ChordStrike

Radiohead Gets Orchestral Treatment in Seattle

 

While the music cognoscenti are abuzz about Radiohead’s new album, King of Limbs, and vocalist Thom Yorke’s mad dancing skills, last weekend the Seattle Rock Orchestra dug into Radiohead’s back catalog performing the entirety of both The Bends and OK Computer.

Seattle newsweekly The Stranger described the show, “A different singer came out every three or four songs, and while the whole premise seemed kinda strange at first, like a very lush version of karaoke, the singers got better and better.”The Seattle Rock Orchestra is a self-described “volunteer community orchestra that collaborates with local bands and artists to produce one-of-a-kind symphonic shows.”

Founded in 2009, the collective has worked with orchestral-pop group Grand Hallway to produce a tribute to Arcade Fire’s 2004 album, Funeral. Early 2010 saw the group perform a David Bowie tribute as well a show devoted to The Beach Boys’ hugely influential 1966 recording, Pet Sounds.

The Radiohead show sold out Seattle’s Moore Theatre, which has us thinking we should probably snap up some tix for their performance of Queen’s breakout 4th album, A Night at the Opera, this coming May.

Watch the group perform “Paranoid Android” last weekend here.

-Court @ SoundUnwound

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Arcade Fire Fotes

 Photographer-at-large, David Lichterman (he covered 2010 Sasquatch for us) scored a press pass to the recent Arcade Fire gig at the Key Arena in Seattle.  Here are the results and some words from David. -- Hugo Munday

In Seattle, Autumn marks the tail-end of the festivals and the beginning of an amazing concert season. With big names like The Black Keys, The Dirty Projectors, The Flaming Lips, and Arcade Fire all playing within a 7 day timeframe, it's only natural to have trouble prioritizing which should get your hard-earned dollar.  Speaking of which, a buck from every ticket sold on the Arcade Fire tour is donated to the Haiti aid organization Kanpe.

I had the pleasure of photographing Arcade Fire's Seattle tour stop in support of their third LP, The Suburbs. While, sadly, I didn't get to see the Calexico opener per my own fault for not knowing my way around Seattle's Key Arena, watching the 100 minute set fly by, as I sang along with the crowd, was something rather epic. -- David Lichterman

Song for Pain: a Gospel Offering for Haiti

Thanks for the first-hand account of unfolding tragedy, Jason.  It's good to have you back.

I've spent the weekend in Nashville for the 2010 Stellar Awards, as gospel celebrated their big night.

Lots of inspirational, empathetic speeches and prayers as the show began and throughout the evening for the victims of the tragedy unfolding in Haiti.  Underpinning the words, one of the evening's presenters, Kirk Franklin  put the call out earlier last week to singers assembling for the awards, to join him in recording a relief record.

Past midnight on Friday, the night before the Stellars, I packed into an overflowing, nondescript studio off Music Row, while Kirk directed a classic, wailing Mary Mary overlay.  I didn't hear the whole song, but did get a preview of some of the chorus / backup work, which was really uplifting.  I bailed just before CeCe Winans came to contribute, but they went well past 2:00 that morning.

I don't have many details, but I know the working title is "Song for Pain,"  it's in post-production and Kirk and others are working all hours to get their contribution out soon.  I will post more about the project and how they plan to funnel contributions, when I get firm details.  – Hugo Munday

2009 CMA Awards: The Best & Worst Moments

Another year of CMA Awards has come and gone and Chordstrike is here to vilify and praise the worst and the best of "Country Music's Biggest Night." Without further ado...

Top 10 Worst Moments:

1. Taylor Swift's "mature" opening show performance replete with a stripper pole and black spandex (or was it leather?), not to mention, her voice was flat and off key.
2. Carrie Underwood does "Cowboy Casanova" looking strangely like Christina Aguilera circa 2003. The presence of synchronized dance steps and costumes proves yet again that the contemporary country genre is anything but Country.
3. Sugarland wins Duo of the Year and asks Brooks & Dunn if they want to come on stage to say anything. The awkward and uncomfortable look on B & D's faces was oh so palpable.
4. Sugarland performs another wannabe tear jerker song which leads this viewer to ask, "whaddu I gotta dooooo to keep from listening to youuuu?"
5. Kenny Chesney - another CMA Awards Show, another blue shirt and pair of gray pants. And he went way off key, saved only by Dave Matthews appearing on stage to rescue him from his own warbling.
6. Video screens flashing lyrics word for word during a few of the performances. Did I forget to turn off my close captioning?
7. Lady Antebellum win the Vocal Group of the Year award followed immediately by a TIAA CREF commercial that features a Lady Antebellum song. This makes for the quickest sellout story in Country Music history.
8. Brad & Carrie are interrupted by an Little Jimmy Dickens rambling about a Taylor Swift video. I know it was supposed to be a play on the Kanye thing, but it didn't come off quite right.
9. ABC's lame attempt to promote their new show "The Middle" by using the show's stars as award presenters, along with their painful attempt to link their show to the "common family" epitomized by Country Music. Yea, nice try.
10. Brooks & Dunn perform with ex-ZZ Top member making it the one and only geriatric retiree performance of the night.

Top 10 Best Moments:
1. Darius Rucker wins the New Artist of the Year award and is the first African American artist to do so, as well as his acceptance speech.
2. Carrie Underwood dissing Kanye West to the tune of "Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Kanye."
3. Zac Brown Band's cover of "Devil Goes Down To Georgia."
4. Jamey Johnson's subtle and understated acceptance speech for Song of the Year, including the link between our grandparents and Veterans Day to "In Color."
5. On stage banter between Brad and Carrie, including the comment about "George Straight plus eight."
6. Kid Rock and Jamey Johnson perform "Somewhere Between Jennings and Jones" to thankfully feature some traditional country for the night!
7. Miranda Lambert's bass player with the white suit and mohawk. So Country Punk!
8. Lady Antebellum on-stage performance reminiscent of an old duo between Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.
9. Darius Rucker does his version of crowd surfing during his performance. We loved those lip syncing fans that couldn't quite get the lyrics right.
10. The huge psychedelic flat screen ceiling lights hung above Keith Urban during his performance.

What did we get right or wrong?

--Lucas Hilbert

2009 CMA Award Winners

Congratulations to this year's winners at the CMA Awards Show. The list of winners includes:

Entertainer of the Year: Taylor Swift
Female Vocalist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley
New Artist of the Year: Darius Rucker
Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum
Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland
Album of the Year: Taylor Swift, Fearless

To celebrate, we're offering a free MP3 download by a CMA Award-nominated artist (code: CMAAWARD).

Browse all the winners, nominees, featured artists, and more in our CMA Awards Store.

     --Jason Kirk

Capitol Hill Block Party '09

It's a beautiful afternoon here in Seattle, and the crowd is beginning to draw for Capitol Hill's annual music-packed Block Party. This year's big names include Built to Spill, the Jesus Lizard, and Deerhunter tonight with Sonic Youth, Gossip, and the Pains of Being Pure at Heart on Saturday, among many others, on three different stages over the next two days.

I started with a fast-paced, crowd-pleasing set from Seattle's own supergroup, Thee Sgt. Major III, featuring members of local legends Young Fresh Fellows, the Posies, and the Fastbacks, along with Chordstrike's own Leslie Beattie on vocals. What a great way to spend a Friday afternoon!

--Alan Wiley

Concert Review: The Crystal Method in Seattle

 

I used to live in France, and I never thought it would be possible to approximate my European rave experience here in the U.S.  I love trance and electronica, but lately I’ve felt like the oldest person at the party when I'm rocking out with people ten years younger than me.  Not that there's anything wrong with this.  It's just that I feel somewhat out of place.  When I lived in Europe, it seemed like electronic music enthusiasts skewed a bit older and I felt like I fit in more. 

But my sense of disconnect might not have anything to do with age at all.  Maybe it’s more the fact that the electronic music scene has always been more about the scene than the music itself.   Either way, I seem to have more fun nowadays listening to electronic music in the car than I do at a live show. 

So it was with some trepidation that I headed down to the WaMu Theater in downtown Seattle last Saturday to see The Crystal Method play along with DJ Kaskade and The Prodigy.  I’ve been a Crystal Method fan for some time now, and I think their new album, Divided By Night, is fantastic.  Bright and stylistically varied, every track pulsates with a hypnotic sort of energy that reaches out and pulls me right into the heart of the music.  And every track has that special something that makes Crystal Method music distinct, even amid all the (admittedly awesome) guest artists, like Matisyahu, Meiko and LMFAO.  Rarely has an album, let alone an electronic music album, left me so entranced (pun intended!) on my very first listen. 

