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David Bazan’s Strange Negotiations and Live in Akron

June 17, 2011 By Jessica Astronaut Leave a Comment

Meet David Bazan, an indie rock musician from Seattle. He was the force behind the now defunct Pedro the Lion. The front man of Headphones. Currently he performs under his namesake.

Under Pedro the Lion, Bazan marketed his remarkable sense of assonance. His songs were based on theology. He spent the better part of a decade battling his religion and inner personal issues. His loss of faith and questioning of his world turned into a drinking problem. In an attempt to rid the demons and see angels, he went solo.

Three records in under David Bazan and each one is better than the previous one. Bazan recently finished up a slew of Living Room Shows. Which were exactly as they sound. He played in strangers living rooms across the country. The shows capped out at fifty people and he played with his guitar and nothing else. In between songs he opened the floor up to the audience for q&a’s. He answered honestly and played requests.

More recently, Bazan has released his newest solo album, Strange Negotiations. It’s a powerful record about humanity and battling self-delusion. It weighs heavy on what it means to be human and more than that, what does it mean to be apart of the human culture? It deals with love for life and the disgust for the world our lives exist in. Bazan battles the age old question of how to fight the battle while still being a part of the battle. He succeeds with his biting tongue, his keen sense of lyrical structure, and catchy choruses. It might be his best record yet.

On Sunday, Bazan and his backing band made their way to Akron’s Musica. It was one of the few times I’ve witnessed him live with other people playing and it was incredible. His energy was high as usual. His set list was impeccable. Surprisingly, he stayed true to his q&a technique. The questions were more broad and a lot funnier than they usually are. But again, he answered honestly.

Bazan is an extraordinary and rare musician. He’s humble, he’s funny, and he’s got a voice that sends chills throughout my body. His music evokes deep thought and dancing. Is there anything better than a poignant, gut-wrenching musician? Nope. This is as good as it gets.

So, stop reading and start listening.

Filed Under: Album, Articles, Show Tagged With: barsuk records, David Bazan

The Lonely Forest – LIVE

May 13, 2011 By Valida Leave a Comment

The Lonely Forest

The Lonely ForestThe Lonely Forest are about to head out on tour in support of their “big brother” Chris Walla and the rest of Death Cab for Cutie. I had the chance to check out their set and talk with the guys on their last tour through Minneapolis in April and wanted to share my thoughts and overall recommendation of the band with the fine readers of Driven Far Off. Also be sure to check out the full tour dates and ticket links for their roadshow with Death Cab and their album Arrows (read review | buy).

The Lonely Forest kicked off their April 2011 show Minneapolis somewhat quietly with “Turn off This Song and Go Outside.” No, the music was not lacking in decibels; rather, the four-piece simply did not waste a second to chat the crowd up, opting instead to let the music speak for itself. Folding into “(I Am) The Love Addict” with manic dancing and over-sized expressions on singer Jon Van Deusen’s face, the band set an above-average energy level for the set and never turned it down.

Van Deusen never missed a note as he wailed away. Braydn Krueger translated the full drumbeats from the album Arrows into a ravaging show – rivaling Animal from the Muppets on “Tunnels” – but also found time to sweetly provide high vocal harmonies. Bassist Eric Sturgeon briefly scaled the drum-set to swing from the ceiling, and guitarist Tony Ruland (somewhat painfully, it turns out) collapsed into the drum kit to end the set.

Rise to Prominence

The band’s energy level could easily fill a longer set and a bigger stage, but for now, the foursome say they’re comfortable with their slow rise after playing together for five years. While they joke about being “the tortoise” in the race towards prominence, the guys say they plan to continue doing what they know best. The plan? Make decisions focused on longevity and steadfastly avoid compromising gimmicks.

Not surprisingly, they’re down to earth and thankful for their success thus far. It’s a great feeling to be the first (and still only) band on Trans, Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie’s label, the boys say. “It’s like a science experiment… but definitely one with lots of good ingredients,” remarks Sturgeon.

And while Walla patiently waits for the right second signing to come along, The Lonely Forest are enjoying the spoils of being an only child on Trans. Though they may be guinea pigs, the guys feel that they’re in good hands, noting that Chris is not only easy to work with, but also “like a long-lost big brother who has shown up in your life and is awesome and takes you to the arcade.”

