Fleeting Blues

2008 marked the release of one of the most beautiful albums I've heard (dare I say ever?) in quite some time. Fleet Foxes' self titled release has been in my rotation since then and I have been patiently waiting for more music from these guys.

Finally my wish has been granted!

The boys are set to release their new album "Helplessness Blues" in early May and I can't be more excited. Also, in conjunction with the new album they are going out on tour and have promised to "go everywhere [we] they are wanted".

Listen/Download the title track/first single and check out their tour dates below!
Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

04.29.2011The Vogue Theatre / Vancouver, BC

04.30.2011The Vogue Theatre / Vancouver, BC SOLD OUT!

05.01.2011Crystal Ballroom SOLD OUT!

05.02.2011Moore Theatre / Seattle, WA On Sale Now

05.03.2011Moore Theatre / Seattle, WA SOLD OUT!

05.05.2011Fox Theater / Oakland, CA

05.06.2011Spreckels Theatre / San Diego, CA

05.07.2011Hollywood Palladium / Hollywood, CA

05.08.2011Rialto Theatre / Tucson, AZ

05.10.2011Stubb's Waller Creek / Austin, TX

05.11.2011Palladium Ballroom / Dallas, TX

05.13.2011Ryman Auditorium / Nashville, TN

05.14.2011The Tabernacle / Atlanta, GA

05.15.2011DAR Constitution Hall / Washington, DC

05.17.2011Orpheum Theatre / Boston, MA

05.18.2011The United Palace Theatre / New York, NY SOLD OUT!

05.19.2011The United Palace Theatre / New York, NY

05.21.2011Tower Theatre / Upper Darby, PA

05.25.2011Astra / Berlin, Germany

05.26.2011Dachau Summer of Music / Munich, Germany

05.28.2011Primavera Sound / Barcelona, Spain

05.30.2011Bataclan / Paris, France

05.31.2011Hammersmith Apollo / London, UK SOLD OUT!

06.01.2011Hammersmith Apollo / London, UK

08.11.2011Oya Festival / Oslo, Norway

08.12.2011Way Out West / Gothenburg, Sweden

The Tallest Man on Earth

Heard about this guy about a year ago and was pretty blown away by his voice and songwriting. Of course he evokes memories of a young Bob Dylan, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. He's good. And these two videos shot in the Music Inn in Greenwich village (right around the corner from where Bobby D used to live) are pretty awesome.

Give em' a little checkeye and if you don't like his music, but you do like other music, just mute the video and look at all the sweet instruments in the store.

Enjoy.


1. The Gardener

Tallest Man on Earth - The Gardener - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

2. These Days (Jackson Browne/Nico Cover)

Tallest man on earth - These Days (Nico Cover) - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

His new album , The Wild Hunt, drops April 13th.

Catch him on tour:

Apr 11 2010 8:00P	WVU Creative Arts Center	Morgantown, WV
Apr 14 2010 8:00P	The Ninth Ward	Buffalo, NY
Apr 15 2010 8:00P	The Monkey House	Winooski, VT
Apr 16 2010 8:00P	Petit Campus	Montreal, QC
Apr 17 2010 8:00P	El Mocambo	Toronto, ON
Apr 20 2010 8:00P	Highline Ballroom	New York, NY
Apr 21 2010 8:00P	Middle East Downstairs	Cambridge, MA
Apr 22 2010 8:00P	World Cafe Live	Philadelphia, PA
Apr 23 2010 8:00P	Black Cat	Washington, DC
Apr 24 2010 8:00P	Guilford College	Greensboro, NC
Apr 26 2010 8:00P	Gerrard Hall	Chapel Hill, NC
Apr 27 2010 8:00P	Forsythia Hall *SOLD OUT*	Ashville, NC
Apr 28 2010 8:00P	The Earl	Atlanta, GA
Apr 29 2010 8:00P	The Bottletree	Birmingham, AL
May 1 2010 8:00P	Hailey´s	Denton, TX
May 2 2010 8:00P	Stubb´s	Austin, TX
May 4 2010 8:00P	Rhythm Room	Phoenix, AZ
May 5 2010 8:00P	UCSD The Loft	La Jolla, CA
May 7 2010 8:00P	Natural History Museum	Los Angeles, CA
May 8 2010 8:00P	Historic Brookdale Lodge	Brookdale, CA
May 9 2010 8:00P	The Independent	San Francisco, CA
May 11 2010 8:00P	The Mission Theater	Portland, OR
May 12 2010 8:00P	St. James Hall	Vancouver, BC
May 14 2010 8:00P	Brixx	Edmonton, AB
May 15 2010 8:00P	Local 522	Calgary, AB
May 17 2010 8:00P	Kilby Court	Salt Lake City, UT
May 18 2010 8:00P	Fox Theatre	Boulder, CO
May 19 2010 8:00P	The Bluebird Theater	Denver, CO
May 21 2010 8:00P	The Mill	Iowa City, IA
May 22 2010 8:00P	Carleton College	Northfield, MN
May 23 2010 8:00P	Varsity Theater	Minneapolis, MN
May 25 2010 8:00P	Pabst Theater	Milwaukee, WI
May 26 2010 8:00P	The Dome House	Bloomington, IN
May 27 2010 8:00P	The Brass Rail	Fort Wayne, IN
May 28 2010 8:00P	Lincoln Hall	Chicago, IL
May 30 2010 8:00P	Sasquatch Music Festival	George, WA
Jun 9 2010 8:00P	Tabernacle	London
Jun 10 2010 8:00P	Whelan´s	Dublin
Aug 12 2010 8:00P	Way Out West	Gothenburg
Aug 14 2010 8:00P	Haldern Pop Festival at Alter Reitplatz	Haldern
Sep 2 2010 8:00P	Melkweg	Amsterdam

