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via chris zak and NME
Ever wonder what Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend) and Wes Miles (Ra Ra Riot, Discovery) sounded like in high school? It was recently brought to my attention that they were involved in about fifteen projects together back in their Glen Ridge, NJ days. Add Dan Millar and Andrei Padlowski, and you've got the Sophisticuffs (photo here), with Wes on bass and keyboard and Ezra on vocals and other instruments. Suddenly, the appearance of Wes in the Vampire Weekend movie trailer makes so much sense.
So what did Ezra and Wes sound like during their pre-college days? In some ways, they sound like what you'd expect from a high school band. Calling them a garage rock band is easy, but that's the first impression that I got from listening to snippets from 48 songs, mostly from an album called Factory. While "Oh No (Oh Yes)" exemplifies their garage band sound, there is more to the Sophisticuffs, and their jazz improvisation and experimental electronic influences are more evident in the tracks that are mostly instrumental. "Reginald's Lament" is the clear standout track on the album, with brass notes that bring Stravinsky to mind. The rest of the Sophisticuffs material isn't as memorable, but it's interesting to see how their current respective bands have grown and evolved since then.
Even before the days of Vampire Weekend, the Sophisticuffs weren't completely unknown. A Google search brought me to this page on Matador records from 2001 where Ben Goldberg describes Factory as the "wildly inventive musical work" of former Matador intern Ezra Koenig. Also, a Sophisticuffs song was used in the 2002 film Don't Ask Don't Tell. Perhaps it won't be long until Ezra and Wes properly team up again.
And, if you're wondering where I got these songs, I didn't download them from the Internet. I got them from a local fan of the Sophisticuffs who still had the CDs (Thanks, D.).
Reginald's Lament - The Sophisticuffs
Oh No (Oh Yes) - The Sophisticuffs
July 24, 2009
"Reginald's Lament" - The Sophisticuffs
December 18, 2008
Top Albums of 2008: The Rhumb Line
via antiquiet
I’d been following Ra Ra Riot since I saw them open for Tokyo Police Club nearly two years ago. While their debut effort The Rhumb Line didn’t introduce many new tunes outside of what had been on the Ra Ra Riot demo, it was a highly anticipated album for me in 2008. I had wondered how the band would fare after the unexpected death of their drummer, John Pike, and I was beginning to think that Ra Ra Riot would never release a LP. Fortunately, I was proven wrong with The Rhumb Line, an enjoyable pop album, especially if you're a sucker for strings. And even if you're not, try listening to "Too Too Too Fast" without moving your body. The song was one of my late summer anthems, and it always takes me back to the days of sweaty outdoor festivals.
My Old Kentucky Blog's song-by-song breakdown of The Rhumb Line here. Past posts on Ra Ra Riot here.
Too Too Too Fast - Ra Ra Riot
St. Peter's Day Festival - Ra Ra Riot
Winter '05 - Ra Ra Riot
Other Top Albums of 2008:
A Reflection
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel
The Dodos - Visiter
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes/Sun Giant EP
The Walkmen - You & Me
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Department of Eagles - In Ear Park
Deerhunter - Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.
November 7, 2008
Happy One Year!
via Partyware Supplies
Happy 1st Birthday (to me)! I can't believe that it's already been one year since I started this blog. I created Look at me, I made a blog because, well, it made me feel less worthless during my very laid-back last year of college. You know that you have senioritis when you're taking guitar lessons and a pilates class as filler points in order to stay a full-time student. All my close friends had blogs, so I figured I might as well jump on the wagon. It was an easy way for me to share what I was listening to and what shows I was attending. Also, because I was an engineering student (Surprised?), I needed an outlet for my non-math thoughts. So, this blog was born. Maybe one day, I will show this blog to my kids as proof that their mother was sorta cool in her 20s. But, they will probably roll their eyes at the archaic blog-form and terrible default layout, and call me a music nerd. Touché.
Over the past year, I've made some great discoveries (Fleet Foxes, Chairlift) and went to many shows, some more memorable than others. In only a year's time, some bands that I considered to be underrated in 2007 became some of the most over-hyped in 2008. I've had mini-celebrations when I was linked by the Gothamist, Metromix, Brooklyn Vegan, The Hype Machine, and Elbows. Honestly, I can't imagine a life without constant music discovery. The excitement that I feel when I listen to a new song or a band that truly leaves an impression on my day, my week, my year... it's irreplaceable. I am one of those people who can listen to something and can't help smiling.
The number of musicians that live in and come through New York is truly amazing, and it's been a huge motivating factor for me to stay in this city that I love-hate. Sadly, over four years of NYC-living has pretty much killed the Midwesterner in me. Yes, you can take the Hicksville out of the girl...for the most part. Sometimes at shows, I catch myself crossing my arms and ambivalently tapping a foot, and I think, "Oh no, I've become one of THEM." Uh oh, is it time for me to move to Austin or Seattle? Not sure if I'm ready to add that much plaid to my wardrobe.
Anyway, thank you for reading. Without you, the only person reading this blog would be my mother. I didn't realize that she was actually keeping up with the posts until she asked about my camera after this one and asked about my bruises after this one. So, thank you again. I am always surprised and flattered that you are somewhere out there, reading some of the absurdity that I write. Special thanks to Sarah, Andrew, and David for supporting Look at me, I made a blog from the very beginnings. And, of course, thanks to Mama Kim.
I leave you with a few appropriately-titled songs.
Whoever You Are - Geggy Tah (Who doesn't like the 90s?)
