SIDE NOTES: Dropkick Murphys + Bruce Springsteen EP
Listen up, because this is great music for a great cause. Boston’s own Dropkick Murphys collaborated with living legend Bruce Springsteen to produce an EP that will raise money for the city as it recovers from last month’s bombings. Rose Tattoo: For Boston Charity is a three song EP that includes live acoustic versions of ‘Don’t Tear Us Apart’ and ‘Jimmy Collins’s Wake,’ along with a rerecording of ‘Rose Tattoo’ featuring Springsteen. This EP is the continuation of a vigilant commitment from the Dropkick Murphys to restore stability in Boston. It is only $1.29 on iTunes and all of the proceeds go to their non-profit, which was created to aid survivors from the attack. Let’s do our part and help support this commendable effort!
-Emily Hirsch
VOTD: Gary Clark Jr. - ‘Numb’
Get ready for the coolest heartbreak you’ll ever witness. Gary Clark Jr. does his best Man In Black, all modern and resplendent in hipster glasses and a beanie, but telling a tale as old as time – the Cadillac-driving bluesman who can’t pay his bills paired with the woman he’s afraid he’ll lose. The music is so raw you might feel like you’re actually intruding upon something, but as proven by the end of the video (and this whole album), the only relationship that really matters is Gary and his guitar.
-Kelsey Butterworth
NEW TRACKS: Eleanor Friedberger - ‘She’s A Mirror’
You either relate to Eleanor Friedberger pretty completely or you don’t get her at all. You either appreciate narrative in song or you just want to dance. You either dig horn section breakdowns or they remind you of crying babies in movie theaters. You either love the control in her voice or, well, you just don’t, and probably think it comes off pretentious.
Well file me into the first group. AND I’m all about the nuances in her presentation as well. In this song, “She’s a Mirror,” off her soon to be released album, Personal Record, there is barely any indication of perspective. I love nothing more then not knowing exactly what to think of her lyrics. They’re so well put together that they make you guess and question not only the song but also yourself. Talk about being reflective.
-Ian Signore
Performing live at U Street Music Hall on June 27th.
![INTERVIEW: The Hush Sound
Ahead of their co-headline with Hockey this Friday at U Street Music Hall, the lovely voice and piano behind The Hush Sound’s lush indie-pop, Greta Salpeter, took some time to answer our questions about their hiatus, new tour, and their new album.
[9:30] Was it difficult getting back into the Hush Sound groove after the hiatus?
[Greta] Not at all. There’s a very natural brother / sister relationship that comes back into play immediately when we all enter a room together. it just felt like we had all been away at college and were coming home for a holiday.
[9:30] What are you most looking forward to about touring and writing together again?
[Greta] Being able to enjoy the experience with a clear head. When we were experiencing our greatest success as an act happened to be a time when the four of us were each mentally / emotionally / physically drained and we were all dealing with some personal issues which kept us from enjoying the touring, writing, and recording. It’s great that our fans are still packing these clubs and that we can actually have fun playing our songs.
[9:30] How does the new record compare to So Sudden, Like Vines, and Goodbye Blues? Has your sound changed at all?
[Greta] The new songs released on our “45” 7 inch vinyl are the most natural presentation of our band in my mind. We arranged the songs in a fun and spontaneous way, recorded them live all in the room together, and didn’t over think it or polish them until there was nothing left, as I feel we had done in the past.
[9:30] Do you think your solo work has influenced the new album in any way?
[Greta] Absolutely.
[9:30] How do you choose album artwork?
[Greta] Generally, one of our extremely talented significant others will pitch us artwork before we even ask. We feel lucky to keep our partnerships all in the family. We work on records, graphic design, videos, web design, etc. pretty much exclusively with friends.
[9:30] What are your favorite songs to play live?
[Greta] Mine on this tour is “Stranger” . Also “Echo” is great because the crowd reacts very strongly to it.
[9:30] I think I speak for every THS fan when I say that I’m really excited to hear your new stuff. If you had a message to your fans who are super pumped that y’all are back together, what would it be?
[Greta] WE ARE JUST AS EXCITED AS YOU ARE!! Come to a show and let’s all jump up and down together.
[9:30] And finally, if you could change places with any other artist for a day, dead OR alive, who would it be?
[Greta] Oh god, there are so many.
I would love to dance like Martha Graham, ponder like Alan Watts, play piano like Billy Preston, write like Joan Didion, sing like Bobby Gentry, write songs like John Lennon. Depending on the day, it would be any of those people.
Performing live at U Street Music Hall THIS Friday.
-Kelsey Butterworth](http://24.media.tumblr.com/80a90a599a6aebbe1e5e4418f41ab7d7/tumblr_mmt6bmXD541qec814o1_500.jpg)
INTERVIEW: The Hush Sound
Ahead of their co-headline with Hockey this Friday at U Street Music Hall, the lovely voice and piano behind The Hush Sound’s lush indie-pop, Greta Salpeter, took some time to answer our questions about their hiatus, new tour, and their new album.
[9:30] Was it difficult getting back into the Hush Sound groove after the hiatus?
[Greta] Not at all. There’s a very natural brother / sister relationship that comes back into play immediately when we all enter a room together. it just felt like we had all been away at college and were coming home for a holiday.
[9:30] What are you most looking forward to about touring and writing together again?
[Greta] Being able to enjoy the experience with a clear head. When we were experiencing our greatest success as an act happened to be a time when the four of us were each mentally / emotionally / physically drained and we were all dealing with some personal issues which kept us from enjoying the touring, writing, and recording. It’s great that our fans are still packing these clubs and that we can actually have fun playing our songs.
[9:30] How does the new record compare to So Sudden, Like Vines, and Goodbye Blues? Has your sound changed at all?
[Greta] The new songs released on our “45” 7 inch vinyl are the most natural presentation of our band in my mind. We arranged the songs in a fun and spontaneous way, recorded them live all in the room together, and didn’t over think it or polish them until there was nothing left, as I feel we had done in the past.
[9:30] Do you think your solo work has influenced the new album in any way?
[Greta] Absolutely.
[9:30] How do you choose album artwork?
[Greta] Generally, one of our extremely talented significant others will pitch us artwork before we even ask. We feel lucky to keep our partnerships all in the family. We work on records, graphic design, videos, web design, etc. pretty much exclusively with friends.
[9:30] What are your favorite songs to play live?
[Greta] Mine on this tour is “Stranger” . Also “Echo” is great because the crowd reacts very strongly to it.
[9:30] I think I speak for every THS fan when I say that I’m really excited to hear your new stuff. If you had a message to your fans who are super pumped that y’all are back together, what would it be?
[Greta] WE ARE JUST AS EXCITED AS YOU ARE!! Come to a show and let’s all jump up and down together.
[9:30] And finally, if you could change places with any other artist for a day, dead OR alive, who would it be?
[Greta] Oh god, there are so many.
I would love to dance like Martha Graham, ponder like Alan Watts, play piano like Billy Preston, write like Joan Didion, sing like Bobby Gentry, write songs like John Lennon. Depending on the day, it would be any of those people.
Performing live at U Street Music Hall THIS Friday.
-Kelsey Butterworth
SHOW STYLE: Sweetlife Festival @ Merriweather
Apparently this fine lineup had the DMV bringing their style A-game. Take a look through and see some of our favorite stylish passersby.
NEW TRACKS: Hockey - ‘Wild Style’
Indie band Hockey seamlessly blends a variety of musical influences into a whirlwind of rock, electronica, new wave and hints of reggae in their new track “Wild Style.” Lead singer Ben Wyeth has a lazy drawl that floats along the song’s easy melody, murmuring the chorus “You got that wild style.”
It’s a change from the genre-bending last album, 2009’s soulful Mind Chaos. The latest release, Wyeth IS is out now, taking new and old fans on an experimental journey. Catch the band at U Street Music Hall on May 17, with co-headliner, The Hush Sound!
-Yohana Desta
VOTD: Wampire - ‘Orchards’
The slow drumbeat and church organs introduce us to Wampire and the road trip they’re on. Having just released their debut album, Curiosity, it’s no wonder that they’re on an exploration in this video for single, “Orchards.” Whistles and drab harmonizations elevate us through purple smoke until the demons within come out. Luckily, with enough laughter and good times, we can all learn to deal.
Hailing from Portland and recently signed to Polyvinyl Records (of Montreal, STRFKR, Deerhoof, Japandroids), they have a long road ahead of them and a lot to prove. “It’s so fun to be so goddamn young / but it wont last forever.” Ahhh! Loosen your bolo tie dude! It’s all good! And where the hell did y’all get that sweet ride? Wampire is definitely blazing a proper path.
-Ian Signore
