The Silver Sun Pickups

I don’t know what has gotten into me. For the last two weeks I have been cranking out the toon’s from everything Canadian. I don’t know if it’s me missing the Vancouver music scene or what, but one band that has been on the playlist for the last week is the New Pornographers. I mentioned them in my post about the Vancouver Indie scene, but really didn’t go to deep into about them. If that’s not a lead off then I don’t know what is. The New Pornographers hail from the Great White North, and in specific Vancouver. The band formed in 1997 and very soon after released the single “Letter from an Occupant”. The single helped to get the band exposure and landed them on Canadian Based Mint Records. The band released there debut album Mass Romantic in the later part of 2000. The album was a huge success and launched the band into the American market. This was due in part to the album featuring Indie singer-songwriter Neko Case.

In 2003 the band released their second full length album Electric Version. The second album dialed in what the first was not able to do, and featured a more Indie pop sound and what could be labeled as commercial and mainstream. The album followed with a world tour that lasted just under a year. Around this time each member starting forming there own projects and resuming the projects they had put on hold, some being Swan Lake, The Evaporators, and Destroyer. With a year break under the bands belt, the group returned to the studio to Record Twin Cinema. The album was released in August of 2005 and gave way to the single “Sing Me Spanish Techno” and “Use It”. The album peaked at 44 on the US Billboard charts. The album was backed by music video’s for almost every track on the album made by Blaine Thurier who plays synthesizer for the band. The band also released a tour only album that was properly titled LIVE!, but ended up being sold as an iTunes exclusive and on the bands website.

When touring had ended, the bands returned to there respective side projects and solo efforts. There was a notion that the band may be going on hiatus, but those rumors were put to bed when Carl Newman stated he was writing material for the yet to be released album. In August 2007 the band released their forth studio album titled Challengers. This, to date, has been there highest charting album reaching 34 on the US Billboard charts, and selling 20,000 copies in its first week. The band toured in support of the album through the end of the year, and stated that they will resume the tour in early spring. With each release, the band builds on where the last album left off. They know that writing good music is important, but also not above stripping things down and writing a good Indie pop song.

The New Pornographers Website
The New Pornographers Myspace

Driving to work today I was thinking about what and who to write about. I was stoked that I was able to get the Black Mountain CD ahead of time, but I was left to ponder as to what would be my next entry. As I do everyday, I put in a CD and jam out as I drive to work. While driving I usually just grab an album at random without really looking at my choice. This is good because it serves to make my selection random and a bit surprising. Suddenly I was transported to my basement with an old 4 track and 2 hip people playing some stripped down gold old Indie rock. That disk was No Wow by The Kills. This duo consists of American Born Alison Mosshart, and British guitar player Jamie Hince. Most people look at a guy, girl duo and think it’s a White Stripes rip off, they are far from it. The Kills started off in two different places in the world. Alison Mosshart was the product of the Florida Punk scene, and played in the band Discount. Before the band broke up in 2000, Alison was eager to do something new and more stripped down from what she was currently doing in Discount.

By 1994 Jamie Hince had been playing in London bands for almost 15 years. His band Scarfo had gained notoriety with a handful of singles and there 1997 release “Luxury Plane Crash”. The two first meet each other when Discount was touring Europe. They both kicked around the idea of doing solo projects after a show, but kept the conversation casual and exchanged numbers. By 1999 both bands had almost completely dissolved, and Alison and Jamie started sending each other demo’s via International courier service. The wait for letters and demo’s grinded on Alison so she decided to pull up roots in Florida and move to London with Jamie. She moved in with Jamie in his London flat, and the two began writing and recording. The two both decided to write stripped down music, and keep to just the both of them. They kept the percussion duties to a drum machine and began to record. Along with a stripped down sound, the two renamed themselves “VV” and “Hotel”. There first demo’s started to circulate around England, and was almost unanimously rejected by records labels, but was well received by the press.

