Interpol - new single/video

Just a quick post for Saturday. When Interpol released Turn On The Bright Lights in 2002 it was somewhat of a revelation to me. Sure the Joy Division comparisons were clear and warranted but there was something more to them - was it their style? their attitude? It wasn't entirely clear to me then or now. 2004's Antics was by no means a sophomore slump but it lacked some of the intrigue of their debut.

Now, July 10 signifies the release date of their new album and major label debut Our Love To Admire. The debut single, "The Heinrich Maneuver", has been getting a ton of play on our local indie station (WTMD 89.7 FM) and I have to say it is catchy as all hell. Also check out the video.

The Heinrich Maneuver (mp3)

The Heinrich Maneuver (video)

Trixie DVD - tons of new clips

I mentioned the great Brendan Canty/Christoph Green DVD series Burn To Shine here in the past (see posts). In addition to upcoming BTS installments in Seattle and Louisville, the production company that Canty and Green started, TrixieDVD, has ventured into new territories. Out now is a live Jeff Tweedy disc and in the coming months, Trixie plans on releasing live DVDs from Bob Mould (featuring Canty on drums), Wilco, and Glen Kotche. The boys also filmed The Decemberists at the 9:30 Club in DC although no word on whether that material will be released.

Trixie has now posted clips from each of its releases. I, for one, am most eagerly awaiting the Bob Mould live at the 9:30 club DVD which was filmed in October of 2005 and set for release this fall. I saw Bob and his band just a few days prior to filming at the Paradise in Boston and it was amazing to see him back in peak form. If you are in a rush and can only check out one clip then pick the Burn To Shine 1 in DC. This clip features Ian Svenonius (Make Up, Nation of Ulysses) and his new band Weird War singing the brilliant yet absurd "AK-47" - you also get a little taste of Ted Leo performing a solo rendition of "Bleeding Powers" months before the release of Shake The Sheets.

From Burn To Shine 1 in DC - clips of Weird War and Ted Leo
From Burn To Shine 2 in Chicago - clips of Shellac and Tight Phantomz
From Burn To Shine 3 in Portland - clips of The Shins and The Gossip
From Bob Mould - Circle of Friends - Live at the 9:30 - A Good Idea
From Wilco - Shake It Off - Shake It Off
From Jeff Tweedy - Sunken Treasures - clips
From Glenn Kotche Electronic Press Kit - Monkey Chant
From The Decemberists - Live At the 9:30 Club

The National live in DC

Fresh off the release of one of the best albums of the first half of 2007, Boxer, The National arrived in our Nation's Capital for a show at the 9:30 Club. Drawing heavily from both the new album and its predecessor, Alligator, the band was able to make the space in the club seem larger or smaller depending on the song (or even portions of a song). "Fake Empire" and "Mistaken For Strangers" went from intimate to fierce in the matter of a few bars and an encore of "Abel" was out of control. And I can't help but think that the band has listened to their far share of Leonard Cohen, The Replacements and Guided By Voices.

All of this was recorded live for the good folks at NPR's All Songs Considered. Check out their site here replete with a podcast of the concert, an interview with the band and a slideshow from the 9:30 Club. Enjoy

Velocity Girl

As I wrapping up my time in Providence, getting ready to move to Baltimore next week, I think I have become a little nostalgic. Concurrently, I've been checking out the schedule at all of the local Baltimore and DC clubs to see who's coming to town this summer. When I made my way over to the Black Cat site I noticed the lovely Sarah Shannon is performing in a few weeks. Back in the early 90's Sarah fronted the indie-pop outfit Velocity Girl who along with Unrest provided the yin of the DC scene to yang of Fugazi, Jawbox, Hoover and the like. Their early work was heavily influenced by the British shoegazer scene of My Bloody Valentine, Jesus and Mary Chain and Ride while their later work was much more poppy (enough to make it on to a Volkswagon ad). Check out my favorite song released as single on Slumberland records in January of 1992.

My Forgotten Favorite (mp3)