All posts by j. walkos

reviews, video

Video: St. Vincent; February 21, 2010; Diesel Club, Pittsburgh, PA

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St. Vincent, a.k.a. Annie Clark, takes her stage name from Dylan Thomas, a Welsh Romantic poet. In 1953, he died at New York’s St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center.

There are a few theories about why he died: was it alcohol, diabetes, or heart attack? Or something else, or all of the above? There has never been a consensus. When asked about why she chose that specific moniker, Ms. Clark replied, “Because that is where poets go to die.”

I recently had the pleasure of seeing her perform and I found her live show to be charming, whimsical, and yes, poetic. So much so that I decided to film the encore and share it with all of you. I also thought a piece by Mr. Thomas entitled “The Map of Love” would serve as a nice artistic accompaniment to St. Vincent’s musical poetry. Read, watch and listen below. Continue reading →

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Watchlist vol. 4: White Hinterland

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When Casey Dienel and Shawn Creeden of White Hinterland decided to relocate from the Northeastern United States to the Pacific Northwest, they also took their band’s music in a whole new direction.

The change was born out of necessity; being in a new city without access to a piano — the centerpiece of their previous work — forced them to carve out a new sonic template, so they hunkered down in their Portland studio and started tinkering with loops and acoustic guitars.

The result is White Hinterland’s second full-length album, Kairos, set to be released on March 9 on Dead Oceans records. Continue reading →

reviews

Review: Tortoise; February 17th, 2010; Mr. Smalls Theater, Pittsburgh, PA

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Chicago post-rockers Tortoise are just like the animal that their moniker invokes. Well, not exactly like it; I’ve never seen a tortoise perform a killer instrumental post-rock song, though I wouldn’t mind seeing one try. Rather, it is the band’s unbelievable staying power that makes them so much like the long-lived reptile.

I’d be willing to bet that most fans of indie rock today were just discovering the wonders of puberty when Tortoise’s 1994 debut laid the groundwork for a career that would see the band become one of the most important post-rock acts ever.

Fast-forward sixteen years to Mr. Smalls Theater in Pittsburgh, PA. Considering that the show was on a Wednesday night, the turnout was decent. I really can’t think of a better place to see Tortoise, besides maybe the moon or inside a spaceship. Mr. Smalls is an old cathedral church retrofitted into an amazing music venue. The acoustics are amazing—every plucked string, tapped hi-hat, and stroked key fills the space with beauty. Continue reading →

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Watchlist vol. 3: The Middle East (MP3)

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Is America ready for a Middle East invasion?

Ready or not, don’t fret. The deceptively-named band actually comes from the land down under — Townsville, Queensland, Australia to be exact.

They create music as beautiful and diverse as the Great Barrier Reef itself. Their strings, harmonies, and layers have delighted audiences worldwide, yet they remain one of Australia’s best kept secrets.

But now, they have their sights set on America. Continue reading →

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Balmorhea Sail on ‘Bowspirit’ (MP3)

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Since 2007, existential folksters Balmorhea have released three critically praised albums and an EP, so they’ve been around the block a few (or four) times. Their signature combination of classical elements and American folk strips the listener naked and bathes him in atmosphere, exposing him to the emotional elements of life. Their music is both patient and sprawling, meditative and mysterious, and it speaks to the world we live in (and beyond).

They’re currently preparing to release Constellations through Western Vinyl, due out February 23. In addition, the band will soon embark on a North American tour, which culminates at SWSW in March.

We’re lucky enough to have for your ears the first single from Constellations, entitled “Bowspirit” (MP3).

Complete list of tour dates after the jump. Continue reading →