Despite my love for the album, I didn't really know what to expect when I arrived at the show.  I’d never seen The Crystal Method live, and I wasn’t sure how their music would translate from album to stage.  The fact that I got to interview Crystal Method members Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland before the show helped allay my apprehensions.  I sat down with Jordan and Kirkland in their dressing room and discovered that aside from being just about the nicest guys in the world—laid back, interesting, and fun conversationalists—they're also intensely dedicated to both their music and to musical innovation. 

This dedication was evident from the moment they took the stage.  After Kaskade laid down a solid set, the lasers dimmed, a hush rippled through the crowd, and Jordan and Kirkland materialized, bathed in the cool blue of the stage lights.  They kicked off their set with my current favorite single of the moment, “Drown in the Now” featuring Matisyahu, and kept everyone dancing for well over an hour.  Deftly sliding between laptops, synthesizers, and keyboards, Jordan and Kirkland somehow seemed to translate both their energy and passion to the crowd, keeping us on our feet with shifting rhythms and rolling waves of energy—lulling us into an almost hypnotic calm, then slowly building back up again. 

Halfway through the set I looked around at all the intently dancing people and realized how much I was enjoying myself.  There was a unique quality permeating the arena—a sense of ebullience—that you rarely find at a live electronic music show.  This was what I’d been looking for—this elusive sense of feeling alive, in the moment, thinking only of the rhythm and the music and nothing else.  I don't know quite how Jordan and Kirkland were able to produce this effect—maybe it's the fact that they're masters of their craft, or maybe it's their obvious passion for their work—but it made the quality of their music inherently joyful, and my experience at the show even more so.

I’ll be posting my interview with Jordan and Kirkland soon, so stay tuned.  In the meantime, check out our Divided By Night Listening Party and the surrealistic music video for “Drown in the Now” below.

--Bri Nguyen

5 Things I Will Remember About Sasquatch 2009

Now that I've finally recovered from three exhausting and thrilling days of sun, music, and elephant ears, here, in descending order, are the five things I will remember most about this year's Sasquatch Music Festival:

5) Finding out about Jay Bennett's death from Silversun Pickups' frontman, Brian Aubert, who dedicated a song to Bennett, adding, "may he rest in peace" --

I'm so utterly addicted to the interent/blogosphere that it was shocking to actually hear a breaking news item from a real live person, let alone a quasi-rock-star. It was a sad, strange moment.

4) Meeting one of my favorite singers, Mark Kozelek (Red House Painters/Sun Kil Moon), during the Bon Iver set --

I was on my way to go pull a friend away from the YYY's mainstage show when I spotted Kozelek in the crowd taking in the Bon Iver set. I shook his hand, told him how much I love his music (especially his album of acoustic AC/DC covers) and moved on. He seemed genuinely appreciative and I was thoroughly stoked.

3) St. Vincent --

After taking in this performance, my crush on St. Vincent's Annie Clark escalated from "slight" to "unhealthy." H-E-L-P!

2) Shearwater --

Shearwater was flat-out fantastic live. I liked 2008's Rook, but I wasn't expecting much when I meandered over to the Wookie stage to check out this Texas-based band, fronted by former Okkervil River member and bird-enthusiast Jonathan Meiburg. I won't go into the details, but if you like this band at all, don't miss them the next time they roll through town--they are the real deal.  

1) Bon Iver --

Closing out the first night of the festival on the Wookie stage, Bon Iver came off less like a new-kid-on-the-indie-singer-song-writer-block and more like an elder statesman showing all the wannabes how it's done. The sun had just set when Justin Vernon and co. took the stage, the waning light and surreal landscape of the Gorge providing the perfect backdrop to Vernon's sad, rousing melodies. Even Mos Def, who I spotted checking out the set from stage-side, was bobbing up and down to "Skinny Love." 

Oh, 'Squatch, I miss you already.      

