MusicHawk Member Blog

TV on the Radio (Videos, Links, Interviews, Review)

(image courtesy of Interscope Records)

Now, I don't like to be presumptuous, (though some who know me would certainly stand to contend otherwise), but here on this 29th day of September in 2006 I stand a convicted man. I simply find it very hard to believe that anyone could make a record that could possibly be better than the monumental 'Return to Cookie Mountain' by TV on the Radio out now on Interscope. I have had the unmastered versions of TV on the Radio's new material since early in the summer but nothing could have prepared me for such an unbelievably good record. For those of you perhaps being in the same boat, hearing the demos prior to the record's stateside release earlier this month, you may have noticed that the songs did not change much in post production but the real strength with 'Return to Cookie Mountain' is the flow. It's fluid, it's touching, it's affecting, it's just good. I'm not even trying to explain how much I like it at this point through the medium of good, congnizant writing. I really really like 'Return to Cookie Mountain.' A lot.

I don't wish to simply gush about how strongly I feel you should get to your local record store by any means necessary in order to purchase TV on the Radio's new material (which you should) but I do wish to explore what it is that makes this band so good. Though not immediately apparent, a good portion of the beauty each TV on the Radio track enjoys is due to the subtle sounds the band produces, resulting in a sound so full that the listener has no choice but to repeatedly attempt to digest the elements at work in each song. Immediately engaging is the melody. Every song (not only on 'Return to Cookie Mountain' but also the band's tremendous debut 'Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes') is soaked in a melody that is not only entirely unique, but in the case of the new record, these things are in a class by themselves.

From the initial off-tempo horn swells in the beautiful 'I Was a Lover' to the staggering 'Province' to the only song more poppy than the song 'Poppy' from their debut, 'Wolf Like Me,' TV on the Radio is making music for everyone to enjoy. In a recent interview, vocalist Tunde Adebimpe said something that I perceive to be extremely insightful in regards to their music: 'When I see a bunch of people who probably shouldn't be hanging out together, something new is probably happening.' He's absolutely right. He's right in general and he's also right in speaking such words about TV on the Radio's accomplishment. There are elements of soul, of doo-wop, of indie rock, tribal rhythms, funk, hip hop... the list continues. TV on the Radio is doing something entirely new. They're doing something that no one else is doing and going in directions that no one else is capable of going. I'm just glad that I get to be part of it. (Also, see this band live before they are so popular that they're abandoning venues altogether and start playing cities. It could happen.)

TV on the Radio Tour Dates: click here

TV on the Radio Links:
TV on the Radio Interview from 2004
TV on the Radio Interview for Mass Appeal (2006)
TV on the Radio performing 'Ambulance' at Coachella
TV on the Radio performing 'Wolf Like Me' on Letterman
TV on the Radio 'Staring at the Sun' Music Video

cheers, baby

The Black Keys (Links, Music, Videos, Tour Dates, and so much more!)

(image courtesy of Nonesuch Records)

Akron, Ohio's favorite blues-rock duo (and for that matter, my favorite blues-rock duo), the Black Keys, have accomplished the unthinkable. The accomplishment they passively claim in the release of their tremendous new record 'Magic Potion' (out on Nonesuch) is not an occurrence that many enjoy despite long and lucrative careers. What is this illustrious accomplishment? I'm glad you asked. The Black Keys have managed to stay true to a personal formula while remaining as engaging as they are interesting.

I have loved the Black Keys since the release of their awe-inducing second record 'thickfreakness,' allegedly recorded in a 14-hour session on an 8-track. The blistering riffs were a delight to my palate as I prepared to go on to bigger and better things after the conclusion of high school. A year went by as I all but forgot the Keys until I moved to Portland and saw that they were playing an in-store close to my home. The Keys tore through 5 or 6 songs from their then upcoming 'Rubber Factory' album and I was nothing short of floored. That half hour has remained in my mind as one of the sweetest live performances I've been privileged enough to enjoy over the years not solely due to the simplistic beauty of drums and electric guitar through vintage equipment (though these are some of my favorite things). It was the raw power and emotion of two individuals grinding out these awesome tracks that while creating not the most innovative sound in popular music, they were nailing everything. They were just flawlessly throwing down some of the best and most energetic rock music out there.

Now here we are, two years older, and the Black Keys have moved to a new label. For that new label, the band has produced their most cohesive record to date in 'Magic Potion.' And you, fair reader, can hear the whole thing prior to your inevitable purchase here. And while you're at it, do yourself a favor and catch the band on tour.

