Langerado 2007 Preview | Checkin’ Out the New

Well, at least they will be new to me!
Yep, that’s right folks, as Justin recently mentioned, I’ll be headin’ down to Florida for the festival extravaganza that is Langerado! And with just over a week until it begins, I’ve been starting to get some pre-show butterflies of excitement. One thing I’m especially excited about is the possibility of checkin’ out a bunch of bands that I’ve never experienced in the live setting.
So, here’s a run-down and a musical sampling of a just a few of the bands I’m siked to see next week in Florida…
A couple in the Indie Rock vein…
New Pornographers
The New Pornos have been an obsession of on of my good friend’s for a while now. But for some reason, I had been reluctant about grabbin’ their music until recently. I finally made good use of my eMusic subscription and checked out a few choice cuts (thanks Tim!). And I am already seein’ the light. The multi-vocal choruses, interesting dynamics, and familiar pop hooks make me feel like I’ve been listening to New Pornos for a while. But it’s all interesting enough to keep a jam-hungry kid like me enthused. It’ll be tough not to get sucked into the familiar southern jam-rock of Widespread (which might just happen), but I’d really like to give this band my individed attention.
Listen:
- The New Pornographers – Use It [mp3]
Band of Horses
I keep seein’ this band’s name all over the Indie blogosphere. My initial impression was that they were just a product of the hype machine (a la Tapes’n Tapes for me) and I might not dig them when it came down to just me and my iPod. I don’t even think I liked this tune “Funeral” when I first heard it. But like the good listener I am, I gave BOH another try,and am starting to dig what I hear. I don’t really know how to describe this music…which is why I think I’m so curious about their live show. The lead vocals grab me with the high-pitched reverby yelps of say, Perry Ferrel, but it’s much less psychadelic and more sincere. As I said, difficult to describe, but no less intriguing. We’ll see.
Listen:
- Band of Horses – The Funeral [mp3]
Of the jammier variety…
Perpetual Groove
Justin recently re-invigorated my interest in these guys. For most of the last few years, I’ve heard them mentioned (and occasionally hyped by some southern jam-kid), but I never gave them much of fighting chance (too much other great music to be had and too little time?). But I recently popped a few tunes onto the old iPod and they’ve been grabbin’ more of my attention. I am not a convert by any means, but if these boys can rock out the psychadelic atmospherics — like I’ve heard from their 11-8-06 or NYE shows — then I think I’m in…
Listen:
- Perpetual Groove – Robot Waltz [mp3]
Artists with an “International” flare…
Toubab Krewe
These guys have been hyped quite a bit by the “headier” music sites, including this one (in fact, I think Justin may have developed a slight obsession). But they’ve also gotten some more mainstream coverage too.
I think there’s a good reason this band is really starting to get some play. These guys have picked up on a new — dare I say, “ethnic” — sound, taking from the West African tradition, adding some cool instrumentation (mainly the Kora), but also doing a bit of the improv-jam thing. It’s catchy, groovy, and quite titillating to the ear. Also, you gotta hand it to them for recently venturing all the way to Mali to study up on the traditional West African sounds they try to emulate. I only hope they can live up to the hype. (here, I’ve included Live Music Blog’s 32nd podcast; details available here)
Listen:
- Jamcast #032 – Toubab Krewe Cuts [mp3]
Rodrigo & Gabriela
For some reason, the Indie music blogs have grabbed hold of this Mexican guitar duo (that happens to be based in Ireland of all places). They have really been takin’ off over the past year and landed a spot on ATO records (known best for MMJ, Ben Kweller, Gomez, and the Whigs)….And for good reason, they sound great!
Back in 1999, I spent six months in Spain –which included a brief attempt at learning Flamenco guitar — so I have a sweet spot for this kind of sound. But this is not Paco de Lucia. These two play songs with more bite, more pep, and more rock! In fact, part of what has gotten them a lot of play is their penchant for re-working hard rock classics from the likes of Led Zeppelin to Metallica. But it’s not just the novelty covers that makes them special, but the fast finger-picking and rhythmic drumming on the body of the guitar that blend together into an amazing sound. I predict that these two will really impress folks down in Florida and surprise the hell out of some unsusepcting jam-kids. As much as I love Toots & the Maytals, I’m checkin out these two guitaristas….sorry Toots!
Listen:
- Rodrigo y Gabriela – Tamacun [mp3]
By the way, have you ever heard a “Stairway to Heaven” quite like this?
