Video Vixens: Happy Halloween Edition

It's just about that time, boys and ghouls. It's mere moments from being my favorite holiday and pretty much almost favorite day of the year: Halloween. I've already touched upon my love of the "Monster Mash" earlier this week, but I wanted to go ahead and post some videos for a few of my best-love, most classic Halloween-related tunes.

First up, the Warren Zevon delight "Werewolves of London." No Halloween would be complete without it, in my humble opinion. Next, a special little something I found while poking around on the YouTube, a Halloween medley, as performed live in 2004 by those beguiling Dresden Dolls. Also thrown in, naturally, Alice Cooper's "Feed My Frankenstein," a very bad song in a very good way, and thematic to boot. Matt Pond PA's "Halloween" is a great view, this version is live. I love love love the old October Country song "My Girlfriend is a Witch," and whoever spliced together this fabulous clip with all sorts of bewitching ladies is one of my new favorite people in the world. And finally, quite possibly the ultimate Halloween song, in my book, "Night on Bald Mountain." I grew up on classical music (and the Rolling Stones), so I've been hearing this song at Halloween for what seems like forever. And paired with the Fantasia animation, it's pretty much the best Halloween video ever. And now, the videos:













I'd also like to wish you a very Happy Halloween. May you all get all the treats you can handle. Happy Haunting, one and all.

Video Vixens: Monkey Bee, a short film by Jamie Hewlett

OK, let me see if I can explain the set up here in as short a way as possible. You might remember Jamie Hewlett. He did all the crazy animation for Gorillaz, as well as create the comic "Get the Freebies," which in turned spawned the coolest show I've seen lately, Phoo Action. More recently, however, he's reunited with his Gorillaz cohort Damon Albarn and Chinese actor and director Chen Shi-zheng to work on Journey to the West, a stage adaptation of the Chinese novel of the same name that tells the allegorical tale of Monkey brining Buddhism from India to China.

Confused? Don't fret, just think of it as a mini-Gorillaz reunion performed as a Chinese opera based on a story so incredible I actually have a huge back tat depicting the hero.

Anyway, Hewlett just released a short film based on the entire project and you need to see it.

As for the music, personally, I'm addicted to it. And I am neither a true opera fan nor fluent in Chinese. To get a bit better feel for the production, check this out:

Sadly, the production only is playing in London for now, but a guy can hope it comes Stateside, right?

Album Review: These United States – Crimes

I haven’t had the pleasure of his acquaintance for all that long, but ever since we met I’ve had a sneaking suspicion that Mr. Jesse Elliott has his finger on a pulse the rest of us haven’t quite cottoned onto yet. That sense of otherworldly wisdom isn’t merely confined to conversations with the good sir, either. The music of Elliott’s These United States serves as a testament to what he, and the other madcap members of TUS, knows, and what the rest of us are still searching for. The missing link, perhaps? Yes, that’s probably overdoing it just a shade, but boiling it down to bare-bones basics this is a band that knows how to make a damn fine album. Heck, make that two damn fine albums. You see, they only just released their debut mere months ago, but I guess the band just figured there’s no harm in releasing another one.

Mostly DC-based These United States already impressed me with their first album, A Picture Of the Three of Us at the Gate to the Garden of Eden, which I sure do love a whole lot, but I’d opine that Crimes, in addition to being way less of a mouthful to say, one-ups its predecessor musically-speaking. Whereas A Picture… was a bit more folkily floaty and ethereal (and yes, too fleeting), Crimes is more rooted in earthly ways and has a smidge more of the rocking going on (and it’s longer!). There’s also a lot of this sort of feel of olde time rusticity draped across the duration of the album, as if we were all gathered round on someone’s front porch, breathing slightly-smoky air and watching the sun dip into the horizon while the sky vibrantly burns violet and peach, drinking moonshine by the bottle and hootin’ and hollerin’ until dawn.

Naturally, it’s a dandydoo of a record from start to finish, but I do have a few songs that have found themselves given favorite status. My (current) favorite track, and in my mind one of These United State’s absolute best songs to date, “Study the Moon”, is one of Elliott’s finest dreamy, silken, dew-heavy lyrical spider webs (“According to the big blue ox/I should just look up, Paul”), backed by gentle guitars immediately conjuring up a dark, deeply starred country night. My other (current) favorite, “Those Low Country Girls”, conjures up the ghost of one of my favorite Skynyrd songs, “Gimme Three Steps” (minus the gun-toting boyfriend, of course). It’s short, sweet, sassy, and like the band itself it’s immediately irresistible. And lest I forget, Crimes has already produced a bona fide radio hit (at least, I sure do hear it on WOXY all the time), the rambling, catchy as all get-out romp known as “Get Yourself Home (In Search of the Mistress Whose Kisses Are Famous)”. “It’s a wicked world,” forsooths the good Mr. Elliott, and how right he is. But These United States has made it a bit more enjoyable, and, dare I even say it, a wee bit more wicked.

Video Vixens: The Monster Mash

Halloween is without question my favorite of all holidays. What can I say, I dig dressing up. I'll be donning my new stewardess costume this year (sadly not at the Black Angels/Roky Erickson shows), and so in celebration of this joyous holiday I have decided to post some thematic videos for your enjoyment.

First up, perhaps the most ubiquitous of all Halloween tunes: "The Monster Mash", given to us by Boris Pickett & the Crypt kickers many moons ago. Below we have the original version (as given video form in a DIY clip from the 70s), Gary Glitter's...interesting...version of the song, the classic Misfits' cover, and a cover of the song by a band I simply couldn't resist, because a) I love excruciatingly loud music and b) the band in question is called the Electric Fuck Pirates. How could I resist?

I don't know about you, but for me this is the most wonderful time of the year...

Broken Social Scene: In Pictures

By now you've more than likely ascertained, being the smartypants that you are, that my dear partner and I had a pair of rather enjoyable evenings while taking in our respective Broken Social Scene shows. We decided to share with you some snaps from our show, but since Chris is still figuring out his fancy new camera, most of the shots below come from the 10/21 show at Toad's Place here in lovely Richmond.

The first six pictures were taken from my fabulous bird's eye vantage point in the exceedingly busy balcony at Toad's, while the last two come to you straight from the State in good old Northern Virginny.

We do so hope you will enjoy the photos.





































































































































[photos by Megan Petty and Chris Daly]

Live Review: Broken Social Scene @ the State Theatre, October 22

Everybody's favorite Canadian indie rawkers (unless you're a joyless Fascist, I suppose) made their Falls Church debut last night to a "sold-out" crowd at the State Theater. At least, Kevin Drew said it was a sold-out house. It looked a little less than that to me. I have to admit, I've been telling people since I learned of this show that I thought it was a pretty weird venue to use, but who am I? All in attendance last night seemed to agree that the two hour-plus show was a damn good time had by all, so there you go.

Now, I typically don't see a lot of shows at State, but it's really more of who they typically book as opposed to anything else. Hell, the place is practically within walking distance of my front door, so one might think I'd patronize it far more often. Typically, though, the place seems to get older acts that have since faded from the glare of the limelight. Case in point, Hanson is their next "big" marquee act. Not to disparage their "MMMBop" goodness in the least, but I think I make my point. I can't tell if I like the joint or not, but I can definitely say I'm not thrilled with their ticketing system. Though their website claims this is about to change, tickets purchased on-line (which I would assume makes up the vast majority of their sales) only can be picked up at the club. As a result, last night at least, there was a line that wrapped around the front of the building. While this is great for BSS, I'm sure it's not so money for the hundred or so people outside freezing their asses off because the ticket takers aren't exactly "speedy." I was a bit more miffed when they couldn't locate my photo pass for the show, but they don't really have a photo policy there anyway, so it was kind of a moot point anyway.

