Uncensored Interview Blog » triumphantlyjenny

Scene Report–Detroit

Triumphantly Jenny — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:32:30 +0000

Detroit often oscillates between the butt of a joke and a classic example of what frightens people about cities. Every few years though, the indie scene there comes back to life with musicians who claim that Detroit’s going to be known for music again like it was in the Motown era.

Of course, a lot of moneyed musicians called Detroit their home: Eminem, Kid Rock, Kiss, the White Stripes and Madonna. And when a few bands sprung up from around The White Stripes, I’ll admit I was skeptical of a true “movement.” But the sheer number of awesome indie Detroiters and their staying power has me convinced.

Detroiters do have real estate on their side. Enough to make a New York City band drool. Houses are going for a dollar a piece, and those old auto factories provide more than enough art and practice space, say native sons The Dirtbombs.

The Dirtbombs: Detroit Rock City.

In the tradition of the MC5 there are quite a few gritty bands kicking out the jams in Detroit. Of course the Electric Six, Detroit Cobras, Von Bondies and Raconteurs face the obvious comparison to their friends the White Stripes, but you can’t shake a stick at so many solid rock bands.

Awesome UI interviewees The Silent Years recommend several of their peers, including Prussia, The Hard Lessons, Child Bite and Javelins. True to their roots, a lot more indie bands in Detroit have some soul influence to their sound.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I think we should all go in on an old auto factory and get an awesome Motor City commune going. It’ll be real cheap! Come on!

Scene Report: Portland, OR

Triumphantly Jenny — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:25:29 +0000

If you like indie rock you may have noticed a trend. Every musician on the planet has lived in Portland. Okay that’s an exaggeration, but it seems like a huge number of indie bands and icons are Stumptown alumni. From Elliott Smith to the Decemberists to the Dandy Warhols, Portland is bringing the indie rock heavies.

Some musicians move here from elsewhere, like Sleater-Kinney or the The Shins. Others, like Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse, are Portlanders who go elsewhere to rock. Even “Louie, Louie” was written there. While you are surely familiar with Stephen Malkmus, there are a lot of Portland bands that aren’t getting the attention they deserve. But don’t take my word for it–take the word of Brandon Summers of the Portland band The Helio Sequence:

The Helio Sequence: Portland Frontier.

So if you’re going to Portland, you’ll be surrounded by great music. But how do you find out about it as an out of towner? Well, the local indie weeklies The Willy Week and The Portland Mercury both have calendars and recommendations for good local tunes.

If you long for The Smiths reunion (I am looking at Poingly), try The Prids. If you wish there were more Westerns so you could rock out to their soundtracks, you should go for some Federale. Would you like to see a Victrola used in more stage shows? Then you should listen to some Norfolk & Western. But if you’d prefer to pretend you are in a Sinatra film, the dulcet tones of Pink Martini might be more for you.

And if that isn’t enough, check out the local “piratecore” (yes, that means pirate rock bands) to get yourself a view of some vegan strippers. And don’t forget your Nyquil donut. Where else but Portland?

Scene Report: Las Vegas

Triumphantly Jenny — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:13:56 +0000

Man, if there’s a city you don’t think is indie, it’s probably Vegas. The place shouts corporate in big bright blinky letters. But that’s not the only side of Vegas! There’s another side, but you might need a bus to get there, according to Doug Levitt:

Doug Levitt: The Light and Dark Side Of Vegas.

The city for “outsourcing hedonism” has recently put out some very popular indie bands though. Most famously The Killers, whose second album, Sam’s Town is named for a Vegas casino. They may have played the OC, but they are from the LV. MySpace chart-toppers and emo teen heartthrobs Panic at the Disco are also Vegas-bred. The Cab are an up and coming rock band from LV that the Alternative Press called ”The Band You Need To Know” this year. Pete Wentz’s label signed them, so your teen sister will definitely have something to do in Vegas while you’re playing blackjack.

You won’t see much of this indie action at the strip hotels. For that you’ll have to go to the Fremont East district (Fremont St. between Las Vegas Blvd. and 8th). The Beauty Bar, The Bunkhouse and The Griffin are the best places to see cool new indie bands.

And when you get done seeing those, go see a cover band, the truly hardworking musicians. Perhaps the little person KISS or a Prince impersonator will strike your fancy and get some hard-earned bucks!

Lyrics or Guitars?

Triumphantly Jenny — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:30:51 +0000

When I listen to music, the first thing I am listening to is vocals and lyrics. Which is why, when I see a show, I am often disappointed with the mix. Oh you can hear the guitars just fine and dandy, but who knows what that amazing singer songwriter might be saying? Lately this has been evident in albums as well. The latest Hold Steady and Beck, artists whose lyrics and singing MAKE the band for me, are completely inaudible in the mix on their latest records.

I’d just assumed everyone hated this but have come to realize some people couldn’t give a fig for lyrics. So I am wondering what people are listening for first and foremost in music. Teddy Thompson is one of my recent favorite songwriters, and he also thought the mix on the new Beck album was off. Do you agree?

Teddy Thompson: Sorry, Mr. Mouse.

(Ba)Rock the Vote

Triumphantly Jenny — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:57:38 +0000

(Or….insert witty McCain pun here. I don’t know one.)

