we don’t fake

22 Jun

I camped out on the couch and watched The Shawshank Redemption on AMC on Monday to combat a tough day at work and a nagging headache, and immediately lost myself in how good it is. Definitely cried when Brooks kills himself, and again when Andy and Red get reunited on that beach at the end.

But it was a moment that I had almost forgotten about that struck me the most… when Andy locks his supervising officer in the bathroom and plays an opera over the loudspeakers of the entire prison. Everyone throughout freezes, and you see the sound wash over their faces like light. Imagine going years without hearing music, and then hearing it for the first time again. Such an emo/magical moment.

Get busy living or get busy dying.

Today’s Emo: We Don’t Eat / James Vincent McMorrow

‘I moved to the coast, under a mountain / swam in the ocean, slept on my own / at dawn I would watch the sun cut ribbons through the bay’

The Civil Wars killed it during Sunday night’s show, but I was equally blown away by their opener. I walked into the Great American Music Hall shortly after James started his set, and I heard him before I saw him. He was doing one of his songs in a sharp falsetto, and I literally  thought I was listening to a middle aged woman singing. Then we stepped onto the floor and low and behold it is a cheeky, scruffy, scrawny young Irishman on stage, pouring his soul into the microphone. What a formidable feast. Between breathtaking songs James got in some clever jabs on us Californians and our coconut water hangover cures, and expressed sincere gratitude for being able to play in front of an American audience.

The pleasure was all ours. Bon Iver meets Ray LaMontague with a tinge of Marcus Mumford in those soulful smokey crisp chops, McMorrow delivered the kind of music makes me take pause. Have been devouring his album since. #emo

Today’s Untz: I Think I Like It / Fake Blood

The first time I heard this song, I didn’t think I liked it. I was gearing up to see FB play a Halloween gig at the Mezz, and going through his tracks before the show. I found it shrill and (gasp) a little annoying. Then I listened to it a few more times, and a few more, and then I saw it live and danced my face off to it, and the song has become a feel good go to ever since.  Beyond repetitive and yet it never gets old.  #untz


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mitten post

20 Jun

Beautiful, sun filled weekend. Sad to see it over.

Today’s Emo: Cavalcade / Mitten

‘see how I’ve been living / I didn’t give up I just got busy and now / there are things I have been given / I’m trying not to throw them out’

Two things going for these girls before I even played their tracks. 1. Group name is Mitten. 2. Mitten’s recent release is called See You Bye, which is pretty damn close to kthxbai.

Naming convention skills aside, Mitten has me smitten. Brooklyn’s indie poptresses Maia Macdonald and Joanna Katcher look like they shower weekly at best, laugh at bras and only wear men’s hoodies, but they sound delightfully smooth and feminine, reminding me of a softer Tegan and Sara, or as a blogger on The Tale of the Tape put it, “Matt & Kim with loads of restraint and without Matt.”  #emo

Today’s Untz: Post Physical / Pictureplane

Denver’s Pictureplane, aka Travis Egedy, lives in a warehouse called Rhinoceropolis where he apparently likes to throw epic ragers and to tweet about transcending physical boundaries and his bowel movements. Accordingly, I was surprised how chill and mellow this track is off his upcoming album, Thee Physical, due out July 19th. Chill wave beats, gentle crooning, and slinky synth, Post Physical is the perfect track to take with your cornflakes on a sleepy Monday morning. #untz

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dj clap your hands

17 Jun

I was going on a run to de-stress after work on Wednesday and doing my usual hyper critical people watching as a distraction from being fatigued routine, when I noticed a hipster seven year old. Chucks, skinny jeans, stylish across the forehead headband and that “I don’t care what you think but really I am trying pretty hard” look alongside her shleppy father. The girl was in the wrong neighborhood (Marina) for this kind of ‘tude, but I was still impressed/alarmed.

I thought to myself, ‘only in San Fran… and maybe Williamsburg.’ Then I realized when I was in grade school in Oregon I was rocking a hand me down Hello Kitty sweatshirt, leggings, high tops and an unintentional mullet… so I actually might have fit right in. Clearly before my time. Emo in the making.

