Bob Wiseman recently completed a European tour with (fellow Canadian) Feist and during their down time, Bob was working on a music video for his song, “Who Am I” which stars the lovely and talented Leslie Feist. The video is going to premier exclusively through CMJ very soon and will be available worldwide shortly after the premier. I’ll send out an announcement when the official debut date is um… official. Hopefully by next week.
These are exciting times and Bob is an exciting bard of a man.
Here is a trailer to the documentary that I’m producing entitled, The Secret Altar. It’s about the Milestone Club in Charlotte, NC, a dive bar/venue first opened in 1969. It’s been through various states of ownership and now is run by Neal M.F. Harper.
Since the White Stripes are talking some well deserved time off (but, not from releasing merchandise), it’s our pleasure to announce The Feist Stripes. OK - it’s just Bouncing Bobby Wiseman with new (guest) drummer, Feist. Check out this video from Bob Wiseman’s last European show opening for Feist. He’ll be in the Europe for a little while longer.
On November 6th, Shalini’s 3rd album, The Surface And The Shine officially hits the street and Greensboro’s alt-weekly, Go Triad is featuring Shalini on the front cover.
Be sure to check www.gotriad.com on November 9th and pick up a copy if you live nearby.
Clock Hands Strangle are an impressive indie rock band from Melbourne, Florida. Redshift/Blueshift is the band’s debut full-length. Right from the beginning, I am reminded of another eclectic Florida band that I recently reviewed, Band Marino. Both bands have an incredible talent considering their youth. However, where Band Marino’s music runs a wide spectrum, Clock Hands Strangle have a more focused and uniform approach.
Clock Hands Strangle has an endearing wayward spirit that reveals itself slowly with each listen. The band’s influences sit rather firmly out in front. Modest Mouse, Built To Spill, Death Cab For Cutie and Iron & Wine are all touchstones that come to mind when listening to Redshift/Blueshift. The album is an interesting tale of two sides. The first (and stronger) half begins with opening track, “Redshift.” This half is more acoustically-based and lyrically tells tales of loss. The second half which ends with the closing track, “Blueshift,” consists of Clock Hands Strangle’s more rock-driven material and lyrically turns towards acceptance.
The vocal and lyrical style of vocalist/guitarist Todd Portnowitz bare a striking resemblance to Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. Instrumentally speaking, Redshift/Blueshift is rich and abundant. Horns, violin, piano, and glockenspiel all make appearances here and add a dynamic quality to the band’s warm songwriting. The music creates a solid backdrop for the band’s poetic lyrical imagery. Once again, the influence of Isaac Brock and Modest Mouse is hard to ignore. Clock Hands Strangle’s lyrics seem to have that same morbid, but beautifully descriptive nature of Brock’s best material. Elements of birth, life and death litter the lyrical highway that Clock Hands Strangle travel. The album comes to end with “Blueshift,” an eight minute foot-stomper that encompasses all of Clock Hands Strangle’s many strengths. The songs between “Redshift” and “Blueshift” show a band with an incredible vision and the ability to transport the listener. Redshift/Blueshift is an album in the truest sense.
Clock Hands Strangle have scored quite a triumph here. While Redshift/Blueshift may not be for those seeking instant gratification, it is for those who appreciate albums that will stand the test of time. The album gives you something more with each subsequent listen. Clock Hands Strangle have quietly delivered a stunner of a debut with Redshift/Blueshift.
RIYL: Death Cab For Cutie, Modest Mouse, Built To Spill
WHAT: Best of Fries on the Side - Comedy Sketch Show - www.friesontheside.com
WHEN: Saturday, October 20, 2007 Doors open at 9:00 pm
Show starts at 9:30 pm
WHERE: The SanfordMeisnerCenter 5124 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA91601
WHO: The Fries writing staff works to create a slate of over a dozen sketches each week.
Comedic Actors who perform these sketches designed for the public who comes for pure enjoyment
October 20, 2007
Special Guest - Brently Heilbron LA’s most promising comedic voice at-large, Brently Heilbron is returning for his 2nd appearance at Fries. This summer has seen Brently record his 2nd live comedy album as well as travel the country performing his live stage play of R. Kelly’s popular “Trapped in the Closet (Ch 13-22)” epic video-novella. 2007 is shaping to be Brently’s best year to date and he’s pleased to be returning to Fries On The Side one last time before Mrs. Gould takes control of the White House in ‘08. http://www.vaudevilleheartthrob.com/
Musical Guest - P!stol P!stol We are the new generation of broken homes and shattered dreams, we are as real as it gets, young, poor, and influenced by this city… look out world were coming for ya…We are P!STOL P!STOL. Hear us roar. http://www.myspace.com/pistolpistolmusic WHY: To create a live sketch comedy show night that goes from package to plate in under two hours.
The secret is in the preparation.
Unfortunately, the venue canceled the show at no fault of the performers. They had to move a private party from later in the month to the 4th and I guess they thought it was OK to put the other show out to pasture. Sorry! We’ll be rescheduling Libby’s show for a later date.
Musical Guest - P!stol P!stol
