Go On, Say It...

Blind Pilot is a great band. I had the opportunity to see them live earlier this month when they played in Ann Arbor. I had their single "Go On, Say It" from a sampler CD, and I really liked it, and since I was volunteering at the venue, I didn't have to buy a ticket so I couldn't possibly lose in this situation...free live music, can't get much better than that. And I can honestly say I was not disappointed at all. Blind Pilot put on a great show. Their music is kinda low key, but apparently they've got some more upbeat songs up their sleeve that they just haven't released yet (see "We Are the Tide"). I was so impressed that I bought their CD, 3 Rounds and a Sound, from the merch table and it's seriously been playing non-stop since. Favorites include "The Bitter End," "Oviedo," and "One Red Thread," but all the tracks are pretty solid.

They do cool things too, like do bike tours down the west coast. Badass. You should buy their album and see them when they play in your area.






Bitter End
We Are The Tide
Go On, Say It

I'm making it back!

Holy wow. I was completely unprepared for how much damn time grad school was going to take up. To the people who are still awesome and sending me music to check out, thank you!! I really promise I'm not ignoring you, it's just that classes like Principles of Chemical Hazards and Biostats have completely taken over my life....sigh...

BUT I've decided in order to keep my sanity I need music breaks. It's amazing how much better I feel after spending an hour or so poking around online for music and/or strumming out some tunes on my guitar. So, I'm bringing the blog back. I have to find some better file hosting sites, but be on the lookout for some new posts in the very near future. I've gotten to go to some pretty awesome shows in the last month and have some good ones coming up so I've got lots to say! In the meantime check out the new video from one of my absolute FAVORITE groups of the last few months, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros....If you haven't purchased their album, DO IT NOW! Seriously. It's def one of my faves of the past year.

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros "KISSES OVER BABYLON" from Edward Sharpe on Vimeo.

Monsters on Conan

I'm still obsessively listening to the Monsters of Folk album that came out yesterday, so no review just yet. BUT the guys were on The Tonight Show last night. And judging by what I've heard on the album so far and by watching their performance, I'm going to try my damnedest to catch one of their live shows. Check it out:


This video and song is pretty awesome too. Go buy their album now.

RIP Mary Travers

Mary Travers died earlier this week from complications from chemotherapy. I'm not exactly sure why, but her death has completely taken me out of commission. Of all the "celebrity" deaths this year, I find myself the most sad over her passing. And I can't exactly place why that is. I didn't grow up in the 60s, I was definitely not a part of the emerging folk scene, wasn't alive during the civil rights movement, yet I am totally shaken by her death.

Peter Paul & Mary had the best harmonies of any folk group, period. They sang songs (mostly) about justice and civil rights. Even though I wasn't alive during their hay-day, I still grew up on their music. Their music is comfort music to me. I remember my mom singing their songs to me when I was little. I visibly remember singing along to their take on Tom Paxton's "Marvelous Toy" when I was 5. As I grew older and started exploring music on my own, I dove head first into the old folk my mom was so into. And I always came back to PP&M, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan.

Mary had such a powerful and beautiful voice that was completely complimented my Peter Yarrow and Noel "Paul" Stookey. Their take on Dylan's songs "Blowing in the Wind" and "Don't Think Twice it's Alright," Seeger's "If I had a Hammer," and Lightfoot's "Early Morning Rain" are mesmerizing. My attempt to surprise my mom with tickets to see all three of them live fell through, and I totally and completely regret not making it happen.

Travers stood up for those whose voice couldn't be heard. She was graceful and honest in her fight against the leukemia that eventually took her life. I keep watching Peter, Paul & Mary's performance in Washington in 1971 at the big protest against the Vietnam War, and I wonder why that's not being done now for Iraq and Afghanistan. The Untied States lost a true fighter for peace and justice. I can only hope that someone from my generation picks up the slack.

RIP Mary. You will be missed.
Early Morning Rain - Peter, Paul & Mary (boxstr)

Kanye's lame. Listen to Wale instead

I'm sure by now everyone is aware of Kanye's great dislplay of douchebaggery at the VMAs the other night. I was unaware there was still an awards show on MTV for music videos. I don't think I've seen a music video on that channel in YEARS. But that's besides the point. Point is Kanye is a giant douche. True his first couple albums were genius. But ever since he stuck his head up his ass a few years ago, lets be frank, he sucks. He sucks long and he sucks hard.

So, if you're looking for a hype mc, just listen to Wale. I've plugged for him many times here at Candy for your Ears, but he is definitely more worthy of a listen than Kanye. Wale has four pretty freaking awesome mixtapes under his belt (if you still haven't gotten "Back to the Feature" go here to download it now) and is releasing a full length album soon. Check out his myspace for updates and keep an ear out for that debut album because it's gonna be hot.
My Sweety (boxstr)

A.A. Bondy release tomorrow!

Is anyone else kind of excited for A.A. Bondy's album, When The Devil's Loose, being released tomorrow? If you're not excited, you should probably check out his music. I posted about him last month, but came across another one of his songs from the new album so I had to share it with y'all.

He's headlining a bunch of shows in September before heading off to Europe to tour with The Felice Brothers, and then he's back in the States in November to tour with Elvis Perkins in Dearland. Head over to Mr. Bondy's myspace to see if he's playing near you and check out the new album when it drops tomorrow!
I Can See The Pines Are Dancing (boxstr)

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's live @ Daytrotter

So my most recent favorite band, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, stopped by the Daytrotter studio recently to play a few songs. I love it! If you are ANYWHERE near one of their shows, please for my sake go!! It sounds on these recordings like they kind of mellowed out a bit from other live recordings I've heard (especially on "40 Day Dream") but they still sound great! Daytrotter is giving away the songs from the session for FREE, so go check them out!
Up From Below (Daytrotter Session) (boxstr)