This is an online music fan zine. Please support music and musicians by going to shows, purchasing CDs, buying a damn T-shirt!
All mp3s are posted here with permission from the artists/labels/PR folks, and for a very brief time. If you have any issues with content on this zine please email me; atartytart@gmail.com I'm addicted to my Iphone, darlins'... I'll get back to you.
If you like what's up here, it'd be nice to know about it, so leave me some comments, eh? You can always post me love notes and CDs and such at: Love Shack, Baby, PO Box 221235 Chicago, IL 60622 (note new addy)
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If you follow my insane twitter feed you saw me go apeshit over Lightning Bolt (and misspell it all day) at Pitchfork Fest last month. They seriously blew my mind with crazy, intense, good base-level noise. There are a few thousand of us women out here that respond to that kind of thing the way you guys do, I’m happy to report. It is just a complete turn on to feel that level of energy from a performer, and from the stacks, and from the crowd. Yeah, I was breathless. No, I didn’t care who noticed.
I have nothing else to say, but be at this show if you’re even the least bit curious.
LIGHTNING BOLT & DAN DEACON ENSEMBLE
THU 10/7 LEXINGTON, KY Busters SUN 10/10 CHICAGO, IL TBA
MON 10/11 TOLEDO, OH Mickey Finn’s
TUE 10/12 TORONTO, ON Great Hall
WED 10/13 MONTREAL, QC Cabaret Mile End
THU 10/14 ALBANY, NY Northern Lights
FRI 10/15 BROOKLYN, NY Ridgewood Music Hall
This is a nice little “retro” song I found on Spin magazine’s Bonaroo Picks for 2010 (it’s free.) Young Veins’ album Take a Vacation looks promising, let me know if you’ve heard it and what you think!
So the little “wifey” says I need to change up this blog. What do ya think? I’m pretty convinced I need a new picture up top. This one is of Austin, TX afterall! How about it, Chicago? Don’t you think we need a little Chicago music scenery? I’d love to have a panoramic picture of our lovely Chicago scenery (lakefront? skyline? musical architectural institution?) Yes, it has to be panoramic in style to fit in the header requirements. So, photographers out there, if you’re willing to part with one of your lovely creations, let me know! I’ll gladly give you full credit, of course.
Another thing I’ve been wondering about is how this looks/works with Chrome? I can’t get the self-hosted music files to play on Chrome, can you? Try playing this track as well as the eagleowl MP3, “Eat Hats” down below. Does the yahoo media player work for you? If it does (in Chrome) what extension are you using? I’m so lost!
And, please sound in on whatever else you think needs upgrading/changing/improving here in the Shack! Your opinions are always important to me, darlings xoxo
It was just one of those nights… too much brisket, not enough coffee, he plays mandolin, she calls herself a “Cubist”, we love them both… and yet, they make us watch this. I’m warning you, it’s not pretty!
There are so many good blogs out there, and it’s easy to get focused on what I want to write or what I feel you want to hear, that I sometimes don’t get around to reading my friends nearly as often as I wish I did. So, it’s high time I highlighted one that is really outstanding. You really should go peek over at Sunset Over Slawit where Rol has reviewed Chuck Klosterman’s book, CK IV: A Decade Of Curious People And Dangerous Ideas. I breezed through Rol’s post happily, reminded of his previous review of Fargo Rock City and how it made me want to put that book on my xmas list. But this one seemed to be a little less interesting, more generally “men’s writing,” and then whamo! Rol hit me with this quote:
Here’s the first step to happiness: don’t get pissed off that people who aren’t you happen to think Paris Hilton is interesting and deserves to be on TV every other day; the fame surrounding Paris Hilton is not a reflection on your life (unless you want it to be). Don’t get pissed off because the Yeah Yeah Yeahs aren’t on the radio enough; you can buy the goddamn record and play ‘Maps’ all goddamn day (if that’s what you want)…
Basically, don’t get pissed off over the fact that the way you feel about culture isn’t some kind of universal consensus. Because if you do, you will end up feeling betrayed. And it will be your own fault.
