Music + Tools

The New Year is fast approaching....... and we wanted to recommend a blog that could help you get started on your music career resolutions. Check out Grassrootsy if you have not already.

Grassrootsy.com provides some great tips on how to jet start your music career the indie way. Check out their tips on how to be your own publicist, free things to give your fans, drawing traffic to your website/myspace, how to score reviews on your CD and much more.

foburg.

So we have been spreading the word that we were planning something big for the spring and we finally have a website up for it. www.foburgneworleans.com

Foburg is a multi-night, multi-venue event happening March 12-14 where bands will be showcasing on Frenchman St. It's all about bringing together great local bands and touring bands to create one of the most memorable weekends in local rock scene.

The site will continue to grow with information over the coming weeks with information such programming partners, venues, sponsors and most importantly bands.

Speaking of bands, if you are in one, you should go to the site and submit. It's quick and easy.

50 people 1 question

Here at NOIRC we are excited to be co-presenting an amazing event this weekend. If you have not heard of the "50 People 1 Question" project going on, you should check it out. In fact, you should check it out Sunday, when along with Deltree, Crush + Lovely and the New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center, we are presenting a film music fusion project pairing 5 live music performances with 5 of the great videos from 50p1q.

http://50people1question.com

DATE: Sunday, December 6
LOCATION: New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center -- http://cacno.org
TIME: 6:30 - 9:30pm
COST: $12
PURCHASE TICKETS -- http://cacno.org or call the CAC Box Office at 504-528-3800

A Message From The Bands

I was fortunate enough to get to spend the afternoon with a couple of the bands pre the NOIR Fest 3 kick-off this evening. Here's what they had to tell YOU.

WTUL Interview from Rachel Puckett on Vimeo.

Hurray for the Riff Raff live at WTUL

Amid a sea of red plaid, Alynda from Hurray for the Riff Raff performs a gorgeous rendition of "A Slow Walk" from their forthcoming LP. Loren Murrell hops in with some impromptu melodies. Both are performing tomorrow night at Blue Nile, as part of NOIR Fest III.

Loren Murrell live at WTUL

Check out this video recorded this week by our own Rachel Puckett at WTUL. Loren Murrell (performing Saturday night at NOIR Fest III) sings a new song on the air and we captured it. Hope you enjoy and hope you're all psyched for this weekend!

Zack Smith + NOIR Fest 3

Thanks to Offbeat we have an awesome video to give you.

Zack Smith, the photographer and drummer for Rotary Downs launched a project documenting the New Orleans indie rock scene on August 29 this year at Carrollton Station, and it will show at NOIR Fest 3 at the Blue Nile THIS Saturday night. Here’s a look behind the project....

Buttons Are Sooo Hipper Than Thou

Buttons - Roller Rock from Kennedy on Vimeo.

'Hipper Than Thou', our free-to-the-public-sampler-CD will be released this Friday @ NOIR Fest III. The Buttons won't be making it out this weekend for the CD release , but Joey from The Buttons was awesome enough to tell us a little bit about them and give us the music video for their song 'Roller Rock', which is featured on 'Hipper Than Thou'. Check the interview below and the video above.

NOIRC: What was it like working with local Mike Kennedy to direct your video for Roller Rock? What was your favorite part of the experience, who came up with the concept?

BUTTONS: Amazing! We originally met with Mike to pitch a video idea after he saw us perform for the Alternative Media Expo After Party with Ballzack. We had this elaborate idea for one of our songs called 'Castletimes' that would include a bunch of our friends (and some relatives) but it turned out to involve too much pre and post production. Mike asked us about a song we played at the show that reminded him of an eerie roller skate jam and suggested shooting the video at a roller rink. We thought it was a great idea since it would require only one day of shooting, have automatic production value, and still include all of our friends. The whole video was a collaborative effort between many different people. Ballzack acted as a scout and got Skate Country on the Westbank as the location. In addition, we had a great group of friends who put together their own costumes and waited around for hours for each shot. The shoot couldn't have gone any smoother - Mike and his crew did an amazing job! I think getting a lot of creative and talented people involved was our favorite part of the experience. I hate videos where you watch some guys play their instruments in an empty warehouse stomping around in puddles while cutting to shots of them sitting in an apartment moping about some dime a dozen hipster girl. We wanted to do a fun video that captured a bit of the New Orleans spirit without having to set our synths in front of the St. Louis Cathedral.