In the New Year - The Walkmen
The Walkmen post here.
Each Year (RAC Mix) - Ra Ra Riot
Ra Ra Riot posts here.
October 19, 2008
Ra Ra Riot - Music Hall of Williamsburg 10.17.08
I seriously need a camera with a functioning LCD screen or viewfinder
Even with sold-out shows at the Bowery and MHOW, Ra Ra Riot still delivers in the same way they did when I first saw them open for Tokyo Police Club back in April 2007. What immediately caught my attention back then was how much energy they brought to the small stage at Mercury Lounge, and the energy continues to be the reason why I see them. It is very apparent that RRR enjoy each other's company. They didn't even seem to be aware that there was an audience; they were just playing for the hell of it, and they sounded great. So many girly "I love you"'s were thrown out in between songs that I almost forgot where I was. I guess I shouldn't judge, but I like to keep my music crushes to myself. Or I mutter them under my breath, usually only for Fleet Foxes or Jonny Greenwood.
Off the new album, the emo-tastic "Can You Tell" is my current RRR favorite and is still on constant rotation. As MOKB pointed out in the band's breakdown of The Rhumb Line, the song has been reworked at least seven times over the last few years. I've posted two versions, one from the album and one from RRR's EP. Although the EP version is a great star-gazing interpretation, I personally prefer Wes' wispy vocals on the album version. He also had this very emo, contemplative look in his eyes during the performance. Très appropriate. This is probably as emo as I can get without disgusting myself.
Ra Ra Riot also played a new song, but I couldn't catch the name. Did anyone else?
Check out past post for more songs.
Can You Tell - Ra Ra Riot
Can You Tell (EP version) - Ra Ra Riot
Suspended in Gaffa - Ra Ra Riot
September 16, 2008
Tokyo Police Club - "Juno (Ra Ra Riot/Andrew Maury Remix)"
From TPC's Bowery Ballroom show last April
I've had the Ra Ra Riot and Andrew Maury (of RAC) remix of Tokyo Police Club's "Juno" for nearly two weeks now. I've been bombarded with so much new music lately that I didn't get a chance to listen to this piece until this morning. The haunting plucked strings of the intro immediately grabbed my attention. What song was this? How long had this been on my iPod and why haven't I noticed? And then, Dave Monks' voice came in, and I realized that this was the remix of "Juno" that I had gotten recently.
I love the moment when Ra Ra Riot's Wes Miles comes in (along with female voice), in perfect harmony with Dave, giving the piece so much more texture. With the additional voices and strings, the remix is not just another remix. Rather, this is a beautiful reinterpretation of "Juno" that is arguably better than the original. Although I was a big fan of Tokyo Police Club's A Lesson in Crime EP, Elephant Shell is one of most disappointing records of this past year. Perhaps you think differently. In any case, maybe it's not that hard for the remix to be better than the original.
Past TPC post here. Tokyo Police Club is currently on tour with Weezer. Past Ra Ra Riot post here. Ra Ra Riot returns to NYC on October 17 with a show at MHOW.
Juno (Ra Ra Riot/Andrew Maury Remix) - Tokyo Police Club
Juno - Tokyo Police Club
August 7, 2008
Ra Ra Riot - "Too Too Too Fast"
The first time I saw Ra Ra Riot, opening for Tokyo Police Club at Mercury Lounge in Spring '07.
It's about time Ra Ra Riot put out a proper LP. I thought I would be stuck listening to the EP, demos, and live sessions for who knows how long. Not that a lack of a full-length album has been a problem for Ra Ra Riot since they sell out shows regardless. I saw them a couple weeks ago at Siren Music Festival, which made me more excited for the release of The Rhumb Line. These guys had a tough year, losing their drummer John, but they managed to hold it together and produce this awesome song. "St. Peter's Day Festival" is also a favorite of mine, so look out for it when the album is released.
Preorder The Rhumb Line at Insound. The album will be released on August 19. Ra Ra Riot returns to NYC on October 17 with a show at MHOW.
Note: Song has been removed upon request
But...here's a live video of the song via Stereogum.
July 19, 2008
Siren Music Festival 2008
The Dodos
Ra Ra Riot
I survived 90+ degree heat to see Ra Ra Riot and The Dodos. I saw the Dodos back in April and two nights ago (which I'm glad I did because the Dodos' music is best suited for a small, intimate venue), but I hadn't seen Ra Ra Riot since they opened for Tokyo Police Club at Mercury Lounge back in the spring of '07. After that show, I couldn't stop playing "Each Year" on my iTunes.
Ra Ra Riot is a great live act, and it is no wonder that they are gaining a lot of hype without even releasing a full-length album (The Rhumb Line is due on August 19). I wanted to catch them at the Bowery Ballroom this past spring, but I waited too long to buy tickets and the show sold out. This band has a lot of energy, and I always have a lot of fun watching them perform. The string instruments definitely add a refreshing classical influence to Ra Ra Riot's music.
I'm going to go nurse my sunburnt face now... Even though I was in ridiculous heat while I was traveling, the weather at Siren was especially unbearable. I wanted to stay for Broken Social Scene, but I just couldn't stand the heat of the sun and crowd anymore. Needless to say, there was even less dancing than I would usually expect at a New York show. I definitely prefer the crowd at Pitchfork Music Festival, but my friend told me that the Saturday was rainy, humid, muddy, and overall very unpleasant.
Each Year - Ra Ra Riot
Dying is Fine - Ra Ra Riot
A Manner to Act - Ra Ra Riot