Today’s Emo: Same Mistake / Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah were garnering serious momentum and critical acclaim during their first few years together, and then right when things were getting hot and heavy, the members decided to take a break in 2009 to work on their own projects. A break, not a break up, the Brooklyn (surprise) indie rockers have had a hot make up sesh in the studio, delivering Same Mistake as a teaser off their upcoming album due this September, Hysterical.

It is not the pieces of this song but the way that they are blended together that have me won over, and I like it enough to not even care that I can’t share any lyrics because I have no idea what they are saying. You can download the track free on the band’s site. Applause. Cheering. Yeah. #emo

Today’s Untz: Dancing with the DJ / The Knocks

‘we don’t care if the sun comes up / cause you know we’ll be dancing with the dj’

I posted the acoustic, striped down version of Dancing with the DJ a couple of months ago, but have migrated back to the feel good beats of the original to take with my afternoon coffee. I picture ladies of the 80’s dance-skating through a disco light filled roller rink with their hands over her head in shiny Lycra whenever I hear the song… and it’s hard not to smile. Friday time. #untz

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king hollow

15 Jun

Which legs are mine? Whose mystery stems?

Today’s Emo: Barton Hollow / The Civil Wars

‘miles and miles in my bare feet / still can’t lay me down to sleep’

Funny how people cringe and turn their nose up at the idea of “country” only to embrace a similar sound as long as it is “folk.” Guilty as charged, I have long distanced myself from my Oregon country radio roots of Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban and their songs about American flags, kissing on porch swings, and who keeps the cat after a breakup, but happily settle into folk groups using similar instruments and sounds to produce rolling harmonies, foot stomping sensations, and that feeling of home.

A fresh, beautiful and simple but sassy tune, Barton Hollow makes me really excited to see these two play live on Sunday. I am admittedly a little bummed they are married to other people as I really hear some fire burning in these vocals, but maybe they are having an illicit affair. At least they are not siblings. #emo

Today’s Untz: The Immortals / Kings of Leon (Royksopp remix)

‘spill out on the streets of stars / and ride away / find out what you are / face to face’

Another electro gem borrowed off my friend Tom’s BlogJuice, I am totally digging Royksopp’s crazy mix of this Kings track off Come Around Sundown. The two headed Norwegian monster of untz take the slow and steady ballad The Immortals, flip the vocals into something childlike, and inject some serious beats, mixing things up to the point that you need the chorus to trace your way back to the original song. Pleased to dance my face off. #untz

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sunset in my city

13 Jun

Best Coast.

Today’s Emo: Sunset in my Soul / Mia and Jonah

‘you can save me from myself / pull the water from my well / heal me from the hardest that times could be’

Another vault track because I would rather share inspired old music than forced new tunes, and the indie world has been leaving me wanting these days. Mia and Jonah are a beautiful Oakland couple who I imagined would make it big within months of my discovering their album a couple years ago, and instead are still waiting around for the world to recognize their talent (it is only a matter of time!)

A slow and steady rush, romantic proclamations, beautiful harmonies, and the only company I need around a campfire… folk at its most heartfelt. #emo

Today’s Untz: Safe and Sound / Capital Cities

‘you could be my luck / even if we’re six feet underground / I know that we’ll be safe and sound’

Happy softer emo that still rocks some steady beats, I found Capital Cities on Hypem last week and have been enjoying these popping horns and sweet vocals for days. Safe and Sound is the first single off Capital Cities debut EP out next week, and this duo has all the physical makings to make it in the indie electro pop world, with fun facial hair, aviators, plaid, and lots of promo snapshots of jumping in mid air. Sound matches the part… want to lace up my chucks and get lost on the dance floor to this. #untz

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poison cinema

10 Jun

Still busy.

Today’s Emo: Poison Cup / M. Ward

‘she said if love, if love is a poison cup  / then drink it up / cause a sip, a sip or a spoonful wont do / wont do nothing for you but mess you up’

I am on a poisoning spree with this week’s emo selection… Poison Cup is a treasure from the vault that has found itself back on rotation thanks to Pandora reminding me how fantastic M. Ward can be as a solo artist. While he has been busy collaborating with Zoey Deschanel in She & Him, I hope he treks back to his solo roots sooner rather than later – and not just because I hate on Zoey for her terrible acting in The Happening and for screwing over the adorable Joseph Gordon Levitt in 500 Days of Summer. There are few singer/songwriters that are able to deliver strong enough vocals and meaningful enough words to compensate for lack of band, and Ward falls amongst the ranks of the Josh Ritter and David Grey.

This song makes me feel all fuzzy and dizzy inside, much like the effects of the poison it describes. I like the sentiment of throwing yourself into something, no matter the potential ill effects, because to have it all you have it give all. So #emo

Today’s Untz: Cinema / Benny Benassi Ft. Gary Go

‘I could watch you for a lifetime / you’re my favorite movie’

Nothing new here, just one of my favorite recent untz songs that always cheers me up and gets me ready for play after a long work week. We have an adorable Labrabull/Pitador named Benny in the office, and he always makes me think of Benny B and his beats. The intro to Cinemas reminds me of a bad Kylie Minogue song, and the the words are dripping with sap, but it is nice to hear the softer side of untz. Just try and listen without cracking a smile. Happy Friday! #untz

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jump in the poison

8 Jun

Tired. Busy. Happy.

Today’s Emo: Poison & Wine / The Civil Wars

‘oh your mouth is poison, your mouth is wine / oh you think your dreams are the same as mine’

Back in the day, my second grade class at Hoover Elementary watched Ken Burn’s classic mini-series, The Civil War. While fascinating, most of the information presented during the epic five hour series has long left my little head, but the musical theme, Ashokan Farewell, left me memorized, and the song’s sweet violin and sigh inducing melody has been unshakable after all these years. My coworker, Court, recently recommended The Civil Wars in response to my sharing of The Head and the Heart (a formidable trade) and I instantly thought back to the documentary and its score. While lacking a violin, The Civil Wars also deliver minimalist folk at its finest: gentle guitar strumming, soft keys, silvery vocals, and aching harmonies… chills.

Joy Williams and John Paul White joined forces in Nashville in 2008, and have been gaining momentum since this track was played on Grey’s Anatomy a couple years back. I first heard The Civil Wars on Tuesday, and have already grabbed tickets to see them play the Great American Music Hall on the 19th. #emo

Today’s Untz: Jump in the Pool / Friendly Fires (Thin White Duke remix)

‘I looked at you I knew you wanted to / jump in the pool’

Things that are good: the return of sunshine, a dear friend in town for the week, and the Friendly Fire’s new album, Pala. I failed to get tickets to see the indie Britt rockers play at the Independent this June, but am taking it as a godsend because my concert budget for spring/summer is already becoming astronomical (see above). So instead, I am happily drowning myself in this flashed up version of Jump in the Pool, of their self titled album. Hop in. #untz

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back on a train

6 Jun

‘the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.’ – not Mark Twain

Summer is starting to arrive in San Francisco, with rolling afternoon fog slipping into rainy nights and puddle filled mornings on repeat. And with this the yearly grumblings and mentioning of above frequently mis-attributed quotation. I love listening to the rain in bed, and the Oregonian in me can handle the gloom, but it is hard having the rest of the nation begin to celebrate sun kissed skin, champagne picnics at the park, and warm summer nights, while we are bracing ourselves for three months of  hoodies, wellies and space heaters.

So it goes. Drive one hour outside of the city in any direction – Napa, South Bay, East Bay, and you can get weekend windows of sunshine, and come November when snowstorms start rattling the Midwest and Northeast, I will go out running in a tank and shorts and smile. Like most of life, perspective.

Today’s Emo: Back to Back / Wolf Gang

‘the whole world is sleeping / I still lie awake up in my bed / as I came around to thinking / that I don’t want nobody else’

London’s Wolf Gang reminds me of MGMT meets XX meets a Yeasayer type vibe… a slightly sleepy, trippy sound with high pitched vocals and little trickles of electronics, bundled up into a simple and refreshing sound. The song lyrics have me thinking cuddle logistics… as a restless sleeper, back to back is kind of my MO, but I think the song is referring to being back to back with a friend that you want something more with, and wanting to turn things around.  #emo

Today’s Untz: On a Train / Yusek (the Magician remix)

I love the Magician’s take on Lykke Li’s Rivers, and am almost equally impressed with this rendition of Yusek’s On a Train. The song itself is pretty depressing, more or less about having nothing to lose in life (in a bad way) and wanting to leave (on a train). The sound wakes me up and makes me happy though, and I like the contrast. Haven’t heard much from French DJ/producer Yusek, but adding him to my watch list. #untz

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make pressure

3 Jun

I saw The Head and the Heart for a record breaking 4th time Wednesday night at the Warfield when they opened for Iron and Wine, and they just keep getting better. It was interesting seeing the same band perform mostly the same songs for so many shows within a six month period of time. You start to anticipate little movements on the stage before they happen – well timed foot stomps, band members moving together for mic sharing during harmonies, Charity drinking from a mug before her part in Winter Song. The group was hydrating more than usual and without brews, so I wonder if they were recovering from a big night… or just thirsty.

Even with all the foresight, everything still sounded fresh and cool and delicious instead of repetitive, felt comfortable instead of routine. That is the magic in seeing a favorite band time after time… they become an old friend. And I had the best company.

Today’s Emo: I Can’t Make You Love Me / Bon Iver

‘turn down the lights / turn down the bed / turn down these voices inside my head’

OK. One more Bon Iver track and then I promise to litter more variety back into the emo part of TUATE. It is just that I can’t help but buckle when Vernon sings Bonnie Raitt’s ballad, taking on an untouchable classic and making it his own. Stunning. What a falsetto, what a performance (youtube it) on Jimmy Kimmel Live of all places. Seeing Bon Iver live has become a priority, and I am rendered terribly impatient that he is not visiting California on his tour. Hello – most populated state?!

Anyway, beyond delighted with the album and this cover he has graced us with in the past few weeks. More smitten than ever. I will be here waiting. #emo

Today’s Untz: Pressure / Alex Kenji, Starkillers, Nadia Ali (Alesso remix)

‘turn around /  feel the sound / oh you make my heart pound’
This is just the kind of untz I was drinking up at the pool parties last weekend in Vegas… sassy female vocals, nice and steady build, magical trickles of beats that make my heart pound… it has that trashy but who cares I like it feel, just like Sin City. First I have heard of DJ Alesso, and I am digging slipping into this and into le weekend. #untz

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mean cartographer

1 Jun

Vegas, oh Vegas. I had a magical untz filled weekend with three of my favorite ladies and came home late Monday night in surprisingly decent shape, save for tomato tinged skin due to a lazy last day at the pool and several vodka infused tomato juices that led to poor estimation of SPF. I returned to work from the long weekend with tired legs and a strong craving for emo… always feel the pull to maintain that inner balance.

…Also, it is June?!

Today’s Emo: Cults / You Know What I Mean

’cause I am afraid of the light / yeah you know what I mean’

It has taken me a while to get back on the Cults train after falling in love with Go Outside, but You Know What I Mean has recently grown on me. Madeline Follin’s voice is so sweet, and the intro makes me think of a high school prom from an earlier era and teenagers slow dancing at arms length surrounded by slowly circling disco ball light… despite being tinged with sadness, there is something strangely romantic about it all.

After over a year of buzz, Madeline and her boo, Brian Oblivion, finally drop their self titled full length album this month. Definitely sippin’ on the Cult Kool-Aid. #emo

Today’s Untz: Stellar Cartographer I / Radioseven

Today’s untz is a gentle one because my ears are still ringing from XS Sunday night, and these synth drenched beats offer the perfect soothing sounds, reminding me of Explosions in the Sky and Germany and Germany’s instrumental work. I could not come up with a better name for the way this song sounds and feels… dreamy, celestial beats sprawled out across a canvas, one following another into the unknown and disappearing too soon. Radioseven is decidedly mysterious himself…. he (or she? they?) is from Vancouver, but that is all that is out there on the anonymous dream weaver. I like the intrigue. #untz

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