[Live MP3s] Swervedriver in Boston 2008
Posted on August 6, 2008 at 3:49 pm | No Comments
Even though I’m an unabashed fan of the shoegaze, I think I’m still allowed to believe that particular moniker for early-90s, mostly British, pedal-heavy, layered-guitar music is a bit silly. For me it’s merely a quick way to group together a ton of bands I loved and love; just some shorthand for us fans (or misguided detractors).
Of all the bands that get lumped into that press-created category, I’ve always thought that Swervedriver was the one that fit least comfortably — they’ve always struck me as more rock, less gentle, a little more alpha-male than their so-called downward-gazing peers. I mean, just listen to the progression-ending guitar hook in “Rave Down” and tell me that’s not heavy as hell. In a live setting, even more so.
So maybe it’s their more-muscular guitar lines that accounted for the huge backwards-ball-cap wearing contingent at the Boston stop of their reunion tour in June… I can’t explain it otherwise. I mean, you’re likely not gonna spot high-fiving and chest-bumping at a Ride reunion show (yes, I saw actual pectoral contact). You’ll probably hear their hyena howling in the recording below. Where were all those guys for the criminally under-attended Adam Franklin / Toshack Highway solo shows over the past decade or so? And will they show up for Magnetic Morning at Great Scott in October?
So, yeah, the Swervies reunited. And they toured. And it was great. Nearly as great (though not quite as ear-crushing) as the first go ’round, and much like those olden days, the Oxford quartet was all business: minimal audience acknowledgment, minimal smiling, maximum pedals. The only interaction I cared about was between Adam’s Jazzmaster, its whammy bar, and his wah pedal. Hopefully this recording captures a sliver of the sonic power on display.
Oh, and you’ll notice that the intro to “Never Lose That Feeling” fades in… leave it to my gear to freak out just as they launch into my favorite song of the set. But it recovered quickly. Whew.
Live at the Paradise
in Boston, MA
on Tuesday, June 10th, 2008
01. Sci-Flyer
02. The Birds
03. Duel
04. Planes Over The Skyline
05. Wrong Treats
06. Sandblasted
07. Behind The Scenes Of The Sounds And The Times
08. Scrawl & Scream
09. These Times
10. The Other Jesus
11. Rave Down
12. Never Lose That Feeling
13. Son Of Mustang Ford
14. Last Train To Satansville
15. Duress
Some Swervedriver linkage…
Tuesday, Sept. 16th @ The Scala in London with Six By Seven and Exit Calm
Thursday, Sept. 18th @ King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow
After that, Magnetic Morning kicks off a 3-week U.S. tour in mid-October, and those dates can be found here. As I mentioned, one of those stops is Allston’s Great Scott on October 20th, where they’ll be playing with Springhouse (featuring The Big Takeover‘s Jack Rabid… I can’t wait to finally shake that man’s hand) and DC’s Julie Ocean (who include Velocity Girl‘s Jim Spellman). Now there’s a lineup for ya. I’ll be giving away tix to that one as it gets closer.
the fine print… If anyone has an issue with these Mp3s being made available, just let me know (my contact info in the ‘nac faq). Live sets recorded with a Sony ECM-719 mic and a Sony MZ-RH10 minidisc, converted to .wav and then edited to 192kbps Mp3s. Files are made available for a limited time, and are not reposted once removed.
Mp3s: Ida live in Somerville
Posted on July 25, 2008 at 8:54 am | No Comments
This week Polyvinyl starts shipping pre-orders of a new release from personal faves Ida, an EP titled “My Fair My Dark” that officially arrives in stores on August 5th. The 7-track disc (8 on vinyl!) follows fairly closely on the heels of their gorgeous January-released “Lovers Prayers” full-length, and includes material recorded during those sessions at Levon Helms’ farm in upstate NY. Order it up here, and vinyl-lovers should note that the 12″ version includes download codes for 256kbps Mp3s of all the songs (including the vinyl’s bonus track).
Here’s what the Ida site has to say about the EP’s contents…
Two new originals, one song live at The Midnight Ramble. Covers of John and Beverley Martyn, Dolly Parton & Anne Briggs songs. Special guests include Levon Helm, Michael Hurley, Tara Jane Oneil and more. Vinyl has bonus track, a cover of His Name Is Alive‘s “The Darkest Night“.
To celebrate this new release, here’s a recording of Ida’s most-recent visit to the Boston area, a hushed set (as Dan says, “quietest Dreamdate ever”) at the Nave Gallery inside Somerville’s Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, which includes an audience-assisted live version of one of the new originals (“Don’t Wreck It“). The stripped-down band was Dan, Liz, and violinist Jean Cook (whose harmonies are much-appreciated, especially in the absence of newish mom Karla Schickele), and they were joined on a few songs by friend and show opener Michael Hurley. Word is that the full lineup will tour Japan later this year once Karla and drummer Ruth Keating (also taking a mom-break) return to the fold. Here’s wishing that us statesiders get the same treatment soon after, and I’ve also got high hopes for a Boston visit from Liz & Dan’s children’s music incarnation sometime soon. Our little guy is ready to find out where the songs he loves come from…
Live at the Nave Gallery
in the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church
in Somerville, MA
on Sunday, June 1st, 2008
(brought to you lovingly by the Critique of Pure Reason,
which is currently taking a long-deserved rest)
01. intro
02. For Shame Of Doing Wrong
03. See the Stars
04. The Love Below
05. Capo
06. Dreamdate
07. The Willow Tree
08. banter 1
09. The Killers
10. Road to Ruin (John & Beverley Martyn)
11. banter 2
12. Don’t Wreck It (new)
13. banter 3
14. Laurel Blues
15. Jubilee
16. Maybelle
Some Ida web link action…
Their official site, MySpace page, Wikipedia entry, and Polyvinyl label page. Additional Audio: Ida generously makes live audio available on their own Audio Archive page (update coming ‘shortly’). You can stream the entirety of their latest full length, “Lovers Prayers”, right here. Polyvinyl has many Ida Mp3s available for sampling, including…
Mp3: Ida – “Lovers Prayers“
Mp3: Ida – “Road To Ruin“ (J&B Martyn cover)Many more Mp3 and streamable links can be found through the Polyvinyl Ida page. Stream their wonderful children’s music at the You Are My Flower site. If you’re the parent of a young one, those albums couldn’t be more highly recommended.
Video: Ida has their own Visual Archive, which includes both concept vids and live clips. An Ida YouTube search will turn up recent videos for “The Weight of the Straw“ by Megan Holmes and a live performance of of “See The Stars“. Photos: Ida keeps their own photos here, and my Flickr-hosted shots are over here. Check out a full Ida Flickr tag search for tons more. Which includes pics of many women named Ida. Upcoming Ida live appearances…
Saturday, Aug. 16th @ Schuba’s in Chicago, IL
August 25th @ Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, CA
September 5th @ Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, CA
with Michael Hurley, Amy Annelle, & Ralph WhiteSeptember 12th @ the Vera Project in Seattle, WA
with Tara Jane OneilSeptember 15th @ Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, OR
with Tara Jane OneilEasily stream any and all ‘Nac-hosted Mp3s over at Le Hype Machine.
the fine print… If anyone has an issue with these Mp3s being made available, just let me know (my contact info in the ‘nac faq). Live sets recorded with a Sony ECM-719 mic and a Sony MZ-RH10 minidisc, converted to .wav and then edited to 192kbps Mp3s. Files are made available for a limited time, and are not reposted once removed.