Officially Calling Bullshit

So, not everyone at Stark always agrees on things. That's the beauty of this little site. Andrew hates Animal Collective, but others here including me, really love them. Our newest reviewer Deanna McLafferty recently wrote a mixed, but fairly glowing review of the new Bon Iver EP Blood Bank. Well folks, I'm officially calling bullshit on this EP. Here's why. The other day I saw it priced in Virgin Meagastore for $13.99. WTF. I mean, really?? It's FOUR songs. $3.96 on iTunes. Ok, this is probably more of a label thing than a Mr. Vernon thing. But the music. You have "Blood Bank" which is a fairly good tune. A B+ in my book. It could be on For Emma, but it would be mediocre at best there. The rest of the EP consists of 3 forgettable, toss-away tracks, including one devastating trip through hell courtesy of the bain of '08, the Auto-Tune machine. There is no reason except for money, that this EP should have come out. It pales in comparison to the worst tracks on For Emma. I could go on here, but I'm not. Justin Vernon is a talented fellow, and I know he is certainly better than this EP. At least I hope so.

Love,
Matt

Vetiver -Tight Knit

Release Date: Feb. 17, 2009
Label: Sub Pop
MP3: "Everyday"
Rating: 92
____________

We are only Shortaking one album today; it just happens to be Vetiver's fourth album, Tight Knit. Andy Cabic & Co. teeter on perfection with this release. The album moves fluidly from each softly and masterfully crafted acoustic offering to the next. Certain albums, such as Fleet Foxes' 2008 debut, just feel elementally right; they are devoid of hiccups. They establish a mood and theme from song one, in Tight Knit's case, "Rolling Sea," and produce subtle variations with each tune thereafter. Vetiver have found the formula. Cabic's songwriting is safe, but intrinsic. From the ethereal "Down From Above," to the bouncing freshness of "On The Other Side," the album feels complete. Each song compliments the next in soothing fashion until the album's end. Best of 2009 lists?

Cowboy Songs

[mp3]
Sam Amidon "Saro" (Removed upon request)

I'm not really one for posting a lot of personal stuff on this blog, mostly it's tour news, mp3s and the like. But I have to say, for some reason Vermont native Sam Amidon is really doing it for me today. His soft folk songs are some of the most authentic and true sounding American music compositions I've heard in a long time. They're slow, mournful and lonesome, recalling the American west at sundown or some snow storm out on the plains. Just wanted to let you all know that you should really check him out if you haven't. Amidon collaborates with a ton of amazing musicians like Nico Muhley, Olof Arnalds, Doveman, and Shahzad Ismaily. Amidon's newest record is called All is Well and he is coming to New York's Mercury Lounge with Anthallo on March 4th. See him shooting a can Townes Van Zandt style while singing shirtless after the jump. Yeah, he's a little out. UPDATE: "Saro" video also included ATJ.



cowboy song from Sam Amidon on Vimeo.

"Saro"

New Deer Tick Dates - SXSW + MP3

[mp3]
Deer Tick "Long Time"

From amazingly bizarre cell phone calls, to drunken-backstage antics, John McCauley a.k.a Deer Tick has catapulted himself into position as one of our favorite people of '09. His debut record War Elephant has been a constant fixture on our iPods since its original release more than a year ago. Partisan Records ended up re-issuing War Elephant on November 11, 2008 after a limited run on Jana Hunter's short-lived Feow! label. Partisan recently announced that it will release the band's sophomore album, Born on Flag Day, later in 2009. He's playing SXSW and a full run of dates with lots of Stark approved, independent a.k.a "indie" rock 'n roll stars. Go see him.


DEER TICK

Fri-Feb-13 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom *
Sat-Feb-14 Northampton, MA Iron Horse #
Sun-Feb-15 New Haven, CT Café Nine #
Mon-Feb-16 Albany, NY Madison Grille
Wed-Feb-18 Ft. Wayne, IN The Brass Rail
Thu-Feb-19 Rock Island, IL Ribco
Fri-Feb-20 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle &
Sat-Feb-21 Bloomington, IN Cinemat
Sun-Feb-22 Jamestown, NY Labyrinth Press Company
Mon-Feb-23 York, PA First Capital Dispensing Co.
Tue-Feb-24 Boston, MA TT the Bears %
Fri-Feb-27 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live %
Sat-Feb-28 Pittsburgh, PA Club Café %
Sun-Mar-01 Washington, DC 930 Club %
Mon-Mar-02 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom %
Wed-Mar-04 Toronto, ONT Horseshoe Tavern %
Thu-Mar-05 Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place %
Fri-Mar-06 Columbus, OH Skully's %
Sat-Mar-07 Cincinanati, OH Southgate House %
Sun-Mar-08 Asheville, NC Orange Peel %
Mon-Mar-09 Charleston, SC Tin Roof ^
Wed-Mar-11 Tallahassee, FL The Engine Room
Fri-Mar-13 Louisville, KY Headliner's %
Sat-Mar-14 Nashville, TN The Mercy Lounge %
Mon-Mar-16 New Orleans, LA Clever
Tue-Mar-17 Houston, TX Rudyard's
Mar 18 - 21 Austin, TX SXSW
Tue-Mar-24 Birmingham, AL Bottletree $
Wed-Mar-25 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn $
Thu-Mar-26 Durham, NC Duke Univeristy Coffeehouse $
Fri-Mar-27 Baltimore, MD The G-Spot $

* = w/ THALIA ZEDEK BAND, THE WEIGHT
# = w/ MARISSA NADLER
% = w/ JASON ISBELL
$ = w/ PHOSPHORESCENT
& = w/ FUTURE CLOUDS AND RADAR, ANNI ROSSI
^ = w/ CARY ANN HEARST

A Quick Inquisition with Ari Gold of The Honey Brothers

STARK vs. ARI GOLD of THE HONEY BROTHERS

We caught The Honey Brothers last Saturday night at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Yes, most of the people there just seemed to want to make out with Vinny Chase, err, I mean Adrian Grenier. So I'm sure it came as a great relief to them that although Grenier is just the drummer, his drumset had good viewing placement, plus he strummed a guitar and sang for a few numbers.

But honestly, even though it may just be the success of Grenier that's propelled these boys to semi-stardom, Honey Brothers are much better than other vanity projects like Dogstar (Keanu Reeves.) They've even been compared to the Silver Jews, the Beach Boys and Ween by Village Voice.