The demos, however, did attract the attention of Domino Records, a small Indie label out of London. The next year the two released there first EP, Black Rooster. It was very well received and received distribution in America through Dim Mark Records. The album opened up the world to the band and there own personal philosophy of stripped down, lo-fi, garage rock, with a hint of Punk. They kept writing and for there full length release they changed things up and recorded at Toe Rag Studios. Most of the parts were recorded on 8-track and the entire recording sessions took only 2 weeks to complete. From this effort came their first full length Album Keep on Your Mean Side. The album was very well received by the press and fans alike. The pair decided not to do an extensive tour, but rather did small club shows around London. They followed this formula of non-industry, non-conformist type of style, and to there credit they attracted allot of attention because of it.

There second Album entitled No Way, was a huge success and topped the UK charts at number 23. The album spawned a few singles and was even more stripped down then there previous album. The support for the album followed much the same way, with small shows spread over a few months, and only a handful of dates in the U.S. They stayed prolific and released singles into 2006. Late 2007 they announced they had completed their third album and were busy working on the album sleeve. No exact date has been given yet, but it is expected to be released in early 2008. The White Stripes got there gimmick, but these two are all out Indie rock with a splash of punk and allot of attitude.

The Kills official Website

I can’t count on two hands how many bands I have seen that are now the toast of the town. In my posting about Vancouver I mentioned a band called Black Mountain. When I first saw them, they were nothing more then an opening band. The only thing that was visible was the swirling of hair from Stephen McBean as he belted out the song “Druganaut”. I was pleased when last night I check my mail and found a copy of in my mail box. Don’t ask how I got the album a week before its release. I did some things I’m not pleased about. All joking aside, I was excited about hearing this effort from Black Mountain. There previous album was a dive into the 60’s back to the 90’s and then a quick dip into the 70’s, all topped off with just a hint of stoner metal to make one very nice album.

When I popped the album into the stereo, I felt like I was dusting off my collection of vinyl. The album shoots, or rather gallops out of the gate with the song Stormy High. The song doesn’t aim to be vintage, or strive to sound retro, it sits in a happy place of progressive and reminiscent. Two songs in, the music takes a stretch and jams out with the tune Tyrants. The song clocks in at 8 minutes and made me paint a mental picture of a magma spitting volcano. Something close to Mt. Doom, and for some reason in my head, I was scaling it with a sword in hand. The song moved in shifts and even tipped its hat to the Doctor Who theme song. The next track breaks into guitar driven stoner metal with the lightest touch of synth that would make Electric Wizard and Black Sabbath stand up and applaud.

The last part of the album consists of a song that is damn near 16 minutes long. The song “Bright Lights” may be long, be it’s solid from start to finish. I can only really describe it like listening to a musical with three acts, the buildup, the climax, and the plateau. The entire album is nice nod to allot of different genres and styles. The band isn’t trying to revive anything like some of the garage rock acts that came along in the first part of 2000. They are in there own world, and the album reflects that. In The Future is just that, an audible journey fraught with desolate lands, expansive valleys, and the occasional psychedelic trip to a land that resembles the world of H.R. Puff n stuff. I wouldn’t call this album a classic, but if this is what the future holds I’m growing my hair out, moving to Canada, taking a sword and a bong.

This is a bit of break in form, but I thought that it was important enough to mention. Recently things have been shook up at the 451 plant. A “reorganization of sorts has taken place and allot of bloggers have been given there walking papers. I am happy to say that as I write this, I am not one of them. I am staying here and continuing to write. Now, as far as I know, I will still be in the SilverSun Pickups section. As you have read, I cover a bit more then that, let’s be honest you can only write so much about a band before you gotta think outside of the box and expand. I decided to go all out and cover the spectrum of Indie. For now I am going to continue to write in this forum, but I may be moved to a general music writer. At this point I don’t know, but until then I am going to keep on doing what I do, and hope you guys like what I put out. So for everyone who reads my stuff regularly, thank you, and for everyone who has just started to tune in, I hope you enjoy.