Hopefully by the time you read this you’ll have voted and this whole business will all be decided. Because frankly, I am a little sick of election news all the time. I mean, can we get back to the whole Jennifer Aniston might be marrying John Mayer thing already? Or Lindsay Lohan having a lesbian baby? Because seriously, those stories might have photographs of people not wearing underwear, and that’s what America wants. I mean with all this election coverage, Britney’s had time to sober up and fly right. Sheesh!

But seriously folks, it’s important to have your voice heard, and we’re lucky to have such a right. But I can’t take a second more of “Democrat this” and “Republican that.” Which is why Postell’s analogy using two of my favorite meats makes this whole argument much simpler.

Postell: Eat the Fucking Chicken. Or Steak.

Don’t be on a fucking team! I myself will be having some lamb. Or pork. I am undecided!

The Hymns Just Want Good Tex Mex

Triumphantly Jenny — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:26:45 +0000

There are many great things about New York City. And there are a few things naysayers say are bad about the city. But there is one thing that no one tells you about moving to New York. The Mexican food here sucks. Now I know what you’re saying–New York is the most diverse city in America with hundreds of thousands of Mexicans. I know. There’s no sense to this. It’s just true. New Yorkers do not know the wonderful goodness that is an excellent burrito.

Hymns: What NYC Really Needs.

The Hymns have a few other food related quibbles with the city, but I can’t fault them for their excellent observation about the burritos. Because of this and their awesome music (but I think mainly the former) they are a UI-Approved, Must-See CMJ Marathon Artist.

Make sure to come back to Blog.UncensoredInterview.com during the Marathon itself for Poingly’s man-on-the-scene coverage, and to check in with CMJ.com for Uncensored Interview clips filmed during the Marathon.

Robbie Wants to Kick Your Ass

Triumphantly Jenny — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:54:01 +0000

How many CMJ bands are going to threaten you while their pants are undone? Well, I can give you one example. Robbie from Looker’s coming out of the closet–pants undone–to tell you to come see them at CMJ. Or perhaps to kick your ass. Probably the latter. But Looker is still one of my favorite UI-Approved, Must-See CMJ Marathon Artists. And it might have something to do with their lack of pants.

Looker: That’s What Belts Are For.

Harry Approved

Triumphantly Jenny — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:55:21 +0000

If you needed someone to tell you which indie band you should be listening to, you’d be hard pressed to find a better arbiter of taste than Debbie Harry. Talk about indie cred! In addition to being a prolifically amazing musician, style icon and singing one of the first popular rap songs, according to a new article in New York Magazine Harry isn’t familiar with the word hipster. That might be her most stunning accomplishment.

In the article she also mentions a few of her favorite bands. One of the indie bands Debbie likes so much she’s starting hanging out with them is Heloise and the Savoir Faire. While I think they are awesome, you don’t have to take my word for it–you can take Debbie’s! Or you can just see them at the Marathon, as they are a UI-Approved, Must-See CMJ Marathon Artist. In this video they discuss how they met Debs.

Make sure to come back to blog.UncensoredInterview.com during the Marathon itself for Poingly’s man-on-the-scene coverage, and to check in with CMJ.com for Uncensored Interview clips filmed during the Marathon.

Rock Kazoo

Triumphantly Jenny — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:43:06 +0000

Sure, a lot of bands have a guitarist, a singer, a drummer and/or a bassist. And a few indie bands are changing it up–harpists, accordionists, even ukelele players have cropped up in recent years. But how many Uncensored Interview-Approved, Must-See CMJ Marathon Artists are dedicated to the lofty kazoo? Only one. One awesome one. See The Two Man Gentlemen Band extoll the virtues of this maligned instrument before you check out their sweet kazoo solos at CMJ:

Confessions

Triumphantly Jenny — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:07:24 +0000

Taking Poingly’s lead, I am also going to confess some guilty pleasures. Although no one can outdo the Dave Matthews Band, I, like Bodies of Water, love me some Venga Boys:

In fact, any poppy Euro house is totally my guilty pleasure. I grew up in Chicago, a city with more Polish people than anywhere except Warsaw. They love this stuff. Because of this experience I know some of the more popular DJs of Euro house and I can correctly order a Żywiec beer.

My second guilty pleasure is the Bee Gees. I love the early, non-disco Bee Gees specifically. And if you play some of those songs to people they think you are playing an obscure Beatles song. They are awesome, and their hairy, hairy chests are just a bonus.

I am not particularly guilty about either of these, though they are somewhat embarrassing. There are two I feel kind of guilty about.

I kind of like Prussian Blue? They’re a white supremecist folk duo. Who are children. In case this needs pointing out, I am not a white supremecist in any way. But I sing along with their catchy tunes and then get creeped out.

Finally, I like Toby Keith. His lyrics are really awesome. They’re intentionally very funny and smart. Funny lyrics are my soft spot. That’s right, I called Toby Keith smart. Also, ballsy. I mean, when the Dixie Chicks criticized President Bush (and Toby Keith), their career tanked for a bit. But Toby Keith announced he is pro-Obama recently anyway, and there hasn’t been much backlash. This is making me feel a bit better about liking Toby Keith. I mean he’s one of the few democrats who is wearing flags and going overboard on patriotic lyrics, so I have to like that.

The first three are easy enough to keep a secret, but if I drink enough, and there’s a jukebox, I will be playing some Toby Keith. And maybe Big ‘n’ Rich. And singing along. Loudly.