NOIRC: You covered 'Southern Night', an Allen Toussaint song, where did that inspiration come from?

BUTTONS: We were inspired to cover the song mainly because of the ethereal quality of the vocals. Toussaint recorded the vocals through a Leslie speaker and creates a sound similar to vocals run through a vocoder (what we primarily use). I think it's impossible to top Toussaint's version but it was interesting adding our own spacey analog synth feel to the tune. It is hands down my favorite song ever. (Toussaint's version of course)

NOIRC: How would you describe your live performance, will you guys be playing live anytime soon?

BUTTONS: Live smoked out synth dance party! First of all I think it's important for people to understand that we are a live act. We're not sampling other peoples songs or standing around mixing prerecorded tracks off a computer, although its understandable why people might make that mistake. Our approach is similar to the early pioneers of analog synthesis (eg. Giorgio Moroder, Yellow Magic Orchestra) - It's two guys behind a mountain of analog gear playing live. We also bring out smoke machines and usually try to dress up for the occasion. The one thing we have always lacked is visuals, but we're in the process of putting together a large programmable LED button display that goes across the front of the stage and responds to the music we're playing. It should be ready for our next show that will be at The Republic Dec. 4th in conjunction with Throwback night!

NOIRC: What are your thoughts on the local young music scene in New Orleans?

BUTTONS: It's wonderful to see such an active local music scene again. Before Katrina it seemed the local music scene was on the threshold of something big, however after Katrina there was nothing left. Shows featuring local or national acts were few and far between and the promotion was non-existent. Now it seems the local music scene is finally catching up to where it left off and we are excited to be a part of it.

It's coming...

We have lots of neat stuff leading up to the fest that we are going to be posting here, so keep your eyes peeled.

What NOIR is listening to (Halloween Edition)

LOCAL

If you haven't seen Caddywhompus live in New Orleans yet, you're a fool. Seriously. Get out there. They play like every week. This video is in the category of "Aggressively Photoshopped" and pretty awesome.



Absolutely beautiful video of Hurray for the Riff Raff performing a few songs at The Secret Garden, which appears to be someone's living room/kitchen. Gorgeous.



NON


The xx is a chilled out little band from London who win the 2009 prize for "Band That Looks Totally Lame In Their Video Which Makes It All The More Surprising That Their Music Is So Freaking Good"



Absolutely bizarre video from Run Toto Run, who do a folk-take on Passion Pit's "Sleepyhead" which is absolutely pitch-perfect. After hearing it, you'll have trouble remembering the little musical breakdown NOT being played by a fiddle (which is being played by a guy with a wildebeest helmet on.)

Interview with John Michael Rouchell

John Michael Rouchell, lead singer of the New Orleans outfit MyNameIsJohnMichael, took time out from the band's long drive north to the CMJ music festival to talk to us about New York, noodle bars, and being named one of Spin Magazine's Top 25 Artists to Hear at CMJ.



So you guys are on your way up to CMJ?

Yeah, me and the boys, you know, making our way up there in the van.

How’s the drive?

Slow and steady.

Of course. So the real crux of this interview is you guys being named one of Spin Magazine’s Top 25 Bands to see at CMJ. Any added pressure that comes along with that?

Sure, you know, of course there’s pressure. Well, not really pressure as in we get nervous, but more like we view the pressure as something we need to respond to and get better. Like tonight we’re going to stop in Virginia, and I think we’ll just spend the whole night with harmony rehearsals, getting the set down perfect. It’s not so much pressure as just a drive to get better.

I’ve read some stuff on your blog that suggests you guys are all fans of New York.

We’re all big fans of New York. I have a history with New York—my parents lived there before I was around, before I was conceived. I’ve visited there every year of my life, and I guess I’ve got that connection with the city. The boys all love it, too.

Anything different about playing in New York as opposed to New Orleans?

