AUDIO: Jovi Rockwell - "Killin Dem"

Fresh out of Jamaica comes another artist that has Diplo and Mad Decent written all over her. Maybe it's because she was featured on their most recent Major Lazers venture. This is Jovi Rockwell's first track off her forthcoming mix tape Psycho Therapy, which will be release on October 19th. Pretty good track if you are into artists like Sanigold and M.I.A. I am sure we will be hearing a lot more from her in the coming months.

MP3: Jovi Rockwell - Kill Dem

PHOTOS: The Toadies @ the Republic 9/29/09

Last night was truly a night for people who loved the 90s. I was totally on that kick this weekend, but didn't hear the Toadies one hit on satellite radio (is "Possum Kingdom" a song about vampires? Me and my friends always have that debate). I did however get to hear Nirvana and NSync back to back. I never thought I would ever see the day...or is it hear the day? Ohhhh well, thanks to Tamara again for her hustle and taking these wonderful pictures.

ROTARY DOWNS

THE TOADIES

As usual, great stuff. We have a few more photos over on our Flickr.

AUDIO: Harper Simon - "Shooting Star"

You may or may not know this about me, but I hate labels. When I was younger I always felt like Blockbuster (are they still around?) should have killed the idea of putting movies out based on genre, and just put it alphabetical. I mean, sometimes they would put movies in places that made no since. Like putting 28 Days Later in horror, when clearly it is a thriller. It is why I always complain about the term Indie. I hate the idea of anyone or anything being able to fit into a small box.

So this is why I throw around the term alt-country with a little hesitation. Bands like Wilco fit in this category, but I can easily call some of their early stuff psychedelic and clearly some of their music just straight up rocks. Harper Simon does initially fit in this category based on "Shooting Star." The single starts out with a slide guitar and his bluesy voice and lyrics are fantastic. They make me feel like I should be hearing it at a road side bar outside of Amarillo, Texas. But alas, Harper is getting heavy rotation on the likes of NPR, because it is easy to tell that he doesn't fit into a set genre. Harper's self-titled debut album is available on iTunes right now and everywhere on 10/13, but you can download "Shooting Star" here for free

MP3: Harper Simon - "Shooting Star"

Here are his upcoming tour dates:
10/14 – The Echo – LA
10/15 – Jimmy Kimmel Live! – LA
10/29 – World Café Live – Philadelphia
10/30 – Mercury Lounge – NYC
11/03 – Iron Horse Music Hall – Northampton, MA
11/04 – Café 939 – Boston, MA
11/06 – Puck – Doylestown, PA
11/07 – The Southern – Charlottesville, VA
11/08 – Jammin Java – Vienna, VA
11/11 – The Warhol – Pittsburgh, PA
11/12 – Magic Stick – Detroit, MI
11/17 – Hi Tone – Memphis, TN
11/20 – The Bishop – Bloomington, IN
11/21 – Rumba Café – Columbus, OH
11/22 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
11/24 – Cedar Cultural Center – Minneapolis, MN

Live shows this week in NOLA

A few shows this week going on in New Orleans so I decided to make one post and get it out of the way. Send a press release my way to wesley@statictelevision.com if I am forgetting anything.


Don't call it a come back tour. Dirty Coast, NOIRC, and LiveNewOrleans.com (wow, I feel left out of this. Seems like every other outlet was invited to present this show but me) present The Toadies. They will be playing with NOLA legends Rotary Downs tomorrow night at the Republic.

VIDEO: Rotary Downs Interview


If you are into something a little more chill on Tuesday, Singer-Songwriter Kelcy Mae will be playing at the Circle Bar.


Dr. Dog is back in New Orleans and this one will probably be a doozy. They will be Playing with MyNameIsJohnMichael and Generationals at Howlin Wolf this Wednesday. and Rebirth will be adding a horn section for them.

VIDEO: Generationals Interview
AUDIO: MyNameIsJohnMichael - Misery Runs


Also on Wednesday, Gambit Weekly presents The Walkmen with Here We Go Magic and Brass Bed. I am sorry you will have to choose between the two shows.

AUDIO: Here We Go Magic - Fangala

I didn't realize this was going on till Wednesday. The French band that I think is slightly worse than Of Montreal, Phoenix, is playing Thursday the First at Tipitina's with Chairlift which you will remember from an ITunes ad.


And finally, Sub Pops Blitzen Trapper will be playing on Sunday with Wye Oak and Leo Dejesus from the City Life.

VIDEO: The CIty Life Interview

PHOTOS: Datarock @ Republic 9/23/09

Our man Josh Brasted sent me the photos he took from last nights Datarock show at the Republic. Here are some of the highlights.

Glad to see they haven't given up on the red jumpsuits. Click HERE to see all the photos Josh took last night.

