Moogfest, in Asheville, Honors a Synthesizer
We love Mark Mothersbaugh, and we love the the idea of Moogfest. We would have loved to be in North Carolina to see the likes of Massive Attack, Sleigh Bells, Caribou, Jonsi, MGMT, Thievery Corporation, Hot Chip, Big Boi, El-P and Four Tet play.
Pictured: Devo performing live with the amazing Austin band The Octopus Project, whom we’ve loved since we first heard their song “The Adjustor” off their 2005 Peekaboo Records release One Ten Hundred Thousand Million.
Shoe Brand Converse Builds A Record Label And Recording Space In Williamsburg
A shoe company giving away studio time might seem peculiar. But with its new project, Converse — whose sneakers have been worn by generations of bands, from the Ramones to the Strokes — wants to become a patron of the rock arts. The company is not alone: lifestyle brands are becoming the new record labels.
What We’re Listening To: Phantogram
My friend Alan Wilkis, who is a popular remix artist for indie rock bands, told me about this electro-rock band. I hadn’t had a chance to listen to the band yet when I made it out to their private show earlier this year at the ad agency Pereira & O’Dell‘s Barrel House. I expected something cute, perhaps a saccharine boy-girl electro indie pop duo in the vein of Mates of State or Rainer Maria.
It was a surprise to me when the music started with an upfront bassy synth so thick and black it made the walls rattle. The singer of the band, clad in all black and face hidden behind a sleek bob, played keyboards as she sang dark lyrics about drug overdoses and loves too far gone with a light, clear voice. They floated through two mezmerizing songs before the the sound system went out, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the sound system blew out because of the intensity of the music.
It was probably one of the best shows I’ve seen all year, and I highly recommend the band’s live show. The BayBridged has a great interview with Phantogram today, and the band will be performing at the Treasure Island Music Festival this weekend. Here are two Phantogram songs that have been on heavy rotation in my iPhone for the past few months:
Now Is Your Chance to Remix Phoenix
The French popsters of Phoenix have invited fans to remix songs from their 2009 breakout album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.
After the band wraps up its tour at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20, Phoenix will shift gears to work on a new album and the soundtrack for Sofia Coppola’s film Somewhere.