Preternaturally talented British folkie Laura Marling — a singer not yet old enough to drink legally on her current U.S. tour — turned in this gorgeous cover of the Jackson C. Frank classic “Blues Run The Game” in Brooklyn on Thursday. Her new album, I Speak Because I Can, is equally staggering. She’ll be at the El Rey on July 28. (via TwentyFourBit)
The National played “Afraid of Everyone” on Late Night with David Letterman last night, but the bigger story (if that’s possible during High Violet release week) is that their ol’ neighbor Sufjan Stevens helped out on the backing vox from stage left. The Illinoisemaker/former indie-folk Great White Hope has been rumbling about a new album for months now and playing the occasional show, but maybe a late night comedy gig is the shot in the arm he needs to finish up Come On Feel The Williamsburg? Fingers crossed! In surreal, related news, I was driving down Melrose earlier this week and saw an electronic billboard for High Violet. Advertise that, other albums released by indie labels!
Previously: The National – All Coverage | Sufjan Prepping 2010 Album
Photo by David Greenwald
Luke… this is your concert. Pepper Rabbit plays a semi-secret show at The Death Star (4151 S. Main) tonight — RSVP only! Holler at the band on Facebook. (More Google/iCal friendly L.A. dates here.)
Previously: SXSW 2010: Pepper Rabbit | All Pepper Rabbit Posts
So, Rawkblog was just shut down momentarily over a C&D from Tesla Boy (Tesla Boy!) from our Warm Weather compilation. Hope you got it while you could. Labels: seriously, e-mail me next time!
Newly prolific Rawkblog favorites International Waters pay tribute to their hero and mine, Rose Melberg, with an instrumental song in homage to The Softies’ own vocals-free excursions. In other words: huuuuuugs! (Photo by David Greenwald)
International Waters – “Hardly Boys”: mp3
Previously: International Waters – “Olympia”
While A Mystic’s Robe showcased Ghosty’s songwriting talents and ‘60s pop devotion, the O Foolish Pride finds the Lawrence, Kansas, band revealing their range. “Rose Colored Glasses” opens in traditional indie-pop fashion – open chords, melodic lead guitar line, the sort of thing straight off a Field Mice single. But the song opens up, adding backing harmonies and concluding with suddenly fiery guitar lines and frantic drumming. “Foolish Pride” comes on a borderline-funky Sea and Cake kick, an extra-chunky can of Jazz Noodle Soup. “Heybill,” the brief collection’s third and final song, with its springy slide guitars and shuffling drums, evokes Beulah’s lighter moments. As with the magic Mystic’s, it’s all essential.
Ghosty – “Rose-Colored Glasses”: mp3
(O Foolish Pride is available now on the band’s Bandcamp)
I could watch this all day: Destroyer’s Dan Bejar, solo acoustic, “covering” one of his other band’s best songs, Swan Lake’s “The Freedom.” If you joined me at this very special Echoplex show last year, you already know the glory. Just a guy and a guitar, sure, but Bejar kinda blew my mind a little bit that night.
In case you’ve ever wondered what Spike Jonze dreams about during afternoon naps, this video is your answer. Oakland, Calif., band Alright Class is mixing its debut album now.
