thus spake drake

Breaking Bad - Felina: One little kiss and Felina, good-bye

2013-10-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

A dying man in a snow-covered car with only an old Marty Robbins tape to keep him warm.

We've had a few days now to process the series finale to Breaking Bad and while initially it seemed there were two camps -- those that loved it for its closure and those that appreciated it but found it too tidy -- I've found myself, with a scant few, in a third camp.

This third camp starts in the 'too tidy' camp and intellectually works its way to the other camp by either re-interpreting or re-working creator Vince Gilligan's intentions. And it all starts with the episode's title and song it references.

Marty Robbins' song "El Paso" features a gun-toting narrator who's smitten for a Mexican girl named Feleena* and, in jealous rage, murders another of the maiden's suitors. Our narrator high tails it out of town, sequestering himself until his never-ending desire for Feleena draws him back to El Paso, where he is shot trying to make to see his infatuation one last time. One of the more relevant facts about this song is that the first-person narrative is being told by a dead man. Feleena miraculously is by his side as he dies, giving our anti-hero the closure he desires.

*Gilligan has stated he took liberties with the spelling to make it an anagram of 'finale.'

If you look at Feleena as a metaphor for Walter White's hopes and desires, the love he had for his time as Heisenberg is well apparent, and dying in the metaphorical arms of his precious meth lab only confirms this. This imagined death is much better than dying inside the volvo, a death more likely to have happened.

And this is where I left this post off at the time of the writing, before becoming entangled in the 'day job' again. I'm posting 'as is' to both preserve the moment and to provide this dying blog a pulse, however faint.

Mad Men "The Doorway:" Blue Hawaii

2013-04-08T18:10:00.000-07:00

Don (Ho) contemplates the pu-pu of his former life.

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to think here, having been led through two hours of metaphorical hoops that started out as an odd Brady Bunch episode and ended at a destination that wasn't far from where we left off last season (or the season before, for Don anyway). But... Mad Men is indeed back!

It's six months or so later from where we last left off -- now late 1967, at a point where we've thankfully skipped over the "Summer of Love" (with only the fungal spread of sideburns to show for it). "The Doorway" uses the title as a metaphor for all sorts of passages. There's the a dance at the doorway of death to start the episode -- likely meant to trick you into thinking Don was having heart attack -- in the form of Don and Megan's doorman. Metaphorical-hammer-to-the-head much? There was an actual death, of which Roger took the emotional brunt of after manifesting the "doorway" metaphor in his therapy. (No good title inducer goes unpunished.) And there's the advancement of careers for Peggy (at new agency as head copywriter), Megan (now a soap opera star of sorts) and Joan -- who has broken Sterling Cooper Draper ~~Price~~'s glass ceiling yet still can't garner the respect of Harry (who looks like he just stepped off the set of Bewitched).

Musically, there's a lot I haven't digested as of yet, but the final song -- as is often the case -- has its own story to tell. Elvis Presley's rendition of "The Hawaiian Wedding Song" serves as a nice bookend to the Don scene on the beach along with the movie it was from, Blue Hawaii, being about a soldier's journey upon returning from war (an intentional parallel for Elvis himself at the time). Throw in a little infedelity (with an older, time-travelling Lindsay Weir!) and add to that the movie's location being the very same Waikiki beach we see Don and Megan on and you have what is pretty much the perfect song.

Elvis Presley - "Hawaiian Wedding Song"

Prince slays "Bambi," brings retired blogger back from dead

2013-03-17T22:58:00.002-07:00

Fittingly enough, it took me 17 days after the fact to catch up to Prince playing Jimmy Fallon earlier this month. The new single, the power-poppy "Screwdriver," is the 'plug' he played on the network, but it's the Purple One's bonus rendition of "Bambi" (from 1979's Prince, video below), that has folks talking -- and me waking up this blog.

Am I back? I don't know. Inspiration is one thing, but time is another thing entirely.

Watch more video from the Staff Picks channel on Frequency

Music on TV - Week of December 12.10.12: 121212 Concert for Sandy

2012-12-10T01:30:00.000-08:00

121212 Concert for Sandy Relief on Wednesday features a star-studded cast.

Picks for the week
Monday, December 10
ABC: The View: Jason Mraz
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Larry Gee
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Elvis Costello
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Glen Hansard
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Solange
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Hives
TBS: Conan: Jack White