The Duke, The King, and The Church

Tonight I caught another show in the intimate side chapel of Philadelphia's First Unitarian Church (same place I saw J. Tillman a few weeks ago).

Tonight's show was Simone Felice's (of the Felice Brothers) band named "The Duke and The King" (names after the characters in Huckleberry Finn). The group consists of Bobby Bird on bass/guitar and vocals,Nowell Haskins on drums/vocals, Simi Stone on violin/vocals. During their performance the band did quite a bit of moving around as they traded instruments back and forth but those were they primary roles for most of the show. Additionally, twice in the performance Simone stepped aside to let Bobby perform two songs on his own.

Overall I was delightfully impressed with this performance. The combined country folk and soulful songs from the group's debut album "Nothing Gold Can Stay" certainly held up, if were not better, in this live setting. Everyone in the group has a really strong voice (especially Simi and Nowell) and the backup vocals and harmonies really stood out. Not to mention the group had a ton of energy (at one point they even came out into the isle of the crowd) and it seemed as though they were having a great time.

Really some great songwriting and overall good music. I highly suggest giving this album a listen or catching them live.


If You Ever Get Famous


One More American Song

J. Tillman at The Church

Last evening I had the pleasure of paying a visit to the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, not for a service (well, not exactly), but to see J. Tillman perform in the Church's intimate side chapel. Let me start by saying I have never been in a Church for a concert, or really anything "non-religiously" affiliated (well, again...not exactly).

Why do I keep saying "not exactly"? Well, because some people can certainly argue that (some) music can be considered a religious experience. I can't argue against it. Okay, moving on!

Now let me REALLY get started by saying this little chapel only holds about 50 people in it, which made the experience all the better. I got to the Church pretty early and after waiting around a bit for the doors to open, I entered the tiny room, sat down in the front pew (yes a pew), and waited anxiously for the show to begin.

Soon after, the opener, "Pearly Gate Music", who happens to be Tillman's younger Brother Zach (who also plays bass for him) came out to perform a few songs of his own. I would consider his music sort of lo-fi-super-reverbed-emo-folk, but if that turns you off, I must say it was pretty good. Zach sang with a true passion that can only come from the heart and although he was a little too much for me at times, he had a solid voice, and a realness to his music.

After Zach's performance I was good and ready (that sounds a little too sexual) for the elder Tillman. A few minuets later, he emerged from the side door of the Chapel with the rest of his 5 piece band (acoustic guitar,electric guitar, drums, bass, and pedal steel). Right from the get go I thought they were great. Tillman's hushed vocals and softly strummed guitar fit perfectly with the setting we were in. While some songs possessed the vocal harmonies fans of his other work with Fleet Foxes, certainly appreciated, others had louder blues/gospel and louder rock sensibilities. Also, for claiming no religious affiliation, (at one point he mentioned he "liked everything and nothing"), many of his songs had a very Christian undertone (maybe even overtone?) to them. Nonetheless, his lyrics, music, and overall performance were extremely passionate and heartfelt.

I had a great time and was extremely pleased at my decision to check out this show. Also I got the chance to shake Josh's hand and thank he and the band for the great performance. I now see he certainly has a hell of a lot more too offer than just being the drummer for Fleet Foxes (he's actually been making music since before joining the band). I highly suggest to any fans of folky,woodsy, acoustic, blues rock, americana type music to check this guy out. You shouldn't be disappointed.

Also, it definitely won't be the last time I catch a show at "The Church". Thanks R5 Productions for giving me the heads up about this show.

Check out a few tunes

1.


2.


3.

Young Robert Allen

Bobby D

Oh yeah...did you know?

The Builders and The Butchers (a review)

The Builders and The Butchers self titled album is the type of record you can picture being recorded while you listen to it. Close your eyes and the scene unfolds itself. A group of balladeers and troubadours sitting around in a smokey room, drinking whiskey and beer, playing whatever instruments are available, while singing and shouting heartfelt songs of their travels. Despite the lyrics about death and dying, the record contains loose/fun jamming and sing-along type vibes that are felt throughout its entirety. This creates an energy that makes you feel like you are right there with the band.
Fusing elements of country, folk, gospel, and blues, this band has created a solid album that must have been a blast to record. I definitely recommend giving it a listen and possibly even better, checking them out live.