Sweden's Love Is All have been one of my indie pop crushes for quite some time, and I've never had the pleasure of seeing them rock out live, but that will all change this Sunday at Nectar! They'll be performing with non other than Brooklyn's toast of the town, Vivian Girls (who have been slowly working their way under my skin for weeks now).

While LIA's latest effort, A Hundred Things Keep Me Up At Night, is less spastic (and sounds less like X-Ray Specs) than their previous work, the infectious pop hooks and undeniable dance beats make this a sure bet for my year end list.

Here's a video of their song "Wishing Well" that's been stuck in my head for weeks. (Spoiler alert: This is your typical indie pop video, where it's just the band members running around and doing cute things, but they're Swedish, and they can pull it off.)

As for Vivian Girls, I'm hoping to be officially won over. This song, "Tell the World" off their self titled album, has been doing the trick lately.

Both bands perform at Nectar (21+) this Sunday.

For a band that has released one 4 song EP and put a little over 8 minutes of recorded music into the world close to a decade ago, there sure has been an awful lot of talk about The Spells these days.

The Spells were a collaboration between Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein and Helium frontwoman Mary Timony. They had released The Age of Backwards EP in June of 1999 on K Records - but haven't done much of anything together since then. Before all of this, a few weeks ago I had even brought the band up in an interview with a musician who is collaborating with Timony and was unaware of its existence. (Or maybe it was a lame attempt to impress a crush-worthy indie rocker of my knowledge of semi-bscure bands.)

Timony released several excellent solo records (on labels like Matador and Kill Rock Stars) and Brownstein has been writing most (including the Monitor Mix blog for NPR).

Now, Brownstein had uncovered our additional Spells songs that did not make it on to The Age of Backwards and she has posted them on her NPR blog (two songs, "Bat vs. Bird" and "Antarctica", are available for free download). Also there is an interesting conversation between Timony and Brownstein about their band.

Brownstein also gave an interview to P4k where she answered the question that keeps me getting out of bed every morning:

Pitchfork: Finally, I have to ask: Any possibility of a Sleater-Kinney reunion at any point?

CB: [laughs] [pauses] Yeah, I don't think we're ruling it out. But it's not going to be any time soon. We probably wouldn't use the word "reunion" [laughs]. We would say that the hiatus is off. It's just semantics, but yeah [laughs]. "Reunion" is a scary word. There's some horrible connotations in the word "reunion" [laughs]. It involves a lot of, like, face makeup, and everyone commenting about how much older we look. It's precarious: the longer you wait, I think it gets worse.

Pitchfork: Well, I know it would make a lot of people happy.

CB: It would make at least maybe ten people happy. I know we could fill a venue of ten people [laughs].

Pitchfork: I think it would be quite a bit more than that.

CB: OK, 30 to 40.

Pitchfork: You can play in your basement or something.

CB: Exactly. I would love to do a reunion tour if it only involved basements across the U.S.

From Wednesday's press release:

Hello dear friends,

It is with a wee bit of sadness (but also a good helping of hope and excitement, we'll add) that we must announce the departure from our lovely city of one of the scene's (and our) tried and true favorites, The Pharmacy, as they prepare to move to New Orleans in early 2009.

We know how you're feeling. Sad. We know. We felt the same.

But here's the thing... The Pharmacy - Scott Yoder, Stefan Rubicz, and Brendhan Bowers - has contributed to Seattle for YEARS and remains one of our most active bands, which means a) they'll be back and b) it's time we share them...

Still not having it? Here's what Scottie had to say about the move:

"We're totally excited about New Orleans. We took some time off there on this tour during Halloween and election night and it was amazing. During the Day of the Dead celebration some of us covered our faces with powdered sugar from the beignets from Cafe Dumone. New Orleans has such amazing musical heritage: Fats Domino, Wild Tchoupitoulas, Randy Newman... it's always inspiring to be there and this time we decided that we really want to stay!"

Asked what they'll miss most about  Seattle, [Scottie] replied: "We'll miss Than Brothers!"

We feel better already.

The Pharmacy Remains on both the Don't Stop Believin' Records and WigPR rosters, so please feel free to reach out with feedback, hate/love notes, or if you'd like to offer up your shoulder for... us to cry on.

