The Untitled Interview #58 – SXSW Edition: Starring Rusty Matyas (Imaginary Cities)

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.

Evidently, friends, SXSW 2011 is going to be owned by our Neighbors to the North. Imaginary Cities is yet another awesome Canadian band headed down to make Austin swoon, and I'd venture they've got a good chance to make that happen. Rusty Matyas and Marti Sarbit have the chops to make the world stand up and take notice, that's for sure. Don't believe me? Just as a little band called the Pixies. They've decided to take Imaginary Cities on tour with them later this year. And if that doesn't say that a band is awesome, I don't know what does. See for yourself if you happen to be Austin-bound in a couple weeks. Rusty marinated on my questions and had the following to say:

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Rusty Matyas: Plane I think. I hope! They are fast.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
RM: Something necessary for playing music. Power adapter for my pedals, cables, my guitar, that sort of thing. Everytime.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
RM: They seem to be piling up...I think we're playing no less than four shows so far. Hopefully more!

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
RM: To be honest I don't know the roster all that well, but I do know my boys from the Sheepdogs (amazing band from Saskatoon) will be "in town!” I hope they get a break. They are good kids. I will be at their show. And I'll somehow probably get onstage. Then regret it later. As usual.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
RM: Smelling food. Then eating it. I ate at an outdoor show for the Donnas at SXSW 4 or 5 years ago.. Can't remember what the place was called, but it was a really cool outdoor stage sort of in-behind a couple of bars. The dirt was light brown, and the beauty mesquite odour still haunts me today. Wonderful.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
RM: First as part of general public: a touring Canadian festival called Edgefest.. It doesn't tour anymore, but still happens every year in Toronto. I've gotten to play it a number of times now. Pretty neat. I think the first time I went the big headliner was Green Day, just after Dookie came out. Also playing were some of my favourite Canadian bands at the time like Age of Electric, and...well mostly guilty pleasures I liked when I was a teenager but don't want to admit now.

As a musician: my first show with The Weakerthans was supposed to be at Lollapalooza, which would have ruled, but their bus broke down. The next show was the Osheaga festival in Montreal, which was equally totally amazing. The Black Keys and The Go! Team were on that bill, two of my fave bands right now.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
RM: The variety of bands that play.. There's always something for everyone! Usually there's at least ONE band I'm excited to see! Like Imaginary Cities.

mp3: Hummingbird (Imaginary Cities from the Hummingbird EP)

The Untitled Interview #57 – SXSW Edition: Starring Rishi Dhir (Elephant Stone)

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.

"Elephant Stone" is one of my all-time most favorite Stone Roses songs. It also happens to be the name of one of Canada's most delightful exports, makers of some of the finest candy-coated psychedelic pop clatter delicacies you're likely to hear. If yours truly was going to Austin, Elephant Stone would absolutely be on my Cannot Miss No Sir No Way No How list. Mr. Rishi Dhir had the following to say about the band's SXSW experience.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Rishi Dhir: Driving. We're playing a bunch of US dates on the way then we're dead-heading home.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
RD: An air mattress.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
RD: Looking like 5 or 6...

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
RD: The Bees!

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
RD: Hitting some open bars and then watching the bats take flight at dusk.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
RD: Lollapalooza '93.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
RD: Music music music!

mp3: Strangers (Elephant Stone from The Glass Box EP)

[photo by André Guérette]

Singles Club: Valentiger

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!)

LP Lust: The Dammit Spring Where Are You? Edition

Here in the lovely Washington, DC metro area, it looks like Spring. Greenery is getting greener. Squirrels are racing along digging up their buried nibbles, and birds have started to sing/chirp/squawk at all hours of the day. But damned if it’s not still well below the temperatures that should go along with such activity (for the most part). What does this have to do with my LP lustage? Well, probably nothing. I’m just impatient for Spring, and my weather vexation is spilling over. Sorry lambs.

In any event, yours truly has been buying some vinyl. Some bought here, some bought there (Baltimore, Ashland, Richmond). Here a record, there a record, everywhere a record record. As you’ll see, there’s all sorts of goodies lurking in the shops. So get out there and support your local record emporium.

* Various – Texas Flashbacks Volume 1
* Phosphorescent – Here’s To Taking It Easy
* Interpol – Interpol
* Lower Dens – Twin-Hand Movement
* Crocodiles – Sleep Forever
* George Thorogood & The Destroyers – Move It On Over
* The Butterfield Blues Band – East-West
* The Style Council – Café Bleu
* George Harrison – Dark Horse
* Depeche Mode – Speak & Spell
* Jefferson Airplane – Crown of Creation
* Willie Nelson – Always On My Mind
* Emmylou Harris – Evangeline
* Kris Kristofferson – Spooky Lady’s Sideshow
* Conway Twitty – Honky Tonk Angel
* White Fence – Is Growing Faith
* Nada Surf – Let Go
* The Black Angels – Passover
* Primal Scream – RTX (single)
* Die! Die! Die! – FORM

mp3: Hospice Gates (Lower Dens from Twin-Hand Movement)

Meet The Dirty Lungs

Y'all know I have me a major weak spot for most things Alabama. So just imagine my surprise and delight when I opened my inbox to find an email from a killer little band...from Alabama. Friends, I'd like you to meet The Dirty Lungs. I think I might just have a little crush on them.