Yeah, definitely there’s a difference. Like between New Orleans and New York… well, let me pause. I’ll talk about New Orleans first. In New Orleans people are out for the party, you know? They want to have a good time, they want to dance, they want to get drunk. For them it’s about the time, you know? In New York people are there to watch the show. They’re a lot more perceptive, kind of more attentive to detail. I remember when we came offstage at the Mercury Lounge in Brooklyn, people came up to us and were like, “I love what you did with the trumpet” or “That was awesome with the trash can drumming.” In New Orleans people came up and say “I had an awesome time!” And there’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just different. And it might have something to do with our sound being a little more foreign, a little more out there up north. Like in New Orleans our sound may seem more natural, but when we go up to New York and do our Big Easy thing it may just get noticed as different by a lot of people.

Any good food up there?

Oh, man yeah. Our favorite spot right now is Momofuku, a noodle house that’s just unreal. Then there’s the Minetta Tavern, just awesome Italian food. And Richard (Dubourg) is a huge fan of Cat’s Deli. Well, actually we’re all big fans of Cat’s Deli.

When Spin wrote about you guys they gave your sound-bite back-story, the songwriting project you undertook last year. Do you ever worry that when people talk about your guys’ band they’ll just mention your back-story and be done with it? Or do you think people are connecting with your music on different levels?

You know, I get asked this question a lot and it’s always a really hard one to answer. The whole reason Spin wrote about us was because of the performance we gave at Bonnaroo, and they didn’t learn about the songwriting project until they did more research. I mean, if people want to just pin us as that, that’s their perception and I can’t change that. I think our record is better than anything I recorded as part of the project, and our live show is the best live show for any band I’ve ever played in. You know, I want people to see us as more, but it’s out of my hands how people want to perceive us. All we can do is keep playing and keep making music, but other than that it’s out of my hands.

Best of luck up there.

Thanks, man.





MyNameIsJohnMichael plays

Thursday October 22nd
The Alphabet Lounge
10pm
104 Avenue C
(between 6th St & 7th St)
NY, NY 10009
(212) 780-0202

Saturday October 24th
The R Bar
4pm
218 Bowery
NY, NY 10012
(212) 334-0484

MNIJM and SPIN Magazine

So, our dear friends MyNameIsJohnMichael are getting some press. As in some big press. As in it won't be too long before we won't be the only ones who know about them anymore. Alas.

Apparently the boys turned a bunch of Spin heads at Bonnaroo, and the Spin guys have made MNIJM one of the 25 must-see bands of the CMJ music festival in New York later this month. Wow.

You can check out the story here.

And for those in the NYC area for the show can see them:

Thursday October 22nd
The Alphabet Lounge
10pm
104 Avenue C
(between 6th St & 7th St)
NY, NY 10009
(212) 780-0202

Saturday October 24th
The R Bar
4pm
218 Bowery
NY, NY 10012
(212) 334-0484

Daytrotter: Hurray For the Riff Raff

So somewhat embarrassingly, I have just discovered Daytrotter, a website that brings in artists to record live sessions and then posts those sessions on the web. (I can just here indie hounds across New Orleans right now saying, "I knew about Daytrotter 3 years ago! Ugh!" Well, sorry. You win.)

Anyway, it's new to me at least, and it's really fantastic. The folks at Daytrotter really take the time to find the right bands, and their sessions are staggering-- Deerhunter, Aimee Mann, Bon Iver, Of Montreal, Andrew Bird, and Fleet Foxes have all recorded sessions for them so far. The sound quality is absolutely perfect, most of the songs are available for download, and a lot of artists are using the forum to test out forthcoming material. The newest session is New Orleans' own Hurray For The Riff Raff, and we couldn't be prouder.

There's four songs up, three unreleased tunes and then a staggering rendition of "Amelia's Song" from It Don't Mean I Don't Love You. I don't know quite what to say about the vocals on this track, but there's something just so absolutely perfect about the song right now--it just seems to work with the dropping temperatures of autumn, the lovely sweater weather we're getting right now.

Anyway, get on there and check it out.

http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/hurray-for-the-riff-raff-concert/20030920-37382040.html

Let's take a moment to collect ourselves

So, after an outrageous string of shows capped off by last night's blast with Neon Indian and friends, we've got a week here to kind of catch our breath before the big push to Voodoo. My wallet and sleep cycle thanks the tour managers/venue owners out there for the break.

In this weird stasis, some stuff I've been listening to lately to tide you over:

Local








Non-local

BLK JKS, Neon Indian and One Man Machine

I am super stoked about Sunday night. Why is that you ask? It's cause there is one of the best shows coming through towns is happening.

If you haven't heard BLK JKS, check them the hell out. Seriously, do it now. HERE. or HERE.

Here are some awesome videos to check out from them.





In addition to BLK JKS, Neon Indian is playing the show. This show is going to kill.

Neon Indian



One Man Machine is a great local. Check it.

Phoenix & MNIJM

Wow.

Again.

Wow.

You know, this city was recently voted the greatest city in the United States to see live music. No joke. We won. On a weekly basis, I'll catch some of the best live acts in the country from a wide range of styles-- brass, R&B, zydeco, good ole' indie. Hell I'll go into Snug Harbor and catch some of the best jazz acts in the country on a Tuesday night. This city is known for its live music. We pride ourselves on it. We love it.

And then wouldn't you know these skinny dudes from Paris come over and just completely blow everyone's mind. I don't know whether to be humbled, surprised, awe-struck... I just don't know.

For those of you who didn't make it to last night's sold out show at Tipitina's, let's just say Phoenix has set the bar for the rest of 2009. All comers are welcome.

The show kicked off with local favorites MyNameIsJohnMichael, after the scheduled opener--Chairlift--dropped out. I only know Chairlift from the iPod commercial, so as far as I'm concerned, good riddance. It was awesome getting to see MNIJM come out and just kill it, especially in front of a large crowd of people who weren't all that familiar with them. I had two separate people come up to me and ask if I knew anything about the band, and how excited they were to find out they were from New Orleans.

Then, well, Phoenix. Their new album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, has been one of my top albums of the past year, and hearing the songs come to life live was a revelation. Highlights were the band's drummer (I'd never really noticed the drumming on the album, but seeing them live made me realize that the dude is the absolute backbone of this band), the lead singer's very-good-but-still-somewhat-broken English ("I, just want to thank you. Last time, there, were like a hundred...Now... look!"), them holding out on first single "1901" until the encore (leading to the following exchange with my buddy: "I don't think they're coming out for an encore." "They haven't played "1901" yet, dude. They have to. There'll be a riot if they don't." "Oh, God. You're right. This is going to be awesome.")

Arctic Monkeys tonight, Andrew Bird Saturday night, Blitzen Trapper Sunday night. I think I'm getting sick from lack of sleep. Whatever.

MNIJM, Generationals, Dr. Dog TONIGHT @ Howlin' Wolf

Fans of sun-drenched sixties pop, reverbed-out guitar riffs, girl-group harmonies, and oh, all that music of yesteryear, is there a show for you. Dr. Dog, The Generationals, and
MyNameIsJohnMichael are playing tonight at Howlin’ Wolf, starting at 9pm.

Local favorites MyNameIsJohnMichael will be kicking it off, and while their music is more tuned into Nebraska-era Springsteen than the sixties influences of the following bands, they still have plenty of ooh ooh ohs to sing along to. MNIJM is returning from a month-long tour of the Atlantic coast and we’re sure they’re happy to be back home again. (Or at least we’re happy to have them.) Generationals follows with more of that Sixties-Motown-by-indie sound we all love, and then the out-of-towners, Dr. Dog, will headline.

Open your ears to Sun Hotel . Now.

I develop a fondness for a lot of the bands in the scene. Caddywhompus is incredible and the loudest smallest band you'll ever see. Giant Cloud has that oh-so-good Peekers sound that I can't ever get enough of. And Loren Murrell, Silent Cinema, and MyNameIsJohnMichael always make me melt. But the band currently on my radar is one I plan on paying a lot more attention to.

Sun Hotel is definitely worth the listen. They are a local indie band with a lot of acoustic goodness, interesting and somewhat soothing vocal interludes and some catchy lyrics..... Please class them amongst the new and good in the local scene and start taking notice. 

Check them in space: http://www.myspace.com/sunhotelsounds

Check them out for real: Sunday, October 25 @ Allways Lounge/ Marigny Theatre in support of the NOLA Project's latest theatre production, Finer Noble Gases. NOIR Collective presents! Come support!

Pains of Being Pure / Cymbals Eat Guitars / Depreciation Guild

Checked out Cymbals Eat Guitars, Depreciation Guild, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart last night at One Eyed Jack's. (Sorry for the crummy picture quality, the NOIR professional photography crew were tied up elsewhere.)

