Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
TOUR 09'
Until September, SUNDOWNING, will be the official tour journal for TRAGWAG. We are touring across the country.
So if your around in the area, we would love to see your face! We just cut our first studio album together (Tyler's been doing this alone for ages) Its called What with the economic downturn and all... because people say that a lot and it sure is silly! However, we are both really proud of it. I did all the artwork, Tyler did all the recording. Here is the cover:
you can listen to some of the tracks at www.myspace.com/tylerbisson
We're leaving on Friday and I'm really excited. I'll update when I can!
-Ali
| SUMMER TOUR- Bisson Manor Berlin, CT | Berlin, Connecticut | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- HOUSE SHOW Maryland | Arnold, Maryland | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- Kent, OH- The Kent Stage | Kent, Ohio | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- Fearless Radio Show! Chicago, IL | Chicago, Illinois | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- St. Louis MO- The Cranky Yellow Gallery | St Louis, Missouri | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- The Vertical Violet | Wichita, Kansas | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- Colorado (Day Off) | Boulder, Colorado | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- The New Song Underground | Salt Lake City, Utah | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- Reno, NV The Xeno House | Reno, Nevada | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- CALIFORNIA Los Angeles | Los Angeles, California | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- Arizona- DAY OFF FOR DRIVING | Grand Canyon!, Arizona | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- Denton, TX- JJ’s On The Square | Denton, Texas | ||
| SUMMER TOUR- Little Fish Huge Pond- Sanford, FL | Sanford, Florida |
So if your around in the area, we would love to see your face! We just cut our first studio album together (Tyler's been doing this alone for ages) Its called What with the economic downturn and all... because people say that a lot and it sure is silly! However, we are both really proud of it. I did all the artwork, Tyler did all the recording. Here is the cover:
you can listen to some of the tracks at www.myspace.com/tylerbisson
We're leaving on Friday and I'm really excited. I'll update when I can!
-Ali
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Seaside EP
Owen (Mike Kinsella), released an EP this month. It is his first release since the acclaimed "At Home With..." which was released in November of 2006.
The 7 song release begins with "Heads Will Ache." My first reaction was "hey I know this song," setting the stage for the rest of the album. The song, although one of my favorites, is a worse version of "Everyone Feels Like You," off of Owen's sophmore album, "No Good for No one Now." He replaces the dramatic ending of the original, replacing it with soft, droaning, noodly guitar parts.
He covers "More than Words" by Extreem. I never liked the song much and I don't think he does it much justice.
He also covers Bruce Springsteens, "Stolen Car," replacing the lyrics with "Stolen Bike." This is probably the best song on the EP. Its a beautiful song. I like his version better than the original.
It includes a live recording of "In the Morning before Work," a song off the EP, released in 2004. Its a really great song, but nothing new.
He also added "I'm not Seventeen," which can be found on the "Association of Utopian Hollogram Swallowers," a 4 way split between Joan of Arc, The Love of Everything, Owen, and Make Believe. It is worth it to buy just for the Love of Everything song "Proud by Looking Down."
The only new songs are "I woke up today," and "a fever." Both decent songs in their own respects.
I have to say, I'm a little disapointed in the Seaside EP and hope to see more for his upcoming full leangth release which is due to come out in the fall. "At home with..." was of course a masterpiece. Hopefully, he can live up to its repore. I have my fingers crossed.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Next Level Shit Fest
So I've been meaning to post for a while, but I've been busy at work and what not. June 20th, I attended Next Level Shit Fest with some friends in Brattleboro VT. I've always been pleased with the scene in Brattleboro: their support, and open mindedness.
This festival was organized by community members and Pat the Bunny who plays music under the name Wingnut Dishwasher's Union, and previously, Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains.
The purpose of the day was to utilize public space as if we lived in an Anarchy, putting beside all beliefs. Here is what the pamphlet said:
"Welcome, friends, both old and new. If today is not a practice run of a new world, the perhaps it is at least a prototype of a refugee camp between this society and another. Today is about public space, and redefining the limits of what legitimate use of it is. Are the streets only for moving from home to work to shop to home? Or are they perhaps, if only for one hour a year, also for dancing?
We beg you to treat this day as if anarchy could work, in the best sense of the word: no bosses or governments, because people can take responsibility for themselves and take care of each other without being forced to. Whatever your opinion of the practicality of this idea generally, we don't think it's too much to ask you to try it out for the next 24 hours or so."
There was an acoustic show, zombie tag, a parade, and a food line, followed up by a concert. Everyone was friendly. We were all friends for the day.
