Memorial Day

Sometimes it's hard to choose between blogging and going outside. It's easier when the weather's this nice ... and you don't have a computer.

Emily Gould, are you reading this?

L'été, verano, summer

Soundtracks for the seasons, eh? Well last summer was an interesting mix of reggae, Devendra Banhart, Kings of Leon, Iron & Wine, and various Trey Anastasio songs my friend tried to get me into on a drive from Colorado to Connecticut.

For the record, I strongly dislike Phish and anything musically involving Mr. Anastasio. (no offense, Phil.)

This summer is going to be a little different. The staples of summer will resume, of course, along with a recent finding of the Big Chill soundtrack on vinyl at a thrift store (Motown is most appropriate in warm weather).

I'm planning on late night listening sessions, my turntable running until it can't run anymore, iPod in the car, blasting Desmond Dekker, Derrick Harriott, driving downtown, too fast on highways, to and from work, etc.

As summer soundtracks are always the most memorable, feel free to comment with your favorite summer songs and I'll be sure to check them out.

Just a few from summers past:
Dereck Trucks Band - "Sahib Teri Bandi"
Wilco - "Sunken Treasure"
Cody ChesnuTT - "When I Find Time"
Derrick Harriott - "Let Me Down Easy"

I'm gonna start putting the main subjects in bold. that way you'll know what it's about...

thanks, Rob.

The Beatles played, well, not really The Beatles, but they did play their hits.  Heck, they could have been BIGGER than The Beatles, read the sign behind them.  

I was on West 21st, at the SVA art studios between 5th and 6th aves., in to see a friend's art show.  People were smoking at every open window, in the middle of the studio, and in every secluded space.

"It's just part of the installations" they told me.

I was introduced to a group of girls, Alison, Jane, and Olivia, while they were attempting to gulp down what may have been the hardest tasting wine I've ever sampled.  They too were there to see the same friend, among others.  

We spoke of people we both knew, of schools, of New York, Connecticut, and the summer to come.  When I asked her plans for the summer, the girl named Olivia was more than happy to tell me about the traveling art collective in which she was participating, known as The Patchwork Caravan.

Loud so as to be heard over the live music that had encompassed the live performances that followed the reception,

"Do you have anything to write on?" She asked.

I handed her a matchbook.

Patchwork Caravan

and their Myspace

strangely enough, they're already filed under "links".

ohmygod.

ohmygod. it's summer.

let's go to some shows.

ASH TO ASH

J. Tillman - "Steel on Steel"

Your shirt as a pillow, the skin of your back touching the floor of the boat. A sky full of lion-clouds and a sun, our brightest star, in fact. You compare the different shades of red, eyes close and the sunglasses come off, then back on, things are darker again and this whole time, you haven't once noticed your breathing - the waves and the bobbing of the boat being more insistent, they tempt your interest. But you are neither here nor there. These strange things just pass right through you.

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Fleet Foxes - "Oliver James"

Here, Robin Pecknold doesn't need his bandmates - at 1:10, when his fingerpicking brings out a harmony above his vocal melody, and suddenly the hills come alive and the town is bustling with spirits. This, my friends, is a song: taking you through its own full day, like a mother would her child, singing to you until you're awake, singing you back to slumber.

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It was announced today that J. Tillman is the newest member of Fleet Foxes. What happens when one of your favorite songwriters for years teams up with one of your favorite new bands? (And by new, I mean to me.) The most gorgeous harmonies this side of CSN&Y / The Band / The Beach Boys / "Because"? I'm all excitement today.

Also - goddamnit if the tunes on Tillman's Myspace page aren't some of the best I've heard in a long, long time. I hope this Vacilando Territory Blues of his gets finished, released, whatever, and soon. So fucking great. In Robin's words, prepare to have yr mind blown -