these two seem to have a strong grasp on technical musicianship, to which they add a hefty dose of soul.  "Lion" has some classic folk and country essence, reminding me of some Porter Waggoner if he had a sexy indie voice.  "Playwright" uses down tempo drums melded with impeccably strummed guitar and longing vocals, all layered with fuzzy effects reminiscent of Beach House and Elliott Smith.  We move on to "Saturday Night" a true roots-rock gem needing no explanation.  You really have to hear this for yourself to experience the emotions evoked by this musical expression.  Ending with "In Response" which has more wonderful pairings of primitive drums and guitar strums, lending a slowly rolling wave of sensuous sound to beautiful vocals.  As an end to an extremely promising debut,  you couldn't ask for more.   I hope we get th hear fantastic future sounds from these fine young gentlemen very soon.  They are surely worthy of the praise already received, and I hope you will look into buying this album, which comes out May 25, 2010 on Jagjaguwar.

Here is a small taste courtesy of the label:
Crutch and Cane and Hard as Nails (right click to download, or left click just to listen)

And here's a video of "Untitled 101":
Untitled 101- youtube video


Love and peace,
Reniazen


It's a soft shock

To make up for my inability to post music yesterday, here are a couple of awesome songs for you!

Gorillaz- Some Kind of Nature ft. Lou Reed
As a die hard Lou Reed fan, I will try listening to anything he puts out or contributes to, never to be disappointed.  (Even the crazy canine concert sounds fabulous.)  This track is well thought out amongst a sea of interesting tunes by this quirky bunch of musicians, and Reed's voice adds a unique sound to an otherwise mellow tune.  I recommend sipping something smooth and delicious to go with this tasty track.













Xiu Xiu-Dear God I Hate Myself
With a self-explanatory title such as this, you might think you'd hear a few whiny vocals and poorly strummed chords on a mangy guitar, but thank goodness for our sakes that this is not the case.  Jamie Stewart, the man behind the music, gives us an incredible mix of noise and vocals, as well as excellent keyboard and drum machine work on this haunting piece.  "If you burn a candle while listening to this record, you can see your future." (Almost Famous)

After some technical difficulties, prepare to have your minds blown!

I am delighted to bring to you today one of the most well-known pinup artists of the last few decades, the artist responsible for the most iconic images of the lovely Bettie Page (may she rest in peace.)  For those of you who have been living under a rock, I'm speaking of Olivia de Berardinis, an extremely talented artist who uses mainly oil and canvas to portray the true beauty in the female form.  Olivia was kind enough to answer a few questions for my via myspace, and you can read her thoughts below.


When did you know you wanted to be an artist or did it just happen?
I always knew I wanted to be an artist, I didn't know what kind of artist, but in retrospect, it seems obvious now.  I had been painting women my entire life, the first was my mother.  Since there were no Barbie dolls when I was a kid, I drew women that looked like them.  Knowing you want to be an artist and being able to exist as one is the hard part. I was an artist all my life but didn't start my career until I was 25.  It's too long a story. you can find more of those details on my website: eOlivia.com

Who is your favorite modern pinup or artist?
Modern pin up- Sorayama is my favorite.  I love his half metal, half woman pinups.


Do you prefer painting from photos or from live models?
I work from photos only, having naked women around could get tiresome.

Do you listen to music while you work, and if so who?
I listen to a bit of everything when working, NPR, Howard Stern, KCRW morning becomes eclectic is one of the best stations on the planet.

Who in your work and/or personal life is your biggest inspiration?
I don't have one inspiration,. that comes from everywhere for me.  I have many people I admire and inspire me, but too many to list.

All the best to you!
Olivia

Some spectacular examples of her work:




Thanks Olivia!  You truly are an amazing person and have such vision, I look forward seeing what you have for us in the future.

