The Untitled Interview #55: Starring Bobby Bare Jr.

Some people just have It, musically-speaking. One such lucky music person is Bobby Bare Jr., who has the voice of legend and the songwriting skills of a poetical Everyman. I had the pleasure of seeing Bare Jr. live a few months back and was blown away by that voice and those songs and that feeling of inevitable artistry. To me, Bobby is one of those rare musicians who pretty much has to do what he's doing. The universe wouldn't have it any other way.

He's back on the road once again, engaging in a series of house parties in order to give fans a once-in-a-lifetime live experience. His DC house party tomorrow night is sold out, but if you're so inclined Iota has him on the schedule also for tomorrow, and there's always the Richmond house party on Wednesday. I'll tell you what, y'all should probably consider one or both of those. While you're mulling it over, here's some good words from the man himself. Glean all sorts of Bare-ian nuggets, including Bobby's thoughts on The Replacements, elves, and fast food. If that's not enough, check Bobby's site for even more esoterica. And seriously. Go see him live.

Les Enfants Terribles: How the hell are you?
Bobby Bare Jr.: Senselessly subdued.

LET: What was the last song you listened to?
BBJr.: Clem Snide – “Your Favorite Music”

LET: Playing music is:
BBJr.: Best when it’s easy – and it’s always easy.

LET: What album most made you realize you wanted to make music?
BBJr.: Let It Be by The Replacements.

LET: Beatles or Stones?
BBJr.: Beatles or Stones uh uh The Clash.

LET: Top 5 albums (of now, of this month, or of ever):
BBJr.: Let It Be - The Replacements
Hatful of Hollow - The Smiths
Reckoning - REM
At Dawn - My Morning Jacket
Easy Beat - Dr. Dog

LET: Favorite music-related movie?
BBJr.: Urgh! A Music War.

LET: Half-full or half-empty?
BBJr.: Half drunk - half naked.

LET: Which of your peers do you think is making the best music these days?
BBJr.: Andrew Bird.

LET: What’s the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning?
BBJr.: Why did an elf poo in my mouth?

LET: Little-known Bobby Bare Jr. fact?
BBJr.: I am horrified of elves.

LET: The greatest record store in the world is:
BBJr.: Grimeys in Nashville.

LET: Shaken or stirred?
BBJr.: Blended.

LET: Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
BBJr.: Don't be afraid of the rock and roll music.

LET: How do you know when you've played a really great show?
BBJr.: When people try to criticize the show and don't care cause I know they are wrong.

LET: If you weren’t in a band you’d be:
BBJr.: In a healthy, loving, relationship.

LET: What do you find most comforting/most disconcerting about going out on tour?
BBJr.: Fast food and fast food.

LET: If you were so inclined, whom would you form a tribute band in honor of?
BBJr.: Pixies - I am in one called "Is she weird-is she white."

LET: Best song ever written?
BBJr.: "The Girl You Want" - Devo.

mp3: Sad Smile (Bobby Bare Jr. from A Storm, A Tree, My Mother's Head)

[photo by Hunter Armistead]

The Untitled Interview #54: Starring Brad Oberhofer (Oberhofer)

A wise woman said to me lately that 2011 is going to be the Year of Oberhofer (take that, bunny rabbits). I've gotta be honest, I’m not so sure I’d disagree with her. Something about that excited, intoxicating mish mash of jumbled lo-fi poppery and jagged guitar bits and bobs and of course, that dynamite voice, makes me think I might kinda love the monster that Brad Oberhofer has created under the moniker Oberhofer. I’m particularly in serious thrall with the sassy bittersweetness of “Awy Frm U” and the whistle-while-you-shake-it chilliness of “I Could Go.”

Currently touring with Tapes 'n Tapes, Mr. Oberhofer took a minute to fill in the blanks. See his opinions on anything from The Shangri-Las to Montreal to cold feet. And hey, DC kids, I do hope I’ll see you tomorrow night, when Oberhofer brings the liveness to our very own Rock & Roll Hotel.

Les Enfants Terribles: How the hell are you?
Brad Oberhofer: I'm great! Hungry, cold, and on the way to Montreal. I love Montreal.

LET: What was the last song you listened to?
BO: "The Leader of the Pack" by The Shangri-las.

LET: Beatles or Stones?
BO: Haven't listened to enough of either to know for certain, but I'm leaning toward the Beatles.

LET: Top 5 albums (of now, of this month, or of ever):
BO: Right now:

Okay- High Road
Arcade Fire- Funeral
The Nightgowns- Sing Something
Hella- Hold Your Horse Is
The Strokes- Is This It

LET: Favorite music-related movie?
BO: Amadeus.

LET: Half-full or half-empty?
BO: Half-full.

LET: Which of your peers do you think is making the best music these days?
BO: My friend Paul in Vacation.

LET: What’s the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning?
BO: This morning it was, "Why didn't anybody wake me up?"

LET: Little-known Oberhofer fact?
BO: My feet are cold.

LET: The greatest record store in the world is:
BO: Jerry's in Pittsburgh.

LET: Shaken or stirred?
BO: Stirred. I think.

LET: Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
BO: "Nothing will ever be more perfect than it is right now."

LET: If you weren’t a musician you’d be:
BO: In a beautiful, tree-coated, warm place.

LET: If you were so inclined, whom would you form a tribute band in honor of?
BO: I'd never do that.

LET: Best song ever written?
BO: No such thing!

mp3: Should Have Taken Acid with You (Neon Indian Cover) (Oberhofer - buy stuff!)

