J's Indie/Rock Mayhem - 28th October 2009

[Welcome to another edition of J's Indie/Rock Mayhem. My show was a little far away from Halloween this year to go all out on the Halloween theme. In fact, it'll be that way for the next couple of years, but fear not, I still laced the show with some Halloween themed bits of fun. Hope you enjoy.

If you haven't been following our Decade posts over at Aquarium Drunkard, you really ought to check them out. The four main writers are going through their favorite albums of the decade between now and the end of the year, and we're having a blast. I'm playing tracks from each of the albums that go up during the week here on the show, but the articles are even more interesting, so go catch up if you haven't been following along.

Now, while there's still talk of a winning season for the Panthers...somewhere...onward.]

J's Indie/Rock Podcast: 28th October 2009 Show

Theme Song - Peaches - "Rock Show"
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Girls - "Lust for Life" [from their self-titled debut. you know, obviously stolen titles are kind of endearing in a way. the 'mats' let it be, for instance, and the title of this song is no exception. it helps that it's a really great song. helps a lot, actually.]
Mclusky - "Without MSG I Am Nothing" [from the difference between me and you is that i'm not on fire, one of my contributions to this week's decade pieces over at aquarium drunkard. click here to check it out. i love this record - every nasty, snarky, caustic bit of it.]
George S. Irving - "The Hearse Song" [from a audio reading of scary stories to tell in the dark. this series was essential reading when i was growing up, and it still is. remember that woman? yeah, i thought so. i thought i'd insert a few of these throughout the show as is my usual want during the halloween season.]
the Raveonettes - "Breaking Into Cars" [from in and out of control. i need to give this album a listen, really. i hadn't written the raveonettes off or anything, but i'd become progressively less interested in their work over the years, but i like everything i've heard off this so far.]
the Reigning Sound - "Stick Up for Me" [from the excellent love and curses that came out a little earlier this year. great classic sounding rock and roll. this and the obits record may be the best straight up rock albums this year.]
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Finn Riggins - "Wake" [from vs. wilderness. this is a downright fun record and though they aren't gracing us here in the east coast with any tour dates right now, if you get a chance to check them out, it's a fantastic show.]
Adam and the Ants - "Antmusic" [from kings of the wild frontier. so one of the great things about eMusic striking a deal with sony is access to sony's back catalogue at eMusic's really awesome prices. thus, this album. there's a dated sound to adam ant, but you know what? it's still terrific music.]
George S. Irving - "The Slithery-Dee" [from scary stories to tell in the dark. it came out of the sea, you know.]
Nirvana - "Molly's Lips" (live) [from the new gussied-up reissue of their debut album bleach. added on to the remastered album is a complete live show from 1990. it's got great sound quality and catches the band at their energetic early peak. and here they are tearing through their excellent cover of the vaselines' classic that wound up on incesticide. not a bad thing to pick up for big fans.]
the Vaselines - "Son of a Gun" [from enter the vaselines. so why not follow-up a cover with an original? nirvana also covered this vaselines song on incesticide and i'm fairly sure i might never have heard the vaselines without nirvana. weird circles music moves in.]
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Lake Inferior - "Addressing Parents" [from the forthcoming pegasaur 10" EP. they'll be having an EP release party at local 506 on thursday, november 12th and if you want to catch one of north carolinas best newer bands, this is the show to see. for real.]
Fugazi - "Cashout" [from the argument, another of aquarium drunkard's decade albums. read about it here. i love this fugazi record. if the band never recorded another album, it would be a fitting end to their career together. it's a perfect synthesis of everything they had developed over their years together.]
George S. Irving - "Room For One More" [another from scary stories to tell in the dark.]
Mos Def - "Auditorium" [from the ecstatic. featuring a killer verse from slick rick. this will be on my year-end best singles show no question.]
Echo and the Bunnymen - "Shroud of Turin" [from their latest the fountain. it doesn't sound quite like the old echo, but man, it's actually really good. the two songs i've heard at least. here's to bands growing older gracefully.]
