One of the more original bands I have heard from the genre lately, is from Portland, Oregon and  call themselves Blind Pilot. The band orginally consisted of two members: Israel Nebeker (guitar, vocals) and Ryan Dobrowski (percussion) who met while students at the University of Oregon. The duo gained notoriety in 2007 by conducting a tour from Seattle to San Diego, travelling by bicycle with a custom-made bike trailer to haul their instruments. Recent concerts have seen Blind Pilot grow from the original duo to six members in concert to reproduce the sound of their latest release: 3 Rounds and a Sound.

Their music can portray a sweet & sentimental sound, but touches on darker themes of abandoned love, youthful irreverance, and the inevitable refelction of who we are amidst the dissapearing path that led us there, with the fearful knowing we can never get back.

Blind Pilot has had the experience of opening up for The Hold Steady and Counting Crows, as well as recent stints at Lollapalooza and Outside Lands Music Festivals. News has it that they are readying a new album for release. I will be excited to see the direction of the new music, but in the meantime here are a couple of songs from their last release, 3 Rounds and a Sound.

3 Rounds and a Sound - Blind Pilot

I Buried a Bone - Blind Pilot

 3 Rounds and a Sound

They’re playing our song
They’re playing our song
Can you see the lights?
Can you hear the hum?

Of our song
I hope they get it right
I hope we dance tonight
Before we, get it wrong

And the seasons
Will change us new
Be the best I’ve known
and you know me
I could not be stuck on you
If it were true

I was swimming
My eyes were dark
Til you woke me
And told me that opening
is just the start
it was

Now I see you, til kingdom come
You’re the one I want
To see me for all the stupid shit I’ve done

(Chorus)
Soil and six feet under
Killed just like we were
Before you knew you’d know me
And you know me

Blooming up from the ground
3 Rounds and a sound
Like whispering you know me
And you know me

So this was our song
This was our song
I still see the lights
I can see them

And the criss cross
Of what is true, won’t get to us
Cause you know me
I could not give up on you

And the fog of what is right
Won’t cover us cause you know me
I could not give up a fight

March 02, 2009

If I were to ask a question about music in contrast with the topic of war, I think most people would first conjure up protest songs. Songs from Dylan, Lennon, Neil Young… 4 Dead in Ohio, Eve of Destruction, etc. Perhaps, they would answer songs from Toby Keith, who would like to put a boot in the ass of somebody ‘Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue’. Maybe, just maybe… they would associate it with a pro-war song, Over There,  written by George Cohan,  a call to arms song for men to Europe and do their duty.

Jason Isbell (formerly of the Drive By truckers) recently reminded me of another type of song about war, and that is about the personal one: the human cost of war and it’s impact on those left behind. It is a strange phenomenon and a great feat to write a song that is filled with such honesty and emotion about a topic  so sad, that the song in itself becomes beautiful. Jason Isbell has accomplished this with his song Dress Blues, a tribute to his friend Matt Conley who was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Iraq.

Jason is one of the most original songwriters I have heard in recent years. His work, while a member of the Drive By Truckers, contain some of my favorite songs from the group. I look forward to hearing more of his work and to share this song and artist with you.

The purpose of this posting was not to bring protest to the war, but to highlight an artist that has tackled a difficult topic with music that is poignant and perhaps also healing. I challenge you to try and keep a dry eye while listening to this song. If you would like the back-story you can click here: Matt Conley

Dress Blues - Jason Isbell

What can you see from your window?
I can’t see anythin’ from mine
Flags on the side of the highway
And scripture on grocery store signs

Maybe eighteen was too early
Maybe thirty or forty is too
Did you get your chance to make peace with the man
Before He sent down his angels for you?

Mamas and grand mamas love you
‘Cause that’s all they know how to do
You never planned on the bombs in the sand
Or sleepin’ in your dress blues

Your wife said this all would be funny
When you got back home in a week
Turn twenty two and we’d celebrate you
In a bar or a tent by the creek

Your baby would just about be here
And your very last tour would be up
But you won’t be back, they’re all dressin’ in black
Drinkin’ sweet tea in Styrofoam cups

Mamas and grand mamas love you
American boys hate to lose
You never planned on the bombs in the sand
Or sleepin’ in your dress blues

The high school gymnasium’s ready
Full of flowers and old Legionnaires
Nobody showed up to protest
Just sniffle and stare

There’s red, white and blue in the rafters
And there’s silent old men from the Corps
What did they say when they shipped you away
To fight somebody’s Hollywood war?

Nobody here could forget you
You showed us what we had to lose
You never planned on the bombs in the sand
Or sleepin’ in your dress blues
You never planned on the bombs in the sand
Or sleepin’ in your dress blues

Here is a gut-wrenching, solo, acoustic performance from Austin, TX:

10/25/2009 - Oslo Norway

In 2007, I witnessed what may become the most revolutionary live show in music take the stage at Austin City Limits. The White Stripes had cancelled a week before, bringing much disappointment to many, as they were looking forward to Jack and Meg doing their schtick before a crowd of 70,000. The act that was to play before them (and now moved into their time-slot) was a band called MUSE. They had garnered a cult-like following in Europe where their live show was rumored to be something of an onslaught of the senses. They had already headlined the Glastonbury and Reading Rock Festivals and had been awarded ‘Best Live Band’ by multiple magazines and Reader’s Polls. I remember thinking to myself, “How had I missed hearing any music by this band?!?” 