And thank you dear readers, as we are now getting more and more responses from incredible artists, and labels willing to share materials for review.  Keep spreading the word:)

Love and peace,
Reniazen

Monday, May 17, 2010

Oceans of Totaled Noise

For our second review of the day, we're going to enjoy Totaled, the latest album by the utterly fabulous Indian Jewelry.  Opening with "Oceans," a swim through bouncing drum beats and synthesizers with a wonderful background loop, your senses are freed to enjoy the remainder of the album.  "Look Alive," where frenzied fuzz converges into steams of rackety rhythm, pumps blood through your veins and sound through your ears.  The keyboard goes through spasms of chords while synth filters through a mellifluous melody all washed in trippy beats.  "Excessive Moonlight" opens with rolling drum beats and waves of synth moving toward a booming voice singing of a frightening night sky.  The guitar creates a tunnel of sound through which the other instruments soar, culminating in a hollow, but strong end, a great transition into my favorite track, "Sirens."  This piece of tribal fusion has insanely good female vocals over strong, thumping bass chords, well-timed drum machine beats and undulating synth.  We next find ourselves on "Vision," beginning with backward tracked vocals and an '80s goth-electro rock inspired synth line.  This musical expression of sight includes solid bass riffs and stripped down percussion, shifting the focus to the keys and vocals.  "Tono Bungay" picks the pace back up through the use of droning bass and drums, and heavy synth, building up to the vocals and remaining steady throughout the first verse.  Into the chorus, the middle-eastern influenced guitar line comes in adding another layer of sonic gold to this towering album.  "Simulation" follows the tonal wind-down at the end of the preceding track with sparse vocals powered by Sabbath-like bass, guitar and fuzzy synth yumminess.  Next we have "Diamond Things," with Bowie-esque background vox and hefty drum beats, echoed by bass guitar and key chords, creating more wave-like patterns of sound which has been and is continued throughout the album.  "Never Been Better," with its retro goth punk synth, staccato cymbal, and rolling drum and bass line, is an example of how dark Indian Jewelry can be, and also how good they sound while doing so.  Sitar-like guitar rounds out one incredible track.  "Parlous Chapel and Siege" provides a warped gush of sound billowing into vocals and slowly working in synth keys with adds awesome ferocity, especially since they subtly increase the tempo as they go.  "Heaven's World Destroyer" pummels your ears with ever-evolving synth and drums that are out of this world.  The pulsing rhythm of "Touching the Roof of the Sun" has an almost mandolin-like effect, which gives creepy, tin-y sound to the guitar, paired with rolling, thunderous bass and drums. Nice... "Dog Days" ends the album as strong as ever, rocking out with harmonic keys and bass backed by vocals and drums.  Did I say this album is great?  Because it really is fantastic, and my vocabulary is currently incapable of getting across just how good these musicians are.  This is just one in a list of many fine albums Indian Jewelry has to offer.

Check them out at:  Indian Jewelry on Myspace

Love and peace,
Reniazen

4 x 10 = 0mg

You have a Gristleizer, a bass guitar, an old casio keyboard, and two bored dudes in Little Rock who happen to be musicians, so what can you do?  You record an album called 0 mg under the name Medicide.  Sid Sickness and Alex Death bring you 46 minutes of fuzzy, glorious noise, often resulting in an overdose of bass euphoria due to a wonderful gadget known as the Gristleizer.  Using this analog fun house Medicide supply an abundance of warped bass and keyboard, amalgamating into a pile of twisted beats and looping chords.  This is one continuous but evolving track which succeeds in capturing the feeling of being up in the wee hours of the morning pounding your bass and percussion to death, even though this particular piece was recorded in the afternoon.

Get the details on this extremely limited release (only 40 copies and many are spoken for) at Retro Virus Records or contact Alex at Facebook.

Love to your mother,
Reniazen

Burning Down the House


Since I still don't have internet at home, I can't blog over the weekend.  Thus I will have 3 posts today to make up for the lack of quality product since Friday.

Good morning to all.  Today we are lucky enough to have our second interview here at Things I Don't Remember, with a fantastic musician named Aria C. Jalali, who makes music under the moniker Railcars.  You can read about his recent album here: Cathedral With No Eyes.  Please read on to find out what music is really like in California and just who this fine young gentleman is about whom I've been speaking.

What is the local music/art scene like in Berkley?

eh, berkeley is pretty dismal relatively speaking, even san francisco for that matter. in the bay area, in my opinion, oakland is where the music scene really resides. (i just preferred to live in san francisco.) but i've since then moved back home-ish to Los Angeles, home to - again, in my opinion, the best music scene in the US. but soon i'll be headed to new york, and i'm excited to be going to a lot of shows there and nearby, like baltimore. they've always been a blast when i went through on tour.
i guess you just caught me at a bit of a transition stage.

Do you have mostly house shows or bar gigs?

hmm... i guess it depends where we are. Usually in the U.S. we are playing a lot of DIY spots like the smell, in LA, or shea stadium or the market hotel in New York. i guess in a lot of ways they feel more like houses (though they aren't. well, i guess a few of my friends live @ market hotel, so kind of it is... anyway it doesn't matter)
but in Europe, for instance, we end up playing much more proper venues with all sorts of fancy flashing lights and places to buy cocktails. im not sure, maybe because we're an 'import' over there. 
i like the feel of houses/diy spots much more, but i won't lie, having a backstage area loaded with free drinks is also quite choice.


You've previously spoken about touring w/ Handsome Furs (one of my fave bands ever), what was that like?

oh yeah, they are just great. railcars owes a lot to them, the whole project started when i was asked to do some shows with them in 2008. played with them again after that too, and they were always the most down to earth people. i think most recently was a show we had together @ great american music hall in san francisco about a year ago. they fucking killed it that night. they are so talented that sometimes i must suspect wizardry or witchcraft. its just too good.

Do you record your albums all at once or do you record songs as you come up with the ideas and piece them together to make an album?

oh always at once. im really into writing albums instead of songs. to me thats the whole point of an album - its an extended piece of work with multiple movements. an album as a collection of singles, having nothing to do with each other doesn't make as much sense to me... i would rather just release the unrelated singles as... singles. on 7" vinyls or something not as album. though, thats not to say i haven't heard albums-of-singles that didnt rock. sometimes they do, its just not for me. an album, to me, is "heres the big picture i've been working on since we last saw each other."


Who/what is your biggest inspiration?

pop music, and the ensuing guilt that follows for liking it.

Who does your album art?

cities vs submarines and cathedral with no eyes, both had their album artwork done by Claudia O'Steen. she lives in tennessee and she's one of the most talented artists i've ever met. i'm very fortunate. the upcoming 'remixes' EP's artwork was done by Hunter Mack (who runs Gold Robot records), the upcoming Kate Bush cover album and the upcoming railcars full length album are both being done by Claudia O'Steen. She's an integral part. 


Thanks for reading, may love and peace follow you or hatredy.  Take your pick.

Reniazen

Friday, May 14, 2010

Peering into a Cathedral With No Eyes

If you haven’t heard Aria Jalali- aka Railcars- and what he does with loops and keys, you are in for a treat.  His latest album, Cathedral With No Eyes, is an exquisite view into the world of indie noise/fuzz pop, and all that the term entails.
 The journey on this album begins with “Life of Saint Edmund (ponds)”, a jangly piece free from corporate restraint, ripe with fluid chords that remind me of something off of Harmonia & Eno ’76.  “Life…” brings to mind dragonflies and anime parades, childhood loss and love, all resounding with a giant layer of guitar strumming madness.
Next we have “Castles,” reminiscent of early Stooges’ but with keyboard and drum machine.  I don’t know whether to get up and dance or pen a grand romance while listening to this canticle.  It has a faster pace, but is equally as graceful as the previous track.  It’s a solid second song.
“Passion of Saint Edmund (rebirth)” sparkles with bells and Spencer Krug-esque key chords.  Undertones of underwater bliss flow sweetly, until you’re brought up out of the water and are flying through a dense sea of clouds woven with melody.  An aptly named track indeed, as I feel music is quite possibly being reborn in the hands of this capable songwriter.
For “Passion of Saint Edmund (miracles)” we move on to another fabulous beat.  I love the Handsome Furs-style drum machine here, and the seamless transition from the previous number.  It really evokes the idea of one’s life as a journey, and makes you want to hear more.
Luckily for us, we aren’t finished yet, as we now move on to the title expression.  “Cathedral With No Eyes” proves my point that every album should have an epic free for all, and this is one of the best I’ve heard in years.  It makes me feel as if I’m running down the halls of an ancient abbey being chased by ghosts that turn out to be my friends and we end up having a dance party!  Mixed incredibly well (as is the entire album for that matter), this cutthroat piece of music succeeds as a climax rather than allowing the album to fall apart.
Our last stop is with the end, or “Martyrdom of Saint Edmund.”  A warm blanket of sound wraps around you, cradling your soul after and arduous journey through a fantastic sonic landscape. This is truly one of the most beautiful ways to end a tumultuous album- in peace.
This album would be pleasant enough when idly listened to, but diving deeper you find that it's truly a unique musical experience, and one I would hope many of you will endeavor to enjoy on your own. His accolades are well-deserved, and I fully believe that we can all expect to hear some more wonderful sounds coming from this guy in the near future.  (Including his Hounds of Love - Kate Bush cover album!!!)

