I Give Myself to Strangers by Jens Lokking and Friends
The more that I listen to this, the more that lusty sheen starts to wear into a Zen-style koan- ‘I give myself to strangers, I bully round the streets.’ Dreamboat Mag has been transmitting on my wavelength for a while now, I recommend you check that blog out.
Jason Baxter covers Boner Kill Records, a Bellingham-based operation, keeping it real, local, and fresh.
Throwing a party at the Rendezvous this month. I’m hoping that you will all attend(it’s free!) I’ll be spinning dance music along with Big Spider’s Back, and DJ D’Nelski (aka Alex Ruder) on February 25th. If you’re in Seattle, do stop by.
Missed out on those Shed Remix 12″ on Boomkat, but the Steppas Delight Vol 2:Dubstep Present to Future has what I need: Martyn’s 131 Remix of Shed’s “Another Wedged Chicken”: Video removed!
This project between Calvin Johnson(Beat Happening) and Doug Martsch(Built to Spill) pops up every once in a while- I can’t help but revel in the energy here, Calvin’s deep baritone juxtaposed against Doug’s reedy voice. This video captures the Halo Bender’s Calvin Johnson busting out. Today is also Calvin Johnson’s 47th birthday(born November 1, 1962!) It’s been a long time since Beat Happening played out a show but K Records is still going strong.
Pitchfork shows some love for USF’s remix of “Jimmy Dove” by Blind Man’s Colour.
Big Spider’s Back lists his top records of 2009.
Brendan Benson has never sounded so dour and so dramatic as heard on “Metarie”. “Metarie” evolved over the course of Lapalco and the Wellfed Boys EP; with at least 5 different recorded versions out there, it’s Benson’s most revisited song. It’s one of his most emotional songs, and the unhappiness comes through clearly in the tape hum(further refinements to the LP version are more polished but also obscure the outright shame of rejection.) The song combines Brendan Benson’s plantitive voice with a saccharine melody- he sings:
I had enough I couldn’t take it anymore(yeah)
So I turned and I ran straight for the door.
Bought some mags on my way home.
for later on, you know, when I’m all alone.
bottle of wine and some cigarettes,
a racing form, maybe, maybe i’ll make some bets
i know a guy who lives in los angeles
sometimes his life there makes me so jealous.
i’d like to move out of this place,
change my name, get a new face,
get a life, put it in my song.
Brendan Benson’s newest record My Old Familiar Friend covers a lot more of this territory with wonderful results. “Garbage Day” wraps up Benson’s cutesy chorus with a Byrds-ish melody and disco string arrangements on a summery California day:
And if she throws her heart away
i’ll be there on garbage day-
to sift of what’s left I guess
to sort through the loneliness
i don’t mind no i don’t mind if all the neighbors can see me
i’ll take whatever i can get when i can get it it’s not easy
believe me-
I’ve only just picked it up; ‘Metarie’ stayed on repeat for months on my playlists, and I hope I find something like that here.
I’m still waiting to get this interview with the Angry Orts up and online. It’s been almost two month since I first heard this record and found a breath of fresh air in pop rock. Check out their myspace and listen to “The Best Thing”.
