Magic Wands – “Space” (Video)

Magic Wands release the video for “Space”, the first single from their debut full-length. The video was directed by Dexy Valentine of Magic Wands and John Charter. It’s a hypnotic love story about a girl who is pulled apart from her true love by an overpowering seductive force. “The band and some of our friends got together and shot the video in our Los Angeles apartment and neighborhood. We used the headlights of our car to illuminate the night shots and a giant piece of sage for smoke and fire. In our apartment, we experimented with laser lights and strobes. For the flying scenes we stayed up all night to catch the sunrise,” says Dexy. John Charter adds, “‘Space’ is the most narrative Magic Wands video to date. I love the lo-fi videos they self-made for their EP and we wanted to keep that aesthetic while building more of a story. Originally it was going to be about how the band formed but then it evolved during the process. There was a lot of spontaneity.” Dexy and Chris from the band directed all of the music videos for their Magic Wands EP. John Charter has directed a number of award-winning short films, music videos and commercials. His work is viewable at www.johncharter.com. To see prior Magic Wands videos visit www.youtube.com/themagicwands.

The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow (8.9/10)

Have you ever listened to an album, and wanted to give a standing ovation at the end?  Well, I’ve listened to The Civil War’s Barton Hollow quite a few times, and it’s made me want to give a rousing standing O after every listen.  As a matter of fact, I’m going to take a writing break for a moment and give that standing O.  (Yes.  I did it.)  

The duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White have created a chillingly beautiful album through a vocally dominant approach with sparse instrumentation.  This sparseness can easily expose vocal weaknesses within a recording, but Joy and John have none.  Male/female duos are in no shortage on the music scene, but there are few that can pull off the true beauty of this “indie folk” recording.  One of the last bands to capture this feeling was The Swell Season, yet I feel that The Civil War does it even better.  What “it” is, I can’t quite put my proverbial finger on it, but “it” is certainly there in grand fashion.

TCW not only tugs on your heart strings, they also break out some rousing tracks which can get a crowd singing along with them (like the title track, Barton Hollow).  I can’t say enough good things about this album, nor can I attempt to capture the alluring, angelic, and enchanting qualities that Barton Hollow possesses.

Go have yourself a listen to Barton Hollow.  You’ll be glad that you did.  As of August 1, 2011, The Civil Wars is one of my top 3 choices for Best New Band, as well as an Album of the Year candidate.

Key Tracks:  Barton Hollow, Poison & Wine, I’ve Got This Friend

- Moe

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)