Sasquatch 2009: Day 2 Wrap-Up

Ok, so I realize this didn't exactly hit the presses anytime yesterday, but really--a lot happened, and we didn't want to miss anything, and by the time the day was done, I literally passed out with my laptop on my stomach trying to write it all up, so please forgive me. I caught pieces of incredible sets by the Walkmen, Fences, the Avett Brothers, TV on the Radio, the Dodos, Nine Inch Nails, M83, Natile Portman's Shaved Head, and Of Montreal. Here are some highlights:

The Walkmen:

The crowd was excited to see the Walkmen, who debuted several new songs during their set, but it was their hits from their three albums that really got everyone riled up and jumping around. With the sun blasting full-tilt, the east coast favorites delivered. It was at this point that I realized I was so hungry that I had to pause for a food break. One $8 5-inch pizza and another $8 foot-long "colossal dog" later, I was ready for more music.

TV on the Radio:

I got the feeling that this band was one of the reasons a lot of people came to the festival in general, and you could see why. Their catchy melodies, coupled with their complex harmonies and unique songs made for a memorable set, that the sardine-stacked main stage crowd ate up like so many cinnamon coated elephant ears.

M83:

Jeff and I discussed it, and it was unanimous. M83 wins the sexiest band at Sasquatch award (Jeff adds, "There wasn't a lot of competition.").  Performing as a 3 piece, they, along with the crowd, challenged the heat and setting sun with thier cool, chilled-out, synth-driven songs, that felt like a wash of cool water over everyone. That, and they both looked incredibly sexy.

The Dodos:

 

Though I didn't catch their whole set (they played at the same time as M83), these guys were relentless. The drummer's physicality was tangible, and the fans were cheering for encores after they were finished.

Of Montreal:

Somehow, Jeff and I ended up on stage with Of Montreal. It all happened kind of fast, but we were asked to "act" as part of their set. We were supposed to be tourists being led on a guided tour by a guy in a naked suit with a tiger head. Then we were supposed to be frozen in fright, at which point we were posed by a guy in drag who came in carrying another naked suit tiger headed guy, this one bloodied. There were karate moves, glitter, and then we left the stage. A very odd experience that seems like it could only happen during an Of Montreal show. Here's Jeff right before we went on stage (sorry, Jeff!):

 

and here's a shot I took while on stage--we were actually supposed to take pictures, being tourists and all.

 

I ended the evening with a little bit of Natalie Portman's Shaved Head and then caught the tail end of Nine Inch Nails' set. He ended with "Head Like A Hole," one of his first singles from Pretty Hate Machine, and it was pretty great.

Jeff and I both just couldn't take it anymore, so we left before Jane's Addiction took the stage, but could hear the beginnings of their set while we looked for my car in the sea of vehicles parked in the adjoining field. Today is a new day, and we'll try to bring you updates throughout the day.

--Alan Wiley

Sasquatch! 2009: Mos Def, Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Mos Def ruled the Wookie stage Saturday evening, rhyming over a variety of beats to an enthusiastic, capacity crowd. We were lucky enough to get on the side of the stage with him, and it was great seeing such a dynamic performer so close up. The audience threw fists in the air, sang along, and had a great time. As cool as it was, I left his performance a little early in order to catch the Yeah Yeah Yeahs performance on the main stage, while Jeff stayed behind.  He'll possibly chime in later with a more in-depth assesment of the performance.

The YYYs captivated their audience and brought a ferocious energy to a crowd that was tiring as quickly as the sun was setting (the sunset here at The Gorge is amazing). They played every song I wanted to hear, and I was more than satisfied to spend the twilight listening to songs like "Zero" and "Maps." It was truly a beautiful night, but I have to admit--the early morning, long drive, hot sun, and relentless lineup have taken their toll on me, and I'm certainly ready for a good night's sleep, and am relatively certain that I'll konk out pretty quickly as soon as I get back to the hotel tonight. After all, like the rest of this crowd, I've gotta get up and do it all again tomorrow! See you then!

--Alan Wiley

Paula Abdul Proves She Can't Sing

Now, I love an '80s lady just about as much as anyone can, but isn't there something a little off about a singer who's also a judge on a huge national singing contest not only abusing auto-tune to the point that she sounds like a synthetic person, but then lip syncing her "live" performance on said show? I call BS on this mess.

Update: Sorry for the crappy video. They keep deleting them so I keep chasing them down.