Get to know Caspa

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to interview young Caspa from across the pond. He is one of the creators of a style of music called Dub Step. It isn't very often one gets to speak with musical innovators. Dub Step started in the early 2000s; coming out of the British rave scene, specifically the 2-Step and Drum and Bass/Jungle scenes with their focus on hard bass lines. It also takes a lot of root in Caribbean music such as Dub (I know, totally ironic). The MP3 here is the reason I believe that this genre could easily be affecting the Rap we listen to in the next few years. This song was heavily influenced by Houston rap (listen all the way through and you will see why) and there is no reason to believe that the likes of Kid Cudi, Kanye West or my man Lil Wayne couldn't kill a track like this. This isn't a typical Dub Step track, but it is a great representation of the where Dub Step could be.

MP3: Caspa - The Takeover ft Dynamite MC

This track is off the upcoming album, Everybody's Talking, Nobody's Listening. He claimed it is the first full length Dub Step album to come out in the States. I can't deny these charges. I am looking forward to editing the interview we did because we talked about some great stuff. On another note about live DJing, I saw him last night and to all my DJ friends out there, GO BACK TO VINYL. It adds such a live feel hearing the vinyl be spun back after a mix, and to watch a DJ fan themselves after an amazing mix, and the track drops gets you going so much more then just staring at DJ looking at a computer screen that is doing half the work for you. It also sounds so much better. As I digress...

NOIRC plans busy fall

New Orleans Indie Rock Collective sent out a lengthy press release late last night showing that they do do work when school is out. It seems that this Fall's New Orleans Indie Rock Fest (still hate that word indie) has been scaled down to two days, and will feature Park the Van recent signing Giant Cloud along side space lovers Gamma Ringo, Loren Murrell, Hurray for the Riff Raff and the unique musical styling of One Man Machine. The fest will be a little later in the season than last year on November 20th and 21st and no venue information or prices were given at this time. A few other bands will be on the sampler that aren't playing the fest including big dogs, Generationals, my favorite electronic band out of the big easy, the Buttons and another band I have not heard of, Club of Sons. More info to come soon, I am sure.

PHOTOS: Telefon Tel Aviv @ Jacks 9/19/09

Our girl Tamera is back on the scene taking pictures. This past weekend she was at the Telefon Tel Aviv show. I believe this was their first show in New Orleans since their new album and tragic indecent.

THE RACE


lots of swooning girls.

TELEFON TEL AVIV




Head to our Flickr to see more pictures from that night.

Static Presents the Horrors

The Horrors have their origin in the early 2000s where they became interested in obscure vinyl and DJing. During trips to London and on the Southend circuit, Rhys “Spider” Webb met Faris Badwan (Faris Rotter) and Tom Cowan (Tomethy Furse), who had attended Rugby School together, through their shared interests in ’60s garage rock, and in 2005 the three formed a band with Joshua Hayward (Joshua Third) and Joseph Spurgeon (Coffin Joe).

Their first rehearsal consisted of two covers: The Sonics’ “The Witch” and Screaming Lord Sutch’s “Jack the Ripper”(heavily influenced by previous cover versions by The Fuzztones, One-Way Streets and The Gruesomes)– the latter would later find itself as track one on the band’s debut album.

The Horrors first gained noticeable exposure thanks to their first single “Sheena Is a Parasite.” Their second release, “Death at the Chapel,” a high-profile show at London’s 100 Club in July 2006, and an appearance on the cover of the NME in August, greatly increased their profile. As a result of this exposure, the band played the NME Awards Indie Rock Tour in early 2007 along with Mumm-Ra, The View, and The Automatic, which helped them to gain further publicity.

Having released their debut album Strange House in March 2007, The Horrors played a world tour to promote it. The band appeared at the Glastonbury Festival, the Summer Sonic Festival in Japan, and Splendour in the Grass in Australia; their setlists throughout the summer contained a cover of “No Love Lost” by Joy Division. The Horrors also supported the Arctic Monkeys on their sell-out arena tour of the UK.

At the end of 2007, The Horrors announced the forthcoming recording of a new album. The sophomore album Primary Colours was officially released 4 May 2009 to critical acclaim including most notably their nomination for the Mercury Music Prize.

We are proud to present their show tomorrow night at One Eyed Jacks with Crocodiles and we would like to see you get into the door for free. Email me at info@statictelevision.com if you would like a pair of tickets. If you would rather go the traditional route click HERE for tickets.

A Randon Question to Gamma Ringo

I wanted to put this out to further help promote my boy Chris' first solo show on Tuesday, but I have been running around chasing celebrities, designers and models at fashion week for another show I have been working on so I haven't had time until today. I know, I live a tough life.