A really solid crowd showed up for the show, and people were excited from the start. Cymbals Eat Guitars kicked it off, a band I hadn't seen in concert yet. I'm really digging their album lately, but for whatever reason the sound didn't really connect live. The band seemed to be trying to add energy to their show by playing the everliving shit out of their instruments, and the muscle car approach to a live show added some excitement but for the most part just left me straining to hear what song they were playing. Again, I really like this band--I just wish someone would sit them down and tell them to let their songs speak for themselves. (All that being said, the average age in the band appeared to be like 17 years old, so I'm sure they have plenty of time to clean it up.)

I was really blown away by The Depreciation Guild, a two-man act out of Brookyln (they bring a drummer out for live shows.) I'd heard their music described as "Super Nintendo Shoegaze", which actually holds up pretty well. A video screen blasts blocky SNES color schemes in the background, the band is tight, the songs are good--it's all pretty overwhelming. Also, I soon learned that the lead singer in DG is the drummer for Pains of Being Pure, which who knew.

The most polished act (understandably) were the headliners. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, say what you will about them, know how to construct a 4 minute song, and their sound came through beautifully in the venue. They stuck mostly to songs from their self-titled debut LP, but played a few songs off their new EP as well. (EP songs seemed just as strong, worth checking out.) The revelation of the show (and best moment) came when the keyboardist for The Pains, Peggy Wang, revealed to the crowd that she grew up in New Orleans, had attended Newman School, and that her mom was at the show. As embarrassed that I was that I didn't do any research and had no idea about it, the information really pumped the crowd up and got everyone excited. Wang went on to ask if anyone from WTUL (Tulane radio station) was in the house, which elicited a huge response from a small group of kids. Wang confessed that WTUL had been her savior growing up for finding new music, and the WTUL kids went nuts, and the whole energy level of the show picked up.

A couple more songs followed, a strong encore, and that was that. It was great seeing everyone out.

8 Questions with... Bionica

In the first installment of what will sure to be a long series of pithy and enjoyable little questionnaires, we asked local act Bionica eight questions. Their keytarist (no shit) James Westfall took the time to answer us, doing so in a much more earnest way than we could have ever expected. We appreciate him taking time out for us, and you should return the favor by catching him and the other members of Bionica tonight at a free show at Blue Nile.


1. In nine words, who are you and what is it that you do?
Bionica is a musical collective that explores all possibilities

2. What album have you been listening to for the past week?
The Rough Mixes of the soon to be released Bionica CD.

3. Favorite venue in NOLA and why?
Snug Harbor - Snug has a long history with the city and the city's musicians. Most of the band were close to the former club owner George Brumat. (who recently passed away in 2007) George was the type of human being that gave nothing but sacrifice and integrity to the musicians and employees of Snug Harbor. It is the venue that helped start most of our careers as individual artists. Fortunately, the club continues with that same respect and dignity that George gave.

4. Favorite venue outside of NOLA and why?
There is a venue in NYC called The Stone. It was created by John Zorn as a non profit performance venue where musicians receive 100%. It is booked through different artists getting the opportunity to curate the events for their allotted time. Though Bionica has never played their yet, we encourage this project and other projects that give artists the platform to be who they are with out the overhead of business.

5. What local band aren’t enough people listening to?
Nova Nola

6. Favorite piece of musical equipment?
The Keytar! ... (Though it just broke so the new one won't be in in time for tonight's show)

7. You hate it when people characterize your music as _____?
...No hate here.

8. Write us a haiku.

The few power many

Ron Paul was right

Man versus Machine through Bionica



Close enough with the haiku form, there. Again, Bionica performs tonight at Blue Nile with Caddywhompus and Giant Cloud.

Michael McDonald Sings Grizzly Bear

I'm sure most of you have heard this already, but for those of you who haven't: join me in listening to the most surreal moment in music this year. Michael McDonald singing "While You Wait for the Others", the second single off Grizzly Bear's luminous second LP, Veckatimest. (Yes, that Michael McDonald. The old guy with the white beard who used to rock out in Doobie Brothers and who sings like an insane person.)

I don't quite know what to do with this track. "While You Wait for the Others" was one of my top five favorite songs of the past year, and then the band brings in one of the most ridiculed singers alive to sing it for the B-side of their single. Are Grizzly Bear fans of McDonald? Or is this some joke? (If it is a joke, it's a pretty mean one. I think. Then again, McDonald could use the work, I guess.)