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Vic Chesnutt - "Philip Guston" [from at the cut. vic, along with the band that recorded this record - the silver mt. zion orchestra, guy picciotto (from fugazi) and members of godspeed you black emperor - will be at the soapbox in wilmington this saturday night, halloween. and so will i. i really cannot wait to see this show.]
Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs - "And Your Bird Can Sing" [from under the covers vol. 1, their beatles cover from that covers album. sweet and hoffs will be at the carborro arts center on thursday, november 5th. i believe there are tickets still available - i guess they'll be doing mostly music from their new album of 70s covers.]
George S. Irving - "Wait 'Til Martin Comes" [from scary stories to tell in the dark.]
the Low Anthem - "Dignity" [their cover of bob dylan's "dignity" which you can get as a free download if you sign up for the band's mailing list. not a bad trade if you ask me.]
the Alcazar Hotel - "Lucky" [a great song from chapel hill's alcazar hotel who will be playing here in greensboro tomorrow night as part of this month's dotmatrix project free concert at the green burro downtown starting at 8pm. they'll also be joined by the fantastic pinche gringo, so get thee down there. this will be the last dotmatrix show of 2009 as they take a two month break to recuperate.]
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El Perro Del Mar - "Gotta Get Smart" [from the new love is not pop, sarah assbring's third album as el perro del mar. the early reviews on this thing are good, so we'll hear more. i like this song.]
Tiger Bear Wolf - "I Can't See the Light" [from their self-titled record which was also named as one of aquarium drunkard's decade - best albums of the decade. read about it here. are people just coming alive to this band? i got a call tonight raving about this song and how nasty and awesome the guitars were. i agree. i've agreed since this band started. greensboro, represent.]
Wade Denning and Kay Lande - "Halloween" [from halloween - songs and stories. this isn't available on CD, but thankfully vinyl rips of it exist. my elementary school music teacher had us listen to this every halloween. when i found a copy i nearly fainted.]
Lucero - "The Devil and Maggie Chascarillo" [from 1372 overton park. i like this song a lot, people. a whole lot. lucero will be at the visulite theatre in charlotte on tuesday, november 17th.]
Q and Not U - "So Many Animal Calls" [from different damage, my other entry this week in the decade list over at aquarium drunkard. read about it here. i sorely miss this band. a lot.]
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Paul Westerberg - "Ghost on the Canvas" [from pw and the ghost gloves cat wing joy boys EP. i haven't played this song off the EP yet and i guess it's perfect for the halloween show. hey, ghosts, alright.]
A.A. Bondy - "Oh the Vampyre" [from when the devil's loose, bondy's fantastic sophomore album from earlier this year. fit the theme well also. huzzah for themes.]
Califone - "Alice Marble Gray" [from all my friends are funeral singers. i really like califone a lot, if it hasn't been apparent on the show from time to time. their new one is still getting into my head, so we'll hear more.]
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J's Indie/Rock Halloween Mash-Up - "War of the Great Dancing Macabre Pumpkins" [a mash-up i put together years ago that has become an annual staple here on the show. it takes music from romantic composer, charles camille saint-saens, and his "danse macabre" piece and dialogue from the original war of the worlds radio broadcast and a vinyl recording of it's the great pumpkin, charlie brown. enjoy the weirdness and fun. happy halloween!]

That'll do it for this week. I'll be back next week with more awesome music and some nice memories of seeing Vic Chesnutt. Until then, Go Panthers!, and take care.

J's Indie/Rock Mayhem - 21st October 2009

[Welcome to another edition of J's Indie/Rock Mayhem. My first two hours of just music in quite a few weeks, so I was itching to get as much out as I could. I think the show tonight is really good, but you'll have to judge for yourself.

The end of the year is approaching and that means J's Indie/Rock Top 25 Albums of the Year time. If you have suggestions about what the best records of this year have been, leave 'em in comments or email them to me. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what's been driving your ears into divine bliss this year.

Now, while I can still taste the curry from my hot dogs, onward.]

