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.

On Belaire and my recent hiatus

Oy vey, a week? Really?

My deepest apologies, for reals, but I recently came into computer troubles (like, oh, I don't know, I didn't have one) which kind of impaired my posting abilities. All's well and good now, who's looking forward to more regular updates? Hells yes!

Speaking of hells yes, tomorrow's the 25th, and I'm sure you all know what that means! No, I'm not going on about Baby Mama (although on the reals, I'm super excited about that, too--who has a super duper huge crush on tina fey? this lady), I'm going on about the Belaire show, of course! w00t! And talk about a steal, folks, $6 for not only Belaire, but Elf Power, The Black and White Years, and Yellow Fever. Homygawd, pinch me, this is unreal.

Today, in leu of the hiatus, I give you a bevy of songs to choose from. Enjoy folks.

[mp3] Belaire- Through The Wire

[mp3] Belaire- Shadows Moving on the Wall

[mp3] The Black and White Years- My Broken Hand

[mp3] The Black and White Years- A Wetter Sea

[mp3] Yellow Fever- Hellfire

[mp3] Yellow Fever- Alice

[mp3] Elf Power- Spiral Stairs

[mp3] Elf Power- Midnight Crawls Out

Oh yeah, and I finally got my hands on that Box Social CD I had my eyes on, so look forward to a review sometime over the weekend. Salut!



Edit: Holy crud. Loxly's gonna be there. I think I might cry :3

The Art Party + Trash Trash Trash

The Art Party: Grassroots political party/Collective of progressive hippies (and as a member, I of course mean that in the best possible way) based out of New Orleans, with little branches all over the place.

Trash Trash Trash: Experimental (Hip Hop? Indie? I don't know) band, also hailing from the big easy, who dig singing songs about pot and are currently out of commission (talk about lame.)

So then, how are these two connected? And more importantly, if Trash Trash Trash isn't up to anything why am I writing about them? Well, the answer is propaganda--I mean, PR. Gotta represent, you know?

You see, Trash Trash Trash is a big proponent of said "Art Party", and I'm a big proponent of both. That being said it makes sense for me to give a shout out, no? Exactly.

I really can't say that much though, with out inadvertently repeating something you'd find on either their myspace or the party's website, so I'm not going to ramble on--however, if free albums are what you're into feel free to drop by Trash Trash Trash's page on Last.FM, where you can download their entire EP, 100% free.

And for anyone who'd like a quick sample of their work, I give you:

[mp3] Trash Trash Trash- Art Hrs
[mp3] Trash Trash Trash- Hash Stash

There ya go. And check this out, I finally started hosting my own files (mostly because I was tired of scowering the interweb for 'em.)

w00t!

Hot damn, it's The Box Social!

That's right, bay-beh. I got a sweet tip this morning in regards to 'em (the girl who emailed me described them as being "one part swagger, two parts guitar, several pounds of pop sensibility and one well worn corduroy blazer (you know, the kind with elbow patches)"--how could I resist?) Since then I've been lurking around their myspace all day listening to the music and what not. Weird, right? But, in my defense I really haven't heard anyone like then in quite some time. It's cool. Take for instance the cow bell in "Hot Damn!"--I mean, seriously, who does that anymore? I love it. (and, as long as I'm ranting about this song, I think I'm gonna have to mention the bass line. You know, the one that opens second to the cow bell and runs pretty much the whole way through the song? Yeah, it's pretty much the definition of "tasty".)


I hate to say it after waxing poetic about them, but I've really only heard the songs up on their myspace at this point, so I can't talk about the album just yet. Don't fret though, I totally intend on doing a follow up review of their debut Get Going (likely, as soon as I get my hands on it!) I can't wait.

[mp3] The Box Social- Big T
[mp3] The Box Social- Hot Damn!

Both songs come straight off of the album, so download 'em, listen, and as always, if you like what you hear feel free to grab a copy of the CD. Support the artists and what not. I know you can download Get Going from myspace, as well as their Blown to Bits EP, or if you're looking for something a little more physical they've also got a link set up so that you can order one. They're by the T-Shirts.

Also, I kind of feel like I should ramble about "Big T" the way I did about "Hot Damn!", but, you know what? I just can't bring myself to do it, as the song pretty well speaks for it's self, you know? As Aversion put it, they're"the sort of act that everyone in the world should like, but only the really, really cool will." Well put, no?

Anyways, enjoy. And if you're in the Wisconsin/Michigan/Illinois area anytime soon I'd look into dropping by one of their shows, they just seem like they'd be awesome live. Peace.

The Black and White Years

In one word: Groovilicious.

I don't think that's a real word, but, you know what? I also don't think I care. It's the only word I could come up with that even came close to accurately describing this band of stellar-awesome-amazingness. (Yeah, I know, 'amazingness' isn't a word either--Firefox already got on to me about it.)

How could I have missed posting about this band? I mean, jesus christ, my infatuation with them rivals my infatuation with Belaire, and that's saying something. Oh, I have no idea why I haven't talked about them yet.

Let's see, so, basically The Black and White Years are a three piece electronica-groove-frikkin' sweet troupe spawning from none other than, you guessed it, Austin Tx. Often described as being similar to the Talking heads--if not in musical style then in overall panache, I suppose--this trio pretty much owns.
[mp3] The Black and White Years- Everyone
[mp3] The Black and White Years- The Power to Change

If you want the album (and I have no idea why you wouldn't), feel free to swing by their store and grab a copy--Or, better yet, if you live in Austin hop on down to their show on April 25, at the Mohawk, where they'll be playing with Belaire and Yellow Fever (seriously, talk about one hell of a line up.) Then, at the show, not only'll you be seein' 'em live with two of the greatest bands ever, you'll also be able to pick up the album, and heck, even a shirt or two!

I know, I know. It's pretty exciting stuff.