News, reviews, interviews. http://www.nadamucho.com Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:35:51 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.nadamucho.com/features/interviews/ben_allen_on_jason_hartleys_advanced_genius.html Never Trust a Genius Interview with Jason Hartley Ever wondered how Lou Reed could release a double album of nothing but guitar noise and feedback and still have it advance his career? “What the hell was Bob Dylan thinking doing a television spot for Victoria's Secret?” Or, “what would motivate Brian Wilson to release a rap song entitled ‘Smart Girls’ in the late 80’s?” Your immediate reaction might be something like most artists occasionally create work that sucks, and don't always make the best decisions. I too, felt this way for many years.   Now what would you say if I told you there was a theory that would allow you to appreciate all of the work by your favorite artists? Twenty years ago, Jason Hartley (http://advancedtheory.blogspot.com/) came up with one.  Features - Interviews Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:22:26 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/live/music/capitol_hill_block_party_day_1_long_lines__great_sets.html Capitol Hill Block Party Friday, July 23, 2010  I had an itinerary in mind when I showed up to get my press pass: Unnatural Helpers, Champagne Champagne, Head Like A Kite, Holy Fuck, Jaguar Love, Fruit Bats, and SING SING. The earliest I could make the gate was 6 p.m. and when I arrived, there were two lines more than 300 people deep.   The third line was for guest lists and was much shorter, and for future reference the press passes are in the third line – the one labeled “guest list.” I only know this after I stood in the longer A-L will call line for an hour and a half before someone told me “wrong line.” Not complaining… just telling you how my day started. I got in about 8 p.m. hoping to catch the end of Champagne Champagne (Unnatural Helpers had finished), but they were on... Live - Music Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:40:48 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/features/promote_this_beeyatch/child_labor_matt_makes_his_daughters_review_promo_cds.html Promote This: July 2010 The Glad Girls / Champagne Sunday / SNEW / In to the Storm When we first started NadaMucho.com in 1997, I mailed letters to labels asking them to send us promotional materials and, for the first couple years, we reviewed a high percentage of what we received, good or bad. We’ve always prided ourselves on giving emerging and unsigned bands a fair shake but, unfortunately, the number of CDs coming in grew increasingly unmanageable and we did less and less of that. Now, through the magic of human reproduction, I have two willing indentured servants to help me wade through the piles of CDs. Sure, they’re young, but they work fast and they don’t pull any punches. If they don’t like something, they’ll tell you. Plus, at six and almost four, they probably have a deeper exposure to the history of pop/rock music than your average... Features - Promote This, Beeyatch Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:02:47 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/live/music/capitol_hill_block_party_starts...now.html Capitol Hill Block Party July 23-25, 2010  Pike Street 12th Ave Seattle, Wa Over the years, the Capitol Hill Block Party (http://www.capitolhillblockparty.com/) has evolved from a grassroots weekend showcase of local talent to a three-day party boasting national acts and high-profile corporate sponsorships like Miller, Dickies and AT T.   Popular opinion on this evolution is divided into two distinct camps: 1) those who bemoan the corporatization of a community event and long for the days when you could get 10 dollar tickets at the gate to see your friends' bands play and 2) those who think it's gonna be damn cool to take the bus to Capitol Hill and see Jack White and the Dead Weather play in the middle of Pike street.  Live - Music Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:25:47 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/live/nada_mucho_presents/roadside_graves_live_in_seattle_the_life_you_save_may_be_your_own.html Roadside Graves Live in Seattle The Life You Save May Be Your Own (Sunset Tavern, Monday August 9) There’s an element of the tent revival to the Roadside Graves. This shambling country band from Metuchen, New Jersey, inhabits a world full of the lonely and the lost, the unfulfilled and the unredeemed. Think dissolute Americana sung by an itinerant preacher. Bob Dylan and Shane MacGowan sharing a bottle. Flannery O’Connor in a lowdown saloon. The Graves have been around for eight years now and have released a series of albums of increasing complexity and depth. Their narrative songs confront loss with wheezing