Review: Bon Iver w/ The Tallest Man on Earth

December 19, 2008; The Barrymore Theater

Believe the hype! Bon Iver (aka Justin Veron) and The Tallest Man on Earth was another top notch show. Playing to a sold out crowd at The Barrymore Theater, Bon Iver played a majority of the critically acclaimed For Emma, Forever a Ago as well aa a couple from the upcoming EP titled Blood Bank (soon to be release on CD) [MORE...].

Photos/Review: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings w/ Menahan Street Band

At last night’s Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Show at the Barrymore in Madison we indulged in our nation’s finest soul groove revivalist band. The Dap-King Crew served up a long and tasty hot bowl of old school, hambone funk, while Sharon head-chefed...[READ MORE]

The Afromotive at Der Rathskeller - Free!

The Afromotive

Free Show at Der Rathskeller
on Saturday, December 6th
9pm - All ages

Are you ready for some Afrobeat music? (. . . Always!) Well the Afromotive promises to satisfy your need to get dancing, when they bring their funky afro-beat to Madison on Saturday, December 6th for a free show in Der Rathskellar in the Memorial Union.

They are a nine piece ensemble based in Asheville, NC and includes thirty-third generation djembe player Adama Dembele from Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa. He brings his vast musical background to the Afromotive - where they combine these traditional West African rhythms with their own upbeat funky vibe.

This promises to be a fun show, and a perfect antidote to the winter blues... Check 'em out!

www.theafromotive.com

Upcoming Show: Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings A Must See Show!

Friends

In all the years I have been at the Barrymore I have never done this. I am sending an email out to all of you, to specifically alert you to one show.

This coming Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 pm the Barrymore has Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. If you don't already know who she is, you should. If you don't come to the show, you'll wish you had. This is the Barrymore's show of the year, and maybe the show of the year in Madison. We were among the people who saw her at Bonnaroo last summer, and she blew us away.

I have attached links to the Sharon Jones articles in this week's Isthmus and 77 Square, and a link to her on YouTube, so you can read about her, listen to her music, and see her video. Start with "100 Days, 100 Nights" and go on from there. We're talking James Brown and Tina Turner here.

For those of you concerned that this is a "school" or "work" night, make an exception. The show will start at 7:30 pm and be over by 10:30 pm or 11:00. Get a babysitter, eat dinner early, and get your "bad selves" over here. You won't regret it.

And Thursday when a friend or co-worker asks you what you did last night, you'll proudly be able to say:

"I was out helping keep the funk alive!"

Bon Ton Roulet (and Peace!)

Steve
In the meantime, she and the Dap-Kings are testing songs for the next album on audiences at five gigs in the Midwest in December before heading out to Australia in early January.

"Tell people in Madison just to come on out and bring their dancing shoes," she said. "Get ready, I tell 'em. Come on and get funked up."

IF YOU GO:

Who: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings with the Menahan Street Band

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3

Where: Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave.

Tickets: $20 in advance at www.barrymorelive.com or $22 the day of the show.

Upcoming Show - JJ Grey & Mofro

Sunday, November 23, 2008 - Majestic Theatre, Madison - 8:00 pm
Learn more and buy tickets

Upcoming Show: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings w/ Menahan Street Band

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings w/ Menahan Street Band
December 3, 2008; The Barrymore Theater; 7:30 PM
Buy Tickets

Photos: Deerhunter and Times New Viking at High Noon Saloon :: Novemeber 16, 2008

Click image to view more photos from the show.

-fS

PortisRadio ::The Rip

One of my favorite bands performing a hauntingly beautiful cover of "The Rip" from Portishead's Third. Take some time to check this out and even purchase Portishead's newest release. -fS

Rachael Yamagata et althe hotel cafe tour 2008

TIME: 9 pm
COST: $21 - 18+

This looks quite interesting to me. . . The Hotel Café in LA was chosen by Paste Magazine as one of the 40 best music venues in the nation. It also has a reputation as one of the premier singer/songwriter venues and as a place that breaks artists. On any given night, well known musicians share the stage with up-and-comers - playing both as solo artists and as a communal project, sometimes well-rehearsed and sometimes impromptu.

For the past 4 years, The Hotel Café has been presenting a tour that seeks to share this community vibe with music fans around the country. No cookie cutter corporate American Idols - just real music, written by real artists, surrounded by real friends.

This particular version features an all-female cast of really talented singer/songwriters including Rachael Yamagata, Meiko, Thao Nguyen, Jaymay, and Alice Russell.

Here's a YouTube video by Rachael that I enjoy. Hope you do too:



Now, if this heap of talent wasn't bargain enough - a portion of the proceeds from this show will also benefit a good local cause, the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund.

Upcoming Show: Stephen Malkmus +the Jicks w/ Blitzen Trapper

Once again Madison brings in another artist from this summer’s Lollapalooza festival. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks will be hitting the High Noon Saloon on October 30th with Blitzen Trapper.

Take a listen to some choice tracks:

Malkmus fronted one of my favorite bands (Pavement) 20 years ago and since then, has put out some of indie rocks best albums. His guitar work since breaking away from Pavement (1999) has only gotten more brilliant and creative upon each release. There is evidence of SM's best ax-wielding on Pig Lib (2003) one of my personal favorites.

We caught SM +Jicks last time they came though the state at the Pabst Theater on March 20th. This was not only a great performance but it was the first time I had seen SM. The show was incredible (everything I had expected), SM’s guitar work was immaculate and it was great to see ex-Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Wiess with the Jicks adding vocals and beat to the mix.

Here is listing of Malkmus’ work other than Pavement:

With Silver Jews

* Dime Map of the Reef (1992) 7"ep
* The Sabellion Rebellion & Old New York (1993) 7"
* The Arizona Record (1993) 12"
* Starlite Walker (1994)
* American Water (1998)
* Hot as Hell - Live 1993 (1999) CD/7" Single
* Tanglewood Numbers (appears on "The Farmer's Hotel") (2005)

With The Crust Brothers

* Marquee Mark (1998)

With The Jicks

* Stephen Malkmus (2001)
* Pig Lib (2003)
* Face the Truth (2005)*
* Real Emotional Trash (2008)

This has to be one of the hottest tickets to get this year. I am thinking it will sell out so get your tickets as soon as you can here.

- fS/above photo fS

When: 10/30/08 @ 8:30pm
Cost: $16 adv., $18 d.o.s. (18+)

Photos: Broken Social Scene :: Oct. 11, 2008; Memorial Union Theater

All Photos FJ Simani

We've got free tickets for you!

Do you want a pair of tickets to any of these upcoming shows?

Alejandro Escovedo - Oct 16 - High Noon Saloon
Jennifer O'Connor - Oct 19 - Cafe Montmartre
. . . courtesy of True Endeavors

Yael Naim - Oct 25 - Wisconsin Union Theater
. . . courtesy of Atlantic Records

You should! Send an email to tickets@madisonmusicreview.com.
Winners will be notified by email at least 24 hours before the show.

For show details and previews, visit madisonmusicreview.com

Upcoming Show: The Broken Social Scene - Oct. 11, 2008 - Memorial Union Theater; 8PM

The Broken Social Scene, the award winning Canadian indie supergroup will be making their way though the Madison area on October 11 performing at the wonderful Wisconsin Union Theater. BSS is characterized by a very large number of sounds, grand orchestrations featuring guitars, horns, woodwinds, and violins, unusual song structures, upbeat tempos and an experimental, and sometimes chaotic production style from David Newfeld.

This show will be one of the hottest tickets of 2008 and is highly recommended. For those of you who caught their performance at Lollapalooza 2008, you know what I mean.

Most of you might recognize one the BSS members, Leslie Feist by the ever famous iPod Nano commerical featuring her hit, "1234". That album, The Reminder has sold worldwide over 1,000,000 copies and is certified gold in the U.S.

Touring with the BSS this time around will be: Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, Justin Peroff, Charles Spearin, Sam Goldberg, Amy Millan, Evan Cranley, Elizabeth Powell.

This year I picked up a two pack of cd's that contained Kevin Drew's Spirit If... (which is pure bliss) and Brendan Canning's Something For All of Us (brilliant as well). These two releases fullfilled my BSS fix for the year. If you do not own them yet, get out to the show and get them there.

BSS Family of Acts include:

Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew – Kevin Drew

Broken Social Scene Presents: Brendan Canning - Brendan Canning

K.C. Accidental (now defunct) – Kevin Drew and Charles Spearin

Apostle of Hustle – Andrew Whiteman

Feist – Leslie Feist

Jason Collett

Do Make Say Think – Charles Spearin, Julie Penner and Ohad Benchetrit

Junior Blue – Justin Peroff, Brendan Canning, Kevin Drew and Dylan Hudecki

Metric – James Shaw and Emily Haines

Raising the Fawn – John Crossingham

Stars – Evan Cranley, Amy Millan, and Torquil Campbell

Valley of the Giants – Brendan Canning and Charles Spearin

The Weakerthans – Jason Tait

The FemBots – Jason Tait and Julie Penner

Reverie Sound Revue – Lisa Lobsinger

The Dears – Murray Lightburn

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton - Emily Haines

The American Analog Set - Andrew Kenny, Lee Gillespie, Mark Smith, Sean Ripple, Craig McCaffrey

The Priddle Concern - Bill Priddle, Mitch Bowden

Don Vail - Bill Priddle, Mitch Bowden

Upcoming Show: Jennifer O'Connor - October 19; Cafe Montmartre; 9PM

Jennifer O'Connor's most recent album "Here With Me" has received critical raves!

She is seemingly always on the road, most recently for a spell on the west coast with Damien Jurado. Next she will head homeward (she now calls Brooklyn, NY home) for some east coast dates, leading to the midwest, and then back to the east coast, veering south for some dates supporting Amy Ray!
"Here With Me" is out now on Matador Records!

Check out her TOUR DATES and more links below!

New website!
http://jenniferoconnor.net/

“O’Connor’s greatest strength as a songwriter is her surgical choice of detail, her ability to render a moment both terribly personal and easily relatable by picking just the right minutia to focus on.” PopMatters (8/10) 

"(O'Connor's} unflinching lyrics and stunningly strong voice leap from distressing folk ballads to buzzing rock with ease...Here With Me peers into romance with the bittersweet dexterity of Elliott Smith and Aimee Mann." SPIN
http://www.myspace.com/jenniferoconnor

October 13 Philadelphia, PA M Room

October 14 Pittsburgh, PA Howler's Coyote Cafe w/David Dondero

October 15 Cleveland, OH Beachland Tavern

October 16 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room w/The New Year

October 17 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle w/The New Year

October 18 Milwaukee, WI YNOT2 

October 19 Madison, WI Cafe Montmartre

October 21 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry

October 23 Columbia, MO The Blue Fugue w/The Black Fortys

October 24 St. Louis, MO Off Broadway

October 25 Lexington, KY Al's Bar

October 26 Covington, KY Molly Malone's w/Joseph Arthur & The Lonely Astronauts

November 02 Buffalo, NY The Tralf Music Hall w/Amy Ray

November 04 Toronto, ON CA Mod Club Theatre w/Amy Ray

November 05 Burlington, VT Higher Ground S. w/Amy Ray

November 07 Sommerville, MA Somerville Theatre w/Amy Ray

November 15 Richmond, VA Capitol Alehouse w/Amy Ray

November 18 Virginia Beach, VA The Jewish Mother

November 19 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle w/Amy Ray

November 21 Asheville, NC Orange Peel w/Amy Ray

November 22 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse w/Amy Ray

More Jennifer O'Connor Links

Spin.com - Artist of the Day!  8/22/08

http://spin.com/articles/jennifer-oconnor

Daytrotter Session:

http://daytrotter.com/article/1398/jennifer-oconnor

Stereogum premiere for her video "Always in Your Mind"

http://stereogum.com/archives/video/new-jennifer-oconnor-video-always-in-your-mind_015921.html#more

NPR song of the day 8/11/08

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93493805

NY Times "Popcast" on 7/30

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/multimedia/podcasts.html

See videos of James McNew interviewing Jennifer here:

http://www.matadorrecords.com/matablog/?p=2139

http://www.matadorrecords.com/matablog/?p=2191

The Rumble Strips at Der Rathskellar; Oct. 25th 2008

The Rumble Strips (English band from Tavistock, Devon) Have a very eighties feel to the music - but not like everyone else is putting outright now. When I listen to them it brings to mind Supergrass, Belle & Sebastian with a touch of Adam & The Ants (remember those cats?) - I dig the brass section. Nevertheless, this is catchy, energetic brit-rock that seems like it will stick around.

Three time grammy award winning DJ/producer Mark Ronson has been recently quoted speaking about his current work projects, Ronson says "... I'm also working round the clock with The Rumble Strips. I'm just keeping really busy."

Listen and Download (MP3):

Born Bored

Don't Dumb Down

High Street Heaven

Go catch their amazing live show that everyone is raving about. I sure we will not catch them live at such a small and intimate venue when they catch fire.

"Trumpet, sax and a whole lot of weirdness" - NME - Link to Review "Off-kilter yet no less sublime, life-affirming music" - Xfm - Link to Review "Single of the week!" - PlayLouder.com - Link to Review "If you see The Rumblestrips [sic] live, I defy you not to have a good time" - Drowned In Sound - Link to Review "Single of the month" - Wide Open Road - Link to Review

Photos: Dr. Dog at High Noon Saloon - Oct., 1st, 2008

Playing to a packed house on a Wednesday night, Dr. Dog once again captured us all up in their nostalgic net. Anyone who has experienced this band in a club setting knows that the energy level is intense and the performance is always tight. Throughout the night the band mostly picked from the Fate and We All Belong song catalog and for the encore brought out the band members from Delta Spirit (photo 1 & 2) and Hacienda for a one last goodbye.

X MAS on Mars - Flaming Lips Movie in Madison, WI

See Xmas On Mars In Theaters!

See the movie in the Theaters in Madison, Wisconsin at The Orpheum, October 21-24

The film tells the story of the experiences of Major Syrtis during the first Christmas on a newly-colonized Mars. Coyne has described the film as "Maybe Eraserhead or Dead Man crossed with some kind of fantasy and space aspects, like The Wizard of Oz and maybe A Space Odyssey, except done without real actors or money, and set at Christmas-time. The story that unfolds is intended to hint at childlike magic within a tragic and realistic situation."[3]

Coyne elaborated to Rolling Stone magazine: "It's sometime in the future, Mars has been sort of conquered and there's a space station on it but the space program has gone into decline and these people are kind of stuck up there. They're in the process of converting the spaceships that took them there into a place to live in and that process doesn't go too smoothly. The whole thing ends up very dilapidated, very un-futuristic, un-'2001'. There's an element of confidence among the scientists, but the overall view is that things seem kind of doomed."

The main character, Major Syrtis (played by Steven Drozd, the band's multi-instrumentalist and arranger/composer), is trying to organise a Christmas pageant to celebrate the birth of the first colonist baby. Coyne explains that this birth is also special for other reasons, "The hype they've added to this Mars mission is that this beautiful woman is giving birth to this sort of artificial impregnation from this bubble that she wears on her stomach, which is the way infants are gonna be born in the future. It's all scientifically timed so she gives birth to this baby the second it hits midnight on Christmas. So it's symbolically the beginning of a new civilization. But instead of being born from religious ideas it's born from a science idea."

Wayne further elaborated to MTV.com: "Against a background of descending madness, Major Syrtis is trying to use the pageant to provide hope amongst the colonists, and the film tells the story of his struggle. You see his humiliation and his self-doubt because there are all these haphazard things that keep getting in the way of his determination to celebrate this first Christmas on Mars. A lot of the people are committing suicide, and one of them is this sort of Santa Claus that's supposed to preside over this big celebration. He dies right at the beginning and this presents Steven's character with several problems." Fortunately, Major Syrtis finds an unlikely ally in Coyne's strange and mysterious character, a "Martian that lands, but the Martian isn't really perceived as a Martian. People just sort of think he's another crazy guy who's flipped and turned himself green. They can't find a quick replacement for Santa so they just use this Martian guy. So the Martian guy becomes the Martian and Santa Claus at the same time."

NPR.org - Exclusive Preview: Bob Dylans Tell Tale Signs

Dylan fans, check it out...

Exclusive Preview: Bob Dylans Tell Tale Signs
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95047293&sc=emaf 

Listen (in full) to Tell Tale Signs from Dylan's Bootleg series.

Upcoming Show: Dr. Dog w/ special guests Delta Spirit and Hacienda

It is almost time to visit the doctor again.  I was just listening to Fate (an instant classic) and building myself up to see Dr. Dog again.  Last time I saw this Philly quintet was at Lollapalooza 2008 in Chicago. It was a huge crowd and I was thinking just how great it will be to catch them at the High Noon Saloon this time around.   Last time they were in Madison they open for Wilco at the Overture Center and the crowd was just not into it them even though it was a great opening set.   [Download/Listen to Worst Trip (mp3) from We All Belong.]

Dr. Dog's sound has often been decribed as a mix between The Band and The Beatles, but have their own magical interpretation.  

Opener Delta Spirit from San Diego is often dubbed as a “hybrid of rock and northern soul” or as an "Americana/soul".  

This will be great show, expected to sell a large amount of tickets...get them quick and pick up your copy of Fate (and Easy Beat if they have it) at the show.

Show Information:

Wednesday, October 1st @ 8:30 PM / $14 cover / $12 advance / 18 and up / Tickets available at: B-Side Records, Mad City Music Exchange, Strictly Discs, High Noon Saloon

Dear Science - TV On The Radio

I just picked up Dear Science from TV On The Radio and so far it is completely amazing.  Great grooves, horns  and  strings - different than their other releases. I expect it to be one of this years best releases.  Check it out - released tomorrow 9/23/08.  

So far see what the critics are saying:

• AbsolutePunk.net (88%) link
• Allmusic  link
• Entertainment Weekly (A-) link
• The Guardian  link
• MusicOMH  link
• NME (8/10) link
• The Observer  link
• Pitchfork Media (9.2/10) link
• Planet Sound (9/10) link
• Q  (Oct '08)
• Rolling Stone  link
• Uncut  link
• Wireless Bollinger (97/10) link