Music and Messages

That nature crops up repeatedly is not because of any agenda, says Ruland. Rather, he attributes the many references to nature to nurture: the boys grew up in Anacortes, Washington, with the Pacific in their backyards and evergreen forests in their front. Impressive natural environments are simply ever-present in their lives and therefore perhaps more present in their songs than in those of other contemporary rock bands, he adds.

The ability to produce songs about more than just heartbreak makes the band seem quite mature, and so it can be quite surprising to find out that lead singer Jon is just 23 years old. With all the energy and talent they’ve got, we can only hope* that the road ahead of the band stretches far into the distance and that The Lonely Forest may keep on singing in time together for a long time.

* (beyond buying an album or hitting up a show to support these guys, of course).

Filed Under: Articles, News, Reviews, Show Tagged With: Death Cab For Cutie, the lonely forest

My Sick Obsession: Ke$ha

November 21, 2010 By Jessica Astronaut 2 Comments

I am an avid music fan and I have been since elementary school. It took me a few years, but for many years now, I have been a proud fan of quality music. Music with substance, talent, and you know, created by driven musicians.

The only time I listen to the radio is on Saturday’s when Ira Glass takes over NPR with This American Life. I am uncertain, but convinced MTV ceased music videos and replaced them with Guidos and teen moms. My exposure to music that I do not love is very minimal.

I listen to real music, with instruments, thoughtful lyrics, and actual talent. My record collection is the anti-radio or pretty damn close to it.

Popular music is cheap, it’s a concept created by a fat man in an expensive suit. It’s overly catchy, it’s constructed by anyone other than the “singer”. It’s sexy, easy, and uses dancing as a distraction. The only requirement? Slight talent and the ability to be a puppet. Have a bangin’ body? Willing to sell it? You can be a pop star! It’s a formula.

Take a glittery alcoholic throw in a dollar sign mix in a little sex appeal and blend it with excess auto tune and glitter, voila! KE$HA is born.

The track “Tik Tok” launched Ke$ha into extreme fame. It’s loud, in your face, and hilariously bad. From the “brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack” to rhyming Mic Jagger with swagger. These are hardly lyrics. They are poorly written jokes.

The best part? Ke$ha is in on the joke. If she weren’t, her career wouldn’t be as successful. She “created” a new style of singing. It’s not singing exactly, but rather a hybrid of rapping and whining. She sounds (and probably is) perpetually under the influence. Her songs, vocal stylings, and overall demeanor, are what sells her as a product. She’s smart. She understands that she isn’t making serious music. That’s precisely why, she’s a serious artist.

It wasn’t by choice that I started listening to Ke$ha. On bad nights after the bars, my friends would say, “I feel like Ke$ha.” Instantly Animal was in the cd player, they were screaming, and I was embarrassed. Eventually I started recognizing the harmonies and soon enough, I was singing along. At first it felt shameful, but after a few listens, I knew I was a love sick crackhead.

When Ke$ha first emerged, I was an avid hater. Even as a “fan”, I still cannot put my finger on exactly what makes her so goddamn irresistible. Alone, speeding down the dark highways, I find myself slipping Animal into the cd player. I stop feeling dirty as the record wears on and through the hit songs.

Underneath the glitter, the drugs, and the ignorant lyrics, there’s a, dare I say it? Musician? Because there is. “Backstabber” is a heartfelt jam about bitchy backstabbing girls. It’s not in the typical Ke$ha styling either. She sounds like a female singing sensation. Rather than the bullshit singer she is now. The lyrics are simple, but golly, the girl has some pipes on her.

Will Ke$ha ever get over this phase and make music for the masses rather than the teenager alcoholics? Who knows. But what I do know is, “We R Who We R” is just as good, if not better than “Tik Tok”.

The line, “I’m so sick of being so serious / it’s making me delirious” explains it all. Ke$ha just wants to have fun and so do I. Don’t you? No? Okay, well we are who we are.