Tuesday, December 11
ABC: The View: Big Boi & Kelly Rowland
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Sarah Jaffe
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Mick Jagger & Keith Richards (Reading Top 10 list)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Fidlar
TBS: Conan: Graham Parker and the Rumour
Wednesday, December 12
AMC, AXS TV, BLOOMBERG, CBS, ENCORE, EPIX, FUSE, G4, HBO, IFC, PALLADIA, SHOWTIME 2, SUNDANCE, VH1 CLASSIC, more: 121212 the Concert for Sandy Relief: The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, The Who, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, Kanye West, Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, Bon Jovi
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Atlas Genius
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Grizzly Bear
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Michael Stipe
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Florida Georgia Line
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Heavy
Thursday, December 13
ABC: The View: Rickie Lee Jones with Ben Harper
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Dan Deacon
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Jeff Tweedy, Mavis Staples, Sean Lennon
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Jezabels
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Usher
TBS: Conan: Ryan Adams
Friday, December 14
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Martha Wainwright
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Titus Andronicus (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Justin Bieber
Saturday, December 15
AXS: Warren Haynes Presents: The 24th Annual Christmas Jam: Sheryl Crow, The String Cheese Incident, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Bruno Mars
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Paul McCartney
PBS: Austin City Limits: Monsters of Folk
Sunday, December 16
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller (first hour) and Willie Nelson (second hour)

Music on TV - Week of 12.03.12: Led Zeppelin

2012-12-03T01:30:00.000-08:00

Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin will appear on Letterman this Monday

You may have noticed a dearth of the written word on this blog of late, and it's mostly due to a kind of ridiculous schedule with my new latest job. I'm an editor for the default News app for the recently released Windows 8, which looks great and you'll have to take my word for it (or upgrade, natch, to experience).

Consider this a return of sorts, just like Led Zeppelin on Monday night, as Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones sit down for an interview on Letterman. They're not scheduled to perform, but they could.

Going back nearly as far is another reunion of sorts, with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John on Ellen Wednesday. There is likely to be dancing, so consider yourself warned.

Elsewhere, there's a full slate of stuff the kids listen to nowadays, highlighted by The Avett Brothers playing with the Brooklyn Philharmonic (Jimmy Kimmel on Wednesday), and a couple of network TV debuts on Thursday from Vintage Trouble (Letterman) and Tanlines (Jimmy Fallon).

Picks for the week
Monday, December 3
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Led Zeppelin, Paloma Faith
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Richie Sambora
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Polyphonic Spree
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Dave Matthews
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Titus Andronicus
TBS: Conan: Punch Brothers
Tuesday, December 4
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Vampire Weekend (REPEAT)
AXS: AXS Concert Series: R. Kelly: The Single Ladies Tour LIVE!
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: J.D. McPherson
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Richie Sambora
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Matisyahu
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Bonnie Raitt
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Family of the Year
TBS: Conan: Ke$ha
Wednesday, December 5
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Avett Brothers with the Brooklyn Philharmonic (REPEAT)
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Sonic Youth
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Diana Krall
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Richie Sambora
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Robert Cray
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Blitzen Trapper
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
TBS: Conan: Delta Spirit
ABC: The View: Bonnie Raitt
Thursday, December 6
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Alicia Keys (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Vintage Trouble
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Richie Sambora
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Paloma Faith
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Tanlines
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Walk the Moon
TBS: Conan: The Gaslight Anthem
Friday, December 7
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Future (REPEAT)
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Richie Sambora
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Garbage
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Big Boi
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Divine Fits (REPEAT)
Saturday, December 8
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Ke$ha
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Ne-Yo
PBS: Austin City Limits: Steve Martin, Sarah Jarosz

Music on TV - Week of 11.26.12: Soundgarden

2012-11-26T01:30:00.000-08:00

Soundgarden return with the new album King Animal, and play Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday.

Picks for the week
Monday, November 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Soundgarden
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Delta Rae
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Sun Kil Moon (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: White Arrows (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Wild Belle
Tuesday, November 27
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Future
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Dirty Projectors (REPEAT)
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Dolly Parton
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Little Big Town
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Aimee Mann (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Grimes (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Miguel
Wednesday, November 28
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Wiz Khalifa
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Aerosmith (REPEAT)
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: LP
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart: Neil Young
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Miguel (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Walkmen (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Alice Cooper
Thursday, November 29
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Wiz Khalifa (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Tony Bennett (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Grouplove
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ceremony (REPEAT)
PBS: Tavis Smiley: Bettye LaVette
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Maroon 5
TBS: Conan: Nas
Friday, November 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Ne-Yo (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Lianne La Havas (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Wallflowers (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Brandi Carlile (REPEAT)
PBS: Tavis Smiley: Aimee Mann
Saturday, December 1
PBS: Austin City Limits: The Steve Miller Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Sunday, December 2
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Gavin DeGraw, Matt White

Music on TV - Week of 11.19.12: Inventing David Geffen

2012-11-19T01:30:00.000-08:00

A young David Geffen in a shot used for PBS' American Master series, airing Tuesday night.

