Friday, December 7, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
MEMBERS OF R.E.M, PAVEMENT, BUILT TO SPILL, THE DECEMBERISTS, DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS, AND OTHERS LAVISH PRAISE FOR CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY
CVB COVERED BY DIVINE FITS
As Camper Van Beethoven plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2013, many of the band's peers and members of R.E.M., Pavement, Built To Spill, Drive-By Truckers, Meat Puppets, Widespread Panic, Minus 5, The Nerves, and Elf Power spoke about CVB's influence, its pioneering role in creating the genre of indie rock, and their love for the band.
In addition, Britt Daniel's Divine Fits have recently covered CVB's "I Was Born In a Laundromat" both in concert and as a b-side to a recent single.
"The first time we heard CVB, we knew they were destined for greatness."
- R.E.M.
"Each member of Camper is a thoughtful songwriter, and a master of his instrument, with a totally unique vision, and together they have a balanced, egoless, and dynamic chemistry that's created many of my favorite songs."
- Doug Martsch (Built To Spill)
"Camper Van Beethoven, very much an essential '80s band traveling on their own arc, punctuated the beginning of my college career. They served it up with panache. 'Sometimes,' 'I Don't See You,' 'Ambiguity Song,' 'Circles,' 'Dustpan,' 'The History of Utah,' 'Still Wishing to Course'--all songs that ended up on assorted song cassette tapes in vain attempts to increase overall coolness. They made California cool to a Virginian. It was some good, reliable shit. As they wandered east, they backed it up with great live action. They were good musicians. That was weird. They were sarcastic. That was appealing."
- Bob Nastanovich (Pavement)
"I've kind of come back to a lot of the more American music that got me going in the first place – R.E.M. and Camper Van Beethoven and all these bands that borrowed from more American traditions like Neil Young and the Byrds."
- Colin Meloy (The Decemberists)
"I've been a Camper Van Beethoven fan since the mid 80's. 'Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart' is actually one of my very favorite albums of that era and one that I still pull out now. I'm thrilled to hear that they are finally making a new album (la costa perdida) and I can't wait to crank it up. I know this one will be a keeper"
- Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)
"Camper Van Beethoven caught my ear. It was psychedelic on one hand, innovative folk-spirited on the other. 'I Saw Jerry's Daughter' is the sort of song that makes you smile a knowing smile. Their clever and innovative mix of instrumentation and style made them a breath of fresh air in the down and dirty punk scene that we were growing up in."
- Curt Kirkwood, Meat Puppets
"Part of the soundtrack of my life. A uniquely American band with wonderful songs. I'm always happy when they put out a new album."
- Dave Schools, Widespread Panic
"I was already a fan of CVB when they came to Seattle and played the Fabulous Rainbow Tavern. The show was amazing. I remember besides all the great songs from their first album, that they played the 'Theme From S.W.A.T.' too, with Jonathan playing the melody on a tiny Casio. Their songwriting and production skills started at great, and got even better with 'Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart' and 'Key Lime Pie.' When I saw them in Portland a few years ago the spark was still there -- a fantastic show."
- Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5, R.E.M., Baseball Project, etc.)
"The only band i know that can mix elements as diverse as folk, punk, gypsy music, ska, and psychedelic rock together into a wonderful stew, and make it sound completely natural."
- Andrew Rieger (Elf Power)
"Camper Van Beethoven are giants. I've been in love with the band since I first heard them. Like Tom Waits only different, they put an original spin on every kind of rebel music there is. All their records are great. Dig it."
- Peter David Case (The Plimsouls, The Nerves)
As Camper Van Beethoven plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2013, many of the band's peers and members of R.E.M., Pavement, Built To Spill, Drive-By Truckers, Meat Puppets, Widespread Panic, Minus 5, The Nerves, and Elf Power spoke about CVB's influence, its pioneering role in creating the genre of indie rock, and their love for the band.
In addition, Britt Daniel's Divine Fits have recently covered CVB's "I Was Born In a Laundromat" both in concert and as a b-side to a recent single.
"The first time we heard CVB, we knew they were destined for greatness."
- R.E.M.
"Each member of Camper is a thoughtful songwriter, and a master of his instrument, with a totally unique vision, and together they have a balanced, egoless, and dynamic chemistry that's created many of my favorite songs."
- Doug Martsch (Built To Spill)
"Camper Van Beethoven, very much an essential '80s band traveling on their own arc, punctuated the beginning of my college career. They served it up with panache. 'Sometimes,' 'I Don't See You,' 'Ambiguity Song,' 'Circles,' 'Dustpan,' 'The History of Utah,' 'Still Wishing to Course'--all songs that ended up on assorted song cassette tapes in vain attempts to increase overall coolness. They made California cool to a Virginian. It was some good, reliable shit. As they wandered east, they backed it up with great live action. They were good musicians. That was weird. They were sarcastic. That was appealing."
- Bob Nastanovich (Pavement)
"I've kind of come back to a lot of the more American music that got me going in the first place – R.E.M. and Camper Van Beethoven and all these bands that borrowed from more American traditions like Neil Young and the Byrds."
- Colin Meloy (The Decemberists)
"I've been a Camper Van Beethoven fan since the mid 80's. 'Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart' is actually one of my very favorite albums of that era and one that I still pull out now. I'm thrilled to hear that they are finally making a new album (la costa perdida) and I can't wait to crank it up. I know this one will be a keeper"
- Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)
"Camper Van Beethoven caught my ear. It was psychedelic on one hand, innovative folk-spirited on the other. 'I Saw Jerry's Daughter' is the sort of song that makes you smile a knowing smile. Their clever and innovative mix of instrumentation and style made them a breath of fresh air in the down and dirty punk scene that we were growing up in."
- Curt Kirkwood, Meat Puppets
"Part of the soundtrack of my life. A uniquely American band with wonderful songs. I'm always happy when they put out a new album."
- Dave Schools, Widespread Panic
"I was already a fan of CVB when they came to Seattle and played the Fabulous Rainbow Tavern. The show was amazing. I remember besides all the great songs from their first album, that they played the 'Theme From S.W.A.T.' too, with Jonathan playing the melody on a tiny Casio. Their songwriting and production skills started at great, and got even better with 'Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart' and 'Key Lime Pie.' When I saw them in Portland a few years ago the spark was still there -- a fantastic show."
- Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5, R.E.M., Baseball Project, etc.)
"The only band i know that can mix elements as diverse as folk, punk, gypsy music, ska, and psychedelic rock together into a wonderful stew, and make it sound completely natural."
- Andrew Rieger (Elf Power)
"Camper Van Beethoven are giants. I've been in love with the band since I first heard them. Like Tom Waits only different, they put an original spin on every kind of rebel music there is. All their records are great. Dig it."
- Peter David Case (The Plimsouls, The Nerves)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Skiffle and The Piffles - "Just Because It's Christmas" music video
From 'Festivus' on Highline Records:
Friday, November 30, 2012
'FESTIVUS': AN INDIE POP CHRISTMAS FEATURING EDDIE ARGOS (OF ART BRUT), PINEY GIR, CORREATOWN, AND MORE, OUT NOW ON HIGHLINE RECORDS
Highline Records is presenting its first Christmas album 'Festivus,' a
newly recorded, 15-track indie pop collection featuring Glam Chops (with
Eddie Argos, also of Art Brut), Piney Gir (who was recently featured on
NPR's Weekend Edition), Correatown (one of SPIN's "next big things"),
the "beautiful" (Time Out) Real Tuesday Weld, and others.
The compilation skips between new wave (The Birthday Kiss, Piney Gir), Phil Spector-inspired pop (Hunks and Friends), synth-pop (Baubles), glam rock (Glam Chops), garage (The Werewandas), and 80s-inspired pop (St. Veit). Handclaps, harmonies, bells, and synths abound to warm up listeners during the holiday season.