Basically, I've been scratching my head about this for a good week or two. Check it out.

The next month in NOLA

Hey all,

So, quietly, New Orleans has decided that over the next month the city is going to host upwards of a dozen really freaking awesome indie concerts, topped off by the ridiculous lineup Voodoo has promised. My little Google calendar, which I never figured out how to use until a week ago, has filled pretty quickly with shows I need to see over the next month.

There are consequences to this. For one, I am going to go broke. Like, really, painfully, sadly broke.

For two, these concerts have brought up huge scheduling issues. As I pointed out before, I have never had to keep a schedule, let alone had scheduling issues. I feel like Trump or someone. Tomorrow night there are two amazing shows, one at One Eyed Jack’s with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (low-fi treble pop from Brooklyn) and a great show of local favorites Giant Cloud, Caddywhompus, and Bionica at Blue Nile sponsored by, well, us. It’s been argued that Pains of Being Pure are only in town for one night, but I still feel the need to send an apology letter or something to the bands over at Blue Nile. (Is it weird that I feel I am neglecting a large group of people who have no idea who I am?)

Similar problems arise on September 30^th. I’m open to people convincing me to see one show over another.

I’ve attached the little list I keep on my desk, but for a more comprehensive concert lineup (including information like where it is and what time it starts and everything else you’d want) check out our listings at http://neworleansindierock.com/#/show-listings/4532221502

9/26 - Pains of being Pure at Heart
9/26 – Giant Cloud, Caddywhompus, Bionica
9/30 - My Name is John Michael & Dr. Dog
9/30 - The Walkmen + Cymbals Eat Guitars
10/1 - Phoenix
10/2 - Arctic Monkeys
10/4 - Blitzen Trapper
10/7 – Dan Deacon
10/8 - Wavves.
10/16 - Japandroids
10/21- Junior boys
10/23- Art brut
11/06 - Why?
11/18 - Camera Obscura + Papercuts

Your Face Could Help The Scene.

New Orleans music scene is changing. According to one study NOLA has officially surpassed both NYC and Austin as the live-music capital of the world. But that's just one study. We all know New Orleans has always been one of the best places in the world for music and that's because of the bands that are working so hard and the fans who dutifully come out to support them. 

We've seen some crazy successes and heard some great local albums and attended some pretty wonderful shows in the past year. Keep this strong and help Zack Smith, a local awesome photographer/drummer, by attending the Big Rock Candy Mountain, Caddywhompus, Smiley with a Knife show this Saturday at Carrollton Station.

Zack will be shooting his 1st installment of "Rock Portraits" at the Carrollton Station show. Each image shot will be collected and printed into a large format that will become a part of New Orleans 'Rock History'.

Think you support the scene? 

Well... come show your face.

NOIR FEST | November 20 - 21, 2009

Our big announcement....

As promised, our third sampler CD will be released this November 20. New Orleans keeps providing really great indie rock bands which means we will keep providing really great sampler CDs showcasing the finest talent the New Orleans indie rock scene has to offer.

Thank you to the bands who will be featured on the third sampler CD. Loren Murrell, Giant Cloud, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Generationals, The Buttons, Gamma Ringo!, ONE MAN MACHINE, and Club of the Sons.

The CD will be distributed for FREE beginning November 20 and 21 at the NOIR Fest. Schedule below...

FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 20 | ONE EYED JACKS

Club of the Sons

One Man Machine
Gamma Ringo

SATURDAY | NOVEMBER 21 | BLUE NILE

Hurray for the Riff Raff

Giant Cloud

Loren Murrell

Yes there's been a name change for the Fest (NOIR Fest) and we've shortened it to two nights instead of three. Our plate is full with awesome projects that are sure to help the local indie rockers and the local indie rock scene. We've got a lot of awesome presented shows coming your way, we're helping Offbeat with an iPhone application, we're providing music for an indie film in town, we're releasing a digital remix download of several of the songs that were on our previous samplers (remixed by local DJs), and we're planning a crazy big festival for the spring. So be on the lookout, get excited for the next release this November, and support the scene and come out for NOIR Fest and all the shows in between. Yeah brah.