More disturbing still, this caused me to miss all but the last song of opener, Land of Talk. Fortunately, the band showed up throughout BSS' set, so that was good. LoT did sound good for the few minutes I did get to hear, and I have to say, lead singer Liz Powell quite possibly has the most beautiful guitar I've ever seen. Her pipes and playing are none too shabby, either.

Now, if you've never been to a BSS show, well, you're missing out. I don't think there's any disagreement that You Forgot It In People is one of the top ten indie albums of the decade, at least, and they bring that kind of energy to the stage with them. Last night's line-up was down to eight. While there was no Leslie Feist or Amy Milan, Ms. Powell amply made up for their absences. Band stalwarts Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning and the Apostle of Hustle himself, Andrew Whiteman, were, however, there and in fine form. From the preponderance of facial hair, checkered plaid shirts and even a toque, it was easy to quickly discern we were in the presence of Canadian greatness. Being one-quarter Canuck myself (thanks, Grandpa!), I believe I have previously waxed rhapsodic on how Canadians are the greatest people on the planet. Whether or not you buy into that, it's harder still to disagree that for at least the better part of the past decade, our neighbors to the Great White North have been churning out some of the best damn indie rock on the planet. BSS, along with Arcade Fire, I imagine, lead the charge.

Now, the State offers plenty of good sight lines, and I was fortunate enough to get a prime spot right behind the sound board and have an unobstructed view for most of the show. I also got to see the sound guy's copy of the set list, so I can inform you that the show officially began with "Fuzz." This is not the name of a song. The band took the stage to little fanfare and, quite simply, turned on their instruments and let the feedback wash over the crowd. Throughout the course of the night, they hit the most beloved tracks from You Forgot... and the self-titled follow-up, including such songs as "Anthems for a 17-Year-Old Girl," "Fire Eye'd Boy," "Cause = Time," and "7/4 (Shoreline)." For those of you not in the know, BSS is a musical collective in the truest sense, maintaining a somewhat rotating line-up. The band even has a line of side records, "Broken Social Scene Presents," which essentially gives the individual artists a solo album of his/her own. I bring this up because the band is nothing if not magnanimous, as was evidenced by nearly every person on stage being given the opportunity to play at least one of his/her own solo tracks. The highlight of this might well have been The Happiness Project, wherein one of the members decided to record a bunch of his neighbors simply speaking and then deciding to play it back, on an instrument, as music. You probably had to be there to fully fathom this, but, trust me, it was money.

Now, I've got all the BSS CDs, as well as most everything from the Arts & Crafts label, but there were a handful of instrumental and solo jams I could not place. That's the thing about BSS. The stage looks like complete anarchy at any given time, with each performer seemingly facing a different direction, not even appearing to be tuned into their fellow band mates. However, the resulting cacophony is anything but; instead, each player adds a little bit to a beautifully juicy whole.

The show closed with "It's All Gonna Break," and the crowd ate it up. At the end of the set, BSS did a perfect job of reminding the people what it was they might have forgotten in the first place.

[photo by Chris Daly]

Live Review: Broken Social Scene @ Toad's Place, October 21

There are moments, relatively few and far between thankfully, where there appears a lapse in my musical cache so glaring that I cannot help but hang my head in shame. Let's just say that my never having seen Broken Social Scene live until this past Tuesday night can definitely be added to that small, but rather horrifying, list. It's true, friends, yours truly has gone years and years and years without ever once seeing one of Canada's most delightful musical exports (this statement actually applies to several Canadian bands, but one embarassing oversight at a time, eh?).

I was mightily impressed with both the headliners and their opening band, Land of Talk, yet another byproduct of BSS members (Liz Powell, for one). Liz also held her own as the only lady in the current BSS touring machine (and the lady plays a mean guitar). I've been hearing a lot of Land of Talk on WOXY these days, and for good reason: they're pretty darn good, a fact that becomes even more evident when seeing them live.

But BSS, oh my, BSS was splendid, sublime, superb, sensational, and pretty much any other positive adjective beginning with the letter "s" (or any other letter, for that matter). Because I am old, I left after about an hour and a half of the set, but I have it on good authority that the band was cranking out song after song until nearly 1:30 in the morning. On a Tuesday, no less. It takes a special band indeed to play for so long, at least such has been my experience. Most bands consider it a job well done to play for over an hour (naturally, exceptions are made for newer bands with less material to pull from). But no, not BSS. They delighted Richmond with a hearty mix of BSS songs and those of BSS offshoots, like several selections from Brendan Canning's new album (a favorite around these parts, you know). During the course of the set, the band seemed incredibly and honestly touched at how receptive and enthusiastic the crowd was, and played with smiles on their faces and a spritely spring in their collective step. I found their energy contagious (though not enough, sadly, to keep me around for the whole set) and their performance as a whole captivating.

While it might have taken me years to finally get my ass to a Broken Social Scene show, I've got to say this was a good one to have as my first. It was pretty much flawless, full of mirth and merriment, and I can now say I am safely ensconced among the plentiful ranks of BSS devotees. Come back soon, friends.

[photo by Megan Petty]

Halloweekend with Roky Erickson & the Black Angels

In my humble opinion, there is nothing more appealing this Halloween weekend, trick-or-treating be damned, than the psychedelia-laced spectacle awaiting you supremely lucky Left Coast-ians: five (count 'em, five!) shows starring the one and only Roky Erickson and the one and only Black Angels (who, if you've been following us at all this year know them as one of my oh-so favorites).

The mini-tour kicks off this very evening at Seattle's Showbox, and wraps up Sunday, November 2nd as a two-night stand at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall. If I had planned things a little better, this tour would have made quite the fantastic vacation, but hey, at least all you local folks can go out and have a rip-roaring time for me. I mean, let's think about this for a quick moment, shall we? In one evening you can see not only one of the best live bands out there today, but the man, the legend, Roky Erickson, who along with the rest of his 13th Floor Elevators continues to inspire a new generation of countless worshippers of hazy, crazy noise.

Word on the street is that not only will my beloved Black Angels be opening for Mr. Erickson, but acting as his band during his set. If you're in any of the cities on this tour, I'd have to call this show a no-brainer. As in, if you're not at the show, your brain must have been eaten by flesh-eating zombies that are in the process of taking over the world. Here are those dates, in full:

Oct 28 @	The Showbox - Seattle, WA
Oct 29 @	Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR
Oct 31 @	El Rey - Los Angeles, CA
Nov 01 @	Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
Nov 02 @	Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA

Album Review: More Dirty Laundry: The Soul of Black Country

About a year ago, I found myself in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. I was in town for a Predators game and didn't have a whole lot to do whilst waiting for the puck to drop, so sue me. It surprised me to no end that the establishment had a huge exhibit on Ray Charles and his impact on the Country & Western genre. When considering cowboy-flavored music, my mind doesn't immediately leap to soul masters like Ike & Tina, James Brown or Sammy Davis, Jr. This would show under-education on my part, and I'd hate for the same thing to happen to you. Fortunately for all of us, German label Trikont wants to make sure nobody stays that uninformed for long. The label has just put out a second compilation album, More Dirty Laundry: The Soul of Black Country, which showcases some of the many important contributions black artists have made to the otherwise assumed white domain of C&W. What makes this CD so compelling is to hear a completely different take on a number of established "classics," as well as stabs at the genre itself. Both R&B and C&W have a lot of the same problems to discuss: broken hearts, too much booze, and a seeming preference for various hound dogs. While the backgrounds of the singers might be strikingly different, the heartaches we all experience prove that one skin's color is a shallow reason indeed to keep us separated. As both a study in genres and simply a damn fine disc of good tunes, Trikont's Dirty Laundry series will keep me coming back to the hamper time and again.

mp3: Ike & Tina Turner - Don't Believe Nothing

Live Review: Hot Chip @ 9:30 Club, October 8

I'm pretty sure I could see Hot Chip live every night for an entire month without getting bored. That might not seem like much of a declaration, but coming from a rather fickle Gemini notorious for bouts of boredom it's quite a statement. After all, it's not often that I'm willing to make the rush hour drive to DC during the middle of the week, but for Hot Chip the drive is but a small price to pay. My third Hot Chip show (and second at the 9:30 Club) thus far was as breathtaking as the first, as exciting as the second, and quite possibly the best of the three.

Every Hot Chip show I've had the pleasure of attending, be it in the friendly confines of the 9:30 or the blazing heat of the California desert, has had the same feel; the pre-show air has been crackling with excitement, alive with anticipation. Not only that, but people seem genuinely happy at Hot Chip events. I know I'm happy to see them, and it's nice to feel like others share that joy.

The stage configuration proved to be a complete opposite to my first Hot Chip show at the club. Instead of that initial show's lineup of Hot Chip-ians in a row, with their respective Casios and other electronic aides in front of them, tonight as at Coachella the band was set up in a more standard format, that is to say with plenty of instruments and plenty of room to bound and dance all over the stage.

In terms of the show itself, well, I might be blinded by my love of Hot Chip here but I don't think it possible for them to have been much better than they were. From the ferocity of the opening "One Pure Thought" to the cheekily introduced ("this is one some people might know") crowd favorite "Over & Over" to the fantastic end mashup of the Sinead O'Connor smash "Nothing Compares 2 U" with the band's own slow jam "In the Privacy of Our Love" the band romped their way through it all with aplomb and sizzle. Throw in a wicked new track (possibly called "Artifacts") and the inclusion of one of my all-time favorites "Down With Prince" and you've got all the ingredients you might need for a perfect night on the dancefloor. And I'm sure I've said it before, but really, any band that uses the lyric "I'm only going to Heaven if it feels like Hell/I'm only going to Heaven if it tastes like caramel" is a winner. I left the 9:30 safe in the knowledge that Hot Chip had just put on one of my favorite sets of the year.

I'd be willing to go out on a limb and call Hot Chip one of the best damn live bands on the planet right about now. Sure, they do a little more knob-twiddling than the other bands that get my blood pumping, but I'm hard-pressed to think of a band that has the sheer delight factor that Hot Chip does. If it's a smile your face is in need of, Hot Chip might just be the perfect prescription.

[photo by Megan Petty]

The Untitled Interview #14: Starring Oli Walker (Mississippi Witch)

I hope by now, dear friends, that you trust my judgment somewhat. So when I tell you (again) how much I love that rapscallion pair of ex-Pat Yanks who now call the UK home known as Mississippi Witch, I would hope you would spare a moment (or several) to check them out. The boys of the Witch are a roustabout duo, up to no good in the best possible way. The music they make is utterly divine, saturated with the rhythms of the Deep South and the space oddities of the deserts of the Wild West. How they make such a sweet, terrifying, sensational racket with only two of them is a marvel indeed.

I had the good pleasure of twisting the arm of Oli Walker, the vocal/guitar half of Mississippi Witch, into answering these here questions of mine. He’s a nice boy, and smart, too (see: Beatles vs. Stones). Oh, and he’s got a decent set of pipes, as well. I do hope that the Witch brings their aural hurricane over to these shores sooner rather than later.

Les Enfants Terribles: How the hell are you?
Oli Walker: Good thanks.

LET: What was the last song you listened to?
OW: “Under my Thumb” - Rolling Stones.

LET: Playing music is ___
OW: Better played between 12 and 3.

LET: What album most made you realize that you wanted to make music?
OW: Hot Rocks - Rolling Stones.

LET: Beatles or Stones?
OW: The Stones! I'll take this opportunity to quote Keith - "I'm Sagittarius, half man, half horse with a license to shit in the street.”

LET: What're your top 5 albums (of ever, of this week, of this minute)?
OW: Eeeeer, in no particular order -
Sticky Fingers - Rolling Stones
The Doors - The Doors
Led Zeppelin lll
Electric Lady Land - Jimi Hendrix
Harvest - Neil Young

LET: Favorite music-related movie?
OW: The Kids are Alright.

LET: What city or venue would you like to play, but haven't yet been to?
OW: Ohio and New Zealand, anywhere really. I think America is where we need to be…

LET: Half-full or half-empty?
OW: There's always more where that came from.

LET: What do you miss most about life in the US of A?
OW: The desert, steak and shrimp, Van Nuys…

LET: Apart from your band, which of your peers do you think is making the best music these days?
OW: I don’t hear much of what’s going on nowadays, but Queens of the Stone Age, Raising Sand (Robert Plant/Alison Krauss), Tom Waits…

LET: What's your favorite track on Black Gamble?
OW: “Just For Roosevelt”, it was the first song we did and sums up the state of mind of the band at the time…

LET: What's the first thing you think when you wake up?
OW: Mississippi Witch, and must get bigger amps.

LET: How do you settle band arguments?
OW: We only see each other when we play or record so we just do what we do, I don’t have any control over it, and neither does Dan, we just play.

LET: The greatest record store in the world is:
OW: I wish I knew, I’m all for record stores, I can’t find any good ones…

LET: How will you be celebrating Halloween this year?
OW: With a big fire and some chalk.

LET: What's the longest flight you've ever been on, and where were you going?
OW: 12 hours or so, California - London.

LET: Shaken or stirred?
OW: Both…

LET: If you weren't in a band, you'd be:
OW: I have no idea, I don’t think there was ever anything else I could do, so I'd be in trouble. Probably wondering round with a dog and a strange look on me face…

LET: Best song ever written?
OW: That’s a tricky one, I'll just say “House of the Rising Sun” – as done by The Animals.

So Long, Farewell: The Long Blondes

Mondays are crap enough as it is, but they're made even worse when one hears sad news. The news that made me glum yesterday involves those saucy nouveau wavers the Long Blondes, who made some of the smartest, sassiest tunes around. Here's the official word from their Myspace blog:

"We have decided to call it a day.

The main reason for this is that I suffered from a stroke in June and unfortunately I do not know when / if I will be well enough to play guitar again.

On behalf of the band I'd like to say a big thank you to anyone who ever came to one of our shows, bought one of our records or danced to one of our songs in a club. Thank you, if it wasn't for you the whole thing would have been pointless.

Finally on a personal note, thanks for all your well wishing messages.

Dorian xxx"

While the news of the split is definitely a bummer, we here at LET would like to wish Dorian the best of health, and best wishes for all the band's future endeavors. I'm really happy I got to see them live, but for those of you who didn't, there's two darned fine albums to listen to over and over. And videos to watch, like this one below, for "Guilt".

Live Review: Darker My Love @ 9:30 Club, September 22

Teensy little confession here: I was kinda looking forward to seeing Darker My Love more than the band they were opening for. And that’s despite the fact that the Dandy Warhols has been one of my favorite live bands for over ten years now. But something about this group of dudes had me all sorts of fascinated and entranced, and I was counting the days til I could finally have an in-person experience with their sonic psych-outs and killer retro-heavy, rip-roaring riffs.

The day, September 22, finally arrived. After the weekend up in the Catskills for All Tomorrow’s Parties, I somehow summoned up a few more hours’ worth of energy and managed to keep awake for the highly-anticipated Darker My Love set. And may I just say, I sure am glad I did.

It was a set that flashed before my eyes and ears so briefly, and by the time it was over I was craving more, desperately in need of another fix. The projector in the balcony near me displayed swirling liquid, and the simple yet effective idea was a perfect backdrop to Darker My Love’s all over the place sound and tendency to late-60s homages. The band was superb, both affable in banter and impressive in performance. Listening to the increasingly appreciative noise coming from the huge crowd, I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one with those thoughts.

The night was made for me as soon as the first notes of “Two Ways Out” filled the air, but the entire set was dynamite. The sharp, attention-grabbing haze of “Talking Words” was particularly excellent as well, but the same can be said for pretty much every other song Darker My Love undertook. It was a blinding flash of brilliance, and it was over far too soon. They and their aural bliss made me forget how tired (and hungover) I was, and anytime a band can do that you know they’ve gotta be pretty darned fantastic. If you haven’t quite figured it out yet, go see Darker My Love. As many times as you possibly can. They’re touring again towards the end of the year, and you can bet your sweet ass I’ll be there. I hope you will be, too.

[photo by Timothy Norris, via the band’s Myspace]

Whither Festivus: CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival

It’s at times like these that I really long for a life of leisure, because it’s once again time for that giant of a festival known as CMJ, this year taking place in NYC from October 21st-25th. You know, that days-long festival of all things music, whirlwind blurs of days crammed full of bands, bands, and more bands. I’ve wanted to go for years, and still haven’t made it, but for those of you who are attending this year, you’re in for many a treat.

I’m seriously drooling over the schedule this year. Take a deep breath before reading the list below, because it’s exhausting. Scheduled to appear in some form at CMJ this year:

(k)nights On Earth * 1090 Club * 13ghosts * 2AM Club * 2manydjs * 30H3! * 77 Klash * 88-Keys * A BIG YES and a small no * A Brief Smile * A Faulty Chromosome * A Place to Bury Strangers * A. Pinks * Aa * Aaron LaCrate * Aaron Lee Tasjan * Aaron Thomas * The Abdomen * Abigail Warchild * Aceyalone * Adam Heldring * Adept * Aderbat * Adventure * Afghan Raiders * Agallah * Aggrolites * AIDS Wolf * AK-1200 * Akimbo * Akudama * Al James The Unfazed * Al James the Unfazed and Tenlons Fort * The Albertans * Alex Diaz y Son de la Calle * Alex English * Alex English * ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE * Ali Eskandarian * Ali Vegas * Alina Simone * All The Saints * The Alright Ma's * Amanda Diva (host) * Amazing Baby * Ambulance LTD * America's Sweetheart * The Amity Front * Amy Miles * An Albatross * An American Chinese * An Horse * Andrea Gibson * Andrew Collberg * Andrew Gerardi Band * Andrew Gibson * Andrew Hoover * Ane Brun * Animal Farm featuring Mic Crenshaw * Animal Hands * Animate Objects * Annie Lynch and the Beekeepers * Annuals * Another Black Day * The Answer * Anthony Green * Apache Beat * Ape School * The Apes * Apollo Heights * Apollo Run * Arabian Prince * Arbouretum * Ari Gold * Ari Up and the True Warriors * Arkadelphia * Arms * Army Navy * Arsonists Get All The Girls * The Art of Shooting * Article A * Arum Rae * As Tall As Lions * As Tall As Lions * Asa Ransom * Au * Au * Audrye Sessions * Auntkeke * Autodrone * Autovaughn * Averkiou * Aviette * Awesome New Republic * The Awkward Stage * Ayurveda * B.O.B. * Backseat Goodbye * Bad Veins * Bailiff * Bamboo Shoots * Bang Bang Eche * Barton Carroll * Battle Circus * Bazaar Royale * Beach House * Bear Hands * Bear In Heaven * Bear Number 141 * Bearsuit * Bedtyme357 * Bel Air * Bell * The Belleville Outfit * Ben Arnold * Ben Burgess Band * Ben Carroll * Ben Weaver * Benji Cossa * Best Friends Forever * Best Fwends * Beyondo * Big Ears & Courage * Big Gunz * Bill Mike Band * Biodesel M02 DJ Tucci * Bird To Prey * Bird To Prey * Birds of Maya * Bisc 1 * BISON b.c. * The Black & White Years * Black Clouds * The Black Hollies * Black Ice * Black Joe Lewis * Black Milk * Black Taxi * Blackmarket * Blackstrap * Blind Pilot * Blind Pilot * Blitz The Ambassador * The Blizzards * Blonde Acid Clut * Bloodgroup * The Blooms * Blu & Mainframe (as Johnson & Johnson) * Blue Album Group * The Blue Van * BM Linx * Boat People * The Boat People * Bodega Girls * Bomb The Bass * Bonne Aparte * Bottle Up & Go * The Bowmans * The Box Social * Boy Eats Drum Machine * Boy Eats Drum Machine * Boy Genius * Brak * Breaking Laces * Brent Amaker and the Rodeo * Bret Mosley * Bridges and Powerlines * Brighton MA * The Broadfield Marchers * Broken Social Scene * The Broken West * The Bronx * The Bronzed Chorus * Brooke Waggoner * The Brother Kite * The Brought Low * Brown Dog Jonez * Brown Dog Jonez * Brown Shoe * Bryan Scary and The Shredding Tears * Buddahead * Buddy * Build * Bumblebeez * Bury Your Dead * Cactus's * Cadence * Caitlin Moe * Caitlin Rose * Cale Parks * California King * Cameron Matthews * Canada * Canasta * The Canon Logic * Capitol K * The Capstan Shafts * Captain Coconut * Carcrashlander * Carlon * Carlotta * Carolyn Alroy * The Carps * The Carribean * Cars Can Be Blue * Casiokids * The Cassidy Project * Castanets * Catalepsy * Catcall * Cause Co-motion! * Cereal Killa * Chachi & Trenton Street Rockers * Chairlift * Chairlift * Chana Rothman * Change The Station * The Chapin Sisters * Chappo * Charles Burst * Charles Hamilton * Charlie Louvin * Charlie Mars * Charlie Pickett * Charm City Devils * Che Grand * Check Out the Tits on Tituba * Cheeseburger * Cherry S/T * Chester French * Chester French * Chewing Pics * Child Bite * Children * Chris Abad * Chris Bathgate * Chris Bergson * Chris Brokaw * Chris Leo's Vague Angels * Chris Mills * Chris Nathan * Chris Pureka * Christopher Barnes * Chuck E Costa * Cinema Cinema * City Center * Classixx * Clearview * Cloud 9 * Cloud Cult (Acoustic) * The Coast * The Coathangers * Coheed & Cambria * Cola Freaks * Colin Smith * Collin Monroe * Comic Book Heroes * Company of Thieves * Continental Divide * The Contrast * The Cool and Deadly * Cool Kids * Cordero * Cory Chisel * Cory Chisel & the Wandering Souls * Cotton Jones * The Crash Motive * The Cringe * Crocodiles * Crystal Antlers * Crystal Castles * Crystal Stilts * Cuchillo * Cut Off Your Hands * CYNE (DJ set) * Dallas Austin * Dam Funk * Dan Craig * Dan Evans * Dan Torres * Dances With White Girls * Daniel Merriweather * Dara * Darkest Hour * Dashah * Dave Doobinin * Dave Smallen * David Banner * DD/MM/YY * Dead Heart Bloom * Dead Leaf Echo * Dead Men Dreaming * Dead Prez * Deadbeat Darling * Deanna Devore * Dear Everything * Dear Thief * The Dears * Deastro * Death Vessel * Deerhoof * Del McCoury Band * Delays * Dellacane * Delta Fiasco * The Delta Spirit * Delta Spirit * Dent May * Depedro * The Depreciation Guild * Designer Drugs * Device * Devlin and Darko * Dexter Romweber Duo * Die! Die! Die! * Dieselboy * Dimitry!!! * Dirty Fuzz * Distraction * Diz Gibran * Dj Aaron Axelsen * DJ Amylulita * Dj Andre Allen Anjos * DJ Babu * DJ Beverly Bond * DJ Boo * DJ Boo * DJ Dub Defender * DJ Hanukkah Miracle * DJ Justin Carter * DJ Marcelo Cunning * Dj Mike Dextro * DJ Parler * DJ Pumpkin Patch * DJ Rekha * DJ Rekha * DJ Ruckus * DJ Skeletons * DJ Soulscape * DJ Spinna * DJ Sucio Smash * DJ Sugarfree * DJ Wonder * Djs invisible Kid * DJs Jake D and Boyhollow * DJs Mick Boogie & Benzi * DJs Nickodemus & OBaH * DMBQ * DMZ * Don Juan Dracula * Donavon Frankenreiter * Donny Goines * Donovan Quinn & the 13th Month * Doug Gillard * Doug Paisley * Drag On * Dragons of Zynth * The Dreadful Yawns * Dred Scott Trio * Dri * Duchess Says * Dujeous * The Duke Spirit * Dungen * Duquette Johnston * Dust Jacket * The Dutchess & The Duke * Dynah * Eagle Seagull * Earth Eater * Ebony Bones * Eclectic Method * Ecstatic Sunshine * Edan The DJ/Egon * The Egg * El Jezel * The Element * Elephone * Eli Escobar * Elizabeth ! * Elizabeth Willis * Elk City * Ellen Cherry * The Emeralds * Emillio Rojas * Emily Simone * Emmy the Great * Empire ISIS * The End Of The World * Endless Boogie * The Envy Corps * Envy On the Coast * Eren Cannata * Erin Sax Seymour * Esso * Etan * The Ettes * The Ettes * Eugene Franicis Jr. and The Juniors * Eulogies * Eulogies * Eve to Adam * everybody out * Everybodyfields * Evidence * Evidence * Ex Norwegian * Ex Reverie * Excepter * Experimental Dental School * Ezekiel Honigc * Ezra Furman and the Harpoons * Fake Problems * Fanfarlo * Fastest Rapper Alive Contest * Faunts * Favourite Sons * Fear Nuttin Band * Festival * Fiasco * Fight Bite * Fighting With Wire * Figo * Finn Riggins * The Fire and Reason * Fires of Rome * First Cousin * Five Finger Death Punch * Flying * Folk and Stress * Forever * The Forms * Four Trips Ahead * Frances * Francis & The Lights * Franki Chan * Freakwent Flyahs * Free Sol * Free Sol * French Horn Rebellion (FHR) * Fresh Daily w/ special guest P.Casso * Fresh Kills * The Friday Night Boys * Friendly Fires * Friendly Fires (DJ set) * Front Page * Frontier Ruckus * Fujiya & Miyagi * G-spot * Game Rebellion * Gang Gang Dance * Gangi * The Gay Blades * George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars * Gerd Baier and Phillip Gutbrod * Ghost Front * Gigantic * Gillen & Turk * Gilles Vonsattel * The Giraffes * The Giraffes * Girls Like Cigarettes * giveamanakick * The Glad Version * Glasser * Gliss * Global Hip-Hop Throwdown hosted by Pharoahe Monch * Go Motion * God Forbid * Goes Cube * Gold Streets * Good Times Crisis Band * Goodbye Picasso * The GoStation * Graeme K. * Grafh & Prinz * Graham MacRae * Grammar Debate * Grammer Debate * Grand Avenue * The Grand March * Great Lakes * Greg Camp * Gregory Miles Harris * Greycoats * Gringo Star * Gringo Star * The Grip Weeds * Growing * Ha Ha Tonka * Haale * Hackman * Haircut * Hakim * The Handcuffs * Happy Anarchy * The Happy Hollows * The Hard Lessons * Havok * HeartsRevolution * Heathers * Heavy Hands * Hecuba * Heidi Happy * Heist at Hand * The Helio Sequence * Heloise and the Savoir Faire * Henny C * Hermit Thrushes * Hexes & Ohs * Hey Rosetta! * Higgins * High Places * The High Wire * HO-AG * Holidays of Seventeen * Holler Wild Rose * Hollywood Holt * Home and Garden * Home Video * Homeboy Sandman * The Homosexuals * Honey LaRochelle * The Hong Kong Blood Opera * The Hood Internet * Hooray For Humans * Hopewell * Hospital Bombers * The Hosts * Hot Cha Cha * Hot Lava * Hot Panda * Hotel Lights * Hottub * Housing Authority * Howlies * The Howlies * HR (Bad Brains) * HR record Release * The Hundred Days * Hype Of The States * Hypernova * I Wrestled A Bear Once * I'm Not Jim * Ian Axel * Ifwhen * Ill Bill * Iller Than Theirs * Imaginary Johnny * Immortal Technique * In This Moment * Ingrid Olava * Inlets * Invizzibl Men * Iran * Irata * Ironweed * Israel Ripka * Its Not You Its Me * IY * Izza Kizza * J-Messinian * J-Ronin * J.Rocc * Jack Savoretti * Jack Savoretti * The Jacks * jacksonknife * Jah Dan & Noble Society * Jake Morris Group * James Fucking Friedman * James Jackson Toth * James LaVelle * James Maddock * James Pants * Janelle Monae * Japandroids * Japanese Motors * Jared Mees and The Grown Children * Javelina * Jay Nash * Jay Reatard * Jay Retard * Jealous Girlfriends * The Jealous Girlfriends * Jeans Team * Jeff London * Jeff Stephens * Jeff Taylor * Jen Lasher * Jeremy Dawson (Shiny Toy Guns) * Jesse Dee * Jesse Ruben * Jessica Lea Mayfield * Jihae * Joan Osbourne * Joanne Erdos and the Midnight Party * Joe Pug * Joel Plaskett Emergency * Joell Ortiz * Joemca & Poets * JOESKI * John Biz * Johnny Foreigner * The Johns * Jon Meyers * Jonah Smith * The Jones Street Boys * Jonezetta * Jonny Meyers and The Band From Queens * Jose Conde Y Ola Fresca * Josh Charles * Josh Martinez * Judgement Day * Juiceboxxx * Jukebox the Ghost * Juliana Hatfield * Julianna Barwick * Julie Ocean * Julius C * June Star * Jungle Brothers * Junk Science * Jupiter One * Just Live * Justin Townes Earle * Kae Sharp * Kaiku * KaiserCartel * Kakkmaddafakka * Karkwa * Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden * Katie Buchanan * Katy Pfaffl * Kazua Band * Keegan DeWitt * Kelly Blair Bauman * Kevin Devin and Goddamed Band * Ki: Theory * Kid Dakota * Kid Theodore * Kid:Nap:Kin * Kidz in the Hall * Kim Taylor * King Darves * The King Left * King Reign * King Tuff * Kirsten Ketser * Klimek * Konqistador * Koufax * Krallice * Kria Brekkan * Kuroma * Kurt Vile * La La Brooks * La Strada * Labeling Deloris * Lacona * Lady Dottie and the Diamonds * The Ladybug Transistor * Laika and the Cosmonauts * Lail Arad * Land Of Talk * Late Of The Pier * Laura Barrett * Laura Gibson * Laura Gibson * Laura Warshauer * Lauren Flax * Le Caution * Le Concorde * Leah Siegel * Lee "Scratch" Perry * Lee Boys * Left to Vanish * Lemonade * Lemonade * Len Xiang * Leopold and his Fiction * Leslie Mendelson * Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez * Levi Weaver * Lewis and Clarke * Lick Lick * Lieutenant Marscapone * Life and Times * Lights * Lights Resolve * Lindsay Katt Rachel Platten & Madi Diaz * Linfinity * Lionel Neykov * Lisa Bianco * The Lisps * Lissy Trullie * Little Boots * Little Brother * The Little Death NYC * Little Jackie * Little Teeth * Lizzy Grant * Local Sound Style * Loer Velocity * Loki the Grump * The Lolligags * The London Souls * Longwave * Looker * The Loom * Loquat * Lord T and Eloise * Los Fancy Free * Los Straightjackets * Louis XIV * Love As Laughter * Love Automatic * LoveLikeFire * The Lovely Feathers * The Lovely Sparrows * The Low Anthem * Lozen * Luciano * Lucinda Black Bear * Lucius * Lucky Soul * Luke Temple * Lukestar * Luxa * Lykke Li * Lymbic System * M16 * Mad Staring Eyes * Made Out Of Babies * Madison South * Madlib * The Mae Shi * Magic Magic * Magnetic Morning * Mahogany * Mancino * Mandred * Mangu * Maniqui Lazer * Marching Band * Marco Benevento * Margot and the Nuclear So-and-Sos * Marisa Mini * Marissa Hanson * Marissa Nadler * MARK FARINA * The Mark Inside * Mark Ronson (DJ Set) * Marnie Stern * MARQUES WYATT * Mason Proper * Matt Bauer * Matt Bauer * Matt Duke * Matt Keating * Matt Morris * Matt York * Maurice Davis Band * Max Gabriel * Max ZT * Maya Azucena * Me Talk Pretty * Meika Pauley * Menya * The Mercury Seed * Meta and The Cornerstones * Metal Marathon * Metermaids * Metis * Mia Riddle * Micachu * Micachu & the Shapes * Micah Dalton * Michael And Marisa * Michael Daves * Michael Zapruder * Michael Zapruder * Mickey Factz * Middle Distance Runner * Midfall Drive * The Midway State * Mike Bones * Mike Castro * Mike Falzone * Mike G. and Sammie B (Jungle Brothers) * Mike Simonetti * Mikey Wax * Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson * Miniature Tigers * Minus the Bear * Miracles of Modern Science * Mirah * Miss Li * Mobius Collective * Modern Skirts * Mohawk Lodge * The Moi Non Plus * Monareta * Moneen * Monocle * Monotonix * The Mood * More Amor * The Morning Pages * Mostly Bears * Motel Motel * Motel Motel * Mother Mother * mr. Gnome * Mr. Reo * Mudville * Muggabears * The Mugs * Mugwump * Mumpsy * Murder Mystery * The Music Tapes * The Muslims * MuthaWit * Mutiny * My Imaginary Friends * My Mortality * My Teenage Stride * Myles Turney * Mystery of Two * Mythical Beast * The Nadas * NADAstrom * Nakatomi Plaza * The Naked And Famous * Natalie Portman's Shaved Head * Natalie Walker * Nathan Angelo * Nathaniel Hoho and the Click Clack Boom * Nation Beat * Needers & Givers * Neil Cavanagh * Nelo * Nels Andrews * Netherfriends * The New Surreal * New Villager * Nickel Eye * Night Horse * Nina B * Ninjasonik * No Kids * Noa Babayof * Noisettes * Norris * The Northern * Novillero * Nucomme * Nudge * Nuriya * Nuuro * NY Oil * NYCSmoke * Nyle * Oakley Hall * The Octagon * Octopus Project * Oddysey & I-Cue * One Block Radius * One For The Team * One Lone Car * One Trick Pony * Other Lives * Other Lives * Otis Grove * Outasight * Outernational * Ovum * Oxford Collapse * P. Casso * Pacific Division * The Pack A.D. * Padre Pio * The Pains of Being Pure at Heart * Pale Young Gentlemen * Palomar * Papertrigger * Paramount Styles (feat Scott McCloud and Paul Cantelon) * Park Avenue Music * The Parties * Party Animals * Pase Rock * Passenger * Passion Pit * Pat McGee * Patent Pending * Patrick Droney * Pattern is Movement * Paul Wallfisch * Paula Newwoman * Peachcake * Peephole * Pegasuses-XL * Pela * People Noise * People Under The Stairs * Pepi Ginsberg * Perfuma * Pete and J * Pete Tong * The Phenomenal Handclap Band * Phil and the Osophers * Phillip Eno * Phosphorescent * The Photo Atlas * The Physics of Meaning * The Picture * Picture Picture * Pictures and Sound * Pie Boys Flat * The Pimps of Joytime * pit-er-pat * Pity Party * Plants * Plants * Po' Girl * Poingly * The Poison Control Center * Ponderosa * Pontiak * Ponytail * Poor Bailey * Pop Static and PGDM DJ set * Portastatic * Portastic * PPP * The Pragmatic * Pre * Preacher and the Knife * Pretty and Nice * Pretty Good Dance Moves * Prince Terrence * Princeton * Professor Pez * Project Jenny Project Jan * Proton * Psychic llls * The psychic paramount * Psyopus * PWRFL Power * Q Tha Prophet * QQQ * Rachael Sage & The Sequins * Rachelle van Zanten * Radio 4 * Radio Luxembourg * Radio Luxembourg * Radioclit * Rahim * Rahsaan * Rain * Rainbow Arabia * Randall Bramblett * Ravens & Chimes * Raye 6 * Readymade Breakup * Real Ones * Rebekah Higgs * Recover * Red Lotus * Red Wanting Blue * Reed Waddle * Reggie Watts * Reminbi * Remo Da Superstar * Restavrant * RewBee * Rhymefest * Ribs * Rich Girls * Riddenpaa * The Right Ons * Ringo Deathstarr * Rings * Rio en Medio * Rit Mo Collective * Roadsaw * Rob Da Bank * Rob Walmart * Robin Horlock * Rocketship Park * Rockin Squatt * Roisin Murphy * Rok 1 * Roll The Tanks * The Roman Empire * Rong Music & DFA * The Rosebuds * Roxbury * Royal Bangs * The Royal Chains * Royal Vagabonds * The Royalties * Ruby Rivers * The Ruby Suns * Ruby Suns * Rumspringa * Rustlanders * The Rustles * Ryan Auffenberg * The Sad Little Stars * Said The Whale * Salt & Samovar * Sam Bisbee * Sam Champion * Sam Keenan * Sam Scarfo * The Sammies * Sara Watkins * Sarah Fullen & the Stanleys * Sarah Solovay * Sasha Dobson * The Satellite Nation * Sav Killz * Saves the Day * Savoir Adore * sBACH * Scars On Broadway * Scissors for Lefty * Scouting for Girls * Screen Vinyl Image * Screens * The Sea * The Seabellies * Sean Price * Sebastian Grainger & The Mountains * Second Dan * Secret Guest * The Secret Life of Sofia * See You Next Tuesday * The Selfsame * Semi Precious Weapons * Serena * Seth Kallen & The Reaction * Settle * Sgt Dunbar and the Hobo Banned * Sha Stimuli * The Shackeltons * Shad * The Shalants * Shame Club * Shannon McArdie * Shawn Jackson * Shelley Green * Shellshag * SHINING * The Shiny Brights * Shiny Toy Guns * Shiragirl * The Shivers * Shout Out Out Out Out * Show Me Action * Shugo Tokumaru * Sian Alice Group * Sic Osyrus * The Silent League * The Silent Years * The Silos * Simon Boyar * Simon Says No! * Singing DJ Jens Lekman * Sister Suvi * Sisters 3 * Skeletonbreath * Skidmore Fountain * Skillz * Skriptkeeper * Sky Cries Mary * Skyzoo * Slang Chickens * Sleeperstar * Sleepy & Boo * The Smittens * The Snake Trap * Snowman * Snowman * So Many Dynamos * So Percussion * The So So Glos * SO4 DJ set * SO4 DJ set * Sohodolls * Soko * Sole and Skyrider Band * Soma * Sons of Bill * Soulwax * Soundpool * Sounds Under Radio * Southside Johnny w/ the LaBamba Big Band: Songs of Tom Waits * Spanish Prisoners * Spelling and Grammar * Spirit Of The Falcon-XL * Springhouse * Squaaks * St. Laz * Stalkers * Standard of Living * Starcode * Starfucker * Starling Electric * Stars Like Fleas * Stars Of Track And Field * Stationary Set * Stepanian * Stetsasonic (w/Prince Paul) * Steve Burns and The Struggle * Stook! * The Subjects * Suckers * Sundelles * Sunny Day Glasgow * The Sunstreak * Supa Nova Slom * Super XX Man * Super XX Man * Super XX Man * Surprise Guests * Susan Enan * Suzanna Choffel * Swati * Sweet Water * Sydney Wayser * Sylvie * T!Katz * The Takeover UK * Takka Takka * Talib Kweli * Talk To Angels * The Tall Pines * Tanya Morgan * Tara Jane O'Neil * Team Evil * Team Facelift * Team Genius * Team Robespierre * Teedo * The Teenage Prayers * Teenagers * The Telepathic Butterflies * Teletextile * Tender Loving Empire * Tenderhead * Tenlons Fort * Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt * Thank You * Thank You For The Drum Machine * That Ghost * Theresa Andersson * These Modern Socks * Thing One * This is Radio Freedom * This or the Apocalypse * This Reporter * Throttlerod * Through the Sparks' Jody Nelson * Thy Will Be Done * Tickley Feather * Tiger! Shit! Tiger! Tiger! * Tigercity * Tigercity * Tigers and Monkeys * Tim Blane * Tim Williams * Tina G * Tiny Animals * Titan * TK Webb & The Visions * Tobacco * Tobias Froberg * Toby Lightman * Todosantos * Tom Schraeder & His Ego * Tombs * Tommy D * Too Many Fish * Totally Michael * The Toxic Avenger * Tractor Operator * Tracy Shedd * Trash Talk * Traz Messiah * Trevor Giuliani * Trevor Menear * Tunnels to Holland * Turkuaz * Twi the Humble Feather * Two Hours Traffic * The Two Man Gentlemen Band * Two Spot Gobi * Tyler James * U G-D * U-N-I * U-N-I * U.S. Christmas * The Uglysuit * Uncensored Interview * Under Your Bead * Underwater Tea Party * Unholy * Unicycle Loves You * Unkle Bob * The Unsacred Hearts * The Valient Arms * VAN SCOTT * Vancougar * VAZ * The Vettes * Via Audio * Viking Moses * Villa Vina * Violens * Violent Sex * Virgin Forest * Virgin Passages * The Virgins * Vitamin-D * Vivian Darkbloom * Vivian Girls * Voodoo Funk * The Voom Blooms * Voyager One * Vreid * Vulture Whale * The WAAW Band * Wale * Wallpaper * Walter Meego * Warship * Watt White * Wax Tailor * We Are Standard * We Are The World * We Versus the Shark * We're All Just Passing Through * The Weepies * Weird Owl * Wes Jackson (host) * The Wet Secrets * Wetnurse * The Wheel * The Whip * White Lies * White Rainbow * White Shoes & The Couples Company * The Whitsundays * Whomadewho * Wild Light * Wild Sweet Orange * Will Knox * Willard Grant Conspiracy * the Winter Sounds * Women * Wooden Nickle * Woods * Woodwose * Wow & Flutter * Wye Oak * Wzt Hearts * Xtortya * XXXChange * The XYZ Affair * Yas * Yip Yip * Yo Majesty * Yoko * Young Lords * Young Love * Yz * Zack Hagan & 1050 * Zack Weber * Zambri * Zigmat * Zigmat * Zim * Zim * Zimbabwe Legit * Zimbabwe Legit *

It’s insane, it’s nuts, it’s crazy, and I’ve no doubt it’s gonna be fantastic. If all that music wasn’t enough, there are panels and film fun to keep you entertained as well. Talk about a humdinger.

Live Review: Lykke Li @ Black Cat, October 19

My love for Lykke Li, the Swedish chanteuse, really had grown into a bit of an inside joke between some fellow writer friends and me lately. Sure, her video for "Little Bit" is downright addictive, and I have no doubt that if I could do whatever drugs she apparently is taking, my life would be that much better. Her debut album, Youth Novels, has some of the best pop I've heard this year, but, really, is she worth all the blogosphere love she's been receiving? I am here to tell you that yes, she is. Her performance at the Black Cat was one of the best shows period I've seen there this year (granted, I've only seen about a half dozen there this year, but still).

I went with my kid brother and told him beforehand I had no idea what to expect. Sure, we bloggers really seem to dig her, but I was unaware of her blowing up on the radio or anything like that. Armed with that virtually worthless knowledge, I was pretty blown away when I got to the Cat around 9 pm, and the line was snaking to damn near the end of the block. Good Lord and Butter, thought I, this girl is doing a pretty good job getting the word out about herself these days.

I caught the last couple of songs by the opener, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, who strangely enough was traveling under the moniker The Family Robinson. Now, Miles' debut single, "Buriedfed," is one of the best damn singles I've heard this year, bar none. Sadly, his live performance leaves a bit more to be desired. While the band had a pretty good groove going, MBAR gave perhaps the most garbled vocal performance I've ever heard. Thinking it was perhaps a mic problem, I was even more surprised when the headliner took the stage and was as clear as a bell. Keep in mind, Ms. Li is from Sweden. Still, his eponymous CD is too good to just throw him by the wayside, so I'm going to assume I just saw him on an off night.

Ms. Li took the stage just around 10:15 and put on a relatively short show, clocking in at just under an hour. That being said, what an hour it was. She took to the stage with the instrumental portion of "Melodies & Desires" playing before launching into "Dance Dance Dance." Halfway through the latter song, she broke into a full fledged drum freak out that made me question whether or not my marriage was worth it or if I should just start a Lykke Li cult then and there. Having only one album to her name ("I am a debut artist," she informed the crowd at one point), she pretty much played all of Youth Novels with a couple of cover tunes. For those of you in the know, Lykke rocked out the old skool Fly Girl look, complete with the phat dookie gold chains. Amongst those gold chains was one gold plated (OK, probably painted) toy trumpet that made it out to the delight of the crowd.

So what made the show so downright fiery? While LL probably needs to work on a few portions of her act (every song does not have to end with a slowed down chanting of the chorus), she's got personality to spare. She's a spitfire under the stage lights, master of that clunky white girl dancing that made junior high proms such a wonderful thing. And let's be honest, an accent like hers is bound to delight even the most tone deaf of admirers.

The highlight of the evening quite probably was the final song of the encore, an impassioned version of A Tribe Called Quest's "Can I Kick It?" Hell, that one alone probably was worth the price of admission. It was during this song that she implored the audience to vote for Obama, which really seemed to piss off some guy next me. Yes, he had a point that as a Swede, she didn't have anything to do with our electoral process, but whatever.

I took a bunch of pictures, but not a damn one came out well. I probably should have tested the camera before using it for the first time, but what can you do? To the guy in front of me who probably wondered why I took that completely unnecessary picture of your ass, yeah, sorry about that dude. I promise you, I was trying to turn it off, not snap a shot of your dumpster. If you had been the guy in the "Little Bit" video, maybe, but you weren't, so there you go.

mp3: Can I Kick It? (live)

The Untitled Interview #13: Starring Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene)

We here at Les Enfants Terribles don't agree on everything, it'd be a little boring if we did after all, but one thing we can both get behind is that there sure is a lot of good music being made by our good neighbors to the north (in other words, we heart Canadians). Bearing that in mind, it made perfect sense to us to get some answers from one of Canada's best and biggest exports, Broken Social Scene.

The stars are all good and perfectly aligned for two local BSS shows, tomorrow night in Richmond and Wednesday in DC (ok, actually in Northern VA, but close enough), and we Terribles will both be representing in our respective cities. To celebrate, and encourage you heartily to venture out into the delicious fall evening and join us, we excitedly present the Untitled Interview starring Mr. Brendan Canning, who is himself celebrating a delightful (albeit prematurely released) solo album. As a little bonus, you'll find an audio treat below. And because he's such a BSS nut, Terrible Chris has thrown in a couple questions of his own. Enjoy.

Les Enfants Terribles: How the hell are you?
Brendan Canning: Today, good.

LET: What was the last song you listened to?
BC: The record shop I was just in was playing Canned Heat.

LET: Playing music is ___
BC: Going to delay my groin injury from healing.

LET: What album most made you realize that you wanted to make
music?
BC: KISS - Destroyer

LET: Beatles or Stones?
BC: Zeppelin.

LET: What're your top 5 albums?
BC: Today-
Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
John Coltrane - Giant Steps
Slayer - Reign in Blood
Neil Young - Everybody Knows This is Nowhere
Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children

LET: Favorite music-related movie?
BC: 8 Mile.

LET: What city or venue would you like to play, but haven't
yet been to?
BC: Rio de Janeiro.

LET: Half-full or half-empty?
BC: What day is it?

LET: Apart from your band, which of your peers do you think is
making the best music these days?
BC: Are Wilco my peers?

LET: Favorite thing about Toronto?
BC: Kensington Market.

LET: What's the first thing you think when you wake up in
the morning?
BC: Do I really need to get out of bed today?

LET: The greatest record store in the world is:
BC: Rotate this.

LET: What's the longest flight you've ever been on, and
where were you going?
BC: Toronto to Auckland-21 hours or so.

LET: Shaken or stirred?
BC: Tequila, lime and soda.

LET: What do you think is the secret to longevity as it relates
to bands?
BC: Have something else that makes you money. Or write a massive hit and then take a five year hiatus. If you've ever seen the movie Supertroopers, remember: desperation is a stinky cologne. (it's on in the bus right now.)

LET: If you weren't in a band, you'd be:
BC: Off of this bus.

LET: Best song ever written?
BC: “Pink moon” - Nick Drake.

Terrible Chris: Greatest Canadian band of all time? Greatest American?
BC: Rush. Talking Heads.

TC: Who's going to win the Stanley Cup this season?
BC: Who cares. Unless the Leafs start winning I could give a shit.

TC: Crosby or Ovechkin?
BC: ??

mp3: Brendan Canning - Hit the Wall

At the Cinema: Across the Universe

Since my good partner, Ms. Terrible, opted to write about a Beatles-inspired-though-not-actually-featuring-any-Beatles movie, I thought, hell, I can name that tune, too. So let's talk about Julie Taymor's Across the Universe. The movie itself has nothing to do with the Beatles themselves, but the entire soundtrack is composed of Beatles songs, so there's your link right there.

ATU aspires to be a musical of the old fashioned sort, with characters breaking into song for no particular reason at any and all moments, in seemingly unlikely locations. If you've seen any of Taymor's other works, either on-stage or on-screen, you probably know that you're going to get elaborate sets, big numbers and a whole lot of oddity that never quite resolves itself. Don't expect many deviations from that track record here.

The story focuses primarily on three characters, conveniently named after various characters in assorted songs from the Fab Four's catalogue, namely Jude, Max, and Lucy. And then there are the secondary characters, Sadie, Prudence, and a variety of others. The plotline follows this motley crew throughout the turbulent 60s, blah, blah, blah. The main storyline follows Max getting drafted, Jude escaping to the US to become an artist and avoid actually growing up, and Lucy becoming a war protester. The subplotlines deal with Prudence dealing with being a lesbian, Sadie and Jo-Jo dealing with stardom and their interracial romance, and a bunch of stuff involving various drugs throughout. Essentially, Taymor hits on all the stereotypical figures of the 60s. As a fully realized story, this flick is a bit of a miss. It's really more of a series of character sketches, but we're not here to talk about the movie itself, are we? Hells no, here at LET, we're all about the tunes. Or some such thing.

A couple of the actors have truly phenomenal voices, particularly Jim Sturgess (Jude), Martin Luther (Jo-Jo) and T. V. Carpio (Prudence). Of course, Luther and Carpio are only given a song or two each, but what can you do? They arguably are the best songs on the soundtrack. Sturgess does the amazing and actually sounds British when he sings. I've often wondered why nobody in England sings in an English accent. And now I know they can. I'm torn over the vocal stylings of Dana Fuchs (Sadie). She has a strong, coarse voice, and it's no surprise she once played Janis Joplin off-Broadway. If anything, she may have a bit too much grit for the songs she's given, but there's no doubting that she has one helluva set of pipes on her.

Did you want cameos by famous people? Well, ATU has those, too. Selma Hayek has a "so quick you'll miss it if you blink" role as a nurse in an apparent acid-induced fever dream. Bono plays a Timothy Leary knock off, Dr. Robert (natch), and is given the closing credits number, too. Most surprising, though, is a miscast Eddie Izzard as Mr. Kite, apparently the Ken Kesey counterpart. My god, the man is funny as all get out, but cannot carry a tune in a bucket. Interestingly enough (or not), he's also the only character allowed to add some improvised lines to his titular song. Hands down, though, the cameo highlight is Joe Cocker alternately playing a pimp and a bum while cranking out "Come Together." Sadly, Joe nailed the bum look. Still it's nice to see the genius still can belt 'em out, and that he's getting occasional work.

Is this a movie you need to rush out and see? Meh. Your call. If you do, while LET does not encourage drug use, I certainly couldn't argue that it wouldn't increase your enjoyment of this one. The soundtrack, however, does deserve a listen or two, particularly the tracks/singers highlighted above.