Picks for the week
Monday, November 19
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Aimee Mann & James Mercer
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Pete Townshend
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Zac Brown Band
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Shiny Toy Guns (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Katie Couric Show: Tony Bennett, Thalia
TBS: Conan: Tennis (REPEAT)

Tuesday, November 20
ABC: The View: Willie Nelson
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Andy Allo
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Tegan and Sara
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Wanda Jackson
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Pitbull
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Citizen Cope (REPEAT)
PBS: American Masters: Inventing David Geffen: Joni Mitchell, Cher, Jackson Browne, The Eagles
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Kelly Clarkson
TBS: Conan: Flo Rida (REPEAT)

Wednesday, November 21
ABC: The View: Pitbul
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Flo Rida
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Willie Nelson, Gary Clark Jr.
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Andy Grammer
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Features (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Tenacious D (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Katie Couric Show: Alicia Keys
SYNDICATION: Live With Kelly: Nicki Minaj
Thursday, November 22
ABC: Michael Jackson: BAD25: Michael Jackson
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Boys Like Girls (REPEAT)
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Lynyrd Skynyrd (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Dan Cummins
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Metric (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Big K.R.I.T. (REPEAT)
Friday, November 23
ABC: The View: R. Kelly
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Ben Folds Five (REPEAT)
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Tenacious D
IFC: Trapped in the Closet: R. Kelly
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Psy
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Stepkids (REPEAT)
PBS: Tavis Smiley: Don Was
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Madonna
Saturday, November 24
NBC: Saturday Night Live: REPEAT TBD
PBS: Austin City Limits: Jimmy Cliff
Sunday, November 25
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Idina Menzel with Josh Groban and Ravi Coltrane, John Mayer

Music on TV - Week of 11.12.12: Crossfire Hurricane

2012-11-12T01:00:00.000-08:00

The HBO documentary Crossfire Hurricane takes a look at the Rolling Stone's first ten years.

Picks for the week
Monday, November 12
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game featuring Tyga & Wiz Khalifa
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Soundgarden
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Meek Mill
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Walkmen
TBS: Conan: Walk the Moon
Tuesday, November 13
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Youngblood Hawk
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Mumford & Sons
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Gin Wigmore
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ceremony
Wednesday, November 14
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Ne-Yo
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Dirty Projectors
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Kylie Minogue
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Electric Guest
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Divine Fits
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Rihanna
TBS: Conan: Lianne La Havas
Thursday, November 15
HBO: Crossfire Hurricane: The Rolling Stones
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Brandi Carlile
TBS: Conan: Jeff the Brotherhood
Friday, November 16
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Donald Fagen
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Kylie Minogue
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Miguel
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Jezebels (REPEAT)
Saturday, November 17
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Maroon 5
PBS: Austin City Limits: Mumford & Sons, Flogging Molly
Sunday, November 18
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Collective Soul, Fountains of Wayne

Music on TV - Week of 10.29.12: Bob Mould

2012-10-29T01:30:00.000-07:00

Bob Mould is back to rocking out with his latest, Silver Age.

Picks for the week
Monday, October 29
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Alicia Keys
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Paul Banks
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Macy Gray
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Imagine Dragons
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Jezabels
TBS: Conan: Bob Mould
Tuesday, October 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: St. Vincent with David Byrne
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Trey Anastasio
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Citizen Cope
Wednesday, October 31
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Vampire Weekend
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Features
TBS: Conan: Needtobreathe
Thursday, November 1
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: the Avett Brothers with The Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Aerosmith
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: St. Vincent with David Byrne
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: ZZ Ward
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: RZA
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Metric
Friday, November 2
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ultraista
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Regina Spektor
Saturday, November 3
NBC: Saturday Night Live: fun.
PBS: Austin City Limits: The Civil Wars, Punch Brothers
Sunday, November 4
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Counting Crows, Dave Matthews Band, The Wallflowers

Music on TV - Week of 10.15.12: Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples

2012-10-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

Mavis Staples joins Bonnie Raitt on stage for Austin City Limits.

In a week full of reruns, there's still some good action if you look hard enough.Picks for the week
Monday, October 15
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Whigs (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Neon Trees (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Animal Collective (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Chairlift (REPEAT)
Tuesday, October 16
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Gotye (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Estelle (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: The Wallflowers
TBS: Conan: Ty Segall
Wednesday, October 17
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Joe Walsh
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Martha Wash (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Gaslight Anthem (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Heavy (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Ellie Goulding
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Ellie Goulding
Thursday, October 18
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Paul Weller
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: The Killers
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Cher Lloyd (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Jens Lekman (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Desaparecidos (REPEAT)
Friday, October 19
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Allen Stone
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Bobby Womack with Damon Albarn & Richard Russell (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: fun. (REPEAT)
PSY (REPEAT)
Saturday, October 20
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Bruno Mars
PBS: Austin City Limits: Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples

Music on TV - Week of 10.08.12: Ty Segall

2012-10-08T01:30:00.000-07:00

Ty Segall makes an appearance on Conan, Tuesday, in support of the new release Twins.

Picks for the week
Monday, October 8
ABC: The View: Pete Townshend
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Ben Howard
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart: Pete Townshend
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Wallflowers
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Sun Kil Moon
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Hives
TBS: Conan: Michael Kiwanuka
Tuesday, October 9
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Father John Misty
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Miguel
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Morrissey
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Pete Townshend, Jens Lekman
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Milo Greene
SYNDICATION: Live With Kelly & Michael: Rick Springfield
TBS: Conan: Ty Segall
Wednesday, October 10
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Dwight Yoakam
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: KISS
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Ellie Goulding
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Fidlar
TBS: Conan: Ellie Goulding
Thursday, October 11
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Prince
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Daughter
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Grizzly Bear
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Jackson Browne
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Kimbra
Friday, October 12
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Jamey Johnson with Alison Krauss
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Peter Gabriel, Ben Gibbard
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Andrew Bird (REPEAT)
Saturday, October 13
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Passion Pit
PBS: Austin City Limits: Bon Iver

Music on TV - Week of 10.01.12: Radiohead

2012-10-01T01:30:00.000-07:00

Radiohead put on quite the performance for the 38th season premiere of Austin City Limits, this Saturday.

Picks for the week
Monday, July 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Electric Approach
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Martha Wash
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Ben Folds Five
THE CW: iHeartRadio Music Festival: Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Green Day
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Matt & Kim
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Heavy
SYNDICATION: Live With Kelly and Michael: Diana Krall
TBS: Conan: The Shins
Tuesday, July 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: PSY
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Kendrick Lamar
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Brother Ali, Desaparecidos
SYNDICATION: Live With Kelly and Michael: Heart
Wednesday, July 25
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Garbage
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: LP
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Kenny Rogers
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Murs, fun.
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: OneRepublic
TBS: Conan: Tegan & Sara
Thursday, July 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Tenacious D
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Raveonettes
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Neon Trees
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Animal Collective
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Wyclef Jean, The Walkmen
TBS: Conan: Slash
Friday, July 27
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Wallflowers
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Hives
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Regina Spektor (REPEAT)
Saturday, July 28
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Muse
PBS: Austin City Limits: Radiohead
Sunday, July 29
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Foreigner, John Fogerty

Music on TV - Week of 09.24.12: Animal Collective

2012-09-24T02:30:00.000-07:00

Animal Collective perform on Conan, Monday.

The TV season officially starts this week, so even if the talkies don't have the most robust music lineup, the (money) horse is finally out in front of the cart. Kicking it off is Animal Collective, Monday on Conan, out in support of their fine release Centipede HZ. Since the album was tailored to be played live (unlike their splatter board approach in the past), the band should be a bit more musically interesting on stage. Oh, they've always been stylistically interesting, but sometimes it can feel a bit boring watching the quartet twist knobs, even in animal masks and multi-colored lights.

Elsewhere, it will be interesting to see how Green Day's full slate of TV performances (two nights on Kimmel, one appearance on Ellen) are going to be handled, given the recent Billie Joe Armstrong drama. After his f-bomb laced temper tantrum at the iHeartRadio showcase, the Green Day frontman checked into rehab this weekend, citing it as his excuse for the "meltdown." Official word from the band is all appearances will be cancelled, except for upcoming appearances from Armstrong on The Voice, which were taped prior. Be sure and check back later for schedule updates to see who (if anyone) replaces Green Day's many appearances.

Picks for the week
Monday, July 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Killers
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Gotye
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: David Byrne & St. Vincent (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: We Are Augustines (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Animal Collective
Tuesday, July 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Green Day
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Whigs
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Bettye LaVette
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Regina Spektor
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: No Doubt
TBS: Conan: Band of Horses
Wednesday, July 25
ABC: The View: Dwight Yoakam
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Green Day
CBS: The Early Show: Dwight Yoakam
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Andrew Bird, Billy Corgan
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: No Doubt
Thursday, July 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Tony Bennett
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Lupe Fiasco
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Bettye LaVette
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Chairlift
TBS: Conan: The Chevin
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Dwight Yoakam, Green Day
Friday, July 27
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Dwight Yoakam
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Estelle
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: The Killers
Saturday, July 28
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Muse
PBS: Austin City Limits: Arcade Fire (REPEAT)
Sunday, July 29
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Heart, Fleetwood Mac

Bumbershoot 2012: The Streak Continues (Fishbone, Ty Segall, Passion Pit)

2012-09-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

Michael Angelakos of Passion Pit

So we're at 26 now.

Yes, after all my blustering about missing this year's Bumbershoot and ending my streak at the solid number of 25 straight, I ended up going the final day of the music festival a few weeks back. One good friend passed on a participant ticket for that day and I got back from my trip out of town to attend. Couple that with a donated VIP pass and I was in business again.

Decked out in my 22 year old Fishbone t-shirt (that STILL glows in the dark), I brought my camera just in case and was accompanied for the first few hours by my music festival loving 5-year old, who "helped" me take some photos of Reign Wolf's early set. "Help" involved pressing the button on the camera while I held him and the camera steady. Just a couple minutes of this and my shoulder felt like it was going to fall off, but we did capture a couple good ones (scroll down to see).

After ditching my child (he got cab fare, don't worry!) I banked on my familiar face to get me into the pit, which worked for Foxy Shazam. Slight of build lead singer Eric Sean Nally was a blur on the stage, turning the classic idea of a rock star on its ear, as he is wont to do. Ty Segall and his face melting set was next, and for this, fellow rocktographer Marianne slipped me an extra photo pass and there was no more need for blatant deceit. After that, I saw some of the M83 set and the kids trying to start a mini-riot -- the youth in the bleachers didn't take kindly to the floor being kept at just half-full.

After some Pains of Being Pure at Heart, the act I was most excited to see was up -- Fishbone. Call it nostalgia, call it curiosity (have you seen Everyday Sunshine yet?), whatever the impulse, the 'bone were the band I wanted to see all weekend. My Fishbone T-shirt might not have lost some of its glow (we'd lost some daylight charge for it by that point) but what transpired on stage was illuminating enough. They reached deep into their catalog for a crowd-pleasing set list. Their raucous performance of "Party at Ground Zero" was easily the highlight of the day.

The rest of the night, we managed to see Hey Marseilles, The Vaselines and Passion Pit, and that all just felt like the cherry on top of the night. Next year (#27!) we'll get that damn application in time and they'll be less drama... promise. (Photos below and full set on flickr.)

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Reign Wolf

Ty Segall

Eric Sean Nally of Foxy Shazam

Matt Bishop of Hey Marseilles

M83 plays while the youth revolt.

Full set of photos on Flickr

Music on TV - Week of 09.17.12: Band of Horses

2012-09-17T01:30:00.000-07:00

Band of Horses perform on The Late Show With David Letterman, Wednesday.

Picks for the week
Monday, September 17
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Kreayshawn
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Of Gentlemen and Cowards
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Rascal Flatts
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Jessie Baylin (REPEAT)
Tuesday, September 18
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Nelly Furtado
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Band of Skulls (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Carly Rae Jepsen
Wednesday, September 19
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Afghan Whigs
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Killers
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Avett Brothers
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Kasabian (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Delta Rae
Thursday, September 20
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Band of Horses
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Bonnie Raitt
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Walk the Moon, Jamestown Revival, Deadmau5 (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Frank Turner
Friday, September 21
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: ZZ Top
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Bobby Womack featuring Damon Albarn and Richard Russell
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Laura Marling (REPEAT)
Saturday, September 22
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Mumford & Sons
PBS: Austin City Limits: Coldplay (REPEAT)
Sunday, September 23
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Emerson Lake & Palmer (40th Anniversary)

Music on TV - Week of 09.10.12: David Byrne & St. Vincent

2012-09-10T01:30:00.000-07:00

St. Vincent and David Byrne perform on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Three years in the making, the long awaited collaboration between David Byrne and Annie Clark of St. Vincent finally sees the light of day this week. Love This Giant sees Byrne most energized, and there are lots and lots of horns, which are a highlight even as they come at the cost of Clark's exquisite guitar work, which gets drowned out in the brassness of the proceedings.

Elsewhere, Saturday Night Live returns for its 38th season, and even though it will be without stars Kristin Wiig and Andy Samberg, there's still a lot of excitement for the season premiere this Saturday. At least some of that has to do with Frank Ocean as the musical guest.

Other required viewings: The Avett Brothers on Kimmel (Monday), Grizzly Bear on Fallon (Friday).

Picks for the week
Monday, September 10
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Avett Brothers
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Dwight Yoakam (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: David Byrne & St. Vincent
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Ting Tings (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: Katie: Sheryl Crow
TBS: Conan: The Head and the Heart
Tuesday, September 11
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Rita Ora
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Jeff the Brotherhood (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Emil Sande (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Cat Power
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Thee Oh Sees (REPEAT)
Wednesday, September 12
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Hacienda (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Regina Spektor (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Florence & the Machine
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Wallpaper (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: The Hives
Thursday, September 13
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Norah Jones (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Father John Misty (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: The Walkmen
Friday, September 14
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Grace Potter (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Grizzly Bear
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Dr. Dog (REPEAT)
Saturday, September 15
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Frank Ocean
PBS: Austin City Limits: Wilco (REPEAT)
Sunday, September 16
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Dashboard Confessional / Fall Out Boy

Music on TV - Week of 09.03.12: Divine Fits

2012-09-03T01:30:00.000-07:00

The Divine Fits (Britt Daniel + Dan Boeckner) make their network TV debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (Friday).

Picks for the week
Monday, September 3
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: JJAMZ (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Beth Orton (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Nicki Minaj (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Tom Waits (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bomba Estereo (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan:
TRAVEL: Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations at SXSW!: Sleigh Bells, Neon Indian, Whiskey Shivers, Alejandro Escovedo
Tuesday, September 4
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Imagine Dragons
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Robert Cray
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Bob Mould
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Tedeschi Trucks Band
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ed Sheeran (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Jason Mraz
Wednesday, September 5
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Grace Potter
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bombay Bicycle Club (REPEAT)
Thursday, September 6
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Heavy
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Everclear
MTV: MTV Video Music Awards: Frank Ocean, One Direction, Rihanna, Green Day, Pink, Taylor Swift
Friday, September 7
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX: Stand Up to Cancer: Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: OneRepublic
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Divine Fits
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lee Fields and the Expressions (REPEAT)
Saturday, September 8
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Michael Buble (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Pearl Jam (REPEAT)

Other:
ABC: The View:
CBS: The Talk:

PBS: Tavis Smiley:
SYNDICATION: Live With Kelly:
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show:

Bumbershoot streak comes to an end...

2012-08-31T13:46:00.001-07:00

So here comes another Bumbershoot, and I'm sad to report that I'm not going.

Why would I bother going to the effort to blog that I'm not going? Well, you see, I have the somewhat unique distinction of having gone to at least one day of Bumbershoot for 25 straight until now. That's right, since 1987, I've either bought a ticket, volunteered, been a VIP sponsor or acted as press every year for 25 straight years. Until this year.

Long story short, I missed the press deadline by a day. Between the new job (which is ironically now ending in time to have made way for plenty of Bumbershoot photo editing) and dealing with kids on Summer break, I just lost track of things. It's too bad, as this year I really was excited for the lineup (not that I'm not usually fairly pumped for at least a day's line-up).

So now I'm resigned to the fact that the streak will end at 25. It's a good round number and I can start a new one. (Or not? I confess I'm kind of at a crossroads now when it comes to the blog and concert photography... not that you couldn't tell, fair reader, what with the lack of posting this summer.)

First band I saw at Bumbershoot in 1987?
Crazy 8s. Saw them again in '89 and '92.

Favorite early Bumbershoot memory:

Soundgarden/Bumbershoot, 1988 (photo by Mattisnotfrench)

Soundgarden playing a small, sweaty venue in 1988. Chris Cornell introducing a song: "Folks are saying, now that there's Soundgarden, you can throw away your Led Zeppelin albums. Well, now there's Kingdom Come, so you can throw away your Soundgarden records. This next song is called 'Kingdom of Come.'" Towards a long interlude near the end of the song, Cornell was screaming something repeatedly... after a minute or so of it, we figured out it was "SUCK MY COCK!"

Other highlights from that year: Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians, Camper Van Beethoven, and my first experience with the Young Fresh Fellows (sooooo many to follow).

Mudhoney in '93 (and '95, and '96), George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic in '95, and 1997 might have been my all-time favorite festival of acts I got to see (Beck, Wilco, Elliott Smith, Sonic Youth, Cornershop, David Byrne, Robyn Hitchcock, Sleater-Kinney, Built to Spill, Pond, Quasi, Kristen Hersh, Mary Lou Lord... it boggles the mind).

Another favorite memory involved Cat Power's Chan Marshall having a complete meltdown in her opening slot for Robyn Hitchcock in 1999. Throw in Imperial Teen, Built to Spill and The Roots, and it was a pretty good day to remember. In 2000 I got to see Jonathan Richman, Big Star and George Clinton (w/ Parliament Funkadelic again).

A lot of memories kind of blur together after that... until I became armed with kids and a camera. Here's some random photos from the past seven years.

Zane at age 3, dwarfed by the graffiti exhibit (2010).

Eli at age 5, backstage at Justin Townes Earl

RA Scion of Common Market (2009)

2008

"Lips" of Anvil (2010)

Minus the Bear (2011)

Zane's first Bumbershoot (2007)

Eli, with mommy, at his first Bumbershoot (2005)

Music on TV - Week of 08.27.12: The Chevin

2012-08-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

The Leeds, UK band The Chevin make their network television debut Wednesday on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Picks for the week
Monday, August 27
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Polica (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Neon Trees
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Naked and Famous (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Silversun Pickups
Tuesday, August 28
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Alabama Shakes (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Hacienda
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Owl City with Carly Rae Jepsen
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: White Denim (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Andrew W.K.
Wednesday, August 29
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Chevin
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Tristan Prettyman
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Wilco (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Foster the People (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Owl City with Carly Rae Jepsen
Thursday, August 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Good Old War (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Heavy
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Band of Skulls, Allen Stone (REPEAT)
Friday, August 31
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Wood Brothers (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rodriguez (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: We Are Augustines (REPEAT)
Saturday, September 1
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Rihanna (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Dave Matthews Band (REPEAT)
Sunday, July 29
AXS: AXS Concert Series: Sugarland

Music on TV - Week of 08.20.12: Yeasayer

2012-08-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

Yeasayer performs on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on Monday.

Picks for the week
Monday, August 20
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Morning Parade
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Yeasayer
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Kimbra, Tennis, Gary Clark Jr., Kendrick Lamar (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Silversun Pickups
Tuesday, August 21
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Walkmen
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: fun.
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: ASAP Rocky
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Rachael Yamagata (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Andrew W.K.
Wednesday, August 22
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Polica
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Elle King
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: The Flaming Lips (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Emeli Sande
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Quicksand
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Kimbra
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Jay Rock (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
Thursday, August 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Josh Doyle
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: fun. (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Smashing Pumpkins
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Kasabian (REPEAT)
Friday, August 24
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Die Antwoord (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Alejandro Escovedo
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Antibalis
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bombay Bicycle Club (REPEAT)
Saturday, August 25
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Radiohead (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Florence + the Machine, Lykke Li (REPEAT)
Sunday, August 26
AXS: Vegas Rocks! Awards: Sammy Hagar, Michael Schenker

Music on TV - Week of 08.13.12: Flaming Lips, Grizzly Bear

2012-08-13T01:36:00.000-07:00

Stephen Colbert introduces The Flaming Lips on the US Intrepid.

Now that the Olympics are over, it's nearly back to business for the talk shows and The Colbert Report leads the way this week with Stephest Colbchella 012, featuring culled together pre-recorded performances from aboard the US Intrepid. Bands performing include Grizzly Bear (Tuesday), Santigold (Wednesday), fun. (Monday) and, aircraft carrier headliners The Flaming Lips (Thursday).

Elsewhere, check out lost late 60s folkie Rodriguez, who's the subject of the well received documentary, Looking for Sugarman. He makes his network television debut on Letterman Tuesday.

Picks for the week
Monday, August 13
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Alabama Shakes
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Glen Hansard
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: fun.
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Norah Jones
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Needtobreathe
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Trentemoller (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (REPEAT)
Tuesday, July 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Good Old War
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rodriguez
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Grizzly Bear
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Melvins (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Eric Hutchinson (REPEAT)
Wednesday, July 25
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: JJAMZ
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Santigold
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rick Ross
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Dwight Yoakam
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: T.I.
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: fun. (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Kids These Days (REPEAT)
Thursday, July 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Fixx
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ben Howard
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: The Flaming Lips
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Regina Spektor
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Neon Hitch
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Portugal. The Man (REPEAT)
Friday, July 27
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Allen Stone (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Offspring
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: 2 Chainz
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lee Fields and the Expressions (REPEAT)
Saturday, July 28
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Florence & the Machine
PBS: Austin City Limits: Allen Toussaint (REPEAT)
Sunday, July 29
HDNET: AXS Concert Series: Jimmy Cliff (REPEAT)

Music on TV - Week of 08.06.12: Tenacious D & Weird Al Yankovich

2012-08-06T02:30:00.000-07:00

Tenacious D join forces with Weird Al Yankovic for IFC's surreal talk show Comedy Bang Bang, Friday August 10.

IFC's Comedy Bang Bang, a talk show born from the twisted mind of Scott Aukerman, celebrates its first season finale with an all-star comedy music team up of Weird Al Yankovic and Tenacious D. Throw CBB music man Reggie Watts into the mix, and you have a comedy music supergroup in the making.

Here's a sample of what ensued:

Comedy Bang! Bang! - Tenacious D featuring Weird Al (Friday Aug 10) by IFC-Official

The Summer Olympics means there's very little else on TV to compete, so what else ya gonna do? Of course, if you're on Dish Network like me, it's just another reason to continue trying to find a good alternative (not having any luck with Comcast or DirecTV).

Picks for the week
Monday, August 6
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Head & the Heart (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Gaslight Anthem (REPEAT)
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Pete Seeger
TBS: Conan: Norah Jones
Tuesday, August 7
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Marina & the Diamonds (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Zac Brown Band (REPEAT)
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Imagineers (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Grouplove
Wednesday, August 8
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Zac Brown Band (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Trampled by Turtles (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Ziggy Marley
Thursday, August 9
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Nas (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Tom Waits (REPEAT)
Friday, August 10
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Trey Songz (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rufus Wainwright (REPEAT)
IFC: Comedy Bang Bang: Tenacious D, Weird Al Yankovic, Reggie Watts
Saturday, August 11
PBS: Austin City Limits: Fleet Foxes, Joanna Newsom (REPEAT)
Sunday, August 12
NBC: 2012 London Olympics Closing Ceremony: The Who, Spice Girls, One Direction

Music on TV - Week of 07.30.12: thenewno2

2012-07-30T00:54:00.002-07:00

Beatle offspring Dhani Harrison fronts Thenewno2, performing on Conan Monday.

The Olympics, specifically NBC's terrible coverage of it, is pre-empting a lot of entertainment this week, so the pickings are meager. But one act of note this week is thenewno2, who feature Beatle offspring Dhani Harrison. After recording the act's debut (You Are Here, 2009) primarily by himself, Harrison has filled out a full band to back him and co-founder Paul Hicks for the follow up, thefearofmissiongout. Between the acts name and album title, it seems like they have a larger fear of their keyboard's space bar.

Elsewhere, My Morning Jacket is live at Red Rocks on AXS (the channel formerly known as HDNet) Saturday night while Tenacious D take their joke rock to Conan on Thursday.

Picks for the week
Monday, July 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Rubblebucket (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Bootsy Collins (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Thenewno2
Tuesday, July 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Diamond Rugs (REPEAT)
Wednesday, July 25
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Matisyahu (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Jason Mraz
Thursday, July 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Serj Tankian (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Tenacious D
Friday, July 27
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Rick Ross (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Jimmy Cliff (REPEAT)
Saturday, July 28
AXS TV: AXS Concert Series: My Morning Jacket
PBS: Austin City Limits: The Head and the Heart, Gomez (REPEAT)
Sunday, July 29
AXS TV: AXS Concert Series: Tower of Power (40th Anniversary Concert at the Fillmore)

Now Downloading: New Releases 07.10.12 - Dirty Projectors, Mission of Burma, The Frogs

2012-07-27T00:44:00.003-07:00

Dirty Projectors wow with their latest, Swing Lo Magellan.

I've been so busy of late (working on this) that I've started several posts that I've never been able to finish -- which is painful considering how many great releases have crossed the digital divide these past 3-4 weeks. So here I am, reaching back and finishing what I started... sort of. Dirty Projectors' raised the stakes this week with their follow-up to 2009's album of the year, and Mission of Burma returned with another great one, which made for perfect releases to profile. Twin Shadow's latest caught a log of buzz and then Dennis Flemion went for a swim and never came back, and suddenly two new albums from his band The Frogs seemed worth a cram session. In the past, it would've just meant a long lunch and a late, but we're torching candles from four sides. So here's an abridged version of what was planned. Dirty Projectors get the bulk, Mission of Burma get a mention, and we'll just leave point you to The Frogs earlier releases as tribute to Flemion, as their swan song releases don't quite rise to the task at hand (that is, unless you're already a fan).

Other new releases of note for this week include ones from Holograms, Aesop Rock, Marina and the Diamonds, Digitalism, Van She, and a compilation celebrating Woody Guthrie's 100th birthday.

Playlist: New Releases 07.10.12: Spotify

Dirty Projectors - Swing Low Magellan [Insound]
LP via Insound / iTunes / Stream via Rhapsody

After successfully distilling his penchant for art rock weirdness with 2009's thrilling Bitte Orca, it's safe to say that mastermind David Longstreth was under a certain weight of expectations with a follow up. Instead of cooking up a Bitte 2: Shamu's Revenge, Longstreth reportedly looked to such surprising inspirations as Lil' Wayne and Neil Young's Tonight's the Night (a Drake fave). The former crops up with the choice of choppy rhythms while the latter presents itself in one-take vocals and bits normally left on the editing floor. The single take vocals are nowhere more apparent than on the duo of "The Gun Has No Trigger" and "Swing Low Magellan" that follows. It's off-putting at times, as Longstreth falls flat reaching for notes he's not sure of. Normally, I'm all for that rawness, but in the context of a song that feels meticulously planned and orchestrated, it feels like duct-taped spontaneity. The four song run at the close of the album ("See What She Seeing" to the spiritual "Irresponsible Tune") is phenomenal, though, and it elevates this recording to best-of-year candidacy. (That is, until the best albums from the next two weeks successively get dropped. It's sure fun to re-write past articles with knowledge of what's to come.)

"The Gun Has No Trigger" (Soundcloud)

Mission of Burma - Unsound [Insound]
LP via Insound / iTunes / Stream via Rhapsody
Nearly a decade ago, MoB pulled off the most amazing comeback, not just reuniting after a calling it quits so long ago, but writing and releasing an album that was relevant and, well.. kicked ass. Here it is 10 years later (and 33 since the band began!) and they continue to release kick-assery, without falling into formula. It's truly remarkable what they've managed to do. Someone needs to film a documentary on this shit, for realsies.

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Twin Shadow - Confess [Google Play]
The Frogs - Count Yer Blessingz [Google Play]
The Frogs - Squirrel Bunny Jupiter Deluxe [Google Play]
Holograms Holograms [Google Play]
Woody Guthrie - Woody at 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial [Google Play]
Aesop Rock - Float [Google Play]
Marina & the Diamonds - Electra Heart [emusic]
Digitalism - DJ-Kicks [Google Play]
Van She - Ideas of Happiness [Google Play]

tags: music, album review, dirty projectors, mission of burma, indie rock, new releases

Music on TV - Week of 07.23.12: The Xx

2012-07-23T01:30:00.000-07:00

The Xx are scheduled to perform on Conan, Tuesday.

Picks for the week
Monday, July 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Head & the Heart
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rufus Wainwright
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Aretha Franklin
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: R. Kelly
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Speakers (REPEAT)

Tuesday, July 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Nas
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Allen Stone
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Jay Sean
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Beach House
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: We Were Promised Jetpacks (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: The Xx
Wednesday, July 25
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Trey Songz
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Milo Greene
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Lumineers
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Wilco
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Fool's Gold (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Tennis
Thursday, July 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Rick Ross
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: will.i.am
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: MoZella
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: No Doubt
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ed Sheeran (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Flo Rids
Friday, July 27
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Airborne Toxic Event (REPEAT)
CBS: The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Joss Stone
NBC: 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony: Paul McCartney, A.R. Rahman
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Joss Stone
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Gaslight Anthem
Saturday, July 28
PBS: Austin City Limits: M. Ward, Okkervil River
Sunday, July 29
HDNET: AXS Concert Series: Snoop Dogg