Jackpot, Anybody?

Alright, so, today I'm taking a break from writing about some fabulous-yet-unheard-of band (not that I've been keeping up with that lately anyways, but whatever) in favour of sharing what might just be the greatest thing I've ever stumbled upon.

http://78records.cdbpdx.com/

There's not a whole lot I can say in regards to this site that isn't already explained by the author on the page. What I can do, however, is vouch for it's complete and total awesomeness. Seriously, I've spent the last couple of hours just looking through this thing, finding gem after gem.

Today's song links are to give you a taste of what's to be found on this epic site. Do enjoy, kids.

[mp3] Count Basie - Basie Boogie
[mp3] Ella Fitzgerald w/ Louie Armstrong - Can Anyone Explain

Ahh, I just love the noise in the background.

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down

I was sitting here for about half an hour trying to come up with some witty title before giving up. I just couldn't articulate what it is about them that's so incredible in some short quip, so I'm not even going to bother trying. No, you see, I'll end up wrestling with it through out the entire post.

Hailing from Olympia, the lovely--if not, incredibly eccentric--Thao Nguyen, with the help of her backing band, The Get Down Stay Down, has been eagerly doling out her lovely brand of Indie/Folk magic since before I was born. It is often said that sometime in her twenties she slayed a dragon. This was before she invented her time machine, of course. (Which she subsequently used to go back in time and become the inspiration for leonardo's "Mona Lisa".)*



All that badassery aside, however, she and her band are currently signed to Kill Rock Stars (You may have heard of them? Marnie Stern? Julie Ruin? Gravy Train!!!!? Yeah. I thought so) , where she released her first CD, We Brave Bee Stings and All, earlier this year. She's also currently on tour, and from what I hear (and by "hear" I mean I went to the show and checked this out myself) she puts on one hell of a show. Such energy! Such charisma!

[mp3] Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Beat (Health, Life, and Fired)
[mp3] Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Bag of Hammers

She'll be in Austin again August 6th, for all you kids that live around here and what to catch her. For a full list of dates check out her artist page on KillRockStars. If I remember correctly you can also grab a copy of her CD there (you know, if for some weirdo reason you're unable to attend her shows and snag a copy there.)



*The facts portrayed in this paragraph may or may not have been made up on the spot.

IHWV Is Back! Now with improved grammar!

Yes! There's no real post today, in terms of exciting new music and what not. Check out that expression of ecstasy adorning my face though? Yeah. It's there because I'm back to writing about bands and what not, and nothing in the world makes me happier.