Jel/Odd Nosdam & Friends Live (4/13/10)

Back on April 13th, 2010 Anticon mainstays Jel and Odd Nosdam played a show to a faithful crowd at the Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, CA. Odd Nosdam and Jel both played separate sets and then together until ultimately they were both joined on stage by a few of their friends (Busdriver, Doseone, and Nocando) to rap over their crooked instrumentals.

In case all of these California based hip-hop artists are unfamiliar to you, Jel is as close as you’re going to get to a drummer who doesn’t play drums (the man knows his way around an MPC sampler), Odd Nosdam is a highly underrated producer (and co-founder of Anticon Records) with a knack for finding freshly off kilter samples and stitching them together over lofi hip-hop beats, Busdriver and Doseone have both made careers as MCs known for their unique and speedy deliveries while Nocando was a new name to me who impressed with his continual freestyling between acts which included some great one liners (that unfortunately I missed in the videos).

If this kind of hip hop is up your alley, check out some live videos I took of Odd Nosdam, Jel, and Busdriver/Doseone/Nocando below.

Watch Out For: Teengirl Fantasy

A while back I came across the myspace page of Teengirl Fantasy (aka the duo of Oberlin College students Logan Takahashi and Nick Weiss) and was instantly intrigued in a way random myspace band pages seldom do for me. I’ve yet to catch them live (come to SF), but I’ve only heard positive things about them in that vein as well. Maybe it’s just a style of music that’s up my alley; however, I have a feeling that if they stick at it and keep progressing, they’ll catch on.

I could go on discussing some of Teengirl Fantasy’s notable moments to date (including a corny and incredibly nostalgic official website hosted by angelfire); but, with a band in such its infancy it’s probably better if you just take a listen and see what you think for yourself.

Check out free downloads of Teengirl Fantasy’s recent TGIF EP, Hollywood Hils EP, and their hard to find self released 2009 CD-R below. And to round it out, I’ve also posted their music video for “Portofino” as well as some decent quality youtube videos of the duo doing their thing live.

Teengirl Fantasy – 2009 CD-R

Teengirl Fantasy – TGIF EP and Hollywood Hils EP

Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes) Performs New Song Live

Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold just recently finished up his short solo tour jaunt opening for Joanna Newsom (on a few select dates). At their first joint stop at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville TN, Pecknold unveiled a new song in his repertoire, which as of yet still has no title to its name.

The new tune has a nice melody and already has plenty of rabid fans salivating for it to show up on the next Fleet Foxes album; but, I say there’s no need to waste time speculating about anything like that, let’s just enjoy it for what it is and whatever happens will happen.

Also, (as a nice bonus) the video captures the first time Robin played the song (in his own words, “never played this before, so i’m probably gonna fuck it up”). But enough chit chat, check it out for yourself below.

To date, the only other new song Robin’s played in the last year is one that goes by “Blue Spotted Tail” (see a video below from the same show). Personally, I’m a bit favorable to the newer one; but hey, any new song from this man is worthwhile as far as I’m concerned.

And lastly, (in my youtube searching) I found a cover Pecknold recorded in a BBC session last year of Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe”, which is also probably worth a listen if you’ve traveled this far down the page already.

The Bloody Beetroots’ Death Crew 77

So, I should have posted this a while back but better later than never, right?

Anyways, in case you haven’t already heard or felt the waves of rage emanating from The Bloody Beetroots; well, here’s the news. They are currently touring the world as their new three-piece electro-punk band creation Death Crew 77, with the usual duo of Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo and Tommy Tea at the helm (except now with instruments in their arsenal), and added member Edward Grinch handling drum duties.

The Bloody Beetroots also have a new EP out titled Domino (Spares of Rombarama) featuring basically two new songs, “31 Seconds to Live” and the title track “Domino” (with a nicely directed video to go with it, that I’ve also posted below).

Oh, and did I mention that the Death Crew 77 is still out on tour rocking the shit out of every venue that comes in their path? Well then, check out the remaining tour dates below and a video of the Beetroots doing their thing at Miami’s recent Ultra Music Festival in case you are somehow not convinced yet to go and get yourself a ticket (you should be). And if you buy one for the SF show, I’ll see you there.

The Bloody Beetroots – Domino (Spares of Romborama) EP

The Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77 Remaining Tour Dates:

Apr 7 Perpignan, FRANCE DEATH CREW 77 @ ELMEDIATOR

Apr 8 Nice/Paca, FRANCE DEATH CREW 77 @ PALAIS NIKAIA

Apr 9 Lyon, FRANCE DEATH CREW 77 @ REPERKUSOUND FESTIVAL

Apr 1O Marseille, FRANCE DEATH CREW 77 @ DOCK DE SUDES (“VITALIC VS BLOODY BEETROOTS”)

Apr 13 Rouen, FRANCE DEATH CREW 77 @ EXO 7 FESTIVAL

Apr 14 Nantes, FRANCE DEATH CREW 77 @ OLYMPIC

Apr 15 Caen, FRANCE DEATH CREW 77 @ LE CARGO

Apr 16 Strasbourg, FRANCE DEATH CREW 77 @ ARTEFACT FESTIVAL (WITH IGGY AND THE STOOGES)

Apr 17 Bourges, FRANCE DEATH CREW 77 @ PRIMTEMPS DE BOURGES

Apr 22 San Francisco, CALIFORNIA DEATH CREW 77 @ THE INDEPENDENT

Apr 23 San Diego, CALIFORNIA DEATH CREW 77 @ HOUSE OF BLUES

Apr 24 Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA DEATH CREW 77 @ HARD LA

John Frusciante Audio Interview

While I was recently watching some videos on youtube, I surprised myself by stumbling on a lengthy 2009 audio interview (posted below in four parts) with the uber talented guitarist/musician John Frusciante (formerly of the RHCP).

The 30+ min. interview proved to be an interesting and insightful trip into Frusciante’s mind where he shared his thoughts on music, philosophy, the process of collaborating, the making of his recent solo record The Empyrean, and a lot about “intervalic relationships”.

And while I’m here, I might as well share a classic Frusciante cover of Simon and Gafunkel’s “For Emily” because simply put, the song is amazing. Plus, I’d be hard pressed to pick an artist that does a cover better justice.

Oh what’s that, don’t believe me you say? Well, then check out his rendition of Cat Steven’s “How Can I Tell You” below as well too. If that doesn’t convince you; well, at least I tried.