J's Indie/Rock Podcast: 21st October 2009 Show

Theme Song - Peaches - "Rock Show"
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Lucero - "Halfway Wrong" [from 1372 overton park. maybe this is the record to get me into lucero. so far, these songs are doing it for me. we'll see. what do y'all think?]
the Afghan Whigs - "Fountain and Fairfax" [from gentlemen. one of my all time favorite songs by anyone, anywhere. period. just simply jaw dropping.]
Bombadil - "Sad Birthday" [from the new tarpits and canyonlands. great to hear these guys back. sad i've still never seen them live though. i have got to fix that. check out their stint at daytrotter.]
Future of the Left - "Arming Eritrea" [from travels with myself and another. probably my favorite aggressive/heavier record of this year. love falkous' snark all over the place again.]
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Vic Chesnutt - "Flirted With You All My Life" [from at the cut. he'll be at the soapbox in wilmington on halloween evening. i'm hoping to see him as he'll have the north star deserter/at the cut band in tow with him. woo!]
the Replacements - "Within Your Reach" [from hootenanny. thought this song, both thematically and drum-wise, made for a good back-to-back pair. good segue too, i think.]
Finn Riggins - "Shaky" [from vs. wilderness which you can read my review of from earlier last week. it's a really solid record and really, honestly, the best of their career so far. check them live if you can. the steel drums are worth it.]
Pylon - "Crazy" [from chomp more, the new re-issue of their album chomp put out by DFA records. good to see one of the most overlooked athens bands getting their well earned due.]
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Built to Spill - "Hindsight" [from there is not enemy. i'm liking this album a lot so far - more than you in reverse, to be truthful. not that that album was awful, but it just didn't grab me immediately the way the others have.]
Spacehog - "Mungo City" [from the chinese album. this is for jared, who i know listens to the podcast, and who i'm fairly sure i remember enjoying spacehog back in the day. as often as you listen, i ought to throw you a bone more frequently.]
Animal Collective - "The Purple Bottle" [from feels. this was one of aquarium drunkard's decade albums over the past week - the best albums of the 00s that we're writing up. check out the review.]
Cat Power - "Lived in Bars" [from the greatest, another of the aquarium drunkard decade albums that you can read about here. this is a great album that my friend laura turned me onto last year. i hadn't really given cat power much of a listen until then. glad i did.]
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the Raveonettes - "Heart of Stone" [from the new in and out of control. this song is bangin'. i had read that their new one was a great leap in quality for them and these songs are on point. the best thing they've released since their debut.]
Stephen Malkmus - "Jenny and the Ess Dog" [from his self-titled debut solo record. he's made better solo records, but this holds as one of the best songs he's written, full of great characters and snarky little jokes a plenty.]
Jurassic 5 - "The Influence" [from quality control. one of my entries for this week's decade posts. check it out here. i love this album, but really i'll go to bat for any of their albums. except feedback. not for feedback.]
Air - "So Light Is Her Footfall" [from the new love 2. a nice little record. i'm not a huge fan of air, but i've enjoyed their music over the years, even if it didn't make me go crazy or anything. this is a good single, definitely.]
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Wye Oak - "Siamese" [from the excellent the knot. one of the best albums of this year, i do believe.]
Explosions in the Sky - "Your Hand in Mine" [from the earth is not a cold dead place, another of the aquarium drunkard decade pieces. check out the write-up. i'm not always big on instrumental stuff, but this is a beautiful song.]
the Avett Brothers - "January Wedding" [from i and love and you. i like this song quite a bit. it has that melancholic sweetness that so much of their best music has. see "pretty girl at the airport" for proof.]
Guided By Voices - "Twilight Campfighter" [from isolation drills, my other decade pick for the week. i do so love this album and it's quite possibly at the top of my guided by voices album list. maybe. check out my write-up.]
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the Whigs - "In the Dark" [the title track from their forthcoming album which isn't due out until early next year, but they've released it as a teaser. they'll be at local 506 in chapel hill in december, so make sure you catch these guys live. amazing live show.]
Liam Finn and Eliza Jane - "Long Way to Go" [from the fun champagne in seashells EP. eliza jane is a member of finn's touring band and she adds a nice touch to this record.]
Califone - "Polish Girls" [from all my friends are funeral singers, the new album from this fantastic band. i can't wait to sink my teeth further into this record.]
the Microphones - "I Want Wind to Blow" [from the glow, pt. 2. the last of this week's decade entries. this is a record i've never spent much time with, but i like what i've heard. it's a thinking man's record, that's for sure. you have to spend time with it. focused time. check out the review.]
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Tom Waits - "Get Behind the Mule" (live) [from the forthcoming glitter and doom live tour album. there is a sampler of the double album that you can get over at tom's label's site. it sounds like it will be well worth picking up.]