Also - please mark two Very Important Pharmacy Dates on your calendar:

DECEMBER 31 - The Comet

JANUARY 2 - Healthy Times Fun Club (last show... until next time!)

We can get through this together.

Love & hope,

WigPR and Don't Stop Believin'

Sad! But good! But sad, still. But we *heart* New Orleans! Such a mixed bag... feel free to add comments, memories, opinions, laments... [sigh]

Last night I saw Of Montreal put on one of the craziest and funnest shows I've ever seen* (watch out for Chris B's review!). I was having the time of my life, until they decided to close with "Smell's Like Teen Spirit" (which I'd heard that they had been doing quite a bit on this tour). While Kevin Barnes started the song by saying "this means no disrespect", I feel like covering Nirvana in Seattle, especially that song, feels just the opposite. Or at least just really cheesy. I feel like there's a moratorium on doing it, and it's not over yet.

Am I just being a crankypants? Everyone else seemed to be having the time of their lives. All I could think was that they were too young, or didn't grow up here. After the show ended, and I looked visibly irritated, my friend (who just moved here) told me to get over myself. He explained that Of Montreal are the kind of band that always covers songs, and while it used to be the Kinks and the Who, now they have a younger audience, and they have to cater to them (they also covered Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out"). Am I really the only one who feels like covering Nirvana in Seattle is inappropriate? If so, do you feel like maybe someday it might not be inappropriate?

For reference, here's a clip of them covering it in New York. 

* Seriously no disrespect Kevin Barnes and co. That was really one of the best shows I've seen this year.

Plan ahead to shop for alternative goods and support local crafters at three upcoming indie craft events.

 To the point, in presentation-ready short-form:

• Punk Rock Flea Market: December 6th
• Urban Craft Uprising: December 6th and 7th
• I Heart Rummage: December 21st

Did I miss any good indie craft fairs? Yes? Be a dear and add to this list in the comments, k?

Useful craft trifecta details follow, in narrative long-form:

Punk Rock Flea Market, Dec 6th

In addition to handmade craft goods, the Punk Rock Flea Market typically offers artwork, vintage stuff, books, housewares, records, and whatever else DIY people want to sell. And don't worry that you might not be punk enough to go: "punk rock" refers to the DIY spirit of the event rather than a specific music genre or lifestyle. All are welcome.

Punk Rock Flea Market is at the Underground Events Center, 2407 1st Ave. in Belltown. Sale starts at 10:00 am, Bands start at 6:00 pm. A buck or two donation is requested for entry.

Urban Craft Uprising, Dec 6th and 7th

The annual Urban Craft Uprising is an upscale event with higher-end goods and prices to match. You won't find many items selling for less than $20 here. However, quality leads: you definitely get what you pay for. Last year I picked up a couple of leather wristbands and a T-shirt and have been very happy with the purchases. Your favorite vendors from neighborhood street fairs will likely be at this event. Early arrivers will be rewarded with a gift bag of freebies.

Urban Craft Uprising is at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

I Heart Rummage, Dec 21st

December's I Heart Rummage sale is for procrastinators and folks who regret not buying that special something from a local crafter earlier in the month.  All items are orginial and handmade (no imports) and jewelry is limited to no more than six of the 35 spots. At previous IHR events I've bought awesome hand-knitted wrist warmers, bracelets, and a necklace. Prices tend toward the reasonable end of the spectrum.

I Heart Rummage is at Chop Suey, 1325 Madison, 12:00 - 4:00. Free.

Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan together just slay me. Ballads of the Broken Seas is one of my very favorite Sunday Morning records of all time. Now they are back with an even better follow up Sunday At Devil Dirt, out today. How do I knw it's even better? Well, it's been avaialble as an import for a while now, and they proved me wrong and made an even better record. Now I just have to see them live and together! When Isobel Campbell came through town last she had another guy filling in for Lanegan, and it was good. But man, I need to see them together before I die!

Isobels former band Belle & Sebastian are releasing The BBC Sessions today too!