accordion and keening fiddle, and battle death with barroom piano and ragged guitar. Throughout it all, lead singer John Gleason’s raspy voice — equal parts resignation, bourbon, and hope — struggles to understand the fragility of everything that keeps us alive. Live - Nada Mucho Presents Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:03:10 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/reviews/album_reviews/barry_vail_hearts_admiral_radley.html Admiral Radley I Heart California Rock and Roll and California go hand in hand. Think of all the songs and albums that praise Cali, or just the idea of it. It's place to be saved, to get lost, to be dropped into the ocean, and to rise up repeatedly. Admiral Radley’s I Heart California embodies the heart and joy of California Rock n’ Roll in all its sugary, gritty, sunburned glory. It’s a summer jam album that works on both sentimental and silly levels, and it is a triumph. Jason Lytle and Aaron Burtch of Granddaddy, along with Ariana Murray and Aaron Espinoza of Earlimart, create the often hilarious and mysterious band, Admiral Radley, and one of the better albums of the summer. On it, they drop much, but not all, of the mopey shoegaze both bands excel at for a more loose and adventuresome sound and attitude. The sweetness and softness represented by stellar tracks “Lonesome... Reviews - Album Reviews Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:09:39 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/features/listmania/best_of_the_00s_50_cent_american_analog_set__babyshambles.html Best of the 00s: Gabe Joins the 21st Century Part 7: 50 Cent, American Analog Set Babyshambles   Nada Co-founders Matt and Gabe are listening to 197 of the music press's picks for best albums of the 00s for a series called Gabe Joins the 21st Century (features/listmania/00s_in_review_gabe_joins_the_21st_century.html). 50 Cent – Get Rich or Die Tryin #37 on the Rolling Stone list Gabe: My hip hop credentials are non-existent. I love singles in a social or party type setting, but never spent a lot of personal time even with the artists I love, notable exceptions being De La Soul, Eminem, and most of all Outkast. So for what little it’s worth, I think Get Rich Or Die Tryin' is a decent successor to albums like The Chronic and Doggystyle.  Singles like In da Club and P.I.M.P are as fun as you would expect,... Features - Listmania! Sat, 17 Jul 2010 12:04:27 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/features/interviews/red_gets_primitive_with_yonatan_gat_of_monotonix.html NadaMucho.com Interview Q A with Monotonix Monotonix bring their explosive, confrontational live show to Fremont's High Dive (http://www.highdiveseattle.com/) on Saturday, July 10. In preparation of this momentus and potentially controversial event (the band's 2008 Bumbershoot set was cut short when the fire marshall deemed them too dangerous ),  Red asked frontman Yonatan Gat a few questions. We look forward to chatting further with Yonatan after the show. If he's still standing, that is. NadaMucho.com: What was it like growing up in Tel Aviv? Monotonix: Fun! NM: What groups or types of music helped influence your sound? Yonatan Gat: We've all listened to alot of rock 'n roll since we were kids, so mostly that. But we like different stuff and different styles. Too much to list. NM: Tell me about the new release Fun Fun Fun / Try Try Try.  How was it recorded?  What did you do differently on this release? YG:... Features - Interviews Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:55:22 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/nadamucho/matt_brown_pic_of_the_month/the_first_in_a_hopefully_short-lived_series_matt_brown_in_photo.html Matt Brown is a person. A living, breathing person with feelings, just like you. When you cut Matt Brown, he bleeds. Matt Brown is also Seattle's greatest rock 'n roll fan. If you're a local band and Matt Brown comes to your show, it's a sign you're on the right track. Either that or there's a girl there with low self-esteem who's caught his fancy.   Most nights you'll find Matt Brown bussing between the city's music bars to stand at the very front of the stage and smile whiile nodding his head along to whoever's on stage. When the mood strikes him, he sometimes even goes on to the stage to sing with his many local musician friends.   NadaMucho - Matt Brown Pic of the Month Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:53:47 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/reviews/album_reviews/red_experiences_a_bacchanal_of_emotions_with_new_brian_jonestown_massacre_album.html The Brian Jonestown Massacre Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?  'a' Records I feel high on some Australian shit when I listen to this album.    I'm riding in a car with a clutch that keeps slipping.   We surge forward and start on down the road, never moving any faster than is necessary.   The clutch slips again.   We slow for a brief moment, then surge forward.    This is the feel of track one, Tempo 116.7 (Reaching For Dangerous Levels Of Sobriety), on the new The Brian Jonestown Massacre album called Who Killed Sgt. Pepper? Reviews - Album Reviews Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:24:26 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/features/unsorted/bobcat_goldwaithe_to_introduce_best_movie_ever_in_georgetown.html Shakes the Clown Introduction by Bobcat Goldwaithe  Artopia/Georgetown Music Fest Saturday, June 26 @ The Stables Courtyard 5907 Airport Way 10:30 p.m.  As if the Georgetown Music Fest (live/music/georgetown_music_fest_provides_best_look_at_new_local_bands_this_summer.html) weren't bitchin' enough already this year, it has recently come to our attention that the event features a screening of the 1991 cult classic Shakes the Clown with an introduction by director Bobcat Goldthwait.  The tale of a depressed, alcoholic birthday clown that also stars Tom Kenny (the voice of Spongebob Squarepants) and features bit parts by Adam Sandler and Kathy Griffin, this dark comedy is an absolute gem that's not to be missed. Seeing it outside at the city's hippest summer festival should be tops on your list this weekend. Here are a few of our favorite quotes to whet your whistle: Features - Unsorted Sat, 26 Jun 2010 01:54:33 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/live/music/georgetown_music_fest_provides_best_look_at_new_local_bands_this_summer.html       Georgetown Musicfest June 25-26, 2010 The Georgetown Music Fest (http://www.georgetownmusicfest.com/) (GTMF), now in its fifth year, has an increasingly important role in Seattle's outdoor summer festival circuit. While no one's complaining that the once-neighborhoodly Capitol Hill Block Party has evolved in to a massive three-day affair boasting the same caliber of hip national acts as Sasquatch! and Bumbershoot, this change means fewer up-and-coming local bands get their chance at an outdoor audition on the big stage this summer. Live - Music Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:36:20 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/features/listmania/best_of_the_00s_boards_of_canada_brendan_benson__bruce_springsteen.html Best of the 00s: Gabe Joins the 21st Century Boards of Canada, Brendan Benson Bruce Springsteen Nada Co-founders Matt and Gabe are listening to 197 of the music press's picks for best albums of the 00s for a series called Gabe Joins the 21st Century (features/listmania/00s_in_review_gabe_joins_the_21st_century.html). Boards of Canada – Geogaddi  #30 on Pitchfork Gabe: Geogaddi is labeled ambient, electronica, and worst of all, IDM, which apparently stands for Intelligent Dance Music.   As far as I can tell, what these terms mean is that there are basically no lyrics on this nearly 70 minute album. Geogaddi would make a nice soundtrack for a film adaptation of one of J.G. Ballard's dystopian novels like Cocaine Nights or Super-Cannes. The music conveys a sense of modern horror that I could totally dig if it was coupled to some kind of... Features - Listmania! Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:45:42 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/live/music/sasquatch_2010_what_marika_overheard_on_monday.html Sasquatch 2010 Monday, June 1 The Sasquatch line-up on Monday was an amalgam of musical genres and inappropriate comedy designed to blow your fucking face off. Many reviewers focus on delivery, set-list, crowd response, and personal opinion, but sometimes fans give the most revealing reviews. Behold, the power of eavesdropping. Morning Teleportation (http://www.myspace.com/morningteleportation) Why did I think these guys would be like My Morning Jacket? Maybe the word 'morning.' My acid-tripping uncle would fucking love these guys. I just used the word 'groovy' in my tweet. I blame this band. This is so not what I expected. It's bouncy! Let's get drunk. Live - Music Sun, 06 Jun 2010 20:49:48 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/live/music/sasquatch_2010_recollections_of_a_heavy_hairy_sunday.html Sasquatch! 2010 Sunday, May 30 2010 “Whoomp! (There It Is)? Really?” Someone was blasting the strip club anthem as we pulled in to the Gorge parking lot. I turned to my festival partner, The Admiral, and said, apparently this is the official song for Sasquatch! tail gate parties.   