My Friday schedule:
Tea Leaf
New Monsoon
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
North Mississippi Allstars
Galactic
The Hold Steady
Bela Fleck
Stephen Malkmus
Trey
Sector 9
My Friday schedule:
Tea Leaf
New Monsoon
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
North Mississippi Allstars
Galactic
The Hold Steady
Bela Fleck
Stephen Malkmus
Trey
Sector 9
Rodrigo y Gabriela are ON TOUR!! Check out a show in your area!
Head herel for tickets!
11 Mar – Sunrise, Florida, Langerado Music Festival
13 Mar – Boston, MA, US Paradise Rock Club gig has been moved to Roxy Theatre. All Paradise Rock Club tickets are valid for this new venue & new tickets available.
15 Mar – Austin, Texas, SXSW Stubbs
17 Mar – Atlanta, GA, The 5 Spot
18 Mar – Nashville, GA, 3rd & Lindsley
20 Mar – Washington, D.C. Grosvenor Auditorium, National Geographic Headquarters
21 Mar – New York, NY Bowery Ballroom gig has been moved to Webster Hall. All Bowery Ballroom tickets are valid for this new venue & new tickets available.
22 Mar – Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
14 Apr – Los Angeles, CA – KCRW Charity Drive Gibson Amph
22 Apr – Portland, OR – Berbati’s Pan
23 Apr – Portland, OR, (SOLD OUT) – Aladdin Theatre
24 Apr – Seattle, WA – Showbox Theatre
26 Apr – San Francisco, CA – Grand Ballroom at Regency Center
27 Apr – Santa Cruz, LA – Catalyst
29 Apr – Indio, CA – Coachella Festival, (Stage to be confirmed)
01 May – Denver, CO – The Ogden Theatre
04 May – Chicago – Vic Theatre
23 May – London UK, (SOLD OUT) @ Shepherds Bush Empire
24 May – London UK, @ Shepherds Bush Empire – Tickets/£15.00 – Book tickets
27 May – Bristol, @ Bristol Academy – Tickets/£13.50
28 May – Liverpool, @ Liverpool Academy – Tickets/£12.50
30 May – Norwich, @ University of East Anglia – Tickets/£12.50
31 May – Nottingham, @ Rock City – Tickets/£12.50
03 June – Newcastle, @ Newcastle Academy – Tickets/£12.50
04 June – Glasgow, @ Barrowlands – Tickets/£12.50
Rodrigo y Gabriela are ON TOUR!! Check out a show in your area!
Head herel for tickets!
11 Mar – Sunrise, Florida, Langerado Music Festival
13 Mar – Boston, MA, US Paradise Rock Club gig has been moved to Roxy Theatre. All Paradise Rock Club tickets are valid for this new venue & new tickets available.
15 Mar – Austin, Texas, SXSW Stubbs
17 Mar – Atlanta, GA, The 5 Spot
18 Mar – Nashville, GA, 3rd & Lindsley
20 Mar – Washington, D.C. Grosvenor Auditorium, National Geographic Headquarters
21 Mar – New York, NY Bowery Ballroom gig has been moved to Webster Hall. All Bowery Ballroom tickets are valid for this new venue & new tickets available.
22 Mar – Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
14 Apr – Los Angeles, CA – KCRW Charity Drive Gibson Amph
22 Apr – Portland, OR – Berbati’s Pan
23 Apr – Portland, OR, (SOLD OUT) – Aladdin Theatre
24 Apr – Seattle, WA – Showbox Theatre
26 Apr – San Francisco, CA – Grand Ballroom at Regency Center
27 Apr – Santa Cruz, LA – Catalyst
29 Apr – Indio, CA – Coachella Festival, (Stage to be confirmed)
01 May – Denver, CO – The Ogden Theatre
04 May – Chicago – Vic Theatre
23 May – London UK, (SOLD OUT) @ Shepherds Bush Empire
24 May – London UK, @ Shepherds Bush Empire – Tickets/£15.00 – Book tickets
27 May – Bristol, @ Bristol Academy – Tickets/£13.50
28 May – Liverpool, @ Liverpool Academy – Tickets/£12.50
30 May – Norwich, @ University of East Anglia – Tickets/£12.50
31 May – Nottingham, @ Rock City – Tickets/£12.50
03 June – Newcastle, @ Newcastle Academy – Tickets/£12.50
04 June – Glasgow, @ Barrowlands – Tickets/£12.50
I saw Toubab Krewe open a few shows for STS9 last year, and while that’s probably not the best way to appreciate a group, I really couldn’t stand their performance.
