Interview with Simon of Fanfarlo

Fanfarlo‘s lead vocalist / frontman, Simon Balthazar, took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for me.  The band is generously offering their debut album (plus some bonus tracks), Reservoir, for $1 on their website. The album will only be available online till July 4th, so grab it while you can. The album is one of my favorites of the year, and required listening. Download a couple of Fanfarlo’s gorgeous songs below and click here to read my full interview with Simon.

MP3 Luna
MP3 The Walls Are Coming Down

How did the idea come about to release your album online for $1 dollar? How has the feedback been so far?

It’s a bit of an experiment really. Since we’re not dependent on a traditional label we can sort of do whatever we want, no label would be stupid enough to sell their records for $1. But after all, if we were signed to a major label, this is how much we’d actually get. The feedback has been great – we had 10,000 people download the album in the first week.

What is your reaction to the huge online response there has been to your album? I noticed that elbo.ws ranked “Luna” and “I’m A Pilot” both in the top 10 tracks posted this week by music blogs.

We’re happy that people are picking up on it of course. I just can’t wait to get the new songs we’re working on out there.

I heard Fanfarlo was originally conceived while Simon was taking shelter in a forest from a snowstorm in Sweden. Care to elaborate on that?

This is one of Amos’s lies. (However it’s true that I grew up pretty much in the forest, in Sweden. And I was once snowed in after a snowstorm, but let’s save that story for another time.) The truth is that Fanfarlo is the result of a derailed book circle.

We'll Stick Together Forever

You guys have heard Japandroids by now, right? I’m not so great at keeping up with all the musics flooding the intercool*. I prefer to digest my music until I have a firm grasp on it, instead of consuming it an moving on to the next thing. That’s not to say the latter approach is all bad, but it’s not for me. I’ve always thought there was something to old maxim of quality over quantity. With that being said, Post-Nothing is one of those albums I’ve spent a lot of time with over the past few months, and I recommend you do the same (if you haven’t already).

Post-Nothing is the sound of the nostalgia for a time before jobs, debt, or responsibilities in general. “Young Hearts Spark Fire” perfectly sums up the album with the lines: “We used to dream/Now we worry about dying.” The album captures that feeling of a time when many people’s chief concerns were being young and stupid with no regard for consequences. The only thing “Wet Hair” is worried about is getting to France to french kiss some French girls. The simplicity of the album is what makes it great; the songs are built around a basic structure with a few repeated lyrics, but it never feels lacking. It’s the sound of two friends making one hell of a racket and having a blast while they’re at it. When you’ve got it down, why go and mess things up by getting all complicated? Sometimes a few bars can communicate more than an entire album.

Japandroids strike a beautiful balance among the current wave of lo-fi bands that have been popping up the past few months. The production is noisy and the band is loud enough to make a statement, but the songs are so good that it doesn’t matter. The spot of irony is that if the record probably would sound fine if it wasn’t so loud, but then it would lose the sense of urgency that is one of its most appealing features. They don’t have time to check if the guitars are too fuzzy or if the vocals are mixed too low. It’s as if Japandroids absolutely must get the songs out as quickly as possible or risk losing them altogether. Beneath everything though, Post-Nothing is full of songs that burrow down into the folds of your gray matter and propagate until they take over and you can’t help yourself from breaking out into a wide grin and shouting along. And maybe getting into some trouble, too.

Oh yeah, and the guys just signed to Polyvinyl, who are going to re-release Post-Nothing on CD later this year. All you iPod and turntable types can score it right now, though.

MP3 Japandroids – Young Hearts Spark Fire
MP3 Japandroids – Wet Hair

*Can we all start calling it this, please?

Sunny Day Real Estate Reunion Mix

I can not begin to express how excited I am for the Sunny Day Real Estate reunion tour, the first time all four original bandmembers will play together since 1995.  Their debut album Diary helped shape my entire musical outlook and is still one of my all-time favorite albums.  I was just getting into the band as they were disbanding, I was never able to see them even in their second incarnation without Nate Mendel (who had joined Foo Fighters). Since their breakup the bandmembers haven’t exactly kept quiet, frontman Jeremy Enigk has had a successful solo career, Mendel continued to play bass with Foo Fighters, and three of the members released a project under the title The Fire Theft.  Nothing though has yet compared to the music the band made under the SDRE moniker.  I tried not to get my hopes up when initial talks of their reunion came up earlier this year but I really couldn’t help it and started texting friends to make initial plans to go see the band and discussing possible setlists.