Um, I have always given Beyonce the benefit of the doubt, but really now B, Shasha Fierce?  Really?  I saw her perform some of the songs on SNL last Saturday and I hate to admit they were pretty good.  But, really?

Oh yeah and the American Idol 08 David Cook puts his self titled record out today , one week after the little one that didn't win (Archeletta) put out his out.  I wonder who the real winner will actually be?  Hmmm?

VIVA LE BRENT AMAKER AND THE RODEO!! 

Here's the rest!  Chime in if I missed something....

Belle and Sebastian The BBC Sessions

Beyonce I Am…Sasha Fierce

Brent Amaker and the Rodeo Howdy Do

David Cook David Cook

Daniel Lanois Acadie – Goldtop Edition

Dead Can Dance Various Reissues

Department of Eagles In Ear Park

Dido Safe Trip Home

Il Divo The Promise

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan Sunday at Devil Dirt

Ladyhawke Ladyhawke

Lil’ Keke/Lil’ C Keep on Stackin’ 4

Mudvayne The New Game

Nickelback Dark Horse

Pavement Brighten the Corners (Reissue)

Plies Vol. 5 - Southern Lean.

Rachel Harrington City of Refuge

Lou Reed Berlin: Live at St. Ann’s Warehouse

Nimrod Workman I Want to Go Where Things Are Beautiful

Wu-Tang Clan Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan

Finally, the fascinating and sometimes disturbing cacophony of OF MONTREAL will bring their sideshow act to the Showbox SoDo on November 19th with HEALTH.

Don't miss this event... previous shows purportedly have consisted of ridiculous amounts of costume changing, a white horse, and liberal amounts of body paint. Kevin Barnes & Co. will not disappoint.

Their mantra, in reference to their new multimedia (that's putting it lightly) release Skeletal Lamping:

The Skeletal Lamping tour is a mind blowing, two-hour plus spectacle complete with over 30 costume and set changes. Pitchfork called it "A variety show on acid,"  while MTV raved, "it takes Of Montreal to bold and exciting new places."

Skeletal Lamping may be bizarre, complicated, and dense, but it's also extremely catchy and packed with slinky grooves that demand a physical response.  Instantly ingratiating hooks abound as Kevin Barnes' compositions constantly mutate and shape-shift in ways that defy conventional pop song structure and album sequencing.  Nevertheless, the record has its own internal logic, and its many tangents and detours feel entirely intuitive and organic in context.  The movements mimic the shapeless, mystifying mingling of thoughts and emotions in the human mind, so even the most deliberately jarring transitions evoke a sudden shift in attention that is recognizable and commonplace, but rarely emulated in mainstream music.

Though of Montreal have never been strangers to expressing sexuality in their music, Skeletal Lamping finds Barnes fully immersed in the topic. Throughout the record, sexuality is presented as a broad continuum encompassing a wide range of experiences, anxieties, emotions and orientations.  Barnes openly explores sex and gender roles without insecurity. He attempts to bring all of his fantasies, and terrors, to the surface, so as to better understand the machinery behind them. In Skeletal Lamping, Barnes argues that identity is fluid, malleable, and limited only by one's imagination. 

They're playing the Dim Mak Party at Cinescope in Los Angeles tonight, but Seattle's own souful electronica-rock pop art etc. band Head Like A Kite will be back in town this Saturday night, November 22. It's a sweet line-up for this KEXP Presents homecoming show at Neumo's with Slender Means and Truckasaurus playing first.

On their way back for that gig, HLAK will be playing with Brothers & Sisters in San Francisco. That would be a fascinating line-up to check out (too bad I'm too scared to fly). But we are blessed with the Neumo's matching up of the hardest working men in the underground (Dave Einmo and Trent Moorman) with the melodic glitch-punk of Truckasaurus. That's an audio chocolate-flavored peanut butter mixed with a peanut-butter flavored chocolate I can't wait to savor.

And can't wait to see those HLAK episodes of "On The Brink" that were filmed while they were on tour. Dave and Trent are incredibly smart and funny guys so this oughtta be very entertaining. 

I can not convey, with appropriate levels of enthusiasm, how Totally _______ Psyched I am for this show. Tom Brosseau, in all of his vocal deliciousness, at The Triple Door (!!!) for twelve dollars??? Twelve. It would be a steal at twice that. Swear.

