DC9 At Night

Bonus MP3: Analog Rebellion -- "Marla Singer Doesn't Take Standardized Tests (Disposable Smile)"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:37:45 -0600

Dianelly

Analog Rebellion's Daniel Hunter

We've spent plenty of time in recent weeks sharing our excitement for the artist formerly known as PlayRadioPlay!'s new disc under the Analog Rebellion moniker. And, every time we hear a new leak from Aledo native Daniel Hunter's new upcoming disc, Ancient Electrons, our anticipation of the album's release only grows. Take, for instance, the newest song to leak from Hunter: "Marla Singer Doesn't Take Standardized Tests (Disposable Smile)."

Earlier this week, the song made its debut as a stream-only trake on AbsolutePunk.net. We dug it so much, we reached out to Hunter to see if he'd be willing to let DC9 readers check it out. Thankfully for all of us, he obliged. Check out the song--and download it for free--after the jump.

Dorrough Expands Himself As An Artist, Pens Song About Ice Cream.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:28:20 -0600

Dorrough's getting brian-freeze.

You'd think that, in most instances, after scoring a major, nationwide hit with a song called "Ice Cream Paint Job," a rapper might consider avoiding the subject of frozen treats for a little while.

But oh how presumptuous of you that would be...

This past week, Dorrough's collaborator, the FADER-appreoved Fat B, released via his Twitter account a free download of a bonus track off Dorrough's debut full-length Dorrough Music. And the song he leaked? It's called, get this, "Caramel Sundae."

Rather than the breakthrough hit's automobile-focused subject matter, this time instead finds the rappers discussing the fact that "they like all flavors" of "ice cream," which, between you and me, I'm pretty sure is a euphemism. Like, OK, check this like from Dorrough: "I like the way you scoop / can you drop it on a cone?"

Check out the track--and, sure, go download it--after the jump.

Congratulations, City of Sherman: You're Having The Best Week Ever.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:46:42 -0600

Bustling, ain't it.

A cursory Wikipedia search tells me that the City of Sherman has at least a little musical history--well more than I was a aware, at least--as the hometowns of Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame saxophone player Buddy Tate and country music icon Buck Owens.

But, the Owens-hosted Hee Haw and his 21 No. 1 Billboard country music hits aside, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a much more successful week of music news in the city's history than the seven days town just experienced.

Last Thursday night, before apparently an at-capacity crowd at the Hollywood House of Blues, Sherman's own Kirby Kelly beat out 4,000 other guitarists in Guitar Center's "King of the Blues" competition, earning him said title and a slew of prizes, not the least of which include $25,000 in cash, a shopping spree and an upcoming feature in Guitar World magazine.

And, while that alone would be a nice little notch in Sherman's belt, there's this, too: On Monday, Sherman-based pop-punk/rock outfit Kid Liberty signed a deal with Trustkill Records, which will release the band's full-length debut in early 2010. A respected label amongst the teen-scenester set, Trustkill's also the current home for acts like Walls of Jericho and the Dallas-based scene favorite Memphis May Fire.

All in all, not a bad week for a town with a population of under 40,000.

Giveaway: A Pair of Tickets To Tomorrow's Dax Riggs Show at The Cavern

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:01:49 -0600

Austin-based solo blues-rock performer Dax Riggs has quite the musical past, having fronted various sludge, metal and indie bands in the '90s and '00s before debuting his own material as a solo artist in 2007. The interesting this is that he manages to incorporate various elements of those past influences into his wide and varied sound now. Basically: This is rock 'n' roll--and in its purest form, in a sense.

Which makes this a nice treat then: Parade of Flesh, which is putting on tomorrow night's show from Riggs at The Cavern, has been kind enough to offer a pair of tickets to the show to one lucky DC9 reader. ~~Want 'em? Be the first to email me right now with the title of Riggs' most recent release, 2008's If This Is Hell, Then I'm Lucky, in the subject line. Good luck!~~

Oh, and speaking of Parade of Flesh: Today, in the coveted 5 p.m. drivetime slot--y'know, just when commuters are as far away from an Internet stream of the Indie-verse as possible--Parade of Flesh's John Iskander will be on the Internet-only station for the second installment of his new weekly, half-hour-long show. Fans of PoF's underground booking tastes will do well to take a listen.

Update: Contest is over. Congrats to our winner!

Today In Music News: The Dead Weather Works Fast, Wavves Pick Up New Members And Morrissey's Fans Apparently Don't Like Him

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:06:36 -0600

Your daily dose of national music news for Friday, November 20, 2009...

It doesn't take The Dead Weather long to make records. The band just released its first album and it's already ready to release a new one.
It didn't take Jay Reatard's former band to find gainful employ... they have joined up with Wavves.
I don't know what it is about Morrissey that draws the ire of his fans... but, they are at it again.

