Cambridge
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Canes Pugnaces
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Post by Cambridge on Sept 24, 2008 10:00:17 GMT -5
The best live act in the United States of America plays the 9:30 Club on December 13 if you're not afraid to get weird. Jack, DBT puts on a good if overhyped live show, IMO. I haven't seen them since Isbell left, but the rest of the band is still intact and the set list should be about the same. Good live shows I have seen in the past year or so: The Black Keys -- good tunes, lots of energy, a lot of sound from just 2 dudes. Billy Bragg (plays 9:30 Oct. 27) -- Going to a Billy Bragg show is like going to church -- expect to hear some preaching but also the best one-man-with-a-guitar show on the planet. I've seen him at 9:30 and although it's kind of a big venue for his tunes I still recommend catching his show. Be Your Own Pet -- Jemina Pearl might give Liz a run for her money, Boz. James McMurtry -- Sounds much bigger live than on his albums. Expect a healty dose of Bush/Cheney-slandering between songs. Alejandro Escovedo -- Professional. If at all possible see him at the Continental Club in Austin -- he's there most of the time when he's not touring. My Morning Jacket -- I was never a huge fan of MMJ's albums, but my God are they good live. Jim James' voice has this weird eerie quality to it that is somehow not captured by normal human-made recording devices, and their songs are built to rock out/be expanded in a live set. Alice Russell -- saw 1/2 of a SXSW set this past March (left to go see B. Bragg) and wish I had seen the whole thing. Doubt she's touring stateside anytime soon -- she's from the UK -- but perhaps the London Hoyas can check her out. Venue-wise I also recommend checking out the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles -- it's overpublicized but still pretty cool. Artists/Bands I have not seen live but want to see (comments, please) Antibalas Steve Earle (how I have never managed to catch a Steve Earle show I have no idea) Cut Copy Ryan Bingham Dropkick Murphys Josh Ritter Rodrigo y Gabriela Vampire Weekend Carrie Ann Hearst/Shovels & Rope (current random obsession) Band of Horses Bands I have recently seen live that fell short of expectations: Wilco Spoon The Black Angels Willie Nelson (I've seen him three times in the past four years -- he had 1/2 a voice for one of those shows) God I miss living in Austin. Cut Copy -- Saw them two years ago in Cat Club in SF. Awesome. I didn't even know they were playing or who they were at the time, but they lit up the crowd and had everyone, and yes, that includes me, dancing all night. You might even find some pictures of it on facebook. Embarassing. Reminded me of a Soviet show I saw at TT the Bears in Cambridge about 6 years ago. Band of Horses -- Saw them twice, both times at the Filmore in SF. Both times they blew my mind, but particularly the first time (2006?) as I hadn't really heard much of them at the time. Very passionate and entousiastic performance. Waaaay more than you would imagine based on the albums. Basically, they tore into their set like there had been a giant pile of pure bolivian white backstage. Also, the poster the Filmore provided (Filmore gives them out free every show) is one of the coolest they've ever produced. Vampire Weekend -- Saw them in SF last year. Solid performance. I was expecting something on the level of an Arcarde Fire level showing, especially considering how electric the crowd was before the show, but the truth is their music is a little more subdued than Arcarde Fire and while they tried their darndest to whip up the crowd into a frenzy, it never reached fever point. I think my expectations were too high...I still LOVE the album though and listen to it an inordinate amount. Wilco -- They blew up at Outside Lands in SF this summer. Sorry you had such a bad experience, but they absolutely dominated the crowd. Probably also was somewhat influenced by the "mood" in the air around me...or something. Spoon -- I agree with that one. I saw them at the knitting factory in NY a while ago, like maybe 2004, and they just kinda jammed out. It was very loose and not at all what I expected.
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by Boz on Sept 25, 2008 13:45:42 GMT -5
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hoopsmccan
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by hoopsmccan on Sept 25, 2008 14:17:46 GMT -5
For the tragically unhip like myself, what kind of music does Vampire Weekend play? It seems like a lot of folks here are pretty in to them and I've never even heard the name.
