KTUH Playlist Dec.29th, 2009 - (Some of) the Best of 2009

Timbre Tantrums - Tue., noon - 3pm on KTUH, 90.3 FM, Honolulu


Mayer Hawthorne Just Ain't Gonna Work Out
Norah Jones Chasing Pirates
the Pepper Pots Your Girl
Asobi Seksu Glacially
Deastro Tone Adventure #3
Headlights Get Going
the Years feat. Honey Larochelle You Are The Reason
Hanne Hukkelberg Blood From A Stone
Trailer Trash Tracys Strangling Good Guys
Tycho Coastal Brake
the Depreciation Guild Dream About Me
Ume The Conductor
East Hundred Deadpan
Themselves feat. Alias & DJ Andrew Crosssection of Wreckage
Anamanaguchi Blackout City
Theives Like Us Drugs In My Body
Hari and Aino A Considerate Kind of Home
Loquat Big Key, Little Door
Magic Bullets Not Just A Long Face
Tiny Masters of Today Real Good [Sunroof remix]
Screaming Females Bell
American Cheeseburger 10:20's Sweet Moves
the Jump Offs Reset
the Pains of Being Pure at Heart Young Adult Fiction
Japandroids Heart Sweats
Kleerup Tower of Trellick
Bibio Lover's Carvings
Horse Shoes The Imperial School
Cougar Florida Logic
School of Seven Bells Half Asleep [alternate verion]
Kid Sister 54321
Lily Allen Who'd Have Known
Sean Smith I Can't Wait For Winter [recorded live at The Verdi Club 23rd April 2009]
the Low Anthem To Ohio
Neko Case People Got A Lotta Nerve
Phoenix Love Like A Sunset [Animal Collective remix]
Point Juncture, WA Sick On Sugar
Dear Landlord Heartbroken Handshakes
Kings of Convenience Boat Behind
Thursday Love Has Led Us Astray
Röyksopp The Girl and the Robot
David Bazan When We Fell
Choir of Young Believers Action/Reaction
Feist + Ben Gibbard Train Song
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down Cool Yourself
Fair and Kind Where Love Grows

Chk It Out!!!

!!! a.k.a. chk chk chk (Sacramento, CA) @ the Loft, Honolulu, HI, 17th Nov. 2009. I ended up taking very little pictures of the show and instead went with my gut instinct to "bust-a-move," and for that I offer no forgiveness, nor am I sorry. I made the right choice. Suck it!

chkchkchk.net

KTUH Playlist Dec.22nd, 2009

Timbre Tantrums - Tue., noon - 3pm on KTUH, 90.3 FM, Honolulu

Daughters Fur Beach
the Great Redneck Hope Call Me Old-Fashioned, But I Think Trains Are Kick-Ass!
An Albatross The Ballad of Electric Coyote
Limp Wrist Angry Queen
Le Force Life Is Short . . . Death Is Eternal
Snack Truck Movement Number One
Erase Errata Ca. Viewing
Japandroids Heart Sweats
the Velvet Teen The Prize Fighter
Kaskade I Remember [Strobelite edit]
Radiohead Everything In Its Right Place
Ms. John Soda Hiding/Fading
Midnight Movies Strange Design
Kinski Semaphore
Cyann & Ben I Can't Pretend Anymore
Sun Ra Saturn
Neko Case Andy
Tycho Coastal Brake
Lykke Li Little Bit [AutoErotique Bootleg remix]
Soulwax NY Lipps
Dropdead The Truth Will Remain
E-40 feat. T-Pain Give Her The Keys
Mayer Hawthorne Make Her Mine
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Ain't No Chimneys In The Projects
Low Just Like Christmas
Moneypenny Christmas Time Is Here
David Bazan All I Want For Christmas
Champagne Riot Xmas Safari
Asobi Seksu Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)
Run D.M.C. Christmas In Hollis
Sufjan Stevens That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!
Utada Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
Starflyer 59 A Holiday Song (Happy Holidays)
Broken Social Scene Handjobs For The Holidays
Deas Vail Surface
Lovedrug Pushing The Shine
the Jesus & Mary Chain Just Like Honey
Via Satellite City Lights
Best Coast When I'm With You
Christine Pilzer Ah-Hem-Ho-Uh-Err
Trailer Trash Tracys Candy Girl
Eddie & Ernie Bullets Don't Have Eyes
Miike Snow Animal [Mark Ronson remix]
Mono Silicone
Soulstice Wind
IAMX Spit It Out
Olive You're Not Alone
Linda Perhacs Hey, Who Really Cares?
George Benson feat. Jimmy Smith Mimosa

Your Soul Set Free

Daptone Records, home to many soulful grooves, have released a new holiday single by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. "Ain't No Chimneys In The Projects," is a soulful refection of Christmas past, starting with a young Sharon's inquiry about of how Santa will put presents under the tree, her mother's reassurance that, "Santa Claus got some magic things, as soon as you're asleep, a chimney will appear, and tomorrow you will see all he brings." and ending with an epiphany as an adult.


The b-side, "Holiday Breakdown," lays the instrumental version of the same soul-stunning track with the addition of holiday tidings given by Dap-Kings guitarist, Binky Griptite. This year proved to be a very productive year for Binky, also as the man behind the mixer, producing the Pepper Pots latest album, NOW!. Spain's soul/ska serenaders, the Pepper Pots are giving us their own holiday gift in a CD single, WAITING FOR A CHRISTMAS LIGHT.


AIN'T NO CHIMNEYS IN THE PROJETS/HOLIDAY BREAKDOWN, can be purchased through Daptone Records, and is also being offered for free as part a holiday promotion through Dec. 31st, 2009. WAITING FOR A CHRISTMAS LIGHT, also a free release, is being sent with any purchase from the Pepper Pots webstore. Both releases are sure to bring about good cheer, and are the perfect substitute(or accessory) to any holiday cheese log. While we're talking about free holiday music, Champagne Riot's "Xmas Safari," is available as a free download here on the Shelflife Records blog. Also, Moneypenny has their double-sided single, A MONEYPENNY ¢HRI$TMAS, featuring covers of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart," and Charlie Brown's "Christmas Time Is Here." Download it here.

daptonerecords.com

thepepperpots.com

myspace.com/moneypennyofficial

shelflife.com

Blitzen Trapper?

Blitzen Trapper (Portland, OR) dressed up and performing for Hallowbaloo outside of the Arts at Mark's Garage, Honolulu, HI, 31st Oct. 2009. Also in attendance was Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney/Quasi fame, adorning a beautiful Nefertiti costume. Kick-ass!

blitzentrapper.net

the Mummies Reunited . . . "and it feels so good"

the Mummies (San Bruno, CA) reunited @ thee Parkside, San Francisco, CA for Budget Rock 8, 24th Oct. 2009. The Mummies "wrapped up" their set at the Bottom of the Hill, then zoomed 2 blocks down the street riding inside (and outside) of their Hearst with instruments in hand, got out, plugged in, and played an amazing show that surely woke the dead. The place was packed, and I literally had to wipe my lens between every shot to clear all the sweat condensation that would build up from the room. More photos from the show can be found here.

themummies.com

KTUH Playlist Dec.15th, 2009

Timbre Tantrums - Tue., noon - 3pm on KTUH, 90.3 FM, Honolulu

Lykke Li Little Bit [AutoErotique Bootleg remix]
Stina Nordenstam Everyone Else In the World
the Depreciation Guild Listless
the Skyflakes Dear Kawashima
Stereolab Banana Monster Ne Répond Plus
Bunky Baba
Boris Ibitsu
Envy Farewell to Words
David Bazan Hard to Be
Pedro the Lion Let Down
Dusty Springfield They Long to Be Close to You
the Pepper Pots Real True Love
Lee Fields with the Dapkings Give Me A Chance
Miike Snow Animal [Mark Ronson remix]
the Pepper Pots You Love Her
Thieves Like Us Drugs In My Body
Tycho Coastal Brake [Hatchback's Cosmic Caviar Dub]
Mayer Hawthorne Just Ain't Gonna Work Out
Clazziquai Romeo N Juliet
Kings of Convenience Freedom And Its Owner
Le Couple 縁は異なもの "midori wa kotonamono"
Simian The Wisp
Richard Swift The Atlantic Ocean
the Broadway Hush The Zoo
Willow Willow Fall In Awe
Rose Melberg Homemade Ship
Phantom Planet One Ray of Sunlight
My Epiphany Final Battle
the Flakes Stupid Girl
the Touch-Me-Nots Hey Television
Fair and Kind Fabulous Disaster
Norah Jones Chasing Pirates
Dear Landlord Heartbroken Handshakes
Riff Randells The Only One
the Records Starry Eyes
the 5.6.7.8's 19th Nervous Breakdown
Trailer Trash Tracys Candy Girl
Hanne Hukkelberg Seventeen
Stevie Wonder Smile Please
Res They Say Vision
Kaskade 4am
Ruth Pure Concept
Jim O'Rourke Therefore, I Am
Arthi Meera Pink and White and Gray
the Stone Roses Elephant Stone [Mint Royale remix]

As David Bazan Curses. . .

There is always something profound to be heard in the songs of David Bazan. The breathy drawl of his voice proclaiming that, "It's hard to be . . . a decent human being," with lyrical poignancy on the first track of his latest album, CURSE YOUR BRANCHES, is just one example. Bazan has always had a way with words, emotionally affecting with his openness and a knack for crafting introspective tales that read like stream of consciousness, condensed beautifully in roughly 3 and 1/2 minutes.

Those familiar with his earlier work as Pedro the Lion can attest to that. A personal favorite, "Priest and Paramedics," from the album, CONTROL, ends with Bazan despondently singing, "You're gonna die, we're all gonna die, could be twenty years, could be tonight, and lately I have been wondering why we go through so much trouble to postpone the unavoidable and prolong the pain of being alive."

Although Bazan has chosen to perform and record as a solo effort, the music has seeming (and paradoxically) become more complex then in his band days, under the Pedro the Lion moniker. Contibuting to CURSE YOUR BRANCHES are Seattle music stalwarts, Casey Foubert, Josh Ottum, and T.W. Walsh; just to name a few.

As a talent of his caliber is to be seen as well as heard, 2008 saw the release of BAZAN: ALONE AT THE MICROPHONE, a short film by Bob Andrews and David Bazan, which includes live performances and interviews, in which David speaks candidly about his music, his family, his faith, and his experiences in Pedro the Lion. Included, is an amazing performance of "Slow And Steady Wins The Race," recorded in his truck while waiting at what seems to be the longest traffic light ever, then finished while parked outside of his home. The film includes songs spanning his whole career, including "Priest and Paramedics," and ending with an acoustic version of CURSE YOUR BRANCHES' "Please, Baby, Please."

Both releases, along with the AMERICAN FLAGS 7"(released on Inauguration Day), can be found via barsuk records. The back catalog of Pedro the Lion releases are still available through Jade Tree or from David's own website. Three of the songs from CURSE YOUR BRACHES were recently recorded at Daytrotter, and can be found as free downloads here.

David Bazan delivers the same emotional impact, even when performing other people's songs, as witnessed in his renditions of Radiohead's "Let Down," and Cat Power's "Metal Heart," on Pedro the Lion's TOUR EP '04. A different recording of "Let Down" can be found on Stereogum's OKX: A TRIBUTE TO OK COMPUTER, a free tribute album in celebration of the album's 10th year, available here.

barsuk.com

davidbazan.com

jadetree.com

KTUH Playlist Dec.8th, 2009

Special thanks to DJ Tanner of the Belly of the Best for stopping by and adding to the jams and ensuing comedy. Also, thanks to Mr. Nick and Kaz for their 'interesting' musical additions to the show, which shall remain nameless (in the interest of protecting the artists).

For those interested, the Depreciation Guild's cover of the Beatles "Because," can be found here as a free download being offered by RCRD•LBL_. The song can formally be found on the Wanna Hld Yr Handheld, Vol. 1 compilation, featuring other 8-bit artists, such as Anamanuguchi, 8-Bit Operators, and Saskrotch; performing other songs from the Beatles catalog.
 

Timbre Tantrums - Tue., noon - 3pm on KTUH, 90.3 FM, Honolulu

Dorothy Moskowitz Perry Pier
Kid Sister feat. David Banner Family Reunion
Mos Def Casa Bey
Gretchen Parlato I Can't Help It
the Bird and the Bee Polite Dance Song
the Depreciation Guild Dream About Me
Trembling Blue Stars The Ghost of an Unkissed Kiss
the Notwist Alphabet
Thrice Digital Sea
Maker Make Me Believe
Solange Stillness Is The Move
Clazziquai Romeo N Juliet
Kings of Convenience Rule My World
Fair and Kind When We're Good
Via Audio Modern Day Saint
Starflyer 59 Going Places
Marching Band For Your Love
Discovery I Wanna To Be Your Boyfriend
Garfunkel & Oates I Would Never (Have Sex With You)
the Dø Playground Hustle
Best Friends Forever Handpocket
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down When We Swam
Jawbreaker Boxcar
the Buttfrenchers Come On / You Can't Refuse Me
Yelle Ce Jeu

