I Wasn’t Trying To Break Your Heart

Dear Hipsters,

I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve last written. I swear I wasn’t trying to break your heart; these things just happen sometimes. Things change. People move away. Personally, I’ve just been busy kicking television and foxtrotting–you know, Dixie Cup drinkin’ and assassining down the avenues. Besides, it’s been a long, hot summer. And we all know that when it’s hot in the poor places at night, I’m not going outside.

The good news is that I’m back, and I won’t leave you again (at least for the forseeable future). I also got you something. For those of you who secretly love Wilco, but publicly disdain their critical acclaim, mainstream appeal, and increasing Dad-rock status–this is for you. I give you some bands that are Wilco without being Wilco. Let’s go through them one by one, shall we?

Loose Fur is a band of the men who basically brought you Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. This side project, made up of Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, drummer Glenn Kotche and YHF mixer Jim O’Rourke, has released two albums since 2003. The first is the self-titled Loose Fur. My favorites from the six-track album are “Laminated Cat” and “Chinese Apple.” “Laminated Cat“ is a re-working of a song written for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but left off the album, called “Not For the Season.” This vibey, drum-driven number about the shifting seasons suits Tweedy and Kotche well. You can check it (and Jeff Tweedy‘s standup-worthy banter) here:

“Chinese Apple” will be somewhat familiar to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot aficionados. Part of Tweedy’s initially semi-improvised lyrics in this low-key folk tune assimilated their way into the very dissimilar “Heavy Metal Drummer.” Over the finger-picked guitars, soft percussion and distant organs, Tweedy sings “Unlock my body and move myself at last / in the warm liquid, flowing glowing glass / Classical music, blasting masks are ringing in my ears.” Hear (most of) it here, accompanied by adorable cartoon animals:

On Loose Fur‘s newest release, Born Again in the USA, comes the infectiously catchy “The Ruling Class,” a song best suited to those not politically correct or only ironically homeboys with Jesus. Tweedy spins the tale of the second coming of Christ in modern day America over jangly steel guitars and a whistling line sure to get stuck in your head for days on end.

Also available on Born Again in the USA (but sadly nowhere I could find on Youtube or elsewhere on the interwebs) is “Answers to Your Questions,” a highly-relatable, melancholy folk tune about a slightly-bitter ex-lover who doesn’t want to write you back. Jim O’Rourke‘s low, clear vocals plod along with the bass atop Tweedy‘s buoyant acoustic guitar. It’s a shame I can’t find it–guess you’ll have to buy the album.

Let’s move on to the next one, pronto. Pronto is a side project with Wilco keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen. I can’t claim to know much about this New York-based group, other than that I like what I hear. I also like Jorgensen‘s glasses. Anyway, they’ve released two discs, All Is Golden and (very recently) The Cheetah, filled with catchy tunes, many of which (but not all) sound like pop-rock throw-backs to the 70s, all signed with Jorgensen‘s signature key-tickling. Here’s a taste of one of my favorites, the sunshiney “When I’m On the Rocks:”

Another non-Wilco Wilco group is made up of Wilco multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone and long-time Uncle Tupelo/Wilco bassist, John Stirratt. Both are highly talented musicians, singers and song-writers, so the combination naturally results in a great melodic soft folk-rock duo, The Autumn Defense. The group cites musical influences of Cat Stevens, Nick Drake and Simon & Garfunkle–take a listen, and it’s not difficult to hear where these influences come in.

Well, hipsters, this is the end. I can’t tell if this brings my heart the way I wanted when I started writing this blog to you. But it will have to do. I’ll write again soon. I’ll write you a box full of letters.

Sincerely,
the man who loves you,

Paul A. Ab-Dul

For more on:
Loose Fur – http://www.dragcity.com/artists/loose-fur
Pronto – http://www.myspace.com/prontonyc | http://www.facebook.com/Prontosphere | http://prontosphere.com/
The Autumn Defense – http://www.myspace.com/theautumndefense | http://www.theautumndefense.com/

For other Wilco side projects:
Nels Cline: http://www.myspace.com/nelscline
Pat Sansone: http://www.myspace.com/birdyonthemoon
Glenn Kotche: http://www.myspace.com/onfillmore | http://www.myspace.com/glennkotche
Jeff Tweedy: http://www.goldensmog.com/

Mix(tape) It Up! Challenge!

So, it’s that time again! In the spirit of Christmas and Hanukkah, Paul and I bring you our second Mix(tape) It Up! Challenge! It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these and they were supposed to be monthly, but we’ll settle for this at the moment. Paul and I slaved over this (she did more), so be excited and get into the holiday spirit! And remember, try not to use the same band/artist more than once, that is looked down upon. Show us your hipster knowledge!

1. A song about a year:

2. A song about academics:

3. A song named after a country:

4. A song about the weather:

5. A song from a movie:

6. A song with an exclamation point in the title (censored titles do not count):

7. A song about bad habits:

8. A song you’re embarassed to own:

9. A song whose title is a question:

10. A song with numbers:

11. An acoustic song you like:

12. A song from a band that has more than 4 words in its name:

13. A song from a musical:

14. And finally, a song for the holidays!

Have fun with this, guys, and have a great holiday season!

As a gift, here is a CD one of my best friends made because of the holiday season! It can be downloaded here!

 

 

 

 

To the Hipsters, my friends!

Once upon a time there were two little hipsters sitting around on a break apathetically. One of the hipsters, named Bobcat, turned to her friend, Paul.

“Paul,” she mumbled looking over. “I’m quite busy because I have a new pet bunny that has yet to be named, it is my birthday week and I am visiting my brother at his fraternity. I also had pneumonia! Can you update the blog?”

“BOBCAT, I WAS THE LAST ONE TO UPDATE THE BLOG, YOU DO IT. I HAVE TO GO PLAY GUITAR AND PRETEND I DON’T LIKE BRIGHT EYES WHILE I SIT AROUND AND LEARN HOW TO PLAY ‘FIRST DAY OF MY LIFE,’” she yelled, unamused.

Then, she proceeded to update the blog anyway, after reducing her friend to apathetic tears. Still she continues to bother me to update, while she is lounging back, sipping on tea. Well, here is my update, Paul. I do this from a friend’s house.

Someone more people should know about, and well, is a man by the name of Patrick Wolf, a music prodigy. This 25 year-old is not new to the music scene, yet many people do not know about him. He has been recording since the age of twelve and has so far released three albums and seven EPs. According to Wikipedia (pronunciation debated), in 2009 he will release a double album, entitled Battle. This is exciting!

Patrick Wolf’s music is something peculiar. His music is both dark and happy, depending on the album. The CD that has caught the eye of many is The Magic Position, with songs like “The Magic Position” and “Secret Garden” (literary references? I think so. “Peter Pan” is a track from his album, Lycanthropy. Wolf’s music is interesting- it is mystical and airy, using innovative instruments like violins and ukuleles; you don’t hear these much any more. Don’t let that put you off- he is probably one of the best lyricists of the age; another Sufjan Stevens with a British twist.

Personally, my favorite album is Lycanthropy and here is a little sample of that:

His songs are catchy, interesting, and occasionally creepy (i.e. “The Childcatcher”) but for good reason. He stands out from the rest of the crowd and not just from his music. Patrick Wolf is an interesting dresser; a true modern day Peter Pan. He wears elaborate clothing and accessories, all bright and earthy at the same time. For shows, he often is sporting glitter- something most men do not have the guts to do. This man is truly extravagant and one of a kind.

For more on Patrick Wolf you can find some songs on his myspace  or through the onslaught of videos on youtube.

furry jews

It’s In Our Nature to be Hipsters.

Well, kindred spirits in hipsterness, it has been a while, hasn’t it? Bobcat and I do apologize for our absence. The blog has been neglected whilst we have been off wasting our parents trust fund money at fine institutions of higher learning, or perhaps we’ve just been in a two month long apathy-induced coma. You’ll never know. Regardless, I do believe an update is long overdue.

For  those of you who enjoy a little folk in your indie diet from time to time, I present to you Jose Gonzalez. Jose, who hails from Göteborg, Sweden but is really Argentinian, is best known for his down-tempo, lo-fi covers of other people’s songs. For instance, Massive Attack’s “Tear Drop” or The Knife’s “Heartbeat.” But his newest album, In Our Nature, which dropped in September of last year, is full of his own material (okay, except for “Tear Drop”) that lyrically takes on such ambitious subjects as war and religion and the purpose of life and is chock full of brilliant guitar playing.

He often garners comparisons to Pink Moon-era Nick Drake. I find that this comparison is less apt in sound than in essence. They may both use stripped down, folksy acoustic guitar and have some soft, whispery quality to their vocals, but they really don’t sound too similar. I find the similarities in the way they write their lyrics, the way they structure their songs, and their mutual affinity for minimalistic guitar accompaniments. When I hear Jose Gonzalez, I prefer to liken his sound to a Nick Drake-James Taylor hybrid with a tropical twist–the Latin influence on his music is undeniable and often overlooked.

One constant criticism (as highlighted by a certain music site that we hipsters publicly shun but still read in the privacy of our homes with curtains drawn and lights off) is that Gonzalez’s original work doesn’t stand up to his cover tracks and that those often outshine any particular original song. That being said, I don’t believe any track on In Our Nature is really a standout from any other track, not even the cover. Certainly, I have my favorites, but I think this more “atmospheric” disc is best listened to as a whole. Regardless, try Fold out:

If you liked that, you will probably enjoy the rest of Jose’s work. LaBlogotheque has other beautiful live videos of Jose Gonzalez’s Abram and How Low. (Side note: In general, I find LaBlogotheque is a great source of excellent versions of excellent artists’ excellent songs.) You can find more of Jose Gonzalez at his official site and myspace.

Hopefully next time I will return to blog my superior wisdom to the wretched hipster masses sooner than January. I’ll try. Really.

The Ballad of Ferraby Lionheart

About the delay- we have been ironically busy. Now that things have seemed to calmed down a bit, expect a decent amount of posts. Or whatever.

Once upon a time last year a dear friend recommended me an artist by the name of Ferraby Lionheart and now I am recommending him to you. He has produced a self-titled EP and a full-length album, Catch the Brass Ring, in 2007. His music is key for the acoustic-indie-hipster music scene. He focuses on the main points of a good hipster band; good lyrics, pianos, guitars and various stringed instruments throughout. What makes him stand out from the rest? Well, while he may allure to the hipster scene, he is far too well read and interesting to be just any other hipster band, like Deerhoof or Dr. Dog. 

Two of his songs have gained popularity from his albums and have made it to video form, while every one I have hear has been wonderful. His music is the type of music you can listen to for hours while on a long train ride – it is calming a peaceful. Also good for picnics. 

His video for “A Crack In Time” is witty and cute, and rather aww-inducing. He uses his simplicity of a man with an acoustic guitar for his benefit, allowing there to be a space for girl and boys to swoon over him in a hope that he is the music he plays. He obviously is a great gentleman to the elderly, and seriously, who doesn’t want that in a musician? 

Hipsters and the elderly go hand in hand! 

 

Obama even thinks so! 

I seriously want that Hipsters for Obama pin. I know Paul does as well. We’ll be investing in them soon, I’m sure. 

So, put your political biases away and give Ferraby Lionheart a listen. He seems like a good guy, he’s has no reason to lie.

Myspace

Official Website

Other Recommended Videos: Here and Here