Sasquatch 2012 - Day 4: Tenacious D, Beck, Feist

Jack Black emotes with Tenacious D at the main stage, Sasquatch 2012.

Ok, this has been up for a couple of days, but I've been busy working a new gig, so DEAL! Tenacious D, Beck, Feist, The Joy Formidable, Shabazz Palaces, Damien Jurado... it was an eventful day and night.

As usual, word & photos over at the Bumpershine. Do it.

Previously: Sasquatch 2012 Day 3 / Day 2 / Day 1

Feist + Mastodon = Feistodon

Take that Loutallica!

What seemed a surreal rumor a few days ago now has full confirmation: Indie pop princess Feist is teaming up with metal purveyors Mastodon for a split 7" to be released for 2012's Record Store Day (April 21). Mastodon's bassist/singer Troy Sanders confirmed the rumor in an interview with MTV Canada yesterday (video snipped below): "The idea is for Mastodon to cover a Feist song and throw some hair and dirt on it. Then [Feist will] take a Mastodon song and pretty it up a little bit."



The whole mutual admiration society was born from a television appearance on the BBC music talk show Later with Jools Holland, where Feist, Mastodon and Bon Iver made for a sort of dream lineup. The Beauty and the Beast portion of the lineup seemed to hit it off. Feist told of the meeting in an interview with HitFix last month:

"So backstage I’m thinking about letting these two worlds collide, how they should collide, so I'm like 'How about Metals meeting metal?' Brent was like, 'Well, I do like that "Bad in Each Other" song, I could see that.' Maybe now I will look into learning to cover "Oblivion" -- or anything off [The Hunter]. That album's amazing."

The clock is ticking on the availability for both artists to complete the recording, as Mastodon's Troy Sanders puts it: "We only have a short window to make that happen, and that's the month of December."

Now Downloading: New Releases 10.03.11 - Feist

After last week's bountiful harvest, this week looks downright paltry in comparison. The obvious pull here is Feist's third solo release, but don't over look new releases from Colin Stetson, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Zola Jesus, Loney Dear, s.c.u.m., Prince Rama, DJ Shadow, the return of Misfits, along with another idiosyncratic EP from James Blake (available for download only right now), and a compilation of artists (led by Bob Dylan) paying tribute to Hank Williams with interpretations of some notebook entries never before put to music.

Playlist: New Releases 10.03.11

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Feist - Metals
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

One of the things that Feist has always been able to do is to take a somewhat moody sentiment and make it sound a bit chipper, while still keeping a big toe with the indie cred built upon her Broken Social Scene beginnings. With Metals, much of what made Sesame Street come a calling is gone, and mood wins out. Feist is still balancing her sound here, but instead making the painful more palatable in the mood of the song, it's the rich production that does the heavy lifting in balancing out the recent VH1 crossover fans with her indie sensibilities. While our ears are clear winners in the battle (Metals is majestic in its beauty), on the whole it feels like neither side is fully served. You'd be hard pressed to find a radio hit here and, likewise, any artsy weirdness that would make early BSS fans moan in indie ecstasy.

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More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
James Blake - Enough Thunder / Album Stream vis Spotify
Colin Stetson - Those Who Didn't Run
Zola Jesus - Conatus
We Were Promised Jetpacks - In the Pit of the Stomachs
Loney Dear - Hall Music / "My Heart" [mp3]
s.c.u.m. - Again Into Eyes / Free AOL Album Stream
Prince Rama - Trust Now
DJ Shadow - The Less You Know, The Better
Talkdenomic - Ruins / Free AOL Album Stream / "Revival" [mp3]
The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams
Masters of the Hemisphere - Maybe These are the Breaks
Charalambibes - Exile
Modeselektor - Monkeytown
Misfits - Devil's Rain / Free AOL Album Stream
Merle Haggard - Working in Tennessee
Indigo Girls - Beauty Queen Sister / Free AOL Album Stream

REISSUES
The Beach Boys - The Beach Boys' Christmas Album

tags: music, album review, feist, indie rock, new releases

Music on TV - Week of 10.03.11: George Harrison, Feist, Mastodon

Martin Scorcese's George Harrison: Living in the Material World airs in 2 parts on HBO

“George himself is no mystery. But the mystery inside George is immense. It’s watching him uncover it all little by little that’s so damn interesting.”
- John Lennon

George Harrison was more than just "the quiet one," and the fact that he was able to keep a substantial amount of mystery about him while being one of the most famous faces on the planet is alone enough to warrant a documentary. Director Martin Scorcese, with his fourth glorious rock documentary after profiling The Band (The Last Waltz, Bob Dylan (No Direction Home) and the Rolling Stones (Shine a Light), does his best to lift the veil on Harrison through a marathon-length film that's as thorough as it is thought provoking.