- - File No Longer Found - -

Dragonette Take It Like A Man
Young and Sexy Oh My Love
Ssion Day Job
the Exploding Hearts Throwaway Style
Miami Horror Make You Mine
Hi-Fives Welcome To My Mind
the Saucy Jacks Everywhere You Go
Ty Segall Universal Momma
the Homosexuals Soft South Africans
Savage Republic So It Is Written
David Vandervelde Hit The Road
Trailer Trash Tracys Strangling Good Guys
Choir of Young Believers Action/Reaction
the Okmoniks Locked In the Trunk of Your Ford Blues
the Bristels I Got A Thing About You
the Depreciation Guild Because
Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová If You Want Me
Leaves Silence

Fair and Very Kind

In the spirit of giving, Fair and Kind have put the digital version of their debut album, A Little Past Twilight, on sale for a meager $4.99 via their website. A definite steal, considering that one could easily move that decimal point several spots to the right and it'd still be worth the cost.

Ever generous, they have also posted a new song for their monthly series of free downloads. "Tender November," pairs the ethereal original "November," (from the aforementioned debut) along with the bouncy back-beat of General Public's "Tenderness," in blissful mash-up matrimony.

The digital sale price for A Little Past Twilight will be offered until Jan. 1st, 2010. The physical CD version of the album can be purchased here.

fairandkind.com

Hand-Made with Love

With music already being such a personal endeavor, it feels extra-special when a band/artist puts that "personal touch" to their record. After all... it's not just a slab of vinyl, or a flimsy piece of plastic encased in more plastic, wrapped in cellophane. No! You're holding the physical manifestation of their talent, their creativity; months to years of hard work, shitty day jobs, busking on corners, break-ups, lament, latent hostility, angst... in essence, you're holding a piece of them. Right there, between your grubby digits, with eager ears awaiting. Long after disbanding, even after fading into obscurity, or tragic happenstance, that record will remain. A document... NO! A precious artifact to be treasured.

So, when a band takes the time to handcraft a part of that experience, it means A LOT. It's almost like meeting them and having them be like, "Hey, thanks for buying our record." then giving you a high-five. They might as well have anyway, since there's a good chance that the record you're holding was once in their own 'high-fiving' hands when cutting the sleeves, during the silk-screening, or while stuffing the insert.

Here's some albums from (roughly) this year that had that "little something extra".


Point Juncture, WA
Heart To Elk

Despite the misleading name, Point Juncture, WA hail from Portland, Oregon. The songs on Heart To Elk run the gamut, from up-tempo pop with lush soundscapes (reminiscent of I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One-era Yo La Tengo) to somber minimalist-pop (ala Young Marble Giants). The CD comes with a beautiful embossed insert, for a total of three (count them! 3!) raccoons.

The Low Anthem
Oh My God, Charlie Darwin

No time is wasted in garnering your attention and affection, as Jocie Adams' voice sweeps in the pastoral passage of "Charlie Darwin," sending a chill down to your very soul. "Horizon Is A Beltway," and "Home I'll Never Be," have more of a hillbilly swagger, while "To The Ghosts Who Write History Books," stands like a dirge to shake off the doldrums. The album covers for were hand-painted in their home town of Providence, Rhode Island. Crafted just as beautifully as their prior album, What The Crow Brings, which had been 'silk-screened on collected cereal boxes by the band'.


the Years
Vosotros Presents: the Years

How can something become classic at its very conception? Somehow the Years manage to do so, seamlessly might I add. They know hot to strip an R&B song to just the groove, then reconstruct it in a manner that is simple and smooth. Never flashy, but always funky. The majority of the tunes are instrumental, with only four of the thirteen tracks featuring guest vocalists: Jesse Palter, Sy Bar-Sheshet, Honey Larochelle, John Robinson & Tiffany Paige. Not one to shy away from their influences, the Years wear their hearts clearly on their sleeves. "Let's Stay In Love," plays like an ode to Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," with just as much undergarment melting power. The tone of 'Theme From "Best Buds"' is a throwback to 80's television, with it's twinkling Rhodes melody, but still carries a very Stevie-esque sway to it. The CD, released by Los Angeles based Vosotros, is hand number in a limited run of 173 copies.

pointjuncturewa.com

lowanthem.com

vosotros.com