Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Unwed Sailor Comes To Memphis

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.

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

This week on the Memphis Beat, I'm having a special guest with me in the air room who will be helping out with the playlist. I don't feel like divulging the guest's identity just quite yet, but I will give you a clue:

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

1. Why Bother At All - Koufax from Hard Times Are In Fashion 2. Teenage Kicks - Cobra Verde from Copycat Killers 3. Something In You - The Orange Peels from Circling the Sun 4. Phone Booth - Death Cab For Cutie from The John Byrd EP 5. Riot Act - Bottom of the Hudson from Holiday Machine 6. Collide the Tide - Chin Up Chin Up from Chin Up Chin Up 7. Creation Lake - Silversun Pickups from Pikul EP 8. Exodus Damage - John Vanderslice from Pixel Revolt 9. I Wanna Know Girls - Portastatic from Bright Ideas 10. Please - The Brokedown from The Dutchman's Gold 11. Night On Fire (Phil Kieran Remix) - VHS or Beta from Night On Fire 12. NY Excuse - Soulwax from NY Excuse EP 13. Shining Skinned Friend - The Juan Maclean from Less Than Human 14. Philadelphia - Mobius Band from The Loving Sounds of Static 15. Somebody Once Told Me It Existed But They Never Found It - Minotaur Shock from Maritime 16. Sleeping Household - Felix Laband from Dark Days Exit 17. No Hits - Black Mountain from Black Mountain 18. Seventeen Years - Ratatat from Ratatat 19. Lillian - Hangnail Phillips from With End 20. A King and a Queen - Okkervil River from Black Sheep Boy 21. High Life - Oneida from The Wedding 22. Mousey Toy - Xiu Xiu from La Foret 23. Oh, My Shadow - Corpus Callosum from Machine Under Its Own Spell 24. Miss You - The Concretes from Layourbattleaxdown 25. I Summon You - Spoon from Gimme Fiction 26. Shiver - Holopaw from Quit +/ or Fight

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?)

Hey, the Music Lovers' blog now has a site search engine! Go ahead and try it out - it might even work!

Friday, August 05, 2005

The Lovers' Album of the Week


Antony and the Johnsons Hope There's Someone EP

Thursday, August 04, 2005

The Music Lovers playlist for 8/4/05

1. Hey Scenestars! - The Cribs from The New Fellas 2. Brad Wood - Hartley Goldstein from Songs in the Key of Zoloft 3. I Just Turned 18 - Mobius Band from The Loving Sounds of Static 4. The Falling Kind - Veda from The Weight of an Empty Room 5. Ain't No Easy Way - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club from Howl 6. Black - Okkervil River from Black Sheep Boy 7. Silence - James William Hindle from Town Feeling 8. She Want's To Be A Cowgirl - Darren Hayman from Caravan Songs 9. Sweet Troubled Soul - Stellastarr from Sweet Troubled Soul Single 10. Ink and Blood - The Silent Type from Of Writings/Of Violence 11. Symbols/Shelter - Popstar Assassins from Moderne 12. Troubled Times - Holcombe Waller from Troubled Times 13. Muppet Face - Xiu Xiu from La Foret 14. Frenchy, I'm Faking - Architecture In Helsinki from In Case We Die 15. Lady Gazella - Minotaur Shock from Vigo Bay EP 16. I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (by request) - Kings of Convenience from Quiest Is the New Loud 17. Nice Last - Jel from Soft Money 18. Kid 606 - Kid 606 from Resilience 19. Don't Cry Baby (Koushik Remix) - The Free Design from The Now Sound Redesigned 20. Estrella - DJ Koze from Kosi Comes Around 21. Triumphant - Royksopp from The Understanding 22. Easy/Lucky/Free (Hot Chip Remix) - Bright Eyes from Easy/Lucky/Free EP 23. Stay in the Shade - Jose Gonzalez from Veneer 24. Just One Star - Antony and the Johnsons from Hope There's Someone EP 25. Idiot - Andrew Thompson from Egad! 26. And If It's True - Langhorne Slim from When the Sun's Gone Down 27. Silent Life - The Fruit Bats from Spelled In Bones 28. Everything Is Everything (Acoustic) - Phoenix from Live Session (iTunes Exclusive EP) 29. Jacksonville - Sufjan Stevens from Illinois 30. Soul Meets Body - Death Cab for Cutie from Soul Meets Body Single

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Have I Played Your Band? Check below:

Here is a list of local artists (excluding those older than the 80's) that I have played between March 29 - August 2 on the Memphis Beat):

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

Well, it's over! It has been a fun month of special themed shows and live performances on the Memphis Beat. I would like to thank all my guests who made this summer possible:

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

Well, it's been fun but tomorrow marks the end of the Memphis Beat's Summer School Sessions. And for the final show, I am pleased to announce that Ed Porter will be on the show discussing his creation, Loverly Music. So tune in to hear all your favorite Loverly singles from Lorette Velvette, Mouserocket, The Satyrs, Alex Greene, and many more this Tuesday from 1-2pm on WEVL 89.9FM

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

Here are a just a few of the volunteers who made Part 1 of this year's Blues on the Bluff concert possible:


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.

The Lovers' Album of the Week


Andrew Thompson Egad!

Thursday, July 28, 2005

The Music Lovers playlist for 7/28/05

1. Virginia Dare - The Hentchman from From Follows Function 2. Dance Me In - Sons and Daughters from The Repulsion Box 3. The Loving Sounds of Static - Mobius Band from The Loving Sounds of Static 4. Kissing Families - Silversun Pickups from Pikul EP 5. Plan To Stay Awake - The Deathray Davies from The Kick and the Snare 6. Blue Fly Green Fly - Sleeping People from Sleeping People 7. Homeless - The Sharp Things from Foxes & Hounds 8. I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (Roysopp Remix) - Kings of Convenience from Versus 9. Drift In Place - Scientific American from Strong for the Future 10. Defcon - Supersystem from Always Never Again 11. Me Plus One - Annie from Anniemal 12. Downloading - Negativland from No Business 13. Crush the Liberation - The Juan Maclean from Less Than Human 14. Homage - Koushik from Be With 15. Two Words - Daniel Lanois from Belladonna 16. Slow Jam - Four Tet from Rounds 17. The Librarian - Burnt Friedman and Jaki Liebeezei from Out in the Sticks 18. A Thousand Butterflies - August Born from August Born 19. There Must Be Some Kind of Misunderstanding - Andrew Thompson from Egad! 20. Broken Drum (Boards of Canada Remix) - Beck from Beck Remix #1 EP 21. Baby Captain - Xiu Xiu from La Foret 22. Out of Egypt, Into the Great Laugh of Mankind, and I Shake the Dirt from My Sandals As I Run - Sufjan Stevens from Illinois 23. Song of Our So-Called Friend - Okkervil River from Black Sheep Boy 24. Frankenstein - Antony and the Johnsons from Hope There's Someone EP

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Blues on the Bluff - The Fans

Thanks to all the folks who attended the 17th Annual Blues on the Bluff last Saturday. A good time was had by all!



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.