Now doesn’t that just fucking sum up what I have been rambling on about for awhile? I love it when somebody just encapsulates the point of the argument so succinctly. Tolerance, darlings… It’s what’s for breakfast. xoxo
“(Don”t Worry) If There’s A Hell Below We’re All Going To Go” Curtis Mayfield …..Curtis!, 1970… and I add the date there to qualify the words (namely the “n” word, among others) he uses in this song, please do remember the time and meaning they held then as opposed to now.
“Taste” Animal Collective…. BBC Maida Vale Studio, I’m pretty sure I got this track over here, at The Road 2 Nowhere which is a rather nice music blog and has an explaination for the whole song.
We are the interplanatery quite extraordinary Kazoo Funk Orchestra & this week we are taking over the usual broadcast of The Waiting Room from planet WOXY.
Do not be alarmed – we mean no harm.
Members of our super species crew (Big Beard, Little Beard, Smalls, Mechanical, Part-Time Dave, Boyce + Herbal) will merely guide you through an ambient mind control experiment.
You may experience an emotion you WOXYlings refer to as ”bewilderment” – in our parallel universe this is the greatest pleasure one Funk Orchestrian dervives from the intimate company of another Funk Orchestrian (of the opposite chest topography) whilst blowing on each other’s Kazoo.
Should you experience such an emotion please refrain from panic – simply embrace the nearest WOXYling (of either chest topographical derivation as may suit) & politely insist they give you a ‘toot’.
Sit back people of the planet WOXY & listen to the skies.
Jingle Bells is one of those songs you can just hear too many times. Well, the Tart has a cure for that! Here’s a few versions that you just might have not heard yet.
I started out with Yello’s super-cool take on the old standard and well, I just went from there and ran with it!
Jingle Bells mp3 Yello Essential Christmas buy it (Amazon.de link)
There’s just no appropriate segue for what comes next, is there? You know I have this quirky sense of humor, it helps me get on with the UK crowd I like to think.
Jingle Bells and Smack mp3 David Peel and The Lower East Side Marijuana Christmas buy it
Jingle Bells mp3 Richard Cheese Kevin and Bean’s Christmastime in the 909buy it
Which only makes you crave the real thing, honestly…
We must end with a legitimate techno theme and I swear this may be the longest, slowest version of it you will ever hear… and it is an awfully cool song, it’s a shame to throw it in amongst these awful tracks!
Jingle Bells (Snowblower) mp3 Love Lies Crushing Dark Noel, vol. 1 buy it
Well! I’m glad I got that out of my system. And you all now have something to play for your 8 year old brother this xmas. Just don’t say you got it here, ok? Serious Christmas blogging will begin anon.
Here’s my year end list… of my faves, and it’s just that dear readers. You’ll find an eclectic mix here, what else should you expect from a musical dilettante? It reflects my love of three major genres; indie/pop, folk, punk/industrial. All of them are on heavy rotation here at chez Tart and please do go out and support these artists! I have many, many bloggers to thank for turning me on to these fine artists, you all know who you are, xoxoxo!
Meursault Pissing on Bonfires/Kissing with Tongues. I reviewed this amazing Indie album recently here, find two tracks to listen to and support this great band put out by Song by Toad records.
The Duke SpiritNeptune. A review of their gig is here but this album has proved to be worthy of play after play. Hard hitting indie rock, with lead singer Leila Moss’ beautiful throaty vocals, and a great band, I can’t say enough about this group. This Ship Was Built To Last mp3 Buy it here.
Trapt Only Through The Pain. Mainstream industrial/alternative rock, anticipated here. Curiosity Kills mp3 What can I say? When you love a certain sound you don’t need a reason why. I’m hooked on Trapt. Buy it here.
Samantha Crain The Confiscation EP . I saw her live after falling for her folk-inspired voice on this EP, she’s even better than I hoped. Completley amazing and coming out with a new album in 2009 – someone to watch for, people! Unique and beautiful, you must listen to this. The River mp3 Buy it here.
Arizona Glowing Bird. Reviewed here with mp3 to listen to as well. All indie, sound of an angel, organically flowing creative band that scratches that itch you never knew you even had. Buy it here.
Sigur RosMed Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust. This should be on everyone’s list, completely unique and there’s no reason at all why I should like this but I absolutely do adore it very much! Góðan daginn mp3 I usually describe this kind of music as “movie music” but with an indie twist.
Frightened RabbitThe Midnight Organ Fight. Old Old Fashioned mp3This album has been on constant rotation, I mean constant. It’s so Scottish, so danceable, so alternative/indie and the sound is just so right for 2008. Buy it here.
The Loved OnesBuild and Burn. This is another anticipated album for me. I loved the Loved Ones raw melodic punk sound. They reminded me of old skool punk, back when punk bands didn’t sing so damn fast and in that awful growly way that you couldn’t understand the words, remember? These kids whine about love and being broke and life in the general punk way that we all felt when we were young. I really love this album and just couldn’t keep it off my top ten even if it’s not the greatest punk music of all time. I Swear mp3 Buy it here.
Lightspeed ChampionFalling Off The Lavender Bridge. This guy’s voice just KILLS me… it’s unique, it’s full of locality, his songs are angsty, humours, gutsy and instantaneously recongnizable. Listen to Lightspeed Champion’s indie/freak/folk style and you’ll agree with me, I swear. Let The Bitches Die mp3 Buy it here.
Robin GreyI Love Leonard Cohen EP. I’m way behind in my review of this EP of a wonderful folk singer who I found on a blog nearby. He’s a Leonard Cohen fan, has a beautiful voice, and well… check back soon for more of why I love this record! I Love Leonard Cohen mp3and you can download the EP on Jamendo … maybe give Mr. Grey a donation there too, eh?
The Poison Arrows Casual Wave EP. Reviewed their gig here, as they opened for Holy Fuck. I’ve listened to this moody, dark EP quite a lot since then and they surely deserve more air space and a major signing in 2009. Here’s hoping! Frozen Human Satellite mp3 buy it here.
The Midway State Holes. Recently reviewed this band here. I still can’t get these songs out of my head. Definitely, this is a band to watch, mp3 on that review for ya.
Rolo TomassiHysterics. This album is so interesting. I keep listening to it because I can’t catergorize it. It’s punk/experimental/synth/just plain mental. And the fact that it’s a woman doing all that screetching is even more intriguing and amazing. It’s also near impossible to pick one track off it to give you, the whole album should be listened to through, as a whole. But try this Oh Hello Ghost mp3, and go buy it here.
Jesus on ExtasyBeloved Enemy. I never got around to reviewing this album, but although it’s not as great as their last, I still love it.Lies mp3. Industrial/dance music doesn’t get much better than this, buy it here.
You know I can’t resist naughtiness! And xmas provides such opportunities. Even though it’s sunny and bright and not so cold here yet I’m working up some holiday spirit for a dreadful Monday. And for that I mean I’m mostly dreaming of what fun to have on our little trip (paid for way before the New Economy kicked in, thankfully!) So readers, if you are in London between xmas and New Year’s do drop me a line and MeatPokect and I will come stuff yer stocking (or at least have a drink, eh?). You know you can’t sit home with family the WHOLE time behaving yourself! hehehe
In the meantime enjoy these little gems, some fun tunes to entertain your families (not!)
(I take no responsibility for you playing these in your office or in other “inappropriate” surroundings, use caution please.)
Naughty Naughty Christmas mp3 by Danger Danger on Monster Ballads Christmas buy it for someone you love
Boob Job For ChristmasThe only reference I can find to this is that it is by someone named Virginia Kegel, but I think it is connected with the brilliant Bob Rivers.
Suck On My Cock (Jingle Bells Parody)Bob Rivers, no idea what album this is on, but it’s graphically awesome
Many of my blogging friends are outraged and depressed over the passage of anti-gay marriage amendments in Arizona, California and Florida this past Tuesday. The simple fact is that in some of those states the very same people who voted in Obama voted out the rights of gays to marry and it’s making folks more than a little upset. Here at chez Tart, we remain unfazed. Why?
Marriage sucks. Marriage should be outlawed. Nobody should be married. Marriage is for neanderthals and pricks (no not the kind I like, ok?). The only reasons semi-right-minded people get married these days are:
for health insurance rights (an insult to our inherent rights as a human being to health and happiness)
to please our families (an insult to our independence and sense of self in the face of a worn out tradition that smacks of heterosexism and oppression)
to get a boatload of gifts that you could get anyway at a big ole party
in some states, (now Arkansas, as of Tuesday) to adopt children, yes for you straight people now too
to declare a legal relationship in order to inherit an estate at a reduced tax rate (that rate is currently zero)
Yeah, that’s my opinion. It’s insulting to some of you, I’m sure. And indeed MeatPocket M.Chutney, my lovely “wife” and I got “married” in that we stood up before a hundred or so of our friends and family and declared our unlawful love for one another 15 years ago. It wasn’t legal then, it isn’t legal now. It was SYMBOLIC folks, we had a blast doing it.
Marriage was created as a legal contract between two parties to establish lineage in order to retain property rights. Period. It is not a spiritual union, it never has been. All that churchy stuff was tacked on to make it seem like a nice community oriented matter in order to sell it to the public and mask its true commercial nature and to provide for yet another opportunity of collective effervescence (aka. a party with drunkenness and general good feeling to bond us together). As capitalism grew as a dominant force in world power, the marriage contract grew in importance — wealth accumulated and we needed to know who would inherit it! But with all the fun we were having at weddings and baby christenings and bachelor parties (not in that order, obviously1) we didn’t have our minds on the accumulation and protection of wealth, did we?
In the 20th century, with the advent of a multicultural and postmodern society, (which values tolerance and inclusiveness), stretching the definition of marriage and allowing other types of couples to enter into that contract should be seen as simply a business arrangement transacted for the benefit of the economic forces at hand. Logically, there is no reason to prohibit two men or two women from entering into this type of contract for their common welfare and the welfare of their children. Just as 40 years ago there was no logical reason for prohibiting two people of different races (at that time African-American and white) to be married. However, those old religious trappings have a lasting impact. People have become wed to the mask and have forgotten the original meaning of marriage. That is what capitalism seeks to do, and what it does so well. That is the essence of its success. It takes what is mechanical, inhuman, and purely market-oriented, and masks that with something that thinks, feels, and acts in a way to react to the lived experience of capitalism itself. In other words, it takes a market transaction and makes it feel like a human experience. When any disruption in forces is sought out or naturally comes about to change the workings of capital intentions (the smooth operations of mechanistic contracts) then conflict arises – emotional flareups occur. Read more after the tunes, it’s long, sorry.
Nina SimoneBe My Husband Let It Be Me (such a sad song, surely no recommendation for marriage!)
Nina SimoneMarriage is For Old Folks I Put A Spell On You (here, she really tells it like it is)
Billy BraggThe MarriageTalking With The Taxman About Poetry (well, he did it anyway, alas!)
The ReplacementsYou’re Getting MarriedStink (the song NOT to give someone about to get married)
Amy Ray and The VolunteersLet It RingLive From Knoxville (gotta have one protest song or I lose my membership in Dykes Anonymous!)
…. from the other place. First post at our new home, and I decided to come in with a bang! So if you’re in the U.S. go vote tomorrow. And in the meantime, let me know what you think of this:
Honestly, does it make you laugh or cry? I figure either way, your mind is made up by now, so this is either funny as hell or incredibly offensive. Feed my comment box, eh? I’ll reward you with some music tomorrow, promise xoxoxo
P.S. Sorry about the comment moderation! I can’t figure out how to just let you comment without having to approve the first time you do, eeek…. just do it once and after that you should be ok…. and if anyone out there knows how to fix it so that people can just comment at will, let me know, eh? Thanks Bob! Comments all ok now, comment at will!
Colossus mp3 Lightning Bolt Earthly Delights … buy it!
Jingle Bells is one of those songs you can just hear too many times. Well, the Tart has a cure for that! Here’s a few versions that you just might have not heard yet.
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