Top Five Bonnaroo Activities: #3 – People Watching

There are between 50 and 80 thousand people on the farm during a Bonnaroo weekend.  If you didn’t know… That’s a shitload of people!  As the lineup has transformed over the years, so have the people who attend.  Bonnaroo has become a very diverse group of people over the four years that we’ve been attending.  The festival has strayed from its purely hippie and jam band roots, and moved towards an all-encompassing groovefest.

If there’s one thing for certain… Manchester, TN changes to one of the largest “cities” in Tennessee during Bonnaroo weekend.  With the changes in music, you not only have the hippies and the wookies, but you also have the scenesters, the indie kids, “fratboys,” and even some metalheads (GWAR!!!).   Some dig the changes and some don’t.  But then again, you have the choice.  Either you go, or you don’t.  Problem easily solved.

While at Roo, you’ll see some crazy shit.  Many people lose (or find) themselves.  Even more people just get lost in the virtual undulating sea of the Roo life.  For the most part, the people are good.  Some people are just there to take advantage or rip off the discombobulated.  (Yeah, I just used that word.)  You’ve gotta watch your ass a lot of the time while you’re there, but that will happen anywhere.  No matter what, you’re going to see things that you’ll see no where else in the world.

Keep an open mind, and your senses will quickly be overcome by the diversity of Bonnaroo’s people and culture.

- Train

Related articles:

• FREE ALBUM! SPIN’s Picks for Bonnaroo 2010 (spin.com)
• Ben & Jerry’s Launches New Flavor: Bonnaroo Buzz (shoppingblog.com)

Bonnaroo Top 5 Activities: #4 – Shakedown Street

Hippies rejoice!  You can find all the wares you need (and would never need) on “Shakedown Street.”  According to Wikipedia, Shakedown Street is defined as: “In the Deadhead community, and other likeminded musical scenes, an interesting tailgating culture has evolved. More than just a party for fans, it is a way for the faithful to sell wares which in turn fund their tickets and gas to the next concert in order to spend weeks, months, or even entire tours on the road. Along with the more traditional fare, there is a large selection of vegetarian food such as egg rolls, burritos, pizza, and falafel. Certain illicit foods like hash brownies and “ganja gooballs” are also often found among the foods in the parking lots. Other products available for the tailgaters include handmade jewelery, bumper stickers, t-shirts, or certain types of paraphernalia.”  Yeah.  That’s it in a nutshell.

There’s a main Shakedown as you make your way into Centeroo by the arch.  As you walk through this bustling center of free enterprise and opportunism at its finest, you’ll be surrounded by tons of interesting sights, sounds, and smells… Some good, some bad, and some that are downright repulsive.  Drum circles, tons of music (sometimes live), squishy ground, big slices of pizza, rings, hats, artfully created glass, and an myriad of wares are available for your sampling.  (Excelsior highly suggests that you sample each locations local wares!)  Rumor has it that there are other areas on the farm which have their own independent Shakedowns, but they’ve been known to move from year to year.

Do yourself a favor, and remember that Bonnaroo isn’t just a music festival.  It’s a music AND arts festival.  Go check out the many booths around the farm, and bring yourself home a few souvenirs!

A final tip:  If you really want to save a shitload on any purchases you make, hold off either until the last night of the festival, or the day you drive out.  You won’t believe how much money you’ll be able to save, since many vendors are desperately trying to unload as much product as possible!

Keep an eye out for King B and The Train, as we always hit up Shakedown several times during the festival!

- Moe

Nas & Damian Marley – Distant Relatives (B – 6.4/10 M – 8.1/10)

You can easily acknowledge the underlying themes: roots, unity, African pride, championing tomorrow’s leaders, etc. (topics they certainly don’t beat around that bush about).  I don’t doubt that the duo are very passionate about the subject matter. Unfortunately, my impression is that Distant Relatives was recorded with only those common interests in mind, without taking into serious consideration how the two artistic styles would mesh.

Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley – Distant Relatives (6.4 out of 10)

Maybe my expectations were too high; I mean, Damian Marley, spawn of my favorite musician ever (Robert Nesta Marley), and Nas, tied for my favorite rapper ever (big ups to Biggie Smalls).  What’s not to get excited about?!  I’ve already seen the duo live and I thought the show was great.  Something gets lost in translation on the album though.  You can easily acknowledge the underlying themes: roots, unity, African pride, championing tomorrow’s leaders, etc. (topics they certainly don’t beat around that bush about).  I don’t doubt that the duo are very passionate about the subject matter. Unfortunately, my impression is that Distant Relatives was recorded with only those common interests in mind, without taking into serious consideration how the two artistic styles would mesh.  Frankly, it all just sounds a little contrived.  And, while I do feel like Nas is (glaringly) the more talented of the two, neither artist can solely take the blame for the lack of cohesion in the album, because, in their own individual way, they both show up.  Frequently, the two simply don’t fit together within the confines of the songs (when Nas starts rapping over the top of some of the pure reggae tracks, it just sounds, for lack of a better word, silly).

– B.

Second Opinion -  Sorry King B.  I’ve gotta disagree on a few points.  I didn’t get to check out the Nas/Marley set at Rothbury, but I heard good things.  I’m also not the biggest hip hop head in the world, but Nas is the man.  Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock was a killer album, so I also had high hopes for Distant Relatives.

The vibe isn’t overly reggae, nor is too hip hop driven.  The Afrocentric album is in your face, and it works for the most part.  The pair trades off vocally in a primarily seamless fashion, though some tracks seem a bit off.  The use of Stephen Marley’s smooth delivery is an excellent (and IMO, underused) compliment to the album.  There are a few spots where the lyrics are kinda half-assed.  You’ll know it when you hear it.

As a whole, I’ve really enjoyed Distant Relatives.  Albeit a few lyrical cringes, I’ve been rockin’ this album out a lot since we got our hands on it.  I have a feeling that the crowds will be flocking to their sets, especially since people can be more familiar with their music through the album.

(8.1 out of 10)

- The Train

Related articles:

• Q&A: Nas and Damian Marley on Distant Relatives (arts.nationalpost.com)
• Singer Kelis and rapper Nas finalize divorce in LA (pbpulse.com)

Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid (8.7/10)

The ArchAndroid is certainly an avant-garde, rhythm and blues fusion of many of those musical perceptions.  But don’t read into that incorrectly, Monae is an unapologetic capital-O-riginal.

Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid (8.7/10)

I’d love to be a fly on the wall of Janelle’s abode.  Among other things, I bet I’d get to hear a diverse and eclectic variety of music: Etta James, Outkast, Keith Jarrett, Gnarls Barkley, Jackson 5, Lauryn Hill, The Mamas and the Papas, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, et al.  Her album, The ArchAndroid, is certainly an avant-garde, rhythm and blues fusion of many of those musical perceptions.  But don’t read into that incorrectly, Monae is an unapologetic capital-O-riginal.  To grow up as a Kansas City-born daughter to a drug-addicted father, an aspiring African American drama student living in Missouri, who moves to New York and then Atlanta to pursue her acting dreams and ultimately ends up collaborating with Outkast before moving back to NYC to pen a record deal with Diddy at Bad Boy/Atlantic, all before the age of 23; you must be some kind of paradigm.  Personally, I’m thrilled that she decided to go the singing route, because I find her musical vision both soulful and enjoyably quirky. You just cannot refute how refreshing it is to hear an upstart artist who is authentic, rolls with a true set of pipes, and completely owns it.

– B.

Related articles:

• WATCH: Big Boi Guests on New Janelle Monae Clip (spin.com)
• Watch: Janelle Monae Gives Amazing Performance of Tightrope on Letterman (beatcrave.com)
• VIDEO: Janelle Monae Kills It On “Letterman” (hellobeautiful.com)

Who Is This Guy And Why Is He Offering Me Cologne?!

One of my biggest pet peeves ever is the useless profession of the mens bathroom attendant.  The position is not only pointless but also a direct insult to my intelligence.  I therefore will never tip a restroom attendant.  For years and years (decades even), I have gotten along just fine using the restroom, assistance-free.  Nothing urks me more than

having a feeling of guilt associated with me washing my hands (because I didn’t tip some complete stranger who’s been sitting on a stool next to the shitters all day and saved me from reaching an extra ten inches to dry my hands).  Plus, I already know where everything is: the stalls, toilet, TP, urinals, sink, towels/air-dryers, the door, etc.; it ain’t that difficult.  (I’m a big boy and I handle this little respite from my dinner all on my own, thank you.  I did not solicit you for assistance, sir!)

Have you ever walked into a restroom and you’re the only person in there with the attendant?  It is probably one of the most uncomfortable situations one can imagine; the uncomfortable greeting/forced conversation/awkward fair-thee-wells, him listening to the strength of your stream, and, god forbid, if you have to take a dump, you feel like Tom Arnold and Austin Powers, except you’re the only one dropping logs and he’s gotta sit there and accept that reality (“C’mon buddy, now bite your lip and give it hell!”).

Please, let’s just do away with that guy,  job recession or not.  Have him sell the gum and cologne just outside the door or something.  Just get his fresh-cloth peddling, mouthwash pushing, bell-hop-disguised ass out of the fuckin water closet so I can check my hair out in peace and quiet.

B.

Related articles:

• Pro Tips for Greening Commercial Restrooms (cleantechies.com)
• A call to arms: Reboot the public bathroom (crunchgear.com)
• Potty Parity Finally!! (dvorak.org)
• High-Tech Toilets: Amazing Bathrooms From The Future (PHOTOS) (huffingtonpost.com)

MTT Remembers Paul Gray (#2, The Pig) of Slipknot (R.I.P.)

We had the opportunity (and pleasure) to be in the photo pit during Slipknot’s Mayhem Festival stop in Camden, NJ.  Not only was it the first and only time we’d ever seen Slipknot, but was also hands down one of the most insane concert experiences ever.  We’d already been spit on my Marilyn Manson, shredded to death by Dragonforce, but Slipknot took the overall trophy that day.

Paul Gray, the bassist of Slipknot, was found dead on May 24, 2010 in his Iowa hotel room.  Known as #2 or The Pig, Gray made a huge impact on the rock world through Slipknot’s musical contributions.  #2′s death follows very closely after the passing of Ronnie James Dio and Peter Steel of Type-O Negative.  People always say that things happen in threes…

We had the opportunity (and pleasure) to be in the photo pit during Slipknot’s Mayhem Festival stop in Camden, NJ.  Not only was it the first and only time we’d ever seen Slipknot, but was also hands down one of the most insane concert experiences ever.  We’d already been spit on my Marilyn Manson, shredded to death by Dragonforce, but Slipknot took the overall trophy that day.

The first thing that came into my mind as the curtains opened was, “what the fuck is going on?!”  Weird creatures crawling all over the stage, hydraulic lift drums, and mass insanity.  The music was brutally tight, and we were quite lucky to be in the safety of the photo pit… That was till they sent one of their goons running through the photo pit to break up the piece.  (I took a serious gut shot from a guy that must have been 6’7 350 lbs!  I didn’t care.  Sometimes I miss being in the pit!)

It was easy to suspend reality during their set as the music with the visuals seamlessly fused in musical madness.  We were literally leaning on the stage.  Corey Taylor kept spitting loogs all over the photographers (thankfully, I avoided it), and all the band members were in our face.  We had an extremely close view of very well calculated theatrics.  However, I can’t help but to think that those who were back in the crowd got the full sense of what transpired that night, not those in the guarded photo pit.

After our time was up in the photo pit, I quickly rushed to the other side of the pit and got into where the real maggots were crawling.  I didn’t know the history of the band, nor the words to any of their songs, but damn, they were bad ass.  It’s this lasting image that I have of #2.  Paul Gray was doing what he loved, to the people that loved him and his music.

His legacy lives in the music and all of the people he touched.

R.I.P. #2.

– Moe

Villagers’ Debut Album Available for Streaming

Starting on June 1, NPR.org will stream Villagers’ anticipated Domino Records debut ‘Becoming A Jackal’ for one week, leading to the album’s US release on June 8. Overseas, the album is already earning rave reviews: The Telegraph UK gave the album 5 stars, stating “with his gorgeous debut, [Conor J.] O’Brien joins Damien Rice and Bon Iver as standard bearers for a looser, stranger 21st-century form of singer-songwriting.”Starting on June 1, NPR.org will stream Villagers’ anticipated Domino Records debut ‘Becoming A Jackal’ for one week, leading to the album’s US release on June 8. Overseas, the album is already earning rave reviews: The Telegraph UK gave the album 5 stars, stating “with his gorgeous debut, [Conor J.] O’Brien joins Damien Rice and Bon Iver as standard bearers for a looser, stranger 21st-century form of singer-songwriting.” In a glowing 4-star review, The Irish Times said the LP is “is, and effortlessly so, one of the best Irish albums for many a year.”

O’Brien, who will kick off a solo East Coast tour on June 17, performed a stripped down version of album track “Home” for Yours Tru.ly recently. Watch the video for a taste of what’s to come: http://bit.ly/villagersyt

Yahoo! Music also caught up with O’Brien to film him play album track “Ship of Promises.” Watch it here: http://bit.ly/villagersyahoo

“Becoming A Jackal” MP3: http://bit.ly/cskVDQ
“Becoming A Jackal” music video: http://bit.ly/aA4UY3

Villagers US Dates:
Thu. Jun 17 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Hall
Sat. Jun 19 – Boston, MA @ Armory Cafe
Mon. Jun 21 – Washington, DC @ DC9
Tue. Jun 22 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church (side chapel)
Wed. Jun-23 – New York, NY @ Joe’s Pub

Villagers On The Web:

Starting on June 1, NPR.org will stream Villagers’ anticipated Domino Records debut ‘Becoming A Jackal’ for one week, leading to the album’s US release on June 8. Overseas, the album is already earning rave reviews: The Telegraph UK gave the album 5 stars, stating “with his gorgeous debut, [Conor J.] O’Brien joins Damien Rice and Bon Iver as standard bearers for a looser, stranger 21st-century form of singer-songwriting.”

Related articles:

• Villagers: Becoming a Jackal | CD review (guardian.co.uk)

Lamb of God’s Hourglass Releases Now Available

In anticipation of the June 1st release of the Hourglass anthologies and special packages, LAMB OF GOD and Epic Records are immediately making all of the Hourglass packages available for pre-order in 41 countries through www.lamb-of-god.com.  The band is currently in the midst of a month long tour of Asia and Europe that has already visited India and Turkey, with stops still to be made in Russia, Israel, Greece and other cities in Eastern and Western Europe.  The tour ends June 12th with a main stage appearance at the Download Festival in Donnington, England.

LAMB OF GOD’S HOURGLASS RELEASES NOW AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE

In anticipation of the June 1st release of the Hourglass anthologies and special packages, LAMB OF GOD and Epic Records are immediately making all of the Hourglass packages available for pre-order in 41 countries through www.lamb-of-god.com.  The band is currently in the midst of a month long tour of Asia and Europe that has already visited India and Turkey, with stops still to be made in Russia, Israel, Greece and other cities in Eastern and Western Europe.  The tour ends June 12th with a main stage appearance at the Download Festival in Donnington, England.

The Hourglass packages include:

Hourglass: Vol 1 – The Underground Years

13 of the most choice Lamb of God songs from their early years.  Culled from their first album Burn The Priest, their debut as Lamb of God, New American Gospel, and the album that put them on the map, As The Palaces Burn.

Hourglass: Vol 2 – The Epic Years

13 of the most choice Lamb of God songs from their career on Epic Records to this point.  Both Grammy nominated songs “Redneck” and “Set To Fail” are surrounded by fan favorite anthems and crushing riffs from Ashes Of The Wake to Sacrament to 2009′s #2 debut Wrath.

Hourglass: The 3 CD Anthology

The ultimate Lamb of God retrospective.  44 tracks on 3 CDs.  Vol 1 and 2 join Vol 3 containing 18 rare or never heard before songs.  Included are Japanese issued bonus tracks, multiple rehearsal demos, along side the 8 songs recorded prior to Burn The Priest.

Hourglass: The Vinyl Box Set

All 6 Lamb of God Studio albums for the first time on 180 Gram vinyl in a Linen-wrapped collectors box.  Includes Burn The Priest, New American Gospel, As The Palaces Burn, Ashes of the Wake, Sacrament, and Wrath.

Hourglass: The USB Box Set

All 6 Lamb of God studio albums on individual USB drives in a cigarette box shaped collectors package.  Includes Burn The Priest, New American Gospel, As The Palaces Burn, Ashes of the Wake, Sacrament, and Wrath.

Hourglass: The Deluxe Set

The collectors set including The 3 CD Anthology, The Vinyl Box set, The USB Box Set, and a Linen bound 144 page book of the art of Lamb of God as created by K3n Adams including  designs for tour passes, albums, t-shirts, and his commentary on them.

Hourglass: The Super Deluxe Set

The limited edition definitive collectors set including The 3 CD Anthology, The Vinyl Box Set, The USB set, the Book, a Mark Morton Signature Series Jackson Dominion D2, A 4’x6’ Pure American metal Flag, an Hourglass sticker, and a signed 8×10 in a personalized Lamb of God Coffin Case.

For all things LAMB OF GOD, please visit www.lamb-of-god.com

Related articles:

• Exclusive Premiere: Lamb of God – “In Your Words” Demo Version From the New Hourglass Box Set (metalsucks.net)
• LAMB OF GOD Guitarist Willie Adler – New Video Interview Available (bravewords.com)
• LAMB OF GOD to contribute new track to Iron Man 2 video game (metalinjection.net)

Pretty Lights

What’s up dance fiends?  In this show, we bring to you one of the hottest acts to rock the late night dance scene:  Derek Vincent Smith, otherwise known as Pretty Lights!

Derek has had one hell of a first year hitting the festival circuit, and blew up the crowds at Bonnaroo, Rothbury, Camp Bisco and more.  His live performances along with his drummer Corey are an absolute must see.

Pretty Lights has been releasing free albums (with option to donate) on PrettyLightsMusic.com, so you definitely need to grab yourself some of his albums.  If you need a great soundtrack to drive around to on a beautiful sunny day, Pretty Lights is the way to go!

Be sure to check out the new MoeTrainsTracks.com for an all new Tracks experience…  So we bring to you… The man who moves the feet…  Derek Vincent Smith, from Pretty Lights.

Derek Vincent Smith (Pretty Lights) Interview on Moe Train’s Tracks

Monty Wiradilaga and Brian Kracyla (MTT)

Moe (MTT):  This is your first festival season right?  How’s it treating you?

Derek (Pretty Lights):  I had no idea what to expect coming into it.  I was very excited about it.  And to be honest, I’ve received nothing but love at all, it’s been really cool.  Even fifteen minutes before the show, when the tent’s empty and I’m feeling kinda nervous about if people are going to come check out the set, they’ve never let me down.  Everyone has been really cool, it’s been packed, lots of energy.  People obviously come to festivals to listen to music and dance and get down and I’m glad that I can help them do that.

M:  You guys run an interesting improv angle with your music, you always have an evolving sound.  How do you work to create an evolving musical journey throughout your set?

PL:  That’s a cool question.  A lot of people look at me behind a table and think that I’m a DJ, and to be honest, I’ve never spun a record in my life.  I could probably match beats with records, but I’ve never even tried it.  All the music is original, using original productions I should say.  I’m using software and different devices to trigger different parts and arrange it on the fly and to affect it and manipulate it and play some of the layers live on top, like melodies and samples and stuff like that.  But back to your question, how do I look at it as a set, as a whole, I try to think of it more as how a DJ would as far as tempos.  I really try to bring the energy up and back down smoothly.  Even if it’s a real hype hip-hop speed track, I don’t like to play it after some more up-tempo electric track because it just doesn’t feel right.

M:  Don’t want to burn people out?

PL:  Yeah.  Also I like to produce a lot of different styles of music, of a lot of electronic kind of music, but they also vary in energy a lot.  But rather than just have my live shows be all high energy dance music, I like to bring in some of the more organic down-tempo, more emotional kind of tracks.  It does take some consideration of where to bring that in and where to play it or not to play it.  Honestly, as I play more and more, I’m getting better at being able to do that. Because I never have a set list, the songs have a level of improvisation, but the sets are always improvised as far as the order.  Like last night, these people had grabbed a set list off the stage and I could see people were kinda arguing over it and I went down and said, ‘That’s not even my set list!  That’s the set list for the band that hasn’t played yet.  You better put that back up there, they’re not gonna know what songs to play.’

M:  Well you and Corey worked together in another band before this, so I guess you guys have a good chemistry going.

PL:  Yeah, we worked together before Pretty Lights in a band and actually when that broke up, when that kinda ceased to exist, that’s when I started writing the first Pretty Lights album.  There was really a period of time for about two years between when that band ended and when the first Pretty Lights show that I actually invited the drummer up to play with me.  I wanted that element live and I feel like it brings a certain kind of hands-on, live energy to the show.  Also, I like to be able to play off another individual.  So that’s when I collaborated with him and started doing the shows with a live kit.

M:  You basically formed a sort of sign language on stage, sort of tipping each other off on what’s going on?

PL:  Yeah.  When we first started playing it pretty much was only two hand signals, like ‘cut out’and ‘come back in’.  But as we played together more and I’ve written more music in a way that it can be performed differently each time, utilizing the different technology like Abelton Live with the different kind of features…

M:  Is that what you use?

PL:  That’s what I use live, yeah, in conjunction of a device called a monomer.  We use signals like, I have different hand signals to switch drum beats, or switch high-hat speeds, or switch to ride signals, or we’ve got one for switching to an off-beat snare pattern, or losing the snare and keeping the kick and high-hat, or different things for bringing the energy up or bringing the energy back down, and things like that.  It’s definitely evolved, the way in which we communicate on-stage.

M:  So how do you think the live performance brings your audience a different experience than what’s on your albums?

PL:  It’s all about the energy, about hearing the music in a different sort of setting.  It’s good car music, I think it’s good bedroom music but a lot of…

M:  Bedroom music, huh!  Getting the beds rockin’?

PL:  That’s what I’m saying, man! People have told me that I’ve gotten them laid.

M:  There you go, to your credit…  Put that on your resume, ‘Getting People Laid!’

PL:  (Laughing)  Back to that question, what I was trying to say was that it’s not all me, or us, the people on-stage, creating that live experience.  It has so much to do with everyone coming together and experiencing the difference of the live show energy but also within a congregation of people.  And it also has a lot to do with, nowadays, the light show and bringing the visual medium.  Which has evolved, but I’m looking to take it a lot further.

M:  Just an all encompassing experience.

PL:  Exactly, a multi-media experience.  A lot of people think that when I named it Pretty Lights that I named it exactly for that, some crazy laser light show, but that definitely wasn’t in my mind at all when that name kinda came to be.  It was more about personal experiences of pretty lights, I’m always on the look at for that kind of thing.  But I’m definitely trying to bring the whole live light/video aspect of the show to a whole ‘nother level, and just keep pushing that, keep pushing the production so that people can really have a cool experience that’s far different than listening to the record.

M:  We are doing a show on Michael Jackson.  How did he affect you, if at all?  With his passing, it hit us all in the music industry in one way or another.  Did he affect you at all?

PL:  Yeah, he did.  Not maybe at the same time that other people, especially at my age, might have been exposed to it or hit by it because, honestly, I grew up in a family that, when I was a kid, I wasn’t really exposed to a lot of music.  Being born in the eighties, I think a lot of people my age heard a lot of Michael Jackson growing up but it was a different experience for me because it didn’t get into to it until I was able to find it myself as a late teenager.  In junior high I was like ‘Oh, I know who Michael Jackson is, he’s the King of Pop’ but I wasn’t really exposed to his music.  When I really started getting into music, and getting into production, and really going back and listening to it with fresh ears, a lot of it is just unbelievable.  It’s just incredible music.  The records he did specifically with Quincy Jones, who’s one of my icons as a producer, have been very inspirational, not only in how I create music but also in a personal way.  That combination of artists was really able to create some pieces of music that made you feel.  And that’s what music has always been about for me, creating emotion and always having people be able to feel something from the music, inside.

M:  Where do you see Pretty Lights evolving to in the near future?

PL:  I have a lot of ideas that I want to manifest and to make happen in my career, wherever it goes.  Right now, and in the recent past, I’ve been doing a lot of collage sample producing, where I’m taking different snippets from vinyl and bringing them together to create pieces of music.

M:  Like Girl Talk style?

PL:  Not like Girl Talk at all.  Actually, nothing like that.  More like DJ Shadow, a big influence for me.  The whole idea is more obscure pieces of music and just little pieces of it.  So you can still really implement melodic creativity and create feelings and emotions that didn’t exist in the song that the sample was taken from because you’re getting pieces from all these different not only artist but different decades.  As far as pushing the project and the show and the music in general, I feel like the sampling phase of my career is kind of dwindling because I have the means to create that stuff on my own.  Before, in that two year period I mentioned between the prior band and Pretty Lights, I worked as an audio engineer in a professional recording studio and did a lot of records with, not only local bands, but some bigger artists.  I did some work with Lyrics Born and Greyboy Allstars and stuff like that.  I want to be able to capitalize on my experience as an audio engineer and working in the studio producing other musicians, just how we were talking about Quincy Jones.  I’m actually already looking into getting my own vinyl press and buying analog tape machines, so I can really create the sound that I want, which right now I’m getting by taking it from vinyl from other decades.  But I want to be able to create that in the present day.  As far as future records, I’m looking to work with networks of musicians and really utilizing recording techniques to hang on to that golden age of music where everything sounded so warm and awesome.  As far as my records, that’s where I’m looking to take things, but also I’m looking to make it very multi-media.  I do a lot of video editing and stuff on the side and haven’t been able to really bring that to the show yet.  So one thing that I’m looking to work on in the near future is also realizing audio/video compilation things, not just records but records and video accompaniments and the same time.  But, anyway, you’re letting me babble on, which I appreciate.

M:  That’s cool.  I asked the question.  Hey man, thanks a lot for being with us.  I appreciate it.  We look forward to your set tonight.

PL:  Yeah, me too!  It’s been a pleasure.   Thank you so much.

My Morning Jacket Announce New US Tour Dates

Shortly after completing their recent tour with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Louisville’s My Morning Jacket will be taking their celebrated, exhilarating live show back on the road this August.  Jim James, Tom Blankenship, Carl Broemel, Bo Koster, and Patrick Hallahan will come together in San Diego on August 11^th to kick start another series of their special performances.

My Morning Jacket Announce New  US Tour Dates

August Shows Includes Supporting Slots for Tom Petty

Shortly after completing their recent tour with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Louisville’s My Morning Jacket will be taking their celebrated, exhilarating live show back on the road this August.  Jim James, Tom Blankenship, Carl Broemel, Bo Koster, and Patrick Hallahan will come together in San Diego on August 11^th to kick start another series of their special performances that no other band can replicate.

Sub Pop’s Avi Buffalo will be supporting the group for the San Diego date as well as their LA show at The

Greek Theater.  The run will also include a stop at Denver’s Mile High Festival, and MMJ will be supporting Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers on several dates.  The band is both thrilled and humbled to have been asked to open for the legend.

For all of the Jacket’s headlining dates, the guys will be donating $1 from each ticket to a local charity.  See below for the full list of organizations along with links to their websites for more information.

MMJ Tour Dates

* = supporting slot for Tom Petty
# = with Avi Buffalo

08/11:  San Diego, CA – SDSU Outdoor Theatre #
San Diego Coast Keeper (www.sdbaykeeper.org)

08/12:  Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre #
School On Wheels (www.schoolonwheels.org)

08/15:  Denver, CO – Mile High Festival

08/17:  Chicago, IL @ Charter One Pavilion
Mercy Home (www.mercyhome.org)

08/19:  Boston, MA – Comcast *

08/20:  Burlington, VT – Champlain Valley Lawn
Combat Paper Project (www.combatpaper.org)

08/21:  Boston, MA – Comcast *

08/24:  Newark, NJ @ Izod Center *

08/25:  Holyoke, MA @ Mountain Park
WomanShelter (www.womanshelter.org)

08/27:  Pittsburgh, PA @ Station Square Amphitheater
Just Harvest (www.justharvest.org)

08/28:  Rochester, NY @ CMAC
Finger Lakes Land Trust (www.fllt.org)

08/29:  Philadelphia, PA @ Great Plaza
Greensgrow Philadelphia Project (www.greensgrow.org/philly)

Related articles:

• My Morning Jacket unites and re-emerges (charlestoncitypaper.com)
• My Morning Jacket – “Friends Again” (Live) (stereogum.com)
• Jim James Plans Coal Miners Benefit Tour (spin.com)

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