-Ty

A few months ago I wrote an entry about Seattle and how it was home to some of the greatest Indie acts in the last 10 years. I did have the inside on the scene being from the Northwest and more specifically Seattle. I will say that I was lucky enough to grow up in an area that was open to allot of different place, and scenes. Being in the Northwest I had access to the country of Canada. The border was about an hour and a half from my doorstep. Some people get the impression that the only thing that is good to come from Canada is Billy Talent and maybe Alanis Morissette. Other then that, America is pretty clueless about our neighbors to the north’s music scene. Like America, each city has a miss mash of different music scenes. Seattle always had something hopping every night, but if I wanted to take things a bit slow, I would load up the van and high tail it to Vancouver.

The scene itself is bursting with super talented bands that have all gained notoriety in there scene as well as around the world. Like the Northwest, the area is very conducive to writing and recording music. The city is in the shadow of Mt. Whistler, which is one of the larger mount ranges in the Western part of Canada and is a primo spot for skiing and snowboarding. Also the city is surrounded by water and dotted with Native American art that gives the city and almost spiritual like quality, and we can’t forget the friendly Canadians who will point you to the best places in the city to buy and legally smoke weed. One aspect that makes the city unique to any other place outside the United States that I have been to is the fact that most all shops and stores will close down at 6 o clock. This leaves the nightlife to be the bulk of the entertainment in the city. And like Seattle there is host of shows that will be going on nightly. Be it a Metal or a hip hop show, no form is taboo.

Roaming around the city you would expect more venues set up to be just that, venues. When you stroll around the city you notice that most clubs or music venues are in the basement of an already existing establishment. One such gem of the city is the Railway Club. A bar, that at one time was, exclusive to the rail workers, but now a venue that really has it all. The bar food is amazing and nightly the place is brewing with some of the most amazing indie acts just under the radar. I remember seeing the New Pornographers a few times at this club and worth the 10 dollars to become a member for a year. Another club that is bigger, but still is worth a visit is Richard’s on Richards. During the Weekends this place can breakout into a dance party with every woman in the joint being a 10, and on the weekdays host local acts like Hot, Hot Heat, and Nomeansno.

Besides seeing some amazing acts in small interment setting you will notice that the scene is very family like. While waiting to see a Frog Eyes show, I was treated to some fun banter with Carey Mercer. She was more interested in the fact that I had driven from the “States” to see them then her playing the show. The whole mood was very inviting and I felt as if I was chatting with someone I had known all my life. This is the backbone that makes the Vancouver Indie scene so special and inviting. A Hipster like vibe is always associated with the Indie scene, but the Vancouver is happily free of this stigma. Each band you hear has invested most of there life into the music that they play and love, and didn’t just fall into it. Like Seattle, the city is open to the West but self contained. It’s natural landscape painted against a big city would make any Indie musician have plenty to be happy and write about.

It’s not New York, it’s not L.A. its Vancouver. It’s a city that moves fast enough to be called a big city but slow enough to hold integrity. Without a doubt the city has a young creative vibe to it. Maybe it’s Canada, maybe the free healthcare, but Vancouver is one of my favorite cities to visit and catch a show. And really it’s the only city you can have a pint with your favorite artist, watch an amazing show at a cool venue, and buy a bag of ketchup chips all in the same night.

I spent the weekend immersed in some really awesome music. Friday I saw a show at the local metal bar, and Saturday I went crazy at the local record store and purchased about 12 albums. I know that is allot of music to splurge on, but in my defense 2 of the 12 were used. I figured Saturday would be a good night to stay in with a bottle of wine and a 12 pack. Me and my girl lit a few candles, poured some wine, and sat on the thinking couch and cranked the stereo. The albums I picked up were all from artists that I had heard of before and in some cases had there previous works already in my collection. I did, however, pick up an album that my girl recommended. The name Imogen Heap really was low on my radar. I had heard the name before from someone who watched the O.C.. and raved about one of her songs featured on the show. Naturally not being an O.C. fan I swept it under the rug and said good day.