Singles Club: Beach Fossils

Y'all know I kinda majorly love me some Beach Fossils. But really, what's not to love? Keep an eye on my Top 70, because they're a-comin, believe you me. Not a band to contentedly rest on their laurels, Beach Fossils is prepping for the release of their latest and greatest EP, What A Pleasure, out February 22 on Captured Tracks.

From the new EP, "Calyer" has all the hallmarks of a sublime Beach Fossils song - from the effervescent jangle of the guitar to the lo-fi feel of the whole dang thing to the slightly monotone vocals. It's all there, and has me plenty excited for this here EP. What a pleasure, indeed.

mp3: Calyer (Beach Fossils from the forthcoming What A Pleasure EP)

Live Review: The Moondoggies @ Iota, 1/28/2011

I was way, way beyond excited to see The Moondoggies live. Ridiculously so. The Seattle swamp folksters had made a real big impression on me with latest record Tidelands, and I just could not wait to see the songs done live and proper. It wasn't a question of would it be a good show, but how good a show is this gonna be? And my little lords and ladies, it was one hell of a show.

I'm not sure I was prepared for how good this band was gonna be. From the beginning, they were stunning. At times they were full of gentle twang, a subtle whisper of a time long gone but still remembered. At others, they were letting those instruments of theirs to careen all over the place, kicking up storms and creating some serious noise. Every note was so very rich, so very in tune, and so very hard to resist. When the band played "What Took So Long," a current earworm of mine, I just about got chills. The harmonies, o the harmonies.

It wasn't long before I began to realize who The Moondoggies were really reminding me of: The Band. Something to do with the fullness of the sound, the tone of Kevin Murphy's voice in person, and the presence of some serious keys. Very, very Band-esque. At times I felt Creedence creeping in, lending their influence in the hue of some swampy, molasses-thickness on the guitar hither and yon. I think The Moondoggies are kindred musical spirits with the classics for sure. They've got old souls, not to mention an appreciation for good showmanship. I like to think The Band would be proud.

Much to the chagrin of the way sold out crowd, the show eventually came to an end. Thankfully, though, not before the band unleashed a breathtaking version of "Night & Day," the pretty softness of the opening section of the song so gentle and sweet, and the chaotic feverish craze that followed was undeniably awesome. What a show, my friends. What a show. Go get yourself in the path of this band, because ye shall not be disappointed. Scout's honor. In case you wanna try before you buy, head over to the official Moondoggies site, where they so graciously have some live sets you can get your mitts on for free.

mp3: What Took So Long (The Moondoggies from Tidelands)

Megan's Top 70 of 2010: #40 - Secret Cities

Why I Decree it to Be So:

Right away, Pink Graffiti is like one of those dreams that you don’t want to wake up from. It’s beautifully stunning and stunningly beautiful. Its’ scope is enormous, hugely expansive and layered with a delectable coating of rolling, wondrous sounds. As sweet and fluffy as fairground cotton candy, yet not without quite a kick, Pink Graffiti is the sonic equivalent of having your cake and eating it, too. “Pink City”, the dreamy, pretty little opener, is soft and full, and totally mesmerizing. “We had a lot to say/but it would take all day” goes the song, as it undulates along a placid, shimmering path. For all intents and purposes, it’s one of those rare songs that manages to encapsulate the feel of the song in a song title. It’s a song to tiptoe through tulips to. “Boyfriends” immediately follows, paying homage to Brian Wilson both lyrically and sonically (don’t tell me you don’t hear the Beach Boy undercurrent). A bit more substantial, from a guitar angle, than the song before it, “Boyfriends” is every bit as wonderful. You heard it here, friends. Secret Cities made one hell of a record, and I just love it to bits and pieces. (SEE MORE)

mp3: Pink Graffiti pt. 1 (Secret Cities from Pink Graffiti)

Megan's Top 70 of 2010: #41 - AM

Why I Decree it to Be So:

Listening to AM's exquisite record Future Sons & Daughters, I kept envisioning a spectacular Southern California sunset, sky glowing blue and peach, the air golden and soft. There's an air of slight desolation to this album, perhaps a little akin to a mid-century California motel, lonely and worn by the side of some sunbaked road in the middle of lord knows where, ghosts of reveling guests of years past lingering. It's a little sad, but a whole lot beautiful. The cover, too, is pretty bang on, because there's a lot of retro lushness on this record, conjuring up faded glamor all over the place. Oh, and it also looks like a Sergio Mendes record cover. Which, thinking about it, really might have been the goal all along.

mp3: Self Preservation (AM from Future Sons & Daughters)

Singles Club: Locksley

Word on the street is that there's a little football game going on in wintry Dallas in a matter of hours. I haven't paid all that much attention, since none of the teams I kinda like made it to the Super Bowl, but figured I can throw my two cents out all the same. Truth is, I like neither Pittsburgh nor Green Bay, however, I dislike Pittsburgh more. So, for today anyway, I'm a (temporary) cheesehead. It's not so bad, really. I like cheese. And my best friend from college lives in Wisconsin. And there's a former Alabama guy on the roster...

Digressions aside, in honor of my brief stint as a Packers supporter, I thought it was the perfect time to post this here song from Locksley. The Wisconsin natives penned a totally adorable little poppy gem called "Oh, Wisconsin!" and it's too cute not to post. Plus, if you make a donation when you download, the money will go to one of several Wisconsin-based charities. I don't know about you, but I think that's pretty cool. So go on. Do good whilst you rock out (wearing your cheese proudly on your head). Go Pack.

mp3: Oh, Wisconsin! (Locksley from Oh, Wisconsin!)