--Alan Wiley

Fruits, Cats and Kimonos

Katy Perry began her 2009 tour in Seattle on Friday night, playing to a sold out crowd at The Showbox.  I took my daughter, thinking I would stroke my beard and contemplate the vagaries of youth.  Wrong.  I had a great time leaping up and down in the throng and got every word, from a vocal and familiar audience, trying to compete with the sound system.  That being said, the tween juggernaut package was blessedly absent from this evening.

What do you get if you go?  More than I thought.  If  the Seattle opener was anything to go by, you get Kitty Purry (a huge inflated, illuminated cat), tons of oversized, flying fruit, a costume change, pretty much the whole album and some covered Queen that had this old fart belting out the lyrics, for a change.  I'm still having a good time, having a good time. -- Hugo Munday

01/26/2009 Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
01/28/2009 The Fillmore San Francisco, CA
01/29/2009 The Empire Sacramento, CA
01/31/2009 The Wiltern Los Angeles, CA
02/02/2009 University of Arizona Tucson Tuscon, AZ
02/03/2009 Marquee Theatre Tempe, AZ
02/05/2009 House of Blues San Diego, CA
02/10/2009 In The Venue Salt Lake City, UT

Capitol Hill Block Party: Chromeo

Sometimes I feel like my subsconscious created Chromeo, mostly because I can't imagine them being as perfectly suited to anyone else's tastes as they are to mine. I mean, are there really thousands of people clamoring for a band who takes '80s/'90s R&B and updates it with gangsta steez? Does the general population need a crew who shows equal respect to the Whispers, Bobby Brown, and Jodeci? Judging by the number of folks hollering along and losing their minds, the answer appears to be yes, and that freaks me out. Belltown bros high-fived and hipsters tested the integrity of their skinny jeans by recklessly shaking ass. Chromeo is for the people, man. That was the most fun I've ever had at a show in Seattle and I don't think I'm alone.

-- Jeff Reguilon

Capitol Hill Block Party: Kimya Dawson

 

After the incredible success of the Juno soundtrack, it's no wonder Kimya Dawson is playing the main stage here. She's running through several songs from her upcoming children's album "Alphabutt," and they're fantastic. There's something about Kimya's simple down-to-earth songs and attitude that make me feel like she'd be my best friend if she weren't so hugely popular.
--Alan Wiley

Capitol Hill Block Party: The Cave Singers

 

So far today it's a little less crowded, but everyone knows that will change soon enough. Seattle's own folky hipster hillbillies the Cave Singers are bringing some peaceful and mellow vibes to the event, and there's room enough for everyone. The overcast skies are a bit daunting--here's hoping we won't suffer the rain that's been forecast, although a part of me wouldn't mind a little sprinkling, it's warm out.
--Alan Wiley

Capitol Hill Block Party: Vampire Weekend

 

After a rousing welcome from Washington Guv'ner Christine Gregoire, Vampire Weekend hit the stage. At this point the crowd is so thick I can hardly breathe anymore. I've gotta bail. After the first two songs I make a break for it. I know, I'm a total wuss, but it's been a long week, and there's still tomorrow to come. I'll catch up with y'all then.
--Alan Wiley

Capitol Hill Block Party: Best Merch

 

Best merch at the CHBP--Natalie Portman's Shaved Head's inflatable dolphins.
--Alan Wiley

Capitol Hill Block Party: Jay Reatard

 

This is f-ing punk rock. It's the kind of show I haven't been to since I was 19 years old. I never realized I miss this kind of energy until now.

-- Jeff Reguilon

Capitol Hill Block Party: Girl Talk Pt. 2

 

...to Wham! to Lil' Wayne to Tone Loc to the Romantics to M.I.A. to Journey...

--Alan Wiley

Capitol Hill Block Party : Girl Talk

Girl Talk is has got the party going in a big way. Starting off on stage by himself, a crowd jumps up and chaos promptly ensues. Mixing together everyone from Sinead O'Connor to Weezer to Biggie to E-40 to Elton John into one extended mashup to end all mashups. The crowd is DEFINITELY feeling this. The humanity is so thick it takes 10 minutes to get from one side of the stage to another, even in the very back. This is the most packed I've ever seen the block party.
--Alan Wiley