Siria’s July Soundtrack
Most everyone I know has heard me say at one point or another this month that “July 2009 is dead to me.” I started off the month sick (and am still not fully recovered), dealt with car issues among other things, and just felt like I was going through it in “slow motion.” I was starting to feel like a character in the book series, Lemony Snicket’s – A Series of Unfortunate Events. I guess I can’t be “happy, go-lucky” all the time. I think it was a tough one for most everyone, there were some positives to it, which I may share at a later date. I’m just glad someone found that switch to turn on the sunshine to drown out the June gloom.
I apologize in advance for the negative tone.
Before I get into my July 2:05 pm playlist let me give an honorable mention to The Isle of View cd by The Pretenders to which I fell asleep to a lot this month and also overplayed in my car. Driving in the dark and listening to “Chill Factor, ” and “Criminal” = perfect.
With this playlist…July, I wash my hands clean of you.
August… bring it on. I’m ready.
Siria’s July 2:05 pm Playlist:
The Magic Wands – “Teenage Love”
I made an attempt to listen to more online radio this month as opposed to my own playlists and music collection. I’ve learned that I may have to stay away from Indie 103 for a while. I keep hearing the same ten songs over and over, this is one of them (I think I heard “Die a Little” by Viva Voce 3 or 4 times in an 8 or 9 hour time span, no joke).
The Beta Band – “Dry the Rain ”
The Benjy Davis Project (aka John Lee Hooker, Jr. and friends)- “Soul on Fire”
Bluesy, Jazzy, R&B – Would’ve been perfect for last month. I saw John Lee Hooker Jr. play once when I was a teenager (doubt it was the Benjy Davis Project yet), he had anywhere from 7-10 musicians on stage with him engaged in a jam session with his voice projecting loud and clear above the musical frenzy.
Satisfaction – “I Make the Dead”
Local LA band, I haven’t run into these guys in a while, to be honest I’m not sure they are still together. The energy of their shows was always fun and made you dance. I would also recommend driving around to their cd. If I could compare them to anyone you might have heard it’d possibly be the Redwalls from Chicago (who will always make me think of fall and rain in NYC)
God Help the Girl – “God Help the Girl”
When I first heard this song some time ago (probably on KCRW) I thought Who is this? What is this? I looove this!!! “There is no way I’m looking for a boyfriend,” the voice sang…that’s damn right, I thought. I’m still not sick of this (although I am going to have to stay away from Indie 103.1 so that this doesn’t change — this is one of the other 10 songs they keep playing).
Thank you Stuart Murdoch (Belle and Sebastian) for this!
Joey and Rory – Cheater, Cheater
A playlist of mine wouldn’t be complete without at least one country song. This is one of my new favorites. I like when female country singers have strong voices (Tanya Tucker, Lorrie Morgan, Faith Hill, Sara Evans) as opposed to poppy-produced sounding voices. Joey Martin Feek definitely has that.
Warbringer – ” Severed Reality”
I’m convinced that this song is following me. How this found it’s way into my playlist I’m not sure, but it’ll stay here. You know what I do like about music like this? The build-ups…stacking of sound if you will… just keeps climbing, climbing, climbing… building and building until it errupts
White Rabbit – “Love Never Fails”
Pedestrian – “This Pretty Girl”
This band is probably one of my local all time favorites, yet I haven’t caught them in at least 2 years …something’s wrong with that picture. Joel Shearer is one of the nicest guys. For that reason alone you shoud check out a live set.
Sonic Youth – “Antenna”
I’m not really a Sonic Youth music fan. There I said it. Now if you’ll all allow me a moment of apology…Mr. Moore I apologize for walking out of that party during SXSW a couple years back when you were about to perform your solo acoustic set, I respect you as a musician and innovator of sound, and for being an excellent conversationalist, but I just couldn’t stick it out. However, don’t worry for every one of me there are thousands that will bow in your presence “Wayne’s World” style.
Now one thing I am a fan of is Later with Jools Holland. I DVR/Tivo this all of the time. I have a lot of patience (ask anyone), really it’s insane how much patience I really do have except when it comes to two things. The first being waiting in lines (I don’t really care about being on a list, but am glad to rarely have to wait in a line. Anything more than 20 people in a single file instantly sets off my impatience trigger). The second being waiting for a band to hit the stage. Putting on music shows has spoiled me especially with Kiss or Kill where the length of time in between bands was never longer than 15-20 min. Jools has both new and established bands play one song and on to the next, and so on. No egos, no b.s., everyone is equal whether they are a new band or an established band. It’s a revolving door of music each show. This to me would be the perfect prototype for a live music show if anyone could pull it off. What a great way to cross over bands audiences. Someone get on that, I don’t have the time or energy to try it at this time.
but, I digress…here is Sonic Youth performing “Antenna” on Later with Jools Holland
The Pixies – “Head On”
I like both this version and the Jesus and the Mary Chain original
I must confess, I have a fear of seeing the Pixies live. Watching them 4 years ago at Street Scene in San Diego (which is not the best place to see this type of band anyhow) left me traumatized. It was a more than lackluster performance. The band wasn’t into the set and they kept doing covers. I had to walk away after a few songs.
Autolux – “Turnstile Blues”
Diamond Nights – “The Girl’s Attractive”
Bauhaus - “She’s in Parties”
Born Ruffians – “Hummingbird”
I’m sure there are many great bands with this type of sound out there that we haven’t yet heard, but Born Ruffians and Vampire Weekend are enough for me for now. These guys put on a fun live show, they interact well with each other and aren’t afraid to look silly or feel the songs they are performing.