Thank you all for reading today's review, and stay tuned for an interview with the man behind the music!

Love and peace,

Reniazen




Go here to listen to some sweet Railcars tunes.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

I just want to shake you up baby.

Today will be a light day, but one with a couple of treats for your ears.

Track numero uno:
"Lullabye"- Followed by Static
Dang it I'm sad I missed the show in Hot Springs, but at least I can listen to some of his music on the internet.  This is a great track which exemplifies the aggressiveness of vocal harmonies produced by this talented fellow.  While the journey begins in ambient loops, this song steadily moves toward a foul and rather fantastic blend of rock-inspired riffs and in your face lyrics.  Not to be missed!

Numero dos:
"Infinity Guitars"- Sleigh Bells
Don't call it electro-pop!  This electronic hard rock outfit could kick Abba's ass and dance while doing so.  I'm loving the songs I'm hearing on their debut TREATS, on which you'll find this swanky tune.  A marvelous look into what could be your new favorite album, this particular number could easily have been written by Karen O and Phil Lynott, if such a thing had been possible.  Even if you don't normally enjoy female vocalists, this could be the song to change your mind.  Fo reelz.

Hopefully we'll have another interview and an album review soon, so keep spreading the word!

Love and peace,

Reniazen     Preorder Treats by clicking this link!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Sound of Her Wings

Thanks to Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith and Mike Dringenberg, I have an undying love for beautiful raven haired women with fantastic eyeliner, and a penchant to use clever titles.


I welcome you today with a huge smile on my face, as one of my absolute favorite modern models has given us the first ever Things You Don't Remember interview.  Cherry Dollface, a 27 year old model and entrepreneur currently residing in L.A. answered some questions for me on Facebook.  


Did you grow up thinking about becoming a model or did you have other aspirations?
No, not at all. I was always the goofy awkward friend of the beautiful girls. I always got by on my humor and brains growing up. I always wanted to be the best and the brightest...
Who inspires you the most in your work and/or personal life?
My boyfriend Trevor. He has such an amazing outlook on life. He has gone through some crazy stuff and he is always positive and always smiling. No matter how bad things get, I can go to him with anything and he is always patient and always makes me feel better. He inspires me to be more like him. I am definitely lucky to have him in my life.
When did you first get into modeling? Did you begin as an "alternative model?"
I first got into modeling about 5 years ago when Ol Skool Rodz put me on the cover of their Viva Las Vegas issue. Yeah, I started as a hot rod mag model...
Who can always make you smile?
My best friend Caitlin. He and I are ridiculous when we are together. We seriously laugh at the silliest things and have so much fun.



Some wonderful samples of Cherry's work:
Courtesy of pdxpipelin.com


Alex Hartmark for Bound By Ink's first issue- onsale now:)

Katchlight photo for Portland Pinups on pinuppost.com

Contact Ms. Cherry Dollface at: Cherry's Facebook

You can also see some photos in:




A great insight into the art and culture of modern tattoo!
















Thank you all and stay tuned for more awesomeness to come:)

Love and peace,
Reniazen