Here was the bill:
Compression Fracture-
This was a dance noise band from Brattleboro. I wasn't a huge fan of them but lots of people seemed to be enjoying them.
Pre-School-
This band is what remains of Micheal Jordan Touchdown Pass which is Pat's brother's band. They were grungy but wrote neat songs and put on a really good show. I don't know if they have a myspace or not, but I've had a lot of trouble finding it. I suggest you check them out if you have a chance!
Heathers
A duo from Dublin Ireland. They absolutely blew my mind with their beautiful, harmonically driven songs. This is their second tour in the US with Ghost Mice after their debut release Here, not There. It is one of my favorite albums right now and I highly, highly suggest you get your hands on it if you can. Look them up at myspace.com/heatherswhatsyourdamage
Ghost Mice
I've never been impressed generally with Ghosts Mice despite their status as a staple folk punk band. I could never get over Chris' inability to hit pitches correctly. However, seeing them live was a different experience. I definitely enjoyed them greatly! If you haven't already checked them out, you should: http://www.myspace.com/ghostmice
Endless Mike and the Beagle Club
I've already ranted and raved about how great I think Endless Mike is. They played great. I finally got their 4 way 7" split with Wingnut, Mischief Brew, and Guitar Bomb which is pure gold except for the Guitar Bomb song. They played a great set. This band rules! www.myspace.com/beagleclub
Wingnut Dishwashers Union
This time around, Pat played with a full band which was a unique experience. He has a real talent. He recorded new/old songs with Endless Mike and is now releasing it for a donation to help start and anarchist bus collective. It sounds like a really great idea. For more information, check out: http://www.wingnutdishwashersunion.com/
Thats all for now folks!
This festival was organized by community members and Pat the Bunny who plays music under the name Wingnut Dishwasher's Union, and previously, Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains.
The purpose of the day was to utilize public space as if we lived in an Anarchy, putting beside all beliefs. Here is what the pamphlet said:
"Welcome, friends, both old and new. If today is not a practice run of a new world, the perhaps it is at least a prototype of a refugee camp between this society and another. Today is about public space, and redefining the limits of what legitimate use of it is. Are the streets only for moving from home to work to shop to home? Or are they perhaps, if only for one hour a year, also for dancing?
We beg you to treat this day as if anarchy could work, in the best sense of the word: no bosses or governments, because people can take responsibility for themselves and take care of each other without being forced to. Whatever your opinion of the practicality of this idea generally, we don't think it's too much to ask you to try it out for the next 24 hours or so."
There was an acoustic show, zombie tag, a parade, and a food line, followed up by a concert. Everyone was friendly. We were all friends for the day.
Here was the bill:
Compression Fracture-
This was a dance noise band from Brattleboro. I wasn't a huge fan of them but lots of people seemed to be enjoying them.
Pre-School-
This band is what remains of Micheal Jordan Touchdown Pass which is Pat's brother's band. They were grungy but wrote neat songs and put on a really good show. I don't know if they have a myspace or not, but I've had a lot of trouble finding it. I suggest you check them out if you have a chance!
Heathers
A duo from Dublin Ireland. They absolutely blew my mind with their beautiful, harmonically driven songs. This is their second tour in the US with Ghost Mice after their debut release Here, not There. It is one of my favorite albums right now and I highly, highly suggest you get your hands on it if you can. Look them up at myspace.com/heatherswhatsyourdamage
Ghost Mice
I've never been impressed generally with Ghosts Mice despite their status as a staple folk punk band. I could never get over Chris' inability to hit pitches correctly. However, seeing them live was a different experience. I definitely enjoyed them greatly! If you haven't already checked them out, you should: http://www.myspace.com/ghostmice
Endless Mike and the Beagle Club
I've already ranted and raved about how great I think Endless Mike is. They played great. I finally got their 4 way 7" split with Wingnut, Mischief Brew, and Guitar Bomb which is pure gold except for the Guitar Bomb song. They played a great set. This band rules! www.myspace.com/beagleclub
Wingnut Dishwashers Union
This time around, Pat played with a full band which was a unique experience. He has a real talent. He recorded new/old songs with Endless Mike and is now releasing it for a donation to help start and anarchist bus collective. It sounds like a really great idea. For more information, check out: http://www.wingnutdishwashersunion.com/
Thats all for now folks!
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Anniversary
The Anniversary
The Anniversary are a indie/emo band from Lawrence, Kansas who threw the towel in in 2004. They have a unique sound, driven by poppy keyboard riffs, and four part vocal harmonies.
"Designing a Nervous Breakdown," their 2000 release, is dark and urgent, but well balanced. I will play the entire album today because it is super.