Well, as you may have heard, yesterday the reunion tour was confirmed. I’ll get my chance to see the band that I had previously removed from my “bands to see before I die” and added to my “bands I never saw” list, which is an awesome thing. Jeremy Enigk and co. will be playing in Chicago at The Metro on September 24, which is where I will be among an ocean of presumably diehard fans.  I recognize not everyone is familiar with the band’s brilliance, but their influence is more appparent now than ever.  So to celebrate the news and hopefully bring a few more into the Sunny Day Real Estate fold here’s a mix of seven of my favorite SDRE songs.

MP3 Sunny Day Real Estate – Seven
MP3 Sunny Day Real Estate – Red Elephant
MP3 Sunny Day Real Estate – How It Feels To Be Something On
MP3 Sunny Day Real Estate – Song About An Angel
MP3 Sunny Day Real Estate – Guitar and Video Games
MP3 Sunny Day Real Estate – In Circles
MP3 Sunny Day Real Estate – The Rising Tide

Sub Pop Records will be re-releasing the band’s first two albums, Diary and LP2, on vinyl in September. Go to the band’s website for the full tour dates.

NewVillager

Absolute innovation is generally the outcome of East meeting West. Ben Bromley and Ross Simonini form the bi-coastal-one-worded duo NewVillager (CA+NY).  However common it is for our generation of musicians to produce one hit wonders, I can only expect great things from these two. Ben and Ross both are heavily inspired by a textual consciousness; avid readers, in a sense, shape-shifting these complex perspectives into music we breathe to.

I mean, really? Where shall I start? From the hand-claps and empty-room-percussion to the catchy, synthesized vocals that make me forget I don’t know how to dance. They’re fresh, youthful, and so in the “now.” “Rich Doors” exemplifies their ability to bend from the experimental plane and define space in an empty room. “Ghenghis On” on the other hand elaborates on a cognitive warp without straying away from the dance floor. NewVillager is undoubtedly an act to follow this year. Although there is no word on the date of their album debut, I feel it is only wise for artists with such an addictive sound to release their work a-song-at-a-time. I mean, really, it’s just better that way.

MP3 NewVillager – Rich Doors
MP3 NewVillager – Ghenghis On

Passion Pit / Harlem Shakes – Live @ Empty Bottle

After spending the day in uptown Chicago, we arrived at the sold-out Empty Bottle for Passion Pit and Harlem Shakes. The hipsters were out in full force to see the bands, which have been two of the most heavily buzzed new artists of the year on the back of two fantastic debut albums. I’m of big fan of both Manners and Technicolor Health, and was anxious to see if their live shows lived up to the hype.

MP3 Cale Parks – One at a Time

After a short and sweet performance from electronica multi-instrumentalist Cale Parks (Aloha frontman gone solo artist), Harlem Shakes took the stage. Technicolor Health is one of the most jubilant and upbeat albums of the year, and the band did a great job of translating the enthusiasm of the songs to a live setting. It was apparent that the band were great instrumentalists as well as pop-songwriters from their set. The group utilized a mixture of  guitar, keyboards, saxophone and flutes during their set and at times they would all be on percussion.

The band seemed to be having a lot of fun on stage, smiling at each other and trying out a number of rock star moves (Todd Goldstein, the guitarist, was particularly fun to watch). Each song came off wonderfully but “Strictly Game”, “Sunlight”, and “Natural Man” were my faves and judging by the crowd bouncing and singing a-long, the band’s infectious pop tunes are finding an increasing number of fans.

MP3 Harlem Shakes – Strictly Game
MP3 Harlem Shakes – Sunlight

Passion Pit have proved with their debut album Manners to be one of the most exciting new bands in the indie scene, from what I saw of their set at Empty Bottle last weekend though, their live show could use some work. The first problem I noticed was their stage set-up. Lead singer Michael Angelakos had his keyboard set up in the middle of the stage facing the wall, essentially alienating half of the crowd. (the half I was standing in). If you’re just there to jump around and get down then I guess that’s fine but some people, myself included, actually like to watch the singer while they perform. The sound wasn’t great either. Too bass-heavy for my liking and Michael’s vocals weren’t nearly as strong as they are on record.

If you were only judging by crowd participation though, the band killed. The place was bumpin’ off the hook. If you’re looking for a pure club-style dance party, you aren’t going to be disappointed with their show. My opinion is probably also tainted by the fact that I was only able to catch half their set and had to miss my favorite of their songs including “Moth’s Wings” and “Sleepyhead”.  All in all, the show is a fun time I just hope that as Passion Pit continue to fine-tune their live show, they’ll work on some of their sound and performance issues.

