You’d think the Internet would expedite things, but there’s still a dearth of access to Australian music in blogosphere-land, at least at the sites I frequent. Here’s your passport: Ned Collete’s 2006 gem Jokes And Trials, a wryly somber singer-songwriter record that evokes the patient paranoia of past minimalists Nick Drake (who, if you didn’t already, you Learned To Love last week) and Jackson C. Frank. Its best moment is “The Laughter Across The Street,” an epic bit of folk that bursts into a full-fledged yacht-rock outro two-thirds of the way through and never looks back.
Ned Collette – “The Laughter Across The Street”: mp3
Men’s style is an interest of mine that rarely makes it into this blog, but this series of polaroids from excellent designer Band of Outsiders — Rawkblog hero Jason Schwartzman running amuck in L.A.’s Chinatown in rad, Wes Anderson-ready threads — is too good not to link.
I guess we were about due for our annual Elliott Smith track leak, huh? “Grand Mal” is another totally tremendous song from the late singer-songwriter’s archives, appearing out of nowhere but apparently from his sessions for XO – an album for which this song nearly served as the title track. At any rate, this song is a gorgeous addition to the already overflowing catalog of the best musician of his generation.
LEARN TO LOVE: Five-song snapshots of essential bands. Start here and dig deeper.
Nick Drake – “Cello Song”:mp3
(from Five Leaves Left, 1969) Nick Drake – “Northern Sky”: mp3
(from Bryter Layter, 1970) Nick Drake – “Which Will”: mp3
(from Pink Moon, 1972) Nick Drake – “Clothes Of Sand”: mp3
(from the Time of No Reply compilation, 1986) Nick Drake – “Blues Run The Game” (Jackson C. Frank cover):mp3
(Demo recording; available on Family Tree, 2004)
Wake up with Ted Leo at the Smell on Sunday for power-pop and vegan pancakes at the not-quite-bright-and-early hour of 11:30 a.m. Ted’s also playing on Friday at the Echo, of course. More LA dates on our calendar.
It’s predictably awesome/absurdist. Dude’s married to Mandy Moore and his top priorities are pizza, Danzig and videogames. Get this guy in GQ! And yes, gloriously, it comes with the above video, which features Ryan Adams, hero, playing arcade games. Update: Apparently somebody who seems to be Ryan has been posting on his fan message board and dropping humongous truth bombs about finally releasing what sounds like a Neil Young-sized box set with albums nobody’s ever heard of. PLEASE, LORD!
Sondre Lerche’s new album, Heartbeat Radio, might be the Norwegian songwriter’s best collection yet — so you won’t want to miss his return to his (and my) favorite Los Angeles haunt, the Troubadour, on Sept. 24. (The album’s due Sept. 8.) As with his last few shows there, it’ll be solo electric.
“Band is resting and having more babies,” Sondre told me on Twitter (I know!) just minutes ago. “I promise to bring the goods alone!” Let’s hold him to it. More tour dates on the ongoing calendar.
You’d think the Internet would expedite things, but there’s still a dearth of access to Australian music in blogosphere-land, at least at the sites I frequent. Here’s your passport: Ned Collete’s 2006 gem Jokes And Trials, a wryly somber singer-songwriter record that evokes the patient paranoia of past minimalists Nick Drake (who, if you didn’t already, you Learned To Love last week) and Jackson C. Frank. Its best moment is “The Laughter Across The Street,” an epic bit of folk that bursts into a full-fledged yacht-rock outro two-thirds of the way through and never looks back.
I guess we were about due for our annual Elliott Smith track leak, huh? “Grand Mal” is another totally tremendous song from the late singer-songwriter’s archives, appearing out of nowhere but apparently from his sessions for XO – an album for which this song nearly served as the title track. At any rate, this song is a gorgeous addition to the already overflowing catalog of the best musician of his generation.
Wake up with Ted Leo at the Smell on Sunday for power-pop and vegan pancakes at the not-quite-bright-and-early hour of 11:30 a.m. Ted’s also playing on Friday at the Echo, of course. More LA dates on our 
Sondre Lerche’s new album, Heartbeat Radio, might be the Norwegian songwriter’s best collection yet — so you won’t want to miss his return to his (and my) favorite Los Angeles haunt, the Troubadour, on Sept. 24. (The album’s due Sept. 8.) As with his last few shows there, it’ll be solo electric.
