Vince Clicks the Viral -- Spoon Lady Plays Black Keys

These videos really need no explanation...this place is going to go right off...oopsie daisy. What are you doing eh?

One to Watch: The Minutes

The Minutes - Black Keys (Official Video) from The Minutes on Vimeo.

The Minutes, a trio hailing from Dublin, Ireland, were raised on punk rock a la The Smiths, Stooges and as quoted by the press release, "70s NYC punk." It is clear that this band is composed of equal parts grit, grunge, and rock. The lead single of their upcoming self-titled US debut EP, "Black Keys" is not to be confused with the band Black Keys, though The Minutes' sound can be easily likened to them. Early Kings of Leon meets, the Black Keys, meets, 90s grunge rock -- it is clear The Minutes are musically diverse. We at Stark are jumping on this band early; if done right by label Model Citizen Records, The Minutes are poised to break out of the Irish doldrums and explode on to the US rock scene...a scene truly lacking in quality, quantity and passion these days. Put them on your list for SXSW folks.

Black Keys by The Minutes

Origami Is So Hot Right Now

Featured:

FLEET FOXES "Mykonos"

DAN AUERBACH "Trouble Weighs A Ton"

Those Pecknolds can do just about anything. Head Fleet Fox Robin Pecknold, he of the majestic voice that's totally inappropriate for a 22-year-old (read: we're jealous), has again enlisted his brother Sean for directing purposes, and it turns out that he's pretty damn talented too. Sean and team spent the last four weeks working on the stop-motion video for "Myknonos,"from the band's Sun Giant E.P. from last year, and it keeps in theme with recent On The Blog Reels in that it's, you know, pretty and stuff. I would love to see what the rest of that family is like.

Meanwhile, Dan Auerbach, he of the Black Keys and very recent Short Takes adoration, is letting us inside his Akron, Ohio studio for an intimate performance of "Trouble Weighs A Ton," the first track on the brand new Keep It Hid. He's also keeping it in the family by playing the song with his uncle James, who it turns out taught young Dan how to play guitar and sing! Thanks, Uncle James. Check out both videos and a special behind-the-scenes feature about the making of "Mykonos" after the jump.



Mykonos from Grandchildren on Vimeo.


Mykonos making of from Grandchildren on Vimeo.


(Okay, you have to click here to see the Auerbach video. Damn non-embeddable videos. Catch up with technology!)

Ben Nichols Solo Album - Lucero Tour Dates

Yesterday, we received our first taste of Ben Nichols' (of Lucero) mini-LP The Last Pale Light in the West. Pale Light is based around stories culled from Cormac McCarthy's blood-filled, epic Blood Meridian. There are few out there whose gruff intensity could match the rawness and desperation found in most McCarthy novels, but for the most part, Nichols hits it right on the head. Sam Baker does a damn good job of it as well. Using a stripped-down band set-up (Accordion, Guitar, Pedal Steel, Cowboy boots and floor) Nichols attempts to conjure the desert landscapes, violence, and lonesome Mexican villages McCarthy describes in his novel. Oh yeah, don't forget about the ear necklace - that's in there too.

For big news about Nichols' band Lucero and to see when they are coming to your town - click that little continue reading button right below this sentence.



Good things do happen to small bands. Yet, for bands like Lucero it takes a LONG time. Lucero, through relentless rocking, has managed to score themselves a record deal with Universal Music. For all the cred being on an indie gets you, you can't deny the power of a major label's marketing campaign. (See Black Kids and My Morning Jacket). So I say, godspeed Lucero go forth and bring your rock to the people. Speaking of that: Lucero is opening for The Black Keys, see tour dates below. They play two nights in NY at Terminal 5 Feb. 6 & 7 and a show at the Mercury Lounge Feb. 8. The last time we saw Lucero at the Bowery, we left covered in spilled (and thrown) beer and did whiskey shots with Nichols at the bar downstairs. Trust us, they are worth the $10. Lucero's Universal debut is scheduled for summer '09.

Lucero - 2009 Tour Dates
Jan 23 - George's Majestic Lounge (18+) Fayetteville, Arkansas
Jan 24 - Brickhouse Grill Jonesboro, Arkansas
Jan 29 - The Lyric Theatre (18+) Oxford, Mississippi
Jan 30 - Mercy Lounge (21+) Nashville, Tennessee
Jan 31 - Mercy Lounge (21+) Nashville, Tennessee
Feb 5 - Ottobar (All Ages) Baltimore, Maryland
Feb 6 - Terminal 5 (w/ The Black Keys) NYC
Feb 7 - Terminal 5 (w/ The Black Keys) NYC
Feb 8 - Mercury Lounge, NYC
Feb 20 - Bottletree Cafe (18+) Birmingham, Alabama
Feb 21 - Barleys Taproom Knoxville, Tennessee
Mar 4 - Sluggos Pensacola, Florida
Mar 5 - Big Daddys Tallahassee, Florida
Mar 6 - New World Brewery (21+) Tampa, Florida
Mar 7 - Langerado Music Festival Miami, Florida
Mar 8 - Harvest of Hope Festival Elkton, Florida
Mar 10 - The Social (18+) Orlando, Florida
Mar 11 - The Pour House Charleston, South Carolina
Mar 12 - Rhythm and Brews Chattanooga, Tennessee
Mar 13 - Variety Playhouse Atlanta, Georgia