When MUSE hit the stage, the impact of the sheer volume, lights, and energy hit me like a sledgehammer to the chest. I remember turning to my friend Brian who had accompanied me, and asking him if someone had spiked my drink? This was the only other plausible explanation for what had just happened to me. However, upon looking around, it appeared that everyone was in a transfixed hypnotic state, mouths open, eyes wide, in total awe of what they were seeing. As someone who has witnessed some amazing shows and probably logs more concert time per year than industry folk, I believe that MUSE might be the best live show I have ever seen. I do not say this lightly. 

Needless to say MUSE has just released new US tour dates including 03/06/2010 at the yet again, newly re-named ‘TD Garden’ in Boston. You can be sure I will be front row center for this band. I have it on good source that they will be headlining the Coachella Festival this April,  but this is yet unconfirmed by promoters or the band. 

So if looking for a good Christmas present, to give others (or yourself!!!) check the concert dates here: http://muse.mu/tour-dates/ 

You will not be dissapointed! 

Check out the song Hysteria from MUSE’s Absolution album. 

Hysteria - MUSE 

… and here is the accompanying live video:

Austin City Limits Festival 10/02/2009

The best show I saw at the 2009 Austin City Limits Festival, was an early Friday afternoon show by the Avett Brothers, a band from North Carolina that has been building quite a buzz for the past few years. They were also the very first band we saw of the festival. Now, it’s almost anti-climactic when at ACL fest to see the best band right out of the gate, as this is a festival with 130 bands and included the likes of Pearl Jam, Ben Harper, The Dave Mathews Band and countless other talents. I would compare the experience to marrying the first girl/guy you kissed or buying the first house listing you see. However, their infectious boot stomping and sing alongs brought many a smile under the hot Austin sun and it even inspired two people who were with me to buy their new album before the festival had even concluded. Trying to classify their music is a formulation of bluegrass, punk, pop, country, all tossed in a dirty canvas bag with a big ol’ flask of honky-tonk. Their music most recently caught the attention of producer-extraordinaire, Rick Rubin who signed on for their latest release, I and Love and You, (which is probably in the top three albums for me of 2009).

The song included below is the third track off the new album and has been on constant repeat for me for the past month.  I can’t classify exactly why I like it except for good musicianship, infectious melody, beautiful harmonies, and honest lyrics that are filled with hope.  Enjoy.

From September 8 to October 8 2009, in conglomeration with the upcoming release of the album, I and Love and You, the Avett Brothers released 13 short videos describing their music and fans. The videos show clips from past concerts, fan interviews and talks from the Avetts themselves. Click here to see the release for Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise.

Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise - The Avett Brothers

There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’ll never reject it
Decide what to be, and go be it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There’s a darkness upon you that’s flooded in light
And in the fine print they tell you what’s wrong and what’s right
And it flies by day and it flies by night
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

In one of the most  disturbing scenes of the movie, the character Richie (Luke Wilson), attempts suicide with a razor-blade while the song “Needle In The Hay” by Elliott Smith is played. I discovered the album this track appears on shortly before Smith did the soundtrack for Good Will Hunting and has always been one of my favorites. The beautifully sung, but yet desperate lyrics of someone in the throes of drug dependency, made for a poignant contrast and also made the song a fan favorite.  Unfortunately, fact can often follow fiction, and Elliott Smith, after a long battle with drug addiction and depression committed suicide in 2003.

This post may seem like a downer, especially on the 2nd day of December, with us all flying straight for the sun of the Holiday Season… but it left me with a reminder that Christmas is the most likely time of year for depression. 2009 has been especially tough on many. The idyllic storybook family pictures we witness on television are usually anything but the norm, and for anyone who has experienced loss, it is often a time of reflection. So if you are finding yourself anything but joyous, remember that you are not alone… and please go easy on yourself and others. No one is a Needle in the Hay.

and if all of that is a little bit heavy, at least check out the great song!!

Needle In The Hay -  Elliott Smith

Your hand on his arm
Haystack charm around your neck
Strung out and thin
Calling some friend, trying to cash some check
He’s acting dumb
That’s what you’ve come to expect
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
He’s wearing your clothes
Head down to toes, a reaction to you
You say you know what he did
But you idiot kid, you don’t have a clue
Sometimes they just get caught in the eye, you’re pulling him through
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Now on the bus
Nearly touching this dirty retreat
Falling out 6th and Powell, a dead sweat in my teeth
Gonna walk walk walk
Four more blocks, plus the one in my brain
Down downstairs to the man, he’s gonna make it all okay
I can’t be myself
I can’t be myself
And I don’t want to talk
I’m taking the cure
So I can be quiet whenever I want
So leave me alone
You ought to be proud that I’m getting good marks
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay
Needle in the hay

Also… on a hypocritical and lighter note, check out the video below from Sad Kermit, if you have not yet checked out this website, it is truly demented….