July 2012
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Follow this blog: →
I’ll only be away for two more days, but if you’re yearning for a new tumblr-based music blog to make up for my absence, check out this blog called “Violent Days.” I just got a tipoff about it tonight and I’ve been reading some of the posts. It’s a collaborative blog that posts reviews along with download/purchasing links. I may ask to contribute to it at some...
Vacation Update - 7/29/12
Spain is great, but I’m still really upset about not being able to see Conor Oberst and The Tallest Man On Earth back in Connecticut this week. Those were potentially two of this year’s best shows. Oh well. Apparently Bon Iver played here in Barcelona a couple nights ago, but it was sold out. I’m just missing out on all the shows I guess.
Anyway, it’s really difficult...
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What albums from 2012 (that I haven't heard yet)...
I’m going to Spain for a week today and I want to load up on some new music for the flights there and back. I’ll try to update this blog regularly while I’m there but I also want to enjoy the country.
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birdwatching101 asked: Your review on that The Hold Steady gig has provided me with the correct insight to enjoy (and I mean enjoy) their music. I had no idea they were channelling 80's college rock bands (which I love) like the mats into their sound. Thanks :)
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THE HOLD STEADY live at Arch Street Tavern....
A music historian would likely trace the lineage of many of my favorite current bands — Titus Andronicus, Japandroids, No Age, and even local acts like 10,000 Blades — back to the 1980s college rock scene. With their emotive lyrics, dynamic frontmen, and blistering punk guitar onslaughts, these bands have built their careers on channeling the best qualities of The Replacements, X,...
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Left of the Dial Radio Playlist - 7/20/12
Thanks to everyone who tuned in and or made requests during my radio show on WNHU last night. Check out the full playlist below, and stream the tracks that were available via Spotify at the embedded link after the jump.
1. The Mountain Goats & Kaki King - “Black Pear Tree”
2. Frank Ocean - “Thinkin Bout You”
3. Built to Spill - “Hindsight”
4. Fang...
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Anonymous asked: it's like "ark" angel
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Anonymous asked: This is not Chris. Please play next june. Love, a fan
Anonymous asked: Would you play your own music if somebody requested it?
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total-witch asked: Easily the best Xiu Xiu song ever.
pendingandthepast asked: can you please play their cell by girl in a coma
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Now Playing: The Hold Steady - "The Sweet Part Of... →
The Hold Steady killed it last night in Hartford. Here’s the opening track from their most recent LP Heaven Is Whenever. Tune in to Left of the Dial on WNHU now.
rainbowsrillusions asked: Can you play "March To The Sea" by Baroness?
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Left of the Dial Radio Show on WNHU: 6-8 PM EST →
Tune in now!
Tune in to my radio show Left of the Dial tonight on WNHU. It’s raining (finally) here in New Haven CT after a long, hot dry spell, so I’ll be playing mostly rainy day music tonight. Look out for tracks from Frank Ocean, Xiu Xiu, and Balam Acab, in addition to new stuff from Fang Island, whom I saw last night in Hartford with The Hold Steady. I’ll be talking about...
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WatchVideo: Jens Lekman - “I Know What Love Isn’t” (The Guardian session)
Swedish crooner Jens Lekman recorded a video session for The Guardian recently for his new song “I Know What Love Isn’t,” the title track from his forthcoming record. In the video, he also gives a thorough explanation of the song, which is about two people getting married for the sole...
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Pitchfork Music Festival 2012: Day 3 Recap
Dirty Beaches
I’m sorry for not posting this earlier. I meant to put it up yesterday but I didn’t get around to it. Anyway, the last day of the Pitchfork Music Festival surprised me by how great it was. My apprehension going in was not about the quality of the bands, but rather the quantity — the Sunday lineup was stacked with tons of great bands that I knew I wouldn’t...
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vacantsummer replied to your post: I’m seeing the LCD Soundsystem documentary Shut Up…
WASN’T IT GREAT!?!
I teared up a little, I’ll admit.
I’m seeing the LCD Soundsystem documentary Shut Up And Play The Hits tonight in New Haven. I’m excited to relive the night of one of my favorite shows ever. Honestly, the last LCD Soundsystem show was one of the best nights of my life. This should be great.
slow-riot replied to your post: Pitchfork Music Festival 2012: Day 2 Recap
New Sleigh Bells is actually called Reign of Terror, just a heads up. P.S. - What did GY!BE play off of Skinny Fists?
Thanks. I might check it out, but god that lead single was bad. Anyway, I’m pretty sure that Godspeed played Gathering Storm from “Storm” and World Police and Friendly Fire from...
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Pitchfork Music Festival 2012: Day 2 Recap
Cloud Nothings
Much like the first day, Day 2 of this year’s Pitchfork Musical Festival in Chicago threatened rain from early on. Sure enough, rain was what we got. Midway through Cloud Nothings’ 1:45 PM set, the skies opened up and refused to close until the performance was practically shut down by anxious sound technicians. After opening with “Stay Useless” and running...
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samclarke333 asked: Hey I met you at Iceage after you almost killed me in the pit. \m/ (-_-) \m/ Hope your weekend was as fun as mine!
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Pitchfork Music Festival 2012: Day 1 Recap
The Olivia Tremor Control
The introduction. We arrived via El Train at Union Park before 3 PM, only to be met with a torrential downpour. We stood in line for upwards of half an hour, getting soaked with hundreds of other misanthropic festival attendees. Hearing that the gates were going to remain closed until 3:30 elicited a number of groans from the line, but soon enough the rain stopped and...
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Pitchfork Music Festival 2012: Overall Recap
Well, that was a weekend. This year’s Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago’s Union Park was my first experience with a big out of state festival, and all in all it was an overwhelmingly positive one. Along with my great friend John Branch, I saw a ton of bands — many more than I actually expected to see — and immersed myself in the festival lifestyle to the extent that I...
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thismachinekillscapitalists asked: How was ASAP Rocky live? Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of his music, but judging by the stream, it looked pretty lame. Was it a "you had to be there" type thing?
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