A special thanks to Sweet Tea Firefly Vodka, Maple Street Book Shop and Skullyz Recordz for supporting this next sampler.

In case you haven't heard ...

Sad news for the Louisiana music scene. The Peekers broke up.

Nothing more to be said. Tear.

You Like Fleet Foxes?

Fleet Foxes was kind enough to allow some free downloads of a show they did where they covered Bob Dylan, Neutral Milk Hotel, B.B. King, Magnetic Fields, AND Fleetwood Mac. Eat it up HERE.

Blue Party goes to America.

The guys at Blue Party wanted to share a little sneak peak of what their tour adventures have been like. Check out the silliness and send your out-of-state friends to their shows.

August 19 - Vino's - Little Rock, AR

August 20 - Pat's Blue Ribbon - Manhattan, KS

August 21 - Mike's Tavern - Kansas City, MO (w/ The Roadside Graves)

August 22 - House Party - Manhattan, KS

August 25 - Phyllis' Musical Inn - Chicago, IL

August 26 - House Party (911 N 14th street) - Milwaukee, WI

August 27 - House Party - Decorah, IA

August 28 - House Party - Kirksville, MO

August 29 - Highway 61 Roadhouse - Webster Groves, MO (St. Louis)

Saturday Night | August 16

Bowerbirds with Megafaun AND the local Loren Murrell at One Eyed Jacks, Saturday August 15th.

Really great line-up! Don't miss this show. I know Mark and I will definitely be there and are reading Aquarium Drunkard's blog for free tix!

CYHSY's ALec Ounsworth's Solo Work

Clap Your Hand Say Yeah's front man has apparently been quite busy, but not putting out a new album with his full band. Instead, according to Pitchfork.com he has recorded two solo records, one under his own name and one under the name Flashy Python. The Flashy Python record Skin and Bones is currently available through his website in vinyl, cd and digital format. Listen to the whole thing below.

Skin and Bones:

01 Let Us Hallucinate Together
02 The Lady Is a Ghost
03 Ichiban Blues
04 Skin and Bones
05 Obscene Queen Bee
06 In the Darkness
07 Cattle's New Clothes
08 Avalon's Snake Breath

Why?'s Yoni Wolf performs Solo for The Bay Bridged

Here at the collective, I know at least Rachel and I are in absolute love with the band Why?. Well today, I stumbled upon a great set of recordings that Yoni Wolf of Why? did for the the San Francisco area Indie Rock website The Bay Bridged.

Check it out HERE.

There are 4 tracks. One is a pavement cover, two are off Why's forthcoming release "Eskimo Snow."

All 4 tracks are streamed on the site, as well as available for download.

Oh What A Weekend!

Great shows for the weekend. If you really dig the New Orleans indie scene, show your face!

Thursday night @ Blue Nile UPSTAIRS

The Blue Party is taking their house party to the stage. Catch them now before they head on their second summer tour through the mid-west. Big Rock Candy Mountain will also be playing, don't miss their dancy bang-bang vibe. These local bands are also sharing the stage with nationally touring band, Roadside Graves, who is signed to the Aquarium Drunkard label.

Friday night @ Blue Nile
Hold your excitement and don't miss your chance to see MyNameIsJohnMichael in the main room downstairs at Blue Nile. One of NOLA's favorite bands and full of some of the music scene's favorite people. Also joining the MyNameIs crew is PUMPKIN, and guests from the land of Georgia peaches THE MODERN SOCIETY.

Friday night @ One Eyed Jacks

Octopus Project and A Living Soundtrack! Octopus Project comes to NOLA by way of Austin. It will surely make for an ambient & experimental night.

Saturday night @ Hi - Ho Lounge

Catch the Generationals hot off their tour. Literally. In the past two months they've been all over the mid-west and west coast and will be driving in for this special show at Hi-Ho. They will be sharing the stage with Floating Action, another band of the Park the Van label. Check it!

And get there early to catch some local DJ action with DJ Matty & Savannah.

Saturday night @ Dragon's Den

NOLA welcomes The Littlest Viking by way of California. Check out their experimental-instrumental vibe.

Kevin Spacey!

Word on the street is that last night, Loren Murrell and Micah McKee from Silent Cinema put on a crazy good show for Kevin Spacey at The Saint last night..........

Kevin Spacey hanging with the New Orleans hipsters? cool.