I am not ashamed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: kesha

Friday Recommendations – Bombay Bicycle Club

October 29, 2010 By Jessica Astronaut 1 Comment

I don’t recall how I came to know the band Bombay Bicycle Club, but it’s been great. They’re a band made up of British men who have an undeniably original sound and a firm grasp on the written word. Within seconds, I was hooked to their second album, Flaws. It’s 36.7 minutes of pure bliss. There’s a good chance they are better than 99.9% of the music you’re listening to right now or maybe I have a thing for the British. Either way, I say they’re a go and perfect for this time of year.

Filed Under: Articles, Recommendations Tagged With: bombay bicycle club

Jenny & Johnny @ The Beachland Ballroom

September 18, 2010 By Jessica Astronaut 2 Comments

Jenny and Johnny is composed of Jenny Lewis and Jonathan Rice. Lewis of Rilo Kiley fame is name enough to sell out venues before the bands debut record ever dropped.

Lewis is a goddamn pro. She’s commanding with her dull red hair and bright red dress. She smiled like a child and waved as if she had no idea she was so adored. She’s used to being a front woman, but for the night, it was obvious she was sharing the reigns with Rice. Rice looked dirty with bands obstructing his view and a goofy smile plastered on his face. The two of them sounded magical when they harmonized, their voices blended just right. They shared glances and lovesick smiles. They made jokes and shared brief moments of intimacy. Rice is a better musician with Lewis by his side.

They performed the majority of their record and while the material isn’t as good as previous work by Lewis, it stands out on its own as something entirely different. The crowd went insane when the two of them launched into Lewis’ solo material. While most of the songs were off of Acid Tongue, a mediocre record, Rice enhanced them.

They also played “Melt Your Heart” from Rabbit Fur Coat, which was an odd choice considering how slow and quiet the song is. The crowd was almost overpowering with their chatter. But that’s not to say, the two didn’t nail it.

Lewis debut a new song, “One of the Guys,” the song was better than their entire record. It was straight up country and it put Lewis in both her element and back as the lead. These songs aren’t groundbreaking, but Lewis is endearing and enchanting.

The show ended with a cover of “Love Hurts” just like every other show and it felt right and they did not appear bored. In fact, they owned it.

Jenny & Johnny will probably never become what Rilo Kiley was, but who cares? These two are having fun now and that’s what really matters.

Filed Under: Articles, News, Reviews, Show Tagged With: Jenny and Johnny, Jenny Lewis

Warped Tour: In Review Part 1

July 27, 2010 By Jessica Astronaut Leave a Comment

With so many bands playing on many different stages it’s very easy to miss bands you’d like to see and not discover a lot of new music. Each year, my goal is to see as many bands as I possibly can. This year’s count: ten.

Every Time I Die started the show off. They played at 11:55 AM and it felt as if I could not get into the venue fast enough. (Thanks Twitter for telling us the set time.) Every Time I Die is a band that never disappoints live. An excellent set performed by superbly talented men. Front man Keith Buckley was in a particularly hilarious mood. Chanting about how he didn’t give a fuck about LeBron James or basketball in general. He also singled out a member of the crowd for being dressed like the Joker.

Immediately following ETID, Motion City Soundtrack took the stage. Motion City is an extremely high energy band with a load of devoted fans. The floor was overfilling with screaming fans. With each song they played the crowd screamed louder and louder. They played all their hits and everything in between. While I’ve only ever preferred their obvious songs, they put on an enjoyable show.

Alkaline Trio is one of those bands that I could not imagine my life without. They’ve been a constant for as long as I can remember. I have never seen them (as they were rained out the last time they played Warped Tour). I was ready more than ready. They, however, weren’t as exciting as I hoped they’d be. Granted their music is not exactly high energy and they did play songs I have been itching to hear live, they were merely lacking in the energy.

The Pretty Reckless was my main interest this year. Front woman Taylor Momsen is a sixteen-year-old actress who is very new to this whole music thing. She was commanding, enchanting, and incredibly sexual. She wore a lace dress, thigh highs, stirrups and high heels. Which was a little weird considering her age, but strangely appropriate considering her voice. She put on one of the better shows of the day.

The All-American Rejects are a band I have always love to hate. They sing catchy tunes, they’re pretty, but Tyson Ritter’s voice can be down right horrifying sometimes. I also feel as if all their music is the same and not very good to start with. This, however, changes whenever I’ve seen them live. Ritter is a goddamn rockstar. He owns the stage and the crowd. One could almost get high off this man’s energy.