I heard noodly jam-rock played on exotic instruments, like moe. in Mali. If you’re going to co-opt a musical style, at least take the good elements.
I saw Toubab Krewe open a few shows for STS9 last year, and while that’s probably not the best way to appreciate a group, I really couldn’t stand their performance.
I heard noodly jam-rock played on exotic instruments, like moe. in Mali. If you’re going to co-opt a musical style, at least take the good elements.
A lot of people can’t get past Craig Finn’s vocal and thus never give the Holdsteady a chance. But the man writes some of the best lyrics I have heard in recent years.
A lot of people can’t get past Craig Finn’s vocal and thus never give the Holdsteady a chance. But the man writes some of the best lyrics I have heard in recent years.
sounding like MMJ = not necessarily a bad thing (even if somewhat of a light version)
sounding like s*** at the Paradise = ugh. that’s a bit more dissappointing, but sound issues can be pretty common for small to mid-size venues (and the Paradise could be tricky). I’ll give them a shot, but if they’re sound is shotty with their own set-up, it could be just as bad (or worse) with the festival boards.
you are right there’s plenty of other music to check out. I’ll have to give Hold Steady another listen. That was another band that didn’t grab me up on first listen (but for them I just haven’t checked them out enough yet; guess that’ll be my homework).
Ace, yeah, let’s meet up down in FL! I’ll hit you on email or feel free to send one my way.
-mw
sounding like MMJ = not necessarily a bad thing (even if somewhat of a light version)
sounding like s*** at the Paradise = ugh. that’s a bit more dissappointing, but sound issues can be pretty common for small to mid-size venues (and the Paradise could be tricky). I’ll give them a shot, but if they’re sound is shotty with their own set-up, it could be just as bad (or worse) with the festival boards.
you are right there’s plenty of other music to check out. I’ll have to give Hold Steady another listen. That was another band that didn’t grab me up on first listen (but for them I just haven’t checked them out enough yet; guess that’ll be my homework).
Ace, yeah, let’s meet up down in FL! I’ll hit you on email or feel free to send one my way.
-mw
I agree with danfun, Band of Horses can sound quite like My Morning Jacket. At least vocally, I guess.
BOH live was kind of a disappointment for me. I saw them last September at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, which is a 650 or so capacity venue. I was pretty excited to see them, since I had been listening to the album a lot and really liked it. I’m no sound engineer, so excuse me if I don’t use the correct terms…but whatever effects might be applied to the vocals on the album seemed completely overdone at the show. It may be tough to understand the lyrics on the album…it was impossible to hear anything at the show. At one point between songs, someone from the crowd sarcastically yelled “more reverb!” I’ve been to many shows at the Paradise, and bands are usually not this painful to listen to. Sadly, this show just kind of turned me off to BOH for a while. I
t was a good month or two before I listened to Funeral again.
Luckily, you’ll have other choices at Langerado. I’d check them out, see how they sound, then decide if it’s worth sticking with them or moving on to something else.
I agree with danfun, Band of Horses can sound quite like My Morning Jacket. At least vocally, I guess.
BOH live was kind of a disappointment for me. I saw them last September at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, which is a 650 or so capacity venue. I was pretty excited to see them, since I had been listening to the album a lot and really liked it. I’m no sound engineer, so excuse me if I don’t use the correct terms…but whatever effects might be applied to the vocals on the album seemed completely overdone at the show. It may be tough to understand the lyrics on the album…it was impossible to hear anything at the show. At one point between songs, someone from the crowd sarcastically yelled “more reverb!” I’ve been to many shows at the Paradise, and bands are usually not this painful to listen to. Sadly, this show just kind of turned me off to BOH for a while. I
t was a good month or two before I listened to Funeral again.
Luckily, you’ll have other choices at Langerado. I’d check them out, see how they sound, then decide if it’s worth sticking with them or moving on to something else.
I’m ace at glidemagazine dot com. Scott and I will both be down there — throw me an email and we’ll see if we can meet up down there.
I’m ace at glidemagazine dot com. Scott and I will both be down there — throw me an email and we’ll see if we can meet up down there.
I have seen Band of Horse twice and I am now confident in my opinion that there are the diet version of MMJ.
I am not sure you have seen but if you haven’t them you should definetly check out The Holdsteady.
I have seen Band of Horse twice and I am now confident in my opinion that there are the diet version of MMJ.
I am not sure you have seen but if you haven’t them you should definetly check out The Holdsteady.