A while back I asked Blue Party a random question about their practical skills that would help them in a post apocalyptic world. This week I have been obsessed with the idea of people helping colonize another planet. The next frontier. I mean, honestly, if you think about it, it will take a REAL cowboy to make the initial journey there and start building the first livable spaces. To throw away friends and family for a journey of a lifetime in hopes to help future generations establish life, and make money on a another planet that is clearly not intended for us to live on. But hey, it seems like at times we aren't intended to be living on this one. These are the things I think about in my spare time. I don't know much about the Gamma Ringo peeps, but here is what they had to say on the subject.

photo by sarah smith

TJ: Yes, but only Mars. I don't do cheese.
Static: Are you expecting there to be cheese farming on the moon? I am confused by this answer. Though the idea of cheese farming seems kinda cool.
John: I think we need to refocus our efforts towards cracking the secrets of time travel rather than petty space travel.
Static: This is a great topic that I would like to bring up another time. I think Time Travel is a noble cause if put into the hands of the right people, but in theory time travel isn't really possible. If for some reason you are able to travel back in time it is still now. You can go back and change something in the past, but it is still that given moment. You can only affect what is in front of you. John, if we ever meet, I would love to talk more about this.
Josh: Sure, if they build an elevator.
Static: This is kind of my same issue. I get motion sickness. I think I will stick with Earth.

Thanks for your time guys, it does though seem like I am way more passionate about the subjet. Here is their song Dragon

MP3: Gamma Ringo - Dragon

Static 316 now online

I have no idea if it will be airing tonight in New Orleans on Cox 10 or not, but hey we have it right here for you and it looks and sounds pretty darn good with interviews with Tiga and Arnaud Rebotini. Track list is below. Note that their are 3 music videos from New Orleans artists, including one I directed. YAY for NOLA!

Static 316 from Static on Vimeo.

All videos are in order of appearance:
Pink Mountaintop - Execution
Jay Retard - It Aint Gona Save Me
Centerpunch - 20/20
Obits - Pine On
The Horrors - Mirror Image
Viva Voce - Octavio
Impulss ft. Prince Po - Do It
Forign Born - Winter Games
Aeroplane Pagent - Stars Still Pretty
Yo La Tengo - Nothing to Hide
Smiley With A Knife - Executioner Says
Faunts - Hurts Me All The Time
Girls - Lust For Life
The Big Pink - Dominos
The xx - Basic Space

Also, for any more information about the show, like how to get your video on it or just to tell me how much you love the show, email me at info@statictelevision.com

Kanye West has made better videos than Beyonce

So you may, or may have not heard that once again Kanye West did an ass hole thing last night at the VMAs pulling the mic from young Taylor Swift while giving her acceptance speech for best female video for You Belong With Me because he felt Beyonce should have won (she didn't win this category because she won best video for Single Ladies, and also, Kanye needs to realize that these things are based on a lot more than his opinion)

Kanye's beef was that Beyonce had made the best music video of the decade. I think that is a bold statement from someone who has made far greater videos than both of those videos combined. Lets take a look at some of my favorites.

Stronger - This was such a groundbreaking song and video that put electronic music back into a realm that it hadn't been in years and lifted him to stardom that few even dream of seeing. It also got Daft Punk a Grammy for a song they made a decade before. Just goes to show you Kanye, award shows are a waste of time.

Flashing Lights - This video directed by Spike Jonez (my favorite music video director of all time) is amazing. It captures tension so well. It leaves the viewer asking what is going on till it reaches a climax that makes you want to see it all over again.

Through the Wire - I only did put this one up because I love the song. There are so many more that I could have mentioned. I feel that half the videos off Heartless should have been contenders for best video this year over Beyonce's video. I have nothing against that video. I think it is wonderfully shot and it definitely has some of the best choreography I have seen in years. All I am saying is that it is far from being the best music video of the last decade. You clearly have at least 5 videos yourself, Kanye, that would trump it.

In other VMA/Spike Jonez news, they gave Sabotage an award last night for being a video that should have received one. Took them this long to realize how amazingly groundbreaking that video was? Look at the ones you have given best video to in the last 5 years. None of them are anywhere as good as that video. OK, enough of my ranting.

NOLA news and notes - 9/11/09

This seemed to be a big hit last week, so I will keep this up for as long as you guys keep sending me show information and other news of note.

Friend Fest II announced:

This was just announced? It is next weekend!

Impulss releases new video:

Impulss - "Do It" from Rome & Perez on Vimeo.

You will get to watch this on the latest episode of Static which premieres next week. I can't wait either!

Chris of Caddywhompus to perform solo:

This Tuesday, September 15th, at the Dragon's Den, Caddywhompus' lead singer and guitarist will be playing his first solo show. He'll be playing with Gamma Ringo from New Orleans and the noise power-rock duo from Houston, Female Demand. Here is a sample of what Chris will be playing.

