2012: A Year In Pictures: April – May

IMG_5747
DeVotchka, Beacon Theater, New York, NY, April 4, 2012
 
IMG_5774
Stephin Merritt, The Magnetic Fields, Beacon Theater, New York, NY, April 4, 2012
 
IMG_5781
Claudia Gonson, The Magnetic Fields, Beacon Theater, New York, NY, April 4, 2012
 
IMG_5907
Diamond Doves, Mercury Lounge, New York, NY, April 21, 2012
 
IMG_5918
Elvis Perkins cameo appearance, Mercury Lounge, New York, NY, April 21, 2012
 
IMG_5952
Van Preston, Joe’s Pub, New York, NY, May 17, 2012
 
IMG_5958
Ray Wylie Hubbard, Joe’s Pub, New York, NY, May 17, 2012 Continue reading

Friday Link Session

The “Freaking Pile o’ Links” edition (this is what happens when I don’t do one of these for a couple of weeks).

Band I Really Love: The Magnetic Fields

The Magnetic Fields: because nobody else does hilarious, cranky, sweet, biting, romantic songs like Stephin Merritt (vocals/ukelele/harmonioum/keyboard) and his merry crew, aka Claudia Gonson (vocals/percussion/piano), Sam Davol (cello/flute), John Woo (banjo/guitar) and Shirley Simms (vocals/autoharp/ukelele).

For example, Andrew in Drag, from their latest record, Love at the Bottom of the Sea. It’s been stuck in my head for weeks and so now I’m going to share it with you, so I won’t be the only one singing the chorus under my breath at random and inappropriate times. (Note: contains nudity, may be unsafe for work!)
 
The Magnetic Fields – Andrew in DragThe Magnetic Fields - Andrew in Drag
Watch this video on YouTube

 
This one is called With Whom To Dance and every time I listen to it, I observe, wistfully, that really as far as I’m concerned the only wretched part of being single is not having anyone to slow dance with at weddings. You know? Everyone else gets up to sway and spin and there I am perched on the edge of my chair feeling kind of lonely and awkward about everything. Thank you … Continue reading

Bits: Cadillac Sky, Stephen Calt, The Magnetic Fields, mr. Gnome, Twain, The Low Anthem

  • Bryan Simpson has announced his departure from Cadillac Sky. An announcement about his replacement is forthcoming. We are grateful to Bryan for the great music he’s given us and wish him much happiness.
  • Dust-to-Digital reports the passing of blues biographer Stephen Calt, author of King of the Delta Blues: The Life an Music of Charlie Patton and I’d Rather Be the Devil: Skip James and the Blues among other tomes.
  • Now on to better news: the Magnetic Fields would like to bring their film Strange Powers to your town. Learn how you can help make it happen.
  • mr. Gnome has almost completed it’s third album and has announced tour dates starting in November.
  • Mat Davidson of the Low Anthem has released his second album with his project Twain. Interesting stuff. Check it out.

Speaking of the Low Anthem, we’ve been slowly falling in love with them since seeing them open for the Avett Brothers last winter. Here’s a nice little docu-video on them.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0yAMMCCgg4?fs=1]

Continue reading