I could gush endlessly about the bell-tones of his voice, and the epic photography, and the time he and Mary came through Connecticut and crashed in my apartment, but I'll let the music speak for itself: check out his songs here, what the critics have to say here, and get tickets & technical info here.

See you at the show!

When I was in Las Vegas almost two years ago, I found it uniquely American that I could, should I chose, see the actual Prince on a Friday or Saturday night and the same Sunday night see Purple Reign, a Prince tribute band.

Well, now, Purple Reign and four other tribute bands are getting their star turn this week as musical guests on "Late Show with David Letterman". Reports USA Today's "Pop Candy" columnist Whitney Matheson:

On Monday, tune in to see a performance by Prince tribute band Purple Reign. Tuesday is The Cold Hard Cash, a Johnny Cash tribute, and Mr. Brownstone takes the stage Wednesday. Thursday is Neil Diamond tribute band Super Diamond -- I've actually heard those guys, and they're pretty impressive! Wrapping things up Friday will be The Allstarz, a tribute to James Brown.

Of course, I do think Letterman should have found room for Seattle's premiere AC/DC cover band Hell's Belles in there somewhere. Still, though, this is the next-best thing, right? I wonder if the Guns 'N Roses tribute band Mr. Brownstone will play anything from Chinese Democracy.

As you all surely know, "Letterman" airs on weeknights at 11:35pm on CBS.

(Via Idolator)

Between the standing Monday square dance and a holiday special, there was this on the Tractor's calendar:

Tues, Dec. 9
Treehouse for Kids benefit with
SHADOW '86 JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE
feat. MIKE McCREADY of Pearl Jam with
KIM VIRANT
STAR ANNA
KRISTEN WARD
Treehouse For Kids provides services for foster children that no other agency addresses: money for extra-curricular activities and summer camp, professional educational support services, resources to fully participate in the everyday activities of growing up, clothing and supplies to help them fit in at school and more.
Bring a new toy and get a free voucher redeemable at the bar!
6:30pm ~ $15

Seriously.

Now, if we could just find out who's going to be playing that Quadrophenia show... for more info on this, that, and all the other upcoming shows, you can get your Tractor on here (as usual).

!!!

Lock up your poseurs! Chunklet Magazine editor-publisher-comedy expert Henry Owings is coming to town, with his iconoclastic, no rock cliche left unoffended "Rock Bible: Unholy Scripture for Fans And Bands"!

This Sunday, November 16 at 3 PM the church of hot rock mockery will be held at Sonic Boom on Capitol Hill (514 15th Avenue E.) in Seattle, as Owings, one of the winners of the "100 Biggest Assholes in Rock" (according to Entertainment Weekly), brings his bile and probably a big pile of the essential-to-own little red book to one of our best record stores. 

That's right, "The Rock Bible" is probably the book buy of the year, as it is loaded with probably the best historical run down of popular music ever, before diving into "The Psalm of the Bass Player," "The Wisdom of Onstage Appearance," "The Ten Commandments of Stage Banter," "The Parable Of The Girl Who Misheard Lyrics But Still Insisted On Giving Voice To Song," "The Wisdom of the Pick," and a thousand great jokes about every instrument player and goony fan. (Here's the "Book of the Live Show" in total: 247. Never ever starts on time.") 

You'll feel creepy reading it in public because it looks just like a Bible (unless, of course, um, you're one of those people who "flaunt their scriptures" or something), all old fashioned crimson "Bible-thumping Bible" looking, but if you ever need a zinger for a drummer ("All drummers wearing headset microphones should be required to take a food order") or want to peer into the abyss of the future a la Revelations ("The Buddyheaded Pitchforkagon") it's here for you!

(Also, be aware there is a music scene-satire filled new issue of Chunklet out as well you can probably pick up the same day you see Henry kill some sacred hobnailed rock cows! Reading that hurts you till you laugh all through the holidays and into the new year!) 

I've mentioned this here before but this is a night I hoped I wouldn't see for a long, long time. Friday night will mark the (hopefully not) final show from the excellent powerpop band The Young Sportsmen.