'Festivus' Track List
1. Christmas Time is Here - Correatown
2. Just Because It's Christmas - Skiffle and the Piffles
3. Every Day's a Holiday - Piney Gir
4. Countdown to Christmas - Glam Chops
5. The New Going Out - The Baubles
6. Dearest Santa - Alphabet Backwards
7. Song of December - The Real Tuesday Weld
8. Everywhere at Once - Monnone Alone
9. St. Veit - Still Flyin'
10. Sentimental Christmastime - The Birthday Kiss
11. Santa Claus is Not a Number - The Little Kicks
12. Christmas Day (Time to Let You Go) - Russell (El Disastre)
13. I Love You Santa Claus - The Werewandas
14. The Magic of Christmas - Hunks & Friends
15. Present and Correct - Alexander's Festival Hall
The compilation skips between new wave (The Birthday Kiss, Piney Gir), Phil Spector-inspired pop (Hunks and Friends), synth-pop (Baubles), glam rock (Glam Chops), garage (The Werewandas), and 80s-inspired pop (St. Veit). Handclaps, harmonies, bells, and synths abound to warm up listeners during the holiday season.
'Festivus' Track List
1. Christmas Time is Here - Correatown
2. Just Because It's Christmas - Skiffle and the Piffles
3. Every Day's a Holiday - Piney Gir
4. Countdown to Christmas - Glam Chops
5. The New Going Out - The Baubles
6. Dearest Santa - Alphabet Backwards
7. Song of December - The Real Tuesday Weld
8. Everywhere at Once - Monnone Alone
9. St. Veit - Still Flyin'
10. Sentimental Christmastime - The Birthday Kiss
11. Santa Claus is Not a Number - The Little Kicks
12. Christmas Day (Time to Let You Go) - Russell (El Disastre)
13. I Love You Santa Claus - The Werewandas
14. The Magic of Christmas - Hunks & Friends
15. Present and Correct - Alexander's Festival Hall
Thursday, November 29, 2012
THE REASON WHY GRAMMY-WINNER SUSAN MCKEOWN IS A SINGER TODAY: HER PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN MOM
Chief among the reasons why GRAMMY-winner Susan McKeown is a singer is
her mother Jeannie McKeown Ryan, a profession musician in Dublin,
Ireland.
"She would come home, get dinner ready, serve it on a circular table – there were seven of us! – then would stand up and unzip her house coat. She'd be wearing something wonderful underneath, and after putting on makeup and perfume would go to this magical other world, to perform. It was all very glamorous."
Jeannie was a Hammond organ demonstrator for a big music store, conductor of church choir, and an organist accompanying theatrical and variety shows in one of the city's main theatres. She received the Benemerenti medal from the Pope (the highest honor a woman can receive from the church) for long service, with over thirty years as organist and choir mistress. Susan's grandparents met in the Dublin church choir for which her mother became choir mistress at the age of 14. Susan's father ran a candy factory. "He played the Willy Wonka role," she jokes.
Susan was the youngest of five and showed the most interest in music. "I remember singing before I ever learned to talk," she says. "Later, mam and I would sing in harmony with the songs on the radio." When Susan was old enough to join the choir, Jeannie gave her several solos, key moments in her musical development. She also recalls her mother's influence on her business sense, saying, "She was confident in herself as a woman and of her value as an artist."
Jeannie would use her maiden name of McKeown when performing and Susan took that last name when she emigrated to the United States, eventually having it changed legally. "I found a book at the Strand Bookstore a week after I arrived entitled Naming Ourselves, Naming Our Children and in reading it gave myself permission to take my mother's last name, and in so doing pass on the tradition through the women's line."
"I am so proud of her, privileged to have had her as my mother," says Susan, who made a 1999 album with Cathie Ryan and Robin Spielberg called 'Mothers: Celebrating Mothers & Motherhood,' featuring several songs that remember Jeannie.
Susan is passing on the tradition as well, giving her daughter her mother's last name, taking her on tour and fostering her growth as a performer. "She has traveled with me all over Europe and much of the U.S. She's forging her own way. She's already written her first album of songs at ten years old and they've very catchy."
"She would come home, get dinner ready, serve it on a circular table – there were seven of us! – then would stand up and unzip her house coat. She'd be wearing something wonderful underneath, and after putting on makeup and perfume would go to this magical other world, to perform. It was all very glamorous."
