The primarily instrumental group, Unwed Sailor, will be stopping by the Hi Tone tonight for the first stop on their "fall" tour. If you would like to get a feel for their music, the media section on their site has a fair share of mp3's from the back catalog as well as a few from their last release, The Marionette and the Music Box. There is even a clever section on the site that takes each track from the Marionette and sets it to the paintings of Jamie Hunt, which help illustrate the album's conceptual fantasy storyline. A new album titled The White Ox is expected to be released the beginning of next year. And of course, they are on Myspace. Check that out here.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Thank You Brandon!
A very special thanks goes to Brandon Robertson for helping out with the playlist today on the Beat!
However, my mom did bring it to my attention that we didn't play any EP during Dead Elvis Week. Oh my God, she's right! (I did, however, play my mom's favorite song, Booker T and the MG's "Green Onions")
Monday, August 15, 2005
The Answer!
Okay, so the answer to my riddle was the 80's flick The Ice Pirates. Which means my special guest on the Memphis Beat is Brandon Robertson, the bass player for both The Pirates and Snowglobe. I'm excited to hear what Brandon has in store for our listeners today. Tune that radio dial to 89.9FM from 1-2pm to find out! And remember, you can also listen online.
The Wait Is Over - It's Here!
I am very pleased to announce that WEVL FM 90 is webcasting again! Yep, I know, I could just about cry too! I have been looking foward to this day since I started at the station. And I know there a lot of folks there that have been waiting even longer. Anyway, stop reading this post and make your way on over to the webcast info page so you can start listening right away! And for all those who played a part in making this possible, I thank you, thank you, thank you...
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Memphis Beat - Special Guest Programmer
Princess Karina, precious water, lost father, Templar, eunuchs...
If these jumbled words scream 80's flick to you than you've got enough information to figure out two bands that our guest plays bass guitar for around town. Good luck!
Saturday, August 13, 2005
The Lovers' Album of the Week
Holopaw Quit +/or Fight
While listening to Holopaw's new release Quit +/or Fight, I am reminded of the excitement I first felt after listening to the Fruit Bats' 2003 release, Mouthfuls. Perhaps Mouthfuls wasn't a revolutionary record (heck, who wants that responsibility?) but its strong hooks, beautiful harmonies, and overall good nature was a breath of fresh air, and as a result, the Fruit Bats were my driving buddies on more than one occasion. And while the Fruit Bats have a new one out, Spelled In Bones, that record hasn't evoked the same feelings that Quit +/or Fight is doing right now. I am almost embarrassed to mention that I wasn't even aware of Holopaw until their new release found its way into my WEVL mailbox, especially since they are on Sub Pop and have even released a previous album (in 2003, no less). Oh well, better late than never I suppose. So what's so great about Holopaw? Because truth be told, the Holopaw sound is one that has been emulated to death: the folk singer/songwriter who wants to rock out as well as dabble with his country heart. What makes Quit +/or Fight (and Mouthfuls for that matter) work is the sheer fidelity behind it. At no point do I believe I'm being force fed to feel a certain way. When it works, there is no reason for trickery. A large reason for this is John Orth's crushingly fragile voice that trembles long after the verse is over (a vocal style similar to that of Brad Bailey of the The Glass), especially on "Shiver Me," a song that is begging to be named the most beautiful song of the year. Of course, the fact that the rest of the band is able to create such tender, playful melodies doesn't hurt matters. I can imagine that there are numerous bands out there attempting an album like Quit +/or Fight, but unlike the vast majority of them, they will fail because Holopaw's record doesn't succeed because of talent, but because of honesty.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Oneida Play The Hi Tone!
Last night, the Brooklyn trio Oneida rolled into town to perform their unique blend of explosive rock, trippy jazz, and dancehall breakdowns. At the unset of the show, keyboardist Bobby Matador (aka Fat Bobby) called for the small but eager crowd to move closer to the stage to rock with the O Team. From there, Fat Bobby conjured up the spirit of Ray Manzarek (oh wait, he's still alive!) and hammered his keys to the point that he had to make a "surgical" repair a few tunes down the playlist. Along with vocalist and bass/lead guitarist Papa Crazy and manic drummer Kid Millions, those Brooklyn boys left us good ol' Southerns satisfied with a show that like their records was never predictable. Or as Tommy Pappass from The Glass so elegantly shouted, "That was so fantastically amazing!"
(Earlier that night, I had fallen asleep at 9pm and didn't wake up until around 12:30am. So, unfortunately, I missed seeing one of Memphis' best local groups, The Color Cast. Which is a shame because I always look forward to seeing them. Sorry guys!)
Thursday, August 11, 2005
The Music Lovers playlist for 8/11/05
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Oneida Are Coming To Memphis
Brooklyn's own Oneida will be making a stop in Memphis this Thursday night at the Hi Tone. Their newest release, The Wedding, is a mesh of pop/rock/electronic (much like the Lovers) that most resembles a young child that can't sit still. And that's a good thing! Yonder your way on over here to listen to some mp3's.