That's it for this week. I'll be back next week with more fantastic new and classic music. So until then, Go Panthers!, and take care.

Now Departing:Finn Riggins - Vs. Wilderness

Finn Riggins
Vs. Wilderness
(Tender Loving Empire ; 2009)

There's something to be said for compact, layered rock and roll. Boise, Idaho's Finn Riggins, back with their second full length for Portland, Oregon's Tender Loving Empire, has created just that ideal type of album. In an age where bands are pounding you over your head for attention at all moments, a concise, unique record is all the more advantageous. With eleven tracks coming at 40 minutes, Vs. Wilderness is an album that should get Finn Riggins all the attention they deserve from listeners.

One of the more unique things about the album, and most releases by Tender Loving Empire, are the hand-made CD cases and in-house art designs that are eye-grabbing and unique. In a day when labels are moving away from physical product in general, it's nice to see a label that makes it worth it to track down their physical wares.

Vs. Wilderness is bookended by a set of instrumentals - "Rush of Animals (prelude)" and the closing "Rush of Animals," but in between is some hearty, mid-fi (if there is such a thing) rock that shakes and churns. First proper song, "Battle," surges with hypnotic, repetitive guitar lines and chorused vocals from the three band members. There are shifts in tempo, more instruments than you'd think three people could play at once and the undeniable urge to tap feet. The record never loses any of its energy or pace from there on. Even when it takes side trips for distorted keyboard driven funky romps ("Dali") or steel-drum melody inflected ballads ("Shaky"), the record keeps its energy firmly in hand.

Having seen the band live before, I can certainly attest to the energy carrying over to their performances, and this record is their best documentation of that fury yet. Finn Riggins is part of a dynamic, small-label indie-rock movement that continues to put out inventive, unique and passionate music - that goes for Tender Loving Empire as much as it does for all the countless other labels around the country producing music this engaging and exciting.


Rating: E(xcellent)

(Rating scale: A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y)

Judge For Yourself:

Finn Riggins - "Shaky"

Finn Riggins - "Wake"

Order Vs. Wilderness from Tender Loving Empire or download it at eMusic.

J's Indie/Rock Mayhem - 14th October 2009

[Welcome to another edition of J's Indie/Rock Mayhem. It always feels good to get back after a week off and this week was no exception. I was joined in-studio by Cara Craig and Mike Wallace, co-organizers of this year's Greensborofest. It was fun to have them up and to get a listen to just a small handful of the bands who are going to be playing the four day event, starting tomorrow, Thursday, October 15th at Dana Auditorium here at Guilford College at 8pm. All the shows are free, so make sure you get out and celebrate Greensboro music.

Now, while the going's good, onward.]