Unlike Saturday's Nada correspondent, I had my special bracelet and was through the security in seconds. We walked to the top of the amphitheater and set up shop at a comfortable little grassy spot as The Long Winters (http://www.bigdouchebag.com/) were about half way through their main stage set. Their performance was solid, but unremarkable, so I sprawled out in the grass, closed my eyes and did a little festival meditating” while The Admiral headed over to the Bigfoot stage for Cymbals Eat Guitars (http://www.myspace.com/cymbalseatguitars). He later described the Staten Island band as having a very dynamic, innovative sound. There... Live - Music Sat, 05 Jun 2010 14:25:53 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/features/unsorted/auktyons_leonid_fedorov_russias_rock_bard_strips_down.html Rock Around the World Leonid Fedorov “I know how much that camera is because I saw it at Frys, volunteers the young man with the Eastern European accent. That’s $500.” We're outside a small San Francisco club, part of a slight crowd of young men and women with accents. “Actually, more like $2500 all together.” My friend and photographer Justin mutters. “Wow!” The man exclaims. “You could buy a motorcycle for that!” I ask him if he is a fan of the artist who will be performing tonight. “Not really,” he responds.  Features - Unsorted Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:23:39 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/live/music/sasquatch_2010_see_our_sunday_twats.html Sasquatch 2010 Sunday, May 30  Ben's full account of Sunday's hot, hairy Sasquatch! action will be up tomorrow, but in the meantime, here's what he was blathering about over at www.twitter.com/nadamucho (http://www.twitter.com/nadamucho). Apparently Whoomp, There it Is is the official song for #sasquatch tailgate parties. Long Winters end their set with the Grateful Dead's Touch of Grey. Weird. #sasquatch Every They Might Be Giants song in this set sounds like it belongs in a Spongebob Squarepants cartoon. #sasquatch This #sasquatch media center = heaven. A quiet, private area with clean bathrooms and snacks. Holy smokes @subpop's Avi Buffalo are some energetic young whippersnappers! #sasquatch Live - Music Mon, 31 May 2010 22:44:36 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/live/music/sasquatch_2010_dan_stands_in_vomit_helps_teens_get_high.html Sasquatch 2010 Saturday, May 29 Recap It started like any other Saturday, with the wife and me piling into the station wagon and pointing it toward Lowes. Along the way, however, I made a wrong turn and we ended up at the Gorge in George, WA. What great fortune! The 2010 Sasquatch Music Festival was just kicking into gear, so we shrugged off our errands and decided to check out the sights and sounds. Getting inside the festival gates was not easy. Contrary to popular belief, writing one article every couple years for the esteemed NadaMucho.com does not grant you access to the front of the line. We had to wait just like everybody else in what can only be described as an angry mob of horny teenagers. I was reminded of my recent experience navigating the passport check at the Amsterdam airport. Thankfully, in both instances I eventually got... Live - Music Mon, 31 May 2010 12:52:03 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/live/music/sasquatch_2010_what_we_twat_on_saturday.html Sasquatch 2010 Saturday, May 29  The Gorge Amphitheatre   We'll have Dan's full review and pictures of Saturday's action up later today, but in the meantime, here's a quick rundown of his live tweets. Follow us at www.twitter.com/nadamucho (http://www.twitter.com/nadamucho). Had to stop in North Bend on the way out to Sasquatch to eat at The Twin Peaks Cafe. Damn good coffee! #sasquatch UPDATE: Elderly folks love to carry Kleenex and large hats in the back sections of their cars. #sasquatch Just arrived at #sasquatch. Teen's beer of choice this year: Budweiser Wheat. Live - Music Sun, 30 May 2010 16:26:37 +0100 http://www.nadamucho.com/live/music/sasquatch_2010_preview_marika_on_mondays_must-sees.html Sasquatch 2010 Preview Monday, May 31 The Gorge Amphithetre  I never saw the movie 500 Days of Summer, which means I came by The Temper Trap (http://www.thetempertrap.com/) honestly (Sasquatch stage, 1:55PM). The name is a bit misleading, as their sound is fluid and catchy, but barely ever angry. It's a beat that spawns YouTube comments like 'Eargasmic!' and 'Mellow yet sad yet slightly uplifting.' Despite the occasional Coldplay moment on their album, Conditions, I hope they deliver live. Passion Pit (http://www.passionpitmusic.com/) (Sasquatch stage, 4:10PM) is a personal favorite, though it's during Telekinesis (Yeti stage, 4:05PM). I'm hoping Passion Pit's upbeat, driven songs - an interesting balance of indie, electronic, and some unknown exotic spice from a far-off galaxy - lives up to their odd yet compelling videos. Hudson Mohawke (http://hudsonmohawke.com/butterstargalactica/) (Rumpus room, 7:30PM) is an up-and-coming electronic music producer and DJ from Glasgow, Scotland. All of his songs have been weird, tinny, layered,... Live - Music Fri, 28 May 2010 21:36:46 +0100