Part 1 – Recommendation: Closure in Moscow >> Part 2 – Warped Tour For Beginners >> Part 3 – The New Photographer

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Every Time I Die, pretty reckless, The All-American Rejects, Warped Tour

Warped Tour for the (New) Photographer

July 21, 2010 By Jessica Astronaut Leave a Comment

Gaining credentials to Warped Tour is one thing, but shooting all day is a whole other. It’s like shooting a typical show, but ALL DAY LONG. It’s hot, crowded, and long. There are definite pros and definite cons. Either way, it’s best to be prepared.

1) You have to start somewhere”¦but”¦I’m not sure a huge venue/tour such as the Warped Tour is the place to start. It’s DEFINITELY a great idea to test out both your camera and your skills at local shows before you gain mainstream coverage.

2) An SLR does not equate photographer”¦Anyone can buy a fancy camera, but what’s the purpose if you only shoot automatic and can’t figure out simple settings such as ISO or white balance? No matter how much a camera costs, it will never be as perfect as a skilled and educated photographer. And it shows!

3) Know your CAMERA”¦I shouldn’t have to say that, but while standing in the photo pit at Warped there were several girls who had no idea what they were doing. One had a Sidekick (old school smart phone) as her camera. Another had a brand new Sony dSLR, but had no idea how to use it. As the photographers waited she asked me if I knew how to fix an issue. Sure, I did, but why did’t she? A camera’s manual, the internet, and experience are your best friends. Utilize.

4) BE COURTEOUS”¦Being in the photo pit is a privilege. Most people behind the barricade are there with a purpose and on an assignment. It’s rude when a) you hog the prime center spot the entire three songs b) you are using your phone as a camera c) you walk in front of shots d) you stop taking photos and simply hang where the other photographers are shooting and e) IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN DSLR OR SOMETHING EQUIVALENT, it’s not really the place for you.

5) The awesome thing about Warped Tour”¦is that’s it’s outside and you can rely on natural lighting. As long as you are aware of how to operate your camera, you don’t necessarily need a lot of fancy equipment. You could probably shoot with simply a kit lens and still walk away with good shots.

6) Pay attention to the crowd. Awesome shots are lurking there.

Chances are if you follow your instincts shooting Warped Tour should be a breeze.

Part 1 – Recommendation: Closure in Moscow >> Part 2 – Warped Tour For Beginners

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Warped Tour

Warped Tour for Beginners

July 18, 2010 By Jessica Astronaut 3 Comments

I’m going to be doing a series on Warped Tour”¦guides for beginners, photographers, show reviews, photos, and more. Stay tuned. Here’s the first part.

1) Dress accordingly. Warped Tour somehow seems to fall on the hottest day of the summer. Wear thin, light clothing. This year, I saw a significant amount of girls wearing bathing suits. Not a bad idea, at all.

2) Don’t need to arrive early. Regardless of when you arrive, you’re gonna be waiting. Show up a little late and you can avoid the crowds.

3) As soon as you get through the door find the schedule. It’s a huge blow up wall. They sell schedules for a couple bucks or they have paper and pencils for you to write your own down.

Using their paper is a better idea as it has the stages already written. Go through, write the times/bands you wish to see, and when you’re finished go through and see if anything conflicts. Decision time.

4) Bring a bottle of water. Warped Tour allows you to bring one unopened bottle of water (drink). They have FREE water faucets all over the place. Stay hydrated. You will NOT regret this.

5) Camera! You’re allowed a small non-professional cameras. The smaller the camera, the better. Less weight for your poor shoulders. I can assure you there will be 100 photo opportunities. From the live music, to your friends, to the crowd, and to meeting your favorite rockstars. You will want to document.

6) Sunblock, sunblock, sunblock“¦is your best friend.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Warped Tour

What Sells Pop Music: The Music or the Sex?

June 30, 2010 By Jessica Astronaut 2 Comments

Pop music baffles me. It’s overly simplistic, it requires little to no talent, most pop singers don’t truly do a thing, and it all sounds the same. These are the artists selling out arena’s and topping the charts. I realize that not everyone is capable of multiple talentsi.e. writing the music, playing an instrument, having a band, constructing decent songs and I realize it’s really hard to do choreographed songs if you possess any of the aforementioned talent. All of this I understand. Hell, if I had the chance to do essentially nothing and get rich and famous off of it, I would. Wouldn’t you?