The film is broken up into two parts (to be aired on Wednesday and Thursday nights on HBO) that could be categorized as "With the Beatles" and "Post-Beatles." While the first part doesn't break any new ground for Beatles fans, it serves and an incredible set up for the revelations in part 2. With the Beatles you see multitudes of Harrison's songs get left on the drawing room floor, making the 22 song solo debut (All Things Must Pass -- what many, including myself, consider the best post-Beatles album by any of the members) that much more triumphant. Scorcese has really outdone himself here, even finding himself in the mystery of George Harrison. It's a must watch for any HBO subscriber, otherwise look for it on DVD possibly later this year.

Meanwhile, Canadian songstress Feist is back this week with her third solo release, Metals. If there was one thing that marked her first two releases, it was the ability to make even the most depressing of subjects sound bouncy and joyous. With Metals, though, the exuberance is mostly gone, making this album a far moodier affair. The moods, though, are quite brilliant, and Feist shows no signs of running out of musical ideas. Feist plays Letterman on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Mastodon also graces the stage at Ed Sullivan Theatre, tearing up Letterman on Wednesday. As I mentioned last week, I'm awfully smitten with their latest, The Hunter, and after having seen them open for Soundgarden, I can tell you do not want to miss this wondrous culture clash. (Hope Paul Shaffer works his way into sitting in, adding some cheese keys to the affair.) Also: Look for Radiohead Monday on Fallon. (How weird is it that a Radiohead appearance on Fallon only warrants only an also?)

Picks for the week
Monday, October 3
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Blink 182
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Sting
FUEL: The Daily Habit: New Found Glory
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Radiohead
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Death Cab for Cutie (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Hanson (REPEAT)
Tuesday, October 4
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Mute Math
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Feist
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Mona
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Daryl Hall
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lykke Li
TBS: Conan: Yeasayer (REPEAT)
Wednesday, October 5
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: J. Cole
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Mastodon
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Mos Def & Talib Kweli
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Knux
HBO: George Harrison: Living in the Material World: George Harrison, The Beatles
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Portishead
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Fools Gold, Roll the Tanks
Thursday, October 6
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Jane's Addiction
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Joy Formidable
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Rapture
HBO: George Harrison: Living in the Material World: George Harrison, The Beatles
NBC: The Today Show: O.A.R.
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Blondie
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Jeff the Brotherhood
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Frightened Rabbits, J. Cole
Friday, October 7
ABC: The View: Alicia Keys
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Garland Jeffries
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Knux
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Puddle of Mudd
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Judas Priest, Joe Jonas (sitting in with The Roots)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Biffy Clyro
Saturday, October 8
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Josh Groban
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Foster the People
PBS: Austin City Limits: Raphael Saadiq, Black Joe Lewis

When the words we use are sometimes misconstrued

Wilco and Feist last night on Letterman performed a dreamy version of "You and I." If you're familiar with the recorded version, you might have picked up on how Jeff Tweedy and Feist are endearingly off-time singing the word 'misconstrued.' Here, they give each other a knowing smile and make sure they sing it in sync (at about 1:51 in):



Previously: This week's Ear On TV music on tv calendar

Ear on TV: Week of November 17

Humorously recalling the days of Perry Como and Bing Crosby holiday specials, A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All takes the cardigan-wearing, pipe-smoking, crooning-by-the-fire holiday musical genre to new heights. Airing this Sunday night, the story has Stephen Colbert travelling to a performance with Elvis Costello, and they get snowed in at his upstate New York cabin (hint: it's bear country).

Besides Costello, musical guests include Willie Nelson (singing "Little Dealer Boy,") Feist, John Legend and Toby Keith, who declares a war on the war on Christmas with "Have I Got A Present For You." Jon Stewart even lends his pipes for a song about Hannukah. (All songs are co-written by Fountain of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger.) And if it gets you in the spirit for holiday giving (or you just plain missed it,) it's out on DVD two days later, with much of the proceeds going to Feeding America.

Meanwhile, one my biggest guilty pleasures in life is tribute bands, which I often find better than the real thing. Letterman is sharing that love this week, declaring it Tribute Band Week, booking acts invoking the spirit of music icons. Monday features Purple Reign (Prince), Tuesday is Cold Hard Cash (Johnny Cash,) Wednesday is Mr. Brownstone (Guns n' Roses,) Thursday is Super Diamond (Neil Diamond,) and Friday is The Allstarz (James Brown). It's worth noting that Purple Reign's act is a legendary in Vegas, and the Boston/New York hybrid Mr. Brownstone features members of Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, Takka Takka, Boss Tweed and The Common End. You don't want to miss either of these (and if you can't make it, have someone who looks and sounds like you tune in).