Poster Of The Week: PVC Street Gang, TV Torso, New Fumes, Cocky Americans at Project House, Friday November 20

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:55:32 -0600

Over the last decade or so, a prominent trend in gig poster design has been the retro-modern, minimalist approach, as seen attached to a lot of indie-rock and post-alternative groups. Classified by modernist tendencies and a focus on basic forms versus details, I'll admit, as much as I love that style, the trend was getting a bit threadbare.

But then you have examples like this week's above selection, which takes influence from a popular trend (if not the original style itself) and takes it in a direction that feels fresh and sincere. Designed by Gavin Mulloy (check out more of his impressive poster work at nocargarage.com), this fine display of design is one of those that raises the bar for local gig posters.

First off, the neutral gray monotone cast of the piece demands attention when viewed against other posters. Secondly, the calmness of the carefully worn pair of "All-Stars" bearing the hand-scrawled names of the bands sits comfortably and almost defiant of its flawless surroundings. You've got to love that quiet subversive juxtaposition.

The "All-Star" logotype tab anchored up top provides just enough visual balance for the Project House's clever homage to Chuck Taylor and show details below. This poster is tops; any band should be proud to be a part of this piece. Truly All-Star material.

Lastly, a reminder: Keep sending your poster submissions to gigposters@dallasobserver.com! Please don't forget to include the artist/designer's name and info for proper credit, and please try to send it in at least a week in advance. (And if you are so inclined to send in actual printed pieces, here's our address; you know who to send them to.) See you next week!

Check Out The Lineup For How The Edge Stole Christmas 2009. Then Proceed To Groan.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:31:52 -0600

Last year's logo was pretty awesome...

It was a couple weeks back now that KDGE-102.1 FM The Edge announced the lineup for the 2009 version of its annual How The Edge Stole Christmas show.

And, uh, you'll have to pardon us for missing the announcement when it first came to pass. For pretty obvious reasons. More on that later, though. Like, say, after the jump, with the dates and bands billed for this two-night affair?

Denton's FUR Offers Up Two Free Electro-Trance Downloads For Your Futuristic, 1980s Vision Of The Modern Ultralounge Scene.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:56:43 -0600

Since 2006, Denton-based artist Bryce Isbell's been steadily self-releasing experimental recordings--51 full-length albums and EPs worth of self-released material to date (according to this Facebook page). His first release, Downstairs Room, consisted of a single 45-minute-long freak-folk track that Isbell describes as "experimental electro-acoustic."

Sounds like fun, right? Well, even Isbell admitted by phone yesterday that he "had a hard time getting people to listen to that one."

So Isbell's been reinventing himself with every consecutive handmade CD-R, cassette or digital release he's offered since Downstairs Room, and, after adopting the FUR moniker in 2008, Isbell left behind his freak-folk gobbledygook for a more stream-lined, conceptualized, electronic sound.

And, guess what? Isbell's not self-releasing his recordings anymore: FUR's Black Castles EP and Colorful People full-length were both released on October 31 on Secret Station Records. We're thinking Isbell probably won't have as hard of a time finding an audience with this release. And it probably doesn't hurt too much that the album features some choice collaborations including one with Neon Indian's Alan Palomo ("Black Castles") and another with ex-Ghosthustler member in Gray St. Germain Gideon ("Andante Grazioso").

Isbell was kind enough to send us along two tracks to offer our readers this afternoon, including the original version of the down-tempo ambient cut "Black Castles." (A few other remixes are available on the Black Castles EP, which Secret Station is offering as a free for download.)

Check them out after the jump.

Giveaway: Two Pairs of Tickets To Tonight's Spune Thanksgiving Celebration

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:38:42 -0600

It's an intimate lineup tonight at The Hydrant in Denton for Spune's folk-themed, Thanksgiving-inspired affair. (And, oh yeah, a reminder: Thanksgiving is a week from today.)

Indeed, this lineup is quite the homey one, featuring Minnesota Americana artiste Charlie Parr, DFW-based folk hero Doug Burr, and, one of our latest DC9 obsessions, the indie folk-rock outfit Seryn. Certainly, the venue too will contribute on that front--our Denton correspondent, you might recall, is quite the fan of the room.

And, thanks to the folks at Spune, we've got a couple pairs of passes to tonight's sure to be uplifting and introspective show. Want one of 'em? Fine: Be among the first two people to email me, starting right now, with the words "Thanks For The Memories" in the subject line. If you make that cut, you'll be on the list to see this show for free. Good luck!

Update: Contest is over. Congrats to our winners.

Giveaway: A Pair of Tickets to Tonight's Deastro Show at The Cavern

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:07:58 -0600

Detroit-based Deastro, born Randolph Chabot, like everyone else these days, revels in an electronic realm. But let's not write off his electro-pop tunes completely. Rather, they're rather catchy--lush, too, in a dream-pop sorta way. Kinda like Owl City, maybe, if Owl City were a more original, more dance-inspired, less emo-oriented and less a total rip-off artist. OK, so maybe he's not like Owl City at all. Bad example.