And I really do appreciate ukelele player and vocalist Ari Gold's (real name? I'm not sure) whimsy. He was nice enough tell us about the band meeting at Ukelele Fantasy Camp, Bohemia and a utopia of love...

Catch Lauren Mooney's interview with Ari Gold after the jump.

What was Ukelele Fantasy Camp like? Is that where you guys met?

Ukulele fantasy camp is a state of mind, like Bohemia. As soon as you hold a curvy little uke in your hands you are At Camp™. Dory was the first among us to play the uke, and I was the first to become obsessed by it, when Dory lent me his. Truth is I was just tired of being stuck behind a drum set and I wanted an instrument that would fit into a backpack, since I like to travel. But the band starting singing around the uke and walking the streets with it, so At Camp was in the streets of New York. You can't be a bad ass at Ukelele Fantasy Camp and it's not possible to be cool, so the normal social struggles of camp do not apply. There are no cool kids at our camp, and that's a relief. Can you imagine a bully with a ukulele?

You were quoted on your MySpace bio as saying, "I think our music is trying to find the utopia of love in a world that might be going to shit." What is your current take on the world? And how exactly do you think your music helps find utopia of love?

Well, having just played two shows amidst the beauty of Washington DC as Obama was being inaugurated, we are feeling a little more hopeful about the world. But there is a lot of struggle and trouble in life, and if you can make music with your friends and try to enjoy every moment, then you are in a utopia of love. If we all end up as roving tribes of people eating nuts and berries in a few years, we hope that we'll still be able to maintain a good mood by playing music.

Dream people to play live with?

Metallica, David Bowie, Toots and the Maytals, David Byrne, Igor Stravinsky.

What's next for the Honey Brothers?

We have a bunch of new songs in our "new wave folk" vein and plan to record an album this summer. Meanwhile, we might make a movie, a solo record, or act in a TV show if we have to to get by.

Tour Alert: Chairlift, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

[MP3]

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - "Seven Mile Island"

Still reeling from the Apple commercial = success of their 2008 release, Does You Inspire You, Brooklyn's dreamy Chairlift are set to embark on a North American tour. Chairlift join YACHT, PB&J and Sebastian Tellier on this tour.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are gearing up to release their newest self-titled record Feb. 17 on Lightning Rod. In support of the LP, the band is heading out on a massive tour.

Dates for both artists after the jump.


Chairlift Tour Dates:
Sat. Feb. 7 - Miami, FL - White Room
Fri. Feb. 13 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Academy of Music w/Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Sat. Mar. 7 - New York, NY - Santos Partyhouse
Fri. Mar. 13 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop w/YACHT
Sat. Mar. 14 - Chicago, IL - Schuba's w/YACHT
Mon. Mar. 16 - St. Louis, MO - Gargoyle Club w/YACHT
Tues. Mar. 17 - Lawrence, KS - The Jackpot Saloon w/YACHT
Wed. Mar. 18 - Norman, OK - Opolis w/YACHT
Thurs. Mar. 19 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Fri. Mar. 20 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Sun. Mar. 22 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues Pontiac Garage w/YACHT
Mon. Mar. 23 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live w/YACHT
Tues. Mar. 24 - Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon w/YACHT
Wed. Mar. 25 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues Parish w/YACHT
Thurs. Mar. 26 - Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder w/YACHT
Fri. Mar. 27 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club w/YACHT, Kuroma
Sat. Mar. 28 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In w/Kuroma
Mon. April 13 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey w/Sebastian Tellier
Tues. April 14 - Vancouver, BC - Richards On Richards w/Sebastian Tellier
Wed. April 15 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge w/Sebastian Tellier
Fri. April 17 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent w/Sebastian Tellier
Sun. April 19 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
Tues. April 21 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Café w/Peter Bjorn & John
Wed. April 22 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre w/Peter Bjorn & John
Thurs. April 23 - Chicago, IL - Metro w/Peter Bjorn & John
Fri. April 24 - Newport, KY - Southgate House w/Peter Bjorn & John
Sat. April 25 - Toronto, ONT - Phoenix Theatre w/Peter Bjorn & John

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Previously announced dates:
Thu-Feb-12 Birmingham, AL Workplay
Sat-Feb-14 Florence, AL Shoals Theater
Tue-Feb-17 Athens, GA Georgia Theatre
Wed-Feb-18 Atlanta, GA The Earl
Fri-Feb-20 Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theatre
Sat-Feb-21 Richmond, VA The National
Sun-Feb-22 Harrisonburg, VA The Pub
Tue-Feb-24 Boston, MA TT the Bears
Thu-Feb-26 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Fri-Feb-27 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live
Sat-Feb-28 Pittsburgh, PA Club Cafe
Sun-Mar-01 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Mon-Mar-02 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
Wed-Mar-04 Toronto, ONT Horseshoe Tavern
Thu-Mar-05 Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place
Fri-Mar-06 Columbus, OH The Rumba Café
Sat-Mar-07 Cincinnati, OH Southgate House
Sun-Mar-08 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
Fri-Mar-13 Louisville, KY Headliner's
Sat-Mar-14 Nashville, TN The Mercy Lounge
Mar 18 - 22 Austin, TX SXSW

Sons of Roswell support 2/12 and 2/14
Benji Hughes supports 2/17 - 2/ 22 and 3/8
Deer Tick supports 2/24, 2/27 - 3/14

NEW TOUR DATES:
Tue-Mar-24 Memphis, TN The Hi-Tone
Wed-Mar-25 Little Rock, AR Sticky Fingerz
Thu-Mar-26 Oklahoma City, OK Wormy Dog Saloon
Sat-Mar-28 Telluride, CO Sheridan Opera House
Mon-Mar-30 Flagstaff, AZ Green Room
Tue-Mar-31 Tucson, AZ Club Congress
Thu-Apr-02 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland
Fri-Apr-03 San Francisco, CA The Independent
Sat-Apr-04 Sacramento, CA Blue Lamp
Sun-Apr-05 Portland, OR Doug Fir
Mon-Apr-06 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern
Wed-Apr-08 TBD
Thu-Apr-09 Aspen, CO Belly Up
Fri-Apr-10 Vail, CO The Sand Bar
Sat-Apr-11 Denver, CO The Bluebird
Sun-Apr-12 Kansas City, MO Knuckleheads
Tue-Apr-14 Lincoln, NE Knickerbockers
Wed-Apr-15 St. Paul, MN The Turf Club
Thu-Apr-16 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
Fri-Apr-17 Chicago, IL Double Door
Fri-Apr-24 Auburn, AL Strutting Duck (Outdoors)
Sat-Apr-25 Oxford, MS Double Decker Arts Festival (3:30PM)