J's Indie/Rock Podcast: 14th October 2009 Show

Theme Song - Peaches - "Rock Show"
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A Place to Bury Strangers - "It Is Nothing" [from the new exploding head. i saw these guys live last week and was completely wowed by their stage show. they get called out for channeling jesus and mary chain and things like that, but i hear touches of big black and public image limited in what they do as well. in other words, it's very good.]
Brother Ali - "The Preacher" [from us. i haven't paid a lot of attention to ali before, though that's to my detriment seeing as the rhymesayers scene from minneapolis is one of the best hip-hop scenes in the nation, without question.]
Spoon - "Small Stakes" [from kill the moonlight. one of the ongoing decade albums over at aquarium drunkard where we're going through our favorite albums of the 2000s. read the piece on it here. i'll be featuring the albums that went up the previous week here on the show each week. so stay tuned.]
Black Moth Super Rainbow - "Born on a Day the Sun Didn't Rise" [from eating us. i got this song stuck in my head the other day. maybe it's because i'm longing for the summer again in the midst of this cold, grey autumn rain we've been in the middle of for the last week. i guess i'll have to turn on my heat tonight finally. or else crank this album.]
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Lake Inferior - "Johnny B" [from the forthcoming pegasaur 10". one of my favorite north carolina bands right now and they're doing an album relese show for this EP on november 12th at the local 506 in chapel hill. i'll be there. no doubt.]
the Church - "Columbus" [from heyday. in honor of monday having been columbus day. such a complex holiday for so many reasons. at least we got an awesome song out of it.]
Built to Spill - "Planting Seeds" [from the new there is no enemy. they'll be at the cats cradle in carborro this sunday, october 18th, so go check out one of the best live shows out there. wish i were going. show overload that week.]
the Bronzed Chorus - "Underpass Sunrise" [from i'm the spring. i don't get into instrumental bands very often, but these guys are a lot of fun everytime i go see them live or give the records a listen. greensboro, represent.]
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Finn Riggins - "Furs" [from the new vs. wilderness. we had their last album in rotation up here at QFS and this new one is even more fantastic. we'll be hearing more.]
Danger Mouse and Jay-Z - "Change Clothes" [from the now legendary the grey album. this was my first entry for the aquarium drunkard decade series. this album seriously changed a lot about music, or at least was the most public face of that change. read my piece here. great, great stuff.]
the Glands - "Livin' Was Easy" [from their self-titled 2000 album. this was the head drunkard's first entry in the decade series and honestly i've never listened to this band before, but i need to get on it after hearing this. check it out here.]
Bon Iver - "Skinny Love" [from for emma, forever ago. this really is one of the most beautifully crafted albums this decade and i agree every bit with people who put it on their list of best albums. check out j. crosby's piece on it here.]
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the Flaming Lips - "Convinced of the Hex" [from embryonic. i'll be honest - i've not really been super jazzed about new flaming lips albums in awhile. yoshimi.., for all its glory, was underwhelming for me and at war with the mystics was practically unlistenable. but embryonic, while not hearkening back to my favorite flaming lips era by any means, is at least challenging and interesting. i'm still trying to figure out what i think of it, but it's certainly one of the most unique releases of this year.]
My Morning Jacket - "Mahgeetah" [from it still moves. another of the decade posts from aquarium drunkard. i've never been as keen on this album as i was on at dawn, but a great song is a great song and this one in particular is pretty moving. my morning jacket is a band that has truly laid out some masterful work this decade.]

[Here's where I did an interview with Cara Craig and Mike Wallace, co-organizers of this year's Greensborofest. Greensborofest is a yearly four-night festival that celebrates everything great about Greensboro music - all the shows are free, at different venues and feature a range of styles. Greensboro fest has a great lineup and Cara, Mike and I talked about how long the festival has been going, how they got involved, who all is playing and what to expect. A fun time with fun people. Also, since we didn't play bands from these nights, Saturday night's show starts at 8pm at the Green Bean with Basalt, Sugar High Gang and Rough Hands and then continues at Westerwood Tavern at 11 with Mutant League. Sunday afternoon also features an early show, 5:30pm, at My Favorite Things with Our Horse Jethro, JP Smith Jazz Unit and Sundrone.]