Jeannie was a Hammond organ demonstrator for a big music store, conductor of church choir, and an organist accompanying theatrical and variety shows in one of the city's main theatres. She received the Benemerenti medal from the Pope (the highest honor a woman can receive from the church) for long service, with over thirty years as organist and choir mistress. Susan's grandparents met in the Dublin church choir for which her mother became choir mistress at the age of 14. Susan's father ran a candy factory. "He played the Willy Wonka role," she jokes.
Susan was the youngest of five and showed the most interest in music. "I remember singing before I ever learned to talk," she says. "Later, mam and I would sing in harmony with the songs on the radio." When Susan was old enough to join the choir, Jeannie gave her several solos, key moments in her musical development. She also recalls her mother's influence on her business sense, saying, "She was confident in herself as a woman and of her value as an artist."
Jeannie would use her maiden name of McKeown when performing and Susan took that last name when she emigrated to the United States, eventually having it changed legally. "I found a book at the Strand Bookstore a week after I arrived entitled Naming Ourselves, Naming Our Children and in reading it gave myself permission to take my mother's last name, and in so doing pass on the tradition through the women's line."
"I am so proud of her, privileged to have had her as my mother," says Susan, who made a 1999 album with Cathie Ryan and Robin Spielberg called 'Mothers: Celebrating Mothers & Motherhood,' featuring several songs that remember Jeannie.
Susan is passing on the tradition as well, giving her daughter her mother's last name, taking her on tour and fostering her growth as a performer. "She has traveled with me all over Europe and much of the U.S. She's forging her own way. She's already written her first album of songs at ten years old and they've very catchy."
CORB LUND CONFIRMS DECEMBER TOUR DATES, SOME WITH HAYES CARLL
WNYC SOUNDCHECK TAPES SEGMENT AS CMT.COM POSTS Q&A WITH CARLL AND LUND
'CABIN FEVER' ROCKETS TO #4 ON AMERICANA RADIO CHARTS
Fresh from taping WNYC Soundcheck on New York City's NPR affiliate, which will air in late November or early December, Corb Lund has announced tours runs of the west and the south in December. The latter dates are a co-headlining bill with Hayes Carll, with whom he duets on "Bible on the Dash." The two are also the subject of a Q&A on CMT Edge.
Meanwhile, 'Cabin Fever' has climbed the Americana radio charts, hitting a new peak of #4 this month.
Hayes Carll said, "Corb's actually lived the shit we all want to sing about, and writes the stories we all wish we'd lived."
CORB LUND DECEMBER TOUR DATES
Dec 14 – Sam Bonds Garage – Eugene, OR
Dec 15 – The Treehouse – Bainbridge, WA
Dec 16 – Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
Dec 18 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
Dec 27 – Revolution Music Room – Little Rock, AR (w/ Hayes Carll)
Dec 28 – House of Blues – Houston, TX (w/ Hayes Carll)
Dec 29 – Antone’s – Austin, TX (w/ Hayes Carll)
Dec 30 – Antone’s – Austin, TX (w/ Hayes Carll)
Dec 31 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX (w/ Hayes Carll)
'CABIN FEVER' ROCKETS TO #4 ON AMERICANA RADIO CHARTS
Fresh from taping WNYC Soundcheck on New York City's NPR affiliate, which will air in late November or early December, Corb Lund has announced tours runs of the west and the south in December. The latter dates are a co-headlining bill with Hayes Carll, with whom he duets on "Bible on the Dash." The two are also the subject of a Q&A on CMT Edge.
Meanwhile, 'Cabin Fever' has climbed the Americana radio charts, hitting a new peak of #4 this month.
Hayes Carll said, "Corb's actually lived the shit we all want to sing about, and writes the stories we all wish we'd lived."
CORB LUND DECEMBER TOUR DATES
Dec 14 – Sam Bonds Garage – Eugene, OR
Dec 15 – The Treehouse – Bainbridge, WA
Dec 16 – Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
Dec 18 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
Dec 27 – Revolution Music Room – Little Rock, AR (w/ Hayes Carll)
Dec 28 – House of Blues – Houston, TX (w/ Hayes Carll)
Dec 29 – Antone’s – Austin, TX (w/ Hayes Carll)
Dec 30 – Antone’s – Austin, TX (w/ Hayes Carll)
Dec 31 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX (w/ Hayes Carll)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
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