3/24 - 4/17 Justin Townes Earle supports

STARK PRESENTS BLAIR 2/16 AT PIANOS

The Golden Filter

[mp3]

The Golden Filter "Solid Gold"
The Golden Filter "Moonlight Fantasy"

We've been highly anticipating more music from the ultra-elusive NY group The Golden Filter. They have been all over of-late releasing tracks and remixing Peter Bjorn & John, Cut Copy, and the awesome Empire of the Sun. They come from the Italians Do It Better school of electro- disco-pop, which is honestly damn fine with us. With Infectious melody, well produced beats and lovely female vocals The Golden Filter are fixed to be one of the more under the radar standouts of this genre in 2009. We're heading out to Le Poisson Rouge this Friday to catch The Golden Filter in one of their first North American shows. After NY, they head to Europe and SXSW before setting out on a tour with the Presets, which finds them back at Webster Hall April 3. The LPR show is being presented by Friction NYC and also includes Heartsrevolution, Pink Skull, and DJ's Finger on the Pulse. Going to be awesome. Tour dates and a video after the jump.




Upcoming Shows
Jan 29 2009 Talking Head Club (TaxLo) Baltimore, Maryland
Jan 30 2009 Le Poisson Rouge w/ Heartsrevolution, Pink Skull New York City, New York
Mar 14 2009 NEVEREVERLAND @The Coronet London, London and South East
Mar 18 2009 SXSW TBA Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2009 SXSW TBA Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 SXSW TBA Austin, Texas
Mar 21 2009 SXSW TBA Austin, Texas
Mar 22 2009 SXSW TBA Austin, Texas
Mar 27 2009 Club Downunder at Florida State University w/ The Presets Talahassee, Florida
Mar 28 2009 WMC - TBA Miami, Florida
Mar 29 2009 Common Grounds w/ The Presets Gainesville, Florida
Mar 30 2009 Masquerade (Hell Stage) w/ The Presets Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 31 2009 Cats Cradle w/ The Presets Carrboro, North Carolina
Apr 1 2009 9:30 Club w/ The Presets Washington DC, Washington DC
Apr 3 2009 Webster Hall w/ The Presets New York City, New York
Apr 4 2009 Paradise w/ The Presets Boston, Massachusetts
Apr 5 2009 Studio Juste Pour Rire w/ The Presets Montreal, Quebec
Apr 6 2009 The Mod Club w/ The Presets Toronto, Ontario
Apr 7 2009 The Grog Shop w/ The Presets Cleveland, Ohio
Apr 8 2009 Metro w/ The Presets Chicago, Illinois
Apr 10 2009 Bluebird Theatre w/The Presets Denver, Colorado
Apr 11 2009 Murray Theatre w/ The Presets Murray, Utah
Apr 13 2009 Commodore Ballroom w/ The Presets Vancouver, British Columbia
Apr 14 2009 Nuemos w/ The Presets Seattle, Washington
Apr 15 2009 Hawthorne Theatre w/ the Presets Portland, Oregon
Apr 17 2000 Mezzanine w/ the Presets San Francisco, California
Apr 20 2009 The Glass House w/The Presets Pomona, California

Welcome Home, John Forte

Featured:

JOHN FORTE and TALIB KWELI "Homecoming"

If we have one thing to thank George W. Bush for during his time as President, it's the commutation he granted rapper/producer John Forte in November, effectively releasing him from prison in December after a seven-year sentence. Forte, best known for his brilliant work with The Fugees in the 90s and two unheralded solo records (1998's Poly Sci and 2000's I, John,) was convicted on drug charges in 2000 and was sentenced to 14 years in a Pennsylvania prison. After his incarceration, celebrities and politicans (like Carly Simon (?!) and Sen. Orrin Hatch) actively campaigned on the behalf of Forte, believing that he didn't receive a fair trial. With the help of Hatch, Bush commuted Forte's prison sentence and the man has come home.

Immediately after getting released, Forte teamed up with Talib Kweli to record the appropriately-titled "Homecoming," which samples Kanye West's song of the same name. Forte wastes no time addressing his life in prison and his newfound freedom, and the accompanying video is a gritty, behind-the-scenes snapshot of his and Kweli's studio collaboration. Feels good to have you back, John. We missed you so much that we gave you an On The Blog Reel. Almost makes up for those seven years in prison, no? Video's after the jump.


"Homecoming" John Forte + Talib Kweli from The ICU on Vimeo.

John Updike RIP

John Updike 1932-2009

I can't say it better than the NY Times, but the Times surely can't say it better than Updike himself. A favorite Updike quotation, in remembrance:

"But are they to be trusted? Are they – words – anything substantial upon which we can rest our weight? The best writers say so. Sometimes I believe it. But the illogic of the belief bothers me: From whence did words gather this intrinsic potency? The source of language, the spring from which all these shadows (tinted alliterative, shapely, but still shadows) flow, as itself in shadow."

– John Updike, The Early Stories Amazon

Ashley Herriman - Stark Contributing Writer

Photo: AP Photo/James Nachtwey/VII

Soul Brother

Dan Auerbach "My Last Mistake"

2/10 - Nonesuch

So we just happen to be on a major soul music kick recently. We've been rocking some Staple Singers, Betty LaVette and numerous Eccentric Soul records. Not to mention, we've been spinning the Stanley Brothers' Sweeter Than the Flowers pretty hard of late as well. So when we read the PR about the new Dan Auerbach record Keep It Hid, we were psyched. While we're checking the box every day for the advance, (hopefully today) the first sample of the record sounds pretty tasty. Black Key Auerbach has been all over recently, most notably producing Jessica Lea Mayfield's lovely record With Blasphemy So Heartfelt. We've managed to put aside our differences and have come around on Those Darlins who will be touring with Auerbach over the coming months. Dates after the jump.

On his solo debut, Black Keys singer and guitarist Dan Auerbach takes a simple approach: "I just wanted to do the things I loved." For Auerbach, that means combining elements of bluegrass a la the Stanley Brothers, mournful country balladry, Memphis-style R&B, fuzzed-out psychedelic rock and low-down blues on this collection of 14 original tunes, which Auerbach self produced and recorded with friends and family at his newly built studio, Akron Analog. "It's all just soul music," he says, and Keep It Hid is soulful indeed.

KEEP IT HID TRACK LISTING
SIDE A
Trouble Weighs a Ton
I Want Some More
Heartbroken, In Disrepair
Because I Should
Whispered Words
Real Desire
When the Night Comes

SIDE B
Mean Monsoon
The Prowl
Keep It Hid
My Last Mistake
When I Left the Room
Street Walkin'
Goin' Home
_______________________________


DAN AUERBACH ON TOUR
Feb 28 - 9:30 Club - Washington DC, Washington DC
Mar 1 - Paradise Club - Boston, Massachusetts
Mar 2 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, New York
Mar 3 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, New York
Mar 5 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 6 - Metro - Chicago, Illinois
Mar 7 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mar 10 - The Showbox - Seattle, Washington
Mar 11 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, Oregon
Mar 13 - Bimbo's - San Francisco, California
Mar 14 - El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, California

Toubab Krewe Offers Late Night, Dance Party Playlist

Photo credit: Paul Chandler

Who said Western-African-influenced-rock-psyche-jam-pop can't come from Asheville, N.C.? Toubab Krewe has been pulling it off since their formation in 2005. Playing festivals such as Bonnaroo and the ever-obscure, Desert in Essakane fest in Mali, this band has synthesised and absorbed music from the road. Drawing elements from Mali's own Tinariwen as well as Toumani Diabaté, their African-style jams add new life to a somewhat fleeting music scene. They were recently featured on NPR's All Things Considered and have a new release titled, Live at the Orange Peel. What are these guys listening to while on the road? Well, they recently offered their post-show, after-hours playlist via Myspace. There is real eclectic mix of music here, all of which deserve a good listen. Dig it here. They are also on tour right now with dates after the jump.


Jan 29 - Columbia, SC - Headliners Mainstage
Jan 30 - Greensboro, NC - The Blind Tiger
Feb 5 - Wilmington, NC - Soapbox
Feb 6 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
Feb 7 - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre
Feb 13 - Knoxville, TN - Bijou Theatre
Feb 14 - Atlanta, GA - Smiths Old Bar
Feb 18 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In
Feb 19 - Bloomington, IN - Bluebird Nightclub
Feb 20 - Champaign, IL - Cowboy Monkey
Feb 21 - Kansas City, MO - Crosstown Station
Feb 26 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre
Feb 27 - Denver, CO - Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
Feb 28 - Dillon, CO - Arapahoe Basin Ski and Snowboard Area
Feb 28 - Breckenridge, CO - three20south
Mar 3 - Lincoln, NE - Box Awesome
Mar 4 - Iowa City, IA - Yacht Club
Mar 5 - Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze
Mar 6 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre
Mar 7 - Chicago, IL - Martyrs

Passion Pit: "Sleepyhead" Video + Tour Dates + FADER TV In-Studio

Boston electro-power-poppers, Passion Pit, are gearing up to release their debut LP. The groups' most recent EP, Chunk of Change (Frenchkiss), is full of highly repeatable gems such as, "Better Things," "I've Got Your Number" and "Sleepyhead" ( video above.) Michael Angelakos, Passion Pit's "frontman," tends to sing in falsetto, making shower sing-alongs a bit easier and more tasteful. There is no doubting the energy and extreme danceablity of Passion Pit's EP.

Angelakos recently opened the recording studio to Fader TV as he talks of his new album, which will be heavy on children's choirs and hand bells. Producer Chris Zane (Les Savy Fav and The Walkmen) wants the LP to be much bigger than the EP-hype. We'll see. The LP releases in the Spring.

Fader in-studio and tour dates after the jump.


FADER TV In Studio


Tour Dates
1/26: Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot
1/27: Chicago, IL @ Schuba's
1/28: Cleveland, OH @ The Spot at Case Western Reserve University
1/29: Cincinnati, OH @ Northside Tavern
1/30: Columbus, OH @ Summit
1/31: Swathmore, PA @ Olde Club @ Swathmore College
02/2: Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
02/3: Washington, DC @ Black Cat
02/4: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
02/6: Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
02/7: Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse
2/17: Brighton, UK @ Audio
2/18: London, UK @ Koko (w/ Black Kids)
2/19: Oxford, UK @ Bullingdon Arms
2/20: Bristol, UK @ Cooler
2/24: Birmingham, UK @ Academy 3
2/25: Manchester, UK @ Ruby Lounge
2/26: Glasgow, UK @ Captain's Rest
2/27: Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Rooms
03/1: Dublin, IE @ Whelan's
03/2: Paris, FR @ Nouveau Casino

M83 To Play Conan Tonight

"Kim and Jesse"

M83 is on tour with The Killers. Yeah, pretty crazy. Good for them. From Pitchfork's top tracks of '09, to touring with the Killers, to now, a performance on Conan. Tonight, M83 will perform their newest single "Kim and Jesse" (like we all didn't see that coming.) They have been on the Stark radar for sometime now, and even made Matt's year end list.

New Beirut - On Sale Now

Although scheduled for a February 17th release, Beirut's two new EPs March of the Zapotec & Real People - Holland are available now on iTunes. Not sure whether this is a planned digital exclusive for iTunes a la Deerhunter, or some sort of Raconteurs-style iTunes screw up, but I know what I'm going to be listening to this morning. This is Zach Condon's first release on his own Pompeii Records distributed by Revolver in the U.S. Beirut played a secret show at Coco66 last night in Greenpoint and will also be playing two more NY shows at MHOW and BAM 2/4 and 2/6 respectively.

Entitled March of the Zapotec, the first EP consists of songs written by Beirut and recorded in Mexico with the help of Oaxacan march masters The Jimenez Band. The second EP, Holland, showcases Zach's latest bedroom-style recordings under his former moniker Realpeople, including the previously released "Venice" (in the 2007 Believer music issue), and "My Night With the Prostitute From Marseille" (on the Natalie Portman curated Big Change charity album). Taken together, the two EPs proudly display the scope of Beirut's work over the last year.

Meanwhile, we'll have a review of the two EPs next week. Stay tuned.

New Or, The Whale MP3 + Tour Dates

[mp3]

Or, The Whale - "Rope Don't Break"

Or, The Whale just released a new MP3 from their debut album, Light Poles and Pines which dropped Jan. 20 (Seany Records.) This San Francisco septet has a big, yet delicate Americana sound. Their music is genuine, reinforced by the sweet, hanging female vocalists Julie Anne Thomasson and Lindsay Garfield. The album sounds like the picture above looks. Check 'em out. Tour dates + SXSW after the jump.

02-11 San Francisco, CA - Hotel Utah Saloon
02-19 Eureka, CA - The Pearl Lounge
02-20 Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
02-21 Seattle, WA - The Sunset Tavern
03-12 Los Angeles, CA - Silverlake Lounge*
03-16 El Paso, TX - Zeppelin's
03-18 Austin, TX - SXSW
03-19 Denton, TX - The Boilerroom
03-21 Ft. Worth, TX - The Chat Room Pub
03-24 Denver, CO - Meadowlark
03-25 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
03-27 Sacramento, CA - Luigi's Fun Garden
03-28 Berkeley, CA - Starry Plough

Short Takes: Andrew Bird & Bon Iver

We'd like to welcome our brand new reviewer, Deanna McLafferty, to the Stark family! While she is from New Jersey, we'll let that slide... because the gal can write. What better way to introduce her than to have her write a few words about two of this month's most buzzed-about releases in the return of our Short Takes feature?

Andrew Bird: Noble Beast 

In stores tomorrow via Fat Possum

Possibly due to my complete lack of ability in the whistling department, Andrew Bird's own whistling skills are always what impress me most on his albums. Not that there is any shortage of talent to be impressed by on his newest solo effort, Noble Beast. In particular, Bird's violin skills are more prominently displayed this time around, notably on the beautiful but melancholy "Effigy," which seems to document Bird's solitude.

His trademark wordplay is also present throughout. Toward the end of the album, "Anonanimal" begins, "I see a sea anemone/ the enemy/ see a sea anemone/ and that'll be the end of me." Say that ten times fast. While 2007's Armchair Apocrypha saw Bird harness his many abilities, Noble Beast sees him playfully lay them out for all to enjoy. The songs are often less immediate, but they are given more room to breathe and are better for it.

Bon Iver: Blood Bank E.P.

In stores now via Jagjaguwar

Forget about the groundhog. Justin Vernon just delivered many more weeks of winter with Blood Bank, the follow up EP to his startling debut, For Emma, Forever Ago. The first two tracks would have fit in seamlessly with Emma's material. Both are gorgeous, melodic representations of loneliness and nostalgia. The last two songs, however, are more experimental for Vernon. "Babys" begins with a relentless keyboard riff, and "Woods" is as sad and Auto-Tune friendly as 808's & Heartbreak. Although an interesting departure, the effect serves to emotionally detach the listener. Hiccups and all, Blood Bank reminds us why we fell in love with Vernon's work in the first place.

- Deanna McLafferty

Gold Soundz: Sunny Day Real Estate

Contributor Mike Bailey enjoys talking about records from yesteryear -- the 70's, 80's and 90's -- that influenced what's happening today. Thus, Gold Soundz was born. (Props to Pavement for the perfect name.) In this piece, Bailey takes a different seminal indie record every week and examines its significance and impact on the present.

Sunny Day Real Estate: Diary

(Sub Pop, 1994)

There was a time when "Emo" was not such a polluted word. Sure, bands didn't like the label anymore than Nirvana liked to be called grunge, but the terms gave focus to styles of music that also produced very dedicated social followings. Grunge gave us a flock of flannel wearing, unwashed youth, while emo gave us the precious indie rocker with skinny jeans, jagged haircuts and Morrissey crushes. (What, too pointed?)

For more thoughts on Diary and the "Seven" video, follow us after the jump.  

Two albums, released on the same day in 1994, are often cited as the spark that lit emo's flame; Weezer's "Blue" album, and Sunny Day Real Estate's Diary. Two short years after the release of these records we would see the debuts from Jimmy Eat World, The Promise Ring, The Get Up Kids as well as the formation of Vagrant Records - all tent poles for second generation emo (for the sake of argument we'll call Fugazi, Rites of Spring, etc. the first generation). This brand would reach it's commercial peak in the early '00's with albums from Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional before being reduced to what is left today, mainstream rock acts like Panic At The Disco and Fall Out Boy.

At the time of it's release, Diary seemed like a nice record that generated good underground buzz. The lyrical themes are introspective and faith leaning - singer Jeremy Enigk speaks softly alongside delicate verses before straining over big crescendos and powerful choruses. On repeated listens Diary reveals itself to be a sweeping, unguarded epic influenced by the overflowing complexity of prog-rock as well as the vulnerability of punk. The first three tracks alone are enough to satisfy; "Seven" and "In Circles" feel vital and seem to culminate within "Song About An Angel" as Enigk screams "Sometimes you see right through me…". Redemption feels near even as the characters continue their internal struggle.

And like that the spark was gone. The original line-up of the band released one more, semi-finished, record before bassist Nate Mendel and drummer William Goldsmith would leave to join The Foo Fighters. There would be two more records by various reincarnations of the band, but Sunny Day's influence would far outweigh their remaining output. Diary was their Rushmore and bands like Death Cab For Cutie, Rogue Wave and Bright Eyes have to mark it as a touchstone. It's a great record whose overall impact is often times clouded by it's many imitators, but fear not emo-phobes it has little in common with Pete Wentz and his mascara wearing cohorts.

- Contributing writer Mike Bailey

The Boss Rips Off Kiss?

Via Some Velvet Blog is another potential Coldplay vs. Joe Satriani style rip-off controversy. It seems that some sleuthing internet user has pieced together sections of Bruce Springsteen's "Outlaw Pete" from his newest Working on a Dream (Columbia 1/27) with Kiss' "I Was Made for Loving You." See what you think below. Also of note are the differing opinions of Paste writer and resident Boss expert Andy Whitman who trashes Working on a Dream and Rolling Stone who bows once again to their hero in their latest 5 star review and cover story. Shocking? Doubtful.

Red Wire Black Wire, Bell, Hockey - Saturday at Pianos

Red Wire Black Wire "Compass" mp3

Oft buzzed about Brooklyn group Red Wire Black Wire will be headlining a great bill this Saturday night at Pianos in NY. The fuzzed-out bass tones and high-end synths on RWBW's Compass EP assure the audience that they are indeed listening to dance music, yet, there is something darker and more melancholic about the melodies of these songs. Ultimately though, danceability wins out, with solid four-on-the-floor kick drum hits and throbbing bass lines.

Also on Saturday night's bill are newcomers and Capitol Records signees Hockey. Hockey also draw their tunes from the synth-heavy new wave pool, but they add more guitar while dialing back the thick bed of bass that RWBW employ. We've heard some good things about these kids, not to mention we also have the Center Ice Package at home. It's pretty much win-win here for us. Hockey play the Mercury Lounge tonight as well.

Rounding out this great evening are Brooklyn's Bell. Lead vocalist Olga Bell often draws comparisons to Bjork, but her songs are less jagged yet equally as charming. Laced with piano and gauzy electronics Bell's composistions manage to remain melodic while also keeping an experimental edge. Should be a great night of synths, gee-tars and pop tunes.

Yo-Yo No! They Weren't Playing!

(Regular photo courtesy of Idolator)

The Inauguration was a fraud.

It took Obama two tries to get sworn in and now we find out that Yo-Yo and crew pulled an Ashlee Simpson. That's right, they weren't actually playing on Tuesday afternoon; it was too cold. Idolator reports: "Truly, weather just made it impossible,” inaugural flack Carole Florman told The New York Times. “No one’s trying to fool anybody. This isn’t a matter of Milli Vanilli." Well I guess we didn't want President Obama closing his eyes in music-induced euphoria, to out of tune instruments; so why not just fake it. So they did.

Drop This: New Track From Thing-One, MP3

[mp3]

Thing-One: "The Thief" 

New Jersey quartet, Thing-One, dropped a new track, "The Thief" from their debut You'll Be Fine, brought to us by Danger Village. This tune has indie soul and a recognizable quality. It sounds like an amalgam of dance-rock staples. There is a heavy dose of The Strokes, with light touches of Black Kids, De Novo Dahl and MGMT. The tune above hits multiple plateaus, all of which are resolved with a catchy hook. Check 'em out. New album available on iTunes.

Dark was the Night - Charity Compilation - 2/17

Even though the blogosphere has been alight for the past several weeks regarding this blockbuster compilation, enough can't be said about how all-around great it is. I'm sure there will be much debate over the "greatness" of all the artists, but you can't expect names like Wavves to sell this record. At least not yet. (No hate to Wavves here.)

We've been able to peruse about 3/4ths of it since it arrived yesterday, and what we've heard so far has been excellent. Not only does the tracklist feature a veritable who's-who of major indie rock artists of the past decade, but all of the proceeds of Dark was the Night go to the Red Hot Organization. This is the 20th Red Hot release, and the 20th anniversary of the Red Hot Organization. The organization is an international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture.

Much more info and an mp3 after the jump.

Dirty Projectors and David Byrne "Knotty Pine"

The first disc of the two features darker more haunting versions of folk themed songs (some covers and originals). Highlights here include Antony's cover of Dylan's I Was Young When I Left Home, the reworked Grizzly Bear track Deep Blue Sea and the Dirty Projectors/David Byrne collaboration Knotty Pine (mp3 above).

The second disc brings forth a brighter collection of tracks, the "morning" to the first disc's "night" if you will. Personal favorites so far are the My Morning Jacket track El Caporal and the Sharon Jones cover of Shuggie Otis' Inspiration Information.

BUY this record February 17th via 4AD. Remember, charity people, don't be a torrenting asshole. Lots of great listening here. Tracks from the comp have been streaming for awhile HERE.

THIS DISC

1 Knotty Pine - Dirty Projectors + David Byrne http://www.4ad.com/audio/darkwasthenight/knottypine.mp3

2 Cello Song (Nick Drake) - The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez

3 Train Song (Vashti Bunyan recorded, written by Alasdair Clayre) - Feist Ben Gibbard

4 Brackett, WI - Bon Iver

5 Deep Blue Sea - Grizzly Bear

6 So Far Around the Bend - The National (arrangement by Nico Muhly)

7 Tightrope - Yeasayer

8 Feeling Good (popularized by Nina Simone) - My Brightest Diamond

9 Dark Was the Night (Blind Willie Johnson) - Kronos Quartet

10 I Was Young When I Left Home (Bob Dylan) - Antony Bryce Dessner

11 Big Red Machine - Justin Vernon Aaron Dessner

12 Sleepless - The Decemberists

13 Stolen Houses (Die) - Iron and Wine

14 Service Bell - Grizzly Bear Feist

15 You Are The Blood - Sufjan Stevens



THAT DISC

1 Well-Alright - Spoon

2 Lenin - Arcade Fire

3 Mimizan - Beirut

4 El Caporal - My Morning Jacket

5 Inspiration Information (Shuggie Otis) - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

6 With A Girl Like You (The Troggs) - Dave Sitek

7 Blood Pt 2 (based on original song "You are the Blood" by the Castanets) - Buck 65
Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)

8 Hey, Snow White (Destroyer) - The New Pornographers

9 Gentle Hour (Snapper) - Yo La Tengo

10 Another Saturday (traditional song) - Stuart Murdoch

11 Happiness - Riceboy Sleeps

12 Amazing Grace (traditional song) - Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues

13 The Giant Of Illinois (Handsome Family) - Andrew Bird

14 Lua - Conor Oberst Gillian Welch

15 When the Road Runs Out - Blonde Redhead Devastations

16 Love vs. Porn - Kevin Drew

New Strand Of Oaks- "End In Flames" mp3

[mp3]

Strand Of Oaks: "End In Flames"

We've got a MUST LISTEN this morning courtesy of Strand Of Oaks, the nom de guerre of Pennsylvania Hebrew Dayschool teacher Timothy Showalter. "End In Flames" is a pensive, sometimes heartbreaking lament on years lost to love, to age and to tragedy, with an enchanting mandolin line meant to tug whatever innocence is left back into Showalter's life. It's the incredible lead track to the forthcoming Leave Ruin, which hits stores on Tuesday via La Societe Expeditionnaire.

In recent years, Showalter's been through a trying break-up, a fire that saw his house burn down and destroy all his possessions, and a subsequent bout with homelessness. Like all great art, though, that difficult stretch led to an intensely therapeutic, ultimately triumphant album in Leave Ruin. Showalter's wavering voice recalls Neil Young and Ryan Adams, themselves no strangers to a heart-on-sleeve mentality and a willingness to let vulnerability crack through their music. 

Download "End In Flames" above, repeat it incessantly like we have this morning, and order Leave Ruin at La Soc's online store. 

Tour Alert: Animal Collective

I can't sneeze these days without it conjuring up images of undulating, connecting vines. Merriweather is everywhere...iTunes shuffle loves it, as does Pitchfork and most other blogs known in existence. Yeah, the album is pretty tasty, we get it. We know how many licks it takes to get to the center of the new record. And, with this post, I guess we are still licking. Sorry. They are touring domestically, so get ready for more.

Tour dates after the jump.


ANIMAL COLLECTIVE TOUR DATES
May 11, 09 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
May 12, 09 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
May 13, 09 New York, NY - Terminal 5
May 14, 09 Boston, MA - House of Blues
May 15, 09 Montreal, PQ - Metropolis
May 16, 09 Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
May 18, 09 Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Hall
May 19, 09 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom
May 20, 09 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
May 24, 09 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
May 25, 09 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
May 26, 09 Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre
May 27, 09 Big Sur, CA - Henry Miller Memorial Library
May 29, 09 Los Angeles, CA - Wiltern
May 30, 09 Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
May 31, 09 Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater
Jun 01, 09 Albuquerque, MN - Sunshine Theater
Jun 02, 09 Boulder, CO - Boulder Theatre
Jun 04, 09 Dallas, TX - House Of Blues
Jun 05, 09 Austin, TX - Stubbs
Jun 06, 09 Oxford, MS - The Library
Jun 08, 09 St. Petersburg, FL - State Theatre
Jun 09, 09 Fort Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
Jun 10, 09 Orlando, FL - Club Firestone

New Marissa Nadler - "River of Dirt"

[mp3]

Marissa Nadler "River of Dirt" mp3

This morning, via the sometimes great Stereogum "'Gum Drop", comes a new track from Marrissa Nadler's upcoming record Little Hells (due March 3rd on Kemado.) This record seems to promise a more fleshed-out, full-band sound from Nadler, who is known for her introspective and largely acoustic ruminations. On her amazing last record, Songs III: Bird on the Water, she was backed by members of the more ethereal Espers, while on Little Hells the backing instrumentation features synths, drums, lap-steel and piano. We're not saying she's going to sound like AC/DC or anything here, just that this recording promises to be more crisp and focused than her previous outings. Either way, we're looking forward to it. Marissa Nadler also has a cool blog where she posts a lot of demos and home recordings. Check it out. You can read an excerpt of Stereogum's interview with Nadler after the jump.


How did you come up with a "River Of Dirt" as the central image in this song?

The imagery for the song was written stream of consciousness. It was the first song that I wrote when beginning to write Little Hells. To be honest, I wrote the song with a bottle of wine, sitting on my floor, and I had the melody that just wouldn't go away. I had the picking going and this droning guitar piece, and then the words arrived. I tried to just let them flow, without being intentional and without censoring any of the thoughts that were coming into my head. The meaning did not clearly present itself until months later. I knew it was more autobiographical, which was a goal for the record. It grew spinning like a wagon wheel, because of the jumping around of time and place. El Camino is a car I always dreamt of having, because I think they are sexy cars. But el Camino also means the road, or the path.

In the beginning of the song, there is a desire to return home, but to a home that doesn't exist. Words of a desire to revisit a lost place linger. There is an idealized sense in the first stanza that the protagonist, or "I", would run away with my first love and live this utterly romanticized version of a life together, birds chirping and all, like some freaking children's book. That doesn't happen in the song, didn't happen in real life, and very rarely does. I have stopped romanticizing that fairy tale happy ending that we are force fed in movies and books in our childhood, and the song slowly enters my interpretation of reality by each stanza. I still believe in love, am on the wagon and all, but that is not what the song is about.

If This Is What Epilepsy Is Like, Count Us In

Featured:

ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS "Epilepsy Is Dancing"

Antony & The Johnsons released the fantastic new album, The Crying Light, today. We've been riding this for weeks as one of the best albums of our still very young 2009, and as the reviews start coming in, the world seems to agree. Pitchfork, who yesterday bestowed the prestigious Best New Music tag on the album, is premiering Antony's wild new video for the single "Epilepsy Is Dancing," and we're in turn relaying the video to you in case you read Stark Online over the far-less-popular Pitchfork. 

Naturally, "Epilepsy" is the centerpiece in this week's On The Blog Reel. Antony asked The Wachowski Brothers (remember them?) to help him out for the video, and they put matters into the hands of painters Tino Rodriguez and Virgo Paradiso, who created tribal costumes and a mystical environment. Choreographer Sean Dorsey and his dancers brought the dream sequence to life, and directors AFAS helmed the final product. So yeah, it's sort of a production. It's haunting and exquisite, lending the already haunting-and-exquisite song its perfect visual counterpart. View the video after the jump.

Welcome President Obama!

Doesn't it feel great to say that this is our new President? 

What a wonderful world.

...Now back to our regularly scheduled blogging.

Stream New Springsteen on NPR

Photo courtesy of The New York Times

NPR, in conjunction with the Boss, just released Working on a Dream, available now for an exclusive full stream. Springsteen's newest release drops physically Jan. 27 on Columbia. How fitting that we listen to the new LP while watching the historic inauguration of Barack Obama. The Internets have been slower today, that's for sure.

STREAM HERE.

New Blackout Beach Album & Mp3

[mp3s]

Blackout Beach: "Nineteen, One God, One Dull Star"

"Cloud of Evil"

Carey Mercer, he of Frog Eyes and the indie supergroup Swan Lake, is dropping his second release under the name of Blackout Beach today. It's ridiculously lavish but unquestinonably stunning. Skin of Evil is a concept album in the best sense of the word: Mercer picks his story and sticks with it the entire way, dedicating himself to seeing the thing through. "Donna" is the subject of the story, and each of her lovers (past & present) say their peace in song (Donna gets her song, too). Mercer based the album loosely upon the classic Greek notion of the ideal woman. Destroyer's Dan Bejar, who coincidentally enough plays with Mercer in Swan Lake, is glowing about the album. He describes it much better than we can:

"A frame of reference for something like this might be: 

Goofy American babbler (Jerry Lee Lewis/Dennis Quaid) meets the highest, the most harrowing of modernist Euro nightmare (The Drift ) -- By this I guess I mean that there can be no frame of reference, for these two things have never met before, and external forces work hard to make sure they never do, but somehow the sonic space created for this set of singing happened, and feels familiar, doesn't give me the willies.  Maybe it's 'cause Scott Walker has never hinted at expressing an interest in the traditions of rocknroll guitar (neither does Carey but it can really sound like he must when he plays.) ...I believe Skin of Evil is the best record I will hear all year."

If that doesn't want to make you check this out, nothing will. Grab the two mp3s above, and then buy the whole thing via Soft Abuse. You're welcome.

STARK vs. LARKIN GRIMM

Several weeks ago, we had the lovely fortune of spending a part of the evening on the phone with breaking artist Larkin Grimm. The interview that followed was as captivating and engaging as any we have undertaken in the past. Not only is Larkin Grimm a fantastic songwriter, as evidenced by her newest record Parplar (Young God), she is also a charismatic storyteller. We could have spoken with her for hours, or more realistically, let her spin yarns about her amazing life to date, and her unique approach to songwriting and singing. What follows below, is just the tip of the iceberg as to what Larkin Grimm has to offer the music world. All of her experiences seem to flow out of her through her music, in lyrical form as well as in her instrumental influences. Grimm seems to embody many characters across the course of her record, and this interview gave us some insight on where some of those characters come from. Enjoy, we sure did.


Parplar recalls many places… there also seem to be many different styles at play that hold together incredibly well over the course of the record. Where did you write most of the album?

When I started making the record, I was in Georgia. I was trying to live down there. Southerners are very special (laughs) and I wanted to live down there. I’m a Southerner. You know, I would come north and lose my southern accent, so I really wanted to live there. I had just come back from this amazing experience at the Clifftop Appalachian String Festival. Every night, there are these jams and you walk around from tent to tent, and they just have these jams and they set up the bbq and the tent and they play these old family songs. I would just walk around from tent to tent with a mini-disc - just recording – that’s where it [the record] started. (Laughs) there were lot of old punks there. Mostly it was these old tyme people. I had never taken folk music that seriously before, I started to think about it and I was like 'whoaaa.'

After Georgia, I went to this place, the Omega Institute. I was workin' as a sound technician for these spiritual gurus – very much a commercial, new-age business. I was a sound woman for these people. It’s really crazy setting up the mics and there are 500 people in a room who think this person is Jesus Christ. Having grown up in a cult, I just don’t believe any of that. I would just talk to them like regular people… all of these new-age spiritual whatever. I was sitting in the back of the room recording these speeches, tweaking their sound getting all of this crazy religious stuff. At the time, I was living out in the woods with coyotes howling, and showering in the communal shower. I had a long extension cord running to my tent and I was writing and recording and sending these things to Michael [Gira] and he was getting a kick out of it… I was making these songs, at the time there was just real good wisdom and advice coming in.

After that I moved back to Providence ... Providence is a really creepy and beautiful place almost. It used to be a manufacturing town with these old warehouses - almost post-apocalyptic. I was living in this hole in the ground next to like the most toxic river in the country, it was like the rainbow river, it had that gross oil slick on the top of it, with all sorts of awful smells and fumes coming off it. God I was living in total poverty – it was so gross, I wrote the last third of the record there.

What instrument do you write songs on? Guitar? Piano?

Ill pick up any instrument and just strum it – I don’t like to write on the guitar. It will all end up sounding the same. People for thousands of years have been writing songs on the guitar. I feel that if you write on the guitar you’re gonna sound like these other people if you write it on the guitar. I mean, you can tell David Bowie wrote on piano, John Lennon, Elton john, it just opens the music up.

Everyday after school, my dad would pay me a nickel to tune and dust the instruments in this old store. I felt completely comfortable tuning them and touching them – living in that store basically I had constant exposure. I had this amazing exposure to bluegrass flatpickers – all sorts of musicians and blues players came through there. Yet, after awhile it all started to sound like bull shit to me though – it didn’t move me.

I love writing songs on the dulcimer – tuned in the diatonic scale. I also love the Guzheng. I also used this old broken keyboard that just had these great sounds.

You use a variety of different voices on the record, from almost speaking in low tones to the high more ethereal voices on "Mina Minou." What influences your different voices?

Ive always thought I had 4 different voices, each corresponding to each of my personalities - it's a female thing corresponding to the roles we are forced to play in society. There’s the virgin, the whore, the crone or the witch, the little girl ... if you talk to any woman she’ll be able to understand. There's this phenomenon of women watching themselves. They watch their own actions and it causes this, what Freud used to call 'hysteria' – this insanity… women become so self-conscious. I mean - it was not too long ago that we were basically slaves… a lot of women won’t talk about feminism, you know, we're equal now, so we shouldn't talk about it. Yet, we’re still fragmented. I have to sing in a different voice to express these different aspects of my personality. (Laughs) I’m a little crazy, but most people are. I just started reading The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing... this famous feminist book. So, I started reading the introduction and she wrote in 4 different diaries, I was like oh shit! That’s like my 4 different voices! I used to do overdubs and get all 4 on one track – like hey – that’s me.

How has it been working with Michael Gira?

He’s the first person to ever hear my music. I made one recording when I was 21 and only sent it to Michael and was like “what do you think?” He was like 'wellll you can’t sing on tune, and you can’t really play but I love it!' I mean he wrote me back – amazing! At the time, I didn't know any other musicians, I wasn't a musician, he really encouraged me. A few years later, some of his friends came to see me play and I gave them the record I had made. Then Michael wrote me this angry letter, like 'what the hell! I thought you were going to keep me updated on everything you were doing! What is this Secret Eye Records??'

(Laughs) I’m very stubborn – I’m from the South, it’s tough. Especially for women… you’re supposed to be stupid, you're supposed to be dumb. If you’re smart, you’re supposed to act like you’re dumb. I wanted to escape from that and do everything myself. Once I had done that – I was like ok - I’m ready to work with Michael. I knew that if I was collaborating with this guy it was going to be an intense experience. He is a really strong and dominant personality. I didn't make a record with him until I knew I was ready to do that. I knew it was going to be a collaboration. When I was working on it, it felt like he was bossing me around. Yet, he brought out the ME in me. It was weird, it sounds like me, it doesn't sound like him – it’s mine – this is me – it’s this amazing weird alchemy that was happening. It was like he was my battery – giving me this life-force – this mystical being with magical powers – I think I’m making my best music, and I’m proud of the music I am making now.