Romancer - "The World is Exploding" [romancer is a band featuring former members of health and is a pretty great little group. they'll be playing thursday night at dana auditorium at guilford college. 8pm start time.]
Secret Message Machine - ? [sorry for not knowing the name of this song, but you can ask the band themselves on thursday night at the guilford college show alongside romancer, yank yer blue jeans and computer geek salad.]
Casual Curious - ? [another apology for not knowing the song name, but ask the band on friday night at 8pm when they play at the lyndon st. artworks along with workday schoolnight, genghis khan, pens and needles, and treason; a dj dance party will follow also with l in japanese, tim trouble and harley lyles.]
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Kaleidoscope Death - "Cinder" [another excellent band. they'll be playing on sunday night at legitimate business alongside low sky, resister, pinche gringo and torch runner. show starts at 8:30.]
Lucero - "The Devil and Maggie Chascarillo" [from 1372 overton park. i've never really gotten into lucero the way some people have, but i like what i'm hearing on this album. maybe it'll change my tunes. the love and rockets references don't hurt either.]
Sunny Day Real Estate - "In Circles" [from the diary re-issue. both this album and its follow up, LP2, have gotten nice reissues. this is one of my favorite songs by them, so of course it gets a play.]
Travis - "Writing to Reach You" [from the man who. this was my second contribution to the aquarium drunkard decade pieces and the comments were interesting. glad there were a number of folks who shared my love of this album. especially this song. man, it's brilliant.]
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Vic Chesnutt - "Dick Cheney" [from skitter on take-off. this is vic's second new album of this year, this one a collaboration with jonathan richman. this song sounds mostly like vic with himself, but it's a fantastic analysis of our former vice president. vic and his at the cut / north star deserter band will be at the soapbox in wilmington on halloween, a saturday evening. i'm thinking i'm heading down there to catch him because that backing band and those albums are too much to believe.]
J.K. and Company - "Christine" [from suddenly one summer. i'm really blown away by these tracks and you can check them out over at drunkard. i'd never heard of this 1968 album and band, but it sounds so far ahead of its time in weird, exciting ways. i love it. you could've told me it was recorded this year and i wouldn't have batted an eye.]
Unrest - "West Coast Love Affair" [from perfect teeth. a band that only really put out two LPs in the early 90s and then were done, but it's an amazing mix of early 90s indie, power-pop, krautrock hypnotism and sunny vocals. we will have to hear a lot more.]

That'll do it for this week. I'll be back next week with my first interview-free show in some time and tons of new music. Until then, Go Panthers!, and take care.

J's Indie/Rock Mayhem - 30th September 2009

[Welcome to another edition of J's Indie/Rock Mayhem - an interview heavy edition! I was lucky enough to have both 2/3rds (or 4/6ths) of Holy Ghost Tent Revival with me and then, to continue the Save the Monkeywhale Fest theme, Monkeywhale.com founder Harvey Robinson and Monkeywhale.com contributor and Eating the Invaders member Matty Sheets. Tons of great Monkeywhale related talk and good music all around.

Don't forget that I'm MCing nights 1 and 2 of the Monkeywhale fest - Night 1 is at Solaris downtown and kicks off around 9; Night 2 is at the Blind Tiger (along with night 3) on Friday and starts around 9 also. Saturday night (night 3) starts at 6, with an extra big lineup. All three nights are $7 each and well worth it. Go check out the lineup!

I won't be up here next week as I'll be off to Durham to see the hilarious David Cross performing. I'm not sure who'll be filling in for me yet, but they'll be amazing, no doubt. I'll be back on Wednesday, October 14th for the normal hullabaloo.

Now, before Delhomme throws another interception, onward.]

J's Indie/Rock Podcast: 30th September 2009 Show

Theme Song - Peaches - "Rock Show"
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the Clientele - "I Wonder Who We Are" [from the forthcoming bonfires on the heath, due out next tuesday, october 6th, on merge records. i love this opening track. i've been enjoying the r&b textures the band has been inserting more frequently into their stylized retro-pop. it's gorgeous stuff.]
the Tragically Hip - "Poets" [from phantom power. my favorite hip record and, whether you remember it or not, this song actually got some play on american alt-rock radio stations when the album was out. interesting that this was the single, but really, listen to the album and you probably won't find a better single.]
Passion Pit - "Little Secrets" [from manners. when it comes to the best singles of this year, i probably won't put "sleepyhead" on the list since it came out last year on an EP, but i'll certainly pile this song in there. it's a gem and a half.]
Paul Westerberg - "Drop Them Gloves" [from the pw & the ghost gloves cat wing joy boys EP. this is the rocker of the bunch and it's a doozy.]

[Here's where Holy Ghost Tent Revival joined me in studio. Ross, Steven, Hank and Patrick (sans Matt and Mike) were terribly fun to talk to as we alternated talk about their origins, musical foundations and interests with mentions of their opening night headliner for the Save the Monkeywhale festival on Thursday at Solaris downtown. We took a listen to a good chunk of their forthcoming Family EP. Unfortunately, since I was busy talking shop with those guys, I didn't get a chance to really listen to the songs enough to comment, but what I heard was great. Here's the run-down.]

Holy Ghost Tent Revival - "Alcohol" [from the family EP. as are all the others. while you're at it, check out the band's monkeywhale video for a nice slice of their personality and music.]
Holy Ghost Tent Revival - "Someone Too"
Holy Ghost Tent Revival - "Goodbye or Goodnight"
Holy Ghost Tent Revival - "Cardinal Directions"

[Next, I was joined in studio by Monkeywhale.com founder Harvey Robinson and Monkeywhale.com contributor Matty Sheets. Matty's band, Eating the Invaders, will be playing the opening night of the festival along with Holy Ghost Tent Revival, at Solaris. I talked with Harvey about his origins in film, where the idea of Monkeywhale came from, how $3.33 is a year's profit (sort of), the genesis of the festival and where the site goes from here. Matty jumped in with some commentary about the site, his work on it as a blogger, his work with Harvey on some short films and some other things as well. All in all a really awesome interview. I played some Monkeywhale/Monkeywhale Fest related artists in between chunks of the interview.]

Filthybird - "Warm Womb" [from southern skies. click here to check out their monkeywhale video.]
Citified - "Pencil Me In" [from the fantastic absence. click here for their monkeywhale video - one of the early ones!]
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Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers - "Scissor Tales" [from her fantastic songs in the night album. sadly, she won't be at monkeywhale fest, but that won't keep you from checking out their video.]
Birdmonster - "Forever Gone" [from blood memory. i really want to see these guys live sometime, 'cause I get the feeling they'd be rather awesome.]
the Breeders - "Divine Hammer" [from last splash. i love all things breeders, but this song is in my top 3, without a doubt. perfect.]
the Mountain Goats - "Psalms 40:2" [from the forthcoming the life of the world to come due out next tuesday. it's a really strong record, though not as full-banded as his last few. still strong. i'm loving hi-fi darnielle.]
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Girls - "Lust for Life" [from their self-titled album. this one snuck up on me, but it's every bit as good as people say it is. we'll be hearing a lot more. probably top 25 bound.]
the Flaming Lips - "Kim's Watermelon Gun" [from clouds taste metallic. there'll be a review of this going up on drunkard soon. i'm hearing the new lips record is really good. anyone else heard it yet?]
Times New Viking - "Half Day in Hell" [from born again revisited. i'm still not sure what i think of times new viking's approach to burying their pop songs, but it's unique, i'll give them that. you almost strain to hear the melody. keeps ears pinned in.]
Polvo - "Right the Relation" [from in prism which i reviewed over at aquarium drunkard this week. it's a really sharp record and way better than i expected it to be. seriously, folks. get your ears on it.]
A.A. Bondy - "A Slow Parade" [from when the devil's loose. one of my favorites from his latest. make sure you catch him live when he comes through your town.]

That'll do it for this week. See you out at Save the Monkeywhale Festival the next three nights! I'll be back in two weeks. In the meantime, my happy wishes to Matt (of Tiger Bear Wolf; #3 album of 2005) and Kristina (of my friends; #1 in awesomeness, every year) who are getting married this Saturday. I'll be at the wedding, but they deserve a public huzzah. Huzzah! See you at Monkeywhale, Go Panthers! and take care.