The Black Keys Live Tour Dates

The Black Keys Links:
The Black Keys' Label Blog with videos
The Black Keys 'Your Touch' featured on NPR's Song of the Day
Sony commercial featuring The Black Keys' 'Girl is On My Mind'
The Black Keys live videos and music videos

cheers, baby

For Bands & Labels: How To Add a Band

1. Login to MusicHawk

2. Search for your band by typing the name of your band into the search box

3. If your band is not in our system... Look for the "Add it!" button and click it (real good like)

4. Fill out the Add a Band form and click "Submit"

5. Wait for your new "band add" to be accepted and published by the MusicHawk team. The new band ad acceptance period can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few weeks depending on timing and volume.  Sometimes, we get swamped with new band adds so if you are in a hurry then catch us on AIM/iChat @ musichawktalk . Especially, if you are trying to claim a band page catch us on IM and we'll try to do it right away.

Tips
- We highly suggest asking one of your fans to add your band. Yes, "technically" you can add your own band but it's smarter marketing to ask one of your fans to do it so they can get the credit for discovering you. For example, a fan named keven will get the credit for discovering Birdmonster.

For Bands & Labels: How To Claim a Band Page

1. Login into MusicHawk

2. Search for your band by typing the name of your band into the search box

3. Look for the "apply to become an admin" button and click it (give it a good click)

4. Fill out the Admin Application and click the "Submit" button

5. You will receive an email notification to let you know that your application has been received. Once the MusicHawk team accepts your application you will receive an email confirmation.

6. Once you've been accepted login to MusicHawk. Look for the "My Editable Band Pages" area on your My Stage. Click the band's image/link to administer the Band Page. 

Tips
- If your band does not have a page on MusicHawk you can add your band for free.
- You can have unlimited number of administrators for a single Band Page. For example, you might want to have a band member, an online marketing specialist, a member of your fan club, and an outside street team member all involved with administering your page. Unlimited.
- You can manage more than one band from a single MusicHawk account. Just follow the same process described above for each band.
- Existing administrators can invite other administrators
- If you have questions don't hesitate to catch us on AIM/iChat @ musichawktalk

Spoon (Review, Concert Dates, Links, Videos, Music)

(photo courtesy of Merge Records)

Originating in 1994 in the only worthwhile Texan city (Austin), Spoon was birthed in the partnership of frontman Britt Daniel and drummer Jim Eno. Their early history is one of signing the elusive major label deal with Elektra Records following the release of their first long-player entitled 'Telephono' (which has quite recently been remastered and rereleased accompanied by their 'Soft Effects EP' by current label Merge Records). Spoon released 'A Series of Sneaks' on Elektra before being dropped suddenly and left without a deal. S(p)oon thereafter, our heroes were picked up by their current label and released the brilliant 'Girls Can Tell' featuring some of the great Spoon tracks such as 'Me and the Bean' and the single 'Anything You Want' (which is a baby mixtape staple).

The acclaim started to pour in with the release of the basically flawless 'Kill the Moonlight' record featuring the insanely catchy and sharp single 'The Way We Get By', coincidentally allowing Spoon to release a song on a compilation made by the creators of the OC, the confusingly popular FOX television show. The strange thing about Spoon is that while they have certainly grown in popularity since I've been listening to them, they have seemed to avoid the indie blow-up that has been a reality for certain acts such as Death Cab for Cutie and Modest Mouse. The rhythm-heavy tunes are certainly capable of such a phenomenon and I must say that it baffles me that Spoon's melodies haven't reached a fantastically sized audience twelve years into their prolific career. However, the release of 2005's 'Gimme Fiction' may have contained some catchy numbers but I'm not sure that the American mainstream can stomach the cleverness not only in the lyrical content but also present in the unique subdued rock songs that compose the Spoon catalogue.

The tremendous single 'I Turn My Camera On' showcases Spoon at their funkiest, kicking out the blue-eyed soul and proving that they are capable of basically any realm or genre of indie rock. An agile and flexible band, Spoon has accomplished much in their career and stand to make some more great records. A new one is fabled to drop at the beginning of next year, so keep your ears open. As for your eyes and ears in conjunction with each other, you can catch Spoon at Bumbershoot festival in Seattle in a couple of days as well as a couple more times in Texas in September. I, for one, will be attending Britt Daniel's solo show here in sunny Portland at the end of next week. If you are unable to check out this incredible live band, make sure you make your way over to Guss's Phish & Chips blog for mp3s for their recent set in Berkeley, CA.

Spoon Tour Dates:
09.03.2006 Seattle WA United States, Bumbershoot
09.09.2006 Portland OR United States, Crystal Ballroom - Musicfest, Britt Daniel Solo
09.29.2006 San Antonio TX, White Rabbit w/ Sons of Hercules
09.30.2006 Austin TX, Emo's Outside

Spoon Links:
Spoon Music and Music Videos
Spoon Live MP3s from 08.12.06 @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA
Spoon 'Kill the Moonlight' Record Review: 8.9/10 by Pitchfork Media

cheers, baby