And yes, I am aware that I should be able find this info on the internet, but I'm in a meeting so I wouldn't be able to listen to their stuff if I did a search now anyway.
hm
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Jack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by Jack on Sept 25, 2008 14:24:29 GMT -5
For the tragically unhip like myself, what kind of music does Vampire Weekend play? It seems like a lot of folks here are pretty in to them and I've never even heard the name. And yes, I am aware that I should be able find this info on the internet, but I'm in a meeting so I wouldn't be able to listen to their stuff if I did a search now anyway. hm Best description I can come up with: Prep-school African Guitar Pop. Basically they are bunch of snot-nosed Columbia students who write lyrics about making out with girls on Cape Cod set to kwassa-kwassa music. And it is for some reason totally infectious. I want to hate them, but I just can't.
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by Boz on Sept 25, 2008 14:27:54 GMT -5
For the tragically unhip like myself, what kind of music does Vampire Weekend play? It seems like a lot of folks here are pretty in to them and I've never even heard the name. And yes, I am aware that I should be able find this info on the internet, but I'm in a meeting so I wouldn't be able to listen to their stuff if I did a search now anyway. hm Best description I can come up with: Prep-school African Guitar Pop. Basically they are bunch of snot-nosed Columbia students who write lyrics about making out with girls on Cape Cod set to kwassa-kwassa music. And it is for some reason totally infectious. I want to hate them, but I just can't. Well described, Jack. I feel the same way. I keep expecting to get sick of them, but I just keep listening to that album. Also, for those of you who really like them, you probably have already done this, but you should check out some of their B-Sides. The B-Side to the Mansard Roof single, "Ladies of Cambridge," is perhaps one of their best songs, IMO. (and fits Jack's description pretty well).
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FormerHoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,262
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Post by FormerHoya on Sept 25, 2008 14:29:58 GMT -5
For the tragically unhip like myself, what kind of music does Vampire Weekend play? It seems like a lot of folks here are pretty in to them and I've never even heard the name. And yes, I am aware that I should be able find this info on the internet, but I'm in a meeting so I wouldn't be able to listen to their stuff if I did a search now anyway. hm Best description I can come up with: Prep-school African Guitar Pop. Basically they are bunch of snot-nosed Columbia students who write lyrics about making out with girls on Cape Cod set to kwassa-kwassa music. And it is for some reason totally infectious. I want to hate them, but I just can't. You don't want to hate them, Jack; you want to be them. They only thing they've got over the People's Musician is a tour bus.
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Jack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by Jack on Sept 25, 2008 14:33:01 GMT -5
You don't want to hate them, Jack; you want to be them. They only thing they've got over the People's Musician is a tour bus. Guilty as charged.
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hoopsmccan
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,405
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Post by hoopsmccan on Sept 25, 2008 14:35:24 GMT -5
Thanks guys. Is there a CD I should start with if I want to check them out. I'm in a music rut (my live show days have dwindled since the birth of the little one) and it would be nice to try out some "new" bands...
hm
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FormerHoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,262
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Post by FormerHoya on Sept 25, 2008 14:35:44 GMT -5
Also, so that I can feel like I'm contributing, even though I'm not.
I almost went to see the Steve Miller Band featuring special guest Joe Cocker. I'm kinda Editeded I couldn't. I'm also not being ironic.
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by Boz on Sept 25, 2008 14:39:42 GMT -5
Thanks guys. Is there a CD I should start with if I want to check them out. I'm in a music rut (my live show days have dwindled since the birth of the little one) and it would be nice to try out some "new" bands... hm They only have one album, plus some singles releases (wherein the B-Sides I mentioned can be found). My suggestion? Go download Mansard Roof, Campus, and Walcott. If you like that, click "Complete my Album." I am a slave to Steve Jobs.
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hoopsmccan
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by hoopsmccan on Sept 25, 2008 14:47:12 GMT -5
gracias, boz
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Filo
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by Filo on Sept 25, 2008 15:08:55 GMT -5
For the tragically unhip like myself, what kind of music is kassa-kassa music ;D
Just kidding. I'll have to do some research on that one, though. And, Hoops, excellent 'tragically unhip' usage. The Tragically Hip has always been one of my favorite band names and descriptive terms.
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hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
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Post by hifigator on Sept 25, 2008 16:13:09 GMT -5
No wonder my ears are burning. You guys are over here talking about me. I epitomize the tragically unhip for sure. My daughter is rather quick to point that out.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Oct 1, 2008 0:15:37 GMT -5
I am in love with Tammy Ealom. Nothing else really matters at this point. (Yes, I know I said I was in love with Kate Nash, and that I'd always love Liz Phair, but hey, the heart wants what the heart wants.) I am also deaf and going to be very, VERY late for work tomorrow.
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SirSaxa
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 747
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Post by SirSaxa on Oct 1, 2008 3:22:53 GMT -5
For the tragically unhip like myself, what kind of music is kassa-kassa music ;D Just kidding. I'll have to do some research on that one, though. And, Hoops, excellent 'tragically unhip' usage. The Tragically Hip has always been one of my favorite band names and descriptive terms. The Hip are ridiculously awesome to the max. RIDICULOUSLY!! why is it always people who live near Canada love the Hip so much? Some kind of neighborly vibe or something?
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by Boz on Oct 17, 2008 11:36:59 GMT -5
[blatant plug for friends of Boz] Anyone local to the DC/Arlington area next weekend (Sat., Oct. 25), some good friends of mine will be playing at Iota. The band is called Practically Einstein. (or here if you want to hear some of their songs) They make their living around the area playing covers at bars, parties & neghborhood festivals, but their original music is really good and they should be coming out with their first full length CD soon (EP already available at any of their shows). They won a local Battle of the Bands last spring, earning a slot to open slot for OK Go, and Iota is another good break for them. Anyone who is in the area, I promise a fun time and some really good music. (I liken them a bit to Hoodoo Gurus or similar 90's alt-rock bands.) OK, I've had my say. [/blatant plug for friends of Boz]
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Post by Coast2CoastHoya on Oct 17, 2008 11:43:40 GMT -5
Speaking of blatant plugs, I'll go ahead and plug the band that several HoyaTalk posters either were or still are in (including me): THE FRUSTRATIONS. They've played all over the DC area and have had a few gigs up the NE corridor. Most recently, they rocked DC9. Check out the link for their schedule. They also just cut their first music video, and have CDs for purchase.
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DrumsGoBang
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
DrumsGoBang - Bang Bang
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Post by DrumsGoBang on Oct 17, 2008 15:30:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the plug, Coast to Coast. We just shot a super cool music video (in full HD glory) and we're having our video release party next month, Nov 14 at the Rookery in the West End. Also for NYC Hoya's we'll be playing Desmond's tavern in midtown on Oct 25th.
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hoopsmccan
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,405
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Post by hoopsmccan on Oct 17, 2008 15:59:17 GMT -5
Thanks for the plug, Coast to Coast. We just shot a super cool music video (in full HD glory) and we're having our video release party next month, Nov 14 at the Rookery in the West End. Also for NYC Hoya's we'll be playing Desmond's tavern in midtown on Oct 25th. I used to live a few blocks from that place and have had a pint or two there...damn kids and suburbs. cool venue, enjoy. hm
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Bando
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
I've got some regrets!
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Post by Bando on Oct 17, 2008 17:57:52 GMT -5
Thanks for the plug, Coast to Coast. We just shot a super cool music video (in full HD glory) and we're having our video release party next month, Nov 14 at the Rookery in the West End. Also for NYC Hoya's we'll be playing Desmond's tavern in midtown on Oct 25th. Is the video online yet?
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