The Stiletto Formal performed at The Grind Coffee House last night, supported by Kinch; both bands are from Phoenix, Ariz. Photos below and after the jump.
The Stiletto Formal
Author Archive
Review: The Dead Science – Villainaire
The Dead Science
Villainaire
Constellation, 2008
It’s clear from the first moment of a harp playing and the subsequent segue into eclectic bouts of staccato guitar and complex rhythmic patterns: Villainaire, a record that experiments with jazz-inflected progressive rock and is strewn with elements of post-punk and indie rock, is not an album that is easy to digest, instead taking thought and time to process into actual understanding.
The Dead Science – “Make Mine Marvel” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/thedeadscience-makeminemarvel.mp3]
With the rise in popularity of vaguely prog-rock outfits like The Mars Volta and Coheed and Cambria (not to imply this album sounds too much like either,) The Dead Science’s third full-length could see a reception that isn’t wholly unfavorable. Villainaire doesn’t really splay out its influences for listeners, but it does provide clues throughout. While some strains of progressive rock seem to be able to claim influence, the attribution can just as much rest with free jazz, experimental rock and a slew of other styles and genres. (more…)
Politics and Music: Jordan Olsen, guitarist with The Gorgeous Hussies
Jordan Olsen, guitarist with The Gorgeous Hussies, discusses his perspective of music and politics. This is the first in a series of interviews with musicians discussing political perspectives.
What role do politics play in your music?
On the whole I don’t think mainstream politics, per se, play a significant role in how I write and perform music. There hasn’t been an issue I’ve been so passionate about that I’d be willing to use my music to preach about it. That’s just not my style. However, I have written a few songs that present a larger comment on society and how we treat each other, which, I guess, is the crux of politics. So in that aspect maybe I have?
On The Gorgeous Hussies’ first CD Oh! Hello I wrote a song called “Dangerously Similar.” It’s based on the Israeli/Hezbollah conflict in the summer of 2006. I was watching CNN and watched Israeli troops fighting with Hezbollah troops and I couldn’t tell who was who. I couldn’t help but think that beyond the politics and ethnic conflict these people were first and foremost fathers and mothers but how at that moment they were “dangerously similar”. It’s not really an anti-war song, rather a comment on people who at their core are very similar but find themselves trying to kill each other.
The Gorgeous Hussies – “Dangerously Similar”
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/track1_dangerously-similar.mp3]
Review: Emiliana Torrini – Me and Armini
Emiliana Torrini
Me and Armini
Rough Trade, September 9, 2008
On its face, Me and Armini could be just like a number of female-fronted pop records; Emiliana Torrini has a simultaneously marketable and enjoyable vocal style that wouldn’t bring any surprises if it reached mainstream success. Me and Armini, though, is much more than a simple throw-away pop release, and Torrini’s silky vocals are only the tip of a musical iceberg.
Emiliana Torrini – “Me and Armini” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/meandarmini_edit.mp3]
Torrini might be best known for performing “Gollum’s Song” from 2002’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, but Me and Armini could change her status from being a slight footnote in mainstream pop culture, whic she attained both for “Gollum’s Song” and for co-writing two tracks from Kylie Minogue’s Body Language. A footnote, though, doesn’t seem to be Torrini’s favorite option, so with Me and Armini she’s released a powerful, engaging picture of her musical talent of the Iceland native. (more…)
Live Review: The Gorgeous Hussies at The Grind
The Gorgeous Hussies, the band we’ve featured a few times in the last week here on MusicGeek.org, performed at The Grind Coffee House last night. Below are a few photos; more will be added in short time. Read more on their performance after the jump.
Concert Photos: The Gorgeous Hussies promote their concert tonight at The Grind Coffee House
Salt Lake City-based “groove rock” group The Gorgeous Hussies performed in the Living Room at Southern Utah University today, appearing in promotion of their concert tonight at The Grind Coffee House. Tickets are $5 to see the group, or $8 to see both the group and the Off the Cuff performance that follows. Photos, obviously, are below. Someday, they might go into the gallery… once I get it working again. Thanks for your patience, MusicGeeks!
Jordan Olsen, guitarist and vocalist, and John Chatelain, bassist, keyboardist, and vocalist, for the Gorgeous Hussies, performed in the Living Room at SUU. Ryan Smith, drummer for the group, was replaced by a drum machine; the final photo in this series sees Ryan’s discontent at being phased out for a robot. In reality, it was only done to prevent excessive noise on the university campus. Ryan will be performing at The Grind with the band.
• Live Review: The Gorgeous Hussies at The Grind
Concert Photos: Neon Trees, Location Location, The Robot’s Guide to Living perform in Cedar City
Neon Trees, a Provo-based electronic-infused indie rock, performed at The Grind Coffee House in Cedar City, Utah, tonight; the band performed with locals The Robot’s Guide to Living and Salt Lake City-based group Location Location. More photos after the jump.
Neon Trees
News: Nada Surf’s Daniel Lorca injured, but show goes on
Daniel Lorca, bassist for indie rockers Nada Surf, announced today via the band’s MySpace that he will be unable to perform with the band for two weeks following a knee injury, citing a risk of permanent injury. Nada Surf, he says, has only had to cancel two shows in over 14 years, so it is with some relief he announced Ozma’s Jose Galvez will be performing alongside the other two members. It does mean Lorca will miss the band’s performance at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colo. Listen below to a track from Nada Surf’s latest, Lucky. MusicGeek.org wishes Daniel a speedy recovery.
Nada Surf – “See These Bones” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/nadasurf_seethesebones.mp3]