News : BLOG: (NIKE) Red “Lace Up Saves Lives” Benefit Concert
Last Saturday (NIKE) Red held it's "Lace Up. Saves Lives." benefit concert at the Montalban theater in Hollywood, CA. In an effort to spread more awareness about the HIV/AIDS crisis in AFRICA, Nike has partnered up with (RED) and giving high school teens the opportunity to not only see their favorite artists perform live but the opportunity to make a difference at the same time. By purchasing a $4.00 (NIKE) Red shoe lace, a crowd of high school fans gained admission into the theater with 100% of all the profits going straight to The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which funds AIDS programs that provide medicine for those living with HIV, and football-based community initiatives that deliver education and understanding around HIV/AIDS prevention.
The diverse line-up included Fabulous, All-American Rejects, Asher Roth, Melanie Fiona, Four Year Strong and PAC DIV. To our surprise the lobby was filled with tons of candy bars, snacks, chocolates and drinks to keep our excitement and energy going. And you can bet those in attendance took advantage of that! Not to mention, DJ Rashida was spinning tunes all evening long between performances and didn't hold back. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday, right?
For more info about (NIKE) Red and their "Lace Up. Saves Lives." campaign watch the video below!
News : Blog: Delicious Foodstuffs: The Organic Tour
Part of my love for food comes from me being my brother's guinea pig when he tries new recipes and his ongoing quest to eat to blog (literally). I've always been a supporter for most foodstuffs, so when my brother started planning the first Organic Tour with Chef Antonio Medina from the Gastrobus, I was all about it and now I get to share the news with you all!
This tour is going to be an interactive forum for foodies to learn more about buying, cooking and eating foods locally grown from our farmers. Even better, Chef Antonio will be the guide in this tour AND will demo dishes with the purchases made. The tour is scheduled for March 2010 and they are currently collecting sign ups (this can only happen is you're on board with me!). To be part of the first Organic Tour by Eat to Blog and Gastro bus, email eattoblog@gmail.com.
Media : The Kissaway Trail, SDP (FILTER Exclusive Premiere)
The new video for The Kissaway Trail's "SDP" consolidates the over 6-minute lead track from the band's forthcoming album SLEEP MOUNTAIN into about half its original length, without losing any of its impact. The track showcases the band's signature dual, ethereal vocals from Søren Corneliussen and Thomas Fagerlund alongside the supercharged layers of keyboards and guitars, reminiscent of a few fellow favorites hailing from those same Scandinavian headquarters, and also providing the evidence of Peter Katis' (Interpol, The National, Sigur Rós’ Jónsi) production presence during the two weeks the band spent in Sweden recording the album.
SLEEP MOUNTAIN will be released in the US on April 20th via Bella Union/Yeproc. The Kissaway Trail will return to the States for the first time in 2 years this March to perform at FILTER's SXSW party in Austin - stay tuned here for more details.
News : First Impressions: Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Mumford & Sons
Sigh No More
Glassnote
Release Date: Feb. 16
Tracklisting:
1. Sigh No More
2. The Cave
3. Winter Winds
4. Roll Away Your Stone
5. White Blank Page
6. I Gave You All
7. Little Lion Man
8. Timshel
9. Thistle & Weeds
10. Awake My Soul
11. Dust Bowl Dance
12. After The Storm
First Impressions:
-West London folk-rock quartet, Mumford & Sons open their debut album with the title track, “Sigh No More.” At first, this feels like a very ambient and atmospheric number – think Fleet Foxes, or a tranquillized version of themselves. A quiet banjo and acoustic guitar stroll contentedly alongside Marcus Mumford’s prevailing vocals. But don’t let that fool you. Before the kick of a bass, an assortment of instruments lift the song upward into a new direction – resulting in a big sound, and something quite magical as Marcus Mumford pipes out, ‘Love that will not betray you / Dismay or enslave you / It will set you free.’
-A lot of the tracks do stick to this ‘build-up’ theme. Especially in “White Blank Page” and “Little Lion Man,” where Mumford sings with old English charm, “I really fucked it up this time / didn’t I, my dear?” And once again, quiet beginnings ease into epic choruses - very much recalling the sound of Arcade Fire.
-In “Winter Winds,” the horns and overall style is also fairly similar to that of Beirut. But sigh no more (sorry), because they definitely put their own stamp on it – it’s an album highlight, and a great track.
-It’s not just build-ups and big choruses. “Roll Away Your Stone,” “The Cave” and “Little Lion Man” have the best banjo hoedowns of them all, guaranteed to whisk you away to a West London barn dance. And in the softer track, “Timshel,” the band shows their natural ability to harmonize as a group.
-Lyrically, Marcus Mumford wears his heart on his Donegal tweed sleeve. Sure, a lot of the songs are seemingly uplifting, but amongst the feel good numbers lay tales of revenge, heartache and hope. In tracks such as “Awake My Soul”, Mumford shows emotion through his lyrics and gravely voice, as he sings, “How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes / I struggle to find any truth in your lies.”
Key Tracks:
“Sigh No More,” “Winter Winds,” “The Cave,” “Little Lion Man,” “Awake My Soul”
Predictions:
After some high critical acclaim from the U.K. press, as well as a significant impacton the U.K.’s ‘folk-revival’ scene, Sigh No More certainly doesn’t disappoint. This is a truly majestic album; and although the first half is more energetic, and the second half more of a hazy comedown, it’s packed from start to finish with charming, infectious and at times touching folk-rock classics. But ye blatherskites be warned - Marcus Mumford and his banjo-wielding bandits might just capture your heart.
Media : Bluebrain, Funny Business (FILTER Premiere)
DC-based brother duo Bluebrain will release their debut, entitled Soft PowerFebruary 9 via Lujo Records. Brothers Ryan and HaysHolladay wrote, recorded and produced the lush, electronic-tinged songs at their home in Washington DC after relocating from Brooklyn a year earlier. But what began as a plan to quickly document the songs they'd been crafting quickly changed when Hays awoke one morning, physically unable to move. It was a temporary paralysis, but the months that followed were defined by a battery of tests, frightening misdiagnosis and, ultimately, spinal surgery. Throughout the process (and the full recovery that followed), the songs evolved as the two continued to record what would become their debut LP.
Contests : Win a Fender® Standard Stratocaster® Guitar and Prize Pack from The Temper Trap!
The Temper Trap have had us singing along to "Sweet Disposition" ever since it was featured in one of our favorite 2009 movies, (500) Days of Summer. They've made one of those songs that just never gets old, and same goes for the entire album, Conditions. So we were thrilled when they announced these North American tour dates, including a stop at Coachella - pinch us, seriously.
To celebrate, Fender and Ultimate Guitar have teamed up to offer one lucky fan a chance to win a major musical prize package. Enter below for your chance to win a Fender® Standard Stratocaster® Guitar signed by the band, and a Temper Trap prize package including a copy of their highly acclaimed release Conditions, an autographed poster, and tee shirt.
Enter below, and good luck!
You can purchase Conditionshere, and don't miss the chance to see this band live!
Pacific Horizons is a new band based in Los Angeles, California. After more than a decade of peering into the heart of mysticism on dancefloors worldwide, these lads have discovered a sound that is truly rooted deep in the underground. It's closer to an organic compound than one would expect; inspired by sages, shaman, and the wisdom of the ancients, Pacific Horizons are uncovering new territory while at the same time steeped in age-old tradition. Their debut release "Universal Horizons / The Amulet" is being twisted up by the likes of DJ Harvey, Ray Mang and Coyote during sunrise ceremonies on several continents, as dancers and listeners worldwide celebrate their recent release.
Below is the music video for Universal Horizons by the psychedelic missionary Tim Hicks, director of the horror masterpiece, The Aphrikan.
In a futuristic world where everything appears mechanical, sleek and haunting, Massive Attack appear to be comfortably at ease. Directed by Edouard Salier, the duo's new video for "Splitting The Atom" relates such a world with striking black-and-white imagery of gun-toting robots, floating shards and a giant, demon rabbit. Amidst it all, a red glow unclouds the sky and change seems imminent. Enter the darkness of Massive Attack (courtesy of PitchforkTV) below.
The countdown continues, Heligoland drops February 9th.
The year started with a whirlwind for Southern Californian natives The Soft Pack, a Fender-wielding foursome whose roots run deep in surf and garage rock.
Initially formed in 2007 by vocalist/guitarist Matt Lamkin and guitarist Matty McLoughlin under the moniker The Muslims, the dynamic indie outfit, which now includes drummer Brian Hill and bassist Dave Lantzman, has quickly made its music—and new name—known everywhere from Los Angeles to Berlin. And there seems to be no sign of slowing down in 2010.
Following a mini West Coast tour last week that included opening for the electro-rock group Phoenix and several in-store performances in San Francisco and Portland, The Soft Pack took up the almost unfathomable task of playing 10 shows in Los Angeles on Saturday—and succeeded. The band members returned to their hometown of San Diego to celebrate the release of The Soft Pack, their latest full-length album that was released this week on Kemado Records, before kicking off a nearly two-month tour throughout Europe.
Yesterday, FILTER spoke with McLoughlin about the band’s influences, upcoming European tour, and move to Los Angeles. Today, McLoughlin discussed The Soft Pack’s growing “buzz,” the joys of returning home, and even divulged his most anticipated acts at this year’s Coachella Music and Arts Festival.
News : Animal Collective’s ODDSAC Premieres at Sundance
Guys in tight pants and thick-framed glasses and girls in beat-up, old sneakers braved the freezing temperatures of this year’s Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, to be the first to see the premier of Animal Collective’s new film, ODDSAC.
The film premiered in a small Cinemark Theater during the week of Sundance, and each showing was preceded by the debut of a 27-minute animation film by artist Glenda Wharton called "The ZO." Following the short film was ODDSAC, an eerie and mysterious film lasting a little under an hour, and comprised of several different scenes set to the music and sounds of—yes, you guessed it—Animal Collective.
Those familiar with Animal Collective’s music should have been somewhat prepared for what they were about to see: Oil bleeding from walls, a scary clown/vampire attacking a family camping in the woods, a group of girls getting in a food fight, and quick flashes of terrifying, paint covered human faces are just some of the scenes shown in the movie.
ODDSAC manages to evoke a wide range of emotions—at times dark and mysterious, while at others, buoyant and hopeful. There are some terrifying moments, and some moments of surprise; there are times when you feel very uncomfortable, and times when you want to get up and dance.
Throughout this range of emotion, the type of music playing at any given time is synched perfectly with the action and image on the screen. For example, at one point a terrifying clown/vampire is caught outside during daylight, thus getting scorched by the sun. Bright blue, purple and red blood starts pouring from his head as he thrashes about—matching vividly with the frenetic, maddening music playing in unison.
As a warning, ODDSAC probably isn’t for everyone. A lot of people may in fact hate it. However, the film is yet another outcrop of Animal Collective’s evolving, forever experimental sound. You may not understand all of it, but then again, when has anyone understood everything that was going on in the collective artistic mind of Animal Collective.
At the end of the Thursday, January 28 screening, Danny Perez, the film’s director, answered audience members’ questions. Someone asked if the film’s images were inspired by the sound, or if the sound was inspired by the images. Perez said it went back and forth at points, but that most of the music created for the film was based on the images: “It’s a liberating way of working with sound,” he said.
Following Perez’s talk, he welcomed Animal Collective to the front of the theater. The band answered questions and then met with moviegoers after the film. “It was definitely enjoyable,” said Dave Portner, aka Avery Tare of Animal Collective. “We’re always looking for new ways to come up with song forms.”
For more information on the movie, to watch the trailer and for upcoming showings of the film, visit www.oddsac.com.