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 17
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Kanye West (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Purple Reign (Prince tribute band)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Adele
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Blitzen Trapper
Tuesday, November 18
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Paul Simon
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Cold Hard Cash (Johnny Cash tribute band)
IFC: The Henry Rollins Show: Shane MacGowan (REPEAT)
Wednesday, November 19
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Mr Brownstone (Guns n' Roses tribute band)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Secret Machines
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Margot & the Nuclear So So's
Thursday, November 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Hives
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Super Diamond (Neil Diamond tribute band)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Friendly Fires
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Tenacious D
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Brian Wilson
Friday, November 21
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Allstarz (James Brown tribute band)
Saturday, November 22
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Estelle
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Ludacris, T-Pain
PBS: Austin City Limits: Gnarls Barkley, Thievery Corporation
Sunday, November 23
COMEDY CENTRAL: A Colbert Christmas: Feist, Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, John Legend, Toby Keith

Yule love this...

Is it too early to get excited for a Christmas special? It isn't if it's The Colbert Report and the guests include the likes of Elvis Costello, Feist, Willie Nelson, John Legend and (gulp) Toby Keith. The special, titled A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All, will air Sunday, November 23 at 10pm, which will closely be followed by a DVD release two days later (a portion of the DVD's proceeds will go to Feeding America). The DVD features, among other things, a book burning Yule to warm your home by.

A Colbert Christmas figures to be a musical extravaganza with original songs written by Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger (That Thing You Do!, Music and Lyrics). A quick list of songs makes the heart quicken a bit:

• "Another Christmas Song" – Stephen Colbert
• "Have I Got A Present For You" – Toby Keith
• "Little Dealer Boy" – Stephen Colbert and Willie Nelson
• "Hannukah" – Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart
• "Nutmeg" – Stephen Colbert and John Legend
• "Please Be Patient" – Feist
• "There Are Much Worse Things to Believe In" – Stephen Colbert and Elvis Costello
• "(What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love And Understanding" – Stephen Colbert, Elvis Costello, Feist, Toby Keith, John Legend and Willie Nelson

This is going to be Jesus' best birthday ever!

Hat tip to Bumpershine

Ear On TV: The Week of June 11

Lately I'm wondering if I should bother even compiling this list, and instead just put up an ad for The Henry Rollins Show in it's place, as week after week, the most interesting going on is on IFC's Friday night talk show. This week, indie rock legend Bob Mould takes time out from writing about wrestling to play a couple songs in the show's studio. Mould and Rollins have a bit in common... both had a lot of angst in the eighties underground, and have come out twenty years later doing things no one would've predicted: Bob Mould as DJ (Blowoff) and Rollins as an empathizing talk show host. Speaking to that point, Rollins precedes the Mould performance with an interview with some veterans of the Iraq war. This is something close to Rollins heart, as he's spent a lot of time doing tours for the soldiers and visiting VA hospitals, and continues to champion their cause against an administration that seems to be abandoning them.

Elsewhere, ex Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrel has a new band (Satellite Party) and they take up residency on the Carson Daly Show with a three-night run, while UK popster Lily Allen is a last second addition to tonight's Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, June 11
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Feist (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Lily Allen
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: El-P
Tuesday, June 12
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Feist
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Satellite Party
Wednesday, June 13
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Elvis Perkins
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Patty Griffin
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Satellite Party
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Patty Griffin (REPEAT)
Thursday, June 14
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Pink Martini
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Bloc Party
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Andrew Bird
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Satellite Party
Friday, June 15
IFC: The Henry Rollins Show: Bob Mould
Saturday, June 16
PBS: Austin City Limits: Ryan Adams, Tift Merritt (REPEAT)

tags: music, television, soundtrack, talk shows, henry rollins, lily allen, bob mould, indie rock, rhapsody

Ear on TV: Week of May 7

Canada's Leslie Feist is poised to breakthrough in the US on the strength of her latest album, The Reminder, released this past week. When she performs "1234" on Leno Tuesday night, her effortless artistry may only initially be noticed by her ardent followers, but her voice should appeal to a wider base of fans like that of platinum-selling artists like Norah Jones and Corinne Bailey Rae. The album was on repeat at the local Barnes & Noble yesterday, as I watched my son playing with trains, which took me by surprise a little. Not that The Reminder sounded out of place, just that Feist cut her teeth playing with acts like Peaches and Broken Social Scene, who are pretty far away from the radio (and bookstore) play that this album will be getting.

Meanwhile, Kelly Clarkson's already had her breakthrough, but she worked it in reverse of Feist's trajectory. Starting as an American Idol winner, she had a built-in fanbase of pop music buyers, but she craved some more 'cred' and garnered it with the song "Since U Been Gone," appealing to indie rockers and Idol fans alike. But she still knows to stick with the fella that brought her to the dance, so while next album, My December, doesn't come out until July 24, Clarkson is making several appearances this week to coincide with Idol's May sweeps run to the finish. She'll be performing her single "Never Again" on Letterman (Tuesday,) Regis (Wednesday,) and Jimmy Kimmel (Friday.) We can assume there will be more in the coming weeks.