Chris Rehm - "Take Pictures" at practice from Neko Neko Films on Vimeo.

The Peekers announce last show in Shreveport:

This is sad for me personally. My favorite pop band in Louisiana, the Peekers, are calling it quits, and will be doing their final show in their hometown on Sunday. They will be playing at the end of October in New Orleans at a Voodoo Fest (who just announced the day to day line-up) after party as their final show ever. More on that later.

Shows of interest this weekend
Friday 09.11.09
Howlin' Wolf| Antenna Inn, Silent Cinema, & the BLACKbELT band | 9:30
Saturday 09.12.09
Republic | She Wants Revenge, Paper Route, Glasgow | 8pm
Sunday 09.13.09
Republic | Trail of Dead, Secret Machines, The Public | 8pm

Please send any news that you want me to be aware of to info@statictelevision.com. Have a great and safe weekend!

VIDEO: Arnaud Rebotini Interview

Here is an interview we did back in May with Arnaud Rebotini from Black Strobe. We talked about a lot of great stuff, like the old French scene and how selling Louisiana was Nepolian's greatest mistake, but unfortunatly this part was the only part that was easy to understand. Our conversation about Cajun and Zydeco did come through though.

VIDEO: Tiga Interview

This is the first of a few new interviews before the premiere of a new episode next week. Tiga is a really bright guy and it seemed like he was a blast to talk to about music. I wish I had been there for it. Shout out to Ryan with Sugar Cane Records and Gilby for their help with the interview. I am trying to figure out what to do with a few parts that I clipped out due to time that were really interesting. Well, enjoy and lots more to come this week...

NOLA news and notes

New Orleans first all green festival, Project 30-90, is this Saturday with Austin electro, lightshow kings Ghostland Observatory and local rockers Generationals and MyNameIsJohnMichael.
VIDEO: Generationals Interview
VIDEO: In the studio with MyNameIsJohnMichael

And after that you can head to One Eyed Jacks for:

Sorry, I beat the Buttons to the punch and already showed their video on my latest show. Didn't know there was exclusive tag, regardless this will be a great show and check out the sweet flier!

Got a message via the now defunct The City Life's Facebook group or fan page or whatever that their former lead singer (the guy to the left in this photo and the very active kid in MyNameIsJohnMichael), Leo DeJesus, is going solo and will be playing with Blitzen Trapper at One Eyed Jacks on October 4th (also see One Eyed Jacks full Fall line-up). If you were an old fan of The City Life check out Leo's new MySpace, and word is he will be performing some City Life classics at the Jacks show. I am excited to see what he does by himself musically.
VIDEO: The City Life interview

If you have any NOLA news or notes please send them my way at info@statictelevision.com

REVIEW: The XX

Running a one man boat here at Static ain't easy. It doesn't allow me to do as much as I would like, from putting out more shows to being able to listen to more new music. And, it has seemed that this year has kind of made me a little sad about the state of music; from labels going under, to the lack of albums coming out that have truly inspired me. Than out of no where comes something so unique and special that I all of a sudden get wrapped back into it and want to dig deeper back into new music.

Last week I got an email promoting the latest video from the London based The xx. I had unfortunately never heard of them, but after seeing the video and hearing the whole album at my friends house I had to go and get it. I did this week and can not stop listening to it.

Their debut album is possibly the sexiest thing I have heard come out of rock and roll in years. They sound very similar to Stars with their pure, simple love songs; sharing lead between a girl and a guy, but without the full sound that Stars brings with their horn section. The xx are able to do some amazing things with their more striped down, electronic approach to song writing. When you listen to their lyrics you feel their passion for what they are singing, and I can instantly relate. In a weird way, I feel like they are writing about some of my own past relationships.

This to me is the freshest album I have heard all year, and I highly recommend you go and find out why. Check out one of my favorite singles off the album below.

MP3: The xx - Basic Space

AUDIO: Bibio - All the FLowers (Seams Remix)

Haven't posted much this week. I promise to have a few more things for you this week and next week is all about new interviews! This came into my email yesterday. The latest Bibio album is still one of my favorite albums of 2009, and my man Seams did a remix of one of the best tracks on the album, All the Flowers. Check it out. Here are a few things he had to say about it on his blog:

Whenever I’ve managed to grab some free time over the last few weeks (mostly on trains), I’ve been slowly working on a remix of Bibio’s ‘All The Flowers’, from his most recent album, ‘Ambivalence Avenue‘, by far my favorite album of the year.

MP3: Bibio - All the Flowers (Seams Reamix)
Hey why not? Here is the self titled track off the original album.
MP3: Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue