A couple of years ago we saw TV On The Radio play a show in Berlin. Celebration were set to open but because the axles fell off their van (how does that happen?) on the way into town, singer/guitarist Kyp Malone took it upon himself to play a quick solo set in their stead. It was pretty good! Anti- Records announced this morning that the wooliest member of 2008’s most beloved art-rockers is set to release a new full-length as Rain Machine, a pseudonym Malone settled on after he realized he didn’t “like how ‘Kyp Malone’ looked on mock ups of t-shirts and fliers.” Sonic details are scant at the moment but press release descriptors like “passionate,” “emotionally raw,” and “experimental” are being carefully applied. Malone’s take is best:
“Buying and listening to this album will be more than just pleasurable, more than just horizon expanding. This record will bring the listener to a higher level of consciousness, that peace and happiness are attainable through bathing in its sounds…LOL!!! Really though, I had a great time making this record and I hope listeners enjoy it.”
Conan played these clips of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog at Bonnaroo on The Tonight Show last night, and we have to say that the endings of both parts (pt 2 after the jump) are troubling in very different ways.
Miles B.A. Robinson, who last year released his excellent if overlooked self-titled LP, recently moved to Portland from Brooklyn (a trend we’ve been noticing lately) to either clear his mind or muddy it further. His follow-up album, produced by TV on the Radio’s Kyp Malone, is supposedly still coming out soon and will presumably increase his popularity among fans of his friends’ band Grizzly Bear, but since we have heard zero songs from that record, we’ll settle for a pair of songs he recorded in the UK recently while there playing the Stag & Dagger festival. One is a Thin Lizzy cover, the other is the never before heard “Gold and Grey.” Both are available here along with an extensive interview.
The 2nd annual Roots Picnic took place in Philadelphia, PA this past Saturday, June 6th. The day long festival was curated by The Roots included performances by Santigold, Kid Cudi, TV On The Radio, Public Enemy, and two sets from The Roots themselves.
Santigold pretty much stole the show with her new live band and a special guest spot from Philly hometown hero Spank Rock. The band behind her provided the live show with that extra spark she’s been missing on stage. She’s decided to hold onto her two fly-girl, both of whom who are still really dope. Good move.
Kid Cudi brought a lot of energy to the seriously inferior side tent. It felt like a high school gym with a stage set-up on low risers. Cudi fought threw the loud sound coming from The Black Keys playing on the main stage to gain control of the mostly under-age crowd. People were singing along and bouncing around as Cudi’s charismatic stage presence took hold.
Public Enemy killed it with Antibalas and The Roots backing them up for a complete live rendition of their 1988 album It Takes A Nation Of Millions… As seemingly nutty and (wh)acked out as Flava Flav has become, he still destroys it onstage with great energy. Combined with the consistent militaristic tone of Chuck D (and Black Thought on most songs), the album got solid treatment.
TV On The Radio brought the night to a close for me. They played a beautiful, simple set mixing oldies such as “Staring At The Sun” with new crowd favorites off of Dear Science.
It was a well-organized event in a beautiful setting right on the water with a real sense of Illadelph pride and community. As concert organizers work out some kinks it should become a summer-staple a few weeks after Coachella and a few before Bonnaroo.
In his opening column, Michael Cranston — the IM Solipsist — voices meta-concerns of how to be interesting in a market already grossly oversaturated in blogs and opinions to Tripwire Editor Derek Evers.
Featuring music from: North American Halloween Prevention Initiative, Maserati, North Atlantic Oscillation, Yeasayer, Deluka, Division Day, Logan Lynn, Donkeyboy, Chromeo, Woolfy, Neon Indian, Vampire Weekend, The Yearbooks, Fanfarlo, Frightened Rabbit, Middle Distance Runner, Headlights, The Very Foundation, Bloc Party, The Soft Pack, Wolfmother, A Mountain Of One, Field Music, and Yo Majesty
