In late October, the L.A. band Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, a whimsical, ten-member band, were the largest to ever play the Tiny Desk Concert in the NPR Music offices. It’s a pretty cool mini-concert to check out. Lead singers Jade Castrinos and Alex Ebert (who is formerly of electro-pop band Ima Robot) are surrounded by their eight backing players whenever they perform. Ebert, whose sound in Ima Robot couldn’t have been more different, told a somewhat self-serving story to Paste Magazine about the creation of the messianic Edward Sharpe persona, saying “He was sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind … But he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love.” Whatever you think of the manufactured nature of this back-story, their full-length debut album, Up From Below, which took the Zeros more than a year and a half to record, is really good. However good they sound recorded though, as with similarly-sized bands like Arcade Fire, they seem to be a band that is best enjoyed live. The group is hot in the L.A. press right now, mostly because L.A. is where the group has been playing concerts. With their two shows in NYC next week, they could spread that love Eastward. Their show next Tuesday at the Bowery Ballroom is already sold out but they will be streaming the show live at rvibe.com. They are playing the following night at the Music Hall of Williamsburg but that’s sold out too! It looks like the Zeroes and this dream of theirs may last longer than 40 days after all…
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes – 40 Day Dream:
For my birthday (today!) the Jam is a classic that always puts me in a good mood and gets the party started. This killer live version was recorded for Sesame Street, which has been everywhere lately, as they are celebrating a big 40th Birthday themselves!
Illinois crooner Lissie Maurus, playing the early show tonight at the Mercury Lounge, is set to release her debut EP, Why You Runnin’, tomorrow on Fat Possum Records. Her song titles may be abbreviated and folksy but her talent’s not. Her first single “Little Lovin’” starts as a simple, sweet song and builds on its Midwestern bluegrass undertones to become surprisingly complex. The EP was produced by Bill Reynolds, the bassist in Band of Horses. Lissie will be opening for Ray Lamontagne on a bunch of his tour dates coming up in Illinois and in California.
This live version of “Little Lovin’” is from the her performance at the Troubadour in L.A. back in October. It’s pretty good but for the recorded version, you can check out her MySpace page.
The beginning drum beats of this song sound suspiciously like Marilyn Manson’s “Beautiful People,” but once the guitar line drops in on “Percussion Gun” from New York City band White Rabbits, it’s clear that we have a great track on our hands here. There was kind of a reason not to write about a song with guns in the title today, but I can’t really tell what’s going on with this story. And then I stumble upon this live version of a song called “Rudie Fails” that White Rabbits performed at the SPIN offices. This is a good joke and another good song. This is a band that really knows how to rock out on the drum set. So White Rabbits wins. Jam of the Day.
White Rabbits – Percussion Gun:
And if the image of white rabbits gets you in the mood for a little magic this weekend, go check out Paper Garden Records Presents: Multiverse Playground on Saturday Night at 3rd Ward. It’s getting all sorts of press coverage, like even in the NY Post, and should be a great time with shows from Boy Crisis, a guest appearance from Das Racist, and sets from a bunch of other great bands. Come check it out!
The fact that the future of the music industry is utterly unpredictable was proven again today with the release of the video for “Game Two” by Brooklyn’s own Tanlines. The song itself was recorded on an iPhone and the accompanying video was made using Google Earth! The sounds of Greogorian chants set to Google Earth, I don’t know why but somehow it works…
The World Series is heating up and tonight’s game could be the last (hopefully not!). The MLB is bringing out the heavy hitters to sing our nation’s anthem this season, with Mary J. Blige slated to bring it home tonight. Her vocal prowess is not a new discovery but it’s always amazing to really hear her belt it out. Her latest song, “The One” featuring Drake is a catchy, female power-anthem that doesn’t showcase her vocal skills as much but it’s sure to have you bouncing on the dance floor this weekend.
As you may know if you live in NYC, since Bloomberg has spent an inordinate amount of money to publicize his campaign for a third term as mayor, today is Election Day. So listen to these kids from Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta as they remake T.I.’s “Whatever You Like” with some get-out-the-vote lyrics. The video was sent around all over last year for the Presidential election, so the references are (obviously) a bit dated, but the message is still clear: No matter who you support, get out there are vote!
Ron Clark Academy – You Can Vote However You Like:
Early buzz about the forthcoming album IRM, that French actress and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg made with Beck, sounds promising. Gainsbourg is the daughter of French avant-pop provocateurs Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, so she had a lot going for her even before she linked up with producing-powerhouse Beck. The album will be out in January via French label Because. The first single “Heaven Can Wait,” a Beck/Gainsbourg duet, is today’s jam. It’s short and sweet, a perfect way to start off the week.
If you’re still looking for inspiration for your costume for tomorrow night, look no further than the ever flamboyantly-dramatic Smashing Pumpkins. To celebrate All Hallows Eve with one of the creepiest front-men in the business, Billy Corgan, today’s jam is a great live version of one of the Pumpkins best songs ever, “Tonight Tonight.”
