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The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.
If you're not a frequent visitor to these parts, you might not know that Valentiger is one of my pet bands. It could be because these Michiganians make some seriously darling power pop-meets-Americana rock goodness. Or perhaps, because these three are some of the gosh darn nicest dudes you're likely to meet in this here industry. Well, on second thought, it's probably both. Valentiger makes their SXSW debut this year, and it would be in your best interest, o SXSW attendees, to make sure you check 'em out. Below, drummer extraordinaire Scott Rider (you can call him Rider) commentates on all things SXSW.
Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Scott Rider: Touring down in our 1999 (Grandpa) Van!
LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
SR: I personally try to pack early and NOT forget anything (impossible). Our tour from Michigan down to SXSW and back is about 20 days, so there is a 2 towel minimum.
LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
SR: We are playing 2 parties while were are in Austin, and maybe (hopefully) more.
LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
SR: This is our first time to sx so we are mainly focusing on not being overwhelmed by the event. We hope to see fellow Michiganders Stepdad and touring pals Yearbook Committee.
LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
SR: PARK. I heard it's extremely hard to find parking...So first mission is to find a place to park and then throw an anchor out. I'm sure we're also going to need to sleep. Our drive is 12 hours that day (blah!).
LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
SR: My first memory is of the Grand Rapids Art Festival in our hometown of ...Grand Rapids, MI! It's a weekend festival full of art and more or less local bands. I was probably 7 the first time I went to that festival.
LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
SR: I'm not sure I have a favorite thing, but maybe the energy of the event. For music festivals the attendees are there for music, so it's a great opportunity to meet musicians and fans and just talk about a common interest.
mp3: Into The Sun (Valentiger from Oh, to Know!)[photo by Amy Carroll]
As I've already said, I'm itching for a little warm (er) weather around these parts. It's March, and I'm sick of my winter coats (as fabulously tweedy as they are). Since my trip to California isn't for over a month, and the weather isn't cooperating, I have to get my warmth on some other way. One such way is listening to my oh-so favorite Michiganians, Valentiger. Their second record Oh, To Know! will be out oh-so soon, which is certainly cause for celebration. If you're not yet familiar with the trio from the Wolverine State, well, you're in for quite a treat. "Into The Sun" brings their twangy folk jangle pop to a whole new level of awesome, and calls to mind lazy afternoons spent sipping spiked lemonade and swinging from ropes into the local watering hole. And that glorious horn sound makes me think of Van Morrison performing at The Band's Last Waltz. Sensational. They're doing a tour of Midwesterly spots on their way to and from SXSW, and the threat of another East Coast assault in the Summer has been made. Listen and love, my friends. Listen and love. mp3: Into The Sun (Valentiger from the forthcoming Oh, To Know!)
I’ve got to admit, I was initially drawn to Valentiger because, well, let’s face it. They’ve pretty much got the cutest, warmest fuzzy of a band name ever. That may or may not be what they were going for, but being a sucker for a good band name, I appreciate the effort. Having been so drawn in, it really would have been quite heartbreaking had their album been horrible. As luck would have it, though, not only do they have a great name, they’ve got a great little album here, too.
Power Lines to Electric Times is, among other things, what I like to call a good Sunday afternoon record. It’s got both the lovely mellowness required for relaxing, but also a good bit of kick that helps really make the most of those last few waning hours of the weekend. It starts with the fantastic “Aboveboard”, a lightly jangling song with a hearty dose of down home warmth. “Leaving Town” is one of my favorites, heavy on the jangle and full of honest, frank vocals. Oh, and it’s got some serious mouth organ goin’ on, and that wins me over every time. The song shows off the subtle influence of a range of folks, from the candid earnestness of The Boss to the tight angularity of Brit bands like The Jam.
“Never Ready” is another of my favorites, the delicate strumming of the guitar working like a lullaby, soothing and peaceful. The dancing piano and softly-hit drums add to a tranquility that’s nigh on magical. “Bosses In Their Offices” is a delight, full of front porch attitude and an overall liveliness. The instrumentation at the end of “Under The Gun” is the musical equivalent of a glorious sunset over a Northern lake, surrounded by pines and clutching a beer while sitting in an Adirondack chair watching the fireflies. “The Girl That Everyone Forget” is a yet another favorite, a rollicking little firecracker, big on harmony and simple, heartfelt sounds.
Remember the name Valentiger, my loves. They’re one of those bands that takes inspiration the everyday banalities of life and crafts them into splendid little songs, full of honesty and without a whiff of pretension. Power Lines to Electric Times is a rustic, pastoral folk rock-with-a-dash-of-pop record. Well-played, well-written, and well done. It won my heart, and I’m pretty sure it’ll do the same to you.
mp3: Never Ready (Valentiger from Power Lines to Electric Times)
The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.