None of this is what bothers me. The world needs simplistic music to keep the equilibrium going. All of this I understand. My problem, however, lies with the fact that “music” doesn’t sell the music. Pop music is a product conceived and controlled by some man in an office. The only way he sees music selling is by selling the female body.

Sex sells. So, why not glamorize it, throw on some lip syncing, a dance or two, and call it music. Watching music videos is very similar to watching soft core porn. It’s not men who are objectifying these women, it’s the women objectifying themselves. For example, in Leighton Meester’s video for, “Somebody To Love Me.” She is wearing a sparkly cut out top with her boobs falling out, dancing around a limo touching herself. In the next scene, she’s grinding and thrusting as if she’s having sex with a man in an invisibility cloak. This relates to music how?

Sex is awesome and embracing your sexuality is even better, but the new generation of music is a far cry from embracing ones sexuality. Real girls don’t look, dress, and (hopefully) don’t act like these celebrities. But how are young impressionable girls supposed to know the difference? How are young boys supposed to understand that women aren’t objects, when women are the objectifiers?

Singers these days are new wave porn stars and no one seems to mind. If the music doesn’t sell itself and requires a gimmick or naked body, than what’s the point? Skip the music, the dancing, and just sell the goddamn sex. At least then no one is being misled and the target audience is “regulated”.

If pop stars don’t respect themselves or their craft than why should the audience? When did music turn into an overly sexual joke and when and who will save it? Somebody’s got to, right?

Filed Under: Articles

iTunes Genius Not Such a Genius After All

June 7, 2010 By Jessica Astronaut Leave a Comment

I’m the kind of girl who refuses to update her MacBook every Sunday for years. I’m the kind of girl who denies all and any form of internet/computer updates, unless it’s automatic. And then, I get passive aggressive all over the internet about the internet. I am a simple minded girl. I like my internet and more specifically my iTunes to be kept basic. Which is why for the first time in a year (at least) I updated my iTunes.

A couple weeks ago, I was at my brothers house, and a rather awesome collection of songs played as breakfast was prepared. When someone commented on the playlist, he replied, “Oh, it’s a Genius playlist.” A who?

The very next weekend, the exact scene played out, only the characters were different.

Genius? “Yeah, you just select a song, hit the button, and voila! An entire playlist created by the Genius.”

I must admit, I was intrigued. Immediately I went home and updated. The first song I selected was, “Walcott” by Vampire Weekend and in the playlist sat five other Vampire Weekend songs. I assumed this was a fluke, so I selected another and the same thing happened.

They say, the third time’s a charm and well, I must agree. At least in regards to Mr. Genius.

I selected “Laundry Room” by the Avett Brothers and it produced 1.5 hours of wonderfully compiled songs. I enjoyed the hell out of it and you know what? I wouldn’t have put half those songs together.

And that’s my problem. I would never think to put half of these songs together and especially not back-to-back. I’m not complaining, after all this thing is a goddamn Genius. But I love making mix tapes or more accurately mix cds. I love going through my iTunes and selecting the most random songs for the best birthday mix or the perfect combination for the perfect stranger. Once I reach the end of my library and have a full playlist, I go through, weed out the ones that do not fit, and re-organize. It’s a task, a skill even, that I’ve mastered.

I have made mixes for internet strangers, real life strangers, best friends, boyfriends, siblings, parents, holidays, ordinary days. For driving, road tripping, swing sets, murder mystery parties, baking, hide and seek.

Through mixes that I have created by hand picking and selecting tracks, I have turned people onto some of their (now) favourite bands. This is something a program could never do, even if it’s a genius.

Mr. iTunes may be able to compile playlists, but it puts no time, effort, or thought into it. It’s just a playlist, a half-hearted mix tape. It’s not personal and mix tapes are supposed to be personal or at least a little meaningful.

The Genius tool is fun and smart, but it’s not a tool I could utilize without feeling like both a horrible person and a terrible music fan.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: iTunes, itunes genius, mix tapes

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