Fairtilizer blog: The Do It Yourself Music Club » folk

Aline Frazão

Fairtilizer — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:26:10 +0000

Aline Frazao is a 21 year young songwriter with a stunning artistic maturity. While her compositions have an undoubtedly Brasilian feel, she seemlessly integrates her Angolan and Cape Verdean influences for unique and powerful songs. Click play, seat back, relax and read the interview below:

[28.02.10 21:16:31] Olivier Rosset:Hello Aline, so who are u and where are u from?

[28.02.10 21:17:42] Aline Frazão: I’m Aline Frazão and I’m from Luanda, Angola.

[28.02.10 21:18:31] Olivier Rosset: How and when did you start playing and writing music?

[28.02.10 21:20:39] Aline Frazão: Well… despite of my age, it started long ago. I was 9 when I started singing in public, in some school events… I started with Fado, actually. Then some Bossa-nova and Cabo-verde’s traditional Mornas. At the age of 15 I started playing the guitar. That was when I wrote my first song. And it was a love song. hehehe first love, first song. Curiouse. =) And I started with some small concerts in a lot of places of Luanda, almost all of them related to my school activities.

[28.02.10 21:23:48] Olivier Rosset: Wow cool! Can you tell us a bit more about the music scene in angola?

[28.02.10 21:28:05] Aline Frazão: In this very moment everybody all around the world is getting crazy with Kuduru, this electronic dance music made in Luanda that Buraka Som Sistema brought to the world recently. But we’ve always been very… musical, we have a very musical culture. The traditional “Semba” and “Kizomba” never loose its fans and dancers. There is also a nice Hip-Hop sceene, some very good rappers. I think that the angolan music receives a big influence on one hand from Brazilian music and on the other ghand from the american Hip-Hop-MTV-Pop stuff. Ah, and there are some house/soul/chill-out DJ’s rising up too.

[28.02.10 21:35:45] Olivier Rosset: If you would have to pick up 5 albums to go live on a desert island, what would it be?

[28.02.10 21:35:58] Aline Frazão: Hmmm… let’s see:
“Elis&Tom” – Antonio Carlos Jobim and Elis regina
This Golden Album of Ella Fitzgerald
“Navega” of Mayra Andrade
Gal Costa Canta Tom Jobim (live)
and right now maybe Nneka “No Longer At Ease”
But that would be a very difficult choice! i’m sure tomorrow I’ll remember some other 5 albums I really like

[28.02.10 21:42:41] Olivier Rosset: 2 more questions?
[28.02.10 21:42:47] Aline Frazão: Sure! =)

[28.02.10 21:45:24] Olivier Rosset: I noticed that you are giving away for free some of your music.
[28.02.10 21:46:00] Olivier Rosset: How do you use & see the web today?

[28.02.10 21:47:47] Aline Frazão: Yes… nice question. I think we all agree that Internet is changing the way we deal with knowledge and culture and communication. As far as music is concearnd, well it allows us sharing it with a huge public everywhere in the world (except some countries like China hehehe). I find that possibility… just great.
Looks like a true democratization of Music, I mean… A response to this crazy music industry of the last century.
Me, as public, I think it’s great to have access to all of these artists through internet, listen or download albums free or paying what it worths. As a musician, as long as you respect and recognize authory, if you really like my music I’m happy if you can have it free. For me the most important thing is to play live

[28.02.10 21:56:01] Olivier Rosset: So what should we expect from a label today?

[28.02.10 21:56:24] Aline Frazão: . A label…
Well, I’m not an expert but I think that labels shoud adapt themselves to Internet and practise real prices, I mean…
I don’t mind buying a track or an album I really like, but it should not be overpriced (I don’t know if it exists). There should be more and more concerts live. I think we overrate the studio music.

[28.02.10 22:04:47] Aline Frazão: Muito obrigada.

[28.02.10 22:05:18] Olivier Rosset: De nada.

[28.02.10 22:05:31] Aline Frazão: And let me tell you, nice work with the web. It seems like it works really well (much better than MySpace!!!)

[28.02.10 22:07:47] Olivier Rosset: Thanx soooo much!
[28.02.10 22:07:54] Aline Frazão: You too! I’ll be waiting for it.
[28.02.10 22:08:07] Aline Frazão: Thank YOU*

Visit Aline Frazão Myspace

Visit Aline Frazão Fairtilizer profile

Tsar Shate 2

Fairtilizer — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:50:24 +0000

Tsar Shate 2’s The Bacchae is an adaptation with a folky-cabaret twist of the antique greek tragedy by Euripide. Album preview + bonus interview below:

The Bacchae is your new album: please could you explain the concept?
The Bacchae is not technically new. It’s been released in 2007 in fact. The main idea of the album was to adapt a ancient tragic play by Euripide, “The Bacchae”, to a pop/rock disc. I chose therefore the main events in the play and transformed each one of those in a song.

You are releasing the album yourself: is it a choice or not? Do you think a label is still relevant in 2010? What expect from a label today?
I produced the album with the financial help of Ace & Company, a private company based in Geneva. I then tried to find a label across Europe and in the US, with no success. It is said that these days the labels are not in the signing mood, especially for small artists.
In 2007 I was starting to study jazz in Paris, which took me a considerable amount of time, and so I guess I quite under-promoted the CD. That’s the main thing to expect from a label today : exposure, logistic, promotion.

The album is available on physical and digital formats: do you think there’s still a place for both? Do you have an idea of the percentage of the physical toward the digital?
I think both formats complement each other. Many people, espacially in the generation born before 1990, still have a perticular attachement to the CD as an object in itself. Appart from that, the digital is, to my point of view, eventually going to remain the only format in the future. I myself tend to buy more and more music in digital. I frankly do not know the ratio between physical and digital, but I promess to Google that and keep you informed!

How do you keep contact with your fans? Through your site, community sites…?
I mainly keep contact with my fans through the community sites we all know. The only contact I have with my fans on my website is for the selling of the CDs. Otherwise, I send a newsletter a few times a year to keep everybody informed of what’s been done and what’s coming ahead.

How do you use & see the web today? And how do you see the future of the internet?
In my everyday life I use the web to share files mostly, through e-mails and FTP servers. Not very glamorous is it? Otherwise I try to do some promotion here and there but I must admit that, although I can work 12h a day at my music, promoting is something I’m not very good at!
The way I see the web? I realize now that I haven’t been thinking about that a lot, and the question is very hard to answer. It’s a strange thing anyway. I mean you got everything in there right? But what if for some obscure reason, we lose the power that’s needed for the computer to function. All is be lost, vanished. For some reason, this vision of losing internet makes me feel light. I deduct from this reasoning that I see internet as a weight, or better : a pressure. I feel obliged to use it, to be in it, to search through it. It’s a great thing, but it drains a lot of energy I think, and should be used with care and full conscience.
The future of the internet? What do I know? I guess it will grow bigger, in terms of information stocked, and in terms of time we spend on it.

How much money could you save by using more digital in your day to day operations ? Is it also important for you to use digital services to have a smaller impact on the ecology of the planet?
I don’t think I would save a lot of money by using more digital everyday. Maybe I’m blind but I don’t see what I could change that would make me spend less through internet.
As for the ecological impact, I try to think of it everytime I can, so if digital can do things cleaner and better, than I’m ready for it, sure! One example I think about are the monthly newsletter from the bank or the mobile phone bills that are not printed on paper anymore.

Recommended music site (services, shop, blogs…)?
I don’t surf a lot so I don’t think I’ll surprise anybody here… I tend to navigate between Myspace, Youtube and iTunes… Not very special right? And of course, the bible of bibles : the All Music Guide, very complete and good tastes in the reviews.
I’ve recently composed a track for a website that sales different kind of things and redistribute parts of the benefits to charity. I thought the concept was pretty neat. Their name is Give Me Hope. Check it out!

Your tips for 2010 (bands, software, hardware, sites…)?
Bands : I’m still very fond of the Fleet Foxes; otherwise I listen to a lot of Jazz at the moment and recommend listening to Gilad Hekselman, Ari Hoenig, Tigran Hamasyan, Adam Rogers, Lage Lund, Rick Margitza (Bohemia) to name the latest heard. A special one : Maria Schneider, with her album “Concert In the Garden”, fantastic.
Oh! And don’t miss my new record, coming out very soon : Alice In Wonderland, a story for piano, sax, bass, percussions and 4 voices!

Software : the only one I use : Sibelius 6, the music notation software, it’s just great!

Hardware : the Godin guitar. Mine is new, and it ROCKS baby!

Sites : as mentionned above, I do not surf a lot. Sorry folks!

Visit Tsar Shate 2 website

Lonely Joe Parker & Jackie Paper

Fairtilizer — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:55:25 +0000

Lonely Joe Parker & Jackie Paper are just to release an acoustic split ep “What’s Wrong With Broken Glass” on Sotones. All profit on sales goes to OXFAM, a leading NGO. Make a move, stream it and if you like it, just buy it! Bonus interview below:

What are you up to at the moment?
JOE: Getting ready for the release – been rehearsing up a new band. Writing furiously last month, think there’s enough for a double-disc next year, about half reflective stuff like on “What’s Wrong with Broken Glass EP” and half garage-y, grungy stuff. Probably going to call it ‘Loud & Quiet’, we’ll see… been asked to do a few christmassy gigs as usual which is always nice – mulled wine makes a nice change from shit carling riders!

DAVE: Juggling a few projects… I have a handful of Jackie Paper songs that need to be finished, so hopefully I can arrange another recording session with Peter Lyons soon. Right now I’m up in Yorkshire recording the new Thomas Tantrum record, Megan is laying down her vocals for a track as I write this. I’m also christmas retail temping for chump change.

What are your main musical influences?
JOE: Joe Strummer, Evan Dando, Tom Waits, Cat Power, Pavement, At the Drive-In. I’ve been listening a lot to Blood Red Shoes and Ladyhawke this year too…

DAVE: Hefner, Neil Young, Silver Jews, Abba, Frank, Hank… too many to mention really.

Do you think your music should ‘belong’ or ‘fit in’ to a particular musical family or genre?
JOE: Um… no. The only thing my Dad ever told me was “don’t listen to anyone. Do whatever you want to do.” I’m not very well-travelled, musically speaking. Maybe that makes me a bit weird but on the other hand I don’t give a shit about genres. Last night I spent 4 hours watching Jay-Z to that “Empire State” song live on repeat, and just thought, ‘hmm, let’s give that a go.’

DAVE: Music is music – there are certain conventions that you can follow or ignore as you choose – who cares. Do what you want to do.

You are releasing records in a difficult time for the music industry: how do you see the future for it?
JOE: Well, everyone’s making less money than ever in the traditional territories; but then it’s easier to sell and travel abroad than it used to be, and half of my enjoyment of music is playing strange places anyway. so ‘guardedly optimistic’, I guess.

DAVE: I’ve heard people being really pessimistic about how there’s no money about and no one is getting signed these days, yada yada yada. But I think it is a genuinely exciting time for the music industry. it’s like someone’s pushed the big red ‘reset’ button, now its DIY all the way. If you know anyone with the basic means to lay something down on tape, and have the time to play the odd gig, a world of opportunity opens up to you.

What do you expect from a label in 2009?
JOE: Timely royalties, curry instant noodles, clean socks… But really, Sotones are a great label. I always feel like I can trust the other artists to give me honest critical opinions, and never feel pressured into releasing anything I don’t want to. It’s great to be working with like-minded people the competition is really healthy. It’s the only co-op label in the UK, i think.

DAVE: …and everyone shares the workload, plays on each others’ records, helps out with artwork, posters etc. It really is a ‘cooperative’ in the literal sense of the word.

Please could you let us know a bit more about your collaboration?
JOE: I think we got drunk at Christmas last year just after I got back from the states, and thought it’d be fun to do a split record. Oxfam and Sotones were both really up for it. It started off being really low-key, just a couple of songs into a dictaphone, then I think Dave brought Pete Lyons in to produce one of the tracks, and I thought, ’shit, he’s going to make something really good’, so I pulled a few other people in, Dave fleshed out his songs a bit more, etc. Real one-upmanship! Then we wrapped it all up in a frantic 4-day session at Furnace Studios (then in London, now moved to Bulgaria) over the summer – long days, sunshine. Plus Tom and Rysia, who run Furnace, had just had a baby (you can hear her here and there in the tracks). So the atmosphere was really optimistic and stuff, different to a normal session, where it’s all a bit grimy and a bit blokey really.

Could you you tell us what is the most important source of income today ? Records, syncs, tours, merch…?
JOE: Pocket money? Larceny? Blood donation?

As an artist, how do you use & see the web today? How important is it for you and how do you see it evolving in the coming years?
JOE: Um, well, you can’t really do without it, can you? I had to cut down how much time I was spending on twitter and facebook recently, it’s ridiculous.

What’s your favourite: digital and physical format and why?
JOE: DEFINITELY 12″ vinyl all the way! It’s a bit indulgent but sooooooooooo nice. My mum thinks I’m not a total waster now. Do I have a favourite digital format? If pushed, I’d say live gig footage on youtube.

Recommended music sites? And non-musical sites?
JOE: For quality of writing krugermagazine.com is ace. Blogoteque are always pretty sharp too. Non-music? Campaign Against Arms Trade are awesome, they’re so underfunded but totally committed and do an incredible job – they took the government to court last year and won! caat.org.uk tells you everything you need to know about why the UK spends billions of taxpayer dough every year sponsoring arms dealers’ exports to places like Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and Zimbabwe…

DAVE: Okay, I’m going to count spotify as a music site, although you could say its more of a software application. I dont care. Non-musical, i’d say fat-pie.com. the animations of david firth strike a chord with me.

Best thing that happened to you recently?
JOE: A friend mentioned they’ve got keys to a little cottage out at Land’s End. I want to go there in the new year to relax, go swimming and climbing and finish demos for this album.

DAVE: It’s not really a secret, but at the same time I don’t want to jinx it. And seeing as I can’t think of anything else, I’m not going to say anything.

Number one junk food?
JOE: Bombay mix.

DAVE: Rhymes with figmac. begins with ‘B’. and no, I’m not ashamed. well maybe just a little.

Best live venue? Why? Best gig of the year? Best gig ever?
JOE: Hamptons, in Southampton – really doing loads to support local music. Best gig this year was Orphans & Vandals there. Band of Skulls at Koko was pretty damn amazing too, because we’ve all grown up together and it was ace to see them doing the do in front of all those people.

DAVE: I second Hamptons. it’s pretty cosy but in the last year they’ve updated their PA and have a couple of consistently good in house engineers. always have a soft spot for Southampton’s Joiners and Pompey’s Wedgewood rooms too. the Haunted Stereo EP launch at the Joiners the other day was spellbinding.

A movie you would like to watch now, right now?
JOE: Dave’s probably gonna pick either a porno or Ghostbusters. All I can say to add to that is that Ghostbusters II is massively underrated.

DAVE: Erm, yeah Ghostbusters gets me off every time. actually I want to see Where The Wild Things Are. I cant complete my ‘Films of 09′ blog without forming an opinion on that first. Oh, and Herzog’s remake of ‘Bad Lieutenant’ has really restored my faith in Nicholas Cage.

Best TV shows (current and ever)?
JOE: The Thick Of It, Black Books, Father Ted… anything with celts swearing, it seems.

DAVE: Coronation street, Orangutan Diary, Six feet Under.

Last book you enjoyed reading?
JOE: ‘Amarillo Slim’s autobiography. He was like, the greatest gambler/swindler ever, and there’s a few tall tales in there… plus, now when I’m half cut I talk like a cowboy.

DAVE: ‘Things the Grandchildren Should Know’ by Mark Everett, the guy from Eels. Tragic and beautiful.

Last album you enjoyed listening?
JOE: Orphans & Vandals’ ‘I Am Alive And You Are Dead’ though Ladyhawke’s debut is pretty good too, and I’m still struggling to come to terms with how good ‘You Are Free’ (Cat Power), ‘Orphans, Brawlers & Bastards’ (Tom Waits), ‘The Reminder’ (Feist), ‘Box Of Secrets’ (Blood Red Shoes) and (YACHT) are – individually and as a total listening experience…

DAVE: really digging ‘How to get to Heaven from Scotland’ by Aidan Moffat & The Best Ofs. Plenty of Arab Strap too for that matter.

Fave night drink and morning beverage?
DAVE: Rum & Ginger ale / coffee. Blacker than Joe’s soul.

JOE: White Ace / White Ace.

2009 top albums?
JOE: see above (Ladyhawke, Orphans & Vandals)
DAVE: It’s not a new album as such, but Nirvana at Reading ’92, hands down.

2009 top tracks?
JOE: Band of Skulls – Honest
DAVE: Karen ‘O’ – Worried Shoes

Visit Lonely Joe Parker Myspace
Visit Jackie Paper Myspace

Langhorne Slim

Fairtilizer — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:59:14 +0000

Langhorne Slim’s new album is out now on Kemado Records (Brooklyn). “Be set free” is full of bluegrass-influenced love songs and merry melodies. Full album stream and bonus interview below:

What are you up to at the moment?
At this moment I’m hanging out at a bar, drinking a glass of wine and getting ready for a record store performance in Baltimore, MD.

What are your main musical influences?
There are artists in all genres that I really like. At the moment I’m listening to Lee Hazelwood, Leonard Cohen and Nina Simone.

Do you think your music should ‘belong’ or ‘fit in’ to a particular musical family or genre?
A wise man once said that there are two types of music… Good music and bad music. I like to think that my songs fit into the good category.

Why should we listen/buy “Be Set Free”, your new album?
We have worked very hard to make what we believe is our best record to date. Also, we love you and think that it will be good for you.

You are releasing records in a difficult time for the music industry: how do you see the future for it?
As well as recording band we are also a touring band. Record sales may be disappearing but people will always come out to live shows. We are proud to be a hard working touring band.

Could you you tell us what is the most important source of income today? Records, syncs, tours, merch…?
Touring and merch have always been out bread and butter but in the upcoming year we hope to get our music in film and tv more.

As an artist, how do you use & see the web today? How important is it for you and how do you see it evolving in the coming years?
Like many bands we find the web to be a great way to communicate with our fan base. We discover new avenues to reach out to our listeners almost daily.

You have some buzz in an emerging country but no way to monetize it, would you give away your music for free to keep growing it?
YES

What do you expect from a label in 2009?
Open communication, money for promotion/marketing and passionate, honest, attractive people to work with.

What’s your favourite: digital and physical format and why?
I prefer CD, vinyl and cassettes.

Recommended music sites?
We love Daytrotter, Muzzle of Bees and Black Cab Sessions but there are many other sites as well.

Places of interest in your neighbourhood?
At the moment there is no neighbourhood to speak of. We are constantly on the road.

Best thing that happened to you recently?
The release of our new record on Sept 29 is the most exciting thing in a while.

Number one junk food?
Booze

Best venue?
I don’t really have one. There are a lot of venues that we consider to be great.

A movie you would like to watch now, right now?
Harold and Maude

Best place to live?
I’ve been spending a lot of time in California and Portland, OR but I’m still searching.

Last album you enjoyed listening?
The reissue of the Vasolines.

Best TV shows (current and ever)?
The Office and Gilligan’s Island

Best gigs (2009 and ever)?
Lollapalooza and Newport for 2009 but there have been many special shows over the years.

Last book you enjoyed reading?
“Yes I Can” the Sammy Davis Jr autobiography

Fave night drink and morning beverage?
Wine

Langhorne Slim – Behind The Scenes of Be Set Free from Kemado Records on Vimeo.

Langhorne Slim – Back to the Wild from Kemado Records on Vimeo.

Visit Langhorne Slim website

Visit Langhorne Slim on Myspace
Visit Kemado Fairtilizer profile

Laura Gibson: Beasts of Seasons

Fairtilizer — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:37:43 +0000

Beast of Seasons opens with a hum and drone, a veil of fog conjuring a sense of atmosphere not unlike the Pacific Northwest coastal timber town where Laura Gibson was raised. A plaintive strum emerges with a voice in tow; a candle, a tender and flickering wisp of a voice suffusing the space with a warm glow. This voice, registering as little more than a whisper, rises above the subtle and evocative instrumentation with uncommon intimacy. Coos and cracks, chirps and slurs, clucks and purrs all come into focus with perceptive musicality.

Perhaps, more than anything, Gibson’s songs might be quiet reflections of the human body, reflections both of strength, and of frailty.” With Beasts of Seasons, Gibson offers up an intimate affirmation of mortality, both vulnerable and courageous, dark and illuminating, ordinary and extraordinary.

What are you up to at the moment?
I am on an airplane heading to London.

What are your main musical influences?
Old Disney Movies, Portland music makers, Appalachian folk and delta blues music, the Carter Family, jazz singers, Leonard Cohen, the poetry of Dylan Thomas.

Do you think your music should ‘belong’ or ‘fit in’ to a particular musical family or genre?
I suppose genres can be a helpful reference point, and I don’t mind being called “folk”. I have a hard time categorizing myself when people ask, and would hope I’m not defined simply by words like “folky” or “singer-songwriter”. I suppose no one likes being pigeonholed.

You are releasing records in a difficult time for the music industry: how do you see the future for it?
I believe that there will always be some sort of support for good music, or good art on general. Music is so important to life and culture and people will always be hungry for it. The way people make money playing music will continue to shift. There may be jobs cut at big record companies, and it’s a hard time because it’s a transition, but I think in many ways it’s an exciting time.

Could you you tell us what is the most important source of income today ? Records, syncs, tours, merch…?
It ends up being a little of everything. If I didn’t tour, I would need to find a day job. I am slowly staring to do more synchs, but am trying to be pretty selective.

As an artist, how do you use & see the web today? How important is it for you and how do you see it evolving in the coming years?
I’m probably not the best person to talk to about technology, as I have a bit of an aversion to it. It’s definitely helpful and I appreciate saving money on postage. I do most of my communication through email. It seems, as an “indie band’ I should be using facebook and twitter, but I have a hard time getting into social networking sites. I still feel that my email list is my most genuine web interaction I have with fans, other than meeting them at shows.

You have some buzz in an emerging country but no way to monetize it, would you give away your music for free to keep growing it ?
I would consider it, especially if it meant traveling to an exotic locale, and sharing songs with non-traditional audiences.

How do you deal with / prevent / use an (un)official leak?
In truth, I haven’t done much to deal with or prevent leaks. I’ve just chosen not to spend my time worrying or strategizing.

What would be your dream online music service?
I’m afraid I have a hard time keeping up with the online music services that already exist.

Is there any feature / service we could build for you ?
I’m sure I could think of something…

What do you expect from a label in 2009?
I suppose, more than anything, I would expect a label to be genuinely enthusiastic about the music they are releasing, and creative in their methods of releasing it.

What’s your favourite: digital and physical format and why?
I like the sound quality of vinyl. It’s also a tangible package and represents an album as a whole.

Recommended music sites?
Daytrotter and Largehearted Boy. Both are inspiring and very positive.

How’s the scene in Oregon? Any good bands around?
There are so many good bands in Portland, I can barely keep up. For every and who is out touring and garnering attention, there are probably 50 amazing bands forming in basements. It can be a bit overwhelming. Overall, people are friendly, supportive and inspiring. I recommend you check out my friends Loch Lomond and Musee Mecanique.

Places of interest in your neighbourhood?
I live in a neighborhood called Sellwood. There is a wildlife refuge called Oaks Bottom walking distance from my house, where you can spot herons and bald eagles. The trail through the nature reserve leads to Oaks Park, one of the oldest functional amusement parks in the United States. It’s a magical neighborhood.

Best thing that happened to you recently?
2 things: I witnessed my little niece Rosie being born, and I was invited to play at a prison. Two very different experiences, both were very impacting and inspiring.

Number one junk food?
Pizza

Best venue?
The Pabst Theater in Milwaukee is a work of art. There is an amazing venue in Birmingham, Alabama called the Bottletree that uses old airstream trailers as dressing rooms. The backstage feels like an old antique store, and the people who run the venue are really sweet and hospitable.

A movie you would like to watch now, right now?
The first thing that comes to mind is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, I have not yet seen it, and would like very much to see it.

Best place to live?
There are times I think I’d like to live on a farm out in the country somewhere, and there are times I think I’d like to live in Brooklyn, New York and sometimes I think I’d like to live in Europe. Portland is a good balance, and a wonderful place to live.

Last album you enjoyed listening?
“Disney’s Merriest Songs” on vinyl. I was hanging out with my friends’ 7-year old daughter the other day. Her name is Tuesday and she’s really creative and cool, and happens to have her own vinyl collection. She put this vintage Disney record on, and the arrangements blew my mind, and gave me so much inspiration. We listened to both sides three times, before Tuesday asked to change it.

Best TV shows (current and ever)?
The only TV show I’ve watched recently was 30 Rock, just a couple of episodes, which I really enjoyed. I recently tried to watch Twin Peaks on DVD, but was too freightened of the character Bob to keep watching. I watched that series with my family when I was a kid. I don’t think my parents realized how inappropriate it is for children. It was a bit traumatizing, actually, but I’m trying to get up the nerve to watch it as an adult.

Last book you enjoyed reading?
The letters of Vincent Van Gogh to his brother Theo. I was obsessed with it in college, and since I’m heading to Amsterdam, dug it out of a box the other day. I brought it with me on this trip. I also just read a book of short stories by Karen Russell called “St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves”.

Fave night drink and morning beverage?
Red wine at night, French pressed coffee in the morning (do you guys call it French Press?…maybe you just say “pressed coffee” over here).

On tour

15.09. B-Brussels, AB Club
16.09. UK-Birmingham, Townhall *
17.09. UK-London, Shepherd’s Bush Empire *
22.09. Duisburg, Steinbruch *
23.09. NL-Amsterdam, Paradiso
25.09. G-Hamburg, Reeperbahnfestival
26.09. S-Stockholm, Kagel *
27.09. S-Göteborg, Pusterviksbaren *
30.09. G-Berlin, Passionskirche *

* with Alela Diane

Visit Laura Gibson Myspace

Visits Souterrain Transmissions Fairtilizer profile
Visit Souterrain Transmissions website

VANDAVEER

Fairtilizer — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:03:23 +0000

From Washington DC, Charles Hedinger aka Vandaveer write great songs between folk, country and americana. Already supported by the musical press, Vandaveer is also a touring machine. With minimal arrangements (drum machine, clarinet, sublte backing vocals), the songs are simple and captivating and even remind Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen. Official version revisited by Julien Plaisir de France to leak and interview below:

What is Vandaveer about, can you introduce yourself to our community?
Vandaveer is about singing songs, making records, hopping planes and trains, smiling, frowning, whispering, shouting, hugging, fighting, kissing, laughing, crying, drinking, and learning a bit of French. More or less…

What are you up to at the moment?
Dear me, I’m packing up my belongings. We have to move to a new house. The one we currently call home won’t be ours much longer, so we’re gearing up for yet another move (we do this a lot), then I’m off to tour the mighty US of A. Our new record comes out here in the states at the end of August, so we’ve got a lot of domestic highways to drive and stages to storm.

What is your album about, why should we listen to it?
“Divide & Conquer” is about all those things that Vandaveer is about, only in song form. It’s about 15€, too, and you should listen to it because you love music, and music loves you. And when two things love each other, well, it just doesn’t get much better than love.

How did you get into music, what¹s your musical background?
I got into music way back in the 1980s when I was wee little kid. First there was Michael Jackson, then Madonna. Then Bon Jovi. In 1987 my brother introduced me to Guns ‘n’ Roses & Led Zeppelin. I was bulldozed. When I was 14 I picked up a guitar and pretended to be in Nirvana and/or Pearl Jam. Eventually, I wandered off to college and fell in love with Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Tom Waits, and a thousand others… still falling in love, in fact…

How¹s the scene in Washington, who do you rate?
I love this town, mostly. The music scene is wide and varied, and there isn’t much needless competition to speak of. We have loads of talent here — John Bustine, Kitty Hawk, These United States, The Roofwalkers… But really, I could make a list a hundred names long.

Places of interest in your city?
Oh my, where to begin. The FDR Memorial is stunning. A nice place to sit and think. The National Archives — home to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and a million other documents — is pretty damn impressive. The National Gallery of Art’s a fun place to kill a couple of hours. That’s all well and good on the touristy side of things. The Black Cat’s just about the best bet for good music each and every night. The 9:30 Club too, of course. The best cup of coffee on the planet comes from Washington, DC, surprisingly. A little place called Sidamo. Run by Ethiopian immigrants who are experts of the highest order when it comes to coffee. All fair trade and organic and served with a smile. Can’t be beat.

How is internet important for you today and how do you see it evolving
in the coming years?
The internet is the great equalizer. We’re able to do things today that weren’t feasible ten years ago, like build a French fan base from Washington, DC. But there’s much more white noise out there now too, as a result. Everyone can start a MySpace profile or a Facebook page and start competing for people’s attention. Now it takes a bit more to cut through all of that and carve out your niche. None of this is a bad thing; musicians just need to treat the web as one tool among many to develop and manage their art, careers, etc…

As an artist how do you use & see the web today, what would be the ultimate one stop place for all your need as a producer?
I think we’re all irretractably a part of the web now. It’s as integral as any other aspect of one’s career. I can’t imagine not being connected in fifteen different ways to a thousand different outlets spitting ones and zeros back and forth, back and forth. We are the web, really.

What are you currently listening to and recommend?
I’ve been listening to a lot of old jazz stuff on the radio lately. I put in Sea Change by Beck last night while we made dinner. That’s a fine record.

Do you live entirely of your music today?
More or less, yes. I don’t have a “real job” per se, but I also don’t make much of a living playing music. I have a kind and caring and patient wife who doesn’t mind me earning pennies to her dollars, so…

Best thing that happened to you last month?
We got ourselves a fancy new website! Looky here!

Are you a good cook and if yes what¹s your speciality recipe, if not
what¹s your number one junk food?
I love cooking. I can’t say I’m a good cook, but I’m a damn fine assistant. We make a ginger scallops in cream sauce dish, served over linguini that’s pretty damn tasty. I like to make Thai curries too.

Where is, for you, THE place to play live, if one (sound, lights,crew, friendly promoter, unlimited drink tickets)?
Any place that includes sound, lighting, crew, a friendly promoter, and unlimited drink tickets is THE place to play. Doesn’t matter where. You toss all of those things into one room and I’m a happy guy.

A movie you would like to watch now, right now?
Right now? “There Will Be Blood”. I still haven’t seen it, dammit. We just watched “No Country For Old Men” and “Blood Diamond” again. Both are fantastic. I’d like to watch “24 Hour Party People” again soon. I love the lore behind that entire Factory Records Madchester scene, even if the movie glamorizes it a bit.

Best place to stay when abroad?
On tour? Anywhere with a clean bed and a hot shower. But just in general? When traveling abroad? Merano, Italy is pretty nice. I’m partial to Tbilisi, Georgia, too.

Last album you enjoyed listening?
Well, that would have to be “Sea Change” by Beck. Otherwise I’m a liar.

What was the last (physical) book you readed and when was that?
I’m reading “As I Lay Dying” by William Faulkner right now, actually.

How do you know what time it is?
I don’t. I just trust the little gears and gadgets in my watches, clocks and computer to be telling me the truth.

The last non-comestible you bought?
I’m gonna be honest with you here. I had to look up “non-comestible”. We say “non-edible” over here. But now I’ve learned something for the day. I love new words. Now I’ll have to work “non-comestible” into my vernacular… But, to answer your question, I bought some transparency paper for screenprinting t-shirts last week. Rose and I are gonna make new Vandaveer t-shirts. Homemade is the best made!

How do you like to dress?
Appropriately.

Smoking or non-smoking clubs?
Non-smoking. Please. Those tar clouds wreak havoc on a set of singin’ lungs…

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Les Siestes Electroniques: starting today

Fairtilizer — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:11:44 +0000

Les Siestes Electroniques festival starts today in Toulouse, south of France! Stream the best live recordings from last year edition and discover the complete line-up below:

Based in Toulouse, Southern France, Les Siestes électroniques is a summer meeting point for emerging artists from the field of music & digital culture. Its ambitious motley line-up mainly focuses on electronic musicians and aims at a professional audience as well as the general public. The fact that its open air concerts are free of charge makes Les Siestes électroniques a rare and precious occurance within the landscapes of European festivals. Les Siestes offers an opportunity to experience the best of contemporary music though concerts, club nights, workshops and exhibitions. “There’s you, there’s baguettes, and there’s dancing : it’s Les Siestes Électroniques (which means “the electronic nap”), plugging in, turning on, and rocking out” as said Pitchfork.

Complete line-up:

JUNE, 25 @ Ateliers du Théâtre Garonne

Alva Noto
+ Dga Fau After show: Suicide Club + Fukkk Offf

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JUNE, 26 @ Ateliers du Théâtre Garonne

Ariel Pink
+ Kulte After show: Anoraak + The Eternals

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JUNE, 27 @ Bikini

Lawrence
Isolée
Dj Koze
Para One

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JUNE, 27 @ Prairie des Filtres
free open-air concert

Ghostape
Etienne Jaumet
Kim Hiorthoy
Prosumer

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JUNE, 28 @ Prairie des Filtres
free open-air concert

Half a Rainbow
Dominique Leone
Larytta
Hudson Mohawke

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More live music on Les Siestes Electroniques Fairtilizer profile
Visit Les Siestes Electroniques website

Lilly Wood and the Prick: playlist and interview

admin — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:06:09 +0000

After making heads turn with their splendid cover of Santogold’s L.E.S. Artistes (which stormed the Fairtilizer charts), Lilly Wood and the Prick are releasing their debut EP “Lilly Who and The What?” today. Discover the new single “Down The Drain” and its remix by Lafayette, along with a playlist by the band.

Get to know Lilly Wood and the Prick: interview below!

Hi, how are you doing?
Hyper. Want to tour and have the EP out and do things!

What’s goin’ on in Lilly Wood & The Prick’s world right now?
Everything is moving and changing for the better (or so we hope …).

Please could you let us know a bit more about the band: what are your influences, do you have records out?
We try to mix our love for Elvis and Marylin Monroe and Johnny Cash and The Beatles, with our love for Depeche Mode and Joy Division, and our love for Justin Timberlake and Rihanna. Without having to many people hate us.
Our EP will be our first release.

What are you currently listening to?
Nili : Willow Tree by Chad Vangaleen, and Physical by The Glimmers, and a lot of Michel Delpech (cheesy French singer from the 60’s)
Ben : Metronomy, Murray Head

How is the scene in Paris at the moment?
We think it is all kind of coming down now, we had a sort of golden moment about two years ago when Justice went big and started touring with Daft Punk and the Paris scene was so “cool” and everyone was talking about local DJs (which was good cause it saved us from the whole fake little rock bands movement). I’m not sure if it is a negative thing, maybe something new is coming that will be less overrated. Although, we have our contemporary geniuses, like Sebastien Tellier or Yann Tiersen who actually isn’t really part of a “scene”, and pretty cool bands like One-Two, Revolver or The Do.

You’re releasing a digital only EP in a difficult moment for the music industry: is it a statement, how do you see the future of this industry?
No statement. No money !
More seriously we think being released digitally only for an EP is perfectly acceptable, and it’s also kind of saying, you know, doesn’t matter, the important thing is releasing your music and putting it out there, doesn’t matter how you do it.
About the music industry, our opinion is that music cannot die, crisis or not, people will always go to gigs … Of course we’re not here to become millionaires otherwise we’d definitely do something else.

Will you take your music on the road? and if yes, how?
We play quite a lot of gigs in Paris at the moment. We played in Sweden recently, and should have a couple of gigs in London then Italy early 2009. Hopefully we will set up a bigger tour when the E.P’s out.
All this is very new for us…

How important is the internet for you as an a band?
We have mixed feelings about this. I know that it allows us to encounter music we would never have without tools like Myspace and Fairtilizer etc. and also to spread our own music very largely. But there is also this “worn out” feeling, when something becomes too easy to get to, it is not interesting anymore. Maybe there is too much
choice, we might miss out on so much because there are too many bands and artists out there…And sometimes you feel you’re just this tiny little thing in an ocean of other things, which is true but the internet really shoves it in your face ! It gets scary once you realize its width, because it is just too big.

Where do you see this whole internet thing going?
We’re guessing as long as there will be good websites and real artists and that quality stays a priority next to quantity, then there is nothing to worry about …

Please could you give your Top 5 for 2008?
Nili : Metronomy, Santogold, Fleet Foxes, Britney Spears, Estelle.
Ben : Metronomy, Santogold, Alain Baschung, Vampire Week-end.

Visit Lilly Wood and the Prick Fairtilizer profile
Visit Lilly Wood and the Prick website
Buy their new ep on

Marissa Nadler: playlist and interview

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:17:18 +0000

Renowned Boston singer/songwriter Marissa Nadler releases her fourth solo album “Little Hells” today on Kemado Records. Check her sweet playlist and her interview.

Hi Marissa, how are you doing?

Good.

What’s goin’ on in Marissa Nadler’s world right now?

I am up at three in the morning in a hotel room in Berlin waiting to go to Paris. That is what is happening RIGHT now. But, I am gearing up for the release of the record, Little Hells, and a lot of touring to come with it. Other than that, I am attempting to work on being healthy and mentally strong.

Please could you introduce the people you are working with on this project?

Myles Baer: he joins me here, back again, for my fourth studio album (he created with me my first record, Ballads of Living and Dying). He plays a lot of the prepared guitar, Ebow, bass, electric guitar, some acoustic guitar, wurlitzer.

Simone Pace: He plays drums in the band Blonde Redhead, and plays drums and percussion on this record.

Dave Scher: he plays lapsteel in a lot of bands (I think most frequently Jenny Lewis’ touring band). He is kind of known as the lapsteel kind. I wanted lapsteel to give the record a tinge of Americana. He plays organ on this record.
Chris Coady: He is the producer and did some programming work.

I wrote every song, as I usually do, and do all the vocals and harmony vocals, play acoustic and electric guitar on the record, and wurlitzer.

What are you currently listening to?

Lately I have been really into Alela Diana and Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love.

5 albums/books/films you can’t live without?

Joni Mitchell/Blue, Vladamir Nabokav/Ada or Ardor, Days of Heaven, Annie Hall, Manhattan (those are just the first things that come to my head).

How is the scene in Boston at the moment?

It’s ok. I am really pretty much keeping to myself. My friend Carter Tanton is in a cool band called Tulsa. There is a band called Drug Rug making waves in the indie circuit. I honestly don’t go to too many shows, but it feels like there might be a resurgence in Boston. I am closer in the heart to the music scene in Providence, Rhode Island, actually, because I spent a long time living there. There are many great bands there that deserve more attention.

We are still in the wishes times: what are your Top 3 wishes for 2009?

To fall in love again, that my loved one’s stay healthy and happy, and…well, I hope the entire world gets better.

You are just releasing your new album in a difficult time for the music industry: how do you see the future for it?

I think it is going to be very internet based. It’s good for emerging artists because it is easier to get noticed, even if you live in the middle of nowhere. It is a shame though, because illegal downloading really hurts the livelihood of artists that are small time and are trying to make a living. It means the difference between being able to make it a career or make it a hobby. Also, the quality of mp3s is so horrible compared to the real thing. It’s a shame that is how people will listen to most music from now on. Everything sounds condensed and small, tiny even.

Will you take your album on the road? And if yes, how and when?

Yes. I will tour this record completely. It is the only way to get it out there, really. I have a love/hate relationship with touring because for many years I toured alone and did some really grueling tours. I had some hard times but I feel that those are paying off now. I feel like I paid my dues, you know? So, I play on touring the US in late March and April, and a full European tour in May. And then perhaps some other places as well if there is a demand, like Japan, Australia, etc. I’m excited that I won’t have to tour completely by myself hopefully ever again. Maybe even someday I will have my own sound woman.

How important is the internet for you as an artist?

It is very important. It is how I started my career I have to say. Without it someone as socially phobic as me would never have gotten anywhere. I like to be able to directly contact people in the strangest of places. It makes the world seem so small. It must have been the second review EVER written about my work, written by Gerald Van Waes, who runs this amazingly thorough psychedelic music site. It was that review alone, from Belgium, which at the time seemed SO far away from me, that wowed me into believing in myself enough to pursue music over fine art. It was so positive, I thought it was a joke. I read it online while taking a Flash animation/ web design class while getting my masters degree at the Rhode Island School of Design in art education (around 2003), and I was completely shocked. I grew up while the internet was still developing, so its pretty magical to me still. I am still young, but old enough to remember a time with really big computers and no internet. I remember this computer teacher at my high school, who was teaching us what a search engine was in ninth grade. I thought he was such an idiot. (turns out i was) I remember his having to teach us how to use “ask jeeves” and “altavista” and I am not sure if there was google yet- but it wasn’t the monopoly that it is now. The concept of actually having a class to teach someone how to use google seems funny to me now. Its like kids these days- they are born with a computer keyboard glued to their hands.

So, I thought, Belgium? This is crazy. ( i grew up in a small town) That is how the internet makes me feel. I suppose now I am slightly immune, but every now and again I will get an email from someone in China, or India, or Brazil, and wonder how on Earth they discovered my music. The internet really does connect souls. It helps and hurts the music industry, what can I say?

Where do you see this whole internet thing going?

I think that the government is going to do some crazy regulation but right now we are living in a lawless land- a new fronteir. I know places like China they have censorship on the internet. I feel that might be coming to other places. Honestly, I am excited to see what new technological inventions take place. It is actually interesting but I wrote my college entry essay about how computers would ruin the art world. It was an anarchistic moment. I wrote that when I was 18, and now I completely depend on them and they actually help my art. So- I went from a technophobe to a technophile.

Anything to add?
Thanks for the interview.

TRACKLISTING WITH COMMENTS

Throwing Muses – Vicky’s Box (off of “In a Doghouse” version) – I truly love this song. The first four songs off of “In a Doghouse” just completely knock me out. It was between this and “Hate my Way.” That kind of emotional singing just seeps right into your bones. Vicky’s box is such a surreal song to me.

Kristen Hersh – The Letter (off of “Hips and Makers”) -This is my favorite song off of a truly beautiful record.

Joni Mitchell – Rainy Night House (off of “Ladies of the Canyon”)- I could pick a million Joni Songs I love. The way she paints the scene in this song is really evocative. It is one of my favorite Joni Mitchell Songs.

Kate Bush – Mother Stands for Comfort (off of “hounds of love” – I am currently obsessed with the album Hounds of Love. It is funny but I didn’t discover Kate Bush until Very recently.

Sammi Smith’s version of “Sunday Morning Coming Down – There are a million versions of this song. I love her version the best for some reason. I made a cover of it for one of my best friends for his birthday.

Tammy Wynette- “Stand by your Man” – I have recently discovered her and she truly does have a “tear drop in every note”. How could I not love that?

Belly – Untogether – (off of “Star”) – Belly Star is one of my favorite records. I am a sucker for this kind of music.

Hole- Pretty on the Inside (off of “Pretty on the Inside”) – I threw this in there because I went though a serious grunge phase in high school. My mother was so sick of listening to Nirvana and Hole, etc etc. that she went out and bought me Joni Mitchell, Blue, which changed my life. But, I really liked Hole’s first record. It was full of some great angst. I actually discovered Leonard Cohen by obsessively listening to the Nirvana song “pennyroyal tea.” I went out and bought all of his cassette tapes, and was forever changed.

Gillian Welch – Elvis Presley Blues – I am a huge fan of hers and love the vocal melody on the chorus. It kills me every time.

Leonard Cohen – Seems so long ago, Nancy – Its no secret I am a complete LC devotee. This may be my favorite of his songs. I even went to the Island of Hydra off the coast of Athens, Greece. He lived there for a while.

Neil Young- Cortez the Killer – I recently saw Neil in concert play a 13 minute version of this song. I am a huge Neil Young Fan.

Bruce Springsteen – The River – I don’t love everything Bruce ever did but you know, this song is amazing.

Visit Marissa Nadler website
Visit Marissa Nadler blog

Mallu: playlist and interview

admin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:27:28 +0000

Maria Luiza de Arruda Botelho Pereira de Magalhães, best known as Mallu Magalhães or just “chiquita bacana”, is a Brazilian singer-songwriter born in São Paulo in ‘92.

Her playlist reveals her favorites.

Her interview is…below.

Hello Mallu, how are you and can you introduce yourself?

Hello! I’m good!
My name is Maria Luiza de Arruda Botelho Pereira de Magalhaes. I’m 16, I’m from Sao Paulo, Brazil…I live in love…I use boots…I sometimes get anguished, then I have stomach ache.

What’s up in your world these days?

Well, I’ve been working hard and with my heart on the tour of my first albums…I’m planning to stay on the road these months, as we play all over my country, and in Europe too ( I hope we can cross the ocean more times…). The next album is almost totally written (by me) and I’m recording it in the end of the year.

Who are Olé Friendly Band?
The Olé Friendly Band !!! I use to call the guys who play with me ” Meus meninos ” ( in English : “my boys”). They are part of me, as we are part of each other. Names: Jorge Moreira (drums), Kadu Abecassis ( guitar ), Thiago Consorti (bass), André Lima (keyboard)

How did you get into music?

I can’t even say or try to explain. It’s something that makes your heart beat and your blood swim and allows you to exist in the world.
My dad is an engineer and many times, when he gets back from work, he plays the acoustic guitar. I can remember myself singing free as a bird all day long since I dont know when…

Can you give us the tracks that mostly influenced you, that you cherish?

“Rocky Racoon”, by the Beatles, ALBUM: White album disc 1
“It Ain’t me, Babe” by Bob Dylan, ALBUM: Another Side Of Bob Dylan
” Junk” , by Paul MacCartney, ALBUM : MacCartney
“La Valse des Mostres” , by Yann Tiersen, ALBUM : Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain ( soundtrack)
” Rita / Esse Cara “, by Chico Buarque and Caetano veloso: ALBUM: Caetano e Chico Juntos e Ao Vivo

How important is the internet for you?

Internet for me is a free stage. where I can perform any time…where this any time becomes the everytime…as I become free to show what I want for every human being connected… all I need to do is click: upload…

Where do you see it going?

Where do YOU see it going?

With the musical crisis, how do you see the future of artists?

I guess every crisis is a moment for changes. We, artists, and we, public, are living with technology, we should use it as a friend, not as enemy…we can make art, show art, spread art online, at home, inside a mobile. The artists’ future sounds powerful to me.

How’s the scene in Brazil at the moment?

Brazil has now many new bands growing, playing all the kinds of music…I think we have some great influent people here now…such as Marcelo Camelo or Vanguart.

Any plans soon for touring abroad?

Yes.

Thanks for your time and your music.

Thank you for the attention and sorry about my english ( (: )

Visit Mallu website
Visit Mallu myspace