Follow Kevin Spacey on Twitter @kevinspacey

TODAY Silent Cinema on WTUL

In anticipation of the stellar show tonight at One Eyed Jacks, Silent Cinema will be on WTUL at 2pm for a short interview and to play an acoustic set. Tune-in to get a taste of tonight's show as well as to listen to Silent Cinema's thoughts on the NOLA music scene.......... etc.

Tune in online or check your radio at 91.5

TONIGHT's show reminder:

One Eyed Jacks | Doors 9pm | $5 | 18+

Silent Cinema + The White Bitch + Felix

Friday | June 26 | One Eyed Jacks

Look for this triple threat of indie rockness Friday, June 26 at One Eyed Jacks.

Silent Cinema

"They continue to produce an atmospheric wall of sound that is reminiscent of the Canadian indie supergroup Broken Social Scene. Displaying a variety of influences and genres, their wild, sprawling song structures suggest a controlled recklessness kept together by the consistent playing of each band member. Silent Cinema proves itself as New Orleans' next up-and-coming/already here band." - Where Y'at

The White Bitch

“It’s hard to imagine what a collaboration between Prince, Jeff Buckely, and Shudder To Think would sound like, but then again, maybe you’ve never heard of The White Bitch” – Where Y’at

Felix
Felix formed in January 2008 when Blind Texas Marlin (solo folk/country project) and classical/jazz pianist Fabrizio Felipe Furtado III met and started playing together. The duo became even weirder when Big Toe, a punk-rock drummer, was added into the mix. Felix just came home from touring literally every part of the country but still claims that "New Orleans is better than the rest of the country put together". - Resources: antigravity and MySpace

Can't wait for Friday and to see you all there.
Friday June 26 | One Eyed Jacks | 9pm | 18+ | $5
Also! Be sure to listen to WTUL on Friday, June 26 for a special acoustic set and interview with one of the bands. We'll keep you posted....

The Peekers, Facts

Park the Van Showcase TONIGHT!
9pm @ Marigny Theatre
(2240 St. Claude, across from Hi-Ho)

Now a little information on one of the highlighted bands of the evening, The Peekers...

The Peekers are one of our favorite Louisiana bands, and we can't wait to see them play this Friday. Let's get to know them better.

The Peekers:

1. The Peekers met at show for the Teeth in Shreveport, the Teeth were the 2nd Park the Van band signed, we found out about them thanks to Dr. Dog.

2. The Peekers were introduced to us by a text message from Shai of the Capitol Years, another Park the Van band we found out about from the Teeth. The text said "I found your next band". Shai was right.

3. The Peekers partied with Chloe Sevigny one night in Shreveport. True story.

Generationals, Facts

In preparation for The Park The Van Showcase coming up this Friday @ the Marigny Theatre, here is another quick fact check about one of the great bands playing.

Generationals:

1. Grant Widmer and Ted Joyner are the front-men for Generationals. Grant + Ted = GRANTED? 
2. Generationals are our first New Orleans band. A long time coming for a label that started in New Orleans 5 years ago!

3. The debut record from Generationals (Con Law), due out in July,is being praised from coast to coast. The band has already been invited to play two major music events this fall, Monolith Festival at Red Rock Colorado, and Voodoo Music Experience right here in New Orleans.

Check them out on the web:

Official Site

Myspace

Bandcamp

Your chance ....

For a chance for a free pair of tickets to the JUNE 12 Park the Van showcase, answer this question. (Best answer wins)

Why is arts and music important to retaining the creative class in NOLA?

- shout out to @Launchpadnola

Leave comments here, on the super cool Facebook Event, or on twitter @NOIRC

Thanks Grassrootsy!

NOIRC friendship shout out from Grassrootsy.

Robots ARE Mean.

"On their first compilation, Rock Beats Paper, the New Orleans Indie Rock Collective showed that there was more bounding around the streets of the Crescent City than the sounds of brass and funk. This time around, the organization reaches further into the burgeoning Big Easy indie scene to uncover the bands that are steadily shaking up its musical landscape. Like its predecessor, Robots Are Meanfeatures two songs from each of the acts showcased at the NOIRC’s most recent festival. While appreciably less vibrant than Rock, Robots are Mean is assuredly more brazen, giving it an edgier, less refined subtext." - Offbeat