I popped in Speak For Yourself and was hooked 35 seconds into the first song. The album starts out with “Headlock”, it’s a bit of electronic pop that starts off with synthesizes vocals and bouncing keyboards. It has a spacey like quality to it, and then drops into an all out Indie dance song, with strong drum beats and swing like quality to it. Something that I could dance to or just groove to while writing. By listening to the first 2 tracks the album could be labeled as just pure electronic Indie pop. And I do agree that it did grab my attention, and starting out it did have a bubblegum quality to it. As the album pressed on it took an emotion and more personal tone. The track, “Hide and Seek”, portrays a deeper side of Imogen Heap that I really found surprising. The song plays out as almost a journal reading from someone who is grabbing to understand personal connection with another human being.

That track follows with “Clean The Air”, and serves to literally start things over again with the listener. It starts with a swirling ambiance and then into clear more strait forward vocals, it’s less emotional and brings the mood back to a happier more understanding state of mind. The album continues with more electronic groove based songs, and moves the pace to a medium waltz. Before the end of the album the track “Just For Now” slows the pace down one more time. I took the song as a light job just before the finish line. It was in the same vein as “Hide And Seek”, with the theme of emotional connection, but with a tone of understanding and content. The album finishes with a less emotional more dance oriented tone. The album, overall, played out like a short story dotted with deep emotional plot points. It could have gotten a bit deeper, but sticks to what it does best, and that’s making Indie electronica. I did like what emotional content it did contain, but it served to grab me and make me pay more attention to the music then what was being said. I have to say it worked because by the end of the album I was dancing around my living room with a glass half full of red wine.

It has been a few weeks since something was posted on here. The reason being that there is no new news from the Silversun Pickups camp. It is the close of the year and the band has toured almost non-stop for a year and a half. The bad news is, the gang is going to be taking a much needed break for a few months, the good news is they will be returning to the studio once they have taken the break. The news at this point is very scant, but it has been confirmed that the band does have some new material, and will continue to write after the close of the break. As soon as any new info is posted I will let you know, until then, stay in the Sunshine.

-Ty

So since there hasn’t been much news from the Silversun Pickups camp, I thought I would do another artist review on a band that I have been in love with for the last few years. Now I love getting new music in my mailbox, or have someone recommend a band that I need to hear, call me a snob but I have a pick of music that I always keep close to me, and is always a safe pick. I first heard about Portugal. The Man when I was working at a record store. There debut CD came in the stack of promo’s. From the first time I heard them I was hooked. To peg them as just another Indie act would sell them short. Most of there critics have labeled them as Indie, but after giving there albums a spin you will find yourself questioning what subset of music they fit best in. The band consists of former members of Anatomy of a Ghost, and hail from the small town of Wasilla, Alaska.

There music has been best described as a groove driven with hip-hop influences as well as Indie hooks all on top of Falsetto delivery. Before Portugal. The Man was formed, founding members of the band moved from Alaska to Portland Oregon, with the intent on writing music and touring with Anatomy of a Ghost. The band only lasted about 2 years and released one album through Fearless records. After the break up, the two founding members, John Gourley, and Zach Carothers starting playing with Wesley Hubbard, Nick Klein, and Harvey Tumbleson. With a solid line-up the band released there first EP through Fearless Records called Under Waves of the Brown Coat. The EP slipped under the radar, but helped to build steam for there first full length release, Waiter. “You Vultures!”. The album followed with a nationwide tour with such acts as The Fall of Troy, HORSE the band, and Action, Action. In the later part of 2006 the band released The Digital EP, Devil Say I, I Say Air. The EP contained two new tracks as well two tracks from there full length and was released through iTunes and there website.

With the close of 2006 Portugal. The Man returned to the studio to work on there second full length. During this time Wesley Hubbard, Nick Klein, and Harvey Tumbleson, departed the band and would no longer be part of the touring line-up. Jason Sechrist took over drum duties, and the band stated that the touring line-up would be varied and not set in stone, except for the three members. In July of 07 the band released The Church Mouth. The album was more Indie rock inspired and had less of a sample sound then there previous full length release. The band toured the US as well as in Europe is support of the album. With each release the band is getting closer to dialing in the sound that has set them apart in the Indie world. Church Mouth showed that the band, while still in its infancy, is able to produce music that is filled with emotion as well as a good listen and easy to digest. If you haven’t heard of them or picked up any of there albums or EP’s, I highly recommend that you do.