]
"Designing a Nervous Breakdown," their 2000 release, is dark and urgent, but well balanced. I will play the entire album today because it is super.
]
Also because they're not a band anymore, here you go:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dijdghmozgb
http://www.mediafire.com/?dijdghmozgb
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Endless Mike and the Beagle Club
Sundowning will be happen 2-4 Friday afternoons. Listen at www.wuml.org or 91.5 FM if you are in the greater Lowell area.
Playlists will be posted at www.spinitron.com and we are, of course, WUML.
This weeks featured band is Endless Mike and the Beagle Club, a multifaceted folk-punk band hailing from Johnstown, PA.
Last week, my last.fm account saw 217 plays for this band (http://www.last.fm/user/aliface1815). Impossible? Not with this band. "The Husky Tenor" is one of the most fantastic albums I've heard in a long time, filled with perfect orchestraction and politically charged lyrics.
I heard of them when Tyler showed me their song on a 4 way split with Mischief Brew, Wingnut Dishwasher's Union, and Guitar Bomb. "In like and lion and out like a light," is an amazing song, influenzed by an influential article about the ethics of an anarchism. "If Bruce Springsteen's Generation was born to run, my generation was just born to run its mouth," is an example of the plays on words that are very prominant in their music.
"The Husky Tenor" has a number of upbeat and slower numbers which, in my opinion are improperly balanced throughout the album. My favorite tracks are Route 1981, This Machine Kills Pacifists, The Outlaw Trail, and Mr. Miller's Opus.
I am tempted to put this album up for download but I wont because they are local (in Johnstown) and worthy of your support.
You can listen to their music at www.myspace.com/beagleclub and of course on my show on Friday so make sure you tune in!
<3Ali
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Well First Off
Welcome to my blog. I'm doing this to talk business, and as a supplement to my summer radio show which will be starting in a couple weeks. I will post the day/time as soon as I know when it is.
My name is Alexandra, my friends call me Ali, my dad calls me Sasha. I am a music business major at Umass Lowell and my instrument is voice. I love to write and you can read my blog for that if you click here. I also enjoy photography: This is the link to my flickr.
I hate music journalism. Well, I don't hate it. But I don't like the idea of swaying people's opinions about music one way or the other. We should all decide if we like something, and then read its reviews.
Alright, down to business. Today is the 12th of May and on Thursday, Chin Up Chin Up will be playing their last show on Thursday. This is sad news to me because I think they are super great. That is them in the picture above. They are a Chicago indie-rock group in the same vein as a lot of 90's emo.
On the subject of the breakup (stolen from pitchfork):
"I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we really had intentions to keep making music together for an infinite amount of time, but just as this band began in a natural way it is naturally coming to an end. Thank you to the hundreds of people who have helped us along the way, we have been truly lucky, and as cliché as it may sound, we could not have done any of this without you."
They have three full lengths, all of which are fantastic. I highly suggest you check them out if you haven't before. Here is the Lowdown:
Selftitled/really long ep
01. Collide the Tide
02. Fuck You, Elton John
03. For All the Tanning Salons in Texas
04. The Soccer Mom Gets Her Fix
05. I'm Not Asking For A Tennis Bracelet
06. Pillage The Village
07. We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers [Stephen Snydacker Mix]
08. Falconz and Vulcanz [Acoustic Relapse]
09. The Architect Has a Gun [Ronald Simmons/Gene McDonald Mix]
00. We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers [Video]
02. Fuck You, Elton John
03. For All the Tanning Salons in Texas
04. The Soccer Mom Gets Her Fix
05. I'm Not Asking For A Tennis Bracelet
06. Pillage The Village
07. We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers [Stephen Snydacker Mix]
08. Falconz and Vulcanz [Acoustic Relapse]
09. The Architect Has a Gun [Ronald Simmons/Gene McDonald Mix]
00. We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers [Video]
This Harness Can't Ride Anything (Sophmore Album)01. This Harness Can't Ride Anything
02. Water Planes In Snow
03. We've Got To Keep Running
04. Islands Sink
05. Mansioned
06. I Need A Friend With A Boat
07. Blankets Like Beavers
08. Landlocked Lifeguards
09. Stolen Mountains
10. Trophies For Hire
We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers1. Why Is My Sleeping Bag a Ghetto Muppet?
2. We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers
3. Falcons and Vulcans
4. Virginia, Don't Drown
5. Collide the Tide
6. I Hope for Tumbleweeds
7. The Architect Has a Gun
8. Get Me Off This Fucking Island
9. I'll Be Your Avalanche
10. All My Hammocks Are Dying
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