Also, Memphis' favorite The Color Cast will be opening up!
Monday, August 08, 2005
The Lovers' New Toy (Sounds Dirty, Huh?)
Friday, August 05, 2005
Thursday, August 04, 2005
The Music Lovers playlist for 8/4/05
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Have I Played Your Band? Check below:
Alphabetical Order, Angel Sluts, Antique Curtains, Arma Secreta, Augustine, Automusik, Big Ass Truck, Black Sunday, Bloodthirsty Lovers, Harlan T. Bobo, Cory Branan, Andrew Bryant, Shelby Bryant, Jason Cimon, Circuit Benders, The Clears, The Coach and Four, The Color Cast, Blair Combest, Compulsive Gamblers, The Cool Jerks, The Country Rockers, Delorean, Dixie Dirt, Melissa Dunn, Dutch Masters, El Dorado and the Ruckus, The Entertainers, Final Solutions, Gibson Bros., The Glass, Great Depression, Alex Greene, Greg Oblivian & the Tip Tops, The Griftera, Halfacre Gunroom, Drew Holcomb, The Hometown Nobodies, In Association with the Administration, The King Khan & BBQ Show, The Limes, Loggia, The Lost Sounds, Lucero, Midnight Sound Service, Mouserocket, Natural Kicks, New Car Smell, Noise Choir, North Mississippi All Stars, The Oblivians, Original Three, Organ Thief, The Oscars, Paper Plates, Pawtuckets, Brad Postlethwaite, Tim Prudhomme, The Reatards, Reginald, Reigning Sound, River City Tanlines, Satyrs, Scandaliz Vandalistz, Secret Service, Simple Ones, Six String Jets, Snowglobe, Lamar Sorrento, South Filthy, Spin Room, Staff, Staynless, Strapping Fieldhands, Paul Taylor, The Tearjerkers, This Is Goodbye, Lorette Velvette, Vending Machine, Viva L'American Death Ray Music, Walkie Talkie, and David Weatherman
If I haven't played your band it might be because I don't have your music!
(For a complete list of the tracks played, visit the Myspace page.)
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Memphis Beat - Summer School Class Dismissed
The Hometown Nobodies
Brad Postlethwaite
Andria Lisle
Luke White
Ron Hall
Ed Porter
and Jason Cimon
Next week, I will resume the normal format with tunes from South Filthy, Hedgecreep, The Glass, and many more...
Ed Porter (founder of Loverly Music) strikes a pose during the Beat's last Summer School Session.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Memphis Beat - Summer School Concludes
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Okkervil River Plays Memphis
Okkervil River at the Hi Tone.
Along with spirited performances from Tim Regan and Dixie Dirt, the Austin based Okkervil River played their first show in Memphis last Thursday night. Throughout the night, the fellas contiuned to express what an honor it was playing a show in our fair city with its rich musical history. They even covered Big Star's "O, Dana". If you haven't heard their fabulous new album Black Sheep Boy you can check out the Pitchfork review here. Or better yet just judge for yourself by listening to a few mp3's on their site.
Tim Regan and friends (Luke White, Brandon Robertson, Nahshon Benford, Jeff Hulett)
Friday, July 29, 2005
Blues on the Bluff - The Volunteers
As always, Nancy Apple (Car Tunes) did a fine job as Stage Manager.
Joyce Cobb (Voices/Songs for My Father/Pressure Drop) and Dee "Cap'n Pete" Henderson ( Blues Cruise) take time for a photo-op backstage.
Steve Auterman (The Deep Blues Show) and Doug Golonka (Hi Fidelity) had the important job of keeping the thirst-quenching folks (de) hydrated.
John Beifuss (Welcome to the Working Week) and Eddie Hankins (Down in the Alley) showing off their similar fashion sense.
Joyce Cobb dancing to the Daddy Mack Blues Band.
Steve Jacobson and friend make sure everything sounds amazing!
Brian Craig (Program Director) and Kenya Bland-Anthony (WEVL Office Assistant) amuse me long enough to snap a picture of `em.
Tiffany Jacobs (WEVL Off-Air Volunteer) eating a turkey leg (courtesy Central BBQ) that was nearly as big as her head!
Dee "Cap'n Pete" Henderson and Jessie Mae Ayres just relaxin'.
Tim Ward (WEVL Off-Air Volunteer) was the fellow you met at the entrance if you arrived after 9pm.
Tiffany Jacobs and Apryl Cox (WEVL Off-Air Volunteers) working at the WEVL Booth.
As I said, this is only a small sample of folks that helped out last Saturday at Blues on the Bluff. Hopefully, we will see all of you again for Part 2 on August 20.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
The Music Lovers playlist for 7/28/05
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Blues on the Bluff - The Fans
Check back this week for photos of our amazing volunteers along with some of your favorite WEVL programmers!
Blues on the Bluff Part 2 on August 20.