Purevolume Site
Offical Website
Myspace Site

Tonight SilverSun Pickups will be guest hosting on Loveline. If you want to check out what local station will carry it go to the Loveline website. Keep checking in for updates on The SilverSun Pickups and everything Indie.

If we haven’t learned anything from 50 cent or any rapper with a hit song on the radio, it’s that without a doubt there will be a remix. Wikipedia defines a remix like this:

“A remix is an alternative version of a song, different from the original version. A remixer uses audio mixing to compose an alternate master recording of a song, adding or subtracting elements, or simply changing the equalization, dynamics, pitch, tempo, playing time, or almost any other aspect of the various musical components. Some remixes involve substantial changes to the arrangement of a recorded work, but many are subtle, such as creating a “vocal up” version of an album cut that emphasizes the lead singer’s voice. A song may be remixed to give a song that was not popular a second chance at radio and club play, or to alter a song to suit a specific music genre or radio format. Remixes should not be confused with edits, which usually involve shortening a final stereo master for marketing purposes.”

Well chances are you won’t hear Timberland make a guest appearance on this Remix, but you will hear some good remixes from a few well known producers and artists. The 6 song EP features Jimmy Tamborello of Postal Service fame as well as one man sound machine Brian LeBarton. The EP only features “Lazy Eye” and “Little Lovers So Polite”, but each remix is so different it won’t make you feel like your listening to the same song again and again. The EP will be released as an iTunes exclusive on December 11th to the US and will be released worldwide on December 18th.

It’s been about a week or so since I posted last. Yes I know you are all on pins and needles to read what I write next. I am always looking for new bands and or acts that strike my fancy. Over the Thanksgiving weekend I took a trip down to Dallas to say hello to the family and stuff myself with all the holiday goodies I could. I survived Black Friday, and even had the time to slip into a Dallas bar and catch some music. Get a couple drinks in me and I can be quiet the chatter box. While I was sipping on my Gin and Tonic I struck up a conversation with a gentleman who looked like he just came from a cattle drive. He seemed a bit out of place, since it wasn’t a cowboy bar, and the live music didn’t have a bit of twang or slide guitar in it. He told me that he worked at a ranch just outside of the city and during the weekends, after work, he would come to Dallas and catch the local Indie bands that would play.

After a few more drinks he started talking to me about this band he had seen a few months ago called Vetiver. I had heard of them in the past, but the name was in passing and really didn’t stick in my brain. Now drunk people are not the most reliable source when it comes to music, and when someone raves about a band it usually ends up to be a disappointment when experienced first hand. I will say that he was very convincing and to my luck he was able to pass me a burned copy of Vetiver’s album To Find Me Gone. As I said my good byes to the guy, I was a bit apprehensive to listen to the thing. I thought I was going to be subjected to some southern twang that would make me want to turn my newly acquired burned CD into a Frisbee and play a little bit of urban Frisbee golf. What I found was quiet the opposite.

The album starts out with the track “Been So Long”. There is a buildup of empty feedback which leads to a drum and tambourine beat that oddly reminded me of Native American drumming. This song sets the pace for the first part of the album. It’s a light walk that isn’t rushed or trying to portray the sense of urgency or despair. Through the bulk of the album everything seems to just walk and take it’s time. The track “The Porter” serves to almost bring the album to a crawl, and reminded me of a happy folk song that was easily in the realm of Neil Young. About 30 minutes into the album nothing had crept up on me and the almost whisper like vocals were making my drive feel very pleasant, when the track “Red Lantern Girls” explodes about half way through into a almost screeching guitar part that lasts for a good two minutes before the song ends.

The album ended with “Down At El Rio” that was almost like the closing credits for the album. I was surprised after listening to the album. I had a huge smile on my face and felt like I had been taken on a ride. Though the road was not bumpy, it was enjoyable none-the-less. The album is more in the style of folk, but off beat folk that any Indie fan would not mind to give a spin. I don’t want to say that it thrilled me to the point of epic delight, but I know for a fact I will add this to my normal rotation, or pop it in for the next time I need to wind down or go on a soothing walk and listen to music. If you want to hear the album in almost it’s entirety, stop by there website/blog to give it a listen.