Finally, promising 23-year old Patrick Wolf makes his network television debut (on Conan Wednesday,) this on the heels of his announcement that a concert coming up in November will be his last. He's clarified it as more of a hiatus, but it's still alarming given his quick rise thanks to his incredible release The Magic Position. It's Hunky Dory-meets-Odelay pop artistry is a bold revelation, and if Wolf leaves that as his final parting shot, it's quite a mark, to be sure.

Picks for the week
Monday, May 7
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Cat Empire
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Paul Wall (REPEAT)
Tuesday, May 8
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Kelly Clarkson
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Feist
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bloc Party
Wednesday, May 9
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Kooks
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Dinosaur Jr.
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Aqualung
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Patrick Wolf
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Joseph Arthur
SYNDICATION: Live With Regis and Kelly: Kelly Clarkson
Thursday, May 10
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Nelly Furtado
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Stephen Marley
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Bird and the Bee
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Kanye West
Friday, May 11
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Kelly Clarkson
IFC: The Henry Rollins Show: Chris Cornell
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ying Yang Twins
Saturday, May 12
PBS: Austin City Limits: Ray Davies (REPEAT)

tags: music, television, soundtrack, talk shows, feist, kelly clarkson, patrick wolf, indie rock, rhapsody

Now Downloading: New Releases 05.01.07

A subtle week for releases as several low-key greats make their way into the fold. Besides the latest from Dinosaur Jr (referenced yesterday) there's the latest from Fiest, Patrick Wolf, Frog Eyes and a week early look at The Sea and Cake's Everybody.

Playlist: New Releases 05.01.07

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Album: Feist - The Reminder

Feist's latest album The Reminder finds the Canadian now in full control of her artistic talents. This lazy, warm and laid-back affair was recorded just outside Paris should, by all appearances, propel the 31-year old into the means by which she can afford to purchase herself that place in the country she pined for in her last album's hit, "Mushaboom." While there's nothing nearly as beguiling as that wonderful song, the albums highs are continuous, including the first single "My Moon My Man," which marches right into your head and stays for eternity. The second single is slated to be the song "1234," which is also great, but I'm surprised that "I Feel It All" isn't up for the honor, as it seems the one more likely to break her out ("I'll be the one to break my own heart".) The most enchanting song on the album, however, is the song "Limit to Your Love," which features this lyrical turn: "There's a limit to your love / Like a waterfall in slow motion." Positively dreamy.

Free Album stream from AOL

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Album: Patrick Wolf - Dumb Luck

Seems weird that this album is just now seeing it's wide release, given all the drama that's surrounded Patrick Wolf's recent ascention into fame's fickle sphere. Seems that he was straddling that space between ardent cult fan and attaining some mainstream audience and something snapped. First his drummer, then his fans... then he himself. Wolf announced (via a message board) that an upcoming show in November would be his last, sending fans into a frenzy fearing their comments sent him into early (he's only 23) retirement. He's since reigned in that histrionic plea a bit, saying now he'll just be taking a break from music. Hopefully not too long of a break, as the musical leap he achieved from Lycanthropy to Magic Position is quite amazing, and I'm ever so anxious to see what someone his age would do next.

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Album: The Sea and Cake - Everybody (Rhapsody Exclusive)

The latest from the Chicago band The Sea and Cake is a pleasant surprise, only in that it's in Rhapsody a week early. Otherwise Everybody is nearly exactly the sort of release you'd expect from a band that features the sublime artistic virtues of Sam Prekop, Archer Prewitt and producer exraordinaire John McEntire. Seemingly effortless in it's approach, you sometimes forget just how much is going on in a TSAC song. "Exact to Me" is more overt in it's rhythmic complexity, while "Lightning" gently nods to TSAC's pop side. It's still early (just found it today,) but it's already nestled itself into heavy airplay here in drakeland, and I'm sure it will with you as well.

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More going (or already in) the Sansa
Dinosaur Jr - Beyond (Free album stream from AOL)
Frog Eyes - The Future Is Inter-disciplinary Or Not At All
Black Rebel Motorcycle - Baby 81
65daysofstatic - The Destruction of Small Ideas
Rush - Snakes & Arrows
Tori Amos - American Doll Posse
Ne-yo - Because Of You
Spider-Man 3: Music from and Inspired By
Von Iva - Von Iva

tags: music, album review, dinosaur jr, feist, patrick wolf, the sea and cake, frog eyes, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody