NBC feat. Explosions in the Sky

I have to give it to NBC. I’m a huge sports fan and there’s nothing like a well put together sports montage. Now over the past year I’ve seen a common occurrence in NBC’s sports montages and that’s the use of Austin’s very own Explosions in the Sky for the soundtrack. While watching the Olympics NBC was nice enough to put together a compilation of the opening ceremonies accompanied by a fine EITS piece when it came to me. This was not the first time I had heard them used by NBC. I thought back and there are at least 2 other times I can remember hearing them in a sports montage for the network. Who knows if there are more. If anyone else out there has notice this too let me know. Kudos to NBC for not going with a top 40 hit to sell the Olympics.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with EITS, they got their first break by getting making the soundtrack for the football film “Friday Night Lights”. There music catalog is not 6 albums deep and they are only getting better with age. The instrumental quartet has impeccably clear rhythms and driving drums to take you on a journey through each and every song. Sure, sounds cheesy, I know. This isn’t a new age instrumental medley or anything like that. It’s what instrumental rock music should be. A typical EITS song will take about 7 minutes to listen to but what it accomplishes in that amount of time is unmatchable. The cohesiveness of the group along with spectacular instrumentation and song structure create more emotion than any singer could ever muster. I’ll admit I’ve gotten my share of goosebumps from listening to them. Aside from their stellar live performances EITS has been a common prescription for amateur film students. Just couldn’t get your shots to portray that emotion you need. Spice it up with some EITS. Now here’s a few EITS songs courtesy of a few of those amateur filmmakers. Let me know what you think.

• Now Playing: Explosions in the Sky – First Breath After Coma
  

The Music Snob – Volume 1: The Battle

The Battle between music snobs and casual listeners has been raging for years and it’s getting pretty frustrating trying to figure out who’s to blame. Personally I blame both sides. I’ll admit at times I can be pretty bold in my ridicule of some radio junkies but in my opinion it’s all for the best. But before I get into it let me back up a few steps and explain who exactly we are talking about here. The music snob is your classic indie music fan. He or she finds little known or obscure bands to enjoy listening to and loathes the radio and anything corporate or mainstream. You know who I’m talking about. You may even be one of them. Your casual listener is the one who listens to the radio and learns to enjoy whatever happens to be playing. Whether something better is out there, they don’t care. They just know that this is the easiest way to hear popular music that has already been hand picked by the people who really know music, the record label and radio execs. Right? Now obviously these are the two extremes when it comes to these to classes of music fans. Most of us fall somewhere in-between these two stereotypes, but regardless there are two sides to the battle and here my take on it.

Let’s first look at how important music is to these two groups of people. For the music snob it’s pretty high up. I would say top 3. Just barely below family and loved ones but just above their hipster vintage wardrobe. For the casual listener it’s somewhere in the middle or maybe even towards the bottom. Everyone has their interests. Your not a bad person for not liking music as much as some people and that’s not where the clash begins  ( I just said “The Clash” without even trying). The majority of the conflicts become personal when the music snob’s music also becomes the casual listeners music. All of a sudden these to extremes become one and there are two scenarios that may occur to turn this conflict into a battle, but first lets step back and look at how we got to this point of co-mingling music.

It all starts with your music snob browsing his local record store, reading up on new bands or finding out about this great new band through a show he went to. You see the music snob actively pursues new music. He or she actually works to find something new and exciting and reaps the benefits of it greatly. When you catch onto a band early on in their career you feel a personal bond as you follow them album to album. You’ll go see them in a small club with maybe 50 other people, after the set you can head back and talk to them at their merch booth and get a few autographs. You gain a bond with them, and whether they remember you, you will still remember them. Overtime they might go from an opening act to a headliner. Your still following them, buying every album, enjoying “your” band. Now of course they aren’t yours but they surely aren’t “theirs” yet. The shows are pretty much filled with people like you which is fine because they worked just as hard to be a fan like you. Then it happens, the new album, it gets a little press, whether it’s from a major music mag, the radio, or MTV and it’s all over. The casual listener here’s the song and all of a sudden they are hooked. Like lemmings, like sheep, they mosey on into “your” bands territory and totally crash your party. Now here is where the battle begins.

The worst way this battle starts is with your casual listener who jumps on the bandwagon a bit to hard and thinks the band is the greatest thing since sliced bananas. It’s not so bad that they like the band, thats not what bothers the music snob, its when they try to act like the bands biggest fan or say they know their music so well because they memorized a few of their old songs. Its easy to pick these people out, especially at concerts. They are the people who cheer when the roadies come out to do mic and instrument checks. No, sorry folks, that’s not actually the band. Maybe if you got the CD and checked the liner notes you would have seen the pictures of them, but wait, you must have just downloaded the few of their catchy songs of iTunes. My mistake. You may get mad at the music snobs for always talking about how long ago they found out about the band or bragging about how he has their debut EP. It’s not necessarily out of arrogance, it’s just to separate themselves from the casual listener. Otherwise what else are they comparted to everyone else.They worked hard to fill the pool and now too many new people are jumping in it and enjoying something they didn’t even work for. To the music snob it’s frustrating, especially because a lot of the fans are oblivious to the fact that this band even existed before they heard it on the radio.

A lot of times the pandamonium runs its course and the next album goes unnotticed to the casuall listeners and the band belongs to the music snobs once again. Other times it’s over for good. and the music snobs have lost their band to the masses for good. Some music snobs stick with the band and others just go find something else new to call their own. When you think about it it’s just as selfish of the music snob to want the band for himself as it is for the casual listener to call the band his own. As a die-hard fan wouldn’t you want them to be successful. Wouldn’t you want the band you think is so great to be heard by the masses. Shouldn’t you be happy that this great band is finally getting out and making good money doing what they love. Granted, it’s not the fanbase that is most ideal, but if the band is that great why keep it to yourself.  To me thats just selfish, but I’ll admit I cringe when I hear a band I love on the radio for the first  time. I know what can happen if the lemmings come. It means I don’t get to talk to the lead singer after the show, it means I’m going to be somewhere in the middle of the crowd and not front row like usual. Both sides are justified and both sides but both sides can also solve this too. I think it all comes down to tollerence and awareness. Easy to say but hard to do. If the music snobs can be a little more tolerable of these casual fans there wouldn’t be as much of a problem. If they really want to be fans they’ll stick with the band and if they are just bandwagon jumpers they’ll be gone when the next band comes around in a month so have some patience. On the otherhand if the casaul fans can just be aware that others where here first. Respect them for getting this band popular enough for it to make it to the radio for you to hear it. They did all the work for you so don’t be mad at them if they seem a little peeved that you squeezed in front of them at the show. So both sides, lets just get along.

Now Playing: Tokyo Police Club – Tessellate

Minus the Bear Announces Fall Tour Dates

Everyone’s favorite band Minus the Bear is hitting the road yet again, this time touring with The Annuals. Now I really can’t say anything about MTB that hasn’t already been said. They are truly innovative. Usually when you say “there’s no on out there that sounds like (insert innovative band here)” the band is a little hard to listen to the first couple of times through, but MTB is truly different. Everyone can find something to love about them no matter what style of music you prefer. Plus MTB live is quite the spectacle. Guitarist Dave Knutson alone is worth the price of admission. From his impeccably clean toned tapping technique to his on the fly sampling he can do it all. But enough oodling here are the dates:

Oct 8 — Spokane, WA — Service Station
Oct 9 — Missoula, MT — The Other Side
Oct 11 — Denver, CO — Gothic Theatre
Oct 12 — Omaha, NE — Slowdown
Oct 13 — Iowa City, IA — The Picador
Oct 15 — Minneapolis, MN — Varsity Theatre
Oct 16 — Milwaukee, WI — Turner Hall
Oct 17 — Chicago, IL — Vic Theatre
Oct 18 — Columbus, OH — Newport Music Hall
Oct 19 — Detroit, MI — Majestic Theatre
Oct 20 — Cleveland, OH — Grog Shop
Oct 21 — Boston, MA — Wilbur Theatre
Oct 22 — Washington, DC — 930 Club
Oct 23 — Philadelphia, PA — Theatre of Living Arts
Oct 24 — Providence, RI — Lupo’s at the Strand
Oct 25 — New York, NY — Webster Hall
Oct 26 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom
Oct 28 — Richmond, VA — The National
Oct 29 — Raleigh, NC — Lincoln Theatre
Oct 30 — Asheville, NC — The Orange Peel
Oct 31 — Knoxville, TN — Bijou Theatre
Nov 1 — Atlanta, GA — Variety Playhouse
Nov 3 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Revolution
Nov 4 — Orlando, FL — House of Blues
Nov 5 — Jacksonville, FL — Free Bird Cafe
Nov 7 — New Orleans, LA — House of Blues
Nov 8 — Houston, TX — House of Blues
Nov 9 — Austin, TX — Fun Fun Fun Fest
Nov 10 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues
Nov 13 — Tempe, AZ — Marquee Theatre
Nov 14 — San Diego, CA — Soma
Nov 15 — Pomona, CA — Glass House
Nov 16 — Los Angeles, CA — Henry Fonda Theatre
Nov 18 — Sacramento, CA — Empire
Nov 19 — San Francisco, CA — Bimbo’s 365 Club

Tickets can be purchased through Minus The Bear’s Website

Now Playing: Minus the Bear – White Mystery

“untitled”

You met me at a very strange time in my life.

Now Playing: The Pixies – Where is My Mind

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So this song just cam on my iTunes so I had to post this. I hope you all can make the connection. If not, I won’t be mad at you, just disapointed.

New Against Me! Video

So we all know I’m a sucker for vinyl. I also happen to be an Against Me! fan so when their new video came out I had to share it. Minimalistic yes, but great nonetheless. The only gripe I have is that it’s not in color so we can’t see the beauty of the transparent yellow vinyl. I guess I have my own I could look at so I can’t complain too much. Here it is. Against Me!’s new video, the title track off their latest album “New Wave”

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=39765028

Now Playing: Bear vs. Shark – 5,6, Kids

Your Own Personalized Rock Song Awaits

Say Anything brainchild Max Bemis broke onto the scene with his debut album “Is a Real Boy” in 2004. Sorry to all those seeking indie cred for finding out about them before the 2006 “debut release”, but that was only a re-issue. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to strike you down, but just know that if you don’t know about Max Bemis before the 2006 you don’t know Say Anything. See Max wrote what I think is one of the greatest debut albums in recent memory. Playing most of the instruments and the help of some friends Max wrote a truly dynamic rock album that combines catchy pop hooks with an arogant sarcastic wit on Max can deliver. As a songwriter Bemis was on top of his game, but most people didn’t know that he suffered from sever bi-polar disorder. Recording the album was hard enough, but when he went on tour he cracked. The back and forth between the high you get from playing live followed by the isolation of a tour van cause Max to completely break down. He tried different drugs to try to help his disorder, some prescribed, some not so prescribed, but nothing worked. The tour stopped almost as soon as it started. The final stop being a mental health center. Max spent a while trying to get clean and learn how to manage his horrible Bi-Polar disorder.

This is where 2006 came, a re-release of “Is A Real Boy” came out with a second disc “Was a Real Boy”, an EP that was supposed to bridge his first album and the next. Max was finally back in the game. Clean, Healthy, and ready to go, he undertook a huge task recording his second album “In Defense of the Genre” a 2 disc, 27 track masterpiece that picked up righ where he left off. The album features guest apperences from friends in “Taking Back Sunday”, “My Chemical Romance”, “Alkaline Trio” and many more.

Now with Say Anything functioning at full force once again Max is extending an offer that no one can refuse. Your very own song recorded just for you, written by Max. It’s a pretty pricy single at $150 but for the Say Anything fan thats a bargain. Just check out the Say Anything website for more info. You just send in a topic, subject, occasion, or anything you want and within a few days you will receive a recorded copy of a song written and preformed by Max Bemis himself. Pretty sweet if you ask me.

“Portugal. The Man” Inks a New Deal

One of my favorite bands, Portugal the Man, has just signed to one of my favorite labels, Equal Vision which makes today my favorite day in recent memory. Now for those of you who don’t know about PTM I suggest you check them out. With a combination of progressive rock, indie rock, blues, and even a little hip-hop they are possibly one of the greatest bands to ever come out of the great state of Alaska. They have been on a nonstop dose of touring/recording/touring for the past few years and they seem to be gaining more and more energy and inspiration. I can’t wait to hear what they have in store.

Portugal the Man put out their first record, Waiter, You Vultures, through Fearless records in 2006. The albums hard hitting yet easy to listen to rhythm’s combined with catchy hooks to please the ears of all who listened. But despite the success PTM changed paths and released an all digital EP, It’s Complicated Being A Wizard, in 2007. Later that year they were ready to unleash their second full length through Fearless, Church Mouth, which built upon what made their first album so great and then some. The album add’s a southern blues feel and a more raw feel that both simplify’s and optimizes PTM’s sound.

The new album, Censored Colors, is completely self funded so the band had no worries about creative constraints making this album so highly anticipated. The album is being produced by Matt Bayles (ex Minus the Bear keyboardist) who has put out some great albums for Minus the Bear, The Six Parts Seven, Russian Circles, and many other indie bands that are on the brink of making it big. This is PTM’s chance to either make it or break it, but at the rate they are going chances are they will surpass any and all expectations. A great band combined with a great label that understands artists is a great thing to see.

On a side note if you plan on picking up one of PTM’s albums I would recommend getting it on vinyl. Singer John Gourley is an amazing artist and does all their album artwork. It can truly be appreciated on a 12 inch record sleeve. They also offer a variety of fun colors. Check it out.

AKA M80 the Wolf from their debut album, Waiter, You Vultures

Now Playing: Thom Yorke – Eraser