I haven't been the only writer here taken in by this great band as their two LPs and one EP have all gotten rave reviews on this website. They are certainly one of my favorite bands to listen to (but, to be fair, my least favorite to look up on Google Images; note to all: make sure your Safe Search is ON or you're not at work).

Of their first EP, The Familiar Glow of Colliding Particles, Chris Estey wrote:

Somehow, Young Sportsmen get away with making all the songs on the EP full-on anthems without ever saturating it with emo-overkill. The lyrics seem sharp and full of interesting imagery, splintering political ideas ("Chavez") with relationships to technology ("The Rocks and the Stars") and the Superchunk-like journal entries of scattered romance ("oh, ain't it strange, you were better off"). Whilst a lyric sheet might be a good idea, the tunes are so catchy it's a great pleasure to keep coming back to figure out what's being sung.

And then their first LP was Death to Palaces and I wrote the review, which said:

If their sound is derived from their influences, they clearly are listening to the right CDs. Death to Palaces has ten songs and all range from very solid to great. It starts out with the Cheap Trick-esque “Unnecessary,” which has oddly depressing lyric content for a pop band to make, but it completely works with the record. The song opens by stating, “Did you ever get the feeling you’re unnecessary? You try and try and try but you’ll never be a contribution.” The tempo is far more upbeat than the lyrical content.

For their most recent album, If You Want It, Andrew Boe said:

Incorporating their influences of pop rock groups from the sixties to the present, Seattle’s powerpop darlings Young Sportsmen have universally culled together the characteristics of their heroes from The Who to XTC to Cheap Trick on their second full-length release, If You Want It. Fans of the group will be pleased with this sparkly record, which is a well-produced assembly of catchy tunes.

I quote from all of these reviews because I heard from my friend JessicaSeattle that they will be playing every song in their catalogue Friday night, so the evening could go on for quite a while. Doors open at 9 and Guns and Rosetti and Peter Parker are also on the bill. This goes down at the Sunset ($7, 21+). See you there?

There are very few artists who can make the dark night of the soul sound like a broken-down, probably murderous carnival ride, and Grampall Jukebox is one of them. David "Moose" Adamson and Aimee Brown are from the cold, creepy plains of Indianapolis, and that land's combination of arid nature and fucked up civilization glues together the caustic trauma of autistic anthems like "Black Girls" ("Black girls can bend skyscrapers with their brains") and "The Girl Ain't Preggers."

It's a hard night of choice in Seattle, with Awesome! at ACT, Husbands Love Your Wives at Easy Street, and The Dirtbombs (!!) at Chop Suey, and the last one would be my natural choice.  But I've been so obsessed with GJ's recent Asthmatic Kitty full-length Ropechain that I may not be able to resist the lure of Vera tonight. With the band's ability to subvert the serenity-seeking vibe of most Seattle and Brooklyn bedsit indie campfire hymns,I'm also wondering how in the hell it will match up with PWRFL Power too! 

...who knew the result would be so awesome?

Last time we heard from KRISTEENYOUNG, or it's frontwoman, uhh, Kristeen Young, she was getting thrown off the tour from opening for Morrissey because, as Wikipedia diplomatically tells it:

Young was fired in October 2007 from the Greatest Hits tour after she made comments onstage about the former Smiths vocalist. As a retort to an audience member who called out for Morrissey during her set, she said, "Morrissey gives great head...I mean cunnilingus." Young has since issued a statement explaining that the statement was part of her performance and not meant as an insult.

While I'm in favor of insulting Morrissey as much as some of you are in favor of President-elect Obama, she had spent the year since that happened miles away from my radar - until yesterday afternoon when I found a press release in my inbox announcing a duet she made with Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy. I listened to it this evening and have to admit, it's pretty great.

The wannabe goth kid inside of me loves the way Young attacks her piano the same way Amanda Palmer might on the worst day of her life and Stump's melodies are incredibly creepy - but in a good way. The tension continues throughout the song and gives the sense that Young and Stump are both walking an emotional tightrope that they could fall off of at any moment.

I wish I had a video to embed but the Tubes of You were coming up dry when I looked this evening. Instead, though, you can go to Idolator and download the thing.