MP3 Passion Pit – Moths’ Wings
MP3 Passion Pit – Little Secrets

View some more of my pictures after the jump (all the pictures + setlist are here)…

OK, so… let's just cover the basics.

I told Taylor I’d forfeit a good night’s rest to keep his entries current.

Well, here I am, at 1:00 in the morning. I’m not the most willing when it comes to introspective writing. I’ve attempted three times already to do this intro piece in a third-person format. No luck. I couldn’t get my pronouns right, and well, the whole idea was just corny. I deleted about a page-worth of stuff. That sounds ridiculous, I know, but unlike my other blogs, people are actually going to read this.

OK, so… let’s just cover the basics.

My name is Cheryse, I was born and raised in a town called Hilo (Hawaii), think Rural Albert Advantage, minus Alberta Advantage. I had no choice but to rake the internet for music and buy AA batteries like most buy cigarettes. My favorite pastime consisted of file-sharing on dial-up and hogging the headphones at Borders. I downloaded my very first MP3 in an AOL chat room. It was a completely automated love-affair that has evolved into absolute respect for bands, artists, and musicians. Now, living in the heart of Seattle (Washington), I don’t take my hearing ability for granted. I am very band-loyal, but a good show is a good show and I find myself at a lot of them–almost always by accident which is starting to lessen the importance of making plans. The “blogosphere” and shuffle button has proven false the idea of needing to be in the mood to hear anything. Although my father’s nostalgia has nurtured my partiality to folk and attention to lyric, I’m big on percussive instruments and am real sucker for pop-sensibility. I’ve got a spot for Electro as well and it’s never surprising to see the two come together in a remix.

I wouldn’t know where to categorize myself if it ever came down to it, maybe somewhere in between Jim Croce’s “Gunga Din” and Helio Sequence’s “Broken Afternoon.” This sort of reference of sameness is probably the most apparent in my writing, connecting the past and the present, with some silly grip on the future. I can’t see it very clearly, but… it sounds good.

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(Ed Note: Everyone give a warm welcome to Cheryse, who like Barack Obama was born and raised in the Aloha State and then moved to the mainland only to take a prestigous position. Obama = President. Cheryse = musicforants.com blog writer. Pretty much the same thing, right?

Anyway, Cheryse’s gonna be great and won’t do anything crazy like swat flies. She’s just getting started on Twitter and needs some more followers, click here to make it happen.)

Zounds Sounds

I spent a summer in Australia a few years back and had a great time (if you’ve been reading this blog for a while you may remember). Now my sister* is in Aussieland for her summer.  I admit that was a blatant shout-out and really has nothing to do with the rest of the post, except for the fact that Dappled Cities (who I featured here back when they were known as “Dappled Cities Fly”) are also from the land down under and they have a new album called Zounds coming out this year.

The first single from the album is called “The Price” and the song is utter brilliance. It’s head-boppin’ pop music on a grand scale. The track has crunchy guitars, vast keyboards, huge drum fills, and vocals that glide over the sonic landscape. It truly comes alive on headphones and reveals even more layers (like the touches of electronica frolicking in the background). If you’re into intelligent pop music with a full-bodied sound look no further (and check out for Zounds later this summer on Dangerbird Records)

MP3 Dappled Cities – The Price

Here’s one of my faves from their last album, Granddance:

MP3 Dappled Cities – Fire Fire Fire

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In related news, Dangerbird Records is celebrating having a #1 Rock single with Silversun Pickups – “Panic Switch”.  (The last song from an independent label to do this was The Offspring – Come Out And Play which was 11 years ago.) I posted the video premiere for “Panic Switch” at my mtvU gig. Sweet!

*Hey Katherine!

Can we be best friends now?

Taylor asked me to write a little something introducing myself, which I think might be the most awkward thing you can ask someone to write. It’s a little like staring at a wall and saying, “Hi, my name is Matt. I’m going to be writing about music.” Except, I guess people write on the wall every now and then. And anyone can come to the wall at any time and hear me. OK, I guess the wall metaphor breaks down pretty quickly.

If you must know, and in case this is the first paragraph you’re reading, my name is Matt. People call me Matt (which I like), Matthew (which I like more), and Matty G (which I haven’t been called in a while, but is how many people know me.) I’m in my mid-20s, graduated from college, and currently work at a bookstore that pays slightly more than minimum wage. (Don’t major in journalism kids. Or, if you do, at least have a super-human drive to find a job.) I’m from East Peoria, Illinois, I enjoy being left alone, and I like chicken and waffles. I wrote for Tiny Mix Tapes for a few years (where I was known as Matty G) and then for Illinois State University’s Daily Vidette.

As far as the kind of music I dig, I listen to whatever strikes me as good. Which I guess means I listen to whatever I want. I enjoy a challenge; I like listening to difficult records that it takes me a while to wrap my head around. I live for those moments where I can crack open an album and devour it’s gooey insides until my belly is full and I have a food baby named Marcus. If it’s good, I like it. And I’m well aware that the term “good” is completely subjective.

I think that pretty much covers it. Can we be best friends now?

(Ed Note: I’m really excited to have Matt on board here. This guy is a bulldozer with a wrecking ball attached, which is to say he has some mad skills. Also, click here to check out Matt’s updates on Twitter.)

Phoenix – Live @ Park West

French pop sensations, Phoenix, have been one of the most talked / raved about bands of 2009, and for good reason. Their magnifencent fourth album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix has already sparked two huge singles and is a strong AOTY contender.  I’ve heard some great things about the band’s live show, so I wasn’t about to miss the chance to see them in Chicago this past weekend, the first date of a two-week trek through North America (not counting their performance at Bonnaroo the day before).  Needless to say, the band put on a mind-blowing performance, in front of an rapturous crowd.

This was my first time at Park West and I was very impressed with the theater. It’s a very stylish, elegant venue (which made it perfect for the band) and the wide-scale openess of the place allowed for an abundance of great viewing angles. I was less dazzled by the opening band, Amazing Baby. I admit, I didn’t give them my full attention but they failed to leave an impression on me.  They definitely needed some stronger hooks to pull me in, hooks which headliners Phoenix generously provided throughout their phenomenal 90-minute set.

The excitement level of the audience went through the roof as Phoenix took the stage to “Lisztomania”, a song which continues to further it’s status as the ubiquitous indie rock summer jam. The crowd took the appropriate reaction by providing the “mania” to the song’s title. I’d be hard-pressed to find a more escatic crowd then the one that graced Park West that night, singing along to every word. The band had no problem matching the crowd’s energy.  They hit high after high for the next half hour of the set, with a perfect succession of songs from It’s Never Been Like That, “Long Distance Call”, “Consolation Prizes” and “Napoleon Says”. They combination of those songs one after another, absolutely tore the place down. “Napoleon” was especially brilliant with singer Thomas Mars leading the crowd in the rallying cry “Right hand in a trench coat” and the drummer putting his entire body into every pound of the snare.

The band paced themselves through the mid-half of the set, playing some Wolfgang with “Lasso” and both movements of “Love Like A Sunset” (which provided a nice instrumental break from the upbeat sing-a-longs) as well as some early tracks from United and Alphabetical. The set ended with their their Lost in Translation soundtrack-gracing single “Too Young” and the two more exceptional new tracks “Girlfriend” and “Rome”.  The band saved the best for the encore though with “1901”, a song which absolutely exploded out of the speakers and brought an extended outro which had Thomas wandering through the crowd and signing the last refrain on a table in the middle of the theatre. The band succeeded in putting on a thrilling, breathtaking concert. The night was a complete triumph and ranks among the best shows I’ve witnessed.

MP3 Phoenix – Lisztomania
MP3 Phoenix – Napoleon Says

View the more of my pictures + setlist after the jump (the entire set is here)…

Looking for a writer (or two). *UPDATE*

UPDATE : Thanks for all of the responses. I have all the writing samples I need now, and I’m getting very close to making final decisions. Applications are now closed.

With working two jobs and blogging for mtvU, I haven’t had as much time as I’d like to dedicate to this blog. I find myself in a tricky situation, because I’m very much a strong believer of quality over quantity, but I’d also like to feature more new bands / album reviews / live reviews on here. The solution I’ve come to is add a writer (or two) to the Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good staff. Interested? Read on:

I’m now officially seeking a guy / gal with excellent music taste and formidable writing skills for one or two posts a week. Since my ad revenue is next to zilch these days, I unfortunately can not offer monetary compensation. What I can give you, though, is the opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions on music to the world (your posts will, potentially, reach thousands of people). You also get access to lots of free music / concert guest lists. Plus there’s that warm, fuzzy you get from supporting good music and it’s a great way to sharpen your writing skills (and it’s fun).

If you’re interested, submit a short writing sample to my email: musicforants@mac.com (with a subject line that’ll stand out). Nothing fancy just a paragraph or two would be fine. Feel free to include a little bit about yourself and any questions you may have as well. If you can take half-decent concert photo that’s a huge bonus. I’m really looking forward to reading these and (hopefully) working with some of you. Thank you!

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Some inspiration:

MP3 The Beatles – Paperback Writer