-Ty

It has now been confirmed that SilverSun Pickups will be playing a few more shows before Christmas. Before the shows were announced that group only confirmed that it would play a few scattered shows around the country, most of them being holiday line-ups for radio stations. The band will not be touring with anyone, and is scheduled to play the shows with other bands that are touring separately as well.

4 - Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend
5 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
6 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa Amphitheatre
9 - Universal City, CA - Gibson Amphitheater
12 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
13 - Austin, TX - Emo’s
14 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Theatre
15 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
16 - Duluth, GA - The Arena at Gwinnett Center

Yesterday I did an album review of Loveless by My Bloody Valentine. The album was the last studio album from the band, and shortly there after the band went on indefinite hiatus. It’s been almost 10 years since any new music has been released or a show played. In the early part of 2007 it was announced by Kevin Shields that the band had gotten back together to write some new material. The details were sorted at best, and left allot of questions as to what was actually going on. It has now been confirmed that not only is an album on the way but that it is about 75% complete. To add to this news, the band has also announced that they will be playing shows in mid 2008. They will be all UK dates, but they have stated that there is a desire to have a world tour in support of the new album, which is yet to have a title. With the new album, the band also plans to release a compilation of there early material as well as unreleased music and some possible b-sides.

This weekend was filled with various types of alcohol, that all seemed to come together in my stomach. Rather then me get sick all over the house, I was left with what I would call a proper hang over. I try as best as I can to keep everything within reason when it comes to drinking, but sometimes I can underestimate just exactly how many gin & tonics are too many. The next morning I am left feeling the burn of the night prior and in the need of some good hangover music. Flipping through the collection I stopped on My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless. I had heard the album countless times and thought it would curve the growing cramps in my stomach. Also I figured for the sake of want-to-be-journalism, I would try my hand at an album review in post inebriated state.

I retired to the “Thinking Couch” and took a listen. In the early 90’s the only thing you could hear on the radio was Grunge, or some variation there in. The Indie scene was very far removed from the mainstream, but this gem seemed to shine bright in a sea of cookie-cutter bands at the time. Loveless starts out with the track “Only Shallow” which in the beginning sounds more like the intro for a Melvin’s song then what you would expect from an Indie act. The song soon almost does a back flip into a fuzzy haze of guitar overdubbing, while Billinda Butcher’s sleepy vocals wrap the song into a triumphant starting track. The album walks along into a sonic experience that Billy Corgan only wish he could have thought of. The Track “To Here Knows When” is sampled against an orchestra which makes it seem other worldly, and a cut from a Stanley Kubrick movie, but doesn’t break the seal of annoying or trippy by any means.

The midway point of the album came with the song “Sometimes”. The album up to that point is a build up and really lets everything go with the track. Under the wall of sound is a nicely arranged pop song that without the fog would stand by itself, but with the addition of the layer makes it swirl together very nicely. The last track “Soon” comes in at just under 7 minutes and really strikes a final blow in what is an already incredible album. The song sounds as if it’s 10 years ahead of it’s time and would fit in well with everything in the late 90’s, when the industry mixed pop and rock with electronica. If this reference goes way over your head you only need to look as far as U2’s 1997 release POP to get it. Overall the album is a masterpiece, and can be listened to from cover to cover as well as track to track and still have a lasting impact on the listener. It is a Greek tragedy that this album went almost completely unnoticed by the masses, but it served to inspire what we would come to know as Alternative rock. True the album is not a cure all for a hangover, but listening to an amazing album and putting a spring in my step is a good start.

Image Provided by Last FM

It has been announced that Silversun Pickups first EP Pikul will be available in the UK on November 26th. The album will be released through UK record distributor Townsend Records. Pre-orders are being taken but it is unclear how many copies will be made available. Pikul was originally released in 2005 by Dangerbird Records, and is Silversun Pickups first official release.