You see, The Dirty Lungs can make quite an unholy racket, a gritty blend of good old grimey garage, nouveau psych, and even some Stone Roses-esque, splendidly overindulgent instrumentation. It's sleazy, it's nasty, and mercy me it's fantastic. This is a band that abides by the "go big or go home" mentality, cranking out the walls of blistering, beautiful noise and swirling, hazy masses of sound like there's no tomorrow. And maybe there's not. So while there's still a today, might I suggest you spend some time making yourself acquainted with these fellows? You'll be ever so glad you did.

mp3: D.D. Reg Reg (The Dirty Lungs from Deregulate Your Heart)

mp3: Love is a Chore (The Dirty Lungs from The Robins EP)

The Untitled Interview #56 – SXSW Edition: Starring The Bears Of Blue River

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.

Kicking off this here SXSW season is Chicago's The Bears of Blue River. These denizens of the Windy City make a charming, light-hearted modern twangily twee folk, deliciously adorable and ultimately impossible not to love. SXSW-goers, you've been warned. Go see these Bears. My heartiest of hearty thanks to Mister Gavin Wilkinson and Miss Maggie Gard for their answers, which you can read below.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?

Gavin Wilkinson: We will be traveling upon our often unreliable bus known to us as "Latifah."
Maggie Gard: Our big black bus lovingly known as Latifah.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:

GW: Well, if I knew now then I probably wouldn't forget it! Geez!
MG: We are always leaving something somewhere. Notorious.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?

GW: It's totally up in the air right now but we are still seeking more at the moment. We will be on one official showcase for sure but hopefully more. So, if anyone reading this can help... let us know. ;)
MG: That is a good question.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?

GW: All of them. I become a little schoolgirl while I'm at SXSW. I keep a little list with me of everything I want to catch and I try to see as much as possible. It's pretty much the greatest few days of the year.
MG: Tons. Depends on what schedules look like as to what we will get to see.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?

GW: My former roommate and dear friend recently moved there so I am anxious for our reunion. I expect will indulge in some poisons and good times. Other than that I will probably just dance with excitement.
MG: Cchhheck in? Share drinks with old friends.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?

GW: Haha, wow... this is embarassing but.. it was Warped Tour when I was 13 or 14. I was a total loser as a kid. I remember I had to ride in the back of my brother's truck on a flip down seat for an hour to get there. I was so excited to be around so many happenings. I have never been to Warped Tour since. I wish my answer involved a Polka festival.
MG: I don't remember. That's bad.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?

GW: There is so much free stuff available!!! Drinks! Food! Shows! Swag! I love meeting new folks while in attendance as well. It seems like a very easy environment to strike up conversation with just about anyone.
MG: There's not much not to like. Free everything. Music. Generally lots of sun. And lots of cute dudes. Ha.


mp3: Crayola (The Bears of Blue River - hear more here)

Live Review: Class Actress @ Red Palace, 2/5/2011

Initially, I was super excited to see the amazing double bill of Class Actress and Violens at the Red Palace. Then I was saddened to learn that Violens had canceled. But then, my loves, I was happy once again. Once Class Actress took the stage and started the party, all was weller than well. Elizabeth Harper and her pair of strapping touring knob-twiddlers brought some serious sonic class to DC, and it was so very sexy.

To me, the music churned out by NYC's Class Actress is the very essence of 80s glamour, what with the stunning voice possessed by Harper paired with the big, synthy beats. It's a glacially cool combination. There's a giddy breathlessness to this band, under all the polish and gloss, a near-urgency to get their point across. Harper looked the part of the chic songstress, in her extravagant, smashing fur coat, oversized white button-down shirt, and black leggings. For some reason, I look at Miss Harper and think Dynasty. The band sounds nothing if not luxurious, perfect for tooling around in your convertible BMW with your lip gloss shining and your man's collar popped. And I mean that in the best way possible.

The beats in the songs (and the stoic stance of the two dudes) were the perfect foil to Harper's honeyed, sophisticated whisper. They were slinky, they were slick, and they were very hard not to like. This is music that smacks of yacht lounging and jetsetting. Harper is a more than able vixen, and the songs are a great homage to the dancefloor days of old french kissing the dancefloor days in which we live. Definitely check Class Actress out when you can, they're well worth your effort.

mp3: Terminally Chill (Neon Indian Cover) (Class Actress - buy stuff!)

[photo by Ryan Koopmans]