But it's certainly dream-pop as the above clip shows. And in quite the enjoyable way, too. Which is why we're pleased as punch that the folks at Spune Productions have offered us up a pair of tickets to hand out to tonight's show from Deastro at The Cavern, where the act will be joined by the fellow synth-reveling, London-based Max Tundra, and Philly's heavily classic rock-inspired Free Energy. Should make for quite the fun show, actually. ~~Want in for free? OK: Email me right now with the words "Free Max Deastro" in the subject line and you're in. Good luck!~~

Update: Contest is over. Congrats to our winner.

Giveaway: A Pair Of Tickets To Tonight's Headlights Show At Rubber Gloves

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:59 -0600

In this week's paper, Tom Murphy extols the virtues of Champaign, Illinois, indie pop outfit Headlights. Says Murphy:

Headlights writes upbeat melodies that are so catchy it's often easy to miss the rich layers of sound and textures that go into each song. Continue reading...

Check out the above video for "Cherry Tulips," off the band's 2008 release, Some Racing, Some Stopping for convincing on that front.

So it stands to reason that the band's show tonight at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios should similarly be a poppy, enjoyable affair---just as other performances we've caught from the band in the past have been. Many thanks, then to DayBowBow.net, the local music blog sponsoring tonight's show, as it has passed along a pair of tickets to tonight's show for us to, in turn, pass along to one lucky DC9 reader. ~~Want the tickets? OK. Email me right now with the words "One Headlight" in the subject line. First person to do so, gets 'em. It's that easy. So, y'know, step to it. And good luck!~~

Update: Contest is over. Congrats to our winner.

Norah Jones on The Colbert Report: "It Never Hurts" To Smoke Pot Before Listening To Her New Album. Nor, Really, Does It Ever.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:26:21 -0600

Norah Jones popped up on The Colbert Report last night, as promised, and talked to Colbert about the supposed change in direction of her new album The Fall, one Robert really couldn't find too much of in his review of this disc in this week's paper. Stream ahead to the third segment--or right around 13 minutes in--to see her sit-down interview with Stephen, in which she discusses, among other things, drug use (kinda) and potentially starting a barbershop metal quartet with Colbert (maybe).

Then stick around for the final segment of the show, in which Jones performs "Young Blood," the new track that others have described as "driving." Yeah, with your grandmother, maybe, even if it's still an enjoyable ride...

Today In Music News: Weezy Is A Collabo Slut, Fall Out Boy Goes On Hiatus And Rogue Wave Is Comin' Back

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:59:10 -0600

Your daily dose of national music news for Thursday, November 19, 2009...

Either Weezy is a big fan of Gossip Girl or he will collaborate with anyone: He dropped some rhymes on Leighton Meester's album.
Pete Wentz tells Kerrang! magazine Fall Out Boy is going to take an indefinite break. So keep an eye out for the article next week where he claims he was misquoted.
Rogue Wave will return with a new album in March.

Checking In With St. Vincent, Neon Indian and Nick Jonas. Because, Duh, We're Obsessed.

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:41:55 -0600

Because it's OK to kill three birds with one stone...

Check the above video, posted to Stereogum this morning, of St. Vincent performing her song "The Party" in Basel, Switzerland, with a little help from her European tourmate, Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear. It's an impressive take--for a few reasons, not the least of which is the dedication of the superfan who rushed to the front of the theater just to shoot the clip.
Alan Palomo seems to be having no trouble maintaining his Pitchfork credibility. The Neon Indian frontman sits down with the tastemaking site today for a chit-chat about all the things he enjoys--among them the aformentioned St. Vincent and another phenomenal Dallas outfit, Darktown Strutters.
And, lastly, Westlake's own Nick Jonas is in the news today--OK, MTV news, but whatever, he's in there--as his side project, Nick Jonas & The Administration, has been booked to play the CBS-broadcast Grammy nominations concert, alongside the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, Maxwell and Sugarland. Can't say I know too much about the project from the youngest Jonas Brother. But a snippet of the band's first single has leaked, apparently. And thought I haven't seen the names of his new backing players anywhere, I can say pretty confidently that those musicians probably aren't the Bizarro Kids.

Gig Alert: Frontier Ruckus at Dan's Silverleaf Tonight

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:00:16 -0600

What's that Ruckus?

Besides the great (but unheralded) Volebeats, Detroit hasn't exactly become known as a haven for Americana music. Frontier Ruckus hopes to change that.

Formed in 2003 by Matthew Milia and David Winston Jones, the band didn't get around to releasing a proper debut until 2008. The Orion Songbook proved to be well worth the wait, though, as songs like "Animals Need Animals" and "The Deep-Yard Dream" showed Milia to be a songwriter of exceptional skill.

Now expanded to a sextet, Milia and crew create a very atmospheric take on traditional folk and bluegrass. Musical saw, trumpet and melodica float in and out of the mix as Milia slowly weaves his rural tales in his soft, reedy voice.

Frontier Ruckus' newest opus, Way Upstate and The Crippled Summer, Pt. 1, is due out any day now and promises to be more of the high quality folk-rock that fans of Iron & Wine and Gillian Welch have come to expect.